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navybrat817 · 10 months

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Fall Like a Rose Petal

Pairing: Soft Dark!Scott Huffman x Female Reader Summary: Your normal routing leaves you unhappy and you can't figure out why. Word Count: Over 1.4k Warnings: Gaps in memory, gaslighting, coercion, creepy vibes, Scott Huffman (yep, he's a warning) A/N: Scott and Rose's Intro for my Disturbia AU! ❤️ Beta read by the lovely @whisperlullaby, but any and all mistakes are my own. Divider by the talented @firefly-graphics. Please follow @navybrat817-sideblog for new fics and notifications. Comments, reblogs, feedback are loved and appreciated!

You enjoyed living your life according to a schedule. It wasn't that you didn't like spontaneity. You just looked forward to accomplishing tasks each day. Checklists were a thing of beauty and crossing things off one by one were your mini victories. You tried to get the toughest things out of the way first to create and keep your momentum throughout the rest of the day. By the time your head hit the pillow, you had a sense of fulfillment.

Happiness.

So why do I feel like I'm going around in circles?

You stared at your "To Do" list after you set the table for dinner. Scott would be home any minute with the expectation of a warm meal prepared. Instead of crossing it off like normal, you grabbed the pink sheet of paper and went to the sink. You watched dispassionately as you took a lighter and set the corner of it on fire. You dropped the charred paper in before it could burn you and turned the water on. It didn't make you feel any better.

The smell won't mix well with the delicious food I cooked. A good wife takes pride in her work.

Sniffling when you heard the car pull into the driveway, you quickly went to light a rose scented candle before you fixed Scott a drink. A lawyer who fought for people who couldn't fight for themselves, you admired your husband and how hard he worked. He cared about what he did and you supported him.

But what do I want?

You couldn't explain why you felt moody all of a sudden. Today was exactly like how every other day was. You did your chores like normal and gave Ruby some tips on cooking a casserole. It was nice. So why did you feel off?

What did I used to do to relieve stress before I moved here?

You hissed at the sudden sharp pain in your head. As fast as it came on, it went away into nothingness. The way some of your memories did. You wondered if you liked making lists because you were a forgetful person. But that didn't seem right.

"I'm home!" Scott announced as he walked in.

You smoothed out your dress and smiled as you went to greet him. "How was your day?" you asked, giving him a gentle kiss once the door was shut. His lips lingered before he pressed them a little harder against yours. You accepted it, both pliant and eager.

A good wife is always happy to see her husband.

"It was good," he said, handing you his briefcase as he took the drink you offered. "How was yours?"

"I'm glad you had a good day," you said, biting your lip as he waited for you to answer his question. "I don't know."

Scott raised an eyebrow. "You don't know?" He asked slowly, setting his drink on the hall table to focus all of his attention on you. "Did something happen?"

"No. Nothing happened," you said, leaning into his hand when he touched your cheek.

A good wife doesn't worry her husband.

"Was there anything out of the ordinary today?" he asked, his blue eyes searching your face for some sort of explanation. "Rose, talk to me."

"No. Nothing. I just…" your face scrunched up, frustrated that you couldn't pinpoint the problem. "Do you ever just wake up in a weird mood for no reason?"

Scott nodded after a moment. "Yeah, I think we all have those kinds of days. There's no specific reason why we're upset. We just are."

"Yeah, exactly," you said, happy that he understood.

He knows exactly how to read me.

"So, you're having an off day. That's okay."

"But I don't know what to do about it," you said, an unexpected tear slipping from your eye. "I tried to think of what to do to make myself feel better and nothing came to mind."

"What about what we used to do?" he suggested.

You furrowed your brows, not sure what he was talking about.

"You don't remember?" he asked, a touch of hurt in his voice. You wanted to apologize, even though you didn't do anything wrong. "We used to sit on the floor in my office while we ate. You'd say one good thing about the day and I'd say something else. We'd go back and forth until we ran out of things."

There were bits and pieces of flashes in your mind of sitting with him on his office floor, but not a seamless memory.

"I thought that meant something to you," he whispered.

Which prompted you to burst into tears.

A good wife doesn't make a scene.

Scott said something to you, but you didn't hear him over the sound of your crying. You let him take you to the sofa and collapsed in his arms. "What's wrong with me?" You sobbed.

"Nothing. There's nothing wrong with you," he promised, wiping at your cheeks with his thumbs.

"Something has to be," you mumbled, gesturing to the room. "I do my checklist every day and something feels like it's missing. Like there's a void."

Where's my real sense of purpose?

"I'm going to make a phone call," he said, brushing away another tear. "Give me just a second, okay?"

"Okay," you replied, not sure how a call would help, but you didn't voice that opinion when he stepped out of the room.

A good wife doesn't pry.

You toyed with the hem of your dress and looked around the room. It was like something out of a magazine. Everything had its place. A home built with love.

Right?

"Hey," Scott said when he came back a few minutes later. "I think I figured out part of the problem."

"You have?"

"When's the last time you've done anything for yourself?" he asked as he sat next to you. When you couldn't give him an answer, he nodded. "Exactly. You're so busy taking care of our home and me that you neglected your needs. No, I neglected those needs. And for that, I'm sorry."

"It isn't your fault. You work so hard," you said, putting your hand over his. It was strange how you wanted to make him feel better when you were the one upset.

A good wife puts her husband's needs ahead of her own.

"But I should know when something is bothering my wife," he said, clenching his jaw. "I won't let it happen again."

"It's okay, Scott."

"No. You need to get out of the house more. Spend quality time with the wives. Have fun," he said, a smile spreading on his handsome face. "Which is why we're going to get a part-time maid."

"A maid?" you questioned, a tremor running through your body. Why did that frighten you? "No, we can't get a maid. What would everyone say if they found out? They'll think I can't take care of our home."

A good wife doesn't argue with her husband.

"They won't say anything. Andy's the one who recommended her and everyone knows you run our home with pride," he assured you, which calmed you down slightly. "Not only that, but you help the other wives without a second thought. They admire you and your helpful nature, Rose. I know Bucky's wife will, too."

You smiled a little. Bucky's wife was the talk of the neighborhood, though you hadn't met her yet. "I don't want anyone judging you."

What I do and don't do is a reflection on him.

"You have nothing to worry about. And since the maid would be part-time, she'll only do some of the chores. You pick and choose what you want to do and she can do the rest while you relax or pick up a hobby. You deserve that."

"Can I think about it, please?" you asked. A stranger in your home made you nervous, but if Andy and Scott trusted her, that helped.

Scott wouldn't do anything that caused me discomfort.

His jaw clenched again, but he smiled before you could dwell on it. "Sure," he said, kissing your forehead. "Do you feel any better?"

I don't know.

"I think so. Thank you," you said to appease him. "Why don't we eat on the floor in your office? We can talk about the good things."

He smiled like you handed him a gift. "That's a great idea."

Maybe you would take him up on his offer for a maid, if only to regain a sense of yourself.

As long as I keep Scott happy.

Remember, everything is FINE. Love and thanks for reading! ❤️

Masterlist ⚓ Scott Huffman Masterlist ⚓ Ko-Fi

#navybrat writes #scott huffman x reader #scott huffman x female reader #scott huffman x female!reader #scott huffman x you #scott huffman x y/n #scott huffman #soft!dark scott huffman x reader #scott and rose #disturbia au #scott huffman imagine #scott huffman fanfiction #scott huffman au #sebastian stan x reader #sebastian stan x female reader #sebastian stan x female!reader #sebastian stan x you #sebastian stan

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lilyrizzy · 1 year

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For the prompt thingy - daniel taking care of max when he was sick in jeddah please? 🤲

I know this is a prompt thingy from ages ago, but I hope you like it anyway anon!

Cw: descriptions of throwing up

There’s a horrible retching noise coming through the bathroom door, followed by the telltale sound of liquid hitting liquid. Daniel rattles the knob again, already having found it locked the first time he tried.

“Maxy,” he calls again, voice a sing-song, “Maxy, open the door.”

For a moment, Daniel thinks Max is ignoring him, then-

More sounds of him violently throwing up.

“I think I am dying, Daniel,” he eventually manages to catch, a muffled whimper, “and I cannot of course take you down with me.”

There is something echoey in Max’s voice, probably because it’s bouncing off the ceramic of the toilet that his head is currently stuck in. Resting his forehead against the door, Daniel can’t help but smile at his flare for the dramatic, though maybe that isn’t totally fair. He probably does feel like he’s dying.

“Life isn’t worth living without you, baby,” he answers, a joke, but- Well. “Don’t you want me to rub your back, or, uh-“ He tries to remember what his mum would do for him the days he’d stay home from school, wagging or not, “-put a cold flannel on your forehead?”

Really, that could go either way. Max is picky with when he wants to be touched and when he wants to be left alone, and Daniel is mostly good these days at reading that. Cuddles after sex are a must, but to sleep? No way. Some things though, he’s still learning.

There’s no answer, and with Max sometimes that is the answer, so Daniel is getting ready to walk away, go back to the UFC match they were watching before Max bolted from the sofa back to the toilet, and add does not like to be held when sick to the growing list of ways he knows Max like nobody else, except-

The lock snicks, and when Daniel tries the door again it opens.

Max is already retreating to his position, praying to the porcelain god, by the time Daniel gets through the door. The room smells disgusting, but Daniel doesn’t dare say that in case it gets him stuck on the other side again, helpless. He can’t do much in here either, but if Max let him in it’s because he wants him.

It’s only seconds before Max is gagging again, not throwing up exactly but giving it a bloody good go.

“Oh sweetheart," Daniel says, and the sudden rush of tenderness both surprises him and has him crouching down beside Max, hand moving in circles over his shoulder blades like promised.

His offers of support hadn’t exactly been disingenuous, but Daniel hasn’t exactly won any medals for boyfriend of the year before, so it’s a shock how quickly the actions change from feeling like an obligation, to those born from the need to see Max better, to see him smile.

Which is maybe a little much to ask for. Instead, Max coughs, then spits, then groans miserably. Standing again, Daniel fills up the glass he usually uses for mouthwash with cold water and offers it to him, but Max pitifully shakes his head.

“It will only come back up again, I think,” he grimaces, and yeah. He’s probably right. “I think this is your fault.”

“My fault?” Daniel questions with a laugh, a little affronted. Squeezing Max’s shoulder he adds, “I’m not that desperate for your seat, mate.”

It gets him that smile he was after from Max, which feels like a small victory.

“You made me eat that spicy chicken,” he insists, resting his forehead against their toilet seat. “From the Indian restaurant last week. I told you it makes my tummy bad.”

Tummy. Something that feels a lot like love twists itself around Daniel’s heart.

“I don’t think some chicken you ate over a week ago is making you sick, babe,” Daniel can’t help but point out, even though Max is right, he did make him try some of his Chicken Jalfrezi. “Maybe it was the pizza.”

Later, after, naked in bed, Daniel went for his classic while Max insisted on one with all kinds of weird and wonderful deli meats slapped on top, so it’s not exactly rocket science.

Daniel is one hundred percent sure it’s the pizza.

An impulse order last night after getting a little too wine drunk and giggly in the apartment together, a rare evening of quiet fun between Max’s hectic race schedule. Daniel promising that Max would like the next glass of red just so he could watch the alcohol stain his lips darker and darker, to kiss the taste of it out of his mouth.

Max is shaking his head though, his hair especially blonde in the almost fluorescent light of the bathroom. His eyes are shut.

“Pizza would not betray me like this, I think.”

This time, Daniel doesn’t argue, just leans to press a kiss to the sweaty back of Max’s neck. Max makes a soft humming noise, not exactly happy but- Almost.

