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#I got out my ink paint for the first time in years!
maifandom · 10 months
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Screenshot Redraw: ATLA 206 - The Blind Bandit
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waffled0g · 1 year
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Everyone gets “The 90s” look wrong and I hate it
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Couple years ago I saw these two board games at the store back to back. Well, not saw them per se, but ya know. Spied them out of the corner of my eye. And for a moment without reading the text, I couldn’t tell you which was which decade at first. Funny. Either they were in a rush to get these out the door or they wanted their throwback trivia game boxes to look uniform. I didn’t think too much of it.
Only, from then on I started seeing it MORE. Every time someone markets a 90s or 80s throwback...
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Goddammit they’re identical! What??! How did we let this happen? As a 90s survivor and a designer, this drives me up a wall.
Look, I know I’m late to the party to complain about “the 90s look” when we’re just starting to get sick of the Y2K nostalgia train. But c’mon, the 90s were not The 80s: Part Two™ 
Trust me when I say that we weren’t all wearing neon trapezoids up until the year 2000. The 90s look being peddled is so specific to the tail end of the 80s and an early early part of the 90s - a part of the 90s when it wouldn’t stop being the 80s. This is Memphis design being conflated with the wrong decade.
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Keep reading for a long ass graphic design history lesson and pictures of old soda and fast food.
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Specifically, the look is Memphis Milano, self-named by the Italian design house Memphis Group. Starting in the early to mid 80s, they made all sorts of furniture, fabrics and sculptures that were like a Piet Mondrian grid painting under heavy radiation. Their whole deal was defying the standards of existing industrial design up to that point on purpose. Chairs had weird arches, bookcases would be in strange alien colors, unusual materials like plastic or elastic were used in place of metal or wood, that sorta thing.
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Memphis quickly became the signature look for the decade. You can tell something’s influenced by Memphis design from it’s telltale trademarks:
Clashing, neon colors.
Use of diametric shapes.
Contrasting patterns like zebra print stripes, confetti squiggles and checkerboards.
It wasn’t long before Memphis Milano-inspired design was everywhere in 80s pop culture:
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It was a special time, yes.
I was a kindergartener at the tail end of the 80s, so I knew Memphis mostly through the lens of kids media. Toys, clothes, games, tv shows used it like candy colored catnip. Cable channel Nickelodeon more or less adopted the Memphis aesthetic as their signature in-house style and practically built a monument to it at a Florida theme park:
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I think this is why folks mistake what decade Memphis is representative of - 90s staples like Nick, Saved By The Bell, Fresh Prince - they all stayed around much longer than the design trend’s expiration date. 
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Couple that notion with the fact that companies are slow followers to design trends. Something gets popular and they want to get on the bandwagon? Gotta wait for the ink to dry, gotta wait for the production molds to be made. It would take a few years for them to completely work Memphis outta their system.
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Now, this is not to say Memphis is bad! Personally I’m a fan of the aesthetic, if my neon-drenched artwork wasn’t a tip-off already. But it is a trend, and trends never last forever.
So what took the Memphis Milano look down for good? This part’s up for debate, but I personally think it had something to do with this dude:
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It’s that grunge music from Seattle that’s so popular with the kids these days dontchaknow.
Once Smells Like Teen Spirit hit in 1991, the Nirvana tone drove the rest of the decade. Clean geometry became weathered, grainy and organic. Bright neon pastels became more bold. Bubblegum pop music sounded fake and manufactured. Attitude and apathy was authentic. Whatever.
Things got grungy. Things got grimy. Olestra was invented.
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I think the best way to visualize this transition is how Cherry Coke entered the decade and how it left it:
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1992 Memphis on the left, 1998 grunge junkie on the right. Fitting that the 90s would end with a design that looked like Darth Maul’s lungs.
Okay, so what should 90s retro design look like?
Continue on to PART TWO! Spoilers: No VHS filters or vaporwave needed, but maybe bring an antacid.
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nyao-mi · 9 months
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NOT MY ASTARION BRAIN ROT CONTINUING CUS LIKE i just got the scene where he literally says he misses seeing his face and that like he wishes he knew what he looked like and i??? WANTED SO BADLY FOR IT TO BE AN OPTION TO DRAW HIM
LIKE IMAGINE STARING AT HIM ACROSS THE BONFIRE, watching the way the light dances across his pale skin. youve been through hard times and one of the things you've learned to get through it was to draw
at first, you loathed the fact that you had to paint rich people for mere couple pieces of gold when you knew your art was worth more than that. you loathed even more that they'd upturn their posh noses at you and scoff when, truly, they knew what a treasure your art was.
now, seeing astarion, the way his white hair seemed to almost form a halo around his head, reflecting the moonbeams that graced his body, watching as he crossed his legs and meditated; you knew that you didn't regret a single second of the trials and tribulations that led you to this point.
you could finally put this agonizing skill to use. you could draw him.
and so you scrounged up some paper, an ink well, a quill; all things you'd pocketed during your adventures with the rather willful vampire.
you sat there, nib of the quill scratching against the parchment.
your art was nothing compared to the paintings you'd done before; these were mere lines and ink blots. you wished you could truly show him how beautiful he was through water color or pastels. instead, trapped in a land you barely knew, all you could do for him was this.
he had his eyes closed, of course, so you drew them from memory. strikingly red, like rubies, like blood. you didn't forget his crow's feet; you loved the way they wrinkled when he laughed. you shaped his lips, soft but rough from years of bite and chew, and formed it into his infamous mischievous grin.
his hair always seemed unruly but, drawing it now, it felt like drawing gorgeous chaos; there was an order to it, the way the bangs fell across his forehead, the way the sides feathered in front of his ears and curled behind them.
when you stopped, you realised you'd drawn him over and over, across several pieces of parchment.
the way he frowned and his fangs would glance across his lips. the way he'd look confused and his eyebrows would furrow. the way he'd look longingly at the stars, mind distant and eyes almost empty, like he'd made so many wishes that were never granted by the cosmos.
you never liked tooting your own horn but you felt like you truly captured him.
so, you took your pieces of paper, all drawings of him, dozens of them, small and sketchy; you took it all and you sat beside him and spread them out in front of you.
it took him a second to realise you were there. he'd been letting his guard down recently, especially when you were on watch duty, and it took you laying your head across his shoulder for his eyes to flutter open.
he opened his mouth, like there had almost been a retort slipping off his tongue, but the sight of your drawings stopped him.
he let out a ragged breath, eyes flickering across all of them. his clawed hands hovered in the air, trembling, as if taking a hold of the drawings would make them crumble under his touch.
and perhaps, in his head, he really believed they would.
'darling,' he'd call you, his voice wet with unshed tears 'what's all of this?'
of course he'd still joke. it was how he coped with things. he joked to hide how he truly felt and, of course, you were always there to understand.
'it's you,' you answered a matter-of-factly, as if you hadn't just turned this vampires world upside down 'its you the way i see you.'
and that's what makes him crack. because maybe, since you were the one that drew all of it, you hadn't noticed. but he noticed.
he noticed all the love and devotion you spilled across the page. every single detail, every single stroke, it was all from love.
and as someone who had never been on the receiving end of it, astarion cracked and he hid his face into your neck and he cried.
they were soft sobs, almost unnoticeable. but he cried nonetheless.
he cried for his past that he'd lost under his sadistic master, he cried for his difficult present that seemed impossible to escape, and he cried for this hopeful future you seemed to lay out in front of him.
he cried because he didn't realise that he had this much hope left inside of him. because he didn't know what else to do in the face of your devotion.
you just sat there, humming and rubbing his back, ignoring the way his arm wrapped around your waist, claws digging into your skin as if you'd disappear in front of him if he didn't hold on to you as tightly as possible.
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bonny-kookoo · 7 months
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Jungkook
𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐲 🍒
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Sometimes love doesn't make sense.
Tags/Warnings: Tattoo artist/Piercer Jungkook, Pastel!Reader, opposites attract, Strangers to lovers, Fluff, suggestive flirting, adult themes but no smut, consensual hand holding
Length: ~4k
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"Uhm-" you wonder, stepping inside the store to be greeted by the guy you know as Jimin.
"Hi, my friend has an appointment?" you say, and the artist stands up and walks closer. Your friend stays close to you, buzzing with the excitement of getting her first tattoo ever- too shy to say anything.
When it comes to that, you're a little ahead of her. As long as the person isn't intimidating, you're fine talking to them, asking for help or anything alike.
"Yeah, it was the dragon on her back, right?" and your friend nods. "I've got it all prepared already. Wanna come downstairs with me, I'll explain the rest of it there?" Jimin kindly says, taking her coat and leading her downstairs where you assume everyone works. "Oh, you can just wait in the back there, or stroll around town. It'll take a while." he says, and you nod, a bit unsure now after being left alone.
"Hm?" a voice chimes up, before he speaks again. "Oh, Thought I heard something." the guy comes into view, and suddenly you can't talk.
This is what you can't talk to.
Intimidating? Heavy boots and black clothes, silver chains and piercings and a fully inked sleeve including his hand present themselves to you, muscles free since he's only wearing a black sleeveless top that should be illegal for him to wear. His smile is the friendliest you've ever seen, reaching his eyes and his slightly wild hair just makes him look even better, sides buzzed down to mere millimeters left- you want to disappear from the earth and his memory forever.
Fuck. He's looking like every goth-girl's wet dream while you're dressed in a pastel colored dress and thick knee high socks to keep your feet warm in this cold weather. Great.
"You can sit here in the back with me, otherwise you'll catch a cold from all the cold air blowing in every time the door opens." he recommends, pointing to a couch in a corner that you assume is where they all spend their breaks. Awesome, he's a gentleman as well it seems, making it all even worse for you. "You want something to drink? I've got tea or coffee." he wonders, and you meekly press out a 'tea, please.', making him chuckle.
He probably thinks you're nothing more than a child, with the way you look so out of place.
You envy your friend in that department. She's got piercings, she knows cool friends, she has exciting stories to tell. Meanwhile you sit at home and knit sweaters and blankets, help out at the local animal shelter because you get to pet the cats and dogs all day, or work at the library where you aid tourists find the town's guide.
"Your friend was the tall girl, right?" he asks, coming in with two cups, one of which he sets down on front of you. "I'm Jungkook by the way." he introduces himself, smiling before he leans back in his seat. Of course he's interested in her, you think. She's exactly his type, though he looks quite a few years older than her.
Well- the least you can do is help her find a date.
"Ah, yeah, she's my friend. Best friend." you say, pulling the cup of tea closer. "Thank you, for the tea." you say politely, and he grins in front of you.
"No problem." he waves off.
"She's uh.. She works at a car-uh.. She does those paint jobs. Like, those complicated one's that look realistic and all that." you try and explain. "I.. Forgot what it's called though. But uhm.. You can ask her later maybe?" you say, and he shrugs, setting down his cup before he smirks impishly, tongue playing with his lip ring in a manner that you can only describe as illegal.
"I probably could do that-" he starts, before he tilts his head a little to the side, body leaning forward. "-but I'd rather get to know you a little more." he wonders, and you almost choke on your tea- but you're composing yourself. "Maybe I could start by asking if you've got a boyfriend?"
Well, so much for composing yourself.
Your wide eyes look at him scandalized, and he giggles at the sight of it. "I- uh, no, I mean no I don't have one, to be honest-" you laugh a bit nervously. "-guys don't.. I- most guys don't really look my way, you know. So I thought, you know, considering-" you motion up and down towards him, "-you'd be more interested in my friend." you ramble, and he just shakes his head, smiling.
"I mean, she seems nice- but, I don't know either." he shrugs. "Something about you- it's hard to explain."
You shift a little on the spot now, unsure what to do in a situation like this. Typically, you shut down guys quickly, scared of what's to come. But you also don't want to keep doing exactly that- not when you've got the chance of something right in front of you like that. For the first time, someone's actively interested in you. Someone who seems nice, that is.
"I don't want to make you uncomfortable, by the way." Jungkook suddenly rips out of your thoughts. He leans back again, giving you space, and it makes you feel a little deflated. Did you blow it already? Oh god you screwed it over, didn't you?
"No, you're not, don't worry." you say, looking down. "I just.. I'm not used to this. I'm usually always the wingman instead- or.. Wing-woman?" you think, and he laughs.
"Hard to believe, but I'll take your word for it." he says, still friendly. "So, I'm wondering- any tattoos? Piercings?" he wonders, and you nod- instantly making his eyes sparkle in interest. "Oh- can I ask what it is, or do you want to let me find out later?" he says, and you instantly turn red, making him laugh. "Sorry, sorry- I'll stop, promise." he waves off. "..for now."
You laugh at his antics, unable to keep a straight face by now. "You seem like you know your way around with girls." you say without thinking, before you hurriedly correct yourself. "I-I mean I don't mean that your like, a fuckboy or something or- maybe you are that's fine too! I don't judge but- oh god.." you put your head in your hand. "You know what? I'll just wait here for her, I'm so sorry." you mumble more or less.
But much to your surprise, he simply laughs, head thrown back for a second before he grins at you, front teeth slightly protruding, giving him a bunny smile.
"You're so cute, I swear." he says, shaking his head. "I- is it okay if I ask for your number?" he wonders, and you look at him for a good moment, squinting your eyes as if you test to see if he's serious.
"I.. Sure..?" you say, pulling out your phone with all the different charms attached. He grins and shakes his head amused, though clearly excited as you type in your number into his phone before calling yourself to make sure it's correct.
"So!" he grins. "Since your friend is gonna still be out of order for a good four hours downstairs," Jungkook stands up to hold out his hand. "You up for some boba for our first date?" he asks, looking down at you even though you're standing as well by now.
And you nod, walking next to him through the slight October fog outside in town, his hand warming up yours.
You don't even realize how.. easy it feels, right away. His hand holding yours is not demanding, giving you the option to let go at any point, but you don't mind holding it. It's warm, comfortable, and it also makes you wonder if that's something he enjoys. Did he date a lot already? He certainly looks like he got the choice, girls probably falling for him fairly easily.
Well.. you're already trusting him too. How ironic.
"Just tell me which one you want, I'll go order." he says later, holding out a hand in case you lose balance as you clean off the rain from your boots as to not bring it all into the small store. "I'll pay too by the way, no but's!" he grins, while you look up at him with a pleading look.
"No, I'll give you the money back for mine." you say.
"But then it's not a date!" he argues back, a whine in his voice as if to mock the way you just spoke to him. "then it's just- two people getting a drink at the same time."
"what's so bad about that?" you laugh, crossing your arms without thinking- an action he playfully copies, pushing out his chest, fabric of his jacket stretching over his biceps.
"That it's not a date!" he says, before laughing as he relaxes, talking more quietly now with a lower, more serious tone. "Alright, in all seriousness though, I'd still like to pay even if there's no date." he tells you.
"I- no, a date is fine, it can be a date.." you say. "I just don't want to.. Come off as a leech for taking your money if you end up not liking me-" you ramble, and he smiles warmly, holding your shoulders before his warm palms touch your cheeks for a second.
"You're overthinking too much." he giggles, before letting go of you. "right now, I like you very much. And even if we don't end up working out, I'm not that kind of guy to go around and talk shit about people." he shrugs.
You sigh at that, before pointing towards an item on the menu. "..can you- I don't like that much ice in mine.?" you say, and he nods, before walking towards the worker to order.
He's oddly okay with you, you've noticed.
Normally, people and especially guys get frustrated easily due to the fact that you've got trouble deciding things, or that you don't like ordering, or that you quickly feel bad because your brain thinks the worst about every single word that's said to you. But he seems nice enough, doesn't come off as annoyed or anything. Despite his way of talking and his outer appearance, Jungkook feels nice to have around.
You wonder how a guy like him can be single.
Or maybe he isnt? Maybe he's into the BDSM scene, a swinger, or in an open relationship, and he just want to offer you a threesome? He looks like he might be into that stuff, like a dominant guy that enjoys taking control over his partner in the bedroom. Does he tie people up? You've seen stuff like that before, and it's not something you'd be opposed to if he'd be the one to-
Wow, alright, exit was three miles ago.
"Everything alright?" he chuckles, snapping you out of your thoughts, amusing him as he notices the way you turn red. "Been staring at my ass? Can't blame you, honestly." he jokes, making you hit his shoulder playfully before you take your plastic cup from him. "Hey, this might sound super shady and you don't have to say yes-" he starts, stepping out the small store with you where it had started to snow again. "-but I've got my apartment a few minutes from here, and it's freezing cold, so-" he takes your hand and looks down at you. "-you wanna go to my place?"
You're nervous now, more than ever. Thoughts are entertaining, they're safe and most of all yours and not real, but the prospect of potentially going into an apartment you don't know, with a guy you don't know, is scary. What if he's actually a serial killer, or really into BDSM and you'll get involved in some shady fifty shades stuff-
"-you really don't have to say yes. We can just go back to the Tattoo shop and talk there, I don't mind." he reassures, and you still don't answer. "What's worrying you? Maybe I can help."
