#i’m talking like type of brush used the colors the lighting | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

mini-ism · 2 months

Text

#— LIT CIGARETTES.

paring: gallagher x gn!reader (female anatomy, no use of “breasts”)

words: 3.1k

synopsis: gallagher meets a companion that he invites on a smoke break.

warnings: MDNI! intoxication, p in v, dubcon, alcohol, semi-forced smoking, smoking, cigarettes, kinda OOC?, choking, wrist binding, cunnilingus, light degradation, spanking.

DARK CONTENT AHEAD, DISCRETION ADVISED!!

flick, flick…,

the haze of fresh smoke covered his face as he leaned against the stone wall. the golden hour of penacony was ever-bustling. gallagher took a long drag from the cigarette, taking it out of his mouth with his index and thumb, ashing it slightly, and exhaling the smoke.

a cigarette every so often was refreshing, sometimes soulglad can be sickening. or at least to gallagher, though he might be the sole believer of that. damn near every night was the same, “can i get uh… soulglad?” another drunken patron slurred. the face of this patron is just as muddled as their voice. likely because every night, every person asked for a bottle of soulglad. gallagher obliged, as it was his duty, finishing wiping a glass, then uncapping a fizzy bottle of the drink, and passing it to them without a complaint or a mere word.

he took another puff, a longer one. he sighed, murky grey clouds leaving his mouth and nostrils. he put the cigarette back into his mouth, brushing his long, brown hair out of his eyes, savoring every intoxicating breath. he crushed he butt beneath his shoe, tobacco smearing onto penacony’s smooth pavement, watching it fizzle from existence. another benefit of the dream, one could assume.

he scratched at the stubble on his jawline, walking back into one of the many bars he frequently bartended at, bracing himself to serve more damn soulglad for the nth time tonight.

the chestnut-brown hair on his shoulders bounced as he strode back inside, music blaring a bit too loudly for his liking. he cracked his neck, then his gloved knuckles, and made his way behind the counter.

“how was your break?” a coworker inquired, “you smell like smoke.”

“it was alright, i guess. nothin’ too special.” he spoke, “is that a bad thing?”

music rang in his ears as he wiped down a few more glasses. the same coworker tapped on his shoulder after a few moments, “gallagher, look to your left. total cutie over there.”

gallagher wasn’t the type to pay attention to anyone’s looks. he listened. that was simply his job. he just so happened to look to his left, grumbling slightly. “i mean, they’re alright. what’dya want me to say?”

“come on, man, just have fun for once. i get that this is your job, but it never hurts to bend the rules a lil’, huh?” they responded, “i’ll give you like, 200 credits if you talk to them.”

“make it 500 and i might.” he joked, watching as his bartending partner pulled exactly 500 credits out of their breastpocket, slipping it into his pocket.

“do it,” they snickered.

he watched as you settled into your seat at the bar, waving to your friend from across the club. “anything i can get you tonight?” a voice rung from behind you, slightly raspy, yet smooth, and tired.

he was just as tired-looking as his voice led you to believe, “well, firstly, are you okay?” you asked curiously, hands resting on the edge of the marbled countertop.

“yeah, i’m alright. is there anything i can do for you?” he asked again, his amber-colored eyes focused on you, accented by his eyebags that happened to be deeper than oceans. he was visibly aged, and had scars littered all over him.

in the quiet moment you were investigating his appearance, he too was “checking you out.” you looked nice, now that you were in front of him. his vision wasn’t the best nowadays, but it suffices well enough to delineate all the delicate features painted onto your skin and your face. he liked that.

“could i get a crimson sunset?” finally, something that wasn’t a fucking soulglad.

“sure thing, not a problem.” gallagher grabbed a glass with his hand, pouring a mixture of syrups, drinks, and spirits into the glass masterfully. he smiled tiredly at you, passing the drink to you on a red napkin. the drink itself was a pretty red-orange color that faded into a deep purple.

“mind if i get myself a drink?”

“are you allowed to do that?” you replied.

“well, i mean, never hurts to bend the rules a lil’, yeah?” he answered, unintentionally charismatically.

his accidental confidence made you laugh slightly, “go ahead, mister…?”

“gallagher,” he said, pouring himself his own drink. he isn’t mixing it with anything, just straight alcohol from the bottle into the same type of glass you have in your hand, “no need to be so formal. you can just call me gallagher.”

“alright, gallagher, it’s nice to meet you.” you grinned brightly, taking note of the faint smile painting his features and lighting up his dull eyes.

“it’s nice to meet you too… ah…” he trails off.

“(your name).” you replied, giggling slightly as you take a sip from your drink, admiring the complex profile of gallagher’s mixing skills, “by the way, this is really good.”

“thanks,” he shuffles awkwardly, mimicking you by taking a swig of his own drink, “it’s really nothin’ though, just a lil’ bit of gallagher magic.”

he watches as you sip from your drink again, raising his glass again and finishing the rest of the liquid inside. he can feel the alcohol burning in his throat as he drinks it down hungrily, blurring his own mind as you start to talk again. he’s listening, but not a word is registering in his head. gallagher refills his glass with a more potent drink, leaning over the counter and propping himself up with his toned forearms.

“…and that’s how i ended up here, with my friend,” you finished off, the mix starting to get to your head too. he has no idea you could be such a talker, it almost makes him want to shut you up, but that’s not nice and he should play fair! he never does anyways.

“well, ain’t that a story!” he laughs, sipping on his own concoction again, flashing a grin, “here, lemme getcha another drink, it’ll be on me, hun.”

“thank you, gallagher!” you smiled drunkenly, watching him show off his mastery of mixology like it’s a performing art, pouring the beautiful mixture into your new glass.

“mmmn, what? you like the way i do that, eh?” he teased, leaning over the marble counter again, sliding you the glass, “so what if i do?” you teased back, your words starting to slur together to form one big super-word.

“i can do it again for ya, if ya like,” he breathed, his tired eyes starting to look more like bedroom eyes.

“really? can you?” you nearly begged, awe-struck at his sheer skill.

“yeah, i can show you everything i can do. ‘m not jus’ good at mixin’ drinks, y’know?” he said, sending a shiver down your spine, making your back nearly arch with just a single sentence. he looked at you again, greedily sipping his drink, his eyes imploring you to do the same without a single word from him. you do just as they say, watching the spark ignite within his pupils like a flick of a lighter. his lips curl into a smile as he finishes his mahogany colored concoction, a marvel of alcoholic creativity. you cough slightly as you finish up your own drink, the burn in your gut rising like a flame. it travels from your tummy all the way up your esophagus, tickling your lips with a sting.

“do you like it, babydoll?” he collects the glasses, putting them in the sink for later, “i hope you did. i worked really hard on making you a nice drink.”

you nod sloppily, words caught in your throat like the eager blaze that’s simmering within your body. words are barging into your mind, but you cannot decipher, nor string them together, properly. “that’s wonderful. would’ya mind joining me for a smoke break?”

“sure, we can do that…” you smile, your cheeks hot and your skin prickly with fire. gallagher walks out of the bar, helping you walk out of the bar with enough stability. he leads you back to the wall he stood against before, the golden hour much darker than before. you leaned against him within the alleyway.

“have you smoked before?” he asks, taking out a cigarette from the carton in his pocket, where the credits from before lie.

“nooo…” you slur, giggling against the wall as gallagher helps you up, the unlit smoke between his lips.

“…wanna try?” he asks again, lighting the cigarette, flick, flick, shielding the flame with his free hand.

you considered it for a moment. you never thought you’d touch a cigarette, nevertheless smoke it, yet here you are, “uh… sure…?” you said with a hiccup.

gallagher takes a long inhale of the cigarette, his lungs filling with smoke before he takes it out, filling your own mouth with smoke as he puts his lips on yours, gently cupping your jaw with his other hand.

he exhales the rest of the smoke, watching you cough with a weirdly sick pleasure, “you like it?”

just as you were about to whine and say ‘no,’ the rush of nicotine blurs your mind, you can barely muster up a whimper, let alone nod your head weakly. “thas’ good, hun.”

he passes you the lit cigarette, watching you take it between your fingers as you take a small puff, the paper that wraps the tobacco burning up. again, you cough, but the menthol soothes your throat a bit more this time.

“feels real good, don’t it?” he breathes on the junction of skin between your collarbone and your neck, the burn boiling over as you exhale, feeling his hot breath against your prickly skin.

gallagher takes the cigarette from you again, taking a long drag from it, and exhaling in front of you, a bit of the smoke tingling within your throat.

“gonna feel better sooner or later,” he murmurs, taking the cigarette out of his mouth and kissing the intersection between your carotid artery and your clavicle, tickling your skin with his raw, swollen lips.

you whine as his hands crawl up your body, feeling your chest and your covered up nipples. he’s getting handsy as he finishes the rest of the smoke, holding it in for longer, then exhaling in your face with a sinister chuckle, “you’s needy. i gotcha babydoll, don’t worry.”

you fall into him as he crushes the butt-end of the cigarette, the orange menthol filter dissipating out of existence. his gloved hands feel all over every inch of your torso, from your collarbones, to your low abdomen. gallagher plants more rough kisses onto you, picking you up and leaning you against the wall, your back facing him as your cheek presses against the cold, hard surface of the wall.

your vision is spinning as your intoxicated state seeps deeper into your mind and body, watching as he unties his pretty magenta-colored tie. gallagher binds your hands with the tie, keeping your hands behind your back, in place and secure.

“you wanna stay here like this? i’m not gonna ask you again, so you’d best tell me now if you don’t wanna go through with it.” he commands, his grip tight, but loose enough not to bruise flesh.

truthfully, you want to do this, your body does too. your words are failing you as you make little noises, your cheek scraping lightly against the ragged surface. you mustered up a meager, “wannit, gall… ger…”

“yeah, hun?” he whispered breathily, heat radiating against the shell of your ear, “you gonna be good f’me?”

“yessss…” you whine in response, shuffling against the wall, your mind buzzing with every possibility.

“thas’ good, so good already.” he smiles, you can feel his lips curl against your neck as he gives you another little kiss, his raw, rough lips grazing against your tender, needy flesh.

gallagher was buzzed himself, he’s always had a high tolerance for things like alcohol and nicotine, being high off life was almost entirely new. something he hadn’t felt in so long, and here you were, back arched, being all obedient. all for gallagher, bartender and bloodhound (that of which you were unaware of).

in a swift motion, he tugged your at your clothing, moving it out of the way, so he can paw at your undergarments. you looked so cute like this, wrists bound and legs spread. all of this just so he can see what awaits him, “my, my, you’re all wet.”

“nnnmh, yeaaah…” you heaved, you’re dizzy, needy, you’re hammered, and you’re vulnerable. how much more adorable can you get? his fingers traced circles around the dampened spot in your underwear. you’re soaked already.

gallagher pulled your underwear to the side, tucking it in the crevice between your lip and your asscheek, working his fingers on your wet slit. he took some of your slick on his finger, rubbing your clit with his dominant hand. he gave your pussy a self-indulgent slap, before teasing your entrance with a thick finger. wordlessly, it slipped in with relative ease, eliciting a loud moan to pass through your swollen lips. he chuckled at your reaction, pulling it out, then slipping the digit back inside.

another moan fell from your lips, throaty and whiny. his finger started to move inside you, at first unbent and quickly fucking you. you slid against the wall, knees buckling slightly, before gallagher’s free hand pinned you to the wall, keeping you in your place. his single finger curled inside you, hitting your spongy g-spot. you mewled, crooning at the sensation, practically seeing stars. your vision started to blur as black splotches started to cloud it, but all you could feel, think, understand, want, smell, need, was him. he continued fucking you with his finger, watching your legs shake and your juices drip down his finger and onto his gloved palm.

“feels real nice, don’t it?” he cooed, slipping in another digit without warning. his scarred, toned arm flexed with every movement, curling and slipping inside and outside of you. his fingers made their way to your clit, rubbing it with vigor and passion, before he spread your other lip with his thumb and put his lips to your pussy. he gave it a rough, sloppy kiss, pulling away to listen to you cry out. nobody could care any less, they were experiencing the dream. in all actuality, this feels like a dream within a dream, if that makes sense. you were just so amazing, you were alluring. definitely worth more than 500 credits. he gave your pussy another sopping wet kiss, his scratchy stubble rubbing against your skin, creating friction. his tongue darted to your clit, licking and sucking it between his lips and teeth. his thumb still held your cunt open. gallagher gave you a couple more long licks and kisses for good measure, savoring your every drop, relishing your taste, before standing up.

“ready, babydoll?” gallagher rhetorically asked before unbuckling his belt and unzipping his pants (which happened to be the same magenta color as his tie). you nodded, drooling and zoning out. all you could understand was the pleasure he was giving you, all you could care about was how much more pleasure he could give you, “great.”

he pulled his thick cock out from his boxers, lining it up against your entrance, savoring the difference in size. your small, little cunt and his big, fat dick. how cute. gallagher re-adjusted you, spreading your legs just a bit further, then putting some pressure on the lumbar portion of your back, causing you to arch more instinctively.

without warning, the burning within your body had boiled over again between your legs, the stretch to accommodate his girthy dick nearly destroying you. you screamed, but nobody gives a damn, “scream all you want, babe, you gonna take it.”

gallagher pulled out again, just a little, to slam back into you, watching your cunt stretch as much as it could. he savored how warm and tight you were, tight as a vice could get. your eyes rolled into the back of your head, saliva dribbling your chin and onto your clothing. a loud crack, followed by a searing pain, flooded your senses. his palm made contact with your asscheek again, slapping it roughly for a second time, pushing himself into you with as much force as he could use before breaking you in half.

“you takin’ me so good, ‘m proud of ya, doll,” he chuckled, smiling again. gallagher had found a pace inside you, his hand snaking up to your throat and wrapping around it. he applied pressure to your jugular and carotid with his thumb and his other four digits on their respective sides. he sped up slightly, gripping your hips as air flow lessened.

gallagher continued to slam-fuck into you, speeding up with every thrust, chasing his high. his breath was hot and heavy, huffing in your ear as your vision and hearing fizzled out like the cigarette butt on the pavement. your breathing became ragged as he bullied your pussy ruthlessly, “you ever been fucked like this, huh?”

air rejuvenated your senses as he let go of your throat, you heaved a weak, drunken “no.”

“ain’t no dick good as gallagher’s, huh? good as mine, mmm.” he groaned, his hips colliding with yours faster and faster andfasterandfaster…, “gonna cum, babydoll. i ain’t pullin’ out, though.”

you hoarsely whined, your fucked-out brain needing more of him, any morsel of him is good enough, and it just feels so good, and youreabouttofuckingcumtoo…

“mmn, i’m cumming, hun. i’m gonna fuckin’ cum in you, you needy bitch. fuuuuckyeah…” gallagher’s grip on your throat tightened the moment the burning hot coil in your stomach loosened, allowing you to orgasm and scream out his name just as soon as he came. he groaned and huffed in your ear, his brown hair messy and clinging to his sweaty face, “feels so fuckin’ good, fuuuck.”

you let out a choked noise, prompting him to let go and pull out of you. he leaned over you, resting his forehead against his forearm, that of which was supported by the wall you leaned against. your knees wobbled, and before you could fall, gallagher instinctively held your abdomen with his other arm, tucking you against his chest. you stared at his scars, which littered his arm, as you came down from your intense orgasm.

“…you okay?” he asked with a newfound gentleness. he helped you back up as he untied your wrists and pulled up his pants, fixing his belt. he chuckled, “i bet you’re tired.”

“very,” you panted back in response.

“how ‘bout i clock out and carry you home, how’s that sound?”

“sounds amazing, gallagher,” you leaned against him as he lit another cigarette before walking back into the nightclub.

219 notes · View notes

hysteria-things · 3 months

Text

FOUR

ʚ♡ɞ 𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 | 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 | 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 | 𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓 ʚ♡ɞ

𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: chris x reader

𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: you’ve been living a secret life of being a party girl, but it gains the suspicion of a certain someone.

𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: swearing, mentions of drug use, underage drinking

𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 1,235

𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫'𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞: i updated the series masterlist to where it now has a disclaimer! i forgot to put it before🙈

“hello?” you say into the phone, your friends jaiden and claudia’s faces fill the screen. jaiden is on her laptop while claudia is on the couch in her living room.

these are your girls. you didn’t grow up with them like the others, but you’ve bonded throughout high school. they’ve seen you have more breakdowns than anything but have stuck by your side all these years.

unlike some people.

“y/n.” claudia starts. “are you doing anything tonight?”

“no, why?”

she brushes her black bangs out of her eyes with her hand and smiles. “good because you’re coming with us.”

you blink at them. “i need more info.”

“paige’s boyfriend is throwing a party tonight. you in, or are you in?” jaiden says, adjusting her glasses that lay on the brim of her nose.

“when does the party start?”

“nine. i’ll pick you up around 8:45ish,” she says. you nod, silently saying you will be going.

since meeting them, you have been partying a lot. they’re not bad influences or anything. the number one thing you’ve always wanted to do was get out of your comfort zone.

another tiny secret is that you’ve done some drugs here and there. not to where you’re addicted, but to where you felt out of it.

not even the triplets know that.

at exactly 8:45, your phone pings. it’s a text from claudia saying that she’s here. you walk to the room that’s next to your bedroom, which is your mom’s office. she’s sitting at her desk, typing away on her computer. “i’m going out with claudia and jaiden. i don’t know when I’ll be back.”

“this late?” she asks. she leans her head down slightly to get a peek at you through her glasses while she also wants to look at the computer screen.

“yeah. i won’t be out long, i promise. i’ll keep my ringer on for you.”

“okay. have fun, be careful.”

you walk out of the room, down the stairs, and go through the garage. you open the glass door and run down the driveway to jaiden’s car. “hey, girl.”

“hi.”

she grins at you through the rearview mirror before putting the car in drive. “how many people will be there? do you know?” you ask.

