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misscarolineshelby · 3 years

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Spanked

Part Two: First Day

Pairing: Modern Tommy Shelby x Reader Words: 1,345 Warning: None…This is only the beginning!

Original Blog: @queenshelby (this is just my backup account as I have been having Tumblr issues)

When you told your friends and roommates about what had happened to you that morning, they couldn’t believe it.

Whilst you were excited to be working for one of the largest enterprises in the UK, they were more intrigued by the fact that you were going to work directly for Thomas Shelby who was a well-known business man and who was quite popular with the ladies across the country.

The 39-year-old had quite a reputation which is what attracted these women. But you decided that you wouldn’t be one of them.

According to your friend, he was the perfect mix between an elegant business owner and a working a class man. He was different to many others out there and, unlike the other men in charge of other big corporations in the UK, he had built his wealth by himself.

Of course, when you read his name on the business card, you remembered reading the rumours in the papers. According to the London Telegraph, he was said to be involved in some illegal businesses as well and it was believed that he had built his empire through drug trafficking and illegal race fixing. But these were just rumours. Thomas Shelby hadn’t served any prison time and was never convicted of any crimes. It was only his brother, Arthur Shelby, who was charged with two murders but never convicted.

He was also involved in politics, having acted as an MP until it became too boring for him. Luckily for him, he maintained connections to other politicians and judges and, miraculously, he had no problems getting licences for any and all of his business operations.

But none of this bothered you much. You saw this job as an opportunity and stepping stone of some sort.

***

Despite your lack of interest in the man himself though, you listened to your friend’s advice when it came to appropriate office attire.

‘You cannot possibly wear this’ your roommate said as she watched you put on a grey coloured suit and a black blouse.

‘That’s what you wear to an office though’ you said somewhat confused while looking into the mirror.

‘Men like something to look at. At least wear a dress and show some legs. You never know, you might even find your prince charming’ your roommate then said with a cheeky smile before disappearing into her room and returning with three dresses for you to choose from.

Of course, she had a point. You had been single for two years and, before that, you had one boyfriend who was just as nerdy as you were. He was your first and your last.

After trying on all three dresses, you chose an elegant knee length black dress but, when you put on some stockings and shoes, your roommate shook her head again.

‘Oh god no. Please let me style you’ your roommate insisted.

‘No, I don’t have time’ you huffed out, looking at your watch.

‘I will style you up for your first day and then I will call you a taxi. I will use my father’s credit card. He won’t even notice’ your roommate said and, after some convincing, you reluctantly agreed.

Your roommate quickly found some suspenders and stockings in her draws and made you put them on. Then, she looked for some shoes, but none of the ones she owned would fit you.

Eventually, she found a pair of black high heels in your other roommate’s wardrobe who, luckily, had the same shoe size as you.

Finally, she applied your make up and straightened your hair. It looked perfect and she was certainly impressed with her own work.

‘Holy shit, I am fucking awesome’ your roommate then said and you couldn’t help but laugh.

‘I look good’ you said somewhat surprised as you looked into the large mirror in your bedroom.

‘You fucking do. Go and get yourself a suitor’ she teased you and you shook your head.

‘No, I am there to work, not to flirt. Despite, I don’t even know how to flirt’ you admitted and your roommate couldn’t help but giggle.

***

When you arrived at the offices of Shelby Company Limited, you were greeted by a tall dark-haired woman who showed you to your new office.

It was near the reception area and you were surprised by the layout of the building. Everything was made of glass and the floors looked like marble. It was incredible.

Lizzie explained to you how things worked around the office and told you that you would be reporting to a man by the name of Michael Grey.

‘I thought I will be reporting to Mr Shelby’ you said somewhat surprised, causing her to laugh.

‘Sweetheart, please don’t flatter yourself. You are here on your merit but no one new reports directly to Mr Shelby apart from me and Michael Grey. He only likes to deal with people he knows and trusts’ Lizzie said before handing you your office swipe card and a stack of files for you to look at it.

Just as you sat down and Lizzie took a seat right next to you, talking you through the accounting software the company uses, you saw Tommy enter the reception area.

He was accompanied by a tall blonde woman who was wearing expensive clothes and was carrying a Louis Vuitton handbag.

‘Who is this?’ you asked curiously, causing Lizzie to look up from the computer.

‘Elaine Sutton. Apparently, she is the flavour of the month. He likes attractive women who don’t talk much, which makes her perfect’ Lizzie chuckled, seemingly annoyed by the woman.

‘How did you become Mr Shelby’s personal assistant?’ you then asked and Lizzie chuckled again.

‘I’ve known Thomas since he was eighteen. I used to be married to his brother, John Shelby, before he passed away’ Lizzie said and you were surprised by her directness and openness about it.

‘Any more questions or can we get back to work now?’ she then said and you apologised to her immediately.

***

Throughout the day, you developed an investment scheme to lower the tax rates the company was otherwise required to pay in the next financial year. This was what you had mentioned to Tommy at the café and you assumed that it was what he wanted you to do when Lizzie handed you the relevant files.

As you were working through them one by one, you also became to notice that Tommy himself was quite the talking point between the women in the office.

His blue eyes, his expensive suits and what tie he was wearing was on today’s agenda in the lunchroom and you couldn’t help but be amused.

Then, all of a sudden, there was dead silence. The room went quiet and no one said a word as the man himself entered the lunch room.

‘Can I get you anything Mr Shelby?’ one of the service employees asked nervously.

‘Can you tell me where the cable ties are kept, please?’ he said in his low gruffy voice and, just when the employee nodded and told him that she would fetch some for him, he approached you.

‘Office attire suits you much better than coffee-stained clothes Y/N’ he observed, causing you to swallow harshly, smile and nod.

‘Thank you for the opportunity, Mr Shelby’ you stammered out in response just as the service clerk returned with some cable ties for Tommy and he walked off.

‘He knows your name’ a short brunette woman observed. ‘I’ve been working here for a year and he hasn’t even noticed me’ she then said before offering you a cup of tea which you gladly accepted.

‘Well, I spilled hot coffee onto him yesterday at the Coffee Bean Café across the road which probably made stick’ you said somewhat embarrassed, causing the woman to laugh before introducing herself to you.

Her name was Emily and she was also working in the business advisory department. Just like you, she was smart and nerdy and you knew that you would be getting along well.

Tag List:

@lilymurphy03 @deefigs @theflamecrystal @desperate-and-broken @weepingstudentfishhorse @livinginfantaxy @rosey1981 @atomicsoulcollecto @peakyboyslover @nerdy4itall@elenavampire21 @hanster1998@mariapaiva13 @fairypitou @harry-is-your-sunflower @zozeebo @lauren-raines-x @kasaikawa @littlewierdalien @sad-huffle-nerd @theflamecrystal @peakymalfoyscullymulder @themissthang@0ghostwriter0 @stylescanbeatmyback @1-800-peakyblinders @datewithgianni @momoneymolife @ntmynouis @lilymurphy03 @mcntsee@cloudofdisney@missymurphy1985 @peakymalfoyscullymulder @otterly-fey @janelongxox @uchihacumdump @basiclassy @being-worthy @chaotic-bean-of-smolness @margoo0 @chocolatehalo @vhscillian @ysmmsy @littlewierdalien @crazymar15 @stickyknightflowerbailiff @im-constantly-fangirling @goldensunflowe-r @tellingyouastory @captivatedbycillianmurphy @namelesslosers @littlewhiterose @ttzamara @ttzamara @cilleveryone

@peaky-cillian @queenyshelby

@severewobblerlightdragon @ysmmsy @midnightmystic

#Tommy Shelby #tommy shelby smut #tommy shelby x reader #thomas shelby #thomas shelby smut #thomas shelby x reader #thomas shelby x you #Peaky Blinders #peaky blinders fanfic #modern thomas shelby #modern tommy shelby #cillian murphy smut #cillian murphy #cillian murphy imagine #cillian murphy x reader #tommy shelby x you #tommy shelby x y/n

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0606-hyuck · 3 years

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a letter to my lover | lee donghyuck

♡ dear y/n, i’m writing you this letter in the hopes that it gets to you well. our relationship has been tumultuous, that’s for sure, and i thought it was high time i wrote you a letter detailing all the times you said "i love you" that are important to me.

genre: haechan x reader, heavy angst, supernatural!haechan, deity!haechan

warnings: suggestive content, mentions of religion, profanity

word count: 2.1K

tagging: the lovely @roses-of-the-moon ♡ @mora134340 // @nct-writers

Dear Y/N,

The first time you said “I love you”, you were worshipping me.

The temple lay just east of the large town you resided in, about an hour's drive from the coast. People from your area traditionally followed a polytheisic religion and worshipped the gods and goddesses of life, death, earth, air, fire, water, time, the sun, and the moon. Temples dedicated to the gods and goddesses were scattered around the peninsula, although some temples saw a lot more visitors than others. This Sun temple was larger and older than typical Sun temples, and the red, yellow, and orange colour scheme from the outside flowed nicely into the high, spacious interior. There were pews dotted around the room for people to sit on, but the temple was empty given the late time of night, save for you.

You stood in front of a ten-foot tall bronze statue of myself, or what you mortals assumed my true form looked like, crumpled on your knees and head bent in reverence. It was unusual for me to see followers at my temple so late at night, but I really couldn’t blame you if you had come to simply stare at my statue - turns out bronze really is my colour. As I realised you were muttering something softly, I remember creeping closer towards you and sitting on one of the pews close by. Not so close that you noticed my presence, but near enough that I could hear what you were saying. “I love you, but…”. You uttered my name - once, twice, three times - followed by a number of curse words strung together in an order that I had never been witness to before.

Using my powers, I lit the lamp on the wall beside us to indicate I had heard you, and you proceeded to tell me a story of how your uncle’s farm was failing due to a perpetual drought that hung over the area and wouldn’t leave. Upon hearing your admission, I was astounded. I was one of few Sun deities, who essentially reported directly to the presiding Sun God. If there was a drought that I wasn’t aware of, then I wasn’t doing my job properly, and that was an issue.

Ever since you had visited my temple that one evening and let forth a tidal wave of insults and curses towards me, rather than admiring my bronze look-alike, I was intrigued by you. I hadn’t revealed myself to you that night - not quite yet - but there was something about you that fascinated me. Whether that was your stubbornness or your determination to fix your uncle’s farm, I don’t know, but I wanted to find out more. Showing myself to you right now was out of the question - there’s no way you would believe I was the famous Haechan, Sun deity that everyone worshipped - I had to earn your trust. So I started with the largest issue first; resolving this drought issue that was ruining your uncle’s farm. It really was a complex problem with a simple solution - a little gold flashed a friendly Water deity’s way and voila! No more drought.

The second time you said “I love you”, we had just finished making love on a public beach.

I had solved your drought calamity, but still found myself drawn to you. So I did what I do best - using the sun to my advantage. At first, I would simply manipulate the light from the sun so that you walked in the shade on hot days. When you were cold, I made sure there was always a warm burst of energy by your side. I remember the day I finally found the courage to present myself to you. Not my true form, of course, that would be firmly against deity rules, but I found a human male who suited me perfectly. He was young, around the same age you were, and had fiery orange hair and bronze, sunkissed skin that reminded me of my statue. Fitting, really.

The day we finally spoke it was hot, the Sun God had had a disagreement with the Life Goddess and appeared to be tormenting her creations. I was sitting on a bench, secluded under a willowy tree, and it was fairly straight forward for me to direct some of the sun’s rays directly onto your uncovered head, sending you fleeing into the shade of the tree. I made conversation with you, charming as I am, and I instantly knew you were taken with me.

As the months progressed, we spent more and more time together. Your uncle’s farm recovered, and he was able to regrow a lot more crops in the dampened soil. We spent all our free time together - after helping out at your mother’s shop you would come visit me at my temple, and we would share the rest of the evening together. The more I got to know you, the more mortal you made me feel. We celebrated your village and religious holidays together. We went shopping at the markets together. We even developed a favourite pastime, travelling to the beach and spending the day in the cool ocean, and I was always there to warm us up as we lay on the sand, hand in hand.

I’d never entertained the idea that I may one day feel so at home with a human by my side, but this was quickly becoming the future I envisioned, and even yearned for, for myself. That day at the beach, when we were all alone, and you told me you loved me for the second time, I knew I felt the same way. There was just something about you, Y/N, that kept me drawn to you. I was almost ready to tell you what I was, a sun deity - but little did we know that would be the beginning of the end for us.

The third time you said “I love you”, I told you I didn’t love you back.

A lie, really.

In the past, I had told you my name was Haechan, but after you laughed and said there was no way I was named after the Sun deity, you started calling my vessel Donghyuck. At first I hated it. It was strange being referred to as anything other than Haechan. Soon though, I realised how freeing it was having another name, another identity. Haechan became what the other gods, goddesses, and deities referred to me as when I was in their presence, in my true form, but Donghyuck was what you called me when I was with you. And I liked that.

A few weeks after our latest beach date, you asked me to become your boyfriend, and I accepted. You were over the moon, but I felt strange because we were now in a serious relationship while my whole identity was a lie.

The day I sat you down and told you who I was, who I really was, I was worried. I certainly wasn’t terrified, by any means, but I was anxious that you would simply laugh me off again and not take me seriously. I loved you so much, and I didn’t want to live a life of deceit. To your credit, you handled the news pretty well, at least at first. You said the more you thought about it, the more aspects of me made sense. The ever-hot skin. The shadows that protected us from the sun. The fact it was never truly dark when I was around. It made sense, and you accepted it. And then you started asking me the hard questions. How long would I live for? Was I immortal? Would you die before I did?

Would I give up my immortality for you? When I bluntly refused, the arguments started. Me being a deity hadn’t caused us problems before, but now you knew the truth it meant we couldn’t even have a normal conversation without the topic being brought up. Sure, I had been a Sun deity for centuries, but I couldn’t just give up this role I had been blessed with. You also weren’t willing to give in, either, saying I had virtually assimilated into human culture and should therefore be the one to change. After one particularly heated night of arguing, you said you loved me. I told you I didn’t love you back, and I still remember the way tears silently pooled in your eyes as you stared at me, begging me to say it wasn’t true. Which it wasn’t, of course it wasn’t Y/N, but the truth was at the time I didn’t think I loved you enough to give up my life.

The last time you said “I love you”, we were breaking up.

“I love you, but we can’t be together,” are the exact words you said. We were in my temple, sitting on the pew right in front of the statue where we’d first met, and we were breaking up. You were unwilling to give your life up for me, and I was unwilling to give my life up for you. I loved you so much, but it seemed like the only option. Your stubbornness and determination, which first attracted me to you, was now causing me so much heartache I thought my chest was going to rip in half. You only made things worse by the way you held me that evening, your hands in mine, and then your hands wrapping around my neck and pulling me close so you could place a soft kiss on my tear-stained cheek. That was the last time we talked to each other.

You stayed around in your town for a few months after our break up. I know, because I was always with you. Not physically, but my presence was always there. On the hot summer days with the sun beating down on you and your friends, in the extra stretch of shade that seemed perfectly shaped to fit you, in the bursts of hot air when the nights were particularly cold, I was there. And I know you knew I was too; the sad, regretful smile that graced your face said so much more than words ever could.

After we broke up, I heard of a phrase you mortals are particularly keen on: “absence makes the heart grow fonder.” Sure, and absence also makes the heart realise how fucking stupid it was to break yours.

I don’t know why you left town. Maybe it was to get a job in a bigger city, or to travel the country. Or maybe it was to get away from the constant reminder of us. Either way, you left without a word, and because I am essentially bound to my temple and the surrounding area, I couldn’t follow you. I still think about you daily, Y/N. I wonder where you are, what you’re doing, whether you would give me another chance. Your uncle’s farm is doing well, by the way. I make sure I check in every couple of weeks to make sure the ground is not too dry, and the plants are getting enough sunlight. The beach we used to visit is still as beautiful as ever. It’s a little more lonely without you by my side, though.

I miss you heaps, Y/N. That’s why I’m writing you this letter. I don’t know where you live now, so I doubt I’ll ever be able to send it to you. I never realised how monotonous my existence was until you left. I am worshipped by so many mortals, but they only come to me when they require something. And they never pray to me, at least not the real me I discovered when I was with you. You, however, came to me because you liked me - dare I say, because you loved me - and you saw me for my personality, not for what I could offer you. I constantly think about that day, the last time you said you loved me. I would do anything to go back and change the outcome, to go back and tell you that I would become mortal for you.

It’s been a few years since then, and I don’t even know whether you would want me back. We all make mistakes, Y/N, but by far my biggest mistake was losing you. I hope that, wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, you’re happy, and you think of me sometimes.

Forever regretful,

Donghyuck.

#neowritingsnet #cznnet #nct-writers #dreamwritersnet #nct #nct dream #nct 127 #haechan #haechan nct #nct haechan #lee donghyuck #haechan x reader #haechan imagine #haechan scenario #supernatural nct

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alexthedrummerboy · 3 years

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Crash Into Me

pairing: willex (willie/alex)

summary: Alex, Luke, Julie, and Reggie go bowling together. One problem: Alex is an awful bowler and accidentally throws his ball into the lane next to his. But that's not all: At that lane just happens to be Willie, the guy in Alex's math class who he's had a crush on for months.(aka the reason why Alex will never listen to Reggie's advice ever again)

notes: can i get a whoop whoop for posting my first ever jatp fic!! this isn’t based on anything but i got the idea for it when i went bowling with my mum and her husband’s extended family!! damn i haven’t written fanfiction that wasn’t glee in like............................months

also available on ao3!

Alex was good at many things.

He was a great drummer, for starters. And if Luke and Reggie were to be believed, he was also an awesome singer; he could even dance pretty well if given enough time to observe and practice. But one thing Alex definitely wasn't good at... was bowling.

Which was why he felt more than a little disgruntled to be standing outside The Neon Pins, flanked by Luke and Reggie who were holding onto his arms to make sure he didn't sprint away.

"I still don't get why we're here," he said as they walked into the building. "I thought you said you and Julie were gonna go bowling. Alone."

A light blush grew on Luke's face as they walked to the shoe rental counter together. "She invited all of us, bro."

"No, I'm pretty sure she just asked you," Alex muttered, smiling politely at the cashier behind the register. "I suck at bowling."

"You're not that bad," Reggie replied, resting his arm around Alex's shoulders before turning to the cashier and giving her all of their sizes (and a wink for good measure).

"Do you remember fifth grade?" Alex asked, taking a pair of 10 5/8s from the counter. "Jeremy Matthew's 10th birthday party at the bowl-a-rama?"

Luke winced. "When you got your fingers--"

"--stuck!" Alex finished for him. "Stuck in the ball! I had to go to the hospital!" He looked down at his hands, flexing his fingers uncomfortably. "And my fingers have only gotten bigger since then."

"Dude, you'll be fine," Luke replied, though it was clear he was no longer listening. "There's Julie. When we meet up with her, can you promise me you won't mention your weird finger story?"

Alex and Reggie shared a look. Despite his reservations, he nodded. He knew how important this was to Luke.

"Fine," he said. "I promise I won't embarrass you in front of your girlfriend."

Luke's cheeks turned bright red. "Wh... she... she's not my girlfriend!" he sputtered. He gave the both of them a frustrated look before turning around and walking to where Julie was waiting. She'd already put her shoes on and was sitting on one of the plastic chairs, looking down at her phone. Alex and Reggie chuckled before following close behind.

"Hey, Julie!" Luke said, practically bouncing on his toes.

Julie looked up, a bright smile taking over her features when she saw him. "Luke!" she said, looking just past his shoulder to where Alex and Reggie were standing. "...You brought the guys!"

Luke faltered. "Was that... not okay?"

