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unclewaynemunson · 11 months

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Eddie can hear from Steve's breathing that he's sleeping deeply and he's wondering how the hell he can possibly be asleep right now. His own mind is spinning and he kinda feels like he might throw up soon. Steve went to sleep with his back to Eddie and now Eddie can do nothing but stare at his silhouette in the dark.

He doesn't really understand what happened: they had this big fight and the word slipped out of his mouth before he even realized it did. The one word he had promised Steve to never say to him. And then Steve stormed out and Eddie just fucking stood there, unable to move and nauseous as hell, tears prickling behind his eyes. By the time his brain started working again and he realized he should probably go look for Steve, he could already have gone anywhere.

Half an agonizing hour later he returned; Eddie didn't give a shit about their stupid fight anymore and tried to apologize, but Steve... wouldn't let him. I know you didn't mean it like that, was all he said. It's okay, but I'm really exhausted, so let's go to bed first and talk about it in the morning.

The worst part is that he doesn't know what he should prepare himself for. Steve has never done anything like this before, but Eddie sure as hell recognizes the signs: waving him off, attempting to make him feel safe, so he'll let his guard down and then it'll all come crashing down on him. He can hear his mother's voice again, so clearly that she might as well be standing right at his bedside:

No, of course I'm not mad at you, Eddie. You couldn't help it, it's not your fault.

Have you already forgotten about what you've done, Eddie? Looks like I have to punish you after all.

The worst one had been after his dad got locked up, five whole years of jailtime ahead of him. He had never been behind bars for more than a couple months on end before. And Eddie had been with him when it happened. No, worse: he had run away.

You couldn't help it, Eddie, you were scared, and you couldn't have gotten him out of it anyway.

He had been grateful for his mom's understanding words, had finally lowered his guard when she even made him a hot cocoa before bed. It only took one restless night of sleep until he'd find out what she really thought about him: a coward, a sissy, someone who didn't know what loyalty was. Didn't he love his father? Would he like to see his own dad rot in jail? She was often cruel with her words, but the times she was cruel with her hands were a rarity.

Eddie had never viewed Steve as being anything like his mother, but with yesterday's events in his mind and Steve unreachable on the other side of the bed, he supposes it's more than justified. However shit will go down tomorrow morning, he will most certainly deserve it.

------

He must've somehow drifted off in the early hours before morning, because he wakes up to light pouring through the windows and - an empty space on Steve's side of the bed.

He quietly slips out from under the blankets and tiptoes to the door, but when he peers around the corner, he finds the living room empty. Upon further inspection, the kitchen and the bathroom both turn out to be abandoned as well. Steve's nowhere to be seen. A new wave of nausea washes over Eddie when he realizes that things must be even worse than he was expecting.

He remembers those times, too: the times when his mother would disappear, sometimes for a couple hours, sometimes for days on end. When he was little, he'd get hungry. As he grew older and learned to take care of himself, he'd only get scared. When she'd finally get back, she'd tell him that he shouldn't be so dramatic, that surely she'd told him where she was off to and for how long she'd be gone. Sometimes, she'd even tell him that no, she hadn't been away for three days, she had only gone to the store, what the hell was he talking about?

When the realization hits him that Steve might never come back - the same realization that used to cause the paralyzing fear whenever his mom disappeared - it becomes difficult to breathe. He staggers and stumbles into the bedroom, where he starts randomly pulling the doors of their closets and dresser drawers open in a desperate attempt to see if all of Steve's clothes are still there. His polos are hanging in a neat row in the closet, and his underwear dresser is filled just fine. His toothbrush is still in the bathroom, just like his shaving cream and his medication: that should be enough confirmation that at least he'll come back but maybe that's exactly what he wants Eddie to think and he can't breathe anymore and -

-------

A good night's sleep and a morning run are the perfect cure for just about everything, if you ask Steve. He comes home all sweaty and short of breath, but feeling better than he has in days. His head is clear and yesterday's fight suddenly seems almost insignificant. He opens the door, ready to make some coffee and finally properly talk with Eddie, who was still fast asleep when he left the house two hours ago.

But when he calls out a "Hi, babe!" the apartment stays eerily quiet. There's no trace of Eddie in the kitchen, nor in the living room, and Steve wonders if maybe he has gone out to get some snacks. He shrugs and walks into the bedroom to take off his sweaty sports clothes - and chuckles quietly to himself when he sees the mop of dark curls above the blanket.

'Eddie, it's almost noon, man,' he says while walking up to the bed. It's only then that he notices that all their drawers and closets are opened, as if Eddie had been frantically searching for something.

'Have you been sleepwalking again?'

He goes to sit down on the bed, right next to the lump of the blanket that is Eddie's sleeping body. When Eddie still doesn't move, Steve gently combs a hand over the curls and then pulls back the blanket.

'Hey there.'

He traces a thumb over Eddie's cheek, which finally causes him to jolt up. Steve immediately clocks that there's a look on his face that can only be described as concerning: something frantic and fearful is radiating from those big brown eyes he knows so well.

'You came back,' Eddie sighs out when he sees it's Steve who woke him.

Steve frowns. 'Of course I came back. Are you okay? Did you have a nightmare?'

'How long were you -'

There are tears in Eddie's eyes now, and he looks more scared than Steve has seen him look in years.

'Oh, baby, it's okay, I'm here,' he says, opening his arms to catch Eddie in an embrace. 'I was only gone on a run. Yesterday was pretty intense, remember? So I wanted to clear my head while you were sleeping in. I've only been away for two hours or so.'

Eddie slumps heavily against Steve's chest; his whole body is trembling like a leaf.

'What happened, baby?'

'What day is it?'

'Jesus, Eddie, you're scaring me. It's Saturday.'

Eddie lifts up his head; his cheeks are red and puffy and wet.

'Saturday?' Eddie repeats, voice sharp and frantic again. 'Is that true? Are you telling the truth?'

'Yes, what's going on, Eddie? Why would I - oh.' He doesn't need to finish that question to understand exactly what's happening, and he quietly curses himself for being so blind to it. 'Oh, fuck, Eddie, I didn't mean to - I'm so sorry.'

Not giving a shit about his sweaty sports clothes, he pushes Eddie a little bit to make space and crawls under the blanket beside him. He pulls him in his arms, cradling his head with his hand, and keeps repeating sweet-nothings like I'm here and I'm not going anywhere and I love you and I'm sorry for scaring you until Eddie has finally stopped trembling and his breathing is back to normal again.

'You're here,' Eddie finally says. His voice is creaky in a way that's breaking Steve's heart.

Steve leans forward to press a kiss against his temple.

'I'm here,' he repeats. 'And I promise you I would never do anything like the shit your mother used to pull, alright?'

'Watch out with that,' Eddie says. 'I also promised to never call you bullshit.'

Steve utters a sound that's somewhere between a sniff and a huff. 'Was that - a joke? Did you seriously just go from full breakdown to cracking jokes?'

Eddie hums something unintelligible and lets his eyes fall close while he nestles himself into a more comfortable position in Steve's arms.

'Why did you think I would ever do something like your mom?' Steve's question is almost a whisper.

Eddie sighs deeply. 'Because yesterday,' he says, burying his head against Steve's chest. 'It was too easy. You should've been mad, but you forgave me right away. And then you went to sleep with your back towards me and I - I had the whole night to spiral further about it. And then I woke up and you weren't there and - I dunno, my head was running wild, man.'

Too easy. That's exactly what it feels like, sometimes, with Eddie. To hear him say bullshit and know he doesn't do it to intentionally hurt him. To have a fight and know that they still love each other through it all. To come home in the apartment they share and have coffee together every day. It's too easy, too good to be true. Not something either of them ever thought they could have with someone. But they do. Even if they both take their damaged hearts with them. Even if they've both been raised on cruelty instead of love. Maybe it's not too easy after all; maybe they simply need to learn the difference between easy and too easy. Maybe easy is exactly what they deserve to share with each other.

Steve brushes some stray hairs out of Eddie's face. His cheeks are still swollen and his eyes are red. And it's never been easier to love him.

#don't mind me rambling about stranger things #steddie #steve harrington #eddie munson #fruity ficlet #tw child abuse

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felixora · 6 months

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Baldur's Gate 3 Companion!Tav Ask List by @paarthursass

Please check their List here, it's literally a top tier list

(contains major spoilers for the game, and for some dark urge runs as well)

Had to redo this, but finally I'm satisfied with the result. Here's my drow Soulknife Rogue (please oh please adapt this subclass for the game) Arnafein Rilynghym.

General

1.Where can your Tav be recruited? Are they first encountered on the Nautiloid, or in the Nautiloid crash region? Or are they not recruitable until a later act?

He can be recruited not too far away from the Blighted Village area, in the forest outcropping.

He’ll be there with a pair of poorly equipped young tieflings and a group of goblins, trying to cool things down between the two and convince the goblins to leave the tieflings only to him. The player/party members might catch on some details in his facial expression that would be giving away a lie, as well as his attempts to place himself between tieflings and goblins.

As the player’s group comes closer, the player (and other companions, which is important) and Arno are connected through their tadpoles, though much more painfully than in other cases (the narrator might even comment on that). Arno would recognize in you another survivor that escaped the nautiloid and through pain would telepathically ask you to play along. After that with more demand addressing the goblins as “another True Soul came to look for them, so would they finally let them do their fucking job?” The player might choose the Deception/Persuasion route to play along with Arno, to simply attack the goblins (in which case both tieflings and Arno would help out) or attack Arno and tieflings under the guise of him “being the survivor, that Absolute cultists are looking for” (in this case tieflings would die and Arno will be captured and interrogated by Minthara).

2.Do the other companions have special comments or reactions upon recruiting your Tav?

Gale – A friendly drow! That’s a rarity in this place, as far as I can tell. Let’s hope this won’t be a double-crossing situation though.

Shadowheart – Arno seems well versed in dealing of these cultists. I just hope he won’t stick his nose in other’s thoughts – we have more than enough mind-probing as it is.

Astarion – Well that was a spectacle. I hope our newest addition won’t stop to help any stray or poor thing in need.

Wyll – It takes a lot of inner strength to stand by those in need, especially under the weight of your own troubles. Arno would be a good addition to our group.

Karlach – Well Arno seems to know some shit around here. Now we don’t need to blindly walk around in search of the bad guys place.

Lae’zel – The elf’s knowledge of this place seems useful. Can’t say the same of his handling of tadpole’s effects. We ought to be careful.

3.Does your Tav have any comments or advice when you recruit other companions?

Gale – Having a wizard around should improve our chances of survival. Though I’m sure as hell won’t be asking him about any teleportation.

Shadowheart – It’s good to have a helping cleric’s hand with us. However, the choice of name does bring a bit of ominous feel to this acquaintance.

Astarion – The whole knife play was a bit too on the nose for be, but I can understand his reaction. Let’s hope his bloody tendencies will be the problem of our enemies, and not ours.

Wyll – The Blade of Frontiers… Well, the name does sound grand, though cannot say I heard of it before.

Karlach – Karlach’s spirit sure will brighten up our company. I just hope we won’t wake up to the actual hellfire.

Lae’zel – The gith looks like a tough fighter. But don’t expect me to go on errands for her.

4. What sort of general actions raise or lower their approval?

Raise:

Empathy and Compassion towards weaker or struggling.

Supporting freedom, autonomy and choices that align with his desire to break free from societal expectations.

Sharing a sarcastic sense of humor can lead to a bond with him, as he appreciates this attitude. Engaging in witty banter and humor is a plus.

Illegal activities aimed at helping others.

Lower:

Disregarding or belittling others' struggles or doubts, particularly in moments of their vulnerability, resonating with his own past of self-doubt and anxiety.

Yielding to controlling individuals or behaving subserviently in the face of authority.

Aggression towards the weak.

5. Are there any instances where your Tav can permanently leave the party, depending on player character actions?

The first instance is tied to letting Minthara join a party (murdering of tieflings would significantly lower Arno’s approval, but letting Minthara join the party would be the point of conflict, in which Arno will go a separate path).

The second instance would be tied to possible betrayal, around end of Act 2 – a group of drow agents, which would represent the house Rilynghym (Arno’s family), will ambush the party. They are tasked with bringing Arno back home, as well as extracting Githyanki prism.

Depending on the level of approval, the player can persuade Arno to go about this peacefully (understand that there was more at stake and they needed the Gith’s prism), persuade Arno to attack the spies or Arno will turn his back on the group altogether.

6. Do they have any secrets that can be revealed? What are the prerequisites for this secret coming to light?

The Player would find out in Camp that Arno has partial amnesia, and remembers some parts of his childhood and his family, but not the last 3 months since he left home. As the adventure progresses, he’ll start to remember more and more, as well as start having a repeating blurry dream of his mother calling out to him, but he would understand any of her words.

As the game progresses, he would remember that his house (a drow house Rilynghym, that settled on the surface, in Neverwinter), that specializes in espionage and infiltration, sent their agents to infiltrate the cult of the Absolut and acquired information about some sort of artefact. The spies disappeared in Baldur's Gate, and as Nathiira received the news, Arno (who wanted to finally prove to his mother that he is worthy of her trust and can help the house on an equal footing with everyone else) suggested that he could investigate the matter. This provoked the conflict between mother and son, which ended in Arno being put in a cell. He escaped the imprisonment and ventured to Baldur’s Gate on his own.