“it’s an open invite. that makes it better, in my opinion.” claudia replies, turning her head to face you in the backseat.

it felt like in the blink of an eye when you guys arrived. this guy didn’t even live ten minutes away. you can see the dimly colored lights from inside the house when the three of you step out of the car. it seems like he lives on a dead end, so there are some people outside either smoking, selling drugs, or making out.

the door is open and you can see a hoard of people inside, their voices overlapping the music that’s playing in the background. talk about an open invite.

you follow jaiden and claudia into the house. more voices and music progress the more you become closer. you guys squeeze through the crowd into the living room, where there is a bit more open space. paige is there, sitting on some dude's lap in a sofa chair. she is playing with his hair, which is extremely curly. she has a red solo cup in her hand that’s spilling from her being too focused on the boy. her eyes fall on you guys, and she gasps. “omg, hey guys!”

she gets off the boy’s lap and starts running over until she slips on what she spills from her cup. she balances herself, laughing. “paige!” jaiden exclaims.

that’s when the boy she was smothering herself on walks over. he is taller than you had anticipated, and his face has stubble on it. “finn, this is y/n, jaiden, and claudia.”

“sup.” he introduces with a nod.

“do you want a drink? i can get you something from the kitchen.” paige suggests, her voice loud enough to hear over the music.

you nod. “sure, what the hell?”

she links her arm with yours and drags you to the kitchen.

when you get there, she fills her drink before looking for one for you. “what would you like?”

“anything.”

“beer it is.” she laughs, grabbing one from the fridge full of different types of beverages. you open it and take a sip. you set your phone down on the counter but intend for it to stay there for only a second.

suddenly, your phone makes the noise snapchat makes when somebody sends you something, causing both of you to look down at it.

chris sturniolo is typing…

“holy shit.” she gasps. “am i seeing that right? is that the chris sturniolo that ditched you with his brothers?”

“shut up,” you mumble, and she looks at the phone again. this time confused. “are you guys friends again? does jaiden and claudia know?”

“i don’t know.” you sigh. “the four of us are trying to be, and i haven’t told them yet.”

chris sturniolo sent a chat.

paige hums. “i’ll leave you be. i miss my boyfriend.” she says with a smirk, leaving the kitchen.

before opening the message, you decide to go outside. it’s not like you’re going to call him, but the noise on the inside will make you have trouble thinking. you lean against the house with the beer in one hand and the phone in the other.

CHRIS

| hi :)

| christopher.

CHRIS

| what are you doing?

| i’m out with friends

CHRIS

| this late?

| yes, mom

| i’m a big girl!

CHRIS

| you’re hilarious🤣

| where are you?

| none of your beeswax, chrissy poo

CHRIS

| bringing back the old nickname i see

| your snap map says you are at finn yaw’s house

| do you not remember how much of a douchebag he was?

| he also DID NOT belong on the varsity lacrosse team he pissed me off idc what anybody says

| jaiden and claudia invited me, and besides he’s dating paige😭

| why do you care anyway🤨

CHRIS

| i just want you to be careful that’s all

| i still care about you, you know

| i appreciate the concern chris but i’ll be fine

| if it makes you feel better do you want me to text you when i get home🥺🥺 (you big baby)

CHRIS

| 😐

| please.

you leave him on open but continue looking at what just happened. you do appreciate his caring, but you still feel like a stranger to him.

you put your phone in your pocket to see paige hovering over your shoulder. “jesus!” you screech with a jump.

“sorry, i didn’t mean to scare you. i was looking for you to see if you wanted to play some beer pong but i noticed an interesting conversation was happening.” she wiggles her eyebrows. “i can tell he never stopped thinking about you.”

“i never stopped thinking about him either but he’s acting like we’re still best friends. i need to gain his trust back.” you rant, downing the rest of your drink. “it hasn’t even been seventy-two hours, by the way.”

“maybe he wants to be your best friend again.”

you sigh with a shrug. “let’s go play,” you say, walking past her to where the beer pong is being held.

𝐭𝐚𝐠 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭!

@bunbunbl0gs @lexisecretaccx @thy-mission @angelic-sturniolos111 @sophssturn @mattsneezing @janiellasblog @blahbel668 @meg-sturniolo @hearts4chris @mattslolita @sturnbaby @imwetforyourmom @tillies33ssss @sturnifyed @mayhem-72 @ripmattitude @p1xieswrld @alorsxsturn @txssvx @sttzee @multiluvr @delilahprentiss @matthewsspecial @sturnolio-luvs @sturniolho @suga-daddy-69 @tworosesblackthorn @luckistar-posts @gnxosblog @junnniiieee07 @sturnioloslurps @tylerthecreatorsrealwife @flowerxbunnie @imaslut4kehlani @sturniolosandmoree @hertvgirl @whoreforchrissturniolo @r4iyaa @sturniolotriplettoplover @mattybswife @freshsturns @loverrsposts @sturnlcvr @elliesturniolo1 @tpvmz @user283926392 @lalalands86 @sukiipjs @sturniologirl813 @leahrab @chrissturniolosslut @h3arts4harry

#chris sturniolo #matt sturniolo #nick sturniolo #christopher sturniolo #nicolas sturniolo #matthew sturniolo #sturniolo x reader #sturniolo imagine #sturniolo smut #sturniolo fanfic #sturniolo fluff #chris sturniolo fanfic #chris sturniolo smut #matt sturniolo fanfic #matt sturniolo smut #chris sturniolo fluff #matt sturniolo fluff #[ ✿ ] promise?

190 notes · View notes

teshamerkel · 1 month

Text

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Seekers of Soul

[Chapter 56]

<< First | < Previous | Next >

AO3 Link

Nia and Tobias fly across the Obsidian Sea, and reunite with a couple of familiar faces!

The next day dawns cold and clear. As Nia and Tobias make the walk to the flying outpost, Nia is quickly woken up by the delicate frost coating the leaf-littered forest floor and the foliage they have to pass through. Her fur feels soaked through within minutes and her paws are chilled, but the brisk pace of the walk helps to warm her up. Well, that and walking a bit closer to Tobias. The charmander seems equally disgruntled about the approaching winter, but he doesn’t snap at Nia for bumping into him once or twice as she leeches off his bubble of warmth.

The sun is just starting to cut through the trees in rays of orange light, melting the frost, when Nia spots the tall structure of the flying outpost ahead of them. She picks up the pace, trotting ahead until it’s fully in sight in the middle of a small clearing. Something like canvas has been tied down to block the open gaps of the structure, acting as makeshift walls to cut off powerful gusts of wind. They billow and blow in the breeze like sails, flapping loudly.

There are only a few Pokemon waiting near the bottom of the structure, but Nia’s eyes lock onto one in particular, large and maroon with a fluffy mane of white.

“Fliss!”

The braviary’s head lifts from where she’d been talking to a smaller, bright orange Pokemon. Even with the intimidating scar where her right eye should be, the way Fliss’ face lights up is nothing short of adorable. “Nia! Well, I’ll be! You looking for a ride?”

“Yes!” Nia slows to a stop in front of the braviary, bouncing on her toes. Both because she’s excited to see the large flying type again and to stay warm. “Are you flying today?”

“Sure am! A little frost ain’t gonna stop me. Where’s that partner of yours? You two still a team?”

Nia turns, just in time for Tobias to emerge from the brush with a sour look. He takes a moment to shake melted frost from his foot. “Here. Just hating winter.”

Fliss laughs and jerks her chin up at the pieces of canvas. “You ain’t the only one. Half our crew’s hiding away until the sun comes out to warm everything up.”

“They’ll have to face the winter eventually,” a new voice says, crisp and even. The bird Fliss had been speaking with before steps closer, and Nia can’t help staring at his feathers a bit longer than is probably polite. He’s a bright orange, the color ending in flame-like tapers and fading into a light gray underbelly. His wings and tail are a striking black at their tips, and streaks of bright yellow band his tail feathers and ring his eyes and beak. He looks like the embodiment of fire, just a head or so taller than Nia and Tobias.

“This ball of sunshine is Comet,” Fliss says, amused. “If you’re lookin’ for a long flight, then he’ll be joining us for the trip.”

Tobias frowns, looking between Fliss and the new Pokemon. “Why?”

Fliss and Comet exchange a loaded look. Then, Fliss sighs. “Was hoping you wouldn’t ask, little flame. We’ve just been flyin’ in pairs lately. Extra safety and all that.”

Nia blinks. “Safety?”

“The winds are more volatile than they used to be,” Comet says. “I promise you we can handle it. It’s just a precaution.”

Nia can’t help wondering what had to happen for such a precaution to be put into place. She shuffles worriedly on her feet, glancing at Tobias. He doesn’t look any more soothed than she feels. No wonder, considering they’ll have to fly over the Obsidian Sea again. An accident over the open ocean is basically a death sentence for a charmander.

“We need to head back to Ghatha,” Nia says, locking eyes with Fliss. “So we would need to go over the ocean. Are you sure it’s safe?”

Nia knows this is technically Fliss’ livelihood, but she trusts the flying type not to lie to her just to make some extra money. Not about this.

The braviary ducks her head in a bow. “I’m as confident as a victini in my flight. But if ya aren’t comfortable, you could always find some water transport.”

“Though the ocean is becoming just as unstable,” Comet mutters.

Tobias shakes his head. “No. No, we’re on a tight schedule. I’ll be fine.”

Nia wonders if he’s reassuring her or himself.

“Neither Felicity or I have had any incidents,” Comet says. “Going together is just extra assurance. New protocol.”

Nia exchanges an uncertain look with Tobias. Normally she wouldn’t want to risk it, but they don’t really have any other option. They need to talk to Will as soon as possible, and using water transport would take far too long.

“We’ll fly,” Tobias says, deciding for the both of them. “If you’ll take us.”

“Gladly!”

The cost for travel is a bit higher than it was before—to compensate two ‘mons’ time rather than just one, Fliss explains—but luckily August gave them more funds than he’d thought they’d need. Tobias splits the payment between the two flying types, dropping the coins into the little pouch tied around Fliss’ leg and the small bag tied to Comet’s back.

Finally, it’s time to fly.

“Welcome aboard!”

Fliss crouches low, belly brushing the grass, to let them crawl on. Tobias doesn’t hesitate before taking a firm grip of the bird’s feathers and pulling himself up onto her back. He offers a hand, and Nia gives him a smile of thanks before letting him help her up. She sits behind him, wrapping her arms around his middle and grateful for his sturdy warmth.

“Smoother start than last time,” Fliss teases. “Ready to fly?”

Tobias nods. “Ready.”

Nia takes a deep breath. “As ready as I can be.”

Fliss laughs. “That’s what I like to hear! Just hold on tight now. Promise we’ll get ya to Ghatha safely.”

With that, Fliss pushes off the ground with powerful legs, giant wings beating hard to get into the air. She bobs once, then slowly lifts up and up and up. They rise past the outpost and the trunks of the trees, until they’re surging past leaves and into a sky that’s a robin’s egg blue.

Immediately, the wind buffets them, cold and biting.

Nia feels her stomach drop. She ducks her head into the warmth of Tobias’ shoulder, clinging tightly to him. She feels more than hears him sigh, but he doesn’t argue, just patting her arm twice once before holding once more to Fliss’ feathers.

Fliss rises higher and higher until she catches the air current she wants, then levels out to ride the wind. While the bone-deep fear clutching at Nia’s gut doesn’t disappear entirely, it does ease a bit once their jerky flight smooths out.

Nia almost wants to peek out at the world, recalling the brief glimpses of gorgeous, breathtaking views from last time. Plus, Tobias clearly loves this whole experience. It’d be fun to share it with him.

But as soon as she squints open an eye and catches sight of the sprawling forest below, looking as small as a carpet of moss, and the sheer openness of the sky around them, terror grabs her again.

She buries her head back into Tobias’ shoulder, taking deep breaths of his soothing scent to calm herself.

Nia still can’t remember if she’d flown before as a human. She knows planes are a thing, but her memory has only returned in bits and pieces. Much of her history is still blank, like a tapestry that’s more moth-eaten holes than actual thread. Was she afraid of heights in the human world too? Or is her body’s fighting type nature really enough to put such fear into her?

It’s hard to describe the feeling, especially as it engulfs her and makes her feel lightheaded. It’s like as much as she knows they’re (probably) safe with Fliss and Comet taking care of them, her body trembles with the knowledge that if she fell from here, she’d likely die. Her chest feels tight, her heart pounding hard against Tobias’ spine, and panic simmers quietly in the back of her mind.

“You breathing back there?” Tobias asks, head turning enough for Nia to catch the words.

Nia takes a gulp of air. Then another, slower, to try and follow his unspoken suggestion. Deep breaths. Just don’t think about it. You’re fine. Tobias is here, and Fliss is here, and if something goes wrong then Comet is here too.

“C-Can you talk?” Nia asks.

“Uh. I guess? About what?”

“Anything. I-I just need a distraction. Um. What kind of Pokemon is Comet?”

“Oh. He’s a talonflame. Fire and flying type, like a charizard. I don’t know too much about them, but he’s the final evolution in a three-stage form, and I can tell he’s fast. He keeps having to pull himself back so he doesn’t leave Fliss behind.”

Nia can’t bring herself to answer, breath stolen from her chest, so she nods.

Tobias keeps talking. “Uh. I think the first form is called a fletchling? They’re little things, about Junie’s size. Don’t remember the middle form’s name, though. Um…they’re probably pretty warm, if they’re anything like other fire types. That’s likely why he’s comfortable flying so early in the day, when it’s still cold.”

Comet must catch onto what Tobias is doing and what they’re discussing, because when Tobias starts running out of tidbits to share, Nia hears the talonflame’s voice shout to them over the wind.

“Talonflame are certainly a warmer species. We even create fire with our feathers, rather than a flame sac like most fire types. We produce an oil that’s flammable, and generate heat and friction through flapping our wings to ignite.”

“Watch,” Tobias says, tapping Nia’s arm.

Nia whines, but peeks open an eye in the direction of Comet’s voice.

Comet is sailing easily along on an air current, framed by blue sky. Upon seeing that he has her attention, he flaps his wings—once, twice, three times—and small embers spark to life from his feathers, leaping behind him to be carried away by the wind.

Nia’s curiosity just barely wins out over her fear. She lifts her head to watch more clearly as Comet does it again. He flaps once, hard, and flames burst to life around his wings, hot enough that Nia feels a brief wave of warmth. Then he shoots forward, zipping past Fliss.

“Show-off!” Fliss shouts, laughter in her voice.

“She was curious,” Comet counters, voice now on their other side.

Nia turns to look at him, mouth open to ask questions about how they can choose when to ignite, and if fletchlings can do that too, and a hundred other things—

But she catches sight of the Silenfroar Mountains behind the talonflame, remembers where she is, and icy fear grips her again. She buries her face with a whimper, feeling pathetic.

Tobias sighs.

“Want me to take a turn on distraction duty?” Fliss calls.

Someone must give her the affirmative, because she starts talking. “Did ya know that there’s another variant of braviary out there? Psychic and flying type! I met one once, and he could blast enough psychic energy to knock out a wailord. I can pack a punch myself, so I was mostly just jealous that he could use his powers to write! This old gal is forever cursed with illiteracy.”

“You can read,” Comet says, dry.

“Half-illiteracy, then!”

“That’s not how it works.”

Nia giggles despite herself, grateful for her travel companions as they fall into more animated conversation. Like this, if Nia keeps her eyes closed and takes deep breaths, if she lets the breeze soothe her and imagines she’s just on a windy hillside rather than hundreds of feet in the air, it’s not too terrible. Although Nia wishes she could whip out her blanket without risk of it blowing away. It’s much colder than the last time they flew.

The three Pokemon keep the conversation flowing, shifting from one topic to another, until Fliss finally asks why they’re returning to Ghatha so soon.

“We’re actually going to Stonebrook, a bit south of Ghatha,” Tobias says. “We’re meeting someone there.”

“Oh, Stonebrook!” Fliss crows. “Nice little place. Quaint. We could drop ya off there if you’d prefer, for a bit of extra poke to compensate our time.”

Tobias makes a thoughtful sound that rumbles in his chest. “How much extra?”

“Let’s say 150.”

Tobias mulls it over, and Nia can feel him turn his head as if to get her input.

“Whatever you think is best,” Nia says into his shoulder.

Tobias hesitates for a moment longer before turning forward again. “100 poke and you’ve got a deal.”

Fliss laughs, loud and booming even as the wind snatches the sound away. “Haggler, eh? You know what? Sure. I like you two, so 100 poke it is. Comet, you can have the larger share since I took the lower deal.”

Comet doesn’t answer, so Nia assumes he agrees with those conditions.

Time passes in a blur after that. Nia knows that they have at least a few hours until they reach the land across the sea, but she tries to distract herself by listening to the snippets of conversation around her and thinking about what they have waiting ahead of them. They’re going to find Junie! And see Will again, as well as his human settlement. Excitement mixes in with the nerves in her stomach.

However, it's hard not to let her mind drift to more panic-inducing thoughts too, like their current situation in the air, or their mission from Giratina, or even how much she misses her family in the human world when she has the time to think about them.

Nia wants them here. She wants her mom to stroke her hair and soothe her fear. She wants Clay to make stupid jokes to distract her. She wants Toni to stick her obnoxiously large headphones over Nia’s ears to drown out the quiet roar of the wind.

She misses them so much. Longing aches like a bruise inside her chest.

Nia sniffs and hopes that Tobias doesn’t notice her shaky breaths. Tears prick at her eyes, hot and insistent.

Nia misses them, and she doesn’t even have the full story. She’d hoped that after getting sick and remembering some of her life as a human, the rest of her memories would follow. But after the initial deluge, they’d slowed to a stop. She knows she’s still missing a lot, still has giant gaps in her memory that feel impossible to focus on for too long. What was the last thing she even did with her family before showing up here?

Nia is pulled out of her thoughts when Tobias speaks up, tapping her arm. “We’re at the ocean.”

Nia doesn’t think he means for her to look up, just to update her, so she nods her thanks into his shoulder.

After that, Nia tries to let the loud howl of the wind and the roar of the waves drown out her thoughts and anxieties. Tries to let the sensations surround her in a fuzzy haze.

