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#neither of them realizing they're on the same side
theirishwolfhound · 2 days
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I do love the idea of an unhinged reader. Not like brutally unhinged but... like the kind that is harmlessly annoying and is just a brat to Task Force 141.
Like the mother fuckers nickname is Menace and they're somehow still alive after everything so they make it everyone's problem.
They're great at what they do, amazing even— but no team wants menaces like Menace, not even the heavens nor the hells want the damn person.
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This is the same Menace who wears a devilish half-mask, but only above their mouth so people can see their shit-eating grin (think similar to the ghoul mask above) as they leave small firecrackers under the lids of toilet seats, or so people notice the way their lips curl up in mock disgust when someone is talking.
Menace who only goes through with the SAS training to one up another soldier they despised, enough to have sicked a pack of squirrels on that they personally hand fed a few days after— they even bonded enough with the little fuckers that when they were finally transferred out to be someone else's problem, the squirrels would steal the remaining soldiers foods.
Laswell, whose grand idea of knocking the boys down a peg since she's tired of their shenanigans includes getting this Menace of a person to join 141 with faint threats of blackmail— to which Coporal Menace respects, leading Kate to being the only one who is not subjected to the dumpster fire that is about to happen, but is only encouraged by her wife.
Price, who in his right mind, nearly rejects the idea of this misfit joining because of their turnover rate but gives in when Laswell tells him it would be worth it— that her wife likes them and they're an excellent solider after all.
Immediately upon arrival, Menace lives up to their name— pissing on the side of the building as if to mark their new territory before deciding it would be a good idea to rile up the behemoth of a man by asking Price: "Didn't anyone tell the poor bastard that Halloween was four fuckin' months ago? Look at 'em he looks emo."
It wasn't until then that the poor Captain realized how much of an untamed brat his new corporal was— only to be further set in after the first two weeks on base.
Sure Menace got along with Soap, but they were far too alike for Menace's likings and Gaz, sweet sweet Gaz, gave them a few too man odd glances and playfully snide remarks for their liking— meanwhile Ghost had made them scrub the bathroom from top to bottom with a small sponge, and well they could already see the forming regret in Price's eyes.
So Menace did what they did best.
It started out simple: silently attaching balloons on strings to the back of their clothes without them noticing, flipping all of the furniture upside down during the middle of the night, purposefully mocking every single move of one of the operators for a full day, sugar in the salt shaker or salt in the sugar dish, you name it they did it.
Glitterbomb the captain? Oh yeah, and there's still glitter in his mustache.
Tied the two sergeants' doors together so that neither could open it? Done and done, they were locked in their rooms for a good hour until someone cut the rope.
Move the lieutenant’s furniture two inches to the right so that he would constantly stub his toe? Yeah, you can practically see him fuming after every trip to his office.
And what irked the lads the most? Menace kept getting away without being caught— managing to even out sneak Ghost, which the only reason for it is: Menace knowing they don't know what they look like without that mask. So obviously they take it off and blend in with the many other people on base.
They made a fool of their sergeants, their lieutenant, and their captain and it was time to get back at the cunning prankster— but Menace grew suspicious. Usually they would have been booted out by a normal team by then, but what Menace came to realize a bit too late was that Task Force 141 was not normal.
And reality came to a head when Menace was called to Price's office to collect something— only for that something to be a bucket of ice cold water falling onto their head and for the captain to tell their now soaking wet and cold Coporal: "Game's on, brat."
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dollypopup · 24 days
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look i get bton has set up some seeds (ba dum tiss?) that polin will be the pairing in the Featherington Family to have a male heir first (and it's popular in the fandom as an endgame for them) and thus will inherit the estate but
consider the following:
they find out about it and go 'ahahahah NOPE' and thus become co-conspirators to get Pru or Phillipa preggo before them. because with inheriting the estate. . .what they really inherit is the debt. and neither of them are eager for that anytime soon
so one storyline is that they're on a mission to get Prudence there first so they're always out here making very thinly veiled insinuations at PruDank and make up excuses and schemes so they're alone with each other. Penelope takes the lead for this particular side of the scheme, but they're definitely in kahoots. like Colin will lead Dankworth to places and Penelope will do the same for Prudence and whoops, look at that, what a good time for the two of you to make an heir and Penelope's there in Prudence's ear like it should be you, you're the oldest, it's your right, wouldn't you want to lord it over Phillipa forever? like the devil on her shoulder and constantly hyping her sister up because please, god, don't let it be her, she doesn't want it to be her, she is a grand total of 19 years old and she wants to fuck her husband consequence free, and she can't do this chastity shit, it's not reasonable, so Prudence, time to hop on that horse! let's up and at 'em, sis
and the other is Colin coming to Albion like 'soooooooo. . .I have to ask. . .how have you managed it?' and he's like 'managed what?' 'to be married for two years and not have a baby. I mean, I'm a newly married man and I'd like to. . .enjoy my wife before we start a family. I have to know your secret' and Albion is just there going 'huh? what secret? we've just being doing it normal?' so Colin's very concerned like 'oh no, what if i've offended him? what if they can't have kids???' and Albion and him keep talking until it becomes clear that, wait, hang on, what do you mean by normal and it finally comes out that the reason Phillipa always seems like she's got a stick up her bum is because she does so he's like 'oh fuck, oh no, oh no no no, i can't be the one to inform him that's not the way to make a baby' ala: 'you are putting it in the right place?' and he's white as a ghost like 'so very sorry, i think i left my cat on the stove, i have to go'
and Colin and Penelope come together at the end of all their schemes like 'well. . .there goes Plan A. . .and B. . .and C through G' as Penelope frantically wonders if she can get Gen to pull Prudence aside and Colin is contemplating which of his brothers he can bribe enough to have the 'So, women have multiple holes' discussion w/' Albion because he refuses to be the one to do it
meanwhile, Portia is out here making potions to try to get one of her daughters to have a baby because thus far, she's batting 0 for 3, and Polin's schemes somehow always end up in direct opposition to her schemes, thus canceling out each time
tell me that wouldn't be the funniest shit you've ever watched on this show
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ddejavvu · 5 months
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hi! i loved loved LOVED ur bestfriend!james who doesn’t know any boundaries 🙏 can u make another one? maybe like sirius and remus catching them “platonically” kiss or something 😆 it can’t be surprising given that james hands was on inside her thighs??
thank uu!! love u lots
saw a headcanon once that james is an excited kisser and i've never seen him any other way since
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Sirius and James are prolific gamblers. No matter what they're betting on, be it how many first years will stumble on the moving staircases in one week, or which corridor Ms. Norris will catch two fifth-years making out in tonight, they bet like addicts slumming around a glittering casino.
Today's bet was this: If Hagrid and the new Care of Magical Creatures Aid, a fairy brought in to offer insight into creatures' anatomy, don't notice that their respectively oversized and undersized silverware have been switched at the staff's table, Sirius wins. If they do, James wins.
Hagrid, absentminded and happy-to-be-there as he is, doesn't mention the tiny fork that he's been given, if he notices at all. But the fairy struggles to lift the rather large knife sat beside her place, and flutters beside Hagrid's hand, setting her own on his callused skin. She speaks in a low voice, soothing and sweet, and he's more than happy to switch with her when they realize what's happened. You're not sure what her end of the conversation contains, but Hagrid's voice is loud and proud as he theorizes about a particular group of Gryffindors and their penchant for pranks.
"Shit," Sirius grumbles, at the same time that James cheers, "Fuck yeah!"
One of his hands clenches into a fist at his side and he jerks it towards his side in a celebratory motion, but his excitement can't be contained in the simple gesture, and he rounds on you to get the rest of it out.
It's with a gleeful grin that he presses his curved lips straight onto yours, hands shooting out to clutch at your cheeks, preventing you from moving away. It's a habit he's got, neither good nor bad, that compels him to lay a smooch on whichever one of his friends is near when he's feeling extra excited. It's been you more times than you can count, and you let him smoosh his lips to yours at his secured victory.
You're barely able to laugh a broken, "James!" as he pulls away, still muffled by a mouthful of breakfast. Sirius and Remus are very vocal in discussing their repulsion at that particular fact, watching you chew and swallow with exaggerated grimaces.
"Mate, there was still food in there," Sirius hums, sounding wounded, "You can just take more eggs from the dish, there's no need to scavenge for hers."
"Oh, fuck off," James reaches for a strip of bacon on Sirius's plate, gleeful excitement at having won not yet faded, "I won. You owe me your sausages for the rest of the week."
"I've only got one sausage," Sirius laments, looking down past his plate into his lap, "But if it'll settle the score you can have a taste, mate."
"N'thanks," James snickers, barely concealing a look of his own disgust at the thought, "Moony might start resource guarding."
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steddieas-shegoes · 8 months
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Modern AU where Eddie is a tech repair person at an apple store in Chicago while he tries to make it big with his band and Steve is a spoiled rich kid who is trying to cover up that he's been using his macbook to film for his OnlyFans or something similar and he needs that shit wiped.
Eddie is as professional as he can be, but can't help but be amused at Steve being worried that he's gonna see everything.
S: seriously, just wipe everything. nothing has to be saved. don't even look through each file. just start over. E: okay sure. but you know you could just buy a new laptop. S: my dad checks my credit card statements. E: okay, so tell him you bought it for a friend or something. S: just. can you wipe it? E: yeah i can.
Eddie doesn't let him know that he already has seen everything because of course he subscribes to S.H. and often leaves him bigger tips than he can afford. He doesn't even know why Steve does it since he's apparently rich, or his dad is.
It only takes a few hours to wipe it, and Eddie's grateful he managed to help Steve instead of his coworker who is a certified Creep ™️ who absolutely would have made sure to watch as many of the videos as he could first.
He calls Steve and leaves a message for him that it's done, but doesn't hear back and Steve doesn't come by. He does the same thing again the next day, and the day after that, starting to grow concerned.
He goes so far as to check Steve's OF page, just to see if there's an update, but sees it's been shut down, like it never existed.
He finally caves, does the most unprofessional thing he's ever done, and texts Steve's number from his own phone.
This is Eddie from the apple store. Your laptop's ready. Just want you to know after 30 days we usually get rid of unclaimed items.
There's no response.
But two days later, Steve comes into the store wearing sunglasses and a hat, clearly trying to hide.
When he takes off the sunglasses to sign everything, Eddie sees a healing black eye and swollen nose.
He isn't stupid.
And he suddenly feels extremely protective over him.
E: did your dad find out? S: find out what? E: about your online job? S: how do you know? E: I wasn't gonna say anything, and I swear everything got wiped without anyone including myself seeing, but I do subscribe to you and I recognized you when you came in. S, already having a panic attack: shit no. this is bad. okay you can't say anything about this to anyone. please. E: I wouldn't, I won't. but your dad found out didn't he? he did this to you? S: *nods* E: you safe now? S: *shrugs* E: need a place to stay? S: i've been saving. that's why i did this in the first place. so i can pay rent somewhere. E: I have a second bedroom at my place that just opened up. up to you.
And of course Steve takes it because he's desperate, and doesn't have real world experience with a lot of strangers, but has a good feeling about this.
Eddie finds that Steve is a very typical rich kid; ignorant to a lot of the world's struggles, but not an asshole despite his bitchy attitude sometimes coming out, thinks money can fix everything until Eddie shows him that apologies and a cuddle on the couch can be better.
Steve is so touch starved, he doesn't even realize the way he always folds into Eddie's side when they're just relaxing and watching a movie, or how he always lets his hand brush against his side or hand when Eddie gets home from work. Eddie helps him look for a job, and they find that he loves working at a daycare even though the money isn't that great.
They fall in love so easily, neither of them actually realize it happens until Steve comes home after a very long day before the Christmas holidays, covered in paint stains from crafts with the kids, and Eddie just welcomes him home with a kiss.
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hairmetal666 · 8 months
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Read Part One here
cw: implied child abuse
Eddie's coming over for coffee. Not Eddie with Nancy and Robin or Eddie with the kids. Just Eddie.
They haven't been alone in 9 years and now Eddie is coming over for coffee.
They're friends, of course. After Vecna they didn't have much of a choice, but they've never talked about it--that they used to be something.
After Steve kissed Eddie goodbye for what turned out to be the last time, they didn't see each other again for months and months, except for a devastatingly fleeting moment in the Family Video parking lot. And the next time after that, Eddie's pinning him to the wall of a rickety boathouse, a broken bottle to his throat.
What's going through his mind, his body, at that moment is relief. For days, weeks, months, he ached for Eddie's touch again, and even though he was in danger, he relished in the push of their bodies together. Thought, if this is how he dies, he won't mind going.
But they don't talk about it, about them, because Eddie is on the run and Max is going to die, and they have to save the world, so there's no time. In the aftermath, it's the least of their worries, and now it's been almost a decade and Eddie is coming over for coffee.
The thing is, it's not like Steve has been pining away for a love long lost in the intervening years, and neither has Eddie. They've both had longterm, serious relationships; Steve almost got married. But for Steve...Eddie is the one that's lingered, the one that knocks around his ribcage on late sleepless nights, the one that makes him dream of what might have been. Because Steve truly loved his other partners, but Eddie--nobody will ever compare.
Someone is knocking a rhythm at his front door, and he can't stifle his smile even as his heart runs riot in his chest.
"Hey, man," he says, remarkably nonchalant as he takes Eddie in. Still beautiful, still brimming with energy; his smile wide and dimpled, bouncing on his toes.
"Harrington!" Eddie grabs him into a quick side hug, slapping his back. "Since when do you wear glasses?"
Steve chuckles, touching the horn-rimmed frames. "Oh, god, Robin forced me to get them back in '87? Too many concussions." He touches his forehead. "I usually just wear contacts."
"It's a good look," Eddie says. He's very much not looking at Steve, eyes roaming around the Chicago apartment he's been to many times before.
He watches as Eddie spots the display of his own books, index finger slowly slipping across the spines in a way that makes Steve remember when those same fingers would slide down his spine. He stifles a shiver, turns towards the kitchen.
"So, how's New York? How's the book coming?"
"Livin' the dream." It's not flippant, not like how most people mean it. Eddie leaks genuineness, always has. "The book though...it's a little rough."
Steve sets the coffee maker going, brings fresh pastries and a couple plates over to the table. "I can imagine. It doesn't--it doesn't have to be the same, you know?"
"Yeah, if only I hadn't written three other books leading up to the evil mind wizard," Eddie chuckles. He grabs a croissant and tears it in half. "It'll be alright, Harrington. I'll figure it out. I lived through it the first time, after all."
Steve doesn't remind him that he almost didn't, that they almost didn't. Instead, he pours coffee, listens as Eddie talks about how to fictionalize the worst month of their collective lives.
He splashes milk into Eddie's coffee, taps in three scoops of sugar. He carries it to where Eddie waits, still talking about the logistics of Vecna-slash-Henry-slash-One in his novel, but his words abruptly stop as his hands wrap around the porcelain.
"Steve?"
It's only then that Steve realizes what he's done--made Eddie's coffee like he took it back then, made it without thinking, totally on muscle memory, when the best of his mornings were spent in Eddie's arms.
His cheeks glow crimson and he grips at the back of his neck. "S-sorry." He says. "It--is this still how you take it?"
"Yeah." Eddie's eyes fall from Steve's face, his own cheeks pink. "It's--yeah. Still the same."
"I'm sorry--"
"--Steve, I--"
They don't laugh. They both stop speaking and look at each other, faces still red. Steve thinks there's nothing for it but to get it all out now.
"I'm sorry, Eddie." He takes a deep breath. "I'm sorry I never came back. I'm sorry I didn't explain why. I'm just--really, really sorry."
Eddie's eyes are hooked on the table top, fingers twisting and twisting his coffee mug. "Can I--why? I waited and you--why?"
Steve swallows, but it gets stuck in his throat, and now he's the one who can't look up from his hands.
"My parents got home early," he manages. "My dad, he was waiting for me. I guess one of the neighbors thought it best to tell them who I'd been spending my time with."
Silence falls over the table, and he chances a look up at the man across from him, the one whose knuckles bite into his lips, whose eyes shine with unshed tears.
"You should've called me. You should've--you could've stayed with us. We would've kept you safe."
"Eddie, I couldn't. I physically couldn't," the admission costs him so much.
"Steve," Eddie chokes on his name, voice nothing but anguish. "Did anyone--You could've--you were all alone."
