#I have been having the greatest daydreams that would be such good fics if i could just fucking WRITE come ON BRAIN WORKKK PLEASE WORDS PLE-

[homicidal-slvt]

Wow, this dude has been through hell. He's suffered so much.

I kinda wanna bang him up against a wall like a whore.

#I have been having the greatest daydreams that would be such good fics if i could just fucking WRITE come ON BRAIN WORKKK PLEASE WORDS PLE- #vee's random thoughts go brr #leon s kennedy #luis serra navarro #simon riley #sebastian castellanos #chris redfield #carlos oliveira #ethan winters #piers nivans #jake muller #kyle garrick #john price #john mactavish #alex keller #Joseph oda #josh washington #mike munroe #gary sanderson #vee's dumbass jokes

[riminiscensce]

Genshin Impact (Taylor's Version)

➠ G.I. characters x gn/fem reader, but it’s based off of a song from each of Taylor Swift’s albums ♡

➠ monthly updates (hopefully) , will update this list once the respective fic has been posted !!

current status : ongoing / slow updates

here are the line-up with summaries :)

Debut

STAY BEAUTIFUL by Kaedehara Kazuha

“And when you find everything you looked for, I hope your life will lead you back to my door."

✧ …

You love nothing more than to get lost in the labyrinth that are his eyes, the sweet feeling of basking in his presence fills you with the selfishness of wanting to keep it like that.

But you soon find that your path with Kazuha was one that welcomed acceptance.

✧…

"You're beautiful, every little piece, love."

Fearless

HEY STEPHEN by Venti

"I could give you fifty reasons why I should be the one you choose."

✧ …

Venti has seen all kinds of people as he lived amongst his people, he has witnessed levels of ambitions, beauty and wonder.

But he wouldn’t have said the same about how your existence shines amongst the billions of stars around him.

And as stars do, they attract people’s longing and adoration. But would they even dare to express their feelings for you the same way he does?

✧ …

"All those other girls, well, they're beautiful, but would they write a song for you?"

Speak Now

I CAN SEE YOU by Wriothesley

"And we keep everything professional, but something's changed, It's something I like."

✧ …

The fortress of meropide is and will always be a place of professionalism for the Duke.

Although he can't help but feel a sense of restlessness whenever he would pass by you in the hallways, acting as if both of you passed by no one in particular.

It wasn't the kind of restlessness that would agitate him to no end, but rather the kind of restlessness of impatience and the dying need to let loose.

✧ …

"And I could see you being my addiction. You can see me as a secret mission."

RED

Stay Stay Stay by Thoma

"I was expecting some dramatic turn away. But you stayed."

✧ …

You knew you were always a flawed individual, not having a good control over your violent sentiments, always ending up bursting in strong anger.

Although amidst the outburst of your volcanic emotions, Thoma always sees the beauty through your flaws.

He knows and understands every part of you, even better than you do.

✧ …

"All those times that you didn’t leave, it’s been occurring to me. I’d like to hang out with you for my whole life. "

1989

“Slut!” by Lyney

"Lovelorn and nobody knows. Love thorns all over this rose. I'll pay the price, you won't."

✧ …

Being a noble in Fontaine never proved to be easy. Ever since being born with a sin now forgiven, you have always had your life spread out in front of you.

You never bothered making a choice for yourself, why would you when people already did that for you anyway.

But your emotions made itself apparent after feeling the lingering want and need for Fontaine's magician.

Now you're facing the words of others that regard your feelings for him.

✧ …

"You're not saying you're in love with me. But you're going to."

reputation

Call It What You Want by Xiao

"My baby's fit like a daydream, walking with his head down, I'm the one he's walking to."

✧ …

With the sudden death of your reputation, no one was willing to turn a sparing look towards your direction.

It did bother you, but as time passes you find yourself detaching from the drama.

After all, why wish for hundreds of people's gaze when you can have Xiao's sole attention.

With the death of something so crucial, he made you feel the most alive.

And he knows that you don't need to have him save you, but have it be only mentioned, and he is willing to forget everything and run away with you.

✧ …

"You don't need to save me. But would you run away with me?"

Lover

Cornelia Street by Kaveh

"I hope I never lose you, hope it never ends."

✧ …

You were the greatest thing that happened to him. Your existence felt like a reward that was given to him by the after years of silent suffering.

Though it slowly irks Kaveh that things in his life are becoming a bit too good.

Usually when it happens, fate does something bad to balance his life out. But he knows this is never the case, whatever the source of his misfortune is, it just wants to toy with him.

And he knows that you might be next in line for it. He can only hope to never lose you.

Not when the very city he lives in is filled with the thought of you.

✧ …

"That's the kind of heartbreak time could never mend."

folklore

august by Shikanoin Heizou

"Wanting was enough, for me it was enough."

✧ …

Summer was always supposed to be a season you looked forward to the most.

It only made you feel elated with the presence of Heizou, the guy you swore you were in love with.

Summer was always the best for you.

But soon after having been faced with reality, you found that summer served only as a painful reminder of what could have been.

✧ …

"To live for the hope of it all. Cancel plans just in case you'd call."

evermore

tolerate it by Zhongli

"You're so much older and wiser and I wait by the door like I'm just a kid."

✧ …

He was so wise. So sentient, so formal. And you were just there. You never knew why you were there exactly.

The man you knew to have been there for your protection against the thorny pricks of barbed wires in your life, now slowly fading away to merely just a man.

And when he does, you now just realize the existence of a gaping abyss between you and him.

You give him the best of your everything, yet he only spares you his tolerance.

✧ …

"I made you my temple, my mural, my sky. Now I'm begging for footnotes in the story of your life."

Midnights

Midnight Rain by Neuvillette

"He wanted it comfortable, I wanted that pain."

✧ …

Having chosen to be the Iudex for Fontaine's court system, Neuvillette already had his path sprawled in front of him.

Turning to a different path was a bad idea that he knew he shouldn't have considered, for it only led him back to his initial path, although now bearing more weight than he originally had.

He became more aware, he wasn't going to put his position at risk for something like relationships, or even marriage.

The only commitment he was willing to take upon was overseeing the nation of justice, nothing else.

Not even you.

✧ …

"He stayed the same, all of me changed like midnight."

Unreleased

Need by Dainsleif

"Passion is a passing thing, It's accidental chemistry."

✧ …

He only has time for short-lived bursts of events.

Perhaps he only prioritizes his fallen nation to pay attention to anything deeper than fleeting feelings.

Dainsleif believes that everything is deceptive and lasts not for eternity. But he soon grows to realize that you two were nothing like that at all.

And he slowly realizes his need for a passion of something worthwhile and long-lasting. His need for you.

✧ …

"Lust is a liar, a short-lived fire. It ain't what you and I are at all."

For The Holidays !

Christmas Tree Farm by your favorite !

“In my heart is a Christmas tree farm where the people would come to dance under sparkles and lights.”

✧ …

What's a better way to celebrate the Holiday than to celebrate it with them?

✧ …

"Sweet dreams of holly and ribbon, mistakes are forgiven. And everything is icy and blue, and you would be there, too."

rimi’s notes …

hi!! this is my first time posting on tumblr, so I hope my layout kinda makes sense 😭 I’ve been writing genshin fics for a while now (wp : riminiscence) and I figured that I really like writing with a taylor swift song in mind…

hearts / reblogs / follows are very much appreciated ★

#genshin impact x reader #genshin x reader #kazuha x reader #venti x reader #wriothesley x reader #thoma x reader #lyney x reader #xiao x reader #kaveh x reader #heizou x reader #zhongli x reader #neuvillette x reader #dainsleif x reader #genshin fluff #genshin angst #i wanted to add other taylor songs :( #idk how tumblr works wtf am i doing #Genshin Impact TV 🫶🪽

[fan-goddess]

Chapter Three: Before and now

Catch up on the fic here!

Authors Note: Abrahams backstory is never brought up to my knowledge, so I’ve made it up for the sake of this. Plus, since we don’t know his age for certain I’ve made him about early twenties like 23/24.

Chapter Summary: You have to find a way to deal with this new predicament, and the only way you can think of doing it, is with talking Abraham. Though it may not go as planned

Taglist: @valeskafics, @omgbrcat @humanpurposes, @watercolorskyy, @blue-serendipity @anjelicawrites @lexwolfhale @helaenaluvr @scarletbedlam @tssf-imagines @vhagar-balerion-meraxes

Warnings: Talks of arranged marriage, kissing, angst, possessive husband, soft stuff, marking, suggestive talk, swearing, grinding, praise, hickeys, (if I miss any let me know!)

“I’m here to offer this horse to your parents, so they’ll allow me to ask you to marry me.”

You’re frozen. You sit in front of the mirror with your head in your hands, as you rethink the moment over, and over again. You admit, you don’t know what it was you were thinking when with a nod of your head, you wordlessly agreed to Abrahams proposal.

Your mother, who had been holding her breath next to you in anticipation, let out an ear ringing shriek and a mouthful of praises towards you when you’d said yes. Your father though, who like your mother had held his breath next to you, did not immediately begin shouting his praises and his thanks to the lord for a good marriage. Instead, he looked at you from the corner of his eyes with worry, and what could possibly have even been fear.

Whilst your mother had begun muttering to herself about all the planning, it was your father who’d murmured a few words to Abraham to most likely send him off, before he took your shoulders in his hands and brought you over to the sofas.

“Sweetheart,” He began, his head hung low to make sure he could look you dead in the eyes. “Are you sure about this? Abraham is a nice man! I’m sure if you had doubts or wanted to stop this then-“

“Yes dad, I’m sure about this!” You’d interrupted, snapping out of your small daze to place your hands on his own shoulders, your eyes determined as they looked into your fathers worried ones.

You’d smiled at him in reassurance, yet on the inside, you were screaming. You were terrified even. For the first time in your life, even with all the talks from your parents and the pages from the books alike, you were scared of what your future marriage could be like, and what it meant for your future.

It’d been most likely your greatest fantasy when you were a child. To be married to a kind, good man, who would give you some children, maybe even a dog too, to care for from the comfort of your home. It was a lovely and comforting daydream that got you through your childhood. Only now, that daydream was slowly unraveling before your very eyes. The worst part was you had no idea why you’d said yes to marrying him in the first place.

Abraham from what you could tell from the years you’d known him, was not kind. You don’t even know if he could be described as being a good man for gods sake. You barely knew him at all, and yet still you’d said yes. Maybe it was because deep down you knew he’d make a good husband. He was always as respectful as he wanted to be around other women, and he always volunteered to help out the other men around the site when he could, your dad being one of them.

Still, your main fear that managed to run through your head practically hourly, was the fact your life was about change so dramatically it was as if you’d just been pushed from the highest cliff in the world. The fact your future had changed so much from what you’d thought it’d be that it frightened you.

It was about a week later, with this thought still managed to make its hourly course through your head, when you found yourself walking in the direction of the stables to find your new husband to be one sudden afternoon.

Your hands are in your pockets clenched into harsh fists when you get to the open doors, and when you peak your head round, you find his back is turned to you whilst he tends to one of the horses. The same horse he used in his proposal it looked like.

You walk closer, finding your mouth filling more and more with cotton the more you get closer to him. By the time you get to the horse, you’re getting the strongest urge to turn around and run away, which you very honestly nearly do.

“You can touch her you know, I won’t let her hurt you. Her names Autumn. One of the younger kids made me swear on it when she were still a foal. Couldn’t say no to the little thing…” His voice makes you jump slightly with a hand flying to your chest from the sudden acknowledgment, and when he turns around to look at you, his bright blue eyes practically manage to burn holes into your clothing as he stares unblinking, your heart feeling as if it was beginning to somersault while you try to calm yourself with deep even breaths.

You sigh though after possibly a minute, and step closer to the horse to gently placing a hand on top of her muzzle. You even laugh slightly when she pushes herself deeper into your touch. “She’s beautiful….” You murmur with a small smile.

“Yeah, I suppose she is.” You may not have turned your head to him, but even still you could clearly see how Abraham was not looking at Autumn when he said that last sentence.

A tame sort of silence envelopes the two of you though as you continue stand there, gently brushing Autumns nose with the lengths of your fingers and laughing as she welcomes the affection you give her gladly with small whinnies of excitement even making its way past her mouth.

The silence is comfortable for the time yes, but still, your voice betrays you as you begin asking the question you feel burning within you to ask him. The question you feel you need to know.

“Why did you do it?” You say, not being able to bear looking at him in fear all the courage you’ve someone managed to gain in the short time you’ve been with him will flush the moment you make eye contact with him.

“What, ask you to marry me? There isn’t exactly a clear answer for that I’m afraid love…” He grins at you from the corner of your eye, and you hate that even from where you’re positioned you can still feel your body betraying you at the smallest of attention from him. Flushing bright pink in utter bashfulness from his words alone.

“Then try and tell me!” You snap, using that little boost of courage to say the words you want to say. “Because from what I’ve noticed, all we were at first was acquaintances at best, before you all of a sudden turned up at my door one day and decided to ask me to marry you-“

“That weren’t the first time we met.” He interrupts, a tight look on his face as he attempts to distract himself by turning away from you to brushing Autumns coat. Yet this does nothing to quench your hunger for knowledge as you now find yourself finally able to turn to him and persist with your questions.

“What- what do you mean?”

“When we were kids, I remember seeing you on some set of swings in a kids park. Your hair was wrapped in some kinda ribbon, a pretty blue one I think, and it somehow unraveled while you were swinging. And I just remember thinking while your hair quickly came undone and you laughed it off without a care in the world, that you were the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen in my life.”

And like that, your courage quickly dissipates as you stand looking at his back feeling utterly breathless, with the only word you’re able to say being a small oh under your breath you doubt he even heard.

He turns to you so the both of you can make first eye contact, and you swear your heart almost breaks when you see his vulnerability shining through his eyes at that moment. Seeing Abraham Lee break down for a woman probably for a long time, if not maybe even the first. “I asked you out, I think a year later. Still thought you were beautiful then, even though you didn’t have your little ribbons any more.”

“Mum tried to make me, but according to her I’d developed my dad’s stubbornness.” You laughed, and for the first time you find yourself really looking at him. You even find yourself utterly entranced with that damn smile of his that somehow manages to make him all the more pretty. The soft one you’ve never seen in the presence of others. A smile you’ll realise months later is left only for you to look at and admire.

“I still think you’re beautiful now, by the way. I always tried to look out for you, when I could. When I heard your dad needed some help with the labour, I couldn’t find myself resisting the chance.” You can feel your cheeks flush at the statement, and you even feel yourself almost needing to turn away for a minute when Abraham begins to look at you with such burning intensity it makes your lower half flare in that familiar feeling.

“Don’t do that…” He murmurs, so quiet you barely heard him.

“Don’t do what?” Your brows furrow, and you can’t help but bite your lip in confusion.

“That. Don’t do that. Cause if you keep doing that, then I may just end up doing something to you that I don’t want to do to you in a filthy place like this.”

Your heart feels like it freezes for a moment, before everything manages to go still. The only thing you could hear right now being the practically erratic beat of your heart in your throat.

Sex had never been a thing you thought you’d ever desire from a person. To you, it had always been just an added involvement in your future marriage. Yet now, with Abraham, your future husband, not even four steps in front of you, looking at you with such dark wanting eyes, you find yourself very much edging closer and closer to your breaking point.

“What if I want you to show me what it is you want to do to me though?” You murmur, and everything goes deathly silent as you regret everything you ever said or done leading up to this moment. Regretting everything you’ve ever said to him. There is no way Abraham would still want to marry you after you’ve just said that. After what you’ve just done.

“Say that again little one.” He practically growls, his voice sounding somehow deeper than what it was a couple seconds ago. You can see his grip on the brush in his hands has vanished as it falls to the floor, and how now his knuckles have turned white with how tight he’s clenching his hands. Even his eyes, which were once a blazing light blue, have turned so dark at the moment they look almost somehow black. “Say what you just fucking said again for me.”

You manage to shudder a breath, and repeat the words he so wishes to hear so badly, somehow able to do so without a stammer. You wouldn’t be surprised though if he could hear the frantic, uneven sound of your heartbeat as it beats loud as a drum in your chest. Yet Abraham still continues to just stand there, now looking at you so intently you almost feel the need to look away at something else. Anything else.

You do begin to try, but a gasp rips itself from your chest as Abraham somehow makes his way in front of you, and firmly places his hand on your jaw, so he can force you to face him. To face his thundering look as he practically devours you whole with his eyes alone.

“When I’m looking at my fucking wife, you won’t dare turn away from me. Do you understand me?” He snarls.

You nod the best you can, and another gasp tares through you as you suddenly realise that he’s kissing you.

Abraham, your fiancé that by tradition you should be staying as far away as you can from to prevent any speculation, is kissing you like a man possessed. And by the way your arms instinctively seem to swing around his shoulders to hold onto him, you very much appear to love it.

“Such a good girl for me…” He murmurs, his lips consuming you whole as he manages to move you against the walls of the stables, effectively trapping you against his own body. “Gonna be such a good wife for me… I just know it.”

You hate the way you preen at his words. The way your body reacts and submits to him so easily and willingly. Yet you also can’t help but love the way he pulls these feelings from you that you never thought you’d ever really get to experience in real life.

His hands greedily feel and grab at your whole body as they roam you eagerly. Mostly focusing, to your eagerness, on your breasts that strain against the jumper you’d decided to wear today. He continues to praise you though as his mouth begins to suck at the available flesh of your neck, drawing small noises from you that you can feel make his lips turn into a confident smirk against your skin.

His lower body grinds against your thighs as he marks you, and with an audible whimper, you realise you can feel his cock, hard and throbbing, pushing against you.

“Do you feel me?” He murmurs, thrilled by the way you shiver as his breath brushes against your ear.

You nod your head slightly, eyes clenched shut as the rush of everything hits you. Yet Abraham seems to be unsatisfied with you as his hand ventures and clasps around the length of your throat, effectively forcing your eyes to open wide in surprise and your mouth to open slightly with a silent gasp.

“I thought I told you to never look away from me?” He snarls. Everything within him right now purely animalistic. His eyes reminding you of a stormy ocean in that moment as they glare at you, forcing you to make sure his words stay inside your pretty little head.

“Yes.” You murmur back, shifting from foot to foot best as you can as you feel your body reacting in ways you’ve never reacted to a real man before. It’s a strange fleeing thought, when you realise you’re reacting like this towards your husband to be. The man you’re supposed to be keeping yourself pure for, is the one you are currently willingly keeping to give yourself up to in a stable of all the places.

