#they felt obvious to me at the time so i'd glossed over them in the interest of conserving page space

[runawaycatwalker]

Part 11. The Confounding of Nathalie

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Description below the cut

Gabriel ominously pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose.  Behind him, Nathalie sits up in her bed.

Gabriel: I knew this was a bad idea.

Nathalie: It could have been worse.  At least Ladybug left me right outside the mansion and I didn't have to walk all the way back.

Gabriel: You still overexerted yourself.  Again.

Nathalie: Gabriel, I knew the risks.  It was more important that I find Adrien.

A close-up shot of the back of Nathalie’s head.

Nathalie (internally): Or at least that I found him before anyone else did.  The other akumas never would have held back when fighting against him. But I could.  And with the powers I'd received, I stood a far better chance to retrieve the black cat miraculous from Adrien.  How was I supposed to know that Adrien wouldn't be the one wielding it anymore?

Cut to Adrien’s bodyguard looking sad.

Gabriel (voiceover): I'm bringing back Gorizilla.  His nose should be more than capable of tracking Adrien down.

Cut to the image of Adrien falling from Tour Montparnasse.

Nathalie (voiceover): Isn't that dangerous?  Adrien jumped off a building to escape that akuma last time.

Cut back to Gabriel viewed from behind, hands clasped behind his back.

Gabriel: Gorizilla merely needs to carry Adrien back home.  I have no intention of putting my son at risk.

A close-up of Nathalie with a steely gaze, her fist resting on the side of her chin.

Nathalie (internally): You did so on a regular basis—and would still be doing so if Catwalker hadn’t stepped in for him.  It was pure serendipity that Ladybug vetoed keeping Chat Noir around.  Adrien—judging the note he left—had probably intended to be a hero full-time.  But now that Shadowmoth knows he can't be Chat Noir, he could come back home.  Adrien isn't the type of person who would leave behind all the friends he's made just because he might get targeted over a miraculous that he doesn’t even have anymore.

Cut to Shadowmoth with the light mask he uses to communicate with akumas illuminating his face.  In the background, a tablet on a call with Nathalie sits in a stand on a table.

Shadowmoth: What could be so difficult about tracking down one teenage boy?

Nathalie (over tablet): Sir?

Cut to Gorizilla looking frustrated.

Shadowmoth (voiceover): Gorizilla has tried to follow Adrien’s scent all over Paris and he can’t latch onto anything.

A close-up of Nathalie turning away and rubbing her chin in worry.

Nathalie (internally): Adrien left the city entirely?  Surely that's overkill.  The danger is gone.  Does Adrien really think that Shadowmoth would... no, not Shadowmoth.  Mayura.  I saw the look on his face when I almost crushed his... when I unmasked him. He was traumatized.  Maybe even enough for him to run away with no intention of ever coming back home.

Cut to a rooftop being traversed by Carapace, Purple Tigress, Viperion, Ryuko, King Monkey, Polymouse, Pegasus, Pigella, and Vesperia.  Ladybug is leading the charge in the foreground, swinging on her yo-yo.

Shadowmoth (voiceover): And oh look, Ladybug and her merry band of heroes have arrived to thwart me.  Gorizilla, go retrieve the miraculous from Ladybug and—wait, Catwalker isn't there?  Maybe Maternal Instinct scared him away?  Good riddance!  But we still need to find that ring!

A close-up of Nathalie covering her mouth in dismayed realization.

Nathalie (internally): I shouldn't have targeted Catwalker.  I let myself get lured in by the prospect of finally getting the cat miraculous.  But if Catwalker's identity leaked, what’s stopping Ladybug from bringing Chat Noir back regardless?  She still uses heroes she knows we know the identity of if she has no better options.  And if Ladybug asks Chat to return, he'll do so without question, despite what's happened.  I can't let Adrien endanger himself again.

Cut back to Shadowmoth facing towards the window of his lair.  He raises a fist in the air as his butterflies swarm around him.

Shadowmoth: Noooo!!!!!! You may have thrown a monkey wrench into this plan, Ladybug, but you haven’t taken your last whiff of me!  I have to go after Adrien myself.  It’s time for the Collector to return!

Nathalie (over tablet): Gabriel, let me akumatize you this time.  Adrien will be safer if you have someone watching over your shoulder to help.

Shadowmoth screeches while a white butterfly comes to land on his hand.  In the background, the tablet on the table shows the concerned face of Nathalie.

Shadowmoth: Absolutely not. Your body cannot handle more miraculous magic today—perhaps ever.  Your health is important.

Nathalie (over tablet): Your son is important.

Shadowmoth: I can handle my son.  The butterfly miraculous is mine and I will do whatever I see fit with it.

A close-up of Nathalie grabbing the sides of her head in a panic.

Nathalie (internally): This has spun completely out of my control.  Adrien, Gabriel, Catwalker... I can't sway any of them from the paths they've chosen.  And they never would have taken those paths if it weren't for the foolhardy things I did—as Mayura, as Nathalie, as Maternal Instinct.  I must find a way to stop all of this, but what can I actually do?  How do I know that whatever I try won't just make everything worse yet again?

Nathalie stares blankly into space.  She holds a tablet in her hands as a video from the local news loads.

Nadja Chamack (from video): Don't be bemused, it's just the news! I'm Nadja Chamack.  Just minutes after Gorizilla was defeated, we again are faced...

The tablet in Nathalie’s hands shows Nadia Chamack reporting live while the Collector poses menacingly in the background.

Nadja Chamack (from video): ...the Collector, also known as Gabriel Agreste, whose son Adrien Agreste is currently...

The video cuts to Catwalker and Ladybug descending from the sky to fight the akuma.

Nadja Chamack (from video): ...seems to be a new black cat superhero joining the fight.  We don't know who he is or...

A close-up of Nathalie leaning back in reprieve, her hand on her chest.

Nathalie (internally): Catwalker going missing was temporary.  Okay.  Good. I don't have to worry about Adrien getting his miraculous back, at least.  But what could have been important enough for Catwalker to miss an akuma? Maybe he was helping Adrien?  If he was, that would make Catwalker perhaps the only one who knows where Adrien is hiding.  If not, he's probably doing something on Ladybug's orders.  Either way, I need more information.  And this time, I must tread more carefully in how I go about getting it.

Below is the same image as above, only without text: 

#runaway catwalker #nathalie sancouer #gabriel agreste #adrien's bodyguard #gorizilla #adrien agreste #ladybug #catwalker #miraculous ladybug #akuma #spanner in the works nathalie #about a month ago i realized that i wasn't being clear enough on nathalie's internal motivations #they felt obvious to me at the time so i'd glossed over them in the interest of conserving page space #jokes on me though #getting nathalie's inner monologues straight was an absolute nightmare since she's got so many competing interests #i think i've finally managed to get her perspective coherent now #still figuring out how to write in a comic medium #so if things still are muddy for you #drop a comment and i'll do my best to clear things up

[jeongin-lvr]

ᵎ　🍶　⊹ pink little skirt, s. changbin

ᝰ✧ 𝗐𝖺𝗋𝗇𝗂𝗇𝗀！ 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋 𝗂𝗌 𝗌𝗎𝖼𝗁 𝖺 𝗍𝖾𝖺𝗌𝖾，𝗌𝗎𝖻！𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋， 𝗈𝗋𝖺𝗅 ＆ 𝗁𝖺𝗇𝖽𝗃𝗈𝖻， 𝗌𝗅𝗂𝗀𝗁𝗍 𝗎𝗇𝗂𝗇𝗍𝖾𝗋𝖾𝗌𝗍𝖾𝖽 𝗌𝖾𝗑 （𝗈𝗇𝗅𝗒 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝖺 𝖻𝗂𝗍），𝖼𝖺𝗋 𝗌𝖾𝗑／𝗁𝗈𝗈𝖽 𝗌𝖾𝗑，𝗉𝗎𝖻𝗅𝗂𝖼 𝗌𝖾𝗑／𝖴𝖭𝖤𝖣𝖨𝖳𝖤𝖣

[ 3697 words ] ✩ [ do not repost ] ✩ [ 𝗆．𝗅𝗂𝗌𝗍 ]

𝗜 𝗥𝗔𝗡 my hands down the smooth moire fabric of my pink skirt, admiring in the mirror as the creases shifted flush against my skin. The cloth was thin, cottony and hugged my curves deliciously. I even had to admit, this skirt was among my favorites even though it was so new. So new, in fact, that the shipping package was sitting crinkled and ripped open on the bed behind me.

I reveled in the silky miniskirt for a moment longer before turning to put on the rest of my outfit. And while I slipped on a lace-ridden white top, all my mind wandered to was my boyfriend.

How he always said he likes skirts; especially ones like these. How he liked to watch it ride up my thighs when I did anything- bend over, sit, anything. And even when I had called him a pervert and hit his shoulder playfully, he defended himself with a similar expression.

I flattened my top against my stomach and chest, my eyes falling to the skirt again. Oh, he'd definitely like this one. And I felt my heart flutter as my mindless little fantasies began to tramp across my mind teasingly.

Changbin had no self control, all the other times before- when I wasn't aware of his tendencies -I'd wear a simple skirt, walk around the house like it was nothing. Oh, but it was something to him. Changbin had a thing for those little skirts, his favorite being any miniskirt I had. He'd somehow end up throwing me around the couch edge or maybe on the kitchen countertop, or maybe if we were in public, he'd hide us away somewhere and fuck me in whatever little skirt I chose to wear that day.

Wearing skirts around him was a hazard, a risk. But, god, it was such a thrill. To see him all worked up, eyes glued to my bare thighs and barely covered ass; he was well aware by now that I were teasing him, tempting him with such atrociously short clothes, but he had no complaints.

I decided to touch up my lipgloss in the mirror, gliding the applicator across my lips in a swift motion a few times before I was satisfied. I checked myself out once more, then grinned with approval, grabbing my purse and heading to the living room where my boyfriend was, patiently waiting for me since I had kicked him out of the bedroom we shared.

His head was low on his phone, back facing me, broad shoulders covered by a simple black button down that was mouth-wateringly right around his arms and chest; maybe he was doing a bit of teasing as well.

"Hey, baby," I bent down to his shoulders, nuzzling my head in his neck and wrapping my arms around him, making sure to sensually drag my finger across his chest in the most alluring way.

The male hummed and looked up, unable to see my little skirt from where he sat, but he smiled. His eyes glossed around my face, admiring the light makeup and the way my hair softly framed my skin, "Hey, beautiful. You ready?"

I nodded, stepping away from behind the couch and tiptoeing to the front, revealing my tiny little skirt, the lace of my socks squeezing the fat of my thighs effortlessly; my bag dropping to beside him, but he didn't really notice.

His big brown eyes instantly fell to my thighs, loving the sight as my skirt rolled up more and more with every cautious step.

"Damn," He mumbled, my face feigning innocence as I draped my legs across his body, simply rustling with his delicate strands of hair. My fingers traced intricate lines down the back of his neck, his eyes on mine but I refused to meet them, opting to smile as I played with his hair.

I adjusted my body on his lap, planting my ass right on his growing erection, a soft one. Not too obvious, but I took note of it with a smirk.

Teasing was exhilarating.

Changbin's hands lowered to my ass, squeezing with a shaky breathe. His deep chocolate irises glancing across my entire body smoothly, taking every inch of me in his hands. I tilted my head, doe eyes refusing to break contact with his, lips glossy and lashes fluttering.

"You okay, Binnie?" I asked, hiding my satisfied smile when I felt his cock twitch below me, a slight wince from the boy as I adjusted myself once again. Changbin let his gaze fall to my thighs, making it blatantly obvious to what he was looking at. Licking his lips, he watched the thin fabric of my skirt ride up my thighs, little by little, he caught a glimpse of his favorite panties on me; white lace with a little bow in the front, all presented right in front of him like a sweet present.

The male bit his lip, flickering his eyes back up into mine, "Do you know what you're doing to me?" Genuinely unsure, his hands snaking around my waist tightly, arching my back until it wouldn't budge anymore.

"What do you mean?" I asked with Bambi eyes, pursing my lips. The boy groaned, toying with the seamless edge of my skirt, fingers rolling the fine material. His hands refused to stop fidgeting, suddenly neediness was making everything around him a blur except for the girl presented right in front of him.

"Nevermind," He uttered, patting my hips, "You look very pretty today." He complimented, adorable smile lingering on his lips, sparkle twinkling in his eyes.

I sighed with satisfaction. Oh, how fun today was gonna be. I got up from his lap, ushering him forward too, "Okay, okay. No more sweet talk. Let's go!"

The boy whined, following close behind, begging for his arousal to fade.

Changbin held the shopping cart, watching as I stepped in front of him, eyeing the way my skirt was rise and fall. The way the fabric crinkled across my curves; when I'd bend over and my skirt was would, revealing that delicious pair of panties, the way they hugged my cunt. Changbin had no idea if I was purposefully teasing him this way, yet he had no idea how to look away. It was too much.

"Y/n, let's go," Changbin urged, eyes falling on mine. I turned around, feigning confusion as the way looked at em, helpless. He walked awkwardly, waddling with his lower abdomen pressing against the cart.

"Why?" I asked, purely wanting to test him more, how far could I push it before I got punished. Not that that would be a bad thing either. My hands trailed across the shelf, propping myself up as I looked him dead in the eye.

The male approached me, leaving the cart behind, staring down at me with pleading eyes. Absolutely infatuated, desperate, in need of my assistance. Changbin took my hand from the shelf, warm fingers dragging it across his bulge, hot and ready. I gasped, clicking my tongue teasingly, lips glistening with lipgloss.

"Now let's go," I looked back up at him, watching his pretty lips take in a breathe.

I smiled, wrapping my arms around his shoulder while swaying slightly, "We just need to grab a few more things."

Changbin groaned, following me as I stepped off. A few things wasn't too bad, but every isle, every turn through the store felt dizzying to the poor male. The sickening smell of the tile cleaner throughout the shop was making his head hurt, his erection never leaving him- causing him to stand in the most uncomfortable way. Changbin groaned with discontent around every isle, catching onto the fact that I was just teasing him now.

Finally, we stepped out of the store, his arms full of groceries he insisted on carrying. He hadn't spoke much, too focused on the way his dick throbbed desperately.

Once we got in the car, the atmosphere was thick with sexual imposition, but I just sweetly smiled at the man, my fingers adjusting the hem of my skirt. Silence, he closed his car door, ignoring the engine quickly, barely even checking for passing cars before reversing out of the stall. I watch silently, taking notice of the bulge practically begging for me beneath the thin layer of his jeans.

On the freeway, the car drove quickly, clearly he just wanted to get home so I could take care of what I'd started, but something in my heart fluttered. My mind sparking up an idea that'd surely get me in a bit of trouble.

I leaned across the seats, palming his cock through the rough material of his denim jeans; earning a surprised grunt from the man above me. However, he didn't stop me, which let me press forward. I took my delicate hands and rubbed him harder, his chest beginning to heave up and down with every simple touch of my bare hand.

"What are you doing?" Changbin asked precariously, eyes on the road but his mind beginning to feel fuzzy, drunk off my touch.

I laid my lips on his cock, kissing through the fabric, my pointer and middle finger prodding at the button to come undone. Feeling bold enough to procure his manhood beneath the fabric.

If the air was suffocating before, I was being asphyxiated now. Everything felt dangerous, but I didn't stop. I didn't even falter after unzipping the opening of his jeans, boxers tenting up instantly, I didn't hesitate to reach tenderly into the plaid fabric to grab his cock, hot and wet already.

I readjusted my position, unbuckling my seatbelt only to go back to the task at hand. My hand holding the base of his cock, awe in my eyes. The girth of it, the purple hues and veins lining the sides, the upright position it was in, all due to my little skirt he liked so much.

"Baby," He breathed out, breath fanning my face as I looked up at him, Bambi eyes wide, lashes fluttering innocently.

"Yes?"

"What are you doing?" He was speaking through his teeth, eyes never leaving the road before him.

"Helping you out?" I giggled, flickering my eyes back to his cock, my thumb pressing gently into the slit, collecting the oozing nectar that was addicting to me. The salty flavor reaping havoc on my tongue, making my cunt throb over nothing.