She’s snapped back to reality by the sudden tilt of the world.

Nia squeaks, clinging to Tobias as Fliss’ considerable mass is knocked sideways by a sudden gust of wind. The braviary flaps wildly to correct herself, and Nia’s stomach flips. Oh, they’re gonna die they’re gonna die they’re gonna die—

Fliss finally manages to catch a gentler air current, leveling out her erratic flight. Nia keeps her face hidden away, focusing on her death grip around Tobias’ ribs and the way he’s clutching at her arm in return.

“Are you two all right?” Comet yells, sounding more tense than Nia would like. His voice is closer too, as if hovering near enough to catch them if they fall.

Tobias squeezes Nia’s wrist, whether to reassure her or himself that she’s still hanging on. “I don’t know if I’d say all right, exactly, but we’re still here. What was that?”

“Rogue wind,” Fliss calls back. “I’ve sailed these currents for more than twenty years, and I’ve never seen anything like ‘em. They like to pop up out of nowhere and throw us off course.”

“A symptom of the increasing natural disasters, as far as we can tell,” Comet adds. “It certainly makes travel more difficult. Dangerous, particularly for the smaller flyers.”

Nia’s heart sinks. This is just one more reminder of what they’re trying to stop. Of what will come to pass if they don’t fix the world. Nia can imagine the winds growing untamed enough eventually to ground flyers completely, whipping up storms and typhoons to wreak havoc alongside earthquakes and droughts.

Nia takes another deep breath to ward off fresh panic. This is why they’re going to see Will. They’re going to fix this. All of it.

“Don’t you worry—I’m much tougher than any rowdy wind!” Fliss calls, trying to sound upbeat. “You two just hold on tight and we’ll be sure to get you to Stonebrook safely.”

Tobias nods, but doesn’t respond. Nia, still trying to calm her racing heart, simply holds onto him tighter. She already didn’t like flying, but the thought that the world could suddenly flip and toss them into the ocean at any time is ten times worse. Not that she doesn’t trust Fliss, but she distrusts the current state of nature even more.

“I’ll scout ahead to make sure that doesn’t happen again,” Comet calls, just loud enough to hear, before Nia feels another burst of warmth from his flames. He must’ve jetted forward to fly just ahead of Fliss.

Unfortunately, conversation stops after that as Fliss and Comet focus on navigating the rough air currents. Time passes in tense quiet, aside from the rush of the wind and the roar of the waves. Every time a gust of wind shakes up their flight even the slightest bit, Nia’s heart jumps into her throat.

When Tobias finally speaks again, it’s quiet and almost to himself. “Huh.”

Nia tightens her grip on her partner. “W-What? Is something wrong?”

“No. I don’t think so, at least.” Tobias leans slightly, as if peering over Fliss’ side. “Giratina’s following us.”

That’s interesting enough to make Nia look up. She debates with herself for just a moment before steeling her courage, tightening her grip, and following Tobias’ gaze down, to the choppy ocean below.

Sure enough, Nia spots Giratina’s giant, serpentine shape in the broken reflections on the ocean’s surface. He’s following alongside Fliss’ quick pace, winding like a snake through black water.

Fliss notices the legendary’s presence, but she must think it’s another Pokemon because she just gripes about nosy water types before flapping higher to catch a different current. Nia stiffens at the reminder of how high up they are and burrows back into her safe space.

“Surely he has better things to do than follow us around,” Tobias says.

“Maybe we should give him an update?” Nia suggests. “To be fair, he doesn’t know what we’re doing. We could try talking to him through a reflection later?”

“Maybe.”

And with that, they fall silent again.

____________________________________________________________

It’s late morning when they finally make it back to land, and almost noon by time Fliss calls out that they’ll be landing in Stonebrook in a few minutes.

The rest of their flight had been uneventful after that first incident. Comet had successfully steered them around any other severe turbulence, and the cold weather had warmed with the sun beating down on their backs. Still, Nia is beyond relieved to have the end of their flight so near, and she manages to lift her head and take a peek at where they’re going.

The forest below looks different from the one in Bethoc’s Haven. The trees back home are a range of species, mostly deciduous, with spreading boughs and wide leaves that change colors and wither away with the seasons. These trees, even from a distance, stand tall and pointed, a rich palette of greens despite the approaching winter. Evergreens?

Fliss and Comet aim for a notable gap in the trees. As they start to descend, Nia realizes they aren’t just settling in a small grove or clearing, but instead at the edge of a tiny village nestled amongst the trees. There are small buildings scattered throughout the space, built from boulders and slabs of stone propped against one another. Other than a few purposeful openings that are clearly windows, any gaps are filled in with smaller, carefully stacked stones. A stream winds through the town, stepping stones bridging its two halves, and even this late in autumn the whole place feels green and lush, each building topped by a grassy roof. They must be farther south than Nia had realized.

Pokemon are scattered around the village, going about their day. Children are chasing each other down dirt paths, shrieking with laughter, while a couple of adults talk and watch the kids from outside stone homes. Others appear to be doing chores or running errands. One building is seemingly the home of a merchant, and a few Pokemon are crowded around the little window where he’s exchanging goods. Smoke rises from another building, and Nia catches the savory scent of something cooking. Some Pokemon are even riding a cart out of town on the main path, heading who knows where.

Fliss finally touches down, and Nia wastes no time in sliding off her back. The cool, pine needle-strewn dirt below her feet is blessedly solid.

“Oh, thank God,” Nia breathes, sinking to the ground. Her legs are somehow both stiff and flimsy as jelly.

Fliss laughs, lowering herself so Tobias can slide down much more gracefully.

“You good?” He asks.

Nia groans, leaning forward to press her forehead against the dirt. Tobias gives her a patronizing pat on the back.

“Apologies again for the rough flight over,” Comet says, stepping closer.

“But we did get you here in one piece!” Fliss says, giving an exaggerated wink with her one good eye.

Tobias helps Nia to her feet. “That you did. Thanks.”

“We’re planning to head to Ghatha right away for our next job, so you may need to make the journey north on foot if you need a return flight,” Comet says.

“That’s fine!” Nia says, giving Comet a weak smile as she starts stretching out her stiff legs. “We probably won’t need a flight ‘mon for a while, anyways. We need to find someone here in town, and then we’re heading south.”

“Fair enough,” Fliss says. “Well, it was good seeing you two again, despite the rocky weather. Be careful on your travels and be sure to find us again if you need a flight! It’s always a pleasure having you as riders.”

“Thanks, Fliss,” Nia says, smiling warmly at the braviary. “I can’t say it’s been, um…fun, exactly, but I appreciate you doing your best to make it easier for me. Both of you.”

Comet dips his head. “Of course. It was nice meeting you both.”

With that, Fliss and Comet step back and take flight again, flapping up and into the sky. Nia waves them off until they’re out of sight.

Then it’s just Nia and Tobias standing at the edge of the village. Stonebrook is absolutely tiny, maybe ten or twelve small buildings in all, and Nia can see clear to the other side of town from where they’re standing. While the inhabitants of the village aren’t approaching them, there are one or two Pokemon watching them curiously, clearly wondering who they are and why they flew to Stonebrook of all places.

“Well, we’re here. Now what?” Tobias asks.

“Well…” Nia trails off, looking around. “I guess we just ask around until someone can point out where Junie lives? It can’t be too hard to find her in a town this small.”

Tobias shrugs, clearly not thrilled about socializing with a bunch of strangers, but follows as Nia wanders into the village proper, towards the merchant shop she’d spotted earlier.

“This place is nice,” Nia says, smiling as one of the children she’d seen before runs past her. The kid, a brown chipmunk Pokemon with a leafy green bonnet, does a double-take at the two strangers in his village, and skids to a stop. The Pokemon that had been chasing the little guy slams into him, and the two fall into a squirming, squabbling heap.

“It’s definitely not where I expected Junie of all Pokemon to settle down,” Tobias says, stepping around the kids. “It’s too…”

“Peaceful?”

“I was going to say boring, but yeah.”

Nia elbows him to be polite, still looking around as they approach the merchant’s shop. The village is open to the sun, but it’s surrounded by a thick wall of pine trees. Nia can’t decide if the forest feels reassuring or confining. Then again, she lives inside a giant tree, so she doesn’t really have room to talk.

“Nia?”

Nia stops in place, ears perking at the familiar voice. She spins to find it, beaming when she sees Junie stopped mid-step mere feet away. The rookidee is clearly shocked, beak open and wide ruby eyes flicking between Nia and Tobias in disbelief.

“Junie!” Nia says.

Junie blinks once. Twice. Then she finally seems to register that this is really happening. She tweets an excited, shrill noise before rocketing into Nia’s open arms. Nia falls to the dirt and moss, laughing.

“What’re you doing here?!” Junie says, nuzzling into Nia’s fur. “Where did you even come from?”

“We flew!” Nia laughs, hugging her. “Did you not see us? Half the village has been staring at us since we landed.”

“I just got into town!” Junie leans back just enough to meet Nia’s eyes, feathers fluffed with excitement. “What’re you doing here?!”

Nia feels her smile falter a bit. She sits up, and Junie resettles in her lap. “We have business south of here, so we thought we would stop by and visit you on the way.”

“I’m so glad you did! I missed your adorable face.” Junie’s gaze flicks behind Nia to where Tobias is standing, and she perks up all over again. “And Toby’s here too!”

“I told you not to call me that,” Tobias growls.

“Good to see you haven’t lost your charming personality!”

Nia giggles, while Tobias just rolls his eyes.

“Ahem.”

Nia and Junie look up to see a pink cow Pokemon standing over them, a basket full of linens held against her hip.

Oh. They decided to have their reunion right in the middle of town, didn’t they? And right in the middle of one of the walking paths, too.

Junie laughs and flaps her way out of Nia’s lap. “Sorry, Marie!”

Nia scrambles to follow. “Sorry, ma’am!”

Marie shakes her head, but she’s smiling as she passes. “Good to see you so happy, Junie. Just keep the paths clear, all right?”

Junie salutes the Pokemon’s back, sending Nia a wry smile.

Huh. Nia had gotten the impression back in Ghatha that Junie didn’t talk to her neighbors much, but that was a pretty casual exchange with Marie. Maybe she’s grown more comfortable with them since then?

Once the cow Pokemon is out of earshot, stopping outside of her home to hang the linens on a makeshift clothesline, Junie turns to Nia. “Come on, we can go back to my place.”

“Oh, sure!”

Nia and Tobias follow as Junie hops down one of the village’s dirt paths, then leaves the trail entirely to head into the woods.

Nia hesitates at the tree line, watching Junie’s dark feathers get nearly swallowed up by the forest’s heavy shade. The three of them are dwarfed by the tall evergreens here.

“You don’t live in town?” Nia asks.

“Nope! I live with Bo now! He should actually be stopping by the house soon with some lunch.”

Nia’s brows rise at the bird’s easy answer, but she dutifully follows before she can lose sight of the rookidee.

Junie had seemed so stubbornly independent back in Ghatha. When did that change? Nia did tell her she should try connecting more with her neighbors, but this feels like a big step.

“Bo?” Tobias asks when they catch up.

“Yeah! He’s a dork, but he’s the best. A real metal guy.”

Nia tilts her head, hearing the joke in Junie’s voice but unsure of what to make of it. A pun, no doubt.

“Is he your, um…”

Junie must pick up on what Nia is asking, because she scrunches up her face and sticks out her tongue. “Ew, no, gross. He’s like. A dad. Or an older brother, maybe. Oh! No, wait, he’s definitely an uncle!”

“How do you just decide that someone’s an uncle?” Tobias asks.

“When they have uncle energy, duh. Keep up, Toby.”

Tobias sends Nia a look that makes it clear he’s already done with Junie for this visit. Nia bites back a laugh.

The rookidee leads them farther into the forest than Nia expects, until Stonebrook is out of sight behind them and they’re surrounded by the quiet of the trees. It’s heavily shaded here with the canopy of evergreens so thick, and the air cools notably. At first, Nia almost finds it unnerving, used to the dappled sunshine of the forest in Bethoc’s Haven, but the peaceful quiet and gentle, dark colors grow on her quickly. The ground underfoot is a soft mix of dirt, moss, and soft pine needles, and the air is fragrant with the scent. The trunks of the pines tower above them. There’s less foliage to wade through, which is nice. It’s not bad, necessarily. Just…different.

Finally, Nia sees something up ahead, an out of place gray amongst the cool browns and greens of the forest.

“This is where we live!” Junie chirps, hopping ahead to present it with a wide flourish of her wings.

It’s a small abode made of stone, much like the homes back in Stonebrook proper. One of its walls seems to be made up of the large tree it’s propped against, and its roof is a grassy slant of soil atop a slab of stone. The other walls are made of smaller, carefully stacked rocks, with only two rectangular gaps left on either side of the wooden door—windows, most likely, seeing as they’re currently covered by leafy blinds. There are a few flowers and paint doodles decorating the outside, almost certainly Junie’s doing, that brighten the gray exterior. The little house is cushioned by moss and framed by more giant pine trees, but there are a few slices of sunshine in this part of the forest, making the whole place look homey rather than unwelcoming.

“It’s lovely!” Nia says, charmed.

“You sleep on the ground?” Tobias asks, sounding more confused than anything.

“Hey, what’s wrong with that?” Junie asks, giving him a glare. “You sleep on the ground!”

“We literally live in a tree.”

Junie stops mid-retort, blinking. “Huh. Guess you do. Still! Lots of Pokemon sleep on ground level!”

“Not flying types.”

“We’ve had some rough storms around here, okay?” Junie huffs. “Besides, I used to sleep in trees before moving in with Bo, and it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. I kept falling out, and it got so drafty! This is much cozier.”

“Or maybe you’re just a weirdo.”

“Maybe it’s just your human side talking,” Nia suggests, biting back a laugh at the cross look Junie sends her partner. “Humans do like being cozy.”

“Because it’s the best!” Junie says with a decisive nod. She opens her mouth to say something else, then pauses, glancing up through the trees as they rustle with the wind. “Oh! I think Bo’s home!”

Nia peers up through the pine branches and the slivers of sunlight, but she can’t see much of anything through the thick boughs.

“I’d step back if I were you,” Junie says, hopping back against the house. “I’ve been knocked over by his tailwind more times than I can count.”

Finally, Nia sees him: a silver bird diving through a gap in the evergreens. He flashes bright when he cuts through a ray of sunlight, like the sun reflecting off a car, and the undersides of his wings are a scarlet red. As he descends, Nia realizes just how big he really is, and scrambles back to make room, Tobias right on her heels.

The bird slows down with a few powerful flaps right before he meets the forest floor. The gust created from his wings makes Nia brace herself against the house and squint her eyes shut as he settles heavily onto the mossy ground.

Nia blinks grit from her eyes and trails her gaze up from huge talons and a bulky silver body until she finds the bird’s face. He’s gotta be over two times their height, and he’s seemingly covered in…metal? The wings he tucks against his sides almost seem to be tipped in blades, sharp as they are, but they don’t cut through the satchel strapped around his body. His head is an equally sharp thing, with a wicked beak of sharp teeth and a spike of metal atop his head, almost like a helmet. He meets Nia’s gaze with keen yellow eyes.

“You didn’t tell me we were having visitors, Junebug,” the bird says, voice more playful than Nia expects. “I would’ve cleaned the place up a bit. Now I just look like a bad host.”

Junie laughs, hopping forward to gesture with her wings. “I’m just as surprised as you are! These are the friends I told you about, from Ghatha! Nia and Toby.”

“Tobias, actually,” Tobias corrects. It’s halfhearted, though, as he sizes up the Pokemon in front of them.

Nia gives the large bird a smile and a shy wave.

The bird squawks a laugh. “You two are just like Junie described! Nice to meet you. I’m Bolat. Local mail ‘mon and self-appointed wrangler for this little impidimp.”

Bolat reaches out a taloned foot to nudge Junie, surprisingly gentle. The rookidee trills an annoyed sound as she’s still nearly knocked over, but she’s smiling.

“I keep your life exciting and you know it!”

“Can’t argue with that.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Nia says, bowing lightly. Tobias doesn’t say anything, but Nia sees him give the bird a respectful nod.

“You too.” Bolat tilts his head, looking at them consideringly. “Do you two plan to bunk with us tonight?”

“Oh! I-I mean, we can find somewhere else to sleep if it’s any trouble, but—”

Bolat laughs and shakes his head. “No no, you’re fine. We have room. We’ll just need to get you some bedding for a proper nest. Guessing you haven’t done that yet?”

“They just got here!” Junie says. “Gimme like an hour. There’s some decent stuff in that glen west of here, right?”

Bolat hums, eyeing the two of them again before turning back to Junie. “How about I just grab some bedding for the night while I’m out on my second run? I’m sure you want to catch up anyways.”

Nia almost protests out of pure politeness, but glances at Junie instead. This is her home, after all. Even if Nia is surprised that the little bird isn’t immediately insisting she can do it herself.

After a moment of thought, though, Junie just nods. “If you don’t mind, that’d be awesome! Thanks, Bo.”

“Eh, no big. It’s a slow day anyways. Ah, here.” Bolat lifts a wing to dip his beak into the satchel looped over his body, rummaging around through…letters? He finally re-emerges with a small sack, which he drops in front of Junie. “Grabbed some lunch. Make sure you eat a few of the chestnuts and greens—you need more bulk if you want to carry more than a letter at a time.”

Junie groans and butts her head against Bolat’s leg with a thonk. “I know, I know! I’ll eat my stupid veggies. Thanks.”

Bolat laughs again and looks at Nia and Tobias. “There should be enough in there for all three of you, if you haven’t had lunch yet. I’ll pick something else up for myself.”

“Are you sure?” Nia asks, ears lowering. She can’t help feeling like they’re imposing, showing up so suddenly and making Bolat do so much for them.

“Of course!” Bolat waves them off with a giant wing. “Any friend of June’s is a friend of mine. Make yourselves at home.”

“Well…thank you, then.”

“’Course.” Bolat squints up through the trees at the midday sunshine. “I’d better get going if I don’t want to be late, though. Can you hold down the fort until I get back, Junebug?”