"I-" you start, unsure, and fingers already hurting from the cold cup as you both walk outside the small store, walking side by side. You enjoy this a bit more- without holding his hand, you feel safer having a discussion like that. "-you know, guys only take girls to their place for.. Stuff, and I'm not like that, but I also kind of want to be but at the same time it's scary-"
"Hey, no, I'm not out for blood if you mean that." he chuckles, holding out his arm to make sure you wait until a car has passed the road you're both trying to cross. "Like, I'm not gonna lie and say I've never had one-night-stands or quickies or whatever, but right now I'm interested in you, first and foremost." he explains, his rather blunt words causing an elderly lady to turn her head scandalized as she walks past. "Also, I'm into begging. I'll only fuck you if you ask nicely." he smirks down at you next to him, before laughing out loud at your wide eyes and red ears.
"I-" you struggle to form words. But you're also horribly cold. "Alright then. I mean not the fucking part, at least not right now maybe sometime in the fut- where was your apartment again?" you stutter, and he grins so hard his eyes almost close.
"You're so fucking cute, my god." he shakes his head, before taking your hand again. "It's right down this road." he simply tells you, before you both find yourself in front of an apartment building where he takes you upstairs to his door. "Ah, I didn't clean up, by the way. It's a bit chaotic." he sheepishly offers, before the door opens.
It's warm, inviting. Doesn't smell bad, and it's not as chaotic as he told you it would be, Jungkook walking inside before you walk around, inspecting the apartment.
"I've put your boots in my shower, in case you're wondering where they are." he says after emerging from his bathroom, opening a window a little to air out the apartment. "make yourself at home, don't be so stiff." he chuckles, smiling when you visibly relax.
He sits close to you on the couch, but keeps a respectful distance between the two of you. He watches as you inspect a hole in a blanket he's got on the couch, shrugging. "My friend has a dog. Small little shit tore a hole in there, but it's still good so I keep the blanket."
"It's an easy fix." you say. "If you take those two parts of the yarn and then those, you can just tie them together so it doesn't rip open any further." you explain, and he tilts his head a little.
"Oh? Do you knit?" he wonders, and you nod.
"I.. My hobbies are kind of lame. I knit, and I help at the shelter a little away from the town. Other than that, I just.. Kind of exist in my apartment." you tell him. "I work at a library near the main train station. So, I'm not really interesting." you say, while he shakes his head.
"Don't say that. I think that's all pretty cool." he reassures. "Sounds like you've made a cozy life for yourself. That's pretty impressive considering today's times." he says. "I've always been.. Unsatisfied. With almost everything." he shrugs, leaning back, socked feet resting on the edge of his couch you're both sitting on.
"How so?" you wonder, taking a sip from your drink, before putting it back onto the small table.
"I don't know." he explains vaguely. "I guess I always had way too big dreams and aspirations. And now that I'm at that age I back then wanted to be, I feel like I wasted all my time with nothing but short-lived successes and people who only wanted me for the moment."
"Kind of.. Reminds me of myself." you giggle. "I.. When I was young, even a teenager, I always said I won't have kids. But these days, I kind of think, in the future I want them. Not right now, but one day. I wanna have a family and stuff, live in a house and have a dog and a cat and a husband and all that." you giggle. "like I said, not right now- but in the future."
"Hmhm. I never wanted to marry either. Thought that's just bullshit." he says. "But now, after seeing some of my friends have that, I'm envious. I want that too. A partner for life, I mean. A boring life." he says.
You hum a reply, nodding to yourself, a bit of quietness falling over the both of you, before he moves again, sitting down more comfortably turned towards you.
"I.. Would really like to get to know you. Seriously, I mean." he starts explaining. "Like I said, I.. Don't know what it is exactly, but you're.. Fuck you make me all weird." he laughs. "I wanna stay in contact with you, if you'd like. We could watch a movie? Only Netflix, no deep-throating during commercial breaks, promise!" he jokes, before adding, "..except if you're up for it." he giggles when you hide your face for a good second, laughing.
"I don't even know how to do that!" you laugh, making him raise his eyebrows while playing with his lip ring.
"Oh I can teach you, don't worry about that." he teases.
"I'm sure you can.." you mumble more or less, sipping on your drink. But your sentence seems to make him curious, eyes gaining a challenging glimmer as he leans forward.
"No no no, let's rewind a bit there." he says. "Just so I know where I'm at. You a virgin?" he wonders, and you pull your legs closer to yourself.
"..no." you shrug. "But.. I highly doubt I'm as adventurous as you." you tell him, making Jungkook smirk a little, as if challenged.
"Are you? What do you think I'm into then?" he wonders. "I've got a feeling you've made up your mind about me more than I thought."
"I mean, I don't know?" you say. "You.. It's not that hard to have more experience than me. I only had sex like.. Twice, and it's honestly not really for me." you shrug. "it's weird to.. Ugh I don't know."
"No, you do know, you just don't want to say it out loud." he clears up for you, making you nod. "Did you ever have an orgasm?"
"Jungkook!" you bark out scandalized, making him raise his hands in playful defense.
"What? You gotta ask these days, men are shit in bed most of the time, I have to admit that!" he laughs, shamelessly talking about this as if it's nothing but the weather outside. "So? Did you?" he wonders, and you shrug. "So you didn't?"
"I- don't know!" you say, a little glad you can finally talk to someone about it, hesitation finally breaking as you get the chance to make your frustration some room. "It's different when I do it myself. Like, then I'm pretty sure I have one? But when I had sex it was different, like I was almost kind of there but also not.." you lean your head on the backrest of his couch.
"Sounds like you didn't then." he tells you. "See, there's women out there who can't cum from penetration at all. The key ingredient is being fucking attentive." he explains. "I got more than just my dick, is what I'm trying to tell." he says, wiggling his fingers in front of his face, several rings adoring some of them- and you laugh.
"You sound like you're trying to get me to have sex with you right now." you joke, but he just shrugs his shoulders, tongue poking against his cheek for a moment.
"I'd fuck you any day you'd let me." he simply answers, eyes on yours. "After all, I gotta check out those tattoos you said you have." he flirts, and you move around a little, air between you both getting thicker. At this point, you can't deny the attraction. And with the way he talks and treats you, you're sure you'd let him prove his point as well. Right now. No regrets.
He notices the way your eyes fall to his lips, getting attached at the silver piercings there for a good moment, before you find his warm eyes again. And even though he really did not intent to be so forward so fast, he still scoots closer, tests the waters, places his arms on either side of you before the tip of his nose almost touches yours.
"Been wondering for a while now.." he starts, licking his lips before he looks down to yours, face tilting a bit as he looks at you. "..what flavor that lipgloss might be." he jokes, before he can't help himself.
You've not been kissed often in your life, not even in relationships. But you know for a fact that there's no experience comparable to the way he kisses you- not only his lips, but also his hands craving you it seems, making you feel completely under his spell. He's not just kissing you with his lips. He's using his hands, his tongue, knows clearly how to create a moment.
Your phone rings.
His rings soon after.
He laughs- and so do you.
It's a little awkward for a second, before he sends a message informing his coworker that you're on your way back, his grin still evident, never vanishing it seems. "so..?" you wonder having stood up to go grab your coat.
"So?" he parrots back, standing up as well to walk closer to you.
"What flavor is it?" you shyly try and flirt, and he laughs, leaning down to kiss you again, just a peck, and another, and just one last one before he parts with laughter.
"I'd say cherry-" he grins, watching you tie your boots in his hallway before he cages you in at his front door again the second you stand back up, unable to resist you now that you gave him the chance to taste you.
"But let me make sure I got it right."
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randomshyperson · 1 year
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Like Real People Do - Milf!Wanda Maximoff x Reader
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Summary: Wanda Maximoff is known to be a strict mother - the opposite of you. When a school incident involves your children, you two will need to learn to get along with each other. [Requested]
Warnings: General Fluff, attempted romantic comedy with opposites attract, mild making out at the end, milf wanda being adorable, brief angst for past relationships, found family. | Words: 5.733k
A/N-> My first fic of the year will be Milf!Wanda without smut? What happened to this blog, huh? I was so busy in December that I couldn't post anything, I hope you guys didn't forget about me. This is a very old request that I finished some time ago and never posted, here it is then. Good reading you all!
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--//--
It started with a bloody nose.
It was Wednesday, which meant that you had painting class from ten to eleven in the morning, so when your cell phone rang and Principal Fury's angry voice demanded you not to be late, you could barely think of a decent excuse for your students.
The way to the municipal school was quick and even perilous - you never learned how to drive Natasha's truck properly no matter how hard you tried - but you arrived quickly at least.
America was standing with her arms crossed at the door to the principal's office - the jeans jacket with buttons you took her to buy last year had a bloodstain on the front that made your heart miss a beat. 
"Mom!" Her sulky expression lit up the second she saw you - the girl uncrossed her arms and ran to catch up with you, talking too fast about the mess while you searched her face for bruises. You sighed in relief at not finding any.
"Honey, slow down, I'm not catching any words." You warn her gently, and America giggles awkwardly, taking a deep breath to speak again.
"It wasn't my fault, Mom! It was those idiots who came at us, Billy wasn't doing anything, and when they called him bad names and I just lost my temper and-"
You frown in confusion, but America shuts up because the boardroom door opens and other people come out.
The blood is not America's you realize. It's the boy with ice on his face, accompanied by an equally grumpy adult. The boy also has blood all over the front of his shirt, and from the way, America tenses up and he flinches, you understand that he has been beaten.
"Come on, don't give me any more trouble." Warned the man to the boy who practically ran out. The man waved goodbye politely, and you turned to America, ready to ask, but you heard Mr.Fury call your name.
The room was not empty. There were two boys and a woman in a suit so impeccable that you became very aware of the ink stains on your work overalls. Or maybe it was the way she looked you up and down, with an indecipherable expression.
"Mrs.Romanoff, how nice that you could join us at last." Fury pinned on your lateness, and you smiled awkwardly.
"Sorry, I was in class and my cell phone was off." You mumbled, but he didn't seem to care much, signaling for you to sit down.
America stood beside you but smiled at the boys, who smiled back immediately.
"As I explained to Mrs.Maximoff, something rather unpleasant happened this morning. Your children got into a fight with another group of classmates..."
"And where is the rest of the gang?" You asked curiously, looking around. Fury frowned.
"Excuse me?"
"Well, you said they got into a fight. Nobody fights alone. Where are the other children? I saw the other little boy who went outside looking like he got punched right in the nose, and if you told me it was three against one, then yes, we have a problem."
Fury exchanges a look with Mrs.Maximoff, but the redhead is straightening up in her chair, looking at you curiously.
The principal lets out a short laugh. "Miss Romanoff, the confusion started at recess, where America assaulted five classmates. The other four are in the infirmary and-"
You cut Fury off with excitement, turning to your daughter beside you. "Five? Kid, you've been practicing, haven't you? Damn, your mother would be impressed. "
America laughs shyly, but Fury exclaims indignantly. "Excuse me, Mrs.Romanoff, are you really encouraging violent behavior in your 13-year-old daughter?"
 "It depends on what the fight is about." You mutter, but Fury sighs indignantly.
"Violence is never the answer!" Retorts the principal seriously, but his line makes the boys exclaim indignantly.
"They were the ones who attacked us first! America was only defending my brother!" Reported one of them, and you and Mrs.Maximoff exchanged quick glances at the confusion.
"That's right, we were just standing there, and those idiots came at us with curses! If it wasn't for America-"
"Quiet, all of you!" Fury cut in angrily, and the children grumbled but obeyed. He massaged his forehead. "It's clear that the fight started with America, so please could you tell me exactly why you assaulted your colleagues, Miss?"
But America hesitates and looks at the boys, who bow their heads. She sighs.
"It was something silly about grades." She lies - You can see it’s not true because whenever she tells a lie, her forehead frowns slightly and Natasha taught you to recognize everything about little Miss Chavez. You don’t understand why she’s lying though. 
Fury sighs wearily. "Are you sure that's all it was, miss?"
She looks down at the floor and nods. You lick your lips.
"Fury, I wonder if we could talk alone. Just me, Miss Maximoff, and you? They shouldn't be missing class."
Fury hesitates but eventually agrees. Once the children leave, you clear your throat.
"I want to know what will be done with the group that attacked them, Fury."  You state without waiting any longer, surprising a little. Nick clears his throat.
"Your daughter just clarified that it was a silly argument over notes, Miss Romanoff, you don't expect me to-"
"You know it wasn't just that." To his surprise, Wanda intervenes, sounding irritated and tired. She takes a deep breath. "It wouldn't be the first time Billy experienced bullying in his school environment, but you promised me that this school was a safe space when I came to enroll them, Mr.Fury."
Nick clears his throat clumsily, adjusting his tie. "Mrs.Maximoff, at no time-"
"America told me they insulted him." You cut in, exchanging a look with the redhead. "The kids who attacked them came in cursing Billy. That's unacceptable, Fury. You say I encourage violent behavior? No. Natasha and I taught America to stand up for herself and for the people important to her. Nat was in the military and taught her how to fight. You can't expect her to listen to someone use low insults with her friends and do nothing."
"You cannot teach your daughter to punch anyone who irritates her, Miss Romanoff." Fury retorts seriously, before turning his face to the other, "And this is a safe environment, Wanda. We have anti-bullying programs, and when the other boys leave the infirmary, they will answer for this event as well. But for now, it's your kids who need to understand that fighting doesn't go unpunished."
"That doesn't seem very fair." You mutter but Fury casts you a serious look. 
"Because they insulted them? Tell me what happens when they're adults, then." You open your mouth but Fury holds up his hand, rhetorical question. "I tell you, at the very least a lawsuit for assault. I understand it's important to tell them to defend themselves, but they also need to understand how the world works. They are children, by god. You can't tell them to go out punching their way whenever someone wrongs them."
"I guess that's easy to say when we're not the ones experiencing the aggression." Wanda mutters, and Fury gives a short laugh.
"Wanda, I assure you I know the feeling of hearing horrible offenses and having to put my head down and keep walking because the punishments would be worse for me than for those who offended me." Says Nick. "Billy is only twelve, he should learn to respond to things like that in a healthy and safe way. Teaching any of these kids to respond violence with violence puts them at risk, and I'm sure you understand that." Wanda sighs but nods in defeat. Nick clears his throat. "I believe detention for a month is a good punishment."
You sigh, but Wanda hesitates. "They'd be out by three, wouldn't they? Couldn't you do it earlier or between classes? I work office hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays..."
Nick opens his mouth but you speak first. "I can pick them up." You say casually. "They're friends with America, right? They can stay over if you need."
The redhead blinks in surprise. "Wouldn't that be inconvenient?"
You laugh shrugging your shoulders. "Not at all. America is usually alone in the afternoon while I'm in the studio. It would be nice if she had some company."
Wanda smiles at you and your stomach does a complete turn. Nick claps his hands together.
"I guess we have a deal then. Thank you both for attending, even though it was not the most pleasant of reasons... I'll keep in touch, Miss Maximoff, Miss Romanoff."
You got up first but opened the door for Wanda to pass. Outside, she seemed in a hurry, checking her cell phone, and you didn't want to hold her any longer. Surprisingly, she called you before you left for your car.
"I want your number." She declares, and you can't help the teasing expression that appears on your face. Wanda corrects herself immediately, "B-because of the ride, so I can confirm that everything is okay..."
"I know, I get it." You assure her with a laugh, accepting the cell phone she holds out to put your number in. As you type, you take the opportunity to introduce yourself properly since you haven't had the chance to do so before. Wanda smiles before doing the same. "Here you go, Miss Maximoff."
"Just Wanda is fine." She says gently, accepting the cell phone back. "Thank you again, for the favor."
"You can return it by joining me for coffee." You have no idea where that came from. And it seems to surprise Wanda as much as you surprised yourself. But there's no going back because she smiles and you know you meant it. "Or a tea, or juice. Maybe vitamin?"
Wanda giggles, and it's a charm. You glare at her but she looks at her cell phone again.
"Sorry, I have to go." She looks really disappointed, and you notice that her phone has started vibrating on a call. She looks at you again. "I'll text you about that coffee."
"I'll wait." You mumble, knowing she heard just by the soft smile she still holds as she answers the phone before waving goodbye and turning in the opposite direction of the parking lot.
You sigh loudly as you are left alone, trying to figure out where to see the strange feeling in your stomach that you think you haven't felt in years.
–//–
Wanda probably forgot about the coffee. You don't blame her, because America has every social network possible, and through her friendship with Billy Maximoff on Facebook, you are able to find Wanda Maximoff's only two social networks. 
