#Been a WHILE since I posted a song suggestion :D

[lianaloverr]

I Wanna Be More Than A Friend/Drunken Confessions

Pairing: Colby Brock x Fem!Reader

Summary: You and Colby have always had some tension between your friendship, but one night and a party, a drunken Colby confesses his desires.

Warnings: fluff, drinking, smoking, kissing

Word Count: 1.2k

My gif!

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Hiiiii! I’m so sorry i haven’t posted a fiction in a while! I hope y’all still with me! Anyways sit back and enjoy!

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

“Hey girl you almost ready?” your friend Alexia said from down the hallway. “Yea! I just gotta put on my earrings.” you say.

•

You and your friend Alexia are getting ready to go to a party set up by your best friends Sam and Colby. You’ve known those since you guys were 16 and still are stuck together till this day. However, you and Colby have chemistry together. Everybody knew had a crush on each other but just never wanted to admit it. Honestly you couldn’t deny you had feelings for him, but u never thought he liked you. You liked him very much, but you didn’t want to ruin the seemingly perfect you guys had if you got rejected.

•

A tap on your shoulder knocked you out of your thoughts and it was Alexia asking you if you were ready to go. “Girl, you ready to go?” she said. “Mhm yea.”

•

Colby’s POV

“Hey Sam! What time does the party start again?” I yelled out. “9!” he yelled back. “oh crap I only have 20 minutes to get myself ready.” I say. As i’m getting ready, Sam walks in the room. “Ooo getting a little fancy i see?” Sam says as i’m putting on my rings. “umm i guess so.” i say kinda confusing knowing damn well what i was doing. “Yea.. I know and i’m pretty sure everyone else knows who you’re getting all dressed up for.” Sam says in a suggestive tone. “Uhh who?” i ask. Sam just looks at me like i’m stupid, then he walks out.

•

I acted clueless but i knew exactly who he was talking about. Y/n has been my best friend and Sam’s since we were 16. We always stuck with each other through thick and thin, she was by our side when Sam had his car crash, she was by our side when I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and made my first song, she was there for most of ur heartbreaks and basically everything. Of course we were there for her too, but we wouldn’t trade her for the world.

•

She’s amazing. She’s beautiful. She’s helpful. She is quite literally the most perfect girl i’ve ever met. I can’t lie, i’ve had a crush on her for a while, but never expressed it due to fear of rejection, then our friendship be ruined. “Hey Colby, party’s about to start.” i hear Sam say but he walks out of the room before I can look at him. I guess I should start heading downstairs.

•

Y/n ’s POV

•

You and Alexia start pulling up into the house’s driveway. Just looking at it for the 1000th time makes you even more proud of your two best friends for how much they worked for it over the years. You see your friend Clara sitting outside smoking a cigarette. Once you get out the car you go over to her and ask her how she’s doing. “Not so great, my boyfriend just broke up with me.” she says. “Oh really? I’m so sorry to hear that girl.” you responded. “Yea, i’m glad I was invited to this party so i can keep my mind off of it. Thanks for bringing it up again.” she looked at you. “Sorry girl.” you say as you walk into the house.

•

As you step into the house you see a bunch of strobing lights and loud music playing. “Hey girl i’m gonna go find some cute boys, wanna come with?” Alexia says to you as she passes by. “Mm nah. I’m gonna go look for Sam and Colby.” you tell her. “Mkay babe, i’ll be on the dance floor if you need me.” She says as she walks away.

•

As you walk through the hallways that are drowned in red solo cups and burnt cigarette ash, a guy walks up to you. “Hey, your really pretty, wanna dance?” since you had been looking for Sam and Colby for a while, you thought it would be nice to take a break. “Uh yea, sure!” you say to the boy. He walks you out to the dance floor and you start dancing. “So, what’s your name?” you ask. “Leo, you?” he says. “Y/n.” you respond. “Pretty name.” he comments. As you and the boy are dancing, you can’t help but feel a little bit guilty. You had your eyes on one boy only but it felt like you were giving it up so easily with this dance. Even though you doubted he liked you back, you swore up and down you could see Colby from the corner of your eye, and he looked… jealous? “Hey, i’ll be right back.” you tell Leo. “Oh, okay.” he says.

•

As you start looking for Colby since he disappeared, you bump into sam. “Have you seen colby?” you ask the blond haired boy. “Oh i think he went upstairs, and hi to you too.” he says. “Sorry, hey sam.” you say as you hug him, he had the smell of alcohol all over him. “see you’ve been having fun.” you tell him. “Oh yea” he laughs. “Well i’m gonna go find Colby, see ya later.” you say. “Adios!” Sam says and you chuckle.

•

As you walk upstairs, you hear the music dying down as you head further. Upstairs, you check every room to find Colby, but he wasn’t there. The last room you didn’t check was the game room. When you walk in, you see a Colby downing bottle after bottle. “Hey Colby! Are you trying to kill yourself?!” you say as you take the bottles away, including the one he was drinking. “Why do you care?” Colby says slurring his words. “Of course i’m gonna care, you’re my best friend.” you tell him. “I wish i was more.” he says. “….. What?” you ask. “You heard me.” he says. “Colby, you’re just drunk.” you say, not believing him. “No, I know exactly what i’m saying. Y/n, i’ve been in love with you since.. forever. You so perfect and much too good for me. You’ve just always been there and it makes me fall even harder.” he confesses. “.. Colby.” you whisper. “What i’m trying to say is, I wanna be more than a friend.”

•

You flutter your eyes open as you see sunlight flooding into the room. as you yawn and think about what happened, you turn to the other side of the bed and see a passed out Colby shirtless and hair ruffled up. As you sit there admiring him, he wakes up and looks at you. “What happened last night?” he asks in a deep, sleepy voice. “Drunken confessions.” you respond. “What?” he says. “Colby, i like you. Scratch that, I think I love you. you everything I need in life and i think we would be the perfect coup-“ before you could finish, you feel a soft pair of lips land on yours. It feels like heaven, but the heaven doesn’t last long when he pulls away. “Y/n?” he says. “Hmm?” you ask. “Will you be my girlfriend?” he asks you. “Of course Colby.” you respond. When you say that, he grabs your hips and pulls you to spoon him. you lay like that until you both drift back off to sleep.

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Hiii! I hoped you liked my story! I’m sorry it took so long for it to come out, didn’t know what to write about a love story lol. Thank y’all for sticking with me. Byeeeee!!!

Masterlist

#colby brock #colby brock x reader #sam and colby #colby brock smut #colby brock x reader smut #colby x reader #xplr club #sam and colby x reader

[maximwtf]

“I’ve got you.”

                          Legolas x injured reader

part 2

words: 2284

google docs pages: 5

warnings: injury, mentions of blood, mentions of a wound, pain.

opening: The fellowship’s journey is distured by an orc attack. You get injured while fighting.

AN// Reader can be any gender! This has two of my ideas smushed together because I thought they wouldn’t make a long enough fanfic by themselves :”D! Also I have no idea how the athelas is used so I’m just guessing here. 

          “I’ve got you.”

The group had stopped moving for the night, and everyone was trying to find a good spot to rest on. A lot more walking would be done tomorrow, and all the rest that was possible to get was important. Though, it wasn’t nighttime yet, so as soon as you had placed down your small bag, your gaze started to follow Merry and Pippin. They had both been complaining about how hungry they were from early on this morning. Now both of them were collecting small sticks and some bigger branches so they could start a small fire. Gimli and Legolas were talking with Aragorn. 

You sat down on the ground, still keeping an eye on everyone. You had booked the first nightwatch turn for yourself, so you could just go to sleep after your time was up. You never really liked to be woken up in the middle of the night, only to be told to get up and take the watch post, so this was why everyone just let you take the first watch. 

Before you even knew it, the two hobbits had been able to start a fire and were trying to start making something the group could eat. You smiled a little at this. Most of the group had begun to gather around the warm fire. You stood up as well and joined the others, and by doing this you also joined Legolas and Gimli’s conversation about how many kills they had managed to get in their last battle. You had heard both of them shout out the kills they had gotten in the last fight, but little did they know, you had been counting your kills as well so you could surprise them.

The evening went on like that for a while. You had all eaten already and the fire was still up. The area had a lot of trees and there were a lot of sticks laying around because of that, so it was easy to keep the fire going. Of course you couldn’t add too much wood to it because it would attract too much attention. Aragorn and Legolas had dragged a couple of old logs near the fireplace to sit on as well, because the ground was a little cold. The upcoming night seemed right now to be very calm as you had hoped. 

Gimli stomped his foot a little on the ground and huffed. “Can the hobbits sing?” He asked, mostly turning to look at Merry and Pippin, since Frodo and Sam weren’t as close by. Merry poked Pippin a little with his elbow. “He can!” Merry then said, not giving his friend much time to answer for himself. “Great. We’ll have something to listen to.” Gimli replied. You turned to look at Pippin, showing him a little thumbs up so he would start. He seemed to have noticed that, because he picked up on the small beat Gimli had started and began to sing. Merry picked up on this as well, and sang some parts with his friend. You watched this happily, but sounds of footsteps got your attention. From the shadows of a tree, Boromir appeared with a few more sticks to keep the fire going for longer. He tilted his head a little at the song Pippin was singing, and laid down the sticks near the fire. “Someone should dance.” He commented in a half serious tone after he had sat down on one of the logs. “You could?” Aragorn suggested it mostly as a joke. “I am a warrior, I do not know any dances.” Boromir quickly replied, his gaze then falling on you. “But Y/n could.” Your eyes widened a little because of his comment. “What makes you think I know any dances?” You replied, tilting your head a little. “In that case, Legolas can assist you. A prince must know a dance or two.” Aragorn spoke up, nudging Legolas towards you while raising a brow. “Shall we try then?” You asked after a moment of thinking. Couldn’t be that hard to follow his steps. “Are you certain?” Legolas asked, a little surprised by your reply. You stood up and nodded. 

Legolas offered his hand to you and you took it. “Follow my lead.” He said and then began to lead you. He managed to move smoothly even with you, showing you how to do every step without making it look like you had no idea what you were doing. He spun you around, making you end up close to his face. You looked at his blue eyes, seeing a glimpse of excitement in them. He was looking at you as well, as he lifted you up by the waist and spun you both around one last time before putting you down. After that he bowed at you and smiled slightly. “Was that decent?” Legolas asked. You got a quiet applause from the group. The hobbits were especially excited about this and clapped their hands. 

It had started to get darker already, but not so that you couldn’t see anything. The group had started to quiet down a little, so it was easier to hear if anything was approaching. You were still sitting by the fire, Legolas sitting on the other log right next to you. “Can your elven ears hear anything?” You asked with a small smirk on your face. Legolas shook his head a little at your question. “I feel as if something is coming this way. I do not know how many.” He said, then turning to look at you. “How far are they?” You asked him. He didn’t have time to answer because you started to hear the steps as well and they weren’t far away. You looked behind Legolas, and saw orcs running straight at the group. “Shield the hobbits!” You shouted to the group as you stood up swiftly. 

You picked up your bow and as the others were gathering the hobbits, you shot a couple of the orcs while moving to shield them as well. You moved around the hobbits a little, shooting some of the orcs while doing so. They began to come so close that you had to ditch the bow and move on to your sword. You didn’t really like closeby combat but you could manage. While fighting off the orcs you could hear Legolas’ arrows go through the air and land a hit. You could also hear the other’s swords clash against the orcs weapons. The group had almost defeated all of the orcs but you had been separated from everyone. You were fighting off two at the same time, and one of them stretched out a bow and pointed it at you. You snarled at this a little, trying to take a step back, but you felt nothing behind you, just a breeze of cold air. The orcs had backed you up to a cliff. 

You pushed your sword through the other orc in front of you, but as that one fell the other one was able to release the bow at you. You tried to dodge it the best you could, but the arrow ended up hitting straight at your leg. You whined at this and stumbled on your feet. Your eyes had widened as you looked at the arrow that was coming out of your leg. 

You heard a familiar noise of an arrow flying through the air. The orc in front of you roared in pain and fell on their knees before another arrow hit them. The cliff under your feet shook a little at the fall, and that made you stumble off the cliff. You screamed out for anyone who might have been close. 

Before you were able to fall too far down, someone grabbed your wrist. “Got you.” A familiar voice said, and started to pull you up. You felt some sand and gravel fall on your face when you let out a deep breath you had been keeping in. After you had realised that Legolas had a good hold of you, you tried to start calming down. You had been sure that you’d fall all the way down but thankfully he had been close enough to hear you. Legolas pulled you up back on the ground, and quickly saw the arrow coming out of your leg. “You’re hurt.” He quickly said, and kneeled in front of you. “Just a little scratch compared to what could have happened, ay?” You tried to laugh a little as you began to stand up. “I’m not sure you’re going to be able to walk like that.” Legolas said and scooped you up in his arms. “You didn’t even let me try?” You huffed, hoping that no one saw you like this.

Legolas carried you to the fireplace that had sadly gone out while the fight. Boromir had thrown a couple of sticks back in, getting Merry and Pippin to try and start the fire again. By now it was quite dark and you couldn't see the forest anymore. Legolas sat you down on the ground and walked off to get Aragorn. You took short breaths as your gaze hit the stick coming from your leg. The sight made you snarl. You heard Aragorn come to you with Legolas. “We need to get that out and the wound shut. Legolas, can you get athelas?” He requested. You frowned at this because you had internally hoped that he would stay as emotional support. Legolas stayed quiet for a moment. “Yes. I’ll be right back.” He said and ran off to get the herb. You turned to look at Aragorn. “Whatever you’re planning on doing, wait until he comes back.” You asked him. He only hummed a little at this as he kneeled in front of you. “We’ll have to cut the arrow in half so it’s easier to pull out. Bite down on your cape.” He replied. “I told you to wait-” You whined before your mouth was blocked by the fabric of your cape. You bit down on it as hard as you could, preparing for the wave of pain that would come soon. Aragorn had taken a hold of the arrow, seemingly planning on cutting it halfway. “Legolas will be here soon.” Aragorn tried to comfort you as he snapped the arrow in half making you close your eyes shut and bite down harder on the piece of clothing. Aragorn threw the piece of wood away and made sure that you didn’t pass out. Before he was able to say anything Legolas had come back. Because of the darkness of the night he had only found a few athelas leaves, but Aragorn seemed to think that they were enough to ease the pain. 

You sighed as the first wave of pain had passed. From what you could see Legolas seemed worried? Seeing the reaction you had caused made you smirk a little even though you were in pain. “Legolas, you better hold my hand.” You asked him, trying to hide the fact that you were scared of the pain. You felt him carefully take a hold of your hand as Aragorn took the rest of the arrow’s stick in his hand. “Try to stay awake.” Was all you heard before he used all the force he could to take the arrow out in one go. The piece of cape in your mouth muffled your scream a little as you squeezed Legolas’ hand with the wave of pain. You arched your back as well because of the pain, but tried your best to keep your leg in place. Throwing your head back, you pressed yourself against the ground. Only good thing was that Aragorn seemed to have been able to take out the whole arrow, but now the place it had been in was pooling with blood. “Make sure they don’t pass out.” Aragorn told Legolas as he took out his knife and cut off a piece of his cape. He started to wrap it around the wound so it would stop the bleeding. 

