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#I definitely know I want to completely rework the opening but want to wait until I’ve written more
thelostboys87 · 3 months
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at this point im just speeding through chapter one of lover boy like im trying to get through the perfume department
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peyton-warren · 2 years
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Blinded by The Fog Part 5
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Characters: Captain Syverson and Reader. Mention of Jake Jensen and Jolene Pairings: Jake Jensen x Reader Word count: 1952 Type: angst and fluff Warning: 18+. Minors DNI. Panic attack, guilt, self-depreciation, self-doubt, loss of spouse and found family, swearing. Therapy/ emotional baggage type language.
Summary: Reader throws herself into a panic attack, and Sy can't do a damn thing to stop it as she pushes him as far away as she can.
Author's Note: I admit this is partly self-indulgent as I fight with my own demons of self-doubt and self-worth. Its been a hard couple of years months lately. Thank you to @adulting-sucks for her continued support, pushing me to completely rework this chapter when the initial draft didn't feel right at all.
Ask Box: Open
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Chapter 4
As quickly as you had fallen into sleep's embrace, it was slow to let you go the next day.   Your brain was clear, and you felt well rested, something you hadn’t felt in what seemed like a really long time.  Rubbing your cheek against the pillow, your brain recognized that it didn’t smell right.  Not bad, just not right. Blinking sleep from your eyes, you slowly take in your surroundings.  You stretch as you look at the dimly lit room.  This was definitely not the room you fell asleep in, and looking around the room you surmised this was Sy’s bedroom, though it could be a guest bedroom as minimal as the decor was.  But you doubted the giant king size bed was wasted on his guests.  
That brought to mind the man of the house, and you wondered where he was.  You knew you had the bed to yourself last night, there didn’t seem to be any other body shapes on the comforter  beside you.  Getting up, you made quick use of the en suite bathroom, helping yourself to a couple Advil and a bit of mouthwash before you went to find your host.   
Following your nose to the kitchen, you found a pot of coffee waiting for you with a note leaned against an empty mug next to the Mr Coffee. “Went for a run.  I’ll be back soon” in no nonsense block letters.  You softly smiled at the note, setting it to the side as you filled the mug, doctoring it to your liking.  Sipping your coffee, you debated what to do next. You didn’t know how long his runs were, and even if you did you had no way of knowing when he left.  You were at his mercy right now, not that you minded much, you had nowhere to be.  But he was the only way back to your car.
With a soft sigh, you leaned against the counter to wait until you have more caffeine in your system before you do anything really.  You stared out across the house. This really was a great house, a home. Even before you saw the pictures of the house when he bought it that hung on a wall, you knew how much of himself Sy put in this house.  
Once you consumed half your cup, you moved to look in the fridge to see if there was anything you could salvage for breakfast, your belly starting to rumble.  That was another feeling you had not had in a while- the want to eat more than forcing yourself to eat.  Looking through the minimal offerings in the fridge and cupboard, you opted to munch on a piece of fruit you find in a bowl on the counter.  Once Sy was back you two could figure out what you are gonna do about food, maybe he already had a plan.  
Suddenly you realized you hadn’t checked your phone in hours, glancing at the clock on the stove, well over 12 hours.  Oh god, Jolene!  Panic swirled back through you.  You had promised to be there for her no matter what and here you dropped the ball.  Yeah she wasn't even 6 months pregnant yet, but shit anything could happen. Tossing the apple to the table, next to your cup, you dashed for the front of the house, grabbing for your bag.  You shuffled through it, searching for the phone though you knew it wasn’t in there from the second you put your hand inside.  It wasn't there.  
“Shit!”
Panic grew in your belly as you tried to think back to last night, what happened and where your phone could possibly be.  You checked the living room, though you are certain you didn’t have it with you there.  You pulled up every couch cushion, shook out every blanket, tossed every throw pillow and found nothing.  Putting it all back in correct places, your panic does little to abate.  You go to the bedroom, thinking maybe Sy put it near you, but it wasn't on the nightstand nor under the blanket you had slept in.  
“Fuck!”
Sitting on the side of the bed, you tried to take a few deep breaths, to get your head thinking straight.  You could see if you could find Sy’s phone, if he didn’t take it with him on the run.  Disappointment filled your gut as you registered even if you did find his phone and unlocked it, it wasn't going to do you a bit of good, you didn’t have Jolene’s number memorized and you really doubted Sy would have the woman’s number.  He would have Madre’s number who would have Jolene’s number but you didn’t know if you wanted to throw extra worry on top of Madre.   
“Motherfucker!”
Alright you needed to get your shit together.  Where else could your phone be?  A few steady deep breaths later you had an epiphany, Sy’s truck! It had to be there.  Had to.  You flew out the front door, vaguely hearing the door shut behind you as you padded down the wet sidewalk in your bare feet, heading for the truck.  The light drizzle barely registered on your face as you grabbed for the driver's handle, swearing as the door didn't budge and the handle flips out of your wet fingers.  
“For Fuck’s Sake!”
Attempting again you get the very same outcome, resulting in tears escaping from your eyes. You lean your forehead on the door, striving to gather yourself, endeavoring to push the tears back down, aiming to sidestep the tornado of emotions that are trying to escape from you all at once.  Jolene needed to find a new person to rely on.  You clearly were incapable of taking your job seriously.  One night of whatever the fuck last night was with Sy, and you completely drop the ball.  
And then there was that voice in the back of your head that pops up.  Yeah, about last night.  What was that?  Snuggled on the couch, drinking beer and eating pizza with a good looking man.  If I didn't know better, I would think you were back to dating instead of mourning your dead husband.  You remember him don’t you?  I think his name was Jake.  
“Fuck off!”
Turning back to the house, you can not say you are very surprised to find the door locked.  What was left of your shit being held together suddenly erupted from deep inside of you.  Pressing the crown of your head to the door multiple times, you felt the torrent of tears fall down your cheeks. Everything swirled in your brain, your inability to help Jolene, your loss from the loss of Jake, the loss of the team, your guilt for spending time with another man so close to your husband’s death.  You wanted to run, you wanted to hide, you wanted to just stop all this from clogging your brain and breaking your heart.  
You have no way of knowing how long you sat beside the door on the cold wet porch before Sy jogged up the stairs.  “What’s wrong?” he asked, kneeling in front of you, a hand on your knee.  With a violent swipe, you pushed his hand away, revealing your face to him.  “What happened, baby?” he tried again, falling to his own knees beside you.  
“Don’t call me that,” you growled, using the sleeve of the short sleeve shirt you had slept in to wipe at the snot and tears that accumulated on your face.  
Sitting back, Sy looked at you, trying to assess what had happened. “Let’s get you inside,” he said, grabbing for your arm which you ripped from his grip.  
“Lemme go.”
Putting his hands up, he stood and reached for the door, finding it locked.  Silently he slipped from the porch only to return a few moments later with a spare key, opening the door.  He turned to tell you but found you getting to your feet, and pushing past him into the house.  Grabbing your bag and clothes from a hook, you headed for the bathroom.  “I need you to take me to my car,” you said, your voice rough and haggard.  
You heard nothing in response, but didn’t stop to see if he had heard you before slamming the door behind you.  Unable to look at yourself in the mirror, you dressed in record time, ignoring the way your clothes stuck to your wet skin and how cold you were.  You needed to go, you needed to get out of here. With precision of decades of practice you shoved your feelings back into the bottle you kept them in, turning yourself back into the stone pillar of a woman you tried to always put forth towards the world.  
Leaving the borrowed clothes hung from the curtain rod to dry,  you headed out.  You found Sy silently waiting for you in the front hall, his features concerned but silent.  “Let’s go.”  You did not even pause to put your shoes on your feet.  
“Alright,” he said, his tone matching the cold front of yours, following you out the door.  You stepped out to notice he had started the truck, warming it up for you.  Your heart broke just a little more, threatening to uncork your bottle again, as that horrible voice in the back of your brain told you he was too good for you, reminding you that you were still mourning your husband.  That same voice told you the next second you were reading too much into all of this, he would have done the same for Madre or Jolene.  
When you opened the door to the truck, you found your phone sitting square in the middle of the passenger seat.  Pushing it to the side, you climbed in and buckled up as Sy did the same.  Continuing to ignore him, you looked at your phone to see you had no voice mails or text messages from anyone let alone Jolene.  The cork wiggled a little as you suddenly felt so foolish, so childish. You chastised yourself for being so over dramatic, letting out a heavy sigh, leaning an elbow on the door, cradling your head in your hand.  “Fuck,” you sighed softly, not even recognizing you said it outloud.  
“Gonna tell me what's got you so wound up?” Sy tried again, his voice somewhere between annoyed and concerned, which grated against your already tetchy nerves.  
“Nope,” you replied, letting the P pop loudly in the cab.  “Just need to go home.”
“A’ight.”
The rest of the ride to your car was eerily silent, the minutes stretching into unbearable hours in your brain, the feeling you needed to hide not abating even a miniscule amount.  Swishing your hand through your bag, you had your keys in hand a mile from work, swapping them for your shoes. You had your seatbelt unbuckled before the truck even pulled into your work parking lot, and your door was open before he had it in park.  
“Sugar, wait-” you felt his hand skim over your arm as you slipped out of the cab, slamming the door closed behind you.  The instinct to rabbit was the only thing roaring in your brain as you fumbled with your key fob, somehow undoing the lock and sliding into the car.  After hitting the lock button, you tossed your crap on the passenger seat while shoving the key in the ignition.  The car roared to life and you were speeding out of the lot before Sy could even comprehend what was going on.  You didn’t even glance in the mirror to see the stunned man standing there with his hands on his hips.  
Part 6
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General Tag List: @littleone65
HC Tag LIst: @m07belzen, Used-to-be-bourbonwithice @hawklin 
BBTF Tag List: Mis-lil-red , @mysweetlittledesire
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triplexdoublex · 3 years
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Jets
Pairings: Colson x Reader
Warnings/tags: mild daddy kink, overstimulation, unholy uses of jacuzzi jets
A/N: This is an older fic I reworked to be an MGK fic. Also this is an AU Colson’s not famous.
“Mmmmmmm” You groan, stirred awake by a warm pleasurable sensation taking over your core. Your eyelashes flutter open and a tangled mess of bleach-blonde hair comes into focus between your thighs. “Well, good mmm-morning to you t-too.” You moan out. Colson smiles against your folds as he moves his tongue in waves over your clit. “Uhhh Colson…F-fuck!” You whine gripping the sheets.
 In all the years you’ve been together he’s never woken you up in such a way and you wonder what’s gotten into him, but you’re definitely not complaining. He pushes your thighs open wider tracing  figure eights over your clit with his tongue, as you moan and writhe enjoying every minute of your wake up call. He slides his hands inward from your thighs to your core his fingertips prying open your lips as he begins to tongue fuck your entrance. With his hand resting on your lower abdomen he uses his thumb to work your clit in circles. “Ohhhh Fuck I’m close!” You moan bucking your hips off the mattress while grabbing a handful of his bed-head, holding his head in place just where you want it. You rake your other hand through your hair, pulling it down over your face in a fit of pleasure as you ride out your orgasm, rocking your hips against his mouth.
“Mmmmm good morning, babe.” He says crawling up from between your legs to give you a quick kiss on the lips, leaving the taste of yourself behind, which you welcome with a swipe of your tongue.
“What got into you?” You smile between trying to catch your breath.
“Well, you know you never sleep in panties, and you must have kicked the blankets off in your sleep, because when I woke up my shirt you like to wear to bed was all bunched up around your stomach and your pretty, pink pussy just looked like it was begging for it.” He says dragging his bottom lip though his teeth.
“Oh shit what time is it? You ask, grabbing your phone from the nightstand. You look at time 6:15. “Fuck I’m gonna be late.”  You take the quickest shower of your life, get dressed, throw your wet hair up into a messy bun, haphazardly slap some makeup on your face, and speed to work. You make it to your waitress job with only two minutes to spare.
All day at work you’re distracted by the events of this morning, making for a rather stressful day of fucking up orders, and forgetting to check on tables; your mind clouded by the memory of Colson’s warm tongue; you can’t wait to get home and finish what he started.
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Upon entering your house after work you see Colson sitting at the kitchen table on his laptop looking rather stressed; presumably buried in work related emails. You walk over to him and stroke your hand up his arm.
“Babe?” You say in a sultry tone, trying to pull him from his work to get what you want.
“Not now hun, sorry I got a lot of shit to do.” He says without even looking up from his laptop blowing you off.
“Daddy?” You try again, knowing it always drives him wild when you call him that.
“Y/N, not right now, I’m sorry. I need to take care of some things.” He says. You know he means business because he uses your name instead of the little pet names like Princess, Babygirl, or Kitten, he usually uses when you call him Daddy.
“Fine I’m gonna go take a bath and relax a little before I make dinner then.” You say making your way over to the staircase.
“That’s fine, I’m not hungry yet anyways.”  Colson says, eyes glued to the laptop screen as he types away.
*************************
Upstairs in the bathroom you run the water in the large, two-person Jacuzzi tub, setting it to the perfect temp before undressing. When the water level rises over the jets you climb in and turn them on; the loud hum of the motor and the whirlpool action of  the water cancelling out all other noises around you. You sink down low in the water, the jets pulsing  against your neck and  back releasing the tension of the day, when suddenly you become very aware of the water lightly bubbling between your thighs from the jets of the empty seat across from you. With the memories of this morning still playing through your head you get an idea. You scoot closer to the jet, putting your feet up on the edge of the tub allowing the jet stream to pulse against your clit. You moan lowly at the intense feeling. You close your eyes and tilt your head back; the ends of your hair floating on the surface of the water.
“Feel good?”
“Colson! Jesus Christ, you scared me!” You exclaim scrambling to sit up; you’re face flushed with embarrassment.
“I said, feel good?” He says biting his lip.
“Well, I much rather feel you.” You tease, swimming up to the edge of the tub. “but somebody was busy.”
“Yeah, well that somebody came up here to tell you that I decided work can wai.t I’ve been dying to get inside of you all day. You’re the reason I’m so behind.”
“Yeah, well, what are you waiting for get in here.”  You smirk, sliding your hand down your stomach to your core as he watches.
“God, you’re gonna get it so good, you know that right?” Colson says as he quickly strips his clothing.
“Mmmmmm am I?” You giggle biting your lip, as Colson steps into the tub and takes a seat. You make your way over to his lap and attempt to straddle him.
“No get on your knees.”
“What?” you ask perplexed.
“You heard me, get on your knees, kneel on the seat!” He barks, shifting out of your way. You do as you're told, kneeling on the seat, the jets bubbling against your core driving your desire. “You like these jets so much, lets see how much you like them when I fuck you up against them.” He bends you over the side of the tub trailing his fingers through your folds. “God, not even this water can wash away how wet you are for me.” He breathes in your ear. “How’s those jets feeling on this pussy baby?” He says as he rubs you.
“Mmmmm so good.”
“How about now?” He says pushing against the small of your back forcing you closer to the jets.“
“Oh shit, Colson, Fuck!” You whine as the jets pulse against your clit. Colson quickly enters you from behind adding to the immense pleasure. Every thrust of his hips brings your core closer to the powerful stream. “Colson!, Fuck, I’m c-cumming already” You scream after only a few thrusts.
“I’m not done with you yet!” He growls, continuing to fuck you. You try to wiggle away from the water blasting on your sensitive clit to no avail; Colson keeping you firmly in place as he rapidly thrusts into you; water splashing all over.
“Colson, Fucking Christ…..Oh my God!”  You grip the edge of the tub as your second orgasm rips through you. “
“Fuck your pussy feels so good when it clenches around me like that.” He grunts, not missing  a beat, still keeping perfect rhythm as he thrusts. “Let’s see if we can make you do that again.” He picks up his speed fucking you faster and harder against the jets; causing not one but two back to back orgasms to ravage your core. You scream his name as you feel the tightening of your pussy milk his cum from him. After a few moments to catch his breath, he shuts off the jets, pulls the plug to the tub and exists. You slide down in the seat, your legs shaking, your breathing ragged. You stay there until the tub is completely empty, paralyzed by pleasure;  your legs too weak to stand; the only feeling in them is your blood pumping and coursing through your veins.
“You gonna get out?” Colson chuckles coming back in the bathroom. “How you feeling?” He teases bending down into the tub his hand headed to your swollen clit.“
"Don’t touch it” You laugh smacking his hand away.
“Fine.” He stifles a laugh, extending his hand out. “Let me help you.” You grab onto Colson’s hand and he assists you out of the tub; your legs still wobbly. “You’re absolutely wrecked, let’s just order pizza tonight.”
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wangxianficrecs · 3 years
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Follower Recs
Stories I haven’t read yet, but clearly need to put on my ever-expanding List.
~*~
Welcome back queen [Thank you, it’s so lovely to be back!] if ur still doing follower recs I gotta recommend I would wait for a thousand years by bleuett it’s soooooooo good
[This one was actually recced to me by two different people, the other of whom said, “ Maybe I'm crying a little so I feel like a should recommend ‘I would wait for a thousand years’ by bleuett on ao3.”]... it’s def. on my List!
I would wait for a thousand years
by bleuett (T, 10k, wangxian)
Summary:  During the worst of winter, a traveler comes to stay at Lan Wangji's inn. He wears a red ribbon in his hair.
“Do you see the rabbit?” Wei Ying asks and points at the moon. “That’s the moon rabbit, he helps make Chang’e more immortality elixir. He keeps Chang’e company.”
“I do not wish the rabbit for company,” Lan Wangji says tightly. “You are the one I want by my side.”
“And I’m here, Lan Zhan. If you go to the moon, I’ll follow you, I’ll always be here now.”
~*~
I just read a great fic by aisthuu "every love story is a ghost story", didn't see it in your recs so wanted to recommend it! LWJ is a guqin composer and teacher, buys a cheap guqin off eBay which ends up being attached to WWX's spirit from canon era. It's bittersweet, LWJ deals with Lan's homophobia (implicit in a Lan way) and his feelings towards the ghost. This is author's only ao3 fic and honestly I don't remember how I stumbled upon it, but I'm happy I did and hope you will enjoy it too!  [I’ve recently read this one, and loved it!]
every love story is a ghost story
by aisthuu (M, 59k, wangxian, my bookmark)
Summary:  The man is in Lan Zhan’s bed. Did they—he begins to wonder, eyes trailing to where the man’s body lies under the blanket. Had Lan Zhan—?
Then the sleep-fog clears and Lan Zhan realizes that the young man isn’t quite opaque around the edges.
“You’re a spirit.”
The spirit narrows its eyes. “I’m so much more than that.”
(Lan Zhan buys a guqin off eBay for a suspiciously low price, only to find that it’s haunted. And now there’s a ghost in his bed.)
~*~
Ok so I absolutely have to rec "see you yesterday" by glyphic. It's a wip, but it's currently at 101k so there's a whole lot there, and it's terrible and wonderful and beautiful all at once. The way the backstory of canon events is adapted to the modern-with-cultivation setting is brilliant, and then there's the amnesia, and then there's the time loop. This fic lives permanently rent-free in my brain.
see you yesterday
by glyphic (M, 101k, wangxian, WIP)
Summary:  
Wei Ying 21:09 hey lan zhan what’s the weirdest way youve died
Lan Zhan 21:11 Falling encyclopedias.
Wei Ying 21:12 omg no way that’s so rude turning books against you???
Lan Zhan 21:13 A betrayal I will never forget.
On Halloween night, an exiled demonic cultivator and a Lan disciple get stuck in a time-loop, find each other, and try to figure it all out.
~*~
If you are looking for recs for yourself I absolutely love (the complete!) story Just as the Snow Melts by draechali on AO3. It's a canon divergence where everyone lives, even WWX! ~ @airmidcelt
Just as the Snow Melts
by draechaeli (T, 67k, wangxian)
Summary:  Like a snowy mountain top in spring the residents of the Burial Mounds trickled down the mountain and joined the flow of society.
“I went to the Burial Mounds,” Lan WangJi said.
“Ah, yeah… I’m sorry Lan Zhan,” replied Wei WuXian, “I hadn’t thought anyone would come to visit. I am still not sure how it happened; I brought A-Yuan to Yiling to play by the river and then ended up somehow teaching a bunch of children swimming and writing along with him.”
~*~
Hello! It's come to my attention that you have not as yet read Grandmaster of Meme-onic Cultivation! Please do! It's the only thing that gave me joy during 2020 😆 like proper belly laughs and disney villain style cackling. It is a wip, and it is long but so so worth it!! The author has reworked the entire canon through these message crystals and still conveys complex characters despite the tricky format. It's just so good!! Highly highly recommend it! ❤ ~ @theladypeartree  [Oh!  I’ve been subscribed to this one, and know that @swaglexander-the-great is a reliable provider of Hilarity, so I’m excited for it to be finished!]
Grandmaster of Meme-onic Cultivation 
by Hades_the_Blingking (T, 49k, wangxian, WIP)
Summary:  The Untamed universe is exactly the same, except everybody has magical crystals that have a suspiciously familiar messaging system. The story is pretty much the same as the show, except everyone lives!! (so minor changes).
or in which Wei WuXian tries his darndest to date Lan Zhan, Jiang Cheng possibly has a aneurysm, Jin ZiXuan is still the most awkward human alive, and Xue Yang makes me write some VERY cursed things. Written in chatfic format! :3
~*~
Chomrafy on AO3 deserves love and encouragement; she’s written a body of compact, poetic, and eloquent shortfics each of which can stand alone, but that comprise an intricately cross-referential and mostly internally-consistent universe. They’re grouped as chapters in works according to theme; for example, “in cupped hands” focuses upon Jin Ling and his second-generation baggage; “Departure in Autumn” portrays the last years of WWX’s first life. Follow the tag “Chomrafy’s MDZS shortfics.” [I don’t see this tag?]
in cupped hands
by chomrafy (G, 2k, wangxian)
Summary:  Of secrets, of futures, of love. A Jin Ling-centric collection of 200-word fics.
Ch.1: Jin Ling repays a debt (JL, JC, & WWX). Ch.2: Jin Ling and a ghost in the mirror. (JL & JYL) Ch.3: A matter of friends (JL & the other kids) Ch.4: In this house we don't keep dogs (JC & WWX) Ch.5: In the end, he remains silent (JL & uncles) Ch.6: A first night hunt, of sorts (JL & the other kids) Ch.7: Jin Ling, forgiving, forgetting (JL & LXC & JGY) Ch.8: Jiang Cheng and Jin Ling argue (JL, JC, & WWX) Ch.9: Jin Ling and his father (JL & JC) Ch.10: Jin Ling speaks up (JL, JC, & WWX) Ch.11: Jin Ling and a piece of home (JL, JC, & WWX)
Departure in Autumn
by chomrafy (not rated, 6k)
Summary:  Four perspectives. A steady march to the end.
Ch.1: Because if anything happens to them, Wen Qing would never be able to heal with these hands again. Ch.2: As long as this is still home, Jiang Yanli will wait as long as she needs to. Ch.3: Five times Jiang Cheng reaches for Wei Wuxian, one time he turns away. Ch.4: Whether the road is broad or narrow, bright or dark, they would have to keep walking. Wei Wuxian digs Wen Qing's grave.
~*~
Hello, hope all is going well. I don't have an ask, by I do have a recommendation. I read this fic a while ago and found it again. I just wanted to recommend this for everyone. Let me know what you think please. Thank you. [Oh!  This one’s in my To Read list, but  I’d forgotten about it.  Mmmm, fox!wwx and dragon!lwj.]
Ten miles of Lotus Flowers
by Yukirin_Snow
M, 274k, wangxian
Summary:  He was a mischievous fox spirit, wreaking havoc where he went, about to depart on a journey that would span centuries.
He was a heavenly prince, a proud dragon destined to ascend the throne to become emperor.
Neither expected their paths to collide over the span of three lives.
~*~
I forgot if it was your blog 😥 that recommended “Bestseller” (when Wei Wuxian writes the Xianxia cut-sleeve equivalent of Fifty Shades of Grey, based entirely on his experiences with Lan Wangji, he doesn’t expect it to become the next big hit) (https://archiveofourown.org/works/21528316/chapters/51318766)
But OMG IT WAS HILARIOUS!!! I LOVED IT!! And if it wasn’t your blog, I’m so sorry for how weird this sounds 😭😭😭😭 I just loved this fic so much that I have to tell it to someone 😢 [It’s on my List, but I haven’t read it yet!]
Bestseller
by pupeez4eva
M, 8k, wangxian
Summary:  He had written the book to prove a point. It was never supposed to be a big thing, and he certainly never intended for everyone — Jiang Cheng, Zewu-Jun, the Juniors, literally everyone— to be reading about his sex life.
Oh God, he definitely needed to make sure Lan Zhan didn’t find out about this.
(Or, when Wei Wuxian writes the Xianxia cut-sleeve equivalent of Fifty Shades of Grey, based entirely on his experiences with Lan Wangji, he doesn’t expect it to become the next big hit).
~*~
I’d like to rec On Your Marks, Get Set, Bake! by @blackwiresgrowonherhead
It’s one of my absolute favorites and I laughed out loud so many times when reading it
on your marks, get set, bake!
by BlackWiresOnHerHead
G, 41k, wei wuxian & juniors
Summary:  Jin Ling resumes thumping on the door to room 721, and the small collection of freshmen starts chanting “Senior Wei! Senior Wei! Senior Wei!” with increasing volume until finally Wei Wuxian opens the door.
“Yes?” he says with his widest, most innocent eyes.
“Senior Wei!” demands Lan Jingyi, shoving himself to the front of the group. “Why didn’t you tell us you’re a contestant on this year’s season of The Great Gusu Bake Off?!?”
--
Several months ago, college student Wei Wuxian secretly competed in the most popular reality show in the country. The show starts airing in the fall. The freshmen in his dorm collectively lose their minds.
~*~
If you're in the mood for v. short ridiculous fun fic, may I suggest My chain hits my chest/When I'm bangin' on the radio by x_los It's 2k modern cultivators AU, featuring WWX calling LWJ's sword Bitchin' [omg I’m laughing so hard] and I think it's more fun going in blind?
My chain hits my chest/When I'm bangin' on the radio
by x_los
T, 2k, wangxian
Summary:  Lan Wangji finds he doesn't even need to call for help for Wei Wuxian to come running.
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shesawriter39049 · 3 years
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|Breakdown’s & Bugatti’s| M|
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PAIRING: Namjoon x Reader (Ft a hint of Tae & Jin)
About- Namjoon just does what he has to do to keep you ....calm while at a charity gala!  
OR:
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CHAPTER 1 : MEET THE KIMS OF NEW YORK 
**WARNINGS: **Semi public sex, Fingering (F receiving), Minimal prep, Light dirty talk, Light spit play, Choking, Spanking, Gags (Makeshift), Non protective sex (Creampie), light overstimulation
WC: 7K (This is a sneak peak so it’s 1.2k)
NON SEXUAL WARNINGS: (Fictional political background)  Hints at recreational drug use (Molly) Brief mentions of death, father issues, and panic attacks/anxiety (All of these topics are super minor but again, out of respect I’m mentioning them) 
The remaining “characters” will be introduced at a later date
This chapter hints at various future plots 
This is almost 2 years old, I reworked it recently 
If you’ve been following me for a while this is the original draft for “Club First Royale” 
FINAL NOTE: I haven’t been active in damn hear a year ( 8 months) So I am posting sneak peeks intentionally! No, not to torture you guys lol but to get my blog flowing again because I’m sure people aren’t really checking in anymore
OT7 ALTERNATING STORYLINES
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FINALLY, fuck 36737 years later you spot your Kim!
Standing there in all his glory, in a Valentino slim fit navy blue suit, the jacket appearing to have some sort of paisley print, opting against a tie. Leaving his crisp white dress shirt slightly unbuttoned, teasing at his broad carnalized chest as he makes his way from the bar. Heading over to the table, which has an empty seat waiting right beside him with your name written all over it...literally!
Purposely dodging the old lady to your left in a coat that would have PETA ready to throw hands! Gaudy diamonds, terrible Botox, and smelled as if she showered in an entire bottle Chanel No. 5! 
Yeah, no, sorry, not in the mood for another meet and greet right now!
“Joonie” Squeals from your lips once you’re in close enough proximity, his dark piercing eyes cut over to meet yours. A playful smirk tugging on those sinfully thick lips of his, accompanied by those disrespectful ass dimples!
“There she is!” Eyes dripping with warmth, as he ushered you in with open arms ,and in these types of situations, Namjoon felt like home, he was your safe space. “You look fuckin good” The words hushed into your hair in a tenor meant for your ears and your ears only! A hint of something a little more than just friendly playing on his tongue. 
A small little “Thank you” leaves your lips, and if I didn't know any better I’d think the compliment made you a little flustered.
Namjoon was the definition of Ocean arm’s and goddamn if you didn't just love how big this man was! It literally felt like he was hiding you from the entire universe when he has you nuzzled into his frame! The whole interaction couldn't have lasted longer than 20 seconds in all actuality but god you needed it! 
Face flush to his chest, wrapping your arms firm around his waist, letting your eyes flutter shut briefly, a deep slow exhale flooded through your body. Inhaling the musky yet sweet scent of his cologne mixed with his natural aroma, which has grown to become a calming mechanism over the years. 