“Aye aye, cap’n!” Junie says, saluting with her little wing.

“In that case, I’ll see you all this evening with bedding in tow. See you!”

Bolat barely waits for Nia and Tobias to say their own goodbyes before he’s flapping hard at the ground again and lifting up into the air. Nia watches, kind of awestruck that a bird seemingly made of metal can appear so light and graceful as he flies up between the trees and out of sight.

Then Nia squints, looking down at Junie. “’A real metal guy?’”

Junie chirps a laugh. “I wasn’t lying, was I?”

Tobias snorts. “A skarmory’s about as metal as a flying type can get.”

“Exactly! Now, come on in. I can’t make you guys proper nests until Bo brings back some fluff, but we can still catch up and eat!”

Junie grabs the lip of the sack of food and drags it along behind her, flapping furiously against its weight. Nia holds open the front door so Junie can get inside, watching as the little bird pulls open the blinds on the two small windows to let in some fresh air and sunlight. Then Nia follows her, surprised by how the inside of the little home feels both cozy and more spacious than she expects.

It’s clearly a space built for just one or two Pokemon, but it’s organized. There’s a small basin off to one side of the room, with bowls, cloths, and other supplies resting near it on a small, flat boulder. On the other side, there’s a larger slab of stone, where two nests sit. One is clearly Junie’s, a tiny bowl of moss and pine needles perfectly sized to cup her body. The second nest is much, much larger, and Nia has to stare at it for a moment to try to understand what she’s looking at.

Are those…thorns?

Junie notices Nia’s expression and twitters a laugh. “Yeah, Bo sleeps in a nest of brambles. Apparently lots of skarmory do it to protect their chicks and toughen up their feathers or something? Or he’s just a freak, I dunno.”

“That’s, um…really intense,” Nia settles on.

“Right?! I’ll stick with my soft, squishy nest, thank you very much. I’m a delicate lady, after all.”

Over near the table, Tobias snorts.

“Oh, what?” Junie says, playfully challenging. “Something you want to say, Toby?”

“Lots of things. But then Nia would scold me for being rude.”

“Like that ever stopped you before.”

Nia smiles as the two go back and forth. She trails closer to the nests, which are sitting right next to one another, almost touching.

“You two seem close,” Nia says, glancing back at Junie.

“I mean…I guess? I haven’t really been here that long.”

“Yeah, but you seemed really against letting anyone help you back in Ghatha. So I guess I’m just glad you found someone here you trust.”

“Yeah…” Junie starts preening her wing, visibly embarrassed. “I was being kind of dumb about that, in hindsight. Like. Bo can be ridiculous, but he’s super nice, y’know? I really like living here. He’s been teaching me a lot, too! Like getting me to fly higher without freaking out.”

Nia turns to look at Junie. “Really?”

“Yup! I can even fly above the trees now! Not by much before I panic again, but I’m definitely better than before. Bo thinks he can get me over my fear of heights in under a year!”

“See if he can teach Nia, too,” Tobias jokes, picking up a bowl to inspect it.

“This…seems like a big deal to you,” Nia says slowly, a little confused. “I-I mean, don’t get me wrong! It’s great! But your fear of heights didn’t seem to bother you that much before?”

“Well…” Junie hops over to fiddle with the tie on the sack of food, clearly looking for something to keep herself busy. “I couldn’t help you in the fire at Ghatha because I was too scared of flying, and I only ended up living with Bo because I was too weak to navigate a storm. So I guess I just want to get better at being a flying type so I can actually do things and not be scared all the time. Plus, I’ll need to be able to fly for real if I want to have a more exciting job than just running errands around Stonebrook.”

“A job?” Tobias asks, frowning. “Like as a Seeker?”

Junie bursts into laughter. “Absolutely not! Fighting’s the worst. Don’t know how you do it, Nia. And dealing with clients and guildmasters? Ugh. No thanks.”

“What’re you hoping to do instead?” Nia asks.

“I’m thinking a mail ‘mon like Bo!” Junie says. She abandons the sack and hops up onto the windowsill to better meet Nia’s gaze. She looks excited, chest puffed and eyes bright. “It’ll take me a few years to learn the landscape well enough to find my way around, and I have to build up enough strength to actually carry a few letters long distance—especially since I have to stay a pipsqueak forever—but I think I’d really like it! Bo’s let me tag along on a few of his runs and it’s the best. He gets to go everywhere and he meets so many funny people!”

Nia blinks at Junie’s enthusiasm, surprised. That’s…quite the long-term goal. Without thinking, she says, “Years? But what about getting back home?”

Junie seems confused for a moment, but then she pouts. “Oh. Right. You still want to be human again, don’t you?”

Nia jerks back. She remembers Junie mentioning something like this in Ghatha, but— “You don’t? You want to stay here? Like this? Forever?”

Junie’s pout deepens into something more genuinely troubled. Her eyes flick to Tobias before resettling on Nia. “Yeah? Just because you want to go back to the boring old human world doesn’t mean everyone does.”

“But…” Nia trails off, at a loss for words. She looks at Tobias, wondering if he’s as surprised as she is. He’s pointedly fiddling with the bowl in his hands, not meeting Nia’s eyes. Oh. Right. Leaving would mean…leaving him behind. And everyone else, too.

But even with that in mind, Nia still can’t help her shock. When she thinks of the human world, she doesn’t think of how boring it can be. She thinks of her family, of going home and reuniting with them. She thinks of her brother pulling her into a crushing hug and lifting her off the ground. She thinks of her mom crying and cooking a big meal for the family to eat together. She thinks of Toni refusing to leave her side for a week straight and catching her up on everything she missed.

Does Junie not have people like that to go home to?

“Do you not remember anything yet?” Nia asks. “About your old life?”

Junie hops down to the soft dirt of the floor and back over to the sack of food. “No, I remember. Not a lot, but enough. It just isn’t good enough to convince me to go back.”

“Wait, doesn’t Will have some theory about humans having to get close to death to regain their memories?” Tobias asks, narrowing his eyes at Junie. “Did you get your memories back after the fire in Ghatha?”

“Nope! Not there. I got pretty hurt right after I got back to Stonebrook, so it must’ve been then. I didn’t know about the whole near-death thing, but it did happen while I was recovering, so.”

“You got hurt?!” Nia asks, alarmed despite knowing that Junie has been totally fine the entire time they’ve been talking. She still can’t resist stepping closer and crouching to scan the delicate little bird’s body. “It had to be serious if you remembered something.”

Junie chirps a laugh. “Sure was! A nasty storm hit the woods and a branch fell on me. Almost flattened me like a pancake! Funny how that’s almost happened twice now, huh? Anyways, that’s how I met Bo! He helped me get back on my feet. Oh! And look at this!”

Junie ignores the distress surely painting Nia’s face to hop back a step. Then, with a furrow in her little brow and a few moments of quiet, a bubble of bright orange energy flickers to life around her.

Aura. Junie’s aura. Nia can sense it immediately, even if she hadn’t been able to see it herself. Her jaw drops.

The bubble around the rookidee only lasts for a second or two, weak and faint, before vanishing again. Junie pants, clearly exhausted from the little display, but beams at Nia and Tobias’ gobsmacked expressions.

“I used protect when the branch landed on me! Though apparently not very well, since I still fractured some bones. Definitely not as strong as the one you used in Ghatha, Nia. But still! Isn’t that cool?!”

“You can use aura now?” Tobias asks, looking horrified. He’s probably thinking about Junie possessing all of the intimate soul-reading powers that Nia has.

Junie shakes her head. “Nah. Just this one move. But I still thought it was neat!”

“It is neat,” Nia offers a beat too late, feeling off-kilter. That one book in the archives did mention that all humans could use protect, but it’s still strange seeing it in action.

Junie puffs out her little chest, proud, before realizing something. She glares at Nia. “Wait, you also got some of your memories back? That means you almost died again, too! I thought I told you guys not to get into any more trouble!”

Nia winces, holding out her hands in a placating gesture. “T-To be fair, I just got really sick?”

“That’s an understatement,” Tobias grumbles, walking over to flick Nia with his tail.

“Oh.” Junie’s irritation deflates. “That sucks.”

“A little,” Nia laughs. “Although…Junie, do me a favor and promise to go to a doctor right away if you get sick, okay? It can get pretty serious for humans.”

Junie opens her mouth to make a lighthearted quip, but something about the expressions on their faces stops her. She tilts her head, clearly curious, but eventually chirps, “Yeah, okay. I promise.”

After that, they settle on the ground outside to eat, where the dirt and moss has been warmed a bit by the sun. Tobias opens the sack Bolat brought back, where a small feast of berries, veggies, and some spiky chestnuts await them for lunch.

Junie gets to work carefully cracking open the chestnuts with her beak while Nia and Tobias divvy up the rest of the food for their impromptu picnic. It’s still chilly out, especially in the shade of the forest, but it’s not as cold as it was while flying over. The wind smells like fresh pine as it rattles through the trees, and dappled sunlight plays across the ground.

“I still feel bad eating the food Bolat got specifically for you two,” Nia says as Junie passes them some of the unshelled chestnuts to add to their meal.

“Don’t be. Bo’s really generous, and he finds lots of food while he’s out on the job. He took me in when I got hurt and took care of me without a second thought.”

Nia smiles as she takes a bite of a carrot-like vegetable, crunching away at it. Bolat does seem awfully nice, and Nia’s beyond grateful that Junie found someone like him to take care of her when she was so injured. She doesn’t want to imagine what would’ve happened otherwise.

“So, catch me up,” Junie says around a mouthful of food. “Any leads on the whole ‘returning to the human world’ front?”

Nia feels Tobias’ eyes on her, and tries not to look too eager at the prospect. “Um…a few? I have some ideas, but nothing solid yet.”

Junie hums, clearly sympathetic but not at all upset on her own behalf. “That sucks. Sorry, Nia. Let me know if I can help, okay? Although I don’t know what I could add that you and Will don’t already have covered.”

Nia slowly puts her own food back down. “Junie, you…you really don’t want to go back home, do you?”

Junie shrugs, looking uncomfortable. “I mean. I miss some stuff, I guess, but most of my memories are just…blah, you know? And I’m happy here! Even though I’m gonna be a little shrimp forever, I’m much happier here than I ever was as a human.”

Nia sits back, torn. On one hand, it’s not like she can argue with Junie’s feelings. And just because Nia wants to see her family and friends so desperately doesn’t mean everyone does. But to just abandon her old life entirely? Just like that?

“You aren’t worried that somebody will miss you?” Nia can’t help asking.

“Not really. They aren’t my problem anymore.”

What in the world does that mean?

Nia tries not to visibly slump, and starts picking at her food again. She’d been so excited to share her recovered memories with the rookidee, but now she isn’t so sure she wants to. Would Junie even want her to, or would it just be awkward?

“So is that the mission you’re doing south of here? Figuring out human stuff?”

“Um, no. Not really. We are going to see Will, but not about that.”

“What for, then?”

Nia glances at Tobias. He’s munching on a chestnut, and gives Nia a wave of his hand that clearly says it’s Nia’s prerogative how much she wants to share.

“Okay, your little telepathic communication thing is adorable, but what’s with the serious face?” Junie asks. She looks between Nia and Tobias. “You’re not telling me something.”

For a moment, Nia considers brushing off Junie’s concerns. She hadn’t told Xander’s team or Andyn’s team about the whole “world ending” thing, but…well, quite frankly, she doesn’t think Junie will let it go now that she’s picked up on it.

Plus, she’s human like Nia, as much as she apparently doesn’t want to be anymore. She didn’t have a life here before all of this started happening. It feels right, to let her in on the secret too.

Nia puts her food down again. “You’re right. Sorry. We, um…we found something out recently. Something big.”

Junie frowns. “Bad big?”

“Certainly not good big,” Tobias huffs.

“We met Giratina,” Nia says. “He—"

“Wait, back up. Giratina? The scary nightmare creature that Will explicitly told us not to talk to?”

Nia winces. “Yes? He’s, um…actually pretty civil. If a bit of a grouch.”

“So like Tobias, then,” Junie says. She doesn’t even bask in his reaction, adding, “Okay, hold up, start from the beginning. I need the whole story.”

Nia hesitates, but crumbles quickly under Junie’s insistent gaze.

So Nia tells the story yet again, from the moment when Tobias noticed Giratina following them, all the way up to their talk with August when they returned to the guild. She’s getting better at summarizing after telling the story twice before, but Tobias still jumps in occasionally to add any important details that she forgets. Junie is surprisingly quiet for most of it, aside from when she chastises them for being idiots, jumping down into dangerous mines with criminals and meeting up with crazy bugs who want to send them to the distortion world.

Finally, voice raspy and meal still only half-finished, Nia says, “And that’s the gist. This world—the Pokemon world—is basically in danger of falling apart entirely if we don’t do something to stop it. And the human world will go down with it.”

“Nia thinks Will might have some human connections who can help us find Xerneas, so that she can strengthen the barrier,” Tobias adds. “Or fix it afterwards, if it’s predetermined to break. Either way, we don’t have much go to go on, so we’re checking with him just in case.”

Junie’s expression is somber when they finish. She stares long and hard at the dirt, clearly deep in thought. Finally, she sighs and looks up. “Well. That’s a fine pickle. And just when I was getting comfy here, too. I guess we’ll just have to see what Will has to say, right?”

Nia blinks, then echoes the little bird. “We?”

“Well, yeah! I’m coming with you two to Will’s place, of course.” Junie says. “I just got you back. You aren’t ditching me again while you go off to save the world!”

Nia straightens up, heart lifting. “Really?”

Tobias groans. “Really?”

“Yup! You’re stuck with me, lizard-breath.”

“Greeeaaat,” Tobias drawls, using his flames to char a pecha berry cupped in his palms.

“But what about Bolat?” Nia asks.

Junie waves Nia off. “He’ll be fine! He was on his own forever before I showed up. As long as I come back eventually to show him I’m not dead I’m sure he’ll be cool about it. And I can keep training while we head south so I’m not slacking!”

Nia smiles, something in her relaxing. “That’d be great, Junie. We’d be happy to have you.”

“Happy is a strong word,” Tobias says.

Nia glances at him, afraid for a moment that she’d just made a decision for the both of them that he’s genuinely upset about, but he doesn’t actually look bothered by this development. He bites into his berry with a casual movement, his tail flame its usual calm flicker and his expression even. Just their usual banter, then.

“Aw, c’mon! I’m excited to be traveling with you guys again! I guess we should leave right away tomorrow morning since this is kind of time-sensitive, huh? We’ve got mysteries to solve, worlds to save, eldritch horrors to meet—oh! Nia!”

Nia jumps, nearly dropping the peeled chestnut in her hand. “Y-Yeah?”

“I wanted to ask earlier, but I didn’t want to interrupt. If you can communicate with Giratina through reflections and he’s on our side now, could we like. Call him?”

Nia stares at Junie, chestnut forgotten. “You want to talk to him? He’s…kinda scary.”

“That’s even better!” Junie says, hopping up excitedly. “It’ll be like we’re trying to summon demons at a sleepover. Wait here!”

Junie darts inside her and Bolat’s home, and Nia looks at Tobias, bewildered.

The charmander shrugs, apparently more or less unphased. “You did suggest we get in touch with him so he knows what we’re up to.”

“I…guess?”

Junie flaps out the front door in an unsteady bob, a small stone bowl barely gripped in her tiny claws. She drops it on the ground in front of Nia, then lands clumsily on the other side.

“There! Will that work? You can use your canteen water, right?”

Okay, guess they’re doing this right now. Nia sighs, once again putting the last of her food aside to grab her canteen and pour an inch of water into the bowl. Sunlight bounces across the water’s surface as it settles. The whole thing is about the size of Nia’s hand, just large enough to see faint reflections of the trees above them.

“Now what?” Junie asks, practically vibrating. “Do we have to chant or something?”

“I don’t actually know,” Nia says, frowning. “We haven’t tried to call him like this before.”

“He can’t be far,” Tobias says, leaning closer to the bowl. “He was following us on the trip over.”

Just as Nia’s about to try calling for Giratina, Junie shouts, “Hey, lord of nightmares! Get your butt over here!”

“Junie!” Nia hisses, wide-eyed.

“What?! You said he’s on your side now!”

“He is, but he’s also a god with a temper!”

“Uh, hey,” Tobias says, pointing. “He’s here.”

Nia looks down, surprised. Sure enough, she can see the faint reflection of Giratina’s silhouette in the surface of the bowl. Just his head, really, the rest of his body likely unable to fit into view.

“Whoa,” Junie breathes, feathers ruffled but expression delighted.

Giratina’s eyes narrow slightly, as if to ask what they want. Nia can practically hear his rapidly thinning patience.

“W-We saw you following us earlier, over the ocean,” Nia explains. “So I thought you were maybe wondering what we were doing? I figured we could give you an update. I-If you’d like.”

“We also wanted to see if we could contact you,” Tobias adds. “Which I guess is a yes.”

Giratina nods, looking back at Nia. Waiting.

She jerks. “O-Oh! Okay. Um. So we’re looking for a friend of mine, a human, who has been gathering other humans. We think he might have an idea of where to find Xerneas, since I know he’s been researching a lot of stuff and talking to a lot of people. So that’s why we’re, uh. Here. And traveling.”

Giratina seems to mull that over for a moment, before nodding his approval.

“Can he not talk?” Junie whispers, loudly.

“He talked to me in his dimension,” Nia says, feeling weirdly rude speaking about Giratina in the third-person when he’s right there. “But I don’t think he can speak to us through reflections?”

“But what if he has something important to tell you?”

Giratina shifts, catching their attention before Nia or Tobias can answer. He brings up a tendril-like wing, the giant talon at its tip settling close to the surface of the reflection and blocking out Giratina himself.

“Does he want you to…touch him? E.T. style?” Junie asks. “Can you even do that?”

Nia frowns, staring at the talon seemingly right on the other side of the water’s surface. “I…don’t know. He did pull me through a reflection in Shivergleam, but I kind of assumed that was like…a special ritual that Edme set up?”