Legolas held up your head on his lap, every now and then tapping his palm on your cheek to make sure that you were still awake. He took out the cloth from your mouth and brushed some hair out of your face. Your leg felt like it was pounding and you couldn’t make out what anyone was saying from behind the pain. “Legolas, give them the leaves.” Aragorn said while finishing putting on the wrap. Legolas took the leaves and put them near your mouth. “Chew on them, it eases the pain.” He said calmly. Aragorn stood up and looked at you two for a moment. “I’ll take the first watch.” He commented before walking away. Legolas lifted you up a little, leaning you against him. “You gave me a scare.” He commented. “Just a small one.” You tried to laugh after spitting out the leaves. “Indeed. Just a small one.” He replied before going quiet again. You only hummed as a reply before closing your eyes. “Thank you for saving me earlier.” You decided to say before sleep would overtake you. Legolas’ gaze moved to your face, but he didn’t say anything. He was internally very happy that you were alive, but he did worry. Worry of, if the arrow had had poison on it.

#lord of the rings #lotr #legolas #x reader #lord of the rings x reader #lotr x reader #legolas x reader #lotr legolas #lord of the rings legolas #fanfic #lotr fanfic #lotr fanfiction #the hobbit #x reader fanfic #x reader fanfiction #legolas fanfic #legolas greenleaf #legolas beloved #fanfiction

[aziraphales-library]

Hello! Thank you for the countless times you've recommended my works, I appreciate it 🥹 I wondered if you have any short, fluffy oneshots with domestic husbands kissing. There can be smut, I'm indifferent. I just really want some domestic husbands kissing and being cute and adorable

Hi! We have lots of fics on our #fluff, #domestic fluff, and #kissing tags. Here are some short fics to add to the collections...

Home is just another word for you by Onomatopoetikon (G)

Crowley has never understood the human obsession with the concept of home. For millennia he has heard humans tell stories and sing songs of home – leaving it, finding it, building and returning to it – but he has never understood it. Not until he almost lost it.

The Quiet Moments by My_Dialect (G)

Aziraphale and Crowley spend a quiet afternoon together, enjoying each other's company and reflecting on their long history together.

Drunk (and not so drunk) Shenanigans by Fire_Traveller (T)

Since it's a rainy day, Aziraphale and Crowley find themselves stuck in the bookshop with nothing better to do than to get thoroughly sloshed and ramble on about nothing in particular. They will eventually sober up, though...and Aziraphale might just have another idea what to do to pass the time with each other... Things turn rather suggestive at the end, but there is no on-screen smut here - we'll leave that to the privacy of a certain angel and demon...

Baby, You Can Drive My Car by CopperBeech (T)

Avert the Apocalypse? Check. Move to the South Downs like respectable retirees? Check. Break a six-thousand-year habit of careful distancing? Not so fast. But Aziraphale does have one thing he'd like to check off. “Crowley, are you going to let me try this or not? You said you had nothing on today. We don’t live in London any more, the omnibus only runs three times a day and twice on Sundays, it’s completely unfair to expect you to ferry me everywhere. I just need to learn the basics. Once I’ve mastered them I’ll choose an automobile of my own. I wouldn’t presume to take the Bentley out any old time."

Just an ordinary day at last by 5ftjewishcactus (G)

Books, Food, and Crowley. Aziraphale's most favorite things. And he gets to spend an entire day enjoying all three. Just a normal day in a post-apocalypse world for an angel and his favorite demon.

to us, fortuni by enbymegumi (G)

Aziraphale feels himself start to sweat. He looks down at his rippling, steaming tea. “Crowley and I… we’re not actually married. We’re just friends… I think. Best friends. Partners.” There’s a long silence. It’s been a while since Aziraphale had sat through something so awkward. The last time had been when he’d dragged Crowley to see the film Sausage Party (2016) in theatres, only to find out that it was not, in fact, a deeply moving children’s cartoon about food. “Now, that can’t be true.” Madame Tracy’s voice is quiet. --- or: everything's always been so easy and comfortable between aziraphale and crowley. until aziraphale begins feeling the pressures of human standards and definitions of love... help comes from an unexpected quarter!

- Mod D

#good omens #ineffable husbands #fluff #domestic fluff #kissing #short fic #mod d

[l0serloki]

You and I

Peter Maximoff x Reader 

CW : GN!Reader, kissy kissy moment & Peter teasing, nothing more 

A/N : is there still xmen fans? probably not but I will singlehandedly write for Peter till I die.  I originally had this posted and tumblr hates me.. D:

Masterlist

Peter was driving you mad. More than usual, that is. It had been a while since the two of you had become friends and it was building up to be something.. more. 

“Y/N! I got you a drink!” Peter moved over your shoulder, settling said drink into your hand. The breezes of him running in didn’t scare you anymore, getting used to the sudden intrusions - and secretly enjoying them. You hummed as the boy settled next to you. His legs bounced in sync with how your pounding heart felt. 

“Thanks, Pete.” You graced him with a smile, meeting his chestnut hues for a few seconds. You swore he grew more and more handsome every time you looked at him.

“Yeah, anytime. Whatcha workin on?” 

Your hands skimmed through the work, noticing a missing page. 

“Well, I was working on homework. I assume you already know that though.. Considering our science pages are missing.” 

The only response you got was a short laugh and slap on the knee. Your eyes wandered to Peter’s formidable hands. You were violently aware of the small touches that he would leave across your flesh. He had to have been doing it on purpose - there was no other reason for the close contact. 

You shook your head, diverting any dirty thoughts away as you continued to work on the paper. It had only been about two minutes before Peter sighed and jumped up. 

“Y/N, we gotta do something. I’m gonna rot if we spend more time just staring at the wall.”

You had to agree that the silence and tension would eventually kill you both. You dropped your pencil on the table and looked over at the man. 

“What do you suggest we do then, Pete?” You raised an eyebrow.

“Wait - You want to stop working? That was easier than I thought. Maybe we could.. Go listen to music? I got some new records.” 

You stretched your tense limbs waving for Peter to lead the way. The two of you dodged the younger kids on the trek to get to his room. You had never been inside his room and were nervous. What if he was a mess like Scott or a clean freak like Jean? You were only mere moments from finding out..

—

“Come on in, Y/N.” 

You eyed the postered walls and shelves of merch. The room smelled faintly of candy and laundry detergent. You couldn’t exactly place the feeling but it just fit Peter precisely. His warm eyes creased as he smiled.

“It’s nothing special but I tried to add my own spin.” He pulled a record out of the shelf, opening the player.

“No - it’s perfect. It suits you.” You sat down against the messy bed and closed your eyes. His scent enveloped and soothed you from the stresses of the day.  Music drifted as the bed dipped and Peter sat dangerously close. You could recognize the song from the first few lyrics, the romantic notion making butterflies erupt in your stomach.

“You and I by Queen?” You questioned and felt his breath puff against your ear. You were suddenly aware of every flaw and shake you made as he hummed.

“Yeah. I’m surprised you know it! You like this kinda music?” 

You turned to peek at his face, noses brushing together. It felt as if you were going to die if he didn’t kiss you in that moment. This had to be the final string that broke the tension between the two of you. He seemed content on staring at you which annoyed you even more. You had to say something to push him.

“Yes, I like the music. Reminds me of a guy I like.” Your eyes darted away from him, hands jittering with embarrassment. 

Peter’s hand rubbed against your cheek, bringing your eyes back to him. You saw the rose tint that dusted his cheeks and cracked a smile. Maybe it wasn’t so embarrassing if you got to see him like this.

“What kinda guy is he? Any cool powers?” Peter couldn’t stop himself from laughing at his own sentence, awaiting your response. You acted as if you were deep in thought and left him to sit in silence for a moment. That would teach him for the teasing he has put you through for days on end.

“He’s cool but doesn’t know when to take hints. For having super speed he’s pretty slow..” You trailed off and he gasped.

“SLOW!? I’ll have you know he sounds like a very lovely gentleman.” 

“If he was, he would kiss me already.” 

Peter finally broke the wall between you two, warm lips meeting yours in an embrace. His tongue grazed your mouth as your palm traced against his firm chest. You gave him entrance and the kiss got more passionate with every growing second.

Peter’s hair tickled your face as he separated from you. He pulled you flush against him, head resting against his rapid heart.

“That was awesome. We should do that again.”

“As long as I’m yours you can do that as much as you like.”

“I thought that much was obvious. You’re stuck with me now.”

You snorted as your hands gripped at the cloth of his shirt.

“Wouldn’t have it any other way, Pete.”

#peter maximoff #peter maximoff x reader #peter maximoff x you #peter maximoff x y/n #x-men imagine #quicksilver #quicksilver x reader #xmen quicksilver #quicksilver x you #x-men fanfiction

[lapis-lights]

Chapter 02 | You Could Kill Me And You Should

'Falling From Grace' Series

[Vendetta!Leon Kennedy x Reader]

Song Title: This Is Love by Air Traffic Controller

Content Warnings: Leon is a Bad Driver (most important warning), Mostly tension building, They're getting better until they're not, Some nightmares

Word Count: 12k

Author's Notes: Second chapter of the Falling From Grace series! What did you guys think yesterday? I hope it was good enough in your guys' opinion! Anyways enjoy I hope you enjoy part two :D

Posts are scheduled for 8 a.m. EST every day until the series is complete!

Series Masterlist

Ao3

Summary: As you and Leon start working as allies, the more you start having second thoughts about him. Surely it couldn't mean anything...right? Conflicting emotions and a surprise visit shatter your whole view of him and you can't help but wish Leon would reveal his true intentions already.

✧ ˚ 　· 　　 .

"You're no good, you're no good. You could kill me and you should. I'm an idiot for thinking this was anything but blood..."

✧ ˚ 　· 　　 .

You're really considering your life choices.

Currently, you hold on for dear life in the fancy little sedan Leon owns as he races down the street, pushing fifty-five on a road where the speed limit was set to forty. It's only been a couple minutes since you left the motel and you wonder in amazement how this man manages to get anywhere with his horrendous driving skills. A stop sign comes up on the horizon, and he at least has the decency to slow down. You think it'll be smooth sailing but he slams his foot on the brake right before the sign and the entire damn vehicle jolts beneath you as your head almost crashes into the headrest. 

Maybe this was how he was trying to kill you. You never thought Leon would be interested in vehicular manslaughter.

Before he can even think about pressing on the gas, you unbuckle your seatbelt and earn a confused look from him. 

"Get out," you command, opening your door. "You're playing passenger princess now."

You feel much safer as you adjust the seat and mirrors and Leon lands into the space you had just occupied. As revenge for your abrupt change in seating, he cranks the religious Christian rock station on the radio and subjects you to guitars lamenting about Jesus as singers mourn the death of their savior. 

Truly, right now you wish Jesus would take the wheel.

"How did you even pass your driver's test?" You mumble, checking the street both ways (which you're sure Leon wouldn't have done if he still had the unfortunate privilege of driving) before tapping the gas and climbing up to a very safe forty-two.

"They said that while my driving was unpleasant, it technically wasn't unsafe or hazardous," he shrugs. "I got it on my third try."

"They lied to you, then," you frown. "Probably gave you pretty boy pity points or something."

“Pretty?”

When you glance at him, his eyebrows are raised suggestively and you scowl. “You’re so right, my apologies. Mediocre boy pity points.”

“Hey.”

When you get onto the main interstate and turn on cruise control, you finally let yourself relax, seeing that practically no other vehicles were out at this hour of the morning and gaining some sort of comfort that nobody was tracking you. For now, at least, you're safe.

The city Leon found that was near the laboratory you were planning on infiltrating was fairly large and he'd rented out a suite at the top of one of the prestigious hotels with government money that he spent without a glance. You'd simply stared at him when he revealed this information to you and he'd only smiled and told you to pack your things. 

Ridiculous. He was going to drive you crazy. 

The song on the radio switches and you're surprised that you know it. Leon seems equally surprised when he hears you humming the melody of the chorus under your breath. 

"You know these songs?" He asks.

You turn your left blinker on and check the rearview despite the lack of any other car. "Just this one so far. My family was heavy on this kind of music when I was a kid so it's mostly backed by nostalgia."

"Huh. Mine were too."

That surprises you. It's weird knowing you have something in common with him, especially with a childhood core memory like this one. He also didn't strike you as the type to have grown up on cheesy Christian rock, but the more you know. Maybe if you knew him earlier on, it would make more sense. After all, you'd only gotten to know him a little after the incident with Wilson and his business with working with viruses right under the president's nose. 

Of the course, the J.I.E. had wanted you to check it out before you firmly reminded them they were asking you to infiltrate the white house. 

After a few minutes of nothing but roads and listening to music, you hear light snores to your right. One glance is all it takes to know that Leon’s been lost to the gentle rock of the car and being lulled to sleep. The sight makes you soften a little as you return your eyes to the road and snake a hand to the knob that controlled the radio station. You twist until you find something you like, settling back into the seat as you keep on, singing the lyrics to some choruses you know mindlessly as the streetlights fly by in patterns of aged yellow. 

You only have a vague notion of where you are so it really is unfortunate that Leon had allowed himself to fall asleep so quickly, but you don’t really fault him. The guy technically was supposed to be on vacation but with your sudden intrusion, it made it near impossible to get the relaxation that a getaway insinuated. You feel bad, but also consider that he had volunteered to accompany you for this whole plan.

At the most, he could’ve nursed you back to health and let you go, blackmailing you later into telling any information you might gain. You know the government isn’t above doing something petty like that. 

But, here he was, snoring softly away in the seat of a car that’s being driven by one of the greatest threats on his life. Leon must’ve been exhausted if he was able to go unconscious despite all the risks. Not that you would ever dream of trying to engage in a fight while you’re going seventy on the interstate, but more so that you do owe him. You’re not the model of an upstanding citizen, but you try to keep your morals as best as you can in this industry.

You sigh, glancing out the windshield to see the bare trees lined with frost on their trunks flashing by as they bordered the interstate. Snow covers where grass usually sat so the blizzard must've been large having covered this much ground in the span of only a few days. 

Truly alone with your thoughts now, you reflect on everything that has happened. Of course, you’d told Leon what had happened at the J.I.E. when you left, but he never knew how you got wrapped up in all of that kind of stuff. For all he knew, you just showed up one day and found a new threat to his missions. 

As a high schooler, you’d always dreamed of doing something big. Despite being talked down by your partner at the time, you’d been determined to help those in need and care for the ones who’d been lost and needed guidance. ‘Justice for Inhumane Experimentalists’ was the title of those hopes and dreams so landing an internship there felt like you were one step closer to everything you wanted.

They promised you more. They promised you’d be helping masses of people. 

You’ve killed more than you can count on your two hands and have gotten a whole bunch of scars that you can’t even bear to think about now. That youthful hope has been sucked out of your soul, but your parents still think you’re in some city with a regular nine-to-five living your best life. You haven’t seen them in years, but frankly don’t care to try now.

You don’t care to open that can of worms.

You notice a green road sign that lets you know that the city is only a couple miles off of an exit, and you recognize the name of it uttered by Leon in passing when you asked him where you’d be heading. As you vear off the main interstate and merge onto the exit road, you hear a grumble and an odd noise of recognition. 

There’s a pause before Leon speaks, voice heavy with sleep and tiredness still lingering in his tone. “You’re thinking really hard over there.”

Confused, you slow down at a stoplight and actually turn to get a good look at him. “What do you mean?”

“Well, for one, you’re holding onto that steering wheel like you’re trying to choke someone to death–” you loosen your grip and your knuckles flood with color, “–and you’ve got that wrinkle in your forehead that you get when you’re really focused on something.”

“How do you know that?”

“I’ve almost killed you enough times to know when you’re trying to think of something to get you out of tight spots,” he reveals as the light turns green and you tear your gaze away from him to carefully turn left across the intersection. “You’re easy to read.”

“To you, maybe.”

“Are you saying you can’t say the same about me?”

