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#come as you are ; as a friend // others: raphael
cnl0400 · 2 months
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"How are they going to make Thirteen/Mephistopheles/Raphael dateable If they aren't interesing in the MC"?
>A take made by someone who hasn't played S4 or any of the Memory cards/events that feature these three, or have gotten the Birthday calls...
It's even funnier with Raphael, because he's probably the one who states the most that he wants to get closer to MC, where do the "no interest" thing even comes from??
Even If you read all this cues as platonic, It doesn't mean that they can't become romantic later. That's what development Is for?????
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warlordfelwinter · 8 months
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"his favorite color is blood" aw that's rain's favorite color too. see, raphael, we should get along
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myers-meadow · 1 month
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"#i have quite a few really fun ideas for haarlep and raphael; for longer fics!! but i seemingly;; have no mental space rn :((" "#so forgive me for doing lil drabbles like this for the time being!" i am trying to climb through your screen like that girl from The Ring so i can give you a hug 🫂
😭😭 you're so kind!! wish i could share a good cup of tea/coffee/hot choc with you <3
Thank you for so many moments of inspiration, despite the brain fog its really fun!! (bc i think that's you?)
have the best night <3 xoxo
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english-history-trip · 11 months
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Ever see a depiction of St. George and the Dragon? It's pretty fair to say if you've seen one, you've seen them all: Georgie on a horse stabbing a flailing dragon creature, princess piously kneeling in the background, vague landscape alluding to the homeland of the artist's patron.
The most varied part is the dragons. No one had a real definition for the thing, it seemed. For your pleasure and entertainment, I have ranked some medieval depictions based on how impressive George's feat seems once you see the dragon.
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Paolo Uccello, 1456
This is a terrifying beast. The hell is that. Uccello was one of the first experimenters with perspective, so the thing also looks surreal, like it's taking place on Mars, or a Windows 95 screensaver. I would not want to fight that, I would not want to be tied to that. (Sometimes the princess is tied to the dragon for some reason.) 10/10
Horse thoughts: Maybe if I look at the ground it will be gone when I look up
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Unknown artist, c. 1505
This is a rare change of form for the dragon; it's the only one I've seen actually flying (or at least falling with style). It doesn't look particularly deterred by the spear through its throat, either. Also, George looks appropriately nervous. On the other hand, it hasn't got teeth, it seems to be fuzzy rather than having scaly armor, and George is bolstered by his army of Henry VII and his children, most of whom definitely didn't actually die in infancy. Still, wouldn't want to fight it, wouldn't want my pet sheep near it. (Sometimes the princess has a pet sheep for some reason.) 9/10
Horse thoughts: I am so glad I wore my mightiest feather helmet for this
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Raphael, 1505
We are coming to Dragons With Problems. This guy looks about comparable in size to George, and does have wings, but doesn't seem to be using these things to his advantage (and has he only got one wing?) And how does he deal with the neck? He does have a comically small head, but holding it up with such a twisty neck seems complicated at best. But most egregiously, he is doing the shitty superheroine pose where he is somehow simultaneously showcasing his chest and his butt, with its unnecessarily defined butthole (more on this later) (regrettably). 8/10 bc it's Raphael
Horse thoughts: AM I THE BESTEST BOI? AM I DOING SUCH A GOOD JOB? WE R DRAGON SLAYING BUDDIEZ
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The Beauchamp Hours, c. 1401
We had a spirited debate about this one at work. Again, the dragon has gotten smaller, and this one hasn't got even one wing. He's basically a crocodile. So the debate became: would you want to fight a crocodile if you had a horse and a pointy stick? Would the horse trample the animal, who can't get on its hind legs, or freak out and throw its rider? Would the pointy stick be enough to pierce the croc's thick hide? In this case, George seems to be controlling his horse and putting his pointy stick in the dragon's weak spot, so we can be impressed by his skill and strategy. However, his hat is dumb. 7/10
Horse thoughts: Dehhhh
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Book of Hours, c. 1480
Here we have the same kind of croco-dragon, but George's focus on his strategy has gone out the window. He's flailing around, not even looking at his target, he's about to lose his pointy stick, he hasn't got a hand on the reins, and his sword seems to only be poking the invisible dragon over his shoulder. All he's got going for him is that his hat is slightly less dumb. 6/10
Horse thoughts: Yay, new friend! Come play with me, new fr- what is happening
Final dragons put behind this Read More for your safety:
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Rogier van der Weyden, c. 1432
I'm thinking this guy is at least semi-aquatic. Webbed feet, wings that seem more like fins, bipedal but top-heavy, jaws that seem more for scooping than biting. Maybe she's crawled up here from the nearby body of water to lay her eggs, and this is all a big misunderstanding. Moreover, George's dagged sleeves seem entirely impractical for the situation. 5/10
Horse thoughts: i got my hed stuk in a jar and now it is this way forever
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Unknown artist, c. 15th century
I hate this. I hate everything about it. Why has it got human eyes and teeth. Why is its nose melting. Why has it got a dick on its face and balls under its chin. The fin/wings are back but they look even more useless. Also, George is shifty as hell, schlumped over in his saddle with his bowler hat thing over his eyes. The baby dragon at the bottom eating some hapless would-be rescuer is kind of metal. 4/10 at least the thing is gonna die
Horse thoughts: I Have Smoked So Much Crack
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Book of Hours, c. 1450
Remember what I said about the buttholes? First, sorry. Second, yeah, we're back to that. I'll admit this one is less about the danger from the dragon itself than the very specific choices the artist has made. They didn't need to do that. It's a lizard. They don't even have. And it's like they had an orifice budget and they skipped an exit wound for the spear to focus. Elsewhere. It's so detailed. And George had an even dumber hat. 2/10 take it away
Horse thoughts: I Have Smoked So Much Weed
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Book of Hours, c. 1415
This is just bullying. There isn't even a princess. That is clearly an infant. Look at that smug look on George's face as he swings his sword that's bigger than the whole little guy. This is the equivalent of when DJT Jr. hunted those sleeping endangered sheep. 1/10
Horse thoughts: ....yikes
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And this is the previous one, but now the baby dragon is cute. He's chubby. He's got toe beans. He's Puff the Magic Dragon. His eyes have already gone white, implying that George is just kicking its corpse around for funsies. What's the difference between the dragon and the lamb in the background? That the dragon is dead, like our innocence. This George is truly deserving of the dumbest hat of all. 0/10 plus one more butthole for the road
Horse thoughts: Perhaps it is we who are the buttholes.
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vspin · 7 months
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On Act 3 and the lack of companion reactivity and dialogue.
So, I officially hit 400 hours on BG3 yesterday (no lifing it lmao) and I've been thinking about some things I wish Larian would improve or wish that they had implemented. A big thing that comes to mind is how much companion reactivity and dialogue abruptly stops in Act 3.
Act 1 really shines with companion reactivity. They always have something to say to the MC, to NPCs, or even to each other! I love the interaction after you use your ilithid powers for the first time and it's a 4 way conversation between everyone.
Then we get to Act 3 and there's such huge drop-off. Some big offenses:
Very little reaction to quests and locations. When I killed Raphael I only got comments from Astarion and Gale! Seriously?? We just survived a trip to the Hells! This happens with multiple quests
Blank faces when Durge is killed by Bhaal.
Camp is lifeless. Everyone just stands in front of their bed, There are no interactions.
In my playthrough, the Emporer admitted to my Tav he was manipulating her and didn't really care. It was bummer I couldn't talk to the other tadpole gang about it.
I remember coming across a Druid in the city. He was trying to heal a tree. So I went back and grabbed Halsin because he was complaining no one in the city cared about nature or balance. So I thought surely, he would have an interaction here! Nope, nothing!
As soon as you finish a companion's personal quest that is basically the end of your interactions with them; even if you romance them.
What I'd like to see: (Disclaimer: Just my opinions. I have no expectation of any of this being added to the game)
More camp interaction between companions. Jahiera and Minsc had a great example of this. Let there be a quick cutscene of Minsc and Halsin arm wrestling. Shadowheart, Karlach, and Astarion drinking wine. Anything. DA:I did a great job at this. It seemed like anytime I approached someone for dialogue they were in the middle of an interaction with someone else. Or events like the card game. It brought a lot of life into the party.
More random city encounters. They did a good job with Karlach; she has interactions with the steel watcher and her friend Fitz. Would have been cool to have some of those with Wyll, maybe he meets another noble or a flaming fist and has to deal with their shock of seeing him as a devil. Or with Gale in Sorcerous Sundries (he is a famous wizard after all!). Astarion mentions he needs to keep a low profile in the taverns; what if someone called him out!
More reactions to story events.
Expand on romances a bit more. We don't need it to be a dating sim but if you finish your LI's quest early on get used to just asking for small pecks and that's it. I would like to see more romance-specific dialogue for quest reactions.
And Finally:
We needed all companions at the final battle. Everyone should have been at the main keep before confronting the brain. You should have had your final conversations with them before you all potentially die in battle. DA:O style. A passionate kiss with your LI (not a tiny little peck lmao). This was a huge exclusion.
Anyway, these are my thoughts on the matter. Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.
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lxkeee · 24 days
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UNEXPECTED
—ONESHOT
PAIRING: LUCIFER MORNINGSTAR X FEM! SINNER! READER
GENRE: not angst:)
WARNINGS: no angst fr
NOTES: When I hit a writing slump in one of my series, I try to write one shots to inspire myself:3
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We fall in love with three different people in our lifetime.
First love, this love often happens at a young age. You eventually grow apart or call it quits over silly things. When you get older you may look back and think it wasn't love. But the truth is, it was. It was love for what you knew love to be.
Lucifer fell in love with his best friend, Raphael. She was the only one who believed in his silly dreams when he was still in heaven, that's one of the reasons he fell for the seraphim. He didn't tell her, he didn't get the chance to as unfortunately, Raphael told him about her crush on Azrael.
This made him put a distance between them, despite a breaking heart, he played as her wingman and set her and Azrael up.
Lucifer was proud of himself for doing that, he got to see his best friend to be so happy and in love. He can see how good Azrael is treating her and he knows that she'll be in safe hands.
Second love, the hard one. You get hurt in this one. This love teaches us lessons and makes us stronger. This love includes great pain, lies, betrayal, abuse, drama and damage.
But this is the one where we grow. We realize what we love about love and what we don't love about love.
Now we know the difference between good and bad humans. Now we become closed, careful, cautious and considerate.
We know exactly what we want and don't want.
After Azrael and Raphael got married, it wasn't exactly difficult for Lucifer to move on. He saw how happy she is and he decided that he shouldn't dwell on heartbreaking things. He continues to do his wonderful creations for the world. Raphael remained supportive of him, continuing to believe in his dreams despite the elders not believing in him.
Then came Adam and Lilith, he was mesmerized when he saw Lilith when he visited the Garden of Eden.
He fell in love with her and so did she to him, he listened to her how Adam wasn't treating her right. He couldn't believe a woman like her is treated like that.
He talked about her to Raphael and even though the seraphim was happy for him, she warned him not to do anything stupid. He promised that he wouldn't.
The more time he spent with Lilith, they slowly got to know each other.
He and Lilith shared the same beliefs, causing them to give the fruit of forbidden knowledge to Adam's new bride, Eve who gladly accepted.
With that, evil finally found its way to earth. Lucifer and Lilith were both banished into hell for what they had done.
Even though hell was dark, empty, and incredibly hot. He and Lilith managed to make it work. They were madly and deeply in love. Their love bore fruit and that is their beloved daughter, Charlotte Morningstar.
An eternity in hell with his family doesn't seem so bad.
Not all happy things last, slowly his and Lilith's beliefs started to clash once mortal souls slowly came down to hell. Lucifer witnessed the cruelty of mankind, how his actions gave these souls freedom to do incredibly horrifying things.
“This is how they used their free will...?” he asked himself.
He hated it, he lost so much because of the risk he did to give humanity freedom.
Lilith on the other hand, thrived off the evil.
Their differences caused them to split.
He fell into depression, how couldn't he? The woman he loved for so many eons left him? Not only that, his relationship with his daughter is deteriorating. He doesn't even remember when was the last time he held her.
For so many years, he believed that he was unlovable and he was destined to be alone. Why wouldn't he think that when the love of his life, the mother of his daughter left him?
Third love, this one comes blindly. No warning. It creeps on you silently.
You don't go looking for this love.. It comes to you.
You can put up ANY wall you want, it will be broken down. You'll find yourself caring about that person without trying. They look nothing like your usual crush types, but you get lost in their eyes daily. You see beauty in their imperfections. You hide nothing from them. You want marriage and family with them. You thank the universe for them. You truly love them.
It took a while but Lucifer managed to reconnect with his daughter, he promised to be there for her.
He helped her how to get to heaven, he helped her when the extermination happened.
He was proud of himself, promising to help the hotel as he can finally see that his daughter's dreams weren't hopeless. He was filled with hope once more, he wanted to help humanity once more.
It was sudden, no warning. He wasn't even looking for love.
Lucifer found himself staring at the third sinner who joined the hotel, [Y/n]. She joined and he was able to befriend and get to know the sinner.
He showed off his rubber duck collections to her, he thought she would find his hobby silly but turns out she loved it and found it adorable.
It was unexpected.
He suddenly found himself wide awake in his bed at the dead of the night, staring at the ceiling as countless thoughts of [Y/n] filled his mind.
“Uh oh.” he muttered, a realization that he fell for the sinner so suddenly and he fell hard.
