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magics-neptunes-things · 5 months

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Christmas Market

Hi guys :)

We continue our Christmas series, and here is Ingrid Engen!

I think I will write for Lucy Bronze and Laia Aleixandri for the next ones, but if you want someone else please let me know!

Enjoy :)

TW : None

Christmas has always been a time you love, ever since you were little. Your parents always made sure to make things big, forcing your uncle to dress up as Santa Claus when you were little. Your house was always decorated from the end of November and there is not a tradition that was forgotten. You perfectly remember leaving cookies for Santa, carrots for his reindeer. You loved spending time decorating your house and make gingerbread house with your grandma and siblings and you could spend whole afternoons making chocolates and cookies.

This probably explains why your Barcelona apartment is currently decorated with special attention. You have an impressive collection of Christmas sweaters and much of your cellar is filled with boxes for Christmas decoration.

Luckily, your girlfriend doesn’t seem to be bothered by any of this. She even offered to help you hang string lights on your windows, generously put her extra centimeter to use. And when you timidly mentioned the idea of wearing matching Christmas sweaters, she kindly assured you that she thought it was adorable.

Adorable is the word you would use to describe Ingrid at this very moment. Her Norwegian origins don’t seem to make her fear the cold and her casual air differs from the tense other faces because of the cold around you.

Over time, you know the locations of Barcelona’s various Christmas markets by heart, but you go there every year to each of them. Several times. You go there sometimes alone, sometimes with your friends, but today it's to Ingrid that you proposed to accompany you. She agreed, of course.

You don’t know if it’s because of your hats and big jackets, but people don’t seem to recognize you today. What suits you very well, you can enjoy peacefully with your girlfriend. Playing both for the FC Barcelona team, it is sometimes difficult to gather in the crowd but not tonight.

You can move slowly from one stand to another, taking your time to study all the different items that are offered to you. You were delighted to find handmade jewelry that you can offer to different members of your family as Christmas gifts. Ingrid, for her part, has found a new painting to decorate her apartment.

Since it’s Christmas, you allow yourself a brezel and a hot chocolate, making a deviation from the diet that you usually follow to the letter. To be able to enjoy all this quietly, you find yourself a table a little behind the crowd. Unlike your girlfriend, you had to put on gloves to fight the cold, but you’re happy to see that it doesn’t bother you tonight.

Lost in the contemplation of the Christmas' automatons that are next to you, Ingrid is forced to put her hand on yours to attract your attention. You give her an apology smile and come closer to her to put your head on her shoulder, making her smile. You are both accomplices, of course. Sometimes you just need to exchange a single look to understand each other, intriguing your teammates. But that doesn’t stop you from spending long hours discussing everything and nothing, from deep confidences to more superficial conversations.

"I have something to ask you" Ingrid said slowly after a few seconds.

You realize at this moment that she mechanically plays with the empty cup of her hot chocolate, giving you the impression that she is concerned.

"What is it?" you ask with curiosity, sitting straight.

But Ingrid finds herself again playing with her glass, frowning. Smiling, you give her a light shoulder stroke before putting a kiss on her cheek.

"Why do you seem so nervous? It’s just me Baby"

"I know" she just says before she sighs "I was thinking, if you don’t mind, after Christmas and the holidays, once the practice starts again, could you, like, come live with me? Or maybe I can come to live with you? Well, that we live together. What do you think?"

Over the words, Ingrid’s tone got faster but also lower, forcing you to lean in her direction to be sure to hear things correctly.

"I want us to live together?"

"Yes? No? I don’t know, maybe it’s stupid. Forget what I just…"

A smile on your lips, you put a finger on your girlfriend’s. She immediately shut up, looking at you with slightly wide eyes.

"You need to stop now. And breath."

Ingrid obeys and you look at her a few seconds before answering her, not wishing to torture her more than necessary.

"I’d love to live with you, Ingrid" you say, taking your finger off.

"Really?"

"Really"

The smile you love so much appears on your girlfriend’s face and you see her hesitate a few seconds. Ingrid is affectionate with you in public, but aside from the couple photos you sometimes post on social media, it’s rare for the general public to see you kiss.

So you wait to see what will be his decision and you smile tenderly when you feel her lips settle tenderly on yours.

"Jeg elsker deg." (I love you)

You smile again and take advantage of your proximity to fondle her cheek tenderly.

"I love you"

Ingrid then kisses your cheek and you let yourself go against her when she runs her arm around your waist. Your head on her shoulder, you look at the street a few seconds before rising suddenly, worrying Ingrid.

"Wait… I will be allowed to decorate the apartment at Christmas right?"

#woso x reader #woso imagine #ingrid engen x reader #ingrid engen #ingrid engen imagine

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bedoballoons · 6 months

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Hii! My b-day was on 8 of oct but I had to celebrate it today (2 weeks later). I threw a party, and invited 9 people, yet nobody showed up. Not even my closest friends. So, I would like to request if possible a hc with yandere Venti, Xiao and Ganyu and reader threw a party yet nobody showed up. If u cant do the request dw, I perfectly understand. Have a nice day and ty for reading my request!

Awwe I'm so sorry to hear that, I can only imagine how heartbreaking that was. Usually I don't write requests right after I get them (I go from oldest to newest.), but I wanted to get this out for you while it was still your birthday.

I hope it makes the day a little better! Happy belated birthday as well!! 🎁🎂🎈🎉🎊❤️

─⊰⁠⊹ฺ🎉𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕟 ℍ𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕔𝕒𝕟𝕠𝕟𝕤⊰⁠⊹ฺ🎉

{༻~Happy birthday~༺}

CW: Yandere themes, slightly angsty with fluff at the end!

P.s. I haven't written Ganyu before so I hope she's not to ooc!

(Includes: Venti, Xiao, and Ganyu!)

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

𑁍༄Venti:

You sighed quietly, watching as droopy streamers started fall from their places and brightly coloured balloons deflated by the second, even the cake looked depressed. It was your birthday and no one even bothered to show up..."What a great day to have been born..."

"Oh ho ho, someone has such a frown! Perhaps I can aid you in turning it upside down!" You perked up slightly upon hearing Ventis familiar happy go lucky voice, maybe no one else had shown up...but he had and you couldn't be more thankful, "Venti! You made it...thank you!" He chuckled sweetly, pleased beyond belief that he could make the most beautiful person in the world smile, "Of course I made it! It's your birthday and I want it to be a very happy one! Speaking of which, it's not much because...ehe I'm not the best with mora but..."

Your cheeks blushed a pink tint as the bard held out a small gift for you,...the first one you'd open. "You really didn't have to you know..."

"Of course I did! What kind of person doesn't bring a gift to someone's birthday, especially when that someone is as amazing as you!"

You bit your bottom lip, feeling slightly flustered as you opened the box...lifting up the lid to reveal a quill pen and ink, along with what seemed to be a small handmade notebook. The feather of the pen was what caught you eye as it was a bright sky blue decorated with small jewels of your favourite colours, "It's goregous Venti..."

"I figured together we could write fun memories in it and then one day after its full, I can use it to write songs for us both about our favourite moments."

𑁍༄Xiao:

"Are you...alright?"

That question seemed to sting more than it normally did, not only because the answer was a painful one...but because it was being asked on a day that should have made you happy...one that should have been all about you, if only people had actually showed up. "I'm...as alright as I can be. At least your here, I think if you hadn't appeared, I truly would have had to of celebrated all alone."

"Normally...I don't show up for birthdays, I find them crowded and feel that you should celebrate ones birth everyday, but your birthday is a special one. Someone as wonderful as you... deserves to be celebrated. I...even got you you a gift...though it may not be anything you enjoy."

You smiled slightly, watching as Xiao sat down beside you...setting a messily wrapped gift in your lap, "Xiao...I am going to love whatever you may give me, because it's from you."

His heart raced in his chest and as you began to open his gift he silently prayed to the geo archon you'd like what he got you, he'd spent hours choosing it.

You gasped, shocked to bouquet of Qinxing wrapped in adepti sigils, each of them were beautiful and smelled of the mountain tops..you couldn't even begin to imagine how long it took him to gather them all, "Xiao I-"

"The sigils will make it so they never wilt, they will always remain how they look right now...a symbol..of how I feel for you. A love that will never cease."

𑁍༄Ganyu:

Ganyu pulled you close, resting her head on top of yours while she hummed a lullaby and rubbed your back, hoping she could at least ease the pain you were feeling. Not even in her wildest dreams could she imagine how anyone wouldn't want to attend your birthday, she thought of you as the most amazing person to ever exist...a star roaming amongst a sea of darkness and a day to celebrate you to her...was something incredibly special.