He’s got you there. “Touché.”

“Thought so,” he leans back smugly.

Maybe you should have crashed the car while he was sleeping. You’d have to mourn the missed opportunity later. 

Lights appear on the horizon, and you feel better upon seeing the large silhouette of the city rising over the landscape. A green sign lets you know that you've breached the border as Leon begins directing you down the unfamiliar streets to one of the bigger storied buildings. You park easily into a free space and volunteer to start unpacking the bags so he can go check into the room. 

The ground is lined with ice and snow from the recent blizzard that had carried over this way too. Today, you and Leon would be setting yourself up for recon work on the J.I.E. but more importantly, buying you some much-needed clothes and necessities. Now that you were close enough to actual stores, you could pick up some things you've needed since you showed up at the motel. 

When Leon reemerges, he has a key card in hand. 

The two of you don't say anything, but each takes a suitcase to at least make it look like you brought something. The light hits your eyes as you enter through the sliding doors and wave politely to the hostess who's sitting alone at the front desk. 

"I hope we'll provide you with a nice place for your honeymoon," she calls out and your stomach drops. "If you need anything, just let me know!"

"Oh! Thank you so much," you enthuse with an exaggerated smile. It drops as soon as you round the corner to get on the elevator and you whirl around to Leon who's acting like he did nothing. "Really, Kennedy? A honeymoon?"

"It made the most sense since I booked the suite," he shrugs placidly, reaching around you to press the button to call the lift. "So try to behave and be a good little wife, yeah?"

That old flame of hatred reignites in your chest and you remember just exactly why you and Leon had such an intense rivalry. You frown when he tilts his head up to watch the numbers tick down on the small screen above the door frame, and before he can get the chance to even think, you elbow him sharply in the gut earning a pained wheeze and a satisfactory double over. 

The elevator doors open, and you walk forward with a grin, the suitcase rolling behind you. "Come on, husband. We've got a room waiting for us." 

The glare he gives you is probably one of the nastiest you've ever seen.

"So much for a peace treaty," he mutters under his breath and you roll your eyes as he gets on.

Really, you shouldn’t have let your guard down after all the vulnerable moments you’ve shared with him and you’re reminded that this partnership is merely temporary on both ends. Once Leon gets what he wants and your little vendetta has been quelled, you’d part ways and end your feud by never having to see one another again. 

Thank god for that.

The room is decorated modernly, with crisp white sheets and polished wooden floors that seem to be upheld in the most pristine condition one could afford. In all honesty, getting to spend the night in something like this after having to live in the motel for a couple of days was a blessing. If you weren’t still pissed at Leon’s surprise cover story, you might have thanked him.

He really couldn’t come up with some better excuse, huh? Maybe you should handle all the talking during this mission proceeding forward.

You let the suitcase in your hand come to a stop as you take in the view. On the far wall, large velvet curtains cover the entire space and curiously, you peak through them. You find that the entire wall is just one big window and t view is breathtaking, showcasing a city waking up as the sun just barely begins to rise up from over the horizon. The sparse amount of sunlight stays easy on the eyes and you sigh quietly as you simply resign to watch. 

“I hope a skyline isn’t enough to wow you,” Leon’s voice breaks you from your quiet stupor and you crane your head around to look at him unimpressed.

Did he ever know when to keep his mouth shut? 

“I’m sure liking a skyline is a better sight than all the pornstars you probably blow all that money off on,” you bite back, moving away from the window and wrapping your arms around yourself. 

“Are you still hung up on the cover story?”

“Yes.”

“You’re immature.”

“And you’re insane.”

Leon groans and you choose to ignore his theatrics in favor of looking at the brochures provided by the hotel on what to do. There was a large shopping district near here that caught your eye. The title of it shared the last name of one of the officials in the J.I.E., and having it be located so near to one of the hidden labs must be no coincidence. 

You’re about to bring this point up to Leon when you notice he’s standing a lot closer than you were expecting. You hadn’t even heard him moving and your heart leaps up into your throat, effectively killing any words you were about to say. 

“Look, if this is gonna work out, we need to get along as best we can,” he begins and you already feel like he’s chastising you like a kid who got caught with their hand down a cookie jar. “I’ll consult you on any more cover-ups we might have to pull off in the future, but we need to cooperate if we’re gonna make it out of this alive.”

You know he has a point, but you won’t let yourself be told off as if he wasn’t being a fucking instigator. “You wanted to come on this road trip, Kennedy. Remember that.”

You brush past him roughly and decide to slam into the bathroom, breathing out and leaning against the door when you get inside. The mirror is bordered by a bright white light that reflects in your eyes when you look into it. As per usual, you’ve seen better days, and you think bitterly about how much your appearance has deteriorated since your primetime, so to speak.

People your age should be having kids and going out drinking every weekend to take off the end of dealing with coworkers and customers–not fighting a constant war against unnatural bioogical weapons. 

Unless you hopped on a dating app or something stupid after this whole thing is said and done, there was no hope for you. 

You pretend like you’ve gone to the bathroom, flushing the empty toilet bowl and washing your hands to get rid of the persistent feeling of dirt on your palms. When you walk out, Leon’s got the curtains drawn and was standing right in front of the window. He turns upon you exiting, awkwardly motioning to the view. 

“You should come see the sunrise,” he says, hands rubbing the back of his neck like he’s a boy asking out the baker’s daughter. “It’s pretty. You’ll like it.”

Cautiously, you join him and look out. Leon’s right–it’s pretty.

The sun doesn’t intrude on your eyes but only slowly rises as a ball in a shade of fiery orange, lighting up the skyline until you can make out the finer details on buildings that reach the height of the hotel. It illuminates the entirety of the suite in a golden glow, and you look up at Leon to ask him why he’d done this but the question catches on your tongue.

He looks beautiful in this setting, some dark and repressed part of your mind croons. His features are framed just right and the shadows pronounce and contrast all the parts of him that you neglect to notice just for the sake of having known him for so long. The only other time you’ve reluctantly admired him was the last night you’d spent together in the motel under the cover of darkness in the middle of nowhere.

You decide that despite your history together, this is how you want to remember him.

“You’re right,” you murmur, catching his attention and those blue eyes find yours. He’s almost as breathtaking as the skyline is. “It’s really pretty, and I do like it.”

He’s so close, you can almost feel his body heat if you focus hard enough, and that deranged part of your mind grows and grows until you finally have the clarity to shut it down. You shake your head mentally, breaking your eye contact to actually look at what he’d meant for you to.

What the hell just happened?

Had you really just indulged that impulsive little voice in your mind again? You could admit that Leon was attractive objectively, but you’re not just any woman who would fall for his charms and smooth-talking tongue. You know him too well for that. 

Some feeling curls in your chest, crossed between disgust, glee, hate, and excitement. Whatever it is or what it means, you don’t like it. 

For now, you allow yourself to stay in this quiet moment–one of the rare things you hardly ever get–and admire the sun. 

✧ ˚ 　· 　　 .

Bustling cities had never really been your style, but you've been forced to deal with them one too many times.

For some reason, you hadn't expected the sleepy city you watched wake up would turn into such a tornado of chaos once the sun had climbed up into the sky enough. For this reason, it was important you and Leon stayed close together so that you wouldn't lose each other in the storm. 

If only you had a phone for emergencies, but that was too easy of a way for the J.I.E. to track you down simply. It was safer to be off the grid entirely. 

The effects of winter were still in play unfortunately so the snow hadn't left the streets just yet. Icicles persistently formed wherever they could and the wind still swept with an icy chill that made you shiver under the clothes you decided to wear for the day. 

It was nearing lunchtime and Leon was adamant about finding someplace to sit down to eat after walking aimlessly around town trying to find the location in the brochure you'd found, though you both agreed on going when it would be less busy. The fatigue would have worn you down if he didn't force you into a sweet little café that just happened to be along the sidewalk you'd been strolling on.

“I could’ve kept going,” you defend, and Leon levels an unconvinced look at you. 

“We needed a break anyways,” he refutes, motioning to a menu written in chalk above the counter where a glass display case sits. “Go find something, and don’t worry about the price.”

You want to taunt him for having to buy his enemy something as if you really were on a date, but the overwhelming hunger that hits you is enough to make your mind wipe clean. As Leon begins ordering his things, you peek into the display case where all the little cakes and pastries are displayed while listening to him talk with the cashier.

“How do you like working here?” he was saying.

“Oh, it’s good work,” the cashier answers. He’s got dark hair with shocks of silver lining it and a full mustache. His eyes seem honest enough. “I’ve been the store owner of this old place for my whole life, really.”

“Store owner?”

“Got it from my dad,” the guy says before glancing your way–though you pretend like you aren’t watching him through your peripheral–and teases, "Your girlfriend?"

"Oh, no," Leon deflects easily, shaking his head. "She's not my girlfriend."

Upon hearing that, something must have possessed you at the moment for some inexplicable reason. In a split-second decision, you straighten up and give a sugary bright smile to the store owner.

"I'm his wife."

You can feel Leon’s stare burning holes in your head.

“Oh!” the store owner seems mildly surprised. “I should have known–we get married couples younger than you two all the time.”

You resist looking at Leon in favor of ordering what you’d decided on during their shared conversation. He has enough consciousness to slide a card into the reader when it was time to pay, but you know he’s just bursting at the seams to ask what the fuck you were pulling.

To be honest, you didn’t even know yourself. 

“What are you doing?” he hisses quietly once you slide into a booth in the corner. “I thought we were discussing any cover stories we were doing.”

“You came up with that.”

“You weren’t on board with it.”

“It just took me by surprise this morning.”

Leon sighs, massaging the bring of his nose like this whole thing was giving him a headache. To be fair, it probably was, but you weren’t too keen on trying to push it. After all, you were the reason he was on this wild goose chase during his vacation time even if he was the one who practically forced you to take him along.

“Playing house isn’t going to kill us,” you assure, glancing at the other customers minding their business. “We can be the absolute picture of a newlywed couple until this is all finished.”

Leon peeks up at you with uncertainty. “You’re sure about this?” 

“I’m sure.”

“Right,” Leon breathes out, folding his hands and leaning forward on his forearms, fixing you a look that says he's settled on a decision about something. “Just for now.”

The store owner comes by, placing your drinks in front of you and a few paper bags with what you’d ordered. He sends a not-so-subtle wink at you, saying, “It was nice meeting you guys. You keep him in line, alright?”

You giggle and poise yourself in a way that makes you nothing but innocent. “I always do, don’t I?”

“To some degree,” Leon mumbles under his breath, taking a sip of the coffee he’d chosen. 

Your thoughts clear when you get proper food in your stomach and you finally gain enough sense to properly take in the café you'd found yourself in. It's definitely small, with only a few tables being occupied including you and Leon, but the service seemed nice enough. There's no time to let your guard down, though, so you shift in your seat and clear your throat, getting Leon's attention.

“So Williams’s place is just a couple blocks away,” you begin. “He’s the operator of exports and imports of the J.I.E. so he was absolutely vital within their operations.”

Leon busies himself with taking a bite out of the banana bread he'd gotten. Did he even really like it? “Did you have to encounter him often?”

The question leaves a bad feeling rolling in your chest so you choose to avoid making any more trouble than what was necessary.

“Not much,” you say. “He’s good with his words, though. You’ll want to be careful if we do happen to see him since he knows both of our faces.”

“He’d attack us in broad daylight?” Leon’s brows furrow.

“No,” you shake your head, sipping on your own drink as you try to form a way to explain it to him. “Agents in the J.I.E. are trained especially in stealth so if I were to hazard a guess, he’d have someone stalk us and then send an assassin to put us out of the big picture."

"Is that what they did with you?"

You tilt your head, trying to think since it's been a good while since you were on a rookie's level. "I was taught a little more than just typical stealth. I was only dispatched to your location once they knew I could get myself out of a tight situation effectively."

Leon hums, leaning back in his seat and giving you another look that you can't discern. "I see."

The question rolls off your tongue before you have the sense to stop it. "Why do you keep looking at me like that?"

"Like what?"

"Like you're trying to find something, but you can't." He's never done that before when you'd been fighting. It's frustrating, knowing that even though you've picked out his mannerisms on a microscopic level, you couldn't catch it all.

Leon blinks before leaning back forward and saying lowly, "Maybe I am looking for something, but you're not letting me find it."

What?

"What's that supposed to mean?" You huff, folding your arms across your chest. Instinctively, your thumb rubs circles on your upper arm. "C'mon, Leon. When are you going to stop being so cryptic and just give me a straight answer?"

"I could do that," he muses, crumbling up his now empty paper bag, "but, it's more fun not to. You're a smart girl–you can figure it out."

 "Flattery won't get you anywhere with me, Kennedy."

"I'm not trying to flatter you."

The two of you come at a standstill as you try to decipher whatever puzzle he thought would be funny to put you in and he waits patiently for your answer. This whole rivalry between the two of you was a battle of the minds just as much as it was of strength when actually fighting, but this has to be one of the most confusing things you had to unravel about him. When he wanted to, Leon really could be an enigma. 

He holds his emotions close to his chest–you know that much. 

People have recounted that he's charismatic and charming, though you've seen less of that side and more of the stone-faced agent who doesn't let any of his internal feelings show. You only know this because you'd been trained to do the exact same thing. Thinking about it, the J.I.E. had just been building you up to be someone who could stand up against someone of Leon's caliber, and the realization that you really were just a weapon in their eyes makes your whole mood sour.

"We have to get a move on," you interrupt the tension and put an end to your small staring contest. "We should get this visit over with as fast as possible."

Leon frowns, not used to seeing you give up so easily but shuffles from his seat to follow you out of the booth. The two of you throw away your trash and push back out into the blinding sun that causes you to shield your eyes, looking around and finding a gap in the crowd to start moving in. Leon trails close behind, his hand brushing yours as he fits himself next to you in the sea of bodies. 

Your heartbeat quickens for a moment and you wonder why his touch suddenly burns in a good way. 

You make your way past the multiple stores looking for the familiar sign that you'd seen before while watching your surroundings. Even though the city isn't the largest you've ever been in, it's still pretty big and the buildings stretching up to touch the sky aren't anything to play around with. The air is still cold but with the peak of the sun, it provides a source of heat to combat it. 

When a certain sight catches your attention, you glance back to Leon and point at the building. "There it is."

You break away from the crowd with him hot on your heels as you approach the automatic sliding doors. The rush of warmth from the temperature outside is a blessing, and you adjust yourself to your surroundings. It seems to be just an average clothing department, though you're determined to figure out if it was anything more than that, which was highly likely. 

You and Leon had agreed that you should do your shopping here so that you could knock it out within the day before washing it at the hotel's laundry room unless you get caught. It's a low possibility, but a possibility nonetheless, so you resolve to be extra careful as you stray towards the women's section and start picking out clothes. 

You stay simple with some t-shirts, a couple pairs of pants and shorts, socks, and a pair of shoes. An employee catches you browsing and she makes her way over, looking between you and Leon before her eyebrows raise at the sight of him. 

"Hello," she greets overtly enthusiastically. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

She's talking to him more than she is to you, but it's not something that concerns you really. At the most, she'd ask for his number and he'd give her some burner digits before you left. 

"I think we've got it all handled, thanks," Leon answers, and you can feel him keeping an eye on you as you pretend like you're looking for something you like even though you have enough outfits to last a week. 

"Good!" She says, pausing awkwardly before speaking again. "I'm sorry, you're really good looking. Has anybody ever told you that?" 

"Some, I guess."

"Well–um–can I get your number? If your friend doesn't mind, I mean."

