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dearharriet · 3 months

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Standin’ on a Cloud; Eddie Munson ☁️

summary: your boyfriend eddie is a sweetheart, but you already knew that.

word count: 1.2K

warnings: fem!r, established relationship, fluff fluff and more fluff, nicknames (babe, baby, angel, darling, sweetums)

a/n: based on my favvvv song angel by madonna <3 i just want eddie in my room goofing around and maybe also kissing me silly :(

“My darlingest darling,” Eddie coos suddenly, buttering you up from his perch at your vanity. You glance up at him from where you’re lounging on the bed, reading a magazine. He’s been in your room for all of thirty minutes and he’s already trying to accost you.

“What do you want?” you reply bluntly, making Eddie let out a shocked laugh.

“Want?” he starts, and you know he’s about to be facetious. “Whatever do you mean, sweetums?” he teases, standing to approach your bed. “I only desire your precious time.”

You love the way Eddie moves. He’s like a dog that grew up with cats, slinking clumsily, if there ever was such a movement.

“You’re so full of it,” you whisper with faux sweetness, drawing a finger down the crease of the Rolling Stone you bought on a whim at the supermarket.

“Full of…what? Love? Full of love?” You laugh at Eddie’s absurdity and sudden closeness, his hip leant on the bed and his body folding in half to meet you face-to-face.

“Yes, of course,” you answer, “how did you know that’s what I meant?”

Eddie smiles lazily, his face slightly red from hanging sideways.

“Just one of the many super-boyfriend-powers I possess, babe. Don’t worry about it.”

“Ah, right.” You close your magazine.

With much less accusation, and double the fondness, you ask again: “What do you want?

Eddie squints like he’s not sure he can trust you. He decidedly crawls up onto the bed using only his knees, shirt riding up and arms flailing.

“Um,” he begins mindlessly, trying not to clip you in his fuss to lie down. He settles in beside you, propping his head up on his hand, eyes mischievous.

“I was just wondering,” says Eddie, "if my gorgeous girlfriend would do me a flavor and paint my nails for me?”

“A flavor,” you repeat with a small smile, pretending to read a headline about Wham! while Eddie’s warmth distracts you. Eddie hums confidently in return, like there’s nothing amiss with his word choice. Turning your head to look at him, your mouth curls into a grin. “What color y’want?”

Eyes alight, Eddie rolls off the bed, presumably to raid your polish stores if he hasn’t already. Your stereo is playing a tape that Eddie sweetly curated for you, with rock ballads and indie jams he thought you’d like, and you belatedly recognize the song playing. As Eddie sifts through your colors he absently sings along, shocking you.

“—can see it in your eyes, full of wonder and surprise—” His rich timbre takes the tune on effortlessly, like he’s heard it a hundred times before.

“I thought you were against Madonna,” you mention, watching his back. He looks up at you through the vanity mirror, cutting his singing off before the chorus. Realizing he’s been caught, he sighs heavily.

“Well, yknow I was, but I think I’ve changed my tune.” Distracted, he turns around, leaning on the messy table to properly talk to you. “Cause you left that Virgin tape in my van, right?—and I was just gonna retire the poor thing but…”

“But you liked it?” you anticipate, perhaps a touch too excited to have this one thing over him.

“No,” Eddie says awkwardly, holding his mouth in an o for a moment. “But!—you played this one on the drive to Steve’s that day and I, uh—” He fiddles with his fingers, strangely sheepish.

“You what?”

Eddie spins around, back in business with your nail lacquer. You almost don’t hear him when he shyly continues.

“I guess it sorta reminded me of you,” he admits, shoving his hair behind his ear nervously.

Your stomach churns with want, a honeypot of sweetness as your eyes trace over Eddie’s figure. You’re so used to him in your room now, despite how out of place he is—dark and moody against your bright and girlish decor. Perhaps it’s because your room has obtained some Eddie-adjacent additions as time goes on: rock records and DND game items. It feels good to know that you have the same effect on him, and you’re suddenly glad you left that tape in his car. The image of him singing Angel on his way to see you is almost overwhelming.

When he finally picks a color, the song is wading into the bridge, and Eddie’s face is still pink. Madonna croons through your grainy speakers as he returns to you—I believe that dreams come true, ‘cause you came when I wished for you... Despite his blatant embarrassment, Eddie dances on the way back to the bed, almost like he can’t help it.

“Well, that’s funny,” you say, finally wrestling out of your thoughts.

Eddie entertains you, shaking the bottle of paint he’d settled on—too quickly for you to make out which it is. “Why so?”

Confidently, knowing exactly what it’d do to him, you say, “I always thought this song was about you.”

Eddie is kneeing his way onto the bed once more, his bottom lip caught under his teeth. He doesn’t lie down again, staying on his knees above you, so you flip over to avoid craning your neck.

“Babe, I’m a metalhead,” Eddie reminds you seriously, pressing his hands into the mattress on either side of you. He looks completely wrecked from your statement, but he’s doing a commendable job of pretending he disliked it. He says: “You can’t go calling me an angel or you’re gonna ruin my rep.”

Grinning, you push up onto your elbows to eat up even more of the space between you and your boyfriend.

“Well, you’d better stop being such a sweetie and making me mixes with Madonna on them, then.”

Eddie inches closer.

“But how else will I tell you what a doll you are?” he goads, and his breath warms your lips.

“Um…head banging?” you suggest helpfully. Eddie shakes his head gently so his curtain of hair tickles your face, making you giggle. He places an affectionate peck over your smile and then leans back on his haunches.

Sitting up all the way, you look to his ring-heavy hands.

“Okay, what color did we pick?”

Hesitantly, Eddie unfolds his fist to reveal a hollow box of glass on his palm, undeniably pink from the varnish it encapsulates. It doesn’t escape you that the exact same shade sits on your own fingernails. Looking up to catch his eye, you watch his face flush.

“What was that about being a metalhead?” you tease, unable to resist. Eddie makes like he’s going to get up and pick a new color but you jump to stop him. “Oh, Eds, I’m only kidding!”

“Do you think people will laugh?” Eddie asks, and he’s oddly sincere. You pull your head back, somewhat surprised that he’d even care, but then again, most of Eddie’s song and dance about non-conformity is just that: performance. He believes it, of course, but only because he has to—because he’s not like everyone else. It’s almost impossible to be impervious to judgment, and you also think Eddie might be more worried about your guys’ friends than anyone else.

“Maybe,” you tell him, not willing to lie. “But it’s just polish. You can take it off and pretty much anybody would forget the next day. Or you could flip ‘em a pretty pink middle finger, too, ‘cause they should mind their own damn business.”

A sweet smile curls onto Eddie’s face, his brown eyes melting and gooey. He brushes a quick thumb over your jaw as a thank-you of sorts.

“Yeah?” he asks.

“Yeah,” you confirm, “yeah, I think it’s metal.”

Eddie surges forward, attacking your lips with his own. The kiss is short-lived, one closed-mouth press, but what it lacks in duration it makes up for in sweetness.

“‘Kay,” he agrees, moving to sit against your headboard. “Make me pretty.”

Crawling onto his lap obediently, you say, “Can’t make you something y’already are, angel.”

Eddie’s face turns as pink as his nails end up later.

thank u for reading <3

masterlist

#eddie munson #stranger things #hugs hugs hugs and more hugs #sickening amounts of fluff #eddie munson fanfic #eddie munson x y/n #eddie munson x you #eddie munson fluff #eddie munson imagine #eddie munson x reader #eddie stranger things #eddie munson blurb #stranger things fanfiction #fluff

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bambikisss · 4 months

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Pillow :: B. Christopher/Chan

(Bambi's ver.!) Christopher/Chan Bang x reader

💕: friends to lovers, smut, late-night loving

📙: You're a creature of habit: you did the same thing every night. However, it seems that Chris has different plans.

⚠: Unprotected sex (always wrap it), oral (both receiving), female maturation, Chris makes a pervy comment once, use of toys, biting, Bambi's thoughts at 2 A.M.

Bambi's notes: Hello loves! I am currently having a bit of trouble when it comes to falling asleep, so I decided to write something up for you. Instead of referring to BangChan as Chan, I refer to him as Chris. If you don't like that, then feel free to substitute it with Chan. Y/N/N is your nickname.

🤍

COMMENTS + REBLOGS ARE APPRECIATED AND ENCOURAGED | ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY | buy me a coffee?

You were a creature of simple habit: you went to work, you came home, showered, and then put on some slow music while you cooked and relaxed. You were known for not responding to anyone during "your time," which always seemed to annoy your friends, but you never cared. Who is going to stop you from enjoying your book and a glass of wine while your pet sat next to you?

"Y/N, come on. Just for me?"

He would.

You sighed, sitting up from your comfortable position on the couch as Chris continued to try and convince you to meet him downtown. You had already showered and ordered takeout, and you weren't fond of the idea of being out in the cold with Chris until the early hours of the morning. "No, ask Felix. You know it's my me time."

"Felix is busy," Chris whined, making you pinch your nose. You knew he didn't ask Felix to hang out, he just wanted you. And while you would usually be flattered, you had a very long day at work. All you wanted to do was try to relax and enjoy your warm evening in your apartment.

"Come on, Y/N/N, don't act like you don't miss me." Your movements paused at Chris's voice change, making your cheeks suddenly begin to heat up. You always loved it when he deepened his voice or when he teased you, using your nickname. It always made you press your thighs together to relieve the pressure you felt suddenly. At your silence, Chris took the opportunity to continue convincing you with a smirk on his lips. "I know you miss me, Y/N, just admit it. I bet that if I were to ride over there right now that you'd hop right into my passenger seat, wouldn't you?"

Yes, you would. "No, I wouldn't."

He knew you were lying. "Yeah?"

You responded with your very own cocky sounding "Yeah" before hanging up. There, now you could enjoy your evening just how you wanted to (and now with some added need for your toys).

You and Chris had this weird back-and-forth flirtation aspect in your friendship: it always starts with Chris, and then you don't back down, making the flirtation last longer. You always liked that aspect of your relationship the most, even though it made feelings complicated for him. But, those feelings could be erased with a simple orgasm from your toy and to sleep. You crawled onto your bed, laying back on the bed before you closed your eyes, your hands soon roaming your body. You gripped your breasts as you bit your bottom lip, imagining that it was Chris instead. You gasped as you pinched your nipples, making them erect through your tank top before your hands slowly moved down your thighs, teasing you as they moved up and down the inside of your thighs.

Before you could move to push down your pants and straddle your pillow, you heard your phone ring from the living room, a familiar Chase Atlantic ringtone filling your ears, ending your moment. You got up with a huff, walking to the living room to answer it.

"Chris, I already said-"

"Y/N/N." You paused at his teasing voice as if he could just see what you were just doing. There was an underlying tone in his voice that you couldn't put your finger on, though.

Was he warning you?

"I'm outside. My car is warm, my seat warmers are also on, and I have a blanket as well. There should be no excuse for you to not hurry up and get in my car so that we can hang out."

You bit your lip at his words, trying to figure out what to say back, but he beat you to it. "Y/N. Don't make me come up there and carry you down here because I will carry you on my shoulders through your busy apartment lobby, and I don't care who sees." You silently cursed at his words, fighting with the idea of him actually doing that. You took a deep breath, hanging up the phone before Chris could say anything else tossing on a hoodie and sweatpants over your current clothes before going downstairs to meet Chris at his car.

When he saw you approaching, Chris didn't hide his smirk as he leaned over to open the passenger side door for you to slip right in. You sighed at the feeling of the warm seat and car as Chris began to drive through the city. You both didn't say much; you both listened to the music on the radio while looking out at the beautiful city all lit up at night. You were secretly thankful as it allowed you to try and calm down.

Your daydream was soon interrupted by the car slowing down as Chris pulled into an empty tunnel that led to a deconstructed road. "How do you keep finding these places, Chris?" You asked, wrapping the blanket around you as you exited the car. He only shot you a proud smile at you before he set up his camera. Chris always recorded his hangouts with you in new places: you thought it was for safety, but Chris shook his head. "It's for the memories. I want to show my kids how I spent my 20s when I wasn't couped up working all the time." You smiled at the thought of Chris's kids running around his home, asking him what he was like in his 20s compared to the dad he was. Chris admired you as you smiled before holding out his hand, gently grabbing the blanket from around your body before running down the long tunnel with it, making you chase after him for the extra warmth that blanket provided.

You laughed as you and Chris ran back and forth through the tunnel before he suddenly turned around, making you run straight into his chest. Your eyes widened at the sudden situation, apologizing before trying to move from his chest. However, Chris didn't let you go; he instead wrapped his arms around your waist, keeping you close to him. You looked up at him as he looked down at you, his eyes now hooded as you both stood in the tunnel.

Neither one of you spoke as your eyes roamed each other's faces as if meeting for the first time, your chest's rising and falling matching his hard chest's movements. You could feel your body heating up once more, making you want nothing more than to place your hands on his chest, run your nails down his strong chest, down to his sweatpants, and-

"Are you ready to go back?''

You jumped a bit at Chris's words, snapping from your gaze-induced haze as he slowly let you go, picking up his camera before he began to back up to the car, holding up the blanket with a triumph smirk on his lips, as if he had just won a game. You couldn't help but look down at your hands that continued to be pressed against your chest, your hands open. You must've opened them without thinking. You shook your head, snapping out of your daze before you began walking back to the warm car.

Yeah, it was time to go back.

_____________________________________________________

You sighed as you closed your bedroom door, your eyes moving to the digital clock that sat on your dresser glared the time 11:33 in bright red numbers. Once you had gotten back here, Chris begged you to let him stay the night so he didn't have to drive again. You let him stay in your guestroom, your friend instantly going to shower and get ready to sleep.

You decided to accept the opportunity of being alone to take care of your growing problem that had begun to slowly soak your panties. You bit your lip as you picked up your pillow from its discarded place on the floor, placing it back onto the bed before you removed your shorts, straddling the pillow. You gripped the top of the headboard as you began to move your hips slowly on the fabric, pleasure moving through you at every hip movement. You closed your eyes, moaning softly as you thought about the pillow being Chris instead. How he would moan so filthily while grabbing your ass and hips, helping you ride his fat cock.

You moved your hips faster, your hands moving from the headboard to cup your breasts, abusing your nipples more. You felt the knot in your stomach begin to form, making your movements go faster.

When you open your eyes, you notice that there is a lot more light in the room than when you started, making your hips instantly halt on the pillow. "Aw, but I was enjoying it."

You whipped around to see Chris leaning against the doorframe of your bedroom, wearing only a pair of boxer briefs. Your eyes flickered between his thick thighs and his face, your eyes not knowing what to focus on. Chris couldn't help but laugh at how you were reacting before letting out a small "woah there" when you rushed up from the bed to try and shut the door on him. He pressed his forearm against the door, successfully blocking it before he leaned over you, placing his other arm on the doorframe. Your eyes widened again as he looked down at you, a proud smirk on his lip as he watched your reaction; you were a prize he had just won, to him.

"What were you doing, Y/N/N?" You shivered at his teasing tone, spouting off any lie you could think of that could help you hurry this conversation along so that you could close the bedroom door and hide in the sheets forever. Chris didn't let you do that, though, moving one of his hands to cup your jaw to meet his eyes again. You didn't miss how his thumb twitched when it grazed your bottom lip or how his eyes shamelessly roamed your body as his tongue moved around his mouth. His mouth was literally watering at this point, pulling you closer by your jaw before he spoke again, this time slower and more cautious like he didn't want to say the wrong thing and lose this opportunity.

"Look, I know you know that I saw how fast you were riding that fucking pillow and I know that you didn't finish," He paused, taking a deep breath before he leaned closer, his lips now hovering over yours, his tongue gently grazing your bottom lip as he whispered out "Just this one time, I promise. Let me help you cum." You furrowed your eyebrows at his words, asking what he meant. Your words were met with a gentle scoff from his lips as he stepped forward, making you step back. Your forehead and lips continued to hover over each other as you both walked to the bed, matching his steps with a step back until your knees hit the bed. When he noticed that you both reached the bed, Chris bit his lip before pressing his chest against yours, making you both fall onto the bed with him on top of you.

Your eyes scanned his face as he cupped your face, his eyes showing his intentions: he wants to make you feel good. No words needed to be exchanged between you two as your lips met his in a soft kiss, making you moan softly. His lips were so soft and plump, which made the kiss feel even better. You ran your hands through his hair as his hands tried to rip away at your clothing, his hands becoming frantic as he tossed away any article of clothing that stood in his way of seeing you fully. Sure, Chris had seen you in bathing suits over the years, but seeing you nude on your bed for him did something to his cock.

"Fuck, Y/N, you're going to be the death of me." You didn't miss the small whine at the end of his words as he began to kiss down your face to your neck, where he licked and kissed wherever he could before moving down your body, doing the same as he kissed down your soft skin.

All the times that you had imagined Chris in your bed, laying in between your legs, you never thought you'd have the actual thing. "Did you think about this, Y/N?" You sat up on your elbows as Chris looked up at you, his hands resting at the tops of your panties, his fingers playing with the waistband. You nodded, unable to think of words as he leaned up to kiss right above your panties before he dragged his teeth down to the waistband, pulling it down with his teeth. You watched from your position on the bed as he tossed the underwear into the guestroom, which made you tilt your head. Chris didn't allow you to ask anything, though, as he immediately leaned down to press a kiss to the tops of your thighs before slowly moving to finally taste and soothe your soaked pussy.

