#the longer “this is something where no one ever gains” sentence

[rushinintolove]

Not even the god that I told to quit

#good omens #goodomensedit #crowley #aziraphale #aziracrow #ineffable husbands #myedits #whew what a roller coaster of an edit this was agsddsjgadf #kept scrapping whatever i came up with until finally a couple days ago and now it's doneeeeee woooooooo #i had fun searching for scenes to use in this set #made me fall in love with the lyrics even more #adore the order of the “even though they're all gone / but they're content” and also following up the quick “this is...” lines with #the longer “this is something where no one ever gains” sentence #ughhhhhh incredible song #also loved messing around with blur effects on this both for the more hazy atmosphere as well as tying the gifs together

[oonajaeadira]

Leave Off Your Wandering pt. 3: Autumn

Fandom: The Last of Us (TV)/ Joel Miller

Pairing: Joel Miller x f!reader

Reader: Adult female. Old enough to have been an adult on Outbreak Day. Wyoming born and bred. Sheep farmer, easy-going but confident and self-sufficient. Likes to sing, not a great cook. Childhood friend of Maria. No other physical descriptors; no use of y/n.

Rating: T for now

Warnings: Angst. Canon-typical tragedy (not main characters). Childbirth. A few names that may twist a knife.

Summary: You give Joel a lot to think about.

A/N: Set after season 1 and then diverges. Does not acknowledge the existence of further plot/seasons, although I claim the right to steal ideas and bits of cannon from the second game if I want to for plot reasons later.

It takes a lot to gain Joel's trust, and even longer to tame him. Thanks for sticking it out this long. We're finally shifting into acceptance mode.

“No, they do not make you look old. They make you look like Joel Miller in glasses. Just like the last five pairs. These are distinguished.”

“Looks like something my old man would have worn.”

“Your dad must have been a stunner. Assume the position. Bottom line.”

Turning him by his shoulders, you square Joel up to the line on the floor across from the eye chart at the back of the Jackson commissary.

“P…E Z O L C…F…T D.”

You pass him a handwritten note. “Good. Now use the bottom half of the lenses to read this one. Do it without squinting.”

Taking the paper, he squints. You pull on his arm to distance it correctly and he stops. He stares at the paper for a while. You might be concerned at the pause if he wasn’t taking a comically elongated time, breathing out hard through his nose, his jaw ticking left to right, feigning decisions, trying not to laugh. “Gimme a pencil.”

Without taking your eyes off him, you reach over to the counter and snag a pencil out of a cup and hand it to him, watch his eyebrows lift, his head shake, and give another dramatic sigh as he marks the paper before handing both the note and the pencil back over to you.

Joel Miller, will you go to the harvest dance with me? [x] yes or [ ] no.

“I don’t think these are gonna work,” he points to the black frames on his face. “Can’t read a damn thing. Not one damn word–” He can’t even make it through the sentence without cracking a smile, and only fully laughs when you playfully punch him in the arm.

“I’ll have you know this is a binding contract whether you can see it or not,” you join him in the tease, fanning the note in his face. “Just how blind are you???”

“Well, maybe I was working up to asking you the same question so…I guess not as blind as you seem to think.”

This slowly melts your laughter down to a smile. “Working up to it? What’s there to work up to? You mean… Did you…not want to?”

When his own smile fades, you realize too late that maybe he didn’t.

While you and Joel have fallen into a close friendship over the past few months, sometimes that’s all it really seems to be. There are moments that come close to something more–an arm draped over the back of your chair–or perhaps across your shoulders–as you stand in the back yard watching the fireflies, always a ready hand to help you up from a chair or the ground. If the two of you are ever in the same room, he’s always near, keeping you on his left where he can hear you. It took a while, but both Joel and Ellie have just stopped knocking when they come by, treating your house as they do Maria and Tommy’s–like family.

There are times he smiles in that way where his eyes shimmer and you think he’s coming around to falling for you. But he never pushes for more and you are beginning to wonder if he even wants that. After all, you’d learned from Tommy what life in a QZ can do to a person….and that’s on top of all the years the brothers spent surviving in some of the most violent and criminal ways possible.

Sometimes when you all sit out on Maria’s porch after dinner and watch the sunset together, he might take your hand in one of his–big, warm, roughened but gentle. And it’s at those times you almost forget about how he’d used it in the past. Almost.

With his bare hands, Tommy had said. Just come up behind ‘em and squeeze.

It takes time to become someone else. You always knew you’d need patience.

You just never braced yourself for something….a little less than affection.

“Listen, Songbird,” he sighs, his jaw shifting hard to one side. “I don’t want you to think–”

“Oh yeah, lookin’ goooooood,” Ellie’s opinion precedes your notice of her entrance. “Hey there, professor. I was looking for a book on relativity. Any suggestions?”

Pushing the glasses up the bridge of his nose, he ignores her sass and turns instead to the commissary register to mark down the inventory he’s taking. “Aren’t you supposed to be with Maria?”

“Yeah,” she shrugs, picking up an earthenware mug from a shelf and admiring the owl painted on it. “Her water broke. Baby’s coming. Can I claim this mug?”

“What??” Your body jerks, ready to run, but just barely holding back, shifting all the dismay you were just collecting and using it to power a new anxiety.

Joel’s head whips around, the glasses staying mercifully in place. “What are you doin’ looking for us? Go get Dr. Johnson!”

“Unclench yourself, my good sir. I already did. Went to her–” she says to him and then winks to you,”-- and Willa, thank you very much. You two didn’t tell me where you were going, you think I’m dumb enough to spend time hunting you down first? I’d be looking up and down Main forever. Have been. Almost went out back to see if you were eating spaghetti in the alley with one long noodle between you. Baby’s probably already here by now, jeez.” She spins on her heel, tapping the mug with a finger. “I’m taking this, thanks.”

Joel exchanges a look with you, the former conversation shoved roughly aside for a new concern. “I’ll register it and grab a few other necessaries. You go.”

This is no time to pick up the dropped dialogue but… maybe…should you stay and help? Oh. It takes a second to click that you can leave it to him. You don’t have to tell the man what’s needed for a new baby…after all, he knows more than you. Even if it was a whole other life or two ago.

And with a nod, you shelve your feelings for one more day and jog out the door to catch up with Ellie.

_____

Willa’s just walking out the door by the time you get to Maria and Tommy’s.

“You’re going?”

“For now,” she nods, working her shoes back onto her feet. “She’s got a while to go. It looks like it will be a pretty straightforward labor.”

“Did Dr. Johnson have anything to say?”

Her exhale tests high for irritation. “She’s upstairs. Why not go ask her yourself.”

“Wait. Willa. Did she send you away? I didn’t want to call her, but Joel thought–”

“Nah, it’s fine. I’m going to go take a nap so I can get through the night. But she’s using up all the air in the room and what Maria needs is to rest as much as she can and let it come. A good midwife would know that. Too bad the medical authority in this town is a gastroenterologist and not an obstetrician. It’s a baby and she’s treating it like an obstructed bowel.” Muttering something further about obstructions and matters of the bowel in regards to Dr. Johnson, Willa pats you on the shoulder before making her exit. “Maria can have water for a couple more hours, then sips only. Make sure she eats something.”

Upstairs you find your old friend in full concentration mode–laying on her bed, eyes closed, breathing hard, forehead smooth but glistening–as she awaits the next contraction. Tommy’s curled up next to her, holding one of her hands, his forehead to her temple, matching her breath for breath.

Her other hand is being held aloft as the good Doctor checks her pulse. “Family only,” she condescends as you enter the room.

“Good idea,” you say, plonking down at the end of the bed with enough of a bounce that Maria opens her eyes and glares from behind her belly. When you point to her swollen feet and let your eyebrows request consent, she nods, shuts her eyes, and focuses back on the process as you take a foot onto your lap and start to massage.

Maria groans in contentment and Dr. Johnson takes it for discomfort. Turning to you, her silvery hair pulled back into a tight braid, her frown causes her jowls to deepen. “I really must insist that you clear the room. The fewer distractions she has, the better things are going to go for her.”

You pull your stockinged feet up onto the bed. “Is that how it was when you had kids?”

“I never had children,” the doctor snaps.

“I see. Well, Maria said she was gonna freak out if I wasn’t here, so it seems now we’ve got ourselves a conundrum between what the doctor says and the patient wants. But, seeing as how this is her second child and she is very much my family, I think I’m going with her wishes on this. I never got to meet the first one; I’m sure as hell not gonna miss a minute of my new godchild.”

“Who said you were going to be the godmother?” Maria grumbles.

“I did. It’s your own fault. You left the position open and nature abhors a vacuum, so I’m gonna plug my old ass into that hole.”

“You are mixing so many metaphors there. Where’s–nnnnn,” her face becomes a wall of teeth as the contraction hits, her body a live wire as you and Tommy move to soothe. It takes a good minute for her breathing to slow enough to ask, “Where’s…Willa?”

“She says she’ll check back in tonight. You’ll probably be at this awhile.”

“Well, then, if you’ve got your magic healing woman then I’m not really needed here,” Dr. Johnson’s smile only travels halfway up her face. “Blood pressure’s doing well, no signs of abnormality. I’m sure you’ll be just fine. If you need me, you know where to find me. Just send the foul-mouthed girl again. Certainly with a set of lungs like that, she can easily wake me up in a matter of minutes.”

Nobody stops the good doctor on her way out and the train of her passive-aggressive, attention-seeking attitude trails behind her.

“She means well,” Tommy answers your scathing look.

“Your wife didn’t ask for her.”

“My wife’s never been through labor without drugs before. And she’s older now. I just…” his eyes soften on her with concern as he leans in and presses a kiss to Maria’s forehead, “I just want her to be okay.”

“She’s Maria. Of course she will be.”

The subject groans with a minor cramp. “Stop talking about me like I’m not here and go make me a taco. I’m starving.”

She’s less than thrilled with the berries you bring instead– “water and fiber now, carbs later” –but is placated with you reading her to sleep from one of her favorite Amy Tan novels. Every now and then she wakes up with a contraction, but a little soothe in your voice and she’s out again.

After a few hours, Tommy goes to nap in a spare room and Willa returns with a bag full of clean linens, ready to take over, sending you out to get your own nap in.

It’s quiet downstairs, the setting sun throwing long shadows through the western windows, mixing with a few faint rainbows still filtering through the leaded stained glass over the door.

Maria’s not far from you in age. If there were still doctors in hospitals, they’d call her pregnancy not just geriatric, but advanced geriatric. Even with all the medicine that used to be available, she and the baby would still be under the care of several wary eyes. If they both make it, they’ll have beaten the odds. If they don’t–

Slumping down on the couch and pouring yourself over it–just to put your feet up and your head down for a second…just a second–you push worry out of your orbit. This isn’t a world to worry in anymore. What comes comes. All you can do is what you can do. Maria is strong. Tommy loves her. Willa’s capable. The baby’s on time. Everything’s going to be fine.

It has to be.

It hurts too much to consider an alternative.

_____

When your eyes open again, the house is dark and quiet, the sun long since set.

Although, not so quiet when your stomach growls. Nor so dark either, as you notice a faint glow coming from the kitchen.

A simple investigation leads you to a tea candle burning in a jar on the countertop, next to a scrap of paper with your name scrawled on it and a plate covered in a linen dishcloth, under which you discover a flatbread sandwich.

One look at the handwriting and you can imagine Joel coming by to check up on things only to find you asleep on the couch. There was no gentle-but-possibly-disruptive blanket-covering, no “thought you could use something to eat” beside your name on the note. Nothing but reverent candlelight and one word to let anyone who found the plate know for whom it was intended, no requests or commands, just a quiet devotion, a simple offering to a sleeping idol to be taken or left as you chose.

If he doesn’t want you to fall any harder for him, he’s doing a terrible job.

_____

The final labor comes the following morning, Tommy holding one of Maria’s hands and you the other–both of you gritting your teeth as her grip leaves bruises–and Willa holding the soles of Maria’s feet, giving her something to push against.

Joel’s been tasked with guarding the door to the house since Maria’s taken to screaming with each push–not in pain, but in ferocity–and the neighbors have been coming around in concern. He’s quick to turn them around and send them on their way and you’ve gathered from Ellie’s reports that they seemed offended until she started volunteering the information that Willa is upstairs helping out. Then everyone readily accepts that all is well and being taken care of.

But Maria, she’s the real star of the show here. Yes, she’s in pain, and yes, she’s tired and weeping–no tears, dehydrated–but she’s nothing if not a fighter. She wouldn’t be in Jackson without that being true. And, frankly, Jackson wouldn’t be Jackson if it weren’t true either.

When it’s all done and the delivery miraculously comes off without a hitch, when Willa checks the baby boy over and finds him responsive and healthy, ties him off and hands him over to Tommy, taking her leave to go wash up and rest, the room is eerily quiet.

“Hello, little man. I’m your dad,” Tommy whispers, on the edge of tears but too tired to cry as he sits next to Maria and shares the bundle with her, the two of them staring down in awe at the tiny new human. “I’m your dad, and this is your beautiful, strong, fantastic mamma. And your auntie’s here too and we’re all damn happy to meet you. Welcome home.”

Maria smiles wide, the pain already fading to memory, an unnecessary detail she’s gonna leave behind her in exchange for exponentially better days ahead.

“Good job, you three.” Adding to the kiss count on Maria’s head, you start to pick up some discarded towels and sheets, preparing to leave the new family to rest. “Did you finally agree on a name?”

“Oh, I think I settled early on,” Maria sighs, completely in love. “Riley.”

You hum in satisfaction. “Nice. Where’d that one come from?”

“Ellie suggested it and it just hit me right. It’s a good name for a boy or girl, but mostly I liked it because it’s a fighting name. All riled up and ready to go.”

“Sounds like trouble.”

Maria snorts. “Oh, I’m sure. After all, he is a Miller.”

“Damn right,” Tommy whispers, bestowing his legacy.

It’s an easy decision to make, your vow of silence. You’ll never let them know you feared losing her. Not when there’s more now to protect, more to love.

There's been enough fear. It isn't worth your time.

_____

Over the next week and change, a routine easily emerges. You make yourself available during the day for any needs–help with cooking, diaper washing, or just rocking Riley while Maria has a bath or Tommy needs a nap. After school, Ellie comes by and adds two more hands, truly turning childrearing into a village affair. Joel’s the last to add to the party after the sun starts getting low and construction on the new district slows down for the day, earlier if it’s his day for patrol. Every night is family dinner night now and sometimes Riley’s actually awake enough to join them.

Ellie can’t get enough of her new little friend. If she’s got empty hands she willingly fills them with baby, either rocking him or laying him on a cushion to watch him watching her. She’s not had a lot of experience with babies or newborns other than the lambs, but she’s a quick learner. It’s just one more thing that this harder world has deprived her of. Babies were few and far between in the QZ and Ellie seems bound and determined to make up for lost time, not wanting to miss an instant of growth or change.

Joel, on the other hand, is more stoic. If he was hard of hearing before, it almost completely disappears when Riley’s in the crook of his arm. He can’t help but be captivated by his new nephew and you catch a fond smile creeping along his cheek now and then, but there’s always something a little sad behind it, and when the light catches a glimmer off the face of his broken wristwatch, it’s not hard to guess what he’s thinking.

It’s during one of these moments when Maria’s napping and Ellie and Tommy are out in the yard, that you finish up the dishes and plop yourself down on the couch next to Joel.

“Your arm tired? Want me to take him?”

“No. I’m fine,” he says quietly, trying not to wake the boy. But the silence is more for himself than the baby–Riley sleeps hard. For now.

You simply draw a knee up onto the couch and lean your elbow against the back cushion, watching them, chin in hand.

“Where’s Ellie?” he finally asks.

“Enough leaves are down. Tommy’s out back showing her how to make a leaf pile. And what to do with it.”

He chuckles, knowing exactly what’s proper and good to do with leaf piles. “We used to have a big maple out back when we were kids. Dad spent hours raking and nothing he could say or do could keep us from demolishing his work. Whip our hides and we'd be back out there the next day making a mess.”

“Well, at least lawn maintenance isn’t such a priority anymore, right? Just think of all the leaf piles this one’s gonna get. Let the destruction commence.”

“Yeah.” It’s slow and subtle, but the light slowly leaks from him, a twilight descending over his brow. “I guess there’s still a few pleasures to be had for kids in this world.”

This is why he’s always so contemplative with Riley. Worrying. Taking everything he’s seen and experienced and piling them onto one little baby, doing the parent thing, hoping that they’ll have a better life…but doubting that it could ever happen.

“There’s always going to be something, Joel. If the world hadn’t gone to hell, there’d still be car accidents and kidnappers and war in some far off country and the capitalist job market. A kid has every chance to have a good life in this time as in any other. And even if it isn’t in the world we remember, this one has you and me and all of us in it to look after one little boy who gets to live a life. Isn’t that what’s great?”

“Is it?” He finally turns to you. “You think it’s a good idea to bring a kid into this disaster?”

His eyes lay bare the puncture you’ve made in him, his sorrow and apprehension starting to vent, and it seems he hopes you can patch the hole because god knows his hands are full and not steady enough to handle the delicate procedure.

“Hey. Kids are going to happen, Joel. People are still going to find each other and fall in love and I hate to break it to you, but babies are sometimes a consequence of that. Biology’s a hell of a thing. But just because it’s not the world we knew as kids doesn’t mean it’s not worth living in. In fact, Ellie and Riley are going to do better than us, because they were born into it. They’ll have all of this kind of living in their bones from birth and don’t have to take twenty years to relearn it all. Or use up twenty years living life with regret.”

You expect him not to take that well, but he surprises you, softens, and turns back to the baby, his eyes skipping to his watch.

Maria told you once that sometimes she’s glad that Kevin died. He was still young–only 3 and a half–but he would have remembered. He would have held trauma. Back then, a lot of the little ones were lost, either to hunger or to attack…they didn’t know enough to be quiet.

Sarah on the other hand…. Joel didn’t know it, but Tommy had said once that Sarah would have never made it in this world. Too good. Trusting. Gentle. She would have been taken advantage of or become severely damaged by the shift coming in her formative years. Children are resilient, but a teenager’s psyche could be a difficult thing.

“Still not a good idea,” he mumbles. “But he’s here now.”

“Thank god. Maria needed another man in her life to boss around.”

He’s not budged by your joke. Instead, he side-eyes you, hits you with a cynical question, trying to knock you off your rosy pedestal. “If you’re so happy about kids, why don’t you have any of your own?”

You shrug. “Got sheep. What. Don’t look at me like that.”

“Like what.”

“Not every woman wants kids, Mr. Man. Even if they like them a whole lot.”

“Biology’s a hell of a thing.”

Catching his not-so-clever info gathering, you smirk. “I had other things to concentrate on. And in the meantime, the factory had blessedly closed down.”

He can’t help the instinct that makes him truly assess you now. “You’re not old enough for that.”

You chuckle. “I’m starting to think what you don’t know about women could fill a few books, Joel Miller. You let me know when you’re ready to brush up.”

It’s at this point that Ellie calls in from the porch, telling Joel to “get your flat ass out here! Tommy says you’re a champion leaf-piler!”

“Goddammit,” he hisses as Riley starts to stir.

“Go on,” you smile, holding your arms out for the baby. “I’ve got him. We’ll need to wake his mamma up so he can eat soon anyway. Go on outside and play with the other kids. Be home before dark.”

_____

A few nights later, you’re making assessment in a full-length mirror on the inside of a closet door in a room in your house you very barely use. When was the last time you really had a look at yourself? And when was the last time you wore a dress?

Sure, it’s a fall dress, fine-knit by Addie as a gift for bringing her on as a Roostling so many years ago. You keep it for special occasions, which means you get to wear it maybe once a year. The wool is undyed, so the natural oat goes well with your brown leather work boots. Unfortunately, shoes are at a premium, so having a second pair just for fancy isn’t really a thing anymore. Doesn’t matter. The weather’s been a bit wet and the streets a bit muddy. Boots’ll do you just fine.

But you haven’t worn your hair like this in ages. Freshly washed and let to dry rather than set back or under a bandanna for utilitarian purposes, you almost forgot what it looked like natural like this.

You almost forgot that you could actually clean up quite pretty. Huh. Imagine forgetting a thing like that.

The knock at the front door’s expected. Even though Ellie and Joel come and go as they please, tonight you knew he’d do the polite thing and knock. The comfortable part of you wants to call down and tell him to just come in. But the hopeful part of you knows that this is his way of making an effort. Of taking a step your way.

“You sure?” you’d asked Maria earlier in the afternoon. “You’re gonna be okay for the night?”

“It’s a dance, not a trip to the moon. And Ellie’s here. We’ll have fun.”

Ellie rolled her eyes, clearly not happy about diaper changing duty, but smiling through it. “Please. Go. Get him out of the house. The later he comes home the better. Bonus points if he’s not back until morning.”

“Jesus, Ellie.”

Maria only smirked in full agreement.

He’s waiting on your porch when you open the door, one thumb tucked into his belt, the other holding onto a porch pillar as he examines the sole of one boot.

“You step in something?”

“Shit, I hope not. I just cleaned these. I thought–” but of course he stops when he looks up and sees you. Joel himself doesn’t have a lot of extra clothes, and is dressed in a clean dark flannel and jeans, nothing you haven’t seen before–although tucked in this time–his hair is still wet and slicked back, exposing more of the gray.

