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sissylittlefeather · 2 days

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Your Love's Been a Long Time Coming: The End

A/N: My heart, y'all. I can't believe this is over. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this last chapter for Elvis and Vivian. If there's enough demand, I'll write more of them happily ever after, but otherwise, here it is: the end. Please let me know your thoughts in the comments. I love to hear from you!

Need to read the rest? Masterlist here.

Warnings: 18+ minors DNI! Kissing, cussing, fingering, oral sex (m&f receiving), p in v penetrative sex, unprotected sex, creampie

Word count: ~3k

"Are you?!"

"Yes."

******

Sonny's shoulders slump as he sinks into a chair. Vivian's heart breaks for him, but she just couldn't lie to him anymore. It's not fair to anyone involved for her to keep pretending like there's nothing between her and Elvis.

"I knew it. Jerry told me about the wedding and I just kept hoping it was him being, well, him. But no, this has been going on for a lot longer than just that time, hasn't it?"

"No, we've never really been anything-"

"But that's what you've wanted. You love him and you always have." He pinches the bridge of his nose and Vivian swallows deeply. He's right. "I can't fight him. I won't win. Not if you're in love with him."

Sonny looks up at her with his eyes glossy and wet. He takes her hand and kisses the back of it.

"Sonny, I-"

"No. It's okay, sugar. I love you too much to keep you miserable. If you want him, you should be with him." She sits on the floor in front of him and leans on his knee.

"I'm not miserable."

"No, but you would be eventually. Especially if his marriage is over. It's cruel for me to make you stay, knowing what I know now."

"Sonny... I'm so sorry."

"Don't be. You can't help who you love. Can I ask one thing, though?"

"Anything." Vivian looks up at him sadly. Some part of her does care for him. Just not enough. Not more than she loves Elvis.

"I'm gonna go for a drive for a few hours. When I get back here, please be gone." She nods slowly.

"Okay. I can do that."

"Thank you." He whispers and then leans forward, kissing her forehead. Then, he stands up and walks towards the door. When he gets there he turns. "I don't want you to feel bad for me. I'll be alright. Just go be happy."

She nods again as he walks through the door. The tears come hot and fast for a while as she sits there in the rubble of her ruined marriage. After a while, she stops, though, and there's only one thing on her mind.

Elvis.

She jumps up and starts to pack.

******

Elvis is sitting in the dark in the TV room. All three TVs are going, but he has no idea what's on any of them. His mind is racing. How did he get here? He's alone, his own wife gone to another man as his heart longs for a married woman. What a mess.

His mind drifts back to the night he met Vivian. She was so beautiful reading the book of French poetry in the corner at his party. He should've whisked her away from Charlie that night. He should've broken up with Anita the second he met her and taken her in his arms to be his forever that afternoon when he found her crying at the cafe.

And all the movie years. How stupid was he to value his string of flings over her? How easy it would've been to leave them all in the dust and marry her in 1962.

And the conversation they started should've finished with them together. Why did he abandon her for Ann? Yes, he loved Ann, but what was she compared to his future with Viv?

And WHY, WHY did he choose Priscilla?! He looks at the corner of the couch where Viv had laid that night they made love for the first time. It's like a movie with the scene of her on his porch, arms full of liquor bottles, a soft smile on her lips. Then it cuts to her gently shaving his face, an ultimate gesture of love and service. And the kiss, his mouth on her body, carrying her upstairs and pulling off clothing. The flashbacks wash over him and he lets himself weep. His tongue pushing into her as she moans, her mouth wrapped around him, him pumping into her overcome with passion and love and a need to be hers forever. The gentle and affectionate touches when they finished and held each other like they'd do it every day until they died.

"Oh God, Vivian." He holds his head in his hands as the tears stream down his face. He should've married her. His heart aches thinking of her coming to see him when he was so hurt and needed her so badly, only to be turned away. How could he have spent all those years angry? How could he let her fall into Sonny's arms?

And now she's gone forever. She'll have a baby soon and then he will have truly lost her. He'll only ever-

There's a knock at the door. Whoever it is can wait. Elvis is too lost in his grief to answer the door right now.

He wraps his arms around himself and lets his shoulders shake with sobs.

Another knock, this time a little more urgent. He listens carefully and realizes it's raining. Briefly, he feels for the person who is soaking wet on his porch, but not enough to get up and answer the door.

He's always taking care of everyone else. In this moment, he needs to just be and feel and nurse his broken heart.

More knocking, almost frantic.

Fine. He gets up off the couch and goes to the door.

******

Vivian sits on the front steps in the rain, crying. She's knocked and knocked, but either he's not here or he doesn't want to see her. She has nowhere else to go and even if she did, this is the only place she wants to be. Why won't he answer?

She gets up to walk back to her car.

******

"Viv?" He says it softly, not believing what he sees in front of him. Then, he realizes she's walking away and runs out to her in the driveway. "Vivian!"

She stops dead and turns to face him.

"What are you doing here?"

"Sonny left."

"He did? Why?"

"Because I'm in love with you." His heart skips.

"You... what?"

"I'm in love with you, Elvis. I always have been. I love you with every fiber of my being. It's like you're a part of me that I can't dig out. You're in me. You are me. I love you. God, I love you." She stands there, chest heaving, trying not to be a cliched crying mess in the rain. Elvis's heart has stopped with her words. His hands shake and he wants to pinch himself to make sure he isn't dreaming.

"Am I- am I too late?" She asks, almost panicked. Finally, he finds his voice.

"Never."

He takes two steps and has her in his arms, his mouth pressed to hers in a desperate kiss. The years of yearning pour out of them into the way their tongues mix in an ardent dance of need. He grabs the back of her thighs and she jumps to wrap her legs around him. Then, he turns and carries her up the steps into the house, slamming the door behind them with his foot.

She moans into his kiss as they make their way up the staircase to the bedroom, her still wrapped around him. In the room, he sets her down gently and begins peeling off her wet clothes, one layer at a time, dropping his lips to every new exposed inch of skin. He makes a trail of hot kisses along her body, finally dragging down her pants and underwear until she's fully naked in front of him. But when he goes to dive face first into her center, she stops him.

"No. I want to feel your skin." She unbuttons his shirt and pushes it off of his shoulders, going to the buttons on his pants next. He kicks off his shoes while she undoes the zipper and pulls, exposing him to her fully. They stand for a second, just taking each other in with nothing in between them, finally.

He caresses the side of her face and steps closer to her so that their bodies touch softly. She looks up at him in anticipation as he runs his thumb over her cheek.

"I have loved you from the moment I saw you. I should've said it then and every day since. It's always been you, Viv." He leans in and kisses her gently again, his hand moving down her body tenderly. When he gets to her lower back, he pulls her in close to press against him and kisses down her neck. She whimpers at the feel of his length pushing into her hip, reaching down to stroke him with her hand. He grunts at the sensation and slowly walks her backwards to the edge of the bed. She sits down, her hand still pumping him, but he stops her and gets on his knees.

"You're the love of my life, Vivian. I want to give you the world." He leans forward and kisses her thigh, pushing her legs open further to get to her center. "Let me give you everything I have, baby."

With that, he lowers his mouth to her and presses his tongue into her slit, dragging it up to the hardened bud, licking over and around it vigorously. She inhales sharply and throws her head back.

"Oh, God, Elvis." She runs her hand in his hair. He groans, but doesn't stop working his mouth on her. He moves his tongue in circles and then in a hard line over the top of her clit, keeping a steady rhythm. Her hips buck forward into his face and he slides a finger into her, tickling the spot that makes her moan out loud.

"Fuck!" Her back arches as her orgasm builds quickly. She feels herself on the edge, ready to spill over into an ocean of pleasure.

"Come on, baby. You're right there. Let go for me." He goes back to licking her with a fervor he's never expressed before. He's never been so invested in a woman's pleasure but he wants to give Vivian more than she's ever experienced. And he does. In that moment the dam breaks and she cries out as the waves of ecstasy crest and break inside her over and over again.

"Yes! Fuck! Yessssss!" She moans with her teeth gritted, her body quaking with the aftershock of the most unbelievable orgasm.

When she finally comes down, she sits up and grabs him, pulling him into a deep kiss, her tongue diving into his mouth feverishly.

"I'm so... in love... with you..." She whispers in between kisses, her hands running down his chest. She stands him up and he looks down at her, cupping her chin in his hand.

"No, baby. I'm in love with you." She smiles and leans forward, holding his cock in one hand, pulling his foreskin back and running her tongue around the tip. He leans back, his lips parted slightly and his eyes closed. "God, that feels good."

She tries not to smile as she pulls him fully into her mouth, letting him hit the back of her throat. She buries her nose in the hair at the base of him, swallowing around him. Then, she begins to move up and down as he thrusts slowly. She puts her hands on his hips and works him gently, moaning. He grunts and takes a handful of her hair.

"Viv, baby, you have to stop. I'm not finished making love to you."

She pulls back off of him and looks up, crawling backwards onto the bed. He climbs on top of her, kissing her neck and chest up to her mouth.

"I am yours, Vivian. Body and soul." He lines his cock up with her dripping entrance and teases her clit for a second. "I want to love you like this forever."

"Please, Elvis. Never stop." He nods and pushes into her.

"I won't, baby." He whispers as he slides in as deep as he'll go, grunting when he feels her tightness around him. "You were made for me."

She whimpers as he fills her, pulling back and pushing into her again. Neither of them will ever get enough of the way it feels to be connected like this. They fit together like a lock and key and the pleasure hits them both at the same time.

"Yes, Elvis..." Her back arches as he continues his sensual rhythm of sliding out and filling her, his hips rolling into her over and over and over. Their sweat begins to mix as their bodies meet in burning kisses, breast to chest, stomach to stomach, hip to hip, and thigh to thigh. His hand runs up and down her, squeezing and pinching softly where it pleases them both until it settles on her hip, holding her in place as his thrusting picks up. He's still moving slowly, pounding her deeply, slamming her with his cock both passionately and lovingly.

"Oh, God, Viv, I love the way you feel." He sets his head on her shoulder, knowing his climax is coming fast. "I don't want this to be over."

She takes his face in her hands and kisses the tip of his nose.

"This will never be over. I'm yours until the end. Let go, baby. I'm not going anywhere." He whimpers softly and peppers her face with kisses as he goes back to pumping into her. His pace increases and her breasts bounce as he moves inside her harder and harder. He feels his orgasm building in his cock and he knows he's ready to explode. He slams into her two more times and then cries out as he shudders.

"Fuck, yes, Viv!" He feels his release wash over him as he cums hard inside her, emptying himself as the tsunami-force ecstasy crashes through him. He's frozen inside her, cock throbbing until he's completely spent. She whines through her own orgasm as he collapses on top of her, careful not to crush her with his weight. He slides out of her gently and lays next to her, pulling her into the crook of his arm where she fits perfectly. She reaches up and pushes his sweaty hair back off of his forehead and then runs her fingertips down the side of his face. He grabs her fingers and kisses them, looking down at her. She smiles up at him and whispers. "Je t'aimes toujours avec tout mon coeur."

"You know I don't speak French, baby." He chuckles.

"It means 'I love you always with all of my heart.' It's something I was saving to say to the man that set me on fire. And it's you. I burn for you, Elvis. I always have and I always will." He smiles, his eyes brimming with tears.

"I will make you mine forever as soon as I can. You are the one who my soul loves. Viv, tell me this is us, from now on."

"Always and forever, Elvis."

"Always and forever."

******

A lot happens for Elvis and Vivian through 1972 and 1973. Vivian moves into Graceland and they christen every room in the house. Then, Elvis films Elvis on Tour in April and Vivian is there. He plays at Madison Square Garden in June and Vivian is there. He goes on tour again and still, Viv is there. Then, he does the Aloha show in Hawaii and she is there for that too. Both of their divorces are finalized in 1973 and they're there for each other. By Thanksgiving, Elvis has a 10-carat ring on her finger and by Christmas they're married.

He records an album at Stax that won't be released until 1975, but there's a song on it that makes him think of Vivian so much he almost cries. He saves it for the right moment, though.

So when she comes to him on New Year's Eve with a note from the doctor confirming her pregnancy, he knows exactly what to do. He pulls her into a warm embrace, kissing the top of her head. Slowly they begin to sway and he sings:

The first time I saw you I knew I was hooked on somebody other than me

And the first time I held you, your soft lips and blue eyes

Were as far as my eyes could see

Yes, here in my arms I knew I had found the reason that I'm livin' for

And I felt the feeling, such a wonderful feeling

That I'd never felt before

Baby, you're love's been a long time comin'

Baby your love's got a hold on me

Baby your love's sure got me hummin'

Baby your love's been a long time comin'

******

Fin

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uni-seahorse-572 · 2 years

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my heart a fool and yours laid bare (part 2)

anyway. it's after midnight I think and I'm not coherent. writing schedule went to crud somewhere during this piece so it took way longer than intended sadly. but this is 7K. literal 7K. this was not supposed to be 7K. the entire fic was meant to be 5 at most and I've already hit 10. I can't live like this. i'm 90% sure my writing style changed partway through and guess what! i'm still not editing

also! there will most likely only be one more part to this which I hope to post in a timely manner but won't inevitably

taglist (aka those who are cursed to deal with my tomfoolery): @song-tam @gay-otlc @rainbow-frog-earrings @synonymroll648 (lmk if you'd like to be added / removed!)

From there, Keefe quickly begins to realize something entirely new about himself, something scary: he’s an incredibly tactile person when he’s allowed to be. Constantly, he finds himself bumping his shoulder against Fitz’s and slinging his arm around him, hugging him loosely at any opportunity where it seems acceptable; Keefe will muss Fitz’s hair and flop over him limply, dramatically just to feel Fitz’s exasperated fondness. Fortunately, Fitz doesn’t seem to mind, as while occasionally he’ll stiffen at the sudden contact or put up a good show of grumbling he never really complains—not even, say, when Keefe’s weight on his chest must be stopping up his breath in his lungs.

This constant contact means that Keefe gets used to the ebb and flow of Fitz’s emotions. Most people’s are hard to detangle, as they feel different for everyone, but he becomes so familiar with Fitz’s that he can decode even what he can glimpse through the tiniest brush of their skin.

A week before things will change forever, though Keefe doesn’t know it yet, he makes himself at home on Fitz’s bed without the hesitation that once characterized his every movement. The bedroom door is closed, unlike the times when he drops by Biana’s room nearby to complain about her brother or discuss music, usually dwarvish but never elven and only sometimes the smuggled human stuff (because despite what Fitz seems to believe, their tentative friendship doesn’t only center around terrorizing him—that’s a fringe benefit).

Fitz’s settled against the bed’s headboard, reading, the absolute loser, fully focused on the newest in some overly thick series he’ll gush about to anyone who’ll listen. Which isn’t many people, so that usually falls to Keefe. It’s a human one, Keefe knows, judging by the foreign shapes of the symbols inside, and Fitz never does explain how he gets any of them no matter how much he tries.

“What if,” Keefe says idly, wondering whether Fitz would kill him if he painted his horrifically dull ceiling with those spiders he’s so scared of, “instead of going to Foxfire, we harvested triceratops wool for a living? One way to get out of exams, am I right?”

“Tragically, yes. But triceratops wool is horrendously scratchy, so you couldn’t make much of a living out of that,” Fitz says distractedly, though his foot starts tapping back and forth. One way, the other, again and again as his leg becomes a pendulum broadcasting the depth of his stress. He’s awfully predictable, honestly. “I think I’ll stick with my tests.”

Really, things would go so much easier for Fitz if he’d just give up wanting to do well already. Keefe did that! And it’s going great, if he ignores his parents’ lectures. Which he always does. Sadly, Fitz has never been one for abandoning caring, even when it would make his life exponentially easier.

Rolling his eyes, Keefe reaches out one hand in an offer that needn’t be spoken. Fitz takes it without a moment’s pause. The two of them fit together like they always have.

With the years of closeness between them, Keefe has quit worrying about extrapolating too much from his Empathy entirely. He’d never use any of Fitz’s feelings against him. By now, it’s grounding for both of them when they’re connected, bonded by skin touching skin. Keefe has grown so used to Fitz’s emotions they’re as natural as his own. Sometimes, they may as well be one and the same.

Which—on some level—will never stop feeling wrong. How is it fair that he knows this much about Fitz yet the same isn’t true in return? Empathy picks up on even the things the person themself might not know is there. While Fitz has spent quite a bit of time in Keefe’s head, he sticks to surface-level thoughts, which are basically what Keefe wants him to see along with a few stray bits of nonsense Fitz can never understand.

Right now, despite the constant chill of Fitz’s long, spindly fingers and freckled palm, the emotions Keefe can sense are all warmth—sweet, hazy contentment intermingling with swelling fondness. A ribbon of nervousness cuts through the warmth, though, darting with its unease and shivering between every other feeling to send them spiraling off kilter. “Something wrong?” Keefe asks, absentmindedly running his thumb over the back of Fitz’s hand, slow slow slow and steady as he tries to impart some of his own heat.

Fitz’s protest comes seemingly without any consideration behind it. “Nothing,” he insists, at last turning to look at his best friend, their hands still interlocked between them. Yet his gaze resolutely avoids Keefe’s, cast down at the ticking anxiety of his own constant fidgeting (the same kind that ‘somehow’ always manages to go away at Foxfire, replaced instead by a subtle tension in the straining set of his shoulders). “I’m a bit worried for those tests these week is all. No need to mother hen.”

“I’ve never mother henned in my life and you know it,” Keefe retorts. “C’mon, Fitz. We’re best friends. That not only means you can trust me with anything, but also I have access to your hair products. And food. Just about everything, really.”

“So apparently trusting you with ‘anything’ doesn’t, in fact, include my stuff?” Fitz asks drily.

Unbothered, Keefe shrugs. “You knew what you were getting into when you met me, Fitzy.”

Still without deigning to put down his book, Fitz huffs. “Don’t call me that.”

“Oh yeah? What are you gonna do about it?” Keefe adopts a carefully crafted innocent expression, though of course Fitz knows far better than to fall for it—truly unfortunate, that. “Fitzy, Fitzy, Fitzy-a-roo,” he sing-songs, finding progressively more ridiculous twists on the nickname and adding each to his taunt with a solemn mischievousness.

“Keefe.” Fitz draws his name out until the single syllable lasts an eternity, finally setting his book outside. “Okay, I give in. I’ll indulge your insatiably childish need for attention if you’ll just stop already.”

“Or you could actually tell me what’s bothering you. I’ve heard it works wonders, venting and all that.” Keefe makes the words sound like a challenge, needling Fitz out of his shell—he knows all the right buttons to push, just from the precise waves of irritation and subtle joy emanating from where their hands meet.

Fitz throws both his hands up in the air, thereby disentangling their only point of contact. “You’re impossible. I’m entitled to my privacy, aren’t I?”

“File that among the things you should’ve thought of before letting me into your lame, lame life.” For an eternal moment, Keefe stares Fitz down, one eyebrow arched high in a silent challenge. He smirks, rather deliberately, before springing forward and tackling Fitz into the bed.

Sputtering, Fitz wriggles out from under him, twisting one of Keefe’s arm’s behind his back. Keefe promptly drives his other elbow into Fitz’s stomach, sending him sprawling backwards. Even as Fitz lashes out with his unfairly long legs, Keefe strikes, pinning Fitz’s shoulders down to the bed and sitting on his torso.

Fitz glowers up at him, chest heaving. “Get off me,” he huffs, dark hair arrayed messy around his head, “you jerk, what’d you go and do that for? A warning wouldn’t hurt.”

“Expect the unexpected,” Keefe pants. “Tell me what’s bothering you.”

“That can’t really be what this is about,” Fitz complains, rolling his eyes grandly as though he expects that to prove his point. “You’re heavy.”

Keefe lets out an unbothered hum, bouncing up and down slightly so as to achieve his full irritation potential. “And I’m staying here until you spit it out. I’ll have you know I could do this all day. You’re rather comfy.”

Fitz returns to his ineffectual glaring, not seeming to realize how unintimidating his scrunched nose and crinkled brows are as always. His emotions seep out into Keefe, a quiet storm. A low, thundering rumble of anxiety paired with the cleansing rain of airy happiness, soaring skies of uncertainty and the steady grassy ground of comfort, all cut through by lightning strikes of something undefinable. Strikes that ring with excitement and flash with fear, warm yet tentative and new as flower buds. The river of Fitz’s breathing winds through Keefe’s Empathy and the real world, a bridge keeping him tied together.

With heated cheeks, Fitz glances away and carefully avoids any and all eye contact. Keefe frowns. “Whoa. You okay?” He pauses, removes his hands from Fitz’s shoulder. The constant input through his Empathy softens around the edges. “Those are some pretty intense feelings I’m getting.”

“Yeah, that’d be my desire to push you off the balcony,” Fitz grounds out, seeming to find Keefe’s face again. He’s trying to deflect now, then. That’s a familiar dance of half-forced frustration.

“Very convincing,” Keefe says drily, but he lets up on Fitz regardless, rolling over to fiddle with the things crowding his bedside table. “Oh, hey, I knew you had that kelpie Prattles pin I lost, what, a year ago? How long has it been since you cleaned this off?”

“Shove off,” Fitz mutters, rising and rummaging through his Foxfire bag to grab and start scanning through his Elementalism text. “Since I last had the freetime and energy to do it with, probably. So who even knows.”

Keefe subtly sends Fitz a long, searching look and keeps his answer too quiet to be heard. “That long, huh?”

The difference, he knows, between him and Fitz is that Fitz still cares. Caring is harder. Caring makes him tired, consumes him, while Keefe can just drift and let it all go crashing down only to live in the rubble. The last time he neatened up his own space is never because his dad’s appalled expression is funny, despite its consequences.

The subject slips away. Keefe lets it.

If Foster is a mystery, she’s a forbidden one.

The first week, Keefe avoids her; the second, he tries to annoy her into being scared away. Her emotions are entirely unguarded. The moment he steps into her vicinity, they strike—overwhelming, suffocating him with their force and making it nigh impossible to even think about anything else.

Yet that’s not the only reason why he has to stay away. Every time he’s near her, he can hear Sir Richard and Lady Merewyn’s voices ringing inside his head. It’s an invasion of privacy. He doesn’t even have the option of asking like he did with Fitz, because this doesn’t rely on contact. Sophie’s not his friend, really. She’s not in his inner circle. This shouldn’t be possible. It certainly isn’t right.

Fitz, on the other hand, has no such reservations. He doesn’t need to. With the sheer amount of time he spends around Sophie, Keefe is virtually alone with little hope of reprieve.

When he gives up on all reservations, admits that Sophie’s too persistent to allow him to avoid her so easily, it is—miraculously—worse. Far, far worse.

Everglen, compared to Candleshade, serves as a refuge. The house is far from kind. It holds that same coldness, repackaged in intricate, colorful crystal designs and rich-toned wood, but yet lacks any true comfort. The furniture is elegant, but always too stiff or strangely shaped or itchy, and fragile creations lie around every corner and topple at the merest breath. At least Candleshade doesn’t try to hide its nature.

Keefe meets Fitz on the grounds. The landscaping makes a simple distance wind through towering, flowering hedges, dance through hidden alcoves of trickling fountains and shaded benches, elaborately built and carefully maintained. He still gets lost out here sometimes.

The day is cool, a chill wind cutting through the air, but Fitz’s arms remain bare. No wonder his skin’s always so cold to the touch.

Sophie stands out on the grounds too, shifting her weight from foot to foot and smiling a smile that speaks more of nervousness than it does joy.

“Hey!” Keefe calls, staying as far away from her as he can without it looking odd. “What’re we doing, Fitz? Two-against-one Basequest doesn’t seem fair, you know. You guys deserve a chance too.”

Fitz rolls his eyes. “Hilarious. Nah, we were practicing Channeling. Sophie’s still struggling a bit in P.E.”

“Can’t imagine why, after you flung pretty boy here into a wall.” Keefe snickers at the memory. Good times.

“The drive to beat Fitz doesn’t exactly work with Channeling,” Sophie says drily. In the breeze, her blond hair whips wildly around her head, lashing against her face. The way she leans into Fitz carries an unspoken emphasis Keefe doesn’t need Empathy to decode.

Keefe moves to sling an arm around Fitz’s shoulders, yanking him closer (if that happens to pull him further away from Sophie, well, that’s just an unexpected consequence). “Personally, I find that works for just about anything. After all…”

He trails off, freezes. The roar of Fitz’s emotions has hit him harder than usual. There’s so much tangled there, shades of feelings he’s not fully used to, not with Fitz.

Affection, soft and sweet, paired with fondness and admiration. Exasperation (at Keefe?). And more than any of those, there’s something strong, something warm. It washes everything else away. It’s old and new at once, unyielding, and its power sparks a surge of bittersweetness deep within Keefe. He knows what this is. Or at least, he thinks he does. It’s not an emotion he picks up on often. It’s too raw for that, too filled with protective fury and passion and tenderness all at once. There’s no perfect word for it. Usually, he’d call it love, and that would serve well enough. But not now.

Fitz is in love. Fitz is in love, and the force of it is more than it has any right to be. That’s not even the most sickening thing.

He’s in love with Sophie. Why else would it be this strong right now? This present? Why else would his face be warm, tinged red, his smile be this soft around the edges? There’s no other explanation, and Keefe’s more upset than he has any right to be. He should be happy for his best friend, right? No, of course he’s happy for him, there’s no reason not to be. He’s just terrified of being left behind. That’s all. He doesn’t need to be distressed over a simple crush.

No simple crush, Keefe’s traitorous brain argues. Sophie feels the same, just look at her. And who wouldn’t? Fitz is possibly the best person out there. He’s too good for you in the first place. There was never any chance of him sticking around.

Keefe’s hand tangles together with Fitz’s, and he refuses to let it mean anything. This doesn’t get to mean anything. The moment he starts reading too far into the little thing sthey share, he knows he’s doomed. Keefe needs to pretend that they’re just friends.

Because Fitz is always aflutter around Sophie. Always blushing, stumbling in love, and it’s obvious that Keefe has already lost a game he didn’t even know he was playing. He needs to be happy for them. He can’t.

“Hey, Keefe?” Fitz cuts into his thoughts, tethering him back to reality when Keefe would rather spiral further into his moping. Sometimes it’s a shame Fitz knows him so well. “Everything all good? You kinda blanked out on us for a moment there.”

Sophie nods in agreement. Keefe almost wants to hate her. Is she really good enough for Fitz? Does she even truly know him? “Yeah, it was starting to get creepy.”

“I’m very sorry to be telling you like this.” Keefe says, with a long, dramatic sigh, “but I’ve been possessed by a ghost that makes me do things, like blank out. Or like—this!” With that, he snaps up a clump of mud with his Telekinesis and whips it into Fitz’s face before he can so much as blink.

Fitz splutters at him, using the back of his hand to wipe the mud off. “I can literally taste it,” he complains. “What are you, twelve?”

“Out of ten,” Keefe fires back. “Though, really, you’ve gotta add extra points for the hair.”

“Not if it’s covered in mud.”

With a wink, Keefe says, “You’ll have to catch me first”, and darts away, laughing at Fitz’s growing glower.

Later, when all is said and done, all three of them covered in the outdoors with heaving sides and racing hearts, Sophie jokes about how that was probably a better lesson in channeling than traditional practice would have been. Keefe grouses so much about being tired that Fitz agrees to give him a piggy-back ride, their sweaty bodies pressed tight together, and all is right in the world.

Or it would be, if not for the pulsing love that still coils within Fitz.

Keefe decides, afterwards, that he’s scared of change. Sophie’s a huge one, particularly if the spark between her and Fitz does end up becoming something more, and so of course all of this is scaring him. One day he’ll wake up and Fitz will be spending all his time with a girlfriend, maturing into the man everyone expects him to be, and Keefe will just be there. The exact same, spinning every serious moment into a joke and still refusing to grow up and accept ‘reality’ as his father would say.

One Foxfire Tuesday, then, Keefe turns to tradition. Not the dull kind, but one of his and Fitz’s own making. He skips detention for something-or-other (he never knows what anymore, he’s pretty sure he’s booked through until the end of his time at Foxfire) and drags Fitz with him to the library instead. Not the cafeteria, because a mentor would surely notice him there, but there are certain places among the towering bookshelves where it’s simple to hide.

Fitz doesn’t ask questions. He settles himself on the floor, resting his back against a couch rather than properly sitting on it, and Keefe does the same.

“So,” Fitz says, softly, like he’s internalized the rules of library quiet to the extent that he can’t help but follow them.

“So,” Keefe echoes.

Fitz glances at him, and shakes his head. He curls one hand atop Keefe’s knee, and Keefe leans his head on his shoulder. “What was so bad about detention today?”

Right. Most of the time, Keefe only skips when the mentor or their assignment is particularly unbearable, but today he wasn’t thinking about that. He was thinking about Fitz. “Nothing. Just didn’t feel like it, I guess.”

“You’re really not worried about what consequences they’ll try if they can’t even keep you in detention?” That’s a typical Fitz question, given that the only rules he’s ever broken have all been at his best friend’s… not pleading, really, because some of the time all it takes is a simple question and he’s giving in. Usually he even follows the stupid ones like ‘don’t make dinosaur noises in the hallways’ (a rule added solely because of Keefe, which belongs solidly on his list of greatest accomplishments that would exist if he didn’t despise making lists).

“I mean, what else can they even do?” Keefe would shrug, except his shoulder lies against Fitz’s and he doesn’t want to jostle him. “Anything drastic, dear ol’ dad’ll bail me out. Might finally tick him off enough to see the next color on the ‘Lord Cassius’ anger spectrum. The most his face has ever turned is purple.”

“You’re an idiot,” Fitz says, by which he means, I’m worried about you and I know you’re lying and please, please just tell me how I can help and I swear I’ll do it, just say it. Sometimes Keefe wonders what, exactly, Fitz can divine from his own mannerisms, quirks in speech. He hopes it isn’t nearly as much.

“But a handsome one. Also, unrelated note slash complete topic change, any idea why Bee’s been in such a mood lately? I haven’t seen her like this since I filled her pillowcase with spiders.”

Fitz tips his head backwards, exposing the fragile lines of his throat and lifting his face to the fading sun. “You mean since she beat you up so badly she got grounded. Dad’s making her try and be friends with Sophie. I don’t think Biana likes her for whatever reason, but I’m sure she’ll come around. Sophie’s great.”

Keefe makes a noncommittal noise. Neither Biana nor her grudges are easily swayed.

“Oh, and according to the rumor mill you’re dating Thyra,” Fitz says with a flare of an undecodable emotion. “Crush cuffs and everything.”

“Of course I am.” Keefe snorts. “I think we’ve spoken, like, twice.”

“You can’t forget the time you took that midnight arthropleura ride through Atlantis,” Fitz says very seriously.

With a grumbling sigh, Keefe tucks himself closer to Fitz’s side. “I’m sure that particular story’ll pass soon.”

“They always do.” Fitz rests his head against Keefe’s hair, tucking his knees up so they lie partially on Keefe’s outstretched legs. “Remind me again when we have to be in class?”

“Healthy hour, I’d say,” Keefe says.

“What about what the bells would say?”

“Like, twenty minutes, probably. But I’ve never been on time once in my life and that’s added surprisingly little to my stock of detentions. Sufficiently imaginative excuses will do you a world of good if you play it right.”

Fitz chuckles. “I’d rather just be punctual.”

From his bag, Keefe grabs his sketchbook and a pencil, idly drawing something out. “Where’s the fun in that.”

It doesn’t take much time for him to become absorbed in his artwork. The shapes he creates are abstract, messy, slowly melding into a form like a shadowed man. The steady scratch of his pencil beats out the only sound other than their own breathing. Around them, the scent of dust and paper permeates the air, and the shelves stretch seemingly endlessly onward. They march towards an infinity of ephemeral things caught on pages.

When he looks back at Fitz, his eyes are closed. If he’s sleeping, he surely needs it, but the cast of his feelings says otherwise. In sleep the heart is remarkably quiet.

But right now that same love is there, tucked between his atria. Despite the fact that Sophie is nowhere near, it’s every bit as strong as it was before, only softer. It shouldn’t feel like it does. There’s a marked difference between newly sprouted love and the kind that’s grown between partners that have spent years with lives intertwined, and this seems disconcertingly closer to the second. It doesn’t make sense.

It doesn’t make sense, and it’s there nevertheless, defying all logic. Keefe could drown in it. Strange that his Empathy would let him experience this love, the sort he doesn’t ever expect to hold towards another or to be directed towards himself. Yet it may as well beat beside his own heart.

Never has he been this close to love as an Empath. He hadn’t realized there was so much to it. It had seemed simple, the way people talked about it, and after all his mentors in the matter had been his parents. Whatever their loved looked like, it certainly had never been this. Keefe finds himself thinking that he’s jealous. Fitz has fallen, fallen deeply, and it had taken him too long to notice it. He’s sure to find the life he wants, as everything in his future settles into place.

And looking at him, face calm and the traces of a smile curling up the edges of his lips, Keefe can’t help but want that for him too.

So. That’s decided, then.

Subtlety is the name of the game. Or, at the very least, it’s scribbled all over the rulebook, because Keefe is determined to do this right. He won’t mess this one up. He knows, as he has always known, that he’s usually the problem, so to speak. It’s Fitz bailing him out of trouble with a few carefully placed pleas to Dame Alina and Fitz spinning stories to convince Cassius to let his son do this or that. In the grand scheme of their friendship, it’s always him helping Keefe out, so rarely the other way around. Keefe’s sick of being the screw-up.

The setup, to convince Yasmin Hadi to throw a party this weekend with all of his charismatic knowhow, is accomplished easily.

The rest of the necessary machinations require more precision. Fitz, when it comes down to the wire, is rarely so easily swayed. He can sense a setup a mile away—his instincts, what with those he’s surrounded with, have become incredibly fine-tuned to the presence of a scheme. Not that this is a scheme, of course. Only close.

Keefe catches him by his locker (surprise, surprise, Sophie’s there too, but that actually works rather in his favor) and doesn’t hesitate before hooking an arm around his shoulders.

“Yasmin’s throwing a party Saturday,” Keefe says.

Fitz spares a second away from running through carefully written flashcards to shoot him an incredibly skeptical expression. “That’s good for her.”

Keefe rolls his eyes. “Alright, alright, so you’re really making me spell it out for you? We should go.”

“We really shouldn’t.”

“Still hung up on the Rigged Ripplefluff Incident, eh?” Keefe says.

Sophie glances between the two of them. “Do you call everything incidents?”

“Well—”

“That one’s not worth mentioning,” Fitz interjects.