Julie softened, shaking her head. "No, no, of course it's okay!" She hesitated before a small, more genuine smile grew on her face. "The more the merrier." She pocketed her phone and clapped her hands together, her smile morphing into an excited grin. Alex knew that grin well. It was the same grin he'd seen on her face when Carlos challenged her to a milk-chugging competition. Pure, unbridled competitiveness. "Let's do this thing."

They'd only been playing for four rounds and Alex had somehow managed to bowl four gutter-balls in a row.

Not that anyone but Reggie had noticed; Luke and Julie were both too enamoured with each other to even realise they were there. Alex smiled to himself as he watched Julie try and teach Luke how to bowl a strike.

His eyes drifted to the lane next to theirs where he spotted a familiar head of auburn hair. He narrowed his eyes. "Hey, guys," he said. Luke, Reggie, and Julie all turned to face him. "Isn't that Carrie?"

They all looked over.

"Oh, yeah," Luke said, a mischievous smile growing on his face. "Look who's with her."

Alex twisted his body around and promptly wished he hadn't; because walking towards Carrie's lane was Flynn, Nick, and most importantly... Willie Stewart. The same Willie Stewart who sat in front of Alex in their math class.

He'd turned around to ask Alex for a pencil once six months ago and Alex had harboured a tragic crush on him ever since.

Now, he was here. At the bowling alley. At the lane next to Alex's... where he would inevitably watch Alex humiliate himself.

The world was an incredibly cruel place.

"Hey, guys!" Julie said, waving towards the group. Alex turned to Julie, a pained expression on his face as Flynn, Carrie, Nick, and Willie turned away from the computer to acknowledge Julie.

Alex saw a carefree smile grow on Willie's face, and for a moment he briefly wondered if this was what having a heart attack felt like. What he did next made Alex go into full-on panic mode.

As their groups began to mingle, Willie broke apart from the crowd and began walking towards Alex. He could feel sweat gathering behind his knees.

"Hey, Hotdog!" Willie said, raising his fist for a bump. Alex returned it with a hesitant smile, furrowing his eyebrows.

"Uh..." he said softly, shuffling over to let Willie sit down beside him. "Hotdog?"

Willie chuckled. "Yeah, 'cause of that pencil you gave me," he said. "It had hotdogs all over it."

Alex raised his eyebrows, a blush rising on his cheeks. "The... the pencil! Right! That was... that was a gag gift from Reggie for my birthday last year," he said with an awkward chuckle. "You drop a hotdog on your shorts one time..." he trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck. "I-I didn't think you would remember that. Th-the pencil, I mean."

Willie scoffed, bumping their shoulders together. "'Course I remember."

Alex didn't respond. Couldn't, really. He was too entranced by the way Willie's soulful, soft brown eyes were staring directly into his. That was one of Alex's favourite things about Willie; his eyes. They were just as kind and expressive as the rest of him. Catching a glimpse of those dark irises was dangerous. He never wanted to look away.

Alex heard the distant sound of pins clattering in the distance, but he barely heard them over the sound of his own heart beating in his ears.

"Willie!"

Carrie's voice calling Willie over impatiently shook Alex out of his reverie. Willie smiled at him apologetically.

"Catch you later, Hotdog."

Alex watched as Willie walked to his own lane before looking away quickly, trying to hide his smile.

"Alex?"

He looked up to find Luke looking at him expectantly. He didn't like the cheeky look on his face. "What?"

"It's your turn," he said, nodding toward the monitor where Alex's name was flashing.

Alex sighed heavily, sneaking one last look towards Willie who'd long since looked away. He walked over to the rack and picked up a ball, bouncing it lightly in his hands.

There was a number on the front, but he didn't really pay attention to it; it was pink and that was all he really cared about. He slotted his fingers into the holes with a light wince before walking right up to the lane.

"You got this, bro!" he heard Reggie yell. "Just close your eyes and throw as hard as you can!"

Alex huffed out a quiet laugh as he turned the ball over in his hands. He couldn't possibly get any worse at this, he figured, so, he closed his eyes and gripped the ball tightly, swinging it forwards and backwards for a moment before throwing it as hard as he could.

He didn't open his eyes right away. All he heard was the sound of the ball bouncing against varnished wood, the sound of rolling, then...

Pins. Actual pins crashing against one another and falling to the ground.

He'd hit the pins.

Alex opened his eyes and blinked a few times, trying to readjust to the alley's gaudy neon colour scheme before looking at his pins... all ten of which were still standing.

So... who's pins had he heard fall? And where was his ball?

It took Alex a moment to register the laughter coming from behind him. He turned around and faced Luke, Reggie, and Julie.

Luke and Reggie were laughing so hard their cheeks were turning red. Julie at least had the decency to try and stifle her giggles behind her hand.

"What?!" Alex exclaimed, a horrible feeling swirling in his stomach. Had he thrown the ball backwards by accident? Or worse: had he hit someone?

"Dude," Reggie said breathlessly. "When I said 'close your eyes and throw as hard as you can', I didn't think you'd actually do it!"

Luke sat up, tears forming in his eyes as he clutched his stomach. "Di-did you see it b-bounce?!" the question was so hilarious to him that it sent him into a new bout of laughter.

Alex could feel heat rising up the back of his neck. "Okay, so what? I-I got another gutter-ball!"

"Oh, you didn't get a gutter-ball, bro," Luke said between giggles. "You got a strike!"

Alex furrowed his eyebrows. "A-A strike?" he asked. "Isn't that good?"

Julie snorted before nodding to the side. "Alex, the ball." She looked over at the lane next to theirs. "The ball landed in Willie's lane."

Oh, God.

Oh, fuck.

Alex slowly turned to his right where he could now see Willie was standing, a ball in his hand and a very amused smirk on his face.

"Uh..." Alex stammered.

Willie chuckled and put his ball down. "Thanks for uh... bowling for me, Hotdog." He pointed at the monitor. "I'm winning, thanks to you."

Alex swallowed nervously, feeling embarrassment coating every inch of him like thick, wet paint. "I... I'm gonna..." he cleared his throat and pointed toward the general direction of the snack bar before taking off as fast as he could walk without sprinting.

This day couldn't get any worse.

He walked up to the snack bar and ordered a soda breathlessly, pulling a loose $5 bill from his pocket and smacking it against the counter. He took the can once it was given to him and took a healthy swig, trying to focus on the feeling of tiny carbonated bubbles popping against his tongue. He slammed the can down and grunted, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

He hated Luke for putting him in this situation... okay, he didn't hate Luke, he was just very frustrated. And embarrassed, definitely embarrassed.

"Hey!"

Are you kidding me?

Alex turned around and saw Willie walking towards him, looking every bit as attractive and adorable as he had just now after he'd haphazardly thrown his ball into Willie's lane (something that sounded so ridiculous in Alex's head that he would've laughed if he didn't want to sink into a very deep hole). "Hey," he replied, loosening his grip on his soda can as Willie approached the table he was standing at. "Um... how's it goin'?"

Willie smiled and tucked a strand of hair behind his ear. Alex tried not to watch too intently, eyes flickering between Willie's hand and the table. "I mean... pretty well," he said with a laugh. "What about you?"

Alex winced and looked up slowly. When he locked eyes with Willie, he didn't see any mirth or mischief; he didn't even see pity. He just saw that same look of kindness that always seemed to rest on Willie's face. He relaxed his shoulders and allowed himself to smile more genuinely. "I've been better," he said with a self-deprecating chuckle. "I'm sorry I threw my ball into your lane."

Willie shrugged, placing his elbows on the table and leaning toward Alex. He was close enough that Alex could get a light whiff of coconut shampoo. "Don't worry about it, man. It happens to the best of us." Alex gave him an incredulous look before he broke down into a giggle. "Okay, so... it doesn't. Maybe you should stick to drumming."

That comment gave Alex pause. He'd only ever had short conversations with Willie in the past; about their homework, tests, stationary... Alex had never mentioned his band during any of those. He raised his eyebrows minutely. "How did you know I played the drums?"

Willie looked away. The playful smile on his face was replaced by a softer one, more bashful. It was adorable. "I uh... I saw your band play last week at Eats and Beats," he said. "... I may have also seen you guys play a few months ago at Julie's party... and again at The Hollywood Ghost Club."

Alex's mouth dropped into a small, surprised 'o'. Willie had seen him play? Had seen him sing?! And he hadn't mentioned it until now? "Oh! I-I didn't know you... you were there?"

Willie nodded, his smile growing wider. "Yeah."

"You could've told me," Alex said lightly, swiping one finger down the side of the soda can nervously. "I would've loved to see you there."

"I..." Willie shrugged and looked at Alex softly. "We've never really seen each other outside of math class. I didn't wanna make things weird, I guess."

"It wouldn't have."

They looked at each other for a moment. As their eyes locked in the middle of the crowded bowling alley, suddenly all other voices fell away. Nobody mattered except the two of them. Alex couldn't help the grin that grew on his face as he saw Willie's hand move just the slightest bit closer to his own in his periphery. He took the plunge and slid his hand forward too until the tips of their fingers were touching.

"So, um..." Alex said quietly, purposefully not looking at their hands. "Do you like bowling?"

Willie threw his head back and laughed joyfully. The sound was like music to Alex's ears. He never wanted to listen to anything else ever again. "To be honest?" he said, "I'd rather be at the skate park or hanging with my sisters." He paused before moving his hand until it was fully under Alex's, his long fingers curling gently around Alex's palm. "Or hanging out with... someone else."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." Willie smirked, looking down at their hands. He moved his thumb back and forth against Alex's knuckle. The light touch filled Alex's chest with warmth and an energy he hadn't felt before.

"Do you maybe wanna get out of here?" Alex asked suddenly, looking up into Willie's eyes. "Maybe eat somewhere that doesn't smell like bleach and old shoes?"

Willie grinned. "Totally."

#alex jatp #willie jatp #julie and the phantoms #willex #jatp fanfic #willex fic #booboo stewart #owen patrick joyner #julie molina #Luke Patterson #reggie jatp #writing tag

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lorei-writes · 3 years

Text

Fairy Tales for Bedtime

The King of Liars

Shingen x MC Fantasy AU (Fairy Tale-ish) Choose Your Own Ending*

Ahh, it’s finally done! I don’t even know what to say, other than I’m so happy. I can barely see now, because I wanted to edit it instantly after I finished writing it and then post it. Allow me to invite you into a fantasy setting of yet another type. You won’t regret it.

*- Fluff or Angst

Word Estimate: 4.5k

Content Warnings: kidnapping, food (main); none (Dream ending); death (Nightmare Ending)

Sweet wind played with her hair, clementine mist extending its reach over to the terrace, dispersing through air like ink droplets submerged in water. Her hands resting atop the railing, her feet rose above the ground – she could have sworn Shingen had to hold back a gasp, her upper body tilting forward as if she was about to fall. She stopped, however, only gazing into the depths below them, starts seemingly calling out to her. “They’re beautiful,” she whispered, the gentle hum of the sky cushioning her voice. “Would you want to see them from up close?” Soles of her shoes clacked against the tiles, her skirt swirling as she turned to face him. “Could you do that?” One foot on the railing, Shingen pushed himself up. Without losing his balance, he leaned forward and offered her his hand, the words she wanted to hear leaving his lips. “I don’t know.” Yes, of course.

Long, long ago, when seas of grass heaved undisturbed by human influence, it was still believed that summer solstice held a special kind of power. It was celebrated as such, flames higher than trees attempting to touch the night sky while laughter flew abundantly over rivers, flower crowns being carried downstream. As day touched the night, humans seemed to awaken, pushing past the borders of the unsafe darkness, their voices daring to pierce through the harmonious buzzing of the forests. For an untrained ear, it would seem silence didn’t exist then, that it was banished outside the borders of the human realm and replaced by joy… Yet it lurked somewhere else, somewhere where the slightest mistake could be paid with the greatest of prices.

She stared into the well, silver moonlight being reflected at her from below. She breathed in deeply. Air seemed to electrify, prompted by her chants. “Mirror, mirror from below, Tell me tales I shouldn’t know, Show me days that are to come, Mirror, mirror, hear my call.” The water bubbled, a whirlwind appearing in the very centre of it, colours beginning to separate on its surface. She leaned it closer, her eyes shining with curiosity, images of the future forming to answer her pleas. Her lungs begged for the air, not even a breath being invited into them as she strived to stay perfectly still. Just a little longer, just until she saw it, and then she’d be able to let it go, to let time flow the way it’s supposed to…

A leaf flew past her head, swirling in the air before being sucked into the well, her eyelids twitching as she failed to stop them from moving. Her eyes opened wider as terror overtook her. She sprung back, her clothing already twisting, pulling her towards the water. She tore it – to no avail, her entire body being swallowed with force she couldn’t oppose. In her descent, she turned around, lush greenery emerging from the silver water, sliding up the walls of the well as if to cushion her fall. A scream died in her throat, consumed by everlasting silence that seemed to have taken a permanent residence within her.

The world around her morphed, initially fading into darkness and then erupting into a sea of vivid streaks. Trees hung suspended in the air, endless ocean of azure spreading far below her, carnivorous clouds rushing underneath the surface of the water. Sun chasing them around, they took shelter in reefs of long branches extending from above, phasing through the jewels growing in place of leaves. The reality slowly making itself known to her, she began to panic, her hands combing through the air in a desperate attempt to find anything to grasp onto. Her heart stopped – the sky exploded in pink mist, its edges spilling in various ripples around her.

“A human? Poor soul,” a voice vibrated through her.

Initially stunned, few things escaped her attention, her body only later catching onto the change in its position. Buzzing in her ears drowning out all sounds, she hid her face behind her arms, her eyes suddenly beginning to burn. She coughed – and just as it started, it was over, her head spinning as she snapped it to look up. She shouted, her body jolting back, strong hands keeping her in an embrace. “You don’t want to fall? Keep on doing that,” the person laughed, huge irises in shade of lime green piercing though her. Instect-like wings fluttered behind their back, colours of the sunrise being seemingly enchanted in the thin membrane spreading between each resemblant of a bone part. “Azla!” another voice called. “King said not to bring any new spoils back. Just let her fall.” “The clouds aren’t hungry,” they whined. “What a pleasant time, really.” “I’ll gladly listen to your problems later, please, pour your heart out.” Her arms trembled, her gaze travelling from her captor to the man, confusion flooding her senses. A pointy nose almost brushed against her cheek, ultramarine hair falling onto her face. “You’re kinda cute. You make me want to eat you.” “Please, do,” the person holding her replied. “Now.” She winced, yet no harm came her way, wind beginning to hum in her ears anew.

The travel was fast, fast enough to be both deafening and blinding, pushing her further into a state of deep confusion. Lost and certain only of the fact that the rules had been broken, she did not even attempt to look around, the watercolour-like mists with acidic smell being sufficiently dooming for her mind. The world could have very well frozen, time nearly stopping as she struggled to stay in touch with reality, her heart racing – and only beginning to pick up its pace after they landed. An ivory palace emerged from a forest of vermilion roots, wide trunk extending deep into the navy sky below them, shining starts losing themselves in orange reefs of branches during their never-ending chase. Undisturbed by any predatory moons, they adapted different tactics, some staying in constellations while others opted for a solitary hunt, burning bright as to provide the light for the palace, membranous windows allowing for it to sneak inside. Her captors setting her down, she trembled, soles of her shoes clacking against the glass ground. She focused, willing her mind to take a step forward – yet she stayed still, her body refusing to obey any of her commands. A hand fell onto her shoulder. “Backwards, take your time,” Azla demanded. “I...I can’t,” she forced out, a knot tying itself inside of her throat. The fairy groaned in reply, pinching the bridge of their nose as their gaze focused on the ground. “Feet, pretty please, carry the guest to our King, thank you, have a nice time and enjoy your day.”

Charmed, she rushed forward, barely managing to hold her back upright, each step bringing her closer to collapse. Exempt from her will, her legs acted on their own, speeding past the castle guards and then through the halls, azure carpets eventually disappearing as ornaments became sparser, wood replacing the ivory. Golden window frames turning to metal, gusts of wind snuck inside, each floor being less resemblant of a rich palace than the previous one – until she finally reached the very top of the estate, the last corridor leading directly to what seemed to be a wall taken out of a completely different building. Rather frugal and solid, balks rested firmly atop each other, a door standing in her way. Fearing her feet may not stop, she leaned forward to knock and press the handle, as not to let herself get hurt.

Her body passed the doorstep, her legs instantly collapsing under her weight, no longer supported by magic. Her lungs burning after the run, she breathed in deeply, too tired to notice the pair of grey eyes staring at her from over the table. “What do we have here?” the human-looking person hummed, causing her to snap her head up. Scared, she tried to get out, the door closing behind her back. “An angel? Please, allow me to soothe your worry, you are completely safe now.” “Who are you?” “I am the one in control of the entire realm, the king… Although just for you, I’d suggest using ‘Shingen’ instead,” he explained, offering her a hand. She accepted it, still too shaken to question an existence of another human in the land of the fairies, much less his position or role – and only once she was standing by herself again, did she notice the hem of his sleeve rolling up, burnt sienna marks creeping up the man’s forearm, something deep within his skin shining like copper.

***

The days passed, her existence being contained to the borders of the king’s quarters. Initially assuming she’d meet her end there shortly, she opted to stay by herself, the solitude of the room assigned to her providing her with an odd sense of comfort. Much to her surprise, however, nobody came, only the low humming daring to sneak inside during each meal time, the king himself setting a tray in front of her door. At first, she guessed it would be poisoned… Yet there was little difference in dying from starvation or as a result of a scheme, if anything the latter being preferable in its length. Desperate, she gathered her courage to taste the food.

It was safe, although perhaps a bit too savoury for her liking, some vegetables being additionally somewhat overcooked. She accepted it regardless, her stomach ceasing to growl for the first time in days – and her mouth watered as she reached for the cake, the pastry being perfect in its taste. Encouraged, she gathered the dishes and set them outside, still too cautious to let herself be lured out for longer.

The pattern repeated for few weeks, her senses slowly beginning to adapt to the unusual movement of the sun and the eternal day. Feeling she might be prepared to learn of what was to happen to her, she got up from her bed and walked to the door, ready to open it… A knock came from the other side. “Can we talk?” Shingen asked. “Y-Yeah,” she stuttered.

Following her host, she walked down the corridor, taking careful note of the paintings hanging over the walls, the frames being seemingly out of place. Having seated himself in one of the armchairs, Shingen gestured at her to rest too. He rolled up his sleeves, symmetrical markings spreading up his skin – her eyes widened. “I thought you were a human…” she spoke absent-mindedly. “Have I ever said that? Few humans have managed to live here before, yet I am not one of them.”A faint smile appeared over his face, as if he tried to comfort her. “I… I see. What will happen to me?” “Plenty and precisely nothing.” “I think I don’t understand.” “The well will open in a year and one day, counting from the day of your arrival. I will arrange new quarters for you.” “That’s… That’s not necessary!” she exclaimed, rising her hands in a protective gesture. “I am fine living here.” “Oh, I insist. This year will most likely be a long one for you,” he hummed, something shining deep within his eyes. She did not look close then, though, completely convinced that opposing his command would cost her dearly. As such, she retreated into her room once more.

However, no change happened, Shingen only inviting her to explore his quarters, his private room excluded. She asked for explanation, yet got no reply, her reach slowly expanding until she had seen all parts of the castle at least once. During one such trip, when she ventured out onto the terrace to watch the sentient stars, a fairy landed by her side. “Boo!” Azla exclaimed, his wings fluttering happily as she jumped. “Azla!” Botchka scolded him, soon finding himself by their side. He turned towards her. “My lady, please punish this...Person of the greatest intellect,” he ground through his teeth, causing her to laugh. “Apologies accepted. Or should I say, ‘perish’? I have noticed some of you seem to speak in opposites… But it is different with the king. I don’t think I have it quite figured out…” she trailed off, hoping they’d provide her with enough information to resolve her confusion. “Fairies must speak only truth and king is the only one able to make it sound like an utter and complete lie,” Botchka answered without a hint of hesitation, reaching to entwine his fingers with Azla’s. “For example: I absolutely hate this great, scholarly personality.” “I won’t make a cat poop in your shoes for that,” they muttered, unmoved by the confession.