Your getup, however, is a new sight for him, and he’s struck enough to let it show on his face. So you give him a twirl, let the dress swing a bit. “Get your fill, I only bring this out like once a year. You’ve earned it this time.”

The smile is subtle, but it’s there, along with the tiniest of nods.

It’s not a long walk to the mess hall, but on your way you both determine that Joel’s definitely stepped in something, and yes, it’s still worth holding his hand. Horses are gonna horse and stepping in crap is an everyday occurrence when you live around animals at the end of the world. He seems grateful and maybe a bit chagrined, but neither does he seem ready to let you go.

The mess hall’s brightly lit; several jack-o-lanterns carved by the town’s kids adorn the long tables which spill out into the street to make room for the buffet and the dancefloor inside. A good portion of the town is out tonight and mingling under the canopy of string lights.

Addie and Goldie are the first to find you and greet you, the former admiring her own handiwork on your dress–even if she’s much improved over the years–and the latter pushing mugs of warm cider at you and Joel. Willa, it seems, took to the Roost short after Riley’s birth, always opting to take solitary watch during big gatherings and celebrations. But she did help with the decorations and is responsible for a good portion of the cornbread on the banquet table. When they start asking questions about the baby, Joel politely excuses himself, muttering something about getting you a plate.

“And how’re you doing?” Goldie asks, nodding after Joel. “I didn’t think that grump would warm up to anyone, but I suppose you’re tenacious enough when you want someone. I don’t blame you. Grey Fox indeed. If I was twenty years older, we’d have to share.”

“Yeah, he’s coming around.”

“Didn’t think you’d ever take up with anyone again. I heard Ellie had a run-in with the lye.”

A sudden lump rises, nothing you can’t swallow down. “She’s fine. And so am I. Maybe I'm a little lonely is all. Maybe I got a type. Here’s to hoping I’m wrong where it counts!” You smile wide, clinking your mug with Goldie’s and drink deep, chasing away whatever guilt rudely decided to come calling.

Tonight’s supposed to be happy. Tonight’s your night with Joel. Just you and him. No family, no interruptions. The past is the past. And this night is easily the first of many.

Soon enough you catch him waving you down at one of the tables and join him for dinner.

“Figured you weren’t picky, so I got you some of everything.”

“Hells bells, Foxy. Were you planning on dancing with me at all tonight? Because I won’t be able to move if I eat all of this.”

At least he swallows what he’s chewing so he can answer you between forkfuls. “Don’t worry. I’ll eat what you don’t.”

“Then how are you gonna dance?”

He shrugs. “Didn’t plan on gettin’ rowdy. Not with these knees.”

“Oh my god, you old man. Did you really come here with me just to sit and eat? There’s a band playing. And they’re good. You’re not gonna dance with me?”

“To be honest,” he says, straining above the chatter spilling out of the hall and taking another bite of chicken, getting it mostly down before continuing with a pained squint, “I was never good at it. One of those ‘stand around with a beer and watch the band play’ kinda guys. But a pretty girl wanted me to slow dance, I could do that. More swaying than anything.”

“Well I guess that’s something to look forward to then.”

“Good thing you’re easy to please.”

It’s another hour sitting at the communal table, the night settling in and the fiddle and guitar music rolling out from inside the hall. A few friends come by to visit, Missy Tippett makes her way to Joel’s right side to flirt and he pretends to hear her, answering all questions with a “yep” even if they aren’t yes or no queries and you do your best not to laugh. True to his word, Joel takes on the leavings of your meal–nearly half the plate–while you chat with folks, and he rises beautifully to the challenge. Without having to scrape and scramble in the QZ or starving out in the wilds, he’s put on weight since the spring, just enough to fill out his hollowed cheeks and pleasantly soften down his belly. He keeps active with the construction enough that he’s putting away more fuel than storage, but it’s good to see him enjoying the harvest.

You’re mid-conversation with one of Willa’s brothers when Joel taps a knuckle on your elbow. Turning to find him with his chin in his hand, he points inside of the mess hall where a slow song just started, an old Buddy Holly tune, True Love Waits. The time has come then. Like the worn shoe that he is, he gets up and re-tucks his shirt as you excuse yourself and then let him lead you inside to the dance floor.

He’s an old-schooler, guiding you close around your waist and taking your hand in one of his.

In all the time Joel and Ellie have been in Jackson what you’ve felt toward him was a strong pull, a crush, an attraction. It’s been years since you felt drawn to someone like this. But it isn’t until this moment that you actually register the ramp up and learn that your species of butterflies don’t really seem to reside in your belly, but behind your sternum. The tip of your nose and chin tingle with the proximity to his, his breath warm and apple-scented, his flannel smelling of soap and being dried in the sun. His hand fits perfectly at your lower back and your arm was made to curve up and around his sturdy, ample shoulder.

It’s that feeling where you can’t seem to look him in the eye for more than a fraction of a second for fear of losing control, and so you focus on his chin instead, yearning to land your lips there.

It takes most of the song to realize he’s doing the same with the top of your head.

You should say something; it feels odd not to be poking fun somehow. But then, you can’t think of a damn thing to say now that you’re exactly where you’ve been wanting to be all these many months. Well, nothing witty anyway.

“It’s been forever since I slow danced with anyone.”

“Out of choice, I assume,” he answers after a while. “Seems odd you being here so long and not spoken for.”

“Not everyone has to be paired up for life to be worth living.”

“Maybe not. But it looks like you want to and I’m not sure how anyone says no to you if you set your sights. You’re damn persistent.”

The song ends and you break to applaud, ready to quip back. But there’s a look on his face, and expression that you’re not able to categorize in the context of this moment, only that it looks like he might want to leave or be alone.

“Joel, I’m sorry if I pushed you. I know you’re still settling in. I didn’t mean to–”

But the next song starts up, sweet and slow–You Belong To Me–and he doesn’t give you a chance to finish. He just pulls you in close, tucking your head against his shoulder under his jaw, taking your hand again and holding it against himself.

“I’m settled,” is all he says as you sway.

Determination. That’s the expression. A commitment laced with lingering sadness or fear.

And that’s okay, you think. After everything he’s been through, that’s okay. As long as he wants to be here with me, everything’s going to be okay.

At the end of the song he peels away, and while the expression has softened, it still remains.

You reach for his hand. “You wanna walk?”

He nods. You let him lead.

Outside in the crisp autumn night air, he doesn’t take the direct path to your house, instead, he ambles slowly down another road, toward Maria and Tommy’s place.

Joel’s a thinker. He’s got things to say but needs to put them in order in his head first. So you let him organize while you walk slowly beside him, the light and the pretty violin ballad fading behind you. It takes a little longer than you expect and you’re almost to the house when he finally speaks.

“I’m not good at this.”

“You say that like there’s one right way. Like I’m expecting something out of you.”

It’s obviously not what he expected you to say. “But you are.”

“Okay, maybe. But I’m also willing to meet you where you are.”

“No, that’s not what…” he breathes out hard, frustrated that his thoughts are getting out of order, but you wait. “You should be…expecting…something. You should want me to…reciprocate.”

“I do want that, but I can’t force you and I know it.” You amble on, watch his jaw tick. “Joel, I’m crazy about you and I’d love nothing more than for you to feel the same way about me. It’s been a long time since I felt that way about someone. But I know it’s different for you. I know you were more recently attached, and for a long time–”

“It wasn’t like that. Well…wasn't like this, anyway.”

You follow him silently past Maria and Tommy’s place–dark, everyone asleep–and take a turn that will eventually lead you to your own house. A block goes by before he finds his next words.

“Tess and I…our lives…we were…rough with each other. Cared for each other, but we were hard. We had to keep on our toes, couldn’t let feelings get in the way or make mistakes. But all that…stuff… We had each other physically but we kept a lot at arm’s length. Like a survival mode. Conserving our energy for things that kept us alive. Safe.”

“I think I understand. Tommy said–”

“Tommy didn’t understand shit. He thought I was using Tess. But he was wrong.” Even if he’s keeping his voice even, his eyes cold, you can see his fist clenching and unclenching out of the corner of your eye. “I…I needed her and didn’t know it. She was right there and I should have… told her so. That’s what I think I’m saying. I don’t have any practice in anything that isn’t just surviving. And I don’t know if I can give you what you want.”

“Are you pulling a ‘you deserve better’ on me?”

Another look of surprise. Again, you’ve thrown him for a loop.

“Because I do deserve better. You’re right. I do deserve to be loved and to be adored and to be happy. But so do you. Most of us do. Doesn’t mean everyone’s gonna get it. Sounds like you spent the last decade and change denying it for yourself and to someone else. But at least you had someone. At least you knew where you stood. Me, on the other hand…I spent the last decade remembering something like that and wishing it would come back, knowing it wouldn’t, and beating off any chance of having it again like a damn fool. Maria ever tell you about Troy?”

His headshake is subtle, but his look of concern not so much. You decide to let it roll off you just as you had with everyone else in the past ten years.

“Figures. Tommy’s got a big mouth but Maria’s always kept her trap shut when it’s not her story to tell.

“Troy was my...husband. We were married for three really good years. He was a refugee, like you. Came through from Seattle QZ with his sister. Ash was a wild one, loved the sheep. She was the last trainee we had before Ellie came out. She had a habit of wandering though, hopping the barrier for berries and honey and just to run free in the woods without a care in the world. Almost cut her off from going out to the Meadow, but Troy spoiled her, took her side in most things. His only weakness. Damn, I loved that stupid man so much.”

Coming up to your house, you take a seat on the steps, not ready to go inside yet. As you continue, Joel follows your lead and ends up beside you.

“You ever wonder why Maria and I don’t live on top of one another? Troy and I lived in the house next door. Once he died, I couldn’t bear to live there anymore.”

The breeze picks up and you give it a minute to die down. Joel’s voice pushes through your silence just above a whisper. “What happened?”

“Troy and Ash were out at the meadow and they weren’t answering the check-ins. So Willa and I went out there with the patrol. Right away we see almost the whole herd gathered in one lay. Not like them unless they’re protecting a sick or injured one. And that’s what they were doing, all huddled around the hole.

“Can’t say for certain how it went down, but from the looks of things, Ash got herself bit, nearly took off her forearm. Back then the area wasn’t so cleared out and Ash liked to play her chances outside the barriers as I’ve said. Must have scrambled back in and come looking for Troy or he brought her back thinking he could fix it and found out he was wrong. He blew her face clean off. He must have dug the hole and put her in it. Covered it with lye. Got in there with her. Shot himself.”

“Jesus.”

“Yeah. Bodies were in pretty rough shape when we found ‘em.” The stars are bright tonight as you blink back tears in the dark. “I shouldn’t have let her go out there. I thought he would get her to take it seriously. I should have pushed. But. They were so close and I also know that I couldn’t ask him to choose my wants over hers. And in the end it looks like he wouldn’t have picked mine anyway.”

The power from the dam is being conserved for the harvest dance tonight, so the streetlamps are dark on your row. But the moon’s bright enough to catch Joel watching you, reassessing you.

“I’m very, very capable of deserving love, Joel. And I’m capable of giving it with my whole, stupid heart. I remember what the world used to be, and how it turned on a dime and how we all lost everything we were and had. And when I met Troy I thought that love could fix it. Nope. It doesn’t fix it. The past doesn’t go away. But it’s nice to have someone to walk through the better days with. To choose to live in the present and make it brighter.”

As if the world is an underscore to your story, one last, lonely cricket interrupts the silence, a holdout for the season, waiting a little too late to find itself a mate and a home.

“I’m a murderer, Songbird.”

It’s a simple statement.

“I know you are.”

“Just so you know. Just so you know what you’re getting into.”

Now it’s your turn to gather your thoughts. “We’re all a pile of our many selves. Who we were, who we choose to be going forward, how we see ourselves, how others see us. It’s all there, always will be. All of us a little broken. Fractured. But it doesn’t have to be just one thing forever. There’s no mark of Cain here. Just making choices every day to be the person you want to be. You find your people and you take care of them as best you can, and they do the same for you. You slip up, you start over tomorrow.”

And now it’s his turn to blink up at the night sky.

“You did what you had to do, Joel, we all did. We all had to revise the moral manual for a minute. Nice thing about Jackson these days is that there’s nothing you have to do. You can just do what you want, what makes you feel whole and alive. And if that’s something different every day, then that’s your choice. You say you’re not good at this, but you are. You danced with me. Walked with me. Listened. You’re just as good as you have to be and if you want to be better at it then you just...try again. You get unlimited tries.”

His expression is muddled in shadow, his face turned out of the light and focused on you.

Suddenly tired, you stand up and walk up the stairs to the door. “I had a nice time tonight, Foxy. The best. Even if it ended on a downer.”

“That’s my fault.”

“No. It’s nobody’s fault, it’s just what life is now sometimes. Will I see you tomorrow?”

He’s slow about it, but he climbs the last few steps to the porch. You were wrong about the solitary cricket; there’s still a few still pushing the limits, challenging the first frost, singing to the moonlight.

Reaching out, letting his fingertips trail your arm all the way down, he captures your hand to keep you still and moves in, slow and quiet.

When he finally kisses you, it’s a tentative declaration, a promise of what he can give right here, right now; his kiss lingers in apology, showing you in every way that he has trouble letting go, unpracticed in being tender, but he’s willing to try.

Finally.

Every second lingered is worth the wait, only because you can feel that it won’t be the last.

“Guess I shouldn’t put off until tomorrow what I can start on today then,” he says when he steps back.

“That's a real good start.”

There’s not much more to say as he makes his way down the steps off into the night and toward his own house. No need. No expectations. There’s always tomorrow.

And since Joel’s come to town, it seems like every tomorrow’s usually been better than the yesterday before.

_____

You’ve been sitting on Maria’s couch knitting a sweater in the chilly morning sun for at least a good hour when Ellie comes down from upstairs.

“Oh hey, you’re here,” she says, throwing herself down on the floor by your feet and beginning to paw through your basket.

“I am. Didn’t have any plans today, thought I’d come and be on hand. How’s Riley?”

“Down for one of many naps. He’s growing so fast already.” Finding a full spindle in your stash, she begins unwinding it and forming it into a neat ball with practiced hands.

“That’s what babies do. He’ll be walking and talking before you know it.”

“We should bring him out to see the sheep when he’s walking.”

“We’ve got a corral of milkers in town he can visit. Probably not a great idea taking kids out of town. You’ll see when he’s up and about. Little kids like get away from you and hear themselves scream. Hard to keep safe if you’re dumb and loud.”

“Oh. Right.” She’s silent a while, slowly building her yarn ball.

“Something you wanna ask me? It’s not like you to volunteer to help with this part.”

There’s a certain way Ellie chews her lip and scrunches it at the same time. “I was thinking of asking you…if I could stay behind next time you go out to the Roost.”

That makes you chuckle. “Riley’s a little more fascinating than the sheep right now, huh. What. You thought I’d be mad?”

“No, just…I do like being out there. But I also feel like I can help here. For now. And I know you’re skipping your weeks to be here and I thought if I stayed you could go and then there’s still enough of us around….”

“The sheep are in good hands, they can wait. I’m in no hurry and I don’t mind being here. But I appreciate it.”

The yarn’s coming to an end, the ball in her hands reaching a pleasing softball size. “Can I ask you a favor then?”

“Of course.”

“Tommy went out to the reconstruction site and left his lunch and Maria asked me to bring it to him so he doesn’t come home for it and wake her or the baby.”

“But you wanna stay here.”

“Yeah.”

“Good timing.” Smiling and finishing up your row, you tuck the needles and sweater into the basket. “It’s a nice, dry day for a walk and I’ve been meaning to go see that sector. Tell you what. Eye for an eye. I go out there, you ball up all those spindles while I’m gone. Don't undo my knitting."

What the autumn sun is lacking in warmth, Ellie makes up for it with that spark of unbridled joy. “Fuck yeah, deal!”

_____

Swinging a bundle bag full of Tommy’s lunch and other sundries, you walk out to the old north edge of town. The wall’s come down here, another one erected a handful of blocks beyond, re-civilization slowly sweeping and expanding out as the need arises. The houses are in varying stages of disrepair, repair, and some have come down to use for scrap. Your elementary teacher’s house is still here, getting a spiff-up treatment and you’re remembering Mrs. Erstine and her roses fondly when there’s a sharp whistle and call of your name.

Joel’s walking down the block toward you with an easy smile and you return it as he nears. It’s been a couple of weeks since the harvest dance and you haven’t seen each other much outside of family dinners and scattered evenings at Maria and Tommy’s’. Between the rush to get some of these homes fit for winter and you helping out with all the canning and preserving down at the mess hall, a twilight trio on the porch with Ellie here and there has been your scant means of together time.

“What’s brought you up this way? Everything okay?” He’s good enough to bend his neck a little so you can meet his patchy cheek in a kiss.

“Tommy forgot his lunch and Maria wants to spare him a trip.” You hold up the bag. “And I brought treats for you too.”

His finger hooks the bag, trying to peek in. “Really.”

“Nah ah, not until you take me to your leader.”

“My leader,” he scoffs, turning and leading you up the street. “Ain’t nothin’ he can do I don’t have to come up after him and fix.”

“Speaking of fixing, we could use new shingles at the Roost. It’s been wet and I’ve heard there’s a leak.”

“Yeah? When you going out next? I’ll go out with you.”

Turning onto a more wooded road, you both follow the sound of hammers. “Well, Goldie’s up there now and I usually take after her. I suppose I could go next week before the rains really start up.”

“Next week then.”

As you approach a beautiful A-frame home, Tommy’s over to one side at a couple of sawhorses, measuring out a beam. Joel calls out to his brother with the same whistle he gave you.

“It’ll be just you and me,” you say. “Ellie wants to stay home with Riley.”

Joel’s head whips around. “What?”

“Hey there, ma’am-o-jam, what brings you up here? Everything alright?” Just like his brother.

“Yeah, all’s well. You forgot your lunch and my legs needed a stretch.”

“Oh shit,” he grins. “I was just starting to get hungry. Thanks.”

“No problem.” You gesture to the house. “This is really beautiful. It’s like a bigger version of the Roost.”

“It’s nothin’ like the Roost. It’s on the ground.” Tommy smiles as you swat at him. “We’ve started with all the houses that need the least amount of help, tearing down the ones that need the most to fix ‘em up. This one had a lot of protection from the elements–the sun and the snow–from all these pines around it. All the windows still in place. Mostly just had to clear out a couple of overgrowths in the basement–probably the previous owners gone to seed. But it’s all good treated hardwood. Good bones. It’ll stand another century or two.”

A small, involuntary shiver passes through you at the casual mention of dead infected. “Did you burn them? The previous owners.”

Your reaction doesn't escape Joel’s notice. “Did it myself. There were a few in this section. It’s okay. They were long gone. Dry as a bone. It’s safe here.”

He’s earned a smile, even if it’s a sad one. “That’s good. They must have loved this house, to want to stay here, even when they didn’t know any better. Can’t blame ‘em. Anyway,” you go through your bag, lifting out a small parcel and handing the rest to Tommy, “here you go. But this is yours,” offering the parcel to Joel but then snatching it away as he reaches for it, “only if you promise to be honest and tell me if you like it or not.”

Joel’s eyes light up when he opens the package. “Holy shit; is that…pecan pie?”

And Tommy winks as he takes his lunch and walks back toward the house.

“Heard it was your favorite.” You can’t help but laugh at his big dumb grin. “Don’t be too excited! I obviously had to make every substitution. Walnuts for pecans, honey for sugar; it’s not exact, but it should be close enough. Been working on my bakes.”

Taking a bite, he shakes his head in what at first seems like pain but soon reveals itself to be the opposite. “Damn woman. And you only bring me one piece?”

“You’re a carpenter. That’s a triangle obviously cut out of a full circle. You know there’s more where that came from.” It’s a pleasure to watch him lose a battle against another big bite. “I take it you’re happy.”

His mouth full of sticky sweetness but the crow’s feet setting in, all he can do is chew and cock his head, looking you over as if to say, damn right I am.

_____

Joel’s quiet the whole ride to the Roost. It’s easy to guess what’s troubling him. A whole week alone should be exciting, but he’s worrying about expectations again and there hasn’t been much time to talk about it…or he just didn’t want to.

“Meadowlark to Goldfinch.”

“Present.”

“Bringing a Grey Fox in at the north gate.”

“Noted. You brought your own sheets I hope.”

Out of the corner of your eye, you catch Joel’s frown and straightened shoulders as he suddenly loses the sympathetic gait with his horse. “Yup. Both sets. For two beds. Man’s here to work on that roof and I’m only payin’ him in food.”

“Ooof. Poor Joel. He deserves better.”

“Yeah, well I’m working on it. Boiled water last night and I didn’t even burn it.”

The banter seems to have relaxed him back into the saddle sag for the time being, and you keep it up until Goldie has you in her sights.

“I know you like sleeping under the stars, Foxy, but it’s been cold and wet. Bed’s yours. I’ll take the top bunk.”

“Fine,” he grunts.

“And you’re not allowed to go up on the roof unless I’m around to spot you.”

“I can handle it.”

“Oh, I’m sure, but my nerves can’t. And this is my domain. I’m the boss out here.”

This gets you one half serving of smile with a side of eyeroll. “Yes ma’am.”

Once you’re settled in, Joel descends the ladder and starts going through the woodpile, looking for adequate repair material, taking up the axe to split some logs for shingles while you go take a cursory round through the meadows.