“You had me worried for a minute…” Placing a quick kiss in your hair, that you would have missed if you blinked but again, your in public soo...
Palms soothing up and down your back gently, as he breathed into your hair , pulling back a little so there was some form of personal space between the two of you.  
“Your late, even for you princess...I know you started early, I got your live(Instagram) notification, so what happened?” Head clocked to the side as he appraises you and fuck, the bass in his voice still has you all types of fucked up! Glancing over your shoulder briefly before leaning up to place a kiss on the hinge of his jaw, that tittered the line of passing as an “innocent” greeting. 
“I’m fine Jonnie it’s nothing, we just got held up in glam.., Ariel was flying in from Miami...we got a late start” Gaze intentionally diverted as you welcomed yourself to his glass of Scotch instead. Damn near inhaling the entire drink as we speak and you hated dark liquor so that alone let him know something was up!  
Merely resisting the urge to smooth out the crease he felt forming between his brows, a dry snort left his lips, rolling his eyes in response to your blatant stubbornness. Nevertheless, always the gentleman, reaching down to pull out your chair so you could take a seat next to him. Mirroring your actions just moments prior, quickly scoping out his surroundings before he brought those plush pillows he calls lips a centimeter away from your ear.
Fuck. 
  “Right, so I'm just going to assume you don’t wanna talk about it right now! Or wait I’m sorry, have you just upgraded to insulting my intelligence straight to my damn face?” 
Brow quirked inquisitively, and you could literally feel every word, tone taking on a hint of seriousness the more he talked. Namjoon licked his lips and the tip skimmed the edge of your ear and I - . 
“For one you smell like an entire bottle of Heidsieck, I can almost taste the nicotine on your tongue and you've been crying I know you. ”  
Pulling back just enough to glare down at you above the brim of his glasses, which he always wore low along his bridge. Eyes daring you to look him in the face a lie again, teasing his fingers through his chocolate locks. Styled in the perfect semi grown out undercut, the top a little on the long side, while the sides tapered into a crisp fade. Sideburns outlining that extremely understated jawline of his! Though you had to admit the yellow gold diamonds dawning his ears were kinda stealing the show right now! 
“So again, do you just not wanna talk about it right now? Or have you forgotten that I have an IQ of 137, and can smell bullshit from here all the way to Gangnam!?” 
You're having very vivid day daydreams of your hand wrapped around this man's windpipe and for once it’s not even remotely sexual! 
Blatantly ignoring the strong twitch within Namjoon’s jaw and simply saying “I’m here, aren’t I!?” Face stoic, tone flat as all hell, in case it wasn’t clear that this conversation was more than over, you opted to eye his bourbon glazed salmon until he got the hint.
 “Oh, for fucks sake! ” Hissed from his lips without a lick of heat behind them, because as quiet as it’s kept ,your lowkey Joon’s baby, which is why he cares to begin with! Picking up a piece on his fork before essentially shoving it into your hand ”Your lucky I can’t have your ass getting sick on me tonight, we still have like, 3 hours left of this bullshit.”
More like he just can’t tell you no, but hey, whatever helps him sleep at night! Sliding his plate in your direction, completely giving up on eating at this point, he knew you needed it more anyway! Finally, starting to feel your mix of poisons hit your system so you knew you needed  to even it out with a little substance. I mean yeah, you could have just ordered your own plate but meh, this was easier! 
Namjoon started busying himself on his phone while you ate, scrolling through a couple contacts until he landed on a contact labeled under “Kookie”.
“Even though you were only late because “Your glam team ran late” There were air bunnies involved, and again you just really wanna choke his ass!  “What are you thinking tonight? He’s actually on his way here right now, but he already has a couple options on him...” 
The question was vague and for damn good reason...considering…
However you knew exactly what he was referring too.., and thank god!
Speaking over a mouth full of salmon, sounding utterly exasperated!  “Honestly, any fucking thing at this point…” 
Namjoon hums thoughtfully, sucking on a Bourbon soaked Ice cube “He’ll be here in 20, I just went with Smartees…always a safe bet...” 
Smartees, candy, Vitamin -E, Molly... Estcasy...it’s all one and the same, just depends on who you ask!
He leans back in, apparently keen on whispering tonight. “Maybe, if your a good girl and eat enough we can split one before we leave...chill you out a little bit. '' Voice thick and heady, lips curling into a grin with a hint of something wicked playing on the ends, as his fingers idly ghost over your forearm. Giving it a light squeeze and regardless of how innocent the skin-ship may seem to the naked eye, you’re well aware of all the underlying innuendos behind it! 
You make a noise of agreement, trying your damnedest to ignore the slight chill coursing up your spine at the pet name. Though before you could even dwell, Namjoon was sliding back in with another update, this one however wasn't as...arousing…to say the least!
“Fox 2’s been waiting for you to get here by the way...since the event was put together by council and all. They've been wanting to talk to us together about the fundraiser, just the same shit as last year.” 
Waving his hand dismissively idly twirling the various pieces of Bvlgari around his fingers, seemingly un-phased while you on the other hand...release the most exasperated huff! Reclining against your seat, eyes rolling to the back of your head in 30 different directions! Yeah, It comes with the territory, you know this, hints Namjoons reaction, or lack thereof!  But fuck you just really weren’t in the mood to do press tonight, It’s literally physically exhausting to pretend that you weren’t just PISSED! 
“Of -fuckin- course they do!” Stabbing your mashed potatoes in a way that's... somewhat concerning… 
“Baby.” It was a warning, though his voice sat barley above a whisper, his tone was crystal! Eyes cutting in your direction briefly before dropping back down to his phone….
You didn't have it in you to argue, there’s no way around this anyway, fuck it!  “What -the-fuck-ever!” Sliding the half empty plate aside “Well, you wanna just get it out of the way now? Because I’m really not in the mood for-”
“Y/n..oh my god! Hi, honey how are you!? You look beautiful as always…” Suddenly there was a human, a human wearing the wrong shade of foundation kissing your cheek. A human by the name of Caroline, one of the local news anchors...clearly her damn ears were ringing.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Hi guys, that’s all she wrote, well kinda, actually she finished it like 16 months ago lol but that’s all she wrote for now I guess....
**_
_****Love you...see ya soon!!**
***SIDE NOTE, MY FRIEND MADE THE TWITTER EDIT SO DON’T ASK LOL IDK ****
UPDATE: HEADCANONS FOR THE KIM BOYS/OC
  HEADCANONS
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tlhrfanfic · 3 years
Text
[Analogical ] Chemistry
Title: Chemistry Ship: Analogical Warnings:  Lots of cute and fluff. Words: 5,708 Request: So, this was the next request I chose: an analogical fic where Logan and Virgil are science partners would be vvv cute! if its ok! This was also sent in by an anon.
Summary: Logan is used to the routine of his typical life as a high school teen. When the new student becomes his brand new lab partner, however, changes seem to become the new norm. Logan, surprisingly, doesn't seem to mind.
Read on AO3
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The day was like any other.
 … until it wasn’t. 
 Logan hadn’t changed anything. He had woken up and gotten ready at the same time; he’d taken a shower just like he always did. He had then had breakfast before grabbing his backpack and heading out the door. It was the same ten-minute walk to the high school he’d been attending for the last two years. 
 Same morning chat with his friends, same walk down the Science hallway, and same Chemistry lab.
 Logan settled into his seat before pulling his textbook, notebook, and a pencil out of his backpack.
 “Logan.”
 He looked up, interest in his eyes. It was, after all, common enough for his teachers to ask him for help with little things from time to time.
 The moment his gaze shifted to the unfamiliar teen standing near Mr. Sanders was the moment that everything changed.
A young teen Logan’s age stood with his hands in the pockets of his purple and black plaid hoodie. He had his hood off but it was evident by the way it was scrunched around the back of his neck that it would definitely be on at that very moment if it weren’t for the dress code.
 Logan brought his attention back to the teacher as he started to explain that this teen was a new student. Logan glanced at the teen from time to time as he learned that his name was Virgil and that he would be Logan’s new lab partner. Mr. Sanders then asked if he would mind showing Virgil around. 
 “I would be happy to assist Virgil in any way I am capable, sir.”
 Mr. Sanders beamed at him and left Virgil behind as he left for the teacher’s lounge. 
 “Welcome to the school, Virgil. Are you from out of state?”
 Virgil shook his head. “No… he said softly. Perhaps a little shyly. Logan assumed he wasn’t going to say more but a few moments later Virgil spoke up again. “I was homeschooled up until now…”
 He shrugged, his hands still in the pockets of his hoodie.
 Logan found himself staring at the new guy, wondering why he found him so enchanting. He’d had a handful of crushes in the past but not one of them was as lovely as this one.
 “What?!”
 Logan blinked. He blushed a moment later, heat rising up the back of his neck, as he realized he had been staring at Virgil for a minute at the very least. 
 “I apologize. Now, as Mr. Sanders mentioned, my name is Logan. Logan Wright. We are going to be lab partners in this class, evidently.” A thought suddenly occurred to him. “Do you enjoy Chemistry?”
 Virgil shrugged. 
 “I’m not the best at science since my mom is the one who taught me but it’s got its cool factors, I guess.” He shifted a little nervously. 
 Logan smiled at him gently, nodding. 
 “That’s more than fine, Virgil. I am quite accomplished at Chemistry so we will not see you fail.”
 Virgil blinked before slowly smiling.
 “Well… thanks for that… I uh. I appreciate it.”
 Logan nodded. 
 “It’s my pleasure, Virgil. Feel free to take a seat.” He nodded at the empty stool at his lab table.
 Virgil hesitated before dropping his backpack onto the stool. He pulled out his Chemistry book, a notebook, and a pencil before setting his bag under the table and taking the seat.
 Logan, realizing how close Virgil was, cleared his throat nervously. 
 “After class, I’ll give you the tour. It’s a fairly big high school but you seem intelligent so I think you’ll learn your way around here in no time.”
 He glanced at Virgil who actually smiled. 
 It was small and Logan almost missed it but it had definitely been there. 
 “Thanks,” the emo teen said. 
 “As I said before, it’s my pleasure.”
 The smile grew just a few centimeters more and Logan knew that this specific crush would not go away any time soon. 
»»———— ♞ ————««
 Virgil walked into Chemistry class two days later and set one of two coffee cups in front of his lab partner. He grinned as the bespectacled teen looked first at the cup and then at Virgil, confusion evident on his face. 
 “Salutations, Virgil. What is this and what is it for?”
 “Mornin’ Logan. That is a caramel latte and it’s a thank you… for, you know, showing me around on Monday.”
 Logan smiled and nodded. 
 “As I said then, it was my absolute pleasure. Thank you for the coffee. Really very nice of you.”
 Virgil blushed, bringing a hand up to rub at the back of his neck. 
 “Don’t mention it,” he said, his voice a little quieter. He smiled softly once Logan looked away.
 Taking a seat, Virgil pulled out his things for the class. As he pulled his homework out of his notebook, the emo teen watched Logan from the corner of his eyes. He barely held back a sigh. 
 When his mom had told him that he would be going to public school, Virgil had had a lot of hangups. He had not expected crushing on the very first guy he met to be one of them.
 Then again, Logan wasn’t just some guy. Virgil had only known him for two full days but he already felt as if he knew him pretty well. He was different compared to most guys their age, just like Virgil. 
 “Did you have any trouble with the assignment last night?”
 Virgil jumped in his seat because suddenly Logan’s voice was that much closer. He glanced at the other teen, finding him leaning in some to get a look at Virgil’s assignment sheet. 
 “Oh… uh, yeah. A little but it wasn’t too horrible, I guess.”
 Logan nodded before pointing at one of Virgil’s answers.
 “Understandable why you got this but you forgot to consider the temperature of the heat source.”
 Virgil glanced at the problem and picked up his pencil, erasing before considering the answer once more, now equipped with Logan’s hint. When he had finished, he looked up at Logan with uncertainty.
 Logan’s proud smile at the now correct answer made having to redo the whole question completely worth it. He hesitated before pushing the paper toward his lab partner. 
 “Any others I need to rework?”
 By the time the bell rang, signaling the start of first period, Logan had helped him correct the remaining two problems with incorrect answers.
 “Virgil,” Logan said as Mr. Thomas started the class. Suddenly a cell phone that was definitely not his phone was being pushed into his hand. He didn’t need any explanation, however, because the phone—which he assumed was Logan’s—was open onto a new contact entry. 
 “I’ll text you so you have my number too. This way, should one of us require assistance we can help each other out.”
 Virgil nodded, not trusting himself to speak as he ignored the heat rushing up the back of his neck and into his cheeks. Instead, the emo teen entered his information, saved the contact, and passed the phone back to Logan. 
 True to his word, he texted Virgil, the emo teen’s phone vibrating in his back pocket. He would have saved Logan’s number at that moment but class had begun and the thought of sneaking it out had Virgil’s anxiety rising. 
 Turning to Logan, he mouthed a thank you before turning his attention back to the lesson. 
 »»———— ☠ ————««
 Logan had hoped but honestly, had not expected Virgil to actually utilize his phone number when he gave it to him. It was with delighted surprise that two nights later—coincidentally a Friday night—that Virgil texted him, asking him for help with the assignment from earlier that day. 
 Logan called promptly. Virgil picked up by the second ring and for some inexplicable reason, Logan smiled at that. 
 “Hey, Logan. Thanks for calling.”
 “It’s my pleasure.”
 Virgil chuckled and Logan got the image of Virgil sitting there in class, a little half smile on his face as he shook his head and laughed just like that. It wasn’t a mean laugh. Just amused. Almost… fond, even. 
 Logan blushed. 
 “So… how can I help?”
 Virgil proceeded to point out the problem he was having trouble with and Logan was able to figure out where he’d gone wrong. Unfortunately, it was far easier to explain Chemistry concepts in person. 
 Biting his lip, Logan glanced at his watch and considered the time. It was Friday night and was still fairly early. He and Logan could grab a table at the local cafe and work on the homework. Logan had, after all, promised to help him, and being in person would really make it easier on Virgil. 
 Not to mention, Logan really wanted to spend time with him. 
 “Would you want to meet up with me tonight?”
 Virgil made a noise that Logan surmised was some sort of sputter and hoped it was a sputter of surprise, rather than disgust. He quickly cleared his throat and pushed on.
 “I was just thinking we could grab dinner at the cafe in town and work on this. It really would be much easier to explain and assist you in person.”
 Virgil was silent for a moment. It was just long enough that the intelligent teen was worried Virgil had hung up. 
 “Uh… okay, yeah. Sure. Wanna meet over at mine and walk over?”
 “I don’t know where you live, Virgil…”
 “Oh, right! Well, I know the place you mean and it’s really close so I guess… I guess, I’ll see you there soon?”
 “Sounds good, Virgil. See you soon.”
 “See you soon, Lo.”
 Logan gave a start at that. No one had ever called him that before. If anyone else in his life had, he probably would have had some scathing words to throw their way. But for some reason… it just sounded so nice spoken by Virgil. 
 “Yeah,” he replied only to realize that Virgil had already hung up. Blushing, he grabbed his keys, pocketed them and his phone, and headed out the door.
 »»———— ♞ ————««
 Virgil chewed his lip as he waited. Glancing around at other people, recognizing a few from school as he buried deeper into his hoodie, Virgil wondered if this had really been a good idea. 
 Luckily, before his negative thoughts could even hope to rain on his Black Parade, Logan was suddenly standing before him. And like moths to a flame, his attention shifted to only him.
 “Hey,” he said, smiling a little shyly. He reached up to slide his hood back enough to see Logan fully and allow the other to see him a bit too. 
 “Hey,” Logan said, smiling back. The smile was soft. It did things to Virgil’s insides, but there were too many reasons why it was soft for Virgil to be able to bank on it being a specific one. If it was soft because Logan liked him and wanted to be with him, that would be very good. It could just as easily be Logan liking him as a really good friend or regarding him as family. 
 Since Virgil really, really, really liked Logan… those, while nice, would not be good. 
 They would not be good at all. 
 Silence settled over them. Virgil panicked, fearing that it felt a little awkward. However, he was suddenly unable to use his words because he had to go and think about his crush with said crush standing right there. So, the silence stretched, making him panic more.
 Luckily, Logan was pretty good at reading signs of a potential panic attack. 
 “Virgil.” 
 Suddenly, Virgil’s focus was on Logan. He was still feeling anxious but his focus had shifted enough. Logan was a little like an anchor in that way. 
 “What… uh, sorry.”
 “I was just thinking we should head in. Grab a table, get dinner ordered. We can work on some of the homework while we wait for our food.”
 Virgil beamed at Logan. 
 With such a plan in place, how could Virgil feel anxious? 
 Well, aside from the butterflies he constantly felt around Logan, but that was beside the point.
 “Yeah… that sounds like a plan.”
 Logan held the door open for him and Virgil, ignoring the heat rising up the back of his neck, headed inside.
 »»———— ☠ ————««
 Logan was beside himself getting to Chemistry class that next Monday. He knew he had no logical reason for feeling this way. Even the evidence of their rather enjoyable evening of dinner and homework on Friday, and the fact that they texted the entire weekend outside of school talk, was circumstantial at best. Yet, he still felt uncharacteristically giddy as he settled in his chair and got out his things. That done, his eyes panned to the door rather than to the clock, as they would have in the past. 
 The moment Virgil entered the classroom—exactly two minutes and forty-five seconds until the bell was due to ring—Logan’s heart beat rapidly against his chest.
 Whoever said falling in love was the best thing to ever happen to a person was sorely mistaken. This cannot be good for one’s health.
 Logan took a deep breath as Virgil made his way over, dropping his bag to the ground unceremoniously as he slumped into the chair. Logan took pity on his friend. 
 “I take it you couldn’t fall asleep after we said good night?”
 Virgil, who had his arms on the desk and face pressed into them, turned to look at his friend and shook his head with a frown. Logan resisted the sudden urge to pull the other into a warm embrace. Blushing at the thought, he looked away and flicked open his textbook to the lab they were meant to cover that day. He then got his homework out, watching from the corner of his eye as Virgil did the same. 
 “Sorry, Virge.” Logan resisted the urge to correct himself. Virgil had assured him it was fine if Logan wanted to call him Virgil still, but had been sure to advise Logan that his friends usually called him Virge if they didn’t want to use the whole thing. Logan wanted Virgil to be certain in their friendship and his desire to keep it.
 He also very much wanted Virgil to be certain that if he wanted more then Logan very much desired that as well…
... but how could he make Virgil certain of that without actually confessing his feelings?
 Pushing such thoughts and questions out of his mind, Logan returned to the conversation in time to catch Virgil saying “Insomnia is a bitch, dude.”
 Logan nodded. “Yes, it is a troublesome disorder indeed.” Logan glanced around before lowering his voice. “Medication not helping?”
 Virgil shrugged. “Kinda, I guess. But it doesn’t really help all the time. It’s inconsistent.”
 Logan frowned but nodded. He wished to say more, but it was at that moment Mr. Sanders came in to remind them they were doing a lab that day. 
 Thomas gave a brief demonstration of the lab and asked them to write down the exact measurements for it. Logan took his notes in his own efficient style, often finished before the others. Usually, he would just wait patiently for Mr. Sanders to carry on with the next part of the demonstration but now he found himself glancing at Virgil. 
 He watched, mesmerized, as Virgil made big bold circles around the measurements he’d jotted down. Where Logan’s were neat and tidy, Virgil’s were scattered all over the page but a quick look over told him it was still organized, in it’s own way.
 In a way he understands… fascinating.
 Mr. Sanders finished the demonstration, passed out all the necessary chemicals and safety gear for the lab. Under his supervision, the lab went underway. Virgil watched Logan as he worked for a good part of it. 
 Logan, so lost in his work, hadn’t noticed until Mr. Sanders came up to them. Leaning down, perhaps under the guise of answering a question, the Chemistry teacher lowered his voice.
 “Virgil… don’t you think it’s a little unfair to allow Logan to keep doing the lab himself? Yes, Logan, I am aware you enjoy it and don’t mind, but my point still remains. It’s also not fair to you, Virgil, as you aren’t taking part in the experience.”
 Virgil nodded, his face beet red. Logan frowned, resisting the urge to speak up and not quite sure how to feel about it. Mr. Sanders sighed and crouched down.
 “I apologize for embarrassing you. It wasn’t my intention.”
 “N-no. I know. I didn’t mean to make him do it all… I just kinda got…” He blushed again and looked away, mumbling something that neither Logan or Mr. Sanders could hear. Logan tried his best not to focus on Virgil but rather on Mr. Thomas. He felt a little bad finding blushy red to be quite a fetching color on Virgil, considering the circumstances.
 Thomas looked from Logan to Virgil and for a moment Logan was certain he saw a little smile slip onto his face but when he tried to look more closely, it was gone. Interesting.
 “Well, that’s fine, Virgil. I get it. You guys are talking and you didn’t notice how much he’d done. But now it’s your turn, okay?”
 Virgil nodded. He waited until Mr. Sanders had gone to help someone else before turning to Logan and mouthing ‘what do I do?’.
 Logan laughed to himself, knowing that laughing out loud with Virgil freaking out would not help matters, and reached out a hand to squeeze the other’s shoulder. 
 “It’s okay. You’ve got this. I won’t let you get it wrong,” Logan promised. Virgil smiled and blew his hair out of his eyes. Logan got lost in dark pools of near black for a few moments before his bangs settled once more. He could still see Virgil’s eyes but he suddenly longed to brush his hair back just to look into those eyes once more. 
 Virgil snorted. “My hero.”
 Logan laughed, but smiled. “If that is your wish.”
 Virgil laughed and shoved him playfully. He then took a deep breath and allowed Logan to walk him through the process. He was grabbing one of the chemicals that Logan was passing to him when their hands brushed. 
 It was definitely accidental but they both jumped. Logan laughed softly and Virgil laughed as well. The laughter was different than the normal one they shared, Logan noted. He leaned in a little and offered the chemical bottle once more.
 Virgil took it, their hands not brushing this time. Virgil was still not looking away. Logan would have felt a little insecure under his sharp gaze but he was already looking at Virgil for just as long. He swallowed, unsure of what to do or say.
 Logan knew something was definitely happening here, he just didn’t have a name or a verified set of instructions on how to handle it nor what to do next.
 Virgil leaned in a little closer, his gaze falling to what Logan could only assume was his mouth. Logan swallowed hard again and felt a slight moment of panic. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to kiss Virgil. 
 He wanted that very, very much. He just didn’t want it to be in the middle of Chemistry class surrounded by of a bunch of classmates and Mr. Sanders.
 It had to be his lucky day. 
 A sudden outcry broke whatever spell Virgil was under. He blinked rapidly and blushed completely before laying his arms on his desk and burying his face in his arms. Logan glanced over to see the reason for the commotion. 
 Remus Prince and Janus Noirblanc had, from their story, done everything right and still caused the chemicals to overflow. Mr. Sanders explained once more the importance of writing down the notes rather than doodling during note time, to which Remus and Janus laughed but nodded. 
 The class settled down once more. Logan quickly finished the lab for them, keeping an eye out for Mr. Sanders, before turning to Virgil. 
 “Hey,” he said, tentatively. “Is… is everything okay?”
 Virgil let out a laugh but it definitely didn’t sound happy.
 “I nearly made a fool of myself.”
 “Because kissing me would make a fool of you?”
 Virgil sighed.
 “Well, yeah. You’re just… you and so amazing and great and… ugh, do we have to do this here?”
 Logan glanced at the clock. He raised a brow at the other.
 “Are you going to run from me when the bell rings?” 
 Virgil clears his throat and looks away. “No…”
 “Virgil.”
 “Fine… I won’t… run away…”
 Logan gave a nod of approval. 
 “Then, very well. It can wait.”
 Which made for a very awkward ten minutes but Logan supposed Virgil had a point. Confessing to Virgil in the middle of Chemistry class hadn’t exactly been his own plan either.
 »»———— ♞ ————««
 Virgil was always nervous but that was nothing like how he felt when he followed Logan out of class. He was quiet and making as little sound as possible, hoping Logan might forget he was supposed to be following somewhere. Still, as he had promised his friend, Virgil did not run.
 Logan led them to a little lounge area. Other people were around, unfortunately in a school as big as theirs it was inevitable, but no one was paying any attention to them.
 Virgil sighed as he took the chair next to the one Logan chose. He turned toward him but raised his hood out of habit. Logan looked at him and Virgil couldn’t resist the urge to look up at him. Their eyes met and Virgil blushed but found he could not look away. 
 “Hey,” Logan said softly, a warm sort of smile on his face. Virgil couldn’t help but smile back gently at such a display of beauty. 
 “Hey… so…”
 “It’s okay… take your time.”
 “Dude, it’s like five minutes between classes. We literally have no time.”
 Hands were suddenly offered to him and Virgil took them without thinking. Logan’s hands were slightly larger than his own and he blushed to see how well they held his. He sighed, shaking the nerves off as much as possible. 
 “We have time and I’ll talk to the Principal or whoever I have to if by some chance we are late.”
 “Yeah, okay… fine. So, yeah… I don’t know… back there, in that moment, I just really wanted to kiss you and…”
 “I wanted to kiss you too, Virgil… just not in the middle of Chemistry class…”
 “Heh, yeah.” Virgil blushed at the admission, feeling butterflies in the bottom of his belly. “It was excellent timing on Remus and Janus’s part.”
 “A little too excellent… but yes.”
 Logan and Virgil laughed, the tenseness from earlier slipping away. 
 “Look… you were correct… we are a little pressed for time…”
 “Duh.”
 Logan laughed and Virgil smiled, pleased with himself. 
 “Why don’t… why don’t we walk home together? I’ll walk you home.”
 “Logan… you live like two miles from me…”
 “Yeah. I’m aware.” 
 Virgil let out a whistle at that and sighed when the warning bell went off to advise students to start heading directly to their classes. 
 “Fine. You can walk me home.”
 “Wonderful.” Logan hesitated before leaning in to press a kiss to Virgil’s cheek. He blushed but smiled happily at Virgil, squeezing his hands. With that, he left Virgil in a bit of a daze. It wasn’t until some loud laughter broke through the fog that Virgil remembered he needed to get to class. 
 Taking off, Virgil smiled to himself. 
 »»———— ☠ ————««
 Logan had never looked forward to the end of a school day until that day. He wished all his classes would hurry up. He didn’t bother pacing out his work, instead getting the classwork done and waiting as patiently for possible for the class to end. 
 Lunch would have been a nice reprieve but due to being in a few Pre-Advanced Placement courses, the lunch he took was different from that of his friends and of Virgil. 
 He was grateful that his debate class took some of the edge off. He had been due to debate with Remy Lassus but, as Remy’s parents had called him out sick, Remy’s spot had been taken by none other than Janus. 
 The two weren’t exactly friends. Janus was dating Logan’s best friend Roman and they tolerated each other for the most part. In Debate class? Oh, that was another matter entirely. 
 Janus had been able to keep up with Logan for most of the class but Logan caught a weak point in his argument that unravelled the whole thing. In the end, they shook hands but both knew the rivalry was still going strong. 
 With Debate out of the way, Logan just had his teacher aide lesson and he was home free. 
 Free to see Virgil. 
 Free to kiss Virgil… 
 With such a happy thought in his mind, Logan took off for the last period of the day. 
 »»———— ♞ ————««
 Virgil couldn’t believe he was doing this. Just waiting out at the front of the school for his friend who he had almost kissed in Chemistry. If he were a smart man, he would have headed straight for home after school.
 Well, he’d never told anyone he was smart (but Logan seemed to think he was). For whatever reason, this seemed right, no matter how much his twisting insides seemed to tell him otherwise.
 “Virgil!”
 Virgil’s whole body spun in the direction of Logan’s voice, a smile slipping onto his face as he found the other in the distance, rushing his way.
 “Hey, dork,” Virgil said but his words were soft. His voice was even softer. 
 “Hey, you,” Logan said, wincing at what he had just said. He shook his head as if that would cause his perceived faux pas to disappear. Virgil, however, had found it cute. 
 “So, uh… walking and talking?”
 Logan smiled and nodded. 
 “Thanks for waiting.”
 “Always.”
 Virgil blushed. He’d honestly meant it. Well, as much as a 16 year old boy could mean such things, but the point was, it was true for him. He hadn’t meant to tell Logan as much. He was smiling, however, so maybe him knowing wasn’t such a bad thing after all. 
 “Shall we go?”
 Virgil could only nod as he smiled. They started heading in the direction of Virgil’s house when he suddenly wondered if Logan would want to come in. Then became a little worried that his room was messy. Still, his happiness at walking with Logan—being with Logan—outweighed all the worries in the world.
 “Hey, so… thanks. You know, for earlier… talking after…”
 “It was my pleasure,” Logan said, smiling earnestly down at him. Virgil was surprised, suddenly realizing how close in height they were. Yeah, Logan was taller than him but it wasn’t by as much as Virgil had always thought.
 Would make it easier to kiss him~
 Oh, shut up, you-me-argh, just shut up!
 “About that, and what had almost happened before… let me be completely honest with you when I say that had we actually kissed in Chemistry class, I would not have been upset. Far from it…”
 Virgil looked at Logan just as the other was glancing at him. 
 “Really?”