“Abraham…” You murmur, waiting until he hums in acknowledgment against your skin till you begin talking again. “I don’t want to give myself to you physically right now, here of all places.”

His movements freeze, and yet the words can’t help but spill even more than how they were before.

“I want to be able to give myself to you on our wedding night. I want to have a family with someone, which due to recent circumstances that someone has now become you. I’ve always wanted children someday, Abraham.” You can’t look at him, too afraid of what his face will reveal to you. So instead, you merely stare ahead and look at the wall in front. Eith his stupidly quaffed hair of course being in your field of vision. Teasing you as even more words continue to spill more and more.

“I’ve always wanted kids. Ideally two boys, and then a little girl, who’ll always know that her brothers and her father will look out fiercely for her whenever she needs them. And the thing is, I don’t know if I can have that with you. You’re a good man, I know that. But I don’t know what you will be like as a husband, or even a father for that matter. I’m scared Abraham.”

His finger flex around the skin he holds, and you can feel a shaky breath against your neck that leaves shivers down your spine as he begins to speak.

“My father was not a good man,” He begins, and by the way his face stays sheltered in the curve of your neck, you know this will most likely not be a happy story. “He wasn’t good for the family. He stayed in his room all day, and wouldn’t contribute to the family at all. I was an only child, so I was the one who needed to step up and contribute. It was I who needed to be the man. I was the one who needed to provide for me and my mother. My father passed a couple years ago, but me and my mother didn’t care much.” His breath is still shaky, and your arms immediately open wide to enclose them around him. Which to your slight surprise, he welcomes wholeheartedly with a tight squeeze of his own arms around you. “My mother left about a year after. She couldn’t deal with it all ‘parentally, but I don’t blame her. We still talk, sending letters to each other every so often. I’ve even told her about you…”

“You’ve told her about me?” You ask, surprising even yourself with your sudden loud input in this tense moment.

“Of course?” Abraham finally pushes himself away to look at you, a look of disbelief on his face, as if he can’t believe you just asked that question. “Why wouldn’t I?”

You shrug, and suddenly take notice of his slight red rimmed eyes, and the slight wet fabric that clings to your neck.

You must say you’re surprised that Abraham accepts your wordless answer, given his reaction when you tried to use it earlier. But now he seems to only allow it so he can continue his story. And as the good wife you find yourself wanting to be for him, you listen diligently.

“I refuse to be my father, little one. I will not neglect my children and make them believe they’ll need to help provide for their own future. I want to show my boys what they need to become strong, and how they deserve to be loved and cared for. I want my daughter, who I know will look beautiful just like her mother, to know that she can always rely on me. On her father. Because while she may not even be here yet, I already somehow finding myself caring for her. Just as much as I find myself already loving you.”

#abraham grantchester #abraham fan fic #abraham x you #abraham fanfic #abraham fan fiction #abraham fanfiction #abraham smut #abraham imagine #abraham x reader #abraham #grantchester smut #grantchester #ewan mitchell character #ewan mitchell fanfiction #ewan mitchell fanfic #Ewan mitchell #ewan mitchell x reader #ewan mitchell imagine

[bunny-bear-blogs]

The Magician's Box

Synopsis: Lyney, Teyvat’s greatest magician, and his assistant Lynette are getting ready for a big show at the Opera Epiclese. Why is this show of such great importance? Because they have been personally invited by the Hydro Archon. Which is why it’s important for them to make a great impression. How so you might ask? By unveiling a new magic trick in this grand show, one involving a special magician's box. But what happens when the trick goes awry and traps you and the great magician Lyney inside with no escape?

Word Count: 2494

A/N: This is my second fic wrote/posted :>

A few days ago, you got a call from Lyney saying to come down to work and that he needs you immediately. You see, when you first moved to Fontaine you had trouble finding work that suited your interests and struggled with this problem time and time again. You were tired of working boring job after boring job. Afterall, you moved to Fontaine to get a sense of adventure and see the unexpected. You stayed in this uneventful job streak until you met him. It wasn’t until you met Lyney who offered you a job as a part of his stage crew that you were finally able to have the eventful thrilling job you’ve craved for so long. I mean, what can be more exciting than working for Teyvat’s most famous magician? This event was all three years ago, times have changed since then including the way you view the ashy blonde magician. In the beginning, all you held for him was admiration for how he gave you this job and for how committed he was to keeping the belief of magic alive in people's hearts. Along with this, you viewed him as a good friend who you just admired greatly. But slowly, your feelings for him shifted from friendly admiration into being totally absolutely in love with Lyney. Of course, you would never act on your feelings not wanting to spoil the friendship you have currently. But it doesn't hurt to daydream about being more than friends a bit. You can’t lie. When Lyney called saying he needs you immediately your heart skipped a beat. You know it's for work reasons but it doesn't hurt to imagine he actually needs you romantic wise? Getting your head out of the clouds, you quickly put on your coat and ran out the door into your workplace.

You stood there in your workplace, confused. Why were you the only one here? Where are Lynette and the rest of the crew? The main room was empty, which was no surprise since the big show was only a few days away, but something was off. There was a huge box standing in the middle of the room, covered by a long navy cloth. You were seriously confused, but before you could do anything, Suddenly, from behind the box, Lyney stepped out. He was the same as ever, with his ashy blonde hair covering a part of his face, his violet eyes that looked like amethysts, and his sweet smile and teardrop-stained mark on his face. This was Lyney—the Lyney that you had fallen in love with. “Mademoiselle, I’m glad you made it. You’re the only one who can help me with this task.” “What task would that be, great magician Lyney?” You said it with a teasing tone. “I’m glad you asked.” Then he grabbed the navy cloth and unveiled the box. You were surprised. The box looked ancient and was filled with dust and cobwebs. However, what stood out to you was the writing the box had in an unfamiliar language. “I remember you telling me you’ve studied many different languages, so I just thought maybe you would know what it says.” Oh. oh. So that’s what he needed you for. It was something only you could do, and you alone. You should’ve known better than to get your hopes up too high." Yup, I studied that type of writing a couple years ago, so my translating might be a little rusty. You walked closer to the box and put your fingers over the inscribed words. It says that this box is one that brings two.” “That’s quite the odd riddle. I’m not quite sure what the creator of this box meant to say. But the show must go on, so thank you for the help regardless, Y/N.” “I’m sorry that I couldn't be of more assistance, Lyney.” “Y/N It’s completely fine. Just you coming down here to help me on an off day means a lot to me.” “Lyney, if I may ask, what will this box be used for? Does it have to do with yours and Lynette’s grand performance at the Opera Epiclse?” “Yes, it does. I plan to teleport within the box. To have it move from the stage to the audience.” “Is that even possible? How would you do it, Lyney?” “A magician never reveals his secrets, as you’ll see at our show. Speaking about our show, here is this: With the flick of his hand, a VIP ticket to his grand magic show appeared. Please say you’ll come see me perform. You're my good luck charm  after all."It was true that every time you went to one of the twin magic shows, they would do outstandingly well; however, the one time you didn't, a trick went wrong and caused Lyney to quickly improvise the outcome. “For sure, I’ll be there. I wouldn't want to miss my two favorite twins magic performance.” You smiled and grabbed the ticket, and shortly after, you said your goodbyes to the violet-eyed magician and made your way home.

Fast forward to now, and it is the day of the twins' grand performance. You got there extra early because you were going to meet the twins backstage but not for the reason you usually do. Even though you usually help behind the scenes before and during shows, Lyney and Lynette had insisted that for this special show you should sit and watch as an audience member. This was because of the long time you had worked with them, for this special show they wanted you to see from the audience viewpoint how far they've come in the three years you've known them. However, Lynette called you the night before asking if you could visit her and Lyney backstage before the show started. Here you were, complying and reaching backstage. You opened the door and saw Lyney and Lynette. “Y/N, what are you doing here?” Said Lyney clearly filled with shock. “I invited her to come, she's your good luck charm after all.” Said Lynette nonchalantly. “I can leave if you guys are uncomfortable” Suddenly, Lyney grabbed my wrist exclaiming with a red blush spreading across his face. “No, I don't want you to go. I want you to stay here with me” “You want her to stay here, huh? Lynette broke out in a mischievous smile. If that's so, I’ll give you guys room to speak plus I need to check if everythings ready for the show.” Lynette then left the room with a small smile still on her face. “I didn’t mean for my words to come out like that, but I do want you here.” “I want to be here with you too Lyney.” A voice instantaneously announced through booming speakers “The show is about to start, please have the members of the audience start making it to their seats.” I put my arm behind my back, “I guess it's time for me to go, good luck on the show Lyney and send my support to Lynette as well.” “Thanks for your support Y/N. You're always showing your support for us and I just want you to know we feel the same for you.” He then flicked his wrist making a rainbow rose appear. This is for you Y/N. Please enjoy the show.” He then placed the rose in your hand. “Thank you, Lyney!” You walked out of the backstage area quickly and into your seat happily. 

The audience area was packed. It was completely full, with local celebrities and journalists being placed among the audience. I guess it must truly be a big deal to be invited to perform by an archon. I sat down, fidgeting with the rainbow rose Lyney gave me. He’s never given these out at shows before or to anyone. “I wonder if that means this rose is important.” You had accidentally muttered that out loud, and before you could process anything, Charlotte, a journalist from the Steambird, spoke out. “That's a rainbow rose! Did the magician, Lyney, give you that? Those roses symbolize passion and romantic encounters! I’ve seen you two hanging out together often. Does that mean Lyney has found a partner?” She bombarded you with questions and facts. “Me and Lyney are not in a relationship. We’re just good friends who have known each other for years. He probably just gave me this rose by mistake; it's best not to look too deep into it.” I’m not sure why, but it felt as if my heart flinched saying that. Friends. Yeah, that's right, all we'll ever be is friends. You feigned a smile to Charlotte, to which she replied, "Oh, I see. Sorry for my intruding, but I truly do think the magician likes you.” Before you could respond, the speakers spoke once again, saying the show was beginning.

The magic show was the most captivating thing you had ever seen in your life. It had everything that made the twins special in it. It had things like simple hat tricks to complicated escape the box before you drown type of tricks. Finally, for the last trick of the show, it involved that special box. Lyney was talking up the crowd when Lynette brought the box out. But something still confused you, the words etched into it, “One brings two.” Before you could ponder more your thoughts were shattered by the sound of Lyney’s voice. “Ladies and Gentlemen, presenting the best trick I will perform tonight! I will go inside this box and teleport the box all the way onto the audience's side and appear on top of the box with a surprise in hand. This will all be done in under sixty seconds and I will have Lynette be the one locking the box and you my audience counting. I will now enter the box and Lynette will shut it closed.” Lynette came forward and locked the box having her key in hand then picking it up for the audience to see. Lynette then hyped the crowd up and began her countdown starting from sixty. All was well, with Lyney in the box until something strange happened. 

You blinked, and then the next second you were in the box with Lyney, who had a panicked expression. “What’s going on?” You said with a puzzled expression, facing Lyney, who looked full of panic. “I-I’m not quite sure. The box should have let me out by now, and I should’ve been able to reach the roof of the box by now. But for some reason, I can’t.” I then tried to pull on the exit where Lyney was, but there was no luck. It wasn't letting me out either. “Do you think this has to do with the riddle of the box? The whole one brings two thing?” “Maybe, but what does that even mean?” "Well, you were one; the person in the box and you going in brought two, which was me.” “That’s a good point, Y/N, but what confuses me is how during practice no one else was brought into the box.” "Well, let's think rationally: why isn't this box letting us out? Wait, Lyney, would you say I'm special to you?” “Of course you're special to me, Y/N; you're my friend.” He spoke with hesitation, as if holding important pieces of information back. “No, Lyney, think deeper; why else would I have been brought to this box with you? Why me? If it was friend or familial feelings, Lynette or Freminet would’ve been brought here, but it was me. Why am I the one stuck in this box with you?” Lyney tucked his hat down, further covering his face apart from the hair streak doing so. Slowly, his hands started shaking, and his face turned beet red. “I’m not sure what you're implying, Y/N." He said it shakily. “Lyney, think about it, because only you would know. Why am I in this box with you? Maybe the one becomes two has to do with why I am in the box, and by finding out we can get out.” “Y/N, I have feelings for you. That’s why you're in this box with me. After you left that day, I kept thinking about the riddle, and a thought came across my mind that maybe it would bring the lover of the person who goes inside the box and force them to confront something. It was just a theory, and when I got in and couldn’t get out, my fears came true that you would be following me into the box. So now that you're here, it's all in the open now, I, Lyney, have feelings for you. For as long as I can remember, when you started working here, I fell in love with your viewpoint of life. I fell in love with your sense of adventure and your excitement for the things around you. How could I not have fallen in love with such a wonderful girl? I love you, Y/N, and I always have.” Looking at the boy now, he was still shaking and still red. He looked nervous, for sure, but somewhat relieved to get these feelings off his chest. “Lyney, I love you too. I always have since I started working here, seeing your attitude toward others and your craft. How could I also not fall in love with you?” 

Suddenly, the box shot you and Lyney out. While being shot out, you could hear Lynette be on the number thirty, making you guess that within the box, time passes extremely slowly. Adjusting to your current surroundings, you see Lyney standing on top of the box. He was holding your bridal style with one hand, and with the other, he held a bouquet of roses. With a hand full of roses, he used it to wave to the audience as they all cheered and shouted for his spectacular performance. He then looked over at you, with roses in hand, and put them gently into your hands. “These are for you, Mademoiselle." He said it with a wink and a soft smile. “Thank you, Lyney.” You smiled softly at him. You’ll never forget this magic performance for the rest of your life. After all, it was the performance that made you and Lyney confess your feelings to each other.

#genshin headcannons #genshin fluff #genshin imagines #genshin impact #genshin x reader #lyney x reader #lyney and lynette #lyney x you #lyney x y/n #lyney #genshin oneshots #fluff #magic

[idololivine]

because I am me as a person (i.e. someone who was classically trained in singing and honestly had a good shot at professional opera if I wanted it) I have also. been idly daydreaming about an opera house AU

Olivine as this child prodigy-slash-rising star within the opera world; 25 is, in the grand scheme of opera, young. careers often don't fully launch until a singer is in their 30s because the voice takes time to mature.

but Olivine, having participated in church choir since he was old enough to read sheet music, got picked up young because he was so clearly talented, and then spent the next two-ish decades being pressured towards professional opera as a career while being told that his voice was a gift from God

except... deep down, he doesn't love performing. or, he loves performing, but he doesn't love it enough for everything surrounding it; the auditions, the freelance schedule, the sheer pressure of it all.

but he can't admit that to himself, because he's so painfully aware of how privileged he is. how many people could afford the training he had? the language lessons, the acting lessons? how many people can say their parents support their singing career this strongly? how many people have the sheer talent? he's met so many who had this dream and just couldn't cut it, one way or another. doesn't he owe it to them to succeed?

that's a pretty wrong thing to believe, of course. Other Things Happen (not knowing what things happen is always the greatest reason why I don't write plotty fic; I have thoughts about themes and character arcs but not the Actual Happenings) and by the end he decides that he's much happier as a singing teacher, supporting others in their own passions.

B-plot: it's an opera house AU and not an opera AU, which means ballet

Edmond, Dante, and Blade are our local ballet dancers with a play on the themes of privilege in Olivine's main arc

Blade is the opera house's resident choreographer. silly mode Blade is his day to day mode and murder Blade is the flow state he goes into when he's really really focused on his work. he's autistic and dance and choreography is one of the ways in which he really feels like he can truly express himself.

Edmond is very very privileged - legacy dancer with a famous ballerina mom, classes since he was old enough to walk, never a worry about being able to afford new shoes and other ballet gear. (can you tell I don't do ballet?) but he's also conscientious enough to be aware of his privilege, so he puts in more work than most so he can truly earn his place by anyone's measure.

Dante, on the other hand, is an orphan who only managed to get classes via free programs when he was young, and scholarships when he got older. he's had to work insanely hard just to get his foot in the door, and a billion times harder to surpass his peers. he doesn't resent anyone for being plain luckier, but he's not exactly here to make friends, either.

C-plot: other characters are here too

Yakumo is truly an amazing baritone and is magnificent when he gets in the zone, but he's so overwhelmingly anxious that he flubs auditions and holds back rehearsals A Lot

Eiden is... a composer maybe...? I don't know how modern composers function. but I assume it would put him in touch with singers and dancers.

Aster is, the owner of the opera house, or something? Morvay is his sexy secretary.

Quincy is the master carpenter in charge of making sets. extremely underrated but important job. he's not a prideful guy, but it feels fulfilling to create pieces that are so foundational to the shows the opera house puts on.

Kuya is one of those diva singers who's an absolute bitch to work with but they're SO famous that the crew just puts up with the terrible behavior. to his credit, sometimes the stuff he demands indirectly or directly makes the show better. directors hate him.

I don't know how GaruKaru and Rei fit into this actually. they don't translate very easily to a performing arts AU. maybe Rei's a former ballet dancer who sustained an injury that took him out of dance entirely, and now he does sports medicine.

#my posts #writing tag

[giggly-squiggily]

Ahhh, I had a dream that would kill me if it were turned into a fic🤭. You are the single greatest T-word writer and KnY writer on this platform. If you're up to it, may you please write a fic with Lee! Muichiro and Ler! Shinobu?

P.s Get well soon!✌(If you're still sick)

Y’all are too sweet oh my goodness! I am humbled by such high praise! Thank you anons! Both for the kind words and the chance to write for our baby boy Mui! Since we’ve got similar prompts, I’ve decided to combine them! :D I hope you like it!

Cloud 9 (Taglist)

@myreygn, @thatbigbisexual29, @duckymcdoorknob, @wolfyeatstacos, @gladdygirl18, @baby-tickles2022, @cupcake-spice13, @backy-san

“Who’s a little cutie? You are, yes you are! Yes you are!” Mitsuri cooed over Muichiro, her fingers flying along his stomach and sides.

“My my, Tokito- I haven’t seen a smile that big in a while from you! Kanroji is right- you truly are adorable.” Shinobu smiled behind her free hand, the other giving his neck and chin a brother scribble.

“Plehehahahhahahshe wahhahahhahahit!” He cried, squirming here and there as the girls tickled him relentlessly, cheeks bright pink and eyes misty with laughter.

You're probably wondering how the young Hashira got himself into a situation like this.