The sheep are mostly on the near side by the copse of trees housing the Roost, keeping a tight flock, settled down and facing into the wind. A few bleat as you arrive but none of them skitter, allowing you to pat a couple as they chew cud and to check any for painted marks in case Goldie found one of them sick or lame. Other than one small ram that wants to playfully butt you in the thigh, all seems well. The rest of the flock is mostly down by the river and you take a little time to make some noise and shoo them toward the others before circling back to the Roost….

…which is where you find Joel Miller up on the ladder prying at rotted shingles.

“What the hell did I say, Cinnamon Roll?”

“Hold your britches,” he calls down. “I’m just assessing.”

“How am I supposed to get up there and you got the ladder?”

“Oh now we have a quandary,” he jokes. “What are you gonna do if I don’t let you up?”

“You think I haven’t slept out with the sheep before? I’d have no issue with it but that it’s gonna rain, so maybe you should let me up so I can help and make that repair go faster.”

Coming down and moving the ladder to the balcony drop, he scans the sky with doubts. “What makes you think it’s gonna rain?”

“Because I read sheep.”

“You read sheep.”

“Yeah. They spell it out like a marching band. RAIN. Big letters. Cursive. Could you just–”

The ladder comes sliding down with a thunk and you climb, taking his helping hand as you reach the top.

He smirks. “You’re cute when you’re angry.”

All you can do is shake your head and hide your grin. “Don’t you dare. I’m gonna get my gloves.”

As he starts to heft the ladder back up, you go inside and quickly grab a wool hat and a pair of deerhide gloves from your pack. Turning to go back out though, a glint catches your eye near the door.

There’s a new nail in the wall.

With a broken watch hanging from it.

Huh.

This must be the place where he feels like he can be free of it and of the past you gather it represents for him. A special spot for it by the door where he won’t forget it when he leaves, somewhere he can see it if he needs it, but not carry it so much.

It’s a nice piece but for the hole. Well cared for. 2:40. You realize with a little regret that you missed the anniversary, that Outbreak Day no longer registers. Which means you also didn’t–

He doesn’t like to celebrate his birthday, Tommy once said.

It had come and gone without much fuss. But also without any noticeable misery. Railroaded by a new nephew and hard work.

That’s good. He’s not forgetting, just letting it rest. Someday it will be a good day again.

“You gonna get out here and hold this thing or what? You’re the one said rain is coming.”

“Not me. It was the sheep. Hold your britches or get a better belt. I’m coming.”

_____

A gentle roll of thunder wakes you in the night and the Roost is dark as you listen for a moment to the rain pattering against the roof slanting up and over you, inches away. Tuning in, you train your ear for a hard patter, a splotch, any indication that the roof patch didn’t hold, but of course it has. It was mended by Joel Miller himself.

Well, at least it’s dry, but damn, it’s chilly. A glance toward the little iron stove shows you nothing but darkness, which means the fire’s out. As much as it hurts to leave the little nest of warmth you do have, it’s probably better to relight it and warm the place by morning, so down the bunk ladder you go, being as quiet as possible.

Somehow, it's always comforting waking up at night at the Roost. Your house in town is too quiet at night, too full of the possibility of unfamiliar ghosts--of those that lived there, of the society it held, of your own loneliness. At least out here you feel held by the trees and needed by the sheep. There are ghosts buried out there in the meadow, but they're long gone now, part of the land itself, land that was always wild and free and full of the kind of life that wasn't destroyed all at once in one day. Night at the Roost is a quiet comfort, a place of purpose and sisterhood and family. It's full of wooden and woolen things made by hands you know and is welcoming to everyone, including the moonlight and the stars.

It takes a little doing with the wind up and you have to manipulate the flue a bit, but after a few minutes there’s a lovely crackling and smell of pine. Padding over to the chair by the window to snatch the wool blanket there, you stop for a minute to look out at the storm, trying to catch a glimpse of the sheep in a flash of lightning, but there’s not much of that to be had, so you wrap the blanket around yourself and make your way back to the bunk ladder.

“Sheep okay out there?” Joel mumbles in the dimness from his bed, somewhere near your knee.

“They’re fine. Did I wake you up?”

“No. Been listening to the rain a while. You cold?”

“Yeah. Fire went out. You?”

His answer comes in the form of something like a sail in the darkness and it takes a second to realize that he’s holding his blankets open in an invitation. “Come on. You’re gonna let the heat out.”

Sliding into Joel’s warmth is an easy decision to make. And it’s not just the warmth of his sheets, but that he brings the covers around you, pulling you all the way into his chest against his soft old undershirt, tucking you in under his chin, wrapping you up in his whole, woodsmoke-scented self.

Every tension in you simply melts into bliss.

Resting his lips against your forehead, his breath fans gently at your hair. “I could get used to this.”

A long hum rides out on your exhale. “I think I already am.”

“You’re a good woman, you know that?”

“Spoken like a true Texan.”

A long kiss presses into your forehead. “I’ve been thinking about what you said. I’m gonna do my best to be good again, Songbird. Hope I can be what you want.”

“That’s easier than you imagine. You’ve been what I want since you showed up around here, so I’m already quite pleased. Hope I can be what you want.”

A new warmth takes you over as he starts to spread his hand along your back, simply running over your contours, testing out what it’s like to hold someone this way, slowly caressing, lightly squeezing, tucking you in tighter. “You seem to know what I want before I even do. I look forward to finding out what I want next.”

“Well, I have to admit. Your brother tipped me off about the pecan pie.”

He laughs a little as he tips your chin up to meet you in a kiss in the dark. It’s hesitant but hungry; a long time needed and a long time savored.

“Did your sheep say it was supposed to rain all day?”

His hair and beard ruffle softly under your fingertips. “I didn’t ask, but I think it probably will. Sure hope that new roof holds.”

“We could always just stay right here and keep an eye on it.”

“See? You know exactly what you want. We can do that. I’d say that’s a good day’s work.”

His hand splays big and warm on your back, pinning you close for another kiss. “I tend to agree.”

_____

PREVIOUS: SUMMER

NEXT: WINTER (coming soon)

MASTERLIST

SERIES MASTERLIST

#leave off your wandering #tlou fanfiction #joel miller #joel miller x reader #joel miller x f!reader #joel miller x meadowlark #joel miller x mature reader

[mrchiipchrome]

Trends and Kisses

word count: 2 K

The door slamming against the wall is the first thing to gain your attention as you look up from the screen of your phone and towards the source of the noise. You see the silhouette of your best friend, Alessia Russo. The first thing you notice about her is her expression, the one that only came out when she had a ‘brilliant’ idea. Made up of a slight smirk and conspiring eyes it is your first reason to worry, the other one is the speed at which she crosses the room in your direction. 

If you have learnt something during all the years you have known Alessia for then it is her clumsiness. Her speed is a sure factor to the fall she experiences halfway on her journey across the room. She stands up just as fast as she fell down, effectively not losing much time at all. 

You manage to pull your body into a sitting position by the time Alessia reaches you and she hastily throws her body down on the bed right next to you. Feeling the weight of her head resting on your shoulder you turn your body towards her. She clearly doesn’t anticipate your movement showing as her body falls down against yours, making her practically sit in your lap by the time she has stopped moving. She looks up at you with puppy dog eyes, those were dangerous as they could get her anything and everything she wanted. 

A sigh leaves your lips almost instantaneously and you look down right into her eyes. Your eyes hold a pleading look as you practically beg her to not bring you into whatever was about to proceed. She doesn’t seem to hear your silent pleads and if she does, she seems to ignore them.

“There’s something I need to show you, but before that I’d like for you to agree to something I want you to do after. I promise it’s nothing bad or morally wrong.”

Her breath fans across your face and after another sigh has left your lips you reluctantly agree to her conditions. Pulling her phone up to your line of sight you come across a video with a familiar sound attached to it. The voice of the soft singing artist reaches your ears and as the video comes to an end you look back at Alessia, scepticism painted over your every feature. But alas you are a man of your word and you did agree to do whatever she wanted of you.

Time later

The color from the expensive lipstick stains her lips red as she drags it across her soft, plump lips. You wait in anticipation as she decides where to press her lips next. This process has been replicated countless times over the last few minutes, lipstick leaving deep red stains all over your face and neck. She looks you in the eyes as if asking for permission, what to you don’t know at least until you catch her glancing down towards your lips. Kissing Alessia is something that you have wanted to do since that warm spring morning, just after you had turned 14. 

You’re incredibly close in proximity to her as she sits perched upon your lap, meaning she was already close to you before she even started to lean in. She slowly starts to advance her face closer to yours, but gets cut off as you lean up and press your lips to hers. It was everything you’ve ever dreamed and hoped of packed into one simple kiss, it starts off slow and full of emotion wanting to let all the feelings you have into the sensual gesture. It was as if you had put every square inch of the universe into one singular kiss, one that you were fortunate enough to be part of.

Only once you’ve pulled away do you realize that your hands are gripping at her waist tightly, likely to ground yourself as well as providing Alessia with the safety of not falling off your lap. Your hands let up their tight grip as you move to remove your hands from her waist. You ultimately fail as her hands keep yours in place, apparently not wanting you to let go of her.

“Stay. It’s nice, I like it.” Her voice is expressed in a quiet whisper, but you could still hear every emotion in the simple short sentence. So your hands remain on her waist for a moment longer before letting go for her to be able to grab her phone. She picks up the phone and once again enters the app on which you would record and then later post the video on. Alessia looks after the sound that she wants for the video as soft tunes of different songs and other sounds float out of the speaker of her phone. Finally finding the sound she takes the lipstick from your hand as she uncaps it, ready to apply it once she has started recording. 

You position yourself in a way that would shield you from the camera at first, but then show you once Alessia turned the camera towards you.

“Stay with me…” Alessia starts to apply her lipstick once again, although this time she ‘accidentally’ swipes it off her lips leaving a track of red right below her lips. You reach your large hand up towards her face, palm up and you start to wipe the lipstick of her fair skin as the song progresses. “... I don’t want you to leave” Alessia slowly pans the camera towards you where you sit, your face covered with lipstick marks and eyes full of love. The only way to describe the way you look at her is like she hangs the moon and the stars, the love you hold for the girl beside you is indescribable and you just feel as if your heart is going to burst every time you are fortunate enough to lay your gaze on her.

Playing the video back Alessia determines that it is good enough to post, but as she goes to type out a caption for the tiktok you reach out and pluck the phone from her grip. 

“Wha- Hey, why’d you do that?” Her tone of voice is one you expected, a cross between surprised and a bit offended. “Relax Blondie, you got to choose the video, I get to choose the caption.” She seems to relax at your words as the furrow of her brow quickly dissolves. You quickly type out the short caption and post the video before Alessia could see it. You close the phone and hand it back to her smiling as she unlocks it full of curiosity at what you had written out. As soon as you see the horrified look which sits atop Alessia's face you burst out laughing as she blushes and starts to speak again.

“Really? Out of all the captions you could have chosen, THAT is what you landed on? Nom x. You are unbelievable.” She speaks through a chuckle so you understand that she wasn’t annoyed, but instead rather amused. You had seen a video a couple days before which held her old facebook posts, one of which a 12 year old Alessia Russo had described Hollister workers as being ‘nom’.

Her phone begins to ping with countless different notifications, though most of them are from tiktok. She subtly turns do not disturb to be able to focus entirely on you and your actions. She is aware of your heavy gaze sitting upon her as she glances towards you sitting there in the same position as before, a silly smile situated on your lipstick marked face.

“Soo-” Before you could form another word a pair of lips cover yours once again and you can’t help but smile, smile for what felt like the first time in your life where you actually felt true, unbridled joy. You smile for the inner 14 year old you who would be screaming if she saw you right now, kissing the same person you both have loved since what felt like forever. Alessia’s long blond hair forms a curtain around the two of you as she has made her way back into your lap. When you part your gaze remains on her even as she puts her head on your chest, closing her eyes at the obvious happiness radiating from you.

“Hey Less, I’ve wanted to do that since I was 14 years old. I remember sitting with you under that big oak tree after training, and I can still remember how exhausted I was but I couldn't ever say no to you. Man, we had to walk through an entire field just to get to that damn tree but it was all worth it in the end when I got to see that smile. I borrowed my brother's pocket knife even though I knew he would be furious when he found out, to carve our initials into the tree with an outline of a heart around them.” You paused as Alessia looked up at you while laying on her stomach, hand under her chin and placed flat on your chest. 

“You looked up at me with your big doe eyes and I just remember how something changed inside me that day. I started to feel more nervous around you and my heart started beating the way it does on the pitch whenever I saw you even if we weren’t playing. After a couple of weeks I told my mum about how my hands felt clammy and how my heart was racing when I was around you, how everytime you smiled it made my day infinitely better and how I never felt happy when I was without you. Mum sat me down and explained how she and my father felt about each other when they were younger, and that was when I realized that I was completely in love with you. I was terrified, and I never thought that I would ever have the chance to love you the way I wanted to but I guess I was wrong.”

Alessia lets out a quiet chuckle as she agrees and you tilt your head down to be able to meet her lips, something you were sure you would never get tired of. 

“Lessi, would you maybe like to go on a date? With me. Tomorrow.” You resembled Gru in Despicable Me 2 when you asked her out nervously, but it made it all more endearing to Alessia. She quickly agreed and you knew that she could feel how your heart skipped a beat at her acceptance. “Okay then, it's settled. We’ll go on a date tomorrow.”

You stay quiet as you feel Alessia’s breathing even out against your neck moments later and you realize that she has fallen asleep. You carefully bring your own phone up to your face as you type out a quick text to your mother about the date you acquired before tapping on the tiktok icon. The first video that pops up on your ‘for you’ page was the one you had made earlier and you decide to enter the comment section, laughing softly at the top comment.

@user10936563: Nah lessi definitely got pulled into doing this by Y/n💀

@woso-fan76: sleeping on the highway tonight, whos joining me?

@lessiandy/n: MY SHIP HAS SAILED OMG I AM SO HAPPY

@ilovewomensfootball: did anyone else see the lipstick on y/n’s lips, and the smudged lipstick even before lessi smudged it purposefully? this cant be platonic, it’s smelling strongly of fruit

Read more.

You chuckle and reply to the top comment by saying that it was in fact the other way around, and that you had agreed before you knew what she wanted to do. When you’re done you put both yours and Alessia’s phone on the nightstand beside you before pressing a kiss to the crown of Alessia’s head, letting out a soft chuckle as you see the red from your lips staining her beautiful blonde hair. Closing your eyes, you let yourself go to sleep a happier person than ever before knowing you have a date with the love of your life the next day.

So yeah, this has been a stray idea I've had since it came up on my for you so I decided to write it! Hope you liked it! Now I have to go back to doing research for a paper in lung fibrosis :)

#alessia russo imagine #alessia russo #alessia russo x reader #woso x reader #woso imagines #my work

[chronosdawn]

Attached - Alpha!Wriothesley x Beta!Reader

a/b/o AU, GN!Reader

A/N: I got the idea for this while working on another, longer a/b/o fic so instead of working on that like I was supposed to, I wrote this OTL

Word count: 1.3k

Content warnings: a/b/o dynamics, mild sexual content and themes (minors please DNI)

Not many got the chance to know the Duke of the Fortress of Meropide well. Certainly, almost everyone in Fontaine knew of him, and as the Fortress’s administrator, many people had some sort of contact with him, be they convicts of the Fortress or proprietors of businesses hoping to gain a foothold there.

But among those, very few got to actually know the Duke beyond his title and position, and when you’d first met him, you’d had no reason to think you’d be any different. Sure, you had been invited there by him personally, which was rare, but made sense once you’d learned he was looking to procure resources for some project that was being worked on in the Fortress—something you had a lot of experience doing for members of the Fontaine Research Institute.

Over the course of several meetings—and more than a couple of pots of tea—a tentative friendship had formed between you. One that had turned into something quite different when you’d accidentally stumbled into his office while he was in a rut.

And that, was how you’d come to end up in your current situation—seated in Wriothesley’s lap with your overnight bag discarded by the door to his room. You hadn’t expected this to become a regular occurrence when you’d first offered him your assistance, but for some reason the stubborn fool had refused to seek out an omega to spend his ruts with, even if you both knew that was what he actually needed.

He nosed against the back of your neck before going in with a gentle nip of his teeth, dangerously close to where your small beta scent gland lay.

“Careful,” you warned, “you know our agreement, nothing that can’t be taken back. I don’t want to be the reason your future omega ends up developing some sort of complex.”

Wriothesley stilled briefly before grazing his teeth over your nape once more. “What would you do if I did?”

“What do you mean?” You tried to turn around to look at his face, but the muscular arms around your waist kept you locked in place, pressed tightly against the firm planes of his chest.

“What would you do if I decided to put a claiming bite on you? Right now, you’re not in any position to stop me.”

“You wouldn’t,” you said with absolute certainty, even as he nipped at you again, harder this time.

“What makes you so sure?” His rut had come on enough that even you could smell the pheromones he was pumping out into the air, a rich leathery musk with notes of clary sage.

“I know you, you just wouldn’t.”

“You sound pretty convinced of that.”  He went quiet for a moment, and when he spoke again, his voice was barely audible as he muttered into your skin. “Do you even know what I was originally sentenced here for?”

“I do.” He’d never told you himself but you remembered reading about his trial in the newspaper your father had left out on your dining room table. “But that’s neither here nor there. You’re not the sort of person who’d force a yourself on someone, and I can’t imagine you ever being disloyal to your mate. Even if for some strange reason you seem reluctant to go out and find them.”

He let out a chuckle but there was no real humour in it. “You know, sometimes I wish you thought a little less highly of me.”

“If I didn’t think so highly of you, I wouldn’t be here, you know that.”

“Yeah, I do.” He went back to worrying at your neck, his mouth over your scent gland. Instead of biting down, however, he sucked at the skin in a way that was certain to leave its own sort of claiming mark, but one that would fade within a week. 

“You don’t seem to be in any hurry,” you noted, as he took his time littering your nape with hickeys, despite the growing hardness you could feel pressing against your ass.

“How long can you stay?” His hands began to wander slowly over your body, the heat of his palms burning through your clothes.

“A couple of days.” You let out a sigh, allowing yourself to enjoy the feeling of his touch while you could. “I’ve got a trip to Liyue scheduled to check on some ore shipments and it’s too late to rearrange it. Sorry I can’t be here for the whole thing; I should be able to help you through the worst of it though.”

“And when will you be back?”

“I’m not sure. Some of the merchants we’re dealing with are really dragging their feet for some reason. I should be back before your next one, although whether that’s really a good thing or not, I don’t know. Might have been a good incentive for you to actually seek out a more permanent arrangement.”

“I really wish you’d stop bringing that up.” One of his hands slipped underneath your shirt, sliding beneath your undergarments so he could give your nipple a firm squeeze. “What’s so wrong with this?”

You let out an undignified squeak and chastised him with a light slap to the thigh. “I know I sound like some nagging old aunt, but I just want you to find someone who makes you happy. Truly happy, not just sex.”

“And if I said you make me happy?”

“I can’t, not in the way deserve,” you said a little sadly, before putting the thought out of your mind altogether. It was best not to think about what ifs that could never be, it would only lead to hurt. “Now, what do you say we get a move on, before you get so wound up you tear straight through my clothes. Again.”

Wriothesley loosened his hold enough for you to turn around in his lap, fingers moving to undo the buttons of your shirt as he watched with rapt attention.

“With the way you’re so fond of telling me off, anyone would think you’re the alpha in this relationship.” He made no move to touch you, simply observing as you shed your garments one by one. You weren’t entirely sure how he was managing it, you could see the flush on his cheeks, feel the tension in his body—a piece of elastic a hair’s breadth from snapping. Still, if any alpha would have the self-control to hold themselves back during a rut, it would be him.

“Come on mister, it’s not fair to make me do all the work.” You moved to start helping him out of his waistcoat, his jacket having already been shed before you’d even entered the room.

“Alright boss,” he replied with obvious sarcasm, a smirk curling at his lips. With no warning, you were suddenly lifted and flung onto the bed, Wriothesley following you quickly after, caging you in with his body and leaving no hope of escape. “If you’re that eager, you don’t have to wait for me to go into a rut, you know, you can come here anytime. I’ve asked the staff at the front desk to let me know as soon as they see you.”

“It’s a tempting offer.” You helped him out of his waistcoat as he pulled off his tie and tossed it somewhere in the room. “But I’d hate to be the reason for a decline in the efficiency of management of the Fortress.”

“Always an answer for everything.” You didn’t get a chance to retort before his mouth was covering yours, hot and hungry as he ground his hips against your thigh. It would seem his control had finally failed him, as when you kissed back, he let out a satisfied growl from the back of his throat, fingers digging into your flesh as he tugged you into the position he wanted.

You simply let him, tangling your fingers in his hair as you braced yourself for what was sure to be a long and tiring—if enjoyable—affair.

#genshin impact x reader #Wriothesley x reader #a/b/o #I feel like I'm playing it a bit safe with the warnings as this is extremely vanilla but better safe than sorry I think!