He grunted, finally removing a hand from the steering wheel, still not looking at me, "You... hurry up, then," Changbin adjusted his seat, slightly leaning back but still focusing on the road. Tiny breathless groans leaving his lips as I dragged my thumb over his tip, swift and repeating motions.

"5 minutes till home," He spoke just as I opened my mouth, ready to take him in my lips, "Let's see if you can make me cum, hm?"

"5 minutes?" I spoke in a mumble, confidence slightly faltering. Changbin knew how to hold his climax, he preferred not to, but he's done it tons of times before. Edging me on while simultaneously dragging on the arrival of his own orgasm; never letting me see how fucking hot it was. It made my tummy spin, my cunt helplessly wet, panties turning grey from the dampness of my cunt.

"What's wrong? You were so confident earlier," Changbin's voice low as he spoke, almost in a scolding manner. His dark eyes lingering forward, I could barely see him blink, "Dressing in that slutty outfit. I'm not dumb, baby. You wanted all the attention, hm? Well, go on, let's see how good your mouth really is."

My breathing hitched, mouth salivating. God, he was so hot! I blinked back down, cheeks dusting with blush. I quickly adjusted my hair out of my face and looked down at his cock.

Spitting on it, lubing it up more than it already was, my eyes watching it twitch in my hand, yet not a single moan from the man above.

"Hurry up now," Changbin teased, black button down straining around his biceps, chest rising and falling with every movement I made, "4 minutes."

I hastily took his cock in my mouth, wasting no more time than I already had. The bits I couldn't fit were preoccupied with my hand, jerking him off with quick flicks to match the hasty movement of my mouth.

The car was silent apart from the wet noises from my mouth, slurping sounds and squelches that's sounded pornographic. Time seemed both too fast and too slow all at once. Every now and again a shaky breathe was let out by Changbin's pretty lips, but never more than that. Frustrating to a new level, my thighs squeezing tight from how erotic it all felt.

Sucking my boyfriend off mid drive, minutes away from home because I was too desperate for a taste. Disguising my slutty behavior with the guise of "helping him out" when in reality it was all to fuel my own sick fantasies.

And he played right along, already knowing as soon as we were home he'd have his way with me.

I thought of all the ways he would make me take him, on the kitchen island, legs wide while he fucked me raw; maybe as soon as we'd get in the house he'd push me against the door and fuck me there, not caring if anyone came by or knocked. My mind wandered, lips and wrist doing all the work while he drove smoothly.

"Hmm, that all you got?" Changbin chuckled, making that familiar turn into the driveway of our house. Missed opportunity, we were home and I hadn't garnered a single bit of cum from the man. Oh, he was good.

"You'd think someone so fucking hot would know how to use her mouth," He shrugged, shoving my shoulders back until I was off his unclothed cock, sprung free and glistening in sweat, red from my lips. My cheeks sore, jaw hinges burning and throat beginning to scathe with a burning sensation.

"Bin..." I pouted, wiping the bit of dribble from my lips off my chin, nervously pulling at the front of my skirt. I plopped back into my chair, whiny and red with blush.

He didn't respond, instead looking out the window, putting the car in park effortlessly before opening his door. In one smooth motion he slipped his cock away, getting out of his seat all at once. For a second I was confused, eyes watching as he wandered through the dusk, the night air around us darkening the surrounding lots beside our home.

Changbin finally finished whatever he was doing, then quickly came to my car side, opening the door and grabbing my wrist.

"What-?"

"On the hood," Changbin demanded, "Now, pretty girl. Gonna show you how to properly fuck." He was playing around, his eyes lidded and dusted with a glossy haze of lust. The air was cool, making me shiver, the engine still hot from running earlier. He was dead serious.

I felt my cunt throb, the exhilaration of being outside, though dark, just openly for anyone to see? For some reason my head was spinning and my cunt was the neediest it's been all day.

I got on the car, my bare ass meeting the warmth of the hood of the car, skirt lifting already without any altering needed, my panties freely visible to anyone looking.

Though it was dark, it wasn't 100% pitch black. Instead, just the right amount of purple-red that made the sky look like a painting; moonlight rising higher and higher, stars blinking and swirling like an oily work of art. Nothing but the sound of wind whistling and trees rustling to fill the air, our breathed barely audible in the sleepless void of the night.

His fingers met my bare thigh, pulling my thighs wide open, even wider than they already were, hands gliding up and down my plush skin.

"Bin, what if someone sees?"

He ignored my question, "God this skirts been driving me wild all day. Everyone was staring at you, you're such a fucking whore. My whore. Yeah?" Clandestine words for secretive touches, fingers gliding smoothly over my drenched panties, the thin lace not holding anything in. One touch had me shivering, moaning with a wide O shaped mouth.

"Speak."

"Y-yes, Binnie," I moaned, his thick fingers tugging the delicate fabric to the side, not even bothering to take them off or lift my skirt. That was part of the appeal, the presence of that skirt was what was making this whole ordeal even happen. Mixed with the cold air directly blowing on my cunt, I couldn't stand the torturous foreplay.

He went to rub my clit, fingers already soaked in my leaky liquid, but my hand caught his wrist, "Just put it in. Please, just need your big cock to fill me up..."

"Aw, my little slut wants me so soon?" Changbin tilted his head, ghosting my lips and breathing sensually down my face. Quickly, he collided his lips with mine, breathless groans deepening the moment, deepening the restless kiss. Lips mending together, kneading our pink mouths like dough. Skin hot, libido running high.

"Please?" I whimpered in the kiss, his thumb slowly rubbing me in figure eights.

"Can't say no," Changbin moaned, grabbing his cock out of his right pants; guiding his dick to my cunt, watching with an intense stare.

He slipped the tip in, the thickness of him stretching me out making my mind spin; lowly little whimpers filling the abnormally quiet night air, the moon being the only witness to our secret rendezvous. My hands grabbed his shoulders, nails digging into his already red tinted skin. Slowly, little inch by little inch, he pushed himself inside of me, single wet slap of our bodies colliding being the only proof of the connection.

I glanced down, high on risk. High on the way I felt so indescribably full. His cock generously prodding at my sweet spot, every little movement making me shiver and shake.

"Yeah, you took it so well. Good little slut," He groaned, grabbing my hips, one hand on my jaw as he slipped one fingers onto my tongue. Pressing into it while rocking back, nearly emptying me only to fill me up again. And then again, and again. And effortless motion that had me unwinding bit by bit, moans slurred by the way his fingers filled my jaw.

The only conducive outcome being that I needed to cum, I needed the sweet ecstasy of his cum to fill me up while we were out in the open, daringly on the verge of being caught in every way. His pretty cock pumping into me while I couldn't hold back or resist my own mewls of validation. Gripping onto his black top for dear life as he used me to his liking.

"You're so... fucking tight," He moaned, probably louder than intended but he didn't seem to care, "So warm. God, you take it so good."

I clasped onto his bicep, my hands too small to wrap around his well built arms; so I clamped my nails down, maybe a little too hard as I heard him since and hiss from the contact, never faltering his thrusts into me. Over and over he'd hit the little gummy bit deep within me, the angle of the car making it perfectly available to reach.

"Bin- right there, oh fuck!" I yelped against his fingers, drool salivating down my chin, leaking to my neck. My head falling back and forth with every detrimental thrust he pushed into me.

"Such a good slut," Changbin groaned, jamming his fingers farther down my throat, pushing far enough until I gagged, causing burning tears to fill me eyes, one after the other began to slip down my throat; gags and slapping filling the air, lewd sounds from just us.

Maybe I would've cared more about getting caught if I was being stuffed full of thick, perfect cock. Being used like a cum-holder was all I needed, all I wanted from him.

Changbin pried my jaw wide, fingers no longer gagging me, instead just opening my mouth wider, kissing along my lips easier to place that way. His warm tongue gliding across my teeth, my lower lip, my own tongue struggling to keep up with his dominant pace.

And one after the other, his consummate stealth and agility allowed him to master the pattern and hit speed in order to make my eyes roll back, my cunt clamping around him as my orgasm began to flood my body.

"Cumming! Bin, fuck sensitive!!" I whined into the open air, head falling back, eyes landing on the watchful moon. My jaw hanging wide as breathy pants filled the cold air. But even though the air was cold, I felt so warm. So sweaty and fulfilled.

The man continued to fuck my overstimulated hole, groaning before his own climax overtook his body, muscles stiffening as he emptied his load into my fluttering cunt.

He didn't pull out, opting to let his cum simmer inside of me with having it leak.

Changbin wrapped his strong arm around my waist, then his other hand slipped from my lips, dragging a string of saliva with it. His damp hand now cupping my cheek as he cooed sweet nothings into my ear, breath faltering to match his shaky, post climax voice.

"You should wear this skirt more often," My boyfriend snickered into my ear, holding me up as a sudden wave of sleepiness overtook my shaky body.

I whined, finally feeling his dick slip out of me, hasty movements to stuff it away, fix my panties before anyone saw. Though, it wouldn't have mattered if anyone did.

"I will if you fuck me like that every time," I played along with his playful offer, arms lifting me from the hood, steamy with the hazy glow of our shared sweat from the heat of our bodies.

"Sounds like a deal," Changbin wrapped my thighs around his body, taking me by the back of my plush thighs and making his way into the house.

#what is happening #oneshot #stray kids #writing #skz scenarios #skz #skz fanfic #skz imagines #skz oneshots #skz smut #skz x reader #skz changbin #seo changbin #changbin x reader #changbin x y/n #stray kids smut #changbin #changbin smut #changbin x female reader #skz fluff

[queseraone]

Alright, next question: we’ve done favorite Chenford episodes, but what are your 5 favorite non-Chenford episodes and/or storylines and/or multi-episode arcs?

I sort of answered this one here, but that was specifically about favourite non-Chenford episodes, so I'm going to answer this with a mix of episodes and storylines/arcs.

It's really, really hard for me to separate Chenford from The Rookie, because clearly they're my favourite part (shocking, I know). So there are certainly more I'd love to include in this list, but tried to exclude because while I love every part of them, I love the Chenford parts most of all. (Looking at you Standoff (1x09) and Plain Clothes Day (1x14) and about a dozen more....)

1. The Dark Side (2x10) and Day of Death (2x11) - Sorry not sorry, this is absolutely the top of the list. Yes, lots of Chenford, which we love, but as an overall arc it's phenomenal. Everything from the Lucy/Jackson/Nolan/Armstrong bar night to the Angela/Wesley parts to the perfect creepiness of Rosalind Dyer to (yes, duh) the Chenford of it all. And I'll rave about the acting and the scenery and the sound editing (the song choices, and of course the use of silence) until the end of time, because it's just so, so good. (I'm resisting the urge to add Now and Then (2x12) to this, because while it's still a part of the arc, it leans more heavily on the Chenford side... but I can't leave this without celebrating them continuing the story beyond just the little bubble of those two episodes. It's truly refreshing that they didn't gloss over Lucy's recovery and have everything just back to normal right away.)

2. Safety (2x07) - I yammered on a bit about this here, but I LOVE this episode, and Tim and Lucy don't interact in it at all. I don't think there's anything I dislike? Football Tim cold open ✅, Tim and Nyla and the challenge coins ✅, the beginning of the Lucy/Nyla duo of awesome (seriously, everything at the bomber's house) ✅, Angela being a sassy queen in her security gig ✅, and how Tim and Jackson's football storyline suddenly tied in with Angela's story ✅. One of my absolute faves!

3. Man of Honor (3x10), Triple Duty (3x13), and Threshold (3x14) - I'm specifically talking about Tim as Angela's man of honor. Their friendship is amazing, and seeing this all play out is so much fun. Tim bursting into the bridal shop ("you're going into labor?") is hilarious, and then him helping her find a dress?? Ugh my heart! THIS FRIENDSHIP!!! And then Tim and Nolan trying to reduce the guest list, and Tim and Jackson showing up with riot shields??? I love it all so much. (Doesn't hurt that it culminates with Tim in a tux *fans self*)

4. The Q Word (2x19), The Hunt (2x20), and Consequences (3x01) - I'll give credit where credit is due, I absolutely did not see the Armstrong twist coming. It all seems glaringly obvious now, but hindsight is 20/20. This is one of my favourite arcs. It was unexpected, a great Nolan/Harper team up, brought Rosalind back, and just really exciting to watch. (And while I don't hate Nolan like so many others, I do enjoy when he gets knocked off his pedestal a little bit and faces some real challenges.)

5. Greenlight (1x12) - PAIN. I miss Andersen so much, she was an absolute badass. I can't watch this without crying, and that alone speaks to the power of this episode.

Oh, and for shits and giggles, I'm also going to name my least favourite...

I hate, hate, hate that arsonist arc from early season 4. It was painfully obvious who the real killer was - literally the moment I saw him I was like "yup, there's your guy". It was just too much. It felt like a departure from the overall tone of the show, just way too dark, and yet somehow also leaned into a bit of a cartoonish depiction of a villain? The worst.

(Oh, and the double dose of shoving of The Rookie Feds down our throats backdoor pilot for The Rookie Feds is a close second... hated everything about it.)

Part of me wanted to add Under Siege (5x22) to the favorite arcs list, but since it's still ongoing, I will instead say I can't wait to see how to all plays out! Love seeing this team come together for each other!

#asked and answered #makeitastrength #chenford #the rookie #the rookie questions #opinions #episode rankings

[ethereousdelirious]

Would you consider writing Klapollo? 👀 While I love some Apollo whump I'm a big fan of bullying Klavier, maybe he's allergic to flowers his adoring fans have sent him, or he's so burnt out from a recent tour his voice is all wrecked, and a blossoming cold isn't helping matters, both of which Apollo (somewhat begrudgingly) would help him with 💖 Klav is such a show off but his usually perfect appearance being ruined by circumstances outside of his control, maybe his hair is down, or in a ponytail or messy bun instead of its usual drill, avoiding Apollo when he usually /loves/ to tease him. Anyway. I'm rambling sorry 💀

🙇 bully klav gav pls

Wow wow my first time ever writing Kl.apollo :0 Thank you for being my guinea pig!

Wordcount: 1.5k

Warnings: A lil touch of mess? Not very messy, but like. It's not NOT there. (Kl.av sneezes into Ap.ollo's [clothed] chest lmao)

Notes: This is post AJ, presumably before DD. I didn't clarify bc it distracted from the snz, but I imagine this taking place at like. a community cente theater thing, like for a charity fundraiser or smth. Hence why Kl.av is performing solo.

Pre-slash, a lil heavy on the UST. Apollo may be on the cusp of learning something new about himself (👃🏼)

N-E-way, I hope you like it! My first time writing for a pairing is always a challenge, so I'd definitely like to revisit these 2 in the future (maybe even this same concept bc. there's so much K.lavier-wrecking that can be done 👀)

Klavier's sneeze announced his presence before anything else. The sudden "hk'TCHEH!" punched the air, scaring Apollo's disordered thoughts back to darker corners of his brain.

Right.

He was being silly.

He looked around the dressing room, straightening his shirt despite himself. Klavier had arranged his belongings into orderly piles, though the room still felt cramped. There was no glamor, no mystique in the white walls and humming yellow fluorescents.

He'd waited in Klavier's dressing rooms before. It wasn't that strange.

The door creaked open a crack, then a little more. Klavier's blond head peered in, and the smile on his face looked strained, somehow. "Herr Forehea— Hhheehh—" He wrinkled tje bridge of his nose and something about it made Apollo relax all at once. "I— Ach…" He wiggled his nose like a rabbit, tears sparkling in his lashes, then stopped abruptly. "Could you help me with the door, please?"

"Right!" Apollo leapt up and grabbed it, swinging it open so Klavier could come in. "Are you okay?"

The answer was obvious now. Klavier held a crystal vase in both his hands. Flowers exploded from the top of it, out to the sides, in all variety of colors and shapes. Yellow pollen floated in the water and dusted Klavier's face where the stamens had rubbed against his skin.

Klavier's nose wrinkled again, the delicate skin creasing up in straight little lines. Like a maze only Apollo could solve. His gleaming lips parted, wafting the smell of cherry lip gloss over the fragrance of flower's for a fleeting moment. "Ahh… hhk'kTSCH!" His body rocked forward, sloshing water up toward the edge of the vase.

The force of his exhalation sent a great plume of pollen into the air and Apollo winced. "Uh, Gesundheit?"