All those nights you thought about Chris in your bed like this didn't compare to the real thing: he had your legs tightly wrapped around his head, his fingers gripping your thighs as his tongue moved in and out of your wet cunt, moaning at your taste. You could feel the vibrations coming from his mouth as he moaned praises into your mouth, praising how it felt against his lips, how good you tasted, how he should've laid you down in the backseat of his car in the tunnel earlier and ripped those pants off of you.

"Could've made it echo in that goddam tunnel, baby. Would be able to hear you all around me while I made you cum on my tongue." You moaned louder at his words, your hips moving to meet his tongue's movements as you began to practically grind against his tongue. Your orgasm snuck up on you as he pushed two of his fingers in, wet from his mouth as he curled them deep in you, making you cum. You gripped both the sheets and the bed as your back arched, your body shaking her you rested back against the bed. You closed your eyes, trying to catch your breath while Chris watched. When you did open your eyes, you thought you would be met with the morning sun, letting you know that it was all a dream. However, when you do open your eyes, you are met with Chris's eyes trained on your body as he licks his fingers and lips clean. It was now your turn to watch as he made sure that he didn't waste a thing.

When his eyes met yours, they no longer held the goal of taking care of you in them, but to absolutely take you. Chris offered you a small wink before he leaned down, placing his hands on either side of your head. "Y/N, I need you to tell me now if you want me to stop. You need to tell me before I toss off these tight-ass boxers and put you on your knees." You met his eyes, no words leaving your lips, making him groan lowly against your lips. "Fucking tell me no, baby. Say it or else I'll find a better use for that mouth of yours."

Your lack of response drove him to roughly pick you up from the bed, manhandling you as he put you on your knees in front of the window, the moon's light illuminating him as he placed his hands into your hair grabbing the chunk into his fist while his free hand freed his cock from the brief's tight embrace. You waited patiently, though, your eyes not leaving his cock as he pumped it a few times before tapping it against your tongue, letting you taste him and feel his weight on your tongue. You accepted it all as you placed your hands onto his thighs, rising from your legs a bit as his makeshift grip on you moved you closer. Your eyes moved up to meet his as his cock filled your mouth, his own eyes immediately closing as he tossed his head back at the feeling. You whimpered as he continued to push you down on his cock, making him chuckle airily before tossing his head forward to see you. "Now, come on babe. Don't act like you didn't deep-throat that pretty pink dildo I saw you had in your drawer wishing it was me. And now that you have the real thing; the heavier, the thicker, the warmer cock, you wanna act like you don't know how to take it?"

You didn't get a chance to respond as he pushed you down more on his cock until he heard you gag before releasing his grip on your hair. You stayed on your knees as Chris walked around the bed to your bedside dresser, allowing you to admire his backside in the moonlight before he turned around, approaching you once more.

"Why did you grab that?" You asked as he rounded the bed, your pink dildo he had just mentioned in one hand. "I have to get you ready to take my cock in that wet pussy of yours somehow. I don't think you could take all of me, baby without some help." You bit your lip as your eyes went to his cock that stood proudly against his abs, glistening with your saliva. You knew that you would need to prepare, but you weren't planning on doing it now.

Chris moved you to the side a bit, placing the suction part of the dildo down securely on the floor before his hand returned to your hair, grabbing a handful before moving you back over to the dildo and slowly sinking you down on it. You gasped at the feeling, your hands gripping his hips as you sunk down fully onto the pink dildo. Chris gave you a few moments to adjust before he helped you take his cock again in his mouth. You were thankful for his help as helped moved you as you began to bounce on the dildo, looking up at him as you did so.

You didn't want to miss any of his reactions as he tossed his head back and forth, not wanting to miss out on the view but also not being able to handle it. His moans grew louder as you moved faster, your hands moving from his hips to his balls, making him pull his cock from your lips instantly. You didn't get a chance to say anything as he picked you up from the dildo, tossing you onto the middle of the bed before instantly landing on top of you, his arms resting on either side of you as he kissed you deeply.

"Fuck, you looked so goddam hot. I was so close to cumming but I have to do it in you, baby." You nodded, wrapping your hips around his waist as he pressed his lips against you. The kiss started off slow, but the kiss soon sped up, showing his growing need for you as he began to grind his cock against your entrance, gathering your wetness along his cock as you both kissed. You sighed softly against his lips as he slipped his hand between you and him, grabbing his cock before pushing into you, filling you up.

Chris smirked as you moaned, your nails digging into his muscular arms as he filled you up. He was definitely bigger than your dildo, which made you glad he had you ride it before he filled you up. You began to drag your nails up his back as he pulled back from your lips, his chest now proud and puffed out as his hands gripped your hips, moving his hips to meet yours slowly. You both moaned in unison as his cock dragged along your walls, his lips moving to your neck as he moved faster.

You didn't realize that you had gotten louder until you heard the sound of something hitting the wall, making you both stop. You took the opportunity to catch your breath, realizing who it was. "That's my neighbor, Mr. Jenkins. We must be too loud." You sighed, disappointed that your night with Chris would have to end for the sake of your neighbors, but Chris had other plans.

He refused to have your first night with him end like this.

You gasped as he pulled out, roughly flipping you over to lay on your stomach before he straddled the back of your thighs. You turned around as he pushed back into you, both of your moans mixing together in the bedroom air. "What about Mr. Jenkins?"

"What about him?" Chris asked, his hand moving up your back to your hair once more before pressing your face down into your pillow, muffling your louder moans as he picked up the pace. In this position, he swore you felt even tighter and wetter, making him moan deeply. He leaned down to bite and kiss along your shoulders, leaving marks in his wake as you gripped the pillow. You were thankful that he let you keep your pillow as your moans had gotten so much louder, which would lead to you having an angry man at your door tomorrow morning. However, Chris needed more. He needs to hear how good his cock felt deep in your pussy like this.

If anything, he'll deal with the angry man tomorrow. You won't be able to walk tomorrow anyways.

You whimpered as Chris pulled you up from the pillow as he drilled his cock into you, the headboard now slamming against the wall as Chris whispered into your ear "Why don't you let Mr. Jenkins know how much you love my fucking cock? Or, does he hear you every night when you're rubbing your pretty pussy against your pillow, wishing it was me that was touching you? Fuck, I could fuck you better than that pillow or that pink fucking dildo. From now on, just call me."

You nodded, closing your eyes as your body began to shake, cumming on his cock. The feeling made Chris's cock twitch, his own orgasm hitting as he quickly pulled out, cumming all over your back and ass. You rested against the bed, feeling exhausted yet satisfied as he grabbed a tissue to clean you off with. You smiled against the pillow as he placed gentle kisses wherever he wiped, whispering compliments to you before laying next to you on the bed, pulling you close under the sheets.

"You know that you're going to have to deal with my angry neighbors tomorrow, right?" You asked as you lay on his chest, slowly drifting off to sleep as his lips pressed against your head as he chuckled. "Yes, babe, I do know. Now, let's go to sleep, it's late." You nodded, closing your eyes as his arms wrapped around your body, pressing another kiss on your forehead before saying "just call me. I'll come be your pillow for you anytime."

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penvisions · 1 month

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by the grit of sandpaper {chapter 1}

Pairing: Jackson! Joel Miller x Patrol Partner! Reader

Chapter Summary: But what is there to miss at the end of the world? It depends on the person, but you? You would do anything for decent kitchen gadgets, something you let slip to your routine patrol partner, one Joel Miller.

Word Count: 5.2k

Warnings: canon typical violence (later chapters), canon typical language, illusions to past death, illusions to past trauma, pining, unrequited feelings, joel a little daft in this, heart of gold joel, carpenter joel, woodworking joel, artisan joel, patrol partnership, mild injuries, head injury, reader bonks her head, mild concussion, lots of feelings, slight angst, hurt and comfort, joel miller's hands need their own warning, jealousy, two (2) instances of joel miller gently touching reader, intentional flirting, unintentional flirting. fluff, this is so unbelievably soft, reader has a commonly used nickname but no assigned name

A/N: home on bed rest today after a cortisone shot and i was reading through the draft for this when the words all came together for the first installment and i'm super excited to share it with y'all ♡

ao3 link || series masterlist || main masterlist || ko-fi

Joel Miller was a quiet man, not quick to engage in conversation beyond the pleasantries of greeting someone as he crossed paths with them, or asking after the issues people bring to his attention. Not quick to divulge his personal activities or words of his past. But he was willing to help anyone who approached him, the list on the spiral notepad in his back pocket never ending. Every single pair of the man’s pants held the same distressed markings, a testament to how he never left home without it wedged into the fabric.

But you wouldn’t admit to having noticed such a small thing.

The man’s pants were none of your concern, truly. As someone who regularly patrolled with him, would wave to him throughout the town’s streets and gatherings though he would seldom return it, his attention pulled toward someone wishing to interact with him. But that didn’t mean you weren’t aware of the faded lines along the denim stretched over his backside.

Almost as if were a secret you held to yourself much like the fondness you found pulling at your lips every time you mounted your horse alongside him and left through the gates.

The man in question held out a thermos to you, steam rising from the top of it where he had left it open to breath. The early morning carrying a slight chill despite the birds chirping happily and the buds beginning to bloom along the trees around the town.

“So, I know you’re good with a shotgun,” His rich baritone washed over you, warming you faster than the coffee he had taken the time to brew and the rising sun, barely cresting over the horizon now. “But what do you like to do to fill your time?”

“Like…for fun? Or to make the day go by?” You quirked an eyebrow, looking sideways at Joel as he rode a few paces ahead, he knew the trail by heart at this point. The same one you always did this time of the month, a routine set in stone that allowed you a pocket of alone time with him outside the town’s walls.

“Either. Both.”

“Um, well it’s not so easy now, but cooking, making things for people to enjoy.” You took a tentative sip, slurping accidentally as you realized it was still a touch too hot for the sensitive skin of your lips. You sputtered, droplets of the hot liquid flecking along the saddle and back of the appaloosa’s neck. The sweet mare startled, halting in her steps. The sudden stop causing you to knock the top of the thermos to your chin, more of the hot liquid finding your lips.

“Fu- c’mon Lowry, you know I didn’t mean to get ya!” You lightly scolded, tugging on the collar of your button up to wipe at your now throbbing face. You felt heat flood you, fluttering in your stomach as you realized how embarrassing a sight you just put on for the man beside you. But he wasn’t chuckling with that deep rumble he tended to do sometimes. Instead, he was calmly urging his own steed to come to a stop.

He dismounted, coming up beside you. He had a clean kerchief in his hand that he was holding out to you. You had no idea where he pulled it from, his jacket pockets were zipped closed. At least, they looked like it as your eyes had roved over his form ahead of you. Once you wiped the coffee from your face, he was moving closer, causing your heart to flutter.

“Lemme see,” His thick fingers were brushing your bottom lip and you froze. His eyes were focused on the way they looked irritated, catching the soft morning light. You tried to hide the way your breath hitched, but you were sure it puffed against his thumb, giving your nervousness away. He had never been so forward before, only spare instances of hands and thighs brushing against each other over the months you’ve been paired with him. “Doesn’t look too bad, sweetheart.”

As quickly as he had reached out, he was moving away with a lingering brush of his hand along your chin, an unreadable expression on his face. All you could do was nod an affirmative, feeling heat bloom in your chest and the swell of your cheeks.

Lowry knickered, bobbing her head. Joel’s hand then reached out and caressed the side of her face, gentle sounds humming from his chest.

“Were you a fancy, make it from scratch kinda cook or one that threw everythin’ in a crock pot and played the waiting game?” He turned his head to the side, catching your eye. A small grin you weren’t sure how to read pulling at his plush lips. “I was pretty hopeless in the kitchen, made a lot of spaghetti and had a lot of cereal.”

“Oh, um, from scratch.” You thought back to the meals you would create, the flavor profiles you would put together. “But that’s not so bad, sometimes routine is good, I’m sure you needed the carbs and protein to do….carpentry?”

“Contracting, actually.”

“I had a contractor scheduled to look into a re-do of my kitchen, but they never showed. It was such a letdown; he came so highly recommended. But I guess it was just too big of a project for him.”

“Nah, was probably just a matter of supply and demand.” He easily comforted you. “Kitchens are a lot of work. Especially if the design is for someone who spends a lot of time in the room. Need all kinda gadgets for that, hmm?”

“Typically, which is why it can be such a hassle nowadays. But it’s a small price to pay for being so safe in town. The loss of a good cutting board or sturdy utensils is a good trade for the life we have.”

Joel only hummed in response, and you felt like you had spoken too much. Opened up in the wrong way to the man back in front of you, his horse trotting along happily.

He didn’t ask you any more questions as the route was made and you didn’t try to bridge the gap, feeling foolish for voicing your rather naïve loss of kitchenware. You often has small conversations of a similar fashion, a simple question. Not too focused, general. Easy going subjects that allowed you glimpses of each other.

Later that night, Joel stood in the doorway of his workspace.

He had just stepped out of the shower, washing the long hours of the day from his shoulders. Ellie had left a plate of what she deemed dinner for him with a note before she had taken off for the night.

‘Gotta keep your mind sharp, old man. Here’s some dinner cause I know you didn’t stop to eat all day.’

She had even included a smiley face with downturned eyebrows, the little shit. And it made him realize he needed to set some time aside for another guitar lesson, just the two of them. A day on the porch in the warm sun while it was still the season for it. It was well into Autumn, the leaves changing into rich colors all around the town and in the forests beyond the walls.

But not seeing her didn’t feel like the worst thing because it had been a productive day. Patrol with you, then helping Tommy to work through foundation of a few new houses. The town was growing and he was glad to help, never having even dared to dream of a place such as this before he had quite literally stumbled upon it nearly a year ago.

Eyes trailing over everything he had neatly organized in the room. The different, albeit only a handful, types of wood he had accumulated with the help of the council. There was an ancient sawmill in one of the town’s buildings, used to help cut downed trees to turn them into lumber for construction. Tommy had been able to help them run diagnostics on it once he had become a part of the population, his shared past with his brother allowing for him to have the knowledge to maintenance it and get it in operating form.

He wasn’t sure what wood was typically used for kitchenware, nor was he sure he had a food safe sealant. But he was going to inspect everything in town, mind working overtime as he removed the small spiral notebook from his back pocket and began writing down his thoughts as they bubbled up.

Spatulas

Serving spoons

Rolling pins

Spoon rests

Cutting boards

Joel underlined the last one, knowing what a vision it would be to see you lovingly stood at the counter in his kitchen making a meal for a shared dinner. And excited smile on your face, explaining the details of the recipe you were working on. And he would listen to every word, even if he didn’t understand. To see the brightness of your soft smile as you shared parts of yourself with him. He rather liked that you had become his regular patrol partner, you could read the moods he felt. If he was open to conversation, if he needed little quips to keep him on his toes, if he had had a small argument or disagreement with Ellie and needed to either stew or hash it out.

You were good and he wanted to use his aching hands to not only provide for the town, but to provide for you as well.

The rest of the week passed easily, another patrol alongside Joel having occurred. But he had been rather quiet, in his head for most of the silent trip around the settlement. You hadn’t thought much of it, in your own thoughts as well. Made okay by the pair of thermoses of coffee he had brought along for you both indulge in. An easy-going rapport built up between the two of you, one where the sharing of such a commodity was matched.

Upon taking the first tentative sip, he had assured you it wasn’t as hot as last time.

The strong heat it lacked seemed to bloom across your cheeks, recalling the last time he had handed it to you. The whisper of his fingers against your lip as he inspected it for burns making it hard to look at the man watching you take a drink, ensuring that it really was cool enough to not harm you.

Smiling to yourself at the memory, you made your way through the streets and into the front of the town, toward the collection of shops with a list in your pocket. But all thoughts of productivity were halted when you spotted him.

Joel’s broad back was visible even from down the main street. Busy working on repairing a sign for one of the shops that fronted along it. The sawhorses he had propped up supported the new frame he was building according to predetermined measurements. You watched as he leaned down to read something along the wood, pencil tucked behind his ear, a tape measure carefully stretched out. His hand patted at his back pocket, the sound making heat bloom in your stomach and dive lower as suddenly as the sound.

Someone shouted his name before you could even form your lips around the sound of his name, his head lifting up and looking right past you to whoever it had been. Your half-raised hand feeling awkward, and a wave of embarrassment whooshed through you. You shoved your hand in your pocket and kept on your path, though you had no true reason to be on this side of town. The only one you had now occupied with someone else.

You didn’t dare look his way or see who it was who called to him as you crossed the street and began to inspect the fruit out on display. The first tentative crops of the season had done decently enough and then flourished. Apples aplenty. The trees so fruitful this year. Reprimanding yourself for entertaining the thought of ambling around, you decided to actually get a few errands done. You were out already, after all.

You had signed your name along the inventory and the weight of the apples you deemed worthy of being backed into a pie when a bark of laughter had you whirling around. He was working no longer, attention pulled to the woman standing closely in front of him. Joel’s hand cupped over her shoulder. His expression was so open, his eyes kind and trained on her. She reached up to brush some sawdust from his curls and you bolted.

But you hadn’t looked.

And you ran right into the end of the wooden boards Tommy had balanced on his shoulder as he walked down the street. Pain blossomed on the corner of your forehead at the contact, balance suddenly gone along with it. The canvas bag of apples flies from your grip, bouncing around the packed gravel of the street just as your body thumps to the ground.

A pair of voices pulled you back from unconsciousness. A dull ache reverberating from your temple and you groaned as you brought a hand up to gently prod at the spot. You were in your bed, a small thing to be grateful for. Not too fond of the small medical center set up in the middle of town, right off of main street. Tommy’s steps were quiet as they came down the hall, his voice preceding his entrance.

