#my poor guy continues to be the most annoyed man in love | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

pinkrelish · 2 years

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𝐭𝐡𝐞 "𝐲𝐞𝐬" 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲.

singledad!mechanic!eddie x fem!reader

✶Surely, when two friends set up their two friends on a blind date in the very small town of Hawkins, they make sure those two people don't know each other beforehand, right? And, more importantly, aren't coworkers, right?✶

NSFW — slow burn, fluff, flirting, mutual pining, angst towards the end, drug/alcohol mention/use, 18+ overall for eventual smut

chapter: 3/20 [wc: 6.1k]

↳ part 01 / 02 / 03 / 04 / 05 / 06 / 07 / 08 / 09 / 10 / 11 / 12

AO3

Chapter 3: The Accidental First Date

“Is this too much?” you asked, yanking down the visor and checking yourself in the small mirror.

Sitting in the back parking lot of the movie theater, you went through your purse for the finishing touches on your look. Doing your last paranoia check for anything in your teeth, turning your head this way and that to zhuzh your hair, and most importantly, preening your oxymoron of a sweater to show a decent amount of cleavage without flashing the cups of your push-up bra.

Truly a walking contradiction of a top. Cable knit and warm, but with a plunging neckline, to where the top button started at your sternum.

“No, you look hot,” Robin assured with her goofy smile. “New York modest is Hawkins slutty. He’s gonna love you.”

You shrank into your girlish giggle. “Good, I want my dating debut in this little town to be a statement. Set the stage for future escapades.. Until I run out of men, I guess. Seriously, how many bachelors live here and aren’t total hicks? Four?” Robin laughed.

“Could be worse. You could be a lesbian.”

“True,” you concurred. “Good thing you have Vickie. Sucks she couldn’t come tonight.” Robin made a sad huff of agreement, working a mascara wand through her lashes. “Hey, I know I said ‘yes’ without asking, but is this guy you set me up with even my type? Not that I care, obviously; a good story is a good story, but I’m just trying to set my expectations here.”

She furrowed her eyebrows dramatically, and paused unscrewing her lip gloss to rock her entire body into a positive affirmation–almost bumping her forehead on the steering wheel from the force of her nodding. “Oh, absolutely,” she said emphatically. “Looks scary on the outside, but is a total sweetheart on the inside. Overconfident, and obnoxious, but in that charming, swoony way.”

“Perfect!” You clasped your hands together.

Stepping out of the car, she waited for you so you could walk with your arms linked together, and she continued, “I haven’t seen him in years, but Steve was telling me over the phone that he’s been going through a tough time, and hasn’t been on a date in a while.”

“Aw, poor guy.”

There was a beat of silence where both of your faces twisted into knowing smiles.

“I know what that look means..” Robin led, canting her head to you.

Innocent, you lifted your shoulder in a coy shrug, bringing a collection of her soft hair up to your chin. “No idea what you’re talking about. I was just thinking, if he hasn’t been on a date in a while.. Why not make it memorable for him?”

You laughed together, rounding the sidewalk to the front entrance of the theater where the glamorous marquee shined gentle daylight upon the darkened street. Romantic and intimate, with a crowd of people standing in vague suggestions of lines; some broken off, gossiping, smoking.

“There they are,” Robin whispered, letting go of your upper arm to wave at Nancy–who you had met at the grocery store last week. She saw you approaching, and tapped her hand on the chest of the man beside her.

Still a considerable distance away, you peered at him, and placed his luscious hair in your memory. “Oh, that’s the guy who came to the shop today.”

“Steve?”

“Yeah, he was talking to the annoying mechanic I’m always telling you about.”

“The one you have a crush on?”

“Shush,” you bristled at the mention of your not-so-secret. “I do not have a crush on Eddie. Anyway! Did I tell you what he did this morning? He fuckin’ stood outside the window next to my desk, just out of my view for like, full on minutes, waiting for me to look at him. Like Michael Myers or some shit. Scared me half to death.”

Robin, still caught on one detail you had somehow failed to mention in the month you worked at the auto body shop, quietly asked, “..Eddie?”

“Yeah, my coworker,” you answered, not looking at her when she fell a step behind, since you were too focused on greeting Nancy, and introducing yourself to Steve to notice her sudden jog up behind you. Too fixated on complimenting Nancy’s skirt to witness the way Steve aimed his confused frown just past your shoulder. Missed his dismissive hand gestures, and Robin’s panic as she tried to wordlessly communicate something dire to him.

You were too busy listening to the cars cruise by on the street, and chatting casually, and savoring the warmth of a new friendship to scrutinize the sound of quick footsteps from the other direction, or the jangle of metal chains attached to their presence, or Robin’s damning groan.

“Sorry, I’m–” a familiar voice said. A bit nasally and on the higher side. Mirthful, awake with youth, and excited to make a good first impression.

You turned to them. Your date.

“..Late,” they trailed off.

Deer in headlights. Big, brown doe-eyes wide with surprise, framed by beautiful black lashes.

He stared at you.

His stomach sank.

You stared at him.

Your heart raced.

Eddie had stopped mid-step with his hand raised in greeting. The chains on his leather jacket tinkered until they stilled. Kind smile frozen from a better time. Chest filled with a held breath. Presenting himself with his best foot forward, and now his ears were tinted with the embarrassment of trying too hard to impress.

Oh, God.

You blinked away, and were intentional to accept the situation for what it was without showing your surprise, opting for a simple, timid, awkward, shaky, exhaled, “Hey, Eddie.”

He wasn’t so poised.

Shutting his eyes, he allowed the realization to wash over him, scrunching his face in a pained expression as the puzzle pieces slotted into place. He hung his head, and released his breath through his nose. “Your roommate is Robin,” he stated, pointing at her to punctuate his sentence. “And you call her Bobbie.”

“Yeah..” It was an apology as much as it was a confirmation.

“You still call me Bobbie?” Robin asked, tugging on your sleeve, forgetting the tense air surrounding the group for the moment. “I haven’t used that stage name in years.”

“Guess it stuck with me..”

Thankfully, someone else added to the conversation. Unfortunately, that person was Steve addressing the elephant outside the ticket booth.

“So, I take it you two know each other,” he deduced, looking from Eddie’s dejected gaze at the ground, to you wringing your purse strap over your chest.

Eddie enlightened him in a solemn tone, sparing a single glance at his friend, “She’s the receptionist at work.”

“Ah.” He turned his attention to Robin. “You set up two people who work together.”

She threw her hands up and blamed him, “Uh! No way, dunce, don’t put this on me. This whole thing was your idea, and at no point in the conversation did you tell me Eddie was a mechanic! If you had told me he was a mechanic I probably could’ve put two-and-two together myself, and avoided setting up people who see each other every day.”

Increasingly red-faced, Steve very pointedly avoided Eddie’s suspicious squint after being outed as the one who set up the date, not Nancy. “You’re the one who lives with her, how could you not–?”

“Okay!” You clapped once to end their bickering. “Then it’s not a date.”

Nancy, bless her, picked up her improv skills fast. “Yeah! Not a date. Just a casual outing between friends. Steve, get the tickets ready so we can get popcorn before the line gets too long.” There was a ripple of unanimous murmurs, followed by shuffling to the entrance.

“Silver lining,” Nancy muttered out the side of her mouth to Steve, “It’s a movie date, so it’s not like they have to talk to, or look at each other.”

Steve tempered his laugh to a hiss and held the door for Robin, who in turn kept the it ajar behind her for you, but as you went to catch it, it was opened for you.

Clack- clack- clack. You’d heard the sound every morning; his distinct rings on the metal frame of the glass door beside your desk, followed by his soft grunt when pulling it open. But whereas his whispered ‘morning’ normally echoed in the tiled lobby, it was now on the back of your neck, fanning your skin, and it wasn’t a sweet greeting, but a reserved, solemn, regretful, sad, “Sorry for.. yeah.” That’s how he started your date that wasn’t a date. With an apology. And still, as the crisp autumn air was replaced by the humid waft of buttery popcorn, your brain was stuck at the garage, filling in the drag of his heavy work boots on the way to the breakroom for coffee, and the lingering scent of cigarette smoke trailing his stride.

Except, as you were jolted back to reality, you came to know he didn’t present himself so generically outside the context of motor oil. Due to the traffic clogging around the ticket ripper, Eddie ran into you and you discovered the nuances of what he smelled like when not at work, with the added intimacy of his chest pressed to your back.

Worn leather enveloped by notes of vanilla musk cologne. Spicy deodorant carried by the sweet earthy tang of tobacco. Dove White on his heated skin, and Dawn on his hands.

A symphony you could immerse yourself in learning for hours if it wasn’t for the crime of your group moving forward.

“Did you want anything?” Eddie asked you, pointing at the concessions.

“Oh, no, I’m good.” You made a clawing gesture at your mouth. “Eating popcorn before the movie even starts because I have no self control and then being forced to sit there with kernels in my teeth drives me nuts.”

Not finding you as endearing as you intended, he slipped his hands into his pockets, and motioned for both of you to stand off to the side, out of the way while you waited for the others to get their snacks. And he just stood there. Not saying anything. You were turned to him as if to carry a conversation, but his gaze was set ahead; not on anything in particular, just away from you.

Rarely had his face been this slack, this devoid of emotion. Even when doing menial work like filling out invoices for parts you would need to order, there was activity. Liveliness in the tic of his eyes reading lines on the paper. Movement of his tongue sliding across his top lip. A subtle crease between his brows. Something. Anything.

You spoke above the giggly teenagers sneaking into the film next door, “For a stick in the mud, you look nice.” He really did, in his well-loved jacket draping his frame after years of being broken in to perfection. Tight black jeans. Sensible boots. More accessories than just his rings.

Try as he might to cut you an unamused look, his freshly washed hair bounced in immaculate waves around his face, catching the low mood lighting like a messy halo.

“Thanks,” he said, not meaning it.

“I can see why you don’t get many dates if you always look this miserable.”

“I’m not miserable.”

“Glum, then? Woebegone? Hapless? Crestfallen?” When he seemed hellbent on wishing he were anywhere else, you eased up on your act. Harboring the pit of rejection eating away at your stomach, you pried, “Disappointed?”

The glimpse of vulnerability in your words was not lost on him.

He snapped to, shaking himself out of his funk to reassure you in his gentle timbre amongst the chaos of someone beating the top score on the pinball machine, “I’m not disappointed to be here with you.”

“Then what are you?”

“Sorry,” he guessed, shrugging. He was the type to speak with his hands, moving them despite being confined to his pockets. “I’m sorry our friends suck at communicating and this is how your night turned out; you being here with me when you were clearly expecting someone else.” His gaze didn’t dare dip lower than your nose, but the effort you put into your appearance did not go unnoticed. It wasn't the first time he stared a little too directly into your eyes after you decided to stop covering yourself up.

“I don’t go on dates intending to find my one true love or anything lame like that,” you said, honestly. “I go on them to have fun, and I think we can still have fun, even if we have to share the same tiny lunch table come Monday, and we side-eye Carl for bringing tuna again.” He almost smiled at that.

Sensing he needed another boost of confidence, you kept going, “Before I knew it was you, Robin was talking you up in the car. Going on about how my date was some sweet guy, super handsome, and with a heart of gold. You know, the Prince Charming type. Oh, and totally obnoxious too. Real loudmouth who never shuts up.”

Okay, maybe some of that was ad libbed, but you wanted to know how much of it was true.

Eddie shifted from foot to foot, subduing his grin by biting his tongue, literally. “That’s a pretty apt way to describe me back in high school, yeah, especially with how I’m dressed.”

“What changed?”

“Uh, I had a kid,” he laughed. “She stole all my charm. I swear Adrie can talk me into anything.”

“I think you’re just a pushover.”

“Probably,” he surrendered. Raising his brows, he mused aloud one of the many things on his mind, “Do you not agree that she described me accurately? Sweet Prince Charming guy, all that?”

There was no way in hell you were going to speak your truth. Instead, you smirked. “I don’t think you want to know what adjectives I’d use to describe you.” They were far too vulgar to utter in a crowded room. Hot in the most annoying way. Absolute pain in my ass. Just the worst, especially when I don’t hear you sneak up behind me in the kitchen, and you think it’s funny to scare me right as I open my drink from the Coke machine, and you laugh your stupid laugh when I drop it. An absolute eye-sore when you look up at me while you're on your hands and knees cleaning up the mess you created. Irritatingly handsome when you grin and buy me another one.

Ignorant to your private thoughts, he swung his elbow out to push you, and smiled.

Relaxing into the natural lull in conversation, you both watched your friends make it to the front of the line and order their food. They waited at the counter, starting the clock on when they would inevitably make it back to the two of you, and cease your alone time with Eddie. (Although, first, they’d have to traverse an entire bucket of dropped popcorn, and navigate around more than one group of children reenacting a fight scene they just watched on the big screen.)

“Were you disappointed I was your date?” you asked.

Robin was right. Eddie was a sweetheart. As soon as he detected an inkling of insecurity–whether it be in your strained voice, or etched into your face, or imbued in the question itself–he was quick to absolve your worry.

“No, no,” he said. “Relieved, if I’m being honest.”

“Relieved?” You weren’t expecting that.

“There’s a reason I haven’t dated since having Adrie. It didn’t sound like Steve made it clear to.. you, well, my anonymous date which happened to be you. Jesus, this is confusing. Whatever, you know what I mean, he didn’t say if he told my would-be date that I’m a dad, and I was afraid of coming here and having to tell them myself. Even if we hit it off, it’s a deal breaker for some people, y’know? Not that I blame them. I would’ve said the same thing five years ago.”

You nodded as you listened to him. “Never thought about it from that perspective. All my dates have been one-and-dones. Super casual. Kids were never really brought up.”

“Yeah, the dating world isn’t always so gracious. I’m kinda glad I’m here with you–someone who knows me, at least.”

Out of the corner of your eye, you spied Steve raising his sodas above his head as two boys ran past him, pretending they were in a shootout.

Knowing he wouldn’t have time to respond, you informed Eddie, “You’re worrying about the wrong thing. Adrie’s an angel. You should be more concerned about your curmudgeonly attitude being a deal breaker.” His narrowed-eye glare had never felt so sweet.

Robin’s giddy presence became known. She dropped her chin to your shoulder with a satisfied hum, and wrapped her arm around your waist to hug you snug to her body. You laid your head on top of hers, swaying with her.

She must’ve made a face at Eddie, because a different emotion flinched across his features, and he was back to avoiding making eye contact.

You, however, were more enticed by the drink in her hand than analyzing his change in demeanor. “Shit, now I want an Icee.”

“Yeah, I got cherry,” she said, angling the straw towards you. “They have Coke too–Okay, bye, dork,” she giggled after you.

“Go ahead and sit without me! I want an Icee.” Nancy clutched the largest size of popcorn to her chest to avoid spilling it as you stumbled out of Robin’s hold and darted for the concession stand.

Eddie raised his voice, “You couldn’t have decided that five minutes ago when I asked?”

“Nope!”

————

The theater for the low budget horror flick reflected the town’s perception of it. As soon as the heavy door closed behind you, your footsteps on the dense carpet echoed around the empty room. Your group was sitting in the back row, and their murmurs could be heard from the bottom.

You climbed up to them and flumped into the seat next to Eddie. “We can share,” you said excitedly, shaking the drink at him before placing it in the cupholder at the end of the single armrest.

When the subtle pinch of concern around his eyes remained, you promised him you didn’t have cooties.

He played with his rings, pulling them down the length of his fingers and spinning them while he worked through his confusion. “You don’t have to sit next to me.. You can sit next to Robin.” He motioned beside him, to Steve munching on his popcorn while Nancy held it, and Robin whispering on the end, rolling her eyes at something Nancy said.

“Why wouldn’t I sit next to you?”

Eddie’s mouth opened and closed, struggling to settle on what he wanted to say, and finishing with a submissive shrug, leather jacket groaning at the act. He bounced his foot quicker, shaking the aglets on his laces against his boot in a chaotic rhythm. “Dunno..”

“You’re silly. I’d pinch your cheek if I didn’t think you’d bite me.” He reeled at that, and you giggled. You didn’t mind making him balk at your weird quirks; whatever put him at ease. Rather, whatever made him stop rubbing his knee against yours, because you were certain the friction was about to cause a fire.

Digging through your purse, you took out a rectangular box and slid your finger under the flap, popping it open and dumping a handful of candy into your palm. You threw it back into your mouth. “Want sh-ome?” you chewed, offering the box to him.

“Who the hell eats Mike and Ikes?”

“Uh, me, jerk.” Right as the lights dimmed to pitch black, and the curtains drew back from the screen, you hit him with the most exaggerated pout. “I only eat them at the movies. They’re a ritual, and you’re rude.” The shadows lining his face twisted into a deeper grin. “Are you more of a chocolate guy?”

“Maybe,” he answered like he was suspicious of your motives.

And maybe he should be. Afterall, you committed the number one sin when it came to cinemas.

“Looks like I chose right,” you said, reaching into your purse and pulling out a Kit Kat. “I was hoping my date would be a chocolate sorta guy–” You went quiet seeing his eyes widen a touch. “I mean, not date. Begrudging coworker? Tentative acquaintance?”