He can only think of her bright and sparkly [e/c] eyes, her soft hair, soft skin, her beautiful face, and everything of her.
He groans, “Luciferrrr... you just had to fall for someone so suddenly and that is your friend too.” he groans to himself, mad at himself for falling for someone he thought he could call a friend.
He doesn't want to be friends with her, he wants to be more. He wants to marry her, have a family with her, worship her like the sinner he is.
After coming to the realization, he decided not to confess immediately. Wanting to see how deep his affections for her goes.
And it was deep, it was rock bottom. He was whipped.
He doesn't mind losing himself in the process when he loves her.
He pretended, he hid his feelings. Afraid of losing her.
It took so long, hiding it became unbearable.
He spilled the three words to her, “I like you.” he says so suddenly, he was mesmerized by her that the words came out so suddenly. Catching both him and her off guard.
His eyes widened, slapping a hand over his mouth.
[Y/n] just looked at him with wide eyes, cheeks tinted pink from fluster.
“I-I'm sorry, pretend I didn't say that...” he says, slightly stammering his words. His heart was beating erratically, his hands felt warm against his gloves. His cheeks are warm, warmer than usual. The spots on his cheek have reddened more than usual, almost glowing red.
He covered his face with his hand, embarrassed.
He was expecting that she would be gone once he removed his hands away from his face.
He felt his hand being held by soft ones, removing them from his face.
“Lucifer, look at me.” she says softly to him, he looked at her shyly and with embarrassment. His red eyes finally met [e/c] ones. He admired how beautiful she looked.
Her eyes were looking at him with so much adoration, cheeks flushed, and she was shyly smiling at him.
“Did you mean what you said?” she asked softly, hope evident in her voice.
He gulped nervously but decided to nod at her, a slow shy nod.
He could see how her eyes sparkled, her smile got bigger.
“I'm glad... I like you too, Lucifer.” she admitted softly to him, her voice devoid of any lies and only filled with honesty.
His eyes widened, his cheeks getting warmer.
“Why...? What's something about me to love?” he asked her sadly, avoiding her eyes. He is happy she felt the same but he genuinely can't see himself deserving of love.
“There's nothing about you that I couldn't love, I love everything about you... Lucifer.” she admitted softly, holding his hand with hers.
His breath got caught in his throat, his heart beating erratically against his ribcage.
“I am hard to love.” he says softly, ashamed. He squeezed her hand gently.
“Who said that?” she asked softly.
“Me.”
Her eyes softened, her other hand caressed his cheek adoringly, “Well, you're wrong. I can love you just as easily as breathing.”
Speechless, embarrassed, and flustered. He's not used to such affectionate words said to him.
“Huh...?”
“I meant it.” she says softly, leaning closer to him, “Can I kiss you...?” she asked and he forgot to breathe.
“Y-yes, please...”
Soft lips pressed against his, his eyes closed instinctively as his hand found its way to her waist, pulling her closer to him.
They'll be fine. He'll be fine. He has her now.
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GENERAL TAGLIST:
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its-rach-writes · 17 days
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Cinnamon and Art Galleries - Spencer Reid
Pairing: Spencer Reid x Reader
Summary: Your friend, Emily brings a cute stranger to your art exhibition.
Warnings: fluff, fluff, more fluff, probably ooc Spencer
A/N: I hope you guys enjoy this! This was my first time writing for Spencer so he's probably out of character but please let me know what you think! I love you all! xxx
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You smiled as you drew the cat in the hot chocolate foam and handed it to the little girl on the other side of the counter with her mom. It melted your heart when her face lit up and she waved at you as her mom steered her out of the café. It was slow in your café today but you didn’t mind, you used the time to set up for the beginner art class you were going to be teaching on Saturday.
“Hey girl,” you glanced up when the bell rang and your friend Emily walked in.
You smiled when you saw her and gave her a wave. She was the first friend you had made when you moved to DC.
“Hey,” you smiled, “having the usual?”
“Please,” she grinned.
You got to work, making her one black coffee, the other was a milky coffee with a shot of cinnamon syrup. You knew that Emily drank the black coffee so you couldn’t help but wonder who the overly sweet coffee was for. You carefully selected the cinnamon roll with the most frosting and slid it into a bag, being careful to not let it stick to the paper bag.
“I believe congratulations are in order,” Emily started and you scoffed with a laugh.
As soon as you found out your art was going to be featured in an exhibition, Emily was the first person you told, “the team are coming to see it.”
You raised an eyebrow, secretly you were grateful, “FBI Agents don’t have anything better to do?”
She laughed, “not tonight, I even managed to talk the good Dr into coming.”
“The elusive Spencer Reid?” you rested your hip against the counter as you handed her the coffees, “how did you manage that?” from what Emily had told you, it didn’t seem like Spencer Reid liked social situations.
“I’ve got killer interrogation skills,” she smirked, “he’s cute too.”
You internally groaned, yours and Emily’s definition of ‘cute’ were very different, for all you knew Spencer Reid was an aging Professor, “as long as you don’t try and set us up, like you tried with me and Morgan.”
“No promises,” she laughed as she backed out of the café, “I’ll see you tonight.”
Later that night, you were sipping champagne as people perused your exhibition, your paintings were both inspired by Pre-Raphaelite art and the King Arthur legends. You noticed a man was standing at your painting of the Knights of the Round Table, so you walked over and decided to strike up a conversation.
“Hi.”
“Hi,” his lips twitched into a small smile as he looked down at you with gorgeous deep brown eyes, “you’re the artist right?” when you nodded, he looked back at the painting, “you’re really good.”
“Thanks, I love Pre-Raphaelite art.”
“Did you know that the Pre-Raphaelites were a secret society of young artists, founded in London in 1848? They were opposed to the Royal Academy’s promotion of the ideal as exemplified in the work of Raphael,” he blurted this out like he’d memorised it from a textbook and you worked hard to conceal a laugh.
“I did know that,” you giggled.
“Right of course,” he flushed, “of course you knew that.”
Something struck a memory, something that Emily had told you, “wait, are you Spencer Reid?” he looked at you with slightly wary eyes before nodding and you smiled, “I’m Y/N, Emily has told me so much about you.”
“It’s all lies,” he joked and glanced over his shoulder, “she’s making the most of the bar right now.”
You laughed as you looked over too and she waved, lifting up a glass in a motion of cheers. When she had said Spencer was cute, it was an understatement, he was young and gorgeous.
“Are you interested in art?” you asked as you sipped your champagne.
Spencer nodded, “I like looking at it, I’m afraid I’m not very artistic.”
“And here, we thought you were perfect,” you heard a chuckle from over your shoulder and you turned to see Derek Morgan and the rest of the BAU, Morgan pulled you into a hug, “congratulations sweetheart.”
“Thanks,” you smiled as you pulled away and looked at the others, “thank you for coming.”
It was a great night and you were grateful for everyone that came but soon, you were starting to get overwhelmed so you went out onto the balcony for a cigarette. Though it seemed as though someone else had beaten you to it. He ran a hand through his hair and glanced over his shoulder and smiled at you.
“Hey, you want some company?”
“Sure,” he smiled.
There was comfortable silence for a while as both of you looked over at the lights of DC, your cigarette smoke curling in the air. Soon enough, Spencer spoke up.
“So what do you do? Is art your full time thing?”
“I own the café by the library, but I’m integrating art into the café, I’m teaching a beginner class at the weekend from there.”
“No way! Seriously?” he smiled, looking animated, “your coffee is so good and your cinnamon rolls? Amazing.”
You laughed, “Emily gets the cinnamon roll with the most frosting for you?”
“Yeah,” he flushed, he opened his mouth to say something else when he was interrupted by Aaron Hotchner.
“Reid, we just got called in,” he glanced at you, an apologetic look, “I’m sorry, Y/N.”
“No, it’s okay,” you smiled when Spencer pushed himself off the railing, “it was really nice to meet you Spencer.”
He flushed and offered you a shy smile, “it was nice to meet you too, I’ll see you soon?”
You nodded and Emily pulled you into a tight hug, whispering in your ear, “I’ll make sure he sees you soon,” you laughed, shaking your head as she pulled away.
On Saturday, you were setting up for the art class when you heard the tinkle of the bell and you glanced up. None other than Spencer Reid was standing in the open doorway, the sun like a halo around his head.
“Thought you might need a hand.”
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imababblekat · 1 year
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TmnT Boy’s Meeting Aprils New Roomie; HC’s
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Anon Request, “Can I request the bayverse turtles reactions to meeting april's new roomate who is a really a short s/o (like 5 ft) that has a tired and chill personality (has the same kind of personality as aizawa and shinso from mha) and instead of freaking out when they see the turtles they just say "hey" nonchalantly then go back to what they're doing? (You don't need to do this I just think it would be funny)”
~xXx~
Michelangelo:
Mikey had barged his way into Aprils apartment to excitedly talk about the latest episode of their favorite TV drama when he stumbled upon you
April was there with you, equal panic on her face as the orange clad turtle waited for the inevitable screaming or a similar panicked reaction
Your lack of shock left Mikey curious about you; all you had given him was a tired “sup” with a head tilt up and continuing your conversation like seeing a mutant ninja turtle breaking into your apartment was the most normal of things
His brothers wouldn’t have believed him if not for April being witness to the ordeal and are left as equally surprised by your lack of reaction when they ultimately come to meet you
Doesn’t take long for Mikey to practically glue himself to your side; it’s like the golden retriever boy trope
Loves the fact you’re so short; doesn’t out right tease you because he knows what it’s like to be the smallest, but he won’t hesitate to pick you up and throw you on his shoulders to get something from a high place
Donatello: 
His mind is so deep in explaining what he figured out what was wrong with Aprils watch, that he hadn’t picked up on her panicked face till he’d heard the once vacant room in her apartment creak open
Your lack of noticing him at all, which was odd considering he was a literal giant in comparison to your much shorter stature, and making way to grab some water before retreating back to your room had Donnie wonder for a second if he was really that good of a ninja
But after questioning April the next day about whether or not you truly did notice him, it turns out he in fact wasn’t as invisible as he felt, when his friend informed him that you did actually see him that night
Ultimately, he had to introduce himself and his brothers to make sure you wouldn’t go talking about them to the wrong person, but at your simple nod and “okay” while absentmindedly texting on your phone at the end of their empty threat introduction, Donnie was even more confused than he had been the first night
Your nonchalant behavior had left his overthinking brain wondering why you reacted so differently compared to others
It didn’t make any logical sense to him, especially after no indications that you were going through some kind of weird shock symptom 
His time spent trying to understand why you didn’t freak out on him that night turns into a lot of time bonding and forming a friendship he also never calculated to be possible, not that he minded of course; your chill personality was a nice contrast to the chaotic energies of his brothers when needed
Raphael:
He had been asked by Donnie while on a solo patrol to grab something from April, so when he’d stepped through her window he did not expect to see another person there with her
Your lack of a fear struck response leaves him frustratingly confused afterwards
Poor Raph is so used to people screaming or even fainting at the sight of him, that when all you did was wave a simple high and continue watching your Netflix show, he couldn’t help the suspicion he held towards you
Due to his skeptical feeling towards you however, he ends up spending a lot of time around you, and even though it does take some time, your unconcerned attitude towards, well, all of him, eventually has his walls crumbling around you
You make him feel normal, like he’s not some freak of nature; you don’t even flinch when his anger gets the best of him, instead waiting for him to calm some before offering some comfort
As Raph finds himself more lax with you, he opens up quite a bit and finds a friendship he didn’t know he desperately craved
But he’ll never tell you that, not at first at least, and instead just teases you and calls you shorty and time you tease him about how sweet he’s being
Leonardo:
Leo is definitely the most guarded when meeting new people, and your unbothered nature towards him when he accidentally stumbles upon you in Aprils apartment, does not easy his mistrustful thoughts about you
For a while he actually wonders if you’re some kind of secret spy to the foot clan or some other bad group of people, but anytime he tried to get you to confess your secrets, you’d just confusingly ask if you could help him with all the weird staring he’s doing
It lowkey leaves him feeling flustered, because he’s not used to not being taken seriously by anyone except his brothers
It takes a while for him to warm up to you, but when he does he starts to realizes how much he appreciates not being seen as a freak almost like Raph does, he also feels very relieved to not have to worry about his family being in any sort of danger with you
Yeah, you might be the shortest person he’s ever met, but he secretly feels like you could kick some ass
Your unassuming personality also has him thinking you could secretly be a force to wreckin with, and often ponders if he should offer up the idea to train you; definitely not because he wants to spend more time with you or anything of course!
~xXx~
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teamhandsometcth · 4 months
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A Monégasque Story ( Part 1 ) - Charles Leclerc
Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5
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Summary of the series - Y/n is Charles' best friend little sister. They grew up together but haven't seen each other's for years. Their relationship seems to take a different turn when Charles stay at her’s and her brother's.
Warning - Both Y/n's and Charles' POV, Fem reader, Both Charles and Y/n speaking French (translated) tension, tooth rotting fluff, three years age gap, mature content, 18+, brother's best friend, friends to lovers, she felt first he felt harder...
Disclaimer : I'm French and my English is NOT perfect ⚠️ Please don't stole or repost my stories on any other sites. Btw reblogs are more then welcomed.
Here I am, laying on my best friend's parents couch after spending the last 24 hours doing exactly that plus dealing with a massive hungover.
My flight landed in Monaco three days ago, and since that, Giselle and I have been glued to each other.