"Vielen Dank," Klavier said drily, and Apollo tried not to shudder. "What, ah…" He smiled at Apollo, blinking tears out of his eyes. This dulled some of the resplendent dazzle of him, but none of the charm, and Apollo bit his lip. Klavier sniffled. "What did you think of the show?"

"Too loud," Apollo said bluntly. He held out his hands for the vase. "Here, let me take that."

"'Too loud,'" Klavier repeated. "You're one to t-tal—" He froze for a split second too long, mouth hanging open. "KkH'TSCH! Ugh…"

Apollo hefted the vase and forced himself not to stare at Klavier. "Maybe I should throw these out…" He stared at the pristine flowers and the pollen dusting the leaves. It was all over his hands now.

Klavier shook his head and motioned for Apollo to set them down. "They, hhh— They were a gift," he explained breathlessly, artfully arranging himself in a chair. "From the event organizers." He scrunched up his nose between words like it itched.

Apollo couldn't help but stare. "Well, yeah, but—"

Klavier smiled again, that spotlight grin that made Apollo feel like the center of the universe. How he could help but cringe away from it? How could he help but lower his eyes? "They're lovely flowers, Herr Justice. I'm keeping th— ahK'TSCHEH!" 

"Gesundheit."

"Mm." Klavier was still for a moment, perfectly still. The lights made his lips glimmer, and his eyes, and his nose. His cheeks had broken out in a flush.

Apollo licked his lips.

The sight before him was unreal, a weeping Madonna in gold, in purple, in delicate pink and gorgeous brown. Here was Klavier Gavin as few had seen him.

This last sneeze had caused his hair to come loose and fall around his shoulders in ringlets and smears of pollen made lines upon his cheeks.

And.

He was still perfect.

Klavier blinked hard and touched his fingertips beneath one eye. They came away black with eyeliner. He closed off all at once, his posture stiffening. When he laughed, the sound was stiff and humorless. "I must look frightening right now," he said.

The gentle self-deprecation rang too true. Apollo swallowed hard. And even worse than that, Klavier's shoulders now shook.

"Hhk'TSCHF! Ahk'TSHEH!" He bent double in the chair, aiming his desperate, breathy sneezes at the floor between his legs. "Kk'KSTSXH! EkH'TSCH!"

A moment stretched out between them.

Klavier hid his eyes behind his hand, his breathing wet and unsteady.

"...you done?" Apollo asked feebly. When Klavier didn't move, he half-rose. "Hey, Kl‐ Gavin?

Klavier gestured vaguely with his free hand, shooing Apollo away. "Don't look at me."

In any other situation, it might have been a joke. Vain Prosecutor Gavin, rockstar, unable to stomach the idea of being seen in any state of dishevelment. As it was, his voice trembled and fell flat.

"Hey, it's just me." Spying a box of tissues on the vanity, Apollo grabbed a handful and nudged Klavier's knee. "Here, blow your nose."

Klavier took the tissues and scrubbed at his face with them and blew his nose with an airy hiss that didn't sound at all satisfying.

"D'you really want me to leave?" Apollo asked, trying hard not to sound half as crushed as he felt.

"I just..." Klavier sounded very young when he spoke. "I can't imagine I'm very pleasant company right— heh…" He sniffled hard behind the tissues. "Right now."

"I'm still here, aren't I?"

Klavier peered at him over the tissues. His eyeliner had run and smudged, drawing black moons beneath the pink rims of his irritated eyes. He blinked and a few more tears streamed past, landing in the tissues. "Don't I look like a mess?" he asked, searching Apollo's face.

"I mean." Apollo considered him again. Watery pink eyes, messy makeup, hair falling around his shoulders like some kind of Norse god. "A little I guess? So what?"

A hint of pink surged up Klavier's cheeks, bypassing the tissues. It didn't stand out much against the gentle brown of his skin, but Apollo's sharp eyes picked it up anyway. "Doesn't it bother y— hhHK'TSHEH!"

Apollo sighed and stood up. "Not as much as those sneezes do."

They were big, roaring things that bent Klavier double every time. As befitting a rockstar, but they sounded painful.

Klavier answered with another gasp behind the tissues. "Heh—! Hehk'schCH!"

"C'mon, sit up." Apollo snatched up and handful of tissues and tilted Klavier's chin upward. Startled, watering eyes blinked at him, the fluorescents making bright rectangles across deep blue irises. Apollo dabbed at Klavier's eyes and cheeks, bringing up black eyeliner and yellow pollen in irregular splotches. Folding the tissues, he moved downward to Klavier's nose, careful not to irritate the delicate skin.

Still, Klavier twitched and scrunched up his nose. "Careful, A-Apoll—" His chest hitched with stuttering gasps, the skin beneath either nostril gleaming. His breath left his mouth in one brief exhale. "Gah—"

Apollo bit his lip. His fist had clenched around the tissues, ripping them beneath the blunt ends of his nails. "Sorry," he breathed.

Klavier tucked his hair behind his ears and looked around.

"What do you need?" Apollo asked. Seeing Klavier like this— sheepish, exposed— had stirred something in him. He couldn't let Klavier feel so ashamed of something he couldn't help.

"A hair tie, if you can find one." Still, Klavier kept his face turned away, eyes down.

Apollo found one on the vanity and brought it over. At the kast second, he also grabbed a package of makeup wipes. "Here, Ga— Uh." His face warmed. "Klavier."

He watched Klavier tie his hair back in a messy bun, golden locks framing his face. But when Klavier looked inquiringly at the makeup wipes, Apollo shook his head. "Let me help."

Klavier's mouth twitched. "Herr Forehead thinks he's a pro at taking off makeup?"

"Wh— N-no, of course not!" Apollo stammered. The sudden reappearance of Klavier's easy smile calmed him for once instead of riling him up further and he exhaled. "I just want to help."

"Oh?" Klavier spread his legs, sinking down a little in the chair, and all the smudged makeup blurring his features could not censor the brief, lascivious look that flashed across his face. "Then come help."

There was the confidence that Apollo loathed and loved in equal measure. But was it real? Or was Klavier merely posturing because he felt ashamed?

Apollo's cheeks burned regardless and he had to make a conscious effort to unclench the muscles in his thighs before he could take his position in front of Klavier.

He took Klavier's chin in his hand. "Hold still."

As with the tissues, he started with the eyes. Stubborn lines of black still clung to Klavier's lash lines, intensifying his gaze. His eyes were deep blue, mottled with lighter and darker shades closer to his pupils.

Apollo swallowed and moved on to the cheeks, but found no salvation there. The light layer of foundation rubbed away to reveal gentle lines where Klavier smiled, where he wrinkled his nose, and little brown freckles scattered down the bridge of his nose.

Apollo swiped the makeup wipe down Klavier's nose like he could mop them up and Klavier gasped a little. "Careful there—!"

Ah, yes. Prosecutor Gavin and his sensitive nose.

"Sorry," Apollo said, swiping away one last smear of pollen that had clung to the outer edge of Klavier's nostril.

"Apollo!" was all he managed before a sneeze rammed his head solidly into Apollo's chest. "Hhk'KSCH! " The sudden expulsion of breath warmed the skin of Apollo's chest, though not as much as the delayed realization that Klavier was shaking his head a little, rubbing his nose against Apollo's dress shirt. "Kk'tsXch!" Another burst of warmth.

Of their own accord, Apollo's hands found the back of Klavier's head. He rested them there gently, tracing things line of soft hair leading up toward Klavier's bun.

"Get me out of here," Klavier mumbled into Apollo's dress shirt. A moment later, he stiffened and pulled back, staring at Apollo's chest with wide eyes. "I— Your shirt—"

"It's okay." Apollo didn't bother to look down and assess the damage. "Let's get you home."

How could be even a little upset when Klavier was staring at him with those wide, wide eyes? When the strands of hair that had freed themselves from his bun sparkled in the lights? When cheeks burned pink with exertion and embarrassment? How could Apollo ever, ever hold a grudge?

Even if his shirt felt a little clammy now, well… He'd deal with it later.

For now, he had a Prosecutor to look after.

#ethereous writes #snz #snez #sneeze kink #does that tag even still work on new tumblr. lmao.

[pyrocortex]

Having just completed the barbenheimer double bill I have some initial thoughts

The first is that the experience is peak cinema. The rest are mildly spoilery so they're below the cut.

My near immediate thoughts on Oppenheimer is that alot of my almost critisms are kinda muted (for lack of a better word) by the fact the film was called Oppenheimer. It didn't delve nearly as much into the more board strokes of the Manhattan project (like Los Alamos itself, or the bombings, or the people who suffered and died due to the three bombs he directly oversaw, or the long term impact of mass nuclear proliferation) but also... The film wasn't called the Manhattan Project, or Los Alamos, or Trinity, or Little boy and Fat man, or Nuclear Fallout or any other number of titles that would indicate a focus on the nuclear aspect of the second world war. It's Oppenheimer, a complicated biopic about a complicated man that begins some time in the 1920s and ends some time in the 1960s and is alot more about the man than the war he "won".

Not that this renders the movie free from criticisms on that front. Honestly I feel the movie is maybe too gentle on the man and his apocalyptic body count, and is probably not as strongly anti-war as the movie thinks it is, especially without any examination of whether Japan would have surrendered without the bombs. Plus the additional angle of "making a biopic about Oppenheimer that glosses over the real people his invention hurt" is, while a choice that makes sense on paper for the sake of keeping the movie right and focused, does take away the weight of what he did.

Then again, as a friend pointed out, having the only presence of Japanese people in the movie be nuclear irradiated corpses would be in poor taste at best and probably qualifies as exploitative at minimum. Plus, as Truman (or at least, Oppenheimer's Truman) points out, Oppenheimer and his team may have built the bombs, but he (Truman) ordered them dropped. Raises the question who deserves more blame, the man who builds the gun, or the one that shoots it?

Honestly I think the movie did an impressive thing in making me both sympathize with Oppenheimer's reasoning for building the bomb (once Fission was achieved, the obvious application for the energy output being a bomb, the Einstein-Szilard letter only doubling down on this fact, it being viewed in 1942 not as a question of whether nuclear bombs would be built, but who would build them first the Americans or the Nazis (Oppenheimer, a Jew, really understandably would rather it not be the fucking Nazis)) and also have me lose that sympathy as the Trinity test neared (once Germany surrendered, it felt like the "arms race" excuse was lost and the reason Oppenheimer kept going was just pure momentum, especially as the humanitarian concerns built and built and built). And in the end, Strauss was probably right about Oppenheimer, he was a man trying to put the genie back in the bottle without regretting having let the genie out in the first place. Complicated man, not necessarily a good one, but one that maybe I understand after watching the movie.

But that end scene... It gave me fucking chills make no mistake. Even if the rest of the movie probably didn't quite have the strength of that scene's conviction.

As for Barbie... She's everything.

No seriously, while with Oppenheimer I'm having complicated thoughts about whether it's possible for that movie to be truly anti-war if it never shows war, or anti nuclear proliferation if it never show a single victim, with Barbie I'm just like... Hell yeah this is cinema.

It probably also shares some of Oppenheimer's flaws, not quite going all the way when it comes to its themes but also shares the fact it was made with buckets of talent, buckets of money, and with an infectious love of movies as an art form.

Possibly I'd have more thoughts about Barbie if that had been the movie I'd seen first, and had more time to stew on it, but as it is trying to understand a Nolan film might have fried my brain for the day.

Broad strokes though: loved the camp, loved the singing and dancing, loved the humour, loved the heart, loved the examination of gender and society, wish it was more queer, wish it had more bitting critiques of corporations, Barbie is everything.

#barbie #barbie movie #oppenheimer #barbenheimer #pyro's thoughts

[bethanysnow]

Okay!!! Yall its time for Beth thoughts of the hour everyone get a snack or a drink and let me ramble for a moment. Yes I took many philosophy classes in college.

@moonlightndaydreams @hyunsvngs @queen-in-the-shadows

I think I figured it out. I only came across or had this realization of all things to reading a Pornstar! Chan x reader? Idk where it is or I'd tag the person who wrote it to thank them. But they wrote a scene where the girl was not just like giving that chan head...it was the description of him. Of the feelings associated with what they were doing.

To look at someone in their wholeness, to see it all, from the us that walks out of the house to do errands and work, to the innermost self that is scared, and vulnerable and was there at the beginning of the lies we tell ourselves. Was there at the beginning of when the outside world built us the walls and cages we trip over now. That scared small person still lives in there somewhere and in situations like sex and intimacy it bubbles up as far down as we shove it. It lives in the eyes of the 'are you sure' and 'Is this okay'. As if to love is to not jump in and save them, but to acclimate and swim over and ask if they want company.

That is why I think Stray Kids, not only works, but thrives, for they want to exist in the paradox that is innerpersonal self, and exterior self. Thats why I love Chan so much? I think? I think in the interest of survival there was built a stronghold that had only a few doors. Or at least I don't think he knows where those doors are anymore? But to the outside person its obvious. Like in Labyrinth where Sara says there is no door its just a wall, but she walks forward to see there is a opening to get to the goblin city. We as people are so microscope lens, inner person, get through the day, we often forget just how magnificent the other side of the coin can be, as if its not the same coin, forget how life and things can be.

I have walked through hallowed ground, heard bells in cathedrals, stormed castles, felt on my hands and knees stones that have been road cobble since before plato, there is ocean trenches of inner personal brouhaha that one person alone has. Just a normal person. Even the boring people have this.

So to even have the smallest .00000000000000001% of that wide galaxy that is Christopher Bang. I am grateful. He is soft and comfort like sleep overs, like hot coffee in the morning, like fuzzy socks, like jokes you only know about that make you laugh.

But I don't think there is a thing on this planet that could sway me from the desire to reach inside that boys mind and pick out the worms and decay that has grown in there. For I look at him and I see the darkness there. I think you'd be blind not to notice, but I also see the light. I see how he has balanced the scales. Even in that smallest percentage its like trying to measure the sun by its reflection on the moon. Or counting the stars before knowing they rotate based on the position of the earth.

Stray kids the members themselves are the most human people I have seen in their position. There is gloss and sheen and hiding the dark icky things away, but you cannot hide behind stage lights the deepness one has inside. And so I like the fic, would be so enamored and transfixed to devote lifetimes to see the wholeness of those men. The true wholeness of one's entirety.

#beth thoughts #works by me #rant

[thenovelartist]

WHAT. We played in the exact same order!? That's so funny LMAO What are the chances!!! 😂 to think we both didn't follow the recommended route order at all and used a completely different route order.

I agree!! Shu quitting smoking for Teuta was so cute. I think one of my (very minor) gripes is how Shu didn't experience withdrawals at all, or ever felt the urge to light a cigarette after all that? I don't really count the one time he smoked with Yang because he was offered a cigarette, and he did put it out early. And yeah you're right that was really cute 🥺 out of all the LIs, it's Shu that I was least expecting to talk to her parents, but he really went and did it. Good job Shu.

HAHA I also get you on bringing up your faves whenever you get the chance, I also do it a lot albeit unconsciously haha oh Sasuke is in your top three, who are the other two if you don't mind me asking?

I like your thoughts on the last two chapters! You're one of the few people I talked to who kinda liked them LMAO in my case I was definitely one of the people who were disappointed. So much plot bombs were dropped that didin't have any hinting or foreshadowing whatsoever throughout the same, so it's just one unsatisfying surprise after another to me. It also gave me more questions than answers, which hopefully would get answered in the second season but also I highly doubt it. I really love the Carmen CG though. Also man I felt the opposite with Auld Lang Syne, it didn't feel calm to me at all LOL the effects were giving me a migraine, and the reveals (especially about Zora and Sauli) made me feel so sick. Then the game ended there and I just sat there confused. 😂

I know, I was laughing for days afterwards over the fact someone else bucked the recommended order and played the exact order I did.