In Baldur's Gate, Arno found out that the spies were supposed to steal a specific artefact for their house, but they were discovered by the cultists and taken as prisoners. All but one.

The spy, named Tsabran, a loyal servant of Matron Nathiira, managed to avoid the cultists and got in touch with Arno, telling him everything that happened. He explained that the spies, were trying to steal an artefact of incredible power created by the cultists. However, their hideout was discovered, and the cultists caught all the spies except Tsabran.

The artefact was supposed to have a power of a mini-version Elderbrain, allowing its wielder to enhance telepathic influence on intelligent creatures, and even subdue large groups of creatures to their will. It had to work in the hands of those who have psionic abilities, enhancing them tenfold. (Note: the artefact can unlock the ending, where instead of someone becoming an illithid, Arno will use the artefact and his own psychic skills to suppress Elderbrain) Together, Tsabran and Arno devised a plan to steal the artefact and bring it back to Matron Nathiira. They managed to get to the room with the artefact through secret tunnels. However, before Arno could check the artefact for traps, Tsabran lifted it off the pedestal and thus activated the alarm. The two had to flee, but Arno was wounded during the escape. He hoped for help from Tsabran, but the latter left him behind, running away with the artefact. That's how the cultists captured Arno.

7. Do they have their own personal quest that spans the course of the game? Can it take different branching paths depending on the choices the Player Character makes?

Arno’s personal quest would be focused on him slowly regaining his memories of past months, and in the process fighting the memories of emotional abuse and neglect from his mother, that led to his anxiety and feeling of never being enough. As he would regain memories he would have more and more doubts, if chasing after mother’s approval is really what he wants from life, especially if it goes against his moral code.

Player can help him find confidence in himself, support his attempts to make his own decisions in spite of what was drilled into his head for decades (and became part of his sub-conscious behavior; for example him having a sweet tooth but denying himself any sweet food due to previous prohibitions from his mother)

Alternatively, Player can insist on the notion, that Arno’s mother was right, that he wasn’t ready for any sort of adventure like this, and specifically his lack of skills, patience and knowledge were the reason of his troubles. That Arno’s mother only tried to protect him and their house, to give them a better life.

Toward the end of Act 2, MC with Arno is ambushed by members of House Rilynghym, who were sent by Nathiira to bring Arno home, as well as retrieve Gith's prism with him (when asked, the spies would answer that Nathiira found out about the prism and its influence through telepathic connection with Arno).

At that moment, Arno will remember the captured spies in Baldur's Gate and tell the newcomers that the situation has become much more important and dangerous than possessing some artefacts and gaining more power for their house.

Depending on the Player's actions and the level of approval with Arno, the situation will go in different directions:

Arno confidently tells the spies to go back home, because the existence of the cult threatens their house as well.

Arno and the Player fight the spies to keep the prism. Arno does not approve of this, but is persuaded by the Player to fight on their side.

Arno joins the spies, having more faith in his mother's judgment. He and the spies will die in the battle.

In 3rd act, as the group reaches the Baldur's Gate, during one of the nights, Arno’s mother will get in touch with him via telepathic projection – all of the companions infected with the tadpole will see and hear her as well, as part of their shared connection. She will say that she is very disappointed that he did not return with the spies when he had the opportunity.

Nathiira says “I've been very patient, considering your completely stupid and irresponsible behavior. Go back home, now.” Аrno exhaled, nervously gesturing towards his mother “Can't you listen to me for once? I'm trying to explain, that what's happening in Baldur's Gate is a threat to the entire region. And our family, too.” There is a tense pause. As Nathiira looks at him with her familiar calculating look, Arno looks down, slightly lowering his head as well “Just, listen. I can't just leave, not with this... thing in my head. So I can look for Tsabran and the artifact. Show you that I can do this.” Nathiira is silent for a few moments, closely looking at her son before finally exhaling: “You won't just drop this, would you? Fine. This is your task now. The last time Tsabran sent us a message, he mentioned that he was hiding somewhere deep and wet.” Arno breathes a sigh of relief and Nathiira speaks again: “Arnafein” there is a long pause, where she considers what to say before finally settling on her choice “Don't let me down.”

The group will go in search of Tsabran in the underground part of the city.

When the group finds Tsabran, it turns out that the artifact has begun to negatively affect his mind, making him more neurotic, full of paranoia and hallucinations. Because he was not a psionist himself, the artifact could not find enough power in his mind and his brain literally began to melt from it.

At that moment, Tsabran was obsessed only with the idea that he was the one who had to deliver the artifact to Matrona and receive her recognition and gratitude. The group had fight to get the artifact. In battle with Tsabran, he’ll have control over some civilians and creatures from sewers, all while screaming about how he will prove the Matron his loyalty and usefulness. Arno will recognize some of the civilians from the 1st day they entered Baldur’s Gate.

As Arno defeats Tsabran and takes the artifact, the telepathic projection of Nathiira appears, noting that she felt the artifact’s power through their connection.

The projection of Nathiira comes closer, with fascination looking at the artifact “Incredible isn’t it? Imagine how much influence we might gain with this in our hands. No-one will ever dare to even think of harming our house ever again.” Arno shakes his head “Mother this artifact won’t bring us any good. It breaks people, strips them of their will, it’s not-” Nathiira interrupts him “It’s exactly what we need to survive, Arnafein. This will finally give us the protection we needed. Any politician, any noble, any rival of ours now can be brought under our control. They won’t be harmed, they just won’t think about harming us” Arno exclaims “It will harm them, mother, this is exactly what taking away freedom of their mind is!” Nathiira huffs and waving him away with a hand “Oh, don’t be such a child, they will be fine! It’s better than getting rid of them all-together.” After a moment, she adds, more steel in her voice “You wanted to prove yourself to me. This is your chance. Do as I say - bring us the artifact.”

Depending on Players choice, Arnafein either will agree to bring the artefact home or will say that he’ll give the artifact to the Harpers for protection.

Choice “Arnafein agreed to bring the artefact home”

Arno closed his eyes, battling with his own doubts in his head. But moments later his shoulder sagged down, and he bows his head and finally said “As you say, Matron.” Nathiira looks pleased, relaxed. “Good. I’m glad you saw reason. Now, our agents should be nearby...” Arnafein raises his head slightly, looking at his mother with confusion “What? I... I thought you sent only me.” Nathiira patiently sighs “They were here just in case, to assure that the mission was successful. Don’t think too much about it - it was still all you. And our people will know it as such.” After a pause she continues “Now, I won’t take anymore of your time, the faster the artifact will be brought here, the better. Go.” With a slight pause, Arnafein bows, and Nathiira calls for him one last time. “And Arnafein. I’m proud of you, son.” As the group exits the chamber where they battled Tsabran, the spies meet them right at the exit. One of the agents steps forward “Sir, we’ve just received the message from Matron - we’re at your service. If you’ll need our assistance in upcoming battle, you can count on us ” Arno absentmindedly nods “Good. Make sure that the artifact is delivered as fast as possible to Neverwinter” and he gives the artifact to the agents before adding with more presence “As for everything else - I will call if you are needed.”

Choice “Arnafein refused to bring the artefact back home”

Arno closed his eyes, frowning, battling with his own doubts in his head. But moments later he takes a deep breath and looks up at his mother. “I’m sorry, I won’t do this. This is not our way. I will give the artifact to Harpers and they’ll make sure no-one gets harmed anymore because of it” Nathiira looks at him for a long moment, her jaws clenched, her eyes hard and cold. “Just as I thought. You would pass on a golden opportunity to put our house out danger forever, just so you can play a hero.” She steps forward, her telepathic projection getting right in the face of Arno, before she sneers. “You are not a hero. You’re just an arrogant, naive child, who thinks he knows better than everyone else.” She continues looking at him, as Arno meets her stare with his own sudden resolution. Nathiira spits out “Well you don’t.” She takes a step back, turning away from Arnafein and adding, “We'll have a long talk about it when you get home” Arnafein let’s a moment pass, before, with deep sadness saying “No. I don’t think we will” As Nathiira stops and turns back to him, Arno raises his hand and her eyes widen in understanding and shock. Arno sliced the air with his hand and permanently severed their family telepathic connection. As the group exits the chamber where they battled Tsabran, the spies meet them right at the exit. Arno, not expecting to see them, will take a step back before asking “What- What are you doing here?” One of the agents steps forward, slightly bowing his head. “Sir. The Matron ordered us to keep an eye on you and intervene in case of imminent danger to your life” Arno dumbly looks at him, repeating his words “Keep an eye? Aha. Hahaha” He bitterly laughs, rubbing his hand over his face “she didn’t even... Of course she didn’t.” As Arno says with utter betrayal and disappointment he once again turns to bewildered agent, and says “Well, as you see I’m fine and dandy, so you can return home and report as such” The agents exchange glances, before with a doubt in a voice one of them says “Sir, we were also told to retrieve the artifact” Player can choose what to do - “Let Arno handle this” - (Deception) The artifact was destroyed by Tsabran in the battle. - (Intimidation) The artifact stays with us, want it or not. In case of failure or letting Arno handle this, Arno will say: “There was... a change of plans. Matron knows of this, so you’re in the clear. Return home, agents”

8. What do they say when the Player Character asks them to stay in camp? How about when the Player Character asks them to come adventuring again?

Stay in camp – “You sure? I might hear the danger coming from miles away. Well, the thoughts of danger, more precise.” And after confirmation “Well, suit yourself.”

Come adventuring again – “Knew you’d come around”

9. Does your Tav have any escalating conflicts with one of the other companions, like Lae’zel and Shadowheart’s knife-fight?

No.

10. Are there any unique NPCs associated with your Tav that can show up during the course of the game?

In act 3 in Elfsong Tavern the group can meet Arno’s older sister Maliara, which would be trying to draw as little attention as possible. She’ll tell Arno that she and their uncle went behind mothers back and their uncle made a deal with Lorroakan to open a portal from Neverwinter to Baldur’s Gate and allow Maliara passage to the city. Maliara will try to persuade Arno to return home with her (depending on the previous encounter with the spies Arno’s reaction to this would differ, but he will say that he can’t return yet – not with the danger of Absolute cult behind their backs). Maliara would be gentle with her words, but also vocal about her worries for her brother, even going as far as offering her help in this whole quest, despite Arno’s own worry for her. If the Player invites her to join Camp, she’ll become a permanent addition to it, as an Artificer (trading different alchemical supplies).

11. Are there any moments in the game that trigger unique dialogue for your character? (Like Gale’s anecdote about the barfight after you save the goblin prisoner)

In Moonrise Towers, while looking at some of the battle and floor plans of Shadowcursed lands, Arno will recognize them. “We’ve had this floor plans for months before the spies went missing...” “My house knew about the inner dealing of the cult. And told no-one. How many people we could have saved if we just warned, I don’t know, the Harpers or the city governments. Instead we were chasing after some stupid artifacts.”

In act 2, when meeting gnolls and other creatures mind-controlled by the other cultists, Arno will express his genuine disgust for this, saying that no-one should go through such violation of autonomy. He might recall going through the same thing, when he was still little and some slavers tried to abduct him and his sister, and how terrified he was over losing control of his body.

Story Specific

1.How does your Tav advise the player character when it comes to the Dream Visitor?

“I can see the advantage we’ll have with these powers, but you always have to pay the piper. And our friend does sound like a skilled musician. Let’s just be careful with the help they are providing.”

2. How do they advise the player character on Raphael?

“One blink – and there goes your freedom in those clawed hands. Not even one story has a happy-ending when it comes to deals with the devil. I don’t think we’ll be the exception to the rule, so let’s not gamble with our lives more than we already do.”

3. How do they react to Astarion biting the Player Character?

“Huh, well that explains all those thought-wishing about having a taste…” “I have no problem with him staying, as long as he remembers his manners”

4. How do they react to the Player Character letting Abdirak whip them?

“That’s um… An interesting… View. Right”

5. How do they react to the Player Character taking their first tadpole power?

“You know, when I said “be careful but curious” I really had more emphasis on the careful part. Although, you seem alright… at least for now. Just give me some heads up next time, I might prepare the knife just in case.”

6. Will they stay with the Player Character regardless of siding with the goblins or the tieflings, or is it possible for them to leave the party permanently?

Arno will stay with Player if they side with Goblins, but he’ll strongly disapprove of this.

7. What can they be found doing at the tiefling/goblin party?

On tiefling’s party: He’ll be staying near Mol, bouncing back and forth with her ideas regarding how to get the most profit from drunk adults (“They leave a lot of their belongings unattended, who’s to say you won’t be the one to find them and be oh-so-kind to return them for a small price for such lost-and-found services.”). The reason for that is partially due Arno wanting to be a bit far away from so many drunk people, as his head starts to be in huge pain from all of their thoughts.

On goblin’s party: He’ll be staying very far away from any possible party participants, possibly in the shade of the trees, closed off and gloomy. When approached, he’ll say that he hopes the lives of all those innocents were worth this “blast of a party” and that this arrangement better pay off with finding the cure. If questioned by the Player further, Arno would admit that there is someone back home who came up in his memories – two small tiefling kids with dark skin, his sister’s kids. He’ll lament that he can’t stop imagining all those slayed kids in the grove as his nephews.

8. Do they have comments on who the Player Character chooses to spend the night with?

Gale – I see you have your hands full of our local wizard. I’m sure you’ll sleep soundly after his lectures.