The woman nodded in reply. “So it’s that simple? I wonder then…”

***

Her suspicions having been confirmed, she chose to learn more, asking the king whether he’d mind if she joined him during the meals. He disagreed, which she assumed was a sign she should try regardless, preparing the table for the both of them. She glanced curiously at him. No reaction. As such, she brought out the stew and the dessert, soon reaching for the bowls to fill them – and yet, one disappeared straight out of her hand, Shingen suddenly materialising in his spot and cutting himself a hefty slice of cake. Content, he sat down, already digging into the crust as she laughed: “This isn’t really a balanced diet.” “I presume you’re right, my angel. After all, I consume human food for the nutritional value alone… Yet I can’t seem to stop myself.” Not quite, my angel. I don’t consume human food for nutritional reasons… Although I could have spared that piece of cake, she tried to understand. “Fairies eat different things? Then why bother with human stuff?” “I’d rather save that story for another time,” Shingen stated, smiling a polite smile. I’d prefer not to share the reason as to why. The woman nodded in reply, her brows knitting together. Her face relaxing a moment later, she rose her gaze and looked at him, the corners of her mouth curling up. At least she was beginning to adapt.

It seemed each day their talks lasted longer, soon exceeding past the meals, the empty plates listening in to the joyous laughter and words of explanation, sometimes hours past their serving time, the king only taking note of them once the next meal came. The dining table soon losing its role of being the bridge between them, it was released from its duty, the pair moving to the living room – and when that ceased to suffice too, they opted to stroll around the castle, her eyes gleaming with curiosity as he revealed the secrets of the fairy realm to her.

Words were unreliable, all things he could have told her being too heinous as lies, the sweetest thought having to turn into poison if it were to leave his mouth. As such, he did not dare speak, instead guiding her with his eyes, her breathing hitching at every stolen glance. Carefully, Shingen took a step forward, the initial fall stopping as platform emerged below his feet. Shingen looked up, his lips parting, but he hesitated to talk. “Yes, please,” she whispered in reply, his hands finding themselves onto her waist as he lifted her. Perhaps it was just a habit, perhaps she forgot herself, her arms crossing behind his neck – and she could not avert her gaze, her body pressed to his, her tiptoes hoovering just above the ground. Her blood started to rush, familiar tenderness sneaking into the grey irises for a split second – yet it was over so very soon, black lashes falling to hide it away as Shingen set her down. With a gesture of a hand, he urged her to go forward, the next platform being only a step away. Silently, she did as instructed, entwining her fingers with his once more. Slowly, they descended to the very border of the night sky.

She saw the light – only a moment more, Shingen setting the last platform in place. The woman swallowed thickly, releasing a deep breath out of her lungs a second later, unwilling to let her fears hold her back. His hand resting atop her arm, she looked from Shingen to the very sky below them, air being ocean-like in its structure, licking the edges of their step – only to evaporate in pleasant breezes, carrying up smells of fruit, flowers and summer days. Notified of their presence, a myriad of stars swam their way, crowding at the edges of their shelter, sparkly tails following them through the depths. The woman crouched town – and much to her surprise, the king knelt by her side, dipping his hands into the fabric of the sky. Seemingly playful, celestial bodies swarmed to them, as if begging to be invited into his palm, few that got inside buzzing against his skin excitedly. He trapped them inside with his other hand.

The king straightened his back, the droplets at his fingers bursting into the scent of sandal tree. “I… I wouldn’t dare to ask you to hold your hands out,” he let out. Blush spreading over her cheeks, she did as he asked – and he opened his fingers, the smallest universe she had ever seen falling into her grasp. She gasped, her eyes shining brightly. She looked up at him. “On any other day, I’d like to have it back… But since tomorrow is the last day of your stay here, I suppose I’d like for it to be the one thing to remind you of the fairy realm.” Her eyes crinkled. “Liar. I’d rather take something else,” she chuckled, leaning forward… He touched his finger to her lips, an odd sense of hurt dimming his eyes. “No,” he grunted, the markings on his forearms lighting up, his face growing paler. The sky crept onto the platform. Shingen rose to his feet fast, pulling her up by her hand. “We could stay a little longer, on some other day. On any other day.” We must go. She did not understand the rest.

They ran up the platforms, each step being shakier than the previous one – until they reached the terrace, Shingen collapsing to his knees, his back pressing against the railing as he clutched onto his chest. She dropped next to him, pressing onto his shoulders to get a better look at his face, liquid copper flowing below the skin of his hands. “Shingen?” “I’m fine.” It hurts. “How bad?” “Not at all.” It can’t be described. “What should I do?” “Stay.” Leave me to myself. “I can’t. I will take you to your room, okay?” “No.” Yes.

Her shoulders supporting his weight, they hurried back inside, the corridors seemingly shortening themselves as to let them reach his quarters sooner. She pushed the door to his personal room open, helping him to sit on the bed. “Any medicine?” “Left drawer.” “Right!” she thought aloud, already rushing to open it and search through its contents. She almost froze, a solitary bottle of human medicine staring at her – yet she did not let herself waste any time, instantly turning around with it in her hand. She unscrewed the lid, pouring the liquid into it and soon pressing it against his lips. Shingen drunk hurriedly.

The king fell onto his back, copper shining withing the markings growing calmer to eventually completely subside and resume peaceful slumber. “Why do you have human medicine?” she asked. “Why, indeed…” Shingen panted, his face relaxing. “I want to know.” “I will tell you on the last day of your stay.” I won’t ever be able to tell you. The woman frowned, her feet carrying her towards the corridor. “Well then,” she huffed. “I will make you.” The door closed behind her back.

Her night wasn’t a peaceful one, no dreams daring to come her way as she tossed from side to side. Uncertain whether she felt more concern or anger, she got up, the clock having struck a quarter past midnight. She shook her head, letting the thought of rest go freely. Hoping to at least calm her mind, she got up, her feet carrying her to the very terrace they… What exactly had they done the prior night? Explored? Spoke? She laughed to herself – how truly odd was this world, submerged in deep navy yet also bright, sunken in light. She could not even classify it in any clear category, her mind failing her at understanding the nature and what happened to her alike. Wings fluttered behind her. She turned around.

Azla and Botchka landed, gazing at each other in solemn silence. Puzzled, she irked a quizzical brow at them. “Is something a matter?” she asked. “No.” Yes, Botchka replied. “We certainly did not want to talk.” “It’s only that we felt obliged to,” Azla gulped. The woman leaned against railing, her fingers growing white as she clutched on it. “Well, I’m all ears.” The fairies glanced at each other once more. “Do not listen to us at all.” Listen to all we say very carefully. “We can repeat ourselves.” We won’t repeat it. “The well opens precisely one day after the solstice,” Azla stated, turning their attention towards their partner. “The well opens precisely one day before the solstice.” The woman frowned, her eyes growing wider in fear. “It opens today.” “It hasn’t already.” It already has. She gritted her teeth, her heart beginning to beat faster. “Thanks, I think I must talk with somebody now,” she blurted out, breaking into a run.

She understood, fairies lie – yet she also knew Shingen was very well capable of suggesting where the deception began. Fearing he may send her away without giving her the chance to talk one last time, she knocked onto his door, opening it before he could react. Her heart sunk – he was there, lying in bed and basked in the light that somehow felt dark, his skin pale as his face twisted in pain, his hands grasping onto the sheets. She ran up to the drawer, her fingers curling around the familiar medicine bottle.

Empty.

Dream:

Content Warnings: none

Slowly, she sat down by his side, her fingers pushing damp from sweat hair out of his face. “You’re burning up,” she noted bitterly, her lips brushing against his forehead. “You have been unwell all this time. And you’ve never told anybody, have you?” “It’s only solstice,” he rasped. “Huh?” “It’s only solstice. It makes our worlds touch… And then… Humans were not meant to live in this realm –” A cough tore through his chest. “But you’re not a human,” she noted, letting her fingers stroke his cheek. She shook her head. “And all you say are lies. How am I to trust any of that?” “Not fully, not yet… The solstice… The solstice allows for truths to be said without a punishment.” Her lips pressed into a thin line, she nodded. She reached to hold his hand in hers. “I want to trust you,” she whispered. “So I will… And if this world is hurting you… Come. Come with me.” “I can’t.” “Why?” “If I’m not here… If something goes wrong… The well may close before you pass. I don’t know what will happen to you then.” To his surprise, she stayed calm, emotion draining away from her voice. “Then what should I do to get back?” “Stay still… And recite your spell, starting from the last verse…”

Silence fell thick between them, the woman eventually moving to stand up. “Thank you. Thank you for everything,” she uttered, seemingly accepting his wish. Slowly, she stepped into the centre of the room, her eyes fixated onto the last drop of medicine in the bottle. Her chest rose as she breathed in deeply, her eyes electrifying. “Mirror, mirror, hear my call, Show me days that are to come, Tell me tales I shouldn’t know, Mirror, mirror – ” Strong winds broke out, drowning out her words, her clothing beginning to twist as an overwhelming force began to swallow her. The king smiled – in his defeat that happened to be a lesser victory…

Shingen blinked fast, the pain in his chest lessening as his hands grew transparent. Her voice vibrated through his mind, sending chills down his spine. “ – save my love,” she spoke, the incantation being complete.

***

Buzzing in his head grew stronger, each breath filling his lungs with an unfamiliar substance – something he both craved and couldn’t identify. Shingen opened his eyes slowly, black sky, so unlike anything he had ever seen before, spreading above his head. He blinked fast, the events of the night reawakening themselves in his mind – he shot up, frantically looking from side to side until his gaze fell over her body. Fearing the worst, he rushed to her, his knees failing him.

Gently, he turned her onto her back, cradling her head as not to cause any harm – and he leaned down, hoping that she was still alive. Her breath tickling his cheek, he sunk back down, waves of relief flooding him on the inside. “The stars…” she mumbled, seemingly awoken from her slumber. “Yes, my angel? What about the stars?” “I could never tire of watching them,” she giggled weakly, tiredness sounding off in her voice. “And yet they can’t measure up to even a fraction of your beauty.” “Cruel, aren’t you?” Shingen propped himself on his elbow and gazed down at her, the faint gleam in his eyes proving her wrong. “It is the truth.” Her hand cupped his cheek, the fever she felt seemingly only a moment ago having disappeared completely. “Then… Would you mind giving me the one thing I wanted then?” she asked, although the answer was already known, they lips being mere inches apart. She gasped as they collided, her wish coming true– and she couldn’t have helped thinking it was dearer than the universe he had granted her then.

Nightmare:

Content Warnings: implied impending major character death.

Slowly, she sat down by his side. “You’re ill and you haven’t told anybody, have you?” she spoke in an empty voice, her hands clutching onto the empty bottle. “It will pass,” he rasped. It won’t, she understood. “If… If it’s terminal… Can I help you?” she uttered, looking away as not to let him see her despair. A shadow of surprise swept over his face – and then he realised, she did not know he could tell truth for once, during that one special day a year. “No.” Yes. “I wish I would never hear those words… Could you erase them with a song?” “A song?” she hummed. “Any song?” “From the human realm… I was always curious… What do you sing to get into my domain?”

She laughed bitterly, her head shaking as she swept her hair forward. “Mirror, mirror from below, Tell me tales I shouldn’t know, Show me days that are to come, Mirror, mirror, hear my call,” she started, her voice breaking a few times. A moment of pause. “It… It does go on like so,” she sobbed – and it shattered his heart, as he knew she was convinced it could be the end. “Mirror, mirror, hear my call, show me days that are to come, tell me tales I shouldn’t know, mirror mirror from below – ”

Silence consumed her voice. She grasped onto her throat, unaware of what she had done – and then she looked at him, her lips parting to say “no” as his turned into an apologetic smile. “I lied to you one last time,” the king admitted. The universe around her twisted, collapsed onto itself… She was gone.

Tag list: @datenoriko, @nad-zeta, @tsubaki3192, @missjudge-me, @ikemencrossedmyth, @nuttytani, @thesirenwashere, @milas-imaginarium, @kisara-16, @yukas-clover, @alerialumina , @cheese-ception , @iamryxx, @cottonfluffballofdoom, @ozziegrl71, @silhouette-of-a-dream If you want to be tagged under my future works, let me know (any way works)! ^^ Also, if you have some preferences (for example: you’d rather not be tagged under some series, etc.), please, tell me. If you don’t want to be tagged anymore - please, do not feel bad about it, just say so :)

#shingen takeda #ikesen shingen #ikemen sengoku shingen #ikesen #ikemen sengoku #ikemen series #my ff #my writing

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jjadegreen · 4 years

Text

FUGO ZEPPELI FUGO ZEPPELI FUGO ZEP—

Fair warning for part 5 spoilers!!!

Ok I’ve read plenty of fics where a member of the gang is a Zeppeli (my favourites being Bruno and Fugo) but MAN... I know Bruno makes more logical sense (as he dies which is Zeppeli tradition) but I really like the idea of Fugo being the Zeppeli!!! Aughhh!! So here’s my Fugo-Zeppeli headcanons!

also I haven’t read PHF yet so there’s divergence from that!!! I’m sorry I’ll do it at some point I swear :,)

-Starting off, I like the idea of Fugo being directly related to Caesar even though that would be pretty impossible. Like, theoretically Caesar could’ve gotten a girl pregnant by accident before dying but then there’d be no way for Fugo to know his true family history!!!! So definitely one of Caesar’s siblings is his grandparent.

-Fugo’s mom would be the Zeppeli descendant- it would be her maiden name. Since it’s a little more common for the mans last name to be taken (especially more in the past) she’d end up taking her husbands name.

-Fugo knows his mom’s maiden name is Zeppeli but literally just doesn’t care. Who cares about their parents maiden name?

-He knows one of his great-uncles got crushed to death by a rock but that’s the only interesting thing he was told.

-Of course he can use hamon- would it really be a Zeppeli jobro without hamon?

-he doesn’t understand that it’s hamon at first though. He definitely assumes it’s a weird stand thing. Mostly because that’s what Bucciarati tells him it is.

-“Bucciarati? Something super weird just happened! I was training and my hands started doing this weird thin-”

“It’s a stand thing.”

-Fugo doesn’t ever use it because it seems to happen “randomly” (because he can’t seem to understand it’s a breathing thing) so he just shrugs it off

-Once Giorno’s extended family comes to visit it gets weird though

-Fugo meets all of the Joestars and they are all very... strange, to say the least.

-there’s a saggy old man who likes causing trouble which ticks Fugo off, but he’s definitely not allowed to make a bad first impression on Giorno’s family.

-Fugo is getting more irritated every second he spends with this family so he just tries to take some deep breaths to calm down.

-there’s a sudden jolt of Hamon, and it’s really tiny so no one notices...

-except that saggy old man- Joseph Joestar.

-Joseph gets quite excited when he sees the unmistakable spark of Hamon.

-so he starts up a conversation, and it’s stilted and awkward at first, but Joseph is quite the charmer.

-somehow the conversation turns towards the joestar family history (fugo tries to keep his poker face but he’s in awe at how cool the whole family sounds) and Joseph mentions his greatest friend, Caesar Zeppeli.

-of course Fugo freaks out internally

-he asks if Caesar is still alive, but Joseph shakes his head.

-“Caesar died to save me.. to save the world.”

-“Did he die in battle, then?”

-Fugo knows he’s definitely asking too many questions but he’s so damn curious.

-“I suppose. He was crushed by an enormous rock-”

-Fugo gasps quietly but definitely audibly and a little too loud. Joseph just stares at him.

-so Fugo begins to explain his mother’s maiden name, and how one of his great uncles was crushed by a rock

-Joseph is even more excited now because not only did he find someone with the gift of Hamon, he found a Zeppeli.

-the rest of the week that the Joestars spend visiting giorno, fugo and Joseph spend training

-“If I was able to become a Hamon master In 30 days, you can become competent in a week!”

-The week ends with Fugo being dumped in the hell climb pillar off the coast of Venice and just left there

-He did end up climbing it though!

-After Joseph leaves Fugo continues training his Hamon

-every time he finds out something new about Hamon he definitely only talks about that all day

-Trish and Giorno find it kind of adorable, how passionate he is like a 4 year old talking about trucks

-Mista is blatantly jealous that Fugo got such a cool ability

-Fugo is also very happy because now he has cool family members to brag about

-He talks about Baron Zeppeli and Caesar all the time and how cool they were

-If he goes on for too long Giorno will bite back with something cool Jonathan did and Fugo will have lost the cool relatives contest

-After getting more confidence in his Hamon fugo starts using it to make battles look even more showy, especially when dealing with non-stand users

-At one point Giorno was attacked in a restaurant and Fugo made a big show turning their spaghetti noodles into tiny weapons with Hamon

-They beat the guy pretty easily (considering the fact he wasn’t a stand user and the pasta noodles poking out of his eyes) and mista was definitely salty after

“I could’ve just dragged him outside and shot him.”

“Mista, using magic sunlight powers to permanently damage someone’s eyes with pasta is way cooler than a gun.”

-Fugo became surprisingly close with not just Joseph, but Josuke as well

-Josuke is the kind of person who can be friends with anyone, and he definitely inherited his fathers charm

-Joseph became a mentor to Fugo, teaching him about Hamon whenever they got the chance

-For Joseph, it was a chance to pass on the knowledge of Hamon

-For fugo, it was just nice to have a sort of mentor after losing Bucciarati

-Training was good to make him stronger, but it also helped numb the pain.

-After Fugo became quite confident in his Hamon, Joseph gave him a gift

-If we’re thinking anime colours, Joseph’s scarf from part 2.

-Manga colours, same idea, but Lisa Lisa’s red scarf instead

-Color schemes are important, ok?!

-you better believe he adds that scarf to his outfit and wears it every day

-Joseph also teaches him how to use the scarf as a Hamon weapon so it’s not only a sweet gesture, but a cool weapon as well.

-Although he still goes by Fugo, he’s a Zeppeli in his heart

THAT WAS LONGER THAN I EXPECTED!!!

I’ve got so many ideas for this it’s just so fun to think about!

If you enjoy these types of posts let me know! And if you have your own Fugo Zeppeli (or any other member of the gang as a Zeppeli) headcanons, I would love to hear them! <3

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fnibbet · 3 years

Text

MY THOUGHTS ON THE NEW WANDAVISION EPISODE

Don’t click the cut if you don’t want spoilers, I won’t be shy with them, neither are they in chronological order. I’m not that good at theorizing but I’m just putting what I noticed out there.

PIETRO

Pietro is definitely not the Pietro we know. He is way too self aware, constantly refers to life outside of Westview, and as expected, has selective amnesia. Wanda directly asks about childhood memories of their own Halloweens, and he doesn’t answer correctly. Also, the line “you probably suppressed a lot of the trauma”. ohohoh. There is definitely something off, but he’s the couch surfer, good-with-kids, troublemaker uncle we expected, which I can excuse.

HOWEVER

“I’m just trying to do my part, okay? Come to town unexpectedly, create tension with the brother-in-law, stir up trouble with the rugrats, and ultimately give you grief. I mean, that’s what you wanted, isn’t it?” Also, “Next thing I know I heard you calling me” this is pretty disturbing. Who called him to Westview? Wanda says she did, but doesn’t know how she did it. Her reaction to him coming back just proves more she’s just a puppet to a higher power. Who?

“Why do you look different?” Wanda is not the one who recast Pietro.

“If I see any funny business I’m going to magic you into a pickled herring” Is Wanda referring to the “red herring” writing tool? Is Pietro just a distraction? It would make sense given her color scheme is all about red... Let’s see if I’m right. Other than that it’s a funny gag.