“Sorry I am so gross,” he croaks out after a few beats more of silence, and he is but he’s also Daniel’s to take care of.

“Hey,” he tries, rubbing the shell of Max’s ear now, “I’m the one who was about the bust down the door to get in.” Then because it doesn’t feel quite enough, he adds, “gross or not gross, sickness and in health, baby.”

Max laughs, eyes still closed. There’s too much stubble on his jaw, too much breadth to his shoulders for Daniel to think he looks anything like he did in the Red Bull briefings, eighteen with his head on the table like he was sleeping, and yet his mind pulls him back to that Max anyway.

How far he’s come, how far they both have.

“That is for if you are married,” Max says, as though he is reminding Daniel. Like he thinks maybe Daniel is a little crazy for bringing it up, and maybe he is, but it doesn’t feel like that.

When you know, you know, his mum had always told him and for almost two decades of dating he would roll his eyes at her and bite down how not everyone could have the perfect love story she and his dad did. These days, he thinks she’s onto something.

“Yeah Maxy, you’re right,” he says, instead of the words he wants to. Let’s fucking do it then. Nobody wants to get proposed two between rounds of vomit after only eight months.

#i meant to post this ages ago but forgot!#sorry it took so long anon!#sorry its also a bit soppy haha #max/daniel #fic

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libbytwq · 1 month

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wowie i did it! I drew sonic designs for if he were in each shatterverse!

Im very proud of them, they look so skrungly

Also this was a challenge for me, i just kinda made up their designs as i went along with no references and no premade color palettes

Heres the post where i first made the idea:

Anyway, closeups + character info below

(Keep in mind, these characters exist in a timeline where the prism was never shattered)

Renegade Blur, the Sonic of the New Yoke City Shatterverse

I took some design element inspo from Knucks, with the scars and the lil spine dent thingies

He is incredibly reckless and very loud and overconfident (his scars are from being reckless and stupid)

He is kinda similar to Chaos Sonic tbh

He stops at nothing to defeat his enemies, even when his body cant take another hit

He can be a lil bit overbearing, but when it counts, his heart is usually in the right place

He works with Rebel and Knucks, and sometimes they don't get along but they can trust Blur usually

Loves races and is a sore loser

He's also never met Nine, but if he were to meet Nine, he'd be able to get along with him, but would side with the Rebels and agree he can't always be trusted

Very violently aro/ace, he do his own thing and doesn't like the idea of being bogged down by another person he has to take care of

Quill, the Sonic of the Boscage Maze Shatterverse

Took some design inspo from Gnarly and Thorn, as well as the facepaint from Prim

He can be a lil nervous and underconfident, and doesnt know he can run fast (hes a lil bit klutzy - if he runs too fast he trips on something and falls over, so he doesnt run too fast typically)

He loves his friends! He hates getting abandoned

He typically hangs out with Prim, Gnarly, Hangry and Mangey above the forest, but he does hang out with Thorn occasionally below the treetops (the rest of the group has no idea)

Thorn scares him a lot. He is so afraid of her, but he sticks around cuz they do actually care about each other, but they refuse to admit it

Quill is usually the one that the group sends below the forest, cuz he is able to grab some food without immediately getting sent up by Thorn and Birdie

If Thorn ever catches him taking berries, Quill is usually able to explain himself, and Thorn usually lets him off the hook

Quill and Thorn like each other (shhhh dont tell anyone i said that, not even quill knows he likes her)

Mangey is one of his best buds! They get along so well and no one knows why

Has never heard of the idea of relationships, but he has these weird fuzzy feelings for Thorn that he cant identify, hm must be nothing

Sexuality? Whats that?

Aklesh, the Sonic of the No Place Shatterverse

This one was my fav to design. I took a lot of inspo from a lot of the No Place characters, and "Aklesh" is Sanskrit for "Swift Lord"

The shiny rings and accessories are the colors of his friends - Red for Dread, Yellow for Sails, Pink for Black Rose, and Purple for Batten

His bandana on his head is yellow to go along with how Sails's bandana is blue

He just loves vibing with his crew, he gets along well with everybody - Sails and Dread are his besties tho

He's perfectly fine with being lazy and not doing anything everyday, but when the time calls, he's more than happy to be a swashbuckling pirate

Surprisingly, he is not afraid of water

He loves his colorful shiny accessories and is a bit of a collector

The peacemaker of the group, he settles disputes and suggests that the answer isn't through violence - but if the answer is to use violence, like if another pirate ship raids them, he won't stop fighting until he is victorious

Kind of unofficially unspokenly the second in command to Dread

Raging pansexual. Kind of a slut, with how he keeps his shirt half open /j

Aklesh thinks Dread is very very neat (and they were crewmates wink wink). Dread has no clue

ok thats all i needed to say, hope ya like it

#clip studio paint pro #digital art #my art #sonic prime #sonic au #sonic oc #blur the hedgehog #quill the hedgehog #aklesh the hedgehog #sonic the hedgehog

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fishing-lesbian-catgirl · 8 months

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tell us about your timeloop lesbians? :3

When I played Elden Ring and started the Melania fight I started to feel sad for her because no matter how many times she kills me, no matter how much better she is that I’ll ever be, I’ve already won the fight. It was a weird kind of feeling seeing this beautiful woman who outclassed me in skill in every possible way, seeing her cut me to ribbons countless times, and knowing that it would never be enough. If she slips up a single time it wouldn’t matter how much better she was, she could kill me thousands of times and I only had to kill her once. Something about that activated the part of my brain that loves lesbians in tragic circumstances and I created my own.

Okay before you read any of this I want to say I’m a bit conflicted writing thing because I think the ambiguity of the short story I’m writing about them is part of what I think makes it interesting. That said, I love rambling about my characters soooo….

That Her Will May Come To Pass was born in the temple of the goddess of the harvest, divination, inevitably, and time. As all born into the faith, the scryers and weavers saw her fate and wove for her a threaded talisman that depicted the destiny the goddess had in store for her. She was predestined to become one of the elite few who serve as the goddess’s Threads of Fate, the holy warriors trained to carry out the Will of the goddess, thus the name That Her Will May Come To Pass. From the day she learned to stand she was trained in arts of combat. While her peers learned to be diviners, preachers, weavers, and healers, she learned to fight for a purpose she did not yet understand. When she came of age she was brought before the other Threads of Fate and the high priestess, and her sacrament of initiation began. A golden thread woven into her talisman was cut and pulled free, where it was then burned. The ashes were dispersed into the hourglass relic that served as the crowning jewel of the temple, and her tongue was cut out in ritual silencing.

That Her Will May Come To Pass then learned the truth of her destiny, the reason that goddess she devoted her life to serving was never wrong with her predictions, was partially because of the Threads of Fate. She found herself assigned missions facing off against enemies with seemingly impossible odds. When she was struck down, initially from an arrow finding purchase in her heart, she felt the world shatter. It remade itself and she found herself just outside of where the fight began. The difficulty didn’t matter, with unlimited tries anyone can overcome any obstacle. Thankfully, due to her training as a warrior, it rarely took more than three.

The story, which I hope to some day post here once I finish editing and rewriting it, is about her facing off against a foe far greater than herself, being trapped in the unending loop. But the longer she spends being killed by a warrior her skill cannot compare to, the more she finds herself admiring her. That Her Will May Come To Pass is conflicted by her realization that none of it matters, her foe is the greatest warrior she ever met, and yet the goddess’s rigged loop has made her victory’s inevitable.

As is true of all media, a summary of it won’t really do it justice. I hope to eventually let you all experience it for yourselves. Also sorry for answering this like over two months late lmao

#my writing #that her Will May come to pass #an endless dance

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hanniluvi · 1 year

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LOVE NEWS ! — CHAPTER 19

article nineteen - feeling evil rn

warnings : ???

WRITTEN PART — 🤍 || WORD COUNT : 0.6K+

You've been in a really bad spot ever since you gave Niki access to that private twitter account. All you could think about was meeting him, when he'd bombard you with questions and demand responses. How did you find out? For an entire hour, he has been blowing up your phone.

He’s a different kind of obsessed.

You set yourself in the do not disturb mode, disregarding the several notifications when your screen would light up from text messages. To be ready for tomorrow's "big" day, you need to get some rest.

You entered the school with caution the entire time. You searched all around, but Niki wasn't coming for you. That's great. To get your textbooks, you went to your locker.

When you shut it, Niki was standing there leaning against the locker next to you. He laughed while you yelled. How was he able to be so annoying?

You simply keep walking away in humiliation. In this building, there was no chance of losing him because he trailed you closely. “What do you want, Niki?” you ask as you halt in your tracks.

He turns to face you while leaning in and says, "I want to hear about your crush, stuco pres."

“Oh shut up!” He giggled and followed you behind as you walked more quickly. “Come on!”

You had no idea that Jungwon was around to see everything that took place. The whisper in your ear causes you to flush. He saw everything. Weird. But, it is not at all odd to see you with his friend. However, he didn't need to worry much because he knew Niki knew that he liked you.

He only had to hope that Niki didn't also like you. One person was enough to deal with.

“Come on! You’re gonna have to tell me at one point.” Still following you along, Niki exclaims. He's been sitting next to you all day, and during breaks he's always close to you.

You swear you'll finally hurl this lunch table at him if you hear his voice one more time. You merely stabbed into your food as he persisted in interrogating you. He started to back away a little as you kept being forceful.

“You’re seriously not gonna tell me?” He says, trying to deceive you with a mournful tone in his voice. You rolled your eyes and mocked him.

“Come on, maybe I could help you!” You keep eating your meal because you're not persuaded. “And maybe he likes you too.”

He observed your abrupt stop and the shock in your eyes as you turned to face him. “Are you kidding?”

“I guess I did say maybe, didn't I?”

“Why do you know that?” Now when you're the one bombarding him with all these questions, he feels victorious.

“I dunno, maybe talk about your crush and I'll answer your questions.” He definitely got you there. He seemed really interested in your romantic life, so you sighed and told him everything.

When Jungwon saw you two again, he wished he had been seated next to you. But, he knew Niki had no bad intentions—everyone wants to get to know you. He wasn't so possessive and overprotective like that, so it wouldn't hurt for you two to be friends.

You and Niki were already "working" together for you to confess while Jungwon is overthinking it. That's correct—Niki followed you the entire time so he could force you to tell him. You were unaware that Niki was tired of Jungwon constantly bringing you up while remaining silent.

To make the ynwon ship actually happen, Niki felt he had to take matters into his own hands. The time had come to start the plan because he had all the information he needed.

Love operation, start!

