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samandcolbyownme · 2 months

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Summary: Kooks and Pogues don't really get along, but reader and Rafe make it work.

Warnings: SMUT18+, strong language, fluff - Rafe is super clingy with you, secret relationship, flirting, secret texting, pogue!reader with possibly divorcing parents, kissing, lying to friends, sneaking off at a party, phone sex, masterbation, choking, biting, scratching, hair pulling, unprotected sex, filth

Word count: 4.9k | unedited

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You lay on your bed, smiling and giggling as you text back and forth with your very secret kook boyfriend, Rafe.

Yeah, yeah. Kooks and Pogues, they don't get along, blah blah.

But you and Rafe do.

Cannot wait to see you tonight, my beautiful girl. Did you pick out a dress for the party yet?

You bite down on your bottom lip, typing back a response to Rafe, Wouldn't you like to know, lover boy.

You tuck your phone back into your pocket and look up just as Kie walks in the door, "So tell me how we managed to get an invite to Sarah's party."

You sigh, "Okay. But you have to promise you won't get upset or tell anyone I told you."

She nods, "Ohh I like where this is going." She sits down on your bed, "Tell me."

"John B and Sarah are secretly seeing each other." You stare at her and she laughs, "What?"

You nod, "The only reason I know that is because I went over to hang out with John B and.. they must have lost track of time."

"Oh Jesus." Kie shakes her head, "I actually don't like where this is going."

You laugh slightly, "Yeah, I was actually shocked when I seen them, but honestly, after talking to them before she left." You shrug, "They seem to be really happy sigh each other."

Kie rolls her eyes, "Oh yeah. I'm sure."

You chew on your lip as your phone is one new message away from the secret you're hiding, too.

"Just.. let him tell you. Don't tell him I told you." You laugh, "As crazy at it seems, it seems to work."

"John B and Sarah Cameron?" She raises her brows, "That's just.. crazy to me. That would be like rafe and you."

Your heart skips a beat and you quickly push out a laugh, "Please." You roll your eyes, "Me and Rafe? That would never work, even if I wanted it to."

Kie looks at you and at this point, your heart is about to fall out of your ass.

She tilts her head, "I mean, I can say that Sarah is better than Rafe, I mean." She laughs slightly, "he's a psychopath." You force a laugh because you know that isn't true, for you at least.

Rafe is, literally on his hands and knees begging to see you.

He's good morning texts and last person you talk to before you go to sleep.

He's nothing like the Rafe they know.

Polar opposite.

"so I guess.. I'm just glad it's them two over the other option." Kie says and you look at her, "Oh yeah." You try not to seem nervous, "I'm happy for them, really."

She checks her phone, "Shit. I gotta go meet JayJ." She stands up, "I'll pick you up later? We can go to the party together."

You nod, "Okay." You watch as she leaves your room and you pull your phone out after hearing the front screen door shut.

A smirk grows across your lips as you read, Please. I miss my girl so much right now.

You get up, walking over to your closet as you type, Things been stressful lately?

You always loved how fast Rafe answers you.

No matter what he's doing, he makes sure to always answer.

You have no idea, baby. I haven't seen you, I need to feel you. Fuck, I miss you.

You have never seen a more softer side of Rafe. You honestly never really would, but to your surprise, you were the one who brought it out of him.

You are the only Pogue he'd ever really associate with in any other way. You have a way with him that even had himself questioning the whole thing for a while, but he got into you having control over him, too.

He still, now jokingly, is mean to you when you're around your other friends, only because he's mean to them, but you give it right back to him.

And he loves it, but pretends that he doesn't.

You pull your dress out of the closet and set it down to undress. You slip it on, giving yourself a look in the mirror, fixing it to make sure it shows your cleavage.

You snap a picture, typing a text before hitting send, Maybe you'll have to get me alone tonight so you can lift the back of this up, yeah?

You smirk at your screen, waiting for his text to pop up. You giggle as you read it, Was already on my mind, Princess.

You sit down on your bed and look at the time. You had to be ready in two hours. You bite your lip, shrugging as you start to type, Are you able to call me?

A few minutes later, your phone rings and you bring it to your ear as you answer, "Hey babe."

"What's goin' on Princess." Rafe asks with a laugh and you sigh, "Since you said you need me, too, I can't stop thinking about you."

"Ohh." Rafe sighs, "I see. I see. You want me to talk you through it, hmm?" You nod to yourself, "I do."

"Mm. Well you're lucky I got some free time."

You can hear Rafe getting up to shut his door and you smirk, dragging your dress up your thighs with your fingers.

"What are you doing right now?" Rafe asks, "Besides thinking about me."

You laugh slightly and smile, "I'm just pulling my dress up my legs."

"The one that I'm going to be pulling up later myself, huh?" Rafe asks and you sigh as you press your fingers onto your clothed clit, "Uh huh."

"Mm. That dress makes your boobs look incredible." You can hear the smirk in Rafe's voice and you giggle, "Thank you, baby."

"Are you rubbing that clit f'me, baby?" Rafe asks and you breathe out, "Yes." You slip your fingers into your panties and go back to rubbing.

"can't wait to fuckin' have you tonight." He groans, "You're going to look so good."

You slide your fingers down and dip them into your soaked cunt, "I'm so wet." You whisper out, a small moan escaping your lips.

"Fuck baby, you sound so sexy." Rafe groans quietly, "Goddamn."

You arch your back against your bed and squeeze your eyes shut, "I miss you."

"I miss you, too, baby." Rafe whispers, "Tell me what you're doing." He pauses, knowing you're still kind of shy to dirty talking, "You fingering that pussy?"

"Y-yes." You whimper out, looking down at your fingers slipping in and out of you, "Need you."

"You'll get me baby, I promise." There's a softer tone to his voice. Him being so vulnerable with you turns you on even more, "Fuck, I can't wait to feel it."

You grind your hips even more and gasp out, "R-Rafe." You whimper out, "S-so close."

"Come on baby." He sighs, "Just think about how good I'm going to feel inside of that tight little pussy tonight."

You moan in response and he chuckles, "There ya go, baby. Just think of me. No one fucks you like I do, yeah?"

"Fuck." You gasp out, knowing that he's right.

"Go on baby, say it." Rafe encourages and you pause as you think you hear the front screen door open and slam shut.

You gasp, whispering quickly, "Gotta go."

"Love you." Rafe says quickly and you smile, voice still low, "Love you."

You pull your dress down and stand up, locking your phone before walking towards the door, "Hello?"

"Oh it's just me, honey." Your mom yells and you sigh, "Thank god." You whisper, you lean out yelling back, "Okay."

You walk back into your room and sit back down on the bed, texting Rafe, Sorry. I heard someone come in. Wasn't sure who it was, but it was just my mom.

You sit up, moving over to start getting around for Sarah's party.

As you're doing your makeup, your phone goes off and you lean over to grab it. You smile as you see Rafe's name, Its all good, princess. Sarah came in asking me to move stuff right after we hung up.

You let out a sigh, Perfect timing then right?

You set your phone down and continue to get ready.

As you finishes getting around, you get a text from Kie, On my way. I'll let you know when I'm there.

You nod to yourself, I'm ready to go.

You stand up and walk over to grab your shoes. Once they're on, you make your way outside to wait.

As Kie pulls up, the boys lean out of the windows and yell at you. You laugh as you walk up to the passenger side of the car. Jj climbs into the back, giving you the seat.

"Aww." You say getting in and looking back at JJ, "How sweet of you."

He shrugs, "Ehh. Don't mention it."

You laugh and look at Kie, "Ready?" She asks giving you a thumbs up. You give her a thumbs up, "Hell yeah!"

You arrive to the party, parking next to the other cars. You get out, walking around and you look at the others as they gather, "So, what's the plan for if we get asked on why we're here?"

Your eyes move to John B and he shrugs. You nod, "Well just say that Sarah invited Kie and I and she said we can bring the others?"

They all look at each other and then back to you, "Sounds good to me." John B says and you all follow him towards the house.

You walk in, looking around for Rafe. You don't see him anywhere as you follow Kie. You make your way to the back and outside.

You managed to get drinks and you're finally able to get a sip.

"This place is packed." You say as you look around, a smirk instantly taking place on your lips as your eyes land on Rafe.

His eyes were glued to you, picturing what's under neath that dress.

"It's not bad out side." Kie says looking around and the boys walk up to you, chatting amongst themselves.

Kie scoffs, "Ugh. Rafe alert."

"And just how in the hell did the Pogue princess and her dwarves get an invite to my sister's party?" Rafe asks as he walks around to face the group.

His yellow shirt fitting tight again his body and the backwards head has you unable to fathom any thought that isn't dirty right now.

"Sarah invited Y/n and I." Kie speaks up and you blink, "Yeah, Rafe." You roll your eyes, "We're not awful people."

"My sister is in fact losing it." Rafe shakes his head, "Just don't get the fuckin' cops called, alright." His eyes move over you once more as he turns and he walks away.

You vowed with the group to never fall for a pogue, just like Rafe did with his other kook head friends.

But literally just one look and you were weak in the knees for him.

"Just don't get the cops involved alright." JJ mocks Rafe as he walks away, "Fuck off, man."

"Hey guys." Sarah says walking up to you, "I'm glad you're all here." You nod and look at John B and look back to Sarah, "Yeah thank you so much for inviting us."

She nods, "Anytime." She looks at John B and you knew that look. They were planning on sneaking off somewhere.

You smirk and lean up against the railing, "So is everyone invited or what?" Pope asks Sara with a laugh.

She rolls her eyes, "As soon as Rafe found out I was having a party, he was also having a party, so now we're sharing the space."

"What an asshole." John B rolls his eyes and you look behind Sarah, eyes locking onto Rafe. You tried so hard not to smile, you had to bring your cup to your mouth and look away.

You feel your phone vibrate and you know that's a queue to excuse yourself, "I'm going to go find the bathroom."

"I'll come with you." Kie says walking towards you.

You walk to the bathroom and you motion, "You can go first." She nods and goes in. You pull your phone from your small purse and pull your bottom lip between your teeth, Baby girl. You look so fucking good.

You tap back, glancing up at the door every now and then, Me? Let's talk about you in that shirt and backwards hat. You know that does it for me.

You lock your phone, hearing Kie rustle around in the bathroom. The door opens and you switch places with her.

You look down and lean against the wall as you read Rafe's texts, I know what it does to you babe. Partly why I wore it.

You roll your eyes and shake your head, Can't wait to get my hands on you. You toss your phone back into your bag and fix your hair before walking out.

You make your way down to get another drink and out to the backyard to find the others.

You look around, sipping from your cup and you can't help but smirk as you walk right by Rafe. His eyes trail on you the entire time you move past him.

You guys like fun little cat fights you do to keep things lowkey.

"Hey, wait a sec.." Rafe calls out and you stop, slowly turning around, "Are you talking to me?" You point to yourself and Rafe nods, "Yeah, Miss Pogue princess."

He steps towards you, "I'm talking to you."

You bite the inside of your lip to keep from smiling. You knew he hates pretending to be mean, but it was still fun for you.

If you're gonna ask why in here, ask your sister, Rafe. I already told you." You roll your eyes and he shakes his head, "Nah, nah. Nothing like that. Listen." He walks up to you and he leans in, voice really low, "Look, I'll try to hide it better, but we both know that I'm madly in love with you."

He leans back and smirks and you purse your lips, taking a step back as you flick him off and smile before turning away.

You make your way back to the others and you look around, "Where's John B?"

"Said he was going to get another drink." Pope shrugs, "But that was like almost ten minutes ago."

Kie looks at you and you tilt your head, nodding slightly. You basically confirmed you were thinking the same thing.

"What was that?" Pope motions between you and Kie, "That girl thing you just did?"

"You're losin' it Pope." You laugh and shake your head, "Oh here they come." You motion to JJ and John B, "Pope was worried."

They laugh and sit down next to him on the chairs. You look down at your empty cup, "I'm gonna go get a refill."

As you walk away, you pull your phone out of your bag and block the sides with your hands, I'm thinking about you right now.

You smirk, glancing up as you make your way into the house, I don't blame you.

You tuck your phone back into your bag and walk over to the drink table. You pour a drink and take a minute to stand where there really isn't anyone around.

Rate responds, Do you think you can make it to my room without anyone seeing you?

Your heart skips with excitement, I'll make it happen.

You put your phone into your purse and set your cup down. You carefully make your way towards the steps and said a few seconds before you head up.

You've snuck info Rafe's house just about as many times as you have snuck into his, so you knew exactly where his room is.

You look behind you as you grow closer to his room. You stop and open the door, biting your lip when he turns around to see you.

You walk in, shutting the door with your back to it. He walks over to you, "How's my girl doin'? Hmm." His hands slide up your hands and neck to cup your cheeks, "My fuckin' beautiful girl."

You smile and purse out your lips. He presses his to yours, smooching them a few times, "I missed you." He pulls you in and wraps his arms around you.

You wrap your arms around him and let out a sigh, "I'm glad we can manage to sneak away like pros." You laugh and Rafe nods, he looks down at you, "Did you get off earlier?"

You shake your head, "Nope."

He smiles, "I can help you with that." He winks and slides his hand down to yours, grabbing it and leading you over to his bed.

His eyes scan down over the dress that's hugging your body and he shakes his head, "I wanna rip this thing off of you."

"Later?" You bite your lip and he tilts his head, "Twice in one night, huh?" You bite your lip and nod, "Lucky you."

You lay back and smile up at him and he pulls the fabric up over your thighs, "Show me what you were doing earlier, princess."

You comply, even though you want him to be the one touching you.

You spread your legs and pull your panties to the side, your fingers finding their way onto your clit like before.

Rafe's eyes are glued to your fingers drawing circles on yourself, whimpering and moaning as you press harder.

Rafe inserts a finger into your cunt, slowly curling it and your eyes roll back as you moan, "Rafe."

"This what you wanted?" Rafe sits down next to you, dinner slowly sliding in and out of you, "Hmm? You want me to make you cum?"

You nod quickly, "Fuck yes yes yes."

He leans down, pressing his lips to yours and he sallows your moans, "as much as I wanna hear them pretty little sounds, you gotta be quiet, okay?"

You nod, biting down on your lip as he inserts another finger. You gasp, looking down at his hand between your thighs, "Fuck."

You clench around his fingers, grinding your hips down as you rub back and forth on your clit, "Fuck fuck fuck."

You whimper quietly, bucking your hips as Rafe guides you through your high, "Good job, princess." He presses a kiss to your forehead and stands up, "Now roll over so I can push this dress up."

You smirk and roll over into your elbows and knees.

You lean over slightly and look back at him. You watch as he undoes his belt to his pants. You wiggle your hips and he smirks, shaking his head, "You know.." Rafe starts out.

You tilt your head, "What do I know?"

He smirks, "You're pretty fucking sexy for a Pogue."

You can feel your cheeks turning red and you nod, "You're pretty fucking sexy for a kook." You smirk and he walks up, sliding his hands up under the fabric of your dress.

"You're not good for me." Rafe squeezes your hips and you push them back towards him. He presses his hips against you, his hard cock pressing into you, "But baby I cannot fucking help but want you."

Your lips part as he pushes your dress up over your ass, exposing it to him. He gives both of your cheeks a squeezes before delivering a smack to each one.

You win, biting down on your lip. You look back at him and he leans up over you, "You got that best pussy ever."

You smile and gasp as you feel your underwear get slowly pulled down. His fingers brush against your soaked cunt and he bites down on his lip, "you're fuckin' dripping for me princess."

You take an excited breath, "Like I said, I've been needing you."

"I'm not gonna make you wait any longer, baby. Okay?" Rafe pushes his hands down and rubs his hands over your ass cheeks.

You rest your head against the bed when you feel the head of his cock press against your cunt. A moan is ripped from your lips as he pushes into you.

"Ahh, baby.." he groans out quietly, "Don't wanna get caught now do ya?"

"N-no." You whimper out, pushing your hips back to meet each of his thrusts. "fuck fuck fuck." You reach back and Rafe grabs your wrist, pinning it to your lower back.

"So fucking right." Rafe pants out, continuing to slam his cock into you.

"Fu-Fuck.." you whine, squeezing his cock, "Rafe, baby. Shit. Shit." You moan and squeeze his cock one last time before you let go.

Your hand goes to your mouth as you try to muffle the moans you have no control over.

Rafe pushes your dress up, moving it out of the way before he pulls out, spilling his cum onto your back, "Goddamn."

You sigh, "Uh huh."

"Alright, baby. Don't move for me, okay?" Rafe says and you nod, watching as he goes and gets you something to wipe you off with.

He comes back and gets behind you again, "So I was thinking."

"Uh oh." You tease, "What were you thinkin' about?"

He stands up to get dressed and you roll over onto your side to look at him.

Rafe looks down at you, "Run away with me."

You blink a few times and shake your head, "What did you just say?"

Rafe laughs, reaching down to caress your cheek, "You heard me." You tilt your head into is hand, actually considering that it would be nice to spend at least one day together without getting any interruptions.

"No." You shake your head, "We can't do that."

Rafe shrugs, "Why not?"

You stare at him as you try and come up with an answer, but you can't think of anything, "Fuck."

Rafe walks up to you, "See." He chuckles, "Just imagine one week, some place where it's just you and I."

You chew on your lip, thinking for a second, "Rafe, I gotta tell you something." You lay your hands on his chest, "I can't leave."

He presses a kiss to your lips and Whines, "You won't regret this."

You smile slightly but quickly frown, "I need to be here for my mom. They're talking divorce and I just need to be here incase he just decides to leave."

"Oh baby." Rafe grabs your head and presses his lips to your forehead, "I'm sorry." You let out a sigh, "It's okay. You didn't do anything."

"No I know, but if I had known, I wouldn't have been there more for you." He runs his hands through your hair and sighs, "Are you.. I mean not alright but.."

You nod, smiling slightly, "Just you nonstop talking to me helps."

"I can come over later and you can just talk? Yeah?" He looks at you and you nod, trying not to cry, "Please?" Your voice is low and it makes him frown, "Of course, baby. anything you need."

He presses a kiss to your lips and you smile, "Then maybe once everything is settled we do that little thing you were talking about." You wink and he just smirks as he watches as you walk over to the door.

As you open it to go out, you ear JJ and Pope coming up the steps. You step back in and push the door shut, "Shit."

You look at Rafe and he gives you a confused look, "What's going on?"

"Pope and JJ, I think they're looking for me." You cover your mouth to conceal your laughter and Rafe puts his shirt back on, "Closet."

You look from Rafe to the open closet and sigh, "Okay." You walk over and step in, leaning forward to close the door.

You listen and hear knocking on Rafe's door. He walks over and opens it, "Man you guys are actually searching to get your asses kicked tonight, aren't ya?"

You smirk slightly and you hear JJ ask, "Where's y/n?"

"Why the fuck would I know where y/n is?" Rafe shoots back and JJ, being JJ, "Because if she were to go missing you're the first person I'd look into."

"Well, she's not up here. So good luck with that case, Detective Douchebag." Rafe says and you cover your mouth, trying not to laugh.

Detective Douchebag. Good one.

"She's probably just outside somewhere." Pope says urging JJ to leave.

"Yeah, outside. Where you should be instead of bothering me." Rafe says, "Oh. And when you find her, tell I said she looks hot for a Pogue."

"What the fuck did you just say?" JJ says and you can hear Pope calming him down, "Relax. He's just doing it on purpose. Come on."

Rafe closes the door and you emerge from the closet, "Did you really have to add the last part?"

He laughs, "I mean.. you are hot." He winks, and you know I have to fuck with them. I hate them, not you."

You roll your eyes and walk over to him, "I don't hate you either." You lean up and press your lips to his, "See ya later?"

His hands move to your waist and he tilts his head, "Um, that's a dumb ass question."

You laugh, "I was just double checking."

"I know." He smirks and kisses your cheek, "Let me check is the coast is clear." He peaks his head out and waves for you to come out.

You peck his lips and smile, "I love you."

He smiles, pinching your chin gently, "I love you."

You quickly make your way down the steps and half way down you realize you don't have your panties on.

You ignore it and make your way back to the drink table to get a new one. You pull your phone out, quickly texting Rafe, Do you happen to know where my panties are?

You put your phone back in your purse and you make your way through the crowded house to find your friends, "Hey."

"Where have you been?" Kie asks and you motion, "Oh I got sidetracked by-" you stop talking when you see Rafe walk out and you sigh, "I'm actually not feeling well. I think I'm going to walk home."

"I can drive you?" She steps towards you and you shake your head, "No it's fine."

"Are you sure? What's going on?" She leans in, "Are you okay?"

You nod, "Yeah, yeah. I just have a lot going on right now." You swore you'd never use it at an excuse, but you really didn't want them mad at you for seeing Rafe, "My mom and dad got into it again today about divorcing and just tensions are high.."

she nods, "Yeah, no. I completely understand." She lays a hand on your shoulder, "Call me if you need anything."

You nod, "I will. Thank you."

She smiles and your turn, walking down off the deck. You can hear Kie start to explain what you told her but their voices fade the further away you get.

You get your phone out of your bag and smile when you see Rafe's text, Yeah, I do actually.

You type the screen, Can I know where they are please?, resting your phone down as you continue to walk. your phone buzzes in your hand and you bring it up.

My left pants pocket.

A tingle courses through your body and you tilt your head, Not gonna lie. That's hot as fuck.

You bite your lip as you look back towards the house. You look down at your phone, I'm actually walking home right now, so if you wanna meet me there?

You hit send and keep walking.

It hits you that since he knows about your parents along with your friends, they'll all try to come at once time and you really don't want to see that.

you stop, going to text Rafe but a car pulls up beside you, coming to a stop. You look over and see Rafe as the window goes down.

You quickly get in and look at him, "What are you doing?"

He shrugs, "I don't need you walking home looking like that." He nods toward your body and you smirk, "So sweet of you."

You sigh, "Actually. I can't go home."

He starts to drive and gives you a confused look, "Why?" You laugh slightly, "Because my dumb ass told Kie that was my leaving for leaving, so they're probably going or, if not already on their way to my house now."

"And you don't want them knowing about us, hmm?" He lays a hand on your thigh, "I get it, baby." He glances at you, "Where do you want to go?"

You laugh, "Anywhere that I can come up an excuse for tomorrow."

Rafe gives your thigh a squeeze, "I know just the place." He bites his bottom lip and looks at you and you nod, "Let's go."

.·:*¨ ✘ ¨*:·.

Hi thanks you so much for reading! I love you all! As always let me know how you liked this one!

Again, I wrote this high so if nothing makes sense I’m sorry lol

Likes and reblogs are majorly appreciated! 🖤

348 notes · View notes

brodieland · 1 month

Text

.˚ 𓈒 ࣪.𝝑𝝔 10 Things I hate about you ´ˎ˗

Percy Jackson x Fem!Reader Synopsis: Its the day of the party, and Percy and Y/N have some realizations. Does it go the good way or bad way??? Warning(s): cursing, underage drinking, sex jokes if I may Word Count: 2555 A/N: the urge to add a little bit of a smau was too great I fear😕

╰➤ MASTERLIST pt5

You were currently in your sisters room laying on her bed, thinking about why you even agreed to go in the first place. Silena was currently digging around her closet for something to wear, and let out a groan as she turned toward you.

"Y/N, this one or this one," she held up a pink dress and a nearly Identical slightly darker pink dress.

"Silena, I hate to be the one to say this, but I swear its not this serious," she rolled her eyes as she threw down the dresses and went back into her closet. "I liked the pink one though."

She kept running through her closet before pulling out a black dress, "Is this yours, I don't remember buying this?"

"Hm," you sat up and faced her examining the dress. "Did you not buy this during your secret little 'emo' phase?"

"God don't remind me," you chuckled at her embarrassment. "Suits you though, here. Maybe you can wear it later."

She tossed you the dress and she was right. It did suit you. "Maybe I can."

﹒º. ౨ৎ

＠Y/N2lit ● 20 min

Liked by BeauregardOnTop and others... ＠Y/N2lit: me n my sister a lit asf duo ＠BeauregardOnTop View comments...

＠BeauregardOnTop: ayo emo ass fit?? →＠Y/N2lit: ＠BeauregardOnTop this is ur dress?? but if I brought up ur emo phase suddenly im the villian right? →＠BeauregardOnTop: ＠Y/N2lit oh okay sorry

＠percy2lit: holy skibidi →＠Y/N2lit: WHY DID U CHANGE UR USER TO MATCH MINE →＠percy2lit: wow I didn't even notice🤷🏻‍♂️ →＠Y/N2lit: delete ur acc lil boy

﹒º. ౨ৎ

'Who does he think he is?' You and Silena were still in her room getting ready while she put on her 16th layer of lipgloss.

"Your gonna run out of lipgloss, and you just bought it," you said without looking up from your phone.

"I need to look as good as possible," you had to fight the urge to roll your eyes.

"My god you'll be fine. You would have guys falling at your feet even if your lips were chapped and gross."

She jokingly glared and you chuckled, suddenly the door bell ringed. You and Silena walked downstairs and saw your dad standing by the door staring at Percy, not looking very amused.

"Percy," you asked.

"Hey Y/N, I said I'd pick you up at nine didn't I?"

You looked down and saw that it was in fact, nine on the dot. "You're a punctual fella aint ya?"

"And what's going on here," you dad sternly asked. He looked between you two with an eyebrow raised.

"Well," your sister started. "Y/N here is going out, so that means so can I, right?"

"You look really good by the way," Percy interjected, earning a glare from your dad and a chuckle from your sister.

"And how were you planning me on 'picking me up,'" you used air quotes as you ignored your dad. "Did you plan on stuffing me in the basket of your bike?"

Percy looked back at his blue bike laying down in the lawn, then back at you. "Maybe I didn't think that far ahead, but its the thought that counts, no?"

You laughed at his effort. "Yeah okay, sure. Anyways I'm driving," you said as you swung your fingers around your fingers and walked out to your car.

﹒º. ౨ৎ

Charles and Leo were at the party, one was drinking in peace and the other one was slowly starting to freak out. Guess who's who.

"Dude, just relax," Leo said as he tried shoving his drink into Charles face. He just moved it away with his hand.

"You don't understand me sometimes."

"Thank fucking god. I think I'd kill myself," Charles just glared at Leo, and he held his arms up in surrender. Both of them paused when they heard the front door open and Charles whipped his head around. He saw Silena walk in and he could've sworn a fly flew in his mouth. Her pink dress fit her beautifully and the way her long dark hair fell behind her made her look unreal.

"Y/Ns actually pretty hot when she tries," Leo nodded approvingly. He turned to his friend and saw him shamelessly staring at the other sister. "Dude, you look like a creep. Go talk to her."

"Your welcome," Charles clearly was not paying attention.

"The house is on fire."

"Yeah no, I got it."

"I'm literally getting my dick sucked right now."

"Cool- what," Charles turned as quick as possible and stared right a Leo.

"The house on fire gets no reaction but me getting a blowjob is absolutely outlandish??" Leo sassed.

"Can you not talk about your dick??"

"Can you focus up on your lady," Leo pointed back over to Silena, and to the slowly approaching Luke coming in from 'round the corner. "Might be time to lock in, I dunno know though, don't quote me."

Charles shrugged Leo off and went walking towards Silena. "Hey, you made it."

"Yeah thanks to you," Silena said as she continued to scan the room. She looked back at Charles and quickly looked him up and down and cleared her throat. "You clean up nice y'know."

"Yeah, you look-"

"Hey gorgeous," Luke announced from behind Silena, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "Glad your here."

Silena smiled as she thanked him and looked back at Charles. "Hey Charles, I'll see you around, alright?"

"Yeah, um. Sure," Charles watched Luke smiled at him like an asshole as he led Silena away. Charles turned back around and made his way towards Leo again.

﹒º. ౨ৎ

You watched from afar as Luke made his move on your sister, sending you weird looks as he did so. God how you hated him more than anything. He was a massive douche and it bothered you to think Silena could like a guy like that, but then again, surface deep attractions all he's got going for him, and you knew your sister would hopefully find that out on her own.

You just tried to ignore it and went off to the kitchen for some shots. You saw a half filled bottle Smirnoffs and quickly secured it for yourself.

One shot. Two shot.

Then Percy walked into the kitchen. "Woah, whats the rush?"

"I only had two," you said as Percy took a shot for himself. He decided that was it if this was the way you were going to drink throughout the night. "Isn't this what I'm 'supposed' to be doing. Drinking and dancing?"

You snatched the bottle and took a third shot. You knew you should've probably stopped there, at least for now, but Luke was terribly flirting with your sister, and murder was depressingly illegal. Percy looked away for a second and when he looked back you were gone. He quickly walked around trying to look for you when he was stopped by Charles.

"Dude, we have to stop this," he said.

"Stop what," Percy asked.

"This whole thing," he waved his arms around. "She doesn't want me, she just wants him."

He looked sad and defeated, and Percy felt bad. And weirdly enough, he didn't want to stop taking you out. "Charles, do you like her or not? Is she worth this whole thing?"

"I mean, I thought so but-"

"But nothing, yes or no?"

"Yeah, yeah she is."

"Then no, this isn't over till you get the girl, and I know you can dude," Percy patted Charles shoulders and walked off to find you. He saw you across the room taking another shot, but when he went to speed walk over to you he was stopped yet again. This time, by Luke.

"God, I knew you were the right person to turn to."

"Huh," Percy turned confused, and was starting to get annoyed.

"You did the impossible, removing the stick from Y/N's ass," Luke cheered.

"Yeah whatever," Percy rolled his eyes, getting more bothered with the way people spoke about you. And before he got the chance to push Luke away and make his way back over to you, the music started blaring and cheering started getting louder, including Luke's cheering. Percy was now purely annoyed, he just wanted to make his way back over to you, hopefully stopping you from taking anymore shots.

He walked toward the center of the cheering to see you hopping on a table and dancing to the beat of the roaring music. Your body was swaying and Percy right then and there forgot that he was paid to take you here. He forgot that if it wasn't for some random guy coming up to him wanting to date your sister, he wouldn't be standing here watching you dance like there was no one in the room, like it was just you and him right now.

He wondered where'd he be right now if he had said no. Would he be home, or would he maybe have found another girl in this short time period? Probably not, but anything could happened in such a short time frame, like this. Percy thought there was something about a girl who can so brazenly insult you like it was nothing, yet still bandaged you up if you were hurt. He was quickly snapped from his daydream when you slipped from the table and fell into his arms.

"Oh, its you," you blew raspberries in his face as you went to stand up. "I'll be fine."

As you went to stand, you started stumbling back down, making Percy grab you again. "Yup, your very fine."

"Stop flirting with me Jackson," you rolled your eyes and he just laughed. He started leading you out the house, away from all the noise, and all the alcohol, so you could rest up. You've had one too many drinks and it was now time to stop. "I wanna sleep."

You two were outside, and you had wandered off and found a nearby bench to lay down on. "You shouldn't walk off like this, might get kidnapped y'know."

"Oh and you'd care? I'm only ever mean to you if you hadn't noticed."

"Well of course, you know I think I might have a thing for girls who hate me."

"As opposed to what, the girls who like you? Because I've yet to see those," Percy grabbed your arms and stood you up. He rummaged through his pockets for your keys. Percy was thankful that your dress didn't have pockets and wouldn't have to wrestle you for said keys.

"See, just like that, why have compliments when I could get insulted like there's no tomorrow" he said as he opened the door for you. He walked over to the drivers seat and when he sat down you gave him a weird look. "Yes?"

"Can you even drive?"

"Just because I don't have a car doesn't mean I don't have a license," you were still staring straight at him, looking between both his eyes.

"Your eyes are really sea-green, I really like sea-green," you smiled and Percy felt speechless. He smiled softly.

"Lets get you home."

﹒º. ౨ৎ

Silena was absolutely bored out of her mind. For the past who knows who long she's been forced to taking pictures of Luke for his instagram. His excuse? 'your gorgeous hands take gorgeous pictures.'