"I'm so sorry no one else made it...perhaps they all got caught up with work or other things and just couldn't get out of it?"

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

"Ganyu...I highly doubt everyone just somehow got busy on my birthday...thank you for trying though. I'm sad I didn't get to have alot of people, but having you here, it's enough to make my birthday perfect." Your words left her speechless, she loved you more than she could truly handle and hearing that she could still make your day perfect after all that had happened...

"I have a gift for you, I thought long and hard about it, made sure it was absolutely perfect for you." She moved away from you just long enough to retrieve the gift, it was wrapped in a pale blue paper and scented like flowers, you hadn't even opened it yet and you could see how much effort she'd put into it, "Awwe Ganyu this is to much, you didn't have to.."

"Oh but I did...please open it, I think you'll love it."

You smiled at her, carefully peeling back the wrapping paper and opening the box just enough to see what was inside. "Oh my gosh...it's a plushy and it's handmade, Ganyu did you-"

"In between shifts I learned the pattern for you and made sure it was sewn the absolute best I could. I've never made anything like it before and I was worried I wouldn't finish it in time...but I wanted you to have something that showed my determination and attention to what you like. I also figured it could help you sleep."

ଘ(੭*ˊᵕˋ)੭* ੈ♡‧₊˚*⁠.⁠✧Happy birthday~

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lizzieislife94x · 4 months

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Special Guest (e.o)

Requested ❤️

LizziexFem Reader

GirlxGirl

Legal age gap Lizzie is her normal age y/n is just say 22-23 This has bully reference incase anyone is effected.

This is over 2.5k words I apologise if it makes no sense I was just typing and typing lmao and I'm hungover so you can't hold it against me if it sucks😂

Y/ns POV:

"OK class we have a special guest arriving after lunch to help with bullying in schools so best behaviour" I hear the teacher yell I slouch and avoid eye contact with anyone I've been dealing with a few bullies recently mostly shoving and saying mean things I just don't understand why I let out a sigh keeping myself to myself as I feel a piece of paper hit my head I look down and open it "just drop out already no-one wants you here" don't let them get to you y/n I put my head down and pull my sleeves over my hands after 30 minutes the teacher leaves oh god please come back I can't help but think, it's the only time they don't bother me as much is when the teacher is here "y/n your such a freak leave just drop out" Sarah the popular girl says as she shoves my shoulder while her 3 friends surround me "can we not do this today why are you acting like a child just leave me alone please I don't bother you guys I keep to myself I've never said anything mean to you" I whisper as they laugh "you being here is bother me it's bothering us" she smirks I sniff and lower myself in my seat as the teacher and special speaker walk in but I don't realise neither do the popular girls "go back home freak go back to home schooling" she goes to lift her hand to hit me as we hear the teacher yelling "Sarah, Gail, Sophie, Danni" we all freeze I wait for my name to be shouted but it doesn't come "what do you 4 think your doing!! My office after class what did I say bulling is not tolerated here' I feel a tear leave my eye as I look up as I freeze instantly, is that Elizabeth fucking Olsen my mouth falls open in shock as I can't help but stare at her she's looking back at me with a concerned look.

Lizzies POV:

"No thank you for having me professor I'm looking forward to meeting the students and make them listen to me rant about the effects of bullying its a topic close to my heart" I say as we stand outside thedoor "are you ready miss olsen" she says with a smile as I nod and we walk in I take a second to look about and notice a crowd of girls I don't really pay attention until the professor starts yelling names I thought they where just messing about because the teacher was gone but this looks more serious I study the situation and see a young girl who quiet frankly looks scared I keep staring at her trying to work out if she's OK when she meets my eyes her eyes go wide and mouth falls open making me giggle a little I smile and wave at her making her shy away and give a slight wave back throughout my speech I keep making eye contact with the young woman who was being harassed by the group of girls she's drop dead gorgeous I can't help but steal glances once I'm done I walk over to the professor "hey the young woman that was being harassed by the girls can you ask her to stay behind so I can chat to her please" I whisper into the teachers ear as she smiles and nods "ok of course miss olsen ill tell her to stay behind while I go deal with the other girls" I smile as she walks away towards the young woman and watch her look at her with sympathy as she kneels to speech to her I sit against the desk my eyes never leaving her I have this urge to protect her and I don't even know her I've never spoke to her but something in me is screaming protect her.

Y/ns POV:

I can't wait to get home and climb into bed and shut the world off I hate this place I start to gather my books as I go to put them in my bag I'm stopped by the professor kneeling infront of me with a look of sympathy "y/n I'm so sorry for the way they acted that should never have happened ill make sure they don't do it again and they receive some form of punishment, I'm going to go deal with them now but miss olsen would like a word with you so could you stay behind please" she says in a quiet tone I look at her confused "oh uh yeah sure of course" she smiles and stands up and leaves the classroom I look down and see Elizabeth leaning against the desk I'm still shook she's here but now she wants to speak to me what is happening I get up and walk down towards her as she beams me bright smile reaching her hand out "hey I'm Elizabeth but you can call me lizzie, what's your name" I look down and pull my jumper over my hands nervously as I avoid her eye contact "I'm y/n its a pleasure to meet you lizzie I'm a big fan" she holds onto my hand longer than needed and I know she's still staring I can feel her eyes on me "its amazing to meet you y/n so what happened today you don't have to say if you don't want to but I want to help" I rub the back of my neck as I sniff "they just pick on me sometimes because I've never been to a real school I was always home schooled till last year when I wanted to come to college" she steps closer and puts her hands on my shoulders rubbing gently "give me your phone I'm putting alot of trust into you right now" she says as I look at her confused handing my phone she gives it back a minute later "i gave you my number I want you to text me or call me later I'm trusting you to keep this number to yourself" I nod and look at her "I won't give it to anyone I promise" I say with a whisper "ok well ill look forward to it y/n" I say goodbye and walk out to my car completely confused as to what just happened I look at her contact name and smile a little when I see a heart next to her name I decide to text so she has my number

Me: Hey its y/n I just thought I'd text so you have my number thank you for taking a little time to chat to me it made me feel a little better so thank you Elizabeth.

I put my phone down and drive home the drive home is a quick one after 10 minutes I pull up to my apartment and notice a message I unlock my phone and smile at her name on the screen why am I smiling she's just a nice person who doesn't want to see someone being brought down by others

Lizzie♥️: Omg hey y/n I'm so glad you text I wasn't sure if you would or not I hope your OK and I'm always here to talk hope you got home safe

I think for a second before replying

Me: I got home safe thank you I hope you get home safely I honestly wasn't sure about texting I don't wanna be a burden to you..but I appreciate you lizzie thank you

Lizzie♥️: Don't be silly your not a burden text me your address we're going a long walk so we can chat about anything your comfortable with, see you soon 😉

I look at my phone smiling like an idiot and text her my address.

2 weeks later

'I'm almost there put the popcorn out please' I laugh and shake my head "ok ok see you In a minute " I hang up lizzie has been almost glued to me for the last 2 weeks I've told her alot that's bothered me she's been amazing I don't even know why she wants to spend time with me but I swear my crush on her has doubled I'm snapped put of my thoughts with her bursting through the door "hey sexy lady" she says as she throws herself on the couch grabbing the remote control picking a movie as I walk over with popcorn "umm excuse me miss but do you think this is your house" I say with faked sass "actually yes" she says with the most adorable smile I throw a bit of popcorn at her as laugh as I sit beside her and she moves closer to cuddle up to me "please don't pick a horror lizzie you know I can't watch them ill spend the full time with my face hidden on you and you'll have to stay the night there's no way I'm staying alone if you pick a horror" I say with a pout she wiggles her eyebrows "to late honeypie" I groan as she plays the movie.