“Reluctant friend,” he answered smoothly, taking the package from you and ripping it open with his teeth.

~~~

Trailers for other films played, bathing the room in flickers of light interrupting the darkness. The opening credits began. Your candy was half-eaten. His was devoured. You took a sip of your Icee, and from the vantage point of pressing your back into the cheap theater seat, you observed him in your periphery.

His gaze hardly left the drink. Your offer to share it gnawed at him in a visible way. Scoping out the straw, the possible trace of spit you left behind, the possible trace of spit he’d leave behind. He peered at the screen to acknowledge the intro, and then back down it was, boring holes into the Icee.

You were no better, nibbling at your lips when he finally caved and took a sip–all too quick, and clumsy, almost missing the cup holder when he put it back down with lightning speed.

The edge of your thighs touched under the arm rest; worse so, when you folded one leg under you, and leaned into him. “Do you hate it when people talk during movies?”

“Not these kind.” He meant the genre in general, which made for great fodder for ripping apart in friend groups, but another popular trope among this realm of fiction became apparent. The first set of tits flashed on screen, and you both found yourselves lacking in the commentary department.

After a moment, you tilted your head. “That actress looks familiar..”

“She’s been in other cult classics. Always acts with her eyebrows.” He turned to you and nudged your shoulder, vying for your full attention. He emphasized the end of each word with an inflection as if it were a question, and raised his eyebrows in every way possible, mocking her slowly, “She’s the one who always talks like this–!” He looked crazy contorting his face to make his point.

“That’s it!” You snapped. “Her wearing glasses really threw me off.”

“Mhm.” His hum vibrated along your upper arm pressed to his, and he asked quietly under the screams of the first gorey death, “Do you like B movies?”

“Hell yeah. Back home they would play them at this rooftop drive in place. I rarely paid to watch them, though. The next building over had a good view of the projector screen.”

His banter dropped in favor of chewing on the corner of his thumb. If it wasn’t for the wild change in scenery cast across his face, you could’ve sworn his faint smile faltered into inscrutability.

Did you say something wrong?

————

“Damn, that was a cool practical effect,” Eddie complimented the purplish fizzing ooze that once was a person.

“I know, right? That’s why I love these bad movies. There’s no budget for good CGI, so they have to do creative stuff like that.”

It was inevitable. Bound to happen. A mere act of fate. Stars aligning in the close knit group leaning forward to exchange witty quips about the hare-brained plot holes in the movie, and not minding their surroundings except to receive everyone’s laughter, making jokes at the expense of the bad acting.

Steve was asking a question that was technically answered by the movie’s lore if he’d paid attention to the dialogue during the second gratuitous stripping scene. You or Eddie could have answered, but Robin took it upon herself to explain, and you two nodded along.

Absentminded, you reached for the Icee.

Distracted, Eddie reached for the Icee.

The waxed paper cup was cold under your fingers, but your hand was blanketed by warmth.

Slow to process, you both glanced down at the reason why neither of you were achieving your goal, and the overload of sensory inputs faded away to one: touch.

Your thumb was trapped under his palm, and his fingers stretched around the cup, meeting yours on the other side and housing them beneath his in a steady amount of pressure. They were almost interlocking. Holding. Wrist on top of wrist–his with the extra harshness of his leather and chain bracelet on your skin. The heaviness of his forearm resting on yours.

Truly, the accident lasted all of two pumps of your heart, but it felt like more when he stroked his calloused fingertips over your knuckles as he let go.

“Sorry!” he blurted.

“S-Sorry,” you laughed, jittery from the encounter.

Your cheeks were hot. His were flushed red. The lewd moaning of a woman feigning to orgasm just from the male lead removing her bra alone played in the background. Neither of you could decide which plan of escape was less embarrassing: continuing to stare like idiots at each other, or watch the actress’ ginormous boobs bounce as she faked riding a guy.

You blinked. His eyebrows ticced up.

Boobs it was.

He adjusted how he sat, tugging his jeans down his legs a little, and crossing his arms. Eyes laser focused on the woman’s face. The why was obvious, and you couldn’t help but tease him for pretending to be a gentleman in your company when you held no such modesty when it came to ogling her tits.

“Thinking about how much Aquanet she uses?”

“Shut up.”

————

Later into the film, after the plot circled back to the juicy gore, you leaned into Eddie to ask him a question.

What that question was, you couldn’t remember.

As soon as you placed your elbow on the armrest and used the back of your hand to tap his shoulder, he dipped his head to hear you. It was an automatic thing starting from the moment you slouched in your seat. That’s all. A shift in your sitting position and intake of breath, and he knew you were going to speak, and he wanted to listen. He cared about what you had to say. He leaned into you as well, because listening to you took priority over the movie.

“Eddie?” You sought any words. Any words at all. Any would do. Any question, even if you knew the answer. “Uhm. The music sounds really familiar. Do you recognize it?”

“It’s the same composer as Chopping Mall and Deathstalker II.”

“Ah.”

Ah. All you could muster when you were charmed by the silhouette of his lips moving. Watching them form letters, pout on the plosives, press into a line on his thick swallow.

Ah. All you could say when his hair brushed over your fingers. Dry, in need of a deep conditioning. Curling around your forefinger. Tickling your palm.

Ah. All you could respond with when you lifted your gaze, and caught him staring at you like you stared at him.

————

As predicted, the filmmakers padded the runtime with another topless scene, and the movie ended on a witty one liner that included not one, but two puns, and no resolution to the numerous plot threads left hanging.

“That was.. certainly something!” Robin summed up, holding the doors open to the subdued hours of the night.

Once outside in the fresh air, the dynamic reverted back to its original status.

Your friends made themselves scarce in the worst way; whistling, shuffling to the side as they found asinine things to comment on, leaving you and Eddie alone. Their intentions were pure, but reality was not so kind.

Eddie cemented his gaze on the sidewalk as he picked at his callouses, and apologized for the mistake of going out with you. Again. “Sorry about all this.”

Itchy sweat broke out across your back. It sucked he was so brazen about rejecting you. You had hoped some of the tender crush you had on him extended past the armrest you shared, the looks you shared, the touches you shared; but maybe you were just tricking yourself into finding things that weren’t there.

Wanting to end on a better note, you appealed to him in a last ditch effort to smooth over the situation, “I meant it when I said you looked good tonight. It’s nice to see you outside of your work clothes.”

“Thanks.”

That’s all. Thanks. A shy glance from beneath his curtain of messy hair, and a somber tone to maximize the awkwardness of the not-date with your coworker.

You needed to get the hell out of there. “See you Monday?”

“Yeah, see you Monday.”

The group winced in unison when they saw the way you two departed.

Robin was quick to link her arm with yours and gather you closer, bringing your heads together to gossip as you walked back to her car. “That bad, huh?”

Around the corner and out of sight, you gave her half a smile, trying to appear in better spirits. “Well, I don’t think he likes me. He didn’t return any of my compliments, and he apologized for being on a date with me no less than four times over the course of the evening.”

She cringed for you. “That’s worse than Balloon Guy, isn’t it?”

“Yeah,” you said, remembering what would go down in history as the shittiest date you’d been on. “Yeah, that’s more times than Balloon Guy.” Robin hugged you tighter, making your steps go clumsy. She apologized for Eddie’s weirdness, but you shrugged. Maybe you were supposed to find it weird, too. Maybe you were supposed to disapprove of the idea of romantic feelings for your coworker, too. Maybe you were supposed to have no expectations for it to lead anywhere, too.

Maybe you were supposed to reject him, too.

————

Still loitering outside the theater, Steve exchanged a look with Nancy, and jogged to catch up with Eddie before he made it too far in the opposite direction.

“Uh, hey buddy!” Steve clapped him on the shoulder to stop him. “It sounded like you two were hitting it off during the movie, what happened?”

Eddie sulked under the question. His chest fell with a surrendering sigh, and his boots scraped the concrete as he turned to him, not bothering to mask the dullness in his slack expression. Everything about him was tired, including his voice when he slipped into a lower, raspy octave. “She’s nice, but..”

“But what?” Nancy asked, searching his face.

Bottling his burdens, he clenched his teeth, and worked his jaw as he contemplated evading their insistent prying; but after ruminating on it, he explained the source of his problems, “She lives a very.. whimsy life.” He fluttered his hand like a bird flapping its wings, or a butterfly. “She does this thing where she says ‘yes’ to anything anyone asks her; it’s why she moved to Hawkins, and why she ended up on this date to begin with. Y’know, just doing whatever seems like fun. It’s cute, in a way, and obviously I.. feel a way towards her, but this place isn’t where she’s looking to lay down roots. New York is her home.”

Steve squeezed his shoulder, knowing what was about to come.

“I’ve already been left for someone better.. I can’t go through that again.” Eddie’s eyes begged them to understand. “I don’t want Adrie to get attached to someone who’s just gonna leave.”

Nancy started, “Eddie–You don’t know if she’d leave.”

He shook his head, and pulled away from Steve’s lingering grasp. Shushed his friend’s well-meaning words about him being valued, and to forget his insecurities about not being good enough.

“A girl like that doesn’t need me weighing her down,” Eddie said, imparting the wisdom he’d come to accept since you made a mark on his life weeks ago, when it became your mission to befriend him. “I’ll pick up Adrie in the morning. Thanks for watching her.”

The night got darker as he left.

Darker still, when Steve waved at his back, and Nancy played with the locket around her neck, and her goodbye went disregarded.

————

Silence.

It surrounded him. Blood pulsing in his ears, his heart beat, the refrigerator hum, the tink of glass bottles as he grabbed the full six pack and brought it to the couch, springs squeaking under his weight.

Utter emptiness welcomed him.

Not a sound in his home. Not a giggle from his daughter, or scrape of a skillet from Wayne’s makeshift breakfast-dinner before he went to work. Even the dogs around the trailer park were quiet.

Just.. nothing.

It was what he wanted, right? A night to himself; a break from the chores, the questions, the food making, the taking care of a tiny human being who made everything tougher than it needed to be.

He got his wish.

Two beers down in peace, he got his wish.

Eddie looked around his trailer lit by the single lamp beside him.

Quiet, empty, nothing.

Dark silence.

The jolt of his sob startled him. It erupted from his chest so suddenly. Ripped from the tightness of repressed emotions; the things he tried to deny, to feel and then lock away. To keep safe, buried down deep where he could manage them from progressing past the boundaries he created for his own good, and Adrie’s. He felt the agony of them all at once. The morning smiles, the afternoon laughs, the evenings of pretending you didn’t plan to bump into each other in the doorway to the lobby. The game of seeing how long he could watch you twirl the phone cord around your finger before you looked up from your desk. Your sweet way of comforting him after the hard nights of Adrie’s sleep regression by taking his tan work jacket and draping it over his shoulders while he slept at the lunch table in the break room. Your gentle method of fixing his collar when it was tucked on the inside of his coveralls.

The date was too good to be true.

In fact, the truth itself was far more painful.

The date was amazing. He couldn’t remember a time in his life when he had more fun. More thrills, sure. But not more fun. There wasn’t a day in his youth where he experienced more of the flirty thrum in his veins than when he committed himself to learning the way your lips moved when saying his name in the darkened theater.

The date was perfect. He was happy. And he couldn’t have it again. Shouldn’t have it again. Wouldn’t have these feelings again.

Eddie doubled over and put his third beer on the floor before he spilled it. Nothing was discernible beyond the water invading his ability to see, to fathom his reflection in the old TV. Sad, miserable, and lonely. An idiot for finally getting attached to someone, and it was someone he wasn’t supposed to.

Tears slipped from between his lashes. He smeared them on his cheeks, covering his sweaty face from his possessions bearing witness to his stupidity.

It was in his best interest to reject you–reject your casual stance on dating, and relationships, and people with kids–but the face you made when your advances went underappreciated churned his stomach.

He needed to be stronger. But he was weak.

“Jesus fucking Christ,” he sighed into the stale air. Opening another beer, he nursed it as he huddled into the corner of the couch, and searched for Adrie’s quilt to soothe him. But of course, he sent it with her when he dropped her off at Steve’s.

No baby blanket to hold onto. No Adrienne to sleep on his chest to ease the pain of loneliness. No reason to look forward to Monday after he royally screwed everything up.

“Goddamnit,” he groaned.

Maybe, if he apologized enough, there was a chance you wouldn’t hate him.

Maybe, if you forgave him, you’d go back to the morning smiles, and the afternoon laughs.

And maybe, if he was enough of a masochist, he’d let you gently ease past those boundaries meant to keep you, and your kindness out. If you wanted to trespass, that is. He didn’t know. He was an idiot.

#eddie munson x reader #eddie munson #stranger things #eddie x reader #eddie munson smut #mechanic!eddie #eddie munson fanfic #stranger things fanfic #the yes policy

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paymechildsupport · 2 months

Text

Ryomen Sukuna x Reader // A Troublemaker's Love

@manikosii --> "What do you think about Bully!Sukuna who is madly in love with the reader? I just like the small Sukuna who has known the reader since childhood and does not know how to express his feelings" -.-.- -> hsisikaiss I love this sm :D Kinda made him more of a bully with a soft spot, -- more delinquent than anything, but I absolutely kept your lovestruck lil' Sukuna, so cute <3

-----

> Modern!School!AU

> Bully!Delinquent!Sukuna x Reader

*I made him a biker too,— he’s such a lil’ biker bitch

-!! CW: depictions of violence, (not aimed at Reader), -- smoking [don't actually smoke please, that shit kills you :(]

˚ ༘♡ ·˚ ₊˚ˑ༄ؘ ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥

(he's my lil' cutie patootie)

˚ ༘♡ ·˚ ₊˚ˑ༄ؘ ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥

———————

Ryomen Sukuna— who from a young age could never really communicate his feelings. Who would push all the other kids off the playground because they were clogging up the slide. Who never once expressed remorse when setting fire to that poor ant colony with his mini magnifying glass. Who was labeled as a “troubled” child. Who skipped grades because he was so freakishly intelligent. Who never had to try in school. Who fell off his Lightning McQueen bike the second he saw you on the playground. He immediately shoved his way through the swarm of other kids, butted his way into your lil’ game of tag, invited himself to play and proceeded to shove your tiny body into the grass, laughing maniacally.

Pissed, you grabbed him by the hair, yanked harshly and threw him down on the ground next to you, — engaging in the most intense wrestling match either you had ever had in your short lives. Stuck in the nurse’s office with his Despicable Me bandaid and getting scolded by every staff member in the school, Sukuna could only stare at you, completely enamored by you and your fiery spirit so akin to his own.

————-

Sukuna would pull up to school everyday on his motorbike, making as much noise possible and spewing exhaust everywhere, just to spite the Environmental Club members who continuously berated him for air pollution.

He didn’t vape— no no, he wasn’t a lil’ pussy bitch. Sukuna was a man, he smoked straight cigars, the kind you’d only ever see your grandpa piping,— and it was disgusting

He’d do it just to annoy you too. When you walk outside for lunch, he’d exhale a rather generous amount of smoke right in your face, earning him a string of curses in response. He’d just smile, chuckle and walk away

Sukuna is a rather intimidating individual, — towering over everyone in a room,- tatted up with the most gorgeous inky designs you’d ever seen. His favorite shirts always revealed a generous amount of his beefy, muscular arms. The thin fabrics clung to his figure, showing clearly defined muscles (and those phat milk jugs hoooooly cow)

He’d be that guy wearing fucking kakis in the middle of winter 💀

Fucking shit his muscular thighs too?? Holy smokes I’m drooling 🤤

Sukuna was always alone, and he preferred things that way. He didn’t have a band of lackeys behind him all the time— though plenty deeply admired him— he didn’t need them anyways to look every bit the tough guy delinquent who was unafraid to get physical.

—- and he was physical. Like, he was always finding his way into a fight,— and always came out on top. Starting something with this guy was a death wish. Everyone in the school knew who he was, and everyone in the school— including the teachers — respected him out of fear

He never picked on anyone who’d be considered an “easy target”. No no, that’d be way too easy. Where’s the fun in that? Nah, he goes straight for the person on top— the cockier the better. He’s more than happy to beat up a fellow delinquent

You, however, seem to catch his eye in particular. So fiery, so fierce,— you take everything he throws at you and chuck it right back at him. There’s a deep sentiment of respect between the two of you, underneath all the petty arguments and crude insults

He never hangs out with anyone, but Sukuna loves to spend his time tailing you wherever you go, teasing and nagging every step of the way. He nitpicks everything you do, whether it be simply reading a book, talking to a peer, or even just eating. He’s always there, always watching your every move.

You’d be talking with a friend, discussing plans for the weekend, when all of a sudden pure horror etched itself onto their face, a massive shadow looming over the two of you. Confused, you swivel around, face almost colliding with Sukuna’s chest. He looked down on you, a shit eating grin on his face. Your friend only slightly stammers a “gotta go see ya later” before making a run for it, (you really couldn’t blame them, Sukuna really was a weirdo sometimes).

He likes to scare everyone who approaches you, making them run off practically screaming

For all the verbal grief he gives you, for all the times he’s called you a “brat” and told you how “annoying” and “unbearable” you are, Sukuna absolutely blows up the second he sees some other bastard berating you.

One time, Mahito and his creepy lil’ gang of goonies thought it’d be funny to corner you after school. Laughing, they mocked you, turning almost borderline physical as they made an effort to manhandle you into a locker.

Sukuna was livid, saw shit going down and immediately rushed to the scene, coming up behind Mahito and giving him the gnarliest death stare you’ve ever seen,— crimson eyes practically burning with barely restrained fury. Mahito pissed himself on the spot immediately, — and was lucky he even made it out alive that day.

Sukuna grabbed the goon that had reached out to touch you, twisted his arm, and smashed his head in on the locker door.

Then after school he almost “accidentally” plowed them all down with his bike 😞

Needless to say, no one ever gave you trouble ever again— minus Sukuna, of course