LITERALLY EVERYTHING PIETRO SAYS IS DISTURBING AND/OR SHOWS HIS AWARENESS OF THE SITUATION.

OTHER WESTVIEW RESIDENTS

Several other Westview residents seemingly become aware of the situation; Wanda’s control is slipping. Herb asks, “Is there something I can do for you? Do you want something changed?” possibly referring to the whole simulation, not the neighborhood watch rounds on Halloween.

Agnes is scared. She is DEFINITELY NOT Mephisto or the one controlling the simulation. Vision snapped her from Wanda’s control, nothing fell apart, she was terrified.

Speaking of Agnes: there is a parallel to 1x03 “Now In Colour” wherein Agnes hesitates before telling Vision he’s dead. “Because we’re all...” “Because we’re all what?” becomes a parallel to Vision saying “Because I’m what?”. All in all pretty disturbing, this could point to a theory in which all the Westview residents are either dead or blipped but didn’t come back. However I’m pointing for dead or just missing, because there was nothing mentioned about missing people after the blipped were brought back in other movies. Marvel is notoriously bad about handling the consequences of the blip though, so I’m not holding my breath.

“Huh... These people, near the edge of town...They're barely moving. Are they alive?” Jimmy inadvertently says the most horrifying things...

THE TWINS

One of the twins has super speed, the other, reality-bending powers and telepathy. “A chip off the old Maximoff block” indeed.

WANDA: And please just remember to-- BOTH: Don't go past Ellis Avenue. We know, Mom. We know. Ellis Avenue is the edge of town, and the theory that kids can’t be mind controlled is proven correct: Agnes’ comment about that is mirrored. Wanda has apparently told the twins repeatedly to not go past Ellis Avenue. She can’t mind control them so she does the next best thing, set believable, parental restrictions and boundaries, like any “normal” parent would do, but with a far different intent behind it. Yikes.

I read on another post that Westview is basically Wanda living out her parents’ perfect life: this seems really logical now that her twins display the exact same powers as her and Pietro.

S.W.O.R.D.

Hayward is a ✨d i c k✨

The stinky bastard is just as sus as we expected, he’s looking for the vibranium decay signature inside the anomaly to monitor Vision, assumingly to see how fast he’s dying. HE CAN SEE INSIDE WESTVIEW FOR GODSAKES.

Vision started decaying and being sucked back into Westview the instant he got out. He cannot exist outside the Maximoff anomaly.

Monica’s cells have been rewritten several times by the energy inside the anomaly: could this be a new super’s birth? A new Scarlet Witch?

That said, what kind of powers does she gain? The same kind used to keep the people in Westview “alive” (between quotes cause I’m not sure of my theory yet), so either the same powers as Wanda, or something involving immortality. Either way, holy shit I can’t wait.

Not only could Hayward see inside Westview, it was noted by SWORD people that a lot of people suddenly stopped moving. Wanda needs to focus on them moving to be able to control them: it gets a bit buggy and stops entirely later. Maybe it’s because she was focused on Pietro and the twins? The timeline between Wanda and Vision’s respective actions wouldn’t line up though.

S.W.O.R.D literally got ABSORBED by Wanda’s bubble expanding. What happens to Darcy?? She’s the only one of the trio who didn’t escape!!

THE AD

A recurring theme so far, this one is weirder than ever. No HYDRA or Stark symbolism this time, that’s probably been dropped with the advancing of the decades. The snack advertised is called “Yo-Magic: The snack for survivors.” Make of that what you will...

A TEMPORAL ANACHRONISM

This might be nothing, but I still find it interesting. The sign of the movie theater in one of the scenes lists two movies playing: The Incredibles and The Parent Trap. The first movie won’t come out until 2004, but The Parent Trap came out in 1998, which makes the timeline of the episode very fuzzy. Additionally, the twins didn’t age themselves up, they had no reason to, but it’s still suspicious. Does this happen in the 90s or the early 2000s?? The episode is in the style of a 90s sitcom (turned psych horror) and the show isn’t supposed to hit the early 2000s until episode 7, unless Wanda’s decided to speed things up. But why?

THE SITCOM THEME

Yes, I am making an entirely new bullet just for this. It is so disturbing.

🎶Wanda, Wanda Vision 🎶

Don't try to fight the chaos

Don't question what you've done

The game can try to play us

Don't let it stop the fun

Some days it's all confusion

Easy come and easy go

But if it's all illusion

Sit back, enjoy the show

Let's keep it going

Through each distorted day

Let's keep it going

Though there may be no way of knowing

Who's coming by to play

Holy fuck, okay. Shit’s been dialed up to 11. Buckle up.

#wandavision spoilers #wandavision #wanda maximoff #vision #marvel #mcu #wanda and pietro #pietro maximoff #wandavision episode 6 #wandavision episode 6 spoilers

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crusherthedoctor · 3 years

Text

Sonic & Tails: Beyond the Stars - Chapter 6-7 Interlude

Complications

“Say Tails, didn't you upgrade the Tornado before we arrived in Viridonia?”

“...Oh yeah. I did, didn't I? Thanks for reminding me.”

Tails shuffled his hand from behind his back, and quickly pulled out a small device, to which everyone displayed varying levels of raised eyebrows in response to how exactly he managed to do that. With a simple press of a button, he patiently turned his attention to the sky, which still had not a single cloud to its visage.

Confused by this, Sonic slowly looked all around the arid landscape. “What are we waiting for? We gotta go get it, right? No point standing around if it's not-... ...oh, there it is.” The moment he looked back ahead, there was a look of wonder on his face, as the famous plane was right where it previously wasn’t mere seconds ago, floating in the air triumphantly. Its engines were roaring with life.

“That was... almost as fast as me. Almost.”

“That's awesome!” Amy cried out happily. She had an equally amazed Cream and Cheese tucked under her arms to prevent her friends’ small frames from being blown away by the sheer force generated by the Tornado.

“Not bad, indeed,” Rouge added, after using her own gift of flight to examine the plane from above. “Seems like quite a breakthrough, little guy.”

“Yep!” Tails beamed, his tails gliding up and down in sync with his visible excitement. “With a push of a button, I can summon it to wherever we are! So if we need it in short notice, it'll be no trouble at all.”

Sonic ruffled his young friend's head once again, grinning all the while. “That's my bro! No way this WON'T come in handy!” He paused, as he put a finger to his chin. “Could have been handy beforehand too, come to think of it...”

“Absolutely impeccable work, Tails,” Lutrudis applauded. “At least some of our greatest geniuses aren't foul in spirit.” She was evidently unperturbed by the force causing her ponytail to fly in her face more than once. She brushed it aside every time, and her smile didn’t falter.

“But will it have enough room for all of us? Though I suppose Miss Rouge will be unbothered...” She turned her head up at the flying bat, before her ponytail flew in her face yet again.

“Well, there's four seats now, so technically we'd be just one short. But...” The fox motioned towards the wing. “That hasn't stopped Sonic before... even when there are seats available.”

“True,” Sonic confirmed, with another trademark smirk. “Now let's get out of here, I'm sweating like an Eggman who's about to be foiled.”

“...Me too,” Lutrudis agreed as she fluttered a hand to fan herself, unable to come up with a clever comparison of her own. Amy was likewise quick to nod in agreement.

---

After returning to the castle, and after a couple of showers the moment they returned, Lutrudis directed the gang to the kitchen. But not before two members of the group were finally given their gifts, after Lutrudis made sure to clean those as well...

“~It’s so beautiful!~” Amy’s line of sight was hyper focused on her new silver necklace, its emerald jewel matching the girl’s eyes perfectly. Cream was likewise enticed by her own necklace, and its garnet jewel was a similar match for the bunny’s own eyes. The two of them couldn’t have been any more over the moon with their gifts, with Amy practically dancing in giddy ecstasy. “I can’t get over how it looks!”

“Thank you so much for this, Trudy!” Cream shimmered brightly.

“But wouldn’t they have cost a lot?” Amy wondered. “I wouldn’t want you to burn a hole in your wallet for our sake...”

“It’s cool,” Lutrudis waved a hand, her tail swishing happily in response to seeing her fellow companions’ joy. “I couldn’t resist seeing the looks on your faces. And honestly, the price was nothing compared to the real difficulty of washing away the stench of oil,” she joked.

Although the visitors (except Rouge) should have been long used to the shifts between the rooms in the castle by this point, they still found themselves caught off guard by the kitchen’s unique appearance. Far from the reds of the halls, the blues of the bathroom, or the whites of the greenhouse, the kitchen’s primary colours were brown and black, and yet it was not drab in the slightest. With its warm shades, and combined with the wooden floor and the brick walls, it almost gave the impression of a country aesthetic, even though no such aesthetic was truly present in any obvious form.

They remained impressed with how the castle was able to maintain an overarching sense of comfort and beauty, despite each room being different in its own way, sometimes vastly so. Rouge also couldn’t help but wonder to herself if any of those pretty crystals were nearby... for reasons, of course. But alas, they had more important things to attend to. Namely, Rouge’s reports about them.

“So then,” Sonic started. “What did you find out about them?”

“Well if you spare me just a little minute... ah, here they are.” Rouge pulled out a small handful of documents from behind her back, and casually tossed them onto the biggest table in the kitchen. “There you have them. Knock yourself out.”

“Are we... allowed to read these documents?” Lutrudis questioned, after showing hesitance to do so. “Since it is G.U.N. work and all, they might get ever so slightly incensed that you’re sharing such documents with little old us...”

Rouge placed her hands on her hips, unfazed as ever. “They don’t have to know. It’ll be our little secret.” A smirk planted itself on her lips. “Besides, since Sonic is the one who actually saves the world from all the things that threaten it, it’s more useful in your hands anyway, let’s be honest.”

Lutrudis looked at Sonic, who himself turned to Tails, who then turned to Amy, who likewise turned to Cream, and she looked at Cheese, to which he looked back at Lutrudis.

“Chao...?” Cheese asked.

After a pause, they all shrugged, unanimously finding no reason to debate with the bat. And with that, they got right down to business. Predictably, Sonic was quick to skim through them, and at first, he seemed somewhat unimpressed with what he was reading.

“These... aren’t telling me anything we don’t already know,” he complained. “Different abilities depending on the colour, grey crystals are less effective than colored ones, stronger reactions when more of the same colour are used together... We know all this...”

“Keep reading,” Rouge commanded firmly. “There’s bound to be something.”

“Fine, will do...”

“Actually Sonic... I don’t remember THIS part,” Amy noted, as she quickly brought the file she was reading over to Sonic. “It says here that with the right amount of Chao and crystals present, they can directly open the way to the Ethereal Zone...?”

“Really?” Tails asked. “I... guess that’s not a conclusion without merit, but for all of Eggman’s antics, I thought it’d be more complicated than that?”

“It is, in a sense,” Rouge answered. She walked over to a nearby chair to lean against. “The Chao and crystals can open the way, yes, but you need a lot of them to do it. A lot of them. And not just a lot of them, but in the case of crystals, a lot of every individual type.”

“So more crystals than I have, then?” Lutrudis pondered, with a stroke of her hair. “But... they aren’t finite, they can respawn. Does it not count if it’s a... erm, replacement crystal?”

“Since they’re no less effective, logic would dictate that they would count. But doing it that way would likely take forever, especially if you’re as impatient as Dr. Eggman. Not to mention he’s already hunting after the Chao as well anyway. So he’s probably just finding crystals anywhere and everywhere he can for the sake of it being faster.”

“How many exactly?” Sonic asked. For all his comments at Eggman’s expense, he knew the doctor having access to so many of them would be no joke.

“More than any of us have seen so far. You’d practically need a mountain of them.”

“Sheesh... But where would Eggman be able to find such an amount? We’ve seen multiple spots with plenty of them, like the cave under here, but not to the level of what you’re describing...”

“Hold up,” Tails said, as he pointed to a particular section of the file he was reading. “There are people who live in the Ethereal Zone...? Or lived, past tense?”

Sonic’s ears stood up. “Okay, fair play, I DEFINITELY don’t recall that part. How did you find that out? Have you been there or something?” he asked half-sarcastically.

“Do you really think all those fancy murals and paintings around here are just a coincidence?” Rouge pointed out, in a playful tone with a wagging finger.

“Murals? Paintings? What are you...” He stopped, as he slowly recalled a number of recent occurrences. “You mean... like the ones in the desert town...”

“Or those carvings in Zephyr Mountain...” Tails recalled.

“And the ones by the meadows...” Lutrudis added. “Every one of them includes people in their visuals...”

“And those aren’t the only ones,” Rouge confirmed. “The Ethereal Zone may be little more than a myth to most people on this island, but the legends have always had an influence in their lives and culture.”

“And their buildings, considering some of them are prone to glowing,” Sonic dryly quipped. “You’d think that would be enough to confirm it’s real.”

“So is that gross monster who works for Eggman one of the people... or things... that live in there?” Amy asked, understandably puzzled to say the least. “It wouldn’t be involved in Eggman’s schemes for nothing, right?”

“Oh, so we DO have another Chaos on our hands?” Sonic continued, hands on hips. “These beats are sounding more and more like Chaos to me... minus the whole mystery world dimension thingymajig part, I guess. Right down to involving the Chao...” As if on cue, his attention was focused on a lone playful Chao swinging from his arm, which he soon tried to prevent from falling off.

“At this rate, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Wraith was a mutated Chao too,” he added, still focused on the thankfully unmutated Chao.

“I doubt that, but this is where it gets weird...”

“As opposed to everything else about this, which is perfectly normal...?”

Rouge rolled her eyes as she continued. “If it was someone or something that belonged inside the Ethereal Zone... then what’s it doing out of the Zone, if Eggman still hasn’t unlocked it for himself? Did it get out by itself, and if so, how did it do it? And furthermore, if this one managed to get out, how come we’ve seen no others like it?”

She sighed to herself, with a clenched fist. “Not even the A.R.K. reports were this complicated. At least with that one, the biggest hurdle was going to space.”

Everyone went silent. Though Rouge’s documents were definitely giving them more to work with, there were still some unsolved mysteries even now, and as far as they knew, Eggman was still in no rush to clue them in on the rest of the details. As they all quietly thought about where to go from here, Cream was the one who broke the silence.

“You’re really good at finding out things, Miss Rouge,” the rabbit said cheerfully, despite not fully understanding the documents to the same extent as her older friends. Rouge seemed to be caught off guard by the sudden compliment, but even she couldn’t help but smile at Cream’s innocence.

---

Since they still hadn’t decided on what their next course of action would be, everyone took the time to split up for a short while. Rouge offered to search around Lime Shores to see if she could uncover new info, and Amy demanded to go with her, possibly out of wariness as to whether the jewel hunter slash government agent was up to anything shady. Rouge didn’t even bother arguing with it, knowing full well that Amy’s stubbornness was comparable to that of the Blue Blur himself... or the Black Blur that she was even more familiar with. Must be a hedgehog thing.

Cream wasn’t sure if leaving Amy and Rouge to themselves was a good idea or not, considering she had some vague awareness of their past history with each other. But she decided to stick with Lutrudis despite that, confident that her older sister figure and the bat lady would be able to set any potential disagreements aside for now. The rest of the Chao were following them, as Lutrudis promised to take the diminutive creatures to somewhere special. As they were walking through the castle hallway however, with the rabbit holding the horse’s hand, something seemed to be troubling her...

“Trudy?”

“Hmm?”

“Can I confess to something?”

“Confess?” Lutrudis couldn’t help but let out a soft giggle. “As if you would ever need to confess to anything. But sure, you can tell me whatever you’re comfortable with telling.”

“I’m worried about what Dr. Eggman might do next...”

“Eggman?” The horse stopped in her tracks, and she made sure to kneel down to Cream’s height, albeit slowly so as to not put too much strain on her legs. “What’s he done to get you all concerned?”

“Well... all that stuff that happened in the desert. Those monsters that came to life...” Cream tugged on her left ear, looking to the side with minor anxiousness. “And the big ship that created the big hurricane...” She shuddered at the memory, holding tightly onto Cheese.

“Chao...!” Cheese muttered, slightly dismayed at temporarily being unable to breathe.

“Dr. Eggman does a lot of bad things, and I wish he would stop. But he’s doing really scary things now... What will happen next? And what does he want to do with all these Chao?” She was quick to turn her gaze to Lutrudis’ eyes, having once again seeked out the resemblance to that of her own mother’s.

Lutrudis glanced around at all the Chao floating above them. They exchanged various looks of concern, yet she simply smiled at every one of them, as if to ease their individual tensions. She turned that sympathetic smile to Cream, and gently stroked her cheek. “But we know what he’ll do next, sweetie... He’ll be ranting incoherently and screaming filthy words after we strike a blow to his overstuffed ego.” She followed it up with a wink, as Cream giggled at her comment. “Nothing Eggman has done has stopped you or your friends before, and that won’t change now.”

“I guess you’re right, heh,” Cream admitted, with a nervous smile. “I know it’s silly to be afraid, but...”

“Hey, don’t say that, there’s nothing silly about it at all.” She put both of her hands on the rabbit’s shoulders. “There’s no shame in feeling afraid, it happens to all of us. And heck, after everything you’ve been through, I’d dare say you’re brave where it truly counts.”

“Really?”

“Chao?”

“Would I lie to you?”

“...No, you wouldn’t,” Cream’s smile grew less nervous, as she nuzzled up against the horse’s chest to hug her. Lutrudis, still evidently not used to receiving them, took a moment or two to react, but slowly wrapped her arms around the bunny in turn, and rubbed the little one’s back. Her tail started swishing again.

“In fact... how about we do a little something to commemorate your previous, brave adventures?”

“Huh?” Cream gave her an inquisitive look. “What do you mean?”

“Well you see, you wouldn’t believe it coming from these hands, but I know a thing or two about knitting...”

---

“I’m still not used to Eggman being this hush hush...” Tails muttered, as he and Sonic took the time to have a calming walk outside. Though they were now accustomed to hanging around the castle, the size of its walls still amazed them greatly, and if they hadn’t been discussing Eggman affairs, the tranquility of the forest would have lowered their guards completely.

“Me neither,” Sonic agreed, as he took a swig of his fresh can of Chaos Cola. If he wasn’t already aware that Trudy was hospitable, he was very grateful for the contents in her fridge. “The doc would usually be the FIRST to tell us about his plan.”

“He even sent us a letter one time.”

“Well, that wasn’t actually him, but...” He brushed the correction aside, figuring it wasn’t important, since it’s still something he’d probably do. He made sure to cherish the therapuetic sunshine that was seeping through the greenery. “He’s never been shy about what he’s up to. Even when he’s tried to be more secretive, he could never resist giving it all away. But this time... even with his hints, we have incomplete info... Like that Wraith! We know it’s evil, works for Eggman, may or may not hail from the Ethereal Zone... MIGHT be another mutated Chao...?”

“He said all the stuff he’s been doing lately is connected,” Tails remembered, as he rubbed his chin intently. He took a moment to admire the pristine condition of the lake nearby. “But... how? So much of it feels so disconnected. He wants more Chao and crystals, that part’s easy to understand, but how does all the rest factor into it? And why has he made the Wraith part of it?”

“I bet he’s laughing it up right now,” Sonic grumbled out of irritation, with the frown to match. “Probably thinks we’re dummies for not knowing every last oh so brilliant detail of his convoluted spider web.”

“But we will get to the bottom of it, right?” Tails suggested with a hint of hope. “Don’t forget, we’re not on our own here. We don’t know where the Chaotix ended up, but we’ve still got detectives on our side. AND Rouge is a G.U.N. agent!”

“One of the only competent ones...” Sonic murmured to himself.

Tails was about to counter the hedgehog’s dismissive statement, but he stopped himself, with his body language indicating he actually agreed deep down, if reluctantly. “G.U.N. or no G.U.N, Rouge is still really smart, isn’t she? And... I know she’s been kinda sneaky a couple of times in the past, but I think we can trust her now.”