If he called her 'gorgeous' one more time there, Silena might've shown up. She handed him back the phone as he continued to talk about himself, again. That seems to be all he ever does. 'What the hell did I ever see in him,' Silena thought.

After like 15 minutes, the party was getting stale and people were starting to leave. The two walked out together when Silena was approached by a good friend of hers, Drew.

"So Silena, ready to hit the next party," Luke asked.

"Darn," she looked down at her phone. "Gotta be home in 20 minutes."

She pretended to look disappointed when Drew quickly spoke up, "I don't have to be home till like, 2-3AM."

She boasted as Silena looked her up and down. "That settles it. Silena, this is your last shot. You coming or not?"

"Nope, I can't. Sorry," she shrugged as they quickly sped off into Luke's convertible. Silena rolled her eyes she realized she now didn't have a ride home. Looking around, the only person she saw was Charles. Despite feeling awkward for having somewhat blown him off earlier, she still approached him.

"Hey there Charles," Silena waved. He half-heartedly smiled back. "Can you, um- give me a ride home?"

Charles felt his heart slightly speed up, but still felt slightly dejected. Silena had sent the whole night with Luke, why would she not just leave with him? "Yeah, of course."

They both drove home in silence. It felt kind of awkward, then Charles had pulled up in front of the Beauregard house and parked. The two sat in silence not moving, but when Silena turned over, Charles seemed to have a face on. "Charles, is something wrong?"

"Is something wrong?"

"Well yeah-"

"No nothing. There's nothing wrong. I mean sure yeah I went through the trouble to get your sister asked out so you'd finally be able to date. But of course I did it for Luke. I did it for Luke but I literally learned how to speak French for you-"

Charles was quickly cut off by Silena leaving over and grabbing Charles face into a kiss that could've melted him on the spot. They went on for a moment before Silena went back into her seat. The two were panting before Silena spoke up.

"A whole language, just for me," she giggled, and Charles felt slightly embarrassed for having admitted to that. "I'll see you tomorrow, yeah?"

He nodded as he watched Silena step out of the car, waving to him as she walked off to the front door. Charles started cheering in his car before driving off back to his own home.

﹒º. ౨ৎ

It was the next Beauregard's turn to be dropped off by a man tonight.

As Percy parked your car in its normal spot in the drive way, he turned to look at you. "You still wasted or are you sobering up now?"

"I'm as sober as a judge," you declared, waving your finger in the air. You turned toward him and stared at him, reaching over and twirling a piece of his black hair between your fingers. "Your hairs soft."

You were close now. Close enough for him to smell the vodka expelling from your breathe. You looked into his eyes, and leaned slightly in. Percy thought about leaning in, but the shots on shots you took tonight made it not such a good idea.

When you noticed he didn't lean in, you felt a mix between mad and embarrassed. You quickly grabbed your keys and slammed the car door shut on your way out, running up to your house door and rushing in as fast as you could. Percy sighed as he sat back, feeling like an idiot.

One sister had a happy ending with the boy she didn't expect, and the other couldn't even get a kiss goodnight from a guy who was paid to be here (more and more everyday, he cared less and less about the money).

﹒º. ౨ৎ

✰Taglist: @liviessun @lara20aral @balletfilmss @job-ross-the-second @brokecollegebitch @riaaavm @avihashearts4lix @huera-ne @zn0v1a @sofiacblair @itzjustj-1000 (just lemme know if you wanna be added)

#percy jackon and the olympians #percy jackson #percy jackson pjo #percy pjo #percy jackson x reader #percy jackson x y/n #percy jackson x you #charles pjo #charles beckendorf #silena pjo #silena beauregard #charlena

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hiwelcometothemonstersancturary · 2 months

Note

How does The Prototype react to each toy calling him “dad” for the first time, as well as Angel referring to him as a Father to the toys for the first time?

Anon please know I'm SCREAMING.

Being realistic, I doubt a majority of the toys would see him as a dad, but it's our save everyone AU and we can make it as wholesome as possible! So what I think is:

Prototype's overall reaction is always a mix of him internally being close to tears, trembling and screaming and him externally just going "oh ok guess i. guess i have another kid now".

Catnap/Theo was, of course, the first one to call him that. It was when Theo had a very bad fever when he still was a normal human child, and Prototype comforted him when he woke up in the middle of the night. Theo accidentally called him dad before going to bed, and Prototype had to collect himself for a moment.

Theo would continue to accidentally call him that from time to time, and internally Prototype/Elliot did start to view him as HIS kid.

Catnap called him dad again when he was eletrocuted by Angel and was begging Prototype to end his pain, only for Angel to throw themself at the feline before the killing blow was delivered. And Catnap did that once again during the confrontation in order to get Prototype/his god to realize that he too deserves to leave the factory.

After Angel and co leave Playtime and move to a farm house, Prototype starts living with them. It takes a while for him and Catnap to have a proper talk about their relationship and the whole cult thing, and when they do it involves a lot of tears and apologies and years of unresolved issues between the two of them being brought back. After this long talk, Catnap does his best to drop his view of the Prototype as his god to start fully viewing him as his dad, and Prototype is so happy with this.

After that Angel jokingly says "your kid is asking for help" when Catnap gets his tail wrapped around a tree.

It takes a long time for any other toy to start viewing him in a better way after the +10 years of living within the factory. Most of the toys, with Angel's help, stop viewing him as the boogeyman or the guy who'll take their remains once they die and start seeing him as just the weird guy who lives in the farm's hut and patrols at night in search of possible intruders.

Speaking of patrols: Picky Piggy is the 2nd one to call him dad, but everyone only finds out after most of the Smiling Critters start doing that. She's the one who takes care of the farm the most and has been getting close to the Prototype for the past year, since he's always patrolling the farm to make sure no intruders are around, and accidentally makes the birds go away, stopping them from eating the corn and veggies. He listens to Picky when she breaks down from guilt from half-eating three of her friends, reminds her to eat properly, etc. She says dad by accident, nervously apologizes and Prototype (being THIS close to crying because what do you mean he has a New Precious Daughter) says it's okay. She avoids doing it when others are around until Prototype is viewed in a better light by them, and he' I's VERY emotional about it because to him he was just helping Angel deal with their traumatized kids. He goes to tell Angel about it and he's so confused but SO happy. Angel gives him a thumbs up.

Miss Delight is next. Much like with calling Angel dad and mom it just sort of comes naturally to her after living with them for long enough. Delight enjoys asking lots of questions and Prototype enjoys answering them, and then! Bam! He calms her down when Angel takes far too long to come back home one day and she feels like they're abandoning her and oh no she'll be all alone again just like it was back at Playtime. Delight figures having one extra parent is good for everyone in the long-run and hits Prototype with the "dad!" beam. He LOVES it, frankly, Delight was already his kid since the moment she asked Prototype if she could study how his body works, girlie takes no time satisfying her own curiosity and he's so amused by her. Yes girl!!!! Hit him with that Child Wonder!!!! Also be careful because Catnap got too comfy with being a single kid.

The next toy to put Prototype under the dad-ification beam is Poppy, because she was Elliot's og adopted daughter and Angel only finds that out after a whole year, and because PROTOTYPE told them about him being Elliot. Angel drags his ass to talk to Poppy about the situation and the doll is obviously in SHOCK. Lots of talk about why Prototype locked her in the case (he didnt want the other toys to kill her), why he never told her about anything (because she didnt know how bad things actually were for the toys), why he tried to stop her (because he didnt want his only daughter to die). Angel suggests Prototype, Catnap and Poppy to go on a hiking trip, and when they come back Poppy is calling him her dad.

The other toys finds out about that and then suddenly so many things make sense. They dont thing what he did is right but they get it now.

Huggy, Boxy Boo, Bunzo and the mini critters are next. Their logic is that he did a lot of bad things but also he's doing better, and if Poppy, the "leader" of the toys is calling him dad, then he's also their dad! The mini critters have wanted to refer to him like that for SO long because he's Catnap's dad and they all love Catnap, so now they officially have him as a sibling. RIP Catnap's single child title. Prototype is confused by the sudden increase in children under his name but he has the spirit.

Next users of the fatherification beam are Bobby and Kickin. With Prototype leaving his hut more often and with Picky confessing to Bobby and Poppy about the whole dad thing, the bear really warms up to him, esp with him trying to learn how to braid Poppy's hair. Kickin was following them around to "keep an eye on what the Prototype is doing" but in the end he convinced Catnap to do something monumentally stupid and dangerous and Prototype stopped them from breaking their legs and giving then a whole parent monologue about safety. "Okay, MOM", Kickin sarcastically replies, hears Bobby saying "awnt 🥺" and realizes what he did. Prototype is amused until he notices Kickin sometimes non-ironically refers to him as a parent, then he is off again to Angel to tell them about the progress. Angel is not impressed.

Kissy follows suit because it feels natural, as some of her best friends refer to Prototype as their dad and he's actually proving himself to deserve the title (making sure Kickin or Hoppy don't break their necks, for example).

Craftycorn is next. She's a bit wary of him for a long time, but with the toys realizing more and more that the Prototype is just a guy sometimes. She's one of the few toys that actually help him when he enters a dissociation or PTSD episode, and given enough time she politely asks if she can refer to him as he dad because he also helps her during her bad days and episodes. She just drops the question as he braids her hair. Poppy, Kissy and Bobby are also there and they all see him pause for a moment before hesitantly agreeing to the idea. Crafty is very happy! Another parent for her!

Mommy Long Legs still has beef with Prototype from that one time he stopped her from attacking Catnap +6 years ago. He doesn't remember, only realizes it after Catnap tells him. I think that with time, and with Prototype cutting off the other toys when they try to put Mommy into the caretaker role even when she's tired of that, she warms up to him. I think Prototype and her have a Talk about the Ollie situation, and he tells MLL that her disliking being the caretaker isnt her fault. She was just a kid, they took away her choice. She ends up crying so much, because Prototype is saying the same thing Angel told her, and she doesn't know why but having him tell her that is reassuring. She starts thinking of him as her second parent after that, refering to him as both dad and father. Prototype once again was NOT expecting that turn of events and he indeed cries once again because he's just happy Long Legs is finally recovering, even if it's just a tiny bit.

I think that by the time Long Legs gives him that title most of the smaller toys see him as parent #2 as well! And Prototype is happy by each and every toy starting to call him that.

Something EXTREMELY amusing happens when Angel is asking for pizza on the phone and Catnap and Mommy Long Legs are fighting with Poppy over who gets to sleep in Angel's room and Prototype tells them to cut it off and leave Angel at least ONE night of rest. Angel on the phone stops for a moment before saying "uh, please ignore all the screaming, the kids are pretty agitated today", then asks Prototype if he wants a pizza, then goes back to the phone to say "the kids, uh...", and a pause. "... Second parent? Wants two of pepperoni". When they end the phone call to turn back at the group Prototype is just "?????", and Angel tells him that overall consensus is that he's dad #2.

Prototype is not normal about that in the slighest but pretends he is. Cue to him the following 2 weeks going "!!!!! i'm paren't #2!!!!!" all the time.

Hoppy starts viewing the Prototype in a better light after she gives Catnap another chance and forgives him, because our girl did indeed notice Prototype trying to genuinely help Catnap in a normal way for once, and she also did notice Prototype trying to be better. But also she's bitter and she yells a LOT at him. Girl doesn't try to bit an arm of his off because she's physically incapable of doing that for the first year and a half. Catnap has the brilliant idea of inviting her to a hunting trip with the Prototype when she's finally allowed to do that, not expecting his dad and her enter a hunting competition against each other. After that it's Hoppy play fighting Prototype so she can stand a chance against play fighting Catnap, and then she realizes far too late she kind of... TOLERATES... The guy who caused the Hour of Joy. I feel like it takes her some time even after that, but when she does call him dad Prototype feels honored. He's glad he's doing better even for her, despite all the play fighting and the competition between her and Catnap. Dare I say... He enjoys teaching toys how to hunt because it reminds him of teaching baby Catnap how to do that.

Bubba sees his stubborn friend calling Prototype "dad" and is just. Confused. I mean, he appreciates the fact the guy is proving himself to be decent, because otherwise Bubba would have already made a plan to get rid of him in order to protect his #1 parent, but also what the hell! And then he decides to follow his favorite sister (Miss Delight) because Prototype has been teaching her some things regarding the experiments, and Bubba has a hard time keeping track of the "class" until this triggers a dissociation episode. Both Delight and Prototype are able to calm him down, and then after that Bubba has a Talk with the big guy, because "how can you keep track of your own mind after everything that's been happening, because I can't and this is bothering me for far too long and I really REALLY need to go back to normal-", only for Prototype to tell him that. He can't. He can't just bounce back to being like before. And Bubba is annoyed, because Angel told him exactly that, and then he asks what he's even supposed to do now. "Adapt to how you are changing", Prototype tells him.

It also takes Bubba some more time, but after many long conversations with Prototype about mental health and what he should do, he tells the big guy he is truly deseving to be the group's second parent and Angel's helper. Prototype is pretty honest and tells him this is what he has been trying to be since he agreed to leave Playtime co, and although they don't share a hug, Prototype gives him a pat.

Dogday... Is very torn on the idea. In one hand he spent months in pain due to Catnap believing the guy to be his god, on the other hand said guy is actually owning up to his mistakes and helping Dogday's single parent take care of everyone. Dogday thanks the Prototype for helping Picky, but only refers to him as his parent I think two years after Prototype starts doing progress, when all other Smiling Critters agree on him now deserving the title. Prototype feels like he just received a medal of honor from the kid he felt has been one of the most hurt by his inability to talk with Catnap, and although glad he's NERVOUS because what if he dissapoints the kid. What if he fails as a parent. What if things don't get better, etc etc, but Dogday genuinely sees him as someone who's doing his best, and although calling him "dad" still feels too weird sometimes he's happy with that. Because things got better for everyone, and now Dogday feels truly safe in the little heaven they all built as a family. Probably gives Prototype the tightest hug he's capable of giving because frankly Dogday is just. Happy. There's no other word for that, just pure genuine happiness.

Prototype is extremely glad and may or may have not given Dogday a pat in order to say thank you. Prototype wanted the title for so long, and after Dogday's approval it feels like he actually is doing better for everyone.

I think that's everyone! This post was longer than expected but anyways, hope this is cohesive enough! Thank you for the ask and free brainrot <3

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thiniceofeternalyouth · 28 days

Text

MISLEADIN' ME SERIES: CHAPTER ELEVEN

A RUNAWAY AND A DEADMAN

⊳ Gojo Satoru x f!reader

series masterlist

Genre: angst, fluff, sci-fi, cosmology.

Words count: ~14k

⊲ previous

Under the concentrated puffing on the left, you tried to chop the chocolate bar as small as possible. Over the past couple of hours, you and Megumi have identified a not perfect, but decent recipe for chocolate muffins through trial and error. The boy slowly and methodically stirred the resulting dough with a whisk, trying to get rid of any lumps. When you reached for the bowl to taste the mixture for sugar, you received a resounding slap on the hand. You rolled your eyes and continued chopping the chocolate, trying to turn it to dust.

"Maybe we shouldn't be doing this," muttered Megumi absentmindedly, watching the batter drip off the whisk.

You had to strain your ears to hear what he was mumbling to himself. "What if ya add more flour?" you asked uncertainly, looking at the too-liquid consistency.

"I'm not talking about muffins," Megumi snapped. A chill immediately spread down his back, making the boy shiver – it was all the fault of the sharp sound of a knife sticking into a cutting board. With a sideways glance, Megumi caught sight of you leaning against the kitchen counter, arms crossed over your chest and staring at him. "Sorry."

"If it's not the muffins, then what is it?" you asked, peering into the profile of the frowning face.

"I...," he began, hesitating. "I'm not sure if we should put up with her anymore."

"Has your love gone away, too?"

Megumi looked up sharply, and you could see the anxiety spreading across his young face. "Has it gone away for her?"

"How would I know?" you shrugged dryly. "Ya both sitting silently in your corners and ya seem to be hoping that it'll work itself out there somehow," Megumi took a whisk out of the bowl and pointed a finger at it meaningfully. You chuckled quietly. "Dany always loved chocolate muffins. Kudos for volunteering," you jokingly gave a bow of your head. "Still, that doesn't explain your hesitation."

"Well...," the boy started stirring the dough slowly again as if it was a ritual that brought tranquility. "It's just... Does it make sense?" asked Megumi weakly, and you only hummed thoughtfully. "In the end, it doesn't matter how many friends and loved ones we have. We die alone anyway," the fridge started humming twice as loud, except it was a distortion of Megumi's hearing. He could even hear his own heartbeat, annoying and fast, all from you being silent. He coughed and glimpsed at you, making sure you were still standing next to him. "You don't think so?"

"To be honest, I, uh... I hadn't thought about that at all," you chuckled nervously. "I'm still a little confused... Ya mean that when ya die ya'll have no one around ya, or vice versa, that despite being surrounded by loving people, ya'll go into oblivion alone?"

"Is there a difference?" he asked warily, almost fearfully.

"Yeah, ya right, I guess. There's not much difference," you sighed, scratching your forehead. "Look, Megumi, if ya wanna live your whole life in some small house in the middle of nowhere alone that's fine. If ya wanna live your life surrounded by a bunch of friends that's fine. If ya wanna live your life with only one person that's fine too, but it's all okay only as long as it's your personal choice.

"Fear rarely leaves a choice," Megumi doubted quietly, dumping your previously chopped chocolate off the board into a bowl.

"That's what I'm telling ya," you said, grabbing the cutting board and putting it in the sink. "Ya'll probably have a brick fall on your head tomorrow, and ya'll be lying in a dark alley all dead and alone," even though the sound of water running and a washcloth rubbing against wood was beginning to echo through the kitchen, Megumi could hear you clearly. "Scared to go outside now?" slyly glancing at the boy and seeing him shake his head in the negative, you smirked contentedly. "Ya can be afraid, but don't let something so ephemeral stop ya from living your life the way ya want to. It'll be fun if at the very end all ya have time to think about is how stupid ya were, not that ya're alone. If ya make it at all, of course," you scrubbed the board clean, but Megumi remained silent. Your patience was wearing thin. You needed either confirmation or persuasion. "So," you chuckled snidely. "What are we deciding? No, no, wait, don't say anything!" you turned to him and waved your hands, stopping him. "Ya better do. I'm offering you a choice - either ya keep making muffins or ya can go cry in your room. I'll understand either way."

Megumi gave you a glare that glinted angrily in the light of the kitchen garland. "You remind me of someone," he hissed, and continued kneading the chocolate into the dough with double zeal.

You watched his eagerness with satisfaction. "That's what I thought. Okay, philosophical musings are all well and good, but let's have a little talk about training and a plan of action," Megumi glowed when you said that. As much as he could, but you hadn't even noticed the change. "I think it's time for ya to learn regeneration."

"Wouldn't it be better to start with rel-"

He didn't get a chance to speak, for you pressed your palm sharply against his mouth. "Nah-uh," you said slowly, shaking your head and looking into his rounded eyes. You didn't immediately realize that you were clutching his shoulder tightly with your other hand. "Ugh," you exhaled, pulling your hands away from him. "For now, forget that word, do ya understand?" you made a grabbing motion with your palm as if taking the word from his vocabulary. Megumi, pressing his lips tightly together for a second, nodded. "Ya'll be relocate with me anyway, so that's not really important at first times, but the thing that will save your life more than once is running and regeneration. But mostly running, of course," you pointed out.

"I'm used to standing to the last man," Megumi objected sullenly.

"Ya'll wean," you chirped carelessly. "We're not known for heroics."

"And what the hell do I need this training for then?" blurted Megumi in the way he usually did - though his appearance remained calm, steel rang in his voice. "To run away like a coward?"

"So ya won't die," you parried. "How many people will ya save by being in the grave?"

"Will I save many by running away?" he persisted.

"At least ya'll stay alive and learn your lesson," you reasoned, spreading your arms out to the sides. "And if ya learn it right, ya'll be stronger."

"At the cost of the lives of the people I left behind?" Megumi continued to snarl.

"Exactly," you snapped, and Megumi bit his lip without expecting it himself. He was used to you and your perpetually calm and cheerful tone, and the way it shifted at the snap made the hairs on the back of his neck stir. "Ya volunteered, and now ya're my apprentice. I don't care if ya want it or not, but you will obey me now," you spoke coldly and distinctly. Relaxing your clenched fists, you looked at Megumi. His body was still the same size, but it looked like he was shrinking. Taking a mug from the shelf, you started brewing coffee. "The rest of the voidrunners will start evacuating in a couple weeks, we will join them a little later," you announced, softening your tone. "Ya want coffee?"

"Tea."

"Okay," you said, pulling out a second mug.

Megumi didn't give up trying to protest. "I can start along with them-"

"Ya can't," you replied dryly. "Ya'll only go on raids with me."

"Do you distrust others that much?" the boy asked, raising his eyebrows skeptically.

You shrugged idly. "It just makes me feel better."

"Isn't it the same thing?"

Letting his words pass your ears, you continued your admonition. "When we're in the void, just drop the bags of supplies and run to the nearest rift. If anything goes wrong and we get separated, don't trust anyone, don't look at anyone, don't talk to anyone," you sighed restlessly, pouring coffee into one mug and putting a tea bag in the other. "Ya'll never guess who's standing in front of ya there," you added quietly.

"Don't you...," Megumi's voice came up, hesitating. "Don't you know how to tell the difference?"

You, with a fussy chuckle, began pouring boiling water into cups. "No, none of the hunters have built-in internal radar, only experience. And experience, as it goes, comes with the years."

"Too long," grumbled Megumi gloomily. "We don't have that much time."

You set the mug of freshly brewed tea next to him. "Ya wanted it all at once?" you teased him, smiling. "Ya gotta pay tribute to dioreacts. They've spent thousands of years learning how to act like humans. They learned not only how to stir tea or blink, but how to perceive our world in general," you circled the space with your hands for extra convincing. "The first dioreact didn't know that all the electromagnetic waves around them were just color to humans because that's exactly our interpretation of electromagnetic waves, and there is no color anywhere in the universe outside of the human brain. Perhaps the dioreacts even now don't know what color is, but just... Uh, I dunno, adjusted? Maybe they can see wavelengths and have memorized that that wave over there is green and that one over there is grayish brown. Hunters used to catch them at it a lot, but the more time the dioreacts spend among us, the more they learn about our perception."

"What else?" inquired Megumi impatiently. Your hand with the cup of coffee froze at your lips, and you stared at the boy warily. "Forewarned is forearmed, no?" he quipped.

You tapped your fingernail on the cup thoughtfully. "Frank used to tell me that hunters used to catch dioreacts at the 'where ya from?' question. The poor things would just freeze in place with their mouths open, unable to say anything. Probably because humans don't have a single word to describe their homelands because we can't have that knowledge," you sighed sadly without realizing it. "Now the dioreacts have learned, and if you ask, they'll tell ya about all the places on Earth they've been, and they'll tell you their family tree too. I'm exaggerating," you added, noticing Megumi squinting at you incredulously. "But ya," you pointed a finger at the boy. "Don't ya dare pry into anyone in the void with questions. If it's a demon, it'll know right away what ya're up to, so it'll either run away immediately or kill ya," you slid an assessing glance at the boy. "In your case, it's more likely the latter. No offense."

You nonchalantly continued sipping your coffee, hoping it didn't hurt him too much. It didn't occur to you that Megumi had gone through similar words and phrases many times before and he hardly paid attention to yours. Why did it seem to him right now that a previously unsuccessfully nurtured stimulus was faintly stirring inside him, though? "Y/N?" hesitantly Megumi turned to you.

"Hmm?" you hummed detachedly.

"Is Gojo okay with that? Well, that you're training me."

"Yeah," you sighed, setting the empty mug back in the sink. "He grumbled a little, though... But he couldn't just throw ya into the basement with chains with a shout 'I won't let anyone have you'."

"Well, actually he could," Megumi muttered, wrinkling his nose squeamishly.

"But he didn't," you quipped.

"Yeah, he didn't," the boy agreed with you. "Thank you for that."

"I had nothing to do with it."

"That's what you think," the unfamiliar slyness in his voice sent shivers down your spine. "I talked to others, so... You know, we've decided that if we ever move out, you can keep him."

"Thanks," you snickered, and Megumi was already grinning openly. "Go ahead and make the muffins. When ya're done, I'll go over to Dany's and then we'll practice tonight."

Megumi turned sharply toward you. "What?" he blurted out grumpily. "What do you mean 'I'll go over to Dany's'? What about me? Is this some kinda joke to you?" glaring angrily at you, he pointed at his clothes that were almost completely covered in chocolate mixture.

"Ya're not much of a diplomat," you teased, making a face at him. "I gotta feeling her out first, and then ya can talk without me. Now let's get to work," you nodded toward the bowl of dough.

You stood under the boy's angry gaze for a few more seconds before he went back to making muffins in silence. It was a good thing Megumi was silent, because if he'd said a word, the laughter you were carefully suppressing would have burst out.

It was a cute yet funny picture of Danielle weeding in the afternoon sun. The girl kept straightening the straw hat that had fallen off her head with her hands smeared in the ground – almost the same color as her bright sparkling hair.

You stood outside the backyard entrance, hesitant to open the wooden gate. Your hand clutched the package of homemade muffins - small but tasty - tighter to your chest, and the thought slipped into your head that if this treat won't help you, nothing would.

You opened the wicket with a deep breath, and Danielle reacted instantly, raising her head. Her hat flew off her head, and the girl, trying to steady it once again, stiffened in surprise. The hoe Dany was holding in her other hand fell to the ground along with the hat.

"Hey there, bun," you said, waving awkwardly at Danielle. "Before ya chase me away, I brought something in my defense," you informed jokingly, covering yourself with the treat package.

Maybe it was the physical exertion, but you wanted to believe that she did feel better. You wanted to squeeze her ruddy cheeks because in addition to the flushed red color, they had gotten a little chubbier. "Hey," you missed that kind tone and the way she was striding toward you to meet you. "I hope it's something edible," she whimpered, wrapping her arms around your shoulders.

Relief spread through your body as Danielle held out her arms to you. You gladly hugged her in return. "Like I don't know ya," you whispered into her hair and heard a soft giggle. "Let's sit down," you suggested and pulled Dany by the arm toward the garden bench that stood neatly against the wall of the house. Barely dragging her feet, Danielle made her way over to the bench, leaning her limp body against the wall. You sat down next to her and put the package on her lap, but she didn't move, half lying there with her eyelids closed. "Frank forced ya into?" you asked sympathetically.

"Yeah," Dany exhaled exhaustedly. "But there's an upside to it!" she braved it cheekily, as much as her strength allowed. "While ya're doing all this shit, all ya can think about is that ya can't wait for it to be over," Danielle said before she could finish - a laugh forming on her lips, and you chuckled in unison with her tired but still gleeful laughter as you admired her.

"He forced me too until I was about twelve," you smirked.

"How did ya get to escape this plantation?" inquired Danielle enviously.

"I rioted," you said belligerently, and the two of you giggled again. "I ripped up everything that was growing in the beds and stomped on it. Frank was so mad," you said, sucking in air through your teeth.

"How did ya even stay alive?" worried Danielle.

"Shaya saved me," you said, getting nostalgic. "She hid me behind her while Frank threatened to whip me."

"And Shaya didn't do anything to ya?" asked Dany incredulously.

"Nope," you shook your head. "She took me to my room, and when I asked what she was gonna do to me, she said I'd already punished myself," you exhaled convulsively, wrapping your arms around yourself. "I spent the whole night agonizing and thinking about her words, trying to figure out what she meant. I didn't realize until this morning. I was the one sowing and weeding those damn beds," Dany opened her eyes slightly. She was watching you from under half-open eyelids - at the way your gaze roamed the garden across from you. The girl rarely heard the longing in your voice, and every such moment returned with an unaccustomedness in her heart that made it beat faster. "I want ya come back home with me," you asked quietly.

"I want it, too," Danielle muttered in embarrassment, closing her eyes again.

Her desire was reflected in your phone. Not a single call, not a single message. "Why don't I keep ya as a garden slave for a couple more weeks?" you blurted out indignantly. "It gives ya a zeal, I see."

With eyes already wide open, Dany jumped up. The box nearly flew off her lap. "No!" she begged, looking up at you and clutching the package back to her.

"If ya want something, you have to say it," you muttered indignantly. "Ya'd better open it," you said, nodding toward the box. "Ya were hungry, weren't ya?"

With a hesitant nod, Danielle slowly unwrapped the package. She didn't know whether it was the sight of the ridiculous chocolate muffins or the tart but sweet smell that clouded her mind faster. She grabbed one and swallowed it whole, oblivious to herself or her own name. You mentally thanked Megumi for his decision to take the smaller baking dish.

You coughed meaningfully, slyly examining your nails in the sunlight. "Ya know, I didn't actually make them."

"What?" she whimpered excitedly with her mouth full. "I said I'd come back, but I didn't say anything about a relationship with Megumi-"

"Yeah, yeah," you sarcastically interrupted her, carelessly waving her words away. "Sure."

[June 19, 2020; 01:23am; hunters' hq]

Feeling the warmth of the couch was all your back had been asking for lately, and you'd been obediently fulfilling your body's desire despite your own. Your head rested peacefully in Kyle's lap, your eyes roaming the news feed on your phone.

You didn't notice how restlessly you fidgeted with your legs from time to time, not even the annoying sound of the soft material rustling could quiet you. Every time you fidgeted, you felt a soft scratching at the back of your head as you turned from one side to the other.

"What's wrong?" asked Kyle puzzled as you rolled over once again, sighing irritably.

"Everything's fine," you waved it off indifferently.

"Ya have a disgruntled face," he remarked, grinning.

You pulled yourself up and sat down, leaning back against the couch. "Rach only brought out two people," you rambled worriedly. "Only two, Kyle," you shoved a hand in his face with your index and middle finger raised. "That's an incredibly bad start."

Kyle intercepted your palm and kissed the pad of your finger. "Oh, come on," he laughed, looking at your perplexed face and releasing your hand. "It's a good start. She brought your new acquaintance out with her, by the way," he reminded you reasonably. "And Issu might bring more people out with him."

You turned and stared at the infirmary door, remembering the way Doc had slammed it shut in front of you and Kyle. Doc was an irritable, taciturn man, but the thought of how much work he'd have to do in the next few weeks made you shiver.

"...to the previous news. The incident that occurred in April this year in the nightclub N..."

Even though you were in your own thoughts, your skin began to itch painfully in places. You wanted to catch a glimpse of Nora, or Rachel, or that old lady whose name you couldn't ask - the old woman who'd come out of the void unconscious and ended up in the infirmary.

"...contacting the police station. Now, the police have suspended the investigation for unspecified reasons. In the following footage you can see a protest organized near the police station by the parents of the missing as well as concerned people..."

"Hey," Kyle called softly, tugging gently on your earlobe. You stirred, tore your gaze away from the infirmary door and dropped your head back into his lap. "Don't distress yourself. It's gonna be okay."

"I know," you exhaled gloomily. "It's just that I'm freaking out about being banned from the void and there's no way I can check to see if everything's okay."

"Oh, what bad guys we are," Kyle drawled sarcastically, pinching you again. "Taking care of your health."

"That's not what I meant," you muttered, waving his hands away. "Ya remember what Rach said after she came out of the void?"

"Yeah," Kyle nodded briefly. "That people are afraid to come out. They don't even believe Jonah."

"Exactly," you said. "Do ya remember any of this ever happening?" you tried to speak calmly, but you were out of breath.

"I'll still go on the raid after Issu, and I promise ya, I'll figure it out," he assured you softly, stroking your forehead with his thumb. "Don't worry."

"...at least twenty people. To date, eighteen of the missing have been identified..."