Well, it all started a mere few hours prior…

~~~

“Kocho-san! I have everything we need for tonight!” Mitsuri all but ran to the smaller woman, a basket of freshly baked treats in hand. The aroma was enough to shake Muichiro out of his daydreaming, turning his attention to the pair a few short meters away.

“Wonderful, Kanroji-san! It looks like you’ve baked quite a bit- I’m sure Kanao and the others will be thrilled.” Shinobu clapped her hands together, just as moved by the sugary sweet smell it seemed. “I made sure to clear out my schedule this evening- we won’t be bothered by any stray patients or the boys.”

“Is it a bad thing I’m happy they won’t crash girls night?” Mitsuri winced slightly, shame coloring cheeks. “I love them but they’re so…”

“Loud? Obnoxious? Smelly?” Shinobu offered a variety of adjectives.

“Well…yes.” Mitsuri gave in, earning a delighted giggle from the other. “It’s alright though- from what I hear they’re all going camping tonight.”

Camping? Muichiro hadn’t got the memo.

Or perhaps he did but wasn’t paying attention…

“Did they already leave?” Shinobu asked, suddenly aware of the lack of noise in the area. “I wonder if Shinazugawa’s gonna fight a bear again.”

“I believe so- fight what now?” Mitsuri stared. “And what do you mean again?”

“Long story- Oh! Tokito-san! You’re still here?” Whoops- he’d been caught. The Mist Hashira was trying to make a quiet escape, freezing when Shinobu called out to him. Turning around, he tugged at the ends of his hair, trying for nonchalance. “Oh, hey ladies. I was just…heading home.”

“Home? What- Don’t tell me they didn’t invite you?” Mitsuri looked crossed, eyes wide with indignation. “How cruel!”

“No, I’m sure they did- I just forgot.” Muichiro shrugged, hating how unsure his voice sounded. Had they not invited him? And if they did- why did no one remind him? Normally someone would come around to get him.

Maybe it was one of those “Grown ups only” trips. They probably didn’t want a kid like him around.

The thought made him rather sad then.

“So you're just going home? On such a nice day?” Mitsuri sounded alarmed, the concern oddly making him feel more like a kid. “But that’s no fun!”

“I’ll be fine. I'm a Hashira. I’ll train.” He straightened, raising his chin. “Then I’ll…do other stuff. Like…” He racked his brain for adult-like activities, mind running blank. “Train some more.”

“That’s a lot of training to do in one night.” Mitsuri tilted her head curiously. “What happens when you get too tired?”

“Then I’ll take a nap. And get right back to it.”

“Sounds boring.” Shinobu commented, smiling apologetically when Muichiro blushed. “Forgive me, Tokito-san.” Pausing, she turned back to Mitsuri, pulling the other girl over and whispering in her ear. The Love Hashira’s eyes widened before a bright smile touched her lips, nodding. “That’s a great idea!”

“What is?” Muichiro asked, growing weary when they turned to him with smiles.

“Mui, do you wanna join us this evening?”

~~~

“I can’t believe they’d go off without you like that. When they get back, those boys aren’t getting a crumb of my treats!” Mitsuri huffed as she ran her fingers through Muichiro’s hair, gently untangling it one strand at a time. They were now sitting at the butterfly mansion, pillows and blankets spread out and a variety of Mitsuri’s snacks on display for whomever felt hungry. Changed into comfy pajamas, the youngest Hashira nibbled on a cookie while the pink haired girl began a braid, starting from the top of his head and working her way down.

“My my, I believe it will be the first time we see Rengoku not smiling if you do that.” Shinobu grinned with impish glee, a few bottles of nail polish to her left as she carefully worked an ombre of pink to green on her friend’s toenails. With her hair down, she looked less regal. It felt like Muichiro was sitting with an older sister rather than the team’s doctor. “He’s like a grumpy cat when he pouts. Have you ever noticed that?”

“Oh absolutely! It’s rare, but it’s so funny!” Mitsuri giggled. “He just pouts and hides away- eventually coming out if you shake some treats.”

“I bet if he could, he’d crawl up on a dresser.” Muichiro added, earning another round of giggles from the girls. It made him feel good.

“Oh man- I can totally see him curled up on there and glaring at everyone!” Mitsuri laughed so hard she snorted, nearly throwing off Shinobu’s handiwork with how hard she was giggling. “Kanroji, your toes!” She cried, dabbing at the mess.

“I’m sorry- blame Muichiro!” Mitsuri cried back, falling into him some as he gaped in shock. “He’s the one putting all these Cat-Rengoku images in my head!”

“He really is though! He’s got those big cat eyes.” Muichiro defended, earning another pig snort from the girl.

“Pfft, okay, okay! No more cat talk until I get this last toe done!” Shinobu shook her head with a snicker at Muichiro as she carried on her task. “You’re gonna have tie dye feet if you keep squirming like that.”

“Not the first time, probably won’t be the last either.” Mitsuri was back doing Muichiro’s hair, her touch gentle against his scalp. “Thanks for letting me braid your hair, Mui. It’s so soft and long! Has it always been this way?”

“I think so…I don’t really remember.” He admitted quietly, stuffing his face with another cookie before they could ask anymore questions. The memories of his past were still so foggy. He remembered bits and pieces- a face like his own, a hut in which he lived. What really stood out were the feelings. Most of the time, his past felt like an ache in his chest, familiar yet unknown at the same time. It was frustrating- having all this pain but no memory of what caused it.

“Tokito-san?” Shinobu’s voice shook him free from his internal ache, making him look up. He was sure she was going to ask him what was wrong. The “I’m fine” was on his lips, but she surprised him with her next question. “Would you like your nails painted?”

“What?” His nails? Painted?

“Oo, that would be so pretty!” Misturi gushed, excited by the idea. “We could be twins! Maybe not in color, but through Kocho’s handiwork! She’s really good at painting nails, as you can see!”

Sure enough, Mitsuri’s toenails were impeccable. Despite her earlier squirming, Shinobu’s hand stayed true.

“Sure. Go for it.” Muichiro shrugged, feeling good at the delighted expression Shinobu wore.

“Okay! What color would you like?”

~~~

“Do you think Iguro-san likes me?” Mitsuri asked not too long later- her hair loose and spread out like a fan beneath her.

“Of course he does. The way he looks at you says it all.” Shinobu reassured her, also on her back, her toes painted bright purple. “No one looks at someone with that much adoration for jokes.”

“Ador-what, he really does?” Mitsuri blushed, hands on her cheeks and eyes wide. “He looks at me like that?”

“Like you're the only person in the room.” Muichiro agreed, the third on his back, raising a hand to look at his newly painted nails. After his toes, they did his fingers. He rather liked the teal color Shinobu chose- it was sparkly. “Really- the only person in the world sometimes.”

Misturi made a noise of squealing delight, covering her face as she giggled, kicking her feet. “Oh, I wanna tell him I like him so bad! Maybe I’ll do it one day- I’m just too nervous right now!” She lowered her hands, tilting her head back so she could look at her friends properly. “What about you two? Anyone you guys fancy?”

“Fancy? Look at you, using Tengen-lingo.” Shinobu teased, earning a light tug at her hair. “I don’t have anyone I fancy right now. I’m too busy.”

“What about Tomioka?” Muichiro asked, making them pause. Then they were laughing. “Did I say something funny?”

“Ohohoho honey- Tomioka’s dating Shinazugawa!” Shinobu giggled out, laughing harder at his face of surprise. “You didn’t know that?”

“I thought it was pretty obvious myself- they’re not exactly subtle about it!” Mitsuri nodded in agreement, turning over so she could lay on her belly. “The other day they were trying so hard to make it seem like they arrived separately!”

“Yeah, like we couldn’t see the wrinkled Haori on Tomioka!” Shinobu’s eyes were impish once more. “When he came in the other day, he smelled like Ohage. He tried to claim he got it as a snack.”

“Oh I’m sure he got a snack.” Mitsuri winked, earning a swat from a wide eyed Shinobu.

“Wait- how long have they been dating?” Muichiro asked, curious now. He never really cared for Corp gossip, but he was here and things were getting interesting.

“I’d say about two months now? Though they’ve been pining for each other for way longer.” Shinobu nodded, satisfied with her answer. “Shinazugawa always blushed when Tomioka complimented him, even when he threw a fit after.”

“Such a tsun-tsun.” Mitsuri shook her head in mock disappointment. “And Tomioka-san can be rather clueless about these kinds of things. It’s no wonder they took so long to get together.”

“Tragically so.” Shinobu mock sighed, giggling with her friend.

Tsun-Tsun? Clueless? Muichiro was learning new sides to his fellow Hashira tonight.

“So, Mui…what about you, hon?” Mitsuri smiled, eyes twinkling. “Anyone you fancy?”

At first, Muichiro didn’t know what to say. Did he fancy anyone? Not in the Hashira of course, but…

Sharp eyes. Black hair that flowed to his shoulder. A scar that ran along his nose-

“Ooo, he’s got a crush!” Misturi squealed in delight when Muichiro blushed, eyes widening with shock. Did he? He had a crush? “Who is it? What are they like? Is it someone we know?”

“Now now, Kanroji, give him a second.” Shinobu slowed the other down gently as she turned to him. “Muichiro, have you ever had a crush on anyone before?”

“No. Not really.” He confessed, face burning. It felt weirdly shameful to say it outloud. “Is that a bad thing?”

“Not at all!” Mitsuri jumped in, taking his hand in hers. “Crushes aren’t a mandatory thing; take Kyojuro for example. He’s never had a crush, and from what he’s told me, he’s never had romantic feelings for anyone. That doesn’t make him a bad person, right?”

“Of course not.”

“Exactly. And look at Kanroji-san. She crushes on everyone.” Shinobu smiled at her friend, grinning at her mock jaw drop. “That’s also perfectly valid.”

“Hey! I can’t help it- the world’s full of crushable people.” Mitsuri defended without much fight.

“The point is- when and if you develop a crush is completely up to you. There’s never a lifeframe on when you experience these things.” Shinobu reached out and squeezed his shoulder. “So- now that that’s clear; who’s the lucky person your heart is racing for?”

“I don’t really know his name. I met him while training with Gyomei a few times.” Muichiro looked at his and Mitsuri’s conjoined hands, the feeling of her gently squeezing it comforting. “He’s not really talkative, but the few times we have it’s really…nice.” He blushed, remembering how warm his crush’s voice was. “He has a scar on his nose, if that helps.”

“Genya!” The girls gushed, realization filling their voices.

“I think so…he’s great.” Muichiro smiled softly. Genya. He rather liked that name.

“That’s Shinazugawa’s brother, right?” Mitsuri asked.

“The younger of the two? Absolutely. He helps out here some days.” Shinobu nodded approvingly. “Sometimes I wish he was the Hashira one.”

“Oh, you're terrible, Kocho!”

“Not so- I’m just honest.”

Muichiro giggled in his sleeve, feeling lighter. A crush. He had a crush on Genya. And from the sounds of it, the girls approved. It was really exciting.

“Oi, did you just throw a pillow at me?” Shinobu’s yelp of surprise brought him back to present time. Mitsuri had her own pillow in hand, giggling like a gremlin.

“Oh I did! Come at me, Kocho!” She declared, squealing when the pillow in question smacked her right in the face.

It took less than five seconds before the duel broke out- pillows smacking one another as the girls screamed in laughter. Muichiro originally planned on using his own as defense, but before long he was just as into it as them, smacking whomever was in reach and yelping when he got smacked in return.

Of course- nothing ever stayed on track in fights like this. Mitsuri tossed away her pillow before lunging at Shinobu, knocking her into a pile of soft things. “Kanro-jihihihihihiihhiihihi!” Her cry of surprise turned into laughter as the taller girl attacked her with tickles, fingers flying across her stomach and sides with relentless speed.

“This is what you get, Kocho! Laugh for me-hehehehehehhehe!” Shinobu was quick, her own hands latching onto Mitsuri’s sides and squeezing- making her shriek in mirth. “Kohohohoohochoohohoohohoho!”

Muichiro sat back with amused eyes, giggling behind his pillow as he watched the pair tumble about, limbs flying and squeals spilling past their lips as they went to tickle the other. Whenever he saw Tengen and Rengoku having a tickle fight, he thought it was kinda funny. The girls doing it? It was downright hilarious.

That was, until they turned their sights onto him.

“Get Mui!” Mitsuri cried, tackling him. Shinobu was right beside her.

~~~

That’s where we find our dear Mist Hashira now, squirming and giggling helplessly as twenty fingers attack his torso, going for all his tickle spots.

“Aww, listen to him laugh! Mui, you are so cute!” Mitsuri cooed, giggling along with him as she gently pressed into his ribs, her talents as an older sister shining through each new scratch and prod.

“He’s rather precious, isn’t he? Sweet Tokito-san; I bet Genya would drop dead on the spot hearing you laugh so much!” Shinobu winked, grinning as Muichiro felt his face heat up more. He was starting to regret telling them about that.

“Plehehahhahahahse, stahhahahhap!” Muichiro wheezed, arching with a cackle as Mitsuri slipped her hand under him, clawing lightly at his back. “Nohohohohohot thehehehhere!”

“Aww, does someone have a ticklish back? Kanroji, flip him over!” Shinobu instructed. The taller girl wasted no time, pulling him into her lap as Shinobu shuffled over.

“Tokito-san, what does this say?” She then began her devious torture.

“AH! Ahehaahhahahhahahaha! Kohohoohohochohoohohoo!” A single finger dragged along his spine, writing out letters along his back. Each swipe made his brain fuzzy, breaking his focus. “Iihihiihihi dohoohohhohon’t knoohoohohohow!”

“Wrong! Try again! I’ll go slower this time.” It was worse slow. Even with the fabric of his pajamas in the way, it tickled like crazy. “Let’s start with ‘C’....’U’....”

“C-Cuhuuhuhuuhuhuhute?” He gasped out, earning a cheer.

“Right! And who’s cute, Tokito-san?” She traced the rest of the word, making him arch more.

“Y-Yohoohohohu twoohohohoho?” He guessed, earning more gushing.

“Such a charmer!” Mitsuri giggled.

“Isn’t he? Correct, but not the answer I’m looking for!” Shinobu scratched along the center of his spine, earning a snort. “Who’s cute, Tokito-san?”

“Fihiihhihine, fiihiihihine I’m cuuhuhuhuhuhte!” He gave in, relieved when the tickling finally stopped. Gasping for breath, he rolled gently off of Mitsuri, tucked between them as he tried to recover. “Thahahhaht was evihiihihihil!”

“Thank you.” Shinobu replied, making them laugh.