Almost half way through the movie I'm practically wrapped around her with my head hiding in her neck as she gently tickels my back I'm not sure if she's aware she's doing it but her hand slide up my t-shirt 20 minutes ago and It feels nice and comforting so I'm not going to tell her to stop "is it done yet" I whisper against her neck as she continues to run her fingers up and down my back "almost babe should be done in 5 minutes or so" I nod and sure enough five minutes later she turns family guy on "there all done"I stay where I am enjoying our bodies pressed together and my face against her neck "ok" I whisper not making an attempt at moving she laughs and rests her hand half way up my back "you can get up now the movie is done" her hands drop my waist almost on my ass "don't want to I'm comfortable" I smile against her neck as she laughs "I have no problem with this position y/n so stay like that as long as you want" I move my lower body and stop as my eyes go wide as I realise I practically grinded on her and her sharp breath in tells me she had the same realisation I go to move off but she holds me in place making my pull away to look at her "you have no idea how hard it is for me to be around you and keep my cool I wanna do everything and be everything for you I look forward to things like this because we get so close .." I cut her off mid sentence smashing my lips against hers once air becomes an issue I sit up looking into her eyes biting my lip "I feel the same lizzie" I say as I lean my head against her head 'take me to bed please " I say biting my lip as i move to kiss her neck surprised when I hear her moaning before I know it she's gripping my ass walking to the bedroom as I such and bite on her neck making sure I leave marks she throws me onto the bed falling on top of me as she kisses my neck "clothes you're wearing to many"

I say moaning earning a groan from the blonde under me she stands up and starts to shred her clothes I follow her lead till we're both butt naked staring at one another I can't help but feel my arousal pool at the sight of her I finally look at her eyes and notice them dark with lust I lean back and smirk feeling a little confident "make me yours" she falls to her knees and pushes my legs open instantly moaning at the sight of my dripping cunt I lean my head back and moan as she attacks my clit with no mercy she's sucking like I'm her last meal I can't help but let out loud moans the thought I have this affect on her turning me on more "yes yes fuck me yes lizzie right there!!!!" I scream as she adds 2 fingers inside my tight cunt thrusting as she sucks my clit Igrip the sheets so hard my knuckles turn white I go to moan as she curls her fingers at the right spot hitting my gspot my mouth falls open as a silent scream leaves my body I feel the sensation run through my body I didn't mean to cum so fast "you could have warned me you where a squirter" she says with a giggle as she sits ontop of me biting her lip I look up breathing heavy my chest rising and falling fast "I.. I'm.. not..I never knew...I was" I pant out with a huge smile she leans down and kisses me passionately after a few seconds she opens my legs and positions her cunt onto mine making me look at her and moan "oh honey you didn't think I was done with you did you? I wanna hear more of those pretty sounds you make for me" She says with a smirk as my eyes roll she starts to grind her hips making our clits rub together perfectly both of us moaning 'fa...faster baby" I whimper as my nails scratch her thigh as she fucks me harder and faster she keeps her pace up for a few minutes before they become sloppy "so close baby....babygirl" she moans gripping onto my hand "me to...mommy please cum for me" I scream my words not even registering as she picks up her speed both of us screaming and panting sweat dripping from our bodies "right there right there right there" she screams as she cums all over my pussy sending my second orgasm crashing over me "yes yes fu....ck oh f..fu..ck" I pant as she collapses ontop of me both of us not moving for a few minutes until we regain our breath "that was amazing baby" she says rolling off me rubbing my cheek making me blush "yeah it was you're perfect lizzie" I say blushing like a fool we climb into bed and cuddle both our naked body's pressed against eachother she kisses my head as she whispers "goodnight beautiful " I whisper goodnight and fall asleep in her arms.

AN: this is long and might not make sense I'm super tired and hungover I had an amazing night last night the wedding was beautiful it was such a long day but so worth it, apologies for this chapter haha but I will start posting again and making them some what decent haha I hope you enjoy this feedback welcome and honestly comments would help distract from this hangover feeling � (its been just over a year since i wrote this originally!! my friends have been married over a year thats crazy!)

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cirilla-fiona-riannon · 10 months

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Translations may not always capture the exact nuances or tone of the original text. Please support Cybird by buying their stories. Expect grammatical errors.

Paddington Station's platform was bustling with many people today.

Amidst the crowd, Ellis and I were walking toward the train's entrance.

Ellis: "Kate, isn't that luggage heavy? Do you want me to carry it?"

Kate: "Thanks, but I can handle it myself."

Ellis: "I see."

(Huh? Did I make him feel a little sad?)

(Oh, right.)

Kate: "Since we have time before boarding the train, let's get something to eat."

Kate: "It'd really help if you could carry it for me."

Ellis: "Sure, of course."

We weren't just going on a trip. Today, our mission was to gather information about a smuggling organization in York, away from London.

(Initially, I was supposed to go on this mission with Harrison, but...)

This morning, I was informed that Harrison would go on a different mission with William, and Ellis would take his place.

Ellis: "Ah, Kate. They're selling some delicious-looking bread over there."

He spotted a stall selling bread and quickly informed me.

Kate: "Come to think of it, you like baguettes, right?"

Ellis: "You remembered what I like. I'm so happy."

Kate: "Of course. Whoa, there are so many options. What should I choose?"

Ellis: "Fufu."

Kate: "Hm?"

Ellis: "Seeing you having fun makes me happy too."

Ellis: “Since it’s fun, maybe I should buy a lot.”

Kate: “Hey, that’s not fair! I want to buy a lot, too.”

We boarded the train and eagerly spread the freshly bought bread on our laps.

The rich aroma of the bread tickled my nose, and my heart danced to the scenery passing by the window.

(Come to think of it, it’s been a while since we went on a trip like this.)

In my slightly relaxed state, I heard Ellis’ voice.

Ellis: “Kate, is the bread delicious?”

Kate: “Yes, very! How about yours, Ellis?”

Ellis: “Mine is delicious too. Your suggestion was spot on.”

Ellis: “Good thing I asked Victor and Jude to let me go on this mission.”

Kate: “Huh?”

Ellis: “Jude agreed to cover for me but gave me extra work starting tomorrow.”

Kate: “Why did you insist on accompanying me on this mission?”

Ellis: “Because there’s something I want to confirm.”

Kate: “Something you want to confirm?”

Ellis: “Tell me, Kate. Between Harry and me, who makes you happier?”

His sudden question caught me off guard, and my eyes widened in surprise.

Kate: “Um, why are you bringing up Harrison’s name now?”

Ellis: “Because you spend a lot of time with him.”

As he pointed out, I had been spending a lot of time with Harrison after becoming a fairy tale writer.

(It’s true that I rely on Harrison, but...)

Not knowing how to answer, I heard Ellis’s calm voice.

Ellis: “No matter whom you choose, I’ll make you happy.”

Ellis: “If being with Harry makes you happier, I’ll support you.”

Ellis: “If being with me makes you happier, I’ll be with you forever. That’s why…”

(Huh?)

I suddenly noticed that he was no longer sitting across from me, but right next to me.

Ellis: “Take the day to think about it. Then tell me later which one between me and Harry makes you happier.”

He always treated me with excessive kindness, like a lover would.

He was so caring and kind and gave me many sweet emotions, but it was never because I’m special. It was because he was kind to everyone.

(Maybe even this question is just another part of his kindness.)

It was like asking whether I prefer lemon or sugar in my tea, a question with a playful undertone.

Kate: “Fufu, I understand. I’ll think about it while I’m here with you.”

Ellis: “Okay. I’ll do my best to make you happy.”

Kate: “And I’ll do my best not to hold you back.”

Ellis: “Kate, you’re not good with scary things, right?”

Kate: “Hey, are you teasing me just now?”

Ellis: “Fufu, busted. Oh, you have something on your lip.”

He brushed the bread stuck to my lip, then licked it off his fingers.

I was momentarily surprised by the gesture, but he smiled at me.

Ellis: “Is this what they call an unrequited love?”

Kate: “I won’t say.”

Ellis: “Fufu, is that so?”

Amidst being swayed by his excessive kindness, the train arrived at York.

Ellis: “Looks like we’ve arrived. Shall we go, Kate?”

(Wow!)

Unlike the familiar London, York had a slight countryside atmosphere.

The flow of time was gentle, the scenery was refreshing, and just standing here was making me excited.

Ellis: “I’m glad.”

Kate: “----?”

Ellis: “You look so happy, Kate.”

(I’m having fun even though we’re on a mission.)

The information that reached the Crown was about the presence of a smuggling organization in this city.

These smugglers secretly import illegal drugs from India and sell them in various countries, lining their pockets in the process.

Our mission was to investigate the three locations suspected as their bases and identify their whereabouts to bring them to justice.

(We’re working in a small group to avoid being noticed while gathering information.)

But it also means that if we were to find ourselves in a dangerous situation, we wouldn’t be able to call for help immediately.

(I need to stay focused.)

At that moment, Ellis’s hand gently caught mine.

Ellis: “Would you like to take a short stroll?”

Kate: “I’d love to, but we have a mission.”

Ellis: “We still have some time. Please?”

(Ugh.)

I waved the white flag in my mind when he squeezed my hand.

Kate: "Can you promise it'll be just a short walk?"

Ellis: "I promise."

Kate: "Then, okay."

Ellis: "Fufu. I feel like I'm acting like a selfish kid."

Ellis: "Looks like there are many people over there. Let's go and see."

He started walking while holding my hand.

His hand holding mine, his broad back—none of it felt like that of a child, and it puzzled me for a moment.

(Hm?)

Ellis: "Is something wrong, Kate?"