He shakes his head. "Robin knew. She snuck through my window to take care of me, but my parents--I couldn't--" This time the words really won't come. "We made a plan. We started that job at Family Video, and we saved up our money."
Now, Eddie's face is creased with grief. "Sweetheart, I'm so sorry."
Steve shakes his head, smiles despite the wreckage around his heart. "You have nothing to be sorry for, baby. I left you with no explanation. I broke your heart. And--and--" He thinks, what does it hurt to say it at this point. "I love you. I love you so much. I convinced myself you were better off without me, that we could have a clean break and you could get over me."
Eddie's hands cover his face, muffle the sob that slips out. "Get over you?" He whispers. "There's never been one like you, sweetheart."
He slides around the table to kneel at Eddie's side. "Hey." Deep brown eyes stare back at him, Eddie's face wet with tears. "It's always you, Ed. Always. I didn't want to say anything, if you had moved on, but--"
There's not really any transition from them talking to them kissing; Steve slips into it like he did all those years ago, when he first asked for Eddie's kiss. Their mouths slot together, their bodies fit like they always used to, perfect puzzle pieces. Steve's knees give out at the first brush of Eddie's tongue, and they collapse into a heap on the kitchen floor. Even then, they don't part.
Eventually, Steve does break the embrace, face flushed and hair a disaster, glasses hanging off one ear. "Okay, trying to be responsible here. Should we take a pause, go on a date first? Slow down?"
"Nine years isn't slow enough?" Eddie's pupils are blown, hair frizzed around his head.
"When you put it that way," Steve can't help but laugh. "I just want to do right by you, Eddie. Make up for--everything."
Eddie grins down at him, that sunshine beam smile where his dimples pop. "Tell you what, how bout you take me to bed now, and I'll let you take me on a date tomorrow?"
"Oh, you'll let me?" Steve rakes a hand through Eddie's mane of hair. "I don't think you'll have any choice."
"You sure about that, Stevie?" Their lips are so close, the brush with every word.
"Uh-huh," Steve's having trouble keeping his eyes focused, overwhelmed by the sheer force of Eddie Munson. "Never letting you go again, Ed."
Surprise! Part 2! I genuinely had no intention on doing a follow-up, but so many of you asked so nicely that it gave me this idea. Sorry if I miss anyone in the tag list and thank you for reading! @everywherenothere @tiny-enthusiast @emma-elsa-0000 @fuzzyduxk @moonythepluviophile @anaibis @rhapsodyinalto @bunk12bear @tillystealeaves @velocitytimes2 @s-trawberryv-eins @marklee-blackmore @ignoremyworld @its-a-me-a-morgan @goodolefashionedloverboi @starman-jpg @djohawke @adaydreamaway08
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spideyhexx · 4 months
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the first time coryo & sej's cocks touched was when reader said she wanted to suck both of them off at the same time or neither of them were gonna cum so they both just sucked it up and when she told them to kiss in order to let them cum they did that too 🤭🤭🤭🤭
anon, i've been thinking about this since you sent it and i'm very happy to answer it <3 i hope y'all like this one i feel insane
mdni
You'd probably offer it after both of them have had a hard day and you know Sej is too tired to just fuck his frustrations out. And since you have Coryo with you guys now, you figure, why can't I just pleasure you guys at the same time? No harm, no foul, right?
Honestly, Sej thinks it’s a great idea and Coryo is the one to protest even though deep down, his heart is jumping at the idea of it.
“Coryo, I’m not gonna let either of you cum if I can’t do this,” and you pout at him, but realize that maybe he's just too embarrassed to admit he wants it.
So you lean up on your tiptoes to whisper in his ear, “I know you want it. I’ll make it extra good, I promise,” and you kiss right below his ear, a weak spot for him and he folds immediately.
So now you got both of the boys slouching against the pillows on your bed. They're next to each other, shoulder brushing against shoulder as you lay between them.
You're swirling your tongue around Coryo first, given that you knew Sej could last longer since he's more used to your mouth.
Coryo's hand caresses the side of your head as he watches you and he dares to avert his gaze to Sej's cock which is being held by your hand, your thumb rubbing up and down against the vein that runs along the side of his length.
He lets out a moan at the sight and you smirk, letting some spit dribble onto him before your other hand wraps around him, jerking his cock slowly as your mouth finds Sej's tip.
While Coryo's moans sound light and airy, Sej's feel lower and you know he's holding them back.
Your eyes focus on Sej's lips, parted just a little as he sucks in a harsh breath. Then to Coryo's lips, his bottom one bitten underneath his teeth.
You take Sej out of your mouth, tapping his cock against your cheek as you say to them, "you guys should kiss."
Neither of them look at each other as they stare wide eyed at you and you rolls your eyes.
"Oh, c'mon, you've already tasted each other's cum one way or the other, what's the harm in kissing? Plus, I wanna see," you add in the last part in a quick whisper and Sej chuckles and turns his head to Coryo.
Your hands continue rubbing each of them and you watch them with curious eyes. Coryo's cheeks redden even more as he looks at Sej.
"Are you okay with this?" Sej leans closer first, his nose ever so slightly bumping against Coryo's.
He nods, speaking just above a whisper, "yes."
Sej presses forward to connect his lips to Coryo's and it's soft at first. Sej's hand remains on your head while Coryo's stay awkwardly at his sides, fiddling with the sheet below him.
You watch them pull apart, gazing into each other's eyes for a small second before they're kissing again, their lips slotting together almost perfectly in your eyes.
You see Sej press harder into it and you swirl your thumb in a circle on top head of Coryo's cock, causing the man to moan into Sej's mouth. It felt evil, but the sight that you get to see makes it worth it as Sej prods his tongue into Coryo's mouth.
You pick up the pace, stroking Coryo's cock with a tighter grip, leaning over to take Sej back in your mouth.
Your cheeks hollow as you suck on him, slowly taking each inch of his length into your mouth until you're hearing Sej moan back against Coryo's lips. You take him out of your mouth, smiling and kissing down your lover's length.
You feel Coryo shift as Sej's hand moves to cup the man's cheek.
Coryo has no thoughts in his head, just the feeling of Sej's mouth and tour hand consuming every fiber of his being. And with these blank, desire filled thoughts, he turns on his side to kiss Sej deeper, but the movement angles his cock just enough that his tip brushes up against Sej's.
That small amount of friction makes Coryo's abdomen tighten and he's spilling himself onto your lips and Sej's cock.
Sejanus breaks away from the kiss with Coryo and meets your eyes. When he sees the mess Coryo's made on you and on himself, it triggers his own release and you stuff the tip of his cock into your mouth so you can take every drop he has.
When he's done and you've rested your head on his thigh, replaying everything that happened, you notice Coryo's head pushed into one of your pillows and you sit up, cupping his cheeks and turning his head to look at you.
"don't be embarrassed, that was the hottest fucking thing i've ever seen, okay?" And Coryo can't even look you in the eye cause you've still got his cum on your lips and chin, but he nods in your hold.
Sej leans over you to wrap his arm around you and Coryo, finding Coryo's hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze.
let's chat about sejanus, coryo, or both, here :)
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jymwahuwu · 6 months
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Have you ever had the thought of like.. fem reader that's the same height as Fu Xuan, qingque and Pela? And their height compared to Jing yuan..
LIKE THEY'RE FR SHORT and I got the thought of like.. wait a minute, what if reader had the same height as those three characters? Like.. when I used fu Xuan next to Jing yuan npc. THE HEIGHT DIFFERENCE???
now imagine Jing yuan having size kink, seeing his s/o so short. She doesn't even need to bend down.. neither does she have to get on her knees for a blowjob, she's so short! Meanwhile reader just awkwardly standing there 🧍‍♀️
Jing Yuan: “Your hand is so small compared to mind ;) ”
Reader: “what the f--k..”
😹 have considered this!! I'm much shorter than Jing Yuan, so relatable... also recorded a related video in the game, Jing Yuan has to lower his head to look at me 😽
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CW: yandere, non-con/dub-con, forced oral sex, size kink, reader is clearly described as being much shorter than Jing Yuan. no other specific description of the reader's body shape.
Oh Size Kink! Jing Yuan absolutely regard you as one of the most lovable things in the world. This has nothing to do with your identity. You may have a high position, be able to participate in the discussion and management of Luofu, interstellar business affairs, and have your own reputation and achievements.
But none of this matters. No matter what you say, you are not being treated like an independent adult. You are so short that you are always frightened by the general's burly figure and height, and you take a few steps back unconsciously. He noticed. Jing Yuan turned around with a leisurely smile. He didn't even need to be arrogant, but he looked down at you like he was condescending. After you stated your intentions for business cooperation, the general patted you on the head. Such humiliation. You pushed his hand away, irritated. "I'm discussing a business plan with you, General!"
"Business plan huh? I get it. You did a great job." He casually slipped his hand between your fingers, interlocking them with yours, and explained some apparently simple concepts to you. He's worried that your little brain doesn't understand that.
And oral sex. Looking at the erect and thick cock, the pre-ejaculation fluid is seeping out. You're already freaking out...how could this be...appropriate? You don't even need to bend down!! You stand there, embarrassed and overwhelmed. Jing Yuan stretched out his muscular arms to pull your hair. Your face pressed against his cock and scrotum, "ka...mm..." Your choked tears splashed on his cock, and the glans against your throat. Realizing that it was too rough, Jing Yuan relaxed his control on you a little, and gently stroked the back of your neck, purring and urging you to suck his cock. You hold his cock, licking and stroking it with your tongue. His seed spurts into your smooth mouth.
And Jing Yuan. He could lift you into his arms, pull you onto the bed, push you onto the table, pick you up, spread your legs like you were a weapon he wielded with ease. His embrace is one of the strongest webs in the world. When Jing Yuan's two arms wrap around your waist and chest, you can't even move an inch or two (and take advantage of these opportunities to rub your areolas on both sides).
He was buried between your legs, his white hair spread across your thighs, feeling how soft you were. After your waist bounced and you squirted several times, he slowly squeezed his own cock between your thighs.
He likes the way you look.
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cameronspecial · 6 months
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Loving the Zach stuff so far!!!
Could you maybe do something where yn hates his guts, but he is like in love with her and all her sass?? Then they're forced to go on some school trip together or something, and she realizes she likes him and a cute angry love confession, perhaps???
Danke 🫶🏼💐
Thank You, History Class
Pairing: Zach MacLaren x Reader
Warnings: N/A
Pronouns: She/Her
Word Count: 1.2K
Masterlist
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Y/N and Zach have been running in the same friend group since Freshman year, but it doesn’t mean they necessarily get along. Well, it doesn’t mean that she likes him. His sarcasm and puppy dog vibe annoys her cool and distant personality. He’s always asking her how her day is going and trying to make her laugh with his stupid jokes. Zach, on the other hand, fell for her grumpy soul the moment he set eyes on her. Unlike most people, who don’t bother looking deeper into her personality, Zach could see the soft side that she held within and never let anyone see. He would always catch how she would stand up from her bus seat when she saw an elderly person. She wouldn’t let people around her know it was the reason, but she always did. He saw the little bowl of milk she left outside her house for a cat mother and her kittens. Finally, he saw how sweet she was to children whenever they were around her. 
Zach didn’t want to take a history class and he certainly didn’t feel like going on a field trip to a museum. It all felt very high school to him. The only upside about it: Y/N is also taking the same class. When he saw that he needed a history credit to graduate, he definitely didn’t go looking for what classes she was taking this semester to try and be in the same one. The cost was giving Jason access to his bathroom whenever he wanted, but it was worth it. He knows the field trip isn’t mandatory for any marks, yet he knows Y/N is going to be there. As he heads toward the Victorian house, he finds Y/N out front waiting for the professor to show up. Her clothing consists of black and brown colours as usual. Her hair was held back by a shiny black claw clip. 
“Fancy seeing you here,” he grins, coming to stand beside her. She gives him a side eye, “Could you be more cliche? Try something more original, would ya? I still can’t believe you are taking this class.” He doesn’t let her sour mood dampen his energy. “Come on, you know you like having me with you in this class. The only other people in this class are girls who have a romanticized view of the era, or guys, who have a history stick so far up their ass that they think a history degree will take them far in life,” he notes, turning to look at her. She looks him dead in the eyes, “I’m a history major. And I am neither of those things.” “I know, that’s because you are so much better than them. You are far too smart for them,” he flatters. She shakes her head, turning her attention to the professor who has just arrived, “Flattery won’t get you anywhere.” The professor leads them into the museum and begins his lecture. After ten minutes of listening to the man speak, both Y/N and Zach realized that coming was a big waste of time. He doesn’t know what he is talking about and Zach can hear Y/N constantly correcting the older man under her breath. 
He leans toward her, making sure his lips are close to her ear. “Wanna go on our own little tour? This man is getting half of this stuff wrong.” She thinks she has lost her mind because this must be the first thing Zach has said that she thought was a good idea. “That actually sounds kind of fun. They have a Victorian fashion exhibit I want to see, but I don’t think Professor Robo over there is going to take us to,” she whispers back. Her hand finds his and she hates to admit she likes the warmth of his in hers. They round the stairs to the exhibit. She looks delighted when she spots the first mannequin with clothes. Her feet find their way beside a girl about six years old, already looking at the dress. The child’s eyes find Y/N’s face and they smile at each other. “You know, this is an 1843 Evening dress. The bodice, the thing around the chest, is low off the shoulders. And they have lots of other skirts underneath to make it poofy,” Y/N softly explains to the little girl. 
They spent around thirty minutes in the small room. Y/N walks around with Willow and Zach, explaining each outfit to them. She is surprised that Zach seemed honestly engaged with what she was saying and would ask thoughtful questions. Eventually, Willow’s mother, an employee, came looking for her and took the girl to lunch. “Do you want to head to lunch?” she asks. He shakes his head, “Actually, I was hoping we could look at the Victorian sports exhibit. I brought some snacks, so if you are hungry, we can share.” He pulls out a bag of cucumbers shaped like hearts. She has to giggle at the sight because big jock Zach MacLaren likes to have his vegetable cut into shapes. 
“What?” he questions in fake offence, holding out the Ziploc to her. She shakes her head with a chuckle, “Nothing, just surprised your cucumbers look like an inaccurate depiction of a human organ.” “They make them taste better. Try,” he says with a shrug. He hands her a slice and listens to the sweet crunch of her biting into the vegetable. “Okay… I must admit it is more fun to eat it like a heart. I can pretend I’m a witch eating people’s hearts,” she agrees. He doesn’t look disturbed by her macabre comments, instead, he pretends to be ripping out his heart as he hands her another slice. She enjoys him playing with her deadly thoughts.
They spent about an hour looking at the different displays, eating his snacks and taking turns reading the display’s blurbs to each other. As they stand on the steps of the museum, Y/N towers over him from the step above. He looks up at her like she hangs the stars in the sky. “I hate to admit that you made this day pretty fun,” she confides. Her hands find their way behind her back, biting her lip as she looks into his eyes. His mouth turns into a crescent moon, “I’m really glad I did. I like spending time with you.” She takes a moment to think and moves her head away in frustration. Not at him, but at the turmoil inside her mind. Why is his charming smile suddenly getting to her? Why does she want to step into his warmth and let his arms bring her in? “Ugh, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think I’m falling for you, MacLaren. So… would you want to go to dinner? Like on a date,” she confesses with a hint of annoyance in her tone that is just normally there. She is disgusted by the excitement that crosses his face. He gets off the steps, running around the green grass in front of the building. He jumps every so often with a little whoop let out as he does so. 
He rushes back to her, grabbing her around her waist and spinning her around. She finds the sound of her giggles odd but enjoys it nonetheless. “Way to keep a poker face,” she sasses, looking down at him. He doesn’t care though all he wants is a chance to be with her.
Taglist: @winterrrnight @loves0phelia
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softlyspector · 1 year
Note
Can we get prompt 5 with Din 👀👀?
“Sometimes I wonder if you even like me…it sure feels like you hate me sometimes.” + Din Djarin
a/n: ta da! my first mandalorian fic thank you for requesting! this one got away from me a little bit.
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"Go ahead and toss over the credits and we'll let you go," the twi'lek says, waving a vibroblade under your nose. "You don't need to get hurt, sweetheart."
You scoff. "Right, and then you'll just let me walk away?"
"That's right," his partner says. "Unless you wanna be difficult about it."
You did not want to be difficult about it but -
"Y'know, can't you find some rich asshole to rob? I barely have anything as it it. This is like the poor stealing from the poor." They glance at each other, brows raised.