[solarswonderland]

dear hanbin

pairing: gn!reader x s.hanbin

wc: 0.5k

genre: fluff, highschool au

warnings: nothing really, just hopeless kids in love

summary: writing a love letter to him

a/n: ive never written anything like this before, I'm actually pretty proud of it. please lmk if it was alright 😓😓

*y.i: your initials

you were always a pen-and-paper person.

you didn't like typing down reminders or to-do lists, you preferred writing them down. there was just something so special about writing to you. probably the way you'd have to shake your pen occasionally because you ran out of ink. or the satisfaction you gain when you scratch out a completed task.

which is probably why you're standing in front of sung hanbin's locker, holding a carefully sealed envelope, decorated with hearts and small stickers you found stuffed deep in your desk drawers.

sung hanbin was truly not real, you thought. there was no way that man was real. he was just too good to be true. the adorable smile, the way he helps everyone around him, how he never got mad, how generous, smart, and nice he is. not to mention, he is incredibly handsome as well. it's no joke, everyone was in love with him. which is one reason you were always too scared to ever confess.

but if there was one thing you were confident in, it was your writing. you figured, since you can't form proper sentences in front of him, why not pen down your thoughts in the form of a letter instead? and that's exactly what you did.

you made sure no one was watching you and slipped the envelope into his locker. you breathed a sigh of relief and made you way to your next class.

after you were gone, hanbin made his way to his locker after basketball practice. he opened it and was startled to see a blue-colored envelope fall out. he grabbed it off the floor and opened it. he thought it might have been mistakenly placed in his locker, but instead was surprised when he read the first two words.

dear hanbin,

it was addressed to him after all. although he was tired and sweaty from practice, he was curious. he continued reading the letter.

dear hanbin,

my heart is racing with a mixture of excitement and nervousness, there are so many words i've been wanting to say to you for years, and i finally have the chance.

from the moment i met you in middle school, when you lent me your pencil because i forgot mine, i've liked you. who knows, maybe its love?

your smile lights up my darkest days, and you have never once failed to make me laugh. every interaction, no matter how small or big, is etched into my memory, replaying over and over again like a broken record. i've admired your kindness, your intelligence, and the way you effortlessly make everyone around you feel at ease.

i want you to know that my feelings for you have not faded with time, if anything, they've grown stronger.

i understand that this letter might come as a surprise, and let's be honest, life's unpredictable. but i couldn't hold back my feelings any longer than i already have. whether fate leads us down a path of togetherness or friendship, i just needed you to know the truth that has been in my heart for so long.

no matter what your response may be, i'll respect it. no matter where life takes us, know that you'll always hold a special place in my heart.

with love,

y.i ♡

he smiled to himself as he read it. just as he was closing the letter after re-reading it over and over again, he saw some text in the back which made him laugh.

do you like me?

□ yes □ no

no pressure, you don't have to tick anything right now :)

sorry that's kinda creepy isn't it

i should probably stop writing...

he grabbed a pen and ticked the 'yes' option, quietly giggling to himself.

© solarswonderland 2023

#kflixnet #k labels #zumblrnet #zerobaseone #zb1 #sung hanbin #hanbin imagines #s.hanbin #hanbin fluff #hanbin angst #hanbin drabbles #hanbin imagine #hanbin x reader #sung hanbin imagines #sung hanbin x reader #sung hanbin smau #sung hanbin fluff #zb1 fluff #zb1 imagines #zb1 angst #zb1 drabbles #zb1 headcannons #zb1 imagine

[salaapaoo]

I have prompt for you (⁠☞ﾟ⁠ヮﾟ⁠)⁠☞

(well, I think it counts as a prompt?)

Cale. We love him. Cherish him. Wish for him to heal but suffer at the same time.

I had this idea where sometimes, Cale wants to tell his family things. So he speaks his confessions in a different language.

At first, he says meaningless things like, "I like the color of your fur," Or "your scales are very smooth." But sometimes, he'll say something like, "I like your eyes because they are full of life. They are very different from mine." And refuse to elaborate

Ron will walk into his room to give him tea and Cale will look up from his book and speak about just how much he appreciates Ron and he will say it so earnestly that Ron wants to know what it was.

Cale looks up at a dining room full of conversations and laughter and will speak of just how scared he is to lose this.

Confessions to no-one but himself, I suppose?

Thank you for this ask!!!! i love prompts! I really enjoyed this because i've been in a bit of a slump lately so this honestly helped a lot hehe :> This turned out longer than i thought??? I might post it to ao3 as well because it's almost at 2k?? If i do, I'll link this ask to it as well !!

this is such a cute concept !!! i hope you like this :>

-

-

-

Before anything else, he had learned to equip himself with words first, piling word upon word to form a barrier to keep others from wandering too close. He learned to structure his sentences in order to garner respect from those around him, all the while maintaining a cold politeness that drew lines that were never to be crossed. In all honesty, he doesn’t remember a time he’s ever allowed himself to erase that line. He’d spent years staring at the daunting line he’d drawn by himself, too afraid to scuff it from the sand. It was too late, he’d tell himself, moving on to try to convince himself that it’s better off to not get too close.

(There were only two people who managed to breach that gap on their own, pulling him right into their orbit with ease).

Now, though, he’d gained so many people who he’s grown to love so dearly- so many people that he wishes he were able to soften his walls and allow himself to be vulnerable around. But habits are hard to change and his fears are too deep rooted to ignore. Cale wished to tell everyone how much he loved them and how grateful he was to have them in his life, but no matter how many times he opened his mouth, the words never came out right. It felt as though a dam stood in his way, tall and sturdy after years and years of reinforcement. A dam that he had built to protect himself from floods, now refusing to budge, leaving him to suffer in drought. His mind was constantly overflowing with his adoration for them, but no words would come when summoned.

(He was scared. This – the chance to finally be vulnerable - was too new, too unfamiliar. Cale was scared that his thoughts would be misunderstood, so he bottles them up before they ever get the chance to become).

It starts out as a slip of tongue.

He’s running his fingers through soft, soft tufts of red. A steady purr emanated from Hong’s chest where he was loafed in Cale’s lap, and it was all too much. His thoughts escaped him before he could even think to stop himself, bubbling out from his lips in a familiar language that only one other knew, “I like the colour of your fur… it’s so pretty.”

"Hm?" Hong perks up, tilting his head back to look up at him, "Did you say something?"

and oh, how freeing that was.

“Nothing, really,” He replies smoothly, lightly scratching at the kitten’s cheek as how he knew Hong liked.

Hong settles again with no questions asked, too sleepy to think further and the nice scratching helps lull him back to sleep. Satisfaction wells up in Cale’s chest after finally being able to voice his thoughts. He feels lighter.

-

Cale sits on the love seat in his room as he waits for Ohn to re-emerge from the bathroom. Recently, he had returned from a visit to the capitol with plenty of souvenirs in tow for the children. He'd invited them to go with him, but the two kittens had chosen to remain at the villa, deeply invested in the new training regimen assigned to them by the Molrans. Raon, on the other hand, practically threw himself into Cale's arms and asked when they would depart.

The door opens a crack and only a sliver of the girl's face visible through it, "It looks kind of weird..."

"Do you want to show me?" He asks, patiently waiting for her response. The door is pulled open and Ohn steps out, shy and unsure as her fingers tangle in the sides of her pants.

"It's not weird at all," Cale says, "I think it suits you, Ohn."

The silver haired girl had a silky white blouse, the front of it adorned with carefully draped frills. The sleeves were long, leading to lace detailed cuffs. This was paired with a dark brown pair of slacks that had thin, silver pin stripes running parallel to each other in vertical lines. Ohn had shown interest in fashion recently, but had grumbled about how a lot of the clothing designs were always too much for her liking and too bulky to fight in. Cale had chosen the fabric of this simple outfit with the help of a tailor on the second day of his stay in the capitol, and he really hoped that he liked it. If not, then they could go together next time.

"Really? You think so?" Ohn looks at him, her eyes dazzling as she sought out more reassurance.

"Yes," He says, standing up from his seat. With a hand on her shoulder, he guided her towards a full body mirror so that she could get another look, "I think you look great, don't you agree?"

This time, Ohn looks more confident in her answer as she nods.

"She's getting so big," He whispers to himself, watching as she darts out of the bedroom to go show the others, "My beautiful, beautiful girl." 

-

It was a little after 3 in the afternoon, but after having an impromptu picnic with the kids and Rosalyn, Cale was hit with a wave of drowsiness. Today, it was a beautiful day where the temperature was just warm enough to feel like being wrapped in a toasty blanket. Even Raon, who would usually be full of energy, fell victim to the cozy lull, so he took the dragon into his arms and made his way back to the bedroom. Now, Cale laid with Raon comfortably tucked in his arms. A gentle breeze caressed the sheer curtains, moving in closer to tickle his skin.

Raon was heavy on his chest and now his size was about to match the length of Cale's torso. He's also grown a lot since the time they met, and Cale is so proud of him. The pride and warmth swarms in his chest like a restless hive of bees, leaving him buzzing with too much affection to contain.

Cale lightly blows at the dragon's face, who in turn, shifts to burrow deeper into arms, away from Cale's breath. He’s out like a light already, and knowing that no one was listening fed the secure feeling in Cale’s chest.

"I'm so proud of you, you know?" He says softly, "My strong, brave dragon..."

Lightly, he drags a finger across Raon's back, tracing along the edges of the black scales. "I love how your brilliant, blue eyes are so full of life," Cale murmurs, pressing a kiss to Raon's forehead. So different from his own, he thinks.

A sputtering rumble comes from the dragon's chest, and Cale is rolling over so that Raon's head is cushioned by his arm instead. He falls asleep easily with Raon in his arms.

-

What nearly gets him caught is when he’s so overcome with the need to thank Ron for all he’s done for him. 

Cale had been holed up in the library for almost the entirety of the day so far, his nose stuck between the fluttering pages of countless novels. It wasn’t a shock that the butler would come check up on him when he lost track of that much time. A soft knock came from the doorway, drawing his attention to Ron, who easily balanced a tray of refreshments in his one hand. 

“Young master,” The butler frowned ever so slightly, his tone chiding, “Have you been so busy that you need to neglect your own needs?”

It’s a light scolding that he’s not quite used to yet, but it’s so warm and comforting even though the smallest part of him feels a bit embarrassed. Maybe it’s the direct show of care that has that part of him shying away. 

“Ah,” He replies dumbly. The book is plucked from his hands to be placed face down on the table and then the space in front of him is taken up by the tray of snacks.

“Knowing you, you’d probably end up forgetting dinner as well if not reminded,” Ron sighs good naturedly. The tray is made up of the cookies Cale loves, neatly cut up fruit, a glass of lemonade, and a halved sandwich.

The fluttering warmth returns full force, swelling his heart until it felt like he was about to burst, so he lets it out. His words stream out like a whispered prayer of thanks, “I don’t know what I’d do without you, so thank you. Thank you so much for all your hard work and thank you for always remaining by myself from the moment I woke up here.” 

Maybe this was dumb on his part because instead of the ease he felt after speaking his mind, he freezes up. Ron, who was already halfway out of the door, stops mid step and turns back to face him. Curiosity and fondness fills his features, “Is there so much on our young master’s mind that it spills out? What’re you thinking about?”

(Ron just had to ask. How could he not when Cale’s muttering was laced with so much fondness that he could make it out even through the barrier of the foreign language). 

“Nothing,” Cale quickly schools his expression, “I was just thinking about the novel I was reading.”

Ron lets out a hum, but he doesn’t quite look convinced. He turns to leave anyway and the door closes behind him with a soft click.

(Although Cale was skilled at masking his thoughts, he could not stop the way the tips of his ears reddened at the sudden attention. It was cute, but Ron knew when to stop pressing). 

-

No matter how many times he’s experienced it, eating together with his family always managed to leave him with a sense of awe. Cale sat in his seat, silently gazing around the lively room. The long table that he had once considered over the top and unnecessary, was filled with all the people he’s grown to love. Vicross, though seated, reached over to slice chicken and distribute to the trio, piling the meat up high to ensure they would be full. Rosalyn’s features held a teasing smile and she lightly elbowed at Choi Han’s side, and Lark’s face took on a pinkish hue. Eruhaben and Ron were engaged in a conversation, each one elegantly cutting into their own meals. 

This was something Cale was grateful for. This was something that filled him with a sense of contentment that he never thought he would be able to experience. If he could help it, Cale would make sure that nothing would be able to take this away from him.

(Even if it meant bleeding himself dry, Cale wanted to protect this). 

One day, Cale hopes that he will be able to tell them how much he loves them, but for now, he’ll have to stick with his one-sided confessions. 

“I love you.” 

#tcf #lcf #trash of the count's family #lout of the count's family #asks #salaapaoo fic ideas #<- this one i just tag so that all the writing stuff can stay together ! #drabble #is this a drabble?? #ron is more lax and chatty in this?? because they're closer !! #they've all bonded more hehehheohohehehehohoo

[zuffer-weird-girl]

Can you please do one where Rappa has gained feelings for the reader. Then he tells chrono one day thinking he would keep it secret. At first Chrono thought Rappa was liking fake fight. But then realized he was serious.

Rappa starts to hug the reader a lot and "I'll give you a good fight, beautiful"

Chrono decides its time to tell Overhaul.

Overhaul goes ballistic

Reader finds it sexy and Overhaul gives the reader a look of 'what I do for you'

I hope that's not a lot, I'm Sorry.

Ps. LOVE YOUR WRITTINGGGG

The majority in here wants to make rappa suffer and I love this

Another day, another train reck.

As the whole haired man thought the sentence he released a deep sigh from his chest as he walked through the corridors until he stopped at the sign of the buff man with arms crossed watching over something with a intense, but not threatening, glance.

Until he noticed it wasn't something... it was someone.

Someone that everybody inside that house knew of.

He arched one of his white eyebrows and approached the man himself before mustering a fake cough to catch his attention.

"Hey dude." The man simply grunted, not even once averting his gaze from the view.

"Can you have the little bit of respect to your own life and stop staring at (Y/n)? You know damn well what will happen if overhaul catches you." The taller man only snickered and finally averted his eyes away from you speaking with Nemoto to look down at Chrono.

"Can ya blame for it? They got a nice piece of ass." Chrono widened his eyes at the vulgarity and the audacity.

If overhaul ever catches him...

"It even sounds like you're doing this on purpose honestly...all of this just to pick another fight with him? It's a low blow to get someone else involved to this you know?"

"Who said is to pick fights?" Rappa spoke before mentioning for you walking away "They're simply gorgeous. Is not about some fight this. (Y/n) is genuinely one of the most beautiful girl I ever saw. Do you know what takes for something that isn't a fight ring to catch my interest?"

... oh dear.

Now that he thought about it... Rappa had been most put of his character whenever you were around.. he would even lower his voice and show off his muscles everything you entered on a room and even crack jokes. The worst was how he looked at you...

So this was serious...

"Rappa, as a community and friend talking don't do this. Is totally immoral. (Y/n) is a relationship with Overhaul and-"

"And I could make her ten times happier than he could... I just gotta be patient. Then one day-" he smirked and made a gesture with closing his fist "(y/n) will no longer be on that overhoe's hands. I'm the best option out here."

Fuck...

.

.

"Kai I need to talk something with-"

"Not now Chronostasis. I need to-"

"Kai seriously this is important-"

"How do you even have the courage to interupt me while I was talking?" He growled, his back towards chrono before he sended a very terrifying one eye glare towards him over his shoulder.

"I apologize. But is truly important this. It involves (Y/n)."

The dark brow haired man muttered your name then finally turned to look at him, he held on his gloved hand a white box of a phone. By the looks of it, it seemed brand new.

The two exchanged looks before the male sighed with a irritated and even flustered growl.

"It's her birthday soon and I wanted to give her this since her phone is on the edge of dying."

"How cute-"

"Shut your mouth." Chisaki growled once again as Kurono gulped thick air. He still could be very intimidating "What do you want to talk about that involves my partner?"

"Well.. you see..."

"Spit it out, I don't have all day."

"Alright, but don't go loosening your shit right after I tell you." The white man sighed with a hand scratching at the back of his neck "Aparently one of the precepts has a, what we say, a crush on (Y/n)."

His golden eyes veined with a arched eyebrow.

"Oh God... crush it means that the precept in question likes your partner... like, a lot. And even wants to makes "moves" towards her. Flirting basically."

"Even knowing that they are in a relationship with me." He assumed with a low growl.

"Yeah... they think they could treat (Y/n) better than you can. And I'm only telling you these since we are friends... I thought you had the right to know before something gets out of hand. I know (y/n) would enver leave you but he seems persistent on this."

It was silence... a deep silence until he cursed at the sudden crash noise he heard.. soon he noticed that in his old childhood friend's hand the box with the phone on it had broken by how hard he had gripped while his eyes emitted a dark area that only meant one thing.

Murderer.

"... who.. is... this man you're talking about Chronostasis?"

.

.

.

"Rappa please let go." You sighed as the man hugged you tighter before finally releasing you "You're a cool guy and all, but I'm happy in my relationship with Overhaul. I told you many times this already."

"Oh come on beautiful." He almost purred as he stared you down "I could be so much better than that mysophobic jackass."

"Rappa." You warned "Don't call my boyfriend a jackass. I'm warning you."

"I like the way you express your opinions with no fear (Y/n)" He brushed your last comment off, as he went to touch your face again with a chuckle "Is cute really."

"Ra-"

"KENDO RAPPA!"

You shivered in fear at the sudden shout coming from the other end of the hall as Rappa snapped his eyes up to the fuming figurine from down the hall.

"Shit-"

You didn't even blink until you saw a flesh of purple and green pass through you and in one second, you saw Rappa exploding and coming back only to be throw on the floor with enough force to leave him gasping.

A foot soon crashed on his chest, a dark and terrifying aurea was around the man that had pinned Kendo Rappa on the floor and you blinked in shook at the sign of your usually stoic and calm boyfriend going berserk on a precept for the first time in your life.

"You dare to speak about you being better for my woman again and I will personally make you the subject for my experiments to the rest of your little miserable life you dirty pig." He growled before picking rappa by the hem of his shirt and threatening to use his quirk again.

"Come on. I dare you to flirt with her again you fucking miserable shit. I fucking dare you." He growled as Rappa only snickered.

"Look at how pissed off you are. Scared much I'm going to steal your girl?" The man chuckled weakly before coughing up blood as Chisaki literally lunched him on the stomach.

"KAI STOP THAT-!" You finally interviewed while pulling your boyfriend by his jacket as the man himself was at the verge of shouting more threats as you dragged him away before he finally scoffed and ordered someone to clean the mess up as he stormed out. With you following him.

"Kai wait-"

"I know I "killed" him and I don't care." He growled as he stepped inside your shared room and went to the bathroom to put his hand under ice water from the sink.

"Actually I was going to-"

"You wanted me to do what? Simply watch as some low thug flirted with you? Where did the respect from those man went anyway?"

"Kai let me-"

"Is not like what he did is not a death wish and-"

"CHISAKI!" You shouted and he widened his eyes, finally gazing at you looking up at him... you never called him that, so you must be mad.

"What?" He scoffed and you simply spoke something eh swore he never saw saw it coming.

"That was hot."

Once again, silence was over the room aside from the sound of the water hitting his hand and the sink before he let out a faint snort as you helped him clean his wounds.

"The things I do for you..." he muttered as you chuckled while badgering his hands until you gasped when he overhauled his own hand.

"Kai don't do that!"

"Is faster this way." He mumbled as he showed you his right hand "Besides, I don't wish to have his germs on me."

#overhaul x reader #chisaki kai x reader #chisaki kai #overhaul #bnha x reader #bnha villains x reader #kai chisaki x reader #bnha villains #zuffer writings

[kuromiiyuuu]

Hiii! I just found your blog and i love your writing so much! Esp the atsumu fic! I'm sucker with that kind of trope!❤

I see that your request are open so if u don't mind, may i request ex to lovers with atsumu x f!reader where's he is the one who initiated to broke up with the reader but the reader doesn't want it but he still left and after some times he regrets it a lot and try to get back? But reader thinks he just pitying her and feel bad for leaving her and one day he will leave again knowing he really looks like he didn't love her anymore when they broke up. It makes his heart ache knowing that he really hurt her so bad but then he promises to make it up and proving that her assumptions are wrong before she really accept him again. Literally just really angst to fluff where atsumu showing his effort and love to gaining her trust again hehe. Im sorry if this is doesn't make sense and too detailed:( i read a lot of break up angst recently so im craving for some comfort huhu but of course you can ignore this if you don't take detailed request!❤ i hope you have a nice day/night, thankyou so much!!❤

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･“I would never fall unless it’s you I fall into.”

—After he claims he had lost his love for you, he leaves, even if you asked him to stay. But what if he shows up after months of healing to ask for a second chance to fix everything he destroyed?

atsumu miya, (f).

genres, tropes, warnings + word count. angst to fluff! | ex boyfriend! ex girlfriend! | not proof read ! | 3.9k! |

notes i. first request and I love it already, also thank you for your kind words🥺💓

You can feel it, his every actions has changed. He spoke to you as if you had no feelings, his eyes looked at you like a mere someone not his someone, just someone. His longing touches became blank and cold.

He was losing his feelings for you, any sane person can tell it. He was no longer the bright Atsumu you first met back then, the apartment you both shared together has gotten dull and dark, you can never get used to this.

But you loved him, with all your heart. He was the first man to ever show you were worth for something, you don’t ever want this relationship to end because you knew this was still capable of saving, and you were ready to risk anything to save it. You could never meet a man great as Atsumu, he made you feel things no other person could do.

They say, things ends for a reason. And maybe this is it, but what ever reason it was, ending things with Atsumu will never have a reason valid to you. 

“I’m sorry, I truly am— but I don’t feel the same way anymore, and it hurts me to see you still tolerating me. You deserve better, Y/n.” The blonde says, hanging his head down in shame as he clutches his jacket in his hands.