Part 1╎Part 2╎Premium End╎Epilogue

#ikemen villains #ikemen villain #ikevil ellis #ellis twilight #ikevil #ikevil translations

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mysteryshoptls · 1 year

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SSR Malleus Draconia Masquerade Dress Personal Story: Part 3

"We should begin from the top once more"

(Part 1) (Part 2) Part 3

[Noble Bell College – Lecture Hall]

Mage Training School Student: Ah, Ma-Ma-Ma-Ma-Malleus Draconia-san…!

Mage Training School Student: Um… Th-That performance you just gifted us was spectacular…! That's all I wished to say! S-S-So now, I take my leave!

Noble Bell College Student: We are so blessed to hear a song performed by you, Draconia-san… It is most definitely a great honor for our school to have been able to host this cultural exchange!

Noble Bell College Student: I know that Rollo-kaichō must be just as elated. Thank you very much for your wondrous singing voice!

Malleus: Despite this being a masquerade, they still came up and addressed me by name… Heh, how frivolous.

Malleus: ...It seems the gift was a success.

Malleus: I am certain that explains why there are more folk than usual who aren't attempting to keep their distance.

Malleus: This is all due to Ashengrotto and Shroud's willingness to collaborate. I should thank those two.

Malleus: And also… I should give my thanks to Flamme for providing us this opportunity.

Riddle: Malleus-senpai. Are you taking a breather from the dancing?

Malleus: Ah, hello, Rosehearts, Spade.

Malleus: Yes, just a moment ago, I successfully danced with the one I intended to have dance with me… So now I am resting for a spell.

Malleus: Are you two also here to rest?

Riddle: We were searching for you, Malleus-senpai. Just as we thought to express our sentiments, you disappeared.

Deuce: We already talked to Ashengrotto-senpai and Idia-senpai… But, man, Draconia-senpai! That performance was amazing!

Riddle: I agree. I would certainly be interested in learning how to sing so confidently as you did. May I ask what pointers you would have to help others like me sing beautifully like that?

Malleus: I do not know if this would be considered a pointer…

Malleus: However, from the moment I first heard the song, I was incapable of not feeling emotionally drawn to it. Perhaps that is why I was able to sing it so well.

Riddle: Did you have some kind of special interest in that song, "Let My Wish Resound"?

Malleus: I suppose I did. When Lilia introduced me to the song and sang it for me for the first time…

Malleus: With one rendition of the lyrics, I felt this unforgettable strong sense of empathy resonate within me.

Deuce: If I recall, "Let My Wish Resound" was a song of the Bell-ringer's hopes and dreams to meet everyone he possibly could.

Deuce: Does that mean… Did you sing it with the feeling that you were looking forward to meeting everyone here at the cultural exchange?

Malleus: Of course, there is that as well, but…

Malleus: I believe that this song is not only about hope.

Malleus: The Bell-ringer must have longed for the bright new world, and yet feared it at the same time.

Riddle: Fear? Even with such optimistic lyrics?

Malleus: That is right. Because it takes courage to want to learn of something you have no knowledge about.

Malleus: I've had that same feeling.

Deuce: Eh!? Even someone as confident as you had to show courage somewhere…!?

Malleus: I do not think it is anything that shocking. I am a student, same as you.

Malleus: When I was to enroll at Night Rave College, it naturally required me to muster up some courage.

Malleus: Compared to when I lived in my castle, I had absolutely no experience spending time anywhere there were large gatherings of people.

Riddle: …I think I understand.

Riddle: If that's the case, then I think I might be able to imagine just how it felt for you.

Riddle: He felt an equivalent amount of anticipation and dread…

Riddle: And yet the Bell-ringer gathered his courage and stepped into the crowd of people.

Malleus: Exactly. That is precisely why he was able to gather so many important people in his life other than his mentor, the Righteous Judge.

Malleus: I have nothing but respect for a man who is both kind and courageous.

Malleus: I am more than honored to have been able to perform "Let My Wish Resound" to show my gratitude to being invited to this gathering.

Deuce: Wow… I'd never even thought that there was something so deep hiding in the lyrics of that song.

Riddle: Neither had I. I had memorized the lyrics, yes, but only as the words on paper…

Riddle: I hadn't put any thought into the emotions or context within the song.

Riddle: Malleus-senpai. Your thoughts and emotions truly registered to everyone via that spectacular performance.

Malleus: Your backing vocals were just as good. It was thanks to everyone's efforts that the song was a success.

[[Yuu] approaches]

1. Hey, Tsunotaro, good job out there.

Riddle: Oh, [Yuu]. Did you come here to tell Malleus-senpai how you felt about the song, as well? Riddle: We were just speaking on that matter.

2. Oh, this is where you all got to.

Deuce: [Yuu], weren't you with Grim? Well, I guess you gotta take your break from that noisy furball when you can. Riddle: We were just speaking of that song, "Let My Wish Resound," with Malleus-senpai here.

Deuce: I want to hear your thoughts on it too, [Yuu].

Deuce: What did you think of Draconia-senpai's performance earlier?

1. It was really moving!

Malleus: It moved you? I see… Fufufu. I may have had confidence in myself, but hearing it directly from you is a wonderful feeling. Malleus: As long as my you were able to feel all of the emotions that I poured into that song, I am more than pleased.

2. It looked like you were having so much fun!

Malleus: It looked as though I was having fun? Me? Malleus: …You seem to always have a keen eye when it comes to me. I suppose I truly was enjoying singing from the heart as I did.

Malleus: When the crimson lotuses appeared, I thought of cancelling this… However, I am pleased that we were all able to take part in this masquerade.

Malleus: [Yuu]. Will you dance with me?

Riddle: That's a great idea. Since it was a cultural exchange, I had only been dancing with students from other schools, but…

Riddle: Since this is a rare opportunity, why don't we have a dance together as well, Deuce.

Deuce: I'd be honored! But hey, [Yuu], you better dance with me next.

Malleus: That's right. The masquerade has only just begun.

Malleus: We've met many new people, and connected with them… Let us enjoy this splendid night to our heart's content.

(Part 1) (Part 2) Part 3

#twisted wonderland #twst #malleus draconia #riddle rosehearts #deuce spade #twst malleus #twst riddle #twst deuce #twst yuu #twst translation #twst glorious masquerade #mention: azul #mention: idia #mention: lilia #mention: rollo #mention: grim

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valla-chan · 3 months

Text

The more I think about The Ring / Ringu 's story, the more I realize that the reason why it seems bizarre to treat Sadako/Samara as the villain is because... It sort of is.

This post contains spoilers for the Japanese movie, the American remake, and the original book of "The Ring/Ringu".

In the American version, Samara is implied to be a demon child; some sort of abomination brought into the world by irresponsible parents who wanted a child but we're not able to conceive. (See the queer undertone?) Her parents had no special abilities in any way.

Samara herself was being tested for ESP (extrasensory perception) at a psych ward, due to her deliberately "wanting to hurt people" seemingly for no obvious reason other than her being evil, maybe with a bit of parental neglect sprinkled in that has the undertones of it being "understandable" under the unique circumstances. It always felt like a sort of overly reductive view of the character, and a bit unfitting as to why she would create the tape seemingly as a cry for help, but then revealed at the end, ah, no, she is indeed just evil, look at her angry face!

This does not satisfy me.

In the original Japanese version of the movie, Sadako's mom is the one being tested for ESP. Sadako— who is shown to be a strange looking, moppish, unkept girl even in her oldest memories here (unlike in the American version where she is portrayed very much like a very deadpan but otherwise normal child)— uses her own ESP to kill a heckler in the crowd who is becoming critical and standoffish with her mom and the ESP doctor, Dr Ikuma. It is explained at some point that she is a demon child creating by her mother yearning for the sea too much. She is killed by Dr Ikuma after studying her, rather than her parents.

This one seemed to touch on something interesting, but it's nowhere near as interesting as the information the book provides on the matter.

Ikuma is her father.

Sadako and her mother's relationship and plot is a fair bit different from in the films, based on what I've gathered online, but it boils down to the same ideas. Her mother had ESP, Ikuma encouraged her to show off her powers, and in the process discovered that Sadako's were even more powerful, and proceeded to study her. This is where things begin to really diverge.

Ikuma gets sick from trying to unlock his own powers leaving Sadako to grow up away from her family. And she does grow up, unlike in the films. She grows to 19 years old before returning to Ikuma in his mental ward after a heartbreak and deaths caused by her powers. There, she is raped by a different doctor, who discovers she is intersex (with the present of both male and female genitalia), and is so disgusted that he throws her down the well. Sadako, in her remaining days, developed the smallpox that this doctor unknowingly carried, amplifying her death curse into a physical virus.

Okay can we talk about the fact that she is intersex.