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A/N : EVERYONE THANK NIKI 🙏

ENHA PERM TAGLIST — @son4taa @mokiverse @yenavrse @shinsou-rii @luveuly @ilovewonyo @yenqa @dimplewonie @bubblytaetae @wtfhyuck @ineedaherosavemeenow @starcubes @starikizs @wonioml @chirokookie @heartz4hyunjae @xiaoderrrr @neozon3nha @en-chantedtomeetyou @millksea @enhaz1 @eundiarys @yeniiverse @ahnneyong @hanienie

TAGLIST . . 💗 CLOSED 💗

@invusblog @wonvnz @iad0ru @nyuukei @curly-fr13s @itsactuallylina @risseei @0310lvr @viagumi @luvdokja @sickvision @wanna-live-yn-life @rionah @dreamenvi @rinnqx @0i8ma @ksnu @sunoksunny @aki1e @adajoemaya @naddii @yourfavjwstan @meeznoi @wonyoungsvirus @nokacchan @luvkait @kyanmeai @sserafimez

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dialovers-translations · 1 year

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DIABOLIK LOVERS VERSUS SONG Bloody Night Animate Tokuten Drama CD ”The Contest is the Smell of Money!? ~The Vampires’ Desire~”

Original title: コンクールはお金の香り!?～ヴァンパイアたちの欲望

Source: Diabolik Lovers VERSUS SONG Animate Tokuten Drama CD

Audio: Here

Seiyuu: Toriumi Kousuke, Katsuyuki Konishi, Midorikawa Hikaru, Takahiro Sakurai, Kimura Ryouhei & Morikawa Toshiyuki

Translator’s note: Once again, the Vampires prove that they are more human than anyone else because their number one motivator in life is...sweet, sweet money. xD They’re all so thirsty for cash 99% of the time, it’s honestly hilarious. I wonder what else you could push them to do, just because there’s a large amount of prize money on the line. The climax of this CD kind of caught me off guard because I expected they would just royally fuck up on the day of the concert but no...They never even got to enter lol. Great move by the MC. They don’t really hint at what her explanation for not submitting the application on time was, but I want to believe that she did it on purpose to get revenge for all the times they treated her like trash. You go girl.

*Rustle*

Ayato: Haah…God…The fuck is this? And here I thought I’d head straight home to pick on Chichinashi…Oi, you. Have you heard anythin’ ‘bout what’s goin’ on?

*Flip*

Ruki: Hm…

Ayato: Oi, bastard! You’re just gonna ignore me, huh!?

Ruki: Was my lack of a response not clear enough of an answer?

Ayato: Aah…!?

Ruki: Haah…

Ruki closes his book.

Ruki: I haven’t heard anything. Now relax. I am sure we will find out sooner or later.

Ayato: But you know…Whoever decided to gather this group of people here must be fuckin’ bonkers. I feel like we’re bein’ set up for some weird shit.

*Rustle*

Kou: Well…I guess I can’t blame you for feeling that way…

Carla: Heh…

Ayato: Anyway, how come you’re here as well, Carla? I can’t imagine you’d actually show up under normal circumstances.

Carla: Is my appearance truly that puzzling?

Ruki: Well, I do believe you must have a solid reason for doing so.

Kou: I mean, Mr. ‘Almighty Founder’ doesn’t even show up for class usually, does he~?

Carla: I had nothing better to do, that is all.

Ayato: Smells fishy.

Kou: Right? I can only imagine you have some kind of ulterior motive.

Carla: You fiends…Who do you think you are talking to…?

Ayato: Hah!? You wanna throw down!? Fine, I accept your challenge!

Reiji: Come on now, everyone. Please stop getting up in each other’s faces like that.

Ruki: Hm? This voice is…?

Reiji enters the room.

*Rattle*

Ayato: Reiji…? Don’t tell me you’re the one who…?

Reiji: I had no other choice. Otherwise you lot would have never shown up.

Carla: Oi, you. You are the one who summoned me here. So it must be safe to assume that you had a good reason for doing so?

Reiji: You are rather impatient, are you not? I shall explain shortly, so please wait a few more minutes.　ーー For starters, I would like all of you to take a look at this.

Reiji starts distributing flyers.

*Flip*

Carla: …Hm? …This isーー!?

Ruki: Could it be…?

Ayato: Haah!? A music competition!?

Reiji: Exactly. We will participate in it.

Kou: Eh? You’re joking, right?

Reiji: No, I am dead serious.

Ayato: …!? Are you out of your mind!? You want to sign up with the people gathered here?

Reiji: Yes. I have carefully selected a group of people who would aim for victory.

Ruki: I see…You are after the prize money, correct?

Kou: Hm? What do you mean?

Carla: Take a good look at the flyer. Especially at the part about the prize.

*Flip*

Ayato: …!? For real…!? The winner gets…ten thousand dollars!? (1)

Kou: No way!?

Ruki: It must be a print mistake of some sorts, right?

Shuu: Sounds too suspicious.

Reiji: Oh my, Shuu. Seems like someone has finally woken up.

Shuu: You really think I could sleep with you guys making such a fuss?

Reiji: I believe it is more likely that it was the prize money which caught your attention…But oh well. Ahem. I have already contacted the organizers about it. It would appear that our school would like to shift their focus on attracting promising artists, so to catch the attention of potential stars from all across the country, they have chosen to attach a bountiful prize to the contest.

Kou: I see. I expected no less from Reiji-kun! Nothing gets past you.

Reiji: Of course not. …So, what will you do?

Ayato: What do you mean? Are you askin’ us whether we’ll participate or not?

Reiji: Yes…According to my data, the people I have gathered here have the highest chance at success.

Shuu: And how exactly? We’re the only ones who have any sort of musical talent, right?

Kou: Excuse me!? I have published my own CDs, you know!?

Shuu: Those are not even worth mentioning.

Kou: Haah!?

Shuu: I mean, think about it. We’re joining a musical competition, not some kind of concert. Unless you’ve actually taken proper vocal music classes?

Reiji: Shuu…It would appear to me that you don’t understand the true meaning of a contest.

Shuu: What do you mean?

Reiji: In a contest, the winner is decided by the judges’ votes. In other words…By people.

Ruki: I see. So appearance is an important factor as well.

Reiji: Exactly. I am glad you are quick to understand.

Kou: In other words…Since I’m a good-looking idol, it’s possible that I could appeal to the judges?

Ruki: Exactly. Humans are so easily won over by appearance. It is possible they will let you get away with making some mistakes because your looks make up for it.

Kou: Ruki-kun, how mean…That doesn’t make me happy at all.

Shuu: Then what about the other two guys? Ayato most likely has zero experience with music whatsoever, and I can’t imagine old man Carla (2) over there playing music either.

Carla: You fiends…You really do not hold back at all, do you? Calling me elderly, a fossil or even an old woman!

Kou: Wait, nobody ever called you an old woman, did they?

Ayato: I actually took violin lessons many, many years ago!

Reiji: Exactly. I remember.

Shuu: Are you talking about when aunt Cordelia forced him to start taking classes in hopes of competing against us?

Ruki: Heeh…The eldest triplet plays the violin, huh? That’s new information to me.

Shuu: If I recall correctly…He gave up after just one week and smashed his instrument.

Ayato: Just so you know, that wasn’t my fault!

Shuu: Hm?

Ayato: That hysteric old hag destroyed it during one of her crazy moments. I mean, I was glad that I didn’t have to bother with those lessons anymore.

Shuu: …I guess destroying violins was her thing, huh?

Reiji: …W-Well…Anyway! He isn’t a complete amateur when it comes to music, so his chances are somewhat higher than any of the other guys. …And you, Carla, you are none other than a Founder, aren’t you?

Carla: …!

Reiji: The cream of the crop of all Demons…A First Blood. Therefore I believe it is only safe to assume that you would have no issues mastering music, a human invention?

Carla: W-Well…

Ruki: I guess it might be tricky after all?

Carla: A-As if…! I am a First Blood! A Founder! There is nothing I cannot do!

*Clap clap clap*

Reiji: A true Founder!

Shuu: …I wonder.

Reiji: That being said, what will you all do? Will you participate?

Ruki: I would like to ask one question. I assume that we will be splitting the prize money even amongst all participants?

Reiji: Hm? Of course.

Ruki: In that case, I’m in. Kou as well.

Kou: Eh!? Excuse me!? Why!?

Ruki: Don’t play dumb now. Whose fault do you think it is that we have to be so careful with our spendings?

Kou: …!? W-Well…

Ruki: It is your fault for being such an impulsive buyer. Isn’t that right?

Kou: Nnー...

Ayato: …I don’t want to! Joining a contest sounds like a big pain in the ass.

Reiji: Hooh? Is that so? What a shame…If you were to win, then the ‘takoyaki pool’ you have dreamt of for years might just be able to become reality.

Ayato: …!?

Shuu: I’m skipping out as well. It’s obviously too much trouble.

Reiji: Oh dear, is that so? I mean, I personally don’t mind since the less people participate, the less people we have to split the money between. …You might just be able to buy the antique gramophone you’ve been wanting so badly though.

Shuu: …!?

Reiji: Ah, right, right! The jamon iberico you love so much, Carla, you should be able to purchase a few logs of it with the prize money.

Carla: …!! You shall not bribe me with such a thing!!

Reiji: Ahaha. Of course not. You are a lofty Founder after all. You must not let yourself be won over by money, correct?

Carla: Exactly!

Reiji: However…It truly is a shame, isn’t it? It would be such a perfect opportunity to get an entire log of the finest quality jamon iberico. That vaguely nutty flavor spreading inside your mouth…growing stronger and stronger as you chew. Seasoned to perfection.

Carla: …Ah…

Reiji: I suppose you three do not want any of those things. It is a shame, truly.

Ayato, Shuu & Carla: …

Ayato: G-Guess I have no other choice…If you insist…I suppose I do have some free time on my hands anyway.

Shuu: I had been thinking it was about time I picked up the violin again…I guess this is the perfect opportunity.

Reiji: Oh my, is that so? I am glad.

*Rustle*

Reiji: Then, what about you, Carla?

Carla: Hm…I shall help you out. It is one of my many duties as a Founder to show compassion towards the lower masses after all.

Reiji: I see. I am terribly grateful for that.

Ruki: Seems like we’ve come to a conclusion. In that case, we should apply at once. I shall head to the agency at oーー

Reiji: Ah! About that, I suggest we leave that up to her. She does not seem to have anything better to do after all.

Ruki: Hm. I understand. Let us start practicing at once then. Time is money. If we want to aim for victory, then we have no other choice but to practice as much as we can.

Kou: But what exactly will we do with our group? We can’t pull off an orchestra, can we?

Reiji: Please do not worry about that. I have come with a plan. We will participate in two groups of three members each.

Ruki: I see. To get as much out of it as we can, correct?

Carla: What do you mean?

*Flip*

Ruki: According to this flyer, a prize will be awarded to both first and second place. If we participate in two groups and get both prizes…

Reiji: The combined prize money would be fifteen million yen. Split amongst us six, it means each of us would get a total of two million fifty thousand yen.

Ayato: Woah…! Amazing!

Reiji: Right? As for the groups…I suggest Kou, Carla and myself as one group and Shuu, Ayato and Ruki as the other, effectively splitting up Shuu and myself as we have the most experience with music.

Ruki: I believe those are well-balanced groups.

Reiji: Why of course. I put them together based on precise, evidence-based data after all.

*Rattle*

Kou: Ah! M-neko-chan~!

Ayato: Chichinashi!

Reiji: Oh dear, what’s the matter? Is there something you need?

You explain.

Reiji: I see. You came to check up on us? Well, I suppose you would find it intriguing why the teacher would lend us the music classroom and its instruments.

Ayato: Perfect timing! Chichinashi, you should join our team!

*Rustle*

Kou: Eh? Hold up! M-neko-chan is coming this way…She’s joining our group!

Ayato: Haah!? Excuse me!?

*Clap clap clap*

Reiji: Stop right there, no fighting! While we may have split up in two groups, we are still on the same team.

Ruki: Exactly. Now is not the time to have a fall-out. …Oi, Livestock. You shall listen to our performance as we practice and act as our advisor.

Shuu: Well, I guess we need someone who can give us some objective input. Let’s not question whether or not she’s the right person to do so though…

Reiji: Ahem. Well then, I suppose we should discuss within our teams who will play which instrument first.

*TIMESKIP*

*Rustle*

Reiji: Well then…As for our team, I believe it makes most sense to start by asking which instrument each of you feels most comfortable with and then we can decide on our line-up based on that.