From the TV screen, neither pictures nor photographs looked at you. Ghosts. They wandered, hovering around you, but they dared not touch you. Against your better judgment, you felt their presence, felt their stares, felt even their silence. It felt like a dark silent whisper on your skin as if the ghosts were breathing right next to you. "Twenty-three," you said in a mesmerized whisper, looking at another picture of familiar features on the screen.

Kyle glanced fearfully at your face. It seemed pale in the light from the TV. "What?" he asked perplexedly.

You lifted yourself up again and sat up, tucking your legs under you, but you didn't do it as quickly as you had the first time. "Kyle, I haven't told ya everything," you said, guiltily hiding your gaze from his. "I think there's a diomorphea in there."

A second long silence made you look up. "Why didn't ya... Why didn't ya tell me at once?" there wasn't an ounce of accusation in his voice. Rather, a genuine misunderstanding of your disbelief.

"I was afraid ya'd tell Rach," you justified, looking at him dejectedly and shaking your head. "Ya know her, she would have just stormed in there and god knows what would have happened. Either she'd be dead, or a bunch of demons and with them the ones we're trying to save. Or both of it. I'm sorry," you shook your head harder.

Gently wrapping his arms around your shoulders, Kyle pulled you against him. "What did I promise ya just now?" he asked, leading you to think.

You rested your head on his shoulder, but you didn't dare take your eyes off the pictures. "That ya'll figure it out," you exhaled. "Kyle, ya can't keep fixing our fuck-ups forever."

"I'm your big brother," he grinned, stroking your back. "That's my job."

Wrapped in a blanket of warmth from a loved one, you couldn't help yourself. These people were still here with you, even if they didn't realize it. They were staring at you, drilling you, making you grit your teeth. You couldn't even cover your eyes because you'd just thought the russet-haired girl looking at you from the screen had blinked.

[June 20, 2020, 20:01, Tokyo, Tokyo Prefecture]

As you made your way along the roads of the busy evening city, you kept looking at your phone, for only maps helped you not to get lost in the stone jungle. Even though there were signboards at every turn, all those bright colors combined with the abundance of symbols and running from side to side to avoid hitting anyone in the crowd of people made your head spin.

You couldn't count the number of crosswalks you'd crossed, you didn't want to think about how many of them you'd crossed for nothing. Your desperate attempt to find a nightclub had taken you to unfamiliar places, and you stopped and sighed disappointedly, staring at your phone again, completely oblivious to the people you might be interrupting.

Disappointment was immediately replaced by bewilderment when a name popped up on your phone instead of maps. "Yeah?" you said hesitantly, bringing the phone to your ear.

"I can't leave you alone even for a minute, huh?" resented Gojo. "Where did you go?"

"I...," you started in confusion, looking around. "Uh," you muttered, turning around the other way, looking for clues. "I think I'm somewhere in Tokyo's downtown, but I'm not quite sure."

An irritated tongue cluck was heard on the other end. "What do you see?"

"Hmm," you pondered, continuing on your way. "I see a dental clinic," you looked over the hospital sign and cast a glance back over your shoulder. "Behind me is the Minami Hotel, I guess?" puzzled, you stopped at a crossroad. "There's something else around the corner that looks like a park and playground-"

Someone's arms went around your waist. "Boo!" they shouted in your ear, but you didn't even flinch, just squeezed your eyes shut at the loud sound. "Hey, you could at least look scared," came a cranky voice from behind you.

You tilted your head up, and instead of an offended face, you were met with a bright smile. "What, in public?" you asked hesitantly.

Gojo rubbed his nose against your forehead. A brief gesture that sent warmth through your limbs. "I'm not shy about expressing my lo-"

"I mean about the teleport," you interrupted quickly.

With an irritated snort, he let you out of his arms and you moved forward. "So where are we going?"

"To a nightclub," you replied carelessly.

"At your age?" resented Gojo, wrinkling his nose. "It's a little too late for that."

You paid no attention to his words, just continued to look around at the signs, completely oblivious to the fact that you now had a tour guide beside you. "Ya wouldn't happen to know anything about what happened at Nightclub N, would ya? It's still on the news, even though it happened back in April."

"Oh," stunned Gojo. "I was there day after, but no curses or cursed energy was there."

"And ya didn't tell me?" you huffed, glaring at him judgmentally.

"I didn't even think about it," he admitted honestly, shrugging his shoulders. "And you weren't back then," Gojo glanced at you, and seeing no anger or disappointment on your face, he exhaled in relief. "So what are we doing?"

"It would be a good idea to start by talking," you reasoned, looking ahead. "I had Meg do some snooping, and she found out that it's not just visitors who've been hit, but employees too. One, at least."

"So-so information," he grudgingly opined.

"Maybe," you agreed. "Better than nothing, though."

Surprisingly, things did go faster with Gojo, and you didn't feel so lost in the dust of the big city. You'd been wandering around that nightclub all this time, but for some reason you'd ignored the turn into the courtyard. He took your hand in his and led you to the right place in a few minutes - the best guide ever.

You pulled a wireless earphone out of the case and put it in your ear. "Meg, turn it off," you had only one answer to Gojo's questioning look. "Cameras," you explained with a shrug.

Nothing stands out - your first thought when you found yourself at the front doors. There weren't even any neon signs in this place - a simple gawker would easily miss a place like this in the night. While you pondered, Gojo walked to the door. Opening it, he gestured for you to come inside.

The first thing you encountered as you walked down the hallway dotted with plastic vegetation was the hostess desk. A woman in a white dress seemed to be filling out something, paying no attention to you. "Ahem," you coughed quietly, stepping closer to the counter.

The girl raised her head. "I apologize," she said sincerely, bestowing a welcoming smile. Her gaze focused as if she had just been pulled out of her thoughts. You nodded understandingly in response.

The hostess stared at you for a second, then looked behind you. Her eyes widened in surprise for a moment, and a blush appeared on her snow-white cheeks. It was obvious without words who she was admiring. "I apologize," she repeated, barely moving her eyes to you. "We're only open from ten p.m. onwards. Would you like to make a reservation in the VIP area?" she handed you one of the sheets she'd just filled out. "You can look over the seating and choose the one that best suits you."

"That's not why we're here," you said quietly and the corners of the woman's lips slowly but surely crept down.

She glanced furtively toward the dance area, which was behind a decorative grid. The grid was covered with flowers, but you could see the bar, where someone was already standing and looking in your direction. "If you're journalists, just go away," she whispered anxiously.

You took the sheet from her hands, and began to pretend to consider the seating plan. "Ya misunderstand," you assured her. "I'm a private investigator, I was hired by one of the families of the missing," the hostess shifted a concerned yet questioning look to Gojo. "Don't worry, it's just my comp-"

"Her husband," he stated, putting his arm around your shoulders. "Just family business."

"Well, or so...," you muttered, sighing.

"Mochi, have you already chosen where we're gonna sit?" his voice was already too ringing at times, but this time it was as if Gojo was deliberately speaking louder than usual. "Smile," he addressed the girl, and in contrast, his words sounded very quiet. You glimpsed again at the bars - it seemed that those who stood there had ceased to be interested in you.

She put on a duty smile. "Reservations are optional if you want to visit the dance area," she said in a minted but sweet tone.

You pretended to stroke Gojo's forearm that wrapped around your collarbones. In one deft motion, you pulled the picture from inside pocket, placing it under the sheet you were holding. Placing the paper on the counter, you tapped a random spot. "I think we'll sit here," you pushed the sheet away. "Do ya know her?" your quite question caused the girl's ribcage to begin to heave heavily when she saw the russet-haired girl. You mentally scolded her for potentially attracting unnecessary attention. "She worked here."

"Did her parents hire you?" the hostess fought her inner emotions for an outward smile. "I don't know," she whispered fearfully, though she was still smiling full-mouth. "I really don't know anything," her eyes glittered dangerously, and you carefully covered the picture with the paper. "Please, go away."

"Thanks," you said loudly and cheerfully, backing away from the counter. "See ya later," you nodded her goodbye and took Gojo's hand, and you headed toward the exit.

Barely waiting until you were on the other side of the glass doors, he stopped right in front of you. "So that's it?" he lamented. "We're just gonna leave like this?"

"No need to draw unnecessary attention. She was scared enough. I thought she was about to cry," you sighed doomfully. "But I left her phone number on the back of the picture."

"Okay," he drawled, smiling slyly. "Now what?"

After sneaking through a narrow alleyway and soiling your clothes in wet dust, you wandered around the back of the police station. Stopping at the wall of an adjacent building, you decided to exhale and think. Why was the hostess so scared? If it wasn't the employees at the bar, then who was standing there during off hours? Moreover, why did the girl only shake harder when she saw the picture?

From Gojo's perspective and in his opinion, you looked suspicious - two subjects loitering in the back of a police station. What was he supposed to do when he heard the back door click? Nothing but that - that's how he reassured himself as he pressed you against the wall. "Just play along, 'kay?" he whispered, facing your panicked incomprehension - you'd been pulled from your thoughts too abruptly.

You nodded hesitantly, but you weren't reassured by his plan or his actions. For the moment Gojo cupped your cheek, you felt that his fingers trembled. "Have you ever kissed?" you couldn't hear the inherent curiosity in his voice, the only thing you could catch among the words he spoke was sincerity. "Take it off," he demanded, leaning his forehead against yours. "Take off your mask," his words and actions became more insistent - his hand pressed you against him with such force that it was physically hard to breathe.

"Hey!" a sharp exclamation gave you the strength to push him away from you. "Girl, are you okay?" the police officer asked, flicking ash off his cigarette.

"Yeah," you assured him. "W-we just... Uh, we just forgot ourselves a little. I'm sorry," you said, taking another step away from Gojo.

"Kids...," the officer muttered. "You should go home and do this sort of thing," he admonished. Taking one last puff, the policeman put out the cigarette butt, tossed it in the trash can, and went inside.

"Uh, well," you sighed, making up for the lack of oxygen. Looking around the wall of the one-story police station, you noticed that there were two windowless passages - probably one of those rooms was what you needed.

Carefully making sure no one was looking in your direction from the windows, you moved closer to the wall, Gojo's confusion replaced in an instant by a prick of anger. He was immensely resilient, but even he was beginning to tire of your behavior. It was as if nothing had ever happened.

"And how would we get there?" you muttered to yourself, squinting at the brickwork.

Of course, he couldn't pass up the opportunity to tease you. It was beyond him. "What, are you out of energy because of your shaky legs?" he asked in a teasing tone, coming up behind you.

"No, it's just that I can't teleport to a point I haven't seen before," your seriousness made him roll his eyes so hard he could have sworn he saw his own brain. "There could be anything in there, after all. A box, another wall, or an iron pole. And I don't really wanna become a part of that."

"What a weakling you are," Gojo grimaced, grabbing you under the armpits and lifting you into the air. When he released you, you were already standing on the floor. Indoors.

It was dark here - not a single light bulb shone, but even so you could make out a bunch of metal lockers against the walls, a few long benches, and some scattered things. Locker room. No hits. Next room across the hall, then.

You went to the door and stood still, listening. There were no voices, no footsteps, no rustling. You gripped the knob and pulled gently, turning it. When the door wouldn't budge, you applied force and pulled a few more times. Nothing.

A tired, condescending sigh came from behind you. Gojo grabbed your shoulder and pulled you aside, then grabbed the handle of the door and opened it with a quiet crack.

In the darkness, you met only his arrogant smile. "Congratulations," you said sarcastically. "When they see this, everyone will realize someone's been loitering around here."

"And this is your gratitude?" whispered Gojo indignantly.

Instead of answering and bickering, you grabbed his hand and dragged him as quietly as possible down the hallway in the right direction. When you came to the next door, he moved you into the room without thinking or warning.

That's what it took to get to the evidence room, but it didn't look the way you'd imagined. The shelves were more for show, for there were boxes and packages scattered carelessly on them, just as there were on the floor.

Gojo picked up one of the clear bags, and after looking it over, handed it to you. You grinned approvingly when you saw the date and place written in black marker.

You silently began to scour the shelves and floor in search of at least the year you needed. The place was a mess, but systematicity still seemed from around the corner, slyly peering at what you were doing. You had already made it to January, and not wanting to miss anything, you took your time. "What makes you think demons are involved here anyway?" asked Gojo, setting another box aside.

"I saw them," you replied, scrutinizing the dates. "I saw those people right before I came out of the void."

"That's how," he replied, catching a glimpse of you. His tense shoulders relaxed every time he saw you start to put on weight. He'd already gone through almost the entire March, and after tossing aside a few more unwanted plastic bags, he got to the right one. "Hey," he quietly called out to you. "Is this it?"

You took the box in your hands.

#413091

April 6, 2020

Tokyo, Tokyo Prefecture, Nightclub N

Sealed

"It is," you answered without much joy. As you weighed the box in your hands, you looked up at Gojo with a puzzled look. "What kinda mockery is this?" you asked warily, setting the overly light box on the floor. Breaking the seal and opening it, you pursed your lips in frustration.

There was almost nothing, just a few cigarette butts with lipstick marks, a couple of bottles, a folding knife, bloody napkins, but, remarkably, one bag of white pills. "Not only did the police shut down the investigation, but the club was still working while the investigation was ongoing, now there's no evidence. Who's protecting them?" you wondered, reaching for the bag of pills.

"Probably the one who dragged people into the void," Gojo suggested, trying to find anything else on the bottom.

"Well, or at least someone closely associated with them. It wouldn't be a bad idea to find the owner of the club," you considered the pills, but there was nothing remarkable on them. Just a pure white color. "If the owner is aware of what's going on and he isn't a fool, there's probably some subsidiary company attached to the club, followed by the parent company, and the real names in that holding company are no longer to be found," you opened the bag and held it up to your nose. Nothing. Frowning puzzled, you slipped the packet to Gojo. "Smell anything?"

As soon as he brought it to his face, he immediately pulled it away, pinching his nostrils. "God... The smell is nice, but it's so pungent that...," he stammered, wiping away the tears that came to his eyes. "Put that away," he said and threw the bag at you.

You caught him deftly, and you and the pills stared at each other. The gears of your mind whirred again. You knew of only one demon capable of such brazen machinations right in front of everyone's eyes. If the pills contained black orchid that didn't bode well because in small quantities it was like a drug that induced a state of euphoria, and judging by the number of pills, the demon was obviously not alone in that club.

You glanced at the broken seal - eventually they'd find out that someone had been digging around here. The question was whether they'd find out who it was. "Let's get out of here," you said to Gojo and was about to move towards the door, but with the edge of your thief eye you caught a shine. "O-oh, what do we have here," you drawled mesmerized, reaching for the sealed bag containing the necklace.

"Are you crazy?" blustered Gojo, intercepting your hands. "We're not stealing evidence!" you snorted meekly but grudgingly, wrenching your hands free and quickly hiding them in your pockets, which made him squint his eyes suspiciously. "Empty your pockets," Gojo demanded in a commanding tone, to which you only flinched. "I said empty them!" he exclaimed, and despite your resistance, he did find what he was looking for, but not under the right conditions. A pair of gold rings. Gasping with indignation, he tossed them farther into a pile of boxes. "We're not stealing evidence! Geez, adults once told me not to get with the wrong crowd, but here I am," he whimpered, running a hand through his snow-white hair.

As he lamented, you couldn't stop the process - thoughts raced, each one trying to overtake the other. You couldn't hear the key turning in the locks or the quiet footsteps because of the silent noise. "Hands up," you raised your head, only to be met with an unfamiliar face and a gun pointed in your direction. "I said hands up!"

"Hey, hey," you justifiably rambled, raising your hands. "We can explain-"

"We?" barked the police officer. "Girl, are you out of your mind?" You barely had time to turn your head back before you heard the safety click, but even that couldn't alarm you as much as the realization that there was no one behind you. "Face the wall," the officer ordered, muzzle pointing at the wall.

You went obediently to the wall, and when you were almost there, you were pushed against it. Holding you by the neck with one hand, the policeman snapped your arms, and there was a clinking sound. Handcuffs.

If someone asked you at the beginning of the day how you'd spend your evening, you could list a bunch of options - watching a TV show, meeting with insiders, chasing the next artifact, sitting around a campfire with Kyle or Rachel, having a cup of tea or even a glass of wine - but you'd never guess how you'd actually spend it.

Part of your evening consisted of traveling to the holding cell at gunpoint.

When your handcuffs were removed, your phone, belt and earrings were taken away, the bars slammed shut behind you with a deafening clang. You pressed your face between the steel bars. "Hey," you called out to the departing cop. "I'm entitled to one phone call."

"Why don't you get a lawyer, too?" snickered the duty officer.

"Preferably. But ya'll need it if ya don't let me call," you said nonchalantly, keeping a friendly attitude.

Of course, you could have vanished from the cell as soon as he left, but you didn't want to be known as a fugitive on news programs across the country.

The man paused for a moment, thinking about something, and then turned back to you. With his piercing gaze boring into you and his hand on his holster, he handed you the phone, and as soon as you picked it up, it rang.

You shrugged your shoulders and backed away from the bars to avoid having it taken from you. "That'll count as your call," the man warned you.

You brought the phone to your ear, mentally preparing yourself for what awaited you. "Say please," Gojo scoffed from the other side. "Come on," he coaxed, taunting you. "Say please and maybe I'll get you out."

"I hope ya're pleased with yourself," were all the words that you could muster, stepping over your pride. "Please."

You heard neither confirmation nor another round of teasing; only short beeps. Despondently, you handed the phone to the officer, and as long as you had strength left, you clung to the iron bars and listened to every action that took place. The police officer seemed to be watching something, and every now and then, you heard the clatter of a mug against the table.

It seems like five minutes or fifteen have passed - you can't count in a cramped cell without a clock. The front door slammed, and loud footsteps sounded. "Please excuse my wife," a familiar chirp tickled your ears. "She's having a seasonal exacerbation."

***

You had already traveled a great distance, leaving the police station behind, but you hadn't said a word, which amused Gojo and worried him at the same time. Anyway, you still let him hold your hand, which meant you weren't that angry.

He was annoyed that he couldn't read your emotions because half of your face was hidden - it was like ripping half of a book out before he could read the rest of it. The question was no longer whether you were angry or hurt, but did you feel anything at all? "Well," he began slyly. "Are you gonna sulk like that?"

"I can't believe it," you said reproachfully, shaking your head. "Ya left me. Ya left me, abandoned me, humiliated me-"

"Is that how you talk to the man who bailed you out?" laughing, he stopped and stood right in front of you.

"It was a bribe!" you retorted indignantly.

"I'd do it again," he admitted solemnly, looking haughtily and cheerfully into your eyes.

"I know," you whispered. "But I thought we were best friends," he didn't notice the triumph replaced by panic the first time he saw your wounded gaze.

"No, no," he rambled anxiously, gently cupping your cheeks. "It's just a joke, really, I was just kidding-"

"I would never do that to ya," you managed to say, swallowing the lump in your throat. You wrapped your palm around his - the one that pressed harder against your face. You bit your lip in frustration. "I would never leave ya," seeing the glint in your averted gaze made everything inside him flip - from his soul to his organs. That wasn't the kind of glint he wanted to see. "I know I don't act the way ya'd like me to sometimes, but- Oh," your face changed immediately, from sadness to pure curiosity, and you let go of his hands and stepped around him, heading somewhere.

He was one-step away from bursting into tears himself, but your actions have left him stumped. After a moment of standing as if you were still here, he turned around. You were striding briskly toward the huge red glowing sign that read 'Spicy Dumplings'.

One might have thought that this was not enough to stomp on his heart, but then, as luck would have it, he thought that it had become too light in his pocket. His purse were missing. "Seriously?" he sighed, throwing his head back and staring up at the night sky covered in light noise. "There are so many people in the world, why her?" the stars were hidden - the stars were silent.

Megumi had seen his reflection in the mirror countless times and just as many times he'd experienced nothing - a man like a man, a person who didn't stand out, but now, as Kyle walked around him in circles with a measuring tape around his neck and pins stuck in his shirt, the boy felt genuinely excited.

Even though Megumi felt like a mannequin being abused, occasionally getting needles under his skin by accident, he still thought it was worth it. Megumi glanced at the mask made for him. Even without filters, it looked heavy, but the precise curves of its rigid material made it somewhat dangerous.

The boy jerked when Kyle once again grazed the skin on his shoulder with the pin. "Sorry," Kyle muttered. "I'm not very good at this."

"Then why don't others do it?" grunted Megumi, staring at himself in the mirror again.

The man only chuckled - no offense intended. "May I remind ya," he began softly in between. "Ya don't have to do this."

"I know," Megumi replied stubbornly. "I don't know how to do anything else, though."

"Do ya?" wondered Kyle sincerely. "What, no hobbies?"

Megumi looked at Kyle as if he was hearing those words for the first time. The man pressed his lips together understandingly and continued his tailor's work. Seeing another section of loosely dangling fabric, he pinched it down the boy's body and secured it with a pin. "Ya know, when ya get back, we can go fishing with together," he suggested light-heartedly, pulling out the now unnecessary needle and, finding no better option, jammed it between his teeth. "Or I could teach ya how to play the guitar," as Kyle cheerfully enumerated, Megumi only frowned his eyebrows harder. "In a pinch, we can weave beaded bracelets with ya," he laughed and his soft, deep voice floated around the room. "Okay, well, try this on," Kyle said, handing him the mask.

The mask was a little heavier than it looked, and Megumi held it for a moment before taking a deep jagged breath and leaning it against his face. The mask, making a clicking sound, sat perfectly. "How's that? Fine?" inquired Kyle, not giving up on trying to get Megumi to talk.

"Yeah," Megumi replied indifferently, and his voice came strangled and mechanical, but Kyle was used to that. "Just hot in this uniform."

"That's what ya saying now," Kyle pointed out. "Ya'll thank me a hundred times in the void."

"You?" the boy asked, raising an eyebrow skeptically.

The room went up in flames in an instant as if everything was lit up in red flames, but barely had the flash subsided when Megumi saw that it was Kyle's hands that were burning. "Me," Kyle said cheekily but still jokingly. "I'm the one in charge of thermoregulation here."

Megumi stared mesmerized at the man's hands - a second ago, they were still burning, burning as bright and hot as his disheveled gut. "I want that, too," the boy muttered quietly.

"Too, huh?" Kyle smirked meaningfully. "So ya okay with everything else?" turning away in embarrassment, Megumi tried to pull the mask off, but it wouldn't budge. He kept tugging at it while Kyle watched his desperate attempts. "Lemme help ya, you're gonna rip your face off," the man offered. "There are buttons on the sides," he informed, pulling the mask off the boy.

"You couldn't tell me before, could you?" an indignant Megumi panted, rubbing the line of his chin.

"My bad. Sorry," Kyle couldn't help it - the smile wouldn't leave his face. "By the way, uh… How's it going... with Dany?"

Megumi hated it when someone poked their nose into his life, much less his personal life. Shutting down, withdrawing into himself was the first reaction brought on by years of building up an internal psychology, but now that Megumi saw the unfamiliar warm gaze, he was glad that there was at least one person who was genuinely interested in his inner state. "I don't know, she doesn't talk to me," the boy said sullenly. "It would be better if she just told me she doesn't like me anymore," he added quietly.

"And how is that better?"

"Then I'd know for sure I don't stand a chance anymore," Megumi despaired. "I've been trying to catch up to her in training, but she's even running faster than me. I can't look for her in these damn woods," Megumi muttered, pulling off the top of his uniform and handing the fabric to Kyle.

Kyle knew that he shouldn't laugh at problems - neither big ones, nor small ones, nor their description. He was trying his best to remain silent now, only nodding significantly. "Well...," he drawled. "So there's definitely motivation to train even harder now."

"People have their limits," Megumi frowned, tugging on his home t-shirt with a jerk. "I think I've reached mine."

"Ya'd best remember well what ya just said," the man said sternly. "Remember it well and forget it. Otherwise, if I hear ya say that again, we'll stop training ya."

"And I'll continue without you," Megumi stubbornly persisted. "I may not be in control of it yet, but with or without you, I can still walk into the void."

"And die," Kyle finished for him, though the boy's sentence didn't require it. "Ya know what that's called? Cut off nose to spite face," seeing Megumi's haggard face, Kyle softened. "Come on," he paternally patted the boy on the top of his head. "How about this. When ya get back, I'll set up a rendezvous for ya and Dany."

Megumi hummed incredulously, shifting from foot to foot. "Can you really make it?"

Kyle didn't know what he was signing up for. Persuading a stubborn girl and trying to change her mind was a deep hole that couldn't be climbed out of with walls or even a ladder, but when he saw the faint smile flash across Megumi's face, he knew it was worth it. "I'll try."

You were already cooing with the waiter when you'd been apart for a minute – that was what Gojo saw in his mind, distorted by an unknown feeling. When the corners of your eyes crinkled once more, he felt an unfamiliar tingle under his ribs. It was directed, burning.

In two strides, he'd covered the distance from the front door to the table you were at and plopped down across from you. "Baby, could you not run away from me like that anymore?" shifting his gaze from you to the waiter, it went from soft to steely, all the blue was gone. The waiter was embarrassed by his direct gaze, and after glancing at you and seeing your nod, he hurriedly retreated to the kitchen. "So much for service," he muttered, looking after the waiter. "I didn't even order anything."

"I ordered ya mild shrimp dumplings and two cheesecakes," you said, looking at his profile - something in the air felt spicy from more than just the smell of the local sauce.

He didn't realize whether he liked it or not that you knew him well, the only thing that bothered and hurt him was that he didn't know you. Not even that. He knew something about you, but only from other people's words and among them was none of yours. "Well?" he inquired, finally turning in your direction. "What's next?"

"Cholesterol plaques," you chirped in pleasant anticipation. "I've been eating nothing but soup and porridge for weeks now, one more day like this and I'll hang myself."

"I'd look at that," Gojo drawled detachedly.

"Is something wrong?" you worried. "It's like ya angry."

He was silent for a few more good moments, staring out the window and tapping his finger on his chin. "Frank told me you've been missing for three years. What have you been doing?" you swallowed all the words out of surprise and stared at him stunned. "What?" asked Gojo indifferently. "You know everything about me, I know nothing about you. That's not very fair."

"It's not like I have a choice," you tried to gently remind him.

"Really?" his voice remained calm, but it still made you want to squirm in your seat. "My negligent students tied you up and made you listen to all the facts about me?"

"It's dif-"

"Different, yeah," he interrupted, shaking his head and leaning back in his chair - away from you. An inner voice yelled at him to shut his mouth, too bad Gojo was deaf at that moment. "Tell me, what does human meat taste like? I heard somewhere that it tastes like chicken, is that true?" your heart was definitely tied with fishing line and started to squeeze, and if not, why did you feel like blood was dripping off it? "Oh, come on," he laughed, seeing the subtle change on your face. "Well, you ate a couple people, who among us is not without sin?"

You looked around, almost unable to see anything through the haze, but there didn't seem to be anyone near you. "If we don't shut this down, I'm gonna eat ya too," you tried to guffaw, keeping your face straight. "Alive."

"I'm just trying to get to know you better," Gojo stared at you, trying to catch everything he could - gestures, facial expressions, anything. Every time he caught something he wanted, satisfaction involuntarily spread through his body. Paradoxically, the thought of enjoying it made him sick, but he couldn't help it - your hypocrisy was wearing him down. You were the one who'd first said you'd never revisit the subject, and yet every day with every unspoken word, you reminded Gojo that you didn't trust him. "I get that you're trying to seem mysterious, but have you ever wondered how it looks?" he chuckled sarcastically. "You look like a wretched runaway," you sat up, listening and memorizing every word. "Maybe I should tell you what happens to people who don't open up to anyone?" he leaned closer to you as if he wanted to tell you a secret that was known only to him. "Let me better demonstrate, though," Gojo got up from the table, and still looking at you, distanced himself a couple steps away. "Look at that," he snapped his fingers, pointing to his now empty seat and grinned contentedly. "You're all alone."

Gojo didn't try to get to know you better because then he could have asked you what your favorite color was, or movie, or music, but no. He got under your skin. Deliberately and painfully, choosing words that scratched and bit, and you didn't even have time to ask 'why' because his back, which had already disappeared behind the front door, would hardly have answered your question.

[June 30, 2020, 23:14, hunters' hq]

[10:59pm] You: We are going on a raid in an hour

[10:59pm] You: Megumi will text ya when he gets back

This message, like the previous ones, remained delivered but unread. Looking at it again, you went back to your routine. Books, lots of medical supplies, and more dry rations were what lay on the table. You and Kyle spread it all out into gym bags as compactly as possible, good thing you could carry twice as much into the void this time - thanks to your new apprentice.

Worries and doubts scrabbled at your mind as you put another packet of ibuprofen in your bag - did you tell Megumi everything you wanted to? Had you conveyed everything to him? Did he understand everything? The only thing you knew for sure was that you couldn't let him out of your sight. The first few times, at least.

You never missed an opportunity to remind the boy that if anything went wrong, he should run and not look back, and each time you said it aloud, you caught an increasingly annoyed look in his eyes. You believed that at the right moment, your words would play an annoying song in Megumi's head and he would do what you wanted him to do, even if it was against his own will. "Okay," Kyle pulled you out of your thoughts. "I got rid of most of the wardens, but others could come, be careful," he admonished you for the umpteenth time. "Remember they have been abused badly, more so than the others have ever told us, that's why they so afraid to come in contact. But I've prepared the ground," he poked you quietly with his shoulder. "Since Rachel took out three people, Issu will probably take out as many more, which means there will be at least two more in the hut," he wasn't discouraged, and you hummed in response. "Well," Kyle began in between, seeing your state of mind. "He still hasn't called?"

"Busy, I guess," at this point you ratted yourself out, for your brother didn't even give a name.

"I bet," Kyle muttered, pressing the contents of the bag to make some more room. "Why is your face long?"

"Not long, but focused," you brushed it off.

"Yeah, as ya say. Ya've been frowning for over a week. Even if I can't see it, I can feel it. And he hasn't been here in all that time," even though Kyle didn't like Gojo, there was a touch of sympathy in his voice. "What happened between ya two?"

"Nothing happened," you retorted. "And nothing's gonna happen," you added, softening. "He just... Dunno, he just got mad all of a sudden. Maybe it's because I don't tell him anything about me or what happened to me," you sighed sadly, your actions becoming slower and moodier.

Kyle was angry. You'd never told anyone anything, not even your loved ones, so where did Gojo get this idea of his uniqueness? "He'll get over it," he muttered. "If he doesn't, the hell with him. Let him cling to someone else."

"Ya'd be happy to," you said, grinning slyly. Maybe there was truth to Kyle's words, but you couldn't wash away that sticky acrid feeling with water or soap. Gojo must have felt the same way then. You were both disappointed in you. "We forgot the sugar," you said, going through the supplies on the table. "I'll get it."

At your brother's concerned look, you walked out of the workroom, went up the stairs and down the hallway. You were already a foot away from the fridge, only the sickening feeling of suddenly soaked socks made you cringe. "What the...," you squeaked, taking a step back.

There was water under the refrigerator. In spite of the puddle, you walked over to it and jerked open the door - not even a light bulb on. "Great," you mumbled to the empty room, and jerked the door back shut.

As if you didn't have enough troubles already, now you had to buy a new fridge. You liked it, though. It might be red, it might have daisies on it, but you were too used to it. "How much longer ya gonna look for sugar?" Kyle asked rhetorically, leaning against the doorjamb and watching you search the drawers for a rag. "Come on," he walked over to you, putting his arm around your shoulders to ward off all the fuss. Kyle glanced first at the refrigerator and then at the puddle that had spread beneath it. "That thing was barely hanging on. I'll walk ya out, and then I'll clean this place up."

Something was pressing against your shoulders. It clearly wasn't Kyle's hands. They might have looked massive, but everyone close to him knew how gentle the man could be.

The door creaked open on the second floor. "Please don't go," a pleading voice made your heart clench. "Ya're not ready yet, ya've had too little practice," came the sound of footsteps - some hurried, others hesitant.