We didn't get to see each other much lately, I've been so busy with my finals. And with us living in different places, Giselle in London, and me in Paris, it's complicated to match our plannings.
I called her the very moment after landing, which quickly resulted to her proposing to celebrate the start of summer break (get drunk) with our friends. And that's exactly what we did. Wish resulted to our current state.
She hand me a cup of tea for the third time this afternoon, as we're desperately trying to find a place to spend the other half of our vacation.
I sit up and slightly roll up the sleeves of my cardigan before taking the cup. "Why don't we stay simple ? I think Italy would be the perfect place. It's sunny, the food is delicious, and the men are too..." I propose, a teasing smile dancing on my lips.
She laugh and shook her head lightly. "the men part does not work as an argument for me."
I meet her gaze, a knowing expression plastered on my face. "fair enough. Although I'm kind of up for a summer flying. You know, get to think about something else than work !"
"Can't relate, I never think about work." Giselle say calmly bringing her cup to her lips. I let out a laugh at her statement.
My phone suddenly start going off. I bend over to grab it from the coffee table, trying my best not to fall off the couch.
I unlock my phone, and quickly glance at the text conversation between my brother and I.
He was asking at what time I plan to get home. I quickly tap an answer before putting my phone back down.
Two empty cups and equal number of unread messages from Raphael later. Im finally standing at the front door.
"Text me when you're home !" Gisele shout from the kitchen. "yup." I answer loudly enough for her to hear before closing the door behind me.
I live in Paris since I started college, and even if I fly back to Monte Carlos often, I still miss it here.
My parents sold out our family home two years ago, since we weren't living with them anymore. Plus, they were always talking about traveling around the world just the two of them, and how exciting it will be to have this adventure for their marriage.
Even if it broke my heart to say goodbye to this house, that hold so many of my childhood memories, im really happy for them. So now, when im back in town, I usually go to my brother's.
It take me  less than 15 minutes to walk there, as I enjoy the view of the sun starting set slowly. I missed it so much. One of the thing I love the most about Monaco is how little it is, you can literally walk everywhere. Ironically enough, it's also what I hated the most about living here when I was a teenager, it seemed like my world was so little. Now I found peace in coming back here, it seems like time stop for a moment.
Once at the flat, I close the front door behind me and drop my bag on the couch.
The windows are open, letting a soft breeze dance between the sheers as the golden light from the now lot lower sun fill the living room.
I sat down on the couch, and send a quick message to Giselle to tell her I got home safe, Knowing that if I forget, she's going to come see for herself. She can be such a drama queen sometimes, and I love her for that.
I make my way toward my bedroom wanting only one thing, take a long hot shower. But as i pass the guest room a voice catch my attention.
I furrow my eyes brow as hear someone speak but it's not my brother. It sound familiar but I can't seem to remember where I heard it.
I push the door open, and my eyes directly fall on a pair of green ones. I frown, not only they seem familiar but I know exactly who own them.
And just like that, everything stop. I dive deeply into them, my breath become shorter and my mind goes back where my teenager heart installed itself years ago.
7 years earlier :
I am on the porch of my family house sitting on the staircase, my back against the gate. Observing my brother and his friends playing basket in our garden, a book with the world cheesiest cover in my hand. I was mesmerized by it, it was my first romance book ever and it made me dream of something I didn't know I wanted. Love.
As my eye travel between the pages I can't repress the big smile of pure euphoria off of my fifteen years old face.
I only detached my curious eyes off the words when I see a shadow approach. I quickly shut the book and look up, only to see Charles. "Hey."  I say a little too flustered. "Hey you too, what are you reading ?" he say trying to catch the book in my hand, I try an escape but he take it from my grip with a devious smile.
I wasn't particularly ashamed of reading romance, but definitely ashamed that my crush just caught me reading it, which is so gross.
He look at the cover, with a teasing grin on his perfectly sculptured face.
"Oh I seeeee," I drop my head between my knee and let out an ashamed groan. He giggle, "Stop being so shy, im just teasing you. This is so cute honestly."
"Charles stop I don't want to speak about that with you." I tell him, ready for a hole to open under me and swallow me entirely.
He kneel in front of me, make me raise my head by taking my chin between his hand, caressing it softly. "You know you don't have to be ashamed with me, it's good." He say softly. " It's completely normal for you to find interest in that, everyone do at our age, it's called being a teenager." He laugh lightly, I do too relaxing a little.
"But seriously, if you have any questions whatever it is you can ask me, I will be happy to help you."
I blush, look down then look back up at him again. "thank you Charlie."
"Charles ?" I ask in shock.
I stand there, completely stuck in place. I literally fell my heart beating in every fibers of my skin.
He look so handsome. I take my time to look at him up and down, taking in every changes and details. Don't get me wrong, I watch formula one so I know what he look like. It's just that it's been a while since I've seen him for real.
I finally look back in his eyes, just to discover he was doing the exact same thing I was doing a second ago. He was gazing intently at every curve and part of me, like he was trying to learn every single one of them.
When his beautiful green-ish colored eyes cross my again, smiles broke on both of our faces. 
"Salut," (hi ) He let out suddenly,  His voice holding an inch of hesitation and shyness in it. It's so freaking cute.
I try to contain my smile, still not believing my eyes. "Salut,"
Charles is my brother's best-friend. We grew up together, and for as far as can remember, I always had a crush on him. How could I not.
It has been one sided for the most part. Till 4 years ago when he started to reciprocate, we kind of started something but not so long after, I was leaving for Paris.
Since that, we keep on missing each other. Every time im here he's out of town, and vise versa. We didn't talk during this 4 years. We just kind of got on with our lives.
"Raph m'as pas dit que tu venais. T'es arrivé quand ?" ( Raph didn't tell me you were coming, when did you get here ? ) I say in disbelief, while going for a quick hug.
"J'ai atterri ce matin. C'était pas prévu mais je vais être à Monaco pour quelles semaines." ( I landed this morning actually. It wasn't planned, but im going to be in Monaco for a couple of weeks.) Charles smile as I pull away, he look at me up and down again. It make me weak in the knees and I fell like somehow he knows it.
As I look away my gaze catch a luggage at the foot of the bed. I look back at Charles in confusion. "You're staying here ?"
Charles nod lightly "Only for a couple of days. I let one of my friend and his girlfriend crash at my place since they are in town for a couple of weeks, and I wasn't supposed to be home for a while."
He's still not taking his eyes off of me, making me melt under his gaze.
He lock eyes with me, not saying anything. I love the way he look at me, he make me fell special. He blush when he realize he was staring.
He clear his throat lightly, "I was one the phone with your brother just before you got here and he's going to be out for a while, something to do with one of the boat."
I nod, "Right, well what do you want to do meanwhile ?" I question.
He smile at me "Viens avec moi, j'ai besoin d'aide pour défaire mes bagages." ( Come with me, I need help with unpacking. ) he say his hand delicately going on the small of my back slightly pushing me toward his luggage.
We start to unpack, Charles stand by the drawer, as im siting on the bed passing him his clothes. Catching up on what happened in our lives lately.
"J'ai hâte de la rencontrer, je suis sur qu’elle a des super pouvoirs. J'ai jamais vu Raph s'attacher autant à quelqu'un avant." ( Im actually quite impatient to meet this girl, im sure she have super powers. I've never seen Raph head over heels over someone before. )
I nod at him smiling at the thought "Il l'est vraiment. Et c'est vrai qu'elle est incroyable" ( Yeah, he really his. And she is pretty amazing I might add.) here he his again looking at me ready to tease me.
"Je suis certain que tu dis pas ça juste parce que c'est ta meilleure amie !"( Im sure you're not saying that because she is your best friend !) I chock my head, a smile on my lips. "Non pas du tout. Toute les personnes qui me fréquente sont genial" (No I'm not, every person who frequent me are incredible.) I say jokingly.
"Je devrai rester coller a toi alors" ( I should stay as close to you as possible then! ) He state teasingly. I don't know how long he's actually planning on staying but im gonna have a pretty hard time if he continue to say things like that to me. Im already so overwhelmed with emotions and it's only been an hour.
I always thought the silly crush I had on him will stay in my childhood, like something I will think about and be like "how could that happen". but here I am feeling this exact same sensations I was feeling on that porch, like nothing really changed.
Im not naive. I don't expect anything from him. I already kind of experimented how he is when it comes to relationships, and that’s not attractive to me.
We continue to unpack everything, while he's telling me some behind the scene of formula one. I love listening to him talking about his work, he's so passionate about it and excited to explain every details of it. It's charming.
"So what are you planning to do while you’re in break ?" We moved to his bed, after we finished organizing everything. I sat in front of his lied down body.
"I don't know actually, it's been a while since I've been here for more than two days." He began, stirring up a little. "I think I'm just happy to get to be with you and Raph, so whatever we do is fine by me" the biggest smile made its way on my face. "Thank you for saying that." he smile back "it's true."
He get up to take something out of the front pocket of his travel bag. "Wish made me think, I have something for you." he get back to me with a little package in his hand and give it to me.
I furrow my eyebrows at him as open it, just to see a gorgeous necklace with a little charm dawdling at the end of it. "It's so pretty, but why?" I say locking eyes with him. Im in aww, my literally eyes shining, "I saw it a few months ago when I was in Italy and it made me think of you, so I buy it and since im here I thought it was the perfect occasion to give it to you."
My eyes widened "Slow down a minutes, you buy this months ago ? Did you already knew you we were going to see each other ? I don't understand." I say with a confused expression.
He chock his head, "No I didn't, but I knew I was going to see you at some point, and I wanted to have it then." I blush at his thoughtfulness.
"Thank you so much Charles." I jump in his arms which he immediately respond by squeezing me tightly.
We stay like that just enjoying the warm of our bodies against one another.
Once we pulled away, I sat with my back toward Charles. He pass the necklace in front of me. I take a fistful of my hair, freeing my neck for him.
Once he attached it, I drop the hold on my hair making them fall back on my back. he push them away a little and press a kiss on my shoulder not saying anything. I fell butterflies rise in my stomach.
I turn around locking eyes with him "Thank you." He blush lightly. "You're very welcome love."
—————————
When my brother gets home, Charles and I are sitting on the balcony, enjoying the cooler air.
I love how Monaco fell like a party every single second. From the moment the sun went completely down, thousands of apartments started to light up all around the principality.
We can see people walking down the road all dressed up and ready to have a blast. it's a all mood, and it's magical.
"Y/n you're here." I hear from behind me. I stop my conversation with Charles and sightly twist my upper body on the sofa to look behind me, inside the apartment.
I send a smile in Raphael's direction, as he make his way to us, opening the already ajar glass door.
"Hey, sorry that I took so long." he say, kissing my cheeks to say hello.
He didn't miss the oportunity to ruffle my hair just after, just to piss me off.
If a look could kill, he'll be dead by now.
"Some idiots, rented a yacht and ruined it, I had to deal with all the paper work for the assurance, and the obviously dump tourists, that suddenly couldn't understand anything I was saying." he sight, crossing his arms and leaning against the gate.
My brother own yachts and boats. Well technically "we" do. He had taken upon the family business when our parents moved. He rent them so people can organize parties, weeding... And he also navigate for people who went to visit around.
"Shit." Charles let out from behind me, concern in his voice. "And did you find a solution ?"
"Yeah, well at least I think so, we'll see in the morning." he smile sightly, and focus his attention back on me. "btw Charles is staying with us!"
"Yeah i caught up on that."I snort at my brother, making Charles laugh.
I send a smile in his direction which he is quick to return, with his pretty dimples.
"So, what do you guys want to do tonight ?" I ask looking between the two.
I hate being the one responsable of picking places to go to, because if it's not good or something it's all on me.
Raphael, shrugs "Whatever you and Charles want, im not picky." And it's true, he was incredibly easy to please.
I turn to Charles, he turn to me, smirk, than say the infamous words "whatever you pick is fine by me." This bastard.
"You guys are impossible." I sight.
To be continued...
Part 2 >>
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I hope you guys liked it. This was the first part of what I hope will be a story. I created a masterlist so check it out if you want. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story. If you want to request something, go for it and I will try my best to make it as good as possible. Have an amazing day or night, and maybe see you soon. With love, 💜
Ps : don’t forget to share if you want to
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When They Crush On You
2012!Turtles x reader
A/N: I’ve finally gained access to all seasons of TMNT 2012! That means that I can finally watch them all the way from start to finish! So here’s a little headcanon to celebrate with💙❤️💜🧡
Warnings: None other than some spelling, idk.
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Leonardo:
Leonardo would be the responsible and reliable one and he prides himself that way. And just like with the rest of his family, he would see you and your safety as his responsibility. As Leo’s crush on you develops further and further, he would become even more protective and would make sure you're safe during missions. It would get to a point where he would text you to make sure you were okay, even if you weren’t coming along with him and his brothers. But it would go further than that. Leonardo would check up on you regularly with some form of excuse. Something happened on the mission and he needed to know you were okay. He saw something on the news so he would just check in. He broke the toaster and there was a spark, so he had to make sure it didn’t hurt you… even though you were in your own home. It didn’t take more than half a brain cell to realize that Leo was just looking for excuses to talk to you. But that didn’t change the fact that Leo did actually worry about your safety. He'd subtly offer you training sessions and enjoy spending one-on-one with you in the dojo - even though he would panic slightly whenever you got close to him. But even when he was about to mentally scream because of your close proximity, Leonardo would still compliment you on your skill. His compliments would be subtle, but his actions spoke volumes. He would compliment you often about the smallest things. Even though you didn’t seem to notice, Leo’s brothers would look at him like he was a lost cause. To a certain degree they were right. Because as Leonardo’s crush on you grew, he would only grow more and more flustered whenever you were around. You didn’t see it, but everyone else did. Wide eyes that would look in every direction, thinking of something to talk to you about, other than your skills in the dojo or their latest mission.