Her professional profile is impeccable. She is an important figure in a major New York company, but you are not too sure whether she is a writer or a manager, or both. Either way, with so many meetings and lectures in her feed, she is probably the busiest person you have ever met. 
The only personal profile she has is a Facebook profile that hasn't been updated in almost three years. It is public, and has family photos - the vast majority with the twins - but what attracts attention is the tall man next to her. If the photos were tagged, it was removed today. There was no link to his profile. You also noticed that the relationship status was still Married, and tried to ignore the burning in your strangers with this information. 
There should be no problem with Wanda being a married woman. You should have expected this, actually. In fact, you shouldn't expect anything at all. Losing Natasha wasn't exactly recent, but you weren't looking for someone to take her place. Ever.
Calling Wanda for coffee was a kind act in the interest of friendship, you convinced yourself. After all, with your antisocial nature, you didn't have many friends in New York. 
America found you stalking Wanda's Facebook, however, and had a very different idea.
"She's a total milf, huh?"
You closed the laptop hard, looking at your daughter with indignation. "Excuse me, young lady?"
America shrugged. "Miss Maximoff, mom. She's so gorgeous, like a movie star. Everyone keeps staring when she comes to pick up the twins."
You grimace, hugging the laptop against your chest. "America, I don't think it's very appropriate for you to say such things to me, don't you agree?"
Your daughter laughs confusedly. "But you thought so too. You're just there stalking her on the Internet..."
"That's it, out." You stand up embarrassed, ignoring America's mischievous laughter in the hallway as you close the door. You grunt red-faced, putting your hands over your face and trying to get the image of Wanda out of your head. America shouts from the hallway:
"I'll order Enchiladas for dinner!" - You open the door just to say thanks.
To your surprise, Wanda texts you the next day. 
It shouldn't really be a surprise, since the children's detention would start now, but still, you were so busy delivering some paintings that you almost completely forgot about it.
Hey Miss Romanoff, it's Wanda. Is everything okay for the kids to stay at your place this afternoon as we agreed? After detention? 
You are listening to music, so you ask the virtual assistant to read the message while you continue painting one of the higher boards. When you realize who it is from, you almost fall down the stairs you are on.
Your cell phone screen smears blue paint when you pick it up in one go, having forgotten your dirty hands, and you curse softly. 
Trying to sound casual, you decide on a voice message.
"Hey, Miss Max-Wanda, hey." Great start. "Sure, don't worry, I'll send you my address to come to pick them up later. And just Y/N is fine."
Wanda replies with an emoji heart, and you try to understand why yours is racing so fast.
–//–
Thomas and William Maximoff are two little devils. And America loves them, so you do too.
They play in the backyard and in the living room, surprisingly in harmony over sharing the video game after detention. You go back to work in the studio and keep the music down so you can hear them, and before you know it, the hours have passed and a red pickup truck is pulling up outside your house.
Wanda, on the other hand, doesn't seem too pleased to see that none of the children have had a decent meal after school, or done their homework. And you showing up with a dirty paint apron doesn't seem to help her judgment much.
"I don't usually cook, for the safety of the kitchen."  You try to joke to ease the tension and get giggles from the smaller ones, but only a forced smile from the other, who continues with her arms crossed. "They're not hungry, you know. There were snacks and cookies..."
"Very healthy." Wanda interrupts wryly. "Get your backpacks boys, and thank them for having you. Let's go home before it gets later."
You and America watch Maximoff's hurried exit until Wanda's car disappears at the end of the street, and it is your daughter who speaks first.
"I think she likes you."
You chuckle incredulously, turning your face to America. "What gives you that idea? The deadly stare?"
The smaller girl rolls her eyes amused. "No, Mom! She didn't say she wasn't coming here anymore. And besides, Tommy told me she's kind of too straitlaced... he may have used the word crazy, but I don't think that's very appropriate for me to say."
You chuckle through your nose, ruffling America's hair as you pull her into the house with you. 
"Well, the boys are your friends, so Wanda is going to have to get used to me because if there's one thing we take seriously in this family it's loyalty to our friends, isn't it, little Chavez?" 
America smiles warmly, stealing a glance at Nat's painting on the wall before nodding in agreement. You check your watch.
"Maybe Wanda is right, though. What do you want for dinner? Real food. I can prepare something-"
America grimaces. "I want pizza!"
"But kiddo-"
"With plenty of pepperonis!"
You roll your eyes, unable to say no to that lovely girl.
–//–
The next day, when Billy and Tommy take out lunch boxes from their backpacks, you want to chuckle. It's so... you don't even know what to call that.
"What is that supposed to be?" America asks in a mixture of indignation and disgust, standing behind the boys sitting at the table. Tommy and Billy exchange sighs.
"It's called Zucchini Boats." Says William, poking at the snack with his fork - which Wanda also sent in her purse - "Mom is a vegetarian and so are we."
"That's what she thinks," Tommy mutters mischievously, receiving an elbow from his brother. "It's good, America. Want some?"
"No, I'm fine." Your daughter says quickly, exchanging a look with you before leaving the twins to grab some of the juice you are bringing them on a tray. 
"Wow, that looks ... grown up." You comment with an impressed laugh as soon as you see the food the twins are pinching half-heartedly. "Do you guys always eat so fancy?"
"Yeah, all the time." Tommy replies grumpily. "Mom pays for vegetarian snacks at school, and it's always this kind of expensive food at the work parties she brings us to."
"Tommy, I don't think you should talk like that..." Billy whispers uncertainly but is cut off by the other.
"I can't stand eating asparagus or cabbage anymore! And I hate Lentils!" Challenges the twin, pushing the lunchbox onto the table.
America sips her juice in silence, and you sigh.
"Well, here's what we'll do then, little Maximoff." You say, picking up the bowl and some of the food that has fallen on the table. "I'll order hamburger and fries, and leave it on the counter. And you guys choose what you want to eat if you feel hungry."
Tommy loved the idea. Billy thanked him, but said he would stick with what his mother prepared. In any case, you ordered enough for everyone.
When the food arrived, you, America, and Tommy ate first. The Maximoff was very excited about eating meat - He eventually told you between bites that vegetarianism, as well as a dozen other habits, came to his family after his father passed away, and you were so surprised by the information that you could hardly nod in agreement. So Wanda was a widow like you? What a heartbreaking coincidence.
After you finished eating, you needed to continue working, and you left the children to do it. When you came back for some keys about ten minutes later, Tommy and America were playing video games in the living room and little Billy was eating French fries on the counter and having the time of his life. You didn't dare bother him.
The whole plot of Wanda and her vegetarian lunch boxes for 12-year-olds that were half going to waste - you insisted that they at least take a few bites out of respect for their mother's work - went on for three whole weeks.
It was on the penultimate day of detention when Wanda was already smiling as she came to pick up the kids, that she found out and showed up at your door during school hours.
"Sorry for the wait, I'm teaching a class." You tell her clumsily as you welcome her into the small makeshift office, while your students take a break in the studio in the other room. 
Wanda hasn't even taken off her coat and is still holding her keys in her hands. "Don't worry, I'll be quick." She says. "I appreciate the favor of picking up the boys and letting them stay here, but it has come to my attention your inappropriate behavior, and I-"
"Wow, what are you talking about?" You interrupt in confusion. 
Wanda doesn't hesitate, adjusting her posture. "The food I prepare for my children is properly planned with a nutritionist, and William has told me about your interference in their diet." You stare at her without reaction, and she takes advantage of your shock to continue speaking. "I respect that you are raising your daughter without any attention to a healthy diet, but I cannot allow you to do the same-"
"No, wait a second there." You cut her off with a short laugh, gesturing a little and without realizing it, moving closer, which makes Wanda take a step backward in that small office. "I never told them to stop eating your fancy food."
She grimaces. "But you bought junk food!" She rations angrily. "What do you expect children to choose?"
You chuckle. "Exactly, Wanda! They are children! You're the one who's feeding them like they're 60-year-old culinary critics!"
"A healthy diet is essential for their development-"
"Billy has never eaten pizza before! Do you understand how insane that sounds?"
Wanda feels her blood boil, much like you. And she doesn't realize she's screaming, much the same as you. 
"Oh, what a crime not to want to give my two children a fat bomb! Arrest me for preventing cardiovascular disease when they are adults!
"What the hell are you talking about?" You retort with an indignant chuckle, but Wanda steps forward, her gaze deadly.
"I don't tell you how to raise your daughter, so don't you dare do it to me." She says seriously, and you swallow dryly. 
"I never said anything like that." You retort. "It's not a crime to offer actual good food to a child."
Wanda frowns. "My food is good!" She defends herself almost offended, but you sigh wearily.
"For the adult palate? Yes, it is. I've tasted it, you have talent I admit." You say, surprising her a little by the compliment. Her posture almost breaks. "But for the boys? I'm sorry, I don't mean to pry, but they don't like it, okay? Especially Thomas. I didn't want you to find out like this, but he hasn't followed your all-important eating schedule in months, Miss Maximoff. He keeps buying candy and junk food around-"
"What?" she exclaims indignantly, turning away to walk around the room. You sigh. "Where does he get the money for that?"
You shrug casually. "I don't know, isn't he kind of pretty popular? Maybe he sells some toys or homework. I used to do that when I was young. And well, I give America an allowance and they hang out together a lot and-
"So you're the problem! Again!" Wanda suddenly accuses you, leaving you in shock. "You and your daughter, stay away from my boys!"
"Wanda, what...?"
But she turned her back on you and slammed the door hard on her way out. You huffed loudly, pressing your face between your hands for a long moment. Complete confusion in your mind. 
–//–
You're not sure what you expected for the last day of detention, but it sure wasn't the call from the secretary about America skipping class. 
You called her immediately, and to add to your despair, she didn't answer until an hour later, when you had already taken the car and were driving around town after her.
The arcade parking lot was empty because all the kids were in school. Except for a few.
You got down from the truck, and this time, you knew the blood was Billy's.
"Have you gone crazy? I drove all over town after you, America! Where-"
But she ran up to you, hugging you tightly, and you fell silent, worried. "I'm sorry, Mom!"
After massaging her back gently, you turned away to the boys sitting on the sidewalk. Bending down to Billy's height, you grabbed from the other twin the ice pack he held over his brother's bruised forehead.
"What happened, guys?" You asked, and all three of them started talking together. With a sigh, you shushed them. "Just one at a time, please."
America stepped forward. "We weren't going to skip the whole day, Mom, I promise! It's just that Tommy forgot to do his chemistry homework, so we were going to skip it so he wouldn't get in trouble!"
Tommy nods immediately. "We came here because we weren't going to hang around the school at the risk of getting caught." Continues the boy. "We were going to play and come back as soon as the next class time started."
Billy complains softly about the pain and you try to press more gently. "So?" You ask them to continue, but they don't, exchanging hesitant glances. 
It is William who continues the story, his gaze in his lap. "It was the idiot brother of a classmate of ours. He was at the arcade, and he recognized me. He said he was furious that I got his brother in trouble. And he said... He said there's no place in this town for a faggy like me."
You sigh immediately, putting down the ice to hold his shoulder with your other hand. "Oh, Billy, I'm sorry."
He sniffles lightly, shrugging. "It's okay, I'm used to it. America and Tommy were buying soda, so the jerk threw me out here. As soon as they came, the guy ran off."
"It was the arcade owner who gave us the ice." America clarifies, coming over to sit down on the sidewalk across from Billy, and slipping an arm over his. "Sorry for taking so long, buddy. Next time I'm going to break his leg-"
"Hey, listen up here you three." You interrupt, looking at them seriously. "Violence is never the solution."
"But, Mom, they-"
"I know." You cut her off with a nod. "And it's unfair that it happened. And all we want to do is return that anger, but we can't be like that. Billy, I'm really sorry that you've heard cruel things. There's a place for you wherever you choose, that boy is just being an ignorant fool. Don't listen to him." You assure holding the hand of the boy in front of you. "You three are going back to school, and I'll take care of it the right way, okay?"
At first, they don't seem very willing, but eventually, they agree. You direct them back to school, and are not surprised at the increased detention Fury gives them for skipping class. Nick, however, is the one who provides the numbers of the parents of the kids who attacked them, and of a lawyer. 
He comments something about having called Miss Maximoff but to no avail before thanking you for bringing the children back safely and saying goodbye.
You are walking back to your car when Wanda parks as if in a race movie.
"I'm glad you're here, Wanda, we need to talk." You announce loudly, walking to her car. She turns it off, takes out the key, and gets down, slamming the door. 
"I don't have time, the director called me during a meeting, and I-"
"I know." You cut her off, and make no mention of moving out of her way, trapping her between cars. "Our kids were skipping class."
She chuckles dryly. "That's what I'm talking about, your daughter is a terrible influence. I wasn't wrong when-"
"She was helping Tommy." You cut in again, crossing your arms. "Yeah. He didn't do his chemistry homework or something, and they decided to skip the first period so he wouldn't get a scolding. Because, yes, he'd rather take his chances on the street than smear the perfect record mommy wants for him."
Wanda tilts her head. "Watch your mouth." She warns between teeth, and you roll your eyes.
"Billy got punched." You declare, and Wanda's posture breaks completely. Desperation fills her expression.
"W-what... Excuse me, I have-" 
"It's taken care of, it was just a scratch I looked at it myself." You interrupt, steadying your feet in her path, and ignoring the way she looks you up and down. "But these assaults, Wanda, we need to get a handle on this."
She is surprised, in a good way. And she swallows dryly, trying to adjust her posture. "That's not your problem."
You don't care, pulling out of your pocket the lawyer's paper Fury gave you to hand to her 
as you quickly explain the whole story. Wanda is unresponsive until she sniffles slightly, and this breaks your posture.
Your natural instinct is to touch her, but you hold back, clenching your hands, and Wanda turns her face away, hugging her own body as she controls her crying.
"Forgive me, I just..." She takes a deep breath. "They're all I have. And they're perfect, just the way they are. I just wanted to...do the best for them. Keep them safe, and happy. But apparently, New York is even worse than Westview."
"Hey, I understand that." You can't resist, raising a hand to her back, and thanking the gods that Wanda leans into the touch instead of backing away. "Some things are beyond our control. But I think you're doing a damn fine job, Wanda."
She raises her eyes at you. "Really?"
"Yeah." You assure her with a smile. "Your kids are great. Smart, so independent, and good-natured. Very united and loyal. You've done a really good job with them-"
Wanda hugs you tightly around the neck, cutting off your sentence. You smile, putting your arms around her just as the surprise fades. She sighs. "Thank you." She whispers, and you squeeze tighter before letting go.
"Call Jen Walters about this. Nick said she's a good lawyer." You remind her, and Wanda nods. You put your hands in your pockets and stare at her for a moment. "Were you at some fancy event? You look good."
She blushes, smiling shyly and adjusting her suit. "Something like that. Just a new book launch, so phone off. As soon as I saw the missed calls, I ran here..."
You chuckle lightly. "Yeah, I noticed the Fast and Furious you pulled out." You joke getting a laugh and a slap on the arm.
As the laughter dies down, you face each other. And Wanda is the first to swallow dryly and shift her gaze away.
"I should go there... just to make sure everything is okay." She says pointing to the school. You clear your throat and finally give her space to walk through.
"Sure, sure. I see you...?"
Wanda looks at you over her shoulder, a soft smile on her lips. "Over coffee." She invites, her smile widening with your surprise. "It's about time, don't you think?"
You nod, swallowing your anxiety. "I can’t wait." You guarantee, and when she leaves, your cheeks are flushed like hers.
–//–
Wanda doesn't call. But she doesn't have to.
The detentions are over; you're pretty sure she threatened Nick Fury on her way back to the office, but whatever she said, she made sure that the victims of the story stopped being punished. Tommy received a short warning for his duty, but the matter was soon forgotten.
You were surprised that even with the end of the detention, the Maximoff twins were on your doorstep on Tuesday. And next to them, Wanda.
"If you're not busy, I was thinking we could all have lunch together. I got some free time at the office." Clarified the matriarch, and well, you had a dozen or so orders to make and they would all have to wait because no chance at all of you dismissing going out with Wanda.
She is infinitely more pleasant company than the impression you got during your fights. She is a fierce mother, but she is so much more than that. She's brilliant, passionate, and generous. You find yourself captured by her like a work of art, which you can stare at for hours and hours, trying to absorb every detail and discover others.
Lunch turns into afternoon snacks, and into dinners. The Maximoffs show up at your house on a weekly basis, Wanda cooks for you sometimes, and at other times allows herself to eat junk food with everyone else.
And family dates become the two of you dates when she kisses you.
It takes you completely by surprise, honestly. 
You have been dancing into a family routine for amazing weeks, and after one of the dinners, it gets late enough to insist that they sleep over at your place. 