He just wants you all to himself,— is that so wrong? He wants that raging passion in your eyes to be reserved for him and only him. He loves seeing you all pent up, face red and scrunched up in anger. That delicious heat in the center of his stomach threatened to boil over every time he laid his eyes on you. Sukuna was down bad. The beefy, all scary delinquent was smitten, — he of all people had a big, fat crush. He never wanted you to look at anyone the way you looked at him. He’d beat their head in, then you’d have to look at him

Shotgunning- this guy absolutely loves inhaling the smoke from his cigar, grabbing and yanking you close just so he could exhale it down your windpipe. Lips lightly brushing, sometimes he’d stick his tongue in, just to taste the smoke in your mouth. He adores the way his smoke and saliva mixes with your own, especially loving it when he kisses you stupid, drool pooling in the corner of your mouth, all for him to lick away

Sukuna would mark you up good. Even if they don’t know who, everyone knows you're taken with the way hickeys adorn your pretty little neck. He loves your neck, loves biting into the soft, pulsating flesh and leaving his bite marks all around. —Same with your shoulder, anywhere that isn’t covered by clothing he makes sure is branded

He delights in the way you grab him by the strap of his tank top, pulling him into whatever unoccupied room is available: janitor’s closet, a closed bathroom, the locker rooms- anywhere. You’d kiss him silly, hands gripping at his tough, muscular thighs, your nails digging into the hard flesh. Your fingers tracing over his slutty thigh tattoos always had him going feral. He loved the aftertaste of your chapstick / lipgloss on his tongue, there still even hours after you’d make out 💋 😋

Sukuna was in absolute heaven on those rare occasions you’d both stay after class. Empty classroom, blind drawn and door locked as you’d get down on your knees and suck his cock. Your pretty lips wrapped around him always had him coming quick. You’d swallow him whole, throat bobbing from his spurting cum. He’d bend down afterwards— feeling like he’d die otherwise— and kiss you sloppily on the lips, licking away his cum from the corner of your mouth, groaning at the taste of himself.

His breasts are so sensitive, all you’d have to do is just swirl your tongue around a nipple and he’s puddy in your arms. You loved his breasts, cooing about his “man boobs” just to see him turn a brilliant red to match his crimson eyes.

His big digits always did wonders to your body, rubbing small, purposeful circles into your pulsating heat / hard on,— sometimes right in the middle of class, just to fuck with you. Your glassy-eyed glare while you fought to bite your lip always had him hardening within his pants. He really couldn’t get enough of you.

Yeah, you were stuck with Ryomen Sukuna and his merciless teasing. Was it all that bad?— No, no, not at all. Were you complaining? — absolutely not. (At least he had some nice phat jugs for you to fondle).

He loved you too much to stop his cruel words and affectionate touches,— and he was going to make sure you stayed right beside him,— exactly where you belong.

————

A/N: i love him and i'd die for him

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p1nk-matter · 2 months

Text

shiggy fluff cause he deserves all the love // inspired by @aslutforfictionalmen's post (here's my interpretation, i also spontaneously wrote this @/3am so his quirk may have been erased not his trauma tho)

‘’There is no reason to be wearing that’’ You laugh as you look at him.

Tenko in a suit has to be the funniest thing you’ve ever seen. ‘’It's just a drive-in movie theater’’ You tease and he scoffs.

‘’Yeah well I can’t win, can I? Tracksuits are too casual, I remind you of a busker, remember? And what’s wrong with that by the way, you wish you had their talent–’’

‘’Enough, we’re running late’’ You cut him off but can’t hide your smile when he’s all annoyed lecturing you in a fucking suit.

The movie chosen was cliché, borderline comical especially when you’re accompanied by a tall man with questionable appearance. How you even convinced him to join you is beyond comprehension, most likely because you promised him to play Nintendo Switch, his latest obsession. You’d play with him regardless, a man with a childhood lost, robbed from things you experienced firsthand at a younger age but Tenko couldn’t really see it. You on the other hand recognized it, and through small acts (annoying as such because for some inexplicable reason he always lost to you) you showed him everything he’d missed.

‘’I wrote you 365 letters. I wrote you everyday for a year!’’

Ryan Gosling says as you feel a hand squeeze yours tightly, shoulders touching as the night sky glows above the projector. You turn to look at him confused, The Notebook was one of those films you’d seen a million times, failing to evoke powerful emotions after some time but it was still a very satisfying rewatch. Tenko turns his head.

‘’What’s wrong?’’ You say, anxious he might be having another panic attack. You knew how to calm him down but never the extent of it and that scared you.

‘’It’s nothing’’ He whispers, his voice is composed, you note, good.

‘’Yes... it wasn't over, it still isn't over..’’ Gosling continues.

‘’Can you believe he wrote to her all this time? This is so fucking cruel!’’ he almost shouts, as a couple of heads turn to look at him annoyed.

‘’Oh my god, are you crying over the movie right now?’’ You want to burst out laughing but the stares warn you otherwise, both your tones too loud. You can’t believe what a sucker for romance he is, he always acts all tough but ends up being hungry for love anywhere he can find it. You kind of get it, it also kind of breaks your heart.

‘’I’m so posting this’’ You tease as he wipes his eyes clean with a tissue he had in his pocket.

‘’I swear to god if you don’t shut the fuck up’’ His voice is shaky but his eyes are glued to the scene, anxious for what’s coming next. Will they make up? Maybe even make out, have sex? Poor him, he’s unprepared for the bittersweet end.

The drive back home is silent, you take it he’s still thinking about the film, contemplating its ending, unsure whether he likes it or not.

‘’Sooo.. did you like it?’’

‘’It was ok’’ He feigns indifference and you don’t continue. You allow him to ponder before speaking up, he almost always adds something on his own.

‘’I just think it’s funny she married the other guy, you know.’’ He says.

‘’What was she supposed to do? She didn’t know about the letters, remember?’’

‘’Still, if she really loved him, she should’ve waited, should’ve been alone, grieved on her own. How could she do this?’’ He asks as you sigh.

‘’It’s just a film and people make mistakes. You never know until you tell them.’’

This time he doesn’t continue.

‘’So what do you want to do?’’ You ask once you’ve arrived home, it’s already past midnight but both of you are too lively for sleep.

‘’You promised Nintendo’’ He reminds you and you sigh. Not your favorite part of the day but you silently take a seat next to him on the couch.

3 rounds of Mario Kart racing on the Nintendo Switch and Tenko is losing consecutively as he whines frustrated: ‘’Enough!’’

‘’I just don’t understand why you’re always losing’’ You tell him, as far as you know he was unlocking the game levels with ease on his own.

‘’I don’t know, shit, you ask way too many questions today’’ he complains, ‘’I’ll go change, this suit is itching the fuck out of me’’ he continues as you get up.

He finds you scrolling on your phone, a towel wrapped around him, droplets falling from his hair, which he must’ve aggressively ruffled (in failed efforts to dry) as he literally drops his body onto yours, scaring you and making you drop your phone.

‘’Tenko, fuck agh!’’ you groan, ‘’my phone!’’

He was so annoying and on top of that soaking your shirt too.

‘’I’m sorry’’ he smiles, he wasn’t really sorry, he missed you, he thought. Even though you were together the whole day, he still missed you. So much. He couldn’t get enough of you, any moment shared only made him more anxious for your next departure, he wished he could somehow glue you to his skin forever.

You playfully slapped his arm and he retaliated, pinching your nose as you pouted.

‘’Don’t pout’’ he warned, ‘’I'll bite you.’’ But you didn’t listen. He brought his mouth to yours as his teeth sunk on your lower lip, pulling at it and letting it out softly.

‘’Ouch, you douche!’’ You fake pain but he knows he didn’t actually hurt you, he could never.

There was a moment where neither of you did anything, must’ve been less than a minute, before he leaned closer, mouths in close proximity as he noticed your eyes shut.

I want to kiss her, he thought and he did. Soft lips brought to yours, as you immediately kissed him back, cupping his wet neck and bringing his face even closer, deepening the kiss. His arms quivered, threatening to make him lose his balance and fall on top of you, he lost himself every time you kissed him.

His hand slid down your waist, positioning you higher on the couch as your hungry mouth searched for his again, needy breaths escaped your lips, a sight that made him feel the all too familiar pain in his groin, a towel was still draped around him and you were still in your outside clothes.

A peak across the room showed him the window curtains open.

‘’Give me a minute, baby’’ He said as he got up to close them, returning to you with his arms stretched out, ready to move this somewhere more comfortable.

–

He was awakened by an asleep arm, your weight had fallen on it and he felt numb.

He gently tried to remove it but you moved around and whispered in a raspy voice, god, how much he loved that voice.

‘’What is it?’’ Your tone sounded anxious, were you afraid something was going to happen to him? Could it be that you cared that much?

Without a word he shushed you.

‘’It’s all right, go back to sleep’’ he said moments later, a pain in his chest since he couldn’t tell you that actually yes, there was something on his mind.

‘’You know, you have to tell people how you feel, remember?’ You spoke so wisely, even after an interrupted slumber and he couldn't help but smile.

‘’I know baby, goodnight’’ He said as you sighed and turned around.

For Tenko could not tell you that nothing compared to this, nothing like doing nothing with you and to admit this to himself was a big liability. He would tell you eventually, maybe he’d write it down, he found it easier, but on that day he chose to wrap his arms around you again, risking numbness, than to speak the words.

#shigaraki x reader #tenko shimura x reader #shigaraki fluff #mha x reader #this was such a cute idea omg omg #he needs a good hug tbh #el.drabbles

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waechan · 2 months

Text

meeting haechan for the first time (at the convenience store)

pairing: haechan lee x reader

genre: fluff

wc: 573

notes: idk i just love this concept tied to haechan<3 the loml fr

of course my friend just had to send me out on errands to get his condoms.

of course, me, the most innocent and pure minded girl at our school had to buy them out in PUBLIC without me even really wanting to.

i sigh as i throw them onto the counter, refusing to look up as i grudgingly throw a $10 bill at the cashier.

in the corner of my peripheral i see his hand grab at it, scan it, and he puts it in a bag, no questions asked. i breathe a sigh of relief and reach out to grab it, but the mystery man pulls the bag away.

huh?

i hear him chuckle, and i freeze.

"condoms for you?" he asks and i look up, prepared to defend myself.

"NO! my friend, he-" i stop talking almost immediately as i lock gazes with the man in front of me. god, he was gorgeous.

his skin was glowing, his eyes were staring right back into mine, and that smirk on his lips...god.

he tilts his head as he looks at me, and he chuckles a bit. "okay sweetheart, no need to drool."

i snap out of it instantly and i gasp as i grab the bag from him, in disbelief that someone would just say that to my face. "excuse you?? you're really not that great-" i mumble out as i stuff the change in my pocket, and he shakes his head as he goes back to his work at the cashier.

"really? cause you were kinda staring...just a little bit though."

"i was NOT!"

"was too..."

i couldn't take it anymore, so i turn around to walk off but he stops me again.

"wait, your receipt." he grabs my bag from me and shoves the receipt into it.

he watches me walk out smirking once again, but i dont see this as i continue to talk to myself even after i escape his gaze.

"what an interesting girl." he mumbles to himself. "very interesting..."

☄. *. ⋆

i arrive home and place the condoms on the counter for my friend to grab. the receipt falls to the floor and i groan in annoyance as i bend to pick it up. placing the receipt on the counter, i see the dark strokes of a sharpie on the other side.

flipping the paper over, i scoff in a bit of shock as i realize what was written.

"you ever need any more condoms, come visit. i don't judge:)

- haechan"

i crumple up the receipt and toss it immediately in the trash can.

"no way am i ever visiting this- this haechan, ever again. ever." i roll my eyes, and i push the thought of him away.

or try to.

☄. *. ⋆

i walk into the convenience store for the 5th time this week after my first encounter with haechan. sure, i was looking for him but so what. i just wanted to see if he was annoying another random girl. poor, poor girl...i wasn't jealous.

i walk through the aisles but he was nowhere to be seen, and i feel my stomach drop a bit lower each time i realize you weren't going to show up.

i turn around in frustration, ready to leave, but i walk right into the chest of some guy.

"sorry-" i blurt out as i look up and i realize who it is.

"oh." you breathe out, as you blush.

"looking for someone?"

☄. *. ⋆

sorry guys this one was so rushed but i hope its okay!

#nct dream #nct dream x reader #kpop #nct dream imagines #nct #nct dream fluff #nct fluff #haechan #haechan lee #donghyuck #lee haechan

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f10werfae · 2 years

Text

Wedding Labour

pairing: Dad!Husb!Henry x Doctor!Wife!Mom!Reader

summary: doctor reader goes into labor at her and Henry's wedding? The twitter reaction format please? (Requested by @stormcloudss )

requested are open/Likes, Comments and Re-blogs are appreciated♥️

Henry Masterlist, Full Masterlist, Taglist Form

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

@/purplepinkstain: YOYO Y/N JUST WENT INTO LABOUR RIGHT AFTER HER AND HENRY GOT TO KISS AT THEIR WEDDING, SHES BEING RUSHED TO HOSPITAL AS SAID BY THE PAPS

>> @/superstrongleo: Just saw the released pics of Henry carrying her to their bridal car, that man looks stressed tf out, I guess it’s a given as it’s their first baby😭😭

@/lesseraf: Their baby boy is deffo a Cavill, always interrupting and coming early to things😭😭

@/nornor: I hate how the paps first instinct was to completely violate the couple’s privacy by spamming the poor woman with camera flashes while she’s in literal labour. Wtaf is wrong with you guys?!

>> @/flawlessfrank: Tell me about it. Henry just released a statement that he’s taking legal action because of the stress it caused Y/n, I love how he made a whole 30 minute video explaining the consequences of what could have happened to his family

@/chrisevansgorl: Ok but that photo of Y/n posted by Henry where she’s holding their baby in a hospital bed in a hospital gown, BUT MISS GIRL STILL HAD HER WEDDING VEIL ON?! QUEEN SHIT ONLY!!!

@/DailyTelegram: BREAKING NEWS!! VERY newlywed Henry and Y/n Cavill, welcome their baby boy ON THEIR WEDDING DAY!

@/onedirectionsd: Now their wedding anniversary is their baby’s birthday🥹🥹

>> @/HenryCavill: Not as good as you think, no more anniversary holidays for us two

>>> @Henryfans334: PLEASE KING HE HAS ONLY BEEN BORN FOR ABOUT 3 DAYS GIVE THE WEE MAN A BREAK😭😭

@/thekingofkings: Henry’s mum’s post is so cute😍 The photo of Henry and Y/n cuddling in her hospital bed is the cutest thing ever, and their baby Charlie in the bassinet next to them

>> @/Y/nCavill: I kicked him out of the bed soon after, he’s a bed hogger of a husband

@/pinklemonade: omg the video of Henry scratching an itch that Y/n had while she’s breastfeeding has me pissing myself with laughter. It’s the way she was twisting and turning trying not to annoy Charlie while trying to itch her back, and Henry just pulls her closer by her waist and scratches her back under her shirt without even asking. Goals.

@/givemeadam: Henry is too fricking funny. Why is this man buying his newborn a Geralt cosplay already😭 Then has the audacity to say he looked better as Geralt

>> @/HenryCavill: Gotta prepare my little man for the harsh world out there

@/Hollycrisin: Nah because Y/n’s wedding dress got all bloody, that shit was branded expensive too

>> @/Y/nCavill: Tell me about it, it’s still at the dry cleaners 😭

@/galaxyrumbel: It’s crazy how good they jumped into parental roles for reall, Y/n is a complete supermom and Henry’s turned into the most overprotective beat

@/user183737379: I’m just glad her water broke after the actual ceremony, at least their wedding didn’t have to be postponed😀

>> @/asuper: i know i’m happy they got to say “i do” before the arrival

@/slinkyleopard: omg the leaked photos of Y/n and Henry's wedding photoshoot, THEY INCLUDED BABY CHARLIE AND KAL😭😍 The one photo of Charlie just laying on top of Kal while they’re both asleep, it’s everything I need in life

@/HenryCavill: Y/n and I want to come on here ourselves and say I will be taking a break from projects for the foreseeable future. This is to focus on us and our (developing) family. We thank you so much for all of your support, and we will continue to update you on our social medias ONLY. Anything released by the tabloids is false and we will not stand for rumours to fly around. Lots of love Henry and Y/n xx

@/trueferalis: Ok but Miss Y/n is super slay, the photo she posted of her going back to work as a paediatrician is so girlboss, SUPERMOM AND DOCTOR

>> @/HenryCavill: So proud to be her man and daddy of our baby 😋

@/kinkydhrine: I can’t believe it’s been two years since Charlie was born the same day as their wedding, did anyone else swoon at the video Henry posted of them all on holiday at Bora Bora. Baby Charlie and Y/n on a big inflatable flamingo is everything, his tiny squeals 🥹🥹 Then Henry in the background of the video whistling at Y/n 🫣🫣

7 Weeks Later

>> @/ririezdueh: You called it. They’ve just had another pregnancy announcement, HOPEFULLY NOT ANOTHER WEDDING ANNIVERSARY BABY 😭😭

———/

Taglist Tags (Form is up there^^): @alexxavicry @bookfrog242 @alina02 @aerangi @i-beg-your-pardon-laufeyson @sparklemarysunshine @oliviah-25 @mischiefsemimanaged @nikkitc0703 @hallecarey1 @misshale21 @girl-of-multi-fandoms @mansaay @fdl305 @princess-paramour @stormcloudss @uwiuwi @marvelgurl @taramaria @mysticfalls01 @kebabgirl67 @athena-roy @tinyelfperson @madebylilly @dumb-fawkin-bitch @vrittivsanghavi @beck07990 @kimhtoo17 @thereisa8ella @pandaxnienke

#romance #henry cavill #henry cavill x reader #henry cavill fanfiction #henry cavill imagine #henry cavill one shot

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sunshine-scented · 1 year

Note

Hi are your requests open? I know it's a bit of a cliche but can I get Mk, Wukong and Macaque (separate) with an innocent reader?? BUT the reader is actually a badass in battle and they're just blown away thank you!!! Hope you have a nice day/night and drink plenty of water, and take your time with this ☺️ and gn reader please 🥺❤️

I like this kind of idea, thanks for requesting!!!

❀ Fake Innocence ❀

: Them with a seemingly innocent, but powerful s/o

: Sun Wukong, Macaque, MK x gn!reader

: Fluff!! Headcannons

Sun Wukong

• adores you

• thinks you're the most cutest, softest bean in the world and is constantly doting on you

• was very protective of you, like, really

• would never let you out on your own, and bans you from going to dangerous locations if he isn't there to protect you

• well, that was until the whole spider queen fight

• when he saw you beat up all of the spider queen's lackies, he was speechless

• no words, head empty

• you beat them all so quickly? And you even apologized for hurting them?!

• feels really sorry for underestimating you, but you were like "huh???"

• still thinks you're cute

• and hot

• really hot

• "Damn..love me a person who can beat me in a fight ♡"

• not only are you kind to others, but you can also beat up people???? Hardcore simping

• if you got him wrapped around your finger before? Now you got him wrapped in silk red ribbons tied up nicely into a bow all for you ♡

Six eared Macaque

• also underestimates you

• in all and brutal honesty, he thought you were weak

• a mere annoying pleb, oh so naive and so defenseless

