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yaminerua · 6 months

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I'm thinking for much of the rest of smegtober I'll have to switch to drawings because the writing part of my brain is getting fatigued lol but I managed to churn this last one out tonight ahead of the other one I have ready for tomorrow;;

As always, prompts are by @a-literal-toaster-wtf

Today's prompt was Test, which of course immediately calls forth images of Rimmer and his many examination attempts;;

Words: 4137

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Rimmer had done it again. He had smegging gone and done it again.

Somehow, despite all the meticulous planning and obsessive timetabling, despite having carefully mapped out every hour of every day for the last few months to optimise his revision and maximise his chances of success, here he was again on the last night before the exam feeling no better prepared than he had been before he’d even started.

It always ended up like this. Every time exam season came around he would work tirelessly, relentlessly, trying to find a study pattern that worked, subdividing his free time evenly into rest periods and study periods, allocating every subject and topic its own slot to prioritise information retention. It should have been a flawless method, workshopped to the nth degree, sharpened and improved to perfection after so many attempts and yet even after all this effort, after all this time, the result was always the same; complete and utter humiliating failure.

Of course, the fact that much of this revision time was usually eaten up by preparing the timetables themselves in the first place was an important part of why he always found himself in this situation but he was loathe to do anything to change the habit, somehow convincing himself that it had only failed because he hadn’t found the perfect routine yet and that once he figured that out and constructed the timetable to end all timetables he would be golden and he could finally kiss the lowly rank of Second Technician goodbye.

The definition of madness, as they say, is trying the same thing over and over expecting a different result.

Huffing out a distressed, agitated breath, Rimmer dug the heels of his palms roughly into his eyes, rubbing vigorously until he saw stars. He had no idea what time it was anymore. The concept of time itself seemed to have faded into the background of his mind, locked away in a box he didn’t want to have to open because at this point knowing just how long he had left was likely to do nothing more than send him tipping fully over the edge of anxiety and into a full-blown panic attack and he knew from past experience that if he let that happen his shot at success would be over then and there.

He was virtually running on fumes at this point, the last few nights a desperate haze of stressed, sleep-deprived revising – if staring manically at an open textbook and taking absolutely none of it in for hours could really be called revising – and his eyes were positively burning with the effort it was taking just to keep them open.

His head ached. It was as though his very brain itself had swollen up in his skull, pressing up against the insides and throbbing profusely from the exertion of trying to cram multiple textbooks’ worth of knowledge into it in the space of a few hours. The pressure alone made him thankful for the relative silence of the bunkroom.

Lister was out. Some time ago he had disappeared off with the rest of his brainless gang of hooligan friends to drink himself to unconsciousness and dance until the early hours of the morning with whoever could stand to be around him. With any luck he might hit it off with some desperate tart who would take him off to her quarters and spare Rimmer the trouble of having to put up with a drunken Lister staggering his way back and breaking his concentration.

It was the only silver lining this whole situation had at the moment. With Lister out and suitably occupied for the night Rimmer didn’t have to battle against his textbooks while enduring the torture of listening to Lister utterly murder a halfway decent song with his toneless singing or his even more unbearable guitar playing.

Aside from the background hum of Red Dwarf all around, there wasn’t a single other disruptive sound to complain about – which also meant there wasn’t an adequate distraction to blame his imminent failure on if it came down to it later.

Removing his hands from his face, he blinked the room slowly back into focus and hunched forwards over his textbook again, feeling the tension in his neck and the ache between his shoulder blades from too long spent in this exact position.

He felt as though he had been stuck trying to read the same sentence for hours, as though his brain had stalled and he couldn’t move past it until it started up again. Oh sure, his eyes would skim the letters and recognise the shapes and the words were certainly words he knew individually but as far as the meaning of the sentence as a whole and the information it held were concerned, Rimmer had absolutely no idea what he was reading.

It was as though the part of his brain that registered new information had gone on strike. Nothing was getting through and all that he seemed to be achieving by continuing to try to force it to was making his head and eyes hurt even more.

He needed to rest but there was no time for rest anymore. Frankly he was terrified that if he even so much as allowed himself the briefest moment to nap then he would sleep right through the exam and have to go through this whole nightmare all over again. He wasn’t prepared for that. Revision was key right now and sleep could wait. He would have plenty of time (not to mention peace of mind) to be able to catch up on the rest he’d missed once the exam was over and he’d passed the stupid smegging thing.

Frowning down at the page he blinked furiously, finding it more and more difficult to keep the lettering clear and sharp in his vision. Everything was starting to smudge at the edges, to bleed into the space around it as though there was something in his eye that wasn’t budging no matter how much he tried to blink or rub it away.

He shook his head, leaning further forwards towards the textbook, squinting to see if maybe that would help sharpen things by narrowing his field of view but it was no use.

The harder he stared at it, the more desperately he attempted to take in so much as a single solitary sentence, the more the words on the page swam dizzyingly just to spite him, rippling and distorting before his very eyes until they better resembled a particularly unappetising-looking kind of alphabet soup than anything comprehensible.

He dropped his forehead down to rest between the pages of the textbook, eyelids scrunching shut as he groaned plaintively into the quiet of the room. Why was his brain conspiring against him at this hour? He only had hours left and it was betraying him. Why was he wasting time wrestling with himself like this when he only had a limited window of opportunity to make some good, solid progress before Lister came back and crashed unceremoniously through his focus with all the grace of a hippo let loose on an ice rink? He didn’t have time for this!

Just to drive home exactly how much the universe had it in for Arnold J. Rimmer, the moment that desperate thought had so much as flitted miserably across his mind his ears picked up the tell-tale distant hollers of giddy, raucous laughter emanating from somewhere outside, growing steadily louder with every drunken, staggered step.

Pass by, don’t come in. Pass by, don’t come in… Rimmer thought fervently, repeating it over and over, beseechingly, in his head like some sort of desperate mantra, praying to whatever god might exist out there to take pity on him for just once in his smegging life but as had been well-established by now, if there was a god they certainly didn’t have a heart.

The door to the sleeping quarters slid open with a harsh, piercing hiss and in staggered one extremely wasted David Lister, an open can of Leopard Lager in his hand and a lit cigarette in the other.

With great difficulty he co-ordinated a clumsy wave to the retreating backs of Petersen and the others before he finally turned his attention to Rimmer, who had by this point straightened up stiffly at his desk and was doing his level best to try to pretend that he wasn’t secretly weighing up the pros and cons of throwing Lister out an airlock and blaming it on his own drink-addled mind. Unfortunately he didn’t think the ship’s CCTV would be on his side there so he begrudgingly had to shelf that idea.

As Lister stumbled his way towards him and leaned in far too close over his shoulder, the stench of beery breath and tobacco met his nostrils and he grimaced. “Lister, go away,” he hissed through tightly gritted teeth, every muscle in his body tightly clenched to resist the urge to swat at him and push him back. “I’m trying to revise.”

“Smeg, Rimmer, you’re such a bore!” Lister said, entirely too loud and entirely too close to his ear, his words slurring pathetically together. “You need to live more!”

Rimmer sniffed indignantly and finally deigned to press the back of his hand to Lister��s front and push him firmly away. “I’ll have plenty of time to do that once I’m an officer,” he said matter-of-factly, ignoring how hollow he felt inside as he said it. “For now my priorities lie elsewhere.”

Lister snorted and he took a long swig of his can of lager. “Yeah, bein’ a bore,” he muttered, staggering back over toward his bunk, humming tuneless snippets of Lunar City Seven as he went.

Rimmer could throttle him, honestly, but he bit back the impulse, however inviting it may have been. Instead he remained as he was, staring bitterly, contemptuously down at the infuriating textbook in front of him, taking nothing in while he listened to the rustling and shuffling of Lister moving about behind him, hopefully getting ready for bed.

He heard the discordant squeak of the ladder as Lister clambered his way up it and the tell-tale creak of the top bunk as it took the full weight of Lister’s body on it and he heaved a premature sigh of relief at this inconvenient interruption hopefully being only a brief one.

Before long, just like he hoped, the movement behind him stilled and Lister grew silent – or as silent as he could be given his tendency to snore – and Rimmer finally allowed himself to release some of the tension he had been holding. Maybe the brief distraction might have helped in a way, might have cleared his head enough for him to return his attention back to what was actually important.

He was mindful, agonisingly so, about how very little time he had left now. Since Lister had come back that meant that time had progressed considerably while he hadn’t been paying attention to it and he surely only had a measly handful of hours left at the most to fill his head with enough knowledge to pass. He flexed his fingers nervously, hyper-aware of the sweat beading on his brow as he considered opting for the last resort. It was the only hope he had left.

Glancing shiftily at the door and warily back over his shoulder, he watched Lister’s sleeping form for a good long moment, trying to ascertain for sure whether he was absolutely asleep and unaware of his surroundings. The last thing he needed was Lister of all people waking up and potentially ratting him out. That would be a fate worse than death.

Seeing that, for now, the coast was clear, he swallowed thickly and reached slowly, shakily, into the right hand pocket of his trousers, procuring from it a small, nondescript packet of little white pellets. Learning pills were strictly not allowed on board Red Dwarf. Rimmer knew that well. He had on numerous occasions in the past reprimanded countless other crewmates who he had spotted with the offending little things, scoffing obnoxiously at their pathetic need to rely on something illegal to help them succeed, all the while holding onto them himself instead of turning them in in case of a rainy day. Oh, how the mighty had fallen.

He opened the cap quietly and, with a trembling hand, tipped two pills out onto his palm before hurriedly stowing the container away again. He stared down at them apprehensively, heart hammering in his chest and stomach churning at the sickening, depressing realisation that it really had come to this. If he wanted any chance of passing they were his only hope.

With one last quick, anxious glance back at Lister, he popped them in his mouth before he could change his mind and washed them down hastily with what was left of his almost-forgotten glass of water.

He waited a few moments for the panicked surge of nerves to subside, giving the drugs some time to hit his stomach and begin to make their way into his system. He wasn’t entirely sure quite how good an idea it had been to take them on an empty stomach when he was as sleep-deprived and physically exhausted as he was but he had done it now and his fate rested with them.

Lowering his gaze down to the Astro-Navigation textbook again, he sucked in a shaky breath and let it out slowly, trying to channel what little mental energy he was still clinging onto into focusing on the words in front of him, praying that the learning pills would aid him in retaining the information. Even if all they managed to do was hold the knowledge in his head long enough for him to regurgitate it all out during the exam and then forget all of it immediately afterwards that would be fine. He just needed it to last for a few hours.

Evidently he had left resorting to this final option a little too late. They ought to have invented pills that helped him focus as well.

Maybe it was the tiredness, maybe it was the stress, maybe it was a combination of both but it didn’t matter how hard he tried, how much he squinted and strained his eyes to try to make sense of any of the words in front of him. His mind had clearly shuttered itself off and was simply not allowing anything more in. He could stare at this page and all of the words written on it for the rest of the day and it would simply never make it through. He was doomed.

Raking his hands raggedly through his hair, Rimmer let out a low, tortured groan, dropping his head onto the table and clenching his eyes tight shut so he didn’t have to see the textbook anymore, didn’t have to look hopelessly down at the same stupid page he had spent most of the night so far stuck unable to get past. It was going to take a miracle to get anything of use to enter his brain now, even with the aid of learning pills.

He must have looked pathetic, sitting there slumped with his head on the desk and his hands in his hair. He had made an absolute mess of himself by now, his usually neat, severe side parting completely unravelling, the forcibly tamed curls freed from the submission they were usually brushed harshly into. He looked thoroughly dishevelled, as though he had been pulling his hair out all night. In many ways, that probably wasn’t entirely inaccurate.

Breathing out roughly, he let his head roll miserably to the side, sliding his eyes open to gaze dolefully, enviously, over at Lennon and McCartney, Lister’s stupid robotic goldfish that he’d brought back from his last shore leave trip. They were swimming slowly, mesmerisingly, around their bowl in repetitive, mindless little circles without a single care in the world, without a shred of responsibility or expectation or disappointment weighing down on them and as Rimmer watched them absently, dazedly, as though he were hypnotised, he felt something hollow and mournful settle unpleasantly behind his chest.

God, he wished he was a fish…

He remained like that, utterly entranced, his mind far away, for the next four hours and although he wasn’t exactly asleep, when the intercom finally sounded and Holly’s monotonous voice droned out the important morning announcements, it was as though he was dead to the world and he didn’t hear a word of it.

“Will all entrants for the Astro-Navigation exam please make their way to the teaching room. The exam will begin soon.”

On the top bunk, Lister stirred slightly, his face scrunching up as the loud chime of the intercom pierced through the deep veil of drunken sleep he had been nestled in and rudely stabbed his hung-over brain like an arrow.

Peeling a tired eye open, he squinted groggily over at the desk where Rimmer was still sat, hunched over and seemingly asleep. “Rimmer?” he called out, his throat hoarse after the night’s antics. “You awake?”

There came no response, which was an answer in and of itself. Lister groaned, rubbing his eyes vigorously before lifting his head with great difficulty up off the pillow. “Rimmer,” he said again, a little louder this time.

When Rimmer still failed to have any reaction at all, Lister rolled his eyes and with great effort, begrudgingly heaved his heavy aching body up into a sitting position, clutching his head momentarily as it swam dizzyingly from the change in posture. He didn’t want to have to be awake yet and would rather have slept off the rest of his night out until well into the afternoon but he knew that dealing with a hung-over headache from a premature wake-up call would be far more preferable to the absolute monster migraine Rimmer would give him for failing to wake him up in time for his exam.

Stumbling over towards him, Lister reached out to shake him by the shoulder and froze when he realised that Rimmer didn’t seem to be asleep after all. In any case he certainly had his eyes open though whether he was still conscious remained to be seen. For now he was staring unblinkingly over at the fish tank, his expression completely vacant like some kind of lifeless zombie. It was more than just a little bit disconcerting.

“Hey, Rimmer, man,” Lister said uncertainly, waving a hand tentatively in front of Rimmer’s face. “You okay?”

The reaction was almost instant. The moment Lister’s hands came into view, Rimmer’s expression crumpled like a tin can subjected to tremendous pressure, his eyes snapping shut as he brought a hand up to rub at his face. “Ugh,” he groaned, pulling himself stiffly back into an upright sitting position, his neck and shoulders aching.

Lister watched him warily, an eyebrow quirked with mild concern. He’d seen Rimmer work himself up into an exhausted wreck before but never quite like this. “You alright?” he asked again.

“Of course I’m alright, you gimboid!” Rimmer snapped irritably, thumb and forefinger pinching the bridge of his nose tightly, wincing at the sound of his own voice in his ears. “What do you want?”

Lister’s face creased into a frown and he crossed his arms moodily over his chest. So much for a grateful morning greeting. “Just thought I’d wake you,” he said, glancing at the clock on the sink beside the bunks. “Since it’s exam o’clock now and all.”

Rimmer looked like he had just been force fed a particularly sour and putrid lemon.