The boys stay in America's room, and you take over the living room so that Wanda is comfortable in her room.
When she shows up at dawn in the kitchen while you're making tea, the first thing she says is "I feel terrible about making you sleep on the couch. I can't sleep because of it."
You smile and separate a mug of tea for her too.
"I think we finally had that drink." You comment a long moment later, as you pour the tea for yourselves.
Wanda smiles mischievously. "I don't think it counts." She murmurs mysteriously, and you raise an eyebrow.
"No?"
Wanda hums in the negative. "We've drunk together a dozen times now, Y/N." She retorts, holding the cup close to her mouth. "If you want to take me out, you need to genuinely ask."
She sips her tea, and you swallow dryly as you stare into her lips. Blinking away when you notice her naughty smile, you ignore your nervousness, and retort, "I asked, you're the one who didn't call me." 
Wanda raises her eyebrow, taken aback that you brought back this information from so many weeks later. She doesn't lose her composure, however. "I thought it wouldn't be appropriate when given a second thought about it."
You sip some tea. "And what do you think of us now?"
Instead of answering, she leans over the countertop. She grabs the collar of your shirt and kisses you hard. Your whole body vibrates, and you gasp. But she lets you go before you have the chance to respond properly.
"I think if you don't ask me out soon, I'll have to do it myself." She teases affectedly, breathing out of breath as you do. You laugh, nodding.
"Go out with me." 
She raises an eyebrow. "Is that an order?" She teases, and you grunt.
"God, Wanda, come here." That's what you say before pulling her back to you, mouth to mouth.
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riinkun-art-stuff · 5 months
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Howdy ho! I'm very excited to finally be able to share this illustration I worked on as part of this year's @bumblebybigbang for @tahnex's lovely and super fun fic (with no pain attached whatsoever), "Of Dragons and Panthers," which you can read here! As soon as I read the original notes on it this scene captured me so much I had to do something dramatic for it. It's been such a pleasure watching the whole collab come together, tysm for having me!
First time joining an event like this, and I'd love to again if the opportunity comes around hehe. Still a few postings to go on this one, the pieces before us this year have knocked it out of the park and I'm super excited to see the rest once they come around!
Made a few process cuts just for fun, which I left under the cut!
I did do a few sketches roughly before I started out, especially based on other parts of the chapter, but this particular composition was so fixed in my mind that I ended up just sticking with it. In retrospect, I would've loved to go back and do some more thorough exploration for it. Here are a few of the sketches I managed to fish back up:
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I also was thinking of trying a few other doodles/another big piece, but ended up not really having the time between other obligations :')
And the sketch I finally settled on:
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Inking was SUCH a fun process on this piece in particular. I'm a huge fan of how dragon!Yang's mane turned out, especially, and all the detailing on the head and around Blake's fur and such. Feel like I'm really satisfied w the particular way the line weight variations came out, and it's where the piece shines the most imo.
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Panther!Blake, too. Oh gosh. I feel like it took me a lot of reworking to get her structure to a point where she felt very leopard-like, rather than any other type of big cat- especially around the head.
Colours were such a challenging part. There was a big feeling I had for that glow coming off dragon!Yang in the middle of the heavy rain- I love seeing that sort of effect in real life so that's something I'm really hoping to work to capture better as I practice. Trying to get dragon!Yang's slight iridescence in there and to balance out the lighting on panther!Blake's fur each took a long time, too- I'm only a pinch sad that a good chunk of it is covered by other lighting effects XD
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Blake's rosettes were SO fun. Augguhugg.
In terms of backgrounds. HOO boy I was going through a strange patch in life while working on the background and final polish for this piece, which is why (at least I feel like) it looks kinda rushed. I have been practicing natural landscapes and doing some observational studies but still struggling to get those rock shapes quite right, which I think is a big make or break point of something like this. I did really enjoy toying around with inking on the foliage and foreground layers of the ground, though! And in the end, lighting and effects ended up masking a lot of the big weak spots :D
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I think natural effects like smoke/steam, and rain, are big things that I got to practice more of in this piece, but also really would like to get better at in future. Esp since I feel like it's been a great opportunity to mess around with different colours and brushes that I use way less, which I'm always grateful for w painting. I think just layering the rain on its own ended up being about 10 odd layers?
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I think the only other thing I would have loved to improve is to just help the piece feel more Bumbleby™ in the final look. I think I like the cool colours of the lighting for this particular outcome, but I also would have probably tried to have made things much clearer (ahem at the very least switch to yellow/purple) in the long run in terms of representation and resemblance. Ik that at least for me it is fairly easy to associate the two characters with dragons and panthers since I'm more familiar w the fandom lingo around these two, but esp for outsiders I feel like it's probably not great at conveying who they are, and why they are potentially in this situation.
I'd also love to try and find a shading style that still has a painterly quality but compliments the inking a bit better, rather than overpowering it.
I think that, on the whole, I am pretty satisfied with the piece and had a great time working with Tahnex on the whole collab! And I've also has a fun time reading his work and notes in return, and thank you so much for being so so patient with me even as my updates were slow n rocky at points :'D
That's about all I got, have a great day y'all! Still a few big bang postings to go, so very excited for those once they come around!
208 notes · View notes
lonelywitchv2 · 4 months
Text
ink and blood (strawberries pt. 3)
hey guys! sorry it’s been so long, i finished the fic but then someone stole my laptop and phone (i had to get new ones) and i got locked out of my email!! it's totally giving ao3 writer but anyways. enjoy <3
summary: this time it was you who broke, not your ink pot.
content: violence, cursing, fluff, lowkey emotional crisis, i think that’s it? idk, sirius is an asshole in this (shocker….)
wc: 2.7k (there was more but i hated it all so i deleted it so expect a part 4 by the end of this year if you’re lucky)
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Sirius stormed out of Gryffindor Tower, running right into Remus, who tried stopping him for an explanation. The act was pointless, of course, as Sirius shoved past him and went straight to James.
“Give me the map,” Sirius said.
“Why?” James asked, slightly hesitant.
“James. Give me the map,” Sirius repeated, anger rooted deep within his words.
James eyed the boy briefly, turning to look at Remus before reaching into his pocket and pulling out the folded piece of parchment. Before he could even say a word, Sirius snatched the map out of his hands and disappeared down the corridor, leaving his two friends behind.
“I solemnly swear that I am up to no good,” Sirius muttered under his breath, his wand pointed to the now unfolded map. Just as always, ink appeared on the page and painted the familiar picture of the Marauder's Map, along with each and every corner of the school. Sirius’ dark eyes scanned across the parchment, looking for the name of his brother. Finding the name he was looking for, Sirius headed towards the Great Hall, watching on the map as his brother exited the hall and started walking his way. In a matter of minutes, Sirius and Regulus were just a corner away from running into each other.
Regulus had no time to process his brother's presence as he rounded the corner, failing to dodge Sirius’ swing at his jaw, the punch leaving him to stumble back roughly. The younger Black brother looked up, hand instinctively going up to the numb area of his face as he caught the eyes of his brother. 
Sirius was far from over, however, as he launched himself at Regulus, knocking him to the floor and landing punch after punch onto the body and face of his brother. Regulus struggled beneath his older brother, continuously trying and failing to get Sirius off of him. Sirius, blinded by rage, only hit Regulus harder the more he tried to push him away.
When Regulus was finally able to muster up the strength to shove Sirius off of him, he scrambled away from him, leaning against a wall as he struggled to stand.
“What the hell, Sirius?” Regulus exclaimed, a shake in his voice as the pain engulfed him.
“How could you? I saw the letter you wrote to her, Regulus, why can’t you just leave her alone?” Sirius shouted, his throat threatening to close up as he shook the letter at his brother.
“I- that was a private letter, Sirius,” Regulus said weakly, heart dropping to his stomach.
“If you don’t shut up, so help me Godric, I will kill you,” Sirius said darkly, pushing himself up from where Regulus had shoved him and walking towards him. 
Regulus was more prepared this time, albeit, significantly more bloody, and stumbled toward Sirius to defend himself. It was Sirius, again, who made the first swing, hitting Regulus square in the nose, followed by a crack. Regulus was surprisingly quick to respond, even with blood now gushing from his nose, and threw a punch that landed on Sirius’ cheek. 
“You little fucker-“ Sirius muttered, preparing to hit Regulus only to keel over when the younger Black brother hit him in the stomach.
It was then that Professor McGonagall appeared from around the corner, greeted by the sight of Regulus’ bloodied and bruised face and Sirius still hunched over from the hit to his gut, hair covering the bruise beginning to form on his cheek. She was quick to put herself between the brothers in case another fight started.
“What in Godric’s name is going on here?” She exclaimed, furious. 
After what felt like an hour of being chewed out by Professor McGonagall and losing their respective houses 100 points, they went their separate ways, Sirius going to the Gryffindor common room and Regulus going to the Slytherin common room. 
When Sirius entered the common room, he looked over to the couches where he saw you, Marlene, Lily, Remus, James, and Peter all sitting in silence. You noticed his presence first, jumping up when you saw his face.
“Good Godric, what the hell happened to you?” Your hands instinctively reached towards his face as you stepped towards him.
“Why don’t you fuss over your little boyfriend instead?” Sirius said hostilely, slapping your hand away from his face.
Your hands dropped to your sides, face falling as well.
“You guys fought?” You asked quietly.
Sirius didn’t answer, only turning around and walking up to his dorm, faithfully followed by James, Peter, and Remus. 
You still hadn’t moved, but you could feel your heart beating in your stomach, nauseous at the thought of Sirius and Regulus fighting because of you. Your chest heaved, trying to calm yourself before you ran out of Gryffindor tower, feet carrying you down to the dungeons and to the entrance of the Slytherin common room. You looked around, spotting a first-year in green robes walking past you, running up to him and pleading for the code.
Once you entered the Slytherin common rooms, you ran past the people scattered around the room and went straight up to Regulus’s dorm.
Regulus looked up from where he was sitting on his bed as you entered his dormitory and you couldn’t help the shocked gasp that escaped you when you saw his face. His jaw was bruised a dark purple, the skin around his eye slowly turning a similar shade of violet, blood still dripping from his nose, and more bruises across his body. Those, of course, were only the injuries you could see.
“Oh, Regulus,” You whispered, approaching his bed as he wrapped his arms around your waist, tugging you in between his legs so his head was against your chest and your hands gently combed through his curls. You stayed like that for a while, Regulus listening to the beating of your heart as you stroked his back, not caring about the blood stain that was certainly appearing on your jumper.
“Let’s clean you up, love,” You said, pulling away from the hug. You placed a brief kiss on his lips before entering the bathroom, grabbing and wetting a washcloth for the blood. 
Sitting next to him on his bed, you gently wiped the blood off Regulus’s face, apologizing profusely whenever he winced. The entire time you were cleaning his face off, his eyes were trained on your face, tracing over your features.
“You look really pretty,” Regulus whispered to you, holding back a grin upon seeing you blush and watching a small smile gracing your face.
“Reg, you should be focusing on yourself and not me,” You responded with a breathy laugh.
“Are you mad at me?” He asked, making you pause. 
“I’m not mad at you Regulus,” You answered, cupping his face with your hand and stroking it gently with your thumb. Regulus leaned into your touch, eyes briefly fluttering shut. 
“Alright, don’t fall asleep on me, darling, I still have to check out your bruises,” You said softly, laughing when Regulus groaned, “I promise I’ll let you sleep after.”
You stood up from his bed, a bit reluctantly if you were being honest, and began helping him take off his jumper. Regulus’ light grey jumper, which you had gifted him for Christmas, keeping his neutral-colored closet in mind, was now decorated with droplets of his blood. Once his jumper and undershirt were removed, you let out a sigh. His stomach and chest were littered with bruises, some bigger and darker, others smaller and lighter.
“Damnit, you got beat, huh?” You muttered teasingly, “I’m sorry, Reg.”
“‘S alright, just come lay with me, dove,” Regulus mumbled as he tugged you down onto the bed with him, laying so that you were facing each other.
You tugged the dark green blankets over your bodies, settling back down on the bed, your head right next to his own, his dark curls falling onto the pillow as he turned onto his side to look at you.
“I love you,” You whispered, your nervous eyes looking into his gray ones. You relaxed, though, as you watched his bruised face spread into a smitten smile.
“I love you too,” Regulus whispered back, still grinning.
You lifted your head, just enough to move it an inch from Regulus’s, and pressed your lips against his. The kiss was slow and sweet, your noses gently nudging one another as your lips moved. Your hand gently reaching for his curls to pull him closer as you smiled into the kiss. After Regulus pulled away, he curled his body into yours, his head tucked in the crook of your shoulder, arm draped over your waist, while you let your hands travel along his warm back and through his dark, curly hair. In that position, it didn’t take long for Regulus to fall asleep, with you following soon after.
You and Regulus slept the afternoon away, cuddled together until Evan entered the dorm around 4 o’clock, interrupting your sleep. After the boy mentioned the time, you soon realized you had disappeared from Gryffindor Tower for six hours with no explanation.
“Do you have to go?” Regulus asked, trying to pull you back into bed with him as you sighed deeply.
“Yeah, I do. I’ll see you later, Reg, I love you,” You said, turning to pull him into a kiss.
“I love you too. Don’t let Sirius get to you too much,” Regulus said after pulling away from the kiss, watching in a lovesick daze as you left the room. When he turned to Evan, who was still in the room, he snapped out of it, “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“‘I love you too.’ Since when did you start saying I love you and why haven’t I heard about it?” Evan questioned, imitating Regulus’s voice as he plopped down on his bed expectantly.
“You’re such a drama queen,” Regulus joked, earning an eye roll from his friend.
“Don’t you dare call me a drama queen,” Evan said, pointing a finger threateningly at the smirking boy.
When you entered the Gryffindor common room, you were met with the sight of a sulking Sirius holding a towel of ice to his cheek. You both looked at each other, entering a brief staring match before Sirius broke the silence.
“Did you have fun with my little brother?” Sirius asked bitterly, glaring.
“Dear Godric, Sirius, will you stop with that? I was cleaning him up after you almost broke his nose!” You exclaimed, anger rising by the moment.
“Oh, yeah, because wiping some blood off his face takes six hours,” Sirius remarked.
“You know what, Sirius? Fuck you. You went and beat up your own brother because he’s in love with your friend? It’s fucking sad,” You snapped, eyes narrowing on the black-haired boy.
“Oh, so you two are in love now? Regulus doesn’t love people, he’s playing you and you’re too fucking stupid to see it,” Sirius said, standing up so he was in front of you, ice left on the couch.
You said nothing, only letting your hand fly to his already bruised face and slap it, Sirius’ head turning to the side at the force of your hand. Slowly, he turned to face you once more, staring into your eyes.
“Don’t you dare say shit like that again, Sirius Black, or you’ll get a whole lot more than a slap,” You threatened, face hardened in a scowl as you pushed him back and away from you. 
You turned, shouldering past Marlene and Lily, who were standing on the staircase with wide eyes, and stalked up to your dormitory, slamming the wooden door shut behind you. You looked around the room and at the floor by your bed, where your belongings were still scattered and your ink pot was still broken. The dark ink had sunk into the floorboards, staining the wood black.
You began cleaning your part of the dorm, picking everything up by hand despite knowing you could easily use magic, knowing you needed to focus on something or else you would start bawling. The broken pieces of the inkpot, which were still dripping ink, were the last things you picked up off of the floor. A small piece of the glass, so small that you had almost missed it on the wood, sliced through the still-stinging skin of your palm, crimson rising to the surface. You didn’t move, eyes trained on the blood that was dripping from your hand and landing next to the black dots of ink on the floorboards.
You only broke out of your trance when you heard the door to your dorm opening, your roommate, Lana, entering. 
“You alright?” She asked, catching your eyes as you looked up from your hand, which she quickly noticed, “Merlin, what happened? Come on, let’s clean that.”
You dropped the shards of glass, which were now covered in both ink and blood, into the garbage and let Lana lead you into the bathroom to clean your cut. She rinsed your hand off before gently cleaning the cut. When Lana finished cleaning it, she wrapped it and bandaged it before turning to leave.
“Thank you, Lana,” You said gratefully, smiling softly at your roommate as she paused in the doorway.
“Always, it’s what friends are for,” Lana responded, returning your smile.
Lana was on her bed reading a book when you finally left the bathroom to return to cleaning. With your hand now bandaged, you waved your wand and watched the black and red spots disappear off of the mahogany wood.
It was then, as you lay on your bed, that you found yourself wishing your conscience could be wiped clean as easily as the wood was. Every time you shut your eyes, images of Regulus’s body covered in purple and blue marks plagued your mind, alongside the unforgettable sight of Sirius’ bruised face twisted in anger as you slapped him. 
Your eyes flew open, focusing on the ceiling while you tried to blink the images out of your mind. You turned your head to Lana, who was already looking at you with a perplexed gaze.