“You awake, Olive? What had you so distracted? You walked right into me.” His strong brows were furrowed, concern etched into his weather features. His curls bouncing with his steps as he came to rest on the end of your bed. He wasn’t teasing, question genuine and worry wafting from him as he reached a hand out to jostle your foot atop the covers.

“Shut up, Tommy. I was lookin’ at my feet.” You felt heat creep up your face, recalling the way you had been ogling his older brother and then gotten so worked up that the man had been touching another woman so causally. It shouldn’t have bothered you, it was really none of your business.

Sensing the serious hush of your words, Tommy regarded you with sharp eyes.

“It’s not like you to not be aware of your surroundings. Please tell me what happened?”

“Nothing happened.” You kept his gaze, eyes not giving anything away as you moved to sit up. But it was too fast a movement, the momentum of your balance thrown off as your temple throbbed. A hissed curse fell from your lips.

“…okay. Well, you’re off from patrol tomorrow, to rest that bump on your pretty little head, okay?”

“I can do patrol.” You felt panic flare hot in your chest, worried for the reason of losing your time with Joel out beyond the gates and not because the man in front of you thought your injury was serious enough to take you off of rotation.

“Honey, you smacked your head into some lumber. Don’t think you need to be on a horse right now, just take the day, okay? For me?” When you looked back up, he was making big eyes at you, knowing you couldn’t resist his kicked puppy routine.

“Tommy, do not look at me like that.”

“Can’t blame me for using it when I know it makes you crumble.” A upturn of his lips on one side allowed for a dimple to appear. Maria was a lucky woman, though you knew that for all the strength and seriousness she possessed, she was no match for the same look aimed her way.

“You’re a butt.” You huffed, crossing your arms over your chest and settling into the pillows even more.

“Yeah,” He stood from the bed and walked over place a bottle of aspirin on the small table you kept beside it. “But you like it.”

“Not when it’s aimed at me.”

The apples you had tried to get yesterday were on the counter down the hall when you finally got up from the bed. It was late, well into the night but sleep wasn’t coming easily. The echo of Joel’s easy laughter and voice from across the street as he talked with the woman in your ears.

With the warm light of your kitchen, you washed away your worries and thoughts by beginning to mix together a dough. Letting it set to rise for a bit as you washed a circular pan, cut the apples into thin slices, and prepared a mix of seasonings. Creating something with the energy flowing through you that had no other outlet.

You had just made a kettle of tea, body tired from the out-of-routine events of the last twelve hours and allowing you to sleep well past the rising of the sun. A distant thought of now being about the time you would be approaching the gates and waiting for them to allow you back in.

Curling your legs up, you had just settled into the couch with a book and your mug when a knock sounded on your front door. Startling, you felt your heart hammer harshly a few times before you stood back up and moved toward it.

You weren’t sure who you were expecting, but it certainly wasn’t Joel in his post patrol glory. His curls were windswept, some of them frizzing and creating a hallow around his head. His cheeks were a little dusty from the strong rays of the early morning sun, illuminating his golden skin in a rather eye-catching way.

“Hey, sorry, did I wake you?” One of his hands was resting on the doorway, his jacket pulled open as it rested over his shoulders unzipped. Broad, your mind helpfully pointed out. He took up nearly the entire doorway, the sun behind him and his face lit up from the open windows of your living room. Shadows making it obvious how big of a man he was.

“Oh, um, no. I was just starting to get up and about.” You stepped out of the way, a silent invitation for him to enter your home. He had only been a handful of times before. To fetch Ellie as she waited for him to return from a later patrol, not wanting to be in the main part of his house alone. Or to help fix something that had begun to have problems. There had always been a reason and you were trying to figure out the current one. “Do you want some tea? I just made a kettle of orange spice.”

He followed you through the living room after ensuring the door was securely sealed. As he did you were made aware of the oversized cardigan you had thrown on over a camisole, sweatpants that were too big fastened around your waist.

“Missed ya on patrol this morning,” He took the offered mug, taking a tasting sip before offering you a grateful smile. You knew he wasn’t big on tea, but this one you suspected would pass the test. His voice was low, velvety smooth in that drawl of his. It warmed you up, filling your chest. And for a second, you thought he meant it. “Jesse was the replacement. That boy sure does have a mouth on him, prattled on and on about I don’t even know what.”

Only for a second, because of course he would prefer you to one of the younger members of the settlement alongside him.

“I was just feeling a little under the weather,” You averted your eyes from his, roving up and down your form at your words. A glint of something behind them you couldn’t read. He didn’t buy it, the flimsy excuse. You could tell because one of his brows arched and that damned dimple appeared in his right cheek as his lips lifted up in a teasing smirk.

“Not tryna get away from me, are ya?” That same, syrupy drawl coasted you and made your movements slow. There was an undertone of something in his words that you tried not to read too much into. He was just joking, right?

As if you could even try. He was a staple of the town, from his physical presence at every important meeting to the things he fixed. Pieces of him, of the life he had created for himself and for Ellie prominent all around.

“No, ah- ha, this is so embarrassing but,” You busied yourself with finding a small enough container to send him home with a piece of the pie sitting uncut on the table. Having been left to cool after your late night baking escapade. Setting it down beside the pan, you picked up the knife you had taken out just before Joel knocked on your door, intending to cut into it at some point during the day. “I hit my head yesterday and Tommy insisted I take the day off.”

“Are you alright?” He was stepping close, one of his hands coming up to gently brush your hair away from your face while the other took the knife from your hand and set it back on the table. Eyes searching for any sign of the injury, his lips thinning when they landed on the bruise on your temple you had tried to hide. It had mottled overnight, into a dark purple, faded around the edges of the raised bump in the middle. His thumb whispered against it, causing you to suck in a deep breath full of the smell of him. His chest was so close that it brushed against your own with it, his face was so close that you could see the individual hairs of his salt and pepper scruff, the freckles decorating his weathered skin.

Dizzying, it was so dizzying to be that close.

Your eyes fluttered closed as he was suddenly leaning in even closer. His head ducking to allow for his lips to softly brush over the bruise, not wanting to agitate it but wanting to soothe.

“There,” His breath fanned over your face, the lingering scent of coffee along with it. And then he was stepping back, his hands dropping from where they had cradled you. “All better.”

The sunlight was soft, streaming in through the kitchen window. Illuminating a rich, thick cut of mahogany. Stepping closer towards the counter, your hands twitch as if to reach and run over the expanse of the smooth wood. It was carved to be a perfect shape and size, small feet propping it up from the counter directly. Little flowers engraved in the corners and protected by a sheen of sealant. It was beautiful and you blinked quickly to stave off the tears surging at the sight.

He did it. He listened to you.

Footsteps had you turned from it, hips meeting the edge of the counter as you tried to act like you hadn’t been admiring the new addition to the home casually laid out for people to see.

Tommy had a bottle in his hands, wine he had found on a recent patrol that he thought you’d like. But as soon as he entered the room, he clocked that you had gotten up from your spot, what you were next to.

“Who knew my brother would end up making decorative pieces in the apocalypse, huh?”

“I don’t know him well enough to agree, we only patrol together.” Smooth words didn’t betray the way you pictured the man seated and concentrating on carving into the block of wood to create something so beautiful. His large hands gripping the handles of tools you couldn’t even begin to name, brushes to wipe away the shavings, to slather the sealant over it. The striking sound of sandpaper fills your senses along with the scent of freshly carved wood.

A lingering one you could often catch if Joel was close enough, of rich cedar mingled with whatever he used to wash. Culminating into how he always smelled, signature, familiar. Easy to pick out in a crowd and no it was him. Blinking, you focused back in the present, reigning in your thoughts of a man you had no business thinking after in such a manner.

He was a patrol partner. An acquaintance.

“Oh hush, Olive, you know him more than most.”

You just hummed, eyes looking everywhere but at the man across the room. He busied himself pouring a drink into two glasses. Just as you took a sip, Maria entered the room with Joel right behind her, shoulders laden down with canvas bags. Seems they had been out, and he decided to walk her home, protective even on unsure ground with the woman deep into her pregnancy.

“It really is beautiful Joel, already have a few requests for them from some people around town.” Maria joined in the conversation, noticing the way that Joel’s eyes had zoned in on the piece of wood settled atop the counter. As if he was seeing each mistake and wrong shave of the wood even from across the room. He moved to place the bags he had taken from her atop the table, nodding a greeting at you as he realized you were right beside the thing he had tried his hand at creating. Spurred on by your little tangent weeks ago.

“Not really lookin’ to make that my pastime, yours was just a trial run.” Joel shrugged the words off, the praise off, like he so often did. Even when the haphazard crew he worked with completed repairs on a building or created a new one from the ground up, it was always the same response. A brush of the direct compliment to everyone who worked on it together, even if it was his plans and his hands that had played a part in the whole thing.

“Don’t even know where you got the idea, brother, such a random thing to think to make.” Tommy moved to press his lips to Maria’s cheek in greeting before helping her to put things away.

Your eyes snapped to Joel, willing him to admit that it hadn’t been his idea, but your own. It was silly, really, to want his immediate family to know that you two had talked, shared things with each other that resulted in an item that was now a part of their life. Pointless, no real connection except for the one made up in your mind and an overinflated sense of importance. Just a throwaway comment when you recalled the difference good cooking supplies could make. He wouldn’t meet your eyes, his hands deep in his pockets and his shoulder hunched.

“Jus’ came to me, one night, is all.”

Your chest panged at his indifference; it didn’t have to mean anything. But it meant something: that he didn’t want to reveal that he had opened up to you once upon a time on patrol. That he had listened to you as you had done the same. Couldn’t let others know that he was open to genuine conversation sometimes. Or maybe just that it was with you, someone he tended to look over in the crowds of gatherings and events, more often than not You huffed around a mouthful of wine and set the still half full glass down.

“I’m shoving off, see y’all later.”

“Oh wait, I wanted to see if we could trade patrols. Kinda why I brought out the bribe of wine.” Tommy turned wide eyes to you, knowing the whole set up of his favor was being thwarted by the arrival of his wife and brother. It was easier to ask you of things alone, not that you were known to turn them down, but you preferred to stay under the radar. Avoid direct attention, direct recognition for the things you accomplished and helped with around town. For the way you always made sure the elderly got home safe after important meetings and children who got turned around were reunited with their guardians.

“….which patrol?” You tried to hide the suspicion in your voice, positive he was about to ask you to do the overnight route with Joel in his place that would happen in a few days’ time. Something you didn’t do. Ever. Overnight routes something you didn’t have the wherewithal to handle, not since you had lost your last connection to what the world had been before. It had been relatively soon after settling into Jackson when it had happened, a handful of years ago now, but Tommy nor Maria had ever even thought to ask it of you.

You supposed they figured with Joel having settled in nicely himself the past year, that it was time to consider broaching the subject.

“Teton.” Joel supplied when Tommy choked, unable to voice his request. Knowing they would all be standing there for a few moments for the younger man to find his words between your almost fearful look and the suspicious one Maria was pinning him with as she looked from you to the wine and toward to her fumbling husband.

“Oh, um, I haven’t done that one in a long while. I don’t do the overnight routes, you know that. Surely you wanna find someone who’s done it more recently? Someone who does it regularly.”

“Think-you, uh, you’re about ready.” He managed to get out, his body no longer relaxed but picking up and responding to the way you had tensed up. The way his brother had. Feeding off of each other’s energy in a way he couldn’t begin to understand, but wanting to assure you that he had confidence in your skills and knowledge. Despite the things that had occurred for you to only stick to the same routine of early morning patrols a week.

“Tommy…” You didn’t feel particularly comfortable being asked in front of Joel. You don’t think he knew, had any idea of how had lost yourself. Rumors ran rampant around the settlement, but you hoped that those surrounding you had dwindled down to nothing but recent events. You knew for a fact Marsha liked to say you put too much sugar in your pie fillings, trying to hook everyone onto them with a heavy hand. But it wasn’t your fault that her pies always got looked over when yours was set right beside hers.

“I know you have your reservations, Olive. And I understand,” Tommy watched the stilted way you downed the rest of your wine, setting the empty glass atop the counter with careful movements. “But it would mean a lot to me if you covered this one time.”

With a sigh, you agreed.

Ignoring the weight of Joel’s curious eyes as they followed you out of the kitchen.

Thoughts a whirlwind as you tried to flee the seen without it being obvious that you wanted to be anywhere but in that kitchen with two pairs of apologetic, concerned eyes and one that held curiosity.

next chapter

dividers by the lovely @saradika-graphics and @cafekitsune

taglist: @merz-8 @morning-star-joy @joelsgreys @orcasoul @sawymredfox @sabmat @dreamingofleon @keylimebeag @pascalpvnk @picassopedro @tuquoquebrute @alejaa-a @jessthebaker @littlemisspascal @joeloverture @joelscruff @swiftispunk @tightjeansjavi @undercoverpena @idontknowyou-12345 @corazondebeskar @honeyedmiller @novas-dreamworld

338 notes · View notes

softxsuki · 4 months

Note

Hello, congratulations on your milestone!!! I am not sure if there are any spots left, but if there are, can you please do the trope enemies to lovers with a tokyo revengers character? Have a nice day and congratulations again!!!

1.5k Follower Event Trope #1 Tokyo Revengers

Trope 1: Enemies to Lovers

This event is now CLOSED. You can check out the masterlist for this event here.

Warnings: Slight mention of violence and being killed (baji says it once, no one actually dies)

Note: Thank you so much! I had this one sitting in my google docs for while because I didn't like it, but I reread it today and I think it grew on me after letting it sit there for a while lol. Enjoy :D

“Why are you here again?” Baji spits, not impressed at all.

You were another person Mikey had dragged in, finding you interesting and deeming you both friends, not that you minded. You hadn’t joined Toman, but Mikey always invited you over to their base, and you quickly became fond of many of them, including a certain black-haired man that couldn’t find it in him to accept you.

“Still suspicious of me? Seriously Kei, ever thought about loosening up?” You question, walking past him.

The nickname makes Baji’s heart flutter slighty, much to him mentally refusing to acknowledge it. “Oi, I told you about calling me that name. Stop acting like we’re so close to each other! I don’t want you here,” he grits, hating how unfazed you were by his ‘hatred’ for you.

“Yeah yeah, I know you like it,” you tease, disappearing down the stairs to head back home for the day.

Since the first time Mikey introduced you to everyone, Baji had his suspicions about you. How could everyone just openly accept you to hang around them and listen in on their meetings? What if you were working for a rival gang, showing up to get intel for them? Why was he the only one suspicious of you? And why did you have such an affect on him? Your carefree attitude, your disregard for being surrounded by dangerous men. He felt so conflicted.

The longer you hung around, the more he let his walls fall, yet he kept that stubborn, rudeness whenever you were with him. He refused to show that he had somewhat trusted you, let alone that he may or may not have a thing for you–though he’d never admit that to anyone, he could barely admit it to himself.

One day though, you had managed to gain all his trust. You had found a sneaky rat from a rival gang sneaking around Toman’s grounds, just looking for trouble. Could you fight? No. Were you still going to call him out and try and get him to leave? Yes.

You approach the man and begin to threaten him, talking big for someone who couldn’t defend themselves. Baji was watching the whole thing go down from afar. A tinge of suspicion grew as he watched you approach the man who was clearly up to no good and didn’t belong with Toman, but that all vanished as soon as he saw you try and make him leave.

“That idiot,” he grunts to himself, tying his hair up as he makes his way over to you, arriving just in time as the guy goes to throw a punch your way.

Baji quickly pushes you out of the way, and easily beats the guy up, mentally making a note of the gang attire he wore so he could inform Mikey of the situation later.

“Are you insane? It’s like you were just asking to get killed! You should have just shouted for one of us to help, we’d be able to hear you if you screamed loud enough. What kind of idiot who knows they’re weak, tries to fight someone off alone?” Baji went on and on, telling you off, yet all you could do was smile at him.

“Stop looking at me like that with that stupid grin, it isn’t funny”

“Heh, you care about me,” you smirk, egging him on.

“Of cour- What?! NO! No, I don't. What made you ever come to that conclusion?” He screamed, his face growing red at his almost confession. Why were you so irritatingly cute?

He could deny it all he wanted, but it was obvious how he felt for you. Now knowing that he could trust you, he started hanging around you more often. And after a few more months, he became the one who’d invite you over.

“You know…you could just ask me out instead of staring at me all the time. I’d say yes.” You say from beside him, feeling his eyes on you as you sit side by side on the shrine steps.

“What?! I-” He groans, feeling stupid that he was so obvious. With a sigh, he looks away from you. “Then let’s date.”

You didn’t expect him to actually go along with it. Who knew the man who had hated you so much would be secretly admiring you and finally have the guts to ask you out.

“Sure,” you shrug, feeling your own face heat up.

It would take some time to fully warm up, but dating was the first step, a large step from where you’d been with each other before.

Posted: 1/2/2024

112 notes · View notes

meihehe · 4 months

Text

Kiss cam

pairing : leehan(donghyun) x reader

content: fluff, slight make out sesh, very pouty donghyun, dorky donghyun.