“WHAT!?” he cried, horrified, leaping to his feet suddenly and nearly knocking the chair he had been sitting on over in the process. “Why didn’t you say something sooner?”

“I wasn’t awake!” Lister said, holding his hands up innocently. “I just woke up meself!”

Rimmer wasn’t paying any attention to him anymore. He was in an absolute panicked frenzy, scrambling for his comb and attempting to carve his forgotten side parting back into existence before gathering up the rest of his things.

Lister watched him, bemused, and had to stop him at one point when he spotted that Rimmer was about to squeeze foot cream onto his toothbrush. Handing him the correct tube, he fixed him with a dubious stare. “You sure you’re alright, man?” he asked. “You were starin’ at me fish all in a trance just there.”

“That was intentional, Lister!” Rimmer stated, but the projected confidence was an unconvincing façade. “I had finished revising everything and was simply taking a break to let the information settle in my brain!”

Lister wasn’t fooled in the slightest. “Uh huh,” he said flatly.

Rimmer clicked his tongue and curled his lip, fixing Lister’s reflection with a contemptuous, dark look. “You wouldn’t understand, Listy,” he sneered, straightening up his tie and giving his hair a final firm comb through. “You’ve never put the slightest bit of effort in in your entire life. As for me, the only way is up! Up, up—”

“Yeah, yeah, Rimmer,” Lister cut him off, waving a hand dismissively before transitioning it into a mocking impersonation of Rimmer’s usual elaborate salute. “Up, up the ziggurat lickety split.” He punctuated that last word with a sharp slap to his forehead. “I know.”

Rimmer shot him a look, cold and hard, and then turned back one last time to check his appearance over in the mirror. The intercom sound rang out hollow and daunting into the bunkroom again and Lister saw Rimmer’s entire body stiffen immediately.

“Last call for the Astro-Navigation exam. Will all entrants please make their way to the teaching room. The exam is about to begin.”

Rimmer swallowed thickly and flexed his fingers and for all the affected confidence and false bravado he put on, Lister could still see the petrified, haunted look behind his eyes that belied his true feelings on the matter.

“Listen, man,” he said gently, sincerely, feeling almost sympathetic towards the man all of a sudden, fighting the urge to reach out and give him an encouraging pat on the arm. “Good luck.”

Rimmer bristled and his expression creased into a forced, stretched smile. “Luck, Lister?” he echoed, rocking anxiously on the balls of his feet. “I don’t need luck. I’ve got everything I need to succeed right up” – he brought a hand up to tap a finger quickly to his temple – “here.”

“Yeah,” came Lister’s doubtful, sarcastic response. “Good luck.”

He raised his eyebrows, fixing Rimmer with a look that said “Trust me, you’re gonna need all the luck you can get.”

Rimmer seemed to pick up on it, the plastered smile on his face faltering slightly as his adam’s apple bobbed nervously in his throat. “Right,” he said stiffly, tensely, hands balled tightly into fists at his sides. “Well, then. Goodbye, Lister.”

There was a maddened look in his eyes, something wild and desperate and beseeching, as though he was almost begging Lister to do something to stop him from walking out there to his inevitable doom even if it meant he had to resort to knocking him unconscious.

He stood there awkwardly, frozen in fear for another uncomfortably long number of seconds, rocking back and forth on his feet before he finally accepted that no miraculous divine intervention was coming and he was going to have to just go for it.

Picking up his pens and popping them neatly in his pocket, he gave Lister one final, incredibly rigid nod of acknowledgement and strode swiftly, almost robotically out of the room with such a grave look of dread on his face he might as well have been on death row.

Lister watched him go with an almost pitying look of gentle compassion pulling on his face. He didn’t like Rimmer – no-one did – but he couldn’t help but feel just a little bit bad for the guy. He had been putting himself through these exams since long before Lister had ever even met him, driven by something he couldn’t relate to, a burning urge to make something of himself no matter how long it took even when it was probably pointless.

Maybe he didn’t deserve the power that advancement up the career ladder would give him, maybe it would turn him into even more of an insufferably unbearable smeghead, but if just so that Lister wouldn’t have to endure another night of Rimmer drowning his sorrows and cursing the universe for being out to get him, he hoped this time that something would go different.

Whatever he had been hoping, whatever he had been expecting, an exam paper scrawled with nothing but ‘I am a fish’ had absolutely not been it.

Oh well. There was always next time.

#smegtober2023 #Red dwarf #After tomorrow I’ll switch to drawing for the rest of the month I think!

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materialsscienceandengineering · 1 year

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Hi!! If it's not too much trouble, could you please create a post on how to publish review articles in journals?? Specifically about deciding the topic and the process of applying to the journal? I and many others would surely appreciate it!

No trouble at all (just takes me a few days to write up a reply)!

I'm going to answer the second part of your question first, applying to journals. (The following information is regardless of whether its a review article or not.) First things first, of course, is deciding the journal you want to submit your article to. This is a factor of a number of things, and is ultimately up to the author(s). Two of the main considerations are the journal’s scope, and its impact factor. Scope is the big thing, because if your article doesn’t fit the journal’s scope, they won’t publish it, no matter how good it is. Every journal should have a scope/description on their website; check that out and see if it fits for you.

Impact factor isn’t mandatory, but it’s an indication of how many people might see your article, which, depending on the relevance of your research, may be significant. (There are other metrics, like the h-index; I’m just using ‘impact factor’ as a catch-all here.) Other factors you can consider are time to publish (how long do they take to review it) and quality or reputation of the journal.

Okay, so, you’ve figured out where you’re publishing. What’s the process look like?

Write the article. An obvious step, but I figured I’d throw it in there for this addendum: it helps to determine which journal you’re going to submit to before you start writing, so your formatting and citation style doesn’t have to be edited later. Journals typically have a guide for authors you can follow.

Create an account on the journal’s website and submit the journal. It’s really as easy as that. You’ll need to have all the mandatory requirements in the guide for authors, which includes the text of the article (obviously), the list of authors, the abstract, the title, etc. Often you’ll need an acknowledgements or conflict of interest statement, or sometimes a letter to the editor describing your article. Some submission systems will want the figures as separate uploads, and so on. It really depends on the journal.

Wait.

Wait some more.

If your article passes the first step - i.e., an editor looks it over and decides it fits the scope of the journal, they’ll pass it on to the reviewers.

More waiting.

Step seven is where we reach a branching path in our flow chart. There are three options here: 1) your article is accepted! Congratulations!; 2) the reviewers have some questions they want clarified, or have suggested some edits for you to make. Talk things over with your fellow authors, make the changes you feel are right (remember: reviewers can be wrong, even if they usually know what they’re talking about), and submit the changes. From here, you’ll usually go to option 1, but sometimes you’ll hit option 3) your article has been rejected.

If your article is rejected, it doesn’t mean you need to go back to the drawing board! Feel free to resubmit it to a different journal and begin the process all over again. You can even make edits before doing so based on the comments from the reviewers who issued the rejection. Just don’t submit to two journals at once!

But back to your question: how do you pick a topic for a review article? That’s one I don’t think I can answer as well, but there are a couple criteria you can consider:

Has a similar review article already been written? Search the literature to see if it’s already been done.

Choose a topic you’re familiar with, something that aligns with your area of research that you feel confident talking about.

Do you have something new to say? I’m not talking about new data or research - it’s a review article - but you want your review article to draw conclusions or offer new insights about the current state of the research, instead of just repeating what everyone else has already done.

This resource goes into more in-depth about review articles.

If anyone has any more information about writing review articles specifically, please share! And if anyone wants me to clarify anything or expand on any points, I’d be happy to do so. Hope that answered your question!

#Materials Science #Science #Publishing #Research #Replies #Anonymous

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desara-fen · 1 year

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There was a Winter Talent Contest in the DnD Westmarches server I'm on so I made a story really quickly. Gonna post it here because why not.

. . . .

The stage is set upon the snowy fields for a petite young elf clad in a fancier version of her usual maroon-pink and pale yellow garb. On her head is a brass crown, shining solemnly alongside the sheer cloak on her back. Though it lies inert for now, those who have seen her first performance know they serve as her wings. She faces those who are watching with a distinct certainty cushioned only by her natural demeanor. It was mentioned, prior, that this contest was to give way for people to do what they're actually good at--for folks to showcase their main talent. Well, Nisotte knows she's not all too blessed by things like innate artistry or elegant maneuvers. All she has is her penchant for observation and her compulsion to write.

All she has…is her stories.

"Once- t-there was, ah- a princess." She begins. It's not ideal for her to narrate her own story considering her stutter, but a show is a show, and she can't very well give her tome to those judging her. Instead, she settles for holding it in her hands, showing crude little sketches that match the words she is saying.

"This princess…she had a-ah, a loving family." Her expression transitions to a gentler one, turning the page towards a doodle of a little girl with a crown flanked by two people- a human woman and an elf man. Hearts bordered the page. "A-and together, they-ah, lived in their castle. T-the princess and her family a-all loved each other v-very much."

"B-but one day..." The page turns again, and at the same time, Nisotte's features slope into soft concern. "A-ah, a great evil came upon them a-and corrupted her parents." This time, her tome shows a drawing of dark skulls half-sunk upon a pool of ink, one likely representing blood. "T-they w-were trapped."

"U-until-"

Nisotte clasps a dark rod in her hands, theatrically motioning with the item until a figure materializes beside her. It's a horrific thing, humanoid only in shape but distinctly not. The spell had clearly made it manifest clad in princely attire matching that of the elf's, but no amount of pretty clothes can mask the demonic countenance of what those well versed in monsters would recognize as a Slaad. It resembles a horned frog, but the jutting spikes on its mottled skin don't just stop at its head, trailing down further along its body in a twisted mockery of a prince's crown. Its eyes are scarlet like its summoner, and it bows as Nisotte lets out a girlish chuckle.

"Until...a-a prince came along."

The ghoulish claws of the slaad extend towards Nisotte--seemingly offering a dance. She nods toward it, placing her much smaller hands upon the monstrosity. Together, they do a soundless waltz, dancing upon the snow in some mimicry of the Beauty and the Beast. Eventually, it stops and stands to let its claws close around the petite figure of the elf, lifting her up along with the storybook in her hands. Slowly, it starts to fly with her in tow. It's a concerning sight if Nisotte weren't so placid. Though the thing's distended claws are closed around her waist, she only turns the tome to the next page and goes forward with her story.

"T-the prince took the princess' hand and told h-her of the w-world outside her castle. W-with her hand i-in his, he showed her t-the way to escape the e-evil haunting her p-parents." The two fly further, closer to the judges. Nisotte sends over a smile, turning in the slaad's hold to show the next page. "T-the prince h-helped remind her parents of w-what the great evil made them forget-"

The tome depicts the princess as she stands in front of her prince. They are centered upon the pool of dark ink, sinking up until their calves. Two skulls flank her as hearts border the page.

"That nothing can best the power of love."

Her tone is certain as she speaks, so much so that the words come clear and continuously. A sincere sort of warmth radiates from her eyes, now set upon those gathered to listen to her. The slaad freezes for a moment, but carries out her instructions to take her in its embrace. She closes the tome, allowing her summon to let her down gently. Together, they clasp hands and bow. "A-and this love is all around us, in the world w-we live in now, and i-in the companions that serve us."

A pause as she fidgets in place. "A-ah, t-thank you for listening!"

Her lips settle into a soft smile.

Her account...her story--it is all true. After all, Nisotte is a writer of experiences. But beyond that, she is also a liar, and the best stories as those that are embellished just enough to tug upon heartstrings and sell a point. She tries to do as much in her effort to tell the story, but this particular tale is one close to her. One near and dear and one she knows in ways no crude drawing can depict. There is more to what she had told, evident in the intangible weight that tugs down on each smile sent during the act. But her book is closed, and she leaves it at that despite the fact.

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rojaceartandgaming · 2 years

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The Dragon Duelist : Chapter Two

Hehe oc content go brr

The next afternoon, Clay met up with the group in a random park. They all seemed as chummy as usual… how had this group POSSIBLY gotten so far in Duelist Kingdom, he wondered. But it seemed to matter little as he strapped his trusty duel disk to his arm, noting Joey did the same. He sighed, shaking off any last second nerves.

Surely this would be easy, right?

"So, you actually showed!" Joey called, that insufferable cocky grin on his face.

Clay scoffed. "I initiated the challenge, dimwit. I would never back out."

"Just sayin', you're goin' to regret this!"

"Hmph, I doubt this. Are you done prattling, or can we duel?"

"Oh hell yeah!"

Clay ignored the others cheering on Joey, put his deck in his duel disk, and drew his first seven cards. He quickly scanned over the hand, then smirked. A well balanced hand? Surely this twerp wouldn't even stand a chance! He briefly glanced up at Joey, then sighed.

"Hm, shall we begin?" He said, narrowing his eyes.

"Who do you think I am, of course let's begin!"

"In that case, I will throw two cards face down, then summon a creature you may not be too familiar with. A trusty companion, and creature to be feared - Evilswarm Zahak!"

The multiheaded dragon was summoned, and announced it's presence with a great roar and a beat of its wings. It fixed it's many eyes on Joey, roaring again.

Joey huffed. "Starting that quickly already?!"

Clay rolled his eyes. "What, already scared you can't keep up?"

"Are you kiddin'? Since you're done, I'll draw a card!" He did so, looked at the card, and smiled. "This card is one o' my favorites! The Flame Swordsman!"

Clay just scoffed. "Flame Swordsman? Are you daft? My dragon easily can eliminate your swordsman. And that is something I intend to show off now. Evilswarm Zahak, rip his swordsman to shreds!"

The dragon surged forward, and he smirked. His monster was stronger by fifty points, something that'll make this far too easy-

But wait, Joey interrupted his preemptive gloating. "You didn't let me finish, and now you gotta pay the price! I got a spell here, Stop Attack! This will force your monster into defense position. Your dragon won't even scratch my Flaming Swordsman!"

Clay growled. "... surprisingly good play… hmph… I'll just place a card face down and end my turn." He looked through his hand again, annoyed. So the twerp got a leg up on him, big deal.

It wouldn't last.

He watched Joey mumble to himself, trying to figure out something. Then he grinned. "Alright, I'm going to put a card face down, and summon another creature, Axe Raider. Axe Raider and Flame Swordsman, take out this guy's monsters!"

He rolled his eyes. "I'll let you take out my dragons, but I've got a choice for you."

"Eh? A choice?" Joey paused, seeming confused.

"I'll activate a trap card, A Hero Emerges! Now, your attacks will go through in but a moment, but you choose a card in my hand. If I can summon it, it joins the field. If it's something that can't be summoned, it'll go to the graveyard." Clay squared his shoulders, adjusting how he held his hand. "Make your choice, Joey Wheeler. And be careful. You wouldn't want to choose your own poison, would you?"