“He did it at the river near the guild too,” Tobias grumbles.

Huh. He’s right. Which means…

Curious, and knowing that the legendary would have been able to kill her easily last time they met but decided not to, Nia lifts her hand and holds it over the water.

“You sure?” Junie asks.

Tobias reaches out and grabs Nia’s free arm, as if to make sure he isn’t left behind this time if she’s yanked through again.

With a deep breath, Nia dips her finger gently into the chilled water, trying not to disturb the reflections on the surface. Sure enough, after an inch or two, she hits not the smooth stone of the bowl’s bottom, but the dulled point of something else, ice-cold.

Giratina.

Nia’s brows raise. Curious, she dips the rest of her hand into the bowl. While she can’t wrap her hand around the sheer size of the claw, it’s undeniable that she has surpassed the depth of the bowl itself. Like a magic trick.

“Whoa,” Junie murmurs again.

Satisfied for now, Nia pulls her hand free, amazed to realize her fur isn’t even wet. She blinks down at the water as it settles. Giratina has pulled away so they can see his face again.

“So when you’re around, you can make any reflection into a portal to the distortion world?” Tobias asks.

The legendary nods.

“Does that only work for Nia? Or for anyone?” Junie asks.

Nia doesn’t know how Giratina does it, but she can practically feel his exasperation through the reflection.

“Oh, r-right. Yes or no questions, Junie.”

“Fine, fine! How about this—can anyone go through a portal you open?”

Giratina nods again.

The three of them sit back as one.

“Huh,” Nia says. “I’m not sure that really changes anything? But I guess it’s good to know that we can check in with you any time if we need to.”

“Could be a helpful escape route in an emergency,” Tobias muses, hand at his chin. “As long as we find a reflection large enough.”

Giratina suddenly jerks, looking off to the side. His eyes narrow. He looks back at them, as if asking if they’re done here. There must be another one of those rumblings in the rift that Nia had experienced while there. A sign of the coming disaster. He probably wants to check it out to make sure it’s nothing more serious.

“I think that’s all we know right now. Um. Thank you for answering?” Nia says, feeling awkward about how exactly she’s supposed to sign off with a legendary.

Giratina nods, then slips out of sight. The reflection of the trees overhead and Nia’s curious face, leant over the bowl, flicker back into sight.

The three of them are quiet for a moment, digesting that experience.

“Okay, so. World-ending terror aside, that was pretty awesome,” Junie says. She hops up, looking all too excited. “We should try to summon more horror monsters before we have to get on the road tomorrow! Bo told me about this Pokémon called Darkrai who gives you nightmares. I don’t think he does it to mess with people, but let’s pretend he does because that’s much scarier.”

Nia can’t help laughing. The tension that had settled over them breaks instantly.

“Darkrai’s a legendary, feather-brain,” Tobias says. “He’s probably already dormant.”

“But he’s the god of nightmares or something! So maybe he’s immune to sleep stuff!”

Nia relaxes and finishes the last few bites of her meal as the two of them start up another silly argument. The exhaustion of the flight and the day’s antics are finally starting to weigh on her, but for at least tonight they can rest here with Junie and Bolat.

Suddenly, with just one more friend at their side, everything ahead doesn’t seem quite as scary.

#pmd #pokemon mystery dungeon #skarmory #talonflame #rookidee #braviary #pokemon #tesha writes #tesha draws #pmd seekers of soul

123 notes · View notes

venuslcver · 1 month

Text

HIGH BY THE BEACH ⋆

pairing: boyfriend!pope x carefreekook!reader

synopsis: your boyfriend, pope, and you had been together for a while when he changes his mind about not going to college.

tw: fluff, implied sex, profanity (no use of y/n)

any type of interaction including likes, comments, and reblogs is appreciated! but ultimately not necessary. let me know if im missing any warnings!

“ok, baby! which one should i wear? this one or thissss one?” you questioned pope, holding two of your swimsuits in a display manner. one was a lilac-colored string bikini, the other being a cheeky, polka-dot one-piece.

you could never make a final decision for the life of you, only leaving it up to pope for his opinion. though, pope had known you long enough to know, whichever item you tend to show last was the option you had in mind. hell — most of the time you don’t even know that you prefer one option more than the others.

you wanted to wear the left one, pope concluded. no matter if it was clothing, makeup, nail color, or decor-related. not actually having input into the choices, he usually would just coax the answer out of you. it made it easier on him, besides he didn't give a fuck what you wore, because well... he would still find you beautiful dressed as the grinch. which you did a couple halloweens previously.

“uh… i don’t know — which one is more comfortable?” he asked, putting you on the spot, hoping to get an honest answer out of you.

clicking your tongue to the roof of your mouth in deep thought — lifting each and inspecting it. trying to remember if it was uncomfortable or not the last time you wore it.

“well i… mean. huh. why is this so hard?” you said truly debating both options. making your final answer, “i would probably go with the right one being more comfortable”

“probably… and i’m just sayin’ this as a thought…maybe it’s hard because you have too many swimsuits”

letting out an obnoxiously high-pitched scoff, you halted your attention from the bathing suit debacle to pope, who was leisurely laid back on your rope hammock swing that you had in your room. you never took kindly to anyone, including pope, criticizing your inability to get rid of things, especially your bathing suits.

“firstly, i don’t have too many swimsuits, and one could never have too many of them. secondly, even if i did — how could that possibly affect my ability to pick a swimsuit?”

awkwardly looking at you, pope reluctantly replied, “you can’t keep up with all of them, making you not even remember the last time you wore them… and the last time you chose the right one, you were complain’n the entire time”

ignoring his truthful statement altogether, you thought for a moment. he was right. the previous time, you ended up bitch’n the whole time about having to hold the straps of the one piece to avoid flashing innocent bystanders on the beach. which was the worst, considering the excitement that you experienced when in the water. flailing around without a care in the world.

a light switched when you came to this realization, noticing that you were rather harsh with your poor boyfriend, who did not deserve that in the slightest.

“oh my god! you are right!”, you said squealing, right into hugging pope’s sitting body.

taking his face into your hands, before hugging him again, “i’m so sorry baby! you know i didn’t mean that, right?”

staying firm in the hug, while he pulled himself out of the hammock, “yeah, yeah i know you didn’t mean it.”, pope said brushing your rudeness off. you and him rarely argued, and if you did, you were talking within the next half hour, easily.

looking up at him with doe eyes, and an innocent cast appearing on your profile. an all-knowing look that pope was very familiar with. one of the ways that pope and you were able to get over any kind of tiff was by admitting to being wrong and taking the proper steps to apologize.

for example, this one time pope got all panicked at the future and started freaking the fuck out. which led him to harboring that he was in the wrong and mishandled the situation at hand. before slipping his hand into you. well... two fingers but either way! pope was giving in that way, regularly lending a helping hand to you when in need. it wasn't an obligation as much as a want. you and pope were alike in that way. always willing to put others first.

"c-can i make it up to you?"

sooner than later making it to the intended place of hanging out, the local beach on the outer banks. looking into the surrounding area in your eyesight, the beach was practically empty. a lot of spring-breakers had vacated the week before. having access to almost a completely bare beach.

you helped pope set up on the beach, before laying horizontally on his vertically propped-up body.

pressing a kiss on the crown of your head, that was in his lap. when he did the leaning down motion, you pushed the pineapple in your hand, to his lips. silently urging him to take a bite. to which he did.

immediately snickering when it ran down his face, halting laughter when it dripped onto yours. lucky that the acidic fruit juices didn't collect in your eyes. either way, pope was quick to wipe it off your face.

oftentimes, pope and you were silent when hanging out. you wouldn't per say it was a con, because it was due to being around each other every second, when not at work. though, when pope's dad, heyward, was short-staffed, you would offer a lending hand. taking a couple shifts, with pope. even, visiting each other at work.

along with packing an array of fruits to snack on, you also brought a weed. one of the conversations you had meant to bring up was the future.

pope was wicked smart, at least, school-wise. his choice of friends was questionable. and as much as you love your shared friends— they tend to be dumbasses. pulling pope down to their level. to which, a couple foul decisions led pope to not attend college— as he previously intended.

one late night, he admitted that he felt like "all the work he put in was sliding down the drain". which riddled you with resentment towards your friends. not that you cared what pope did. only that he was happy— which he wasn't at all for a passing time.

"pope? can i ask you something?"

"yeah— what's up?"

"d-do you have any idea what you want?"

"what i want?", pope asked, not understanding the question at hand.

"want for the future?"

looking at you bewildered, pope had no idea where the loaded question came from.

"uh — besides being with you, i have no clue.", a tinge of sadness rolled off his tongue.

grinning at his, rather, romantic proclamation, "o-ok, well, um i was expecting a little bit more of an answer, b-but that works for me"

"i-i'm worried... like really worried", he admitted.

coming off your high, out of your own fantasy land— that was induced by his heartfelt statement, "why?!"

still supporting his weight with one arm, he took the other and rubbed his face, "why shouldn't i be? i-i mean i was going to go to college, b-but now I'm just working at my dad's restaurant"

pope tended to self-destruct when his fears kicked in, sending him into overdrive. sitting up, looking at him directly in the face, "h-hey don't say that! one, you know that your dad would not keep you unless you were working your ass off! you're like the smartest person i know, out of anyone in outer banks, or hell, anywhere! a-and we'll figure it out."

set on helping understand that he and you would be good, you pulled a small baggie out of your beach bag, "ok?"

"o-okay"

"now, let's get high. and forget about everything, ever."

although he wasn't completely sure, he knew that you would stay by him, meaning he would be completely fine. if the world ended that day, he wouldn't have cared as long as he had you. well, and he would prefer if he had the other pogues and his parents.

#pope heyward #obx #outer banks #pope obx #pope hayward x reader #pope x reader #pope heyward prompt #pope heyward x reader #pope heyward fanfiction #pope heyward smut #pope heyward x y/n #⋆ pope heyward fic ⋆#boyfriend!pope

86 notes · View notes

lemoncrushh · 2 months

Text

Tattooed Heart - Part III

SUMMARY: You are a cocktail waitress at a swanky lounge. Harry comes in one night, and you instantly dislike him. But another encounter eventually changes your opinion.

PAIRING: Waitress Y/N x Artist/Tattoo Artist Harry

TROPES: Enemies to Lovers

MUST BE 18+ TO READ

WORD COUNT: 5k+

STORY PAGE

Working the breakfast shift had its advantages. While it was the busiest time of the day at the cafe, you were grateful that it took your mind off other things - like Harry Styles for one. You were excited about your date with him that evening, but you were also nervous as hell. Working nights at Zelda’s hadn’t left you much time for a social life. In fact, the last date you’d been on had been nearly six months ago, and while the guy had been nice, and the evening had been pleasant enough, there had been no sparks or chemistry between you, and you never ended up seeing him again. Shae called you a social hermit, claiming you worked too much and needed to have more fun. But the truth was, you just hadn’t met anyone that you felt was worth your time.

Another thing that was good about having the breakfast shift, was that you had time for a quick nap before you had to start getting ready. Exhausted, you wondered how you would have made it through to the evening if you hadn’t had the extra time for a snooze. Your feet were killing you, your back ached, and you were pretty sure you smelled of coffee and maple syrup. Opting for sleep before a shower, you crawled into bed, out like a light.

You woke up to the buzz of your phone. Picking it up, you noticed you’d been asleep for two hours. But it was the text that sent your heart aflutter.

Hope you had a great day at work. I’m looking forward to tonight.

Smiling at the phone, you wondered again how and why this man already had this effect on you. Just a week ago you despised him. The mere thought of him would have had your blood boiling. But here you were, about to spend an evening in his presence. And it thrilled you.

Thanks, work was hectic but good. Just took a nice long nap. I’m excited about tonight as well : ).

Setting your phone down as you rose from the bed, you quickly heard another buzz.

Excited! Phew, I’m so glad. I was worried you’d change your mind and cancel.

Of course not.

Good : ). See you at 7.

You took a long, thorough shower, making sure to get every crevice. You used your good shampoo, the one you’d bought at the salon weeks ago that smelled like coconut. As you lathered, you thought of Harry’s previous text. The one where he had been worried you’d cancel. He didn’t seem like the type of guy to have any insecurities. If you had canceled, he probably would have just gone about his day, maybe even have asked out someone else. But you had to admit, it felt a little nice knowing he was relieved you hadn’t.

Stepping out of the shower, you dried off and applied your favorite lotion, making sure to use a little extra in the areas where you’d shaved. You weren’t sure exactly why you were making such an effort. While you weren’t against the idea of sleeping with someone on the first date, you didn’t always do it. And there was never a guarantee. However, this guy…

You had just stepped into your shoes and were putting on your earrings when your phone announced another text.

On my way. Should be there in ten.

How long had you been daydreaming? Was it time for him already?

Running a brush through your hair one last time, and making sure your makeup looked alright, you walked out into the living room where Shae surprised you.

“Hey, look at you!” she exclaimed. “I love that dress!”

“Hi, I um…didn’t know you were home.”

“Only just. About to hop in the shower.”

“A date?” you asked.

“Yup. Brian’s picking me up in thirty minutes. Looks like you have one, too.”

The color rising in your face, you gave a quick shrug. You hadn’t planned on telling Shae about Harry. At least not yet. If things didn’t go well, you’d just have more reason to talk bad about him later. But if things went well…you figured Shae would want all the juicy details. And you weren’t in the mood for the prelude discussion.

“Awesome!” cheered Shae before embracing you. “You deserve a night out. Who is it? Someone from the cafe?”

“Uh, yeah. Something like that.”

“Oh, that’s so cute! See, things are working out for you!”

You gave a sheepish grin and a nod. Looking down at her phone, Shae squeaked.

“Shit, I gotta go shower! If you leave before I’m done, have a great night!”

Shae had barely shut her door and you heard the shower going when the doorbell rang. You breathed a heavy sigh at the close call. Which was probably a good idea because as soon as you pulled open the door, your breath caught in your throat again.

“Hi,” he grinned. Damn if he didn’t look good.

“Hi.”

“You look great.”

“Thanks, so do you,” you smiled, unable to tear your gaze from him. “I’d um…invite you in, but my roommate’s in the shower, and her date is gonna be here any minute.”

While you weren’t sure why that mattered, you didn’t wanna make things more awkward. Plus it was a good excuse to leave.

“No worries,” said Harry. “We should probably get going anyway. We have reservations.”

“Oh. Perfect.”

Grabbing your purse from the counter, you shut the door behind you, following Harry out to his car. When he opened the passenger side door for you, you noticed how good he smelled. This time it wasn’t the clean, soapy smell like at the cafe, but rather a nice, notably expensive cologne. You felt your mouth water as you climbed into the car.

“So, this restaurant,” you said once you were down the road, “is it by reservation only?”

“Mm, not particularly,” shrugged Harry. “I just happen to know the chef. So I got us a special table.”

“Ohh. Well…I feel special then.”

Harry gave you a sexy grin, sending chills down every extremity. Stopped at a red light, his eyes ran down your body and back up to your face. Suddenly self-aware, you licked your lips and swallowed hard. When the light turned green and Harry hit the accelerator, you looked out the side window and blew out a breath.

The restaurant was a quaint little building off a side street. Harry parked in the small parking lot in the back, quickly jogging around the front of the car to open your door. You thanked him as you climbed out, getting another whiff of his yummy cologne.

You felt his hand on your back as you entered the restaurant, the hostess greeting you. When Harry gave his name, she guided you both through the restaurant to a table in the back. Taking a seat, your eyes scanned the room, the warm lighting and Tuscan atmosphere, the instrumental jazz playing lightly. Within seconds, a man appeared, asking for your drink order. Harry leaned toward you, asking if you liked wine.

“Yes,” you smiled. “Whatever kind you like is fine with me.”

Harry then looked at the waiter, a nervous chuckle rising from his throat. “Whatever you recommend.”

“Certainly, sir. I can bring you a sample if you like.”

“Sounds great.”

When the waiter left, you raised your brows at Harry.

“Not as much a wine connoisseur as a tequila one?” You couldn’t help the jab.

Color rising in his face, he looked down at the table, then back at you.

“I dunno shit about tequila, either, Y/N. I admitted I was an asshole that night, okay?”

“So nothing was real? It was all fake? Was it even your birthday?”

“Oh, it was my birthday. And I had been seeing Nicolette. But everything else was phony. Or…fake as you said.”

“Even your friends?”

Harry chuckled. “They were probably the fakest part. I wouldn’t exactly call them my friends.”

“More like…acquaintances?” you asked.

“No, more like…I’d just met them that night.”

Your jaw dropped, and hadn’t it been for the waiter returning with your wine samples, you’d have pressed the subject further. But instead, you graciously accepted the wine, tasting it. It went down smoothly, and you nodded.

“This is delicious.”

Giving you a wink, Harry agreed and asked the waiter for full glasses. You watched as he poured the red liquid into your glass, announcing he’d be back momentarily to take your order. Once he was out of earshot again, Harry looked at you.

“How do you feel about Spaghetti Bolognaise?”

“Not sure I’ve had it,” you replied. “But sounds incredible.”

“It is. Carlo makes the best.”

“Carlo? From the tattoo shop?”

The corner of Harry’s mouth curled up into a lopsided grin. “You remember.”

“Well, I…” you cleared your throat, fingering the napkin in your lap, “I heard you say his name last night.”

“Yeah, he’s a faithful client of mine. And an amazing chef.”

“I see,” you nodded. “So, Harry…may I ask you something?”

“You can ask me anything. It just depends on the question as to whether or not I’ll answer.”

“Fair enough,” you smirked. Leaning forward, you folded your hands in front of you. “Why did you go to Zelda’s that night?”

“I told you, it-”

“No, I know it was your birthday,” you interjected. “I mean…why Zelda’s? And why with those people? You obviously make a decent living. You have people who like and respect you, like Carlo. Why did you feel the need to be someone else?”

Harry let out a breath through his nose as he fumbled with his napkin, then took a sip of wine.

“Basically…it was a business deal gone bad. And I regret every bit of that night.”

“Are we ready to order?”