Kou: Hm…Why not? Seems like the most logical solution.

Carla: I am a Founder. You can assign me any instrument you like.

Reiji: What…do you mean by that?

Carla: That I can play each one with ease.

Kou: Really!?

Carla: Why would I lie about such a thing?

Reiji: I see. I suppose you were not simply bluffing earlier. In which case, I shall randomly assign you an instrument…Kou, what about you?

Kou: Um…I could probably handle the end-blow flute, the triangle, the tambourine…

Reiji: Any string or wind instruments?

Kou: Hm… For percussion instruments, maybe the djembe, ngoma? (3)

Carla: What are those?

Kou: They’re African instruments! The locals taught me how to play them when I visited the area during one of my on location photo shoots.

Reiji: Those are some awfully niche choices…As an idol, are you not capable of playing any instruments with a little more flair? Like the piano or the flute?

Kou: Hmー I can play some simple tunes with one hand on the piano…

Reiji: That simply won’t do…

Carla: I mean, we do not actually need to play for real, do we?

Kou: Huh? What do you mean?

Carla: All you need to do is pretend to be playing. Say we go for a violin trio, then only Reiji and myself need to be able to actually play the instrument.

Reiji: I see. I suppose we have that option as well.

Carla: Exactly. One cannot get delicious cured ham by only playing fair.

Reiji: Exactly. …Nor will I be able to get my hands on that high-tech built-in kitchen…

Kou: Huh? Did you say something just now?

Reiji: No, not at all.

You try to convince them to keep things fair.

Carla: Excuse me? Did you say something just now?

Reiji: Hmー Well…I suppose it is true that we risk losing our prize money if they find out that we cheated.

Kou: I’ll do the vocals instead then! Although I haven’t actually ever taken proper singing classes like Shuu-kun mentioned either.

Reiji: That sounds good. Let us go with that. You should not have any complaints then either, correct?

You nod.

Reiji: Well then. From the various scores I have brought with me…

*Flip flip*

Reiji: This one should work. Let us practice this for about an hour and then we can try to put everything together.

Carla: I can go right here, right now.

Reiji: Oh, come on. At least check the score first.

Carla: Hmph.

You start walking away.

Carla: Oi, you. Where are you going?

You explain.

Carla: Ah…You want to go check up on the other group? …Well, I am somewhat curious as well. Now that I have decided I will participate, I definitely do not want to lose to them.

Kou: Eeh~? We don’t really need to compete amongst each other, right? As long as one of our groups wins, we’ll split the prize money anyway.

Carla: That is not my style.

Reiji: Hm…I guess you have a point. I believe it only makes sense to want to aim for first place with our group.

Kou: Hm…Well, I guess being ‘first’ sounds kind of nice.

Carla: Oi, woman. You heard us. I shall allow you to investigate the other group. Once you are done, I expect you to report back to me at once. Understood?

Kou: M-neko-chan, we’re counting on you~! Off you go~!

You head towards the other group.

*Rustle*

Shuu: Well then…About our group…The two of you don’t need to do anything. Or rather, please don’t.

Ayato: Aah!? The fuck!? What do you mean!?

Shuu: I don’t want you two to hold me back.

Ayato: That tone of yours is really pissin’ me off. You usually don’t give a shit ‘bout anythin’, so what makes today different?

Shuu: My gramophone is on the line here…Besides, music is kind of dear to me. Oh well, my reasoning doesn't matter. Anyway, it’d obviously be better for me to perform a solo act than to try and force some weird instrumental trio.

Ayato: Look who’s talking when you haven’t even heard me perform yet!

Shuu: I’m saying this because I unfortunate have heard you play.

Ayato: Ah!? For real!?

Shuu: Back in the past, I thought some idiot was playing around by opening and closing some rusty, old door of our castle, when it turned out the sound was coming from you playing the violin.

Ayato: …!!

Shuu: Besides, you haven’t touched the violin in years, have you?

Ayato: W-Well…

Shuu: I’m spot on, aren’t I? …As for you, Ruki, I’m pretty sure you grew up in an environment where music was the least of your worries?

Ruki: It appears you have quite the faulty image of me. I was actually rather good at playing the violin.

Shuu: Heeh…That’s surprising. In that case…Why don’t you show me what you’ve got?

*Rustle*

Shuu grabs one of the violins and plays a bit.

Shuu: …You can choose any song you want, try and play a bit.

Ruki: Very well.

Ruki plays the violin as well.

Ruki: …As easy as pie.

Ayato: …Kuh!

Shuu: …Heeh. You’re not half bad.

Ruki: What do you think? I bet you wouldn’t mind letting me join the performance now?

Shuu: I mean, I have to admit that you are miles above Ayato in terms of skill.

Ayato: Ugh…Fuck off! Do you really have to put it like that!? I can easily pull that off as well!

Ayato grabs the violin.

Ayato: Gimme that!

*Rustle*

Ayato: Now listen closely, ‘kay? ーー Kuh!

Ayato plays the violin badly.

Ruki: Ugh…What a disaster…

Shuu: Kuh…Cut it out! You’re making my ears bleed!

Ayato: …Huh? That’s weird…? Fuck! One more try!

*Rustle*

He plays just as badly.

Shuu: …Enough!

Shuu steals the violin from him as you walk up to them.

Ruki: …Hm? Oh, it’s you, Livestock. Why do you look terrified?

You explain.

Shuu: Hm? Screams? Ahー That was Ayato playing the violin. You’re not wrong to compare it to someone screeching.

Ayato: Chichinashi, you bitch…!

Ruki: Well, I guess you realize why you have to give up now?

Shuu: Just pretend you are playing instead.

You protest.

Shuu: …I know you’re against cheating but you heard his performance earlier, didn’t you?

You offer for Ayato to sing instead.

Ruki: Kou will be singing for the other group? Which means…

Shuu: Vocals, huh?

Ayato: …I just gotta sing, right!?

Shuu: Guess we have no other choice. Let’s go with that.

Ayato: I’ll blow your socks off with my beautiful voice!

Shuu: Anyway, you got a feel of what the other group’s doing, right? How are things coming together?

You explain.

Ruki: I see. The other group as well. I cannot wait to show them what we’ve got.

Ayato: I mean, as long as we do a half-decent job, we shouldn’t lose to them, right?

Shuu: Anyway, we should probably get some practice in as well and then come back together after an hour.

Ruki: Agreed.

*TIMESKIP*

Reiji: Well then, we should probably show each other what we’ve got so far.

Ruki: We just gathered together again. I believe your group did as well?

Reiji: Yes, exactly. …You seem very well informed.

Carla: You must have a lot of time on hand to eavesdrop on our group from the shadows.

Shuu: She’s the one who informed you guys as well, right? We’re in the same boat then.

Carla & Reiji: …!!

Kou: Why are you guys being so competitive towards each other when we’re all working towards the same goal…? I mean, whatever. Anyway, let’s just get to it. This isn’t the real deal yet. We’re only practicing.

Ruki: Even so, we still have to try our best.

Reiji: Exactly. Well then, how will we go about this? I believe this is the prime opportunity to decide which one of our groups is superior in terms of skill.

Carla: Fufufu…I shall show you something truly breathtaking!

Kou: Uwah~ It’s no use. His switch got flipped.

Carla: Oi, woman! You shall judge who is the superior group, understood?

Ayato: Hey, bastard! Don’t be threatenin’ Chichinashi now! She’s gonna get scared and favor you guys as a result!

Carla: I am not intimidating her in the slightest. Once you hear our performance, it will be clear that we will come out victorious. …Oi, Four-Eyes. Let us begin.

Reiji: …’Four-Eyes’, could you be referring to me, by any chance?

Carla: You are the only one here wearing glasses, are you not?

*Rustle*

Reiji: …I am rather displeased by that remark.

Kou: Let’s get this party started~! …Ah, by the way, you’ll have to wait to hear me sing until the actual performance day~

*Rustle*

Reiji and Carla start playing the violin.

Shuu: They’re not bad…

Ruki: No, wait…Take a look at Carla.

Carla: Haah…

Ayato: Haah?

Kou: Eh!? The bow’s moving by itself…!? Could it be…?

Ruki: It’s magic! He’s using his magic to play the violin…!

Shuu: Haah…

Carla: Phew…There you go, I did not even break a sweat.

Reiji: Hahaha…First place is as good as ours. …Right? Hey, you!

*Bzz bzzt*

Reiji: …!? E-Excuse me!?

Carla: Do you have a problem with our performance!?

Kou: I mean, you can hardly blame her. Any normal person would be in shock after seeing that performance from earlier.

Reiji: …! Carla! This would not be an issue if you would simply use your hands as you play!

Carla: T-That’s…

Reiji: Hm? Don’t tell me…You cannot?

Carla: …!!

Shuu: Fufu…Hilarious.

Ayato: This competition is ours!

You point out that they have yet to play.

Ayato: …Ah? I mean, sure, we haven’t performed yet, but it’s so obvious.

Ruki: I mean, why not give them a listen?

Shuu: Haah…It’s a drag but I guess we have no other choice. I’m sure they’ll admit defeat after hearing us play.

*Rustle*

Shuu: Anyway, for now, we’ll let you hear the violin part. Let’s go.

Shuu and Ruki start playing.

Carla & Reiji: …!!

Ayato: Hehe! How’s that? Pissin’ your pants?

Kou: Both of them are actually using their hands to play! I had no idea Ruki-kun was gifted at the violin!

Reiji: …!! …This is rather infuriating.

False notes start mixing in.

Reiji: Hm? …T-This is…!!

Carla: What is going on…!?

Kou: Aah! Ow! What a horrible noise…Stop! Time out!!

Shuu: …!! Oi, Ruki! What was that just now!?

Ruki: What do you mean? I played the violin.

Kou: We know that! You started off great but then it all went downhill halfway through!?

Ruki: Ah, about that. Oh well, do not let that bother you.

Reiji: How are we supposed to do that!?

Ruki: It’s the first few notes which truly matter. In short, as long as I can make a good first impression, the tone has already been set for an amazing piece.

Shuu: Haah…In other words, you can only play well for a couple of seconds?

Carla: Hahaha! I guess that means we have won.

Ayato: Oi, Chichinashi! What’s the verdict of this competition?

You frown.

Kou: I’m pretty sure both groups had issues of our own? …But I doubt these guys will let this pass without there being a clear winner.

The other guys act competitive towards each other.

Kou: Hm? What was that? We should wait for a winner to be declared until the day of the actual competition? Makes sense. It’s not like there’s any point in fighting over it right now.

Shuu: Oi, Ruki. I expect you to master the rest of the score by then.

Reiji: Carla! You should learn to play with your hands as well! Come on, start practicing at once!

Ayato: …Seems like those two got stuck in between Shuu and Reiji’s personal conflict.

Kou: Oh well, whatever. All that matters is that we get our hands on those ten million yen by winning both first and second prize! We better give it our best shot.

*TIMESKIP*

Ruki: ( ーー And so, we continued to practice playing the violin from dusk till dawn for days on end. )

Carla: ( It was more challenging and daunting than any task I had faced in the past. )

Reiji: ( All I want is to surpass Shuu’s team! )

Shuu: ( I became more serious about honing my violin skills than ever before, all for the sake of that gramophone. )

Ayato: ( Even I - who wasn’t too thrilled about the whole idea at first - got very serious about the competition. )

Kou: ( Everyone held tightly onto their violin’’s bow, as the moment of truth arrivedーー )

*Rustle*

Ruki: …Ridiculous! Can someone please explain this to me!?

Kou: R-Ruki-kun, calm down…

Ruki: How am I supposed to keep calm in a situation like this!?