Clay smirked. He knew that that line would make any duelist nervous, and he witnessed Joey freeze up and start mumbling to himself. Probably over-rationalizing his choice, something he had seen time and time again in the past. Mind games would make any duelist more nervous, and in his experience? He would probably pick the card in the center of his hand.

"Well, uh - that one! Third from the left - my left!"

Perfect.

"Why thank you, Joey."

"H-huh? What are you thanking me for?"

"You picked the exact card I wanted you to."

"What!?"

He deftly picked the card out, holding it to the side. "I'll let you destroy my two monsters, sure. But in their place, comes something much better! My personal favorite card -" Clay slammed it down on it's spot on his Duel Disk. "Arkbrave Dragon!"

The white and gold dragon leapt to life, wingbeats loud. It roared, not seeming to care as its fellow creatures got destroyed and placed in the graveyard. And clearly, Joey Wheeler was losing a bit of his nerve as he looked between the Arkbrave Dragon and Clay himself, forgetting the temporary victory.

"Tch - you were just waitin' for me to do that!"

"And I thank you kindly for doing so. My favorite dragon on the field so early? Perhaps you should concede."

"I don't think so!"

"Then prove me wrong."

"Oh I will!"

Clay watched Joey fumble, and resort to placing a card face down. He must not have anything good, he figured, with how nervous he looked. "Is that seriously all you'll do? You bore me…"

"Don't count me out yet!"

"Did you end your turn?"

"Well, yeah-"

"Good. Arkbrave Dragon, put him in his place!"

There was nothing Joey could do as the dragon swooped in, making quick work of the Flame Swordsman. The life point counter popped up, and they both watched Joey's life points tick down from 8000 to 7400.

"First blood." Clay said with satisfaction. "Your move."

"Don't count me out just because you got first blood!"

"Oh, that's not why I'm counting you out. Come on, Joey Wheeler. Show me just how you got as far as you did."

–

The duel continued for several more turns, monsters dying and coming back, Clay seeming smug throughout it all on the outside. But as he adjusted his scarf, he started to worry. This sandy haired duelist was good. He may still have his Arkbrave Dragon, but he was down to 2050 life points, Joey down to 3450. It seemed this duelist really depended on luck - and the cheers of his friends.

How preposterous, he thought. He had gotten this far, and didn't need support from people like that…. Surely this couldn't be all to it? No, perhaps he had just been getting lucky. Much like with those bloody coin flips. Surely the luck would run out. Though he was shocked upon seeing him summon the Red-Eyes Black Dragon! How had he gotten one?

But he noticed something while dueling. In the past, a lot of duels like this seemed like a chore. But there was just something infectious about this group of five. He couldn't help but let a real smile slip at some parts during the banter, or real pride as he made a good play. How long has it been…?

"I'll admit." Clay said, folding his arms. "I am impressed that someone like you has such a formidable dragon as Red-Eyes. But this duel grows tiring, and I don't exactly feel like letting you continue on. And I have no qualms sacrificing my own monster to end yours. Arkbrave Dragon, take out Red-Eyes in a blaze of glory."

He felt some satisfaction watching his dragon charge Red-Eyes, knowing that it would leave an opening for his Luster Dragon. Smoke clouded the field, and he was ready to see the clear path. But as the smoke cleared, confusion clouded his own head.

"Gh- but how?!" He questioned, seeing his dragon wrapped in a chain, and Red-Eyes completely fine.

"Ha, you forgot about my trap card - Kunai with Chain! Not only is your dragon all tangled up, but my Red-Eyes gains 500 attack points, just enough to take out your beloved dragon!" Joey gloated, a large grin on his face. "Come on Red-Eyes Black Dragon! Use Inferno Fire Blast!"

Clay's hand balled into a fist as he watched his dragon go up in smoke, and his life points tick down to 1550. "...good move…" He growled out. "You are a surprisingly good duelist."

"Aw, thanks!"

"...I suppose I will draw my card now…" Clay did so, searching his hand. This isn't good, if I'm not careful, I'm good as dead! Hmph. I think this will buy me time.

"I put down a card face down and leave my Luster Dragon as is! Your move, Joey."

"Ha ha! You didn't even put it in defense mode? Are you admitting defeat?"

"Make your move." Come on…. Take the bait…

"I will! Red-Eyes, Inferno Fire Blast!"

Now!

"Why, you actually did what I wanted to do! I'll slip my face down card around - Enemy Controller!"

"Wha-?!"

"With it's special chest code, your monster is put in defense mode! Left, Right, A, B - a simple code to remember!" Clay made himself sound confident, before allowing himself to heave a sigh of relief.

Joey growled. "Damnit, that would've almost knocked you out!"

"I know. And so the game passes to me."

"Don't be so cocky! Next turn, Red Eyes will take you out!"

"That's where you're wrong."

"What now?"

"I've drawn a card that will bring your demise! Polymerization! With my Luster Dragon, this face down card, and three dragons in my hand combined, I bring forth your demise - COME ON OUT, FIVE HEADED DRAGON!"

It was a lucky draw, he knew that. But Clay felt a sense of pride as his end-all, just-in-case monster took the field. And, that feeling grew as he saw Joey grit his teeth, his nerves coming back.

"Oh come on, a five headed dragon? That's overkill!"

"It may be overkill, Joey, but it is also your doom! Next turn, you're doomed. So say good bye to your Red-Eyes!"

Both duelists looked over as the shorter, good natured seeming chap named Yugi called to the now panicking Joey. "Joey! Don't lose your head, you know exactly one combination that can help you!"

"Huh, Yuge, what do you mean?"

"You know what I mean! Think for a second, you've got this!"

Crap… the power of friendship again…

"Oh yeah!" Joey said, after looking a little confused at his cards. "First, I'm going to flip this card face up, Baby Dragon!"

Clay raised one eyebrow, completely unimpressed. "A Baby Dragon? Please, I love dragons as much as the next guy, but that is a weakling compared to my monster!"

"Well don't discount it yet!" Joey put down a card into his duel disk. "I've got a little friend who, if this goes right, will make things a lot better. Time Wizard!"

"Are you kidding me? You're going to take a risk that could kill you?"

"What's life without a little risk! Time Wizard, use your ability!"

Clay knew this card's ability. Either this would age all cards on the field 1,000 years, or destroy all of Joey's cards and make him take half of the total damage to his own life points. As the monster used its ability, his eyes were glued on the dial. Trying so hard to will it to the more beneficial option.

"Ha! There we go!" Joey practically crowed with success. "With that, Time Wizard ages everything forward! And after one thousand years, my baby dragon is all grown up into Thousand Year Dragon! And your five headed beast is-"

"Shriveled and decrepit…" Clay mumbled in disbelief, looking at his drastically weakened monster, 5000 attack points going down to 500.

"Ha, that's right! Thousand Dragon, end this!"

He winced preemptively, not even wanting to watch as he heard the roar of the Thousand Dragon, knowing that his life points were ticking down.

2000….1500…1000…500…

Clay kind of fell to his knees, as his life points hit zero.

#yugioh oc #yugioh #yugioh fanfiction #yugioh fanfic #yu gi oh oc #yu gi oh #yu gi oh fanfic

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help-im-a-gay-fish · 3 years

Text

The Night of the First Mistake

Sequel to

Synopsis: pre X-orcist, almost a year after Nightmare's death, Dream is still not on top of his grief and causes him to resort to desperate measures.

Tw mentions of death/dead loved ones.

X-orcist au belongs to me and @zu-is-here

Dreams, Demons and Desires is by me.

Enjoy

Almost a year had past since he'd last seen Nightmare. The skeleton couldn't say he had mourned him, but the news of his death had been unfortunate to say the least. Who could have seen someone like Nightmare dying in such a preventable way? Not him, that's for sure.

He was a friend... Or at least a friendly acquaintance, clearly he'd not been quite close enough to Night's inner circle to be invited to the funeral. He'd never even met Night's brother. Despite that, the news of his parting had deeply saddened him and every so often, he thought of him with a sigh.

A good customer and a good person.

This evening, Nightmare played at his thoughts again, probably drudged up by the anniversary of the accident approaching, he hadn’t meant to make note of the day, but he had. a few weeks would be the anniversary of the day he heard the news.

He thought back to a year ago, a few weeks before his death. The words he’d said about his brother and the increasing frustration about his sinful thoughts. Killer didn't judge him for such feelings, he was no stranger to sin.

Other then that, there was nothing at all strange about this night.

Tonight, just like any night, he was in his shop and the counter. It was a cold October and pretty soon he'd be closing up.

It was dark and chilly in his shop and had a strangely pungent smell, which hit the moment you walked in. A mix of crushed herbs and spices, old books and stale coffee.

An old set of scales sat on the counter top in front of him, as did a till, several glass jars and containers and a large collection of dirty coffee mugs.

Behind him there was a large book case full of many strange books. Ones with faded titles, ones with thick leather bindings, some with large strains spreading across the covers or pieces missing. If you asked him, he'd liked to have said that he'd read all of them... But there were a few he hadn't. He wasn't much of a reader outside of this collection.

As he nursed yet another cup of coffee from the café next door, he tapped his slender skeleton fingers on the counter top. He was bored.

With a glance at the clock, he decided today that he could close up early. It was his shop after all, he made the rules. A small collection of trinkets and charms hung around his neck and clinked together against his old coat, as he got to his feet.

Just as he prepared to take today's earnings from the till to count it, he heard the door and a jingle of the shop bell, indicating someone had entered.

He set an empty eye socket in their direction as they froze, looking nervous.

The person was new, but also something about them was strangely familiar. After scanning them for a moment, his face twisted into a sly smile upon realising who the new comer could be. He turned his face to them fully, staring his pitch eyes right through them. They tensed, which amused him slightly.

"well hello Little Light.... How may I help you"

Dream seemed taken back slightly by the pet name. It wasn't something he was used to. His hands fused with the fastening on his coat.

"uhh Hello.....I’m..... Uh.."

The shop keep chuckled again. Such nervous behaviour wasn't something he saw often from his customers. Looks like it was going to be an interesting night and to think, he was going to close up.

"nervous Lil light?"

Dream once again tensed and shuddered slightly.

"Please.... Don't call me that" he stammered slightly before taking a breath "My name is Dream"

The shop keepers grin got even wider and it made a chill run up Dream's spine. There was something extremely unnerving about this skeleton. Maybe it was the emptiness of his eyes or the strange carvings around them, but Dream was sure that it was more then that.

The atmosphere of the shop was very unsettling and kind of cramped in Dream’s opinion. There were many trinkets, stones, crystals and small animal bones stacked neatly on the shelves. It was this, along with bags of salt and bundles of sage and garlic, that reassured him he was in the right place for what he needed.

"Dream huh?.... Thought so" he said in a low tone "I'm so glad to finally meet you"

The nervous shifting of his hands continued, as Dream once again tensed even further. He was acting friendly, but it still felt ever so slightly...off.

"h-how do you know me?"

"I knew your brother and I'd recognise that pendant I sold him anywhere" he said, with his eyes looking at Dream's chest.

Dreams fingers quickly shot to the star charm hanging from his neck, and gripped it tight. Looks like this was the right place.

"Not to mention there's your golden eyes" he continued, shifting his gaze straight into Dream's eye sockets. It was strange how Dream knew where he was looking, even without eye lights.

"he often talked about them......He was right when he said they were very beautiful if I do say so myself~"

Dreams face blushed slightly, but he felt a familiar twist in this chest at the mention of Nightmare and a sinking feeling when he was reminded how Night felt about him. His brother had often complimented his eyes.....

He'd just never really understood it was more then brotherly affection. At least until now.

"I.... Uh" Dream said before clearing his throat "You're Killer.... Aren't you?"

Flexing his fingers, Killer nodded. The grin didn't leave his face.

"looks like my reputation proceeds me"

Dream let go of his necklace and a breath he didn't know he'd been holding. "I thought it might be you.... Based off something he wrote in his diary".

Before Night's accident, Dream had never even considered reading his diary. That was just a basic code of conduct. However, after his death, it became something Dream had often thought about. The diary, and everything else Nightmare owned, now belonged to him. For that reason he'd taken the book out of Nightmare's room.

However, he'd just kept it on his bedside table for almost a year before he finally had the courage to read it.

It had mostly been a fond look over some old memories, some good and some bad. But there were also passages about his feelings for Dream, sometimes written confessions addressed him. Every word was full of truth, longing and pain. Dream had felt it all.

Those had been hard to read, but he'd not skipped a single page and read them each through several times.

Nearer the end of the book, Nightmare had started talking about his interest in the supernatural. Dream remembered his twin getting fascinated in that and spending long evenings talking with him about it over tea and biscuits.

One thing Dream hadn't known about, where his trips to the next town over, where he wrote about finding this shop and the shop keep. This had been where the interest started. It was this that had lead Dream to come here.

"right..." Killer said, downing what was left in his coffee mug and setting in on the counter top.

"well.... What can I help you with?"

Yeah.. Nightmare had written that Killer was always one to cut to the point. Dream knew that what he was going to ask sounded insane and he wasn't even fully sure if Killer was the right person to ask. But at this point he was desperate, he just needed to know. With his grip returning to his brothers pendent, he remembered who he was doing this for.

He took a deep breath.

"Can you bring people back from the dead?"

Killer didn't react visibly to that. But he drew out a long silence. After a little Dream was sure he saw his jaw clench. The silence was completely deafening, broken only by the sound of Killer's fingers tapping the counter top. Dream figured that he was probably struggling to think what to say. After what felt like a life time, he spoke.

"I specialise in charms and equipment for preventative measures to stop spirits inhabiting homes....I do not....." he paused

"I don't try and bring the dead to the living realms".

Dreams face fell. He really shouldn't have been so disappointed, it was a crazy ask. But with the way Killer spoke and what he sold in the shop, he'd felt so close to what he wanted. But maybe it really was just impossible.

He felt tears threatening to spill, he just couldn't take all this guilt anymore. All he wanted to do was tell his brother he was sorry. That night. That kiss. That dam horribly wonderful kiss...and that car.

"however...." Killer continued.

Dream felt hope flush through at those words and stood up slightly straighter. Killer turned his back to dream and started looking over the bookshelves behind the counter.

He didn't say a word, as Dream curiously watched him. He ran his thumb across the spines of several of the oldest and most dusty looking of them, eventually plucking out a large leather bound book with silver straps.

He walked back over, blowing dust off it as he did, and set it down on the counter with a light thud. The cover was extremely dusty and the leather was cracked and split in several places, yet the title still read fairly clearly and Dreams felt his heart skipped a beat.

The Practice of a Necromancer. Vol one of three. Summoning, Controlling and Banishing.

"I've not read this one fully, but it's been in my collection for years.... I suppose this would be the right place to look"

With that, he slowly opened the book and very carefully started to turn its pages. The paper was completely yellowed and clearly very fragile. There were no photographs, only hand done drawings of various items and also what looked like people, but with strange and uncanny faces. There were also other frightening images that Dream was trying not to look at.

Killer eventually stopped and ran his finger across a page.