You consider your options for a moment. Only one of them seemed to have a weapon, and neither seemed to have a blaster.
If you were quick enough, you could probably wrestle the blade from the twi'lek and use it against both of them to negotiate your release from this particular alleyway.
"C'mon now, we know you're buddies with that Mando that's always hovering around these days, and he's covered in beskar. There's no way you're lacking for credits. You probably get a cut of all those bounties."
You furrow your brow, "Are you stupid?"
The Mandalorian was not your friend. He tolerated you at best, considered you an okay contact at worst, when he was looking for work, or information.
Mainly, he sought you out because you heard everyone's business as the barkeep at the cantina.
But apparently your insolence and calm at being robbed has run its course of charm. The twi'lek steps forward, blade to your throat. "Either you hand it over, or we take it from you."
You open your mouth not sure what your retort would be and half expecting it to get you killed, when a voice rings out. "I wouldn't do that, if I were you."
The modulated voice is a balm you don't expect, and both your captors glance over, towards the mouth of the alley. "This doesn't concern you, Mando," the partner spits.
The Mandalorian's helmet simply tilts to the side. "It does."
His tone is hard, brooking no room for disagreement, when you swing your knee up into the twi's gut and twist the blade from his grasp in the same movement.
You slash at the partner, and think you nick his arm. Both flee down the alley away from the Mandalorian, who stands still, hand on the blaster still in its holster.
When they're gone, he approaches you slowly. "Are you okay?" If you didn't know better, you'd say he actually sounds worried.
"Fine," you kneel to stick your new blade in your boot. "I had it handled. Why are you here anyways?" You brush past him, back into the street.
To your surprise, he follows.
The question was meant to be rhetorical. "I saw them follow you when you left the cantina."
"So you followed me."
"Didn't look like you realized."
You shrug and keep walking, "I just guess I didn't realize you cared."
The Mandalorian pauses, stopping in his tracks, and when you turn to look at him, his head is at an angle. Like he's considering you and found you both wanting and strange.
You kick out your hip and tilt your head right back, crossing your arms over your chest.
It takes a long time for him to respond.
"You should be more careful," he says simply. "You need a better weapon."
"I don't have the credits for a better weapon. Lucky for me though I have a blade now." You turn and keep walking. "Don't worry, your contact is unharmed."
His footfalls are heavy as he follows you. "Is that why you think I followed you?"
You aren't sure what he expected you to think, what you're supposed to think. "I mean...I know we work together. But sometimes I wonder if you even like me…it sure feels like you hate me sometimes.”
There've been numerous occasions, particularly in the beginning, when he didn't even speak to you, tossed credits onto the counter and said a single name. Then, he disappeared.
He's progressively gotten less gruff but you still don't get the sense that he likes you all that much, no matter how much time he's been spending on your world and in the cantina lately. He'd even gone so far as to order a drink recently, even though it always went untouched.
You were a means to an end, really. You know that. "I could go to anyone for information," he says gruffly. "But I come to you."
You pause and turn and this time the Mandalorian only stops when he's close to you, and you have to tilt your chin up to meet the gaze hidden behind the visor. "Oh."
"You need more than a blade."
"I'll get right on that," you shake your head, heavy on the sarcasm. He doesn't react, standing still, the cloak over his shoulder fluttering in the warm breeze. You aren't sure why he's never intimidated you, by all accounts he should terrify you. An armored, faceless man, that dealt in bad people and weapons.
But he's never frightened you, he's never really given you cause to.
And you seem to lack the self preservation instinct instilled in most people anyways. Arguing with people trying to mug you was only one example of that.
"Thanks for stepping in back there," you continue, this time without the sarcasm. "Could have been bad."
He merely nods at you.
When you start walking again, he follows, this time keeping pace with you and staying by your side. "You really only come to me?" You ask, glancing sidelong at him. He doesn't answer, but you take the silence for agreement. "Maybe I should get a cut."
Mando huffs under the helmet, and you think it must be a laugh.
He walks you all the way home, even though you know he should already be off world. "'Night, Mando."
Again, he doesn't answer, but he doesn't walk away until the door is closed behind you either.
The next time you see him, he places a wrapped parcel on the counter by way of a greeting. You raise a brow and unwrap it to find a blaster. "Who's is this? You looking for the owner or something?" You ask, tossing the towel in your hand over you shoulder.
"It's yours," he answers. "Do you know how to use one?"
"Mine?" You look up into the shining helm. "You're sure?" The lip of the helmet dips down in confirmation. "No, I don't know how."
"I'll teach you," he says, and you know he's not asking. "Do you still have the vibroblade?"
"Yes."
He nods. "Good," he sounds pleased. "I'll teach you how to use that, too."
With that, he departs, curious eyes of the patrons following him, drawing the attention he always does.
"Well," the owner says, tugging the cloth off your shoulder and placing it back in your hands. "Aren't you special?"
"What are you on about?" You ask, scooping up the blaster and rewrapping it before stuffing it in the front pocket of your apron.
He chuckles, leaning around you as you start polishing a glass. "Haven't you heard the stories? Mandos only give weapons to people they court."
You only roll your eyes, fairly sure that's just another legend.
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mistress-riddle · 8 months
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𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐘. cedric diggory
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request — Cedric and his parents go on a trip to another country during the summer and during it, Cedric meets reader at a park reading, they strike up a conversation but seeing as they are both wizards and neither of them realize the other is also a wizard they dont keep in touch. when they return to Hogwarts, Cedric glances around and sees reader sitting with the Slytherins at dinner and asks them on a hogsmeade date to catch up. — @hea-vin
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you sigh as you take a seat on the bench, family long discarded in favour of resting your aching body from the shopping and sight-seeing you've been doing for the past 5 hours and reading a book instead. you fail to notice the boy taking a seat at the exact same time as you and so you startle when he chuckles and asks "long day?"
"sadly," you groan and stretch your neck to the side, closing over your novel "you in the same predicament?"
"sadly," he huffs and ruffles his hair as he leans back, legs spreading slightly in the process "where abouts are you from?" he asks shortly after.
"live in central london," you turn to properly look at him "what about you?"
"near devon, england." he seems to be around your age, brown hair mixed with golden highlights that seemed too soft and fluffy to be dyed. his face was certainly something to admire, high cheekbones dusted with pink and freckles that accompanied them, lips wide and full and jawline sharp in its edges. his eyes are a mix of hazel and green with specks of gold similar to the ones in his hair, once you notice you've been looking for a bit too long you clear your throat and look to the side.
.
"how long are you staying here for?" the boy asks you, head tilted to the side as he scans you, your face seemed familiar but he wasn't sure where he recognised you from.
"i think two more days," you ponder "i'm not sure, i'm just tagging along with my family." you shrug and he smiles in return.
"same here, though i think we're staying for the week." you nod and he follows it with "how have you liked it so far then?"
"it's been pretty alright actually," you respond with a grin "i mean apart from the heckling of being with family and having siblings, the sights here are so pretty and the food is delicious."
the brunet agrees with you, the same amiable smile decorating his lips "it is quite beautiful here, though i don't have any siblings to put a dimmer on my experience."
"oh lucky you," you sigh "i wish i was an only child."
the boy laughs as he shakes his head "i often wished i had a sibling to play with."
you glance at him with a cheeky look "want to trade?"
"i'm afraid i'm too used to being an only child." he shrugs and you pout.
"bummer, i could've been having the time of my life had you agreed." you shut your eyes as you allow the sunlight to bathe you in its rays, peeking an eye open after a few seconds, you focus it on the boy beside you "you sure?"
"you didn't exactly sell it out to be the greatest thing," he pauses and hums "might need some convincing."
you tap your fingers against your thighs as you ponder "well for starters, i guess they're somewhat cute—" you're cut off by a yell of your name. the two of you turn to see a 6 year old running towards you with a cup full of fruits.
"mama said you have to come back, we're going to another place." the child rushes through her words and almost chokes on a pineapple during the relay of her message and you send the boy next to you a look which caused him to chuckle.
"slow down, you're going to choke." you pat her back gently and shake your head as you stand up, sending her away as your bags go back in your hands and your book is put away.
"well, it was nice chat," you smile at the guy still sitting "i'll work on the pro's for the next time if i see you around."
"i look forward to it, farewell, my chatting companion." he waves and you try to mimic him with a tiny wave of your own as you follow behind your sister.
it's a shame you met the handsome stranger in a foreign country and not back at home. alas, it was probably worse that he was most likely a muggle who you could not communicate with. a bummer how all the good ones you're destined to only meet once you think to yourself.
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the bustling of the students feels familiar as you take your seat beside your friends in the great hall.
"how was your holiday?" asks emma from your side, nudging you with her elbow the second dumbledore announced that the feast shall commence.
"emma, had you not slept the whole ride from kings cross to here, you would've known."
your other friend, ben, interrupts as he places a hand on his chest and haughtily stares down at emma "since i was actually awake to converse with my friend like normal people do, i had the opportunity to hear about [name]'s first crush on this british boy she met on holiday."
emma ignores bens attitude as she turns to you with her mouth open, a gasp escaping her lips "no. way." she whispers and you roll your eyes.
"it's not a crush, ben just wants to mess with you." you retort at her wide eyes and disbelieving expression.
"come now, [name], it's not everyday you compliment a boys look to us, he must've really swooned you." ben teases and you sigh.
"you make it seem like i've never complimented anyone." you deadpan and your friends scoff.
"fine, i'll never tell you anything again." you mutter in spite and ben and emma hurriedly attempt to placate you throughout the rest of dinner as they try to coerce you to spill about the handsome stranger who caught your attention and affection.
towards the end of dinner when conversations take over and everyone is only lightly taking bites of their desserts, ben finds his eyes drifting behind you before his expression changes into one of curiosity "say," he interrupts you and emma, you two turn to him with an unimpressed look "does anyone know why the diggory boy keeps looking back here every now and then?" he gives you a look "any of you associated with him?"
emma wistfully sighs as she places her head on her closed fist "i wish, i'd totally get with him if he wanted." you give her a look and clear your throat.
"umm, who's diggory?"
the two sigh "cedric diggory? the captain of the hufflepuff quidditch team?..." ben asks as if that'll help you and you turn to emma "he's blondish, tall, absolutely dreamy?" she quips and you hum.
"he sounds like the perfect package, how come i don't know about him?" you ask and they shrug.
"merlin knows how in your world you are, as a slytherin, it will do you good to build connections." ben adds and emma taps your shoulder to get you to turn around and show you who exactly cedric is. as you turn your head however, you catch the eye of a certain quidditch captain, you're met with the sight of the boy from your holiday and your breathe hitches as he stands and makes his way over.
"okay, now why is he coming here?" ben asks once more and emma shrugs as she watches the two of you stare at each other.
"it's you." you both utter at the same time and his face breaks out into a smile that you can't help but reciprocate.
"i thought i'd never see you again." the boy scratches the back of his neck as his cheeks colour a rosy hue.
"and i you." you nod in reciprocation.
"well since luck seems to have found me, i think i have to take full advantage of it and ask you on a date." you hear one of your friends choke but you choose to ignore them and put up a front of a thinking face as cedric waits for your answer "i just have to find out what the pros are."
you sigh as you cross your arms "i did try to come up with an extensive list..." you look up at the boy and nod "fine, i'll free a day and make a compelling case for you."
you did not think cedrics grin could widen anymore and yet you stand (sit) corrected as his teeth show "i look forward to it!" he waves you goodbye as he heads back to his table and rejoins his friends.
"turns out this priss not only knows diggory but managed to bag a date with him."
"prick."
"dear merlin, why don't i have their luck?"
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villainousauthor · 2 months
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Hi!! If this requests is something you don't wanna do, ignore this!!
So basically, in the middle of a fight, the hero just goes up and kisses the villain, and then backs up, and the villain is just standing there like: 🧍‍♂️
Trying to process what the heck just happened.
If the kissing isn't comfortable for you, head pats or like a sweet little smile or something like that is fine to!!
Again, if you don't wanna do this you can ignore/delete it that's fine by me!!
Have a great day/night!!
:D
The Hero breathes heavily, trying to catch their breath and manage to stay upright at the same time. The fight has been brutal so far, and neither Hero nor Villain have pulled any punches.
Hero gasps as their back is slammed roughly against the concrete wall of the building with a thud. Villain's fingers clench around the collar of their clothes tightly. Hero can feel the heat rolling off their body as they press closer.
"Ready to give up yet?" Villain's asks confidently, a wild grin on their face. They speak as if they know Hero isn't, and as if that makes this even more entertaining. Villain seems to live off the excitement their brawls bring, hungering for it like a person starved.
It's infectious and draws Hero in even more. They're addicted to these encounters just as much. The way Villain grips them tightly, the way they handle Hero so roughly, the way their eyes shine when they have Hero pinned. Hero can never get enough of it.
"Cat got your tongue?" They question, and Hero just then realizes they got lost in the moment, Villain's close presence fogging their brain like usual.
Before they can even properly think through their actions, Hero is throwing themselves forward, grabbing the Villain.
At first, Villain thinks this is some sort of counterattack until they feel hands gliding through their hair, and as those soft lips meet their own needily, they jolt.
Any of their defenses immediately lower, and they can't help the sigh that leaves their lips before the Hero pulls away abruptly, stepping back.
Hero looks at them, eyes wide as if they can't believe what they did, and Villain knows their own expression probably looks similar.
Several long and tense seconds pass before either speaks up.
"That...is not a part of our usual fights." Villain finally manages, voice unsteady. Their fingers twitch at their sides, unsure of what to do now. Their heart thumps in their chest, and they can hear it loudly in their ears.
Hero gulps. "I- I know." They look away as if they can't meet their eyes now, and Villain doesn't miss the deepening blush on their face. "I shouldn't have done that."
"No, you probably shouldn't have." Villain says, feeling inclined to agree. Their heart continues to beat wildly, and they feel the urge grab Hero yet again.
Hero turns away, embarrassment obvious on their face. "I should leave." Villain sees that they're about to flee and panics.
Before Hero is even able to register it, Villain is grabbing them by the face, sharp nails digging into their jaw roughly as Villain's lips claim their own desperately.
It's a rough and messy kiss, teeth clinking together as Villain kisses Hero as if consume their very essence. It's passionate, possessive, and aggressive in every way their fights are.
Hero bites Villain's bottom lip, and they groan out in response. After a moment, Villain pulls away panting, through their fingers still hold them tightly. "Just because you shouldn't of, doesn't mean I didn't like it."
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multifixwritings · 1 month
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Some Things Are Meant to Be
Fandom: Twilight Pairing: Jasper Hale x GN!Reader x Alice Cullen Summary: It was the way Alice and Jasper found eternal happiness, against the odds, in a way no one expected. Words: 1515 (oneshot) Note: Oh, to be in a relationship with these two! You didn't specify, and I am such a sucker for the human x vampire pairing, so that's what I went with here. I hope I did okay and you're not too disappointed!
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Vampiric culture differed in many ways from those of humans. Transitioning from mortal to immortal meant changing your entire way of life—nothing would be the same. Diet, socialization, and routines all shifted to accommodate the transformation. Some settled well into the new arrangement while others found it more difficult even with time to adjust.
How relationships developed and worked was something most didn’t think about until it hit them. Vampires could “date around” like any human, but no romantic relationship could compare to finding your singer or mate. The chemistry bound you deeper than any soulmate humans claimed to have found.
What most didn’t realize was there could be more than one.
The rustic smell of fresh blood pumping through the elk had venom filling their mouths. It would never compare to the agonizing burn inspired by humans, but it would be more than enough to satisfy the ache. Alice and Jasper stalked through the trees with the grace of a lion hiding in the tall grass. The game of predator and prey never failed in nature.
Oh, to be the once helpless prey turned into the ruthless predator.
The couple waited for the right moment before pouncing. Sharp enamel ripped into soft flesh, rich blood sliding down their throats to ease the ever-present pang of thirst. Alice allowed herself a shred of vulnerability and closed her eyes to savor her meal—only for them to snap back open.
Jasper noted his mate's shift in emotion and was at her side in an instant, leaving his elk half-drained but mercifully unaware of its quick death. "Alice? What do you see?"
Her petite hands dropped the animal to the forest floor as her eyes stared ahead blankly. She vaguely recognized Jasper's hands grasping her arms, felt his body close to hers as he waited for her to share. His worry faded into mere curiosity as he registered her emotional state—confusion to surprise to happiness.
"It's..." Alice grinned. "They're beautiful."