Shuu: Unbelievable…

Reiji: You! I am fairly sure I told you to submit our application in time so how has this happened?

You explain.

Reiji: Haah…I was a fool for entrusting you with this task. ーー Well, all of us know how to properly play now, so let us put those skills to good use at the next given opportunity, I suppose. …Right, Carla?

Carla: …W-Wha…?

Ayato: Oi, do you also smell trouble?

Kou: Yeah, you’re right…

Ayato: Let’s dip before it’s too late!

Kou: Good idea…

Ayato and Kou sneak away.

Carla: Haha…Hahaha…

Reiji: Good grief…Laughter is the only thing coming out of him.

Carla: Ahahaha…!

Shuu & Ruki: …!?

Carla: You bastards…!!

*WOOSH*

Reiji: …Carla!? R-Relax! Everyone makes mistakes! Let us remain calm and talk it out!

*BOOM*

Carla: My Iberico serranoーーーー!!

ーー THE END ーー

Translation notes

(1) 一千万 or ‘issenman’ is 10.000.000 or ten million yen, when converted to dollar, it would be around ten thousand dollars.

(2) Shuu calls him 化石男 or ‘kaseki otoko’ which literally means ‘fossil guy’.

(3) There’s one third instrument he mentions but I could not find what it is for the life of me. To me it sounds like he’s saying ‘zunzun’ or ‘zunzu’ but I couldn’t find any African instruments with that name.

#diabolik lovers #dialovers #shuu sakamaki #reiji sakamaki #ayato sakamaki #ruki mukami #kou mukami #carla tsukinami

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baronetcoins · 4 months

Text

I feel like I win when I lose—Director's Commentary

In what is rapidly becoming a tradition of mine, I went on a research Bender for my Yuletide fic and there are so many details I want to point out and discuss—so I will. This year I wrote I feel like I win when I lose for @avengingmariner and I did loose my mind over it, but in a fun way. Join me in my descent into madness below the cut.

My brief was "you must put my man laurence in A Situation" and I somehow landed on the core nugget of "Napoleon finds Laurence in his darkest hour, instead of Tharkay"—mostly because NGL I haven't read further in this series than Victory of Eagles. I'm working on it, just not there yet.

From that point I just sort of... started writing and felt out where the story wanted to go, and then I kept falling into research holes. Here are some of the fun pieces of information I learned in rough order of where they popped up in the fic.

There was chicken set aside from the dinner he was supposed to have had hours ago, before an urgent missive had pulled him away—a simple roast bird, born out from what local provisions had been found

The WEEK I was working on this, Max Miller of Tasting History put out a video on Napoleon. I wasn't able to work in a lot of detail about the food here just because I couldn't make it flow into what I was writing, but there's so much I wish I could have talked about. The weird thing with chicken! Apocryphal stories about how dishes got their names! His drinking habits! The inherent whatever of breaking bread with somebody who's supposed to be your enemy! Now that I'm writing this paragraph I feel like I need to write another fic about food.

And then I Made chicken marengo the week after because I was curious. It was fine?

le mistral noir

Now this bit owes its thanks to Kangoo, my resident French correspondent. I was talking to him about what could be a nickname the French soldiers used for Temeraire, and he suggested "le mistral" which he described as "(very cold and often violent wind that blows into france from great britain, known for cleaning the sky of clouds and also wrecking your shit) (also the name of a fighter plane)" and I went "oh, that's Perfect". And I wanted to be able to explain that reference. Because it's So Good.

He blinked around at the courtyard of brick building before being hurried just as swiftly into a fine bedchamber where he was given a cold supper and the opportunity to wash himself. With little else to do, he fell into another restless sleep.

This was a fun bit of gamesmanship to think out—where would Napoleon want to set the treaty signing in order to send a message? And in order to think about that, I had to learn more about how the government of Britain worked in this timeframe (polisci major hat incoming).

In the US, authority to make treaties is vested in the executive branch, but the legislative branch has to ratify them. I did not know how that worked for the British, because their system mystefies me to this day. Luckily, I found this paper which explains how it worked in 1938, and there isn't much reason to expect it to have changed in that period, so the answer is "at least in theory, the authority rests with the Crown".

Based on that, I figured he'd want to make a point by holding it in a royal building as opposed to Westminster, so I went with St. James' palace which has been used for state stuff forever. Unfortunately, the details for the interior of St. James' are scarce. I was looking at 1860s watercolors to try and squint out a layout.

It was a dress uniform of aviator green, with gold braid and buttons as well as twin epaulettes. He dropped it as if it were a hot coal.

This was perhaps my longest diversion. I'm not intimately familiar with the internal culture of the military <understatement, but I knew having Laurence be present in any form would be read as a huge statement. So what kind of statement would you want to make? Ultimately I went with "the biggest 'fuck you' possible", so Laurence in a British aviator's uniform.

Then there was the question of fringe or no fringe. Which didn't even make it into the fic, but was an interesting diversion. You see, "captain" is a term that connotes a different level of authority in the Army vs the Navy. NATO has a standard rank scale I was able to squint at here, as it tries to standardize across branches and countries. Captain in the British Army is an OF-2 rank, but Captain in the British Navy is an OF-5 rank. What does it represent in those terms in the Arial Corps? I have no idea! This impacts nothing here other than if one or both epaulettes would have fringe on them.

He wandered the hallways, passing French soldiers who saluted him and English dignitaries who ignored him or glared at him in turn. In desperation he returned to seek refuge in the room he’d been left last.

The medal Laurence gets is that of the Légion d'honneur, and nominally military personnel in uniform are supposed to salute other uniformed personnel wearing it, regardless of ranks involved. That was too good of a detail not to gesture at.

The Wikipedia article

I picked Jacques-Louis David entirely because he's my favorite artist of this time period and location, though the fact he did official work for Napoleon was a bonus. I'm very interested in the uses of these really formalized displays of image-crafting as used for propaganda, and also it's just fun to think about. Spent ages looking at Wikipedia too to get the formatting and the style of writing right, which I think I did.

The Title

Really, it just made me laugh, so it had to stay. I mean the song is also fitting and I think it's the sentiment I wanted to gesture at emotionally, but it is also funny,

#my writing #talking about words #temeraire #rambling #whoo BOY that one got away from me

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c2-eh · 1 year

Note

Charles realising he's in love with Carlos?

thankie anon for the prompt! this was fun to write! enjoy <3

For Charles, it came slowly. Continually building up with every second, minute and hour. With every moment spent together and those spent apart too.

Unlike everything else in his life – hectic, busy and fast fast fast, as fastest as possible, chasing podiums and victories to the exhaustion, till his tyres are scraped and barely able to arrive to parc fermé – this came slowly.

Fast - the word in the first place in his vocabulary. With all the travelling and jumping from country to country, it is almost impossible to find someone that is willing to be part of this lifestyle.

Part of the risk, uncertainty, spotlight, moodswings and thousands things that are hidden under the layers of being Formula 1 driver. His whole life could be summed into this summary – except the love he's feeling right now.

People around the world have different views on this weird, in many cases unexplainable, thing. Some say it is something "fast and uncontrollable, others that's it's "sudden and unexpected."

Charles hasn't experienced any sudden and world-changing realizations that would take his breath away and leave him speechless and unable to do anything for hours, days even. He knows his love for Carlos wasn't expeditious.

If he were to reflect on the situation, he'd tell you he should have seen it coming.

Carlos is explaining something for the Ferrari promo video and Charles only sees him. As if the world around him did not exist - only Carlos' face and his eyes, nose, lips, hair and so many other features that drive Charles crazy.

That's a bit risky – the camera is rolling and the whole world will see him watching Carlos' every move with fond look in his eyes.

He is aware of the soft smile on his lips, smitten. The kind that makes his eyes crinkle at the sides, green eyes betraying him and exposing his feelings to other people around him.

The sun from outside shines into the room and it only defines Carlos' features more. Charles traces his eyes from his luscious locks, down his nose and cheeks dusted with freckles, Charles knows he holds from young age.

Carlos' bottom lip moves a lot when he talks and Charles finds it cute. Endearing. Like everything he associates with Carlos.

"Right?" Carlos directs his attention to Charles. He's smiling. He's so beautiful.

Brown eyes cheerful and mischievous, telling Charles to expect teasing in the near future. Carlos has been trying everything to make him giggle, since the start.

I love you.

"You're correct," he answers, no clue what he's agreeing to. It's an ad, he has to agree to everything either way.

Carlos' right eyebrow twitches for a milisecond in a silent question. Are you okay?

Charles smiles back at him, sending a slightest nod his way. I'm okay.

Warm hand – oh so warm, spreading heat down Charles' back with every touch and brush of its fingers on his skin – clasps him on the shoulder. Carlos' fingers squeeze him, harder than necessary. Another silent conversation between them.

Carlos briefly caresses his left shoulder blade with his fingertips.

I love you. I love you so much.

Charles can't stop looking at him. Thinking how much he wants to end this video and just soak in every drop of Carlos' attention. Turn towards him like he's the sun and Charles is the sunflower chasing the warmth. Feel warm and loved, even without saying it and revealing the most vulnerable part of him. Because Carlos always makes him feel like that.

I love you.

Please love me back.

Charles smiles again and touches Carlos too, resting his hand on Carlos' knee.

He looks deep into his eyes, communicating what's on his mind and in his heart.

I love you.

By the look in Carlos' eyes, Charles knows he feels the same.

#i wanted this to end more angsty #but it's also so cheesy wth #idk idk idk #charlos #charlos ficlet #eva writes #f1 rpf

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stardustedsins · 2 months

Text

Kiss Prompts #41: A kiss because the world is saved

Polnareff/reader (gender neutral reader)

The four of you stand in the early morning sunlight, watching as Dio’s body crumbles to ash and blows away. With this, it’s really over. The world is safe from the threat of stand wielding vampire maniacs, and Mrs. Holly is already recovering well. Despite your losses, you’ve done it. You feel a little giddy about it, actually.

“I can’t believe we did it.” You say, and Polnareff puts an arm around you.

“I know, it’s not every day you save the world.” He says. Mr. Joestar nods.

“I’ve done it twice now. Let’s hope none of us have to do it again.” You’ve all heard his stories about fighting gods in Switzerland in his youth, but they seem a lot more believable after all this.

“It feels weird that hardly anyone even knows about any of this.” You’re thinking of all the ordinary people going about their ordinary lives, even here in Cairo where the danger was lurking right in their own city.

“What do you want, a parade?” Jotaro asks jokingly, but your silly boyfriend answers before you can.

“Actually, yes! Wouldn’t you like to see a Silver Chariot parade balloon?”

“I don’t think Hermit Purple would make a very good balloon.” Mr. Joestar actually sounds disappointed.

“How would the balloon makers even know how to make a Chariot balloon?” You ask, thinking of how most people can’t see stands.

“I would draw them a perfectly accurate reference picture, of course!” He brags. “It would be just like the Mickey Mouse balloons, the perfect advertising for Polnareff Land! Man, now I wish we really were getting a parade.”

“Would you settle for a victory kiss?” You ask, and he turns to face you.

“I would be honored to accept such a wonderful prize.” He puts on a voice and bows lightly like some kind of knight in a movie. You catch Jotaro rolling his eyes over Polnareff’s shoulder before he rises, but that’s not enough to bring your mood down. Especially when you have Polnareff, the two of you giggling against each other’s lips before a proper victory kiss, long and just a little too heated before you push him away.

“Jean! Not the time.” You swat his arm lightly, but he just winks at you.

“Ah, to be young again.” Mr. Joestar sighs.