"ah ha" he said "to summon a spirit into the living world"

He read over the text for a moment, as Dream watched impatiently. Killer knitted his non-existent eyebrows and narrowed his eyes.

"this stuff sounds overly complicated to me..... so I guess I'm not sure really"

But Dream didn't really seem to be playing much attention to Killer's words now. He was so desperately trying to read the text upside-down. Reading was something that Dream always struggled with anyway, so reading upside down would be near impossible. He reached forward to try and pull the book to him.

But he jumped back in surprise as Killer slapped his hand across the book, sending some dust into the air.

"now now now not so hasty Lil Light" he said returning back to a sweet tone, as he said the a pet name that made Dream's toes curl.

In his haste Dream had forgotten that this was a shop, not a library, so of course he wouldn't just hand it over.

The smaller skeleton knew that the book was probably pricey so it's not like Killer would just let him have it. It was clearly very old and Dream worried that he wouldn't have enough for it, but if he had to pay all the money he had to buy it. He would.

Reaching inside of his pocket, Dream pulled out a bundle of paper money and placed it on the counter and next to the book. Killer looked at it for a moment, before he took it and counted how much money was in the bundle. He ran his fingers across the notes, looking as if he was very tempted and contemplating his next move.

But then, much to Dream's disappointment, he put it back down on the counter.

"I don't want your money dream... That's not what I meant"

An unhappy wine left Dream's mouth, as Killer proceeded to hand his money back to him. Just as he was about to ask why, Killer cut him off.

"it's not for sale"

"but what if I just borro-

"or for rent or loan"

Dreams soul twisted. This felt so Incredibly unfair. He wasn't ever one to really get angry or feel hatred for people. But why had Killer gotten this book down if he didn't intend to sell it? Was he just trying to mess with him?

It was that moment that he wasn't sure he really liked Killer all that much.

He sighed.

"h-how come? Can I do anything to change your mind?"

Killer sadly shook his head.

"Dream....... I like to read the stuff for research purposes not for a practical use"

Dream opened his mouth to object, but killer silenced him.

"and I don't care what you say... but I don't think you're just interested in the topic"

Dream tried very hard not to show disappointment on his face, but of course Killer picked up on it. It upset him that his intentions were so easy to guess. Then again he'd opened with 'can you bring people back from the dead'.

He really should have asked in a different way. Feeling like an idiot, he tried to say that he wasn't intending to use the book in practice. But Killer once again shook his head.

He stood up slightly and gave Dream a sympathetic look, or a sympathetic as he could make it through his cold eyes.

"look....I know you miss him and that's ok I've lost people myself to" he said in a uncharacteristically gentle tone, which sounded fake.

Dream looked at his feet.

"but the dead need to be left dead. Trying to bring them back never ends well, Nightmare wouldn't want you to get hurt trying to help him"

Dreams eyes stayed fixed on the floor, not wanting to look at killer any longer. He didn't want him to see him cry. He didn't want to look like a baby. Just as he was going to try arguing again, behind him he heard the shop door open and the bell ring

He looked back at Killer seeing he'd straightened up.

"K-killer...." came a soft but slightly panicked voice.

Curiously, Dream looked over his shoulder at the source of the voice. It was another skeleton stood by the door.

In all his life, Dream had never seen someone look to tired. They seem to be slightly younger then Dreams age but it was hard to tell how much. Their appearance was clearly young, but the huge bags under their eyes aged their face several years. The most notable thing about them was that their eye lights where small, indicating that they were on edge.

They were wearing a oversized cream knitted sweater and had a maroon scarf decorated with a paw print pattern tide around their neck. They fiddled with it as their eyes a looked at Killer and then to Dream.

From where he was, Dream could also see them wearing several of the necklaces and charms that Killer a sold, as well as a few layers of bandages around their arms.

Killer hastily exited from behind the counter and approached them.

"Hey Cappuccino......." he said, trying again to sound soft.

Ccino wasted no time in burying his head to Killers chest and wrapping his arms around him.

In response, Killer stumbled slightly and looked momentarily taken back and very uncomfortable. After a moment he sigh, before gently placing an hand on his back.

"hey.....it's ok ya wimp... I'm guessing they're back right?"

Ccino simply nodded, Killer sighed.

"Dream can you show yourself out? I've got to take care of this, we're closing anyway. I'm sorry I couldn't help you better"

As Killer attempted to comfort the shaking skeleton, Dream turned his attention back to the book in front of him. It was just within his reach, the page was tantalising.

It was so clear, a set instructions of the exact thing he'd need to do to reach his goal.

Killer's warning played in his mind.

But he knew what he was doing right? It was his brother, what did Killer really know about what Nightmare would have wanted. He didn't know how.... Close... They were. At least he thought he knew.

It was a split second choice.

As Killer continued to try and comfort his companion, he saw Dream hastily exit the shop without saying another word. He stared at the door.

It didn't feel right.

He narrowed his eyes and stepped back from Ccino slightly.

"hang on"

He walked back to the counter and was relieved to see that the book was still there, however a moment later he noticed something else that make him freeze and curse under his breath.

"what's wrong?" Ccino asked, walking up next to him.

Killer didn't answer and instead picked up his book and looked at it closely to confirm what he saw. When he saw he was right, he near growled.

"Killer?" Ccino asked not seeing the problem.

"look....."Killer said quietly.

He ran his finger down the spine where the pages joined together. Once you looked closely you could see the remnants of torn paper sticking out.

"he took the page"

references coming soon.

149 notes · View notes

geekwritersworld · 3 years

Text

Then stay

Pairing: Finn Shelby x reader

warning : it’s long

Summary: Isaiah Jesus’s sister comes to small heath, and falls for Finn .

A/n: Firstly, @marvel-is-a-mood thank you so much for the idea 💖secondly, I am sooo sorry it took me so long to write and post this fic.

Everyone in Birmingham knew Isaiah Jesus as the blinder, Finn Shelby’s friend and the son of the preacher.

And though Isaiah rarely ever spoke of her, small heath also knew he had a sister. But no one had seen her. She’d lived in London with her aunt her whole life. It was the safest decision for her , given her father and brothers involvement with the London gangsters.

Jeremiah and Isaiah visited her every few months, which again kept her out of Birmingham.

But she’d decided to venture out on her own, for once. She decided to go visit her brother and father. Plus, a bit of change would do her good.

Heads turned and men whistled at the young woman who was clearly new to town. But she paid them no heed and continued walking towards the infamous pub she’d heard so much about from her brother.

she slowly opened the door to the pub, the only light in there seemed to be from the sunlight outside, creeping in through the window.

“we don’t serve women” a man behind the counter eyed her curiously. His statement wasn’t harsh, it was more precautionary.

“no harry, but I do” a blonde woman said softly, appearing from the storage room behind him. Her Irish accent instantly assured the young woman that the barmaid wasn’t from Birmingham.

the older bartender sighed, turning around and continuing to wipe a glass.

“What can I get you?”

“gin , thank you”

“bit early isn’t it for plain gin?” she smiled, pouring some.

“well I’ve had a rather exhausting start to my day”

“I'm grace”

“I'm Anna, usually don’t go by a full name, but its anna Jesus if you will.” she raised her glass to her lips

“Jesus, as in Jeremiah Jesus’s daughter?” Grace inquired

“yes, have you seen him? or my brother Isaiah. I'm here to see them.”

something about the Irish barmaid didn’t sit right with Anna. She downed her gin in a go, clearing her throat at the burn .

“your brothers at the betting shop down the street.” Grace called after the woman making her way out.

She eyed the shops carefully while trying to find the betting shops. Once she did, she opened the door and stepped inside. “She’s in the wrong place isn’t she?” a man snickered somewhere.

Anna turned her head towards the man, her eyebrows furrowing. But before she got a word out, a woman with short hair and a black coat walked towards her “you’re not here to bet are you?” cigarette dangling between her thin fingers.

“I- No , I’m looking for my brother “ she eyed the entire shop, trying to find her brother” a barmaid at the garrison told me he was here” a small panic had risen in her. Anna was starting to regret making the decision of looking for her brother and father. The faces of the many men staring at her , was making her beyond uncomfortable.

“who are you?” the woman inquired, she had a motherly look in her eyes, that was the only thing that calmed Anna’s nerves slightly.

“anna, Anna Jesus”

“course you are, come along ”she placed the cigarette between her lips “don’t worry boys, she’s no threat” the men instantly lowered their gazes and continued to holler numbers.

“um, who are you?” Anna asked following after the woman.

“I’m Polly, dear. Aunt Polly to 5 fucking nuisances”

towards the back of the shop, Anna saw her brother talking to a boy who seemed to be a few years younger. Maybe just by 2 or 3 years.

“Isaiah” she gasped, walking quickly to the boy who looked her way surprised.

“Anna” he walked to her and hugged her. He hugged her tight , and just didn’t let go for a few minutes.

“what the fuck are you doing here?” he let go . His question was more , again one filled with worry rather than anger. Which made Anna curious as to what went on in small heath that she was being sent silent warnings?

“I decided to come and visit you and Dad , instead of the other way around. plus i needed a bit of a fucking change”

The boy Isaiah had been talking to cleared his throat.

“right, Anna this is Finn Shelby, Finn this is my sister Anna” Isaiah introduced Anna to the boy who was starting to blush.

“nice to meet you , Finn” Anna couldn’t help but stare at Finn’s eyes. There was some sort of innocence in them , that seemed to draw her attention.

“Yeah, you too” he looked away.

“Right, Finn stay away from her, Anna , you come with me "Isaiah rolled his eyes.

“why the fuck’s everyone giving me these piteous looks?” Anna muttered walking next to her older brother.

“because this is small heath. Come on, dad’s over there”

Jeremiah Jesus had just walked out of what looked to be the main office, upon looking up, he saw his daughter walking towards him with her brother.

“anna?’ he walked to her.

“hi” she sprang and hugged him. The men in the shop paid the small family reunion no attention.

He watched the way she smiled and laughed while catching up with her father. Finn couldn’t help stare at the young woman he just met. He found it fascinating that she just walked into the betting shop without even knowing she was amongst a bunch of gangsters. She felt uncomfortable, he saw it on her face the moment he saw her behind Polly, but she’d come in further just to look for her brother.

He wanted to get to know her better, but Isaiah’s warning lingered in the back of his head.

******

“Alright, just come find me at least before going anywhere” Isaiah argued with his younger sister in their small home.

“Why , ‘saiah ?” Anna groaned.

“Alright look, don’t tell our father i told you, but small heath , its a fucking dangerous place alright. We-we’re involved in something and it could be dangerous for you”

“what the fuck are you talking about? involved in what?”

“Just this betting business can get quite out of hand at times , alright.”

“Alright, i wont go anywhere without letting you know-” “thank you” Isaiah rolled his eyes .

“let me finish saiah” Anna grumbled “ i won’t go anywhere without telling you , as long as you let me get to know Finn”

No sooner had Anna finished her sentence , had Isaiah sprang up from the chair, where he had sprawled out.

“what the fuck? why, No , I- his brother Tommy Shelby will kill you” Isaiah tried to fib his way. But he wasn’t one to lie and so naturally he failed miserably.

“Why the fuck will I kill your sister Isaiah ,eh?"

Tommy Shelby’s figure loomed in the doorway. Of course no one had heard the London gangster walk in.

“I- Fuck sake. Anna that's Tommy” Isaiah didn’t bother telling Tommy this was Anna since eh clearly knew already.

“Um- Hello, Mr. Shelby.” Anna said awkwardly. she didn’t know the man, and on any other occasions he would’ve panicked had a random man walked in unheard, but since Isaiah seemed to know the man she was alright with it.

“Right, Isaiah, Telling your father we need him at the shop tonight. We’ve got some work.” His blue eyes turned to Isaiah, who had taken a seat on the counter.

“Am I required to be there as well ?” he asked

“Why, have you got somewhere important to be for once , eh?” Tommy raised his eyebrow.

Anna snickered from her spot at the table .

“Fuck off Anna, and Tommy, well someone’s got to keep an eye on Anna, can’t be leaving her alone “

“Well I'm fucking sure Finn’s free” Tommy turned on his heels walking out.

Isaiah looked at Anna’s smug smile. ”fuck sake”

*******

Anna had now been at small heath for two months. The day when she would go back to London had come sooner than expected.. Anna had become quite close to Polly, Ada and Esme. Tommy was supposed to marry Grace the following afternoon . And though no one would tell Anna the details, she’d figured out that the woman had fucked up and yet Tommy was still going to marry her. But Anna never pressed for answers , knowing it wasn’t her place.

But Anna never really found herself wondering about grace anyway. Her mind was occupied by someone else. Someone who she’d grown extremely close to.

She and Finn had become close, too close for Isaiah’s liking. She found herself daydreaming of the youngest Shelby brother almost everyday. And the only time she didn’t daydream of him , was when she was with him. She had started to fall for him soon after she met him that day 2 months ago.

She’d watch him from far while he talked to Isaiah, when he rode on his horse , Anna would find herself smiling at the look on his face.

“Anna!” She jerked up from her spot on the couch, looking up at Finn .

“Yeah” she attempted to act as though she wasn’t daydreaming of the boy standing in front of her.

“I asked you if you were ready to leave?” he laughed.

“yeah” she got up , grabbing her coat ‘so when’s the wedding starting?” She called after him, jogging to keep up her pace with him.

“In about an hour” He opened the door to the passenger side of the car.

“we’re going in one?” Anna asked. her stomach becoming a knot of nerves and butterflies at the same time.

“yeah, Isaiah had to leave slightly early with your father since Tommy needed them there earlier. Your brother looked fucking daggers at me for some reason at that”

“That’s Isaiah I suppose” Anna knew why. Isaiah had figured out that she liked Finn a month ago, the only reason he didn’t kill Finn was because he knew Finn was a good person, and he’d never say it loud , but a part of him was relieved that it was Finn his sister had taken a liking to. Rather Finn than any other boy.

On the car ride to the wedding hall, Finn had looked at Anna multiple times from the corner of his eye. He turned a few times to look at the way her hair blew back slightly because of the wind.

She’d looked absolutely gorgeous in the maroon dress she’d worn for his brother’s wedding, and it took every bit of an effort for him to not blurt out and tell the young woman he was in love with her.

He helped her step out of the car , and walked behind her into the hall. She’d seen Esme and walked off to her.

“are you ever going to tell her you like her or are you just going to fucking pine over her until she’s left?” Polly asked him, blowing out smoke from the cigarette.

“And why would you think she likes me back?” Finn asked his aunt.

“Because I'm fucking Aunt Polly. If you don’t tell her soon Finn, You’ll lose her” she said and walked away. Typical Aunt Pol.

After the wedding, at the dinner, the guests found themselves waiting patiently; The groom and bride were running late. Everyone at the table knew why but no one said anything.

“How long do you think they’ll be?” Anna leaned towards Finn’s ears and whispered “ hours or minutes?” she laughed.

Finn snorted his drink. Coughing and wiping his mouth.