Like holy shit what. NONE of the media of her other than book seems to find that worth mentioning. NONE of the other media finds her adult or teenage life worth mentioning. ALL of the other media treats her as an inherent evil. Even in the books, it is mentioned that she wants to be reborn normal, but is unable to because she is intersex. Not because she is cursed or has ESP, but because she is intersex!

An actual queer character, with an actual struggle, trying to live her life to her fullest despite everything in her life taking her away from the people who cared for her. The HIV parallel to the smallpox the doctor gives her. The fact that her last dying effort is to tell the world her story, and curse the world that wronged her with having to experience her pain. And what becomes of this in the later Movie versions???

Saying outright that she is a demon child.

Implying that it's better that she died, and that her story would be better forgotten.

Her parents shown as irresponsible and secretive for adopting a child they were never 'meant to' be able to conceive.

Portraying her as a faceless monster even as a child, or as a demented and unlovable freak.

Portraying her with ungrateful, evil intent even while alive.

Portraying her viral potential as something inherent to her as a freak, rather than as something that someone else unknowingly inflicted onto her that she must bear.

...

Portraying her the exact way that real queer/ND people are treated all their lives, through all of modern history, childhood to adulthood, all in an effort to create something from her character that doesn't have to discuss her intersexuality. Even her parents, turned from people destroyed by the societal reception and health issues from their ESP, into people who bring the devil to Earth for the crime of wanting a child when they cannot have one.

All leading right back to exactly what created the curse in the original. The trauma of queerness. All erased and paved over in order to create a more palatable villain out of a child who couldn't help it. Showing through the obfuscations created to hide it, if you know how to see through it. It's not even to say the book doesn't have those themes, but it is obvious that great care went into scrubbing this element from her character in the popular culture, while amplifying its effects on her.

No wonder it feels bizarre to treat her character how the movies do. They removed the central element that explains everything.

And no wonder we relate to villains so much. So much of the time they are us.

So much of the time their motivations are to tell their own stories, to have others understand their pain, to show the world how it treats people like them. And as soon as those ideas are marketed to a mass audience, the victim becomes the villain, and the point is buried under enough layers to make the people who would have thrown her down that well feel good about being part of the society that destroyed her in the first place.

I hope we remember that when we see a real queer person being demonized for relating to a reprehensible character.

#the ring #ringu #sadako #samara #reminds me of how the hunger games movies are shown as if from the Capitol #me #self #sadako yamamura #リング #samara morgan #山村貞子 #fave #yeah self fave who cares im right about this one

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yournameloveskpop · 2 months

Text

Connection

Paring: all of eNHYPEN x Reader

Style: fluff, friendship, admiration, older reader,

Warning: a lot of fluff

Word count: 792

As the lights dimmed backstage, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement and nervous energy. Among the throng of artists and staff, a special bond stood out, woven through the camaraderie of ENHYPEN and their cherished friend, Y/N. Despite the age gap, with Niki being a decade younger, their friendship was a testament to connection beyond years.

"Hey, Niki, have you seen Y/N yet?" Sunghoon asked, scanning the bustling area for their friend's familiar face.

Niki, towering over most with his height, peered around before spotting Y/N in the distance. "Over there," he said, pointing. His face lit up with a smile that reached his eyes. "Let's go say hi before everything starts."

As they approached, Y/N greeted them with open arms. "Look at you guys, all dashing! Ready to steal the show?"

"We're always ready," Heeseung replied with a wink. "But it feels better knowing you're here with us."

The group shared laughter and quick hugs, feeling a sense of home with Y/N's presence. Niki, eager for a moment, stepped forward.

"Y/N," he started, his voice a mix of excitement and reverence. "You know you're like a big sister to me, right? Being here in Korea, it's been tough, but having you... it's made everything better."

Y/N smiled warmly, reaching up to ruffle Niki's hair, despite the height difference making it a bit of a stretch. "I'm just glad I can be here for you and the boys, Niki. You know I've got your back, always."

Their conversation flowed effortlessly, filled with updates, jokes, and heartfelt moments. Even amidst the chaos of the event, their little circle felt like a serene oasis.

Jungwon joined in, sharing how Y/N's support helped him grow into his role as leader. "I don't think I could've done it without your encouragement, Y/N. It was overwhelming at first, but you believed in me."

Y/N listened intently, her expression soft and understanding. "Jungwon, watching you take on that role with such grace, it's been inspiring. You're doing an amazing job."

As the time for the award show drew closer, the group prepared to head to the stage. The energy shifted from comfortable chatter to focus and anticipation. Yet, amidst the shift, their bonds remained a comforting constant.

On stage, the lights and eyes of countless fans intensified the atmosphere. ENHYPEN and Y/N, though part of the larger gathering of artists, shared glances and smiles that spoke volumes of their unique connection.

When the segment ended, Niki made his way through the crowd, his eyes fixed on Y/N. With a wide smile, he enveloped her in a hug that drew 'awws' from those around. The gesture, simple yet profound, showcased the depth of their bond.

"Always have to make sure I get my Y/N hug," Niki murmured, making Y/N chuckle.

"As if I'd let you leave without one," Y/N replied, the warmth in her voice melting any lingering nervousness from the night.

The rest of ENHYPEN gathered around, joining in the group embrace. It was a moment of unity and support, a physical manifestation of the connection they all shared with Y/N.

“We’re all here because of you, y/n,” Sunghoon said, his voice filled with gratitude.

“Yeah, nuna, you’re the best,” Sunoo added, squeezing into the group hug, causing a ripple of laughter.

Y/n looked at the faces surrounding her, each filled with genuine affection and respect. “I’m so proud of all of you. Remember, I’m always here, no matter what.”

The conversation continued as they moved away from the stage, their voices blending into the night. The bonds they shared were a testament to y/n’s impact on their lives, her nurturing presence a constant source of comfort and guidance.

“Y/N, promise you’ll always be by our side?” Niki asked, his expression serious for a moment.

Y/n smiled, placing a hand on his shoulder, “Always, Niki. You boys are like family to me.”

"Let's go celebrate," Jake suggested, the excitement bubbling up again. "A night like this deserves to end on a high note!"

Agreeing enthusiastically, they made plans to head out together, their spirits high and the bond between them stronger than ever. Amidst the laughter and plans for the evening, it was clear that their friendship with Y/N was a cherished treasure, a source of comfort and joy in the whirlwind of their lives.

As they moved through the crowd, their laughter and shared glances a beacon of their camaraderie, it was evident that these moments were the building blocks of memories that would last a lifetime. The age gap, the challenges, none of it mattered. They had each other, and with that, they could face anything.

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shadale-s-safe-space · 11 months

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Ok, gonna be real and say I love Pixie. I wanna know more about them. Backstories, Traits, Headcanons, and maybe I'm a little curious on how she kills her victims before/after a picture? Like, Does she have weapons or is all her methods hand-made?

Okay I'm gonna do a triple kill with this one. Sry couldn't draw a lot, like I legit can't so here's the story or whatnot. Probs gonna draw those in the future... also I fucking suck at writing but whatever >:T.

Starting off with the third question, no, not really, I know nothing about LoL.

CHILDHOOD

Pixie was created as a male in a loving family, he was specially close with his mother, and would spend most of his childhood surrounded and smothered with female attention as he found it hard to fit in with the male crowd.

His mother was capable of finding positivity and light in any situation even when it seemed like there was none, finding beaty behind every corner, shaping Pixie's world view that in every bad, there's something good. She quickly became Pixie's biggest role model.

EARLY TEENS

After the sudden death of both of his parents, Pixie struggled to find his positivity in life again. He would dress in female clothing, just like his mom used to wear so he could feel like their bond never fell apart.

"You'll always be a part of me"

One day, a group of girls approached him. They wanted him to be a part of their group. Being used to female attention, he fit right in. Pixie enjoyed his new friend group, and he started feeling better about his life.

Eventually, Pixie decided to change from he to she. He felt like it was the right thing to do for himself.

------

"Pixie take a picture of us!"

"Um.. okay, gather around"

***

"We look amazing!"

"Pixie, you're so good at this! You should be a photographer"

------

Noticing her hidden talent, they begged her not to waste it and pursue photography. And she did. She took pictures of strangers, her surroundings, and other... but most of all, her friends.

LATE TEENS

Pixie now an art enthusiast obsessed with constantly taking pictures, started annoying her friend group. Following them around, taking pictures of all of their activities but yet not sharing those pictures with others.

"Show me!"

"No, it looks bad, I'm gonna delete it" * "I'm just practicing, that's all, experimenting"

"You should ask us before taking pictures. It's uncomfortable"

"Ye-Yeah.. you're right..."