You looked at him, were you hurt? Were you in pain? Both, tears falls down across your cheek and you can’t stop it. It hurts you to see your relationship being at the edge of ending things:

“Please don’t leave me, Tsumu. We can fix this, we always fix this.” You refused, shaking your head as you tried to step closer to him but he seemingly backs away, he finally looks up and his eyes were dry as ever.

It was like you were the only one hurting.

“I... I don’t know how to love you anymore.” He confesses, the way he speaks was soft but the words he threw your way was like a piece of hard rock thrown your way.

You took a step towards him again and he thankfully didn’t back away, he thought it was going to be the last time with you, why not let you be? He can’t admit it not yet when he already said those things that he was hurting too.

You bring your hand to cup his cheeks, your eyes released a a large volume of tears. You can’t help it, something you cherished was about to end.

“I see forever with you.” Atsumu says with a laugh at the end of his sentence, his eyes looking at you with admiration.

“That’s cliché, Tsumu.” You joked, your eyes changed shapes as you smiled ear to ear.

“You said it yourself, you saw forever when you were with me.” You denied it all, no nothing can end not when you have so much to offer to him.

“Sometimes forever, doesn’t necessarily mean forever.” He says, his voice low and slowly breaking apart, “I’m sorry, I’m really sorry.”

He then slowly removes your hands from your face as you sobbed.

“I don’t want you to leave.” You clenched your fists at your side, fighting the numbing feeling around your chest area.

“I have to, I can’t stay in a relationship where you’re the only one who’s still feeling things, Y/n.” Atsumu tells you, he runs his hands through his blonde locks, frustration had spread across his face, “Just— Just let me go..”

You wiped your tears finally, thinking about it for a moment before sniffing a one last sob, “Okay.”

You had a very time healing, there was a time you didn’t have any source of energy in your body to eat, almost resulting for you to be taken to the hospital, that’s how bad the break up impacted you. Your family and friends were worried about your well being, but after a month or two. You finally feel yourself again.

You started to be you, feel the happiness you make for yourself. Atsumu was gone, and at times like this you have no one but yourself is what you always say.

So when one of your friends invited you to a dinner with also some of her friends, you agreed. Wanting to have fun with them, and possibly dance the night away. After all you deserved it.

The restaurant was a traditional japanese, it was warm and very welcoming, you had a big smile plastered on your face as you greeted the one’s you knew before sitting at your designated chair, the smile still on your face but soon faded when a voice you knew all too well hits your hearing sentence.

“Their bathroom is very clean.” The voice said, no. You refused to look at his way.

So, when you can hear the footsteps nearing, you used your hair to hide your face. It was dumb and cowardly for you, but you can never earn the guts to ever look into his eyes without feeling your heart cracking slightly. He had pained you enough.

“Ah Atsumu! Come and join us, you took your time alright.” One of the boys says with a bold laugh at the end.

You felt so small, you wanted nothing but to want to have the ground swallow you up at this very moment.

“Y/n? Are you okay?” You hear your friend ask beside you, you cringed at how her voice said your name out loud.

You swear you heard Atsumu mumble your name but you assured yourself maybe it was just your imagination.

Turning your head to look towards your friend as you nod your head frantically, “Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”

She gives you a worried look, rethinking maybe it was a mistake inviting you here, but after all she had no idea your ex boyfriend was ever going to be here.

You hear the chair in front of you move, and a person sits down in front of it, please don’t let it be him, you prayed in your mind, chanting those words like it was a prayer as you slowly look up, and only to your dismay, it was him. Of course it was him, his soft blonde locks appeared in your sight, and what surprised you the most is how he was already looking at you, you can’t make the way he was looking at you, you can’t read it, and you didn’t want to.

You averted your eyes away form him, hoping that he gets the signal you became uncomfortable in his gaze.

You wanted to leave like anyone in the room, but that just shows your weakness towards the blonde and you didn’t want it. You healed, you learned to love yourself and that’s what you like to show him.

And to his point of view, he was confused. Yeah he broke up with you as cold as ice, but then, why did he feel his heart slowly igniting into fire as soon as he took a glimpse of you. It was as if when he first saw you, how hard he fell for you at first sight was the feelings he felt when he first saw you again after the break up and he hates it.

He can’t love you now, when he has already done enough damage, it was unfair to you.

But it wasn’t a sin to think you were as beautiful as the day he lost you. How can he ever do that to you? With all the words he spit out like it was nothing, his feelings faded away and he felt bad. It was confusing to say the least.

After the break up, Atsumu thought he will be the happiest man in the world, finally being free away from the one sided relationship but it was a hard time trying to forget about you after all, he never felt that way to someone before.

And those feelings came back, just by a single look in your eyes he knows he was falling all over again.

Your group of friends started digging in the food that was in front of you, and you felt a little shy to start eating, so you placed such small food onto your plate to eat, your appetite of eating has dropped a shocking amount.

“Yer not hungry?” That familiar accent of his, was he talking to you? Oh how you hope he wasn’t. But when you looked up to him, it answers all your questions.

He was already looking at you, those foxy eyes of his staring right back at you.

You felt awkward but you moved your mouth nonetheless, “No, not really.”

“Well, try this— they make like the best sushi!” He exclaims with a smile, his smile, after months you never forget how it looks like, to think about it he quite changed. His hair now pushed back and his face was refreshing than ever. The relationship was really bad for him, huh.

With no permission from you, the blonde grabs one of the sushi by his chopsticks to place on your plate, some of your friends had silenced to watch the awkward interaction and both of you failed to notice.

You look up at him in surprised, “It’s fine, I’m quite okay.”

You refused, placing the sushi at the farthest corner of your plate as you flash him a forced smile. It was maybe your imagination but you see a glimpse of disappointment flash across his face.

“Ah I’m sorry.” He says with a scratch at the back of his neck, his tone tells it all, he was kind of expecting for rejection.

You didn’t reply at his apology, you only remained silent to eat from your plate. Finding it hard to look up and to maintain conversations with anyone.

The rest of the dinner was silent for you, your friends had fun sure, you giggled and laugh at some time but the majority of it was you just sitting on your chair to listen to them talk, also not liking the fact that majority of it was Atsumu’s gaze lingering on you and you wanted nothing more than to want to brush it off of you like it was dirt stained on your shirt, he was sparking up conversations here and there but you instantly turned it down before it can even ascend any further.

And at last, the dinner finally came into an end. It felt like forever to sit around while trying so hard to stay quiet when Atsumu was literally in front of you. After you had said your good bye’s to your friends, you took the chance to leave first, telling such bullshit reason that it was family emergency.

So as soon as you had gotten out of that restaurant you can’t help but inhale the soft breeze of the night, you bury both of your hands inside your pocket and started heading home where you can chill with your cats and maybe watch something to ease your mind before falling asleep.

But then, after being a few blocks away from the restaurant you were stopped.

“Y/n, wait.” Someone says behind you, and you can never forget about that voice his.

Your feet seemed to stop in cue, and you can’t move them anymore. You prayed you had the strength to face him on whatever thing he wants with you. But you just hoped you are able to cope with him, even just for this time and you wished to not see him anymore after this.

You turned around slowly, watching as he pants, trying to chase his breath as he stops a meter away from you, “Uh... How are you?”

“Just get to the point, Miya.” You strictly tell him and he cringes at the last name basis.

He began to fidget with his fingers, he shows body languages that he was indeed nervous, while you only looked at him, adding pressure just by looking at him.

“It’s nice seeing you again— after you know, gosh I’m so sorry about that.” He says, bringing his hand back again to the back of his neck to scratch it, a habit he never loses whenever he has a hard time gathering his emotions.

“It was like a month ago, I’m sure both of us had moved on from it.” You replied with no emotion visible on your tone, and it gives the blonde a hard time to tell what you’re thinking.

“Yeah, I’m sure we both moved on from it.” He agrees with you with a nervous laugh at his end, “By the way, is there a way that I can see you again?”

“See me again? Why?” You ask, crossing your arms in front of your chest to raise an eyebrow at the nervous blonde.

“I know I messed up before, but allow me to fix it, allow me to fix us.” He confesses and just like deja vú, you backed a step away and he widens a little at your actions.

“There’s nothing to fix Miya, we ended months ago.” You say, shaking your head and finding it very hard to believe he was trying to get back to you, no, not when you’re doing just fine by yourself. And after all, you had no idea if he’ll end up leaving you again, “You’re not sure about your feelings, Miya. So don’t go around saying you want me back.”

“After the break up, I thought I’d be able to forget about you. But you never once left my mind.” He confesses finally, looking down to his feet as he feels shame overcoming him.

You laughed bitterly, “Why are we even having this conversation? Nothing is need to be said.”

“There is! Let me take care of this, let me fix the things I broke.” He tells you. His eyes was nothing but genuine, you can tell, your heart listened to him, wanting to just elope him into a tight hug but your brain was unsure if he was able to do what he did back then.

“Stop, just stop— you’re just gonna waste your time.” And with that being said you left, leaving him to his own regret and sorrows. But you’ll be damned if you think he’ll stop there, he knows he feels bad, the damage he had cost you was so much and he would willingly fix it.

He knows he loved you, he was a fool to let his feelings overcome him at the day you two broke up, but the truth is, he did lose feelings, but he was unaware that it was capable of coming back. Now he was sure, he loved you unconditionally.

First day, you woke up to a soft knock at your front door. You stirred in your sleep until you were fully awoken by how long the knocking had lasted, with a grumble and a little bit of cusses on your way to your front door, you opened it with no care.

But soon closed it right after when you were met by a familiar blonde man standing right on top of your door mat, both his hands occupied with either flowers and snacks. You leaned your back against the door, finding it very hard to face him at this kind of moment, “Get lost, Miya!”

Your heart beats hard against your chest but your mind shakes the sweet moment away.

“B... But, at least accept the flowers.” He tells you at the other side, his face frowns.

“Leave, please just leave.” You say, now sliding down to the tiles, bringing your knee to your chest as you tried to calm your heart down.

Atsumu on the other side looks at the flowers in his hand, and without any thought he places it right in front of your door before leaving with no words cause he knows how much you didn’t want him to be there.

At the middle of your day when you had to go to the supermarket to buy some products you needed to use, you were met by the flowers the blonde left earlier. And your harshly picked it up to throw in the trash can, he was confused by his feelings and he shouldn’t be wasting his time for you because things ended for good.

How did he even find out about your house address?

And the day after that he showed up in your front door, all kinda of sweet stuff in his hand as he gives you such smile while you only slammed the door right in his face, the coldest thing ever but he understood, and he doesn’t give up to place the things on your doorstep to recognize later on with the day, unknown to him they were all sitting on your trashcan.

You thought he was going to give up after a couple of weeks, or even months but he didn’t stop, sometimes stopping by your work place to meet you at the entrance to hand you the same flowers he had to give, but you had sadly ignored him, you were stubborn, you listened to your heart before and look where it got you, it doesn’t hurt to listen to your mind once in a while right?

There then comes a time where all of it finally came down on you, it was heavily raining, and his familiar knock on your door was heard an hour ago, you thought he left already since it rained like cats and dogs, so you laid in your bed, trying to get some sleep, but you were turning, moving around on your bed, not being able to find such spot to sleep, and then, you suddenly stand up, and before you knew it you were already moving towards your window to look outside, and there he was. Standing under the rain as he grabbed onto the flowers he had for the day and the chocolates in his hands.

He looked like he was standing there under the rain for about an hour and it pokes right on your heart, you hate seeing him like this.

You sighed, finally ignoring your mind as you ran up down stairs after putting on a decent outfit, opening the door frantically at your front door, “Atsumu!”

You used his first name and you didn’t even notice, his head turns over to you. And your body weakened when you notice his lips had gone slightly blue. 

What was he thinking? You say in your head as you frown before signaling him inside your house and he hesitantly did it. Walking inside your house and as you see him up close you can see his bottom lip slightly quivering.

“Are you crazy?” You exclaims, taking the flowers and chocolates from him, for the first time you had placed them right on your table before guiding Atsumu towards your kitchen, you excused yourself to go grab a towel from your bathroom, not hesitating to place it around him and he mumbles a thank you.

“Why would you do that? You’re going to get sick, Atsumu.” You say, worry lacing your voice as you continued to make some hot chocolate for him, you knew how much he loves it on a rainy day and even yourself can’t tell the reason why you did it, “You always do careless things!”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t want to miss a day of bringing you flowers.” He says, his voice low and raspy as he hangs his head down.

You halt your movements and in that little moment your heart skipped a beat, “Why are you still trying?”

Atsumu stays silent for a moment, “Because I love you, I really do. And after getting a look at you again after months of trying to move on, I just knew I had to see you again.”

This time, you really stopped your movements, unable to know what to speak next as you gulped down a group of saliva, somehow, there was nothing but genuine and honesty in his tone, you too felt the same, you denied it all the time and maybe finally your mind was made up, why not give it a try? Everybody deserves a second chance, but you were probably still gonna be cautious around him.

“One date.” You say, grabbing the cup in your hand as you walked up to him to hand him the cup and he doubts a little bit before accepting it.

“What.” He widens his eyes, his movements freezing.

“I have some spare oversized clothes that may fit you, you can also take a shower while you’re here.” You say, blushing furiously as you tried to change the topic as you make your way out of the kitchen, not long enough you were leaning your back against the wall beside the entrance to the kitchen.

Placing your hand on your chest as you clenched it, trying to calm down your heart from beating so fast as if you had just talked to Atsumu for the first time, without realizing a smile makes it’s way up to your lips.

After the interaction, you are embarrassed to say you dug out the things he bought for you, the flowers, cards, and stuff animals out of the trashcan you refused to disposed, you then treasure them in your room.

And that day finally came, the day Atsumu has been waiting. Both of you attended the festival that happened in hyōgo. Atsumu was smiling, not a single second did you see it fade away in the slightest and you were also giggling at his lame old jokes, you can’t help but to admit it but, you missed him.

And he misses you, he believes both of you can still be fix, and he just needs for you to believe in him, and you slowly do, you missed the way he made you feel and the way he made you feel safe, you believed it was the right thing.

Both of you had the time of your life, able to feeding each other with street foods and what not, he treated you like you were so fragile and he was aware that he might hurt you.

At last, the day has finally reached it’s exciting part, you and Atsumu stood beside each other at the view of the whole town, the lights reflected your face and it enhanced it so prettily, Atsumu watches you admire the view, while he admired you.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, please enjoy this beautiful firework show starting in five seconds.” A lady announces in the speakers and you can’t help but feel excited.

“Atsumu, it’s starting!” You exclaims, looking over to him with a smile he wishes he could see again, and he thanks the God he was able to.

“Thank you.” He suddenly says, his gaze not leaving yours.

“F... For what?” You failed to start a normal sentence, your smile slowly faded.

“For giving me a chance.” He tells you, his eyes softening as the moment passes by.

And before you can even open your mouth, the first fireworks lights up in the air, the sound slightly catching you off guard and it that moment, the firework light enhances both of your faces as you look into each others eyes.

But soon you looked away first, finding it hard to look away but you managed and so did Atsumu. You both enjoyed the beautiful sight in front of you, heart beating and seeking for each other.

And then, one of the biggest fireworks you had seen lights up the pitch black sky, “Wow, it’s beautiful.”

Atsumu slowly turns his head to you, watching as your eyes adore the sight before you as he open his lips to say, “so beautiful.”

please do not repost! this wasn’t profread!

#atsumu #atsumu x reader #atsumu angst #atsumu fluff #haikyuu #haikyuu fluff #haikyuu angst #haikyuu x reader #tsumu #atsumu miya #YAY!

[elephart-hi]

Some background on Oak and Suren for anyone who needs a refresher (with new edits)

This is after Cardan became a snake

This after Cardan’s head was chopped off at the coronation during the sentencing

Here are my thoughts

SOOO first thing that confused me with the description was that Holly called Suren the changeling queen (check my edit!) !!! One bc she is technically no longer a queen and two in order for her to to be a changeling Suren would have had to leave fairy for the mortal world!!!

But the discription also calls her a runaway soooooo maybe she ran away from fairyland and became a changeling that way (check my edit!)

Also let’s not forget the boon she owes Oak!!!!

Or that they were almost betrothed lol cute

So a reluctant prince on a quest with a scary queen

Hmmm

sounds a lil familiar

I can just imagine Cardan saying that the Greenbriar men have a pension to both being lazy and besotted with terrifying women

I’m so excited for this book

Edit:

TOTALLY MISSED THIS!!

@painfullysensible

SHE IS ALREADY A CHANGELING so ur telling me this poor 9 year old child was raised in the safety of the mortal world ONLY TO BE DRAGGED BACK TO END UP LIKE THIS!!!!

(From Suren’s wiki page)

So you mean to tell me that poor baby Suren was raised as a happy little changeling child going to school in the mortal world (where her evil parents dumped her for their own greedy purposes) playing video games and having a safe normal mortal life….

Until her wicked parents FORCEFULLY dragged her back to fairyland when THEY decided she would finally be useful to them.

AND THEN PAINFULLY ENSLAVED HER

they bound her with a cursed bridal and stitched a crown permanently onto her head and chained her wrist BY PENETRATING HER SKIN AND PUTTING A CHAIN THROUGH IT TO LEASH HER

What THE F&$@ I’m livid

So my NEW THOUGHTS With this additional information:

First of all Suren is a FANTASTIC CLONE CHARACTER TO THE WHOLE DUERTE FAMILY

Vivi was taken to the mortal world to be protected but then was forcefully dragged back around the same age that Suren was, by her own evil parent who wanted to use her (remember the Prophecy that made their mother run in the first place! It went something like: Eva’s child will be a more powerful weapon than One that Justin could ever forge) Madoc wanted that weapon

Jude and Tayrn also we’re stolen from the only life they ever knew. And Jude ended up being that weapon from the prophecy and Madoc knew that and definitely wanted to manipulate her to gain control

Suren is also a clone to Cardan, who was physically abused his family (like she was) and then was used as a puppet king (like she was) (yes jude treated him way better but it was still what happened)

AND OAK OMFG DONT GET ME STARTED ON HOW OAK AND SUREN CLONE AND FOIL EACHOTHER

The tl;dr Suren suffered the fate that Madoc would have subjected to Oak to, furthermore their lives and stories clone the other’s

A royal heir stolen away as a child

Lived a normal life til the time came for their parents to exploit them

To be used as a puppet king/queen

So they were again stolen away from the only life they ever knew

Also bonus their lives have been split between elfhame and the mortal world at opposite times of their lives

Let’s get into it

Madoc LITTERALLY was going to use Oak as his own puppet king!! It’s the whole reason Jude went through with everything!!! She sent Oak to the mortal world to protect him from that horrible and dangerous fate!

Oak was a royal heir stolen by Oriana. Then he was raised and loved by her, Madoc and his adoptive sisters.

Oak was SO LOVE IN FACT that when the opportunity came for his father to exploit him, his adoptive sister literally took over the country to prevent it from happening

Right before Jude found out about Oak, Vivi was like come back to the mortal world with me. Jude was like I’m not sure if I know how to be a human anymore… maybe I could learn, (learn to not be a power-hungry monster girl anymore) I could just turn over Cardan to Madoc, he’s never done anything for me anyways, maybe I could be human and live with my sister. BUT THEN SHE FOUND OUT THE TRUTH ABOUT OAK FROM ORIANA and so she had to construct the whole plan to betray Madoc and Cardan and to take over Fairyland.

Just so Oak could have a chance at the normal life she and her sisters never got so to protect him they stole him away from the life he had always know to live in the mortal world

JUDE WENT THROUGH HELL TO KEEP OAK SAFE, yes she kept at it bc of her lust for power but it all started with her love for Oak. This is how Loved Oak was. His family, specific Vivi, Oriana and Jude, went to great lengths to protect Oak

BUT POOR SUREN

she was royal heir stolen away to the mortal world and was raised their until the time came for her parents to exploit her

She was then again stolen away from the live she had always know and was abused and exploited as their puppet queen!!!

No one protected her

Except for Oak.

The boy prince who almost suffered the same fate as she did. Oak Interceded for her and was the reason she was granted Leniency

THE STOLEN HEIR WILL BE AMAZING

I can’t wait to know the actual canon back story for surens life in the mortal world and how everything went down ABBDJSUSHDHE AHHHHHH

#oak greenbrair #queen suren #tfota #holly black #the stolen heir #the cruel prince #the wicked king #the queen of nothing #jude duarte #cardan greenbriar #edited

[writingjjfics]

What about kook!reader who’s the nicest girl on the island she’s good friends with kid and jj has a crush on her so he gets nervous every time he sees her or she hangs out with them

Unexpected love

Pairing: JJ Maybank x kook!reader, Platonic!Pogues x kook!reader

Warnings: Nothing I can think of *(but correct me if I'm wrong please)*

Word count: 1.8k

A/N: I hope you meant Kie haha! Thanks for the request love, hope this is what you had in mind.

I'm so sorry for all the late updates, I've been struggling with writers block and I feel like everything I write is bad. Besides, English is not my main language so that makes it more difficult for me.

Keep sending me requests tho. I still love to write every change I get.

& Thanks for all the likes and reblogs I've received on my other posts in the meantime. I appreciate it and it means a lot to me ❤️

"You sure he is okay with me being there? He always ignores me", you said to Kie as you walked toward the chateau.