• till you actually beat him up in a fight

• you weren't happy with how he was manipulating MK and saw right through his plans in deceiving the poor baby

• yet you couldn't say anything cause you didn't wanna upset MK

• so when Macaque started to show his true colors, that's where you stepped in

• and oh boy did you step in

• ever since then, Macaque has grown curious of you

• clearly you're hiding something more sinister, more dark underneath that pathetic persona of yours

• but nope, turns out that's just who you are

• and soon, he grows fond of you

• at first he found it really dumb of you to continue acting innocent

• but now, he finds it absolutely adorable

• oh, and now he's a masochist

• good luck with that

• you guys are cavity inducing

• MK is all like "Look (Name)! I know what's 1+1!!" And you'd go ":0!! That's so cool!!!"

• dumbasses <33

• he wanted to be your knight in shining armor!

• to protect you from any bad demons and beat them up until dirt

• and to show off too I guess- but that's besides the point!

• you two are both two little peas on a pod

• always resonating with each other, never far away from the other

• you guys are the only ones that understand each other's jokes to the point it annoys everyone in the room

• when he saw you fight, he went from :0 and then to :000?!????!??!??!

• is your number one hype man

• literally so proud of you whenever you....brutally punch a demon into a ground

• it's okay it's MK, he gets a pass

• it's an unspoken rule for him to cheer you on whenever you're on the battle field

• and you also return the favor by being as excited...for murder

• "Yeahhh!! You got this (Name)!!! Punch them where the sun don't shine!!!!"

• "You too MK!!! Beat them until they turn into a stain on the floor!!!!!"

• okay, this is getting concerning you two

I had a little bit too much fun at the end, my bad haha~

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moonlightdancer26 · 1 year

Note

I know that you have very different opinions on Severus Snape but I would just like to ask you – why do you like him in the first place? I myself aren't very fond of James Potter but hating on him and liking Snape is kind of hypocritical if you ask me.

It's very confusing that you preach that James Potter was a bully and a horrible person who deserved to die when his crimes were a million times less than Severus's. He was a bully and a sexual assaulter and I hundred percent agree to that claim. But Snape was pathetic, an internalized racist, a murderer, and someone who thought taking his anger out on little kids instead of getting a wife and leaving the poor things alone was more adequate.

And no, I will not just leave these claims like this without proof of them like other anonymous asks like to do which is totally annoying.

Pathetic:

Even after calling Lily a mudblood and hearing her out in fifth year about why she couldn't be friends with him anymore, he continued to join the Death Eaters. Instead of proving to Lily that he could change and fight for her, he joined the Death Eaters and only actually regretted his decision when Lily died because of his mistake. James at least changed, or Lily wouldn't have married him otherwise. We know he did since his "ego deflated" and he became a better man for Lily. Snape didn't realize that until his love was taken away from him and probably never would have unless Lily died.

Racist:

He called Lily a mud blood word when the only thing she did was try to help him in front of, like, a hundred kids who must have been her friends. He chose to embarrass the only person who cared for him and decided to go there, too. If someone nowadays called their friend the N-Word and refused to take it back in public, all hell would break loose. But most of you hate muggle borns, too, right? Or do you guys just not like Lily?

Murderer:

This is pretty self-explanatory. He sold out the prophecy to Voldemort knowing full well the family behind it would suffer. He never took the initiative to sit down and think about the fact that if it had been his own family or himself he was selling out. He wouldn't have lived with a care in the world if it had been the Longbottoms. But it was Lily. Not the Potters, only Lily. A million people could die and he wouldn't take a flying fuck.

With all due respect. I know some people like this messed up aspect of him and if you are one of them then that is perfectly valid. I just really needed to ask because all these other Snape stans would come at me and bite my throat off. I know you are one of the rational ones. Why do you like Severus Snape?

Hey there, anon. Because of your first and last lines I’m going to try to be civil with you and politely explain my opinions (this might not apply to the part where I respond to you calling blood supremacy racism and comparing Mudblood to the N word, but I digress).

Aight, let’s get to work:

hating on him and liking Snape is kind of hypocritical if you ask me.

I’m not asking you. Not really. I mean, you might consider it hypocritical if you don’t actually understand what made James’s character completely dilapidated for me.

James is, an awful character. Awful as in morally? Maybe, but I’ve loved worse characters before. Awful as in his character is awfully-written? Yes. Even if Severus was worse than James as a person, I would still love him and hate James. You know why? Because Severus’s character is interesting, because Severus’s character is relevant, because his character is genuinely enjoyable to read. James is none of those things (at least to me).

Not only is James a shitty person whose scenes all show him in an exceedingly unpleasant light, but he isn’t even a well-written character. I literally love Voldemort and Bellatrix for god’s sake. Are they undoubtedly worse than James? Obviously. But they’re interesting characters with compelling origin stories/backstories and, in my eyes, that “makes up for” their shittiness. I also love James’s best friend (all of them actually), Sirius, I think he sucks as a person but his character is complicated and brilliantly-written—that’s why I’m capable of “looking past” his awfulness. James has nothing to make up for it; he’s not funny, he’s not enjoyable, he’s quite frankly just as intriguing as watching paint dry, and he was dead a decade before the series even began. He’s practically just a plot device—he’s known as “Harry Potter’s dad,” “Sirius and Remus’s best friend,” “Snape’s bully,” but we never actually get to see his character being explored. He served no purpose in the story besides giving both Severus and Harry traumatic backstories.

So, not hypocritical. Mostly just a preferred taste of interesting characters.

Those three paragraphs alone fundamentally debunk your whole ask but I’ll continue for the sake of it.

It's very confusing that you preach that James Potter was a bully and a horrible person who deserved to die when his crimes were a million times less than Severus's

Read what I said above first.

And no darling, I consider a guy who bullied kids because of past trauma and having to constantly face the carbon-copy of his abuser a lot less worse than a guy who bullied someone completely powerless against him (when it came to social status) and traumatised said person for no other reason than because he (James) was a spoiled, rich, privileged pureblood. One of them is a scarily realistic representation of how real-life victims can cope, can you spot which one I’m talking about?

I’d argue that it’s unfair to compare the two solely based on their bad-things-they-did count as Severus lived nearly twice as much as James did and because of what I’ve just stated above, but anyway.

But Snape was pathetic, an internalized racist, a murderer, and someone who thought taking his anger out on little kids instead of getting a wife and leaving the poor things alone was more adequate.

(“instead of getting a wife” 💀💀 what’s that supposed to mean?)

Moving on.

And no, I will not just leave these claims like this without proof of them like other anonymous asks like to do which is totally annoying.

oh you have nothing to worry about, anon, you’re being just as annoying 😊

You’re acting as if Lily would “take him back” even if he did do all that.

1. That doesn’t make him pathetic. That makes him human.

2. Losing Lily only pushed him to join the DEs, she was the only “source of light” in his life, and he had just lost her. He was at his breaking point. Do you people not understand how humans work? …Or how cults target younger candidates and use known methods to recruit them?

and only actually regretted his decision when Lily died because of his mistake.

✨This is where his redemption arc started✨

✨You can’t use what made him defect (the turning point) to try and prove that he wasn’t a hero afterwards✨

✨Lily may have been the initial reason he defected but he actually grew to believe in the Order’s cause and continued to fight for it even after he knew Lily’s sacrifice was in vain✨

✨Don’t use “he only *did this* because of…” as an argument when it’s simply untrue✨

James at least changed, or Lily wouldn't have married him otherwise.

We’re literally told that James went behind Lily’s back and continued his quarrel with Snape, she wouldn’t even be able to “judge him properly.” And don’t use the love interest as a moral compass, it doesn’t make James a better person.

We know he did since his "ego deflated" and he became a better man for Lily.

Sure Jan

Snape didn't realize that until his love was taken away from him

Didn’t realise what? 💀

and probably never would have unless Lily died.

Ok but he did “realise *whatever tf you’re talking about*” so don’t rely on hypotheticals for arguments.

He called Lily a mud blood word when the only thing she did was try to help him in front of, like, a hundred kids who must have been her friends.

“the mudblood word” 😃

Hey babe, he called her a slur that also applies to him mere moments before he was sexually assaulted and choked with soap suds. Doesn’t justify it, but I don’t think it makes me a horrible person for thinking that Lily was wrong for not reporting the Marauders to a Professor (aka the Logical/Actually-Helps-Your-Friend-Out thing to do) before he even called her that.

Also? He apologised and continued to regret it for the rest of his life. Does that mean Lily shouldn’t have been upset? No, she had every right. But he did the one thing Jimothy couldn’t do; actually saying the words I’m sorry, so much for “James at least changed.”

He chose to embarrass the only person who cared for him and decided to go there, too.

Yes of course, this situation is about Lily. We’re totally not talking about the same scene where 16 year old Severus was immobilised, sexually assaulted, exposed against his will, and waterboarded, all “in front of a hundred kids”—you said it, not me, although I was about to—and his best friend. No ofc we should just be focusing on what happened to Lily—the person who also nearly smiled at her friend being flipped upside down and being put in an extremely humiliating and traumatic situation.

If someone nowadays called their friend the N-Word

You mean if a mixed kid called a black kid the N word?

and refused to take it back in public

We see that he was clearly sorry for it 💀 The damn boy had been sexually harassed, he was likely too shocked to even process what happened, and he didn’t “refuse to take it back,” he didn’t even say anything (which makes my other point even more likely to have been the case). I also think Rowling purposefully made it that way because, at that point, we didn’t know that Severus and Lily were friends, and she didn’t want to “hint at it too much” by making Severus yell after her or something. That’s my personal thought though.

all hell would break loose.

Yeah it would, but I think that’s because this is a real, serious issue that takes place almost half a century after the situation you’re referring to that also took place in a fictional universe that was involving a made-up kind facing made-up discrimination.

But most of you hate muggle borns, too, right?

*writes this down in the List Of Weirdest Shit Snaters Have Ever Said To Me*

Or do you guys just not like Lily?

Not really. We’re just capable of exhibiting a human feeling called ✨empathy✨ to a character who’s gone through an unbelievable amount of shit throughout his life. Doesn’t mean we don’t like Lily or that we’re somehow misogynists or blood supremacists (imagine calling real people that.. lmao).

This is pretty self-explanatory.

And hell is just a sauna.

There’s no proof Severus knew it was about a family or a child, or even a person (that is, if you consider the part of the prophecy that he heard and analyse the potential meanings), but I’ll be putting that aside.

Even if he knew:

— He was working for Voldemort at that time, he was a loyal Death Eater who worked for a mind-reading maniac, what else do you want him to do?

— You can’t use that to prove that he didn’t become a hero lol. He may have done that, but he also went on to save countless lives (at least more than the amount he supposedly mUrDeReD) and fight for the Light side for nearly ten times the amount of time he spent following Voldemort. He called Lily a Mudblood? He (actually) changed and went on to yell at the portrait for referring to Hermione—someone he disliked—as a Mudblood. He was a Death Eater? He was also one of the greatest heroes of the entire series. And so on. Do you not understand the concept of a redemption arc? The redeemed character had to have done bad things in the past to redeem themselves for it, otherwise what would they have to repent from? 90% of the fandom shares this strange logic and it’s pretty fucking irritating.

He never took the initiative to sit down and think about the fact that if it had been his own family or himself he was selling out.

Why would he sell himself out? 💀

He wouldn't have lived with a care in the world if it had been the Longbottoms.

Maybe. But it wasn’t the Longbottoms, so shush.

But it was Lily. Not the Potters, only Lily.

Then why would he have gone to Dumbledore? He already asked Voldemort to spare Lily, why would he go to Dumbledore and betray his current master, just to warn Dumbles that Voldemort was after the whole family? That’s literally what made Dumbles place James and Lily under the protection. They would’ve died a lot sooner if Severus truly hadn’t “lived with a care in the world.”

A million people could die and he wouldn't take a flying fuck.

Can’t say that without any proof.

I know some people like this messed up aspect of him

We like the complicated, traumatised, grey hero who was also extremely entertaining and fun to read about. Not the shit you think he’s done.

I just really needed to ask because all these other Snape stans would come at me and bite my throat off.

Me who already gobbled down your throat entirely: 🧍‍♀️ /j

I know you are one of the rational ones. Why do you like Severus Snape?

Indeed I am. (Not sure if you’d think that after seeing my answer but I’ll accept the backhanded compliment with pleasure.)

I like him because he’s enjoyable. That’s really the most dominant factor when it comes to characters, movies, tv shows, etc. I don’t care about the plot, I don’t care about their morals, what’s ultimately the thing that matters most to me is if they’re enjoyable. If I enjoy reading/watching it/them, then I’ll love it. I don’t care whether Severus was a terrible person or not, if I enjoy scenes with him in it, if I find him entertaining, if I’m legitimately able to enjoy every second, then I’ll love him. I was one of the few who loved Snape at first glance, from when I read the series for the very first time. I was a little girl at that time, he was of course needlessly shitty to Harry, but I was able to find the humour in his classy jibes, especially as I got older. His sarcasm was to die-for, and in the later books we got to learn more about his past, and so his character became all the more nuanced. And then there was the grandiose reveal in Deathly Hallows. I still would’ve loved him even if he was a villain, and at least then there’d be many less tiring debates about his morality.

I hope my answer was sufficient. Bye-bye anon.

#anti snaters #severus snape #anti james potter #pro snape #pro severus snape #snape #harry potter #hp #anon takedown #ask #asks

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mydarlingbeatrice · 1 year

Text

Arcadia , PT. 2

A/N - SORRY OMG FOR TAKING SO LONG BUT HERE U GO!!!

Sad and lonely, the poor girl watches as the entire school gets ready for the upcoming Valentines day. She had heard from one of her closest friends, Andromeda, that this year Hogwarts would have more preparation for the loved holiday.

"I'm surprised you're not with James, you still like him don't you?" Andromeda questions her, taking a bite of her biscuit after. She stares at the girl in front of her, waiting for an answer with raised eyebrows.

The girl sighs and looks back into her tea, trying to formulate a response for her friend. "I don't know Andy, I think he likes Lily Evans. They've been talking a lot this past month. He might as well ask her to be his Valentine!" She pouts, complaining.

Andromeda considers the weight of her words for a mere second, "Well, I've heard that the Rosier, Evan was his name wasn't it? Yes him, he's been glancing at you quite often in the hallways! Why don't you see if you like him?" She turns to look at the girl, waiting for a response.

She however, smiles before responding, "Perhaps. He's been nice to me so I don't see why not? Maybe he'll take my mind off the boy I've liked for almost 4 years." She says. The two girls stand up to put their trash away as they exit the Three Broomsticks.

. . .

I freeze. I was truly stupid to come to the Three Broomsticks without expecting a couple. But, I didn't know that I'd be faced with James Potter accompanied with an annoyed looking Lily Evans. Andy looks at me staring the two down. She grabs my arm and we quickly make our way back into the campus.

"Stay unaffected." She tells me when we walk through the hallways to the library. I smiled at her, entering the library.

My face morphs into one of surprise as I find a now awake Evan Rosier staring back at me, smirking while sitting in one of the many chairs that we have.

My luck just keeps getting better, doesn't it?

Andy smirks, "Well, go to him!" She whispers to me, pushing me towards the man. My face is still stuck in the surprise I had when I first saw him.

"What a pleasure, lovely to see you darling." He says in a nonchalant way, still smirking at my smitten face. I quickly regain myself, patting my hair down.

I stare at him nervously, flashing him one of my smiles. "Can I sit here?" I say, pointing to the seat next to him.

. . .

Evan and I had been getting along for the most part, we had shared mostly similar interests. Currently we were talking about Slughorn’s new project in Potions. “That’s amazing! How long did it take for you to finish the brew?” I asked him. He thinks, trying to remember.

“Erm, I don’t think it took much time! I mean, I did also have Snape as my partner..” He finishes off with a chuckle, adjusting to face me in his chair.

I smile softly at him. “Of course, Snape’s amazing at Potions! I’ve never seen him not make a potion perfectly. Need to ask him his secrets!” I laugh along with him.

Soon, a comfortable silence falls over us as I turn to my homework for Slughorn, writing “The Draught of Living Death” in underlined letters. I continue to finish up my essay and go over it with Rosier, who doesn’t hesitate to help me. We both peacefully look over each other’s essays and homework. Suddenly, we are interrupted by a loud slam against the outside of the library door. I furrowed my eyebrows as I then saw Sirius, Remus, James and Peter emerge through the library’s old wooden doors.

I smile brightly as I look towards them. They however, fail to return my advances as they look confusedly between me and Evan Rosier. “Hello you guys! Come sit with us.” I scan all of them with a smile, faltering my movements when I see James.

“Hey, can I talk to you in private for a second?” The brunette I was staring at asks me, I nod wordlessly as he pulls me out the library.

#james potter #james potter x you #james potter x reader #james potter fic #the marauders #marauders era #marauders fandom #hp marauders #marauders #harry potter marauders #sirius black #remus lupin #lily evans #peter pettigrew #evan rosier #tysm y’all

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raylaserfrog-yuri · 1 month

Note

*slides into frame*

....Fake Rayman hcs? Just based on ur own interp. Or mine if u want. Or both. IDK!!!

YES. YESS. IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE.

Okay, SO. this’ll have hc for these specific versons of fakeman, since i love most of the theories on what he is (raymesis, robot / ai, and clone)