“Yeah, cause neither of us are Knuckles. We don’t guard a Master Emerald, so we have nothing to worry about.” Sonic chuckled out loud. “Just hope she and Amy stay out of each other’s hair for long enough, after what happened with Emerl...”

“Huh? Did something happen between them?”

“Eh, it was ages ago, maybe they made up since then.” He followed it up with another chuckle. “Maybe they were fighting over me,” he joked.

“.........”

Tails promptly went quiet, as if he were reminded of something from the back of his mind at that exact moment. He glanced smoothly in Sonic’s direction, attempting to maintain a relaxed disposition. Sonic didn’t seem to notice anything suspicious.

The silence continued. It seemed there was no reason for the peace to be interrupted, certainly not with the gorgeous view they were still fortunate to witness as they carried on walking together. But the moment Sonic took another sip of his Chaos Cola, the younger of the two decided to ask just one tiny, innocent question...

“So do you have a thing for Trudy?”

He almost felt guilty for causing Sonic to nearly choke on his drink, but not enough to hide the growing smirk on his face upon witnessing his friend’s abrupt change in behaviour. After taking a few seconds to cease the resulting coughing fit, and compose himself, Sonic calmly turned to Tails, an admirably constructed demeanour that was nonetheless betrayed instantly by his spines shooting up in defiance.

“Sorry, what?”

“I mean, y’know, I was just thinking that... maybe... from what I’ve observed... you might just be... possibly developing... a teensy weensy little... thiiiiiing...” The fox shuffled his eyebrows, complete with vague hand motions. “Foooorrrrrr...” He proceeded to subtly mimic a galloping horse.

Sonic blinked, and stayed silent for a couple of seconds, though it sure didn’t feel like just a couple of seconds. After an uneasy pause, another small chuckle eventually emerged from his mouth, and this time it was followed by a brief period of mocking laughter. Most people wouldn’t have thought anything of it, but Tails knew his buddy well, and he could spot the fakeness of his laugh from a mile away.

“Me? Seriously?” Sonic shook his head to dismiss the claim, though if one examined closer, it seemed to be more for his own sake than that of his friend. “You really think I’d be that kind of guy?”

“There’s nothing wrong with it...”

“Yeah, I know there isn’t, but... c’mon, it’s me we’re talking about! Can you imagine me in a situation like that? It’d be a laugh riot, wouldn’t it? Just wouldn’t work out.”

“Why not?”

“Too stuck in my ways, aren’t I?” Sonic shrugged casually, before he glanced at the inviting scenery once more. The desert may have looked nicer than most of its kind, but the fresh air was greatly preferable to him. He gazed at the leaves flowing freely through the calm breeze, and although he brought no attention to it, it was clear that he found it a convenient metaphor for the current subject.

“Settling down just isn’t me,” he continued. “And it never will be. I’d never give up my life, even in my old age.”

“Do you need to settle down, though?” Tails mused out loud. “No one ever said there’s only one way for these things to work out.”

The hedgehog almost seemed to ponder his friend’s words for a fleeting moment, and slowly appeared to be lost in thought. But, as if sensing he was lured into a false sense of security, he quickly shook his head again, freeing himself of the apparent curse that Tails had placed upon him... So he thought.

“Well anyway, the point is, that’s not what’s going on. You know I get chummy with people pretty quickly, even when they tried to kill me before the fact! And sure, Trudy may be cute, but-”

“~Oh, you think so?~”

Sonic’s eyes froze, and the barely concealed grin directed at him was not helping one bit.

“COMPLIMENTING A FRIEND ISN’T A CRIME!” He cried out defensively, and closed his eyes tightly. After taking a moment to breathe, he calmed himself down, and raised a pointed finger.

“...Nothing’s happening. Nothing’s happening. Just getting on with another friend is all.”

“That’s all?”

“That’s all.”

“That’s all?”

“That’s all, yes.”

“You sure?”

“Positive.”

“Absolutely sure?”

“...Are you... wanting something to happen?”

“No no,” Tails raised his hands, though his grin hadn’t quite fully disappeared. “I believe you,” he claimed, in a tone that implied a complete and utter lack of authenticity to that claim. “Just wanted to know what was happening.”

“Well, nothing’s happening,” Sonic reaffirmed bluntly, though a smirk was beginning to form on his own face as well. Even he had to admit the banter was entertaining, and considering who Tails had lived with for most of his life, it’s not like this mischievous side of him developed from nowhere. “So there you have it. Straight from the horse’s mouth.”

Tails immediately burst out laughing, only refraining from laughing harder in order to not attract attention from anyone who could be hearing. Sonic’s initial confusion very quickly switched to annoyance with himself, as he smacked his forehead upon realising his choice of speech. He pointed another finger to prevent any further commentary, to which Tails simply raised his hands again, and mimicked the act of zipping his mouth.

His amusement still refused to actually vanish.

---

Back to Chapter 6...

#Sonic & Tails: Beyond the Stars #Crusher's Fanfiction #Sonic the Hedgehog #Fanfiction

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djarinispunk · 3 years

Text

Beautiful, Dirty, Rich - Loki Laufeyson Mafia AU

Chapter Four - Spoiled

You had only been back in New York for four days and already you felt as though you needed a break away. You knew that following the whole Paris ordeal and the consequential wasting of your fathers money meant that you were in no position to ask for a vacation. So in turn, you had to settle for retail therapy.

Only it wasn't working, you'd already browsed a number of high end stores by noon only to be left feeling flat and bored. When did shopping become so mundane?

That being said, it hadn't stopped you from spending a hefty amount on miscellaneous items, feeling a sort of satisfaction when you swiped your fathers card. Although it did infuriate you that with his income, he wouldn't even notice your expenditure.

It was a Saturday, meaning the mall was swarming with socialites. Private school pupils gathered by the fountains to gossip. The sugar babies of New York's elites seemed to swipe cards everywhere you turned. It was like a playground for the snobs of society, although, you were in no place to judge, as you cast your eyes down to the mass of bags you had accumulated.

Feeling your phone vibrate in your purse, you groaned, eyes scanning for somewhere to sit, settling when you saw a small café nestled in the corner of the floor you were on.

Not even bothering to check the caller ID you answered the phone with a huff, "Hello?"

"Is that anyway to greet your father?" you had to stop yourself form slamming your head against the glass table, why did you even pick up?

"Sorry, what did you need?" you sighed, wanting the call to be as painless as possible.

"Can I not just call my daughter? Why do I need a reason?" his voice was woven with that accusatory tone he always seemed to use. It was one thing you could pinpoint about his personality that was directly caused by the mafia, he was always so on edge, like everyone was after him.

"Of course not." you tried your best not to snap at him, knowing it would anger him further.

"Anyway, I need you to attend a dinner with me tomorrow night."

So he did need something.

"Uh, sure, what's it for?" you made a mental note to ask Sophia if she too would be in attendance.

"Myself, Laufey and his son are meeting to discuss things."

Things. That could mean anything when it came to the mafia. Who they were going to kill next. Who they were going to sue next. Who they were going to employ next. You hated the uncertainty, it only reminded you of how insignificant you were in the grand scheme of things.

It also reminded you that Loki Laufeyson existed.

After the Gala, you had recouped with Sophia and tried to get all the information that she knew about him. She didn't have much to offer, just rumours she had heard from Charles about his past sexual escapades and childish drama, nothing exciting.

He gave you the creeps.

"So why do I have to come?" you tried not to sound as ungrateful as you were, you didn't want to spend three hours in some stuffy conference room.

"I'm sure Laufey will bring his new wife, and Loki is sure to bring a date."

You tired not to outwardly cringe at the thought of being your fathers date, but you also understood your father didn't have time to find a new wife in the span of a day. So, reluctantly you agreed.

Your father gave you the address of the restaurant you'd be going to with the instruction to, "Arrive at seven, sharp." and with that, he hung up on you, goodbyes weren't a common thing between you two.

You threw your phone into your purse with a deep exhale, you wouldn't even have Sophia to make the dinner less painful. You'd suffer alone.

How dramatic of you.

Deciding you'd had enough of browsing, you got up to leave, catching the glare of the workers whose table you had occupied. You slipped a bill on the table and gave them a tight smile, oops.

You wished you could say you got to the exit painlessly, that you left the mall and walked home in the sun with no troubles. But as always, life wasn't kind to you.

First it was the hair, that familiar black that seemed to shine from root to tip. The hair alone wasn't enough to make you question the identity of the stranger walking only a few feet away from you. However, when you caught sight of the black suit and the company of Charles Buckley, you knew it could only be one person. One person who seemed to be everywhere you turned recently. One very annoying person.

Loki Laufeyson.

Thankfully hadn't seen you make a mad scramble for the nearest store, that store of course, being of the lingerie variety. Your thought process was that if you hid out in there for long enough, he was sure to be gone by the time you regained your composure.

But once again, life wasn't kind to you.

You were seeking refuge by the bra section, pretending to be overly interested in a particular style of lace when you felt that low voice in your ear.

"Wouldn't have thought you were the type to wear white." he said, hands dusting over the material of the straps. His voice was in that tone again, the same he had used at the bar only days prior, it was dangerous how seductive he could be with only his voice.

"I'd hope you wouldn't be thinking about me at all, Laufeyson." you feigned disinterest as you began to walk around the store, him hanging around behind you, following your every move.

"At the thought of you darling, I've done a lot more than think." You turned to glare at him, rolling your eyes in defeat when he wore that cocky smirk. He was so full of himself.

"So you've resorted to stalking me now?"

"You do think highly of yourself don't you dear?" he was smiling at your discomfort, still hot on your tail as you wandered through the boutique.

"I don't know, after the Gala I think I'm right to assume you'd try to talk to me again." you picked up a random pair of underwear, noticing the way the clerk was eyeing you and the man behind you, this way you could buy something and get the hell out.

Loki snatched the hanger form you before you'd protest, scanning the underwear, much to your embarrassment, "Red? How cliché." he smirked, you felt your cheeks heat up; whether it be from anger, humiliation, or a healthy mix of the two.

"You're insufferable Loki. I really mean that." you scoffed, retrieving the panties back and storming away.

But of course, Loki was still following you like a lost puppy, a lost puppy you wanted to kick, "I'm wounded, darling. I really thought we were becoming friends."

You turned abruptly, causing Loki to stumble only ever so slightly. "As an asshole once said to me, don't flatter yourself."

"Quoting me, that's bold." you could see he was enjoying this, much to your annoyance, he liked the back and fourth. You however, not so much.

"No Loki, what's bold is you following me around, commenting on my underwear choices, like the matter has anything to do with you." you snapped, anger seeping into your tone as you tried not to raise your voice too much in the middle of a public place.

Loki was silent for a pause, seemingly taking in your words, but of course his pensive face was just a mask for his childishness as he soon replied with a smirk, "Oh but it will, you'll see." you didn't have time to respond before he spoke again, this time checking his watch, "As much as I'd love to stay and chat I have a dinner to plan. I'll see you tomorrow darling."

And then he was gone, as quick as he came, and you were free to groan, aloud this time. Finally alone, you made your way towards the register, where a slightly bemused clerk was already watching you.

"Boyfriend?" she asked, and you had to stop yourself from declaring her fired on the spot.

"No." you said, the harshness of you voice enough to wipe the playful smile off of her face.

"Oh, okay." you watched as her cheeks immediately went a shade of fuchsia, " Will those be all?"

You looked down at the underwear as you handed it to the clerk, eyes immediately darting to the other pair of underwear, the one you knew you hadn't picked up.

You glared at the pair in your hands.

It was certainly more revealing than the other pair you'd picked up. And the colour? A deep emerald green. Not too dissimilar to the shade of the handkerchief that was sitting in that bastards suit jacket.

You left the boutique with one thought, and that was that you wanted to strangle Loki Laufeyson.

@cynic-spirit

#Loki Laufeyson #loki #loki x you #thor #mcu #marvel #thor ragnorak #tom hiddelston x reader #loki of asgard #loki fanfic #romance #enemies to lovers

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marwritesgood · 4 years

Text

Renewal | O. Diaz

Pairing: Oscar x Martinez!Reader

Timeframe: Chapter 17 (Altered)

Summary: In which the Reader has her baby shower.

masterlist // part one

A/N: Consider this a part two to ‘Collateral’.

After my wound healed, and I was able to pick up a laundry basket without wincing in pain, I decided to stay living at home with my family. I was eventually going to move back to my apartment, and share it with Spooky, where we would raise our baby, but for the time being I chose to stay at home.

On the plus side, this meant having my mother and grandmother taking care of me, no matter how much I insisted of cooking my own dinner. On the other hand, this meant I had my siblings around to annoy the living crap out of me 24/7.

“Y/n, come here!”

“Ugh, what is it Mario?” I groaned from having to get out of my bed and head to the kitchen, where Mario was sorting through out ancient box of party decorations.

“Ma asked me to hang up the decorations,” he explained, as he rummaged through the box, pulling out all of the decorations that were still in good shape. “But I have no idea how she wants it done, and I know you do, so can you help me?”

“You want me to setup my own baby shower?” I retorted. It was disappointing, yet unsurprising that he needed my help doing the one task our mother gave him.

“I thought you didn’t want to call it a baby shower?”

“That’s because the only reason I agreed to do this was for the gifts.”

My mother and Ruby were the ones who forced the idea on me. I personally found the whole idea of it tacky, and unnecessary, but when Ruby told me each guest would have to come bearing a gift, I reluctantly gave in.

“Look, are you gonna help me or not?”

“Fine,” I sighed, before joining him in rummaging through the box.

After we pulled out the streamers, as well as a banner my mother especially bought for the event, Mario went to look for tacks, or anything we could use to hang everything up. I decided to take that as an opportunity to take a seat on the couch and rest my feet.

The moment quickly ended when Ruby and Jamal arrived home.

“You’re being paranoid.”

“I am being perfectly reasonable,” Jamal fired back at Ruby, who head straight to the kitchen for a drink, before slowly walking back to the living room area. “Think about it. Every since we found the money, bad stuff keeps happening.”

“Guys,” I groaned, sitting up and putting my feet back on the ground. “I have a small, yet very aggressive, human inside of me right now. Can you please be a little quieter?”

“Sorry, Y/n,” they replied in unison. As I leaned back and rested my head on the sofa, Ruby noticed the decorations were out and did not wait a moment before giving his opinion. “I cannot believe mom’s using the same decorations... And they misspelled ‘shower’ on the banner!”

“Hey, if you wanna takeover and be event planner, go right ahead,” I muttered, with my eyes still closed. “Ma is having Mario put the decorations up, and he didn’t even know what a streamer was until I showed him... At least with you I know I won’t have to do anything.”

The boy was practically jumping.

“It would be my honour,” Ruby stated dramatically. I could always count on him to escalate small things to another level. “Consider it me fulfilling my first of many duties as an uncle... as the tío she can always count on.”

“Whatever you want,” I droned.

“Jamal?” Ruby looked over to his friend, who was helping himself to a bowl of corn chips. “Call the squad over here. We have a baby shower to plan.”

“Oh god,” I groaned, realising what I had just signed myself up for.

*****

After I assigned Ruby as event planner, he and his friends managed to find an entire new set of decorations using a small amount of the cleaned Rollerworld money. I was surprised, considering how difficult of a time they were having cleaning the money, and how obsessed they were with getting their fair share, but the decision was apparently unanimous. Then, before I knew it, it was the night before the baby shower and Ruby had gone full blown crazy.

“Monse, you call that folding? I’ve seen prettier napkins at McDonald’s.”

Against their better judgements Monse, Jamal and Jasmine agreed to staying the night at my place to help set everything up for the baby shower. According to Ruby, my only job was to sit and relax. Everyone else, on the other hand, had a long list of tasks and a rigid schedule Ruby was expecting them to abide to. One of Jasmine’s tasks was to figure out what I planned on wearing, and convince me to go with the colour scheme Ruby had envisioned.

“I was planning on wearing this,” I stated, before placing my mustard-yellow maternity-friendly sundress on the coffee table for Jasmine to see.

“Right, okay, I see what you’re trying to do,” she said positively. “But, you see, Ruby suggested that maybe you wear your red dress instead. Think about it, it’ll go with the whole theme we got going on, compliment your complexion. Yeah?”

“Alright,” I sighed, knowing that even if I tried to argue with Ruby on this, he would somehow find a way to convince me to go with the red dress. After putting my yellow dress I away, I went back to the living room area to see how the setting up was coming along. “How’s the setting up coming along?”

“I love you, Y/n,” Monse began, looking up from her napkin-folding station at the dining table. “And I love your baby. But I swear to God, if Ruby criticises my folding technique one more time-”

“Monse, this napkin is wrinkly!”

After Ruby did exactly what I feared he would, I watched Monse close her eyes briefly, and take a deep breath in. After slowly exhaling, she abruptly tried to run out from her seat at the table, and strangle Ruby, but I quickly held my hands out and stopped her.

“Woah, okay,” I muttered, quickly realising how tense everyone was, Ruby and Monse in particular. “Maybe a little break will do you guys some good... Okay, everyone stop what you’re doing, have a seat on the couch and relax. I’ll order some pizza for us, okay? My shout.”

Everyone, even Ruby, did as I said, and seemed to be relieved because of it. I slipped into the kitchen and ordered pizza from my phone, before pouring myself a glass of lemonade. As I took a sip from my cup, Cesar came in.

After New Years, I convinced my mum to let Cesar stay with us while Monse’s dad moved in and out of town. Despite her resentment towards him, it only took reminding her that Cesar was family to Ruby and I for her to agree to let him crash on our couch until Mario goes back at the stat of his semester.

“Cesar? You okay?”

“Are you sure you want me there tomorrow, Y/n?” He asked nervously, after a moment of prolonged silence. As he scratched the back of his head, I put my glass of lemonade down and looked him directly in the eye.

“Are you kidding me?” I said softly. “Of course I want you at my baby shower, Cesar. It wouldn’t be complete without all of my baby’s tío under one roof. I even promised Jamal he’d be a tío.”

“And I’m gonna hold you against that promise,” Jamal shouted from the living room. I could have sworn he had super-hearing abilities.

“It’s just... I know you told my brother not to come, because you wanted me there.”

“Ruby told you?” He nodded, and I made a mental note to confront my brother about that. “Look, okay... Yes, that is why I told Spooky not to come, but I told him it’s not a big thing, and he was totally cool with sitting this one out. Plus, it’s my baby shower, so it’s my call... And I want you there tomorrow, okay?”

“Okay,” he smiled. “I’ll be there.”

“Plus, my cousin sent me a crib I need to set up, and Mario and Ruby are horrible with using tools and following instructions.”

*****

My baby shower had gone by fast. By the end of it, Ruby and his friends stayed back to clean everything up, which my mother really appreciated, as it meant she could take her time catching up with her cousins. Mario was putting the twins to bed, and Cesar was helping me go through all the gifts people brought.

“I can’t believe my cousin bought my daughter this onesie.”

“She’ll look so cute in it,” Cesar commented, smiling as I held it up for him to see. “I wish I could see how she’d look in it.”

“Well, my due date is in a few months now,” I began, chuckling as I folded the onesie and placed it with the rest of the clothes my relative bought for my daughter. “So soon enough you’ll have a little girl calling you tio.”

“Yeah...” Cesar seemed to be distant. Ever since he came back from his shift at Jamal’s dad’s restaurant, he seemed a lot more gloomy than ever.

“Cesar? Is everything okay?”

In true Diaz fashion, he tried to remain stoic; tried to continue doing what he was doing as if my question didn’t affect him, but I knew better. I knew there was something serious he was hiding.

“You know you can tell me anything, right?” I placed my hand on his shoulder and shifted closer to him, lowering my voice so he knew whatever he would say I would keep confidential. “I mean it, Cesar. Tell me what’s going on... please.”