Shadowheart – Hopefully we won’t find your cold and lifeless body somewhere in the ditch tomorrow. Jokes aside – do have a wonderful night, I’m sure Shadowheart will leave her poisons for more desirable targets.

Astarion – Astarion is… A spicy choice. I honestly hope I will be far enough to enjoy a quiet night without playing a witness to any… lewd thoughts. Or bloody ones, pick your poison.

Wyll – Seems like our local monster hunter already took your attention.

Karlach – Well someone’s in for a warm night. I just hope you’ll be responsible and all of that stuff and won’t burn our camp in flames of accidental passion.

Lae’zel – You sure do have interesting taste in company. Hopefully, we’ll see you in one piece tomorrow – otherwise, don’t expect me trying to avenge you.

9. Do they have unique dialogue if the Player Character lets them die when they steal the Blood of Lathander?

10. How do they react if the PC licks the dead spider in the Gauntlet of Shar?

1st time. No. No-no-no, stop thinking that, stop.

2nd time. Oh for gods sake… Is it only the “Underdark knowledge” to not lick the damn spiders?

11. What do they say if the PC tries to force them to go up on stage with Dribbles the Clown?

1st time “Ha-ha, what a wonderful idea (telepathically “don’t you fucking dare”)”

2nd time “Right, on stage. Dreamed of this all my life (telepathically “you better sleep with your eyes open from now on”)”

12. Is it possible for your Tav to be kidnapped and replaced by Orin? How is Orin's deception revealed?

13. How do they react to the PC either allowing Astarion to ascend or convincing him to spare the 7000 spawn?

Astarion ascends – “So… He did it. Looks quite pleased too. I don’t know why, but it makes so … angry. He did break from his Masters control, found his ultimate freedom but it all feels so wrong… I just hope this finally brought him the life he desired”

Astarion remains a spawn and spares the 7000 spawn – “I don’t think I saw Astarion that sincerely happy and relaxed, like, ever. It suits him. Do you think he would appreciate congratulations? Or am I “biting off” too much with it? Oh yes, that one is perfect for teasing.”

14. How does Tav react to the PC becoming a mind flayer? Can they offer to become one themselves? Does their reaction change if they’re romanced?

If not romanced – Arno would be saddened, but thankful towards the Player, accepting this as a necessary sacrifice.

If romanced – still saddened, but determined that he’ll stay by your side no matter what, as you were there for him, and he’ll do the same for you.

He will not offer to become a mindflayer.

15. How do they react when the Dark Urge first reveals their amnesia and murderous thoughts to them?

“Huh. Well I can calm you down a bit, as amnesia seems to be something the two of us share. Can’t say the same about a bit of… murder? Anyway, I’m sure there will be plenty of enemies to release your murderous tendencies on.”

16. How do they react to the Dark Urge killing Alfira?

“Now. I don’t even need to be a mind reader to figure out what happened. Another question is why? And you better start explaining now.”

After explanation.

“Well. Let’s pretend we’re friends again – but from further distance.”

17. If romanced, how do they react to the Dark Urge trying to kill them in Act 2?

When woken up – “Hm? Someone’s in mood for a cuddle?” “Although I do sense a bit more tension in you, than usual, love. Are you alright?”

After confessing to what’s happening – “Oh dear, I knew we should have tried reading your memories… Hey, look at me, it will be alright. Whatever it is, you’re so much stronger”

Trying to help the bounded Player “Focus, dear, listen to my voice – (telepathically) “you can overcome this. I won’t let you fall””

“Save the gratitude and focus. I’ll have your back no matter what.”

Romance

1.Is your Tav a romanceable character? Are there any specific requirements to romancing them?

Yes.

2. Does your Tav need to be flirted with to start the romance, or will they approach the PC themselves if approval is high enough?

Arno needs to be flirted with to start a romance.

3. Are they a polyamorous or a monogamous option?

Can go Poly

4. Do they have a special romance scene at the tiefling/goblin party?

Yes (note: romance scene would be only on tiefling party). Arno would ask the Player to join him after party for “little rendezvous”. After everyone goes to sleep, they’ll meet on deserted part of the river shore, where Arno prepared a small place for them with blanket, wine remains and some light food. As Player comes closer to Arno, who is using his much more controlled than before telekinesis to skipping stones across the water, Arno would turn to them:

“Much quieter here, isn’t it?”. He’ll throw another stone without his telekinesis.

Player either can

Try throwing a stone themselves (success / fail) – “You’re full of hidden talents / Not as easy as fighting, yeah?”

Comment that they preferred the lively atmosphere of the party – “Oh nooo, we have a party-goer among us. Horrific.”

Simply agree with Arno. – “A kindred spirit”

Afterwards Arno invites them to sit. As they sit, Arno starts talking:

“I “borrowed” some wine from Mol – thought I’d indulge myself, but then thought better of it. Don’t want to create another telepathic mess with so many drunk bodies around.”

Player could try to persuade Arno to share a drink with them, drink themselves or ask about him if that was his reason to stay away from the party (“Well yes and no. It’s good to be part of celebration, but I generally enjoy not being in the spotlight”)

Arno’ll continue:

“When I found this place, I remembered how when I would be overwhelmed I would leave our family house and spend some time near water, just skipping stones. Helped me focus quite a bit. Silly, but I thought I’d help me remember something from past months. Some name, or a place or… something. But there is nothing”

Player can

Ask them about what they actually remember - (and Arno will suggest to share images from his past, where he stays in large room, near a table covered in maps and plans, listening to some women (his mother) giving orders regarding something), and afterwards comment - “Huh. Not as painful this time”

Reassure them it will come back with time - “Perhaps. Never been good with waiting, but I suppose I don’t have a choice”

Say they might never come back. - “True. Can’t say it brings me any comfort”

“I don’t know what will awaits us in the future. But right now, I’m glad to have “this” in my memories.” And then he would hastily add “I mean, this, your general company. And others of course”

Player say to shut up and enjoy the moment, or that the sentiment is mutual, in which case Arno will nervously laugh, saying “Yup, ok, good, I’m shutting up”

After which they’ll spent the quiet night observing the river water.

5. Does the romance have different branching paths, or just one route to take?

There are a few different paths, depending on how his personal quest will progress.

6. How do they react to the player character breaking up with them, or choosing another character over them?

He’ll let a small “Oh” and take a step back, as if slapped, lost for words for a couple of seconds. After which, he’ll try to start talking, with a bit of cheer to his tone at the beginning “Well that was…expected. Though I thought we had more time.” After a pause “Can I ask if there was any specific reason?”

As Player confirms, Arno will say “Well. I will cherish our memories together all the same. Thank you, for giving it to me”.

7. What questions can Zethino ask the PC about Tav in the Love Test?

What brings Arno the most comfort?

What future does he see for himself?

What brings his heart the most pain?

8. If they’re poly, do they have a reaction to the PC engaging in a relationship with Halsin?

“Well that’s definitely one of the times when I’m glad I wasn’t snooping around in someone’s thoughts.” He’ll laugh, but with some discomfort and turn his sight downwards. “I mean, if this is really something you’re interested in… Halsin is definitely a catch, with all that gigantic wall of muscle and natures passion. Can’t judge you for desiring that.” And after a pause. “Although I must ask – does it have anything to do with us?... with me, more specifically? Did I do… or didn’t do something?” After assurance from Player that everything was alright. “Ok, ok, good to hear” “Well, in that case go right ahead. Just please return to me in one piece after all that throwing around and riding and … Ok I’m shutting up.”

9. How do they react if the PC has sex with Mizora? The Emperor? Haarlep?

Mizora – carefully curious, might ask to share the memories with him via link.

The Emperor – disgusted, when he tries to connect with you telepathically he winces and says “let’s just never speak of it. Never”

Haarlep – Arno would check up on Player, ask is they are alright and if they just need silent company and support – he’ll be there for them.

10. Will they join in with the PC and the Drow Twins, or no?

No. Arno will be feeling very uncomfortable in the brothel, due to remembering that his mother had to work in a brothel in Amn in the past just to provide him and his sister with some roof over their heads, and was treated poorly by the customers.

11. What are Tav’s plans for the future? Do they propose to the PC, or is marriage not something they’re interested in?

Depending on how his personal quest developed, Arno would:

Travel back to Neverwinter to become a spy on a permanent basis, always under his mother's control (no matter how many unacceptable things he had to do), helping her take direct control of minds of the nobility and small gangs of the Neverwinter region.

Travel back to Neverwinter and agree with his mother’s plan for him to settle down for a quiet, though unhappy, aristocratic life. He’ll become the public face of the house Rilynghym, but will always feel out of place.

Travel the world and build his own name by helping those in need and captivity.

Stay in Baldur's Gate, help rebuild the city and become the city's protector.

Organize his own web of spies that investigated and sabotaged authoritarian regimes and tyrants.

12. Free space! Share anything from your companion!Tav au!

Arno has nearly perfect visual memory, that helped him memories many maps and images (such as his family tattoos, that he tattooed his skin with after leaving home)

He’ll occasionally would lose control of his psychic powers (that are going sideways due to tadpoles influence) when heavily focusing on something which would lead to him extending his telepathy on others and accidentally sharing his thought with them, or start telekinetically levitate things or even small/medium creatures around him.

In 2nd scene of the romance he’ll suggest to the Player to use their psychic connection and would strengthen it to the point, where they both would clearly feel each other’s emotions and touches as if they were their own.

He would joke to hide his nervousness or uncertainty.

During conversation with MC, Arno will recall good moments from his childhood. How he was raised most of the time by his older sister Maliara and sometimes by his uncle (a psychic wizard). He will recall how, as a child, when all the adults would leave them and go out to find them food/any money, Arno and Malia would sit on the roofs of houses together, watching the sunrise or sunset and getting used to the burning sensation it left on their eyes.

If questioned, Arno will tell about his family, how all of them are psionists, with special gifts in telepathy and telekinesis. He’ll tell about his uncle, a Neverwinter wizard who could raise a whole house with only his thought. His sister, who is a talented artificer, working on different kinds of living blobs and explosive concoctions. And about his mother, who learned how to influence others and even bend them to her will, though temporarily.

Arno tells there were very little privacy in their house, as their mother wanted to know everything that was going on. If the MC says that’s messed up, he’ll say “Yeah? I never really thought about it that way, I mean - it was typical for us. We kinda were used to it.” He’ll apologize for snooping in others thoughts, as it comes easier to him than to others. Growing up in a household where your every thought was scrutinized and corrected by his mother did give him an impression, that it was alright with everyone else.

If questioned, Arno will tell that he actually has a sweet tooth, but he was forbidden to eat any sweets or sweet fruits at home. He’ll jokingly recall one scene from his childhood:

"I was really upset over some argument with my mom and as always, when I was like this, my sister Malia, came around and brought a whole basket of peaches. I have no idea where she found them, but we spent the whole evening munching on them until we were sick. Then mom returned home, and we kinda missed that. So when we heard her going upstairs to our room, we panicked and hid al peach pits in the plant pot we had in the room.” He laughs. “It took my mom years, before she noticed a peach tree in the room. She was really pissed.”

Despite his difficult and emotionally charged relationships with mother, he really cares for her and genuinely loves her, his older sister and uncle, feeling deep connection to them, that extends even over their telepathic abilities. Arno often finds it difficult to go directly against someone's opinion and generally tries to please others (unless it is in strong conflict with his moral principles of freedom and helping others). He often doubts if his own decisions, but is sincerely grateful when asked about his opinion or help.

The final scene for their personal quest, depending on the outcomes:

If Arno declined to bring artefact home:

Arnafein is sitting on the roof of the inn. The sky is slowly brightening, preparing for the dawn. MC comes closer behind him, and Arno slightly turns his head to their side, nodding his head towards free space near him with a small smile. MC sits; there is a moment of silence.

Player:

*Stay silent.* - Arno sighs "I thought this would be easier..."

"Are you alright?" - Arno "Yes. Just been thinking."

"Cozy place" - Arno smiles "Good for clearing head after messy day"

Arno continues "I breathe more freely than I did in decades. Actually feel like I can go anywhere and there won't be even a fleeting feeling of a leash around my throat. I'm happy." He pauses, his smile turning sour. "I just hoped mom would be happy for me too."

Player:

"Maybe she'll come around" - Arno "You sound like Malia. Maybe you both are right."

"She made her choice, you made yours" - Arno "True. I suppose I wasn't expecting the consequences of my choice to sting so much."

"Seems like she only wanted to control you" - Arno "I think there was love too. Just, her own version of it."

"It's just. We had bad days. But we had good too. I hoped... that good ones mattered more. That deep down she trusted me and was happy for me to find my own path. But she never planned to, has she?"

Player:

"I'm sorry" - Arno "Don't be. You showed me there is more to life than chasing after someone's approval."

*Hug him* - Arno let’s himself be embraces "Thank you. For everything."

"She might have want to, but was too afraid to lose you" - Arno "Perhaps. But I can't sit and wait for her understanding anymore"

"I found my path. With my choices. And my damned consequences."

(If romanced)

He turns to MC, laying hand on their hand.

"There will be bad days. But there will be good days too. And I hope I'll meet them with you - with all of the terrible choices and consequences that entails."

Player:

"Terrible choices, huh?" - Arno smiles "Absolutely wicked"

"Likewise" - Arno smiles "Good to hear we're on the same page"

He kisses the MC, laying hand on their cheek. Kiss will be meek at first, turning more passionate by the second, before they break from each other, grasping for air. Both brightly smiling, and gently grasping each others hand.