“Good grief.” Jotaro turns to get back in the car that brought you all out here.

#my writing #sfw #gender neutral reader #kiss prompts #stardust crusaders #jean pierre polnareff

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epickiya722 · 1 year

Note

Ok so not exactly ship bashing bc i don't hate it per se, but not positive either, just something i was thinking

But i remember once when someone was asking some ppl why they didn't like bkdk and/or prefered other ships the response to kr//////bk were sometimes the usual "yea bc abusive" and then some actually caught my attention.

"bc Bakugou can start in a clean slate and be happy without his bad history with Deku"

And i never understood why this sounded weird to me, other than a feeling like Kiri was just being used as some kind of escape. What do you think of it? I'm actually curious

Honestly, I wish I knew myself, Anon. I don't have an answer, but I do have some thoughts.

First, that is just a weird thing to me because... to people who say "Bakugou and Kirishima can start with a clean slate", what qualifies?

Because it's not like their relationship started off like...

"Hi, I'm Bakugou!"

"Hey, I'm Kirishima!"

"Want to be friends?"

"Yeah! Let's be friends!"

*High Five*

No. It was completely opposite. They did not start off with a clean slate. Their relationship started off with Kirishima criticizing Bakugou's behavior and even calling him "unmanly". He did not like Bakugou at first.

Really the person he did start off a clean slate with is Midoriya. Granted, they were kids. But they were childhood friends before it turned sour.

Now, I don't hate KiriBaku. It was one of the first ships I gotten into and I still have a love for it. And I also have favor Midoriya a lot. He is my #1 favorite characters along with another everybody should probably know by now. I am also a multishipper.

With that said, in my earliest days of being in the fandom, I was taken back to see that some KiriBaku shippers actually didn't like BakuDeku, let alone Midoriya.

Why? Well, for BakuDeku, I get it. Ship rivalry and all that. Again, as a multishipper I just don't care for that. Feeling "threatening" by the presence of another ship, having ship wars and saying why this ship is better than this one.

Now dislike for Midoriya, I have no clue. But as I thought about it, and seen some things, I feel like it was because BakuDeku does an upper hand of having more content for them, history be damned. Maybe some people feel like Midoriya is a threat. After all, Midoriya may know a lot more about Bakugou than anyone else. They were childhood friends. And childhood friends is a popular trope.

Now, let's be real here, if Midoriya and Bakugou dated other people, it would be Bakugou who would have more of a problem than Midoriya would.

If Midoriya, in canon, acknowledges that Kirishima is Bakugou's friend, I doubt he would be upset if they dated. Hell, to be jealous would fly over his head because he's the type of person to want people happy. It's Kirishima, he likes Kirishima. He has a mutual friendly relationship with him. If Kirishima and Bakugou dated, Midoriys would root for that.

On top of that, Bakugou really didn't become a top concern for Midoriya until season 3. Before that, he was making his own friends and doing his own thing, including during their middle school days. By that time, Midoriya actually distanced himself from Bakugou. He doesn't follow him anymore. Midoriya was a loner. In fact, after season 3, he still just let Bakugou do whatever without having a say so or following him around. Bakugou always been visible to Midoriya, but he isn't that "possessive" or a "stalker" as some people think he is. Bakugou only became more visible to him because Bakugou made it so. Bakugou just always been Midoriya’s vision of victory and of course, he saddened by where their relationship ended up. He admires Bakugou, but he doesn't listen to his conversations or just "I know Bakugou better than you!"

Bakugou is always watching Midoriya, on the other hand. No, for real, he is always watching him. He almost always has Midoriya on his mind in some way. Even has followed Midoriya and Todoroki just to hear their conversation. It's how he even realized that Midoriya was holding a secret about OFA. If Midoriya disappeared for even 2 minutes, Bakugou would notice. Tells Midoriya to watch him during the Joint Training arc. Ran off with Midoriya at the start of the Paranormal Liberation Arc (says to get payback at Shigaraki, but we all know it was also he didn't want Midoriya to go alone).

It's like the moment Midoriya does anything Bakugou has to be there for it. Not for his own benefit, but because he is aware of the type of person Midoriya is.

He's not like this with anyone else.

He doesn't think about anyone else 24/7 for literally years because he has regrets and regrets he has voiced to Midoriya himself. He even has cried twice in front of Midoriya. He keeps a card, a heartfelt physical symbol of just how he wishes for their relationship to go back to the good times.

Now when it comes to Kirishima and Bakugou... I sometimes feel like people like it because Kirishima, while Bakugou's friend, works as his "tamer". Think about it.

There are people who only like a character when they're in a ship and go as far as to change that character completely through the other character's actions and words for the sake of liking said ship.

If you don't like one character, then don't ship the ship they're in!

Given that Bakugou has a lot of haters, what if some of those haters happen to like KiriBaku only when they can interpret Bakugou as being more "tolerable" because Kirishima can "tame" him?

Kirishima can handle Bakugou because he literally is a thick skinned person. His quirk is a visual gag of that. Anything Bakugou says or do, he doesn't take it to heart. But here's the thing.

He is not the only person.

Everyone doesn't take anything Bakugou says or do to heart. Even Midoriya who just brushes it off or has sassed him back.

I think people just take to shipping Kirishima more with Bakugou and not anyone else is because it is stated explicitly they have bonded (the Kamino Rescue).

That and circling back to the "taming" thing, there are moments where Kirishima does seem to be the one where he reels Bakugou in. Such as making comments like "ooooh, that doesn't sound very heroic" or "BAKUGOU, WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM".

Like moments where he directly scowls Bakugou.

Iida does the same, he's the first one to do it from Class A, in fact. However, there isn't a lot of BakuIida shippers compared to KiriBaku. Again, Kirishima is explicitly stated to be Bakugou's friend. That's not to say no one else is friends with Bakugou.

Here's a guess. Maybe people find that Kirishima can change Bakugou into something "better". And when I mean "better" I mean much less grouchy, angry, more friendly. Turn him into a whole different character to the point Bakugou would be recognized as some OC and not Bakugou.

Kinda funny considering since Kirishima did change himself. His personality stayed the same, but he grew into having a thicker skin, being brave and not hesitating, and changed his hair.

In a way, it's like... "I'm a new person, I created this new persona of myself... maybe I can do the same to someone else".

Which, let's be honest, would be toxic on Kirishima's part via fanon wise. Changing someone into someone else into what you want. Canon Kirishima may call Bakugou out or tease him, he wouldn't go as far as to dictate how Bakugou should be or even change him.

Again, like the rest of Class A, they don't let Bakugou get to them. Tease him about and whatnot, but Bakugou is Bakugou. If they were all the same person, that wouldn't be fun. Everyone is different in their own way.

So, yeah, I do think some people ship KiriBaku for the dynamic, which I see nothing wrong with that. I, myself, like the bond Bakugou and Kirishima have. It's different from their other relationships, and I like different. It's why I ship it. (And yes, I also like it platonically.)

However, other than the dynamic, I think some people ship KiriBaku because they may portray Kirishima as this person who can "change Bakugou into someone else entirely". Like making Bakugou someone else for their benefit because they don't like Bakugou as he is.

Sure, Bakugou is unpleasant at times. But it's not like he isn't aware. It's not like his classmates aren't aware.

If Kirishima didn't like Bakugou for how he is and is extremely bothered by his behavior, he wouldn't have befriended him in the first place and he would have tried to change Bakugou into someone else. Instead though, he just sticks to being his friend and having a laugh and sometimes scowling at his antics.

That's really all I have to say. Again, it's a guess and I won't even say I'm right. I'm not an expert on any shipper.

All I really am is some who happens to like ships and characters for how they are in this fandom.

#and I apologize this became so long #kiya answers questions #kiya answers #bnha #mha #boku no hero academia #my hero academia #bakugou katsuki #kirishima eijirou #midoriya izuku #bakudeku #bkdk

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applepi-1 · 8 months

Text

Secrets out- Akaashi

In high school, everyone knew they Miya's.

Atsumu Miya the flirt

Osamu Miya the cook

And Y/n Miya the brains.

If you didn't know the Miya trio most would assume Osamu is the better twin, the better Miya, he's less firtly, more mature, less weird.

But if you did know them, most like Akaashi would say Y/n was the better Miya. Every time Bokuto asked why he'd say Y/n, he'd just tell him to look at you, you are stunning, you're smart, and you know what you want in life. And here he was staring at your beautiful body as you danced with a stranger. Jealousy flooded his veins but he knew there was nothing he could do about it. He watched as your body move swiftly with the music, hips matching the beat and moved without a care in the world. He felt stupid, he's not in high school anymore, so what's the need to hide you? Just as he as going to walk towards you, Atsumu put his arm around his shoulder.

"Hey, Akaashi, we're about to play seven minutes in heaven. You in?"

"Why?"

"Come on man, it's my 27th victory in a row, that has to be some kind of record." Akaashi sighed before his gaze followed yours. "Oi! Y/n, seven minutes in heaven, you in?" You stopped dancing waving bye the group of people you was with walking over to the boys.

"Sure, you playing too, Aka?"

"Uh, yeah, I guess so."

"Good, let's go." Atsumu led the boy to the group who was in a circle, You sat next to your friend as Akaashi set right across next to Bokuto. Akaashi looked down as you sat crisscrossed your chest showing more than he'd like. Atsumu decided to go first since it was his victory party after all, landing on the girl beside him. He winked and led the girl out. Hinata and Bokuto locked the door and set a timer, talking amongst themselves. You glanced at Akaashi as he leaned back resting on his hands. You watched as he swallowed his spit, your eyes moved with his adams apple, before the trailed all over his body. You weren't sure how long you were staring for, but Akaashi felt your gaze and looked at you. You sat up straighter and turned to your friend.

"And he was like, 'babe, I'm sorry, it won't happen again.' Of course I cared because who eats pineapple on pizza?"

"It's gross."

"Right." The timer was heard in the distance turning their attention to your brother as a hickey was spotted on his neck.

"Now that's gross." Your friend nodded you head laughing soflty. "Aka." The nickname made the boy look at you. "It's your turn." The tips of his ears turned pink as he spun the bottle, not moving his eyes up til it stopped. He hesitated to look up at your shock fac.

"Don't do anything to make us kill you." Osamu said as he talked to Suna. You got up stretching before following Akaashi to the room. He looked around nervously as the girl ran your eyes over him.

"You're a tease you know." He looked back at you confused.

"Me? You're the one dancing with some guy, and the outfit." He glanced down at your strapless crop top and blue jeans.

"Yes?"

"You have no idea what you're doing."

"Did you like it? My dancing?" You asked stepping closer to the boy, he leaned back into the wall. "Well?"

"It was..."

"Use your words."

"You're turning me on like crazy."

"What about me is turning you on exactly?"

"Y/n." He reached out to you grabbing your waist as you rest a hand on the wall next to his head.

"Yes?"

"No that's the answer."

"My name?"

"All of you turns me on, love." He leaned down capturing your mouth with his, your bodies fit each other perfectly.

While you wrapped your free hand around his neck, he poked his tongue into your mouth and you granted him access. He smoothly glided his tongue over your teeth, feeling practically every inch of your mouth.

Both of you stopped to take a breath. Nothing else in the room mattered and all you could see was his breathtaking eyes. He moved down to your neck kissing, biting, sucking. He pulled back hearing a pop as your skin left his mouth. "Mine." He stated as he leaned back up. "Now everyone knows."

"You sure about this?"

"I love you, we're not in high school anymore."

"You're right I love you too, Aka. I'm all yours."

You glanced down to his lips and you started kissing again.