Everything fell into place when the two persons finally came down - Megumi and Daniel. She grabbed his sleeve, asking him to stop, but he didn't even look in her direction. Yanking his arm out of her weak grip, he stood beside you. "Y/N," the girl pleaded. "Please tell him he's not ready."

"But I already told him he's coming with me today."

"W-what?" she asked in a stammering voice, looking at you as if you'd plunged a dagger under her ribs. "No-no-no," she shook her head desperately. "Why didn't ya ask me?"

You raised an eyebrow uncomprehendingly. "Should I have?" you asked indifferently. "If ya'd given him a chance to talk to ya once, maybe ya would have found out sooner."

"Don't ya fucking dare put the blame on me!" she shouted, and the outburst made the tears she'd been holding back roll down her cheeks. "Ya owed it to me to tell me!" her ringing voice began to break. "Ya took my mother away from me," she muttered. "Y-ya took my father from me," she continued to squeeze the words out of her through all the pain and hardship. "Now ya want him too?"

"Dany, not in public-"

"Not in public?!" she yelled. "He could die out there and all ya're worried about is me telling about your sins?" she laughed bitterly, wiping her wet face with her hands.

"Megumi, go to the workroom," you said softly, nudging him toward the exit. The boy hesitated a few steps and stopped, but you weren't looking at him.

"Now ya wanna take my boyfriend too," it wasn't a question anymore. It was a statement. A weak, quiet assertion.

"Dany, please calm down," Kyle gently tried to reassure her, cautiously stepping closer to her. "Megumi's gonna be fine-"

"Back off," she pulled away sharply from Kyle.

"Should I mention that he's no longer your boyfriend?" if there had been thread in the room, you would have sewn your mouth shut. There weren't, though. "You dumped him, remember?"

Danielle's rage didn't disappear - it just became as quiet as the girl's tears. "I hate ya," the words were almost impossible to hear, but you understood everything from her barely moving lips. "I hate ya so much that not even your death will make me love ya again."

Before she turned away from you, you saw the helpless anger in her eyes. You watched in a daze as she went up to the second floor on weak legs and then disappeared from sight. "Dany," Kyle called out to her, forcing you out of your stupor.

You quickly followed her upstairs and sighed as you realized you hadn't made it in time - the door to her room had already slammed shut. You banged on it with all your might. "Dany, open up!" instead of the usual words or silence, you were met with a ragged sob. You and Kyle looked over at each other anxiously. "Danielle!" you groaned again. "If you don't open it, I'm gonna kick the fucking door down!" you warned.

Your eyes blurred as her sobs subsided.

There was a rustle of sheets followed by quiet footsteps. The lock of the door clicked.

You were greeted by your loved one's face, but it was very different from the one you'd seen in the kitchen. No more anger, no more rage - just disheveled blond hair, red puffy eyelids, and grief. "Dany, I-"

You were interrupted by your own phone, and you almost whimpered in frustration. You glanced at the screen, and the evening's call from that person didn't bode well. It was Rachel.

"Answer it," she said weakly. "It must be very important," you didn't get a word out before she closed the door quietly in your face. Kyle turned the knob with a barely perceptible movement to leave a small gap.

You pressed the screen with force, and only a miracle saved it from cracking. "Speak," you snapped into the phone.

"Ah- H-hey," even if Rachel hadn't stuttered, you'd have realized she was drunk. "I can't re- relocate. I can't catch a cab either. Get me out of here," she whined.

"Okay, Kyle will pick you up-"

"No!" she yelled into the phone. "If ya don't get me out of there, I swear ya will be no longer my fucking sister," Rachel hissed.

"Rach, I've got a raid-"

"I'm supposed to care about that?" she hiccupped angrily. "Kyle always has to do everything for ya, doesn't he? Kyle this, Kyle that- Hey! Hey, asshole!," she was still yelling, but her voice was muffled. "Ya blind? No? Then maybe I'm nothing to ya?"

You and Kyle looked at each other grimly - even from here, your brother could hear the mayhem going on at the other end of the phone. The crack of wood, broken glass, shouts, muffled thuds - you squinted your eyes at every sound. "Hey," Rachel's voice was back to ringing, distinct and drunken. "Anyway, pick me up already. I rarely see ya, I feel like I don't even have a sister."

You didn't get a chance to ask where she was. Rachel just dropped the call. "What kinda day is this," you whispered in a broken, shaky whisper, rubbing your hot forehead with the palm of your hand, still staring at the phone screen.

Kyle wrapped his fingers around your chin, forcing you to look up at him. "Go," he ordered, trying to ignore your glistening eyes. "It's okay, just go get Rachel."

"But what about-"

"Today was supposed to be my shift anyway," he reminded you, hugging you. "Ya'll just go after me."

"Alright, then tell Megumi we'll be leaving in three days," you nodded briefly, snuggling up to him.

"Nah, he's waited long enough," he laughed. "I can't stand the even more sullen face he has now," feeling you clinging to his t-shirt, he tried to reassure you as best he could and knew how. He pulled you even tighter against him and burrowed into your hair. "It's been so long," he whispered. "It's high time ya learned to believe in us."

"Okay," you exhaled raggedly, unable to tear yourself away from your brother. "Take care of him. Take care of yourself, too. Please," the glimpse of black streaks creeping up your fingers made you pull away from him. Kyle kissed your forehead briefly, but you felt his lips linger on your skin a little longer than usual.

You took a couple steps away from him, and after taking another look at him, you turned around and headed for the stairs. "Y/N?" he called out to you.

You were so expecting it that you turned to him again without thinking. "Yes?" you asked with hope in your voice.

He winked slyly. "See ya," he waved goodbye, and you caught the glint of his silver bracelet.

"See ya," you giggled, waving back at him.

As you walked away, you tried to keep a confident gait, but some thing pressed on your shoulders again.

Half the bar was trashed, no customers, only one redheaded girl sitting on a stool with her head on the table, either asleep or unconscious. After leaving Kyle, you called her a dozen times, and on the millionth call, you were swearing at everyone and everything. After you'd gotten her on the phone through your despair, you'd gotten her address, and there you were, standing there, among the shards of mugs and chips from tables and chairs.

Under the wary gaze of the man in the black shirt, you walked over to Rachel and shook her by the shoulder. She mumbled inarticulately. "Do you know her?" he asked sternly.

"Yeah," you replied indifferently, still trying to rouse your sister.

"All right," said the manager. "Then I'm calling the police," he informed.

"Please don't get the police," you begged resignedly. "I'll pay for everything, just... Really, let's not do that. I'll leave you a phone number," you said, picking up one of the surviving napkins from the table and turning around to face the man. "Do you have a pen?"

He looked at you incredulously from head to toe, but your earrings seemed to convince him. He handed you a pen, and you quickly wrote your number on a napkin. "Here," you held out the phone number to him. "You can check it out."

Done. He dialed the number you had written, and your phone rang. "I'll send you the bill," the manager said formally. "Now get her out of here before she trashes the surviving half of the bar."

"Yeah, just...," you swallowed uncertainly. "I'll just bring her to her senses," the manager nodded, but didn't move. When you looked at your sister again, rage came over you, but remembering that you were in a public place, you immediately nipped it in the bud.

Grabbing Rachel by the scruff of her neck, you dragged her into the restroom. She struggled sluggishly and mumbled something, but you paid no attention. Kicking open the door, you tossed her right into the sink. "Did ya have fun, bitch?" with helplessness, your voice started to break again. You opened the faucet, and to your delight, ice-cold water came out of it.

You held Rachel's hair with your hand and tried to keep her head close to the stream, otherwise she'd just slide to the floor; with your other hand you scooped up the water and smeared it right over her drunken red face. "Do ya even remember ya have a son? Why aren't ya at his place?" you began to gasp along with her - she from the water, you from despair.

"I can't see him-" she stammered and choked, and you wondered if it was really the alcohol, the water, or her own words. "I-I'm gonna throw up," she practically forced the words out of her, choking on the water.

Whimpering, you pulled her hair and dragged her straight to the toilet stall. As soon as her head was bent over the toilet, everything started coming out of her. She coughed and spit, and you held her unruly hair back, even though the only thing you wanted to do right now was drown her in her own vomit. "Are ya having fun now? Do ya like living like this?"

"I'm sorry," she mumbled, and the sounds of vomiting were heard again. "I... I won't do it again."

You bit your lip, almost tearing it off - how many times had you heard those words, and there was no truth to them, like wandering through a dark forest without a light, looking for a path. It was the same thing over and over again. "Wait here," you said, not sure why - she couldn't have disappeared in her condition.

Leaping out of the restroom and grabbing the first whole glass you could find, you went back in and filled it with water. "Drink," you commanded, shoving the glass under your sister's nose.

"I don't wanna," she tried to push your hand away weakly.

"I said drink," you grabbed her hair again, forcing her face up. As the water poured into her open mouth, Rachel leaned over the toilet again, choking.

They didn't want to leave you alone, the ringing of the phone hit your ears again, making you grit your teeth. "Speak."

"Young lady, what kinda tone is that?" resented Frank. Your insides dropped as you felt Rachel was about to throw up again.

"Sorry, Frank, I didn't see who was calling," you said absently, turning away and putting the receiver away from the source of the noise. "Look, lemme call ya back in an hour, 'kay? We're just at the bar with Rachel, it's not really convenient to talk right now."

"One hour," the man snorted angrily and hung up.

"Thanks," Rach mumbled and as you watched this, you slid down the wall, falling to the cold tile. Looking at her sweaty face and the wet red strands sticking to it, you were furious that you couldn't do anything about it. But if you couldn't do anything about it, then why were you even bothering with it? "I kinda feel better," she mumbled more clearly already, wiping her lips. "Let's go home."

Sighing, you grabbed her under the armpits, forcing her to stand. Rachel leaned on you like a personal prop, and you waddled away from the bar to the judgmental stares. When you reached the alley, you pulled your sister tighter against you.

"Relocate."

You fell onto the soft bed in your sister's room just as you'd been in the alley a second ago - tired, in dirty clothes and shoes. When you sensed something wrong, you moved Rach to the edge of the bed and rolled her onto her side, and went to the bathroom to get a basin, pour some water into a glass, and grab some micellar water.

Before Rachel threw up again, you managed to put the basin on the floor. Putting everything else on the nightstand, you began to undress her. Clumsily pulling off her sneakers, you couldn't lift her torso to pull down her pants. "Help me already," you groaned, tugging at her legs.

Grumbling to herself, Rachel lifted her hips, and you yanked off her jeans with. You realized you didn't have the energy for outerwear - let her sleep like that. Rach was still stirring restlessly, apparently never having fallen into slumber.

You sat down next to her, and after soaking a cotton ball in micellar water, you began to wash off her makeup. "Ya mad?" she asked weakly.

"Not really," you lied, trying not to take the anger out on her face.

You were smearing mascara and eyeliner all over her cheeks, and no one really knew how much absorbent cotton and micellar water it took you to wash it all off. Rachel was already breathing normally, though she was lying in an uncomfortable position - her right arm oddly bent over her face. But she seemed to be asleep.

You rolled her onto her side again, and praying that she would stay that way until morning and not choke on her own vomit, tried to crawl quietly off the bed. "Don't go," she begged quietly, grabbing at your sweater. "Lie with me for a while."

"Okay," you gave in to her helpless pleas and gently lay down on the other side of the bed.

Who knows how much strength it took for her to turn around to face you? "I miss ya," she sobbed.

You realized she wasn't talking to you at all. "I know. Go back to sleep."

There was nothing left in the room but your breathing. As she fell asleep, you knew that tomorrow Rachel would have a headache, and she would snap at everyone she met. You watched her face sink deeper and deeper into the pillow, her occasional smacking of her lips, her frown, and reassured yourself that maybe she was dreaming something good this time.

The warning signs were scattered around the kitchen. To be more precise, they were sitting there. Director Yaga stared in amazement at you coming down from the second floor, for he had been informed of your absence. "Mr. Director," you greeted him in a surprised but tired manner, glancing around at the others. There was Shoko, standing at the open window, blowing cigarette smoke, Yuji, who didn't look up from his desk, and Megumi, who had finally returned, alive and well. "Back?" you asked the boy, grinning approvingly. "Good. Go rest."

You probably said it to yourself - you were barely thinking. Automatically shuffling your feet, you headed for the workshop. "Y/N," a distressed voice stopped you.

Your face contorted instantly. Your eyes squeezed shut on their own and your lips pressed into a thin line against your will. 'Don't ya do this to me,' you begged silently someone who wasn't in this room.

Wiping the pain from your face with your hand, you took the only acceptable emotion you could muster. Benevolence. You turned around, and walking over to the table and standing in front of Megumi, you continued to pretend that everything was fine. "What is it?"

You refused to see the fear in Itadori's eyes, but you couldn't help but notice the fear in the black-haired boy's young features. Maybe if you hadn't looked so straight ahead, maybe if you'd known to look away, you wouldn't have seen the guilt.

Megumi refused to look you in the eyes - he was drilling a point near your neck, hiding his hands under the table. "I...," he began, but a gasp knotted his throat, and he clenched his teeth with such force that his tense jaw showed through his skin. "I'm... I'm- I'm so sorry," let it be his words - he was holding it together just fine, unlike Itadori. As soon as Megumi finished speaking, tears began to stream down Yuji's cheeks. It felt like molten metal had been poured into your lungs instead of air. It filled you from the inside out, rising higher and higher, coming up to your throat. "It's my fault," he admitted, reaching his hand out from under the table and handing you a silver bracelet.

You wanted to ask the boy a stupid but sincere question - whose bracelet was it? But as soon as you took it in your hand, you already knew the answer, for the size of the jewelry left no doubt as to who had once owned it.

"What...," you stammered, feeling the jewelry in your hands. It was warm, almost hot - apparently, Megumi had warmed it in his hands for a long time. "What happened?"

"Jonah brought more people to evacuate," the boy began in a trembling voice. "Kyle said we couldn't get everyone out at once. I insisted, though. I promised them I'd get them out," his eyes finally glistened, but not a single tear still fell. "I said I could take them out, but Kyle warned me that I couldn't take out six at a time. Then the people started... Th-they... They begged, begged me to take them out right now...," he sobbed, pressing himself harder against the back of the chair and lowering his gaze, hiding his face in his hand. "I convinced Kyle that I could do it. I really felt it," the boy pleaded, raising wet eyes to you. "He went to walk us to the rift, except...," he breathed intermittently and shallowly, swallowing thick saliva. "When we were close to the rift, it turned out they weren't people at all," he looked up at you, making sure you understood what he meant. "I wanted to stay, but he pushed me away, and I think I ripped it off him at that point," he glanced at the bracelet in your hands, licking his chapped lips. "First he pushed me away, then relocated me closer to the rift, and then I think he relocate himself, but...," stingy tears spilled from his eyes like begging atonement. "Before I went in, I turned around. They- They torn him ap-"

"I got it," you interrupted without listening to the rest of the story.

It was as if all the water had evaporated from your body - it was so dry it was hard to move your limbs, your eyes refused to blink, saliva pooled in your mouth as if you'd lost all your basic reflexes. "There's nothing ya can do now. Go to bed," you said blankly. Your gaze fell on the pack of cigarettes that was peering through the white robe of Shoko, who had approached you. Ieiri silently reached into the pocket, pulled out a cigarette and held it out to you, paired with a lighter. "Thanks."

It was a long walk to the window, for the floor underfoot was not parquet, but viscous glue. The phone rang for the umpteenth time, but you weren't angry or annoyed. You didn't care. That's what you thought, until you saw the name of the caller.

It was Frank.

You took a cigarette in your teeth and lit it, but you hesitated before answering the phone, your numb hands deliberately delaying the moment. The phone screen went out, but immediately lit up again. "Hey, Frank."

"It's been well over an hour," he sighed. "If ya can't call me back, at least send me a text so I don't worry-"

"Frank."

"Don't interrupt me, that's not what I taught ya," he frowned, reminding you of childhood admonitions. "How's Rachel doing? Have ya been watching her?"

"Frank," you tried again.

"Did she drink a lot?" the agitated man persisted. "She did something wrong, didn't she?"

"Frank!" you shouted into the phone. The silence was so empty and impersonal, only the waves crashing against the rocks reminded you what kind of world you were in. You took a puff for the first time in a long time. Your head was spinning, but you remained standing at the open panoramic window. "Kyle, he's... He's dead."

When you said it aloud, you brought it to life, bringing chaos not only to your soul, but to the souls of others as well. There was a long silence, and the sound of the waves began to subside along with the beating of the heart. It would have been better if Frank had never spoken, for instead of his words you heard only something mechanical, and the ringing in your ears made it impossible to make out what was said - past, future, anguish, joys, sorrows and moments of happiness - all merged together and seemed to sink into the bay before your eyes.

You threw away the burnt cigarette and pulled the silver bracelet out of your pocket; it was cool as it lost its warmth. There was no blood on it, no pieces of skin. You put it to your lips, hoping to feel Kyle again. It was no use. The jewelry gave off only your warmth.

You didn't immediately realize that Frank had gone silent. 'Yeah, okay,' you said on automatic. You seemed to hear the words 'Hopetown', 'funeral', 'two days'. Were 'two days' accurate? Did Frank say three? Did he say anything at all?

Before you could come to your senses and have time to ask again, Frank hung up. "Y/N," Principal Yaga's worried voice came from behind you. "Is there anything we can do for you?"

You lost your brother, and you are unlikely to ever see again those people who were first gifted with hope and then left in the void. "Yeah," you replied coldly, turning to look at those present. You were still desperately pressing the jewelry to your lips. "Your job."

Seeing the principal nod briefly, you walked past heading for the workroom, throwing all Kyle's hopes, plans, dreams, and silver bracelet into the trashcan.

next ⊳

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underthenightskydreamsneverdie · 1 year

Text

Sharing is Caring Chapter 3

Summary: "Our plan is good, and I believe it will work, but if it doesn’t, remember that you’re our family Ominis, and we’ll fight for you.” Sebastian and MC help Ominis get out of an arranged marriage after he pulls away from them.

Warnings: 18+, lots of angst, lots of sex, maybe a tiny bit of fluff, unprotected sex, anal, double penetration, cunnilingus, blow jobs, Ominis feeling unworthy because of his shitty family, idk what else guys, it's late and I'm tired, oh I'm pretty sure my tenses are all over the place

Pairings: Sebastian x f!MC, Sebastian x f!MC x Ominis

Word count: 13k (oops)

A/N: Important info first! Sebastian starts calling Ominis Darling, Ominis starts calling Sebastian Dearest. Huge thanks to @actual-queen-josephine for helping me pick those pet names! Good lord this got really long. I hope you guys think it was worth the wait! Thanks to my Fanfic Friends Discord babes for helping me through this nightmare. Love you!

Chapter 1 Chapter 2

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It had been three months, three glorious months full of steamy nights with Sebastian and Ominis. Your relationship with Sebastian had only grown stronger in those months, something he liked to point out he predicted all along. Of course the rules Sebastian had gently lain out after your first night together as a trio had helped. When Sebastian had first brought up the idea of rules if this was to be more than a one time thing, you had thought he was being silly, his jealousy showing before anything had even happened, but now you were glad for them.

First on his list, and most important if this arrangement wasn’t going to implode their friendship: You were his. He would gladly share you with his best friend, hell, Ominis could even flirt with you and hold your hand in front of him and the entire castle, but nothing sexual happened without Sebastian being there.

Second on his list: There would be nights when Ominis wasn’t welcome. Nights he needed to have you all to himself. “For the sake of our relationship” he had said the night you discussed his rules, looking you in the eyes, all his love for you written on his face.

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You lay on the bed that was now a permanent feature in the Undercroft, watching Ominis get dressed, Sebastians head on your stomach, making no move to put your own clothes on. This was the one rule you had kept from Ominis, not that he couldn’t guess what was happening in the hour or two between his own return to the Slytherin common room and Sebastians. Ominis was more than welcome to have his fun with you, both you and Sebastian loved having him there, but at the end of the night you were Sebastian's girlfriend, and he would spend the time making sure you remembered that.

You gently ran your fingertips over his scalp wondering what he had in store for tonight. Some nights it was rough, possessive sex, Sebastian making sure his was the last name you screamed in pleasure that night. Others it was soft, gentle love making, a rare treat, Sebastian keeping your body as close to his as possible, telling you how much he loved you and how beautiful you were to him, inside and out.

Now dressed, Ominis came to the edge of the bed to kiss you goodnight, also pressing a soft kiss to Sebastian's forehead, having long since grown tired of him jokingly asking where his goodnight kiss was.

“Goodnight, MC, I really enjoyed tonight. Sebastian, I expect you to return to the dorm before daybreak.”

Sebastian sighed “It happened one time, Ominis, will you ever let me live it down?”

“Not a chance.” Ominis chuckled as he stepped through the gate that would lead him out of the Undercroft.

You lay in the silence for a few minutes, the sounds of you and Sebastian breathing echoing off the stone walls, before Sebastian let out a deep breath and sat up.

“Close your eyes, Princess, I have a surprise for you.”

You did as he asked, knowing it was pointless to try to get any information out of him. You felt him get off the bed, heard his footsteps on the stone floor, heard him frantically search his clothes for his wand, heard him mutter what you thought was a conjuring spell, then - the sound of running water.

“Sebastian, what-”

“Keep them closed, MC.” He took hurried steps, just barely audible over the sound of the water. As the water suddenly stopped you heard his footsteps at the end of the bed. The next moment his hand was on yours, gently pulling you to your feet. He guided you forward, telling you to wait here one minute more, the splashing sound that followed getting you excited.

“Okay, open them.”

You laughed as your eyes opened. In front you Sebastian sat in a ridiculously oversized bathtub, the steaming water turning his face pink, his hand held out for you. You took his hand, carefully climbing into the tub, settling between his legs. Sighing, you leaned back against him, thankful he had noticed how tired you were tonight. Sebastian knew you weren't one for baths, but a tub like this was something you had been dreaming about for the past three months, many mornings waking up sore after a night with both boys. He had gone a little overboard on the size, you could probably fit at least five people in there with you, but it was deep enough for the water to come almost to your neck while you sat up against him, which you had told him was the most important thing in a bathtub.

“I know it’s a little big, but I thought you deserved some relaxation after the night you had. I noticed how Ominis...was with you tonight...the mood he was in.” He sighed, pressing a kiss to your head. “He got an owl from his mother this afternoon, more of the usual shit from his family, I guess. I know I asked already, but you are alright, aren’t you?” His arms wrapped around your waist, giving you a little squeeze, as he bent his head and began kissing your shoulders.

“Yes, I’m alright. He didn’t hurt me really, it was just so unusual for him, it surprised me more than anything.” You closed your eyes, enjoying Sebastian's kisses, but your mind went back to Ominis. He had been in a mood all evening, but you had expected it would melt away as he lost himself in your touch, the way his bad moods usually did. The truth is you knew you would have more than a few bruises by the morning from the way he had fucked you, but you didn’t want Sebastian to overeact. He had been rough, in a way that not even Sebastian had ever been, taking his frustrations out on your body.

You knew Sebastian had been keeping a close eye on things during the night's activities, ready to step in if he felt it necessary. That was the final rule, unspoken even between the two of you. Sebastian would do whatever was required to protect you, even from his very best friend. But Sebastian took his cues from you, knowing damn well you could handle yourself. The few times he had looked at you with a questioning, protective look on his face, you had shaken your head. With each orgasm Ominis became a little more like his normal self, and by the time he had his fourth and final one of the night, he was once again holding you close, cupping your face in his hands, and sweetly moaning your name.

“MC?” You snap back to the present as you feel Sebastian suck hard on your neck, a small “Ow” coming from your lips.

“Ah, I thought that might get your attention.” Sebastian chuckled as you brought your hand up to guide his lips back to your neck. “What were you thinking about?” he asked between kisses, “Ominis again?”

“I was, but all I want to think about right now is you.”

“We can talk more about Ominis if you want, Princess. You know you can talk to me about anything.” He spoke the words sincerely but his hardening cock pressing into your back seemed to have other ideas.

“Can you believe Ominis went for four rounds tonight? He almost broke my record with you.” You laugh loudly at this, knowing Sebastian is teasing you.

“Seb, four of seven isn’t almost beating a record. Don't worry love, Ominis may have impressive stamina but you’ll always be my champion.”

“Why, thank you, my lady.” As he spoke, Sebastian wraps his arms around your waist, lifting you onto his lap. “Speaking of orgasms, I know you’re tired and it would be incredibly selfish of me to ask, but seeing as neither of us had as many as Ominis tonight, should we attempt to catch up?”

Your eyes grow wide. “How do you know I didn’t have as many as Ominis?!”

He chuckles, his hands running over your body. “You really think I don’t know when you cum, Princess? Watching you come undone because of the things Ominis does to you is one of the sexiest things I’ve ever seen, MC, it’s hard to look away from.” His roaming hands find their way to your mound, rubbing you softly under the water. You let out a soft moan of his name, suddenly feeling completely refreshed and desperate for him. Reaching between your legs you take him into your hand, stroking him, making sure he’s ready for you.

“Fuck, Princess, I’ve got to have you. Let me do all the work, just relax against me.” He kisses your shoulder blades as you continue to stroke him for a few minutes more before he can’t take it, lifting you up telling you to guide him to your slit. He lowers your body back onto him, pushing inside you, your moan joining his as you settle down on his full length. He wraps both arms around you, his hot breath on your neck, bucking his hips slowly.

“How is it possible that you feel this fucking good around my cock every fucking time, love? Merlin, I swear I’ll never get enough of you.” He lets out a loud moan as he increases his pace a little, starting to lose himself in the pleasure. You grip the side of the tub, water splashing over the edge as Sebastian pulls you closer to him, moaning your name.

As his orgasm approaches he presses his forehead against your back, mumbling “I love you, I never want this moment to end” between his moans and kisses to your warm skin. Using his strong arms to hold you down, making sure you take his entire length as his orgasm rocks through him, he rubs your clit and sucks at your neck while he continues his slow thrust, drawing your own orgasm out of you. Collapsing against him, your head thrown back, whimpering softly, you clutch at his arms around you.

As you come down from your release, Sebastian continues to hold you tight as he pulls out of you, shifting your body so he can kiss your lips.

“I know I don’t show it very often but I hope you know how much I love being close to you like this. It’s always fun to fuck you hard and watch you turn into a little slut for me, of course, but I adore the connection we share when it’s like this, I can see why it’s Ominis’ favorite way to be with you.” He sighs softly, pulling your lips to his. As you kiss you think about his words. It was the first time he had voiced his appreciation for the softer side of sex.

“Give me more of it, Sebastian. Now, tonight, I need that from you. It’s so incredible when we make love. I know you hate that phrase but don’t roll your eyes when I use it.” You catch him mid eye roll and give his arm a playful slap. You wiggle out of his grasp and stand up, stepping out of the tub, your skin immediately reacting to the change in temperature. “Take me to bed, Sebby, make love to me again.”

You stand next to the tub, water dripping off your skin as Sebastian stands, grabbing his wand and summoning the stack of towels you keep by the bed. He wraps one around you, taking his time to dry your skin, replacing it with his warm hands when you shiver at the cold air of the Undercroft. Bringing his head down, taking your nipple into his mouth, a hand coming up to tease the other, moaning as your fingers tangle in his hair, the sound vibrates through your chest, making you laugh. Pulling away, Sebastian smiles up at you, lifting you off the ground, your legs wrapping around his still wet body, slipping a little. You both laugh as he clutches you tighter, mumbling “Get back here… ah, maybe I should have dried off a bit.”

“You got me?”

“I got you baby, but just in case…” Turning, he moves quickly, practically sprinting back to the bed, laughing as he collapses on it trying not to crush you underneath him. You laugh with him, pulling him down on top of you.

“You’re so silly.”

“Sometimes.” He gives you a wink, kissing your forehead. “Now stop laughing if you want me to make loooove to you.” He waggles his eyebrows at you as he draws out the word love, sending you into another fit of laughter.

“Nothing wrong with laughing while you have sex, Seb.” It takes you a few tries to get the words out around your giggles.

“That’s good cause I’m feeling very silly now. Come here, gorgeous.” His hands on your hips, he pushes you up in the bed, your head coming to rest on the pillows. He climbs over top of you, settling in for a long night of passion and laughter.

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Ominis sat in his bed, waiting for Sebastian to return, hoping this wouldn’t be the time he and MC decide to spend the entire night in the Undercroft. As soon as he left them his bad mood had returned, leaving him feeling angry and reflecting on how he had treated her. He wanted to rush back in and apologize, getting up from his comfy armchair in front of the Slytherin common room fireplace three separate times only to sigh and throw himself back down into it. After two hours he had gone up to his room, hoping that an extra door between him and the Undercroft would keep him from making an even bigger fool of himself.

He had behaved horribly, refusing to let her happiness, her touch, her pleasure be the most important thing to him. He let out a huge sigh, cursing himself and his family for the tenth time tonight. Why had he let his mothers words get into his head? Why did he care what she thought? Most importantly, why had he let it come between him and MC? He brought his hands up to his face, slowly dragging them down it, sighing again, trying to ignore the answers his mind had already come up with. Why did he care what his mother thought? That was easy to answer. Even though he had never had a great relationship with her, never gotten the love he wanted from her, at the end of the day she was still his mother, and unfortunately that mattered to him. As for why he let this, or anything, interfere with his relationship with MC? That was even easier to answer. Because you idiot, you’re irrevocably, hopelessly in…

“Ominis?”

“Shit, Sebastian.” Ominis took Sebastian's return as a sign to push that answer deep, deep down to ignore for another day.

“Sorry, mate, I didn’t mean to scare you. Honestly, I thought you would be asleep by now, it’s been almost four hours since you left us.” Ominis heard him collapse on his bed, a soft sigh, then the creaking of him moving around.

“Sebastian. Did I hurt her?”

Ominis waited in the silence for what felt like a lifetime, before he heard more creaking, the sound of bare feet on the floor, then felt his bed sag under Sebastian's weight as he came to sit next to him. Sebastians warm arms wrapped around him, pulling him close, and he pressed a soft kiss to Ominis’ forehead.

“Maybe a little, but she’s okay, I promise you that, Ominis. I wouldn’t have left her if I didn’t believe it. She is worried about you though, as am I. Do you want to talk about it?”

“No. Certainly not tonight, anyway. You must be tired after four extra hours with MC, let's get to bed, Sebastian.” Ominis felt Sebastian stand up and stretched out in his bed, letting out a small gasp as Sebastian got in next to him.

“Sebstian, what are you doing?”

“You’re my best friend and you’re upset Ominis, I’m not leaving you alone. Besides, it’s not the first time we’ve done this. Now shut up and go to sleep.” Sebastian threw an arm around Ominis, pulling him close against him.

“The bed is a lot smaller for us now, we’re quite close, Sebastian.”

Sebastian sighed, propping himself up on his elbow, leaning down to whisper into ominis’ ear. “Ominis, I’ve sucked your cock and you’ve jerked me off, this is the most innocent thing we’ve done together in a while. I don’t think it's a big deal at this point.”

“I suppose I can’t argue with that logic. Goodnight, Seb.” Ominis closed his eyes, listening to Sebastian's steady heartbeat. Just as he was about to fall asleep, the arm around him gave him a small squeeze, Sebastians sleepy voice mumbling “Besides, I’m quite enjoying feeling your ass against me.” Ominis’ eyes flew open in shock, but closed just as quickly, a smile flashing across his face. He couldn’t deny enjoying it himself.

_________________

You sit waiting for Sebastian and Ominis outside the Great Hall, enjoying the cool morning air, petting a cat that had joined you on the stone bench, lost in thought about the events of the night before. Hearing a muffled sound you look up, a small scream coming from your mouth as you find them both standing in front of you.

“Merlin, you boys scared me. How did you sleep, loves?”