"Maybe that's a bit too early to say" - Arno "Well, we have all the time in the world to think on it. And make our own, considered choices."

And as so, the sun starts to rise, basking them in the dawn light.

If Arno agreed to give artefact to agents and bring to mother:

Arno sits on the bench in the outdoor alcove, shielded from the night and people. As MC comes closer they can see, that Arno uses his psionic powers to fully control rats before him.

Arno absentmindedly says "These ones easy to control. It won't be as easy with smarter creatures..."

Player:

"With more time you’ll get a hand of it." - Arno wryly smiled "Yeah, practice is the base of mastery."

"You ok with bending creatures to your will now?" - Arno "My mother wants me to. She thinks it will be useful, back at home."

"You seem troubled." - Arno "This... Is not the most pleasant thing for me. But I’ll get used to it."

"We have a saying back at home... Ilharess zhaun alurl. Matron knows best. For so long I've been trying to get her approval, to make her see me as an adult, not a child. Yet I continued to behave like one."

He makes the rats stand still, in attention. "But I know better now. I know to trust in my mother's judgment."

Player:

"And you'll be content with that?" - Arno "I have to. I will be."

"She seems to know what she's doing" - Arno "She always did, I was just too stubborn to see that myself."

"And what if she'll be wrong?" - Arno "No-one is perfect. But to survive, one needs to trust and obey their leader."

"Ahh look at me, overthinking stuff again."

He let's go of the rats, making then scatter around. "I didn't actually want to... burden you with my stupid troubles."

Player:

"It wasn't an issue at all." - Arno "But it was. It wasn't your problem to solve."

"Yeah, too late for that." - Arno laughs "True, and yet..."

"You were quite whiny sometimes." - Arno "And I apologize for that, as I’ve said it wasn’t your troubles to deal with, so I’ve been unfair."

"What I'm trying to say is... Thank you. To be of use to my house and mother. To be worthy of being her son. I have it - all thanks to you."

(if romanced) He'll lean his head against the MC, trying to kiss them but then will flinch and nervously laugh.

"Well, ok, she, uh... Seems like that will have to wait for later times."

Player:

"Is your mother still in connection with you?" - Arno "Comes with growing up in family of telepaths."

"Wait, what, who?" - Arno "My mother. Still checking in on me and not really approving something... intimate. Ruins the mood a bit."

"Well that's awkward..." - Arno nervously laughs "Yeah, you tell me"

"We can just. Stay here then. Together."

And they stay sitting there in the night.

#bg3 tav #bg3 spoilers #baldurs gate tav #drow #bg3 oc #bg3 #arnafein #oc

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apocalypseornaw · 5 months

Text

Prove It (Pt 5/5)

Dean Winchester x Reader

Dean plans the perfect anniversary do over

Warnings: Fluff

“Thank you for being somewhere safe she can go to, even if it's running from me” Dean told Alicia the next morning with a hint of a smile playing at his lips. She laughed lightly “You're welcome Dean. I don't think I have to worry about her running from you anytime soon but she knows wherever I am she's always welcomed”

You watched the two of them and couldn't help but smile. You felt better than you had in days. Sam and Dean had ended up staying at Alicia's the night before with Sam taking the couch and Dean taking the guest bedroom with you. The two of you had spent most of the night just laying in each other's arms.

When you woke up he was still asleep and you'd gotten a chance to see him at peace which was a rarity most days. He didn't like to let his guard down.

—----------

Dean could feel your eyes on him and looked from Alicia over to where you stood at the trunk of your car with Sam. The plan was for Sam to take your car home so you could ride with Dean. He didn't want you too far away from him, not for a few days at least. He needed to assure himself you were really coming home, that you weren't mad at him and had forgiven him.

Alicia noticed his attention was gone and smiled before touching his arm gently “Word of advice Dean? She loves you with everything she has, if anything was to happen again just call her. She's got to be the most caring person either of us knows. Trust that there isn't a lot in this world that could tear her from your side”

He smiled as he watched you poke Sam's side then laughed “Believe me Alicia, I'll never take her for granted again”

—---------

You were standing shoulder to shoulder with Sam looking across the field next to Alicia's house “I'm sorry for not being the best friend either. You do so damn much not only for Dean but for me too hell for everyone we know. You practically took on Bobby and Ellen's roles within the hunter network we work with. I should've thought more, made Dean just call you something” you poked his side playfully then laughed “Yeah you should've” he looked shocked for a second then saw the look on your face and started laughing too.

His face sobered after a minute and he looked back towards Dean “Serious note? I've never seen him that desperate. He may have a hard time showing it but he really does love you. You're it for him” you glanced back towards Dean before saying “I feel like I overreacted by leaving” he shook his head “No,now come on. You're always defending us now I'm gonna defend you. You were hurt and angry. If you would've stayed it probably would've come down to a fight because when a person is hurt even subconsciously they have the need to hurt who hurt them. You yet again were protecting Dean in a way. You both had time to clear your heads and talk it out”

You pulled Sam into a hug about the time you heard Dean clear his throat. You pulled back and he was looking at Sam who grinned “What?” “Hands off” he teased, causing you both to laugh. You patted Sam's shoulder then winked at Dean “I'm gonna tell Alicia bye then we can hit the road”

You started to walk past him but stopped and left a quick kiss on his lips “I love you” you whispered before walking away.

You'd been back at the bunker for almost a week when Dean woke you up early one morning. You groaned even as his fingers teased at your sides “Dean, I love you but unless you're wanting to have sex please leave me alone”

He laughed at that, laying his head over on your bare stomach “So I can wake you up for sex or a hunt but that's it?” You opened one eye and looked down at him “I'd prefer the sex or at least some light petting but yes”

He laughed harder, rolling over on his back and taking you with him. Once you were straddling his waist you had every intention to curl up and go back to sleep but he caught you before your head could hit his chest “Cmon sweetheart. I got somewhere I want to take you”

You glared at him but knew it was a pitiful attempt because he simply laughed and kissed your forehead “The car's ready. All you have to do is get dressed”

Half of the car ride you'd spent curled up in the passenger seat asleep. The sound of Dean drumming along with the radio and singing lightly was the only noise.

—-------

When he woke you up so the two of you could stop for breakfast he had the biggest grin as you tried to smoothe your hair down “What?” You asked and he shrugged “You talk to me in your sleep, alot” you felt your cheeks warm wondering just what you'd said. He laughed at the look on your face “C'mon. We still got two hours ahead of us”

—-------

You had no idea where Dean was taking you so when he pulled off on a long dirt road you sat up in the seat “Where are we headed?” “You'll see”

The trail was winding but the further he drove the more gorgeous the scenery because. It looked like something straight out of a fairy tale then the cottage came into view. It was a small place tucked in the trees but was beautiful. You noticed a small lake not far from the cottage with an honest to God waterfall.

“Dean” you breathed when the car came to a stop and turned to look at him but he was already looking at you “This is our anniversary do over. Alicia and Max are on standby if Sam needs help with a hunt so for the next two days it's just us”

You felt tears threaten to spill from your eyes “You didn't have to do all this” he nodded “I know but I wanted to. Hell I'm lucky enough to be able to call you mine. Now want to go in or just sit here looking at it?” You laughed lightly “Lead the way”

@starkleila @fluff-lover @lacilou @suckitands33 @lyarr24 @decadentstrangernacho @nix-rose @irgendwas122 @deans-baby-momma @deans-spinster-witch @tas898

#dean winchester x reader #dean winchester x female!reader #supernatural fanfiction #spn fanfiction #dean winchester fanfiction #prove it mini series

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hubbahubbabluelock · 1 year

Text

Kisses <3

part one

ft. Chigiri, Raichi, and Kunigami, and a reminder that I'm a new blog looking for more requests <3

Hyoma Chigiri + shoulder/back kisses

Chigiri loves you and comes to you with everything eventually, but sometimes he can't help falling back into old habits. He'll pull away, distance himself, prepare to minimize himself and his needs... Anything to keep your own smile intact. He reminds you of a cat in a way, finding somewhere to burrow and hide instead of crying out.

The dissatisfaction and self-loathing coming off of him one day after practice shocks you. He's quick to dart past you, eyes downcast and without a word when you ask how it went today. All you hear is the slamming of the bathroom door before you're even done speaking. Well, looks like you'll have to go to the kitty yourself then.

He still doesn't say anything when you enter, but when you ask if he'd like company he nudges the glass door open right away. When you step in you can see the leftover dirt and whatnot swirling down the drain, and Hyoma just resting his forehead against the wall. You gently pull him back towards you into a hug, wrapping both your arms around him to push your face into your back. When he reaches up to squeeze your hands, you press a sweet kiss right in the middle between his shoulder blades.

"I'm here when you're ready, honey."

You press another, longer one into his skin and he shudders, melting into you. One of his hands reaches back to comb through your hair, pressing your face against him.

"Will you wash my hair? Please?" It's so quiet, so defeated, but that's okay- it's a start. You kiss his back a few more times under the warm water before reaching for his shampoo.

Jingo Raichi + overwhelming kisses

His mouth is on yours, hot and wanting and greedy, and you can still hear the others laughing and chatting in the locker room showers. When you whine and push back, he just growls at you and yanks you back by the hair. You're so pretty like this, he thinks, all flushed and needy for him against the lockers. He loves the way you look at him all needy and begging. You act so worried about his teammates, but you still have one leg wrapped around his hips to keep him close...

"Jingoooo," you whimper. "Someone is gonna he-"

He dives in, lips and teeth and tongue working across your delicate neck while he cups your ass to pull you closer to him.

"Don't care, just means they'll know you're mine." When he's finished marking his territory, he backs off again to look at you. One shaky hand clamped over your own mouth to keep your moans quiet, teary eyed from the stimulation, hips rocking against his to get whatever friction he would offer...

Fuck, you are delicious.

He leans forward, lapping a long stripe up your neck to catch the sweat there before licking open your mouth to pull some more noises out of you. He loves it when you give up and moan into his mouth, falling into him and just letting him take you. You're breathless and desperate and all you can see, taste, feel is him... It's the only thing he wants after winning a match like that.

Rensuke Kunigami + tummy kisses

If there's one thing you absolutely treasure with Kunigami, it's the days you get to wake up with him. Thanks to the constant touring and harsh exercise regiment, most mornings you woke up alone and sometimes he came back home. Mornings like this, however, where Kunigami gives in and stays in bed with you... They're a rarity you wouldn't give up for anything in the world.

You're shocked though when you manage to wake up a few minutes before him, getting to just gaze at him from atop his chest. His strong features look so soft in this light and it makes you coo softly, traces light patterns across his pecs. You think about how sweet he was last night, how sweet he always is with you, and you can't keep your hands to yourself. You gently pepper his neck and chest with quick little kisses before trailing down to his tummy. Relaxed as he is, you can still see the outline of his abs and it makes your mouth water.

You can see the little movements and twitches he's making, but you solider on. You gently kiss each muscle, running your lips whisper light across each divot and dip in his skin, loving how he clenches and unclenches in his sleep.

"Wha're doing?" It's so sleepy and cute when he finally wakes up, adoration for you shining in his gaze even this early. One hand finds your cheek, pulling you up to see your face. You resist, pressing a long open-mouthed kiss to the muscle you were on, before looking up to smile at him.

"Just a little hero worship honey, lie back and relax." He blushes and once again you find yourself cooing back to him. There was no way either of you were getting up now until you kissed every inch of him.

#blue lock #bllk #blue lock imagines #bllk imagines #blue lock headcanons #bllk headcanons #chigiri hyoma #kunigami rensuke #kunigami rensuke x reader #chigiri hyoma x reader #x reader #raichi jingo #raichi jino x reader #requests open #fluff

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semi-imaginary-place · 6 months

Text

Which characters have tragic pasts that aren’t recognized enough?

I think people don't notice because Petra is very active about her situation. She's a political hostage in a foreign land that has turned her country into a vassal state from the war that killed her dad. But she's made the most of it. Petra taught herself a new language, she trains constantly, she's made herself be involved with the politics of Fodlan, and she's always seeking to better herself and hone her skills so that she's not just a prisoner but someone useful to Brigid. Petra's the opposite of passive, she refuses to just let things happen to her, and in a lot of ways she doesn't have a choice either she is an active participant in her life or she will just be shuffled around as a political pawn and hostage against the country she loves. We don't know the specifics of the international agreement about Petra but I can easily imagine it being something like "give us a hostage as a guarantee you won't attack us or we'll continue the war we won, raze you to the ground, kill all of you, and take your land".

Claude's backstory isn't tragic and uh... at least half the cast if not more has had it worse than him but I do want to talk about it since I never see people talk about the struggles Claude has had. I think a large part of it is that like Petra, Claude doesn't show the struggles he's been through nor does he really talk about himself or his past. They both show a strong front and face forward in their lives.