A few of your friends and you had planned out a fun day after your dreadful exams but who knew it would lead to Jaehyun and Woonhak picking out a baseball match because that was their idea of fun. Since the tickets were already booked and a few others thought it would be fun the rest of you’ll decided to tag along. You’ll walked into the stadium and some of your friends headed out to bring snacks and you just hung around with the rest who were talking amongst themselves. “Y/N” you heard donghyun whisper call you. “Yes?” You asked looking at him. He had this big and bright mischievous smile on his face that made your heart flutter. “Can we go there?” He asked pointing at a distance and you saw a fish tank at the far right of the stadium. Of course he wanted to go see the fish tank. You agreed since you were bored yourself which made him very happy. You’ll snuck out without the group noticing and walked to the fish tank. As soon as you’ll reached Donghyun looked at the tank in pure fascination. He pointed a few fish that he knew in the tank, telling you about their special traits and also how to recognize them. You loved when he spoke about fish especially since he loved them so much. He always looked the prettiest when he did. Time passed by quickly and soon Donghyun received a call from Jaehyun telling you’ll to come back. To which Donghyun pouted because he didn’t want to leave so quick. “Come on” you called for him as you started to walk to the group. “But can’t we stay? I don’t even like baseball that much” he grumbled as he penguin waddled to catch up with you. He was still pouting and it made his cheeks look all round, it was adorable. Your impulsive thoughts getting the best of you made you poke his cheek as you’ll walked. Donghyun stopped and looked at you in response and then proceeded to smile. “What was that for?” He asked still smiling. “Your cheeks looked cute” you replied back honestly. Which left his face with a tint of pink as you’ll started to walk again.

…

The match was boring as expected. Donghyun and you were sitting next to each other and occasionally you’ll spoke about random things. You felt closer than usual towards him. Sure you’ll had always been in the same friend group and hung out but you’ll never exactly had a special bond. However you were fond of him and his cute demeanor. Soon the fondness turned into a liking and you ended up developing a crush on him but you knew you couldn’t tell him, there was no possibility of him returning the feelings. Even if he was incredibly nice to you.

“When is the break?” Donghyun asked but even you weren’t sure. You were really hoping it’s soon because sitting in this chair for so long was making you sore. “I’m not sure, why?” You asked. “Taesan said they had a surprise for me. I’m not sure what so its making me nervous” he replied. “Why is there something special?” You asked but he nodded his head saying ‘no’. “That’s odd” you admitted but at the same time you were also curious to what it could be. “I don’t want to get my hopes up but what if it’s a fish?” Donghyun said which made you laugh. “They wouldn’t give you fish in the middle of a baseball game hyun” you said and he pouted slightly. He didn’t realize you used his nickname until after a few seconds and he quietly smiled to himself. “Why you smiling?” You asked him and he nodded. “Nothing” he answered although he was very happy. “Hyun?” You asked and his face lit up as he looked at you, “yeah?” He asked. “You’re such a dork” you said and he furrowed his eyebrows. “What do you mean?” He asked still looking at you. “Nothing” you said repeating his words and ruffling his hair. First you call him by his nickname and then you ruffle his hair, why were you so keen on killing him?

…

After a while it was break and thank god because you were really losing your mind. After you ruffled hyun’s hair he made sure to be extra close to you. That meant he sometimes rested his head on your shoulder with your permission of course or he’d feed you popcorn randomly. You weren’t even sure where he was getting all this popcorn from until you saw his secret stash of popcorn he kept in his bag and away from the rest. You stood up to stretch while hyun was scrolling through on his phone. “Okay everyone do whatever you want but come back in ten minutes” Jaehyun directed to which you raised an eyebrow. “Why the time restriction?” You asked and he simply replied with a “You’ll see”. After around 10 minutes the announcers started to interact with the crowd which seemed pretty normal and then they announced something you weren’t really expecting. A kiss cam. A freaking kiss cam. Now you weren’t exactly sure of the probability of it landing on you but if you connected the dots on that “suprise” the others planned out, this made complete sense. You’ll watched as the camera slowly panned to an elderly couple which made the crowd awe. Then it panned to another couple and then another. They were going to do five couples and that mean there was only two left. It ended up panning on another couple somewhere below you and you just knew it would be you’ll next. “Hyun” you called and he looked at you. “I think I know what the suprise is” you said and it wasn’t after a few seconds that it dawned on him but it was too late. The camera had panned right to you and him. You’ll were there on the big screen looking like deers caught in headlights. You wanted to dig a hole and bury yourself and Donghyun shared the same sentiment. “We don’t have to” he softly said until Jaehyun and the rest started chanting. “Kiss!Kiss!Kiss!”. They were so going to get beat up by you later on. You looked at Donghyun and then to his lips as the crowd joined in on the chanting. He didn’t seem like he minded it and you had a massive crush on him. So who cares. You pulled the tshirt he was wearing and kissed him as the crowd cheered. You could hear some of your friends cheering too but it drowned out as you’ll continued to kiss, your hand tangling in his hair. He cupped your face and continued to kiss you until you realized that you’ll had been kissing from a while now. You pulled back slowly but Donghyun chased your lips since he wanted more. You smiled at how cute he looked. Your lipstick smeared on his lips and his hair all messy and fluffy. “Why’d you stop?” He asked pouting a little like it wasn’t obvious. “Baby you wanna make out with all our friends watching?” You asked as he blushed at the nickname. “Maybe?” He replied giggling a little.

a/n: leehan crush is going hard. He’s so adorable i love him so much.

#boynextdoor #leehan #woonhak #jaehyun #taesan #riwoo #boynextdoor sungho #boynextdoor leehan #leehan fluff #leehan x reader #leehan boynextdoor #Kiss cam

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acourtofwhatthefuck · 2 years

Text

Coming Home (Part 3)

Azriel x Reader

Part one | Part Two

Hi! I would just like to preface this part by saying that I know some things probably don’t accurately line up with the events of Rhysand’s history…I’ve kind of muddied the waters with that one for the sake of the story. But who cares? We’re all here for the Azriel content anyway! Enjoy!

Warnings: Mention of trauma.

⧪

Trouble.

How could you have forgotten the endearing nickname that Azriel had once had for you? One that nobody but him had ever called you? A nickname born from all the times he’d stumbled upon you making mischief and turned a blind eye. All the situations you’d managed to talk your way out of that had resulted in no more than a funny story. And as you got older, your shameless flirtatiousness.

Trouble. You’d used to love it when he called you that. It’d had you glowing, had you feeling special. He had been undeniably fond of you, and the soft, jesting nickname had always been testament to that.

You sat in the kitchen the next morning, that very nickname the only thing clanging around your head and keeping you awake. The rest of the house was still dead quiet, not even a creaking floorboard interrupting your silent brooding. The events of the day before both filled you with warmth — and an ice cold realisation.

It didn’t matter how many years had passed — one hundred or ninety-nine and a half — you were still just as in love with Azriel as you had been when you’d walked away from Velaris.

“You’re up early.”

You jumped out of your thoughts, glancing up just as Feyre stepped into the kitchen, slipper-clad feet whispering against the floor. Her hair was unbound, and she wore just a modest nightgown and a robe tied around it. She truly was beautiful.

“My mind woke me up.” You admitted, smiling.

“Ah. I worried that perhaps the idiots had woken you up when they hurried out for their snowball fight.”

You snorted. “They still do that?” The memory made your heart warm. “But, no, I have to blame all the excitement from yesterday for me being awake.”

The smile she returned suggested otherwise — that she expected it was down to more than just lingering excitement. She passed you and poured herself a cup of tea, sitting at the table.

“Thank you for welcoming me.” You said. “I’m sorry I turned up so suddenly. I just…”

“Worried that you’d back out of coming because of your feelings for a certain Spymaster?”

You choked on a swallow of your own tea, your cheeks heating. “What?”

Feyre smiled gently. “Call it female intuition. Or perhaps I just have a keen eye for these things. I couldn’t help but notice some…tension between the two of you.”

Gods, if Feyre had picked up on it within hours of being in the same room as you, it must have been obvious to every single one of them. You wanted the ground to swallow you up.

She read that very thought on your face, emitting a soft laugh. “I don’t think anyone else observes these things quite as much as I do, don’t worry.”

You did worry. But you inclined your head in thanks all the same. Your unrequited feelings would no doubt become obvious to everyone eventually.

“Can I ask…” Feyre cleared her throat. “How long have you…?”

“Been in love with him?” Just saying it had your cheeks burning even more. You slapped a hand to them like you were trying to smother flames. “…Pretty much since I was old enough to recognise such feelings for what they were. It was always…different, with Az.”

Her head fell into a tilt. “How so?”

Good question. You sat back in your seat, chewing your lip. Traversing places far from home had afforded you the time and freedom to stow these thoughts away to the very corners of your mind. It had been a while since you’d sat and thought of them in such detail. But it was inevitable that you would return to brooding over it, with your homecoming.

“Well…” You hummed quietly, thoughtfully. “Obviously Rhys is my brother. Our mother had me much later than him…and our father had no interest in me whatsoever. I’ve never known why. But even though Rhys was exploring his young adulthood, finding out who he was, dealing with war, he didn’t hesitate to take over that fatherly role so that I didn’t miss out. He was naturally protective of me, and Cassian and Azriel were part and parcel of that protection. But whereas I always had a sibling-type relationship with Cas…as I grew, I was never able to emulate that same feel with Azriel.”

As Feyre nodded slowly, you laughed at the memory of your younger self. “They were around a lot when I was young. I used to sneak out of our mother’s cottage in Windhaven and follow them to the training rings because I so badly wanted to be able to do what they did. One of the Illyrians found me hiding and watching one day and thought he’d teach me a lesson for sneaking around where I wasn’t welcome. He was just hauling me over his shoulder when Az came out of nowhere and made him regret it. Then he ditched his training to make sure I got home safely. That was when the crush began.”

Feyre laughed softly. “Sounds exactly like the noble princes in human stories.”

“That was exactly how I saw him.” You chuckled. “I hung off his every word after that. When I would sneak out to watch them train, it solely became him I would watch. When the three of them would stumble home, covered in dirt and sweat, and sit down for dinner, it was Az I would sit next to. I’m sure I annoyed the hell out of him.”

You swallowed then, the more painful memories pushing to the front of your mind and souring your mouth.

“...When my mother and I were attacked by Tamlin’s family…and she died…everything changed.” You cleared a lump in your throat. “I barely survived. I was so gravely injured that I was unconscious for days and days, and Madja thought I may never wake. When I did, I awoke to the knowledge that both my parents were dead, and Rhys was now High Lord. I don’t think any amount of training or court posturing could have truly prepared him for such a sudden responsibility…and on top of that, he had me — a traumatised teenager — to look after.”

You knew from the letters between you and Rhys while you’d been away that Feyre’s own teenage years hadn’t been the easiest. To talk to somebody new and fresh — somebody who hadn’t been there with you at the time — was something you hadn’t realised you needed so badly. It was…cathartic. The easing of a weight that perpetually lived on your shoulders.

“I didn’t make it easy for Rhys.” You admitted. “For the first couple of years, I completely went into myself. I didn’t talk about what Tamlin’s father had done to me. I was…a shell. And he was worried sick. And then in my mid-teens, I began to act out. To drink, to get myself into trouble…to the point that even Cassian began to tell me off. They didn’t know what to do with me or my behaviour, and they had enough to deal with. Enough responsibility. I got yelled at by Rhys and Cas a lot.”

Feyre looked at you curiously. “And what about Azriel?”

“Azriel had a more gentle approach.” You smiled. “He had a lot of trauma of his own and I think he understood me on a different level. By the time I was reaching my late teens, he began to train me, to teach me how to channel my pain and trauma into something productive. Sometimes we would talk, and sometimes we would just enjoy silence together. I began to change…to heal. I was becoming an adult, and my relationship with my brother…with everyone…improved. I began to enjoy life again…to have nights out at Rita’s and family meals and late night walks through the city with people I cared for. And that connection between Azriel and I remained…and strengthened. I thought he enjoyed being with me as much as I enjoyed being with him. That he might have similar feelings to mine. I guess I’d gotten inside my own head, and it never occurred to me that he could never see me like that.”

“…so?”

“So I tried to kiss him. On Starfall. I was twenty and totally in love with him by that point…” You met Feyre’s gaze, chuckling softly. “But he pushed me away and began to apologise for giving me the wrong impression. I was so mortified and hurt that I left. For almost an entire century.”

Feyre grinned. “You don’t do things by halves.”

“Nope.”

Gods, it was so good to just talk. You could talk to Mor, of course, but the waters there were slightly muddied…by Az’s feelings for her. Amongst other things. You hadn’t thought you’d ever see a day where Azriel wasn’t pining for her.

And now there was Elain.

You cleared your throat, shifting in your seat. “…are Azriel and Elain…” You didn’t want to offend Feyre, being her sister and all.

It surprised you when Feyre rolled her eyes. “Gods, don’t even get me started on that.” She shook her head in disapproval. “Both Elain and Nesta had a lot of choice taken from them when they went into the cauldron. I don’t think Elain’s issue with her mate is so much a problem with Lucien as it is a problem with yet another fate being decided for her. I think…whatever she feels for Azriel is almost a way of her rebelling against the cauldron or the mother and choosing something for herself. And perhaps it’s a similar situation with Az…when he gave up on hope where Mor is concerned. He decided to take some of that choice back.”

You nodded slowly in thought. It made sense…but it was also equally likely that Azriel and Elain were just two people drawn to each other, mates or no mates. That there wasn’t some ulterior reason behind it. They just wanted each other.

And Azriel would never want you. You knew this. You would always be Rhys’s sister he was so fond of, a lost person he empathised with, connected with in pain and trauma.

That was all. But you didn’t want to stew on those thoughts yet again.

Feyre seemed to sense this. She smiled brightly, sitting up. “So. Now that you’re back, what do you plan to do?”

That was a better subject. “I dropped by to see Madja when I entered Velaris. She gave me a lecture, of course, about disappearing for so long.” You grinned. “And then she asked me to work in her clinic. She says she’s old and tired and wants to take a step back, have a more background role. So I guess I’m going to be Velaris’s senior healer. That’ll keep me busy.” Busy enough to ignore my feelings, you didn’t add.

“Perfect.” Feyre grinned. “…I’m really glad you decided to come back, you know. Rhys is over the moon. And it’ll be like having another sister around.”

A sister you’d never had. You smiled, reaching out to squeeze her hand.

Maybe you could make this return a good thing. Maybe it didn’t have to be overshadowed by heartache and past experiences.

Maybe you could eventually put your feelings aside and begin to heal from them.

⧪

Two weeks.

It took only two weeks for you to feel like you’d never left. You’d reacquainted yourself with Velaris and its people, visited your old haunts, caught up with old friends — and old lovers.

What had kept you mostly busy was setting yourself up in Madja’s clinic. Her taking some time off meant that you were either constantly seeing people at the clinic or, occasionally, being called out to an emergency somewhere in the city. It was what you lived for — helping people. Healing them. You were content.

A great gust of cold air blew into the clinic just before you were about to close up that evening. You looked up in time to see Mor flouncing in, her cheeks bitten by the cold and a gleam in her eye. She skipped over to the counter, grinning at you.

“Guess what.”

As you tidied various medical supplies away, you raised an eyebrow, a smile playing on your lips. “You asked out that Illyrian female you were telling me about?”

“No.” She said quickly — it saddened you that she glanced around, worried even now that someone was listening. “No, not that. We’re having a party.”

You suppressed a groan. The last two weeks had exhausted you; you were pretty sure you were still recovering from the Solstice celebrations. And the reunions. The thought of another Inner Circle party so soon made you wince.

“We just had a party.” You pointed out. “The Winter Solstice was two weeks ago.”

“Ah, but this party is for you. Rhys is arranging the whole thing as we speak.”

“There’s really no need for—“

“No, no, there is.” That mischief in her eye glinted like Starlight. “You see, we’re due for a trip to The Hewn City. One we all have to attend so nobody thinks we’ve become complacent and uninterested in the Court of Nightmares. And I know how much you always loved pissing my father off. What better way than to throw an arrogantly lavish party to celebrate your return? Consider it a homecoming gift. You know Keir will hate every second of it.”

You snorted — you had to admit, that did sound good. Seeing your uncle for the first time in years wasn’t something you’d ever rush to do, but to throw an extravagant party in the court that Keir liked to pretend he owned would bring you more satisfaction than you’d admit.

Mor read those very thoughts on your face, letting out an excited squeal. “Excellent. I’m going to get you an amazing dress, do your makeup—“

“Whoa, Mor, wait—“

“It’ll be great. You’re going to look incredible.” Without even considering your protest, she flounced back towards the door, one hell of a spring in her step.

“Az won’t be able to take his eyes off you when I’m done with you!” She called over her shoulder. And just like that, she was dancing out of the clinic as quick as the breeze she’d brought in with her, just the chiming bell above the door left behind.

You stared after her, stunned, her words leaving a swirl of nerves and anticipation — and surprise — in your gut.

Tags: @safetypinxtales @historygeekqueen @smartiepants217 @mulansaucey @kennedy-brooke @highladyofillyria @issybee0611

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undercover--bunny · 8 months

Text

🐻 Caregiver! Trafalgar D. Water Law Headcanons 🩺

Gender neutral terms for the reader!

⚠️Tw: Use of "Brat" as a nickname

Because he's a doctor, Law knows a little more about psychology than he lets on. So when you open up to him about it/he finds out about it, he isn't judgmental. Instead he goes straight into professional mode, doing a quick once over to make sure you're okay (He's the captain and a doctor, he wants to make sure his crew mates are healthy) then he leaves you be to go do some research, just in case.

He's very... odd in the way he goes about being a caregiver in the fact that he pretends he's not one when he very much is. He's hardcore in denial. He'll insist that he's not your caregiver when it comes up in conversation while in the same breath tell you that you're too little to wander off on the ship alone. Very tsundere. He wants to still be seen as your intimating captain, but his weaknesses for cute things always wins him over.

Law: I'm not their caregiver, Bepo. Stop saying I am.

Bepo: Then Captain, why does (Y/N) ask for you everytime they regress?

Law: I'm the captain, of course they'd ask for me! They're too little to wander around by themselves, this ship is too big for them!