Sebastian smirks as he wraps an arm around Ominis’ waist, pulling him close. “I’d say we slept pretty well, wouldn’t you, Ominis?”

You watch with raised brows as Ominis blushes, wondering what could have happened between them, about to ask just that when Sebastian beats you to it.

“Oh, I slept in Ominis’ bed last night. He was in a mood and wanted a cuddle, isn’t that right Omi?” He chuckles as Ominis turns red again.

“Sebastian, someone will hear you!”

“It’s fine, there’s no one around and I wouldn’t care if there were.”

“In that case, what I think you mean to say is that you snored in my ear all night.” Ominous’ tone was one of annoyance but there was a small smile on his face.

“Oh, please, you loved it.”

You let out a loud gasp as his face turned more red than a Gryffindor banner. “You did!”

“I didn’t hate it, if you must know. Not that I want it to become a regular occurrence. That bed is far too small. Now if either of you know of a much larger bed, say one that is removed from prying eyes, I might reconsider.”

“Hmmm, I might know a place.” You tease him back, wrapping both arms around him, standing on your toes, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips. He kisses you back softly, an arm snaking around your waist.

“I’d say let’s go there now, but I know you must be hungry after last night’s activities, why don’t we get some breakfast first. Sebastian, why don’t you go ahead and find us seats. Little Dove and I need to have a word.”

“Fine, but don’t judge me if I’m stuffing my face when you arrive. I had quite an exhausting night too.” Untangling himself from Ominis, Sebastian gave you a small wink before striding into the Great Hall.

Ominis pulled you closer, his lips brushing against your forehead, whispering to you, his breath warm against your skin in the cool morning air. “Little Dove, I’m sorry about last night, I was angry and I took it out on you in the worst way I can imagine. You gave yourself to me, trusting me, and I took advantage. Before you say that you’re fine and it’s okay…don’t huff at me, I know that’s what you were thinking MC! Before you say that, I need to know if I hurt you physically, if I caused a change in how you see me, did I…did I scare you.” He stepped away quickly, leaving you to catch your balance, his hands covering his face as he turned away. “I couldn’t live with myself if I did any of those things, Little Dove. I need you to tell me the truth.”

Pressing your face against his broad back, your arms wrapping around him, you spoke in a soft but confident voice, aiming to reassure him. “Ominis, love, what do you hear around us right now? Do you hear other people? No. I’m standing here, completely alone with you, and I feel entirely safe, at peace, at home. I may have a few bruises, but they don’t matter to me. Not the way you matter to me, Ominis. Your behavior last night did nothing to scare me, or deter me from continuing this thing we have. I know you well enough to see the real you and nothing could change that or take it away.”

He spun around, crushing you against him. “Thank you, Little Dove.” He held you close for a few minutes before loosening his grip. “Let’s get you something to eat, I can hear your stomach growling.” You take the arm he holds out for you, looking him over once more as you enter the Great Hall. His eyes are red rimmed and his nose is the slightest shade of pink, the sight stopping your heart momentarily. Sitting down next to Sebastian, who was indeed stuffing his face, you had to take a minute to blink back the tears that threatened to break free.

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Two weeks passed and even though Ominis went back to acting like his usual self, you sensed something had shifted between you. At first it was small things, Ominis opting to study by himself, or rushing to your next class before you could even pack away your things. The biggest sign was when he turned down an offer to spend time with you and Sebstian in the Undercroft, on a rainy Wednesday evening, as you sat together in the library finishing the Transfiguration homework .

“Are you sure, Ominis? We can wait for you to finish.” Sebastian asked as he shoved his books into his bag.

“You go ahead. I’m tired tonight, I wouldn’t be able to completely devote myself to the two of you. I can feel you frowning at me, Little Dove. I’ll be alright, promise. Have fun, Darlings.”

You gave Sebastian a worried look, but he shrugged and pulled you away from the table, pausing to glance back at Ominis before exiting. “That was weird, right? It’s not my imagination, he just blew us off, didn’t he?” He stopped walking, turning to look at you, a troubled look on his face.

“It was definitely strange. I saw him sleep through two classes and part of lunch today, being tired can’t be his reason for not joining us. Has he said anything out of the ordinary lately?”

“Oh, shit, you know I think he got another owl from his mother yesterday. Maybe he doesn’t want to risk what happened last time? You can’t really blame him for that.” He grabs your hand, continuing to the Undercroft, chuckling as he threw his robe over your head as you sprint across the Transfiguration Courtyard, doing his best to shield you from the torrential rain. He stopped to pull you close as you splashed through puddles, unable to resist the romanticism of the circumstances, leaning in for a deep kiss. You melt into his lips, forgetting about the world around you, and the rain now soaking you to the bone, only pulling away when a loud clap of thunder startles you back to reality. Laughing as you burst into the Undercroft hand in hand, you pull him in for another kiss, pushing the wet hair off his forehead. Summoning a towel, you throw it over his head, his large hand coming up to rake it across his head, laughing when he pulls it away, his hair going in all directions.

“Oh, think it’s funny? Come here.” You let out a small scream and take off running around the room as he chases you, laughing as he catches you easily, wrapping a strong arm around your waist, throwing the towel over you, messing up your hair. “Now we match.” You give him a grumpy look, a playful sparkle in your eyes, earning you a laugh and a kiss. “You’re so cute when you’re pretending to be mad at me.”

“We should get out of these wet clothes.” In perfect timing, a shiver runs through you as you shrug your robe off, Sebastian pulling you into his arms.

“Baby, you’re freezing. Come here, we’ll sit in front of the fire and dry off.” He helps you out of the rest of your wet clothes, eyeing your naked form hungrily before crouching in front of the fireplace you had transfigured into the room, casting Incendo, and stripping out of his own dripping clothes. He summons another towel, drying your damp skin, lips trailing after the towel covering you in little kisses then pulls you down onto his lap, his skin already warmer than the fire.

You stay snuggled up in his arms for a long time, never wanting to leave as he whispers loving words into your ear and kisses your neck. Caught up in the feel of his soft lips on your skin you hardly notice when he shuffles you around, laying you down on the soft rug, gently climbing on top of you. “Let me worship you, Princess.” Vaguely aware of nodding, you sigh as his warm hands spread your legs, his thighs press against yours, and he slowly slips his cock inside you. He moans your name as he sets a soft slow pace, his forehead resting on yours, his soul pouring from his eyes into yours as he never looks away. His hands slide up your body, raising your arms above your head and he laces his fingers with yours. His moans are soft and needy, his voice husky as he continually tells you he loves you and you’ve made him the luckiest boy in the word by choosing him. Even through your orgasms his pace never increases, his usual deep groans replaced by muffled whines as his lips seal with yours. He kisses you like it’s the last time he’ll ever get the chance to, expressing all his love and desire for you through it, continuing long after you’ve both come down from the high of your orgasm. When he finally pulls away his face is flushed under his freckles, his chest heaving against yours. “There aren’t words to describe what you mean to me, MC. I love you with everything I am and could ever be.”

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Ominis sighed as he walked back to his dorm alone. Why didn’t you just talk to them? Tell them what’s going on, you know they would understand and want to help. But that’s precisely why you didn’t. Sighing again, he dropped his bag on the floor, pulling the latest owl from his mother out of his pocket before flopping onto his inviting bed. He unfolded the letter, pressing his wand to it, torturing himself as he read it for the fifteenth time.

Ominis, She is a lovely girl. You will spend the summer courting her and you will marry her after you graduate. It has all been arranged and your father won’t hear another word on the matter. Mother

Crumpling up the paper, he let out an angry huff. How am I going to get out of this? Rolling over he quickly fell asleep, hoping his dreams would yield an answer.

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Sebastian woke up on the floor, the fire burnt out, MC pressed against his back, her slow breathing soothing him. Gently rolling over, he watched her sleep for a few minutes before standing and scooping her into his arms. Bare feet padding across the stone floor of the Undercroft, he placed her in the big bed, throwing the covers over her before climbing in on the other side, pulling her close. He ran his fingers through her hair as she stirred, whispering to her. “I’m here, love, go back to sleep.”

I could sleep next to her like this forever.

He tried to go back to sleep, thinking it would be easy, snuggled up with her, but his mind kept wandering back to Ominis. He knew something was up with his friend, something related to his family, but Ominis wouldn’t confide in him. It hurt to think his best friend didn’t trust him after everything he trusted Ominis with. I share my girl and my bed with him, along with everything else, why won’t he talk to me? He turned his head to look behind him in the bed, wishing Ominis was with them tonight, his larger body curled around him. I’m going to get to the bottom of this one way or another, Ominis, just you watch. His eyelids feeling heavy once again he held MC tighter, matching his breathing with hers until he fell asleep.

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

When Ominis received a letter at breakfast two weeks later, you watched as Sebastian snatched it from his hands, jumping up from the table, running around the Great Hall, ripping it open and doing his best to read it as Ominis chased him. Both boys crashed to the ground when Sebastian stopped suddenly, Ominis running into him.

“What the actual fuck, Sebastian! How dare you read my mail, give it back!”

“Ominis, why didn’t you tell me about your engagement?” His voice was cold, full of hurt, his tone accusatory.

“Can we not talk about this here? Where’s MC? Get her and meet me in the Undercroft.” He stood up, his face a deep scarlet color, angrier than you had ever seen him.

Sebastian got up, watching Ominis stalk out of the Great Hall, before calmly making his way to you, sitting down to finish his breakfast. He didn’t say a word, one hand in a fist, the other shaking as he stabbed at his food. When he cleared his plate, he turned to you, speaking in a quiet voice. “Ominis would like us to meet him in the Undercroft. Apparently he is betrothed.” Your jaw dropped as he stood and reached out to take your hand, pulling you to your feet.

“Wait, Sebastian, what do you mean he’s betrothed? To whom? When did this happen? Why didn’t he tell us? Sebastian?” You promptly shut your mouth as he shot you an annoyed look. You quietly made the trek to the Undercroft, watching Sebastian get angrier with each step. You threw your hands out to stop him before you entered the secret room, knowing he was far too upset to talk about things rationally right now. “Sebastian, love, please take a moment to breathe. You look like you’re ready to kill him. You can’t go down there and talk to him like this, it will only end badly.” He sighed heavily, stumbling back into the wall, sliding down to the floor. You sat down next to him, scooching in close, lifting his arm to put around your shoulders. He pulled you closer, taking a few deep breaths of the comforting smell of your perfume. You sat there as people started to file into The Defense Against the Dark Arts Tower around you, the first lessons of the day starting soon, and as the halls emptied, only a few late students running up the stairs behind you. You stayed long enough that your butt went numb, rising to your feet and pacing in front of Sebastian. As the halls filled with students again, he sighed, rising to his feet, and disappearing through the clock face entrance before anything could stop him. By the time you made it through the gate at the bottom of the stairs, Sebastians loud voice was filling the room.

“Why didn’t you tell me this was going on, Ominis?! I thought we were best friends! I share everything with you!” Sebastian had his arms in the air, waving frantically as he spoke even though he knew Ominis couldn’t see them, his face beet red, fighting to keep himself under control.

“I didn’t think it would get this far. I didn’t want to worry you.” Ominis looked as though he might throw up, his usual fair skin a little gray.

“Oh, bullshit! That’s a horrible lie, Ominis!” He turned on his heel, facing you. “Ah, MC, maybe you can get the truth out of him since he clearly doesn’t trust me anymore.” He grabbed your hand, dragging you to stand in front of Ominis. You reach out, taking Ominis by the hand, silently leading him over to the sofa. “Sit down, Omi, let’s talk this out. Will you please start from the beginning? No sense hiding anything now, right?” You did your best to speak in a calm, even tone, hoping to diffuse the anger stifling the room. You sat rubbing your thumbs over Ominis’ hands, waiting for him to be ready to talk.

After a few minutes and many deep breaths, he was. “I think you know when it started, that damn night I was so rough with you. Mother sent me a letter that day, casually informing me that I was all but engaged to a pureblood girl two years older than us. It was her usual coldness about the matter that made me so angry. She’s been planning my wedding since I was five years old, but we hadn’t spoken of it in a few years. I suppose, Little Dove, after meeting you I had secretly begun to let myself believe it would never be talked of again. That was foolish of me though. I’ve now received four letters, each reminding me that I have no choice in the matter, that I will marry this girl.” He pulled his hands from yours, standing suddenly, pacing in front of the sofa. You took the moment to look around for Sebastian, finding him sitting on the floor resting against the column closest to you. He shot you a look, his eyes sad, and you reached out your hand, motioning him over. He sank down next to you, sighing as you shifted around kicking your shoes off before throwing your legs across his lap, his hands automatically coming up to rest on your thighs.

“Do you want to marry her?” Sebastian's voice held nothing but doubt, knowing his friend the way he did.

“Of course I don’t, you know I want nothing to do with any girl my family deems worthy. But how do I get out of this?” He sighed as he too sank down on the sofa, just barely missing your toes. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. Telling you would have made it real. I could ignore it well enough around you two until now.”

“Ominis, is that why you haven’t wanted to be with us recently? It’s been almost a month since you’ve joined us.” You kept your voice soft, trying to hide the hurt you’d begun to feel as he rejected invitation after invitation.

“No, that wasn’t entirely it, Little Dove.” He sighed loudly. “This is hard to talk about, hard to admit, really. You don’t know as much about my relationship with my family as Sebastian does, and you have a lovely relationship with your own parents, it may be hard to understand.”

“Let me try, Omi.”

He sighed again, taking his time finding the right words to attempt to explain his feelings. “To put it simply, my parents never really showed me the love that yours do. I wasn’t so much a son as an heir. Someone to pass on their twisted ideals and prejudice to. Someone to help improve their social standing. Someone who is supposed to keep his mouth shut and do whatever they ask of me, my own thoughts and feelings not important to them. I’ve spent a lot of my life hating them, MC, but at the same time they are still my family and a small part of me wants their approval. I hate that part of myself. It’s twisted and ugly, it’s where all my darkest thoughts reside.” He took a deep breath, his emotions beginning to overwhelm him. “It’s the part of me that hates myself, all of myself. It’s the part of me that makes me think I’m a failure, unworthy of love. I’m ashamed to admit that I let those thoughts fill my mind these last few weeks. I pulled away from you because…I felt unworthy of you, of your time, of your friendship, of…of your love.” His voice broke on the last word, tears streaming down his face as he hung his head.

You immediately jump to your feet, pulling him up from the sofa, wrapping your arms around him. You let him cry on your shoulder as Sebastian stands, coming around behind you to squeeze you both into him. You hold him until his tears slow and he tries to break away. You lock your arms around him, not letting him get away, Sebastian doing the same, chuckling softly. “I think you’re stuck with us, mate.”

Through his sniffles, Ominis’ raspy voice is soft. “There’s no one I’d rather be stuck with than the two of you.” He manages a small chuckle of his own. “I’m sorry for my silliness, and how it affected you, my dears.”

“Ominis you don’t need to apologize, we both understand how negative thoughts can take over and make you do crazy things. We’re your friends and we love you, nothing will ever change that. Next time you feel those things, come to us and let us remind you how wrong they are.” You press kisses to his jaw, Sebastians body keeping you from reaching his lips.

“Thank you, Little Dove. I can’t tell you what that means to me.” He presses his own kisses to the top of your head.

“Starting to feel left out now guys.” Sebastian dips his head to press a kiss to your cheek before stretching to do the same to Ominis. “Now that that’s settled, shall we come up with a plan to get you out of this marriage, Ominis?”

“Gods, yes.” ------------------ It took three hours, a lot of pacing, and a snack break, but you finally had a decent plan you thought stood a good chance of working. Sebastian stood up from the floor, stretching, kicking the crumpled parchment he had been scribbling notes and ideas on, letting out a large groan as his back cracked. Ceasing your pacing, you come up behind him, wrapping your arms around him, pressing your forehead between his shoulder blades. Beside you Ominis lounged upside down on the bed, an arm thrown over his face. You drag Sebastian over to him, sitting down, relaxing against Ominis’ legs. He sighed happily when he felt your weight on him, bringing his hand out, searching for your face. You pressed a kiss to his palm as he caressed your cheek before leaning forward to kiss him. Sebastian crawled over to Ominis’ other side, laying down next to him as you snuggled into his chest. You lay together for a few minutes before Ominis spoke softly, his voice full of hesitation.

“Dears, what if this doesn’t work?”

“Then we’ll try something else. We’ll keep trying until it does, Darling. Our plan is good, and I believe it will work, but if it doesn’t, remember that you’re our family Ominis, and we’ll fight for you.” Sebastian took the other boy's hand in his, bringing it to his mouth, kissing it. “I promise you that.”

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

Two weeks later you sat in The Hogshead, the plan in motion. It had been easy to convince the rest of your friends to help, and seeing them inconspicuously sitting around the room boosted your confidence. The only part of the plan you didn’t like was Sebastian not being able to be here. You had staged a big fight in the middle of the square a week ago, pretending to break up. It had been a difficult week of glaring at each other, not speaking, and forcing yourselves not to touch in public, the extremely passionate nights you two had spent together in the Undercroft all week the only thing making this part of the plan bearable. Thinking of him sitting in a dark corner of The Three Broomsticks drowning his fake sorrows at this very moment made your heart ache, but if word of Ominis’ steamy relationship with the less-than-desirable, muggle-born, Hero of Hogwarts was to reach his, and more importantly his future wife's family, this was a small price to pay.

Shaking your head to clear it of all thoughts except this crucial mission, you took a deep breath, smiling as Ominis crossed the room, his wand aloft, two mugs in his hand. Reaching the table, setting the mugs down, he slid in next to you, pressing his body against yours, an arm slipping around your shoulders. Turning your head you leaned in, whispering to him.

“Are you ready for this? Kiss me, deeply.” You hadn’t kissed like this since his mothers first letter had arrived, six weeks ago and you sighed, melting into him as his eager lips met yours. Your hand came up, cupping his cheek as he deepened the kiss, moaning softly as his tongue darted out, swiping across your bottom lip, begging for entrance, his lust rising to the surface. His hand slipped under your skirt, making its way up your thigh, making you moan again. Oh how you’d longed for his touch. He took the sound as an okay, poking his tongue into your mouth, swirling it with yours, his fingers moving the same way as they found their destination. You clamped your thighs together denying him further access, slowly pulling away from his kiss.

“Ominis stop.”

But he pulled you back, kissing down your neck. “I’ve missed you so much, Little Dove.”

Your hand snaked up to grip his neck, keeping his ear close to your lips. “Ominis, if you don’t stop right now, I won’t be able to stop at all. You’ll have to take me out back and fuck me the way we both want you to. But that won’t get you out of your arranged marriage.” Sex had quickly been discarded as a viable option during your planning, knowing that a rumor of Ominis getting his cock wet with a muggle-born, even one as well known and hated in his family’s circles, as The Hero of Hogwarts, wouldn’t be enough to stop the marriage.

He sighed as he pulled away, pressing his forehead against yours. “You’re right, I’m sorry. When this is all over though Little Dove, nothing will stop me from having you.” You whimper as he swirls his fingers on you one last time before quickly pulling his hands away, grabbing his drink.

Taking a deep breath you forced yourself to casually look around the room, trying not to react when you noticed Natty and Imelda sitting in the opposite corner as planned, their eyes wide and mouths hanging open, not as planned. Letting out a small huff you laid your arm on the table. “Shall we move this along, we have a lot to do today.” As Ominis nodded, setting his mug down on the edge of the table, you drummed your fingers, looking back at him, smiling as Everett stumbled his way over. He’d been here for two hours, secretly vanishing the contents of his many mugs of ale, even talking to himself when you’d walked in, just to sell it. You squeezed Ominis’ hand under the table as Everett bumped into it hard, knocking Ominis’ drink into his lap, the liquid splashing you. Ominis leapt to his feet, his face beet red, grabbing Everett by the shirt, lifting him off the floor.

“Do you have any idea WHO I AM? YOU’LL PAY FOR THAT.” Every head in the room turned to stare at them, Everett whimpering out broken apologies, swearing he didn’t know, his words slurring perfectly. You tried to hide your smile as Ominis dropped him to the floor, watching him scamper away. You worked hard to ensure it was a cold smile instead of one showing the giddiness you felt inside, three days of practicing Everett’s reactions having paid off, as Ominis reached for you, huffing and wiping at his pants, grumbling about revenge. Taking his hand, letting him pull you to your feet, kissing his cheek as he possessively wrapped an arm around your waist. “Let’s get out of here, MC, this establishment is a disappointment.”

Moving through the door you smiled to yourself as you heard Natty loudly whisper with Imelda, “Is that Ominis Gaunt with The Hero of Hogwarts?” “Shame she’s a muggle-born. I heard she dumped the Sallow kid for him. I bet his parents hate that their son is here with her instead of a pureblood girl.” You hoped it was enough.

Stepping into the bright sunshine, squinting as you pull him closer, you walk slowly through the streets of Hogsmeade, stopping to browse in shops, talk with vendors, and kiss each other, knowing you had to be seen. When you made it to the square you had the freedom to ask how he thought it was going. “Do you think the scene in the Hogshead worked?”

He continued walking, turning his head towards you. “I’m hopeful it did. I heard the voice of one of my fathers goons while I was at the bar. I know they report to my mother sometimes, giving her information about me.” He stopped walking, standing in the middle of the square, leaning in close. “But just in case, I think we should kiss out here where more people can witness it. May I?”

“As long as you don’t overdo it like earlier.” You teased him, bringing your hands up to his face and neck, gently pulling him to you. As your lips meet his long fingers tangle in your hair, and tighten around your waist, pulling your bodies flush together. After a few moments he tries to pull away, but you stop him, your lips chasing him. “Come back.” You whisper into the space between your lips, begging him to give you more, not just here and not just kisses, but the rest of him at night in the Undercroft. “I miss you.” You barely get the words out before he is pulling you in again, kissing you much deeper than you expected, and this time you gladly open your mouth to let his tongue in, clinging to him tightly.

Around you people stare, muttering their disapproval at such a public display, but it isn’t until someone clears their throat as they walk past that he pulls away, his face flushed a deep scarlet red, embarrassed he let his feelings slip out of control, here of all places.

“Shall we continue on, Little Dove?” He takes your arm leading you over to his favorite shop, Honeydukes. Smiling as the bell over the door chimes, he takes a deep breath of the sugary air. “Let’s get a little treat, shall we? I think we deserve it after everything we’ve accomplished today.” You let him lead you through the shop, thinking the only treat you really wanted was him, happy and laughing with you again, a little more carefree than he is now. “We should get something for Sebastian too, I know he’s hating this as much as you are, MC. Let’s hope today's actions will bring about the end of this horrible situation.” He kisses the top of your head, giving your hand a squeeze before turning back to the sweets.

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

Two weeks passed, with no substantial news from Ominis, good or bad. His mother had written once, three days after you executed the plan, to say she was informed of an unsavory relationship he appeared to be in, but nothing more. It seemed your plan hadn’t worked after all.

“Have you seen Ominis since classes ended? I thought he would be here.” You and Sebastian weren’t on speaking terms yet, or so everyone thought, but you hadn’t heard from Ominis since breakfast, when he received a letter, much longer than the last and returned to his dorm to read it privately.

Sebastian looked up at you, his fork halfway to his mouth, practically melting into his chair at the sight of you standing before him. You knew he missed you, missed being able to pull you close no matter where you were. You missed it too, spending everyday counting the hours until you could feel his embrace in the privacy of the Undercroft later.

“No I haven’t, I was going to check the dorm after I finished eating. Want to sit down?” He ran his eyes over you, desperately drinking you in, silently begging you to stay with him.

Your eyes glued to his lips, you drop your voice to a whisper, summoning your strength. “More than anything…but I shouldn’t.” You watch his face fall, your heart going with it. You flash him a small smile, wondering how much more of this you both could take, about to turn away when Imelda sat down next to him.

“MC, come and sit with me, you look awful, eat something.”

“Imelda, I sho-”

“Sit.”

Making your way around the table you sat next to her, casually looking past her at Sebastian as she spoke.

“Ominis asked me to give you these.” She slid a small piece of folded parchment to each of you. “He said to make sure you ate first, something about it being a long night.” You quickly opened the paper.

Meet me at our spot Ominis

Your head shot up to find Sebastian already looking at you. He gave you a nervous look before turning back to his food. Eating as hastily as you could, you thanked Imelda for being a great friend through all of this and got up to leave a few minutes after Sebastian. You found him waiting for you outside the great hall. He took your hand, confident that the castle would be empty, everyone eagerly enjoying their warm dinners on this cold rainy night. Sighing happily at his touch you quickly make your way to the Undercroft, skipping through the secret entrance before pulling him into a deep kiss and tight hug. “I’ve wanted to do that all fucking day, Sebastian. I hope this farce can end soon. I miss you.” He presses you against the wall of the staircase desperate for more, groaning, knowing he can’t yet have it.

“I miss you too Princess, you have no idea how much. If Ominis weren’t waiting for us, I’d already be inside you. Let’s go see what he wants and then maybe we can stay and sneak in a few extra hours together tonight.” He kissed you again, lips trailing down your neck and back up to your cheek, making you giggle. “Whatever he says, let's try to be positive, yeah? He needs that from us.” Stepping back he takes your hand again, leading you down the steps. As you push through the gate you stop in your tracks, noticing Ominis. He’s sitting on the sofa, waiting for you. Completely naked.

“Ah, finally, I thought you two were going to stand up there making out all night.” He stood, taking a few steps towards you. “Hopefully from my appearance you can tell I have good news. Come here, we’re going to celebrate and I have plans for how we’ll do it. Take your clothes off.”

Already out of his tie, shoes, and half his shirt unbuttoned, Sebastian turns to you, giving you an excited look. “You heard him Princess, get those clothes off.” He gave your ass a small slap as he walked to Ominis, his shirt hitting the floor. You raced to catch up, hastily kicking off your shoes and pulling your tie over your head, undoing as many buttons as you could with one hand, coming over to stand next to Sebastian. Ominis moved to you, kissing you deeply, moaning into your mouth as you shrugged out of your shirt, hands fumbling between his skin and the fastenings on your skirt. He moved to an already naked Sebastian as you finished undressing, chuckling as you mumbled about having more layers than them, more complicated layers. You watched them kiss passionately, Ominis’ hands roaming Sebastian's body, listening to him moan as his hand wrapped around Sebastian's cock, stroking it as their tongues danced together. When they finally broke apart, breathing heavily, Sebastian looked over at you. “You need some help, Princess?”

“This is a lot easier when you boys help me, but I got it.” Almost falling over as you ripped your final stocking off, you made your way to them. Sebastian wrapped an arm around your waist pulling you close, his hand kneading your ass.

“Tell us your plans for us Ominis. How can we pleasure you tonight, Darling?”

Ominis groaned as Sebatian used the pet name he’s taken to calling him when they were alone like this. “They’re both new things for me. When I tell you, will you guide us into making them happen, Dearest?”

“Of course I will.” Sebastian leaned in, kissing him again. “I’ll do anything if it means you’ll keep calling me that. I’ve been longing to hear you use it again.”

You quietly cleared your throat, reminding them you were still there. Ominis turned to you, reaching for you. “Let’s move this to the bed, shall we, Little Dove? I can’t wait to have you.” You linked your arm with his, leading him to the bed. His other hand never left Sebastian's cock, instead tugging on it gently, leading Sebatian to the bed by it. By the time you made it, Sebastian's eyes were narrowed in bliss, his mouth open, tongue hanging out, and he was panting like a dog. You made a mental note to try that move on him yourself later. Ominis crawled to the center of the bed, flopping onto his back. “Sebastian, will you suck my cock? It feels so good when you do.” Your face fell into a frown, wondering why he didn’t want you to help. Somehow sensing this Ominis spoke. “Don’t be sad, Little Dove, it feels good when you suck me too, but I have other plans for you. I want to devour your pussy. Sebastian, I believe you referred to it as ‘face sitting’? I want you to sit on my face, MC.”

Sebastian let out a chuckle as he climbed over Ominis legs. “Good choice, Omi! She loves to suffocate with her pussy, as you well know. How do you want her? I personally love when shes looking down watching my eyes roll back at her delicious taste, her hand in my hair - fuck I need to stop talking about this or I’m going to get jealous.”

“I want her facing you. I want you to watch each other, enjoy the looks on each other's faces since I can’t.”

“That’s sweet and devious of you, Ominis. I like it.” You crawl over to him, giving him a few kisses before throwing a leg over his head, getting into position. “You ready?”

“Wait, Sebastian, got any tips for me?”

“Always be moving your tongue. If she starts to move her hips, just relax and go with it. Bury your face in her, pull her down to you, don’t let her get away until you absolutely have to in order to remain conscious. Run your hands over her thighs and ass, squeeze them a little, bring your hands up to squeeze her breasts too, she likes that. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to die under her, it’s the best way either of us could hope to go, let’s be honest. Have no regard for your own life, only her pleasure and you’ll do great.”

Ominis didn’t respond, instead wrapping his arms around your thighs, pulling you down to him, flicking his tongue over your folds. You let out a high moan of his name followed by a string of curses, hands splayed on his chest. Looking up at Sebastian watching you, you let out a giggle, blushing at the way he was biting his lip. He doesn’t usually get this good a view of your face while Ominis pleasures you with his mouth. You can tell it's driving him crazy watching your eyes roll back, watching you grind your hips, and squeeze at your own breasts, the wet sounds of Ominis’ tongue lapping like mad at your core amplified in the stone room. Letting go of Ominis’ cock he moves to you, crashing his lips down on yours, kissing you roughly, passionately, desperately. Every second he had missed out on in the last two weeks hit him and he clung to you, swallowing your moans, shooing your hands away from your breasts so he could touch them. Pressing his forehead to yours when your moans got uncontrollable, he spoke to you softly, asking how Ominis was doing, knowing the only answers you could give him were little whimpers.

“Is he doing a good job eating your pretty pussy, Baby? Yeah, you want him to keep going? Of course you do. Fuck, you make the prettiest sounds, Princess. Isn’t that right, Ominis?” You moaned loudly as a muffled “Mmmhmmm” came from Ominis, the vibrations rippling through you. “What’s he doing right now, where’s his tongue, right this second?”

Struggling to find the words and get them out between your moans, all you could manage to say was a breathy “‘nside.”

Sebastian let out a groan. “Fuck, do you know how badly I wish it was my tongue inside you right now? Merlin, I’ve missed being close to you, Princess.”

Ominis moaned again as he sucked your folds, a wonderful slurping sound emanating from below you. It felt incredible and you let out a high scream as your legs began to shake. Clinging to Sebastian as your orgasm rocked through you, Ominis’ hands gripped your thighs tightly, keeping you in place as he kept working his tongue, lapping up your juices until you couldn’t stand the pressure any longer. “Ominis, give me a minute, love.” He stopped moving his tongue over you, instead pressing gentle kisses to your thighs for a few minutes before you had to climb off him. “I’ve got to lie down, my legs won't stop shaking, Ominis that was amazing.” You collapsed on the bed next to him, sighing happily.

“Come rest your head on my chest, Little Dove. I still want you to watch Sebastian finally suck my cock.”

“Oh shit, sorry, Darling. She is so distractingly beautiful when you pleasure her, I couldn't help myself.” Sebastian chuckled as you both shuffled around on the bed, trying to find the best positions for your bodies, even pulling you close and kissing you at one point before you settled on opposite sides of Ominis. Your head finally resting on his chest, you looked up at him.

“Did you like it, Ominis? Should we do it again in the future?”

He ran his fingers through your hair, smiling. “I loved it, Little Dove, and I’m going to have to demand we do it again in the future. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of tasting you, it’s quite addictive. Much like the rest of you.” He pressed a kiss to your head, moaning loudly as Sebastian finally went to work on him.