Claude's spent his entire life being alienated, in Almyra for being too foreign and not Almyran enough and then in Fodlan for being too foreign and not Fodlan enough. He's faced multiple childhood assassination attempts just because of his parentage and at least some of these have come from family members. Claude is a rarity among the cast in having not only both parents but having 2 parents that love him. However his parents are of the tough love approach, that what doesn't kill will make him stronger so they offer him little support, protection, or help in a world that is hostile to him at every turn. And so Claude grew up with everyone against him, with his every action used as justification that he's weaker and lesser than a full Almyran. And this has destroyed his ability to trust or be open with people. Claude is very insecure in his interactions with other people because he's used to every slip of information given being used against him. You see this in his supports with Marianne where he sees any information about himself as possible leverage against him so it has to be exchanged like a commodity so that they both have equal leverage against the other. And yet he does genuinely want to help people and cares about those around him as clumsy as his attempts are at making friends. Claude's backstory is not nearly on the level of say Edelgard's or Lysithea's but it's a shame no one is talking about it at all.

Dimitri stans screaming and crying about poor Dimitri and yeah he's had it rough (a lot of 3H characters have traumatizing backstories) but Dedue is right there, what about his pain! The hypocrisy! The Tragedy of Duscar led to the massacre of his family and not only that but he's now a genocide survivor since Faerghus decided to wipe out Duscar, take over their land, rename and settle on it. Not to mention they were wrongfully scapegoated for it. Dedue has had everything taken from him so he doubles down on this life debt to Dimitri because it's the one thing he has left. It's a trauma response coping mechanism that he's rather override his will, opinions, and personhood for Dimitri's sake. And the of course Faerghus hates him and reminds him of that every day.

At this point I'm wondering if its a racism problem that it's Petra, Dedue, and Claude whose struggles are most often overlooked.

#fe3h #fire emblem three houses #claude von riegan #dedue molinaro #petra macneary

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aerkame · 1 month

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Hey! I saw your HC’s about the versions of sun wukong’s. May I request “ Journey to the West: Legends of the Monkey King 2000? ” I really loved the show as a kid. I saw it on YouTube again and wondered about it! If..you saw this series that is. If not, I’ll take Netflix monkey king! It’s up to you!

I feel like doing both :p Also I'll be doing general HC because I'm not sure if you meant reader insert or just in general if this were in a fanfiction

Journey to the West: Legends of the Monkey King 2000

This monkey man is the definition of assertive

He sees something he likes? He makes it clear he will have it. There's a demon he wants to beat up? He'll talk about beating them up before actually following through with it. There's a person he wants to get with? He makes his intentions crystal clear to everyone around him without hesitation, heaven forbid you try to stop him, he will not allow it.

Surprisingly optimistic despite everything that has happened. There is nothing that can really bring down his mood once he's in a good one.

That means he's not exactly stable when he's in a rare bad mood. Just...give the guy some space if that happens.

Sometimes he'll accidentally break things or break someone. He just gets excitable and well...

Of course there's lots of apologies that ensue if the worst happens, though he doesn't like admitting he did something wrong.

Out of all the versions of Monkey King, this one is probably the most extroverted and friendly of the bunch. He for sure will make loads of friends if given the chance.

This version also seems to be the most open minded on things. Got something to say? He's all ears. Got something you want him to learn? He'll actually sit and listen (a rarity among Monkey kings)

Despite how loud and assertive he is, sometimes he can also be more quiet and gentle when the situation calls for it. It took some learned behavior from Tang though. But, it's a useful trait to have when you're someone like Monkey king.

Very energetic sometimes. He always needs to be doing something with his hands or going out and fighting stuff.

I'd assume this version is extremely protective of his SO if he has one.

Same can be said for his friends.

Would absolutely do everything he can to cheer someone up if they started crying in front of him. It really hurts to see someone so hurt...

Usually encourages people to be a better version of themselves (except Pigsy, he gave up on that guy)

Netflix Monkey King 2023

Oh boy where do I start?

If Leo the zodiac sign was a person, this would be him.

This guy, ooo- this guy really loves himself, and he makes sure everyone around him knows it too at every given chance.

Very confident in his ability to overcome any challenge or obstacle (he's just the best ain't he?)

Probably takes better care of himself and Stick than his own armor or anything else that's with him.

Would absolutely have a bunch of different shampoos, conditioners, and lotions in modern days. The guy loves to love himself, and look loved too.

Probably a huge flirt when he sees someone he mildly finds interest in. That or he'll just brag about himself to seem more impressive. (He's probably exaggerating)

Loves showing off

Modern version of him would probably be a lot more chilled out after the years, learning to just let things go and not be so impulsive or take things personally. He's still got a lot of work to do when it comes to letting people in though.

He's just afraid of losing people like Lin again you know? Right when he realizes he has a family, he loses them and sits isolated form the world for hundreds of years.

Usually prefers staying away from people, alone with Stick. Being alone as a kid does that to you.

Sometimes seeks out validation and love from crowds of people and fans.

He's a little more patient over the years, but just as chaotic.

Expect lots of malicious compliance from him. And pranks, he enjoys getting a good laugh out of others or just doing it for his own entertainment. (though he can border on just being a jerk)

Sometimes talks to Stick when he's alone, it's usually just him venting about things from the past.

Tends to get anxious when he's alone for too long or if there's a thunderstorm (doesn't need a lot of explaining to understand that).

Will be the sweetest monkey with someone he really likes. It's like he's a completely different person!

#No beta we die like The God Emperor of Mankind #monkey king netflix x reader #monkey king netflix #monkey king #jttw #sun wukong #legends of the monkey king #headcanons #monkey king headcanons #netflix sun wukong #monkey king 2023

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kaylinalexanderbooks · 1 month

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Hair for the brown ask game?

Thanks for the ask!! (From this world building ask game).

Answering for Alium, the alternate dimension in The Secret Portal.

HAIR - What kinds of discrimination are there? Are they the same as reality?

Oh. OH THIS IS A DOOZY

Ok alright.

The world in terms of culture is all pretty happy to co-exist. There are 10 Sectors but no one really cares where you're from. It's not uncommon for people to be of various cultural descent and you can go anywhere in the world and it won't have a completely monogamous population. So for the most part, racism/xenophobia/any kind of discrimination of culture or origin isn't really a thing.

Same goes for homophobia/transphobia/sexism. Not really a thing. I've kind of in the process of fixing surnames so women don't have to change their names in a M/F relationship and the children can have the names of either parent or both. I did make it a little patriarchal, but I'm working on it.

This isn't to say no one in Alium holds these prejudices. It's just not widespread or institutionalized.

Now ableism - that's the big one. In terms of disabilities that actually exist, there's a lot of technology available for accomodation. Stairs aren't a thing, so people who couldn't use stairs to begin with will be fine. There are gloves/sleeves/etc to help translate gesture-based languages to speech - though they are completely optional to the individual and not enforced. Any real-disability accommodations actually are taught to be entirely up to the individual, who can reject them and not be shamed or mocked for doing so. There's no push - they're just there.

But then come the powers. This is where the root of the discrimination is in TSP.

There are ones specific to a power - such as stereotypes. Telepaths, for example, are stereotyped to be mentally unstable, and most psychological hospitals are populated with telepaths. Telepaths often have to wear dampeners in certain locations. Teleporters can also be warded off. As soon as they're identified, chronokinetics (time manipulants) have their time traveling power suppressed, limited to only smaller changes.

The Class system for power rarity is also sometimes misinterpreted as a hierarchy by those who want to be seen as better for having a more rare power. In general, there are individuals who believe Their Power, or only specific powers, are superior. People with flying and intangibility and other less practical powers can be seen as inferior. Same goes for differing Levels of power - some people don't have the potential for higher abilities.

There are also traditional jobs they are expected to take. Those with superstrength should go into physical work and terrakinetics into construction.

But the most prominent is the Inutilia - the name given to those who never develop powers. If you know your Latin roots, you'd know this means useless. This is a relatively recent mutation where an Alii never develops powers - and in this society this is seen as a disability. This is where the ableism comes in. Society doesn't see a point to them.

The Big Conflict is the prejudice of the Inutilia. After decades of violence toward them, one group had enough and decided to basically attempt to overthrow the oppressive governments of the world and replace it with a new one. Another group was like "hey, how about we try to solve the prejudice without violence!?" And now the two sides are pissed at each other to say the absolute least.

Second group is the focus. As the series goes on, I deconstruct the bias in its leadership and actual more productive ways to counter the prejudice and promote equity. A lot of power corrupts themes. Hehe good luck to me lol.

So that's the basic overview of it? That was a lot. Working on this is super hard but super interesting. Figuring out all the social implications, bias, etc is a LOT. A lot of research too.

Hope that was a sufficient answer lol.

TSP intro

TSP tag list (ask to be +/-): @thepeculiarbird @illarian-rambling @televisionjester @fairy-tales-of-yesterday

#the secret portal #tsp #teaspoon #world building #behind the scenes #prejudice #writing ask game #alium #writing blog #writers on tumblr #writing community #writers of tumblr #writing on tumblr #writeblr #writeblr community #ask answered

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yanderes-galore · 1 year

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Ok first off thanks for answering my question! Second off, could I get a short story of Yandere romantic eggman from the video games please? Where he tries to convince the reader to be his queen when takes over the world?

This is actually the first romantic Eggman fic I've done I think. I don't mind! This will be very interesting to write :) Did this in general but it is video game Eggman. Darling is a human like Eggman. Ignoring Sonic 06 and Sonic Adventure, there's barely any humans in Sonic's world in this.

Edit: Nvm, second Romantic Eggman thing I did.

Utopia

Yandere! Doctor Eggman Short

Pairing: Romantic

Possible Trigger Warnings: Gender-Neutral Darling, Obsession, Kidnapping, Ownership, Possessive behavior, Forced relationship, Isolation, Neglect, Threats.

Paradise looks different between people as you've learned. It differs so greatly it's impossible to create a true utopia that includes everyone. That doesn't stop some people from trying, unfortunately.

To you, paradise includes fresh air and green greens. Paradise is meant to make you feel relaxed and one with wildlife. You feel a perfect utopia is one filled with clean water and soaring birds.

Robotnik's paradise was a polar opposite of yours. Despite you both being human in a world filled with primarily animals, you were very different. Robotnik's version of paradise scared you.

His vision was one of pure steel and oil. One where every animal was used to power cold plated machines. His utopia involved polluted waters, clouded skies, and a population that worshipped him.

With ideals that were so different... it's surprising you would even cross paths. You'd think you'd be supporting Sonic in liberating your home. As much as you wished you could....

Robotnik was very adamant on keeping you with his plan.

This was very unlike the mad scientist. He was never one to care for another. Although with how he treated you, a forced assistant, you'd still say he didn't care.

At least not in the normal way.

Was forcing your wardrobe to be black clothes with his logo on it caring, or was it ownership? It sickened you to look down and see the "Eggman Empire" symbol over your heart. A symbolism for loyalty to him.

Was this how he planned to keep you humans together? Humans were a rarity on this planet. However, even if 'Eggman' was the last human left on this planet or not, you didn't wish to be anywhere near him.

You always thought he was a villain. Yet when he forced you to work with him, threatening your life, family, and friends.... You felt he was worse than anything you could ever think of.

"Just think about it. This world would look so much better covered in steel. A world to manipulate and command...."

His ramblings were selfish, completely full of narcissism. He thought he was the most important person here. He completely disregarded what others said....

Even though you had an effect on him, you were never able to change his mind.

"Why do you never think of the life on this planet? What's so appealing about a ball of metal as a home?"

You speak truthfully, not understanding his thought process. In a futile attempt to make him reconsider you touch his back. It's a comforting touch... making him tense a moment before glaring at you.

"It won't be a 'ball of metal', (Y/N). It'll be a shining empire! ... Don't tell me you've been listening to that hedgehog's words."

You back off a bit but Robotnik grabs your hand. You then still your movement and look away. Was it so wrong for you to want to protect your utopia?

"You know I wouldn't side with him-"

"What I do know... is that's a lie."

His grip never falters, in fact he only pulls you closer to him.

"I know you don't respect my ideals! Out of everyone... I'm still fighting with you to understand me."

"Maybe it's because I'm thinking of what I feel would be the be-"

"It doesn't matter."

In one single phrase, you're shut down. In an intimidating matter he holds you still before pointing to your chest. The logo on your heart....

"Remember what that means?"

You glare at him. All because you're branded does not mean you're loyal.... As always, he doesn't care.

"That means you belong here, with me. I don't understand you! You'll get to rule with me... think about it. I wouldn't have anyone else maintain my empire. Yet despite that... you refuse to help build it."

"I'M not blinded by desire! I never asked for this!? You stole me, branded me, and act like I'm supposed to love you for it."

You then pull away from him, noticing how he allowed you to go. Not out of sympathy... but because he was hovering over a button. A button that would summon some of his creations.

"I knew it. So THAT'S how you feel. I'm not stupid, (Y/N). I always knew you were still loyal to that damn hedgehog."

He presses the button with aggressive force. You're filled with renewed fear when he calls for his robots. Perhaps you shouldn't have been so bold.

"Don't worry your little head, (Y/N)..."

He grins, badniks grabbing your arms.

"I'll show you my vision in time. For now you'll have to be patient... in a cell."

"No, wait, please-! I'm sorry... don't do this."

"Prove to me you're sorry later. Clearly I can't trust you enough to give you a chance at paradise."

You hated how childish he was. You screamed at him in rage while being dragged off. Your pleas fell on deaf ears....

It didn't matter what happened, your fate wouldn't change. Even if you were stuck in a cell, it wouldn't make a difference. If Robotnik completed his empire... you'd be stuck in a prison still.