Robot / ai fakeman: He has an E branded on him somewhere, I just know it. His limbs kinda work as how a magnet repels each other, just controlled enough to be believable.

Personally wise— he tries very hard to imitate Rayman the best he can, usually through old recordings of the late night eden show and old news interviews. When he’s on stage, he moves how the normal Rayman does— after all, he was programmed that way. But, when he’s offstage, its almost like he’s just. tossed aside. never to be needed until the next day. He doesn’t feel much about it, but something in him makes it feel… wrong.

ai / robot Fakeman also has moments where he does glitch out, considering he was probably made at a rushed moments notice. He was probably created around the time Rayman had gotten that call in his home when he was drunk. Even then, that call was probably used to get voice modules, as well as past calls that he’s probably taken. (assuming eden records phone calls too, which they probably do.)

I feel like Ai/Robotic Fakeman would be very curious about how real people (in a general sense, which includes hybrids and even ramon) live. How they act, why emotions drive them to do the things they do. It’s fascinating to him, and it even can cause him sometimes to wonder what it would be like to be… well, alive.

Clone Fakeman: honestly he acts more dead inside than ramon does. While robotic/ai has more curiosity, clone is just… a husk. only time he feels alive or wanting purpose is when he’s in the limelight. otherwise, he’s just the same husk he used to be.

His brain was probably wired to LOVE the feeling of being cheered, appreciated on stage, loved. And because of that, it makes him more attached, more likely to stick to eden’s side (cough cough “Without them, I’m nothing! THEY SAVED MY LIFE!” type shit)

Also, because he’s made with organic material he sometimes just. falls apart. like. like skin. just falls. and lums just fly out because Eden doesn’t know what they’re doing when it comes to making clones.

Raymesis Fakeman: I am so convinced this guy became the replacement JUST to fuck with rayman. I’m very positive. He was probably told to do it by Mr Dark, which if he’s still in this is probably in a high power (or yk maybe hes just fucking dead we don’t know atp).

I can imagine him having the FATTEST EGO known to man knowing that he’s taken Rayman’s job. If they ever had a confrontation I just know this mf would cackle his ass off laughing at what Ramon had become.

Though, he has his annoyances. For one, he hates having to wear makeup and contacts ALL THE GOD DAMN TIME. Like every fucking waking moment this poor thingamajig is sweaty and uncomfortable because of the PACKED ON MAKEUP to hide his skin. Also Eden forced him to dye his hair blond. Because obviously they did, they’re fucking annoying. Oh yeah, and he can’t swear. Which is funny because I just know Raymesis cusses in every single sentence he says.

Raymesis has literally lived in Rayman’s shadow for fuck knows how long. But I also feel like once he truly sees what Eden has done and is continuing to do, he’s gonna feel… a bit conflicted. perchance join his side.

okay ramble done tehe

#can you tell i like fakeman.#slight crush on the guy perchance #captain laserhawk #clh #clhabdr #fakeman #rayman clh #headcanon

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quietbluejay · 1 month

Text

The Last Church

Bluejay once again sallies forth to deal with her nemesis! (McNeill) He somehow managed to replicate the feeling of wanting to get into an argument with people Being Wrong On The Internet

nah he's not my writer nemesis that's probably Roche or Roberts. Love to post my transformers salt one of these days...

This is far from the worst prose I've seen from McNeill. It actually feels strangely bereft of purple.

so Uriah in his misspent youth stole a clock that's apparently counting down to doomsday seems kind of not appropriate to stick something you stole in your church after you found religion, but what do i know and at two minutes to midnight, a visitor arrives

girl help they are not sending their best there's a lot to complain about here but i don't even know if i should bother

I'm getting a headache

He really is a reddit atheist

liar GIRL HELP THEY ARE NOT SENDING THEIR BEST okay you know that feeling when you really want to get into an argument with someone online but you have to be so brave about it and walk away from the computer that's how i'm feeling rn tldr priest tells the story of the miracle of the lightning stone, emperor goes "it was probably paradoleia (sp?) and also sometimes lightning can cure people of blindness" emp continues mocking him the people who described it as "the emperor bullies an old man and then burns down his church" are 100% correct

[press x to doubt]

only religious people emperor ever talked to are protestants, got it

im wheezing here lmaoooo this is your example

IM CACKLING i think the emperor is. very stupid. hey neoth hey answer me what did you call your initiative to conquer the galaxy to unite all of humanity again? and how did you operate it? and with the goal of purging it of…what, again? like even ignoring historical inaccuracies as much as it pains my soul to let these things pass by EVEN IGNORING THAT those shamans were dead dog drunk when they made the emperor

this is a comedy

but also it's very annoying that the priest is not able to refute him on basic stuff and also. it makes the emperor look. very stupid. either that or you assume the emperor is just making stuff up to bully an 80 year old man

I WANT TO THROW HANDS AND IM BEING SO BRAVE ABOUT IT

hey so like what are you about to do to someone who disagrees with your view on cosmology?

is it crack? is it crack that you smoke?

but yeah this is so frustrating i am begging you give the poor priest ONE GOOD REFUTATIONNNNNN i don't care if the emperor brushes it aside that's not the point here anyways Uriah finally is Done and begins the Mass only to get interrupted by the Emperor going "there's no one here" bluh

I'm laughing so hard here I needed that ahhahahahahahahaha i feel like i should pull up the excerpt of the iterators from Horus Rising oh yeah so the Emperor reveals that "you thought it was God who saved you, but it was I, DIO!" uriah goes noooo ok fine u win my life is a lie but then

then the emperor destroys the church and talks about his grand ambitions to conquer the galaxy

as opposed to everyone else, who thought they were wrong im sorry i was weak i gave in to the bait

so, that was The Last Church i needed that laugh

In summary: -anti-religion that's basically just Anti-Catholicism as seen by someone whose only exposure to religion was American Protestantism which is pretty much most reddit atheists so a point to McNeill for accuracy there

HE DIDN'T EVEN TOUCH ON THE PROBLEM OF EVIL, SOMETHING EXTREMELY RELEVANT IN 40K!

like okay. I Will Be Fair this guy (the priest) got very little theological education and who knows how much actual history given the length of time BUT ALSO AS A HUMAN I JUST REALLY WANT SOMEONE TO TELL THE EMPEROR OFF

what if i i write my own version….but no, i shouldn't…haha…but…what if…. Emperor has the arguments of a 19 year old redditor and the debate skills of one too If you are a 19 year old redditor reading this post, this doesn't apply to you unless you are specifically the kind of atheist redditor who goes to religion subs and picks fights.

#warhammer 40k #bluejay reads warhammer

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justmenoworries · 4 months

Text

My unorganized thoughts about Hazbin finale because I am feeling all the feelings.

Positives

The songs? Absolute bangers. Both of them. The Chaggie "More Than Anything" reprise got spoiled for me but I still loved it. We stan a supportive couple ready to go to war together. The reprise for "Happy Day in Hell" at the end was a nice touch. Loved that it was Lucifer who picked up the slack to cheer up Charlie. Mans finally becoming the dad who stepped up.

The battle as a whole was awesome. Hot take, but if Adam didn't have the spawn infinite enemies cheat all bad guy armies seem to have in these situations, the Hotel definitely would've won.

I'll admit, I wasn't too jazzed about Sir Pentious replacing Mimzy in the main cast but he kind of redeemed (lol) himself for me this episode. Bro was both one of the funniest and most heartwarming characters in the finale get yourself a man who can do both. The unholy (lol) noises I made when he showed up as a redeemed soul in Heaven. Good for him! He deserves the best. Also I find Sera's and Emily's reactions to the reveal kind of interesting. Emily is overjoyed seeing that Charlie's idea works, but Sera looks... mortified? Disgusted? Kinda tells us which one of these two really deserves the title of Big Good. Side note, but it's kind of funny how the only physical change a redeemed sinner goes through is that their color scheme is now pastel instead of goth.

ADAM FUCKING DIED YESSIRRRRR! GOOD RIDDANCE BITCH NO ONE WILL MISS YOUUUU (Except for Lute, but no one gives a fuck about what Lute thinks, cry harder hoe)

Charlie's and Lucifer's true formssss! Razzle and Dazzle getting to be badassss! (R.I.P. Dazzle, hope you somehow end up in Heaven too)

Alastor Vs Adam. Cool fight, surprisingly not as one-sided as one might've thought. I mean, Alastor still lost but he lasted a lot longer than most of the others who fought against Adam (Poor Sir Pen)

Vaggie and Lute rematch, I fucking called ittttt!

Seeing everyone gear up and fight for the Hotel was cool, seeing so many Exorcists get axed off was cathartic as fuck.

Lute losing a part of her body because of Vaggie, just like she took a part of Vaggie's body was *chef's kiss*.

Lucifer Vs Adam and Lucifer just... not taking the fight seriously at all until Charlie almost gets hurt. He was really just toying with Adam for the entire first half and when he started getting serious Adam got trashed so fucking quick, I love it.

Charlie fucking shanking Adam and stopping his punch Just Like That. I lover her, she's such a badass. Sure wish we could've seen more of that (foreshadowinggg)

Vox acting as the greek chorus for the events of the episode works surprisingly well. Ngl I thought his constant commentary would get annoying really fast if they kept cutting away from the action just so he can say a funny. But no, they actually managed to time it pretty well. Props to Adam Stein (writer for this episode).

The Negatives (Yes, They Exist)

The other Vees did not need to be here. Seriously, we're starting off with Vox alone in his control room and we could've stayed there. Velvette and Valentino didn't even talk for the majority of the episode. And I'm not a fan of how Val continues to be played for comedy. Unfriendly reminder that this man is a r*pist and an abuser. If you needed a V for the funnies, Velvette and Vox are quite literally right there. (Can you believe Velvette had no lines this episode but fucking Val had both a speaking role and a not insignificant part of the ending song? Weak.) You can still have the ending scene of the Vees hanging out and planning after the aborted Extermination, literally nothing changes if you cut Val and Velvette from the cutaway gags.

Not a fan of how Lucifer stole the spotlight. "But you said you liked the Adam Vs Lucifer fight-" Yeah, I did. Doesn't change that this shouldn't have been Luci's fight, it should have been Charlie's. We've had hints this whole season that Charlie is actually way stronger and wrathful than anyone thinks and that she's actively working to keep up her cheerful and friendly persona. Her stabbing Adam with her trident was a nice start, but after Lute killed Dazzle and seriously endangered Vaggie, this should've been the moment Charlie decided "Alright that's it, no more Miss Nice Girl, I didn't want this to end in bloodshed but these assholes are going down." This should've been the moment where the gloves come off. How much more impactful would it be if Charlie was the one beating down Adam but stopping before killing him? If the show made it clear Charlie could murder this asshole, but she doesn't, because she's still better than he ever will be. What a way to show that Charlie truly does believe in the good in everyone or at least still believes in non-lethal solutions to the conflict between Heaven and Hell! But nope, Charlie gets two badass moments, then is banished to the side-lines and to the role of damsel Lucifer has to save and who has to be the metaphorical angel on Lucifer's shoulder who stops him from offing Adam (for some reason). If we needed to get Lucifer involved, maybe have him show up earlier to help the Hotel but get hurt somehow, forcing and motivating Charlie to step up as the future ruler of Hell. Speaking of-

Why the fuck was Lucifer so late to the fight??? Yeah yeah, I know, depressed shut-in, but in "More Than Anything" he literally calls Charlie "the only thing worth fighting for" in Hell. He knew the Extermination was coming. Yeah, maybe Charlie didn't tell him that the trial in Heaven went south and that Adam's Exorcists were going to target the Hazbin Hotel, but you'd think he'd have noticed something was up??? More importantly, if he really wanted to support Charlie's dream of saving the sinners in Hell, why didn't he take part in the battle from the start??? Why didn't Charlie ask him to fight alongside her??? Yeah, Charlie is reluctant to ask Lucifer for anything because they don't have the best relationship, but we've had an entire fucking episode of them growing closer and Lucifer assuring Charlie he'd help her. And this wasn't just a matter of pride, Charlie's friends and her girlfriend were in danger of getting killed, you're telling me she'd choose her own hang-up over all of them??? "But if Lucifer was there, the fight would've been over too quick-" refer to the previous point. Angels can be hurt and killed by angelic weaponry, there were like over a hundred Exorcists on that battlefield and don't tell me Adam would be above fighting dirty by attacking while Lucifer is distracted. There. Easy way to take Lucifer out of the fight and make way for Charlie.

Not a fan of how Cherri Bomb x Sir Pentious was bullrushed in this last episode. Yeah, we established Pentious likes her, but Cherri had like no interest in him until Angel commented he might have two dicks. Which, I guess her being after a purely physical relationship could work, but we all know that's not what Pentious wants. Their "romance" gives "He Was a Boy She Was a Girl" vibes. Like Velvette and Valentino, nothing in the episode would've been lost if that particular plot-line was dropped.

"The future of Hell belongs to the Vees" Yeah but does it though? Does it? Sorry, but I'm having a hard time taking these three seriously as a threat. Vox got effortlessly trounced by Alastor (and contrary to what the Vees believe he isn't missing, he came back), Velvette talked a big game about fighting the Exorcists but then did absolutely nothing and Val would eat dirt so fast against anyone who can actually fight back. Plus "Overlords hanging by a thread"? Which Overlords, exactly? Alastor? He's not dead and like previously stated, he's not 'missing'. Rosie, Carmilla, Zestial and the rest of the Overlords are just fine, the Extermination was centered around the Hazbin Hotel this time, no other turf even got scratched. "Nature abhors a power vacuum" What power vacuum? Again, no Overlords even died! No territory outside the hotel was destroyed! Are they just on a high from Alastor's supposed disappearance? I hope that's it, because otherwise damn, you three fucking suck at being Overlords.

#hazbin hotel #hazbin hotel spoilers

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ciaossu-imagines · 6 months

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For the 6 characters and what you'd do with them. Can we add "sit down and have a serious talk with them" and do all 7 of Tsunas Guardians? (Mukuro AND chrome)

Oh, this one is so fun! I love the extra prompt you came up with as well though the choices for this were so hard to make!

The character I'd push off a cliff

Honestly, it would be Lambo. I mean, I love Lambo more than a considerable portion of the fandom does and he amuses me greatly, but he can still be an awfully annoying brat and I'd probably get fed up and punt him off a nearby cliff by accident. However, let's all admit that Lambo takes a lot of very physical damage in canon that's equivalent to being tossed off a cliff or worse and he still keeps ticking after all of it, so he'd probably be okay after being sent over a cliff.

The character I'd kiss

Well, to make a terrible joke, depression and a complete lack of regard for my physical and mental well-being at times (I'm honestly trying and improving guys, don't take this too too seriously) means that I do not fear death, I welcome it. So I'm kissing Hibari. Might as well go out doing something fun and leaving an impression on someone, haha!

The character I'd marry

Okay, but he's not even, nor has he ever truly been, my favourite or one of my fictional others, but even I have to admit you'd be crazy not to marry Yamamoto. The man will always make you smile and laugh, will be fiercely loyal to you, will have your back, can cook and clean, and my parents would both love and hate him. Perfect marriage material and I'd get the best father in law in the world.

The character I'd set on fire

Ryohei and I could totally get him to not only allow me to do it but have him beg me to do it, if I convinced him that it was some new training method or ritual that only the strongest of fighters can withstand. And I can be pretty damn convincing. Of course, I'd put him out pretty quick because I wouldn't want to cause any actually serious damage.

The character I'd wrap a blanket around

Surprising nobody, it's Chrome. That poor girl has been through so much and she still tries so damn hard to be good and strong and to do her best for those she cares about. And I so badly want her to rest under a pile of warm blankets, in a feather soft bed, in the softest of pyjamas and wake up to breakfast in bed and spend the day getting pampered and doing things that would truly make her happy. I mean, she would probably never let anyone do that for her, but I totally want to.

The character I'd be roommates with

Okay, but these last two are where I had the most fight to decide who to put but in the end, I just have to admit that living in the filth that Kokuyo Land is would legitimately probably kill my very clean, everything in its place, super organized, obsessive-compulsive ass so I will have to go with that I would room with Gokudera. Honestly, I think that as long as we weren't in a pandemic like situation again where we were stuck together every hour of every day, we could probably survive rooming together without too many major fights, especially since I'm an extremely tolerant person who hates conflict, so I would shoulder and grin and bear a lot of his more unpleasant traits and just continue to live in ways that worked for the both of us.

The character I'd sit down and have a serious talk with them

Okay, but who wouldn't look at Mukuro at some point and be like 'bitch, why are you like this? Like, seriously? And all these plans and plots of yours? To what end? And then, after you succeed, what then?' Because I love Mukuro and I love his characterization and his growth and development through the story but sometimes you really do have to wonder if he's even figured it all out, if he even knows what he truly wants and desires and why.

#replies #ask game #katekyo hitman reborn #khr

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harurio · 3 months

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guardian ep1 here goes nothing

i'm watching this at the behest of my lovely friend @oneiro-nautical so that's whose fault it is if i get really annoying about it <3 i've been reliably informed this will kill me and it will hurt the whole time i'm dying! sounds fun let's go!

opening credits a pleasant blend of corny and cool as hell. cdramas we are SO back baby. also this song kinda slaps

whoaaa aliens? this is so much all at once

HEYYY PRETTYBOY

aw that's a baby. i've seen him before. he's the one constantly getting menaced by the scary buzzcut guy in the crack videos

HEYYYYY PRETTYBOY 2

oh he needs to have something in his mouth does he. eheheh. eheheheheh

kitty!

i love all these people already. two beautiful women one catboy and one idiot. i'm a sucker for a motley crew

okay what on earth is going on with that cat. half the time it looks fine if slightly frazzled and half the time it is cg'ed to hell and back and it's kinda creeping me out ngl

this poor kid he's just a baby don't be mean to him >.<

OUGH the way shen wei's face went slack when he did that double take. the way you have no context for the look in his eyes but you just know it is absolutely devastating. the way zhao yunlan looked lightning struck and had to get away so fast. this is delicious