"Why is he like this? Sirius, I mean. I get that he's mad but, Lana, you should've seen the bruises Regulus had, Sirius hurt him so much," You whispered to your roommate.
“There never really is a good answer in situations like this, just that people get blinded by their anger and do bad things. I’m not excusing Sirius’s actions, Godric no, but he definitely wasn’t thinking straight,” Lana answered tentatively, placing her book on her nightstand.
“I just don’t know what to do now,” You whispered, eyes clouded with tears as you looked away from Lana, “Sirius and Regulus were already on bad enough terms as it was, but now they’re getting in fights and it’s all my fault.”
Lana said nothing, only getting up from her bed and moving to yours, pulling you into a hug. She kept her arms around you as your body shook with sobs, the harsh reality of the situation hitting you like a truck. 
Everything has changed.
So much had happened over the past week- everyone found out you and Regulus were dating, you got banned from seeing him, Sirius ransacked your room and then fought with Regulus, you slapped Sirius, and now you were here. Crying in your roommate’s arms.
“I feel like all I’m doing is hurting people. I hurt Sirius and betrayed his trust. I’m the reason Regulus and Sirius got in that fight. Bloody hell, I slapped Sirius,” You cried, your breath stuttering as you spoke.
“Listen to me, this isn’t all your fault. You aren’t doing this to hurt people. Sometimes, things don’t always go the way they should and that’s just a part of life. Regulus loves you and you love him, it’s only a matter of time before Sirius sees that and he’s just gonna have to learn to accept it,” Lana said firmly, “And he will accept it, trust me. He might be mad now but he’s not going to lose you over this.”
You couldn’t even respond at that point, your body shaking with tears and sobs as Lana hugged you.
239 notes · View notes
shadesslut · 7 months
Note
hiiii! could i suggest a fic thats kinda been on the top of my head recently?? soft ethan landry originally tried to get close to the group by getting with amber freemans ex whos the adopted daughter of dewey and gale. originally she died alongside her dad, but the doctors brought her back. so now, she lives in constant ptsd from it and has a bad episode after having a nightmare of deweys death, though even though she tries to not bother ethan about her past, hes there then and helps her thru it
IM SO SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG TO WRITE THIS. I HOPE YOU ENJOY🫶
haunted
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Pairing: (Ex-Amber Freeman x Ex-Fem!Reader, Fem!Reader x Ethan Landry)
Content Includes: (Angst, fluff)
Main Masterlist
Her mouth was stained with a taste of metallic. Her vision was blurred, everything tinted by a bright white light, but she knew what was happening. Her father was dead, staring coldly at her as he laid on the white tiles of the hospital. Was all of this for nothing? All those years of fighting not only for himself, but for his daughter. All those years of winning those battles against Ghostface. All of the sacrifices he gave, it was taken away by a simple kitchen knife. Taken away by her. 
Amber Freeman. The one who finally got Dewey. The one who haunted Y/N’s dreams, and the one who haunted her nightmares. Tonight was a nightmare. 
She knew she was dreaming, she knew it. But the way Amber pulled off her mask as she laid there bloody, it hurt just as much as it did that day. 
“Please, Amber,” she pleaded in pain. Blood spewed out of the freshly cut wound on her chest. “I love you.”
Amber looked coldly down at her, and at that moment, Y/N realized. Realized all of it was fake. All of the words and kisses Amber gave her; none of it was real. She wished she could apologize to her dad, she wished she could tell him how much she loved and appreciated him. She never did that. And now she never could. 
She prepared herself for the knife to sink into her side. She knew the routine by now, it was like clockwork. It would hurt, it would feel real, but every time, Amber would kiss her. And maybe, just maybe, that made up for the pain. 
The knife sunk into her stomach, and she arched up as she screamed in pain. Amber kissed her, just as she anticipated. Her vision started to grow black, like spilled ink staining a painting. Amber was a painting to her. Her beautiful work of art she loved looking at, even if Amber wanted to hurt her. 
Then, she awoke. 
First she shot up, then she breathed heavily. Her breaths were sharp and quick, and her hand went to her chest as she felt it tighten. Ethan stirred as she started to cry. 
His eyes fluttered open as he looked to the source of noise. His eyes widened, and he immediately sat up to wrap his arms around her. 
“Shhh it’s okay, I’m here,” He whispered. 
She turned her head to look at him, and all she focused on were his eyes. Dark, brown like hers. She hated how sometimes she would get so lost in his eyes, she would think of Amber’s eyes. How they darkened as she looked down at her in excitement. 
“It’s just me,” he said. It was just him. There wasn’t any evil in his eyes
She only let out a choked sob, and Ethan moved her head to rest on his chest. He pulled her to curl in his lap, her legs pulled up to her chest as he cradled her. 
“You're okay, I've got you.” 
She steadied her breaths. Don’t think of her, think of him. 
“I’m sorry,” she apologized. This was the fourth time this week. He shook his head and shushed her. He kissed the crown of her head and started humming her favorite song. The same song Dewey sang to her when she was little. 
“I miss him.” She whispered under her breath. 
“I know.” He whispered back. 
She didn’t know how many more nights of these she could take. She knew Ethan would leave her soon, that he would grow tired of this. 
“I’m sorry for waking you, again.” 
“It’s okay,” He cooed, playing with her hair. “It’s not a bother. I just want you to be okay. I love you.” 
She looked up at him, eyes glossy. She opened her mouth to respond. To tell him she loved him too. 
“You don’t have to say it. I know it’s hard for you.” 
She let her head move against his chest as he breathed. They sat in a blissful silence in each other’s arms. Her nose whistled as she breathed softly, and Ethan smiled down at her. He was the only thing that made her feel happy. He protected her, just like Dewey did. 
“You know,” Ethan started as he wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “The moment Chad pointed you out at that party, I knew I was done for. I knew that you were the one for me, and I didn’t need to look for that perfect girl anymore.”
“Ethan,” she choked out. 
“Let me finish,” he gently interrupted her. “I knew what happened to you last year. Chad told me that he’d kill me if I hurt you, but I knew you could do that yourself. You’re so strong, Y/N. You’re stronger than anyone I’ve ever met. You are so much more than what happened to you that night, so much more than her. She wasn’t good enough for you, and even if she was she didn’t deserve you. No one does, because you are perfect. I love you. I love you with everything I have.”
She grabbed his hand, and she placed it over her heart. I love you too. 
He kissed her. He kissed her so many times that she forgot about her dream. And for the first time in a long time, she didn’t feel bad about her father’s death. 
That night, Amber wasn’t in her dreams. Only Ethan.
219 notes · View notes
zepskies · 1 year
Text
Break Me Down - Part 2
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Pairing: Soldier Boy/Ben x Female Reader
Summary: You’re a private investigator by trade, but now you happily sit at a desk — leading a surveillance team at Supe Affairs. After managing to end Homelander in New York, Soldier Boy escapes custody. You are recruited for the manhunt, joining Butcher’s team.
Truly, you joined the S.A. for the right reasons. But after you become his accidental hostage, Soldier Boy will break down every single one of them…
💚 Break Me Down Masterlist
AN: Surprise Sunday update! I was able to put the finishing touches on Part 2 a bit early. 😉
Song used in this chapter is “If I Didn’t Care” by The Ink Spots (but more like Amy Adams' version). Song inspiration for this chapter (and the song title) is “All My Livin Time” by Radio Company (Jensen’s band with Steve Carlson).
Word Count: 4,500 Warnings: 18+ only! Willful seduction, kidnapping, SB being himself lol.
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Part 2: You Move Me, Baby
This next mission was going to be a bit more…hands on. 
It was a gentlemen’s club, styled like a 1920s speakeasy, of all things. If nothing else, Soldier Boy was predictable.
Through a crack in the dressing room door, you didn’t see any gentlemen here. You saw a bunch of skeevy bastards. 
For the record, you didn’t like this plan. But as Butcher once again pointed out, Soldier Boy’s less likely to fuckin’ recognize you than any of us. 
And you certainly couldn’t (wouldn’t) imagine Butcher in rhinestone nipple tassels. 
Right now, you were waiting to be assigned an outfit. Hopefully, you could just blend into the background of whatever performance act the stage manager wanted to slip you into. And you really hoped you wouldn’t have to striptease on stage.
In the meantime, you sat on a stool in a black lace bra, matching panties, and sheer pantyhose, while Annie was helping you with your stage makeup. Years as a pageant child had taught her well. You felt like Sandra Bullock in Miss Congeniality, fending off getting hairspray up her ass. 
Sure, you had gone undercover several times, but this was slightly out of your wheelhouse. You bit your lip, forgetting that you were already wearing several coats of scarlet red lipstick. 
Annie slapped your hand. “Stop it. You’re smudging my paint job.”
You had Butcher and M.M. to thank for arranging this little detail. 
May they both rot in hell, you silently simmered. 
“Oh, stop pouting. You look great,” Annie said. You caught the little smirk she was trying to taper down. 
Then the manager’s head popped into the dressing room. When he verified that all the young women had at least their underwear on, he stepped inside and shut the door behind him.
“All right, listen up,” he said in Spanish. You understood just enough to follow what he was saying. “Angelica got food poisoning.”
You grimaced. Angelica was the main act. She had a whole burlesque-style routine with the rest of the women—for which you were meant to step in for one of the girls in the ensemble. Hopefully in the back. 
“Daniela, you’re filling in,” said the manager, pointing to a busty brunette. 
“What about the second act?” asked another girl. If you remembered right, her name was Raquel. “Dani can’t sing like Angelica to save her fucking life.”
“Excuse me, bitch. I sing better than you,” Daniela snapped back.
The manager rolled his eyes and clapped his hands harshly to end the bickering. 
“Okay. Which one of you bitches can actually sing?” he asked, first in Spanish, then in English, you noticed as he glanced at you.
Annie looked at you with raised brows. You glared back at her. 
Damn you for telling her about your childhood church choir days. You were sure your religious mother never thought you’d be using those talents like this.  
“No,” you said firmly. Annie just smiled and waved the manager over.
That was how the two of them ended up all but pushing you on stage—after Annie had wrangled you into a shimmering red gown over your underwear and pantyhose. It was overlayed with delicate beading in intricate patterns. And it was easily the most beautiful thing you’d ever had on your body.
However, you did take issue with how long the slit was, running all the way up to your hip bone.
Not really ‘20s style, now is it? you thought sourly.
Annie just slapped your ass and guided you forward.
You shot back one last look at her—one that swore you’d have your revenge.
Then the curtain slid open. 
Fuck me, you thought nervously. This was really happening!
The lights blinded you for a moment, and you blinked the glare out of your eyes. They soon adjusted as you forced yourself to move towards the microphone at the right-hand side of the stage, close to the live band. The pianist shot you a smile and a wink as he started to play in dulcet tones.
Steeling yourself, you grabbed the microphone with a slight tremor in your hands. You stared out into the crowd as the rest of the band joined in, slow and jazzy. 
You’d informed the manager that you really only knew one song by heart.
“Eh, that is too slow,” he’d replied to you in English.
“It’s that, or Dani belts out in her best soprano,” you informed him. He sighed and waved a resigned hand. 
“Get her the red one,” he told Raquel. She then handed you the dress on a hanger. 
Now, you held the microphone between both hands and started the song your grandmother used to sing to you when you were a kid.
“If I didn’t care, more than words can say,” you began. “If I didn’t care, would I feel this way?”
You took in an unsteady breath. With each note, your voice was getting stronger, more confident. 
“If this isn’t love, then why do I thrill? And what makes my head go round and round, while my heart…stands…still…”
As you eased into the rest of the song, you remembered your mission. 
You scanned the dark room, rows of men of all ages, women serving drinks and food and their own bodies. You weren’t finding your target.
But this intel was good. The source was the girl you’d replaced in the show, and M.M. had already worked out her safe exit out of the city for a while. 
There. You finally saw it. 
Or rather, you saw him.
Towards the back, Soldier Boy sat at a large exclusive booth. He had a long joint propped between his fingers, and a working woman from the club already propositioning to service him. Her manicured hand eased down his chest. 
He also seemed to have hired men sitting at a table nearby. 
Your voice nearly hitched at the sight of him, but you forced yourself to take a calming breath during a musical interlude. 
You knew Annie and the rest of the team were here in the club somewhere, to back you up. But Soldier Boy knew Butcher and his team were onto him. the bastard would recognize them. You were the distraction here.
And if he went away with that escort, he could easily disappear upstairs and hop out the window again, gone like a coil of weed smoke.
Somehow, you needed to keep his ass in his seat.
So your voice came back in strong for the final verse.
“If I didn’t care, would it be the same? Would my every prayer begin and end…with just your name?” 
You watched Soldier Boy’s gaze drift toward the stage. Your lips curved as you held his eyes for a moment…but then, you coyly slid your gaze away. 
Okay, what’s going to grab his attention…
You shifted on the stage, letting the curve of your hip and ass sway to one side. You raised your other foot on the tips of your toes. And the slit running up your leg slid open, revealing your tall silver heels and a smooth leg, all the way up to the inside of your thigh.  
Unfortunately, you hadn’t been able to fit your gun holster this time.
“And would I be sure that this is love beyond compare…” Your voice rang out on the high note; at that climactic point, the music reached a crescendo.
You turned your head and looked directly into Soldier Boy’s eyes, and his mouth slid into a grin. 
He was watching you. 
Good.
“Would all this be true,” you sang, “if I didn’t care for you…”
As the final notes reverberated from the piano, applause and male whoops erupted from the crowd. 
You slowly released the microphone, breaking off eye contact with your target. 
Then you turned around, trying to hide the nervous tremor in your legs. You pressed a discreet hand to the communicator in your ear after the curtain fell behind you, and you told the team. 
“He’s here.” 
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Annie was no longer backstage. 
“Good job, crooner,” M.M. said on the comm. 
“Watch him ‘til he’s ready to leave,” Butcher said to everyone.
You agreed and dodged the manager so you could slip to the back room within the dressing room. 
You were about to change into your real clothes (and grab your gun), when you were stopped by a Latino man. Though he clearly wasn’t a local or a tourist. He looked ex-military, complete with a crew cut and dark beard. 
“Soldier Boy would like to meet you,” he said in lightly accented English. You affected some doe-eyed shock, even though some of your surprise was genuine. 
You’d just wanted to keep him watching the show. You hadn’t expected him to take the bait this much. 
“Oh, wow…where? Now?” you asked.
“Now,” he confirmed. “Upstairs.”
He couldn’t even pick me up himself? Lazy, you wanted to tsk.
You spied the stage manager over by the doorway. He gave you a stern nod that told you that you had no choice but to accept. 
Not that you ever intended to decline. Though of fucking course the manager had known Soldier Boy was here. He was probably a damn regular. 
You gave Soldier Boy’s man a charming smile. “Lead the way.”
This wasn’t the plan, exactly. You decided it was even better though. Just infinitely more dangerous. 
Even though you had years of training, honing your body and your mind in a fight, you weren’t a supe. You were, in fact, exceedingly breakable.
“Are you crazy, cherie?” Frenchie said on the comm. 
You also thought you heard M.M. mutter an, “Aw shit.”
“She don’t got a choice now,” Butcher said. “But it’s a good play to get him alone. Slip her one of them hockey pucks.”
You heard M.M., Annie, Butcher, and Frenchie’s continued twittering back and forth about the change of plan. Meanwhile, you were being escorted upstairs.
Kimiko managed to maneuver into your path from the opposite direction, and she slipped a small disk into your hand as she passed you. 
You gave her a grateful wink and discreetly placed the device into your bra while your escort wasn’t looking. 
It wasn’t a dose of Novichok, but it was something that might keep Soldier Boy occupied for a moment. You intended to use it if he got too fucking handsy.
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You were let into a room on the third floor. With the lavish way it was furnished, complete with a king-sized bed, it almost looked like a hotel room. 
Yeah, Hotel California, you thought wryly, as the door shut behind you. 
Soldier Boy sat at a table by the far wall, gazing out the window with yet another joint (or perhaps the same one?) and a generous pour of whiskey in his hand. 
Even you could admit, he cut an attractive figure. He was dressed in light brown slacks, a matching suit jacket and a white dress shirt with the top buttons left open. A simple ensemble, but well-tailored and suited to the golden tan he’d developed here in South America. His beard was neatly trimmed, his short hair styled back in its familiar sweep on both sides. 
Even seated, his posture was casual, yet controlled as his head turned to meet your gaze. A smile started to curve his lips. 
Show time, you told yourself. 
“You’re new,” he said. You tilted your head, a bit of flirtation in your smile.
“What makes you say that?” you asked.
He gave you an oh please look. With the hand that held his whiskey, he gestured with a curling finger. 