You turned, your eyes falling on the couple a few feet behind you. Your brow furrowed slightly before a small smile graced them. You lifted your hand in a gentle wave before turning back around to face the front.
Jasper frowned. "Who?"
The way your laugh crinkled your eyes nearly made her inert heart start beating once more—like when she first saw Jasper in her mind's eye. You shook your head before bending down to pick up the fallen paper from the floor.
"I am so sorry! I swear, I'd lose my head if it weren't attached to my body." You stood back up and stuck out your hand. "I'm (Y/N). I just moved here."
Alice repeated your name softly as she blinked away the vision. She liked the way it sounded on her tongue. The pixie-like vampire squealed and turned to Jasper.
"Jazz! They're coming!"
Her excitement infected him. Jasper chuckled and cradled her face in his hands to ground her. "Who's coming, darling?"
"Our mate! Oh!" She threw her arms around his waist. "Oh, they're perfect, Jazz!"
Neither vampire had heard of multiple mates before. Carlisle shared his experience in witnessing such a phenomenon when the confused yet anxious couple brought the vision to him. He had only seen it a couple of times in his immortal years.
Alice shared a glance with Jasper before revealing their new mate was human—and a whole new bout of anxiety swept throughout the Olympic Coven. They had nearly lost their entire family because their brother had fallen in love with a human. Bella was a treasured member of their coven—none of them would trade her or their beloved Renesmee for anything—but her presence in their lives had caused more trouble than any of them had predicted.
Jasper, Rosalie, and Edward had more reservations than the others. While Jasper had come miles in controlling his thirst, he remembered how difficult it had been for Edward to control his thirst around Bella and was terrified it might be the same. Rosalie and Edward were concerned about the possibility of the Volturi getting involved if yet another human discovered their secret. They would not be as forgiving as they had been with Bella after all the confrontations.
Your arrival had the coven on edge. They prepared themselves for whatever would happen but hoped for the best possible outcome.
Alice grabbed Jasper's hand. "There's (Y/N)."
Time stopped when you walked into the lecture. The couple sucked in a breath they both knew they didn't need. They watched in varying emotions—Alice vibrated with energy and Jasper swallowed warily—as the professor greeted you. You took the empty seat a couple rows in front of them.
Transferring to another university was not easy for you, but you were determined to make the best of it. It would only take another couple of credits for you to get your degree. You were just thankful it wasn't like high school where the teachers treated a new student as some sort of event and made you introduce yourself to the class.
Your pencil bounced in your hand. Jasper noted your anxiety and focused on sending a wave of calm to settle over you. The effect was instantaneous as you inhaled deeply and relaxed in your seat. You glanced around to see the lecture hall seemed scarce—less people meant less opportunity for embarrassment.
"How are you feeling?" Alice's words were silent to any nearby human ears.
Jasper shifted—a habit long since instilled in him to appear normal. "All right," he muttered. "It's... They don't affect me. Not... like that."
Your hand paused its notations on your paper. You turned around slightly after a moment before your gaze fell upon the couple. It had been their eyes you'd felt on the back of your head. Your forehead crinkled faintly.
Alice grinned at you. Jasper acknowledged you with a friendly nod of his head. Your frown lifted into a small smile but the confusion had written itself over your face. You slowly waved your fingers before shifting back to the front.
The couple remained on your mind the rest of the lecture. They seemed nice enough, but you couldn't shake the way your chest fluttered when they'd smiled at you. It was a strange tightening—not entirely unpleasant but definitely uncommon.
You gathered your belongings at the end of the lecture and stretched once you stood. Your muscles had trouble sitting still for so long.
"I don't think we've met."
"Oh!" You brought a hand to your chest, the paper fluttering to the ground at your feet.
Jasper muttered Alice's name fondly as her sudden voice startled you. He couldn't help the small smirk gracing his lips at the sharp increase of your heartbeat. Your wide eyes landed on the couple who seemed to appear beside you.
A sigh escaped you before you laughed quietly, shaking your head at your own reaction. You bent down to pick up the paper before it could get crumpled.
"I am so sorry! I swear, I'd lose my head if it weren't attached to my body." You didn't exactly know why you apologized, but you felt it was the right thing to do once a swift calmness wiped out any embarrassment. "I'm (Y/N). I just moved here."
Your grin seemed to light up your face as you held your hand out to your fellow students. Alice eagerly placed her hand in yours—her skin felt like ice.
"I'm Alice and this is Jasper! I just know we're going to be the best of friends."
If only you had known how misdirected those words were when she'd said them. Alice and Jasper did become your best friends, but the connection was so much more intimate than that. They became your greatest inspiration to finish school, your biggest motivation for chasing your dreams, and your first chance at genuine love.
It was the way they spent hours with you, how they listened to you rant and rave, how they comforted you when you were down, the way they somehow always knew exactly what you needed to go about your day. It was the small tokens of affection, the coffee they would bring you in the mornings, the small touches here and there, the terms of endearment.
It was the way they planned nights with you, the stay-in movie dates, the meals you would cook together despite them never eating, the tender kisses and gentle caresses. It was how they sat you down and let you in on their biggest secret, how they trusted you not to tell anyone, how they went against everything they had learned to let you into their life because they loved you that much.
It was the way they discussed the future with you, how they let you know it was your choice, how they only wanted the best for you. It was how they held you as fire spread throughout your entire body, how they took turns staying with you until the transition was complete, how they embraced you in your rebirth, how they happily introduced you officially into your new family.
It was the way they completed you.
It was the way you were meant to be.
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teshamerkel · 3 months
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Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Seekers of Soul
[Chapter 52]
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AO3 Link
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Nia and Tobias have their mission. It's time to plan their next move, and get some training in while they're at the Lexym Guild.
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Telling Maggie about their trip to Asra and Shivergleam is a tense affair. The meganium stays quiet for most of it, but Nia can see her honey-gold eyes darken after each brush with danger that they skim over, clumsily trying to fill in the gaps left in their story.
Finally, what feels like hours later, they're finished. Quiet falls over the three of them.
With a forced sort of calm, Maggie asks, “Is that everything?”
“It’s all we know so far,” Tobias hedges. “Our plan right now is just to find Xerneas. Hopefully she can prevent any of this from happening. Or at least fix the dimensional border if it does break.”
If she doesn't, the world falls apart, Nia silently adds, knowing she doesn’t need to say it for it to be in the forefront of all their minds. Both the Pokemon world and the human world would be destroyed.
Nia fiddles with the soft fur of her tail, too nervous to look up at Maggie. The silence while the grass type digests everything is heavy.
Finally, Maggie sighs. Nia jumps.
“I’m going to need a hug after all of that,” Maggie says.
Nia finally looks up, relieved, and willingly scoots closer for the meganium to pull her into a hug with her vine. Nia leans against her petals, soft but firm, and breathes in her fresh floral scent. She sees Tobias getting the same treatment on Maggie’s other side.
Immediately, Nia feels a little better. Everything feels less dire when she's tucked against Maggie like this. It's still quiet, but a comforting sort of quiet. It’s only the three of them in the herbalist quarters at the moment, Sage having been politely shooed out of the room to grab some berries for breakfast once Maggie realized that neither Nia nor Tobias felt comfortable explaining their trip with the ivysaur present. Sage had taken the obvious excuse with grace, thankfully, and is taking his time in returning.
“Thank you for telling me.” Maggie says. She takes a deep breath, Nia lifting with the exhale. “I just wish you two weren’t thrown right in the middle of all this mess. You’re so young.”
“We’re not little kids,” Tobias mutters.
“Oh, don’t pout.”
“I'm not pouting!” Tobias says, absolutely pouting.
Nia turns her face into Maggie’s petals to stifle a laugh.
“When were you planning on talking to August about all of this?” Maggie asks.
Nia pulls away to look at Tobias. He seems as unsure as she feels.
“Should we tell him?” Tobias asks, crossing his arms. “We’re getting intel from a banished legendary, if he even believes we're telling the truth. And we don’t know that he’ll actually do anything even if he does believe us. He said he’d look into the fire that happened in Ghatha but nothing ever came from that.”
Nia has to admit that he has a point.
Maggie sighs. “Even if it’s not obvious, I’m sure August is doing all he can to help. And if this is something jeopardizing not only our guild but the entire Pokemon world, I promise you he would want to know about it.”
Nia and Tobias exchange a doubtful look.
Maybe sensing that they’re reluctant to talk to August and worried that they’ll try to put it off completely, Maggie only allows a quick breakfast of the berries Sage brings back before marching the two of them straight to August’s office herself. The rillaboom looks pleased to see them, a soft sort of relief on his face when he catches sight of Nia and Tobias safely back from their travels. His warm smile fades as he locks eyes with Maggie, though, his more casual posture straightening up. He waves them in without a word.
Verene seems to be out, so they’re the only ones present in the spacious office. The leaves weaving in and out of the wooden walls are a lovely gradient of warm autumnal tones.
August takes a seat behind his desk, chair creaking. “Welcome back, Team Scarlet. It’s good to see you both safe. I heard from the crew of the Aqua Jet and that little sableye that you both showed impressive prowess as Seekers yesterday.”
Nia murmurs a thank you. Tobias nods.
“However, gauging by your expressions, I must assume that’s not why you came to see me today,” August says. “A shame. I could do with some good news, for once. What can I help you with?”
Nia looks to Tobias, so he starts them off. Retells the story once more with Nia stepping in on occasion, trading the explanation back and forth.
They mention Asra, first, to explain everything that comes after. Giratina. The protective shell of this world weakening from a preemptive crack in the very fabric of the dimension. Nia and Tobias being assigned to find Xerneas in a desperate bid for hope.
August’s brow knits and falls lower and lower as he listens, chin resting on bridged fingers. By time they’re finally finished, Nia’s throat is dry. The same oppressive silence from before falls over the room, and it feels thick enough to choke on.
August’s amber eyes settle on Nia. “How sure are you that Giratina was telling the truth?”
Nia tries not to let her own doubt show on her face. “W-Well…I guess I don’t have any proof that he was? But he felt…honest. And it makes sense. Or at least more sense than anything else people have guessed for why the world is breaking down, right? Could anything else cause natural disasters and make evolution stop? Or force legendaries to go dormant?”
“You think Giratina would have something to gain from us seeking out Xerneas?” Tobias asks, eyes narrowing.
August sighs, raking his fingers back through his leafy mane. “That’s difficult to say. I’m no expert on either legendary.”
“But surely there’s enough here to merit a deeper look,” Maggie pipes up. “If Giratina is being honest, then…”
August lets a rush of air out through his nose. “It would be disastrous for us to ignore him, yes.”
The quiet returns like an itchy, ill-fitting sweater.
“I’ll ask Alistair and Tawny to look into it immediately,” August finally says. “If they feel that searching for Xerneas is likely to be of help and not just playing into Giratina’s schemes, then I’ll reach out to the other Guildmasters so we can plan from there.”
Nia lets out a breath. Knowing that they aren’t solely responsible for saving the whole world feels like the weight of the Lexym Tree itself being lifted off her shoulders. She kind of wants to cry. “Thank you.”
August nods. “Of course. I’m here for anyone in the guild, but a matter pertaining to the safety of the entire world? That is not to be treated lightly.”
“Speaking of safety,” Tobias says, in a tone that would be casual if it didn’t sound like it was barbed with thorns. “You said you were going to send someone to look into the fire at Ghatha, right? And other human discrimination. Anything ever come of that?”
August gives Tobias a dry look. “Put away your fangs, Tobias. I did indeed look into the matter.”
“And?”
“The investigation into the Ghatha fire has unfortunately gone cold. While they can assume it was a fire type at the convention who started it, Rai’s guild hasn’t been able to determine who was the culprit. They’ve marked it closed for now unless new information arises.”
"Yeah, and I'm sure that decision has nothing to do with the guy not liking humans," Tobias mutters.
August's eyes narrow. "Where did you hear that?"
Nia blinks, surprised, and exchanges a look with Tobias. August doesn't know? "Keegan mentioned it, back when we were in Ghatha."
"The guild's second-in-command," Tobias clarifies. "A ninetales."
"Hm." August looks past them for a moment, locking eyes with Maggie. Before Nia can figure out what the two older Pokemon are thinking, he speaks again. "That's not something I was aware of. What are your thoughts on Keegan? I haven't had the chance to speak with him myself."
"He was nice!" Nia says.
"A little too nice," Tobias scoffs.
August hums. "...Noted. Regardless, for now the investigation remains at a stand-still."
Tobias’ muzzle crinkles, mirroring Nia’s own displeasure. While this news isn’t entirely unexpected, it is unnerving, not knowing the Pokemon who made a very intentional effort on all of the human lives at the convention in Ghatha. What if they try something else in the future? The thought makes Nia feel…uneasy. Unsafe.
“My scouts did also confirm your claims regarding the general perception of humans in Ghatha. It seems the aggression towards them is increasing. Considering you saw the same in Asra, I can only assume the trend continues elsewhere as well.”
“But why?" Nia protests, voice cracking. "We aren't doing anything wrong!"
“I know,” August says, rubbing at his face. “We know you have nothing to do with what’s happening to our world, Nia. None of the humans do. But unfortunately, the natural disasters and mystery dungeons are only becoming more and more common. Pokemon are injured and frightened, and humans are a handy group to shoulder the blame.”
“It’s escalating, isn’t it?” Maggie cuts in, voice soft. “Not just the aggression. The natural disasters. The spread of mystery dungeons. The Haven hasn’t been hit too hard yet, but…”
August hesitates with a glance at Nia and Tobias. “Yes. Which would line up with what Giratina is claiming. The closer we get to the moment when the barrier of our dimension breaks, the more and more dangerous our world gets. And the more that tensions run high, the more rumors spread about whose fault it could be.”
Another silence. Nia can hear the walls of the Lexym Tree creak around them in the wind.
“What about Will?” Tobias asks. Nia looks at him, surprised that he’s even willing to bring up the yamask he dislikes so much.
“Ah, yes. You mentioned wanting to visit him to see if he has any leads in finding Xerneas. My scouts didn’t hear much about his group while in Ghatha, but they also couldn’t find many humans at all, seeing as they’re keeping a low profile.”
“I sent him a letter before we left for Asra,” Nia speaks up. “Telling him about Giratina trying to pull me into the distortion realm through the stream. A-And about me recovering some of my memories. If he’s written back by now, he probably left a way to find him, right?”
“Should we even bother seeing if he has information, though?” Tobias asks, face twisting. “If we know that we’re looking for Xerneas, what are the chances he knows something Alistair and Tawny and the other guilds don’t?”
“Can we risk not checking?” Nia murmurs.
Tobias doesn’t have an argument for that. “I guess just flying straight to see him ourselves would be faster than waiting for mail.”
August's hand strokes at his chin. “I believe Nia is right. We can’t risk missing a potential lead from a network of information outside of our own. If you are willing to track him down, then I approve your travel to seek him out in a few days’ time. I will have the guild cover your flight costs across the sea.”
“Why’re we waiting?” Tobias asks, frowning. “Shouldn’t we leave right away?”
August shakes his head. “I want to first discuss with Alistair and Tawny. If they believe seeking out Xerneas could be as beneficial as Giratina suspects, I’ll have them spread word to the other guilds to start an official search. If they believe we could be playing into a plot, then we’ll put a hold on seeking out any information.”
Nia and Tobias trade an uncertain look, but eventually agree.
The three of them depart the office shortly after, August giving them a distracted goodbye as he turns to some papers on his desk.
“So we have a few days until we can leave,” Tobias says, jumping right into it. “What’s our plan until then?”
“We should probably go to our quarters first, right?” Nia says. “To see if Will even wrote back?”
Tobias frowns, but nods.
They reach the medical floor, and Maggie stops, reminding Nia and Tobias that the meganium has a job to do elsewhere.
“Oh, don’t give me those yamper eyes,” Maggie laughs. She nuzzles the top of Nia’s head, then Tobias’. “I have a job to do as well! And I’ll still be right here if you want to stop in again later tonight.”
Tobias visibly relaxes at the reminder, and Nia thanks the meganium for her help. For listening.
“Of course! Someone has to look after you two, always running off into trouble,” Maggie says with a wink.
Nia turns to head down the stairs, but pauses when Tobias doesn’t follow. The charmander is hesitating, staring at Maggie with a conflicted expression. Then he darts forward to squeeze Maggie’s leg in a hug. The meganium seems as surprised as Nia is by the unusually open affection, but after a beat her expression softens. She lowers her head to return the hug with her long neck and a vine, squeezing him tight.