 Logan nodded as they turned a corner into Virgil’s neighborhood.
 “Without question. I would have been bummed about the location and the lack of some level of privacy for such intimate displays, but I would have been very pleased with the kiss.”
 Virgil looked at Logan with wonder, his butterflies returning.
 “So… uh… you like me too then? I mean, you like me back…”
 Logan laughed at that but there was no malice, only fondness.
 “What is it you say… oh, right… duh,”
 Virgil blushed and shoved Logan playfully.
 “Shut up.”
 “You know… I didn’t say this earlier for obvious reasons but you look so cute when you blush.”
 Virgil’s face heated rapidly. “I do not!”
 “Oh, but you do.”
 “Jerk!”
 “I suppose that is warranted, considering my flirtation through teasing.”
 Virgil just laughed at that, shoving his face into his hands for a moment. Logan reached out to guide Virgil to a stop with him. 
 “Virgil… are you okay?”
 Virgil nodded, face still in his hands.
 “Yeah, just… give me a minute.”
 Logan didn’t say anything and Virgil couldn’t see his expression. Instead, Virgil felt Logan's hand rubbing his shoulders as well as he could around the backpack strap. Gradually, Virgil turned toward him. The other seemed to understand because a moment later, Logan was wrapping his arms around him as much as their backpacks would allow.
 Virgil closed his eyes and enjoyed the feeling of being pressed against the other. He already knew now that Logan liked him. The butterflies in his tummy now had nothing to do with that.
 Virgil really, really wanted to kiss him. 
 Thank God his house was not far from where they were. 
 Virgil pulled away from the other, though he hadn’t really wanted to ever leave his arms. He smiled at Logan and nodded.
 “I’m good now, thanks.”
 Logan nodded, hesitated, and looked forward in the direction they were headed. After a few moments of what Virgil assumed was deliberation, Logan looked at him with a little pink coloring his cheeks.
 “If you would permit me to, I would very much like to hold hands with you.”
 Virgil could see what Logan meant. He looked quite nice with pink cheeks as well. Of course, such a request got Virgil blushing more. Yet it was with no hesitation that he stuck out his hand closest to Logan for the other to take.
 Logan smiled and laced their fingers before they began walking once more. It was a silent agreement that any further talk could wait until they reached Virgil’s house.
 »»———— ☠ ————««
 Logan marveled at how wonderful it felt, walking with Virgil, the other teen’s hand in his own. Before Virgil, Logan had always wondered at how couples did such things. Now, after Virgil, he wanted all of those things. But with Virgil alone. 
 Virgil was leading them along the route he took home everyday. It was so interesting to experience, especially with the knowledge that Virgil liked him as he liked Virgil. 
 Logan squeezed the other’s hand only for Virgil to squeeze back, looking at him and smiling brightly. A little pink brushed his cheeks and covered the bridge of his nose. 
 How could one person be so mesmerizing?
 “We’re almost there,” Virgil announced. Logan swallowed hard. 
 Almost there. 
 Logan nodded and smiled. The smile felt a little forced, but Virgil smiled back. Logan tried to ignore the sudden nerves he felt and enjoy the walk. 
 Luckily, as soon as they turned the corner, Virgil was pointing out a house two buildings down on the side they were currently on. 
 “There’s my house,” he mumbled and Logan could just smile. 
 “Well, let’s go then.”
 Virgil led him to the house and inside. As soon as he opened the door, a short woman wearing a dress and apron came from what Logan assumed was the kitchen. 
 “My baby’s home!” She looked at Logan. He could see where Virgil got his sharp gaze. He smiled. “And he brought a friend…”
 Virgil cleared his throat.
 “This is Logan… I’ve uh… told you about him… he’s in my Chemistry class… we’re just gonna go up to my room for a bit before Logan goes home… kay now, bye Mom. Love you.”
 “Oh! This is Logan!” Virgil’s mom said, the words finally clicking, but Virgil had already dragged Logan down the hallway and into his room. 
 Closing the door behind him, Virgil sighed. Flicking on the light, he nodded at the bed.
 “Sorry, not a lot of options for seating,” he said with a soft laugh. Logan laughed as well and took the end furthest from the pillows. Virgil soon joined him. 
 “So…”
 “So…” Logan agreed with a little smile. He was silent for a moment more, teasing Virgil just a little, before he continued. “So… let’s go down the list, shall we?”
 Virgil snorted but nodded. Logan offered his hands which Virgil took immediately.
 Smiling, Logan began.
 “We both like each other…”
 “Check.”
 “We both want to kiss each other?”
 “Duh.”
 Logan gave him a look and Virgil rolled his eyes, smiling. 
 “Check.”
 “And am I correct in assuming that we both want… uh… something more? You know…”
 “Are you correct in assuming that we want to be boyfriends?”
 Logan nodded. “That’s better. Yes.”
 “Very check.”
 Logan grinned and Virgil grinned back. 
 Just like it had happened in Chemistry class, Virgil started to shift a little closer. Logan was more than happy to lean in as well. 
 This time, no chemicals overflowed and no one was around. This time, there was no almost.
 Virgil’s lips pressed against Logan’s first but he had definitely not been too far away. Logan hummed happily into the kiss, his eyes closed as he laced his fingers with Virgil’s.
 Logan felt such deep warmth like he had never felt before. He found himself immediately shifting closer to Virgil, as if he were his magnetic opposite. 
 Virgil chuckled into the kiss, soon having to break it. Logan looked at him with confusion and Virgil shook his head. 
 “What’s so funny?” Logan asked, tilting his head. 
 “Sorry, Logan… it’s just. I’m starting to think my mom sent me to public school just to make sure I found happiness… but I don’t really think she expected this. Maybe a favorite class. Maybe a best friend. I doubt a boyfriend was ever on her radar.”
 Logan laughed softly too. 
 “I think she will be happy with whatever happiness you find. And you’ll find many more happinesses… hopefully with me.”
 Virgil smiled. “Well, you haven’t actually asked me out yet.”
 Logan sighed. “Virgil Armitage, will you go out with me?” Though he had sighed, he was smiling by the time he finished.
 Virgil smirked. “Duh.”
 Logan would have groaned but Virgil was kissing him moments after and Logan really didn’t feel the need to stop him as he kissed back.
 A lot had changed in Logan’s life since Virgil entered into it but, as Logan had come to find, sometimes in life there were just some changes that were worth making.
»»———— ♞ ————««
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Thomas Sanders or Joan, nor the rest of their group. I do not own or make money off of these characters. I only own the story as it is written.
Super uber thanks to my beta reader for this fic @sunshineandteddybears​ and the two that preread my stuff to make sure its up to par: @romantichopelessly & @sunshineandteddybears.
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oh-for-fic-sake · 4 years
Text
The Stand In Chapter Two
Masterlist
Your finally about to film your first scene for a teaser and things have just became real but how are you going to get through make up along side Henry for hours without fangirling? especially when he keeps staring at you like that?
Warnings: Swearing, fluff
A/n: so got a few people that like this idea which really shocked me. I'm trying really hard to make y/n one of us fangirls I really want you to be able to put yourself in this one. Like seriously if I had the chance to meet him I'd just fucking freeze on the spot go red scream and melt into a puddle of goo... I'd be way to anxious to approach him or ask for a photo..Any who enjoy this next chapter xxx
Taglist: @dark-night-sky-99​ @thummbelina​ @sofiebstar​
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You yawned loudly as you trudged out of your new comfy trailer: which was actually one of those fancy ass tour buses. You grabbed your bag with a few bits in it...Phone, snacks, purse, snacks, script, snacks....more snacks. What?You got hungry!You opened the door wrapping your cardigan around you tightly as you ventured out into the dark it was freezing the cold air making you shiver. A four am start was always a shock to the system and today was your fifth, your alarms on your phone had gone of again and again and again, blaring and screaming at you. Since the whole becoming and actress and Lauren pulling a contract seemingly out of her ass thing had happened a few days ago, you hadn't seen much of Henry and Joey they had been busy filming and training.
You were slightly smaller then 'she who shall not be named coughDickcough' so some of the fight scenes had to be reworked...Yes at some point you and 'Geralt' were going to come to blows in a fight scene and you were bricking it. For more then one reason;
One. I mean come on the huge hunk of a man; the star of every single late night fantasy you've pretty much ever had!, tossing you around and possibly pinning you down? Grunting and growling the entire time? and your supposed to look angry? Hahaha no...
And two. Well Henry is a large imposing man and Geralt is supposed to be frightening in those scenes so...How the fuck are you gonna stay in character and fight him when your simultaneously scared shitless , remembering choreography and creaming your panties....Like fuck that's gonna be some crazy self control needed right there. If you get through it with out fangirling; which would be a miracle in itself you deserve a fucking Oscar. But that's a problem for another day...Tomorrow in fact. The point is you felt a little bad because he had worked so hard before and now he has to relearn it all and he has been working super hard on it..you don't want to mess up.
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But that’s not to say you have been idle oh no! You'd been hard at work learning lines and undergoing your transformation from y/n into Keira which was completely insane. Once fully kitted out you would be....Well not you...But it was you, a super weird experience you were sure but you was looking forward to it all coming together. You had to wear a wig, your hair was just a little to short naturally skimming your shoulders. You were glad really you loved your lilac hair it took a lot of work to keep up with it!.
The wig was a bright blonde not as bright as Freya's hair for Ciri but still quite light, more golden then pale it was a strange color, hard to describe. The wig itself fell down to just past your shoulders in large loose silky waves and even though you had green eyes you were still going to get contacts, it had been mentioned that they want your eyes to be an impossible bright green, all the mages seemed to have bright eyes and you were no different. You were dreading it , you'd never wore them and have a thing about eyes...You don't like touching them or other people touching them eyes aren't meant to be fiddled with you know? ...You need them to see kind of?
Apart from that things had gone well the dresses just needed to be taken up a few inches and the rest of the transformation was mostly attitude , props and make up thankfully the make up was mostly highlights and color correcting that sort of thing. You walked across the set following the light emitting from the hair and make up trailer, you could see from here a few people were up and about inside. Within a few moments you were inside standing off to the side unsure where to put yourself or your bag ,it was just you and a few of the make up artists there. Holly was in charge of you, you got on well with her helping her out a lot before all this and was glad to have her as your artist she put you at ease which is definitely what you needed ,she came over smiling and directed you to your seat.
"So! Todays the day huh? Your first shoot you excited?" You gave a nervous laugh.
"Terrified more like, Its not long apparently they need a teaser for the character to go out and to stick in the trailer....I'm so fucking out of my depth it is unreal! Each day has been a whirlwind and I still don't know if I can pull this off...I'm not an actress" she stood behind you combing your hair back looking at you in the mirror fixing you with a look and struck your crown with the flat of the comb.
"Hey enough of that, you got this just go out there and give it your best. Joey was actually stunned when you did your reading he said he has never seen an actress like you before" you frowned looking around at her slightly twisting in your seat.
"Probably hasn't seen one like me cos I'm not and actress but okay I will bite..What exactly did he say?" She blinked at you leaning back waving the comb about shocked looking for words.
"You-hah? I don't even, you really don't even know how big a deal this is do you?" You blinked shaking your head as she was caught up in her own shock.
"Err no duh? Not an actress remember" you huffed she pointed the lethal comb to your face and make a circle motion she chuckled when you flinched and spun round twisting to face the mirror again.
"Talent. He and Henry were talking about you the other day, they couldn't believe that someone with talent like yours hadn't been picked up on. Apparently the way you just...Turned off your own personality shut down your personal feelings like that and became Keira so effortlessly is rare... Said it was like flipping a switch. A complete personality change like that with no prior training or mentoring is the holy grail. Untapped talent I think was the term used. Henry said he has only seen it twice before and that is saying something with everything he has under his belt... So trust me when I say your going to do great" you flushed they thought it was that good? Henry though you had talent.. you smiled feeling giddy blushing a little.You watched as she moved getting some leave in conditioner to make your hair behave itself.
"It's...It can't be that rare it just comes from having to hide anxiety...Can't let people know your having a meltdown...That’s all I was doing hiding a fucking anxiety attack!" She scoffed running a comb through your hair making sure the product was evenly spread through the strands preparing to split it into two plaits to hide under the wig.
"Babe I saw the video there was more going on there..Perhaps you should watch it and see for yourself It really was like watching someone flip a switch" You shook your head slightly resulting in having the comb waked across it again making you flinch
"Stay still! Its bad enough that you fucking washed it! I can't plait it if your moving!" You sat straight
"SoRrY MoThEr-ouch fuck not with the brush!!" She smirked and carried on plaiting the strands neatly.
"Did you bring your lines to practice?" You went to nod but stopped when she sighed tugging on your hair a little keeping the plait tight to your head.
"Yes I did thought I could get some last minute reading...I think I've got them all down tho" she nodded
"That’s good because your wig is a little late, they are dying it again...Apparently yellow blonde isn't right for your skin so your getting a white silvery ash blond now...A muted tone they said. Think its basically going to be a super light blonde with a lilac or blue tint, fucking wish they would hurry up and choose I need to settle on your face tones! Any who it should be here in about an hour" you whined
"I could have had an extra hour in bed?! Why wasn't I told!? You know your job would be a lot easier if I had beauty sleep!" She laughed loudly tying your first plait off with an elastic before starting the other one.
"I'm sure it would but you do know this is like a late start? Some of the scenes your booked in here for one and two o'clock in the morning~" she through her head back laughing at your pout.You stayed in the make up trailer for a while and Holly had called over to wardrobe about the delay so,thankfully your costume was going to be delivered over here which was less running about for you. So here you were in hot seat waiting ,there wasn't much you or Holly could do at this point but wait.  She couldn't work on your face until she had the the wig on you for color reference. She had left a few moments ago promising a coffee on her return.
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You hummed scrolling through your phone messaging your eldest brother and Mother who you had let slip to about your new drastic career change. they were trying to calm you down, knowing you well enough that you was getting yourself into wound up ball of anxiety and panic. You were so engrossed in your phone you didn't notice a certain bear trot in to the room until you had a huge snoot wedged under your phone trying to nudge your hands for some love. You jumped so on edge you yelled out as you was touched.
"OH FUCK WHAT IS-OOOH well hello there~" you looked around quickly then seeing you was still alone you decided to indulge and immediately placed your phone on the table in front of you and leaned back looking between your legs going gaga over the handsome boy. Kal was sitting looking up at you smiling panting away as you petted him on auto pilot. You blinked it took everything you had not to squee out loud somehow managing to keep it inside 'OH MY FUCK KAL! I'm like petting THE Bear... Wow he is so fucking fluffy!...Okay girl stop he is looking at you weird...That’s it chill don't scare him away...Good remember dogs can smell psycho....Cool and calm yeah he is just a dog...BUT HE FUCKING ISN’T THIS IS THE BEAR!' you leaned down cooing at him making baby talk as he lapped up the love moving his head to make you hit the right spots around his ears and chin. You managed to get over the fangirling and enjoy scratching the good boys ears digging your fingers in the thick fur enjoying the softness.
"Oh look at you!? So sweet huh?.....Are you a good boy?....Yesh you are! Cute baby! Getting your chin scratches such a fluffy good boy!" You giggled as he seemed to take your compliments to heart thumping his tail a few beats then stood up you followed rubbing down his back as he moved.
He must have liked your attention because before you know it he was climbing onto his hind legs leaning over your lap with his front paws. From there Kal had sneakily gone the whole nine yards, the happy Akita had some how clambered up into the chair with you making it squeak under the strain as he engulfed your lap still receiving his well earned scratches. You giggled at him moving your arms around him letting him do as he pleased rubbing his belly and chest he sat content leaning his weight on your chest pinning you to the back of the seat.
You grinned wrapping him in a big hug still twisting his fur in your fingers diligently showering him with the attention the good handsome boy deserved.
"Wow look at you such a handsome boy!... OH kisses to? Well aren't I a lucky lady" you moved at he tilted his head back licking at your face being a right soppy little pup, out for all the love he could get.
"Wow your lucky Holly hasn't done my face yet, she won't like you ruining all her hard work!" He pulled away and just panted happily then rested his head on your shoulder huffing. You smiled still hugging him rubbing you face into his fur. Then out of the blue his tail began thumping your leg in excitement. You pulled back from the hug and brushed your fingers through his coat seeing Holly and Henry arrive.
"Oh haha. Looks like Kal made a friend!" Holly giggled Henry sighed looking for him then gasped doing a double take when he saw the Akita draped across you sitting on your lap leaning his head on one shoulder as you petted him. His heart clenched a smug sort of 'that’s my boy!' he enjoyed seeing you snuggling the bear, it was something he could get used to seeing. He snapped out of it and made his way to you both.
"KAL! You what are you doing boy? Come on down!...Tin-I err Y/n I am so sorry... He doesn't usually do this... Come on Kal you big lump! Your probably crushing her!" Kal eyed Henry from the corner of his eye pretending not to here him huffing loudly past your ear. You smiled and waved Henry off trying to be casual as your inner fangirl raged pretty much foaming at the mouth. You was thankful that Kal was ignoring his dad as his big frame hid your creeping blush giving you the confidence to speak as you tucked your face further into him as you spoke quietly.
"I-its fine really...I...Y-yeah was kind of worrying about today he I... I think he sensed my anxiety...His cuddle is helping a lot..." Henry stopped his approach eyeing the two of you. He meant what he said Kal was well behaved and gentle but he never cuddled on a stranger's lap, not like he did with him anyway. But he knew Kal picked up on anxiety attack's and it was entirely possible he had wandered in here and wanted to comfort you. Henry blushed a little and took his seat next to you nodding trying to take in the scene before him as much as possible.
"Okay...W-well don't let him guilt trip you, that boy gets so many cuddles its unbelievable... Just..I-if he gets to much get him down...He knows he isn’t allowed on the chairs..hehe not that you can tell... Its best not to spoil him too much" you flushed smooshing your face in to the Akita’s neck trying to hide from the man who seemed to be staring yet again. He moved forward placing two coffees before you then placed his in front of him. You rose a brow at the two cups.
"I-I...ahem I wasn't sure how you'd want it-fuck haha... Shit.... I meant the drink....you-your coffee...Fuck... I didn't know how you liked your coffee" you blinked at him as he got a little flustered you groaned as you reached forward peeking at the cup as Holly moved about behind you moving her equipment around.
"Henry was already picking you up a coffee insisted on getting it treated me to~" you smiled and reached over popping the lids the first black the other with milk.
"T-thank you ...you didn't have to" his face split into a grin as he mentally pat himself on the back.
"No no your welcome! These four am starts are pretty brutal for anyone to get used to..." he chuckled as you moved over sipping the coffee slowly, you tried not to pull a face it was a little to bitter for your taste needing one more sugar but you didn't want to seem rude. An awkward silence fell over the two of you and he sat there staring, you kept taking small sips trying to hide more in Kals shadow.
"S-Sorry for the coffee....Its a bit bitter I know...Should of added more sugar"
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Henry was kicking himself as the silence grew, great fucking brilliant the first time he gets you alone and he says something like that!? scolding himself and his own fucking stupidity. 'How you'd want it? What the fuck Cavill?! Smooth why not just come out and say how should I fuck you? Yeah wait a go!' He sighed leaning back in the chair eyeing you as you sat clearly uncomfortable with him there 'yeah and now be a creeper and stare that will fucking help...Still staring mate stiilll staring....SAY SOMETHING FOR GOD SAKE!' That did the trick he could see you were trying to hide your distaste over the coffee. 'There apologize for shit coffee!' That was his opportunity!"S-Sorry for the coffee....Its a bit bitter I know...Should of added more sugar"  he watched with baited breath shivering as you licked at a small loose drip off your bottom lip and gulped. Definitely nervous... Or maybe you just didn't like him? That could be it! you did run from him and you flirted with Joey not him. Henry could feel a lump in his throat and felt a weight on his chest...Was that it you just didn't like him?...He hummed trying to ease the heavy feelings around him, his own anxiety starting to creep over him he clenched his jaw. No you had no reason to dislike him...You didn't know him he would just have to interact with you thats all...Make him self known then? And then? Maybe let you know he was interested...Drop hints?. He straightened up in his seat a wave of determination washed over him he tilted his head looking at Kal trying not to be creepy as shit.
"I err no thank you...I-its fine... Ive got a huge sweet tooth anyway..." he smiled you were talking, albeit quietly and stuttering but it was a start! He could work with that.
"I will have to...Err remember that for next time." He watched you spin the cup and frown slightly seeing the scribbled name on it. Shit you must think he was an ass! It wasn't your name it was his and Joeys nickname for you....Wow how could he think that was a good idea! You must think he'd forgot your actual name!
"I err me and-well that’s....Fuck" you looked at him a little sad. Yep definitely thought he'd forgot...Tinks had just stuck.
"Me err me and Joey ...well joey gave you a nick name so...it stuck I'm sorry you must think I'm a dick" you shook your head taking a deep breath closing your eyes then placed a false smile. For a self proclaimed 'non-actress' you did so effortlessly and supposedly without even knowing bottling up you feelings and slapping on a smile... He wasn't sure he liked it, faking a smile when he could tell he had upset you.
"It's fine...I don't think your a-a dick...H-how can I expect you to remember silly details like that... We did only meet once and you've got more things to worry about" 'and award to the biggest prick on set goes to drum roll...you ,you fucking ass! Fix it! Fix it now Henry! Look even Kal isn't impressed!' He quickly lent forward wanting to fix his fuck up like right fucking now!
"No! No nothing like...I mean its not a silly detail! Your name it's- y/n I know it! I know your name! Me and Joey have seen you around for a while he called you Tink's..Its after Tinkerbell!..A-a nickname just a nickname nothing meant by it!.....We called you it for so long it just stuck when we spoke about you and ....Well I thought it suited you so just sort of...Yeah.." you blinked at him then looked back to the cup.
"T-Tinkerbell?"
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'Holy shit! They gave you a nickname oh my god! that’s crazy....Right focus girl see he didn't forget either he knows you knows your name!...Fuck me! life got weird quick' You bite your lip looking at him confused then glanced to the cup Tink's scribbled across it haphazardly. You smiled at it trying to fight down the building squeal of excitment, it was so sweet you it made you feel...welcome? You'd been worried that you being on the job now had put a strain on everyone. It seems as if everyone has had to work harder because of you and you felt almost...guilty like an inconvenience. Kal sat up pulling away from you then tucked his snout under your chin snorting into your chest. You moved ruffling the base of his ears lightly.
"T-Tinkerbell?" He smiled softly as you pampered Kal you must have started getting upset as Kal moved digging into you comforting you. He loved how Kal was helping you when he himself couldn't. He hissed through his teeth nervously and moved his head around slightly.
"Well...Yes Joey had seen you...And you reminded him of a fairy he just sort of started calling you Tink's you know? after Tinkerbell....It fits....Small and cute" you pressed your face back to Kal tucking your glowing cheeks. He called you cute 'aaaaahhhhhhhgggggg! Cute he. Henry-Mother-Fucking- Cavill called you cute! He thinks your fucking cute fuckingohmygod! Yes girl GET IT!...Right okay and chill woooo! Right yep done? done!'
"I...We will stop if you don't like it ...Its probably weird right?" You shook your head pulling away from his dog when you were sure you could pass the blush off as a chill or something.
"No its...Its fine...I-I just didn't think...You know cos of me you-everyone has a shit tonne more work now...Just feel like well..I don't know burden I suppose" his face dropped.
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'you what? You thought you were a burden?' He blinked forgetting all his anxieties and nerves overcome with a need to help you, you got it wrong so so wrong he is ecstatic you were now his costar! He cant wait to get going! That’s why he is here nearly forty five minutes early! So he can get to know you he gathered you must be nervous and well...He wanted to be your knight in shinning amour....Or witcher in leather doublet a it were. Everyone who was 'in the know' was just so happy that you’d decided to do this, your saving The Witcher for Christ sake! But you didn't see it like that? He moved over grasping your hand without thinking,it was only when he felt you tense he realized he was touching you but by some act of god he managed to beat down a full blown fucking melt down trying not to dwell on how soft your skin was. 'Why it is so soft?....what does she do?...Moisturizer?.....Wonder if she'd let you watch?- WOAH OKAY THERE BOY SLOW DOWN!.....But she even smells ugh fuck could just eat this woman....Henry! Stop fucking sniffing her...Shes upset and your just here being so..FUCKING ...CRINGE! Seriously!?...Now would be the time to speak cavill...I mean you are just rubbing her wrist staring ...Again.' he swallowed managing to hopefully shake away his thought before you got too creeped out by him.
"No! No don't Please don't ever feel like that...Your not a burden to me or-or Joey or anyone here! Your keeping this going if it wasn't for you we'd all be out of work...I-I am really grateful for you choosing to help...I Love this role-this project and your the one who has saved it!...I know it must be hard trying to navigate all this but please if you ever need help or anything you can come to me ....Even if its just to talk ....Promise me if you ever start thinking or ever made to feel like that come talk to me...Okay I mean that y/n you can come talk to me anytime" Henry watched seeing an array of emotions cross your eyes you were still unsure but he would help. He would be there for you if it was the last thing he did, he wanted to be a colleague, friend, someone you could come to and confide in!
He wanted you to come to him if you got overwhelmed of upset he had already been speaking about the press tour after he was trying to make sure you were never going to be  alone in interviews he wanted to protect you form the more public side that was going to be the real shock. Filming was easy you knew what you were in for but tv? Journalists and critics? Yes that was going to be... A wake up call luckily for you Henry was going to be all over you by then he hoped. When it boiled down to it he wanted to be so much more then a mentor and friend but for now he would work towards friendship and try to get one conversation over with out fucking up stuttering or blushing. You blinked and nodded slowly.
"Th-thank you for saying that-" he shook his head you didn't believe him and smiled what he hoped was sincerely.
"Its not just words I do truly mean it Tink’s...I'm here for you and so is Kal apparently" he smiled when he got you to giggled the moment of doubt truly passed as you snuggled the bear again. 'And breath...Well that went well...Fuck she is so cute with him, I should get a picture...you know to commemorate her first proper day...Would that be weird of him? Hey can I have a photo of you to keep on my phone please?..Yeah okay maybe not like that' it was sweet watching as kal quickly become your teddy bear. The pup seemed not to mind in the slightest just happy to be getting away with blue murder and get cuddles for it!. He had moved and was now resting his head on your other shoulder sitting up with his back to Henry, Kal was basically hugging you tucking your neck and shoulder under his chin to his chest.
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Henry smiled nodding cutely seemingly pleased with himself as he pulled back then. He blinked quickly as if remembering something and sat up getting his phone out he was about to speak but was cut off by the sound of the door as it opened again it was then that Holly made an appearance, you didn't even notice she had left. You smiled happy feeling better in yourself Henry's words meant something you actually believed that he meant it. It was nice to know he didn't hold anything against you for all the extra work your arrival had dumped on him.
"Haha! Here they are one wig for you sir! And for the lady!" She placed two wigs on the table in front of your respective chairs, both of which were pinned on two wig mannequin's. You placed you feet on the bar sitting up getting a groan for one Kal who was comfy.
"Oh shush you" Henry huffed a laugh as you scolded the bear. 
"Wow that’s... How'd they even do that?" Henry looked over to yours and whistled. It was sleek and very very light ah blonde you could just see a hint on lilac from the toner used giving the hair an almost ethereal look yet still a believable tone. Holly gushed
"I know right! They said they took into account your hair color now because of how it complimented your skin....Honestly it mean you wont need as much color correcting as before with the gold! And along side this these came to!" She moved producing a small pile of contact lenses boxes. You looked to her uneasy making some weird unconvincing sound.
"Oh hush love~ contacts aren't that bad! You just pop 'em in" you blinked and gave her a look.
"Yeah...pop em in your fucking eyes! That you need to see!...God they can't like slip back can they?" Henry and Holly chuckled and shaking their heads.
"No...They can't your lris is slightly bulged they sit on that bulge! I can categorical attest they do not slide back or get stuck...I promise trust me?" He tilted his head at you and you eyed the contacts 'well he has used them for a while..so he would know' you gave a slight nod
"Good I promise I won't stear you wrong! I normally wait until the hair and stuff is done and put them in just before make up, sometimes the hair on the wig can get catch them when styling and that is a bit uncomfortable especially if they move" you snapped your gaze to him
"M-Move!? B-but you- You just said they don’t!" He chuckled rubbing his hand over his neck.
"I-I well yes I did just say that...W-What I meant is they can't go to the back of your eye...But if you touch them once in they can slip just...Once their in don't touch them until you want to take them out and you will be fine" you eyed him carefully and nodded.
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Holly moved about the room quickly switching make up pallets and the woman in charge of Henry's hair and make up came in with her kit opening it ready to get started. You couldn't help but be relieved in a way to have him turn and stat a conversation with her taking the heat off you. 'AANNDD BREATH...well that wasn't to bad? Sure you used kal as a hiding spot but the good boy didn't mind' you looked to the content dog still rubbing his tummy absent minded. 'Yeah the bear was happy, soo your first real conversation with the stunningly handsome Mr Cavill wasn't to bad....But fuck he thought you were cute? Oh boy that is just fucking mind blown! There you go girl you could die right now and be one very happy woman!... And he wants to help you! And you know I do think he meant that....He is very sweet, and he got you coffee! AAAHHHGGG! Like not dinner but the man got you food...Well food it was a coffee...Still he got it for you babe! You go girl!' Your thoughts were interrupted when a cheerful Joey made an appearance at the door
"Good morning! How are we all today?" You smiled at how happy he was. He got a series of replies from grunts to 'fine how are you?' He spotted you and laughed.