You catch his eye and the discomfort in his expression is evident. You understand why, what with the employee coming incredibly strong onto him for a stranger who just thought someone looked nice. Sparing him some grace, you move closer just enough for him to use you as a scapegoat if he wanted. 

He takes your incredibly subtle hint immediately. 

"This is actually my wife," Leon rushes out, a little too fast if you were critiquing him, but you can't fault him for it. "We're here on vacation."

You give her a little wave, and her eyes latch onto your hand where absolutely no ring lies on your bare ring finger.

"Oh," she says flatly, all of the false bravado she built up wilting immediately though her disappointment is shadowed over quickly by the customer service facade. "Right, sorry. Then you guys should go to the Silver Orchid. It's a fancy restaurant around here that makes for a good date spot so I'd recommend going."

"We'll look into it, thank you.” You smile and she falters. 

"Okay, well, let me know if you guys need any help," she says and walks away, going faster than the usual gait.

Once she's out of ear shot, you hear Leon mumble. "Thank you."

"Of course." The earnesty in your own words surprises you. "Should we start investigating?"

"You don't want anything fancy?" He asks, motioning vaguely in the direction of the portion of the women's section that held dresses, skirts, and flowy tops. There was really no reason to dive into it. 

"I don't really need that kind of stuff," you frown, confused as to why he was asking. 

Leon, for the first ever time in all the years you've known him, is flustered. "Well it looks like I'm treating you to dinner tonight, so…"

You stare at him in wonder, mouth dropped open in slight amazement at the tension lying in his shoulders and the way his skin reddens with embarrassment. Never before have you seen him like this and if you didn't know any better, you might've thought he really was asking you out on a date. He wouldn't ask you of all people, though, so why he'd ever want to go out pretending to be your husband more than he needed to baffles you.

Perhaps he just wanted to make the most of his actual vacation. That made sense.

Right. That must be it. There was absolutely no other reason for him insisting shyly to go to dinner at a fancy restaurant that couples frequented, and there was definitely no reason that him insinuating this fact made your palms clammy and your stomach flutter like those romance novels always talked about with the butterflies. 

"You're sure about this?" You ask, parroting his question from earlier when he asked if you really were okay with posing as a married woman. "We can just hit a pizza place on the way back or order something at the hotel, you know."

He doesn't meet your eyes, which is uncharacteristic of him. 'I'm sure."

Softening, you feel vulnerable in a way you haven't felt ever since he stitched up your back–maybe even more so now. "Alright. You'll have to spend a couple extra so I can doll myself up properly."

"You know money's not an issue."

"I know, but I just wanted you to know."

What was happening? What happened to hating him to the point of being ready to shoot him as soon as your finger got to lay on a trigger? What happened to heated words and fighting viscously and being ready to cut each other's throats open whenever there was a chance for it? Sure, you had agreed on civility, but you're pretty sure a peace treaty didn't involve going out on faux dates and feeling things you shouldn't. 

When did this all change? When did this all shift?

Has saving your life really been the turning point in this situationship?

You ponder over these questions as you go through the dresses in your size. There were multiple in a myriad of colors in a variety of shades that you couldn't even name, and they were all cut in different shapes and unique designs. However, you really couldn't think straight enough from being torn between picking something nice and wondering about the things you were feeling when Leon unknowingly left you in torturous suspense. 

"You'd look good in this one."

His voice pulls you from your wandering and you look up to see him tugging on a navy blue number that wasn't too flashy and wouldn't show off much of your back. It could easily be remedied with a cardigan, and he had a point that it was a very pretty dress.

"You think so?" You ask, shuffling through the hangers until you find it in your size. It's nothing you've never worn before and a slit is revealed in the side that would trail up to your thigh. You've worn more revealing things before, but this is the first time you’ve done it for something that isn’t necessary to the mission.

"Yeah," he agrees. "You should go try it on, and maybe try and see if there's anything in the dressing rooms that piques your interest."

Oh, that smartass.

"You're right," you murmur. "They might be hiding something in there, huh?" 

"Couldn't hurt to check."

You pick up a black cardigan that would fit with the whole outfit along the way before finding the dressing rooms, picking one at random, and getting into one of the small cubicles. You're alone with nothing but the soft glow of the lights that surround the full-length mirrors that show off every angle of the body needed.

First and foremost, you touch around the walls for any possible hidden panels, but you come up empty handed. As far as you know, activation mechanics could be hidden anywhere but perhaps that's not what they used here. You check the hooks which turn out to be just an average rack screwed into the wall, and find your last resort in the mirror panels. 

You tug on the bottom of the central main panel and it gives away to your surprise.

There's a steel door hidden behind it with a thick gry block affixed next to the handle. The metal is warm and faintly, you can feel the hum of some sort of electricity going on behind it. Whatever they were hiding here, it sounded complicated and big, and there's no telling what was behind it. You make a mental note about it as you close the panel back and make sure it was firmly reattached. 

You nearly walk out of the room before realizing that the dress you’d picked up was still hanging innocently on the hook.

A frown makes its way onto your face with uncertainty, insecurity rolling in your chest before deciding to give in. It’s been a while since you went out for a nice dinner since you preferred not to get pity looks ordering a table for one and dates were practically nonexistent. You’ll play along for now. It wouldn’t hurt, right?

Turns out, it hugs your figure just right and you wonder silently how for all Leon’s worth, he’s managed to pick out something that you agreed looks at least decent. The addition of the cardigan adds to the flair, making you something dark and mysterious, and your imagination provides a candid shot of you and Leon side by side clad in navy blue hanging on each other’s arms.

He’d look good in a suit.

You hurry to change back into your previous attire, cheeks flushing as if someone had caught you fantasizing about something you shouldn’t be. Making a mental note to pick up a pair of fancy shoes next, you make your way out of the dressing room with the dress slung in the crook of your elbow and find Leon absentmindedly browsing belts.

“You’ve fortunately got an eye for women’s fashion,” you say, and he perks up upon hearing your voice.

“Yeah?”

“Mhm. Have you got anything fancy enough for a date night, Mr. Kennedy?” 

He seems to process the teasing lilt to your voice, blue eyes conflicted before he turns away, not looking at you as he replies, “You underestimate me, Mrs. Kennedy. Of course I’ve got something.”

Your mouth drops open, staring after him as he begins striding away, clearly intending for you to follow. Disbelief covers your expression as you trail behind him, still trying to understand what he was trying to do other than lightening the mood. Surely he wasn’t as forward as this when he really was trying to flirt with someone?

Then again, playing pretend for a mission could hardly count as flirting.

“We’ll hit shoes and make-up then go, Sound good?” Leon suggests, stopping when you don’t answer him. 

He looks down at you as you shake your head slightly, clearing your overanalyzing moment and blink. “What?”

He doesn’t explain anything for a second, only giving you that soul-searching gaze again, before smiling gently as if he found a hint of what he’s been looking for. “Nothing you should worry about. C’mon, the sun will be setting by the time we get back to the hotel if we keep going at this snail’s pace.”

You nod, following behind him, eager to get out of this place so you could safely tell him what you’d found in the dressing room out of earshot of any potential enemies. Well…you also might be entertaining the idea of getting to know him better over some good food.

And outside, the persistent ice finally begins to melt.

✧ ˚ 　· 　　 .

It's been a long while since you had dealt with makeup, fancy outfits, and elegant things. 

For a good while, you had nothing that was ever soft or fragile, but rather your training had hardened you and roughened your personality around the edges so much that they had sharpened into something dangerous. You were an agent, meant to live a secret life in the shadows gaining information for your bosses, and survival was the key term to your success. Fragility wasn't an option, and your looks didn't matter when bruised and bloody out on the field.

However…this hasn't ever hurt anyone.

When you and Leon had returned to the hotel suite with arms full of shopping bags and aching feet, you took hold of the bathroom to resign yourself to doing your preparation of your look in there. A hot shower was the perfect distraction from the heart beating strongly in your chest in anticipation of what may happen tonight, and your fluttering nerves weren't any help either. 

A shame to say that the makeup brushes felt foreign in your grasp and it takes a moment to remember what everything did and what they were used for. 

It comes to you eventually, and you fall into a vaguely nostalgic and familiar routine as you pick through all your products carefully and choose what you'll use. Going for a natural look with accents to pop, you steady your shaking hands and lose yourself in the delicate motions of dolling yourself up. It doesn't look bad at all for someone who hasn't touched this stuff in years.

The dress comes next, and when you slip it on, you feel like a whole new person. Even just standing barefoot in the bathroom only halfway done with your whole set, it already feels like you could forget about the life you're leading. Maybe for tonight, you and Leon could be normal for once without any bioweapons or governmental duties or even feuds. For tonight, you could be whatever you wanted.

With this new mindset, you heat up a flatiron and wait patiently to spruce up your hair. There was no need for any intense changes, but just a touch up went a mile and once you'd gotten it to where it flowed with the look, you hair sprayed it and let it sit. All that was left was the shoes and once you had those on, you'd be ready. Some small part of your thoughts wonder what Leon would think of your whole get up. 

When you step out, the cool air hits you, but it's not wholly uncomfortable. 

Leon turns around when he hears you exit, and he's in a simple navy button-up paired with slacks that probably cost more than your salary. Your face reddens when he doesn't hide the way his eyes rack up and down your form, taking in this new version of you like sweetened honey on his tongue.

"You look good," he murmurs, almost as if in a daze. "Really good."

His words make that simmering fire in your gut rise like a title wave and every sense gets cranked to a hundred. Sparks travel along your skin as you manage to keep your composure and not melt.

"You don't clean up too bad yourself, Kennedy," you reply, despite your head swimming with shameful thoughts of how damn good he looks when he's not in sweats. It's unfair dealing you these cards when you're supposed to hate him. 

You pass by to grab shoes and go to check yourself in the mirror, bending down to adjust the straps before standing straight and looking at your reflection. You really did look like a whole different person. A faint feeling of pride pulses in your chest and you turn to ask Leon if it was really okay, but the change in your position makes your small rare smile fade.

Without the cardigan, the scars are on full display for anybody to see and pick through. The rosy filter falls away and you're left with the brutal reality of what you really are–that this is all temporary no matter how much you avoided returning to the truth. 

Your eyes can't seem to tear away from the view of your back, pulling all of your attention away from Leon, and you don't even notice when his reflection joins by your side in the mirror. 

"Hey," he murmurs, earning a faint flick of your eyes toward him in recognition. "None of that, okay?"

"But-"

"But nothing," he says firmly, and the words of protest die on your tongue. "C'mon. You look great."

"What's the catch?" You ask sullenly, snatching up your cardigan and throwing it over your shoulders–anything to get those reminders of shame away from your vision. "You'd never compliment me without wanting something in return."

Leon shakes his head. "Nothing. I can't compliment my not-wife whenever I want?"

That pulls a huff of a laugh from you as you roll your eyes, but you know he can probably read the reluctant amusement pulling at your painted lips. Since when did he know how to lighten up your mood so easily?

"You can compliment me when we're in public and have to convince people we're actually married," you decide, moving past him towards the door. "And yet I don't even have a ring on my finger. What a shame."

"I didn't think you were interested in material goods," he comments, opening the door.

You walk out into the hallway, waiting for him to close the door and make sure it was locked. "They say diamonds are a girl's best friend."

"I thought your best friend was that magnum you almost took my eye out with."

"...You got me there."

You don't trust Leon to get there safely without crashing the car into a pedestrian so you convince him to fork over the keys once you reach the vehicle. He only pouts minimally, but eventually gets over himself after you tease him for being the optimal passenger princess. He has a map built into the screen on his dashboard so you look up the name on the search bar and find the address. 

You put the vehicle in reverse and back out, pulling out of the parking space and navigating out into the city roads. 

Honestly, the sunset looks just as pretty as the rise was in the morning, but this blaze lasted just a tad longer. It's so bright that you have to lower the sun visor just so that it isn't intruding into your eyes. 

"I'm curious," Leon begins from your side and a spark of interest rolls in your chest. You've been doing that a lot lately, being constantly attuned to whatever he was doing at the moment and whatever he says. It's ridiculous. "How come you've never been here if it's so close to the location you left?"

You frown. "You're curious a lot."

"Sure."

"Well," you breathe in, taking the chance to switch lanes and find some small comfort in the rhythmic beat of the turn signal, "I was pretty wrapped up in work to travel too far from the lab they had me at, and vacation days were rarely given out but it was more than enough to pay the bills. My apartment was in a different direction from here in a sleepy town that was off the map."

"That sounds nice," Leon murmurs and you have to huff out a laugh at that. 

"It was when I got to go. Landlords were a bit disgruntled since I was almost never home, but they got the payment from me and that's what mattered." You think about it, missing your old place already and how you'd tried to make it your own. It's not much, but it was nice enough in case anybody came over. 

Nobody ever did.

"Is that something you see yourself having in the future?" Leon asks.

"What?"

"Like a home that's away from all this crap. You know, something…quiet. Peaceful."

"I'd like to think so," you shrug and toss him a sad sort of smile. "But, I never got to experience it for real so I wouldn't know."

He doesn't say anything after that and you continue down the road in a settled sort of silence. The place isn't packed that much when you arrive, and you make a mental note to pay Leon back for everything he's done so far. At the least, this was some plot to get you in his debt to cash in a favor later, but at the most, it was light charity work.

You park into a vacant spot and turn the car off, lifting the visor up and opening the door. 

It's hit golden hour and it's evident when you spot Leon on the other side getting out. The small breeze sweeps his locks slightly and the glow of the sun casts him in an entirely new light. It was almost like this morning in your quiet moment at the window but magnetized and bumped to a hundred. In this setting, you think that some women would have killed to be in your spot, even if this wasn't a real date. You imagine he must have a lot of suitors at home. 

It makes you wonder if he had someone waiting for him and was just playing this whole thing out for fun. Maybe you were just his weekly entertainment for now.

You shake off that uneasy feeling and tear your eyes away, walking to the back of the car. He doesn't immediately follow, and a glance back lets you know he's staring after you as if he'd found something in you again that he'd been searching for. He still refuses to elaborate on that point, but it doesn't seem like anything to be worried about so perhaps Leon was just a naturally weird person. 

"You coming?" You call back to shake him from his stupor and he ducks his head, embarrassed. You'd almost call it cute. 

Almost. But you don't.

The Silver Orchid appears to be an incredibly expensive dining space, with a patio strung with strings of lights and set out with tables that were currently occupied by a few people. It's an incredibly modern black and white design complete with silver accents. When you walk up to the door, Leon pulls it open and holds it for you, and you can't stop the smile that crops up at the action. 

A chandelier hangs in the entrance, and the pathways behind the host stand splits into two ways. The gentle chatter of people could be heard in the background as the sound of a soft orchestra rang out from the speakers overhead without being overbearing. Even just from here, you can see the extravagance of the building and you almost feel out of place. You almost forget you're just standing in the middle of the doorway until Leon taps your arm to remind you where you are. 

The hostess greets you with a genuine smile–or at least much more convincing than the girl in the clothing store–and asks how many she'd be seating. 

"Just two," you answer, folding your hands politely. 

"Great!" She gathers up two menus and rolls of silverware before asking, "Would you like to be seated inside or outside?"

You look at Leon who shrugs helplessly.

Forming the perfect picture of a couple, you giggle and turn back to the hostess who waits patiently for an answer. "We'll take it outside."

"Perfect," she grins and waves you to follow her. "Let's go get you seated."

Outside reveals a wooden patio with floorboards that are more stable than the ones at the motel, and an aesthetically pleasing set up. Only a few people are out here, and as forewarned, most of them are couples. The hostess seats you at a table in the corner that gives off a view that isn't just parking lot and road, and assure you your waiter will be by shortly. 