“He makes it out to be a bigger deal than it is.” Keefe ducks Fitz’s rather half-hearted elbow, raising his own hands in mock surrender. “Fine, fine. My point is, we shouldn’t deprive Sophie of her first ever elven party, right? Maybe even first ever party period?”

“I don’t know about that,” Sophie says with an awkward chuckle. One hand goes to her eyelashes, tugging gently, and she shifts her shoulders so half her hair whooshes in front of her face. “I don’t think I’m the sort of person who’d like parties. You’re welcome to go without me.”

“I promise it’s not as bad as you think.” Finally, Fitz stows his notecards, turning instead to face Sophie fully and knocking Keefe’s arm off in the process. It disconcerts Keefe, lacking that thrum of connection. “I’m pretty sure humans do it worse.”

Keefe nods sagely. “So I assume you’re in agreement that we should show Sophie how elves live it up?”

“You don’t have to,” Sophie says.

“Keefe, you bring me so much pain,” Fitz grumbles. “Of course I’m in. You’re helping me make up for lost study time, though.”

“You’re a liar and a fraud if you’re seriously claiming you’d be studying Saturday evening,” Keefe says.

Because he’s a terrible, terrible person, Fitz grins at him. “Well, now, I’m studying Thursday evening. With you. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to get to my next session before I’m given detention just for hanging around you two outlaws.”

Sophie laughs. “I think he basically just played you. You sure that’s worth it?”

Keefe grumbles out something unintelligible. It’s worth it. It has to be worth it. It isn’t for him, after all, it’s for Fitz, and if that study session is part of this so be it. Very soon it’ll be harder to find time alone with his best friend, in all likelihood. Maybe the price of this is a mercy too.

Yasmin Hadi’s house, at the overly reasonable hour of four in the afternoon, pulses slowly with the milling footsteps and clustered chatter of Foxfire’s finest. Its great, elaborately-carved wooden doors swing thrown open like every one of the window shutters. The breeze winds through the front entrance and twists through the thrown-open patio doors, nudging the entire first floor into that gray space between outside and in.

Outside, amidst the party’s nucleus, Yasmin herself shines softly, waving heartily at each new arrival and pulling them into the fold. People group together in bubbles of quiet activity, distinct collections of two and three and five and fourteen like islands on the same sea. They recline on cushioned furniture and take glistening refreshments from green-glass tables. Over it all rests the music’s hum, the sound of a babbling brook occasionally intermingled with trilling birdcalls set to a sharper tempo. Several partygoers sway to the rhythm.

“When you said ‘party’,” Sophie says, glancing around as though in a dream or a fae ring, “this is decidedly not what I pictured.”

“Human thing?” Keefe guesses, to which she nods. “Wait, what were you thinking of? I’ve heard some wild stories—”

Fitz cuts him off with a pleading, “Don’t tell him, for my sanity’s sake.”

Shaking her head at the two of them, Sophie snatches a square of mallowmelt from a nearby table and takes a thoughtful bite. “I don’t know. Something like in all the movies, maybe? Loud music, flashing lights, people bouncing around in close quarters, someone probably doing something exceptionally dumb?”

“Sounds like my scene.” Keefe heads for a calm alcove, abandoning his usual routine at parties like these. He can’t lose sight of his mission. Tonight provides the perfect opening, and he’d be damned if he didn’t take it and take it right… especially after already having purposefully created the opportunity in the first place. All Sophie and Fitz need is a little nudge in the right direction. Or maybe a giant shove, whatever works.

The three of them settle onto a long, low-lying couch, far from the bustling center. Carefully, Keefe sits close enough to Fitz so that their knees brush, so he can keep tabs on everyone’s emotions and make sure everything proceeds in the right direction. Much as his friends like to joke that he lacks caution, lacks subtlety, he is an Empath. That gives him an automatic edge on this and similar matters, and his plan is already unfolding perfectly in all its complex designs.

Mentally, he casts about for any potentially useful avenue of conversation, yet one begins before he can quite get there.

“You’re really sure this is edible?” Sophie peers at a translucent sunset orange orb, rolling it in the palm of her hand so that the tiny, sparkly flecks swirling within catch the light. “It doesn’t look edible. Unless you think marbles look appetizing.”

“I’m not really sure what that is,” Fitz admits, “but they’re edible. I don’t think I’ve ever been to a party that didn’t have them.”

Keefe snorts. “Right. Because you let me drag you along to parties so often.”

Fitz swings one leg out, over and over, all jerky movements in a jarring rhythm so familiar Keefe’s tempted to join in with a melody. “Not everyone likes parties.”

Still squinting at the spherical confection, Sophie squishes it in her hand, considering it for a last moment before popping it into her mouth. She makes a scrunched-up face and scrapes her teeth along her tongue. “Considering that this just seems like free food, I’ve a feeling most people really do like elven parties.”

“Do you even like the food?” Fitz asks.

She points one overdramatically accusing finger his way. “Free food is free food.”

Keefe leans back against the couch, trying to fade into the background so that he can watch without interruption. The two of them play off of each other well. Through where his leg is pressed against Fitz’s own, he can sense a convoluted mix of nervousness and joy. It’s going well, then. They just need a bit of a push.

Carefully, he concentrates on a cup of rich blue liquid a refreshment table away, managing to slowly lift it with his mind. It bobs gently in the air as it floats towards him. When it finally nears, he lets loose some of his control and leans into the way it wobbles back and forth. A little more, a little more—

The glass tips. Its contents arc downwards, vibrant blue splattering as it spills, all directly onto Sophie’s white tank top. It drips down her shoulders, coalesces in the hollows of her collarbone, and seeps into dark stains on her shirt.

“Whoops,” Keefe says, trying for a passable imitation of being genuinely apologetic. “I’m, uh, sorry I ruined your shirt.”

Sophie brushes him off with a quick shake of her head. “It’s fine. I’m sure I can get it out when I get home, though I wouldn’t mind some napkins.”

“I’ll grab some,” Fitz offers. He gets up without waiting for a reply, and Keefe focuses in on Sophie.

Keefe sighs. “Foster, Foster. Think of my image! I can’t be seen with you in public if you’re covered in blue. Talk about a fashion faux pas.” He wiggles his eyebrows. “I bet Fitz could lend you his jacket…”

Naturally, Fitz chooses that exact moment to return, a bundle of napkins in one hand. “What? You’re the one who spilled. I’m cold enough wearing it.”

“Yeah, well, your jacket matches her shirt better,” Keefe argues.

“Yours is literally the same color,” Fitz says.

“I don’t need anyone’s jacket.” Sophie squints between the two of them, unspoken questions dancing in her gaze. Fitz shrugs in reply, as if to say he’s just as bemused as she is. “Also, honestly, it’s pretty warm here anyway.”

Narrowing his eyes, Keefe considers whether to concede on the matter, though he doesn’t have much of a choice. His first attempt at matchmaking is officially a total failure. Unless… what if both of them were so cagey about it solely because they liked each other? What if they were at least partially aware of their mutual crush, or one side of it anyway, enough so that certain actions felt awkward and charged? If anything, that meant try one was a strange success: it confirmed the likelihood of meeting the mission goals overall. Score one for Keefe, cupid extraordinaire.

Still. He does need to change tactics—and he knows the perfect opportunity is coming up, if he can just ensure he’ll be able to seize it. “So,” he says, not bothering to hide his own abruptness, “how are you settling in to the elven world, Sophie? Was neglecting to introduce you to elven parties an oversight or has Fitz fully failed you as a tour guide?”

Sophie shifts in place, managing a half smile. “It’s weird here, sure, but nice so far. And I really haven’t had time to explore the Lost Cities yet.”

“Awfully polite way of throwing Fitz under the arthropleuras,” Keefe comments.

A group of party guests drifts closer towards them, laughs alight and shining on their lips, and their noise nearly drowns out Fitz’s next words. “For once, Keefe, you may have a point. Do you know what sort of thing you want to see, Sophie, if anything?”

“Food sounds good,” Sophie says with a laugh. “You can’t really go wrong knowing the best places to go for a snack.”

Oh, there it is, the great golden beacon of opportunity. Keefe strikes. “In that case… Fitz, do you remember that bakery in Atlantis we went to last month?”

“The one where everything was so small you had to order, like, four things just for a regular portion?” Fitz’s gaze flits back towards his best friend, soft with the memory.

Keefe nods. “You have to admit they were so good though.”

“I nearly choked on an almond,” Fitz says.

“But you were fine! Thanks to my quick thinking and excellent reaction times you’re still here with us today.” Keefe slings an arm around Fitz’s shoulder, mainly for the simple pleasure of being able to reach up and ruffle his hair. The point of having a best friend is to know and do what annoys them with impudence… plus, Fitz’s hair is just soft. “Also, I still distinctly recall you asking for the recipe.”

Fitz huffs. “Not the almond bar-cookie-thing. I would’ve had more time to compare notes with the bakers if not for you.”

“In my defense—”

“—you have never once managed to finish that sentence with a valid defense—”

“—hey, if you listen, maybe you’ll find this is the first time. Point is, it wasn’t my fault this kind from our level dared me to telekinetically lift a table or two.” Keefe shrugs. “What did you want me to do, back down from a dare?”

“Um, yeah, that’s exactly what I wanted you to do. And it wasn’t a table or two, it was all of them. I still haven’t gotten the sound of crashing dishware out of my head.” Fitz shudders, perhaps a tad overdramatically. “You still didn’t even manage the stupid dare.”

“I live in shame every time I see Bellamy to this day,” Keefe says solemnly. “Yet I did all I could to rise to the challenge.” He pauses. “I also live in shame and hunger every time I’ve passed that bakery since.”

“I stand by their choice to ban you,” Fitz grumbles. “I’m just lucky they didn’t ban me too.”

Keefe chuckles, meeting Sophie’s eyes again and trying to tamp down his own sappy emotions. He needs to focus, no matter what. “It’s a great bakery.” His voice comes out softer than he’d like. “A great memory.”

The warmth emanating from Fitz is deliriously strong and sweet, fond and familiar. It’s so intense Keefe almost can’t take it, even after so many years of living through Fitz’s feelings right along with him. And Keefe has the power to make sure this feeling sticks around for Fitz.

“Sounds like it,” Sophie says, a smile working at the edges of her lips.

“You should go,” Keefe suggests, and there it is, the play perfectly in place. “Just the two of you, of course, I’m positive they still know my face there.”

The two of them both offer easy agreement. There. Clearly, the thing with the jacket was just a misstep, which was obviously bound to happen somewhere along the way. No matter. Keefe has obviously gotten into his groove. He’s a genius.

It may not have been phrased as such, but the bakery thing is literally a date. Anyone could see it. A romantic shop in Atlantis? Just Sophie and Fitz, with Keefe conveniently automatically out through an incredibly ironclad excuse? A lesser matchmaker could, and probably would, go ahead and stop now. This is basically already victory, right? But Keefe refuses to see this halfway through. He’s going to make sure his best friend’s happiness is completely and totally secured by the end of tonight, Keefe style.

Subtly as he can, Keefe flashes Yasmin the signal, so she knows he’s ready to move on into the next essential stage of his plan. From across the patio, she shoots him a thumbs up.

It’s go time.

The first bracelet falls nigh unnoticed, like an autumn leaf, drifting down to rest in a bowl of shimmering liquid a couple of tables away. Slowly, though, they begin to fall in full force, beads twinkling in a multitude of vibrant shades. Gasps spread outwards from the first person to grasp one, excitement buzzing through the air and bringing with it a clamoring chorus of reinvigorated chatter.

The bracelets find their places littered across the ground and resting atop people’s heads, but eventually, the result is the same as always: everyone holds one within their palm. Chaos breaks out in a flurry of activity. There’s blushing, giggling, even crying.

“What’s going on?” Sophie asks warily, twisting her bracelet’s red beads over and over in her hands.

“An elven party tradition.” Keefe gives a nonchalant shrug. “It’s like a mini version of crush cuffs, I guess. Everyone’s supposed to give theirs to the person they’d most want to be matched with and any pair who both chose each other all slow dance to the next song.”

Fitz’s staring rather determinedly at his lap, voice strangely quiet. Oh. That’s definitely nervousness, but there’s nothing to worry about, not with Keefe at his side. “It’s a bit of a weird one. If you’d rather abstain…”

“Don’t be boring,” Keefe goads. “I mean, it’s not that intimidating if you give them to each other…”

Glancing between the two of them as though they’re a puzzle she still can’t quite work out, Sophie says, “It’s fine. We all know no one in their right mind would let me slow dance anyway—no need to double the amount of feet I might trip over.”

Maybe they’re a bit more anxious about all this than Keefe thought. Which makes sense, he supposes. They’ve both never even been on a date before, right? All they need is the right push towards confidence. “C’mon, the dance moves are easy. You can’t miss out on this, uh, spectacular elven thing.”

“You could dance with her too,” Fitz points out.

Keefe frowns. Does his best friend really not see he’s doing this to help him out? “Nah, too dorky for me. Luckily, though, you two are dorks!”

“Thanks,” Sophie says drily. “Look, Keefe—”

“I’d be neglecting my duty as a friend if I didn’t—”

Severing all contact between them, Fitz rises to his feet, one arm wrapped firmly around his waist. “Could you please just drop it?”

“It’s just a silly party game. Lighten up, dude,” Keefe tells him. “Do you not want to dance with Sophie?”

Sophie turns a glower towards him. “What’s with you tonight? It really doesn’t matter tp me.”

In exasperation, he throws his hands up. “I don’t get either of you right now. Mostly Fitz. I get that you’re nervous—”

“Would you cut it out already?” Fitz snaps. “I’m sorry, okay? I’m sorry about my ridiculous feelings and the fact that you have to deal with them. I’m sorry if you’re sick of it.” His voice breaks, splitting in two like a gaping canyon of understanding Keefe can’t cross, because none of this makes sense. Nothing’s making sense. “But this? This is just cruel.”

“What on earth are you saying?” Keefe stands up too, reaching out towards his best friend. Maybe, if he could just get a read on him the same way he always does, he could sort this out. He could get down to the root of whatever’s got this whole situation scrambled into shattered pieces. This wasn’t supposed to happen. He doesn’t even know what this is.

Fitz backs away, raising his hands in desperate defense. “Stop pretending you don’t know,” he whispers. “You’re… you’re such an asshole, Keefe.”

“Fitz, come on!” Keefe shouts, but it’s too late. Already too late. Fitz is vanished, shoving forward into the crowd, swallowed up by a sea of bodies. The evening’s cold around him but he doesn’t feel it. For the first time in his life, Keefe doesn’t feel anything, icy numbness sinking deep into his bones.

Keefe sways. His head’s pounding.

How did this happen?

He doesn’t understand. He can’t understand. None of this is adding up. Everything he planned, everything he put in place just to make his best friend happy, has fallen to pieces around him. He’s an idiot and an asshole and he doesn’t even know why.

But it’s worse than that. Of course it’s worse than that. Because for the first time since he found his person, the one who was for so long the only contact and comfort he had, Keefe is alone. Totally alone.

There’s nothing left.

And somehow, it’s all his fault.

#ari writes #ari can words #kotlc #keefitz #keefe sencen #fitz vacker #this is. certainly a fic. that's all i've got #this chapter really did fight me though and i have no idea how it turned out #but i wanted to finish it and again after midnight #i refuse to be blamed for my actions on a tuesday #this does NOT feel like seven thousand words #will be sleeping now

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mochinomnoms · 3 months

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The Private (not) Thoughts of a Moray Chapter 5: I wanna go on walks with you, I wanna have long talks with you

Gender Neutral Reader x Jade Leech

Chapter 5 preview:

The fall was much shorter than you anticipated, as you felt yourself fall against a soft body. You opened your eyes, but found that the room was dark. Or a tunnel? Hole? Whatever it was, it was a tight fit as you shifted around to get back on your feet. You dug your elbows against the soft floor to get up, which subsequently moved and grunted. “Ow. That was my rib.” Jade's voice grunted against your ear, his hold around loosening as he also moved to stand. “Jade? What—oh my god!” You tried to scramble off of Jade, harder said than done in the space you two had found yourselves. Shifting around, you were sure that you’d just made the situation worse, as Jade lit a light with his wand. How in the world you managed to find yourself straddling Jade’s waist in the dark was a mystery. Though, with the flush look on his face, you weren’t sure he minded. Oh…by the Abyss itself… you’re such a pretty sight.

[wc} - 9,838

[notes] - let's gooooo! My editors still need a chance to comb through but I really wanted this out, so I will update with their feedback later so they don't have to stress! Anyway pls gimme your thoughts! I'd love to hear them!!

[tag list] - @simpingforbelphegor @myteacupisempty

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Chapter 5: I wanna go on walks with you, I wanna have long talks with you)

It had been roughly two months since the year started and you’d been housewarden. You’d like to say that it had been smooth sailing, and it mostly was. Mostly.

Epel had taken you to the Mostro Lounge of all places to get you to relax after a fight broke out between a few of the Ramshackle students over how they should decorate it for Halloween. A Diasomnia student that had managed to sneak into your roster a month ago had wanted to turn the dorm into Malleus’s usual haunted house, but Wynfred and the others wanted to do something new.

Then it turned into another argument over what that new idea would be, which caused a fight to break out between the different students. If it hadn’t been for Wynfred bluntly calling them all whiny and suggesting that they just drew written suggestions from a hat. While most of them bristled at the remark, they’d agreed to follow his lead. After Albert had so kindly offered his hat, the winning idea was a screampark with clowns.

You’d thanked Wynfred for managing to wrangle them in, as you’d been out at a housewarden meeting at the time and did NOT feel like returning to a warring dorm. The redhead has flushed and beamed at your praise, something he’d been doing for a while you’d notice. At first, you thought it was just him being happy at being recognized for his efforts.

“You know, Wynfred talks a lot ‘bout you, calls you all sorts of sweet names.” Epel had a gleeful smirk as he teased you. “Sounding like someone’s got a little secret admirer!”

Now you know why Wynfred had been so keen to seek your praise.

“Shut up Epel, you know I still have Vil on speed-dial, and I’ll tell him about you cussing out Yev, again.”

Epel wrinkled his nose and stuck his nose out at you, which you returned in kind.

“Mmmeeh! Don’t worry about it, Yev has snitched on me plenty of times. Vil tells him to get it together and wrangle me in.”

The small man sipped on his smoothie before continuing, “Vil knew how to fight at least, I respect that. Yev’s a big ol’ wuss. He’s like a peacock. Or a chihuahua.”

Both of you giggled, you particularly at the image in Epel’s head of Yev’s head on a brown shaking chihuahua. Your fit of laughter was interrupted by a familiar presence and the thoughts of a familiar twin.

Hehe, little shrimpy~

“Hi Floyd, what’s up?”

You craned your head to look up at Floyd, who was peering over the booth with a grin, his gold eye glinting at you.

“Boo!” Floyd pouted, resting his chin on the top of the booth and draping his arms over to essentially trap you between them.

“Was tryin’ to scare Shrimpy, not fair!”

You giggled at the whiny tone, though Epel looked a bit off put by Floyd, which wasn’t surprising.

It’s like Shrimpy can tell when I’m nearby, totally not fair!

“Did you need something, Floyd?” Epel was still polite even after Vil left, so you suppose some of the habits instilled in him now came second nature.

“Nah, just wanted to bother ya. Hey Shrimpy, Tony said you guys are doing scary clowns for Halloween? Never seen that, are clowns really that scary to humans?”

“Oh yeah,” You responded while Epel nodded along. “I don’t know about here, but back home it was a whole deal, we had like a whole scary movie franchise based on a scary clown that stole and ate children.”

Epel added, “Yeah, and we had a whole thing like two years ago where people were sighting killer clowns on the street! Like, just randomly in the middle of the night!”

“You guys had that too? Oh, that’s weird.”

Floyd made a disturbed face at your comments. Humans are weird. He hummed, moving to further shove his body over your booth. You wouldn’t be surprised though if his feet were still on the ground.

“Killer clowns? Just beat them up, I don’t know, humans get scared of the weirdest things.”

The twin perked up as he held up a finger to shush you as you opened your mouth to rebuke.

“Wait a sec, I got something for ya!” Floyd brought his hand up to his mouth and shrilly whistled a small tune. “Hey Aspen!”

Watching with mild curiosity, you watched as the pink-haired man froze at Floyd calling for him. Staring at Floyd with wide eyes, he briefly darted his gaze to you, and back to Floyd.

“Bring the calamari over for lil’ Shrimpy!”

Aspen made a face, scrunching up his nose as he did what he was told as he internally complained.

I can’t believe you’re making me touch this stuff, I just—I can’t with you! How can you have Jade’s sweet face, and yet be such an ass, Floyd.

Placing the plate before you, Aspen gave you and Epel a polite nod. “Here you are, please enjoy.”

“Yeah, Aspen’s reeeal fond of squid, ain’t ya?” Floyd giggled as Aspen took a deep breath, glowering at him as he turned his cheek and trotted off.

Stupid, it’s no wonder you can’t court your mate, you brute.

“I believe my shift has ended. I’ll be setting off, I’ll see you at Ramshackle, Housewarden.”

You watched from the corner of your eye as Floyd grinned wryly at Aspen’s retreating form, looking back at you and Epel to pout and mockingly sniffle.

“He’s always been so mean to poor ol’ Floydie!” He giggled again, tilting his head as you rolled your eyes. “He ignores me all the time, even when I’m trying to have fun with him! It was just a joke!”

You gave a light-hearted scoff, as did Epel who froze at Floyd squinting a golden eye at him.

“Right, a joke. Like when you ‘accidentally’ served Azul your takoyaki. Didn’t he smack you hard enough to bruise you?”

Floyd blew a raspberry, cocking his hip as he leaned further against your booth. At the angle you had to crane your head to look at him, he almost looked like his brother.

“Yeah, he was so mean for that! It’s fine, though, he kept serving me unagi for like a week after that to get back at me.”

His eyes dulling a bit, you could tell Floyd was getting bored now that his ‘fun’ had left. Though, he seemed to perk up as you popped a calamari ring into your mouth, studying your reaction as you chewed. It got a bit awkward as you made eye contact with Epel, who shrugged.

I wonder if he’s waiting for the Prefect to say something about the food. Maybe he made it and wants praise?

You swallowed and cheerily told Floyd, “Hey, this is really good! Tastes great, did you cook it, Floyd?”

Floyd held his chin in his hands, grinning again as he watched you take another ring.

Waiting until you were mid-chew, he purred out in a teasing tone, “Oh, no I didn’t make that. Jade made it. For you.”

So sappy, an’ such a basic courting gift too!

You choked on the calamari, coughing and frantically hitting your chest. Epel yelped as he nearly jumped over the table to shove your glass of water in your face, which you accepted.

“Oh? You good Shrimpy?” Floyd, unbothered as ever, grinned as he watched you chug your water. “Something got you all flustered?”

“Floyd! Don’t make jokes, they’re chokin’!” Epel scolded Floyd as you finally took a heaving breath, waving your hands to cool off your burning cheeks.

“It’s fine, just went down the wrong throat. Um,” You shakily smiled at Floyd as you replied, “Thanks for letting me know, I’ll be sure to thank him later.”

As if, I don’t need him getting the wrong idea.

“Oh good, Jade wanted to talk to ya ‘bout something anyway. Can’t remember about what.” Floyd gave you a lazy smirk. “He was gonna visit ya at your dorm, but what if I pop you in his room as a surprise? It’ll be reeeal funny!”

“Nope!” You popped your lips, blanching at the thought of Jade finding you alone in his bedroom.

“Kayyy!” Floyd shrugged, sliding his upper body against the top of the booth as he sauntered away. “I’m sure Jade will be back soon anyway. I’ll have someone come top off your waters while you wait.”

An exhausted sigh left your mouth as you rested your head against the cool table while Epel did the same, in solidarity you think.

“Ya good? I’ve heard that Jade has been hovering around you lately. You don’t like, owe him anything, do you?”

You slid your head up to meet Epel’s gaze, who was currently giving you a curious look.

Ace mentioned he’s been around you a lot lately.

“Ah, no he’s just been, ummm—” you hummed as you considered how to word your circumstances without telling him about your telepathy.

Maybe I should tell him anyway…

“If it helps, I don’t think it’s anything bad!” Epel tried to reassure you with a small smile. “You two walk together after your potions class, right?”

You blinked in surprise, raising a brow. “Yeah? How’d you know?”

“Oh, he’s in the remedial second-year flight class with some other mermen. And I see you two walking when I’m coming from astronomy, it’s on the way.”

Every day too, without fail.

Epel waited for you to take a sip of water before giving you a wry grin. “It’s cute, you guys look like a couple.”

Choking on your water, you coughed as Epel giggled at your flustered reaction. Unfazed by your glare, Epel happily continued.

“Ha! I thought Ace was joking, but you really do get all embarrassed talking about Jade. What? You got a crush on him?”

“NO!” You shouted, nearly flying out of your seat. The dining room got quiet as you did, several eyes staring at you. From the corner of your eye, you could see Floyd smirking at you. Like he knew what you were talking about.

Oh, geez. Epel was leaning back against his seat, eyeing you up and down. Dramatic much?

“I mean, uh, no.” You hastily mumbled as you settled back in your booth, wishing you could just sink into the cushions.

“Sure, yeah.” Epel scoffed, and relaxed, smirking at you again. “You know, he’s real happy during flight class, even though he can barely make it off the ground. Might have something to do with a certain someone, you think?”

You laughed and dryly responded, “I wouldn’t know.” Liar. “Besides, it’s not like I ask for him to hover over me all the time. It gets annoying sometimes”

Epel now looked at you puzzled. “Ace didn’t mention anythin’ like that. He’s not like…stalking you or anything, right?”

I’ll beat him up if he is. He might got a foot over me, but I can take him!

The sentiment was sweet, but the thought of Epel confronting Jade made you uneasy. With how intense his feelings were for you, you couldn’t imagine Jade willingly backing down just from a few harsh words or threats from Epel of all people.

“It’s nothing to worry about. Promise!” You straightened and frantically waved your hands at the doubtful look he gave you. “Jade’s been nothing but helpful! He’s probably just being nice.”

“Jade, being nice? Sure, yeah right.” He snorted, amused again. “He’s as nice as a bull seein’ red. He’s like his brother, nothing but a big and mean bully.”

You clicked your tongue, now annoyed. “That’s not fair, Jade can be nice! Like I said, he’s been nothing but helpful to me since the year started.” You weren’t sure why you were so defensive. Jade had been as much of a nuisance as he was helpful since the year started.

Though, if I couldn’t read his mind, he probably wouldn’t actually be such a nuisance to me. I guess he hasn’t actually done anything to make him annoying.

“Hmm, awfully defensive, Prefect.” Leaning in, like he was sharing a secret, Epel slyly whispered, “You sure he’s actually annoying, or are you just pretending? Cause you’ve been getting redder since we’ve started talking ‘bout him.”

You smacked your hands against your heated cheeks, scowling at the cackling Epel.

“I’ve not! Liar!”

“Ha! Look at you!” Epel teased, stealing a piece of calamari as he continued making fun of you. “Why you all red, then?”

“Oh, shut up!” You pouted, sticking your tongue out at your friend before sighing. “Look, there’s more to it, I’ll tell you about it later, just stop making fun of me!”

Epel nodded in understanding, popping one of the calamari rings in his mouth.

“I’ll hold ya to it! Oh, I almost forgot to tell you about one of the guys in my class almost eating a poisonous plant in botany!”

You spent the next half hour listening to Epel recount the stories about the guys in his botany class. You liked being around Epel, even though he wasn’t aware of your telepathy. The way he spoke out loud and in his head were different, since he still spoke to himself internally with his normal accent.

“And then, he cut the bloom off, which made the entire glasshouse fill up with this pink gas!”

It smelt so awful, I'd rather have my face shoved in a cow's hind end!

“It smelled reeaaally bad!” Epel barked a laugh as you two got up from your seats, your waiter had finally given you your receipts. “It was a whole deal, Professor Kallpa was sooo mad!”

“Oh, really?” You laughed alongside Epel as you two walked out of the dining room. “I’ve never seen him mad, it must’ve been really bad!”

As you two turned the corner of the hall leading to the door of the Mostro Lounge, Jade was just exiting his bubble, too preoccupied by the small notebook in his hand to take notice of you.

“Oh shit—Epel hide me!” You spun back around and plastered your back against the wall, freezing like a deer in headlights. Epel yelped as you snatched the back of his collar. He followed suit, crouching against the wall under your arms as he looked up at you with an amused look.

“Seriously, what—” you smacked a hand over his mouth, listening for movement or thoughts.

Hmm? Interesting, is there a little guppy hiding from me? I hope they’re aware I can smell them.

You tried to make out Jade’s footsteps as you could hear his thoughts come closer and closer. You looked at Epel mouthed out, ‘He’s coming.’ Epel blinked rapidly in confusion, shrugging as he waved his hands in front of him.

‘What do you want me to do?’ He mouthed back, standing and holding his hands up still in confusion.

Though am I mistaken, that familiar scent of lavender…is that you, my love?

You stopped breathing, shoulders hunched up as your brain rapidly ran through various escape plans before finally settling on one.

“Sorry, Epel,” you whispered, giving him a nervous smile. “I’ll make it up to you later.”

Just as Jade was turning the corner, you shoved Epel into the tall man, the force causing the two to barrel into the ground with a loud ‘thump’ and groans.

While they, and most importantly Jade, were down, you swiftly and sneakily sped past them.

Ow! You ASS!

You turned as you opened the lounge entrance, pushing your back against the forming bubble as Epel looked up at you from the ground, glaring at you as if he could form a hole into your skull.

Ugh, is that Epel? Gah, I hit my head against the wall…

Jade looked up from his place on the ground, following Epel’s gaze as the bubble lifted you from view. He looked surprised, if a bit sad to see you go, opening his mouth to call out to you.

“Pearl?”

You sighed, feeling a bit guilty as you let the bubble take you to the mirror. It was just a few minutes to get to it, but that was enough to let you stew in your own thoughts for once.

Aw, he looked kinda sad. Maybe I should’ve just sucked it up and let him say hello.

You leaned against the cool wall of the bubble, watching as a small school of fish swam by. If you’re being honest with yourself, if it wasn’t for the fact you knew about how Jade felt for you, you probably wouldn’t have such a hard time interacting with him. You’d be blissfully unaware, making your way through life without a concern in the world.

Probably. Maybe. What if he tried confessing then? Would I still be avoiding him if I didn’t know what he thought of me? Ugh, but they’re such weird thoughts! Is it too much to ask for him to be normal?

From the distance you could see another bubble form from the Mostro Lounge, no doubt Epel following. As you turned to press through the mirror into the Hall of Mirrors. You sighed again.

What am I talking about, no one at this school is normal.

Stepping aside to wait for Epel, you took your phone out to check your texts. You blanched at the sight of several missed Magicam messages, mostly from Wynfred and Silas.

winniethewitch: Hi Prefect! Just a suggestion, can we invest in pest control? I think it would be really beneficial for us all :) sysalson: ignore my brother, there are no issues with bugs. The bugs are fine, the bugs are my friends :D winniethewitch: Hi again, Prefect! Please ignore Silas. The bugs are very much NOT fine. The bugs are not our friends. The bugs must go. winniethewitch: Hi Prefect, this is Wynfred, your unofficial Vice Housewarden. Please ignore my previous messages. Silas is right, the bugs are our friends and I made a haS42q vhq0[p;’M winniethewitch: That was not me. Please as the Headmage for pest conlk10vg n 319jioqajn13pn

You read through a few more messages, each harder to decipher than the last, as Wynfred and Silas evidently fought over the phone. You noticed that the last messages were actually readable.

winniethewitch: Prefect! I have taken care of the problem, there is no need for pest control now. Evidently, please ignore the smell when returning. It turns out that Aspen can make quite the strong pest repellent, it just happens to smell very strongly of garlic.

“Oh god, are you kidding me?” You chuckled to yourself, the sound of the Octavinelle mirror shimmering catching your attention. Turning to greet Epel, you noticed a smug look on his face instead of the annoyed one you expected.

“Heyyy, you know I didn’t mean to shove you so hard, right?”

“Mm-hm.” Epel hummed, walking past you and out the building. You followed, if a bit confused.

“I just panicked, and wanted to get out of there.”

Epel replied, “Away from Jade, right?”

“Right! You heard me earlier, it’s been a little weird being around him a bunch, so I just wanted to—”

“Yeah, don’t worry, I made sure to tell him that you weren’t trying to be rude or anything.”

You stopped rambling, now silent as Epel continued to offhandedly comment.

“Yeah! He seemed real worried that you were in such a rush to get away from him. So I let him know that you were just being shy, that you’d been getting all red and flustered when talking about him earlier—”

“WHAT!” You screeched, running ahead of him to stop Epel in his tracks, by now Ramshackle was in view and there were a few students on the porch staring after you yelled.

“Yeah, he didn’t say anythin’, but I could tell he was reeeal happy to hear that. I mean, he nearly, tripped over himself trying to follow you out, but Azul came over for him.”

Scoffing, you tapped your food as you angrily placed your hands on your hips. Epel looked at you, still smug.

That’s what you get for leaving me behind. Trying to sacrifice me, hmph!

“By the way, he asked me to remind you that your potionology group is still meeting at 3 later today. He said Yev was throwing a fit over you not texting him back, and he wanted to get work done.”

“Oh shit, I forgot!” You groaned, rubbing the palms of your hands against your eyes. “Ugh, I gotta get dressed in my lab uniform.”

Epel laughed, nudging you with his shoulder to push you towards Ramshackle. He cooed in mock sympathy, “Oh, too bad, so sad, better hurry up then.”

You ran, Epel laughing as you made a panicked screech, to Ramshackle. You zoomed past the group of freshmen on the porches they greeted you, stumbling into the foyer. You notice Grim in the living room, standing on the table as he told some sort of story about fighting an overblot monster in the mines. No doubt overinflating his part in the story.

“And then it raised its pickaxe to my hench-human while the other two ran for their hides! But, as the brave and mighty Grim, I used my most powerful spell—”

“GRIM!” You slid on the hardwood floors, huffing and pointing at the gray familiar. “Was laundry done yet!? I need my lab pants!”

“Nyah! Uh.” Grim jumped as his ears pinned down, and he sheepishly mumbled, “Nooo, I forgot. But I was telling these guys about the mines and—”

“GAAAAH!”

You ran up the steps and flew into your room, slamming the door behind you as you shuffled through your clean clothes to find your oversized lab coat, goggles, and pants. You managed to find the first two, but the third was indeed still in your dirty clothes hamper.

Damn it! Ugh, where are my tights?