"Shit Kal? Pulling the moves already? You know she's twice your age a tleast?" The dog huffed and you petted him giggling.
"Don’t listen to him boy~ you be you...such a good little pup huh? Yesh you are...And your keeping me warm huh? Little hot water bottle....Yesh you are...You an sit on my lap any time good baby~" Henry chuckled out of the side of his mouth trying not to move as his make up artist began to comb through his hair readying him for the wig.
"God don't tell him that, he would never get off if he could help it, he love his cuddles...And snout kisses its why he is holding his head like that by the way...He wants kisses" you giggled and looked at Kal who was sitting still holding his cheek near your face.
"Oh baby~ you want kisses?" You quickly moved in peppering kisses on his cheek. When you stopped you laughed as he turned to you giving kisses back. Henry smiled your laugh becoming something he was determined to hear at least once a day!
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Joey watched slyly. It seemed Henry was going to have Kal be a wing man...dog? In his journey of wooing you. He smirked he would help to! It was clear that you liked Henry ...Henry certainly liked you so it won't take to much pushing.
"So Henry...What are you doing here? Your early not meant to be here until five. " Henry froze and looked panicked and met Joeys eyes in the mirror. Joey smirked knowing full well You had heard Henry squinted at the singer giving him a 'what the fuck?' Look
."I-I wanted to make sure Tinks was okay...It is her first day...Dont want her to be in here going through the motions alone we are a team" Joey smirked 'well okay if that how you want to play'
"Thats very sweet of you!, Oh! Yes we need pictures! It is your first day Tinks!" He turned to Henry's artist who had just got the wig on. Leaning down he grasped the witchers shoulders squeezing.
"Can I brorrow him?" She smiled nodding with a chuckle Joey smiled and ushered Henry up swiping the mans phone from the side and handed it to Holly, who took it and stepped back as joey spun your chair around to face her.
"Do you mind? We need to document this, The day the witcher was saved!" You blushed as both Joey and Henry stood either side of you ,They each crouched a little placing their faces next to yours and smiled, Henry had tucked kal's head to the side so he could get a good view of you. Once the photos were snapped Joey looked at them excited.
"Wow! Henry you have to send these to me so I can tweet them!" You blushed as Henry nodded grinning then looked you his screen then to you. He could kiss Joey! Henry now had a reason to get your number, whatsapp ,face book fuck everything!
"I will send these to you...You know if you want, I mean you don't have to if Joey is tweeting them... But I could send them....Only if you want... No pressure!" Joey sighed watching the great white wolf fumble over his words still rambling. Even the other women were watching fascinated as the unshakable Henry got himself all flustered.
"You know make memories... A-along the way...You never know Tink’s could be the start of a completely new career!haha..." An awkward silence fell over the room as henry eventually trailed of with a nervous laugh. Joeys eyes fell to you, you sat dead still shocked then finally blinked snapping out of what ever thoughts were going on you were slowly blushing. You were definitely interested.
"I-I err sure you can send them to me... Here I'll give to my number..." Joey smiled nodding pleased with himself. That worked beautifully if he did say so himself. Henry sent him a thankful glance as you exchanged numbers. He turned as he had a tap on his shoulder.
"Oh god its time already? I hoped to get to know our Tink's...Oh well we can chat on set" he moved around you sitting on the other side of Henry and sat down letting his own artist begin.
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You had sat in the chair for another hour or so getting tweaked then had been ushered to change in a sectioned off little changing room. You came back out ready to see Keira for the first time. Henry and Joey stole glances at you
"Wow...Fuck you look...Wow" you smiled at Henry shyly as he kept sweeping his eyes over you seemingly awed at the final look. If you were honest it made you a little self conscious. How could it not! he was; if you squinted, kind of checking you out..In a way? you avoided eye contact willing yourself to calm down as your heart pounded away at top speed.
"What he means is you look fantastic!" You smiled unsure and pulled at the skirt of the dress, your first scene with them was a party so it was very elegant it was designed to be seductive with a swooping neckline and swirling delicate detailing over the collar  it was heavy to being made out of a heavy velvet material you were happy there wasn't any running you'd collapse in minuets.
"Th-thanks...Its heavier then I remember..." Joey smiled admiring the look."You look brilliant! Look Henry is speechless!" Henry swallowed  dryly. Fuck you looked quickly then turned away... Wow... His fantasy was nothing compared to you here in full costume... Henry shook his head remembering every detail to recall later.
"Y-you look...Better then I imagined! It-she....Your..." you flushed a little and moved past him to your seat wanting to sit down and calm yourself being in costume had brought it home you were doing this...You were going to actually be in witcher as a cast member!. You sat down taking a deep breath. You could feel the anxiety .Shit. Kal popped his head out from under Henry and glanced up at you he was still sulking.
"What puppy?! I'm sorry...I know Holly is so mean huh? making you jump down like that" He huffed again ears twitching then he heaved himself up again and sat before you tapping you with a large paw, you smoothed your hands across him somehow just petting the gentle boy was calming you down. Henry and Joey exchanged looks Kal must be picking up on your nerves.
"Yes oh I know... But don't worry we can have cuddles after okay?" You said calming considerably as you spoke to him. Henry chuckled at the exchange and Joey piped up.
"Is he being a grumpy boy?" Henry tilted his head.
"No a needy boy I think... he has got a new favorite snuggle buddy" you blushed at that and soon Kal laid down out of petting distance. All three of you were nearly done...Well you were done, you hadn't until now seen the whole get up together wardrobe and hair and make up had been separate until now. You quickly glanced up and froze wow...This new wig was definitely better now, you felt... you didn't know it was completely strange seeing someone different staring back at you in the mirror.
"Wow....Thats-this is crazy..." you leaned in turning your head this way and that moving your hand slowly to your face, Henry smiled at you.
"Yes...It's always strange the first time in character..." you nodded to him dumbly still inspecting yourself moving to run your fingers threw you 'hair'
"So fucking weird"
"And about to get a whole lot weirder! time for these bad boys~" you whined at Holly as you watched her wave the slim box holing your contacts.
"Oh? please tell me she isn't getting blue? I love the green!"Joey protest was flattering as he and Henry came closer wanting to see, you stood awkwardly twisting your hands in the sleeves of your costume. Henry smiled opening your box peeking at the color
"Hey...They're going to look amazing! Tink’s you get green look!" Joey leaned over and smiled
"Yeah and they have that nice dark ring around the outside to! really going to pop...Well come on girl get them in we have what ten minuets?" he directed his question to Holly who giggled nodding. You gulped looking at the small colored discs warily...
"How? I've never...They're safe right? wont get stuck of something?" Henry seeing another opportunity to bond with you jumped up collecting his own contacts box Joey took a step back so you could et closer and watch Henry's lesson smirking knowingly as a stupid uncharacteristic grin spread across 'Geralt's' face.
"Here look its fine...Just hold it like this...And pinch it if it folds like this..see? Like that...Then its okay if it curls out and has a lip then its inside out." You watched as he gave you a quick glance.
"I-Inside out? wh-what happens if that happens?" Henry quickly tried reassuring you.
"No! its not-it will just be uncomfortable...Nothing bad will happen or anything its just irritable....Right pick yours up like I’m doing...That's it!...See...Then hold open your eye and....Just try and pop it in...You can do it looking down or up which ever is comfy, I'm used to it so can do it standing up right....And if it moved like mine just has...Typical! just look around and....There see! easy!" Henry explained his contacts lesson well, it did seem simple he let you watch as he placed in the other contact explaining once again how to put them in as he did. You watched intently blushing each time he moved in closer so you could see.
"O-okay...So just press it and it will stick?" he nodded and you bit your lip 'come on girl...that's it just like when you do liquid eyeliner stab your eyeball with it!' you looked to you mirror and began to poke your eyes with Henry and joey watching closely commenting as you did so. One Joey pep-talk and eighteen tries later you finally got them in with a tiny round of applause ,It was actually pretty cool, your eyes popped a really bright and had a dark ring that made your iris a little larger adding to the ethereal atheistic.
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The three of you made your way out of the trailer as Geralt ,Jaskier and keira. You took a deep breath when you saw the cameras and lighting as you walked onto set.
"Fuck...shit, shit, shit" Henry and Joey slowed walking beside you patting your back. Henry wrapped an arm around you making sure you didn't bolt which you looked ready to any second, had you not been so panicked you would have clammed up under his heavy arm but it wasn’t on the top of your list of things to worry about right now. Joey followed suit holding you around your back squishing you between them and smiled down at you directing you to the frightening amount of people milling about doing various jobs.
you’d seen it all before but being behind the scenes was completely different to being in front of the camera you slowed until you was barley moving at all.
"Come on Tink’s" with his prompting Joey had in fact sped you up a little, he was stronger then he looked. You took deep breaths trying not to freak out as everyone turned looking at the new comer.
"Th-thats a lot of people.." Joey and Henry hummed in agreement
"Well its a big deal...you've been cherry picked from the assistants Tink's word has got around but everyone wants a peek.." Joey cheerful as ever chuckled into your hair as they got closer to Tomasz who was waiting for you all.
It  was when you saw the director that you really freaked trying to turn around but they two men grunted
"Oh no you don't...Come on your fine"
"I forgot my lines" Henry scoffed
"That fine we memorized them for you to, besides why do you think Tomasz made you do improv?"
"O-okay....I need the bathroom" Joey giggled still helping guide you into the huge makeshift banquet hall
"No you don't its nerves" you shook as they continued ushering you out in front of the crew
"I'm going to be sick" Henry chuckled as bad as it was he couldn't help thinking you looked pretty cute panicking like this trying desperately to find a way to run off and hide.
"Again that’s nerves just breath...We wont let anything happen okay? just take a deep breath...Good now out your going to be fine" you did as he had said to focused on the upcoming filming to even squeal about him looking out for you.
Finally you stopped in front of Tomasz who smiled at you kindly.
"Wow...Look at you! perfect! absolutely perfect! Ready?" You shook your head looking around it felt like everyone involved in the projects was hear to see the stand in.
"No...Not really" he laughed and shook his head at you...You were serious....didn't he think you were serious you fucking was! You didn't know whether you needed to be sick, panic ,cry or use the bathroom.
"...Why are there so many people?" He eyed the crowd
"Well you did pull this whole production from the brink of collapse...They are bound to want to see to woman who has stepped up...I'm sure everyone has told you already but this is a big deal...I don't think I have heard of someone completely untrained taking a role like this. Any way enough chit chat lets get to work shall we?" you were shaking in Keira's boots but...By way the two men still had you stuck firmly between them he knew you'd have all the support you needed, once you started it would be fine.
"Trust me you’ll do fine" he turned with a huge grin
"Places everyone! Remember camera four you start now from the top a sweeping motion left you right? good!" You gulped stomach dropping soon Henry and Joey are moving to their cue's leaving you with one final squeeze and your left on your own wondering. How the fuck did this happen again?.
You took a breath closing your eyes tight looking down collecting yourself pulling a more confident catty seductive woman from within. Unbeknown to you a hush fell over the scene as you did everyone holding their breath waiting to see if you could pull this off.
Joey smiled from beside Henry and said something but Henry didn't even hear what the man had to say, he just smirked entranced as he watched you transform before everyone about to prove to yourself and everyone in the room you could do this. Its what you did last time you closed your eyes and when you opened them you wasn't there anymore.
For anyone who understood what it was, it was incredible to watch everything changed your posture , your aura, your presence felt heavy and playful he could feel it from way over here. When your eyes opened you was a completely different person you could feel it here and now there was no y/n; you was Keira through and through. then with a slow count down the scene began.
"ACTION" you smirked holding your head high. Here we go!
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pleasancies · 3 years
Text
Interrogation
wordcount : 2k+
content / warning : interrogation, lady whump, defiant whumpee, fighting, gore, no-holds barred beatdown, choking, finger injury, death tw, self harm tw
Need to write something that connects the event between tragedy at brineward and first shot. It ends up quite long so I had to reworked some things and split it into two. Anyway, special feature of this story : a whumpee so defiant she tried to rip whumper's apart with words. Tagging @summer-of-whump
***
Previous Chapter
Avis ran to the open field. There was no one. Most of the guard are somewhere inside, making sure the experiments and researchers are safe or far outside the gate, chasing off Mary's group. They all left, letting The Thing to do whatever it please to them. Avis head towards the second building near her. Couldn't make it obvious she was bait.
A loud crack surprised her. A piece of rubble falling. The Thing was on to her. She did her job. She hoped her friends would run the opposite way instead of following. They have to. For the data they went through all this trouble to steal and especially Sherman and Emmet.
They argued for too long. She should have been alarmed at how silent Sherman was. Nausea pooled into her gut as she remember the way he crumpled into James hands. Their leader hasn't even took off his cover. From bad to worse. Emmet watched it all unfold. They shouldn't have bring him here. Her heart sank to her ankles, leaving a heavy trail of cold that knotted her insides.
Distract. Her objective now is occupy The Thing's attention until her friends are away. The outer wall's greenery was still crawling on top of her cover. As Avis entered the second building, she dumped it on the door. Not like she's going to climb out of here anyway. The second building was built different. It wasn't a hallway, more like a vast room people usually held conferences in. Weaponry research department. Faint smell of blood floating in the air. Avis run with her left hand holding on to the wall. She hunkered down a little. It was getting harder to gather the strength to put her foot forward.
She climbed the stairs to the second floor. It was walled off to several sections. A giant box of vacuum metal fill in the space on the far end. Cables everywhere. Rows of tables filled with typewriters and office supplies. Avis made a mental list of her inventory. A single gun, two bullets left. And a dozen of pens she just picked up. There's also the bayonet and her one remaining grenade. She overheard a sob.
Someone have been hiding under one of the desk. She approached it. The choked sobs turned to begging.
"No, no, please don't kill me!"
It was a girl. Her face was wet with tears. Her dress crumpled and ripped at the edges. She was relatively young, and the color of her clothes suggest she was still a student.
"Are you alone in here?"
The student didn't even look at her. She hid her face when Avis tap her shoulder.
"Look, someone's going to tore through this room and I'm not sure he could distinguish friend from foe. You have two choices. Leave, or stay so I could use you as a meatshield."
The girl dashed to the doorway. There was a scream. It was a good few minutes before The Thing burst through the door. He was still red, but his arms were already healed from burns. The last explosion had burned his upper lip, showing teeth. His right leg, Avis noticed, were completely skinless, save for the green worms eating at his flesh.
The Thing was chewing something. Bits of meat fell from his mouth. He spat. A wet slop of hair, bones and shredded fabric. Avis took a step back, a horrifying realization dawned in on her.
He lunged at her. She swung a chair to his face. She dashed to the other end of the room, bringing another chair with her. He caught up to her by a single jump. Avis crouched holding the legs of the chair above her head. It hit him square in the middle. While he curled up on the floor from pain, she run away leaving her last grenade. The impact threw her down the stairs. Heat rippled on her back. The sound deafened her. Avis failed to stand, still reeling from the explosion. She turned around, looking at the hubris. The Thing emerged from the fire.
He grabbed her by arms, slamming her across the room. Avis could feel the tendons of her shoulder ripping. Her head hits concrete. Suddenly the world was upside down. Her stomach lurched. Pain exploded throughout her side, making her breath shallow as she gasped for air.
Her hands scrambled to her pockets. Pens, bayonet, guns. Her fingers trembled too much to firmly hold anything. The Thing loomed above Avis. She clenched her teeth, bringing out her last remaining strength to draw her bayonet.
What followed was a desperate scuffle of two dying soldiers. Avis dig her finger in skinless flesh as The Thing swing her by the hair. He ate three of fingers. She spit on his eyes and screamed to his ears. When her bayonet was stuck on his shoulders, she pulled out the pens and pierced it to his neck until he couldn't heal anymore. The Thing fell on her, and his blood wash over her face like a gush of hot water.
Avis grunted as she pushed away his corpse. She glanced up. Sharp eyes boring in on her. Guns aiming for her head.
***
"Your friends have failed," The middle-aged man pulled away from his chair. "We found them in the woods. They couldn't run very far because one of them is dying. Mold poisoning is it?"
Avis clenched her fist. It fucking hurt. Three hours in the car and they didn't even put a bandage on her mutilated fingers. Just some very tight binds to stop the bleeding. The handcuffs clinked on the desk, grazing the scuffles on her wrists even when she flinched. The blinding pain subsumed her senses. She's going to regret it for the long term, enforcing bad habits during stress. But it was good for now, a way to recenter herself from the whirlwind of emotions.
"You're lying, Inspector Barnes. Your statements doesn't add up."
"Care to explain it to the man we found vomiting blood outside of the gate?"
Inspector Barnes crossed his arms. He's standing over her like an inescapable presence. Intimidation tactics, Avis remind herself. She can't trust whatever this man said. No matter how much it makes sense.
It's good her friends made it past the gate but-
No! She shouldn't. Not until Avis saw her team in prison slacks herself. Her handcuffs clatters against the desk. Blood dripping out through her knuckles.
Avis scoffed, "I'm not talking. Maybe I would if I see them captured, but it's only a maybe."
"Are you deaf? One of them is dying. The mold was eating them from the inside out. The doctors are keeping them alive as we speak, but they're not authorized to give them any cure until you give me what I need."
What does he mean by 'them'? Did he not know Sherman's the one hurt? Or is everyone infected?
Stop. No speculating. Assume everything's a lie until there's definite proof. Avis straightened her back. All of the injuries she sustained are screaming now. Her face hard, she doesn't want to let it show.
"That's illegal. You're forbidden to withhold treatment for bioweapons. Heh, you haven't even read my rights yet."
"Young lady, nothing can protect you the moment you decided to join Heretics. Letters of the law be damned, you're enemies of the State. You're. Not. Getting. Out. Of. Here."
Inspector Barnes slammed his hands on the desk, the same time he get his last words. Avis jumped, despite herself.
He's trying to rattle me.
"Forced disappearance? I knew a few of my friends who died that way. It's expected. I still think you're bluffing. Give me a picture of my friends sitting in a cell then I'd believe you."
Inspector Barnes sit back again. He run his fingers through his hair. "You're stubborn, no, cruel is more like it. Your goal for chaos is all that you had in mind. Even that intern girl..."
Avis felt bile rising to the throat. She gulped down the bitter spit saliva that's pooling in her mouth. Barnes tilt his head, his expression slightly amused.
"What's this? A sign of conscience?"
"No. I let her run so she doesn't end up as collateral damage. Guess she's unlucky. That Thing fucking ate her."
"The Dog, Fenrir, you mean. You told her to run so she could be a distraction for Fenrir when you wait."
"You're twisting my words."
"I saw the camera footage. He ate her alive. You threatened her, lead a teenage girl to her death who couldn't think straight because terrorists are raiding her workplace!"
Barnes spoke, his voice thick with emotion. It was almost a whisper at first, but rapidly rising and rising until he was practically screaming. The Inspector kicked the desk, slamming it at Avis midsection. Avis crumpled to the side. Her ribs explode with pain. It took everything not to heave on her prison garb.
"What's this? A sign of conscience?" She laughed, and the resulting pain led to a coughing fit that only serves to aggravate the pain she felt in a vicious cycle.
But more importantly, she was subsumed with spite. Barnes was part of the police force. How many people have he obliterated without remorse? Hypocrisy, to demand her begging and crying for forgiveness.
He kicked her to the head. Another blow struck her face. Avis tried to fight him off but her hands were tied. Barnes grabbed a clump of her hair. He dragged her so she'd meet his eyes. Wrath contorted his face.
"You're letting your friends die."
A spit land right between his eyes. Avis grinned, revealing two elongated fangs. She smelled blood and it's everywhere in the room. Not hers nor from Barnes. She glowered at him.
"I don't believe you. Not one bit. But I do wonder why this intern bitch is so important for you."
"My job is protect people like her from you."
"And you failed. I heard the girl screaming for her dear life. I even heard her bones cracking and her flesh ripping from the seams, I could have took my chance and killed that dog, but I can't pass the opportunity to see her be taken apart piece by piece. Isn't that what you do here everyday? What makes her different?"
Avis looked for a spark of recognition between his eyes.
"Ah, she's family?"
He throw her, head first into the floor. Her vision blurred and for a second she can't figure out which way is up or down. Suddenly one of his knee are on her chest, and his hands wrapped around her throat.
She couldn't breathe. Her field of sight rapidly shrinking. Her strength quickly fading. Her body struggled on reflex, torn shoulder squirming with her torn up hands. She have to do something. She could die. Her friends, what about them?
Barnes released her. He stood over her. His breathing hard.
"I don't care if you're dead, Avis. I wish I could get away for caving your head on this table. You're selfish. People die because you want to be exempt from the rules. But the scientist behind that glass over there want you alive. My only consolation is he could do much worse that I can ever hope to inflict in a lifetime."
Avis couldn't bring herself to fake a grin. Instead her hands shakily rises up to point him with her half-eaten middle finger. "Doesn't matter. That intern bitch is still dog's slop and you can never bury her into the ground."
She closed her eyes, barely registering that the chain on her cuffs were split. She think of her friends, perhaps dying in agony over the mold. Barnes might have lied, she told herself. Cops always lie. And even with her friends dead, she still have to do this. Keeping her mouth shut. Holding out until someone save her. Be it Death or another Heretic. They might not be related but she's not going to die betraying her family. She has to be fierce, she has to be cruel, she has to—
Avis fell unconcious on the interrogation room floor. Beyond the glass across her stood an balding man. He spoke to his two interns, "Our project's not over yet."
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Tips for your first semester at university - A Masterpost
So, I know that it always depends on the country you live in, but here in Austria the next university semester starts on the first Monday of October. I have been at University for 3 years now and I remember how lost I was when I came there first. So I thought that I´d share my experience for those that start university this semester.
Important: This guide is written especially for universities and not for colleges of higher education as they have a different system when it comes to lectures and such.
1. Inform yourself as much as possible about your university. 
Nowadays, all universitys have their own homepage. What might be confusing however is that most universities don´t have only one. Big universities normally have a general homepage for all things that regard the university as a whole, like registration, academical celebrations or for example the actions that the university takes because of corona. This page is important for the first steps you have to take, like registration, getting your student ID and also for important news. This page will also show you what your university stands for, how they present themselves (for example if or how they support gender equality, students with physical or mental issues or their stance on climate change and what they do about it).
Often times, there are also one more pages for student services that help students with their questions and are responsible for organisatory stuff. Always check out their FAQ, it might help you a lot and sometimes they even have explaination videos. Most of the time, there are also contact options for you, like a telephone number, mail adress or even (when there is no lockdown) consultation hours in their offices.
At big universites, every faculty has at least one homepage, sometimes even more then one (for example one for students and one for the professors, sometimes another one for the curriculum and such...). And no, all these websites often are not linked to each other, so better safe them with a bookmark in your browser because otherwise finding a certain homepage again might cost you quite some time...On these pages, you normally can find the curriculum and sometimes even the recommended studying path - basically meaning which course you should take in which semester.
2. Find out where the buildings are and get to know them
Many universities have more than one building or campus. When you have to commute between them, it is important that you know how to reach them, how long it takes you to reach them (from home and from another building) and where the most important lecture halls and seminar rooms are. In most countries, the university buildings are open to the public you can just walk in and look around as long as you don´t walk into a seminar or lecture in the middle of it! If you can´t find a certain room, you normally can also ask the concierge for help. Maybe even take notes how to reach each building and the most important rooms so that when you are in a hurry and get overwhelmed by all the new experiences, you have a backup in case you forget something.
3. Plan your time wisely
You have to register yourself for the lectures and seminars you want to take each semester, so make sure you plan your time wisely. If you have to commute between buildings, don´t make yourself a tight shedule! You never know if you have questions for a professor after a lecture, if you want to exchange numbers with other students, if a lecture takes longer than planned or if the public transport arrives on time. Also, your first semester will be way more exhausting than you expect, no matter what you are used to! Never plan a full day at university for your first semester and I would also advice you to register for less courses than recommended. You can still do more in the following semesters and the first one is always the most difficult as you are not used to the new system. Keep days free for the asignments you have to or the notes you need to rework.
4. Get to know the surroundings of the buildings and the reading and studying halls.
Sometimes you will have some time between courses so it is important for you to know, where to spend these breaks. It also depends on what you want to do during this time: Talk to friends, eat, have a nice walk or read/write something for university? Most universities have rooms for studying and reading, where you have to be silent but also some where you can work together with other students and talk to them. Search also for bakeries, take-aways and a refectory so that you know where to get a meal from, if you have forgotten to bring something. Sometimes it is best to walk into some side-streets for normal grocery shops, as they often sell sandwiches and salads but are way cheaper than the refectories and restaurants in and around the university itself.
5. Have a student planner AND a calendar on your mobile phone
If you have a stundent planner, it easier to take notes about your assignments or write something down quickly. It is not dependend on a battery and you have a lot more space than on calendar or to-do-list apps. However, it can happen that you forget it on some days, so always a phone calendar as a backup to remind you of which lectures you have where and when! 
6. Try out which way of taking notes works best for you
There are so many ways how you can take notes during courses, so try out which of them works best for you. I will soon make a special post about the different ways of talking notes and organizing them, so if you don´t know about this topic, make sure to check out the upcoming post!
7. Networking is key
You are not in a normal class anymore. You won´t see the same people in every course, so try to meet new ones in every course. You don´t have to be friends with everyone, but just exchanging numbers and helping each others out with homeworks or when you can´t visit a lecture every now and then is a great help. Also join Facebook, Discord or Whatsapp Groups and read what other students write in them. If there are none - make your own and invite as many students that you meet as possible. Ask other students - especially some from higher semesters - if you have quesions about organizational stuff, rules for thesis papers and recommendations of professors or courses.
8. Document your semester
Don´t spend too much time on it, but make sure to document some important details of your semester. Which professors do like or don´t like and why? Make sure to write down their names too, not only their courses, so you know where to register again. Write down which studying or note-taking techniques work beste for you and which don´t. Write down at which times of the day you are very productive at home and when is the best time for you to be at university. 
10. Read the curriculum and the recommended study path thoroughly
The curriculum includes which courses you have to take, where you can choose and if there are requirements for some of them. It also includes description what you will learn in which course and approximately how much effort it takes to complete a course. Of course these descriptions are not always completely accurate but they will give you a good overview and especially which requirements are needed is very important to know and keep in mind.
Not all but many faculties also offer recommended study paths.These recommend, consdering not only the official requirements but also your knowledge and the efford, which courses you should visit in which semester. Often times, these are really helpful, so ask students from higher semesters if these are helpful and if they agree, then definitely stick to them!
11. Use Apps for students
There are many apps that can help you. Some of them are specifically made for connecting you better with your university by giving you direct access to your account, your mails, your time table and the latest news of your university. Other apps help you focus or keep organized. I will do another post on this topic too, so make sure to check it out too!
12. Don´t get a job immediatelly
If you can, don´t get a (part-time) job immediatelly. If you can afford to not earn money for some months, wait at least until your second semester to get a job. The first semester is challenging enough and no matter how tempting it seems to earn a nice amount of money, it is important that you can find your place at university.
13. Start studying early
I swear to you that during your school time, you never wrote an exam with such a huge amount to study - most likely not even your A levels. So either revise every weekend what you learned during the week or start studying at least some weeks before your finals to make sure you don´t underestimate it.
14. Keep yourself motivated
A semester at university can be very exhausting and challenging. You might not like all the courses you are registered for but also can´t drop out of them. So you need to keep yourself motivated, even in the middle of the semester when the next holidays and the rewards for your efforts seem far away. Keep your goals in mind, reward yourself every now and then for all the studying you are doing and use stationery that motivates you.
15. Bring enough food with you
You won´t always have the time to buy a meal at university and even if you have the time, more often then not they are overly expensive. Bring food from home that you can eat during your breaks, if possible even while walking - you may need to eat while walking to the next lecturing hall. Make sure the food won´t go bad during the day and bring brain food to. Also bring water with you and refill it during your breaks. Bring something like coffee, black or green tea, energy drinks or coffeinated gums too for long days or when you have to start very early in the morning.
16. Keep pencils and some sheets of paper everywhere
Modern technologies like mobilephones and laptops are nice and handy, but they are always dependend on their batteries. Therefore you should keep pen and paper in every bag you use, every jacket, every trouser or wherever you can keep them. By doing this, you make sure that you can always take notes, no matter what else happens. Also make sure you have a drawer or a place near your desk where you can collect these notes so you won´t loose them!
17. Keep the balance
A lot of people think that university means partying and having lots of free time. Others study all the time, having barely any free-time. With most of the exams taking place at the end of the semester, one can easily forget how much studying it takes to complete a course. On the other hand, all the new testing formats and the complex topics can seem overwhelming. Therefore it is very important that you keep a good balance between studying and freetime. Especially outside the finals week, it is good to keep one or two hours free per day that you use only for hobbies and leisure time.