THE TENSIONNN

the way he didn't want to let go T-T

oh shen wei is in love. i'm calling it. those are the eyes of a man made of yearning

the shadow figure has an ass. this is fine

i snorted water out my nose. who is this tiny guy. i love cdrama action sequences

i'm gonna have a really hard time taking buzzcut man seriously if he fights with funky lil puppet dolls. also his voice isn't nearly as deep and gravelly as i imagined. huh

TEN THOUSAND YEARS? OUUUUUHHHHHH

poor li qian. i hope her situation gets better over the course of the show. she's in a really tough spot.

whoever plays shen wei is awfully good at acting with his eyes!!!

on the rooftop in a magic hurricane and the shadow figure is standing in place doing stock attack animations like a video game character

got spoiled a bit so ik the black cloak envoy is shen wei but is that supposed to be not obvious? it seems really obvious

ohhh the credits are doing one of my favorite things (behind the scenes footage from filming) it’s so cool look at them all go

in conclusion im enjoying myself mightily. it’s so silly but it’s got so much heart to it. also shen wei has a pair of the most expressive eyes ive ever seen. good for him bad for future me i guess. will continue to watch apace

#milo im sorry for how disjointed these thoughts are i was a little preoccupied looking at pining men 😓#lmk if you want/don't want to be tagged in future episode posts!! im excited to go on watching but i dont wanna clog your notifs lol #guardian

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tardis--dreams · 1 year

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I really have to work on my thesis so here's a list of all the dramas I've watched this year and a summary of my most beloved blorbos

• 오징어 게임 - Squid Game: watched once in January. Loved it a lot but couldn't rewatch because it was too heavy for me at the time.

• 쓸쓸하고 찬란하神-도깨비 - Goblin/Guardian the Lonely and Great God: watched once in February/March, cried every episode, need to rewatch soon

• 괴물 - Beyond Evil: You may not have noticed but i have developed some sort of unhealthy obsession with it. Watched it 5 times in total within the span of eight months. 3 times in April, once in July/August once in November. Nothing will ever compare. It changed my brain chemistry. Got the script books despite probably only knowing like 15% of the vocabulary in there but can read them effortlessly because i know the entire show by heart.

• 무브 투 헤븐: 나는 유품정리사입니다 - Move to Heaven: watched it completely once in April. My nose got sore from crying too much. Sometimes i rewatch an episode just to feel something. Beautiful.

• 악마판사 - The Devil Judge: watched 4.5 times so far. 3 times in May/June, once in September/October and got halfway through my fourth rewatch in December (and will continue that eventually). I am obsessed. Absolutely, utterly Obsessed. Second drama i got the script books because i love it so much.

• 나의 해방일지 - My Liberation Notes: watched once in June and fell in love. Very high on my to rewatch list and if they release a script book I'd absolutely try to get that as well!

• 해피니스 - Happiness: Watched twice. First time within the span of 3 days in June/July. I had Corona and was isolating and dreamed about it every. goddamm. night. The whole "what do we do with the infected? Should we throw them out or kill them?" really seemed to resonate with me there lol. Rewatched in September and definitely will rewatch again.

• 내일 - Tomorrow: watched once in August. Idk why i expected something light hearted (i really don't know why) but i loved it very much despite the dark and heavy topics.

• 타인은 지옥이다 - Strangers From Hell: watched once. Was a wild ride.

• 배드 앤 크레이지 - Bad and Crazy: watched twice in August. I absolutely hadn't expected to love it so much. It touched my heart and I'll rewatch it regularly.

• 인간실격 - Lost: Watched once in September. Loved it a lot.

• 나의 아저씨 - My Mister: Watched once in October. No words. Will rewatch. People really weren't lying when they said it's a master piece.

• 악의 꽃 - Flower of Evil: Watched within the span of 3 days in December and am currently on my 1st rewatch. Easily gets to share first place of my favorite dramas with Beyond Evil and The Devil Judge. SO EMOTIONAL. (Also love how it shows how psychiatry and psych diagnoses are used to dehumanize and criminalize people and how it can shape a person's sense of self. Classic example of character assassination. But we don't talk about this on here.)

Now, to summarize my faves:

There's no hierarchy but if I had to say what's my favorite drama, the first place would go to Beyond Evil, which has the first first place, meaning it is untouchable, so it would be unfair to say it's my only number one. Therefore the ranking of my faves goes like this:

1.1 Beyond Evil.

1.2. The Devil Judge, Bad and Crazy, and Flower of Evil

My favorite special little guys are:

• Han Juwon: Very Blorbo. Pathetic wet dog of a man, annoying little bitch (affectionate), I wanted to slap him sometimes as much as I wanted to hug him. He's very dear to me)

• Kang Yohan: Poor little meow meow! Also pathetic wet dog of a man. Very much enjoyed going from hating him to loving him more than my life.

• Ryu Soo Yeol: Classic Blorbo. Also pathetic wet dog of a man (arguably the most pathetic). I love him very much.

• Do Hyun Soo: HAS NEVER DONE ANYTHING WRONG IN HIS LIFE EVER! He doesn't even give me pathetic wet dog of a man vibes witch is shocking since this is apparently my type! Nothing was more heartbreaking than seeing him sobbing and apologizing and breaking down after so many years of hiding his identity. Deserves the best dad award. I love him so much you don't even understand. (I guess the reason i trusted him from the beginning on was the fact they labeled him with a certain diagnose. You tell me that guy is evil because a psychiatrist said so? So he must be a good person! (Sorry my hatered for psychiatry and psychiatrists/therapists shines through a bit much when I talk about this show/character)).

This, unfortunately, shows very clearly that my type™️ is men with childhood trauma (: Dongsik is very dear to me as well, but since all the horrors started for him after 20 years of having a loving childhood and teenage years, I guess i got imprinted on Juwon instead.

Characters I wanna marry so badly:

• Yoon Saebom

• Yoo Jaeyi

• wouldn't say no to Do Hyun Soo tbh. Has proven to be the perfect husband-

If i stop writing this post I'll have to deal with my thesis so uhhh what can i ramble about.. Oh i know:

BEST OST:

• The Devil Judge! Sexiest OST I've come across so far. Tempest and What You Gonna Do are definitely two of the best songs in the history of songs

• Strangers From Hell! This show might not be my favorite but nothing comes close to this soundtrack.

• Beyond Evil! Empty and 향해 reduce me to tears and Timeless is just unmatched

• Happiness! Pain really hit hard with the line "please i just want everything to stop". Also most of the songs featured aren't even on the official OST but they are SO good!

#ok i'll shut up now #probably delete this later #sometimes you just need to ramble about the most unimportant things in order to avoid working on the most important things in your life rn #help #also yeah #i could write an essay on beyond evil and tdj and foe #but #i won't #shut up amy #(i guess i have to start working now #oh no)#i don't think anyone read any of this but just in case: I'm sure there's a billion typos in there #they're all there on purpose obviously)

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neoninky · 1 year

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TWST Fanfic "Her Lost Voice": Chapter 6

Hello readers: I'm putting a slight trigger warning on this chapter for mentions of abuse and violence in this chapter just in case any of you are bit more sensitive to these topics.

On a lighter note, one of my favorite OCs makes his debut in this chapter and I hope you guys love him as much as I (and @iscarlettappel lolol) do~

Also don't forget to check out my AO3 page and Masterlist if you want to binge read this and my other posts!

Also don't forget to vote if you haven't already!

Chapter 6: Unfortunate Souls

Floyd's nose burned the familiar lingering scent further into his memory bank as he, Cowrie, and his brother entered the Leviathan Club through the kitchens. Luna had been there. The fact that he missed her made him pout with puffed-out cheeks like a grumpy blowfish but the kitchen hand's words did put him at ease.

"Your sister was here, hiding from some real ugly lookin' shark mermen. I'm not sure what they wanted but Mama Ashengrotto told them off real good before making sure Miss Luna left safe and sound."

Cowrie exhaled all of her nerves. Thank goodness nothing happened but still...if Proteus' thugs were lurking about this was bad. REAL bad. If they got even a hint that Luna wasn't tucked away at the Cove like she was supposed to be then the siren would be in hot water faster than Cowrie could blink. The younger sister could practically feel her father's temper scorching her skin already. Well, for now, Luna was safe and the sharks were gone. That's all that mattered.

Once the trio of eels entered the main floor, they found Mama Ashengrotto orchestrating the day's business as usual. The mother octopus looked both relieved and annoyed as soon as she spotted them, "THERE you are!"

Before any of them could say a word she ushered them over to a corner by the bar, "Cowrie dear, I'm so happy to see you're alright. But what exactly is going on? Luna came in here looking for you this morning, looking as white as a sheet. Then those brutish sharks?"

Cowrie's ear fins drooped as she looked awfully guilty, "I'm sorry Mama Ashengrotto...it's complicated but...I think my papa's thugs are being sent to drag me back home. And Luna is...well...she's..."

The hostess' expression softened as she tipped the small eel's chin up, "Now now, you're here and unhurt. And don't worry, I made sure Luna made it back to where she needed to go safely as well. Besides, this isn't the first time I've had to chase off some riff-raff and I doubt it'll be the last. Now, you boys," her eyes sharpened just in time to make the twins stiffen straight up again, "Your mother called me all in a tizzy over you two! You go straight home and apologize to your poor mother right now!"

A cold shiver ran up Jade and Floyd's spines as they envisioned their mother's wrath waiting for them at home. It didn't take too much imagination, honestly. Jade felt another odd sensation as Azul's mother continued to lecture him and his twin. The room was pretty crowded already so in the sea of many faces, it wouldn't be too crazy to feel like someone was watching you...unless someone actually was. He kept his gaze forward but out of his peripheral, he could see another male eel merman staring at him and Floyd from a table on the other side of the bar. Judging from the cloudy grey and yellow-spotted coloring of his skin, Jade knew he wasn't one of his father's men. He heard a snarl coming from Floyd, signaling that his brother had noticed the other male as well.

"Cowrie dear, there's a young man that's been waiting here to see you...given how this day has already gone. I wanted to make sure you felt safe first." Mama Ashengrotto's deep blue eyes flicked off in the same direction as the eelman in question and Cowrie carefully looked before letting out a deep sigh.

"Yeah, it's fine...that's one of my brothers. He's the most reasonable one."

Cowrie gave the twins a reassuring grin before swimming over to the table where Seven was waiting for her.

"Hey, Sevy."

The older brother nodded to her with a disapproving look. Cowrie just frowned before sitting down, "You can talk here. No one's going to punish you for it..."

"Old habit," Seven's voice was a bit gruff as he scratched at what looked like a fresh scar on the side of his neck, "Cowrie, what are you doing here? And with them?"

Jade and Floyd decided to hang around a bit longer, taking seats at a booth along the wall just far enough away from Cowrie and her brother to hide the fact that they were eavesdropping from the rest of the room. Seven didn't much care for it but decided to let it slide for now.

"I have a job here, Sevy. There's no rules against that."

"No...but I'd still watch your tail and who you're keeping company wi-..." Seven's eyes narrowed as he sniffed the water around Cowrie, "...you didn't."

Cowrie's brow hiked up in question as she crossed her arms, "What?"

Her brother's fins bristled as he took in a deep tense breath, "Cowrie, you have another male's scent all over you. And my money's on one of them. You're only seventeen, it's too early for you to-"

"We didn't do anything like that, Sevy!" Cowrie's face was a deep pink as she glared at her nosy older brother.

"So it is one of them..." Seven hid his face in one of his large hands with an aggravated sigh, "Have you lost your mind? You do realize what Dad's going to do him, or even you, when he finds out..."

His sister's stubborn pout only made him snarl, "...at least tell me which one of them it is?"

"Jay J-uh...Jade, " Cowrie pointed over to Jade who just gave Seven's grumpy face a polite grin and a wave as he looked Jade up and down.

"Jade Leech? Don Leech's successor? Well, you have an eye for the big fish, I'll give you that," her brother snorted only annoying her more.

"That's not why chose him!" she huffed, "Jay Jay is very smart, interesting, and handsome. He's also good and kind..."

"Really, Cowrie? One guy doesn't treat you like shit and notices you before he notices Luna and that's all it takes for you to just throw away all sense and cozy up to him??"

Cowrie's temper flared as she jumped up to snap her fangs at the larger male but he was quicker. She let out a high squeak as his long tail whipped around her and forced her back in her seat.

"Take it easy," Seven sighed as he rested his jaw on his hand, "Am I wrong though?"

"I'm afraid so, friend..."

Jade and Floyd had noiselessly approached the table. Jade had a grin on his face but his glowing yellow eye bore into Seven's with a deadly serious aura. He grabbed and yanked Seven's tail away from Cowrie, never breaking eye contact with her brother.

"Miss Luna is quite a beauty, even I am not fully immune to her charms. However, she's not my Cowrie. Cowrie is a precious pearl that has had my full attention since we were first acquainted. I'd hate to also start off on such a rocky foot with my future brother-in-law."

Cowrie's face reheated itself at the sound of Jade's possessive tone. It was smooth and sure and had just enough edge to it to make a point. A very forward, lines-drawn-in-the-sand point. Jade and Seven seemed to be locked in a very sharp-eyed stare down. A typical scene in the early stages of courtship, especially when the female's male relatives didn't necessarily approve of her chosen mate. Floyd smirked off to the side, happy to witness this rare, more aggressive side of his brother in action. He silently hoped for a brawl to happen just to keep things interesting at the very least. In fact, why not stir the pot a bit?

"Besides, Luna's my girl," Floyd said rather bluntly as he blatantly ignored the shocked glare Cowrie was giving him. So much for being sneaky.

"W-What? Luna too? ...with THIS guy?!"

Floyd snarled at the implication that came from Seven's tone. Well, the catfish was out of the net. Cowrie saw no point in playing coy now that these devilish twins just threw all their cards on the table, "Yup. Luna too. She'll deny it if you ask her but I'm 99% sure it's true..."

The twins just smiled smugly right in Seven's astonished face. Cowrie groaned and slid a fraction down in her seat as this whole situation quickly spiraled into a testosterone fueled stand-off. She was flattered as hell by everything Jade was saying and doing but these Leech boys were going to get them all killed if they kept letting their territorial hormones stay in the driver's seat. Seven growled and locked eyes with his sister with an intimidating glare, one he used on his younger brothers constantly to get them to behave.

"Cowrie, you're my sister...half-sister, sure, but still...you have to know just how crazy all of this is? Do you really think you can pursue a future like this without there being serious consequences?"

Jade gently wrapped his arms around Cowrie's petite form from behind her chair as she continued to sit, "Your sister is perfectly safe in our care. Floyd and I hold no grudge against her or Luna simply because of who their father is. You and the rest of Cowrie's brothers, however...well that's to be determined."

Floyd stretched lazily before leaning an arm on his brother's shoulder, "This whole family feud is our dads' problems, not ours. We ain't got any beef with you unless you attack us or threaten our girls...so? We got a problem?" Floyd's tail swished behind him like a cat getting ready to pounce.

Seven quickly took stock of the whole situation. As the second eldest of Don Muraeni's boys, he was supposed to be an example and leader to his younger brothers. He was also supposed to follow his older and far more aggressive brother's example himself. If he was really honest though, Seven knew that the last thing he wanted was to drag his family into a needless turf war. Seven let out a deep exhale, accepting the more peaceful option before addressing the three of them with a calm face, "Alright. I didn't see or hear anything. I was just coming to bring my baby sis home safe and sound. And she can keep working here for all I care, but only if I escort her to and from home...that's the way it's gotta be unless you want Dad sicking Proteus or more sharks on your ass, got it, Cowrie?"

Floyd grunted like he was about to object but Jade stopped him by putting a firm hand on his twin's shoulder. Granted, Jade didn't like Cowrie's freedom being restricted either but he was still smart enough to realize the delicate situation they were in and Jade didn't want to put Cowrie in danger just to appease his own pride. They'd have to play by the rules...for now. Cowrie narrowed her eyes as she grumbled and crossed her arms. Seven refused to be swayed, "Just because I'm not freaking out about this doesn't mean Dad won't. You know he will. I won't snitch on you...or your mate," Seven nearly choked on the words, "but you guys are walking a dangerous line. Don't say I didn't warn you." He really, really did not like this at all but Seven took solace in the fact that Cowrie at least didn't settle for some no-account loser. Or worse, some clueless human boy. Rivalries aside, Cowrie could have done way worse than the next Don Leech.

Cowrie let out a giddy squeal as she slipped out of Jade's embrace to swim around to Seven and throw her arms around his bulky shoulders, "I knew you were a big softie deep down, Sevyyy~"

The older boy rolled his eyes with a huff, "Yeah, yeah. Now say your goodbyes or whatever and let's get going before Dad pops off another temper storm."

Cowrie gave Jade a hug around his neck before he brought her lips to his with a pleased sparkle in his eyes. He was definitely pushing his luck on purpose in front of Seven just to tick him off like the smug bastard he was. Cowrie's brother just grunted and swam towards the door.

"You're both insane..."

Azul watched the music box slow down in a half-awake daze as he sat up on the couch. It wasn't until the song was almost over that he notice the look in Elise's bright eyes. The princess remained lying curled up on her side, watching the dancing figures slow to a halt with such a distant look somewhere between happiness and heartache. It gave Azul an odd shiver. He felt like he was interrupting a private moment but his curiosity still got the better of him.

"You seemed very fond of this music box, Your Highness. Why get rid of it if it means so much to you?" he asked in a sleep-heavy voice as he reached for his glasses.

Elise sat up and began to write on the blank paper in front of her. Azul patiently waited for the answer.

It was a gift from my mother. The song is a lullaby she would always sing to me. I am very fond of it. I used to think I sold it because of my club's funding situation but really, I think it just made me too sad.

I'm happy it went to you though, Mr. Ashengrotto. I hope you've been enjoying it.

The truth was that Azul did find the melody very soothing indeed. He couldn't explain why before now but knowing that it was a precious song that came from a loving mother gave him a good idea.

"What was your mother like?"

She loved the ocean and merfolk. She'd take me and my siblings sailing all the time when we were little. She was just as beautiful as she was kind. Our people loved her very much. So did my father...

A frown formed on Elise's face as she paused her writing. If he was anything like Azul's biological father, Azul imagined talking about her own father was hard for the princess.