Earlier in the day, when Kie invited you to hang out with the Pogues, you were instantly excited. You haven't known them for very long, but you loved to spend time with them. Aside from that, you don't have many other friends. You live as a Kook, but you're actually a Pogue at heart, which doesn't make you very popular. You hated most Kooks, Kie being the only one who understood you. You soon became good friends with her and after a while, she introduced you to the rest of the Pogues.

"That's just JJ being JJ, don't worry about it. He needs a little more time to gain people's trust, but he'll come around soon", Kie reassured you.

You blushed while talking about the blond pogue. Your crush on the boy grew stronger by the day, even though he clearly shows no interest in you. It's not that he's mean to you, he just acts differently toward you than the rest of the Pogues. Like he's uncomfortable having you around. At first, you thought it had something to do with you being a Kook, but he was acting normal towards Sarah, so that couldn't be it.

JJ ignores you most of the time, but not because he doesn't like having you around or doesn't trust you as a Kook. No, it's completely the opposite. He ignores you because he is afraid of his feelings. He's not the type to fall for someone this quickly, but the moment Kie introduced you to him, he felt different. He wouldn't call it love at first sight, but it was definitely something. He didn't want to get you into his bed like all the other girls, well maybe he did, but he also wanted more. However, when you approached him to introduce yourself, JJ went into a complete blackout and could no longer form sentences. His normal flirty self wasn't there. So he stuck to a basic 'hey', but it came across as very rude. Like he didn't want you there. He hates the way he acts around you. Especially since you're being nothing but nice to him. You are the sweetest person he has ever met and he makes you feel unwanted just because he can't handle his feelings.

"I hope so"

Kie already knew there was something else going on with JJ. She started noticing the secret looks JJ gives you when you aren't looking and caught him stalking your Instagram page a few times. She's not going to tell you tho, that's up to JJ.

----------

Not much later, you and Kie walked to the porch of the Chateau where the rest of the Pogues were already in full conversation, though JJ was not in sight. You thought that was weird, wondering if it had anything to do with you coming here. Not knowing JJ went to the bathroom for the hundredth time this day because he was so nervous and had to 'take a piss' every 5 minutes, including checking every time if he still looked decent enough. You greeted everyone else and sat down when you heard footsteps coming from inside.

"Yo, what's up with th-", JJ said as he walked out of the Chateau, but stopped halfway through his sentence as soon as he met eyes with you. You smiled at him and greeted him kindly. He only mumbled something unintelligible, waved weakly, and quickly returned to his seat next to Pope. You could tell he was trying his best to avoid eye contact with you.

ouch, this hurts more than you thought

An uncomfortable silence followed. Everyone had noticed the uneasy scene between you and JJ. You glanced at Kie and she gave you an apologetic smile. She knew his act was bothering you.

After a few seconds, John B cleared his throat and continued the story he was telling before JJ interrupted him. Everyone else joined in except you. You zoned out, wondering again why the blond boy in front of you disliked you so much and how the hell you decided to fall for him. However, you snapped out of it when the boy in question suddenly stood up.

"I'm going to get more beer"

Not a minute later you also got up and announced that you had to use the bathroom. But what you really intended to do was to confront JJ. You've had enough of him ignoring you without having a reason. And if there was a reason behind it, you were ready to find out.

You walked into the Chateau and saw JJ looking in the fridge.

"Why do you ignore me?"

JJ was startled and jumped up a bit, not thinking you'd be behind him. He quickly pretended that he was meant to do that before answering nonchalantly.

"I'm not ignoring you"

"Yes, you are. Is it because I'm a kook? Or just annoying?"

"It's just because you're new. I need more time to get used to someone extra in this group. Don't take it so personally. It's not that big of a deal. Not everyone has to like you, you know"

JJ's words came out much more blunt than intended. Almost like he was mocking you for wanting everyone to like you. You nodded and bit your lip to avoid the tears coming up. You weren't used to people being harsh at you and you clearly couldn't handle it well.

"If you don't want me here just say so"

At this point, JJ saw the pain in your eyes. He figured you didn't like the way he treated you, but he never thought it would hurt you so much. This was never his intention. He hated seeing you like this. He hated himself for it. When he noticed you were ready to turn back around to go outside again, he exhaled nervously and quickly grabbed your hand to get your attention.

"Wait Y/n, let me explain please"

"What's to explain? You made it pretty clear you don't want me here"

You yanked your hand from his grasp and made your way to the door, only to be stopped abruptly when you nearly bumped into someone. That someone is JJ. He had quickly run ahead of you to stop you.

Your first reaction of being annoyed that he was in your way didn't make you realize how close the two of you were. You looked him in the eye and for the first time since you met him, he looked right back at you. As if he finally saw you. It gave you butterflies and made you forget that you were, in fact, angry at him. When JJ noticed your expression had changed, he knew he had to speak up.

"Please just listen"

By now you had become curious about what he had to say and you noticed he struggled with his words. Deciding to give him a chance to explain himself.

"Okay, I'll listen"

"Can we maybe sit down? That makes it easier for me", JJ chuckled nervously.

This was the first time JJ had spoken more than just a few words to you. It felt good to have his attention. You hoped that after this conversation, you could both forget the past and become friends. Although you still had a little hope for more.

Meanwhile, you and JJ had sat down on the couch, both at the very end on each side, leaving a lot of space in the middle, and JJ played nervously with his rings avoiding your gaze.

You waited for JJ to start talking while JJ waited for himself to get the courage to tell a girl for the first time that he had feelings for her. Actual feelings and not the usual 'I'm drunk and horny and I want to hook up with the first, possible girl I see' feelings. This was all new for him.

"I, uh- I want to apologize for how I've been acting around you", JJ started but you interrupted him quickly.

"Yeah, you really acted like a dick toward me"

But when he glanced in your direction and quietly told you to let him finish, you understood not to interrupt him anymore.

"Sorry," you laughed nervously. "go on"

"I know I made you feel unwanted and uncomfortable, and I'm truly sorry. And I know you feel like I don't like you and don't want you here, but I assure you I definitely don't feel that way. The way I act is because I don't really know how to behave around you. You make me feel things I'm not used to and I don't know how to deal with them. I like you Y/n. And that's a first for me. I've never felt this way for anyone and I think every time you were around my head just got errors because of the unknown feelings. I'm so sorry I hurt you because of it"

You frowned, confused if you had heard him correctly. The JJ Maybank had feelings for you?

"So you're telling me you acted like this because you like me?"

JJ nodded and let out a soft "yes" with a nervous laugh.

"Oh my god", was all you could say as you let yourself fall deeper into the couch. It made JJ feel insecure. He wanted to run to 'his' bedroom across the living room, pack his bags and move to Yucatan so he wouldn't have to deal with the pain of rejection. But as soon as he indeed planned to run away you finally spoke up.

"I can't believe I've tried so hard to ignore my feelings all this time. All because I thought you wouldn't like me in any way with the way you behaved towards me. I thought I was stupid enough to like someone who showed absolutely no interest in me"

"I'm sorry for making you feel-", JJ began but stopped when he realized what you were actually confessing. "Wait, so you like me too?"

"Sadly yes", you said teasingly with a big grin

"Oh shut up, like it's a bad thing to fall for this?", JJ reacted cockily while he pointed to himself and his body.

You started laughing which made JJ laugh too. He loved seeing you smile and he was finally the reason for it.

After a few seconds, JJ cleared his throat and became serious again. "So, can I take you on a date?"

"If you promise to talk more than 1 sentence and look me in the eye, I would love to go on a date with you"

JJ rolled his eyes playfully which made you laugh again.

"I promise Y/n"

#jj maybank x reader #jj maybank #jj maybank fluff #jj maybank fanfiction #jj maybank fic #jj maybank x you #jj maybank x y/n #jj obx #jj maybank imagine #jj maybank x fem!reader #obx #outer banks #outerbanks #obx fanfic #obx fluff #reader x platonic!pogues #poguestyle

[shoot-the-oneshot]

Just a jacket

requested by @vampireatemycats​ 32 "you need to work on your people skills," 42 "is that mine?' "are you refurring to me or the shirt?" Derek hale x reader A/N i know this one is a little short i just wanted to get it out quick the others will be longer but i hope you like it

He doesn't know when it started but Derek found himself not dreading the pack meetings in his loft once a week as Scott demanded be hosted there since Derek was the alpha, don't get it wrong he still hated the uncontrolled teenage hormones stenching up his home or how Stiles would bring over all the pieces of his wall of crazy and spread it across every inch available. but he always found it worth it when she'd walk in suddenly her scent stuck to everything she touched and the dusty old police files seemed like the most interesting thing when the contents fell from her lips as she read aloud. that's why he's leaning against the island watching the door like a hawk.

you were late, you were never late you always came early to help him set out snacks which he only had because they were your favorite not that he'd ever admit it. "Hey!" Stiles yelped when Derek reached out and yanked his arm. "Where's Yn?' "What!" rolling his eyes at the spazz he readly doent know how you deal with him, "Y/n isn't here where. is. she.?" he sighed out trying again making Stiles bristle up, he sensed Dereks' weird obsession over you no matter how many times Lydia and Alison say it's a normal crush he refuses to see it like that. No way sourwolf could have normal emotions, nope. "Why do you care? matter of fact while we are asking where things are where is the food? drinks? little dog treats you nibble on at night?" Lydia could see the older wolf getting irritated at the game Stiles was playing and decided to break it up. "She has dinner plans tonight in town." no longer than it took her to finish her sentence he was already out the door, the strawberry blonde smiled pulling her phone out to warn you, she was definitely your biggest shipper. in the center of downtown becon hills, you were sat at your favorite diner books laid open across the table being ignored as you laughed at some joke the young deputy told you the smile on his face slowly fell as he locked eyes on something behind you. before you could ask what was wrong two hands landed with a heavy thud on the table as Derek glared at Parrish, "Don't you have better things to do?" at the flash of Dereks eyes, Parrish just sighed and gathered his things. not without saying goodbye to you drawing out a low growl that only the two supernatural could hear. once he's out the door Derek drops into the empty chair and flipped through one of the books set out like nothing happened. raising your eyebrow at him gaining nothing but a shrug, "That was rude." "So is being late." he rebuttled, shooting you a look before going back the the book which you know he wasnt actully reading seeing as it was upside down. 'For the record, I texted Stiles and Scott that i was busy tonight," for some reason wanting him to know you didn't just ditch. "Next time text me." he hummed, meeting your eyes, a smirk pulled up of his face as he sat the book down and leaned in, eyes shooting to the jacket draped over the back of your chair. "Does your little sherrif know you brought my jacket on your date?" crap, he gave it to you weeks ago after a pack meeting and it was too cold outside you had almost forgotten it was his only the occasional whiff of his cologne reminding you but still hadn't stopped you from practically taking ownership of it, not that he needs to know you were nervous and it brought you comfort, the jacket, not Derek. "It wasn't a date and he's a deputy." you didn't notice your foot tapping under the table or the fact he could literally hear your heartbeat but you didn't want to give in that easily. Derek who was still leaned in sat back in his chair smiling not caring you defended the deputy one bit and nodded his head back at the leather jacket. "You didn't answer the question, is. that. mine?'' his tone slowed as it did in the loft but had a completely different meaning with you. the look in his eye gave you some unexpected confidence. you and Derek have always been close ever since Scott got bitten he never got irritated at you or withheld information and you were normally the middle man because of it. while you both knew you had feelings for each other and could often be found stuck to the other side or cuddling on his couch during a full moon when he was too afraid to leave you alone claiming you were safer there, regardless you had never crossed that line but the feeling tonight had you toeing that line. mimicking his previous position. "Are you refuring to me or the jacket?" You didn’t bother to hide the teasing tone your voice took sinking your teeth into your bottom lip when his eyes flash down to them. You knew you were being blunt but you were tired of waiting for him to make a move which came to a shock to your table companion but wasn’t objecting. Dereks smirk changed to a real smile as he met your eyes and took a breath as if preparing himself to speak the words aloud or preparing for what could be your reaction to them. But with the signs you’d given tonight, he felt more confident than he normally would around you. “The jacket.” He words or lack there off made your shoulders drop in defeat. Maybe Lydia was wrong maybe you were wrong. To far in your head you didn’t notice Derek lean forward in the table again, close enough to feel his breath fanning over your nose and lips. “I already know you’re mine.” Pulling away leaving you in your haze he stood, grabbing the jacket from your chair you thought he was carrying it for you until he took the one he was wearing off and held it open waiting for you to slide your arms through. Not fully understand why until you obliged the cologne and a scent that is solely Derek engulfed you. Laughing under your breath which you knew he heard. “Did you give me this because it smells more like you?” Derek didn’t even look ashamed for being so transparent, slinging his arm over your shoulder and pulling you further into his side. Loving the fact he could smell himself on you knowing that if he could so could every other supernatural in town.      “Have you make sure everyone knows who you belong to"

#teen wolf imagine #derek hale imagine #derek hale x reader #derek hale x you #teen wolf x reader

[ashspecter]

J.O.Y. (Just One Yesterday);

@princessfanonanona's prompt: Due to things going Oh So Wrong, someone ends up in the past in their far younger body @currentlylurking’s prompt: “Even if I could change it,” Clockwork lied, “I wouldn’t.”

Summary: In another attempt to gain everything he lost back in college, Vlad tries to steal Clockwork’s staff, unknowing of the lesson the Master of Time already had planned for him.

Warnings: N/A

Words: 3,729

Vlad has made a lot of bad decisions in the last couple of years but going after Clockwork’s staff, he has to admit, is by far the most ridiculous and most ill-planned thing he has ever done. He should have known that the Master of Time, of all people, would be expecting him to show up and do exactly what he did. The ghost is practically a god— who is Vlad to think he could outsmart a seemingly omnipresent being? Now he must pay the consequences of his actions and solve the new predicament he’s gotten himself tangled in.

Vlad curses himself as he lays flat on his back in a wide-open field, watching lazy white clouds drift overhead. The sun beats down warmly, starkly contrasting the cold confusion within him. He doesn’t know where he is or when he is. But he does know that he is still himself. Although, he does feel different. The aching in his bones— which he never noticed until now— no longer tugs at him, reminding him of his age and there is no longer a constant needle-like sensation poking him repeatedly in the face. He exhales, not wanting to move and discover where or when he’s exactly ended up. But the longer he sits there thinking, the more restless he becomes.

Finally, he sits up and brushes the grass off his sweatshirt— wait, sweatshirt? He glances down to see his old and one-size-too-large Madison-Wisconsin University Department of Biology jumper covering almost the whole of his lanky figure with a pair of faded jeans, and beat-up sneakers. Beside him is his backpack filled with textbooks and class notes. He knits his brows together and snaps his attention up to take in his surroundings. The campus looks… different. Not in a bad way, no. But the buildings have that vibrant, untouched look of newness about them— as if this were its glory days.

At realizing something awful and incredible all at once, Vlad huffs and runs a hand over his hair to smooth it out. However, he finds it shorter, greasier, and darker all at once. With his other hand, he somehow touches a lump in his pocket. Curious, he pulls a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket— the campus newspaper, dated 1983. The same year he, Maddie, and Jack were sophomores in college.  If he had been his older self, Vlad is sure he would have died completely right then and there.

The edges of his vision blur with the panic that clenches his stomach. It’s one thing to mess with powerful artifacts, but it’s entirely another to find yourself thrown decades into the past, back into your younger body. He remembers this time, a period filled with ambitions and accidents waiting to happen. Accidents he has come here, or rather been sent back, to prevent.

If he can.

“Even if I could change it,” Clockwork had lied, “I wouldn’t. But since you think you can, I’ll let you try.”

That sentence echoes in his mind as he stands and starts walking toward the familiar yet foreign buildings. Vlad needs to find Maddie and Jack, though part of him dreads what he might set in motion by even speaking to them. Their friendship had been tight and unbreakable before everything fell apart.

He spots them easily enough outside the science building. Jack’s loud laughter booms across the quad, and Maddie’s brilliant smile lights up her face as she rolls her eyes at whatever Jack is saying. They both look so young and er… well, spunky, full of life, and unaware of the shadows that will fall over their future. Vlad’s heart clenches. He had come here to prevent his own grim future, but now, standing just feet away from his past, he feels paralyzed.

Should he approach them and warn them of what’s to come? But how would he explain his knowledge? Would they even believe him? And what about the ramifications? Vlad’s understanding of time travel is limited, but he knows enough about chaos theory to understand that even small changes can ripple outward with unforeseen consequences.

Vlad takes a deep breath, his mind racing through countless scenarios, none of which end particularly well. The memory of Clockwork’s smirking face haunts him; the Master of Time knew the turmoil this decision would cause. But despite the whirlwind of uncertainty, he steps forward, his decision firming with each stride.

“Hey, Maddie! Jack!” Vlad calls out, his voice cracking slightly with a nervousness he hasn't felt in decades.

Maddie turns, her brow furrowing in confusion before her face breaks into a wide grin, “Vlad, there you are! We were just talking about that biochem test. Coming to study with us later?”

“You missed my epic explanation of covalent bonds.” Jack claps him on the back, nearly knocking the breath out of him, “Probably for the best. Maddie almost fell asleep standing.”

Vlad laughs, a genuine chuckle that surprises even him, given the weight of his mission and the surrealism of the situation. He nods, falling into step beside them as they begin to walk toward the library. This camaraderie, this ease among friends—it’s almost enough to make him forget why he’s here. Almost.

As they enter the library, the smell of old books and the soft shuffling of papers bring a wave of nostalgia so strong that Vlad has to pause to steady himself. Maddie turns to look at him, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity.

“Everything alright?” She asks, tilting her head and allowing her auburn curls to frame her face. The genuine worry in her eyes tugs at Vlad’s heart. She still cares, just as she always did, before everything changed.

“Yeah, just... overwhelmed by the test, I guess,” Vlad lies smoothly, pushing down the urge to spill everything about his bitter future. But he hesitates, the warning from Clockwork echoing in his ears.

“Everything you change will have an impact on the future,” The Master of Time had said, “What you think may be a good thing can be negative and what you think may be negative can be a positive. Change is dangerous in the hands of the unprepared.”

As they settle into a corner of the library with their textbooks spread out, Vlad watches his friends closely. Jack’s loud guffaws and Maddie’s quiet concentration form a picture of a past Vlad had almost forgotten. They are so young, so untouched by the trials that will shape their futures.

The study session drags on, but Vlad is only partially focused on the biochemical pathways and molecular structures. His mind races with plans and possibilities. How can he subtly influence events to avoid their darkest outcomes without tearing apart the fabric of time? Is there a way to guide his friends away from future pain without revealing the desperate truth of his journey?

Eventually, Jack packs up his books, stretching. “Okay, that’s enough brain-burning for today. You guys up for grabbing some pizza?” He suggests, the same old spark of spontaneity in his eyes that Vlad remembers so fondly.

Maddie agrees, already gathering her things, but Vlad hesitates. This could be his opportunity to test the waters, to see if small, cautious interventions might start to steer their futures onto a safer path.

“Yeah, let’s go,” Vlad says finally, his mind made up, “But hey, on the way, I was thinking… maybe we could talk a bit about lab safety? I’ve been reading up on some stuff, and I think we could really benefit from being a bit more cautious, especially with the upcoming experiments.”

Jack rolls his eyes but smiles, “Leave it to Vlad to bring safety tips to a pizza night. But sure, man, lay it on us. What’s the worst that could happen with a little extra knowledge, right?”

Little do they know, Vlad thinks grimly, yet he allows himself a small smile. Maybe this is how he can make a difference— through careful nudges and shared knowledge. Perhaps, this time around, he can save more than just himself. Maybe he can change something for the better.

As they walk through the crisp evening air, Vlad keeps the conversation light but steers it towards safety protocols and recent advancements in their field that advocate for stricter measures. Jack jokes about Vlad’s ‘sudden’ obsession with safety, but Maddie listens intently, nodding and chiming in with her thoughts. This is the balance Vlad has always admired in his friends: Jack’s levity and Maddie’s serious, thoughtful nature.

Arriving at the pizza place, they choose a booth near the back, away from the bustle. As they wait for their order, Vlad takes a deep breath and broaches a topic he’s been pondering.

“You know, there are a lot of things in the lab that can go wrong if you’re not careful. I was reading about some accidents that happened elsewhere. Real nasty stuff,” Vlad says, trying to sound casual but earnest, “It got me thinking about how we handle our experiments.”

Maddie's brow furrows, “You’re right. Maybe we should review our protocols. It wouldn’t hurt to propose some updates to the safety guidelines.”

Jack nods, surprisingly contemplative, “I guess a little extra caution wouldn’t kill us. Better safe than sorry, right?”

Vlad knits his brows together. When had Jack actually considered something? Then he nods, appreciating the seriousness in his friend’s tone, something he did not expect from the man sitting across from him.

As they dig into their pizza, the conversation shifts from lab safety to other college gossip, but Vlad's mind doesn't stray far from his purpose. Every joke, every shared look, every moment feels charged with potential, with the weight of what might or might not come to pass. It’s almost too much, but Vlad holds on to the thread of hope that these small interventions might be enough.

Maddie’s voice cuts through his reverie, pulling him back to the present, “You’ve been really into this safety thing tonight, Vlad. Something you want to tell us?”

Her perceptive gaze locks onto his, and Vlad’s heart skips. He’s walked this line all evening— how much to say, how much to keep hidden. In the back of his mind, Clockwork’s words echo ominously.

Vlad shakes his head, forcing a laugh. “Just thinking ahead,” He says, “You know me, always planning for the worst.”