18. Don´t let others pressure you about your grades
Yes, a lot of students like to brag about how fast they get on with studying and how good their grades are. Fact is, that you can´t see their university certificate, so you can´t even know if they are saying the truth or are just bragging. Furthermore, even if they say the truth, everyone goes their own path with their own pace. You don´t have to be the best or better than anyone. Do the best you can but never harm you physical or mental health for your grades!
19. Don´t be scared to change your field of study
In school you barelly get to know the different fields of study. Even subjects you have at school like a language or maths are totally different at university. If you realize that a field of study is not right for you, it is totally okay to change it! There is nothing to be embarassed about. It is important that you do what you like and what you can do - not everyone will be successful in every field. That does not mean that you should give up because one course becomes a bit difficult or because you got a negative grade on a final. Throwbacks and some troubles are normal in every study and don´t mean that you´re not qualified for it. But if you realize that it is not what you are interested in, it is better to choose a different field.
20. Don´t expect everything to be interesting
No matter how much you like a field of subject, there will always be some courses that you will find less interesting than outers. Keep yourself motivated when you have to do such courses and don´t give up because of them if you like most of the other courses and lectures.
21. Inform yourself about the types of courses before you register for them
Most faculties offer many different types of courses, all of them meaning a different effort and different ways of performance controls. Lectures normally don´t require you to be present (although it is helpful) and only have one test at the end of the semester. Seminars don´t have finals, instead you have to write a portfolio or thesis paper. Exercise courses normally have at least one test in the middle of the semester and one final plus multiple assignments or homeworks. There are many more kinds of courses, depending on your field of study.
22. Don´t expect too much from yourself
University is actually way harder then colleges or school. It´s the most difficult type of education you can choose, so don´t expect perfect grades from yourself. No matter how good your grades where at school, it is totally fine if you don´t keep them up at university! That does not mean that you became less intelligent, just that university is way harder than school!
I hope this post is helpful for some of you! I will be doing an own post soon on how to go about your first digital semester!
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First and foremost, we have some exciting new changes that everyone can get behind. Absolutely nobody has a problem with the new experience globe mechanics. New experience globes are only at full value for six seconds, and after that are worth 25% exp. And then they last for thirty-nine seconds. Nobody finds this objectionable in any way. This change was not on the PTR due to public outcry from Reddit when it was leaked early, but it’s here live with all of its zero problems fixed.
Another change about which we have received zero complaints is a new tag system behind the scenes. People looking for just the right hero for the situation can easily find it by searching for such keywords as “CC” “Silence” “Sustain” and “Double soak” and find extremely useful and not absolute garbage results. Don’t worry about checking it ahead of time, just get right into draft mode and use it to find the perfect pick!
In addition to those minor and unobjectionable changes, we have removed Volskaya Foundry from the ranked queue, and added everyone’s favorite quickmatch map, Warhead Junction. We have also done this simultaneously with an Overwatch-themed event.
Hero changes below the cut, because this patch is another doozy, with fiiiiiive herooooo rewoooooorks, Four buffed assassins, three nerfed offlaners, two nerfed tanks and we also nerfed the looost viiiikiiiings!
Anduin is the first of our reworks and with him taking a more prominent role in Shadowlands we want to be able to welcome WoW players with open arms. He, uh, doesn’t have a new skin or anything, we just want people to play this game. The central goal of the buff is to improve his healing output in line with other heroes without removing the largest strength in Leap of Faith. As such, we’re just touching literally every part of his kit and talent try and praying that it goes the way we want.
People keep mistaking Johanna for the best tank in the game. This is factually untrue, since Muradin exists. As such, we are just gutting the absolute pants off of Johanna’s talent tree and making it weird and clunky.
For too long has Raynor been the scourge of draft play. Too good to skip, but not scary enough to ban. Perfect macro contributions, with respectable hero damage. Enough self-sustain to take weight off your healer, and self-peel for when tanks are bad. The perfect killing machine. As such, we’ve nerfed his damage into the ground. Start playing Greymane, bitches.
Stitches has proven to be a mediocre bruiser in the eyes of the community. After all these years, I think I know why. We accidentally categorized him as a tank. As such, he needs some serious changes to make him fit that label. This whole time we’ve been balancing him as a bruiser and nobody said anything? This is as much your fault as it is mine.
The average damage output of a ranged assassin has been steadily climbing for a while now. As a result, for a hero to actually be a glass cannon, they need some serious firepower. Valla now has the gunpowder to match her glass. And she’s the glassiest cannon there is. Don’t get me wrong, she still evaporates like a drop of water in California when an enemy hero looks at her. But when she has a solid tank and three healers behind her, the world is your oyster.
Oh my god they didn’t break down the heroes by category. Jesus Christ what the fuck Blizzard? You just decided that this is the line? This is the day you stop caring? Well, congratulations, you’ve made reading your patch notes mildly more inconvenient. I’m still doing this. Ya bunch of jack-offs.
Mei has been grossly overperforming, and we have no idea how that happened. We certainly didn’t buff her over and over again for an entire year. Anyway, we’re just going to roll some stuff back. Definitely probably fine.
It turns out - and bear with me here because this might be hard to follow - Hogger, D.va, and Sonya were all overtuned? For six months? So we’re just gonna tippy tappy them down the smallest little bit. And then slap them around a little for good measure. D.va’s mech form is no longer indomitable, Hogger can no longer solo any merc camp in the game in 12 seconds, and Sonya is now... Basically fine still, honestly. We kinda gave her just a slap on the wrist in comparison. But honestly after gutting Hogger like that, I just didn’t have the heart. One of the benefits from being a little later, alphabetically.
After riding the TLV train up through the ranks, I think it’s about time to recognize that I’m not actually good at them. They’re just overtuned. So it’s time to come back to earth, Icarus. Don’t be fooled by the seemingly-small HP nerf, though. The real nerf is buffing Longboat Raid. People are going to have to pick it to test it and it’s gonna murder their winrate.
Someone told me that Lucio is a problem and needed to be addressed this patch, but my cat came into the home office being adorable so I didn’t hear exactly what they said. So we had to kinda wing it. Hopefully these minor adjustments to his talent tree will solve whatever they were talking about!
Even we know Uther is a problem. Being first pickable and filling three different unique roles was what we wanted to do with Varian not Uther. So we’re going to try and make him incrementally worse at tanking until he just goes away. First up: Shaving off some of that personal armor.
AFK splitpush trash Azmodan is dead. Long live teamfight artillery mage Azmodan. Really glad I made the last HotS Content post about Nova instead of Azmodan because boy howdy do these changes invalidate the entire playstyle that post would have discussed.
W build Falstad has obviously become a problem. Not only was he riddled with bugs after the rework - don’t worry, we learned from our mistakes and made sure there were no bugs with our new reworks - but also he had the ability to point and click on an enemy hero and force them to run all the way to the next lane over in order to stop taking buckets of free damage. It turns out that ability was more powerful than anticipated, and required adjustment.
Q build Falstad has obviously become a problem. Not only was it completely overshadowed by a build that did more damage in every situation with less skill requirement, but we overestimated the value of macro power on a build that demands PvP for stacking. As such, we’ve doubled the amount of power each stack gives him! That’ll do.
AA build Falstad... Stay the course, buddy. Doin’ fine.
Junkrat has been underperforming, which is surprising for a hero with his level of power. As such, we’re going to make a few small buffs to hopefully draw attention, and then we can roll things back once the pickrate reflects his actual power. Hopefully then WE CAN FINALLY MAKE THE MANDATORY CHANGE I PUT IN EVERY MEMO. TYRE. WITH A Y. THAT’S HOW THEY SPELL IT IN AUSTRALIA. KAEO I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU- wait, did Kaeo leave? Who the fuck is still here? Kinnabrew? Adam? Jason? JASON! JASON!?
Tassadar has also fallen off a lot without us having done anything at all whatsoever to nerf him. Entirely undeserved treatment. I’m disappointed in all of you. As such, we’re going to tweak his numbers up just a little tippy tap so that you all remember who killed the Overmind. It wasn’t James Raynor or Sarah Kerrigan. It was Tassadar... Tassadar Bassadar. That’s his last name. Don’t look it up, just trust me.
In the bug fix department, we’ve had a nice sit-down with the Mountain Giants on Alterac and told them that if they have time to lean, they have time to clean. Reaching the end of their lane and expecting the core to come to them is putting undue stress on an already overtaxed position. The core is a very stressful job, and if the mountain giants could just do their part to walk into the core pit when they arrive, that’s a huge load off their shoulders. Drek’thar and Vanndar really needed this expectation taken off them right now, and I’m hopeful it will lead to a better work environment.
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theatregaymer · 3 years
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You need to Relax~ SuzaLulu sfw tickle fic
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Here is a pairing I’ve long been a fan of.  Suzaku was my first muse back when I started roleplaying on here and enjoying it.  A friend of mine @ticklish-v-93​ and I got together for a sfw tickle fic since we know a lot of us like sfw as well as nsfw.  I’ll upload one or two of those later but this one is more for everyone!
As the bugs sang to the evening sky, Suzaku Kururugi was making his way...or rather slugging his way home.  Having just finished another group cram session, he'd long since passed when he thought he would be home.  But when the groove hits ya, you just have to ride it...right?  He'd been preparing for these final exams like his life depended on them, his work taking up a lot of his time though, thus resulting in his stress levels and fatigue being higher than they were even back in midterms.
College life really was exhausting, though he did know he was luckier than most, having someone to come back to amidst all his internal exhaustion.As he opened the door to the apartment they shared, the man left his size eleven shoes at the door before calling out.  "Lelouch?  You still up?  Mmph sorry I took so long, you got my text though right?"  He'd sent word ahead as they agreed, when he would likely be home late and not to wait up for him to eat dinner, he usually got by on vending machine ramen or something depending on if the cafe on campus was still open.  He came out of the entryway and felt his shoulders relax slightly, his lover seated on the couch with the television showing some kind of film he hadn't really seen before.  He let his bag rest along the side of the couch for now, knowing he'd be hitting the books first thing in the morning while he ate breakfast to save time.  "Hey, you could have gone to bed ya know?"
Lelouch had dozed off with the tv on as he waited up for his boyfriend. It being finals he saw how Suzaku cramed for his exams and overworked himself. Lelouch himself had one more paper to turn in. Yet since he was almost done he could give his boyfriend tlc.He rubbed his eyes and perked up as he smiled at his boyfriend. "Su, welcome back." he beckoned him over, wanting to greet him properly. "I know but I felt bad and decided to wait up for you. So how did it go? Today was your last day finishing everything right?" He asked as he watched him make his way tiredly to the couch.
The brunet wavered for only a second, having his own mind somewhat sluggish at the moment.  Suzaku undid the few buttons on his top, part of his chest being revealed as he let himself relax around his best friend, roommate and partner in life.  "I hope you at least ate something...mmph yeah the big stuff is done but..."  He knew Lelouch wouldn't like it, but he couldn't rest on his laurels yet.  As one of the only Japanese students here at their university it was almost like he felt he had to excel in all his scholarly aspects in order to show any of his peers or even teachers that he was not just some lucky transfer student. "I still have some minor things to go over before next week.  Nothing that will keep me out late but, I won't be puttin the books down just yet."  He said with a smile, trying to keep their soft and loving mood going rather than get a lecture at this hour.  His rear end finally sinking into the cushions, the boy reclined somewhat instantaneously with a groan as he could have sworn he felt a pop in his back  after having been hunched over all day.
Lelouch listened, and with each word he had a concerned and disapproving expression before he finally sighed and shook his head as he settled beside him. He understood why his boyfriend worked so hard, he knew of some of the professors and students who didn't believe he earned his place in the school. So to prove them wrong he go back over his completed assignments before final submission, being meticulous as he searched for any error he missed or reworking. "Haa Suzu...I won't lecture you, because I understand why."  He shot him a soft yet loving scolding look. "So I'm gonna use a different method...you can lay on my lap and rest properly or I make you." He let his eyes narrow as he patted his lap. "If you don't at least break properly you won't be in tip top form." He wasn't upset but didn't like the way his lover would overwork himself because idiots couldn't get over the fact that he was a genius.
Suzaku smiled initially, the warm words of understanding coming from Lelouch and washing over him.  He could kiss him right now, sloppy as his tired kisses could be.  However he caught the look in those eyes right away and knew he was still in trouble, even without a lecture.  "Eehehehe...s-seriously?  I mean I'm grateful and all, I mean...I accept...thanks."  He was too tired to defend himself right now anyways, and an argument usually ended with him getting outwitted anyways.  He grunted and stretched out, a grunt eeking out of his throat as he took a second to find a comfy position with his head resting on Lelouch's thighs, his legs being long enough that his ankles rested on the arm of the couch.  "Mmm this is actually...kinda nice, heh.  If your legs get numb though you need to let me know."  He could just study tomorrow once he woke up right?  Lelouch wouldn't mind that...he hoped.
Lelouch rolled his eyes at the adorable doofus of a boyfriend flicking him teasingly on the forehead with a smirk. "Yes, and you should be." when he was comfortable he leaned down pecking his forehead. "Sure sure, I will but first." he squeezed his cheeks. "I hope you aren't thinking about studying..." he could tell when Suzaku was making plans in his head. His brow would lightly furrow in the cutest of ways and his eyes would slightly darken in thought. Completely unnoticeable if you didn't grow up with him. "Suuuzaakuu~" he drawled out his name as he smooshed his cheeks. "If you are I’m going to take matters into my own hands...literally." he smirked as his fingers started playing with his ears.
The brunet was caught red handed, how was Lelouch able to see what he was thinking so easily!?  Well then again, the two had been friends since childhood, even after so much time apart they'd gotten right back into their friendship so quickly.  And developing that relationship further into what it was now...well there were bound to be things they knew about one another after all that time. Through squished cheeks and the teasing of his ears, Suzaku attempted to explain himself...or at least lie.  "No noho hehe I pwomishheheh hehey oomph come on Lelouch Ihi'm too tired for that."  He said, not even thinking of where it might lead his boyfriend since there were certain things about him Lelouch liked to exploit to gain an advantage.  That was his style after all, exploit a weakness and turn it into your own strength.
He knew it! Well at least he can distract him from such thoughts. "Ohhh, I can't tell, you must not be that tired if you can think of plans, so you can handle this!" he chirped fingers moving to his neck. "I think this is just what you need. Proper punishment for overworking yourself." he said over him. "I bet you even planned to sleep for a certain amount of hours then waking up early to finish whatever things you had left to do." he said alternating between tickling his ears and neck.
"Pffthehehehaha oh ohoh noho come ohohonahah!"  Lelouch was nothing if not thorough, sometimes overly so.  His thought processes moved at a staggering rate leaving Suzaku little room to mentally maneuver around whatever he could say.  "HAha nah no please Ihi swearhahaha ack come ohon mercy you knohow how it tickles!"  Suzaku weakly began trying to curl up, being comfortable enough to not want to leave this spot as he turned his face into the other's stomach to laugh his heart out.
Lelouch cooed at the action trying not to laugh himself. Because it was finals the two didn't really have that much quality time together besides a kiss here and there. With how much their schedules kept them separated and busy. So now here he was, tired as they both were he couldn't wait until they were done. It was time to collect!! "Awww nope let me feed off that sweet laughter!" He snickered and moved his fingers to his ears. "Ahh mercy? Nono how bout some food, likeeee raspberries!" He chirped with out warning attached his lips to his exposed neck and blews light raspberries and nibbling at the exposed skin.
Suzaku was completely at the other's mercy now, those exploratory fingers wreaking havoc on him even with only these light attentions.  "HAha ah wahaha noho nono KYAAHAahha!"  The raspberry, dear god why was he still so vulnerable to those things at his age?  Lelouch's lips were soft, perfect to vibrate against his neck and make the poor guy buck and squirm around some more.  "MMhmhmhmhmph!  Looohouch meheanie!"  He complained, letting out a bit more of an undignified and childish side of himself while trying to curl up.
At the comment Lelouch growled playfully then delivered another loud raspberry. He giggled himself as his lover squirmed around, it was nice to hear his laughter, if anything he was addicted. So to gain more he shot his hands to his sides poking and squeezing. "Mnmnm pbbttt..mhuaahh!" He lifted his head. "Not nice to call names mister tease!" He chimed grinning down at him. "Mean would be me cuffing you to the bed and tickling you until sun up." He snickered. "Plus, I can't trust you to stay still enough before you dash out that door again!" He said finding an unprotected spot and digging his fingers in.
Suzaku moved like a man possessed.  Lelouch choosing to target his poor sides had him twitching and wriggling about in that lap, only slightly managing to not fall off the couch at this point.  "BWHAHAh ahah AH staha no no that's haha not fahahirhah!  Youhu wouldn't!"  The only time they'd actually done cuffs with tickling was one of Suzaku's birthdays, definitely a wake up call he never forgot.  "HIhihehehaha AH AHAHA I WIHIHLL Pleehehasehaha just move somewhere eleehehehse!"  The brunet pleaded, knowing and accepting that this sort of punishment was inevitable.  He didn't hate it, liked it sometimes in fact, but Lelouch knew that and always tended to keep him in suspense as to when he would strike.
"Hmmm?" Hummed playfully as he heard his words. "Completely fair love." He said over his laughter. "Ohhh think I won't when I will...hehe this time I won't buuuuttt. Next time when you least expect it." He told him thinking maybe once their exams were over he would reward him in his own special way. "Huh? Move?" His smile turned downright evil. "You said it...not me!" He changed his position a little and stretched over him and went for his hips.
The ideas for such a wild night were not completely lost on the brunet, but at the same time his entire being wasn't really in on any conversations right now.  He barely caught a glimpse of Lelouch's wickedly playful smirk before his lithe hips were seized.  "Whahat are you GYAAHAHAA aAH AHA NONONONHIOHOHHAHAIHIHI!"  One of his top three spots no doubt, the hips  had never been somewhere Suzaku thought himself to be vulnerable until Lelouch got ahold of them.  Something about his delicate fingers, his touch almost like an artist molding a masterpiece...Suzaku had no chance at preventing such embarrassing and rapid paced laughter from bursting forth.
"There we go! Wow!" He chuckled himself as he squeezed his hips, digging his thumbs into the groves then moving up to his sides then his ribs and with some struggle was trying to get to his armpits " Yes! Let me get your armpits!" He said giddy from the situation. "Let me in Suzu!" He said sweetly and he focused on his ribs since his arms were clamped down. They should be sleeping after all but did not want to pass up this chance of physical affection. "This is helping both of us! You look so refreshed!" He grinned as he continued to assault him with tickles as he became more drunk off his laughter.
High pitched cackling, soft moments of silent laughter in between louder fits of uncontrollable giggles, Lelouch had him right where he wanted him to be sure.  "HAhaha...eheh ah no nohoh please no aharmpihihitshshsheheha!"  The poor brunet was writhing, desperately trying to think of what he could do to defend himself even in the slightest as his arms stayed as closely tightened as possible.  He bent them at the elbow though, trying to lean into Lelouch and tickle with his hands where he could as payback, despite knowing that in this situation he definitely couldn't be as effective, nor get at the really good spots.
"Dont worry I'll get them eventually! Maybe I should go for your fe-eheheehet!" Lelouch jumped a laugh as he felt his hands get active below him and pulled back just to clasped both hands. "Oh you little sneak hehe!" he grinned down at him as he allowed for a brief breather keeping their hands clasped. "Maybe I should go for your neck again for that little stunt." It was no secret that he was just as ticklish as his boyfriend. Just he was better at hiding it and getting the upper hand on Suzaku.
Grinning as he at least got a bit of a breather, Suzaku knew he made the right call after hearing Lelouch's next targets.  "Heheh...mmmhmhmhm, Maybe instehead, we can work out a deal?"  He asked, not to get more studies after, but to make sure he could obtain some payback when his own torment was ended.  "I'll let you get one of the spots...heh the pits or the feet.  But in return...I'm gonna get you back, on your back."  He grinned widely, knowing the other boy had quite the sensitive spine...and he loved playing him like a piano.  Sure he was at a disadvantage, but if his own hands were in check now, that meant Lelouch couldn't keep tickling him either.
Lelouch listened to his offer with an amused smirk, usually he was the one planning and making deals that would give him the upper hand. Yet as he stared down at his boyfriend he couldn't help but shake his head with a small laugh. "Striking a deal huh? You drive a hard bargain!" he thought about it and almost wanted to decline and go back to tickling him. This was suppose to be a 'punishment'...Thaaat quickly turned into self indulgence. Plus his back was his worst spot and he hated his laughter when he was tickled their. "Haha alright, it only fair," he leaned down capturing those lips briefly. "Mmnn lets see," he thought about what he wanted and decided to target the spot he was closest too. "Give me those pits Mr.Tease." he grinned down at him.
He was glad Lelouch was so understanding and willing to deal with his bit of selfishness at least in this regard.  Of course, even though he knew one of those spots would be subjected to torture, he still struggled for a moment to lower his guard as he looked up at Lelouch while getting comfy again.  "Mmhmhmhm crap.  I swehear you better be ready for my turn."  Arms tentatively moving at a snail's pace, he jerked a little out of fear a couple times before reaching up and gripping the armrest of the couch for support, his pits wide open and practically wearing a sign that said kill me now.
"Oh dont worry I will be." he chuckled booping his nose. "Now arms up Suzu!" he said showing him his hands, snickering at the flinches and hesitation before he finally yielded. "Aww that's cute," he giggled at his expression. "Don't worry I won't be long!" He dug in before he could clamp his arms. "Tickle tickle Mr.tease!" He taunted with a grin. He was most likely gonna get it worse for the teasing but at least it was worth it just to see that gorgeous smile.
Though his arms did jerk a bit, Suzaku kept his hands holding firmly to the couch, even when his legs bucked into the air at the sudden and intense feeling of his poor pits falling under fire.  "GWAHAHah haah ahah AH AHAH LELOHOHOUCHEHEHAH Oh MY gahahadhahaha!"  The brunet's laughter continued unhindered, his vocals rising up an octave on occasion as he certainly didn't feel tired anymore, though that would probably hit him later after things calmed down.
Lelouch happily indulged himself as he continued scribbling his fingers in the spot. To futher mess with his boyfriend he gasped. "Woah Suzu I think I feel a hair trying to come in!" He pinch and clawed switching between hard and soft tickles just enjoying the sight and sound he continued for a moment more before stopping and simply rubbing his hands down his side. "See was that so bad?" He cooed moving bangs from his forehead.
"HEHEHAAAHAHA AHAHA AH NOHOHO You HEHEHAHAha!  LeLOUHUHUHUCH!"  The poor boy squealed, legs flopping about again until his love seemed to finally take some pity on him.  Suzaku was panting groaning as his arms came down and tried rubbing the feeling away.  He looked up at Lelouch, playfully pushing out his lower lip with a huff.  "Mmph...i'm so gonna get you double time."  He declared with a pout, having another spot in mind that he knew would put Lelouch in a similar state.
"Hehe I know you will!" He kissed those lips again. "But was it really that bad?" He cooed as he scratched through his scalp. "You look better too." He tapped his forehead. "And not as grimy like earlier...well you could use a shower and some shampoo." He teased just to mess with him. "Maybeee I should continue and get those cuffs." He strecthed moving to stand.
Suzaku huffed in a joking manner, sitting upright and stretching himself before blinking slightly and turning to snatch Lelouch around the waist.  Just like that, his strength was practically fully functional as he pulled the boy back onto the couch with him.  "Ooohoho no, I think you're gonna stay right here mister tickle monster."  His superior athleticism gave quite the advantage here as once he was in control it would be nigh impossible for his more intellectual partner to escape him.  And thus he playfully pushed Lelouch down face first, cackling like a playful villain before he shoved his hands up the back of his shirt and began doodling different lines, circles and swirls along his bare skin.
Lelouch shrieked with a laugh as he was pulled back down. "W-wahahait pft Suzaku!" He flailed as they wrestled and he was maneuvered on his back, he should have worked more on gaining muscles along with his intellect. "Nononono pfthehee kyaha mnff." He bit his lip and covered his mouth as he grabbed a pillow tossing it at his boyfriend. His legs kicked as one of his most ticklish areas was exposed. 
"Pffthahah hehey now I didn't use weapons!"  Suzaku complained playfully, using claw motions to crawl up his boyfriend's back and then down along his ribs and flanks, giving him squeezes all the way down.  The whole time he was shifting his weight, dodging as much as he could while feeling Lelouch writhe in agony underneath him.  He may be rather ticklish himself, but his dainty partner was for sure much more wild and unstable when you got him in a good spot.  "I wonder if your feet are worse than your back Lelouch, what do you think?"  He teased, not even really pausing as he continued to work his thumbs into the other's waist.
“Pfahahaaa!" He bucked with a pitchy laugh as he felt those fingers making him arch out of control. "Hahaha arhghahaha Suzakahahahaha!" He tried to roll onto his back to escape the feeling but his body was heavy and had all his weight on top him. Plus the tickling was taking all the fight out of him. "Nohohoohohoho! Oh my gohohohosh!" He clamped his arms down to his sides as some form of protection.
"Oh?  No you say?  Noooo?  Not here then, well we might as well try the other spot."  Suzaku happily announced before pulling his hands back and turning around.  Seated on Lelouch's butt now, the brunet reached down and, after a bit of struggling, grabbed both of Lelouch's ankles and hoisted them towards him.  He made a habit of drawing out this particular torture, starting to scratch and scribble his fingers along both soles with one hand.
"Thahahahats nohohoht what I meantehehehe!" he cackled with a squeal and groan, he tried to keep his feet hidden and out of his lover's grasp and shreiked as he was caught. "Nononoooo Suzuhuhuhu pft I hahahahate you so much!" he pounded at the couch as the worse torture began. Oh this was war! if he could reach back and get him he would.
Suzaku giggled wickedly, having an almost sinister cackling sound to his voice as he eagerly stripped the boy's socks away and went doubletime over both feet.  Heel to toe, back and forth, he didn't really let up until he was suddenly rubbing each toe instead, cooing his boyfriend to calm him down.  "Hahaha there there, gosh your feet are so ticklish Lulu~"  He teased with the nickname their friends came up with, knowing that if he wasn't blushing from his undignified response, that would get him heated in a hurry.
"Nohohoho GAHAhahahaaha!"  he laughed out as he struggled to try and get free but could only laugh and toss and turn. "Ahahaaha...ahh haa pft hehehe ahh haha..." He gave a laughing glare to his boyfriend as he all but melted and laid there blushing heavily at the nickname he groaned hiding his face in the cushion. "Thahahats not my fault you ass." came the muffled response. Though he was happy Suzaku was in better spirits. "Your just as t-ticklish there too!" he said still refusing to show his heated face.
Suzaku couldn't stop smiling at how cute Lelouch was with his guard down, his normal walls no longer preventing his real self to shine through. The muffled protests were mostly easy to make out, Suzaku gathering there was some return taunts as well as accusations. "Sorry what was that?"  He said playfully, fingers digging into the soft balls of the other's feet for a second to get a renewed reaction.  "Hehhe not my fault you didn't take advantage." The brunet couldn't help but enjoy this ticklish little time they had together, the stress almost wiped completely from his mind due to Lelouch's influence.
"Kyahaha! Hehehehe!" Lelouch bucked with a shriek flushed face coming out of hiding as he laughed. Only Suzaku could bring this side out of him, making him break through all that regal and mature persona to the wind and be as immature as he wanted. He was more than happy to be able to act like this around him.  "Ahahaha! I saihhihihid you're j-just as ticklish too youhuhuhu ass!" He giggled out covering his face as he struggled to reach back   and aimed a squeeze at his knee. If he wanted him to take advantage more he would as much as he could.
Suzaku saw this coming, the inevitable countermove by his chess loving partner.  But he was ready, quickly snatching said arm and holding it out so he could in turn reach in and reintroduce the vulnerable armpit to tickles again.  "Ooohohoho bad moove Lulu~  Oooohohoho tickle tickle tickle hehehe.  Oomph!"  Suzaku grunted as he let up and laid down on top of the other's back, making sure to hug him from behind and prevent any further tickle attacks.  "But you win, no studying, no stress....yawn aaaall relaxation...mmm starting with a nap here."
"OH SHIHIHIT! Suhuhuhuahahaha!GAhahahaha!" He tried to clasp his arm down yet all he could was lay there and take it. "Hahaha ahh hngnn." He panted and flinch as those arms wrapped around him, thinking he was going to go for his stomach yet relaxed when that wasn't the case. "Uhng Suzaku get off so we can at least cuddle in the bed! Dont crush me hereeee!" he whined playfully trying to turn in his arms. "I know you aren't asleep that fast!"
Suzaku playfully make snoring sounds, exhaling and blowing into Lelouch's ears once or twice before he giggled and got up.  "Cuddles sound good to me hehe.  You gonna make me breakfast tomorrow?"  He asked teasingly, offering his hand with that casual smile that Lelouch no doubt fell for a long time ago.
"Nyahaha Suzahahaha...hgn hahaha..ahh!" He rubbed at his ears before taking his hand with a laugh face still flushed as he stood. At the breakfast comment he pinched his sides. "Wise guy...psh it was going to be a surprise. Now im not sure." He smirked walking past him into the room. "But if you get yourself a full eight hours then maybe I'll think about... now shower and come to bed. If you start working I  swear to tickle you again until you pass out!" He beckoned him with a finger. " But if you want I'll keep you company in the shower and wash you hair~" he purred.