Crewel had often chastised you when you wore your skirts to lab classes, as it didn’t follow lab safety protocols. Vil had helped you make outfits with opaque black tights to help cover your skin for lab, though you’d stopped after the last class when you spilled a potion over your legs, causing your favorite tights to bleach an ugly white, splotchy pattern.

You learned the hard way why none of your other classmates wore their skirts to lab either. Now you had a dedicated pair of pants for all labs, also bleached but comfortable. Unfortunately, they were still buried under a pile of dirty clothes.

Groaning, you slipped off your shoes and socks as you pulled out a pair of black tights, slipping them on, along with your lab coat and goggles around your neck. You had to fold your sleeves up to prevent them from engulfing your hands, easier said than done as you tried to smoothly slip on your shoes again.

Stumbling back out of your bedroom, and tripping a bit over the stairs, you managed to make it to the main hallway before being interrupted mid-walk.

“Prefect!” Perfect, they’ve still here! You looked up at Aspen, who looked strangely happy to see you. Behind him was Wynfred, who was blushing and staring down at his feet.

“Prefect,” Aspen chirped, gesturing to Wynfred with a flourishing wave. “Wynfred has something very important to tell you—”

“Sorry! Can’t talk! Ask Grim if you have any dorm related questions!”

“But, wait!” You ignored Aspen’s calls and him cursing you out in his head, while Wynfred also called out.

“Prefect, I—”

“Can’t talk! Bye, bye, bye, bye!”

You ignored their shouts as you leaped over the Ramshackle steps and ran as fast as you could to the castle. Maybe Vargas had a point trying to recruit you to the track team, as you managed to make it to the hallway that Yev’s lab was in just five minutes shy of three o’clock. You nearly rammed into Riddle’s back as you slid across the floor.

“Oh my!” Riddle stumbled forward, his goggles falling lopsided over his head, turning as he heard the trample of your steps. He stumbled backwards as you keened over, hands on your knees as you heaved for air.

“Prefect! Mind where you’re going! You nearly trampled me over!”

“Sorry! I just didn’t want to be late.” You took a final deep breath as you smiled up to Riddle. “Just 5 minutes to spare!”

Riddle chuckled as he lent a helping hand to get you back up, pulling you along to the classroom Yev had instructed your group to meet at.

“Very good Prefect, let’s not hurt ourselves, though. I already checked in, it’s just Jade. No sign of Yev quite yet.”

“Wasn’t he the one who insisted that we meet at this specific time? I’d thought he’d been here already.”

Riddle chuckled as you two made your way into the classroom. As Riddle had said, Jade was sitting at the end of the classroom in a desk closest to the wall. He’d been studying the stones that made up the wall rather intently before notice you and Riddle enter.

“Why hello Riddle. And Prefect, we’d bumped into each other earlier and didn’t even manage to say hello.”

Gave Jade a polite wave and a sheepish smile as Riddle greeted him.

“Still no sign of Yev, Jade?”

“Oh, no. How strange, especially since he insisted on us meeting at this time.”

Jade’s eyes briefly locked on your form, eyes drawing up and down.

There you are! My darling! My pearl, you’re wearing a skirt again! I can’t believe I didn’t notice earlier! And you’re acting all shy! Your little friend was right! Cute, cute, cute!!

“Hey, Riddle, what if I jumped off a bridge? For fun?”

Riddle sharply inhaled, slowly turning his head to give you an unamused glare.

“What if I tied a leash to your neck? For fun?” He scoffed, pulling at your cheek like a mother to her child. “Honestly, you worry me at times, I may have to anyway.”

Hmm, not a bad idea Riddle…

Jade’s mind conjured up an image of you on your knees, in the maid outfit again, a leash tied to your neck leading up to his hand as he cooed over you.

You made a low-pitch whine as the two of you made your way to where Jade was waiting at the end of the classroom.

“No, I’m fine actually, no leashes here. Hate them.” You made an ‘X’ with your hands as you turned and walked backwards, puffing your cheeks. “Not something I want on my person, at all!”

Really? You heard Jade shift in his seat, standing to approach you and Riddle. Hmm.

You smiled to yourself for effectively shutting down the latest dirty thought.

At least, until Jade conjured up another image of you straddling him in bed, using his tie as a leash to pull his face to yours.

“Jade, you’ve been naughty~” You giggled, pulling on his tie, further tightening it as his own hand clasped yours. “Maybe I ought to collar you up? Tie a leash and drag you around like a pet?” Jade gasped, pupils blown wide, as he let out an uncharacteristically high-pitched whine. A sound reserved just for you. “Anything you want, just for you, my love.” Jade groaned as you licked a stripe up his throat to meet his lips in a messy, wet kiss. His words muffled as he spoke against your moving lips, “I’ll be your pet. I’ll let you use me. Please—” Grasping the ends of your shirt, tugging at them like a lifeline, Jade started muttering nonsense as he ground his hips against yours. “Please, please, please, I’ll be so good to you! I’ll fuck you so good, I’ll make you feel good if you’ll just let me. Let me love you, please, please, please—”

A sharp pain flew up your neck to your head as you collided with the stone wall, tripping over a table leg while walking backwards. Your face was burning, as was the heat in your gut. Riddle and Jade both made noises of concern as you clenched the back of your head. You were glad that they assumed your red face was due to your embarrassment, as Jade’s last rambles were still echoing in your head.

“Oh my, Prefect! Are you alright?” Riddle's voice was full of concern, but also slight amusement as he grabbed your left arm, Jade the right, to pull you up.

“Yes, that looked like it hurt quite a bit.” Jade murmured, moving his hands to gently move your head. “Allow me to check your head.”

“No, I’m—ow!” His hand brushed on a tender spot on your crown, making you wince. ”Ooooh, that hurt!”

Ah, I’m so sorry, my pearl, but you make the cutest sounds sometimes! You heard Jade tut as he leaned down to closely inspect your head. I just wonder what kinds I could pull from you.

You cringed, leaning away from his hand and shooing both boys away. “I’m fine, guys, it’s just a bump.”

“Are you sure you’re okay? It does none of us any good if you’re hurt and can’t focus, you can go to the nurse.” Riddle replied, pushing you towards the door.

“Yes.” Jade chirped in agreement, ignoring Riddle’s side eye at his abnormally happy tone. “Allow me to take you—”

“Oh no! I don’t think so!” Yev came barreling through the classroom door, looking rather disheveled. Compared to his rather clean, prim appearance, he looked as if he’d been run through the wringer.

Oh my, I would have never seen Vil in such a state. You heard Riddle stifle a chuckle as he eyed Yev fixing his messy hair. Said man was huffing, no doubt from running.

“Ugh my hair! Look,” Yev said, eyeing you in particular, “It took forever for us to find a spare day to meet up. I won't go through the effort of rescheduling it when one of you just happened to bump your head.”

Besides, I have a potion in my lab you can take anyways.

“I really must insist that the Prefect get checked up.” Jade argued, giving Yev a polite smile. Though, his eyes were quite firm.

“And I must insist that we get started.” Yev scoffed as he pushed past the three of you pressing against the stones in the wall as he continued talking. “I have pain medicine in my lab, just…ugh. Where’s that damn button!”

Your group shared looks at Yev’s muttering, moving closer to huddle around Yev as he pressed hidden buttons along the stone wall. He pressed one, the lights flickered off and back on as he pressed it again.

Riddle yelped as the bookshelf next to him spun into the wall, turning around to reveal its other side blended into the wall. He jumped back as it spun again, nearly hitting him.

“Yev! Be careful!.” Riddle yelled, cheeks turning red. “I thought this was your secret lab, how do you not know how to get in it?”

Yev yelled back, “I know! I’m just having trouble—you know, I didn’t have to let us use my lab for our project!”

As the two started arguing, now the blackboard and teacher’s desk shaking as Yev pressed more stone buttons, Jade shuffled closer to you.

“You know…” Jade leaned down to softly speak to you. “I can still take you to the infirmary, if you’d prefer?”

You looked up at Jade, surprised at the tender look in his eyes.

I really shouldn’t be, though.

“I, uh—” You turned away shyly, reaching up to touch the still throbbing spot on your head. “Maybe that wouldn’t be such a bad idea—”

“Wait! Don’t press that one, it’s the wrong—”

Your stomach dropped as the floor beneath your feet disappeared. Specifically the square panel you and Jade had been incidentally standing on, the trap door opening as you two started falling down the dark pit. A scream left your mouth, arms reaching around your midsection as you clutched onto them and shut your eyes.

“Ow. That was my rib.” Jade's voice grunted against your ear, his hold around loosening as he also moved to stand.

“Jade? What—oh my god!” You tried to scramble off of Jade, harder said than done in the space you two had found yourselves. Shifting around, you were sure that you’d just made the situation worse, as Jade lit a light with his wand. How in the world you managed to find yourself straddling Jade’s waist in the dark was a mystery. Though, with the flush look on his face, you weren’t sure he minded.

Oh…by the Abyss itself… you’re such a pretty sight.

“You say that often, ‘my god’, what does that mean if you don’t mind me asking.” Jade pushed himself up by his free elbow, the other arm busy holding up your only source of light. “It’s an expression, yes?”

“Y-yeah, it’s like when you guys say things li-like ‘by the Seven’ or—I’m sorry. Let me try to get off you!”

You started rambling, looking around for a way to put some distance between you and Jade. However, you only saw black walls around you. Looking up, whatever panel had been above you was closed off, black stone closing you in.

“Well, there’s not much space for you to move.” Unless you want to keep moving those hips against me… “Perhaps relax, there’s hardly any space between the two of us.”

“Right! Of course, but I think I can…” Carefully, you managed to stand in the small space, trying to avoid moving against him. Harder said than done, but you managed, reaching down to lend a hand to him. “Here.”

Jade smiled, something soft and sweet, as he took your hand and awkwardly shuffled against the wall as he slid up.

Though, this is just as nice as well.

“I think I can hear them shuffling on top of us. Do you think one of them noticed us falling?”

“Ha, with the way you screamed? Without a doubt.” Jade managed to stand straight, a good chunk of space between the tops of your heads and the trap door panel.

He attempted to reach up to knock the top of the panel. Despite his height his fingerprints barely brushed it. Luckily, you could hear Riddle and Yev’s panicked footsteps stumble around.

Riddle’s voice came through the floor, muffled and frantic.

“Prefect? Jade? Prefect!? Yev what in the world was that!? Where did it send them? Prefect! Y/N!!”

“We’re here!” You called out, smacking the wall in an attempt to make more noise. “We’re fine!”

“Oh good!” You heard Yev laugh, then yelp as you heard a smack. “What?! Usually it would send them down to the lake! They got stuck in the trap hole since you pressed the button twice, usually it would’ve sent them to a nice midafternoon bath!”

You heard another smack and yelp, then some scratching against the wood.

“Prefect, we’re going to get you and Jade out! Let me just figure out how to get the panel open.”

Listening to some more footsteps, Jade leaned down to murmur, “There goes our plans then. You don’t suppose they’ll get us out of here before 3, do you?”

You snorted, stifling a laugh, failing to do so at the sound of more clamoring and arguing above you.

“Give Riddle some faith at least. He’s always been smart. And resourceful! You should’ve seen him over the summer, he got through every training simulation thrown at us.”

“Ah, I never did learn about what happened at that camp the headmage had you all attend.” Jade leaned down, studying your features.

Oh, such a wonderful smile! I wished you’d do that more often around me.

“Azul’s been tight-lipped about it as well, perhaps you’d be willing to share with me?”

You blinked up at him, shuffling a bit as he leaned down to whisper against your ear.

“You can trust me, you know.” His smooth voice drew a shiver down your spine. You think that he noticed your blushing face, based on the way he took a sharp breath.

Please, please, please! Don’t be nervous, there’s no need to be shy with me! I know you are, but you don’t need to my love!

You really wanted to wring Epel’s neck for that comment, though it was hard to focus. Especially with the lack of space between you two.

“I’m happy to lead an ear. There’s no need to be shy.”

You shuffled against the wall to place some distance between you two, squinting at his smile. You half expected him to cage you in with his long arms, though he seemed more amused at seeing you try and escape him.

Ah! Look at you being shy! So cute, cute, cute!

You wanted to roll your eyes at him, more annoyed now than anything, even with your blush.

“I’m fine, thank you. I can handle myself just fine.”

Jade chuckled, “Ah, I forget how spirited you can be.”

Before you could retort back, a bit of light from the opening panel shone through. Both you and Jade looked up to see Riddle’s gray eyes peering through the small gap he made.

“Prefect!” shouted in relief, looking at the twin. “And Jade. You’re there too.”

“Oh, Riddle. Your concern is most kind.”

Ignoring Jade’s thinly veiled sarcasm, you smiled and reached up with both hands to wave at Riddle.

“Hey! Let’s go! Can you open it more to get us out?”

“Yes, but I can’t reach you. Yev has to stand by the button that opens this panel up. He’s using a spell to hold the button so that it won’t open the panels beneath you while I pry this one open.”

Riddle briefly disappeared, the panel moving slightly more as he pushed it into its slot. The floor beneath your feet also shifted, vibrating as if it too wanted to slide away and disappear.

“Ah! Careful, the panel here is moving!”

You stumbled, Jade catching you by your waist to help steady you as he also called out.

“Riddle! I’d rather that we don’t plunge into the lake! I heard it’s quite slimy!”

“Ew what? Riddle!” You panicked, shouting for Riddle and jumping on your toes. “Get us out!”

Riddle huffed, crawling back to poke his head through the now large hole.

“I’m trying! Jade, can you lift the Prefect on your shoulders.” Riddle ignored your protest and continued to speak. “Just lift them, so I can pull them up, then the two of us can try to reach for you.”

You blinked in confusion, processing Riddle words before paling.

“Wait, what—AH!” You felt Jade’s hands grab your knees, looking down to see the back of Jade’s head settle between your thighs as he lifted you on his shoulders. A small shriek slipped your slips as you grasped at Jade’s hair, pulling hard enough to make him wince, so that you could steady yourself.

Oh, fuck. Their hands, their thighs, it’s better than anything I could imagine…

You panicked at another one of Jade’s daydreams. This one of Jade between your legs, thighs squeezing the sides of his head and hands pulling the teal strands in his head as you arched your back and cried out his name. You tightened your thighs instinctually, regretting it as you felt Jade’s breath shudder. You felt it, even with the tights blocking your bare skin.

“RIDDLE! GET ME OUT!! NOW!” You launched your hands and body up, making Jade stumble forward as you tried reaching for the ledge that was still out of your grasp.

“I’m going! Do not yell at me like you’re me!” Riddle’s hands were now within your reach, the tips of your fingers brushing against each other. “Jade, push them up higher or something. I can’t reach!”

You felt Jade move his hands to cradle beneath your thighs, lifting you as you nearly made it to freedom’s grasp.

“Riddle, have you managed to get—Aye, hijo de puta!”

You felt yourself dropping again, Riddle’s hands now quickly fading away while Jade’s grasp tightened against your legs.

You heard your scream echo against the stone walls as you two fell through the tunnel. At some point, Jade had let go of you to grab at your waist again, tucking you against his chest as he curled around you and braced.

It certainly helped, as he took the brunt of the fall against the cold waters of the lake underneath the school castle.

Chill seeped through your bones, hair and lab coat billowing around you as you finally opened your eyes to see nothing but dark, green murky water. Below you was more darkness, the tops of a seaweed forest underneath your feet. You think you could make out a few fish, even one of those giant catfish Vargas made his camp attendees fish for.

However, you missed the large, silver large-toothed fish darting between the seaweed, only noticing it as it was charging at you. Bubbles flew out of your mouth as you screamed, shutting your mouth again, and attempting to swim quickly to the surface. Luckily for you, you made it rather quick as a familiar webbed, green hand snatched your hand as Jade bolted to the surface.

Breaking the water, you gasped for a deep breath, brushing your bangs from your face and blinking away water from your eyelashes. You frantically whipped your head around, searching for Jade, as you called out his name in a panic.

“Jade? Jade! Where are you? Jade!” You yelped as he breached the water, brushing his hair back. He had a scrape on his arm that he was studying with mild irritation.

“What an annoying creature—oh!” Jade grunted in surprise as you threw your hands over him, clutching at his shoulders.

“Jade! Are you hurt? What was that? Is it gonna get us?! Oh my god, JADE IT’S GONNA GET US, WE GOTTA GO!” You babbled on and on, hyper focused on looking at the water below you for signs of the aggressive fish. Which proved meaningless, as you couldn’t see anything besides the dark green water.

You paused at Jade’s sudden laughter, growing louder as his chest shook, and his eyes squinted in mirth. Looking at him with furrowed brows, you tilted your head as he reached over to cup your cheeks. He squeezed them together, making you pucker your lips as his laughter died down.

He’s…laughing! Like, fully laughing! I’ve…ever seen him laugh! Woah!

“My dear, relax!” Jade managed to stifle his laughter, now softly chuckling. Something more characteristic of him.

He has a nice laugh, actually. Not like Floyd’s, it’s just more… Jade. I guess…it suits him!

“I can assure you, I am just about the scariest thing in this lake at this moment. Nothing is going to come for us as long as I remain in my merform. But your concern for me is delightful.”

So sweet.

Jade looked at you fondly, eyes darting down to your lips, making your breath catch in your chest.

Is he gonna…?

“We should head to the shore and start heading back up. I imagine Riddle is quite worried about you.”

Jade suddenly let go of your cheeks, instead moving to swim on his stomach, gesturing for you to grab his back.

“Here, allow me to help you to shore.”

You nodded, wrapping your arms around his shoulders as you carefully maneuvered around his dorsal fin. You were reminded of the time you got trapped in the Scarabia desert and had to swim through the river Kalim made. Though this time you had a different twin to be your ride.

“Heh, kinda familiar, huh? Though you had Grim and Azul with you back then, right?”

Jade started wading through the water, one of his own hands reaching up to hold yours on his chest.

“Yes, you were with Floyd last time. That was quite the time, wasn’t it? You found yourself in trouble more often than the average person.”

“It’s not like I mean to! It just sorta happens!” You pouted, debating on pinching Jade, as he chuckled at your offended response.

You decided to look up at the shore Jade swam to, noticing two figures walking along the coliseum pathway.

“Hey, I think that’s them! Hey! Riddle! Yev!” You called out to the two figures, drawing their attention. You waved a free hand, squealing as Jade sped up, making you fall against his back and clasp onto him again.

“Jade! Careful!”

“Now, now, my pearl.” This was the first time he’d ever refer to you as ‘pearl’ outside his thoughts. Though, he was more focused on your arms around him rather than the words coming out of his mouth.

“Have faith. I would never let you get hurt under my care.”

Jade sped back up, and despite yourself, you let out small screams of glee as adrenaline ran through your veins as you rode on Jade like a rollercoaster at a water park.

It took but a minute to make it to the shore, much sooner than the pair of students who were still making their way over. You crawled off Jade and up the sandy shore, grabbing your hair and wringing the water out. You hear the shimmering sound you’d associated with the twins and Azul’s transformation, turning to see Jade dusting himself off, perfectly dry in his lab uniform.

“…Are you kidding?”

Jade looked up, looking at you with confusion.

“I beg your pardon?”

“You’re dry! You literally were just a merman, in the water, and now you’re just dry!?”

Jade looked taken aback, before laughing at your angry face.

Oh, my! How cute! You’re almost never angry, what a delightful view!

“My apologies for not being courteous enough to suffer alongside you.” Jade walked over to you as you started working getting the water out of your goggles. He was still chuckling at you.

“It’s a perk of our transformation potions. Quite convenient, yes. Oh, but you poor thing. All soaked.”

Jade stopped, a blush filling his cheeks as he stared at your torso. He turned away, clearing his throat.

“I do believe that the water soaked through…ah…your shirt.”

A gasp left your mouth, looking down to quickly snatch your lab coat closed and button it up. It didn’t really matter, though, as Jade’s mind was filled with the image of your wet, seek through shirt and the view of your chest.

Today…has…been so, so wonderful~

You sighed, looking over to the students walking over.

“I’ll ask Riddle to help dry me off with a spell or something. Though…that’s not him.”

You squinted at the pair, now within a reasonable view, realizing it was Aspen and Wynfred.

Did you? Did they follow me here?!

“Prefect, there you are—why are you wet?” Aspen stopped, looking your sopping form up and down with a raised brow. “And Jade too—ugh, never mind.”

“Wynfred here has something he’d like to tell you, but you left before he could. It’s something incredibly important! Go on Wynfred, tell them!”

Aspen turned around and pushed Wynfred, who was digging his feet into the ground, towards you and Jade as you wring water out of your clothes. A small trench was forming as Aspen continued to push the frozen ginger closer to you, who was currently clenching his fists to his sides. Staring at you wide-eyed, Wynfred’s eyes darted between you and Aspen, who was smiling and gesturing to you.

“Go on…” Do it, you idiot!

“Uh, is everything alright? Wynfred, are you okay? Did something happen? Did you get hurt or—”

“PLEASE GO OUT WITH ME!” With a sudden burst of confidence, Wynfred ran forward to grasp your hands with his. “I think you’re a wonderful housewarden! And I am equally great, so we’d make a great pair!!”

His sparkling eyes would be cute, if it wasn’t for how tightly he clenched your hands. And Aspen, of course.

Yes! Go out with him, so I can get you off of Jade’s back! Come on! Say something! Do you know how hard it was to convince him to ask you out?! Say something!

Wynfred’s very sudden confession, which you're doubting was a real confession and not just a misguided push from Aspen, shut you and the surrounding area up. The silence was deafening. Even the birds and the breeze stopped, as if mocking your predicament. Minus the scandalous gasp from your left, no one spoke.

Wait, who the hell gasped?

You turned to look at Riddle and Yev, who had run down the castle to meet you and Jade. Though, Riddle looked like he just swallowed a lemon, while Yev was clutching a hand to his chest as he looked at your group with an open mouth.

“Oh my—WYNFRED SALSON!” Yev marched over with a furious look, snatching Wynfred by the ear to scold him. “What in the world makes you think you can just go up to a housewarden and demand a date from them! That is not how a proper Pomefiore student acts!”

You backed away as Yev continued scolding Wynfred, pitying him. Riddle walked over to you and leaned down to inspect your face and arms, prodding at you and checking for any wounds.

“Well, that is certainly awkward. Are you alright? You didn’t get hurt, did you?”

“Ah, no.” You shook your head, smiling as you turned to look at Jade. “Jade actually…”

You froze, as did Riddle, upon noticing Jade’s expression. Or, more accurately, the lack thereof. Instead of his usual smile, or even the sweet ones he’d been giving you earlier, Jade’s face was a blank slate, eyes focused solely on Wynfred’s form.

I will drag you into the deepest depths known to man until the pressure pops your eyes out of your sockets, your heart bursts, and your lungs fill with the bitter cold of the sea. I will watch your body turn into bloody, liquified mush you stupid, arrogant, waste of space! Stay away from my mate! Mine! Mine! Mine! MINE!

Jade's expression quickly changed back to his usual smile, though he was still emanating an aura that could be best described as “bloodthirsty”. Murderous even! Sanguinary, if you wanted to be poetic. Riddle at least had noticed it, as he leaned close to whisper.

“Did something happen with Jade? I figured he would be annoyed that he fell into the lake, but he seems…rather….”

“Homicidal?”

“I was going to be nice and say ‘furious,’ but yes. Homicidal fits quite well.”

“Ugh!” Wynfred started shoving against Yev, who was still rambling angrily at Wynfred for his ‘lack of etiquette’ apparently.

“Look, Prefect! I would quite like to go out with you on a date! I think you’re very nice to everyone in the dorm, and I am also nice!”

You think Wynfred chose to ignore Aspen’s snort, green eyes darting to him and back to you.

“Besides, I’ve been told that we’d make a great match! Just ask Aspen! He’s the one who suggested that I—MmmPh!”

Aspen ran over to slap his hand over Wynfred’s mouth, laughing nervously as he glanced at Jade. Said man was now squinting at Aspen with annoyance and distaste.

Really, Aspen? I expected better from you, little squid.

“I was just, uh, supporting my fellow roommate!” The pink haired boy continued to nervously laugh. “You know how it is! I’m just being benevolent, l-like the Sea Witch!”

Jade let out a small chuckle, tilting his head. “Is that so?”

“Yes!” Wynfred managed to shove Aspen’s hands away, reaching for yours again, though his smile faltered as you stumbled back. “Sorry! I don’t mean to be so forward. But I know how busy you’ll be getting as Halloween comes up, and I wanted to ask you on a date during the celebration so that—”

“Oh no. I’m afraid that simply won’t work.” Jade finally stepped forward, wrapping a hand around your shoulders and bringing you close.

Riddle made a noise, and from the corner of your eye you could see him give Jade a disapproving glare.

“W-what? Why!” Wynfred thinned his lips, glaring at Jade and his hold around you.

I’d make for a great date! My siblings say so! Aspen says so too!

Jade titled his head, giving Wynfred a mock sympathetic look.

“Well, the Prefect will simply be too busy with helping me with selling products for Octavinelle during Halloween. After all, Ramshackle’s haunted amusement park makes for the perfect environment to sell food and drinks, especially at the prices Azul places.”

I’m sure I can convince him to do so easily enough.

“What?” Aspen scoffed, blinking at Jade incredulously. “Azul never mentioned that!”

“Oh, we were still figuring out the details. Our lovely Prefect here was going to help us.” Jade cooed as he leaned down to rest his cheek against the top of your head.

Mine.

“But we can discuss more once Azul has the finer details figured out. Now, if you two don’t mind, we all need to be heading back to Yev’s lab and get started on our project. We’ve lost valuable time with this trap door fiasco, haven’t we?”

“Right…” You slowly answered, looking at Riddle who nodded, still eyeing Jade. Yev perked up, wiping imaginary dust off his lab uniform as he too agreed.

“Right, you are Jade. I’m not done with you, Wynfred. I will be speaking to you about your manners later this week.”

Yev sneered at Wynfred, who scoffed in return, as he turned his heel and waved for your group to follow. Jade did so, giving Wynfred another blank stare before turning to you and smiling.

“Shall we?” Let’s go, my pearl.

“Uh, give me a sec. Riddle, can you help me with a drying spell?”

“Oh, of course. Excuse me.” Riddle walked around Jade as he took out his wand, shooing Jade and the two freshmen still lingering. “Go, we will meet you there. And you two.”

Both of the younger students froze under Riddle’s gaze. The redhead’s reputation and strict gaze followed him everywhere it seemed.

“You’ve made the day excitable enough, off you go. Perhaps think about learning more tact, especially around your upperclassmen. Go”

The stern end of his sentence spooked the two to run off to Ramshackle, you presume. Riddle cleared his throat, drawing your attention as the tip of his wand glowed a soft red.

“Do you want to tell me what’s going on with you and Jade?” Riddle asked, showing you the pattern he waved his wand in for you to copy and use on your legs. Your friend focused on your arms and back.

“Nothing! I don’t know what you’re talking about.” You quickly replied, focusing on keeping the spell up.

“Oh? So he wasn’t all over you when that fresh tried asking you out? He didn’t shut him down and stare him down like he wanted to tear him apart with his teeth? Y/N, please. Don’t take me for a fool.”

“I’m not! It’s not what you think.”

“And what do you think I think?” That I’m a dullard?

“I don’t think you’re a dullard, or whatever, it’s just complicated!”

Riddle huffed, giving you a once over as he hooked his arm with yours and dragged you up to the castle steps.

“I didn’t say that part out loud, you know.”

…Huh?

“What are you talking about?”

Riddle scoffed, reaching over to adjust your tie. Something he’d often do for you.

“I noticed pretty early on. It’s quite easy to tell when someone is reading your mind when they react to each and everything you say and think.”

“What! How do you—”

“That, and also Ace is known for his loud mouth.”

You tossed your head back, groaning as you pinched the bridge of your nose.

“That dumbass.”

A small laugh left Riddle’s lips, smiling as you glared at him. “Don’t worry. I gave him a stern talking to. If it helps, he was only discussing it with Deuce, who I assume you also told?”

Nodding in affirming, Riddle continued, “I guessed. It certainly explains your strange behavior at times. Though I do have one question.”

“Shoot.”

“How long have you known about Jade’s feelings for you?”

“WHAT—oof!” You tripped over the castle steps, just barely catching yourself with Riddle grabbing your arm. “What are we talking about?”

“Floyd cornered me a few weeks ago. Both of our clubs got off at the same time, and he chased me around until he cornered me in one of the stables. He was complaining about how Jade got to be around his ‘mate’ all the time for class, but he barely saw his own.”

Annoying eel he is. Why would I care about his damn love life?

Riddle rolled his eyes at the mention of Floyd, though he continued.

“It didn’t click until earlier, when I saw how…hmm…handsy he was with you.”

You sighed, “It’s that noticeable?”

“Only sometimes.” Riddle shrugged, patting your shoulder consolingly. “Especially when that poor freshman tried asking you out. Speaking of that, what are you going to tell him?”

You blinked at Riddle, confused. “What do you mean?”

Oh dear, catch up, Prefect.

Riddle sighed, “Well, it’s not always appropriate for a housewarden to date one of their students. You’ll turn him down, yes? Besides, with how your admirer was looking at him, it would most likely be better for Wynfred’s well-being anyway.”

“Oh, yeah. You’re right…”

You let out a tired sigh. Most likely, you’d have to take an extra long bath tonight to get the stress out of your bones.

“I’ll let him down gently later. Apparently, I have to talk to Azul about being a food vendor for the dorm’s haunted house.”

When you finally made it back to the classroom, a panel in the wall revealed a staircase, which Yev and Jade were waiting by. Jade’s eyes lit up at the sight of you, though he physically remained poised and proper.

Welcome back, my darling! I hope that nasty little barnacle didn’t ruin your mood!

You chose to ignore Jade and called out to Yev, “So you said you had an idea for our final project. What kind of potion were you thinking?”

Yev perked up, proudly puffing his chest. “Oh yes, you two should love this! We will be making a blot preventative! I bet you two wished you had that last year, hm? I know, I’m brilliant!”

Both you and Riddle stared blankly at Yev, who was still standing proud, as Jade eyed him disapprovingly.

“Hey, Riddle, what if I jumped out the window? For fun?”

“I’d still put a leash on you.”

“Damn.”

#twst #twisted wonderland #jade leech #jade leech x reader #twst jade #jade leech x yuu #mochi fic #the private thoughts (not) of a moray #ptm #twst jade x reader #twst x reader #twisted wonderland x reader

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eldritch-nightmare · 8 months

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Can you make a scenario about how the pastas would react after an argument? Like, if the reader left to get some fresh air? (I crave angst)

-💫Anon

a/n: indeed i can my friend here's a healthy amount of (very mild) angst just for you. i'm so totally gonna use this idea in a future chapter for the silly lil scenarios book as well because uh angst. maybe the prompt got away from me just a little bit i won't lie.

how do they react after an argument?

includes: jeff the killer, laughing jack, slenderman, nina the killer, eyeless jack, jane the killer, candy pop, clockwork, ticci toby, nurse ann, x virus, kagekao, jason the toymaker, the puppeteer, homicidal liu, sully, the bloody painter, the doll maker, zalgo, and hobo heart.

warnings: the aftermath of an argument, relationship disputes, some of these are healthy and some of these are not, inconsistent length.

JEFF THE KILLER would honestly be more upset if you walked out after an argument. he's already upset enough as it is, so you turning your back to him and storming out just makes his blood boil. he won't follow after you, but he'll definitely disappear for the next few days. he really isn't the best at resolving arguments, no matter how small they are. and unless he really fucks up, then he isn't going to apologize even if he is in the wrong. he's jeff the fucking killer, what the hell does he have to feel sorry about? you should consider yourself lucky that he didn't gut you for pissing him off.

if you want to have any form of resolve to this argument, you'll have to force the conversation because he will actively try to shut you down. he can't. he literally can't. resolution is not something he is good at, and unless you're the one to apologize, even if you aren't the one who is at fault, he's just not going to let any of this resolve. does that make him an asshole? yeah, it does. does he feel guilty? just a little. does that change anything? no, not really.

LAUGHING JACK, similar to jeff, would feel more upset over you walking away from the fight rather than the fight itself. he can come off as pretty scary during an argument, especially if it's one where he feels like he's in the right. he gets frustrated easily, and he's just overall a very expressive person, so. and he can get pretty fucking mean if he wants to, so yeah honestly you needing to walk away makes complete and total sense and he knows that it makes sense but that doesn't make him any less upset.

he'll just blame it on his abandonment issues or something because seeing you leave just to go and calm down should not have hurt as much as it did. and he debates going after you but he ultimately decides it would be best if he didn't. he wants to resolve this though, and he'll try but it'll be painfully awkward because, i mean, yeah.

SLENDERMAN is, by default, a pretty scary being the begin with so i imagine an argument with it would be pretty unnerving. it isn't used to people arguing with it, that's for sure. i think it would be more amused than upset, seeing such a small being stare up at it as if trying to intimidate it... it's a cute sight to see, that's for sure. it'll keep that thought to itself, of course. it imagines that saying such a thing out loud may only make things worse.

slender won't be upset when you walk away. it understands that you're just going to cool off. it'll take this time to clear its own thoughts until the two of you are ready to talk again and clear up the tension.

NINA THE KILLER would be immensely frustrated seeing you walk away. she'll probably let out a groan and tell you to come back, but she won't follow after you. she understands that if the two of you kept arguing any longer, things would only get worse. she knows that, so she'll use this as a chance to calm down herself. nina gets over things easier than you would think, and if this argument wasn't over anything major then the next time you see her, she'll most likely be back to her usual self.

she'll probably be the first to apologize as well, even if she feels as if she's not the one at fault. she can't stand when you're upset at her, so just accept her apology so the two of you can move on, yeah?

EYELESS JACK is always viewed as mature and in control of his emotions. and he is. a little too in control if we're being honest here. for most arguments you guys may have, he'll keep his cool and will try to understand your point of view and where you're coming from. there are times, however, when the control he has over his emotions slips, and you get reminded that oh. your boyfriend is a cannibalistic demon that can literally kill you in the blink of an eye. he really doesn't mean to scare you, but it's definitely a good thing you choose that moment to walk away to cool off because he has to physically force himself to not go after you.

and once he calms down, he will apologize. it's a genuine apology, one written all over his face. he never wants to or means to invalidate you and your emotions, and he never wants to make you scared of him.