Ah, right. Tobias had told Maggie about finding the home of the crobat outlaw, too. About finding the crobat's grave, and the loving family he’d left behind. Maggie had smothered him in a hug then, too, but it makes sense that he’s still feeling a bit emotional about it all.
Tobias only tolerates the affection for a few seconds before ducking free and slipping past Nia, calling for her to hurry up over his shoulder. Nia smiles as she waves to Maggie and hurries after her partner.
The two of them head to the Seekers’ quarters a few floors down. Most of the doors are closed since Pokemon are out and about doing missions in the middle of the day, but there are a few lattice windows in the halls that let in glimpses of bright sunshine and whistling gusts of air.
Their own room is just as they left it, save a thin layer of dust over everything. The wall is lined by a few wooden cabinets, along with a bookcase and chest to keep their belongings in. A large window sits on the far wall, its lattice-like roots currently opened wide. A leaf-woven curtain is pulled down over it to keep out the wind, and the sun shines through it beautifully, casting a dim golden-green hue over everything. In the center of the room lies their plush scarlet red rug, and away from the window sits their nests, resting side-by-side.
Tobias dumps their satchel next to the chest. Nia goes to the mailbox set into the wall by the door. She’s excited to find three pieces of mail inside—two letters and one thin slip of paper. She pulls them out and looks at the smallest one first. It reads 20% Off at the Kecleon Brothers Shop! with a cute little drawing of a pair of…chameleons?
“They have coupons in this world?” Nia asks, strangely amused by the thought.
Tobias’ warmth appears at her side as he peers over her shoulder. He snorts. “The kecleon merchants are really well-known. Good quality wares, but make sure you stay on their good side.”
“Um, okay. Why?”
Tobias flops down in his nest. “The last ‘mon that tried to steal from ‘em left with less limbs than they started with.”
“But they’re so cute!” Nia says, aghast, as she looks again at the little drawing.
“So are fairy types, and they’re terrifying."
Nia sinks into her own nest, gently setting the coupon aside. She’s not sure she wants to deal with the shop at all if that’s the reputation they keep. She lights up when she sees the second letter, though—it’s a cute little thing, blue, with Nia’s name written in delicate, loopy cursive.
Tobias rolls over to squint at the envelope. “Who wrote us a letter in gibberish?”
Nia blinks. “You can’t read this?”
“You can?”
Nia takes another look at the letter. At first she thinks the problem is that the writing is cursive, but then she realizes that it’s probably because it's English. Not the native Pokemon language.
“Oh,” Nia laughs, feeling a strange pang of homesickness. “It’s in English. A, uh. Human language.”
She opens the envelope with care, pulling out the stationery and smiling at the letter, which is also written in looping cursive. Tobias doesn’t say anything else, but she can feel his eyes on her so she translates as she skims.
“It’s from Hazel. She says that she can make me a human bed! Oh man, you are going to love it. You’ll never be able to go back to a normal nest. And she’ll even give me the family discount! Aww!”
“She should give you more than that after we saved her mate’s tail,” Tobias says.
“We hadn’t even met Beck yet when I sent the request! Let’s see here…she also says—”
Nia bursts into laughter.
“What?”
“She also says that she’s glad you’re nicer to me now, but that she’s willing to knock some sense into you any time if that changes.”
Tobias straightens up, flushing. “She did not say that.” Nia cackles, turning the page over to his grabby hands. “She did! C’mon, she’s the reason I confronted you in Afon’s Cap at all!”
Tobias makes a face, but he’s still bright red. Nia isn’t sure if it’s because he’s embarrassed to be called out, or because of his behavior during their early partnership in the first place. Either way, he folds the letter back up and frisbees it at her, huffing.
Nia laughs again and tucks the letter off to the side with the coupon. She’ll have to write the old raichu back later. Nia’s amusement dies down as she picks up the third letter.
Tobias sits up as he sees her expression. “…Will?”
Nia nods. Hesitantly, she opens the yamask’s letter.
Nia,
While I’m pleased to hear from you, I wish it was under better circumstances! I’m relieved that you escaped from Giratina unharmed, but concerned that you had such a close call at all. If you do feel unsafe where you are, please don’t hesitate to come join the community of humans we have amassed thus far—we’re growing by the day! We're just south of Ghatha, past Stonebrook and closer to Kaleido Bay. If you can find Stonebrook, they can direct you from there.
“Stonebrook,” Nia murmurs, tilting her head. “Why does that sound familiar?”
Tobias, who had scooched closer to read, frowns as he tries to recall as well. Then he groans and plants his face in his hands.
“What?”
“It’s where your stupid rookidee friend lives,” Tobias says, words muffled.
Nia gasps. “Junie! Oh my gosh, you’re right! We could stop by and see her! She could—”
“We are not inviting her to join us.”
“Aw, why not? I miss her!”
“You miss her because she doesn’t pick fights with you constantly!”
Nia looks at him for a moment. “I thought you kind of enjoyed it. It's like how you squabble with Andyn."
Tobias stumbles over a retort—outright stammers—his face growing red again, and Nia bursts into laughter.
“Oh my God, I knew it! You do like bickering with them! Why do you act like you hate them so much?”
“I do hate them!”
“Mhm.”
“They’re annoying and loud and—”
“They’re your frieeends,” Nia coos, poking him in the cheek.
“They are not,” Tobias hisses, swatting her hand away. “Shut up!”
Nia can feel him heating up with embarrassment so she knows he’s lying, but she takes mercy and backs off, still grinning.
“This is exactly why you don’t need to be spending more time with either of them,” Tobias grumbles, rubbing at his cheek. “They’re rubbing off on you.”
Nia finally tames her delight down to a manageable level and goes back to Will’s letter.
I am thrilled, however, to hear about your returned memories, even if you had to endure a terrifying illness to find them. After speaking with more of the humans under my care who have recovered their own memories, I have to wonder if there is a correlation between severe injury or illness and the recovery of one's memories. Perhaps brushing by Death’s doorstep unlocks a part of the brain once buried?
Huh. Nia has to take a moment to think after reading that. The handful of memories she recovered did only return to her when she was gravely ill, but she didn’t think it was a direct correlation. But Will seems to be implying that nearly dying could be a trigger for that process. If Giratina is correct, maybe it has to do with them getting close to…leaving their new vessels? So the memories that Mew sealed away kind of…loosen?
Nia shakes her head, unnerved by the reminder that she nearly died, and reads on.
I would love to discuss with you further if you do feel like visiting. Know that you’re always welcome. We have exciting developments in the works! Until then, I hope you and your partner are well.
Will
Nia sits back. “Well, he’s open to a visit, and we have directions…”
“Guess it’s settled then,” Tobias sighs. “I’ll let August know tomorrow.”
“August said to give him a few days to run everything by Tawny and Alistair, right? So…what should we do in the meantime?”
Tobias makes a thoughtful sound in his throat, eyes trailing over the faint pattern of leaves forming the window curtain. “We don’t want to wear ourselves out completely before traveling, but we should definitely do some training or missions or something. We need to keep getting stronger, and we need to keep rising higher in the ranks so Pokemon take us seriously.”
“That would give us more funds, too,” Nia agrees. “So I guess for now we just work on recuperating and take a few missions?"
“Then when we’re cleared for travel we go to the flying outpost.” Tobias finishes, a smirk growing on his face. “You excited to get back in the air?”
Nia groans, falling back into her nest. The soft scent of straw and moss wafts up around her. “Not even a little.”
Tobias snorts a laugh. “You’ll survive.”
There’s a moment of quiet where Nia lies starfished in her nest, listening to the wind blow against their curtain. The midday sun has warmed their little room enough for it to feel nice and cozy.
“It’s too late in the day to start a mission,” Tobias says, snagging her attention again. “But I’m going to go see if Azami or Val are around to spar with.”
While he isn’t outright asking Nia to join, the way he pauses to look at her makes the implied question clear. Nia perks up. “Oh! I’ll come with! I’ve been wanting to chat with Val about how my aura’s shaping up anyways.”
Tobias grins, pushing himself to his feet and offering a hand to help her up. The two of them leave the cozy atmosphere of their room to wind their way down the Lexym Tree.
At the doorway leading into the training floor, Nia nearly bumps into a taller Pokemon. She hops back with an apology, craning her head up to meet their eyes. They look interesting—an olive green and tan Pokemon with a mushroom cap and a long, almost kangaroo-like tail. In their bright red claws, tucked close to their body, they hold something like a clipboard.
The mushroom Pokemon starts a polite apology, but cuts himself off as he catches sight of Tobias standing behind Nia. Nia’s own apology trails off as she looks between Tobias and the new ‘mon. Tobias is clearly uncomfortable, an echo of his old, closed-off demeanor resurfacing as he crosses his arms and scowls up at the taller grass type.
“Try to keep everything in one piece,” The new Pokemon finally says, tone clipped, as he slips around them and walks off.
Nia turns to Tobias with a concerned frown. “Who was that?”
“Archer,” He grumbles, good mood clearly soured. “He keeps track of inventory.”
“Oh. Um. Why was he..?”
“I used to be more…destructive, with some of the dummies. They’re flammable.”
“Oh.” Nia stares at him, trying to parse that information. With how often they travel nowadays and how much Tobias has softened up around her, Nia always forgets that there are Pokemon in the guild who aren’t fond of Tobias for one reason or another. This reason doesn’t seem like a very fair one, though. “Aren’t training dummies meant to be attacked?”
“Not when you’re using fire, apparently,” Tobias snaps, moving past her and into the training area with his shoulders tense.
Nia hurries after her partner, relieved when she sees that not only are their mentors present, but that Val is working with Xander’s team. The medicham is listening to something the luxio is explaining, the rest of his teammates gathered around to listen as well.
Azami is nearby, manning a different fighting area. The tsareena is watching a treecko as they attack a dummy, but she beams behind her tall collar when she catches sight of Nia and Tobias. “Spitfire! And little Riolu. Good to see you!”
Tobias ducks his chin into his scarf, but Nia thinks he’s secretly pleased to have such a warm reception after bumping into Archer. Val, Xander and the rest of Team Shellshock turn at the loud greeting as well.
Avery smiles with a delicate wave.
Felix grins, fluffy ears perking. “Nia!”
“Good to see you," Xander says. "When did you two get back?”
“Last night! Sorry, are we interrupting?” Nia says, approaching the group.
“We were actually just saying we need to branch out a bit with our sparring partners,” Xander says, giving Nia a friendly flick of his star-tipped tail. His gold eyes move to Tobias. “Either of you interested in joining us for combat training?"
“Yeah! I’ve been dying to see how you squirts do in a fight,” Kry says. The fraxure cracks her knuckles to punctuate her words, as if her looming presence isn't intimidating enough.
Tobias, however, flexes his claws and steps forward to meet her. “You’re on.”
"Ohoho! Bring it, little 'mon!"
“Oh, this oughta be good,” Felix says, turning to lead everyone to the sidelines.  “C’mon, we’d better clear the field for these two.”
“They’re going to battle right now?” Nia asks, giving Val a wide-eyed look even as she follows. They just got here! Shouldn’t they warm up or something?
The medicham shrugs. “Charmander stepped forward.”
Well, she can’t argue with that. Still, as Nia sits to watch, she can't help feeling nervous as Tobias crouches into a battle stance across from Kry. The fraxure lashes her tail and lowers her head with a sharp grin. Nia doesn’t think the brash Pokemon would actually hurt Tobias, but…
“Battle!” Val calls.
Both lizard Pokemon lunge, Tobias ducking under a slash and spinning to trip up Kry’s footing with his tail. The fraxure recovers with surprising grace and goes on the offensive again. Tobias is forced to backstep, shooting off small bursts of fire to try and gain some distance. Kry leaps right through one of Tobias’ flames as if it were nothing more than smoke.
“Whoa,” Nia murmurs.
“How was your trip?” Xander asks, leaning over to whisper.
“We had an, uh…eventful week,” Nia chuckles. “Solved a mysterious earthquake problem, fought some outlaws, got caught in a mystery dungeon on the river, so fun times all around.”
They also found the grave of a long-hunted outlaw and met with Giratina of all Pokemon, who told them the world was ending, but Nia feels reluctant to drop all of that onto Xander so suddenly.
Felix whistles. The wartortle’s gaze is on the fight, but his fluffy ears are angled her way. “Busy, busy! No wonder Tobias is holding his own pretty well. You two just don’t stop, huh?”
Nia smiles and straightens up, proudly watching her partner continue to dance around Kry. His fighting style is still more offensive than defensive, but he’s playing it smart, relying on his smaller size and speed to keep the fraxure from landing a spar-stopping blow.
“You willing to try a round next?” Xander asks, giving Nia a friendly nudge with his elbow that nearly knocks her over.
Nia laughs, a little nervous. “Sure? But, uh, I’m not as good at fighting as Tobias.”
“Somehow I doubt that’s true,” Avery speaks up from Xander's other side. The kirlia gives her a warm half-smile. “You tend to underestimate yourself.”
Nia flushes under her fur and looks back to the fight, wincing as Kry nearly lands a devastating punch on Tobias. Instead, her fist slams into the wooden floor with enough force to crack it. The fraxure seems to be getting frustrated, but Tobias is starting to slow too, panting hard. He hasn’t used his smokescreen yet, though Nia isn’t sure if that’s a matter of pride or if Kry’s vision would be sharp enough to see through it.
The fight continues for another minute, Tobias landing a few brushes of flames and claws on Kry’s tough hide, but the fraxure is the one who ends it. She clips the charmander with a left hook, and as he stumbles, she slams him hard in the gut with her heavy tail. Tobias staggers, and Kry takes the opportunity to pin him to the ground with her greater weight.
After a few moments of Tobias struggling to free himself—that tail whip must've knocked the breath out of him if he isn't using his fire—Val calls the match. Kry releases him, stepping back, and Tobias sits up slowly, wincing and rubbing at his stomach. Felix calls out a jovial “Good match!” while Val moves to Tobias’ side. At first, the charmander seems reluctant to listen to her, but after a few quiet words he looks at her fully, scowl lessening as he nods. She must be giving him advice.
Kry makes her way over and grins down at Nia, breathing somehow unlabored. “You next, scrap?”
Felix pouts. “You already got your turn, Kry.”
“And I asked first,” Xander says smoothly, standing and moving to where Kry stood before. He doesn’t sound bossy, but somehow even Nia can hear the quiet authority in his voice. While Nia and Tobias don’t really have a “leader” of their team, it’s clear that Xander holds the title for Team Shellshock.
“You up for it, Nia?” The luxio asks, confident expression softening.
Nia feels her heart flutter with anxiety, but Avery gives her an encouraging nod. She pads over to where Tobias is finally getting to his feet.
“Good fight,” Nia whispers to him as she passes.
“Kick his tail,” Tobias says in return, though it sounds less heated than the scathing comments he used to make towards Xander.
Nia nods and gets in position, lifting her hands and crouching just a bit, feet spread wide and stable. She still doesn’t particularly like fighting, even for fun, but she just tries to think of it more like…a friendly sporting match.
Xander spreads his paws wide as his tail flicks. Sparks come to life and crackle across his black fur, like stars in a night sky. Nia shifts, suddenly registering the fact that Xander is nearly twice her size. Usually the thought is comforting more than anything, but facing him as an opponent…
“Show ‘em what you did to that steelix!” Tobias shouts.
There’s a lull in the group's conversation that makes Nia’s ears flatten, embarrassed by the attention. However, the comment does lessen her nerves a bit. Hard to be intimidated by a luxio when she’s faced down a metal serpent the size of a semi-truck. And she did just learn work up in the last mystery dungeon, which should make her more powerful, but that might up her attack too much—she doesn't want to actually hurt Xander, after all.
Nia can hear Felix asking Tobias about the steelix comment, but Val starts off their spar with a loud, “Battle!”
In complete contrast to Tobias and Kry’s fight, Nia and Xander stay frozen in place, sizing each other up. The sparks crackling across the luxio’s fur make her wary to get in close like she usually does—he can probably cause paralysis, right? He is an electric type. But if she doesn’t get in close, then her only option is to—
Xander makes the first move, lighting up with a flash of electricity and sending a test bolt her way. Nia rolls out of the way on instinct, but she can feel the charge in the air prickling at her fur.
Xander’s eyes narrow. He darts forward to attack.