Although neither of you had noticed, Bokuto had opened the door. When he saw you two kissing, his mouth gaped open and he was unable to move so he just watched in silence.

Because neither of you had noticed him, you kept on making out.

You deepened the kiss as he thrust his hips into yours which made you let out a little moan. That made him smile.

The feeling of his smiling lips against yours was indescribable and amazing.

Bokuto had finally seen enough and broke out of his trance.

Although he was uncomfortable with the progress you two were making in front of him, he couldn’t resist but tease his friend. “Dang… Get at her, dude!”

You and Akaashi broke apart instantly, both turning toward Bokuto.

You were both huffing and puffing, trying to catch your breaths, when Akaashi spoke. "Give me 5 more minutes with my fiance, will you?"

"Welp, guess the secrets out, huh?" Akaashi shrugged his shoulders leaning down to kiss you some more.

#haikyuu!!#cute haikyuu #fluff #haikyuu #haikyuuimagines #akaashi keiji #confessions #akaashi x reader #haikyuu akaashi #akaashi fluff #hq akaashi #miyatwins

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queer-coded-camaro-driver · 2 years

Note

Prompt idea maybe: "You look so pretty when you cry."

sorry this took me a minute, but the right scenario needed time to formulate

Harringrove pre-relationship, post S2/pre S3, marijuana

---

He’s stoned as hell when he says it, of course. Otherwise he would never have opened his mouth and let something so totally idiotic come flying out in front of Hawkins’ notorious bad boy, Billy Hargrove. But they both show up at one of the quarry’s lesser known spots at the same time and both outright refuse to leave… So the somewhat-rivals begrudgingly agree to share some of Eddie Munson’s better shit and ignore the tension brewing between them. At least for a few glorious hours.

Until Steve exhales a cloud of blue smoke and says offhandedly: “You look so pretty when you cry.”

Billy’s head snaps up, expression grim – he’s borderline murderous already. The blond’s upper lip curls back until he’s snarling, until Steve is staring down a Billy who’s more wolf than boy. “What the fuck did you say to me, Harrington?”

Steve blinks. Shit. How is he supposed to answer that when he hadn’t even meant to open his mouth in the first place!? How the hell is he supposed to tell the guy who beat the shit out of him a few weeks ago that he looked stunning from below–

In retrospect, obviously. At the time of their altercation, Steve had been angry and frightened and was trying his best to protect the kids; which is, ironically enough, also what Billy had been trying to do. He’d been trying to protect Max from an entire room full of strange guys.

Which, like, fair enough.

But even after the Billy’s-fist shaped bruises have healed and the cuts fade to nothing, Steve’s mind keeps wandering back to those awful but electrifying moments before unconsciousness. The memory is glorious: blood dripping from that statuesque nose, tears forming at the corners of the younger boy’s wrathful blue eyes as he drives his fist into Steve’s face over and over. The howl Steve saw but never quite managed to hear, straining like distant thunder in the back of Billy’s throat.

He’d been pissed at Billy, going out of his way to avoid the blond until Max filled him in on what went on at their house on Cherry Road. Staying mad about something as stupid as a misunderstanding in the wake of El’s incredible victory and this new information seems childish. Stupid. Steve has seen the end of the world and faced it head on, so what’s one equally lonesome asshole from California, really?

“Hey, pretty boy, you gonna fuckin’ answer me?”

“Oh!” Steve shakes his head and bites his bottom lip before exhaling. “Right… I mean, you have like–” Fuck. “–I don’t know dude, I’m high as fuck!”

“Well that’s kind of a weird thing to say, man.”

“I know that, Billy. Christ, you think I wanna sound this stupid all the time? Kids make fun of me when I open my mouth.”

Unexpectedly, the blond boy’s frown deepens. He starts rolling another joint on the hood of Steve’s car. “That’s not very nice of them, considering how much of your trust fund you’ spend on gas to tote them everywhere. If I were one of those brats, I’d be worshiping the ground you walk on.”

Steve gives Billy a look of outright awe.

Did Eddie lace this shit? Am I dreaming?

“Huh?”

“I rarely see you around without one of those nerdy little brats hanging off your jacket, so you clearly spend a lot of time helping them out and taking them places. They think it’s okay to treat you like crap just because they’ve read a few more books and gone to a few less parties? Dumbasses.”

“When I said you’re pretty when you cry, I mean your eyes get more intense. You have nice eyes for, like, a dude. I guess.”

Now it’s Billy’s turn to stare at Steve in shock.

He lights up the joint and takes a drag before passing it to Steve. “Thanks, Harrington. That’s kind of nice, in a weird way.”

“It’s already been established that I’m pretty weird.”

“And sweet.”

“What?”

“You’re sweet,” Billy reiterates, taking the joint back. “But you didn’t hear me say shit.”

“Course not,” Steve smiles. He’s really stoned; his head is full of cotton and he has the deep desire to reach out and touch Billy’s golden curls. “Hey, can I touch your hair?”

“Can I touch yours?”

“Yeah.”

“Then, sure.”

They each reach out with one hand. Billy tucks what he can behind Steve’s ears and Steve tugs gently at one of Billy’s ringlets only to watch it bounce back into place. Quietly, so quietly it’s barely audible, the older boy whispers: “What are we doing?”

Billy shrugs, fingers still tangled in loose brown locks. “Dunno. But I kinda like it.”

“Me, too.”

“Cool… Do you really think I’m pretty?”

“Yeah.”

“Cool.”

They watch the sun rise over the far edge of the quarry in silence, shoulders pressed tightly together. They’re almost sober again, and Steve isn’t sure if things will go back to the way they were yesterday or if this new sense of understanding is permanent. The tension in the air hasn’t returned and he’s terrified to think that it may.

He doesn’t want to lose this side of Billy.

“Hey, Hargrove…?”

“Yeah, pretty boy?”

“Are we– Does this mean we can stop being assholes to each other?” Steve asks.

Billy laughs, bright and loud and so fucking beautiful that Steve’s chest aches. His gorgeous blue eyes go squinty and thin as his smile grows, slivers of seafoam iris showing through. “Yeah, Harrington. I think we can figure out a way to be friends.”

Steve’s grin is unstoppable. Genuine. Something is stirring in his heart like an animal waking from hibernation.

“Cool.”

#harringrove #harringrove ficlet #anonswers #anon prompt fill #harringrove prompt fill #harringrove fluff #marijuana tw #billy hargrove #steve harrington #snark #flirting

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one-thousand-and-one-fandoms · 1 year

Text

Voltrom Ghost Whisperer AU - Part 7

1 2 3 4 5 6

Allura decided to skip town the next day and drove to the next one over. After knowing the last name of the family who previously owned her house, and getting a name out of Keith, a quick Google search for Lance McClain quickly told her he went to high school in the next town over. She had no idea how he was going to react to her, but she couldn't let Keith just roam without rest for all eternity.

She arrived at the school just as the bell rang and the kids began to leave for the day. She recognized Lance when he came out of the building, flanked by two other teens. She didn't want them to think she was a creep, but... taking a deep breathe to strengthen her resolve, she exited the car.

"Lance McClain?" She called when he was close enough. He turned around and threw her a flirty smile and a wink.

"Who's asking?" He asked, and had the gall to stare her up and down.

She raised an eyebrow and replied, "Someone way too old for you."

Lance's friends laughed and he, good naturedly, shoved them a bit. Then he turned to her.

"What can I do for you?"

"I hope this doesn't come off as too weird or anything, but I'm a friend of the Koganes and I haven't been able to get in touch with them," she began and took note of how he became stiff and his face lost all color, "someone told me your family used to be closed to them, so... I was hoping..."

"Lance, are you okay, man?" The larger one of his friends said as he put a hand on his shoulder. The smaller one stepped in between Lance and Allura in a protective posture.

"Yeah... yeah, I'm ok," Lance replied, but his countenance said differently, "I just... I need to sit down."

Lance shakily walked to a bench on the side of the road, and his friends followed. Allura did too, but slower and deliberately giving them space. Allura saw Lance take several deep breaths while his friends gave her the stink eye.

"I'm sorry," she said sincerely, "I didn't mean to upset you."

"No, it's... it's fine, it's just... I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this, but Mr. Kogane died a few years ago..." Lance replied.

"Oh, I'm so sorry."

"You said you knew him?" He asked then.

Allura hated herself a bit for lying, "something like that, but it was a long time ago."

Lance looked at her closely, and once again his eyes travelled up and down but this time it seemed to have a purpose. He observed her for longer, too, enough to make her uncomfortable.

"Are you Keith's mother?" He finally asked, and his voice shook, and Allura didn't think she was imagining the tears pooling in his eyes. Keith would be sixteen, now. Sixteen years ago, Allura would have been sixteen or seventeen years old herself. A bit of a stretch but not impossible for her to have conceived and given Keith up, so she could see how he reached that conclusion.

She had no frame of reference for how old Sargeant Kogane had been when he died.

"No, I'm sorry if I gave that impression. I'm just a family friend, that's all. I'm from England, so we weren't able to meet very often," she answered.

"I don't remember ever seeing you or hearing about you, and we were pretty close," Lance mentioned. He tried to appear nonchalant, but it seemed forced.

"Is that so? Well, I-"

"I think you're lying," he continued and didn't let her speak. What could Allura say? She was lying, but only because she wanted to help Keith move on.

"I think you're a reporter," the short one of his friends pipped in, "we've had some of them come sniffing around over the hears. They never claimed to be related to a dead family, though. That's a new low for your kind."

"I'm not a reporter," Allura said and bristled, "if you must know the truth, I just moved here from England and I bought your house. That's why I'm here."

That seemed to take all three teens by surprise, and Allura internally celebrated her small victory.

"I don't know how I can help you, lady," Lance said, frowning, "my dad would know more about the house if there's anything you want to know about it."

"It's not the house I'm having an issue with, but..."

The short one raised an eyebrow and didn't cut Lance any slack, "But?"

Allura sighed, and relented, "Before you say anything, just... I know how this is going to sound. I know perfectly well what it looks like. Therefore, I'm prefacing this by saying that I'm not after anything, no money, no nothing. Just... keep an open mind?"

"You're beginning to sound very suspicious," the larger kid said.

"Beginning?" The shorter one scoffed.

"I'm listening," Lance replied, looking curious and intrigued.

"I have a guest in my house," she began.

"So?" Lance asked, "Good for you."

"It's an unwanted guest. Every day, around dusk, he arrives in my house and screams at me get out. The other day he blew out my light bulb."

"And how is this Lance's problem?" The large kid asked. Allura ignored him and carried in.

"He is small, about this tall, around ten years old. He has messy, longish, about here more or less, black hair. He has violet eyes, quite unique I must say," as she spoke, Lance's eyes progressively widened in something akin to horror, "he's wearing black, knee-long trousers, a white shirt and a-"

"Red jacket," Lance finished for her.

"He told me his name."

"No," Lance shook his head and stood up, grief making his face scrunch up as he paced and wrung his hands, "no, that's impossible."

"He also told me your name," Allura continued.

"No! No, you're lying!"

"Lance, what-?"

"Lance!"

Allura spoke above them, "I know it's hard to believe, but he's lost and he's looking for you. He's been waiting."

"I have to... I have to go," Lance said and took off running away from the school grounds. The larger kid took off after him, clearly worried, barely sparing Allura a glance. The smaller one, however, rounded on her with a fierce glare.

"What's your deal, huh?" She yelled, "what do you want from him?"

"He understood what I was trying to tell him just fine. If she wants to tell you, it's up to him," Allura answered.