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Raphael:
When Raphael first started crushing on you, not much of his behavior would change. He would stay his gruff turtle self with a small sarcastic comment every now and then. But as his feelings for you started to develop, his actions would follow suit. Raph would start to tease you more. Not like he did with his brothers, but in a more caring way. Yet he would never dare to admit it was because he liked you more than as a friend. Raph would poke you quite often. There was a need in him to be close to you, yet he did not know how to express it in a way he felt comfortable with. So therefore he would poke you, finding it hilarious and adorable if you got annoyed. Was he walking past you while you were eating? Poke. Had you been quiet for long while watching the TV? Poke. Were you talking to one of his brothers? He would continuously poke you until you directed your attention towards him, just to leave with a; “what? I didn’t do anything”. But as much as Raphael liked to tease you, he did not know how to react to the feeling of his beating heart whenever he saw you. As his feelings grew and his heart started beating faster, Raph would start to appear more aloof than usual. That would usually happen when he didn’t expect you to be around. The sheer shock of seeing without mentally preparing himself forced him to act as if you weren’t there. But when Raph was prepared for your pressens, he would annoy you like there was no tomorrow. He would challenge you to spontaneous sparring matches, wanting to see your skills and even show off his own. But as annoying as Raph could be, he would also be nice to you. He'd surprise you with small gestures of kindness, like fixing something for you without saying a word. Like dropping snacks into your lap if you were hungry, without looking you in the eyes.
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Donatello:
Donnie, the tech genius, would find subtle ways to impress you with his intelligence. It meant a lot for him when his intelligence was complimented, especially by you. So after the first time you commented on how smart he was, it became his go to way when it came to gain your attention. He would build you gadgets or modify equipment just for you. He would usually present them to you as a gift you had earned for the smallest reasons. You had done great at school or work, or you made that really good cake a long time ago. One time he made you something because you; “remembered to drink water”. But gift giving things Donatello had made was not the only way he would try to gain and keep your attention. Donnie would enjoy engaging in deep conversations with you about science or any other shared interests. But as much as Donnie liked to talk to you, he struggled with expressing his feelings verbally, like saying either too much or too little for his own liking. Like accidentally admitting to having a crush on you, only to try and cover it up by seeing he hated you, causing him even more embarrassment. Yet his actions and gestures spoke volumes and you caught on pretty early on, even before he unintentionally admitted anything. It wasn’t that hard with how clumsy and flustered Donnie would get when he was around you. He would become a blushing mess if your hand touched his while accepting his gift. Stumbling or dropping things weren’t uncommon either for Donatello when you were around. Donnie just couldn’t help it. It was not his fault he would shake like crazy whenever you were close to him. You could just stop being so sweet and maybe he wouldn’t embarrass himself every time he saw you.
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Michelangelo:
Mikey would not be so subtle about his feelings for you. He would pretty much do and say everything in the book, but in a non traditional way. Being a fun-loving and carefree turtle by nature, would do anything in his power to make you laugh, and his non conventional and open way of going about his feelings for you certainly made you do so. The only reason the two of you didn’t start a romantic relationship any earlier, was because you thought he was joking with his extreme openness. Mikey would constantly crack jokes, hoping to make you smile. These jokes would extend to pranking his brothers while you were watching, much to their annoyance. Mikey would also invite you to pizza parties in his room, calling them dates from day one with no hesitation. He noticed very early on that you liked a particular type of pizza, and would make sure to bring you one every day instead of a bouquet of roses. At times Mikey would prank and playfully tease you, but never to the same extent as he did with his brothers. What he did to his brothers was meant to annoy them, and be used as a sort of entertainment for himself. But with you it was yet another way for him to show affection. Like not giving you the pizza he had brought for you, without at least a hug as payment. Or straight up blocking your way, demanding some sort of attention from you. If Mikey got nervous whenever you were around, he was definitely good at hiding it. But once you were gone and Mikey was left back with his brothers, he would have no peace not knowing when he would see you again. He would talk about you for hours, mentioning you out of nowhere, almost causing his brothers to become violent. But they soon learned that the best way to shut him up was simply to call you over and ask you to spend time with him.
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devildomwriter · 27 days
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A Devildom Easter Egg Extravaganza
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Diavolo decides to hold an Easter egg hunt. Shenanigans ensue.
Slight x reader for Lucifer, Diavolo, Mephistopheles, Barbatos
[Student Council Room]
Lucifer: “You really mean to hold…an Easter egg hunt?”
Diavolo: “Why, yes! I think it will be great fun!”
Mephistopheles: “My Lord, everything you do is brilliant!”
Diavolo: “Thank you!”
Mephistopheles: “However…this holiday is in celebration of everything we are against…as is Christmas for that matter but that’s become popular here recently…”
Diavolo: *nodding* “Yes. I understand that these holidays traditionally represent and celebrate our opposites. So celebrating them not only promotes goodwill with the angels and religious exchange students but also draws attention away from its original purpose.”
Lucifer: “I see, so that’s your angle.”
Mephistopheles: “Am I missing something?”
Lucifer: “We are celebrating and promoting the secular traditions instead. Celebrating bunnies, eggs, and candy rather than my father and father-brother.”
Diavolo: “Ahahaha.”
Mephistopheles: “Father-brother?”
Lucifer: “We’re done discussing this.”
Diavolo: “Anyway. I think it would be great fun to hide eggs all around RAD for the exchange students and any willing RAD students to join in. I understand it may not be especially popular with demons but I do want to incorporate holidays important to others too. It is vital to accept and learn about each other’s cultures and traditions to better respect and understand each other.”
Barbatos: “Well said, my lord.”
Mephistopheles: “In that case, I’d be more than happy to promote this in the newspaper! Leave it to me.”
Diavolo: “Thank you, Mephistopheles. I knew I could count on you!”
[Purgatory Hall]
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Luke: “A what?”
Solomon: “An Easter egg hunt.”
Raphael: “We’ll be busy.”
MC: “Oh, really…”
Simeon: “Yes, we must celebrate our father-brother, after all.”
MC: “That’s such a weird way to say Jesus.”
Raphael: “Those are the only words in your language to accurately describe him.”
MC: “Right. Will you really be in the celestial realm all day though?”
Simeon: “Umm well…”
Raphael: *glaring* “We should be.”
Luke: “…”
Solomon: “You’re going to make Luke sad.”
Luke: “Wh! Hey!”
Raphael: “Luke has no reason to be sad.”
MC: “C’mon Raph, you can’t make a kid miss an Easter egg hunt. That’s cruel and unusual punishment.”
Raphael: “That’s an inaccurate description of cruel and unusual punishment.”
MC: “But it’s true though.”
Raphael: *sigh* “I suppose we can come back after service and the banquet.”
Simeon: “Wonderful!”
Luke: “Yay! Sir Raphael, you’re the best!”
MC: “Okay, the angels are in. Let’s go tell Thirteen.”
Solomon: “I believe Diavolo already has.”
MC: “Really?”
Solomon: “Yes. He said something about some eggs containing special surprises.”
Raphael: “I have a bad feeling about this…”
[Lucifer’s Private Study]
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Lucifer: “I have a headache already.”
Solomon: “Hahahaha!”
MC: “So he’s really having her rig the eggs?”
Lucifer: “Many of them yes. I fear she’s taking it overboard, hoping Solomon will find them all.”
Solomon: “How thoughtful.”
Lucifer: “How can you be wise and yet so oblivious, honestly?”
Solomon: “It just shows she’s thinking of me. She really is a good friend.”
MC: “You may need better friends.”
Lucifer: “Considering most of them want to kill you, I’d have to agree.”
Solomon: “Most? I wouldn’t say that most of them do.”
MC: “Even some of them is an issue…”
Solomon: “Well, regardless I think this hunt will be fun. You’ll be participating yes?”
MC: “I already asked if I could hide them instead.”
Solomon: “You’d like to hide them? Not find them?”
MC: “I used to hide them for the neighborhood kids. They’d still turn up years later.”
Solomon: “Don’t you suppose that’s too good at hiding them?”
MC: “You can never be too good at something unless it’s illegal.”
Solomon: “I…suppose that’s true.”
Lucifer: “That is a flawed argument and the fact you think that makes my headache worse, please leave Solomon.”
Solomon: “Only me?”
Lucifer: “That’s what I said.”
Solomon: “Wow, so cruel, Lucifer. I suppose I’ll see you this weekend.”
Lucifer: “Yes, goodbye now.”
MC: “Soooo…what’d you want to talk about?”
Lucifer: “Nothing, I just wanted him to leave and your company soothes me.”
MC: “I thought I was giving you a headache?”
Lucifer: “You do, but it’s nothing compared to Mammon.”
MC: “That’s fair.”
MC: “So are you going to compete?”
Lucifer: “Finding the eggs?”
MC: “Yeah.”
Lucifer: *smirks* “Will I get a reward if I do?”
MC: “Hmm…maybe?”
Lucifer: “I see…then I suppose I will.”
MC: “Yes! This going to be so much fun!” *hugs*
Lucifer: *blushes* “Only you could make me so excited about this holiday.”
[The Day Before Easter | RAD]
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Diavolo: “Oh, MC! I can’t tell you how excited I am to be hiding these with you!”
MC: “About that…don’t you want to participate?”
Diavolo: “I think preparing it is just as exciting! Besides, there will be some places by Barbatos too and I won’t know where those are.”
MC: “So, you’ll be looking for the ones he hid?”
Diavolo: “Yes, as I oversee everything.”
MC: “Good, I love to see you have fun!”
Diavolo: “I feel the same way. Hopefully, you’ll do a bit of searching too?”
MC: “Sure, I’ll walk with you and we’ll see who finds them first.”
Diavolo: “A competition? How fun! I can hardly wait.”
Barbatos: “Young master, here are the baskets.”
MC: “That’s…a lot of eggs.”
Diavolo: “Yes, this may take us all night, I’m so excited.”
Barbatos: “MC, be careful not to trigger the traps.”
MC: “How would I know?”
Barbatos: “They’re in separate baskets, just handle them more delicately and take care they don’t open up, even the slightest bit.”
MC: “Right…”
Diavolo: “Oh my, look how this own sparkles, MC, isn’t it just—“
MC: “Where’d he go!?”
Barbatos: “And I just warned him too…”
MC: “Okay, but where did he go?”
In the distance, you hear roaring laughter and look to see a light on in RAD.
MC: “I found him.”
Barbatos: *sigh* “I suppose I should supervise this shouldn’t I?”
MC: “It’ll be okay, I’ll protect him.”
Barbatos: “Ever so reliable, MC. It’s what I love most about you.”
MC: *blushing* “G-Glad you feel that way.”
A small explosion sounds from inside.
MC: “He’s…not being careful. At all.”
Barbatos: “Good luck.”
MC: “What’ve I done?”
[A Few Hours Later]
Diavolo sits next to you on the RAD lawn covered in pink and yellow powder, hair spiked, and hands puffy and pink.
MC: “Sooo….”
Diavolo: “That was so much fun!”
MC: “Thirteen wasn’t happy about resetting them all though.”
Diavolo: “Yes, I did apologize.”
MC: “I think she laughed hard enough to forgive you.”
Diavolo: “Yes it was quite excessive.”
MC: “That’s rich coming from you.”
Diavolo: “Hm? What do you mean?”
MC: “If you laughed and a bomb went off at the same time, I’d hear you.”
Diavolo: “Pfft! Ahahahahaha.”
MC: “My point exactly. Anyway…Barbatos will skin me alive if you come back looking like this.”
You take his hands and whisper an incantation, lips close to his inflamed hands. The pink vanished and his hands returned to normal. Diavolo let out a sigh of relief.
Diavolo: “Thank goodness. That was quite itchy.”
MC: “Now all you need is a serious bath.”
Diavolo: “Oh, will you be giving it to me?”
MC: “Wh—“
Diavolo: “Ahahahaha! I’m only kidding.”
MC: “That’s a shame.”
Diavolo: “What?”
MC: “What?”
Diavolo: *sigh* “Why don’t we go get some rest and meet early again tomorrow before the others arrive.”
MC: “Sounds like a plan.”
Diavolo smiles and ruffles your hair. You attempt to do the same but your hand gets stuck to his gelled hair, the result of an egg surprise. You stare at him, hand stuck in his hair and he stares back at you when a familiar person clears their throat.
Thirteen: “Uh…the eggs have been reset. Am I interrupting something?”
Diavolo: “We seem to be stuck.”
Thirteen: “Hahahah! Serves you right, anyway I’m headed out.”
MC: “You’re gonna leave us here?”
Thirteen: “Yes!”
Diavolo: “I see…I suppose we should call Barbatos?”
MC: “Yeah…”
[Early the next morning | House of Lamentation]
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Asmodeus: “MC! You’re finally back! Where’ve you been all night? Don’t tell me you- ooooh!”
Lucifer lightly smacks Asmodeus over the back of the head.
Asmodeus: “Ow! Lucifer you big meanie.”
Lucifer: “Don’t imply such things.”