Jack laughs, slapping the table lightly, “Dude, you need to relax. College is for living a little dangerously.”

Vlad smiles, but the irony isn’t lost on him.

Living dangerously is exactly what he’s trying to mitigate, at least when it comes to certain pivotal events he knows are on the horizon. Yet, Jack’s statement tugs at a thread in Vlad’s mind, stirring a different thought. Perhaps the approach isn’t just about instilling caution but also about embracing the full spectrum of their college experience— balance, in all things, might just be the key.

As the night winds down and they step out of the pizza place, the cool night air feels refreshing. The campus is quiet, the usual buzz of student life subdued by the lateness of the hour. They walk back to their dorms together, and Vlad finds himself glancing over at Maddie and Jack, feeling an old affection mixed with a newfound protectiveness.

“Hey,” Vlad starts, his tone more serious now that they're alone under the starlit sky, “I know I’ve been a bit intense today with the whole safety spiel. But... thanks for hearing me out.”

Maddie smiles, her eyes soft in the dim light. “Of course, Vlad. You’re looking out for us. We appreciate it, even if we tease.”

Jack nods, a more thoughtful expression crossing his face than Vlad is used to seeing, “Yeah, man. Better to watch out for each other, right? What are friends for?”

Those words, simple yet sincere, hit Vlad harder than expected. He nods, feeling a tightness in his throat.

“And hey,” Maddie begins with a soft smile, “If there’s ever anything that bothers one of all of us, we all want to know about it.”

Jack nods in agreement.

Vlad feels a wave of relief mixed with an indescribable warmth. This a bond he hadn’t fully appreciated back in his original timeline, clouded as it was by ambitions and rivalries.

“Thanks,” Vlad says, his voice husky with emotion, “That means a lot.”

They reach the dorms, and as Maddie and Jack head to their respective doors, Vlad pauses, watching them disappear into the buildings. The night is still, the only sounds are the distant calls of night birds and the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze. Clockwork’s words echo in his mind again. Had the Master of Time known that this return to the past wasn't just about preventing a disaster but also about relearning what it means to truly be a friend? Had he understood that Vlad needed this second chance not just for himself but to rediscover the value of those around him?

As he walks back to his own dorm, Vlad feels a resolve settling in. He's here with a chance to do things differently, not just in the lab, but in life. He can nurture this friendship, and keep it from fracturing. Maybe, just maybe, he can keep the darker parts of their future from unfolding.

But as he lays in his bed later that night, staring at the ceiling, a lingering doubt remains. How much can he really change? And at what cost? The challenges of altering the course of time weigh heavily on him. Each interaction and each decision feels fraught with potential consequences. He wonders if he’s doing enough, or perhaps too much. The burden of knowing what could happen and trying to manipulate fate without revealing too much is immense. Every conversation with Maddie and Jack feels like a delicate dance on a tightrope.

—

The campus hums with the usual energy of college life. Maddie, Jack, and Vlad sit together in their favorite spot on the quad, under the sprawling branches of an old oak tree. The air is crisp with the promise of autumn, and the faint scent of fallen leaves mingles with the sounds of laughter and conversation.

As they talk and laugh, Vlad can’t shake the weight of what he knows lies ahead. Tomorrow marks the anniversary of the accident that changed everything, the event that set him on a path of bitterness and isolation. Despite his efforts to alter the course of their lives, he can’t help but feel a creeping sense of dread.

Maddie notices the tension in his shoulders and gives him a gentle nudge, concern etching lines on her brow, “Hey, you okay?”

Vlad forces a smile, pushing aside his apprehension, “Yeah, just thinking about that biochem project we have due next week.”

Jack snorts, tossing a piece of grass into the air. “Biochem, huh? You’ve been on a safety kick lately. Afraid we’ll blow something up?”

Vlad’s smile falters for a moment before he recovers.

“Just being cautious,” he replies, hoping they don’t sense the underlying truth in his words.

Maddie nods, her expression thoughtful. “You’re right. Safety is important, especially with the experiments we’re doing lately.”

Vlad nods in agreement, grateful for Maddie’s understanding. If only they knew the full extent of his concerns.

As the evening wears on, they eventually bid each other goodnight and head to their respective dorms. Vlad’s mind whirls with thoughts of tomorrow— of the accident, of the choices he’s made, of the uncertain future that hangs over them like a shadow.

Alone in his room, Vlad sits at his desk, the weight of tomorrow’s anniversary pressing down on him. He knows he should try to sleep, to rest before the day ahead, but his mind refuses to quiet.

He picks up a framed photo from his desk, a snapshot from their first year of college— Maddie’s bright smile, Jack’s goofy grin, and himself, standing between them, filled with hope and ambition. It feels like a lifetime ago, and in a way, it is.

With a heavy sigh, Vlad sets the photo back down and leans back in his chair, staring up at the ceiling. Tomorrow will be a test— a test of his resolve, his friendships, and perhaps even his very sanity.

But as the minutes tick by and the night deepens, Vlad finds himself clinging to a sliver of hope. Maybe, just maybe, he can change the course of tomorrow. Maybe he can prevent the accident, and with it, the darkness that followed.

With that thought lingering in his mind, Vlad finally closes his eyes, willing himself to sleep, knowing that tomorrow will bring challenges unlike any he’s faced before. But for now, in the quiet of his room, he allows himself to hope— for a better future, for his friends, and for himself.

The next morning arrives with a sense of impending doom that hangs heavy in the air. Vlad wakes early, his sleep fitful and restless, the weight of tomorrow’s anniversary pressing down on him like a leaden blanket. He dresses quickly, his mind already racing with plans and contingencies.

As he makes his way to meet Maddie and Jack for breakfast, Vlad’s heart beats a frantic rhythm in his chest. The campus seems quieter than usual, the usual chatter subdued by the gravity of the day ahead.

When Vlad arrives at their usual spot in the dining hall, he finds Maddie and Jack already seated at their usual table, their faces drawn with concern.

“Hey,” Vlad greets them, forcing a smile that feels more like a grimace, “You guys ready for the big biochem test today?”

Maddie’s eyes flicker with understanding, but she nods anyway, a determined set to her jaw. “As ready as we’ll ever be,” She replies, her voice steady despite the tension in the air.

Jack grunts in agreement, shoveling scrambled eggs into his mouth with more gusto than usual. “Bring it on,” He mumbles between bites, though Vlad can see the strain in the tightness of his shoulders.

As they eat, conversation is sparse, the weight of the day ahead hanging heavy between them. Vlad tries to focus on his food, to push aside the creeping sense of dread that threatens to consume him, but it’s no use. The accident looms over them like a dark cloud, casting a shadow over everything they do.

After breakfast, they make their way to their first class of the day, a biochemistry lecture that Vlad can barely concentrate on. His mind is elsewhere, consumed with thoughts of the accident, of Clockwork, of the choices he’s made and the ones he has yet to make.

As the minutes tick by, Vlad’s anxiety mounts, his palms slick with sweat as he watches the clock. With each passing moment, the weight of the day ahead grows heavier, threatening to crush him beneath its unbearable burden.

Suddenly, a ripple of distortion washes over the classroom, accompanied by a low, ominous hum. Vlad’s heart leaps into his throat as he recognizes the telltale signs of Clockwork’s presence.

With a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, Vlad turns his gaze toward the back of the room where a figure clad in ancient amethyst robes materializes amidst a swirl of green mist. Clockwork’s eyes, glowing with a fierce, otherworldly intensity, fix upon Vlad with an inscrutable expression.

“Vlad Masters,” Clockwork intones, their voice echoing with a weight of ages, “It is time.”

Vlad’s breath catches in his throat as he rises slowly from his seat, his mind racing with a thousand questions and fears. “What do you mean, it’s time?” He demands, his voice trembling with a mixture of dread and defiance.

Clockwork offers no immediate reply, their gaze unwavering as they glide forward, the air crackling with a palpable sense of power.

“You sought to alter the course of fate,” Clockwork says, their voice like distant thunder, “But some events are inevitable. Some destinies cannot be changed.”

Vlad feels a cold knot of realization form in the pit of his stomach as he gazes into Clockwork’s luminous eyes, understanding dawning like a bolt of lightning. He glances around, noting everyone— including Jack and Maddie— is frozen where they sit.

“You were never going to let me change my fate,” Vlad breathes, his voice barely a whisper, “Why? Why put me through this? Why let it happen?”

Clockwork’s gaze softens, a flicker of sympathy crossing his ancient features. “Because,” They say simply, “Some lessons can only be learned through hardship. Some paths must be walked alone.”

Vlad’s heart sinks as Clockwork’s words sink in. The weight of inevitability presses down on him like a physical force, crushing his hopes and dreams beneath its unyielding weight. He had thought he could rewrite the past, and change the course of his destiny, but now he realizes the futility of his efforts.

He looks around the frozen classroom, at his friends suspended in time, their faces frozen in boredom and stress. How had it come to this? How had he ended up here, trapped in a timeline he could never escape?

“I tried,” Vlad whispers, more to himself than to Clockwork, “I tried to make things right.”

Clockwork nods solemnly, their expression unreadable beneath their hooded cloak. “And for that, you have my respect, Vlad Masters. But some things are beyond your control, beyond anyone’s control.”

Vlad’s shoulders slump in defeat as he watches Clockwork approach, their form shimmering with an otherworldly glow. He knows there is no escaping fate, no changing what has already been set in motion.

As Clockwork reaches out a hand, Vlad can feel the tides of time shifting around him, pulling him inexorably toward his inevitable destiny. With a resigned sigh, he takes one last look around the frozen classroom, at the friends he had hoped to keep close.

The classroom unfreezes, time resuming its normal flow as if nothing had happened.

“Yo, Vladdie, you look like you’ve seen a ghost!”

Vlad blinks, startled by Jack’s voice breaking through the haze of his thoughts. He shakes his head, trying to clear away the remnants of whatever he had just been thinking of.

“Sorry, just lost in thought,” Vlad manages, forcing a weak smile.

Maddie gives him a concerned look, but before she can say anything, the professor begins the lecture, drawing their attention back to the present.

#danny phantom #clockwork #vlad masters #jack fenton #maddie fenton #college trio #phic phight 2024 #phic phight #phicphight #dp events #phandom #phandom events

[enigmatist17]

Anon Pt 3

------------------

Ahsoka didn't normally fear her cramped bunk. The Resolute was her home in this war, and being a padawan, she'd been allowed to lightly decorate her space to make it feel closer to her room back in the Temple. However the candles and expansive rug over the floor felt alien, and the bed built into the wall had been raided of its mattress in preference to the floor.

Oppressive heat that climbs as the air grows sparse, limbs growing heavy and fear climbing as they hope the call for help will be answered

Sufficed to say, Ahsoka can't handle the limited space.

So she sleeps on the floor, and for a few weeks just does her best to go back to things as normal. However, when tasked with getting into a fighter for routine flight training, the confined space felt like a death sentence as she managed a few minutes flying around the Resolute.

She's going to die, it's so tight and cold and she has to GET OUT GET OUT GET OUT

"Commander where are you going?!" Rex's voice felt so far away as she sped towards the docking bay, her landing definitely a rough one as some men scramble to get out of her ships way. None of it registers as she heaves herself out of the fighter, collapsing onto the ground while trying to force air into her lungs that screamed for it. There are voices as she's surrounded by a few clones, and Ahsoka hugs her legs to her chest as she ties to make sense of what just happened. It's just all too loud, too jumbled, too much as she presses her forehead against her knees to try and block it all out.

"Okay okay give her some air!" Jesse's commanding voice seems to cut through the clamor like a vibroblade, and his familiar armor is the first thing Ahsoka can look at for longer than a moment as he kneels in front of her and gently nudges her to look up. "Hey, look at me, sir."

"Jesse...?" The other gives Ahsoka a soft smile, and finds himself pushed back onto the floor when Ashoka launched herself into his arms. Propping himself up into a seated position, Jesse motions for someone to get him a canteen while he hugs her close with his other arm.

"You're alright vod'ika, just focus on your breathing." Jesse hopes he's saying the right thing as the commander in his arms struggles to regulate her breathing, but figures he's doing something right when ever so slowly the trembling starts to ease. By the time Rex and the others have all landed and had booked it over, Ahsoka has almost fully stopped trembling as she sipped her water, looking absolutely drained as she's surrounded.

"What happened, is she alright?" Hardcase asked as Rex knelt beside the two, at least relieved not to see any blood or obvious injuries.

"I think she had a panic attack." Jesse replied, the lack of joke from Ahsoka a bit unsettling. "Geonosis if I had to bite."

"How..?" Ahsoka nearly winced at how scratchy her voice was, but was far too exhausted to really care at the moment.

"You've been sleeping on the floor since then, not hard to guess." Fives knelt down, giving a small smile. "If it helps, we get it."

"You know, you're always welcome to come join us." Dogma spoke up, gaining a few looks from the normally quiet man. "It helps us to be around each other for support, and that extends to you."

"Grumpy there is right." Fives grinned, earning a grumble. "Better than being all alone in your bunk right?"

"Well...it does sound nice." Ahsoka hummed, sitting up a little big straighter while remaining in Jesse's hold.

It was the first kind of warmth in weeks that didn't make her skin crawl.

"I'd take them up on it, Rex makes a comfy pillow." Anakin's voice made most of the group jump in surprise, having not seen the Knight come down to the hangar bay. "You alright Snips?"

"i...I've been better." Ahsoka watched as Rex stood to let Anakin take his place, a gloved hand being placed on her shoulder. "It..it was like I was back there, trying to get the stupid comm working and hoping you'd find us."

"You don't have to explain anything to me, I know." Anakin's smile was like a balm, and the dread from a few minutes ago has eased to a reasonable thrum of anxiety in the back of her mind. "Why don't we move to a place that's a little less drafty huh? I'll make some of those biscuits that Obi-Wan makes for you, sound promising?"

"The ones that you make the, what's it called, icing for?" Echo asked curiously, and grins when Anakin nods. "Those are amazing sir."

"I call the first ones!" Hardcase yelled at the same times Fives did, and the two glare in challenge. "I said it first!"

"You did not!" Fives complained, and reaches over to shove Hardcase once he's back on his feet.

"Oh you've done it now!" Hardcase grinned before grabbing Fives and pinning him in a headlock, the others giving the two space to wrestle as Jesse and Ahsoka get up off the floor. Ahsoka watched the good-natured fight while leaning into Jesse's side, laughing a bit when Rex broke them up with an exasperated sigh.

"Come on guys, lets see if you can beat Ahsoka to the first batch." Anakin grinned, and Ahsoka finds herself in the middle of the grouping of 501st soldiers, with Anakin's arm around her shoulders as they walk towards the bay exit. Their laughter and chatter is more soothing than anything Ahsoka could ever hope for, and as they all pile into the elevator, she smiles.

#personal #star wars #clone wars #the clone wars #ahsoka tano #anakin skywalker #arc trooper jesse #arc trooper echo #arc trooper fives #clone trooper hardcase #clone trooper dogma #captain rex #I hope you like it :) #anon request

[beyondspaceandstars]

Treacherous (18)

Relationship: Druig x Reader Warnings: fluff, depictions of anxiety Summary: Soulmate!AU - Soulmate tattoos are incredibly rare but you’ve never felt really proud to have one. Everyone else around you gushed over it while you found the whole thing ominous and a little inconvenient. Truthfully, you were never really convinced you’d find your other half… That is until a random camping trip leads you to a quaint village run by a dark and brooding man who just so happens to be your soulmate. Stuck in the forest with nothing else to lose, you agree to join his world, his little village, and see if there’s actually love behind the markings. A/N: I promise one day it will not be a whole month in-between uploads :) also this fic has over 50k words, that's so cool

‘Treacherous’ Masterlist | Main Masterlist

To say a person’s world can change overnight was ridiculous but also very possible. You had experienced it once — granted, it was an afternoon and all you did was walk into a forest, but a change was certainly what occurred. 

You now faced it again as you watched the direct messages and likes and emails pour in. It was like your ex’s presence was the earthquake that started the avalanche. 

Saying your forum post was gaining traction would be the understatement of the century. Somehow, screenshots of it ended up on some anonymous social media account, where it gained its initial attention, then the news sites swooped in, and now it felt like all virtual eyes were on your life. Although, no one exactly knew it was you. You thanked whatever higher being was out there that you had opted to keep your post as anonymous as possible. Even your email was a random string of phrases, giving you the opportunity to completely walk away. 

Still, for the privacy you kept in real life, there was no doubt an absolutely deranged series of events seemed to have materialized in the dead of night. You held your suspicions on how it came to be — you didn’t take your ex’s cordialness at face value — but getting lost in the sudden chaos wasn’t something that you were actually going to allow yourself to do. And maybe you’d do that eventually but for now, even as you watched the notifications tick up, you couldn’t help thinking about the words you swore you heard in the silence of your bedroom. 

It was nothing like you had felt before. Before, you had felt the bond, the connection, pulsing in the absence of one another. Druig was there and not there. That was different. This… These were words, a clear sentence, projected in your mind. You hadn’t felt much like it before. The closest you could recall anything like that was when Druig had been in your mind, in control. But even then it was a different sensation. You had no explanation for it but you knew what you had heard. 

Between that phenomenon and the one exploding on your computer screen, you found yourself in a tricky position. You weren’t sure what you were doing anymore. Nor did you know what the point was. Your newfound notoriety should’ve felt liberating — people were listening — but the longer you sat with yourself, it just felt like the road was fading out.

Throwing a personal pity party had become second nature. You sighed and closed the soulmate forums, your emails, messages, everything, and opened a new browser tab. You clicked through until you got to the other things your regularly browsed nowadays: the news. 

It was, admittedly, a random habit you picked up, but ever since you had found yourself much more secluded in your bedroom than you had been in the forest but with a window to the world, you took to reading news articles. 

But your heart didn’t let you ignore the fact that wasn’t the only reason. You remembered what Druig told you he was setting off to do and surely the presence or actions of cosmic beings would garner a few headlines. Typically, you would immediately click over to the World section, mainly due to the fact you didn’t know where Druig actually was, but your cursor didn’t even get that far this time. A certain Breaking News article caught your attention.

What you read sounded straight out of a fantasy novel and you’d almost write it off as a hoax had you not seen the weirdness this planet could produce. A giant gold statue turned up on a volcanic island, half emerged, like it was trying to break out of the surface. You clicked on the headline and skimmed the story but there wasn’t much information to go on. The literally larger-than-life structure wasn’t there one second and now it was a permanent fixture on the Earth. 

You scrolled through the comments and found others were just as confused as to what was going on in this remote area. Was it an art structure? An elaborate prank? Aliens? Superheroes?

You clicked over to the photos cycling through the gallery embedded in the article You had read a lot of news in your day, especially recently, but nothing had caught you as this did. Some rumored sightings of cryptids and reports of UFOs in the area had drawn you in as well but there was something specific about this. You couldn’t quite put your finger on it but you almost felt kin to it.

This wasn’t… There was no way… Was this the danger he had seemed so determined about? 

In robotic fashion, you felt yourself begin to scratch at your tattoo. That had been happening more and more lately, especially after you heard those three little words in the night.

No, this couldn’t mean anything, right? What were the odds of you coming across this? It was all aligning too perfectly like the pieces of life were drifting into place. 

Although hadn’t it worked like that on your little camping trip? Hadn’t some force pulled you right to him?

Maybe you were just being dramatic. Maybe you were turning into one of those girls who wanted to find a sign in everything. You tried to find the courage to consider other possibilities. This was just another weird occurrence in a world full of weirdness. This was some otherworldly race making an attack on the planet. This was… This was… 

You sighed. This was something. It could be the something. Your tattoo and the newfound bond, as much as you didn’t want to admit it, rarely lead you astray. 

But if this had been the life-threatening danger then did it mean he would be coming back? You scrolled back to the top of the article. It was published just over twenty hours ago. Almost a full day since the news had picked up on it but it could’ve been there much longer. You didn’t know what that meant, and something in you didn’t like it one bit. 

You had to step away from all of this. You just knew you had to. Something in your gut was stirring. 

You gathered an ounce of courage you had been hunting for what felt like forever and slammed your laptop shut. The urge to walk away, to storm off from what lay in front of you, was itching in your brain. It was an eerily familiar feeling but you couldn’t turn it off. 

How did you get here? How the hell did it get to this?

Part of you wanted to leave. You didn’t know where that part of you came from but it was creeping into your heart like a hungry snake. Where you would go wasn’t of concern. You just knew you had been cooped up here for far too long. The place you dreamed of some nights seemingly long ago now felt dreadful.

You pushed away from your desk and threw on one of the coats you found laying in the corner of your room. You grabbed your wallet and flipped through the cash inside. It was only a couple of bucks but could get you…maybe a cup of coffee. Yeah, a cup of coffee. That sounded good to you. That sounded like a nice treat and a way to get out of the stuffiness hovering in your room. 

But upon exiting your space, you came face to face with your parents. They were cooped up in the kitchen, huddled over their own laptops, looking at something you couldn’t make out. Their heads lifted in sync when you entered the room. 

Your mother eyed your coat. "Is everything okay?" 

Fair enough question, you figured. It had been a hot minute since you even looked presentable enough to venture out of the apartment. You had a couple of job interviews here and there but you were sure there was a different sense in the air.

"I’m heading out for a bit," you explained. "I… I just want a coffee." Right? That was all? Your head said coffee. The money in your hands said coffee. But your heart and soul were confused. 