Pixie felt like her friend group had changed a lot over the years, she felt like she didn't fit in anymore. She didn't quite understand boundaries.. as her art was her everything and felt like her favorite muses... were slowly turning against her, stopping her from picturing perfection.

She still took pictures secretly. And became really good at hiding them,also collected many different cameras over the years. One of her favorites being the instant [Polaroid] and the DSLR.

-------

Of course, nothing can be hidden forever..

"YOU DID IT AGAIN! WE TOLD YOU ALREADY TO STOP!"

"I'm just practicing, that's-"

" I thought you stopped. We trusted you"

"And you still did it behind our backs? This whole time?"

"No, it was just this time"

"Show me the camera"

"No!"

"Give it to me!"

"No!"

------

"We were right! You were taking pics of us this entire time!"

"You don't understand! the beaty I have captured!"

"I can't believe I was friends with a weird creep"

-----

As Pixie's world started to crash and burn, her comfort was destroyed again. She still tried taking pictures of strangers and places, but it didn't feel the same, it wasn't them. They were her favorites, after all.

"What are you do-"

"If you don't want to be my muse, I'll make you my muse"

After failing to convince one of her ex friends to accept her again into the group, Pixie snapped. Killing her ex friend.

She played with her body, posing it differently, decorating it, putting accessories on it. Each picture looked prettier than the last.

"We could've taken these beautiful pictures with you alive, but you refused, look what you made me do... "

She stared at the body for what seemed like an eternity.

"How can you be dead? But still.. so beautiful, it's like you're sleeping peacefully, unbothered by the reality of our world. Type of beauty I never could've captured before..."

-------

*Unfortunately, we couldn't find the killer*

Even when it was obvious that Pixie did it, no one believed it. Someone so cavordly, shy and weak attacking someone and destroying their body to the point of no return seemed so out of character for her.

YOUNG ADULTHOOD

Her first kill being a success, she was hungry for more, why ask someone to pose for you when you can do it yourself. More and more "accidents" occurred. Eventually, Pixie gained an ego out of it. Hearing everyone scared for their life talk about this mysterious killer in the colony, it made her feel special. She started leaving pictures of her previous kills next to the new bodies, leaving messages on the walls and a lot more, playing with everyone's emotions made her feel powerful. Not only would she appear in front of every crime scene, pretending to be a part of the scared and worried crowd. She would also take pictures of the scared crowd all together, secretly leaving those pictures next to the bodies as well, and somehow she still walks freely.

"Nothing will stop me from finding beaty in everyone. Anything can be your weapon, you just have to be creative enough to see it"

-------

Knowing that her patterned kills are going to get her caught someday, she plans on framing someone else for all of her crimes.

EH sorry that's it for now. I legit can't draw anything these days, my dudes I'm struggling. I'm having one more small idea and I'll be gone working on Fate and other big projects that I've started. I realize that I can't balance it all and it's just too much, especially cuz I'm not feeling well and whatnot. My burning willpower is kinda dying out so imma step back for some time...

Also since it's like a new oc, I didn't figure out everything just yet so forgive me for that.

@gollygee-mr-universe yes you may, if you like the character a lot, go play with them haha. As everyone probs knows already. Whatever you guys make with my ocs, whatever you draw and do is acceptable and welcome. I swear I'd enjoy anything. It is in fact for fun.

#murder drones #murder drones oc

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inkrabbit · 11 months

Text

Replaced

Aether going through it after Phantom is summoned uwu

He supposed he shouldn't have been surprised. After all, when Rain was summoned, Ifrit had been replaced with Sodo. When the ghoulettes were summoned, Zephyr was replaced by them. It was just how life was in the band. He knew he wasn't Copia's ghoul. Copia had never been his actual master.

Still, it didn't stop the drop of his stomach when he saw the new ghoul standing proudly beside Copia and Imperator, his tail flicking curiously behind him. It didn't stop the pain that shot through his heart when Copia proudly announced he had finally, after so many years, summoned his own quintessence ghoul. And it doesn't stop the sharp feeling crawling up his throat as he swallows thickly. But he forces a smile onto his face and blinks back the gathering tears.

The hand on his back makes him turn, Sodo staring up at him with pursed lips.

“It's okay,” Aether tells him in a soft voice. But they both know it's not. They both hear the quiver in his voice. And it only makes him feel worse.

He knows what will happen now. As the crowd disperses, he puts on a brave face. The three walk forward, Imperator's head held high with a proud smile on her face. Copia, however, is sporting a shameful look.

“Aether,” Imperator starts, her tone a sickly sweet while still being firm. He knows what's coming, even if he doesn't want to. “you will be stepping down as rhythm guitarist. Phantom will be taking your place.”

“I understand, Sister.” He's at least proud of himself for keeping his voice steady this time. He looks at Phantom, giving him a smile. In a way, he resembles an ancient quintessence ghoul that once walked through the abbey. White hair that stood out against a dark, muted violet skin tone. He's got the double horns like most quintessence ghouls in the abbey, but they're smooth instead of rigid like his own.

“You will also be teaching him how to play,” Imperator continues nonchalantly. “I don't trust that fire ghoul to teach anymore, especially with how Alpha turned out.” She turns to Phantom. “While you are learning, we will be giving you a temporary guitar. I expect it to stay in pristine condition while it's under your care.”

“Yes, Sister.” His voice is smooth as he responds, nodding his head once. Aether can see it clear as day in him. The professionalism, how he holds himself. It's all the same signs every ghoul goes through when they're first summoned. He wonders how long until they all get to see his true personality.

“Thank you for everything, Aether,” Copia's voice is hesitant and meek as he takes a step towards the large ghoul. “I really did love our time together.”

“As did I, Papa.” He wants to bite back. He wants to scream and ask him why? Why replace him? Wasn't he enough? But before he can even act on these thoughts, Imperator's hand rests on Copia's shoulder.

“Phantom will be staying in the guest rooms until you can move out of yours,” she tells Aether. It feels like he's been stabbed. He knew it was just routine business. He took Omega's old room when he retired. But that was willingly. This was all sprung on him at the last second, being told that Copia had a “surprise” for the whole clergy. “I'm sure one of the older ghouls will be more than happy to help you settle in.”

“Yes, Sister.” He doesn't want this conversation to continue. He wants to wake up from some horrible nightmare and laugh it off with the others. Knowing he won't be close to his pack anymore – well... they're no longer his pack, are they? Alpha, Omega, Ifrit, Zephyr, all of them; when they retired, they were no longer part of his pack. That thought alone hurts him the most.

“Very good! Then it's settled!” Imperator claps her hands together, turning to Phantom. “Special will show you to your temporary room. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask him. Special has been here a very long time and he knows the ins and outs of the abbey.

As for you, Aether, I expect your room to be cleared out by tomorrow morning. Please, leave all of the windows open so it can air out.”

“Yes, Sister.” She must've been able to pick up on his negativity. He's sure he was doing a horrible job of hiding it. Still, Aether turns his attention to Phantom, mustering up a genuine smile.

“Welcome to the ministry.” He doesn't take another second. He turns around and starts for the dens. He feels horrible and, in a way, betrayed. He thought Copia had looked at him as his own ghoul. He never thought he would be replaced like this.

“A new ghoul?” He recognizes the voices in the hall; Primo's ghouls. “Don't we have enough already? What happened to that other one?”

“He's being replaced.” How that response is said so matter-of-factly hurts. “Suppose he'll be joining us in the dens.”

“We have enough ghouls in there.”

“Take it up with Copia. You know how much he's been wanting a quintessence ghoul of his own.”

He can't bear to listen to the rest of their conversation. He's starting to feel nauseated by the thought of it all. Copia wanted to replace him. He wanted his own quintessence ghoul. And he finally got it.

When he reaches the dens, the rest of his pack is all gathered in the common area. The looks of concern and disbelief are prominent on their faces, especially Cumulus.

“Aeth-”

“It's okay.” He has to cut her off. He can't handle talking right now, the tears slowly starting to well up in his eyes as he gives them all a forced smile. “It'll be okay.” His voice is quivering again, and he feels his tail wrap around his leg in a pathetic attempt to comfort himself. “I-I gotta... get everything packed.”

He walks past them, his feet feeling heavy as he draws closer to his room. He hears one of the others start to move, but it's quickly stopped.

“Don't.” He can pick out Sodo's hushed voice. “Give him a little bit.”

And he's grateful for the fire ghoul's advice because the second Aether gets into his room and shuts the door, he lets it all out. He doesn't even make it to his bed. He just slides down the door, sobbing pitifully into his hands.