My father loved my mother so much that he became somewhat of a shut-in after she died. He still rules our kingdom from the capital with my oldest brother's help but I don't see him much anymore.

"I'm sorry. That sounds...terribly lonely." Azul's brow furrowed as he watched the princess write more with a sad smile on her face.

It's not so bad when I'm at school with Reine and Manari. And Luna and Cowrie, too, of course.

Now, this was something that Azul had wondered for some time. It wasn't unheard of but still very unusual. Especially considering how merfolk like himself and the twins were a bit more elusive in nature, sticking to darker, colder waters normally. In renowned schools like Night Raven and Sacred Crown, it was expected to run into many different kinds of people - merfolk, beastmen, etc. - but it sounds like Elise had known the two eels for quite some time.

"How exactly did you become friends with the Cerith sisters?"

Elise pondered the question, seeming to struggle with writing an answer at first. She gave the curious boy a sheepish grin before finally writing:

It's a bit of a long story...

Azul leaned back into the leather couch and crossed his legs with a charming smile, "I am intrigued, Your Highness. I can wait."

And so Elise started to pen her memory onto the paper to the best of her ability for the patient octopus boy.

It happened when Elise was about seven years old, two months after the kingdom had lost her mother. The young princess spent a lot of her days anxiously trying to approach the beach. Her mother had loved the beach and the water. Elise had many fond memories of days and nights spent on the shore with her sister and her mother but now that her mother was gone...

Princess Elise found the ocean her mother loved so much to be a terrifying beast. One that she wished to face down and brave so that maybe someday she could love it again as her mother had. That particular day was very windy with aggressive waves that relentlessly crashed against the shoreline, the weathered docks, and the large rocks that jutted out of the water further down. Elise was alone that day, the villa not too far off but even so, the small princess felt her skinny legs tremble as she forced herself to inch closer and closer to the water's wild edge. She let out a shriek and immediately retreated as soon as she got a little too close. Hot, frustrated tears prickled at the corners of her minty-blue eyes but her tiny fist quickly rubbed them away before they could fall. Elise was going to give it another go right when she heard something strange ringing through the air.

At first she thought it was the seagulls fighting the strong winds overhead but soon realized it sounded more like a child's voice...a child's wails to be exact. She quickly abandoned her original quest and ran down the shore towards the cries. The sound had brought her to the sharp rocks and Elise gasped when she saw the source. A tiny eel mermaid was caught, tangled up in some fishing nets that stranded her amongst the large stone barricades. The fierce waves kept pushing the mermaid back, tangling the nets around her tiny body even more with each crash. To Elise's horror, the wails were becoming weaker with each wave because of the tight, knotted netting around the small eel's neck. She was being strangled!

Elise's small voice cried out for help but it was easily drowned out by the wind and the water crashing all around her. She looked to the water to see if maybe the little mermaid's parents were around, coming to her aid. But she was alone. No help was coming. Elise jumped back when she realized the water was rising. Another high-pitched squeal came from the tiny eel as she continued to thrash about, trying to free herself. Elise felt her heart speed up as she watched this poor creature's movements start to lose their vigor. If nothing was done then...

The young princess took every ounce of courage she could muster and ran back towards the nearby docks. There had to be something, anything! When Elise saw a leftover collection of items the sailors had left behind, she spotted a pocket knife. The young girl quickly grabbed the closed knife and ran back towards the rocks. The water was relentless: wave after wave tried to knock the little girl down but she pressed on trying her best not to slip off of the rocks until she reached the exhausted mermaid. She didn't know if the eel could understand her but Elise nonetheless cried out that she was here to help as she started to cut away at the netting. She expected the eel to try and bite her or claw at her but instead, she was met with a tired but docile gaze coming from the mermaid's baby blue eyes. The last big wave that Elise could remember crashed over the both of them as she cut away the material wrapped around the mermaid's neck, the momentum snapping the last bit of thread loose. Both Elise and the mermaid were pulled back into the open water.

The tiny mermaid had enough strength to swim away but Elise was left flailing and gasping for air in hysterics, not knowing which direction was up and which was down. The princess felt the adrenaline-fueled panic start to set in right as two pairs of hands grabbed both of her arms and pulled her to the surface. With all the saltwater in her eyes and her burning lungs, the princess didn't even realize that she was being carried to the shore by the wave and the two strangers swimming alongside her. Once she opened her eyes after so much coughing, Elise was met with two curious faces covered in dark stripes and yellow flecks. She recognized the blue-eyed one as the tiny mermaid she had just rescued but the other was another older mermaid with brilliant golden-yellow eyes staring cautiously down at the almost-drown princess. Anyone else would have probably screamed and run away in Elise's position but the tiny girl instead stared back just as curious. She reached out to touch the golden-eyed mermaid's small ear fins only be hissed and growled at. It made the princess laugh a bit because it reminded her of a cat. The two mermaids exchanged confused looks before the smaller one scooted closer to the princess and turned her head so Elise could explore her fins instead.

Elise had never been more amazed in her life as she gently stroked the delicate fins, making the blue-eyed eel start to purr. The elder of the two watched the scene carefully before doing the same gesture, allowing Elise to touch her ear fins with her free hand. The princess giggled and continued to shower both eels in affection. This was extraordinary! She wished her mother were still around to see this. Elise started to feel the mermaids' silk hair when the moment was ruined with a terrified scream. The princess turned around to see her father and one of the maids holding a scared Emily at her side. The older princess sobbed as their father rushed forward, shouting at Elise to get away from the two 'monsters'. In his hands was the harpoon gun he always took whenever he went sailing. The two mermaids shrieked and scrambled back to the water as Elise jumped up, crying to her angry father that she was alright...

...I begged my father not to hurt them. He was so angry. He just kept telling me over and over how they were monsters and how they couldn't be trusted and forbid me to go near the water again. But I didn't listen...I went back to the beach every day, looking for them. It took months but we finally found each other again.

Elise's smile returned as she kept writing.

I learned to play the flute and I would go to the docks and the beach and play it. That's how they found me. I learned their names and we became friends in secret. Luna and Cowrie helped me get over my fear of the ocean by swimming with me, keeping me safe...eventually they came onto land when we were in Jr. High. I guess their father didn't want them attending just any human school because they were enrolled in the same academy I and Reine attended. We've been together ever since...they're like my family.

Azul took his time soaking up every word the princess had written. Their childhoods were very different but somehow her stories reminded him of his own. A lonely child, in one form or another, being scared and hurt before finding...or being found rather, by their companions who have always been there. Reading her family's reaction to Luna and Cowrie only solidified Azul's opinion that it was a miracle that Elise was as kind as she was today. Not that he would ever say that aloud. He gazed up at the princess with an unreadable look, as if there was another question he couldn't ask. This strange, lovely, clever girl. Friend to eels, and now octopuses, he supposed. Her light seemed to never fade when they had first met but the more found out about her past, the more he wondered if this was her true nature or just a cover. Watching her give him a curious tilt of the head and grin only told Azul that maybe it was a bit of both. Whatever the answer really was, it didn't make her any less intriguing.

"I can say with confidence that you most certainly inherited your mother's kind heart, Your Highness. And probably her beauty as well."

It wasn't all that strange for Azul to lean into a more suave charm especially when he was after something. He always had that salesman's silver tongue, even in the time that Elise knew him. This time, however...

Azul's words made the princess' face warm with a slight touch of pink as she bashfully waved them off. He's just trying to flatter me, she thought to herself. She didn't take him seriously but still found it difficult to look at him and his smile directly head-on. Fortunately for Azul, his nerves didn't kick in until after the fact. Much later when he was alone in his room and the whole scene replayed itself in his head...over and over...making him groan into his hands in full-blown, self-loathing embarrassment. He wanted to bury himself in the deepest trench, never to be seen again because of his dorky, embarrassing behavior. What he didn't know what that Elise had a different experience in her own little grotto. Her tentacles curled upon themselves as she thought back over the scene, replaying the boy's kind words and smiling over like a film playing in her mind. The beginnings of a flutter stirred in her chest and stomach as she held her warm cheeks in her hands, thankful that no one else was around. Elise felt a small hurricane of nervous, confused energy start to brew: until that point, there had only been one person who made her react this way...apparently, now there were perhaps two?

'Oh, dear...'

Three days had passed between trips to and from their hideaway in the Octavinelle dorm. Azul and Elise would spend a lot of time just the two of them trying various potions, enchantments, and/or counter curses that Azul had cast on the princess to no avail. The twins would visit frequently enough to either bring food, supplies, or intel. Or for Elise specifically, clothing gifted from Mama Leech who still had outfits leftover from her teen years when she would visit the surface. Cowrie's visits had lessened significantly since her deal with Seven, making it difficult for her to get away. But somehow she and Jade seemed to sneak in some moments together here or there. Today it was just Elise, Azul, and the twins. Floyd was quick to tease his twin about the little love bites on his neck as Azul was trying to concentrate.

"Damn Jade, it looks like Cowrie-chan was trying to carve her initials into you like a tree," Floyd snickered as he literally poked at his brother.

Jade merely chuckled with a wide grin, "Just because I can't leave any evidence doesn't mean I'm going to stop her from doing so..."

Azul groaned as he poured another finished potion into a glass container, "Enough talk of your escapades. Honestly, I know you two are very smitten with Cowrie and her sister but you're just being reckless. Especially you, Jade. I just hope you aren't doing anything inappropriate seeing as how Cowrie is still underage." Azul put stern emphasis on that last word as if he were lecturing some hooligan.

Jade feigned being wounded by Azul's comment. Did his friend really have so little faith in him? "I am nothing if not a gentleman. I'm fully aware that my Cowrie is still too young to become my full mate yet but I can still give her a fulfilling courtship until the time comes. I'm an excellent choice for a mate, am I not, Miss Elise?"

Elise was currently sitting inside a bathtub, in full octopus mode, in one of the more spacious bathrooms the Octavinelle dorm had to offer. While the princess wasn’t that familiar with the courtship practices of merfolk, it was clear that Jade made Cowrie very happy and that Jade was in turn very considerate of her situation and affectionate in his own way. But that didn’t mean Elise would not turn Jade’s eel form into several handbags the millisecond he treated Cowrie badly. Still, she nodded at the statement with a confident grin on her face and gave the smiling Jade an affectionate pat on the head with one of her tentacles. Azul just scoffed and told Elise to not humor the twin too much. For a moment, the pair looked like two parents arguing about their daughter's choice in boyfriend which Jade found very amusing.

After years of putting up with Floyd's antics their entire lives, Jade had the patience of a god. Waiting for his mate to come of age before taking the next step was nothing. Floyd was another story altogether. The other twin was in a fairly good mood today but that could flip on a dime. Floyd had good intentions but barely any patience. Especially when his desired mate was not underaged and not within reach to make things official. Yet. Jade especially had to talk his twin out of some pretty fool-hardy plans to kidnap-er-rescue Luna before they could get help on the inside. Again, patience was definitely not Floyd Leech's forte. However...it was four more days until school started again. Four more days until most of their crew would be far from all the troubles of home on their campuses. In the meantime, Floyd and Jade were both told to wait for a 'signal' of sorts from Cowrie. Currently, they had a front-row seat to another one of Azul's attempts to break this supposed curse on the princess.

"Moving along, try this one, Your Highness..."

Azul handed her the glowing liquid as the twins watched expectantly. There was a reaction as soon as Elise downed the foreign liquid in the form of a burst of blue smoke. The three boys coughed and tried to wave the large cloud out of the room.

"W-Well, Your Highness?" Azul called out in between coughs. When the smoke cleared and Elise opened her eyes...nope she was still an octopus. If anything her tentacles and hair seemed a bit shinier? She sighed and gave Azul a shrug. He groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose, mentally putting the millionth failure tally mark up in his mind, "Uuuugh this is hopeless!"

Elise pouted and leaned on the tub's edge as a few of her tentacles flopped out of the water and onto the tiled floor. Floyd let out a surprised yelp as the tentacles suddenly changed to the same color and texture as the floor they were touching, "Did the potion do that, or is this just an octopus thing??"

Azul gently picked up one of them in his hand and watched as it turned back to normal with a sigh, "Unfortunately not, no, this is just something octopus mermaids are capable of on occasion, usually when we feel great distress. Like our animal counterparts, our octopus bodies can change color and texture to help camouflage us from danger...a useful skill all around I suppose but not remotely magic related."

Elise was fascinated by this new information and wanted to relish in her newfound skill but seeing the disappointment and frustration on Azul's face was too sad. The same tentacle wrapped around his palm as if Elise was trying to hold his hand. Seeing the sweet, encouraging smile on her somewhat shy face only made his nerves bubble over.

"A-Ah, I appreciate your support, Your Highness. But I'm afraid I'm at my wit's end. I've tried everything that I can possibly think of...except..." there was that chilled feeling again. No, no, this was more important than his pride! It was time to be a man and admit that he was out of his depth! "Your Highness, I think we should return to the Coral Sea for now. I believe my grandmother can help us."

The twins' faces split into amused smiles as they chuckled. It had been quite some time since Azul paid a visit to his dear, dear grandma. This should be interesting.

If Mrs. Ursa Ashengrotto was a force to be reckoned with then her mother, the famed sea witch was even more so. Madam Lorelei Ashengrotto, a very gifted octopus merwoman that established herself at quite a young age, now lived a comfortable life on the outskirts of town in her own pocket of property that was on neither Leech nor Muraeni turf. She had gained such a reputation that neither clan really wanted to get on her bad side. She often had a sixth sense about things so when her daughter invited her to have lunch at the fabulous Leviathan Club that afternoon, Madam Lorelei wasn't surprised to see her grandson enter looking like he had a serious problem from her private booth on the second floor. What did surprise her was that he wasn't accompanied by his eel comrades but by a female octopus she had never seen before. Something seemed a bit...different about the girl, however.

She watched with a smile as her daughter greeted the pair and hugged her son tightly before doting on him some more, making him fluster like a baby kitten trying to get away from its mother's attempt to bathe it. The octopus woman chuckled to herself, happy to see that her precious grandson was still as cute as ever.

Azul was a nervous wreck as he and Elise entered the lift that would take them to the second floor of the restaurant. Elise could practically hear his bones and teeth chattering from his nerves. Just what kind of person was his grandmother to have this kind of effect on him? She felt bad for the boy and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder to calm him down. It made Azul jump a bit at first but he soon loosened up under the princess' kind gaze.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness. I must look so foolish right now," he whined, "It's just that...my grandmother is an incredible witch, capable of things I can only dream of being. I've strived to be like her my entire life...the thought that I might disappoint her is...ugh it's absolutely devastating."

He wasn't sure if it was because she couldn't speak or lingering guilt for dragging her into all of this that motived him to speak so freely in front of Elise, but either way, the princess had a presence that was easy to open up to. However, Azul did feel a rush of embarrassment flood his system as he noticed Elise trying to hide a visible giggle behind her hand. The boy huffed indignantly, "A-Are you laughing at me?! I'm being serious!"

Elise found this side of him to be so cute she couldn't help it. Normally, Azul had always been 'in character' of sorts. Always ready to charm his way into everyone's hearts and wallets. Elise wasn't dumb, she knew this from day one. But at the same time, she never really felt put off by it either. She honestly admired his industrious and cunning nature and took his more eloquent nature for what it was. In other words, Elise admired his talent for the hustle. Seeing Azul like this, however, just the two of them in this enclosed space away from prying eyes, he seemed so sincere and endearing. She almost felt bad for picking on him and wanted to apologize...but soon remembered that she couldn't, not verbally anyway. Instead, Elise shook her head with a gentle smile and readjusted his glasses, and straightened up little bits of his appearance for him, making Azul feel even more vulnerable.

Once the lift stopped with a jolt, Azul's nerves returned in full force. Elise playfully bumped his shoulder and looped her arm with his. The pair made their way over to the private booth where the very distinguished Madam Lorelei sat, her neck and fingers covered in jewelry made from shells, coral, and...fish bones? Each piece was elegantly crafted so it was hard to tell unless you were really looking. She had the same eyes Azul's mother did but with a more keen edge to them. Her painted red lips turned upwards in a smile as she rose to greet them.

"Azul, my darling. It's been too long. Come let me have a look at you." she cooed in a smokey voice.

She had a full figure and an unapologetic presence with large purple tentacles that moved precisely together. Very different from the clumsy wiggles that Elise's did. Azul was as stiff as a board as his grandmother circled around him. She paused with a slightly disappointed look on her face.

"Are you still hiding in this human form, Azul? Honestly, my boy, you are doing yourself a great disservice," Madam Lorelei turned to Elise with a sly grin, "I really don't understand where his bashfulness comes from. He's quite a catch in his true form," she said with a playful wink that made Elise giggle.