Any life with a man like Robotnik would be as though you were a prisoner. You sigh softly to yourself when his badniks toss you in a cell, as though you were a criminal for disagreeing with him. In the end, you reminded yourself, it all wouldn't matter.

The only one who can save you is Sonic and his friends...

Even then, you wonder if that would even keep him away from you forever.

#yandere sonic the hedgehog #yandere eggman #yandere doctor ivo robotnik

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love-toxin · 2 years

Text

loser's club initiation vol II - eddie munson

volume one

plot: you've been dragged into eddie's little club with some conditions in place, but even so, it seems like it might be more fun than you expected. a place where you can be yourself, such a rarity for someone like you--until a certain someone encroaches on your new home, and starts what may be the end of your life as you know it, both in the good way and the bad.

cws: gn!reader, outcast!angelface, violence, fighting, derogatory language, blood/bruises, mild trauma bonding, angel goes into detail about their abuse/foster care, hurt/comfort, confessions, fluff, enemies to lovers. (see prev part for extended tags!)

a/n: I'm glad everyone liked part 1! ty for the reblogs and love <3 enjoy your angela skate smash scene ;9

word count: 6.8k

It's no time at all that you're on your way down the hall towards the room where Hellfire Club is held, Eddie with a spring in his step as he leads the way. Getting there seemed to be the easy part–he acted as a lookout to make sure nobody was around each hallway he was unfamiliar with as far as routine, beckoning you along when the coast was clear. And when you two got to the way he normally took, he pulled you down a few side hallways and through a couple empty classrooms to get to the meeting. He really didn't need to grab your arm to pull you along, you would've stopped if you wanted to and he wouldn't be able to move you, as you had already proven. But there's so much excitement in his gait that you really don't think it matters, up until the moment he lays his hands on the double doors and pushes them open with a flourish, exposing the dim room lit up with stage lights and the gaggle of students crowded around the long table that all turn to look at you two.

You recognize a few from around, and a few that sound familiar based off the many descriptions Eddie has blabbed to you about in class. There's the guys from his band–Clouded Coffin? Or–no, Corroded Coffin, that's it–as well as a few younger kids, freshmen with "high potential" as he describes it, which include the kid brother of the incredibly popular Nancy Wheeler, Lucas and his little sister Erica, and Dustin Henderson, the kid who once tripped over your bookbag in the cafeteria and ran like hell like he thought you were going to eat him. But, shockingly, he doesn't seem to feel that way now, in fact his face seems to light up when he sees you–and so do the others, a few whispers being exchanged as you follow on the heels of their dungeon master into the sacred playing room.

"Silence, adventurers! And welcome our newest-"

"Potential."

"-party member!" You know Eddie's little spiels and dramatics so well you could see that ploy from a mile away, but despite your interruption the group claps for you in quite the spirited way. Feels as though he may have teased your arrival before you had even agreed to join, which is just so Eddie. Your eyes roll as he grabs your wrist and pulls you over to a separate table off to the side, while imploring the others to ready themselves for battle while he flips through his manuals and picks up everything you'll need to start playing. They devolve into mindless chatter, and you take the chance to clear something up while none of them are listening.

"...By the way. You'd better forget I said all that shit, Munson. Or your ass is grass." You mutter close enough that only he can hear, but you don't turn your head to make it seem less suspicious.

"Already forgotten." He holds his hands up in surrender, though his preoccupation with sorting out your necessities for a rousing game of D&D soon takes precedence. But you suppose there's little else you can say or do–you're already here, anyways.

"I don't even know why I said that…"

"Don't beat yourself up over it. S'fine. Like I said, totally forgotten." He grins, before plopping the pile of things he's gathered into your arms. "Now, it's time to prove yourself against the forces of evil."

The two of you move back over to the table, and he heads towards the seat at the very end, opposite where his DM screen sits and a throne of sorts resides. You're sure that particular seat is reserved for Eddie, but he passes it by and pulls the only empty chair out for you to plop yourself down on. And you do, because…you don't have a reason not to, but it's weird. You've never really had someone do a gesture like that for you, and especially not before they lean over you so closely that you can smell their cologne. A little cheap by the muskiness of it, but still on the nicer-smelling end than you would expect for someone of Eddie's reputation.

"Alright. You know the basics, right? Class, race, weapons, leveling?" He's testing the waters. Seeing if you really are as knowledgeable as he thinks you claimed to be. Which you didn't, but that doesn't mean you haven't picked up a thing or two or twelve from all his excited chatter in your ear during English.

"I wasn't born yesterday, Munson. Gimme five, and I'll be ready." He steps back and sweeps his arms out, graciously allowing you the floor before he hustles over on light feet to the throne and throws himself down into it. Henderson leans over to steal a glance at your page as your DM quickly scribbles some notes behind the screen, and his question pricks your ear like he's poking at it with a needle.

"You wanna be an orc?" If you remember correctly, Eddie hadn't mentioned any orc party members, nor many orc npcs. Based on his many, varied descriptions of the campaign and the adventures they've gone on already, the party is adventuring in an area where orcs aren't nearly as common.

"Orcs are cool, dumbass. Uruk-hai orcs are cool, at least." You don't even notice it, but Eddie is struck dumb by that. Not only are you familiar with D&D and know enough to make a character on the fly, but only now he's finding out that you've been reading fucking Tolkien under his nose? Has he just been blind the last few months?

"O-Oh, yeah, totally! Th-That's what I meant–super cool, they're way cool." Dustin's backpedaling could win a bronze medal at least, but you just click your tongue and keep writing, much to his relief. He's clearly still scared of you, but Erica looks over on your other side to see what you're taking down, seemingly unfazed by your stature and your reputation. Eddie's mentioned she's a middle schooler "but she's smart as hell, way smarter than me," in his words, so you're not surprised she hasn't got the same opinion of you as everyone else.

"Lemme guess: intimidation's gonna be your highest stat?" You can't help but like her sass, her brow raised like she's already delivering judgement on your answer. She's got the kind of arrogance–confidence, in her case–that reminds you of yourself, save for the fact that you were a lot more uncontrolled and angry at her age. Lucas bumps his sister with his elbow in a bid to get her to quiet down–maybe he's afraid you'll eat him, too–but all you do is serve her an "obviously" and she seems to get the picture.

"So you're not so scary, huh? You're just a big, closet nerd?" A collective breath is held at that, the room falling so quiet that the scrape of a chair moving would resonate like a knife on stone. You look to her, brow low and intimidating, and spare one of the precious seconds you have to finish this sheet to answer her.

"Not really closeted if nobody ever asked." The lull of your voice, void of any real malice, seems to calm them and the group of heads turn back to their pages, their DM, or their minis laid out in formation. And with a flutter of your sheet as you place it down flat, you pluck an orcish-looking character from the little group of minis that Eddie has off to the side, and plant it firmly on the edge of the map. "Done."

"That was quick," Mike remarks, leaning back in his seat just a touch to see if he can get a glance at your sheet–but Jeff grabs his chair and pulls it back from two legs to four, the thud of them hitting the ground rousing them all to attention, and their eyes are quickly drawn to Eddie as he stands and starts giving his spiel.

"Vecna's Palace looms in the distance, atop a hill surrounded by an ocean of blood. An army awaits you at the front gates, frothing and thrumming with rage, eager to rip any intruders limb from limb–so what shall you do, adventurers? Will you turn back?"

He looks at you, winks, and reaches over his screen to slide your character into the middle of the party, front and center, right where you should be. Your orc barbarian looks fierce enough on the battlefield, it fills you with a sense of pride, like a surge of courage that comes to you so rarely. Introductions are short and sweet, your weapon is readied and your armour fastened–and with that, the journey begins.

There's laughter shared, companionship, rivalry, loss. You and Erica end up teaming up against the first few waves of enemies, with your barbarian cutting down the skirmishers while her rogue, Lady Applejack, takes out the sorcerers and high level spellcasters as you make your distractions. The freshmen team of Mike, Lucas, and Dustin rush ahead and work together to solve the puzzles while the Corroded Coffin boys barricade the doors to the castle you've infiltrated, your entire party scouring the palace for treasure and trying to avoid the booby traps and swarms of undead soldiers on the way. And when you meet with Vecna and your party members start dropping like flies, you're driven into a corner–and you have one last option up your sleeve. Bloodied, alone, and running out of time, you use your Barbarian's Rage action to buff your rolls and go out in a blaze of glory to try and take Vecna down with you.

You shake your hit dice in your hands, praying with dwindling hope for a miracle. And when they clatter to the table and roll to a stop, you see that miracle with your own eyes–not only do you hit, but you land a critical with a nat 20, along with a solid 12 to your damage that's doubled and then buffed some more. When your head tilts to look up at Eddie and everyone's holding their breath, he shows off a bright smile–a surprisingly pretty one–and swats Vecna's mini over with a grand sweep of his hand before clutching the space over his heart, and gurgling and choking with as much intensity as he can muster before he collapses behind the table and mock dies. The lot of you jump from your seats and explode into joyful screams and cheering almost immediately, and Eddie pops right back up to join the festivities with so much satisfaction on his face that he looks like he's in pure bliss. Undoubtedly riding the high of a successful campaign, surely, but his eyes are also locked on you. And he claps for you quietly amid the raucous uproar, and throws a wink your way that you only just manage to catch, but you don't quite see how much affection he holds in that gaze as he can't tear his eyes off of you even though yours drift to other places.

Once the session has drawn to a close, you finally manage to come back to the real world and notice how breathless you are. The adrenaline's kept you out of your seat, and the cheering and groaning at every win and loss has almost completely wiped you out. And yet, the huge smile on your face as you drop back into your chair is more than enough to betray just how much fun you've had over the last couple hours.

"Oh? Is that a smile?" Eddie finally pipes up, and all eyes turn to you with huge grins on their own faces. You just want to hide, but with Eddie leaning over the table on his hands and chuckling at you fidgeting with your fingers, it's impossible to scurry away. "I think you've all cracked the orc's facade!"

"Oh, shut up." It's got no back to it this time, no bite. You're too happy to really mean it, as is evident by the way you turn your head to try and hide how big your smile really is.

"Or, should I say, our warrior's facade? What do you say?" Eddie extends a hand out as a noble gesture, the party holding their collective breath as they await your answer.

It should come easily, once you've sobered up a little and come back down to earth, swallowed the adrenaline back into your throat. No. You always tend to stick to your guns, and you're still of the opinion that getting involved in something like this is a bad idea, despite having more fun in the last few hours than you have….ever. But when you meet Eddie's gaze and he looks so eager, so much sweetness in those big, brown eyes like he's a puppy waiting to be praised, it just….changes your mind, even for just a moment. It allows those words to squeeze themselves from your tight throat, without thought to whether you'll come to regret them later or not.

"For now…I'll journey with you."

The rest of the club explode into cheers once more, Sinclair's younger sister eagerly holding out a hand that you happily high-five.

And as much as you all are still riding that high, it's definitely time to pack up. With really nothing of your own to gather up, you help Eddie fold up his maps and put away the minis into his bag, the two of you making short work of his spread that he spent so long carefully putting together. It's admirable, in that Eddie-like way.

"You did really well. Spectacular. Couldn't have rolled better myself–and you should be glad I didn't." He whispers with a smirk to top it off, and it doesn't vanish even when you scoff and tell him to shove it. But as you do, your reach for Vecna's mini extends too far with your attention elsewhere, and your fingers brush the knuckles of his hand he has on the table. They graze over his rings and come to a stop at the peak of his hand before you realize it, and when you do, you pull yours away and turn your head to hide the embarrassment of such a tender gesture. It was unintentional, yes, but you hate to think that Eddie's gonna get the wrong idea like he's prone to doing. But for once, he shuts his damn mouth–looks at you like he's in a daze, sure, and his head is cocked with his eyes half-lidded, but he at least doesn't pipe up with some asinine comment or flirtation that you can't handle.

The rest of the packup is quiet, at least between you two. The others are cheering and sharing their favourite moments between each other, riding the high of the post-session glory as they collect their bags and count their dice, too caught up in themselves to notice the silence and the shared looks between their beloved DM and their newest, potential, party member. By the time you make it outside, you finally manage to work up those words you've been wanting to say since the moment it all ended.

"I hate to admit it, Munson, but you were right. That was the most fun I've had in…a really, really long time." Eddie does what looks like a little victory dance, pumping his fist in the air and hopping down the next step to the pavement as you two walk out into the night air, the other Hellfire club members wandering out behind you and eagerly chatting away about the game.

"So? Can we call you an official member? I'll get you your own shirt!" Another of those rare smiles crosses your face, one you can't help even when you try to turn your head away to hide it. But just as you open your mouth to answer, a voice comes out from nowhere.

"Hey, freak!"

"Oh, shit." Eddie breathes quietly, his face visibly dropping. It's Jason, beloved basketball team captain and local dickhead, approaching your party uninvited. You may not have liked Eddie that much at first, but Jason is on the next level of douchery. And it's late at night, well past getting dark–and Jason has a small crowd of his groupies on his heels, all dressed in their basketball uniforms. In no way can this be good news–there's clearly a reason he waited until nobody else was around but you, and them.

"See you've got a new loser to add to your little circus." Eddie looks panicked. Scared. He made a promise and he broke it, obviously too caught up in the excitement of having you join that he neglected his end of the bargain, and you can feel his anxiety from where you stand beside him as he he opens his mouth to deflect that accusation.