You watched Sebastian lick his shaft, swirl his tongue around his pink head, then slip his lips over him, taking as much as he could into his mouth, bobbing his head like an expert. You wondered, not for the first time, how he got so good at this. It was strange seeing your boyfriend moaning because he had another man's cock in his mouth, but it was also mesmerizing, you couldn't look away. The sounds were quite pleasurable too, slurping and gagging sounds floating in the air, mixing with the stereo of their moans. You reached out, running your fingers through Sebastians hair and he looked up at you, giving you a wink before sinking further down on Ominis’ cock, his tongue sticking out to swipe at Ominis’ balls.

Ominis let out a deep groan of Sebastian’s name, arching his back, beginning to lose control. “How does he look, Little Dove? Do you like watching him do this to me?”

“He…he looks…gorgeous.” It felt like a silly thing to say and you giggled as you ran your fingers through his hair again. You’d seen him suck Ominis a few times before, but this felt different. His eyes only flicked up to your face, never Ominis’, like he was doing this for your enjoyment more than either of theirs, needing to know you were watching him. You stare at him, slowly running your fingers through his hair over and over. “Does he feel good in your mouth, Sebby?”

“Mmhmm.”

Ominis brings his hands down to push Sebastian’s head further onto him, grunting nonstop, as his cum shoots into Sebastian’s mouth. Sebastian looks directly at you as he swallows it down, slurping his way off Ominis’ cock before collapsing on top of you both, pressing his lips to yours. As he kisses you passionately you feel his cock start to harden, and he shifts, leaning against ominis for leverage as he gently thrust his hips, rubbing himself against your thigh. His mouth is open, his heavy breaths floating across your skin as he sighs out silent, desperate moans.

“Princess.” He lets out a needy whimper of his favorite name for you. “I need to be inside you.” His movements stop as he groans, raising his head to look at Ominis. “Ominis, what are your other plans for us? Please tell me they involve my cock inside her pussy, I’m not sure I can wait for you to go first tonight.”

“Lucky for you, Dearest, it does. I thought we could try both being inside her tonight. At the same time.”

Sebastian’s mouth dropped open. “Fuck, Ominis, you want to double penetrate her? Oh fuck yes! I’ve been waiting for this day. Wait, you said this involves me in her…Ominis you cheeky boy! You finally want to fuck my girl in the ass. I knew if I kept telling you how amazing it feels you would come around.” Sebastian let out a hearty laugh, his excitement palpable.

“I am feeling rather naughty today, having thwarted my family’s attempts to control my life. Yes, I want to experience it, right now, if that’s okay with you Little Dove.” He turned his head towards your body, waiting for your response, a large, hopeful grin on his face.

“It’s fine with me love, I’ve been hoping you would want to do this, I can’t wait to feel your cock in my ass. I think you’re going to love it, Omi.” You turn your head to kiss him, dropping your voice to a whisper. “I want to do this with you Ominis, I really do.” You gave him a deep kiss, before pulling Sebastian up to your lips, whispering against them. “But first I want you in my mouth, Sebby. You need some attention, handsome.” You crush your lips to his, tongue slipping into his waiting mouth, moaning as he resumes his slow thrust against your leg. You slip a hand between your bodies, taking his cock in it, stroking him for a few minutes before he pulls away, making his way off the bed, a determined look in his eyes.

“Get up, Princess. Omi, Darling, you’ve got some work to do before you can fit inside her, you’re going to have to stretch her out. Get on your knees, both of you. MC, move back closer to him, put your ass in the air for me. Mmm you’re such a good girl for me.” He gave your butt a little smack before moving to Ominis. “Okay, Ominis, you’re going to do the same thing you do to her pussy, just slower, you want to end up with two fingers in her. Go ahead and put one in, see how it feels.”

You let out a soft moan as his long, slender finger slips inside you, the feeling always a bit of a surprise. He began to move it slowly, inserting it all the way in.

“Gods, she’s so tight around my finger!”

Sebastian chuckled, biting his lip at the sight of your ass taking his finger, desperately wishing we would be able to see your tight hole take Ominis’ cock. “Imagine how tight she’ll be around your cock. Speaking of cocks, you ready to take mine down your throat, Princess?” He moved back to head of the bed, crawling in front of you, settling himself around you, his cock right in front of your face.

“Do you really even need to ask that? I’m always ready to gag on your cock, Sebastian.” Dipping your head, you stick your tongue out swirling it around his head, lapping up the few drops of precum already dripping from it. Moaning as Ominis pumps his fingers into you, you wrap your lips around Sebastain, taking every inch of him in your mouth, bobbing your head quickly, sinful gagging sounds coming from you. Sebastian laced his fingers through your hair, pushing you further down on him, all your thoughts evaporating as he did so. You loved when he took control and used you for his pleasure. You happily let him buck his hips, fucking your mouth, moaning around him, enjoying the growing desperation for oxygen, your lungs screaming. After only a few more minutes you feel the telltale stutter of his movements, his breath hitching in his throat before he lets out a delicious grunt, strings of his cum shooting down your throat. You eagerly swallowed every drop, sucking on him hard, milking him for everything he could give you.

“Fuck, Princess, you’re so fucking amazing. Have I told you that lately? I love the way you go mindless when I fuck your cute little mouth. My sweet cock-drunk slut.” He bent to kiss you, tasting himself on your lips, running his tongue over them shamelessly, biting and sucking at them before pulling away. “Ominis, think she’s about ready?”

Ominis slowed his movements inside you, groaning out his response. “Gods yes, she feels incredible, I can’t wait to have my cock inside you, Little Dove.”

Sebastian reached over to the table by the bed, grabbing for the small bottle of magical lubricant he kept there. It was his favorite, scented of cherries, the magic making a single drop perfectly coat his cock and stick to it, not a drop wasted. He stretched to reach Ominis over you, uncorking the vial, dripping two drops onto his cock. “Okay, Darling, give me a minute to get situated first before you start. Princess, come here, wrap your perfect pussy around me.”

Crawling up to him, you climbed onto his lap, lowering yourself onto him, letting out a satisfied moan as you reached his hilt. He gave you a few hard thrust, unable to help himself, before pulling your body down on top of him, wrapping his arms around you. “Ominis come closer, between my legs, perfect. You feel her hole? Slowly, very slowly, push into her. Remember to give her time to adjust when you get all the way in, and don’t move until she tells you she’s ready. When she is ready, you start, find the pace you want and I’ll match it. Good?”

You already felt Ominis lining himself up as he answered. “Got it. You ready Little Dove?” You let out a groan as he pushed into you, barely waiting for an answer. After a few minutes, pausing a few times to be sure you were okay and comment about how good it already felt, he was fully enveloped in you.

Below you Sebatian was groaning quietly, impatient to get moving, quickly getting lost in his urges, the feel of Ominis’ cock rubbing against his, separated by only a thin layer of skin, driving him wild with lust. You kissed at his chest, lacing your fingers with his, pulling him back to you. He looked at you, eyes clearing for a split second before Ominis asked if you were ready. His eyes rolled back, closing tight, as you responded and Ominis began moving, setting a slow pace. Your moans mixed with Ominis’ deeper groans, echoing around the stone room, and you lay your head on Sebastains chest, begging him to move. His eyes sprung open as he did, staring into yours as he lifted your chin, desperate to see your pleasure as he matched Ominis’ pace. You clutched at Sebastian’s chest, whimpering like you were going insane, your mouth hanging open.

“You look so pretty all fucked out like this Princess, and we’ve only just begun. You love being a little slut for us, don’t you?” All you could do was groan in response and you felt both cocks twitch inside you. They were loving this just as much as you.

“Little Dove, your whimpers and the wet squelching sounds of our fucking are driving me insane. Let’s speed up, Sebastian, I need to go harder.” He didn’t wait for Sebastian to respond, increasing his pace, hips bucking wildly, his thighs slapping against you.

“Oh, god, Ominis…yes…fuck, keep going just like that.” You practically yelled as he thrust into you, dropping your head onto Sebastian’s chest again, kissing at his skin, loud whines escaping your lips.

Sebastian increased his pace, his tip hitting the perfect spot with every quick thrust. “Oh, fuck, Sebastian…right there…it’s perf-“ The rest of your words were cut off as he crushed his lips against yours, your moans slipping into each others mouths. You chuckled against his lips as Ominis let out another loud groan. “I think this is the loudest he’s ever been with us.”

“Can you blame him, Princess, he is experiencing two incredible first at once.” He raised his voice, “How are you doing back there, Omi?”

“I’m so close, it feels so good. I’m not going to last much longer - Ahh, fuck.” His thrust slowed as his cum sputtered into you, his warmth filling you, a sinful little scream coming from you. “F-fuck, Little Dove, gods, yes, you feel so good.” Groaning as he rode out his orgasm, stilling for a few moments, he bent to run his hands over your back, praising you for taking his load. “Can we go again?”

Sebastian laughed, his own thrust almost imperceptible, but never stopping. “I never stopped. Keep going, we’ve got to make our lady cum.” He waited for Ominis to get back up to speed before returning to railing you, he was desperate to bring about your release, both of you knowing the tightening of your walls around him would bring his own. It didn’t take long, ten minutes of hard thrusting from both boys and you were screaming some twisted combination of their names and every curse word you knew, riding out your orgasm to the wonderful sounds of Sebastian's deep grunting as his seed shot into you, thick ropes painting your walls. You collapsed your full weight on Sebastian, both of you panting heavily, chests heaving as Ominis continued to softly thrust into you. You stretched your arm out behind you, pressing your palm against his chest. “Ominis, I need to stop. Come sit next to us for a few minutes and I’ll ride you to another orgasm.” He stopped, pulling out, both of you groaning at the loss as he flopped down on the bed next to you.

“That’s okay, Little Dove, I’m happy with the two I’ve had. You and Sebastian should spend the rest of the night together, I know you need the closeness after everything you’ve gone through for me. I might selfishly ask for a few kisses, though.” He chuckled as you climbed into his lap, Sebastian using his wand to clean him up. Sitting up to meet you, he gently pressed his lips to yours, giving you sweet, caring kisses, hands roaming your sides and face.

“You’re sure you don’t want to stay, Darling? We’re happy to have you here, you know that.” Sebastian sat up, resting his chin on Ominis shoulder as he asked.

“I’m sure. According to the letter I got today, we have a long time to spend together before anything else threatens this thing we have. We can stretch it out for now.” He turned his head to kiss Sebastian’s forehead, smiling softly.

“What else did the letter say, Ominis? Why did you stay in your room all day after you got it?” You spoke softly, running fingers across his scalp, enjoying his little sighs.

“Oh, it’s purely magnificent, my dears. Turns out our plan worked so well that no family with an eligible daughter wants anything to do with me! Mother has convinced father to wait five years until I’m ‘more mature’, thinking that will change my attitude. I don’t look forward to dealing with this again, but five years is a long time to spend with the two of you, if you’ll have me. Even if you’ll only have me until we graduate, I’d feel blessed. I can’t thank you enough for helping me, truly, I owe you both so much.” His voice grew heavy as he began to get emotional. You pulled him closer, hugging him to you, your own emotions threatening to bubble over as Sebastian wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

“You don’t owe us anything, Ominis. I told you we’re a family, and I meant it.”

“Either way I won't forget this, not ever. Unfortunately it’s not entirely over yet. Little Dove and I still have to have a public falling out so you two can have a public makeup.”

“Oh yeah. How should we play that?” After the events of the past few hours you had forgotten you still couldn’t walk out of here holding Sebastian’s hand.

“Can’t we just say things didn’t work out with you and MC because she still loves me?” He chuckled, pressing a kiss to your cheek, smirking at you. “You do still love me, don’t you, Princess?”

You laughed, rolling your eyes at him, slapping his arm. “Fuck off, you know I do, idiot.” He rubbed his arm, a pretend look of shock on his handsome face.

Ominis laughed with you, but his face was serious. “It has to look natural, and be public in case word gets back to my parents. Let’s take a week to drift apart, have a fake fight and breakup, then you two can spend the next week growing close again and have a very public ‘I’m an idiot, I can’t live without you’ moment.”

Sebastian groaned, his thoughts echoing your own. “Two more weeks? Ugh, fine, only for you, Omi. But, now I agree, you’ve had enough time with her tonight, and I’m politely asking you to leave so I can ravish her.” He attacked your skin with kisses, making little growling sounds, tickling you as he pulled you into his lap, making you giggle.

Beside you, Ominis chuckled happily. “I’ve missed hearing you two be happy together. I’ve missed you both. I’m sorry I needed so long to figure my shit out, I won’t leave you out of my madness again. Now, I hate to interrupt this love fest further, but can I ask you to walk me to the door tonight for goodnight kisses. I think my wand is still on the sofa.”

You all got up, led him to the sofa, intimately helping him get dressed, and giving him a few long kisses before bidding him goodnight.

“Oh, one more thing, Ominis!” Sebastian stepped close, pressing his body flush against Ominis’ back, wrapping an arm around his waist. “When are you going to let me fuck you in the ass?” His voice was deep, almost a growl, desire dripping from every syllable.

Ominis chuckled, his face flushing a deep red. “I'm coming around to the idea, that’s all I can say for now. Goodnight, Dearest.” Squirming his way out of Sebastian's grip, he smiled and walked through the gate, leaving you alone.

Sebastian turned to you, a predatory smile on his face as he picked you up, growling as he carried you across the room. “Now that we’re alone, Princess, I’m going to make you scream my name, and I expect it to come out clearly this time. Give me something to remember when I’m fighting every urge to touch you during the next two weeks.”

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

A week later you stood in the Defense Against the Dark Arts tower after class, having another fake fight, screaming at Ominis, getting insanely turned on as he screamed back at you. You had to storm off earlier than planned to keep yourself from attacking him with desire.

But it worked, and over the next four days you and Sebastian had real tender moments in full view of the entire year, rumors already spreading that you would get back together. The afternoon of the fifth day, two days before schedule, Sebastian jumped up when you strode into the Great Hall for lunch. He ran to you, practically tackling you, pulling you off your feet, spinning you around, kissing you eagerly. Around you the room went quiet, then filled with loud whispers and even a few cheers. When he set you down you were both blushing, breathless, and glowing with happiness. Pressing his forehead to yours he laughed, kissing you again. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t wait anymore, Princess. I love you so much, let’s never fake a breakup again.” Wrapping an arm around you, he led you to his table, and you sat between him and Imelda.

While Sebastian was distracted getting your food, she leaned over and whispered to you, a disgruntled look on her face. “MC, are you sure everything that happened with Ominis was a lie? I saw you two kiss in The Hogshead, it seemed there were very real feelings behind it. It was an intense kiss.”

Damn she knew you too well. “Yeah, maybe I enjoyed it, it was kind of thrilling to kiss someone new, but that doesn’t mean I have feelings for Ominis. I was helping my best friend out of a horrible situation. That’s all there was to it.”

She opened her mouth to protest, but closed it again as Sebastian set your plate in front of you, kissing your cheek, smiling at you both. “What are we talking about, ladies?” You knew this wouldn’t be the end of the discussion but at least you had time to figure out how to keep lying to her, and everyone else, about the real relationship you had with Ominis.

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cloudwhisper23 · 2 months

Text

Back into Grumbo Month (12 days late, but that's irrelevant). Since I had no idea how to do this prompt, I kinda winged it, but I am very pleased with how it turned out. Hope you enjoy! Check out the event creator's blog @grow-bettah too!

Day 2: Alternate Universe

The light was flickering again. Grian glared at it as he ate, knowing that any attempt he could possibly make to solve the problem would only make it worse. He’d probably electrocute himself in the process, actually.

Pearl would tell him to hire an electrician. Someone who would fix it easily while Grian focused on his degree. The degree that Grian seemed to change his mind about every day.

He had taken an electrical class a few years ago, back when he was going to major in interior design and architecture. Like most of his endeavors, it hadn’t stuck.

But the flickering light… Grian scowled. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to take a tiny peek? Something had to be messing with the circuit, surely.

A few minutes later, Pearl arrived, a vaguely familiar man in tow. Pearl brought home a librarian. Not just any librarian though. She’d brought home Mumbo Jumbo, the man Grian had been going to the library to catch glimpses of for the past few years.

“I found an electrician willing to take a look, Grian- What are you doing on the table?”

“Oh dear,” Mumbo said quietly.

Grian glanced over, his face quickly warming up. “Umm… I thought I could fix it myself?”

“You are more accident-prone than anyone I’ve ever met. Put that light bulb down, and get off the table.”

“Yes ma’am,” Grian replied weakly.

Mumbo took over after that.

Pearl shook her head. “How did I know you were going to do this?”

“Family intuition?” Grian guessed. “Or maybe you just know me.”

“You took one class. One.”

“I didn’t get myself killed,” Grian said defensively.

“But you could have,” Mumbo interjected, eyes darkening. “Look, mate. You didn’t even turn the light off.”

Grian rolled his eyes. “I don’t need a second lecture.”

“You’re going to give me grey hairs.” Pearl shook her head.

“You can just pretend they’re silver. Give you a fancy aesthetic.”

“Hmm.”

“All done,” Mumbo flicked the light back on, and it no longer flickered.

“Brilliant!” Grian grinned. “That light was driving me mad.”

“It would drive anyone mad.” Mumbo fiddled with his mustache. “Next time something like this happens, how about you call me, yeah?” He offered Grian a business card.

“How much-“

“No charge. I’m not actually legally allowed to do stuff like this. It’s a hobby more than a career.”

Grian didn’t know what to say to that, so he glanced down at the business card. “Electrical work as a hobby?”

“You’re a freelance photographer who does three years of a degree program before changing pathways. You can’t talk.” Pearl elbowed him.

“Right, okay. I promise to not do any more electrical work without consulting you first.”

Mumbo raised an eyebrow. “Not what I was going for mate.”

“I won’t do any more electrical work?”

Mumbo nodded. “And if you have any problems, call me.”

“Yeah, sure.” Grian pocketed the business card.

Running to the library to get a book for class was nothing new for Grian. He was more than familiar with the place, and more than once he’d been jokingly offered a job as an assistant.

But Grian wasn’t ever just here for a book.

Looking around, it wasn’t as easy as Grian had initially hoped to find Mumbo. Sure, the man was tall, but that didn’t mean anything in the library. The shelves were even taller than Mumbo.

“Excuse me,” Grian said to the woman at the counter. “Do you know where I can find Mumbo Jumbo?”

“He doesn’t work today,” she replied easily. “Can I take a message for you?”

“No, thank you.” Grian set his book on the counter. “I need to check this out, though.”

“That I can do.”

Grian walked out of the library slightly disappointed. He’d been thinking a lot lately. A bit too much about his encounter with Mumbo if he was honest with himself. He was a mystery to Grian. Why would a librarian offer to fix a flickering light in a house he’d never been in before?

He couldn’t imagine it. Still, even without knowing how to solve the mystery of Mumbo, he had things to do.

The bakery was warm, as it always was. Scar didn’t ever seem to stop baking, even though his shop had closed hours ago. He smiled at Grian, dropping a plate of cookies on the table.

“You seem busy.”

“Not as busy as I could be,” Grian replied, taking a cookie. “You need to stop feeding me free samples. I’m going to get pudgy.”

“But that’d be a crime! Besides, these are experimental cookies.”

Grian looked at his friend skeptically. “No. These are the cookies you make when you’re stressed out.”

Scar’s smile thinned into a line. “It’s nothing for you to worry about.”

“What happened, Scar?”

“I… may or may not be living out of my bakery. But! It’s not because I lost the house or anything. It’s just…”

Grian tilted his head. “What is it?”

“There’s nothing wrong with the wiring at home. Nothing at all! I just… I can hear it, Grian, and I can’t hear it here. It’s easier to sleep when I can’t hear it.”

“Have you called an electrician?” Grian asked.

“They can’t hear it, so they tell me nothing is wrong. And everything works just fine. It’s ridiculous.”

The business card in Grian’s pocket felt heavy all the sudden. He dug it out, typing the number into his phone and dialing before Scar realized what he was up to. “Grian, don’t-“

“Hello?” Mumbo’s voice came through the phone.

“Hi, Mumbo. It’s Grian. The guy you fixed the light for last week?”

Scar raised an eyebrow. Grian made a face at him.

“Ah. Haven’t electrocuted yourself since then, I see.”

“Not as if I haven’t tried,” Grian replied with a faint smile. Scar munched on a cookie, watching with amusement. “Are you busy right now?”

“Another electrical problem? Or do you need my services as a librarian?”

“Electrical problem.” Scar shook his head, a smile gracing his face. “Got a friend who has something weird going on. Noisy wires.”

“How odd. I’m not too busy right now. Could you send me the address?”

“Yeah, sure thing.” Grian told him the address and packed up his stuff. “We’re going to get this sorted out, Scar.”

“Mumbo Jumbo, huh? He’s some kind of electrician as well as a librarian. You certainly don’t pick the easy ones,” Scar replied, but he helped clean up.

“Shut up, Scar.”

Mumbo considered himself to be a patient man. He could help sort out a mess in the library or come up with a new, albeit complicated, way to solve any electrical problem he came across. It all just took time, and Mumbo was fine with that.

He did not realize that no one would be home when he went to the address Grian sent him. Idly, he leaned against the wall, trying to hear the noisy wiring he was meant to be fixing.

There wasn’t a sound to be heard.

Frowning, Mumbo pressed closer to the wall. Maybe it just couldn’t be heard unless you were in the house? Or maybe it was a higher pitch, and it was just harder to discern.

Mumbo pulled a small device out of his bag and fiddled with it for a few minutes. The light on the side of the box lit up when Mumbo brought it closer to the house. So, there was a noise. It was just one that Mumbo couldn’t hear.

“Wow, you’re fast. Mumbo, right?” An unfamiliar man came up the sidewalk alongside Grian. “I wasn’t expecting you to get here before us.”

“I did say I wasn’t busy,” Mumbo replied.

“Not busy usually doesn’t mean ready to leave at a moments notice,” the man pointed out. “And you’re all dressed up! I’d hate to have torn you away from something important. Especially considering how I told Grian it wasn’t a big deal.”

“If you keep avoiding going home like this, Scar, it is a big deal.” Grian shook his head, fiddling with the strap of his bag. “Just let him try.”

“I did identify an odd frequency, even without going inside,” Mumbo replied, grateful about the subject change.

He didn’t want to mention that he’d been stood up on a date and really needed something else to think about. Grian’s phone call had come at the perfect time, really.

“Wait, really? You’re better than the other guy I called about it. Thanks Mumbo!” Scar was already beaming, green eyes twinkling.

Grian rolled his eyes. “He’s done the bare minimum, Scar. I don’t think he’s going to leave just after figuring out there is a problem.”

“Well, he’s the first one to believe me.”

“I believed you.”

“I know you did, Grian. But you have to believe me. Oh, Mumbo, do you want a cookie?”

Mumbo blinked. There was suddenly a tin of cookies in his face, and he couldn’t help but recoil slightly. “Um-“

“Give the man some space, Scar.” Grian snorted, a faint smile on his face.

Mumbo couldn’t help but stare. He’d found the man attractive the first time he’d met him, standing on his kitchen table with a light bulb in his hand and static electricity making his hair stand on end. But seeing him in other contexts was incredible as well.

He wanted to be the one to make Grian smile.

Shaking himself out of his thoughts, Mumbo set to work on figuring out what was making the noise that drove Scar out of his home. He got familiar with the sound of Grian and Scar holding their own conversation in the background.

“This is amazing,” Scar said softly as Mumbo double-checked his sensor. “The sound is completely gone.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Mumbo replied, walking over to the sink. “Do you happen to have dish soap I could borrow?”

“Oh, right, yes.” Scar set the soap out. “How much do I owe you for this?”

“I don’t charge,” Mumbo replied.

“I still owe you something for this. Do you accept cookies? Oh! I can buy you dinner or something-“

“That won’t be necessary,” Mumbo pointedly did not glance over at Grian. “I’m happy to help.”

“He didn’t let me pay either,” Grian said.

“How very kind of you, Mumbo Jumbo.” Scar continued to smile. “Really. Are you sure I can’t do anything for you?”

“It is no trouble at all.”

Scar shook his head. “I’m not taking no for an answer. Tell you what, have a tin of cookies. Freshly baked from my bakery! On the house.”

“I couldn’t-“

“He bakes as a hobby as well as his job. You’d actually be helping him by taking some,” Grian said, glancing up finally. He had an amused smile on his face as he stretched in the chair. “There’s only so many times he can send me home with four containers full of cookies before it’s my problem as well as his.”

“Yeah! You’d be a huge help if you took some. Really.”

And so, Mumbo left the house with a tin of freshly baked cookies. Feeling a little disjointed, he turned and stared back at the house. Scar waved at him.

Scar was texting someone when Grian made it to the bakery the following week. “Finally join a dating app?” Grian asked.

“Haha. No. I’m talking to Mumbo.”

Grian paused, his bag barely over his head. “Do you have more issues with the wiring? Are they being loud again?”

“Don’t be silly, Grian! Mumbo is my friend.”

“You’ve known him a week.”

“Yes, but I’ve known you much longer. And you happen to have a type.”

Grian’s face burned. “I’m not-“

“Look, Mumbo seems like a great guy, from what I can tell. He’s just a tad lonely, that’s all.” Scar took Grian’s bag and set it on the table. “You can’t tell me you haven’t at least thought about it.”

“First Pearl, now you. Is a man not allowed to focus on his studies?”

“Come on, G. The only time I’ve ever seen you focused is when you’re taking pictures. You don’t even need a degree to be happy.”

“Yet you think I need a boyfriend.” Grian glanced skeptically at Scar. “What are you two even talking about?”

“Passed relationship failures. Did you know he was actually on a date when you called him?”

“What?”

“Well, not an actual date. The man he was meant to be meeting up with stood him up. We rescued him from a sorrowful night, Grian. Which you would know if you’d followed up like I did.” Scar grinned at his friend.

Mumbo had been on a date? It certainly explained the suit and tie. Grian shook his head. “Don’t be silly-“

“Grian, you’ve been pining after this man for years. Years! And now you’ve talked to him and have his phone number. It really couldn’t hurt to try, you know.”

Grian didn’t have a comeback to that one. He pointed at Scar, “If you tell him-“

“Wouldn’t dream of it! But I will keep bothering you about this if you don’t act on it.” Scar messed with the zipper on Grian’s bag. “He asks about you a lot, you know.”

“No he doesn’t,” Grian replied, refusing to believe it.

“How would you know? I’m the one who’s friends with him.”

Grian found himself scowling the next day. He couldn’t get what Scar said out of his mind. Was he overthinking this? It wasn’t like there was much of a friendship Grian could destroy at this point.

Going to the library would certainly be more awkward if he tried and it didn’t work out. Maybe he would just give up on college if that happened. He did already have an apartment and a job, after all.

Lost in his thoughts, Grian didn’t notice when someone sat down across from him. “Associated Press? I thought you were a photographer.”

Grian jolted, his knee banging against the underside of the table. Pain flared up his leg, but he ignored it to stare at Mumbo. Mumbo, who’d picked up the styleguide Grian had been staring blankly at.

“I am a photographer,” Grian replied slowly.

“So you’re just curious about everything then, huh?” Mumbo’s mouth curled up in a smile as he slid the book back across the table.

“Something like that.” Grian shrugged. “I’ve only changed my major half a dozen times.”

“That’s right. Your sister mentioned that when I was fixing your light.” Mumbo tilted his head. “Indecisive?”

Grian shrugged again. “That does appear to be the case.”

“Did you ever try photography as a program? There’s an excellent photography program in the journalism department.”

“Hence the Associated Press styleguide. I am majoring in Journalism. We’ll see how long that lasts.”

Mumbo nodded, straightening his tie. Wait, he was wearing a tie? Grian blinked, taking in the outfit. Mumbo typically wore button-ups, sure, but the layering he’d done today made it seem like maybe something else was going on. This was more dressed up than Mumbo typically was at the library.

“Got a hot date later?” Grian asked, half as a joke.

Mumbo blinked. “Oh, I don’t think so. The last time I tried dating, it didn’t go so well.”

“Scar said you told him you were stood up,” Grian replied, suddenly curious for more details.

Mumbo shifted uncomfortably. “Yes. But I suppose I wasn’t counting that time. At least then my night ended with a tin of cookies.”

“That’s Scar for you.” Grian shrugged. “Glad we were able to take your mind off it, at least.”

“Yeah…” Mumbo shifted again. “How about you?”

“Not really looking for anyone,” Grian answered. He fiddled with the stylebook, avoiding looking at Mumbo.

“Fair enough. There are some strange people out there.”

“But you never really answered my question. Why are you all dressed up today?”

“Ah. That. Well, I have been once again pressured into attempting to go on a date.”

Grian looked at Mumbo, surprised. “Is this some kind of family obligation? Scar and Pearl are always pressuring me to go on dates, but I never really feel too bad about not going.”

“Ah. I suppose I need to learn how to get around Scar, then. He’s the one who pressured me into this, really.” Mumbo scratched his neck, seeming even more uncomfortable. “Another blind date. Hopefully it goes better than the last ones I’ve been on.”

“You don’t seem to have much hope of that,” Grian remarked, silently fuming at Scar in his head. This was the quickest way to make Grian jealous, and Scar knew it.

“I’m trying to be optimistic, for Scar’s sake, but it feels like this will never go well, even if he seems to think he can help in some way.”

Grian shrugged. “If you’d been more careful about how you approached this, you could’ve pretended to have a partner.”

“Yeah, but Scar was so genuine when he asked me about myself. I didn’t realize he was a matchmaker who had been failing to make matches!”

Mumbo glanced around. “Actually, maybe it’d be best to leave the library for this conversation. Don’t want to get into too much trouble.”

“Probably for the best.” Grian packed up his things. “Hang on. Are you implying it’s my fault you’re stuck with a date tonight?”

“Maybe.”

“Harsh words, mate.” Grian pressed his mouth into a thin line. “And to think I was going to help you brainstorm ways to get out of your date.”

“You were?”

“I don’t know… maybe I should leave you to suffer.”

“But you know Scar better than I do. Surely you could-“

“Just because I could doesn’t mean I will.” Grian clenched his teeth to keep from laughing. Mumbo wasn’t in a good enough mindset for the date to go anything more than terribly. He was going to suffer for a few hours, sure, but that was the price he had to pay to lean into this a bit more.

“Please?”

“Maybe next time. If you aren’t blaming me for all your problems.”

“I’m not blaming you for all of my problems. Just the Scar related ones.”

Grian snorted. “That’ll become a majority of your problems if you’re not careful. I’ll sit this one out, thanks.”

“Grian!”

“Mumbo.” Grian finally let his grin loose. “Disappointed that you can’t pressure me the way Scar can pressure you? I’m unbreakable.”

Mumbo blinked, stopping in his tracks. He just stared at Grian for a moment. Grian paused as well. “What? Is there something in my hair?”

“No, I just thought of something. I have an idea for how I can get out of my date! Thanks, Grian!” Mumbo patted his shoulder and hurried off. And if Mumbo was blushing a little bit as he ran, Grian didn’t see it.

“Scar.” Mumbo said, slightly out of breath. “I can’t go on the blind date tonight.”

“You can’t? Why not?” Scar continued wiping the counter.

“Because whoever you’re setting me up with won’t compare to Grian.” Mumbo’s face burned as he said it, knowing this was a risky move.

Scar paused to look at him. “You’re interested in Grian?”

“I am. So, I cannot go on that date tonight because it wouldn’t be fair to them.” Mumbo swallowed harshly.

Was it too soon to say he was interested in Grian? Was it too early in his friendship with Scar? Would Scar tell Grian what he said? It was a risk, but Mumbo accepted that. Every encounter he’d had with Grian just made him more interested in the man. He’d give it his best shot if Scar decided to pressure him into taking action.

“Well, that’s good news! I’d hate to send you on a date with him if you weren’t remotely interested.”

What? Mumbo blinked. And then he blinked again. “The date tonight is with Grian?”

“Of course, of course.”

“How’d you manage that? Grian told me he’s not interested in dating.”