"G-Grandmother, please!" Azul sputtered feeling outnumbered, "I feel more comfortable in this form. Let me be."

"Suit yourself, precious. Now then, who is this enchanting creature?" Lorelei looked Elise up and down while tilting her face up with one manicured finger under her chin, "Such a pretty face."

Elise's own tentacles curled into themselves bashfully. Azul cleared his throat and answered matter of factly, "Elise Coralette, she is a princess...and uh...she cannot speak. Currently."

When Azul's grandmother raised an eyebrow at the girl, Elise motioned silently as if her voice were an object that literally exited her throat. Madam Lorelei hummed curiously before gesturing for the two of them to join her at the table, "Sit, my darlings. I have a feeling this is a very interesting story."

Azul gulped as he pulled a chair out for the princess. He wasn't sure 'interesting' was the word he'd use but his grandmother wasn't exactly wrong...

Jade seemed to sink back into his stoic, frozen state again as he and Floyd swam back to their family home. Floyd had tried to tease him about being moody because he hadn't gotten to see Cowrie today but Jade remained silent, facing forward as if his brother said nothing at all. Floyd rolled his eyes and pouted, bored and irritated with the lack of reaction.

"Oi, Jade...Jaaaaddddee...."

Still nothing. Man, his brother was in it deep this time. Floyd huffed and continued to swim beside him in silence. Jade had heard Floyd but was too distracted by his own worries. Seven had promised not to rat out Cowrie but somehow being away from her made him anxious, like his gut knew something ugly was waiting just around the corner. Part of Jade's mind told him that he was just being paranoid. You wouldn't know it from the cool veneer he had in place most of the time but deep down, Jade Leech had definitely inherited his parent's worrisome nature. And their protective ones as well. He didn't wear his heart on his sleeve like Floyd but there were definitely times when his instincts took over and held a firm grip on his mental/emotional steering wheel. This became more common after meeting Cowrie Cerith.

He supposed it was a bit romantic in its own way but then again, any male worth his scales would want to protect their mate and be there for them as much as possible. Especially when their mate was younger and physically smaller. Not that he thought Cowrie was weak by any stretch of the imagination, he'd never think that about her. Jade always had an affinity for small living creatures that depended on him for their survival, caring for them, watching them grow and evolve under his careful, tender watch. Perhaps this was part of the reason he was drawn to small eelette as well? Cowrie was, of course, a lot more complex than anything he fostered in one of his terrariums but whenever she was near him, whenever he held her petite form close, something in him just demanded that he protect her and be gentle with her. That he cherish her. It was just second nature...and hormones, let's be honest mostly hormones.

He and his brother were now 'at that age' as their parents constantly told them where a lot of their behaviors and feelings would seem to just kick in or be triggered by certain natural desires or faculties. Again, like wanting to be a good mate that can provide for and protect their women. Surely Floyd felt the same towards Luna...or did he?

Jade's eyes flicked over to his twin. Floyd yawned in boredom as he swam on autopilot. Jade knew that Floyd definitely felt the base attraction and arousal for the siren. That much was pretty damn obvious but it had to be more than that. When it came to Floyd's mood swings, there was regular moody cuz he was bored or tired and then there was deep-seeded frustration that quickly turned into sulking and being depressed moody. The second usually happened whenever Luna was mentioned but not around. Jade would normally not pry when he knew that Floyd wanted his space to do as he pleased, which was more often than not. But that didn't stop Jade from, again, worrying.

"Floyd," he finally said, "...do you want Luna to be your mate?"

Floyd gave his brother a confused look, "I mean we've mated once or twice already," he said bluntly, grinning as he remembered the last time happening after the two of them snuck into the Night Raven library during a sports event without getting caught by some miracle.

"You know what I mean. Do you want her to be your wife?"

Floyd pondered the word and the concept attached to it for a moment. Honestly, Floyd knew that his parents, especially his mother, eventually wanted him to settle down with a life mate eventually but...what did that actually look like? He now realized the icky feelings he had been wrestling with since Luna started ghosting him meant that he legitimately missed the girl. A LOT. But taking on a mate, a wife was serious business. Even Floyd knew not to take the courtship process lightly. It was nothing if not a little intimidating...still, if Luna didn't become his life mate then surely she'd become someone else's? ...Yeah nope no, Floyd's insides didn't like that idea. So did that mean, yes he did want her to be his wife someday?? It wasn't a terrible idea by any means but...Jade could almost see steam coming out of Floyd's ear fins with how hard his brow furrowed in thought over the posed question. The cool-headed twin chuckled.

"I didn't mean to stump you, Floyd..."

"You didn't," Floyd snarled grumpily, "I mean...maybe yes if it means that I get to see Luna and have her around all the time? I'm not sure. Not as much as you are about Cowrie-chan, Jade."

Oh? Jade did seem pretty sure. Or at least he thought so. He was sure of a few things anyway: 1) Cowrie definitely liked him, liked being with him romantically, and definitely did not say no when he asked her to stay by his side for the foreseeable future and 2) he enjoyed this very much and found her presence very stimulating and soothing which made him want to have her around him all the time. And 3) when Cowrie wasn't around, it was noticeable and he seemed to hit a wall mentally and emotionally. This meant he wanted her to be his mate for the rest of their lives. Obviously. Then again... the 'rest of their lives' was a huge commitment, one that he should not take lightly. Jade ran this information over in his mind multiple times like he was reading a report. The more he thought about it, the less sure he felt. Yes he flat out asked Cowrie to stay with him and he meant those words but...well words were one thing but feelings at their core were a completely different animal. Maybe he wasn't that sure yet? Really? But how could he not be at this point?! His brain unknowingly ended up taking the same route as his brother's: if not him, then surely Cowrie would pick another male to be her mate and share her life with-nnnnooooope, Jade did not like that one bit and suddenly he was imagining all the horrific things he'd do to this imaginary rival. Well, that in itself was an answer of sorts. That or maybe each brother was just overthinking this way too much.

Floyd noticed the tiny half-grin on his brother's dwelling face and asked what they both should have thought of earlier, "Hey Jade...what are we going to tell Dad and Mama?"

Oh shit.

The twins suddenly stopped swimming once they realized they were right at the edge of the tunnel that led to the Leech mansion and looked at the other. This could go a few different ways. Right now they had two options: the first being, they tell their parents the truth and brace themselves for outrage, and the second being, they do not tell their parents and continued to be roped into blind dates they had absolutely zero interest in. Hmm...

"Technically..." Floyd quietly mused, "Luna's not a Muraeni but Cowrie-chan..."

Jade frowned. No matter how he decided to spin it, the truth was still the same: he was Don Leech's son and heir and she was Don Muraeni's only daughter by birth. It didn't matter how badly the two of them wanted to be together, it was a match that would cause a massive upset that could lead to a lot of people getting hurt or worse. He agreed with what Floyd had told Seven the other day, this violent rivalry was a problem started and perpetuated by the fathers, not the children. As for Luna, her situation wasn't entirely clear to the boys but it was certainly a tricky one. To be with her was like trying to pry a prized pearl from the world's most stingy and deadly clam. Either way, the brothers had very tempestuous waters ahead of them.

"Perhaps we should wait until the situation is a bit more settled, Floyd." Jade sighed.

"...does this mean we have to go on more boring dates?" Floyd cringed at the thought.

Jade didn't have to answer. The moment their mother spotted them in the distance - with what had to be superpowered vision - Madam Leech left the brothers little chance of escape.

"JADE! FLOYD! YOU TWO GET IN THIS HOUSE THIS INSTANT!!"

The twins both flinched at their mother's intense wails, knowing they'd have to be utter fools to keep her waiting a moment longer.

"My, my...what a mess my grandson has thrown you into, my dear." Madam Lorelei sighed before taking another sip of her drink.

The waters outside were growing darker as the day was reaching its end. Azul had the same expression as a kicked puppy at his grandmother's assessment of the situation. She wasn't wrong but the boy felt a massive harpoon of guilt and shame sink straight into his chest at her words. Elise gave him a gentle pat on his back in an attempt to put him at ease but her kindness ultimately made him feel worse.

"Well, my sweet. I certainly see a couple of ways to approach this, however, it is getting late and I have a lot of work to do and right away. The sooner the better. Elise, was it?" The princess nodded, "A lovely name." Madam Lorelei said with a genteel air, "Meet me here again tomorrow, my dear. Same time, same table. Azul, darling, your presence won't be needed."

A second metaphorical harpoon pierced through Azul leaving him dejected and in fear that one strong currant would knock him flat on his back. His grandmother didn't seem to notice.

"Azul, darling. Be a gentleman and escort Miss Elise back to her lodgings. She needs her rest. We have a lot to discuss tomorrow," she said lightly waving him off.

"Y-Yes, grandmother...you're sure that I shouldn't accompany Her Highness tomorrow?" Azul asked tentatively as if one syllable of rejection would be his undoing. Elise gave Azul's grandmother a hopeful smile as she looped her arm with the poor boy's again, trying to save him from his imagined grim fate.

Seeing the two of them together in this unspoken supportive bond, Azul's grandmother reconsidered her previous declaration, "I suppose Miss Elise would feel more comfortable with a friend close by." Elise nodded to confirm this, "Very well. Please bring her back here tomorrow, Azul precious. Do not be late. I am a very busy woman after all."

Ah, Azul Ashengrotto's self-esteem would live to see another day.

It had been a very busy afternoon, leaving little room for Cowrie to reconnect with her close-knit group and leaving her feeling exhausted. She was in no hurry to leave the locker room and return home but...she knew that Seven was more than likely waiting for her outside already. The young mermaid groaned as she swapped her uniform for her satchel. She felt more isolated now than ever before. Her brother held true to his word about keeping her relationship with Jade a secret but still gave her very little opportunity to see him before he'd drag his sister back home. Luna hadn't been home at all and no doubt had her phone taken from her so communication with anyone was impossible. She also had no idea how Elise was doing or if Azul had made any progress at all. Cowrie could only count down the days until she returned to school in earnest. At least then she'd be back on dry land and away from all this anxiety-ridden drama at home. She could even see her human friends again. Maybe even sneak back into Octavinelle again to spend some time with Jade while the next festival was happening. Ooo, even better, Jade could visit her on her campus during the festival and she could show him around properly and- ....ok this was all very fun to think about but the buzz of her waterproof phone completely disrupted her daydreams and brought her back to reality.

Cowrie checked her phone with a huff, seeing a message from Seven.

Running late. Dad wants to talk. Sit tight.

She tried not to think about this too much. It could be literally anything else that didn't concern her. Ever since she made the deal with Seven to be escorted to and from home without a fuss, the Don and Proteus seemed to be less concerned about whether or not Cowrie was actually present at home when they wanted her to be. If they knew about her job, they never brought it up with her. So no need to worry...

Right?

Seven kept his poker face on as he swam down the long hallway towards his father's quarters. His younger brothers were sent out to collect from the Don's clients, regular and late payments and asked to deal with each situation accordingly. The eldest son and the self-appointed 'alpha' of the sons came out of Don Muraeni's quarters right as Seven approached the double doors. The eldest son, Ventuno, was the spitting image of their father but with more battle damage. He was originally named 'Twenty One' but once he reached the age of eighteen, he earned the privilege of upgrading his name to something with a bit more style. Being the eldest and the Don's successor, he was the only son allowed to do so. Now fully grown and at the age of twenty-nine, Ventuno held the same intimidation factor over his brothers and the family's help that his father did. The only difference was that Ventuno didn't hide the pleasure it gave him. Seven tried to ignore the smug grin on Ventuno's scarred face but his brother quickly blocked his path.

"Sorry to interrupt your babysitting duty, 'Sevy'." their sister's nickname for Seven lost all its affection coming from Ventuno's arrogant tone.

Seven was the second born and as such was obligated to yield to the firstborn. It was unfortunate seeing as how Ventuno's brains were grossly outweighed by his brawn and prowess for assault. But Seven stuck to his usual guns: staring blankly at his brother and waiting for him to either tell him what he wanted or leave him alone. There was a rule amongst the brothers that none of them particularly enjoyed and that was none of them could speak unless given permission either by the Don or if their father was absent, the firstborn son. In short, there was a definite pecking order and Ventuno was at the top of the food chain when their father wasn't in the room. The last time Seven broke this rule, he found himself on the ground with a fresh open wound on his throat that almost killed him. That was the firstborn's handy work and he lacked the little restraint his father had.

Ventuno took his time circling Seven, silently taunting him by refusing to grant him permission to speak as he continued to drawl, "I wouldn't worry too much about the brat if I were you, actually. I think Father has gotten a bit impatient and it may be time to cull the ranks a bit. You know how he is about 'useless things'..."

Seven remained stoic and still, never showing a hint of the dread he felt under the surface. His brother's cool head was probably Ventuno's least favorite thing about Seven. It irked him to no end and preferred the more rash and unpolished dispositions of his younger brothers. Ventuno stopped right in front of his younger brother and stared directly into his empty eyes.

"Oh don't worry, you know how this works. It only hurts a little at first but eventually, we won't even notice one of us is missing. Hurry along. Father is waiting," Ventuno sneered as he swam away, leaving the doors open and waiting for Seven to enter.

The Don witnessed the entire conversation between the brothers but took little notice. He only looked up from the mountain of coins, pearls, and other bobbles given to pay off debts on his desk after Seven had been sitting in silence for several long minutes, waiting to be acknowledged.

"Seven...I told you to bring Cowrie home about three days ago, did I not?"

When the son didn't answer right away, the Don lazily waved his hand as a signal the boy could speak.

"Yes, Father. And I did." Seven's voice was monotone at best.

"And you let her leave again and again. Why was that?" Don Muraeni kept his eyes on the strand of pearls that he twisted and weaved in between his fingers as he awaited an answer.

"She's taken a waitressing job at the Leviathan Club as I told you as soon as I found out. It's on neutral grounds so I didn't see the issue as long as I safely escorted her each day."

There was a long pause as his father continued to inspect each and every bit of bounty on his desk, carefully appraising each piece with his sharp, ice-blue eyes. It wasn't until he finally looked straight as Seven did the son's dread silently grew.

"And why, pray tell does a girl like Cowrie need a job in the first place...? She is my daughter, she wants for nothing. If there's anything she needs or desires, can I not give it to her with little effort? Does she not have everything and more inside these walls?" The Don's voice was even and precise like a hand confidently moving a chess piece across the board.

Seven knew that he needed to choose his next words carefully but his father didn't actually give him a chance. His tone only grew more irritable with each word.

"I will tell you why boy. Because she is up to something...that's the only reason, females in her position do anything of the sort. Because they plan and they scheme. Daughters that grow too crafty for their own good become problematic. I sent those girls to the best magic school the surface has to offer to make them as useful as possible. Luna has performed splendidly and has remained within the set boundaries as expected. Cowrie, however..."

The Don paused to inspect one small, rough gem between his large clawed fingers, "I admit I am to blame for allowing it to happen but my daughter has grown spoiled and lazy. Even if I began giving her tasks again as I do you boys, I doubt she'd bring me any information that would be profitable. Using Luna as leverage to keep her in check has only gotten me so far..."

Seven felt pins and needles crawl across his skin as he watched his father's hand clench the tiny stone so tightly he thought it may shatter. The Don's eyes narrowed as he started verbally formulating a solution.

"My sons know their place and I allow you boys to thrive and grow in the power I have given you. You have no reason to stray from this bountiful life I have made for each of you. But my one and only daughter seems hellbent on trying my patience and breaking my heart by conspiring behind my back...you have done well, Seven, on reigning her in. But I believe some discipline is in order for your baby sister."

The young man did his best to fight the urge to swallow hard in his father's presence. The Don never took well to unnecessary displays of emotion or weakness. His father looked at him once again, his eyes refrozen over and his voice even once more.

"I relieve you, Seven. Leave your sister to Proteus and join your brothers in their tasks...you may go."

Seven nodded silently and left the room as calmly as possible. He didn't pick up the pace until he was out of his father's sight. He could only hope that he wasn't too late.

It was dark outside but Cowrie still waited under the same street lamp down the road that she always met Seven at each night. There were a few passersby coming and going. Elise and Azul had already left by the time her shift ended and Mama Ashengrotto was busy keeping the flow of business nice and steady. The young mermaid normally always said goodbye to her boss before leaving for the night but things had been so crazy, Cowrie didn't want to distract the busy octopus mermaid. So instead she just did as Seven told her: she sat tight at the usual spot and waited. And waited. She was about to check her phone again when she spotted some movement just outside the ring of light she was in.

"Well, it's about ti....me...."

Cowrie's eyes turned wide and full of fear as Proteus and the two sharks merman from before slowly entered her sight. The electric ray gave her a dubious smile as his crimson eyes seemed to burn in the lamplight.

"Hello, little worm."

The girl's instincts ignited all at once and she took off in the opposite direction like a shot. Proteus nodded to the two excited sharks with a pleasant grin and called after them as they gave chase to the terrified mermaid.

"Remember boys! Don't hurt her too badly!" he chuckled.

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