#the plot of last night’s dream has all but vanished now but i know it was so stressful that i woke up while i was still spiralling

[catsi]

im in love with miffy 😭please tell me more about her if you can? whats going on in her current journey in the campaign, is there any detail you can give? also info about the campaign in general, the npcs you've drawn make me so interested!! sorry this is a lot but aaaa

!!!! 🥺❤ THANK U SO MUCH u are so so sweet… no need to apologize, i love to talk about her hhehe i would be happy to ramble more!! let me see how many sketches i have laying around that i can throw in here to buffer this wall of text a bit

the group recently finished up a heist! the owner of the biggest casino in the on the continent was housing a fountain of lightning aether that the group needed to harness for plot reasons. just as the group reached the fountain though, the casino owner used that aether to become a Primal born of Avarice

^ (messy! unfinished! don't judge me! this was the last stage of a concept mockup i was doing for the fight hdfsfjfdh)

after whooping his ass and stealing the important valuables from his office such as a Flamberge Egg (Faberge Egg that turns into a Flamberge sword)

the group headed south towards Keelhaul Cove, a haven for pirates!! notably, one night while sitting watch, Miffy became aware of the shadow of a spider crawling up her arm (no spider, just the shadow of one)

it ended up being a Voidsent named Todash, who informed her that they had previously made a pact when she tossed a bag of sand into a Voidgate. he then offered her another pact to consider: if Miffy should accept, she would be provided with inconceivable power, and secrets of the Void unknown to any mortal would be made hers. it is generally considered an Extremely Bad Idea to make a deal with a Voidsent. that's usually how you end up a thrall for a thousand years. none of that matters to Miffy. she was sold at "knowledge of the Void unknown to anyone else". she loves knowing shit no one else knows.

Todash told her to consider it for now, and to call on him when her time of need was great. then he snuck into the shadow of the spider in her Spider Ring she won from a carnival. no one else saw this exchange. Miffy is still unsure whether that encounter was a dream or not.

in our most recent session, the group participated in a tournament against other pirate crews in Keelhaul, and won! that means they'll be given a ship, and they'll split a fortune with the team they allied with.

the victory also comes with the responsibility of killing the Beast of Belshaw Strait. almost no one who's seen the Beast of Belshaw has lived, so accounts of it are inconsistent - it flies and rains hell upon enemies, it swims and swallows all it sees, it crawls on land and casts magic, etc - so they have no idea what to expect. >:3c i'm VERY excited!!

also at the end of the tournament they reunited with a friend who vanished 18 sessions ago!

since the last time we saw her, we learned that she's the evil pope's daughter, so we have a lot of catching up to do 😳

#thank u again for asking ur SO NICE i LOVE TALKING ABT MIFFY AND THIS CAMPAIGN!!! #catsi sketches #ffxiv #d&d 5e #miffy #purpetua #cardamum #anka

[readingsrantsrambles]

Michael Mann: A Director Caught Between the Real and the Abstract (Pt 2)

Technology, movement, the exploration of space: These have always been themes in Mann’s films, but in recent years, they have become key factors in his career, too. In fact, one could date the increasing experimentalism of his work to his discovery of the possibilities of digital video while making Ali, his Will Smith–starring 2001 biopic of Muhammad Ali. “It was something that happened quite by accident,” he recalls.” I shot a couple of pieces, and we were able to light them by taking a tiny flashlight and bouncing it off a card. We were shooting a human being, working out on the roof, and he sees these fires in the distance. I was stunned by this one quality it had, which was not like moviemaking: There was a truth-telling style to the visuals, and the emotions were more powerful because it didn’t feel theatrical.”

Although Ali was mostly shot on film, it featured numerous scenes shot on digital-video cameras. “I analyzed afterwards what was going on to make me feel this way,” Mann says. “I realized it was because we had subtracted the theatrical lighting — which we’re all used to, and which we celebrate when it’s done by brilliant guys like Vittorio Storaro or Chivo Lubezki … Everybody unconsciously sees it and knows that it’s something crafted, not something that feels real. That subtraction of the theatrical convention of how we light is very powerful.” The digital-video scenes lent Ali an electric, you-are-there immediacy. But along with it came something more illusory and fragile, as if this pixellated world could vanish in an instant.

Hyperrealism and hyperabstraction — increasingly, Mann’s films seem to dance between these two extremes. The 2006 film version of Miami Vice is filled with impenetrably authentic jargon about law-enforcement procedures and drug-dealer-speak. But as an experience, it’s something else: You can be on a speedboat making a drug run one minute, jump in a squad car and zoom off to a calamitous hostage standoff the next, then set up an epic drug exchange and wind up in a climactic three-way gangland bloodbath, only to end the night in a beachside safe house trying to calm the woman you love, who happens to be a criminal financial advisor who’s just discovered you’re a cop. As a procedural, it’d be ridiculous. But at some point, you realize that what you’re watching is not a procedural. It’s a dream. 

To some degree, such elements were always there in his work. When Mann made his first theatrical feature, Thief, starring James Caan, some critics took the film to task for being too aestheticized and underwritten. Others were drawn by its minute attention to detail and striking images and sounds. Thief didn’t do well at the box office, but it has since become a classic, and its influence can be felt everywhere. Mann would eventually have his share of theatrical hits, but it was his success in television, particularly as the executive producer of the ’80s NBC hit Miami Vice, that helped turn him into a brand name. Nowadays, even his box-office flops are regarded with a healthy degree of retrospective reverence: The 1986 thriller Manhunter, based on Thomas Harris’s Red Dragon and featuring Brian Cox as Dr. Hannibal Lecter (his first cinematic iteration), made virtually no money in theatrical release, but it now feels essential — a film whose surface cool and elegiac pop soundscapes are as unnerving as its grisly serial-killer plot. 

Over the next decade, Mann had a string of commercial and critical successes that solidified his status as a major American auteur and keen visual stylist. 1992’s Last of the Mohicans was a lush, insanely romantic, breakneck adaptation of James Fenimore Cooper’s novel, starring Daniel Day-Lewis as Hawkeye, the white scout raised by Indians, and Madeleine Stowe as the daughter of a British general; it was one of the signature action films of the ’90s. Heat (1995) gave us Robert De Niro leading a crack group of master criminals and Al Pacino as the jaded, brilliant LAPD detective chasing them; it’s now considered one of the greatest crime epics of all time. The Insider (1999) was a fact-based drama about 60 Minutes producer Lowell Bergman (Pacino, again) and his efforts to get Brown & Williamson scientist Jeffrey Wigand (Russell Crowe) to blow the lid off the tobacco industry’s shady practices; it was nominated for a Best Picture Oscar in 2000, and if the Academy ever got the opportunity to redo that year’s vote, there’s a good chance Mann’s film would win. 

Since then, the immediate response to Mann’s films has been more mixed. Collateral, starring Jamie Foxx and Tom Cruise, was another critical and commercial hit, but films like Ali, Miami Vice, and Public Enemies have been a lot more divisive. Indeed, there’s something wonderfully obstinate about Mann’s films of the past decade and a half or so; one senses that he doesn’t let a box-office-friendly logline undo his artistic ambitions. And the immaculate aesthetics of his earlier films have been replaced by something less composed, more unhinged. Cameras often follow characters close along their heads, as if trying to see from behind their eyes. Perspective fragments among different characters and many, many different angles of a scene. Seemingly stolen shots jut up uncomfortably against what sometimes looks like surveillance footage. 

When he talks about video, one senses that Mann is looking for an entirely new way of expression and of making you see. On Public Enemies, he says, “my objective was to make you walk in the shoes and see through the eyes of John Dillinger — to relay his experience as it was happening — instead of seeing him as a third-party observer. I wanted to bring you into that world, like you’re walking out of the Biograph in 1933. There’s a car, there’s a hood ornament, and there’s the condensation on the metal and the glass, and it’s all as vivid and high relief as it is in real life.”

To illustrate his relationship to video, Mann uses one of his beloved architectural metaphors and points to the evolution of the modern skyscraper. “When technology, i.e., steel, entered the picture and people were able to build tall buildings, they didn’t know what a tall building looked like. So, primarily in New York, they took the classical maison — ground floor, first floor, and the intervening three floors, with a pediment roof. And instead of the intervening three floors, they made them the intervening 23 floors. So all around New York, you’ll see what look like houses stretched skywards … You’re building with steel, but you don’t know what it should look like, so you make it look like a masonry building. But in Chicago, you have the Monadnock Building, which is the first tall building that has a form derived from its function and technology. That analogy holds true for me and film: If I’m going to use video, I want to find an aesthetic that derives from that technology. I’m not interested in making it look like film.”

Blackhat is likely to be as divisive as Mann’s other recent films — if not more so. But one senses he wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s an odd position for a filmmaker to be in. For many of us, he’s a living legend — an Old Master, almost — whose nighttime exteriors and quiet shots of stoic faces have become as much a signature as John Ford’s Monument Valley vistas or Martin Scorsese’s New York streetscapes. At the same time, he’s still working to some extent in the studio system, on genre movies like Blackhat, which, on paper, at least, look like they’re there to make money. But he’s won his independence over these many decades, and it seems he’s determined to push the boundaries of what’s possible in an ostensibly mainstream film. 

Is it getting harder to do so? He notes, with irony, that this notorious independence may have actually put him in a curiously fortuitous spot. “It’s not harder for me to make these kinds of films. In fact, it’s probably easier, because there’s some self-selection that goes on. People who want a journeyman director who’s going to shoot it and then leave and let the studio finish cutting it, and it’s the third sequel to something — they don’t call.” Then he adds, with a laugh, “And I’d encourage them not to call!”

[valenhell]

From the studio that brought you “I can’t find good Byler fics in the ao3 tag”, comes:

"The Definitive Byler fic rec list"

Literally no one asked for this but because I spent the majority of last year (...and 2019, and 2018...) reading byler fics and coping with life, I thought I’d make a list of some of my absolute favorites. 

The other day I was basically starving for some byler fics and the angel @magicalfairy provided me with some of her faves so I thought I’d do the same, because I love reading, and I love all of these fics and I appreciate their writers💗 And fic writers in general, come on!

- This is a mix of long works and one-shots/short stories. - Everything is mostly fluff with a tad of angst and a lot of internalized homophobia conflict.  - Every fic is completed, except for the ones I mention that they are not. - I try my best to lay out the stories in a way that I won’t spoil you the plot but also warning you of some stuff you might don’t like. Either way, all of these fics are correctly tagged by their respective authors/owners, so read at your own risk. For better understanding, in between brackets I denote Rating, Words and quantity of Chapters. - I feel like I should clarify, none of these are narrated in the singular first person. None of that “And I told him...”, no. 

Long fics

a dream always the same (T, 99k, 35 chapters) What happened in those few weeks between the Battle of Starcourt and the Byers leaving Hawkins. Literally a satisfying and very needed fill in of season three, with a good dose of Mike’s thoughts and conflict. Mike’s characterization is specially amazing in this one. The writing style is amazing and I know the author put everything into making it historically accurate, and it was really sweet. You probably read it, it’s by the amazing sevensided here on Tumblr🧡

Spring Break (T, 120k, 14/15 chapters) The slowburn of my dreams. Lots of internalized conflict and conflict with each other. Conflict within the Party (uhh kind of), conflict with Mike and Will. Byers family has moved and the kids are visiting! Chaos. Characterization is on point. Yeah, I know it’s unfinished, but the fourteenth chapter actually serves as a pretty nice ending. 

This is where it starts (M, 148.8k, 24 chapters) Aged up characters. The Party is in college and Will disappears again, but now it’s different. Mike knows he didn’t vanish from thin air, and the discovery he and the Party end up making is pretty insane. Mystery solving/fantasy/third dimension, throw in a bit of D&D and Mike realizing some shit, and you get this marvelous fic. It’s a breath of fresh air. The world building is definitely one of the elements that stands out the most, because it’s very nicely described, it sounds like a dream and it’s completely immersive. Absolute gem of a fic. 

there’s a Starman waiting in the sky (M, 30.6k, 8 chapters) Do I need to say anything? Will is out there living his best life and Mike realizes that wow, umm, maybe his best friend looks a bit too nice with that costume... and wait, is he getting horny? It’s actually really fun and sexy.

The Evening Speaks (T, 23k, 7 chapters) In where Mike is a late-night college radio host and Will is the art student that stays up till late to catch up with Wheeler on the Mic. They flirt through songs y’all, this one is really sweet. 

heads or tails? (E, 24k, 3 chapters) Aged up characters. I know most people don’t enjoy sex in fics and with specific characters but this one is insanely well written. It’s a slowburn that commits to the tension and with every word you are grasping and anticipating their next move. I think you can find the author here on Tumblr as yousaidyes🧡

The Man of Average (M, 56.7k, 5/? chapters) Aged up characters. No but you don’t understand, the writing here is absolute gourmet. The story is exciting as well, it’s super interesting. Weirdly enough, for being very aged up characters, they are well characterized but they don’t feel like teenagers. They are naturally Mike and Will. The author really captured Mike and Will’s essence. I know, it’s unfinished and it’s updated very rarely, but this is the typical fic you can’t believe someone just posted on the internet for free. I will say though, I think it’s definitely not for everyone. Read at your own risk.

Heartstrings (E, 82.8k, 24/? chapters) Aged up characters. By the same author of The Man of Average. A collection of memories, the road to Mike and Will’s happy ever after. And fucking hell!!!!! You’ll cry and get angry, you’ll cheer for them, then you’ll want to crash their faces together because god dammit you love each other!!! But yeah, same thing here. The writing and the way the story is laid out as a nonlinear narrative is brilliant. And I also think this is one of the best Will versions I’ve read. The author might as well be the og creator of this two characters tbh. You can find the author here as mylesimeblr🧡

Sinners behind the walls (T, 1.5k, 1/1) And because I can’t stop recommending this author, a little thing of Mike tormenting himself but also being too deeply committed to Will. 

The Red Envelope series (T/E, 167K, two completed works) Something happens that Will thought was impossible and from there, pure drama and romance. Anything by this author has the potential to become your absolute favorite fic, but this series in particular is amazing. I doubt that any of you haven’t read this, but it doesn’t hurt to put it in this list. I’m pretty sure the author is serendipitous-magic on Tumblr🧡

A New Fight series (T, 91k, two completed works, one WIP) And finally the Star Wars AU that we all needed. But this isn’t your typical “Mike is Han”, “Will is Leia” and “El is Luke”, it’s way more interesting than that, and the author has appropriated the Star Wars world like no other. I’ll admit I’m not a 100% fluent in SW lore but this is amazing to me either way. This author is also on Tumblr, tea-for-one-please🧡

- Yes, most of these are (if not all), in a way, canon compliant/canonverse/canon continuation into fanon. (In a way)

One-shots and short stories

Sundae for Two, Please (G, 4.8k) Steve being the supportive friend and older brother these kids collectively need. (not Jonathan erasure, we love him). Steve is very sweet himself, and this little cute thing through his POV is gorgeous. Yes, it’s byler.

Backstage (T, 10k, 2/2) Jonathan, you forgot to mention to Will how hot your new band’s guitarist is, dude. Now he’s hyperventilating and weirdly flirting with him in the corner. Background Stonathan because why not.

102 Peach Street (G, 3.8k) Established relationship, but not only that, they are married :’’))) PURE fluff. Extreme fluffiness. Diabetes. 

sweatshirts and bottled up feelings (T, 3.2k) Or, Mike thinks that the sweatshirt Will wears looks insanely good on him. And kitchens are for lovers. 

kiss it better (T, 16.3k) Basically one of the best character studies of a few precise moments of Mike and Will’s relationship and feelings. 

will wonders ever cease (T, 11.3k) #i ship will and happiness. Omfg what a beautiful piece of fanfic. Will centric, this kid really deserves all the good in the world.

The Calm After the Storm (T, 1.6k) Tooth rotting fluff, boyfriends in love. Boyfriends being lazy, cuddling, love words, kisses. Boys loving each other’s company... Basically, Mike and Will in their element. What more can you ask for?

neither of us ready to let go (T, 4.8k) That scene from season three, but a bit of a fix it. 

Still in love (G, 1k) Domestic, married life au fluff. Y’all, I’m a sucker for established Byler, even if I can’t find many fics with it. But this is very sweet. It takes place in 2020, but I don’t think there are any mentions of the COVID-19 crisis that I remember.

I Nver Find Out ‘Til I’m Head Over Heels (G, 12.5K) Classic 5+1 fic. If you haven’t read it, where have you been? This is your moment. In where Mike keeps inviting Will to the school dances and Will thinks it’s just a joke until he realizes it’s not. 

Before You’re Gone (T, 5.9k) Will is leaving Hawkins and Mike thinks this is a great moment for a confession. This one I discovered last friday, thank you friend @magicalfairy 💗

You’re weird Wheeler (M, 4.5k) Mike unintentionally starts a tradition of going to each other to talk about their sexual encounters just after they finish. Will keeps getting more explicit with the details he shares, and he makes his best friend interested. This one is really fun y’all.

Out-Of-Town Friends (N/R, 4.6K) It’s not rated. I haven’t re- read it but I’d say it would probably fall in a T rating. So cute!! Will has new friends and sneaks off every friday and the Party doesn’t know where he is going, so Mike decides to follow him and is surprised. 

Snowed Under (G, 1.3k) By the same author of The New Fight series. Mike is spending christmas by himself in college because a snowstorm hits Chicago and Nancy can’t drive to see him, but then he has a surprise visitor. Ahhh just a lil sweet holiday fic. Super cute. 

you love me anyway series (T, 7.1k, three completed works) Literally just the cutest thing ever. Established Byler. Will loves to take pictures and he loves taking pictures of Mike. It’s adorable. 

you wanna be friends forever (i can think of something better) (T, 9k) This one is so amazing. So. Amazing. From Will’s POV, my kid deserves the world and he gets it. 

okay not to be okay (T, 4.9k) Mike is a bit sad but then everything is okay. 

can’t hold out forever (G, 18.4k) Y’all!!!!! 5+1 sweetness. Mike has been falling in love since kindergarten. And it’s long af, you’ll enjoy it. 

even if it takes forever (G, 1.3k) College short AU, they miss each other, they love each other, they promise all to each other. It is sappy y’all.

clear as day (N/R, 18.4K, 4 chapters) It’s not rated, but I’d say it falls in the T category. Strangers to friends to lovers. And also, everyone is pretty gay; we have our dynamic trio Mike, Max and El as disaster lesbians (and gay). Will works at the library and he is also gay. Lucas and Dustin and Will are the best friends we needed. It’s very sweet and the Party is kind of formed here!

I went overboard with the one-shots, so you must have realized how much I love long one-shots and I favor them over long works lmao but they are all amazing!!! If it’s on this list, I probably read it at 2 am, sobbing in my bed. So. Hope you enjoy it☺️🧡

#these are my all time favorites that i think you should read #it’s a good start #i've been putting together this post since friday #and i just realize that #apparently all of these have angst in some degree #who would i be if I didn’t read angst ajsjsj #but funny thing is that i try not to —but then the best stories are basically made of it #anyway #most of these are what I consider fandom classics #everyone in the byler fandom is so talented at writing😫💗 #is stonathan the actual ship name? lmao #byler #stranger things #byeler #byler fic rec #fic rec #ao3 #st #st.txt #me.txt #long post #stranger things fic

[haveamagicalday]

My Top Ten Books of 2021

I read 50 books this year and here are my favorites. I have reviews for all the other books in a separate post.

Honorable Mention: The Nutcracker Bleeds by Lani Lenore 

Okay, I’m adding this to my favorite reads because it was just such a bizarre read and memorable experience. Now this is a loose dark retelling in The Nutcracker, emphasis on the dark. The story focuses on a nanny to a disturbed 14 year old girl who still plays with dolls. Due to a rat bite, both Anne (nanny) and the girl get shrunken down to the size of dolls where they discover a war between all the toys in the house and the rat king. What happens next is a fever dream of demented toys, a violent nutcracker and a whole lot of creepiness. Now, I read that this book was originally posted on wattpad and later found out she self published it. There is nothing wrong with that but after learning this, I could see how this wasn’t run through an editor. It was about 200 pages too long and I feel like some plot points would have either been cut or cleaned up quite a bit. I feel like the first half of the book was different than the last as it became more typical YA and a lot of the plot fizzled out and left you wondering why they were there to begin with. The first half was creepy and weird and totally original though. I think this would make a fantastic video game in the same vein as American McGee’s Alice. It had that video game story telling of meeting a character, doing a task, and then moving to the next. I’m glad I read it and I’ve thought about it a lot after I finished.I ’m honestly not sure if I would recommend this to people or not, at least not to anyone I know. Maybe after seeing these trigger warnings you’ll understand why. Trigger warnings: Attempted Rape, Incest, Pedophilia, Violence and uh...... nutcracker on human (consensual) sex that I feel the need to warn people about.

10. The Ghost Tree by Christina Henry

Bodies of young girls are turning up torn to pieces in the small town of Smiths Hollow and nobody seems that concerned. Except for 15 year old Lauren whose father was found a year earlier similarly murdered. When she has visions of a monster dragging girls into the woods, she knows she has to figure out what is going on. This book was fantastic. Creepy small town, 80s time period, urban legends and witchy vibes made this a fun and thrilling read.

9. Survive the Night by Riley Sager

This was a fun, thrilling ride! Charlie is hitching a ride back to her hometown after dealing with the aftermath of her best friend’s murder. While her traveling companion seemed normal at first, things start to get tense and Charlie isn’t sure if she made the right decision. This book was unique as it’s sort of set up like a script of sorts and Charlie even has hallucinations where the world around her plays out like a movie scene. This is a quick read that will have you flipping through the pages both in anticipation and dread. 

8. House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland

Iris and her sisters vanished when they were children. When they finally were found, their hair was white, their eyes were black and they each had a scar at the base of their neck. Iris doesn’t remember what happened but when her oldest sister goes missing, she has to embark on a journey to not only find her but find the truth of what happened all those years ago. This book was creepy, strange and enthralling! It had an ending I haven’t ever seen before, especially in a YA novel. 

7. The Death of Jane Lawrence by Caitlin Starling

Jane has married the town’s shy doctor in what was initially supposed to be just a business arrangement. Initially she is told that she must never spend the night at Augustine’s desolate mansion but a storm forces her to spend the night. This leads to many more questions than answers as Augustine starts acting strange and Jane fears there is something sinister going on in the house. This book was marketed as being inspired by Crimson Peak but I think the similarities end once she gets to the mansion. I was expecting a gothic ghost story, and while there may be ghosts, we find out quickly that Augustine has dabbled with magic and in order to help, Jane must do so as well. There wasn’t much of a mystery (we found out pretty quickly what’s going on and there’s no big reveals) but it was still a creepy and interesting read. I especially liked the romance between our two main characters and how Jane takes charge to make things right.

6. Final Girls Support Group by Grady Hendrix

A lot of people have compared this to Final Girls by Riley Sager because they both have the basic concept of a group of final girls that survived slasher film like scenarios. The difference I would say is that Finals Girls is more of a thriller murder mystery while Final Girls Support Group is more of a  horror/black comedy. Either way, both these books are fantastic and I highly recommend them!

5. My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix

Abby and Gretchen have been best friends since 5th grade. This starts to change after a strange occurrence in the woods and Gretchen starts to act different. Is it drugs, teen angst or rock and roll’s influence causing these changes or is Gretchen possessed by a demon? Set in the 80s this book filled with lots of spooky fun and is surprisingly emotional and tender.

4. The Grimrose Girls by Lauren Pohl

Our story follows four students at an elite boarding, 3 are best friends whose other friend recently died while the other is a new student. The 3 best friends aren’t convinced that their friend died by accident and together they embark on a mission to find out what really happened. As the book starts we realize that our main characters have similarities with the princesses of classic fairytales and this might not be a coincidence. Grimrose Girls is going to be a series but this first novel does have a complete story that gets resolved in the end. I’ll admit, this might be a bit of an outlier on this list. It reads like most YA and there’s nothing especially remarkable about it but I loved the story and the mix of dark academia and fairytales. It was fun and I didn’t want it to end.

3. What Big Teeth by Rose Szabo

Wow this was a bizarre book and I loved every minute! I don’t even know if I can give much of synopsis besides saying that our main character has been estranged from her family and attending boarding school but a mysterious accident causes her to return home for the first time in years. Witches, werewolves, a mother that must always be wet and a strange visitor who never shows his eyes are just some of the weird things found in this book. You will have no idea what is going on when you first start the novel but it won’t be in a frustrated way. You’ll be intrigued with this bonkers family and won’t be able to put the book down.

2. Mirrorland by Carole Johnstone (Trigger Warnings under the cut)

Identical twins Cat and El no longer speak and Cat moved away to America to escape her sister. But when El goes missing, Cat is forced to return to the childhood home they shared and to the man they both loved. El’s husband suspects foul play but Cat knows her sister is just being dramatic and finds herself vindicated when a scavenger hunt clue shows up for Cat. The clues (that have to be from El) lead her back to Mirrorland, the fantasy world the two created and lived in as children and Cat must face her forgotten past in order to find her sister. The mystery of this book was great with many twists but where it really shines is within Mirrorland and the shared dark fantasies the twins created. Page turning, imaginative with an utterly explosive ending, I gobbled this up. 

1. The Last House on Needless Street by Catorina Ward (Trigger Warnings under the cut)

I’ll start this off by saying this was disturbing and it will make you uncomfortable. Our story revolves around a family of 3: Ted, a strange man that keeps to himself, his daughter Lauren who is not allowed to leave the house, and Olivia, their cat who likes to read the Bible. There’s not much more to say as the book is really a slow burn as we dive into Ted’s life and slowly pull back his layers. And that cat I mentioned? She is a main character that gets her own chapters and thoughts and it is so well written. If a cat could narrate their day, this author nailed it. If you are interested and not easily disturbed, I really recommend not reading the trigger warnings as it might spoil some of the story. 

Mirrorland TW: Incest (off page)

The Lest House on Needless Street TW: Child abuse, kidnapping and animal cruelty (not too graphic)

General for almost all of these books: Murder, blood, gore

#book recomendation #Book Recommendations #mirrorland #what big teeth #the last house on needless street #the grimrose girls #non disney #my post #the nutcracker bleeds #the ghost tree #my best friend's exorcism #final girls support group #survive the night #house of hollow #the death of jane lawrence

[luminari-mc]

My Human, My Sunshine - Part 2

Pairing: GN!MC x Mammon

Genres: Angst, hurt/comfort.

Word count: 4642

Warnings: N/A

Summary: As a human and a demon get to enjoy the presence of one another again, Mammon knows deep down that behind this ephemeral bliss, hides a looming and powerful storm.

PART 1 - PART 2 -

A/N: it's almost Mammon's birthday! And as promised, here is part 2 of my little series! While part 1 was made to place several plot points here and there, this chapter really starts to set things in motion for future chapters, and especially part 3.

All I have to say here is... Enjoy the fluff while it lasts.

___________________________________________

For the first time in a while... the human world felt much more colorful. Much more silent. It was as if life itself had been born anew, the suffocating darkness engulfing the world having been cast away for the light to reclaim its rightful ownership. The evil dragon of separation had finally been put to rest, and so, the chirping of the birds quickly replaced the self-deprecating thoughts of the people.

The only question left on the people's minds, as their bodies embraced so close to one another throughout the night, rejoicing to finally be back in the other's company, was... for how long, would that blissful respite last?

The night had been deep and short, but much welcoming. The weariness that had taken over the couple's bodies over the past two months had thoroughly vanished, as if all of this had been nothing but a bad dream. How much they wished it had been the case, and that the kisses they had shared the previous night didn't have to be ones filled with the need to feel the other's presence so desperately, for their minds to realize that they were here, and he was here, together in the same room at long last.

A human hand gently caressed a white-haired head, the demon to which it belonged still soundly asleep. Despite it being a few hours after dawn, MC had only recently opened their eyes to the first rays of sunlight, finding themself still in the same position as they had fallen asleep in. Mammon's arms were still firmly wrapped around their frame, their proximity allowing him to breathe in the scent of their skin as his nose brushed against their collarbone each time his chest rose up in his sleep.

Remaining laid down on their side, the human could only keep still and watch the face of their demon in adoration, still unsure whether they really had him in their bed with him, or if the loneliness of the past few weeks had truly made them lose their mind beyond salvation.

But as their fingers gently passed in his hair, their caresses never ending, MC couldn't help but wonder... what had Mammon done since the last time they saw him? How had he spent his time in the Devildom? How were the others? And most importantly, how had he found his way to them? Not that much conversation had been achieved the previous night, to answer all of their questions... The two of them had quickly realized, as MC came to drag Mammon inside the apartment, their clothes damp from the rain that had been dripping from his body, that what they wanted, as their lips met again and again, weren't answers, but to feel each other. And before any of them could notice, they had both fallen into a deep slumber that lasted the entire night.

MC raised their head slightly to look out of the bay window on the other side of the room. Outside, they could partially perceive the colors of the other buildings of the city in the horizon, the sunlight reflecting on their windows brightly and making them squint their eyes in response. They would have preferred to be able to see the green of the trees lined up in the street below, but that was one of the many flaws of this place... the floor that Solomon had chosen for MC to reside in was just way, way too high up.

If it hadn't been for a pair of arms pulling them slightly forward, MC wouldn't have noticed the half-closed pair of blue eyes staring at them in silence. MC immediately lowered their side back against the mattress, their head meeting with the pillow once more. Under the covers, they moved a leg instinctively against Mammon's.

"Good morning." They whispered through a smile, a sound so affectionate to one demon's ears that his hand slid from under the blanket to place itself on the human's cheek.

"Is this a dream?"