JANE THE KILLER would probably be the first to walk away from an argument, if we're being fairly honest. if this is richardson we're talking about, then she's definitely more mature about it and politely suggests that you both take fifteen minutes to cool off before continuing the conversation. she does it because it's one, a healthy thing to do for your relationship, and two, while she is heavily in control of her emotions, the liquid hate running through her veins enhances her anger and it would be really bad if she genuinely got angry.

if this is arkensaw, i think she'll be a little less mature than she would like. she portrays herself as someone in control of her emotions, but her emotions and her hatred are what drive her. she does her best to her burning-hot anger in check but if you two have an argument, then it's fairly difficult. if you walk away first, then it'll only serve to upset her more, but she won't go after you. honestly, she'll probably even avoid you in the coming days because her anger lingers. it always lingers.

CANDY POP thinks it's cute that this little argument of yours got you so worked up that you had to walk away from him. honestly hell yeah if i were you i'd walk away from him as well because there is simply no winning with this guy. worst man you could ever argue with, to be honest.

but as we all know, his mood can change in an instant with no warning so. one moment, he thinks you walking away from him is cute and adorable. the next, he's getting frustrated and following after you because you don't get to walk away from him, silly. haven't you realized that he owns you?

CLOCKWORK, while she has her own anger issues and tends to get easily frustrated by the smallest of things, does try her best to keep her emotions in check if you two ever have an argument. it's not easy, and there have been times when she's snapped at you, but she always apologizes immediately after.

you walking away would make sense. she understands, she knows that you both need to take time to calm down before things get too heated. she gets it. but depending on what you two are arguing about, doing so could only serve to make her more angry. it's... frustrating, really. she won't follow after you though, because she knows it's what is best.

TOBY would want you to walk away. he needs it, to be honest. he tries to avoid getting into arguments with you for various different reasons. arguing with you stresses him out more than he would like it to, and it reminds him of the hold you have on him. you walking away from the argument would give him time to clear his head and cool off.

once you've both calmed down, he'll probably be the first to approach you because he cannot stand the awkward tension that always lingers after arguments with people. he wants to clear the air so this can all just be water under the bridge. it'll be a painfully awkward conversation though. he's not good at... resolving arguments. never had a positive example, to be honest.

NURSE ANN struggles to speak, so i think she would try to avoid getting into an argument because she feels as if she won't be able to properly get her point across. but arguments are bound to happen sooner or later, even in the healthiest relationships. and ann, to put it simply, is a very angry person. she keeps that anger in check when you're around, but it's literally impossible to not slip up a few times.

since ann rarely ever vocally speaks, her anger is typically conveyed in her stares and her jerky gestures as she signs. you walking away is the smartest thing you could do in that moment, leaving her alone to stew in her always-burning anger that she'll choose to take out on any nearby destructible objects or some sad poor soul that just so happens to trespass at her hospital in the coming hours.

X-VIRUS seems like the type of guy who has never really been in any arguments, to be honest. maybe when he was at the orphanage he got into a few petty arguments between the other kids, but nothing that would warrant needing to walk away, y'know? and i definitely don't think he'd treat the argument seriously, brushing off your words and whatnot.

he only realizes that you were genuinely angry with him when you walked away. it's definitely like... a slap in the face that oh. i'm a fucking asshole. he's not really sure what to do in this moment, and he waits until you come back on your own to try and apologize. but he's not the best at apologies.

KAGEKAO wouldn't treat the argument seriously at all. at least, not at first. honestly, he'd probably purposefully get you even more upset just to get a reaction out of you. does that make him an asshole? oh, most certainly. he just likes seeing you feel anything towards him, even if it's anger. he likes getting a reaction out of you because it's him you're reacting to. and it's entertaining as well, though you don't need to know that.

when you walk away, he'll feel a little frustrated at not being able to see you but he won't follow after you. he knows when to stop his antics. shocking, i know. and, if you're lucky, he may even hold you in his arms once you calm down. it's his way of an apology, i suppose.

JASON THE TOYMAKER fucking hates arguing with you. you're his other half, so arguing with you makes him feel sick to his stomach because what if... what if you aren't the one? he likes you too much to lose you, so you have to be the one. he definitely seems like he'd try to keep the argument short, and he'll be relieved when you walk away to cool off.

you don't try to leave him afterward, even if he was at fault for whatever you two may have been bickering over. that's good, really. that means you want to stay with him, even if you two have arguments like this. that's... that's so good.

THE PUPPETEER can't stand when anyone argues with him, so yeah, any argument you may have with him will be horrible and tense and it will not be pretty. he has to be the one to get the final word. he has to be the one in the right, even if he isn't. you must be aware of this, right? i mean, you're (hopefully, i assume) willingly sticking around this guy, right? so you should know that there's no winning with him.

and you walking away is simply not something he'll take kindly to. it's something that'll more than likely get a how dare you reaction out of him. you're a fool if you think he's just going to let you walk away. no, he'll either follow after you, or he'll pull you back with his strings. the conversation isn't over until he says that it's over.

HOMICIDAL LIU definitely does try to avoid any potential arguments with you. to be honest, most of your arguments with him will more than likely stem from his almost blatant disregard for his health and safety when he's injured as well as his almost suffocating habit of needing to protect you and keep you safe. it's inevitable, even if it's something he tries so desperately to avoid. that desperation is what tends to lead to arguments as well, if we're being honest.

he's not upset when you walk away. honestly, he's glad that you do. he always feels pretty damn awful whenever you two fight, and he patiently waits until you're ready to pick things back up so you two can resolve things and move on.

SULLY listens to everything you say with rapt attention. the only thing that matters to him at that moment is whatever you two are arguing about. hell, he doesn't give a shit about the argument itself rather than what you say, the expressions you make, and your tone of voice. every little gesture or movement you make catches his attention. honestly, if you asked him what you two were arguing about, he'd just look at you with a slightly confused expression because he's already forgotten.

and when you walk away to cool off and get some air, he has to restrain himself from following after you. he forces himself to sit down and he bites his fist as his mind hyper-focuses on every word you said and the way you looked at him and just... yeah, he's already moved on from the argument he just wants to see your face and hear your voice again.

THE BLOODY PAINTER is definitely not someone you want to have an argument with, honestly. not because he's an angry person or scary to get into an argument with or anything like that, no. he's just... very apathetic. it'll feel like you're arguing with a brick wall rather than a person, and you'll maybe even feel as if he doesn't care about you or your feelings. he just stares at you, blank-faced and monotoned.

once you realize that this argument is going literally nowhere, you leave to calm yourself down and he stays behind. it's not that he doesn't care about you and your feelings, he does, truly, he just... well... i could go into heavy heavy detail about his apathy when it comes to arguments but to spare you the length of that, just know that he does care, he's just absolutely horrific at showing it. once you come back, he will apologize for not better expressing himself and for unintentionally invalidating you and your feelings. he'll be better, though it will take time for him to become expressive.

THE DOLL MAKER seems like the type of person who wouldn't handle arguments well, i think. he's a fairly closed-off person and has some trouble conveying his thoughts and feelings sometimes, so i think it would stress him out a bunch if he got into a fight with you. depending on how bad the argument is, he'll either try to diffuse the situation or he may get angry and make things worse.

the moment you walk off, vine will be throwing himself into work to both calm himself down and distract himself from any potentially needless thoughts. he'll certainly try his best to resolve the conflict with you once you've both taken time to calm down but it'll definitely be stiff.

ZALGO would be very amused if you try arguing with him over something. you, a silly little mortal that somehow managed to catch his interest, are trying to argue with him, an eldritch horror beyond human comprehension that literally creates chaos for shits and giggles? how adorable. he's not going to take you seriously at all, i hope you know that.

and even if you walk away, you won't exactly be alone. zalgo is always there with you, even if not physically. a part of him is stuck with you, so he's always able to watch you, to talk to you. he thinks you're being dramatic for getting upset over something that he deems to be so utterly insignificant. there won't be any form of conflict resolution with him, so don't expect any form of apology or empathy or anything of that sort.

HOBO HEART you gotta be careful with, i think. the last time he felt as if he'd been wronged by the person he loved, he tore her heart out. not to say he'd tear your heart out over a minor argument or anything like that, no, that would be pretty petty and... he doesn't really think he's a terrible enough person to do that. maybe. depending on how serious the argument is.

he'll be a little disheartened when you walk away because he would rather clear up the air and tension immediately rather than wait but he understood, somewhat, that it'd be better if you both took time to cool off before either of you tried to resolve the conflict hanging in the air.

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devildom-moss · 7 months

Note

idk how to verbalise this idea properly so bear with me but: mc whose entire logic in life is 'fuck it we ball' including when it comes to romance, so they just completely go along with any attempts at flirting in a sort of "yes, and-" fashion

which probably only encourages said suitor and then mc has the Audacity to be surprised when it gets intense enough for them to realise they're actually being seduced lol

gn mc with just the brothers for now pls!! thank u for your services

Hopefully this request is what you were looking for. Honestly, I had a bit of confusion while writing, but I tried. I went with headcanons because that seemed like the best fit. Thanks for the request.

gn!MC who casually flirts back with the demon brothers headcanons

(and then has the audacity to be surprised that they're being genuinely pursued)

(Suggestive)

Word Count: +2700

Lucifer

Lucifer is an awful flirt, trying so hard to fluster MC and convince them of his dominance. (Where’s it at though? I don’t see it.) His flirting is so suggestive that it’s actually pretty easy to just assume it’s a bit of playful teasing between friends.

For MC, it plays out like those posts that say something and then escalate immediately – something like “Kiss your homies goodnight. Kiss them with tongue. Eat their ass.”

Having an MC who flirts back with him can be a bit embarrassing, and it gets Lucifer’s hopes up so much. (“Could you pour me another cup of coffee, MC?” “Third one this morning, Luci. Not sleeping well?” “I’m afraid not. Perhaps you should come over and help – but then again, we might not get much sleep if you do.” “Aw, Luci, do you want me to fuck you senseless to help you fall asleep?” “If you’re offering, who am I to refuse.”)

He’ll be frustrated that MC keeps flirting with him, but they never follow through.

Lucifer is so horny that it’s absurd. MC could be completely normal, and this man would be thirsting. (“I really don’t want to do this lesson. This chapter is so boring.” “Normally, I wouldn’t use positive reinforcement, but if you complete your work, I’ll reward you.” “What kind of reward?” “Come to my room tonight and find out.”)

Poor MC doesn’t realize they’re being seduced until Lucifer has dragged them into his bed.

“Sleep with me.” “I’m not really tired, Lucifer.” “Good. Then you’ll have plenty of energy to make out and maybe even fuck me – if you want.” His touch would be so intimate – rubbing their inner thigh or groping their ass. “IF I WHAT?!?”

Lucifer would turn pink up to his ears. Part of him thinks MC is just teasing him again, but he would quickly realize that they’re being genuine. He’d feel absolutely humiliated. Did they not want him at all? Did all of that flirting mean nothing?

Before he could die from the shame, Lucifer would manage to blurt out, “Do you want me or not?” He wants some honest commitment in return for his affection, and if MC won’t bring that, that’s unacceptable. Of course, there is some thrill in a chase, but in that moment, Lucifer won’t have it in him. It would be a battle to fight some other day.

If MC tells him no or gives a half-hearted response, he will ask them to leave his room with one hand covering his blushing face. He wouldn’t even be able to look at them as he closed the door – and he’d probably avoid them for a day or two. (Also, he might cry a little after the door is locked).

If MC insists that they do want him, he’ll be especially needy while also acting all sadistic – attempting to tease them to distract from his own embarrassment. This poor loser will require so many kisses to reinflate his ego.

Mammon

To be fair, Mammon would bring this upon himself. He loves to act like he’s uninterested – constantly interrupting his fawning and puppy-like following of MC to save himself from the absolute humiliation of being *gasp* honest about his feelings.

I can see Mammon regularly initiating flirting, but this man can’t follow through to save his own life (maybe to save the life of someone else, though). An MC who reciprocates his flirting would leave him a blushing, flustered mess. Most of the time, his embarrassment cuts the interaction short.

“Ya just can’t get enough of the Great Mammon, can ya?” “Of course not, you handsome devil~” “I- uh! Hmph! Damn right!” he’d say it, crossing his arms and avoiding eye contact while the blush rises in his cheeks. How is MC supposed to respond?

If they tease him further and flirt more, he’ll just yell and tell them to knock it off. If they just shrug it off and move on, Mammon will be too flustered to make another move on them that day. The flirtatious spark just kind of fizzles out like a defective firecracker.

It takes a lot of boldness on Mammon’s end to get MC to realize he’s being serious. And honestly, Mammon is so adorable, MC may have the opportunity to take the initiative and push things a little further first. (You want to tell me most MCs could just flirt with Mammon, reducing him to a blushing, aggressive mess, and go back to watching that movie or playing that video game upon Mammon’s belligerent demand, and not want to kiss his face? Okay, sure.)

But let’s ignore that thought and say MC follows Mammon’s flirting in the “yes, and” fashion. After Mammon continuously sabotages his own chances, eventually, he’s going to get so frustrated that he will smother his own shyness long enough to get what he wants.

He’ll get MC alone and string together some make-shift confession – a plea for more. “Ya know, if ya wanna kiss the Great Mammon or somethin’, I’m not gonna stop ya – like, I mean, I want a little more outta ya. So, don’t hold back just cause ya think I don’t want to or nothin’.” (translation: Please kiss me. I know I act like I don’t want you, but I really, really want you to kiss me. Please, please, please.)

His face will burn, and a blush will work its way up to his ears. It’ll be hard to deny the intensity of his feelings, and it will weigh down on MC – a truth previously held in a bag on their back, tethered to dozens of helium balloons that disguised its weight, and then suddenly found every string cut loose by Mammon’s admission. He really loved them. For his confession, all Mammon would get was a stunned but heartfelt “oh.”

He gets so upset and embarrassed that MC didn’t realize he was being serious before. He went on a rollercoaster of emotions; meanwhile, this whole time, they hadn’t even taken his advances in earnest. It’s practically offensive.

The only remedy for Mammon’s bruised dignity is for MC to immediately hold and kiss him until he’s temporarily satisfied. (“Ya owe me big time for not takin’ me seriously.”)

Leviathan

I mean, he kind of has to flirt before MC can flirt back – unless we’re going to count accidentally blurting out his innermost perverted desires as flirting. Sure, I suppose it’s basically flirting to tell someone “It’s sexy when you tell me what to do. I can’t stop imagining you doing that in other settings.”

He’s so bad at flirting that nothing will happen for a long time after he realizes he’s head over heels. Levi is fine spending the rest of his (or at least MC’s) life pining for them – or at least he believes that. But the longing and desire will start to creep in, and he’ll wonder how much he can ask from MC. Friends can hold hands and maybe even cuddle, right? Maybe even kiss? Could they even –?

The thoughts eat away at him until he can’t wait for MC to make the move anymore. It slips out of him like some mating request written by Dr. Suess: “Would you –? Could you –? With an otaku? A gross, disgusting one, too?”

Levi is so visibly flustered that he doesn’t leave much room for ignorance. Even the most extreme masochist wouldn’t subject themselves to the furiously blushing, trembling state that Leviathan had worked himself into. He’d be on the brink of tears. All his hope in the world would be precariously perched on a ledge, awaiting your response.

I can’t see MC not knowing that Levi was attempting to seduce them, but perhaps the timing of it came as a surprise. Or perhaps they had never taken his affection seriously. He has so many favorites that he can’t pursue; just because he has a massive crush on MC doesn’t mean he had plans to act on it.

He will get even more embarrassed and down on himself to know that MC didn’t take him seriously at first. He understands, but that doesn’t make it any less hurtful.

He will require physical reassurance – as much of it as MC is willing to give him. And honestly, if MC doesn’t end up kissing him until he forgets how to think after his confession, he’ll probably hide in his room for a few weeks purely out of shame.

Satan

With an MC like this, the back-and-forth flirting goes on for an inordinate amount of time. Satan is not a flirt by any definition, but when there’s someone he likes, he knows how to turn on the charm. He’s smart, passionate, and mentally quick on his feet; he’s a natural charmer for the right audience.

Satan moves pretty slow when romance is concerned. If Levi wasn’t such a hopeless cause (affectionately), Satan would probably be the slowest to escalate a romantic relationship. He and MC will have a dozen dates under their belts before the desire for more had become an unbearable burden for Satan to silently ignore.

Eventually, Satan would find himself reading in his room with MC, unable to hold back anymore. He would ask, “Would you mind if I kissed you?” “No, I don’t mind if you want to.” “Could I kiss you now?” “Eh, sure.”

Everything up to that point could have been misread as platonic or some casual interest – maybe even curiosity on his end.

But he was serious, and it was evident in the way he approached MC to collect that kiss. He would straddle their hips, set their book aside (face down to mark the page like a real gentleman), and lean down for the kiss. Then, his lips would move against theirs, and the smallest sigh would escape him like a quiet release of sexual tension that had pressurized his entire body. Then, it would all click for MC.

Surprisingly, he wouldn’t be upset or humiliated if MC hadn’t taken him seriously before. In fact, he sees it as more of a personal failing, and in a low, seductive voice, he would tell them, “Allow me to prove how genuine and deep my feelings are for you.”

Asmodeus

He flirts with everyone, so how was MC supposed to know??

He asks them on dates so often. He’s probably the only one who could make out with MC and they’d still think, “yeah, we’re besties” because when Asmo pulls away with a giggle and a grin, telling them how much fun that was, it doesn’t feel serious.

It would take a moment of angst – either Asmo feeling like MC doesn’t take his advances seriously enough (and they don’t) or MC getting down on themselves – for them to realize.

Asmo would pull them into his room and leave small kisses all over them, peppering in compliments. “You’re so gorgeous, and I adore looking at your face.” Then, he would kiss their cheek. “You’re such a sweetheart.” Then, the other cheek. “I always have so much fun when I’m with you. I don’t ever want you to leave my side.” He would kiss their forehead. “I want you to feel confident; you’re such a wonderful soul.” (He would probably add more compliments if MC was feeling self-conscious.)

His words would get sweeter and more honest. “I feel seen in your eyes – like every part of me is accepted. I don’t have to play it up or try.” He would work his way down their neck with soft pecks to their skin. “I want to share everything beautiful in this world with you.” In part to avoid meeting their gaze. “I want to make you smile with everything I have.” And in part so he could whisper the words into their ear. “I want to help you whenever you need me. I’ll sit right next to you through any pain and hardships you encounter.” No one else had earned the right to hear his praise and affection. “I want to be a comfort for you – someone you can return to like a home.”

Finally, he would face them with a striking affection. “You know I’m in love with you, right? It’s not just lust and fun. You’re everything. You matter the most – after me, of course. It’s me and you and everything else.”

Asmo seduces everyone. That isn’t shocking. But this was more than seduction. It was genuine courtship. He won’t fault MC for being surprised. It caught him off guard too.

Beelzebub

Beel is not super flirty, but he makes it known that he cares through his actions. So, there aren’t many opportunities for MC to “yes, and” flirt back with him.

He asks them out to get food often and brings them snacks, but that doesn’t signal any romantic intentions. Sometimes he might stare at MC affectionately or admit how happy he is to spend time with them, but it’s nowhere near intense.

Sometimes, he asks for something more selfish. It starts small: petting his head, holding his hand, hugging him. None of those register as seduction from Beel for MC, especially compared to the affectionate nature of his twin. In fact, no one would fault MC for thinking these were platonic wants. After all, Beel has been through a lot. Sometimes this sweet, big baby boy just needs physical affection.

Then, he would get a bit bolder with his requests: “Could you feed me?” “Can I feed you?” “Would you hold me?”

As innocent and platonic as Beel may seem, he makes a lot of off-hand remarks that sound a bit perverted. “I bet MC’s lips would taste good.” “I wonder what you taste like.” “MC has nice hands. I bet they would feel good…” These comments could open the door for some flirting from MC, though. “Wanna taste me, Beel?” “Should I give you a massage? Or maybe something more?”

MC flirting with him would make his heart race. Even if MC didn’t follow through with their flirtatious offer, it would encourage Beel to keep pushing his luck.

Finally, he would ask, “Can I kiss you?”

Beel would look so shy and embarrassed, holding his hands awkwardly to his chest, that it would be hard not to take him seriously. The question – and his desire – would be a slight shock. Beel wouldn’t mind that MC was surprised, although he would be disappointed if he was turned down.

If MC takes him up on that offer, they will come to realize that his ravenous hunger showed itself through a kiss, too – as if he had been starving for MC’s touch and affection.

Belphegor

He’s so affectionate and cuddly. In that way, he’s similar to Asmo; it’s pretty hard to tell how serious and intense Belphie’s feelings are. He’s just kind of like that.

It’s common for Belphie to ask to be spoiled with affection – head pats, feeding him, hugging him, sleeping together, going out with him, praising him, holding his hand, being his pillow, etc.

His need for attention doesn’t cover up for how flushed his face gets when MC is the one to give him affection. His neediness doesn’t explain how much he clings to MC or how he blushes and tells them not to stop touching him.

So, actually, he’s less flirty than he is demanding of attention. Going along with his demands only encourages him to vocalize and act on more of his desires. He’d even ask permission to kiss them and to be kissed.

MC probably wouldn’t figure it out until Belphie starts sleepily trying to make out with them.

“Belphie, are you half-asleep?” “What? No. I’m awake. Why?” “That was a really heated kiss.” “Of course it was. Can we keep going?” “I’m sorry, what?”

“Don’t you like me back? We sleep together, go on dates, cuddle, and you even let me kiss your face and neck whenever I please. Don’t you want to go further?”

It hits them. Belphie can read the look of surprise on MC’s face, and it makes him pout. MC really should have known how he felt by then, but he’s confident that his affection is reciprocated before MC even responds.

“Sheesh. You’re really difficult, you know? I’ve had to do a lot of the work here because you’re so dense.” Belphie would straddle MC’s lap and take off his shirt. “I’ll let it go this time, but you better start putting in more effort from now on.”

A/N: Only about 1 hour left to vote in the poll. And we just got to 100 so y'all are getting 2 posts this month. Genuinely, I typed this a/n up, talking about only needing one more vote, checked it again, and the one vote is no longer needed. Good job, y'all. I swear if there are ties...

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slayfics · 4 months

Text

Explosive Tendencies a slow burn fan fiction about the readers developing relationship with Katsuki Bakugo.

Chapter eighteen: Katsuki finally opens up to you.

Chapter links

You were lying in your dorm room trying to focus on studying the lessons you went over today in class. With the events of the last few days, you found it hard to absorb any new information.

For the last several days ever since the provisional licensing exam Katsuki had been ignoring and avoiding you. You knew he was upset about failing but you couldn't shake the feeling that something else was also going on.

In the common room and in classes he never met your gaze and when you texted him everything was left on seen. As angry as you were, you were also concerned about him.

Then last night things seemed to escalate. He was caught breaking curfew apparently fighting with Izuku. You knew he never liked his so-called childhood friend but what the fuck?

"Ugh!" You threw your book and laid down on your bed. It appeared to be no use to study. You couldn't decipher if you were more pissed or worried. You had even messaged him after the fight to try and talk to him, but again nothing.

You opened your phone to see the last message you sent to Katsuki.

I know you're hurting please talk to me.

Seen.

Whatever- if that's how things are now then so be it. It was then you heard a knock come from the patio of your dorm.

You got up and slid open the curtain to see Katsuki standing on your porch. All at once your body decided you were more angry than upset and you closed the curtain on him.

You turned your back to your patio, feeling rage ignite inside of you. Then came the sound of popping explosions from your patio.

"UGH!" You exclaimed, opening your patio door knowing Katsuki wasn't going to stop until you let him in. You angrily pulled him inside and shut the patio door.

"Hi," he spoke, voice unusually low for him.

"Fucking hi? You ignored me for three days and that's it? Hi?!" You marveled, feeling your anger heighten.

Katsuki didn't respond but sat down on your bed elbows resting on his knees.

You sat in your chair across from him. The room was uncomfortably silent for an amount of time.

Katsuki figured you might be irritated at his lack of interaction with you the last few days, but he had no idea you'd be so pissed. Your last message to him seemed as though you felt sympathetic for him.

You let out an irritated sigh, "I get it. You've been going through a lot of shit recently but so is everyone Bakugo. It's unfair for you to expect me to just be here when you want me and ignore me when you don't. I'm not just some punching bag you know." You spat out.

Punching bag.

Katsuki's memory instantly flashed to Izuku's words when he yelled that he wasn't going to be Katsuki's punching bag anymore.

Your anger kept you from seeing how his shoulders dropped and his usually confident demeanor was lacking. His eyes trailed the floor as he processed your words. He deserved them and he knew it, but he finally came to you in the hope of some comfort. Instead, he was getting more berated. More than he had already berated himself.

He knew it was wrong to ignore you but how could he have told you the truth? That he realized something was going on with Izuku's quirk. All of that was tied to his guilt about what happened to All Might. And he couldn't unravel it on his own. Now he knew the truth and finally figured out what he could tell you, he came to you for comfort but found himself being chewed out.

All Might himself told him it wasn't his fault, but Katsuki knew better. The fact was if he hadn't been kidnapped the events would have been different.

"Hello? Do you have anything to say for yourself? Or did you just fucking come here to ignore me in my own room?" You spat again, even angrier than the last time.

"It's my fault-" he said, voice collapsing on itself as his chest began to heave.

"...What?" You asked, bewildered. Was Katsuki really about to cry?

"All Might- It's my fault- if I was never captured- he wouldn't have lost his power," he said, sobs coming freely from him now.

Your heart instantly broke in two, and you wanted to take back all your harsh words. You had no idea this was what Katsuki had been dealing with all along. You thought he was just pissed about his provisional licenses.

You moved from your chair grabbing Katsuki into an embrace. He rested his head on your chest, and you intertwined your fingers in his hair.

"That's not true-"

"Yes, it is!" He yelled, sobbing. "You all know it! I know you all look down on me because of it!"

You ran your hand in a soothing motion up and down his shoulder while your other hand caressed his hair. You stayed silent and fought the urge to argue in order to allow him to vent all of the thoughts that had been haunting him.

"I'm so fucking weak what the fuck!? How could I have let that happen to the person I've looked up to the most. All my life I've wanted to be like him, but I'm the one that ended up destroying him?? What the fuck am I supposed to do now- how do I-" Katsuki's sobs broke off, and his breathing became more erratic as he struggled to take in air.

You held him tighter to your chest sitting in his pain with him as tears of your own began to fall.

"Bakugo- you've been dealing with this on your own for so long. I'm sorry. You have to know you put too much pressure on yourself. No one ever would have expected you to hold off the whole league of villains on your own. You know that right? And- no one in our class looks down on you. Can't you see how envious they are of your drive and determination?" You spoke softly.

Katsuki didn't speak a word but hid his face in your chest as he continued to sob and listen to your words. He knew you'd know what to say and how to say it.

"Yes- you're right because you got kidnapped that fight happened with All Might. But I know you're not stupid. All Might would have fought that villain at some point regardless of the events. It just happened to be then. It isn't solely your fault and I know for a fact, not a soul thinks that." You continued.

Katsuki's tears slowly started to subside, and your gentle tugging at his hair further soothed him.

"Ask for what you're going to do- you're going to continue to feel what you need to feel to get over it. Then move past it and get stronger like you always do. Because no one looks down on you, it's the opposite, we look up to you. I look up to you. You're a fucking asshole sure, but you're strong and you never give up, and that drive pushes us all to do better. You're going to be an amazing pro hero and we're all excited to see it." You squeezed Katsuki one more before letting him go. "Thank you, for letting me in," you whispered softly.

You took a deep breath and lay on the bed feeling exhausted from the heightened emotions. You were shocked when Katsuki crawled up to lay on your chest. Silent tears were still escaping him now and then. You wrapped your arms around him, and he hid his face again.

"This feeling is going to pass, I promise," you said.

Katsuki wished he could have told you the whole truth. How that worthless fuck ended up with his idol's power. He knew if anyone could make that seem less of a tragedy you could. However, he stayed true to his word to keep it a secret and found comfort in confiding the guilt he had been carrying all this time.

You quickly felt his weight increase as Katsuki fell into a slumber. His chest now rose and fell evenly, all sobs subsiding. He must have been pretty exhausted to fall asleep this quick you realized. You wondered how many nights he had stayed up tormenting himself.

You ran your fingers through his hair, "You can always talk to me Katsuki," You whispered as you felt your own eyes get heavy.

Tags: @anon-mouse223 @unofficialmuilover @maddietries @sikuthealien @queenpiranhadon @melrs21 @poemzcheng @kazuumii @bakunianadecorazon @ur-crusty-uncle @reads-stuff-quietly @chixkadee @perfectsukii @faetoraa @fem-weeb @nagicats @lees-chaotic-brain

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hazelvrr · 3 months

Text

Chapter 1: The fair

S/n: As promised here's chapter 1, let me know if I should continue with this fic as I've never written a full fic before so I might be rubbish, also it's not proofread but any mistakes should only be minor. No use of y/n. I tried to capture their personalities to the best of my ability but they are so funny that they're also extremely difficult to write. I tried to not repeat any scenes from the movie, they still happen unless I mention them differently but I didn't want to sound like a broken record.

Summary: you get ready with pj and josie for the fair and they question your friendship with hazel and then you see her at the fair.

Warnings: none

Word count: 2.1k

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The fair was the one thing you looked forward to at the end of summer. Pretty much everything else about summer ending absolutely sucked but at least there was the fair.

Every year as soon as August rolled around, you were counting down the days until you could ride the ferris wheel, get cotton candy and most importantly, see hazel for the first time in 3 months.

Your 'best friend' hazel, if you could even call her that, volunteered at some charity or association of some sort all summer every single year without fail, so you couldn't see her for 3 months straight, which always drove you crazy.

You weren't quite sure why, after all, it was the same with pj and josie because they were away at some abstinence camp for the youth or as pj called it 'an anti sex cult run by a bunch of jealous old nuns who dont get any and are trying to ruin her life because shes hot as fuck' (her words, not yours) so you didn't see them either but you couldn't care less, so why were you so bothered about not seeing hazel?

Either way, you were super exited about this year's fair and had decided to get a ride from josie (only because you were embarrassed to tell anyone cool that you had failed your drivers test 5 times over the summer and had acctually managed to get yourself banned from the local dmv from 'assaulting your driving instructor' which you only did because he totally had it in for you) so naturally you thought it was a good idea to get ready at her house with her and pj.

BIG MISTAKE.

You should have known that pj and Josie, being the horny pervs that they are, spent the whole evening scheming about getting the cheerleaders attention, and how they were planning on getting possibly the straightest teenage girls you had ever seen in your whole life to fall head over heels for them.

Absolute losers.

You were so used to their antics that your brain had completely tuned them out as you applied your eyeliner, sitting beside pj, faces pushing eachother out of the way to fight to look in the tiniest mirror on josies desk.

You had stopped listening after josie had started ranting about the size of Jeff's penis, you were planning on stuffing your face with corndogs in less than an hour, and that was really putting you off the idea, that was until you heard josie say your name.

"Soo, have you spoken to hazel since school ended?"

Pj looks over at you with a shit eating grin on her face, "what she means to say is, have the two of you fucked yet?"

You roll your eyes at pj, not even dignifying her with an answer and turn your head to face josie, who was now stacking snapbacks on her head whilst looking in the mirror.

"To answer your question, yeah we've facetimed a few times and texted a lot."

"Oooo phone sex," pj giggles, "kinky."

You just flick pj in the head and begin applying your lipgloss.

Josie picks up one of the snapbacks from the floor and launches it at pjs head and instead misses and knocks over the mirror.

"Dude what the fuck." Pj hisses, standing up to go over to josies closet door to look at her outfit in the full length mirror, posing and checking herself out.

"Seriously though, when are you going to make a move?" Josie asks, backing away from pj and going to sit on the bed.

You look at her with a confused expression, "what do you mean, we're just friends."

Josie cocks her eyebrow and smirks, "please, you've been in love with her since 5th grade, you know it, I know it, pj knows it, pretty much everyone in a 10 mile radius can see it, except for hazel herself since she's an oblivious dork, but that's besides the point."

You go to answer but pj comes back over and sits back down next to you and you take the opportunity to escape and use the bathroom.

You take your time in there staring into the glass, turning your body around, checking that your hair is straight, your makeup looks good in natural lighting, oh and that your cleavage is poking through your tank top just enough, for no particular reason other than looking hot for yourself (well, that's what you told yourself anyways).

As you open the bathroom door to return to josies bedroom you hear pj and josie whispering, and being as nosy as you are, you press your ear up against the door to listen to what they're saying.

"Shhh she's gonna hear you" josie hushes.

"Shut up no she's not, that bitch couldn't hear a rocket land if it landed on the roof."

"How much did you say you wanna bet again?"

"50 bucks. If by the end of the school year they haven't fucked, I owe you 50 bucks, but if they have, you owe me 100."

"How the fuck does that work, why do I owe you double?"

"Because I'm fucking awesome... okay because I'm broke as hell and am gonna need the contribution for my homecoming dress so I can look sexy for brittany, duh."

"Yeah yeah whatever, its a deal, I think she's coming."

You once again roll your eyes at how pathetic they are. You swear to god that if you spent any more time with them than you already do, your eyes would permanently be fixed in the back of your head.

"Hey guys, you ready to go it's almost 8," you suggest as you open the door, "josie, what the hell do you think you're wearing?!"

"What do you mean?" She looks down confused at her spiritual playboy shirt, 5 carabiners hooked onto her pants' belt loops and her arm sling on her right arm.

"You look like dyke throw-up," pj cackles, standing up from the desk and following you both out of the bedroom door.

Josie looks back at pj as you're all walking down the stairs, "pj you can't say anything, look at you, you've got suspenders over your nipples like a goddamn freak."

Pj flips her off from behind her head and you can't help but giggle as you follow them out to the car and hop in the backseat.

"How'd you break your arm again josie?" You lean forward and ask as josie turns the keys and reverses out of her driveway.

"She flunked out of anti horny camp and fell out of her bunk rubbing one out," pj replies casually, looking down at her phone that displays brittanys Instagram posts from the summer, "fuck, she got even hotter over summer, how's that even possible?"

"Is isabel in any of the photos?" Josie questioned desperately, sneaking a peak down at pjs phone as she pulls up to a red light.

"God you're both pathetic."

You finally arrive to the fair, granted you're 20 minutes late because josie circled the parking lot at least 10 times as pj yelled at her to just fucking park, but josie wanted to make sure she could find a big enough spot.

You hand over your tickets and walk in, they're both muttering about something or other but you're not really listening, you're just scanning for hazel until you feel a tap on your shoulder and nearly jump out of your skin.

"Hey guys," hazel smiles, bringing you in for a hug, "long time no see, wait.. pj, josie, you never come to the fair?"

You point over at isabel and brittany standing a few feet away, where they had been gawking at them for the past 5 minutes.

"Ah, I see," She nods, I haven't seen you In ages I've missed you."

"Yeah.. me too," you blush, looking down at your shoes.