“You really are a cutie, Muichiro. Never forget that.” Mitsuri ran her hands through his bangs, leaning down to press a gentle kiss on his forehead. Anyone else would have gotten smacked away, but Muichiro found he rather liked the attention he got from the girls.

~~~

“Thanks for inviting me…I appreciate it.” He whispered softly, lying on his futon later that night. After the snacks were finished, more gossip was spilled, and yet another random tickle fight- this time Mitsuri being the one targeted; they were all sprawled out once more, this time with the intention of sleeping.

“Of course, Mui. We didn’t want you to be alone.” Mitsuri reached out and squeezed his hand.

“I would have been fine…” He began, realizing the lie as he spoke it. He wouldn’t have been. Not really. Sure, he’d get over it eventually-but the sting would have remained. Going home alone would have felt isolating.

“Well, I wouldn’t have. Not after what happened.” Shinobu shuffled over so her arm brushed his other side, taking his free hand. “I’m glad you came. Tonight was really fun.”

“It was! We should do this more often. And you can come too, Mui.” Mitsuri nodded, her voice growing sleepier by the minute.

“You're an honorary girl’s night member.” Shinobu agreed.

“Thanks, girls.” Muichiro smiled, pretending the blur in his vision was from sleepiness. He closed his eyes and settled in for a rest.

He was glad to have met the people he’d met.

I hope this was good!

#demon slayer #muichiro tokito #mitsuri kanjori #shinobu kocho #fluff #fluff with a small dash of angst #but like a super tiny pinch #sleepovers #girls night #Shinobu and Mitsuri being besties #mentioned sangiyuu #Mui crushing on Genya #mentioned aro!Rengoku #mostly fluff and sleepover goodness #but there's tickles I promise #this fic kinda went off the rails alittle #we're pushing 3k words here #whoops #tickle fights #tickle

[aquilathefighter]

Aquila's Fic Masterpost!

Here's a quick reference to all of my Dreamling fic!

Writing tag: #aquila writes

Ananke, God of Compulsion | Mature | Incomplete | 11,002 words

Lieutenant Hob Gadling is planning on deserting before his deployment. He has everything planned from faking his death to getting to the US. However, a wrench is thrown into his plan when Captain Morpheus Endeleas asks him to be his assistant for the week leading up to the company’s deployment. Now under close watch by a man Hob thinks despises him, he cannot escape his duty. What will come from a week working closely with Cpt. Endeleas?

Hold Me Closer | Teen | Complete | 26,471 words

Fluffbruary 2023 prompts! Just some soft and happy dreamlings because I can't hit them with a hammer all the time.

Smapril Showers Bring Smutty Flowers | Explicit | Incomplete | 7, 148 words

Smapril 2023 fills, prompts by staroftheendless A variety show of Dreamling smut, in whatever universes come to mind.

Dreamling Bingo Fills

Watching You Dance | Explicit | Complete | 347 words

Hob has a side job as a stripper. He invites Dream to come watch him, knowing that his boyfriend's possessive streak will be activated when he's surrounded by the lustful daydreams of the patrons. 2023 Dreamling Bingo Fill for #DB215 square E5: Stripping Smapril Day 3 Prompts: Possessive | "Come over here."

Earl Grey, or: the Tiny Grey Cat | General Audiences | Complete | 768 words

Dream ends up in Hob's flat a bit before the man actually arrives, and meets a new addition to Hob's living space: a kitten! The King of Cats talks to the young kitten and finds out that children of all kinds are poor keepers of their caregivers' secrets. When Hob arrives, Dream and the kitten are formally introduced and Dream is forced to relax for once in his life. Dreamling Bingo 2023 fill for #DB215 April Monthly Prompt: Adoption replacing Square E4

Ain't Nothin' but Mammals | Explicit | Complete | 1,121 words

Dream arrives at Hob's apartment to say hello, but finds himself aurally assaulted by raunchy music. He learns that this is Hob's chore playlist, finding him dusting in the bedroom. Dream has no interest in doing chores, but does want to do Hob. Thanks, Bloodhound Gang!! Dreamling Bingo 2023 fill for #DB215 Square B2: Bestiality NB: No actual bestiality in this fic, not even discussion of the act. (See notes!)

Swashbuckling Fantasie | Teen | Incomplete | 1,344 words

Boatswain Hob Gadling is a pirate obsessed with a different kind of treasure: stories. He goes looking for fantastical tales at every port and bothers his crewmates daily for them. When he is told of a merman who lives in a dreamlike cove who is the greatest storyteller ever, he has no choice but to seek him out. He meets this mysterious man who transports Hob to a realm of his own, where Hob can seek out new adventures and create a story of his own. But between the adventures and Hob's persistence, this misanthropic merman begins to see humans in a new light, falling deeper and deeper for his pirate. Chapter 1 fulfills the Dreamling Bingo Monthly Prompt "MerMay," replacing #DB215 Square E1: Rape/Non-con!

I just really, desperately want to be your next poor decision | General Audiences | Complete | 210 words

Dream asks why Hob has done everything he has done in the interim since 1889. Hob tells him and makes a (what he deems) subtle love confession. Dreamling Bingo 2023 fill for #DB215 June Monthly Prompt: "Why did you do it?" replacing Square E3: Stargate

Hunger for the Blade | Explicit | Complete | 1,535 words

Hob had thought it would be a good idea to ask Dream to spar during their weekly Dreaming date night. How hard could it be, he’d thought. I have centuries of experience. What he’d forgotten, he’s now learning, is that his lover has millennia of experience. That he contains every single swordsman’s dreams since swords were invented on top of the glut of fictional swordplay. That had been his first mistake. His second was the bet they’d made: the winner gets to have the loser in whatever way they’d like. -- Or, a sparring match turns into a very messy blowjob. Dreamling Bingo 2023 fill for #DB215 Square E2: Knife Play

#aquila's masterposts #dreamling #dreamlingweek #dreamlingweek2023 #aquila writes

[silly-inky]

Have been thinking on writing a Booigi fic, I was prompted by one of those inspirational TikTok's lol, and a bit of my daydreaming. Anyways it's a past lovers story, king Boo remembering bits from when he was alive and Luigi being there, and while he stayed dead, Luigi was well, rencarnated after he passed, thought it would be a cool concept, sort of playing into one of those soulmate au's. Anyways, here is the first snipit that I have so far ( played around with some poetry for the first part, forgive me lol)

You were someone to me a lifetime ago

"I feel like I know you from somewhere in my memories from my days of living, but those memories are sparce and finite. I had tryed desperately to hold onto them, grasping at them, pleading them not to leave my hollow mind. But they would trickle through my fingers. Like cusping your hands to act as a vessell for water so you can drink from it, but the water slowly seeps out, as you try in vein to make it stop. No matter how hard you clutch your hands together, the water will always find a way out, and you will be left with nothing apart from the wet surace on your hands reminding you they once held the water, but the water is now gone.

I know I had memories. and that knowledge torments me. knowing i once held something so precious, and I will never get to know what exactly I lost, and I will never get them back. I don't remember who i was. If i was good, if i was bad, if i was someone too you. I don't even remember my old name. But I think you where there. I can't remember the way you made me feel. But you where there. Who were you too me?

Why does that bother me? you are a curious little human. I can't get you out of my head you cling to the spaces my old memories used to live. it's not fair. other ghosts get too keep their memories if their will is strong enough. So why do we Boo's not get that option? Was I not strong enough? if I wasn't what gives the others a chance. Why are we different." King Boo rambled to himself.

He was staring at the picture of Luigi and E.Gadd on the table on opposite side of the room from him, he was focused on Luigi, he was smiling, hugging the professor, judging from the Poltergust he was wearing, it was probably after his first encounter with King Boo. He looked nice when he smiled.

" That's oddly poetic. But the answer to that is simple really..." E. Gadd said breaking the silence, entering th room, approaching the king in his enclosure

he continued "You are residual energy. energy left over from when you where alive, brought back by large amounts of energy charging your own. you guys are not like the other Spirits that are brought back because they clung to their life, you are brought back to carry on."

" I didn't know you were there." king Boo hissed, anger lacing his voice as he spoke

"Is that truly what you think happens?" he spoke again, questioning E. Gadd's words

" it's still a working theory. But yes, it aligns with my research the most." he spoke out"And i don't think Luigi will be able to answer those questions, if you do think he was someone inyour past life, it was probably a past lire of his as well. Do you think that links to your obsession with him?"

"And why would I tell you that?" king Boo snapped

"This is the longest conversation we've had in years. I'm just suprised your still talking with me, but we've gotten this far. And I think you want an answer to that as well" E. Gadd spoke calmly, showing he isn't scared of the king

"Ghost's have obsessions, that's not strange" king Boo said as he turned his back on the scientist

"And he always gets in the way of my plans, he is my greatest enemy, that's not too outlandish is it?"

"Maybe not, but then Why do you keep luring him back in? chasing after him? why not just get it over and done with? He means something to you, you can't deny that. Someone's enemy wouldn't be so curious how they mattered to them in their past life. He makes you curious. Why not just try talking to him?" E. Gadd said stepping closer to the king

"It's not that simple." The king spat out

" Maybe not. But try it regardless, he's coming over later, try then" E. Gadd replied

" Why is he coming over, you're not performing more tests are you " The king asked hesitantly, turning back around to face the old man

" As tempting as that is, no. He likes to come an visit on the weekends. I think he's worried I'll blow something up again. It's nice having the company, and hemmakes delicious food, you should try it if you get the chance."

he pauses "he is not malicious, if you're willing to talk to him, he won't ignore you." E.Gadd finally said" Yeah, yeah, I hear ya. can you leave now, your giving me a headache" king Boo answered, entertaing the thought

" fine, fine, see you later king Boo" he said as he walked away amused

"Damn kook" king Boo said under his breath

"this isn't going to end well" he said to himself

Here is the post Where the Ao3 fic is linked ★

#super mario #mario bros #luigi nintendo #luigi #luigi super mario #king boo #king boo nintendo #booigi #king boo and luigi #luigis mansion #boouigi #luigi x king boo #king boo fanart #my writing

[deadboyfriendd]

BEGGING you for writing advice please!!! I wish I had chosen differently during my time in university. I didn't realise how much I liked writing until halfway through my degree so I ended up studying a field I'm not passionate about. And I wish we had things like course electives too. It's not really a thing in my country I'm sad to say. The things you've studied sound so interesting. I'm not in a position to enroll in any writing courses at the moment so I've been trying to read more and figure things out on my own and writing fanfic has been part of that journey. I'd love to know more about what you've found to be helpful as you improved your own writing!

Hi!

I think circling back to at least the growth I've seen this year with myself, it to write things that get you excited to get into the mood to write! Write things that you like, even if they're weird and niche and you think they're stupid or don't make any sense! That's how a lot of writers end up producing some of their greatest works!

A lot of my most popular fics (which also happen to be the ones I'm most proud of- just now the numbers worked out ig) are AUs of movies that I liked. I took my favorite scene and rewrote them how I think my characters or myself would have reacted and I imagined myself standing there with a giant microscope and recount what I saw! Stone Gothic was inspired by Red Riding Hood, Stains in the Granite was based off of 50 First Dates, and, as you know, the Cochise Universe is based off of Tombstone with some Yellowstone 1923 and Blood Meridian involved! I have The Science Fiction Double Feature, which is a collection of little blurbs based off of my favorite songs from The Rocky Horror Picture Show. I also have an AU of Cassandra Khaw's The Salt Grows Heavy, which I DON'T expect to do well but boy have I been having fun with it, and an all-new, un-announced Nacho Libre AU that I'm going to write!

I mean seriously, don't take anything too seriously, the world is your oyster!

Once I stopped writing for reads and interaction, I realized that I didn't have to dumb down my language or make a story concise for the purpose of readability. I write because I like writing and I like the story and I like daydreaming of these scenarios. I like putting myself there and manufacturing the things that I see.

I think I have also gotten to a point in my writing where it is now so much more than the characters I'm writing for. At this point, I have devolved so much past the version of Eddie and Steve from stranger things that I have a manufactured my own characters with the same names!

I guess what I'm trying to say here is: let yourself be inspired by the things you like, do the things that get you excited, let your daydreams run wild and write that down, and try to be like the people you admire! I hope this helps, anon, good luck and have fun! I hope you get to explore the things you love!

#flea answers

[yumesthings]

lipstick polychrome | hu tao

synopsis: lipstick polychrome headcanon series- Hu Tao Version

cw: none, pure fluff and kisses

genre: fluff♡

>> Words Count : 856, the longest i think

>> a/n : Hu Tao's one of my favs characters, so if y'all have any suggestion of fics, just tell me ^^

“How about spending the afternoon at my place?” you asked Hu Tao

“Aiya, you always have the greatest ideas y/n! Okay then, I’ll show up around 2pm!”

“Aiya, you always have the greatest ideas y/n! Okay then, I’ll show up around 2pm!”

“Aiya, you always have the greatest ideas y/n! Okay then, I’ll show up around 2pm!”

“Perfect, cyaa!!” you waved at her and came back to your seat.

Mrs Mokke, the Asiantic literature teacher, came across the door:

“Alright students, take your seats, today we are going to meet the yokaïs!”

You took this optional class because it really interested you and you had nothing to do before lunch.

As long as you remembered, Hu Tao had always been your best friend in high school, it was your last year with her and both of you wanted to fully live it.

She was such a show in public but the perfect friend in private. Showing up at school with her old Doc Martens, her coloured hair and her loud presence, she quickly earned her reputation.

Mrs Mokke was a nice teacher; she didn’t wake you up from your daydream even if she noticed that you were thinking of someone instead of paying attention to her class.

A.L.C (Asiatic Literature Class) went by at the speed of light; it was already time for you to come home and wait for Hu Tao to shows up. You didn’t really have any ideas of what to do of the afternoon but you were sure that you’ll find something to try or to discover. You finally heard knocking at the door and your mom shouted from the kitchen:

“Y/n, go at the door, I think it’s for you!”

“Yes mom, coming!” you ran down the stairs, almost falling, to open the front door”

“So, who?” asked your mom

“Who for “who put me in this coffin?” hinted a voice

“And Tao for “let me get out!” I guess” finished your mom

“Absolutely!!” affirmed Hu Tao

“Nice to see you Hu Tao, come on, get yourselves in y/n’s room, I will bring you cookies later.”

The two of you burst out laughing and dashed up the stairs to your room. Your mom finally caught Hu Tao’s sense of humour and was used to welcome her this way:

“Your mom’s so cool y/n!” Hu Tao sat on the bed

“Of course, she is, I’m her daughter remember! Oï, don’t forget to take of your shoes” you ushed at her.

You spent half of the afternoon listening to your records on your old turntable, eating cookies and talking about nothing. You always enjoyed this kind of moment, just chilling with your bestie:

“You know what?!” you suddenly stoop up “We are going to do something very cliché and that we would never do usually!”

“Hm let me guess” Hu Tao sat properly and looked at you with darting eyes “Watch the entirety of Di Caprio’s movies?”

“That would be cool too but not this time, take another guess!” you smiled

“Well, well, well…I don’t know, just tell me already” she lazily lied back on your bed

“Come on Hu Tao, you don’t even try!” she looked at you with doe eyes “Er…okay”

“So, we are going to…”

“To?”

“Do a makeup session!!”

Hu Tao froze, then slowly turn her head to look at you:

“Y/n. You’re not serious right?”

“I perfectly am Hu Tao!! Makeup session, less go bestie!!”

And the two following hours were dedicated to makeup each other. You borrowed your mom’s stuff to experience some things on Hu Tao’s face:

“I never thought I would do this one day” sighed the brown-haired girl, her eyes closed to let you put some eye shadow on. You wanted to make her look like Maeve Wiley or Yugi Amane even if both of them were exact opposite:

“Okay that’s good you can open your eyes now!!” you stepped back to give a look at your work, her sparkling red eyes were now even brighter thanks to the kohl and eye liner you applied. They felt warm to look at, like a wild fire burning in her irises, the power of passion animating these eyes you loved so much:

“Oya? Y/n?? What are you daydreaming about once again?”

“Ah-! Sorry Hu, I was just wondering if I could make you go to school looking like this!”

“Never. You will never do that; on my own life I say it.” You chuckled, of course you could never, she was already stunning enough. You turned around to choose a lipstick:

“Hmm, let me see, which one will suit you the best?” You finally picked a garnet red one:

“This one is perfect! Hu this is the last part of your transformation!!”

You gently took her face in your left hand while the other, lipstick in, went to her mouth and began to slowly apply some. You tried your best to not spill over and ruin the whole makeup. A bit went down her lower lips, you softly erased it.

Hu Tao didn’t budge an eyelash, focused on your own lips. Fleshy and bright pink, she knew you never wore makeup but always liked them this way.

She bent over. You removed your hand from her lips. And Hu Tao took yours in a passionate garnet kiss.

#hu tao #genshin fluff #genshin impact headcanons #genshin impact #hu tao fluff #hu tao x reader #hu tao x gender neutral reader #lipstick polychrome yume #why am i all upside down when its my own fic?;-;

[keepmyeyesonthehorizon]

2022 writing review

My favorite author (screaming crying throwing up) tagged me so I'm doing it. Thank you @starsweredible! You live in my heart.

I haven't posted anything yet but I've done plenty of writing.

1. Number of stories posted to AO3: None. I write in portuguese and I used to post in wattpad, I have 3 works there.

2. Word count posted for the year: also none. I'm trying to finish my works before posting it.

3. Fandoms I wrote for: One Direction

4. Pairings: Harry/Louis and Liam/Zayn

5. Story with the most: does it count if I bring the numbers from wattpad? (I’m sorry)

Kudos:

History: 15

Baby Look What You've Done To Me:9

Bookmarks:

History: 81

Baby Look What You've Done To Me: 151

Comment threads:

History: 30

Baby Look What You've Done To Me: 1

6. Work I’m most proud of (and why): It has to be Aladdin's File, a fic that I've been working on for the past two years. It has so much of myself and it has been my fortress, I keep reading and writing it every time I need to scape life. It's also my biggest work, so I'm really proud of it and it's almost finished, I really don't know how to say goodbye to my baby.

7. Work I’m least proud of (and why): I love all my works, even the ones with flaws and grammar mistakes, I like to see how I'm improving my writing.

8. Share or describe a favorite review you received: My favorite thing is when I write an action scene for Aladdin's File and @skyyneverlookedsoblue says she can see it all. 

10. A scene or character you wrote that surprised you: Niall from Aladdin's File has my whole heart, he's amazing!! Also Harry from Remember To Remember Me, he has so much potential I can't wait to write his scenes!

As for scenes, after Zayn's death in Aladdin's File, all the angst it holds, I get emotional every time I re-read it.

11. A favorite excerpt of your writing: From Aladdin’s File something I wrote today and I’m really proud of

“In those moments he was filled with rage, an uncontrollable fury took over his heart. How could he? That wasn't his Louis, was it? This was the man who, with his bare hands, in cold blood, had ripped his heart from his chest and left him agonizing in pain for days. How could he?

Even so, Harry heard Louis's voice in the accident and he felt so calm, so warm inside.

“The tip of your tongue, the top of your lung is making me crazy.” Harry sang softly and faced again the dance of colors that the reflection of the stained glass made on the floor of the hospital room.

Harry closed his eyes, cleared his throat and shook his head. Louis wouldn't wipe another tear from hia eyes. He didn't deserve it. Louis was never there and never would be. 

When he opened his eyes, a shadow covered the stained glass from the outside, which disappeared as quickly as the bedroom door opened.

“Harry” Louis' voice echoed through the room. “Hazza”

12. How did you grow as a writer this year: I think I’ve managed to write more about my feelings, something really hard for me, and pretty amazing.

13. How do you hope to grow next year: I really want to start writing in inglish and my head is already running with a lot of ideas for it. 

14. Who was your greatest positive influence this year as a writer (could be another writer, beta, cheerleader, etc): my favorite author @starsweredible with her genius mind, I’m never tired of reading her stories. (bad at sex, my favorite fic ever!!!!!!!!!) and the way she always has something good to say about my writing and encourages me to write every single thing that comes to my mind. There’s a lot of things to love about you, Nini! It’s been such a privilege to have you in my life. Thank you for existing. Love you!