“He’s not. But Pearl and I can be really sneaky when we want to be. If I’m honest, he doesn’t actually know he’s going on a date with you tonight. It’s a surprise!” Scar grinned.

“What if this ruins how he views me?” Mumbo scrunched his eyebrows. “If he’s tricked into going on a date, he’s going to suspect that I had something to do with it.”

“Oh, no. Not at all. Grian’s a smart cookie, and he’ll know it was all me and Pearl. Well, mostly Pearl since this whole thing was her idea, but he won’t blame you for it. Promise.”

“Alright…” Mumbo hesitated. “If this goes badly, you’re going to owe me a lot, buddy.”

“Oh, don’t I know it.” Scar sighed. “If this goes badly, you understand that Grian will also be mad at me for being a part of it. I have nothing but hope that this will go well. For all of our sakes, Mumbo.”

Mumbo’s mustache twitched, but he tried to relax. Only a few more hours. You won’t mess this one up.

“What are we thinking for tonight?” Grian said absently, putting away his camera bag.

“I have reservations for us at that new restaurant downtown.”

“Reservations?

“You were the one who said we need to experience the community more. So, I’m not cancelling.” Pearl wrinkled her nose. “You would’ve ordered fast food if I hadn’t done it. This is significantly better.”

“Uh huh.”

“Actually, it’s about time that we head there. We will need time to order, after all.”

“Sure.” Grian ran a hand through his hair. “Good enough?”

“It never gets better for you,” Pearl replied.

“Hey!”

Pearl dragged Grian downtown rather quickly. “I made the reservation in your name, by the way.” She glanced at her phone. “You can go get the table. I need to take this call.”

“Right.” Grian shifted uncomfortably, but he walked into the restaurant, grateful it wasn’t too formal.

“Reservation for two. Under Grian?”

The server nodded. “Back here.”

Grian studied the menu, thinking about what he was going to get. He knew Pearl would expect him to pay this time, as she’d paid for the last meal they’d shared.

“Hi.”

Grian nearly jumped out of his skin. “Mumbo?”

Mumbo gave him an embarrassed smile. “Didn’t mean to startle you. Sorry.” He pulled out the chair across from Grian.

Grian put the menu down slowly. “They didn’t.”

“If by that you mean Scar managed to successfully set us up on a blind date with each other, then yes, they most certainly did.”

“Pearl…” Grian pressed his palms into his eyes. “I can’t believe I didn’t see this coming.”

“Neither of us did, mate. But if it makes you feel any better, I bullied Scar into paying for dinner.”

Grian’s hands retreated. “You did?”

“I told him that it’s his head if this goes wrong, and if it goes badly because we start arguing about who is paying for it, it’s completely his fault.”

“Wow.”

“I aim to impress,” Mumbo replied cheekily.

“You certainly did that.” Grian blushed slightly. “So, this is a date, then?”

“Afraid so. We have to at least try. For Scar’s sake, of course.”

“Of course.” Grian swallowed harshly.

After the initial moments where they both struggled to come up with things to say, the date went well. The food was good, the conversation was good, and Grian could almost convince himself that Mumbo had blushed at his attempts to flirt.

Eventually, the night came to a close, and Mumbo offered to take him home.

“Oh, that’s not necessary, Mumbo.”

“Isn’t it?” Mumbo smiled mischievously. “I believe it is my duty as the man who took you on this date to also be the one to take you home.”

“Don’t be cheeky. The reservation was in my name.”

“I still want to take you home,” Mumbo replied.

Grian’s face burned, but he still shook his head. “If only I was willing to make it that easy for you.”

Mumbo put his hand on Grian’s shoulder. “Well, if I can’t take you home, I can at least do this.”

Grian looked up, preparing to ask what exactly Mumbo meant by that when Mumbo kissed him. He froze, unsure how to react for a moment before melting into the kiss. Mumbo’s facial hair tickled his face, and Grian quietly loved it, using Mumbo’s tie to pull him even closer.

Mumbo laughed against his mouth when they pulled apart briefly. Grian pulled him right back in for another one, and Mumbo made a delighted noise as Grian’s hand wove its way into his hair.

“Scar’s going to be so smug about this,” Grian said quietly, nestling up against Mumbo on his couch.

“We’ll never be free of the teasing,” Mumbo agreed.

“He’s been trying to convince me to ask you out for years at this point,” Grian replied.

“Has he?”

“Yeah. I spent too much time in the library for Scar to not get suspicious. And he knew you were my type.”

“Ah.” Mumbo’s face grew warm. “So, when you called me, he knew exactly who I was then.”

“Yep.” Grian made sure to pop the ‘p.’ “If it makes you feel any better, I don’t think he figured out how you felt about me until you told him. Otherwise, I would’ve heard about it.”

“I was very aware of that, believe me. I think he was starting to figure it out though. I asked about you way too much.”

“Very suspicious,” Grian mused. “But very worth it, don’t you think?”

Mumbo wrapped his arms around Grian to squeeze him in a tight hug. “Very worth it indeed.”

#grumbo month #grumbo #hermitshipping #grian #mumbo jumbo #pearlescentmoon #goodtimeswithscar #cloud writes

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annymation · 2 months

Note

The au about the transformation of Aster into a black hole sounds like a horror au now I'm going to have nightmares((( Write something else about the Star!Asha and the Human!Aster, please, I really like this au as well as the Kingdom of Wishes

Well thank you! I've always wanted to write darker stuff heheheh

But yeah I do owe you all some wholesome scenes don't I? So let's explore the Role Swaps Au a lil bit!

So how about we go with the scene Star!Asha and Human!Aster are at Aster's old home and they start getting to know each other better? Well, Aster isn't an artist in this AU, he's a musician, so unlike the original rewrite, Star!Asha wouldn't get in a sketch book, she'd get in a music sheet.

Here's how that'd play out:

Aster and Asha were now inside Aster's old home, it was quite tidy up despite being abandoned for years. Aster was humming to himself the song Asha sang earlier, "I'm A Star" while trying to play it on his grandfather's mandolin

"Shouldn't you be going to sleep?" Asked the star girl while exploring each and every thing inside the house, she had a radiant smile that only grew bigger and bigger with every new thing she found "I've seen that humans do that a lot at night, must be important"

"How can I possibly sleep? After I just wished upon a star and somehow that brought down a magical princess from the sky?" They asked, still astounded that this is all really happening and it's not just a dream

"Hihihi I'm not a princess silly, I just chose to look like one cause... Well, you seemed like you could use some inspiration to figure out what to do, and princesses often inspire people in fairytales" She explained while floating above Aster

"I guess so, but what does that make me though? Your knight or something? Heheheh" He said more so jokingly, referring to how he'll have to hide her and keep her safe from the royals

"I don't see why not, you're already handsome like one after all" Asha smiled innocently, stating that as if it was simply something obvious

Aster's eyes widened and his cheeks turned bright red. Did the most beautiful and literally etherial girl he has ever seen really think they were "handsome"???... Nah, that's probably how she treats anyone, Aster is just an average guy.

He stutters trying to think of something to change the subject, still blushing as red as a tomato "Hah-a umm Thanks??? UH- You- you sang just like a-a princess too heh heh" Aster feels himself growing even redder

"Awwn thanks!" Asha didn't seem to notice how flustered he was at all "I'm sure you have a beautiful singing voice too! Can you play for me? Pleeeeeaaaseee" the star adorably asked, her eyes sparkled with what seemed to be little stars twinkling inside her pupils

"... Maybe later, I get rather shy when playing in front of people I've just met" He said, looking at his grandfather's mandolin with downcast eyes

"Oh... That's alright!" Asha was sad for a second but her smile quickly returned as she got an idea "I can play your songs instead!"

And with that, Asha jumped inside Aster's note book, where he composes and writes his music sheets. She turns herself into a black and white drawing, dancing through the pages, stepping on each note, magically making music come from the book. Aster gazes in awe and laughs as she uses the notes to make funny sounds and melodies while the two continue chatting through the night.

........

And that's it, hope you liked this little piece of Star! Asha and Human! Aster!

#wish reimagined #wish rewrite #kingdom of wishes #ask #Kingdom of wishes AU

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mercurygray · 3 months

Note

hi merc! i’d like to request ‘rosie cheeks’ for Fred from the prompt list!! :) thank you!

Shannon, thank you for this perfectly excellent excuse to do some very necessary backfilling here.

Friday night meant the dress uniforms were out.

"I guess this is pretty small time for you, after one of the big London canteens," Helen said as the four of them entered the Officers Club, the band in full swing and the room already filled with men excited to let loose a little.

"Dancing is dancing and men are men," Fred said with a shrug, pitching her voice a little higher to be heard over the music. "It's just a question of volume."

"Oh, you'll get volume, all right," Tatty assured her. "We've got a footbath at home; you're going to want to soak your feet later."

A familiar face peeled away from his pack to meet them at the door. "Ladies, you all look lovely, but I'm gonna ask Fred here if I can have the honor of her first dance."

The chivalry hit different when it came with that accent, and Fred tried very hard not to smile too wide. "Well, thank you, Lieutenant Biddick. You may."

Most men would have taken her hand first, after an invitation to dance, but the pilot pointed an accusatory finger. "Now, what did I tell you about calling me Curt?"

"Wouldn't want to step in on whatever girl back home has that honor," she offered diplomatically, following him to the floor and joining hands.

"No girl back home. But if there was, wouldn't mind if she looked like you."

Fred tried again not to smile. Sure, and they all say that. "And where's home, Curt?"

"New York," Curt said, emphasizing each syllable like it meant something special. "Brooklyn, specifically. Where you from, Miss Fred?"

"Madison, Wisconsin."

"Wisconsin! Gonna have to talk to Major Egan about Wisconsin, then. He's from Manitowoc." The word tripped out of his mouth in a jumble, Mandiawalk, which was pretty close to how folks at home said it, too.

The song was a slow one, so they talked about baseball and that new league that Wrigley had started - Curt didn't know how to feel about a bunch of girls running bases but he thought the uniforms were cute - and then the song was over and she was being introduced to Charlie Cruikshank - "But his friends call him Crank!" and it was another round of where you from, where you going to add to the ever-growing list of names and faces she needed to commit to memory as the music picked up and the laughter got louder.

It was a few hours later when the band decided to take a break and stand down so the musicians could get something to drink themselves. Fred had sat out the last few just so her brain could catch up and she could make a dent in her drink, but Tatty and Helen were still working the crowd like champions. Mary was back at the bar grabbing another round - soda waters this time. Drunk or sober there was still a long ride back to the manor house, and the donut machine tomorrow morning wouldn't care how much you'd had to drink the night before.

Crank circled back, one of the band members in tow. "Brady, you met our new Red Cross girl yet? This is Fred. Fred, this is John Brady, another one of our pilots. He flies with Hoerr, and Hambone."

Fred nodded and tried to insert that information into the jumble of mental flash cards that had been accumulating in her brain all evening. Brady was slim and tall and brown-haired, and there was a pipestem sticking up from his shirt pocket. She hadn't been close enough attention to the band to know what instrument he played. "Saw you playing along in back there - are you a musician, too?"

Fred felt her cheeks go rosy, and instinctively closed her fist, like somehow that would make the motions she'd been making to match the notes go away. They never tell you in training that the job's easy until someone sees you.

"She brought a guitar," Mary offered, clearly trying to be helpful as she returned from the bar.

"I play a little," Fred clarified, intervening before anyone jokingly brought up the possibility of her doing concerts. The guitar had been - a whim, really, a cheap way to break the ice in case it was really needed. She'd dragged it halfway around the world thinking it'd be cute, maybe, but now that she was here it just seemed hokey - cowboy songs and singalongs. She hadn't needed it, when she'd been on the canteen - no one was staying for more than a day and it wasn't a problem because she wasn't sharing a room with anyone who'd talk about it. But Thorpe Abbotts, it seemed, was going to be different. She would be here a while, would know these men - and Mary Boyle noticed things and liked to talk.

"You'll have to join the band some time, then, Fred," Brady said with a smile.

She met his eye and had a sudden sinking feeling he actually meant that, and felt her cheeks burn a little more.

#asked and answered #wexhappyxfew #i have written a thing #mercurygraypresents #freda torvaldsen #masters of the air oc #john brady x oc

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little-miss-dilf-lover · 1 year

Note

reader and matt who have been dating for a bit so reader thought it would be fun to surprise matt for lunch but when she gets there matt isn’t there but foggy is and she finds out that matt hasn’t told him about them

ooo a lil bit of heartache, I love it. thank you for requesting, hope you like it💌

lunch [no] date (Matt x fem reader)

wc || <1k

warnings || none (?)

> PART 2 >

masterlist + rules

taglist

You have been dating Matt for about two months now, things were fairly new but everything was going great. You’ve known him for quite a while, so you knew that Matt was daredevil and about his past etc.

You had a longer lunch break today at work so you thought you’d surprise Matt. You brought lunch to him in case he couldn’t actually leave the office, you also kept in mind that he might be too busy right now, especially with no notice.

Walking up the steps, knocking politely on the office door of ‘Nelson and Murdock’, waiting to possibly be let in.

Foggy greats you warmly, “well hello there! Surprised to see you. How are you?”

“Hi, I’m doing well thank you, how are you?” You respond with a smile. “Yeah I’m okay, this case is a nightmare... wanna come in?” He asks, noticing the way you looked behind him into the room.

“Yes please, I wanted to see Matt, if that’s okay.” Walking past him as he moved to the side.

“He’s actually not here right now, but you’re welcome to wait until he gets back.”

“You sure?” You ask not wanting to get in the way.

“Of course, I’ll just be in here, I’ll keep the door open.” Foggy says with a grin as he walked back into his office.

Taking a seat in the armchair to the side, waiting patiently with a bag of lunch food on your lap. About fifteen minutes had passed, so you began the look aimlessly around the room, eyes staying focused on Matt’s empty office.

“You alright?” Foggy says peeking over his computer and looking out at you through the window.

“Yeah… I was just hoping to have some lunch with Matt before I go back to work.” You said with a sad smile.

“Ouch, why not with me.” He jokes, leaving his desk to talk to you in his doorway.

Laughing at his ‘hurt’ facial expression. “Sorry, I just meant, as a little spontaneous lunch date.”

“A lunch date?” He questions with a quick of his eyebrow.

“Yeah, I thought it’d be fun.” You smile.

The look on his face tells you that he’s trying to figure out how to word the next part politely. “Why uh- why a date?”

“Because…” eyes widened as you nodded, as if for him to finish your sentence.

His head slightly shakes with a confused expression. “Uhh.”

“Wait a second, are you messing with me?” You joke.

“I wish I was, I’m really confused right now.”

“Wait. You… don’t know about me?” Your voice is slightly saddened.

“Yeah… I know who you are.” He lingers, laughing wryly.

“No, but- like, about me and Matt?”

His eyes slightly bug, telling you he doesn’t know.

“He didn’t…” you quietly said, almost to yourself.

“I’m sorry, I don’t understand what’s happening right now.” He says empathetically.

“No, it’s okay. I uh- never mind.” You say as you sat up.

“You don’t have to go, what’s up?” He says walking towards you.

“Matt and I have been seeing each other for a couple of months… but I’m guessing he didn’t tell you?” You say as you shrug your shoulders.

“He hasn’t, I’m sorry. Why didn’t he tell me?” Foggy said with a pained smile.

“I’ll get going, you can have this if you want? I’m not hungry anymore.” You say extending the bag towards him.

“No no it’s okay, take it with you.” Smiling with his eyes.

“I’ll see you soon.” Hugging him in your usual friendly way before you walked towards the door. Turning on your heel, “don’t tell Matt I was here, pretend I never said anything?” You jokingly smiled, trying to side your sad one.

#request #matt murdock #matt murdock x you #matt murdock x reader #matt murdock fem!reader #matthew murdock #matthew murdock x you #daredevil

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julianalvarez9 · 1 year

Text

meant to be / martin ødegaard

requested: yes

wc: 1.1k words

summary: you're an aspiring actress being interviewed by jimmy fallon at the tonight show. you can't possibly imagine where tonight would take you, though.

author's note: sooo my first request for martin 🥹 i'm was actually really excited to start writing for him, he's just the cutest little guy isn't he ☹️ hope you like it!!!

"so, y/n, how is it that you're married?" the interviewer asked, jokingly tone heard through his voice. "stop!" you giggle, repositioning yourself on the sofa to keep comfortable. you had done a lot of interviews over the past few months, but still being an aspiring actress, sometimes, the nerves got to you. especially on shows like the one you were at currently, where you knew that it was watched by millions.

you weren't mad at the topic being brought up, but you were surprised that he had done enough searching before interviewing you to find the video he was alluding to. the fact that you had married on a holiday with your family when you were just a kid was spilled by you as a joke, while filming a video of 2 lies and 1 truth with florence pugh, your co-star. ever since then, it had become almost a meme to try and find the kid your younger self fell in love with during the family vacation.

"your turn now!" your co-lead yells, excited about how her inevitable win. it had been fun until now, your chemistry clearly showing on camera, and you were quite entertained about the whole challenge. but being a deeply competitive person, you knew you had to win this round to even have a chance of taking the lead on the score. "okay so, this one's hard," you earned mischievously, before listing the options. "i went skydiving during the summer, i married young, or i have two older brothers," you sentenced, trying to keep your face hard as stone to avoid giving away what the truth was.

"you went skydiving!" florence assured, so sure about her answer that she was squealing, thinking she had won the round, and consequently, the game. "no! i'm actually afraid of heights," you laughed, and her face fell when she realized she had lost. "it's quite a tricky one, but i'm married," you laughed, and her eyes widened in surprise.

"not really married, though, that's why i said it was a tricky one," you laughed, and continued to explain. "one summer i went on a cruise with my family and fell in love with this one kid. we jokingly got married. i think my mom even has a picture!" you laughed, and florence furrowed her eyebrows immediately, pouting at your cheating. "yeah but you're not really married, dummy, that's cheating!".

"we have some news! your mom found the picture and she kindly sent it to us!".

your face turned bright red when the audience started cheering, and you turned around to see the picture showing in the screens behind you. two little boys were seen, holding hands under a tree. you didn't remember it clearly enough to recognise where you were, but you remember that the cruise had stopped once on the coast before returning back home, and you guessed that's where the picture was taken. "that's so embarrassing! i had never seen it" you commented truthfully. "i hope he doesn't recognize himself," you laughed while blushing, and tried to fan air into your face to make your cheeks calm down. the entire studio was cheering, and jimmy was pleased to see your reaction and how excited the whole crowd was about his discovery. "you didn't get to him yet?" he asked curiously, and you shaked your head in negative.

meanwhile, internet was going crazy about it. the search had started when you joked about it months ago, but now, with photographic evidence, it didn't took long until someone recognised who the little kid by your side was.

the interview was about to come to an end, but minutes before, jimmy clapped his hands excitedly. "we have a surprise for you, y/n!," he squealed, and the crowd let out a "oooh" in anticipation. "oh my god!" you exclaimed, while smiling widely, "i really like surprises". his eyes glinted mischievously, "well, we hope you like this one! we've found your husband with the internet's help!". the sound in the studio was deafening, cheers and screams filling your ears, but the only thought that you could form was a simple question. what? it couldn't be.

jimmy went on, this time, explaining to the camera and the viewers. "on the line is martin ødegaard, arsenal's captain, welcome!".

after what felt like too long, but probably, was only a couple of seconds, he answered a shy "hey", thick english accent lacing through his deep voice. "so, martin, is it really you?" the interviewer pushed, and you were glad that the focus had turned from you, because you still were in shock about it. you never even considered that the little five year old guy would ever find you, let alone, be someone in the public eye as you were. it seemed unreal, and you still were having problems believing it.

"i guess so," he laughs, and you are one hundred percent sure that you look like a tomato now, after hearing the beautiful sound heard through the line. "my mum always watches your show, and she told me she recognised me in the picture you showed earlier," he explained, and after jimmy showed the picture again, a few tweets were also shown on the screen; various fans pointing the similarity between the little kid in the photo and what you could guess was a picture of martin as a kid.

you were taken back to reality from watching the screen showing the tweets by his sweet voice alluding at you. "how's my wife doing? haven't seen her in so long," martin joked, and the whole crowd yelled in delight. you laughed, while trying to shake off the feelings erupting in your stomach after being called his wife. "it's been like 20 years, no?," you asked, already knowing the answer. "yeah, i think so".

you didn't want to think too much about it: you knew it was only a joke. but 20 years is too much time, and he could be actually married and with a family of his own. you shifted uncomfortably in your seat at the thought, and it was like the interviewer had read your mind. "martin, are you actually married? kids?".

"apart from y/n, no," he joked, and the public laughed. "i'm focusing on football currently," he pointed out, and a few pictures of him wearing a red jersey and celebrating appeared on the screen behind you. so he was really arsenal's captain, wasn't he? "that's great! y/n, do you like football?".

"yeah, my dad's actually a diehard arsenal fan," you said, matter of factly, remembering how your weekends went when you were a kid, seated at the sofa with your dad, while cheering on his favorite red team. it really seemed too good to be true. "you were really meant to be, weren't you?," quipped jimmy, buzzing at the thought of actually being a matchmaker between the two of you.

"i guess so," you smiled.

#football imagine #football x y/n #football x reader #football x you #martin ødegaard x reader #martin ødegaard x you #martin ødegaard imagine

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beautysamour · 11 months

Text

Wrong destination | chapter three.

Pairing: Nikolai Lantsov x reader

Summary: Finally arriving to Ravka, the prince invites you to come to the Little Palace with him ensuring you that he’ll be able to help you find what you need to help your “sick” friend. Little did you know the help you’d find wouldn’t just be for medicine.

taglist: @spellsofavalon @themermaidscales82 @obxstiles

a/n: …guess who’s back ? I apologize for the little hiatus, life has been very busy for me!

enjoy!!

“My jaw feels much better, thanks for asking,” you hear Nikolai Lantsov saying to Alina, both just a few feet ahead of you. It was weird missing Sturmhond, and yes you admit that you missed the sarcastic, cocky, yet loyal and smart privateer. But it was weird, mostly because he technically wasn’t a real person, he was just a title.

A title that you were able to communicate with and who ended being the first-and probably only-person in this time period that you weren’t worried to open up to if you ever truly got comfortable with him. You thought you wouldn’t have to worry because he wasn’t in any history books, well Sturmhond wasn’t, but his actor was.

The prince and future king himself, Nikolai Lantsov. However, you didn’t consider him the man you told all those things to even though he knew of such things. You considered them to be separate people.

From your peripheral you see Nikolai suddenly look back at you and begin to slow down his horse’s stride; effectively taking you out of your thoughts. As your horse begins to catch up with his, you turn your head to focus your gaze on something else hoping that Nikolai was dumb enough to think that you didn’t notice him.

Nikolai was not dumb.

“Out of everyone, you shouldn’t be the one riding behind us all, what if your lungs suddenly gave out on you,” he said half jokingly and half seriously, “Unless you want me to give you cardiopulmonary resuscitation again,” he said fully joking this time to which you cringed. You didn’t him to feel comfortable around you as bad as that sounds, you wanted to remain as distant to these famous historical figures as possible despite already traveling with them.

“Mal is behind me,” you answered aloof like, “and I’d- rather you not give me mouth to mouth again.” The last part of your sentence slightly took Nikolai aback, he’s never witnessed someone use the phrase mouth to mouth to describe cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Nevertheless, he shook his head before continuing the conversation.

“Yeah,” he said slowly, “and he’d probably redirect you to me so I can help you again.”

He looked directly at you expecting you to respond and was met with you awkwardly averting your eyes everywhere- a quick glance at him accompanied by an expression that looks as if someone you hated randomly confessed to you, a quick glance to the trees around you opposite to the side Nikolai was at, and finally a quick glance down to the horse you were on accompanied with a hand being brought up to the top of its head before looking at the path straight forward.

Nikolai looked at the trees opposite of your side, attempting to stifle a laugh earning a confused side eyed glance from you.

The rest of the ride is filled with frequent glances from Nikolai, and feigned ignorance coming from you as a response.

—

Saying that you felt out of place was an understatement.

The more you interact with the tsarevich, the more you become aware of the generation gap between you and everyone else, you cringed as you thought back to what happened a few minutes ago.

“…Hi?” you said with a cringed expression as you kept your gaze on the man in front of you currently holding a hand out, waiting for you to take it.

“Hey,” he replied, not moving, slightly edging his hand towards you.

You assumed he was waiting for you to take it but…a part of you thought that maybe he’d try to pull you all the way down.

You weren’t used to Sturmhond not being around.

“Are you going to take my hand or are we going to stay out here all night,” he asked not necessarily annoyed, but rather tiresome, “I understand that my presence brings you great joy-“

You cut him off with an obnoxiously loud groan and put your hand in his, allowing him to help you off the horse.

“There, wasn’t that hard now, was it,” he said with a teasing smirk as you all walk towards the palace.

As you come back to the present you realized that you failed to keep up with whatever Lantsov was saying, “Did you get all that?”

You felt your body stiffen at hearing his question; was he going to upset when you say that you indeed did not get all of that- Sturmhond would’ve just shook his head and leave you where you were until you came running to him asking what he said. You bit the side inside of your cheek as you decided to remain quiet.

In front of you, you heard him let out an exhale that sounded like a mix of a sigh and a chuckle, “Saffi is located just outside the palace, whenever you feel properly rested; take a horse and follow the rocks until you can’t anymore. There, you’ll find Saffi.”

Saffi, the name sounded familiar but nothing comes up when you try to remember how you know that name.

“Who’s Saffi-,” you began to ask before quickly getting cut off, “I’ll come check on you in the morning, until then,” he gave you a quick nod before practically lounging down the hall, heading towards the sun summoner.

Oh. That makes sense, why he cut the conversation short that it. A few minutes prior to the introduction to Saffi; Lantsov, Alina, and Mal got themselves into a conversation about an political marriage between the Saint and the Prince, so you assumed he was still going to try to convince her despite Mal’ objections.

With your thoughts going back to the name Saffi, you turned the opposite direction and made you way through the halls of the palace until you reached the stables.

You picked up a rock, one that you intended to use as a weapon if the person supervising the horses would fight you on the topic of taking one, but fortunately you didn’t need to for Lantsov already told them to expect your arrival.

“Don’t bother tying Emmi down, just let her run back to us,” you looked down at Emmi, the horse, then looked back up at the man in charge of the horses with a raised brow.

“…Why?”

The man gave you a wide grin, his teeth crooked, “Emmi doesn’t need a reason to stay, you won’t be coming back.”

“…Cool,” you said as you grabbed the reins on the horse and began to ride to Saffi’ place.

When Lantsov said to follow the rocks, you expected it to be an unsatisfying experience with only rocks to be there to look at. Instead it was the opposite, the trees leaves were the colors of anything ranging from brown to red; there being multiple trees at that, and to the right of that path you were riding on was a creek, one that reflected the moon and even yourself.

The rocks were wedged against many flowers, it looked like a first graders doing if you were being honest, but it was charming nonetheless.

“It’s pretty, isn’t it,” you asked Emmi. She neighed in return.

Within a few minutes, the number of rocks began to decrease and less and less of the creek was visible. The moon was still as bright as ever. Soon enough you saw a cabin and softly pulled the reins on the horse to tell her to stop.

As soon as you jumped off the horse Emmi immediately shoved her head against your shoulder before running off back to the Palace, leaving you alone.

“Hey! Emmi!” Your mouth gaped open as you watched her gallop away, feeling betrayed; you looked side to side as if you were with other people who would have reacted to this scene of betrayal.

You let out a deep sigh.

You turned around and began walking to the front door of Saffi’ cabin.

Saffi’ cabin was very…cute. There were sunflowers and potatoes casually in front of their house, hearts drawn on the bricks and the words “Welcome” edged into the wood of the door. Not having any feeling of danger, you walked right up to the door.

“Hello-,” before you could connect your fist with the door, it swung inwards revealing a middle aged women holding a notebook in one hand and a pen in the other as she jotted some stuff down. As the pen began to come to a stop, her eyes met yours as you awkwardly stood in front of her.

You cleared your throat getting ready to introduce yourself to her, “The tsarevich told me to come here, to your place, for medical purposes. We just came from the Fold.”

The women eyed you up and down a few times before nodding to herself and angling herself to the inside of the cabin, “Saffi! She’s here,” she yelled out. She looked back at you, eyeing you up and down again, and walked further into the cabin; waving a hand behind her motioning for you to follow her.

You glanced behind you taking in the scenery and noting which position the moon was in before taking a step inside, as you went in you widened your eyes as you looked around at the interior design of the place.

You think you’ve been here before.

The stairs, the clock at the top level, the table in the middle of the bottom floor, the clock pendant near the door- there were even potatoes settled in the middle of the table.

Yes, you have definitely been here.

To your left you could hear the footsteps of the middle aged women steadily getting further away, and heard nothing coming from your right.

Perhaps you should explore, you probably had a few minutes before another person entered the room so; why not? The clock that looked eerily similar to the one your family had surely must have something important.

You shook your head disapproving the impulsive thought’s pooping into your head. The clock wasn’t a rare design by any means, it was normal to see that kind of clock especially in this time period (is what you want to believe) so you should just forget about it. Plus, if you got caught snooping around you’d definitely get kicked out and forever loose the owners trust, and you’d never meet Saffi.

Even though that wouldn’t really matter. No one was actually sick, you didn’t really need a doctor. You were sent here because of a lie you told Sturmhond.

“There you are.”

You jumped at hearing a voice come from behind you, whipping your head back as a result.

The voice came from a women who looked closer to your age then the other. Around her neck was a necklace with a pendant of an insect, her eye color, hair color, eye shape, hair type, and even lip curve were the same as yours. It felt like looking at a picture of yourself that had been tampered with a few times.

“Uh, hello? You there?” asked the women after a few moments of silence.

“…Yes,” you carefully say. It was so weird looking at her. She looked so much like you, “Oh, uh,” you clear your throat remembering what you came here for, “The Tsarevich recommended you, he said that you’d be able to help me find a cure-“

“Mhm.”

“-For my friend-“

“Mhm.”

“-Who’s very sick-“

“Mhm,” as you told her your half lie the woman walked past you and pulled a chair open for herself to sit at, all without interrupting you.

“-And that’s why I’m here.”

“Ok,” she said while nodding, “So what’s your friends sickness? Deadly I presume?”

“Yes.”

She nodded again, slower this time, “Is he dead?”

You opened your mouth to answer but nothing came out, leaving you with a gaped expression. The women nodded once more seeming to have all the information she needed, and stood up from her seat, “Follow me.”

You followed as she lead you up the stairs and past the clock into another room, “Take a seat.”

Like the set up downstairs there was a table in the middle of the room. On it were laid out papers marked with lines that connected into a turtle.

Huh. Cute.

You took your seat on the chair closest to the door and watched the women make her way to the other side of the table and did not take a seat. She fiddled with insect pendant hanging from her neck and she observed your sitting figure.

“So?” She said randomly. You raised your eyebrows in response, confused.

“Huh?”

The women tilted her head at you, now confused at you. “What do you mean ‘huh?’”

She sighed at your dumbfounded expression before speaking again, “What do you need help with?”

Oh. “My friend.”

“Y/N, honey, I thought we had an understanding that I knew he was dead. Don’t you have anything to say to that?”

“How do you know my name?”

You never told her your name, oh wait, maybe…Lantsov? Maybe he told her. Shit, stupid question.

“Wait- never mind.”

“He never told me your name.”

…what? If he never told her… and she even knew that your “friend” wasn’t alive…

You straightened your back and gripped the sides of the chair, ready to bolt out the room if things escalated.

“You can read minds,” you whispered out just loud enough for her to hear.

The women stared are you. That’s all. Just stared, then ran her hand up and down her face as she processed your words.

Are you being for real? This is what she was waiting for?

“No,” she breathed out, “I wish- but no,” she put her hand on one of the chairs and pulled it out leaving enough room for her to sit in.