Mammon's words surprised them, but only for a short second. The demon's expression was nothing but serious, a slightly furrowed brow adorning his forehead as if he was expecting to receive a positive, yet disappointing answer to his question. Instead, MC's smiled turned only sweeter. They closed their eyes before pulling Mammon closer to them.

"It's not a dream." They felt him place his face in the crook of their neck. "You're with me, and I'm with you. It's for real."

Almost as if he was holding back tears, Mammon inhaled deeply, before closing the empty space between his body and MC's until there was nothing left. Their hand was brought back to the back of his head, drawing slow circles in the hopes of soothing him.

"I still can't believe it." His words seemed to be on the verge of breaking up as they slipped through his gritted teeth. "It feels like you've been gone for a thousand years, even worse... Why the hell did I only find ya now..."

"Mammon..." MC opened their eyes again to urgently place a gentle kiss on top of the demon's head. "What's important is that you found me. It is much better than if a thousand years had really passed, don't you think?"

Mammon's head leaned away from the warmth of their neck, his glassy eyes able to meeting theirs again. His mouth stayed agape for a few seconds, before both of his hands cupped MC's face in place.

"I know I asked last night, but you sure you're okay, right? Nobody has hurt you or experimented on you or anythin'?"

"I'm okay, Mammon." They placed their hands on top of his, a small chuckle escaping through their lips. "I swear, all I did was practice magic with Solomon and live a boring human life."

"But you sure it was normal magic? What if it was some weird spells and he was secretly messing with your body without you knowing?"

His worry made them sigh softly, their thumbs brushing the back of his hands. It was understandable for him to be so concerned for their safety, after receiving no news in such a long time. And the demons had always been wary of Solomon ever since they had known the wizard, to the point where MC themself, had even grown to wonder why Solomon had been acting the way he did, since they had gone back to the human world.

"I promise you." They responded, yet unsure themself of the veracity of their words. "Nothing has been done to me."

Silence fell between the both of them again, a staring contest where Mammon was expecting them to let go of a much harder truth, which never came. He was the first to break eye contact, rather preferring to stare into the space between MC's head and the pillow.

"Solomon... He's hidin' something too. I just know it"

His sudden pouting mouth and words made MC blink. "Too? What do you mean...?"

After marking a wordless pause, Mammon's hands slid off their cheeks, his upper body rising up as he sat himself into the bed. The sheets fell onto his hips, leaving his arm exposed for MC to grab in case he was trying to avoid their question and get up. But instead, all he did was pass a hand through his hair as a deep sigh left his lungs.

"Mammon?" MC called out, their voice starting to show concern due to the demon's sudden secrecy. But as they read his expression a bit more clearly from their laid position in the bed, and as they watched the creases between his eyebrows form, and his jaw clenching, they realized that... Mammon probably knew more about all this than themself.

"A... A lot of shit went down ever since you left, MC." The demon kept his palm in his hair, leaving his forehead exposed. "It's gone bad, and I just... I-I just dunno what to do anymore."

It wouldn't take a genius to see how perturbed Mammon was about this subject- you just had to see the way his fingers had wrapped around his own hair, almost as if he was about to pull a handful, the questions in his mind twirling in a never-ending whirlpool of torment. One thing MC was grateful for, however, was how much more open he had become with them ever since they had known each other.

As MC propped themself on their elbow, they allowed their hand to wander up and down Mammon's arm to remind him of their presence.

"... Do you want some breakfast? I'd rather you explain everything while stuffing yourself with waffles. I make them delicious, I promise."

Although he glanced at them from the corner of his eyes, his pout only seemed to double. MC stopped their hand from rubbing his skin before placing it above his own, their thumb gently brushing the back of it. Like a timid child, his cheeks darkened, letting his voice, now low, respond to their question.

"I... could go with some of your waffles."

After putting some clothes on, apart from Mammon who could only rely on one of MC's loose jogging pants due to his clothes from the previous night still dripping wet on a nearby chair-, MC made their way to the kitchen to prepare something for their demon.

Throughout the whole process, Mammon never left their side. Once his arms had been locked around their frame from behind as they began preparing the waffles, he hadn't let go. His chin remained on their shoulder, his body moving alongside them whenever they had to go to a cabinet to grab a bowl, a whip, or even when they went to pick the different ingredients for the batter. MC had asked in the beginning "are you sure you don't want to sit at the table?", wanting him not to be standing more than his tired legs could bear. But their question was only met with a shaking of his head, before his forehead met with the warmth of their skin. "I'm good there", he had answered. And so MC let him hold on to them, enjoying the feeling of his arms around their waist, and the few kisses he would place here and there alongside their neck and cheek. This calm, this peace, this comfortable silence... they had forgotten what it felt like.

Once all the batter had been changed into hot and steamy waffles, and the rest of the breakfast had been made, the couple sat around the kitchen table.

"So... is it that bad?" MC placed their hands around their hot cup of cocoa, taking a sip of the drink as Mammon filled his mouth with a waffle he had covered in strawberry jam. MC had insisted that he was to eat his batch first, with him having barely eaten anything the previous day. Even if he was a demon, he needed to have a proper morning meal.

"It's almost as if you had never been in the house in the first place." Mammon answered after swallowing his bite. "Satan went back on being super pissy with Lucifer for the smallest things, Levi eats his meals in his room and never comes out. I see Asmo buyin' even more beauty products than usual and he's constantly askin' us if "this and that" suits him, to the point where it's ridiculous. Beel almost stopped eating entirely because he was too worried for ya. If it weren't for Belphie, he would have turned into a literal stick. Now Belphie sleeps more often too. And Lucifer, he..."

He stabbed one of the waffles with his fork, before tearing a piece of it with his teeth. MC's brow instantly furrowed with concern.

"He just has to know why we couldn't reach you. He's been lyin' through his teeth for weeks on end, but he thinks he's being so sly and that we're too dumb to see it." Another teared piece of the waffle disappeared into his mouth. "Like, sure, he's been way more on edge ever since you left the Devildom and even more after we've all started askin' why we couldn't talk to you, but that just shows that he knows somethin' and we don't."

With a slower movement, his fork planted into the remaining bits of the waffle. "But it's just... I don't understand, you get it? Why would he try to hide something about you from us? All of a sudden we can't send you texts or call you like we used to everytime you had to come back to the human world, and out of nowhere he starts actin' all weird about it. It's just..."

MC noticed Mammon's jaw clenching, his hand and fork immobile as it stayed firmly planted into the waffle. The demon swallowed harshly, letting the human know how the situation back at home must have been for him. Without their presence, the brothers had turned back into their previous selves, if not worse.

"What about you?" They asked, making the second-born jerk his head upward at them. "How are you feeling?"

"M-Me? It's... not important." He looked away shamefully, the pressure on the fork increasing and his nail starting to dig into his palm.

"Mammon." Their hand reached forward to wrap itself around the one that was holding the fork. "If my absence has been affecting everyone like this... I want to know how you dealt with it, too."

They patiently waited until Mammon finally dared cross his gaze with their own once again.

"I... dammit, don't laugh, okay?" He muttered. "But, I guess when we learned you didn't have your D.D.D. with ya back in the human world, I was the one with took it the worst... I grew tired of Lucifer tellin' me to be patient and wait for a replacement to get to ya, and I kinda ran to Lord Diavolo and ended up throwing a hissy fit in the middle of the throne room. Barbatos didn't like it, and neither did Lucifer. I still don't know why, but Lucifer didn't strung me from the ceiling on that day. Actually, he's mostly been yelling at us more than punishing. But I guess it doesn't really matter, since the others went all back on ganging up on me for any mistake I make."

Just as Mammon finally brought the rest of the waffle into his mouth in the hopes of not breaking up into a groaning mess, MC could swear they felt their heart sink within them. It sounded exactly like what Mammon had said. The brothers had all gone back to their old ways, with Mammon ending up as the punching bag once again. And all because they weren't around anymore?

"I'm... I'm sorry." Their throat tightened, a sense of guilt starting to wash over them. "If I knew you guys were having it this bad, I'd- I should have been way more insistent with Solomon, I should have kept asking to see you more than I did when-"

"Wha- No no, hey, it's not your fault!" Mammon exclaimed, panic settling in as MC started taking the blame on themself. "I mean, no one coulda thought that you'd be gone for this long... And that we'd be all negative for not being able to call you and stuff..."

Mammon passed a hand over his neck, the other covering MC's fist with its warmth. His eyes drifted to the side.

"We just... ya know. Grew used to havin' ya around. Guess it messed up our heads pretty good, and in the end, hatin' on each other seemed like the only solution to keep us busy.... I think."

MC's stomach churned uncomfortably as they sat there silently, slowly processing Mammon's words. What they wouldn't give to have sensed sooner that the brothers were also out of the loop in this situation, and ask Solomon for answers in the first few weeks after being back in the human world with him. How could they have been so passive about this? How could they have been so blind?

"MC."

Mammon's voice pulled them out of their thoughts, as they raised their eyes back onto him. "Huh?"

"What did Solomon say? About you not being able to see us?"

"Hum..." Their brain replayed the fuzzy memories of what happened two months earlier.

"Well, you remember how we all said our goodbyes to each other before I left the Devildom? It was in the student's council meeting room, like usual. But Diavolo had said that I would need to fill some papers before entering the portal, so I guess since we all were used to saying goodbye like this by now, we didn't really see the harm in having you brothers all leave the room before I entered the portal."

They instinctively bit the corner of their bottom lip. "Which left me, Barbatos and Diavolo in the room. Diavolo said something about needing my D.D.D. to replace it with an upgraded version, which I thought was weird at the time since Karasu had always warned me when it needed repairs or to update an app. But I trusted Diavolo, so I gave it to him, and he said I should receive the new one shortly through Solomon. After that, I got into the portal, but never received the phone, and Solomon started saying all these excuses..."

"What excuses?" Mammon asked, pressing on the matter out of curiosity, but mostly because of the bubbling rage that was beginning to form in the pit of his stomach.

"At first he explained that the new D.D.D. took some time to be shipped to Lord Diavolo, but-- it's Lord Diavolo, the literal demon prince. He knows how much I like to communicate with all of you while I'm up there, so I couldn't understand why he simply couldn't ask for the shipping to go a bit faster?" MC started moving their free hand around as they continued to explain their version of the story. "Then Solomon suddenly switched from the phone taking time to be shipped to... saying that the Devildom was dealing with some dangerous threat that came out of nowhere, and that I needed to stay away until the matter was dealt with. But in the end it just... made me want to know if you guys were okay even more..."

Neither Mammon nor MC had realized, nor heard, that a crack had begun to form under Mammon's firm grip on the edge of the table. The more he learned how many lies had been thrown in their face by the wizard, the more pressure Mammon was putting on his closed teeth. He couldn't believe Solomon had told them that they were in danger, when absolutely nothing eventful had happened during their absence. What was wrong with this guy, Lord Diavolo and Lucifer? The demon searched in his mind again and again, why his older brother would make up such an alliance with Solomon, especially to keep MC at bay- wasn't he supposed to care for them, too?

"I've heard enough." He hissed, the wood cracking even more under his palm. "Once I know what the fuck is going on with those two, I'm bringing you back home."

"Wait-" MC exclaimed, panic in their voice. "I-It has to be for a reason, right? That your story and mine aren't the same? I just- I don't understand why Diavolo and Lucifer would lie to me so that I stay in the human world, especially when they were acting like usual before I left."

"Reason or not, I don't fucking care. Shouldn't they have at least let us know if something was up?" Mammon's hands retrieved from both the table and MC's, the demon grasping the fabric of his pants harshly as he shook his head in disbelief. "Think about it, MC. If they all made up a bunch of lies so that we wouldn't be able to contact you, then it means that you're involved in this. Whatever problem it is they're hiding, they should tell you what it is, and not straight up throw you away in the human world as if neither you or ME would care about it."

The demon let out a frustrated groan as his eyes closed firmly, Mammon not understanding anything of the situation. If he and MC wanted answers, it would require to go back to either Solomon or Lucifer, but either of those options weren't at the top of his priorities right now. All he wanted at the moment, was to make sure that MC would remain safe, if they indeed were at the center of all this. He didn't want to lose them again. Two months of radio silence had already been hard enough. No, now, he would remain with them at all times. No matter if the obstacles ended up being a wizard, the demon prince, or his literal older brother.

MC's arms wrapping around his shoulders pulled him out of his dark thoughts. He opened his eyes, feeling them sitting on his lap as they hid their face into his neck. Their embrace was strong, but at the same time, gentle and comforting. He instantly felt himself melt in his seat. Slowly, his shoulders dropped, and his arms circled the human he loved the most.

"I swear it." He muttered, looking into the empty space behind them. "I'll bring you back to the house. Everyone's missing you, and... I miss you, too."

MC nodded against his neck. "I'd love that. I miss the others. I miss my room there. And you always barging in without notice."

"O-Oh, yeah, about that-" Mammon pulled them slightly away by the shoulders so he could face them. "I kinda forgot to tell ya, but... when you weren't here, I sorta felt really alone, having to sleep in my room without you around, so... uh, what I mean is that- I kinda brought most of my stuff in your-"

The demon's sentence was cut short by the melody of a ringtone at the other end of the table. Mammon looked instantly at MC's phone, arching an eyebrow both for being interrupted, but also wondering who could be calling them on their human phone at this hour.

"Ah- it's probably Solomon. He was supposed to come visit yesterday, but postponed it to today instead." MC said, not without a hint of disappointment in their voice as they got up from Mammon's lap to go grab their phone.

Mammon growled, already preparing himself mentally for possibly having the occasion to yell at the wizard for all the mess he caused, but his plan was immediately stopped by MC, who had put a finger on their lips. While Mammon started pouting, MC pressed the sleep button on the side of the phone, but opened their eyes wide as the name of the caller was written in what seemed like... the Devildom's language.

"It's- not Solomon?"

Their thumb swapped over the Accept button, and just as they placed the phone over their ear and were about to ask who it was, a voice, way too familiar to them, answered first.

"M-MC.. ?" The broken sobs mixed with the voice of none other than Leviathan, almost made MC forget how to breathe. "Aahh, I'm so glad... I-I wasn't sure if- sniffle..."

"Levi?" MC clasped their other hand over the phone, alerted by the state of the demon on the other side of the line. Behind them, Mammon practically jumped out of his seat.

"Levi?! Put him on speaker!"

MC obeyed him, quickly turning the speaker on and putting the phone in-between the two of them. The third-born's voice could now be heard in the entire room, as his desperate cries continued.

"Yo, Levi, why are you crying?! And how did you figure out how to call MC's phone?!" Mammon shouted, before approaching the phone to listen more closely. "Hey, is that Asmo I'm hearin'? Is he with you? What's happening??"

"Mammon... we were so worried- that you wouldn't find them..." Levi continued, as several people could be heard in the background, seemingly arguing with each other. "I tried really hard you know... I'm so, so sorry MC... I really tried... Please, please forgive me, I tried..."

"T-Tried? Wha- What did you try, Levi?" MC asked nervously, a knot starting to form in their throat. But the only answer they received from Leviathan, was a louder sob, soon followed by muffled cries as if the demon had stuffed his face into a pillow.

"Here- Levi, I'll talk to them." Another voice replaced Levi's, this one more composed in its tone. It increased in volume as the owner brought the phone closer to their face. "MC, Mammon? Are you still there?"

"Satan..." MC whispered, a hand placed over their chest. It had been so long since they had heard either of the other demons' voices.

"Hey, Satan, what's wrong with Levi?! I keep hearin' the others talking behind you too! I leave you guys for one day and already one of you is bawling his eyes out?!" Mammon asked urgently, obvious worry in his voice for his brother. As if the whole trip to the human world hadn't already been anxiety inducing, now something had happened within the House of Lamentation, and he wasn't there to check up on them.

On the other side of the phone, Satan clicked his tongue.

"After helping you find MC's location, Levi spent hours learning how to call a human phone with a demon one... literal hours. I'm glad it worked." He paused. "Everything would have turned out alright, if only it hadn't been for him."

While MC blinked in confusion, Mammon's breath was caught in his throat. His face turned pale, and his brow furrowed even more as the realization of what the fourth-born was trying to tell him washed over him.

"Wait... Don't tell me-"

"He's gone way too far this time." Satan hissed. Behind him, the voices of the other brothers turned quieter, the blonde demon moving away from them. "You have to leave wherever you are. While you didn't know where MC was, Mammon, I'm not doubting that he does. I don't know why he's acting the way he is but... I'm worried about MC. Mammon, you have to get them away from him."

"Wait, Satan, are you talking about-"

Two dry knocks came from the entrance door, and MC immediately shut themself up, quickly pressing the speaker off. Flipping their head alongside Mammon's towards the sound, the two's breaths turned slow and their bodies immobile, like deers caught in headlights. Neither of them dared make a sound, nor move a muscle, their eyes glued to the wood of the door as they waited for additional knocks, which never came.

Instead, after a silence that seemed to last forever, with only the now small voice of Satan hurriedly asking them from the phone if they were alright, a hue began emanating on the door. A red circle, shining a light that resembled a laser's glow, drew in the center. Several patterns followed and appeared within it, and before MC could take a step towards it, as they finally understood who was on the other side, Mammon's body immediately blocked them from advancing.

"Mammon-"

The demon raised an arm out, preventing MC from moving further away from the table. The human didn't have to see his face to know that he was preparing himself for anything- his tensed body in front of them spoke for himself.

His inner thoughts from a few minutes ago resurfaced in a flash upon sensing MC's hand on his back. No more separation. He had to protect them- stay with them. No matter the obstacle.

Even if this obstacle, turned out to be his own older brother.

"He's here."

#thanks for reading! #obey me #obey me shall we date #obey me mammon #obey me mc #obey me mammon x mc #obey me angst #obey me story #obey me series #obey me fic #obey me fanfic #obey me writing #mammon x mc #obey me swd mammon #omswd #omswd mammon #obey me mc x mammon #obey me fandom #obey me gn!mc #vel's writing #obey me mhms #my human my sunshine

[floresmarique]

Here is a lil Daniel one shot for all my LaRusso girls ♡

SECRET CRUSH(DANIEL LARUSSO X FEM!READER)

Plot; You are one of Ali's best friends, hiding a secret: having a big crush on Daniel, the one boy she is dating. But what will happen when Daniel asks you to help him with Ali?

WARNING: A tiny bit of a smutty situation.

Tags; 'cheating' in a certain sense, dry humping, Daniel being VERY bold, seductive reader, some angst, fluff.

Also, they are still in high school just for the sake of the plot.

Enjoy!

~

There he was again, Daniel LaRusso.

He was talking to Ali, as always. She was laughing, resting her back against the school's wall. Daniel had one arm beside her head, the other hand was on his hip and he had a cheeky grin plastered on his face.

And then there was (Y/N).

She was admiring the scene from afar, a sad sigh leaving her mouth while she held her books tight to her chest. Since she saw Daniel that first day on the beach, she couldn't take her eyes off of him. She thought he looked so gorgeous with those dark locks of his and his chestnut eyes. His skin looked tanned and his body was slim, more skinny than muscular.

But, of course, he had his eyes for Ali since the beginning. (Y/N) wasn't surprised about it but she was dying of jealousy. She wasn't the classic ugly duck best friend, in fact, (Y/N) was considered one of the hottest girls at school along with Ali. A lot of boys desired her and before Johnny Lawrence even got with Ali, he first flirted with (Y/N) but she always refused him so Ali was kinda the second option.

(Y/N) didn't feel insecure about herself because she had a very high self-esteem. She always took care of herself, always had a good smell and beautiful soft hair and her body always turned a lot of heads. She had an amazing sense of style, even better than Ali if you asked her.

But (Y/N) wasn't just looks; she had a beautiful personality too, always sweet and humble. She never liked to get involved in drama, it was a waste of time in her opinion. Her sense of humour always cracked up even the most silent kid. She also had a very sassy attitude and wasn't scared to bite if someone tried to provoke her or the people she cared about since she was very protective and people knew that it was better not to mess with her.

"Ali, we should get to class." After stopping envying her best friend's relationship with Daniel, (Y/N) finally walked towards the both of them and said the first thing to make them separate. She knew that their relationship still would  exist but she felt an aching pain in her chest whenever she saw them talking and laughing together.

Ali sighed and nodded, kissing Daniel's cheek and then whispered something in his ear that made him smirk.

Was it something dirty? (Y/N) was dying to know but at the same time she preferred to not know anything about their intimate life. Ali never talked to her about it, maybe they were still taking time to not rush anything or she was just shy about it but (Y/N) knew that one day they would have done something together and the thought of it made her sick to her stomach.

Daniel gazed at (Y/N) and gave her his usual friendly smile. He was wearing a tartan button up shirt and some high waisted black jeans. He had gotten taller since the last year, when her and Ali first met him, but his voice stayed the same. (Y/N) noticed that many times Daniel checked her out and it even happened on their first encounter at the beach but she thought that it was something unintentional that every guy did.

"Wait!" Daniel exclaimed before the two friends could walk away. "(Y/N), can i talk to you for a moment?"

(Y/N) felt butterflies in her stomach at his request. He never asked her something and their conversations were very minimal and mostly about Ali. (Y/N) nodded while her friend furrowed her eyebrows, confused, but then she smiled and waved at them.

"I'm going to class, see you later (Y/N)!" She said and, before completely walking away, she sent Daniel a kiss that he fake caught with his hand, sending her a big grin.

"So what is it?" (Y/N) tried to hide her excitment and the blush that was starting to form on her cheeks. Daniel took her hand so that they could go somewhere a little more private. (Y/N) heated even more up at his physical contact and gulped, she felt the warmth of his hand and felt his long and slim fingers around her palm.

"Okay!" He said once they reached a column and went behind it. "You are the only person that can help me right now."

(Y/N) smiled, hoping to hear Daniel say something that completely involved just her and him. She was tapping the edges of her books with her fingertips, obviously feeling very nervous.

But her hope and smile vanished when he finally spoke.

"Soon it's gonna be Ali's birthday..." He started and (Y/N) contained her delusion and sighs of vanished hope to herself, listening to him. What was she expecting? Of course it was about Ali, like always. He always chose (Y/N) when he needed to do something for Ali because she was her closest friend and knew her better than the others. "I want to organize a fun party for her and i also don't know what gift should i give her-"

"Ali doesn't want a big party this year." (Y/N) cutted him off. "She told me that she's tired of big parties, so don't bother."

(Y/N) sounded more acid than she intended to be, but it wasn't her fault. It was the jealousy that made her like that.

"Oh..." Daniel looked confused and thought about it for a second before nodding. "Okay, well, can you help me with the gift? Maybe we could go shopping together this evening if it's okay with you. I'm really desperate, i don't know what to give her! She literally has everything!"

(Y/N)'s eyes sparkled at his words.

He was basically telling her to hang out with him that night to find a gift for Ali.

Hanging out together.

(Y/N) didn't even thought about it for a second, she couldn't miss that opportunity. Spending an evening with him was something she always desired, even if it was just for Ali. She was hoping to get to know him better, to talk about their interests and maybe to find some things in common.

She couldn't say no.

"Yeah, sounds fine to me." She nonchalantly nodded, making it look like it wasn't that big of a deal but inside she was squealing. "I'll meet you at 6:00 pm at the mall, alright?"

"Yeah!" He smiled. "6:00 pm at the mall, captain!"

He walked away and turned around to wink at her and (Y/N)'s heart skipped a beat at his action. She stood still behind the column and softly smiled to herself, already thinking of an outfit for the evening. Once she reached her class 5 minutes late, she sat next to Ali like always and tried to act as if nothing happened.

"Pst!" Ali whispered and nudged her elbow, stopping (Y/N) from taking notes on her notebook. "What did Daniel want?"

(Y/N) couldn't tell her about what happened because it was also about her birthday, so she shrugged and kept writing notes.

"Nothing much, he just needed an help with a math exercise."

Ali looked a little hesitant at first and narrowed her eyes, but then believed her because she knew that (Y/N) was very good in every subject while Daniel not so much.   Many minutes passed since the last words the two friends exchanged and (Y/N) suddenly saw a little folded piece of paper fall on her notebook. She furrowed her eyebrows and opened it, reading the message inside.

'Are you coming to my house this evening?'

-Johnny.

"I think that's for me!" Ali silently giggled and took the piece of paper from (Y/N)'s hands, letting out a soft laugh after reading it. She then wrote a simple 'yes' on the same paper and throwed it back to Johnny, grinning while doing so, leaving (Y/N) in pure shock as she watched the full scene.

"What are you doing?" She whisper-yelled to Ali. "I thought you never wanted to talk to Johnny again."

"Chill out, (Y/N)!" The blonde said and turned the page of her book. "We are just friends now."

"He invited you to his house, do you really think that he has friendly intentions with you?"

(Y/N) saw the teacher's glare on her and wrote no sense words on her notebook just to not be yelled at. Ali rolled her eyes and didn't look at her, making (Y/N) even more mad. She couldn't believe it and all that she was thinking about was Daniel.

"What about Daniel? Are you gonna tell him that you are paying a visit to your ex boyfriend's house?" (Y/N) spoke with a sarcastic tone and Ali scoffed.

"I know what i'm doing, it's not like i'm cheating on him." (Y/N) shook her head in disappointment, rage building up inside of her. Daniel didn't deserve that. "Mind your own business."

"You are aware of the fact that Johnny literally beated up Daniel last year or you forgot about it?" (Y/N) raised her eyebrow and Ali was red in the face, she was aware of the fact that she was doing the wrong thing.

"Johnny changed, i just want to talk to him." Before (Y/N) could respond, Ali quickly cutted her off. "Mind your own business."

After that, the bell rang and (Y/N) immediately stood up without saying another word to Ali and, once she reached the door, she saw Johnny leaning over Ali's chair, and all she did was giggle. (Y/N) made an expression of disgust and left the class, facing the day like she always did but while staying away from her best friend.

She saw Daniel and Ali walking home together at the end of school and she observed the way he wrapped one of his arms around Ali's waist so that she could be closer to him. (Y/N) hopped on her bike and during the ride she thought about her meeting with Daniel.

Knowing what Ali was doing, (Y/N) decided to play dirty too and to be selfish for once. She smirked while she rode her bike, her hair moved smoothly in the wind and she was more confident than ever in that moment because she knew what to do.

She was going to seduce Daniel.

Grinning to herself, she reached her house and prepared everything for the evening that she dreamed for a whole year. After lunch, she took a shower and made sure to use her favourite body lotion after getting out, the one that smelt like vanilla and coconut. She wrapped her wet locks around some rollers to get bouncy curls and while waiting, she started to look for the perfect outfit.

She played some music on her radio while she searched for the clothes she needed in her wardrobe and 'Cruel Summer' started echoing in the room. (Y/N) sang the words to the song and after awhile, she smirked when she placed her eyes on a beautiful red mini dress. It was tight, with thin straps and of a bright red. It didn't look too fancy, it looked classy but casual, perfect for the situation.

To match her nails with her dress, (Y/N) painted them of red and did a simple makeup to emphasize her lips so that they would have looked more kissable to seduce Daniel better. She chose a deeper shade of red for her lips and when she noticed that it was already 5:00 pm, she started getting dressed.

Once she slipped in her mini dress, (Y/N) decided to wear some black shoes with a short heel and a strap that wrapped around her ankles. She removed the rollers from her hair and styled them better with a brush. She was satisfied with how her hair turned out; bouncy, shiny and voluminous.

(Y/N) looked at her figure in the mirror and added the last touches to her look, spraying a little bit of perfume and putting on a denim jacket on her shoulders. She felt confident and smiled at her reflection proudly before leaving the house to go to the mall. She got there 10 minutes late because she walked slowly to get there, but she did it on purpose because she wanted to be waited.

When (Y/N) finally arrived, she immediately saw Daniel sitting on a bench at the center of the mall. She noticed that he had changed his clothes too but they still looked pretty casual. When she started walking towards him, Daniel stood up and checked her out, his mouth was hanging slightly open at the sight of her.

"Did you have to wait long?" (Y/N) gave him her charming smile and Daniel shook his head to reassure her but his eyes never left her body.

"No, i came here like 2 minutes ago." He nodded, but he was lying. He was there since 6:00 pm as she told him, but he couldn't be mad when she looked like that. "You look uh- very fancy."

"What are you talking about?" (Y/N) laughed. "This is my casual look."

"Well, i'm not complaining."

After his answer, (Y/N) felt even more confident than before.

This is gonna be easy. She thought to herself.

They started to walk side by side and all Daniel could hear was the click (Y/N)'s heels made after every track and he couldn't stop staring at her figure while she talked about some of Ali's favourites shops. He stared at her profile, at how her hair bounced when she walked, at her red plump lips and he felt guilty about it even tho he never denied that she was a beautiful girl.

She just looked even more beautiful in that moment and Daniel tried to distract himself from looking too much at her, but (Y/N) already knew what he was doing and contained her grin.

"She buys a lot of clothes at GadZooks" (Y/N) said and stopped walking when they reached the mentioned shop.

"I don't know, she always buys clothes... i want to give her something that she still doesn't have."

(Y/N) thought for a moment and then she turned to look at Daniel.

"You know, she talked to me about wanting some earrings..." She smirked. "What is your budget?"

"I have 50$ with me."

"That's enough, c'mon!" She purposely took his hand and sent him another smile before walking again. "I know exactly where to go!"

Daniel ended up buying some cute silver earrings for Ali and wrote her a little letter that he inserted inside the box. (Y/N) felt jealous again, especially thinking about the fact that while he was there to buy her a gift, Ali was at Johnny's house doing god knows what. (Y/N) tried to kick her thoughts out of her head because she had to focus on her goal.

"I'm sure she's gonna love them." She told Daniel after they came out from the shop. He nodded to himself and then smiled at her. "Yeah but i think i'm gonna give you some credits too on the letter."