"Oh shit what happened to josies arm?"

"Masterbating."

"What, is her vagina made out of concrete or something?"

"No what? Hazel, she fell out of her bunk," pj scoffs.

"Can everyone please stop talking about my vagina?" Josie interjects.

"Soo hazel, what's this I hear about you volunteering at a slop farm?" Pj questions.

"The national meat association? Yeah it was good," hazel replies, "so did you guys get up to anything crazy over summer?"

"Yeah we killed this girl at camp for snitching on josie, got arrested, taken to Juvie and spent the rest of summer there, nearly died but they let us go when we told them that we're dykes and called them homophobic," pj explains sarcastically.

"What?! Are you guys okay?"

Josie facepalms.

You were about to explain that pj was being sarcastic when you hear cheering and you all look over to see Jeff appearing with the rest of the football team.

You all exchange disgusted looks and then pj notices that isabel and brittany are walking in your direction.

She snatches your corndog out of your hand and hands it to josie and then takes hazels cotton candy and hands her a wad full of tickets. Her and josie anxiously keep swapping the corndog and cotton candy mumbling to eachother until isabel and brittany are standing right infront of you all.

Josie drops her corndog, well actually YOUR corndog and kicks it away in hopes of isabel not noticing but both isabel and brittany look down and watch her do it, then look back up at her and raise their eyebrows.

"Hey can I uh, get my cotton candy back?" Hazel asks as she reaches forwards towards pj to grab it, but instead is hit in the head with it by pj who just ignores her and takes a bite out of it.

You look at hazel and shrug your shoulders, jerking your head to turn her attention back to the disaster of a conversation going on between the four of them.

"Oh hey, didn't see you there," brittany says to you poking her head round to look at you, "how's your summer been?"

"Yeah it's been good," you reply, "looking forward to cheering again though I've really missed it, what about you guys?"

"Yeah, I've been practicing all summer I'm really looking forward to getting back into it!" Isabel smiles, stepping forward.

The conversation goes on for a painful amount of time, every second making you want to gouge your eyeball out with a fork as you just make ridiculous faces at hazel, who just looks back at you the same way before giggling.

You went to follow pj and josie out to josies car when hazel quickly follows, "I can drive you home if you want, your on the way and I doubt you want to listen to another second of them babbling on about isabel and brittany."

"Yeah that would actually be great, thank you."

"No trouble at all," She says, "plus, it's an excuse to speak to you, we haven't had much of a chance to talk tonight."

She pulls out her car keys and unlocks her car, of course its a range rover. Her mom gave it to her as a pity gift when her dad left which obviously didn't fix the issue but hazel didn't complain and just accepted the car, even though she wasn't old enough to drive at the time, which her mom forgot because she barely pays any attention to her own daughter.

The drive is only 5 minutes long, since you live so close, so you don't get long to chat, but she tells you all about the meat association and the cool tshirt she got to wear, even showing you a photo when she pulls up on your driveway.

You lean over and give her a hug, "see you at school tomorrow?"

"Wouldn't miss it," She grins, "meet me outside to walk in together?"

"Wouldn't miss it."

Once you had kicked off your shoes and lazily removed your makeup, you got changed and plopped onto your bed.

Tonight was so chaotic yet for some reason you weren't thinking about pj and josies funny attempt at flirting or how they had made complete asses out of themselves, only about the drive home with hazel, how her hair blew in the wind, framing her face perfectly, how her hand gripped the steering wheel as she reversed out of the parking lot and how her eyes practically lit up when she was talking to you about her voluntary work over the summer.

You try to sleep but instead you lay awake for hours staring at your ceiling thinking about it. You simply cannot get her out of your head.

Huh. Maybe, just maybe, you did like hazel callahan? No. Surely not. Unless...

#hazel bottoms #hazel callahan #hazel callahan brainrot #bottoms 2023 #hazel callahan smut #hazel callahan x reader #bottoms movie #bottoms fanfic

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yazthebookish · 4 months

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This might be a bit long but the Gwynriel Reddit thread inspired me to let my thoughts flow about Gwyn and Azriel.

P.s. this will include some HOFAS spoilers.

I've said this before but SJM choosing to end Azriel's chapter with Gwyn is a choice. It's the beginnings and the endings of a chapter that authors tend to put a lot of thought into—so her ending the chapter which felt like her nudging readers' to Gwyn's direction is intentional.

Gwyn was not just a random addition, given their interactions throughout ACOSF their scene in the bonus chapter didn't feel out of place (even if readers' didn't expect to see her in it).

People try to invalidate the bonus chapter as much as they can but HOFAS had proved once again that they are important and canon (though I do think SJM and her publisher need to include these in the main books because they are crucial).

"You depend so much on a bonus chapter that a lot of readers don't have access to"

True but that doesn't mean the next book can't fill in the blanks because Azriel and Gwyn were already interacting in ACOSF, so having that romantic development in the next book (and the possible reveal that they're mates) + ON PAGE will still make it up for the readers that never read the bonus chapter. Like, CC4 will definitely bring up the fact that Ruhn and Lidia got married (despite it happening in a bonus).

I always considered the bonus chapter as a teaser for what will happen in the next book, Sarah confirmed she sprinkled little crumbs and I quote "I want to hear all your theories after you read the book and his [Azriel's] bonus scene, the crumbs have all been scattered, little bread crumbs everywhere" and it will keep readers guessing until the next book is out. So you won't know for sure how relevant or significant the bonus chapter is and the crumbs she scattered until you read the next book.

With that being said, Gwyn's cameo in the bonus chapter didn't come without some interesting clues: Azriel's shadows didn't warn him she was around, they were curious about her and she smiled at them, they danced and sang around her, Azriel revealed he sings because she asked, she thanked him with a smile and he felt settled even his shadows calmed.

We never saw his shadows react to anyone the way they did with Gwyn. They seem drawn to her, they danced, they sang, and while there are many theories about it but I absolutely do think if the shadows would be drawn to someone it would be Azriel's mate.

"Azriel and Gwyn had no romantic development and he didn't think about kissing her and all that"

But did every SJM couple start that way? No. And someone expressing the desire to kiss and hook up with someone is not always an indication of endgame (I can count multiple couples who kissed but weren't endgame).

The crumbs we had of them in ACOSF sets the groundwork for a romantic relationship to build in the next book—because who doesn't want to read about them both falling in love on page?

And yes, Sarah is capable of writing a love story from scratch in a single book (e.g., Tower of Dawn). Another example is how ACOMAF started with Feyre being in love with Tamlin and halfway through she started to really fall in love with Rhys.

The whole Azriel/Elain/Lucien triangle is messy as it is, so I don't think SJM would turn it into a square by inserting Gwyn. SJM could've chose not to give Gwyn and Azriel any ties in any way whether it was him rescuing her, him training the Valkyries, and again, including her in his own bonus chapter (hell even her boss:guardian Clotho made an appearance).

But she did and based on her pattern with her male love interests in particular, she doesn't really insert a new female or have females fight over the male love interest. I don't ever see Elain and Gwyn fight over Az, each might have an issue with Az on their own but do I see them argue with each other over Azriel? Absolutely not.

And if you look at the sequence of the scenes in his chapter, it gives a better idea of how it was planned:

1. Starts with Azriel reflecting on his loneliness while everyone left.

2. Elain shows up and they interact, Azriel gives her the necklace and they almost kiss.

3. Rhysand interferes and Az stops the kiss and tells Elain it was a mistake.

4. Az and Rhys argue and ends with Rhys ordering him to stay away from Elain and dismissing him.

5. Az leaves to the House of Wind wanting to work off the frustration but finds that Gwyn already occupied the training ring.

6. Gwyn and Az interact and he leaves the scene feeling settled down and his shadows calmed.

7. He wakes up, goes to the River House and finds Elain's necklace, he pockets it with the intention of returning it to the shop after the snowball fight.

8. Instead of the shop, he goes to the library to ask Clotho to give the gift to Gwyn and refuses to leave with it.

9. Going back and forth, Clotho eventually agrees and said she will tell Gwyn a friend gave it to her and she thanks Az for the joy it will bring to Gwyn.

10. Az leaves but the mention of Gwyn's joy sparked something in him that it brought a slight smile to his face, he buried the image in his chest where it glows quietly.

Both interactions with Elain and Rhys ended with him feeling miserable, but both interactions with Gwyn and Clotho ended with him feeling lighter and better—and to me that shows me how intentional SJM was with creating these parallels (including the shadows skittered back vs the shadows danced and sang).

Instead of Gwyn and Clotho we could've had Mor or Nesta or Amren, but SJM chose Gwyn and Clotho. Like, it could've ended after Rhys's argument but again, it's a writer's choice.

That's why no matter how many times I reread ACOSF my mind doesn't change much because SJM is not that subtle.

#gwynriel

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johnwickb1tsch · 4 months

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bittersweet ~ a yandere!John Wick x fem!reader sunshine/grump coffee shop AU... Part 16 all chapters

~AUTHOR'S WARNINGS: N$FW, SEXUAL CONTENT, COPIOUS SWEARING, TOXIC POSESSIVENESS , IF SOMEONE TREATS YOU LIKE THIS IN REAL LIFE RUN RUN RUN BC IT WILL NOT TURN OUT WELL U CANT FIX THEM~

-Aware that John Wick knows this city much better than you, you stick to the crowds. You manage to find your way to the Peggy Guggenheim collection, and you hang out there for hours, looking through the art works, but really only half seeing what is in front of you.

You are devastated.

You’ve had controlling boyfriends before, and it was not fun. They seem exciting at first, until the person you were before is eaten alive by their tantrums and their ridiculous expectations as they try to fit you into a box of their own making.

You can’t believe John turned out that way.

Or maybe you can. Maybe you have a fucking type, and you should have seen this coming.

You stay almost until closing, then grab a bite to eat before daring to wander the streets. You find a little walled in park, a courtyard filled with lush greenery and a tinkling fountain. By some miracle, there is only one other couple on a bench at the far end. You practically have the place to yourself, and you sit down on a wrought iron bench with a sigh and eat your sandwich.

You pull out your sketchbook afterwards to pass the time. Your doodling hand wanders, and perhaps its no surprise when you draw John Wick from memory, his proud lips and haunted eyes. There are tears running down your cheeks as you do so. When it gets too much, even though you’re in public, you hang your head and weep into your hands.

Darkness falls, and you know you should be getting back. The bench has long ceased to be comfortable, and yet it’s like you have grown into it, unable to move.

Even with your head down, when someone sits silently down beside you, you just know it’s John.

You do not look at him, and thankfully he does not try to touch you.

“It’s getting late, y/n. You shouldn’t be out here alone.”

“That’s none of your business.”

“Yes it is,” he insists, sounding almost tired about it. You hate it that your demeanor softens towards him, just a little.

“You broke my heart, Mr. Wick.”

“I was afraid I might.” He is sitting with his elbows on his knees, his hands clasped in front of him. “Would you let me make it up to you?”

“I'm not sure that's a good idea.”

“No?”

“No. I think you have a mean streak.”

He had tried to warn you, you realize, in his way.

God, are you really such a fool?

“Doesn't everyone?”

You make a sound between your teeth, and he nods like you have said something profound.

“I'm not a nice man, y/n. But I would be good to you.”

“Like last night? I didn't like that.”

The corner of his mouth curves in a wicked smirk, and your heart skips a beat in your chest, damn him. Was the contrition all an act?

“Yes you did.”

“Not the last part.”

“Hmm. I tried to warn you.”

In the vaguest terms possible, maybe.

“My fanny.”

He raises an eyebrow to that, and you’re not sure why that little gesture wounds you like a knife to the heart all over again. Perhaps because he is beautiful, and even though you know he’s dangerous for you, you still want him so very much.

You start to cry again, and try to get up from the bench. You need to get away from him, because you can’t think straight when he’s near.

“Y/n, wait.” He catches your wrist, and when you don’t really fight him, he pulls you down into his lap, and goddammit if this isn’t what you’d wanted all along. You feel small in his arms, cradled against his long torso and sheltered in the bend of his neck, even if in your hindbrain you know you are not actually safe at all. He strokes your hair until you quiet, and he kisses your temple like you are something precious.

How can this man be so sweet, just to turn on you?

“Why did you leave me, like that?”

You just do not understand. You could have had a lovely, fulfilling, mind-blowing if not vanilla night together. He’d laid all the groundwork like a master orchestrator, and you would have let him fuck you senseless. Fuck, you wouldn’t have even minded the tying up part, if he just hadn’t humiliated you.

“Because…” His lips ghost along the line of your jaw, and you fight not to squirm as his large hand slides up your thigh, his fingertips feather light on your skin. “Only good girls get to cum,” he says low in your ear, and you hate how it makes you ache between your legs, to hear him talk to you that way.

Outwardly, you do your best to keep your cool.

“And touching your hair made me a bad girl?”

“No.”

“Disobeying you did.”

“Yes.”

“That’s kinda fucked up.”

“Maybe.” He actually seems a little amused by you, which is not the reaction you were expecting. “I like to be in control. But you make me feel...unbalanced.”

“Me?” You sound incredulous. The thought that you could affect this powerful man in such a way seems absurd.

“Yes, you, kitten.”

The urge to demand he not call you that desiccates on your tongue.

“So...what? You feel the need to take revenge for that?”

“Maybe. I thought you knew the game we were playing, when you batted those big eyes up at me. Mr Wick, Sir, aren’t I a good girl?” His fingers dig into your thigh with the memory, and you can feel his growing erection beneath you. “But you’re just an innocent, aren’t you?”

“I wouldn’t say that.”

“You’re used to boys just eating out of the palm of your hand. But I am a man, with a man’s appetites, and a man’s desires.”

He was a little more than that, you reckoned.

“You want to control me.”

“That’s part of it.”

“Why?”

He smirks. “Maybe I had a rough childhood.”

You can’t tell if he’s joking or not.

“I want to take care of you.” He kisses your cheek again, and it is gentle and sweet and everything you had wanted from Mr. Wick, before this all went sideways. “I want you to be mine.”

You are not proud of the way those words unleash a fluttering swarm of butterflies in your belly, your breath quickening in your chest. You are proud when you manage to answer, “I don’t need taking care of.”

He just snorts lightly at that, as if it’s not even worth arguing over. “Come back to the hotel room with me. I promise I’ll finish what I started. With interest.” His hand slowly slides up your thigh, just beneath the skirt of your sundress, and you think you might die. You should not want this man, after what he did to you.

The ache between your legs suggests otherwise.

You give yourself some points, when you shake your head.

“No. I’m going back to my hostel.”

The shift in his demeanor gives you whiplash, a thunderhead of a frown pulling his handsome features. “Need to get back to your little friend Javi?” The jealousy in his tone hot as a brand. “Did he try to kiss you again?”

Your heart drops to your feet.

“How did you know he tried to kiss me?” you ask, your voice so small.

That was in Rome, after all.

What should have been obvious before comes crashing in, and you realize what a little fool you’ve been. That feeling that someone’s been watching you, and John’s so convenient and coincidental appearance outside the alley…

“Holy shit. You’ve been following me.”

“I’ve been protecting you.”

“Excuse me?”

“You have no idea what the world is really like, sweetheart. It’s a dangerous place.”

You frown at this.

“So…you think I’m stupid?”

“No, of course not.”

“You think I can’t take care of myself then.”

“I think I found you wandering around here like a lost little lamb. There are monsters here who would have gobbled a sweet little treat like you up in one bite.”

The fact that he sees you that way is more alarming than the thought of some unnamed threat in the shadows.

For some reason it makes you think of the men in the van back home—and how that van was found empty and on fire.

“How do you know about the monsters, John?”

“I just know.”

“You said you weren’t a cop. Were you FBI?”

He glares at you, which you take as a no.

“Interpol?”

You are met with silence, and you nod, mostly to yourself.

“You know about the monsters because you are one.” You think about those fierce looking Italian men with their scars and their bespoke suits. His previous words echo in your memory. Sono retirato.

“Were you in the mob?”

“Not…specifically.”

Then you remember he’d said he was from Belarus.

“Bratva, then.”

You should be terrified as you work all this out, trapped in the circle of this man’s arms, but you feel strangely numb about it all.

“My clever girl.” He sounds almost sad about it.

“Not clever enough,” you sigh.

You are not sure who is more surprised, you or him, when you burst to your feet. You actually manage to slip out of his grasp, though you only make it three steps before he captures your wrist again with a grip like an iron manacle. He gives you a dark look, annoyed that you would even try to play this game with him.

You remember what you learned in martial arts class a lifetime ago, pointing your thumb down towards the weak point of his grip and trying to jerk free. It’s worked before, with grabby men.

Not with John Wick, though.

“Stop.” Again, there’s that steely tone. The alpha voice one uses to reprimand a naughty dog. It only makes you angrier, and you struggle.

He pulls you hard against him, and you bite his hand. He doesn’t let you go, just adjusts his grip. “I didn’t want to do it this way,” he snarls low in your ear. “But you are so fucking stubborn.”

“Thank you.” You try to headbutt him behind you, but he ducks into the bend of your shoulder. You feel his chest trembling against your back, and only belatedly do you realize he is laughing at you.

“Enjoying this?”

“A little.”

“There’s no fucking way you can get me out of here without someone seeing. Let me go.”

He just sighs into your hair, like you’ve said something extremely naïve.

The arrival of newcomers into the park catches both of your attention. You lift your head, ready to ask for help, when you recognize the besuited tough guys from before.

Well, fuck.

“You've got some balls, showing your face around here, John Wick. Gianna d’Antonio’s son sends his greetings.”

“This isn’t a good time,” he snarls in return.

“Sorry, are you too busy fighting with your little girlfriend?”

He actually releases you then, pushing you to stand behind him. They are blocking the exit, so for now, you comply.

“You know how this will go,” John says, assuming a ready stance, his feet spread. He almost sounds regretful about it. “Do yourselves a favor, and leave.”

“Can’t do it, John,” says the one in the lead.

“For fuck’s sake,” curses John under his breath. The lead Italian makes a move, and John bursts into action. He is like a tornado of carnage upon them, throwing punches and breaking arms, cutting tendons and stabbing throats.

You are absolutely frozen as you watch all this unfold before you.

That is, until one of the thugs throws a knife at John, and you watch it bury in his chest. This is the thing that breaks your spell, and you run towards the fray with a scream, though who the fuck knows what you intend to do.

However, like he wasn’t just stabbed in the heart, John takes another attacker’s gun, pistol whipping him with it before shooting the knife thrower, then the last one standing. It cannot have been more than minute, before all of them are dead at his feet. He leans on his bent knees for a moment, catching his breath.

“John?” You hardly recognize your own voice as you rush to him, certain he’s taken a lethal blow and somehow fought through it with the surge of adrenaline. However, when you peel back his suit jacket you find no blood. He lets you look him over with frantic hands, maybe enjoying the fact that you don’t wish him dead, before pulling the still protruding knife from the breast of his jacket.

When he produces the little leather journal you’d gifted him from his inside pocket, now gravely marred with a puncture through the cover, you understand.

“Holy fuck.”

“You saved my life,” he says with an odd little smile down at you, as though all this is normal and what you just saw is totally ok.

Utterly horrified, you run.

“Y/n, wait!”

You throw yourself into the dark winding streets, taking any turn you can, trying to stay out of sight. Your feet fly beneath you; even in your shitty strappy sandals, it’s the fastest you’ve ever run.

It’s not fast enough.

When strong arms close around you, lifting you from the ground, you try to scream. A big hand clamps over your mouth, and you find yourself pressed hard into a stone wall. “Please, calm down,” he pants in your ear, out of breath from killing four people then running you down.

Your answer of, “Are you fucking kidding me?” is nothing but muffled syllables.

“Goddammit,” he sighs behind you, rifling in his pocket for something as he pins you with his body. “This is not how I wanted this to go.”

Your pitiful plea of “Let me go,” is cut off by an evil-smelling cloth shoved into your nose.

#john wick #john wick x reader #john wick x you #john wick x y/n #keanu reeves x reader #bittersweet john wick imagine #yandere john wick #john wick fic #congrats you fought john wick and lived!#i love you allllllllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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swga-ficrecs · 10 months

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long fic recs

this is a list of fics that are, well, long regardless of the trope and plot. for voracious readers who aren't satisfied with short-length writing. all these fics are considered holy grails because i don't read long fics if they aren't well-written. all fics are finished unless noted otherwise.

✒️ unfinished

yoongi

third wheeling by @untaemedqueen i absolutely love everything about this. it's a lot of my favorite tropes in one giant fic. the characters are complex and fleshed out, the pacing is good, and i love the writing style. the smut is well-written and, though the catalyst for the plot, well-paced that it doesn't feel like a smut-centric fic.

suit & tie + drabbles by @jungshookz this is is a long fic but in bullet points, so i can only imagine how long this could've been if it was written in full sentences. another fic where yoongi does a 180°, but their dynamic is adorable from the beginning. not a lot of drama, a good fic to go back to if you want something lighthearted. you can probably tell by now that i love ceo fics.

desolate by @angelicyoongie this fic is long but has a very straightforward style of writing that's easy to follow and understand. it's one of the few hybrid fics i've read where they fight for a hybrid's right to freedom. i love how much yoongi opened up and changed throughout the fic. it's one of those fics where the idea of a hybrid isn't romanticized.

the deal by @untaemedqueen a great introduction to syndicate fics if you're looking for one. this is a chaptered fic that isn't too long and is easily digestible. it doesn't touch on mafia-esque activities so much. i have a thing for romance fics where the stone cold character evolves into a romantic, and this tickles that itch.

jimin

balletteacher!jimin x ballerina!reader by @jungshookz ✒️ this bullet point mini-series should be considered a full series already, considering the length of each drabble and how many of them exist. this is a forbidden romance between a teacher and a student with different personalities, so it's interesting and endearing how they developed their feelings over time.

i want to be with you by @oddinary4bts

a lengthy oneshot of strangers-turned-lovers and how love grows slowly between two people who are worlds apart. very well-written, i dreaded how quickly i finished reading it. i love how human jimin is in this fic. the oc is very relatable as well—very realistic and not overtly romanticized. i can easily identify myself in her if i were in her shoes.

taehyung

maybe i do by @chateautae another fic that is a mix of my favorite tropes. this fic has fewer but longer chapters. another smut-filled fic that doesn't feel overworked and serves as a good break between dramatic scenes. i love how both characters developed throughout the story.

jungkook

please love me by @ahundredtimesover i loved the complexity of the characters and how they navigated through their situation. they both had to do a lot of growing up in this fic, and it was done in a well-paced manner. the drabbles also give a lot of insight to this universe. i go back and read the drabbles a lot.

evolution of a lover's heart by @jeonstudios

a heartwrenching masterpiece. i waited a long time for this to be finished, and it did not disappoint at all. one of the most emotional and resonating fics i've read so far. my heart feels for both of them so much. the kind of love that people wish they would have.

the boy with galaxies in his eyes by @oddinary4bts

an emotionally captivating and heartwrenching oneshot that i never expected to read. both characters were well-written and well-fleshed out, it was easy to fall in love with them and understand their actions. the writing itself was really magical too—flowed so smoothly, it didn't feel as long as it actually was. an absolute hidden gem that everyone should read!

4-7-8 by @jiminrings

not the longest of fics, but a great read nonetheless. i read this a while back, and it was only after i reread it that i was able to truly appreciate the characters and their development. it has a very realistic plot that tugs at my heartstrings. everyone deserves this kind of partner and love.

our first and last by @thedefinitionofbts ✨️

if you love the concept of alternate universes and soulmates, this is a must read. the author utilized scientific concepts that i had a hard time grasping and, at the same time, supported the plot really well. i'm so glad i came across this fic.

multi-member

sanguis duology + (ongoing) oneshots by @borathae absolute monster of a fic, probably one of the longest ones i've read. even though i was annoyed at mc's stubborness, i think it was a driving force throughout the fic. i also never imagined the pairings in this, but i enjoyed the ride. there were some parts where i felt the author could've woven details better to make the story smoother, but it's charming in the sense that i need to think and connect the dots from previous chapters.

a place called home by @agustdakasuga i keep re-reading this fic every few years. i loved how each hybrid came into her life and how they eventually stayed. i also appreciate how each hybrid's personality isn't necessarily stereotypical. great pacing in each chapter, good to read if you like chaptered fics that aren't very long.

the road to you by @bonvoyagenoona

a slow burn masterpiece. this fic is a rollercoaster of experiences that is complemented by terrific writing and pacing. it's very instrospective, which is something i personally like. it has a little bit of everything and a good amount of smut, but it all works wonderfully together, the words flew by quickly.

#swga-ficrecs

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ficnation · 7 months

Text

Chapter 3: Splattered Brains

Series: “Eat Your Heart Out” Pairing: Hannibal Lecter x Female! Reader x Will Graham Word count: 4,6k+ Warnings: canon-typical warnings A/n: Plot twist—I couldn't wait. Enjoy it, my darlings. (unedited)

Main Masterlist || Hannibal Masterlist

PREVIOUS CHAPTER || NEXT CHAPTER

Will looks through the peephole before opening the door, his entire body tense. He glances back at you apologetically, and you know he wants to continue where you left off. You want more too, but you understand—there’s the world outside, with its mysteries and its demands, and you both have to confront it.

The woman on the other side of the door is someone you don’t really recognize. Her face rings a bell somewhere in the back of your head, but you can’t say for sure you’ve met her before. She doesn’t seem like a person that would linger in your memory for long.

“Will,” the woman acknowledges him, red lips pressed into a thin line.

“Alana,” he responds, his tone flat and devoid of any sympathy. “What brings you here?”

Will’s face is frozen in a state of neutrality, neither annoyed nor pleased by the woman’s presence—it’s impassive. A tiny part of you wonders if he’s ever looked at you with this much disinterest. You know he doesn’t have it in him, he loves you with his entire being, but the idea makes a sour grimace crawl onto your face.

There’s no happy greeting between them, and it’s selfishly comforting even though it shouldn’t be. You don’t know her at all, yet she seems to be the polar opposite of what you stand for.

Alana’s eyes flit across the room, landing on you for the first time, and as her gaze lingers, she raises her eyebrow. Her face has a timeless quality, sharp angles, and beautiful, expressive eyes. But something about her doesn’t sit right with you. That look she sends you as if she’s inspecting you, trying to analyze you—you hate it.

“Don’t ask me that question when you already know the answer to it,” she says, her tone just as cold and detached as Will’s. “I’m here for a reason, Will. And the less you drag this out, the better.”

You notice Will’s fists clench at her words, you take his hand in yours, dragging the pads of your fingers across his white knuckles. He relaxes under your soothing touch. You take a step closer to him, pressing yourself against his shoulder.

“Just get to your point,” Will says, his coldness making the situation all the more tense. “What do you want from me?”

Alana stares at your entwined hands then her eyes meet yours again, and Will notices how her attention is immediately pulled solely to you—as if everything else is bathed in a thick fog. You notice how her lips slowly curve downward, just a bit. You think she might be envious.

She bites the inside of her cheek, proving you right. She’s jealous. You can’t help but smirk at this realization. Will glances at you, asking wordlessly for an explanation, because whatever game this is, he’s clearly not in the loop. You don’t give him what he wants this time.

“I will give you some privacy then,” you suggest, whistling at the dogs to follow you outside. You don’t have to call for them twice, as they run toward the door, waggling their tails. “Just don’t take too long. I don’t want to keep Crawford waiting.”

Before Will can object, the dogs dash out the door, and you follow in their steps, shutting it behind you. You know you did the right thing by giving them some space. How she treated Will was unforgivable, but he has to fight this one battle by himself—if you stayed there by his side, you’d probably bash her head against the wall. Not today. This fight has to be his.

You look over at the door, and you think you can hear their voices through the walls, but you’re not entirely sure. After a few moments, the door opens and Alana storms out. She doesn’t even look at you, she just turns on her heel and walks away, leaving Will behind.

You lean against the railing of the porch, the dogs snuggling up against your calves for pets and scratches—something you never deny them. It’s a moment of peace in a world full of chaos, and you can’t help but enjoy it all—even the chill bite of the winter air. It’s refreshing after spending all night and morning with Will, whose body radiated so much heat, and who left you breathless every time he was close.

He steps out on the porch, and you turn to face him, confusion written across your features. The man only shakes his head, staring at her retreating back. You don’t pry, and he doesn’t tell. There’s a wordless understanding between the two of you already—he’ll tell you when he’s ready, and his emotions are no longer an overwhelming susurration.

Will takes his place at your side, elbows leaning on the wooden balustrade. Both of you watch in silence as Alana Bloom walks down the driveway, soon disappearing from your view.

“You don’t like her much, huh?” you ask, voice laced with irony.

You don’t really expect an answer, so he only rolls his eyes. But there is a hint of sadness in them, a tiny sign of his own disappointment, at himself, her—all of it. He takes your hand in his and leans forward to kiss your icy-cold cheek.

He pulls away then, his gaze fixed on you. “We should get going,” he says quietly. “You don’t want to keep Jack waiting.”

And he’s right. You’ve been out here a little too long, and Jack is bound to be impatient by now. You’re sure he’s already called twice to ask you where you are.

Your cheek still tingles from the kiss, but you remain focused on the way Will’s expression shifts slightly. He’s crestfallen, there’s no denying it, and you know this conversation took a toll on him—even if he doesn’t want to admit it. He calls the dogs inside, then locks the door. You squeeze his hand, and with a sigh of resignation, the two of you head to the car.

The cold has gotten to your skin, and you can feel every pore of your body aching for warmth. The windshield is covered in a thin layer of snow, and your body shivers as you wait for Will to swipe it off with his glove-covered hand. Even though he already unlocked the car, you refuse to let him suffer in the unforgiving winter alone.

Once he’s done, he joins your side and opens the passenger door for you. The protest on the tip of your tongue dies off when he guides you inside with a steady hand on the small of your back—you comply. He closes it behind your back with a satisfied grin that doesn’t really reach his eyes. He gets in the driver’s seat and starts the car, warming it from within.

You put on the seatbelt, and relax your muscles, letting your fingers trail along the armrest and the door, enjoying the warmth against your skin. Your mind is wandering, lost in memories of the morning and the little moments you shared with Will.

“You know…” Will starts from behind the wheel, his eyes don’t stray from the road ahead. There’s a quiet moment between you two while he considers what he has to say, and when he finally talks, he barely mumbles the words under his breath, “I was thinking…”

“About what?” You raise your eyebrow in curiosity, giving him all your attention and more.

“Well, I was thinking…” he pauses for a moment, the words struggling to leave his lips, he’s visibly tense.

You want to say something, help him find the words. It’s clear he needs a little push. So you reach up and caress his stubbled jaw—the lightest of touches—hoping the gesture can help ease him out of this nervous state.

It works. Will sucks on his bottom lip for a moment, still facing forward, but at least his face is calm now. “I’ve always been in love with you.” Even though it’s only a whisper, the confession sounds like thunder in your ears—its rumble shaking every tiny cell in your brain. “I never said it out loud until you disappeared. I regret it to this day.”

That’s all it takes for your chest to tighten and your heart to start hammering wildly. It makes you wonder if you’re on the verge of having a heart attack. You know you love this man—you know more than anyone else on this earth just how strong your feelings are for him. You were always aware that he reciprocated it—in his own intricate way, but there was no way to be absolutely certain. Hearing him say it now—gifted your mind with a blissful sense of peace.

You look at him, and you can’t find the words to respond. Nothing that comes to mind is even faintly close to what you feel for him, so you settle for a gentle squeeze of his thigh.

Will glances at you, his eyes roaming over the curve of your cheekbones, the shape of your lips, the long lashes fluttering over your eyes—you’re breathtaking. You don’t even need to respond—he knows how you feel already, and he’s just happy to have you by his side again. He’s head over heels, hopelessly and utterly—in love.

“I’ve never met anyone who made me feel the way you do,” Will continues, and the words ring out in the cramped space of the car. “Nobody has ever seen me the way you do. Nobody has ever loved me the way you do. You’ve been the only light in my darkness, the only source of hope in my life.” His voice softens with every word, and he doesn’t look at you as he talks, afraid he’ll get distracted if he does. He just needs to get it all out.

Your smile is so bright when he catches it in his peripheral vision—it could probably replace the stars at night. He takes a pause, and you wonder if all those words have made him feel better. It seems like that’s the case—he looks so much more peaceful next to you, no longer tense from holding in everything he felt.

Will chuckles, and it fills the air with a different kind of light that washes over you and makes you feel just a bit warmer. Just as you retract your hand from his thigh, his own reaches past the center console, his palm grazing your knee to find it again. He interlaces his fingers with yours, and you think you’ll die of joy, and you wish the drive in the car never had to end—you could stay like this, his hand clasped tightly to yours, forever.

Silence falls between the two of you, but you’re so close to each other that it feels like there’s no need to speak. The tension in the car is gone, and Will’s words still linger in your mind. I’ve always been in love with you…

You’re so caught up in this elation, you don’t even notice when you reach your destination. The brutalist architecture of BAU’s building makes you feel intimidated—more than you anticipated. It’s cold, uninviting. There’s also another feeling that crawls over your skin, a sense of dread, but you shake it off before it can completely take over.

Will pulls into a parking spot, turns off the engine, and faces you. “We’re here,” he says, a grim expression on his face. It’s so different from how you just saw him a mere moment ago.

You share that expression. You feel it on your face, the weight of it pressing down on your soul as you slowly realize that you’ll need to step away from the bubble of happiness you’ve been in. It’s not a bubble you would ever want to pop—so you have to leave it behind. Shut it off.

You take in the headquarters’ exterior, its harsh outlines, and the shadows it casts on the already grim streets of Quantico. Your stomach sinks. There’s a part of you that missed this place, being in the field and helping people—it used to be your dream—but now you despise it. You don’t want to go back to seeing dead bodies over and over again, hearing the murmur of their whispers that never disturb the air and never leave you in silence for too long.

“I’ll take you inside,” Will offers, but you don’t really have a say in it either way. Of course, he notices the solemnity on your face. He puts his hand on your cheek, the skin of your cold face against his warm palm warming you for a brief moment. “Are you okay?”

“No,” you answer simply. You don’t have to say anything more.

Will gently caresses your jaw, thumb brushing softly against your lower lip. His eyes are filled with concern for you. He nods slowly, his hand still on your cheek. You can’t even explain what you’re feeling right now, but he understands as much—he’s been there too.

“I know it’s not easy,” Will says softly. “But I’m sure Crawford won’t keep you there long.”

You’re about to voice your doubts, the million reasons as to why this is a terrible idea, but then you pause. You can’t seem to find them—there is no single coherent thought in your head, the stress of the day finally taking its toll on you.