Startled, you looked up at the waiter who had seemed to pop up out of nowhere. You were grateful when Harry ordered for the both of you. You were speechless, Harry’s words rolling around in your brain.

“Y/N,” Harry addressed you when the waiter left. “I know I apologized already, the best way I knew how. But you have to know that I felt so horrible afterward, and I still do.”

“I don’t understand. What does a business deal have to do with me? Did they dare you to treat me that way or something?”

“No, not directly,” he shook his head. “It was…just an attitude that had developed…um, I guess I picked it up from hanging out with them.”

“But you said you’d just met them that night.”

“I had. But we’d been drinking since Happy Hour.”

Just then, a figure emerged from behind Harry, carrying two large dishes.

“Harry, my good man!”

“Carlo!”

You watched as Carlo set one of the humongous dishes in front of you, the other in front of Harry. The aroma was intoxicating, and your mouth watered more when Carlo added fresh cheese to the top.

“Carlo, I was telling Y/N here that you’re the best chef in town.”

“Oh, Mr. Styles flatters me,” beamed Carlo who then extended his hand to you. “Lovely to meet you, Y/N. Please enjoy.”

Your waiter returned once more with salads and fresh bread, asking if you’d like more wine or water. When the coast was clear, you finally dug into your feast.

“I take it Carlo thinks I can eat enough for four people,” you commented with a chuckle.

“He thinks everyone can,” laughed Harry. “And trust me when I say he will only be offended if you don’t take the leftovers home with you.”

“Oh fun. A date with a to-go box.”

Harry giggled, making you lift your gaze to him. You liked how his eyes squinted when he laughed, his dimples dipping deeply in his cheeks.

“I can honestly say, love, I wouldn't be offended either. It’s a lot of food.”

“Good. Because I don’t wanna waste any of it. This is f-ing amazing.”

“Told you,” Harry winked before shoving a forkful into his mouth.

You enjoyed the delicious meal and pleasant conversation until you circled back to the night you’d met at Zelda’s. It was obvious Harry was remorseful, but you were still curious as to what had brought on the horrible attitude.

“So how did you meet those guys?” you asked. “From the tattoo shop?”

“Oh, no,” Harry shook his head and took a sip of wine. “They were connections. From my art exhibit. And…from Nicolette.”

“Oh, so your girlfriend knew them.”

Harry frowned. “I wouldn’t call her that. But yes.”

“Hmm, and you wanted to shmooze them. To…get them to buy your art?”

Harry sighed, dropping his fork and lifting his napkin to his mouth. Then resting his wrists on the table, he looked at you pointedly.

“Nicolette’s a rich girl. Like ‘daddy’s money’ rich. I met her…well it doesn’t matter how or when…but she was basically like arm candy. I’ll admit that. I’m not proud of it, but I admit it. I reckoned she could help me meet people, get my name out there. And she did. She was able to help me set up an exhibit, and it went well. Then she mentioned she had these friends from New York that were only in town for the weekend, but they might be interested in purchasing some of my art. So we met up at their hotel and had some drinks. Then we had some more. Nicolette ended up texting her friend to join us, and she showed up with another chick. And before I knew it, Nicolette had let the cat out of the bag that it was my birthday. The guys insisted we celebrate at some place better than the hotel bar. That’s how we ended up at Zelda’s.”

“But I recall one girl saying you were buying. Why did you have to buy if it was your own birthday?”

“I was trying to close a deal. Simple as that.”

“And you figured if you play the asshole show-off they’d buy your art.”

Harry sighed again, resting his head in his hands. “I’m not proud of it, okay? I was pissed out of my mind. I’m not even a big drinker. Obviously you can tell that. I haven’t even finished this glass of wine yet.”

You grinned, lifting your own glass. “Neither have I.”

When Harry gave a half smile, you leaned forward. “Harry, it’s okay. I’m not trying to make you feel worse about it. You’ve already made it up to me. I was only curious. Because…honestly, ever since you helped me get a new job, you’ve been nothing short of fantastic. And that includes this evening…so far.”

Harry’s grin widened, a little twinkle in his eye. “I’m having a fantastic time, too.”

“Just one more question,” you said, twisting the spaghetti around your fork. “Did you end up selling your art?”

“No,” Harry snorted. “Turns out they didn’t have the money. Bigger phonies than I was.”

You covered your mouth with your hand, trying not to laugh.

“Go ahead,” Harry chuckled. “I deserve it.”

“It does make me feel a little better.”

“Believe me, I learnt my lesson. I’m just sorry I hurt you in the process.”

With a tight smile, you adjusted your napkin in your lap, then pushed your hair behind your ear. “Harry. What do you think would have happened if you and I had met in a different way?”

“I dunno,” he grinned, his eyes dancing as he stared into yours. “That’s what I’m hoping to find out.”

The evening air was cool, blowing a pleasant breeze across your skin that was much needed after the wine. You and Harry had ended up staying for a second glass, and as you walked to his car, you were starting to feel the small effects.

“Where to now?” Harry asked gleefully when he got behind the wheel.

“What do you mean?” you teased, knowing full well what he meant.

“Night is still young. I have nowhere to be.”

“Hmm. Can’t really go to my place.”

“Right, the roommate. Was she staying there for her date?”

You shrugged. “I never know with her.”

Harry chuckled. “Alright. We could go to mine.”

You turned in your seat to face him. “Is this how it’s gonna be, then? I forgive you, you take me out to a nice dinner, I sleep with you and I never see you again?”

“Well, you’ll still see me. I go to the cafe a lot.”

“Harry!” you playfully shoved him.

“I’m joking, Y/N! And no, that’s not how it’s gonna be. We don’t even have to go to my place. We can do whatever you want. How about a movie?”

You made a face.

“Okay, veto,” Harry chuckled. “What would you say to a walk? We could make a quick trip to my place to drop off the leftovers so they don’t spoil, then go for a nice walk. My flat isn’t far from the tattoo shop. We could stop by there if you like.”

“That actually doesn’t sound bad. It’s nice out, and I could walk off all that spaghetti I ate.”

“Alright,” Harry grinned, pulling out of the parking lot.

His apartment was in a tall building. One of those fancy ones with a garage and an elevator to take you up. He held your leftovers in one hand while his other hand held yours. He’d done it so nonchalantly too, like it was the most natural thing in the world. When you got up to the fourth floor, you’d already decided you liked how it felt.

“Let me just put these in the refrigerator,” he said when you stepped into his apartment.

“Okay. Mind if I use your restroom?”

“Of course, right there to your left.”

It was a tiny apartment, very compact, but also very clean. The only “mess” you noticed was a display of art supplies in the corner of the room as you crossed it to head to the bathroom. When you shut the door, you were greeted with a lovely painting of a moon reflecting on the beach. It was very serene. You wondered if Harry had painted it, until you noticed the HS initials in the corner.

He was leaning against his kitchen counter, looking down at his phone when you walked out. He looked up and smiled at you, shoving his phone into his back pocket.

“My turn.”

You perused his small apartment while he went to the restroom, most notably the easel in the corner you’d seen earlier. Propped on it looked to be a finished piece, though you weren’t sure. It looked to be another moon, though it was black and the background was white. The bottom of the moon appeared to be melting and at the bottom, the drops had made the shape of a heart.

“Alright, you ready?” you heard him ask, making you jump.

“Oh. Yeah,” you turned to see him. “This…this is gorgeous.”

“Oh. Thanks,” he said, stepping closer to you. “It’s not quite finished yet. It’s part of my moon series.”

“Ah, yeah, I saw the one in the bathroom. Beautiful. But…I really like this one for some reason.”

“It’s definitely more abstract than the other. I’m not sure how I feel about it yet.”

“Why not? I think it’s great. It would make a cool tattoo.”

Harry shrugged. “Maybe.” Then he reached his hand out to take yours.

As you strolled along the sidewalk, grateful you’d worn your flats instead of heels, you wondered why Harry had quickly dismissed your idea of the moon tattoo, but decided not to press. Maybe he was one of those artists who didn’t like their own work until it was completed.

“So how many art exhibits have you had?” you asked instead.

“Just the one so far. The gallery has some of my pieces there to sell. But I’m still trying to get my name out there.”

“How long have you been doing tattoos?”

“About…seven years?”

“Really?” you raised your brows. “Is that your favorite? Like, your true love?”

“Eh, I dunno,” Harry shrugged. “I mean, I love it. And it’s definitely a good creative outlet. And it pays the bills.”

“And you have a following,” you added.

“Yeah. But is it what I wanna do forever? Probably not. I know a lot of people kind of look down on tattoo art as not legitimate art. Just something to do ‘on the side’ or ‘until something better comes along’,” he said, using air quotes. “But it’s never been that for me. At least not until recently. The painting and drawing were usually my side projects. But now…I dunno. I reckon I’ve gotten a taste and I want more.”

“Well, for what it’s worth - which is probably not much because who the fuck am I? - I think you’re extremely talented. No matter what you choose.”

“Yeah?” he smiled at you. “Thanks, Y/N. It’s worth more than you know.”

Instinctively, you squeezed his hand, and he squeezed yours back.

“What about you?” Harry asked, surprising you.

“Me?”

“Do you have any hobbies? Anything you’re passionate about?”

“No. I’m pretty dull,” you sighed.

“I seriously doubt that.”

You laughed. “It’s true. Before I started working at Zelda’s, I used to like to read and write a lot.”

“What would you write?”

“Poems mostly. Song lyrics. An occasional short story.”

“What made you stop?”

You shrugged. “Just didn’t seem important anymore. Kinda silly.”

“Nothing about that is silly, Y/N. Did it make you happy?”

You looked up at his profile, the streetlamps casting shadows.

“Only when I had something worth writing about.”

Harry stopped then, giving you a grin. “You wanna go in?”

“Sorry?” you muttered before you realized you’d reached the tattoo shop, the closed sign in the door. “Oh. Yeah, we can do that?”

Harry chuckled. “Yes, love. I’m the owner.”

“Oh,” you blushed. “Right.”

Digging a key from his pocket, Harry unlocked the door, pushing it open. When you followed him inside, he pressed a few digits on the keypad, turning off the alarm. Finally, he switched on the lights, illuminating the lobby area.

“It’s so quiet,” you whispered.

“Yeah. But you don’t have to whisper, sweetheart,” mimicked Harry.

You giggled softly, covering your face with your hands. Once again, you couldn’t explain how or why Harry was affecting you this way. He just was.

“Would you like something to drink? Water? Soda?”

“Water’s fine.”

Harry walked around the back of the counter to the cooler where he retrieved two water bottles. Then handing you one, he gestured toward the back.

“C’mon. I’ll show you my station. I know you saw it already, but…”

“I was still paying attention, Harry,” you remarked.

“You were?”

“Yes.” You took a swig of water. “I was just being a bitch because I hated you.”

“Ouch,” Harry grimaced.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t really hate you. I hated who I thought you were.”

“I see. And who do you think I am now?”

Biting your lip, you considered his inquiry as you made your way around his tattoo chair.

“Someone I’m interested in getting to know better.”

“Yeah?” he asked, his voice somehow two octaves lower.

“Mmhm. Someone I really hope to spend more time with.”

“I like that.”

“And someone who’s already making me feel things I didn’t think I would feel.”

Stepping closer to you, so close you were almost touching, Harry gazed into your eyes.

“What kind of things?” he asked.

You swallowed hard. “Like…how bad I want you to kiss me right now.”

With just a tilt of his head, Harry slid his hand around your neck and covered your mouth with his. His lips were soft and warm, giving gentle kisses before he slid his tongue along your bottom lip. You let out a gasp as you eagerly allowed his access, your tongue meeting his. You heard a deep groan from him as he gripped your waist with his other hand. Your own hands had a firm hold on his biceps until you lifted one hand up to his hair.

“Y/N,” he breathed as his mouth began to travel down your jaw to your neck. “You drive me fucking crazy, baby.”

“I do?”

“Yes!” he growled, his teeth nibbling on your earlobe. “Ever since that first day at the cafe. I haven’t been able to get you off my mind.”

Astounded, you leaned back to look at him. His eyes were dark and wild, and if you didn’t have questions, you would have kept going, letting him do whatever it was he was doing to you.

“The day you got me the job?”

“Yeah,” he chuckled, his voice raspy. “I know it sounds insane. I think I was attracted to you already. But when you looked at me when I handed you your umbrella…something happened. And you’ve been on my mind ever since.”

“Really?” your face softened.

“Mmhm,” Harry nodded, his eyes darting from yours to your mouth.

“Is it crazy that you’ve been on my mind too?”

“Absolutely mad,” he murmured before his lips found yours again.

As the kiss deepened, you felt Harry’s hands travel down your back. When he reached your ass, he squeezed it, pulling you flush against him. You could feel him beneath his pants, especially with just your thin skirt and panties covering you. You moaned against his mouth, earning one from him in return. When his fingers began to tug on the fabric of your dress, you didn’t stop him, wanting nothing more than to feel him touch you. And when you felt the cold chill of his rings against your bare skin as he lifted your skirt and cupped your bum, you almost came unglued.

“Ha-Harry…” you breathed when your lips separated.

“These are nice,” he smirked, his fingers running across the back of your panties. “Lace.”

You let out a nervous chuckle. “I’m glad you approve.”

“Mm, I do. Too bad we don’t need them.”

His gaze turned animalistic, and you nearly moaned out loud when he licked his lips and bit his bottom one. Then grabbing the sides of your delicate garment, he slid them down your thighs, letting them drop and pool down around your ankles.

“Whatcha got under there, baby? Hmm? A pretty pussy for me?”

You merely nodded, so incredibly turned on, you couldn’t speak. His hands slid up the backs of your legs and under your dress until his fingers found what he was looking for.

“So wet for me already,” he praised you. “Love it.” Then kissing you hard, one hand slipping around the front to get better access, he began to rub your clit. “I’m gonna make you even wetter, babe.”

“Holy fuck,” you threw your head back, your knees already threatening to buckle.

“You like that, baby?”

“Yes,” you mewled.

“Do me a favor,” he instructed, pointing behind you, “and climb on that chair for me.”

“Harry…” you gasped. “We’re not…gonna…”

“Relax, sweetheart. I wanna lick you.”

If it was possible, Harry’s declaration made you soaked. With a little assistance from him, you sat on the tattoo chair. Then taking a seat in his own chair, he adjusted yours the way he wanted it before pulling you almost to the edge, causing your dress to hike up.

“Perfect,” he growled, sliding his hands up your thighs. “Now open those gorgeous legs and let them fall on either side.”

You did as he said, your bottom half completely exposed.

“Fuck, yes,” you heard him mutter before kissing your inner thigh.

You heard his chair squeak slightly as he scooted closer just before his breath blew across your pussy. Nearly coming up off the chair, you let out a whimper.

“Oh my God…please…”

“Please what, baby?”

“Put your mouth on it, Harry. I need it.”

You heard him make a sound that was a cross between a groan and a chuckle. But he didn’t oblige right away. Instead, he teased you some more with his fingers, running his thumb between your folds and back up. Then licking his pointer and middle finger, he placed them right over your clit, careful not to put too much pressure as he moved in circles.

“Harry…please…”

This time you did hear him give a sly chuckle, no doubt enjoying his play. Your thighs were already shaking and he hadn’t even used his tongue yet. Curling your toes, you whimpered more as he continued his teasing.

“You’re so pretty, baby,” he complimented, his eyes on you. “I can’t wait to do more things to this gorgeous pussy. But right now…I’m gonna eat you so good.”

You cried out as soon as his mouth covered your clit, sucking gently. You felt as though you could come already, but you wanted to savor the sensation. Releasing your clit, Harry used his tongue, moving in the same gentle circular motion. Grinding your hips, you urged him to go faster, harder. But he grabbed you, holding you beneath him, continuing his petting the way he wanted.

You began panting, desperate to feel his tongue do more. Finally, seemingly reading your mind, Harry flicked his tongue against you, and you cried out his name. You reached down and grabbed at his hair, needing him more. It was then that Harry decided to include his fingers again, slipping one, then two inside, pumping slowly but just the way you wanted.

“Oh God! Harry…right there, baby. Don’t stop….”

“Not gonna. You taste so good, Y/N,” he growled against your pussy, rubbing his mouth all around it, his facial hair scratching you. “Wanna make you come so hard.”

You felt your eyes roll back in your head then as his fingers continued their magic, hitting just the right spot as his tongue devoured your juices. You cried out his name once again, your nails raking through his hair as your legs trembled. Harry continued to lick you through your orgasm until you came down. Then sliding his fingers out of your pussy, he kissed it one last time.

Your breaths were heavy, shaky and uneven. And you were pretty sure you felt a stream of sweat between your breasts. You hadn’t come like that in…a long time. Too long.

With a hum, Harry pulled you up to a sitting position. You felt like a rag doll, boneless. Harry chuckled as he wiped his chin and looked at you.

“You alright, love?”

“Fuck, yeah,” you breathed.

“Good,” he beamed at you. “You are so sexy. I’ll be right back. We’ll get you cleaned up, and then I’ll take you home.”

“Oh. Okay.”

“Don’t look so disappointed, baby,” he chuckled. “It’s late. And you’re worn out.”

“Hmm,” you nodded.

Placing a hand on your face, he cupped your cheek, then pushed a strand of hair behind your ear.

“When’s your next day off?”

“Tuesday,” you replied with glassy eyes.

“Perfect. Only three days away. Can I see you?”

You managed a smile and a nod. “Yes, of course. Maybe I can get my tattoo then?”

Harry laughed, a sexy low laugh that sent your heart aflutter all over again. Then he leaned in to kiss you.

“Maybe. We’ll see. I have other things in mind…”

Thoughts and feedback are appreciated :).

#harry styles #harry styles fanfiction #harry styles fan fiction #harry styles fic #harry styles fanfic #harry styles smut #harry fan fic #harry fic #harry smut #harry fanfic #harry styles x reader #harry x reader #enemies to lovers #tattoo artist!harry

115 notes · View notes

worshipper-status · 1 year

Text

💙Tips from a Worshipper💙: How to Make a Shrine

Hello! I hope you’re having a good day! This post is an idea I’ve had for a while so here’s my guide to making a shrine for your own darling! This post isn’t the be all end all to shrines but it’s tips and advice I’ve gathered from doing my own thing for a while. Feel free to add your own tips in the tags of this post if you reblog it. I’d appreciate it a lot!