(Y/N) slightly blushed at his comment but tried to act cool.

"Don't you think she will be jealous knowing that we spent the evening together?" (Y/N) raised an eyebrow and smirked. Daniel laughed and shrugged.

"It was for a good reason, she would never have these beautiful pair of earrings if we didn't!"

"Sounds legit!" (Y/N) laughed and before she could say something else, Daniel spoke first.

"Are you hungry? We could eat something at that bar right there, an ice cream maybe?"

(Y/N) was surprised at his question but nodded anyway and soon after that, they entered the bar where (Y/N) sat on a high stool while she observed Daniel.

"So for me a medium size chocolate ice cream with sprinkles on it..." He said to the lady behind the counter and then glanced at (Y/N) "what about you, cherry?"

The nickname took her off guard but his wink after made her cheeks flush. She cleared her throat and fixed her hair a bit before answering.

"A medium size strawberry ice cream with lots of whipped cream..." She smirked and kept talking. "And if it's possible, a little cherry on top."

Daniel chuckled while (Y/N) rested her head on her hand, admiring how perfect he looked in that exact moment. She noticed that his arms weren't as skinny as last year and she supposed that he was building up a little bit of muscles because of Karate. Daniel noticed her staring at him so he grinned a bit before snapping her out of the thoughts she was having about him.

"I think they have cherries- oh here they are!" He took both of the ice creams from the lady's hands and handed the strawberry one to (Y/N) so that he could pay for the both of them. It felt like a date and (Y/N) wasn't mad about it for sure.

Daniel sat on the stool right in front of (Y/N) and smiled at her when she took the petiole of the cherry with two of her fingers.

"Why that nickname?" She asked him and Daniel softly laughed.

"You remind me of a cherry tonight, with all that red on you." He licked some of his ice cream and (Y/N) nodded, taking it as a compliment.

"Well, do you like cherries?" She asked, her tone was seductive while she crossed her legs, discovering her thighs more. Daniel eyed her up and down and blushed a little before nodding.

"Yes, very much."

"You know, i can make a knot with the petiole of the cherry..."

Daniel widened his eyes at her words, not even knowing about that kind of talent.

"I want to see it to believe it!" He chuckled and moved closer to her with his stool, making (Y/N) giggle.

"Ok, watch." (Y/N) snatched the petiole off the cherry and inserted it into her mouth without breaking eye contact with Daniel. The dark haired boy observed her tongue movements and watched carefully, astonished by the way she slowly moved the tip of her tongue to interwine the edges of the petiole.

Her gestures also made him think dirty things that he just couldn't help. Her lips looked so good half opened and the inside of her mouth looked so inviting. Daniel didn't even feel guilty anymore, he felt like there was only (Y/N) there with him and Ali wasn't even running through his mind in that moment.

(Y/N) smiled and pulled her tongue out to show him a perfectly tight knot on the center of the petiole that Daniel observed fascinated.

"Woah" He stared at her eyes while she reached for the petiole with her fingertips to hold it in the air. "That's a big talent you have there!"

(Y/N) bit the cherry and left another equal piece for Daniel, so she bent forward and grinned at him. She also noticed that he had a little bit of ice cream on top of his lip and cleaned it off with one finger that she later licked while staring in his brown eyes. Daniel instantly tensed up, he felt his jeans tighten but tried to play it cool while eating the piece of cherry that she gave to him.

"You like it?" She asked, her voice full of mischief.

"Even more than the other cherries i ate in my life, i wonder why..."

They both bursted in a loud laugh and finished their ice creams, chatting a bit about their interests as (Y/N) hoped. He talked about how Mr. Miyagi trained him and was very euphoric while doing so, which made (Y/N) giggle.

"I saw you at the tournament." (Y/N) said and gave him a sweet smile. "I thought that the kick in the face that you gave to Johnny was amazing."

Daniel's expression softened and he blushed before smirking at her once more.

"I could teach you one day."

(Y/N) chuckled, giving him a slight slap on the shoulder.

"No but i'm serious!" He took her wrist, not harshly but enough to stop (Y/N)'s hand from slapping his shoulder. They both stared into each other's eyes and for a moment there was silence. Daniel slowly removed his hand from (Y/N)'s wrist and then proceeded to talk but with a slightly deeper voice. "I'd gladly teach you."

(Y/N) nodded, feeling her heart beat faster. She felt the whole zoo in her stomach, not just butterflies, and her cheeks were heating up.

"I'd gladly let you be my Sensei."

It was already 8:00 pm when they got out from the bar. They talked so much that time flied but Daniel didn't want to tell her goodbye yet so he took her hand and leaded her out of the mall.

"Where are we going?" (Y/N) giggled and followed him without hesitation.

"To the Arcade!" Daniel excitedly exclaimed, never leaving her hand. "We can be there in like 10 minutes if we run!"

"But Daniel, i have heels on!"

Daniel stopped in his tracks and looked at her, a big grin formed on his mouth.

"Not an obstacle for me!" Before (Y/N) could open her mouth to say something, he picked her up bridal style and (Y/N) instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. Daniel started running, holding her carefully and tight to his chest while crossing the road.

"Danny you're crazy!" (Y/N) squealed and hid her head in the crook of his neck. Daniel laughed and smirked at the nickname, her perfume invaded his nostrils and it only made him want to hold her even tighter to him and so he did. (Y/N) felt good in his arms, she was where she always wanted to be and found the crook of his neck to be comforting, she inhaled the smell of his skin and softly smiled, leaving a light peck there that didn't go unnoticed by Daniel.

After arriving to the Arcade, Daniel put her back on the ground and laughed. (Y/N) fixed her hair and her jacket with a big smile on her face.

"Are you ok?" He asked, a little bit concerned since he didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable.

"Yes, that was amazing! You are insane, LaRusso."

"I think i have a preference for Danny."

(Y/N) blushed and walked with him inside the Arcade. He searched for her hand while looking forward and she pleasantly took it, noticing how Daniel smiled as she did so.

"What do you want to do first?" Daniel asked her and she thought about it for some seconds before giving her answer.

"What about air hockey?"

"Sounds great, but i gotta warn you first; i'm the champion of air hockey!"

(Y/N) rolled her eyes, giving him a challenging glance.

"We'll see about that!"

They played two matches at air hockey and (Y/N) won both times. She couldn't stop her laughter because of Daniel's disappointed expression, everytime she tried to look at his face she bursted out in a laugh that made her tear up and Daniel kinda kept that expression on purpose to make her laugh. He liked the sound of her laugh because it sounded like a melody to his ears.

"Please stop making that face!" She squealed, hitting Daniel's shoulder to make him laugh too.

"You are just so cute when you laugh..." He told her with a wide smirk. She covered her face with her hands and kept giggling before taking his hand again.

"Let's play golf!" (Y/N) exclaimed, leading Daniel to the golf spot. She saw him smirking again and rolled her eyes. "What? Are you a champion of golf too?"

Daniel gasped, putting his hand on his chest acting like he was deeply hurted.

"Jesus, (Y/N), there's no need to burn me like that!"

They both chuckled in unison and started playing but (Y/N) was having some trouble with her golf bat. She looked frustrated, losing against Daniel. The boy was amused by the sight of her and found her little pout adorable, but decided to give her an hand anyway.

"Look-" Daniel positioned his body behind (Y/N)'s back and covered her arms with his longer ones, helping her move the bat in the right way. (Y/N) could feel his breath against her hair, their faces were so close that she could see some little brown freckles at the top of his nose. They were so small that they could only be seen if someone stood that close to him. She admired his profile, his focused gaze on the hole that he had to center with the little white ball. "And just like that..."

Daniel whispered, making (Y/N) shiver. She was sure that he could hear her beating heart even over the loud music that was playing in the local. The girl looked down, placing her eyes on Daniel's hands that were covering her smaller ones. She gulped when he slightly moved both of their arms in a syncrhonized way so that he could perfectly hit the ball, making it fall into the hole.

"Thanks..." Her voice was lower than before and Daniel could see her red cheeks standing so close to her. He looked at her jawline, then his eyes fell on her displayed neck and he lightly bit his lip. Daniel slowly moved his hands to her hips while (Y/N) still held the bat with her hands and didn't move a bit when she felt his hands on her.

"No problem, let's see if you understood now."

(Y/N) didn't look at him but she knew that he had a smirk plastered on his face after saying those words. She took another ball and placed it on the ground, narrowing her eyes to focus better on her goal. Daniel's fingertips were pressed deeper on her hips but (Y/N) tried to not distract herself, moving the bat like he showed her. When the ball ended up in the hole, (Y/N) proudly smiled to herself before suddenly tripping against Daniel's chest. Daniel was quick to catch her, holding her tight to his body.

"I'm sorry..." She shyly said, meeting Daniel's eyes that looked more dilatated than before. They both remained in that position, looking into each other's eyes. Daniel gave her a flirty grin, never leaving her hips.

"I'm not." And just like that, he kissed her. Daniel LaRusso, the boyfriend of (Y/N)'s best friend, kissed her before she could even realize it. (Y/N) immediately closed her eyes, enjoying the sensation of his plump lips on her ones, something she always dreamed of at night. Daniel's grip on her tightened and he felt things that he never felt before, not even with Ali.

After the kiss, they both shared a look that said it all; they wanted each other. Daniel took her hand, not even bothering to fix the golf bats, and found with her an hidden spot outside of the Arcade. The streets were dark and they stopped in a spot where the music that was playing in the Arcade sounded a lot lower and Daniel didn't waste any time once he had her all to himself, attacking her lips with ardor while blocking her body between him and the wall.

Her head was spinning at the mix of sensations she was feeling, she felt heated up and her heart was throbbing. Daniel's hands reached for her ass during the intense make out session, squeezing it harshly. (Y/N) panted at the gesture and held his neck to get him even closer to her body. She still felt like she was in a dream and, if it was, she never wanted to wake up again. A light smirk appeared on her lips when Daniel's erection pressed against her.

"You make me crazy..." He whispered, never leaving her lips. Daniel looked hungry, hungry for her. He left little pecks on her cheek and jawline before stopping on her neck, where he started biting her sweet spot there.

"Daniel-" (Y/N) whimpered, making him smirk against her neck. He cupped her face, devouring her lips again while she gripped his shirt and caressed his back. Daniel slowly started to rub against her body and (Y/N) only encouraged him by following his movements. "I've always wanted you..."

"Look what are you making me do, fuck." He kissed her forehead, breathing heavily on her face. "This is what you want? This is why you showed up looking like this, uh?"

(Y/N) bit his neck, making him groan before shaking her head.

"No, i want more."

Daniel stopped for a moment, searching for her eyes just to understand what she meant. He saw desire in them once he looked at her but also desperation and love. He never saw her with that look in her eyes before and stayed silent, not knowing what to say. Her red lipstick was all smeared on her chin and he was sure he had some of it on his mouth too. When he placed an hand on her cheek, (Y/N) touched it with her fingertips and kept it there, never breaking eye contact with him.

"How long?" He asked, still shocked.

(Y/N) inhaled some air before answering and closed her eyes for a second, opening them again with wet pupils.

"Since the first day." Her voice was shaking. They both didn't know what to say or do, the sound of the music and of the cars filled their ears. Daniel opened his mouth to say something, but then he stopped himself. (Y/N) looked down, her chin was trembling and she just couldn't control herself anymore, so she started crying. She cried several times alone in her room for Daniel, but telling him about her feelings after so long and seeing that he didn't know what to say, made all her dreams fall apart.

(Y/N) turned her back to him so that he couldn't see her tears, but he for sure could hear her crying. Daniel closed his eyes and ran his hand through his hair, not knowing how to react. He was clueless about everything and she never gave him signals, till that night. However, before placing his eyes on Ali that day on the beach, he was eyeing (Y/N) kissed by the sun, layed down on her towel. She slightly lowered her sunglasses to glance at Daniel and was the first girl of the group that smiled at him.

Daniel looked at (Y/N)'s back and as the time passed, he asked himself why he chose Ali. Yes, she was pretty, but (Y/N) was a beauty that he never saw before. He remembered her sly smile at the beach and even the way her legs shined in the sun, or how he desired to caress her hair because they looked so soft.

Daniel was dating the wrong girl and he only understood that thanks to that evening spent with (Y/N). He realized that he never had something really in common with Ali and she wasn't even a devoted lover like he wanted. Conversations with Ali were superficial and mostly about the things she liked. With (Y/N) time flied away and he had the most fun night in his life with her. She listened to him, she acted like his girlfriend even tho she wasn't.

And the butterflies he felt everytime he looked at her explained everything that he needed to know.

"Shit!" Daniel suddenly cursed under his breath, making (Y/N) turn her head to look at him while quickly wiping her tears away. "I think i forgot the bag with the gift at the Arcade."

(Y/N)'s heart broke even more at his words. He was still thinking about Ali in that situation. (Y/N) felt stupid and also angry. She was mentally telling herself that she needed to forget Daniel and move on, but she knew that it was going to be hard.

"I'm gonna take it back-" Daniel nervously spoke. "You- stay here. Just stay here, okay?"

(Y/N) furrowed her eyebrows at him and then only nodded, without saying a word. She watched Daniel walk away, turning the corner to reach the Arcade again. She sighed and crossed her arms to her chest, tapping her feet on the floor. The wind hit her face and she felt some of her tears drying up on her cheeks. All she could think about was Daniel kissing her, his hands, his body, his everything.

Ishould've stayed silent. She whispered to herself and rested her head against the wall, closing her eyes for some minutes before she heard some steps getting closer to her. Opening her eyes, she saw Daniel again with the bag in his hand.

"Can we go no-" Daniel ushed her, placing one of his fingers on her lips.

"I think that these will look better on you..." He softly spoke while taking out the box with the earrings from the bag. (Y/N) was beyond shocked and turned her head away, but Daniel gently took her cheek to make her look at him again. "Let me put them on you."

"Daniel what-"

"Please just let me do it."

(Y/N) sighed and stood still infront of him. He moved one strand of her hair behind her ear and clasped the first earring to her lobe, then did the same thing to the other ear. He backed away a little to admire her better and smirked at the view.

"I knew it." He proudly said, more to himself than to (Y/N). She still had her arms crossed and another warm tear was sliding down her cheek. Daniel noticed it and wiped it away with his finger,  hugging her tightly and resting his chin on the top of her head. (Y/N) wrapped her arms around his back and cried into his chest while Daniel caressed her soft locks and kissed her forehead, reassurring her.

When she stopped crying, he cupped her face with his hands and cleaned her up from her tears and smeared lipstick.

"I look like a mess-" she softly chuckled.

"No, you still look beautiful." He gave her a short peck on the lips and smiled. "Should we go?"

When she nodded, Daniel wrapped one arm around her shoulders and walked with her in the dark streets illuminated by the moon light. She looked down and rested her head on his shoulder, feeling protected for the first time in her life. Daniel held her tight and squeezed her shoulder before speaking.

"So when do you want me to teach you some Karate?"

#cobra kai #karate kid #80s #daniel larusso #one shot #ralph macchio #smut #angst #fluff #daniel larusso smut

[127-mile]

Pairing : demon!Jaehyun x fem!reader.

Genre : demon!au / yandere-ish!au / fluff, angst, mature content.

Warnings : This is not what a normal loving relationship is like, this is a work of fiction. fingering (fem. receiving) unprotected sex (kids, please be smart) coming inside. non sexual choking. mention of deaths. explicit (kind of, it’s pretty soft) and non explicit deaths. blood. alcohol consumption. mention of drugs. manipulation. toxic relationship.

Word count : +10.1k.

Plot : Instead of having a guardian angel, you have a guardian demon. His methods are often more violent, but they are more straight forward. What does he have that the regular guardians don’t ? An obsession. You.

You didn’t think being assigned to a demon was a simple mistake, do you ?

A/N : This is part of the Halloween collab made by the incredible @neo-cult-ure. We had to choose a song, mine is Kill for you by Zolita.

Taglist : @plump-peach​ / @crtznstuff​ / @kriselynne​ / @yourmagnanimousholiness​ / @soothingjae​ / @peachjaem00​ / @chanslaptopp​ / @luvlyjaemin​ / @jeongyoonohs​ / @junghoe​ / @nakayutasama​ / @ddaawwnn7​

"Say my name." the voice in your ear is hoarse, and it echoes in your head. You feel the man's hands along your arms, and his fingers leave a scorching trail in their paths. "Say my name." he repeats one more time, and you make the mistake of opening your eyes. What you see is not human, the eyes are red, deep and empty of any kind of humanity, you see yourself in the void. "Say my name, and I will show you wonders that humans can only dream of." His voice is urgent, and though you are thinking, you can not remember his name.

The weight of the man's body against yours is both agonizing and reassuring, you must be losing your mind, and he is the reason. His voice, his perfume -a mixture of burnt wood, and something irresistible that you are unable to describe- and the power of his gaze from which you can't take your eyes off. "Come on, my sweet love, say my name." a shiver runs down yuor body, and you arch your back off the bed when you feel the man's tongue running down your throat, and god, you cant to feel more. He is more addicting than any drug you have ever tried.

The window is open, you can feel the cool breeze on your bare body and yet, it feels like you are burning from the inside. Drops of sweat pearl at your hairline. You open your mouth, but no words come out, only an embarrassing moan as the man's teeth pierce through the skin of your neck, but you don't have time to think about the pain because his tongue soothes the wound right away.

Once again, you find yourself unable to move, or to think and the man sits up but you refuse to meet his gaze once more, too afraid to lose yourself in his eyes. To lose yourself completely. "Until I met you, I was convinced that angels were the only creatures capable of such beauty, but you proved me wrong. They should be ashamed to show themselves when you exist, my love."

His voice is suddenly painful, and you feel your heart twist. Maybe it was a trick, because you open your eyes without hesitation, wanting nothing more than to make him feel better. But all you see is a smile. A bloody smile. "If you don't say my name, I'm going to have to force you to say it. It would be a shame to see your pretty tongue being ripped out, don't you think ?" his voice is cold now, as cold as the fingers he wraps around your throat. "Say it !"

Fear, you feel nothing but fear. But what are you afraid of ? To have offended him, or to die ? You do not know. Your breathing is getting slower, and your field of vision is darkening until you can see nothing but darkness, and feel nothing but the cold. Everything is cold, so so cold.

You open your eyes, a sudden coughing fit waking you up fully. Your eyes are full of tears running down your sleep-swollen cheeks and your lips taste metallic, you must have bitten them during the night. You put your hands around your neck where you thought you would still feel the pressure of the stranger's fingers, but nothing.

Your lungs are burning, and you sit up to catch your breath. It's long, and rather difficult but you get there. The room is only illuminated by the rays of sunshine passing through the curtains, and all you see are the small particles of dust flying around the room. Then, your gaze falls on something. Or someone, and a cry broken by your aching throat escape your lips.

As fast as it arrived, the shadow vanishes and you shake your head. You have barely woken up from a terrible dream, your mind is only playing tricks on you, nothing more.

"What the fuck..." you mumble, running your fingers through your hair. You feel the drops of sweat running down your spine, and you don't waste a minute getting out of bed. A cold shower will do you the most good, you think, heading to the only bathroom. Under the jet of water, you think about your dream. The man's touch seemed so real that if you focus you can still feel the burn from his fingers.

It's not the first time you had a dream with this man, it's not the first time he's asked you to say his name, but it's the first time he's become threatening, and scary. You sigh, and come out of the water after rising your hair. In the mirror, you notice a mark on your neck, and you walk closer with a frown. "What ?" the mark vaguely resembles a bite. Right where the man bit you. But it can only be a coincidence, right ? Maybe you did this to yourself during the night.

You come out of the bathroom wearing only a towel around your chest. When you enter the room, you have the unpleasant feeling of being watched. Yet when you turn, you see nothing but the mirror hanging from the door. You are going crazy, there is no other explanation. If your mother was there, she would tell you that it was the fault of your excessive consumption of caffeine.

You sit on the edge of the bed, and the drops of water flowing from the tips of your hair mix with the perspiration. Since when your room has become this hot ? The summer is coming to an end, you should not be suffocating.

You forget all about the heat when you feel something on your shoulder, but once again, when you turn around, nothing. Maybe you should have listened to Kun when he adviced you, and Ten, not to use a ouija board in the apartment without reading the instructions first. Maybe you called something malicious, and you are going to get possessed ? At least the thought helps you calm your heart pouding in your chest before breaking into a fit of giggle. Crazy.

The front door swings open, and you stop laughing immediately. You hear the sound of shoes swinging against the drawer and get up from the bed. You do not have time to go to the door because it opens on Ten, he is breathless. "I'm going to die. It's too hot !" he yells, before falling on the bed. Sweat made his blonde hair stick to his forehead, and you resist the temptation to pull them back. "I think the aircon is broken." you mumble while Ten nods.

"I tried to turn it on this morning, but nothing, so I went to the neighbords and they are having trouble with theirs too. I think it's the end Y/n." you roll your eyes, biting your lower lip. "By the way, did you bring someone back last night ?" he asks, sitting up on his elbows.

"What ? Of course not!" one of the rules of the roommates is not to bring anyone home without telling the other so that they can find someone to keep them for the night. "Eh, don't like, I heard you talking with someone." you shake your head, you didin't bring anyone back last night.. well not that you remember. "Maybe I was on the phone ?" the question is not for Ten, but for you. Because now that you think about it, you have no memories of the day before.

You came home from work, yes, but the rest ? You do not know. You went to bed, since you woke up in your sheets and in pajamas, but nothing else. "Are you okay ?" Ten asks in a worried voice, and you nod. "Yeah, I think I'm just tired from work." Ten doesn't look convinced, but there is nothing more he can do. "Yeah, well, you should take is slow. Have some rest."

Finally, Ten gets up from the bad and walks out of the bedroom. You take the opportunity to put on light clothes. You could've just stayed naked, but that is not possible with Ten in the apartment. You do not need to go to work today, and with the heat, you don't plan on going out, so you lie in bed, your eyes on the ceiling. You need some explanation about yesterday, about your dream, and the bite mark on your neck, but for now, you also need some rest.

"You know, if you want to see me, you just have to say my name, it's not that hard." the voice is back, and you feel an unpleasant chill going down your spine. You sit up in bed and notices that is is now dark, you must have slept for several hours. You are alone in the room, and yet, the voice sounded so close, as if the man was lying next to you. "Who is here ?" you ask in a trembling voice.

You do not expect any answer, that's why when a small laugh echoes in the room, you stop moving. "You should know that." the voice responds, and you wonder if you aren't just sleeping and having a vivid dream since they seem to be more and more frequent lately. "I've been following you for a while." the voice resumes calmly, and you blink.

"Haven't you ever had the feeling of being watched, of being followed wherever you go ?" you nod. "It's me. It's always been me. I'm always with you. It's my job after all." his work ? You are lost, and he seems to feel it as he picks up. "Say my name, and you'll understand, everything will me so much easier, I promise."

You frown, but why is he so insistent ? You do not even know his damn name. "Are you there because of the ouija board ?" you ask in a small voice, and the laughter that escapes from the void gives you goosebumps. "The ouija board ? My angel, this is only material, you can't call anything through a simple wooden board, especially not me." you suddenly feel stupid for asking the question, but you had to know.

"Your name.." you whisper. "how am I supposed to know it ?" you feel the mattress dips under an invisible weight and you culd up on yourself. "I've told you my name, so many times, but you don't listen. I'll make you remember it this time." you feel a warm breath on your face, and a pression against your lips. But before you can react, the ghostly touch slides down your neck, and the pain is the same as in her previous dream when he bit you. Except this time, it's not pleasure that you feel, but real pain.

"Open your eyes, and you'll have the answer you're looking for." at these words, a sharp pain makes you open your mouth, wide, as if one had just plunged your arm in boiling water. You try to scream but no sound comes out, the pain is too much, you are already losing all of your senses, you can feel your limbs going numb, and once again, the darkness sunrrounds you.

When you open your eyes, you are in bed, and the room is still illuminated by the sun through the curtains. You look at your alarm clock, and notice that you have barely dozed off ten minutes. You rub your eyes, your eyelids are heavy, you have the impression of waking up from a very long nap. It takes a good minute for you to come back to your senses, and when you turn your head, your gaze stops on a mark on your arm.

Not a mark. A name.

A name is like engraved in your flesh on several centimeters. You hiss when you run your fingers over the wounds, it's perfectly healed and yet so painful. You read the name a few times but do not dare to say it out loud, you are afraid of the consequences. You pull yourself out of bed with difficulty and leave the room. You have no choice, you can't keep it to yourself any longer, you need to talk about it, and Ten will have no choice but to listen to you.

You find him in the leaving room, lying on the floor, fanning himself with an old magazine. "Ten.." your voice must be shaky because Ten immediately straightens up, and he stands up when he sees you holding your arm. His first thought is that you fell out of bed and broke your arm, but when he cotices the lines of your skin, he stops. "What is that ?" you shrug, and when he approches, you whine for him not to touch.

"Jae.." you shake your head vigorously; "Don't say it, please." you are ready to beg for him to remain silent, but he shuts his mouth before you have the chance to do so. He takes your free hand and directs you to the sofa when you sit. He takes a seat on the coffee table opposite and looks at the name over and over again. "It's weird." Ten looks calm, unlike you. You are clearly panicking. You heart is hammering in your chest, and soon, you can feel the tears runinng down your cheeks. You didn't even know you were on the verge of crying until now.

"Hey, don't cry, it's fine." Ten whispers, cupping your face in his hands so his eyes meet yours. He reads nothing but confusion and fear. "What's wrong with me Ten ?" your voice breaks his heart, so low and quavering. "Seems to be your.. your guardian ?" you tilt your head, urgning Ten to continue. "Our guardian angel. They manifest themselves when they feel that we need help. But they are here long before, they are always near us to be sure that they can help us even is we cannot see or feel them. Saying their name is the only way to make them appear, but- but it's never like that."

He's talking about the mark on your arm, you know it. Ten had a visit from his guardian angel when he was barely 15, because he needed it, and he doesn't have any irreversible marks on his skin, and he's not traumatized by the experience, unlike you. "Guardian angels aren't meant to hurt you, it's quite the opposite." the more he talks, the more you feel lost. Why you ? What avec you done in your previous life to receive such treatment ? "Maybe there was a mistake, and you got a demon instead of an angel." Ten is kidding, but that simple thought could answer so many of your questions.

"But- but what if it was true ? What is if it was a demon ?" you ask, and Ten shakes his head. "If it was a possibility, don't you think we would know ?" you don't want to think about the possilibities of why you've never heard of this kind of thing, so you sigh, lowering your head. "Until we know more, don't say the name, and try to clear your mind of all this, okay ?" You nod, it's not like you have any other choice. 

The following days are alike for you, except for the growing sensation of being watched and followed wherever you go. You try somehow not to look at your arm, but it's difficult. It's like a magnet. After the fifth day, you walk through the apartment door with a long sigh, it's been a long day. Ten is absent, he warned you that he would spend the evening with some of his childhood friends. Perfect.

You put your things in the bedroom, and you walk to the living room to settle on the sofa. You turn on the television, not to watch it, but to have some backgroun noises, and you look at your arm. What's the worst that could happen ? You shrug, and take a deep breath. "Jaehyun." you whisper, and when you see that nothing is happening, you speak in a louder voice. "Jaehyun."

The television turns off, and the lights flicker around you. You grab a pillow, as if it would help protect yourself in the event of a sudden attack from the stranger. "Jaehyun." you repeat one last time, and a shape begins to materialize in front of the sofa. The man's face is the last to appear, and yes, that's the face you've seen so much in your dreams. He watches you curiously, his head tilted to the side. He doesn't seem to believe that you can finally see him, that you finally called his name.

"You did it, you said my name." he says in a voice that's more softer that what you were expecting and walk over. If the sofa wasn't glued to the wall, you would've gone over it to escape. But when he sees your reaction, he throws both hands in the hair. "Don't be afraid, I'm not going to do anything to you." his voice is meant to be comforting, and you get up from the sofa to observe him, not without letting go of your trusty cushion.

"You said if I said your name, I would understand everything. Explain yourself, because I feel like I'm going crazy." Jaehyun feels the weakness in your voice, and he blames himself for it, but he couldn't take it anymore, he couldn't stay away from you any longer. Being near you is a vital need for the demon. "Calm down, I'll tell you everything." he sits down on the armchair, his legs crossed like a child. With a nod of his heads, he bids you to take a seat, and you obey.

"I must warn you immediately that I don't have the answer you are looking for. I don't know why you were assigned to a demon, and not an angel." if you had knows that you wouldn't get the answer to the question you deem the most important, you wouldn't have called his name. But you'll listen to him, and you'll see if you can send him back eventually. "All I know is that I've been following you for a very long time, and that I would never hurt you."

The demon has a soft voice, but that doesn't stop you from not believing those words. "You tried to kill me the other day, in my dream." Jaehyun shakes his head, a thin smile on his face. Speaking of his face, you notice that he is very handsome with pretty dimples making him look almost childish. He looks like an angel. "It's not what you think, you had to wake up, and you had to say my name." He gets up, and walks over to you. "I promise you, that will never happen in real life. You are under my protection, and nothing will ever happen to you. "

He was right, nothing happened to you.

When you say nothing happened to you, nothing happened to you at all. Your life was already not very exciting, so with the arrival of the young demon, it became even worse. The boys who dare to approch you are quickly sent away because of Jaehyun who does not seem to appreciate their presence around you. Even Ten doesn't spend as much time with you as he used to, and it hurts.

"Why are you ignoring me ?" you ask, dropping down on the sofa next to Ten who doesn't take his eyes off his phone. He shrugs, and you frown. "Tell me, what did I do wrong ? I miss you." you whisper, and Ten sighs before putting down his phone. Well, hetting his attention is a success, now the conversation. "It's your little dog. He follows you everywhere, it's impossible to have a moment with you without him showing up and threatening to smash my knees."