Bepo: Oh... but what about the rest of the crew? We can help watch them too!

Law: ...No comment.

Nonetheless, Law is caring towards you, he's just not the most expressive with it. But that makes his rare headsakes and fond smiles even better!

Lots of subtle affection with him. Ruffling your hair as he walks past, patting your head when you get excited, booping your nose to get your attention. Small things like that. His favorite is to find subtle excuses to get you to hold his hand. For safety of course. It's definitely not because he's a little protective of you, shut up

Calls you "Brat" most of the time, but in a fond way. He later starts calling you "Bear" as well.

Unintentionally loves to remind you of how little you are. It's purely accidental on his part, but he does it all the time. "You're too little to do that." Or "You're little, I've got it."

"Oi, (Y/N)-ya!"

Suddenly a pair of hands grabbed and gently lifted up into the air before you could fall. You found yourself settled safely on the ground a moment later, far away from the cake that sat on top of the fridge. You pouted, trying to reach out and climb the counter to reach it again, only to be thwarted once more by Law taking your hand and pulling you back towards him.

"Oi, you're too little to climb up there. You'll hurt yourself, brat." He lightly chided you, but the scolding didn't hold much weight seeing as a second later he reached past you and picked up the cake himself before presenting it to you. "If you need something you can't reach, ask me for help next time, yeah?"

Any regression gear you need/like ends up "mysteriously" appearing in your room, but even when you ask Law never admits that it's him. Same goes for the doctor themed teddy bear that showed up on your birthday.

If you regress really tiny, he's definitely the kind of guy that will listen to you babble and respond back to you like it's a conversation. Dead panned and 100% seriously.

Y/N: *Babbling*

Law: Oh? Interesting...

Y/N: *More babbling*

Law: umhm, and then what happened

At first he's not a fan of you calling him anything special during your regression. It feels too much like a title to him and that makes him uncomfortable. Then you sleepily called him "Papa" one night while the two of you were curled up in bed and he felt like he was going to die of cuteness. He just scooped you up and held you close while screaming internally. Now it's a role he loves, even if he doesn't say it out loud.

You might think that Law would be a strict caregiver, and he is to an extent. He'll stop you from doing things that could get you hurt, but if you try to do something harmless or silly? Well who's he to stop you? He'll just sit back and watch the adorable chaos while throwing out a; "Just watch yourself!"

If you ever try to play "doctor" with him, he takes it comically seriously. Goes full on doctor mode without even realizing it.

"Alright, mx. (Y/N)-ya. I believe I've figured out the source of your stomach pain." Law said, scribbling away at his clipboard as you sat across from him on his desk.

You giggled, hiding behind your hands as he paced in front of you. Once he finished, he tucked his pen behind his ear and turned to you with a blank expression.

"Too much cake." He said, deadpanned.

Law watched as you burst into laughter, shaking his head fondly at your dramatic reaction. He really didn't understand why you found this so funny, but you always seemed to enjoy it.

#one piece agere #fandom agere #agere writing #agere headcanons #agere #sfw agere #agerespace #agere community

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thepaintedlady00 · 2 years

Text

The Sandman and the Girl Without Dreams

Chapter 3: Feathers of Black, White and Red

TW: violence, blood, character death, needles, muzzle (nothing too graphic)

I sat on the plush bed, gently running a wet cloth over the reopened cut on my wrist left by the chain. Jessamy perched beside me on the bedpost, watching with angry feather ruffling and head tilts. Once I'd cleaned and rewrapped it I ran a soothing hand over her fluffed out chest and smiled at her. "I'll be alright, Jess."

She made no sound, merely hopped down into my lap and sat. It had been two years since the party. Two years of torture and neglect at the hands of Roderick Burgess, whom I grew to hate more and more each passing day. Even my pitiful dreamless sleep seemed to elude me now, I'd never been so tired. My sore, bruised jaw clenched. Two exhausting years… Pressure filled my chest at the thought of all I'd missed in the world away from the gates of this prison, the world that still moved on without notice or care of my absence. In times like this where pity seized my thoughts, guilt always followed. I had no right to pity myself over two lost years. Not when the Sandman had lost far more than I could ever imagine.

Though he'd never spoken a word or made any attempts to communicate with me, save a few fleeting looks, I'd considered him a friend. Perhaps that was foolish. But I could see the fondness in his eyes when I talked to him, even upon hearing the nickname he hated. I could see the brief relief on his face each time he saw me return to the basement alive and in turn the pain in his eyes after being forced to witness Roderick's cruelty. But, as of late, the most common and long lasting expression was rage. Calm, cool and contained by the glass of his cage alone. The rage he felt seeped through every crack and crevice, filling the house with the constant chill of it.

For a while I was glad he was angry. That at least meant he was holding true to our silent pact, that he wasn't going to crack under Roderick's thumb. But, after months of it, I'd grown worried. How long could he hold such a powerful, hateful feeling before it consumed him? I asked myself. How long until that rage destroys his star filled eyes and snuffs out all glimmers of hope with the darkness?

Jessamy leaned into me as the tears wet her feathers. I hadn't even realized I'd started crying, but sure enough the weak sobs bubbled up from my throat. It was something I rarely allowed, breaking down, but Jessamy seemed to bring some of the pent up pain to the surface. My own and perhaps that thread of the Sandman's that I somehow seemed in tune with.

Through the tears blurring my eyes I looked down at the mark. Two years and still no answers. It didn't hurt anymore, but there was always an odd tingle that lingered on the stained skin, a hum of something. Power? The power Roderick had seemed convinced the Sandman had given me. Maybe, but it felt deeper... More than what I imagined power would feel like. I swallowed the lump in my throat and wiped the tears that stained my cheeks. The only thing I knew to be certain was how very little I knew at all.

***

Dream looked through the eyes of Jessamy, watched Penelope weep with a deep and painful pit in his stomach. He'd used the past year to fortify the walls that had been brought down by the girl and the mark. He'd done it purely for selfish reasons, another fact he'd never admit. He knew that each passing day the girl grew closer and closer to his sister, Death. She was mortal and above that she was a captive. Creatures forced into captivity never survive long. He told himself. Detaching from her before things got too intimate would save the king of dreams the torment of having to feel the loss of her later.

However high he built the wall, he could still feel her. She was always close, too close. Always one laugh or smile away from bringing the walls down all over again. She'd noticed the cold shift in him, it was obvious on her face whenever they saw each other, but above the obvious he felt it, heard it. Her thoughts were just a hair away, he could sense the vastness that was her mind but couldn't touch it. He'd tried on numerous occasions, soley out of bored curiosity of course, but they never got any clearer.

With Jessamy the connection they shared, forged and honed through the years prior to his capture, was strained but with enough focus and a shortened distance between them he could connect to it. Since Penelope had been moved upstairs she was able to open the house more to the scheming raven, he in turn was able to communicate with her more than ever before. A comfort to them both. Yet with the choppy connection of her mind he was now forced to witness the fear and pain Penelope hid away from everyone, even him. Of course she hid it from me... I am a stranger to her. Dream often had to remind himself that this girl, though connected to him, had known nothing but his forced silence. She didn't know him, not as he did her, and if his attempts were successful she never would.

He asked Jessamy through the connection why she was crying, the garbled word reply did not make him feel better. Worried. You. It wasn't difficult to decipher her meaning. Penelope Barlow wept because she was worried for him. A warm feeling spread through him, the mark tingled, and he had to strangle both before he tricked himself into enjoying the feeling more than he already did. The command he sent back to Jessamy was one she gladly followed.

***

Jessamy flew out of my lap and through the open window so suddenly I'd jumped. It wasn't unlike her to come and go, but once she settled somewhere, especially somewhere comfortable, she was usually quite reluctant to leave. I watched her soar up into the sky and disappear into the clouds, jealous of her beauty and freedom. Oh what I wouldn't give to fly. I picked up any of her feathers off the bed and stuffed them into the pouch of trinkets we'd collected that hid under my bed. Roderick didn't know I'd been spending time with the bird he hated with all his might, and I intended to keep it that way. The last thing I needed was windows that were welded shut.

The knock on the door brought tension to my body as I sat on the edge of the bed and waited. When Paul stuck his head through and smiled at me I relaxed. "Good morning, Ms. Barlow."

"Paul, how many times do I need to tell you to call me Penelope?" I teased greeting him with a hug. "Good morning."

"It would be improper of me to address a fine lady such as yourself in such a common manner!"

I looked down at the ripped up, ill fitting dress that hung off me. "I'm no fine lady I assure you. Penelope will be more than proper."

"Very well," he said, linking his arm with nine and guiding me out to the gardens. "Are you in the mood to get a little dirty?"

"Always!"

"Perfect! I have so many things we can do!"

After Alex's latest attempts to speak with the Sandman Roderick had come down on him hard. A good whack with his cane and an impossible task to earn his favor. I'd been proud of Alex for trying to prove to the Sandman that he wasn't like his father. Stupidly I'd thought it was his turning point, that he'd be more willing to help me and maybe even the Sandman himself. I was wrong of course. Every day since Alex was out roaming the grounds with that stupid rifle on the look out for Jessamy. Kill the bird, had been Rodericks only instructions. None of that mattered though, Jessamy was smarter than both of them and she had me.

Paul and I spent hours in the gardens, repotting plants, picking weeds, everything that as he'd promised would get my hands dirty. My current guard, whose name I'd come to learn was Sam, sat beneath the pavilion and read his paper, not even glancing up at me. It was nice, the more comfortable trust that had blossomed between the guards and I in the short time we'd been allowed to interact with one another. Some of them were subscribers of Rodericks magic cult, and they enjoyed the pain and the strict rules. Others were just ordinary men that took the job because they needed the money, and they did not enjoy any other aspect of the job.

A shadow filled the soil beneath Paul and I. Alex stood awkwardly, gun pulled over his shoulder and a book in his hand. Paul immediately dusted off and smiled. "Good evening, Sir."

"Good evening, Paul." He answered just as timidly.

"I see you've started the book I recommended. How do you like it?"

"It's good!" Alex answered just a bit too quickly. "It's very good, thank you for suggesting it."

"Always a pleasure to help sir." God this is painful.

Alex looked at me and nodded his head politely. "Penelope."

"Alex."

"You look…" he stopped for a moment. "You look well."

"As do you," I said stiffly as I resumed the weed pulling.

Paul stood awkwardly for a minute before excusing himself to get more plants. Alex knelt down in front of me and sighed. "Listen… I know that I've been a terrible friend."

"Terrible is putting it a bit mildly, but go on."

"I'm sorry. For all of it Penelope. I should have never asked you to come to that party, and I should have tried to help you more everyday that's followed."

I looked up at him, my eyes searching his face. He looked the same, and yet so different. The stress from his father had started to take a toll on him, that much was obvious. "I miss my friend."

"I miss mine too."

"I've been here Alex," I reminded him. "You were the one that disappeared when I needed you."

"I know… I know and I'm sorry. I just want him to see me like he saw Randell… I want him to love me."

"I know you are. But you can't keep chasing his approval Alex. You can't keep trying to be Randell."

"Can you forgive me?" Though he seemed sincere I didn't write off all the pain he could have helped ease. "Can we at least… I don't know, try to reconnect?"

"Maybe…" I wasn't certain whether the tug of hesitation was out of a baseless fear or something more. "Let's just take it slow, yeah?"

"Yeah," he said with a smile. "Slow is better than nothing."

"So, are you ever going to make a move on Paul?" I asked with a knowing smirk.

Alex turned into a stuttering mess and it felt like my friend had returned, even if it was just for this moment I was happy.

***

Morpheus listened to the sound of Rodericks cane bearing down against the glass with a look of mild annoyance. He knew this song and knew the dance that followed. His eyes were fixed onto Penelope as she curled into herself, preparing for what was coming. Today was different though, a metallic taste of something more hung in the usually stale air. Roderick had never been this angry before and Morpheus couldn't help but feel an air of dread swirl around him, that swirl would quickly shift into a storm.

"SPEAK TO ME!" Roderick's voice sounded more like a demons as he huffed outside the glass, glaring at Morpheus. After a long pause, he growled and turned to Penelope, not giving anyone time to prepare themselves for the brutality.

This beating was by far the worst. The cruelty of the Burgess shocked even Dream as he helplessly watched, fingers digging into the ridges of his cage. Blood splattered across the floor and even the glass in front of him. Roderick had used his cane at first, but discarded it in favor of his fists. Holding her by the front of her stained dress the look Roderick met Dreams eyes with was one he could only describe as deranged. "Speak to me, lord of dreams! Speak to me now or she dies this day!"

Penelope, only half conscious, lifted her head just enough to spit blood in Roderick's face. As he lifted his fist once more Alex rushed through the gate and grabbed his arm. Penelope dropped to the ground as the two Burgess' wrestled for control. "Father stop!"

He finally shoved the boy off him and moved to strike again, but this time it was the guards that intervened. They pulled him away, urging him to take a break, to stop so he could regain his strength. But, one look at their eyes told Morpheus the real reason was to hopefully give Penelope a chance at surviving another day.

Alex knelt beside her with a sickened look on his face. This level of violence was new, even to the boy. He gave Dream a quick glance and followed the guards out with his father, trying to talk the man down further as they went. The gate closed and all that was left was the sound of her struggling breaths. He leaned his head against the glass trying to be as close to her as he could, watching the rise and fall of her back with a heavy heart.

The man, Dream assumed was a servant of some sort, Mr. Sykes was the one that returned with a bag of medical supplies. He turned her over and Dream stopped breathing for a moment. Her face was swollen and bruised, cuts and scrapes littered her arms and judging by the way she breathed she'd broken at least two ribs. Sykes cleaned her up and assessed the damage, quietly at first.

"You need to stop this," Sykes said suddenly as he tended her wounds. Morpheus almost growled when he dared look into his eyes, dared to look at him at all when he was free to help her but chose not to. "For her sake."

Damn him. Damn them all. The words echoed in his mind even after Sykes had left upon finishing his work on Penelope's weak body. Then, a soft wheezing voice filled his ears. "Not an inch. 'Member, Sandy?"

She looked so tired, and sounded even worse. He watched as she spit more blood from her mouth and settled onto her side, facing him with a pained wince and sporadic wheezing breaths.

"Do… Don't break your promise… or I'll never forgive you." She continued after a moment, her tone was light, teasing, but damn it if the empty threat didn't fill him with horror at the mere thought of her ire.

With a sigh he forced his muscles to relax slightly. Not an inch. A silent agreement. Through all the bruises and blood and tears Penelope smiled. The sight made his gut twist, but the words she spoke broke him. "We're going to get out of here. You, me and Jessamy. Together. I promise." She said in a fading voice. Together, he repeated watching her drift off into another dreamless slumber.

She did not deserve this... And he did not deserve her. Not when she could have chosen to help Roderick and save herself, as everyone else had. Not when she cared for his raven in his stead. Not when she spent hours describing the sky to him, so he might picture it in his prison. His hatred of humanity festered and grew every second he remained here, that he'd not deny, but she was different. Penelope was hope, his hope, breathing and beautiful living outside his body. And he hated her for it... For soothing his anger and containing the festering hate. Just this once, Dream was honest with himself, he had to hate her because if he didn't he would love her… He would love her more than he'd ever loved anything or anyone, and that terrified him.

They didn't move Penelope until a few days later, and when they had they did it when Roderick was passed out in his study. He hadn't returned to the basement since, and part of Dream hoped he wouldn't, at least not with Penelope, not again. It was dreadful, spending the days without word of her, thankfully Jessamy returned from her errand and immediately went to Penelope's side where she remained. She placed the shimmering stone on the nightstand beside her and perched on the chandelier. Through her eyes Dream watched Penelope heal, faster and better than a normal human would have, a side effect of the mark no doubt. Through Jessamy he stayed beside her.

***

It had taken a month for my body to fully heal from Roderick's especially brutal rage. A month of the room upstairs. A month without a glimpse of the Sandman. I missed him. I missed the comfortable silence that he offered, the blue star filled eyes he watched me with, the way he'd move in reaction to my teasing. He didn't have to say a word to be considered good company in a place like this, but more than that I could feel the bond of uneasy alliance shift, growing closer to friendship every day I spent talking to him, or at him.

Alex, Paul and I had spent a lot of time together. With Alex the month was spent mending our strained friendship, and after hearing how he stood up for me it was a little easier to be around him. He'd almost entirely abandon his quest to kill Jessamy, only carrying the gun as a show for his father. Roderick spent the majority of his days in his study. Everyone that was willing to speak to me said he was raving, trying to come up with a plan. Rave all you like bastard, nothing will break the Sandman.

I twisted the ring in between my fingers, a habit I'd gotten into after making the wired piece of jewelry. When I finally woke up Jessamy had returned and been standing guard beside me. On the end table a beautiful moonstone, a gift she'd brought back with her from wherever it was she occasionally flew off to. I adored it, so much so I bribed Sam to bring me the supplies to make the ring. I only wore it when I was alone in my room, for fear of it being taken from me or lost, once I needed to leave I put it in my hidden bag of treasures.

The light scattered across the stone, revealing its cosmic array of blue and lavender hues. I gently dropped it in the bag and rehid it under the bed. Paul and Alex would be back from their walk soon and then the three of us were off to have a picnic, Paul's idea of course. Alex had even gone so far as to buy me a new dress. It was beautiful, the fabric was soft to the touch and dyed a light sunny yellow. Jessamy had certainly liked it.

She cawed and wiggled herself around as her eyes took it in before she settled onto my shoulder. I could feel her beak gently pecking my hair, adjusting it however she saw fit. "Is my hair not up to your high standards, Lady Jessamy?"