“minutes apparently” he said gesturing his head towards the doorway, where Tommy and Grace had just entered.

Finn and Anna looked at each other and burst out laughing, earning some unimpressed looks from Polly and Ada, but John and Arthur on the other hand had smirks on their faces ,knowing exactly what the two were on about.

Soon one by one, after dinner was deemed over, each guest made their way to the large hall at Arrow house.

Except Anna. She found herself forcing laughter and smiles halfway through dinner. Since, she’d in realized she’d be leaving for London in a day. She kept herself from tearing up every time she glanced at Finn during dinner. And so when everyone walked towards the hall, she walked outside, to get some air.

Looking up, Anna blinked away the tears. How she’d go back to living a normal life after having met Finn Shelby and fallen for him, she’d never know.

“I needed to talk to you but couldn’t find you inside” Anna whirled around.

“Finn, yeah, I needed a few minutes, there’s too many people in there” sshe gave a small laugh.

“Can I, can I , uh, tell you something?” Finn looked her in the eyes.

His breathe seemed to be caught in his throat, he could hear his heart beat in his ears , silencing the rest of the world, his hands got clumpy from sweat and his ears were starting turn hot.

“Sure” Anna looked at him in a way that made Finn’s heart burst in pure adoration.

“I didn’t really know what it was, yeah, at first. But , um, I realized that-that I love you” he blurted out he las part. His eyes widening because he meant to say he liked her, he was terrified now, that he’d scared Anna away , by telling her he loved her. His heart dropped when he saw Anna’s eyes widening.

“I mean I-” but whatever it was that he meant to say next got muffled by Anna’s lips on his. His heart pounding, his hands made their way to the back of Anna’s head.

She felt as though they were the only two in the entire universe, in that moment. She couldn’t think of anyone else besides him. His hands . his lips and his hands.

He touched every part of her soul with that one kiss.

“Finn , I love you too” she held back her tears “ But I’m leaving tomorrow for London. And I’m not quite sure when I’ll be back, that’s if I come back” she looked at him with tears in her eyes, he kissed her forehead.

“stay, for me”

#finn shelby #finn shelby x you #finn shelby x reader #finn shelby imagine #finn shelby one shot #finn shelby fanfic #peaky blinders x reader #peaky blinders x you #peaky blinders fanfic #peaky blinders imagine #finn shelby fluff #peaky blinders x y/n #peaky blinders #isaiah jesus #isaiah jesus x sister #anna jesus #finn shelby x anna #finn shelby x y/n

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4aloysius-porteu · 3 years

Text

i am your ally || tsukishima kei.

pairing; tsukishima kei x f! reader

genre: oneshot, drama, flangst, a little comedy

word count: 5.6k

details: 3rd year Tsukishima, artist reader

warnings: reader going missing, verbal abuse, crushing of dreams, lots of sadness, heavy parental argument, everything that happens here hits home

synopsis: tsukishima didnt know what is the right thing to say after he heard of (y/n)’s situation, but the words that stumbled out from his mouth were a surprise, yet it blossomed to a meaningful talk that happens once in a blue moon.

(a/n): wrote in the middle of my depressing days to find a little comfort from this character that I love with all my heart. inspired by true situations irl; if you, my friend, is feeling down today, i hope reading this work of mine can help. i might make this into a full story if this got enough attention tho.

(Y/N) was nowhere to be found.

It wasn't Tsukishima's habit to eavesdrop on other people's conversation, but he couldn't help but listen when he heard her name from her classmates. She was a consistent top student that will never neglect her studies, so it was unusual to know that she was absent today. He thought that maybe she got sick or she decided to go crazy and skip school. If it was the latter, he hoped that she knows what she's doing, because midterms are coming in 3 days, and he's not going to listen to her whines and begs to help her study for the tests.

And now he just happened to overhear that she was missing.

He saw her parents walk out of the campus after talking to the vice-principal and to the teachers. Gossip filled the corridors and rooms. Tsukishima went back to his room, clearly annoyed with the unnecessary noise.

He listened to the lectures of each subject and continued to write down important points, but the thought of (Y/N) lingered in his head. What could've happened that led to her disappearance? Was she kidnapped? No, he just walked her home last night and she'll never leave her place past midnight. Kidnappers won't dare to make a move in daylight because of the town's high authority visibility. There's no way she'll be lost in an area she's very familiar with.

She ran away from home. That is the only logical possibility he could come up with, but he couldn't think of an idea as to why. (Y/N), who loves to be cooped up in her room with music blaring in her earphones while drawing, left her home without a trace. Tsukishima was a little worried, but he won't let his face show whatever the hell he's feeling.

His plays and blocks aren't exactly bad, but Yamaguchi could sense that Tsukishima was thinking of something other than the volleyball practice. He approached his friend who was resting on the floor, his long arms covering his curled up legs.

"Tsukki, what's with that expression? Did you get a failing score in a quiz?" Yamaguchi started, in an attempt to lighten up the atmosphere.

The blonde's eyes darted to him, "Like hell, I'm going to let that happen. What do you want?"

He shrugged, "Nothing, I just noticed that you were a little quieter and more passive today. Normally, you would've chewed the first years out with their simple blocking errors, but you didn't say a thing. You're scarier in their eyes when you're silent."

"I was tired. I'll only waste my voice pointing out something I did a million times." A sigh escaped his lips

"Right..." Yamaguchi paused, "So, I assume you have heard?"

"Heard of what?"

"That (Y/N) is missing."

"Oh," A frown fell on his features. It wasn't his usual frown. People who really know him would notice that his eyes are full of worry.

He sat beside Tsukishima before he spoke again. "I know you have ideas on places (Y/N) could've gone to."

"I do not know what you're talking about."

The latter chuckled, "Oh, humor me, Tsukki. If you're that worried, I can excuse you for today's practice. No problem."

"Does that mean that you aren't concerned?"

"I am concerned. I want to look for her as well, but I have to whip the other players into shape. I'm sorry if I couldn't accompany you right away."

Tsukishima stood up and sighed again, "You will excuse me, you said?"

"Yeah."

There were silence and the background noise of balls and shoes colliding on the floor. He wiped the sweat off his face before replying, "I'll be leaving the gym in a few minutes."

He changed his clothes and packed his things up, causing the team to exchange glances.

"Tsukki!" Yamaguchi called, throwing his friend's large jacket to him, which the other caught. "Take care! I hope you find (Y/N) and get her home safe."

"I wish. Then, I'll leave it to you, Captain."

The green-haired middle blocker's eyes teared up and sparkled as he beamed a smile back, "I got it!"

Tsukishima started to look for (Y/N) at the places she liked to go to; the art store, the Central Park, the kid's playground, the museum, and the prefectural library. But there was no sign of her anywhere. He looked at the nearby places to no avail. He walked on while dialing her number, but her phone is out of coverage area. He spent 3 more hours finding the girl and soon received a message from Yamaguchi, telling him that (Y/N) hasn't been found yet and that he joined the authorities to help them find her.

He walked back to the direction of his home, panting softly. He had failed to find (Y/N), yet his brain won't stop thinking about her possible whereabouts. The cool breeze of winter hit Tsukishima's face and shivered at the contact. He had hoped again that she is inside of an establishment, safe from such cold weather.

Tsukishima's home has its lights out. Her mother was invited into her colleagues' reunion as said in her text, and both his father and brother are busy at work. He reached for his key in his pocket and was opening the door, not until he heard a loud sob from somewhere. Tsukishima looked around the place as the sobbing continued. He searched for the source and ended up in their backyard. He caught the sight of a small figure behind the bushes and went closer to confirm.

It was a cat. It had scurried away once he got close to it. Oh, how stupid he is to get his hopes up only to find a scared animal. But he was certain he heard a sob somewhere near. And cats aren't capable of making a sound like that. Or maybe he was only hearing things?

He dragged his feet to the main door to unlock it, but this time, there was a loud noise of scrubbing on the roof. What is it this time? He moved back and looked upon where it came from.

To his surprise, it wasn't another cat but a person. Their legs were curled up, arms covered around them, with their chin on their knees. Tsukishima turned on his phone's flashlight and there she was.

It was (Y/N). Her shoulders shook, either from the cold or trying her best not to cry out loud.

"H-Help me."

He stared at the girl, confused and fighting back laughter because of how scared (Y/N) looked. "How the heck did you get in there?"

"I climbed that tree and jumped off to break in and hide in your room. Turned out that the windows are locked. I don't know how to jump back and I-I was too high from the ground. You know I'm scared of heights! Why did you lock the window?! Stupid!"

"Of course, I would lock the window for the security. And wow, aren't you the stupid one for knowing how to climb and jump up to my window and not knowing how to get down? Why did you climb if you are scared of heights? Such an idiot."

"Fine, fine. I am an idiot. Now, can you help me get off this roof?"

He crossed his arms and smirked, "No."

"Ugh! Please, Kei. I've been trapped here for hours. I am begging you to help me get down. Please?"

He sighed in defeat and raised his arms. "Here. Jump."

For seconds, (Y/N) didn't respond as she was having second thoughts about jumping.

"What? Do you expect me to get a ladder? I'm sorry, but it's in the basement, broken." He said in a mocking tone. "Don't you want to come down?"

"Can you catch me properly? Are your arms stable? Won't you fall on your ass?" (Y/N) interrogated.

Tsukishima rolled his eyes, "Alright, stay there and freeze to death."

"No, wait! I was just asking! Come back! Don't leave meeee!"

The blonde looked up to her and raised his arms again, "Don't think. Trust me, I will catch you properly and you won't crash to the ground. You weigh like nothing anyway."

"Are you talking about yourself?" She retorted, pertaining to his weight.

"Can you please just jump?"

(Y/N) inhaled and went to the edge of the roof. It was a scary view for her, just looking down makes her dizzy, and want to throw up. She thought he would have the largest frown on his face because of how irritatingly slow she was, but there was Tsukishima waiting for her with the calmest expression. She smiled a little.

"Here I go..."

She took off, closing her eyes, and swallowing her fears. The gravity pulled her feet down shortly after, and Tsukishima readied himself for the impact as he reached her waist. He held on to her lower torso while (Y/N) placed her arms around his shoulders tightly and legs on his waist. The athlete's balance slightly went off, so he took a step back to support both their weights. It was now steady.

"I'm surprised you didn't lose your balance. Where's the weak boned beanpole 3 years ago?"

"I did for a second."

"Doesn't matter. You caught me. Thank you."

They had stayed in that way for a moment until Tsukishima spoke, "Do you plan to get off?"

"No. I'm tired."

"I am too." Yet she refused to let go.

He exhaled, carrying (Y/N) to the main entrance and finally unlocking the door. Her hoodie was cold and some parts are wet, but it didn't rain on that day. He took her in and placed her on the couch. Tsukishima went to his room, changed clothes, and brought a spare sweatshirt, handkerchief, and a towel. He went down but didn't find (Y/N) where he left her, so he walked to the kitchen counter and found the girl on the corner, shivering like a pup.

He tossed the clothing at her without further words. There was a note from her mom beside the curry in the table, saying she had eaten and she left rolls in the refrigerator. He was about to turn on the stove to reheat the food his mother left, but his eyes landed on (Y/N) who sat quietly, hugging the sweatshirt instead of wearing it. Her hair was disheveled, the sleeves and neck part of her hoodie was damp, her nose was red and her puffy, bloodshot eyes implied that she has been crying for who knows how long. He set the pan down to get her a glass of water.

"Everyone was looking for you." Said Tsukishima.

"No one was really looking for me." (Y/N) replied, clearing her nose.

"I didn't spend the last 3 hours tiring myself to scan the whole town for no reason." He sat beside her, handing the glass. "Care to spill the tea?"

(Y/N) drank first before speaking weakly, "I hate them. So much."

The male remained quiet, waiting for her to continue her dilemma.

"Remember when I told you and the class that I will be the most successful doctor in Japan after I finished my studies? It was a lie. It wasn't my dream to stay in a hospital and treat ill people, I only wanted to draw and paint. I didn't care if it never made them or anyone happy, I am happy doing it. And they are taking it away from me."

He knew from the start that her dream job as a doctor wasn't true. For years she stayed close to him as a friend or more, she won't blabber anything of the medical topic. She was terrified of syringes. He saw her reading an article about surgeries and like, but her focus was easily taken away.

She will get a pencil then start scribbling and drawing. Something that Tsukishima always sees her doing whenever she has a pen and paper, but she insists that it was a mere hobby. Her notebooks are well designed and organized, but the back is always full of artistic doodles instead of algebra solutions. She only has very few art materials yet she can make a portrait with only her fingers to shade. She makes digital art without a stylus. She would drag him to the museum after class to view some western and eastern paintings or any work of art while he admires the dinosaur fossils. For times she's watching an art tutorial and talk about art, draw and paint, she has those stupid sparkles in her eyes and a huge smile on her face.

"You know Tsukishima, after I finish studying and became a doctor, I'll become an artist and if the time let's it, I'll open my own art gallery. That's my ultimate dream." She looked alive and delighted.

Very much the opposite of what she looks like right now.

Even though she was a slave of art, as Tsukishima was a slave of his own interests, (Y/N) prioritized her studies so much. He understood why when he went to her house and met her parents before their study sessions. He had noticed everything but chose to stay quiet.

"I-I was drawing last night. Dad entered my room but I didn't notice so he ripped the music away from my ears and yelled. He said that I would always lock myself in my room and draw every night. It was never-ending and irritates the shit out of him. He asked why would I do something so useless that isn't even connected to any academic subject. He was looking down on my art like he was looking at a piece of crap. He told me to stop and threatened me if I didn't. Why would I get punished for drawing? I couldn't get myself to stay silent so I retorted. If he doesn't want to see me drawing, then he shouldn't enter my room at all. He should stop meddling with my hobbies. His anger only went up."

(Y/N) stopped for a while to wipe her tears and snot with her sleeves but Tsukishima placed a handkerchief on her hands. She muttered her thanks and blew her nose and soon followed with a sneeze.

"Soon, it became a full-blown argument. He said that he was checking out if I was doing my projects, but oh he was so disappointed only to find his daughter drawing for nothing. What the heck? I gave them the best grades I could get, and part of it was because of you, Tsukishima, but they still aren't satisfied? I balanced drawing and academics, but they made it seem that all I was doing was my hobby, completely ignoring my efforts at school. I finished the school activities and I reviewed for midterms and all I want is to be left alone and draw. What, they want me to go crazy by studying every hour with things I won't even apply in real life?"

Her fake laughter echoed in the kitchen for seconds before her depressed tone took over again.

"Mom heard all the shouting and joined the argument. Of course, she sided with dad without listening to my feelings and there they ridiculed their youngest child's interests and talent. They told me that everything I do is bullshit and wrong, that I was useless, that I was the huge opposite of their expectations, and... and how come God gave them a joke. She said they raised me so that I could help them, not to do such useless things. It hurts to shout back but I did to explain why I'm so passionate about art in hopes that they will listen and understand but, I was so wrong. I was suddenly slapped..." She placed her hand to her left cheek, her lips quivered a little.