You shake your head. "What are you talking about ? Jaehyun has never threatened to smash your knees, he is not threatening anyone, he just want to make sure I'm safe." Ten's laughter is cold, and extremely sarcastic. "Please, this is not protection, this is unhealthy possessiveness." Ten sits cross-legged and watches you. "Jaehyun does everything in his power to keep people away from you, Y/n, including me, yet god knows I wouldn ever hurt you."

At the simple mention of his name, the demon appears in the living room. Ten jolts, and winces at the burning smell that seems to follow Jaehyun everywhere he does, but you are used to it. Jaehyun frown as he walks over to the sofa where he looks at the two of you. Seeing you together created something very unpleasant in his chest. Jealousy, yes, that's it. "What is going on ?" he asks, and you are always surprised to hear how much his tone of voice changes when he is not talking to you. From soft and soothing, his voice becomes cold and as sharp as a knife.

"Nothing, nothing is going on !" Ten growns as he gets up from the sofa. He could confront the demon about his behavior, but he doesn't want to do it in front of you. So he walks around him, looking at him with utter disgust, and he locks himself in his room, slamming the door on the way. "Did I do something wrong ?" Jaehyun asks, sitting down next to you, his head tilted. He looks innocent, but he is not, he's so far from being innocent. Even though you've never seen him hurt anyone, you know he's done it before, and can do it at any moment.

Yes, you learned to appreciate Jaehyun, but that doesn't stop you from knowing deep down that demons are up to no good most of the time.

"Ten told me you threatened to harm him." you say, and Jaehyun tenses up, but only for a second before he regains his composure. "What ? But why would I do something like this ! He doesn't like me, he's just looking for a reason to get rid of me." he mumbles, and you do not answer.

"What are you doing ?" Jaehyun's voice startle you, you didn't expect to see him in the bathroom doorway, watching you. "What are you doing here ? Shouldn't you be taking a bath in hell or something ?" Jaehyun is used to that kind of little mean jokes, especially when you are tired, so he choose to not respond. "Are you going out ? Where are we going ?" he asks with the excitement of a child, and you turn to him, shaking your head.

"I'm going out. You stay here." You explain, but it doesn't suit Jaehyun whose expression turns sour. "No, no, I'm coming with you. I can't leave you alone." you sigh. "The goal of a guardian is to give advice, to be sure that we are making the right decisions, not to follow up wherever we go." you mumble. It is not right that Jaehyun is everywhere with you. He has to protect you, yes, you understand tha part, but it's getting too much, he is invasible and you are suffocating.

"I'm not like other guardians." he growls, and you fold your arms accross your chest, looking at the demon's reflection in the mirror. You are too tired to argue. "I'm not asking for you opinion, Jaehyun you stay here while I go out. I don't need to have you glued to my ass."

You will later learn that you should never have said that.

Jaehyun was absent for the following days.

No matter how much you called his name over and over, he never answered. Even the feeling of being followed and watched stopped, and for a moment, you wondered if you had scared the demon away. And you got used to your new daily life very well. You shouldn't have.

Earlier in the evening, you were persuaded by Ten to joing him at a party organized by several of his co-workers to celebrate his promotion. Normally you would've stayed home to red, but tonight, you wanted to have fun. And it is for this reason that you currently find yourself pressed against the wall of a room of which you don't know the owner, kissing a boy of who you are not sure to have understood the name. Joe ? John ? Johnny ? You do not know, you couldn't hear it with the hubbub of the guests and the music.

You close your eyes when you feel the boy's hands slip under your t-shirt. His fingers are cold, which contrasts with your burning skin. "Coming was a great idea." he whispers close to your ear, his warm breath making you shiver softly. His lips slide down your neck for warm, and wet kisses, and you take the opportunity to unbuckle his belt and remode the button that holds his hean in place. With your foot, you slide it down until it falls loose around his ankles, so yuo can have access to the obvious tent in his briefs.

You stroke his cock through the fabric, and you smile as he tenses, his breath hitching against your throat. Your mouth open with a loud moan when you feel Johnny's teeth dig nto the skin between your neck and shoulder. The pain is extremely pleasant, and you press harder against his dick. "You are so hot." you smile, and play with the waistband of his brieds, snapping it against the skin of his hip. "So I've been told."

Soon, Johnny's lips are back on yours, and you can taste the alcohol he drank earlier, and he you had been drinking more than you had smoked, you would find it nice, but for now, the mix is pretty disgusting. Johnny breaks the kiss to catch his breath, and you looks into his eyes as you slowly pulls down his underwear. You frown when he opens his eyes wide, and before you can move, he is thrown back and slumped against the opposite wall.

"What the fuck!" you whisper when your gaze lands on Jaehyun. His eyes have nothing beautiful anymore, they are dark and frightening, like in your dreams. His breathing his heavy and rapid, he is enraged, you call feel it in the tense atmosphere of the room. "Jaehyun, what have you done !" you say when you finally come out of your torpor. As if he had just noticed your presence, Jaehyun turns to you and.. and he smiles. "I'm protecting you, my love."

"He was not hurting me !" you walk around the demon to join Johnny whose eyes are closed. Even in the dim light of the bedroom, you can see the blood streaming down his forehead. "Hey, hey, can you hear me ?" you asks. You are about to put your hand on him to shake him when Jaehyun grabs your wrist to force you on your feet. "He was going to hurt you, I felt it!" he says.

You try to extricate yourself from his grip, but he's much stronger. He pulls you against his chest, the heat emanating from his skin is strong, and he puts an arm around your waist to make you you do not move. "You can't trust them, Y/n, I'm the only one who'll never hurt you." His lips are close to yours, and like his body, his breath his hot.

Love ? You didn't know that a demon was capable of feeling anything like love. And why you ? What do you have more than other humans ? "Do you remember what I told you in your dream ?" He asks and you tilt your head, trying to remember. "I told you that I would show you wonders that humans can only dream of. And I will, but for that, you have to stay with me. You have to trust me."

You bite the inside of your cheek. Jaehyun is the dream boy. And when he behaves like a random human, you forget everything. But it is not an average boy you have in front of you, no, it's a demon, and yet..

"Is it true ?" you ask, and he frowns. "Do you really love me ?" he nods. "I love you, more than anyone will ever be able to love you." when he feels your fingers on his face, he smiles so fondly that he looks like a real angel. After all, demons are angels too, they just chose to follow a different god, you think.

"What are we going to do ?" you ask, glancing down at Johnny's limp body and Jaehyun sighs, annoyed at being cut off during such an intimate moment he's been waiting for. "I'll take care of it, you should go home." finally, he releases his hold on your waist, and you take a step back. You retrive your jacket that Johnny had thrown on the bed on entering the room, and you turn one last time when you open the door.

Jaehyun is hunched over Johnny's body, and if you weren't so confused by the whole situation and inebriated, you could swear you saw a red glow shine in the demon's eyes. You shake your head, and leave, closing the door behind you. In the hallway, you meet a guest who is about to open the bedroom door. "If I were you, I wouldn't go in there. Someone threw up, it's not pretty." the person, a boy with long blond hair growls and turns around. "Fuck, I saw no one in the fucking bedrooms."

You find Ten in the crowd, glass in hand, so you make you way to your roommate. You put a hand on his shoulder and lean in to whisper in his ear. "I'm not feeling well, I'm going home." he nods, before answering. "You want me to come with you ?" you refuse, explaining that it was his evening, he should take advantage of it and have fun. You promise to send him a message when you get home, and with that, you leave the house.

You take a deep breath when you step outside. The air is cold, and rain is starting to fall, just what you needed to cool your burning skin. You look at Ten's car parked in the driveway, and sigh when you realize you'll have to walk.

It is while walking in a dark alley of the city that you begin to regret the sensation of being watched from afar that Jaehyun gives you, because even if you have never admitted it, you feel safe. But now, you can't feel a thing, and you keep looking over your shoulder to make sure you are not being followed. But it must be your lucky day, because you arrive in front of your apartment in one piece, without having had any altercation with a drunk person.

The partment is empty, and silent.

You walk to the bedroom, and get rid of your wet clothes that smell of alcohol and cigarette smoke. You pull on a hoodie you find on the back of your office chair, and sit on the edge of your bed. All alone with your thoughts, you force yourself not to think of Johnny, and his inert body. You don't even know if he was still alive when you left, and what will Jaehyun do ? Is he going to call an ambulance ? Pass it off as an alcohol-related accident ?

You start to shake, your eyes filling with tears, you shouldn't have left, you should have helped Johnny. A sob escapes your lips, and it is at this precise moment that you feel a touch on your hands which are placed on your thighs. The contact is warm, and though you are still alone, you know it's Jaehyun. It's always Jaehyun.

"Jaehyun ?" you ask in a small voice, and you expect him to appear, but the touch on your hands disappears. After several unanswered attempts, you give up and slip under the blanket. You fall asleep in a few minutes, lulled by the sounds of the traffic outside.

You open your eyes when you hear movement near you. A form is watching over you next to the bed. "Jaehyun". you whisper, and feel a warm hand on your cheek. "You came back." your voice is full of sleep, and you push yourself on the side to make room for the demon. You have never invited him to bed, so he hesitates for a moment before lying down next to you. You lay your head on Jaehyun's chest. Is it because of the fatigue ? Alcohol ? Or the heat he gives off ? You don't know. You apprently lose the power of knowledge when the demon is around.

You feel the demon tighten, so you put a hand on his stomach. "I thought you weren't coming back, like the last few days." Jaehyun has to bend down to hear your voice, it's so low, and when he understands, he shakes his head. "I'm sorry I didn't come back." you shrug looking up at him. "I missed you, that's all."

The demon chuckles, and runs his thumb over your lower lip. "Pretty mouth tells dirty lies." he whispers, and you shake your head, sitting up. "You do not believe me ?" his lack of response is sufficient for you to understand.

You do something you never thought you would do, you kiss him softly. But the contact is quickly broken by Jaehyun who watches you in the half-light, incredulous. "Why did you do that ?" you sigh, you don't know yourself, but you still open your mouth. "You love me, right ? More than anyone can ever love me ?" when he nods, you kiss him once more, and he responds this time. If at the beginning the kiss was slow and gentle, it become a little more passionate, more feverish.

"Come on, you need to sleep, you've had a hell of a day." Jaehyun whispers against your lips, and you sigh. You lie down appropriately, and Jaehyun pulls you to his chest. It's strange to hear a heart beat in the chest of a demon, but you close your eyes. Yes, you had an exhausting day.

After this evening, the relationship between you and your demon changed considerably. If before you did everything possible to get rid of him, now you no longer seem capable to go a minute without him near you. Whether it's by being there, or just a reassuring presence. And Jaehyun is delighted. That's what he always wanted, to be there for you, and with you as much as he wants. For the first time since he first saw you, he no longer feels that nasty pressure in his chest when he sees you getting close to a boy, or when he can't be with you. He feels light, and free.

This morning, when he wakes up, he feels a weight on his hips. He opens his eyes groaning at the bright light in the room, but when his gaze lands on you, he smiles. He puts his hands on your waist, and you lean in to kiss him. Jaehyun wonders how you always tastes sweet, but he is not complaining, it's enjoyable, and addicting. Everything is addicting when it comes to you.

"What did I do to deserve such a sweet treat ?" he asks after breaking the kiss, and he chuckles softly when you case his lips with a pout. "You have to answer my question first if you want another treat." Jaehyun's hands slide under your sleeping shirt, and you shiver slightly. "Can you still manipulate my dreams ?" the demon remains silent for a while, but his smile is worth a thousand words. "Why, did you dream of something special ?" he asks, and you bite your bottom lip.

You lean down, nestling your face in the crook of his neck. He smells like sleep, and you. "I dreamed that you made me scream your name. That you kept telling me that I was yours, and that you would do everything in you power to stay close to me."

Jaehyun nods every now and then, and his smile growns. It's almost carnivorous the way he smiles. "That's exactly what I would do, if I could manipulate your dreams, of course." he answers, and you sit up. "Oh, so you didn't ?" he shakes his head, and you roll your eyes. You know he is lying, so you intend to make him pay. It is extremely unpleasant and frustrating to wake up from a wet dream. You buck your hips, and the demon groans weakly.

He opens his eyes, and you can see lust growing in that dark and frightening void. "If you haven't manipulated my dream, maybe you should show me if you are able to do that in real life." he smirks, and flip you onto the bed of hover over you. You laugh softly, pressing your hand to your mouth, it's too early to wake up Ten. "That's what we're not going to do." Jaehyun whispers, grabbing your wrist to pull it off your mouth. "I want to hear you. I want to hear every sound you make, my love."

He places a tender kiss on your lips, and he slides his lips down your neck. He repeatedly bites the skin of your collarbone, and then your throat. He loves your throat for some reason. Your hands rest in Jaehyun's hair, and when he looks up to ask permission to remove the t-shirt he's been playing with the hem of, you nod. The piece of tissue ends up on the floor. He kisses your chest, and he slowly moves down to your stomach, never lifting his lips from your hot skin.

He lowers the waistband of your pants, and he kisses your hips, he's soft, so far from what you have been expecting. You squirm with each of his kisses, and you feel so wet, it's embarrassing. "Can I ?" he asks, and you nod vigorously. He laughs at your eagerness, and he pulls down your pants and panties and the same time. They join your shirt on the floor. You suddenly feel very shy, and all you want is to curl up. Jaehyun myst feel the change in your behavior because he looks up.

"Do you want us to stop ?" you shake your head, and urge him to come back up, which he does immediately. When he kisses you, you circle his waist with your legs, your hands already working to remove his pants. He's already half hard, and you lick his lips. You could make this last for hours, but you really need to have him inside of you as soon as possible. Hell foreplay.

"You are so perfect." he whispers, and you slide your hand over his cock. You use the precum that has built up on the tip to stroke it slowly. Jaehyun lets his head fall in the crook of your neck, and his hot breath hits against your shivering skin. You're already sweating, and so is Jaehyun, yet you haven't done anything. You continue the movements of your hand until he is completely hard, following one of the veins with the tip of your index, and it is the turn of the demon's hand to find itself between your thighs. You bite Jaehyun's lips as his fingers spread your folds to collect the slick on the pad of his fingers.

For a moment -much too short- he plays with your clit with the tips of his fingers, and soon one of them is rubbing against your hole. Slowly, far too gently, he eases his first finger inside, and you moan weakly. "Come on, please .." you whisper, you do not know what you're asking for, but your brain is already turning into mush. It's Jaehyun's fault, his warmth, his scent, his hands, everything. He adds a second finger, then moves slowly back and forth, watching for any of your reactions.

When he crooks his fingers, and he reaches that little bundle of nerves that makes you roll your eyes and moan his name, he adds a third finger, and he speeds up, his thumb on your clit. "Stop stop, it's enough." you mumble, and Jaehyun withdraws his fingers. You whine at the feeling of emptiness, but is soon replaced by the head of Jaehyun's cock. He spits into his hand to lubricate his cock before returning to his original position. He puts his hands on either side of your face, caging you. And slowly, very slowly, he eases himself inside.

"You are so tight." you close your eyes, arching your back off the bed when he bottoms out you feel the bones of his hips flush against your ass, and you refrain from not whining to make him move. You spent the past few weeks blatantly ignoring Jaehyun, and now you are acting like you're going to die if he doesn't fuck you within a minute. "Move, please."

Jaehyun pulls out until only the head is still inside, and he snaps his hips. "Oh fuck." he growls. His voice is deep, and sultry, and it makes your head spin. You wrap your arms around his neck, and pulls his face to yours for a long kiss, it's only teeth and tongue but you don't care. The pace of his thrusts is fast, and you grip Jaehyun's hair between your fingers. He moans lowly at the pain, and it's a sound you don't think you can get enough of.

“Jaehyun, Jaehyun ..” you mewl when he snaps his hips a little harder. You let your legs drop from around his waist, and you already feel that familiar warmth in the pit of your stomach. You want to reach your climax as much as you want this moment to last forever. You grip his biceps, and when he gives a rather deep thrust, you dig your nails into his skin, hard enough to draw blood. Black blood.

Jaehyun curses under his breath, and you close your eyes. You who didn't want to wake Ten up know it was a waste of time, between your moans, Jaehyun's growls and the bed banging against the wall. Poor guy, he might give you a piece of his mind later, but you don't have time to think about it, too busy getting lost in pleasure. His rhythm is erratic, he must be close to his orgasm too.

"Are you going to cum for me, my princess?" he asks, and you nod. Jaehyun bites the skin of your neck, once more, and that's enough to make you black out. You see nothing, and hears nothing more than the beating of your heart and Jaehyun saying over and over that you are his, and only his. "I will never let anyone approach or hurt you. Mine."

When you regain consciousness Jaehyun is still inside you, but his movements are slow, coming down from his high. Your thighs are shaking, and you are sticky with sweat. Jaehyun lies on top of you, being careful not to crush you with his weight, and you run your hands on his back to stroke his burning skin. "It was good, so good." you whisper and he nods.

You remain silent, both far too busy coming back on earth after a mindblowing orgasm.

"I hate you !" the voice comes from the next room, Ten's. And you look at each other before laughing softly. Jaehyun comes out, and you scrunch your nose up at the feeling of emptiness, and at the sticky cum sliding down your thighs. "I'm tired." you mumble in a sleepy voice. You do not know what Jaehyun does next, all you know is that when you open your eyes a little later, Jaehyun is behind you, your legs are tangled, and his breathing is regular. You go back to sleep peacefully after that.

"You fucked a demon."

This is not what you expected when you left your room this morning. Your legs are numb, and your neck is painful from Jaehyun's many bites. Ten is on the couch, his laptop poised precariously in his lap. "I fucked a demon." you repeat, sitting down next to him.

"I didn't think you could fall so low." he says with a sigh, and you turn your gaze to Ten with a frown. You have had one-night stands with various kind of students students, and he never had the nerve to make that kind of comment. It's strange coming from Ten, but after all he's right, he's a demon, not just some stupid college student who sells drugs to pay for his porn's subscriptions.

"Oh, don't be like that Ten." you sigh, and he shrugs, refocusing on his computer. After a minute or two, you nudge him to get his attention. "Have you heard from Johnny?" you ask, suddenly curious about the condition of the poor boy who was unlucky enough to run into Jaehyun.

"Johnny? Why? Did you see him somewhere?" Ten puts his computer on the coffee table, and he turns to you. He's not making fun of you, he's serious when he talks. "What do you mean ?" you ask, trying to control the tremors in your voice. "No one has seen Johnny since the party."

The news hits you like a slap in the face, you thought he would be on his feet with a few missing memories, not that he would be actually missing. You get up from the couch, and without a word for Ten, you head for the bedroom. Jaehyun is still sleeping, so you pick up a pillow and swings it over him.

"Jaehyun, wake up!" it takes him several minutes to open his eyes, frowning. After a night like the one you had just spent, he expected a sweet awakening, and a few kisses, not being hit with a pillow. "What? What's going on?" you cross your arms against your chest. "Johnny. What have you done to Johnny? No one's seen him since..since the party!"

Jaehyun sits up, resting his back against the headboard. He rubs his eyes, and he takes his sweet time waking up before opening his mouth. "I did the right thing." if he thinks you are going to be satisfied with that answer, he is wrong. "The right thing? The right thing was to call an ambulance, not make him disappear! Where is he?" your voice is more urgent but you have to be silent so as not to attract Ten's attention.

"Why are you so interested in that?" he asks in a cold, sharp voice. He gets up from the bed with a smooth and graceful movement, and he walks towards you until you are locked between his body and the wall. "Do you like him? Is that why?" you shake your head, avoiding his threatening gaze. "Don't say such things! I don't like him, I just want to know why you did that!"

A low growl is heard, and if you could, you would try to become one with the wall. You squeak when Jaehyun's fingers rest around your throat. He takes a step forward, and he's so close that you can feel his breath against your lips. "You're mine, Y/n, I did what it took to keep him from coming back. And I would do it again. Again, and again. Until you figure out you don't need nobody. You only need me, do you understand me correctly? "

You grab his wrist as his grip tightens around your throat. You are already starting to feel the burning in your lungs from the lack of oxygen. "Jaehyun .. please I didn't mean to hurt you." your voice is weak, and so trembling that you wonder if he understood a single word of what you just said. "Mine." he growls before loosening his hold on your throat. You slide down the wall, tears streaming freely down your cheeks. You takes a long and difficult breath, it's extremely painful.

When you look up, Jaehyun is gone.

You feel stupid. You feel so silly for thinking that Jaehyun really loved you, and that you too could love him back. But you were wrong. It's not love Jaehyun has for you, it's an awful obsession. He doesn't show you what true love is, he manipulates you every day. And he knows how to do it, since you fell into his arms so easily after he ... after he killed Johnny.

Now that you have taken a step back, you realise that you should have been more vigilant, that you should have stayed with Johnny, and called someone yourself. You don't know what suddenly happened for you to give yourself to Jaehyun. Maybe that would have kept your life from turning into hell.

Jaehyun has made it his personal mission to make your life hell on earth.

He's always there, behind you, watching you rear, making sure no one is approaching you. When someone dares to approach you, you find yourself with blood on your clothes, and a corpse at your feet. Sad to say, but after a while you are no longer surprised. You no longer have nightmares, since nothing can be worse than your life.

Today is no different.

You woke up in Jaehyun's arms, feeling like you chest was crushed in a vise. Feeling his breath against the back of your neck is a sensation that you can't stand anymore. His hands give you chills when you thinks of all the blood they have shed. His smile is no longer angelic. And his laugh? You hear it everywhere you go. You can't do that anymore.

Lucky for you, Ten is the only person he hasn't touched yet. But for how long ? Ten is also the only person who can keep you grounded. Whenever he sees you falling back into your bad habit of letting yourself be bewitched by Jaehyun's sweet words, he is there to slap some sense into you, to remind you that you are better than that. If Ten wasn't there, you do not know where you would be.

When Jaehyun's grip on your waist loosens, you take the opportunity to slip out of bed. You take the clothes you had prepared the day before and leave the room. In the bathroom, you take a shower to get rid of the invisible dirt you feel every time Jaehyun puts his hands on you. You get dressed, and you find Ten in the kitchen. He's drinking a cup of coffee, and when he sees your face, he hands you his cup. You need it more than him.

"Are you sure ?" he asks, and you nod. Yes, you are sure, you have no other choice. "You can count on me." you walk up to Ten and places a kiss on his cheek, then turns on your heels. You put on your shoes, and after taking a long breath, you leave the apartment. You're not working today, otherwise you should have been planning this for another day.

When Jaehyun wakes up, he is surprised to be alone. The place next to him is cold, which means that you were long gone. He stands up, and he leaves the room. He searches the apartment, but all he finds is Ten and the disapproving look on his face. "Where is she ?" he asks and Ten shrugs. "She said she had to see a co-worker." that's enough to put Jaehyun in pure rage. Ten swallows hard as Jaehyun disappears, leaving behind that sickening smell of burning that he cannot get rid of. This is time for him to do something.

Doyoung is already waiting in front of the cafe when you arrive, and he smiles when he sees you. You approache, and you accept the hug he offers you. He's noticed that you haven't been yourself lately, and while he doesn't know the real reason behind this change in behavior, he's ready to help. Poor thing.

"You look tired." he says, and you sigh. You could cry, and fall into Doyoung's arms if you wanted to, but you can't, not now. "I am. Do you mind if we have coffee at my place? Ten is at work." he nods, of course he doesn't mind. You take his hand, and he intertwines your fingers. This feeling is now foreign to you who are used to the constant heat of Jaehyun's body, so feeling Doyoung's cold fingers is like comfort to you. Normality still exists.

The walk to the apartment is short. You make conversation with Doyoung who is completely oblivious to what is happening. You feel it. You feel Jaehyun behind you. You feel the holes he drills in your back with his gaze. You could even hear his heartbeat if you wanted to, heart ready to come out of his chest.

"After you." he says, like a gentleman, when you open the front door of the apartment. The apartment is empty, as you thought. Kind of. You walk towards the living room after letting go of Doyoung's hand, and you instantly miss the contact. You crave normal physical contact from a human being, it's crazy. "You want some coffee ?" he nods.

You walk to the kitchen, your hands resting on the edge of the counter, and you breathe slowly. You are ready to throw up, you are so nervous. Immediately, you find yourself leaning forward on the counter, one hand resting on you head to keep you from moving. "What do you think you're doing?" you've never heard Jaehyun be so threatening, yet he has been in the recent weeks. It's the last straw for him.

"I'm not doing anything Jaehyun, please let me go." the countertop tile is cold against your cheek, but it helps you keep your head in check. "You're really trying to make me angry! You haven't understood yet that you don't need anyone but me. I'm sure it's Ten, I should have gotten rid of him a long time ago. He's the one keeping you away from me." he releases the pressure on your head, and he walks to the living room.

When Doyoung's gaze lands on Jaehyun, he frowns. He certainly didn't expect the boy to grab him by the collar of his shirt and pull him up to him. "She's mine." the rest is a mix of screams and blood splashing on the walls. You watch the scene, and you don't move. You cry, you can't help it, and a sob escapes your lips when Doyoung's gaze meets yours one last time. "I'm sorry." you articulate. You had no other choice.

Jaehyun drops Doyoung's limp body, and he turns to you. He is about to take a step forward when he finds himself blocked by an invisible force field. "What is happening ?" he growls. He tries to move, but he is unable to come out of this small circle protected by something that is drawing a lot of energy from him.

"It's the only solution, Jaehyun." you murmur, voice broken by another sob. You look at the ground, and Jaehyun follows your gaze. He was so angry that he hadn't noticed the absence of the coffee table in the living room, and the white chalk drawing on the dark wood floor. A pentacle was drawn there by Ten when you went out to retrieve your victim. "Why why !" he screams, and you take a step back.

You know he can't reach you, you spent hours researching it, the best way to trap a demon, and yet you can't help but feel your organs tighten with fear. "I can't do this anymore, Jaehyun." Jaehyun punches his fists against the invisible force field, and the more he does so, the redder his eyes turn. If you get close, you're sure you could see the flames of the underworld reflecting.

"I love you, Y/n! I love you more than .." he starts, but you cut him off. "Yes, more than anyone will ever be able to love me. But that's not love, Jaehyun." you can't describe the anger you reads on the demon's face. "I've killed for you baby, who else could say that?" he's using a nickname you liked for a while, but that only reinforces your decision. "Killing for me wasn't the best way to prove me your love."

"I killed an angel for you! I killed an angel to be with you!" you open your eyes wide to his words. "You- you killed my guardian angel." he nods, a proud expression on his demonic face. So everything that happened was not because of a mistake, but because Jaehyun wanted to be with you. Because he needed to be near you. "You are a monster."

This is the obvious. Jaehyun laughs and you feel your blood boiling inside of you. "Ten, you can come, it's okay." The apartment was not really empty, Ten was hiding in his room waiting for the signal. He stops in front of Jaehyun, and he can't help but smile when he sees that the demon can't reach him. "Oh, the poor little demon can't do anything, that's too bad." you roll your eyes, of course Ten was going to tease him.

It is your turn to approach the pentacle on the ground, and Jaehyun. Despite all the anger in his eyes, you can also see how much love he has for you. And you know that no one can ever love you as much as he does, that's right. But you don't mind, you don't need love like that. You need pure love that will never hurt you. If you can ever trust someone after that.

"You know, for a while, I really thought I could love you, Jaehyun." you explain in a tender voice. "But you're nothing but a monster, you don't deserve to be loved. And you don't deserve to love. At least here you won't hurt anyone anymore." you look at the demon whose face break into something you can't explain, an expression you had never seen on him. It looks like..understanding, pain, and mixed with that natural anger. It's the last time you'll ever see this face, and deep down, it hurts, but it's for the better. You leave the living room.

Ten is in front of the door, with the suitcases you packed the day before. You are ready to start a new life, far from here, far from Jaehyun and the blood he shed in this city of doom. You open the door, and you and Ten walk out of the apartment. The last thing you hear before the elevator door closes are Jaehyun's screams. He is begging for release, begging for forgiveness, promises he can never keep.

"It's you and me against the world, once again." Ten says, and he takes you hand. Yes, it's just the two of you now. You, and a trapped demon.

Trapped, but for how long ?

#nct #nct imagines #jaehyun imagines #nct scenarios #jaehyun scenarios #nct smut #jaehyun smut #jung jaehyun #the tags better work istg

[lightlyblooming]

Can I pretty please request something where Reader is from the Court of Nightmares and is Mor’s mate? 😯

This was really fun to write! Thank you for requesting.

You’ve lived in the dark, gloomy place that they call the Court of Nightmares for your entire life. You have been sequestered away by your parents and kept locked in your house since the day you were born, never allowed to see the sun or even meet with anyone that wasn’t either staff or a blood-relative.

For most of your life, it didn’t bother you. After all, you knew where you lived. You knew what went on outside the walls of your house. You heard the screams at night and tried to tune out the pleas for forgiveness. Though that didn't stop you from hungering for what was beyond the city limits. For the blue sky and golden sun that everybody whispered about. You wanted to see the green grass and feel a warm breeze.

It was a fool’s wish, but that didn’t stop you from dreaming. One day you’d seen the sun or you’d die trying. You just didn’t know how you’d do it.

For what felt like an eternity, you plotted your plan of escape. You figured out which servants would cover for you if you skipped out on dinner. You found out what doors weren’t as heavily guarded. You listened in to servants speaking of the city and cataloged everything that they said, hoping it’d help you find your way out.

But none of that prepared you for the actual escape.