Another soft caw.

"Alright, get out of here. I have to go wait for the boys." I shooed her with a laugh. She flew off my shoulder but stayed in the house, following me and perching on the railing overhead.

Sam led me to the main room where I took a seat in a chair by the window. Beside me he shifted and winced as if uncomfortable. "Everything okay Sam?"

"Stomach issues, nothing for you to worry about." He replied, attempting to sound unphased.

"You can go take a minute, I'm sure George would be able to watch me until Alex gets back."

Sam looked at George who shrugged. "She ain't much trouble, go get yourself together."

He nodded, grumbling a thank you as he hurried off toward the restroom. A loud metallic thump echoed softly as the keys fell from his belt. A flare of hope filled my chest as I looked up at Jessamy, who'd also seen the opportunity. I got up, pretending to casually look at the books and trinkets of the Burgess home before bending over and retrieving the keys from the floor. Roderick entered, but either didn't see me or didn't care as he lit his cigar and returned to his study. Jess swooped down, a plan clear in her mind, grabbing a match from the table and lit it on one of the doors and dropping it onto a stack of papers.

The smoke filled the room, covering my movement as George jumped into trying to put the flame out. I ran down the steps as fast as I could, Jessamy at my side and unlocked the gate with trembling hands. This was it.

"Hey, Sandy, you ready to get the fuck out of here?" At the sound of my voice he smiled, it was small, but it was the first real smile I'd ever seen on him. He looked up at Jessamy with hope filling his eyes. Pressing my hand to the glass I watched Jessamy slam her beak against it, trying with all her might to break it. "Okay," I whispered looking around the dark room. "Give me a moment Jess, I'll get something for this glass."

I hurriedly moved to scour the room for something, anything large or heavy enough. An old candelabra was buried among a pile of old furniture. With a smile I pulled it from the pile and made my way back towards the glass just as I opened my mouth to have Jessamy move a loud gunshot echoed in the basement.

Blood and feathers coated the glass in front of the Sandman's face. I looked over to the door at Alex, chest heaving with disbelief at the sight of him with the gun in his hands. Clenching my jaw I forced myself out of the shock and slammed the candelabra down upon the glass. Once, twice, and just before I could hit it again the guards grabbed me, pulling the heavy metal from my hands.

I slammed my head back into the guard's nose and collapsed to my knees in front of the glass cage. Jessamy's body was mutilated beyond recognition, her tufted chest of white feathers now no more than blood and guts and bone. With shaking hands I cradled her body tentatively, my vision filled with tears. I looked up at the Sandman, whose pained eyes mirrored my own, his normally stoic face set in anger. "I'm sorry."

Alex's hand moved to touch my shoulder. I flinched away from him. "Don't touch me."

He looked ridden with guilt and remorse, but that look wouldn't bring Jessamy back. It wouldn't undo what he'd done. Without another word I stood, shoving past everyone, carrying her body with me out into the willow tree. Huddled underneath it I wept with her in my arms.

The leaves parted and Paul looked down at me in horror at the sight of so much blood. The picnic basket dropped to the ground. "I couldn't… I couldn't leave her down there!"

"It's okay," he soothed, pulling me into his arms. "It's okay, Pen. It's okay."

Eventually Paul asked where I wanted to bury her. The thought made my already aching heart lurch. She couldn't stay here. That wasn't fair. It wasn't right. So I shook my head, laying her body down on the small cloth we were going to use in our picnic, wrapping her in it. "Don't bury her. Not here."

"We can burn her," he suggested. "That way you can keep the ashes and spread them somewhere else when you leave."

"Yeah… Okay." That would have to do. It was the only way I could save her, to return her to the Sandman one day when we got out of here. God the Sandman. Would he be upset if I burned her? Did he have customs for such a thing wherever it was he came from? I could still feel the echoes of his pain laced with my own.

Paul took her body, setting her gently in the basket right as the guards came to retrieve me. Once behind the safety of my door I wept, curled up on the bed.

"Penelope…" Alex's timid voice echoed from the other side of the door.

"Go away."

"Talk to me, please Pen."

I threw one of the pillows at the door when he tried to open it. "I have nothing to say to you!"

"It was just a bird." Anger filled my lungs. "I had to."

"I should have let these people eat you," I said with as much venom as I could. "I should have never been your friend."

"Please don't say that, Pen. I'll get you out of this, I promise." He sounded so sincere, but that was nothing more than a cowardly lie.

"I never want to hear your voice again Alex Burgess. Never."

I listened to his retreating footsteps before curling back up on the bed. I wished I could go back to the party. Wished I could stop myself from ever going into that basement. But those thoughts faded, burned with the knowledge that if I had changed that night I never would have known of the man in the glass cage and I never would have befriended the beautiful raven. I could never wish for that, for a world without my Sandman.

***

With still wet eyes Dream watched them clean Jessamys' blood from the floor. It had been three days since the Burgess boy had shot her. Three days since the hope he had foolishly let himself feel had died with her. Roderick had returned armed with fresh ammunition against him, but this time it wasn't strength that kept him silent, but pain.

"It was your own doing, you know." He smiled with the words. "As is what comes next."

The threat wrapped around him, smothering him in the weight of his meaning. The only thing he had left to lose was the girl and if the look on Roderick's face meant anything his plans for her were far worse than his usual brutality. The days that followed were ones filled with fear and anxiety. Roderick made the threat, but that had been four days ago if his guard rotation had meant anything. What was his game now? Was he hoping to scare him? Or was he putting whatever new scheme of his in motion?

It was impossible to tell, but on that fourth day the gate had opened for one of the guards and with him Penelope. Dream sat up straighter, looking around as if it were some sort of trap. Penelope settled against the stone pillar and let the guard chain her with no fight. The weight of Jessamys death was clear in her tired eyes. The room was silent, ominously so in Dreams' mind.

"I -" she started to speak, cut off by the gate. "Later," she whispered.

Roderick came into the room, but this time three men in white followed. His fear came to life before his eyes as the men unchained Penelope and forced her to her feet. Roderick stopped them for a moment, regarding her with a smile. "You've been a thorn in my side for years. That little stunt of yours was the last straw. These fine men are taking you to a facility, an institution for unruly individuals such as yourself. Unless…" A pause. "Beg. Beg him to save you."

Morpheus tensed, hands pressed against the glass as if he could will it to shatter beneath his palms. This was it. If she uttered the words he would shatter... He would give Roderick Burgess whatever he wanted. With new tears burning his eyes he prepared himself for the sorrowful pleas to fill the room. Instead, she surprised him once again.

"I won't beg him and I certainly won't beg you." She spat in his face, the fire in her eyes brighter than he'd ever seen it.

Roderick wiped the spit from his cheek. "Muzzle her, sedate her, do whatever you wish, just take her away."

Their eyes caught fear and anguish shared between them. She struggled against the men in white as they forced a human muzzle on her. They were too strong. She looked like a wild animal caught in a trap. He almost wanted her to beg. He wanted to beg himself, but those eyes of fire stopped him. A last reminder to him of the promise he'd made. No matter what happened he could not break.

So he watched them force the needle into her neck, watched the fire fade and her eyes close. They took her. They took her. It was all he could think as he stared out at the now empty room. She was gone, gone somewhere he could not follow or watch over her. Gone somewhere he would not hear her voice or laughter. Gone somewhere he would not see her smile or the fire in her eyes. The girl that had suffered beside him was now alone. They both were.

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#dream the endless #sandman netflix #morpheus imagine #the sandman series #the sandman fanfic #the sandman x you #dream of the endless x reader #dream of the endless #dream of the endless imagine #morpheus x reader #morpheus imagines #sandman morpheus

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toontastictoons · 6 days

Text

Toontastic Cast and Crew!

Hi there Toons, Cogs, and everyone in between! We're the Toontastic Toons Crew! There's a bunch of us, so we figured it was time to make a little bit of an introductory post!

The most experienced Toon in our group is JJ Trickyfluff, a Raccoon. He's fond of Throw and Toon Up. JJ Is part of a club called The Midnight Crew! He's a little on the fence about all the cog drama. He really wishes we could just sit down and talk things out.. despite knowing that's a little unrealistic. JJ has had some... Interesting experiences with Insiders. He was given a Toon Task by a friend, which was basically a dare to ask a cog for a Kiss. He chose an Insider. Things haven't been the same for him since.

He/They, INFP

🦝

Our Runaway, Little Midge! Midge is a daredevil. Most likely of our group to be caught running around with low laff. Midge is partial to Throw and Drop, as they're the hard hitters. Small but mighty, Midge tends to pack quite a punch. They've taken a liking to Yesman Cogs, as well as Buck Ruffler, the Duck Shuffler. They like that he's a daredevil too. While Midge doesn't like most cogs, they're learning that even some of these "cold, heartless machines" do in fact have something a little more to them.

They/She, ESTP

🐭

"Sprite" or "Lucky Star" as most of us will teasingly call them. Star Sourpop is our sweet little green bat. When they were a brand new Resistance Ranger, they had one heck of a lucky fight with Buck Ruffler. He continuously scored all sevens. After that fight, the two had several more run ins. We all think Buck told the other cogs in Toontown Central to take it easy on Star, or else they would be in big trouble! They even joined a club called "Duck Shuffle Fluffle" to show how much they appreciate Buck! Star doesn't really want to fight the cogs. She would rather make friends with them, and have fun adventures with them! When spooked, however, Star won't hold back... so cogs beware.

She/They, ENFP

🦇

Ace Miller is our resident non-toon... Most of the time. They do have an established "Toon Disguise" much like we toons have Cog Disguises. Their Toon Disguise is known as "Ace Tinkertoon"

Ace spends most of their time repairing managers and higher level cogs who personally request them. Usual repair teams work fast, not unlike a pit crew on a race car track. Ace takes their time, and pays far more attention to detail. They have different relationships with each cog they work with, though Misty, Buck and Chip are some of their favorites. When undercover in their Toon Disguise, Ace makes regular notes about Toon life and COGS Inc. They have also taken to snagging gags where they can, and preforming experiments on them to see how they work.. and what their weak points are. Ace puts up with toons, begrudgingly. Their bright colors and loud sounds often get the better of the repair tech. Sensory Overload leads to a lot of time with cogs like Misty... sitting peacefully on the docks.

They/Them, ENTP

🔧/🦊🔧

"Petals", as we have nicknamed our magical deer friend, is originally from Ye Olde Toontown. She held out on joining the fight against the cogs as long as she could... but when things started to get messy at home, Petals joined up. They were shocked when the elders told them they couldn't use magic against these metal menaces. Settling (begrudgingly) for learning to use Gags, Petals made her way to Toontown Central. Cogs just make them mad. Petals had a wonderful life in Olde Toontown before they all came along. The worst of them is that Witch Hunter. Petals had a run in with him far before they were ready for such things. Luckily some Resistance toons saved the day. A few cogs are okay... Petals likes how happy Star gets around Buck Ruffler... and Holly and Misty have definitely caught her eye... Not that she would ever admit to that.

She/They, INTP

🦌✨

Lokitty is a bit of a mystery to the rest of us. We are pretty sure thats how they like it. This Mischief Making Black Cat has a fondness for the Brrrgh, and the blue colored cogs. A Loki Variant? Maybe. Regardless, this agent of chaos can be found making trouble in any way possible. Cogs are just a way to have fun to them!

They/he, INFJ?

🐈‍⬛

Last but not least, Space Cadet! Our sweet dog toon friend who's head is often in the clouds! Space Cadet is friendly to almost anyone who's friendly to them! If you run into this Space Ranger, be sure to say hi! She loves to chat! The fight with the cogs makes Space Cadet kind of sad. They want to be friends with everyone. They'd rather not fight. Given the option, Space Cadet would extend a hand to even the most dangerous cogs. A daydreamer with high hopes, Space Cadet hopes for a better future between cogs and Toons.

They/She/Space, ENTP

🐶💫

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yesimwriting · 5 months

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Unlikely

A/n this is one of the fics i wrote that i then let sit in my drafts 😭,, also originally set this up to have a part 2 bc who can commit to a full one shot, that's part of the reason i left it in the drafts but with finals i thought i'd just post

Pairing: (first avengers) Loki x reader

Summary: Your enhanced abilities (that you can't quite control) make you the ideal candidate to keep an eye on Loki as he adjusts to staying at Avengers Tower. Unfortunately for you, he manages to see right through you almost immediately. It's also oddly life ruining that he's not exactly what you expected him to be.

----

You're not the first person that's ever considered killing Tony Stark in order to make their own lives easier, but you're probably the first person to consider it and have access to his usual morning coffee.

Not that you'd poison him. No, for this he deserves something slow and painful. Maybe you'd hit up Nat first to get some ideas.

"I'm not asking you to do this indefinitely." His sentence snaps you out of your fantasies of learning strange and untraceable Russian torture methods. You have to stop yourself from scoffing at the way Tony says asking. "Just...until things--"

"Settle?" You cross your arms in front of your chest, hating the way that this entire thing is starting to make you feel like a teenager arguing with a parent over chores or an unfair curfew. "He's a sociopath that you're letting live in the tower. The only settling is placing him literally anywhere else."

You're not one for black and white thinking. You understand that when it comes to anything involving the Avengers, there's room for morally grey and accidental loss. But that wasn't the Battle of New York.

Maybe if there was a way to wait, to keep Loki away until those that were most effected get a chance to lick their wounds and regroup. But letting him in so close to the aftermath Is insensitive and a major security risk.

"I--I won't help you do this." Your voice is decisive, your chin shifting forward less than inch as if to prove that your choice is set. "It's not fair to the people of New York, it--it's not fair to Barton."

"I'm not making you do anything." You raise an eyebrow at that. "I'm just asking you to keep an eye on Reindeer Games because of your--" Tony lifts a hand, exposing his palm and bending his fingers in an almost teasing imitation of the gestures you use to control your abilities, "Reindeer taming situation."

It's not meant to be mean. The powers you still haven't fully grasped have managed to restrain people like Loki before. Briefly, just long enough to call for backup or buy yourself a second to plan what to do next. You don't have the control you need to make it a fair fight, but it's something.

The reminder of what you can and can't do forces heat to crawl up your neck. You drop your arms, keeping your hands pressed firmly to your side.

"Having him here isn't my idea, Glow Stick." The familiar nickname makes your nose wrinkle. You're not fond of it, but it's easy going enough to distract you from your annoyance. "It's a favor for Thor."

The explanation eases you more than it should. Thor's surprisingly easy to get along with, and if Thor can see some redeeming quality in Loki, then there's at least some chance that he's not a completely lost cause. "Think of it like that--you like Thor, right?"

You sigh. Thor teaches you cool fighting moves and shares breakfast pastries with you and you're finally getting him to understand friendly gossip. You like Thor. He's a friend. "Not right now."

"I'll make sure to break his heart with that one the next time you two are giggling over breakfast."

You roll your eyes, fighting to hold down a smile. The laughter Tony's referencing had likely been at his expense.

----

You're not sure what the protocol is for when you're supposed to show a norse god around the superhero tower you call home, so you fall back on regular company rules. Not that you'd admit that to anyone that'd think to ask.

This is ridiculous. You're ridiculous. A few days ago he was trying to kill all of your relatively newly appointed team mates and friends and now you're making sure to straighten your comforter and hiding a basket of completed laundry that you made the mistake of not putting away immediately on the off chance that you'll have to awkwardly let him glance at your bedroom.

You're not sure how the first night's supposed to work. You don't know when he's getting here or how much surveillance is expected from you on Loki's first night. It would've been smart to get some details from Tony, but you had spent the bulk of your day avoiding him and keeping to your room.

At least you did think to put a hold on your kind of childish but mainly warranted sulking to have a short conversation with Thor about his brother. The main thing you gathered was that even though their bond is strange, you're certain it's more solid than either of them is aware of and that Loki read a lot as a child. It's not a lot to work with in terms of small talk meant to mask the fact that you're meant to be watching him, but at least it's something.

Besides, if the book shelf in your room is anything to go by, you can work with likes reading.

A soft knock snaps you out of your overthinking. "Come in."

Tony pushes open the door. A small part of you is surprised that he's the one at the door. It's not his presence that's strange, maybe he wants to give you some kind of run down before Loki gets here. The way he knocked, however, is weird. It was way too patient and professional.

You look at him oddly before your attention manages to shift to the person standing behind him. Loki.

Yeah, killing off Tony is back on the table.

It's one thing to have to play tour guide with the guy that just attacked New York and most of the people you care about...it's another to have Tony bring him to your room without any kind of warning.

"Y/n, Loki," Tony summarizes flatly, "Loki, Y/n." He sort of nods, a brief dip of his chin that seems to say that he's done all he's supposed to. "She'll show you around."

Even though this is being presented as factual, the whole thing feels painfully transparent. You're not sure what about it feels like a give away, but something about this feels way too artificial. Tony offers you a final look before turning to leave.

You adjust your posture. His silence and the way he carries himself makes it feel like you're intruding on his space instead of the other way around. It also doesn't help that he's objectively nice to look at. Which makes sense because he is a god, but it still feels unfortunate for you. It adds to the subtle intimidation of all of this.

"Hi," you finally say, voice even and as normal as you can manage. No one can say you handled this wrong if you just stick to the bare-bones of casual politeness. "I'm Y/n, like Tony said, and--"

His piercing eyes finally focus on you, overwhelming enough to pin you in time. The look only lasts a second, his eyes flitting downwards before focusing on something else in your room.

He passes the threshold of the doorway, entering your room, your space, with even, confident steps. You know that Thor and Loki are both royals, but Loki carries that authority differently than his brother. There's a sharpness to the way he wields it.