“Come ‘ere. Don’t be shy,” he said. It was an order rather than a request, but you hid your instinctive annoyance.
You subtly took in a steadying breath. And you moved farther into the room. You didn’t stop until you were sitting opposite him at the window, crossing your legs beneath the table. 
You could tell he’d expected you to take a seat in his lap, but to a degree, you didn’t want to do what he expected. He was likely paying the club well for this time. You didn’t want to make it easy.
You wanted him to be enticed. Invested in this moment. 
And distracted, for as long as he let you. 
You watched him glance down with interest at your bare leg peeking out. At your strappy silver heel shining along with your dress in the soft lamplight, which casted shadows across his profile. 
“Want a drink?” he asked. 
You were surprised he was offering you anything. You’d half-expected him to order you onto your knees already. Upon which, he would’ve received the gift currently residing in your bra a bit early. 
You didn't want to take any drink you hadn't poured yourself, but you also needed to keep this act going...
"I'm not gonna fucking drug you," he said, reading the look in your eyes. "What would be the fucking point of that?"
Hmph. smart-ass motherfucker, you thought. But you didn't detect a lie.
You quirked your head and took the proffered sip from his glass. You wanted to play it cool, but maybe you also needed a little liquid courage. 
“All right, easy on the booze. Get his guard down,” Butcher said in your ear. You resisted the urge to frown.
Could Butcher see you somehow too? Or was he just hearing the ice clinking in the glass as you gulped it down. 
“Did you enjoy my performance?” you asked Soldier Boy.
“Still am, doll face,” he said with a smirk. You raised a brow. 
“I’m not that new,” you replied, biting indelicately on a dark cherry. Your heeled foot slowly slid against the inside of his thigh. 
It was his turn to raise brow. His head tilted with his smirk. 
You didn’t know if he was more amused than turned on, but his gaze roamed openly over your legs, the cleavage on display, your dark red lips. 
“Are you enjoying your stay in Medellin?” you asked, trying to keep the conversation going. 
“Oh, yeah. I’m having a fuckin’ ball,” he said wryly. He dabbed some ash off his blunt with a finger. 
There was something off there, and you didn’t miss it.
“You sound bored,” you said. Soldier Boy considered you with a lustful, challenging gaze. 
“Maybe. You gonna help me with that, sweetheart?”
A flutter of nerves churned in your belly, but you used it, letting the feeling prickle awareness across your skin. 
“Depends,” you said coyly. 
Both his brows rose this time, as if he was surprised you were actually pretending to resist him. 
“On?”
You subtly leaned forward when you gave him back his glass, allowing him to spy a bit more down your dress. You stared into his deep green eyes, and tried not to get lost yourself. He was an attractive man, but he was also your target. A job you intended to finish. 
A smile played at your lips.
“On what excites you,” you replied. 
By the way his eyes darkened, his smile curving, you thought he liked that answer. 
Then his hand extended toward you, a silent command in his gaze. Steeling yourself, you tried your best to be graceful and sensuous when you took his hand. He playfully jerked you forward, making you fall into his lap. 
You waved some dank weed smoke out of your face as you looked down at his amused one. 
He was nearly down to the roach on his joint. Meanwhile, his free heavy hand slid up your bare leg, disappearing beneath your dress and making goosebumps spread across your skin. Your breath hitched, though you disguised it with a smile. 
“You afraid of me, sweetheart?” he cooed. 
Yes, if you were honest with yourself. 
There was a false sense of security in his deep voice. You looked down into his eyes, very green and intensely focused on you, despite his air of nonchalance. 
“Not really,” you replied. “Only that you might get ash on my dress.”
He chuckled, smoke blowing out his nose. He put out the joint in the ashtray and took another sip of his whiskey, likely to drown out the cotton taste in his mouth. You laid a hand on his chest, fingers spreading between the open buttons, and felt his warm skin. 
He glanced up at you with another challenging tilt to his head. What are you gonna do now?
You met that challenge, boldly leaning down to press a kiss against his lips. You held his face, delving your fingers into his soft hair. 
Soldier Boy grabbed your hips with a bruising force. It made you wince, instinctively biting into his lower lip. He uttered a pleased sound, guttural in this throat. You braced yourself against the wall behind him for leverage as his chair started to tip back. 
Before either of you could fall, he lifted you effortlessly by the waist and pivoted, pinning you against that wall. Your legs wrapped around his waist as his tongue invaded your mouth, devouring you with hot and heavy hands holding you in place.
His fingers pressed into the flesh of your thighs, and you knew you couldn’t easily escape if you needed to.
This is getting out of hand… 
He was busy kissing a wet and sloppy line down your neck, his beard scraping against your skin. It actually felt so fucking good to be touched. You hadn’t experienced it in so long, it almost startled you when your heated core pulsed with the friction you were feeling against the hardness in his slacks. 
You would never admit it, but it wasn’t an act when you moaned into his ear. Fuck…
But when his hand again slipped under your dress and crept up your inner thigh, alarm bells triggered in your mind as panic started to set in. You panted for breath. 
With him seemingly distracted, you reached down into your bra and grabbed the metal disk. 
You gasped as Soldier Boy grabbed your wrist, tight as a vice. He looked down at you with a sly grin. 
“You were fuckable in black, but red’s my favorite so far,” he said. 
Your eyes widened. When the hell did he see me in black?
And then you remembered. You’d worn a black dress at the last club, where you got groped on the dance floor and found Soldier Boy’s latest note…
Had he hung around after all, watching you and the team pick up his clues?
And you realized, he knew exactly who you were. 
Soldier Boy glanced down at your lips, then at the tops of your breasts heaving as you caught your breath. His eyes shone with mischief and lust. 
“It’s a real shame. You’re probably a good fuck too,” he remarked. It sparked your irate disgust like a wildfire.
Then you smirked. “You can fuck this.” 
You activated the disk in your hand and flicked it at him. He instinctively grabbed at his face, releasing you. The device attached to his cheek and electrified enough volts through his body to drop an elephant. 
Maybe five. The CIA weapons specialist hadn’t been too sure.
And a star bolt shot Soldier Boy in the chest, shoving him away before he could grab at you. 
You jumped back and continued to put several feet of distance between you and Soldier Boy, while Annie and the rest of your team poured into the room. They were poised for a fight, once Soldier Boy ripped the device off his face with a grunt. It probably hadn’t hurt him much, but he looked pissed now. 
He rolled the kinks out of his neck and surveyed the room with a slow gait. He spared you a fleeting glance. You were now at the safety of Kimiko’s side, and Frenchie handed you a gun. 
“Ah, the Scooby Gang,” Soldier Boy remarked. He nodded at Butcher. “This is how you repay me for taking care of Homelander? My own son.”
“He weren’t your fucking son,” Butcher replied. “I’d reckon you know that best of all.”
Soldier Boy’s lips twitched. Whether at a smile or a frown, you couldn’t tell. 
“You found me, remember? So what, you got buyer’s remorse?” he said.
“See, the problem is, supes like you are what we call,” said Butcher, “a menace to fucking society.” 
Soldier Boy’s lips pulled down into a frown. He looked a cross between annoyed and impatient. 
“I fought for my country. I saved lives—”
“You took just as many as you might’ve saved,” M.M. interrupted. “And not just that building you burnt the fuck up last year.” 
Soldier Boy hesitated at that. “You really wanna do this?” 
You all really want to die? his eyes said. He got determined silence from all of you. He rolled his shoulders and adjusted his blazer. 
“All right,” he shrugged. 
Then all hell broke loose. You ducked for cover as Soldier Boy deflected the giant flare gun M.M. shot at him. With his bare hand. 
Hired security then poured into the room—you assumed hired by Soldier Boy. And you protected Hughie from getting his neck snapped by shooting a man between the eyes.
You and M.M. continued to fight them off. Meanwhile, Kimiko and Annie tried to give Butcher and Frenchie a chance to get close with the Novichok gas on Soldier Boy. 
You took care of three more men before you heard a low buzzing sound. You turned around, and a gasp fell from your lips when you saw Soldier Boy’s chest lighting up. 
You knew what came next. 
And so did Annie. She poured her all into her next star bolt—which managed to shove Soldier Boy through the window. She and Kimiko flew or otherwise ran out the window to follow him. While Butcher, Frenchie, and M.M. helped you fight off the last of the hired guns. 
Finally, you covered Hughie as the five of you left the normal, human way, and ran down the stairs to exit the club. By the time you were able to join Annie and Kimiko, however, Soldier Boy had disappeared.
You glared down the dark, busy streets of Medellin. 
Damn it!
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You returned to the hotel disappointed and angry beyond fucking belief. Mostly at yourself.
After all the work you did, having to seduce and make out with that bastard, only to discover he’d made you long before you took the stage at the club.
Fucking hell, you thought angrily as you kicked at your suitcase. It sent your clothes tumbling across the dirty carpet, but right now you didn’t give a fuck. Damn cocky bastard. 
In the bathroom, you kicked off your heels in relief. You looked yourself over in the mirror and found various cuts and bruises from the fight. Your softly curled hair was a shambles, along with your makeup. 
Parts of your dress were torn, along with your pantyhose. Which was probably Soldier Boy’s doing, if you thought about it. You sighed. 
You were about to start undressing, but then you heard something. A small sound, like a thump. 
Your gun was on the table in the main room. Frowning in suspicion, you left the bathroom cautiously. Before your hand could close around your gun, a gloved hand grabbed your wrist. 
You aimed a punch with your free one and caught a man directly in the jaw. He reeled back, but was quick to recover and try to grab you again. 
While the guy was strong, you could feel that he wasn’t a supe. A human, you could deal with. He wore a mask over his face, but you could see he had shoulder-length brown hair. He was tall and lean, and one of his boots was strangely larger than the other.
You didn’t have time to focus on it. You redirected his following blow and used his strength against him, flipping him over your shoulder. Unfortunately, he landed on the table that held your poor laptop. 
“Aw, shit,” you snapped with a grimace. You searched for your gun in the wreckage. 
While you were somewhat distracted, he aimed a kick that caught you in the face, sending you onto your back with a pained cry. You quickly rolled over and got to your feet, just as your attacker threw out fist after fist.
You dodged and shoved away most of them, until he grabbed your arm and managed to crack his elbow into your temple.
You went down and hit your head hard against the bedframe.
And it was lights out.
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You slowly, painfully woke up in a moving car. 
You were suffering the cottony taste of a gag in your mouth and a musty bag over your head. Your wrists were tied in front of you, and it felt like you were shoved into the backseat. The car was quiet, save for the radio playing Latin pop on low volume. 
You never would’ve thought Shakira would be the background track of your kidnapping, but here you were. 
The car eventually stopped and you were dragged out, forced onto your feet on a cobblestone driveway. Then into a house. 
…Well, this fucking sucks.
The thought rattled through your mind as you were led down a hallway, across a cold expanse of tile floor. You couldn’t see where you were going with this stuffy bag over your head, but you knew it was tile. Your bare feet all but scraped across it as they dragged you. 
Whoever held your arms in a vice grip eventually forced you to sit in a rickety wooden chair. They pulled your wrists behind the chair and bound them together with a zip tie. 
You felt the slit on your dress sliding open, so you crossed your legs, for whatever good that would do you. At the very least, it would give the impression that you were sitting here casually, and not (figuratively) shitting yourself with fear.  
“What the hell is this?” a deep, familiar voice asked.
“A gift.” You knew this voice as well. Neither one instilled you with calm.
Then the bag finally came off your head. The gag did not, however. You knew your red dress was in unfortunate tatters. You knew you were bruised and scratched, and overall worse for wear.
But when your gaze found your kidnapper, you glared up at him with a stubborn tilt to your chin. Antonio, Señor Groping Bastard from the club, was smirking back at you. 
What the fuck.
Then you noticed him.
Soldier Boy stared back at you with raised brows, and instant recognition in his eyes. His lips curved into a smirk.
“Hey, sweetheart.”
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AN: 😬 So we finally made it to the prologue opener! Was it everything you thought it would be? How did you like her attempt at "undercover?" 🤭
And are you ready for what's coming next?
To keep reading: Part 3
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Soldier Boy Masterlist
Main Masterlist
Series Tag List:
@deans-spinster-witch @this-is-me19 @waynes-multiverse @pallographsunspot @samanddeaninatrenchcoat @spalady26 @spnwoman @wirdbeimaufhebengebunden @syrma-sensei @muhahaha303 @123passwort @xoxovienna @magnificentnightmarehadi @lollag0w0 @globetrotter28 @nancymcl @ashbatz @yvonneeeee @fckinel @secretdreamlandmentality @kristophalis @wonderland2022 @waters-2567 @emily-winchester
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inkabelledesigns · 7 months
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Belladonna Nightshade - Halloween Dark Fairy
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Base Doll: G3 Twyla from Monster High Clothing Pattern: Dollightful's Asymmetrical Dress (read to the end, I have notes about this)
Happy Halloween everyone! Since becoming a doll customizer, my Halloween dolls are usually related to my favorite indie horror game, Bendy and the Ink Machine. However, seeing as I've completed two Bendy dolls already this year, I felt it was time to give myself a break and try something a bit different. My friends over in DollyAnna's Discord server wanted to do a collaboration, so we decided to all make some Dark Fairies for Halloween!
Belladonna Nightshade is a mischievous fae that loves to play tricks and tempt mortals. That said, she's easily bribed with a sweet treat or two, and will usually let you be if you have a little candy or pastry to give her. I haven't decided what I want to do with her yet in terms of a story, but there is a part of me that would love to have her in my Equinox story.
When you consider the fact that most of my other Halloween dolls are black and yellow, it's no surprise she ended up super colorful. XD Would you believe this is my first doll with rainbow hair? Yeah neither did I, but she is! Part of my style is having really colorful and vibrant dolls, it surprises a lot of people that I've never done a rainbow before, but honestly? I'm glad to have finally tackled one! I'm also glad to have worked with another G3. Twyla is very near and dear to my heart, and I was so psyched to work with her mold! You can't see it in any of these photos, but I used glow in the dark varnish on her eyes and neon markings, so that her eyes still glow like the original. I will say, this doll has a lot more acrylic paint than my others, just by the nature of I don't have any pencils in neon colors. It was nice to get the practice in, I feel more confident than I did before in my brush skills. It was also nice to have a doll with dark scleras for a change! I haven't done that since I made Dreamer, it's surprisingly fun to draw on!
I was inspired by a LOT of different things with this one, and I went back and forth on my concepts a lot. Black light skeleton make-up, butterflies, fairies with non-traditional wings, candy, jesters, these were all sources of inspiration, and I think most obviously of all, Dollightful herself. This wasn't intentional, but I ended up using a doll of one of her favorite characters, with a lot of saturated colors which we know she loves, and even her dress pattern! I've been wanting to make this garment for ages, and finally I had a reason to try it!
So those of you who know how this pattern works are probably asking "Kat, how did you make this fit a G3? This dress is supposed to fit a G1 Monster High doll!" Believe it or not, Requiem Arts has a method for easily adjusting G1 patterns to fit G3 bodies. It's as simple as scaling a pattern up to 104% and printing it that way. It's meant for her garments, but I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work for other doll patterns. So I tried it with Katherine's dress, and I'm happy to say it worked out just fine! I think I probably should have adjusted a bit more on the skirt though. This outfit is essentially two pieces, and the skirt with all the ruffles is a little tight around the booty, it could have used a little more sizing up. So if you own this pattern and want to try this yourself, do keep that in mind!
Do let me know what you think! I had so much fun working on Belladonna, she's so vibrant and fun, I wanna try more fairies like her someday. I also need to try using props more. I got these pumpkins and hay bales on sale, and it was fun using them to craft a little temporary set for photos.
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sanjisluvbot · 1 year
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Spending time with Yandere Strawhats x Black Fem reader
AN: Hello and welcome new readers, this is slightly a part three to my Isekai series and as I publish this I am thinking about creating separate fics for each of the characters below. If you want to be on a tag list I’ll add you 🫶🏽🫵🏽
MINI SPOILERS BTW
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Luffy was the main source of light for your adventure. You hung out with him mostly in the middle of the day when the sun was at its peak. Other times it’s at the end of the day just before Sanji calls you in for the last meal. Those are your favorites, words don’t need to be spoken when you and Luffy are sitting on the head of the Sunny. At least not the words either of you want to hear at the moment. So you both sit in silence enjoying the false sense of bliss.
Luffy sits next to you in all meals, since you’re the favorite, he wouldn’t dare steal food from you.. most of the time of course. The first mate will always be to the other side of you as well neither taking their gaze off of you as if you were nothing but prey.
When you’re all on islands only few are assigned to take care of you and watch you. Nami, Robin, Zoro, Sanji and Jimbei, the rest couldn’t be trusted to not fall for you in their naivety.