 And, my one and only, the most patient human beeing, the one person the listens to every single storie of mine, the ones I’m writing and the ones I’m just daydreaming about. @skyyneverlookedsoblue I love you, baby!! As Harry so greacefully wrote “ There's never been someone who's so perfect for me”. Thank you for putting up with me.

15. Anything from your real life show up in your writing this year: I never realized it, but apparently every Louis I write is a copy of myself.

16. Any new wisdom you can share with other writers: Don’t rush your work. Follow your gutt and if you have to put it aside for a while that’s ok, just don’t rush it. It will be fine.

17. Any projects you’re looking forward to starting (or finishing) in the new year: I think I’ll finally finish Aladdin’s File, I NEED TO KNOW HOW IT ENDS!! And writing for Ao3, in inglish, I think it’s what I’m most exited about.

18. Tag some writers whose answers you’d like to read: I don’t know that many writers so, if you write and you’re reading this, I’m tagging you!

#tagging game #writing game

[kinetic-elaboration]

February 5: Some Writing Thoughts

Writing my Hey Sweetheart fic (on both Saturday AND Sunday) has been easier so far than I worried it would be and I like how it's turning out. I thought that turning these vague daydreams into concrete words on page would be awkward and that I'd get really caught up in trying to match tone of voice and characterization, etc. But so far it's been pretty smooth, actually!

I still have way more ideas than I would ever write, and I haven't really been developing them as, like, actual story concepts. Just little fantasies, which I unspool in my head and don't think too much about. I have started to collect them in a separate list though, just in case. I'm not sure what I'll do with it. Ignore it because it gives me anxiety because it looks like a to do list? Maybe.

Plus I really don't think my characterization is the greatest, like the most diverse, and I'm trying to sort of...not be worried about that, just keep it very light and fun for me.

This isn't me giving up on my other WIPs or the big list or anything. I'm not sure what it is. I've been relying less on lists and more on actually doing stuff this year, in general, which I think is a sign of my slowly improving mental health. With writing, too, I've been just doing: I finished the Time Loop draft, now I'm moving on to Hey Sweetheart... it's still my intention to move to my old Jonty fic next although... who knows, because I think that might be a slog in a way. One might ask why I'm doing slogs, which is a good question, but I think it's that I am still interested in these older ideas, or at least, interested enough. I don't know. It's all hypothetical for a little bit longer and, critically, I do have my drawer fic, which has now topped 10k. I'm at a bit of an awkward spot (and when you're writing for yourself and it's awkward, you know it's really awkward!) but I'm glad I have this big chunk of text to re-read and enjoy.

#the year 2024 #2024: rl #2024: writing thoughts #idk i'm tired and i just want to shower and write and sleep

[ghoste-catte]

I was curious what advice would you give to someone new to writing fics? I've been wanting to get back into it but haven't seriously written something since high school. I hope this isn't an annoying question or anything!

Not an annoying question at all! I'm just a little worried that I won't have terribly good or useful advice. To be honest, I also sort of stopped writing in earnest right as I finished high school, and didn't pick it back up until my late 20s. It's certainly an adjustment! But I think the few things that really helped me get back into writing fic as a hobby and something I spend quite a bit of time on would be:

Write for yourself first, then find your other motivations. My original inspiration in getting back into fic writing was that there just were not that many fics I liked for my favorite pairing, and I wanted more of them, and I especially wanted more with the tropes and characterizations I wanted to see. I think at the very core of anything you need that internal spark that drives you. At the same time, for me at least, if I just relied on my own drive, I would not get much done; I need some external guardrails. So having people send prompts, or writing for particular events, or writing stuff for friends really helps me to get my ass in gear and finish stuff. That may not be the perfect motivator for you, and that's fine! You just gotta figure out what is.

Be open to inspiration. Anything and everything can be spun out into a story with the right tweaking. Obviously stuff like music is a classic inspiration source, but I've also pulled ideas from poetry, from memes, from Reddit threads, from YouTube videos, from rambling conversations on Discord and from real life to make fics out of. So many times, someone will post a silly Twitter screencap, and I'll think, There's a fic in this. And a lot of the time, there is! Research is a wonderful thing, but so is serendipity. If you're out there actively looking for ideas, eventually one that you like will stumble past you.

Find your community. I can genuinely say I never would have finished more than one fic if I didn't have fandom friends to talk to about even stupid headcanons, to bounce ideas off of, and to encourage me (and to encourage them in turn!). Discord has been a godsend, and some of my closest online friends are people I met in the GaaLee discord server. As I've gotten more comfortable as a writer, I've also joined general writing servers and Reddit communities and have found them immensely helpful on both a motivational level (bingos, sprints, owe-me challenges) and on a craft level (plot workshopping and writing ethics and live grammar help). It's a lot easier to think about fic ideas and hash through problem moments when I have a constant stream of fandom-related chatter coming from the little people who live in my phone! Ao3 is an amazing website, and it's great as, well, an archive, but it isn't social media by design. If you want conversation and human connection and cheerleading, you've gotta forge out and find it.

Make it a habit ... If you want to produce anything longer than a couple hundred words, you really have to set aside time for it. And writing is just like knitting or dirt biking or painting little model figurines: the more you do it, the more easily it comes. When I was first getting back into the proper swing of things, I committed myself to 30 minutes of writing per week. Just 30 minutes. I didn't even hit that goal every week, but there were tons of weeks I got on a roll and went over that amount, and by the end of the year I'd written over 200,000 words. I used to spend an hour laboriously tip-tapping out 200 words, but now I can easily blow through 1k in a 50 minute sprint. It's all about training that muscle.

... But don't make it a chore. With fanfic, you aren't doing this as a job, and you aren't ultimately doing it for anyone other than you. That means you can take breaks when you need them, you can set deadlines and then fail to meet them, you can write stuff and then decide to never post it. When you start getting burnt out, when the practice loses the joy and energy, stop. There's no 'hustle' here. In our capitalist society we're so trained to push past our limits and keep going even when it hurts us, but the hobby you do for connection and relaxation and whatever else shouldn't be like that.

Ignore metrics. Sometimes stuff isn't gonna get hits, or kudos, or comments. There are some basic 'rules' as to the stuff that does and doesn't get traction, but every time you post something it's a roll of the dice. If you're focused on watching that kudos counter tick up, you will get bummed out fast. And any writer will tell you that the stuff you think is your best work will never be the stuff that gets the most accolades. So you have to find something else to give you a sense of success. For me, it's watching my wordcount go up in my stats and those occasional comments where someone has a lot to say and that one person who always leaves me a <3 emoji (and, shout out to @egregiousderp, having someone to have long one-on-one conversations with about the stuff that never made it to page).

Don't strive for perfection. It's really easy to want your first ever fic to be a complete showstopper, the best fic fandom has ever seen, hitting all the tropes and the ideas and the characterization that you just know fandom is missing and would be everyone's top favorite if only it was written. This is a trap. No one fic can be all things. Most people who want to write an epic as their very first venture will not see the end of that epic, because they haven't put in the practice hours to make something on that scale work. That's not to say you can't start out with a big, sprawling multichap, just don't expect it to be the greatest thing since sliced bread if you're just starting out, and be okay with abandoning it for greener pastures if you get to that point. Think of the first time someone makes a vase out of clay or bakes a loaf of bread. That's never their best vase or their best bread. If they keep up with it, they'll make more and better vases and loaves. Likewise, your first fic is probably not gonna be your best fic. See it for what it is: your launchpad.

You can't edit an empty page, but you can over-edit a full one. This kind of spins off of #7, but if the words aren't there, you can't fix them. Daydreams and headcanons are fantastic (and god, how many times have I wished for a speech-to-text engine that projected my falling asleep thoughts onto a Google doc for later perusal), but they aren't fic. If you want to write fic, you've gotta get comfortable with the idea of sloppy outlines and rough first drafts. You can't build a house without a frame and you can't build a man without a skeleton (I mean, you can, I guess, but he'd be one floppy man). The nice thing about fic is that it doesn't matter if that frame is structurally unsound or the skeleton has 18 too many bones, you can clean that up in the editing process. But you can't start hanging curtains and arranging furniture in something that doesn't even have walls. That's the process. But! Also know when to set down the editor's pen and say, "Okay, this is good enough for government work", and call it done. ("Done" doesn't have to mean "posted", but it does mean, "I'm done picking at this for now, and I'm gonna go write some more stuff".) Over-editing can make stuff seem laborious and forced, and it prevents you from actually improving. To continue belaboring the house metaphor, you can spend your whole life rearranging furniture in just one room, but the end result of that is a pretty narrow existence and a room with a lot of footprints and tracks in the carpet.

Write shit down. When you have ideas, jot them down--in a notebook, in a Google Doc, in the Notes app of your phone, in pen on the back of your hand. You think you will remember that brilliant line of dialogue or sparkling snippet of narration or genius plot that came to you in a dream, but you Will Not. Write it down. Write it down. Write it down! There have been so many times when a fic was completely saved by past!me having written down my shower thoughts about what happens next in the fic, that present!me had completely forgotten about and was floundering over.

Have fun with it! Try different stuff. Try stupid stuff. Try experimental stuff. Do stuff you've never done before that you aren't sure will work. It's important to get comfortable with your niche (for example, I know I'm never going to be the sort of person who writes intricate plots of intrigue or super long 100k epics or detailed battles), but you can't find that niche unless you explore lots of different niches! Figure out what you love and what you absolutely hate, and then keep doing the stuff you love.

Okay, so that was actually TEN things, but ... I hope you still found this helpful. Feel free to send another ask if any of this was confusing or unclear. Good luck with your fic writing and, if you want, send me a link to what you've written once you've written it! I'd love to read it.

#answered #anonymous #writing advice #i guess? #am i qualified to give this? #no #but im doing it anyway

[creativeashproductions]

Elysium // Luke Patterson

Summary: The boys of Julie and the Phantoms need a hail Mary to dethrone Downslide from opening for Panic! At the Disco. While Willie is done to help his blue eyed crush and his friends there’s one issue: Willie can’t drive the bus. Moving a bench is one thing but driving an entire tour bus?  There’s only one person who can and Willie’s not sure where she is after year of no communication

Warnings: Swearing, angst, talk of death (it’s a ghost show, why is this a warning??), mention of assault, violence, and fluff.

Words: 11.5k

A/N: This is why I haven’t posted much in the last week. I’ve been writing this massive fic that I refused to turn into a series. My god, 11k words. I don’t think I’ll be doing this again. Enjoy and comment if you figured out who Rudy is!

Masterlist

There wasn’t much in the afterlife that you enjoyed after time spent in the limbo between the living and dead. Listening to songs before they were released lost its appeal just as much as dancing on stage with the ballet companies around the world, of being an unseen extra in shows and films being filmed.

Then you found a purpose a couple, well it could be more than a couple, years ago when you found a lost soul. William Young, Willie to his friends, had been sitting on the curb staring at the pavement entirely still as he had for two days.

The time from the last breath you took to walking the streets of Los Angeles was a blur in all honesty. The years bled together as you stayed stationary in a world that kept on spinning and changing, growing up. You had watched your friends hit new milestones you could only daydream about. Friends that graduated college and built new lives on the ashes of memories that included you.

Today’s walk was an attempt to escape your friends’ greying versions standing in front of a once vibrant sculpture. It happened every single year, but this one hurt the most. Listening to your friends recall stories of all the adventures you did together.

From being drunken idiots jumping off cliffs into that one lake the summer of freshman year. Or making a bonfire on the school’s roof with all the entryways blocked, rather stupid with the exits being blocked as well. Sneaking into concerts and stealing that one car that came close to sending you to boarding school.

The rebellion that still lived in you had mellowed in the five individuals with the adult responsibilities of family and work. Martha had removed all piercings but her lobes while Chase quit dying his hair colour. Jordan now had three children and a bought house.

Seeing the group no longer young had made your feet swiftly move from the memorial for a walk. The only thing that stopped you in your tracks was tripping over something in front of you.

“Ouch.” You hissed rolling onto your back with a moan of pain that faded with the sniffles.

Curled into his knees, sitting on the curb was a teenage boy about your age. Long hair curtaining his profile you found your eyes grasping the cracked helmet that spoke for itself abandoned by his side.

“Your kinda a hazard there.” You simply spoke sitting down next to the distraught teenager, “Heads up, I suck at comforting people.”

At his silence, you spoke once more, “I’m digging the tie-dye. Did you do it yourself?”

“This is some kind of stupid coma dream right?” The boy’s voice was husky from crying and disuse, “I’m probably in some kind of hospital with a tube down my throat.”

“I’d say yes, but it would be a blatant lie.” You spoke twirling a loose thread on your jeans while the stranger gazed at a spot on the street.

His dark brown eyes bloodshot as he remembered the car honking mere seconds before he heard the sound of a thud. He recalled struggling to breathe with his broken ribs and his screams being illustrated with bloodstains.

He remembered thinking how he had just bought that board a week ago with his allowance.

“Am I really dead?”

“Yes. We’re are a couple ghosts in a lively city.” You informed him with one handheld in the space between your ethereal forms. The teen hesitantly placed his hand in yours with a firm shake.

“William but call me Willie.” He softly told you, catching sight of the patch on your jean jacket—one of many from both when your grandma owned it and then when you did.

“I’m Y/N. Let’s blow this disappointment. I’m gonna teach you everything you need to know.” Brushing off the invisible dust on your jeans, you held your hand out to him, “We’re about to make the afterlife our bitch.”

A stark contrast to his former hesitance he immediately grasped your hand to tug himself off the curb. The forlorn skater didn’t question the board in your hand or how he could possibly even touch his own board. He didn’t wonder how it wasn’t in pieces like it had been when he first got hit.

That rebellion that ended your life flared again in the presence of your best friend with crashing Justin Bieber’s house. Of rearranging items in classrooms to freak teachers out and sitting in the cars turning the radio on and off. Haunting the living until the friendship fractured under the influence of a powerful ghost.

Caleb Covington had bewitched the skater with promises and extravagant gifts until Willie had taken the offer.

“He’s not like you said he was! I think you should give him a chance!” Willie cried following you around the place you had taken to be home.

“Willie he’s a bad guy! He butters you up until you give him what you want! That’s when you see his true colours. All he wants is your soul to power his magic and spread his reach!”

“I got to talk to my sister!”

“Your sister is five years old! It’s not Covington that gave you the opportunity. She won’t remember the experience as anything other than an invisible friend!”

“There are so many people at the Club that we can talk to. Aren’t you tired of the same routine and people we see?”

Willie’s pleading brought your full attention to the skater avoiding your gaze, “William Young…you took his offer.”

Willie tore his gaze from the art on the wall to find yours blatantly glaring at him with a bucket of random colour in your hand.

“The Club is going to France to tour around the country for a while. I’m dead, so I might as well make the best of it. Besides who gets to skate through the Louvre!” Willie beamed, watching as a small smile, found its way on your face at his excitement, “I’m sure Caleb would let you come to the Club tonight!”

“Willie, you are my best friend, but I’ve already seen the Club. It’s not my style, and I want nothing to do with it.”

That interaction was one of the very few speckled through the years when Caleb discovered who you were. No matter his offers, you never took the deal and when he saw how close you and Willie where he kept the skater busy. The Club didn’t appear in Los Angeles for a long time until Willie’s distance seemed too great to bridge.

“So, you need a way for the slot to be empty?” Willie asked the trio of ghosts all spread around the area.

Unfortunately for Luke, the only person they could get help from was from the very guy that placed them in a predicament. While Alex was the one spearheading the conversation with the long-haired skater Luke was glowering in his direction.

“The Orpheum was the thing we never got to do. We spent hours practising and performing with one goal-“

“Play the Orpheum and get distance from our parents. Well, at the time that streetdog and becoming legendary was my main focus.” Reggie recounted the feeling of suffocating in a house filled with fighting. A home he wished still stood, now dead all he wanted was to see his parents.

“We almost did it too.” Luke pouted relaxing his glare at the skater who openly sent apologetic gazes at Alex’s bandmates.

“So, we need to get rid of the opening band.” Willie nodded to himself, thinking about ways before he caught sight of the abject horror on the band. The skater’s eyebrows raised, “I know I deeply fractured the trust, but I’m not suggesting murder.”

“Okay. Good.” Reggie whistled relaxing his tense posture while Luke grumbled under his breath an insult that in turn got Alex’s arm into the guitarist’s ribs.

“Your best bet would be getting the bus out of LA. The band will probably celebrate the upcoming gig.”

“Could you make the bus disappear?” Alex hesitantly questioned shifting in his now vintage sneakers. The blonde-haired drummer flushed slightly under the endearing smile from the skater. The feelings create a confliction within Alex under Willie’s issue, leading them straight into a madman’s hands.

“I can move a bench, turn sirens on, but a bus is outside my paygrade.” Willie openly admitted showing his hands deep in his pockets, “The only person other than Caleb that has enough power-“

“-is he just as evil?” Luke demanded crossing his arms to glare at the male that had unfortunately caught the interest of Alex.

However, Luke couldn’t blame Alex for falling for this guy because well, Luke saw the teenage ghost’s appeal. Willie was attractive, but he wasn’t the type of person Luke would fall for. Plus he had initially made Alex incredibly happy, and Luke would never blame Alex for that.

“She is as different from Caleb as one can be. She uh…she taught me everything about being a ghost. Actually, found me where I died.” Willie cleared his throat as the guilt and sadness reared its head from deep within him. The guilt of leaving his little sister to grow up without him and the sorrow of not growing up with the girl.

It wasn’t often Willie allowed himself to remember the little girl, barely five when he died, who was always dancing. His little sister adored the colour purple and anything shiny and more than once Willie had let her dress him up. Willie’s greatest regret is that he’d never have that interaction with her. God, she’d be around his age now and in high school.

“Okay, so where is she?” Reggie clapped his hands, bringing the skater out of his thoughts and back into the present.

Luke saw the hesitation in Willie, “There’s a catch, isn’t there?”

“Kinda?” Willie trailed off bouncing on the balls of his feet, “I haven’t seen her in years now. Last time I saw her we fought about the whole joining Caleb thing? I’m not even sure if she’s still in LA.”

“Of fucking course,” Luke grunted shoving both hands in his hair taking a few steps away from the other ghosts.

First, he dies, then he gets caught up in some bullshit revenge plot, then makes a deal with the devil without realizing it, and now their one chance is going up in flames. Luke Patterson was livid with the universe and the shitty hand he had been dealt, but at least he had his friends with him.