Suzaku nodded, feeling the alert status he'd gained from the tickles begin to wear off.  Of course as he rubbed the back of his head and stretched, he couldn't help but hear the subtle meaning behind Lelouch's words as he walked away.  "Huh?  H-hey Lelouch!  Wait a sec, together!  I want you to wash my hair!"  He quickly chased after him, knowing what that kind of tone meant for the tactical genius that never failed to put him in check.  He'd get that sleep, but the night was clearly still young...
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chaoskirin · 3 years
Text
Reversed (Reworked) Chapter Two
Chapter Title: Sirensong Word Count: 5764 Rating: PG Genre: Fantasy/Gen
Summary: A little more description of this new setting, and a wild Freddie appears! The quartet is complete!! As always, reblogs and comments are very appreciated. <3
Read Chapter on AO3
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Throwing open the nearest washroom door, Roger parked himself in front of a mirror and grimaced. "Are they going to do this every night?" he hissed, looking back over his shoulder. His eyes--both the white part and the iris--were inky black and eerily deep, filled with stars. Just like they had been the night John first cursed him. He could see, though, which was why the condition had gone unnoticed for days.
John narrowed his eyes, pressing his lips together in what he hoped was a contrite expression. He wasn't particularly good with friend freakouts, mostly because he hadn't had a friend before Roger and Brian came along.
"What! What's that face?!" Roger demanded. "Is that good or bad?"
Brian ducked into the washroom behind the others. "John's face is permanently unimpressed," he replied.
Roger repeated. "Are my eyes. Going to do this. Every night?!" He gestured at them, as if John hadn't yet noticed. "Because this is not okay. It's creepy." He glanced at the mirror again, fake-startled, and added, "See? I'm scaring myself."
John couldn't find any words to express how sorry he was, or how he'd thought Roger was okay with what happened to him, or how he really just wanted to crawl into a hole and hide.
"Rog, it's okay," Brian said. "It's at night. They'll be fine tomorrow."
"This is a lot more noticeable than purple," Roger said.
"It is a curse," Brian replied, glancing at John. "If it wasn't unpleasant, it'd be called a charm. We can get you sunglasses or something, if it bothers you."
"It's bothering me!"
John still couldn't even squeak another "I'm sorry." Maybe he'd reached his quota for the day. Or maybe the way Brian was staring at him, angrily waiting for him to say something, robbed him of his ability to speak. He couldn't be sure.
Thankfully, someone chose just that particular moment to walk into the bathroom, and John didn't have to think of anything to say. In fact, even Roger shut up, turning away from the newcomer, as Brian tried (and failed) to appear casual, leaning against the row of sinks.
It was a Ghittan student, wearing the earthy amalgamation of colors characteristic of the View, albeit with a bright red collar that drew attention to his rather sharp features. He stared at them for a moment, before snorting a quick chuckle. "Well then," he said, stepping up to the sink and turning it on. "This isn't suspicious at all. A Vexxzus and an Oerris hanging out together in the loo?" After splashing his face, he pulled an elegant laced kerchief out of one pocket and dabbed himself dry. Smirking, he allowed rather large, protruding upper teeth to show for a moment. "And a Kyyra referee? Should I go get a professor? Or popcorn?"
"You could just bugger off," Roger said. He was hyperventilating, almost out of breath, and pale. John put a hand on his shoulder.
"He okay?" The Ghittan asked, entire tone shifting. It sounded genuine enough. "You aren't beating the stuffing out of him, are you? I think that's a Vexxzusian thing to do. eh?"
John looked at the floor. He had a thousand witty things he could say, but unfortunately, they wouldn't pop into his head until after the Ghittan left. Such was his own curse.
"He's..." Brian started. Roger nodded just a little, and Brian finished with, "Fine," and an obviously strained smile.
"He's not," the Ghittan said in a sing-song voice. He sauntered around Brian and John. For a second, Brian looked as if he might reach out to stop him, but the Kyyra seemed to be entirely non-confrontational, from what John knew of him so far. And John, of course, was almost useless in the face of someone new. If he had even a small measure of bravery, he could have hauled this newcomer out by the hood of his robe, given him a kick in the rear, and told him to mind his own business.
John did all that in his head. He was a hero there.
Eventually, the boy stood directly in front of Roger.
And he stared, dumbfounded and horrified. "Oh, your eyes darling! They're hideous!"
Roger whimpered. It was just the tiniest noise, just the whisper of tears, that caused John to snap. Considering he was already feeling guilty and fairly protective of the boy he cursed, he found it quite easy to locate his backbone.
Reaching into his pocket, he expertly flipped the stopper off one tiny vial and crushed the beetle within it in his hand. Power suffused him, a spell instinctively clawing at his throat to escape.
He smeared the crushed beetle against the Ghittan's jumper. The boy said, "ew."
John smiled. He hadn't meant to smile. It didn't seem like a very smile-worthy moment. Then he said, "I can curse you, too, if you like it so much."
Awkwardly, Brian took John's shoulders and turned him away from the intruder. "Ah--how does one stop a Vexxzus from cursing? He has no gem to take. No wand...? Deacon, no more cursing people. Let's deal with one problem at a time."
Regardless, John struggled free, meeting the Ghittan's eyes. They were wide, his hands raised in shock. Fear. John shook his head, rubbing his temples. "Sorry... S-sorry," he said, tangling his fingers in his hair. "Just--He was making it worse. He was making it worse."
Brian took John's shoulders again. "I know. But we gotta work on that temper. You can't just do stuff like that. Okay?"
John nodded.
"Is this a new thing?" The Ghittan asked. "The hideous eyes, that is? I'm sorry, darling. I didn't mean to rub salt in the wound, as it were." He glared at John, suspiciously, then asked Brian, "Did you want me to get a professor?"
"No!" All three of them shouted at once, leaving the poor boy utterly confused.
"It was really an accident," Roger clarified. "I did challenge John to a duel. That's John, by the way." He nodded at the Vexxzus, who raised a hand to wave while still keeping his eyes down. "And I'm Roger. The tall one with the crazy hair is Brian."
"Crazy hair?" Brian asked.
"Freddie," The Ghittan said.
"Anyway, he didn't mean to. Or, I guess he did at the time," Roger said, scratching his chin. "But he feels bad about it, and it'd be really awesome if you didn't tell anyone he did it? We told the Head Matron that I accidentally cursed myself."
"Even though Roger would never be able to pull off a curse that advanced," John said. There! He'd told somebody. He felt much better now. "...Sorry, Roger."
"Oh, no, you're right."
"The staff doesn't know that though," Brian said. "And we'd rather nobody be expelled over this. We're dealing with it."
"Well, I know a thing or two about keeping curses secret," Freddie said. "Maybe this'll make you feel better, eh?" He hopped up on the sink, the old plumbing creaking under his weight. "I am one, you see. A curse, I mean, dears. So what you've got? It's nothing. You'll get used to it, I bet, so don't feel so bad."
"It's not nothing," Roger said. "My eyes are black holes. I've been scaring first-years all week, and someone just now told me I should look in a mirror. I mean, they're only like this at night, so I guess... I guess you're right. It's not so bad." He turned to look in the mirror again, turning his face this way and that. "It'll be amazing on Halloween." He looked at Brian, then John. "Why didn't you guys tell me?"
"We, uh. Meant to?" Brian said. "Anyway, didn't you hear him?" He nodded at the Ghittan.
"Freddie," Freddie said again.
"Right, Freddie. You can't be a curse," Brian said. He rolled his eyes back, thinking. Then he muttered, "Unless you're the one--May I?" He reached for Freddie's hair.
Freddie nodded. "I suppose. I was going to tell you anyway. But don't be surprised if I bite."
Brian tucked Freddie's long, black hair back, revealing both the intricate pattern of scales on the sharp jawline, as well as one severely mutilated ear. The edge was covered with green scar tissue. Brian quickly pulled away, and Freddie's hair fell back, covering the scales again.
As Freddie crossed his legs, John noticed he wasn't wearing shoes. A light smattering of scales sparkled on his pale skin.
"Your ears are--" Roger started.
Freddie interrupted. "Yes! Beautiful, aren't they? Oh, I love telling a good story just as much as you like hearing one, I'm sure. Turned out I possessed the wild magic of humans despite my half-siren lineage. So rare. So special." He paused to smile. "And you know what happens when a human displays magical aptitude."
Everyone groaned. Nobody liked school. Then again, learning magic on top of maths and sciences at least provided a respite to an otherwise boring day.
"Yes, exactly," Freddie continued, pulling a sequins-decorated pouch out of one pocket. He twirled it around his fingers. "Of course I fitted into the Ghittan View. But it turned out, I also suffered from the siren's curse, as well. Dear me... My first week here, I accidentally started humming a jaunty little tune, and before I knew it, there were well over a dozen people following me. Silently. Waiting for me to tell them what to do."
John and Brian glanced at each other. John almost mentioned that they didn't need a life's story, when Brian said, "but the ears...?"
"Oh, yes. Quite mundane. My mum cut them off when I enrolled. Don't worry," he hastily added when Brian gasped. "It was a mutual decision. We thought I'd blend in more if I didn't have fish ears."
"Yeah," Roger said. "You're right, that's worse."
"Excellent," Freddie said. "I do like winning."
"Do you know," Brian asked, his tone almost conversational. And yet John felt the looming storm about to crash down as Brian continued. "...if they intend to admit more creatures to Vale Rest?" John only had time to say, "Oh, Brian, no."
"Creatures," Freddie repeated, his entire demeanor turning icy. It wasn't subtle at all--John definitely recognized the signs of an oncoming anger hurricane, since he was prone to fits himself. Still, he couldn't say anything quickly enough to prevent the inevitable tirade.
Maybe, John wondered, Brian deserved it.
Brian blustered, fumbling for an answer.
"Listen very carefully, darlings," Freddie growled, his brows darkening his eyes.
Then, he began to sing.
It was a beautiful song, in beautiful tenor, with an undertone of something uncomfortable. It was a series of clicks and whistles that Freddie seemed to produce without meaning to, or without realizing it. Almost like whale or dolphin song. And it wasn't long before Roger's and Brian's faces were completely blank, devoid of any expression whatsoever. Freddie hopped off the sink and pointed at all three of them. "Now, you all stay put here until this wears off, then get to your dorms. Got it?"
Roger and Brian nodded obediently, expressions still slack.
"Good," Freddie said. He sighed--sadly, John thought--and headed for the door.
John caught his sleeve, and Freddie whipped around, meeting John's eyes with surprise.
"Are they going to be okay?" John asked.
"Er, yeah. It lasts a few minutes, darling, but they'll be fine. Why aren't you under?"
"Am I supposed to be?"
Freddie looked at the other two. Brian was actually slack-jawed and drooling. "Well, it's not selective. It just affects everyone who hears it. Or, I thought it did. Hm. Lemme try again."
John clapped a hand over Freddie's mouth, and glared. "None of that. You've already got them in a state. You want 'em brain-dead, too?" Still with his hand over Freddie's mouth, he looked past the boy's shoulder and tried, "Brian? Roger?" No answer. Not even a reaction.
Freddie pushed John's hand away. "But why aren't you...?"
"I don't know," John replied, curling his lip. "Why'd you do that to them, anyway? And you were just going to leave them like that? Everyone thinks Vexxzuses are bad. This is just cruel."
"It wears off after a bit, I told you," Freddie said. "I mean, they'll be a bit fuzzy for a while, so that's why I told them to get to their dorms after. It's just hypnotism, you see. They wouldn't do anything against their own self-preservation, or I don't think they'd have let me into Vale Rest. I'm not a full siren." He turned to Brian, getting right up in his face and adding, "And I'm not a creature."
Brian didn't even blink. It was quite disturbing.
"Is that it?" John said. "That's why you--what. Mind-controlled them? With Brian, that's a compliment. I've only known him for a couple weeks, really, and all I know about him is that he loves animals--" John paused and amended as Freddie scowled. "Non-humans, I mean! It's what he's studying here! It's his best subject. He wants to write his thesis on werebats. I think he was kind of happy about maybe getting to know you better."
Freddie blinked, confused. John pushed past him and gave Roger's shoulders a shake. "C'mon, Rog." "They won't listen to you, dear," Freddie said quietly. "Brian studies non-humans?"
"He does. He knows practically everything about them, too."
"Oh." Freddie muttered. "Well. I'm. I'm a being, first of all. But, I'm sorry."
"Maybe tell him when this wears off," John said.
"Oh, he heard me. It's just that he can't do anything at the moment." Freddie turned to them and added, "Besides, I shouldn't be here when they snap out of it. They're probably terrified. It's the whole reason I do this, you see. No one bothers me twice. Nod if you're terrified."
Roger nodded. Brian didn't.
John laughed. "Tell him to nod if he thinks this is the coolest thing in the world."
"Er, okay. Nod if you think this is cool."
Brian nodded.
"I told you," John said. "Non-humans. Beings. Whatever. If you'd given them a chance..."
Freddie didn't say anything. He stared at Brian for a while, then turned his attention to Roger, putting his hand on Roger's cheek. Roger reached for it, and Freddie said, "Don't be scared. It'll wear off, I promise."
Roger nodded.
Freddie tried to remove his hand, but Roger held on, wrapping both his arms around Freddie's.
"Oh, wonderful," Freddie said.
"He's a hugger," John said. "Does this mean it's wearing off?"
"Yeah, if they're acting on their own. But... They won't be very good conversationalists when they snap out of it. Trust me on that."
John waved a hand in front of Brian's face, though the Kyyra didn't even blink. His eyes might have moved, just a bit, but he was still obediently staying put, waiting for the siren's spell to wear off. "They can hear everything we're saying?" John asked.
"That's the horror of Siren Song," Freddie said. "It's why humans don't like them. You're fully conscious as you're made to do things you don't want to do. If I was a full-blood siren, I could make them do anything. They wouldn't even question it. They wouldn't be able to." He turned to Brian and Roger again, stating for their benefit, "But I'm not. Like I said, this is no more than hypnotism. I couldn't make 'em follow me into the ocean and drown, if that's what you're worried about."
"Sounds to me like you're the one that's worried about that," John said. "I mean, they haven't said a word. And apparently I'm immune, so."
"Yes, strange."
"Anyway, you're gonna have Brian following you around like a puppy now, so good job there," John said. He did feel a little bad, making fun of the Kyyra when he couldn't fight back. Still, it was true. Brian could talk for hours about dragons and hippogriffs. Why not sirens? "And it was Roger's idea to lie about who cursed him, so he's already forgiven you, I'm sure."
Freddie hopped up on the sink again, despite Roger's grip on his arm. He brushed the beetle bits off the front of his uniform. "Maybe this is fate, then, me meeting you three."
"Well, I don't believe in fate," John said. "But if you need friends, then I think you got yourself a few." He attempted to hop up on the sink as Freddie had done, but his arms weren't quite up to the task. Giggling, Freddie grabbed the back of his jumper and hauled him up.
"Ugh, why did you have to be a Vexxzus, though?" Freddie asked.
"Look, you're a Ghittan. I feel the same way about you. I mean who uses dirt to do magic? It's weird. The Headmatron used it to heal a broken arm I had a couple weeks ago and it's... It's just..."
"Dirty?" Freddie drawled, smiling.
John grunted. "Trust me here. These two are all right, and these View rivalries are pointless anyway."
"Says the one who cursed a poor, defenseless Oerris."  
"He had it coming."
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Roger nod.
"How much longer, you think?" John asked.
"Any second now, probably." Freddie snapped his fingers next to Brian's face, and he actually blinked this time. "They're moving on their own, which is a good indication. It'll be tomorrow before they're themselves again though, I'm afraid. There's a sort of fuzziness that comes along after you break out of Siren's Song."
"Everything is pink and fluffy," Brian mumbled.
"I think I'm gonna get married," Roger said, dreamily.
"Welp. Here we go," Freddie said. "Let's get these two back to their dorms so they can sleep it off."
~*~
The lowest floor of Vale Rest was called the Recreation Well. Most people just called it Rec, or the Well. Located seven floors underground, Rec was a sprawling complex of fields, an enormous hot spring, a gaming compound for those who were Virtuatekk inclined, and a vaulted cave ceiling which held all manner of glowing spell-lights and naturally glowing mosses. It had its own weather patterns overseen by students; understandably, things sometimes went awry in the Recreation Well, but those events were few and far between.
It also featured a well-developed shopping area, ironically called the Weald. Unfortunately for the students, the Weald remained off limits except with special passes, or on certain days. Located behind a magical barrier, a separate entrance admitted the outside public, who found the little underground town quaint and relaxing.
Most new students found it absolutely astounding that someone could fit what amounted to an entire town under Vale Rest's ground, but once they spent the majority of their free time in the Recreation Well, most came to call it home.
"That's just the thing, darling," Freddie said, reaching across their picnic table to take Brian's book away. He scrunched up his face at the picture. "It's not something I can stop. I know you mean well, but  this...?"
"And we're not letting you cut him open," John added. "It's barbaric."
"I wasn't suggesting..." Brian snatched the book back and laid it out on the table. These people had absolutely no imagination whatsoever. Still, he felt bad, after offending Freddie. It wasn't the end of the world, but he hadn't expected the half-siren to be so vocal about his idea. In hind-sight, he should have. "We're mages. If we can find a spell..."
"But I like what I can do," Freddie said, tapping his chest with his fingers. "It's me. I mean, maybe it's a pain sometimes, but it's fantastic defense, isn't it? Against... You know. Vexxzuses."
John elbowed him. "Not against me."
"Which isn't fair," Roger said. With the weather within the Well mirroring the sunny weather outside, his eyes were a bright, golden yellow. Sometimes fluffy clouds would drift across the spell-lights, and his eyes would turn silver. "It's a little frightening. I wish I was inane."
"Immune," Brian said. "You know the right word."
"I do, but it was still funny. Freddie laughed."
"I didn't, dear."
Roger shrugged. "You meant to."
Freddie tapped the picture. It was a mostly humanoid creature, with the tell-tale signs that it was something else entirely. Long, webbed ears, for example, and webbing between each of its fingers and toes. The latter was something Freddie never had to worry about, he'd said. "You know, they probably dissected a siren to get this much detail in the drawing."
Guiltily, Brian pushed the book away. "Well, these illustrations are hundreds of years old. I'm sure it wasn't, er... Related. Look, I'm just trying to help. Sirens are so badly understood..."
The others stared at him. Roger curled his lip a bit and said, "Uh. Freddie is right here."
Brian sighed. "I'm not helping. I'm sorry, it's just that--The creatures I study don't... usually... Talk back--I'm going to stop now before I shove my other foot into my mouth, too." Stifling a groan, he put his head down on the table, curly hair splaying out in all directions.
Freddie patted his shoulder. "Oh, come now, Brian. It just frazzles you so, when you think I'm angry."
"You're not?"
"No! Of course not. I'm the center of attention. It's right where I ought to be."
"Prat," Brian said. He reached for the book, but Roger climbed up onto the table, lifting it from his reach.
"So your ears looked like this?" he asked.
"Smaller, but all sorts of colors." Freddie smiled sadly, and sighed. "They'd sparkle in the sun." "Well, we would have been your friends anyway," Roger said. "Even if you hadn't hacked 'em off."
"I know, that's what makes it so tragic that they're gone." He rested an elbow on the table, and lay his head in his hand. "It would have been too much of a risk, though. I mean, most of the Views get along, but there's always some Kyrra who don't see you as human, then there's the Vexxzuses who're a bit specist. It was better that people got to know me, in all my wonderful glory and humility, before they discovered my deep, dark secret."
John rolled his eyes. Roger turned another few pages in the book. "Green blood, too?"
Freddie nodded. "Oh, that's the coolest part. Look here." He searched around on the table until he found a splinter, and pried it loose with his fingernails. Holding up a thumb, he gave his skin a light stab.
It wasn't exactly green. More like a muddy greenish-brown. Still, very odd, and very cool. "Don't touch, though," Freddie said as he wrapped it in a fresh kerchief. The cloth sizzled. "It'll burn."
"Sirens sound wonderful," John muttered.
"They are," Freddie said, grabbing the book off Roger's knee. "I'm sure I could make some proper edits here and there. Make this chapter much less sensational. This is all fear-mongering stuff."
"So sirens don't lure people to their deaths?" Roger asked.
Brian couldn't help it. He held his breath, while John stared at Roger with surprise. Both of their expressions must have said what words couldn't--how could Roger possibly say something like that, with Freddie sitting right there? And poor Freddie looked distinctly uncomfortable, glancing away. Realizing he was still holding the book, he tossed it on the table, which echoed thunderously through the Well. "Freddie," Roger said.
Freddie held out his hand, stood, and retreated toward the stairwell.
Roger started to stand. Brian reached for his wrist, taking it and shaking his head. "Are you actually an idiot?" Brian asked. "Because sometimes I don't think you actually..."
Freddie appeared directly in front of his face, smiling. Brian squeaked, nearly falling backward off the bench, as Freddie laughed. "You know, it's incredibly difficult to walk off in a proper huff if no one follows and fawns over you. Were you three coming, or...?"
Roger arched his eyebrows. "Are you an idiot?" he asked Brian, who was still trying to slow his pulse. "You did not know he was going to do that!" he called after Roger and John. Standing, he hurried to catch up, too. "You didn't! Dammit, Freddie."
"You should have seen the look on your face," Freddie chuckled.
"I'm laughing," Brian replied, glaring at Roger and John. "They didn't know, either." "We were all in on it," Roger said. Brian elbowed him a little harder than intended. Roger guffawed through a pained "Ouch!" Which just caused John to start chuckling, too.
"They weren't, it just played out so well," Freddie said. "I do love you guys."
"I am sorry about the whole... luring people to their deaths thing," Roger said. "We were just chatting. I wasn't thinking."
"Oh, I'd be offended if it weren't true," Freddie said, his voice growing theatrically dangerous. "Most sirens don't like humans. The ocean is full of trash. Even my father wasn't fond."
"Is this a love story?" John asked. "If this is a romance, I have somewhere else to be."
"Oh, shut it. My dad's a perfect gentleman. Mum was on holiday. He saw her cleaning the beach. I think he was just curious at first, but then he had himself silenced so he could get to know her." Freddie smiled. "It's hard to stop a siren from singing, you know. He had to learn. But he figured it out eventually. It's sad, though. He has such a beautiful voice... I do wish mum could hear it."
"See? It's a romance," John said.
"Right, that's the point I was trying to make. Thank you, John."
John smirked. "You're welcome."
"What I'm saying is that... Maybe it worked for my dad, being silenced. But I don't want to be. I want to be able to talk to you guys. I haven't had friends in years, and, well, I've got a lot to say."
They passed into the central staircase, which stretched all the way through the two aboveground floors. The steps were carved out of the gnarled tree's roots; each one was alive, and often grew offshoots of new staircases, which very often led to nowhere. Some of the stairways were carpeted with moss. Others, ancient beyond understanding, displayed the deeply grooved surfaces of dozens of generations of students. Some were carved or decorated, while others were left to wither away at the tree's whim.
John and Freddie walked ahead, with Roger just behind them. Brian brought up the rear, his head down, hands in his pockets. How could he have even thought that silencing Freddie would be a good idea? Perhaps it would work for an animal... You could silence one of the louder ones and it would barely care. Somehow, he thought Freddie might even appreciate the notion, but now that he really considered it, Brian knew he wouldn't want to lose his voice, either. He was just trying to help. Good intentions. Good intentions often led down the worst roads. But he had another idea. A better one. He hoped.
"Oh, what, are you having a sulk now?" Freddie asked. "Come on, Brian, it's fine. You academics just can't help it. I understand. If you don't constantly invent problems to solve, you languish away."
Brian ignored the insult as Roger had a good chuckle at his expense. "No, it was a stupid thing to suggest. But... I think I can make it up to you. I'm doing really well with non-human healing. We just started, of course, but if I study up a bit, I bet I can figure out how to heal your ears." Unguarded, Freddie brightened. It may have been the first genuine reaction he'd seen from the Ghittan. "You think you could?"
"Yes! I do! I mean, not now..." Freddie's face fell a bit, and Brian hurried to add, "But in a year or two, once I get a good grasp on healing magic. They're some of the hardest spells to master, and regrowing lost ears, with your... physiology. Give me some time. I promise I can do it."
He absolutely could. It was the best consolation he could offer. Freddie, giddy, wiggled a bit. "Yes. Okay! Apology accepted. Let's go to the library and see if we can find some books for you to read. Might as well get a start!"
Brian blinked. "What, now?"
"We've the time!" Freddie said.
It was a fair point, with classes starting later in the morning. They could pop into the library, and with his record, he could likely check out a book more advanced than he'd normally have access to. Shrugging, he followed, as Freddie hummed a happy little tune.
In fact, Brian was so relieved, he almost felt as if he were floating. His mind emptied of all its worries, and soon he could only focus on--oh.
Oh no.
He couldn't say anything. Couldn't deviate from the path set out before him. Couldn't act against Freddie's wishes. Silently, he willed Freddie to stop humming!
They made it up a few more flights before John, quirking a brow, glanced over his shoulder. "You're awfully quiet back there, Rog. Are you sick, or... Ah. Freddie."
Freddie stopped. Brian stopped.
Freddie turned, confused, and realization dawned. He covered his face with his hands, muttering something completely unintelligible. Since his attention was entirely focused on the half-siren, Brian could almost see the conversation playing out in Freddie's mind, even though he said nothing. "This is so frustrating," he finally mumbled. "I didn't mean to do this again, guys."
Brian couldn't do anything. Couldn't say a word of reassurance or even move his eyes. They were locked onto Freddie. Everything the Ghittan did caught Brian's attention. He was stuck.
It was truly amazing how quickly it worked, though. Freddie couldn't have been humming for more than a few seconds before John caught him. But even then, it was too late. Amazing magic, and completely innate, too. No need for a focus.
"There's nothing we can do, either," Freddie went on, pacing back and forth along a step. "I'll--I'll get you guys somewhere safe. Maybe we can talk about that silencing spell after all. Or maybe I'll just command them to stay away? I think I can do that. Yes, it's in their own best interests, so they'd follow the command to the letter, I'm sure. Then again, I'd be down two friends, and I don't want to--"
John shuffled up a couple steps, reached around Freddie's shoulders, and once again covered his mouth.
Freddie swore.
"Freddie, it's hypnotism," John said, removing his hand. "You said it yourself. Right? That's how this works." "Essentially," Freddie replied. His voice was higher, distraught. "I can't keep doing this to them, though. Harmless or not, it can't be comfortable to--Well, look at them!" Brian did feel himself drooling again. That was embarrassing.
"I've always called this the suggestion phase. Right now, I could literally tell them to behave like chickens for the rest of their lives, and they might do it." Freddie quickly amended, "I wouldn't, guys. Promise."
"You said 'might,'" John observed.
"Right. Because eventually it'd go against their sense of self-preservation and they'd stop. At least, I think so. I'd hope so." He paused, rubbing his chin. "Roger, though..."
"Huh," John said. "Hang on."
Setting his bag on the nearest landing, John sat down, shuffling through his things until he found a notebook. Brian would have loved to spy what he was writing, but his attention remained comfortably on Freddie as he waited for that all-important suggestion. He had no choice. Even so, his consciousness remained intact, if not wholly confused by the whole ordeal.
Worried, Freddie chewed on his fingernails as John scratched away at the paper. Eventually, John stood, holding the notebook out. "Tell me this won't work."
Freddie read it over. "Well, you've certainly accounted for everything. I don't know. I can try."
"Go on, then." "Should I just read it?"
"Like I wrote it," John said. "I think I've covered all the loopholes."
"Okay." Freddie nodded, holding the paper in front of him. "Brian May and Roger Taylor. Next time I say 'now', if you hear my song, you're to behave entirely normally, how you would if I wasn't singing at all. From this point forward, my song has no effect on you whatsoever, but you're to remember this suggestion." He paused, then added, "Do you understand?"
Brian felt himself nod.
Freddie looked at Roger, who nodded.
Freddie said, "Now."
And the curse fell away. Not slowly, like before, but immediately. Brian barely had time to reach out as the step jumped up to meet him. Grunting, he seated himself and rubbed his eyes, trying to clear away the last of the lingering fog. "Ooh, that's going to freak me out every time it happens," Roger muttered. "That's bloody scary." "Hopefully it doesn't have to?" Freddie suggested, crouching in front of them. "It's genius, if it works," Brian said. "Go on, then. Sing something." "What? Now? Already? You've just come out of it!" Freddie looked at Roger, who'd grown very still at the suggestion. "Yes," Roger said. "Do it while I’m expecting it. Better if I know it's comin'."
Freddie gave them one last Look, as if they were both daft, and he sang.
It wasn't like the last times. It wasn't beautiful and otherworldly, nor did it melt over him and wrest control of his mind before he realized what was happening. As Freddie sang, Brian felt a certain fuzzy feeling behind his eyes, but when he looked down and checked if he could still move his fingers, he found he wasn't stuck like before. This time, there was something under the song that Brian hadn't heard previously, which was almost grating. It was high-pitched and whiny, borderline unpleasant. Freddie trailed off, and Brian shrugged, glancing over at Roger.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Roger said. "That was terrible, though. What'd you do to your voice?"