It was a deep, dark night like any other. An echo of screams filled the air, everything was strikingly cold. All the servants had laid to rest and your parents had retired to their rooms long ago. Everything was perfect.

You packed a scarce amount of things, small enough to fit hidden in your clothes. You took one last look at the dim room you called home, the air heavy and smelling faintly of mildew, and silently wished it goodbye. It was time to move onto a new phase of your life. One full of fresh air and greenery and light.

You made your way out of the house, barely dodging being sighted by a handful of guards as you did. The moment you stepped into the streets, you were bombarded with the stench of blood and other… fluids. It was disgusting and painfully jarring, but you kept pushing forward, keeping your head down and your eyes lower. No one noticed a cowering mouse that stayed in the shadows of the many buildings that lined the cobbled roads.

After hours of walking and searching and trying to find a way out, you started feeling hopeless. No matter how hard you looked, you couldn’t find a single sign of an exit, and you knew better than to ask.

You started to panic, overtaken by the truth that there was no way out. You did your best to breathe and to steady yourself, but breathing only did so much.

There was a sound of approaching footsteps that caused you to shy away from the centre of the road and lower your head to stay as small as possible. However, that didn’t work.

A man’s voice filled the alley, “Your father’s looking for you.”

You resisted the urge to curse or run or both. It was useless. You were already in trouble, there was no use in making it worse.

“I wanted to go for a walk,” you said quietly, only to be answered by the guard’s deep laugh.

“To the other side of the city?” He sounded very amused.

“I got lost,” you said, your voice turning quieter as all hope seeped out of you. You might’ve had a slim chance of getting out before, but now you were as good as dead. You were never going to see the sun.

“Of course you did,” he drawled, clearing not believing you. He approached and you tensed, preparing for his touch. The second he gripped onto your arm, a new sort of panic filled your chest.

You’d had a taste of freedom, however faint it was, and you didn’t want to give it up. Even if that meant you’d die there, on a nowhere road that was covered in dirt and blood and piss.

You tried to pull away from the guard, but his grip was firm and unyielding. No matter how hard you tried, he didn’t give in. You put your whole weight in it and he grunted, cursing low under his breath. He yanked you toward him and raised his hand. It felt like your life was flashing before your eyes as his gloved hand came barrelling toward your face.

A scream ripped out of you, preparing for the impact, but it never came. His hand was frozen in the air.

Confused, you looked up at his face only to see him just as confused, looking off at someone behind you, his face turning so pale that you thought he’d died.

“Let go of them.”

It was a clear women’s voice, cold and commanding, the power of her demand carrying on a burst of magic. A magic that skirted around you, careful to only brush against your skin and not be too harsh.

The guard opened and closed his mouth a few times before he finally spoke. “I’ve been ordered to bring them home.”

“And I’m ordering you to let them go.” Her voice became louder as she got closer, the guard looking sicker and sicker with every near-silent step.

“They’re his child, he has a right to keep them at his house,” the guard went on, his voice shaking and his grip loosening.

“Sure, but they’re my mate.” That word rang through you, making your heart drop and your stomach flutter at the same time. “Which do you think will hold more sway when I bring this to the High Lord?”

The guard swallowed and let go of you and stepped backwards, instantly winnowing away. Still shocked by the whole situation, you hadn’t had time to readjust yourself. So when the guard stepped away, you forgot to straighten and started to fall backwards. You flung your arms out to try and cushion your fall, but there was no need. The woman who was, apparently, your mate, placed her hands on your back and righted you. Her touch didn’t linger a moment longer than necessary.

You turned around to see a woman with hair so gold that you imagined even the sun shied away from her radiant presence. She held her hand out, the coldness of her voice vanishing as she said, “Let me take you out of here.”

There was not a shred of doubt in your mind as you took her hand and allowed her to winnow you to freedom.

#acotar #acotar fanfic #acotar fanfiction #acotar fic #a court of thorns and roses #acourtofthornsandroses #morrigan x reader #morrigan acotar #sjm #sjmaas #sarah j maas #sarahjmaas #acotar fandom #acotar x reader

[dreaming-about-fanfictions]

Choose Me Instead II Draco Malfoy x Reader II Chapter 14 of 27: Reality

Summary: Pretending to be in a relationship with Draco Malfoy to get back at your ex might have not been the smartest idea you ever had. Especially during your last year of Hogwarts where you should be focusing on exams and your future plans. However, you were just pretending. There was no way in hell you could actually catch feelings for someone like Malfoy. … Right?

CHOOSE ME INSTEAD MASTERLIST

A/N: Uff, I’m so excited what you think about this chapter. However, I’m here to explain their ages in case some of you were confused: Due to the time that has passed since the war, Draco is 19 years old in this story. Y/N is 18. Have fun with the chapter! <3

Words: 3k Pairing: Draco Malfoy x fem!Reader, post-war Warnings: smut - seriously, shameless smut. lol. If you feel uncomfortable reading, read until the first “ *** ”. And then scroll down until you see the next “ *** “. The texts in those passages are safe and clean and relevant to the plot.

“To change the situation.”

You blinked. Slowly, very slowly, did you begin to process the four words and their meaning, your mouth suddenly feeling very dry. You suppressed the urge to lick over your lips.

The Slytherin didn’t look insecure or nervous. No, his grey eyes suddenly seemed to be a few shades darker (or maybe it was just the dim light in the hall?). His gaze bored into yours, right into your soul. It was impossible to escape and caused you to swallow. His lips were parted slightly as he leaned against the doorframe. He was still wearing his shirt from dinner and the tie hung loosely from his neck.

Draco waited for your reply.

Seeing him like this, you realized that you weren’t the slightest bit surprised that he had knocked on your door. Even though you had refused to believe for weeks that something could ever happen between the two you, it had never been a question of “if”. It had always been “when”. And apparently, “when” was tonight.

“Y/N?”

Your name rolled off his tongue like honey; his voice was low and husky. A shiver ran down your spine.

This is wrong, the thought crossed your mind. All the acting and pretending, the soft touches in hallways and classrooms that were born out of lies, the moments of vulnerability the two of you shared – it had clouded your judgment. It made you believe that there was something between the two you. This isn’t real.

But … maybe you didn’t need it to be real. Because ‘real’ meant heartbreak and loss and pain and both of you had experienced enough of that for a lifetime. Maybe, just for a little while, you wanted exactly this. A dream, a fantasy, magic that would vanish as soon as you stepped foot in Hogwarts again.

You didn’t need ‘real’. Not tonight.

You blinked again. Draco still waited for an answer. Then you let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding and when he saw the look in your eyes, his mouth twitched, fighting the smirk. So this was Draco Malfoy, you thought, the one who caused even Gryffindors hearts to flutter.

When you spoke, your voice was low and steady:

“Change it then.”

 ***

Now, Draco didn’t hide the smirk anymore. There was a sparkle in his eyes as he took a step forward. You didn’t back away, keeping your gaze fixated on him. He rested his hand on your hip and only the thin fabric of your robe separated him from your skin. It made your heart beat faster and your breath started to tremble.

His pupils were dilated now and the smirk widened when he noticed how you reacted to him. Draco closed the door behind him with his foot and you swallowed when it fell shut. It was only dimly lit in the small hotel room and suddenly you realized – this was happening.

“Tell me to leave and I will,” Draco must have seen your eyes flickering towards the door.

You shook your head. “I don’t want you to leave.” It was the truth. There was nothing in this world that could possibly made you want him to go right now.

You didn’t need this to be real. Not tonight.

“Good,” Draco whispered, his voice hoarse. His fingers tightened on your hips and you drew a sharp breath of air when he suddenly pushed you against the wall. He chuckled at your reaction.

“Stop being so cocky, Malfoy,” you hissed to which he only grinned. He was so close now, so damn close – the smell of mint and his cologne made you feel dizzy. It reminded you of the night in the storage room and you licked over your lips absently. Your eyes dropped towards his lips. Draco simply looked at you. Why didn’t he do anything? What took him so long? Frustration began to dwell up inside you as the tension around you was now so thick, you could probably cut right through it with a kitchen knife.

“Damnit, Malfoy,” you groaned. Without thinking about it any longer, you leaned forward and kissed him.

Finally.

It was the third kiss the two of you shared – but the first one that happened solely because the two of you wanted it. Right now. In that moment. In the years before you knew Draco personally, you had often wondered why so many girls felt drawn towards him and couldn’t stop gushing about the mean Slytherin. Now, that you felt his lips on yours, the answer seemed crystal clear.

The kiss was rough and demanding. You pulled him even closer by his tie, as he pressed you up against the wall. You could feel every inch of his body against yours and your breath hitched. One of his hands found its way to your hair, grabbing it tightly as his tongue slipped in your mouth. He was possessive and leading and just the way you expected him to be.

You moaned softly and the grip in your hair tightened. He whispered your name and began kissing down your neck, sucking on the soft skin. A heavy sigh escaped your lips but then you hit against his shoulders when you noticed that it would probably leave marks in the mornings. He cursed under his breath.

“I want to touch you,” he mumbled.

Instead of a reply, you take his hand and lead it towards the belt of the robe. Draco understood and with a quick movement, your robe was open.

“Fuck, Y/N.”

You couldn’t help but chuckle at his reaction. “Well … I just had a shower.”

The first time with a new person, letting them see you naked, it was nothing that came easily to you. Normally. However, you were amazed at how Draco managed to make you feel like the most beautiful woman on earth by the way he gazed at your body with nothing but admiration in his eyes.

Draco groaned and leaned forward again, pulling you into another kiss. Your lips moved against his and soon his hands started to travel up and down your body, his fingertips softly exploring your delicate skin. You gasped when he shifted. He kissed your neck and collarbone, wandering further down.

You moaned and let your head rest against the wall, eyes closed. You buried your hand in his blond hair and felt him smiling against your skin, when another sound escaped your mouth.

“Bed,” you whispered. Suddenly this wasn’t enough anymore. You wanted to feel his skin too. You craved to touch it, kiss it, needed to explore every inch of it. Draco made no effort to stop what he was currently doing and so with more force (and frustration), you repeated yourself: “Bed. Now.”

Finally, he moved. With messy hair and a smirk on his lips, he licked over them, before taking your hand and pulling you towards the bed. Between hasty kisses and longing touches, the robe fell to the ground on the way; his shirt and tie followed quickly. Draco pushed you onto the covers and followed quickly behind. You weren’t sure whether it was the cold metal from his belt or the way he bit your lip that caused you to buckle your hips. He groaned and now you could feel him against your thighs and it made your mouth water.

The moments that followed were a blur. His lips on yours, hands all over your bodies in the desperate attempt to be even closer to the other. You couldn’t tell if you stayed like this for seconds, minutes or hours. Eventually, you grabbed his belt, opening it, letting out soft whimpers as he bit and sucked on your skin. When the pants finally freed his cock, the sight of it made you shudder. It was hard and dripping for you and you reached for it, enclosing it, slowly moving your hand up and down.

Draco’s eyes fluttered shut and his breath quickened. A tingling sensation appeared in your lower body when he gripped the sheets. You watched him with pure lust and your hands moved faster with every stroke, until he suddenly groaned. “Stop, wait.” He took your hand and put it above your head, staring at you with dark eyes. “Tease,” he mumbled and your insides twirled at the sound of his voice.

“I need you,” it burst out of you and to emphasize your words, you pressed your hips up against him.

Draco smirked. “You’ll have me. Soon.” Your eyes widened when he suddenly moved down again after getting rid of his remaining clothes. He didn’t take it slow, didn’t tease you – in one second you felt his hot breath on your sensitive skin and then there was nothing but his tongue.

“Fuck!”, you cursed loudly and let your head fall back against the pillow. More curses left your mouth as he let his tongue circle over your clit. Looking back, you didn’t know what he did. Whatever it was though – he was amazing at it. Pleasure took over you, making you forget the world and everything around you. There was only Draco and the way he grabbed your thighs. You moaned loudly as the heat in your body grew stronger and then a wave of pure bliss hit you. With his name on your lips, you came, hips buckling up, tearing at the white sheets of the bed.

Draco didn’t give you time to ride out your orgasm. Before you knew what was happening, he came up and slipped inside of you. You clenched your muscles around his shaft, gasping in surprise. He stretched you so far, it bordered on pain – and yet it felt so delicious; every fiber of your body wanted him.

“You’re so fucking tight,” Draco moaned breathlessly.

You pulled him in for another kiss, swallowing more curses from his lips. The moment he started moving, another wave of pleasure overcomes you and it was almost too much to take. The two of you panted heavily, groans from him and whimpers from you filling the dark hotel room.

Suddenly Draco slowed down his pace. It was torture and your hips bucked up, begging him not to stop. When you opened your eyes, he watched you with an almost sheepish smile and you giggled when you realized why he wasn’t moving faster.

“You drive me crazy,” he admitted.

“I want you so much,” you replied simply and the smile on his face vanished. He began to thrust into you faster again.

It didn’t take long and the familiar heat started arousing in your body again. Spots appeared in front of your eyes. You scratched his back and he moaned.

“Oh fuck,”, he panted and you all of a sudden, you felt him lose all control. Every thrust was harder than the one before as he fucked you closer to the edge.

“I’m … I’m …,” you didn’t get anything more out.

“Come for me, beautiful,” Draco panted – and you did as he said. Repeating his name over and over again, your legs started shaking and then you come all over his cock, muscles clenching around him. You clung unto him desperately, pleasure taking over your body and mind and then you hear him moaning your name as he followed shortly after, cursing and releasing himself inside of you.

He collapsed on top of you and you could feel him panting against the soft skin of your breasts. Your breath trembled as the last waves of the orgasm passed and you softly stroked his hair, eyes closed and a satisfied smile on your face.

 ***

The two of you remained like this for a few more minutes – it was precious, laying like this. Nothing but complete happiness filled your bodies and souls as you listened to one anothers heartbeats.

When he felt too heavy on top of you, you softly pushed against his shoulders. He sat up slowly and – oh, he was a sight for all the muggle gods out there. A content smile on his face, messy hair, red and swollen lips – you suppressed the urge to pull him down for a kiss. Never in your wildest dreams would you have guessed that you’d ever see Draco Malfoy like this.

You reached over to the nightstand for your wand and with a simple flick, the both of you were clean again. Then you got up, planting a soft kiss on his lips and disappearing into the bathroom. When you came back, Draco still sat on the edge of the bed.

He looked at you and for the first time tonight, you saw a hint of uncertainty in his eyes.

“Everything okay?”, you asked with a smile.

He nodded. “Can I … May I sleep here tonight?”

You chuckled. “As if I’d let you go after that.”

And then the uncertainty on his eyes was gone and replaced with the all too familiar smirk. You shook your head in disbelief. Your legs were still a bit shaky from when he made you come. Twice. Fuck, where did he learn that?!

You slipped back under the covers and scooted over to make room for Draco. The Slytherin came up from behind, putting an arm around you and pulling you close. By the time, your head hit the pillow, your eyes were already heavy with sleep and you had trouble keeping them open.

“You’re so beautiful, Y/N,” he whispered against your hair.

“Mhhh,” you made, already half dreaming. “Good night, Draco.”

“Good night.”

 ***

The night was peaceful and calm. For the first time in months, you didn’t dream. There was just blackness surrounding you, making you wonder if you ever had a sleep that good. You woke up when it was almost time for lunch. Sunbeams were shining directly on your face and you groaned in frustration when you turned away from the windows.

A chuckle caused your eyes to flutter open.

Draco Malfoy sat next to you, leaning against the headboard, shirtless and with a book of yours in his hands. He watched you from the corners of his eyes. Suddenly you were wide awake and the events from last night came rushing back to you.

Oh.

Oh, Merlin.

That actually happened, you realized. You slept … with Draco Malfoy. Oh, fuck. I don’t need it to be real, you remembered your thoughts from last night. Well, damnit, now it was real and you had to deal with it. How did you even come up with this bullshit?

“Good morning,” Draco said and lowered the book.

“Morning,” you replied and propped yourself up on your elbow. “What time is it?”, you asked and yawned.

“Way too late for breakfast,” he replied.

You sighed and rubbed over your eyes. “You’re already awake.”

“Mhh,” he nodded. “Not long though. Don’t know about you but I had an excellent sleep.” The innuendo in his voice, caused your cheeks to grow hot. You lowered your gaze.

“Y/N?”

You looked up and saw Draco frown. “Is something wrong?” He paused briefly. “Do you regret what happened?”

Did you? No. No, the night was beautiful and, fuck, you’d give everything to experience it again. Everything. But … you knew, it couldn’t be.

“No,” you shook your head. “It just makes everything so much more complicated.”

He thought for a moment. “Does it though?”

“Doesn’t it?”

He shrugged. “Doesn’t have to.”

You raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“Sex doesn’t have to mean anything if we don’t want it to,” he stated.

Oh. He was right. Then why did it hurt to hear him say that? You sighed and let yourself fall back into your pillow. “Okay,” you finally mumbled. “Okay, let’s just forget this. It was a one-time thing.”

“Yeah,” Draco cleared his throat. Was it just your imagination or did he sound a little hurt by that as well? But why would he? After all, it was his idea in the first place. “Consider it your Christmas present.”

You snorted at his words and playfully hit his shoulders. “What the fuck, Malfoy.”

He chuckled and you too laughed a little. “But I mean … honestly, who taught you?”

“Excuse me?”, Draco asked and raised his eyebrow.

“You heard me,” you grinned.

Draco started laughing again, before he answered: “I guess, Daphne. Mostly.”

“Greengrass?”

“Yes.”

You stared at him in disbelief. “Does Astoria know?”

He nodded.

Your eyes widened. What the hell was going on in that Slytherin common room?! “Well, at least it stays in the family.”

“Oh, shut up, Y/L/N,” Draco exclaimed and rolled his eyes. He couldn’t hide the smile on his face though.

You giggled. “Make me.”

“With pleasure,” Draco replied and threw the book away. In the next second, he was on top of you.

The kiss that followed was soft and gentle. So different to the ones you shared in the night before and yet just as beautiful. You smiled when he pulled away. “Why don’t we stay in bed today?”

Draco cupped your cheek with one hand and you leaned into the touch. “It’s Christmas. Won’t your parents miss us?”, he pondered.

“Nah”, you shook your head, “It’ll be enough if we show up for dinner.”

To your confusion, he didn’t react the way you hoped. Instead, he furrowed his brows. “And you think it’s a good idea?”

You sighed and carefully thought about your next words. “Well … let’s make it a two-time thing.”

“Or three.”

“You’re awfully confident.”

Both of you started to laugh again. It was so beautiful seeing him like this. He seemed like a completely different person and you for a second you wished that you’d meet him like this sooner.

“So, we’ll deal with the confusion later?”, he suddenly asked, all serious now.

“What confusion?”, you tilted your head and ran your fingers through his hair. “We’re … releasing tension, so to speak. I don’t know. But you said it doesn’t have to mean anything and so, when we’re back in school, it’ll all be forgotten.”

Hopefully.

For a brief moment, something flickered in his eyes. An emotion you were unable to identify. Then Draco blinked and it was gone. “Right,” he whispered. “I said that.” With that, he leaned down again and all your confusion and doubts were drowned out by the feeling of his lips against yours.

You didn’t need it to be real. Not today.

***

A/N: I hope you liked it, my loves! I look forward to your feedback <33 Have an awesome day/night/whatever <33 (For some reason, some of the tags didn’t work. I’m sorry for that!)

CHAPTER 15

Choose Me Instead Masterlist HP Masterlist

Tag List:  @writerdee1701, @youareinllve, @sjmahoney, @detroitobsessed, @takura-rin, @jadam268, @wynterwind, @mina672, @renaissance-confiance, @harpoon999, @doitforthevine67, @rinasrights, @flowerpowerpixie, @gold-flowing, @starkssnarks, @bookcornerkins, @harpersmariano, @markedsweetly, @iraniq, @pointlesscoconut, @hvrcruxes, @pillowjj, @idkatee, @jungjxxhyun,   @magicwithaknife, @graystherapy, @sophia-gwendolyn, @nxstalgicnxbxdy, @sunsetsofanemoia, @s4dthrills, @tommy-holland, @lordfxxker, @streetfighterrichie, @awaken-the-sirens, @destiels-assbutt13, @pockitparks, @just-addicted-to-bangtan, @cuddlykoala101, @zpandaqueen, @marvelpeters, @natsiboo, @jjjmaybank, @justmesadgirl, @books-and-tings, @slytherinprincedracom, @katiaw2, @saintkore, @nctnight, @lifestragedy, @obxmxybxnk, @spideydobik , @ladylizzieofdarbyshire, @aspiring-ginger, @dracomalfoyswifey, @jpow345, @realistic-breadstick, @h-annahayy, @abbs-is-tired, @alwaysbeanunknownfan, @niallsarmveinstho, @is-this-a-febreze-commercial, @acciowilltolive, @spideysmcu, @sexytholland, @faangirl101, @donttellany1iusetumbler, @mendesmuffinsss, @lilxnvm, @kill-the-teen-memories, @darkusangelus, @p0gue420, @itsbebeyyy, @hesaidimcrazy, @jenniweaslee, @hpxpjo, @brisbubble, @xomaymay, @shitnstuffillregret, @serialkillme, @angel-tears15, @panicattheeverywherekid, @obsssedwithjustaboutanything, @africana , @disgraceisonfire, @nobleking​, @tashii-blr​, @ddaeing​, @randogirlo-fando-main​, @sadgirlnumber92899​, @captivateing​, @bitchyegirl​, @smiithys​, @ninipoo1​, @intheawks​, @cherrylita, @nothanksnyla, @calpal-4ever​, @dracosathenaeum​, @belsandthings​, @lifeasdreamgirl , @kiwi-sloan​, @xdmx​, @lexi-ravenclawdracomalfoy​, @kvyenxay​, @live-awkward​, @babebenhardy​, @bitchysweets-blog​, @cravingmusic​, @frau-moon​, @ohissandhalasta​, @noravirginia1994, @broken-but-beautiful-cassie​, @lil-black-heart​, @obsssedwithjustaboutanything​, @vminenthusiastt​, @dracos-slut​, @ohbabycal​, @saucysuazo​, @fuzzzwald​, @matsuno-nadeshiko​, @amber-arsenault​ , @virtuallawyergardenbailiff, @loveableasshole​, @thehippyprepster​, @spideycures​, @echpr​, @shiningstar-byulxx​, @profoundmoneyprofessoralmond, @twinklebug2282​, @bloodiedroses​, @klthmef​, @ostorian​ ,  @bi-chai-tea​, @maddieisnotok​, @amandaluvssupernatural​, @makeoutwithstiles​, @kelly182001, @holyranchgoopjudge,  @i-am-addicted-to-tea​, @tenclouds​, @lovingdracomalfoy​, @lannaax​, @dr-bitch-bby​, @lunardragon616, @fallinallinmendes​, @suckerforparker​, @runninglownad​, @piercinghorizons​, @dosicas​, @sarashuu, @yanaaaaaaa​, @desertdwellerwitch, @bittersweetthoughts--ofinsanity, @akzer300500​, @bbeautyybbx, @hoseokslily​, @dracofeltonmalfoy​, @emilianamason​, @tothemoonwithclifford​, @gcldreinhart​

If you want to be added to my tag list, let me know <3

#draco malfoy x reader #draco malfoy x you #draco malfoy x y/n #draco malfoy imagines #draco malfoy imagine #draco malfoy fanfiction #draco x reader #draco x you #draco x y/N #draco #malfoy #draco malfoy #slytherin #slytherin imagines #gryffindor #gryffindor imagines #draco malfoy x gryffindor #hogwarts #hogwarts imagines #hogwarts fanfiction #slytherin x gryffindor #harry potter #harry potter imagines #harry potter fanfiction #astrids fics

[tanoraqui]

where is ur icon from? ;;

oh boy, I was just shouting at @aethersea about this last night. It's from a webcomic called Strong Female Protagonist by Bennan Lee Mulligan (now known for Dimension 20) and Molly Ostertag (Owl House, and also locking Noelle Stevenson into matrimony). It is about, quote, "the adventures of a young middle-class American with super-strength, invincibility and an overwhelming sense of social injustice", and it's basically a 600-page philosophical discussion about the best uses of power, both Power(TM) and everyday ability, in a world full of complex problems that can't be solved by punching people. Who is responsible for collateral damage? Is it right to use force to bully someone into doing the right thing if it's, like, really definitely the right thing, and they're being a selfish asshole? When faced with structural problems creating widespread suffering, do you pick up the single starfish and throw it back in the ocean, because at least you're helping this one starfish?

It's presented very compellingly as a generational question, because the premise of superpowers in this world is that 20-odd years ago, the whole earth was hit by a mysterious storm for several weeks a many children who were in utero during that time started to develop a wide variety of superpowers during puberty. This was handled differently in different cultures, but in America, of course, they started forming teams of heroes and villains.... Then the greatest villain of all, the telepath Menace, vanished mysteriously, and the greatest hero of all, super strong+invulnerable Mega Girl, ended up pulling off her mask on public tv and declaring that she was going to go to college, and...here we are.

[Spoilers: that's Mega Girl (Alison, main character) and Menace (Patrick) in my icon, at the tail end of an extended Battle in the Center of the Mind dream adventure that makes me shout! a! lot! The quote "there is nowhere on this earth I have stood where I could not feel the beating of your heart" is involved and I need! to! shout!]

Other significant characters include:

Feral, aka Tara Lynn, who is definitely not a Catra expy no siree, no Catra lookalikes here, certainly not who flirt with the blond protagonist and (ok this isn't as Catra) engage in heartbreakingly selfless heroics. Power: regeneration

Pintsize, aka Hector, Alison's best friend and the founder of the superhero team she led; I'd say "HUGE NERD" but actually he can shrink to a subatomic level

Moonshadow, mostly goes by Mary, another old team member. illusionist, not afraid to get her hands dirty to make a point

Sonar, usually goes by Brad, another old team member. Has a bat head. Is now a community organizer for particularly visibly non-standard-human biodynamics (people with powers)

Paladin, aka Lisa, SPARK (robotics savant). "Humans are going to invent AI eventually and I want it to be in my lab."

Klevin, a nice young man and film nerd with a furiously bashful crush on Alison

Cleaver, aka Daniel, former villain with superstrength/indestructible stabby things all over his body. Really just a...hecked up kid, like the rest of them, you know? He and Alison talk sometimes

Professor Gurwara - philosophy professor???????

ALSO, IT IS INCOMPLETE AND HAS BEEN ON HIATUS SINCE 2018. There's been some compelling emotional...not full resolution, but arguably we might not get much more than what it is? It's not a story that's going to tie up neatly...but there ARE some very mysterious dangling plot threads, and some untaken opportunities re: dramatic team-ups and potential identity reveals, not to mention just more time with the characters I like, that I YEARN FOR FERVENTLY. Thus I periodically message Aethersea at 2am and yell at her for getting me invested in this dumb comic.

YOU, TOO, SHOULD READ IT! Seriously, it's worth the abandonment. The emotional resolution thus far is pretty good, and the philosophical discussions on their own had me reading until like 6am.

#strong female protagonist #sfp #superheroes #random anon asks #there isn't even a tag for it on ao3 i'm dying here u guys #i just want menace reveal fic u know

[thesacredtwink]

I am very excited to see what you write for this.

Also, you know Twilight is going to try to escape. He doesn't want to be here. I just don't know if it's funnier to imagine Twilight trying to escape the Gerudo as Wolfie and succeeding (thus sending all of the Gerudo into a panic because THE KING IS MISSING) or trying and failing is funnier. Also, you know that pelt is doing him no favours in the desert.

Part of me imagines he makes sure they avoid Gerudo Desert whenever they end up in his Hyrule because he does not want to explain how he ended up a king to the others. So he's just, not going to deal with that.

Part of my finds it really funny, the last Gerudo King was the incarnation of evil so the gods replaced him with the reincarnation of the elf twink who killed him. (I'm imagining Din and Farore wrestling over Twi while Nayru is just like "This is why Hylia left. I Understand now." No reason, it's just funny in my head)

And fortunately for Zelda, at least this king isn't going to try to end the world. He has no idea what he's doing, but at least he's not evil. That's definitely a plus.

-Attllhak

Ha! I'm excited to share it when it's done! I'm about 3k into it right now, and so far it has prophetic dreams and reluctant kings, something resembling a plot, and a MAJOR flashback. So, it's going to be fun! For plot reasons I will say that Twilight is gonna have to go to the desert. But it is not his first choice lmao

Oh, at least one escape attempt! Since it's only been about 100 years after Times era, I honestly think the Gerudo who are still very much thieves (as opposed to say Wilds era Gerudo) would be disapointed if their King couldn't successfully vanish. All options are hilarious though kdhfdkjfjdjf XD

Twilight would just like to go home and check the goats, thank you. It's...probably not gonna happen though.

And yeah that pelt isn't going to go over well in the hot desert day (never mind trying to get the SAND out of it oml) but it's probably nice at night once the temperature drops.

LDJDHRIDJEJDBDBCOWNFNSLEOCUBWLDJEHFIWBXKAOND

Nayru, watching her sisters wrestle in the mud over who gets the Sacred Twink this time: How are we related?

Link, at the very least, has his heart in the right place for the job. Which is probably the only reason Zelda isn't more worried then she is. Other positive of the situation, Gerudo/Hylian relations have never been better and it has a lot to do with the Gerudo King being one of those people that is hard to hate. He is soft spoken, genuinely kind, and wants what is best for everyone. That Twilight could bench press anyone who dares to oppose him doesn't hurt as far as the Gerudo people are concerned.

#gerudo twilight au #gerudo twilight #twilight linked universe #nick speaks

[songfell-ut]

Merry Xmas toooo

Hey @venelona remember when I was talking about that Beauty & the Beast thing in your server

Well, I copied myself, ‘cause Sans is still not good at following through on getting a human soul, and a stray bit of paper drives the plot once more.