True about the withdrawals thing; never really through of that. I'd say my gripe in general was the routes felt on the shorter side, so the writers had a LOT of ground to cover in not a whole lot of time. So I guess things like Shu struggling with quitting or more obvious romantic scenes in Mozu's route were glossed over due to those length restraints. Though, thinking about it, Shu's withdrawals had to be hellish because he said smoking was the way to bring him back to that day, but the nicotine had to be numbing in some fashion, too. So you have the two opposite components tied to past trauma that his clinging to using a now deeply ingrained habit, and you're telling me he was able to just change to lollipops on a dime? Yeah, I'm not buying it, but I'll overlook it because it's Shu. XD

And agreed. You would have expected Limbo, with his connection to his sister throughout the game, to be the one to do it. But nah, Shu was the surprise. :D I really liked it, though, because even though is family is a little odd and broken, it was very tight and meant the world to him. It was very precious. <3

I know I'm a bit of the odd ball when it came to those last 2 chapters. XD But whatever, LOL. I was definitely left reeling after the last chapter, so I understand that feeling. I binged that game in a matter of a week or two, so I hit the end and was just sitting in the adrenaline rush of "no, that can't be all!" XD I haven't replayed that end, so I'll have to go back and replay it for a better answer. But for Auld Syne Lang, I guess I should have clarified that it didn't exactly calm me as much as it was relatively "calmer" compared to Full Circle. XD Because that end WAS one gut punch after another. (Also, yeah, those affects were brutal, I think at that point, I stopped paying attention to them and just focused on the text specifically.) As I was replaying the main route, though, rereading that Luka committed fraud for a sex crime victim's case was a punch to the gut! Like suddenly her motivations of being a cop and helping out that victim in particular was crystal clear. And painful. Like, there were hints that you just kinda gloss over at the time, but rereading them makes you applaud that bit of foreshadowing.

Left this for last, but as for my three favorite boys, I'm obsessed with Code:Realize. Victor Frankenstein and Abraham Van Helsing have been batting for top spot for a while. XD I adore both of them to pieces. Victor was top for a while, but I think Van has just edge him out by now. And that leaves Sasuke as solid third. XD No other Love Interest has left quite as strong and heavy of an impression on me as much as these three boys. (It's the glasses. Has to be. XD) Even though I definitely have others I love, these are hard and fast top 3 that aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

My love of Van Helsing is probably the reason I was drawn to Shu so much. They have quite a bit in common.

[palidoozy-art]

The more I think about your recent post about the changes you made to Strahd, the more I wonder about those changes you made to the others mentioned (Rahadin, Van Richten, Ireena, etc). I'd absolutely love to hear what adjustments you made as you already shared some stellar ideas already. Like the Tome? -Chef kiss- Amazing.

Oh mannn I do love talking about my campaign. I changed a lot with them. Again, weirdly enough, I think Strahd wound up being the most like his original incarnation. I could talk forever about the changes I made so I'll try to be brief haha. IT STILL WON'T BE BRIEF.

Obvious CoS spoilers below

IREENA - I thought it was weird that the picture they gave her makes her look like such a badass, and then the module just kind of writes her as a damsel in distress to either get kidnapped or pulled into water or dumped somewhere. To me, she's like, the second most important character in CoS -- and the book literally gives you less direction to roleplay her than her brother. Furthermore, reading her ending actually legit made me mad.

So I said fuck all that. Ireena in my game was a 19-year old girl who grew and developed over the course of the campaign. Several of my players actually said they thought of her as "the main character," just because she experienced a lot of character growth and development, going from a sheltered meek teenager to someone who can fight and assert herself. The biggest change I made to her though was that I very specifically did not just want her to be "Tatyana with memory loss." Ireena is a unique individual who happens to be partially made out of Tatyana's soul. While she shares many similarities with Tatyana, they're separate people, and part of what Ireena has to grapple with is how to live up to that. She's in the post-campaign because of that distinction -- while Sergei offered her to join him, she declined, because she wants to experience life past her twenties. I didn't get to play it out because we were kind of rushing towards the end, but I honestly envisioned a scene where she talks to the portrait of Tatyana, apologizing to her because she knows she's being selfish remaining alive.

This also brings up a unique problem in the post campaign. If Ireena dies, she ceases to exist and may not be able to be resurrected. When her soul leaves her body, it's Tatyana's again. Ireena very much wants to live. Tatyana doesn't. A resurrection has to be made with the consent of the soul, and if Tatyana declines, Ireena's just... gone. Forever.

Related: because I wasn't sure what my players would ask, and Rahadin would absolutely know this information -- there have been 18 incarnations of Tatyana, including the original. I actually have a timeline of when they were all born and how they died. The curse manifests in that they always die or are killed before their 25th birthday. If Strahd attempts to marry them, they lose their minds and throw themselves off of the same balcony the original Tatyana jumped off of during the ceremony. Strahd can never have Tatyana. Vampyr will ensure of that.

But yeah, essentially: Ireena gained actual class levels; she wasn't just Tatyana with memory loss; she traveled with the party for 90% of the campaign and wasn't just a macguffin to be kidnapped/take to places; and I removed any of the "Sergei takes her into water/the sky and you never see her again" endings because I absolutely hated those.

VAN RICHTEN - Van Richten I tweaked a lot from his original incarnation. First, I started him off as Lawful Neutral. No, game, I know you tell me he's Lawful Good, but I'm gonna have to disagree with you that "training a racist tiger to genocide an ethnic camp" falls under the spectrum of Lawful Good. Second, I changed him from cleric to artificer (alchemist). I somehow just got the impression the dude was a godless man, and so he felt more fitting to be a man of science rather than a man of the church. Third, since I wasn't sure the other dread domains were ever going to be brought into 5e I moved him out of Darkon and into another world from the outside.

His backstory was also tied more into Strahd and the campaign in general, as well as the Dark Powers. About 30 years ago, he went into the mists with his own adventuring party (that included Escher) to try to rescue his kidnapped son, Erasmus. He found his son half-turned and begging him for death. Killing him, Van Richten hunted down the Vistani woman (Ezmerelda's mother) who sold the man, and in a rage strangled her to death. This gave him a curse. Ezmerelda witnessed it happen.

He went on a warpath against vampire spawn and vistani alike, until Strahd proposed a deal to Escher. Escher lured the group to a familiar dinner date with Strahd... only for Strahd to murder all of them, including Van Richten. Van Richten was approached by a dark power -- Vaund the Evasive, and given the option to return to life in exchange for the promise that Van Richten would eventually return to Amber Temple and free him. He took it, waking up outside of Barovia. From there he became famed vampire-hunter-book-author, until in his early 50's he decided it was time to seek vengeance and fulfill his promise. He brought in his hat of disguise, came up with an alibi, and headed into Barovia as Rictavio the Great.

He was absolutely played as a much more morally grey character at the start (the party's first encounter with him rather than Rictavio was him literally torturing a dude). He softened over the course of the campaign as he grew attached to the party, until finally reaching a point in the post-campaign where he's considered Lawful Good

Also: Ezmerelda was treated more or less as his adoptive daughter. She absolutely argued against this every single time, but he even slipped up and referred to her as his daughter on a few tense occasions.

RAHADIN - Rahadin I adjusted a lot, too. A LOOOOOOT. Strahd being comically evil makes sense -- the dude is a darklord, that kind of comes with the territory. With Rahadin, I wanted him to have more motivations to his actions, because the base game actually suggests that the dude is actually capable of caring. In the base game, you can find him at Amber Temple, trying to "petition the dark god into releasing his master from his torment." He screams in grief if he finds Strahd dead. Furthermore it felt like the game glosses over the fact that the dude was adopted as Barov's son. It doesn't bother addressing how Rahadin felt about Sergei, who would in theory be his other brother. I thought a number of things suggested in his backstory were interesting, but not expanded upon in the base game. So I took it upon myself to do so.

I changed how dusk elf society was built, which affected the three major dusk elf characters. It worked off of a pretty brutal caste system, with three kings at the top overseeing all of it. Rahadin was born in a lower caste, but actually brought into the warrior caste after a member of royalty was intrigued by his stature. Rahadin worked as a general, but grew frustrated by the inefficiencies of the caste system and its inequality. He started attempting to use his influence to petition other members of nobility into changing or loosening the strict system.

Patrina caught wind of this, and viewing it as a threat to her lifestyle + viewing it as an easy way to gain brownie points with those above her... tattled on him to the three kings, spinning what he was doing as treason. Rahadin was arrested and subsequently tortured. They attempted to execute him on a breaking wheel, breaking his bones against the spokes and leaving him in the town square as an example. He wound up escaping, crawling his way out of town until he was subsequently rescued by a group of human monks. The event pretty much broke him, morally. He went to Barov soon after and sold his people out, taking a personal hand in helping annihilate the dusk elves and conquering their land. Barov was so impressed by the man's loyalty that he adopted him as his son.

Part of this was done to make a connection as to why the hell Rahadin just absolutely fuckin' hates Patrina so much (since that definitely got played up during the campaign). When thinking of Rahadin's motivations, I tried to come at it from the angle that this man was evil... but legitimately cared deeply about Strahd, Sergei, and Tatyana. He was devestated from the events of the wedding, but saw Strahd's return as a second chance. As the lone surviving witness from the wedding, he desperately wanted to help the three of them. But his own blind loyalty to Strahd and his broken moral compass prevented him from doing so.

One of my favorite little additions was a sidequest I offered to the players (they wanted to redeem Rahadin). They were requested by him to retrieve (well, "not destroy or sell") one of his most precious belongings in his office. When they get there... it turns out it's a birthday card and a worn-out old amulet from Sergei and Tatyana that he's kept after all these years. They got Ireena to read the letter to him, to help him keep going after Strahd's death.

anyway i could ramble on about changes forever but i don't want this post to get too long haha. i have. many feelings. over this campaign. maybe at some point I'll do a separate post with some of the others.

i also kinda wanna do a comic of an event from Rahadin's backstory for my players but we'll see, I might deem it "too stupid."

#palidoozy rambles #curse of strahd #curse of strahd spoilers #cos #cos spoilers #WARNING IT LONG #I HAVE MANY FEELINGS ABOUT THESE THREE CHARACTERS

[marshmallow-xphile]

My thoughts on the sexuality of some of my favorite X-files characters.

I posted this in my X-files amino back in June as part of a LGBTQ pride challenge and for some reason I only just thought to post it here as well.

Fox Mulder: openly bisexual

Mulder is so open sexually that I really don't think gender matters all that much to him. He does seem to prefer females but I wouldn't be even remotely surprised if he had a boyfriend or two in the past. I don't think he's flamboyant about his sexuality but I don't think he'd hide it at all either

My evidence:

In the season one episode "Ghost in the Machine" we meet an Mulder's ex-partner, Jerry, and I absolutely feel like there is an ex-lovers vibe to the both of them. They hug upon first seeing each other, Mulder looks incredibly happy to see him, when Mulder says they worked together Jerry corrects him to say they were partners at which point Mulder looks over at Scully as if to see her reaction. Mulder has this real guilty look to him. When Jerry acts a little self conscious Mulder is real quick to jump in and reassure him. They get in each other's personal space. It just really leaves me with the impression that they care deeply for one another and broke up for other reasons, perhaps the different career goals as Mulder tells Scully.

We also have Mulder with Krycek. From the very beginning of Krycek's involvement with the X-files I feel like the writers went out of their way to make a correlation between the change in partnership and a new partner in a relationship. There is a scene in Sleepless where Mulder and Scully are on the phone and Mulder tells Krycek he'll be right there, the rest of the conversation feels reminiscent of two exes chatting about the change brought about by the new relationship. Scully even brings up that it must be nice having a partner who doesn't question his every theory.

There were many scenes in Sleepless, Duane Barry, and Ascension in which Mulder and Krycek were alone but that we never got to see who knows for example what the two of them got to talking about while they were stuck in traffic during the drive to New York in Sleepless. Or how often they hung out between Sleepless and Duane Barry.

During Mulder and Scully's partnership Mulder only called her 'Dana' on a few emotional occasions. He started casually calling Krycek 'Alex' almost immediately.

Let us not forget the infamous speedo scene. While yes it definitely showed more of a Krycek attraction to Mulder than the opposite. It does make one wonder what led him to wear such a revealing bathing suit. How many straight men do you know who wear speedos? My guess is few. How many straight men wear speedos when they can reasonably assume their male partner will show up looking for them? Not many would be guess.

And then there is their relationship after Krycek is revealed to be a traitor. They both tend to act more like scorned lovers than enemies and notice that it's Mulder, not Krycek, who cannot seem to keep his hands off the other. Seriously it's like every time Krycek shows up, Mulder immediately grabs him.

Now here's a couple quotes from Mulder,

Krycek tells Mulder he most be losing it because Krycek beat him with one hand. Mulder's immediate reaction: "isn't that how you like to beat yourself?"

When the little man in Humbug is lined up pretty much exactly with Mulder's crotch he says that Mulder would be surprised how many women find his size alluring. Mulder's immediate reaction: "you'd be surprised how many men do as well"

How many straight guys do you know comfortable enough with their sexuality to make a gay innuendo? I personally cannot think of any.

Dana Scully: bicurious

I believe that Scully is sometimes attracted to women. It definitely is not as blatant as with Mulder and I really don't think she's had any past girlfriends but I definitely think that there is an attraction.

My evidence:

In the episode "Ice" I really felt like there are a few tender moments between her and Felicity Huffman's character especially while they were examining one another for the worms. That examination had a sort of sexual energy to it I thought.

In the episode "kill switch" theres a moment where the Invisagoth asked if she could have her handcuffs removed or if she should type with her tongue. Mulder mentions that she doesn't want a vote there and the look on Scully's face and the way she licks her lips, I definitely get the impression that she would have been perfectly happy to see what Invisagoth could get up to with that tongue.

Some people point to Scully's relationship with Reyes as evidence of her bisexuality, I personally don't see any attraction there on Scully's side but I don't think its outside the realm of possibility.

Monica Reyes: Closeted lesbian

This one's probably a surprise I know there was something between here and Brad as well as a flirtation with Doggett so you would probably think she was Bisexual but honestly was either one of those even remotely convincing? To me they weren't. I believe that Reyes is a lesbian.

I kind of go back and forth on whether she's open about it. Reyes is very spiritual and open so it seems strange that she would be in the closet but maybe she has a reason, fear of it affecting her career in the FBI perhaps? It just seems strange that she keeps pursuing these heterosexual relationships she has no passion for unless she is trying to hide her true passion.

My evidence:

I admit I really have very little evidence but look at the relationship between Reyes and Brad Follmer. It had all the chemistry of two people who got really drunk once and cannot remember sleeping together. I don't for a second believe she was ever in love with Brad nor he in love with her.

Then you've got the same thing between her and Doggett. Yes the writers were obviously trying for a romantic angle with the two of them but to me it never came across as convincing. It seemed more like she thought of him as a good friend and figured she might as well date him, I saw no evidence of love or attraction.

On the other hand look at her and Scully. While I feel like the attraction there was one sided I definitely feel like Reyes was into Scully or Dana as she would call her. Reyes was willing to risk her life for Scully and yes that is her job after all but Reyes seems to take that above and beyond and it's not just Scully herself but also William. Look at how protective Reyes is of William in The Truth and of the sacrifice Scully made in giving him up. She seems to care even more than Mulder on that.

Cigarette-Smoking-Man: Asexual

CSM has probably had sex at some point, he is of course the father of at least three children but I do not think that he was ever in love with any of these women or even attracted to them. I believe they were all just a means to an end.

I believe that CSM's only love was for his cigarettes

Evidence:

There is a little bit of evidence that he might have actually felt something for Teena Mulder but I don't buy it. He freely admits that he felt nothing for Cassandra Spender but he must've been convincing if he got her to marry him and we have seen him fake emotions more than once. He also seemed to show an attraction to Scully in En Ami but that too was just a means to an end. Perhaps he does feel something towards all the women he has impregnated but I wouldn't call it love. I don't see any real attraction there either. My bet is that CSM needed some "help" in order to produce his offspring.

Alex Krycek: Gay

While Krycek did have an obviously sexual relationship with Marita Covarrubias he definitely didn't have any real feelings for her and I don't buy attraction either. No I'd say they were both just trying to use sex to get what they wanted. His anger at finding the Russian boy gone wasn't because he was heartbroken at her betrayal. Merely mad that she'd managed to get the upper hand.

Whether Krycek is open or in the closet I'm not sure, I'm thinking it probably depends on the mission hes on at the time.

Evidence:

Of everyone on this list I'd say Krycek is the one I'm the most sure of. There is no doubt in my mind that Krycek was attracted to, perhaps even in love with, Fox Mulder. From the very beginning there appeared to be a bit of longing in his eyes.