Asmodeus: “But they were gone aaaalll night. Isn’t that right? And who were they with? The hunky—“
Lucifer: “Be quiet.”
Mammon: “What’s goin’ on down here!?”
Mammon: “Hey! MC! You’re finally back!”
Satan: “I was getting worried.”
Belphegor: “Mmhm.”
MC: “One of Thirteen’s traps went off…”
Lucifer: “I see. That explains things then.”
Asmodeus: “Boo. I was hoping for some gossip.”
Belphegor: “That’s the same thing as saying you hope Diavolo and MC hooked up.”
Mammon: “Hold on, what happened!?”
Satan: “Nothing happened, Mammon. Pay attention.”
MC: “My hand got stuck to Diavolo, that’s all.”
Beelzebub: “Stuck?”
Mammon: “Huh? Stuck where!”
MC: “His head.”
Asmodeus: “Which o—“
All: “Shut up, Asmo!”
You got a few hours of rest before your alarm went off. You already had good morning texts from the angels reminding you of the importance of the day and you smiled and sighed. You changed into your Easter outfit and put on the rabbit ear headband Diavolo insisted all participants wear.
[Easter Morning | RAD Courtyard]
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Diavolo: “MC! I’m so glad you’re here!”
MC: “As promised.”
Barbatos: “Good. Participants should be showing up in a few hours and—“
Mephistopheles: “Good morning everyone.”
Diavolo: “Ah, good morning, Mephistopheles.”
Mephistopheles: “Hm? You still have baskets?”
MC: “We couldn’t finish hiding them all…there was a mishap.”
Mephistopheles: “Oh? Of what nature.”
Barbatos: “The details aren’t necessary. Why don’t you take a few pictures of the setup before we begin? See if you can spot an egg and photograph it.”
Mephistopheles: “Right. And MC.”
MC: “Hm?”
Mephistopheles: “Happy Easter?”
MC: “Aww! Thank you Mephisto, that means a lot coming from you.”
Mephistopheles: “What does that mean?”
Diavolo: “I’m so glad to see you embracing change, Mephistopheles. Very well done!”
Mephistopheles: “Naturally! One can’t help but be swayed by your genius and example, my lord.”
MC: *muttering* “Here we go.”
Barbatos: *chuckles*
After a few hours You, Diavolo, and Barbatos had finished hiding the rest of the eggs and just sat down by the sign-in booth when you heard a loud scream coming from RAD.
Barbatos: *sigh* “I told him to photograph the egg not open it.”
Diavolo: “Ahahaha!”
Barbatos left swiftly to investigate and as soon as he vanished around the corner, a loud group approached the booth.
Lucifer: “We’ve arrived. I apologize if we’re late.”
Satan: “Yes, someone wouldn’t wake up.”
Belphegor: *zzz*
Asmodeus: “I can’t believe the bunny ears are staying on even though he’s slumped over Beel’s shoulder. I have to get a picture.”
Beelzebub: “Asmo…”
Asmodeus: “What? It might generate more attention for the event, right?”
Diavolo: “Wonderful idea, Asmodeus.”
Asmodeus: “Thank you!”
Lucifer: *sigh*
Mammon: “So…I heard there’d be a prize.”
Leviathan: “Two minutes, I called it.”
Asmodeus: “Tch, I really thought it’d be sooner.”
Mammon: “Huh? Are you betting on me? Without me?”
Satan: “That wouldn’t make any sense idiot.”
Lucifer: “All of you shut up and sign in.”
Leviathan: “Eep! Okay.”
The brothers signed their names. Beelzebub signed Belphegor in for him and you sat around and talked.
Mephistopheles returned with Barbatos looking very flustered and uncomfortable.
Lucifer: “What in the Devildom is that mess?”
Mephistopheles: “Thirteen.”
Lucifer: “Oh. So you set off a trap.”
Leviathan: “Does no one find it alarmingly easy to set them off? Like, didn’t even Lord Diavolo do that?”
You heard an amused chuckle from behind you.
Thirteen: “Duh. That’s what makes it fun.”
Barbatos: “Thirteen. What wonderful timing you have. Mind telling me what Mephistopheles is currently covered in?”
Thirteen: “That’s just a personal concoction of highly flammable spider web spray.”
Mephistopheles: “Of what!?”
Mammon: “Bahahaha!”
Mephistopheles: “Get it off of me this instant!”
MC: “Calm down Mephi, I got you.”
Mephistopheles: “Mephi?”
You brought forth a torrent of water to flush the web off Mephistopheles and then a gust of wind to blow him and his clothes dry.
He was left momentarily stunned before he sighed, patted himself down, and smoothed out his hair.
Barbatos turned on the bright lights around RAD to illuminate the lawn as the other students showed up. The presence of more than a few students elated Diavolo and the happy gleam in his eyes made all the trouble worth it.
Near the end of the thirteenth hour, a beam appeared from the sky. At first, everyone stumbled back in fear but as it disappeared, Simeon, Raphael, and Luke appeared in its place.
Barbatos: “I could’ve opened the portal.”
Raphael: “This was faster.”
Mammon: “Gave me a freakin’ heart attack!”
Raphael: “Why?”
Luke: “MC! I’m here!”
MC: “Hello, Luke! Your Easter uniform is so cute!”
Luke: “Huh? I’m supposed to look gentlemanly not cute!”
Simeon: “You can be both.”
Luke: “No I can’t!”
Solomon: “Good morning everyone. I’m not late am I?”
Simeon: “No. We just arrived.”
Raphael was looking around from the sign-in booth, already scanning the area for eggs as though it were a mission. It gave you chills to see his serious expression but at the same time made you laugh because this was only an Easter egg hunt.
You noticed that Lucifer was doing the same thing but he was being slightly less obvious about it, giving himself reasons to be turned in a certain direction rather than just openly staring.
Luke: “MC! Will you be on my team?”
Mammon: “What? We’re forming teams!?”
Solomon: “Are we?”
Barbatos: *shaking his head* “I suppose if you wanted to you could however anything you find would be evenly split between you and not counted as a whole.”
Satan: “Every demon for themself.”
Lucifer: “I agree.”
Satan: “I’m no longer certain.”
Lucifer: *sigh*
Diavolo: “Hahahaha!”
Belphegor: “Mm…quiet.”
Beelzebub: “Belphie, are you awake?”
Belphegor: “What…what’s on my head?”
Asmodeus: “Those are your bunny ears! And you look adorable!”
Belphegor: “Ugh. Kill me now.”
Asmodeus: “Your sleepy bunny pic has already generated so many likes!”
Belphegor: “My what?”
MC: “So how was the sermon? Is that what it was?”
Luke: *sobbing*
MC: “What’d I do?”
Simeon: “Each year, we visit the past to review the events before and during Easter and the future it will bring.”
MC: “That sounds emotionally traumatic.”
Raphael: “It is. And now we’re here. Looking for eggs…”
Mammon: “Just as father intended!”
Raphael pulls out his spear and Mammon takes off.
MC: “He deserves that right?”
Asmodeus: “Mhm.”
Lucifer: “Honestly…”
Thirteen: “He’s got some guts to piss an angel off on Easter.”
Mephistopheles: “Right. Especially when it’s about their father slash brother or something…”
MC: “Speaking of father and brother…”
You looked between Lucifer and Satan as they watched you. They looked at each other, back at you and Satan bared his fangs as his brothers and Diavolo managed to contain their laughter.
Satan: “Not another word!”
Beelzebub: “They didn’t say anything.”
Solomon: “Hahaha! I get it. Because Lucifer and Satan have the same dynamic.”
As Raphael runs past you he protests this idea and continues after Mammon who’s tripping over bushes in his escape attempt.
Diavolo: “Should we stop them?”
Simeon: “He earned it.” *scary smile*
Luke: “Simeon. You have that scary look in your eyes again.”
Simeon: “Oh, do I? My apologies.”
MC: “Anyway…it’s a good idea you came here after so Luke can recover from his trauma a little more easily.”
Luke: “It never goes away.”
Mephistopheles: “I’m not sure I like the haunted look in your eye.”
Solomon: “It’s weird when Luke is serious.”
Luke: “Hey what does that mean!? I’m always serious.”
Mephistopheles: “Good he’s back.”
Simeon: “Ah, yes. It does weigh heavily on us angels. Thank you for this event, Diavolo.”
Diavolo: “Yes, of course! Speaking of, it’s just about time to begin. Can someone go fetch Mammon and Raphael?”
Lucifer: “I’ll do it.”
Beelzebub: “I’ll go with him.”
Belphegor: “Set me down somewhere first.”
Beelzebub: “Okay.”
Belphegor is placed gently on top of a bush as Beelzebub runs after Lucifer. He begins sinking into the bush and you and the others watch as the branches begin to slowly snap and he disappears into the leaves.
As soon as Raphael and Mammon are reeled in and Mammon is forced to grovel for an apology, Diavolo is given the microphone and you, Lucifer, Barbatos, and Mephistopheles work together to hand everyone a woven basket to place their found eggs in.
Diavolo: “Everyone will have an hour to find as many eggs as possible, they are everyone beyond this booth on the RAD ground and I do mean everywhere so give it your best shot!”
Diavolo: “Many of the eggs contain wonderful surprises! Coupons for your favorite cafes, gift cards for your favorite stores, Grimm, fun tokens, cup-cuties, and more! But beware because there are also eggs that contain a wide variety of tricks of all kinds! You should expect flesh-eating piranha plants, bees, angry spiders, blasts of spider webs, teleportation, and potential small explosions!”
Luke and Mammon turned white but the demon students seemed extra excited by this news. Danger was an everyday occurrence for them and simply counted as fun or mildly inconvenient at best. As a human, you had a protection spell placed upon you in case of minor explosions. Luke and Simeon also had protective spells. Raphael opted to forgo this as he “wasn’t weak.”
With a wide smile, Diavolo raised his hand and everyone gathered into groups or faced the directions they planned to scour.
Diavolo: “On your marks!”
Diavolo: “Get ready!”
Diavolo: “Set!”
Diavolo: “GO!”
The ground shook as the hundreds of demons, three angels, reaper, and human sprinted past the booth.
You laughed and Diavolo helped you regain balance and handed you your basket.
Diavolo: “Shall we go observe?”
An explosion went off.
MC: “Yes!”
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Barbatos trailed far behind you and Diavolo so you could talk more privately. You passed by students stuck to walls with spider webs. Students dressed more oddly than when they’d arrived. You passed by Mammon hanging from the ceiling and weren’t sure whether it had been Raphael, Lucifer, or a genuine trap. Either way, Diavolo burst into laughter alerting the others to your location immediately.
Barbatos cut Mammon down and you continued to walk with your empty basket as you enjoyed the sounds of chaos all around you.
Diavolo eyed your basket and nudged you gently.
Diavolo: “Is there someone you were hoping to go find eggs with?”
(To be continued | the remaining story with be different based on the character you choose to go with. They are all currently being written and will all be released in the following week unless unforeseen circumstances delay the writing)
269 notes · View notes
bearhugsandshrugs · 5 months
Note
Can I ask for headcanons for Raphael and Gortash? How would they show their love for their partner in subtle ways?
I feel like both their 1st instinct after they fall in love is shower their partner with grand gestures and the small stuff might only come a little later, when they are more comfortable.
this is so cuuuuuute thank you here have cute raph and gorty
Raphael
I'd think Raphael would seek you out even more often than he already does. Standing around, waiting for you, practicing more lines, with more care, throwing in more and more teases and flirts until you can't listen to a whole sentence coming out of his mouth without blushing.
He'd court you with extravagant pleasantries: Your favorite boutique, open exclusively for you. Your favorite meal, suddenly appearing on the menue of the tavern you're staying at. Your favorite book getting a sequel out of the blue.
Raphael would never acknowledge that he organized that, however. He'd wave you off, smiling quietly, and you see the knowing tease in his eyes but he'd be damned before he'd ever admit it.
Then, one day, you visit him and he's painting, hurrying over to you so you don't see. Later, once he's freshening up, you sneak away to take a peek at what he's been working on. Which posture he's painting himself in, which setting, which scene, but your breath catches in your throat when you see your own face on the canvas–
Gortash
The first thing you notice is that he makes time. For someone as busy as him, that's quite a lot – he moves his meeting back so he can lay in bed with you a little while longer, or sit with you at breakfast. He cancels a meeting so he can take you out to dine. What would be the bare minimum for almost everyone else is quite the effort for our Gorty, usually so laser-focused on his work.
The next thing you find is that he seemingly remembers every detail of anything you tell him. He asks about your friends, your acquaintances, about the shopkeeper that you shared a laugh with the other day. He wants to know everything, and somehow, he remembers everything, even months later.
The biggest most subtle change that happens however are his quarters. While he always prided himself in having you at his side, he was very hesitant at changing anything about his room. Then, one day, you spot that half of the wardrobe is emptied out. For you. There are more pillows on the bed so you can sink into your own.
He doesn't announce it, doesn't even ask you to move in, he just decides, and knowing him you know how difficult this was for him. You belong – with him.
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golden-cherry · 7 months
Text
deal - cl16 (16/?)
Pairing: Charles Leclerc x Reader
Series Summary: Your whole life has gone to shit. Your boyfriend broke up with you, you just lost your job and the Monegasque, who suddenly stands in your doorway, claims that it’s his apartment.
Chapter Summary: You know what's coming - they don't call me queen of slow burn for nothing.