"We aren't-"

"You want something, dickhead?" You've got a hand on Eddie's chest before you even realize it, pushing him back behind you and stepping forward in the same motion. Eddie reaches out his hand to try and grab your arm, to try and stop you, but you just shake it off without breaking your gaze off of the blond.

"So the ogre speaks! What a surprise, huh fellas?" So weak. So performative. You've always hated guys like this, ones who rely so heavily on the approval of everyone else, because they have so little personality themselves. At least someone like Eddie and the kids in Hellfire can embrace who they are, whether people like it or not–but guys like Jason are a dime a dozen, you would know, you've had quite a few Jasons making your life hell over the years.

"And here we all thought you were just a mute. Or maybe that was just your weirdo family beating it out of you." Stings a little. But not enough to make you back down, not even close. Jason steps closer like he's trying to intimidate you, but all he does is get within close combat range. Less than five feet. Barbarians get a bonus if they're empty-handed. And you've got a group of kids at your back, looking on in fear for what might happen next–ones who can't fight for themselves, just like the villagers in the town you saved from Vecna's curse.

"You their bodyguard now, or something?" You've faced bullies like this your entire life. Your real parents, your foster parents, your siblings, your caretakers, and every person at every school that thought the best way to pump themselves up was to beat on the one person who wouldn't say a word, who wouldn't be believed. So yes, right now, you are their fucking bodyguard, and your eyes grow cold and dark as you repeat the words you've picked up from a life that a spoiled kid like Jason Carver couldn't even have nightmares about.

"None of your fucking business, fairy boy."

You can hear Dustin's awed "Holy shit!" from behind you, and Jason's expression immediately twists into anger. Oops. Struck a nerve, did you?

"You and your friends are fucking dead, Munso-!"

One of the nice things about being so closed off is that nobody ever expects you to punch first. But Jason is thrown to the ground in seconds after you hook him in the jaw as he lunges forward, your whole weight thrown into that one punch, and his back hits the pavement and your body thuds against his as you get on top of him and start swinging.

It's like a trance, you can distantly hear the muffled yelling and cheers of both groups, feel Eddie and Gareth trying to pull you off when Jason flails back and cracks you across the face, the pointed edge of his class ring slicing open a shallow cut from your cheek to the opposite brow and causing you to bleed all over him. He's obviously never been in a real fight, one that means life or death, because he just keeps wriggling and trying to land concentrated hits, like he's trying to look cool over doing damage. But you're being brutal with purpose. His fight dwindles quickly as his nose bloodies and grows purple because it's definitely broken, his eye swells up, and he starts spitting and drooling blood as his consciousness starts to fade. But as you let that rage circle down the drain with one last punch that cracks his head back against the tarmac, your world comes back into focus almost completely and Eddie's rings are digging into your armpit as he and Gareth finally manage to wrench you off, your dungeon master screaming at you all to run as a few teachers and the basketball coach hurry out of the main building and start barreling towards the scene. Likely heard the screaming, and you get one last glimpse of your homeroom teacher yelling at you to stop running before you're pulled around the corner of the building and dash towards the side parking lot.

"Holy shit," Eddie breathes, his grip tight on you even as Gareth's loosens to let you go.

"You're fucking nuts! You just beat the shit out of Jason Carver! You raged, like, for real! Holy shit!" Dustin, however, is still completely in awe. He'd probably high five you if he got the chance, but Wheeler and the elder Sinclair are dragging him by the sleeve towards their bikes that they've parked right next to the other member's cars.

"Everyone disperse! Nobody saw what happened here, you were already on your way home, right?!" A collective "right!" arises from the group at Eddie's call, and you watch through bleary eyes as each of them hurry off into their cars to drop each other off, hopefully all taking back roads in case the cops have been called. Dustin, Mike, and Lucas rip out of their spots and kick up a spray of gravel as they tear off into the night, with Erica hopping on the back of her brother's bike and hitching a ride back home. And in the meanwhile, you follow Eddie to his van and pile into it with him as he starts it up, and peels away from the school just as you see the coach hurrying around the corner of the building looking pissed. Probably for the fact that you tore up his star player's face, which you can't help but feel smug about even though it'll land you in a world of trouble later.

Even so, you're well on your way outta there, Eddie's cassette blasting Iron Maiden as he tears off and skids out of the lot before he tunes it way down to avoid suspicion. Good call on his part, but now that the adrenaline is wearing off, the pain is setting in as you pull on to a dark road and your grin fades as everything starts coming in clearer.

"I don't know why you didn't leave me there. I started it–now all of you are gonna take the fall." Eddie shakes his head wildly, curly locks bouncing about his face aside from already jostling about with every bump in the road. He's coming down a side road with few streetlights, one that you could easily duck out of into a driveway if you spotted those red and blue lights in the distance.

"Trust me, you weren't the one to start it. But you did finish it, Jesus…" His eyes dart towards the rearview mirror, surveying it closely until he finally takes a sharp, deep breath–and a grin splits across his face.

"That was so fucking awesome!" Eddie slams his hand on the steering wheel, and makes you flinch from the impact–luckily he's too focused on navigating the dark roads to really notice, though. But his joy is what gets you, that unbridled burst of giddiness that presents in the way he bounces in his seat and grins, all teeth. The dark shadows of night casting over your face have never been such a blessing as they are now, to hide the tweak of your lips as you smile to yourself, too.

"..Yeah. Fucking awesome." Your head hits the seat behind you as you slump back into it, releasing a tight breath from your chest as the adrenaline wears down.

It's a long drive with nothing but one of his tapes playing, and aside from a glance spared towards you and a quiet, breathless "you sure you're okay?" that you answer with a nod. Despite bringing a hand to your cheek and pulling it away to find it covered and dripping in blood. But that long silence is cut for sure eventually when you stop in front of his trailer, hop out the door on to the crunchy gravel beneath your feet, and he hurries you up the porch and inside the front door.

It feels a bit like you're in a daze. The pain is there, but not really, not severely, even though you know the gash is bad enough to scar. It might be your body protecting you against the damage, but it's even easier to distract yourself from it when you're watching your dungeon master flutter about in front of you. Eddie's doing what looks like the flight of the bumblebee, dashing from one end of the trailer to the other–first he sits you down in his room on his mattress, then he's grabbing the strewn contents of a first aid kit, water, a rag, and finally a frosty can of Coke from the fridge that he pushes into your hands to hold to your bruised temple. When he's finally got everything, he plonks himself down next to you on the bed and moves you to face him, so he can pour some rubbing alcohol onto the rag and start dabbing at the bleeding cut across your face. After all that, you feel like you can finally manage to take a breath–and it looks like Eddie finally has some time for contemplation too, if the concentrated look on his face as he works is any indication.

"...You know something? You're the first person to ever stand up for me."

"Yeah, well, you needed it." You cringe at the sting of the alcohol, but it wears thin quickly and it's easier to take–around your eye, though, that's the most tender spot by far.

"I wish you wouldn't have. Your parents are gonna kill me when they see this." He's saying it in jest, trying to help you relax, but he doesn't know. How could he? It's been hard to really wrap your head around that when Eddie isn't also living in the reality you are, but now that you're a bit closer, you think you understand him a little more.

"My parents have done worse to me, Eddie. I'm sure they won't even notice." Oh, you hate that look he gives you. It's not just pity, which you already despise–but worry. Eddie's got a look of terror in his eyes, one that you've seen in the mirror so often after almost every blowup at home. Every explosion that rocks you to your core and reminds you that you're nowhere near safe, only to have to wipe it all away and pretend things are normal so you can head off to school and act the part. It's…too familiar. Eddie's not the kind of person you would ever want to see that terror residing in, either.

"What…what's with your family, anyways? Er, sorry, you don't have to answer that. S'none of my business."

"No, it isn't." You didn't mean to say it with so much venom, but it definitely came out that way.

You just sigh, barely even flinching now when the alcohol burns your wounds that Eddie's doing his best to clean. The headache you've got thrumming in your ears is making every other pain feel less intense.

"...They aren't really my parents. Foster family."

"Oh,"

"Yeah. They're…well, they're…awful. Sometimes more awful than my real parents were." It's strange to say such things without it being in an office, or a closed bedroom, to someone in a suit and tie or with a little nametag to try and show that they're friendly. You've never really had anyone other than the people who get paid to listen to talk to–but knowing Eddie now, and knowing that he can keep a secret, or at least try to, you find it all spilling out of you in a way that's never as easy with anybody whose job it is to protect you.

"I can't even explain how it feels to be running from something, scared out of your mind that it's gonna kill you, or worse–and then be forced to sit next to it and act like everything's fine. Like you're not still terrified, and angry, but just totally helpless."

Eddie looks at you in a way that says so much more than words could–like he's telepathically telling you "We might understand each other more than we think." Somehow, it's more comforting than if he had just said it out loud.

"I'm not what people think I am. I don't want to look mean. I want to have friends. I want to enjoy what I enjoy, I want to have fun and just tell the whole world to fuck off–but I'm just trying to survive. I don't have the energy."

Once you start, it's nearly impossible not to keep going. Never have you met someone who was so easy to talk to, who's such a good listener that you feel almost no fear or anxiety when you confess your darkest truths to him. Your fingers dig into your own thighs through your pants, you're way more tense but it floods away when you meet Eddie's eyes again. He's not interrupting. Not asking more questions. Not even prying for more details–just listening, waiting for you to continue with a hand sliding over yours to hold it, and the other putting aside the cloth he's got that's soaked with blood.

"I really like you, Eddie, and I…I like Hellfire. But I don't have any safe place to go afterwards. School isn't safe, neither is home. I have no sanctuary where I don't have to…I-I'm just…stuck." And stuck is exactly where you are. Because Eddie seems to have no words for that, nothing to say to make it all okay and to erase those pains for you, whether he wants to or not. Maybe you were wrong. Maybe he's just waiting for you to stop talking.

"I'm sorry. I should go. This isn't your problem, but…thanks for listening to me." You get up from his bed with a grunt, but just before you turn the corner to step out of his room and walk home, you hear the rustling sounds of Eddie's clothes as he stands.

"I-I'll be there for you!" You stop on a whim, a hand held against the wall as your head turns to look over your shoulder, slowly. You really think you're imagining it, but Eddie…his demeanor says otherwise. "I can be your safe place. My home. Hellfire. All of it–we can make it safe for you."

"Eddie-" He comes at you fast, and you flinch–but he takes your hands back in his, and you feel that's where they belong.

"You can live with me. You don't have to go back there, I'll keep you safe." Silence hangs in the air, and makes it heavy. Live with him. He's offering something so intense like it's nothing. Saying it out in the open like it doesn't fuel the fire burning in the pit of your stomach that you just want to put out.

"They'll all hate you even more, Eddie." That quiver of your voice is just pathetic, that soft break in your tone like you're getting ready to cry. You can hear words that aren't yours in your head, drilling it into your skull. Stop crying. Nobody's gonna feel bad for someone like you.

"I don't care. They can hate me all they want. It won't change how I feel about you–nothing can." His head lowers to get closer to you, to make sure his words hit home, that they don't miss your ear. It's fanning the flames even hotter, he doesn't realize just what he's doing to you.

"You don't understand, Eddie!" You raise your voice, exasperated. Those thoughts are winning, driving your hands into Eddie's chest as you try to push him away–but he's the one that stands unbudging this time, his fingers still clasping yours with his rings rubbing against your skin.

"I don't! I don't have a damn clue! But I don't care–I won't leave you alone! I'll spare whatever you need so you can be happy. Because I…I want you," That squeeze almost hurts, that tight, suffocating clench around your hands that feels like he's not trying to keep you there–but that he's trying not to let go, not to let you get so far away that he can't reach you anymore. "I want you to be part of our party. So don't leave…I like this side of you. I like you."

"I..I like you too, Eddie." What kind of 'like' does he mean? You can see glimpses of it in his eyes, but is that the truth? Do those sweet, brown eyes reflect yours? Are they a mirror, or are they a ripple of something distorted, something that could never be despite how much you never realized you wanted it?

Neither of you can tell when he loosened his grip, but when you touch his face, holding it gently in your hands, his breath hitches and the whole world stops–your whole world does, because right now it's standing in front of you and looking down into your eyes.

"You…You've got really pretty eyes, Eddie." You swallow, try not to gulp too loudly, to shatter this precious, peaceful moment that you rarely get. If you could shift your weight from foot to foot, you're sure you would. But to move would rustle the quiet and push this moment too far along, it might end before you're ready to lose it.

"So do you. They're beautiful, like…little stars." You can't remember the last time a compliment has ever made you so flustered, or even the last time you got a compliment at all–and you just sink yourself into Eddie's chest, burying your head in his neck as he laughs, breaks the silence, and kisses your temple.

"Why do you think I bothered you every single day to join Hellfire?"

He tilts his head to lean into yours, his cheek nuzzling yours as he turns to whisper in your ear. The snicker that jolts out of you at his tone turns to an uncharacteristically soft giggle, his arms as warm as a jacket as they slide around you, his hands coming to rest on the small of your back. You were right. For once, you were right.

"God, I love your laugh. I wanna hear it more. Every day." It's obvious now that this glimpse of happiness isn't one that's going to disappear with the slightest nudge, nor that those coveted compliments will stop throwing your heart into a fluttery skip. But you still squeeze him so tight, arms wrapped right back around him, nails clawing at his jacket as if to hook him into you, to keep him latched onto you so he couldn't move if he wanted to.