"I-It stung so much. Mom complained about how the Internet generation is so rebellious and won't listen to the elders. They didn't raise and teach me to talk back at them, but here is their child being a bitch. They started comparing me to my elder siblings or relatives who focused on their studies and who are at the door of success. I know they only want me to achieve the best, but my success isn't up to them! It's on me!! And I've invested a lot for that! They shouted at me as mom pulled my hair. It was so loud I thought I was going deaf. Dad blamed the gadget's influence and my drawings. I have only drawn decent fanarts of fictional characters, people, and sceneries, but they believed that because of these, I turned into a mannerless bastard. So mom decided to get my phone and lessen my allowance so that I wouldn't buy any art materials that are a waste of fortune--"

She bit her lower lip that is trembling uncontrollably and her eyesight blurred as her fat tears got in the way.

"and... D-Dad... he... he... he tore m-my sketch pad apart..."

Tsukishima's eyes widened. (Y/N) brought that thing with her almost everywhere she went and it was filled with good drawings and art plans. She has a lot of them though, but Tsukishima could only imagine how she felt when her efforts were trampled over by someone important to her.

(Y/N) broke down, bawled her eyes out, and shrieked hysterically. He looked at her with a heavy heart. He had seen her crying sometimes, be it because of a sad movie or empathy, but never like this. A depressed, emotional wreck. Her eyes were sore enough after a lot of hours, but she won't stop crying. It was heartbreaking to see and hear his significant other in this state, yet Tsukishima didn't know what is the right thing to say.

But maybe there was no need to say anything at all.

Kei wrapped his arms around her weeping figure and pulled her towards him. Cry it out, pipsqueak. (Y/N) didn't expect this action, nonetheless cried in his shoulder He didn't care anymore if this meant he gets his clothes drenched in her snot and tears as long as she felt a little less lonely. He rubbed her back and hair in an attempt to comfort his lover. (Y/N)'s airways hurt, but she screamed the pain out, in hopes that the pain in her heart would vanish. Her weeping went on for long minutes until she choked in her own sobs that Tsukishima had to get her another glass of water.

"Tell me, Kei." She began, wiping her eyes, "Is there... something wrong with me? Is my dream really that insignificant?"

"There's nothing wrong with you. You followed your ideals. Anyone including me would've done the same." He answered beside her.

"I-It's realistic, right?"

"It is."

"Then... why did it turn out like this?" Her voice was cracking.

Tsukishima looked down, "The society is just very cruel."

"Yeah. It sure is. Such a cruel society to live with."

(Y/N) let out a dejected sigh and leaned on Tsukki's shoulder. "I couldn't look at them without such overwhelming fear and hate anymore. I wonder if... they knew that I was doing this for them. I'd like to make them smile with something I've made myself. Once, I made each of them a portrait. A realistic one made from a pencil. I couldn't afford a material set that can be used to paint realistically, but I tried my best to impress them with a charcoal one. Oh, if only you saw their faces when I gave them the portraits. They returned a half-hearted smile. It wasn't the same kind of joy I see whenever I give them perfect scores on tests. I didn't spend 3 sleepless nights just to see their half happy, half unpleased reaction. I wish they could feel more proud of their daughter who worked hard for them... I wonder if they threw it away as he did on my sketch pad..."

They let silence engulf the atmosphere for a while. (Y/N) had calmed down a little, despite shedding smaller tears from the side of her eyes. Tsukishima held the sweatshirt he gave her earlier to make her wear it on the top of her hoodie to lessen her shivering. He stared at her, while the other gazed down on the floor with dead eyes.

Tsukishima asked, "So, what are you going to do now?"

"What am I going to do now huh..." (Y/N) repeated. "I'll probably... put everything to an end."

"You know I won't let you."

"I'm not talking about my life, silly. I might stop drawing and all. I've lost it."

"Isn't your life and drawing one and the same? And I'm pretty sure you have that immense talent to continue."

"No... Besides, talent isn't a talent if it doesn't make anyone happy."

The blonde mentally scoffed. She just said that it makes her happy in the beginning.

"Oh? Fine, stop doing that one thing you put everything into. What would that girl you received a commission from would feel if she were to hear you though?"

(Y/N) was stunned. She had completely forgotten about the whole commission thing she opened in her social media accounts. Tsukishima accompanied (Y/N) on giving the commissioned charcoal portrait to a girl last 3 weeks ago. It was (Y/N)'s first commission for years she's making art. Someone liked her work for the first time and paid for it, and her client looks very contented and glad. The words she said filled her thoughts with inspiration.

"Wow, this is awesome! I'm so happy!! Thank you for making this, it was exactly what I've pictured on my mind! You're amazing! All the excitement I've bottled up for this day is so worth it," The girl, probably a little older than them paused and admired the painting she received from (Y/N).

"Would you ignore those words she said?"

'Please don't stop drawing, I'll be looking forward to your future works!'

A pang of guilt hit her chest. She wants to pursue art, but there are these shackles and chains on her limbs and around her neck that made it hard for her to move forward. She couldn't breathe. What happened yesterday night was too much. Her parents went overboard.

"B-But—"

A monotone voice interrupted her, "Don't. Never stop striving for something you have been building for years. You might be defeated now, but surely, you will win some time. There's no way you'll stay in the lowest level of the ladder after I saw how hard you worked. You will go to nationals again, and I will continue to support you. I'll cheer for you and stay by your side! So please, do not stop! Let me see those beautiful blocks that you execute in the game once more! And I will watch you reach the top! Doesn't matter how many times, I'll never get weary of watching you do amazing things!"

She was silenced by that statement. She had definitely heard those before, but couldn't quite remember where.

"Does the sentiment seem familiar to you? Those are the same words that came from your mouth when I was planning to quit volleyball after our huge loss to Date Tech last year. I am returning them back to you."

"Huh?" She replied with a meek voice.

"That time, you really did a good job meddling with my decisions. It annoyed me first, but what you had stated held a weight that I couldn't disregard. You gave me the small push I didn't know I needed. In the end, I'd like to pay you back." Tsukishima stated with a far away look in his eyes.

(Y/N) listened with watery eyes. This Tsukishima's side isn't definitely the one she gets to see every day so she couldn't feel anything but the warm, fuzzy feeling that is healing her heart.

"It's probably selfish for me to say this but, don't you dare give up. I didn't stop. No matter how long and hard the game is, no matter how tired and discouraged I get, and no matter how many pessimistic thoughts clouded my head, I didn't stop chasing after a falling ball and thinking of another tactic to counter the enemy. I kept your words with me in court. It was you who told me not to in the first place, and I'm not going to forgive you if you ever dropped everything. I won't let the stupid, starry-eyed (Y/N) die today."

The girl beside her started sobbing. "But you told me once that my drawing are ugly."

"Oh. That. I... kind of remember that. I'm not sorry about what I said because I did it to provoke and rile you up. It was a lie though. As someone who always sees you drawing, I can't call your work ugly at all. Your art is... astounding. You make it look like it's so easy to do. I think you forgot next sentence after I told you that."

"What was the sentence after?"

Tsukishima sighed, "I told you to keep doing it, right?"

The sound of (Y/N) crying engulfed the kitchen, "Oh gosh, why did I forget that... I'm sorry, I'm so idiotic..."

The blonde brought her back to his arms, "Will you stop crying, you've been too hard on yourself today,"

(Y/N) hid her face on his chest, muffling her speech, "c-couldn't help it... my mind is such a mess... I do not know..." She paused, coughing. "It's no use if m-my parents don't acknowledge me..."

"Hundreds, or perhaps thousands of people who follow you on social media account recognize you. People in school recognizes you. I recognize you. I am your ally. Isn't that enough reason for you to get back on your feet? I will support you just like how you supported me. You have a lot of people who admire you, but I only have a few people and you. Yet your words are enough. I'm certain that soon, you will reach your parents' standards and get them to acknowledge you. It's not impossible."

(Y/N) fixed her tear-stained face before looking up to him, "You know what? Who are you? Is a good spirit possessing your body? The Kei I know will either stay quiet or laugh at me for being pathetic."

"I was trying to be nice for once and this is what I get?" He frowned.

(Y/N) chuckled and hugged Tsukishima, "I'm sorry. Everything you said meant the world to me. Thank you very much."

She relaxed against his lean body, "I have a question though..."

"What?"

"You literally had no business in my art, it was my own problem. Why are you doing this?"

"Why don't you ask yourself after you argued with me that night? Why did you have to butt in with my choices?"

"Because you like volleyball! You might look like that someone stole your dinosaur collection when you're at practice, but you're good at it and have a future in it! It is a part of you, and you're deciding to throw it away? Your potential is too big to be wasted and I refuse to let that happen." Her voice is a little louder now, but hoarse.

"There's your answer, little gremlin."

"How is that— Oh."

"But I'd like to add something."

"What is it?"

"You look better doing what you really like. It makes you look less like a hag."

It was silent after that. (Y/N) punched his arm. Tsukishima didn't even wince but asked, "What was that for?"

"The last statement was unnecessary, and the first one is sweet yet cringey." She criticized.

"C'mon, I'm just a teenager. Aren't you the cringey one most of the times?"

She used the handkerchief to sniffle her runny nose away, "Why do you have a knack of returning everything I said to me?"

"I won't do it if it's not appropriate." Tsukishima placed his hands on her back and to her hair, "So, what are you going to do now, (Y/N)?"

"I'll think things through. My brain is still slightly messy, but I'll be fine, thanks to you. But Kei..."

He hummed as a response. "I don't want to go home. I want to run away."

"Not possible. You can't survive on your own. You're almost 18 and until now, you don't understand how a washing machine works with all your perfect scores in exams."

"This is just a thought. I didn't say I'll be alone. I'm taking you with me."

"I refuse."

"Why?"

"Couldn't you wait for more months until we graduate?"

(Y/N)'s eyebrows raised, "So basically, you're agreeing, but not this time?"

"No, but you'll be free of your parents' suffocating control. Who knows how huge is your potential by that time."

"How considerate of you." The girl smiled.

"Only this time. And no, we won't live in the same place in college. Not yet. Not until we finish our studies, have secured jobs, and get important things done."

"Will you be playing volleyball at college?"

He lazily replied, "Probably."

"Don't give me such an ambiguous answer!"

"Probably yes."

"Hmm. Fine by me. I'll continue to draw, then." (Y/N) rested her head near Tsukishima's neck.

He smiled a little at her answer, "Another thing though. I don't think... you should leave things with your parents like that. There'll be a time where you have to face it."

"Yes, that sucks... I don't want to think about it but I'll have to go back eventually... When that confrontation happens, I'll try to calmly talk it out with them. I will never be certain if it will end well. But my hate and fear of them won't change."

"You can always run back here if it didn't end well."

"Kei, don't want to see their faces just yet. Can I stay here for a while?"

"You even bother to ask. You are welcome anytime in this household. Just enter the house in the front door, not in my window."

"Right... thank you."

"Oh, now it's my turn to ask. How did you get in there?"

(Y/N) sighed, "It was on 4:30pm. I was on the loose and I looked for a store where anyone can't recognize me so I can eat for lunch. But there's this creep who kept on following me—"

"Did he hurt you?" He abruptly questioned.

"No. I ran as fast as I could before he could even get close to me, but in the next block, there were the town authorities with my mom, and I knew they were looking for me, so I blended into the people with my hoodie on and made my way. I climbed the tree in panic that they'll find me and hid there. It took me hours to notice that your house is just next to it, so I decided to climb to your window. However, the window was locked, and I was stuck."

Tsukishima sighed in relief. "It was a miracle that a klutz like you didn't fell off the tree and surprisingly, no one found you."

"I was high in adrenaline when I climbed the tree. My blending and hiding skills are in ninja-tier now, I beat you."

"Whatever. What did you have for breakfast?"

"...a melon bread."

"Just that?"

"Just that."

Tsukishima kissed her forehead before lifting her up with him. "Go change. Borrow any of my clothes. I'll reheat the food."

(Y/N) kissed his cheek, slowly got off him and went upstairs. Tsukishima opened his phone to text Yamaguchi about her situation and proceeded to reheat the spicy curry.

"Wait, Kei! Is it okay for me to eat?" She shouted from upstairs.

"What kind of question is that? Of course you can." He shouted back.

"Your mom left that for you, for your dad and for your brother. I'd feel bad."

"My brother and dad will come home late and I'm sure they've eaten already. So is mom."

"Are you sure? I can replace the food." She said while going down the stairs.

"Oh, you can cook? I'm afraid you'll burn the whole kitchen." He mocked.

"At least not the whole house." (Y/N) laughed, "Just kidding, I have a tiny knowledge in cooking."

"You don't have to, I told you they already ate. I'll bring out the sushi mom made if you still want to eat."

"Alright. Thank you for the food."

Few hours later, Tsukishima's mom came home and took off her shoes. "I'm home."

As she was about to enter the living room, Akiteru greeted her and placed his finger in front of his lips, indicating her to keep quiet. She wondered what was going on and saw her youngest son and his girlfriend leaning on his shoulder, asleep on the couch in front of the TV. He signaled her to read the note Kei left on the table.

To mom, dad, and brother,

Earlier in the morning, (Y/N) went missing and her parents and town authorities were looking for her. I found her on the way home, but it turns out that she ran away from her home because of an intense argument between her parents, and doesn't want to be found yet. Please let her stay here for a while. I'll do most of the household chores or any favor you ask me in return.

Mom, I shared the curry and sushi rolls with her. I left for some for dad and brother. (Y/N) said it was very delicious.

Love,

Kei.

She smiled after reading the note and looked at the sleeping kids. She took notice of (Y/N)'s eyes and quickly understood the situation. Before she left to rest in her room, she looked for a spare blanket and laid it atop them to keep them warm.

(Y/N) snuggled further to Tsukishima's arms, satisfied on how this night will end well, unlike yesterday's.

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ecoamerica · 23 days

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youtube

Watch the American Climate Leadership Awards 2024 now: https://youtu.be/bWiW4Rp8vF0?feature=shared

The American Climate Leadership Awards 2024 broadcast recording is now available on ecoAmerica's YouTube channel for viewers to be inspired by active climate leaders. Watch to find out which finalist received the $50,000 grand prize! Hosted by Vanessa Hauc and featuring Bill McKibben and Katharine Hayhoe!

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karmel-queen · 2 years

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Okay, imma just rant about my BATIM AU lore stuff bc I'm too lazy to draw it atm!

So, basically, the studio opened up in 1930's-1950's and Bendy became SUPER popular. That is, until, Hailey, the head animator of the studio left work to be with her family, or what remained of them, her mom was passing away. She didn't come back for a long time due to mental problems of her mom dying. This caused the studio to suddenly crash downward and crumble into failure. The studio was going to close due to bankruptcy and safety issues (the elevator not working right, pipes bursting left and right, A WHOLE ASS INK MACHINE-).