Warnings: angst, jealousy, swear words
Word Count: 3.4k
series masterlist
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A/N: thank you all for your kind words on my engagement! and I'm sorry for this part! love ya. feedback is appreciated!
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Charles is so close to you that you can breathe him in. His warm breath gently brushes your face, you feel the pressure of his big hands on your back and the thought that friends shouldn't look at each other like that makes your heart beat faster. 
Because Charles is looking at you just like that. As if you weren't friends, as if the connection between you was more intimate than a friendship could ever be. As if he's willing to cross the invisible line that separates his lips from yours. 
Your hands, resting against his hard chest, feel the strong heartbeat beneath and your fingers lightly claw into the fabric of the thick sweater as a sign for him to please be bold. 
Take this step with me, it's supposed to say. Take this step and come to me. 
And Charles even seems to understand. His gaze flickers from your eyes to your mouth, and you're so close you can almost feel his tongue against your mouth as he licks his lips. 
And then his hands disappear from your back as he takes a big step backward. Your touch slips from his chest, his scent disappears from your nose, and a distance is created between you that you can not only physically see, but also emotionally feel. 
When you look up into his face - a little confused - his features are harder than they were just seconds ago. 
"Let's go," he says coldly, tucking his hands, which a moment ago had you pressed against him, into the pockets of his sweater. "I need some sleep before I leave tomorrow, and like you said, we also need to grab a bite to eat and head back home." He turns away from you, takes the few steps to the door, and leaves the store without looking at you again. 
Puzzled and admittedly repulsed, you look after the man. 
He had been so close to you just a moment ago - and all of a sudden there is an uncrossable ocean between you. What has happened that he is now withdrawing like this? Did you do something wrong? Forced yourself on him? Crossed a line? 
No, after all, he sought your closeness first, pulled you closer to him, and whispered all those affectionate words to you that fogged your head and made little butterflies flutter around in your stomach. 
But maybe that's exactly the mistake. Maybe you've completely misread the situation. Maybe he behaves similarly with his other friends. While you can't imagine how he would pull Pierre into such an embrace, every friendship is different, after all. 
And lastly, you don't know how Charles behaves with his female friends either. The thought of him hugging other girls like that, too, and whispering such flirtations in their ears, makes your stomach tighten involuntarily. A nasty feeling that you didn't even feel when Raphael was flirting with other girls in front of you back then. 
You suppress the nausea rising in you and follow Charles, who is waiting for you in front of the store, typing on his cell phone. You lock the door behind you and toss the key into the mailbox, which hangs hidden by ivy vines on the wall of the house next to it. Without looking at your roommate, you start moving. "Well, let's go."
The icy Nice night wind blows in your face and ruffles your hair as you walk back to the car, but Charles doesn't seem to mind in the least. "What do you want to eat?" he asks nonchalantly, still staring at his phone. He seems so far away, as if the moment just now didn't even happen.
You shrug, unsure how to handle the situation. "I don't care. You go ahead and pick something."
"We don't have a lot of options at this point," he counters as your car enters your field of vision. "It's really late and a lot of restaurants have already closed." He continues typing away on his phone as he unlocks the Renault. "According to Google, I think there's a bistro nearby where the sandwiches are supposed to be good. Would you be okay with that?"
"Like I said, I don't care," you reply to him, getting into the car.
"What kind of sandwich do you want?" he asks after plopping down in the driver's seat. "I guess they have one with lettuce, chicken, and avocado." He raises an eyebrow. "I think I'll order that." He tucks his phone away and starts the car before letting it roll out of the parking lot. 
"I'll settle for a plain ham and cheese sandwich," you say, looking out the window. 
The fact that Charles is pretending you didn't almost kiss just now unsettles you so much that you can barely look at him. And the fact that you wanted to kiss him - actually wanted to kiss him - almost makes you disappear into your seat in shame. 
Because, as it seems, he doesn't want to. He draws the line between friendship and something more much more clearly than you do. And he doesn't seem to shift it to suit him. To him, you're his friend, his roommate, a means to an end until he can move into his other apartment. 
You are his friend. Friend. Friend. Friend. 
"Here we are," Charles breaks through your train of thought. He's already parked the car and points to the bistro on the street corner in front of you. A young man is tidying up the few chairs that are in front of the building and wiping down the tables with a rag. "I'll just get us something to eat. Do you need anything else?"
You look over at him with raised eyebrows. "I don't think we can get anything to eat there anymore."
"Why not?"
Confused, you look at him and point to the young man. "Because he's closing up store?"
Charles shrugs. "Just let me try it. It'll work," he smiles, and when you don't reply, he gets out. He jogs the few feet to the bistro and greets the man with a handshake, then points to the place. A little confused, but very pleased, the employee escorts your roommate into the building. 
How could you be so stupid? How could you think Charles would want something more from you than friendship? After all, it's Charles - funny, caring, and so handsome that it partially takes your breath away and he sneaks into your dreams. Why would someone like Charles - someone who could really have any woman on the planet - want more from you when you couldn't even keep someone like Raphael?
You've known each other for three fucking days. What makes you think he could even feel anything else for you after such a short time? How delusional do you have to be to even have a thought like that?
You're on the verge of jumping out of the car and walking home. 
How are you supposed to look him in the face now? Charles is not stupid, he would immediately notice that something is wrong. And you can't lie to him either, because he would see right through you. You don't want to face your feelings either, because that would mean that you have feelings for him that go beyond your friendship - and you are not ready for that pain. 
When Charles steps out of the bistro onto the street with two bags in his hand, you feel sick. Your appetite is abruptly gone, and just the thought of eating something makes you scrunch up your nose. How are you going to be able to eat anything after what happened?
Pull yourself together, you tell yourself. That's not a solution either. 
The only reasonable solution is obvious. The line that you've been pushing back and forth more than frequently over the past few days must stand nailed between you from now on. And it must be drawn up so that you can't cross it as you please. You have to protect yourself, protect your heart - especially after the thing with Raphael - and that's the only way without banning Charles from your life. 
Because that's the last thing you want. And you'll do anything to stop that from happening. 
"Here," Charles says as he rejoins you, handing you a bag. "I wasn't sure which ham you liked, so I just picked the one that looked the best." He places his own bag on the center console before steering the old Renault onto Nice's streets. 
Silence settles between you as you drive home. While Charles takes a bite of his sandwich in the meantime, you pick apart the bread with your fingers. 
To build this wall that is supposed to protect your heart, you need distance, which is definitely not possible in your small apartment. And the fact that you share a bed doesn't make matters any better, of course. For sure, it would be smarter if you reinstate your old deal - one of you sleeps in the bed, the other on the couch. 
But how are you supposed to set that up after you just agreed on the new arrangement at noon today? Snubbing Charles would be too obvious. He'd notice something was wrong, and he'd definitely be able to conclude that it had something to do with your almost-kiss. 
The fact that he will be out of the country for the next few days could be an advantage. The physical distance and the fact that you won't be spending every single second of the day together could build the wall between you up brick by brick. After that, you could claim that you are used to sleeping alone again - humans are creatures of habit, after all. And by then you will have shared the bed only twice. 
That shouldn't really be so obvious - right?
"Don't you like it?" asks Charles as you cross the border to Monaco. His gaze lingers briefly on your sandwich, which by now looks a bit messy. 
" Um, yes I do," you answer quietly and bite off a piece of it. Under other circumstances, the sandwich would actually taste delicious, but now it seems to have no taste at all. You chew on it a bit before choking down the dry lump of bread. "Thanks for getting us something to eat."
Your roommate smiles at you. "I'm sure my nutritionist would scold me if he saw me eating an entire sandwich in the middle of the night." He looks at the rest of his meal. "Even though it has lettuce and avocado on it." He tucks the last corner of his sandwich between his teeth, then grins at you with his mouth open. 
You roll your eyes. "You're disgusting."
His grin widens even more. "You love me," he teases you with his mouth full before swallowing. 
You don't even think to respond. 
The rest of the ride is quiet, and even when you arrive home, you remain silent. The silence is not uncomfortable, but the tension between you is still palpable. As you stand side by side in the bathroom brushing your teeth, you avoid Charles' gaze in the mirror, which you can clearly feel on you. 
The silence, however, gives you the opportunity to prepare yourself for what is about to come. It will be the last time you share a bed with Charles - which sounds like something you've been doing for years. The fact that your friendship feels like this doesn't make it any easier. 
If Charles comes home from Italy and you tell him you prefer the couch, he will surely feel put out. And rejecting your closest friend in such a way may not feel right, but keeping you safe is a priority. One thing you had to learn from Raphael. 
When you enter the bedroom in sleeping clothes, Charles is already in bed. He's lying on his side, facing the center, and apparently the man doesn't own pajamas, because his bare chest glows warmly in the light of the bedside lamp. He scrolls around on his phone, his upper arm resting on his side so that his biceps look even beefier. 
"I set an alarm, hope that's okay with you," he says as you lie down on your side of the bed and slip under the covers. "I have to get out on time, and then we can have a proper goodbye."
You plug your phone into the charger and then place it next to your pillow. "It's all good. We'll be fine." You pull your blanket up to your chin and snuggle in deep, trying to block out the fact that Charles is lying shirtless next to you. 
The brunette sets his phone aside, then flicks off the bedside lamp. As the room is in darkness, it feels like he's lying skin to skin next to you. You can feel his closeness, his warmth, and you would love to build a wall of pillows between you to bring the imaginary boundary into the physical world. 
You turn onto your back and stare at the ceiling, hearing Charles move under his covers as well, and hold your breath as you feel him rest his hand on your bedding. It's like he's reaching out for your hand. 
"I was with my ex yesterday," he says quietly, as if he doesn't dare say it out loud. 
You try to suppress the tugging in your chest. You have no right to feel this way when at the same time you wish there were countless pillows between you. You have no right to it when you're trying to protect your heart. You have no right to feel this way about your friend. 
"With Annika?" Your voice mirrors his, quiet, calm, hesitant. 
You hear his pillow ruffle. He nods. "She's the reason you and I share the apartment. She's living in my first apartment right now. Well, I'm still letting her live there." 
You purse your lips. "Your buddy from yesterday - he said he heard about you two and that he was sorry." You fight the urge to reach for his hand and intertwine your fingers with his. Him revealing himself to you is something you didn't expect.
"Yeah, that was Nico." He takes a deep breath. "Annika cheated on me."
Confused, you turn in his direction, even though you can't see him. "And then you still let her live there?"
He turns as well, facing you. "I wasn't a good boyfriend during the years we were a couple. My job was always my priority, I couldn't give her what she needed. She tried - really tried - but I never really got into it and -" He rubs his palm over his forehead. 
"- and then she cheated on you." You feel like wrapping him in your arms. "Are you letting her stay in the apartment because you feel guilty?" 
"I - I don't know - maybe -" His breath catches and you can clearly hear him struggling with himself. "Maybe if I had paid more attention to her, this wouldn't have happened. If I had taken more time to be with her. If -"
"Stop," you interrupt him harshly, "We're not going to continue this spiral of thought. There's no point going through the ifs, ands, and buts because you can't change it now. You can't change the fact that she cheated on you, and you can't turn back time to make it better. The only thing you can do is do better next time."
The thought of Charles eventually having a new girlfriend and making a real effort with her makes you feel sick. You don't like it, this fucking jealousy that's spreading through you, creeping through your veins like battery acid and leaving a sickening taste in your mouth. 
You try to mask it, even as tears spring to your eyes. "I don't know how exhausting your job in the car industry is, but maybe you can find someone who can walk the road with you. Who can travel with you when your job requires it. Who will stay by your side and support you when things get tough and stressful." Your voice trembles, and you hope Charles can't hear it. 
"Do you think there's someone like that for me? Who's willing to give up that much for me?" he asks, scooting a little closer to you. 
The voice in your head almost screams at you - "me, me, me" - but of course you can't repeat that out loud, so you nod. 
In fact, you'd be willing to give up everything for him, even though it's not much, of course. You have no job, no responsibilities except for the apartment, whose rent you don't have to pay, and you'd give anything to explore the world. 
But Charles is your roommate, your friend. You want someone for him who can make him happy. Even if it's not you. 
"Of course," you answer quietly, swallowing the lump in your throat. "I believe that there is a person out there for everyone. A soulmate to share everything with. Someone who's there for you and with whom you don't have to pretend to be somebody else."
"Hmm." You feel Charles' breath on your face. Only then do you realize how close he is to you. "So there's someone for you, too. Someone who will make time for you, won't let you down, and will take care of you. And most importantly, someone who doesn't fuck other women."
You have to smile. "The latter would be enough for me. But even that seems impossible. After all, look at us. We've both been cheated on."
Charles shrugs. "But if that hadn't happened, we wouldn't be living together now. We wouldn't even know each other, we wouldn't be friends." He exhales. "The fact that we both got cheated on really sucks, of course - but we found each other through it. And I wouldn't trade that for anything in this world."
Something tugs at your heart. You place another brick on the imaginary wall between you. 
"I don't want to go to Italy."
"I'm afraid you don't have a choice."
Charles exhales a breath. "You said you were just going to sit here and wait for me to come home." He sounds concerned. 
"I was kidding," you try to lighten the situation. "I'm going to work, of course." The lie tastes bitter on your tongue. "And I still have Kika and Pierre." You pause. "And Lando."
You can feel your friend stiffen beside you at the mention of the Brit. "I thought you're happy with the tiramisu you had here on site?" His voice sounds colder and more bitter than it did a few seconds ago. 