#aether ghoul #phantom ghoul #ghost #ghost band #hi I only came back to write angst

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transmutationisms · 7 months

Note

also I am not trying to convince the other side to mask, I am trying to convince other leftists to do any kind of pandemic advocacy, but I've largely been met with resistance and pandemic denialism, and I may be wrong but I can't help but attribute it to guilt surrounding a refusal to even consider any kind of accommodations for disabled people in their spaces, covid or otherwise. this usually comes in the form of masking, ventilation, and/or remote options. I understand it's not feasible to Always have accommodations but it feels like people could at least consider it, and that frustration often does come out in the form of "why can't you just do the bare minimum that costs nothing and mask for a half hour". that's not perfect optics, I admit, but it is exhausting to have to be looking for the correct combination of words to tell someone who claims to be an ally to get them to not immediately shut me out. perhaps your point is that all of that is wasted effort, anyway, and maybe that does count as "the other side" in this case

hey, i really do sympathise with your frustration here. like i said: i <3 masks. i <3 other pandemic interventions. and i agree that a lot of resistance to these things comes down to ableism, whether overt (actively exterminatory mindsets toward disabled people) or more 'subtle' (just not giving a fuck). my point was just that i have observed a tendency, including among those nominally on the left, to shift any conversation about pandemic safety to technical interventions that they believe obviate the need for political action, and that among a certain subset of those who do take covid seriously, masks can sometimes serve this rhetorical function. if that's not you then great. again i repeat that the point here is not to reduce mask usage but the opposite. in fact i would say pushing for accommodations to be offered as a matter of course and not a 'special exception' is exactly the sort of political action that the technical-intervention crowd doesn't want to think about or deal with, because that points to a way in which masks (although great) do not 100% solve a social and political issue (the fact that large groups of people gathering together in person is inherently inaccessible for some people and always will be). like, this is precisely the sort of larger political issue i'm pointing to—capitalist valuation of disabled people, social designs that are exclusionary, and the way that the covid pandemic ought to be prompting us to think, "hey, even if we masked up and got vaccinated and dealt with This specific illness, don't we also have ongoing issues with eg accessibility as a result of living in a society designed around capitalist notions of productivity rather than the social responsibility we all have toward one another?"

in a more narrow conversation about public health communication strategies i would maybe say that assuming a guilty conscience on the part of your interlocutors is understandable but probably not helping you much (i'm not accusing you of something here. i would also not communicate to the public in the exact manner i do on this tumblr blog lol) and, although this is not my complete or definitive account of pandemic denialism, i do think a certain amount of it is fuelled by the sort of techno-optimism i'm talking about: the belief that we just need to get the right medical-technology intervention, and then that obviates our need to change our behaviour in any meaningful way. among those who are resistant to masks, often the vaccine is the technology of choice here, but this attitude is (i think) somewhat malleable in terms of what actual technical intervention it invokes. again: not a comprehensive theory of pandemic denialism but i do think this is part of the puzzle and is happily encouraged by a lot of mainstream news coverage & general attitudes toward science and technology as quasi-magical Forces For Good that will simply Solve Society (at its most concentrated this is simply technocracy). my position is that we need to be watchful for this sort of attitude, and resist it, whilst also using and encouraging those technical interventions that are useful for public health (masks, vaccines, ventilation, &c) or other reasons.

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draculasfavoritewife · 4 months

Text

Sleepless

Summary: Even the most intimate couples had to have a first late-night conversation.

Pairing: Emma Frost x Scott Summers

Warnings: Scott Summers is synonymous with angst. Innuendos and suggestive humor. Strained relationships, a bit of the absolute fluffiness that is two sad people commiserating.

Here it is, the last of my Emma/Scott fics (for now) that has been languishing in my drafts! There are few things I love writing more than first meetings and impressions, and Scott's PoV, as I've mentioned before, is personally delicious. Plus, as an insomniac myself, insomnia-coded characters always hold a special little spot in my heart 🖤

“Scott. A word?”

Scott Summers sighs as the Professor beckons him into his office. “Of course. Do you need something from me?”

The older man studies him from behind tented fingers, expression unreadable as always. “I merely wanted to remind you that Ms. Frost will be arriving soon.”

“I hadn’t forgotten.” New faculty didn’t come to the Xavier Institute often, did the Professor really think such a detail had slipped his mind?

“My choice to hire her may be…controversial. And the others, they look to you as an example. I hope you will keep an open mind and welcome her with open arms, so that the transition goes a little smoother.”

Scott nods briskly. He’s nothing if not professional. “Anything else?”

“That is all. Thank you, Scott. I always rest easier, knowing I have you to depend upon.”

He leaves the Professor, only to find Jean waiting for him barely outside the door. “Hey,” she greets him softly. “What did the Professor want?”

“Nothing. We were just talking about Ms. Frost’s arrival this afternoon.” Scott lengthens his stride, his mind already working through his meticulously arranged schedule for the rest of the day.

She’s not convinced. “You know you can talk to me if something’s bothering you.”

“I do know. Everything’s fine, Jean. I just have a busy day ahead of me.”

Her eyes narrow. “I’m worried about you! You don’t have to be so brusque.”

And you don’t have to mother me all the time! I'm more than capable of taking care of myself. He tries to stuff down the ungrateful thought as soon as it takes shape, but it’s too late.

Her scowl tells him better than words that she heard it, loud and clear.

“Jean, wait!” he calls after her retreating back, but she’s vanished into a nearby doorway already. He knows from many past experiences that it’s better if he lets her cool off for now. Talking to her and trying to iron things out right away will do more harm than good.

Cursing under his breath — too softly for any passers-by to pick up — he continues on his way.

The day is off to a great start already.

He knows Ms. Frost has arrived when he sees the crowd of students and fellow instructors gathered around the front windows. And he understands why they’re all staring when he sees her car parked in the driveway, long and sleek and pale and probably some European brand half of them have never heard of.

And then Ms. Frost herself steps out of the car and struts up the front steps to ring the bell, and the excited whispers immediately die off. She looks like she stepped off the cover of a magazine, and one that is likely “not suited for younger readers”.

He seems to be the only one with ears all of a sudden, and takes it upon himself to answer the door. That’s when he at last sees her face, and for a moment, even stoic Scott Summers is off his game. Slyly tilted eyebrows, heavily lashed eyes that couldn’t possibly be any color but a frosty blue — he can tell even through his tinted glasses — and that smile, that lioness smile rimmed with curvy silver-painted lips.

Scott knows this woman. Not in the awkward I-was-drunk-we-hooked-up-once kind of way, that’s never been his style.

No, they’ve crossed metaphorical swords on the battlefield many times before.

The last time he saw that smile, she was trying to turn his mind into so much scrambled egg.

Really, Professor? You hired the White Queen and didn’t think I needed ANY warning?

She, for her part, is utterly cool and collected, and he gets the feeling she saw him through the window long before he saw her. Momentary lapse of focus gone, he sizes her up like the threat he knows she is.

By personal experience, he knows that underestimating Emma Frost is a deadly gamble.

Her hair -- long, straight, and so blond it hovers near white -- runs down her back, disappearing into the fluff of her extravagant white fur coat. Aside from the coat, she leaves nothing to the imagination. Snug white pants are tucked into over-the-knee boots with five- or six-inch stiletto heels. He’s not sure how she didn’t die on the brief walk to the door.

And she’s wearing a top that can barely even be classified as such.

How do her clothes even stay on?

Double-sided tape is a woman’s best friend, Darling. But they don’t have to stay on….

He’ll have to be much more careful.

“Ms. Frost. Welcome to the Xavier Institute. Won’t you come in?”

The fur coat chooses that particular moment to slip, baring slender shoulders and quite a few inches of what’s between them and the gravity-defying contraption that only just prevents indecent exposure.

“Why thank you, Mr. Summers. I’m ever so pleased be here. I have a feeling you and I, at least, should get along just fine.”

She stalks past him, and he watches her go, the crowd of intimidated students and hostile instructors parting like the Red Sea for Moses.

What has the Professor gotten us into?

He’s left alone in his room tonight. Jean holds grudges, and he hasn’t seen her again aside from dinner, when neither of them felt like talking to the other. Insomnia is his partner in bed instead — he can honestly say that relationship has been lifelong — so he finally gives up trying at one in the morning and heads down to the Danger Room, in the hopes he can either work himself to exhaustion or at least be productive with his time, instead of letting his anxiety run wild in the dark.

The latter seems far more probable.

It’s not until he’s done, changed into sweatpants and left the locker room, still drying his hair with a towel, that he realizes he had an audience.

“Bravo, Mr. Summers, that was quite the show you put on.” The White Queen is leaning against a console in the control booth, a glass of red wine in hand and her goddess figure quite prominent in a lacy white slip.

He shouldn’t be surprised that even her nightwear is as revealing as possible.