When you were able to go adventure with Luffy you had more of a chance to escape when he was distracted by surroundings. However that didn’t last long, it was as if he had eyes on the back of his head. He would know exactly where you were hiding no matter what.
You got better at hiding behind a fake smile the more you hung out with Luffy. It was never a pretty sight with any of the crew when you angered them by mentioning your “ home”
Luffy would usually ignore you when you’d talk about home, he didn’t care about the past he just wanted to enjoy the present with all his friends. But those times you got under his skin he made your life a living hell.
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Zoro wasn’t one to really welcome most with open arms especially with the way you ended up with the crew.
Zoro was one who put you in edge the most because even having one eye shut the man’s gaze makes one fully understand that if he wanted to he would end your life.
However that barley lasted a full week, after he found out you both had a love for drinking he made it a mission to get under your skin in the best ways he could. Always checking up on you, rescuing you when you’re in danger, wanting to play drinking games after dinner, and napping on the deck with him on warm days.
On new islands you would go pair off with Zoro, in order to fall into the shadows and disappear from the strawhat crew forever. However, Zoro was resilient, he always held your hand and never took that menacing eye away for more than a second.
You’ve tried to reason with him once when you both were drunk off your asses in the aquarium. “ I want to ask you something.. Zoro” with a heavy sigh he turned to face you from his spot on the floor. “ Why do you like to bother me when we are like this? You’re gonna ruin a good time”
His gaze was so intense making you gulp and turn away while his eye burned into your skull. It’s very unfortunate that this man is so attractive. “ I know it’s a lot to ask but-” “ Then don’t ask me I don’t have an answer to satisfy you y/n” you could tell when he was really inebriated, his hard exterior was down and he spoke to you with such a soft voice.
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You and Nami spent most of your time together in her office. You liked to write and paint and she had tons of paper and ink.
Tanning on the Sunny was an essential it felt like you had a real girlfriend, you did your spa days together and talked about anything to come to mind. Sharing baths always made you blush since she would take the time to pamper you and scrub your scalp when it was wash day.
Nami had always been a great actor, that’s how she was able to survive those many years alone and ostracized from her family and friends. Bringing up home around her means waterworks.
It also means being punished by the whole crew because she told everyone you were thinking of an escape.
She loved taking you shopping, you were her little doll she wanted to dress up and take care of. She didn’t want to loose anyone else close to her which is exactly why she would go as far as getting you punished for a few days in order to make sure you can stay with her forever.
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Ussop was the one you could relate to the most. You both were very similar in terms of being considered the weakest onboard and among other things.
Spending time with Ussop meant sometimes spending time with Chopper and Luffy playing games and pranks on crew members.
You learned about his garden and eventually started helping him take care of that. He spoke in depth about what he learned over the last two years and how his new seeds worked.
He turned you into a little inventor, bringing you under his wing and you were willing to learn anything and everything. You almost felt bad knowing the real reason you wanted to learn from him.
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Sanji was enamored with you to the fullest extent. He is usually head over heels for anything that walks his way with boobs but you, you sparked something in him.
Spending time with Sanji meant you didn’t have to lift a finger because he waited on you hand and foot.
Sanji loved to have you perched on his side when he was cooking so you can taste everything and stroke his ego. He was such a charmer and you both got along so well since it was obvious you both had a soft spot for one another.
One islands like water seven you would pair off with him and go and explore the city and help him buy groceries. This is one of the main reasons out of all the Yandere Strawhats Sanji is the most obsessed. To him, those times were dates and godforbid something happened to you or you decided to leave him he would spiral.
When you used to talk about going home or one of the other crew members would tell him about things you been doing ( escape attempts ) he would get so angry his eyebrow going from left to right. This would cause Zoro and him to fight more often due to him wanting to take his anger out on anything.
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Robin was the main one to keep you on your toes. Her eyes always let you know when to stop talking.
Spending time with Robin meant you were able to read a variety of books and inhaling knowledge just as she does. When you looked at books that resembles your situation she was always over your shoulder or had an eye pop up somewhere on your body.
“ Interesting book there y/n would you let me read it when your done?” Her smile never fully reached her eyes on most occasions which always left you drenched in a cold sweat because you knew.
You knew that escaping with someone like Robin on the crew was more than difficult, but you pushed that past you when you hung out. Sanji would bring tea and treats to the library and there would be soft music playing in the background.
Robin was serenity when you ignored the silent threats.
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Spending time with the whole crew was usually meal times or when you had important business on an island.
Everyone bounced off each others conversations they truly stuck together like glue which is the main reason you’ve been with them so long.
No matter what the conversations always gravitated towards you. Each sharing their stories of time you spent together or future plans they had with you. Some of which you hadn’t even agreed to ( yet ).
It is hard to escape from a crew that you already ran away from once, they’d be damned if they let it happen twice.
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pioneergirlsie · 10 months
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The Little Things
John “Soap” MacTavish x Reader
Summary: While Johnny is home on leave, you share a quiet moment together.
A/N: I am such a Soap girl. This is based on a post that I cannot find back about coloring Ghost’s tattoo sleeve. It’s lived rent-free in my head ever since I read it, and this was born. I will link the post if I ever find it back!
Modern Warfare Masterlist
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“Hold out your arm,” you commanded.
Soap gave you a suspicious look. You’d been quietly working on a coloring book on the couch beside him for a while now, the scratch of the marker on paper the only sound besides an occasional chuckle before Soap showed you a meme.
“What are ya doin’, lass?” he asked with an amused grin.
“Just let me see your arm,” you said, giving him a pleading look.
He tried to give you a stern look and refuse. He really tried, but he could never say no to you. No, after the horrors of battle, you were what he came home to, his comfort and his safe place to land. You were his everything, and he’d never deny you anything, not if he could help it.
You’d been dating for two years, but the time you’d actually physically spent together had been drastically shortened by his deployments. You both treasured the time you could spend in each other’s presence.
“Johnny,” you teased, drawing out his name. You wanted his arm.
He rolled his eyes and held out his right arm, the one with the tattoo. Your face erupted into a bright smile as you got comfortable on the couch, moving his forearm to your lap.
You uncapped a blue marker and steadied your canvas with the other hand.
Soap raised an eyebrow.
“It’s too plain,” you said, gesturing to his tattoo. “Needs some color.”
You waited until he gave you the slightest hint of a nod before you touched the tip of the marker to his skin, delicately brushing it over his arm.
He laid his phone aside, intent on watching you work. Soap was enjoying the attention you were focusing on him, and the brush of the markers was intensely relaxing.
As you carefully worked and chose different colors to best suit different areas of the tattoo, Soap couldn’t help admiring you. Beautiful, kind, innocent. You were as untouched by war as someone dating a special forces soldier could be. You cared about him in a way few others did. Even on his worst days, you *wanted* to be there for him.
Too soon, you capped your last marker.
“What do you think?” you asked, a twinkle in your eyes.
At some point, he’d stopped watching you color and focused on your face instead, watching you bite your lip in concentration as you worked. Now he looked over your handiwork.
“Excellent work,” he said with a grin.
“Should get it tattooed like that,” you commented, trying to tease.
He didn’t say what he was thinking: if he got it tattooed like that, you wouldn’t be able to color it again when the ink washed off.
“My turn,” Soap said, holding out a hand for your arm.
You looked at him, puzzled. He knew you didn’t have any tattoos.
Soap grabbed the black marker and motioned for your arm.
“I’ll sketch you something.”
You gave him your arm quite happily, and he held your wrist lightly to keep his canvas still. You couldn’t stop a shiver at the touch of the cold marker on your skin.
He started working immediately, painting his vision onto your arm. The attention he focused on you and the feeling of the marker was relaxing. He could draw on every square inch of you if he wanted to and you wouldn’t mind.
You found your eyes wandering to his face. The way he held his jaw told you he was concentrating hard. His blue eyes never wavered from his work.
You loved him. He was your protector, your confidant, your partner-in-crime. You hated that he had to be away so much in such a dangerous line of work, but you were also immensely proud of his service. You wanted to support him through everything.
Your eyes flickered back down to what he was drawing. It was a wild violet.
One of the first times you’d spoken, you’d been crouched near the edge of the sidewalk. Soap had assumed you needed help. Why else would you be in such a position?
When he asked if you were okay, you looked up and smiled, assuring him you were fine. You’d blushed at his attention, having hoped to go unnoticed in the few moments your task would take.
“I just thought these violets were pretty, growing out of the sidewalk cracks like that,” you’d said. “They’re my favorite.”
You were taking pictures of a beauty that few others would ever notice, and that was one of the things he loved about you. You found good everywhere.
Soap finished coloring in the petals.
“What do you think?”
“It’s perfect,” you whispered, in awe that he’d drawn something that lovely in mere minutes.
Soap smiled at you as you admired his masterpiece. You were radiant. You were everything good and wonderful and beautiful. He loved you.
“Will you marry me?”
It slipped out before he could stop it.
He wasn’t prepared for a proposal. He would have planned a fancy dinner and taken you somewhere romantic. Instead, his proposal was accidental and spontaneous, born in a moment of pure love.
You froze and looked up at him, shocked. Had he really just proposed?
As you looked at him, his heart stopped. He couldn’t breathe. *What if you said no?* Why had he let that slip?
“Johnny,” you breathed, and he prepared himself for your gentle rejection.
“Yes.”
It was his turn to be stunned. “Yes?”
“Yes,” you confirmed, tears in your eyes. “A thousand times, yes.”
He cupped your face and kissed you sweetly. Your hot tears slid over his thumb, but he didn’t mind.
As you broke the kiss, you both started laughing in disbelief.
“Are we getting married?” Soap asked, gazing deep into your eyes.
“Yes,” you said and smiled, running a hand through his mohawk. “Yes, we are.”
He looked a little embarrassed then.
“What?”
“I dinnae have a ring for my fiancée.”
You were about to assure him that you didn’t mind. You could go ring shopping at any time. Still, you knew he just wanted this proposal to be perfect for you.
In a moment of inspiration, you grabbed a thin-tipped Sharpie and held it out to him, along with your left hand.
He quickly caught on.
“May I?”
You nodded. He took your hand and the marker and began his work. While he drew, he told you how much he loved you. Every reason that he adored you, he let himself say.
You wiped tears with your other hand, trying to keep steady for your fiancé.
Once he had designed a ring as special as you, he capped the marker. While he was still holding your hand, he brought it to his lips and kissed it.
“I love it, Johnny.”
It was truly a work of art, an elegant design with a Celtic twist. You didn’t say it then, but you wondered if you could get a jewelry-maker to craft you a ring following his design. The ring was perfect, and it was created out of the love you had for each other.
You kissed him.
“I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
You were going to be his, his, his.
You were his.
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konigbabe · 11 months
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PAYMENT
Pairing: Toji Fushiguro x fem!reader Word count: 1.1k Tags/warnings: no y/n; smut; p-in-v sex; unprotected sex; female gendered anatomy; light sadism, rough(ish) sex; implied cunnilingus Summary: You wanted Toji Fushiguro to tattoo you. Now's the time to pay for his services. Part of my JJKS2 writing week.
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All you originally wanted was just the tattoo. Something simple, easily hideable. Toji made it clear he wasn’t an exceptional artist–
("You have a tattoo gun?"
Intrigued by the sight of the compact, gleaming device in your hand, a mix of curiosity and surprise, you held it up to Toji’s apathetic face. His eyes met yours as he let out a nonchalant hum in response, "tried to make some quick cash."
"So you got a medical license," amused, you chuckled, "seems like a lot of work for someone like you."
He only shrugged, lounging on the couch with a careless demeanor, "Not exactly."
Now that made more sense.
"Ah, I see. You were an illegal tattoo artist, huh," you deduced, taking a step closer to him and placing the gun on the crackled, stained coffee table between you two, "can you tattoo me?"
The request lingered in the air as you stayed bent over the low table, both hands firmly on its surface; eyes staring right into the leaden depths of his own.)
–now; your skin’s burning. The wound on your hip bone stings; still fresh, open. Ink the shade of the night sky, lines swirling around the skin in an alluring pattern, painting a vivid image. The plastic wrap barely clings to your sweating flesh.
You can’t complain though. Not with the way Toji’s hips snap against yours; when he’s rutting into you with a fervor that hasn’t been in him since the day he’d first met you. Not with the way he holds you, his arms caging your aching, squirming body on the table. A hand grasping the soft side of yours, dangerously close to the new tattoo.
Thighs flexing, shifting; you feel the sticky mess of your juices coat his cock. Heels digging into the apex of his ass, the muscles constricting underneath your own. Taut. Years of hard work shaping his body to unholy perfection.
With each thrust, it feels as if the tip of his cock breaches the opening of your womb.
Painful. Sometimes, even.
But that doesn’t stop you; you welcome it.
"Ah–Toji–f–fuck…"
It earns you a grunt. Sound so guttural, emerging from the depths of his chest. His fingers burn as his thumb digs into the foil, unwittingly digging into the covered cut.
"It hurts," you whine when his nails poke at the onyx lines, "Toji–oh-don–don’t stop–"
And he doesn’t. He can’t stop, not with the sounds that are coming out of your mouth. The squeaks, moans and the loud keens. They’re all like petals dropping from a flower. And he’s just there, in the middle, watching them all fall.
Body writhing, spasming underneath his calloused hands; with his cock ferociously pounding into you, shamelessly chasing his own high…it amuses him. You amuse him.
"Huh–"
It’s almost maniacal; the way he feels entertained, enthralled by your body’s response to such simple human desire. Savoring the eagerness and zeal with which your body responds o him.
The hand that’s been grinding against the sore area of your hip bone moves. Toji putting pressure against the natural curve of your clavicle and pushing. The back of your head meets the hard surface of the kitchen island as his face hovers over yours. Your eyes fixate on the tip of his tongue, poking from his lips, still glistening with your juices from moments ago–it takes your attention from his other hand.
Which, in the meantime, moves from the table to your aching nub but instead of putting pressure, toying with it, Toji pinches it before rolling the bud between his thumb and index finger, eliciting a surprised, yet pleasured gasp from your lips.
"You a sadistic one, ain’t ya?"
He grins, dark eyes shining with mischief and desire. Breath hot against your ear, he whispers, voice like smoldering embers beneath a velvet cloak, "you like that? The pain. Want more?"
You can’t answer; mind a complete standstill. Every thought, every word he says seems to slip through the cracks and vanish into the darkness. But Toji wants an answer, and he isn’t one to take silence for it. With a quick tilt of his hips, he takes you up higher, makes you feel every movement, every ridge of his body against yours.
Tongue darting out, lips latched onto the side of your neck, his teeth sink into the heated flesh. Not enough to draw blood but still enough to leave his mark.
"Yes, more–ple–please."
Your hand grasps his hair. Feeling the silken strands flow between your fingers; you tug.
He growls against your skin, the vibrations setting your body on fire. Fingernails digging into the delicate skin of your body, hands kneading the flesh as his lips trail up to your ear, breath tickling your neck.
"Say it again," he whispers, voice low and gravelly.
"More, please."
He doesn’t stop; not until every breath you take sounds like a moan. Until you have no coherent words left in you.
Until you’re nothing but a trembling mess in his arms.
Your body arcs, fingertips reaching out; seeking each contour of his tight abdomen. That’s all the warning he gets.
Like a flood. You feel it wash over you; the heat coiling and burning. The moment stretches on like an elastic band–
Intensity guilds. Sticky warmth fills you. Toji’s relentless thrusting only grows in speed, hands gripping underneath your knees, opening your legs more. His pelvis meets yours; his thrusts limit you to sharp, noisy exhalations.
–until it snaps.
Like the petals had fallen, you fall. Limbs weak, you feel yourself go limp.
Fucked dumb.
But Toji isn’t done with you yet. You’re the one who started it, you don’t get to tap out so quickly, so easily.
"I ain’t through with ya, pup."
(Laying back on the cool surface of the kitchen island, body supported by your elbows, you looked down. Toji pulled back, petting the sore tattooed spot now wrapped in plastic.
You actually liked his work.
"So," you speak up, drawing his gaze at you with apathetic eyes, "what’s the payment?")
His hands sneak around your body – one lying flat against your nape, bringing your head up towards his flushed yet grinning face, body following suit as he makes you sit back up. His lips curl into a smirk, "get ready, next round’s gonna be rough."
And it is. The next few rounds, actually.
It’s brutal. Raw. Toji holds you down, his body over yours. You can feel him, grinding into you; his cock, pulsing with desire. A need to claim you. A need to feel you beneath him, to taste your sweat, your cries.
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stevelieber · 1 year
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One of the weirdest things I ever did was spend a month with a friend secretly squatting in our old dorm without permission, a full year after graduation. My bud Scott Multer was painting a vampire comic book for a small publisher and he needed to go somewhere to knuckle down and work. He somehow got access to the house we’d lived in during our first year at school, and we road tripped hundreds of miles back there to get! shit! done!