In an attempt to save her company, Juilan Drew turned to performing satanic rituals and actually summoning a demon from Hell, who she made a deal with. If Julian gave the demon a vessel to live in, the demon would make Julian's business flourish again and become increasingly popular. Juilan, blinded by easy success, accepted the deal. She worked hard, day and night to make a vessel for the demon. Suddenly, as she was about to call off the deal, an idea sprung to mind. Julian started up the ink machine and asked that every worker from the studio gives her an item from their department to "appease the Gods." Later that night, she started a ritual by the machine with the items needed and the machine began to work....

Until the result came out.

Soon, the machine stopped pumping and out of the nozzle fell a giant blot of ink. Julian cautiously approached the blot and gave it a poke, before it began to move about and form a body. The body began to solidify into a very familiar figure. The blot had turned into Bendy, the little devil darling that was all around the studio! It was really her!!

Or...so Julian thought.

The second Bendy laid eyes on Julian, she squeaked in fright and curled into a ball. Julian tried to ask the cartoon if she knew where she was or who she was. Alas, the poor, afraid toon had not clue where she was, nor WHO she was ment to be. Julian sighed and summoned the demon she made a deal with, who came immediately and stared at the small, shivering cartoon demon at it's feet. "I s t h i s m y v e s s l e ?" It asked, to which Julian nodded in response, not wanting to upset the demon on her deal.

The demon then nodded and came towards the toon in a feral manner, making the unaware thing shriek in horror. Then, they began to merge. Screaming, gargling, and all kinds of noises were heard as the two entities fused. Soon, after a few minutes, the noises stopped. Julian, who shielded her eyes from the sight, looked back to see Bendy, but, this time, standing up, fully dressed, and smiling wide. "You...Do you know w-who you are?" Julian asked, to which Bendy perked up her head and smiled wider. "Of course I do! I'm Bendy the Dancing Demon!" She chirped, making Julian cheer and dance in circles with thrill. "Yes!! Yes, now this studio can return to its glory!" "A c t u a l l y . . . . a b o u t t h a t ." Julian wheeled around to see that Bendy remained the same, but her eyes were completely black. No notches in her eyes anymore. "I t h i n k I' l l c a l l t h i s d e a l o f f . R u l e o f t h u m b f o r y a , n e v e r t r u s t a d e m o n ." She said, before shaking her head rapidly and holding it. "Yeesh, talk 'bout a headache.."

Julian, outraged and betrayed, started to abuse the toon, mentally and physically. She hoped that the true demon within Bendy would get the memo and go back on their deal. Alas, nothing worked. The two are completely fused together. That's why Bendy's eyes go whole whenever she turns into the Ink Demon, that's the true demon coming out of Bendy and causing her to melt, but not split apart. They can't, even if they tried to. Their souls are also bound to the studio, they can't leave.

Hailey soon returned to the studio and did everything in every chapter, before putting in the "THE END" reel and saving Bendy. The demon still lives within her, but it's not as bad as before. After Hailey put in the reel, Bendy's soul was now free to roam wherever she desired.

But, remember...wherever she goes...

The true demon follows.

#karmel #art #fanart #fem!bendy #bendy and the ink machine #bendy #batim #batim au #bendy the little devil darling #batim fanart #batim lore #batim au lore

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2manyfandoms2count · 3 years

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Alix's rom-com night

The June event of the @mlwritersguild was to create bonus content for one of our fics - I decided to seize the opportunity to finally sit down and write one of the bonus scenes of You can count on me (I will be there for you), and to do draw a bit of fanart to go with it (4 panels, including a Marichat piece)! Let me tell you that the Burrow is a pain to draw, but I'm actually quite proud of the result :)

About YCCOM: It's an aged-up, one-sided reveal with "fake" wedding fic, based on Sallteas' art. The fic is 9 chapters and 20k words long. It was written before season 4, so it's no longer canon compliant in terms of who knows who's identities at the beginning.

Synopsis: Ladybug's identity is compromised, and somebody is after her. After a lot of pondering, she and Chat Noir come to the conclusion that her best bet is for her to marry Adrien Agreste. It breaks her heart that she is not marrying Chat Noir, but she knows that she's buying them time to figure out who is behind the anonymous letters she's been receiving, and hopefully to find Hawkmoth. Whatever the situation might be, her wedding day should provide a moment of respite. And maybe it would have, had Chat Noir refrained from coming to visit her just before the ceremony...

About Alix's rom-com night: it's a one shot that's chronologically set before the main fic, but I recommend reading it after reading the latter since it contains spoilers for it. It follows Alix (obviously), and includes Ladybug revealing her identity to Chat Noir and the set up of their "fake wedding" plan.

Hope you enjoy!

---

Alix opened her door and dropped her keys in the bowl as she kicked off her shoes with a satisfied sigh. Home, sweet home.

Her studio apartment wasn’t very big, but then again, she didn’t need a huge surface when she had a whole extension waiting for her just a transformation phrase away. She’d mentally thanked Marinette more than once for choosing her to wield the Rabbit Miraculous, rather than somebody else, just for the savings she made in rent.

She whistled happily as she made her way to her kitchen area, grabbing a bag of popcorn out of a cupboard and shoving it in her microwave.

She deserved the treat. She’d been running around all week, trying to slide letters to her targets without being spotted, spending hours on end to find the perfect stationary, and then staying up at night to get the wording exactly right, a delicate mix of subtlety and threat to elicit some sort of response from them. It had taken a lot of trial and error, especially for Ladybug. Her friend had always been surprisingly oblivious on many fronts, and it seemed that her honeymoon phase with Chat Noir reinforced her optimistic ability to brush ominous details aside. It had taken three letters for her to start freaking out and to promise Tikki she would talk to her partner about them, whereas Hawkmoth had started the analysis phase upon the first one he’d received.

Alix had only been mildly surprised by the identity of their nemesis when she’d decided it was high time she knew who they were facing; it was all too fitting that the man who leached off Paris’ most intense negative emotions should be the most embittered person she knew, and the one who, in retrospect, had been the cause of many an Akuma (she still shuddered at the what-could-have-been of Chat Noir’s akumatisation).

The microwave dinged, bringing her thoughts back to her timeline. She took the bowl out and called for her Kwami.

“Fluff, clockwise! Burrow!”

A white portal appeared in the middle of her living space and she walked through it, emerging in the ovoid room covered in screens. She made her way to the furthest point, hung her umbrella up on the coathanger she kept in there, and grabbed a folding chair. It was a director’s seat which supposedly had belonged to a rising name in the cinema world before their career had been shot down for obscure reasons, but she didn’t really care about its story; she’d bought it for a very low price at a yard sale, and that was all that mattered to her.

“Right, where are you…” She muttered, scrutinising her surroundings, until she found the screen she was looking for.

She unfolded the chair, zoomed in on the empty (for now) rooftop, propped down in her seat and threw a fistful of popcorn into her mouth, waiting for the show to start.

Unsurprisingly, Ladybug was the first to arrive on the scene. She paced around, mumbling to herself as she wrung her hands together. Alix felt a pang of guilt as she watched her rehearse how she would break the news to her partner, but reassured herself that the ordeal would soon be over.

Finally, Chat Noir landed beside Ladybug, and she flung herself at him, holding him so tight he had to untangle himself from her arms to breathe.

“Well, well, well, my Lady, I know I couldn’t make it to patrol last night, but I didn’t think you’d miss me this much,” he chuckled, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

Alix rolled her eyes at just how lovestruck he looked as he did so. How could her friends be so sappy, and yet still be at square one in terms of knowing who the other was?

Some might have said that it was romantic, that they loved each other regardless of who they were; but those people did not have to deal with the constant end of the world threat.

“What was so important that you couldn’t just text me?”

Ladybug took a deep breath. Her fingers slid along his arms as she relaxed her embrace, taking his hands in hers at the end of the line. “Somebody knows my identity,” she said quietly, looking down. “And I don’t know who they are.”

“What?!” Chat’s voice detonated in the previously peaceful quiet of the evening, making a couple of pigeons take off in a loud flutter of wings.

“I’m so sorry, I must have been careless when I got home one night, they must have seen me, I bet it was last week when I was tired and I-”

“My Lady, no offence, but I don’t care about the when and why, just... are you okay?” He tilted her chin up, gently turning her head to each side, checking for any signs of injury.

She placed her hand on his, making him stop, and gave him a soft, sad smile. “Yes, Chaton. Just a little rattled; you know you were the first person I wanted to reveal my identity to. Not including Bunnyx, although technically I never told her who I am.”

“And technically, I’m still the only person who knows who you are,” Bunnyx smugly commented between two handfuls of popcorn. “Now come on, I want to see how you react when you reveal your identities to each other.”

“How do you know somebody knows, though? And do you have any idea what their intentions are?”

Ladybug’s expression darkened. “I received some letters. They’re not signed, but they’ve got enough butterflies on them to make me think that even if they’re not from the biggest pest in Paris, then they’re probably from somebody who’s up to no good.”

Chat Noir swore under his breath, then regained his countenance. “So, what do we do now? Do you think we can hunt down the bugger?”

“We definitely will, but…” Ladybug bit her lip, and Alix leaned forward in her seat. This had to be it. “Chaton, I think the time has come for me to tell you who I am.”

“YES! Finally!” Alix cheered, almost spilling her popcorn bowl.

“Are you sure, my Lady?” Alix didn’t have to be on site to tell that Chat Noir’s heart was beating faster than usual; the corners of his mouth twitched as he repressed a smile, as though his excitement could make her change her mind.

“Yes.” She nodded. “I really want you to know.” In case something happens to me, Alix was pretty sure her friend had left unsaid.

“Okay, okay.” Chat Noir took a deep breath, buzzing with anticipation, so much so that he apparently missed the whole subtext of her previous words. “Do you want to do this now? And how do you want to do it? Do you want me to close my eyes? Are you going to write it on a piece of paper for me to read? Are you going to detransform? Should-”

“I was thinking the latter, and yes, now,” Ladybug said timidly. “Up to you if you want to look or not.”

“For some reason, I feel like I shouldn’t.” He took her hands in his and kissed her knuckles without breaking their eye contact, then took another deep breath and closed his eyes, a blissful smile on his lips. “Ready when you are, my Lady.”

“Ok, here goes.” She let out a shaky breath and called off her transformation. The soft pink glow engulfed her and receded, her suit melting away to reveal her true appearance.

“Wow, Marinette, you actually broke out your favourite dress for this? Glad to see all of this isn’t affecting your ability to think straight.” Alix smirked. If her friend had gone home after a long, stressful work day, and found it in her to change and doll herself up to make a good impression on Chat Noir, things couldn’t be that bad. She had to agree that her dress, simple, white, with little red hearts embroidered on it, was perfect for the occasion, though.

“You can open your eyes now, Chaton.” Marinette gave his hands a squeeze.

Chat Noir obliged, blinking slowly as he took in her appearance, her identity, her. Marinette squirmed under his gaze, his expression not giving away any of his thoughts.

“H-Hi,” she stammered when she couldn’t take it anymore. “I, erm, I guess I should introduce myself? We’ve run into each other before, when we were younger, and even if you actually had lunch with my family that one time, I guess it’s been a while… My name is-”

“Marinette. Marinette Dupain-Cheng.” Chat’s smile finally broke free, spread from ear to ear, almost literally illuminating his face. Alix wondered if anything could ever wipe it off. Love and admiration twinkled in his eyes as he picked her up and started spinning her. Marinette wrapped her arms around his neck, giggling giddily, before Chat Noir closed the gap between their lips.

Bunnyx modestly looked away, allowing them to have their moment. Her eyes landed on a rerun of Plagg putting an end to the dinosaurs’ reign.

“I should have known that it was you, Princess.” Chat panted slightly as he carefully set Marinette back on the roof. “Everything makes so much more sense now, I-”

“Before you finish that thought, I can’t know your identity.” She placed her index finger on his lips. “Yet, of course.”

“What?” Chat froze, and so did Bunnyx, her hand pausing midway between the popcorn bowl and her mouth. “But why?”

“I don’t know what might happen to me, but I don’t want to put you in any danger.” Marinette cupped his cheek. “And I don’t want to lose my memories of you. Of us.”

“Oh for Kwami’s sake.” Alix rolled her eyes. “Boo!” She threw a fistful of popcorn at the screen as her friend continued to list all the reasons Chat couldn’t reveal his identity.

“My Lady, Marinette, if you’re worried about your safety, maybe we should do something about it. I could move in with you, or in a flat nearby, maybe, stay transformed or wear a mask at all times so you don’t know who I am, we can figure it out… Of course I know you can protect yourself, but I could stand guard while you sleep, or...” Chat raked his hand through his hair as he thought.

“You know I love you, Chaton, and that’s why I can’t let you do that! You can’t live like that, I can’t ask that of you. Not to mention how difficult it would be for me, do you really think I could resist having you so close, and not trying to get a glimpse of who you are?” She joked, trying to diffuse the sudden tension.

“Then we need to get you a bodyguard,” he insisted.

“I thought about it, but… Well, I can’t really afford it, and how could I justify suddenly needing personal security? I’m just a designer, and nothing I’ve ever done has been avant-garde enough that I should be worried about my safety.” She shook her head.

“Damn, I knew I should have targeted Chat Noir,” Alix swore under her breath. “He would’ve had to reveal his identity, and she definitely wouldn’t have been a pushover on her kitty’s protection matter. Come on Adrien, do something.”

She could tell that he was up to something just by looking at him. He’d been silent for a little too long for it to be natural. Cogs turned in his head, making him squint. He let go of her completely and paced around the roof, almost pulling his hair out as he did so. Alix sensed that whatever was on his mind was going to be big. She leaned forwards in anticipation.

Finally, Chat Noir came to a halt in front of Marinette, the fever in his eyes and his dishevelled hair making him look slightly unhinged.

“Buguinette, I think I’ve got a solution,” he whispered.

“You do?” Marinette’s voice was full of hope, although she looked slightly concerned about him.

“You’re probably not going to like it,” he warned her, lifting a finger.

“Beggars can’t be choosers.” She shrugged, taking a step forward.

“Right.” He gave her one last look, an opportunity to stop him before the words tumbled out. She nodded encouragingly. “Okay, here’s the thing. I have it on very good authority that Adrien Agreste is being pressured into getting married by his father.”

“I see Gabriel’s just as delightful as always,” Marinette shook her head.

“Unlike good cheese, he definitely doesn’t get better with time.” Chat smiled bitterly, eyes losing focus a little.

“What’s it got to do with us, though?” Marinette prompted, placing a hand on his arm.

“Oh, Agreste, you absolute genius, I think I know where this is going.” Alix took another handful of popcorn.

“Oh, yes, right.” He cleared his throat. “See, Adrien’s not dating anyone at the moment…” Right, Alix snorted. “And he’s not really planning on starting a relationship with his father breathing down his neck, but, well, he happens to owe me a favour, and I’m sure that he’d be more than happy to put his security detail to good use…”

“So you’re suggesting that I marry Adrien.” Marinette deadpanned.