"I am." You turn away from him, onto your back, to put distance between you. "But there are other desserts to try, aren't there? Or sandwiches. Pasta. Or something else. I've got to get these few days over somehow."
Unlike you, Charles notes that the meals you listed are all things you've already eaten together. That you would want to possibly top those few memories you have with him with Lando leaves a sickening taste in his mouth.
"Well, if you have to work and you're meeting with Kika and Pierre and we're facetiming in between, you might not have that much time to try other dessert. Or sandwiches. Pasta. Or something else," he repeats your words. 
"We'll see. If there really is someone suitable out there for me, I'm definitely not going to find him on our couch." When Charles doesn't answer, you declare the conversation to be over. You close your eyes, snuggle deeper into your blanket, and try to block out the fact that the person you want - the one who might be right for you - is lying shirtless next to you. 
You already have, Charles answers you in his mind, taking a deep breath. Your scent still clings to his bedclothes from noon today, his skin tingling as he breathes it in. Me. Me. Me.
next part
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cambion-companion · 6 months
Note
could I request for you to write an scenario in which Raphael does not die to Tav nor their party, but in an other similarly humiliating circumstances, and Tav when learning about this desperately goes to save Raphael from his father by bargaining with Mephistopheles? (hilariously in a very sad way, I assume this, is the only moment that Mephistopheles would ever "value" Raphael's life, but then again that is devils for you) and Raphael's confusion at the whole thing, someone taking a terrible bargain to save him, just… because they… like him…??? (bonus points, if Tav still has a crown to willingly give Raphael XD)
It's beat up Raphael hours huh? (also Korilla will be fine)
Hi there love. This turned from a drabble into a oneshot haha
Have fun running to Cania to pick up your wayfaring devil!
Raphael x reader (gn)
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Korilla had come to you.
Broker and bruised, battered and bloody. Her long curly hair matted with mud and dried viscous.
“Help him.”  Her first words, rasped from a throat raw from screams.
“Korilla!”  You caught her weight as her knees buckled, lowering her gently to the ground.  The Dwarven woman wasn’t your friend by any means, but she had been your ally.  “Who needs my help?”  You couldn’t fathom who she might be referring to.
Surely it wasn’t Raphael. It couldn’t possibly be the enigmatic, self-assured cambion.
Korilla’s answering rasp dispelled any doubt. “My master.”
A fog of shock settled over your mind, your hands loosening around Korilla’s shaking form.  She whispered the truth into your ear, her bruised lips trailing her blood onto your clammy skin. With fading voice Korilla told of the attack, Raphael’s demise and his imminent doom.
“Portal. Diabolist.  Cania.”  Korilla’s breaths grew short as she fought valiantly once more against the oncoming black.
“Hold on, Korilla.  You’re going to be okay.”
“Save him.” She said again, her eyes slowly glossing over as the life left her broken body.
You cursed.  The warlock’s last actions had been to find you in a desperate hope you’d help Raphael before he was consumed by his father.  His father who just so happened to be an archdevil. Mephistopheles.
“Little shit could’ve mentioned that.”  You grimaced, lowering Korilla’s body to rest upon the cold earth.
You stood, pinching the bridge of your nose as your thoughts whirled and clashed. Not only had the attackers killed Raphael, but they had also looted his house, stealing the Orphic hammer and the only hope you’d had of defeating the Elder Brain.
“Damn it.”  You returned to your companions with the news. “Looks like we’re taking a rescue party to hell.”
“Who’s the damsel in distress?”  Astarion asked, tilting his head as his red eyes flickered over your blood-flecked form.
“Raphael.”
The plan was to use as much stealth as possible. The vaults of Mephisto had been broken into not long ago, according to Raphael, so it was possible.  A direct confrontation with the archdevil himself was out of the question.  
The diabolist in Baldur’s Gate took some convincing, but in the end you were able to push enough gold across the counter to seal the deal.  
“Very well.  Though I warn you, you’ll not return alive or with your souls intact.”
“Yes, yes.”  You waved the woman off, her visage reminding you of Korilla. “Believe me, I’ve heard it all before.”  Your eyes scanned the musky shop. Do you have anything that will locate a specific fiend?”
With a Locate Creature spell scroll ready in your bag you watched as the diabolist created for you a portal. Ice crystals immediately crusted on the edge of the black abyss, the wind coming from the portal nearly freezing your shoes to the floor.
“Quickly, and remember the disguises!”  She ushered you and your party through, the frigid darkness enveloping you with a grim finality.
Through cold halls you’d snuck, invisible fingers cold as death scraping along your back and through your hair as you passed beneath torches of blue flame.
Time lost all meaning here.  Your eyes began to play tricks on you. The only thing keeping your mind focused was the spell lighting the edge of your vision with a warm glow, growing brighter as you hurried to where Raphael was being held.
An age, or an hour had passed.
The wrought iron door, so cold to the touch it burned, swung noiselessly inward, admitting you to an octagonal shaped room. On the far wall you saw him, his form dark, chained by one wrist to the wall.
“Raphael.”  You hissed, unexplainable relief flooding your frozen veins when his head moved in response.  
Your companions waited by the open doorway, keeping watch from the shadows.  You snuck as quickly as you could to where Raphael was restrained. His glowing eyes looking down upon you with consternation before recognition slowly dawned across his sharp features.
You held up a hand, silencing him as he opened his mouth. Movement could be heard from outside the prison room. You were running out of time.
“Can you get us out of here if I free you?”  You hissed, still keenly aware of the nature of the devil.
Raphael nodded, his tail moving to and fro in agitation.  Something about his vitality seemed to be missing, you had never imagined seeing him in such a state.  It was unsettling.
The matter of removing the singular shackle proved to be more challenging than you’d thought.  Astarion’s lockpicking skills proved futile.
“It’s a magical seal.”  Raphael breathed, his voice low yet sharp with anger born of desperation. “Now’s not the time to play the fool.”
You gave him a severe look which he matched right back at you, his eyes sparking flame.
You raised a hand to the ice-covered metal, about to dispel the magic surrounding the lock. “You owe me a favor.  A big one.  I don’t know yet what I will ask of you, but you will deliver. Understood?”
Raphael’s gaze scorched you for a moment, it was clear he was furious with his current predicament. But he had no choice, and both of you knew it.
He nodded curtly.
You cast your spell.
Raphael’s wrist broke free with the sharp sound of metal splintering. His hand closed tight around your arm, the dungeons of Mephisto melted away as you and your companions were yanked unceremoniously back to the material plane.
At least, your companions were.  Deposited non-gently upon the hard ground of your camp.
Raphael kept hold of you.  Taking you back to the foyer of his house. The house which still lay in semi ruin from its previous sacking.
He was angry.  Each step he took crackled fire and promise of swift vengeance.
“Raphael…”  You said hesitantly, following him down into the dining hall.  “Raphael, Korilla-”
“Is dead.”  Under the glow of firelight, you could properly see the state he was in. You winced when he turned to face you. “I know. Though not as dead as those who dared pillage my home, the fools.”
“Do you know who?”  You remained wary as you watched him conjure an armchair and sink down into it.
Raphael ignored your question, he issued orders in the abrasive Infernal tongue, seemingly into thin air.  His fingers clicked and a spark of flame licked around them.  Unseen servants began bustling around, clearing the debris and wreckage.  Setting the House of Hope back in order.
Raphael leveled his gaze upon you.  His expression was not unkind, it was calculating.  He had underestimated you and overestimated himself.  Not a mistake he’d make again.
“Why?”  No flowery words, no ado.
“I still need the hammer.”  You had the response prepared, having known the question was coming.
“You could have hunted down the thieves without my help.”  Raphael narrowed his hellfire eyes. “Why come to my aid?”
“Korilla asked me to.  It was her dying wish.”  You fidgeted under his piercing presence. “Besides, you’re a useful ally.  I still need your help to save the world.”
Raphael arched a brow, unconvinced. “Half-truths are still considered lies, dear.  But there are matters I must attend to.”  He stood, restless.  
“Will your father come for you again once he realizes you’re gone.”  The question came before you could stop yourself.
“Concerned for me?”  Raphael appraised you, a knowing tilt to his head. “No.  He will not.”
You didn’t argue, Raphael was clearly on edge, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides.
You rubbed circles against your aching temple. “Well, seems we have some thieves to track down.  A hammer to retrieve.”
Raphael looked as though he was biting back a sharp retort.  He chewed on his words, looking you over. “Yes.”  He growled, infernal fire flickering off his form. “You may watch as I peel their souls from the writhing mortal flesh.”
In an unexpected move, Raphael strode to you and took your hand, placing a kiss to your knuckles. His breath hot on your still chilled skin. “You may even assist me, if you so desire.”  He straightened.
That was as close to a “thank you” as you were going to get.
You set your jaw grimly. “When do we start?”
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kiame-sama · 7 months
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More of druid Tav with Yan companions+ Raphael
Warnings; gender neutral Tav/reader, druid Tav/reader, yandere, yandere behavior, yandere relationship, possessive behavior, obsessive behavior, injury, threat to life/limb, yandere companions, spoilers for act 1 companions, slight spoilers for a bit of the act 2 side quests,
~~~~~~~~
"This deal is with your vampire spawn friend, not you. I don't want you getting involved in this matter."
"I am the unofficial leader of this group and I refuse to let a cambion tell me I can't protect my companions."
~~~~
Raphael frowned deeply as he thought back on the light spat he had with the defacto leader of the illithid anomaly group. He had plans for the druid far beyond the defeat of the Absolute and their cultists. One could even say that he had formed an attachment to them far beyond what he should when it comes to the pawns of his game. To think, the powerful cambion- master of the chess board of life- has formed an affection for one of the pawns on his side of the board. Or perhaps, it would be better to assign them to the king piece. If his precious druid falls, so too does all of Baldur's Gate and the rest of the Sword Coast. He cannot afford to be put in check, least of all check-mate.
The Orthon he had set the group after had already appeared in his House of Hope as agreed upon. Now, he stood waiting for the group to return to their camp to hold up his end of the bargain.
He expected them to return quickly and they did exactly that, what he didn't expect was the group to return in a frazzled and rushed state. None of the odd group even glanced in Raphael's direction as the Githyanki and the Tiefling grabbed several bedrolls, laying them out on top of the other. The rest of the group was not far behind as they hurried into the camp, the human waving forward the rest with a frantic gesture.
"Come on, Astarion, hurry!"
"I'm fucking hurrying, Wyll! You try running with your arms full like this!"
The spat between the two made Raphael raise a brow, wondering just what all of the fuss was about. It wasn't until the vampire spawn lay what was in his arms on the bedrolls that Raphael even realized the weight of the situation. Laying limply with blood-marred skin was the beloved druid, clearly having suffered some kind of serious wound. Raphael knew the tell-tale jagged edges of the open injury on their soft body, one that could only be caused by an Orthon.
The half-elf cleric and the burly elf druid kneeled on either side of their unconscious leader, trying to use their various magics to staunch the blood flow. None of what they did seemed to be working and Raphael knew he would have to act or risk losing his precious druid permanently to the cruel hands of death. He was quick to shove the half-elf aside so he could access his favorite mortal and try to prevent the rapidly approaching end.
"Hey," Shadowheart snapped at the demon, "what the hells are you doing!?"
Raphael didn't even give a response to the upset woman, setting to reversing the damage done by his soon to be reformed minion. He had half a mind to just flay the minion that dare put such a wound on his precious druid, but he also knew others may take it as a sign of weakness. All he could do for the time being was try to help his little druid survive what- to most- is a mortal wound. Luckily for sweet (y/n) they had a powerful cambion lord on their side who could actually heal an Orthon caused wound.
For most, a direct attack from an Orthon causes death. Usually only a powerful cambion could reverse such a wound, lucky for them that Raphael was certainly a powerful cambion.
Where the healing efforts of the cleric and other druid had done little for the large wound, Raphael's touch managed to close the injury within moments. It had certainly been something that would have killed his favorite misadventurer and they had near infernal luck to survive up until reaching Raphael at their camp. Their sallow skin made his chest tighten as he searched for any sign of true recovery before he noticed their deep breaths, relaxing almost instantly.
"How did this happen?"
Raphael spoke in an even tone, but the hard edge to his words was not lost on those present. He wanted an answer and he expected nothing but the truth from them.
"It's our fault, really."
Gale spoke up, his tone bitter with resentment towards himself and the other companions responsible for allowing such an injury to befall the beloved druid. Where they had not inflicted such a wound, they were still the ones their leader was injured protecting. They all felt there was blame to share as they had not heeded the wise words of their leader and their leader paid the price for it.
"(Y/n) instructed us to not group up on the edge of the platform, but... we did anyway. That Orthon intended to shove us all off to the floor below and kill us, but (Y/n) blocked the attack with their own body, using themselves to absorb the attack."
Raphael felt a spark of annoyance flash in his mind, but decided to let it go in favor of focusing on his darling druid. They were slowly waking from their brief brush with death and seemed rather disoriented with the world around them. Their slowly trailing eyes fixed first on Raphael, a dazed and kind smile pulling at their lips as they reached out to him. He didn't pull away but watched in slight confusion as they rest their hand on his cheek.
"Raphael... thought angels were supposed to greet me when I died?"
Raphael couldn't stop the affectionate chuckle that escaped his lips, laying his hand over the druid's.
"Well, angels don't tend to save or greet the living."