"Coffee?" Your father repeated. You nodded. 

"Coffee. From the shop down the street. Nothing crazy, I promise."

You could tell they almost didn’t believe you. Almost like they could understand something was off. You wished you had never even looked at that damn article. You couldn’t stop thinking about him. Of course, he ran across your mind every now and then but your feelings now weren’t like that. It was all so insistent, demanding, a pulse pounding through your brain.

"Well, alright," your mother agreed. "Have…fun."

You nearly laughed at her forced words but you instead took the chance to make your exit. 

Feeling the fresh sun on your face and hearing the hustle and bustle of the city in the afternoon was a welcoming but shocking attack on your senses. Everything was always so muffled in the apartment way above civilization it was almost surprising whenever you left. Such a rough comparison to your time in the village.

You joined the flow of people walking on the sidewalk with familiar ease. The coffee shop wasn’t far enough to hail a cab but still a noticeable walk on foot. This was the city, though, and you felt like you could walk to the ends of the world here. 

It was easy to fall in step with everyone else. Navigating your way through the city was muscle memory. You kept your head down and your pace strong. Blending in felt magnificent most of the time. The attention you had brought upon yourself, some accidental and some knowingly, melted away for a moment. 

You continued marching along almost oblivious of the world until your little bubble was forced to pop just under a block away from the apartment. 

You hadn’t noticed the person in front of you had stopped walking until you foolishly crashed into their hard back. You gasped, surprised, and immediately started spewing out apologies. However, the person didn’t seem to hear you. In fact, they weren’t reacting at all — they were a complete statue. 

At first, you thought maybe something ahead of you on the sidewalk had seriously caught their attention, but then you noticed from the corner of your eye there was another person frozen mid-step.

"What the…" You were in awe at this perplexing sight. You whipped your head around to find everyone around you was standing there, completely still, staring ahead.

And… Oh. Their eyes. Your stomach did a million somersaults. That shade of gold was seared into your memory. 

But how could that be? Did he have the power to mentally encapsulate an entire citywide population? You might’ve underestimated your soulmate. 

You stared at the stranger who had been walking behind you as you stood in the middle of the motionless, silent city. You didn’t know where the person had been going to, what they had planned for the day, but their entire world — maybe the entire world (Could he do that?) — halted. 

Softly, from the opposite direction, came the sound of footsteps. They cut through the heavy stillness with determination. You didn’t have to turn around to know who it could possibly be. 

You let out a humorless laugh as your heart threatened to pound out of your chest. "You know, you could’ve just tried to call," you muttered. "I’m sure my number is somewhere online."

That rough, accented voice replied with such ease. "Do I seem like the type to ever use a phone?" 

The village didn’t have phones but surely someone in his group had a phone. But, truthfully, he really didn’t seem like the type to hold much interest in such things. Maybe you could show him, you thought. He was in your world now.

You sighed as you shoved your hands into your jacket pockets and turned around to face your soulmate. Long lost, finally returned soulmate. 

When your eyes met, it was like more than just the people around you had stopped. In the depths of your bones, of your soul, you felt an unmistakable calmness. It was all so much stronger than you had felt upon your initial meeting. Time and distance were not too kind to soulmates, you realized, but boy were you rewarded when reunited. 

Getting beyond your initial shock, you finally had the chance to really see Druig for the first time in what felt like ages. (Bit dramatic, you knew, but time was a funny thing.) The first thing you noted was the visible exhaustion written all over him. He seemed different yet the same in ways you didn’t know how to describe. The other thing that couldn’t help but catch your eye was his clothing. The village attire you last remembered him in was replaced by a modern-looking fit. He could blend in pretty much anywhere now which almost made you laugh. 

"So, the world isn’t ending?" You asked to cut the tension that floated like a thin sheet of ice between you two.

Druig chuckled. "That’s what you want to talk about right now?" He slowly stepped toward you, somehow both confident and hesitant at the same time. He truly was an enigma you were gifted with figuring out. 

You glanced at the still-frozen strangers of the city. "Maybe we should talk after you let all these poor people continue on with their day."

"You didn’t like my grand gesture?" He asked with a smirk playing on his lips. "I figured soulmates do this kind of thing."

You couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled up in you. "This seems a little bit extreme even for a grand gesture."

Druig shrugged. "I needed to get my lady’s attention."

"Mission accomplished."

"Fair enough," he replied. With some concentration and a flick of his wrist, the city was resurrected. It was a little jarring at first, especially when the people who had been walking behind you practically plowed into you, but Druig was right there to catch and steady you. His touch was the electric current your life had recently been missing. Suddenly, everything seemed possible again with him around. It was stunning what a little mark on your wrist could conjure up.

"There’s a good diner up the street we could sit and chat at if you’d like," you said after you two successfully stepped out of the way of the sidewalk traffic.

He didn’t ponder the question very long, almost like he was ready to follow you off anywhere. "I’d love that."

It felt so natural walking beside him as you wove in and out of the fast-paced people also off on their own missions, in their own worlds. Druig, though, looked very neutral on the situation at hand. He didn’t seem eager to be surrounded by people, a very alarming contrast to the village, but he also didn’t seem disgusted by it. If anything, he looked curious, but you knew his way with humans was unique. And it certainly wasn’t like he hadn’t expressed his opinions on populous cities with you before.

"I guess you were meant to find me in New York," you commented, trying to keep the heavenly mood but also teasing him a bit. You’d made the remark during one of your very first conversations. You never thought you’d be past that lonely, chaotic stage.

Druig playfully rolled his eye snap nudged you with his shoulder. "You might be the only one I’d willingly venture into this extraordinary landscape for."

It was hard to diminish the fluttering in your stomach. You were enjoying this so much. Not too long ago, standing side-by-side with such eager might’ve felt like a fever dream. But the cookie had crumbled in the most interesting of ways.

"I missed you, too," you softly admitted. Part of you wanted to tell him that you had heard him so clearly that night in your mind, while the other part just begged to let down some iron guard.

At first, you weren’t sure Druig had heard or even understood you. He didn’t reply right away and instead continued walking. You grew a bit nervous, ridiculously fearing you had revealed too much (this was him, after all), but all was steadied as you felt his hand reach for you. His fingers brushed against your thigh. You took your hand out of your pocket and let your fingers intertwine. 

#druig x reader #druig x human!reader #druig fanfiction #druig x female reader #druig x y/n #druig fic #druig fluff #eternals fanfiction #eternals fic #eternals x reader #marvel fanfiction #marvel fic #mcu fanfiction #mcu fic #soulmate au #writing*

[azulsluver]

WEDDING BELLS

tw. yandere, imprisonment, past kidnapping, unhealthy relationships, slight dubcon kissing, Stockholm syndrome, suggestive if you squint.

being vowed for life doesn't sound so bad.

Leona was never one to bother with marriage, sure the fleeting thought came in once in a while when he was just a little cub. Too much work just to bring people in to see a new beginning blossom with love, the word bitter on his tongue as he lays on his side. He's not sure what he has against the thought of marriage, maybe it was the resentment held on Falena's wedding, married couples made him sick after all. To block out those who did him wrong, Leona built a wall so dense that even he wished he could take down.

Because of it, Leona made no effort in courting. When it came to you, however, his silly thoughts kept pestering him on tired nights. Leona laid his head on your stomach, you've grown to oblige the lazy lion whenever he felt like using your body heat, prolonged forgotten truculent turned into a kitten with clipped claws. Docile, that's how Leona describes you nowadays, sure you still have a mind of your own but not as bad as before. Futile fights where words hurt more than the other, Leona was a man of pride after all. Refusing to comfort you when you were just at your breaking point, worn out at the fact you're here now in a home you never wanted to be in the first place. Praying whatever god was in this world to let Leona bore himself with you, to forget you and leave you either dead or alive.

Nights where you cry yourself to sleep to a sight of his back turned against you, you're not sure how long you can deny the dreading attachment Leona gained from you. should you come to hate the same person who kept you locked up in a room and sleep for hours on end, just the sight of him brings you a sickening set of peace. Brought into his homeland and forced to adopt the people, culture, and importantly his love. 

Weeks turned into month and months turned into years, four years you’ve spent under Leona’s care. A small part of your mind thought Leona would still treat you as something similar as a pet, letting it be the only way to cope with reality.

Would it be wrong to feel a sense of consolation of his scent, the pompous smile and once in a while, a hug? Any sane person would’ve thought you’ve gone mad, having a drip of sympathy and fondness when his hand brushes against the side of your head. To be infatuated with love is a dangerous game being played, blinded by loneliness has been part of his plan after all. If you were ever to find out about the scheme you could’ve swore your heart stabbed into the ribs of its cage, is this what a heartbreak feels like? Sadness turned into anger, balled hands clenched tightly you swore skin would break. Were to be a fool to fall in love with a sloth, may your mouth spit poison.

Through broken sentences and beaten items on the floor, your head lays on the chest of your captor- no, lover; who strokes the back of your spine affectionately. Defeated, your mind warps into one of a hallowed coffin, letting the dead rest and anew unfold. But what shall the anew be, what sole purpose would allow you to start fresh. With all these thoughts jumbling in that head of yours, you didn’t take notice of a pair of slightly chapped lips placed on your own.

His lips, when was the last time you kissed him so, intensely. As if your whole body was acting strangely to the action, to push and fight, yell and cry. Hate him for what he’s done to you yet instead you melt into it. Pushing yourself closer to his, to embrace him as yours-

“Eager aren’t we? Just wait a little longer herbivore, I’ll treat you real nice after our honeymoon.”

A hand grasps yours as all senses of sound and sight brings you back. The roar of the crowd and music making your head spin, you even feel stuffy. Looking down at your change of clothing has your body numbed, such colors and design fit for a queen you once saw in a portrait. Something shines in the corner of your eye, moving your hand closer to your face to get a better look at the ring. A ring. God how many times have you cried today?

Leona’s head presses against yours intimately as he sighs loudly. Holding you close to him makes you wonder if he wishes to be with you entirely. You grip onto his arms despite the kiss being done, throwing yourself into him to feel his lips once more and forever again. A smile stretches across Leona’s lips as you whine, you just can’t get enough of him can you? After all, you’re finally bounded to him in heart and soul.

#yandere twst #yandere twisted wonderland x reader #twisted wonderland x reader #leona kingscholar x reader

[fantasy-svt]

You'll be the death of me

Previous | Magic or Not Masterlist | Next

Synopsis: Junhui didn't expect his curiosity to earn him a lover.

Pairing: Moon Junhui x fem!reader Word Count: 2.3k words Warnings: there is one sentence about suggestive stuff (not including the reader)

The waves were crashing loudly against the shore and to his feet, a cold wind blew past Junhui and made the hairs on his arms stand up. It didn't bother him much, he knew he wouldn't have to wait for much longer for Seungkwan to return. The boy was just out to look for some more shells to decorate his house, but Seungkwan tended to be a bit too picky with his search for decorations. He believed that they had to be the perfect color and size, having to fit in with his already massive collection. He had shells of all sizes and colors, a whole room of his house was dedicated to shells and pearls that he picked up. Junhui was always kind enough to join him, but today he didn't feel like going in the water. Something felt wrong today, like he'd get hurt and he'd learn to trust his gut on such things. It had saved his life a couple of times at this point. Nonetheless, he couldn't help but be worried for Seungkwan and thus he kept his eyes strictly on the spot where the siren had dove into the waters.

35 minutes of waiting was enough, Seungkwan rising from the water with a bright and happy smile. In his hand was a bag that he lifted with glee. Junhui smiled before stepping into the water, glad that he had rolled up his trousers beforehand, and he took ahold of Seungkwan's arms. Pulling him up to the shore sounded easier than it was, the weight of Seungkwan's tail exceeded that of a full grown wolf. Once Seungkwan was out of the water fully, he turned on his back and let his tail turn to legs before grabbing his pants.

"Couldn't have waited until I turned around?" Junhui asked with a bit of annoyance as he removed his gaze from the younger, who only scoffed in response. Junhui didn't care that much, but he still didn't have to see his best friend naked.

"Your an elf, what shame do could you possibly have? You guys live by the motto 'Enjoy life to the fullest' and you certainly do that." Seungkwan teased and Junhui knew well enough that Seungkwan was talking about the nightly feasts that the adult elves had during festival weeks, not that Junhui was ever interested in such things. He believed that you could only love one, so he remained on his own. Even when it gained him looks of ridicule during festivals, he didn't care much for it anyway. He'd rather wait for the right person than gain experience with thousands of he- and she-elves.

"Here." Seungkwan spoke again, holding out a murex shell with a silver color with black and white spots. Taking it from Seungkwan, Junhui inspected the shell carefully before smiling. He liked to collect things as well, having something from every friend that represented them in a way.

Seungcheol had given him a sword, a wooden one that he had used when he was a bit younger. Jeonghan and Joshua both gifted him some magical crystals, one for protection and one for healing small wounds, although Junhui had a feeling that they didn't really worked anymore. Soonyoung and Chan collected various little trinkets from their respective home forests, everything from little acorns to even dried flowers or trees. Wonwoo gave him a book with all kinds of recipes for delicious foods and Mingyu had added his own family recipe in the front as his own gift, which was something very important to him and thus meant a great deal. Jihoon created some incenses that relaxed the mind and strengthened the health while Seokmin gave a horse shoe that he made since it often meant good luck. Vernon gave him a piece of armor, one he had worn when protecting the elvish town that Junhui came from. Now all Junhui needed to do was add Seungkwan's gift and his collection from his friends was complete.

Thanking Seungkwan quickly, Junhui put the shell in his bag carefully before throwing his arm around his friend's shoulders with a big smile on his face.

"(Y/n) gave it too me and it seemed nice enough to give to you." Seungkwan said and Junhui paused, looking at Seungkwan with slight concern. He assumed that you were a siren or mermaid like Seungkwan was and they often liked to gift shells or pearls to the people they loved. Seungkwan seemed to guess what Junhui was thinking and quickly shook his head, scoffing at the idea itself.

"She's not in love with me, no worries. She knew I was searching for a gift and told me to take this." Seungkwan explained and Junhui nodded, smiling to himself before dragging Seungkwan along again.

"Come on!" Seungkwan screamed loudly at the group that remained by the edge of the water. Only Vernon had joined him in the water, floating beside Seungkwan like he had no care of the world around him. Ziva had gotten ready to jump in from the rocks, holding both Flora and Aria in a tight headlock. Then she jumped, dragging the two other girls and crashing in the water. Their respective boyfriends only laughing loudly before gently getting in the water as well, swimming to their girlfriends. Seokmin and Soonyoung were off in the distance, Chan floating above them, and all of them were staring at an animal that they hadn't seen before. Junhui could tell that it was just a crab that carried a wrong shell on his back. Nothing unusual about it, but the three were fascinated nonetheless. Mingyu and Wonwoo were sitting on the side, Wonwoo reading a book and Mingyu was looking through the basket of food that he brought. Last but not least were Jihoon and Minghao, immersed in a conversation that Junhui didn't even want to know the topic. Junhui was the last one to join them in the water, swimming near Seungkwan before diving down. His eyes stung a bit from the water, but he could see everything clearly.

Including you laying in the sand.

You between the rocks, seemingly sleeping and Junhui was fascinated to say the least. Dark blue scales covered your body, blending in with your skin and you wore a flowy dress that covered from your torso to underneath your hips. Your hair floated around you like a halo. Junhui could spot small fangs and he could see your eyes when they opened, a deep red color that made shivers run down his spine. Your eyes were now on him as well, inspecting him before pushing yourself from the ground. Your tail, unlike what Junhui thought, wasn't like a mermaid tail. Rather it looked like a snake, only the fins indicating that you were indeed a water creature. So focused on your appearance, Junhui barely noticed that you were swimming towards him at quite a fast speed and only stopping when you were in arms reach. You hovered near him, looking at Junhui with genuine curiosity and he did the same.

Only difference, he couldn't breath underwater.

Swimming back up to the surface, Junhui took a deep breath before shrieking when you appeared right in front of him again. Eyes turned to you and Seungkwan was the first to break the silence, bright smile as he swam your way.

"(Y/n)!" Seungkwan threw his arms around your neck, a hug that you quickly returned as your gaze moved to the siren in your arms. Junhui's eyes widened slightly as he recognized your name, remembering that you were the one who helped Seungkwan with his gift. Seungkwan was quick to drag you to shore, waiting for Mingyu to come drag him out of the water completely while Jihoon threw a blanket over Seungkwan for modesty. He changed and in turn dragged you from the water as well. Like Seungkwan, your body changed to a human form. Only difference was that you were already covered with a dress that you wore beforehand, which now looked longer than it had before. Probably because you had normal sized legs now instead of the long tail you had before.

Most boys exited the water as well, all focused on the new person that had joined them. Junhui took the chance to stare at you a bit longer as Flora approached you first, asking you a few questions. The scales from earlier where still visible over your whole body, although they seemed to lay beneath your skin this time and your eyes had turned a lighter red color instead of the bright color before.

"Totally not obvious, dude." Joshua spoke up and Junhui turned around to glare the man. Aria shoved her boyfriend softly, rolling her eyes at his antics.

"You stared at me for awhile too when we first met." She teased and Junhui chuckled as he watched the elder's cheeks turn a light pink. Then his eyes turned back to you, flinching when your eyes connected with his. You gave another smile, slowly making his way before leaning a bit forward.

"You're an elf, right?" The question seemed obvious, but Junhui could only stutter a yes as his heart started to beat a million times per minute. It was clear that you were hiding your laughter at his obvious shyness, hand covering your mouth as you straightened your form again. You stepped slightly forward again and Junhui could feel your gaze on his ears. They twitched slightly as a pink color rose up to the tips of his ears, turning fully red when your hand suddenly touched his ear. Flinching away, he stared at you in shock while you just looked confused. Aria's laughter rang out loudly from behind the two of you and the smiles on Joshua and Seungcheol's faces said enough, they knew clearly what you had just done. Seungkwan was the first to explain it to you, saying that it was the same as touching his tail. This in turn made your face heat up with embarrassment, quickly apologizing to him while also trying to hide your face.

You were certainly an interesting character and Junhui couldn't wait to learn more about you.

"So, do you really hear and see better than others?" You asked, leaning on the rock beneath you as your tail swished behind you in the water. Junhui nodded, leaning a bit forward before pointing at your eyes.

"What about you?" He asked and you nodded as well, quickly explaining that you saw clearly underneath the water, often better than above water. Junhui nodded in fascination before noticing your gills.

"Shouldn't you go back to the water? Your gills look dried out." He said and you let your hands wander to your neck before awkwardly chuckling, ducking under the water and disappearing from Junhui's view. Minutes later you came back up, your gills covered in wet seaweed that only made Junhui frown softly.

"It helps, although it looks a bit weird..." You smiled at him before leaning back on the rock with a soft sigh. "It's not weird." Junhui quickly answered and you chuckled at his eagerness to make you feel better, even when it wasn't really necessary. You mumbled a soft 'cute' at him before pushing yourself up as you noticed something behind Junhui.

"She's here again." You pointed at the elf that stood in the woods, her eyes on the two of you and it was clear that she was not amused. By now you knew well enough who she was. A she-elf that had taken an interest in Junhui and had tried convince Junhui that he should stay with his own kind. You didn't know if she meant romantically or not, but you found it ridiculous nonetheless. Junhui groaned as he turned his head, making eye contact with her and causing her to smile brightly. She waved him over, but Junhui didn't move.

"Come one!" You grabbed the back of his collar, dragging underwater with you without waiting for any answer. Swimming down to the ground, you turned around to look back at Junhui. He held his breath, but you could see that he was having trouble with the depth. Letting go of him, staring at him for a few seconds before cupping his face softly. You waited for a few seconds again, looking at his lips clearly. When he didn't seem to protest your intentions, you quickly pressed your lips against his for not even a second. He stared at you in shock, mouth open before he realized that he could breath underwater now.

"You can talk." You said, but your voice sounded muffled. Probably because you were underwater, he realized. Nonetheless, he didn't get to talk when he heard another loud splash behind him. The girl had followed, looking around in the water for the two of you. You smirked before wrapping yourself around Junhui and laying your head next to his.

"Want to scare her off?" You asked and Junhui shook his head, turning his head back to the she-elf. The two of them made eye contact and the girl glared at you when she noticed how your tail was wrapped around Junhui. Then he turned his head back to you and laid his lips on yours once more. You were a bit shocked at first before wrapping your arms around his neck and kissing him back. He was the first to pull back. Even when he could now breath underwater, he still could only breath through his nose or mouth. You couldn't help but look at the she-elf again, but she was long gone and you only laughed softly. Junhui watched you before looking up, breaking from your hold and swimming up. You followed quickly and gasped as you reached the top.

"A warning would've been nice, my heart almost exploded when you kissed me." Junhui said and you giggled, dragging him to shore with a bright smile.

"It was just so you could breath. Besides, you kissed me again." You gave him another teasing smile, sinking back into the water after a short wink. Junhui just watched the spot where you dove under, scoffing before laying down in the sun.

"You'll be the death of me."

#seventeen #svt #seventeen x reader #svt x reader #seventeen moon junhui #svt moon junhui #seventeen moon junhui x reader #svt moon junhui x reader #seventeen jun #seventeen jun x reader #svt jun #svt jun x reader #moon junhui #moon junhui x reader #Jun #Jun x reader #Junhui #Junhui x reader #reader insert #x reader #magic or not ✨