Nia yelps and creates a staff of aura, taking a swing to make him leap back. He does so, but shoots off another electric attack. Nia barely manages to scramble out of the way, rolling and leaping from bolt after bolt. She doesn’t realize Xander is herding her closer and closer to himself until he’s suddenly slamming into her side.
The electricity in his fur stings, and the blow sends her tumbling across the floor as her staff vanishes. Xander hesitates. Nia takes the opportunity as soon as she lands on her knees to charge up a messy ball of aura in her paws and launch it at the luxio. Xander’s eyes widen, clearly not expecting that, before he gets hit head-on in a flash of blue.
Nia winces. Yeah, she really doesn’t like fighting her friends.
“Oh, you learned aura sphere while you were gone?” Nia hears Avery say, excited.
Nia blinks, looking over at the kirlia. “I did?”
Tobias is also staring at Avery. “She did?”
Nia sees Avery’s eyes widen a split-second before Xander bowls into her again. As she rolls to a stop, she notices the tingly current racing through her body, making her limbs feel numb and locked into place. She struggles to sit up but can’t move. Xander takes his opportunity to pin her down, paws heavy on her arms.
He smiles. “My win.”
Nia accepts defeat with a sigh, letting her head drop back. “I got distracted.”
Xander laughs. For a moment his claws flex, and then Nia feels the electricity in her body…recede, as Xander’s own sparks increase. He steps back, and Nia can move again. She blinks as she sits up, rubbing the remaining tingles out of her arms. Did he…take back the paralysis? Like a lightning rod?
“Good fight, Nia!” Felix, ever the optimist, cheers.
“It really wasn’t,” Nia says. “At least not on my end.”
“That aura sphere caught me off-guard,” Xander encourages. “And I have a feeling you were holding back on me.”
“Not on purpose,” Nia assures, even as she keeps her mouth shut about how Xander hesitated too. He reminds her of her brother in the human world, Clay, so of course she doesn’t want to hurt him. She imagines he sees some of his younger siblings in her as well.
As they rejoin the rest of the group, Kry and Felix pass them to spar next. Val gestures Nia to sit at her side, between her and Avery.
“Sorry, I promise I’ve been keeping up with my training. I can fight better than that,” Nia says, shying away from her mentor’s inscrutable gaze.
“So we heard!” Avery says, ruby eyes shining. “You fought a steelix on your own?”
Nia shrugs, ears pinning to her head. “Tobias and Samir weakened him first.”
“It is still impressive, Riolu,” Val finally says. “Do not downplay your achievements. You fight hardest when there is a true threat. That is admirable in its own way.”
Nia relaxes, giving Val a thankful smile. “I just worry about hurting my friends when we spar.”
“Xander can take it,” Avery giggles. “But forget about that—what other aura techniques did you learn while you were gone?”
Nia perks up as she describes her improved control over her aura. She can form a pretty reliable staff of aura now, officially replacing her trusty branch as her main weapon, and apparently even throw something like an aura sphere at a short distance, at least according to Avery. Plus, there’s the way she used her aura to find Tobias in the mines under Asra—like a pulse. A radar.
At that revelation, Avery interrupts. “That could be a really useful skill to master.”
“Really?”
“Absolutely! Other than being able to find Pokemon buried beneath rocks or snow, you could even use it in battle or in the dark if your vision is impaired.”
Nia looks down at her hands, flexing them. She supposes she did kind of “see” Tobias’ aura to find him in the rubble. And she remembers when she was first learning to use her aura that Val’s energy formed a sort of…silhouette of color. Nia hadn’t thought of practicing her aura as a form of vision, but Avery does have a point about it being useful in certain situations.
“Want to try it?” Xander asks, dropping into the conversation from Avery's other side.
“Now?” Nia asks.
“Why not?”
Nia looks between everyone, but they all seem open to the idea. Tobias, sitting on Xander’s other side, looks a bit uneasy as usual at the mention of aura, but he doesn’t protest. Maybe since Nia has already seen his aura once, albeit on a very surface level, some of his reluctance has melted away.
“You…don’t mind if I look at your aura to practice?”
Everyone shakes their head, save for Tobias. He just shrugs, looking down to fiddle with his scarf. That's as close to a yes as she's probably getting.
Well, they’re all waiting for her. With a hesitant nod, Nia closes her eyes, trying to remember what she did down in the mines. At the time she was fueled by desperation, so it feels strange to try and replicate the move in a more relaxed environment. She thinks she just kind of…pushed out a thin pulse of aura? Like a wave.
She tries it once, gently. Her aura barely even leaves her body, brushing against Val’s orange energy and flashing in her mind’s eye before petering out. Frowning, Nia turns up the power a few notches. Not so strong as to hurt, but not so weak that it dissipates immediately.
On her second try, the aura washes over all of them in a single pulse. Colors light up in her mind’s eye, resembling their vague silhouettes. Val’s bright, strong orange. Avery’s calming indigo. Xander’s eye-catching red. Tobias’ deeper scarlet. For an instant, for a moment, she sees them all, before it goes dark again.
“That felt…interesting,” Xander says, making Nia open her eyes. He’s rubbing a paw over his chest.
Nia blinks. “You felt that?”
Avery nods. “Yes! It’s so hard to describe. It almost feels like you…brushed your paw over my arm to get my attention. But…against my mind instead? My emotions, maybe?”
Nia cringes, immediately glancing at Tobias. He was the touchiest about her aura being invasive.
He does look a bit wary. “How does it feel for you? When you do that.”
Nia looks down at her hand, curling it. “I…don’t think I focused on anyone long enough to get a read on anything? But I’m familiar enough with all of you that it was easy to tell who was who. I could still…feel your personalities? But not any specific emotions.”
“If you were to focus your aura more steadily, in a direct connection rather than a radius, I wonder how well you could track an opponent, even with your eyes closed,” Val says, hand at her chin.
“Could you attach your aura in some way?” Avery adds. “Tag someone, so you would have a constant link?”
Nia sits back. Huh. She certainly hadn’t thought of that. She’s glad these two are here to help. “I…don’t know? I’ve never tried.”
“Would you want to?” Avery asks, practically vibrating with excitement at the prospect of experimenting. They clearly wouldn’t mind being a guinea pig.
“Sure? If you don’t, uh. Mind. Any suggestions for how to do this? Since you’re a psychic type?”
“Well, you should probably start out by touching them, right?” Xander says, tilting his head. He glances Kry and Felix’s way when a small explosion goes off from their sparring. Felix is cackling as Kry shouts something at him.
“That would likely be a good place to start, yes,” Val says.
Avery holds out a hand, smiling. Nia hesitates, then takes it, closing her eyes and reaching out with her aura.
Avery’s purple-blue aura, as curious and deep as the night sky, flares to life behind Nia’s eyelids, making up the kirlia’s silhouette. Nia’s own bright blue aura is a strong contrast to it, the two colors a beautiful mix where they overlap at their hands. But when Nia pulls back her paw, Avery’s aura vanishes. She frowns, and touches the kirlia again so the indigo flares back to life. So she does need to…attach her aura to them, somehow. Anchor herself?
Nia can’t think of how to do such a thing, so she tries to let her instincts take over instead. Aura is all about emotion, after all. About her life energy, what she wills into being. So what if she just…wills her aura to connect? Wills her bond with the kirlia to become something…tangible. Something physical. Something more than the surface-level observations of aura that she's done so far, something deeper.
She thinks about Avery’s soft voice and bright eyes and the delicate way they move. How they’re always happy to help Nia think through a problem and how their very presence soothes something anxious in Nia. Warm affection wells up in her heart.
Nia’s aura moves to follow that pull, that connection, latching onto Avery’s instead of just brushing against it. She feels a rush of emotion, of thought, that isn’t hers.
fascinating eager friend proud curious
It’s less a voice, and more a…feeling of each word. Not too different from what Nia has felt in the past, but somehow more intense. Clearer. Nia yanks her hand away, startled, but between them a string of bright blue aura remains, tying her to Avery’s indigo aura and keeping their form visible behind her eyelids. If Nia focuses on it, she can still feels Avery’s emotions, distant. Like a voice from the next room over or a palm radiating warmth through a heavy sweater.
Worry friend okay?
Nia’s eyes snap open, and she feels the connection cut out, leaving her feeling almost…lonely. She’s panting like she hasn’t since the early days of her aura training. Avery, Xander, and Tobias are watching her with mirrored expressions of concerned curiosity.
“I-I think it worked?” Nia says.
Avery lights up, leaning forward. “Tell me everything.”
Nia tries her best to describe the experience as Felix and Kry return to the group, Kry pouting at her loss and Felix ribbing the dragon type with an elbow to her side. As soon as they’re caught up on what’s happening, Felix eagerly volunteers to be Nia’s next test subject.
Nia has a slightly harder time connecting to Felix’s leafy green aura, and frowns as she tries and fails to find a foothold.
“Maybe your aura is too depleted?” Avery suggests.
Nia considers that, but shakes her head. No, her aura isn’t anywhere near gone. It’s just like…trying to stick one piece of cotton to another, with no adhesive to hold it in place. With Avery, it was like there’d been a piece of Velcro to snag onto.
Val, arms crossed and head tilted, flicks her gaze to Tobias. “Charmander.”
Tobias, who had been watching the whole process with an unreadable expression, frowns. “Yeah?”
“You next.”
Nia and Tobias shake their heads at the same time.
“No.”
“H-He doesn’t have to, really!”
“He is your partner,” Val cuts in. “He of all Pokemon should be the one you are most familiar with. If you two are separated, I want to know you have a chance to use this skill to your advantage.”
That is…unfortunately a good point. Except Tobias has been so private with his aura, from the very beginning. Not that Nia can blame him! It’s a really personal thing. But…she also doesn’t want to disappoint Val, and—
“Fine,” Tobias grumbles, scooting over to sit in front of Nia and jabbing his hand forward. “Get it over with.”
Nia blinks at him, surprised. Just like that?
Tobias flushes. “She has a good point. C’mon.”
Nia still hesitates, but after glancing at his face one more time she closes her eyes and reaches out a hand.
Before even brushing against him, her aura leaps from her body to his, latching on like a magnet. Tobias’ emotions filter through the string, somehow…louder than Avery's. Clearer, like the reception is better.
hide hide hide calm down Nia won’t hate calm down will she get it over with already—
Nia cuts the connection herself, recoiling with wide eyes. Tobias glares back at her, none of the turmoil she just felt showing on his face.
“Riolu?” Val prompts.
“You didn’t even touch me,” Tobias grumbles. “Why do you look so freaked out?”
“I-I didn’t need to?” Nia says, more a question than a statement. “I…my aura connected on its own?”
“Without contact?” Avery asks.
Surprised, Nia nods. Her attention is admittedly torn, though, caught on the thoughts and emotions Nia felt when she connected to her partner. He’s…so scared of her looking at his aura. And not because of privacy reasons, like she’d previously thought.
He’s…scared Nia will hate what she sees?
“Hm.” Val looks like she expected this turn of events. “I suspect the depth of your bond with someone influences how easily you can connect to them.”
“Or maybe Nia is just getting better as she goes?” Felix suggests.
Nia can’t give the speculation her full attention like she usually would. She’s too busy trying to tear her thoughts away from Tobias’ suddenly worrying self-esteem, or lack thereof. She…doesn’t think she can really bring it up directly, since they were kind of his private thoughts? But she’s more than a little concerned. She’s confident that the two of them are friends at this point, but he’s still so scared that she’s suddenly going to…what? Turn on him? Just because she gets a better understanding of who he is?
“Try again on Wartortle,” Val says.
Nia manages to focus back on the conversation, at least a little. Distracted, almost without thinking, she reaches out and tries to make her aura connect to Felix again, this time without touching. Her aura strains and reaches an inch or two past her body before snapping back. Completely different than it was with Tobias, where it leaped for him like a long-lost friend.
“No,” Nia murmurs. “I think Val is right. It’s…it feels completely different.”
Felix looks unusually put out by Nia struggling to connect with his aura. Val, Avery and Xander, however, just seem thoughtful. Kry is busy picking at her teeth.
Tobias is staunchly looking everywhere but Nia, face redder than usual and fingers rubbing at his scarf. Embarrassed. Nia supposes she understands how he feels, even in her distracted state. It’s one thing to feel close to him, but another thing entirely to have tangible proof of their friendship. Then again, apparently he needs proof, if his inner thoughts are anything to gauge by.
“If only we could speak with one of the lucario tribes,” Avery sighs. “They must know so much more about aura and what it can do. Psychic energy can be used for telepathy and more physical techniques like telekinesis, but aura is an entirely different matter since it deals directly with life energy and emotions. I’ve heard you can even influence a target's emotional state and manipulate their aura like you would your own!”
Nia leans back, something in her gut turning over as she snaps back to the conversation at hand. Influencing others’ emotions? Manipulating their aura, their life energy?
"That…uh, sounds a little scary, Avery."
Avery seems surprised, but then laughs. “Apologies. I suppose it does. I just thought it was fascinating! And I know you would never misuse your aura, so I don’t fear that kind of power in your paws.”
Nia’s unease fades a bit as she gives them a smile. It’s nice to know Avery has so much faith in her.
“For now, continue to explore this technique, Riolu,” Val says. She tilts her head towards the battlefield. “Avery. Luxio. You are next.”
Avery looks reluctant to leave the discussion, but sighs and stands with an unreasonable amount of grace. They give Xander a teasing smile. “Think you can win this time?”
Xander laughs, lighting up in the way he only seems to around the kirlia. It’s kind of adorable. He nudges his teammate as they walk onto the battlefield together. “I’ll certainly try my best.”
Val hums, gaze lingering on the two of them as they start sparring without her call. “Charmander, you will battle Wartortle next.”
Nia frowns. Felix just battled a bit ago. “Shouldn’t I..?”
“You can fight if you would prefer to, but I can see you are reluctant. I believe you are making fine enough combat progress to focus on your aura today.”
Oh. Nia would prefer that over sparring, if Val thinks she’s doing all right. “O-Okay! So should I just..?”
“Practice with my aura while I monitor the sparring,” Val says, still watching the battle. “Connect to me, then try stepping away to see how far you can go before you lose the connection. Take a break between each attempt.”
There’s no hesitation in the medicham’s words, so after a moment Nia nods and closes her eyes to connect to Val’s orange energy. It’s not nearly as easy as Tobias or even Avery, but not any more difficult than Felix. A gentle tap to the fighting type’s arm, and the connection, though weak, is made. Val’s thoughts and emotions, calm as a still lake, leak through.
Luxio spark more aggressive Avery work on physical strength Riolu take breaks cannot forget exhaust herself—
Nia tries to channel out the medicham's thoughts, feeling a bit like she’s intruding. The thoughts are still there, but like someone murmuring nearby. She can kind of tune them out, and instead focuses on getting to her feet.
Whoa. She feels a bit woozy, as she usually does when stretching her aura in new ways. After a moment she manages to back away, one step at a time. The string between them stretches longer and longer. All Nia sees is her own aura and Val’s, the orange silhouette of her a bright beacon amidst the sea of black behind her eyelids.
Nia makes it ten steps away before she feels the string…strain, for lack of a better word. A tug on her soul. Then, one more step and it snaps. Nia gasps and stumbles, barely managing to catch herself before she can fall.
“Nia?” Tobias calls, apparently watching. His brow is furrowed.
“I’m fine!” She pants. That feeling just…surprised her. It was as if something she was leaning her weight on suddenly vanished.
“Take a break,” Val calls.
Nia does so, staggering back to Val’s side to sit and watch Xander and Avery exchange blows.
That’s how the training session continues, the others taking turns sparring, Tobias included, while Nia trains this new facet of her aura.
Avery, of course, gently interrogates Nia every time they are on the sidelines, watching Nia’s progress with fascination. The two of them hold a conversation as Nia treads back and forth, getting familiar with seeing the others through her aura. Avery is as curious about Nia and Tobias’ travels to Asra and Shivergleam as they are about everything else.
When Nia brings up how protect and misty terrain stopped the effects of the forming mystery dungeon on their way back from Shivergleam, Avery falls silent. When Nia finishes that round of connection training and opens her eyes, Avery is staring at her in much the same way they did when Nia made the connection between aura and type energy. Like their world has just shifted on its axis a bit.
“Avery?”
“…It’s almost a shame you became a Seeker, Nia. The research community would be lucky to have you.”
“Has no one ever tried to use a move like that in a mystery dungeon?” Nia asks, frowning. It feels kind of…obvious?