Before you get a chance to move, Leon pulls out your chair and allows you to sit and adjust before placing himself on the opposite side of the table.

You raise an eyebrow, slyly asking, "You really know how to show a girl a good time, huh?"

"Only ones who can treat me right." Leon slides over a menu, winking in a way that would have had you on your knees.

He's given you the same answer you had said way back in the motel when tensions were high and you'd agreed not to kill each other. You're surprised he remembers such an insignificant moment, but then again, he was Leon Kennedy–the agent who always had to be on alert twenty-four seven and wasn't allowed to let any details slip. 

"Smooth," you allow, picking up the menu and glancing over it. "Jesus Christ."

The prices were insanely high for meals that were portioned incredibly well–you'd definitely be taking something to go seeing how much the pictures depicted the dishes. The numbers were making you anxious for no reason, though you felt bad that Leon would have to be paying for both you and him. 

His foot nudges yours under the table. "I hope you're not thinking about what I think you're thinking of."

"I can't help it," you mumble. "You're taking most of my paychecks when we get out of this whole mess."

"Haven't I already told you money is an issue?" He asks, though it's not unkind and more bordering on a playful scold rather than him being actually irritated. You've seen him angry and this definitely wasn't it. "I'm under direct orders from the president. One of my paychecks could probably pay your rent and utility bills five times." 

"Show off."

"I'm just saying," he holds up his hands as if surrendering. "Get whatever you want. When's the last time you ever did something like this?"

He has a point, unfortunately. 

"I'll pay you back somehow," you insist, though in what ways, you don't know. 

A waiter comes by, eyes light and smiling cheerfully. A notepad is in his hand and a sunny disposition to greet you with, he clears his throat like he was ready to recite some memorized speech. 

"Hi, welcome to the Silver Orchid, folks. Can I get you something to drink to start off?" 

Leon lets you order first, then chooses a beer that you purposely wrinkle your nose at. Before giving the go-ahead, he also orders a bottle of champagne and raises an eyebrow when the waiter disappears and asks, "Not a big drinker?"

"Not beer," you answer truthfully. "Tastes like fermented motor oil–but I didn't peg you to be the type to like it."

"Nah," he shakes his head. "Beggars can't be choosers, though. Hope you like champagne."

"It's been a minute. You're not trying to get me drunk and get me to spill all my secrets, right?"

He tilts his head, trying to get inside of your brain to see the way it works and what your line of thinking might be. "Whatever secrets you might have can stay yours. Maybe this is some big ploy of mine to finally get your number after all this time."

Your mouth drops open, and that smug little smirk causes that war of conflicting emotions to start warring in your chest. Leon leans forward on his forearms as his foot knocks into yours again, and it's something that strikes you as peculiar though you can't exactly place why. He's got enough spatial awareness to know where you were and definitely has enough reason to need to know what you were doing, but his advances were confusing you. 

He wasn't really trying to romance you. That much had to be obvious. 

Sure you both could play husband and wife all you want, but at the end of the day, you don't have a ring on your finger and you've given each other more wounds than you could count on both hands. Leon must really be letting loose if he's in a mindset that is willing to come onto you of all people. 

'Believe me, you're the last person in the world I'd ever try to flirt with.' he had said. 

You suppose even a broken clock is right twice a day. 

"You're ridiculous, Kennedy," you roll your eyes and lean back in your seat, kicking him lightly back. "I don't even have a phone number to give you so you're out of luck." 

"Ah," he mockingly sags and frowns. "I'll get 'em next time."

You snort, challenging him with a jut of your chin. "There won't be a 'next time' since you'll be distracted by the next decent-looking woman you see."

His eyes flash dangerously and a shiver rolls up your spine. You try not to show it. "Is that so?"

"I'm sure of it."

Leon doesn't get to answer since the waiter comes back with your drinks in hand and two champagne flutes alone with a dark green bottle. He sets it carefully on the table, setting to work on pouring your first glasses then taking out a notebook to take your order for meals. 

You'd decided on something that wasn't too astronomically high but also just enough so that you were indulging yourself the way Leon had encouraged. Still, you can feel his gaze on you as you order before smoothly doing the same. The waiter smiles, assures you he'll be back, and takes your menu before leaving. You curiously pick up a glass of champagne, watching how the bubbles fly inside of the liquid. 

"I'm surprised they had this brand," Leon mentions passively as he picks up his own flute before holding it out to you expectantly. "To truces?"

You smile and huff out a small laugh. "And to successful missions."

The glass clinks against each other sharply. 

"Amen," he mumbles before bringing the flute to his lips. You find yourself staring at the action longer than you should, watching the way his mouth is shaped around the rim of the glass so minutely perfect. Your thoughts stall, wondering just how many people he's kissed with that mouth. 

Would you be willing to be added to that list?

You almost drop your glass at the sudden thought, avoiding his questioning gaze as he looks back up at you. Your cheeks flush darkly as you busy yourself sipping your own champagne to avoid the obvious tension hanging in the air that asks why you were acting the way you were. Instead, you focus on the crisp bubbles popping over your tongue and hum appreciatively on the fruity taste that didn't stray to overbearing.

Your lipstick leaves an imprint on the glass. 

"That's better than I remember," you say, hoping the color would drain from your face eventually. "It's been too long since I had a good proper drink."

"They really kept you busy, huh?" Leon's mouth turns down into an unsatisfied frown. 

You trace the rim on your glass thoughtfully. "They did. But I got to see a lot of new places since I was shadowing you a lot."

"Yeah? Mind telling me about it?"

You search for any kind of lie in his eyes, the way you might try and see what he was hiding up his sleeve or if he was planning anything but you find no such facade. At this moment, it really feels like everything will be okay. Maybe right now, it's okay to allow him to see the person who'd been trapped under so many layers of disguise and hatred.

Somebody who loved to travel and see sights and only put her roots down when she was dead. Somebody who had no concept of home but had a love for the thrill of adventure. Somebody who couldn't possibly be trapped under contract with a company that held all her free will.

"Alright," you sigh, thinking back. "Where do you want me to start?"

✧ ˚ 　· 　　 .

There's nothing but rain. 

Thunder rolls darkly in the sky as lightning illuminates the near-black clouds and large puddles create mirrors on the muddied ground. All around you is nothing but wet wasteland dead knotted tree roots braiding up from the ground and curling around before diving back beneath the soil. There's no green or splashes of color from wildflowers–there's just ruin and destruction.

A whispering voice invades your mind, murmuring sinisterly. 

"Look at what you've done," it says. "Is this what you wanted?"

Nothing but death and decay–is that what you wanted? Was this the wish you had? You look down and find your hands coated with thick blood that does not wash away even under the sharp assault of raindrops that fall hard enough to nearly pierce through your flesh.

No matter how much you scrub, no matter how much you pray to some false god, there was blood on your hands. A fact you cannot change. 

"Is this your happy ending?" The voice says this time.

You look past your bloodied fingers and find cold lifeless eyes staring up at you. They're the color of the sky, the ocean, of sapphires gleaming in dark and rough places, and you've looked into them enough times to know who they belong to. His body lays in your arms, and blood–his blood–drips down your skin. 

Leon is cold. You should give him a jacket…or something to protect him from the rain.

"Why did you lie?" The whispering has risen into a tidal wave that threatens to tear you apart. "Why did you lie?! Your words meant nothing–nothing!" 

"I'm sorry," you mumble and your eyes sting sharply. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry won't bring him back," you stare at yourself across the wasteland, your expression betrayed and so so angry. "Sorry won't change the fact that you killed him!"

"I didn't mean it."

"I hate you."

"I should've…" Your mind becomes detached as you look down at Leon again, and realize that he's not just cold. He's turning blue, going into rigor mortis right there under the same hands that had killed him. The tears roll from your eyes and suddenly, you can't tell what came from the rain and what came from you. 

"Am I to pay for this?" The other version of you pleads, voice cracking and failing. "Am I to pay for you killing Leon?"

"Who are you?" You mumble brokenly, bringing up one of your filthy hands to caress his face that has long since gone. "What does he mean to you?"

"I'm you," they say, "and you killed the love of your life."

Thunder shakes the whole terrain enough to cause your eyes to fly open as you gasp sharply for air. Your eyes are wet and your cheeks itch with dried tear tracks as you pull yourself up to wipe them off furiously. The dream blossoms in your mind like a memory, a haunting little night flower unfurling its petals for the moonlight. What did that whole thing even mean? 

The dinner last night had resolved beautifully in a way you'd never expect before. The champagne had made you lighter than ever and the food was better than anything you've ever tasted in your life. You'd exchanged stories over the bottle, sharing perspectives of missions you were dispatched on after him and for the first time ever, he felt more like a friend than someone you had fought tooth and nail to try and kill. It was wonderful, something new and fresh and exciting. 

What about that could possibly herald such a horrendous dream?

You look around the room, trying to gather your bearings. Leon had insisted you take the master bed while unloading the pull-out bed the couch had inside of it. You'd been hesitant about him having such a flimsy mattress, he's reminded you that he's slept in worse places. It didn't bring much comfort to you, but you could tell he wasn't budging on the subject. 

Right now, though, he wasn't in bed. 

The covers had been tossed carelessly aside and the pillow had an indent of where his head must have been. You look towards the bathroom but find no light shedding underneath the door. Upon waiting for a few minutes, you don't hear the toilet flush or the sink running so you get up, padding across the soft carpet silently and carefully twisting the knob in case he really was inside and could alert you that it was occupied. 

Unfortunately, no such call came. 

The bathroom was empty, and the little night light inside provided just enough visibility to prove as such. Confusion spreads through your mind as you wonder where he could possibly be. Surely he wouldn't pay for a hotel suite just to leave you on your own? He wouldn't just abandon ship like that and besides, you saw his luggage still in the room when you had gotten up to investigate. 

It's then that you turn around from the bathroom and realize the curtains over the sliding glass door to the balcony are drawn only slightly, making a crack where they should have overlapped. It wasn't enough to arouse suspicion under normal circumstances, but you had made sure they were drawn tight right before you'd gone to bed under the paranoia that anybody could peek in.

You quietly look through and spot Leon's shoulder just around the corner. He's not pressed up against the railing as if he were stargazing, no. His arms look to be folded tightly across his chest, body swaying as if he were talking to someone. 

You reach toward and crack open the door, ears straining as their conversation becomes audible. 

"You don't need to worry about her," he's saying. "You need to let this go."

"Leon," a sultry feminine voice reaches your ears and your heart flips in the cage of your ribs. "You never know. What if she's just waiting to get you close enough to kill you? What would I do without you?" 

"You need to find a new trick," he sounds like he's scowling. "Ada, believe me when I tell you she's nobody. She means nothing to me." 

The sting of unsaid rejection almost knocks the wind out of your breath and effectively kills anything you were planning to say. Leon moves and you get a good look at the woman he's talking to, finding her staring up at him through seductive lashes that would be enough to entrance any man. 

Red flashes on her body and you think that she's enchanting enough to be a perfect match for Leon, darkness in her eyes as she looks defiantly up at him. 

"Come on, Leon," she sighs. "We both know that's not true. It's not safe where she's going–you could die in that lab."

"I know."

"And yet you'll still go?"

"I have to," he grunts stubbornly. "It's a part of my duty as an agent. I expected you of all people would understand that."

"Believe me, I do," she snaps. "I just don't see why you would aid her of all people. I'm trying to help you out here."

"And I don't need it."

The two stare down in a tense silent match until Ada finally relents, backing away and pulling something out of her pocket. She shakes her head in obvious disappointment, and you think you even see a hint of sadness that he won't see her line of reasoning. 

"Until next time," she promises and presses the trigger. 

A grappling hook shoots out from the end of the gun and there's a moment of goodbye where Ada tugs him down to her level, pressing a chaste kiss to Leon's mouth. She backs away, hand lingering on his cheek before flying off the balcony and disappearing into the night. 

You don't know how to feel as Leon stares at where she'd disappeared to. 

Did he really mean it when he'd said you meant nothing to him? Why did you feel like he just tore your heart out and stomped on it until it stopped beating before spitting on it for good measure? You ache, pushing the door back closed and stepping back towards the bed. A war rages in your head, chastising you for being so dumb and mourning that he had said you meant nothing to him, though you don't have enough sense to form a coherent opinion about any of it.

You burrow back under the blankets, pretending like you were still sleeping when Leon eventually comes back in as silently as he can. You can almost feel him looking at you and you wonder if he's debating on letting old habits die hard. Maybe he'll take out a handgun and end it now. You don't have any conviction to stop him. 

There's a pregnant pause before he whispers, "Did I wake you up?"

You don't answer, choosing to remain blissfully silent with a smoothed out browline to paint the perfect picture of slumber. He doesn't say anything else but only chooses to go back to bed as if nothing had happened, and the almost inaudible creak of the springs in the mattress let you know he's settled back in. 

All your hope drains from your body in that moment, unhappy and feeling understandably betrayed. Even if you hadn't made up, you'd assumed you meant something to him in the same way he meant something to you when you'd been fighting. Could it be possible that you were just another side piece in his story? Perhaps Ada was his lover trailing behind him and making sure that nobody was trying to advance on him. Would she be after you now that she knew you were sleeping in the same room and playing husband and wife with him?

You weren't after him anyway. Were you? You couldn't tell after all this time. All the moments you catch yourself staring at him longer than you were supposed to and pondering what it would be like to be able to kiss him in the way she had probably meant something unless it was just the hormones speaking, though you sincerely doubt it. 

You're too tired to make any sense of it.

Images of your dream flash in your mind–to his lifeless eyes and dead body in your arms, feeling a pain worse than any torture you'd been subjected to purely for the fact you knew he wasn't coming back. That you'd been the one to end him only made matters worse, and those lasting words you'd said to yourself still resonate in your head loudly. 

You'd been told you killed the love of your life in that cryptic little dream of yours.

Surely he wasn't that to you. He was nothing more than an impromptu business partner at best for right now, right? But, he was so charming and knew all the ways you ticked like the back of his hand. Is that what made you nothing to him? Were you no longer mysterious and exciting enough for him to keep on going like this? 

Night terrors were nothing new. They'd been a constant ever since your first mission where you'd been forced to toss a hand grenade into a crowd to stay alive, and you remember the limbs flying as the blood spattered across your skin warmly. With each new mission comes a new setting for your fucked up brain to twist every night. Some are easy to get over–easy enough that they don't affect you for the rest of the day. However, some showcase some of the most abysmally crude deaths you've ever had the misfortune of witnessing, replaying it like a radio stuck on a loop. 

This? This was something new. You've never had night terrors about something that never happened. 

You know this by the way Leon's breaths transition from that uneven pattern to something more steady and peaceful until he's letting out light snores that tell you he's completely under. He's alive, quite the opposite of dead, and certainly not a living flesh bag controlled by a virus or a parasite or something insane like that. 

Still, uncertainty reigns in your mind. 

Something bitter touches your tongue and you flinch, feeling that cold and angry feeling buzzing in your bones. Something in your mind that doesn't allow that grudge to die the way you want it to, urging you to end it all now and trying to convince you this thing either ends with you or him. You know better, but it doesn't make anything much nicer. 

You close your eyes, a frown on your face and hesitancy in your heart. 

Well…it was only a matter of time. 

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[kirbybecomesastarwarrior]

What Kind of King is in my Blood?

Context: this piece was inspired by the song "In My Blood." sung by Joel Smallbone from Journey to Bethlehem (the movie). And contains the lyrics of the song.