There is an air of silence for a prolonged moment. Cesar inhales sharply, before breaking his stoicism and crinkling his brows together, with tears beginning to well up in his eyes.

“Their gonna kill me Y/n,” he whispered, voice cracking as he said my name.

After Ruby’s drunken outburst that led to a group of Santos breaking the truce, we knew it was only a matter of time before Latrelle would come back to finish what he tried to do at Olivia’s quinceanera. I just didn’t think it would happen so soon.

Before I can even begin to think of something to say, there is a loud knock on my door. I glance at Cesar for just a moment, before standing up to answer the door. However, when I open it, there is no one to be found. All there is left is a painfully familiar item on my mother’s welcome mat.

A bullet. The same kind I had to get surgically removed from my shoulder.

“Y/n?” Cesar whispered in concern, from where he had been sitting. I turn around, so he can see the bullet in between my index finger and thumb, alongside the look of horror on my face.

“We need to go,” I said sharply, giving Cesar all but five second to get up and follow me. I didn’t care that the person who delivered that bullet would have only been a few blocks away. I needed to get this sorted now. Because two people I care deeply about were being threatened- my unborn child, and my pseudo-baby brother.

Therefore, now it was personal.

*****

Despite the fact that my feet had been consistently sore ever since I entered my second trimester, Cesar and I walked all the way to Oscar’s place, and for the first time the pain in my feet was easy to ignore. Once we were two houses away from the Santos crib, I told Cesar to lay low while I talked to his brother.

“Spooky,” I called out, as I walked towards their front porch. I only had to wait a second or two before he came out and greeted me with a smile and a kiss on my temple. It was no wonder why the other guys kept making jokes about him being whipped.

“What’s wrong baby?”

“It’s a long story... but just promise me you won’t be mad.”

“Y/n...” his smile faded so quickly, turning into an almost-glare.

“Please,” I said softly, placing my hands on the sides of his arms, partly to butter him up but mostly to keep him restrained.

“Okay,” he replied, tone still harsh, but you take what you can get with Spooky. “I won’t be mad... now tell me what you did.”

I look down for a moment and try to find a way to articulate the situation in the best way. In a way that would keep Oscar from wanting to knock Cesar out and reprimand me for keeping secrets from him. However, I couldn’t come up with a way to verbally explain, so I opted for a more visual method.

“You can come out now,” I shouted.

As Cesar slowly appeared, stopping at the Santos front lawn, there was a short moment where Oscar remained completely frozen. This moment, however, was very short-lived, because after rubbing his facial hair, he quickly turned back to Cesar and tried to run at him, only for me to block his way.

“What the hell is this?!”

“You said you wouldn’t be mad,” I retorted, trying to reason with him, but it wasn’t working.

“So what we hide shit from each other now? Is that what this is, Y/n?”

“He needed a place to crash, and I knew you’d be like this if I told you.”

“You know fucking well why,” he shouted, making me take a step back. Oscar never scared me, but this was truly uncharted territory perhaps for the both of us. “She show you the scar on her shoulder, Cesar? She ever tell you about nightmares she gets from that night? You ever thought about the people you’ve hurt, or are you just happy to freeload off someone again-”

“-Hey, stop it!” I yelled, pushing Spooky away from Cesar, who he was mere inches away from shoving at this point. Spooky breath heavily, as he catches his breath from yelling so profusely at this brother. All the while, Cesar stood still, ready to take whatever beating Oscar was about to give him.

“I told you this was a bad idea.”

“Yeah, no shit,” Spooky shouted, before spitting in Cesar’s direction.

“Spooky, can you just listen?... Please?” He doesn’t look me in the eye, but he does remain silent, which was enough cue for me to continue explaining myself. “I wouldn’t have come here now if it wasn’t urgent... They’re tryna finish the job... They wanna kill him.”

For a moment it seemed like Oscar was about to give in. It was his natural instinct to protect his brother, so I knew telling him of the danger Cesar was in would make him ease up, but he still wasn’t gonna help him.

“He made this mess, it’s time he takes responsibility for what he’s done... you can’t protect him.”

“No... but you can,” I replied, looking at the father of my child pleadingly. Oscar scoffs and pulls away from my grasp, before turning to the house and making his way back inside. “No- Oscar, baby please...”

Right before he reaches their porch, I pull the bullet from my back pocket and make one last attempt at talking sense into him.

“They came to my house tonight.”

He stopped immediately, before turning back around and walking towards me. This time his expression had washed over with concern, a look I had become incredibly familiar with since becoming his girlfriend, and even more so after becoming his babymama.

I held out the bullet, so Oscar could see it, and as he examined it his eyes only darkened. With a clenched fist and flared nostrils, he shifted his eyes between Cesar and I several times, before patting the pocket of his pants. He always kept his gun on one side and his car keys on the other.

“Both of you. Get in the car.”

Cesar and I did so quickly, understanding the magnitude of the situation. I knew that in due time Oscar would have come around to helping Cesar. However, we didn’t have that kind of time, so I also knew I had to do what I needed to make sure he was on board now.

“Where are we going?”

“I’m taking you home,” he replied shortly, and I knew then that whatever he was about to do was something he wouldn’t tell me until it was done. That’s how it worked when it came to stuff involving Santos. And, despite what he told Cesar in December, he was still very much a Santos. “I’ll call the guys. Make sure at least a few of them are on lookout out here. You ever wanna leave to go anywhere, you call me, okay? I’ll get someone to follow you, make sure you got protection.”

“Yeah, but-”

“I’ll handle it, baby,” he answered, before I could even ask my question. Even when recovering from a fight, he was always on my wavelength. “I promise... They won’t get away with this shit... Imma make sure of it.”

He stops in front of my house, and lifts my hand up, pressing a soft kiss on the back of it before caressing the side of my face. I always hated moments like these. Saying goodbye right before shit goes down. Last time a moment like this occurred, Oscar ended up being locked up for over two years.

Before opening my door, I glanced back at Cesar and then at Spooky. My Spooky.

“You text me the second it’s done, okay?” I whispered, trying not to tear up. Pregnancy hormones and gang violence was not a good combination. “And I swear to God, if anything happens to either of you, I will-”

“Hey,” Spooky whispered, gently rubbing his thumb against the apple of my cheek. “You think I’m gonna let anything keep me from coming home to you?”

“I love you,” I said, nodding as I began to process Oscar’s confidence. I look back at Cesar and gently squeeze his hand. “Both of you.”

And as I walked back into my house, and heard the sound of Spooky’s engine fade as they drove off, I promised I would tell this story to my daughter once she was of an appropriate age. People can say all they want about me, about Spooky and Cesar, and about the Santos in Freeridge.

But, when push comes to shove, these men will move heaven and earth to protect their people and their community.

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taesbetch · 4 years

Text

01 | Creatures Of The Night

Pairing: Jungkook x Reader

Genre: Angst, Fluff, Smut: Vampire!AU

Summary: Creatures of the night, Soul mates, a war between species. You had thought all these things were nothing but folktales. But as the world hidden in plain sight crashes into your day to day life you struggle to keep up. Going from being hunted to the leader of a vampire groups mate, your world is turned upside down and the fight to survive is on.

Word Count: 3.8k

The sun shone directly in your eyes as you watched you family drive off into the distance. Though the heat lay a blanket of warmth around your skin your heartfelt cold as you relived your mothers final words.

"Try not to call us"

Wow. How absolutely fantastic. Standing outside of your home you sighed. You had 10 days to find a new place and figure out how to survive on your own. Your so-called parental protector had found a new boyfriend, one who had flipped your world upside down. Letting out a noise of frustration you dragged your feet back into your now-empty home. Deciding on a nap.

---

The same feeling as the one prior seeped in as you sat in your classroom, the sun blaring through the glass window. You looked towards the clock, trying to think of an idea but nothing particular came to mind. Watching it tick by slowly you remembered that your mum's boyfriend buried around 20,000 dollars in the forest for the so-called apocalypse. Smiling softly you felt a weight lift off your shoulders, there's no way they remembered to dig it up. It had to still be there. Zoning back into reality your ears adjusted to the girl in front of you, her eyes fixed on you.

"Hey did you hear me!" the girl said snapping in front of your face.

"Sorry, i missed it” you stated, pushing your current issue to the back of your mind.

"They said to stay clear of the forest, 4 girls dead, they say by a mountain lion due to the bite marks but I find that incredibly weird considering we don't get mountain lions, Reya what do you think?" the girl asked Reya who was staring out the window obviously not paying attention as well.

You’ve known Reya since before you could even remember. Though the two of you were best friends, Reyes mind was always a hard one too read and it often felt like the gurl held multiple secrets.

"I think that it's the mountain lions," she said turning towards us. Your heart skipped a beat as her eyes bored into your soul almost as if your thoughts had been spoken out loud. "So don't go into the forest," she said sternly as the bell rang.

As the class got up packing up with the rest of the class, you continued to look at Reya in shock as her eyes kept burning into yours. Can she read minds?

"Maybe" she said getting up with a shrug. You almost gasped as your eyes followed her movements.

"Sorry what??" you asked getting up too. You pushed past people in order to catch up with Reya. Just as you both exited the classroom she answered.

"I said maybe, as in maybe its mountain lions, no one can be sure though," she said smiling widely before leaving the classroom.

Quickly making your way home you looked up to the sky noticing how quickly the sun was setting. It is winter...You picked up your pace knowing you wouldn't have a lot of time to find the money. lion smion, there's nothing out there...but still you wanted to be cautious.

After gathering your things and changing your clothes you quickly walked towards the entrance of the forest. The travel seemed like a lifetime even though it was only located 15 minutes from your house.

As you got there you looked up at the trees and back towards the city. You always found it strange how there was just the city and then bam a forest but You’ve never questioned it, and to be honest, no one has needed to. Taking a deep breath you looked at the shovel you stole from your next-door neighbour and began your search.

remembering that he has said be buried it near a large tree with a knifed X into it.

As you kept walking the sky started getting darker and the air was getting cooler. The trees seemed to glimmer underneath the moon but there was something spooky about this forest. Before you could take another step you heard rustling in the distance. Crap. You probably should’ve left a lot earlier.

Your head snapped into the direction of the noise. Was that the mountain lion? Your eyes scanned the empty area as your heartbeat sped up."Hello," you called but it came out more like a terrified wheeze.

"Well, what do we have here?"

Once again your head snapped into the direction of the noise. shocked that it was a voice and not a growl. Your hand came up to your heart, almost like an instinct. As your eyes adjusted your body almost feinted from the amount of work it was doing. With your heartbeat finally leaving your ears your eyes managed to make out a figure in the dark. You could see it was a man and you could make out some of his features but not all of them.

"Oh. Hi you scared me" you said sighing in relief,

"Oh sweetie he hasn't scared you just yet," another male said gasping once again you turned. this man was a little closer than the other one and you perfectly make out his outfit but as he stood in front of the moon his face was a little hidden.

"Mmmmmm type O jungkook's favourite. Maybe we should bring her back to him?" another said popping out from the right. Three males. in the middle of the forest. in the middle of the night. You froze as your heart dropped the feeling of unsettlement kicking in.

"Guys....can you smell that? What rank is it? An ultimate?" another one said as his head turned in different directions. "fuck. We should go" the first one said angrily as they all sighed in frustration.

"I thought they were extinct what the hell," another one said before turning around and disappearing in the shadows. You watched in relief as they all disappeared except one.

"we'll see you again human" he winked at me before disappearing with the rest of his group.

You blinked a couple of times, your body frozen in place as the wind began blowing harsher against your skin. What just happened?

"Oi you idiot"

You turned around, this time without fear as the familiar voice interrupted you. Reya. standing there with her arms crossed angrily she walked forward as your eyes connected. Were people just out in the forest constantly? Is there an event you didn't know about?

"I said not to go into the forest," she said grabbing my arm angrily. “Is this for your mum's boyfriends money? Gosh. is it really worth it ?” she said as she started dragging you back in the direction you came.

I pulled my arm away from hers and stood my ground as she looked at me confused "...They left" you blurted.

“what do you mean they left?” She asked, her eyes softening. You sighed, a cloud exiting your mouth as the cool air had suddenly become colder.

“Mum. She left with that bitch of a boyfriend. I said i wanted to finish high school here so left. And gave me nothing. I’m losing the house in 10 days Reya. I didn't know what else to do...” You explained.

Reya stood quietly. she looked at the ground before placing her hands on her hips.

“so instead of coming to me, you decide the best idea is too rummage through the forest at night?” She asked, her tone soft yet intense.

“well...I know...We’ve been friends for the longest time, but I’ve never been to your house. I haven't met your mum i jus...I didn't want to intrude. You clearly have stuff going on in your private home life Reya.” You said.

Reya bite her lip before hugging you tightly.

“You idiot. I know i have a lot going on. and honestly, I'm sorry that i haven't invited you into this part of my life before its just that its-...well a lot. But my home is ALWAYS open to you y/n. Your my best friend for god's sake” She exclaimed. as she released you from her grip she grabs your hand.

“You're coming to live with me. You can’t say no” She smiled.

“Only if your sure...because I’m going to feel hella bad if I’m an inconvenience to you...Do you have room for me?” You asked, your free hand coming to the back of your neck nervously.

Renya let out a small laugh as she looked at you excitedly.

“Trust me. We have room.”

------

Standing in front of a beautiful mansion, your jaw hit the ground. the driveway was lined with small trees guiding the way to the beautiful house. The wood coloured panels and sleek black colour scheme had you drooling a little bit.

“Yeah, You definitely have room” You whispered, still in shock.

Walking in the house you gawked at the interior the living room area that connected to the kitchen was gorgeous, to the left a glass wall let you see out to the city. You didn't even realise the house sat above the city until now.

"Remee are you rich?" You asked her, still in awe at her big ass place.

"I guess you could say that. Follow me ill show you to your room!" she said running up these beautiful gold plated stairs.

"Is this why no one has ever come to your house? Cause you're worried they'll steal something?" you asked following her through the second floor.

She laughed as she opened up a door to a room.

"no, I'm not that paranoid. Here's your room. We’ll grab your stuff tomorrow but it's currently 11pm and we’ve got school tomorrow” She said the pain in her eyes when the word school came up very evident.

“Yikes did you say 11pm?” You asked in shock. The time had really slipped by.

“I know, kinda crazy. I'll give you a tour of the place tomorrow! The bathroom is through that door there and don't worry ill come get you in the morning. Just rest up and don't worry about your living situation any more. I've got you.” Reya smiled.

“Thank you...really” You stated.

as Reya left your new room with a goodbye you took a deep breath. Looking around at your beige and white schemed room you smiled softly.

You could get used to this.

However, as you let yourself drift to sleep. Red eyes stared from a tree in the distance and a target had been unknowingly placed on your back.

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

Sis, Wake up!”

You fluttered your eyes open slowly, bright light started invading them causing me to squint. “10 more minutes” you groan as you rolled back under the silky sheets.

“I've been trying to wake you up forever. It's like you were dead!” Renya said hitting me with pillows.

“Remee please don’t make me get up, this has been the best sleep of my life” You whined as you tried to fall back into my peaceful slumber. Reya chucked a uniform on the bed hitting you one last time.

“Well, you can have another great nights sleep when we come back after school. Sis, please don't make me try and convince you to go. I already wanna ditch,” she said happily.

“ugh, We have to go...” You replied as you attempted to move your body. Keyword...attempting.

“Now get up you lazy bum! We have to go to school!” she said before exiting my room. You groaned before throwing the sheets off your body, staring at the ceiling. Hearing birds chirp you let yourself have another minute before you threw yourself out of bed.

---

The class was rioting as the day had just begun. The teacher hadn't arrived to class yet so as the paper was being tossed around and gossip was being spread you took the opportunity too Finally, the doors handle starts to riggle, The classic old door playing up again. But just by the wiggle, the class knew who it was.

Everything seemed to stop before everyone rushed towards their seats picking up any rubbish that was in the way and throwing it in the bin, Reya, who was on the other side of the class started jumping over desks just to get to her seat in time. Just as everyone was seated and was acting ‘normal’ the door slide open.

“Class A year 12. You have new students.” She said before entering in, as she walked in the faces coming in behind her looked so familiar it was scary, the seven boys standing in front of the class were so good looking some girls were actually drooling. One of the boys caught my eye, his dark hair and emo aura intrigued you, he caught me staring and smirked before looking next to me to Renya. blushing hardcore you ignored the tense state of your friend.

As they introduced themselves you watched as Reya nervously played with her fingers, you creased my brows in confusion as she looked at you. Something was clearly bothering her. She tried to smile at you in reassurance but it didn’t work out very well.

“Class would someone please show the boys around before chapel starts,” miss asked, as soon as she said that all the girls in the class shot their hands up except you and Reya. You tried your best to read her but it wasn't working very well.

“We want her to,”

Jin, the boy who looked like the oldest one pointed at you. Shouldn't they be in different year levels?

Everyone’s eyes clicked to me, some girls glared at the back of your head as you slowly got up. “Follow me,” You said softly ignoring how all seven boys stared at you as if you were prey.

walking through the hallways you could hear the boys whispering behind you. The hair stood up on the back of your neck as you pointed to different rooms. explaining what the are.

“and this is the spare classroom, we mostly use in for dance class as there aren’t any desks here, and the walls are soundproof,” You explained opening the door and letting them look in.

“Can you take us inside?” jimin asked as the started to block your exit. “Yer I guess I can,” you said as your heart started beating faster.

Leading them, you walked them in.

“so yer it’s a pretty decent roo-“ You started but as soon as you heard the slam of the door closing and the click of the lock, you whipped around faster than you could say ‘what the fuck’.

The boys all started spreading around the room except Jin who stood at the door with a big as the smirk on his face.

“Erm…is something wrong?” you asked gulping the saliva that was gathering in your mouth out of nervousness.

“Mmmmmm yes something is a very wrong young one,” Namjoon said as he rested his body against the wall sighing “see, you saw some of us in the forest last night, remember that?” Yoongi asked as he gave a faint smirk.

“Oh…that was you guys? Why were you in the forest? And why is it a problem that I saw you?” you asked in confusion, why are they making such a big deal out of it.

“mmmmmm, maybe she didn’t…’see’ us” taehyung said putting focus on the word see as he scratched his head and looked off into the distance

“doesn’t matter…I’m hungry,” jungkook said as he stepped closer and closer towards you.

your heart skipped a beat as his piercing gaze looked straight into my soul. A smirk came onto his face before he closed his eyes and took a whiff.

“My favourite,” he said before opening his eyes, the red of his eyes matched the colour of deep blood. As he smiled at you two fangs diverted your eyes to them causing you to freeze momentarily.

Gasping you backed up against a wall, He laughed at my obvious fear as the rest of them smirked waiting for the scene to unfold.

“Do you know what we are?” he asked the word right on the tip of my tongue.

“Y-y-you’re a-a vampire” you whimpered as you clutched the edge of my shirt.

“See guys! now she knows about us! do you know what happens to humans that find out about us?” he smirked coming closer to you.

“I don’t really wanna know to be honest” you whimpered again, looking around for some sort of exit but there was no point, his ‘posse’ had the place surrounded.

“It doesn’t matter anyway, you’re about to find out” he smirked, opening his mouth wider as his hand held my neck tightly. breathing in you were ready to let out a scream but the front door was pulled open.

Everyone stopped, jungkook’s fangs and eyes disappeared as Reya stood at the doorway. you had never been more grateful to see her in your life than at this moment right now.

“There you are, why are you guys in here? Shouldn’t your tour be done?” Reya asked, the door still wide open, wasn’t that locked?

You shuffled your feet to move out but jungkook who was in front of you, growled softly under his breath.

“Y/N, let’s go,” Reya said motioning out the door quickly.

“What about us? You can’t just leave us alone” taehyung pouted as he swiftly grabbed her hand. Your heart skipped a beat for a second, we need to both get the fuck out of here.