Freddie actually cried. His eyes were wide--stunned and almost wild--as a giant grin broke out across his face. He paced a step or two, before throwing his arms around John and sobbing into his shoulder.
"Oh, go on," John said, embarrassed. "It was no more complex then figuring out a puzzle."
Freddie backed away, laughing, then turned and threw himself at Brian and Roger, who somehow managed not to fall face-first down the stairs. John knelt next to them, putting his hand on Freddie's shoulder. No one said anything. Nothing needed to be said.
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unicyclehippo · 4 years
Note
If you're still taking prompts, then... verklempt with a touch of marcid, as a found family comfort fic for poor Beau after that last episode (she needs it).
verklempt - completely and utterly overcome with emotion // marcid - incredibly exhausted
//
Caleb
//
The woman who walks out of that house is not his Beauregard. If not for his familiarity with transmutation, he might suspect that someone else had been put in her place; the imposter has copied her flawlessly—wears her face, her skin—but she does not know how to be their Beauregard.
Their Beauregard has eyes like needles, sharp and shining, that pin people open to examine their insides, cobalt eyes. These blank eyes, these clouded-over eyes, are wrong.
Their Beauregard moves like a cat. Not like Frumpkin, whose form sometimes shifts and moves to fit the world—he is real and unreal and his smoking steps reflect it. Beauregard moves like one of the great striped cats, the kings of the southern forests; Caleb had seen one, once, in his days at the Academy and it is the only way he knows how to conceptualise of Beauregard’s distinctive physicality. She is forceful and graceful all at once; she slinks and steps and climbs with power in her movements. There is a confidence to her that is all physical—all of her power, all of her presence, contained. Concrete. The imposter cannot begin to understand this. Her hands are wrong. They hang heavy at her sides like an inept simulacrum, like gloves filled with some unsuitable material— with ice, with lead. They lurch in pendulum swings from the shoulders, out of time. She does not stride or strut. She stumbles over a hunk of raised rock. When she braces against Caleb, who steps quickly to her side, her fingers claw at the proffered arm so she doesn’t meet mud.
Her skin is cold and wet from the misting downpour.
Enough, Caleb thinks. Tugs her to stop, halt.
She doesn’t argue with him and it’s all wrong, wrong, wrong.
Blue eyes drift to his face, unseeing, glazed. He sees the faintest stir behind them of recognition and she looks down to their joined hands.
‘Your hands are cold,’ he says softly.
There is no hiding that they have stopped from the watchful others, but he doesn’t have to let them hear. Beau is a private person and they have learned more of her history in the last two days, last hour, than ever; he will not let anyone take more from her, not even the knowledge that her hands are cold.
‘No,’ she denies. ‘’m all—hot.’ Rubs her other hand over the back of her neck as she has been doing all day. The skin is red, raw with scratching, but from what he can see it is hot from friction alone.
He makes a sound of disagreement. Pulls his gloves from the pocket of his coat and works the first onto the hand he still holds. It is hard because she is not being helpful, like pulling a glove onto a statue, but finally it is more or less on and he rubs the hand between both of his own in that rough way that calls heat back into extremities.
She shivers. Blinks, surprised by the way another shiver shakes through her.
He coaxes her second hand into the other glove. ‘There. Wunderbar.’
Beau curls her fingers into fists, slightly cushioned by the gloves that are only a little threadbare. ‘You don’t need ‘em?’ she asks, the thought making her reach off and fiddle with the cuffs.
Caleb lays his hands over hers. Squeezes. ‘Nein, it is fine, I can summon flames. Keep them.’
He cannot help but wonder—as she struggles past the exhaustion to think, to figure if he needs them more, eyes narrowing into an approximation of shrewd, prying—how many things Beau has been given. A slap across the face, is the first he knows of. A jade necklace with no apparent defences, supposedly to keep her safe. Anything else? Fire boils in his belly, threatens to burn through his veins, his entire self—threatens to send the rain that hits him steaming, hissing away from his too-warm skin—as her tear-stained cheeks crinkle into a very small smile.
‘Thanks, Caleb.’
He lets his hand settle on her shoulder when they set out again, fond, letting her feel the weight of his presence at her side.
//
Nott
//
She waits until they’ve purchased beds for the night in the inn, waits until Beau and Jester have gone upstairs to their room, before she follows. Waits until Beau has excused herself, stepped into the washroom, before letting herself in and setting the little jade rabbit on Beau’s bedside.
‘You steal that?’
Nott screams and spins, crossbow drawn. Beau doesn’t even flinch; her eyes are focused on the statuette, over Nott’s shoulder.
‘Beau! Steal? Little old me?’ she hedges awkwardly until she realises she isn’t seeing upset on Beau’s face, or annoyance. Strange, given that is Beau’s go-to expression, but... ‘Ah—yes. I didn’t like the way he spoke to you, so,’ Nott flutters her fingers in a There you go sort of motion. Her eyes narrow, gleaming with interest at the way Beau’s expression shifts.
‘He’s—complicated,’ she says finally.
Nott isn’t sure if what she has, what this goblin body has, are hackles, but if they were they’d be raised by Beau’s tone: quiet, borderline defeated. Worse—understanding.
‘He’s an asshole.’
Beau smiles crookedly. ‘So am I. So was I.’
‘You were a kid,’ Nott snarls. Holds her hands up in surrender when Beau’s eyes snap sideways, staring at her finally instead of that damn statuette. ‘Sorry, sorry, not my place, sorry.’
‘No. It’s not.’
‘Right. Well.’ Nott whistles faintly through her crooked teeth.
‘I nearly broke that,’ Beau tells her, eyes sliding back to the statue. ‘When I was - I dunno. Ten? Ten, I think. I was running in the house and slipped. Slammed into the table,’ she says, and doesn’t seem to notice the way her hand lifts to rub at the long-healed scar above her eyebrow. ‘It fell off. Hit the carpet. There’s - ah - a little chip missing on the back,’ she tells Nott, who doesn’t bother checking. The corner of Beau’s lips twitch up into an expression Nott wouldn’t in a hundred years call a smile. ‘He picked that up first.’
‘Beau...’ The girl sighs. Nott puts her crossbow away. She hadn’t realised it was still out, the weight so comforting in her hands. Now they’re empty, they itch with the need to take something, work with something. She threads her long, bad fingers together. ‘Thank you for coming here. I know you did it for me and—thank you.’
Beau jerks her head in a nod. Nott has nothing more to say, knows it isn’t the right time to mention how much she thinks Beau’s dad is a dickhead, knows very little of what she says will be taken seriously by Beau. So instead, she says to her friend,
‘It sounded cool. Your plan for the wine. I’m sorry he didn’t listen to you.’ Nott eases forward, toward Beau standing interposed between the bed and the door. She stops beside her, pats the girl fondly on the hip. Leaves her hand there as she looks up into Beau’s suddenly blank face. ‘For what it’s worth, I’m glad you’re with us.’
‘Okay,’ Beau rasps, not meeting her eyes.
Nott pats her side again. ‘Sleep well, Beau. You need your rest if we’re off to fuck up a hag in the morning.’
//
Fjord and Yasha
//
‘At least we know now,’ he says low to Yasha as they follow Beau out from the inn. ‘If we ever want her to be less sneaky, just...’
‘Confront her with her past?’
‘Yeah.’ Fjord grimaces. ‘Not really funny, huh?’
Yasha eyes the slow figure ahead of them, her meandering path. She would think Beau were drunk, if she hadn’t been watching her carefully since they left that place. A half cup of wine would have no effect like this on the well-practised monk.
‘No.’
The pair follow Beau through the mud-slopped streets. For a short while, she stands at the base of the switch-back roads up to the Rainbow Vineyards and Yasha is prepared to return to the inn and fetch everyone, in case Beau has it in her mind to revisit the house—what they would do, she isn’t sure. Stop her? Perhaps. Help her? Definitely. But Beau doesn’t head up; she turns away and wanders back up the path. Fjord and Yasha step aside to get out of her way and she walks right past them, unseeing.
‘Still raining,’ Fjord says to Yasha.
Her chest tightens around mixed pain and love. For Beau, who is hurting. And for Fjord, who will muster a bad lie to protect his best friend.
‘Ah. Yes,’ she agrees, lying too. ‘I think I feel it.’ She holds her hand out, palm up to the sky. Wipes imaginary droplets off against her cloak.
They follow Beau to the other end of the town, to the southern gates. She walks out of them, staggers to a stop by a low cliff where she sits. Throws her legs over the edge and grasps at small rocks, tosses them down the embankment into the burning pools there.
Fjord sits to one side of her.
Yasha sits on the other.
Neither of them speak, until eventually Beau swears. Scrubs at her cheeks.
‘Fuck—when—hey guys,’ she says, voice thick. She reworks it into something sharper. ‘Are you following me?’
Yasha looks to Fjord over her head, nervous. Perhaps she shouldn’t be here, she has caused enough hurt,
‘A-yup,’ Fjord tells Beau, a hint of his old swaggering accent in the word.
‘How long?’
‘Good long while.’
Beau stares at him, mouth working but no sound coming out. She jerks her head to Yasha, who smiles. Jerks her head to the pools, which burble and burn away.
‘Didn’t notice.’
‘No, we know.’ Fjord leans heavy against her shoulder. ‘It’s alright.’
‘Should’ve noticed.’
‘You don’t have to be —‘ Yasha hesitates, suddenly nervous under the way Beau looks at her. Like a piece of flint waiting to spark. Like a woman who is hurting. ‘We wanted to...make sure you are safe. We didn’t...wish to intrude.’
‘Did you at least hide?’
‘Nope.’ Fjord pops the sound of the p with relish. ‘You walked right past us.’ Holds a hand up to his face, exaggerating—though not by much—how close they had been and Beau had not seen them.
‘Fuck.’
The word punches out of her along with e last of her energy. Yasha catches her as she sags, leans her fully against Fjord who wraps an arm around her shoulders.
‘He’s a cute fuckin’ kid, huh?’ she mumbles.
‘Sure is. Looks like you.’
‘I was a little monster.’ Beau knocks her head on his shoulder. Drops a hand to the side, fingers hooking onto Yasha’s bracer.
‘Naw,’ Fjord says, so so softly. ‘I reckon you were just fine.’
They sit with her as her facade breaks again, no energy to maintain it, and she cries. There’s little left in her to cry out so when she’s empty of tears, she almost crumples in on herself and bit by bit she slips from this state into unconsciousness.
‘Yasha? Little help?’ Fjord asks, holding Beau awkwardly back from the edge of the low cliff.
Yasha stands. Scoops the smaller woman into her arms. Adjusts her with Fjord’s help so her head leans peacefully on Yasha’s shoulder, Fjord’s cloak a cushion. They head back to the inn, Beau lulled by the rolling step, cradled safely in her friend’s arms.
The inn is dark, the stairways barely lit by lantern light. Yasha carries her up the stairs—laughs softly at Fjord’s low whistle.
‘You’re not tired at all? You carried her all the way across town—she’s small but she’s not exactly light!’
‘She’s fine,’ Yasha shrugs. Her muscles are warm from exertion but it isn’t something that strains or hurts. ‘Would you—the door?’
‘Huh? Oh, sure, yes.’
He cracks the bedroom door. They creep in, not wanting to wake Jester. Jester, who sleeps turned toward Beau’s bed, who looks as though she had drifted off in the middle of staring at the empty sheets.
Yasha holds Beau as Fjord pulls down the sheets; lowers her onto the mattress and helps Fjord work at the laces of muddied boots. Easing them off, Fjord takes them, holds them in his hand. Watches Yasha’s hands carefully—not from any suspicion but from a deep, worried care—as she draws the blanket up to around Beau’s shoulders.
‘Sleep well, Beau,’ Fjord says with all the reverence of a prayer.
Yasha wonders if he is aware of the faint green glow around his free hand as he rests it on Beau’s shoulder. The frown that grips her brows tight loosens a fraction. Eases.
//
Caduceus
//
Caduceus trusts Fjord and Yasha to track her down in the night.
His job is not like theirs. Their duty is to protect her, to keep her from going too far, to bring her home. His is — he’s reluctant to say harder, he has no doubt there was some careful work to bringing her home, but it is one thing to catch the wild horse and another to tame it. So he’s heard. He’s never tamed a horse himself, nor does the analogy sit well with regards to Beauregard. Except, that is, a wild horse is skittish to the reaching hand and he cannot stop thinking about a younger Beauregard, already young, who has been struck by her father. Caduceus doesn’t consider himself an educated man but there are some things he knows to the core of himself, and this is one of those things: Beauregard has been starved of those necessary things, like the withered and pitiful garden within the estate. If she is not healthy, if she does not bloom brightly and prettily as expected, it is not the plants fault but the gardeners.
That is to say, he thinks, and rolls a mouthful of floral tea over his tongue, she deserves more. Better.
Which brings him to his duty, and his eyes lift from the handsome grain work in this simple tables to the stairs where a barefooted girl, hair half-fallen from its topknot, hurries down.
‘Morning, Beau.’
She looks marginally better. Reflexes far improved from the night before. He had been tempted to check for signs of undeath, with her moving like the animated dead, skin as cold.
‘Cad,’ she grunts.
The skin beneath her eyes is puffy and dark, from crying and from a lack of sleep. He had heard Fjord and Yasha return late last night, perhaps even early into morning, so she can’t have slept for more than—three? Four hours at most.
‘You haven’t slept enough.’
She grunts. ‘Seen my boots?’
‘Yes.’ He drinks from his cup. Flares his nostrils to take in the scent as the movement stirs, hits the notes of the drop of honey he had added. After last night, he needs the boost, the sweetness.
‘Where?’
He just smiles, no intent whatsoever to say. ‘Tea?’ He has rarely seen anyone who needs a cup more than she does now; she desperately needs it, needs a moment to relax from holding herself so tense, gingerly, like she has been turned inside out and back again and she’s scared it’ll happen again.
Beau doesn’t seem to agree. Squints are him, a not unfamiliar squint, the one she gets when she’s reading books in unfamiliar script. Like she is figuring him out. Lips pressed flat, not quite a scowl.
Caduceus thinks about telling her that he isn’t a book, can’t be read like one, when she nods, frown clearing.
‘Fjord’s got ‘em. Great. Thanks.’
‘What?’
Beau salutes. Backs up the stairs.
‘How did you—‘ he begins to ask, brows crawling higher in his forehead like fat, confused pink caterpillars, but she has already disappeared, taking the steps two at a time.
He listens as the door to the room he was sharing with Fjord creaks open. A moment, and then it creaks closed again. The loose floorboard at the top of the steps squeals and Beau returns, boots in hand, and takes a seat at the table with him turned in the seat so she can pull the boots on. Wipes a rough palm over the sole of her foot, brushing off dust and dirt.
‘He polished them,’ she grunts. Shakes her head. ‘Sap.’
‘He cares for you.’
There—a small shift, like a contraption winched tight, Beau’s shoulders creaking closer together, tighter, tense.
‘He just hates mess. Seen him at the Xhorhaus? Washes his room out. Scrubs the kitchen top to bottom.’
‘Mm.’
‘You must like that.’
‘He reorganises the cupboards,’ Cad tells her, watches as the comment surprises a smile out of her.
‘Caduceus,’ she says, teases, ‘is that a complaint?’
‘Everyone has flaws. Neatness isn’t too bad of one.’
Boots on, obviously feeling a little more put together, more herself, Beau leans back in her chair with an arm slung over the back of it. Her smile is crooked, a half-summoned thing. ‘Yeah, he’s alright,’ she allows.
‘He’s marvellous.’ There—an easy shift into what he needs to talk to her about. ‘As are you.’
She rolls her eyes hard.
‘We’re all looking after you in our own ways.’
‘Found a way to help me, have you? Am I easy like the rest of them?’
‘No. I don’t think you have ever been easy.’ He watches her flinch truly this time and hums, realises his misstep. ‘That—was not meant to be an insult.’
‘’s fine, dude. Whatever. You’re not wrong.’
Caduceus’s duty is care; his duty is helping people to move on, to grieve and leave their grief, to transfer it into something that can be borne more easily. It was easier when he had no interest in the grief himself, but he loves this woman and somehow it has made him clumsy.
‘There are great works that are done,’ Caduceus says to her. ‘Art and other acts of creation, great gardens. They aren’t easy.’ Beau frowns. ‘But they are marvellous.’
Beau clicks her tongue, shakes her head. She isn’t ready to talk, or hear more of the regard he has for her, that they all have for her, so he stops.
‘Tea?’
Beau sighs. ‘Sure. Why not.’
He smiles as warmly as he can manage. ‘I have two options.’ He pulls them from his pack, smells them to make sure. Sets them before her. ‘This one,’ he shows her, puts it to one side, ‘will clear your mind. Help wake you up. And this,’ he sets it to the other side and if it is much closer to her, well, it isn’t as though he is trying to be subtle, ‘will help you go back to sleep.’
‘I don’t think—I’m not going back to sleep, dude.’
She doesn’t push the offering away. Stares down at it with tired, tired eyes.
He waits. Won’t make this decision for her. Figures, from what he can gather, she’s had enough of people trying to make decisions for a whole lifetime.
‘Would—will you make me a cup of this?’ she asks, quietly, looking a little shameful as she points to the clear-head tea. ‘I’m sorry—I know you think I should—but I can’t. Not right now.’
He hums. ‘Perhaps tonight. You’ll sleep very well after it,’ he offers. Is rewarded with a look of relief, of thanks.
‘Sounds good. Yeah.’ Then, after a moment, ‘’preciate it, man.’
He keeps to that promise. Drinks a pot of tea with her that morning that, he thinks, has a lot to do with the good decisions they make that morning. Tea helps with that. Sitting quietly with a friend helps with that. And that evening, after a very very long day, he finds her before she can offer to take first watch and sits her at the end of his bedroll and sets up his tea station right there. Pours enough of the leaves into the water to make a single cup. He takes care to prepare it the way he always does, when he has the time—it isn’t prayer, isn’t a ritual of the kind he makes to worship the Mother, but a ritual of another kind, as old and as profound in some ways. The ritual of care, of providing, of effort. The ritual of making something especially for the one person who will appreciate it, need it the most. Not the exclusion of others, but attention to one person alone.
‘Here,’ he says, words buzzing like beetles in his chest. It always feels a little foreign, a little strange, to speak. He hadn’t spoken for a long, long time before his friends had collected him from the Grove and sometimes the words are hard. The gestures—the making, the healing—are harder for people to misconstrue. He picks up the cup by the brim, sets it in her cupped palms.
Sits beside her as she sips.
‘Long day.’ Beau grimaces. The tea is bitter, but that isn’t why she grimaces. ‘Don’t worry,’ he assures. ‘Jester will forgive you.’
‘She wants me to—slow down. Relax. I can’t relax, Cad, even on a good fucking day.’
‘Hmm.’
Beau snorts. ‘Helpful.’
She drinks a little more.
The air is clean and clear within the dome, pleasant after the hours of walking in this strange place that smells so heavily of metals and gases. Caleb tells them all that it is minerals and sulphur, the waters like pools of acid from the chemicals. To Caduceus, it is as if the earth itself here is dying and decomposing, petrifying even as she bloats. It’s strange and as fascinating as it is upsetting, and from moment to moment Caduceus shifts on whether this is natural or not.
Beau sits there on his bedroll and there she stays, cup beginning to tip out of numb fingers, head lolling.
‘Oop,’ Caduceus says, reaches over to catch Beau at the small of her back, spread his hand wide there as she sags and drops into sleep like a fish tossed onto land—that is, surprising to the fish, who struggles briefly, eyes wide, before landing with the dull sound of flesh on stone. ‘Whoops.’
‘Gods, Cad, what the hell—did you brain her?’ Fjord asks, alerting Caleb too, who looks up from his place in the centre of the dome where he has chosen to read.
‘No, no, she’ll be just fine. Sleep through the night, hopefully.’
Fjord grunts. Looks fondly at Beau. Then laughs. ‘She’s already snoring. Dibs on the other side of the dome.’
Caleb looks amused, obediently shifts his things from where Fjord points. He looks tired too, Caduceus notes and briefly regrets that he had only made the one cup. And that he had done so in front of Caleb. He’ll never get the wizard to drink this brew now.
//
Jester
//
It is a long day punctuated by the strange, sudden greys that colour the flora here—flowers and vines and trees shrivelled and withered and turned to living stone, the thrum of life present but dulled to the point where Caduceus is hard put to feel it. Jester leaves him to tend to the plants and figure them out. She doesn’t know an awful lot about plants and her time is better spent, she figures, at Beau’s side.
They’re miles from the Lionett estate and everyone within it but still Beau walks like she’s expecting an attack at any moment, snaps at useless discussion, and walks too fast for any of them to keep up until Jester snags her. Holds her hand hard enough that the girl can’t shrug her off. It makes Beau more restless, Jester can see that, the way she’s straining to get ahead, to get to whatever awaits them, to figure this out and find answers finally, and Jester understands, really, she does!
‘It’s just that it’s dangerous if we can’t keep up with you, Beau, and what if you get into some kind of trouble and we’re too far to hear you, or don’t pick the same path, or just can’t get there in time?’
‘I can look after myself, Jes,’
‘Obviously, obviously,’ Jester agrees hurriedly. ‘You’re really strong and smart, Beau, we know that, but you don’t have to look out for yourself when you have all of us, and—‘ Jester hesitates, not sure Beau can take hearing about how very, very tired she looks.
‘I am feeling very tired, myself,’ Caleb says, not to Beau because the others are all pretending not to see the way Jester has more or less grappled Beau into standing still for just a second so she can talk her into making camp and staying with them. Jester shoots him a glare; she knows he can lie more convincingly than that, and they are supposed to be convincing Beau. But he must know some way of talking to her to get her attention because Jester feels the lightning thrum of tension running through Beau’s cord-tight muscles fade the smallest bit. Feels shoulders drop an inch. Hears her reluctant scoff, almost a laugh.
‘Fine. Fine.’ Beau brings her hand up finally to return the hug—grapple—and pat Jester’s back. ‘You can let me go now, I’m not gonna bolt,’ she tells Jester, who wishes very much she could see Beau’s face and what that amount of fondness would look like. Hearing it is enough—sweet like caramel, warm and featherlight like smoke around her.
Jester pulls back slowly. Affects a suspicious squint and doesn’t let go. Not just yet. ‘Promise?’ she teases.
It’s doubly sweet to see how reluctantly the smile comes, how Beau has to rearrange her whole face to accommodate it.
‘Promise.’
Jester squeezes her. Releases her, hugging hands gliding down to Beau’s, squeezing those too. She leaves a trail of healing behind her, because Beau’s dad might have said run from the things in the woods but Beau had decided not to.
Beau hooks her pinkie around Jester’s. Holds it for a moment, says again—‘Promise’—before she begins to pace the campsite, bothering Fjord and distracting Caleb who just wants to set up the dome. He sends raven-Frumpkin to busy Beau, leads her on a chase around the clearing and up to the branches of a nearly spruce—the low branches, when Caleb sees the way Jester glares at him.
‘Hey Caleb. Caleb.’
‘Ja, Beaure—Beau.’
‘Ha! Beau-Beau,’ Nott repeats. ‘Cute.’
‘Call me that again and I’ll happily help with the first part of your resurrection,’ Beau promises. Nott hisses in through her teeth; after a moment, Beau clears her throat. ‘Sorry.’
‘No, no, say how you really feel.’
‘I said I’m sorry!’
‘Alright, I think everyone could do with a minute apart. Beau—‘ Cad says, bends over her, hand on her shoulder. ‘You promised I could make you tea.’
Jester can see the way she wants to snap at him too, send him away. Sees the moment Beau gives in and lets Cad lead her to his bedroll on the edge of the dome, talk quietly with him as he brews a bitter smelling tea that makes Jester’s nose itch when she passes by later. She misses the exact moment when Beau passes out but turns when she hears her crumple, cries out when she sees Beau sprawled there and hurries back into the dome.
‘Caduceus!’
‘She’s fine,’ he tells her. Fjord nods like he’s just asked the exact same thing. ‘She’s fine, just sleeping.’
‘You knocked her out?’
A hint of nerves crawls over Caduceus’s face. ‘I—helped her sleep.’
‘Ooh, she’s going to be so mad when she wakes up,’ Jester whispers, not sure if she should be mad on Beau’s behalf or relieved.
‘Ah.’ Caduceus scratches at his hair, the point where one lock of hair is turning white. ‘Well.’
‘Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.’
‘Aw, I really appreciate that. Thank you, Jester.’
Jester pats his arm. Moves Caleb’s things—who clicks his tongue and sighs—so she can lay out hers next to Cad’s bed, taken over by the fully snoring Beau.
Curled up beside her, Jester smells the faint scent of Cad’s sleeping mat—sweat and earth and growing things like sweet grass, and the bitter tang of crushed beetles. And below it, shuffling closer, she smells what she knows now is the smell of Kamordah, though she knew it first as Beau—the tang of metal and the bite of something ever so faintly sour, even as it balances against the flowery smell of jasmine. She wonders as she drifts off whether it is something that sunk into Beau and refused to shift, or if the other girl just happened to gravitate toward soaps that smelled similar. She’ll have to ask.
//
Beau wakes later, when the fire has burned down to embers and the last watch—Yasha and Nott—have slunk off to patrol just beyond the treeline. Jester wakes to the sensation of gentle, careful fingers on her tail, unwrapping it from where it is snuggly curled around Beau’s ankle. Beau’s pant leg had lifted an inch or two, bunching higher around her calf, and Jester’s tail had taken advantage, seeking out the warmth of the human’s skin and double wrapping there where the cloth has moved to reveal skin.
‘Jes, geez,’ Beau mutters to herself, struggling to get free. ‘Help a girl out,’ she hisses though not loud enough to wake Jester, if she had not been already well on her way to waking. With a sigh, and a grumble, Beau tickles Jester’s tail with blunt nails, enough to make the muscles twitch and jump and slacken. Quicker than anything else, Beau slips her foot free with a quiet sound of victory.
She staggers to her feet, hand going to her head, smacks dry lips. ‘God, Caduceus, what was in that fucking tea,’ she mutters, picking her way over curled sleeping forms.
Jester eases up onto her elbows; most of her believes Beau isn’t silly enough to make a break for it—she has left everything, including her goggles. A small part of Jester that has zero sense and only concerns itself with keeping her friend right at her side where she can see her and soothe her and protect her worries. Pushes her to sit upright.
Across the dome, Jester sees Caleb rouse as Beau crosses the threshold of the hut.
‘Hmm,’ he says.
‘I think she’s going to pee,’ Jester whispers. Brings his eyes suddenly to Jester, searching in the dark. He settles on what he thinks is Jester—pretty close for being in near complete dark, the canopy thick overhead—and nods slowly.
‘I can’t leave,’ he tells her. ‘The hut will drop.’
Jester stands. Pats his shoulder as she passes to follow Beau out. She waits just beyond the boundary of the hut, seeing how Beau has only gone a short way from them, and waves a little when Beau returns, picking her careful path across the stone-and-grass clearing.
Beau’s steps falter and then pick up. When she gets closer, Jester can see a crooked, easy smile on her face and silently thanks Caduceus for knocking Beau out.
‘I’m fine,’ Beau insists when she’s close enough to be heard. ‘You—everyone doesn’t have to worry about me.’
Jester tilts her head up to return the smile, twice as sweet. ‘I’d like to see you try and stop us.’
Beau snorts.
‘Sleeping okay?’
‘Yeah. Whatever Cad gave me was a helluva knock out.’
‘Oh, you knew?’
‘Sort of. He told me it’d help,’ Beau explains, and seems mindlessly to accept the hand Jester holds out for her as they make their way back inside. ‘I didn’t think he meant it’d knock me on my ass in two seconds flat but,’ she shrugs.
‘And everything...else?’ Jester winces, hearing the obvious sidestep in the question. Beau’s eyes cut sideways to her; somehow, they still hold nothing in them but sleepy fondness.
‘You mean with my dad.’
‘Yeah.’
‘It’s—‘ Beau shrugs. Tilts her head hard to the side in an effort to crack her neck, release a little of the tension that has built up so much in her shoulders, spine.
‘Here, let me,’ Jester offers. Pats Beau down onto the bedroll once more and sits behind her, knees pressing into the soft of Beau’s hips. It’s nice with how incredibly cut Beau is that she still has that padding on her hips, the soft layer. Jester knows it’s to protect those vital organs but she also knows that things can be more than one thing at a time, so the softness can be protective and incredibly sweet all at once.
Jester moves closer, knees pressing dimples into it, thumbs brushing and then pressing into it as well. She is rewarded with a low grunt of pleasure as Beau realises what she intends, and the other girl lets her head fall forward on her neck, opening up her back for Jester to work. She rubs and massages until some of the knots at least feel looser, less incredibly tense, and finally as she reaches the top of Beau’s back she rubs her fingers soothingly over the jade tattoo where Beau has been pressing and rubbing and pinching the skin all day.
Beau hums, the sound vibrating into Jester’s knees and hand.
‘Better?’
‘Mm. Much.’
‘Good.’
Jester drags her hands down Beau’s back, rubbing gently now with none of the pressure of a massage. She leans forward to rest her forehead against Beau’s shoulder blade. Sighs.