There was the speedo scene wherein Krycek was definitely checking Mulder out. There were several scenes where Krycek could've killed Mulder but chose to help him instead.

As I've seen pointed out before, Krycek's crazy motivational choices don't make any sense at all unless it's all in an effort to be around Mulder more.

Look at his sense of style and his obvious love for lip gloss. I am not saying that straight men cannot love lip gloss and dress themselves in Krycek's fashion but it is uncommon and it was especially so back in the 90s

The infamous kiss in The Red and the Black could certainly be explained away as some kind of Russian custom but it isn't one that I am aware of and he hasn't really shown any other signs of his Russia heritage.

I would say my best evidence of Krycek's sexuality is in Essence and Existence, just look at the look on Krycek's face when Mulder trusts him to protect Scully. Krycek knows what Scully means to Mulder and then look at how seriously Krycek takes the job! I definitely feel like that moment meant a lot to him and he would have protected Scully with his life for Mulder.

There's also the fact that Krycek's unwillingness to kill Mulder lead to his own death.

Of course asking Skinner to shoot Mulder goes against this theory but I do have a couple thoughts on that, the most sensical being that he knew there was no chance Skinner would shoot Mulder and he probably knew there was no chance he would survive anymore. Maybe he made that request in hopes of sparing Mulder any pain he might have otherwise felt at his death (I know it's a bit of a stretch but my other theories require a long explanation of my thoughts on where the series had planned to go next)

The lone gunmen: no one knows....not even them

Three (I don't count Jimmy for this) single adult men who all live together in very cramped quarters and are, at least in Langley's case, perfectly happy to be around each other without thier clothes on certainly makes it seem like there's something between them all but I really don't get a overtly gay impression with any of them, even Langley who as mentioned doesn't like to wear pants and is the only one who hasn't had a love interest. They just have this sort of Vegas-esque thing. "What happens in the bachelor pad/newspaper room stays in the bachelor pad/newspaper room.

I would love to hear other people's thoughts on these and any other X-files characters you think might be somewhere on the LGBTQ spectrum.

#xfiles #fan theories #lgbtq #fox mulder #alex krycek #dana scully #monica reyes #CSM #bisexaul #gay #lesbian #Asexual #nicholas lea #gillian anderson #Annabeth gish #the lone gunmen #william b davis #dean haglund #tom braidwood #bruce harwood #Langley #byers #frohike #the xfiles

[22degreehalo]

So previous post's link talking about how to google as an actual skill you can learn,and from the volunteering I've done helping people with their digital device problems, I really can't stress enough how true that is!

Like, as much as I always heard that IT is mainly googling or that I could help out just by basically knowing how phones/PCs work, I'd still always feel so self-conscious at first every time I didn't know an answer off the top of my head. To me, googling felt like the equivalent of shrugging and putting my hand up and saying 'hey uhhh any of you guys know how to do this? Cause I have no clue :/'

But over time I realised that when I brought up google, the people I was helping weren't frustrated that I didn't already know. I didn't even get many 'haha yeahh I probably should've thought of that :/' reactions. Instead, people - even, usually, the angry and unreasonable people! - would watch closely and seriously at what I was doing, same as when I was showing them the actual solution.

And I realised that to them, I'm not just taking some basic easy way out they could've done themselves. It's more like, I'm a lawyer who wanders over to a big bookcase of thick legal texts, picks one up, and quickly finds and flips to the right page.

Nobody expects a lawyer to just know all law and precedent off the top of their head. (At least, I don't think MOST do. My law studies never got that far!) But that doesn't mean anyone could pick up one of those books and know where to look, and even if you opened up the right page and just gave it to them, they wouldn't know how to interpret what they're seeing.

Googling isn't even just about key words. It's knowing what websites are likely to have useful information. It's knowing to distinguish ads from non-ads. It's knowing when to give this search up and try different key words. It's knowing when to try to find something in roundabout ways (e.g. by searching for something easier to find which may link to what you want). And it's about even knowing when google might help you in the first place!

And like, this insight is primarily about google, but the general value of those unknown insights really just can't be underestimated. When I'm helping people, the first thing I try to do is get an idea of what level of support they're looking for - teaching someone something they already know is pointless and frustrating for everyone, but so is teaching someone something wayy above their ability level. (That's why I like to start by having them show and tell me in detail what they want.) If someone seems totally blank about what I'm showing, I back up and try to work out if there's anything I can break down more, or an 'obvious' thing I glossed over which actually needs to be said.

Like, as another example: left vs right vs double clicks. To me it's just inuitive which you need to use - so much so that when I first tried to think of how I'd explain the difference in their use, I was totally lost. (But generally, I'd say left click selects an option already on-screen, right click brings up new options, and double-click opens something. In general, anyway.) But for less tech savvy people, it all seemed so arbitrary. It's this whole extra cognitive load that we don't need to worry about - memorising which clicks are done in what way. If they're not too overwhelmed by the solution they came in for, teaching the difference might be really helpful. But in many circumstances, I kinda struggle to make it clear what things are actually part of the solution and which I just think it'd be helpful for them to know, which I'm trying to do better. (Ofc, many times if I ask they'll just decline. That's fine! The whole process can be tiring and stressful enough on its own.)

Just. Going somewhere you don't 'belong' and which is unfamiliar to you, especially when you hear so many stories about hacking or scams or viruses or whatever... it's scary and uncomfortable. Those people aren't just going to figure these things out naturally through experience, in part because just doing the 'simple' things already takes so much focus and energy. Sometimes you really do need someone you can trust to guide you through it and figure out what you might be missing! And even if you don't think you know much about a subject, that might be something you can really do!

[boop-le-snoot]

masterpost • main masterlist • taglist & faq

previously on...

Chapter 3 is finally here. Sorcerers need their shopping done, too. Beyonce/Wong platonic ship (joking)! And finally some action, more witchy stuff. Bucky whump because I have a saviour complex. Stucky cuteness moment. Some blood/gore in this chapter.

My insides clenched, seeing the yellow and blue notice taped to my door - the building manager rarely left notes, so whatever it was, it wasn't going to be good. I had managed to wind myself up into an anxious frenzy by the time I had gone inside and locked my door behind me, immediately thinking I would have to exhaust myself by turning to magic to keep a roof over my head.

For once, the news turned out to be positive: a neighbor was being evicted and turned in to the police for stealing packages. The building manager urged the tenants to report any missing items and apply for a refund when possible, apologizing for the inconvenience. I wondered what prompted this, basically unheard of in NYC, act of kindness as my altar stared at me with mocking amusement, pointing out the obvious by its mere presence.

Grinning to myself, I texted Odette - predictably, she was happy for me, happy that my protection spell had turned out strong and steady, and added a few tips of her own for my spell to stay that way. It felt like I'd grown invisible wings, those days, with all the possibilities open - and never once did I let myself entertain a thought of getting back at an enemy of the past for longer than five seconds.

Sure, it was perfectly human to consider making the cheating ex go bankrupt or make sure the college professor, that failed a couple of students each semester as a 'reality check', trips and face-plants at least once a day... I mean, who wouldn't experience a malicious sort of joy from petty revenge?

But I found my powers were best applied with a positive result in mind. My friend's cat was the first test rat- I mean, living creature I had practiced my healing spells on. The eleven year old kitty was struggling and both me and my friend loved the critter dearly - so the short, but tiring spell I performed yielded exactly the results I was expecting. Odette said something about genuine love backing up the magic, and- well, Dumbledore much?

On humans, it turned out, it wasn't nearly as simple. I didn't know what I had expected would happen after performing nothing short of a whole improv-performace type of ritual right in front of my very puzzled but hopeful friend with chronic asthma, but it wasn't the sheer exhaustion that ran bone-deep and left me bedridden for a whole day.

Odette visited my dingy apartment with her signature enormous purse full of vials she spoon-fed me and trinkets she strategically placed in and around my immediate sleeping area. "There, there," the woman patted my head as I pitifully moaned at the ear-splitting headache. "The first one is always the most challenging. After all, if it would be easy, everyone would do it."

I understood that. But at the same time, it felt unfair that no good deed went unpunished. I told Odette so, raising my voice to the best of my ability as she rummaged around my kitchen.

"Nothing in this world comes out of thin air, whatever you decide to give has to be taken from somewhere," she explained patiently. "People like us are considered hedge witches. We do solitary work and draw most of our energy from the Earth, from mother Nature. We cannot perform miracles, however, the cost of our spells are very low," I felt an immediate peak of interest at the simple yet effective explaination she gave me. "We remain mostly human. Gaia* is kind and generous to the ones who pay respect," Odette continued over the clatter of pans and pots. "There are other kinds of witches - who take from other people, who take from the dead. But taking something by force always leaves scars and taking something from the dead means bringing a piece of them back to places it should not be."

I pondered the words as Odette brought the kettle to a boil, the whistling shriek piercing through my skull like a sharp projectile. "What about Voodoo practitioners?" I couldn't hold back my curiosity.

Odette cleared her throat. "What is left of them is mostly not human. Their gifts are great but the costs are greater. They can live far, far longer than the average witch but their souls will know no peace, just like the souls of the dead they anchor to themselves over time," Odette entered the room with a bowl of tangy, creamy liquid that smelled like pumpkin soup. "We do not bestow any judgement upon our brothers and sisters but it is our duty to inform the young." She cast a pointed glance towards me, passing me the soup and a wooden spoon I didn't know I had. "This should help you recover. Take tomorrow off if needs be."

She left shortly afterwards and I hadn't much strength than to use the bathroom, wash the rune-engraved spoon and curl up in my bed, only waking up when the meager light shone over my face from the window. Sleepy and fog-tinted, the early morning NYC was damp and windy as I stuck my head out of the window to soak my sleep-heated head in the cool air.

As uneventful as the day at the café was, I still wasn't up to 100% energy-wise, but the long walk from Jeremy's to Odette's was pleasantly invigorating. I didn't find the cold autumn moisture displeasing; the small raindrops kept me awake and alert. Odette nodded in muted pleasure as I clocked in and returned the special spoon back to her. The runes on it were interesting; I had taken a picture of them for research purposes, fully intending to craft myself something similar.

"Odette has taken on an apprentice," Wong's voice had me take in several deep breaths in preparation for the inevitable fuck-fest on my patience. "She has been avoiding me. And the girl is painfully slow."

I didn't hear the answer of Wong's companion over the rustling of the boxes I was hastily shoving in their places before the Asian man's temper grew foul. More foul. Ugh. The sharp ding of the bell had me yelling a, "Just a second please, I'll be right with you," while trying to keep my tone polite.

Wong's sour face and a list of items required greeted me as I flew out of the backrooms, noticing the locked doors of Odette's office on my way out. Wong's companion stood at the far end of the store - his robes quite different from the ones I'd seen people of their kind wear, his lithe, tall figure seeming strangely familiar. I squinted my eyes at his back. "Is this all you need?" I waved the list around, increasing the volume of my voice.

The tall man turned around and I could only gape. He, in turn, also froze, the stern, unfriendly expression losing heat and giving way to perplexed wonder. "I had placed an order, for sorcerer Strange," Tony's boyfriend eyed me somewhat sheepishly under Wong's concerned gaze.

I nodded, eyeing Wong in turn, letting satisfaction nestle a warm ball in my chest. Stephen's look of displeasure had turned onto his... Colleague. By the time I finished retrieving Strange's order and packing up the items on Wong's list, the Asian man had left, leaving Stephen to sheepishly pretend to examine the books on the furthest shelf. I waved the paper bags as he took long strides towards me, his fancy, large necklace glimmering under the lights.

"So, how long have you been working here?" Sorcerer Strange asked after I told him the total.

The cash register beeped loudly, coins clattering on the desk as I counted out his change. "Some time now," I shrugged noncommittally. I felt his magnetic eyes gloss over my adornments, the star necklace, the various rings; I could practically feel him coming to his own conclusions. "Long enough for your colleague to get an attitude with me," I had to make sure he knew I would be taking no bullshit from him - or anyone else, for that matter. Odette's opinion on his kind was firm and I was heavily inclined to agree.

"Hmm, I see," Strange was equally as keen on hiding his curiosity. It was a funny thing, really, that we, being adults that we were, treated this encounter like some sort of a dirty secret. "Don't take it personally. Wong is like that with everyone," The man briefly scratched his beard with a gloved hand before pocketing his change and picking up the bags. "Except Beyoncè, maybe," the wink he threw me was positively mischievous as it caught me off-guard, giving him a fox-like appearance.

I sighed as the door shut behind him. Pretty white boys - the ultimate human disasters.

I had no time to dwell on them, however, as something - or someone, hit downtown with all the malicious intentions to wreak havoc on the innocent civilians calmly going about their day. Mutants and people who knew Odette came in hordes, scrapes and bruises and strange wounds that required imminent healing.

My boss was no rookie, she dutifully accepted each and every single soul, looking worse for wear with each minute. Not being able to withstand seeing her drain herself, I simply took over the simplest tasks - and she said nothing, just gave me a nod, instructed to use whatever I needed and write it down somewhere along with the name of the person who required the healing.

As the battle raged, the crowds thinned but the ones who managed to come to Odette's spouted more serious wounds, obviously a result of them fighting back. Mutants covered head to toe with coats and hats and robes, for me to swallow my shock when they undressed - horns, tails and weird skin textures were on the far end of the normal. I dutifully extracted small pieces of information from each and every person I treated.

Yes, the Avengers were winning. No, there aren't many people hurt, most of the damage is cosmetic. Yes, the villain of the week is as stupid as usual. It was like a mantra. Odette poked her head into the spare room every now and then, her eagle eyes briefly scanning over me to make sure I wasn't exterting myself.

As I applied the healing salve to a tiny, pink-skinned woman, bandaging up her hands, my boss entered and closed the door behind her, setting down on the creaky chair with a loud thud. "Just got the news, the Avengers apprehended the terrorist," she sighed long and slow. "We've done all we could, the next few days I'll be handling house calls so you'll be here on your own. I'll probably see you in a few days, don't hesitate to give me a call if something comes up," Odette seemed to be barely standing up, yet when she tore off a few pieces of her jewelry and chucked them into a big tin can under the sink, the glossy sheen in her eyes melted away.

"Okay," I mumbled under the watchful eyes of the mutant woman. "Will there be more people coming in today?"

"No," the woman in front of me snorted. "SHIELD is prowling the streets. They are not fond of us, they always say we intervene unnecessarily even though we willingly do their dirty work so our children could be safe," the bitter, harsh tone took me off-guard.

I had to admit, there was reason behind her words. "Will you be able to get home safely? I have a puffy coat and a hat you can borrow." Figuring an expensive taxi ride would be a better alternative to something terrible happening to the woman, I offered her my winter clothes.

She smiled at me, razor blade teeth and large, red eyes the kindest I'd ever seen on a person. In the end, she took the clothes, promising to bring them back in a few days and Odette gave me a parka that was too small for her frame - despite it smelling like someone's grandma's attic, I found it to be quite lovely vintage. The puffy knitted scarf she added felt like warmth and safety - she had to have knitted it herself, for I knew, handmade items carried a significant amount of energy in them.

The shop was eerily quiet as I cleaned and scrubbed the stained, dirty floors and disposed of the bloody clothes and bandages in the tiny, odd fireplace in Odette's office - that was a thing most peculiar, it burned everything I put in it, but had no chimney, no place for the smoke to exit. Magic.

Something banged loudly against the entrance door. I let out a startled shriek, broomstick falling out of my hand and adding to the sudden cacophony of noise as the figure behind the stained glass slowly slid down the door, a deep, male voice groaning something incomprehensible loud enough for me to hear.

Grabbing a large serrated knife we used for mincing the bones of small animals, I made quiet steps towards the door, seeing a large, obviously humanoid figure helplessly lean on the door. The man's arm glinted chrome black and gunmetal grey in the low light. "Sargent Barnes? Bucky?" I whisper-shouted, carefully plying open the door.

He lifted his head, blood dripping down from it, his face looked like someone went to town on it with a meat mullet, his eyes were unfocused and couldn't keep a straight line. His flesh arm leaned heavily on the door frame, the prosthetic hanging limply, dragging his whole body to its side. It must've weigh a ton.

"Я должен найти капитана Роджерса," he whispered.