“You’re old enough, I’m sure you can find your way,” she said coldly as she snatched her hand back from his grip.

“If you want your friend you’re going to have to come in and get her” jungkook said as he gripped my arm tightly pulling me into his rock hard body.

Trying to communicate with her through your eyes you watched in fear as she rolled her eyes her temper clearly boiling.

“Well?” taehyung asked as everyone looked on. ,s if what was happening was a game. Reya took a breath before walking in straight towards where you were.

Taehyung smiled and slammed the door shut as some of the boys started laughing.

“not a smart move” jungkook chuckled before his fangs reappeared.

Waiting for an ear-piercing screech you watch on worriedly but your eyes narrowed at the relaxed girl.

I started struggling against his grip as Reya walked closer.

“I only like saying things once, so listen closely. You WILL leave her alone, I’ll let you roam around, but if I see one bite mark on her unscarred skin, or one student in this god damn school dead, I will kill you, now let her go” Reya stated, authority laced in her voice.

Jungkook and his companions laughed as he brought you in front of him, holding you still with one arm and removing your hair in front of your neck with the other.

“And what are you, a low power witch, going to do to stop me” he smirked as he brought his fangs closer to my neck.

Tears strolled down my face as you prepared yourself for the pain...

“Remember what I told you,” she said staring him down.

Before his teeth could puncture your neck, his hands dropped from your body and went straight to his head, he screamed loudly, dropping towards the floor. Jin and Suga ran straight too him. Looking at him confused.

“I wouldn’t exactly call me, low rated,” she said grabbing your arm and pulling you towards her. Confused, you continued to stare at the group of vampires.

“Remee, stop please” you whispered tugging on her sleeve, looking down at the pained boy. She glanced at you confused before stopping whatever she was doing.

As jungkook regained himself he glared up at the two of you. scooting a little closer to Remee you tried not to be as scared as they all circled us shooting daggers into our backs.

“so what are you, middle rate? You don’t smell like an ultimate witch” rap monster asked as he examined her.

“I don’t know, are you willing to find out,” she said glaring at all of them. the tension could be cut with a knife. Your friend was so confident and so unfazed by the blood-sucking boys.

“Now let us go,” she said turning to jimin who was blocking up from the door. When jimin didn’t move she sighed and with a flick of her hand jimin was flung across the room. As he groaned you watched as some of the boys moved away from Reya.

“One time everybody, one time,” she said as she led you out of the room.

As Remee dragged you down the corridors you head was spun. The situation not settling well with you.

“Remee, what the fuck just happened, their…and you’re…and what the hell!?” I exclaimed clutching my head with my free hand.

“I’ll explain once we get back to my house,” she said as we exiting school “were ditching?” you asked, Your brain lowkey breaking down at the knowledge that these mythical creatures were real.

“Yer well I think this situation calls for ditching ya know?” she said as the two of you left school. You tightened your grip on your friend's hand as you knew without her guidance your body wouldn't know how to act. The memory of those red eyes and white fangs burned in your brain as you walked...

What now? Are they going to be after you?

You looked at Reya who still looked calm and composed and something about it calmed you down.

You would be okay...hopefully.

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xpurpleeclipse · 3 years

Text

Forbidden Love ~ Chapter Two: Embarrassment | Mathew Baynton FanFic

The six cast members took their seats on stools that had been provided by the theatre. Each of the six was holding a microphone ready to talk to the students (and staff) sat in the auditorium. It was weird seeing the 'six idiots' as they were known in their casual clothes. I was so used to seeing them in their extravagant and often wacky costumes from the TV show.

'Hello everyone!' Jim took the lead of the Q&A session. 'We're very excited to be able to work with you today! We're going to kick-start the day with a Q&A and then later you will be doing a workshop with myself, Larry and Mat.' Out of the corner of my eye, I could see some of the students, especially the girls, looking at one another and whispering 'yes' and 'get in!' To be fair, I'd be lying if I wasn't thinking the same. It's not every day you get to meet people from TV as part of your teaching career.

The Q&A started. The students eagerly put their hands up waiting for their questions to be asked. It was going pretty well until I noticed a certain student who was bouncing in their seat with their hand raised. I saw Aggie go over to Harry and whisper something to him. In my head, I knew exactly what she was saying. 'Harry, please sit properly in your seat and wait patiently to be picked to ask a question.' I saw him roll his eyes and slump into his seat but his hand was still raised and flapping trying to get the attention of those on stage.

Larry pointed in the direction of Harry and his friends and said 'the young man in the second row.' Harry jumped back up, eager and bellowed his question. 'If you could only pick one song to sing from the show for the rest of your life what would it be?' The cast looked at one another and smiled. Larry responded with 'that's such a great question. I'm going to hand this one over to Mat first I think.'

Mathew Baynton. Ah, what a man. The students didn't know this but on the inside I was fan-girling myself. It was an added bonus that I got to see his face every day at work even if it was only on a whiteboard for a few minutes. I guess in my head he was everything I believed a perfect man would be like but then again, I had Eric so... Anyway. He looked like he was pondering his answer to the question. I knew instantly what my favourite song was from the show and it was one of his solos. 'You know, I think I might have to go for Charles II: King of Bling. It was really fun to film and I know the majority of people adore the character.' Out of nowhere, there was an outburst from Harry. 'Oh my god! That's so cool! You know our teacher Miss Thorne plays that all the time! Like every single day! Miss, that's your favourite song isn't it!?' I could feel myself turning red. The blazing heat taking over my cheeks. Not only were all the students looking my way but I knew that the six grown adults on stage where also looking directly at me too. I wanted the ground to swallow me whole. Thanks Harry!

Aggie rushed straight back over to Harry and I knew she was scolding him for jumping back into the conversation. I didn't know what to say or do. Was I embarrassed because one of my students had acted up? Was I embarrassed that my colleague now knew that I played the song pretty much every day? Or was I embarrassed because one of my students had unknowingly outed me for having a huge crush on Mathew Baynton who was literally a couple of metres away? I looked sheepishly back at the stage and let out a small smile. 'Tell you what, shall we have a sing-a-long?' Jim chimed in. I could feel myself looking around at the students. Some of them responded with a loud 'yeah!' 'Okay then! Let's do it! Shall we start with the Monarch song!? Who knows that?' A sea of hands rose into the air. Lots of excited students ready to have an impromptu sing-a-long of their favourite songs from the show. I felt someone behind me before they started whispering in my ear. 'Why don't you go call Sue and let her know how the trip is going? It will give you a couple of minutes to have a breather too. You're looking a little flustered.' I looked behind me and saw Aggie there. 'But...' She put her hand up to stop me. 'I'll be fine looking after this lot. Go ring Sue and let her know how it's going. Off you pop!'

I walked out of the auditorium through a side door and ended up in corridor that was quite narrow. Where did Helen say the toilets where again? I wandered down the corridor and eventually found the ladies toilets. Was I even meant to be down this corridor? I got in and saw my reflection in the mirror. Yup, those rosy cheeks didn't give anything anyway did they? I had to stop myself from going up to the wall and bashing my head against it. After I composed myself, I scrambled in my pockets to find my phone. I dialled the school number and waited for Sue's voice on the other end. No answer. Great.

'Hello, you have reached the reception for Humphrey High School. Unfortunately, the school receptionist cannot take your call right now but if you leave a message, we will return your call as soon as possible.' I checked my watch. It felt like I had been in the bathroom for ages even though it had only been at least five minutes. The phone beeped. 'Hi Sue, it's just Lottie. Aggie asked me to give the school a ring to let you know that we have arrived at the theatre safe and sound and the children are enjoying the workshop so far. If we have any issues, I'm sure I'll ring you back. See you when we return to school. Thanks now!' I hung up my phone and sighed. Right time to get back to the auditorium and make sure that Aggie wasn't left alone for much longer.

I looked in the mirror, took a quick glance at myself and straightened up my glasses. I made my way out of the toilets and back onto the long corridor. The hallway was long. The carpet the same rouge colour that matched the seats in the auditorium. Obviously that was the colour scheme of the theatre. The corridor was filled with posters from previous productions that had performed at the theatre. Some of the faces I recognised, various celebrities from TV and films. I was lost in my own little world until I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket.

YOU HAVE ONE NEW MESSAGE.

I looked to see Eric's name with the message 'Another night eating tea alone. Guess you can just make up for it at the weekend. That's if you are not too busy? See you tonight.' I rolled my eyes. I hated his mini guilt trips. You'd think he was 15 never mind 35. I wish he would understand that my profession sometimes meant putting others before myself and this was a fantastic opportunity for the students.

I started heading towards the auditorium, phone still in hand. I had no clue what to reply. Could I be bothered arguing back? Was it worth it? As I started typing, I felt myself bump into something... Or someone...

'Oh my god, I am so sorry! I should have been looking...' I looked up and there he was. He had grabbed hold off my arm as we collided. Possibly in the hope of catching me before I hit the deck. I could feel myself getting lost in his dark brown eyes. 'I, urm, I....' I was lost for words. That was the second time I'd managed to embarrass myself today.

#Mathew Baynton #Horrible Histories #Horrible Histories Fanfiction #Fanfiction #Mat Baynton #Mathew Baynton Fanfiction

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that-sw-writer · 4 years

Note

Hi!! I love your writing so much! Could I request the prompt “she/he is not my girl/boyfriend”

Thank you anon! Hope you like it.

From the 300 follower prompt list: (s)he’s not my girl/boyfriend.

Warnings: none

Word count: 1027

Opposites Attract

Commander Ren was possibly the most infuriating man you had ever dealt with in your whole life. He always wanted to argue about things, yet somehow you constantly found yourself having to spend time around him.

You had been living aboard Starkiller Base for six months now. Previously you had been aboard The Supremacy, working directly with Supreme Leader Snoke as the First Order's Supreme Chancellor. You dealt with all political matters throughout the organisation, and you were undeniably amazing at your job.

However, gaining favour with the Supreme Leader only rubbed his hot-headed apprentice up the wrong way. You worked closely with General Hux, and the two of your saw eye-to-eye on many things. The pair of you generally didn't compete for Snoke's approval, but you both did compete with Ren.

Things had been okay for you before you had been posted aboard Starkiller. You had been in direct contact with Snoke almost daily, and you had coordinated with General Hux over holocomm. Most importantly: you hadn't had any contact with Kylo Ren.

Now things were entirely different. You rarely spoke with Snoke, and you were having to constantly work with Kylo Ren. Whilst you favoured the diplomatic approach to scenarios, he preferred more violent methods, which ultimately had you constantly at odds.

You were meeting with Hux and Ren ahead of a large political function that was to be taking place that very evening. Both allied and neutral planets would be in attendance. The aim was to persuade at least another four planets to join the First Order's cause, but with Ren in tow that was bound to be a challenge. He tended to force, rather than persuade.

"You may not like it Ren, but you need to leave that infernal helmet behind." You huffed, repeating yourself for what felt like the hundredth time.

"You're right, I don't like it. I'm wearing it." He snapped back, his voice sounding synthetic due to the very helmet in question.

"The Supreme Chancellor is right Ren, we're not trying to intimidate these people." Hux backed you up, unsurprisingly.

"Are we not? In my experience intimidation brings conformance." He snorted, and you just rolled your eyes. Of course his view would be so narrow.

"Did you ever consider that we want the neutral states to join us by choice? It's simple Ren, you leave the helmet behind, or we leave you behind." You narrowed your eyes as you threatened him.

Knowing that you weren't bluffing, he simply got up and stormed out of the room, no doubt on his way to tear some of the base to shreds out of frustration. He truly was an exasperating man.

But what you had never expected was that underneath it all he was a handsome man... You had seen his face for the first time that very evening, and you were almost annoyed that he was so attractive. It made it harder to hate him, although you didn't let it stop you.

Both Hux and Ren wore their First Order garments, but you had refused a uniform from day one. They were hideous, you had always preferred to look the part of Supreme Chancellor, opting for lavish gowns - usually in black or red to at least stick slightly to the First Order colour scheme.

The three of you mingled together for a majority of the evening, and thankfully Ren's imposing presence wasn't actually putting people off for once, mostly because nobody recognised him. They thought he was simply another officer, there to assist you, and you weren't in a hurry to correct them.

You had spent the best part of an hour coaxing the planetary leader from Felucia to join your ranks, and seemingly succeeding. Hux had interjected occasionally when it came to military capabilities, and Ren had remained completely silent. You counted your blessings in regard to the latter.

You had noticed Kylo staring at you a lot though, which you found odd. Perhaps since he had never actually seen you in action before and he was learning that there were methods beyond intimidation to get people to do your bidding.

"I'm exceptionally good at reading people you see, Supreme Chancellor." The man who was representing Felucia boasted, very proudly. "You strike me as a woman who knows exactly what she's doing. I'd feel confident putting my faith in you."

You gave a cordial smile at the compliment, "you honour me, Sir. I'm thrilled that we've been able to come to an arrangement."

"Yes, welcome to the First Order." Hux echoed your pleasantries.

Kylo meanwhile remained silent, even when you excused yourself from the conversation to speak to another potential ally, leaving the three men alone.

"Quite a woman." The Fulician representative commented as you left.

"Yes, she's very talented at what she does." Hux then agreed. You commanded the respect of many people, possibly everyone except Ren.

"How long have you two been together?" The diplomat asked, directing his question at a very stunned Ren.

"W-what?" He spoke for the first time, Hux stifling laughter from beside him. "She's not my girlfriend." He was quick to protest.

The man's brow furrowed, "Oh, my mistake. It's just I noticed the way you looked at her... such adoration in your eyes, I took it be a relationship of some sort." Despite being incorrect, the diplomat was possibly better at reading people than anyone gave him credit for. He had spotted something that Kylo hadn't even known he was doing.

"Well it isn't." He grumbled, turning away with Hux hot on his heels.

The General briefly apologised for Ren's aloof manners as he followed.

"You know Ren, he may be onto something there." He couldn't resist teasing his arch-nemesis just a bit. It was fun to get him riled up.

"He's not." He immediately snapped in response, but now his gaze was completely focused on you as you effortlessly chatted away and laughed with potential allies.

Sure he thought you were physically attractive, and tonight he had learnt that you were certainly apt at your job. Not to mention that you held yourself with such poise in every scenario, and he couldn't help but admire the way you could command any conversation.

Kriff, it was a good job nobody could read his mind...

Perhaps, just maybe, that diplomat had been onto something.

#kylo ren x reader #kylo ren imagine #kylo ren x you #kylo ren x y/n #kylo x reader #kylo x you #kylo x y/n

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nikochiwriting · 4 years

Text

Another fic from the void.

Obey Me palace drama AU that was named the Seven Kingdoms AU

OC x Canon

1.5k words.

A/N: * is a bit of a joke towards Chinese history where servants of the Emperor would refer to themselves as this slave. I had the feeling I needed to say this before someone tries to call me racist.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today was a very important day for Gaia and the Devildom. The newest tribute had arrived to the Devildom. Demons of all kinds had wished to get a glance at her face. The tribute herself, however, had wished to return home. Not be another concubine to some demon, living her life behind a cage, a tool to use and throw away when no longer useful.

She was a sacrifice.

Talks about unification and peace between the three realms were a thing long before she was born. It wasn’t until Prince Diavolo of the Devildom had begun his plans that there was any genuine progress. Since then, they have sent many human women to the Devildom as servants or concubines. Sacrifices in exchange of accessing the Devildom’s wealth. Nikki was the latest victim of this, a young woman, just turned twenty years old. She wasn’t a princess, a noble or even grossly rich. She didn’t possess powerful magic, nor did she have much talent anywhere else except music. She considered herself to be pretty; having dark skin, curly black hair and green eyes that looked like it glowed. She was chosen because of her father. Nikki’s relationship with her father was nothing short of dysfunctional. They had rarely seen eye to eye on most things, clashing with ideals and moralities.

Perhaps, she thought, this was a punishment. That if they sent her to marry some random foreigner, she would see her father’s side of things and as a bonus, he would have access to the enormous amount of money sent as compensation.

The eternal night of the Devildom was weirdly calming to her, the evening breeze cool on her skin. As they escorted her to the throne room, Nikki could feel herself shiver, the dread creeping up her bones. The throne room was unusual, at least by her human standards. Seven thrones sat at the bottom, a singular throne above them. Engraved on each throne was an animal and a sigil, the throne above fancier and more decorated than the rest. The rest of the room had the animals and sigils decorated in banners or engraved in the walls. The throne room, despite the black paint on the walls, was golden. It created an imposing aura, even with no one sitting, no one watching.

“You are here early, the Emperor would be with you in a moment.” A man with green hair, dressed in butler’s clothes approached Nikki, having her subconsciously step back. He seemed to note her anxiety, standing a distance from her, greeting her with a bow.

“What’s your name?”

“Barbatos, I am Emperor Diavolo’s most trusted servant.” He bowed to her again, stepping into the room behind the thrones.

Nikki’s first reaction to Diavolo was surprise mixed with dread. Instead of sitting on the throne, he walked to her, apologizing for being late, offering his hand for a handshake. The cheery and friendly aura around him only made him more regal in appearance, his red, black and gold clothing matching the colour scheme of the throne room.

“Welcome to the Devildom, I hope that you have had a pleasant trip here?”

“I have, thank you.” Nikki chose her word carefully. One wrong move and she would be dead.

“You’ve met my loyal butler, Barbatos, but I’ve yet to introduce myself,” he laughed, as if he was desperately trying to lighten the atmosphere. “I’m Emperor Diavolo, I rule over the Devildom in its entirety, you’ll understand what I mean by that later.”

“I am Nicole Duke, your royal majesty.” Nikki didn’t know what to do. Should she bow, should she say anything else, should she address herself as this slave*?

One would wonder if Diavolo noticed her hesitance or not, motioning for Barbatos to give her some pastries while asking her some questions. It was mostly straightforward, a rundown of things she should know during her stay and confirmation on other things. Why was the Emperor doing these things himself? Wasn’t there a servant or someone who could do something like this? She wouldn’t voice these things, rolling with the tide. Eventually, six other men entered the room one by one, each sitting on one of the lower thrones until the one on the furthest right was empty. The golden bull, engraved in the throne, kept her attention until she remembered where she was and what she was doing.

“They sent me here to be a bride for one of the Kings, when, um, who do I marry?” Nikki asked as the man in black and sliver who sat in the middle frowned.

“Since everyone is here, I can now delve more into what you are going to be doing here and have them introduce themselves.” Emperor Diavolo said, turning his attention to the man in the center. “You can handle the rest right, Lucifer?”

“Where’s the last one?” Nikki interrupted , pointing to the empty throne. “Are they busy?”

A silence. The man in the center stood up and spoke. “Welcome to the Devildom Nicole, I am King Lucifer, I rule over the northeastern region and I’m the eldest of the seven of us, unfortunately we have sent my youngest brother as an envoy to the human realm and he couldn’t attend.”

Nikki didn’t buy it but nodded. If that was the case, what was with the silence beforehand? One by one, the others introduced themselves. Mammon was the second eldest and the ruler of the Western regions. He was loud with his disinterest of this whole thing, Nikki wished she could join him. Leviathan and Satan were the third and fourth, respectively. Levi, distracted and disinterested himself, was the ruler of the archipelago off the western coast. Satan was polite, kinder than the two before, but behind his words and smile, he watched her coldly with his blue-green eyes. He was the ruler of the northern region, even going as far to invite Nikki to the Shangri strip.

“The Shangri strip?”

Satan nodded. “It’s a piece of land that borders on the northwestern kingdom, it has a lot of resources along with natural beauty, it’s one of my favorite places in my Kingdom.”

“You mean my kingdom Satan.” Lucifer spoke, Nikki wondered if his frown was permanent at this point.

“There are some disputes over it, but it shouldn’t affect your stay here.” Satan didn’t seem bothered, his smile brighter than ever but his eyes were colder than before. Nikki could feel the goosebumps appear on her skin when he looked at her.