We listened to a few cassettes over and over: Fishbone, Public Enemy, The Misfits. Scott painted vampires, quoting the dialogue at me in goofy voices as he worked his way through that giant stack of pages. I’d told all my commercial art clients I’d be unavailable, so I had no deadlines. I pencilled, inked, and lettered a comics story that my friend Jeff Lang had written. I read a translation of The Master and Margarita. And I made significant life-choices by flipping randomly through a dictionary of quotations I’d found on the sidewalk, interpreting the results like oracular prophecy. I was confused about almost everything and letting random wisdom leak out from the pages of a fifty year old book seemed like a good idea at the time.
At some point that summer, I did this oil sketch of my room there. This was all decades ago, and it still sort of feels like last week.
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artsyspinch · 8 months
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Four years ago, I drew my first ever finished digital art piece, using a Huion 420 tablet off of Amazon, and Krita. I was so proud of it, I showed it off to my friends and family on instagram, and I didn’t think I could get any better than this. Fast forward to the next year, and I drew it again, just to see how much better I could make it.
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This time I used a Wacom tablet with Krita. It was one of the cheaper ones, but still an upgrade. I was even more proud of this one, but I wasn’t really that happy with it. I didn’t like how Papyrus turned out, and it seemed so awkwardly spaced and posed. I knew I still had more to learn, and I rushed it, since I didn’t think I could do any better. I then decided to redraw it again the next year.
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This time I used Ibis Paint X and a small stylus on my phone. I was ecstatic with how this came out. I thought this was the absolute best I could ever do, but I still had little nitpicks about it. Again, I struggled a lot with drawing Papyrus, but this time I was also unhappy with the colors and shading, and how Sans was drawn (I have no idea why I made him thicc). But again, I redrew it the next year.
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This one was a huge confidence booster for me. I had just gotten a brand new laptop from my parents: A Lenovo Yoga, with a Wacom bamboo ink stylus. It was the best gift I ever received, but on top of that, they got me Clip Studio Paint PRO. So I was ready to make some good ass art. This time I sketched everything out on paper, then finished it in CSP. I even attempted a background, which didn’t come out too bad. Papyrus doesn’t look horribly off model, and the poses and composition overall was just better. I used a clean sketch for the lineart, since that was a big struggle with my previous versions, and I used colors other than black and white for shading. After I made this, I felt like I didn’t need to continue redrawing it, because I thought I was at my peak.
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I redrew it this year.
I used my Lenovo Yoga, but this time I had a Wacom bamboo plus, and Clip Studio Paint EX. I added more characters, and took a little bit more inspiration from the original, but I mostly wanted it to feel more alive. I finally perfected how I draw Papyrus, and Toriel, Asgore, and Frisk aren’t statues anymore. I showed off what I’ve learned about lighting and shading, did actually clean lineart, and I even did a full background! I’m so proud of this, and so happy with how far I’ve come as an artist, and I can’t wait to see what my future self draws next year.
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boundinparchment · 1 year
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Blasphemous Rumors - I
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“Marry me.” He said it with such blasé that you weren’t sure you heard him correctly.  Silence surrounded the two of you and he leaned down and tilted his head, watching you like a specimen under a microscope. “Just for a year.  A marriage of convenience.  Consider it nothing more than a harmless experiment for the sake of curiosity.” Il Dottore/Female reader with established personality. Marriage of convenience.  Slow burn.  Semi-enemies to lovers. Available on AO3 here.
You glanced at your calendar and then the clock above the open door to your office, the shining metal hand hovering at three minutes to the hour.  The cherry wood walls glowed from the afternoon sun that managed to push its way through the clouds.  Such days painted the eternally frozen tundra in a vista of sparkling crystals, light refracting to the point of blinding any who dared gaze upon it.  Snezhnaya was a hell unto itself, even on a good day.  Fitting, you thought, for the land that did not love its people.  
Two minutes.
Usually he was here by now.
But then again, Lord Harbinger Dottore did as he pleased and when he pleased.  You wouldn’t be surprised if the man sent another in his place.  If that was the case, you hoped it was at least one of his older copies; explaining your calculations and why it wasn’t appropriate to submit a receipt that simply read, Three assistants and a consecrated beast, for monthly budget reviews.  The younger ones, especially from his days prior to being a Harbinger, tended to argue so passionately that it scared the other accountants into going on lunch early at his mere presence.
How lucky they were.
At one point, you’d been brave (or perhaps stupid) enough to ask Lord Harbinger Pantalone why he didn’t handle the budget analysis himself when he had to be the one to approve it.  Your boss merely smiled that same patient smile he alway wore when clients wore his patience thin and said that it was a conflict of interest.
Right.
Or perhaps you just like throwing people to the wolves for sport, you bastard.
You rolled your shoulders slightly, willing away the tension creeping up your spine.  Lord Dottore picked up on that every time and would often use it to his advantage if he could.  Not today.
The papers on your desk were arranged by each particular Segment’s budget, neat piles of receipts and requests.  Of all Harbingers, Dottore’s budget was often the most expensive due to the nature of his work and that all of it was shared amongst his copies; that very reason was why you were confused to be assigned to his accounts when it made more sense for Lord Pantalone to handle it personally.  Curiosity occasionally tickled your mind when you read some of them, wondering just what a Harbinger might want with a Chasm expedition, a trip to Mondstadt, and a special order of Fontaine-made steel cages.  Sensibility got the better of you when you realized that the stains on the paper weren’t ink but dried blood.
Over the years, you had gotten used to figuring out the handwriting differences to determine which expense belonged to who.  They were all Dottore but for disbursement and record reasons, breaking it down just made sense.
“If you’re going to spend the next minute staring off into space, I have plenty of other matters that require my attention.”
You jolted at the voice as your name punctuated his sentence, hoping you weren’t already burning with embarrassment.  Lord Harbinger Dottore stood in the threshold of your office, arms crossed, lips tugged into a disappointed frown.  It was difficult to tell whether it was his oldest Segment or the Harbinger personally at first glance, until you caught a glimpse of the Cryo Delusion pinned to his lapel.  
You stood and gestured to the front of your desk, where two chairs sat.  He shut the door and took neither of them.
“Forgive me, sir.  I’ll make this as quick as possible.”
“Please do.”
You went through the piles, pointing through each itemized request, the estimated cost, and the approved amounts.  Every so often, he shook his head, offered an explanation for why the cost needed to be approved and the timeline involved.  
“The amount needs to be approved by Lord Pantalone in this case,” you said.  “A few million mora and what sounds like an expedition involving multiple staff members working overtime to meet a deadline needs more than a vague reference to an idea, Lord Harbinger.”
Dottore scoffed softly but didn’t push the matter.  You continued on through each pile, a total of six this time, before reaching his own personal expenses and budget.  Red herrings in each budget were circled and not accounted for nor reimbursed, as usual.  
When you first took over (the last accountant had been a victim of the mechanical bird across the Harbinger’s shoulders and it took weeks to get the blood out of the carpet), you made it a point to ask about the items that didn’t quite fit, ones that had a larger description and more involved than what was submitted on paper.  It was a game, you realized, when he didn’t argue in their defense further and took his bank notes and mora with nothing more than a thank you.
Your predecessor had, according to Lord Pantalone, approved every budget of Dottore’s without question, you came to learn in your yearly review.  Your detailed nature was a mark of your dedication.
It had taken everything in you not to laugh right then and there.  Little did your employer know that you had hand-copied several ledger books the night prior and dropped them off in the post that morning and received an anonymous deposit hours later.
“Everything else, with the exception of this,” Dottore tapped the pile of receipts from one of his younger, bolder Segments who grinned too much, “is finalized, then?”
“Yes.  I can have the invoices paid this afternoon, write out the promissory notes to approved parties, and have your withdrawal requests in the next few minutes.”
“Fine.”
You slid the usual withdrawal form and pen across your desk and he signed it without even a second glance.  Dottore pushed it back across the polished wood with his middle finger, a subtle sign of his disapproval at having to wait on another for his additional funds, and you filled in the rest as necessary.
“Would you prefer I have a messenger bring everything to you, Lord Harbinger?”
“You finished earlier than anticipated; I can spare the time, provided you are…expedient.”
You couldn’t agree more.  The sooner he was out of your office, the better.
The floorboards creaked as Dottore shifted his weight and turned away from you.  From the angle of his head, it seemed as if he was assessing the small collection of personal items you kept in your office on the far wall.  A few books, mostly professional, a little trinket you bought back from your first and only trip to Liyue last year, a small reproduction of a landscape painting you once saw in Fontaine.
The perks of working for a Harbinger: every once in a while, travel was required.  Not that you stayed in one place long enough to enjoy it, of course.
You scribbled out vendor names and amounts owed, sorting them into the same piles as the receipts.  By now, some of the names were second nature, although some clearly less legitimate than others.  Not your problem, of course, but it was something to note in your next bundle of notes to mail.
“Here you are, Lord Harbinger.”
Gloved hands took the papers, flicked through them, and he gave an approving hum.
“Do let me know as soon as Regrator approves the final amount.  I have deadlines.”
“Yes, Lord Harbinger.”
You stood and bowed at the waist until you heard the door open and then shut with a shuddering slam that shook the windows of your office that faced the hall.  It was impossible to ignore the startled sound of a colleague passing by, taken aback by the sound, and as you straightened, they sent you a sympathetic expression. 
Their Harbinger, Arlecchino, often left screaming.
Your shoulders rose and fell with a sharp sigh and you were determined to get back to other tasks.  That was, by far, one of the more pleasant interactions you had with the Second Harbinger.
Familiar footfalls from further down the hall, from the corner office, revealed your boss before you heard his voice.  Always so sweet, disarming, in front of everyone, calling for an old friend rather than a colleague of higher rank.  Through the sheer curtains that provided some semblance of privacy in your office, you caught sight of the Ninth Harbinger passing by, as if hoping to catch Dottore before he left.  The two Harbingers were thick as thieves despite their rank difference; it was well known that they collaborated on much of the weapons design for the Fatui and elsewhere, a balance of power and the means to mass manufacture it.
It was impossible not to miss the way Dottore hesitated, his head turning slightly in your direction, before following Pantalone back down the hall and towards the Harbinger’s office.
He blamed you, clearly.  But there was no way Lord Pantalone would know, not that quickly, you reasoned.  You didn’t need to see his eyes (not that you ever had) to know he had been envisioning your death for such an inconvenience.
You glanced at the clock and made a mental note to include the mention of their meeting in your report.
____________________
It wasn’t until the double doors to the opulent office were closed that Dottore spoke as he folded and tucked away the accountant’s documents into his coat’s breast pocket.  He reached up and took off his mask to run a hand through his hair, pushing the long strands back.
“What do you want, Regrator?  I have other matters to attend to.  I have little time for socializing.”
The Ninth Harbinger scoffed as he rounded his desk, dragging a hand across the gleaming surface as he went.  The wide window behind the desk, between two sweeping bookcases filled with books that deserved to be in an archive rather than Regrator’s office, provided a view of the Palace grounds; an easy way to keep an eye on the comings and goings of everyone.
Sandrone’s information network was more efficient but then again, Dottore mused, Regrator was not known for such things.  Opulence and the visual impact of the power it offered did far more than it was given credit for.
“Your last budget was far above the usual average, Dottore.  The Jester and the Tsaritsa are only willing to overlook so much when results have been less than ideal.”
“I am far above reproach from you, lest you forget your place, Regrator.”
“And here I thought we were friends, Dottore.”
Pantalone turned away from the window, golden eyes meeting crimson before falling onto the scale on his desk.  Idle fingers found a stray piece of mora from a tiny pile and placed it on one side, tipping the balance.
“Your expenses are one of many.  The facility in Liyue cost a large investment and as far as your reports are concerned, you don’t even use it any more.”
“It didn’t yield results.  Once the Ruin Guard manufacturing process was understood, it served little purpose after that.”
“You cannot just continue to bleed the Fatui dry because you got bored, Dottore.  That’s not the only instance, either.  There’s the refinery in Fontaine, the Delusion factory in Inazuma, the fact that you are consistently the only Harbinger to constantly need a stream of assistants because many of them never come back from a mission…”
Every line item was met with another piece of mora being dropped onto the scale, as if Pantalone was tallying Dottore’s expenses personally.  The Second opened his mouth, vile words on his tongue, but the other man held up a hand, silencing him.
“I am aware of how crucial your inventions and research are, that isn’t the question.  But to continue to be wasteful with more money and manpower is irresponsible and you aren’t the only one affected…”
“Just say that you can’t skim off the top as much as you’d like.  There’s little sense beating around the bush.”
Pantalone’s glare was met with a sharp-toothed grin.
“Yes, there’s that, too.  But I answer to Pierro as much as you do.  I have investors who get upset if they lose a single mora as it is.  If you were any other client, Northland wouldn’t lend to you based on a lack of return from the investment.”
Dottore rolled his eyes before he shifted his weight and began to pace.  How dull.  He didn’t need to waste his time on such drivel, friend or not.
“What do you want, then, Regrator?  Some projects are slower than others; every little detail must be accounted for, just as you sit and count your gold and adjust your ledgers.  There is a difference between efficiency and haste.”
The metal heels of his boots pressed into the plush carpet and Dottore had no doubt that Regrator would bemoan the wearing down of the fibers upon his exit.  It’s what the man deserved for wasting his time.  It was the banker’s job to deal with this, not his.  If he wanted this level of bullshit, he would have played by the Akademiya’s rules.
The silence in the office, save for the ticking of the large clock in the corner (Fontaine made, Dottore well knew) and the scratch of Pantalone’s pen on paper, was beginning to claw at his mind.  Why call him in if there was no purpose to this lecture about financial responsibility?  He was above all of this.
“I have a proposal for you,” Pantalone said at last, capping his pen.
Dottore clicked his tongue in disapproval when the other Harbinger simply pushed a piece of paper across the desk and then folded his hands under his chin.  The Second Harbinger strode over and picked up the document, the ink not yet dry.
“A contract, Regrator?  How unbecoming of you.”
Golden eyes narrowed, irises barely visible.  “Prove to me that you’re able to keep a commitment and I’ll give you carte blanche on future budgets.”
“You’re ridiculous.  This is stupid.”
“There’s no greater commitment than marriage.”
Dottore hummed in disapproval.
“You can pick anyone you want,” Pantalone unfolded his hands, gesturing with his hands open.  “But it cannot be someone whose name you do not know.”
The Second’s eye twitched.  Names.  What did names matter?  Dottore grimaced at the concept that the piece of paper in his hand outlined.
“And no, it cannot be a Segment or me,” Regrator laughed.  “We’d kill each other.”
“Your wife stole the Tsaritsa’s coat and from what I’ve heard, you two don’t exactly get along.  What’s the difference?”
“Our arrangement is…beneficial.”
Nonsense.  Absolute, illogical, nonsense.  He barely had the time to manage his own projects, even with his Segments, and Pantalone was proposing to throw a spouse into the mix?
Besides, no one would want to marry him.  At least, no one with a brain.  The status of his position would lend itself to viable candidates in any other situation, if he were anyone else.  Most trembled at the mention of his name, let alone in his presence.  
But to not need approval at all…to be free from all of the bureaucratic bullshit and red tape…
“Oh, and it has to be at least somewhat believable, Dottore.  An actual commitment of a year minimum, whether or not your tiny heart cares about them at all.  If you fail, each Segment gets their own accountant and must have signed approval for—”
“You’ve made your point.”
Dottore put the contract back on the desk and held out his hand, palm up, awaiting a pen.  When the instrument was placed into his hand, he scribbled his title and shoved the paper back to Regrator.
“You’ll regret this offer, Pantalone.”
“We’ll see.”
The Second Harbinger replaced his mask and turned on his heel, slamming the door behind him.  He didn’t want to look at that disgusting, smarmy grin any longer than he needed to.
Marriage for a year, a commitment, in exchange for unlimited funding.  Easy.  He’d finished projects in that amount of time with promising, even optimal, results.  A year for the one who figured out how to save time and preserve his perspectives and survive for centuries was nothing.  
Believability, however…the limitations on knowing the person’s name…
He never learned names.  They were unimportant, trivial, transient things.  He had better things to do than learn names…
As he walked back down the corridor, out towards the length of individual offices, something gnawed on his brain.  The stipulation for knowing a name meant the pool of people he had to choose from was…ridiculously small.  
It had to be someone comfortable with his rank, used to the world of the Fatui, at the very least.  
Dottore slowed to a stop as he came upon a familiar door, now open.
That could work.
His feet carried him towards the threshold and over it, finding a face he had seen numerous times already, buried in a ledger.  
Yes, he reasoned.  This could be tolerable.  
He didn’t speak, not until you looked up at him, a silent question parting your lips.
“Marry me.”
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