I didn't understand Russian at all but I could make out the name of his boyfriend. Which made sense. Bucky looked severely concussed - I idly wondered what exactly they had been fighting, what could have given a freaking super-soldier such a brain-leaking injury. "Sargent Barnes, follow me," I put on my big girl shoes and used my momma bear voice, towing the man behind me.

He, too, weighed a ton, as I stumbled, helping him into the chair in the spare room that became my healing station for today. The longer I looked at Bucky, the less lucid he grew, eyes falling shut as he murmured something in jagged Russian, slurring his words.

There was no time to think about the consequences of exposure of my witchcraft; mortar and pestle, herbs and salves flying everywhere, I assembled a healing spell and memorized the according ritual in what felt like record time. He was bleeding all over the chair, fresh crimson blood pouring out of his nose and mouth and it was all I could see.

I hadn't known true terror until the blood that poured out turned black. Whatever it was in him, it was poisonous - my protection charms grew hot, scalding as they left marks on my skin; powering through the pain and unable to turn my eyes off the convulsing Barnes, I finished the chant just as the flow of vile, tar-like liquid suddenly ceased. It pooled around his feet, dripped down the armrests and matted his long hair. It reeked, too, of copper and putrid meat.

Bucky had passed out somewhere mid-spell, the slow, steady breathing bringing me my own sense of calm. To say that I was drained would be an understatement - my vision swam and my world spun on it's axis as I unlocked Odette's office to messily rummage through a cabinet for the emergency tonic I knew she kept there. I chugged the vial, an avalanche of almost anxious, jittery energy hit me like a freight train - exactly what I needed.

I bought myself a couple hours of time. Cleaning up the sludge around Bucky's feet and removing the outer parts of his gear was easy as he remained as relaxed as a cooked spaghetti noodle. The amount of weapons he had on him was impressive, but those weren't what I was looking for - his phone. It was dead, so I plugged it in, waiting for the 5% to show and bringing it to his fingertips, hoping he used the print recognition instead of the password option... And I lucked out.

"Hello, this is Star, I found a Bucky. Tell Dr. Strange to come get him, he knows where I am." I texted the "Stevie ❤️" contact, my inner fangirl self squealing at the dorky name of his boyfriend's contact in Bucky's phone. Shortly afterwards, I went ahead and snapped a picture of myself next to sleeping Bucky, figuring out some actual proof wouldn't do any harm in this bizarre situation.

The answer didn't let me wait long. "10 minutes" came the first text, and shortly afterwards - "Is Bucky okay??????". I had to snort at the amount of question marks before honestly replying "He will be ☺️" and putting the phone back in Bucky's pocket. I cleaned up and attempted to lift Bucky up, succeeding in waking him up into a half-lucid state, probably courtesy of decades of training and whatnot, to at least drag him to the front of the store. I wasn't particularly comfortable with strangers seeing the backrooms.

Bucky leaned with his back against the counter, ass flat on the floor and a towel with a cold compress pressed to his head when the doors all but flew open, revealing Captain Rogers, still in uniform and Stephen Strange, arguing with his boyfriend, both still suited up and bloody and grimy.

"Uhh," I blinked owlishly, causing the men to stop bickering and stare first at me, then at Bucky. "I think he hit his head," I offered weakly, backing up slightly at the amount of burning eyes staring at me.

"Shortcake, that you?" Tony's eyebrows rose as he surveyed the bodega, the items on the shelves, the black and red blood stains on my previously pristine, yellow shirt.

"Now is not the time, Tony. Go with Rogers, make sure the medical is prepared for Barnes and disable his arm," Strange barked out authoritatively, shooting me a puzzled but compassionate look. "The portal is open. I'll talk to Star, find out what happened." He advanced towards me as Captain picked up Bucky bridal-style as tenderly as he could while making sure the compress stayed on.

"Keep that tone fo the bedroom," Tony's voice was more than displeased as he shot me and Strange a hurt look, but followed Steve into the golden circle right outside the door before it sparked shut.

"Now, now, what happened here?" The sorcerer's voice lowered into a soothing drawl as I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding. My shoulders sagged, fingers twitching with anxious energy. The man extended a gloved hand, briefly squeezing my shoulder. "It's alright, take your time."

Damn, did I look that bad?

Taglist: @couldntbedamned @mikariell95 @letsby @sleep-i-ness @toomanyrobins @mostly-marvel-musings @persephonehemingway @schemefrenzy @lillsxd @bluecrazedandbeautiful @slothspaghettiwrites

#bun writes #practical alchemy #tony stark x reader x stephen strange #tony stark x reader #Stephen Strange x reader

[stray-kids-react]

Polaroid

Han x Fem. Reader Soulmate au

Warnings - Swearing, mentions of sex, and Fluff that'll make you cry.

Masterlist

...

Y/n's pov, November 27 2020

My mother once told me that I will know when I'm in love, she never specified what hints will cross my path... She just said I'll know.

As a young adult now, sharing an apartment with my close friend Yeji. I'm starting to become impatient with this whole game of love, why can't I just get told who is my perfect match. I'm so tired of having my hopes risen up and then crashed down onto my heart... Breaking it each time.

"Any plans today?" Yeji asked from the kitchen, making me cringe at the word plans.

I just was still recovering from a terrible break up, where I caught the supposedly love of my life slurping the life out of his assistants pussy. I won't forget the feeling of my heart completely stopping for a few seconds, as my mind told me to run and not look back.

"Yes actually, I have a date with Netflix and the leftovers in the fridge." I replied, slyly smirking as she stared at me like a worried mother.

"Well Netflix isn't going to have to wait for his turn. Because I have this guy who is really interested you and is a total sweetheart." She sighed, showing me a photo of the guy she was trying to set me up with.

"Yeah... No." I replied, beginning to retreat back to my room.

"Y/n! JISUNG TOLD ME!" Yeji announced, catching my attention from the front of my bedroom door.

"I-it's still a no Yeji." I whimpered, shutting the door harshly behind me as she sighed in defeat.

Yeji's pov

She needs to get out of this place, it's been two weeks now. All over a guy she barely even knew, I know the true reason she is hiding and she will never admit it.

Y/n is scared to see his face again, our best friend Han Jisung. The best friend that she happened to fall in love with, and moved away from after she got accepted into the university of her dreams.

They were never just best friends in anyone's eyes, not even there own. Yet they both tried to fill in the whole in their heart with other people, never realizing that all they had to do was just say three difficult words.

Y/n was in a hurry to find her perfect partner after I found mine, the man next door with the matching tattoo on his wrist. Your tattoo shows up when you are over the age of 19 and are near your soulmate, it shows up on your wrist, neck, or shoulder blade.

She didn't want to see Jisung in case that tattoo never came, they both wouldn't be able to handle the realization. But it is a part of life, and I'm not going to let my best friends live alone when they could have a chance to be in love and happy.

Han wanted to see us both while he was visiting the city, even though he knew the risk of utter devastation. That fake profile was just a set up so that she would finally meet up with Han, and she probably already knew about my plans.

I walked up to her door cautiously, gently brushing my knuckles against her door.

"Y/n... I know why you are actually upset."

Y/n pov

"Because of Han Jisung." I answered, brushing past the old childhood photos saved on my phone.

"I know that's what you were going to say Yeji, and you're right. I know I won't be able to take it if the guy I love isn't the one for me, and that all of those nights alone with him that are coded into my brain are worthless. I'm scared Yeji, I'm scared that I won't be able to think of most of my life without tearing up." I explained, as she plopped down on my bed next to me.

"You're fear will just get worse until you find out, you'll never know the result until you actually try." She replied, placing my head on her shoulder for comfort.

I let out a shaky breath as a couple tears streamed down my cheeks, she was right as usual. But I still needed at least one day to prepare myself.

"Fine, but let me rest today. I'm not going to fancy restraint with puffy eyes and bed head." I remarked, watching as a sly smile spread across her lips.

She slowly began to exit my bedroom, delighted that she finally got her way with me. Not even explaining who that fake date even was, probably just a random guy from Google. It was 11:30 at night, and all of my crying really wore the energy out of my body and mind.

So eventually sleep crossed paths with my mind and hooked up, completely losing consciousness as my memories flashed like a polaroid camera.

December 15th 2018

"I can't believe we're graduating this year, seems like we only started high school yesterday." Jisung sighed, carrying both of our bags while walking home together.

"Don't worry quokka, you'll still carry my bags for me even after high school." I teased, pinching the reddened skin of his cheeks.

"Oh very funny, and you'll still put crackers in your mouth and pretend to be a walrus." He remarked dodging the snowball that came his way.

He set my bags down on my front yard as he gathered his own army of cold fluff balls. I tackled him to the ground as we both drowned the silence in laughter, I traced my frosted mittens across his face. Gently crossing his lips as he brushed the snow chunks from my hair.

The close warmth of his breath against my face sent my heart into a frenzy, I secretly craved the closeness of him... But I never wanted to admit it in case I'd lose him.

His now glossed lips looked so kiss able, the way they pouted as he focused on my hair. And how they stretched into a warm smile that left a fuzzy feeling in my heart for years, made it only harder to stop myself from interlocking them with mine.

"I better get going bun bun. I'll see you tomorrow at school though." Jisung reassured, lightly booping my nose as he left his trail from my snowy front yard. Waving one last time to catch my attention as I was at the front door.

"Farewell loser!" He shouted, showing off that bright smile of his.

"Farewell to you as well, asshole!" I retorted, giggling as I walked into my empty house all alone.

November 28th 2020

Y/n pov

"Wake up! Time for bubble tea!" Yeji screamed, jumping on top of me as she consistently hit me with my own pillows.

"I thought we were meeting Jisung later." I sighed, looking at the red numbers of my alarm clock reading 7:30am.

"Yes we are, but I want bubble tea and to talk with you about some stuff I found out." Yeji replied, pulling me out of bed to soon push me into the washroom.

I complied to her excited energy, understanding it is pretty exciting for her.

The steaming water swallowed every inch of my skin, blocking out all of the noises outside. Only leaving me and the blank wall to stare at, droplets of water racing against each other. A flash of the mirror and sunlight clashing, sending the flash of a polaroid to my memories.

August 16th 2018

Yeji squealed as her boyfriend threw her into the pool, soon joining her in a large cannonball jump. All of his friends danced around with liquor drenching their breath, as their bodies clashed together in ways they didn't fully understand.

It wasn't my style of fun, it instead gave me a wave of fear and stress. Not recognizing any of these people, while they danced around half naked. Yeji's boyfriend decided that she had enough fun for one night, and took her home to rest.

I hurriedly gathered my belongings and rushed out the door, just as excited and horny shouts came from the pool. I was okay to walk home alone, it felt nice to be surrounded my silence for once. Even if my conscious tortured me about every bad possibility.

"Need a drive home party animal?" a familiar voice called from across the road, that voice of the man who has always had my back.

"I'd actually really like that." I replied, feeling a wave of comfort when I entered the car.

"I can tell your a bit freaked out." He sighed, throwing his bad into the backseat.

"That party was just... A lot. A lot more than I expected." I whimpered, still a bit overwhelmed from the experience.

"How about you stay at my place for the night. We'll even watch some American horror story..." Jisung suggested, even though he was shit terrified of anything remotely scary.

"I'm holding you to it quokka." I giggled, slapping his thigh teasingly.

We drove to his home as the car filled with a random playlist of songs, one landing on my favorite 'Turning Page'.

"I didn't know you liked this song." I commented, blushing softly at the tone of the song.

"I want this to be the song that represents me and my soulmate. It sounds cheesy, but it's true." He revealed, glancing my way as the car stopped in the from of his home.

The whole topic of soulmates use to be humorous to me, remembering when me and Han drew matching docks on our palms as 'our' symbol. Even taking a polaroid photo of the amazing art we drew, I still have it in my phone case.

Then it hit me, how much it would hurt to see him destined with someone other then me. That moment when he glanced back into my eyes with a shy smile, is when I admitted to myself for falling madly in love with my best friend.

November 28th 2020

I walked along the streets of our home town, hanging my mask off my chin when sipping my bubble tea.

"You know what's crazy." Yeji started, catching my focus immediately.

"I remember the moment you started crushing on Jisung. You didn't even have to tell me, I already knew." She admitted, gazing at me with only a soft warmth in her eyes.

"It was obvious by how many photos you had of him and you on your wall, and the way you looked at him as if he were your dream person." She continued, texting something on her phone that I couldn't quite see.

"Or how when he caught you staring he'd reply with 'take a picture it'll last longer'... And you always did to get revenge. I will never forget the day I saw you two as more then best friends, that was the same day when I bought you that polaroid camera for Christmas. " She replied, taking a short break as her hands nervously fidgeted with her skirt.

"That's why I want a 'thank you' later on." She mumbled, before running off and leaving me completely stunned on the bench.

"Y/n..."

September 14th 2018

"It's crazy that this is your last day here." I sighed, trying my best not to cry.

He nodded trying to smile the pain away like me, but soon caving in once his arms met my body. I nuzzled into the crook of his neck, hoping I could capture his scent one last time.

"I'll still visit. I can't cope without seeing your face, asshole." He chuckled lightly, sniffling quietly when he retracted his arms away.

He stared at my features for a few long seconds, as if he was contemplating on doing something. Jisung shook his head, smiling brightly once more as he pulled me into one last hug.

As he put his palm on the door knob, I shouted his name one last time. Running across the room towards him, he turned around immediately dropping his bangs on the ground.

He instantly knew what I was going to do, since his lips molded with mine without one ounce of hesitation. His hands lost in my hair, pulling me closer and closer until there was no space between us. Jisung's lips were so much sweeter and softer then any other kiss I've had.

The sweetness was sprinkled with the salty taste of our mixed tears. Only creating more as the kiss began to end, both of us realizing we should've told each other so much sooner.

"I love you." We both sighed at the same time, smiling sadly at the bittersweet sting in our hearts.

November 28th 2020

"Jisung..." I gasped, turning around quickly to make sure I wasn't hallucinating.

"W-wow... You've really. Wow." He stuttered, cautiously inching closer towards me.

"You too." I chuckled airily, swallowing back my tears. I missed him so much, but it hurt too much to see him at the same time.

"Y/n... I know it's been a while. But I honestly came here because I needed to see you. I still love you, and I don't care if we're soul mates or not. I'll sharpie our own symbol on us everyday if I have to." He revealed, grasping my hands between his own.

"I'm sorry that I was being so selfish." I sighed, caving into my own tears. Regretting my fears of seeing him again, feeling terrible for torturing him just as much as I tortured myself.

"We are both scared. It's not our fault, but I just want us to accept that things may not go our way. But that won't stop us from being together." He reassured, lightly brushing frosted his mitten across my features. Glossing over my lips gently, his eyes warm and gentle as they fluttered shut.

I molded into his kiss immediately, lacing my fingers through his silky hair. Soon pulling him closer to my so there was no space between us, making sure no one could try and ruin this moment for us.

His lips still were as sweet as the first time they molded into mine, and his fingertips could still make my legs give out by how gentle they were against my skin. Every emotion flashed through my mind, all my regrets, confidence, love, lust... It all flashed just like a...

"Polaroid." He gasped, tugging my palm next to his as the ink slowly traced the same picture into my palm. The picture of the camera that captured all the moments I treasured with my soulmate, the soulmate that was everything I could've asked for.

#stray kids #kpop #skz scenarios #stray kids reactions #han jisung #han jisung x you #han jisung x reader #jisung oneshots #skz jisung #skz oneshots #han jisung icons #han jisung imagines #han jisung oneshot #skz imagines

[elijahs-wife]

Why Me?

Requested by @hellotvshowtrash - Hi Tehani ❤️ could you do a fic with the prompt “if I could change one thing, it would be proposing to the wrong man/woman.” ? OR A FLUFFY ONE “falling in love with you was instinctive. Like I was born to do it.” Thank you! 💓

A/N: TYSM ASHLEE!! 💗 I FINALLY FINISHED IT! I've been crazy busy these days which is why it took so long. Like/reblog if you enjoyed reading please <3

Pairing: Elijah Mikaelson x Female! Reader

Word Count: 3220+

Warnings: none, really.

(not my gif!)