“Unless a full-blown war happens over it, then it affects everyone.” Mammon said, Diavolo interrupting before anything else could happen.

Asmodeus, the fifth and the ruler of the southernmost regions was also friendly but unlike Satan, there was little behind it. He even praised Nikki’s looks, being the most interested of the bunch. The other brothers didn’t waste any time in ruining that image. Telling her he probably just wants to have sex with her. Asmodeus didn’t deny them, being more upset that they pointed it out.

Beelzebub, the sixth who ruled over the southwest region, didn’t have much to say outside of his name and region. He reminded Nikki that it had been hours since she last ate with his mention of lunch. Once he ended, Emperor Diavolo turned his attention back to Nikki.

“Those are the six kings that rule of the Devildom along with me,” the Emperor spoke, “Over the course of the next year, you will attend bridal lessons and at the end of the year you will choose one of them to be your husband.”

It surprised Nikki to hear that she had a choice in the matter. She was expecting to get married right away to one of them without the chance to get to know them first.

“You had a question for me, your royal majesty?”

“There’s no need to be so formal, call me Diavolo and yes.” Diavolo’s dark golden eyes looked directly into Nikki’s. “Be honest, you don’t want to be here, do you?”

“No, I don’t, I want to go home.”

Diavolo nodded. “We figured, which is why at the end of the year, if you chose, you can return home as an ambassador to the Devildom.”

She could go home. Nikki could feel the tears of relief well in her eyes. She could go back home to her twin sister, return to a semi-ordinary life.

“What’s the catch?”

Even with being forced to become an ambassador, Nikki felt it was too good to be true.

“Nothing, we don’t want to force you into doing something you don’t want to do,” Asmodeus spoke, “That thing is bad for the skin.”

“You cannot leave the Devildom nor the capital without an escort during the year, but that’s just to make sure you don’t run away and break the contract.” Satan agreed with Asmodeus' first statement.

Nikki noted what they said. She didn’t have much questions. Most of them surrounding the absence of the missing seventh, asking only those about what she would do during the year and one important question.

“Why was I chosen? I’m no one special.”

Diavolo’s words stuck with her. Even after the year had past.

“That’s exactly why it makes you unique, in a place like this and I think we need someone like you around here.”

#obey me #obey me!#obey me fanfiction #seven kingdoms AU

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bare1ythere · 4 years

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Tape Recorders and the Broken Camera - A Theory

This came to me yesterday and I then spent ~2 hours writing this out. It’s Incredibly self indulgent and probably a bit ramble-y but sometimes you need to let yourself say and much as you want about your hyperfixation.. as a treat.

Word count is 1.5k, let me know what you think!!

TLDR: The Tape Recorders were able to manifest within Upton House as both they and the broken camera are artifacts of the Extinction. (Reasoning under the cut!)

As a start, I think it’s important to think about how Smirke’s 14 as a categorization system is more or less useless, but only about as useless as the categorization of things in real life. As much as a lot of folks’d like it to be (me included), nothing is really clearcut. In the context of TMA, consider the fear that your life, or life in general, is insignificant. Would this belong to The Vast (Insignificance and being small in the grand scheme of things) or The End (The inevitable end of your life, and the end of your impact in the universe)? Both? I think the answer to that depends on who you ask, honestly. Not only that, but there’s plenty of statements that don’t have a clear entity attached to them. Binary, Thrown Away, and Confession are a few examples of these.

The truth is that Smirke’s list of 14 isn’t as clear cut as we’d like to think. Trying to put things into clear cut boxes is something humans have been doing for forever, and Robert Smirke’s attempts at understanding The Fears are no different. The Fears are really just one amorphous thing, a spectrum (“colours except if colours hated [us]” (MAG111)) that doesn’t really fit any one definition without exceptions.

I think remembering this is important when thinking about how Jon, Martin, and co are going to try to reverse The Change. Using the Web or the Eye or some other plot-important power to reverse the apocalypse doesn’t seem likely to me since these fears don’t Really exist, and are just the names we call aspects of the one amorphous Entity that feeds on fear.

(“the Fears[…] can never be truly separated from each other. When does the fear of sudden violence transition into the fear of hunted prey? When does the mask of the Stranger become the deception of the Spiral?” (MAG160))

This is also relevant now considering how the tape recorders were still able to manifest in Salesa’s oasis, outside of the influence of both the Eye AND the Web.

So how was this possible? For the entire podcast it seemed that Jon’s tape recorders were Eye aligned. I mean, they’re an Eye avatar’s tape recorders for a reason. However, they aren’t a staple of an Archivist’s abilities; there were archivists before tape recorders existed (MAG53), and notably, Gertrude never used them when reading statements for herself (MAG111):

ARCHIVIST: Did [Gertrude] read statements?

GERARD: Sometimes. If she was getting shaky. They perked her up, I think. Feeding the Eye, you know? I’d sometimes hear her through the wall, just reading into the air, feeling it all.

ARCHIVIST: She… she didn’t use a tape recorder?

GERARD: Not when I was with her. She travelled light. Left things behind.

That means the tape recorders are unique to Jon rather than The Archivist as a role.

I’ve seen a lot of theories about the tape recorders being manifestations of the Web instead, but despite how cool these are, I don’t think thats true. For one, how do randomly-manifesting tape recorders listening in on what is happening to you feed the fear of being manipulated or losing control? The recorders themselves are passive; they almost never impact the actions of the characters themselves. In fact, most of the time they’re completely ignored - especially in S5. Though it’s true that Web-touched artifacts like Jon’s lighter often get swept past and left unconsidered to benefit the Web’s plan, that isn’t really what’s happening here. They’re very aware that these tape recorders aren’t normal (MAG161):

MARTIN: Hey – Hey, when did you start recording?

ARCHIVIST: (confusion) I – didn’t. I only brought one, and I’ve been using it to play the tapes.

MARTIN: Oh. (sigh) That’s not a great sign.

ARCHIVIST: No. No, it’s not.

And again in MAG181:

SALESA: Now tell me, do you know why there’s a tape recorder here? I noticed it just now, but I don’t believe I actually own one.

ARCHIVIST: Uh… Not really.

MARTIN: They sort of just… follow us round.

This doesn’t really sound like something that would fit the Web. You could argue that the recorders are the Web’s way of getting information on what’s going on with Jon and Martin, but they already use spiders for that. Also, the recorders were still able to manifest within Upton House (!!!) where supposedly no power could get through. But it’s not like there’s some Other eldritch entity unrelated to the Fears that the recorders could be related to, so how was the recorder able to manifest?

I think it has to do with how Salesa’s broken camera is related to the Fears. It was unclear which fear it was aligned to in this episode, only that it feeds on “the quiet worries that come from living in hiding” (MAG181). That’s why I started this whole thing talking about Smirke’s list. I don’t really know which of the fears that would apply to. Honestly, of the main 14, it could apply to a combination: The Dark (fear of not knowing what’s out there beyond your sanctuary), the Lonely (fear of hiding alone for the rest of your life), and the End (Fear of the inevitable collapse of your safe haven and your death.) I really don’t think it could be any one of these fears alone, only a combination could explain the camera’s existence.

The weird thing, though, is that we’ve never really seen an artifact this complicated before. Most artifacts had a pretty basic, non-nuanced relationship to the fears. Never as vague as this camera.

Unless!

THE BROKEN CAMERA IS AN ARTIFACT OF THE EXTINCTION!

If you think about it, all of the aspects I mentioned above for the fear of being in hiding can be connected to the extinction.

The Dark: The Fear of not knowing what’s out there beyond your sanctuary The Extinction: The fear of what’s beyond your safe haven, what’s changed without you being there

The Lonely: The Fear of hiding alone for the rest of your life The Extinction: The fear of being the last person alive, forced to reckon with the changed world/whatever you’re hiding from alone

The End: The Fear of the inevitable collapse of your safe haven and your death The Extinction: The fear of being the last of what’s left of humanity, with the end of your life being the end of all of us

Not only that, but the camera itself is a manmade device (with the extinction having heavy technological themes). It’s also prime real estate to feed on the fears of those with bunkers/doomsday preppers, and Salesa’s acquisition of it was DIRECTLY related to wanting to survive a potential apocalypse. Even if it weren’t inherently extinction related from the beginning, its current use means that the fear it’s absorbing IS extinction related, whether or not that was the reason for its original manifestation.

So with the broken camera being an artifact related to the extinction, what does that mean for the tape recorders?

What if the reason the tape recorders can manifest within the Upton House is because they share an entity with the camera? And they can exacerbate the fear of being in hiding without removing the hiding aspect that makes it work? (after all, the tape recorders did first manifest again after the change when Jon and Martin were in hiding at the safehouse.)

Same with the creature of the Crawling Rot that paid Salesa a visit, the tape recorders can serve to remind the user of the camera that their bunker is not impenetrable. The reason it’s different from the corruption creature is that the tape recorder was Able to manifest within Upton House rather than just wander in. If it’s not related to feeding the same fear as the camera, why would the camera let it in at a risk of ruining its purpose?

The tape recorders’ connection with the broken camera seems to point to them being extinction-aligned, but they also serve as a form of record of How the World Changed and What is Left Without Us. This concept was a huge aspect of S5’s extinction statement (MAG175) as well.

This raises a lot of questions about why the tape recorders manifest for Jon specifically. Is he an extinction-aligned eye avatar? Are they not Really his, but manifest around him as they recognize his importance in the story of the apocalypse (which would make sense, since tapes have manifested for Just martin throughout S4 and S5)? What does this mean for the extinction and how the Change can be reversed? I’m not really sure to be honest!! I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

Starting at the beginning of S5, though, I thought that the podcast had to end with Jon’s death, as the tape recorders, a part of Jon, are the way we hear what actually happens in the podcast. I don’t think that’s necessarily the case anymore. The recorders, as manifestations of the extinction, wanted to drink in the fear of an incoming/ongoing disaster. It’s extremely likely they wouldn’t care to hear the relief of a saved world.

#the magnus archives #tmaspoilers #mag181 #tma #magpod #tma meta #shut up me #This is the most self indulgent thing ive ever written #I almost didnt post it bc i mainly wrote it out for myself but I thought i might as well #This idea might also be something ive reblogged in the past but its also just fun to look through the transcripts #for proof relating to the theories you like c:#MAG181: *is a relatively chill episode*#Me disentangling myself from loads of red string: WHAT

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smoljamswrites · 4 years

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all is fair in love & war | bts x reader | chapter two

pairing: bts x female reader

genre: mafia!au, series fic, angst, fluff, (eventual) smut

warnings for this chapter: stalker-ish kinda? y/n is uncomfortable, mentions of abuse, my bad writing!!

a/n: hey, I’m trying my best to make the chapters longer than the previous and including more things, so please stay tuned!!

the fic playlist is here, if you wanted to hear it x

He flew down the stairs, eager to find the two at the bar and fulfill his ‘mission’. Well, if there’s anything Taehyung is good at, it’s distracting people. He was regularly sent out to divert people’s attention, and boy was he quite the distraction. With his boxy grin and beautifully sculpted face, it was hard to leave him. He couldn’t wait to see you properly! With all these years of staring at old photographs of you, he couldn’t believe this was his chance to finally talk to you. This, of course, only made him run faster. And it was at this great speed that Taehyung could barely see what was ahead of him and bounded straight into Jungkook.

“Watch where you’re going-“Jungkook started, “What? Why are you looking at me like that for?”

“Did you let her leave?” Tae deadpanned.

“…yeah, but I got her number!” he smirked, walking up the stairs smugly.

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

Your last 3 days have consisted of three things; sleeping, eating, and texting the bartender. He keeps asking when he’ll see you next and you want to see him too, you really do, but it’s too risky to leave again.

The lights behind you are blaring, good at hiding the blush forming on your cheeks. He leans in, mouth by your ear. He smells quite musky, with a touch of vanilla. It’s so sweet and hypnotizing and God do you love it! With his lips ghosting over your ear, he whispers “do you want me to take you back to your home later? Saves you paying for a taxi, I can drive you?”

You begin to fidget in your seat, squirming at the idea of him taking you home. Not because its him that would take you home - actually you find yourself trusting the bartender more as you continue to speak to him - but rather because what would happen if he did. Would he expect to come into your house? What if they notice he’s there? Would they hurt him? You can’t even get caught coming back in, let alone sneaking in another person! God how long have you been out for?

A small cough interrupts your inner dread, and you notice Jungkook beginning to stand up straight. After you quickly realise that he must have thought you had rejected him, you subconsciously reach out and grab his arm.

“um I’m sorry but I live in a dorm and you see the, um, university is very strict on having strangers on campus and so it’s not-“

“Hey, don’t worry about it, I completely understand!” he says, rather gently “but can I at least have your number?”

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

Your mind wanders back into reality as you hear footsteps heading towards the kitchen. Immediately your hands move to play with your bracelet, your eyes darting to the door of the kitchen, fingers twisting the metal on your wrist. 3 of the main members of Sin Syndicate enter the kitchen as an uneasy feeling sets in your stomach. You look up expectantly at the men, and they look down back at you. The one member, who’s name you know to be Ju-Won, walks around the table and stands directly behind you; as for the other two, one stands in front of you, on the opposite side of the table, and the other stands at the door. A tingly sensation creeps up over you, as you feel Ju-Won touching and twisting strands of your hair through his fingers. You hide the urge to cringe, as you think about the things those hands have done – the lives they have taken.

“So sweetheart, Yunseo says that you can’t keep scrounging off us anymore. You’re a big girl now, and we can’t keep paying for you, can we? You have to start working for your life now. Ju-Won suggested you could work in one of our brothels, but we don’t want you too tired for us when you come back home, so we have decided you’re going to be working at ‘Angels’. You start tomorrow!” the greasy smile in front of you makes you want to throw up.

As Ju-Won lets go of your hair, and you nod politely at the 3 members (much to your resentment) you head back into your room. It seems really out of place in this big mansion of the Syndicates. The room has a cream colour scheme and is filled by a single-bed and a small chest of drawers. Reaching around your socks in your drawer, you search for the one that hides your phone. The phone springs to life, with the brand logo flashing on the screen when you turn it on. Sitting down on your bed, notifications begin to come through.

Jungkook: Hey, how are you today? [11:34✓✓]

Butterflies arise in your stomach as you lie back onto your bed, smiling to yourself. Your fingers move faster than your brain, and before you know it you have already replied.

You: Hey, I’m alright thank you, I’m actually starting a new job tomorrow! I’m a little nervous about it to be honest, but I’m so glad to be getting out the house more! [13:26✓]

You reread the message you sent and panic. It definitely sounds like you’re being held captive, you think.

You: Yknow, getting out the house more than usual because of college and everything haha! [13:27✓]

You put your phone away in your drawer, feeling calm now that you had saved your little mistake.

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

“Um Joon?”

Jungkook, adorned in a complete black outfit, enters the living room, phone in hand. His eyes search the 6 other pairs in the room, until he lands on Namjoon’s. He nervously walks over to the couch and sits on the arm of it before continuing,

“as you know, I’ve been texting Y/N for the past few days, and well...she says she has a job?”

“A job?”

“Yeah. She said she starts tomorrow and she’s nervous. You don’t think-“

A shorter man, but equal in fierceness and determination, interrupts Jungkook’s fretting, ”Well they aren’t going to let her go and work for a legitimate place, that’d be stupid. And as the Syndicates only run drug chains, strip clubs and brothels, then she’s obviously working in one of them.”

Jungkook’s face morphs into one of outrage; almost disgust,” A fucking brothel!? They better not be sending her to work there Yoongi, I swear to God, I’ll fucking torch the lot of them”

Taehyung can’t stop himself for giggling at his younger’s outburst, “Why do you even care!? You hardly know her, and be realistic yeah? She’s probably working for one of their strip clubs to get her started, because it’s not like they’re gonna let her run riot on a drug chain. And sending her straight into a brothel? Unlikely.”

“Tae’s got a point. I’ll try and work out which one they have likely sent her too.” Their leader places his hand on Jungkook’s shoulder comfortingly, and then continues to head to his office.

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

A bright purple neon sign, declaring the title ‘Angels’ flickers above the bar. The ‘A’ has devil horns above it, completely ridding the name of its suggested innocence. Most of the place looks like it is following an open plan design. Yellow leather chairs meet black shiny counters; tacky turquoise poles stand tall on top of the surface. You are pretty sure, that just in the 2 minutes you have spent here, you have seen every colour existing.

It’s quite busy in here already to say it is only the late afternoon, you think. Men dressed in suits occupy most of the room, but you are surprised to see female clients lurking around. From all the movies you watched, you always gathered it was only men that visited these types of places. Clearly, you were wrong. Your eyes continue to search the place, whilst you are waiting for further instructions from Yunseo. On the opposite side of the room you see a raised platform, with black, leather seats and small, red, circular tables surrounding it. You quickly conclude that this must be the stage where main performances are given. Focusing on that area, you see the a few silver poles coming out of the stage. You gulp, wondering if they are expecting you to be able to pole dance. You could never do that, you muse, you can barely walk in a straight line half the time! As for the employees, they are absolutely stunning. Long hair swaying in sync with their hips, their golden skin hypnotizing every person to watch their every move. You really don’t know how you’re going to fit in here.

As you take a sip of your water, a gentleman joins you at the bar. You can’t help but to take notice of him as he orders himself a drink, engaging in conversation with the Syndicate Bartender.

“You’re new ‘round here, right? I haven’t ever seen you here before?”

“Yeah, a friend recommended me the club, said I should check it out, so here I am” the dark black hair of the gentleman is parted, allowing any lurking eyes a better scope of his handsome face.

Just as you begin to listen to the rest of their conversation, Yunseo taps your shoulder.

“Okay Y/N, you’re going to have to get practicing because I’ve booked you a performance slot ready for Saturday, and you better not disappoint us!”

“Wait? For Saturday? That’s just 3 days away! How am I supposed-“

“You’d watch your mouth if you know what’s good for you sweetheart”

And just like that your head tilts down, hands in lap. Yunseo has always scared you, and has always took advantage of this whenever he has a chance.

“Good girl,” he hums, hand moving to cup your face, “Come with me and I’ll show you where you can practice”

As you get out of your seat to follow Yunseo, through the pungent scent of sweat and arousal, the gentleman at the bar catches your eye once more. It’s the way he is looking at you that you notice the most. With a prominent frown filling his features, he seems to be thinking about something. But you don’t have time to ask him about it or continue to ponder, so you turn back around and walk after Yunseo.

The rest of the evening is filled by your frustration. Yunseo had left you in this room, filled with only a stripper pole, a speaker and leather sofa, and these 4 walls are now driving you insane. It’s not like you’re the worst dancer in the world, it’s just you don’t have enough confidence. Just when you were about to hit play on the music, someone bursts into the room.

“That’s enough for today! Yunseo told me to get you home” a member you recall being named ‘Seojun’ says.

That’s right, you smile to yourself, if Yunseo told him to fetch he’d do it – he’s like a little puppy dog, a follower, and he always has been.

As you exit the room with him, Seojun’s phone starts to ring in his back pocket. As he picks up the call, you can’t help but to watch and listen,

“Hello?......How long did he stay here for?.....I don’t think it’s too strange no…….He could have been telling the truth I guess……bring it up with Yunseo, he’ll know what to do.”

You wonder for a moment who ‘he’ was. But then you remember where you are, and that it literally could have been anyone. Seojun closes the door behind you and leads you out the back entrance to the car.

next chapter update: Saturday 1st February 2020 8pm gmt

tagging: @dearlydreadful @honeydewseoks @whimsicalwoodlands @toddsgirl27 @wendyiiwl @asifetch7 @barbyisafangirl @miraculyfe @btsxdoll @laluzdirectioner @slutkoo @bubbletae7 @h5naaa

let me know if you want to be tagged in future chapters!

Thank you so so much for reading!

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