"No, you don't get to pull that card on me," she said, "whatever you said clearly affected him and I want to know why."

"Then ask him."

"Stay away from us," the kid spat at her, "or I'll call the police."

#voltron legendary defender #voltron au #ghost whisperer au #ghost au #childhood friends au #keith kogane #lance mcclain #princess allura #yes allura is going to be melinda gordon #klance #klangst #I mean Keith and Lance had mutual crushes on each other but then Keith died and Lance grew up so I don't think they'll be endgame #angst #major character death

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matiisnottrash · 1 year

Text

Black Hair

At first they thought someone had a black cat that just srhed a lot of hair everywhere, that was quickly dismissed of the possibilities when they found that the only cat that lived in the tower was from a third year and was crearly a white cat, so the questions kept coming. Where was all this black hair coming from??.

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Remus was calmly reading in an armchair in the common room like any other day, resting his legs on one arm and his head in the other, when suddenly a ball of long black hair jumped on his lap and trhew the book away demanding kisses, which he was content to oblige.

“would you mind to tell me why i´m upstairs in our room all by my own, when you are here being all cute reading a book like there is nothing wrong in the world?”. Sirius said, after demanding his kisses, raising and eyebrow.

Remus kissed his forehead and made an attempt to reach for his book in the floor while saying. “well, i was trying to have a little hour of peace to read this, which i can´t crearly have in any place of this castle-”.

“Stiiiill not answering why im all alone and without cuuuddlees.” Sirius singsonged while poking his cheek with is forefinger.

Remus batted his hand away before finally retrieving his book giving a little “Aha” of victory, “you know, if you so badly wanted cuddles you could´ve just asked” He said cleaning the dust that the book just got from the floor.

“Well im asking now rigth?”

“Actualy you didn´t asked, you just barged in demanding to know why i was here” he smiled.

Sirius sighed and rolled his eyes playfully before saying “Oh my beloved Remus would you be so kind to acomppany me upstairs to have some cuddles and maybe a little nap?”.

“Mmmm, nah”

“Wha- Moonyy!”

He laughed while caressing the cheek of his boyfriend “Alrigth alrigth, yes Sirius, i would like that” Sirius smiled and got up taking Remus hand and leading him upstairs.

Well, fuck the book. Thought Remus while following him.

***

They were happily cuddleling in Sirius bed almost falling in sleep, Sirius head was on Remus chest, his arms hugging him from beyond his arms and his rigth leg across the other boys body, while Remus just hugged him from the waist and buried his nose in his hair.

It was almost perfect until, shit, thought Remus, i gotta pee now. he grimaced at the thought of having to disturb Sirius while he was looking so cute sleeping there. well, what´s worst, waking Sirius for some seconds? or holding it in and being so miserable that i couldn’t go back to sleep?.

He opted for the lattest, trying to be the most carefull he could ever be to move Sirius out of the way withouth waking him, crearly didn’t work cause Sirius stirred a little and opened his eyes a bit, mumbling “where you going?”. Remus could melt in the place for how cute he looked there, but things had to be done first.

“I just need to pee, i’ll be back in a bit” he gave him one quick kiss in the forehead and rushed to the bathroom.

He did his thing, washed his hands and just when he was about to go back to bed he glanced to the floor and noticed that it was almost covered in black hair, the fuck is this, he thought, he frowned and stood there for almost two minutes wondering where did this came from. After a while he just resigned to ask padfoot later if he knew anything about it, now it was time for a nap.

Ok no nap now, Sirius was awake sitting against the headboard, ankles crossed at the end of the bed, while playing with his wand to fly some socks that he found.

“Hey, you took some time” he said turning his head at Remus while smiling

“Yeah, sorry, i got a little distracted there. .” well now that he is awake what do we loose for ask “hey do you know anything about the bathroom floor being covered in black hair?” he asked while pointing with his tumb to the bathroom.

“Covered in black hair?” he repeated tilting his head a bit and frowning in confussion “i have no idea what are you talking about”.

“Huh, weird, mm surely it is James or Peter working on a prank” he shrugged and started walking back to the bed.

“Without us?, rude” he did a fake gasp offended.

Remus sitted back in the bed, crossing his legs while looking at Sirius “Mhm, soo should we keep on the nap?”.

Sirius oppened his mouth to say something before a growl of his belly interrupted making Remus chuckle, “or we could quickly go downstairs and look for something to snack and come back here?”.

“Yes, good idea”

They bot got up and walked trough the dorm to go downstairs, in the travel Remus could not help but noticing that there was also black hair in the floor of the dorm and in the beds and things from the others marauders, he could also not help but notice that there was too, black hair in some steps of the stairs and in some places of the common room.

Ok this doen’t make sense.

***

“Alrigth so i summoned you here tonigth to discuss a matter thats been bothering me”

“The stage is yours Moony” James said from his spot in the floor.

They were all sitting crosslegged in the floor making some kind of circle in the middle of the nigth, Sirius sat a littlel closer to Remus but no one cared or noticed to mention it.

“I recently been founding lots of black hair scattered all over the bathroom floor, the dorm, stairs and common room, and i was wondering if this was a new idea of a prank that you were working on, because this is actually kinda annoying, or what the hell is hapening here” he leaned back on his hands waiting for some answers while James and Peter just looked at him confused.

“Uh, well i can certainly say that this wasn’t me. . . Wormtail did you did something?” he turned to Peter with a little tilt and a confused frown.

Peter returned the frown saying “No? i was with Dorcas and Marlene playing some chess”.

“And Lily and i went to shop something with Mary” he turned back to Remus

“So you two had nothing to do with this?” Sirius asked now.

“Nah” they said in unison.

“Well now im way more confused” Sirius said while crossing his arms over his chest.

Sirius yawned before saying that they should keep with this tomorrow, cause they didn’t have class, and went to bed. James and Peter agreed and went to their own beds aswell. Remus stayed in the floor, still resting on his hands, in deep thought.

If it wasn’t any of us, then where did all th-

“Rem? you coming?”Sirius snapped him out of his trance while changing his trousers with some pijamas ones and laying bare chest withouth shirt.

“Yeah, just, let me change really quick” he said getting up to his feet and going to his trunk.

Once they were all in bed they farewell eachother good nigth and Sirius closed the curtains of his bed so he and Remus were in pitch black. They hugged like they did a little hours back, with now the hope to finally going to sleep, Remus kissed him good nigth in the lips then in the top of the head and started drifting to sleep.

***

“Well this is getting ridiculous”

“Rigth you are Moony” said Peter while scratching the back of his neck

Its just been two days and the tower was starting to fill in with blak hair everywhere, the other students asked them if this was some kind of disgusting prank or something because it wasn’t really funny, they assured them that they didn’t know what was going on and that they would investigate what was happening.

After some snopping around, and slicing on the stairs to the girsl dorms, they found thay the only places in the tower that had back hair were the common room, the stairs and their room, the others room were perfectly clean, ignoring the cothes scattered on the floors, but clean.

They also found that the elves, although they cleaned every day, didn’t know what was going on because no matter how hard they cleaned, the hair just kept coming back.

Sirius at some point suggested that they were being played some kind of prank from the slytherins as a revenge cause the Marauders room and common were the only ones being affected, Peter denied this theory by asking some of his chess friends from slythering if they knew what was going on, but they just replied saying that almost all the slyherins were focused in other importants things than pranking some stupid thing and claiming that if the slytherins were going to prank them, then it would be something more humiliating.

With the wind coming in now and then from the open windows, some sixth year suggested it to try and get rid of the hair, the hair started to be more in the air than the floor, and it started to itch Remus nose. He sometimes felt that he could recognice the sent, but it quicly disapeared when he sneezed and make everything fly away, again.

Sirius asked Remus to take the afternoon outside that day so that he could stop sneezing and Remus was so glad he requested it cause he didn’t know if he could take it any longer. They were laying in the grass under some trees not far away from hogsmeade, far enough so that no one could catch them there, Remus was sitting against the tree holding a book just above Sirius head, who was laying his head on his lap and drifting to sleep, and reading peacefully enjoying finally the stop of the sneezes.

After a while he got almost to the end to the book when he noticed that Sirius was to silent, he glanced down at him and saw a sleeping Sirius with his mouth sligthly open. Then a thought stroke him, recently Sirius was asking to nap almost everyday and every morning, no matter the time nor place, but when it came to the time to go to actually sleep he stayed minutes awake fuzzing in the bed not being able to fall to sleep until an hour (or so to speak) later. Remus never really paided mind to it, thinking that maybe Sirius was looking for the rigth position to being comfortable.

He remembered that he once read something about sleeping troubles, but couldn’t place exactly what the words said about it, so he decided to look for it later that afternoon.

He blew the dust off the book, finally finding it after some 30 long and insufferable minutes, and roamed through the pages to find the information needed. Once he found it, he read with wide eyes, seeming now to understand everything that was bottering his bussy brain.

Remus looked up from the book with a little frown, his head working hard, when suddenly, Aha, an idea got to him, but for it he had to talk with Prongs and Wormtail first. He took he book, said goodbye to the librarian, and stormed of the library straigth to his friends.

***

“Good nigth, Moony”

“Good nigth, Padfoot”

Sirius closed his eyes and so did Remus, just for a minute, then carefully got up, this time not waking the “sleeping Sirius”, and went to the stairs where James and Peter were waiting for him. Remus told them what he found in the book two hours ago, when they stoped the “ooouh” of realisations, he then proceed to explain the idea that he buldied, hoping that it worked and not to just go to the pill of problems and puzzels in his head.

They waited hidden behind some couches in the common room, sometimes almost failing to stay awake, being the most silent that they could. Remus was starting to think that he was wrong and all was for nothing, he went to open his mouth to indicate that maybe they should just forget it and go to bed, when a noice startled the three boys and make them stay very still.

Thats when they saw it, or maybe, they saw him. The three boys widened their eyes and gaped their mouths to the sigth of a black dog that entered the common room through the stairs with one of Peters shoes in his mouth.

“THATS MY SHOE!!” Peter scremed-whispered pointing to the dog.

James shushed him giving a little whak to the back of his head, while Remus kept looking at the dog, quite didn’t blieving what his showed him.

The thing is, that this dog was no one else than the one and only Sirius, in anymagus form, Black, well, animagus form and sleep walking Sirius Black. What Remus found earlier in the book were simptoms of sleep walking, connectng the dots to Sirius fatigue all day and trouble sleeping at nigth, and weird black hair that appeared every nigth, he concluded that Sirius sleep walked in animagus form, being him the answer to all the questions that Remus was asking.

The three Marauders silently beamed at each other for discovering the mistery, now with only one last task at hand, tell Sirius when he waked up and find the way to make him stop doing it. They leaved the doors that went to their room open figuring that Padfoot would go back to bed for the morning, like he did every nigth they realised, and went back to bed satisfied with the work they done today.

Padfoot went back to bed almost an hour before the sun came up, turned into Sirius and snuzzled his way in Remus arms, this time Remus waited half awake-half asleep, and grapped his arms around him when he noticed it. Buried his nose on SIrius hair and drifting to sleep.

I knew that i recognized the scent, your scent.

***

The next morning they talked to Sirius and explained all to him, who didn’t believe it at the beginning but then just acept it. They then spend another two days trying to make him stop doing it, it was more harder than it seemed, there were a lot of talks about what was troubling him so much to make him be sleep deprived, and after a lot of work, and encouragin words and kisses from Remus, Sirius stopped doing his midnigth travels.

That nigth Remus and Sirius spent all nigth sleeping hugging eachother without any of the two getting up in the middle of the process, making both of them finally having a good nigth sleep.

The End :)

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