Writing a thesis should not be this hard, Y/N fumed inwardly, her fingernails mindlessly tapping at her laptop keyboard without actually typing anything. It was almost 1 am, since she had decided to stay up a little later than usual to try and get started on her paper, but she had no luck yet – all she had done so far was reorganise her desk. Her phone starting ringing from the nightstand where she had left it in the hopes that it would allow her to work better, so she stood up to go and answer it, wondering who it could be but grateful for an excuse to take a break from her attempts at working. Despite her frustration at the disaster on top of her desk, she smiled reflexively when she saw the name flashing on her screen, and swiftly swiped her finger across it. "Hey", she answered, her agitation clear.

"Hello, my love", Elijah said. The smooth sound of his voice would never fail to calm her down – already her breathing had deepened and slowed, and her shoulders relaxed. "Thesis still giving you trouble?"

"Like you wouldn't believe", she grumbled, plopping herself down on the edge of the bed. "I've been at this for so long now, but I just can't make any progress, it's like my brain has totally shut down." She heaved a weary sigh, falling back onto the soft duvet.

Her heart fluttered when she heard his quiet laugh. "Perhaps the issue is that you're putting far too much pressure on yourself. Maybe you simply need... a distraction. To take your mind off of all this work for a little while", he suggested, trying to sound innocent, but she could practically hear him smirk through the phone.

"Oh yeah?" she said, eyebrows raised but laughing nonetheless, "and what kind of distraction would you advise?"

"I was thinking dinner with me tomorrow night, followed by some music. Camille tells me there will be a band performing at Rousseau's and they're supposed to be quite talented. So, what do you say?"

"Food, alcohol and music? Like I'd say no to that", Y/N said, giggling. "I would love to go out with you, Elijah."

"I'll pick you up at 7.30 then", he replied, sounding pleased. "Goodnight, Y/N. I love you."

She almost jumped up and down in excitement but then reminded herself she was no longer a teenager. "I love you too. Goodnight", she said, disconnecting the call. She clutched her phone to her heart, a smile lighting up her entire face. Dating an Original vampire was challenging, and it was moments like these that she really cherished – moments where they didn't have to be anything more than a regular couple. Deciding to abandon her paper for the night, she rolled over her bed to reach the light switch and tucked herself in, before quickly floating into a good night's sleep.

- The next day -

Elijah pulled out his phone when he felt it ping and vibrate inside his pocket. The corner of his mouth curved upwards slightly when he saw that it was a message from Y/N. Hey! Got off work early. Can't wait for our date tonight! Xx

Me too, he typed in response. See you at 7.30 sharp. She sent a kissy face emoji back at him which only made his smile widen. Through all of the horrors that his own mother, Esther, had inflicted on him and his siblings the past few months, Y/N had remained his anchor to humanity, to the world. He often felt guilty that she was constantly pulled into whatever crisis he and his family were hit with, but she was strong – she knew how to handle herself and how to handle him too. But for one night, he was eager to show her that they could still have some sense of normalcy, that they could act the way that ordinary people do. She deserved that much.

"Well well, isn't this quite the miracle. Elijah smiles! Someone ought to alert the press", he heard behind him. He spun around and glared at his little brother who was standing in the doorway.

"What is it that has the noble stag running wild? Let me guess, the lovely Y/N", he said with a devious smirk.

"Not that it's any of your business, Niklaus, but yes. Y/N and I will be going out tonight, so kindly refrain from calling me. I will not take kindly to any intrusions that are not of dire nature." he quipped.

Klaus raised his hands in mock surrender. "Don't worry, brother. I'll hold the fort down here. Best of luck with your uh, date", he said as he walked away, his tone more sarcastic than genuine in typical Klaus fashion.

----

It was just past five o'clock when Y/N returned to her apartment after work, since she had been let off early. She was already in high spirits after a productive day at the office, and psyched for her date. She decided to start getting herself ready, since she wanted to look her best – not that Elijah really minded if she wasn't always one hundred percent dolled up, but sometimes Y/N could hardly believe that someone like him could love someone as ordinary as her. Despite the hardships that came with being involved in his world, he was the most extraordinary man she had ever known, and it wasn't very hard to feel unworthy. So the effort she would be putting into making herself look good was more for herself than for him.

After a long, hot shower and blow drying her hair to near perfection (she could never get the back quite right), there was just under a half hour till Elijah would arrive. All she had left to do was put on her dress and tackle the task of putting on some makeup. Y/N had very minimal makeup skills, so she kept the makeup minimal too – a coating of mascara, a light wash of eyeshadow and a little lip gloss, and she was done. I don't look too bad at all, she thought as she watched herself in the mirror, she was actually quite pleased with her work. She slid her feet into a strappy pair of heels and slipped on a satiny little black dress, perfect for date night, and she reached around to zip it from the back. She was struggling to pull it all the way up when she heard a sudden knock on the door. She glanced at the clock on the wall, which showed that it was already 7.30. Right on time as always, she thought with a smile, as she walked to her front door and opened it. Her heart beat twice as fast at the sight of him – as usual, he was perfection, standing there in a sleek black suit holding a large bouquet of flowers. He started to open his mouth as if to say something but nothing came out – he simply dragged his eyes over her, drinking her in. "Hey", she said, feeling almost shy after his reaction to her, "come in."

He walked through the doorway and closed it behind him. "Good evening. For you", he said, offering her the flowers – her favourite, white lilies. "Oh, Elijah, you really didn't have to", she said, their heady, sweet fragrance already saturating the air. "I know. I wanted to", he said with a small smile. She placed one hand on his shoulder and reached up to press a long, soft kiss on his lips that left both of them slightly giddy when she pulled away. He would never get enough of her kisses, her warm lips against his, it was intoxicating.

She moved to the sink to fill up a small vase with water for the lilies, and remembered she was still technically undressed. "Oh hey, could you zip me up?" she asked, leaning over the sink as she arranged the flowers into the glass. "Ugh, do I have to?" he said jokingly as he walked over to her. "Personally, I think this dress looks better like this." He ran a finger slowly down her exposed back, and leaned into the crook of her neck, about to kiss her skin.

"Yes, you have to!" she said, reaching to playfully hit his arm as she laughed. "Or we'll be late, Elijah." He mock-scowled at her. "Fine", he said, pulling up the zip of her dress carefully. "You look exquisite as always, Y/N. Come, let's go." Gentleman that he was, he offered her a hand, which she gladly took, and led her out of her flat.

----

Rousseau's was only seven minutes away from the restaurant, so they decided to walk there after their meal. Elijah did not let go of her hand the entire journey, a small gesture but it meant a lot to Y/N. Dinner had gone well for the most part, except for the annoyingly flirty waitress. Y/N had noticed her watching them from the corner of the room more than once, and no one could have missed the sultry eyes she made at him whenever she brought something to their table, or the multiple "accidental" brushes against his arm. She tried to be unaffected but she couldn't lie to herself, it pissed her off to no end. Elijah was an extremely attractive man, and it wasn't unnatural for him to get attention from other women, but did they really have to make it so obvious, even in her presence? It had been so long since they had had a proper date, though, that she decided to just ignore it instead of ruining the mood by bringing it up.

They were almost there, and could already hear the music coming from what looked to be a very crowded bar. The place radiated restless energy – there were people all over, some drinking, some appreciating the music, some already drunk and dancing in an alcohol-fueled frenzy. Elijah kept his hand on the small of her back as he led her inside. "What would you like to drink?" he asked, leaning into her ear so that she would hear him over the music. "Uh, scotch on the rocks would be great", she replied. She had never been a scotch girl, but whiskey was pretty much the only thing besides blood that the Mikaelsons kept a steady stock of at their home, so she had grown to like it. Elijah ordered the drinks while Y/N stood at the edge of the crowd of dancing people, bobbing her head and vibing to the jazz. "Are you enjoying it?" he asked her, handing her the cold glass of whiskey. "I really am", she replied, beaming up at him. She took a sip of her drink, welcoming the slight burn in her throat and the warmth spreading through her body. For a while, both of them simply stood there and enjoyed the music, with his arm around her waist and her hand holding his. "Will you hold my drink for a minute?" she asked him, "I really need to use the restroom."

"Certainly", he replied, taking her glass from her and watching as she walked away from him. What a view, he thought, sipping his whiskey with a smile.

Y/N entered a bathroom stall and locked it behind her. She was just about to open the door after relieving herself, when she heard two women come in, talking very loudly. "Oh my God, did you see that guy at the bar?" one of them said. "Wait, which one?" the other replied. "The one in the black suit, obviously", the first woman said. Black suit? They're talking about Elijah! Y/N thought. No one else in the entire establishment was wearing a suit. She stayed behind the door, waiting for the rest of the conversation.

"Oh God, yes, he is delicious", she heard the other one say over the sound of water running. "I just wanted to rip that suit right off." Y/N glowered, suddenly filled with the desire to punch something, or better yet, someone.

"Ugh, I know right? He's here with someone though, I saw them together."

"Ooh, and what did she look like?"

"Honest opinion? She's kind of ugly. I know that's not PC and we can't say that anymore but come on. She was so plain. I wonder what he sees in her."

"He's probably just stringing her along", the other woman replied, laughing. Y/N heard the clacking of heels on tile as they left the bathroom. She opened the stall door and walked to the mirror slowly, taking a long look at herself under the unflattering fluorescent lights. Suddenly her makeup looked overdone, her hair was matted and her dress too tight in the wrong places. She hadn't thought about herself as ugly in a long time, but the familiar feelings of unworthiness took no time at all to come rushing back. Tears started to prick at her eyes, and she blinked frantically to try and stop them from falling. Strange how someone you don't even know can make you feel so crappy, she thought. She couldn't help feeling her heart sinking in her chest. Wonder what he sees in her. Since the start of their relationship, Y/N had always thought about this in the back of her mind but never voiced it out loud, too enamoured by him to be able to handle his answer, or lack of one. She dabbed a tissue at her eyes so as to not ruin her mascara, before she left the restroom feeling more deflated than ever.

She walked over to Elijah, who appeared to be having quite a good time, moving his body subtly to the music. He was already on his second or third drink, and the band was playing a very lively song. A wild grin broke out on his face when he spotted Y/N on her way to him, and he took her hand and kissed it. "Would you like to dance?" he asked her, clearly a little buzzed – he never danced if he could help it. "Actually, I think I'd like to go home now, if that's okay", she replied, in no mood to dance right now. His smile faded when he saw the dejected expression on her face, but he didn't question it. "I'll get us a cab", he said, wrapping his arm around her shoulder and turning to leave the bar.

The cab ride to Y/N's building was short and totally silent. Elijah followed her without a word to her apartment and through the door. "Thanks for bringing me home", she said, setting her purse down on her sofa, not really making eye contact with him. "And now that you're home, perhaps you won't mind telling me what's wrong", he said, leaning against the closed door with his arms crossed. "It's nothing", she deflected, mindlessly shuffling through a pile of mail on a side table. "Certainly doesn't seem like nothing", he said quietly, moving closer to her. "What's on your mind, baby?" He lightly touched his hand to her arm, a gentle request to talk to him.

She turned around and stared at him, unable to stop her emotions from bubbling over. "How is it that you're even in love with me?" she asked. She didn't intend to sound accusatory but Elijah couldn't help but feel reproved. "Are you questioning my feelings for you? What brought this on?" he asked, his brows furrowed together. "I'm just asking", she said, sighing, "why did you choose me?"

"Why did you choose me?" he shot back, looking confounded. She stopped and gaped at him. "Hello? Have you seen yourself?" she asked, laughing humourlessly and gesturing wildly at him. "You could be a freaking Dior model, Elijah. You could have anyone you wanted to like that", she said, snapping her fingers. "So why pick me, some unremarkable, average human girl?" Her voice trailed away, and she looked down at her hands, almost afraid to hear his answer.

He took a step closer to her, his expression softening. He hated it when she doubted herself. "Y/N. I chose you because you are beautiful, both on the inside and the outside. You were strong enough to handle me when I was experiencing one of the darkest times of my life. I was... lost, in my own past sins. And it was you that pulled me back. Because you are kind and loving, and unfailingly good. And I need that goodness in my life, Y/N. I need you. My love, you are the most remarkable woman I've ever met." He caressed her face tenderly, and pushed a loose tendril of hair behind her ear. "Falling in love with you was instinctive. Like I was born to do it. In a thousand years, I have never felt for anyone the way that I do for you." Her cheeks flushed beneath his fingertips, and tears welled up in her eyes. He took her face gently in his hands and bridged the distance between them with a kiss, their lips moving perfectly in sync, hands pulling each other closer. His breath was sweet and whiskey-tinged, and she hungrily let it fill her lungs. She was so absorbed in him that she almost forgot to breathe – she was panting when they finally pulled their lips apart, their foreheads still touching.

"So, now will you take up my offer to dance?" he asked her, smiling wistfully at her. She looked up at him, pleasantly surprised. "I would love to dance with you, but there's no music." He shot her a cheeky grin as he pulled out his phone and opened the Spotify app. "Whoa", she said, taken aback, "you have Spotify?" He raised an eyebrow at her. "I am a vampire, Y/N, not a caveman." He set his phone down on the table nearby and the sounds of a soft piano filled the room. He took her hand and twirled her expertly into his arms, his hand resting on her back, while she placed her hands on his shoulders and melted against his warm body. They fell into step, moving slowly to the music. In that moment, it was as if the whole world fell away, and the only thing that remained was this moment, the two of them.

"You have the most wondrous eyes, Y/N. More beautiful than any star in the sky could hope to be", he said, gazing into them, watching them glisten under the dim light of the room. Her cheeks turned pink at his words. "Thank you," she said shyly, resting her head against his shoulder.

They continued to dance, too lost in the music and each other to stop. She brought her head up to look at him, eyes glowing with joy. "I love you, Elijah Mikaelson." Happiness took over his face – hearing her say those three words would never lose its impact. "I love you too," he replied, his expression one of pure bliss. As he drew her closer to his chest, Y/N thanked her lucky stars that she had found Elijah. She knew from the beginning that she would have done anything, faced anything if it meant she could be with him. But tonight, she knew for certain that they belonged together, that he felt as strongly for her as she did for him. To her, that was everything.

#elijah mikaelson #the originals #elijah imagines #elijah x reader #the originals fanfiction #the originals fanfic

[karlajoyner]

Strawberry Lipgloss (Carrie Wilson x Reader)

A/n: Hey guys! This is my first girl x girl so I hope the requester and everyone else enjoyed it! I'm also working on my first male x male so I'm excited for that! Definitely my first time branching out into doing a lot more with my writing so I hope you guys are liking it so far. I'm working on an Owen smut next and trying to get through my requests! So thanks for reading!!💙

Requested by: lonelygranger (Wattpad)

Warnings: Bullying (kinda sorta)

————

The final bell of the day rang signifying class was over. I stood up rushing out of the classroom knowing the hallways would be packed any moment with students trying to leave as well.

"Hey Molina" I heard a familiar voice call from behind me as I put my chemistry textbook in my locker. I sighed shutting my eyes. Turning around slowly.

"Carrie" I spoke through gritted teeth.

"Y/n. I just thought I'd remind you how much of a freak show you are like always"

"Thank you for that. Anything else?"

"Yeah. You should really keep your sister in check with her little hologram boy band. You know before she gets hurt" The girl said making sure to bump my shoulder as she passed by me.

I internally groaned hitting the locker behind me watching as she strutted away.

"Hey are you okay?" I heard my older sisters voice.

I turned my head to see her and her best friend rushing towards me in a panic.

"What'd that witch do to you now?"

"The same as always Flynn. Insult me bump my shoulder and walk away" I said using jazz hands to show the flatness in my excitement.

"I just don't understand why she has it out for me"

"It's all my fault y/n. I'm so sorry" Julie said as we walked out the schools front entrance.

"It's okay Jules. I'll be fine. You know I'll just continue to deal with Carrie for the rest of my high school years until you two graduate. I'll just continue let her to bully me. And I'll just continue cry myself to sleep every night because the pop princess that bullies the hell out of me also happens to be the girl I've had a crush on since my sister first brought her over the very first day of middle school"

I ranted watching my dads car pull up to the front of the school.

"We'll finish talking later" Julie said opening the front door and getting in.

"Call me if you two need anything"

"Thanks Flynn. See you later" Julie called after her best friend who walked in another direction.