Warning: content contains blood (mild) & implied physical abuse... the more graphic scenes to be underneath the keep reading section of the post... if you are uncomfortable with such things.

I've mentioned this before in a previous post & please check out the original video (have a listen: it's incredible). Or better yet, put it on while reading the comic. :D

I do suggest you read: Celestine is Merlin before this;

Young Arthur... was not a good person in the sightless and was very close to becoming a mini-Sir Uther. And I also would like to stress how evil Sir Uther is...(Uther is not Arthur's father, but the song just fits them so...)

Behind the arrogance and pride, his actions were a tie of wanting and seeking Uther's approval...

Other than that, please enjoy the content.

Background info: this takes place around the time Arthur starts to take a liking to Merlyn and even trust them (and before he found out Merlyn was Lady Celestine). Soon their game of cat & mouse blossomed into a friendship...

Celestine never put pressure on Arthur to change: in fact, she tried to save Nonsurat & Morgan, too... she'd put them in scenarios where she'd see them grow empathy. (Putting someone in another's shoes.)

She'd show them the damage the war was doing to the public... and the innocent.

Allowing them all the chance to do good but in the end...The only one who was receptive to it was Arthur. Which surprised her... she believed Arthur would be the last person who would be captivated by the lesson. (Since he was Uther's most loyal soldier... his right-hand man...)

When it was clear that the lessons were only effective for Arthur (and the only one who was willing to change), she started to tailor them for Arthur. Genuinely started by doing vigilante work with Merlyn and learning more about this "outside world he never knew about."

(Unbeknownst to these goobers these were pretty much the equivalent of dates.)

However, Arthur couldn't help but feel guilty that he was betraying his master (Uther). That all changed, however, after a certain mission...

Arthur & Company were tasked to clear a demon infestation of a cave. Which held serval rare artifacts that were stolen. Some of Nightmare's monsters had made it into a stronghold (a secret base), and Arthur was in charge of clearing it. Morgan tried to trap Arthur in the deeper, darkest part of the cave where the majority of the monsters were dwelling.

Thankfully, Celestine secretly tagged along with him!

It took them a week... to escape the cave ... everyone had started to assume that Arthur had died during the mission. He was about to report his return as soon as he arrived at the camp base until... he overheard a very upsetting conversation.

Sir Kay (Kit Cosmo): Sir Uther! Sir Arthur is still missing, we can't leave just yet...

Sir Uther: He's been missing for a week... we only have three days left on this planet, and we need to finish recovering the reset of the artifacts... our time & manpower is limited.

Kit Cosmo: It that's the case... I'd be more than willing to take a small team to recover him... heck, I'll even go there by myself if I have to...

Sir Uther: DID YOU NOT HEAR WHAT I SAID! I am not wasting manpower... are you questioning my judgment?

Kit Cosmo: NO SIR!* Nevourly but still firm* I just thought you'd press the issue more... he's our captain and, more importantly, your right-hand man-

Sir Uther: WHY do you think you have two other apprentices... he's replaceable...If he died out there then he's a failure that deserves to be left... DON'T NOT BOTHER LOOKING FOR HIM!

You're lucky I have more pressing issues to attend to or that right arm or yours would've been charred... This conversation is over! *leans into Kit menacingly* YOU'RE DISMISSED! *Kit lets out a big gulp and backs away out of the tent*

Little did they know Arthur & Celestine (Merlyn) were listening in on the conversation. With Celestine fuming... and with Arthur shaking...

Celestine (currently disguised as Merlyn): WHY THAT FAT HEADED TYRANT! Don't listen to him, you're- Arthur? *sees Arthurs gone* Arthur...

Arthur runs off to contemplate... his mind reeling from what he had just heard. He always knew that Uther saw him as nothing more than a tool. The title of the right hand was just merely a cover-up... a lie made by Sir Uther (that he was something to him). He always knew this, but he couldn't understand why this still hurt him so much.

Arthur, at his core... still just wanted to be praised and desperately wanted at least a shred of affection from Uther. Hearing this broke him instantly... and forced him to look inside himself. He may have always known it... but a part of him always wanted to believe in the lie... So he put this facade of pride and arrogance to ignore it.

Only realizing how much Uther took advantage of his desire for affection from him... allowing him (Uther) to mold him into what he wanted. The brilliant golden amor (that Uther gave him), was all part of the illusion... he was no hero... he was just a monster... just like his master... just like Uther...

This leads us to this scene...

-The key things I wanted to mention were those marks on Arthur's shoulders are burn marks...

-Those bubbles at the end represent Celestine's influence

-I featured a Kirby-sized baby Arthur with a little training armor... it's pretty much his inner child... Sweet little bean didn't deserve this

-I also updated Uther's shoes :3

At this point, Celestine already cares for Arthur so much, and he's already redeemed himself (in her eyes). But Arthur can't help but hate himself for his past actions now seeing the full picture...

He destroyed himself for a man... who would never care for him... Arthur couldn't help but feel ashamed. He felt so disgusted with himself... forgetting all the progress he'd made... Believing himself to be a worthless puppet...

And it broke her heart to see Arthur like this... that's why she reminds him of what she sees him as. And this is where Arthur finally breaks down his final wall and truly opens himself up. Celestine always saw Arthur as a more than worthy king and always saw the best in him... and that's why Arthur always saw her (in the future) as his queen...

"Did I put too much characterization to a background character we only saw for less than 5 minutes in the anime?" YES, I DID!

"Was it worth it?" YES IT WAS!

(In the KBASW) Sir Arthur is the one who approves and legitimizes the "Star Allies" because if someone like him could be changed for the better... why can't this rag-tag group. Sir Arthur (in a sense) is the first "redeemed villain"...

It just took one person to see the good in him... I really can't wait to explore their relationship (Celarthur) more... I have something special planned for them in February. And I do want to explore Kit Cosmo & Arthur's friendship: it's really fun~

(The Star Allies are going to be the equivalent of the Knights of the Round Table in KBASW, but I'll explore that later...)

Hope you all stick around to see how the story unfolds...

#kirby #kbasw #sir arthur kirby #sir arthur #sir uther #kirby oc #lady celestine #kirby anime #celarthur #kirby gsa #merlyn #journey to bethlehem #kirby right back at ya #krbay

[faunabel]

🎤🎤

🎤 what's your favourite character song?

oh yay! thank you thank you for the ask! :D

literally nobody is surprised that my fave character song is one of italy's, specifically Life is Fantastico. it's sooo sweet and comforting it makes me lose my mind <333

i had been considering making a post today talking about why i like it so much and u... u precious anon, u have given me an excuse ehehe.

SO in this song, the listener is implied to be having a bad day, and italy offers to go out together. the song is him trying to cheer the listener up 🥺

he's saying to take care of urself and suggests u both get a warm drink (cappuccino) to feel better. isn't that sweet??

he says it's ok to be worried! that's so good. i see this also as him trying to playfully lighten the mood more than a genuine suggestion. but even if it is a genuine suggestion!! it's just silly and cute!!

i know some ppl do not like being told to smile but?!?!? he wants u to be happy and smile for him??? how could u resist???

this is so reassuring ok. are u seeing?!?!? do u get it?!?!? he's so optimistic but not in the toxic sort of way 🥺 he's just like "well this didn't work so let's try something else"

reassuring!! encouraging!!! sweet!!! wonderful!!!

first, he wants to give u something sweet as a reward. second, is this implying?!?!? he is trying to feed u?!?!?! is that not the sweetest thing?!?!?! would u not let him feed u while telling u that ur doing a good job?!?!?! 😭

i do not need to explain this part 🥺

i'm unsure whether he means his literal house or just his country, since the nations do refer to their countries as their "houses" in the manga, but it's cute either way! he is saying u are welcome <3

finally, this part isn't particularly sweet; the way he says sono felice (i'm happy) just makes my heart melt. i sure hope u are happy, u cutie 🥺🥺

#no this isn't feli propaganda what are you talking about ahaha #definitely not trying to convince the peoples that he's wonderful and deserves a lot more love than he gets not at all #ask #anonymous #hetalia #aph italy #hws italy

[moltengoldveins]

That TCU post…that is truly one of, if not the greatest thing I’ve ever seen come out of this fandom. I tried my own hand a while back at writing “the dsmp but taken seriously”; gave it a name and a playlist but didn’t really write much before I went back to my other projects. If you ever have the motivation to do more with that outline I’d be honored to be a co-writer or help out in any way, or if you want you could just use my title as a name for the series: A Ballad of Broken Dreams.

holy crap op this is so sweet. Thank you so much. I’m… wow ok. That. Wow. Thank you. That’s legitimately so kind and I’m so glad you enjoyed it XD. Id also Love to see your playlist and your thoughts behind the songs if you’re down?! That sounds awesome :D

funnily enough, I’ve had a drafted outline for this heccin thing running around in my head since the Butcher Army arc. Right around when SAD-ist dropped her animatic, I simultaneously realized ‘oh wow, I Adore this concept’ and ‘oh wow, I Highly doubt the CCs are gonna manage to do this the way I’d want to see it’ and lo and behold: I was correct. So painfully correct. (There were also People Involved whom I had Really Bad Feelings About from very early on that, sure enough, turned out to be exactly what i thought they were, rip) So the Emduo prequels, Icarus heccin Dying, and the end of Axe of Peace have been around for Ages.

I’d honestly love to do more with this concept, (i am designing movie posters as we speak) but due to Chronic Illness Pog I’m in a rather unstable financial situation? And don’t have a ton of free time for art. Any big projects are gonna take a While, or id need to find a way to use it or something adjacent to fund, y’know, Rent. That being said, I’m definitely writing the emduo prequels, both as movie scripts and as novels, as those are the films focused on, yknow, My Bois. I also think it’d be hilarious to release the novels and then the scripts and watch people Loose Their Minds over the ‘inaccurate adaptation >>:(‘

I’d absolutely love to work with other people in the fandom on this stuff, though I’ve never been the best at directly co-writing (my writing method and style is painfully specific (ie needlessly poetic) and I’m very autistic: I don’t like it when people touch that Specific Thing) but literally anything else? Im open ears. I love collabs.

and finally, I adore your name for the series, (excellent word choice there /srs, it fits perfectly with the symbolism of the whole story) and I think it works really Really well for the actual DSMP, but if I’m entirely honest… I’m not sure it fits the TCU? Like genuinely I’m so grateful for the suggestion, I love when people offer ideas and bounce things around like that. But one of the main things I tried to do with this concept was work out how the story could actually end Well. A deep-seated belief in the good-but-fallen nature of man, the importance of hope, and the inevitability of redemption kinda comes part and parcel with the whole Being-A-Christian Thing (if it doesn’t, you’re missing the Whole Point Of The Bible) and while the actual DSMP may have ended in broken dreams… this doesn’t. That was my first thought when writing that outline: This Is Going To End Well. Not for wish-fulfillment reasons, not because I’m naive or I don’t like bad endings, but because fundamentally, everything sad is a lie, and if the story has ended in tragedy, it hasn’t ended yet.

If I had to pick a series name now, I’m not sure what I’d pick. A part of me balks at referencing anything popularized by Our Local Redacted, but ‘unfinished symphony’ wasn’t his in the first place, it was from Hamilton. “The Finished Symphony” has a cool ring to it? I dunno. If anyone else has ideas please feel free to toss them in here aight, I’m not settling on anything for a While.

Anyways, thanks for Ted talking with me, drink water 💜

#TCU #Sure hope that tag isn’t already used for anything horrible I don’t know about XD #Technoblade Cinematic Universe #Asks #I’ve never really answered an ask before this is new and exciting #Op sorry for co-opting your ask to rant about the goodness of life and the importance of redemption for a sec there #Well I’m not Sorry sorry but you get my meaning XD #technoblade #dsmp #dsmp au #antarctic empire #emduo

[forjongseong]

mareado // jay (ENHYPEN)

pairing: jay x fem!reader

genre: fluff and some suggestive scenes // warning: none! // wc: ~1.1k

summary: you wake up in your boyfriend's arms after a long night.

author’s note: the third fic inspired by a Camilo song! this one is what happens right after favorito.

yes, it is set on Jay's birthday and I did write it back in April. only chose to post it here now. since Jay and Jake have fully recovered from cov!d, I am also posting carmesí tonight!!!

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

That thing you and I did when we saw each other

All night long eating each other with kisses

How much do I want to repeat it?

A night like that no one has given me before

I smell like you from all sides

That's why I still walk like that, tipsy

The sun was shining through the blinds, hitting Jay’s face with streaks of light, and highlighting the pores on Y/N’s exposed shoulders. Jay blinked several times before inhaling the scent of Y/N’s hair, still fragrant from the shower the night before. His hand gently traveled up to stroke her arm, careful not to wake her up.

Normally, Y/N isn’t a light sleeper, but for some reason her boyfriend’s touch gave her shivers, and she was quickly awakened.

“Good morning, birthday boy,” said Y/N, her back still facing Jay.

Jay pulled Y/N closer and embraced her tightly. Y/N wrapped her hands around his arms and chuckled when Jay nuzzled her neck.

“Stop, that tickles,” said Y/N, voice almost too hoarse to speak.

“Good,” Jay replied with his own morning voice. “I heard that if you’re ticklish that means you have a high sex drive.”

Y/N nudged Jay’s chest with her elbow and Jay winced as he laughed.

“Are you going to let me sleep in or do you have something else in mind?” Y/N asked. This time she was stroking Jay’s arm.

“My schedule for today starts at 3pm,” Jay already had his eyes closed again.

The two of them stayed in each other’s embrace for a while before Y/N decided to turn around and face her boyfriend. Jay opened his eyes again.

“Being like this,” Y/N reached a hand out to caress Jay’s cheek. “Reminds me of our first kiss.”

Jay scoffed and chuckled as he closed his eyes again, almost as if he was too embarrassed to remember. “More like first-makeout-almost-turned-to-sex instead of first kiss.”

“Yeah, why did you stop me?” asked Y/N, genuinely curious.

Jay’s eyebrows furrowed. “Let’s see. I think I was a fool at that time.”

Y/N chuckled and lightly tapped his cheek. “Seriously, what were you thinking? I already gave you the green light.”

“To be completely honest,” Jay sighed. “I really just wanted one kiss from you.”

“Okay?”

“No wait,” Jay shook his head lightly. “I wanted more but after you gave me a kiss I was trembling. It’s like I drank three espressos. I was hella nervous.”

Y/N looked unsure. “No way you were. You seemed so composed.”

“On the outside!”

Y/N cackled at the enthusiastic confession from her boyfriend. She had no idea he felt that way.

“When I left your place, I couldn’t even remember how to get home.”

“Well, now you’re just exaggerating,” Y/N rolled her eyes.

“Babe, you know damn well I don’t lie,” Jay looked right into Y/N’s eyes, and Y/N returned the gaze with an oh-you’re-right sort of face.

“When I got home, the guys just hovered around me and accused me of getting drunk,” Jay chuckled as he continued to explain. “Which, in a sense, might have been true.”

Y/N tried to suppress a really wide smile that she felt creeping up her lips. “You’re such a romantic.”

“I was just scared of screwing up, which is weird, because I’m never scared of anything,” Jay gazed outside the window.

“That’s a lie—”

“Except ghosts,” Jay continued before Y/N could finish her protest.

Y/N laughed before leaning in to peck Jay on the lips. She then came closer to bury her face in his neck and let him draw circles on her bare back.

“What about you?” Jay’s voice vibrated right in front of her. “What did you feel after that night?”

“Rejected,” Y/N replied, straightforward.

Jay gasped and pulled away to look at Y/N in the eyes. “I’m so sorry.”