“Well, er, I actually thought you could just date, but thinking about it… It would be less strange for you to request a bodyguard if your relationship was more serious…” He trailed off.

Alix was impressed by how well he concealed his emotions. His poker face was truly exceptional.

“And you think Adrien would be ready to marry me because of a favour he owes you?” Marinette crossed her arms over her chest, pursing her lips and squinting at him as she tried to pick at his lie.

Alix winced for Chat. Maybe he should have waited a bit before blurting out the (as it turned out) probably only sane option in that situation so he could work out all of the details for himself. Marinette was very good at trying to shake plans to see how solid their foundations were.

“Please. Adrien had a crush on you when you were younger, if anything I could probably smuggle it as another favour, given how perfect the fake scenario would be. Although I guess that since you also liked him… It might just cancel out.” He tapped his lip pensively.

“Adrien had a crush on me?” Marinette frowned. “Oh, you must mean Ladybug. I think Nino mentioned it once.”

“Well, yes, but he also had one on you, Marinette.” Chat stepped forward, mischief twinkling in his eyes as he poked her on the nose.

“Really, now,” she muttered to herself.

“The main reason he didn’t act on it was that he thought you loved somebody else.” Chat smiled ironically.

“Wow, what a pair of idiots.” Marinette chuckled.

“You don’t know the half of it.” He kissed her forehead.

“But you know what?” Marinette didn’t pick up on her partner’s comment. “I’m actually glad we didn’t get together. It probably would have delayed us getting together.” She pressed a peck to his lips. “If we’d gotten together at all in that timeline.” She smirked.

Alix snorted. Out of all the timelines she’d watched unfold in an attempt to keep things in check, there wasn’t a single one where Marinette and Adrien, Ladybug and Chat Noir, didn’t end up together, and not just because of her interventions to help them, and the rest of the planet, stay alive.

Marinette’s face fell at Chat Noir’s lack of response. Alix knew her friend didn’t particularly believe in soulmates, but she understood that she would have liked a sappy Chat Noir special comment on how he’d told her he’d grow onto her anyway, and that she would have soon discovered that the Agreste boy had nothing on him. She assumed that he was too busy restraining himself from saying the wrong thing.

“Actually… What about us, then?” Marinette cleared her throat and looked up at him, eyes glistening slightly in the half light.

“My Lady… If you really think that you being a divorcée will spur me away…” Chat Noir looked down at their entwined hands, locks of blond hair falling in front of his eyes, concealing his giddy smile from her. You sneaky cat, Alix thought.

Marinette followed his gaze, letting out a long sigh as she watched their hands sway lightly. Alix knew her brain was probably trying to find all the flaws in the plan. She crossed her fingers, hoping that it would be enough for her friend to accept. It was perfect, whether they got their act together and figured everything out before the event, or not.

“Fine,” Marinette finally said with resolve, making Alix mentally thank whoever was out there. “I’ll do it on two conditions.”

“Anything, my love.” Chat let out a sigh of relief.

“Firstly, we’re honest with Adrien from the get go. No lying about anything.” Chat nodded along. “Secondly, we get cracking on finding Hawkmoth, and after we do and the divorce is settled, if we even get that far with Adrien because obviously if everything is settled before the wedding we won’t be going through the whole plan…” Chat smiled fondly as she took a deep breath. “After all that, we are getting married.” She gestured between the both of them.

“My Lady, are you proposing to me right meow?” Chat Noir all but purred.

“I guess so.” Marinette shrugged, a smile and a blush spreading on her cheeks.

“Wow, then, I’m definitely putting Adrien in charge of the proposal planning,” he replied with a smirk.

“Chaton!” She stomped her foot, her mildly amused smile cancelling out her frown.

“What?” He teased her.

“Will you? Marry me?” She held his gaze.

“Do you even have to ask?” He chuckled. “You know, my Lady, I’m pretty sure that, in my head, we’ve been married since that speech you gave on the Eiffel Tower during our very first fight. Well, I’ve been married to you; you do whatever you please.”

“You’re such a dork,” Marinette laughed, brushing her nose against his and throwing her arms around his neck.

“And yet you still love me.” He pulled her closer.

“Unfortunately, I do,” she sighed dramatically before pressing a kiss to his lips.

Alix dismissed the screen. She’d seen what she wanted, and it seemed like a good place to stop; a happy, sappy ending. Also, she’d finished all of her popcorn.

Everything was on track, her friends would start their Hawkmoth hunt, and soon everybody in Paris would be able to live without fear of their own negative emotions.

(Of course, that was the theory; she’d soon find out that she’d underestimated Adrien’s will to organise the perfect wedding for Marinette, and that, my friends, was no small oversight.)

#miraculous ladybug #the miraculous tales of ladybug and cat noir #ml #mlb #miraculous fanfiction #miraculous fanfic #miraculous fanart #alix kubdel #bunnyx #ladynoir #ladybug #chat noir #half-reveal #one-sided reveal #aged-up characters #elle writes #elle sketches #yccom

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uwuderes · 4 years

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Yandere Bolin NSFW Headcanons

Ask: I know this would be completely out of character for bolin but do you think you could do some hc about him but they're dubcon ? If you're okay with that type of stuff

I'm fine with dubcon id you guys ever wanna request it please do so!

- Bolin would never do this, hes my mf baby (but it's interesting so I'll write it)

-He'd probably drug you I don't see him inflicting physical harm to you. Hes also most likely to have been drove mad to the point of doing anything to have you

-Youd be having a good time at one of the many republic city galas, you being related to Korra had its perks

-Next thing you know you woken up in a rundown warehouse all the way on the other side of town, you having little to no recollection of how you got here or where the way back home was

-So you sat there about to break down, you were a non-bender meaning you couldn't get out of your bindings easily. You were about to cry until you heard a noise from the distance

-You stopped your movements quick seeing a big figure walk towards you. You quickly scurried away, moving into a wall.

- "What are you doing sweetie?"

-You knew that voice... Bolin.

-"Bo? Please you got to get me out of here! "

-Bolin looked at you before getting down and kneeling in front of you, moving his hand to gently stroke your face

-"I always thought you were pretty..."

-Your eyes widened in realization. H wasn't letting you free...

-He kidnapped you.

-Bolin then leaned in and kissed you shyly retreating after. His face was red as he leaned in again. This time applying more force, snaking his tongue into your mouth playing with your limp one.

- You yelped in his mouth afraid of what could possibly happen around Bo. You thought he was a good man, never in a million years you'd thought he'd be taking advantage of you.

-Speaking of, Bolin proceeded to rip open the top of your dress, kissing down your neck. He sucked creating bruises and licking them to soothe the feeling for you

-He kept mumbling on and on about how perfect and pretty you were, and how he'd been waiting to get you alone for the longest time. This only made you more disgusted as he undressed you both.

-Bolin reached behind you and undid the rope that held your wrists together, you were about to thrash around but Bolin was quick to grab your hand and sit you on his lap, once again making you immobile and your escape attempts useless.

-You then felt something hard press into your back, gulping at how big he was. Bolin was pretty big compared to you, not only height but in muscle mass too.

-"Shh we have to get you nice and ready for me baby, You don't want for you to get hurt now do you?" He pouted at you, almost mockingly

-You were about to say something back to him but you were cut off with your own moan as Bolin shoved two fingers inside of your dripping cunt.

-"Your so wet for me..."

-Bolin seemed to be under a phase as he wasted no time thrusting his fingers harshly in and out of you. He added a third one and you lost it, losing yourself in him.

-"Your gonna cum aren't you? Do it baby, all over my fingers." He groaned out, starting to grind into your back.

-You let out a loud yelp as you came, coating his earth bending fingers in your juices. About now a layer of sweat had came over you two, but Bolin seemed unphased by this, not even showing signs of exhaustion. You on the other hand were close to passing out

-"No no no, don't fall asleep on me now. We still have more to do..." Bolin whispered huskily into your ear.

-You whimpered out, the first orgasm taking so much out of you. You tried to crawl away, only for Bolin to grab you by your waist and pull you back on him

-"B-Bo- I don't wanna do this anymore.. We can talk this th-"

-You gasped as you felt Bolin enter inside you, stretching you out to the fullest extent

-Bolin bit into your shoulder, drawing blood as he pushed into you, his cock slamming inside you to the hilt

-He wasted no time thrusting inside you, setting a fast pace

-He muttered how tight you were, you being traumatized and aroused at the same at the foreign feeling

-Your walls clamped down on him Bolin hissing out once more, at this rate he wouldn't be able to last

-You felt something build inside you as you moaned out feeling your second orgasm, Bolin leading you into overstimulation. He wasn't intending on stopping until he came

-"Your actually real...Oh my god I'm going to cum..."

-He finally busted inside you, filling you up to the brim. Bolin fell on top of you tired and worn out. He kissed your back cuddling you

-You felt gross as he hugged you close

-"I love you (Y/N)..."

#yandere #yandere x reader #yandere headcanons #yandere imagines #yandere writings #warning #dubcon #reader insert #yandere love #legend of korra #lok #bolin x reader #yandere bolin #yandere legend of korra

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20thcentury-kylo · 3 years

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Tides Of Memory Chapter 1.5

hey there.. I'm gonna be honest this probably took more out of me than it should- i got a tad too ambitious and burnt myself out :p and i was so unsatisfied with it that most of the art got scrapped in the process, with that in mind i don't consider this a full chapter, I'm gonna take a step back and try a more manageable approach for the next one- (hopefully that wont take as long heheh)

Anywho i hope you enjoy what i have here even if its not much~

Eyes set adrift a sunlit room that morning. Echos of his dream still rang clearly in his thoughts. Kiome shifts from the dorm’s bed in a slow fluid motion. Standing to stretch, he revels in the subtle pops and cracks that surge through his body. Stray tears are wiped away as the sleep slowly fades from his eyes. He’s standing at the bathroom mirror- trying for once to remember the sights from his last dream, nothing comes to mind except flashes of red and pink hues. However what he remembers more than anything- and what he can't seem to shake from his mind; is the lullaby-like melody and the words playing over and over in soft loops.

“I knocked on your bedroom door~” The lyrics come to him so naturally that Kiome can't help but hum them as he brushes his teeth. Strangely enough it’s accompanied by faint strums of a guitar that isn't really there- all things he chooses to ignore. The poor boy's life is confusing enough already.

It takes no more than an hour for Kiome to be ready and out of the dorm, checking his phone to ensure he isn't late for homeroom. Summer’s in full swing as the temperatures rise to the mid 80’s and the scent of blooming sunflowers once again grace the air. Kiome’s pace slows as he’s accompanied by Ryota, Kengo, and Shiro, with the latter two engaged in their usual morning banter. The swordsman falls behind a bit- still trapped by thoughts of his dreams. Something about the clouds wispy white puffs is strangely familiar, and he finds himself unable to contain the smile that forms in response. Ryota gives him a questioning look, yet with a smile from Kiome brushes it off as a sign that today would just be a good day.

First period is no slower than usual, Ziz moves her lesson along at a comfortable pace allowing Kiome time to daydream. His mind wanders again to the contents of his recurring dreams, something similar to a sad nostalgia seems to wash over him in the moment. He remembers… losing something- someone, but when he screams the question of who into the void- he gets no response, only the words he can't seem to get out of his head

“Darling, I love you~”

The school day seems to blur by, a collection of laughs and sighing wistfully at the antics of his classmates. Kiome is packing up from his last class when he hears an intriguing rumor amongst his friends.

“Yeah, something about hearin’ strange music and coming back from hell-'' Kengo mutters in between bites of the treats Ryota had brought for them. His interest piqued- Kiome slid closer to the group, getting a rainbow bun from Ryota in the process. Morikata continues the story- telling them of how a group of transients attempted to salvage some sunken treasure- only to have their ship sunk by some mysterious sound wave. As the information kept coming in by each of his peers, he’d figured he knew where his next adventure was.

“Sounds like they got into some serious trouble for it, even if it is true we don't have much to go on '' Shiro's words of warning felt strangely directed at just him, but regardless this wasn't something the swordsman was just gonna let pass by. At another mention of Nakano by the others, the boy's mind shifts to some familiar faces. Knowing it was anything involving ships, Eita and the others especially Benten. Benten would definitely be there- He’d go on and check on them while he was there. The group all decides to hold a study session together for the upcoming exams, and while Kiome wouldn't mind attending- he had other matters to attend to.

“You’re headed for the station~” Toji approached him in the school's main courtyard, speaking it as more of a statement than a question. It didn't take long for him to get the gist of it.. Of why he had to go, what surprised Kiome further is when he offered to cover for him. Looking back on it the swordsman owed him one, big time. There was this strange sense of anticipation as he boarded the train, he felt this trip would be something… important. The train ride to Nakano was quiet enough, and he pretty much spent it lost in his own head, but once he arrived, the hustle and bustle of the ward itself was almost overwhelming, he had a slight idea of what he was looking for, but no clue where to even start. Seemingly lost, Kiome sighed in relief when his phone started to buzz. The familiar Buzz, and jingle that always came when lil Sal appeared.

“Ta-Dah! It’s your trusty Familiar Lil’ Salomon at your service.” The small familiars antics aside, it was good to see him, and give a few belly rubs while he was at it.

“Woah- what are we doing all the way in Nakano Master?” After relaying the information he’d heard from his friends, Lil Sal proceeded to go through the list of apparent hits his search had brung up. They're soon heading to the shopping complex looking for the largest crowd they could find. In the shopping districts center the crowd is overflowing- Kiome can barely weave through the torrent of passing bodies let alone focus enough to find anything. Yet among the clamoring voices of conversation he begins to hear a voice, a boy's voice.

“H-hello, are you interested in embarking on a wondrous adventure!” Kiome follows the sound of it, weeding through the lessening crowd to its source. The more he heard it, the more the swordsman felt he had heard it before.

“A Life changing Journey on the open seas, with undiscovered riches!” After a lot of pushing the crowds dispersed until Kiome found himself in a clearing. The voice was loud and clear yet as he turned about- he couldn’t find a figure to match said voice.

“Here's What I think of your stupid treasure hunt!!” The clear yells of a transient rang out- drawing the boys attention. It was a therian- dressed kind of like a generic video game mob- and in front of him was clearly the person he’d been looking for. He makes a bee line for them but before Kiome can reach the pink haired boy is shoved in his direction. Instinctually he goes to catch the poor victim, falling to the ground with a heavy thud. Flyers have scattered everywhere, and he can hear the snickering of those passing by.

“Oi- hey are you okay..” Kiome looks up as the words leave his mouth, only to meet a pair of silver- pink hued eyes..

And suddenly- his head hurts...

~As always comments and reviews are very appreciated~

#again im terribly sorry for this #tokyo afterschool summoners #housamo #Tides of Memory #mc5 x ebisu #kiome #ill probably post all the scrapped ideas later

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