Will sighs and pulls away, leaving his hand hanging in the air for a while before he finally rests it on his own thigh. He climbs out of the car, and you take a few deep breaths to try to quiet the voices inside your head. You don’t know what you need, you just know that you don’t want this.

You step out, and the silence between the two of you doesn’t go unnoticed. Will reaches out to you once again and puts a hand on your shoulder, as if he can’t decide what to do, either. He looks over your shoulder—at the towering building in the distance.

The man sighs and steps closer to you. He looks at you, eyes roaming over your face, scanning every single detail of your expression. His voice is soft, almost a whisper. “I know it doesn’t feel right being back here,” he says, his hands still resting gently on your shoulders. “But I need you to be strong, for just a few minutes. Okay? This might be important.”

You nod, willing to do anything for him—anything at all. The deep breath you take in almost makes your lungs flutter in outrage.

“That’s my girl,” he says, his voice a little softer than usual.

He pulls away finally but doesn’t let go of you entirely. His hand holds tight to your fingers, and Will starts to walk you toward the building. It’s cold, windy, and you’re not looking forward to a single second of being inside that building. You’d much better prefer to freeze here outside—maybe turn into an ice sculpture if you’re lucky.

There is an undeniable uneasiness in Will’s expression as he opens the big doors and ushers you inside. It’s a big lobby, and every person there is busy with tasks, on the phone, typing something or other away on their computers.

You see Crawford sitting on one of the couches in a corner that almost resembles a waiting room. He glances at Will, and his expression only hardens upon seeing you two together. You want to run away, but Will has a grip on your arm and doesn’t let go.

“Come with me,” Crawford says to you, his tone stern and a little annoyed, probably by the fact you’re twenty minutes late. “We need to have a long conversation.”

You share an unsure look with Will, he nods encouragingly. You feel his hand gripping yours, and you notice how shaky you are. For a moment, you wonder what the hell you’ve signed yourself up for by coming here.

Crawford heads for the nearest elevator, not waiting for you to catch up with him. His attitude is clear—he’s annoyed, and he wants results. That’s how it’s always been, but you never got the chance to get used to it.

“I will be here when you come back,” Will promises, tentatively releasing you from his hold.

You nod in acknowledgment before following after your former boss with hurried footsteps.

It’s a tense, uncomfortable, and entirely too silent ride up to the top floor. The lights are bright, almost blinding, as the elevator rises. Crawford stands by your side, arms crossed over his chest, face expressionless. You wonder what he even needed you here for.

He walks ahead of you and takes out a keycard from one of his pockets. A moment later, he uses it to open a door in the hallway, revealing a large office. The lights inside are dim, almost cozy, and the view from the large windows is one you recognize. Crawford heads inside, telling you to follow with an exasperated sigh.

“They moved your office two more doors down the hallway,” you notice, looking around in curiosity. You hope your poor attempt at loosening the atmosphere works, even just a bit.

Once Crawford chuckles at your words, you know you succeeded. “You’ve always looked for distraction, haven’t you?”

He takes a seat behind his desk and motions for you to do the same. He spends a few moments looking you up and down with a blank expression, the kind he usually reserved for suspects at interrogation.

“Have I changed that much?”

Crawford shakes his head, a grin forming on his lips. “Not really.” He sighs and leans back in his chair, taking in the view from the nearby window. “Though you look older than I remember.”

“It’s been long eight years,” you admit with a nod. You don’t even want to think about all the new wrinkles that materialized on your face through those years.

His eyes travel over the length of your arms, and then over your face again. “I can see time’s been hard on you,” he says. You know he’s not referring to your physical appearance, and that’s what stings the most. “You haven’t had it easy, have you?”

“I managed.” You don’t give him more than that. The stories of your suffering are yours to tell when you feel ready—and you don’t.

Crawford’s lips narrow as he considers your response. He doesn’t seem to be one who accepts “I managed” as an answer. Then again, he’s never been the patient type. You’re surprised when he doesn’t question you further on the matter.

He leans forward to grab a folder from inside his drawer. “I brought you here because I wanted to talk to you about Hannibal Lecter.”

You sit up straight and lean forward in your chair. Your eyes, bright and curious, are fixed on Crawford, who seems to notice it.

“You seem interested,” he says in the same neutral tone as always. He opens the folder and starts flipping through the pages. Then, he sets the folder down and looks straight at you. “I’m here to ask you a question,” Crawford says, “and I want you to think very hard about your answer before you say it.”

The room is quiet, still, and your heart is beating frantically in your chest. The silence stretches on, and it’s so loud you can practically hear it.

“Do you believe the Chesapeake Ripper murdered your father’s killer?”

You study Jack for a moment, noticing the gleam in his dark eyes, and the way he focuses entirely on your response. You weigh your options—you can deny it and trust that Will already has a plan to catch Hannibal, or you can tell the truth and hope your former boss doesn’t consider you delusional.

“Yes, or no?” Crawford urges you, his tone sharp. It takes all your willpower not to answer right away.

“I do,” you blurt out finally with a resigned sigh. “I think he did it.”

The man nods slowly, his lips pressed together in thought. He doesn’t seem surprised by what you told him—it almost makes you wonder how much he already knows.

“Do you have any proof?” he asks. That’s the million-dollar question, and you know your former boss isn’t asking it just to make conversation. “Do you have anything to support your claim?”

“I wasn’t allowed near the evidence.”

“Don’t bullshit me.”

You feel your stomach twisting into knots for a second, but you remain calm. Crawford is not the kind of man you can lie to, so you take a breath and say what you have to say, the words spilling out of your mouth on their own.

“I know it sounds crazy,” you admit, “and I can’t say that I expected you to believe me. But I know I’m right about this.” You can feel Crawford judging you with his relentless gaze, so you continue, “He lost far too much blood, yet there was no sign of it pooled around him. Not the amount he’s lost. It’s almost as if it was drained out of him.”

Crawford only nods. He doesn’t look at you like you’re crazy—he looks at you like he’s studying a puzzle. He considers your words, staring at your face, his expression still and unchanging. Your words feel like they’re bouncing in the air, waiting for a response, for something that isn’t silence.

“And you’re sure there’s no other plausible explanation for it?” his tone is curious, interested.

Your heartbeat quickens as you shake your head back and forth. “No, that’s impossible.”

He’s intrigued now. The man doesn’t say a word, but you can tell from the way he looks at you. Crawford looks like he almost believes you. He’s interested, alright—very interested.

“Do you think it was Hannibal?” he asks. You notice the change in his tone, and you know a yes or no response will not be enough for Crawford this time. He needs the answer to satisfy his curiosity.

He has an aloof expression on his face, the kind that never truly gives away his thoughts. It keeps you hanging in uncertainty, because you have no idea what you should tell him that could possibly sate that curiosity.

“I believe Will.” Your answer is short, devoid of anything he was hoping for.

Crawford doesn’t seem to like that answer, at least by the way his eyes narrow and the way his lips tighten into a thin line. Then, after a momentary pause, he leans forward in his chair, his elbows resting on his desk.

“And what’s this belief based on?” he asks, his tone demanding, almost a challenge. He’s expecting you to tell him, to give him a reason to believe you.

“He’s not insane, Jack.”

“What makes you think he’s sane?”

You don’t hesitate when you give your answer this time. “Because I know him.”

You notice his eyes studying you once again, his gaze not stopping on any detail of your face. He doesn’t comment on what you just told him, and doesn’t tell you whether he believes you or not. Instead, he leans back in his chair once again and sighs. He lets his fingers tap against the wood of the table for a moment, a small sound in the quiet office.

“Your father’s case will be reopened. Be prepared to be questioned again,” he says, his voice very much like the Crawford you know. “Now I need you to answer me one last question.”

“What is it?” You tilt your head, you almost look curious, as if whatever he wants to ask isn’t something that worries you. It’s a carefully built facade, and you hope he doesn’t see straight through it.

It’s an uncomfortable few moments, as Crawford takes a break from his tapping to look straight at you with those intense eyes. The wait is almost killing you—but the tension in his expression might be even more deadly. He’s thinking deeply, and whatever he’s just figured out isn’t anything that you would like to be privy to.

“I want to offer you a deal,” is all he says. He leans back, crossing his arms over his chest.

“What deal?”

Crawford takes a deep breath as if he’s been holding it in for the better part of his life.

“I want you to go back to BAU.”

“No.”

He blinks, completely caught off guard by your response. You didn’t think saying no would be that easy. He pauses before his lips form a firm line.

“That wasn’t a request,” he says.

“Well, you can’t really force me.” You shrug your arms—not even slightly moved by the intimidating raise of his eyebrow.

“Actually, I can.”

The air around you changes. You can feel the meaning behind his threat like a heavy weight, pressing down on your skin, suffocating you. You go to breathe, but find that the air is suddenly too thin, that it’s like breathing underwater. The world around you buzzes like a lightbulb before it explodes.

You can hear the screams of your sister, her wretched sobs, her desperate begging for you to stop. The buzzing gets louder—the image of your father’s body sliding down the wall as his brains splattered over the flowery wallpaper burns alive in your mind.

You blink once, then twice, making sure there’s no suspicion nor satisfaction on Crawford’s face. There isn’t and relief washes over you like a wave—one that’s perfect for surfing.

“You can’t.”

Crawford’s face contorts, his lips twisting into a frown. He eyes you carefully. You can tell his mind is racing, trying to come up with something to make you join his team. There’s a heavy silence between the two of you as if you could hear a pin drop. You wait carefully with your breath bated and watch your former boss, waiting to see what he’ll do.

“Do you want your sister’s case solved or not?” he taunts. So that was his leverage over you.

It’s almost jarring to hear him mention her, to see him play this card. You take a deep breath and keep yourself calm. His thought process was on point—you had to give him that. You’d do anything for your sister and to get rid of that stormy cloud hanging over your head anytime the room was too quiet or someone dared to mention her person.

“Yes,” you agree finally, “I want her case solved.”

“Then go back to BAU. It’s your answer.”

That tone of his makes it hard not to laugh out loud. You thought it might be that simple—a yes or no, two letters of the alphabet. That didn’t apply to Jack Crawford, it seems. He wants an answer, and he will get one. A smile curls on your lips as you consider how to proceed. You’d have liked to have more leverage in terms of negotiation, but unfortunately, you have none.

“Then make me an offer worth my while.” You cross your arms over your chest and wait with a raised eyebrow.

Crawford is still the boss you know and love, albeit slightly confused by your attitude. It’s clear that this isn’t how he expected you to respond. His lips curl into a frown again, but he seems to think of something suddenly.

“I want you to join BAU as Will Graham’s partner. You’ve worked with him before, and I need you on the team,” he asserts. “I need you to look at his cases from your perspective. You will have access to all resources we have available at the bureau. That’s my offer. Take it or leave it.”

You can’t help the surprise that colors your expression now. Working with Will again, and having access to the FBI’s resources, it’s impossible to say no. Now you might have a chance against the cunning mind of Hannibal Lecter.

You don’t even hesitate as you say, “Deal.”

Crawford’s eyes soften as he hears your answer, and you can tell he’s glad you’re not going to give him a difficult time.

“The decision is yours, then,” he says finally. Your eyes meet his. “Will you go back to BAU?”

You nod in response, showing him the brightest of your smiles. “Absolutely.”

#eat your heart out #hannibal lecter x will graham #will graham x hannibal lecter #hannibal lecter #hannigram #hannibal #hannibal lecter x reader x will graham #hannibal lecter x reader #will graham x reader #will graham #hannigram x reader #hannibal nbc #will graham x reader x hannibal lecter

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girlgenius1111 · 4 months

Text

maybe it's the past that's talking... screaming from the crypt.

the great war chapter 4

ona batlle x reader

you and ona enjoy being together, even when it isn't always easiest.

-----

Worrying your lip between your teeth, you scrolled further through the comments on your girlfriend's latest instagram post. The two of you had gone to breakfast with Lucy, and Ona had posted a picture of the food. She didn't post either of you, but fans had noticed Lucy's hand, identified by her wrist tattoo, in the corner of the picture, and they'd gone off the rails.

They were convinced Lucy and Ona were together. It shouldn't have bothered you, but it did. Maybe because of what had happened with Alessia; you'd never really been a jealous person before now. Or, maybe it was that you cared more for Ona than you had for anyone else in your life, and the idea of her being with someone else left you feeling ill.

You were being ridiculous. There was nothing to worry about, you told yourself. Your stomach still twisted with anxiety though, and you had to work hard to school your features when Ona emerged from the bedroom, having gone off to shower. She wasn't really paying attention, looking at her phone as she took a seat next to you on the couch, absentmindedly kissing the top of your head as she did so.

You quickly turned your phone off, letting it fall onto the couch. Ona was focused on whatever was on her phone screen, and you felt a pang of terror; was she talking to Lucy? Were the fans right? Was there something there?

You'd never felt so insane in your life. You didn't want to say anything, because Ona had never given you a reason not to trust her, and you didn't want to seem overbearing and obsessive. At the same time, you felt like you could cry, the mere possibility that something was going on between Ona and Lucy making your heart squeeze in your chest.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Ona asked suddenly, turning her body to face you.

"Nothing! Do you want to watch something?" You asked, changing the subject. You were being absurd. You trusted Ona.

Ona grabbed the TV remote before you could, holding it behind your back as she gazed at you.

"Oni," you groaned, trying to reach around her to grab the remote.

She caught your arm easily, tilting her head. "The next words out of your mouth better be, 'Oni, I am upset because...'"

You gave up on the remote, folding your arms and settling back against the couch.

"Do not be grouchy, amor. Talk to me." Before you'd met Ona, you weren't sure you'd ever met anyone as stubborn as you knew you were. Your girlfriend rivaled you, though, and you knew you were fighting a losing battle.

You thought for a moment, the brunette waiting patiently for you to gather your thoughts. She'd pried one of your arms away from your chest, taking one of your hands in hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"Did you see the comments under your post?" You asked her quietly, peeking at her out of the corner of your eye.

"I did. They can be idiots sometimes, amor, you know that." Ona said, taking in your expression. "Are you upset about what they are saying?"

You shrugged, fighting a wave of emotion at how kind, how understanding, your girlfriend was being.

"What is it that is upsetting you? That they think Lucy and I are together, or that they do not know you and I are together?" She questioned, clearly determined to understand why you were upset, and fix it.

"It's just. There isn't... anything between you and Lucy is there?" You asked in a small voice, eyes flitting up to Ona's quickly, trying to see if you'd made her mad with your question.

She didn't look mad, though. Only a little sad, as she took your face in her hands, gently cradling your cheeks. "No. There is nothing between me and Lucy. I love you. Only you."

Ona didn't ask you why you were so suspicious, so insecure. She didn't need to.

"I'm sorry, Oni. I trust you, you've never given me a reason not to trust you, it's just..." you trailed off, not really sure how to express the emotions waging war in your head at that moment.

"It's that someone betrayed your trust before, and you didn't expect it. That is bound to leave some marks, amor. I am not angry. I will tell you that I love you, and only you, as many times as you need to hear it." The defender told you sincerely. Her eyes were practically hearts looking at you, and you were dove forward, pulling her into a tight hug before you even really knew what you were doing.

Your face was hidden in her shirt, her arms wrapped tightly around you. You were blinking back tears, not because you were upset anymore. Now, it was because Ona just seemed to understand you. So perfectly. She knew what you were thinking before you even had the chance to say it.

"Cariño? Did I say the wrong thing?" Ona asked quietly.

You pulled from her embrace, mashing your lips into hers for a minute. "No, you were perfect. You are perfect." You assured her, pressing your forehead to hers. You were sporting matching grins, and neither of you could bring yourselves to care about how disgustingly love sick you probably looked.

"You are the perfect one," Ona whispered, pairing the words with a soft kiss to the tip of your nose.

Maybe, you were both perfect, together.

-----

It was an open secret within the team that you were together. A few people knew for sure, Ingrid, Mapi, Alexia, and Lucy, while everyone else had... very strong suspicions. Outside of the team though, the general public had not a single clue that you were together.

As such, rumors about Ona and Lucy, Ona and Keira, Ona and... everyone, persisted. As time passed, it seemed like it was only increasingly bothering you. Which was why Ona decided to bring up something she'd been considering for a few weeks, sitting on the couch next to you on the way to an important away game. You were distracted, scrolling through twitter, when Ona spoke up.

"Do you ever thing about coming out?" She wondered aloud.

You didn't look up from your phone. "Ona, I'm already out. And so are you, indirectly. Everyone knows you're gay. Look at you." Ona briefly looked offended, before glancing down at her very gay outfit, and giving up on arguing with what you'd said.

"No, not come out of the closet. Come out... about us." That got your attention.

"Like tell the team? I think they all already know, Oni, and they're just trying to be nice."

Ona wasn't quite sure why you weren't understanding what she was so clearly asking you. "No, amor. Go public. On instagram or something. Not like an announcement, something like how Ingrid and Mapi did it."

You were quiet for a moment, and Ona anxiously watched your face. Had she miscalculated? Did you not want people to know about the two of you?

"Why would you want to do that?" You asked neutrally. Your tone was completely free of emotion either way, and Ona sighed, wishing she knew what you were thinking, like she normally did.

"Well, I know the rumors make you uncomfortable, and the only way to get them to stop is..." Ona trailed off, surprised by the sudden sullen expression on your face.

"I don't want you to do that for me, Ona. I can handle the rumors. We don't have to tell everyone before you're ready."

"No! I want to tell people. I... I want everyone to know that you're mine."

Your response wasn't even out of your mouth before a pained groan, and then a yelp, sounded from behind you. Exchanging looks, you and Ona stood slightly, and peeked over the seat.

Mapi and Ingrid were sitting behind you; Mapi rubbing her arm whilst glaring at Ingrid, who was returning the glare.

"Is there a problem, León?" Ona asked coldly.

"No, no problem here," Ingrid replied, smiling apologetically.

"Yes there is!" Mapi cut in. "The problem is that I am trying to enjoy the drive, and the two of you are dancing in circles around something you both clearly want."

You and Ona gaped at her, and Ingrid elbowed her again, hard.

"Stop doing that!" Mapi cried, looking over at her girlfriend with a hurt expression on her face. "I'll fix it for you." She dropped her voice a pitch, turning to one side. "Y/n, can we tell people we're together?" She raised her voice up a bit, turning to face the other way. "Why, yes, Ona, I'd love nothing more."

She turned back to face the two of you, smiling triumphantly. "There, it is all better now."

You and Ona were at a loss for words, and it appeared Ingrid was as well.

"I don't know how you put up with her." You said finally, looking sympathetically at Ingrid.

"I don't either." Ingrid replied, pinching the bridge of her nose between two fingers and looking rather exasperated.

"Hey! Amor!" Mapi complained, launching into a disgruntled explanation as to why "you don't put up with me, you LOVE me." You and Ona turned back, sitting down in your seats again, trying to keep your smirking to a minimum.

It was quiet for a few moments, before the two of you looked shyly at each other, breaking into giggles.

"I wish she wasn't right." Ona admitted.

"Me too, but she is." You agreed.

The specifics were to be decided later, you both agreed, before you focused on your pre-match routines, headphones on even as your hands tangled together secretly, tucked under the sweatshirt draped across Ona's lap.

-----

You weren't an overly aggressive player, not really. It wasn't often you got carded, and when you did, it was normally warranted. You were always the player calming the others down on the pitch, encouraging them to let the ref deal with situations.

The wave of anger that washed over you, when the number 9 on the opposing team practically tackled your girlfriend to the ground was not a feeling that you could recall experiencing before. Ona's head smacked painfully on the grass, and you could tell by the dazed look on her face that she was hurt. You moving towards her in an instant, as your teammates appealed to the ref for a card and a penalty. Cata was crouched over Ona protectively, trying to make sure everyone gave her space until the medics could reach her.

Cata made to move out of the way as you approached and allow you to take her spot, already planning on how she was going to tease you later about the way you'd instantly rushed to Ona's side the minute she'd gone down. Instead, you walked right passed the pair, barreling toward's the girl that took Ona out, who was loitering a few feet away. Your hands connected with number nine's chest, shoving her backwards. The girl stumbled, coming back at you with a matching shove. It only escalated from there, and by the time your teammates got in between you, punches had been thrown.

It took Mariona and Lucy together to get you separated from the other girl, your lip bleeding, a bruise around your eye already forming. You'd never felt angrier in your entire life. That girl could have hurt Ona, badly. It had been a completely unnecessary action, too, and you could see out of the corner of your eye that Ona was being led off the pitch, supported by a medic on each side.

Even as Mario encouraged you to calm down, and Lucy rubbed your shoulder, you still struggled against your teammates, feeling like you had more to give to the girl being restrained not far from you. That was, until Ingrid and Irene stepped in front of you, blocking your view.

"Calm down." Irene said icily, clearly not appreciating your momentary excursion into vigilante justice.

"She-" You started.

"-We saw what she did. So did the ref. She was about to get carded when you stepped in." Ingrid said, a look of disappointment clear on her face.

"Ona-" You began again, twisting to try to find her on the pitch.

"-Is fine. The medics are getting her off now. You're about to get a red, and you're going to take it, apologize to the ref and the girl, and get off the pitch." Irene told you, glaring as you started to object.

You nodded finally, and your teammates released you, moving out of the way as the ref walked in your direction.

"Nice right hook," Mario whispered in your ear, before following the others off to the side. You fought back a smile at her compliment, focusing on the ref. You did get a red card, as did the other player. She threw the first punch after all, escalating the tussle to a full blown fight.

You apologized to the ref, like you were told to, and you tried to apologize to the other girl but she brushed you off heading for the sidelines. You followed her, feeling the burning gaze of every single one of your teammates on you as you walked off the pitch. You stopped briefly by Jona, who patted you on the back supportively.

"I would yell, but Alexia is already waiting for you in the tunnel," he said quietly, knowing that pretty much everyone was more afraid of Alexia than of him. You nodded, heading towards the tunnel.

Now that you were off the pitch and away from the situation, you felt embarrassment at how you'd acted burn through your body. More than that, though, you just wanted to check on your girlfriend.

Alexia stood, effectively blocking your way to find Ona, arms crossed over her chest, an unimpressed look on her face. She was resting this game, unfortunately for you. Mapi was too, but she was nowhere to be found. Everyone else was still outside on the bench, and you hoped that meant that Mapi was with Ona.

You walked towards Alexia tentatively, wincing when she grabbed your chin and inspected your wounds. Her finger brushed over your lip, and your eye, before she released your chin, and grabbed your hand. Your knuckles were split, and she pressed gently around, watching carefully as you winced.

"Say something." You said finally, unable to take the silence any longer.

"Oh? You want me to say something? I thought you only settled issues with violence." The blonde said, and you shrunk under her sharp gaze.

"Alexia,"

"No. Be quiet. I do not want to hear it. I am disappointed in you, nena."

Your eyes fell to the floor, heart clenching in your chest at Alexia's words, obviously chosen to make you feel guilty, as was deserved. You'd messed up, and you would take what was coming to you.

Alexia launched into a lecture about responsibility, reliability, the team, getting carded, and generally being an idiot. She didn't get very far into it though, before a door opened, and a voice called to you from down the hall. Alexia turned around, and you peeked past her, seeing Mapi leaning out of a doorway.

"Ona is asking for you," she said, an impressed grin on her face. You pushed right past Alexia, rushing down the hall towards Mapi.

"Hey! I was not done yelling!" Alexia called after you. Her footsteps followed you down the hall, but you really couldn't bring yourself to care. You slipped past Mapi into the dimly lit room, and found your girlfriend on a recovery table, awaiting you with a poorly hidden smile.

"Oni," you sighed, relief filling you at the sight of her. You moved closer to press a soft kiss to her forehead, pulling back to look down at her. "Are you okay? How are you feeling?"

"How am I feeling? What about you?" She asked, looking up at your swelling face with a wry grin.

"I'm fine," you dismissed. "Do you have a concussion?"

"No, somehow. Just a bump." Ona promised.

"I guess you do not need to announce anything anymore." Mapi said gleefully. You and Ona both glared at her, before you turned your focus back to your girlfriend.

"She's right. I made it... very obvious."

"I liked it," Ona said quietly, a shy smile on her face.

Behind you, Alexia cleared her throat. You sighed, leaning your head down to hide your face in Ona's neck. "Ask her to go away." You mumbled. Ona laughed under you.

"I am not getting involved."

"Even though I was defending your honor?" You asked incredulously.

"Sí, mi amor. I do not get in the way of Alexia and a lecture she wants to give."

You sighed loudly, before pulling away and turning towards your captain, resigned to your fate.

-----

The team had decided to go out to celebrate the win, and although Alexia had gotten her anger out of her system, she still wasn't letting you OR Ona head to a bar after sustaining mild injuries.

Instead, she accompanied you and Ona back to your apartment. Ingrid and Mapi joined you. It took around an hour for everyone to agree on dinner. Eventually, Alexia got annoyed and picked for everyone. Deciding on a movie to watch was equally as difficult. Mid argument, the doorbell rang. You got up to answer the door, thinking it was the food delivery.

You weren't looking when you opened the door, glancing behind you to laugh at something Mapi said, when a quiet voice had you freezing in your tracks.

"Y/n?"

You turned towards the opened door, towards the familiar soft voice, familiar adorable accent. She was stood in front of you, in a red arsenal sweatshirt, blonde hair pulled into a tight ponytail. She looked just as beautiful as she always did, blue eyes peering at you apprehensively.

"Less?" You asked.

-----

cliffhanger? again?

#woso imagine #woso x reader #barcelona femeni x reader #ona batlle x reader #woso fanfics #woso

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clockwayswrites · 1 year

Text

Like Betta Fish Do - Part 18

You all weren't supposed to get this until Monday, but to celebrate being released from the shadow ban! Have at it! Chapter 15 when on Ao3, MasterpostWC: 2353

Danny left the lecture with a smile on his face. It wasn’t that the lecture had been particularly enjoyable or anything, no, Danny just had been smiling more often than not the last few weeks. It was hard not to when he thought about Jason and the fact that they were dating.

He had a boyfriend. A very hot, very sweet boyfriend who was amazing at planning dates. Aside from the museum, they had also gone back to the beach and the little city near it, and kept up with their normal meals and exploring the city. It all really made Danny realize how much the two of them had been practically dating before their actual date. It was a nice realization. It meant much hadn’t had to change other than being able to hold hands… and take advantage of kissing Jason. Those were changes Danny was very much enjoying.

The next proper date was Danny’s to plan (he had insisted) and different ideas were filling up his head. He wanted to make it as special as the dates Jason had planned for him. The museum had been perfect, after all. It was a lot to live up to. Today, though, was just going over to Jason’s for a meal and to watch something. He pulled out his phone and gave Jason a call to see what food he should pick up.

“Hey, Jay.”

“Fish, hi, um, can I— no you cannot!” Jason answered, sounding like he had turned his face away from the phone. Someone in the background answered back. “No, do not—”

There was the rustling and muffled words before silence. And then— “Hey little fish!” Whoever had just taken over the call was much more chipper sounding.

“Hello,” Danny replied, bemused.

Whoever it was let out a sudden meep as obvious sounds of scuffling filled the background of the call. “So, I'm Jason's brother, Dick.“

“Give me back my phone you fucker!” Jason shouted, his words slightly muffled.

“Hello, Dick.”

An exhaled oof of air was followed by a loud crash and what Danny was pretty sure was one of them kicking the other.

“You can't keep him from me forever!” Dick cried. “Anyways, I'm at Jason's.”

Danny could help but grin at the antics. “I gathered.”

“Right— back off Jaybird— want to come over for lunch? Since I��m, oh shi—”

Danny winced at the sound of the phone hitting the floor. They were really going at it now. He’d give them props for creative cussing. As he listened to the sounds of the fight, he made his way to the subway stop.

Finally, a slightly breathless Jason reclaimed the phone. “Sorry about him.”

“It's fine. Want to put in an order at the Malaysian place for us and I'll pick it up? I'm already on my way over.”

“No,” Jason said (whined, really, though Danny knew he’d deny it). “Don't give into his demands.”

“Victory!” came a strangled cry. From the winded sound, Danny would bet Jason had his brother pinned, maybe even in a choke hold.

“I don't think he's really going to give up,” Danny pointed out. Jason was quiet. Quiet enough that Danny started to backtrack. “Hey, if you don't want me to meet your family—”

“No! It's not… I'll put in an order. It will be under your name. I'm making Dick pay though.”

“Still won!“ Came the shout from Dick before Jason hung up.

“I’ve got it!” a voice that wasn’t Jason called out from inside of the apartment.

Danny did his best to resist the urge to fidget.

Now that he was standing outside of the apartment the reality that Danny was about to meet someone from Jason’s family hit home. And Jason’s family were Waynes. He took a deep breath and tried not to panic. That, of course, meant his brain had time to run through a dozen worst case scenarios by the time the door swung open.

The Dick Grayson that stood in the door was every bit the male model that society pages liked to claim. His smile was even more blinding in person and maybe even a little infectious. Danny found he couldn’t help but smile back, even if it was a little wan and nervous.

“Oh my- Jaybird!” Dick called over his shoulder. “You didn’t tell me how adorable he was!”

Danny felt his cheeks flush red.

Dick spun back to Danny. “Are you a hugger?”

“I— yes?”

There was barely time for Danny to squeak out the words before Dick had scooped him up in a crushing hug. Oh. Okay, that was nice. Danny hadn’t been hugged like that since Jazz left for college and his parents stopped remembering he existed.

“Please stop smothering my boyfriend,” Jason called out as he came over.

“Hi Jason. Food,” Danny said, his words muffled against Dick’s chest. He blindly held out the bag of food in Jason’s direction, keeping the cardboard tray of drinks in his other hand.

“Hey, fish,” Jason said. Danny felt the food be lifted from his hand. “Do I need to get the jaws of life?”

“Oh shut up, Jayce,” Dick said cheerily. He squeezed Danny one last time before he let him go.

Danny took the opportunity to suck in a deep breath.

“Hi, I’m Dick,” Dick said, still grinning and offering his hand like a normal person.

“Don’t tell him!” Jason called out from the kitchen.

Danny leaned around Dick, absently shaking his hand as he did so. “What?”

“Don’t tell him your name,” Jason explained.

“He’s just been calling you ‘fish’ this whole time.”

“It’s driving him insane.” Jason sounded viciously gleeful.

“No,” Dick whined, drawing out the word to an absurd length. “I’m finally meeting you! You’re right here! I have to get to know your name now! I can’t keep calling you ‘fish’.”

“I mean,” Danny said innocently as he finally stepped in the apartment and closed the door behind him. “I like fish. Jason has been very creative with the name. It’s actually a little impressive.”

Dick narrowed his eyes at Danny. “I’m starting to see how you fit with Jason.”

Jason cackled from the kitchen. He set plates and utensils down on the table before coming over and wrapping his hands around Danny’s waist from behind. “My boyfriend, my side.”

Danny smiled innocently and leaned back into the hold.

“Yeah, yeah,” Dick said with a roll of his eyes, but he was still grinning happily. He started towards the table. “Come and eat or I’ll take all the roti for myself.”

“No, not the roti!” Danny gasped dramatically.

“Don’t worry, I got extra,” Jason assured everyone as he nudged Danny in the right direction.

“This must be yours,” Danny said, handing over one of the two blindingly pink cups of sirap bandung over to Dick. “Which tells me you are a man of refined tastes.”

“Just because you two have a sweet tooth—”

“Refined tastes indeed, well met,” Dick said over Jason with a fake British accent that would make Alfred wince.

“Indeed. Drink your longan juice, Jason,” Danny said, handing over the third cup to Jason, who just rolled his eyes.

They popped open all the various containers of food, sticking spoons or forks in them almost haphazardly. It became a jumble of hands for a bit as everyone got the first rounds they wanted on their plates. The table was quiet as everyone happily tore into the curries, rendang, and satay skewers.

“So, ‘fish’, if that is your real name, tell me about yourself,” Dick said after he had staved off the worst of his hunger.

“Um,” Fish (he couldn’t believe he had to call the guy fish in his own head) stalled badly as he completely blanked on what to say. Dick had the horrible feeling that people didn’t usually listen to what Fish had to say. “I moved to Gotham for school.”

“Gotham U? Or one of the lib arts colleges?”

Fish’s nose wrinkled adorably up at that. “Gotham U, I’m a total STEM. I’ll leave the books to Jason.”

“He’s a literature heathen,” Jason bemoaned. “But surprisingly dedicated to finding bizarre Jane Austen interpretations for me to watch.”

“You liked ‘the Lizzie Bennet Diaries,” Fish said, pointing at Jason with a skewer.

Jason stole the skewer to Fish’s indignant squawk. “I did, but ‘Persuasion’ was a mistake in every way.”

“Yeah, no, that’s fair,” Fish said, stealing a piece of tofu from Jason’s plate in retribution. (Oh shit, Jason was letting Fish steal his food!) “Not everything I find can be a winner.”

“Okay, but it sounds like you try at least! That counts for something. Got it though, science not books for the fish,” Dick said. “What do you like to do then?”

“Right now life is just a lot of studying and projects and papers,” Fish sighed. “But when I have time I like to play video games. And Jason has been showing me around Gotham and New Jersey.”

“So you swam in from out of state then?”

“Bus from Illinois,” Fish said. “It’s been a change for sure.”

“But you’re liking it?”

“I am, actually. I didn’t know if I would and there’s some things I don’t like— it’s always so… loud here, but the variety of stuff to see and eat is amazing. Like, I never had Malaysian food before moving here and now I don’t know how I would live without good roti just a call away. And, I don’t know, there’s just something about Gotham?”

“The city has a way of sinking into your bones,” Dick agreed.

“You aren’t from here either, right?”

“Nope! But I’ve been here for over half my life now. It’s weird and fucked up but it’s home and I love it,” Dick said with a shrug. “Think you’ll stay?”

Years of training kept Dick from flinching when Jason kicked him under the table.

The fish glanced at Jason for a moment. “Um, well, I guess that depends on if I can find a job or not. But I think I’d like to, if I can.”

“Sorry,” Dick said with a laugh. “You’re probably just worried about your next test at the moment. So exploring Gotham, school, video games— have you faced off against Jason in Mario Kart or Smash yet?”

“No,” Fish said, drawing the word out as he turned to Jason. “I am betrayed. Wounded. You didn’t tell me you played video games!”

Oh yeah, Dick liked Jason’s aquatic boyfriend.

“Just those two really.”

“And Animal Crossing. Our sister Cass got him totally hooked on Animal Crossing,” Dick said, bracing for another kick. Yep, there it was. “You should get him to show you his island. It has a miniature golf course and everything.”

Danny grinned. “Oh you are so showing me that later.”