“Meh,” Y/N shrugged as she pulled Jay closer again and sniffed his collarbone. “We’re cuddling naked on my bed, so in the end I still won.”

“Fair enough,” Jay smirked and started running his fingers down Y/N’s hair. Y/N smiled into his touch.

“Do you like long hair or short hair better?” asked Y/N all of a sudden.

“On you?”

Y/N nodded. Jay took the time to contemplate.

“You look amazing with short hair,” Jay continued to stroke her hair. “But when it comes to tying up your hair so you can suck my--”

“Okay I get it.”

Y/N punched Jay’s chest playfully and he let out a heartily laugh. “I don’t have any preference, love. You can do whatever you want with your hair.”

“I’m gonna grow it out,” Y/N mumbled into Jay’s chest. The vibration almost sent Jay’s brain into overdrive.

“You are?” he asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

“Yeah, so you can pull on it better,” she looked up and kissed his chin. “You would like that, right?”

Jay tried so hard to hide his smile but then he realized Y/N couldn’t see him anyway. “Sounds good to me.”

They remained in the same position for the next couple of minutes before Jay finally decided to check the time.

“I think I better start slowly getting ready,” Jay sighed and kissed the top of Y/N’s head. “Do you want to shower first?”

Y/N shook her head. “You can go.”

“Do you want to shower with me?” Jay asked, a smirk creeping up his face.

This time, Y/N was the one who sighed. “After the rampage last night? No thank you. I need to be able to walk today.”

“Alright, babe,” Jay squeezed a hug around Y/N before getting out of the bed and stretching. Y/N just stared at Jay’s back until he eventually noticed.

“You sure you don’t want to join me?” he asked.

“As tempting as that sounds, I also don’t want to make you late,” Y/N said with a pout.

Jay’s heart melted as he saw his girlfriend in bed, body half-covered, hair messy, and her face just glowing under the sunlight.

“Make me late,” said Jay as he climbed back in bed and hovered above Y/N. “I want you to. I don’t mind. I don’t care if I get scolded.”

Y/N carefully considered the offer as she bit her lower lip. Jay got impatient so he held Y/N by the chin and forcefully smashed his lips into hers. She laughed as she reciprocated the kiss.

“Since you asked so nicely, and since it’s your birthday,” Y/N said when Jay finally pulled away to catch his breath. “Can you get my silk scrunchie, please?”

Jay glanced at the side table and quickly retrieved the item Y/N asked for. “Are you going to make breakfast?”

“I’m going to have breakfast,” Y/N smiled as she caressed Jay’s face. “Now lie down.”

-END-

© forjongseong 2022, all rights reserved

if you liked this, please reblog or reply to the post, or stop by my ask box! my asks are always open.

thank you for reading ❤️‍🔥

#writtenbynana #fic: mareado #enhypen #jay #enhypen jay #jay enhypen #jongseong #park jongseong #park jay #jay smut #jay fluff #jay suggestive #jay hard hours #enhypen fluff #enhypen hard hours #enhypen x you #enhypen x y/n #enhypen x reader #jay x you #jay x y/n #jay x reader #Spotify

[aziraphales-library]

Hi! Thanks for what you are doing. It’s very helpful and I’ve found many fics to read there. Thank you very much!

I have a little request. Do you know any fan fiction where Crowley takes Beelzebub place as Duke of hell while Aziraphael is Supreme Archangel, and end up fighting each other? I really like this trope.

Thank you a lot for your help! x

Hello. We have some duke of hell Crowley recs here. Here are a few more to add...

checkmate by actualchangeling (G)

Aziraphale goes to heaven, Crowley goes to hell, and they end up making their relationship issues everyone's problem. (But give them some time and they will figure it out.) ~ If there was one thing the Prince of Hell and the Supreme Archangel could agree on, it was that, under no circumstances, earth was to be used as a battleground. They find each other like they always do, a sphere of silent space encompassing them, and when they lift their arms, it is reflex as much as it is the beginning of a love confession millennia in the making.

Look What You Made Me Do by WaneMoose (T)

The Supreme Archangel of heaven meets with the Ruler of Hell to discuss the second coming and peace negotiations. Unknown to both, it has been heavily suggested by both sides to use the opportunity to assassinate the other. When Aziraphale refuses this treacherous mandate, he puts himself at risk of destruction from Hellfire.

two thousand, five hundred and fifty five by atinytrashbag (T)

7 years after their separation, duke crowley and archangel aziraphale meet again for a drink at the ritz. (my take on the supreme archangel!aziraphale and duke of hell!crowley au!)

Transitions by StruggleQuill (M)

Three years, five months, and almost two weeks have passed since Aziraphale stepped into the elevator to assume his post as the new Supreme Archangel. When Muriel hands him a handwritten note at the book shop during one of his visits, Aziraphale braces himself for his first communication with Crowley to be in person. The silence between them hadn't been from a lack of trying on his part. He hadn't expected the demon to have undergone so many life transitions while he was gone. It turns out it's near impossible for one being to stay on their own side, all alone with another apocalypse on the horizon.

The Song of the Nightingale by Constantin (T)

Aziraphale is in Heaven, where he is initiated into the events of the Second Coming by Metatron. Meanwhile, Crowley spends his time on Earth. In his despair, he returns to Hell and proclaims himself the new Duke independently. However, upon learning about the manipulations of Heaven, he longs for nothing more than to have his angel back with him.

Great Affection by Typ_wrttn (G)

Supreme Archangel Aziraphale was tasked to search for the missing Son of God just a week before His Second Coming. On Earth, he meets his old friend, Crowley, Duke of Hell, again, but the pair do not get along as well as they used to. An interaction with a singer named “Emma” eventually led to the two settling their differences.

- Mod D

#good omens #good omens s2 #ineffable husbands #duke of hell crowley #supreme archangel aziraphale #mod d

[karumashadowchicken]

Hi! I saw few of your post and I like it :D, if you don't mind taking any request may I have Some Replace! Au Agst with happy ending? So... what if Our MC is not related to Lilith and the brother doesn't know at first until a New Human Student come to Devildom and They are the real One

Whoa, I hadn't thought of that! I don't think Barbatos would let that happen, nor Lord Diavolo, but here you go!

I've actually thought about that quite a bit too, there's no real proof that Mc is Lilith's descendant, at least not after they died anyway.

I think that Beel, and Asmo would be very happy to have a new student! Beel mostly for the food, though he may have asked to eat them, and Asmo just wants attention, excitable as always.

The rest would mos likely take a while to come around to the new student. Such as Belphegor, since he's canonically a yandere, Barbatos, since- Have you heard his song!!! He's gotta be some sort of yandere too- Lucifer, since he's well... himself... as always. Of course Mammon too, but he'll become fond of them too, not as much as he is of Mc, but still fond.

Knowing that they often overdo things, they might accidentally stop paying attention to Mc, or brush things off, and leave them behind a bit. Here's what would happen if you told them how you were feeling.

Lucifer:

He's confused, but does feel bad. In fact he's not fond of them at all, and has death glared them multiple times. He's sad that Mc isn't related to Mc, but they're family either way now. And Mc she's Lilith's memories, so that's close enough.

Yandere Lucifer might take this as an opportunity to isolate his darling slightly!

Mammon:

Oh. He was paying a lot of attention with them, but it was only because they had good scam ideas! He needed those scams so he could make money to take Mc out on a date/day out!

Cue yandere Mammon spending money on Mc because he feels bad that they could even think he'd ever replace them!

Leviathan:

He forgot they existed, he wasn't hanging out with either of them... He's been watching anime nonstop and forgot to leave his room... did you think he'd just replace you!?!? Mc must think he's a yucky otaku-

Yandere Levi has decided you should watch anime with him for the next few day, cuddle, snack, and never leave!

Asmodeus:

So, he might have played dress up with them, but it was only so they would praise him. Mc is the light of his life, and he can't stand them thinking other wise. Cue the self care day, spa day, etc.

Yandere Asmo is gonna take you shopping and get a matching outfit, or jewelry with him.

Satan:

Satan's just charming. He has connections everywhere, so of course he got acquainted with them quickly. Not that he was around them for more than 15 minutes at a time. They just get boring to be around, but not Mc. Mc is forever the most interesting person, and he could never get tired of them!

Yandere Satan is gonna use manipulation tactics! Make ya feel bad for thinking he'd replace you, so ya hangout with him more.

Beelzebub:

Oh. He was only there for the snacks. He actually likes Mc, he was just hanging out with them so he could eat all their food, and maybe them if they ran out.

Yandere Beel is gonna take ya out for lunch!

Belphegor:

Huh? Wait, there's a new student? He thought that was a dream. Ok, cuddle time.

He hadn't noticed or cared, not to mention he's a yandere so he'd probably be very rude to them if they took up to much of your time. He probably noticed how you were feeling, and spend most of your lonely time cuddling with you.

Yandere Belphie got a good Technique.

__________________________________________________________

Thank you for suggesting, I'm not sure if thats what you wanted it wasn't very specific... If it's not just suggest again and I'll fix it. Hope you enjoyed, und I hope to get another suggestion from you soon! :)

#obey me #obey me angst #yandere obey me #yandere #obey me! #obey me x reader #obey me headcanons #lucifer #beelzebub #beel #obey me belphegor #belphegor x reader #obey me asmodeus #leviathan x reader #leviathan headcanons #yandere leviathan #om satan #yandere satan x reader #satan #obey me satan #satan x reader #lucifer x reader #lucifer headcanons #mammon #obey me mammon #mammon x reader #mammoney #mammon x mc

[outer-andromeda]

Also I realized I haven't made a proper post about Beetlejuice closing on Broadway. And it HAS been like-

*checks computer's calendar*

Almost four weeks since their last show in the Marquis (oh god already!?). So uh- let's do that. Never too late to be emotional amiright.

Long post ahead. Feel free to read if you're up to it. Just a bunch of rambling and venting about the show and more. ✨

—————

—————

Let's start with the beginning.

I'm not gonna lie, the first time I ever heard one of the songs was from a Tiktok video. A cosplay video. With "The Whole Being Dead Thing P. 2" playing. I had no idea the song came from a musical at the time but I remember enjoying it a lot, to the point of leaving the video on loop simply to listen to the beginning bit of the song over and over again. I had no idea where to look for it and didn't try to look for it either so I kind of forgot about it eventually.

Then October 2020 came around the corner. Halloween was approaching. And Mads mentioned Beetlejuice the Musical to me. I was sort of drifting along different fandoms at the time while also trying to figure out myself and do as well as I could in school after the first lockdown... So uh- strange and unusual times indeed. 😭

I wasn't sure what I was getting into. But then I checked Shnikkles's animatic of "Invisible (Reprise) / Say My Name" on YouTube. (I always loved this artist for their work on Steven Universe so I was still following what they were doing on socials.)

And in THAT FUCKING MOMENT. That's when the brainrot began.

And also my embarrassing simping phase for Alex Brightman which turned out to be admiration for the guy... And a lot of gender envy. But but we ain't gonna be talking about that.

After that moment, I started listening to the whole cast recording. FINALLY recognizing the song I had heard months ago on that freaking cosplay video. And then I started drawing the man. After Halloween, both me and Mads made BJsonas based on our Beetlejuice costumes... Which turned out to become, with time and a lot of character and design changes, the Veda and Zeta you know and (hopefully) love.

Then I suggested both girls meeting Beej. Which then turned into an AU. Which then became the Sequel Musical project/concept and which inspired the human AU.

The human AU (later renamed the Feral Fam AU, then the Lawrence AU in current days) was mostly made for comfort. We turned Beej into an anxious, grumpy, touch-starved cuddley guy with strong paternal instincts who was incredibly sweet and soft for the girls but who was in deep denial.

... Which... To be honest, is sorta still the case. 😭 But now the story is a lot more flushed out and has depth and work into it. And Mads and I both love how much the way we portray the guy has changed over the months. We love that he's more than what I described. That he's still a comfort character but he's also still Beej. He still has flaws and he's still an asshole but he's slowly developing into something more as the story keeps going.

(And we love character development in this household heheh >:D)

And thanks to that, Beej became a very important comfort character to me. Beetlejuice the Musical came at a time where things were getting confusing and rough. Where choices had to be made. Where changes were supposed to occur. Where something was ending and I had to move on to something else; in this case, moving on from high school and being a teen, and going to college and learning how to be an adult.

I still feel like a teen. I'm not that good at adulting. But I've matured. I've went through shit, shit that's affected me deeply. But despite everything, I'm still here. And that musical was there every step of the way. The story, the characters, the cast... They unconsciously played a big part in my life and I'll never be too thankful.

I've got to meet new people, try different things, discover new incredible artists that I still follow and admire to this day, some that I can proudly call my friends. It helped me get closer to my partner and finally start dating her (almost 2 years and still going babeyyy).

I've got to be part of an incredible, deeply loving community and I'm not planning on going anywhere anytime soon. I like to think the Beetlejuice fandom feels like another home now. I'm not well known within this fandom. Or atleast I don't think I am. I tend to draw more of the human guy than the bug beverage man himself which isn't something everyone is interested in. But still. I feel at peace here.

And I'm so so grateful I got to discover this musical. So so grateful I got to get close to so many people. So so grateful I got to experience the show before it closed. I am absolutely aware of how lucky I was to get to see it not once, but twice in a row. And the LAST DAMN SHOW.

It was a dream come true. It was the momentum I needed before the Broadway run ended. The ending I needed. I'm still sad it closed, I'll always miss the cast and crew videos of Alex and Elizabeth's bows, Kerry's lipbalm taste testing, backstage videos of the actors just being complete dumbasses and having so much fun...

I'll just miss the Broadway cast and crew so much. It doesn't feel the same without them, even with the Tour going on. It feels like a whole different show when it's the same story (with necessary changes), the same songs, the same characters... But the general vibe isn't the same.

I've been relistening to the cast recording a lot now. Appreciating every song instead of just a few ones. Delia quickly became one of my favorite after seeing the last show (If you know, you know. Leslie fucking KILLED it that night). If anything, every character became my favorite. I started loving them all a lot more than before. Understanding them more than ever. Even Beetlejuice himself, although he's the character I've focused on the most for the past two years. I finally feel like I now have a good grasp on his character, something I've always had trouble with for a long time.

So uh... Boy. This is getting long. Long story short... Thank you. Thank you Beetlejuice the Musical. Thank you to the cast, thank you to the crew. Thank you to the wonderful people I got to meet. Thank you to the friends I got to make. Thank you to my dearest partner. This musical has a very special place in my heart now thanks to all of you.

Hey guys? Love you guys. 💚🖤💚🖤💚

As for BJ content? Well... You can bet your asses I ain't fucking done drawing this man. He's gonna be sticking around for a veeeery long time.