"Save..? The Orthon magic... I figured it would take a devil to heal devil magic."
"If you figured as much, why didn't you call for me?"
"I doubt you would have shown."
The smallest wince from Raphael drew the attention of the onlookers, it only now dawning on them that Raphael may feel attached to (y/n) too. Some were in furious disbelief at the simple idea of this cambion bastard going after their dear leader. Some were impressed that their leader had ensnared the heart of a cambion. Even the cambion didn't want to believe how much he had begun to adore the druid that entranced all others to trust and adore them.
"For you, my favorite misadventurer, I will always show. Rest now, your body has healed but your mind will be fighting the Orthon influence for a days time. I will do what I can to ease your rest."
He was quick to wave a hand over the druid's head, quickly sending them into sleep before they could reply to his confession. Now he had to face their loyal pack and get them to concede to allowing the devil a fair chance at winning the druid's heart.
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atrueneutral · 1 month
Text
Bath, Bed & Beyond - Raphael x Tav
After weeks of constant battles and near-death-experiences, it was a slap in the face that the Crown of Karsus ended up in the Chionthar.
It could have fallen anywhere else but in the river.
It could have been easy.
Had it landed on the docks, Tav would have plucked it from the ground like any other item she pilfered. She’d have put it in her pack and would have promptly gone off to deliver the all-powerful Netherese artifact to Raphael - satisfying the terms of her contract.
But no! Nothing was ever as easy as it could have been; it wasn’t easy convincing Rolan to spend time on the docks casting spells on her and supplying her with potions; it wasn’t easy deep diving into the murky river waters for days on end; and it certainly wasn’t easy finding the godsdamn Crown of Karsus!
Bloody thing was a pain in her ass…
She should have listened to her friends, and she shouldn’t have made a deal with a devil…
Much to Rolan’s chagrin, Raphael had shown a number of times over the course of her search. He, apparently, “wanted to see how she was faring”, and, according to the wizard, seemed to find amusement in her desperation of trying to find the object that would see him rule the Hells.
One night, after failing to find her missing treasure, Tav wondered out loud why Raphael didn’t help her; it didn’t make sense that he’d prolong his ambitions after all of the salivating he did whenever he spoke of the Crown. 
Rolan suggested maybe there was a secret time limit buried in the nooks and crannies of her contract. Maybe Raphael wanted her to fail because he wanted her soul.
“He’s waited this long, I’m sure he can afford to wait a bit longer to ensure he gets both you and the Crown of Karsus. He’s a devil - are you really so surprised that he’d desire to keep you as well?”
To that, she called Rolan crazy, but Tav searched harder in the days that followed (out of fear that she was racing an invisible clock), and she eventually found what she was looking for.
Tav entered the Devil’s Den without knocking. She cared not that it was rude. She cared little about anything outside of fulfilling her contract, taking a bath, and sleeping for a very, very long time. Fatigue wreaked havoc on her body after recent events and days of stressful swimming, and the too long of a walk that brought her to Rivington drained her to the brink of wanting to fall over.
She ambled into the suite, and Raphael’s mortal visage made a face at her appearance - namely her water-logged countenance of damp hair and damp clothes that reeked of river water.
She hoped her exhaustion came off as apathy.
“Your message stated you had something specific for me?” he asked.
He was referencing the message she sent with a Scroll of Sending roughly an hour and a half ago. With it, she said: “I have your stupid Crown. Where should I meet you? Are you coming to the docks? Please come to the docks.”
Panting had, unfortunately, been included in-between some of her words.
Tav blinked, and her eyes went from staring longingly at the steaming bath littered with flower petals to the cambion who appraised her with a raised brow.
“I do,” she answered, and Tav reached into her pack for the Crown. She crossed over to him, revealed the artifact, and Raphael’s mask of composure cracked. 
Ambition bled from the fissures - his dreams would not remain dreams much longer…
With the current most important dream realized, a shaky breath left Raphael as he accepted and held the Crown in his hand. Tav rummaged around for the Netherstones, and she placed them on a nearby desk when it became clear that Raphael was having a moment between himself and his new shiny and dangerous toy.
She glanced down to see if he had an erection, and sure enough, a bulge was forming from inside his pants.
“Raphael?” she prompted.
“Hm?”
The Crown and fantasies of grandeur had successfully enthralled him.
“Is my contract fulfilled?”
“Yes.”
When he did not procure said contract, Tav sighed.
“Can I trust that you’ll see to completing my contract… when you’re done?”
“Mm, yes.”
Rolan was wrong; he did not want her or her soul. Raphael’s interest in his little mouse was purely in being a delivery tool for his precious artifact, and Tav found herself feeling oddly crestfallen at the verdict. It was nothing more than devilish amusement (or a form of punishment) that kept him from helping her fetch the Crown from the Chionthar.
“Great, thank you. Goodbye, Raphael.”
She turned and took a step for the door.
“Leaving so soon, Little Mouse?”
The rich purr of his voice stilled her.
“The delivery has been made, and you are preoccupied,” she answered, facing him again.
“Pardon my momentary lapse - I assure you it won’t happen again.” As if to make a point, he went to where the Netherstones were gathered and placed the Crown beside them. He leaned against the desk, blocking the artifact’s view from him and her. “Thank you for bringing me the Crown. I knew you wouldn’t fail - just as you knew failure wasn’t an option. You must regale me what the depths of the Chionthar look like sometime over dinner. The smell of the river, however, I could do without.”
Understanding his insinuation that she smelled, she gave him a thin lipped smile. “Then I shall be on my way...”
“You misunderstand, my dear!” Raphael gestured theatrically for the bath, and his features became predatory. “Stay awhile, won’t you? I will fulfill your contract before your very eyes, and you will sleep soundly tonight knowing you made the right choice in bargaining with a devil.”
The bath did look inviting…
“If you’d like, you have my permission to rest your weary head in this room,” he continued. “The bed is quite cozy - not nearly as comfortable as the bed in my House of Hope, but you know that already, don’t you?”
Tav’s blood went cold at his mention of her uninvited visit.
“Sorry about that…” she offered sheepishly, meaning it. Haarlep’s use of her body had become a nuisance, yet it often aroused her to think it was Raphael who benefitted and used the unintentional gift she left behind.
Based on the look in his eyes, he did.
Snap!
A contract materialized from within a plume of smoke and embers, and the infernal words etched into the parchment glowed. At Raphael’s behest and a wave of his hand, a new emblem-like symbol was magically inscribed before the parchment went up in flames.
“It’s been an Absolute pleasure doing business with you, Little Mouse.”
Oh no - his stare was making her feel warm in places.
Maybe Rolan was right in some regard.
Maybe Raphael did want her.
“Likewise,” Tav responded. “And I appreciate you loaning me the room.”
She waited for him to leave.
She expected him to leave.
Oh no.
He wasn’t leaving.
“Aren’t you leaving?” she questioned, intending on taking advantage of his offer to stay and use the room’s bath and bed.
“Leave? And miss the sight of you bathing? I think not.”
She flushed. 
“Ah.” Tav peered at the bath, then back at Raphael. “You’re not planning on joining me are you?”
He smiled devilishly. “Would you like me to?”
Yes.
“No, that’s alright.” Tav went to the bath and began to shed her pack and gear. When it came time to remove her boots, she decided to test the waters by turning the act of undressing into a show. She sat upon the bath’s edge and, with deliberate slowness, gracefully peeled away her footwear. “Are the flower petals your idea or are they an added flourish from the staff?”
“Do you like them?”
“I do.”
“They are my personal touch - just for you.”
The expression she threw at him while she undressed was filled with skepticism.
“You can stop trying to charm me, Raphael. The contract is done, you got what you wanted, and I’m in the middle of taking my clothes off.” Somewhere along the way her voice became decidedly more… seductive. “I wouldn’t normally allow you to watch the latter, but it’s conjecture to think that you’ve already seen me naked.”
It was thrilling to see that she enthralled him just as much as the Crown of Karsus. He was silent, his eyes blazing as he watched her stand and push her breeches down. Tav’s thumbs next hooked into the top of her panties and she slowly, teasingly, shimmied the undergarment past her thighs. They pooled at her feet, and she stepped out of them and her breeches, pushing both aside to be with the rest of her stripped attire.
He could not yet see her sex, as it was hidden by her tunic, but the shirt was soon gracefully pulled over her head and thrown onto the pile.
Raphael visibly swallowed.
Tav reached around to undo the fastenings of her brasserie. The undergarment went slack, and she quickly held the front to her with a hand before it could fall away.
She turned to face the bathwater and discarded the top with a flick of the wrist. 
The cambion let out a low hum. Whether in approval of seeing her bare backside or in disapproval or not seeing her nude state in its entirety, she couldn’t tell.
“Was this your plan?” Tav asked innocently as she bravely stepped into the steaming water. It was hot - excessively hot, but after waging and winning a war against a Netherbrain, after spending too long in the cold Chionthar, and after completing a deal with a devil…
It was heaven.
“What plan are you speaking of, my dear? I have many.”
Tav waded to the center of the bath, water rippling up to her thighs. She glanced at the cambion from over her shoulder with a smirk, and then rotated to give him a full-frontal view.
A deep-rooted hunger befell Raphael, and Tav mentally marked a point under her name: where the Crown failed in fully arousing him, she succeeded.
“When I sent my message to you, you sounded insistent on meeting here and advised that I shouldn’t tarry. You could have come to the docks, which, by the sound of things, you were fond of doing.” Tav lowered into the water while wincing and biting her lip at the temperature. “I was going to accuse you of wanting me smelly and exhausted so you could easily persuade me to take a bath as you watched, but, now that I’m thinking about it, I do recall there being a full bath and a smattering of flower petals when I initially met you here and signed the contract. Who was the bath for then? Voss? My companions and I?”
“I was merely setting the scene for my most important client of the day! I would never go to such efforts for Voss, nor your companions - nor for any other mortal whose name is but a tiny drop in the ocean of souls I’ve collected. It was all for you, Little Mouse.” Raphael crept towards the bath - a predator moving in on his prey. “Today I wished again to set the scene - with a reward. Now that you are without your troublesome friends and an even more troublesome tadpole, you can relax and enjoy without impediment! Soak, my dear! Soak and be content in your hard-earned and well-deserved bath, then off to bed with you…”
Tav reached for a fresh bar of soap that smelled distinctly like cherries and she ran it across her chest after wetting it. She batted eyelashes that suddenly felt heavy due to the talk of bed.
“Are you going to tuck me in, Raphael?”
His chuckle was downright sinful.
“Yes, I’ll even read you a bedtime story.”
“Oh?” Tav languidly rubbed aromatic suds into her skin. “What’s the story about?”
His eyes followed her hands.
“A fox who secured all that he wanted.”
Tav smiled and she briefly submerged herself.
“Did the fox secure the woods?” she asked after breaking through the water’s surface.
“He did, and the neighboring woods.”
She placed the bar of soap back onto the edge, and Tav scratched at her scalp and combed fingers through her hair.
“I presume he secured the animals inside of the woods as well?”
“Every single one.”
She made a point to stare into brown, dilated eyes.
“Including the mouse?”
“You’re going to spoil the story for yourself…”
It was at that moment that a yawn formed in her throat. She did her best to ignore the symptom of drowsiness (things were becoming interesting), but the yawn was persistent enough to force an escape. Tav covered what she could, but it was the kind of yawn that made her eyes water. When she blearily looked at the cambion, the desire on his face had been replaced with warm humor.
“I was wondering how long you would be able to keep your guise up,” he remarked.
Another smaller and shorter yawn broke through.
“Finish up,” Raphael ordered, and he walked away - disappearing to the other half of the room.
Tav complied. She rinsed out her hair, finished scrubbing in all the necessary places, and by the time she was done, Raphael had returned. He held out a plush red towel for her to take when she moseyed to the bath’s edge and climbed out.
“Thanks,” Tav said, fighting back what could possibly be an endless string of yawns. The towel was soft and thick, smelled like Raphael, and she made a note to steal it in the morning as she wrung out her hair and dried herself off.
“I won’t miss it,” Raphael said knowingly.
“How - I don’t steal everything, you know,” she scoffed.
“I am aware.”
Tav made a new mental note - to not steal the towel in the morning.
Sufficiently dried, she cheekily dropped the towel to the floor and peered at a bed that had been prepped for sleeping.
The urge to sprint and throw herself into the covers was extinguished when she was unexpectedly scooped up by arms and swept off her feet.
“This is becoming ridiculous,” Tav muttered. Despite her tone, and against her better judgment, she foolishly liked the feeling of being held by the cambion - the feeling of his hands on her...
“Did you not ask to be tucked in?” Raphael retorted, carrying her naked body up the couple steps that led to the bedroom portion of the suite.
She was too tired to think of a witty comeback, so Tav stayed silent while Raphael transferred her over to the bed.
“What do you normally sleep in, Little Mouse?”
Usually just her smallclothes.
Tav glanced up at him. “I sleep naked, of course.”
His eyes flared, and she could read that he wanted to do far more than simply tuck her in.
He gently laid her upon the satin bedding. A fluffy pillow was beneath her head, and the sheets were smooth against her skin. Raphael reached over to draw the top sheet and comforter over her, and Tav was enveloped by heavenly, toasty warmth.
“Would it be possible to have the room for the next day or two?” she murmured, making herself snug under the covers.
Her eyes closed as the fox smiled brightly.
“Oh, my Little Mouse, stay as long as you’d-”
And she was out.
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