“It can’t hurt to look for her?” Reggie innocently offered with a shake of his shoulders, “It’s not like we have any other option.”

“Did we ever even have options?” Luke hissed, causing Willie and Alex each to flinch with the different guilt they carried.

Alex was guilty of going to Willie for help when getting back at Bobby was the biggest thing. Willie was guilty of ignoring his instincts on keeping Alex as far from Caleb as he could be he just wanted to impress the drummer. It’s not like Willie had many options for dating, and well, Alex was the first to get his entire focus.

“Dude. Stop. No one saw it coming.” Reggie bumped his hip against the annoyed guitarist, “Let’s find this ghost and get our shot at playing.”

The quartet of dead guys didn’t have high hopes of finding the girl in question, but it seemed the universe took pity on Luke Patterson. Just two hours into their search on the edges of the city limits an individual was walking.

The person’s stature leaned against a smashed concrete wall of the skeleton of where a building once was. The only thing the group could make out was a faded jean jacket with splotches of colour. Her ankles crossed as her back leaned against the cement, oozed laid back confidence. Coming closer, Luke noticed the sunglasses perched on top of her head and the lips painted dark.

“What do you need Willie? I heard you were looking for me.” The husky voice drew Luke in the most. The lead guitarist of Julie and the Phantoms enamoured with the girl.

“How’d-“Willie’s question was cut off as you simply tapped your right index finger against your temple.

“How do you think you managed to get here?” You inquired pushing off the cement to stride over to the group. To Willie’s surprise, he was tugged into your embrace before swiftly pushed away, “Come on. We should head in before someone catches us.”

In the dark as much as the other three ghosts, Willie dutifully followed you past the pieces of cement littered around the area. Gasps of surprise sounded as the once empty space became filled with buildings. It was not as extravagant as the hotel the Club worked out of, but it was hidden from the living and dead eyes.

“Where did this come from?” Reggie gasped astounded by the people once hidden from his view, moving around the area. 

“This is Elysium. Don’t judge the name I lost the right in a poker game with Susie and Rudy. I’m Y/N.” You informed the group leading them to the gate where two people stood stoically guarding it, “Rudy was hellbent on calling it Valhalla.”

“This is Luke, Reggie and Alex.” Willie gestured to the awed trio of musicians only lingering on the blonde. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to see the attraction between the skater and the blonde; finding a date in the afterlife was a lot harder than the living.

Nodding a greeting to the two ghosts, you lead the group to a building painted a pretty turquoise blue colour. The sign above the double doors a stark white with calligraphy writing simply stating Elysium Management. It was a building set up like an administrative office of three stories, and you led the group right up to the top floor.

“Just a heads up…Rudy is a little suspicious of people.” You admitted standing outside a door with a nameplate the only descriptor, “He’ll come off a little gruff and rude, but when you get passed that he doesn’t shut up.”

“I can hear you through the door dumbass.” The words were called out from the office door opening.

The man standing in the entry wore a crisp white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His honey-brown eyes lit up with a teasing look before it shuttered at the sight of four strangers behind you. Rudy had valid reasons to not fully trust people after the shitshow in his hometown when he was alive.

“And you’ve brought strangers.” Rudy deadpanned with a sigh concluding his sentence as he stepped back into the office. It appeared like the world repositioned itself on the young man’s shoulders once more.

“I should be done within the hour. We can go over everything.” You informed your business partner and friend. Receiving only a nod from Rudy, you closed the door to his office, cutting off the view from your guests.

“He’s..uh.”

“Standoffish? Rudy keeps his past to himself, all he’s ever revealed is that he’s from a town a few hours away.” You spoke, opening the door to your own office decorated differently from Rudy’s more sterile black and white aesthetic.

Your office had splashes of colour with vintage posters of both music and film framed on the walls—a plush couch in the corner with a basket of blankets next to it. Instead of sitting behind the dark desk, you chose the couch instead. As you settled in the corner, you flicked one finger bringing an extra seat over.

The motion shocking the three boys accompanying Willie who had seen the abilities himself.

“Okay so why did you want to search for me?” You questioned the skater leaning back in the seat.

“When did this all happen?” Willie countered gesturing to the office in a building settled in the middle of a ghost town. A literal ghost town.

“There’s an empty lot in LA that used to house an abandoned apartment building that Rudy and I both called home. Of course, it was torn down, and we kinda knew that there’s wasn’t a place that didn’t have the threat of being annihilated at some point.” The memories of those unknown days trickled into your mind among the more positive ones, “We wanted a home. A place to call our own.”

“A week or so later a skittish pixie of a brunette crashed into us full speed. Susie had a certain ability that Caleb desired to have under his thumb. There are so many ghosts he had manipulated into selling him their soul. Rudy and I both wanted to stop Caleb from having that chance for everyone.” You continued, “Can I show you?”

The moon shone through the light clouds as a duo wandered LA’s streets in different mental states. The only home you had known had been unceremoniously ripped down with no future plans in place. Your entire life had been in that apartment in a building you had once thought only you inhabited. You had been unaware that on a separate floor, Rudy had been dwelling.

The two teens in starkly different clothing grew close with each other through the whole being the dead thing they shared. The mission was to find another place too, use but the feeling of home being ripped away tore at their hearts. The apartment was a place Caleb Covington hadn’t been aware of.

Your thoughts threatened to turn darker as a force knocked you onto your bac—aA short brunette groaning in pain to the left of you. The girl was Gwen, who would become very important to both Rudy and you.

I’ve always been a little different than most people. I can move things short distances, but I developed a specific talent. I can get inside people’s minds to plant, remove or alter memories or simply talk and read their thoughts.

The sound of your voice in their heads freaked them out more than they would like to admit. The intrusive tickle of something in their brains unsettling as you made a more present entry so they could feel it.

“What?”

“This is why I can’t be anywhere near Caleb. The whole reason he gives people stamps and takes their souls is because of me.” You fully admitted clasping your fingers in your lap, “He couldn’t cope with the fear of another ghost leaving so added a stipulation to joining his Club.”

“How did you come to create Elysium?” Alex inquired leaning forward in his seat to rest his elbows on his knees. Luke and Reggie followed his posture as the anticipation built.

“Everyone deserves a safe place. A place as far away from Caleb as possible and we do so for free. No fee is required, and ghosts are free to come and go as they please. They are welcome as long as their unfinished business keeps them in this plane.”

It sounded like a sweet deal to the group of teens, but they had other commitments, “You can tell us more, but we need your help.”

The pleading in the messy-haired brunette tore at your heartstrings like the one time Willie brought you to his house. It had been shortly before your friendship fractured, a few years ago. He had brought you to a suburb for low-income families and straight to the backyard where a twelve-year-old year danced.

The dead skater boy and the rebel sat in the patio chair on the tiny porch nestled in the postmark sized backyard. A quintet of pre-pubescent girls danced on the lawn to some bubblegum pop song. The Young girl was submissive to a more confident girl even when the venue was the Young girl’s home.

“The girl to the left is my little sister Kayla. She’s twelve now, it’s been seven years since I died.” Willie’s brown eyes saddened at the dancer who had a spark of maturity in her eyes, “I check in every once in a while. These are Kayla’s friends. The bossy girl is Carrie, and while the band is a group, she is the unofficial leader of the band Carrie’s Constellations.”

 “She looks happy.”

“Kayla’s always been bubbly in personality, but she had questionable friends.” Willie outright admitted keeping his eyes pinned to the girl that had grown up in a blink of an eye. Her dark hair concealed by the gaudy purple wig; the colour assigned to the teenager.

“It’s nice that she still enjoys dance.” Willie finished reaching out to grab your hand in his and just like that Willie transitioned back into carefree, “I found this really cool skatepark I think you’d like.”

“We don’t have a lot of time.” Alex winced as the three musicians flinched as a sudden purple spark of colour lit up their midsections.

Like a tentacle, your mind reached into the quiet raven-haired boy with the leather jacket. Beyond the imagery of docile golden retrievers and steaming plates of food, you found the regret and fear in the boy. Stepping into a recent memory, you watched their experience at the Hollywood Ghost Club.

“You’ve met Caleb.” You sighed roughly pushing your index finger between your brows feeling the familiar ache.

“It was a stupid decision,” Luke spoke up, tearing his focus from the mysterious girl that ultimately had the power in her hands. The entire plan was weighing on the decision you would give, “Either we join his house band, or we don’t exist.”

“Hm.” You spoke as the kaleidoscope of colours in Luke’s eyes glittered under the sterile lights of the room. It was difficult to look away from the enthralling teenage ghost, but the emotion wafting off Willie was concerning.

“They died before they could perform at the Orpheum. We’re banking that getting the opening slot with giving them the push into crossing over.” The long-haired skater leaned closer, “I know we haven’t talked in a while, but I can’t do much.”

“So, you want to pull ’09 incident again?” You completely ignored the trio on the couch staring directly at the sheepish skater with raised eyebrows, “Only this time without the train?”

“Train?” Alex whispered, looking between the two long-time friends with interest and then next thing he knew Alex was in the backseat of a van crushed between Reggie and Luke equally confused.

Chicago, Illinois 2009

William Young and Y/N Y/L/N were complete hellions in the ghost world, creating havoc that fascinated the living population. The recent event being the highjacking of a van filled with drunk teenage boys. These boys had been the sole reason a young girl was recovering in a hospital with life-threatening injuries. The scene changed to a hospital room with Willie and Y/N watching a girl with massive bruising laid.

It had hit both Willie and Y/N hard catching the tail end of the new report, Willie thinking of how that could have been his sister. Even if Kayla was only five years old, having a sister set things more in perspective. For you it was a flashback to when you were alive and thus led you to the ICU room for the girl.

Slipping into her unconscious mind was easy but while the injured teen appeared peaceful to the hospital staff, she was anything but. The poor girl’s mind replayed the traumatic incident over and over like a movie; keeping in the shadows, you gently repainted the portrait with lighter and brighter images. 

For Willie, he watched as you wavered on your ghostly feet and smoothed out the features of the girl. The heart monitor subtly changing as the injured girl relaxed, and suddenly your interference heightened her chances of survival.

“I got it.” You spoke to Willie with a heated glare on your features and when the ghostly musician trio blinked they were back in the van.

Your hands gripped the van’s steering wheel with Willie turned in the passenger seat to watch a group of living boys scream. To the living eyes in the van, no one was in the front seats but whispered words spoke into their minds.

You’re going to go straight to the police and tell them what you did. You’ll hand over the photographic evidence and demand the worst punishment. You’ll leave the girl alone, or we’ll come back to finish our job. You will pay for the hospital bills if the family agrees. 

The boys trembled with the putrid scent of urine permeating the enclosed vehicle. The distant sound of a train echoed in the distance as the van stopped on the tracks. No matter how much the living boys moved the doors refused to open, and the windows remained unbreakable.

“WE promise!” The ringleader cried, slamming his shoulder against the door with the train’s bright lights illuminating the van.

“Let us go!” The other screamed, slamming his bruising hands on the window.

Alex was flinching at each slam of fists on the glass, leaving smears of blood. Knuckles broke from the window. At the very last second, your foot slammed the gas pedal taking the van millimetres from the train screeching on the tracks.

You and Willie stared at the stationary train lit up from the van’s headlights with the rhythmic flashes of the red and blue police lights. The van’s seat arrangement was different with the ringleader in the driver’s seat. 

The three ghost musicians standing unseen behind the duo but in the real world out of the dreamlike memory you knew.

Elysium, Present Day

“Holy fucking shit.” Alex cussed out of breath, leaning back on the couch with shaking limbs and fear in his bloodless veins.

Luke’s eyes blinked owlishly at the boy that he had once thought could never do something as terrifying and torturous. He was afraid to even ask the outcome of the life-threatening incident you did on the assailants.

“That is the reason for the train.” You barely glanced at the shaken trio to stare at who had once been your partner in crime, “Willie, I have responsibilities here. We just opened a new division for the children we house here.”

“It would take a few hours.” Willie pleaded, positioning his hands into a pleading position turning on his charm. The puppy eyes you had always struggled to say no to as if you weren’t the type of person easily capable of staying strong.

“We’ll do anything.” Luke pleaded just as much recalling the countless times he had charmed himself out of situations, “Please help us.”

“I’ll have to make arrangements with Rudy and Susie, but I might be able to pull some strings. I’m really sorry Willie, but I’m gonna need to erase your knowledge of this place. There are too many people depending on this setup.”

Outside the Orpheum

Outside the legendary venue, three out of four band members for Julie and the Phantoms walked up to the marquee. Hopefully, the letters for Downslide would be changed into their band name just under the main act. Everything was riding on Willie and Y/N’s capabilities. Trusting the skater was challenging to do and more so someone they didn’t fully know.

“Look, don’t worry, guys. Willie said he’d get us on that marquee.” Alex soothed his friends on each side of him. All three wearing concerned expressions at the place that hopefully was their last stop before crossing over.

“This is gonna work, right?” Reggie questioned with his hand confidently sliding into the pockets of his black jeans. The relaxed posture a juxtaposition to the anxiety and nerves on his flushed face.

“It has to.” Luke’s lips pursed into a pout with his words tinged with a dialect different from his best friends. The faint souvenir from the place he spent a few years growing up before moving to LA.

Luke’s words were highlighted by the groans of pain as that flash of purple courtesy of Caleb’s death stamp appeared. All three hunched over clutched their chests breathing through the pain; Luke was the first to unfurl his form.

“Whoa!” You gasped flashing underneath the marquee beside Willie. Rushing to give Luke support without even a second thought.

When the aftershock faded, the guitarist stood straight up with a thankful smile that boarded on adoration.

“Are you guys, okay?” Willie asked, keeping back with the swell of guilt that happened, seeing the familiar symptoms of post-shock. He had felt them a time or two in the time he had sold his soul to his unfortunate boss.

“Yeah, it’s nothing we haven’t felt before,” Alex replied, rubbing his hand over the baby blue shirt he had chosen today. His blue eyes doing their best to avoid looking into the puppy-like ones of the skater, “How’d it go?”

“Well, when that opening band wakes up, they’re gonna find their bus 200 miles outside of Vegas.” Willie proudly announcing turning on his heel to show off the Downslide jacket he took from the lead singer. His fist extending to bump yours instinctively before he did so with Luke.

“With no chance of getting back in time.” You snickered in response living on the adrenaline and nostalgia of the rebellion. With Elysium, you had turned around your life, “Meaning-“

“-there’s probably a promoter upstairs right about now freakin’ out.”

 “Nah. This is Hollywood, man.” Willie scoffed with a wave of his hand matching the one you supplied, “I’m sure he’s being very professional.”

As Willie finished his sentence up in the promotor’s office out of earshot of the ghosts stood a very pissed adult. His finger-wagging his finger with teeth clenched, his flushed skin a juxtaposition to the cheery blue Hawaiian style shirt. Frank Wolfe couldn’t believe how stupid his once opening band was.

“What do you mean the bus drove itself into the middle of the desert?” Frank questioned progressively growing more and more frustrated. His assistant Tasha casting concerned looks to her typically collected boss, “BUSES DON’T DRIVE THEMSELVES!”

Tasha flinched at the sudden loud growl of the sentence but more so as Wolfe starting slamming the phone into the cradle. Her fingers halting on her keyboard, going over the list of frequent acts. Unfortunately, the five acts had other commitments causing Tasha to fear tonight. The blonde lady was worried Wolfe could have a breakdown once more.

While Willie snickered to his own words, your eyes, not your mind, could read that Alex wanted to talk to the skater. With only a teasing jab of your elbow in Willie’s ribs you shuffled around the drummer to join Reggie and Luke away from the ‘will they won’t they’ couple.

“So, can you do me a favour?” Luke hesitantly questioned you with his inquisitive eyes a greener colour in the sunlight. His attractive eyes took your full attention with a simple tilt of your head, “Julie’s family means a lot to us, and could you keep an eye on them?”

“And Carlos,” Reggie interjected rocking on his polished pleather boots he had spent ages on finding for his rocker aesthetic back in the ’90s.

“-Julie’s little brother.” Luke supplied at the confusion painted clearly on your pretty features. His green eyes scoured your face as he always did that flushed both his and your faces red.

“Yeah, of course, I can.” You firmly told the two dead boys each standing tense in front of you.

You could easily see the love they held for the living family that had come to mean so much in such a short amount of time. Since first meeting them you had always gotten the feeling that their living years weren’t the best. For Alex, it was living in the ’90s as a young gay teenager during a terrifying time for the LGBTQ+ community. Reggie flinched at the raised voices, and Luke had longingly stared after the happy families milling around the Elysium.

“Did you ever find out what your unfinished business was?” Reggie inquired fixing a strand of his dark hair that had fallen onto his blemish-free skin. Your smile faltered at his question; nonetheless, you answered.

“I did.” The two words carried a sense of pain with them. Your eyes unfocused recalling the euphoric feeling of seeing the breathtaking white light of the peace exuding from the beyond and the agony of denying crossing over.

“How-“

“Hey! Y/N!” Willie called out to the young denim wearing ghost with his beaming grin, “Don’t go stealing buses without me!”

Luke swore he could see your laughter in the air, just as endearing as the smoky quality your voice carried.

“Don’t go glitter bombing criminals.” You returned as your best friend dropped his board to skate off to wherever he was needed. It was bittersweet to reconnect with him knowing that it could be the last time.

When Caleb found out, not an if but a when Willie had a hand in helping his desired band it was high chance Willie would be gone. Caleb was all too powerful, and when he was betrayed, it never ended well.

“I need to get back to Elysium. Susie’s arrival is tonight. Good luck with tonight.” Your words were accompanied by a hug for each of the boys. The one with Luke lingering the most, “I wish you could play for the kids.”

“Yeah. Me too.” The brunette, messy-haired boy’s words carried a hidden desire simply to be in your space more. The teenage ghost helps those in limbo while wearing a jean jacket with patches from many decades. The jacket creating an unknown time you had lived.

“Goodbye, boys.” You told the trio before you poofed away from the busy streets of Hollywood where the band had come full circle in death.

“Are you guys, okay?” Reggie inquired his best friends, forgoing his casual personality for the layers underneath. His blue-green eyes filled with only concern.

Alex and Luke shared a lingering look, “Yeah. We’re okay.”

The dining hall was filled with long tables and chairs populated by the ghostly forms of everyone currently living at Elysium. It was reminiscent of a British book turned film series of youth with magic abilities. The series had been a favourite of a former resident.

“Incredible.” Susie breathed staring at the joyful people having a place to call home. Making the limbo between life and death more bearable.

“We’ve done well. You smiled, wrapping an arm around her waist, “It’s so nice to have you back.”

Elysium was so much more than you could ever hope for. It kept growing and growing with more ghosts. Since the founding of the haven, new developments continuously happened with one resident’s unique ability.