The tip of Jason’s ears were bright red. “Yeah, sure, whatever.”

“Tonight though! Tonight we have an epic brother versus brother versus fish racing battle,” Dick crowed.

“Oh you’re just lucky it’s not Smash, you might actually have a chance,” Danny said with a slightly feral smile.

“It’s on.”

It was indeed on.

The races were fierce battles and the fish was no guppy, but Dick had been trained against other superheros and set after set came away with the crown.

Several sets in, Fish’s phone went off, making him jolt. “Oh, shit, that’s my alarm to catch the subway home. I better run.”

“I can give you a ride home if you want?” Dick offered, putting his own controller down.

“No, it’s fine! I know it’s still early, I’ve just got this paper to get finished up in the next few days and I’m making myself work on it some each night,” Fish said, leaning over the back of the couch to reach for his bag.

Jason reached out to steady Fish by holding onto the back of his hoodie.

Dick stole Fish’s phone from the gesturing arm. “I’m putting my number in.”

“What? Oh, yeah, sure,” Fish said, lunging forward suddenly. When Jason yanked him back, Fish had his backpack in hand.

Jason clutched Fish to his chest and sighed. “Fish—”

“I’m fine, you got me,” Fish said, grinning up at Jason.

Jason clearly tried to look stern for a moment before he sighed; his whole face softened with the act. He curled around Fish slightly, just enough to brush a kiss to Fish’s temple. “Course I do.”

Since he still had it in hand, Dick snapped a picture with Fish’s phone. He figured the two didn’t have a lot of photos as a couple yet, and they looked precious at the moment. It was clear how much adoration Jason had for Fish— and how happy Jason made Fish. Dick was glad they had found each other.

“Don’t forget your phone.”

“Thanks! It was nice meeting you,” Fish said, climbing out of Jason’s arms and grabbing his phone. “I’ll kick your ass next time!”

“You’re welcome to try,” Dick said cheerfully. “If only fish had more than a three second memory maybe you could get good.”

Fish rolled his eyes, but distracted himself by giving Jason a quick kiss. “I’ll see you this weekend?”

“Course, send me the plans. And text when you’re home safe.”

“Stop worrying,” Fish said as he swung on his backpack. “But I will. Have a good night you two!”

Both brothers bid Fish goodbye as he rushed out the door.

Dick waited till Jason had locked the door before, “Oh my god, Jaybird, you two are so adorable!”

“Dickhead,” Jason warned.

“No, I get to have this. My little brother has a boyfriend and is adorable with him! Did he send you the photo I took? Ask him to send you the photo I took and you’ll see too.”

Jason sighed, shaking his head as he came back to sit on the couch.

Dick leaned over to knock their shoulders together. “Hey, I’m happy for you. He seems like a really good guy. I’m glad you met him.”

“Yeah,” Jason said, that soft smile back on his face. “I’m glad too.”

-----

AN: And one of the Bats finally meets Danny! Or, well, Fish. That seemed to go well, right? Surely everything will be happy now. Are there enough fish puns/jokes? If not, feel free to suggest some! Much love to Moku for giving this an early read over when I was doubting the chapter.

Also I'm craving Malaysian food so badly now ;-;

Due to being shadow banned (they said glitch, but I still believe I got auto flagged for tagging too many people), I am no longer tagging for updates. It wasn't going to be doable in the new post editor anyways! To be notified, subscribe to this post instead!

#dp x dc #dead on main #like betta fish do #danny fenton/jason todd #danny fenton x jason todd

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bunnliix · 3 months

Text

Can't Stay Away from You - Chapter Two

The outline for this chapter, was over 2000 words, so as you can see, I had ideas lol. We get a bit more attention on the boys this chapter, but we do see what's up with y/n as well! Honestly, this series seems to be longer chapters, so the updates will be slower for this story. But either way, I hope this is an enjoyable chapter two!

masterlist

word count: 5.7k

warnings: Angst, fluff eventually, protective members, scenting, scent highs, cute moments because yes we need it, multiple distressed and panicked people, crying, tears, I think that's it?

“Why did you ever think it was a good idea to give her, a random Stay, your number? What in the world compelled you to think it was a good idea?! She could have been a sasaeng for all we know, and you just gave her your number all willy nilly?!” Minho just about exploded on the pack alpha, criticizing his frankly stupid decision.

“You know very well that we’re all pulled to her for some reason. Hell, my alpha wanted to grab her, pull her into my arms, and scent her, right in front of every fan in that room. And I’m pretty fucking sure that everyone else felt something similar to that. So don’t you criticize me on this Minho. I thought about it before I gave her my number. I took a chance, wanting to get to know that girl who captivated even you. Don’t think I didn’t see you watching her after your turn, I saw it all.” Chan went after Minho, feeling enraged after hearing the man’s words.

By the end of his words, Chan was chest to chest with Minho, almost ready to fight with him. Minho is ready to fight his pack alpha, wanting to get it into his thick head how much he could have risked their pack’s safety over this.

“Do you realize how badly this could have gone?! We’re lucky that she hasn’t yet done something. She could post your number out into the world for all we know. And yet you’re standing here, telling me it’s worth it because she interests you? I thought my pack leader, and the leader of my group, was more responsible than that.” Minho said, his words cutting like knives.

A noise at the door stopped their conversation, Minho moving to open the door, their two omegas falling onto the floor. The two of them looked sheepishly up at their alphas, knowing they were caught in the worst way. The two alphas weren’t impressed, as the omegas knew better than to eavesdrop, and they raised an eyebrow at the two until the apologies came rolling in.

“And you two were listening in, why?” Chan questioned them, as they looked down at the floor.

“Jagiya dragged you in here, and we were curious why he needed to talk to you so urgently.” Han answered Chan, before looking up at him. “Do you really have y/n’s number??” He hurried to ask, even though it meant Minho gave him a look for asking at all.

“Yah! That’s what you gained from listening in? That Christopher has the girl’s number?” Minho scolded the younger man.

“Well, yeah. It means we can talk with her!” Jisung says, completely ignoring Minho’s growing glare.

“I am surrounded by fucking idiots I swear.” Minho comments, voice and face giving away just how done he was with the alpha and omega pair.

Felix wisely stayed quiet, hoping that he’d be forgotten about. Unfortunately, that was not going to happen, as both alphas turned to him.

“How much did you hear?” Chan asked.

“I heard everything.” Felix answered, hoping that the less he gave away, the better off he’d be. Once again, he was wrong.

“Where do you stand on this, then?” Minho queried.

“I can’t say that I’m not excited that Chan has y/n’s number, but also I can understand your concerns, Minho-hyung.” Felix explains, feeling torn between both sides.

Chan smirked triumphantly, as Minho sighed. Why are his packmates like this? His own alpha told him that he’s the same way, that he’s being a hypocrite. He shut out his wolf, focusing back on the present situation.

Since he didn’t get scolded for his words, Felix decided to be a bit cheeky. He teased Minho about his reaction to the girl, before getting stuck in a headlock by the alpha.

“I’m not wrong!” He shouted out. Minho only growls in response.

This triggers Han to laugh, before running out of the room, calling out that the great alpha Minho was interested in y/n too, no matter what he said to oppose that thought. Said alpha let Felix go and ran after the other omega, intent on murdering him.

“You little shit, get back here!” He screamed out at the rapper, chasing after him.

“I don’t think so!” Han called back, a cheeky smile plastered on his face. The other observed this chase and laughed at the two of them. This was prime entertainment, after all. Felix and Chan made their way out to the living room, where the majority of the pack had settled, watching the alpha omega pair race around the house in a very scooby doo sort of fashion.

Eventually Jisung was cornered by the older alpha, and was swiftly pushed up against a wall. Minho attacked the omega’s scent gland, Jisung quickly went into a scent high, going limp in the alpha’s arms. Minho smirked victoriously, bringing the now quiet omega over to sit down on the couch, keeping him in his lap. Seungmin emerged from his room, the last member to join them all in the living room.

“Well, I guess we might as well have the pack meeting now.” Chan piped up, all attention turning to him.

“What about?” Seungmin asked.

“About y/n.” Chan quickly replied, and that got everyone’s attention. The boys’ attention was solely focused on their pack alpha, well besides Jisung whose head was resting on Minho’s shoulder, the omega still a melted puddle.

The boys started to get louder, each discussing about y/n, before Chan shushed them all.

“During the fanmeet, I gave y/n my number when signing her album. She messaged me while we were on the way back here. I confirmed it’s actually her, and I know that all of us were interested in her, I could tell by how none of you could shut up about her on the drive home.” He told them, and they all started clamoring for her number.

“Yah! Shut up!” Minho interjected, and they all quickly settled as none of them wanted to earn the man’s ire.

Chan continued once the noise level had dropped, “My alpha also is attracted to her, at the fansign, it wanted me to pull her into my arms and scent her, everyone else be damned. I know Minho’s alpha was behaving similarly.”

Minho sighed as all attention was directed to him. “My alpha didn’t want to let her go. And wanted to take her and keep her in our nest. And he wouldn’t shut up about how pretty Felix and her would look together in our nest.” He spoke.

This admission from the dancer caused a round of teasing by the rest of the pack. They teased him and his alpha for wanting to essentially kidnap a fan because she was so pretty. Felix sat there blushing, the thought of y/n and him in a nest together painted a pretty picture in his mind, leaving him desiring for that to happen.

Fairly quickly afterwards, the remainder of the boys also speak up about their feelings, except for Han, but Felix shares the other omega’s feelings in his stead. They all found that if their wolves hadn’t outright talked about her, that they at least felt drawn or pulled to her.

Changbin quickly brought the conversation back around to Chan having her number, which then brought back the clamoring by the others, bar Minho and Han, for their leader to pass on her number to them. Chan sternly told them that he would have to get her permission first before he would even think of handing out her number, which then spurs on calls for him to text her right then and there to ask, as well as a couple of pouts at Chan not immediately giving her number.

The leader sighed, before pulling his phone out and pulling up their texts.

‘Hey there. So the others found out that I have your number, and they want it as well. I won’t pass it on to them unless I have your express permission to do so.’ He texted y/n.

It took a minute before she responded, and by the time she did, the boys had crowded around him and his phone.

‘That’s fine! You can give it to them, I don’t mind.’ She replied to him.

“Oh! Ask her if we can have a group chat too!!” Hyunjin shouted out, making Changbin and Felix cover their ears.

‘And I have been asked to ask you if you’re okay with a group chat with the whole group.’ He passed on the question to her.

‘That’s okay with me as well. I assume it was Felix who wanted it? Or Han?’ She asked him.

‘Hyunjin, actually.’ He texted.

‘Ahhh, that would have been my third guess.’ She replied, and he laughed.

Hyunjin pouted, as did Felix, at being so predictable.

Chan quickly created a group chat, adding y/n to it last. As he predicted, the chat quickly fell into chaos. The boys all wanted her attention, and he had to step in to tell them to cool it, both by text and verbally. There were more pouts this time, the boys unhappy about being scolded.

Since the industry has a habit of not disclosing the idol’s designations to fans since that incident at the fansign, and the pack of boys not knowing what y/n’s designation is, that’s the first thing after introductions to be discussed. Y/n is the first to spill, telling them that she is an omega, to which Felix chimed in as well. Though he already knew that, and was trying to cover up for the growing pool of guilt in his stomach at hiding it. Chan tells her that Han is the other omega of their group. Changbin, Hyunjin and Sungmin all tell her that they’re the betas, Seungmin noting afterwards that he’s the pack beta. This left Jeongin, Minho and Chan as the alphas, with Chan specifying that he’s the pack alpha.

Y/n was thankful to know what each of the boys was, and now knows why she probably felt the most at ease with Chan, Han and Felix, with two of them being fellow omegas and one being a pack alpha. They start to discuss other topics, though the maknaes try to persuade her to reveal who her bias was, but she kept her mouth shut on that matter. They move on to getting to know her, 20 questions style but really, it was just them asking her questions instead of her asking them any questions.

During all of this, Chan notes that Felix is unusually quiet, which is odd because of how excited he was only five minutes prior. He’s usually the big texting person in the group, and yet he’s barely texting at all, just staring down at his phone.

Felix is feeling the guilt settle in his chest, weighing him down almost. He can’t push himself to be part of the conversation, only staring down at his phone, slowly drifting away from reality. He can’t help but feel guilty, he ran away from her, and his omega had been berating him for his actions since then. He only jolted back into reality when Chan reached out to shake him, asking if he was okay. The freckled Aussie fakes a smile and tells his alpha that he’s fine. He knew he had to come clean, there was no other way around it. It wasn’t fair to keep her in the dark about this, but it also wouldn’t be fair to drop this over text.

Before he can regret it, he texted her in the group chat, ‘Are you free to call? There’s something you need to know.’

This set the pack into pandemonium, thinking that Felix was going to tell her about their feelings. Chan and Minho reach out for his phone, but the omega moves faster, moving out of everyone’s reach.

A ding was heard as she replied, ‘I’m free right now, Felix. What’s up?’

Deciding to just call her instantly, to avoid himself backing out, and to keep the others away from him.

“Hey Felix, what’s up? What did you wanna talk about?” She asked him as soon as she picked up.

“I knew you were an omega.” He blurted out.

“How? You shouldn’t have been able to tell at the fansign, not with my scent covered.” She replied, confused at how he knew.

“I met you before the fansign, actually.” He admitted to her, and the others.

“I think I would have known if we met.” She started, before going silent.

“Y/n?” Felix tentatively called out to the omega over the phone.

“No, we couldn’t have. That was you?” He hears her say, both to him and to herself.

“It was me. I’m sorry for what I did.” He told her.

“Felix-” She started, but he interrupted her.

“I’m sorry for bumping into you, and I’m so sorry that I ran away. My omega’s been berating me for it since I ran. I figured I’d never run into you again, but then you turned up at the fansign and when you didn’t recognize me, I thought that I just had to get through it and it would all be okay.” He apologized, and explained to the best of his ability.

His heart dropped as he heard a tiny gasp before a sob was heard from her side of the call. He hadn’t meant to make her cry, it was the last thing he had meant to happen. The others hear the sob and it’s enough to shock Han out of his scent high, his instincts on alert almost immediately.

“I didn’t say anything at the fansign because I didn’t think it was a good place to do so, nevermind the backlash that either of us may have faced. I had such a good time talking to you I swear. My omega’s honestly been yearning for you since yesterday, and I’m sorry I was cowardly and ran away. I was just so overwhelmed by everything I was feeling and my omega’s thoughts and urges and I couldn’t think of anything else to do but to run. I’m sorry y/n, for the hurt I caused you. I only hope you can forgive me.” He further explained, hoping that she would accept his apology, but know full well that she didn’t have to. Tears running out of his eyes by the end of his little speech.

The rest of the pack could only watch on, concerned about both omega’s but unsure of whether to intervene at all.

“Thank you for telling me, Felix. And thank you for apologizing. In the vein of being honest, after you ran, I went back to the hotel yesterday, because I had been overcome with a feeling of loneliness, and sadness. I made up a nest and after getting in it, I cried myself to sleep almost. My omega cried out for you, she was the most hurt by your actions.” Y/n admitted to not only Felix, but the rest of the boys unknowingly.

Felix started sobbing, as did y/n. Both omega’s feeling great amounts of sadness, and each feeding off of the other’s emotions. Chan decided it was time to step in, pulling Felix in close and hugging the younger man, taking the phone from his hand and handing it off to Minho as the alpha stepped closer, Han by his side. The other omega wrapped his arms around Felix, providing further comfort.

“Y/n? This is Minho. Can I ask for more details?” The elder alpha asked the girl.

She explained from the beginning, going over the two omega’s first encounter, and ending it with what she had said before, about falling asleep in her nest due to her emotions overtaking her. She told him that she had no idea it was Felix, that for all she knew, it was just a random stranger who smelled amazing, but had just run out of the blue.

As she continued to talk to Minho, her sentences eventually devolved into sobs and cries instead, fearing that she hurt Felix. Her sobs continued, worrying Minho that she’d start to hyperventilate and pass out because of it. He started to try and calm her over the phone, looking over to see that most of the group had crowded around Felix, trying to calm the omega down, though it wasn’t working.

Y/n could barely hear Minho’s voice, her sobs having grown louder as she tugged at her shirt, whining and crying that she had made Felix upset. She hadn’t wanted to do that, and she wished she could take back what she said. She curled in on herself, her omega feeling as sad as she was, neither of them wanted this to happen. Her scent soured, smelling bitter now, instead of sweet like it normally did.

Minho called out to the omega, “Y/n? Can you hear me?”

He only received a whine in reply, but it was better than nothing.

“Omega, I need you to verbally answer me.” He told her, not wishing to call her that, but knowing it will help bring her back at least slightly.

“Can hear ya.” He heard her mumble.

“Good omega.” He praised her. “Thank you for answering me.”

He doesn’t think she’s going to fully calm down soon, and he’s worried about her dropping, so decided that he needed to go see her. He asked her where her hotel was, receiving the name of a hotel, which he was able to discover wasn’t far from their dorm. He told her to stay calm for him and to keep breathing.

He caught Chan’s attention, the pack alpha motioning for him to come closer.

“I’m going to see y/n, she’s in as much distress as he is right now. I’m worried she’ll pass out.” He says quietly, trying not to let the others hear, though his effort is for naught.

Felix and Hyunjin whined at what they overheard, the omega of the two freaking out further that the other omega was in distress because of him, enough so that she might pass out. Felix himself started to hyperventilate, worrying about y/n getting hurt while she’s all alone.

“Alpha, protect omega?” He managed to get out, directing it at Minho.

“We’re gonna protect you baby, don’t worry.” Chan reassured him.

“Not ‘mega, pretty ‘mega.” Tears welled up in Felix’s eyes as they weren’t understanding him.

“I’m going to go help pretty ‘mega, okay kitten?” Minho said, running his hands through Felix’s hair, pushing his bangs back as he did so.

Felix nodded, before devolving into further worry, his omega taking over at that point. Tears were falling at a fast pace down the blue haired omega’s cheeks and his distressed scent almost made the others choke. Finally, to calm him down and having no other option, Chan scruffed the younger Aussie, causing him to go limp in the leader’s arms. Han grabs Seungmin, and the two start scenting their omega, trying to bring back that happy citrusy scent that they know and love.

Chan motions for Minho to go see y/n, or they’ll be dealing with a distressed omega all night.

“Go on, go see her. Take Hyunjin with you.” Chan ordered the two of them.

They quickly threw their shoes back on, taking the minimum they needed to get out the door. Hyunjin pulled his phone out, getting directions to her hotel. They hurried down the streets to her hotel, somewhat relieved that they made it there in under 20 minutes.

They rushed into the hotel lobby, y/n having given her room number prior to them leaving the dorm thankfully. They pushed the button for her room, but of course they weren’t alone in the elevator, and it seemed that people had to stop and get out on every single floor. Finally they arrived on her floor, running down the hall to find her room, Hyunjin finding it first.

Minho knocked on the door gently, but loud enough that y/n could hear it. They heard noise from inside the room, before the door slowly opened. Y/n looked a mess, tear-stained cheeks and swollen red eyes from crying. She was still having trouble regulating her breathing, her breath hitching and shaking as she looked up at them.

“Hi.” She said, barely louder than a whisper.

Minho, on pure instinct, picked her up and carried her in his arms, one hand pushing her head into his neck and scent gland, letting her scent him if she wanted to. He brought her to her nest in the bed, laying her in it as he stayed outside of it. He looked at her for permission to enter her nest, and she quickly granted it. He crawled into bed almost instantaneously, pulling the omega into his lap and wrapping his arms around her. He rocked her back and forth, letting her scent him as much as she needed. Minho was just there to comfort her without judgment, as she cried into his shoulder. He softly cooed and whispered comforting words to her, telling her that Felix was fine, that the others were with him and that he would be fine, just as she would be fine.

Hyunjin was waiting outside the nest, knowing better than to climb inside without the omega’s permission. At that point, y/n had calmed down quite a bit, and had taken to scenting Minho, which Hyunjin knew the alpha would never let strangers do. Yet here he was, allowing her to do what she needed for comfort. It really did prove that connection they all felt, that the older alpha willingly left Felix in distress to come and see y/n, and even was acting on instinct to calm an omega he had only met briefly hours earlier.

Minho caught y/n’s attention, pointing to the beta who was waiting. She immediately made grabby hands for the tall dancer, who smiled as he climbed into the nest.

“Hello little omega.” He cooed in greeting, getting a smile and a blush in response.

“Hiii beta.” She said, before hiding her face in Minho’s shoulder, to which the two men chuckled.

Hyunjin moved close to her, rubbing her back softly. Her scent was still soured, which worried the two of them. It meant that she still hadn’t fully come back from her distress, or was hiding how bad it was. Except for the fact that scents never lied, so the two of them changed positions, laying down in the nest on their sides facing each other, with y/n in the middle of them. They took turns scenting her and trying to get her scent to brighten up.

“It’s okay, omega. Everyone’s okay, no one’s upset or mad, you’ve done nothing wrong. Your feelings are valid, and we can talk everything out with Felix later, okay? But we need you to feel better first. We can’t have a sad omega, hmm?” Minho continued to reassure her, telling her that Felix would be distressed to see her like this.

Sometime after they arrived, y/n’s scent finally started to smell better, sweeter. Hyunjin’s beta and Minho’s alpha can’t get enough of her scent, the sweet honey and vanilla was so delicious. The boys felt the same way, the two of them chuffing in happiness. This was all strangely intimate for three people who had only met hours earlier, but there was a sense of rightness as they all laid together. It felt like this is what they should be doing, like they were just laying with another one of their packmates, not an omega they had met that day.

Y/n’s omega was purring in happiness at being in between the alpha and beta. Her omega was loving this, even if it only happened because of a bad situation. The happier she gets, the more delectable her scent gets, and soon enough, the boys can’t help themselves. The two of them descend on her scent glands, attacking them in order to get more of that pretty scent to come out and their wolves want to smell like her, want her pretty omega scent all over them, as a claim of sorts. This attack almost causes y/n to go into a scent high, thankfully for her, they get interrupted before that happens.

Minho picked up her phone to see Chan calling her. He answered, “Hello Channie alpha.”

“Hello Minho. How is y/n doing? Is she feeling better? I tried to get a hold of both of you, but neither you nor Hyunjin answered.” Chan questioned him, concerned.

“We’ve taken good care of her, she’s feeling better now.” Minho replied.

“Y/n’s okay? She’s really okay?” Felix’s voice comes through the phone.

Y/n took this as her time to speak up. “I’m okay, Felix. I promise. Are you okay too, sunshine?” She turned the questions back on him.

“I’m okay, I promise!” He told her, wanting her to not be concerned about him.

The two omegas started chatting on other topics, but before long, Chan interrupted them and told them to save the conversation for another time. They both pouted, the respective boys on either side chuckling at their expressions.

“Minho, Hyunjin, what are your plans now? Are you returning to the dorm now?” He broached the topic of what they would do, now that y/n’s been calmed down.

Hyunjin speaks up first, “Can we bring her back with us? Don’t want to leave her here alone.” Minho hummed in agreement.

Their wolves were insistent on not leaving her here by herself. What if she got distressed again, and they weren’t here to soothe her? That couldn’t be allowed.

“We want her to come back with us. Omega shouldn’t be left alone.” Minho affirmed Hyunjin’s words.

The use of omega tipped off Chan that Minho was not fully in control at the moment. That made him concerned, and their insistence really shocked the others, not expecting them to want to bring her back.

Well, everyone except for Han, he wasn’t shocked that they were behaving like this. Han knew that there was something about her that pulled them in, and he was fully on board with her coming to their dorm. If Minho’s alpha was that protective over her, he knew that she was safe to be around. The man’s alpha is protective over his pack, and he’d never let anyone in that he deemed a threat. Plus, his alpha was right, when he said she’d look cute in their nest. He wanted that too, wanted her and Felix in the nest. She’d be their little omega, that they’d keep safe, and by Felix’s concern, he thought the same.

“I want her here. Minho-jagi, bring her please.” The quokka-cheeked man spoke up, to everyone’s surprise. Thankfully, no one protested it, and Chan gave in, saying she could come and stay the night, to a round of cheers.

Chan sighed, before calling out to y/n, asking her, “Y/n, do you want to come here and stay with us for the night? You can say no, and I will come and get the boys. But you are welcome here if you want that.”

Y/n nodded, forgetting that Chan couldn’t see her nod.

Minho caught her attention, “Omega, we need a verbal answer.”

She blushes in embarrassment, “I’d like that.”

Honestly, she’s still in shock about it all, from getting Chan’s number to now laying here in between two-thirds of Danceracha, and she’s about to go back with them to their dorm. What is this life she’s living right now?

Her omega was thinking about getting to smell Felix’s sweet citrusy smell again. Plus the floral scents coming from Hyunjin, and what she could only think of as a clean laundry scent from Minho. Her omega is increasingly pleased with her situation, knowing that she wanted these boys as her pack, even if y/n hadn’t gotten to that point yet.

After confirming that they’d be heading back to the dorm soon with y/n in tow, Chan hung up. Hyunjin jumped into action, finding a bag of hers, and then heading into her bathroom to collect anything from there that she might need for the night. He found a bag for her hygiene and makeup items in the bathroom, and filled that up, before placing it in the large bag he found. He then moved out back into the main room, looking up at her and asking what he needed to pack for her.

Minho sat the two of them up as she directed him on what to pack, and Hyunjin dutifully followed her orders. Once he had everything, he brought the bag over for her to double check, looking happy once she approved, glad to be of service to the omega. Minho looked at him, pride in his eyes as he looked at the beta, a silent ‘good job’ mouthed to the younger dancer.

Leaving the bag on the bed, he went to find her shoes, as Minho moved them closer to the edge of the nest and bed. Hyunjin came back with her sneakers, and knelt down in front of her. He carefully put her shoes on her feet, the omega looking down at him with slight wonder in her eyes at how sweet the two of them were being. Once he had finished lacing up her shoes, he stood up and stepped back, grabbing her overnight bag in the process.

Minho moved her off his lap, before he slid off of the bed, immediately turning around to reach his hands out for her. She took them, and he helped her slide off the bed as well, landing softly on the ground, as if she was farther off the ground than the couple inches between her feet and the bed. Hyunjin hurried back over to the door, grabbing her coat off the hanger, and helping her into it. The two idols donned masks, and handed her one as well that they nicked on their way out as an extra for themselves. She put it on to conceal her face. They left the hotel room, but not before making sure y/n had the keys to her room.

They quickly rode back down the elevator and left the hotel, starting their journey back home. They two men knew where they were going, and each of them holding her hand, they led her down the streets until they approached the building their dorm was in. Heading up the lift to their floor, the doors opened and they hurried to their apartment. They arrived at the boys’ dorm, but before they could open the door, it opened for them, an excited Han on the other side.

“You’re here! Come in come in!” He nearly shouted, causing the others to come rushing to the entryway as well, Chan and Felix pushing their way to the front. The two Aussie’s kept everyone back so that the three of them could enter the apartment. The boys took off their shoes, as y/n followed them in doing so.

Once everyone’s shoes were off, Minho grabbed y/n’s hand and pulled her with him to the living room. He sat down on one of the couches, pulling her down next to him. Felix claimed the spot on her other side, as Han pouted, before he sat down in front of her. That didn’t stop him from complaining about how unfair it was, to the others’ amusement.

They all started chatting, in an effort to make y’n feel more comfortable in their presence. It worked, to their delight, and she quickly loosened up and joined the conversations. They talked about anything and everything, though the older boys had a lot of fun telling her embarrassing stories about the younger four boys, who retaliated by telling her the same kinds of stories about their elders. This caused her to laugh until her sides hurt, before chiming in with a couple stories of her own.

Eventually, more yawns than words were coming out of y/n’s mouth, and the eldest two took this as a sign that the small omega needed sleep.

“I think it’s time for some sleep, yeah?” Chan said as he came up to her, Han had moved out of the way so he could get closer.

Y/n nodded sleepily, having a harder time keeping herself upright. Chan, after getting verbal confirmation that it was okay to pick her up, did so, before taking her to their pack nest, and laying her in the middle of it. The two omegas hopped in after her, softly talking with her and removing anything on her person that might make sleeping hard. Once they were finished, and moved anything out of the nest, they settled in on either side of her, keeping her between them.

The three betas climbed into the nest next, Hyunjin on the other side of Felix, while Changbin and Seungmin stayed on Han’s side of the nest. Jeongin slipped in behind Seungmin with Chan capping off that side of the nest, as Minho slid in behind Hyunjin, reaching over him to feel Felix and y/n as much as he could.

With how many happy and content scents there were surrounding the omegas, it didn’t take long before the three were out cold. The three betas quickly followed, Changbin being the last of the three to fall asleep, watching the younger ones succumb to sleep first before he could. Minho was next, looking at Chan before nuzzling into Hyunjin’s neck and peacefully falling into the hands of sleep, and Chan took one more look around, his alpha being the happiest at seeing all of them safe here in the nest, before he too slipped into dreamland. The dorms were finally quiet, and the nine of them were safe in the nest, where they couldn’t be harmed.

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justmeinadaze · 6 months

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Secret Sinners Part 3 (Steddie X You)

A/N: I have been thinking about this chapter and excited to write it since I came up with idea for Secret Sinners. After a rough therapy session my brain went to town so you're going to have a lot of angst and feels in this one but I hope you enjoy it because I did <3.

Warnings: Demon Steddie X Human Fem Reader, SMUT, DP, this time they are softer with her due to the angst, FLUFF, they love each other, Readers dreams are gooey with fluff :)

ANGST, they are put through the test Nancy mentioned in the last chapter and its not fun, all three deal with different insecurities, Reader sees visions of her demons as who they were before they were trapped as well as how they would be if they were like their dads, she does get hurt (slapped, demeaned verbally but brief), Eddie deals with the consequences of running, and Steve deals with his fear of being alone and trapped again.

Bit of a rough angst but not like my toxic steddie fics :)

Word Count: 8691

Series here

You smile from your place in the auditorium as you watch your mom dance on stage with some of the kids from her class. When you were growing up, you loved seeing her do her steps. She was always so graceful when she moved, as if ballet was the easiest thing in the world.

Taking a hold of a little boy’s hand, she holds it in the air as he spins in fast circle with a big grin on his face as his long wavy locks slap his face. When he stops, he falls to the floor and giggles, scrunching his nose as he grabs his tummy.

The music stops and you promptly clap your hands making your mom smile as the children head backstage. The little boy she was dancing with waves excitedly at you before following his classmates.

“Thank you, my love.”, she beams as she saunters towards the edge of the platform and jumps down to sit beside you. “So are you ready for this next adventure?”

“I am but I’m a bit nervous. Nancy said it would be rough and I don’t want to see them in pain. They’ve already been through enough.”

“You have to, baby.”

“I know, mama, but I can handle it.”

“Could you handle losing them?”

Her question startles you as you fully turn to face her.

“Why would you ask me that?”

“Really think about that, Y/N. Could you handle not having them in your life in whatever capacity that may be…”

Your eyes snap open as you are met with the sound of whooshing and clinking as your demons continue to practice their sword fighting. Eddie pushes his weapon out of the way with his and grabs Steve by the throat before slamming him to the dirt below.

“Wow, you really do suck now. Don’t ya, big boy?”, he teases.

The other demon growls as he wraps his legs around him and spins him around until he’s straddling his partner underneath him.

“I’m just rusty. I’m getting better again though.”, he grins before leaning down to kiss his lips. “Hey baby. Are you alright?”, Steve asks when he glances your way and sees you awake.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just another weird dream.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“No, Eddie, like I said I’m fine.”

Both demon’s blink as they glance at each other, sensing something in your tone.

“Alright then, well, do you want to get something to eat before we get a move on?”

“No, I’d like to go to this place where this witch is. I’m tired of wondering and would rather just find out what we need to do so we can do it.”

“Babe, we can’t go in there with that mindset… the let’s get on with it ideal. Jonathan said he’s the only one that’s walked out with that potion. We have to be care—”

“I know what we have to do, Steve! You think I don’t worry about this 24/7! It’s been a week since we found out we need to do. Can’t we just go do it!?”

Both their eyes narrow in your direction as they try to control their tempers. Fully prepared to have a verbal fight with you, Eddie steps forward but stops when he notices your head turn away to hide the single tears that begin to fall.

“Y/N, sweetheart. What did you see?”

“My mom. She asked me if I could handle losing you. She’s the second person to bring up losing one or both of you. Why?! I don’t get it. Haven’t we been through enough?”

Tugging you into his arms, the long-haired demon presses you to his chest as he rests his cheek on your head.

“Edward, I’m scared.”

“I know, baby. We are to.”

“Y/N, if getting this thing requires us to separate or for you to lose us then, honey, we’ll just leave. I’m not letting go of you or Eddie. I don’t care what anyone says.”, Steve tried to comfort.

“We’re going to do this together, princess. Everything will be alright.”

################

Clinging to your hand, you and Eddie follow Steve as you pass through into this new realm. Because it wasn’t as hostel as the others, they both felt you didn’t need a disguise but because they weren’t sure what you would be walking into they still brought all their weapons.

“What is this place called?”, you asked.

“Uh, Espejismo.”

“Huh. Are all the realms named after something in Spanish?” The demon flashed you a questioning look so elaborates. “Espejismo means Illusion and Malvado is Evil.”

“Maybe just a coincidence?”

“How do you know Spanish?”, Eddie asked.

“My dad. He used to travel a lot of his work so he learned the basics for most languages.”, you smile softly at the memory. “Where are we headed to again?”

“Jonathan couldn’t give me details but he said we would know it when we saw it.”, he replied as he continued to look at the instructions the demon slayer provided him.

As they walked down the street, something familar caught your eye. Without thinking, you crossed the area and stood outside a little shop as you watched a class of ballet performers do their warmups. You smiled to yourself as you watched the kids hold the bar and do their best to bend their knees the way they should.

“Y/N! Baby, you can’t leave like that.”, Steve scolded as he followed your eyeline.

“After my mom got sick, she taught classes like this. I would go with her sometimes during the summer and watch. I always asked her if she missed performing and she said that training new minds fulfilled her more than the applause ever did.”

Eddie softly smiled as he petted the back of your head before kissing your temple.

“Hi there. My adult class isn’t until later.”, the teacher announced as she opened the door to her studio.

“No, I’m sorry. I was just telling them about how my mother taught ballet.”

“Oh wow. That’s amazing. Do you dance as well?”

“Ha, no ma’am. I was born with graceful feet and trip when I walk normally so…”

The woman chuckles as her eyes scan over the three of you. You’re not sure if it’s because of her occupation or her kind demeanor but you feel safe with this person as if you could tell her anything.