"Bye Flynn!" My dad called after the girl as well.

"Mija are you gonna get in or am I just gonna hold up traffic all day"

I heard my dads voice from inside the vehicle. But my focus was on the blonde boy who had his arm wrapped around her shoulder. Her boyfriend. Clearly not wanting to be standing beside her while she chatted away with the rest of dirty candy.

"Hey get in weirdo" I sighed getting in the car, shutting the door behind me.

"What's your problem?"

"I'm not in the mood Carlos" I spoke to my little brother as we drove off.

"Ooo someone's a bit moody"

"Dad leave her alone. She's had a tough day" Julie explained.

"Nothing a little family movie night can't fix. What do you say kids?"

"I call dibs on picking the movie!" Carlos shouted before anyone else could call it.

I woke up the next morning with determination. Putting on my best outfit. Waking up extra early to do my hair. And I even put a bit more makeup than usual.

Carrie Wilson had been bullying me ever since her and Julie had that falling out and I was tired of it.

I don't know if it was the sugar adrenaline of the large amount of candy I had eaten the night before during the movie. Or if I was just that fed up with the girl but today I put an end to her once and for all.

I walked downstairs with a pep in my step. The smell of waffles hitting my nose.

"There she is my other beautiful daughter" My dad spoke handing me a plate of waffles.

"Hey dad"

"D-did you do your hair?" Julie asked as I took a seat beside her at the table.

"I did"

"Why?"

"Because my dear sister today I am a new person"

"A weird person"

"Carlos" My dad warned the boy.

"It's okay dad. Not even little Carlitos could ruin my mood today" I said pinching his cheeks.

Satisfied with his look of disgust I took a bit out of my breakfast.

"Okay who are you and what have you done with my little sister?" Julie questioned only earning a smirk from me.

"I'm only a year younger Jules but if you must know. Well your just gonna have to wait until lunch time" I spoke before continuing to eat.

Lunch time rolled around quicker than I expected. I had spent the whole morning mentally preparing myself until that bell rang.

Walking out of class I immediately spotted Julie and Flynn sitting at our usual table in the cafeteria. I smiled at them as they waved me over excitedly.

Slowly but surely I began to walk my way over to them with confidence only to be stopped by someone blocking my path.

"Well if it isn't the loner of the two Molina sisters. I mean seriously get some friends your own age y/n"

"I didn't hear you complaining before you and Julie fell out"

"Oh wow look at you. Finally sticking up for yourself" She smirked.

"And for your information I was just being nice. You were always annoying chasing after us" She spat. My heart breaking a little bit more than usual.

As if on cue Nick made his way towards us. Like many other times he tried to get Carrie to leave Julie and me alone.

But this time it was different.

I smirked at the girl in front of me taking her boyfriends hand. Pulling him close to and planting a kiss on his lips. Immediately hearing gasps from the people around me.

I pulled away watching Nicks face contort in confused daze.

And the look on Carries face was priceless. Her signature smirk was wiped off her face as her eyes glossed up.

I didn't get the chance to get a word out before I felt her grab me by the wrist and drag me away from the big scene in the middle of the cafeteria.

"Carrie let me go!" I shouted as she dragged me down the halls.

"Where are you taking me? Carrie!" I yelled as she opened an unfamiliar door shoving me inside.

Immediately assuming it was the music room. Noting all the instruments I turned back to the girl in anger.

"What are we doing here?" I asked as she shut the door behind us.

"Why would you do that?"

"Why do you think?"

"D-do you like Nick or something?"

She asked clearly ticked off.

"You think I like Nick? Seriously?" I asked as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"Well do you or not?"

"Of course I don't. I only kissed him to get back at you" I watched relief wash over her face as we stood there in silence before I spoke again.

"You know? I'm just tired of your shit Carrie. You've been bullying me since you and Julie stopped being friends. I just don't understand. We used to get along so well. Then all of a sudden you hated me" I spoke leaning against the wall.

"I don't hate you" She stated my eyes falling onto her.

She quickly made her way towards me stopping a few inches away from me.

"W-what are you doing?" I whispered watching her eyes closely to see them looking down at my.....my lips?

"Just don't say anything for a second" I bit my lip as she slowly leaned in.

Taking the opportunity I met her halfway. Our lips dancing against each other's.

The taste of her strawberry lipgloss making butterflies erupt in my stomach.

I wrapped my hand around her waist pulling her closer. Smiling into the kiss as she pushed me up against the wall behind me.

I was first to pull away seeing a pink tinge take over he cheeks. No doubt my face had a similar hue.

"Can I say something now?" I asked as she playfully rolled her eyes.

"Yes y/n"

"I like you Carrie. A lot. I've liked you since I first met you. And I know your with Nick but-"

"But I was gonna break up with him anyways. We've been having problems for a while now"

"Really?" I asked fidgeting with the ends of her cropped cardigan.

"Yes really. Look I know I've been putting up this mean front but truth is I've always had a crush on you too. I just thought you would hate me when Julie and I fell out. Especially since she's your sister. I just thought you'd side with her. So I did what I do best. I played the mean girl" She spoke her eyes glossing up.

"Hey don't feel bad. I understand everything now. I know you and my sister aren't in the best of places right now but I'm sure she's gonna support this 100% like she always has" I spoke caressing her cheek. Softly smiling as she leaning into my touch.

"You think so?"

"I know so" I smiled pecking her lips once more. A grin plastering itself on her face.

"Your so beautiful" I simpered.

"You are too Molina. You look extra beautiful today with your hair and makeup done"

"You noticed?"

"I always noticed. And though you look amazing now you look just as good with your everyday makeup look. And no makeup at all for that matter. Maybe you could show me how you to do it sometime" She suggested gazing into my eyes.

"I guess I could give my pop princess a few pointers. Though you don't really need them" I said intertwining our fingers.

"I guess I should go break up with Nick. You know before someone catches us"

"I'll be here waiting"

"You better be. We've got a lot of catching up to do"

"It seems we do" I spoke before kissing her cheek.

"Maybe you could teach me some of your dirty candy moves" I proposed as she leaned her forehead on mine.

"Or you could just join dirty candy and learn with everyone else"

"Let's get one thing straight here Wilson. You're the star. And I'm perfectly okay with being your loving supporting girlfriend from the sidelines"

"Girlfriend? I like the sound of that" She grinned.

"So do we have ourselves a deal?"

"Yeah. Just as long as I get to call you my girlfriend"

"Sounds good.....but"

"But?" She asked her smile slightly faltering.

"Can we hold off on going public for a while?"

"Why?" She pouted.

"Well it's just your gonna break up with Nick and I don't want him to think it's because of us"

"But it is because of us" She stated making me send her a pointed look.

"Fine. I'm sure he won't mind but if you wanna hold off on telling people I guess we could play the best friend card for a while. But not too long. I want to show you off to everyone"

"And you will. When the time comes" I said pulling her in for a hug.

"My house after school?" I nodded watching her remove something small from her school bag.

"Here. So you could think of me while your in class" She spoke pinning a custom made enamel pin that read Dirty Candy.

"I always think about you" I stated hearing the first bell ring.

"We should go" I said as we walked to the double door separating once we exited.

I spent rest of the school day with a smile plastered on my face excited to see my newly found girlfriend after school.

———

Up Next: Owen Patrick Joyner x Reader

Charlie Gillespie x Reader

Alex x Male Reader

Luke Patterson x Reader

Charlie x Reader

Jeremy x Reader

Charlie x Reader

Reggie x Reader

Charlie Gillespie x Owen Patrick Joyner x Reader

Charlie Gillespie x Reader

————

@lolychu @headheartbellarke @bookish0918 @kcd15 @ifilwtmfc @moviesbooksandfandoms @lovesanimals @lavender-writer @kaitieskidmore1 @morganayennefertyrell @iloveteenwolf @ghostofmgg @jammi13 @theravenclawlife

#alex jatp #charlie gillespie #flynn jatp #jeremy shada #julie and the phantoms #julie molina #luke jatp #madison reyes #owen patrick joyner #reggie jatp #carrie wilson #nick x reader #nick jatp #savannah lee may #luke patterson x reader #luke x reader #luke patterson #owen joyner #sunset curve #jadah marie #booboo stewart #sacha carlson #alex x reader #reggie x reader #willie jatp

[justleaf]

Summary

Geralt POV where he has to keep an eye out for Iorveth and Roche while they [banana].

Content Background

So. Yeah. Geralt never left the room in Chapter 14 because it would have been suspicious AF to see a witcher loitering outside a room. I'd written a few sentences from his POV but then decided to yeet it in the name of 💖 soft angst 💖. Enjoy Geralt's utter confusion.

Original Fic

It Took Years

Length

900 words

____________________

Iorveth sought him out of the blue and that was the beginning of Geralt’s incredibly confusing night. Save for the errant wraith or the knights of the order, there were few monsters and even fewer that required the hand of the witcher in Novigrad.

But the elf’s request wasn’t one that he had expected: Help me talk to Vernon Roche.

He had resisted - vehemently and firmly - even though Iorveth claimed to just want to talk. There was no way he was risking the life of a friend who had his back even when he’d left him back at Flotsam. The elf tried first to convince him and then switched to smooth-talking him, and when he finally played the favour card, Geralt found himself out of ways to turn him down. Iorveth had helped him find Triss in the tangled underworld of Novigrad and he resigned himself to the extremely convoluted plan.

“Why do we need to pretend to have dinner first,” Geralt asked, not entirely opposed to the idea but finding it quite odd.

“Shake off suspicion.”

“Suspicion? Who’s suspicious of Roche?”

“Many,” he glossed over like it was the most obvious thing in the world and Geralt was momentarily startled. Roche was hated, but it wasn’t like the Scoia’tael would lose their minds over Iorveth strolling up to him and having a conversation, right?

Right?

“Anyway,” he continued without missing a beat, “we’re going to have dinner and chat a bit. You’re going to pretend to need to get something from your room and I’m going to follow you. Then you’re going to stand guard at the door and make sure no one is listening in or sees us.”

“Mm.”

“Now let’s go.”

Geralt didn’t think the worst of it. The dinner itself was quite nice and Iorveth was more than happy to oblige his questions about Est Tayiar. Then came the kick under the table and he pretended quite loudly to need to show Iorveth a bunch of notes he’d found in the ruins. He let his nose guide them up to Roche’s room and kept his fists loose and his stance tense as they entered, fully expecting a bloodbath.

Except Roche was now trading the biggest favour he owed him and Geralt didn’t understand. The Blue Stripes commander had saved his life, and in exchange he wanted him to act as a guard dog for eight minutes? The deal hardly seemed even and he panicked when Roche grabbed Iorveth by the collar and pushed him up against the wall. Geralt took a step forward and reached out to pluck him off the elf, but stopped when the man leaned in and kissed his nemesis instead. He was holding him like his life depended on it, his cold facade ripped to shreds and his expression one of tender warmth that Geralt had never thought him capable of.

Even then, he was still having trouble comprehending what he was seeing.

“Fuck,” he muttered to himself and turned to face the door when the towel dropped to the floor, tuning his senses outwards as he tried to ignore the sighs of the lovers. His mind was a complete and utter mess - constantly torn between casting Axii on the occasional person that passed, trying to figure out what the fuck was going on, keeping track of the time, and attempting very hard not to get turned on. It was impossibly difficult, what with the obscene whispers that were incredibly loud to his senses and the sharp scent of arousal that drenched the still air of the room.

It felt like eternity and when they’d hit the minute mark, Iorveth was suddenly claiming Roche and Geralt felt his mind melt from the sheer overload of information. Vernon Roche. Iorveth. Together. In some kind of secret relationship where they couldn’t meet under normal circumstances even though they clearly wanted each other. And they were in so deep, Geralt didn’t know how the hell they were going to get out of it.

For the first time in years, he said a silent prayer to Melitele for his sanity. He needed answers, but he needed to get that idiot elf out first before they were compromised.

"Iorveth, we need to go. Now," he interrupted and crossed the room in a few steps to tap the elf on the shoulder. He glanced down at Roche - entirely on accident - and his heart ached at the sight of the commander. He looked torn, overwhelmed, wanting and very obviously in love. Geralt was briefly reminded that he was a fraction of his age, and very much a young man compared to himself and Iorveth.

He snuck a look at Iorveth too and held back a deep sigh. He mirrored every emotion and a thousand more, a maelstrom brewing in his eye and his frustration painted in the deep frowns of his face. The elf barely laced up his trousers when Geralt grabbed the hook of his arm, dragged him out of the room and straight out of the inn without any resistance from Iorveth. Their path took him by a human he hadn't noticed earlier and an elf on the other side of the street; informants, no doubt, and he wondered just how far gone these two were. He intended to find out as he dragged Iorveth onto the empty bridge where he couldn’t detect any life within earshot.

"Explain yourself," he demanded and Iorveth just stared at the ground like his entire life was about to come crumbling down.

#cut content #iorveth x roche #iorveth #vernon roche #witcher 2 #fanfiction #fanfic #ao3 #archive of our own #it took years

[fanfiction-fiend]

Damnit I'm on chapter 40 of Spill Your Guts now. 19 left.

Man, I don't want this to enddddddd! I'm def gonna be rereading it, but I'm having a hell of a time for my first read through.

Again, spoilers under the cut!

I love this, it's been so good so far. I was a little worried the turnaround from enemies to lovers was gonna be awkward, but it's been pretty good. The back and forth and all of that. I like how it's been very solid on everyone's terms. It's not smooth, but ya know, progress isn't linear ;) they're all learning and getting better for eachother, but it's a bumpy road, and they're doing alright.

I've never rly been a fan of Toby, but I like how he's handled and characterized in this fic. Just my own personal preference, idk, I just can't see him in a /r way lmao. No hate on anyone who does, just not for me.

Brian has been so much fun too, I love him he's been fantastic. Just as a whole. From the very beginning when he shot Alexis' tit off. I knew I was gonna love how he was written here. And I do! And he's perfect. And I love it here. The best version of Brian I think I've ever seen. And very respectfully I'm stealing all these headcanons.

I love the whole "They're all my boyfriends, Tim just doesn't know it yet" bc yeah. Yeah. That's exactly what this is. He's always been my favourite and he's taking the longest to cave and it's so fun to watch. The small moments are really feeding me and I know it's just breadcrumbs but I'm starving and that's enough for me. Tim and the mc argue VERY often(sometimes seriously), they hate eachother on the surface. I know there's gonna be more in the next few chapters and I'm so ready for it u don't even know. Even Tim's self sabotaging tendencies rly setting them back, but hopefully it'll be okay.

I really enjoy the hurt/comfort that's been happening in general.

Oh, and the secondhand embarrassment, I L I V E for that in fics. That's why I adored TPI so much. It was such a trainwreck and I felt it so deeply in my bones. Any fic that can make me feel anything is a good fic. This one has me laughing and smiling and cringing. I've been anxious, worried, disgusted, scared, happy, sad. It's been wild and I've loved it so much.

I glossed over the scenes of mc eating Sully bc that's like, the one gore thing I don't handle well, but I mean this in the best way when I say it was so gross and it gave me chills and I had to sit back for a few minutes before I could go back to skimming it. The gore has been EXCELENT I've ADORED it. I love gorey writing. It's been so descriptive, and had a good balance of action and emotions.

One of my fav things though is how the authors treat the characters with a lot of respect. All of them I'd say. Even the ones they've killed off, even Micheal, the dumbass from the beginning who cut the landline in the cabin. I think it's really obvious when a character is just thrown in or written up without any respect. But they all feel like genuine people. Like, I remember all their names, I'm terrible with names. But there's so much effort shown in the little ways that I'm still following it perfectly. They all had motivations and goals and they felt like more than just their tropes. It's either very hit or miss with ocs in fanfiction, but it's done,,,, so so so well in this fic. I've got genuine feelings for all of them. Even if it's just "Henry seemed like a genuinely nice dude and I'm sad he died" it's still feeling something for someone that I knew for maybe 3 chapters 37 chapters ago!!!!!

I had pretty high hopes for this fic, tbh. Just after the prologue I just knew it was going to be good. I'm so glad it's only kept my hopes up, giving me more reasons to love these stupid murder men.

#god i love this fic #like so much #like im drawing fanart guys #like theres gonna be fanart #usbdjdhkshdksjdks