1.) Get a shoe box or a larger gift box if you want more space.

This is entirely for practicality purposes. You don’t want to have a full on shrine in your room, in case anyone ever visits you or goes in your room. It’s inconvenient and annoying to have to take it down and put it back up, if there’s a possibility someone may want to go in your room. This is particularly useful for me, because my beloved knows I identify as a yandere but I get self conscious about her seeing the things I do because of it, so keeping it in a neat enclosed space to take out and do what I please and then pack it up and put it away when I’m done helps a lot both mentally and for practical reasons.

2.) Consider the materials you want for it. Don’t be afraid to have fun with it!

Your darling deserves a beautiful shrine! If you have photos of them, print them out and line the walls of the box with them, or simply just leave them in an envelope inside the box to flip through when you want. Maybe if you’re artsy, decorate the inside of the box with markers and pens. Get some stickers and slap those on the side of the box. Maybe there’s something you associate your darling with? Put imagery of those in there too! My beloved associates me with sharks and associates herself with eevees so there’s a lot of that going on in mine. I often leave a candle in the shrine to take out and light whenever I’m doing anything with it. Bonus points if you know what your darling smells like so you can grab a candle with a similar scent. Other things I leave in the shrine are things I use to symbolize tokens of affection, so crystals, rings, jewelry, art pieces I’ve drawn for her, gifts my darling has given me, printed screenshots of text conversations with my darling that make me happy, etc. This is very individualized to you and your darling, but if all else fails, just fill it up with things you associate them with. Do they really like bunnies? Bunny themes. Is there favorite color green? Green everything. Do they like nature? Nature motif.

3.) What’s the purpose for the shrine? Adjust accordingly.

Maybe you just want the shrine as a storage space for things your darling has given you? Or maybe you want to use it as part of a nightly routine to make sure no matter what you’re giving your beloved the proper amount of love and affection and wishing them goodnight. Maybe you just want a space to express that obsessive side of you in peace, and then be able to pack it up and put it away as a coping mechanism for your obsessive thoughts. No shame in any of these options! But make sure you’re designing it to help you with these things. I tend to use mine as more of a place to express my obsessive side in peace and then pack it up and move on with my day, kind of as a way to satiate the thoughts. So what I did was I made a lock for my box. Yeah it’s not really functional, you could easily just rip open the box to see what’s inside, but it helps me make that mental distinction of, this is Worshipper time, and this is not Worshipper time. For nightly routine type shrines (or daytime whichever you prefer), I recommend having a pre determined nightly routine for this. Maybe every night, you talk to the shrine like it is your darling to get out thoughts you never said earlier, maybe you read off an honoring poem, maybe you just brush your hair in front of the shrine while daydreaming about your darling doing it, anything works, just make sure you have the things you need handy, such as keeping a printed poem in the box, or a hairbrush, or whatever else suits you.

4.) Does your darling know you’re a yandere? Are you brave enough to ask them for things?

I know I’m lucky to have a darling that knows I’m a yandere and for the most part supports it. However, we are currently long distance (yeah, I know, it’s killing me) so I can’t get gifts from her often. However, once we are living together, I know I will not be afraid to ask for tokens of affection for the shrine. This is going to involve me stealing her hoodies (we’re the same size in clothes lol), maybe a few strands of hair from the bathroom sink, any little doodles or notes she leaves around, etc. This is also for those people lucky enough to have a vial of blood from their darling (I wish TwT). Give it an honorary display in your shrine for when you’re not wearing it. But yeah, if there’s anything in specific you want your darling to give you and you know they’d be willing, ASK FOR IT!

5.) Consider a digital shrine!

I’ve actually just started curating my digital shrine and I think it’s a really good option for people! I have mine on a private discord server that’s just me and pluralkit. I use this server for mostly keeping track of my daily life stuff, system things, recipes, to do’s, etc. But at the bottom of the server, I have a separate channel for my shrine! It has all the selfies I’ve saved and gathered from my darling, images I’ve grabbed online that I feel embody our relationship, screenshots of convos, various poems and writings of mine, future ideas for dates and otherwise. It has been way easier to put together and curate than the physical one, and I actually enjoy it quite a bit more. It’s a lot easier to make a daily thing, and a lot more fun for me too. I love scrolling through the internet and grabbing things to add to the shrine, throwing my own writings in the mix, and knowing that no one else is going to see it because it’s in a private discord server and unless someone gets onto my computer or phone, I’m fine.

#worshipper's oath #yandere tips #yandere #irl yandere #yanderecore #yandere boy #yandere thoughts #yandere coping #yandere community #bpd yandere #real yandere #male yandere #actually yandere #actual yandere #obsessive thoughts #obsessive love #obsessive love disorder

179 notes · View notes

bilightningwhumper · 1 month

Text

Mangst 2024- Day 1

“I never wanted this”

(Also posted on Ao3, will be doing both this and posting on there for Mangst 2024) Warnings for this one: talk and description of throwing up, then talk of past abuse Not beta read, so bear with me, lol Wrote this before midnight, but typing it up took a while. It's not the next day until I go to bed and wake up tomorrow. Characters: Sienna- Red Riding Hood Rae- "Huntsman" Director Wolf (mentioned)- Big Bad Wolf

Rae's POV

Something woke Rae up. Blinking blearily around, she was alone in the room. Under the door was a faint light. Not enough to wake her, though. Sienna was probably just taking a late bathroom trip.

When she rolled over to fall asleep again, that’s when she heard it.

Retching.

Rae threw off the blankets, stumbling slightly over the clothing she’d left in a pile. She pulled open the door and made her way over to the bathroom. The sight that met her broke her heart.

Pale and trembling, Sienna was hunched over the toilet. Tears streaming down her face. Eyes red and puffy. As Rae came in, another bout of retching started, vomit turning to bile.

“Oh, Sienna.” Rae murmured, reaching over to flush the toilet to get rid of some of the smell. Then she sat down, gently rubbing Sienna’s back.

Her soulmate didn’t do much more than whimper, a sob briefly bursting out as more tears came down.

Rae slowly coaxed Sienna to sit back against the wall. Not far from the toilet, just so she wasn’t hunched over it anymore. The tears didn’t stop, but the trembling slowly ceased and color started coming back into her face.

“Sorry.” she mumbled, resting her head against Rae’s shoulder. “I didn’t want to wake you.”

Wrapping an arm around Sienna’s waist, Rae kissed her temple softly. “You have nothing to be sorry for. This isn’t something either of us can control.”

They both went silent. Sienna curled up more into Rae’s side. She responded by pulling Sienna closer, gently rubbing her side.

Rae could hear the clock in the living room ticking in the distance. What time was it anyway? Sienna had a doctor’s appointment in the morning. A good thing, too, with this happening.

Just as she was about to suggest going back to bed-

“I never wanted this.”

Rae frowned. “Wanted what?”

Sienna didn’t answer right away. She drew away from Rae, playing with her shirt hem. Rae couldn’t make eye contact with her even when she tried.

“To …” Sienna swallowed hard. “To miss him.” A sniffle. “To dream about him. Long for another heat for him to help me, comfort me. To -” She broke off, twisting her shirt so hard it might rip.

Rae put her hands over Sienna’s.

“Sienna, can you look at me?”

It took a few heartbeats, but vibrant bloodshot green eyes finally met hers.

“You are allowed to feel whatever you feel.” she said in a clear measured voice. “Wolf took your trust, your need for love and kindness and used it against you. But it’s not your fault for falling for it. It’s entirely his for taking advantage of you. Okay?”

Sienna let out a shakey breath. “I still feel his hands on me. He’s in my dreams. Why- why do I still want him? Even knowing that-” Her voice cracked again as she held Rae’s hands tight.

Slowly pulling a hand away, Rae pushed some hair behind Sienna’s ear and cupped her cheek.

“Because healing isn’t linear.” she said, using her thumb to brush away a fresh bout of tears. “It took years for him and everyone else to do this to you. It’s going to take time to undo that.”

“What if it never goes away? The memories? The craving?”

Rae hummed. “Well, I know I’m determined to make new happy memories with you. And over time, they’ll outnumber the old and bad ones.” Then she gently booped Sienna’s nose. “And I dunno, maybe we’ll replace the craving with one for ice cream or something.”

Sienna let out a surprised laugh, wiping at her tears herself. “Really? Ice cream?”

Rae just shrugged. “I’m tired, alright? It was the first thing to pop into my head. It’s not like I’m going to encourage a habit of drinking or drugs, now am I?”

Hearing Sienna’s giggled warmed Rae’s heart as well as seeing the small smile on her soulmate’s face. She took her hands, gently pulling her up.

“Come on, let’s get you back to bed.”

Sienna followed her up off the floor. Then stopped Rae with a hand on her shoulder.

“Is it alright if… if I spend the night with you?”

Rae flushed a little, a warm feeling setting in her chest at the look of cautious hope in Sienna’s face.

“That’s fine by me.”

The bright smile Sienna gave her was worth the nervousness thrumming through Rae at the prospect. Pushing the door open to her room, she realized this was the first time she’d be sharing the bed with anyone since breaking up with Jenny.

Arms around her waist broke her train of thought.

“I can smell you overthinking, Rae. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. We don’t have to do this. If-”

Rae stopped her, intertwining her finger’s with Sienna’s on her stomach. She probably didn’t mean to, but feeling Sienna’s breath on her neck flustered her more.

Clearing her throat, Rae turned to take Sienna’s hands again, smiling softly. Sienna’s comfort mattered more than her nervousness and any past feelings she may have had for Jenny. But the concern on Sienna’s face made her pause.

“It’s…” She wet her lips, searching Sienna’s face. “This is a big step. Sleeping together. I mean,” Her face started burning. “Well, just sleeping sleeping, not, you know, but-”

Sienna cut her off with a finger to her lips, confusion turning to amusement.

“Rae, you just woke up from a dead sleep after a long day at work and still came to make sure I was okay. I know that’s bare minimum, but it means a lot to me anyway. And right now I really, really just want to be surrounded by you and your scent because you make me feel the safest I’ve been in years. No more nightmares, or at least no more waking up alone after them.” She moved back, tucking her hair behind her ear again. “I trust you.”

Rae’s voice caught there, knowing the weight behind those three words, especially for this. Not trusting herself not to go into another tired ramble, she stepped aside for Sienna to enter the room first.

After Sienna got settled, looking unfairly cute tucked into Rae’s blankets, she clambered in next to her, pulling her close again. They ended up with Sienna curled up using Rae’s chest as a pillow, Rae’s arms around her, legs close to entangled.

As Rae started to drift off, Sienna murmured her name. She hummed in response.

“I don’t want to crave ice cream.”

Rae hummed again, too tired to do much else.

Sienna snuggled close, wrapping an arm around Rae’s middle. “Would it be alright, eventually, if I started craving you instead?”

That got a strangled tired noise out of Rae as she rolled over to hug Sienna more as she started giggling at the response.

“Hush you.” she said, nuzzling into Sienna’s hair. “Sleep now, teasing later.”

Rae felt Sienna let out a soft laugh that turned into a contented sigh, hugging her tightly for a second before relaxing again. Breaths slowly became more level and even as she drifted off.

Kissing the top of her head softly, Rae murmured. “Love you, Sienna.” before drifting off herself.

7 notes · View notes

deepautumncolors · 2 months

Text

💅🏻 ~Manicure Monday~ 💅🏻

Hi everyone! In my last post, I mentioned that I was going to wear my green and blue glitter for Easter… but I changed my mind. This year for Easter, I decided to try a skittle manicure which is when each nail is a different color. I’ve never done one before, but I saw a really pretty one with pastel colors on Instagram that I wanted to replicate. And I love how it came out!

Doing a skittle manicure is fun, but it takes longer than regular ones because you have to keep switching bottles as well as putting two coats of polish on each nail. With all the extra movement, there is more potential for mistakes so I discovered that you have to be very careful. I didn’t keep the bottles too close to the space where I was painting so I wouldn’t accidentally smudge any of my nails on them. All the polishes I used are OPI crèmes, and I’ll talk a little bit about each one.

💛 Blinded by the Ring Light: I already reviewed this one last year. You can read about it here! I only used two coats this time, but I can still see some of my nails underneath it, so three would be better.

💚 How Does Your Zen Garden Grow?: I’ve already reviewed this polish before, too. You can read about it here! It wasn’t the same green they used in the example I saw, but it was close. The one they wore is called That’s Hula-rious! which is a bit lighter and more of a mint green.

🩵 Gelato on My Mind: I reviewed this one last year as well. You can read about it here! I would say the formula of this one was the thinnest out of all five, so you don’t need to put a lot on the brush and you don’t want to get too close to your cuticles with it. This one wasn’t the same blue they used in the post either, but it’s very close. The one they wore is called It’s A Boy! which is a sky blue that would also work very well for this.

💜 Polly Want a Lacquer?: I just happened to order this polish the day before I saw the post where they were wearing the exact same one! It’s from the Fiji Collection that came out for Spring/Summer 2017. It’s a beautiful lavender that does not lean towards blue or gray like some purples do. I considered getting Do You Lilac It? when I was looking for a light purple, but the color of that one is a little darker. The first coat was streaky and patchy just like the other three colors, but the second coat evened it out nicely.

🩷 Mod About You: Believe it or not, I didn’t have a pastel pink crème already! I have a pretty pink that’s a shimmer, but I thought it would have looked silly being the only shimmery nail when the rest were crèmes. In my opinion, skittle manis would look best when all five polishes have the same type of finish. People rave about this color, so I decided to try it. When I saw it in person, I thought it looked too pale, but I bought it anyway. I like it better on my nails than I do in the bottle, so I’m glad I did. A lot of pastels have thin formulas that require two coats because the color is so light, but this one was opaque with one coat. In fact, it was the only one that was out of all five polishes. The color is very sweet and feminine. It was originally released with the Brighter by the Dozen collection in Summer 2006, and now it’s one of their core colors. I can see why!

So, there you have it! I would definitely like to wear the purple and pink polishes by themselves sometime, since this was the first time I wore them and they are only on two nails. They are both lovely colors for the springtime, and so are the other three. I can’t even pick a favorite because I love them all!

#nail polish #OPI #nails #manicure #notd

5 notes · View notes

admiral-michova · 1 month

Text

I have two opposing sides in power in my story so far and I wanna make this dinner scene- so usually how I perceive a high ranking officer in a sci-fi setting being held prisoner in the protagonists hands (if the protags side is the typical good guy do no wrong type that is) they’re treated with relative dignity and decent respect not roughed up or threatened or tortured etc. so I’m gonna draft that here, here is Captain Peter Schrodon and Admiral Michova Pietray

The table has been set, the table cloth is a stark contrast to the regality of the room. The cloth itself is a neat swirl of earthy greens and light hints of sage in its sea of green. Delicate china sits at the behest of whomever wishes to sit in front of it, the table isn’t very long however it is beautifully hewn, dark stained and taken care of for what looks like centuries. The captain saunters around the immaculate display, and he can tell this isn’t a vain attempt at showing off no, rather it’s the genuine etiquette his host has, yes care was put into this setting not only to bring out neutrality but also…show that this is not what some would call “putting on heirs” it’s a beautiful display, but humble nonetheless, the table is large in its width, more likely due to the thought in the captains mind that it was made for large tea gatherings, something he missed from his home world, in fact there was tea china as well on the table. The set matched the table cloth, that deep royal green mixed with its spring sage coloration, a delicate waltz of color, not too busy, not too little…eye catching enough to be noticeable but not to be overwhelming. The silverware was another sight and it looked familiar, could it be? It was from his office and his coat too…it sat on the seat of his chair it was folded stark neat and could that be? It was recently washed too…and warm

“Captain! You found the setting I take it?”

The admiral waltzed into the room wringing his hands with a towel after having washed up, he stood in a pair of muted brown dress pants, his oxfords tied neatly and a nice muted white thermal shirt, his hair neatly brushed and washed just a few hours ago

“Y-yes I have…I am still confused as to-“

“My intentions Captain I understand. What is dinner not customary to you?”

“Well it is?”

The captain had to stifle a small laugh at the thought, and was trying to find the words that hung so loosely in the air

“However admiral-“

Michova stoped the captain mid sentence with a hand in the air and a slight frown

“Mr schrodon- if I may address you that way?”

“Yes that is fine”

“Mr schrodon we are here-“

“You are here-“

“WE are here…to talk about the affairs of our situation, not to be enemies…and from the looks of it Mr schrodon, it seems you would have guessed this treatment a myth, perhaps due to your own mislead mind, or mistreatment on your own home ground?”

The captain fidgeted with the cuffs of his sleeves clumsily, Michova was right and he knew it

“You…are right on both assumptions- um Mr?”

“If you wouldn’t mind, Michova will do fine.”

“Michova…you’re correct sadly.”

The admiral set the small hand towel down on the back of a chair and walked around the table for a moment.

“I was afraid so…”

“May I ask, why are we not in uniform for this?”

“Great question…I didn’t care enough to redo my tie this morning!”

The two share a small moment of laughter, it was genuine and enjoyable, it was surprisingly comforting for them both

“No, in all seriousness Mr schrodon I felt as if it would be out of place to have our ranks be the defining factor for this particular part of our night, you see I know all of what we’re doing is confusing you…that if the roles were reversed?”

“You would be in my brig with minimal care…”

“Exactly…and I would enjoy nothing more than showing you that our uniforms don’t define us…that we are truly equals Mr schrodon, that the only filth on this ship? Is in the kitchen sink where dishes were used. Come to think of it…what is with your original comments about-“

The captain hung his head and sighed, it wasn’t one of attitude or annoyance but one of guilt

“It came from what the fringe called the circles of sin…where your well off and easily supplied colony rings sat…me and many of the planets around my own were convinced it was because we are a minority, that we were neglected and so…”

“Hate was used to fuel your hearts?”