"...I don't wanna let you go, Eddie."

"You don't have to."

Eddie's lips graze the shell of your ear, the warmth that you realize is a kiss reducing your limbs to jelly as you so gently hang off him, relying on his borrowed strength to keep yourself upright. And he delivers, just as promised–you aren't going anywhere when you're leaning on him.

It hasn't hit you until now. This is your new reality. The cat and mouse-like chase that you and Eddie have been circling round and around and around doesn't have to end in nothing, in one last conversation as normal as it would any other day, and then nothing. You don't have to drift further and further and further away, your fingers just barely grazing each other's until you're so far out of reach that you wouldn't even recognize each other anymore. This scene won't end in sweat and a jolt as you sit upright in bed, blinking away the edges of sleep as your heart sinks, and you realize it was all just a beautifully upsetting dream. Eddie isn't just an escape from the present, or a fantasy to entertain to distract from the depressing abyss that is your doomed future. Eddie is your future. He can be, if you get that door to your heart to open just a crack–just enough to let him peek inside, whether or not he already knows what he'll find.

"...And now, everyone's gonna be talking about how you beat the shit out of Jason Carver." This time, he's met with silence, and the gentle pull away for him to look at you and evaluate the worry you wear on your face, with concern written all over his features…it's a new experience. You can't help but wear your anxiety as clearly as the pick that jostles around his neck on that taut chain.

"I'm also gonna be in a world of shit. I might…" You might get suspended, if you're lucky. Expulsion is what's really on your mind, but your stoic expression slowly splits into an absentminded smirk when another thought takes its place. "Can't wait to flip that asshole off when I pass him in the hall. Fights like a pussy."

"I'm sure anybody fights like a pussy compared to you. You put them all to shame." Eddie offers, and his smile brightens when you focus your attention back on his eyes. Big, sweet doe eyes, blinking and lashes fluttering so cutely as his focus turns down to your lips, then your eyes, then your lips again…and when he leans in, you don't lean back, and you don't brace either. You meet his lips where they're at, the kiss as firm as either of you expected from the other, and he squishes your mouth even deeper into it by grabbing at the back of your head–and getting a tempting fistful of your hair in the process–while you lean into it, your nails slipping up to his neck to leave crescent-shaped indents in his smooth, fair skin. He chuckles into your mouth, the vibrations soothing any residual worry about going too far, and the kiss ends not with either of you desiring it, but because you both need a good gasp of air before you can think about continuing.

"...and that scar's gonna look pretty fucking awesome." His bottom lip falls victim to those pretty teeth as he bites into it, his eyes hooded and stirring with something deeper than he was looking at you before. You wouldn't know, but this wouldn't be the first time he's done so–it's just the first time you noticed it. It doesn't feel too bad, but…it's definitely an ego stroke, and yet it feels like being humbled at the same time, because you've never gotten this kind of look from someone you actually want to reciprocate it to.

"Now, you know what we have to do, right?" An eyebrow raises. What more could he possibly want to accomplish this late at night? "We have to order pizza, get some beer, and watch some stupid cheesy movie until we pass out on the couch and forget all about this shit." Eddie counts each task off on his fingers, rings glinting as he devolves into giggles that end up mimicking yours when you join him. Nothing could feel safer or more comforting than that does right now.

"That sounds like a blast."

"Metal, one might say?" Fuck that cocky grin of his, the one that drives a shiver of desire straight into your heart that you know you won't be able to extract by force.

"Oh, shut up. Metal." He half-smiles, half-kisses you with a tight squeeze around your waist before he dashes off for the phone, leaving you to pick through his movie collection that you can spot from where you stand and find something dumb to watch.

"Dumbass.." You mutter it to yourself with a smile. You might have never gotten along with Eddie Munson until tonight. But you're positive that your whole life is gonna be different by the time tomorrow's morning comes, when you wake up on Eddie's chest with his hands in your hair, and the gentlest whisper of "God, I love you, my warrior…" when he thinks you're still slumbering away in his arms.

#eddie munson #eddie munson x reader #eddie's angelface #st 4 #stranger things #fluff #ellie writes #6k

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eyeslikewatercoolers · 11 months

Text

Something New (Sashnetra pt 2/4)

Here's part 2 for the Wedding Planner AU, and thank you for all the love on part 1! Any feedback is welcomed, thanks lovelies!

Read on ao3

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"It looks like that weird Mormon girl and her family are coming back today for another dress fitting."

"Mistress, what have I said about calling our brides and their guests weird?" Sasha called over her shoulder to her employee, as she unlocked the front door and flipped the sign on the door to the 'Open' side. She glanced at Mistress and Luxx from across the lobby, who were both looking over the open scheduling book filled with all the appointments for the day.

A few weeks prior, Anetra, who was accompanied by her mother and younger sisters, had come in for an initial dress appointment. The appointment didn't last long, as her mother had complained directly to Malaysia, as there were 'not enough modest and Godly' dresses in their current inventory. Sasha then placed an order from a dress vendor that specialized in LDS bridal and bridesmaids' dresses. Luckily, the family agreed to come in for a second appointment after hearing that the new sample stock had been sent to the store.

"You said that someone might overhear and get upset, and we can't have a negative review on the Better Business Bureau," Mistress responded in a slight, mocking tone as Sasha walked over to the front desk, her long ponytail flowing behind her, to look at the scheduling book. She noticed that she had no appointments scheduled, and no vendor meetings until the late afternoon, which was a rarity for her.

"Who's going to be with that Mormon family then? We have that bridal party with 20 bridesmaids coming in right before, and that's looking like a two-person job." Malaysia said from where she was arranging the front display of the newest dresses for the upcoming spring season. Sasha thought for a moment, as she recalled seeing the enormous mountain of dresses to be altered from when she was talking to Loosey earlier that morning.

"Luxx and Mistress can take the bridal party coming in. Loosey is behind on alterations, and honestly Malaysia, you are a better seamstress than I am." She informed her team before taking in a deep breath, "I'll take care of the weird Mormon family today."

"I thought you said we can't use that word anymore?" Luxx asked in a sarcastic tone.

"I did, but who is the one that signs your paychecks every week?" Sasha shot back to them, not missing a beat.

"Point taken, then."

A few hours later, Sasha had just finished zipping up the third dress that Anetra tried on for the appointment. Her mother had given the pre-selected dresses a 'modesty seal of approval', and Sasha had the fitting room stocked and ready with Anetra's name scrolled on the whiteboard on the door.

"Okay, turn around and take a look in the mirror for me." Sasha stepped to the corner of the fitting room that allowed Anetra a full view of herself.

"This one is good, I like it. " Anetra said with a straight face, which hadn't changed much since the appointment started.

"Really? Because you said the same thing about the last two. but your face says otherwise." Sasha responded while crossing her arms over her chest. Sasha has met plenty of opinionated brides and even more opinionated families and guests. But she had never come across a bride as indifferent as Anetra.

"Oh, um, sorry. I've been told before that I always look mad. But I like this dress, I promise." Anetra rambled off, avoiding Sasha's striking green eyes in the mirror's reflection.

Sasha suddenly perked up, an idea coming to her head. She gestured to the braid Anetra's hair was tied in, as she had seen her every time the bride entered the store. "Are you planning on wearing your hair like that for your wedding?"

Anetra turned around to look at Sasha and shook her head, saying "I'm probably going to wear it down that day, why do you ask?"

Sasha gently held the braid and asked "Can I?", before Anetra gave her permission. Sasha took out the hair tie, before unraveling the braided strands of hair, into flowing, tawny-colored locks that ran down Anetra's back. She moved a couple strands in front of her shoulders, to frame the face before looking up at Anetra's reflection in the mirror.

Sasha paused for a moment, feeling hit with a sense of awestruck when seeing Anetra. She no longer looked plain and passive, her hair framed her face perfectly, perfectly complimenting her sharp facial features. The long hair made Anetra's athletic frame look more feminine while showing her toned arms that peaked out of the dress's fluttering short sleeves. Sasha felt that it was silly, how one small change in someone's appearance could make her feel this strongly. But Anetra was one of the most gorgeous women she had ever laid eyes on, and that's all Sasha could pay attention to at that moment.

Sasha quickly shook the feeling off, getting back to her professional demeanor. She realized that her hands had somehow traveled down from Anetra's shoulders, and now gently resting above her hips, before quickly putting them at her sides "Okay, let's go out and show them!" she shot a quick smile to their shared reflection before moving to open the door, almost missing that Anetra's cheeks had turned to a pink shade under the fluorescent lighting of the fitting room stall.

Anetra and her family had finished off the appointment by placing an order for a white, A-line bridal dress, with long sleeves made from sheer material, and small floral details embroidered into the fabric. The dress had a small train that flowed behind, which made for a perfect fit for Anetra's cathedral wedding in the next few months. The dress was happily approved by the family, yet Sasha kept to herself that Anetra still seemed indifferent about it, although the bride assured her that it was perfect.

Sasha wrote Anetra's future alterations appointments in Loosey's hot pink scheduling book while making small talk with the family. She made different appointment cards as well, handing them over to the desk to the family, which Anetra's mother took and looked at, one by one. "Oh, this one for the cake sampling with you, I don't think we can do that date that you put down. I need to take Anetra's younger brother to soccer tryouts that day." Anetra's mother told Sasha, handing back the card.

Anetra piped up from in-between her younger sisters, her height making her tower over them. "Actually, I can come by myself to that appointment, if that's okay, with you, Mom," she asked her mother for permission, who thought about it for a moment before responding.

"I don't see why not. It's just a cake tasting ,and I'm sure you and Sasha will pick out something tasty for the wedding cake." Anetra's mother responded.

"Great, It's a date then!" Sasha said brightly, before seeing Anetra's wide-eyed reaction to what she just said. She realized that what she said may not have been the most appropriate response to her engaged client that she'll have an afternoon sampling cake with a stunning woman, alone together in her office. "Oh, obviously not that type of date. But it will still be a great time!" God, Sasha had never felt so flustered and mildly embarrassed in her entire career. Luckily, the family seemed to accept that answer before they had said their goodbyes to the wedding planner. Sasha led them out the front door before it shut behind them and she slumped against it, letting out a deep-rooted sigh.

"Nice save there, boss." Luxx said while briskly walking by, carrying a pile of emerald green bridesmaids dresses in their arms.

Sasha stepped out of her office after a long-winded video call meeting in the late afternoon, in which Anetra never left her mind the entire time. She could hardly concentrate on the vendor's presentation, barely remembering the company's name. Sasha thought that by this time in the afternoon, she would be the last person left in the building, until she heard the hum of a sewing machine down the hall slowing down after a long day of use.

Sasha walked down the hall to the alterations section, and peeked around the door frame to see Loosey finishing up a hem on the last dress in the pile from that morning. Sasha took notice how concentrated the blonde woman looked, putting so much detail and care into the garment she was working on. She admired the amount of dedication Loosey put into her craft, but hated that she would have to interrupt seeing her so focused.

Luckily for Sasha, Loosey saw her in her peripheral vision when checking the thread above, and beamed her a smile. "Hey! Come on in, Sash. I'm just finishing up here." Sasha gave a close-lipped smile in return, and moved to plop in the stool across from the table, unintentionally displaying how this day had drained her. She watched Loosey buzz around the room, putting away the threads and bobbins back to the organizer that hung on the wall. "Thank you for sending Malaysia up here today. I don't think I would have gotten all this done on my own."

"Your welcome, you know if Malaysia wasn't so good at keeping Luxx and Mistress in line, I'd keep her up here with you all the time." Sasha and Loosey laughed together at Sasha's response, both knowing that Malaysia was one of the best retail managers in LA. Sasha wished that she could find another seamstress that could match Loosey's talents, and fit in well with the rest of the team. But Loosey never complained about being the only full-time seamstress (or at least never complained directly to Sasha about it).

"Can I talk to you about something, as a friend?" Sasha trusted Loosey enough to drop her professional façade, knowing that her friend was able to give her no-bullshit advice about personal life.

"Of course, is everything okay?" Loosey hung up the last of the dresses, and moved her rolling desk chair closer to where Sasha sat. Sasha took a deep breath, before telling Loosey all about Anetra, and her complicated feelings about the bride-to-be. Sasha never seriously dated, and never caught feelings for someone so fast. Hell, she stopped having one night stands and deleted all her dating apps after a year of moving to LA. She felt that this was a pointless school-girl crush, on a bride that was going to be someone else's wife.

Loosey listened with full intention, nodding keeping soft eye contact with her friend. When Sasha was done pouring out her feelings, Loosey gently put a hand on Sasha's left knee, and said with sincerity "I know these feelings are new and scary for you, but having a crush is completely okay. You know what you like in a person, and it's okay that you see that in her. But Anetra is going to get her happy ending soon, and you deserve that too, one day."

Sasha slowly nodded while soaking in Loosey's words. She was right, and it was exactly what she needed to hear in that moment. "Thank you, you have no idea how good you are at advice."

"No problem. I think for tonight, you need some good food and a damn good drink. Care to join me for Thai food?" Loosey knew what Sasha's favorite foods were, and when she needed to indulge in an act of self-care.

"I would love that, and I need a joint afterwards, too.”

#my fics #rpdr fanfiction #sashnetra #sasha colby #anetra #rpdr s15 #drag race #rupauls drag race #my writing #wedding planner au #rpdr

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