This is nowhere near finished because it’s me. I’ll polish it up and put it on AO3 once my other gift is done for tomorrow (she said famous-last-words-ly). 

Prepare yourself for a shock: I wrote something long. Indents, meh. Warning, Sans is stupid.

Today was not a good day: it was cold, he had to get married, and now there was a human in his garden.

           This was problematic for many reasons. For one thing, as the literal lord of all he surveyed, Sans always found it hard to get any alone time, much less a chance to nap. He’d started coming outside each night after dinner to doze off for a few precious minutes, at least until the wind whistled through his sockets one time too many or his brother started yelling at him over the wall. On this particular evening, though, after his chat with Toriel, his sole aim was to avoid seeing anyone; luckily, he’d already forbidden the others from coming into the garden, and he was prepared to stay out here forever if he had to, weather and Papyrus be damned.

Sans was not prepared to take a shortcut to his favorite bench by the nightshades and sit down, only to catch sight of someone hunched behind a bush at the end of the row. The skeleton scrambled to his feet in sudden panic, readying his magic to defend himself. Who or what the hell was that? No one should be here—this was his place! Had Toriel told him all that crap to trick him into going out alone, then sent someone after him? But how?

His instinct was to attack first, but for all Sans knew, this was some kind of trap; instead, he watched and listened, waiting for the thing to make its move. His soul thrummed like a harpstring, ready to summon bones to skewer the intruder, or teleport away—

But nothing happened. As the seconds ticked by, Sans gradually realized that the small, dark-clothed figure wasn’t crouched to spring at him or lying in wait, just bending down to examine the flowers. He couldn’t sense any malicious intent whatsoever; in fact, it didn’t seem to know he was there, or that he was coming closer for a better look.

Well, no wonder: it was wearing a cloak with a deep hood that blocked its peripheral vision, and it was facing into the wind, where it couldn’t hear or smell anyone sneaking up from behind. That meant the intruder was either very confident or really fucking stupid.

Maybe it was just Monster Kid or one of the others screwing with him? After all, no matter how often Sans told them to stay the hell out of his garden, and no matter how strongly his subjects were compelled to obey him, he kept finding rocks, bits of bone, and other junk the little bastards had tossed over the wall. Things had gotten better since Papyrus started patrolling the outer courtyard, happy to combine his favorite pastimes of keeping things tidy and beating the shit out of people, but…

           But no, this wasn’t a kid who’d found a loophole in his orders, or an adult monster strong enough to defy him. Sans took a couple of quick shortcuts at different angles to appraise the intruder, confirming that it wasn’t sized or shaped like anyone he knew; it also failed to react when he stepped through an arch of greenery just a few feet away. No shift of attention, no magic gathering to attack or defend itself—who could possibly be that dumb? None of the surviving monsters would ever dream of dropping their guard like this, not even the kids!

The wind shifted, and Sans’ nasal ridge twitched as an unfamiliar stench hit him. He recognized the scent of leather from its clothes, but there were strong hints of…some kind of hair, and…bodily fluids? There was something missing, too, so basic that it took Sans a minute to pinpoint it: the trespasser had no magic whatsoever.

That was the most confusing thing of all. No matter how fishy or perfumed or otherwise gross they might be, everyone had that dry, slightly spicy smell. Had someone dressed up an animal and released it into the garden as a prank? A thrill of fear raced through him again—did Toriel’s curse include female animals? It’d be just like her to dump that on him and then make sure he ran into a bear or a deer or something!

           Suddenly, the intruder sighed heavily, straightened up, and shook its hood off. To Sans’ shock, it wasn’t an animal or a monster: the thing standing in his garden was a human. It turned its back to the wind, squinting down at the white-stoned path and up at the surrounding wall, the smooth black marble shining rose-gold in the twilight.

           What the hell was a human doing here? At least it was a male; Sans relaxed a little, then shook himself and edged forward.

Humans were legendary for their cruelty and cunning, but this particular specimen didn’t seem very dangerous. Beneath its dusty travel clothes and heavy cloak, it was almost as short at Sans, with a wrinkly face and gray streaks in its hair. Did all humans get like that after only…what, fifty years? Granted, Sans was just twenty-five, a baby by monster standards, but he wouldn’t be this twitchy or feeble when he reached the human’s age. And he wouldn’t be dumb enough to wander into someone else’s territory after sundown!

           The man had started walking again, still oblivious to Sans’ presence, and paused at a fork in the path. Sans silently willed him to turn right, and he’d been obeyed by everyone he knew for so long that it was a surprise to see the human go left instead. The skeleton watched in irritation, then disbelief, as his uninvited guest sat down on a low wall and pulled a map out of his pocket.

           That had to be the stupidest thing Sans had ever seen. Did human maps of the area include HAUNTED CASTLE ON FORBIDDEN MOUNTAIN? He doubted it. Besides, there was a village at the foot of the mountain, straight down through the forest; even if he couldn’t find the main path, all this moron had to do was walk downhill, back the…way he’d…

Wait. How had he even gotten in here?

           Quick as thought, Sans zipped over to the massive iron gates that stood between the castle and the outside world. Sure enough, the ivy growing between the bars had been disturbed at one end where the man had squeezed through. Sans extended one bony finger very, very slowly toward the gate, and as his phalange approached the nearest bar, the air filled with a warning hum, his bones prickling with alarm till he stepped away.

The barrier was still working, then. What had the King said before they dusted him? Anything could get in, but nothing could get out…except a monster in possession of a human soul. But there were no—

           The skeleton monster’s sockets widened again, this time in excitement. He grinned hugely, then took a shortcut back to the human, who was trying to fold up the map. Just in case, Sans peered at the human’s chest, gauging how much effort this would take.

           His elation immediately vanished, disgust welling up in its place. Of all the humans who could’ve wandered up here, it had to be one with a pathetically weak, almost sickly little soul—and why did it have to be green? Fucking Kindness! Talk about shitty luck!

           Not that he was going to pass up the opportunity, of course. Absorbing any human soul, no matter how crappy, would give him power greater than every other monster who’d ever lived, combined. He could finally pass through the gates, descend on the human village like a force of nature, grab as many souls as he wanted, and come back here to destroy the ga—no, he’d wreck the whole fucking castle! The others would finally be free, too, though he wouldn’t be stupid enough to share any souls with them. Maybe Pap could have a few, just enough to fulfill his dream of tearing Undyne to pieces, and to help eliminate Toriel; then they’d be untouchable in a world where “kill or be killed” was the only rule!

Sans was jerked back to the present by the human making a horribly wet noise and pulling a square of cloth from his pocket. Why was this disgusting sack of flesh even here, anyway? As far as Sans knew, no one had come near the castle for decades; even the local wildlife stayed far away. Yet here he was, an ordinary-looking human who had come all the way up the mountain in the approaching dark.

The man had finally sensed something wrong and was looking around uneasily. “Hello?” he called. Sans stayed where he was, silent and contemptuous; sure enough, the human’s gaze swept right past him. “Odd,” he murmured, lowering the map and folding it in half.

           Sans knew he should go ahead and kill the guy now, but the wind chose that moment to pick back up, rustling through the flowers and nearly yanking the map out of the human’s hands; the man swore and fumbled at the stiff parchment, fighting to keep hold of it.

The skeleton chuckled, almost pityingly. As lord of the castle, he decided he could be magnanimous and let this moron finish putting the map away. Besides, it was funny as hell to watch him lose to a piece of paper.

           Eventually, the man gave up and tried instead to stuff the half-folded map into his pocket, pulling a few things out to make room. Enough of this, thought Sans, his amusement fading. The skeleton took a few steps forward, letting his magic swell to a darkly feverish pitch and drift off him like red smoke. He was probably scary enough as it was, but anything worth doing was worth overdoing, especially when it’d make the human’s reaction that much funnier.

           Besides, this idiot had trespassed on Sans’ land and his solitude at exactly the wrong time. A quick, clean death was too good for him, but it couldn’t be helped: Sans had to get his soul out in one piece and reach the village before daybreak. Ha, maybe he’d put his hood up and pretend to be the Reaper the humans feared so much—wasn’t that why they had exterminated every single skeleton monster but him and Pap? He’d give the fuckers something to be afraid of!

It was time, all right. The human had finally sensed someone at his back, and began to turn around. “Excuse me, I—”

           Another gust of wind suddenly came howling through the garden and tore the map out of the human’s grip. It landed with a thk and skidded along the white-stoned path; with it went a couple of envelopes he’d set on his lap, and another, much smaller piece of paper, which blew straight into the nearest flowerbed.

           The human’s demeanor changed in an instant from annoyance to panic. “No!” He flailed at the air, then stumbled over the wall, charging through the flowers. “Come back here!” he yelled, as if the wind or the paper could understand him.

           Sans froze, feeling his magic go still as the blossoms answered—or, rather, echoed: “Come back here!” What the hell was the guy doing tromping around like that? Those were echo flowers, not daisies! One of them was worth twenty of this dumbfuck!

The wind was still blowing, but after a few clumsy grabs, the human threw himself full-length onto the ground, trapping the paper amongst the squished flowers. He sighed gustily – ha – and stood up, smiling. “There you are,” he murmured, his voice clear as the wind dropped to a light breeze.

The skeleton couldn’t see what the human was looking at so fondly. In his irate curiosity, he hesitated another moment too long: “Hm,” the man said to himself. “Yes, that’ll do.” He crouched again, grabbed a blossom at random, and plucked it clean out of the ground.

           “What the fuck?”

           Sans’ roar shattered the air like a rock through a stained-glass window. He was too angry to enjoy the human’s shriek of terror, or his attempt to turn and run; the skeleton jerked his hand up and sideways, yanking the man off his feet and hurling him onto the path. “Who the fuck d’you think you are?” snarled Sans. His magic flared up again as he advanced, staining the footpath red. “Huh?”

           The human was trembling violently, staring up at him. “Are you deaf or somethin’?” the monster demanded. He grabbed the man by the collar, hauling him to his feet. “Answer me, or I’ll rip yer fuckin’ head off!”

           The human gulped. “I…” He squeezed his eyes shut, sweat rolling off his face. “P-P-Please forgive me, my lord! I-I was being pursued by bandits, and they didn’t stop until I reached this place! I needed shelter, someone to point the way home—” He peeked up at Sans again, almost hiccuping in fear. “I-If you’ll permit me to leave, I swear I’ll never trouble you again!”

           Sans glanced up at a nearby lantern hanging on an iron post, and it obligingly lit itself. “That’s for damn sure,” said the skeleton. His wrath faded a little as his prisoner gaped at him in the clearer light. Now he understood the expression “bug-eyed,” not to mention “slack-jawed”; it was one of the funniest things he’d ever seen. Still… “You expect me to believe ya just wandered in here outta nowhere?” Sans jerked his head at the castle looming behind him, though the moon hadn’t risen to provide a properly spooky silhouette. “Didja think you could sneak in, grab somethin’, an’ get out before anybody noticed? ‘Cause I fuckin’ noticed!” He stabbed a finger at the echo flower in the human’s hand. “That shit doesn’t grow just anywhere!”

           The man blinked stupidly at the flower, as if surprised to see it. His eyes darted back and forth, his other hand sneaking toward his pocket. “I…I can explain, my l—”

           “Uh-uh.” Sans waggled his finger, and the human cried out as his hand was yanked straight over his head, the little slip of paper fluttering to the ground. Ignoring his protests, Sans made a couple more gestures to open the man’s coat and run a thread of magic through the pockets, then the lining. He frowned as he found several coins, letters, a comb, a pipe…but no weapons.

Huh. If the human hadn’t been going for a knife or something, then what the hell was he doing? Was he just trying to put the paper away? How goddamn stupid could he—

           “Please!” the man almost shrieked, and Sans was startled into releasing him. He watched the human stumble back, dropping the echo flower in his haste to run after the slip of paper again. Luckily for him, it blew against the corner of another bench, where he could easily stoop to retrieve it. The map lay nearby, but the human didn’t even look at it; he sighed in relief, and started to turn around.

           Sans was directly in front of him, grinning at his strangled squeak. “Whatcha got there?” The skeleton didn’t wait for an answer, just reached for it.

           “No!” To his astonishment, the man flailed at him, backing away till his shins hit the bench. “I-It’s nothing!” the human babbled. “Nothing at all! Just a picture that I didn’t want to lose! You can leave it!”

           Later, Sans would try to blame himself for not being more careful. But he had every right to be curious, and no reason to be thinking of Toriel right then; it was only natural for him to use his magic to grab the paper and hold it up to see what was so fucking important. So, he did.

           The human was right: it was a delicate ink drawing. Sans felt the smirk slide right off his face, and he took the picture in both hands, peering so intently that he didn’t even notice the man grabbing his sleeve. “Who’s this?” the skeleton inquired, trying to sound careless. “Yer wife?”

           “My daughter!” The guy was actually jumping to try to grab it, like a frantic kid. “As I said, it’s worth nothing to you! Please give it back!”

Sans absently pushed the human off with his elbow, raising the paper to the light. “Knock it off,” he grunted as the man came right back.

The human’s sheeplike face contorted. “Has milord never seen a woman before? Give it ba—”

Skeletal fingers shot out and locked around his throat. To Sans’ surprise, when he glared down at the human, the man glared right back, even as he clawed at Sans’ radius. “Why d’you want it so bad? Is she dead or somethin’?” the monster asked in sudden hope.

The human’s eyes bulged wider, and he struggled to speak until Sans loosened his grip. After a bit of coughing and puffing, the man rasped, “How dare you? She’s my child, you wretched beast!” He dashed Sans’ hopes with a jerky shake of the head. “I’ve been away from her for over a month, and I was only hours from home when I was attacked! That’s all I’ve had of her! If I’m going to die at your hand, the very least you can do is let me see it one more time!”

           Sans’ jaw clenched so hard that his single golden tooth creaked under the pressure. He shut his sockets, aware that he had to think very carefully before he spoke. “I got some questions for ya,” he snarled. “Tell me the truth, an’ you might leave in one piece.” He opened his sockets, his ruby eyelights pulsing across the human’s face. “Got it?”

           The wind shrieked past them again, but Sans held both the human and the slip of paper steady. The man stared at him in clear distrust; Sans wasn’t sure if he was being brave, or stupid, or what, but he wasn’t cowering anymore. As a slight token of respect, the skeleton opened his hand, letting the human jerk away. “Yes, milord,” the latter whispered, massaging his throat. “Whatever you wish.”

           Sans snorted, and snuck another glance at the portrait. “What’s your family name? What were you doin’ away from home fer so long?”

           The man’s brow wrinkled further. “My name is Proust, milord. I’m a merchant, so I travel frequently. I’ve been investigating a business opportunity in the capital.”

           A merchant? That was hard to believe. The coins in the human’s pockets consisted solely of pennies and a few silver pieces that Sans didn’t recognize; Proust was dressed fairly well, but on closer inspection, the fur trim of his cloak was patchy, while his leather coat was shiny with age. Either he was a cheapskate, or he hadn’t made any real money in a long time. “How’d it go?” Sans asked sardonically.

           “Poorly, milord,” the man snapped. “I promised Frisk I’d bring her something from the city, but then I could barely afford to pay my way home.” He looked down at the echo flower, which lay on the stones between them. “She likes gardening, so…”

           Sans knew he should make another fuss about the theft, but he had a bigger problem. “‘Frisk’?” he repeated. “Is that a nickname or somethin’?”

           “No,” Proust said stiffly. “What else would my lord care to know?”

           Sans gave him another glare, and though the man flinched, he didn’t look away. “Heh,” the skeleton murmured. “She your only kid?”

           “Yes, my lord. My wife died in childbirth. Frisk…” His voice caught. “She’s all I have left.”

The monster grimaced. He almost would’ve preferred an aggressive human to a sappy one. “How old is she?” The paper trembled. It wasn’t the wind: his hands were shaking. “Did you leave her home alone, or with ‘er husband, or…?”

           The human eyed him in rightful suspicion. “She’s twenty-two, my lord. We live with my brother’s family. She’s unwed—I’ve had several offers for her hand, but she refused them all.”

“Why?” Sans asked bluntly.

Proust blinked a few times. “She didn’t love them. She didn’t even like most of them, and the one she might have accepted left because my brother wouldn’t give her a dowry. Why do you—”

“A dowry?” Sans repeated. “The hell is that?”

This was obviously a sensitive question: the human’s face turned a weird color, and something pulsed near his eyebrow—a vein? Was that what it was called? Sans turned his head in disgust, studying the portrait again. If she had veins, he couldn’t see any.

The human cleared his throat. “It’s a gift of money or other goods that a woman brings to a marriage. Many young women in our social class have a difficult time finding a husband without one, and…”

“An’ you don’t have enough cash to sell her off?” Sans waved a hand as Proust swelled with rage again. “Never mind. Whatever stupid shit humans get up to, I don’ care.” He was quiet for a moment. “Just seems pathetic that you’ve gotta pay someone to take ‘er.”

“Was milord listening?” the human demanded. “I’ve had six other gentlemen ask to marry her, and four were willing to forego any dowry at all! She was good enough!”

It was Sans’ turn to twitch. “Why? What’s so great about ‘er?”

Proust made a noise like an angry frog. “May I humbly entreat milord to explain his gracious interest in my family?”

           Sans toyed with the idea of telling him the truth, and shrugged. “Just curious. So, I’m guessin’ you wanna see her again?”

           “Yes, milord, absolutely,” the man said in a rush. “I’d do anything—you have no idea how much she means to me!” He looked longingly at the paper in Sans’ hand, still held up to the lamplight. “She drew that herself,” he added.

           Sans started. “Really?” he asked before he could stop himself.

           “Yes, indeed,” the human said proudly.

           The skeleton scowled at the picture. It was a perfect rendition of a young woman seated at a table, wearing an old-fashioned gown; her dark hair was twisted up into a bun, showing a small earring, a pearl necklace, and a graceful curve of neck and shoulder. Now that Proust mentioned it, she did seem to be drawing herself in the mirror, one hand holding a pencil and the other steadying the paper, her head tilted to look up at Sans.

           For a moment, he was so angry that he couldn’t breathe. This was bullshit! Why should he pass up his chance at unlimited power because of a girl who probably wasn’t even that pretty in real life? He should just rip the stupid picture in half, rip the human in half, grab his shitty green soul, and get things started!

           But the longer he stared at the paper, the less he wanted to rip it in half, kill the human, become godlike, etc. etc. It just seemed…boring? Unnecessary?

Tch. This was all Toriel’s fault! She’d called him to her room that evening in an absolute fit of laughter and told him exactly what was going to happen, and the old bitch knew he’d come down here afterward and—

           And he couldn’t stay mad about it. Instead, something weird was happening behind his sternum, a sticky kind of warmth spreading like an infection through his ribcage and down his limbs. No matter how hard he tried to dwell on being jerked around, or why it had to be some squishy human with a dumb father and a weird name, Sans couldn’t look away from the portrait, caught by the girl’s clear, bright eyes. No one had ever smiled at him like that…

           He came down here every night to get away from everyone, but what if…what if he had someone he didn’t want to get away from? Unbidden, a thought crept up: what would the garden look like with this human in it, helping water the flowers or sitting with him to watch the sun set? What would it be like to always have someone to talk to about stuff bothering him, help with all the day-to-day crap of running the household…smile at him, keep him warm at night—

Shit! Had Toriel laughed at him because she knew he’d actually want this to happen?

           “Hello?” Proust was asking. “Milord? Is something wrong?”

           Sans shook himself. “Fine, she can draw. Does she know how ta do anything?” That’d be a perfect excuse to forget about her. If he wanted to keep something cute and useless around, he could just put a collar on one of the kids and make it do tricks!

           The human actually laughed at him. “We went to stay with my brother, milord, when Frisk was fourteen years old. He was a widower, so she took it upon herself to be the lady of the house. Within a few months, she was managing his servants, balancing his accounts, organizing his social affairs—clear up till he remarried last year.” His narrow chest puffed out. “It’s a large part of the reason she’s been sought after. Any man would be lucky to have her.”

           The monster’s hands were trembling again, a strange sensation burning him from the inside out. “Is—” It was a childish question, but he couldn’t help it: “Is she nice?”

           Proust looked at him strangely. “Yes, milord. She is.” He flinched as Sans’ grip on the drawing tightened. “Forgive me,” the man quavered, “but why do you—”

“Gimme your hand,” growled the skeleton. He gestured, keeping the paper suspended in midair as he lowered his own hands. “Take the glove off.”

           Proust swallowed once or twice, then obeyed. Sans didn’t hide his distaste as he took hold of Proust’s wrist, the human’s pulse twitching against his thumb. For a second, he didn’t know if he could go through with it; then he glanced at the portrait, and said, “Don’t move.” Before he could lose his nerve, the monster lifted a skull-shaped pendant from beneath his shirt, positioned the human’s finger between its tiny jaws, and willed them to snap shut.

           Proust yelped as the pendant latched onto his finger. “What in God’s name is that thing?” he cried, trying to shake it off.

“Magic,” Sans said pleasantly. The poor skull didn’t seem to like it any more than the human did: its jaws sprang right back open, and he could’ve sworn he saw it make a face at him.

Proust was staring at his hand in disbelief, searching for signs of any blood or puncture wounds—nothing. “What…?”

“Here’s what’s gonna happen.” Sans tucked the pendant back under his shirt. “There’s a spot over by the gates where you can sleep. No one’s allowed in here, so you oughta be safe till morning. When you leave, jus’ head straight down the mountain. Pretty much any of the paths will take you to Ebott. I’d send ya there now, but my magic can’t get through the barrier on the gate.” He sighed. “Need ta pull some strings to get you back out at all.”

           The human was torn between intense relief and distrust. “Thank you, my lord. May I—”

           “Nope. Just be happy that’s all I did.” Sans indicated the man’s finger as Proust pulled his glove back on. “I’ll even let ya bring ‘er the flower. Nice, eh?”

           The man swallowed hard. “Yes, milord. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. But…may I please ask why?”

The shadows seemed to creep in, darkening the lamplight. The human shrank back as the skeleton’s grin broadened. “Wanna hear somethin’ funny?” Sans reached up to run a finger along the portrait’s bottom edge. “I’m the boss around here, but there’s a lady hangin’ around I can’t get rid of, and she knows stuff. Guess what she told me ‘fore I came out here. Go on, guess!”

Proust looked nearly sick. “I…I don’t know, my lord. What did she—”

“She said, ‘Congratulations!’ An’ I said, ‘On what?’ And she said, ‘On your upcoming marriage!’ So a’course, I said, ‘The fuck are you talkin’ about?’ An’ she said I was gonna meet my wife real soon.”

It was subtle, but Proust’s eyes flicked to Sans’ pelvis. The skeleton’s amusement vanished. Just like a human—didn’t he know how magic worked? “Yeah, my wife,” he growled. “Funny part is, she was right.” The monster took Frisk’s drawing in one hand and tapped the side of his skull with it. “Wanna know who Toriel said it’d be?”

The man didn’t move, except to make a noise vaguely resembling “Who?”

Sans chuckled. “The first woman I saw once I left the room.”

A beat of silence. Sans was wondering if he’d have to spell it out when Proust howled, “No!” and made a credible attempt to tackle Sans and grab his daughter’s picture. “You can’t—”

The skeleton sent him sprawling with one push. “Sorry, Dad,” he drawled. “I left the room, an’ I saw ‘er. That’s that.” He laughed harshly at the man’s expression. “What? She’s gonna get her own damn castle, lotsa nice stuff—I won’t even make you pay for ‘er!”

“You—” Sans watched, bemused, as the human sprang to his feet, fists clenched. “Tear me limb from limb if you want, but I am not giving my daughter to a thing like you!”

“Yeah, about that.” The skeleton raised a finger. “Y’know that little nibble ya got just now? ’s a great trick. Lemme show you how it works.” Hmm…what to do? Better not get carried away, or the guy would have a nervous breakdown before he could get his daughter up here. “Grab the echo flower and say, ‘I’m a stupid doo-doo butt.’”

Before Proust could protest, his body turned, stooped, and picked up the blue flower. He brought it to his lips, and said, very solemnly, “I’m a stupid doo-doo butt.” Then his head jerked up. “What in the—”

Sans hooted with laughter, fighting the urge to slap his future father-in-law on the back and accidentally break his spine. “See? When I say you’re gonna do somethin’, you don’t have a choice, do ya?” He sobered in an instant. “So, yer gonna go home an’ fetch ‘er for me. Got it?”

“It doesn’t matter what you’ve done to me,” Proust said defiantly. “You said it yourself. Once I pass your gates, your magic won’t have any effect.”

“Good thing it ain’t my magic, then. It’s yours.” He got a blank stare, and sighed in exasperation. This was getting old: it was chilly out here, and he had a lot of planning to do. “I don’ have time fer a whole magic lesson. What it boils down to is, yer a part’a this place now. The magic’s with you wherever you go. Even when ya get back home—”

Proust chose that moment to make a break for it. Sans watched him race toward the gates, then reappeared directly in front of the bars, forcing the human to stop short. “Listen,” he said coldly, forestalling Proust’s attempt to cover his ears. “Three days from now, you’re gonna bring Frisk here. Yer gonna tell ‘er whatever you need to make ‘er stay. Then you’re gonna shut up and leave, and you won’t come back.”

The human’s face was crumpling in a way that suggested something wet was about to happen. “You can’t be serious, milord! Please spare her! Kill me instead!”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake, quit bein’ dramatic!” Sans jerked his thumb at the castle. “Like I said, she’s gonna have everythin’ a lady could ever want. Almost everyone’s dead now, so there’s a bunch of neat stuff left. Hell, we got a whole room with nothin’ but jewelry in it.”

For some reason, this didn’t seem to reassure the human. “Frisk does not want things, and even if she could be bought off like that, a wonderful young woman like her has no business being entrapped by a loathsome abomination like y—”

“Shut your fucking mouth. Right. Fucking. Now.”

Proust’s teeth clicked shut as the air around Sans roiled with crimson magic. “Just for that,” the skeleton hissed. He stepped forward, jabbing the human’s shoulder with one pointed phalange, almost a claw. “Just for that, you’re not allowed ta make stuff up about her goin’ to school or marryin’ a human or somethin’. You’re gonna tell the truth: you fucked up an’ trespassed on my property, and you only get to live ‘cause you had somethin’ worth tradin’.” Another poke. “Let ‘er know that you’ve got three days from now—” Sans glanced at the rising moon. “—an’ if you’re not here by then, she gets ta watch her dad rot from the inside out.”

Another long moment of silence passed as the human stared up at Sans, hopelessness dawning as he searched in vain for any sign of mercy. There was no telling what he would have said if another sound hadn’t made them both jump: “SANS!” It came from over the marble wall, advancing rapidly. “YOU HAVE HAD EXACTLY AS MUCH LEISURE AS YOU DESERVE, LORD BROTHER! I HOPE YOUR TIME HAS BEEN RESTFUL, BECAUSE YOU HAVE FIFTEEN MISCREANTS TO DISCIPLINE AND A JAM SHORTAGE TO ADDRESS BEFORE YOU CAN RETIRE FOR THE NIGHT.” A stiff click-click of heeled boots. “I WILL BE WAITING IN YOUR SITTING ROOM. YOU ARE HUMBLY REQUESTED TO BE THERE WITHIN TEN MINUTES OR ELSE FACE SEVERE CONSEQUENCES!”

Sans mumbled a long stream of curse words as Papyrus’ footsteps strutted away. That reminded him of something. “Don’t even think about killin’ yerself or breakin’ a leg or somethin’ ta get out of this,” the skeleton said, still facing the garden wall. “I’ll say it one more time: go home, get ‘er packed up, an’ bring her back here on time. No tricks, no cute little loopholes, nothin’. Don’t bring anybody else with you, or I’ll kill ‘em. Got it?”

The human shuddered. “How—” His voice cracked. “How can you do this? You don’t have to do this! This is your castle, your land—surely there are enough women of your own kind to choose from? You don’t have to steal my daughter!”

The skeleton shifted to look at him. “Nope,” he said, and made to step around the human.

“Wait!” Proust fell to his knees, fists clasped in supplication. “One thing, my lord, I beg of you! Please don’t harm her!”

Sans could’ve cheerfully punted the man across the garden. “The fuck?” the monster snarled down at him. “Why the hell would I hurt my own wife? What am I, a goddamn human?”

There was no answer, only a ragged sob. “Good night,” the skeleton muttered. Proust tried to say something else, but Sans paid him no mind: he had things to do, and to look forward to.

~

           Her father was hiding something.

           That seemed impossible, and not just because he was a terrible liar: almost the moment he stumbled over the threshold of her uncle’s house in a filthy, sobbing heap, he had started babbling about a monster stealing his Frisk. Once he’d been cleaned up, fed, and tucked into bed, he’d stayed awake long enough to relate a horrible, fantastical tale of stumbling across the castle from local legend and running afoul of its hideous master. And they’d believed it, because…well, she loved her father, but he had the most wretched luck imaginable.

           At least her aunt had been asleep when all the commotion started, so there was nothing to stop Uncle Raph from assuring his brother that they would look into the matter as quickly and thoroughly as possible. Servants were dispatched to fetch books from the library and summon the nearest mage from his cottage outside the village; by the time Aunt Kay woke up, her maid could report to her that her brother-in-law had come home bearing a “geas,” a type of curse far too powerful for humans to break, and would lose his daughter in less than three days.