“Yes…”

“Is there anything at all-“

The admiral walked around and pulled out the captains chair, then his own and sat

“That you can tell me about your journey here?”

“C-can we?”

The admiral listened with genuine intent and gave a small hand gesture to urge the Captain to continue

“I don’t mean to be a bother however Michova could we eat a little first? After all I imagine you aren’t exactly lean and tired looking for a reason, unlike me you have had access to decent food.”

“All of our citizens, and soldiers do I’ve seen to it that no soul on this ship or any in our fleets goes hungry or thirsty, no soul…not even prisoners, so yes of course we can dine a little first! I take no issue with that…however-“

The admiral leans forward in his chair just enough for the glare in his monocle implant to glow onto the table cloth and china

“I want truth Mr schrodon, no dancing around issues or questions so I must confess something to you, unlike my body? My patience is thin.”

“Understood.”

The two of them sit down in their chairs, across from one another, a helping hand given from a room connected to the one they’re in currently sends out a few serving carts of food, the captain attempted to serve himself but was stopped

“H-had I..had I done something wrong?”

“Yes…you act like you aren’t a guest! Hold on a moment let me help you with that!”

The admiral had stood quickly and helped to serve the dishes to the table, a rich and steaming soup, incredibly high quality cuts of meat, a still warm springy loaf of bread, gravy and rolls bubbling pots of stew, bar cake and small cookies, but one dish in particular caught the eye and nose of the captain

“Is I-is that Shepards pie? And…potato soup gnocchi?”

The admiral smiled, having grown up around amazing cooks and having the women in his family teach him a valuable lesson, the quickest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, and the captain left a journal with his hearts diaries, luckily for the admiral Captain Schrodon had much of the same taste in food, hardy hot filling meals, dishes that stick to your bones and leave you needing a nap after

“It is, and luckily for us both it seems we have the same, or similar that is, taste in food!”

“It’s…it’s even-“

“Lamb, I do like the version made with beef but the lamb is better”

“…why”

“Oh I think it’s a better fla-“

“Why go through all this effort?! IM A WAR CRIMINAL FOR THE SAKE OF HUMANITY I AM TRASH-“

The captain fell to his knees after trying to stand, he became wracked with dizziness, crushing weight fell onto his chest and he couldn’t breathe, michova didn’t skip a single moment he twisted out of his seat and fell to the captains side

“Ice NOW! GET WATER AND A TOWEL TOO!”

“I can’t- I- home…mother I want…”

A bucket of ice and a glass of water met the admirals side, he needed to bring the captain back to his senses and began to dip the cloth into the cold water, he placed the cool damp towel on the captains head and started dabbing at the beads of sweat, carefully trying to keep him upright, the admiral ran his knuckles over the captain’s sternum and spoke

“…all of us have blood on our hands captain, me included”

“I, but what have-“

“Nows the time to figure out what to do next, and what’s next is for you to help me out here, can you do that?”

“I th-think so why are you so-“

“You were never taught that your enemy might actually hold value in a life like we actually do…only to hate. This is what the UCC was created to stomp out…but we won’t use hate to do that”

The admiral brings Captain schrodon to his feet and pulls out his chair, the captain sits down and recomposes himself before speaking again

“I don’t understand…”

“Good-“

The admiral had said while reaching for a small rocks glass from the cart wheeled beside him

“I don’t need you to understand I only need you to comply, now that sounds worse than it actually is I’m sure”

“Yes, yes it does”

“Okay I’ll try again…what don’t you understand?”

“Everything, not even just you bud even your men and women I have fired upon…they look me in the eye and greet me with reverence, with the same dignity you’ve given unto me…how is it that EVEN THEM?! Cannot seem to hold me in cruelty after what I’ve done?!”

“Hmm…”

The admiral sipped from his glass, his blue lit eye implant turning the dark brownish red liquid into an odd yellowing amber coloration

“That’s a great question…here’s why Mr-“

“Peter is fine…continue please”

“Peter, the reason being for that? It’s simple you’re human, just as they are just as me…there is no superior race we bleed the same. With that being said they understand something our armies didn’t years ago…truth be told the 3rd civil conflict of earths nation known as America? It never really ended, kind of just…took a nap if you will. When I was younger I saw the rebuilding process afterwards and let me tell you Peter it was a PHENOMENAL effort to destroy one another…and cruelty, malice? Only humanity knows malice we’re the architects of it…a book I read once had said any animal can be mean but it takes being human…to be malicious”

“What is your point?”

“Right…in the cruelty of that 3rd civil conflict, men and women brothers and sisters mothers and fathers had shown each other perfect hatred…and it wiped out a decent portion of infrastructure…what being cruel did was only spark more cruelty- a machine-“

He sipped again, letting the liquid warm him from chest to toes

“A machine with gears greased in the blood and tears of generations…some of my own lost in it…truthfully earth is still doing its best to make things right…Texas Florida and I believe Nevada? Are still trying to duke it out with California…I’m off topic the point is Peter cruelty will only breed cruelty and you have sins of your own yes but we all do…the UCC was born from our past sins and even it isn’t all that squeaky clean in its infancy, that I can promise you”

The admiral looks longingly, off onto a wall with pictures scattered all over it, and he sighs

“Is…is there something wrong Admiral?”

“Yes but it is not your burden…”

The admiral begins to eat while the food is still warm, napkin in his lap elbows off the table, neatly and slowly enjoying his meal, but the captain can’t help his curiosity

“Michova…the only burden I see is my ignorance…”

The admiral sighs, an undertone of growl in it leaks out into the air as if he’s perturbed, but not with Peter

“…the UCC had committed various acts of atrocities, similar to your own intact…after all? How do you think we figured out almost full body prosthesis?”

The admiral looks at his plate and remembers he’d missed a step

“Michova you are not your governments sins…”

“Yes I am. And it was the first of many acts in my reinstatement to publicize the situation…those pictures are all the families touched by the black sites on moons and stations…this government is built on transparency and truth…what admiral would I be if I hadn’t spoke about the acts in truth?”

“What about-“

“I blew a whistle…I did no participate in the acts in fact multiple leaders in high positions of power have been redeployed to prison cells…and some-“

The admiral puts his elbows onto the table and puts his hands together, he leans his head into them onto the bridge of his nose, and breathes deeply

“Let’s say they’ve gone for a space walk as per the votes from higher councils.”

Peter can notice a small necklace around the admirals neck, it hangs loose enough to where the first few buttons would sit on a polo shirt, it’s a small circular pendant with a neatly Kept chain, and from where Peter sits he could make out a name “Christopher” and so he asks the admiral about it

“Michova? Are you a god faring man?”

“…admittedly yes, it’s a saint Christopher, why do you ask?”

“Do you say grace where you are from?”

The admiral smiled warmly, and nodded his head

“I imagine you’d like to join in a quick prayer?”

“I would yes…it’d feel rude if I don’t”

“Let us bow our heads”

The room felt familiar to the captain, it was liminal to him almost like a parodied dream…but it was comfortable? There was a hint of vanilla and lavender in the air, the candle light in a dim room was a comfort he’d known at home when the rare times he was able to see dinner shows with his mother…and he missed her for some reason something in the room made it feel as if she was still there, perhaps it was the admirals stern yet inviting cadence of speech? Yes that could be it, not that he finds the admiral womanly…but a twisted sense of comfort came when michova helped him back into his chair after the panic that had befallen him, the care and effort put into the meals before them, and jovial like his father, Peter missed his father too…

“Amen-“

“Amen…thank you michova”

“For what?”

Peter gestured to the rest of the table and around them

“Oh? This? You should see our officer galas or celebrations ball! This is lackluster at worst and humble at best”

“How did you know-“

Peter takes a quick spoonful of the soup and a large chunk from his plate of Shepards pie before realizing his manners were absent, he swallowed his food quickly and wiped his mouth with the cloth napkin at his side

“Forgive me- I haven’t eaten much but stale rations and possibly unfiltered water for months- how did you know I liked this food?”

“I cannot lie to you…I knew because of this-“

The admiral slid a small leather bound journal across the table to Peter

“I must say? When we looked into your quarters there was quite the selection of music too?”

“Y-you?”

“Hold on a moment please? It is standard to search withheld vessels top to bottom…that is the only thing from your personal quarters missing I assure you…I figured you’d want it back?”

“…thank you and forgive my suspicions I’m not- accustomed to being treated with any respect whatsoever…hell dare I say my own crew didn’t respect me, and if they did it didn’t show…I think I really understand what you mean by cruelty breeds cruelty admiral…”

“It��s not just respect, it’s kindness-“

“But how have you forgiven-“

“Forgiveness, and kindness are two different values in concept, yes they go hand and hand…but they are different”

The two had been eating for quite some time and chatting together, time hadn’t ground to a halt but it had melded into a warped and twisted concept of itself, for all they know it had been hours since one of them last spoke

“Ad-michova…”

“Hm? Yes?”

“…do you ever miss home?”

The admiral stopped entirely, almost as if he were a video someone had hit pause on, his monocular implant whirred and the blue light had dulled, michova pulled out an old school wallet from his back pocket and opened it to see pictures that unfolded to about twelve panels

“I do…a lot-“

The admiral took a picture out of one panel and slid it to Peter

“That’s me…and my father. See he was part of a medical team that…helped to clean up after the third civil conflict. We helped to rebuild a LOT of our ruined nations states and cities, I was with him to help hewn wood and build small camps before larger clean up crews could come in to give the proper aid…”

Peter looked at the picture, large splitting axe in the young Michovas hand, father sat next to him ruffling his hair, a larger man, deep barrel chest a wide torso and broad shoulders. Peter held the picture up to Michova he could see it in his eye, a deep greyish steely blue, his jaw to his neck and shoulders…broad and hard set, stern eyes, there was a picture of his mother too, and Peter could really see the resemblance

“She was a uh…she was a zoning agent…they wanted to flatten the country side that was left and she fought for it to be a natural looking area? Little did we know she’d reinstate a new green standard for our state! Well she started the movement I mean…I miss them both…I hope I’m making them proud…”

“Are they passed on?”

“Thankfully no! I just haven’t been home in a while…they were thankful to get the same treatment I did when I joined into the officer ranks, it helps to give your body better support for a much longer life expectancy, most if not all of the population on earth goes through that procedure damn near at birth”

“How much longer do you live on?”

“I’d say…the longest we’d seen a prime candidate with the healthiest they could be? 176 years old”

“…h-how old are you?”

“Well…I’m 38 years old”

“…you look 20?!”

“Thank you!”

“Is this why you saw the clean up effort? I was wondering how since you look and move so young?”

“It is…speaking of conflict…I hate to move this along but could you tell me why you were sent ahead to do what you did?”

The captain sipped some tea that was brought out for dinner, it was still warm and inviting comforting him from chest to boots

“You see…remember how you figured I was a pawn sent to establish how big your force is? That’s it really…I was a forward scout carrier and that’s why my men don’t respect me…they knew what this meant…we are beach softeners michova, expendable dregs to be thrown at a problem to determine how big that problem is…and let me say the NOCT party is much more equipped than you may believe, they want earth to bow down to seize large portions of control…I surrendered because I knew if I went back with no fighters, prisoners, and casualties staggering in numbers?”

Peter looked at the flickering candles on the table and remembered how fires roared in his home town, he doesn’t just miss home he misses home before the occupation of the NOCT party, he misses home when it was care free childhood and not marching boots and shouted orders

“They’d have my head on a stick michova…”

“Is that also why you have a partially disassembled phase way in your hold?”

“That? Was unbeknownst to me…and whether or not you choose to believe me is up to you, however like I had stated this is the first I’m hearing of this, hell you have a saying that goes as what was it? Im the “FNG” what is it again?”

“Ah! The fucking new guy! So you mean to tell me you haven’t been captain for long?”

“Correct I haven’t…and you can scrap my caripace and epilates…I won’t be going back”

“Why not?”

“It won’t be sustainable michova…that government will eat itself alive not only that? So long as there’s an enemy we thrive! But that’s the problem…”

“If I’m understanding correctly? You’re saying the NOCT will thrive too well, to function?”

“Ignorance is the best weapon in a fool’s arsenal admiral…and it’s the most dangerous of them, the fools ignorant to life around them…and the value it holds. This is why I fear your military, you care about the life around you, the lives of the civilians and soldiers on either side…I fear this? Because I wanted to be right…because if I was right then I know my actions would be just…ignorance is the greatest weapon in a fool’s arsenal, and I took hold of that weapon like it was second nature.”

Michova moves around and starts collecting plate and silverware, stacking it neatly and organizing it all accordingly

“Michova they will all thrive so well? There won’t be an enemy left…”

“And that means they’ll turn on each other…usually governments like that already have the seeds of corruption sowed in them at their birth as well”

“CORRECT! THIS- I…I shouldn’t have even made captian?! I’m not pure blooded chromgam?! My mother is an off worlder…and the only ones who protected her and cared for her were me and father…I hope she is safe”

The admiral waves a hand to a door with a window, someone with a serving cart rolls out to his side and off loads a large decanter, biscotti, coffee, more tea and a large wooden box, a small bucket of ice sits on the bottom tray, and two rocks glasses are set on the table, the dishes and silverware are taken to be cleaned and the two are alone again…Michova scoops ice into a glass and sets in front of Peter, and pours his drink

“This, Peter is the darkest rum in my collection, that I only ONLY save, for folks that can actually use their brain…and I see that in you”

“It’s just self preservation, I surrendered-“

“Not just that…you realized how inept your powers that may be are…which means they didn’t break you, that means there’s hope…”

“Where is this from?”

“Mars has a weird way of growing certain crops, rum is typically made from sugar cane…it’s borderline black a deep purple, that’s because of a rare mutation of sugar cane that they grow that feeds on the UV light and radiation, the process is immensely expensive and largely for gimmicks, however it’s smooth, it’s elegant and I love the decanter it came in”

“It is beautiful…michova may I- no that would be reaching…”

“What is it Peter?”

“May I write home?”

The admiral undid his hair to let it fall to his shoulders, it bounced and stopped at just bellow them, he looked deep in thought and completely lost all at once

“Captain we could do more than have you write home…we can bring you home”

The captain choked on his drink and it almost left his nose in surprise

“EXC-excuse me what?!”

“Well…where’s your home planet?”

The admiral pressed a button on the underside of the table and a massive cyan green wall of holovid info lit up to the right of the admiral

“I don’t understand-“

“Again…I don’t need your understanding I only need your compliance”

The admiral stepped to the table and leaned forward closer to the captain

“Can you, do that?”

“Y-yes…what will-“

“Your family will be safe…however if your home is still occupied? You have bike field advantage I don’t. So I need to know EVERYTHING I can.”

“Th-this is a complete leap from earlier admiral im-“

“That’s the point, good you can keep up! Usually this just messes with people…I guess I have to tone it down now, I see you can actually comprehend the switch up…Peter we have to make a move somewhere and my best guess from any information I’ve been given so far? Which is more than you think…we need to cut off sections from the occupied territories, this steak is much too large to eat in one bite and I have to cut it up for the rest of my forces to dig in. Figured I’d do you a favor and free your people from their open air prison…and if it’s the planet you say it is? It’s the closest of them from the fringe which means-“

“You can chart a phase way path to get there quicker!”

“Exactly. But first we have to actually accurately establish who we’re fighting…sadly.”

“Which means, the inner ring convention?”

“Right…you will stand as one of our prisoners, and there will be no shortage of honesty I imagine?”

“Correct. But why?”

“When your forces attacked I heard some of our own experimental tech has been boot legged, and that a few “mysterious objects landed on earth and people went missing ever since” last I checked extraterrestrial contact has been peaceful and consensual…my guess is there are a few hidden forces in or on earth running around…the first attack was no declaration of war…the last few that commenced however? Were.”

“Then you’ve been given the go ahead as long as the inner ring sees it fit?”

“That’s right…”

“This means war doesn’t it?”

“I’m afraid so.”

The vid screen flashes statistics and information for the captains planet, he watched this while a door quietly opened and the vice admiral marched in, Peter noticed and gave a salute while the vice admiral returned the gesture

“Admiral, Captain…i believe this is yours admiral?”

“Thank you John, as you were!”

A wrist cuff, card, and small gauged needle sit in an opaque blue box in the admirals hands

“Captain I regret to inform you, however-“

Peter held out his right wrist, his eyes meeting the admirals good eye, no falter no fighting no protest

“I understand”

The admiral nods, he puts on gloves laid in the bottom of the box, breaks open the small plastic casing the card was in, slides it into a slot on the wrist device, and closes the slot. The admiral swabs peters arm with an alcohol pad, and draws a small amount of blood, it is inserted into a port on the wrist device and it beeps, etchings begin to show on the card and an ID is formed, it is then locked onto the captain’s wrist

“That’s your prisoner ID your genetic makeup and proof of person/s. Thank you Peter, i appreciate your willingness to contribute to our efforts, I can’t promise you’ll have a lighter sentencing however.”

“And I wouldn’t ask for one, it wouldn’t be right.”

The admiral places his bad arm on the captains shoulder, gives him a small shake and smiles

“The integrity of a humbled man grows with every passing mistake…I have something for you in that case”

The admiral reaches to his right pants pocket and retrieves a small pendant, the pendant of the 24th heavy fleet…it’s not exactly the pendant itself but who it came from that surprises the captain

“Thank you admiral…no amount of thanks can give you the truest words of my appreciation”

“I don’t need them, I know you’re grateful. It is late and you have work to do in the next few hours, organizing the parts of your ship and men to delegate tasks to for labor, all will be compensated accordingly to their work load and none treated unfairly, may your resolve be steel captain.”

The admiral salutes the captain, and Peter returns the gesture, a new respect found for the admiral welled inside the captains mind, and Peter wished he could one day be like the admiral too~

#writing #original character #world building #40k inspired #scifi #sci fi and fantasy #outer space #writing process #dinner scene #writing draft #writing progress #work in progress #working on it #having fun #why can’t this write itself #i’m so excited #i’m having fun

2 notes · View notes