Loki passes you like your presence means very little in the grand scheme of things. Which, to him, it definitely does. He doesn't stop until he's close enough to your bookshelf to scan the titles comfortably.

"Now I know why I didn't see you on the battle field."

"Oh, I like reading, but I wasn't--" It takes a second longer than you'd like to admit to realize that the comment is somewhat a joke. A jab that's at least somewhat at your expense.

The real reason Loki didn't see you is because your abilities were proving unstable. Your focus was on protecting civilians and evacuating largely populated areas until the threat was cleared. It was similar to things that you had done in the past, similar enough that you knew you'd have total control.

"There was a lot going on," you mumble, "As one would expect when someone attempts to take over one of biggest cities in the world with an alien army."

Oh my god. You regret the sentence immediately. His actions definitely entitle you to some level of snark, but you're definitely not trying to start or trigger anything.

He turns his head enough to face you. His expression shifts, a slight raise of an eyebrows and an even slighter turn of his lips. You can't read enough to decide if that's a good or bad sign.

You hold his gaze for as long as you can. It feels like longer, but in reality, it's probably only two seconds. "That was--rude." It's as close to an apology as you can bring yourself to get.

Loki's attention shifts back to your bookshelf. With no warning, he extends a hand, carefully plucking one of your most well worn books from its usual place. He studies the cover, eyebrows pulling together as if the action requires that much deliberation.

His focus is another thing you can't figure out. You wonder if his cryptic behavior is natural to him or some form of dramaticism meant to make him even more intimidating.

"You can borrow that if you want." The comment leaves you before you realize that you've made the decision to speak. You blame it on the nerves caused by the extended silence. The urge to defend the comment is just as unavoidable, "Thor mentioned that he remembers you reading a lot."

He stiffens, the shift subtle yet sharp. Loki sets the book down quickly, like touching it in the first place had been some grave mistake. "That was a long time ago."

The way he says that almost does pull an actual apology from you.

----

Maybe if Tony had told you exactly what he meant by showing Loki around, you'd know where to go.

He's staying here, which means he should know the basics. The kitchen that bleeds into the living room, the training room, and the locker room. You don't think he'll be over utilizing any of these shared spaces more than necessary, but there's not much else to go over. He had told you that Tony already showed him his room...one coincidently on the same floor as yours.

You don't know what else there is to show him. The labs seem like a bad idea, but pretending that the Avengers don't exist at all feels awkward and naive. The lower clearance lab might be alright, there's nothing there except for things in the most preliminary stages of development. You're not even allowed to bring certain cauterizing lasers down there.

After some internal debate, you rule it out in favor of an office like space meant for strategizing. It's kind of lame and feels like a sort of 'baby proofed' version of actually showing him around, but it looks official enough that you think you can get away with it.

He follows you without question down the hall, the way he has this entire time. Loki doesn't even ask when you both wander away from what's clearly the residential area.

"Why are you showing me this?" The question almost makes you jump. He's spent the entire tour as silent as possible, only ever occasionally nodding in acknowledgement.

It's a fair question. This is a pretty random stop. "Uh--the office? I don't know, it's part--"

"No," he says, "Why are you showing me around?" Still not fully getting the question, you just blink. "Tony Stark is, unfortunately, not an idiot. He didn't pick one of the others, he picked you." Loki takes a partial step forward, a clear attempt to remind you of his height. "Why?"

Yeah, there's no way you're telling him the real reason it's you. My powers knocked out Wanda once for a few seconds and I messed with Thor's abilities for an even shorter amount of time...so Tony thinks it could work the same way for you if I really needed it to.

A small part of you is offended by the assumption that you couldn't possibly do anything to him. Though, you guess that's also part of the reason Tony wanted it to be you. "That's an overly presumptuous question." A flat, obvious response. "How do you know I'm not scarier than I look?"

He takes another step forward. He's just close enough to be too close. The realization makes an odd warmth crawl up your neck and the too familiar hiss of energy burn down your veins and into your palm. This is the oddest version of fight or flight that you've ever felt.

"Are you?" He punctuates the question with another small step forward.

You're not sure if you're capable of enough thought to answer. "Only when provoked."

Loki tilts his head slightly, a smug grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. The look twists your stomach. It makes you feel like he's won something. "What?"

His uncertain smile settles into a knowing smirk. "You can't control it."

It's as if all of the blood in your body freezes over. You didn't say anything. No one's said anything. There's no way he knows about what you can do, let alone the weaknesses that come from what you can't.

"What?" This time the question comes out as a scoff. You have to sound confused. You have to believe that you're confused.

The only indication that Loki heard you is the slight draw of his eyebrows that feels distinctly disappointed, like the mundaneness of your reaction's killing the fun for him. "I can help with that."

Even if you were comfortable announcing your powers to strangers, you would know better than to give any indication that you'd be willing to do that. But something about outright denial or brushing him off under the guise of pretend confusion doesn't feel like it'll settle this.

"I'm fine," you whisper, more to yourself than him, "I have it under control." Admitting that much is enough to make your skin crawl. "I was supposed to meet Natasha." A cheap, yet true enough excuse. You were planning on seeing her eventually, she's been working on teaching you different fighting moves. "I'll--I'll see you, I guess."

With that you walk past him without making eye contact. There's a lot you could think about, but the only thing your mind wants to focus on is why Loki being vaguely aware of your abilities makes you feel like you're precariously walking around shards of glass.

#loki #loki show #loki x reader #mcu #mcu x reader #marvel #marvel x reader

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be-the-glenn-to-my-maggie · 1 year

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Not really bored this time, just don't want to work on these questions my history professor has given us so allow me to procrastinate by sending you another ask. I know this pairing isn't really our focus rn but honestly I find the Jake/Neytiri/Tsu'tey thing kind of cute.

For one I totally agree with your 0 romance between Neytiri and Tsu'tey take. I think they are really close friends but could never be romantic partners.

I imagine it's Neytiri who tells Tsu'tey to wake up and realize he likes Jake. She gets tired of him grumbling about him non-stop and is finally like "For Eywa's fucking sake just kiss him already".

For some reason the thought of not just Neytiri but also Tsu'tey reacting to the realization of Jake's betrayal gets me. Like, Tsu'tey had begun to fall in love with this man, but not just any man. A man who is working for the people responsible for killing the love of his life. And after months of building trust and finally thinking that he can let this person in Jake admits to his initially less than innocent intentions. Crushing.

I think that it would take Jake and Tsu'tey longer to mate before Eywa. Not exactly sure when or if Na'vi culture even permits it, but I think they would just because now Jake is Tsu'tey's mate for life as well.

I feel like Tsu'tey would commune with Sylwanin all the time in the beginning and tell her about Jake, especially during the very start when he's just beginning to feel these emotions towards him and feels not only guilt for "betraying" Sylwanin and having feelings for a Sky Person but but also just a yearning to get her advice.

I like the idea that somehow Jake gained the nickname "American Boy" from Tsu'tey one day, probably when he made some correction to a comment Tsu'tey made and was all like "technically I'm American" and Tsu'tey latched onto it. At first it was just used to tease but now it's a fond nickname.

I picture Jake taking them on separate date nights. Neytiri and him fly on their ikrans every friday evening while Jake and Tsu'tey go for evening rides on, like, saturdays after a long week of olo'eyktan duties on Tsu'tey's part (for some reason my mind just associates this man with pa'lis even though I know he has an ikran?? Like???). I like to think that Jake never really manages to vibe with any of the pa'li for the longest time and Tsu'tey enjoys watching the struggle and so he insists on pa'li rides (plus I feel like a part of him would see ikran rides as Jake and Neytiri's "thing" and want to do something different) but after awhile Jake finds one that he just kinda clicks with and by that point pa'li rides have become his and Tsu'tey's thing. Once a month all three of them will do something together too like have dinner or go for a swim or basically whatever else they feel like doing.

Don't even get me started on when the kids come into the picture. I'm fully committed to Neteyam being a mommy's boy with Neytiri and Kiri being a daddy's girl with Jake. Lo'ak is a daddy's boy too, but with Tsu'tey. From day one I picture Lo'ak just deciding that daddy #2 is his favorite person on the planet lol. Jake pretends to be offended, but both him and Neytiri are secretly really happy that Tsu'tey is getting to experience what they're experiencing with Neteyam and Kiri respectively. When Tuk is born she goes back and forth between all three of them with seemingly no preference.

I like the idea of Tsu'tey speaking mostly Na'vi with the kids, Jake speaking mostly English with them, and Neytiri switching in-between. Due to this, it became clear very quickly which parent had more influence on which kid when they began talking. Neteyam's first word? A weird hybrid of the English and Na'vi words for "where" (Neytiri handed him over to Jake and Neteyam reached out towards her retreating form and said "where" as if to ask where she was going). Kiri's first word? "Dada" in English (Jake stepped into their tent and Kiri saw him, perked up, and cried "Dada!"). Lo'ak's first word was "no" in Na'vi (he went through this phase where whenever Tsu'tey would try and put him down or hand him to Neytiri or Jake he would cling to Tsu'tey and say "no" over and over again. If they still managed to get him into someone else's arms he'd start crying and just throw a major fit). Tuk's first word was "'Teyam", which Jake claims doesn't count for anything since it's a name but he sure wasn't saying that when Kiri said dada (they may or may not have turned this into a competition).

When the kids are younger they love it when Tsu'tey takes them on pa'li rides and Neytiri or Jake takes them on ikran rides.

Also, when they are infants Neytiri, Jake, and Tsu'tey apply the "divide and conquer" method to them. Neytiri takes Neteyam, Jake takes Kiri, and Tsu'tey takes Lo'ak. Put them all in baby slings and boom, that's one less problem to worry about. I feel like Kiri outgrows the sling first but it's anyone's guess with Neteyam and Lo'ak.

I fully support the "Norm and Max reopen Grace's school" idea I've seen along with your "language beast Norm" idea. I picture that part of the reason he opens the school is for his 50+ adopted children who he wants to introduce to English but also he just loves sharing knowledge with others. I think he would introduce new things to the school that Grace maybe hadn't considered, like his horrifyingly extensive lecture on looming on Earth as a way to bring in an important part of Omatikaya culture but also educate them on English looming terms and human looming culture.

At first both Neytiri and Tsu'tey aren't all that keen on the idea of the school reopening, but Jake is all for it and they talk about it for weeks before Tsu'tey finally brings the idea to the children of the clan. A surprising number of them (of which Norm's adopted children make up a suspicious majority) agree to give the school another shot and so Tsu'tey and Neytiri agree that letting their kids go would be a good thing.

When it comes to Spider I'm uncertain. I know Tsu'tey would side with Neytiri far more than Jake when it comes to how he sees the boy, but Neytiri lost her sister and father whereas Tsu'tey lost the love of his life so maybe Neytiri would still be the more intense of the two? Feel free to give me your thoughts on it. Part of me wishes they would adopt Spider but I think we both know that with both Tsu'tey and Neytiri in the picture that would never happen.

I love the idea of Tsu'tey and Neytiri both just being so fascinated by Lo'ak and Kiri's little eyebrows and four little fingers. Like, Lo'ak's little baby eyebrows scrunch up and they're all like: "My Jake, look at them 🥺, What does it mean?" And Jake, who sees eyebrows as completely normal is all like: "Haha oh yeah, they do that. Might want to check his diaper."

I like to imagine that when it comes time for the alphabet in Norm's little preschool section of the class Jake gets everyone on board with singing the apples and bananas song. "Okay guys, one more time! I like to ate, ate, ate, ay-ples and banay-nays!"

Norm and his boyfriend definitely babysit for them on date nights lol, and they expect the favor to be returned whenever the situation calls for it.

Tsu'tey still communes with Slywanin a lot, but now there is nothing but happiness in the stories he has to tell her.

This somehow turned into a whole Neytiri/Jake/Tsu'tey as parents thing I apologize 😂

So many things I love about this first paragraph:

First, the boredom era escalating. I love that ur the same anon every time I guess we name u Boredom Anon I'll go backtag. Any anon can feel free to be named lol.

ALSO the idea that we are all on the same thing on this blog at all times, I love that sm I was worried I was forcing you all into a nocorro era. But literally no worries hit me with anything at any time, I love it.

-EXACTLY Neytiri and Tsu'tey can be platonic soulmates.

-Tsu'tey is like THAT'S YOUR MATE and Neytiri's like "Jake has... two hands??? You can hold the other???"

-DUDE TSU'TEY LET HIM IN AFTER SYLWANIN. Jake knows that trusting him was so hard, and the betrayal Tsu'tey must've felt like he'd done to Sylwanin? Insane. Not only did he forget her and move on and fall in love again, but it was with one of the people who caused her death. Yeah Jake wasn't there but he's one of them.

-Absolutely Tsu'tey and Jake would take longer to mate before Eywa, this man does not make impulse decisions like Jake and Neytiri. He had thought through every consequence and every worse case scenario fifteen times. He's probably convinced himself if he even looks at Jake wrong he's Avatar will collapse due to some butterfly effect.

-Oh lol you hit the guilt angle too! Can you tell I'm responding to each one as I read it so my thoughts are all fresh? Sylwanin is very encouraging, to the point that she goes full in in hopes of scaring him into it like "no I bet Jake is good at sex u gotta find out" and Tsu'tey can't go back to the Spirit Tree for like a week.

-I LOVE the separate date nights, that's so cute. How did this man Jake Sully stumble into the forest and just steal Pandora's two most influential and eligible bachelors, what's next, Tonowari??? He's insane. Jake only vibing with one Pa'li is canon and sometimes Tsu'tey has someone take that Pa'li away so Jake is all fucked up.

-THE CHILDREN I'm obsessed. I love the idea of Jake pretending to be offended by Lo'ak preferring Tsu'tey. He's like "that's not your Dad, Lo'ak, I helped make you!" and Lo'ak is like "gross, get away from me." Jake is always insisting this entire operation falls apart if he isn't at the center (of the sleeping pile which is where he sleeps) and then everyone always almost unanimously pretends to vote him out of the family.

-Norm in his school, teaching all the kids to knit and telling them all Tsu'tey needs a sweater: i'm gonna ruin this man's whole career.

-I agree, I don't think we'd get Spider Sully here. I do wonder how him and Lo'ak's relationship is affected if Tsu'tey is Lo'ak's favorite parent and Tsu'tey is against Spider. I don't see Lo'ak not standing up for Spider, and I see this causing a rift between them faster than it would between Neytiri and Lo'ak just because Lo'ak's relationship with his mother is different than with his fathers. I think the issue would've been pushed sooner, and Kiri would jump rIGHT the fuck in as soon as it started.

-HOW DARE YOU ACKNOWLEDGE NORM AND HIS MADE UP BOYFRIEND RITU TO ME I'm crying real tears this is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. Although, you have given me a thought... Why have we never considered... Tsu'tey surviving and then HIM being Norm's boyfriend....

nEVER apologize for sending me long headcanon asks, wether they are for me to enjoy or just situations you want to to write about or expand on. It's called 'we are mindmelding get in' for a reason, we are all melding minds. I love them sm and I hope I do them justice!

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percsane · 1 year

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ˋˏ 𝐂𝐀𝐍’𝐓 𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐏 𝐌𝐘𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐅 ˎˊ

𝐄𝐏𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐃𝐄 𝐈𝐈: 𝐅𝐔𝐂𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐃

— pairing: ellie williams x black coded!reader

— story synopsis: after meeting joel and ellie in pure coincidence, you tag along with the pair, having nowhere else to go. ellie doesn’t seem too fond of you, but something about her dares you to see why.

— chapter synopsis: while joel and tommy are patrolling, Y/N is left with ellie and jesse.. but when the pair take too long to come back, she’s left restless.. until she isn’t.

— story warnings: angst, fluff, eighteen plus only content, tlou2 ellie, marijuana usage, death, suicide mentions, mean!ellie, nicknames used: ‘babe’, ‘sweetheart’, etc. father figure!joel

— chapter warnings: angst, spoiler warning for tlou2, mean!ellie, death, heartache, mentions of violence, mentions of cheating.

THE MORNING’S COLD shook Y/N awake, letting her eyes focus into the light surrounding her bright room.

“Shit… what time is it.” low grumbles escape from the heavy-eyed girl. Rubbing her eyes to help her adjust to being awake, she turns over, looking at her clock.

“Shiiiiitttt.” she lets out a defeated groan, already knowing how late she’s woken up.

And right as she thinks that,

“KNOCK KNOCKK, GET UP KID! GOT SOME SHIT TO SPILL!” Jesse knocks.

‘God I can hear the smile in his voice.’ she thinks, throwing her pants and jacket on.

Once she opens the door, she’s met with a smug-faced ass Jesse.

“Get inside, go go!” He urges, chuckling to himself.

“Boy, what is it?” She asks, putting her stuff in her bag.

“So, two things. One, our beloved Ellie got into a little.. schwabble with Seth. But! But.. it gets even better. Get this, Ellie and Dina kissed last night.” Jesse spills, pacing around her room.

Jesse, Maria and Joel were the only people who knew that Y/N didn’t exactly… hate Ellie.

“And why do I need to know this, Jess?” She sighs impatiently.

“Just thought you’d wanna know about how my girlfriend and your girlfriend are hooking up- HEY!” He winces, after having a book thrown at him.

“Jesus christ, Jesse! Shut the hell up, she’s not my girlfriend if she can’t even stand to be in the same room as me for whatever fuckin’ reason.” She rolls her eyes, wanting to say more but biting her tongue.

“And, dude, Dina’s not ya girl no more.” She chuckled, having the same book that was thrown at Jesse, thrown back at her.

“Yeah.. yeah I know.” He shrugs it off.