           Frisk had to give her aunt credit: she said all the correct things about being so very sorry and hoping that there was a way to save her poor niece from having to live with literal monsters, possibly for the rest of her life! And when it became apparent that there was nothing anyone could do, she was the first to embrace Frisk – as much as she could around her enormous belly, of course – and assure her that if any young woman could handle such a bizarre fate, it was her. She’d packed a bag of sentimental items for Frisk to take with her in case she got homesick, with only the slightest hint of glee at having sole dominion over the house now.

           Her father had come home with a cold brewing, because of course he had; knowing she was going to leave and having so little warning had caused chaos among the servants, and Frisk was too busy making arrangements to do more than check in on her father every few hours. He spent most of his time either asleep or staring at the beautiful blue flower he’d brought her.

           That was the last bit of proof anyone needed to believe his story. Echo flowers only grew in intensely magical surroundings, and there was so little magic left nowadays that they were thought to be extinct. But here it was, a thick-stemmed, six-petaled blossom that repeated anything spoken nearby. Frisk would’ve been more excited about it under different circumstances, but…well, maybe her new employer would let her have a few of her own.

           The whole thing was strange, all the more so because of the way her father had told that part when they were gathered to listen to his story. He’d said he was bound to do what the creature commanded him, which was to bring his daughter up to the castle within three days’ time. The most logical supposition was that Frisk was going to get eaten, but her father had hastened to assure them that the beast seemed angry at the very idea of hurting Frisk. He just wanted…

           There was that little hitch in his voice when he said the beast wanted Frisk to perform all the functions of a housekeeper, and that she would be well rewarded—why hadn’t he just said “The monster needs a housekeeper”? And why had he clutched his chest like that afterward? Was the geas hurting him for saying the wrong thing?

           Frisk had kept herself too busy to think about it very hard, to believe that she was really going to be thrown out of another home and into the clutches of monsters from myth and legend; on some level, she could convince herself that her father had exaggerated or made some kind of mistake, and it wasn’t going to be so bad. But now, nearing sunset on the third day after her father’s misadventure, they were most of the way up the mountain, and fear was starting to creep through her veins like frost. Her father could be naïve, even simple-minded, but he wasn’t crazy. She really was going to be left alone in a strange place full of strange creatures, expected to take care of them, answering to a walking, talking skeleton—this couldn’t be happening!

A couple of the younger manservants had insisted on accompanying them part of the way. The mage had warned them that they could only get so close to the castle before the horses refused to go any further; sure enough, about a mile from the castle gates, the men had to help them dismount before the animals grew frightened enough to turn and bolt. Frisk gave each man a quick hug – at least her aunt wasn’t there to scold her – and they reluctantly headed back down the mountain to wait with the terrified horses, ready to escort her father home.

           The latter was growing more and more agitated as they approached the castle on foot. He could barely speak with his throat raw from coughing, but the way he kept glancing at her, clearing his throat and sighing heavily— “What is it, Father?” Frisk finally asked.

           “I…” He swallowed. “I haven’t been entirely truthful, dear.” She stiffened, shifting her bundle to her other shoulder as he coughed into his handkerchief. “The creature didn’t order me to say the exact words in just the right order, and I didn’t want to humiliate you in front of everyone by telling the full story—”

           “What story?” The lump in her throat grew heavier as the trees started thinning out, the ground sloping sharply upward. “Is it really true that I have to stay with the monsters and keep house for them?”

           “It’s true, love, but…” Another maddening pause. “Er. He is a skeleton, so I believe you’ll be spared…some things, but running the household is included in your role as—”

           The wind rose from nothing to a scream of frigid air, nearly throwing them to the ground. Frisk lowered her arm, and to her dismay… “We’re here,” her father croaked.

           In the dying light, a huge wall loomed over them, black marble framing a set of gates over thirty feet tall. The bars were nearly obscured by climbing ivy; despite her fear, Frisk found herself drifting closer in sheer curiosity, reaching to pull the ivy aside.

           “Frisk!” her father croaked. He was almost unrecognizable, pulling her back and giving her a little shake. “I…” She watched him struggle with himself, and lose. “Stay here, and be good,” he said jerkily. His lips formed a few frantic words, but she couldn’t catch them before he crushed her to him in a sudden, fierce embrace. “Be careful,” he whispered. “I love y—”

           The sun had disappeared over the horizen. Before she could hug him back, Frisk felt something coursing through her father’s body, forcing his arms to drop and his legs to carry him back a step. He struggled to get more words out, but it was too late—what had his last orders been? “Shut up and leave”? Charming, and succinct…and effective.

This was it. Frisk had had plenty of practice at smiling, and did her best. “Goodbye, Father,” she said helplessly. “I love you, too.” Then she turned and plunged through the ivy before he could hurt himself resisting any further.

           When she stepped free of the bars and brushed the leaves from her face, Frisk almost forgot her sorrow and despair in sheer wonder. Lamps on iron posts lit up a garden arranged in long, orderly, but breathtakingly lovely rows of bushes, flowerbeds, statuary—she’d never seen anything like it. Letting her bundle hang from one wrist, Frisk turned to look at the gates and the massive walls, wondering how big the grounds must be if this was just a private garden. Granted, it belonged to the lord of the castle, and he obviously cared enough to keep it in good order…

           And had terrorized her father into forcing her out of her home to come play housekeeper amongst total strangers for…how long? If the problem was just that monsters couldn’t cook or clean up after themselves, maybe she could stay long enough to teach them and then go back. Surely they didn’t expect her to do it all on her own forever, not when they had magic to help them do everything? But if they could do it with magic, then why bring her here at all?

           Frisk shook her head, scanning the garden for signs of life. She could hear a fountain burbling in the near distance, just out of sight; the wind was freezing, but carried the smell of flowers, helping calm the human down a little. It was enough to let her take a step forward, then a few more, wandering into the first stand of rosebushes and a patch of black irises. Their petals didn’t reflect light, but shone like velvet, tempting her to reach out—no, she thought hastily, snatching her hand away. Touching flowers without permission was what got her poor, well-meaning, hapless father into this mess!

           No one seemed to be coming to meet her, but then, it wasn’t completely dark yet. If she had a few minutes to herself, then Frisk figured she could spend it in peace and calm before she met her fate, whatever that might be, whatever her father had been trying to tell her… So the young woman stood up and set off down the path, taking her time examining the rows of irises, snapdragons, and several flowers that had no business blooming at this time of year.

She didn’t see a shadow step out from behind a lamppost. Nor did she notice when it hesitated, then vanished, reappearing behind another lamppost, and another, and another, till it was just a few steps away.

Frisk thought she felt someone watching her, but when she turned around, there was nothing there. Shivering, she drew her cloak tighter around her shoulders, squinting up at a faint outline against the darkening sky. The castle wasn’t exactly hard to find, but that didn’t mean she knew how to get there; the garden was so huge that she couldn’t tell which path led out of it. Maybe she should—

“h u m a n~”

Raw terror flooded her senses, and her brain screamed so many conflicting orders that nothing got through; Frisk could only stand stock-still, clutching her bundle till she summoned the courage to whirl around.

Nothing was there. Was her mind playing tricks on her? No, she couldn’t have imagined such an awful voice, deep and rough as—

A delicate tap, tap on her shoulder.

Frisk shrieked and twisted around, landing on her rear with an ungentle thmp. “What are you doing?” she yelled. “Who’s—”

The air went still, her lungs shriveling and her heart stopping at the sight of a skeleton – this must be the skeleton – looming over her. The smooth bone of its skull had a dull, velvety sheen like the iris’ petals, and dots of red hellfire glinted in its empty sockets. Its teeth – no, fangs – were bared in a cruel grin, hands buried in the pockets of its black coat; beneath it, the creature’s shirt was a surprisingly bright red—satin? The tidy, domestic corner of her mind wondered how expensive that had been, and how difficult it was to keep clean; as a matter of fact, the skeleton was more richly dressed than her father had been at the peak of his wealth, right down to a frankly garish gold tooth. This had to be the lord of the castle, beyond a doubt.

But his wealth was less important than the fact that a skeleton was staring down at her. It didn’t speak, or grab her, or do anything but stand there, its face unreadable. Surely it could talk, after the way it had cursed her father?

Anger surged through her, propelling her to her feet. “Greetings, my lord,” Frisk said coolly, stepping back to discreetly brush herself off and drop into a deep curtsey. One of them had to be civilized about this! “My name is Frisk. I am here by your command.”

The skeleton blinked, the bone of its sockets somehow closing just like a human’s eyelids. Frisk was almost too fascinated to be angry—almost. It silently shifted its weight. Was it a “he”? The monster was dressed like a male, and had sounded like it. Why wasn’t he saying anything else?

A light gust of wind flapped her hood against her neck. Shivering, she broke eye contact to hitch her bundle back over her shoulder and reach to pull the hood up. “I hope I’m not too late to—”

Quicker than she could blink, the creature was right in front of her, inches away. Frisk tried not to cringe as his bony fingers plucked the hood from her grasp, letting it drop against her back. “What…?” Stupidly, she reached up again, and the skeleton’s brows drew together. His fingers pushed her hand away and, to her shock, rose to brush her hair off her cheek.

That did it: she was willing to come here to save her father’s life, not to be scared out of her mind, stared down, kept freezing, and all but propositioned by the thing that had done this to them! Who did he think he was?! “I beg your pardon!” she snarled, and the skeleton’s sockets widened as she smacked his hand away. “You will not touch me without my permission, milord! And if I am not allowed to wear this—” Frisk waggled her hood. “—then you will please take me somewhere out of the wind!” She tried not to sniffle, and hoped he’d attribute it to the cold. Without thinking, she scratched her cheek, trying to erase the unwanted feeling of those smooth, warmish fingers on her skin. “Lead the way!”

To her alarm, the red light in his sockets vanished, as if she’d blown out a candle. “Yes, m’lady,” growled a voice from somewhere deep in its chest. Frisk gripped her bundle as the skeleton turned on its heel. “Come along.”

Frisk tried not to gulp too loud, and hoped it – he – couldn’t hear her heart pounding as she followed him across the garden. With the anger ebbing away, fear was reclaiming her, dulling the wind’s bite and the ache building in her feet from the walk here; her aunt had insisted she wear a respectable dress and heeled slippers to meet her new master, never mind how impractical they were for traveling, and Frisk could feel a blister forming.

The skeleton’s shoulders were hunched, his hands in his pockets as his boots scuffed the white stones. It was a distinctly un-noble posture, almost sullen. Was he really the lord of the castle? He wasn’t carrying himself with much confidence, and though she’d obviously irritated him, he hadn’t bothered to correct her. Maybe monsters were nicer than humans overall, no matter what the stories said; maybe, she thought as they exited the garden through a wicker gate and started across a courtyard, humans were entirely wrong about them. She might just be a—

“Dumbass!”

The skeleton stopped so fast that she nearly walked into him. A moment later, something flew across their path, followed closely by a small yellow body. “The ball’s a dumbass,” it said helpfully in passing, with the snide, high-pitched tone of a child almost breaking the rules.

Frisk’s escort made a low noise and suddenly whipped his hand up and around. She barely had time to process what was happening before the little monster was jerked into the air, flipping upside down and hanging in a scarlet cloud. “Ya think you’re smart?” the lord demanded, gesturing to silence the…child, she supposed. “Don’t answer that!”

The lizard-like monster didn’t have arms to gesture with, but kicked his feet and snapped his teeth more than expressively enough. “Knock it off,” the skeleton warned him.

The child obediently stopped kicking, and started mouthing obscenities instead. To Frisk’s dismay, the cloud of magic dropped him onto the ground head-first and, before he could recover, picked him back up; the lizard stuck his tongue out in defiance, at which the red cloud rose several feet higher before dropping him again. This time, when it picked him up—

“Stop it!” Frisk protested. They both glared at her, and she shook her head. “He’s just being a child! He’s not hurting anyone!”

The skeleton snorted. Frisk felt her face flushing again as the magic dropped the young monster once more; the child gave her one sneering glance before scuttling off. Then the lord turned to glare at Frisk, who was trembling with fear and rage. “I could say a lot of stuff right now, but you just got here,” he said with dangerous patience, “so I’m gonna cut you some slack.” He started walking again. “C’mon. Everyone should be in the Great Hall by now, ‘cept that little fucker, but that’s fine. He’ll hear it, too.”

Frisk wanted to ask what he meant, and object to his language, but she was tired, and cold, and sore, and hungry, and now keenly aware of what the monster could do to her if he chose. She followed him meekly across the courtyard and through several more winding paths, most too dimly lit to see more than the skeleton’s broad back; he wasn’t much taller than her, but he was powerfully built, even without his hellish magic. He didn’t look sullen anymore, just angry. Frisk wasn’t one for self-pity, but…what had she done to deserve this?

He eventually stopped in front of a door so small and unassuming that she went right in after him, blinking in the sudden light, expecting to see a kitchen or servants’ entrance; instead, when her vision cleared, it revealed a dazzling array of…red carpets, stairs, dozens of voices, thousands of candles—her senses were too overloaded to take it all in. This must be the Great Hall, she thought muzzily, barely aware that the skeleton had turned to watch her.

She did notice when he took her hand, fingers tightening as she reflexively pulled away. “This way,” he muttered.

Frisk couldn’t help scowling. For someone who had spent so much time and cruel effort getting her here, he didn’t seem at all happy to have her. At least his hand gave her something to focus on as he led her through the columns at the back of the room and into the center of the red carpet. As she’d thought when he touched her face in the garden – which she still resented – his bones were as warm as human fingers, with a strange consistency, smooth and slightly pliant. He was probably strong enough to crush her fingers like brittle leaves, but he held them just firmly enough that she couldn’t get away. How nice of him, she thought irritably.

Suddenly, the skeleton paused and turned to face the room. “Hey,” he said, almost conversationally. “Shut up.”

The human thought he was talking to her until the hall grew very quiet, making her ears itch. A tug on her hand turned her to face the same way he was, and her eyes widened.

The room was full of monsters—the ones she’d heard about as a child, and with whom she’d be living and working now. There were creatures made of ice, one built almost entirely out of razor-sharp teeth, several fire spirits, some with fur or scales, or both…there was another, much taller skeleton, and…

Hm. She was good at making quick estimates, and there were barely a hundred monsters in the hall. Surely this couldn’t be all of them?

“So,” said the lord. With his free hand, he dug beneath his shirt and pulled out a pendant shaped like a miniature skull, elongated like a deerhound and sporting far too many fangs for Frisk’s taste. The skeleton raised the pendant to eye level: in an instant, Frisk sensed a shift in the atmosphere from mild disdain to wary, almost fearful anticipation. “Here she is,” proclaimed the lord of the castle. “Meet…Frisk.”

No one reacted, except for a few scoffs and an extremely half-hearted “Hurrah” from the back of the hall, more insulting than no response at all. Frisk hoped she wasn’t expected to introduce herself, or say literally anything else.

Luckily, the skeleton was already speaking again. “So,” he intoned, and as one, the monsters flinched. “First off, no one’s allowed to hurt her—directly, indirectly, on purpose, sort of on purpose, tricking her into it, trickin’ someone else into it, I don’t fucking care. Humans are weaklings, remember? If any of you assholes so much as breathes on ‘er too hard, I’m gonna take you apart mote by mote and burn yer dust in front’a everyone.”

Judging by the monsters’ shocked faces and low murmurs, this was quite the threat. The skeleton lord’s hand was holding hers a little more tightly—was he shaking? At the front of the crowd, the other skeleton had uncrossed his arms and seemed ready to—

“Second!” Everyone twitched. “You do what she says, when she says, unless I tell you different.” He paused, as if weighing his options. “No lyin’ to her. If she wants ta know somethin’, you gotta give ‘er a good answer.”

More murmurs of surprise and resentment. Frisk could feel little pulses through her contact with the skeleton—his pendant was doing something magic-related as he spoke. With a start, she remembered her father’s description of the skull that bit him and inflicted the curse of obedience; this must be the same thing, in a way that let him use it on every monster at once.

Regardless of how he was doing it, Frisk wished she understood why. He clearly did want her here, but how terrible could things be for him to go to these lengths for her? The first tiny prickling of unease began skittering around the back of her mind. What had her father been trying to tell her? Something he’d been hiding that would have destroyed her reputation among her family and friends, with worse duties than arranging parties and checking whether the maids were stealing anything …and the monster being a skeleton was relevant. What could possibly—

Someone had asked a question. “No, not yet,” the skeleton said, to groans of disappointment. “Party’s tomorrow. We’ll hold off for tonight and let her get settled.”

A loud, rude snort made everyone turn to the back of the crowd. “Well, ain’t that sweet?” It was a tall, armor-clad figure holding a faintly glowing spear. The voice was female, but almost as rough as the skeleton’s. “I know if I was her, I’d want you to hold off for tonight!”

The monsters erupted into jeering laughter. Frisk’s face burned as the implication sank in, and she gave the skeleton a disbelieving glance as that sense of disquiet prodded her again. What kind of party was he talking about? Would he really go to this much trouble to procure a normal housekeeper, much less protect her like this and celebrate her coming?

To her bemusement, the skeleton seemed as embarrassed as she was, and several times angrier. “Fuck off, Undyne!” His magic pulsed again so strongly that Frisk’s palm tingled. The woman in armor made a faint sound and staggered back against the wall. “If you’ve got time to say stupid shit, maybe it’s time you—”

“That’s enough,” said someone above them.

Frisk felt the air in the room shift again; this time, it felt like a classroom where the teacher had walked in and just looked at everyone. Every monster in the Great Hall – even Undyne – sank to one knee; the skeleton’s hands dropped to his sides as Frisk turned to watch another monster descend the staircase. “Tori,” he mumbled.

The white-furred monster glared at him. She resembled a giant goat, but seemed far more predatory, perhaps because of her golden eyes; they reminded Frisk too much of her uncle’s captive hawks, which always looked ready to eat someone. “How strange,” the goat-woman murmured. “I could have sworn that we’ve met before and you know how to properly address me.” Like magic, she was now smiling brilliantly at Frisk. “Welcome to our humble abode, my dearest girl. May I be the first to congratulate you on your conquest of Sans’ affections?”

The human’s polite smile was fixed in place, the one she used at parties when trapped in conversation with people she wasn’t allowed to run away from. “You certainly may, Lady…?”

“Toriel, my child. I am the former Queen of this place, now a silly old lady enjoying my twilight years in retirement.” The goat monster inclined her head, and suddenly raised her voice. “Thank you all for coming. I believe dinner should be ready soon?”

That was the monsters’ cue to scatter, no compulsion necessary. “Well,” said Toriel as the room emptied. Her smile twisted in utter contempt. “You seem surprised, my dear. Was Sans incompetent enough to allow your father to lie about your purpose here?”

The skeleton – Sans – gritted his teeth. Frisk would’ve felt sorry for him if…no, wait, she wouldn’t, ever. “Well,” she said, echoing Toriel, “when my father told everyone at my uncle’s house what happened, he said the monsters wanted someone to ‘perform the functions of a housekeeper.’ He never came out and said I’d be marrying anyone.” Frisk gave Sans as poisonous a look as she could, and his sockets went blank. It was unnerving, but she was too angry to care. “On the way up here, he tried to talk more about it, but then he had to leave.”

Toriel cackled, raising the hairs on the back of Frisk’s neck. “Of course he didn’t tell the rest of your family you’d be sharing your bed with a skeleton! You’d be the laughingstock of the village—no, the whole country!”

“Tori,” muttered Sans. Somehow, his entire skull was turning a dull crimson; he’d shrunk in on himself, looking much smaller and curiously vulnerable. Good.

The goat monster must have agreed; she smirked, and fully turned her back on him. “I hope you can understand your father’s intentions, my dear child,” Toriel said. Frisk would have given anything to make her stop smiling. “Parents tell these little fibs every so often to protect their children’s feelings.” She patted Frisk’s shoulder with a soft, heavy white paw. “I’m sure you’ll understand once you start having them.”

Frisk’s skin crawled—whether it was Toriel’s touch or the thought of that with Sans, she couldn’t say. Probably both. “I wish he had given me some forewarning, Lady Toriel, but I understand his reasons. He was also very sick when he reached the village, and likely still is, so we didn’t have many chances to talk privately.”

“I am sorry to hear that,” Toriel murmured. “But it was to be expected after a night outside without food or drink, and then a walk down the mountain without provisions.”

“A what?” Frisk rounded on her would-be husband, who was sweating profusely. How the hell did—no, never mind. “You didn’t give him anything at all? And you made him sleep outside?” she demanded.

Sans’ eyes sparked red again. “He trespassed on my land and fucked up my garden! What was I s’posed ta do? Give ‘im a cookie and his own private room?”

“Anything but keep him outside like a dog!” Frisk was so angry that her eyes were filling with tears. She swiped them as discreetly as she could. “I am overtired, Lord Sans! May I be shown my room for the night? Or would you prefer I sleep in the garden?!”

“Fine!” he bellowed. For a horrible moment, Frisk thought he was really going to lock her outside—no, he was grabbing the pendant: “Panne! Lapis! Get your asses down here, now!”

“I’m afraid you have your work cut out for you, my child,” Toriel said kindly to Frisk, who was seething so hard that it took a moment to realize someone was speaking. “If you want any help, dear, you need only ask.”

“Thank you, Lady Toriel,” the human replied. “I’ve dealt with bullies before, but they usually don’t have magic on their side.”

Toriel cackled again as Sans’ eyes went blank. “Well said, my dearest Frisk! Very well said. Our lord is accustomed to getting what he wants, but a bit of reality may be what he needs.”

“Y’know what?” The skeleton’s voice was high and loud with indignation. “You’re right. Forget it. Fuckin’ forget about this whole thing! We’ll do the ceremony, make it so yer creepy-ass curse worked, an’ then she can go back to her dumbass family. How’s that sound?”

Frisk’s heart leapt…until Toriel gave a gentle sigh. “Yes, Lady Toriel?” the human asked warily.

“Yeah, what?” Sans snapped.

“Several things, children. For one, Sans, you already came crawling to me for help in getting Frisk’s father through the barrier—to be honest, I’m surprised we were able to do it at all. I absolutely do not have the resources left to move another human through the gates safely.”

Frisk could have cried, but as it turned out, that was the least of her problems: “And if you think you’ll be man and wife after a few words and a slice of cake, you’re sorely mistaken. A true marriage is built on time, trust, and communication.” Toriel nodded benignly. “And sex.”

“What?!” It came out in perfect tandem between the skeleton and human.

The goat monster didn’t bother to hide her glee. “I never said you’d find a wife in name only, you pathetic sack of bones! What are you thinking, trying to get rid of her? Why go to all the trouble of snaring such a lovely thing if you were just going to shoo her off? I’ve never seen you so excited, having your room prepared and planning what to eat for—”

“There they are,” Sans said sharply, looking and sounding ready for death as two rabbit monsters approached. “You! Get her fed, bath, sleep, whatever! I’m goin’ to bed, good night!”

Toriel’s grin was the most evil thing Frisk had ever seen. “Good night, my lord? It’s only—oh, dear. There he goes.” She examined the tips of her claws, and gave Frisk a look that made the human shudder. “Was it something I said?”

 ~

             “REALLY, BROTHER, I DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU EXPECTED.”

           Sans tried to think of something witty, but it was easier to bash his head against the wall some more. So—

           “WILL YOU KINDLY STOP THAT FOOLISH NOISE! IF IDIOCY COULD BE REMOVED THAT WAY, I WOULD GLADLY CRACK YOUR EXALTED SKULL OPEN. BUT NO, YOUR LORDSHIP’S STUPIDITY WOULD REMAIN INTACT NO MATTER WHAT MEASURES WERE TAKEN.”

           For the millionth time, Sans found himself reaching for his pendant, the key to the spell encompassing the castle and its grounds. All he had to do was concentrate on Papyrus and command him to shut up for ten goddamn minutes. His life would be easier, and quieter—

           —and complete shit, because Pap wouldn’t be his brother anymore. Sans rolled his skull sideways along his bedroom wall, glaring at the taller skeleton. “Get yer ass off my bed.”

           Papyrus snorted. “WHY? IT IS APPARENT THAT YOU WILL BE THE ONLY ONE USING IT FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.”

           “Oh, not you, too!” Sans grabbed a book at random from the shelf and chunked it at his brother, who easily caught it and tossed it to the floor. “What, you wanna be more like Undyne?”

           “PATHETIC AS SHE IS, IT WOULD STILL BE PREFERABLE TO OTHER PERSONS OF MY ACQUAINTANCE, BY WHICH I OF COURSE MEAN YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE TERRIBLE.” Papyrus did get up, though, and Sans tensed as his brother approached the mirror. “WHY DO YOU STILL KEEP THIS?” To Sans’ indignation, Pap took the ink drawing from where Sans had stuck it in the mirror’s frame, holding it up for a closer inspection. “SURELY, NOW THAT YOU HAVE CAPTURED THE HUMAN IT DEPICTS—”

           “Put it back,” Sans snapped.

           Papyrus tutted under his breath. “AS MY IDIOTIC LORD WISHES.” Unwilling to make a mess of any kind, the younger skeleton tucked the picture very gently back into the frame, smoothing down the creased edges. “IT WILL BE RUINED IF YOU DON’T STOP CARRYING IT EVERYWHERE.”

           “Yeah, I know,” the elder skeleton grumbled. He let the back of his skull thump into the wall again, earning another sharp look. “You can leave now.”

           Pap’s boots tapped impatiently on the stone floor. Several rolled-up rugs were stacked at the other end of the room, but Sans had made several excuses to leave them there, unable to admit his fear of picking something she didn’t like. Of course, now he would kill for that to be his biggest problem. “WILL YOU BE ALL RIGHT, BROTHER? SHALL I BRING THE MANUAL? THE SECTION ON WOOING A KIDNAPPED BRIDE IS PITIFULLY SHORT, BUT—”

           “I’m good, bro,” lied Sans. “Go to bed.”

           It wasn’t a command, and they both knew it. “I DIDN’T GET A CLOSE LOOK AT MY NEW SISTER,” Papyrus remarked. His gloved finger tapped the edge of the portrait. “IS THIS ACCURATE?”

           “No,” Sans said sharply. “Don’t touch it.”

           “HMPH!” Only Pap could make that a complete sentence. “I SEE. THE ARTIST SEEMS SKILLED ENOUGH, BUT IT MUST BE ANOTHER HUMAN LIE. IT IS A SHAME, BECAUSE THE FEMALE IN THIS PICTURE IS NOT NEARLY AS HIDEOUS AS MOST OF HER—”

           “Get the fuck outta my room!”

           Eventually, Papyrus complied, leaving Sans with only his stupid, stupid thoughts for company. There weren’t enough permutations of “fuuuuck” to express what he was feeling, so he settled on staring at the windows and letting his head hit the wall some more.

           He hadn’t lied to Papyrus. The picture wasn’t accurate: it didn’t show that her eyes were gray, or the way her nose scrunched when she was mad, or how her cheeks turned pink when he touched them. Looking at it always made him want to hold her, but it didn’t have her light, sweet scent or feel so damn soft that he forgot he wasn’t supposed to touch—

           Fuuuuuck. She was here, but this was still bullshit! He’d felt a twinge in the spell framework and realized that someone was trying to get around one of his orders – probably by a lie through omission – but how was he supposed to know it was Proust? He never expected that whinging, craven little shit would avoid telling Frisk she was going to be married. She hadn’t had time to get used to the idea, weigh the pros and cons, maybe move past him threatening to kill her daddy as leverage…

           Oh, who the hell was he kidding? Even if Sans had gone about this as honorably as he could, and even if she’d had a year to think it over, she never would have accepted him on her own. No matter what anyone said, he was still a monster, and she was still…

           His mind veered off yet again to when he’d followed her through the garden. He’d been so thrilled that she was really here, but so terrified that the ideal he’d built up from one picture would fall short of reality; maybe he’d made an ass of himself, getting everyone to clean stuff up and get things out and plan it all down to the second for someone who’d drawn herself to look better than she really was. Maybe her dad was just being a dad and he’d actually spoiled her rotten, letting her take the credit for some actual housekeeper’s work. Maybe she wasn’t really that nice. Maybe this was a mistake.

           So, faced with possible perfection, what did he do? He snuck up close enough to smell her, weirded her out, and then tried to play it off as a joke, which scared her even worse. And…

           No, the picture wasn’t accurate. He’d been so stunned that he just stood there like a complete moron, not apologizing or helping her up or introducing himself, because she was so beautiful that he forgot to breathe. Of course she got scared and mad at him, and he didn’t know how to handle it because he didn’t know how to handle anything, so he just acted like himself, and—

           He was going to kill Toriel if it was the last goddamn thing he did!

           The wind was howling again. Sans wondered if it was keeping Frisk awake, assuming she could sleep at all after discovering she was going to marry him.

He looked at his bed, which had never had anyone but him in it, thank you, Papyrus—he’d enjoyed modest success in his sex life before that stupid fucking day with Asgore, but ever since, he found that being able to make people do anything he wanted was a massive turnoff. It felt creepy and pathetic and, well, wrong, even if he didn’t actually order anyone into the sack, or to do anything in it.

           Now that he was going to have an actual wife – who thought he was a bully, hated and feared him – would that be any better? Maybe if he courted her well enough, let her see that he’d loved her before they ever even met, refrained from using magic to change her mind…

           If that was the best he could do, then no, it wouldn’t be any better. Sans gave himself one last bang on the wall, kicked his boots off, and climbed onto the bed. “G’night,” he said out loud, and closed his sockets to wait for morning.

#hey i think i'll terrorize my way into a relationship #wait wHy DoESN't sHE LiKE Me

[wen-kexing-apologist]

Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair

Read here on AO3

Kaz:

There were many things Kaz loved about Ketterdam. He loved how the chaos of the city carried whispers, the way the Barrel opened itself up to those it trusted, loved how the markets were bathed in color when the tulips bloomed in Spring, and above all he loved the clocks, which rung music across the streets and kept his secrets safe within their chimes. Well, he usually loved the clocks. Right now, as he hurtled unceremoniously awake to their incessant tolls, he was concocting no less than seven schemes to destroy every last time piece in Ketterdam.