Harvey had joined the haven a year into the founding bringing the ability to gift the residents with the capacity to eat. During his life, Harvey had been a renowned chef and the dream to make food it carried into his death. As long as Harvey cooked the food with his volunteer staff ghosts were able to eat it.

“Harvey has outdone himself again,” Rudy announced his arrival at your side with his arms crossed, displaying his corded muscles. The constellation of moles on his face standing on his pale creamy skin.

“Rudy!” Susie squealed, throwing herself into his arms with the same glee that came each time. Susie and Rudy since their first meeting had a special bond as chosen siblings who bonded over heartache.

Rudy had died, leaving his best friend and his strawberry blonde girlfriend in the living world back in their dark hometown. It was just one tidbit he had revealed throughout your friendship. The only physical connection to his living friends was the three picture on his desk of a group of people.

The first picture had a lean version of Rudy with his arms thrown over a Hispanic boy with a crooked jaw and glimmering brown eyes. The Hispanic boy had his arm around a pretty brunette girl with deep dimples and wavy brown hair. The two boys wore a sports uniform of some kind holding lacrosse sticks.

The second picture had Rudy and the Hispanic teen again but with a beautiful petite strawberry blonde. Along with them was a brunette with blunt chin-length hair and hardened features besides a shorter blonde male with blue eyes.

The last picture was of Rudy with the same Hispanic boy wearing graduation caps and gowns with two beaming adults. The male adult wore a tan shirt adorned with a star on his left pec and dark brown pants. He had to be Rudy’s father with similar features. The woman was of Hispanic descent with laugh lines, and thick dark curly hair pulled into a half do; obviously the Hispanic teen’s mother.

The pain in Rudy’s face each time he saw the pictures closed off a desire to ask him about the people.

“Hello, Susie.” Rudy chuckled, wrapping his arms around her small stature, “How was Europe?”

“Why don’t you ask the five newcomers I found before Caleb?” Susie teased gesturing to the ragtag of new ghosts immersed in conversations.

“Family?”

“A boarding school had a fire. Those five were in the fire when it happened and the only victims out of seven that didn’t cross over.” Susie’s tone faded into a melancholy tone with her small arms wrapping around her middle. Faded brown eyes staring at the younger of the five seeing herself in them.

“That’s terrible.” You whispered, staring at the table with one finger picking the patch of a band from the ’70s, “I can’t imagine how scary that could have been.”

“Yeah.” Susie softly spoke, pushing a strand of her hair off her temple just as equally sad for the way that death had no qualms of how it took.

The youngest ghost in Elysium had been a three-year-old toddler who passed over quickly when he was found by the deceased mother. The two had been separated at death and luckily shared the same unfinished business of finding each other.

“Miss Reynold’s has twelve spirits that finished their business.” Rudy softly informed his two partners. Soft smiles formed on their faces at the happy news of Elysium’s goal being accomplished again.

“May they find everlasting peace and serenity.” Your words intertwined with Susie in perfect sync of the motto coined after the first crossover, “I suppose the Serenity will begin planning?”

“Have the Serenity ever not performed their duty?” Rudy raised one dark eyebrow with a rhetorical question. E/c and faded brown met recalling the countless times Elysium had hosted a celebration for those who found their unfinished business.

“That is-whoa.” You gasped stumbling at the scream echoing in your mind accessorized with the vintage sound of a band.

Calloused hands grasped your shaking form from collapsing onto the ground from a proverbial psionic shove. Agony slammed your brain flickering into an old fashioned club filled with people in both colour or black and white attire. You caught sight of baby pink, deep royal blue and bright red suits. The pained screams of a skater in a dark room overtaking the music in the Club.

“No.” You whispered clenching your hands on your head, feeling the dread building in the pit of your stomach.

The joyful voices in the hall muted while your body flickered with the deep instinct to leave the haven for the one place that utterly terrified you. It was the familiar touch of Susie and Rudy that kept you from finding the one person that meant the world. Willie’s soul was on the cutting board, and Caleb obsession with performing was the only reason Willie still existed.

“Willie.” You whimpered tears rolling down your flushed cheeks, feeling the panic in the skater’s mind.

“Susie help me.” Rudy stonily spoke ushering the distraught girl from the busy hall into an empty room.

Your shaking body finding purchase on the plush sofa with Susie holding one hand in hers and Rudy brushing the sweaty hair from your forehead. It wasn’t often your psionic abilities left you in such a state, but the distance proved difficult.

“Shit.” Rudy grumbled frowning, “This is bad. Y/N, we need to get you to Willie. You’re flickering, and the distance isn’t helping.”

“You want to take one of Elysium’s strongest ghosts straight into Caleb’s domain? You know how much he wants her in his Club.” Susie hissed to the co-founder of the haven they had to take extraordinary measures to protect, “It won’t work! You’re throwing her to the dogs!”

“Susanne I wouldn’t do this if it wasn’t necessary. Besides, we always have a plan.” Rudy retorted narrowing his whiskey eyes at the younger girl, “I’ll take her to get Willie, but you need to stay here to make sure everything runs smooth.”

“Are you sure you can-“Susie cut herself off with a nod as Rudy displayed the reason he could do it, “Okay, yep, you can do it.”

Rudy came back into her vision in his signature position with one eyebrow raised, and his arms crossed. The reason why Elysium worked so well was Rudy’s ability to erase an object from the view of anyone. He could make himself invisible to anyone and in practice, developed it to hide items and location. With his ability, Elysium was permanently hidden to anyone outside of his power. Illusions were his unique ability.

“You aren’t the first person to doubt my capability.” Rudy informed the other ghost reaching one hand out. With his fingers caressing your temple, he snapped his fingers, transporting you and him away from Elysium.

The empty room of Elysium’s dining hall was exchanged for the business streets of Los Angeles, bringing an improvement in your body. Pushing away from Rudy, your eyes frantically scoured the unfamiliar area for any hint of Willie.

“He’s close.” You exclaimed closing your e/c eyes to focus solely on your sixth sense kicking in. Rudy’s gasp snapped your eyes open to see his eyes pinned on your feet where a glowing neon purple smoke wisped.

“What is that?” Rudy demanded crouching to touch it, but it was like nothing was there. His whiskey brown eyes meeting your confused gaze.

“I have no clue, but I feel like I have to follow it.” Robotically your feet started walking following the smoke through the streets.

Rudy was silent as you came upon a park swallowed by the darkness of the night with the moon barely showing through the clouds. The odd purple smoke the only offering of light so far from the path with street lights.

“Of course we have to go through a park.” Rudy grumbled, “Nothing good ever happens in wooded areas at night.”

Lifting your eyes from the smoke, you looked at a deeply unsettled Rudy lost in the past only he knew. His mind recalling traipsing through the forest with his asthmatic best friend in the middle of the night. The last night before the unknown took over his life. Oddly enough dying and returning as a ghost was the most normal with everything that happened with his friends alive.

“You can go ba-“

“We’re not splitting up,” Rudy growled plainly scowling at your hesitant features. Rudy’s slammed the door closed on his past life.

Sensing unease Rudy’s calloused hand reached over to slide into yours in platonic support. You continued your mission, unaware that three certain ghosts in breathtaking suits were searching for you. 

Alex, Reggie, and Luke, affected by the purple jolts, failed to find the one place where their plan B could work. What Julie hadn’t known was that the guys had a plan just in case the Orpheum wasn’t their unfinished business. The three would go to Elysium to accept their fate and ensure Julie believed they crossed over.

With no Elysium in sight, the boys returned to the Molina garage hoping that one thing would go their way: Julie would go straight to bed.

The glow purple smoke trailed through the city park into an older part of Los Angeles before it stopped. Where the smoke stopped was a vast empty space surrounded by trees.

“Well, that’s a little anticlimactic.” You grumbled crossing your arms, “Willie’s somewhere here. Do you think Caleb has an underground lair?”

Rudy cast an unamused expression at you, “From past experience. No, that’s not likely. He probably has an apartment downtown. An underground network of caves in the woods is more shapeshifter style but still not true.”

“One: You’re rambling. Two: What the hell kind of life did you have?” You questioned furrowing your eyebrows at his rather odd piece of information.

“An old one.” Rudy spoke, staring ahead, “Besides, I think we should check out whatever building is hidden from our sight.”

“Hid-“Your mouth halted when Rudy roughly gripped your shoulders to twist you to face the empty space.

“Close your eyes. Trust your senses.” Rudy spoke softly, “Or pay attention to the slab of concrete in the middle of an empty space with well-kempt grass.”

Your palm slammed your forehead with a resounding thump in the night with distance lights from surrounding buildings. Rudy squeezed your shoulders as he stepped to the side once more in turn, closing his eyes.

“Walk in my mind.” Rudy stated for the first time in your friendship, allowing you to look in his mind. Your hesitance was met with another squeeze of comfort in his calloused grip.

Your tired eyes closed as your mind timidly stepped into the rather breathtaking mind of Rudy, who felt guilt the most. While Susie’s mind was like a summer day spent at a lake with brightness and gorgeous field of flowers, Rudy’s mind was different.

It was dark in Rudy’s mind but not as if evil, but as if he had been touched by the darkness and painted permanently. There’s was the odd whisper of childlike laughter intermingled with the full adult laugh of a woman; the laughter overshadowed with the sound of funeral music. You felt the lose near that memory. Rudy’s mind was painful to be in and drowning in the feelings he had.

Your breath caught seeing a door you assumed was of his childhood room with a name you couldn’t pronounce for the life of you.

“My parents named me after my mom’s dad.” Rudy spoke through his mind with a soft smile on his face, “I couldn’t say it, so I called myself Mischief. I stopped using it when my mom died, and I went by a shortened version of my last name.”

Your eyes watched as the door disappeared, and the reason you were in his mind came back to the forefront. Your eyes watched the image forming of a vintage hotel rippling in the air before it solidified. The size reminded you of a castle, and it felt like you were storming it.

Without any more mental interaction, you stepped out of Rudy’s mind back into the real world. The very same hotel in plain sight to both Rudy and your surprised elation.

 “Honestly didn’t think that would work.” Rudy breathlessly laughed, staring at the hotel once hidden to them. A dark comparison to Elysium.

“How do we play this, Rudy?” You inquired looking over at him, “This is very different from stealing cars and scaring teens.”

“Easy. We blend in.” Rudy responded, holding one hand out to grasp yours in which you noticed your attire had changed, “Perks of illusion? I can alter our own perception of ourselves.”

“Oh, wow. That looks expensive.” You replied, staring at the diamond bracelet on your wrist matching the necklace you wore.

Rudy’s attire had changed from his normal button-up with the sleeves rolled to be layered under a charcoal grey vest and jacket. Sleek matching pants to his coat and the dark black-tie matching the elegant black dress you wore. He had taken pity on your footwear to fit your ability to walk and for the fancy place.

He even had diamond cufflinks that matched you, but the wedding rings on your fingers took you aback. Your widened eyes staring at him.

“Tonight we’re Mr and Mrs Martin,” Rudy spoke choking on the last name he gave as it was the upscale name toppled from his lips.

“Okay. This is a test of our abilities.”

“This is if our plan A of being invisible doesn’t work. The one thing we know for sure is that Caleb has never seen either one of us.” Rudy soothed your nerves with a half-smile,” Let’s get Willie out.”

Your arm slipped into the crook of his to walk to the front door, “I feel like a spy. I feel like that Naomi Roma-“

“It’s Natasha Romanoff. Have you ever seen one of the marvel movies?” Rudy demanded walking up the entrance with a pained smile, “You’re like my best friend and when he wouldn’t watch Star Wars! Never caught one of my references!”

“Okay! Sorry, we can watch the movies when this over.” You grumbled as your heels clicked in the foyer of the hotel. The inside made you feel like you were sent back in time to the roaring ’20s.

“Oh damn, this is nice,” Rudy whispered, staring at the chandelier in the extravagant lobby of the last place you wanted to be.

While on the outside the two ghosts appeared cool, calm and collected they were anything but. Both a wreck inside from the perilous errand they had done that could very well be the ending of Elysium. Rudy nudged you to begin finding Willie with your mind, but you didn’t need to.

That same glowing mist was on the ground pulling you in the direction of a dark hall away from the route to the Club. Rudy kept his eye out, a characteristic carried into the afterlife from his time with the FBI, as you followed the mist. The hall continued to get more and more dark as the walk continued.

 Finally at the end was a blood-red door.

 “I swear to god if he kills his Club members, I’ll lose it.” You hissed to your arm candy, “What if he’s really H. H. Holmes disguised as a former magician? His door is blood red!”

“Have you been using your serial killer colouring book again?” Rudy demanded stuttering his steps to place his whiskey brown eyes on you. The sheepish expression on your face was enough of a response to gain the look of disbelief could have sent you into hysterics had the time not been too serious.

With a grin belying the situation, you twisted your wrist to open the door to hopefully where Willie was being held.

“What a cliché. He’s keeping Willie in the basement?”

“Will you shut up!” Rudy hissed right back with a clenched jaw entering the somewhat unfinished basement. It was cold even to your dead standards where the cold didn’t bother that much.

At the bottom in front of a desk with only a small lamp as illumination sat a vacant-eyed Willie painstakingly detailing a fabric. The lush purple velvet fabric was bougie, to say the least, and rather outlandish for the skater.

“Willie.” You softly coaxed the teen to glance up from the fabric you found to be something Caleb would wear. Willie’s brown eyes barely met yours before they returned to the sewing needle in his hand and the tiny beads in the bowl.

“Caleb is actually forcing him to be his personal seamstress?” Rudy scoffed,d stepping right up by your side to look at the work.

Both trying unsuccessfully to coaxed Willie out of the stupor he was engaged in the sudden poofing wasn’t heard.

“Mrs. Young taught both Willie and Kayla how to sew. She’s quite the seamstress, reminds me of my old one.” Caleb wistfully responded with a smarmy smile on his face, “Well if it isn’t little Y/N and whoever she brought. Nice threads.”

“Let him go.”

Caleb’s index finger caressed the corner of his mouth so gently to ensure the stage makeup didn’t budge. His clear ocean blue eyes turning thunderstorm navy as his lips parted in such a bone-chilling sinister grin.

“Let him go? He tried to take my new house band from me. He thinks that those boys not crossing over is his punishment. I think that adorable but so very wrong.” Caleb shrugged, dragging his finger down the bicep of his puppet.

“What can we do to- “

“You see after he’s done fixing the tuxedo jacket I’m going to tie him up on the table and slowly strip away his soul piece by piece. No, Willie won’t get the quick and easy zap erasing him. I’ll personally see it’s the most painful thing he experiences and I’ll do so happily.”

“Willie! Wake up!” Rudy shouted, shaking the skater’s shoulder frantically with his focus never entirely leaving the mad man. The whiskey brown eyes panicking at the odd displaced feeling of reliving his living life.

“That won’t work.” Caleb chuckled crossing his arms, “It’s rather amusing you think you can beat me. I’m Caleb Covington! I’m persuasive enough for hundred of memberships to financially benefit the Club.”

“And I’m Y/N Y/L/N bitch.” You snarled viciously throwing your mind into the nefarious narcissistic mind of the washed-up magician. 

Caleb Convington had started to bore his audience with the same tricks at every previous show. The lack of interest depleting the attendance numbers and severely hurting the financials. So Caleb decided to broaden his talent by copying the likes of Harry Houdini.

He had a knack for both the dramatics and swindling his audience to be tricked by the illusions he created. The heightened popularity increased Caleb’s thirst for status and fame, so he overestimated himself.

Surrounded by adoring fans and journalists, Caleb had his assistant lock him in a safe with no key, to the audience’s knowledge, and push the safe into the river. Unfortunately from the infamous magician and escape artist the safe warped due to the material it as made out of. Caleb Covington died drowning in a safe at the bottom of the river.

You flinched feeling the emotion at the time Caleb had died and the feeling of disappointment at not leaving a legacy. Your continued your trek in the struggling mind of a man who viewed himself as invincible. You caught glimpses of a young Caleb with his family and the moments of tragedy that shaped him.

You saw his first taste of power in death and the content since the first time he erased a ghost from existence. It sickened you more as you reached the point where Willie came into Caleb’s path.

I’m unique, Caleb. Unlike you with the illusions and empty promises, I have real power that you could only dream of. Hearing your thoughts and planting my own words is just the tip of the iceberg.

Caleb screamed in response holding his aching head as you cruelly ripped every memory of Willie from his mind. The screams echoed not only in the basement but through the hotel the Club worked out of.

“Stop!” Caleb pleaded, shaking his head back and forth. The anguish was un-fazing to both the lucid people in the room. Rudy too busy trying to wake your best friend from the trance he had been placed in.

“I can alter memories. Remove them and even plant memories of my own design. You may take from people, but I give to people. I refused to give you anything.” You circled the man seeing double from outside and inside his mind.

I’m everything you wish you could be.

Your last action in his mind was searing a burn that flashed across his entire body from a nerve stroked. With the heat equivalent to magma in his veins, you burrowed to where Caleb controlled the souls. With a smear of your fingers, Willie’s soul was released from Caleb clutches.

“C’mon. Get Willie.” You told Rudy sending Caleb into an empty trance as if he was no more than a wax figure. Rudy eased the skater up from the desk while you exchanged Caleb to sit on the chair holding the needle, “We need to leave. I’ll get rid of any speck of Willie in memories.”

“I didn’t even get to punch the guy.” Rudy pouted, dragging his feet up the stairs away from the magician.

“That’s a good thing. I’m sure Caleb would be more pissed about his nose being damaged than losing Willie.” You scoffed helping the man urge Willie to walk up the stairs and then down the hallway to the entrance.

As you walked you brushed the minds of every individual in the building, all members in attendance, you gently removed all traces of Willie. By the time you reached the edge of the park, you had relaxed.

“We should get him to Alex, they didn’t crossover. I can still feel their imprint.”

“He’d be safer at Elysium to lay low.” Rudy replied, keeping on eye on the skater and on anyone he could see.

With only a nod, you ushered the ghost to teleport both the skater and himself back to the safe walls of Elysium. As he did so, you reached out with your mind to the blonde-haired sweet male in adoration with your best friend.

Clicking his place was easy enough for your draining power after the taxing bond with Willie’s absent presence. Instead of walking as you would generally choose you poofed on the cement pad in the backyard of a home. The surrounding skirt of the backyard encased with plants and flowers.

“Hello?” You called out in the darkness. The soft, mumbled words had your feet moving in the direction.

Standing in a circle mesmerized at the purple tattoos lifting off their skin was the boys of Julie and the Phantoms. The teenage beautiful Puerto Rican girl stood across from Luke with Reggie and Alex on each side.

“Alex?” You called out to the boy wearing a baby pink vintage tuxedo that complimented his skin and hair exquisitely. The outfit definitely screamed that Caleb had something to do with it, especially with the missing fanny pack.

“Y/N?” Luke gasped turning to see you in incredibly fancy attire matching his gorgeous blue suit modified to having no sleeves. The anticipation of eating at you to find Reggie rocking a red suit with butterflies on the fabric.

“I’m sorry you didn’t crossover.” Your words soothed the sad teenagers that had accepted their fate only to have no control again. An introduction was brought between you and Julie when the living girl elbowed Alex.

“Not that we mind but what are you doing here? How did you get here, and why are you dressed up?” Luke inquired, pushing his hands into his suit pockets, engrossed with your gorgeous appearance.

“Well when you crash a fancy Club with a narcissistic founder…any means to blend in is necessary.” You responded, “As for your second question.”

Your finger tapped your temple before continuing to speak, “I’m here because Alex deserves to know. You all do.”

The boy in baby pink frantically stepped forward, “What happened?”