Avery hums. “I’m sure someone has, but it’s certainly not a well-documented strategy. The number of Pokemon who know such moves is already small, and the number of those Pokemon who just happen to get caught in a mystery dungeon forming are even smaller. To then also have a calm enough head to try defending rather than running? Even less so.”
“Oh.” Nia suddenly feels very, very glad that her instinct seems to be to freeze and defend, rather than to fight or flee. In this case, it worked in her favor.
“Mystery dungeons are a fairly recent phenomenon, in the grand scheme of things,” Avery continues. “Less than half a century old. And considering how dangerous they are to study as well as how randomly and rarely they appear—at least until recently—many basic facts about how they function are still unknown."
Huh. Nia guesses that makes sense.
"So this is an incredible discovery!" Avery says, excited. "I’ll need to share with Father later and ask him to connect with the researchers and archivists at the other guilds. I wonder why those moves can interact directly with a mystery dungeon? Is the environment itself using an attack somehow?”
Avery’s voice trails off to a mutter, and Nia has to stop herself from responding. Because she knows the answer to that, thanks to Giratina. Knows that the weakening border around the Pokemon world is the cause of the mystery dungeons, and that it’s made of life energy, of aura, just like any Pokemon. It makes sense that moves, which also use aura as their base power, can interact with it.
But sharing that knowledge would mean admitting to her run-in with Giratina. It would mean sharing the news of the world ending, the news that their hopes currently hinge on finding a long-lost dormant legendary. And August is going to talk to Alistair and Tawny anyways, right? Nia doesn’t want to put that burden on Avery’s shoulders. Not when there’s nothing they can do about it. They’re having a good time, training together! There’s no reason for Nia to bother Avery with terrible news. Not yet.
Nia takes a break shortly after that conversation, starting to feel truly worn down. Tobias sits down beside her after his latest spar, panting hard after facing off against Xander. Felix and Avery battle in front of them, while Xander and Kry talk strategy and Val observes.
“Hey, you crazy kids!”
Nia and Tobias tilt their heads back to see Azami hanging over them. She must be done training her own students. The tsareena’s mouth is hidden behind her high collar, but her eyes are crinkled with a smile. “Good to see you back at the Tree in one piece.”
Tobias scoffs, but Nia feels the way he relaxes at her side. “What, you think we were going to lose an arm or something out there?”
Azami laughs. “I never know with you, Spitfire!”
The tsareena takes a seat on Val’s other side to watch the spar now that she’s done mentoring her own students. After a moment, she decides to cheer on Avery. Felix sends her a betrayed look in the midst of battle that results in him getting blasted by a fairy move. Val gets up a moment later to move to where Felix is groaning on the floor, a quiet lecture about getting distracted in battle likely on her tongue.
On Nia's other side, Tobias is now arguing with Kry and Xander about offensive versus defensive strategies. Tobias insists that offensive is best, of course, while Xander leans more towards defensive strategies. Kry seems to be arguing that going on the offensive is not aggressive enough, somehow.
Nia, left to drift in the middle, sits in contented silence, letting her fatigued aura rest. She watches Val talk to Avery next. The medicham’s stoic expression is softened ever so slightly as she directs the kirlia on how they could’ve better dodged a tricky aqua tail attack earlier in the battle.
Azami leans over to whisper to Nia, “You’re one of her favorites, y’know.”
“W-What?”
“Val,” Azami says. She straightens up, but keeps her voice low. “She didn’t have the greatest mentor growing up, so she tends to keep her students at arm’s length. But she always perks up when you and Spitfire are back in town.”
“Oh,” Nia says, unsure what else to respond with. Her ears feel warm.
She…wasn’t expecting that. Val doesn’t seem to hate being around Nia and teaching her, but Nia has a hard time believing that Val holds any particular fondness for her, either. Especially considering Nia’s inexperience with pretty much, well…everything. If anything, she’d thought Val might find her kind of exhausting to deal with. Not that the medicham ever let that slip, but she doesn’t let much of anything slip.
“Trust me,” Azami laughs. “Other than Alistair, I’m the best Val translator in the guild. We’re close.”
Her voice is sly, and Nia glances at the tall grass type.
Azami winks.
Oh, Nia thinks as her brows shoot up. She doesn’t want to assume anything, but Azami isn’t exactly subtle. Does that mean her and Val..?
Val finishes offering advice and returns to sit between Nia and Azami, stopping Nia’s moment of revelation. Still, she can’t help peeking over at the two Pokemon afterwards, trying to figure out if Azami was just teasing her or not. Azami does lean awfully close to Val when they talk, and the medicham doesn’t seem to mind at all. Then again, cool and collected is kind of her default state.
For a moment, Nia thinks, I could connect to Val’s aura to find out.
Then she registers that thought and tears her gaze away to watch the next spar, stomach turning uncomfortably. She’s going to need to be careful with how she practices this new technique. Every time she thinks she’s getting a grasp on her aura, getting comfortable with it, something new pops up to throw a curveball and make her feel like she’s handling a live bomb. It’s just…scary. To know she holds so much power.
Val calls it quits on everyone’s training soon after. Tobias and Xander’s team are radiating exhaustion, and they eagerly agree to break for a late lunch. While Nia isn’t physically tired, her aura is worn down to a fraction of its usual amount and that leaves her ready for a rest and a good meal, too.
“Wanna come with us to the dining hall?” Felix invites, smile broad as he stands and stretches.
Nia glances at her partner. Tobias seems uncertain, but doesn’t disagree immediately, so he’s probably just feeling shy about how to say yes without a fuss. Nia accepts for them both, and the group packs up to head down the Lexym Tree to the cafeteria floor.
As they leave, calling thanks to Val and Azami, Nia spots the tsareena slinging an arm around Val’s shoulders, laughing about something. Val’s mouth twitches into a small smile.
Nia bites back a smile of her own and hurries after her friends.
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loveharlow · 2 years
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THE LOVE WE DESERVE
PAIRING ‧₊˚ JJ Maybank x Fem!Reader, Rafe Cameron x Fem!Reader
SYNOPSIS ‧₊˚ [2.9k] Where Y/N finally realizes her worth and goes after what she really wants.
WARNING(S) ‧₊˚ swearing, toxic relationship, mentions of drugs, alcohol and death, mild physical violence, guilt tripping, vague slut-shaming, mentions of cheating, a cute lil confession, Kie being a life coach
A/N ‧₊˚ This has been sitting in my drafts since the dark ages but sidenote: I am not romanticizing or condoning the relationship between Rafe and The Reader. It's not healthy and if you are ever in this situation, please talk to someone and leave for your own safety and sanity.
˗ˏˋ jj masterlist ˎˊ˗
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"GO HOME."
“Rafe, Jesus- just turn around and talk to me!”
“For what?!” He stopped in his tracks, back still facing you as he threw his arms up in the air. “So you can do the same shit you always do?”
You scoffed in disbelief, crossing your arms over your chest with your tongue prodding the inside of your cheek.
“And what is it that I ‘always do’, Rafe?” You said, challenging him. "Defend my friends? When you torment them and fuck up their lives? Or beat them up with Topper while they're trying to deliver fucking groceries?"
"You're still on that-"
"Pope was bleeding, you asshole!" You shouted. "So, yeah, I am still on that-"
"Yet, you still ran back to me! Right?" He turned to you with a dark expression, taking swift steps to close the space between you both. His voice dropped to a low, condescending tone. "So- so, what does that say about you? I cave your friends face in and you stay with me. You're no saint."
He was towering over you now, veins popping in his forehead and hands clutched fiercely at his sides. Your faux hard exterior faltering in the slightest at the sight of the menacing look in his eyes. The truth was, sometimes Rafe terrified you. But you'd never allow him to know that. Never allow him to have another thing to hold over your head.
“I made you. You hear me? Without me, you're nothing but another pathetic pogue trying to fit in where she doesn't belong.” He growled, eyes never leaving your face.
“And you're nothing but a delusional fuck who thrives off of daddy's money and torments teenagers. I'm pathetic? Yet you blow all your money on coke and can't pay it back. Grow the fuck up, Rafe.” You told him off, pretending that you weren't scared. Lifting your chin and narrowing your eyes, trying to match his own annoyance.
The animosity between you and your boyfriend was nothing new. Neither was the true nature of your relationship, which was not one hidden behind closed doors. Why would it be? Rafe Cameron, Kook King, and Y/N Y/L/N, Pogue Princess. He couldn't lose anything and you had nothing to lose.
Toxic. Unhealthy. Abusive. Draining. All things your friends told you your relationship was on the daily. Any time they got the chance really. After a while, you stopped defending your relationship. Because it was true. Rafe Cameron did not love you and you did not love him.
Bitch. Not Worth The Trouble. Charity Case. Lost Cause. All insults and names that had been thrown at you by Rafe’s friends and groupies, and even himself at certain times, throughout the duration of your 6-Month relationship, if you could even call it that anymore. And the best part? All he ever did was laugh along.
He scoffed and ran his hands down his face, getting angrier by the minute.
"Y'know what? Fuck you. Go back to your side of the island and slum it up over there." He spat, swiftly turning back around to walk to his room. This spat was occuring on the second floor of The Cameron Residence. Lucky for you both, no one was home. Not this time anyway.
You couldn’t contain your sarcastic laughter. “That’s how you’re gonna be? Fuck me? My side of the island?” You gritted out, marching after him.
“You heard me. We both know you’d have a lot more fun fucking on your blondie over there.”
“Oh, here you go. When will you drop this whole, me fucking JJ behind your back, narrative?” You muttered. When Rafe reached his room, he attempted to shut the door in your face but you weren't having any of that, slamming it right back open.
“Don’t slam my fucking door.”
“Screw your door.” IYou hissed, standing in the doorway as he sat on his bed, head in his hands and elbows on his knees. “You keep accusing me of sleeping with my friends when you’re the one who actually slept with some girl you didn’t know not even a month ago-”
“I said I was sorry!” He screamed, standing up from his position and throwing his hands in the air.
“I don't care!” You yelled, your ears hot and heart racing. "Your apologies don't hold much weight when they don't mean anything, Rafe."
“Then what do you want from me?”
You sighed and let your head fall. “You know what? Nothing.” You said, lowly. Turning around to leave, not forgetting to slam his bedroom door shut on your way out.
As you navigated your way out of the mansion, you could hear the shattering of glass and falling of objects getting fainter with each step.
YOU HAD GONE TO THE CHATEAU AFTER YOUR BLOW OUT WITH RAFE. You were sitting on the porch with Kiara, drinking beers that were unfortunately warm after giving her the rundown of what happened.
“You already know what I’m going to say...”
You grunted. Kiara was never a fan of Rafe, and for good reason, but just because you were together did not change her demeanor towards the boy. She, along with the Pogues, would always hold a certain disdain towards him, even his own sister. He put them through hell. So why were you with him?
“Have you ever heard the quote ‘we accept the love we think we deserve’?” The tanned girl inquired, softly.
You scoffed humorlessly. “Are you using The Perks of Being a Wallflower to give me advice, Kie?”
She nodded. “Have you ever thought that maybe you’re only with Rafe because you think that you don’t deserve more? I just think that you're only putting yourself through this because you don’t think you deserve anything good. But that’s not true.”
“What are you? A therapist?” You tried to joke.
“I’m serious.” She said delicately, setting her beer on the ground. You had a bad habit of deflecting from serious situations and trying to laugh your way out of them. Kie was never one to fall for it.
You groaned, setting your own beer on the ground as Kiara made her way to sit next to you, throwing an arm over your shoulders. “I don’t know. Maybe?" You quizzed thoughtfully. "I don’t even like being with him. But it’s just like...I feel like I need someone. When he asked me, I wanted to say no. I was going to say no. But…”
You recall the night you and Rafe got together. It was a kegger. You had been harboring a crush on a certain tall blonde since kindergarten but it was made clear that you'd never be more than best friends. Rafe had approached you, drunk at the keg, telling you everything you longed to hear from someone else. Someone who wasn't him. You were going to say no when he popped the question, simply walk away. Rafe didn’t like Pogues, especially the ones in your circle.
This had to be a joke.
You were about to say no, until you saw JJ pressing some touron up against a tree, kissing her neck as she giggled and ran her hands through his hair.
And at that moment you decided to throw all caution to the wind, jealousy bubbling at the base of your throat as a slight glare made its way to your face. That was when you unknowingly made the worst decision of your life.
You shook your head, shaking the memory from the forefront of your mind. “It doesn’t matter.” You sighed. “What matters now is the fact that I'm trapped and I have no idea what to do about it.”
IT'D BEEN A WEEK SINCE YOU AND RAFE'S LAST ARGUMENT AND HERE YOU WERE IN THE MIDST OF ANOTHER. But this one had evolved, for whatever reason.
So, here you stood, in the parking lot of some Kook party he’d drug you out to. He was drunk, high off his ass and didn’t care that Topper and Kelce had followed you both out of the mansion, staring at you from several feet away the moment he’d dragged you out after you told him he should slow down.
“You’re so fucking stupid and one day you’re going to kill yourself!” You bellowed as he stood not even ruler's distance in front of you, your foreheads almost touching.
“What I do is none of your damn business!”
“You drug me out here! Okay? You could’ve gotten high or drunk or whatever as much as you wanted had you left me alone! But no, you had to drag me out here to... what, exactly? Show off your trophy?”
“Trust me, you're no prize...” He scoffed fiercely, speaking again before you had the chance to retaliate against his insult. "Why can't I want to go out with my girlfriend?"
“Well, it seems like you’ve got ten of those.” You snapped, alluding to the multiple women he’s cheated on you with. “Why not call the one you were with a couple weeks ago? Or the one you screwed in your truck? Or, better yet-”
You were abruptly cut off when a harsh, hard and stinging slap was left on your cheek. Your head whipping to side, hair covering your vision as your hand cradled your burning cheek. An overwhelming amount of rage flooded through you as you whipped your head back to face Rafe and pushed him away from you as hard you could, paying no mind to the pain radiating from your cheek.
Topper and Kelce stood back like the sitting ducks they were.
“Stay the hell away from me. We’re done. And I mean it this time.”
He chuckled, looking up as he ran a hand down his face. You didn’t bother to stay much longer, turning and beginning to walk away.
“No one will ever love you like I did!” He shouted behind you, You didn’t bother to turn around, simply slowing in your tracks as you recalled what Kiara had reminded you of previously…
“... I just think that you are only putting yourself through this because you don’t think you deserve anything good. But that’s not true.”
So, without another glance in his direction, you left.
IT'D BEEN ABOUT HALF AN HOUR SINCE YOU LEFT THE PARKING LOT. You'd resorted to walking since Rafe was your ride and your phone had died. You didn’t want to be alone and knowing your mother would be working late assured you that would be the case if you went home. So, you went to the next option.
Entering The Chateau, the lights were off and you could tell John B was sleep due to his loud snoring. The only light was coming from under the bathroom door, you assumed it was JJ, knowing he sometimes took late showers to clear his head without John B yelling at him not to use up all the hot water.
You smiled at the antic, but it fell when you realized that it may mean he’s stressed and suddenly, coming to vent to him about his enemy didn't seem to be the best course of action. Right when you'd decided that being home alone was better than possibly disturbing your best friend's peace, the bathroom door opened, steam curling in the air as JJ came out with a towel around his waist, ruffling his hair to rid it of water.
His eyes immediately caught you, slight surprise falling across his features.
“...I was just leaving-”
“Why? Did you need something?” He asked, concerned as always. One of the things you'd always adored about the blue-eyed blonde standing before you. Always concerned.
“It’s fine, really. Goodnight, J.” You said, motioning to leave.
He called your name, voice stern and slightly demanding, but still laced with worry. You turned back around, meeting his eyes. He motioned his head in the direction of the guest room, a silent invitation. One that you hesistantly accepted.
JJ had gotten dressed quickly and was now sitting next to you on the bed, hair slightly damp and an earthy yet ocean-like scent radiating off of him. “You wanna tell me why you showed up here this late?” he asked, cautiously.
You sighed and played with your hands, a tactic you used to buy yourself time. One he knew all too well as he put his hand over both of your own, a silent command to stop and talk to him.
You took a deep breath and finally made eye contact with him but was interrupted when he brushed a finger down your cheek, leaving a tingling trail on your face in his wake. “What happened?” He whispered, inspecting your cheek. It still stung, but not as much, a lingering pain. “Who hit you?” He asked. You didn’t think Rafe had hit you that hard.