Y/N could tell he didn’t want to not be with Dina, but she knew that he’d be okay.. it was mutual, they both thought being friends would be best.

She would never admit it out loud, but the thought of Ellie and Dina made her.. upset. She hated this, hated her.. hated that she couldn’t.. wouldn’t have her.

”Alright! You got everything?” Jesse asks, having you nod in confirmation.

As the two walk into town, they start continuing their conversation.

“You know, El’s like the talk of the town right now.. her and Dina that is.” Jesse exhales, watching the liquid form of his breath make mist in the cool air.

“Are you really cool about that.. I mean.. Ellie’s ya friend..? Why would you be okay with her kissing up on Dina like that.” She scoffs. rubbing her cold hands together.

“Well.. for one.. Dina kissed her.. for two, they were drunk.. annddddd I don’t really know the third reason.. I guess I’m just not really that bothered by it.” He shrugs.

She takes notice of his calm nature, it’s strange how he doesn’t care.. before the whole.. outbreak, in your own little world, things like that mattered. Loyalty was shown in order to consider someone your friend where she was from.

Jesse had shown her more loyalty to last a goddamn lifetime.

“And well.. I talked to Ellie. Promised her everything’s alright. Her and I are cool, alright Y/N/N? You don’t have to worry..” Jesse smiles as they approach the tavern.

Once the pair walks in, they’re immediately met with Maria, Ellie, and Seth. They look towards each other before snickering amongst themselves, looking back at the trio.

Y/N watches the awkward encounter with Seth and Ellie, cringing to herself.

Once the two settle whatever beef they had, Seth hands Ellie two sandwiches. Ellie, already noticing Jesse and Y/N handed them to Jesse, and of course Jesse being Jesse, he proudly accepted.

As they all leave the tavern, Y/N can feel eyes staring holes into her back.. when she turns around she sees Ellie looking at her with a complacent look on her face, making Y/N scoff, turning her head back around.

Once they’re out the tavern, Maria asks Jesse to switch positions with Joel and Tommy, though Y/N isn’t engaged in the conversation, she is listening.

“Well I already planned to check the creek trails, so someone is gonna have to cover that for me if I switch positions.” Jesse presses his lips together with a shrug.

“Well.. Y/N knows the area better than I do.. maybe she should do it with Ellie?” Jesse smirks, bumping your side as you take one headphone out, giving him a stink look.

“I guess..” Ellie shrugs.

“Great! You two can come over to the stables.” Maria smiles, rubbing Y/N’s back comfortingly.

“Hi Shimmer.” Ellie coos softly, rubbing her assigned horse.

Y/N pets Sage, her assigned horse with a smile.

“Alright, here. You two are gonna need these.” Jesse hands the two rifles for their trip.

Jesse gives the scouts usual protocol and whatnot, making it clear that if anything pops off, to return back immediately.

Once Jesse’s done, Y/N hops on Sage’s saddle, giving Jesse a small smile.

“You gonna be okay? You don’t have to do this y’know.. I know you haven’t really patrolled in a little while so.” Jesse frowns, displaying his concern.

“I’ll be fine, Jesse, promise.” She smiles softly, waving off as she leaves along with Ellie.

The way to the creek trails was silent, neither girls speaking to one another.

“So… how come you aren’t talking to Joel?” Y/N asks, trying to at least start a conversation, can’t hurt right?

“None of your damn business.” Ellie spits, catching Y/N off guard.. guess it could hurt.

”I mean, I was just curious.. you two seem close. Way closer than him and I at least.” Y/N shrugs.

“What is that about anyway? Why are you so talkative around him? What, do you like him or something?” Ellie questions, almost making Y/N feel interrogated.

“.. Ellie I’m 18 going on 19… I’m literally BARELY legal.” Y/N stops, scrunching her face in disgust.

“I just see him as a father figure, and a friend. He’s nice company.” She shrugs with a small smile.

“Oh.. well.. We aren’t talking over something small, don’t worry too much about it.” Ellie grumbles, leaving Y/N content with the new information.

After killing all the infected at the creek trails, Ellie and Y/N head back to Jackson.

Once they get back, Y/N goes to look for Joel, running into Jesse instead, she’s set back.

“Yo Jesse, where’s Joel? I gotta talk to him about something.” She says with an anxious smile, once she noticed the atmosphere, she’s concerned.

“Jesse..? Where’s Joel at?” She asks hesitantly, eyes squinted.

“Joel and Tommy.. never made it back..” Jesse sighs.

In nothing but silence and widened eyes, Y/N turns around, heading back to the stables. Jesse’s calls for Y/N fall onto deaf ears.

“Why are you back here? We just got back..?” Ellie says with a “duh” tone.

“Joel and Tommy never came back, I’m boutta go get them.” Y/N says curtly, hopping back into Sage. “Well shit hold on, I’m coming with.” Ellie murmurs, hopping onto Shimmer.

“JOEL…. TOMMY?!” Y/N yells, her voice cracking as she does. “Please be okay..?” She whispers to herself, Ellie not too far behind her.

“Shit, Y/N! That’s gotta be it.” Ellie whisper yells. The two hop off their horses and run along the snow. “The question is .. how the hell do we get down there?” Y/N asks, voice laced with fear and confusion.

“Here!” Ellie grunts, jumping down off a mini cliff, having Y/N jump down soon after her. The two start running for a couple of minutes, Y/N whispering to herself that Joel’s okay.

Once they make it to a big house, Y/N’s heart rate quickens, fear lacing her veins, anxiously hoping Joel’s okay. The two make it inside through a patio, once inside they scan the room they’re in, until they hear a distant scream.

“Joel..?” Y/N whispers, mainly to herself. She tries to stay as calm as she can, knowing that Ellie’s probably freaking out as well.

Y/N pulls her gun out, shaky hands holding a grip tight as they make it down the stairs.. the cries of pain getting louder, only making fear grow in their hearts.

Y/N opens the door in front of them, hearing grunts on the other side, which confirms that Joel is there. When she cracks the door she immediately regrets it.

The scene is splayed out for her, Joel on the floor near the window, bloody as ever.. as a girl with long hair holds a golf club above him, swinging it at him.. seeing him lay there defenselessly killed her.. killed Ellie.

She felt herself getting hot with anger, cocking her gun back and ready to shoot before a man grabs her and Ellie, catching the two off guard.

Y/N can hear distant talking, hearing a woman yell to pin them both down. Y/N and Ellie both fight back as much as they can, yelling at them guys to get off of them before being kicked in the stomach.

“I SWEAR, YOU’RE GONNA FUCKING DIE.” Ellie spits, blood leaking down her nose and her chest heaving.

“Let him go.. please just fucking let him go!” Y/N screams, voice broken as she sees the man who took her in, the strong man who helped her through her heartaches, who talked to her, guided her, acted like a real father to her… as she sees that man on the ground defenseless.

She pants as she sees more people come in, her blood and tears mixing on the ground below her.

“Joel… Joel get up.” Ellie shakily speaks. “JOEL GET THE FUCK UP.” Her voice starts to shake.

Y/N sees the long haired girl raise the gold club, anxiety striking, striking hard. “Please stop..” She begs, straining from being pinned to the ground.

“Joel please get up, cmon.” Ellie yells at him.

The girl raises the golf club high again, smashing it down onto Joel a last time.

For the first time.. in a long time.. her heart.. really fucking hurt.

All Y/N could hear were distant screams from Ellie, she couldn’t even scream.. thats how bad it hurt.

“I’ll.. I’ll fucking kill you. All of you.” Was the last thing you could muster, sobbing till your heart ached, hearing nothing but muffled voices till it went black.

Ellie heard a couple knocks at her door as she sat on her bed, in silence. Eerie silence at that. The knocks continued and she got up with a sigh, going to open the door.

”Hey..” Y/N stands with her bag in her hand, a lopsided smile coating her face. “Hey, Y/N.” Ellie says, quite dismissively at that.

“I just.. I wanted to check in on you.. see how you were doing.. y’know.” Y/N awkwardly paces around her room. “What is it, Y/N?” She sighs.

“I just- I wanted to ask you something..” Y/N fiddles with her hoodie, nerves filling her.

“What?” She asks, tilting her head to one side. You could really see the drastic change in her… she didn’t even wanna fight with you.

“Did you mean what you said.. when you those people who did what they did to Joel were gonna die. Cause.. I did.. and if you’re going to kill ‘em.. I’m coming with you, so.” Y/N shrugs, arms crossed around her chest.

Ellie lets out a light chuckle, shaking her head. “Hell yeah I meant that shit, kinda surprised you wanna do it with me though.” She leans up on her bed, using her elbows.

“Joel was.. an amazing guy. He didn’t fucking deserve that, so that bitch with the long hair, is fucking dead.” Y/N exhaled, feeling like she hasn’t been able to breathe correctly.

“Alright then, guess we’re doing this shit.”

#kendall’s works!#ellie williams #ellie williams x black!reader #ellie x fem reader #ellie williams x reader #tlou #ellie tlou2

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imagine--if · 2 years

Note

hello could you do a fic where eddie is super clingy, obsessive kinda of a stalker with his roommate and when reader accepts his love confession he goes over the heels thanks <33

A/N: It’s hereeee, the long ass imagine after days of rewriting 😅💚 hope y’all enjoy!!

Pairing: Dano!Riddler x reader (The Batman 2022)

Warnings: Obsessive loving behaviour 😍

Words: 1804

Gotham City has always been a dark and dreary place to you, a perfect location for any thug or power-mad person to settle and claim their territory. You didn't want any of that. You just needed a decent enough place to stay while you work from home until you made enough to get your own place, somewhere bigger. Somewhere away from Gotham, perhaps.

Now, though, you don't see much chance of that happening.

There was nothing wrong with the apartment that was advertised to have a spare room for someone to rent. It was just the person that was staying in the other room. You'd dreaded meeting whoever they could be at first, thinking of Gotham's typical creeps and thieves and troublemakers... but the young man who poked his head out of his room's door when the landlord didn't look like he matched any of those descriptions.

His green eyes were apprehensive and somewhat annoyed at first as he glanced at the landlord, who barely acknowledged his presence, and then at you. That was when his expression changed immediately, his eyes widening in shock and cheeks flushing as he stared, practically unblinking. You'd smiled slightly, giving him an awkward wave, and he quickly looked away, nodding briefly before backing away to his room again.

You didn't have much to move in, but your roommate seemed to have gained enough confidence to approach you and stammer an offer to help you bring them upstairs, though he'd admitted that he wasn't very 'physical'.

"Thanks," you said after the last things made it inside, "um... sorry I don't know your name."

"My name?" he repeated breathlessly. "Oh. I- Edward. It's Edward."

"Okay," you nodded with an amused smile, responding with your name. He repeated it as if it was the most wondrous thing he'd ever heard of, then looked down at his feet bashfully, unsure of what to do with himself.

You'd gotten used to Edward being around the apartment with you. He only ever left a few days a week, working as a forensics accountant, apparently, a subject that made him look weary and bored just by mentioning it. The times that he stayed home with you while you tapped busily away on your laptop, he'd asked in shy interest what you worked as, even making you tea once, which he had placed gingerly on the coffee table opposite you before standing there in nervous uncertainty.

"Oh- is this for me?"

Edward nodded eagerly, his eyes hopeful as he studied your reaction.

"Thanks, Eddie," you smiled appreciatively. "That's sweet of you."

Edward's eyes went round at the nickname, and he bit back a whimper, smiling giddily before nodding and shuffling off.

Other times he simply watched you work in curiosity, sitting on a nearby chair at first, before moving to sit next to you on the sofa, getting steadily closer and closer while you smiled and pretended not to notice. You often noticed a complicated-looking puzzle book in his hands, where he scribbled away in it effortlessly, getting through the riddles in seconds.

"You must be smart to know the answers to all of them," you commented once, and Edward looked up in surprise at your voice, before looking back down at it with a small smile.

"You- you think I'm smart?"

"Well, yeah, you must be," you agree, raising your brow in slight confusion at his look of crazed happiness and adoration at your words, hands clasping tightly on his lap. "You should teach me, one day. If you like."

Edward was ecstatic by the idea, and once every couple of evenings, he'd sit by you for an hour or so, talking you through basic to complex riddles. He seemed amused and fond of your failed and frustrated attempts to answer some of them, but the times you got them right, he praised you in excited awe.

"You're amazing," Edward had told you enthusiastically after getting a more difficult puzzle right in one go. "Like- like an angel."

"Aw," you laughed, pulling him into a hug out of instinct. "Thanks, Eddie."

Edward was frozen for a moment, and you started to pull away, assuming that he wasn't one for hugs and the like. But he hugged you back to him quickly, muffling giggles against your shoulder, and you grinned, relieved.

You knew that Edward was a sweet guy, give or take the odd moments you'd had with him. Odder than the compliments and stares he'd give you during the day. It was nights when you felt as if you were being watched, but your door was firmly closed, not a shadow in sight. Late evenings when he wasn't home, out for the night doing his own thing, then returning and shoving clothes in the washing machine downstairs in the building. And you had never seen the inside of his room, not once, although you'd lived with him for at least four weeks at this point.

Whenever you'd offer to go out and buy food the two of you were short of, Edward took one look at the darkening skies outside and shook his head slowly.

"I- I don't think that's a good idea. At least, let me go with you?"

It was easier to just give in to his asks, and you jokingly offered to hold his hand to make him feel better when you walked the narrow streets outside, people glaring scattered around the roads. But Edward took you seriously, nodding and opening a hand for you to take. So you took it, and he smiled contentedly, his warm hand clasping yours and refusing to let go as you wandered around the store and made your way back. It was only when you were back in the apartment that he reluctantly loosened his grip, trailing after you to put the things away, cheered up easily by any compliments and praise you gave him.

You'd just seen your roommate as a sweet, awkward and somewhat odd guy, probably lonely and happy to have your company, your friendship.

That was, until the night when you were just drifting off to sleep, light taps at your door made you sit up with a small frown. Edward had pushed it open, his silhouette eerie as he stood in the doorway.

"Hey, Eddie... you okay?”

Edward blinked. "I... yes."

"Did you need something?"

"...Yes."

"Alright," you replied with a slight laugh, reaching over to turn a lamp on, the soft glow illuminating the small room and bringing light to his figure in the doorway. "Come in then, I guess."

Edward did as you said, closing the door behind him before slowly approaching you, sitting opposite you on the bed. The ends of his fingers were marked with red, and you glanced at them before looking at him in confusion.

"Did your pen leak?"

Edward looked down at his fingers, then looked back up at you with a wide smile. "N-no... it didn't. That doesn't matter. You matter."

"Me?" you repeated, baffled. "What do you mean?"

"I mean... you matter. You matter to me the most, and... I'm sorry that I waited so long to tell you. I should have told you straight away. When you first moved in... and you smiled at me..."

You watched Edward as he giggled uncontrollably, a mad, lovestruck that you'd never really noticed until now in his eyes. You opened your mouth to say something, then closed it again, your mind blank and puzzled.

“I want to make you see how ethereal you are," he continued, trembling hands finding their way to your face, and you sat still as you felt them cup your cheeks gently, as if you're made of porcelain. "And I can. I will. I- I promise."

"Okay," you whispered, taking hold of his hands as you moved them down from your face. "I don't know what you're trying to say, Ed, so maybe-"

"I'm sorry," he apologised, annoyed with himself. "I'm not good at this... but then, I've never really felt like this before. I know you haven't either. After all, you only have one soulmate, don't you?"

"You think... we're soulmates?" you concluded, and Edward grinned in confirmation.

"Yes! You do understand! You can feel it too, can't you? I know I can. You're just so beautiful... I've never seen anyone like you in my whole life. In all of Gotham- Gotham doesn't deserve you. It's so dirty, so corrupt, and your pure and angelic. But don't worry. I'm going to fix that too. I'm saying... I love you. More than I can handle. And it's okay if you need a little time for me to prove myself, because I will. Just know that I'm going to do everything for you from now on. I'm yours... and your mine. That's how it's supposed to be."

Right now, you can't tell if Edward's being serious, or if he's completely deluded and crazed. Somehow, it doesn't really matter. He's never been a threat to you before, even though there's so much you're yet to know about. You've never been as wanted, as craved as Edward is towards you, and it feels good. It feels right, in a way.

"You're hiding something from me, aren't you?"

"I- I'm not hiding it," he answers steadily, edging closer and closer to you as he grips your hands desperately. "I'll show you, okay? It's all for you, anyway. Everything is, angel..."

You let out a deep breath, staring at your roommate in fading disbelief at the situation.

"Alright, then," you agree, with a smile that's mixed with amusement towards yourself and the whole thing you're getting yourself into, and fondness towards the man who looks like he's about to burst, his hold on your hands tighter than ever. "You be open with me, and I'll be open with you."

"You- you'll let me love you?" Edward chokes, eyes sparkling. "You'll learn to love me too?!"

"I suppose," you sigh, the wind quickly knocked out of you as he latches onto you, hugging you to him as you lose your balance, collapsing into Eddie's front. "Okay- calm down, breathe-"

"I've got so much to tell you," he rambles instead, curling up beside you on your bed, tugging impatiently at the lamp's switch to turn it off, darkness relapsing in your bedroom. "And show you, and... oh, I'm sorry, are you tired?"

"A bit," you laugh, as Edward shifts to pull your body on top of his, arms wrapping automatically around your middle in a protective manner. "Just get some sleep, and we'll talk about... this... in the morning, okay?"

"Okay," he says, legs tangling with yours as if you've been together forever - and in his head, you probably have. "I love you."

Something tells you there's not much chance of moving out of Gotham now.

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