“Maybe it’s best, I just show you?” Your brows furrowed to your own question accompanied by your lower lip being bitten by your teeth. The red lipstick not budging as it was an illusion as well.

“Hu-“Reggie grunted as he spiralled with his two dead bandmates into the scene that had sent you on your determined mission.

The rough action of being drawn into your memories as jarring as the first time and just as scary. The maniacal magician pacing the dark basement simply to heighten his dramatic speech. Alex’s heart clenched at the vacant look in the skater’s eyes with the faintest tinge of purple in the gorgeous brown.

“I feel like I got carsick.” Reggie moaned leaning over to clutch his midsection once you released the ghostly trio. Reggie would often gain a look of disbelief and horror from the blonde drummer, but his entire brain was centred on Willie.

“Rudy took Willie back to Elysium where he’ll be safe. If you want, you can join us.” The words were offered to both the dead and living currently in the room.

Opting out, Julie retired to her bedroom to calm down from the rush of performing at the Orpheum of all places. Besides she felt like going to Elysium was best for the three boys, and maybe they would move there. Julie would miss them, but she knew they’d always come back.

Susie was quick to hug you tightly as you stepped through the gates with the dead members of Julie’s band. The boys changed out of the tuxedos they had dropped off at a donation centre, Reggie had wanted to burn them. After living on the streets for a short while, Luke understood the need for clothing, so the clothing was taken to shelters.

“I’m so glad you’re okay. Rudy told me you overexerted yourself again.” Susie spoke with a deeply furrowed brow oblivious to the puppy dog look from the bassist in red flannel.

“If I didn’t, Willie would be gone.”

“You’re pale yet flushed cheeks. I can see you have a fever. You need to rest.”

“I need to soothe Willie out of the trance that psychotic prick put him in.” You scoffed shaking Susie’s hand off your shoulder to sidestep her, “I’ll rest when he’s fine.”

“I-“

“At least gab something from the cafeteria for energy.” Susie’s brown eyes dimmed at your typical brush off. The same routine of overusing your powers and not recharging correctly, “He’s in Cottage A!”

The boys were on your heels as you power-walked through the streets of the ghost city with one location in mind. The living streets with homes of all style and colours appeared passed the bakery, the school and the clothing stores.

“You can eat?” Reggie whispered as a little ghost girl licked an ice cream cone walked by.

“Harvey adored cooking for people when he living, so he continued in death. Harvey can make food for ghosts, and so can his staff if they work in his kitchen. His pastry chef provides baked goods to Flora’s Bakery and makes the best ice cream.”

 “Oh my god.” Reggie practically squealed wholly flabbergasted by the almost perfect place you created, “How do you pay for things?”

“We don’t. What Harvey doesn’t grow in his garden, he can make ingredients out of thin air. We all have some kind of job we do. Everyone has a role in fulfilling to keep Elysium running.” You simply spoke keeping your eyes on the cottage with the robin’s egg blue door.

As if he knew Rudy flung the door open elated to see you standing there. Both of you still wearing the illusioned attire. IN milliseconds he wiped the illusion away, returning you back into your street clothes.

“How is he?”

“No change.” Rudy replied, following your steps in the living room. The skater was staring blankly at the wall.

“Willie!” Alex cried, rushing over to kneel beside the boy that had so swiftly stolen his heart without him realizing. The emotion in his word didn’t get a microscopic flinch from the formerly so-called enemy.

“Everyone be quiet.” You demanded forcibly staring each person in the room down for a mere second. With the desired silence continued, you ignored the headache forming in your head to step into the skater’s mind.

William Young was screaming to be released by the prison of his own mind Caleb had forced him into. He had felt the restriction on his soul lifted and the mist of purple leaving his brain, but he was still stuck.

He could barely breathe with the weight on his chest. Willie didn’t like feeling stuck in one place as he was a wanderer at heart. It was a reason why he had joined the Hollywood Ghost Club with the promise of travel.

Willie come back

In his mind, the sound of your voice firstly grounded the young man as a mirage of your form flickered. Your eyes screamed worry while the smile was one of relief.

Caleb can’t hurt you anymore. Come home.

The spectators watching see your flinching wavering expression and the tensing of Willie’s facial muscles. Everyone sat on the edge of their seat as the two pairs eyes opened in synch of the yells of hurt.

What they didn’t expect was your eyes to roll into the back of your skull and you to collapse onto the floor.

“Y/N!” Willie cried, stumbling off the couch onto the cold floor where your body lay prone, “Wake up!”

It seemed everyone forgot the little detail of being dead.

 “She’s fine.” Rudy remarked, shaking your arm with such gentle care matching the four guys’ care in the room.

Your eyelids fluttered open under the bright lights of the unused cottage still waiting for an owner.

“Susie was right.” You grumbled allowing Willie to help you sit up against the blue velvet couch. Your mussed hair adorable in the eyes of the guitarist utterly enamoured with everything about you.

“She usually is.” Rudy mused, thinking of the many times she had proven everyone wrong, “She punched me for not bringing you home.”

“Gotta love her.” You snorted turning to face the four ghosts awkwardly gazing around the room. It was barren of personality with the lack of inhabitants. The yearning quickly found in the boys’ eyes, “You know this isn’t the only cottage in need of people.”

“What do-“

“You’re welcome to live here. I know you three live in that studio, but here you can have a real bed. You can eat and having your own place. You can come and go as you please.” You offered without looking, Rudy.

“I don’-“

“If you don’t want to live here, it’s okay, but the option is always there. Willie, we make plans for a skatepark-“

“Oh, you had me from the start.” Willie beamed tugging you into his arms, “I missed this. I missed you.”

 “Me too.” You murmured into his warm embrace equally relaxed at knowing he was safe again. Your eyes clashing with the soft blue had Ideas songwriting already filled with lyrics of a pretty girl wearing a jean jacket with patches.

The lyrics turned into songs both in the studio and the cottage that Luke, Reggie and Alex accepted in Elysium. It had been a spirited discussion with Julie on moving to Elysium, but the boys were always there when she wasn’t in school. Often Elysium hosted a concert for the residents with the visitation of Julie.

Your reciprocated attraction with the messy-haired hazel-eyed guitarist flourished into a serious relationship. Luke took on the role of teaching how to play the guitar and songwriting. Alex took of mediation while Reggie worked with Harvey.

Willie quickly took on designing the skatepark he taught at while also taking a position at the ghost school.

“Morning.” The soft whisper roused your sleep into the golden glow of the morning light and chirping birds.

The growling aspect of his voice coming from only just waking up. The sight of Luke’s bleary eyes was heartwarming.

 A year into moving into Elysium, Luke had asked if you’d like to move in as he was the only one in the original house. Alex had moved into the little cottage with Willie three months into the relationship while Reggie was going back and forth between Susie’s room and his own place.

“Morning.” You hummed leaning forward to kiss his cheek.

“You know I thought my life ended when I died. That I could never find someone and have a family. That I couldn’t share my music with the world. I was wrong.” Luke murmured as he cupped your cheek in his hand, “The band is growing more and more each day. I found the love of my life, and we have a family with everyone. I haven’t felt like I had had home for so long, but I get it now. You’re my home. I love you.”

Your cheeks warmed up at the adoration Luke displayed in his expressive hazel green gaze just as it had since day one. The awe fell from his lips before you pressed a kiss to his lips, only one of the many in the eons to come.

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#luke patterson imagines #luke patterson x reader #julie and the phantoms imagines #luke patterson x y/n #julie and the phantoms #luke patterson #alex mercer x willie #jatp fanfic #jatp luke #charlie gillespie imagines #sunset curve #jatp au #caitsy and ash productions

[misslilli]

Thank you guys, for your encouragement 😌 and thank you so much @today-in-fic for getting this wee fic out there :)

Felix Felicis

MSR. AU. PG-13. | tagging @today-in-fic | read on AO3

Chapter 19 - Enjoy The Good Times While They Last

[ DS ]

On the morning after the party, I’m awoken by the tickle of sunlight on my face and a chilly ocean breeze through the partly open doors. I keep my eyes closed and stretch languidly, the memories from last night putting a smile on my face. What a night! This morning, I feel lighter than air, high on endorphins and him. The one whose touch lights my skin on fire. The one whose presence makes me stumble over my words. The one whose smile has a blush creeping up my cheeks. The one whose voice sends a tingle up my spine right into my brain, the neurons misfiring. The one in whose arms I felt so safe, so protected. The one who makes cleaning up a dirty kitchen seem like the most enjoyable activity on the planet.

I’ll keep my eyes closed for only a minute longer, blocking out the reality I know will come rushing back in when I open them. The past. The hurt. The scary. But for now, for a few moments, none of it matters and I let myself fall for him, in the darkness behind my closed eyes and the cozy confines of my bedsheets.

----------

[ In the kitchen of the beach house ]

“Operation: Bullwinkle is going really well, don’t you think?” Sarah looks immensely pleased with herself, stretching out her arms over her head.

“Who would’ve guessed that it would be the little Moose who’s our very best wingman, getting her out on the dancefloor where she could be whisked away by his dad! And then gets her to stay way past the duration of the party. The look on Moose’s face when he saw them, I wish I could’ve snapped a picture!” Holly sighs at the memory.

“Okay next up, Halloween. What are we goi-“ Alex is interrupted by a sharp “Shh, Squirrel!” from Sarah and they turn their heads in unison towards their friend coming downstairs to join them for breakfast.

“Wow, look who’s walking on sunshine!”

They haven’t seen a smile so big on their friend’s face for far too long now and once she sits down, Sarah starts the questioning.

“So Smiley Miley, care to tell us what happened last night?” Dana only smirks around a bite of her bagel.

“No.”

“Oh come on, D, don’t make me beg! I’m dying to know what happened between you waking up alone with the handsome stranger and sneaking into the house in the middle of the night!”

“It was a good night, that’s all I’m going to say.”

Sarah gasps. “Did you sleep with him??”

“What? No!”

“Then why in the world are you being so secretive about it?”

Their friend rests her chin in her hand with a dreamy smile on her face. “I love you guys but I don’t want you to dissect it to what it all means and taint my memory. I just want to remember how it was. I want to remember how it all was!”

----------

[ FM ]

The morning after the party, Sam and I gather around the kitchen table for breakfast. Felix is still fast asleep so it gives my sister and I some alone time to recap the events of the previous evening. Sam never beats around the bush and gets right to the point.

“Bro, I really like that girl of yours.” I smile wistfully at that and touch my hand to my cheek;  I really do too. “The way you guys looked on the dance floor was breathtaking, let me tell you. It’s a pretty perfect match, don’t you think?”

“Sam, I feel like I’ve looked for someone like her for all my life. She makes me so nervous, I stumble over my words and say and do stupid shit, I called her Snoozy for crying out loud.” Sam laughs at my pained expression and pats my arm.

“You really don’t know your head from your ass when you’re in love, do you?. So, what happened afterwards? Did you talk to her again? Did you ask her out like I told you to?” She looks at me imploringly on her last statement.

“Yes and no. Yes we did talk, she fell asleep with Felix on the couch reading about butterflies and when she woke up, we cleaned up the kitchen together.” A reproachful look from my sister.

“You made her clean up the kitchen with you? Are you insane?”

“Hey, she insisted! And I didn’t want her to go just yet. We had such a good time, laughing and bantering back and forth, flirty stuff. And then, there was a moment…” Sam gasps.

“There was a moment?”

“Yeah… the perfect moment where we just stared at each other and I wanted to kiss her so bad, Sam, but…”

“Oh God there’s a but…”

“But then Felix came downstairs for a glass of water and the moment was gone.” She groans in frustration.

“I love that kid but damn he’s got bad timing!”

“I’ll say. So then I walked her to the door and I was so dazed from that almost-kiss, I couldn’t think of anything to say to make her stay. So no, I didn’t ask her out. She kissed my cheek before she left and that almost made me keel over…”

“I gotta say, bro, I’ve never seen you talk about anyone like that before and I’m really happy for you! Now, ask her out damn it!”

“If I can string two coherent words together the next time I see her, I’ll try!”

My sister nods and at that moment, Felix comes padding down the stairs in his dinosaur pajamas, rubbing his eyes. He crawls into Sam’s lap, stealing a piece of her waffle.

“Good morning, handsome! Did you have a good time yesterday?”

“Yeah auntie Sam, I did, it was awesome! Did you see how I danced?”

“I did, you did pretty well!” At that, he grins widely. “Too bad your dad cut in, huh? Did you watch them dance, too? It was pretty amazing, I think”

“Meh… it was okay, at least you didn’t step on her toes, dad! Did you see all the gifts people got us? Can we go open them now?”

“Breakfast first, gifts later, son!”

We clear the table before heading to the living room where we put the gifts yesterday, opening them one after another, Felix beside himself with glee.

One of the last gift bags is the one from the four teachers and I’ve been wondering all night what they got us. Felix pulls out both presents, handing the one with a neatly written “Fox” over to me. There’s a card for both of us as well and in a loopy handwriting, it reads:

Felix,

We know how much you enjoy reading, so we hope you’ll enjoy your gift and we’re looking forward to all the interesting thing’s you’ll be able to tell us at recess soon!

A big hug and a very happy birthday

Miss Scully, Miss Anderson, Miss Spencer and Miss Carter

“I know what’s in there!,” Felix exclaims and rips the paper off to reveal the very heavy “Oxford History of Ancient Egypt”. He gasps excitedly, gripping the book tight. “Oh my God, I love it! I’m gonna go read it right now so I know all the facts on Monday!”

I open my own card with shaky hands, very aware of Sam’s eyes on me. In the same loopy script, this one says:

Mr. Mulder,

As a fellow magician’s son, it is absolutely essential for Felix to hear the amazing stories of the greatest wizard of our times. It makes a wonderful good-night story and we hope you and your son will enjoy it as much as we did!

Happiest of birthdays

Dana, Sarah, Holly and Alexandra

My finger traces the twists and turns of the D in her signature thoughtfully and with a smile I imagine her sitting at her desk, writing our cards, a scowl of concentration on her face. Sam interrupts my daydreaming: “So?  What is it? Open it!”

I oblige and pull out an elaborately designed copy of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”. It’s the collector’s edition with beautiful pictures almost on every page.

It’s the perfect gift. Because it’s from her. For me.

#xf #the x files #xf fanfic #msr #felix felicis

[curiosity-killed]

bitter fruit & thorns

Attempting to restart my daily writing habit by doing lil angsty warmups

Words: 1102 Warnings: Violence, implied torture Fun fact of the fic: The branches are Chinese quince (which is kind of a stupid name given multiple varieties of quince grow in China but w/e) which have v pretty flowers

If he squinted or leaned his head back a little, it almost looked like flowers beneath his feet. Ragged-edged and clumped together, they patterned the wood in flecks of red like wildflowers bursting into life from the splintering old floorboards, and Xie Lian couldn’t help a small smile at the thought. It had been months since he last saw flowers, winter frost creeping over all the fragile stems and snapping them off at the head. Really, this little hut was the warmest he’s been in weeks.

The door creaked, scraping across the floor where it sagged on its hinges, and footsteps thudded against the floor. Blinking a little to clear his vision, Xie Lian pulled his gaze from the flowers blooming in his own blood and fixed a polite smile on his lips. “Hello,” he said. The three men huddled close together as they approached, two of them lagging a step behind the first. If Xie Lian put his mind to it, he could probably break the ropes tying him in place and only have to take out the leader before the other two crumpled. They kept looking to the first man with wary little looks, as if afraid to even take a step with the wrong foot. The leader, on the other hand, paused directly before Xie Lian. His expression was completely blank as he tilted his head, gaze dropping slowly down Xie Lian’s face as if to catalogue the bruises and cuts across his face. “I’m sorry, I don’t have much to offer you,” Xie Lian started. A hand snapped out, knuckles colliding with the open cut across his cheek. Blood sprayed from his lips, joining the other red petals painting the floor. “I know who you are, Taizi Dianxia,” the man sneered. His apathy pulled back to reveal a cruel snarl, and Xie Lian swallowed before recomposing himself. Behind them, one of the men rubbed his fingers against his palm as if to chafe away the cold, and the other hunkered a little more into his cloak. It was chilly in here, if Xie Lian thought about it. Warmer than any snowbank or frozen alley, but their breath condensed into white fog when they exhaled. “Did you think we picked up some beggar just for fun?” the leader asked. Drawing in a careful breath, Xie Lian tried to keep his voice even and soothing. “This one apologizes,” he said. “I am no longer a prince or god. There are some buns in my bag and a—” “Shut up about your fucking buns,” one of the men behind the leader snapped. “We don’t want your shitty old food.” Xie Lian closed his mouth slowly, gaze flickering between the three of them. Although their clothes were worn and clearly a bit old, they didn’t seem so down on their luck as some. Certainly not so much so that they’d try to steal from a trash collector, a banished god with nothing to offer. Behind his back, his hands tightened and shifted in the rope tying them. They’d been cleverer than some, tying his hands separately and winding the rope around his waist so he could hardly move them. “You know, my mother said that our family was one of the wealthiest in Xianle before it fell,” the leader said, lifting his chin. “She was one of the greatest beauties, had a chance at being a concubine to the crown prince.” Even when he was only a spoiled child, Xie Lian didn’t have much of a memory for all the women paraded before him as potential concubines. His mother had handled most of it while he daydreamed of sword fights and grand adventures. Now, those faces were a blur, ground under the heel of the decades as they passed. “But you didn’t think she was good enough,” the leader said, leaning close to Xie Lian’s face. “Not for the Prince Who Pleased the Gods. So my mother was forced to take her chances in the war and plague, and she had to settle for a man who was willing to marry her with no dowry or family or anything to her name.” Xie Lian’s stomach twisted like he’d eaten poison, clenching up and making his throat grow tight. He swallowed, but it didn’t ease the knot working its way up his throat. “My mother died before she had a chance to grow old,” the man hissed, low, “and then today, what do I see? The same little prince who thought himself so much better than her, just as fresh-faced as any white lotus. Aren’t you just so lucky, Dianxia?” Over the years, Xie Lian had grown to hate that title, but a particularly bitter breed of shame crawled out of his stomach and burrowed into his chest now. How many times over the years had he pitied himself, wept or railed against his own misfortune? Always so selfish, so pathetic. He didn’t carry the scars of the human face disease because he was already a murderer, a killer not just of enemy soldiers on the battlefield but of every single citizen of Xianle, of every believer he’d ever had up to the very last one. “You,” the leader said, turning back over his shoulder toward the men behind him. It wouldn’t have been so hard to use the temporary distraction as an opportunity. The ropes were taut, but Xie Lian could still move enough to crack their skulls together and disorient the leader. He held still and waited. “Come here, hold his mouth open.” Xie Lian blinked, frowning slightly at the instruction. Poison was an arduous experience, but it didn’t provide much visual interest. At most, he’d writhe and throw up on himself. Perhaps that would be enough to satisfy them...? It seemed unlikely. One of the men moved around the leader to stand behind Xie Lian. He dug his hand into Xie Lian’s cheeks, prying open his jaw, and used the other to hold his head still. The third man stepped forward, and in his hands was not a vial or a blade but a bundle of branches. Snow still dusted their small leaves, frost curling delicately over scarlet blooms and slender thorns. “For the Flower-Crowned Martial God,” the one holding the branches said, sketching a mocking bow. The man behind Xie Lian held his jaw still, fingertips biting into the meat of the joint, as Xie Lian tried to pull away. At his feeble struggle, the leader smiled coolly and reached for the first of the thorny branches. “You understand,” he said, “it’s only my duty as a filial son.”

#my writing #tgcf #xie lian #angst #whump #i guess #i may someday be persuaded to like #put these on ao3 #but that's a lot of effort to tag for a y'know #1k fic i wrote in one shot and don't have strong feelings abt #curio minitober prompts