“Why don’t you guys come in and watch the rest of the class. They are supposed to perform acts from plays and pieces they enjoy.”

“We don’t want to impose.”

“Nonsense. Please! Come in.” Your demon’s apprehensively follow as they take in the surrounding. “I’m sorry we don’t have chairs but feel free to sit on the floor here.” After doing as she asks, the young lady turns to address the children in front of her. “Alright, kids. You have a bit of an audience today but please just behave normally and do your best. Show them what we got.”, she giggles before turning to you. “Are you ready for an adventure?”

Your smile falls as her words echo that of your dream.

“Y/N? What’s wrong, honey?”, Steve whispers when he feels you stiffen beside him.

“What’s the name of this realm again?”

“Espejismo. Why?”

Your hands immediately grab theirs as the lights in the studio go out and the kids begin their performance. Sullen music begins to play as a young lady dances into frame while another reads from sheets of paper in her hand.

“Once upon a time, there was a beautiful, strong girl who worked every day being a mother to the realm around her. She made money at a job she hated to care for her father who was sick with a disease that also claimed her own maternal parent.”

Your demon’s eyes shot forward as they gripped tighter to you.

“She slaved away in her day to day feeling lost and alone until she found a gem that housed her future. What she didn’t know yet was that this stone was home to two evil demons who were trapped by a deity who utilized their kind for certain tasks through the realms.”

Two of the younger boys danced out in front, grabbing the girl’s arms, and spinning her about.

“They whispered lies to her.”, murmured the kid reading the story in a low deep voice that gave you chills. “They told her they loved her—”

“That isn’t true! We do love her!”, Steve shouted rising to her feet. The girl tilted her head as she glared at him. One of the young men that had been portraying him in their dance spun in circles till he transformed into a vision of the demon’s father.

“How can that be when you are incapable of love?”, the girl asked.

“Steven! What the fuck are you doing, son? Do you want to die? You have to keep your hands closer together if you want to hit your target!”, his dad growled. The other performers transformed as well displaying themselves as himself as his mom.

“Bill, come on. He’s just a boy.”

“That’s no excuse! He’s MY boy and I won’t have a kid who can’t fucking fight on the battlefield!”

“You were trained to fight, Steven.”, the girl continued. “Not love. Why do you think Nancy left? Or why you and Eddie were captured?”

“STOP IT!”, you screamed. “You’re hurting him!”

The lights flash and the teacher takes over telling her stories as an image of Chrissy bleeding to death appears in front of you and Eddie.

“What about you, Edward? It’s your fault all the bad stuff happens right? You’re the reason the princess was murdered, why Steven had to kill a fellow solider and flee with you, being trapped in that stone as he lost his mind… even before you became a solider you were a problem.”

Eddie’s mother appears in front of him, sobbing on her knees as his dad towers over her. A tiny version of him runs to place himself between them holding up his fists, prepared to fight.

“I swear to God, boy, you are always in the fucking way.”, his father grunted in anger.

“And I always will be if you touch her again!”

“Do you think you can really beat me, you little punk?!”

“I think I can try, asshole!”

You run to the woman with Steve’s bat in hand ready to end their pain but as you swing a light blinds you before the world goes dark.

***

“Y/N!”, Eddie screams as he finds himself in the castle back home that he had maneuvered around so many times. “STEVEN!?”

“Geez, would you stop fucking screaming?”

The demon’s eyes widen as he turns towards the voice that he heard behind the locked door next to him. As he peers into the room through the window in the door, he sees his father chained to the wall, bloodied and bruised.

“I already get tortured every day. You don’t need to add to it.”

“Fuck you.”, Eddie spits. “You deserve what you got after what you did to us and then running, you coward.”

“Oh, I’m a coward? Excuse me, son, but didn’t you run to? If anything you’re worse than me. Not only did you run but you took your best friend down with you.”

Tugging on the handle, the demon finds that the room is accessible and stomps in coming face to face with this man he resents.

“First off, I’m not your fucking son. Wayne and my mom helped raise me, not you.” That made his dad laugh sarcastically. “Secondly, I ran because I didn’t do the thing they accused me of.”

“You didn’t? You didn’t get Chrissy killed?”

“No.”

“So you weren’t sneaking around with her behind her father and fiancés back? You weren’t planning on running away with her the night before her wedding? Funny, I heard a slightly different story.”

“That’s…that’s not why she was killed. That wasn’t… I didn’t…”

“You’re doing it again, you know. Being selfish and looking for this potion is going to get Y/N or Steve killed. Could you handle that?”

“EDDIE!”

Turning at the sound of his voice, the demon ran out of the room and down the long corridors as he listened to Steve scream his name. Bursting through a door, he froze when he found you both on the floor. You were in the exact same spot Chrissy had died in and his heart shattered.

“Y/N? Baby…no, no, no. Please…”, he sobbed as he tenderly touched your face. “Wake up, sweetheart, please. Not again. Not again. Not—”

“Edward…”

Placing you gently back down, the demon crawled around the bed to find a limp Steve bleeding from his torso and his beautiful lips.

“Steven, everything’s going to be alright, baby. I promise.”

“I-I-I tried to save Y/N but—”

“Shhhh…”, the long-haired demon cooed as he caressed his cheek and ran his fingers through his hair. “Don’t think about that right now, ok? We’re going to get you some help and then…”

The sound of clanking metal caused Steve to wince as he rolled to his side and grabbed Eddie’s shirt roughly in his hands.

“Run, honey. If they catch you they’ll kill you this time. RUN!”

“NO! I’m not leaving you two. You both saved my life so many times. I’m not going anywhere! If we die, it will be together!”

The door banged open as guards pointed their weapons towards him.

“Come on, Edward. Don’t make this harder than it has to be.”

Rising to his feet, he extended his arms out to them so he could be restrained.

“I won’t.”

***

“Y/N! Eddie!?”, Steve shouted as he wondered the forest he had walked so many times growing up.

“Steven.” The demon jumped at the sound of his mother’s voice. “Come on, son.”

Talking his hand, she guides him to his childhood house he had grown up in and leads him into the living room.

“Baby!”, he cried excitedly as he fell to his knees in front of the chair you were sitting in and took your hands in his. “Honey, everything is going to be ok, alright?”

“No, Steve. It won’t.” Your eyes glanced behind him and he quickly turned to see your parents, Wayne, and his father enter the room.

“What’s going on?”

“Don’t you remember, sweetheart? We’ve been looking for a way to get Eddie out of the stone and—”

“Y/N, what are you talking about? Eddie isn’t in the stone anymore. YOU saved us by giving Maeve Henry.”

“No, Steven.”, Wayne sighed. “Y/N was able to make a deal with her to let you out but Eddie had to stay. Knowing my nephew he probably insisted on you going.”

“No…No! I never would have left him there alone! I love him and—”

“What does that mean? You love him.”, his dad sassed.

Steve glared at him as he stood to his full height again and clenched his fists.

“I mean I love him, dad. We have dates, we talk, kiss, and fuck each other. I. LOVE. HIM.”

Bill growls as Steve’s mother tries to calm him.

“Maybe we should let the little shit stay in the stone then.”

Taking ahold of his hand, you pull him down next to you as you kiss his cheek.

“Steve.”, your dad grins softly in his direction. “We all wanted to talk with you today because it seems a new deal was presented to Y/N today. She talked to Maeve and there is a way to set Edward free.”

“Thank goodness.”, he sighed as his eyes continued to scan the room.

“The thing is, Y/N would have to take his place.”

“Fuck that. Are you fucking kidding me?!”, Steve roars as he rises to his feet. “No! Plus Maeve needs Demons and Y/N isn’t one.”

“For now.” His head swivels to look at you as you speak. “Baby, if we find that potion I would be strong enough and can take over.”

“No! We’ll find another way, Y/N.”

“There is no other way.”, Maeve confidently announced as she entered the room. “The deal is simple, Steven. Either she replaces him or joins him. Would you rather lose one or both?”

***

“Edward!? Steven?! I swear to God, if you hurt them!”, you shout as you continue to search for them.

The sound of screaming fills your ears and you hastily turn around to see a small village go up in flames. You remember this from the vision they showed you of one of their summoners.

“Lizzy.”

A young woman cackles as she throws the torch in her hands towards another building and it promptly bursts into flames. Slowly backing away, you bump into something hard, coming face to face with the demon’s you love in their demon form. Their red eyes glared forward with small smirks on their faces as they watched the area burn.

“You see? I did it!”

“Good job, princess!”, Eddie grins as she runs into his arms and kisses his lips.

“No.”, you whisper. “This isn’t how it happened.”

Elizabeth scoffs as he places her on her feet and she saunters over to you.

“Excuse me. This is my memory and I know what happened. I was there remember? You think demons sent to force people to kill others didn’t enjoy innocents being murdered?”

“They didn’t. Edward and Steven never wanted to kill beings they didn’t have to.”

Their eyes glow as they turn to face you, growling in your direction.

“Look at you. Brave soul to use their real names.”

“Because it’s who they are! I love them for them.”

“What if who they are is a lie? They lied to you a few times, right?”

“They lied to protect me.”

“Hm. I wonder what else they are protecting you from.”

Elizabeth snaps her fingers and your body is thrust back into a different home near a forest you very much recognize. Your hands were covering your face and you removed them to find yourself kneeling on the ground with huge boots in your purview. Lifting your eyes, you gasp at the sight of a much larger demon standing over you with red glowing eyes. Raising his hand, he hits your face so hard you fall to side.

“This is what Edward Munson is meant to be, Y/N.”, a female voice echoes through the room.

Quickly getting to your feet, you try to run but you aren’t fast enough as rough palms grab your arms and turn you around allowing you to come face to face with an angry Eddie.

“You’re so fucking pathetic, Y/N. No wonder our son is weak!”

He hits you again before tossing you through a door where you fall into a much nicer mansion style study. There’s another demon in the room, back to you as he leans over a desk with maps and papers spread out everywhere. The glass in his hand clinks as he turns around and you’re met with an equally annoyed Steve.

“Fuck me, Y/N. How many times have I said not to bother me while I’m fucking working!”

“I…I didn’t…”

“I…I…really? Just get the fuck out of here and let me focus. I swear, honey, I love you but you’re just never going to be good enough if you don’t use your fucking brain. Now go check on our son and make sure he’s actually doing what I told him to.”

Your heart sank as you got to your feet and watched him sigh as you listened to the sound of Eddie stomping around as he shouted.

“This is what Steven Harrington is meant to be.”, the voice spoke again.

Shaking and completely unsure of what to do next, you threw your head back and screamed as loud as you could.

When you finally opened your eyes again, everything around you had disappeared and everywhere you turned was blank space until abruptly a woman you had never met appeared at your side.

“Sh-Show me…the truth… I don’t need your tests or your fucking tricks! SHOW ME THE TRUTH!”, you shouted at her as tears fell down your cheeks. “Let me make the right decision for myself.”

***

Clenching his jaw, Eddie held his head high as he was pushed to his knees in front of the king.

“I see nothing has changed. First you kill my daughter and now a high-ranking official’s son?!”

“We also found the body of a human female as well, sire.”

The king scoffs as he absently gestures every which way.

“I don’t care about one nothing human. She’s not one of our people.”

“But she was one of mine.”, the long-haired demon growled, wincing when he was hit in the shoulder.

“Just always a troublemaker, aren’t you?”

“I’ve been known to fuck up from time to time but I assure you, sir, Chrissy wasn’t one of them.” Something hit Eddie hard in the side as he toppled over in pain.

“I’m going to love the sound of your screams for the rest of your miserable existence.”

“Good. I’ll take anything you got because nothing is going to change the fact that I loved your daughter and she loved me! I would have done anything for her!”

“Like run?!”

“I fucked up!! I shouldn’t have run off. I was fucking terrified but to be honest with you, sire, if I hadn’t of run I never would have found Steve or Y/N.” One of the guards kicks him causing him to howl in pain before he continued. “Steven always says I kept him sane but the truth is he did that for me. The first time we made love, I’ll tell you, sire, I never felt fucking safer. He’s always afraid I’m going to leave him but the idea of not having him here…fucking kills me.”, he cries.

“Y/N is the most gorgeous human I’ve ever met and I don’t just mean that physically. Her kind is despicable and selfish. We spent over 3,000 years watching mankind do unspeakable things but she’s different. She’s selfless almost to a fault. She’s brave and funny and so fucking smart. She absorbs everything we say and patiently explains things to us we may not understand. If she really is dead then I know she’s back in heaven because she was definitely an angel in her world!”

“So, if you want to torture me then FUCKING DO IT! Because I’m ready, sir. I’m not running this time and if they are gone then I’m ready to join them.”

The guards behind him aggressively lift Eddie to his feet and guide him away from the king before roughly pushing him through the double doors.

***

Steve heavily exhales as his brain overloads with all the information he’s being provided.

“Sweetheart.”, you coo as you run your fingers through his hair. “I’ll be ok. This is originally what I wanted remember? You two to be free and together.”

“Y/N, no. It will NOT be ok. I told you before that it would be hell for you because you would be alone and then it would be hell on earth because we would burn it down to set you free.”

“Hm. That feels vaguely like a threat.”, Maeve sasses.

“Because it is.”, he counters as his eyes glow.

“Steven…” Grabbing his cheeks, you force him to look your way. “Then, maybe, I can go in there and stay with him. You can live your life and go home.”

“NO! I’M NOT LOSING YOU BOTH!”

“So you’ve made your choice then?”, the deity asks.

“No, goddamn it. Give me a minute and let me think!” Taking hold of your hand, he pulls you to the corner of the room so you can talk. “Honey—”

“It’s ok. I promise you. I love you so much and you both changed my life. Let me do this for you.”

His eyes scan yours before cupping your cheeks in his hands and passionately kissing your lips.

“Tell Edward I love him.”, he whispers, tearing himself away from you and glaring at Maeve. “Take me.”

People in the room gasp at his response as you rush forward placing yourself in front of him.

“Steve, no. You hated it in there.”

“I know. That’s why I won’t allow you to go and I won’t leave him there. Take me.”

“That wasn’t the deal, Steven.”

“Then make a new one, Maeve.” Her head tilts at his newfound attitude with her. “These are two people I love with all my heart. They’ve always been there for me especially this woman right here. I refuse to let her suffer for the rest of her life in that purgatory. She and Eddie have been through enough in this life—”

“And you haven’t?”, your mom asked him.

“Oh please. What hardships has he gone through? Leading an army and being a mentor in a vacation house. That stone would be a nice reprieve I bet.”

Steve smirked as he bent down and placed his hands on his knees like he used to do with some of the children he trained.

“Well, dad, why don’t you take Eddie’s place?” His father scowled at him, angrily turning away to avoid his son’s hard gaze. “Yeah, that’s what I fucking thought. You know, you always said I was weak and a coward but the truth is you are. I worked hard to get ahead and yet it was never enough. I found two beings who love me for me and I’d do anything for them.”

“You won’t get to see Eddie to say goodbye. As soon as I do this there’s no going back.”, Maeve warned.

Steve’s bottom lip quivered at the thought of not even being able to see the man he loved but Eddie would understand. Turning towards you, he caught you as you jumped into his arms.

“I love you, Y/N. You are an amazing, beautiful woman. You’ve shown me so much, baby. I wish I could have spent the rest of my life with you two.”, he whimpered his last sentence as he kissed your forehead before shoving you backwards and hastily moving forward. “Do it, Maeve.”

The last thing he heard was you shout as white light blinded his eyes.

***

They passed by you so fast as you stood there and took in all the memories. Eddie protecting his mom when his dad was drunk and enraged. Steve feeling inadequate as his father called him names and belittled him. You saw Wayne break as his nephew took his place in their militia.

“Edward, I can’t let you do this.”

“It’s done, Wayne. I already did it and the king approved. I start training next week.”

You saw Steve catching Nancy as she packed her bags to leave.

“That’s right, Nance. Just fucking run like the coward you are.”

“Steve, this isn’t my fault, okay?! I didn’t choose this. It just…is.”

“I thought you loved me…”

The training and combat were glimpses of things you had already seen including them meeting and their kills on the field. What was new was watching Eddie appear out of nowhere as the enemy soldiers were relaxing and playing his guitar, lulling them into a false sense of security while Steve and his team killed them.

“Always amazing, dude.”, Robin beams as Eddie bows.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Congratulate him later and make sure none of these assholes are moving.”

“Yes, sir.”, she salutes sassily making him smile.

There were things they hadn’t told you that appeared before you.

Eddie played his guitar making the girl in his bed swoon.

“You don’t have to keep wooing me, sir. I’m already here.”, she giggles.

“Hey, maybe I’m serenading my best friend and his date. Not everything is about you, babe.”

Steve chuckled through a breathy moan from his spot on the floor in front of the bed as his head fell and he thrust harder into the girl underneath him.

It amazed you how much cockier they seemed before their time on the run. You had never meet this version of them and a part of you thought if you had…you would have hated them. You assumed the memories of Chrissy were purposely skipped because you had seen them all before including the memory of Steve finding him and deciding to run with him.

The memories that hit the hardest were the ones that involved their suffering. You saw them accidently bleed on Maeve’s gem and watched their first angry night in captivity.

“Fuck! Are you fucking kidding me!? We run and we still end up in a fucking prison!”, Steve shouts as he throws something across the room. “What the fuck do we do now?!”

“I mean…at least we don’t have to run anymore right? See different parts of the world and watch beings kill other beings.”

They lay side by side staring at the ceiling after their first time being intimate.

“Eddie?”

“Hm?”

“Did I, um, are we…what was this?”

“Honestly, I’m not 100% sure. Since you initiated it, what would you like it to be?”

“Did…Did you like it? Being with me, I mean.”

“Did I like the sex or did I like being with you?”

“Um, both, I guess.”

Eddie rolled on to his side, capturing Steve’s face with his palm, and placed a tender kiss on his lips. After pulling away, he gently ran his thumb along the man’s bottom lip.

“Yes.”

They watched as Arthur’s father screams at his son, Steve glancing towards Eddie as he flinches. While his back is to them, the demon scoots closer to the long-haired boy and delicately pushes some of it behind his ear.

“Are you ok?”, he whispered.

“Yeah. He just reminds me of my dad. It got me thinking if he ever talked to you that way if he found out about us.”, Eddie growled.

Steve softly smiled as he kissed his cheek.

“I love you, Edward.”

“I love you to, Steven.

When you made it to their memories with you, you could barely view them through the haze of your tears. The three weeks they were tied to you they had so many conversations about things they wished they could do with you and show you back home. They constantly talked about how much they loved you and wanted to spend the rest of their lives with you.

A few memories you hadn’t seen with your own eyes did stand out to you. You witnessed Steve tear Noah apart, them murmuring things to each other while EMS came to take your father, and a heated debate the night you asked them to leave you alone when you found out they had lied.

“We should have told her the truth. Now we fucking lost the best person we’ve ever met.”

“Maybe this is good, Steve.”

“What the FUCK are you talking about?!”

“The angrier she is at us the easier it will be for her to let us go. We’re going to lose her anyway.”

“Eddie, I love her! I can’t stand her last memory of us being us breaking her fucking heart.”

“We’re going to break her heart when we disappear!!”, he roared.

Their conversation ceased as they listened to you cry on the other side of the wall.

“That’s our fault, Edward.”

The long-haired demon swallowed the lump in his throat as he quickly looked away.

“I know, Steven.”

The last memory you see is you freeing them before you’re sounded by a white once again.

“You say you love them for who they are but do you really understand what that means?”, the woman by your side muses as she begins to slowly walk around you. “They are killers, Y/N, and violent ones at that. In their world, that was praised as well as their lust for women of their kind. I imagine in the beginning being able to fuck a summoner was something they enjoyed greatly.”

“That was their past. They aren’t like that now.”

“You’re very forgiving. You forgave the man who cheated on you with your coworker while you were at home taking care of your father. Hell, you forgave that coworker and even allowed her to push you around. You forgave the heavens even though you prayed constantly that both your parents would get better and forgave all the people that abandoned you after they got sick. Let me ask you something. How do you know Eddie and Steve aren’t like those other people? How do you know they aren’t taking advantage of you?”

Her intensely beautiful eyes scan you over as you cry harder and shrug.

“Because they’re still here.”

The woman waits patiently for you to collect yourself so you can explain.

“I freed them from their prison and even I thought they would want time alone to travel but they insisted on staying by my side. They found out they could finally go home and I begged them to go back but they knew doing that would mean they couldn’t be with me. I told them to do whatever makes them happy even if that doesn’t involve me yet here they are putting themselves through God knows what because they want to be with me for the rest of their lives. They love me and I love them…EVERY PART of them.”

The woman stops walking and gently smiles in your direction before gesturing towards some double doors.

“I’ll be right in.”

#############

As you walk through, you come face to face with your demon’s hugging each other tightly.

“Oh my god. Look at your face. What happ—“, Steve interrupted himself when his eyes met your swollen, tear-filled one. “Y/N?! Baby, what happened? Are you ok?!”

Your knees buckled and Eddie quickly caught you as he winced himself, falling with you to the floor.

“It’s ok, sweetheart. I know. We’re real, baby. I promise. It’s ok.”

Steve circled his arms around you both, rocking you along with Eddie.

“Everything IS ok.”, the woman from before grins as she glides into the room and sits behind a desk gesturing for you three to sit in the chairs in front. “I’m Mirage by the way. If you couldn’t tell by the name of the realm.”, she grins.

“What did you do to her?”, Steve growls as they both stand and place you behind them.

Pushing them aside, however, you dry your eyes and take a seat, ushering for them to do the same.

“I genuinely am sorry for the pain I caused especially to you, Y/N. You do seem like an extremely kind soul. You have no idea how many people come to me asking for this potion and the kind of people they are. I have to be very careful which is why I push so hard. I’ve only ever met one person I felt deserved this and now I’ve met two.”, she smiles handing you the black bottle. “Keep it safe. A regular human shot glass will keep you alive for a thousand years and make you strong like them. I feel I should also tell you—”

“I can get pregnant.”

Both their eyes whipped in your direction as she sighed, flashing you another soft smile.

“Humans can’t impregnant demons which is why I didn’t say anything to Nancy and Jonathan. If you drink that potion that will now be something to take into account.”

You nodded before laughing under your breath.

“You already know, don’t you? That’s another reason you showed me them being like their dads.”

“You did what?”, Eddie snarled as his hands gripped his chair tighter trying to control himself.

“Would I have survived the birth if you didn’t give me this potion?” Her eyes lock with yours and you can’t help but laugh again. “Sounds like you need some tests of your own if you would knowingly leave a boy without his mother. I did everything I could to keep my parents here and if I had known someone knew a way to save them and didn’t… You should be ashamed of yourself.”

“I live in a universe by myself, sweetheart. I create the world around me and none of it is real. Trust me… I amashamed but we do what we have to do to keep the peace.”

“Yeah, keep telling yourself that.”, you spit as you get to your feet and grab the bottle off her desk. “I want to go home please.”

Steve nods as he quickly creates the portal and guides you both through.

#############

After stepping through, you silently walk towards your car where you three had left it and drove with them to the nearest hotel where you all crashed in bed wrapped tightly in each other’s embrace.

The following morning you and Eddie felt extremely sore, Steve doing everything he could to take care of you both. Throwing his shirt to the side, Eddie waited patiently, flinching when the ice pack touched his body.

“I saw you both die.”, he abruptly announced. “Y/N, you had a knife in your chest…you were…already gone.” Your eyes became glassy as you scooted closer to him when his voice cracked. “The guards were coming and Steve told me to run but…I didn’t. Not this time. They kept hurting me while I faced Chrissy’s dad.”

“In mine, you were still in the stone and Y/N made a new deal with Maeve. It was either she takes your place or join you. Either I lost one of you or…both.”, Steve whispered his last word, clearing his throat before he continued. “I told her to take me. She said I wouldn’t get to say goodbye to Eddie or ever see you guys again. I made the same choice…take me.”

They both glanced your way but you avoided their eyes as you kissed Eddie’s shoulder.

“You said…she showed you us being like our fathers?”, Steve urged.

“She showed me a lot of things…”, you whispered.

“You can tell us, honey. It’s ok.”

“You don’t understand.”

“Help us to, baby.”, Eddie cooed gently as he turned his body to face you.

“I’ve never…been afraid of you. When you first appeared from the stone, I was scared of your appearance but… I saw Elizabeth and you both were happy she killed all those people. Mirage said you were evil…that’s who you were meant to be. Eddie, you grabbed me and hit me…told me I was pathetic and that I was the reason our son was weak.”

The long-haired demon closed his eyes as he tried to control his tears as his body shook beside you.

“I ended up in this study where, Steve, you were going over maps and papers. Y-You said I was bothering you and that I was never going to be good enough if…”

“…you don’t use your fucking brain… Yeah, my dad said that to me and my mom a lot.”

“I’ve never been afraid of you before.”, you repeated as your voice trembled. “I, um, screamed at her and demanded she show me who you really are and allow me to make the choice for myself. I saw everything… you two killed so many beings…”

“It was our job, Y/N.”, Eddie murmured.

“Was it your job to sneak up on defenseless soldiers with your guitar so Steve and Robin could kill them?”, you asked in an angry tone that had both their heads hanging. “Or how about all the demon women you both were with that you disrespected constantly? I wonder how Chrissy and Nancy got so lucky to get the versions of you before you were trapped.”

“Nancy was part of the reason I was like that.”, Steve growled. “No one had ever fucking hurt me the way she did but we were younger, Y/N. All we knew was death and sex especially Eddie and me. You saw how we were raised! Every day was a fucking war while we were there.”

“Did she insinuate that we enjoyed being trapped those first few years because we got to see people get killed and fuck the summoner if we wanted?”, Eddie asked, chuckling sarcastically when you nodded.

“I heard you say it…on your first night.”

“I was trying to calm him down. Truth was we were both terrified but I needed to keep it together for him.”

“You didn’t have to take on that burden, Edward.”

“Yeah, well, I did, Steven.”

“What was your test?” When you didn’t immediately respond, a rumble immitted low from Eddie’s chest as he rose to his feet. “Was it if you would still love us and stay with us if we were those monsters you saw?! If we treated you like trash would stay?!”

Rising to your feet, your chest bumped his as you glared up at him with termination.

“No, it was if I would still be weak like I was with everyone in my life if you two were using me like they had!” You shook your head as you flung your arms in the air angrily. “My ex, Carol, my boss, friends, family that disappeared, hell even fucking Henry thought they could use me because I never said anything! I never fought back! I had already been through so much and each time I got my hopes up even a little bit I got fucked over! The first time I ever fought back was when I saved you two!”

Eddie’s demeanor softened slightly at your admission as you continued.

“You could have left a long time ago…but you haven’t. You could have gone home. I TOLD you to go home but you’re still here. I know you’re not like your dads or even how you were before…everything. I know that because if you were or I thought for one second you didn’t love me…I wouldn’t be here.”

To prove your point, you popped open the bottle of potion and chugged a good amount of it back before putting it back on the dresser.

Cupping your face in his hands, the metalhead pulls you in for a rough kiss that has you both groaning into each other’s mouths. You cringe as the formula runs through you as you cling to his shoulders.

“It’s ok. It doesn’t hurt as bad as last time.”, you grunt through the pain.

“Y/N, I would never hurt you like my dad did. I would never lay my hands on you or Steve like that. I swear, princess. You’re both safe with me.”

“And our son?”

Eddie breathily laughed as he rested his forehead on your own.

“That was real?”

“How do you know, Y/N? How do you know she wasn’t fucking with you?”, Steve asked with a small shake in his voice.

“She could have had you guys say kid or child. In my test you both mentioned our son. I’ve also…seen him…in my dreams.” Standing off the bed, the demon lifts you in his arms and lays you flat on the mattress behind you. “Is that ok? How do you both feel about that?”

Steve passionately kissed your lips, his tongue gliding across your own as the other demon comes to lay beside you as well.

“Scared but ready. Hopefully, he’s more like you than us.”

“In my dream, he had your hair, Edward and Steven’s smile. He was dancing with my mom and having so much fun.”

You started to cry again causing them to panic slightly as both demon’s wrapped their arms tightly around you.

“I’ve never been afraid of you before.”, you repeated again. “I’m sorry. I know it wasn’t real but I didn’t like it. Even worse, I know it was real for you two because you went through that.”

“No reason to be sorry, honey. I’ve been to many different realms but none like that one. Baby, I swear, I will never talk to you, Eddie, or our son like that. I love you three so much. Like he said, you’re safe with us.”

Tenderly moving you onto your back, Eddie kisses your tummy and up your body, kissing the bruising that was beginning to form along the side of your face.

“Me to, princess. I love all three of you.”

Reaching over you, he unbuttoned Steve’s pants and helped him slide them down his legs as you lifted your own over his hip. Changing back into their demon form, they both groaned at the feel of your skin against theirs as Eddie spit into your cunt before taking hold of the other demon’s cock and guiding it into your entrance.

As he slowly thrust into you, your arm circled around his neck and mewled as your fingers ran through his hair while his lips kissed your own.

They were both being incredibly soft with you and you appreciated the change especially with everything that happened. The truth was they needed that just as badly as you did. Both demons thought they had lost you and the other feeling utterly helpless. They needed to feel every part of you and each other to remind themselves that THIS was their reality and not what they were shown.

Placing himself between your legs, Eddie’s tongue flattened as he licked along Steve’s cock as it pumped in and out of you while also taking time to suck and flick the muscle along your clit making you moan.

“Fuck, that feels so fucking good.”, Steve whimpered as he rested his head against the side of yours. “Can you see him, honey? Eddie knows how to take care of us.”, he grunted as quickened his pace.

As you tilted back to kiss him, Steve’s palm tangled in the other demon’s hair, pressing him further into you causing you to pant heavily as you tried to focus in on all the sensations you were feeling.

“Please…please don’t stop.”

“Mmm—cum, pretty girl. Cum on Edward’s tongue, baby.”

After sliding his cock out of you, it was promptly replaced with Eddie’s tongue and expert fingers moving at a blistering pace till you screamed his name as the coil in your tummy snapped while grinding your hips against his motions.

“Good. Good girl.”

They continued whispering praises to you as the metalhead climbed the length of your body and the other demon positioned you more on your side with your back against his chest. Eddie whimpered as he guided himself into your dripping, sensitive core as Steve hissed while pushing his length into your ass.

You desperately clung to them with their heads falling on either side of your nook as they thrust their hips at a slow but firm rhythm. Their eager pants warmed your skin as they pumped their cocks impossibly deep with you, moaning as you dragged your nails down Eddie’s back over his tucked away wings.

As your fingers ran through Steve’s hair and along his horns, they both leaned over you to exchange a kiss as they began pounding into you.

“F-Fuck, please.”

“I know, baby. We—shit—we can feel it. Cum, sweetheart.”

Both demon’s lips attached to your neck as Eddie reached down to massage your clit while your eyes rolled back and whimpered their names. To your surprise (and delight), the long-haired demon came with you, filling you up as your cunt clenched tightly around him.

Steve’s hand clasped around your neck lightly as he chased his high before his rhythm faltered and grunted as he released his seed inside of you.

You did everything you could to keep your eyes open for them but with the heaviness of the day and them making you feel good, the tiredness overtook you as you fell asleep in their embrace.

***

As your eyes opened, you were still in bed at the hotel but you were wearing one of Eddie’s shirts with Steve’s boxers tucked tightly under the covers. Freeing your arms to stretch, an extra weight in the bed moved startling you slightly till you noticed the little head with black curls.

Grinning, you scooted down so your face was level with his as you watched the little demon sleep. Your fingers gently traced along his face making your smile grow when his skin didn’t cause you any pain. Your hand moved along his back, feeling the tiny growth of wings that were beginning to sprout. When he opened his eyes, they were red with a hint of your own color shimmering up at you with nothing but love.

“Hi, mommy.”

Your chest caved in as a cry escaped your throat at the sound of his voice. It wasn’t deep like theirs but soft like your own.

“I’m sowwey, mommy. Did I make you sad?”, he asks as his little hands reach up to dry your eyes.

“No, sweetheart. You didn’t make mommy sad. You’re just so handsome!” When he giggled at your compliment his mouth opened wide like Eddie’s as a loud cackle exuded from him. “How are you, baby? Are you alright?”

He nods, scrunching his little nose in thought.

“Mommy, are my daddy’s nice like you?”

“Of course, honey. Why do you ask?”

“I only know you.”, he responds as he touches your stomach. “An granma an granpa.”, he chuckles as he points at the light outside of the window.

You try to contain your tears of joy so you don’t frighten him again.

“I wanna meet dem but they don’t have a door like you.”, he says as he points to your forehead.

“Yeah, your mommy’s weird.”

“No, mommy!”, he laughs making you smile.

“Do you want me to tell them something for you?”

The small demon’s nose scrunches again as he thinks.

“Tell dem Ellis says I love you!”

Your eyes flutter open as light pours into window of the hotel and you feel gentle hands running along your arms.

“Hey, princess. You alright? You were kind of mumbling in your sleep.”

“I saw him again… our son.” Steve lifts his head and rests his cheek on your shoulder from behind you. “He looks like both of you. How can that be?”, you whisper.

“Honestly, baby, this is kind of out of bounds for us. If we had known you drinking that would have gotten you pregnant… I guess like Maeve said, ‘When you meddle in the abstract…’”, Eddie murmured back as he caressed your face.

“Maybe someone back home would know. I mean maybe the little buttheads can find something.”, Steve teases making the two of you laugh softly. “Tell us more about him, Y/N; our son.”

After describing what you saw, they both smile as they paint a picture of him in their heads.

“I wish I could talk to him to.”

“He said he’s tried but you two don’t have a ‘door’ like I do.”, you emphasis by tapping your forehead. “I guess that’s a unique way to explain my gift. He wanted me to tell you something. He said, ‘Tell them Ellis says I love you.’”

At the mention of his name both your demon’s locked eyes as Eddie released a heavy exhale.

“Baby, when we were trapped, we talked a lot about so many different things. One night, I asked Eddie if we ever had kids what would their names be. I told him I didn’t have any preference because I don’t have any family I’m really close to except him even before. He said if it was a girl, Elizabeth, because that was his mother’s name. If it was a boy—”

“Ellis because it’s close to that. Fuck…”, he cried as you tilted forward to kiss his lips. “You guys didn’t have to do that. Y/N has family and stuff we could have named him after.”

“We can do that next time.”

Again, his head shot up to look your way.

“Y-You’d want more kids with us?”

“I mean, yeah. I’m not exactly sure if I can after this one. Like you said this is new territory but if we can…”

Both demon’s cling to you like little kids as they smile and kiss your face.

“So, now I get to see your home?”

“Yeah, baby, you do.”

######################

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