‘Tired?’ Beau asks.
‘Yeah.’
Beau reaches back. Scritches blunt nails lightly on Jester’s scalp, around those itchy parts of her horns. ‘Go on, go back to sleep,’ she urges.
‘Are you?’ Beau is silent for a long moment. ‘Beau?’
‘Yeah. Yeah, I’ll sleep,’
‘Beau.’
‘I promise. I just—want to go over that weird ass prophecy thing again. God, he’s such a schmuck, having a fucking prophecy from a witch.’
Jester grunts unhappily. Wraps her arms around Beau from behind so she can’t reach out for her notebook. ‘In the morning, Beau.’
‘We’ll wanna head out straight away—‘
‘In the morning,’ she says again, no room for disobedience in her tone.
Beau tries anyway. ‘Just a minute—‘
‘I’m staying up for as long as you do,’ Jester tells her, changing tracks. Her accent thickens with a yawn. ‘I’m really sleepy, Beau,’ she wheedles. ‘I promise we can look at it in the morning—Cad will make us breakfast and Fjord won’t be really awake until the sun comes up, you know that. Please?’ She yawns a second time for good measure, doesn’t realise until she’s halfway through it that it’s real. She rubs her head sleepily over the sharp bone of Beau’s shoulder. Knocks her forehead against it.
The girl sighs for a long moment, all the breath pushing out of her lungs. ‘Fine. Fine.’ She can’t help but laugh when Jester nuzzles against her shoulder, giggles at Beau’s reluctant acquiescence. ‘You’re lucky you’re cute.’
She lets Jester bear her down to the ground just as they are, Jester still hugging her, and collapses with a little huff. Wriggles around until she’s comfortable, enough to make Jester release her. Beau turns on her side to face her, hand pillowed under her cheek.
‘Beau?’ Jester’s eyes trace her profile, illuminated by the faint glow of the dome.
‘Mm.’
‘Are you scared?’
Beau’s breath slows, the only sign that she had heard. Finally, she says, ‘A bit. Yeah.’ And when Jester’s cool fingers sneak under her blanket to find Beau’s, Beau holds her hand. And they sleep.
215 notes · View notes
amphtaminedreams · 4 years
Text
The Summer of Disappointment: Lookbook no.11
Hi to anyone reading,
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Welcome to an exploration of one of my favourite combinations of activities: putting outfits together and moaning. Straight off the bat-this summer has been a shitty one. The pandemic has made 2020 a shitty year all round. My feelings are best summed up in this tweet by @25lambs (I love her account but this girl changes her @ every other week so it will probably have changed again by the time I post this):
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The uncertainty of when life will return to some semblance of “normality” is the hardest part. I also feel like I lost a big chunk of my life to, well, being miserable basically, especially during my teen years and my plans to make up for that in my 20s has been potentially snatched away. That being said, in the grand scheme of things, I am very lucky. I still have a job and I haven’t lost anyone close to me, which are both hugely traumatic things that many people have had to go through as a result of the pandemic. I think being sad about how the pandemic has affected your life and also recognising that there are people who are facing a far greater amount of hardship than you are not mutually exclusive which is something people online tend to forget on a daily basis. I also thought we had longer, if that makes sense, like summer came and went in such a short space of time it almost feels like it hasn’t happened yet, and being the extremely anal individual I am, of course I had a load of outfits planned that I never got round to wearing-instead of sulking about what didn’t happen, I instead decided I’d make a bit of a lookbook out of those outfits as well as a kind of diary of what I did get round to wearing.
So that’s enough rambling from me! I’ll get on with it!
Looks 1-3
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Depop has been my absolute favourite thing for the last few months. I gave up fast fashion around May and apart from a slip up or two, I’ve pretty much stuck to that since. That being said, I am clearly very into fashion and styling and so it’s been a hard transition to make (yes, first world problems IK, don’t bait me), especially with me being a compulsive shopper. Wanna know how to lose weight? The jig is up guys, switch from emotional eating to emotional shopping. I’m joking, nobody needs to lose any weight, but I am 100% someone who attempts to cure feeling like shit with some good old instant gratification, and Depop has filled my fast fashion void. My favourite purchases from the last few months include this tan faux suede jacket on the left I bought from Tash_Hall’s shop, and aside from that everything here is old. It makes me feel like I’m a background extra in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and I’m into that. The movie was shit but the visuals were top tier.
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-21/07/20-
(top handmade by sophieeee_1123 on Depop)
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-30/09/20- 
(dress from maisiemainwaring on Depop, jacket from marinamcaleesex)
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-18/09/20-
(top handmade by maddypageknitwear on Depop)
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-25/07/20-
(cargo trousers from amber_thomson1 on Depop)
Looks 4-6
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So I doubt anyone actually reads my fashion week reviews-I know everyone’s here for the pictures-but if you did, you’d know how much I wanted last season’s Erdem hats to happen off the runway. You know, the big boater ones that tie under the chin? Well, I got one off Ebay, as you can see on the left, I can confirm that in anything other than still life they look absolutely fucking ridiculous; I never ended up wearing mine outside the house because if I wore it for more than two seconds it would end up teetering to one side and slipping off my head, hence me trying to pass off holding it up as a fashion moment, lol. Maybe they are completely impractical, maybe I just have a big head (which is true), who knows. The beaded butterfly top however (from Depop but I can’t find the seller’s account anymore!), also on the left, was way more flattering on than I expected it to be and I am gutted I didn’t get to wear it out. If they’re right about a vaccine not being ready until July 2021 then it looks like next summer’s festival season will be cancelled too, but festival season 2022, this top is coming for ya. Optimism, you know. Other than that, the shorts are reworked Levis from Studsnstuff vintage on Ebay, which I have ALWAYS wanted and now irritatingly pair with absolutely everything and call it a look, and the two piece is stolen from my sister’s wardrobe, lol. Lastly, we have the sunhat, which reminds me of something my parents would’ve put me in when I was little and is totally adorable, from Happydais’ Depop store.
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-28/07/20-
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-12/07/20-
(top from tash2 on Depop, skirt from anishacassanova)
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-27/08/20-
(skirt from mollie_morton on Depop)
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-19/08/20-
(jeans from izziesanders on Depop)
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-16/09/20-
Looks 6-10
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Up there with my favourite Depop purchases of the summer is the striped corduroy trousers in the bottom right from Annasctx’s shop. I was desperate for some vintage trousers in this style but most resellers were, typically, charging extortionate prices for them, so it was a blessing to come across these for under £30. It sounds like a lot but they are a popular item on there at the moment so it’s a good price considering! Also from Depop is the red bodysuit from Alzaska’s store, the monogrammed headband from Jadexlaurenx’s store, and the PU flame print beret from House_of_erotique who do the most AMAZING custom pieces. I am waiting on a couple of things from them at the moment for an American Horror Story inspired lookbook I’m doing for halloween and I am buzzing to try them on! The bag I’m using here is my new go to-it’s a second hand Calvin Klein I found for THIRTY FUCKING POUND in a local charity shop! The woman at the tills told me that lots of people had gone to buy it and then put it back because it was too expensive which is insane! I know you go into a charity shop for cheap things but this bag was such a steal I have no idea how nobody just bit the bullet and bought it. Anyways, I’m not complaining because now it’s mine and I'm in love and I’m gonna try not to spill a monster energy drink on this one<3 
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-26/08/20-
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-18/08/20-
(suit from emmafisher3 on Depop)
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-10/09/20-
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-15/08/20-
So, that’s it for now! If you got to this point, thank you for reading! I’m sorry it’s not longer but I’m finding it really hard to motivate myself to write at the moment with everything going on-I’m only finishing this now because it’s 3:30AM and my friend’s cat that I’m looking after is keeping me awake and I’m too much of a softy to shut it out the bedroom. London has just gone into tier 2 lockdown which means I can’t visit my sister or my friends up there, and they’re not allowed to travel down here either. I get it needs to be this way and that we have to make sacrifices, but that’s not to say it isn’t tough on a lot of people’s mental wellbeing. I was really beginning to get my shit together this year, lol! Oh well! Sorry 2021, messy bitch me is getting a sequel. I know, I hate her too.
With regards to what’s coming up on my page, I’m working on the American Horror Story lookbook I mentioned this week and then a (probably non-existent this year) party season lookbook following that. I do intend to do more mood boards and a summary of the S/S 2021 shows soon. I don’t know if I’ve got it in me to do a whole ass review at the moment so I might spice it up and do a tier ranking or rating out of 10 or something fun like that, but there will definitely be something within the next couple of months! I also thought it’d be cool to do a post on the style of some incredible black influencers who are sorely underappreciated on Instagram for Black History Month, but even if I don’t get it out in October, expect that at some point.
Thank you to anyone who read this and thank you in general for bearing with me! I really hope things look up from here but regardless, if we all work together and be considerate of others, we can get through this. I hope everyone is doing okay and as always, if you are struggling, my inbox is always open. Post suggestions are welcome too, as well as feedback as long as it’s not *too* mean. A bitch is sensitive atm. 
Stay safe!
Lauren x
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fangirlxwritesx67 · 4 years
Text
When We Share
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Sam Winchester x Rowena MacLeod x Gabriel, 3300 words Tags: threesome, sex, oral (male and female receiving), anal play, playful biting, a little bit of exhibitionism, a little bit of dirty talk.  AN: set in a canon-compliant au where Sam x Rowena are together and Rowena x Gabriel is a thing that happened (yes I’m reworking that fic too.)
Gabriel huffed out a dramatic sigh, letting his chair tilt back as he swung his feet up on one of the tables in the library. 
“Boring,” he muttered. 
“Rowena and I were already in here doing research,” Sam Winchester said as he brushed past the angel to retrieve a book. “You were the one who decided to park your cute ass in here with us.” He ran his fingers playfully through the angel’s hair as he headed back to his seat.
Startled, Gabriel brought his chair upright with a thump. Was Sam flirting? No, that couldn’t be right. 
“I wanted to see what Rowena was up to.” Gabriel blurted out the first thing that came to mind. 
Rowena looked up at him. She was definitely flirting, batting her lashes, licking her lips. But she was always flirting, and besides, it was probably for Sam’s benefit. Her voice was teasing as she spoke. “What did you think I would be up to in the library?”
Gabriel smirked. He and the redheaded witch had definitely done some very non-boring things in the library. He was surprised that she mentioned it right in front of Sam.
“You think I don’t know?” Sam fixed Gabriel with a look he couldn't read. “Trust me, I heard all the details about your little library hook-up. Thought about it, too, thought about how hot the two of you must've been together.” 
Gabriel swallowed hard and heard Rowena sigh.
Sam turned and brushed his lips to hers, soft seeking kisses that she returned. She pulled back just long enough to settle on his lap, making sure Gabriel could still see both of them as their mouths met again. 
Gabriel squirmed in his chair. It’s not like he had never caught them kissing before. Of course he had. 
Sam and Rowena were the worst kept secret in the history of secrets. When the two of them were close, the air practically crackled with pent up desire and energy. The way they looked at one another could light up a room. 
Gabriel could recall a few times when he had come around a corner or into a room and caught them together. Stolen kisses and hidden moments, the two of them all over one another when they thought no one was looking. Usually, they stopped or hurried off the moment they thought someone was watching. 
But this was different. They were showing off, in front of him, teasing him with what he couldn’t have. 
Sam had Rowena wrapped in his arms, hands all over her body, holding her close as she shimmied on his lap. 
Gabriel almost felt bad watching them. Of course, they were putting on this show for him, and he was enjoying it immensely. Who wouldn’t? 
Rowena was a beauty, with those big green eyes and that expressive face. He still remembered the curves of her tight little body, the way she fit into his hands. Then again, Sam was attractive too, that handsome face and strong body. An angel could dream, and right now, he was dreaming of himself in between the two of them. 
But the two of them together were so close, so achingly intimate. Frankly, they looked like two people in love. The feeling that rose in his chest, was that envy? 
Rowena reached for Sam’s shirt, nimble fingers working the buttons open. The motion pulled their mouths apart for just a second. 
"Gabriel," said Sam, not tearing his gaze away from Rowena, "Do you really just want to watch? Or will you come join us?" He held out one hand. 
The angel tried to play it cool, tried to act like this wasn’t an invitation he had been waiting desperately for. He stepped over with a little swagger as he approached the pair. He took Sam’s proffered hand but slipped the other arm around Rowena’s shoulders.
“The question is, do you want to share her?” Gabriel cast Sam a teasing look as he pulled Rowena close. She giggled as she lifted her face to him, her glossy lips parted to show just the slightest peek of her tongue. He took his time, wanting to slow down their kiss, when one broad hand slipped between them. 
Sam’s fingers cupped the side of Gabriel’s face. Without thinking, the angel leaned into the warmth of his palm. Sam ran his thumb over the cupid’s bow of his mouth, lingering on the dip in the middle. 
"No. The question is, do I want to share you?" Sam tugged his face down and kissed him. His lips were soft but his grasp was demanding, his tongue insistent and seeking. The angel let his mouth drop open, let Sam take what he wanted. 
"Holy shit," Gabriel gasped when he could speak again. This close, he was lost in Sam’s blue green eyes, with sunflower rings of gold. "Sam Winchester, who knew? That was-"
"Amazing?" Sam grinned, dimples bracketing his smile, before the angel dipped down for their mouths to meet again. He slid one hand up Gabriel’s cheek and into his hair, ruffling and tangling it with his fingers. 
“Oh, boys.” Rowena cooed. “No need to get greedy. What if we all share?” 
Sam sat up straight, slipping one arm around the angel and the other around the witch.
“Yeah?” He looked at Rowena first, then Gabriel.
Gabriel rolled his eyes and fake pouted. “I guess, if I have to.” 
Sam huffed out a laugh. “Hey, you were the one who invited yourself in here. Is this something you want, or not?”
Gabriel lifted one brow as he looked between the two. “Oh, there’s a lot that I want.” 
“That’s what I thought. But not in the library. As you both know, it’s too easy to get caught. My room, now.” 
Once the three of them were in the room with the door shut, Sam shrugged out of his shirt. He let out a deep breath, seeming to relax and settle into the moment. 
“Okay. Undress.” 
Rowena turned her back to Sam, sweeping aside her waterfall of red hair so he could undo the back of her dress. His hands caressed her shoulders before he reached for her zipper. He lowered his lips to the curve of her neck.
The contrast pleased Gabriel: Sam, long, broad and tan; Rowena, tiny, flexible and pale. He could see the level of comfort, of trust the two of them shared in their bodies.
Gabriel was motionless, transfixed in watching them, until Sam spoke up.
“You too, Angel Face.” The words were light but there was a steel edge of command in his voice. 
“Oh, you wanna get me naked?” Gabriel teased, lifting his shirt and shaking his hips.
“Yeah, I do,” Sam replied. His eyes never left Gabriel as he stripped down. He watched intently, his gaze raking over every inch of exposed skin. When the angel was completely undressed, Sam nodded. “That’s better.” 
Rowena settled back on the bed, wearing only a bra and panties. The dark red lace highlighted her creamy skin and tawny freckles. Her curls spilled around her face against the pillow like a halo.
“Gabriel," she called. Her green cat eyes flashed bright as she lowered her dark lashes. She patted the bed next to her with one hand. He looked at Sam for permission, and was answered with a nod. 
He settled down beside her, and they met with an electric spark, first their eyes and then their lips. Just as he remembered, she tasted like wine and spices, like old magic, things Gabriel had thought were lost. 
He undid and cast aside her bra. Her fingers skimmed over his chest and arms.
"You're so golden," she murmured, before meeting his mouth with a pleased hum.  Their kisses deepened, lengthened, and he only vaguely registered Sam's movements. ***
Sam settled between Rowena's knees and took his time with her panties, hooking his thumbs in the waistband before easing them gently down over her thighs and finally, off her ankles. All the while, he was watching her with the other man.
Sam knew how easy it was to get completely lost in Rowena. There was something mesmerising about her, irresistible. He wasn’t sure how it worked on archangels, but she had a way of absorbing his attention so entirely, it felt almost magic. Watching the two of them together was like experiencing it for the first time all over again.
He held her waist tightly in both hands as he teased a trail of kisses from her knees up the soft skin of her thighs. The higher he got, the harder he pressed his lips and the rough stubble of his chin, raising a pink blush on her skin. She sighed, leaned back into Gabriel's arms, and spread her legs wider. 
Sam knew that was an invitation, one he would never resist. He lowered his face between her legs. No matter how many times she gave him this, he always wanted more. Pleasuring her was a delight for him. 
He worked her over with his lips and tongue until she was humming against Gabriel's mouth. Sam knew exactly how good it felt to be kissing Rowena while she was enjoying herself, and he reveled in knowing that Gabriel was getting to experience it too. 
He cast his eyes upward again, taking in the two of them, Rowena’s fingers tangled in Gabriel’s hair and his greedy hands over her breasts. She reached down with her other hand to tug Sam’s hair, holding him closer between her legs. He grinned and slipped two fingers into her, giving her sensation both inside and out. 
She groaned and ground down against him, her breathing fast and shallow. She trembled as she came with a soft cry. 
Sam sat up and reached for Gabriel, who met him eagerly. The kiss between the two men tasted of her. They only pulled apart when she called their names.
“Samuel. Gabriel." Rowena was normally all poise. Even in bed, she wasn't afraid to ask for what she wanted. For her to be truly needy and willing to show it, that was something special. Sam heard the longing in her voice, and understood the things she wasn't saying. He reached down to caress her face with care. She let her eyes flutter closed and leaned into his touch. 
“Rowena, shall we show Gabriel how pretty you can say please?”
“Yes,” she whimpered softly. Sam stretched out alongside her, drawing her gaze. 
***
"Gabriel, fuck her and make her beg.” His words were light but his tone was unmistakable. Gabriel nodded easily. Rowena’s face never turned from Sam but her hips shifted towards the angel. 
He straddled her, pushing her knees apart again. She moaned and bucked up against him as he sank into her. Her head pressed back into the pillow, her chin rising. Sam trailed his lips down the line of her pale soft throat, across her collarbones. 
Gabriel had the most amazing view, Sam’s mouth and hands on Rowena’s soft pale breasts as her hands fluttered over him. Gabriel knew his mouth, hers, the touch of their hands. Their pleasure was close and hot. As they all enjoyed one another, he felt like surely he was getting more than his share.
*** Sam kissed Rowena, deep and hard. He loved the way she moaned into his mouth when she was having a good time. Knowing that Gabriel was the one pleasuring her, and enjoying the feel of her- Sam couldn't say which was better for him. 
He wanted them both, equally but different. He spent most of his life denying himself, giving up what he wanted for the greater good. He was unused to having anything he wanted, much less having so much at once. Gabriel and Rowena, together, in his bed, was an almost painful pleasure. 
Sam tried to stop thinking, to shut off the never ending stream of worry and concern. He wanted to just feel. With these two, it wasn’t so hard. They were giving, willingly, an abundance of beauty and bare skin. So much desire, so many sensual delights, were almost overwhelming. 
Rowena was whining, writhing beneath the onslaught of attention from him and Gabriel. The soft sounds falling from her lips pulled him back into the moment. He needed to make sure she was satisfied before he thought about himself. Pushing her to the absolute limit was one of his favorite things. 
"Gabriel," he repeated, "make her beg." 
***
Gabriel obeyed. He knew a good thing when he saw one, and this was something special. He wasn't honestly sure how he had found himself here, but he wasn't about to complain.
He slowed the pace of his hips, dragging out his thrusts, savoring every second of it. He watched the two of them, their hands and mouths all over, giving and taking and, fuck, loving one another. Rowena was winding tighter and tighter, her cries rising to a higher pitch.  
"Please," she begged, lilting. "Please, Sam, Gabriel, I don't care just - please, oh, please."
Gabriel’s eyes flicked towards Sam, waiting for his direction. As their gaze locked, Sam nodded slowly. He slipped one hand between the pair, stroking Rowena with a steady touch. Gabriel settled into the rhythm he set, moving together. He watched as a flush rose over the pale freckled skin of her chest.  Her moans fractured into curses in old languages. Between the two of them, they worked her to a sweating, swearing climax.
Gabriel waited for her to stop shaking before he pulled out of her, still hard. He winced as he looked at Sam again.
“You really enjoyed her mouth, didn’t you?” Sam’s tone was teasing but not cruel. “Imagining those lips wrapped around your cock again?”
Gabriel closed his eyes as a shudder ran through him. 
“Rowena?” Sam’s tone towards her was soft, open. An ask, not a demand. 
“Come here, my angel,” she murmured, beckoning towards Gabriel. 
He rose on all fours and crawled up the bed to her. Her green eyes were wide and bright, watching him eagerly. She took him first in her hand and then her mouth, warm and welcoming. He closed his eyes and sighed. She felt good, so good, as he sank into her again. 
Gabriel was all but lost when he felt Sam’s warm hand settle on his waist and skim down to cup his ass. He heard the click of a bottle of lube opening, and shivered with anticipation. 
Sam’s big hands stroked over his ass. One hand settled across the small of his back, while the other cupped his cheeks and then slipped between them. He teased Gabriel with practiced fingers, working him open before slipping first one finger and then two inside him. Gabriel moaned and bucked forward. Rowena choked on him. 
Sam laughed, an indulgent sound, and curled his fingers. Gabriel sank down to all fours as his knees and elbows started to buckle. Rowena pulled back, her small hands shoving back against his hips. He moaned as he came on the soft rise of her breasts.
*** 
Sam watched as Gabriel rolled back on the other side of Rowena, his chest heaving. She turned towards him and caressed his face, both of them lazy and soft. Sam got up and returned with a wet washcloth. With strong sure strokes, he cleaned Rowena’s warm skin. 
Gabriel’s hand slid up to cup one of her damp soft breasts and she darted a teasing glance at Sam under her thick lashes. He settled on the bed on the other side of her. The two men let their fingers tangle together, over and around her breasts. Rowena sighed happily and turned to face Sam. For a few minutes they kissed, deep and hungry, before Gabriel rose up over Rowena and grabbed Sam's face. 
Their touches were desperate, grasping. Sam had kept himself in check with iron self control, making sure his lovers were satisfied. But he wanted, fuck, he wanted so much. He wanted both of them, all of them. Without thinking, his hips rose forward, grinding against Rowena. 
“Ohh,” she murmured. She reached down and he twitched against her touch. “Oh Sam, we have to do something about this." 
“My dear.” Rowena tugged at Sam. He was bigger than her, far stronger, but yielded to the guidance of her hands. He moved with her, letting her settle him back against the pillows. 
She knelt by his side and cupped his chin, turning him to face her with her fingers in his hair. He was sprawled out on the bed when Gabriel rolled over on top of him and ground down. Sam’s hands skimmed down his back.
“Oh, now you’re the needy one, huh?” The angel teased. 
“Shut up,” Sam murmured, grabbing his ass and holding him close. Their hips shifted and slid together for several long moments. Sam was breathing hard when he finally pushed Gabriel away. 
"Rowena," Sam's voice was low, ragged. “Come to me.” Everything, this whole night, the two of them, had wound him tighter and tighter. He wanted to lose himself in the moment, he wanted Gabriel and Rowena, he wanted everything all to himself. 
He held out his hands to his lover as she settled astride him. His fingers closed around her hips, thumbs digging bruises into her pale skin. He lifted her, held her, let her ease down onto him. 
She was perfect, so wet and hot and close. He moaned and let his eyes flutter shut. He could get absolutely lost in her. Sam began to move, thrusting slow and steady. 
A quiet sound made him look up. Gabriel was watching the two of them hungrily, a smirk curling his lips. Sam looked deep into the angel's whiskey-golden eyes. He reached out and stroked his face, drawing him in for a deep searching kiss.
"Let me help you with this," he whispered, and then he bit Sam's lower lip. Sam gasped and thrust forward harder. Gabriel cupped his face and tangled his fingers in his hair, teasing him, rough and caring all at once. Sam would’ve never asked for this kind of sharp soft touch but he was savoring it.
“Please,” Sam heard himself gasp, not even sure what he was asking for. He was used to commanding, to giving. He wasn’t used to begging. But these two, together, were pushing him so far past what was usual. He was overloaded with pleasure, with so many sensations at once, but he still needed more. 
“Ro?” he panted. She leaned over, rolled up against his body. For just a moment, Sam saw both Rowena and Gabriel in front of him. He grabbed for them both, his hands clutching and desperate.
Then Gabriel lowered his mouth to his pulse point. Rowena arched her back and cried out, clamping down on him hard. Sam’s vision went blurry as he came between the two of them. *** Gabriel watched Sam try to catch his breath. There was really something about that huffy thing he did, chest heaving and neck flexing. Who knew that serious, studious Sam Winchester had so much in him? 
He was iron firm in his direction, but wildly generous. He was almost too much for one person. Gabriel understood, then, why the fiery witch Rowena was his chosen partner. Why Sam was okay sharing his bed with an archangel. 
Sam sank back against the pillows. Gabriel was tucked under one of his long arms, and Rowena was resting easily his broad chest. All three of them traded kisses, slow and sated and easy.
"Isn't it better, boys," cooed Rowena, "when we share?"
*** I originally wrote this story in Fall 2019, making it one of my earlier works. It got almost a complete rewrite this time. Thanks to @there-must-be-a-lock​ for reading, and rereading, and reading again while I worked out some things with the story. 
SPN First Last and Always: @boondoctorwho​ @dawnie1988​ @deanwanddamons​ @defenderrosetyler​ @divadinag​ @emoryhemsworth​ @fookinghelljensensthighs​ @idreamofplaid​ @kalesrebellion​ @kickingitwithkirk​ @maddiepants​ @magssteenkamp​ @onethirstyunicorn​   @there-must-be-a-lock​ @tloveswriting​
Sam Girl For Life: @awesomesusiebstuff​ @lilsylvia​ @winchesterxfamilybusiness​
Rowena My Queen:  @delightfullykrispypeach​ @lilsylvia​ @pansexualdarling​ @songofthecagedmoose​
Gay Screaming: @boondoctorwho​, @cracksinthewalls​, @fookinghelljensensthighs​ @itmighthavebeenintentional​, @justcallmeasmodeus​, @lastactiontricia​ @mskathywriteswords​, @rockhoochie​, @there-must-be-a-lock​, @thoughtslikeaminefield​
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verdantvulpus · 3 years
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For the fanfiction author questionnaire: I'm curious about 3, 4, 9 about "Forsaken" (as I'm currently obsessed with it) and 5, 6, 11 for "Corruption". Please, answer only if you feel like it! Thanks for you writing!
Thank you so much for indulging me in my cry for attention! I definitely am happy to answer!
Forsaken:
3. Fave line of Narration: “Luca left . No yelling. No threats. No insults. He just got dressed and walked away leaving Crowley sitting alone in his own mess.” and Crowley’s whole recursive thought process about melting away from Holy water in chapter 15 ending with “ He was unholy and evil and shouldn’t have touched anything this clean and good.” I really enjoy sneaking layers of meaning into lines of narration. I don’t know if they always land, but they make me smile.
4: Fave Line of Dialogue: I’m going to cheese out here because I can’t think of a specific line atm, but I really like writing banter and there are several instances where the years of friendship between A and C shines through all the drama and angst and they sort of dissolve into this comfortable back and forth before catching themselves and that’s so much fun to write.
9: Are there any Alt versions of this fic?: So, because this is a WIP I can’t get into specifics yet but there were three possible endings and it wasn’t until a couple weeks ago that I figured out which one I was going to go with. Just know that one of the discarded endings was very dark and people will probably be glad of the different direction (and should thank PinkPenguinParade for being persuading me to listen to better angels). 
The original beginning was a lot different too. Luca was originally introduced in chapter 1 while Crowley was still asleep as a pre-arranged wake up/ booty call. Az was lingering in the flat and bumped into him. Luca started off pretty toxic and nasty and in the end I had to rework the whole chapter because it was way too angsty right off the bat. In the rewrite Luca’s character became a lot more flushed out and Crowley became the toxic one, which was a better choice since readers are more likely to forgive Crowley’s bad behaviour than an OC.
Corruption:
5: Hardest part to write: This was my first attempt at writing horror. I wanted to keep the chapter count down so it could be easily consumed during the month of October and it was challenging to create an atmosphere of eerie dread so quickly and then to somehow pull back out of it again with some kind of resolution in 6 short (for me anyway) chapters. 
6: What makes this fic different or special from your other fics?: Mostly the horror context. I don’t tend to delve that deeply into dark, violent, content. Even the torture I have in Forsaken isn’t as graphic or vile, or psychologically damaging as what Crowley and Aziraphale suffer at the hands the fright. Until I started working on True Natures, Corruption was my only darkfic, and I really tried to make the fright terrifying through sheer eerie wrongness.
7: What do you like most about this fic?: I do really like the fright as an antagonist. It is so weird to write something that is completely devoid of human emotion and just exists to torment it’s target/s. 
I like the open-endedness of the fic too. It resolves, mostly, and there is definitely hope for their recovery together, but you see how badly this has likely set back their relationship. Aziraphale had been about to confess his love that day he chased Crowley off instead! Now they have to almost start again. And there is still the hint that the fright is waiting for Crowley in Hell. I feel like this ambiguous ending is fitting for a Halloween fic.
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