“My name is Saffi by the way. Saffi L/N. I knew your name because I knew you would come here, I saw the future.”

This time all you did was stare.

She had the same last name as you?

Then suddenly it all connected in your head. How she knew your name, how the door opened right before you could knock, the clock, how she knew that your friend wasn’t just sick- that he wasn’t sick at all in fact.

That he was dead.

As for her name sounding familiar, your father often spoke about a Saffi whenever you brought up your powers. He always told you how Saffi was considered as the most talented of your family despite being alive millennia’s ago.

The staple of a time grisha.

But even then, you felt you were missing something about her.

“Oh,” you said breathlessly, “Oh my g-“

“Mhm, anyways,” continued Saffi, “Although I knew we’d meet, I wasn’t able to see the part that explained why you’re here,” she put her forearms on top of the table then leaned forward, closer to you, “What happened?”

Where to start, you thought to yourself. Your gaze went from Saffi’ eyes to the insect pendant. Why an insect? Realizing you were getting distracted you forced yourself to look back up and began to tell her everything that happened from when you entered the forest with Elijah.

—

She sighs before rubbing a hand up and down her face frustratedly, “Well you definitely lost it.”

Your brows furrowed in frustration and panic at her words, you knew that your power wasn’t working at the moment but you couldn’t accept that it was just gone, “There’s got to be a way I can get it back-!”

“Yes,” she says exasperated as she interrupts you mid panic, “There is. You don’t have your power right now because you used to much, to much than what you current power level is- was.”

She walked over to the furthest side of the dining table, cocking her head to the side telling you to follow. She stuck the end her necklace that was in the shape of a hornets stinger into the small hole at the lower left side of the table. Suddenly the table opened up, revealing another level of the table that was right under the surface.

In there were books, and papers, and maps- Saffi quickly rummaged though the maps and picked up a specific one that was folded intricately, you’d have to know the way it was folded if you didn’t want to rip it while attempting to open it. She points to a location marked on the map.

“The tortoise,” she begins, “it’s shell serves as the best kind of amplifier for our power. If you manage to get this-.”

“I’ll be able to go back,” you said completing her sentence. If the reason why you were stuck is because you used too much- and maybe the flaw with how you used your power to begin with is that you never had an amplifier so you were always pushing your limits- then receiving one will surely fix this problem.

And you will be able to use your power in a more precise, controlled manner.

“Correct,” Saffi answers, “When I went into the future and saw that you and I would meet, I pushed myself a little past that moment. I spoke with your mother, and your father; someone from my bloodline. Yet he wasn’t Grisha like me and you.”

She faced her body towards yours, completely focusing on you, “So then I went back, and met you. You were grisha, you were probably 5 around that time. Even then you were already able to stop time- which is no easy feat even for our family lineage. But you would not go far without an amplifier,” she turned towards the table again, refolding the maps, “Even though I wasn’t able to see what happened that caused you to go this far back in time, I figured that if you and I really were to meet, that you’d be in a situation where you stayed long enough to have looked for me, something must’ve gone wrong. And I was right.”

She paused for a moment, carefully replacing the maps in the drawer. She glanced at you once she finished putting them away; looking at you for a reaction.

“In order to go back, you have to find the tortoise, take its shell and use it as your amplifier.”

“I…see, um, yeah, that makes sense.” That wasn’t a lie, you did understand. You were just overwhelmed with all this sudden information and on top of that, a wave of tiredness hit you when Saffi began explaining how she met your father.

She sighed at your lackluster response, “Alright well, it’s late, you should go back to the Palace now. Come back tomorrow and I’ll give you more information on how to find it.” You gave her a weak nod and followed her as she led you to the front door.

“And take these,” she said when you reached the front door. She held held a paper bag out to you to which you grabbed with question, the weariness getting worse. In your rather dazed state, you heard Saffi snort as you began to doze off in front of the door.

“Oh- sorry,” you said, realizing you were still inside the cabin.

“You’re all good. In the bag is a bunch of tea petals by the way, just so Nikolai won’t become suspicious as to why you came back with no medicine,” she took a step forward opening the door for you, “Goodnight, Y/N. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Goodnight,” you mumbled out as you watched the door close in front of your face. You tilted your head upwards looking for the moon. Who cares about the position of the moon, you just wanted to pass out on a bed.

You let out a loud groan and brought a hand up to entangle in your hair, where the hell is your horse?!

“Emmi!” You yelled out to no avail. You looked to your left to see if Emmi was there, she was not. Looked to your right, there was no horse. Looked up, you swore the stars connected into a horse constellation.

You frustratedly raked your fingers through your hair, getting more and more annoyed by each run through. Dropping your head you focused in on your feet, low key zoning out as the frustration welt away.

You let out a rough breath and whispered out a defeated “ok.”

Accepting that Emmi wouldn’t magically show up, you lifted your feet and began your walk back to the palace by foot.

—

“We need her- I need her,” barked out the dark haired man as tightened his grip around his waist, his head hanging low due to the mix of frustration and immature disappointment.

With his jaw clenched and his damp hair framing his face he looked back at his mother, his disagreeing mother. After everything he’s done for his people, this is how his mother repays him.

“You’ve gone too far,” his mother nonchalantly replied trying to diffuse the tension before her son got too agitated.

“Too far? Mother I’ve barely even started,” getting a sudden outburst of confidence and inspiration, the man walked up his mother, even impossibly darkening, “I need her. More than the sun summoner.”

The man turned around and walked himself to the door. He stopped for a second, seemingly about to say something else to his mother but then shook his head and continued walking out the door; leaving his mother alone.

#nikolai lantsov x reader #shadow and bone #grishaverse #nikolai lantsov #nikolai lantsov fanfic #nikolai lantsov imagines #nikolai lantsov x you #nikolai x reader #shadow and bone fanfic

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slashersgostabbystabstab · 11 months

Text

Ghostface: Possible Parent Scenarios

Original Ask:I saw that post about Danny and wanted to ask what the scenarios you came up with were? Unless you don't want to post them then I understand. Have a nice day!

These are things I came up with one time, just thinking about Danny having a kid before being brought to the Entity’s realm. Basically possible fic ideas.

So first let me say that Danny Johnson, he doesn’t exactly seem like the kind of guy who would be or at least want to be a dad. However! Another part of me says:

Danny is really into his killings, he’s passionate about Ghostface and all…so then I thought, this guy is gonna someday grow old(not in the entity’s realm of course) and he’s gonna eventually have to stop being a killer whether he like it or not. So I was like…this guy would definitely want a successor.

Onto the scenarios(I shall refer to the other parent as the reader hehe):

1.) Danny is a smooth guy, no doubt can pick up nearly everybody. So there’s a time where he has a one night stand and in the heat of the moment, neither him or the reader care about protection. After that, Danny and the reader never see each other again. Years later however, I guess he just somehow encounters the reader, they don’t remember him but he clearly remembers them because he’s got that kind of memory, maybe they don’t even see him but he just notices them. Soon enough a kid come over, maybe the tiniest bit bratty and after seeing the kids’ mannerisms and such it just hits him. Who else could conceive such a child? He eventually becomes obsessed with the kid, but not in a weird way of course. The reader somehow always bumps into him, he constantly stalks if not approaches the kids, learns everything he can about them. And then one day when he’s stalking them, he somehow loses them…but when he eventually finds them again, he doesn’t know how to feel except prideful. The kid, at such an early age, is already taking after him, perhaps not the killing part but everything else, definitely. He loves this kid in his own way.

2.)In this scenario, Danny could either be single or in a relationship. I imagine that Danny would come across a kid, perhaps they’re attempting to steal something from him, just some kind of situation like that. In the end, Danny would outsmart them and after some back-and-forth banter, the kid runs off. Some time later, days maybe, Danny runs into the kid again, and it just continuously happens. Danny even realizes that this kid…is kind of copying him? Damn, stalker game on point, impressive. Danny eventually warms up to them and the kid approaches him, just trying to be kind of annoying but Danny’s ignoring it until he reaches his house. The kid just invites themselves inside, Danny honestly not giving a damn. After some time he jokingly asks if they’ll be leaving now or keep annoying him and the kid admits that they don’t have a home. Now Danny, I don’t see this guy as being exactly empathetic or sympathetic, but he for some reason feels bad. Just tells the kid to sleep on his bed, he finds his sofa more comfortable, and things just keep on going that way. Danny has basically adopted this kid. In the situation where he has a partner, it’d kind of go the same way I think, even his partner could end up convincing him. Or maybe they live separately, Danny would still do the above thing.

3.) In this case, Danny would be in a relationship with the reader. Of course, they’re not in the entity’s realm because I highly doubt the entity would permit conceiving children and such. Maybe the reader mentions kids, maybe not, but the thought doesn’t exactly cross Danny’s mind. Maybe there are some nights where he thinks about having a little him(’cause he’s narcissistic of course), or a little version of his partner. Those thoughts are immediately shooed away. However, I can see a child being conceived at random. Totally-ish unplanned, but it wouldn’t entirely make Danny upset. Maybe a little frustrated because this guy is on the move when people catch on and such, a child(let alone a partner) might complicate things. But…he would actually be happy to eventually have a little one. Ah, he’s gonna be the best dad, he says. He’s gonna teach them how to properly gut someone like a fish, make prank calls, stalk! Once the newborn is in his hands, he’s gonna be overjoyed and…maybe the tiniest bit teary eyed. Of course, this guy would constantly “joke” that he’s found the next Ghostface.

#dbd #dbd x reader #dbd ghostface #dbd danny johnson #ghostface x reader #danny Johnson x reader

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nelissecrectplace · 1 year

Text

Void

ch5

neteyam x reading

Tw: Death, dissociation, war

word count: 6k

language: ‘evi- child (affectionate)

descriptions: Peace, Happiness, and friendships can only last so long. You would have never guessed you would be a victim of the sky people’s first act of war. Suddenly your reality is shifted as you experienced how cruel life is. With the threat of sky people upon you every na’vi must train to be a fighter no matter how much your father does not approve of you picking up a bow.

———————

Light brightened up the pod as morning broke. Groggy you sat up taking in your surrounding. As your eyes adjusted you noticed that the presence next to you was gone as there was no one but you in an empty pod. You felt lonely but you also felt the fear from yesterday arise. With a need for answers you quickly washed up and headed out of the sullys home to the healing tent. You prayed the Mo’at would be there.

“Hello my child” Your prayers were answered when the old woman’s voice met your ears. Your eyes set on her as you muttered a greeting.

“You are troubled.”

“I am, I do not know what is to come, I do not know if the hunting party is safe my worries seem endless.”

Sitting next to her you felt comfort as her old eyes stared into yours. Her hands grasp yours as you felt comfort flood into you from the simple jester.

“The clan will survive this, just like we did all those years ago, we will send the sky people back to where they belong.”

You wanted to believe it was true as she spoke with such certainty but the possibilities still plagued your mind. Mo’at almost as if reading your mind softly glided her thumb over the hand you held onto, providing what comfort she could. The na’vi was always helpful and even gave you a brief update on the new rules of the clan and what to expect from the future.

Almost as if on cue the returning horn rang as she finished. Quickly you jumped to your feet, running to the hunting party. They had returned early because of the situation and you could not be happier. Tears breached your eyes as you saw your fathers figure through the small crowd. As if you hadn’t seen him in months you crashed into his arms relief flooding you.

“I was so worried.”

“I am here ‘evi, we are all here.”

A comforting hand patted your head as he spoke. Kiri soon approached her four finger hand making comforting circles on your shoulder blade. Other na’vi had similars exchange as relief flooded the clan knowing they had not lost anyone. The sky people had every na’vi on edge.

Things around the clan started to change rapidly after the night of the return. Your dear friend Tseo and many other male na’vi were torn from their other tasks and put on warrior duty. This made the stress of the woman in the clan increase and many young na’vi had to begin to help in place of some of their study time. You had already completed most of your healing lessons so you gathered much more and stocked up on many herbs.

You and Neteyam had not talked about the conversation but your relationship had improved. You would often talk to the boy in the sign language you learned as he was usually stuck to his fathers hip either helping to plan future attacks or training warriors. He would often get ‘injured’ and come to the healing tent for your treatment and you couldn’t help but be amused by his faking.

“Aww did did someone get a boo-boo?” Jokingly you walked over to the the boy at the entrance of the tent.

“Yeah, hurts real bad y/n” You could tell he was on the verge of laughing as he spoke. Holding up his hand he showed the tiny scratch across the back of his hand and couldn’t help but let out a small giggle. You held his hands in yours as you brought it to your lips kissing his small scratch. His tail whipped around behind him as he looked at you as with soft eyes.

“All better” Lacing your hands together you looked up with a smile.

“You truly can cure anything.” Pulling you into him the boys hands latched around your waist. He dug his fingers into your side as you squirmed beneath him laughing and trying to escape.

“Stop distracting my student Neteyam!” The boys hand left you as he got a wack on the back of the head. Covering your mouth you stifle a laugh as the Mo’at walks in. Neteyam put his hands up in surrender as he signs a goodbye leaving the tent. Your amusement did not last as a strict yellow eyes soon landed on you making you turn back to your work immediately.

Besides healing your time was also spent gathering. You did not hate gathering fruits because Zey was always with you. Gossip and jokes would fuel your time with her. You always had something to talk about as the gatherers only left high camp three times a week because of the new rules. Because of this gathering days were longer as more fruit needed to be collected. That morning you did not think much would change as you set out with your friend.

“Morning y/n”

Bumping hips with you Zey announced her presence as she walked along side you.

“Good morning!” Greeting her with a smile you walked towards her Ikran. You always flew down with Zey because you did not have an Ikran of your own. She was more than happy to fly you around especially since you two always seems to stray from the main group finding the tastiest fruits.

Just like any other gathering day you and Zey eventually started to stray from the group going on your own path as you walked into the forest. Your laughter could be heard from all around as you spoke with the girl.

“Tseo is going to get so flustered when you give him a courting gift too!” Yelling up to the girl you admire the bracelet she had tossed down with the fruit. She wanted you to see the bracelet she had been working on.

“I know right!” Yelling back she tossed town utumauti. You skillfully caught it and added to the basket you had set on the ground.

“I’ll store it in my pack until you come down!”Yelling up you informed Zey as you placed the bracelet in your pouch

“I have something for you too catch!” Your eyes shot up as she threw a thin bracelet toward you from the branch she sat on. She looked beautiful as the sun broke through, the light shining on her features. “It’s for your ankle I have a matching one!”

Pointing to her foot she motioned to the woven ankle bracelet that matched yours. Admiring the beautiful rocks and pebbles in you tied the bracelet around your ankle.

“It’s beautiful Zey!” Your voiced seems to echo through the trees as Zeys joyful laugh could be heard. Suddenly you heard no more laughter as the girls attitude seems to change. You began to notcie why as all noise seemed to slowly fade from the forest around it. It was too silent.

Your ears perked up trying to sense the slightest movement as Zey did the same. Her once relaxed body was now stiff as she stood up straight on a branch scanning the area. Fear slowly crept in as the thought of a palukan being near entered your mind.

BANG!

Jerking at the sound your eyes shot up to a blood curdling scream. You felt a ringing through your head as you watched blood drip down from your friends leg. Panic took over as you called out to her but it was too late as another sound rang through the forest. You watched as she fell off the branch body landing on the ground. Ears ringing, you scrambled towards her in a panic.

“Zey! Get up Zey!” Your body seemed to moving on its own as you ran to the girl. She did not respond but you did not dare think of the reality of the situation as you dragged her body into the bushes. Pressing onto the chest wound, salty tears pored down your face.

“It hurts y/n..” The words came out of the girls mouth in a gurgle as blood rose into her throat.

“I fix it! I’ll fix it!” Quickly you rummaged through your pouch as you pulled out your healing supplies. You wrapped her leg rapidly as you stuffed leafs into her chest wound. Horror consumed you as you looked up seeing the leafs soaked through and blood leaking from under her onto the first ground.

“No no no no”

“y/n”

Your eyes flicked up as you met the girls weak ones.

“Tell Tseo I see him?” If you had not been only inches away the words spouted from her mouth would have not been heard. Her words quite and weak.

“I will not! You will, I will not let you die here!”

Voice cracking you pressed down onto the girls wound hoping that somehow that would stop it from coming out her back. Movement rash and desperate you used all the materials you could trying to stop the wound from bleeding.

Eventually you no longer felt or heard ragged breath breach the girls lips, but you did not care. Continuing to try bring the girl back denying the facts laid out in front of you. Eclipse engulfed the forest and for the first time you looked up at the lifeless face of your dear friend.

The world slowed down as you looked at her dull eyes. Her Bioluminescence did not glow, her chest did not fill with air, her mouth did not move as her voice would never be heard again. Numbness, that’s all you felt as you stared at the girl. Your heart was tearing mind screaming, eyes burning but you could not move. Hand intertwined with hers but it was cold as you grasped it.

‘I could not save her’ The only thought that filled your mind as you starred at your dear friend. It was drowning you as you struggled to breathe, you felt as if the world was collapsing on you as you were sucked into a void of darkness. You could hear nothing, feel nothing or see anything but Zeys cold body.

Eventually warriors found you but you could not move. It was almost as if there was two corpses being dragged back to highcamp the only difference being one had tears flowing down their face.

You were embraced by your father, and all the Sully kids as you arrived but you felt no comfort. Tears ran down your face as you slowly took in your surrounding for the first time in hours. Harshly you pushed the group away from you as dread, sadness, anger, and guilt seemed to drown you.

You ran, you did not know to where but you did not care. You ran from the pity eyes, you ran from the guilt, you ran from the sadness, you ran from the horror. You can not run forever though because things always catch up to you. As soon as you stopped it did exactly that. Slamming your body down on the mossy rock you felt grief consume you.

You cried a cry more intense than any before. You felt it in your soul as sobs escaped your throat and your body shook with each one. When a presence entered the area you did not care to look too consumed in your own sadness.

Your cry’s did not calm until you were flipped over and slammed into a hard chest. The warmth surrounded you as rough hands held you. Neteyam, you knew it was him and sobs soon turned into hiccups.

“I-I couldn’t save her.” voice horse you chocked out the sentence. Neteyam only shushed you as he looked at you with loving eyes as his body hovered over yours.

“It is not your fault, it’s the sky people’s.” Brushing curls behind your ears the boy stared into drained sea green eyes that almost seemed as lifeless as the na’vi brought in with her.

“I will kill every last one that causes you sorrow.” Neteyams face hardened as he uttered the sentence. You felt a chill run down your spine as you stared at the boy.

“I want them all gone Tey.” Voice cracking into a silent cry you held the boy close, hoping that somehow his embrace would make everything go away.

—————————

You quickly learned that there is no time to mourn in the time of war. You felt as if the world was crashing down but you were forced to complete your duties. You get no breaks when gathers come in one after another to be healed. The sky people were making their first advances marking the territory they claimed as theirs with a border of na’vi blood. Tearing down the forest to build their horrid buildings and gas machines.

With this hostile expansion the clan took action successfully carrying out the first raid. You were filled with worry as Neteyam and your father took off that morning. It was hard to heal when all you could think about was them ending up like Zey, and you not being able to save them. No matter how much Kiri comforted you during the day every time you saw a bullet wound the memories came crashing back. You could not stand standing on the side lines, you wanted revenge, to protect the people you love, and to never feel as helpless as you in that moment.

That’s how you ended up standing outside of the warriors tent. They had just gotten back from the raid and were discussing what the next action plan was while you waited outside. The moment you saw Jake and your father you were quick to call out to them.

“I want to train to be a warrior!” Your voice pierce the air around you as both men wiped their heads to you. Neteyam soon emerged from the crowd of warriors as well shooting you a shocked look.

“Warrior? ‘Evi don’t say such nonsense, you will not be completing a warriors Iknimaya.”

Your father stood tall as his eyes were stern but you did not waver. Jake only watched the exchange knowing it was not his place to butt in.

“I watched my friend die just seven days ago!” Your voice came out broken and loud as you swallowed your sorrows. “I was useless! I could not heal her I could not avenge her if that sky person saw me I was at his mercy!”

“I have seen people die too you do not get to become a warrior just because you wish!”

“I could have died father ! Zey did die because we did not know the stealth that is trained into warriors! I need those skills I refuse to watch any of you die knowing I could have been there to protect you!” Your vocal cords strained as you yelled louder than you thought was capable. Tears broke your waterline as you stared at your father with a fire swirling in your tear stained face.

Antu looked at his little girl and for the first time he saw a na’vi woman. The fire of her mother dancing in her eyes as she was consumed by passion and anger. Antu’s words seemed to be caught in his throat as he soaked in your feature. The innocent that once danced in your eyes was gone as if you had aged years in only days. He felt almost as if the Metkayina he fell for all those years ago was staring right at him with her headstrong look. Eywa you shared your mothers fury.

“Fine, do as you wish, but in the name of Eywa I forbid you from going out onto that battle field until I deam you fit!” It almost came out in a hiss as your father tail slashed behind him. Mixed feeling consuming the man.

Pride entered your body as you continued to stare up at your father. In your mind you must become a warrior it wasn’t a want. In order to protect the people you love to protect your father.

“Thank you father” Scowling your father headed back to your pod only giving you a grunt in return.

“Well, I guess neteyam will be teaching you the ways of a warrior” Beaming Jake walked over and patted you on the back making you step forward to keep your balance. A chuckle rose from the man’s throat as he observed you.

“You have a lot cut out for you son.” Heat rose to your cheeks at this comment as Neteyam only nodded sending you a slight smirk.

“I can train y/n when we aren’t on raids.” Neteyam gruff voice stated as he looked at his father for approval. Jake gave a hum in response as he bid his fair well.

“Was Tseo in the raid?” Looking up you noticed the laters face slight scrunch as he looked at you with distaste. You had not gotten a chance to see Tseo in the past week.

“Yes, why are you asking about another man?” Rolling your eyes at his comment you shoved the na’vi away as you made your way to the group of raid warriors. Some of them looked proud while other looks discouraged by the sight they had seen yet none of them wore the face you were looking for. You pushed through crowds of na’vi as you searched and eventually you found your target sitting at the edge of highcamp staring out into the sky.

“Tseo…” Your voice was soft as you approached knowing that your pain was nothing compared to his. Gently lowering your limbs next to him you patiently waited for a response.

“Hey, y/n” Tseo felt his throat throb as he spoke puffy eyes meeting sea green ones. His ears dropped so far down almost as if it was impossible to bring them up even as he looked at his dear friend.

“So, you were there when she died?” Tseo spoke softly in a hoarse voice and the memories of the day came flooding back.

“Til the very end.” A still silence took over the atmosphere as your sorrows mixed. It felt as if a rainy cloud had been casted over the two of you.

“She wanted me to give you this, and to tell you that “I see you” they were her last words…”

Tseo did not say anything as he took the bracelet. You watched as the man you had always seen happy and full of light curl into himself in sorrow as he clutch the bracelet. Tears welled up in your eyes as the only thing you could do was wrap a thin arm around him in hope it would bring some comfort.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t save her.” Guilt filled you as your chocked out the words, tears rolling down your face. Tseo said nothing as he sobbed and all you could do was sit there with him looking at the sky while praying to Eywa, hoping that somehow things would improve.

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Eywa seemed to ignore you prayers as things around you only got worse. Battles and raids more frequent filling you with a dread every-time your love ones took off into the battle field. You knew you had many months left of training but the need to be out there with them only seemed to deepen each time a injured warrior was brung to your tent. At the three month mark you could not longer take the waiting reaching out to Tseo for extra help.

You knew this would affect how much free time you had but you did not care, the only thing on your mind being passing your Iknimaya so you could protect your people. Tseo was more than happy to help, sharing and understanding the fury you held towards the sky people.

“ Your back is arched again.” Slightly annoyed the warrior fixed your posture as his hands guided your body. A huff left your lips as you glance at Tseo who was now next to you. Eyes studying him you tried to mirror the stance he displayed as you straightened your back once more. A sharp inhale was taken as you drew your bow back letting go with a snap. A sharp sound flew threw the forest as the arrow flew at a rapid speed narrowly missing the target.

“Eywa, even Zey was better.” A bitter laugh left your mouth at his comment. Zey use to be a horrible with the bow you would often hear stories of her ‘lessons’ knowing it was Tseo reason to get close to her. You would be lying if you said you did not miss the girl, you were constantly reminded of her missing presence through out the day. Tseo felt the same, it was as if your little morning and night training sessions were use as a way to mourn and remises about the girl.

The silence between the two of you was not uncomfortable almost as if you spoke to each other with your eyes. The pain, bittersweetness, and sadness reflecting in each others. You heard the animals of the forest begin to wake as eclipse neared it end. Facing the sky you choked back tears re collecting yourself. You heard Tseos movements towards you feeling his body get closer.

“We do this for her, train for her, avenge her. Avenge all the fallen na’vi.”

Sucking a broken breath in you adjusted your stance. With a hardened gaze you drew your bow back, inhaling, then letting it go. A familiar woosh met your ears as your arrow flew, hitting the edge of the target with a ‘thud’. Eyes widening you felt pride soak into you as you turned to Tseo.

A breathy laugh escaped Tseos lips as he embraced you as you did little hops. Although your displays of happiness and excitement has dulled it had not completely disappeared as you occasionally shared moments like these. Picking up your feet you allowed your friend to pick you off your feet and swing you around. It had been the first target you hit in 4 days!

“Neteyam will be pleased in your lesson today.” Tseos tail swayed in a teasing way as he eyed you. Only giving as eye roll in response you slightly pushed the boy.

“Does not matter, what matters is I will fight along side you sooner.” A slight smile braced your lips as Tseos face mirrored yours.

Conversation cut short both your heads whipped to an approaching figure. Soon coming into view the morning light reflected off Neteyams shinning skin, wet from traveling through the forest damp with morning dew. His expression seemed to perk up when his eyes met yours, quickly falling as he eyes met Tseo. He knew you were friends but it slightly irked him how much morning and nights he found the two of you together.

“Y/n, Tseo” Despite his internal feelings Neteyam respectfully greeted both of you. Tseo was quick to greet him back as you simply waved to the boy.

“Father has battle plans he wants to go over with the warriors for tonight.” Giving a nod in confirmation Tseo gathered his stuff. Giving a little wave the na’vi was soon consumed by the lush green of the forest making his way back to highcamp. You felt sad seeing your friend leave but slightly excited for your day with Neteyam.

“You’ve been up quite early these past few weeks.” Neteyam commented as he low-key pried for answers.

“Yes, just spending time with Tseo.” Responding nonchalantly you looked at the na’vis expression that did not seem to change. You could tell he wanted to pry but had too much pride to ask directly. Wanting to keep your morning training a secret you did not indulge the 18 year old wanting to surprise him.

Neteyam only let out a grunt as he began to walk into the forest. Stifling a laugh at his childish behavior you followed him into the forest. Soon the two of you were running through the trees as you ran to wherever neteyam wishes for you to train that day. Every morning it was a similar routine, you would start off slow but in a couple minutes be running through the trees, traveling as if you were mice, quite and fast. You seemed to improve everyday rivaling Neteyams speed as you leaps from branch to branch. Despite your thick tail you were fairly good at staying quiet and moving fast, balance coming naturally to you.

“Damn, at this rate you’ll be the fasted na’vi in the clan!” The joking comment left Neteyams lips as he looked at you. You felt your heart skip a beat as he flashed a smile your way, hair whipping behind him as he ran. The sight did not last very long as he was quick to jump down expanding his body so the leaves would break his fall. A laugh escaped your lips as you followed the boy landing next to the already standing na’vi.

“So what are we doing today?”

“Hmm, how about we get a little sweaty.”

“You word things so weird!” Hiding your flustered state you playfully hit Neteyam. You only got a laugh in return as neteyam looked at your purple ears.

“Only three more months til you’re out there with me, want to sharpen your combat skills, bow and hunting can come another day.”

“I think I can body any sky person in hand to hand, even without training” A slight scoff left your lips as you looked at Neteyam with slight attitude. Instead of retaliating he only gave you a knowing look, as your sass was soon replaced by confusion.

“They have started sending avatars onto the battlefield.” As the words left his lips you felt your stomach turn in slight fear. The thought of them stealing your peoples DNA to make copies was slight unsettling. Being in a body that was not there’s, the thought made you sick. Sensing your unease Neteyam placed a rough hand on your shoulder, giving any comfort he could. Feeling slightly defeated by this new information you looked up at the taller with sad eyes.

“Let’s just get started”

~~~~~

Worry’s from your early conversation seemed to vanish as your training progressed. You had refreshed all the basics so by noon you and Neteyam were sparing. You knew the boy was holding back, the thought made you frustrated, did he not thing you were strong enough? How were you suppose to improve if he was always treating you as if you would break?!

Fed up, you cranked up your game. Using your trail to trip the warrior you quickly placed yourself on his torso, placing the prop knife to his throat the moment you made contact. A smirk played at Neteyams lips as you wore a triumphant look.

“You’re dead” Removing the wooden ‘knife’ from his throat you starred down at Neteyam, placing your hands on his chest to steady yourself. Although he was going easy you felt a bit accomplished, you did not think your plan would be so easy, or work as you had imagined.

“Hah, should I go harder on you?” The words left his lips in a playful manner. You felt hands travel to your thighs lightly grasping them as he starred at you with a cocky expression painted across his face. Bringing his torso up you slid onto his lap, as his grip slightly tightened.

“Neteyam-” The words seemed stuck in your throat as you took in your proximity. Feeling slightly overwhelmed by this position your body seemed to be set ablaze as a foreign feeling filled you. Hands places on your legs as his face was only an inches away, seeming to get closer by the secant.

“Can I?” Neteyam needed to elaborate no more as you lightly nodded your head not being able to speak. You felt yourself holding your breath as he neared anticipating the moment your lips would touch. It felt as if time had slowed as your eyes flutter shut, but the contact never came.

“Oh my Eywa!” A screeching voice made your eyes shoot open as you and Neteyam quickly made space. Shooting up to your feet Neteyam quickly followed as you both whipped your bodies around to the voice.

“Did I interrupt?”

Of course it was Lo’ak. He stood awkwardly as his eyes jumped between you two but you only felt annoyance as you stared at the boy. Neteyam had never kissed you, and of course Lo’ak would show up to ruin the moment. Unlike you Neteyam wore a mix of annoyed and embarrassed as he starred at his brother. Awkwardly clearing his throat neteyam shuffled next to you gathering his words.

“What are you doing here Lo’ak!” The tone came out slightly annoyed as he questions his brother.

“Dad needs you back for the raid, don’t give me attitude i’m not the one cock blocking!”

“We were doing nothing to ‘cockblock’!” Walking over to the older na’vi you lightly hit the back of Lo’aks head. Lo’ak gave a petty hiss in response as he lightly glared at you.

“Miss the old timid y/n.” Rolling your eyes you shot the boy an annoyed look as he mirrored your sassiness.

“Stop bickering like kids let’s get back.” Putting himself between you and Lo’ak Neteyam pushed both of you forward. He got relations of childish complains from both parties but quickly shut you up as he grasped your hand sending you a firm look.

You did not like sending them off into raids especially the ones in the evenings, so you made sure to take your sweet time heading to high camp. The night raids had more effect but always left more wounded. No matter how much time you took your actions alone could not prevent the ones you love from leaving that night. All you could do was wait for their return with healing supplies prepared for the wounded that would definitely be arriving.

You felt fear consumed your souls as you watched the warriors prepare to leave. You hugged your father soaking in his embrace, afraid it would be the last time you would ever feel his warmth. Afraid it would be your last goodbye to neteyam or last handshake with Lo’ak. Afraid your friend Tseo would end up like his beloved. The fears did not leave you, just like any other raid, you sat waiting for your loved ones too return. You did not feel joy as you looked up at the sky only dread as you awaited for their return praying that they still drew breath.

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@ultimatebluff

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