#ramble #vent #goodbye beetlejuice on broadway #beetlejuice the musical #beetlejuice #bjtmtmtm #beetlejuice broadway #my art #doodle #OH GOD THAT WAS LONG #I'm not good at emotional but I hope this is good enough #I haven't cried as much as I thought I would #But I very much miss the Broadway run so so much #I still have a hard time realizing it's gone now

[mack-anthology-mp3]

hihihiiii firstly your music taste is aweosme and I’ve been slowly wanting to get into the kinda genres you like so I was wondering if you’d be able to suggest some artists? Literally any, as many or as little as you want :D

oh my gosh thank you thats so sweet! i can absolutely recommend some artists! :D

first off, PJ Harvey my beloved, her most well known stuff is like grunge / punk blues type stuff, i love her more than i can express - good places to start with her are the songs Rid Of Me, Man-Size, Down by the Water, Sheela-Na-Gig, and the album To Bring You My Love which is one of my favourites ever ahhhhhhhnhnnghngn i love her so much <3

Radiohead, they're Very well known so chances are you already know some of their songs just from cultural absorption - their (arguably) best album is Ok Computer, but if you like it then the Bends is more alt-rock, Kid A is electronic/experimental, In Rainbows is sort of more acoustic but not really? but those are the best ones to start with

Talking Heads, new york new wave band, also Very well known but they have some bangers, especially some of their earlier stuff, the first half of The Name of This Band is Talking Heads is really really good

Einstürzende Neubauten are a German industrial band, a lot of their stuff is really not easy listening but Ende Neu is pretty good to start with, the first track might be a bit rough to start off but the rest is pretty chill

if you're into more chill indie-rock type stuff, Grandaddy are really good, they're sort of the origin of that sound like alex g has, also Neutral Milk Hotel, their album In The Aeroplane Over the Sea is peak indie music. also the Dunedin Sound is 80s90s indie rock from my country, you can find spotify playlists of that too but the soundtrack to the film Topless Women Talk About Their Lives is excellent primer on that if you're interested

shoegaze (& dreampop) are really good genres also, the spotify-made playlists for them are actually pretty good, but Souvlaki Space Station by Slowdive and loveless by my bloody valentine are good to start with

also the Beths are a super cool band from my country also, similar vibes to Bears in Trees

ooh and i just remembered, someone else asked me a similar question to this a while ago and i made this post and a playlist for them - my taste has changed a little since then but it's there if you'd like it!

i will always always give music reccomendations if you ever want anymore, or like specific songs or something, you seem pretty cool i hope you like some of this stuff hehe i know a lot of alternative music can be kinda intimidating to get into so i really hope this helps :) <3

(also i've been listening to dominion/mother russia by the sisters of mercy a lot recently it's a total banger hehe)

#thank you so much for the ask! #<3 #your blog is so vibey also <3

[hongssami]

⊹ force me to write drabble game ⊹

hi hello welcome back to my deserted blog :>

it's been a while since i've done one of these, so pardon me if i miss anything hehe ^^ for this particular drabble game, i will only be writing for skz and atz as they are the groups i am most confident to write about lol.

drabbles may range from 500-1k+ words, will usually be written with improper punctuation and capitalization (due to personal preference), and will be posted at least the next week after you send in the request.

this drabble game will be open until June 30, 2023.

details will be under the cut!

RULES

please format your request as seen here: [member/s of choice, genre (if applicable), prompt (color, dialog, lyrics)]

you may request multiple times, however i cannot promise i will be able to do all of them

i will not do requests for prompts that i am uncomfortable/unfamiliar with writing as this is my blog and i am hosting this drabble game for writing practice

hard no's: smut, non-con, yandere, etc.

WHAT YOU CAN REQUEST

heheh anything from this idiots-to-lovers prompt list

the genre of the blurb (e.g. fluff, angst, suggestive)

an alternate universe (e.g. college au, writer au, dragon rider au)

a fake title or timestamp ("dirty laundry", 14:35, 3:33AM)

a color (e.g. pink, tan, orange)

a feeling (e.g. bliss, guilt)

a song title or lyrics (e.g. "star lost by stray kids", "'thank you, my star' from star 1117 by ateez")

EXTRA CHALLENGE !!!

be as specific as you want with your request and if it gets me to write more than 1,000 words, you win !!! (pester me as much as you want in the dms if you want :^))

you win as in you forced pushed me to write and so i owe you a gifset lol

multiple winners :^D

[This drabble game ends on June 30, 2023. Drabbles will be posted during and after the duration of game. Accepted requests will be listed in the reblogs of this post. Happy requesting!]

#stray kids imagines #stray kids scenarios #skz imagines #skz scenarios #ateez scenarios #ateez imagines #atz scenarios #atz imagines #fmtw drabble game #if this doesn't show in the tags i will yell

[acromandus]

Finally getting around to doing this! Thank you @thelifeinmyshadesofgrey for tagging me ♥♥♥♥♥ I haven't done these in ages so it was fun to feel like we were back in the 'golden era' of tumblr xD

Tag someone you want to know AND/OR some of your besties: I don't wanna pressure anyone to have to do this, so consider this a warm suggestion rather than a I-will-judge-you-if-you-don't kind of situation @heyitszev :) (and if anyone else reading this feels like it, go ahead, the more the merrier lmao)

Favourite colour: This is a tough one because it all just depends on context so much. I'd say typically I veer more towards darker tones in general: really like a nice dark green, or a dark red or crimson. Purple is lovely too :D

Last song: Two Knights and Maidens by Crash Test Dummies https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NS2EcHzdYY

Say what you want about the lyrics, but the chord progression in this song is *chefs kiss*

Last movie: 9. A bit of a strange one perhaps, but an interesting take on a post-apocalyptic world brought to life in a style that reminds me of Tim Burton a little bit. Basically, the world has been destroyed in a war between humans and machines, and we're introduced to a group of sentient dolls, each with a number on their backs from 1 to 9, who have had to survive in this strange new world while figuring out why they were made in the first place. I don't wanna spoil this for anyone who hasn't seen it, so I'll leave it at that :)

Currently watching: I'm in-between series atm haha. Waiting for season 4 of the Boys, and just finished watching season 2 of 30 Coins. Might just do a rewatch of Andor or the Punisher to fill this void.

Other stuff I watched this year: Err… from what I remember (and yes, since we're only in January, I'm counting 2023 into this as well) I'd say Moon Knight, Andor, 30 coins, a rewatch of Supernatural (up to season 12), and the One Piece live action series. Out of all these Andor was perhaps my favourite, but I enjoyed all of them, and was pleasantly surprised at how well the One Piece adaptation remained loyal to the original works :D they obviously had to adjust some things but it still felt true to form. With Andor, I was hesitant to watch it at first because the last SW series I had watched had been declining in quality (weird writing, etc), however… Andor completely blew me away. The way it builds up to the climax was just so well done, the writing is superb, music fantastic, and it's one of those series I wish I could forget about completely so I could experience it for the first time again.

Shows I dropped this year/didn’t finish: I haven't watched many series I've not finished since I usually watch them to the end anyway, but looks like that new Percy Jackson series may unfortunately fall into this category?

Currently reading: I've been powering through the Harry Potter books. Started during the Christams holidays and I'm now on book 6. So far so good, though I've had to slow down with holidays being over. Might need to reread the Robert Langdon series as well after this as it's still one of my personal favourites.

Currently listening to: This changes daily but I do find myself drifting back to Riot music very often. So, that's music made for League of Legends, Valorant, etc. Not the soundtracks, but songs like Worlds anthems like "GODS" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3GouGa0noM) and 2021's "Burn It All Down" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Z6CHioIn3s). I also absolutely love "Breathe" from the official launch video for Legends of Runeterra (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNhKAJwlj04). I also like this vid for it heavily featuring Darius, the only champ I ever played when I attempted to get into LoL before the toxicity got to me and I decided it's not for me :3 (didn't take long, but left me with a bit of a soft spot for him lmao)

I absolutely do not play any of these games but man… the music is on point imo. Something again about chord progression, don't ask what my obsession with that is lmao.

If I'm not listening to these and songs like them, I'm listening to heavy metal (industrial or symphonic), movie or game soundtacks, or oldies belonging to various genres from the 70s and 80s, occasionally 90s as well. Here's a couple examples:

Once You've Tasted Love by Take That

Take the Long Way Home by Supertramp

Evil Woman by Electric Light Orchestra

Misplaced by Sonata Arctica

And I will leave it at that as I've already included too many songs lmao

Currently working on: I'm currently making a backend for a gym app I'm working on. I somehow got the GraphQL elements working, now I need to get it saving to a database of somekind. I could do this locally or learn to save data to the cloud but I haven't yet decided which approach to take lmao. Overall, I'm just upskilling in the hopes of eventually landing a job as a full-stack developer. NO LUCK SO FAR aside a couple freelance frontend opportunities :/

Current obsession: Hmm….. good question. I'd say, despite me not playing it as much as I used to, I am slowly getting back to Elder Scrolls Online? Fire Emblem Fates is another, as well as Bleach.

#personal #i can't help that my tastes are very eclectic #i like so many things it might even be easier to point out things I don't like #but where's the fun in that :)

[why-so-serious-lucifer]

K-pop Discography Deep Dives: (G)I-DLE

I was planning, when I first started Tumblr, to be a lurker, but then I began an office job and needed something to listen to to keep myself occupied. And then, I started going through entire K-pop groups’ repertoires, album by album, and jotting down my thoughts. And then, I stumbled into K-pop tumblr and decided, you know what, there’s at least four people on this hell site who would read in depth rants about these discographies and at least five who wouldn’t read it and then get mad because it’s kind of our job as K-pop fans. My lukewarm takes should be taken with an entire silo of salt and the knowledge that this is completely for fun and occupying my very bored, very neurodivergent brain. With that being said, enjoy!

So, I decided to start with (G)I-DLE because one of my mutuals (@thestrangeworld) suggested it due to their decently small discography. Let me lay out my credentials: I’ve been a casual fan since around 2020 and a Neverland since a little after “I Burn” came out. I even used HWAA as the inspiration for an art piece I had due. So none of my criticism I say is an attack on them; I’m being harsher than usual because this is a review after all.

(G)I-DLE is unique for a K-pop girl group, both by being mainly self-produced and by not having a consistent genre. Over the years they’ve dipped their toes into tropical Moombahton (DUMDi DUMDi), trap (Oh My God), traditional Chinese balladry (HWAA), tango (Señorita), and hip-hop (Uh-Oh), just to name a few. They’ve sung in Korean, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, and English, with member Minnie even doing some covers of their songs in her native Thai. The members themselves represent four countries and usually do translations themselves, which means that their different versions are often true to the original. The members are Soyeon, Minnie, Miyeon, Yuqi, and Shuhua, with Soojin, their sixth, having been kicked out after false accusations of bullying in 2021.

I started from the beginning, with HANN, “I Am” (Latata), and “I Made” (Señorita), which I classified as kind of like the same era. Just starting out, not completely self-produced yet, and while the songs are good, they don’t quite have a (G)I-DLE feel to them. Like, I feel like besides HANN, other groups could have recorded those songs and while it wouldn’t have been the same, it wouldn’t have felt “wrong” to me, which definitely isn’t the case with their later work at all.

(Time for a confession: I never got the hype around Latata. Maybe it’s that it was overplayed or overhyped but it just never clicked with me the way songs like Lion, Oh My God, or HWAA did.) Something else I noticed from these eras is that the title tracks far outshine the rest of the albums, which aren’t bad or anything, but again, don’t have that much of an identity to them. From “I Am”, I liked Hear Me, and especially Miyeon’s high part. From “I Made”, Put It Straight is a definite stand-out, and the Nightmare Version stage elevates it even more.

This gets us to the next stage in (G)I-DLE’s discography: the post-Queendom era. This starts the mostly darker turn in their music, with “I Trust” (Oh My God & Lion), “I Burn” (HWAA), and Last Dance, barring DUMDi DUMDi and Uh-Oh, which are both welcome breaks, but I confess I think that they and Last Dance get a bit overshadowed by the rest of the songs from this part. As in, I’m not going to search for them but I’m also not going to start a tantrum when they come up on shuffle.

“I Trust” has probably the best title tracks (the double header of Lion and Oh My God is a killer), but the rest of the album is a little forgettable. It’s the only one where I don’t have a hidden gem. Many of these earlier albums tracks and also later title tracks have some really great parts (the outro in Queencard or the pre-chorus in Luv U, for example), but the rest of the song doesn’t live up to them. Lion, however, defies this completely, and is one of the best songs in their entire discography: it’s fierce, unapologetic, and loud, and also damn catchy. It’s rare that K-pop girl groups get to be justifiably angry and this song pulls it off so well! Hats off.

All of that is completely untrue for the next part. “I Burn” is where, in my opinion, everything truly takes off; it’s evocative, consistent, beautiful, and on top of that, tells an empowering and relatable story of getting over a toxic relationship. The album’s six songs are inspired by Chinese and Korean ballads, based on member Yuqi’s own Chinese ancestry. The title track, HWAA, uses the imagery of ice, flowers, and fire, to great and dramatic effect. HANN: Alone In Winter and Where Is Love are total standouts too.

This is (G)I-DLE at their best, and it’s no coincidence that around then is when members Yuqi and Minnie started writing, composing, and scoring songs too, rounding out the albums with cohesive but still different enough songs. Did I write this entire review just for an excuse to rhapsodize about “I Burn”? Possibly.

Anyway, now we reach the third and final (for now) part of the review: after their hiatus and Soojin, and as they became truly internationally recognized, enough to have their songs in the Rolling Stone 100 Top K-pop Song list that came out earlier this year. “I Never Die” (Tomboy), “I Love” (Nxde), and “I Feel” (Queencard & Allergy).

Okay, let’s level with ourselves here: Tomboy is not a good song. Is it catchy? Yes. Is it entertaining? Yes. Is it imprinted on my brain so much that I know every word and sing along whenever I hear it? Absolutely. But it’s not a good song, guys, I’m sorry. (If I’m dead tomorrow, we know who to blame). Look, I do like it, but it doesn’t make sense. I get the point and I appreciate the impact it had on the industry but the writing is…not it. I think that if Soyeon had written the rap in Korean and someone else had read over the other English in the song, it wouldn’t be that bad, but as it stands, it’s a bit hard to take seriously.

This same issue repeats in Nxde and Queencard, where the underlying ideas and themes are really good, and I genuinely do respect what they were trying to do, and if the songs had gone through just a bit more workshopping, I think they would have achieved what they set out to do. Allergy is a perfect example. It’s catchy, it makes a great point, and it doesn’t take itself too seriously. All in all, it’s something that I hope (G)I-DLE does again.

I also really like all three of the accompanying EPs/LPs, especially “I Feel.” I think that, as (G)I-DLE gained more creative control and began writing every song themselves, the b-sides got much stronger in meaning and the EPs began to feel more cohesive in sound and message. As the titles have gotten flashier, their b-sides have been able to become pared down and vulnerable in a really lovely way. For a group with a name that translates to child (“aideul”), they have a lot to say about growing up, in songs like Escape, Polaroid, Change, and especially Peter Pan, the last of which may be my favorite b-side and truly gets to the heart of who they are as a group.

They’re in the middle of preparing for an English debut right now, and the title track “I Do” came out last month. Again, since it was written by someone else, it isn’t very them, but it is a really good song (with a great music video!)

As I’ve gone through this, I’ve also noticed the development of their voices, and how they became so easily distinguishable from each other, forming a really nice harmony. Soyeon’s is harsh and sharp, and her raps are cutting in a great way. Minnie’s has a touch of electro and leans into ethereal sometimes. Yuqi’s deep soulfulness is reminiscent of Adele (who she’s actually covered!). And Shuhua’s sometimes soft, sometimes powerful mezzo floats in the middle, rounding them out.

All in all, this discography deep dive has really made me enjoy (G)I-DLE’s work, and I’ve begun to appreciate a lot of b-sides I never gave the time of day before. Overall, I’m very glad I did this! Obviously, no one has to agree with this, but my Top 5 would be Lion, HWAA, Peter Pan, HANN: Alone In Winter, and Put It Straight.

From me, (G)I-DLE gets an 8.5: pretty solid, with a couple dips, and definitely some highlights. See you next time, for a boy group’s discography!

#gidle #k pop #kpop gg #miyeon #minnie #soyeon #soojin #shuhua #Yuqi #discography #review