He sat up in bed, rubbing tight circles into the muscle of his bad leg, stretching the stiffness from his joints. He blinked the drowsiness from his eyes, glancing out the window to where the first rays of daybreak were just beginning to brighten the sky. He rolled out of bed, sleepy and slow, and limped over to his wash basin. He splashed water on his face and ran wet fingers through his hair, his footsteps fell heavy on his hardwood floors and he groaned in pain with every motion. The pain was always bad in the mornings, when the lack of movement made his muscles sore, when his knee didn’t want to bend.

“Tell me, Dirtyhands,” a voice muttered, and Kaz spun around in surprise. The anxious beating of his heart accelerated at the sight of Inej, eyes closed, blanket on her shoulders, and her face resting on his desk, her hair loose, wild, and draped across her arms. “How did you ever complete heists before I came along, with a walk as loud as yours?”

It shouldn’t have surprised him to find her here, the foggy edges of his memory recalled they’d been together yesterday, working until the early hours of the morning. Inej had fallen asleep first, and Kaz, not having the strength to move her, had continued his work until the dreams had taken him.

“Perhaps your ears deceive you, Wraith,” Kaz smirked, pulling off his nightshirt, wiping himself down. “I’m quiet as a mouse,”

“Big mouse,” Inej retorted, the blanket slipping to the floor as she sat up and stretched. She tugged off her vest, and began unbuttoning her shirt, Kaz watched her every move from the mirror, trying to steady his pulse as she drew closer to him. She met his gaze, a rueful look in her eye, a challenge and an invitation. He walked away before she could come to stand by his side, he wasn’t sure he would be able to control himself, he wasn’t sure he could survive his need to touch her if she had drawn too near. But that didn’t mean he was out of the game.

He could feel her eyes upon his back as he made his way to his closet, pulled out a fresh pair of clothes, and stripped himself down completely. Inej’s breath hitched behind him and he bit back a grin. It was terrifying and exhilarating to expose himself like this. But he was competitive and he wasn’t going to let Inej run circles around his temptations. He got dressed, moving deliberately, taking his time. He left his gloves off. He was smug when he turned back around, waiting to claim his victory. But it was quickly replaced by desire, warm and unexpected and delightful, at the sight of her, hair slick and dripping water in graceful lines down her back. She was running a brush through it, working out the knots and tangles, a thin strip of leather pressed between her teeth.

She was breathtaking. Kaz had marveled once, not too long ago at how, after everything Inej had suffered, she could still consider herself lucky. But seeing her like this, with the sunrise painting gold across her skin, with a calm that curved her shoulders, he was beginning to understand what luck could feel like. She buttoned up her shirt, then her vest, and picked her knives up from the desk. She brought each knife up to her lips, whispering a prayer before she tucked them back into their sheaths.

He loved the easy silence that settled in between them. Kaz spent so much of his day plotting, scheming, thinking, that he savored every second of silence he could find. Inej carried silence on her like a charm. Kaz was enamored, enraptured by her, he was studying her every move. When she had secured her last blade, she returned to the mirror, and began to braid her hair.

“Wait,” Kaz blurted, before he was even sure what he was going to say. “Would you teach me?”

Inej, already halfway done, stopped, and looked at him with nothing but confusion in her eyes “What?”

Regret and embarrassment turned his cheeks warm and red “If I told you I was deliriously exhausted, would you forget about that lapse in self control, and allow me to maintain my reputation as a widely feared and extremely powerful Barrel boss?”

Inej cocked her head to the side, batting her eyelashes at him, a giant, teasing smile spreading across her face. She came in close, putting mere inches between them, and Kaz wanted nothing more than to pull her to him, to feel her hand against his chest, to grasp her elbow and wipe that smug look on her face off with a kiss. “And give up the opportunity to blackmail the bastard of the Barrel?”

“Inej,” he pleaded. Inej had gotten him to beg , Saints, she was good.

“Why?” Her question was sincere and curious. Why do you want to braid my hair?

“I- I don’t know,” it broke something in Kaz to admit it, to admit he wanted something with no strings attached. “To see if I can? Because your hair seems so important to you and I-” I want you to know how important you are to me.

Inej’s eyes pierced through to his very soul, the flash of a smile flitting across her face. Kaz would have done anything for a smile like that. “Okay,” she said “This will be easier if you sit,” she nodded her head in the direction of his mattress. “You take the bed, I’ll take the floor,” Kaz obliged, ignoring the pain that radiated up his leg. Inej pulled her knees up close to her chest, her back straight as an arrow. After a minute she turned to look at him, apprehension furrowing her brow, “You have to actually pick my hair up before we can start, you know?”

“Right,” Kaz agreed, and sucked in a breath when she returned her gaze to the window, trying to prepare himself for the onslaught of crashing waves and rotting flesh. But as Kaz dipped his fingers into the ink that was Inej’s hair, the waters never rose, Jordie’s face did not appear behind his eyes. He let out a single, almost hopeful chuckle, when he realized he was fine. There was nothing in the feeling of her hair in his hands to remind him of the harbor. Jordie’s hair had not been as dark as hers, had not been as long; Inej’s hair was sleek and soft and cared for, it felt foreign and familiar against his skin. It was a comfort, it was a starting point, it was an illusion shattered by the realization that Inej had gone completely still under his grasp.

“Are you still with me, Wraith?” Kaz asked the air, pretending to be casual, heart pounding in excitement and concern.

“Yes,” it was a whisper as soft as a ghost. Inej’s arms were wrapped around her torso, her fingers resting gently across the hilts of her favorite knives.

Kaz dropped his hand and took a step back, his fingers twitched, wanting more. But he would not submit Inej to torture. “You sound like you are vanishing. I don’t...I don’t want to be the reason why you disappear,”

“You’re not the only one who has armor on,” Inej said simply. “Now, split my hair into three even sections.”

Kaz tried to steady his hand when he reached out again, why was he so nervous? He brushed his fingers through her hair, wondering if the first time had been a fluke, fearing he would be plunged into the harbor. But the waters never came, Kaz could not contain his smile. He separated out her hair, and thought of all the times he had seen her twist her plait together. Feeling confident in it, he tried to start the braid, but he wasn’t sure what he was doing, and she was sitting too far away. He knew it was for him, to make sure they didn’t touch, but it meant he had to lean awkwardly to reach the base of her neck. He lost his balance and accidentally pulled hard on Inej’s hair, still wrapped up in his hands, as he lurched backwards to steady himself. Kaz’s heart punctured beneath the sharp intake of Inej’s breath, and bled out against her knuckles, which had turned white, clutched tightly around her Saints.

“Sorry,” it was perhaps the second time in his life that Kaz had ever apologized, and the ease at which it passed his lips terrified and excited him.

Slowly, carefully, Inej moved closer, leaning back against his shins. Pain shot through his bad leg in a familiar arc, and he bit his lip and closed his eyes to prevent himself from grunting. The pain made him think of violence, of fighting, the only way he was usually able to handle any form of physical contact. The aching in his leg diluted the euphoria he felt knowing he could touch Inej, her hair at least, without bringing Jordie back to life, but it also saved him from drowning now, with her back pressed up against him. He knew what she was doing, he didn’t blame her for it.

Inej:

Tante Helene had been obsessed with Inej’s hair, the first day they met she had practically drooled over it, with thoughts of how much money such luscious locks would make her. She had been right. There was not a night that went by in that horrible place where someone else’s greasy fingers hadn’t felt it, tangled it...pulled it. Inej’s hair wasn’t just important to her, it was sacred. To have it handled so, it made her feel disgraceful, made her feel abandoned, cursed. When Kaz had shown up, before sense could catch up to her, she had thought it was a rescue, that she would never have to worry about such heinous acts again.

Kaz had warned her when they made their way out of The Menagerie that he was not taking her to safety. The Barrel was a wicked place, a hungry place, it took its pound of flesh from everyone. But, a small, naive part of her hadn’t wanted to believe him. It had only taken a few hours for Kaz to be proven right. It happened just as Inej had begun to feel comfortable, had begun to settle into the cacophony and the chaos of the Dregs. A newer member, Hendrik, someone with too little skill and too much to prove, had grabbed her by the hair and flung her to a darkened corner of the bar. She had imagined all the ways she could destroy him, clawing out his eyes, poisoning his drink, beating him bloody. She had wanted desperately to fight back, but instead her body did what it always had, what she had trained it to do, and she had disappeared. She had hated herself for it, hated that she had shown her weakness from the very first day.

But she hated herself more for having been so stupid as to believe that things would be different with Dirtyhands; that she could become more than just a toy to be passed around. As the last shreds of hope for a different life were suffocated by the hands upon her, a crow-headed cane connected with Hendrik’s skull. The corners of her coat turned red as his blood spread across the floor, she reveled in the sight of it and felt ashamed to have loved such violence. Kaz had been the one to save her that night, because of course he had. She hated the way Hendrik made her feel, like she was just skin, supple and pliable and at the mercy of another’s whims. Kaz had turned her to metal, turned her knuckles into brass, had sharpened her edges and given her claws.

Inej cut off her hair with the first knife Kaz gave her, it had broken her to do so and freed her all the same. She had regretted it, it felt like a betrayal to her former self, to her parents, to her Saints; but it was the one thing in her life she could control. Since then, her hair had grown with her, had grown to something no one else had ever touched. No one, now, except for Kaz.

When he’d asked her to teach him, when he’d said he wanted to learn, she had lost the rest of his request to the sound of her heart, beating in her ear. In all the years she’d been in Ketterdam, no one else had ever cared enough to ask her. When he’d first wrapped his fingers through her hair, years of memories came rushing back, she’d almost collapsed against their weight...and then he’d laughed, a small delighted thing.

Kaz was doing what she’d asked of him, he was trying to get better, and though Inej had spent most of her time in the Dregs working on her own weaknesses, she had yet to conquer this one. It wasn’t fair, she knew, to ask him to do something she wouldn’t do herself. She gripped her knives, because they kept her grounded, they kept her here, safe in the Slat, safe with Kaz. Inej realized, with tentative glee, that she liked this feeling, Kaz’s fingers running through her hair, cautious and gentle.

And then he’d lost his balance.

A fear she’d long forgotten crashed into her body, knocked the air from her lungs. Wrapped itself around her throat and floated upward, forcing her out, making her disappear. There were hands on her, in her hair, pressing down on her chest, holding her arms so they would not fight, or scratch, or claw. Her consciousness clung to the ceiling, her strength jumped out the window.

“Where’s your hairbrush?” his question severed the line, slamming Inej back into her body. Uh oh .

“What happened?” Inej asked, not sure if she actually wanted an answer to that question.

“I...got overconfident,” She wasn’t looking at him, but his words sounded almost sheepish. A different type of panic raced through her.

“I’m not cutting it again,” She turned to meet his eye, when had she leaned against his legs?   “so if you mess my hair up, Kaz, we’re having words,”

“If I mess you hair up, Inej,” Kaz replied, his face firm, but eyes shining, “you can take your revenge, I won’t even put up a fight,”

“Well, that’s no fun,” she muttered, bounding over to the desk, grabbing her hairbrush, and handing it to Kaz. Kaz let his fingers slide over her knuckles, she could see the shiver that travelled down his spine, this was an apology.

“Then you can torture me in the meantime,” he whispered. Kaz stretched out his bad leg, keeping his other one bent. He gave a curt nod and a tight smile, and when she returned to her spot on the floor, she pressed her back against him and draped one arm lightly over his shin. With surety, Kaz began to brush her hair. It bit into her scalp at first, but he loosened his grip, and the teeth of the brush began to tickle, to soothe, the repetitive nature of the action brought her comfort. She hummed happily.

“What song does the Wraith sing for me today?”

“One from home,” she sighed, blissful and content and fully in her own mind. “This reminds me of my mother,”

Kaz cleared his throat “I don’t know that I want to do anything that reminds you of your mother,” Inej thought of him, naked before her no less than fifteen minutes earlier, and laughed.

“She used to brush my hair when I was young. She’d press kisses to my temple, twist my hair through her fingers. She taught me how to braid it, how to care for it. She’s the only other person who’s brushed my hair,” her head rested fully in his lap now, and when she looked at him, she felt something in him twitch. His forehead was sweaty, this was challenging for him, she figured she had let him suffer enough for his mistake and so she sat back up and put a little space between them. “Don’t get cocky this time, Kaz. Three even strands,”

“What next?”

“Grab the middle strand with one finger, and cross it over to the right. The strand that was on the right should now be in the middle. Do the same thing on the left side, middle to the left.” Kaz made a sound of acknowledgement, and started the braid. Inej was used to seeing him work, picking pockets and picking locks with confidence. His fingers did not seem so sure of themselves today, fumbling clumsily as he struggled to keep the strips of her hair separated. “And then just do it again, middle to the right, middle to the left, over and over until you get to the bottom,”

Kaz worked as methodically as ever, and Inej had to fight the urge to find a reflection of herself in the window, to check in on his progress. She trusted Kaz would do the best job he could. “And then?”

“Here,” she handed him the thin strip of leather. “Tie off the end, you can just wrap it around and knot it,”

“Alright,” Kaz said, and his bed creaked as he leaned back. But he didn’t drop her hair like she expected. Instead he ran a thumb across the plait he had just made. She thanked the Saints for the joy it made her feel, knowing that Kaz Brekker didn’t want to let her go. “I think I’m done,”

Inej stood up, flitting over to examine his handiwork. It was done with a quality she had anticipated, nowhere near perfect, but it would do for the day. It was a little too loose, and there were pieces of her hair that feathered out around the edges. Pieces Kaz had either neglected or that had already slipped from the braid. She caught the frenetic motion of Kaz’s hands, twisting a coin between his knuckles, and knew that he was worried, waiting for a judgement.

“A valiant first attempt,” Inej decreed, joining Kaz on the bed.

“Now, that’s a kind lie if I ever heard one,” Kaz’s eyes traced over the curves of her body.

“It’s not a lie,” Inej said, and leaned forward, “But, if you’re dissatisfied with the result, you are welcome to try again tomorrow,”

“I might have to take you up on that offer,” His eyes were glued to her lips, Inej could hear the way his breath quickened. And just as he started to close the distance between them, his sheets balled up in his fists, the clocks began to chime.

“I should be going,” Inej whispered, though she could not make out the words beneath the sound of her own yearning.

“Just one more second,” Kaz requested, sweating and shaking, he pressed a kiss to her temple, gentle as a ghost. He moved away instantly, swallowing hard, tucking his hands beneath his arms. He hadn’t been ready for that . The spot where he had kissed her felt electric, felt hopeful, felt empty, she wanted more, but Kaz did not, Kaz could not. His eyes were glazing over, he was about to be lost to the waters again.

She hopped off the bed to give him space, unlocked the latch on his window, and opened it to bring the air in. “Thanks, Mom,” she said with all the seriousness that she could muster.

Inej wanted a portrait of the look on Kaz’s face to hang above her mantle “Fuck you, Inej,”

“I don’t think you’re ready for that,” she said with a smirk, Jesper and Nina had definitely rubbed off on her, and she left him there, cheeks red, mouth agape, her braid swinging behind her, as if waving Kaz goodbye.

#*cries in kanej* #kanej my beloved #kanej fanfic #kanej #kaz x inej #inej x kaz #the crows #six of crows #soc #crooked kingdom #kaz brekker #inej ghafa #crooked kingdom fanfic #shadow and bone #shadow and bone fanfic #dirtyhands #ketterdam #the bastard of the barrel #the wraith

[srn-clrwtr]

dating embry call,,,, kind of HAHA

i hate myself for writing this, however, it was asked of me and i have no other ideas 😐😐 pls,,, go easy on me. i’m not good at romance, or any writing, but... i need to release something HAHAHA also i hate writing in second person but i’m TRYING **pls reblog**

also this is more like??? plot based??? in the beginning anyway. it isn’t till the end where i throw some headcanons in there... my writing goes from eloquent to straight up meme sorry about it :)

pls enjoy this v v v v long request and pls excuse any errors 🙏🙏 i’m going to edit this throughout the day

***also this is after breaking dawn and the cullens r gone and resume never happens :)

your mother had called la push her childhood home. it was the place she had learned to walk and ride a bike, it was where she experienced her first love and heartbreak, and the place where she knew unconditional love and friendship.

embry’s mother had been her best friend since she could talk, the woman knew her like she had known herself. where one was, you could always find the other.

they were the same person, all before yours had moved away. the second she was able to free herself of the chilled and misty winds of the torrential northwest, she was gone.

while she was utterly in love with the life she built, she itched for something beyond the quiet comfort of gentle rain. still, she always knew that she could find solace in the waterlogged soil if she ever needed.

and so she began with college, where she rooted herself with a man just a few short years older than herself. she moved in tandem with him, where he stepped, she followed.

when she fell pregnant with you, she found herself settling down and building a home. from crumpled photos on the fridge, to the sea smoothed stone that littered the windowsill above the sink, she left subtle reminders of the home she had left behind.

your father was initially a happy man, loud and boisterous with a grin so contagious, even the moon smiled back. you suppose it was what your mother had fallen for.

as you grew, his sunny aura shifted, hidden from the dark and looming clouds of a more than stressful work week. by the time you hit middle school, you understood that even though he had loved you and your mother, his priorities were found elsewhere.

your mother understood that raising you was best alone. though her husband responsible, living with the shell of the man he once was, was pointless. he was far too rooted within the floorboards of his office to quell the brewing storm of their marriage.

by the time you were in high school, your parents had divorced, and your mother had asked you about moving back to her own home town.

while she understood that moving away from your own home could be hard, all she had to do was mention embry.

Embry Call was the highlight of your summers. Your father was always too busy for family vacations, and so your mother always took you to La Push for a few weeks during the summer or over the holiday. Her job allowed to work from the comfort of her home, so trips to visit Embry and his mother weren’t entirely uncommon.

whenever you went to visit, you were both joined at the hip. As children, your fingers were always laced as he brought you all over the reservation. From the beaches to the middle of the forrest, he made sure you always ended up caked in mud, hair tangled messy.

In middle school, you were introduced to Jake and Quil, where you graduated from mud pies and forts, onto bonfires and the dryness of jake’s workshop.

of course, you still went on the occasional hike with embry, eager for at least some alone time away from your mutual friends.

it was pretty obvious that the both of you liked each other, but you were young. it was playground love, if you could even call it that.

into high school you stopped visiting so much, your mother grew busier, and you began to focus more on your own studies... during the summer, you enjoyed time at home, with friends not so far away.

still, you both stuck to phone calls. they were generally late at night, usually with the excuse of studying and school. you had no idea that it was actually because he ran on a much later schedule due to his shift.

and so when she all but mentioned Embry Call, you agreed... apprehensively, of course. at the end of the day though, you knew that you wouldn’t exactly be alone.

and truth me told, you always kind of liked it there better... the memories you made in la push were the best you had.

when you had arrived in la push, your mother had breathed in the air with a gentle smile, eyes closed as she took in the misty air. it was then when you began to wonder how much she had actually missed her home there.

embry’s mother had come to help unpack, explaining that embry was off running a couple of errands for her. a lie of course.

you were obviously bummed, a small pout gracing your features before your mother had all but rushed you to start unpacking. embry was not forgotten, the boy still on your mind as you grumbled throughout the rest of the night.

it wasn’t until after dark, when the sky was surprisingly clear with stars, did you get to see your long time friend.

with a knock to the door, and a shout from your mother telling you to answer it, you had flown down the stairs... with a small gripe of course. she was in the dining room. why couldn’t she get it?

the attitude all but vanished from your being as you opened the door to see embry, so much more different than you had last remembered.

it took you a moment to recognize him— his chest and shoulders were broad, hair cut short compared to the long inky strands that you were used to.

it took maybe a few seconds at most to register that the boy standing before you was indeed embry, and once that small fact had clicked, you all but flung yourself into his arms.

“em, oh my god just look at you! what in the hell did you do to your hair?!” your exclamation was muddled into nothing to embry, taking a few seconds himself to respond to your embrace.

little did you know that when the door had flung open, and his eyes met yours, his mind went blank as the world stopped spinning. the only thing on his mind, was you.

with gentle hands, he pulled you close and returned your hug. he had laughed a little bit, letting go of the breath he seemed to be holding, “it’s good to see you too, y/n”

embry hadn’t expected to imprint at all, let alone on the one person he wanted it to be the most. it was the first time he had seen you since his shift, and he had all but forced himself to forget any chances with you. all until you had opened the door.

you pulled away with a grin, quick to tug him inside your home, “you okay though? looks like i lost you in space there for a second.” and in all honesty, it looked as if he still was.

“yeah yeah, no... i’m okay! promise. i just... i’ve got a lot on my mind, is all.” you chose not to pay any attention to the way his eyes looked to the ceiling when he spoke, or the way he stammered out his response.

instead, you turned to your mother, where she sat at the counter with embry’s mom, tea in hand. They were smug as you spoke, “if it’s okay, i’m going to drag embry upstairs... i can’t put my bed frame together for the life of me.”

your mother shrugged her shoulders and looked over to her friend, “i don’t care—” and before she could finish, you yelled out a quick thanks before rushing up the steps.

neither of you missed the, “keep the door open!” from embry’s mother. you laughed it off, meanwhile, embry’s skin darkened with blush as he stuttered out a complaint. to say he was horrified, was an understatement.

embry was up in the clouds. it was you. of course it was you. it has always been you. though embarrassed, he couldn’t help but admire the way you could laugh something off so easily. how you blew the constant teasing off from his mother without question. and then he thought about how you did the same with jake and quil... you accepted it. you played right back.

images of you with his pack floated through his mind like dreams, a soft smile on his face. if you could get along with quil and jake, and take their endless amounts of teasing, then there wasn’t a doubt in his mind about his other friends, his brothers.

embry hadn’t noticed that you had laced your fingers between his, or that you were talking aimlessly to him. it wasn’t until you stopped leading him down the halls of your home did he realize.

you had turned around to look at him fully, head tilted in wonder as you held eye contact with him, “i wasn’t kidding when i said i needed help, embry. but if you have too much on your mind, we can talk it out too, you know?”

his heart fluttered a bit, eyes wide as he stared down at you, “no! no. i can help. i just... i’ve missed you.” and before you could squeeze in a cheeky comment, he continued, “well i mean, i mean we all do! my mom missed you visiting... i did too! and then jacob and quil never stoped pestering me about when you were going to visit again... and... and now your here! for good...”

you giggled as he rambled on, trying to cover up his obvious mistake. rather than watch him stutter over his words, you shook your head and lead him into your bedroom, “okay embry i get it. i missed you too. now, please for the love of god help me with my bed.”

this seemed to shut him up as he gazed into your bedroom, where your bed frame lay across the floor... somewhat put together, and lopsided, “well i mean you’re half way there... i guess?” he noticed the screws and various tools scattered across the floors and smiled fondly, “don’t worry, i’m here the save the day. let’s see what we got.”

and as he began to reconstruct your bed frame, you watched on in admiration. he wasn’t aware of your silent stare as he worked. instead, he was focused on the task at hand... admittedly, also day dreaming. ever since you had opened the door, his brain had turned to mush.

“so em... are you going to tell me why you cut your hair? or how you changed so much since the last time i saw you? you never even mentioned it over the phone!”

the boy looked up at you as you questioned him, hand moving to scratch at the back of his head, “i mean... well.. i just needed a change i guess. long hair is a lot of maintenance and with school being so... busy? i guess i just wanted one less thing to worry about.” his excuse seemed rehearsed, but you payed no mind. if he didn’t want to tell you the truth, you weren’t going to make him. not now anyway.

you nodded, and let out a hum. you thought about a lot of things, such as why he seemed so stressed and up tight. or why he felt the need to lie about his hair. using the excuse of “it’s too hard to keep up with” was bs. at least to you. whenever you came to visit, you had noticed that his hair was a priority to him, just like it was for jake and some of the others on the reservation.

he kept it well, carried around hair bands for when he needed to keep it back, and even had a brush sometimes. he wouldn’t even let anybody except for his mom touch it. why did he think you were going to believe his lie so easily?

the rest of the night went on with ease. it took embry less than fifteen minutes to figure out your bed frame, insisting that he put on the mattress himself.

the rest of the time, embry had watched you unpack. you wouldn’t let him help after he put the bed frame together, so he settled for asking you about life since he last saw you. he danced around your own questions, making up excuses here and there for his appearance or tired complexion.

eventually, you took a seat next to him as you spoke. you smiled as his head fell against your shoulder, “you can rest your eyes em, i won’t mind.” he all but nodded, hair brushing against your cheek as he settled closer. he hadn’t realized how exhausted he was until you told him.

it wasn’t long before embry’s mother had come up the stairs to find embry asleep on your shoulder. she leaned against your door frame as you waved to her, “i’ll wake him up and send him down. it won’t be but two minutes.” at that, she nodded and turned around.

hand coming to rest against the skin above his knee, you ahook his leg gently, “okay emmy. you gotta wake up, your mom is waiting for you downstairs...” he stirred awake, body stretching as he hummed, “i’ll see you tomorrow? maybe?”

he nodded at your inquiry, rubbing his eyes, “yeah, i’ll see you tomorrow... just, just call me when you wake up or something. the boys will want to see you... maybe i can take you to meet some more friends of mine? a bonfire maybe?”

you agreed, and pulled him up for a hug goodbye. his body was hot against yours, another question forming at the top of your tongue. it was like he knew, and before you could mumble it out, he pulled away to ruffle your hair. with a quick ‘see you later’ he all but rushed out the door, leaving you in a comfortable silence.

embry and you only grew closer after that. he couldn’t help but cry a little inside when he saw you interact with his brothers the following night. you all sat around a fire at the beach, where you had laughed and played into friendly banter as you snuggled up into his side.

you stuck your tongue out at quil nd jake whenever they had something to say about you both together.

into the following weeks, you and embry acted as if you were already dating. he never uttered a word about the wolf thing until seth had let a comment slip past his lips, something about how, “us wolves are just like that”

and then embry told you. you had all but laughed in his face when he told you, turning to cry after he shifted. it wasn’t like you were upset, you were just... overwhelmed. he walked you home that night, where he tucked you into bed and kissed your forehead, apologies rushing from his mouth. you refused to let him leave you after that.

you pulled him beside you and buried your head in his chest and basked in the silence of your room. he let you, running his fingers through your hair as he let you think everything out. he was afraid to speak, terrified of losing you.

you were the one to break the silence, peaking up at him, your eyes red from tears, “you owe me so many answers, embry call. too many for you to even count.” embry laughed a little, letting the tears he held back fall down his cheeks, nodding as he pressed a kiss to your forehead.

he did give you answers. all of them. he told you about when and how... and why. he told you that after the cullens left, he stopped shifting so much. he wasn’t as busy anymore, no longer needing to patrol the woods for roaming leeches. after they left, the trouble they brewed followed.

he calmed your worries before you even spoke of them, promising that everything was okay, and that you’d be the first to know if they weren’t. he all but promised to keep you safe.

later, when he asked you on a date, you agreed as fast as ever. you had claimed that you already thought you were together. embry sort of died a little at that, peppering little kisses over your face.

he only told you about imprinting after having an established relationship so you could get used to the wolf thing.

made sure to explain to you that he loved you before it happened.

dating embry was... simple. it was like being his best friend with the exception of intimacy.

he loved cuddling, and always found a way to pull you into his embrace when you weren’t looking.

he was literally glued to your hip. in the kitchen, he hugged you from behind.

on the couch, he preferred to pull you into his lap or against his side, arms wrapped around you.

honestly

this man would use your chest or hips/butt as a pillow, you are not getting away from that.

dating embry also means cooking. a lot. you had practically beg emily for her muffin recipe before she finally caved. she made you swear it to secrecy.

when you first made them, embry had walked into your home and nearly cried in excitement. he was not expecting the sweet smell to greet him when he opened the door.

when you’re sick, you have to shove embry out the door. while it’s nice to know that he’s worried about your well being, he’s extremely annoying. and you love him for it.

he settles for pressing kisses to your forehead when you’re sound asleep.

embry also is the kind of guy to be like, “do yOu nEed heLP?!1?!?1” :/

no sir they does not but thank u for asking

“arE yOu sURe??1??” :// dude if u don’t stop ✋

he means well but sometimes you really have to grab his face and press your forehead to his nd say, “embry. i am more than capable of doing this by myself. i need u to sit down and be quiet or do something else because i am b u s y” instantly makes him check out for a hot second tbh

he knows you’re more than capable and that you don’t need his help, but like???? he’s still?? like he wants to ask and be helpful all of the ti m e

this usually happens when you’re making dinner for him or something

he feels bad cause he feels like you do too much for him

so you usually tell him that he can help clean up HDHSJ

when you told your parents that you guys were dating, they were all like, “oh baby,,, we already knew that” they have been planning your guys’ wedding since u turned 10 and they caught u guys holding hands

maybe u join jake nd quil in teasing embry

you have to make it up with kisses

embry strikes me as a pouty type... not like, the annoying?? pouty??? but a cute pouty. one kiss to his forehead tho and he’s g o n e

anyway,, dating embry is as easy as counting. he’s loveable and sweet and he’s funny and the love of your life.

the person who requested this brought up marriage too but this is already too mfing long u feel

so maybe another day

bye bye now

#srnclrwtrhc #twilight #twilight saga #embry call #twilight wolfpack #quil ateara #jacob black #embry call fanfiction #embry call x reader #🤢 sorry i can’t HAHAH #ok #enjoy this sad piece of writing #mwah #embry call imagine #embry call imagines #embry x reader