“I broke up with Rafe...” You muttered meekly. “You can see how that played out.”
JJ’s jaw suddenly clenched and his eyebrows furrowed, when he saw that you noticed his expression, it softened. His hand fell from your cheek as he stood from the mattress. “I’ll be right back, okay?” You nodded, although curious.
He returned minutes later with an ice-pack, which was just ice cubes in a ziploc bag that were covered with a damp rag. He used one hand to lift your chin, as the other held the cold bag to your bruising cheek, eliciting a small hiss from you and a ‘sorry’ from the boy in front of you.
It was a silent few minutes before he spoke. “I don’t want to come off as a dick but I can’t say I’m surprised.” He was looking into your eyes now, and he saw as you rolled them, getting annoyed because you knew he was right but also knowing you didn’t come here to be lectured and reprimanded for your mistakes.
He saw the annoyance cloud your expression and quickly recovered. “I'm not blaming you. I would never, And believe me, I’m gonna kick his ass the next he shows his face anywhere.” He shrugged, but there was evident anger underneath.
“J…”
“No. Don’t. This-” He motioned for your injured cheek. “-Isn’t okay. He can’t get away with everything.”
“But he does.” You whispered.
JJ sighed. “Hold this.” He told you as he released the ice pack into your possession while he moved towards the dresser, grabbing a t-shirt from inside. “You want shorts too?” he asked.
“No.” You answered, taking the shirt and handing him the ice-pack to hold. You stood up, not bothering to exit the room to change as JJ had seen you in less than a shirt and bottoms before, you sleeping in the guest room with him becoming a common occurrence. Still, he turned around not wanting to be intrusive.
“I still don’t know why you went out with him in the first place.”
You kept quiet. You could've taken this opportunity to tell JJ the truth, that went out with him because you knew you could never be with him. Because you knew JJ would never look at you in the way you would fall to your knees and beg him you to.
Silence fell over the room as you let the large shirt fall over your frame. Folding your own clothes into a pile on the floor in the corner of the room. You was about to tell JJ he could turn back around when you came to a realization.
“Actually, JJ?” You started, not making any move to face him. “I went out with Rafe because I didn’t think I’d ever have a chance with you.” You confessed, blood rushing to your face as your heart rate increased, feeling the organ thump within the confines of your rib cage. You weren't even sure if you'd said it loud enough that he heard you.
You didn’t know if he’d turned around because you refused to look at him out of fear of rejection or embarrassment, you weren't sure which one.
“I’ve had the biggest crush on you since I met you but it was like anytime I thought there was something between us, someone or something took all of that hope away. The way I feel about you? I’ve never felt this way about anyone. And you treated me like I was worth something when didn’t believe I was. So, yeah I fucked up. I got involved with someone I knew I could never love because at least then it wouldn’t hurt if everything went wrong. I wouldn’t be surprised or shocked. I took the easy way out.” You said, all in one breath. You made no moves, just continued staring at the wall until you felt a hand ease it’s way up the back of your neck, cold from the ice pack that was previously in his hands.
It sent a chill down your spine, prompting you to close your eyes. “I’m just as bad as you are.” He whispered, the other hand encircling your waist and pulling you against him. “I thought someone like you could never love someone like me. So anytime I felt whatever we had getting too close or intimate, I ruined it. It was shitty and selfish but I thought it was for the best. Because I’d rather have you as a friend than screw up and end up not having you at all. All those girls, they did nothing for me. Just distractions and sometimes even reminders of what I couldn’t have. What I wouldn't allow myself to have.”
He turned you around to face him, opening your eyes to meet his.
“What does this mean?” You muttered, nervous.
“I’m willing to give this a shot if you are…” he whispered, lips getting closer to yours by the second. When he was centimeters away from your lips he stopped leaning, as if he was waiting to see what you'd do.
Your eyes flickered from his eyes to his lips, until you closed the gap that was separating you both, colliding your lips with his.
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feedback is appreciated! thanks for reading.
©loveharlow
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littleboyblue1 · 2 months
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The Nod
a/n: apologies for the length, I got a little carried away with the backstory and the good part. I've had this idea that Steven wouldn't be so shy in bed, so I decided to play that out
warnings: smut, p in v, oral (m and f receiving), pet names, dom!steven, I can't think of anything else
Steven struggled to like you. Not because of your personality or looks or anything like that, but for one particular thing: the Nod. He couldn't stand it. After watching Marc or Jake brutally kill someone, you'd nod at them. He never could figure out why.
Marc and Jake claimed it was about sex. If she nodded, they'd have sex. That made Steven dislike you more. What's so sexy about murder?
Then they began nodding at you. When you moved in, you seemed to be lost. Almost like you didn't understand a normal life. You talked to a neighbor once, and Jake nodded with a soft smile; no sex that night. You came back from hanging out with some friends, and Marc nodded before you showered; no sex that night. The list goes on. Sometimes sex followed, but not often enough for the nod to be a sex thing. So what was it?
Steven learned soon enough. A horrible fight, and no one fronted to do it for him. He does fight, he just prefers not to. In the end, blood ran down his hands, and he could feel the warmth of it on his face. He was disgusted, then he looked at you and realized he'd just never been on the receiving end of it.
The nod is about approval. A slow nod with a twinkle in your eyes. It meant that what he did was okay. That he's okay. Their nods to you were to help you get accustomed to a regular life you'd once left behind. A healing nod, of sorts.
He also understood why nods sometimes ended in sex. Gaining your approval was... hot. It made his stomach so fluttery he thought he'd puke.
As soon as you were home and showered, he wanted you carnally. You'd taken a pillow and blanket, ready to go to the living room - you felt bad making him sleep with you, even if he said you could sleep with him. He disliked you, but respected his alters enough to treat you well.
Steven caught your wrist before you got too far. "Don't go," he said.
"Are you sure?" A hint of hope was in your eyes. Maybe Jake had finally convinced Steven to like you.
He nodded. "Please." You put your things back and laid down on your side. he laid beside you, and despite how badly he wanted you, he decided it was poor timing. So for the night, falling asleep to your even breaths was enough for him.
A few days later, Jake greeted you when you got off work. You were delighted when he came to walk you home - they're usually to tired to leave the house for more than work.
He kissed you softly, then took your hand. "Mi vida, how was your day?" he asked.
You smiled up at him. "Better now! How was yours?"
You made small talk for a few blocks, then it got serious. "Steven asked if we were okay with him," he chuckled, "'putting the moves on you'." You laughed a little too.
"He did ask me to sleep with him the other night," you recalled with a smile.
Jake looked shocked. "You guys had sex?"
You laughed again. "No. We slept in the same bed. He asked me to stay." You shrugged. It had been odd, but then Steven had had a rough night. His fights rarely got so violent.
"Ah, we knew it would work." You shot a look at Jake. "Marc and I thought if he fought with you, he might see you differently. We weren't sure what else to do." That explained why neither of them had fronted for Steven.
"Do about what?" you asked, a little confused.
"It's unfair you only get a boyfriend 2/3 of the time because Steven has annoying moral codes. We just thought we'd try our final card." You laughed again. 'Annoying moral codes' is something rarely applied to Moonknight.
"It worked then?" You asked.
"Yes. He wants to go on a date with you to apologize for being an ass."
"Those his words, or yours?" Jake laughed sarcastically at your words. "But I'd enjoy that."
"Good. We've just arrived to it." You rounded the corner to a nice little diner. When you turned on Jake, Steven had fronted.
...
The date went better than Steven anticipated. You accepted his apology, and you practically hung off his arm the whole way home. He spent the walk home wondering how he never knew about your interests.
At the front door, you nudged him playfully. "I can't believe I let you take me to your place on the first date," you teased. He seemed confused as he let you in.
"You live here?"
"I do." You wondered how to express to him what you meant. "Think I'll let you take me to bed?" You winked for emphasis.
"If you want to sleep." He shrugged. Marc was not kidding about him being a little dense.
As if one of them knew your predicament, Steven looked at a mirror, then turned beet red. "Are you sure?" After a few moments, he turned to you. "Did you mean sex?" You laughed.
"This is different foreplay than I'm used to, Steven," you teased, in hopes it would answer his question. He frowned. "No. I like it. You're being you. And I like you, Steven." Using his name a lot seemed to make him flustered. He muttered something, then came close to you.
Surprisingly, he didn't hesitate. His lips were a little chapped - Jake is anti chapstick, and they never recover from it - but the kiss was nice. You quickly made it to the bed, stripping both your clothes on the way.
Sitting on the bed, he loomed over you. He took ragged breaths, causing all his chest muscles to flex. You'd seen this body a hundred times, but it was so different on Steven. You expected Marc and Jake to be muscular, but you wouldn't expect it on Steven unless you knew the body beforehand.
Entirely out of character, Steven reached down and stroked himself. "You just gonna sit there? Or are you gonna get on your knees and suck it?" If it weren't for the accent, you'd have thought Jake fronted. You got on your knees quickly, holding your mouth open for him.
"Good girl." His words and demeanor change had you clenching around nothing. He lifted your chin, then promptly spit into your mouth. Who was this Steven?
Before you could think further, let along swallow, he grabbed a fistfull of hair and began thrusting into your throat, harder than even Marc dared to.
With each gag he pulled from you, you pulled a moan from him. Finally, when tears had mixed with the drool running down your chin, and you were sure you might choke to death, he pulled out.
"Get up, baby," he ordered. He still sounded intense, but a little softer. You stood, then he pushed you to lie down as he settled between your thighs. For a moment, you thought to tell him you hand't showered, but then his tongue ran up your folds, and a moan escaped him that said he didn't care. You moaned right along with him.
Through the pleasure - moaning, throwing your head back, and pushing his head down further - you could just barely make out what he was doing. Was he spelling his name with his tongue?
He added two fingers into the mix, brining you ever closer to your release. The strange movements of his fingers felt good in ways you didn't even know possible - you'd later learn those strange movements was his name in morse code, though he never explained why he knew or did it). You moaned and pushed his head down further until your legs shook, and he sat up. His face was wet, and he had a purely primal look in his eyes.
As he positioned his hips between your legs, he pushed his fingers into your mouth, silently forcing you to suck them. "You look so pretty, baby," he whispered as his trailed kissed from your pussy to your jaw. He didn't remove his fingers when he kissed your lips. He moaned into your open mouth as he started pushing into you.
After a second, he pushed in fast, bottoming out. You moaned together, and he dropped his head down to your neck to bite and suck. As quickly as he entered you, he pulled out and thrust again, setting a near brutal pace. He kept his fingers in your mouth, pulling your jaw open as you tossed your head back in pleasure. The result was strangled-sounding moans, making him grunt and moan just as loud as you.
As your legs lifted to wrap around his wait, his other hand settled on your breast, moving up and down with your bouncing. You could feel your second orgasm coming strong, only washing over you when his teeth sank into your collar bone. You grabbed his arm for support, scratching all down his bicep and forearm. He hissed, then moaned as his thrusts became quicker.
"I-" He moaned near pornographically. "I'm cuming, baby." He removed his fingers from your mouth, holding your hip for dear life.
"In-inside, Steven," you moaned out. Overstimulation was beginning to overcome you, but you took it in stride.
He didn't need convincing on your statement. He groaned with his release, slowing down his thrusts until he stopped. He was panting, and the sheen of sweat coating him made him twice as beautiful as before.
He laid down lazily beside you, slipping out so he could hold you more comfortably. "I'll get a cloth, just need a moment," he mumbled.
You smiled up at him from his chest. "Where on Earth did that come from!?"
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sastrology · 11 months
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venus through the houses: synastry
part 1/2
VENUS IN THE FIRST HOUSE
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Venus in the first house + pos aspected is a great placement to have romantically, but it's not a deep indicator of love. The closer Venus is to the House's ascendant, the stronger this is felt. The Venus person will find the House person very appealing and will love being around them and getting the chance to show them off. They're likely to be the "ideal" of the Venus person. The House person in turn feels more confident when they're around the Venus person due to being placed on a pedestal. If the House person is naturally inclined to more insecure tendencies, they can feel seen for the first time. It can feel refreshing for the House person to not feel the need to try so hard to be accepted as the Venus person will be blinded from the negative sides of the House person.
Negatively aspected we see the possibility of one trying to change the other. Venus may find the House person to be close to their ideal but not quite. If the House person has an empty first house natally, they may try to mold them or only like them for superficial reasons. They may not like the way the House person comes off to the general public. Depending on the House person's chart they may change parts of themselves without even realizing it or begin to resent Venus. They may feel as though they have to be presentable at all times for the acceptance of Venus which can grow tiring.
VENUS IN THE SECOND HOUSE
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Venus in the 2nd house + pos aspected shows two people who feel very secure with one another. This can be a very sensual position for Venus if other aspects allow. It can be a very "we" centered position where both parties take into account the other person. Venus can help the House person realize their value, and turn that value into something tangible which makes them feel more confident. They both may shower each other with gifts. They may love the finer things in life, the same vintage wine, the best restaurant in town, etc. At its best Venus will feel highly valued by the House person and be a key to unlocking new doors.
Negatively aspected, The House person may feel taken for granted, or as though they have to bail the Venus person out of situations a lot. The Venus person may not value the House very much, or see them as a tool rather than a person. The House person may find that the Venus person asks for too much, or feels too entitled to them. It can turn pretty possessive at times with both parties somehow feeling entitled to the other or as though they owe them something.
VENUS IN THE THIRD HOUSE
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Venus in the 3rd house + pos aspected can be a dream for the communication between two people when it comes to matters of the heart. They may speak very politely to one another, and try to speak kindly. This is especially true if Venus is positively aspecting Mercury. Venus will find the way the House person communicates to be very attractive and find them to have a pleasing voice in general. The energy is very light-hearted and easy. Venus may fall in love with the way the House person's mind works. While not a necessarily romantic placement, for those who are Mercury dominant, this can be intoxicating. Venus could even write the House person love letters. The House person may encourage the Venus person to speak more freely and openly. They may love reading poetry together or books. Both will love absorbing information to talk to the other person about.
Negatively aspected, we can see all sorts of issues arising with communication in general. Neither party feeling able to openly speak with the other can start a breeding ground of insecurity and gossip. Verbal altercations will feel uncomfortable, so Venus will turn away from them and gloss them over. Over time like paint on a vehicle, they will chip away at each other without ever openly getting to the root of the issue. Mind games and a "he said she said" mentality may feel frequent.
VENUS IN THE FOURTH HOUSE
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Venus in the 4th house + pos aspected can be quite romantic. The Venus person may finally feel "home" in a sense with the House person. They may see the House person as the ideal when it comes to a mate to build a family with, especially if they are Cancer dominant. Venus may effortlessly fit into the House person's home and family. The two may have been childhood friends. The House person may have an easy time relating to the childhood of the Venus person and have grown up themselves in a similar way. This can create a deep bond between two people that is usually quite devoted. Regardless of what the definition of home is to them, they'll find it with each other.
Negatively aspected can show a great deal of hesitancy. Venus may have a lot of walls up around the House person. They may not get along with the House person's family or have different ideals of what home and family mean to them. Or they may not enjoy living with each other in general, with constant disagreements on how things in the home need to be handled. Conflicting traditions. Moods between the two may fluctuate greatly and there can be a sense of instability.
VENUS IN THE FIFTH HOUSE
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Venus in the 5th house + pos aspected can be a lot of fun. The two may have more fun with each other than they have with people in the past. Romance and fun go hand and hand when the two are around each other. Venus may look forward to dates with the House person in fervent excitement. The sexual tension here can be strong. This can be a very rewarding overlay for two people. Venus will never grow tired of what the House person has planned for them, and the love built can be very enduring. Venus may be possessive of the House person but instead of it feeling toxic, they'll find it to be a show of love. The two may find they ignore other obligations when they're with each other as they have trouble thinking of other things. What is most enticing here is the amount of loyalty it creates.
Negatively aspected, the two may still share a lot of the excitement and buzz created by the positive aspects. If negative aspects are to be seen it's due to the natural possessiveness this can create. Venus may feel as though the 5th house person is their person and have trouble sharing them with others. The relationship may also be too pleasure-driven and indulgent. Venus could also have a hard time relaxing around the House person. If they have children, they could have disagreements revolving around them.
disclaimer: I am not an astrologer, this is based on my observations, research, and astrology books. Please look at the whole synastry chart for more information, and pay close attention to the signs this plays out in.
PLEASE do not steal my posts word for word, if you do please credit me.
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