“Glad you enjoyed it,” he says curtly, pulling a jacket on to cover up his bare torso. Just because she’s so comfortable flaunting everything doesn’t mean he has to join her.

“You’ve always had a certain…flair…for battle, and I should know.” She smirks and hands him a second wine glass. “Here. When I got up and sensed I wasn’t the only one wandering these halls at this ungodly hour, I brought a spare.”

Normally, he would wonder what she’s done to it, but this is already a strange situation, so he just takes it from her with a nod of thanks.

“You know, from that very first time I got inside your head, I pegged you as the insomniac type.” Her eyes flash over the rim of her glass, sharp with satisfaction. “Looks like I haven’t lost my touch when it comes to woman's intuition.”

He can’t tell if she meant that comment as a double entendre or not. He’s certainly not rising to take the bait if she did. “I have a lot on my mind.” Taking a sip of his drink, he glances back at her. “And you?”

“Oh this isn’t a usual occurrence for me at all, Scott. Most nights I sleep like the dead and only rise in time for lunch.” She sniffs. “I have a very sensitive constitution. The first night in a new bed? I never sleep.”

Scott throws her another, this time incredulous, glance.

“I do have a sensitive constitution! I’m a purebred Boston Terrier Bitch, Darling.”

He snorts at her choice of words, and it could almost be called a chuckle.

Frost fake-gasps. “Ladies and Gentlemen, believe it or not, Scott Summers CAN laugh.” She draws closer to him, her face upturned towards his, and he realizes that her lips are a natural color without her lipstick, after all.

He imagines they must be pale pink.

“What’s my prize for making you laugh?” she purrs.

“What would you like?” he asks without thinking, and then mentally kicks himself for it. This is no ordinary woman he’s talking to, after all.

He has a suspicion there’s a reason she dresses like a dominatrix.

Wicked delight plays across her face. “Oh, there are so many things I would like from you, Scott. But let’s start off with a professional tone, shall we?” Her free hand comes up between them, plays with the zipper pull on his jacket. “So show me around. Where do you go when you DON’T want to focus on everything that’s going wrong in your life?”

He’s not really sure how to answer that one, but he ends up taking her outside, and somehow they end up standing on a footbridge in the garden, and the night is cool and the moon is beautiful tonight, and he HAS put all his problems out of his mind for the time being.

“Do you like New York?” he asks her, leaning back against the railing.

She shrugs. “Well enough. I do miss Boston, though.”

He didn’t think he’d ever hear such an admission leave her lips. “Why move, then?”

“Just because you love a place doesn’t mean you should stay.” Emma's face suddenly looks gentler, almost younger. “There’s far too much history knotted up in the places we grew up, I think.” Her star-filled eyes turn to him. “And I think you agree. You hardly ever go back to Alaska, much as you miss the wind and water and cold.”

She has a point. He can’t quite unravel this sensation rising in his chest.

“I wasn’t digging around in your head,” she is quick to reassure him. “The sky tonight is making your old longings positively radiate from you, like too much Dior.”

He sighs. Sometimes he fantasizes about going back, about starting over and running away from his problems with Jean, and everyone’s expectations and standards and pressures. Leave it to the new arrival to be the only one who picks up on his struggles, well as everyone else thinks they know him.

Sometimes he just feels so damn alone.

“You know,” she murmurs, swirling the last of her wine around in the glass. “You and I are so alike, Scott. No one else could ever truly appreciate what goes on beneath the surface.”

He stares at her, disbelieving. We couldn’t be more different if we tried….

“We handle it in different ways.” The wind ruffles through her silky hair. “I coped with the expectations, the lack of validation, and the depressing notion that I would never be good enough for anyone by stripping — excuse the wording — myself of everything that wasn’t absolutely necessary. I have no inhibitions, I buck social norms, and I take pleasure in subverting people’s image of me, because I know I can never fulfill their standards.”

She eyes him up and down. “You cope in the opposite way, covering up the goods, physically and emotionally, so you can pretend to be their perfect white knight. But if the cards had folded differently —” she finishes her drink, “— we could be standing here in each other’s shoes, instead.”

“I never did get the hang of walking in heels,” he deadpans, and this time it’s her turn to laugh. Although he doesn’t say so, she’s right.

And his chest tightens strangely, at the realization that he’s finally met someone that understands what he’s going through.

It takes his thoughts a bit to return to earth, but when they do, he notices that she’s definitely not dressed to be standing out here. He takes his jacket off and holds it out for her to take, and he’s not completely sure why, but he doesn’t feel quite so exposed without a shirt around her anymore.

Having someone dissect your soul can do wonders for your self-consciousness.

She smirks as she takes the offered garment and drapes it around her shoulders. “The cold and I are old friends,” she muses, tone slightly melancholy. “But I’ve always had a soft spot for old-fashioned chivalry.”

He can feel her eyes roaming over his now bare torso. “And I must say, even that navy spandex didn’t do you justice. You’re a fine-looking man, Scott Summers.”

What does one say to that?

He settles on nothing, for the moment. But they stay there on that bridge for a while, mostly enfolded in a silence that is surprisingly comfortable.

Finally, he nods back towards the mansion. “We should turn in, Ms. Frost.”

“Emma, Darling. You’ve earned it.”

They fall into step together, and as they are about to enter the quiet household once more, she smiles up at him. “I’ll see you at lunch then, Love.”

Scott can’t help smiling back. “No, you’ll be seeing me bright and early for breakfast, Emma. Most of us are up by seven around here. Personally, I prefer six.”

“Ugh. How inhumane.” She tosses her hair and walks away from him, still wearing his jacket. “Chances are I’ll still be dead. Come and drag me out of bed if you must, Darling, but for heaven’s sake do it with your own hands and don’t send that philistine Logan, or I’ll kill you both.”

He watches her disappear down the shadowed corridor, and for some reason, he doesn’t call after her for the jacket.

Sleep comes easily for him after that.

#emma frost #scott summers #emma frost x scott summers #favorite ships #xmen #romance #angst #scemma #my loves #hurt/comfort #nostalgia #jean grey #professor x #late night talking #how it all began #sweet and sexy #cyclops #white queen

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laurenairay · 1 year

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Happy early birthday!!!! Could I request #10 with your choice of Mikko, JT, or Andrei?

- @comphy-and-cozy

As discussed C, we changed this one to prompt 6 – I hope you like it!! It did run away with me a little but here we go anyway.

“Would it be weird if I kissed you?”

Words: 1.2k

There were some things that were just undeniable. The sky was blue. Grass was green. Geese were terrifying. Andrei Svechnikov was the most beautiful man you’d ever met.

Since moving to Raleigh for your first job after college, you’d somehow fallen in with a crowd of girls who knew a lot of the younger Hurricanes players, and somehow you’d developed a wonderful friendship with Andrei. Sure, it mostly consisted of sending each other cute dogs photos, easy recipes, late night commentary on shitty reality tv, and stupid memes on low days, but it was a friendship you treasured. And you knew it meant just as much to him, to have that lifeline outside of the team to ground him.

It just made life that little bit harder knowing exactly how attracted you were to him, knowing that all you were to him was a friend. But, you knew first and foremost that you would never want to do anything to damage your growing friendship, so if that meant pushing your feelings down and locking them away, so be it.

Damn him for being so beautiful though, inside and out.

The evening was like any other evening – you had joined your friends at Seth’s house for a ‘casual’ gathering, which ended up with around 30 people drinking and dancing, music pounding in a way that you could only hope wouldn’t get him any noise complaints from neighbours.

Not that you were too concerned with anything outside of the way Andrei was essentially cornering you outside on the deck though, having guided you outside after getting the two of you fresh drinks.

“Much better. Too much noise inside,” Andrei said happily, leaning against the railing with a smile.

“The fresh air is very welcome, thanks,” you mused, taking a sip of your drink.

“Easier to talk to you without people trying to take your attention too,” he grinned.

His cheeky smile almost distracted you from the fact that it was definitely the other way round, people always wanting to talk to him. Almost.

“Pretty sure you’re the popular one here, Svech,” you laughed, shaking your head.

“All eyes were on you,” he said simply, “I don’t care if I’m selfish for not wanting you to notice.”

Okay what the hell?

What was going on with him?

“Is everything okay?” you asked, frowning.

“Yes? Better now that we’re alone, yes?” Andrei nodded, looking just as confused as you felt.

“Well, yeah, you know I like hanging out with you but…”

You trailed off at the hurt look on Andrei’s face, even more confused than before.

“Just hanging out?” he said, brows furrowed.

Okay seriously, what the hell?

Because with what he was implying…no, there’s no way.

“I think you need to tell me what you’re talking about because I don’t want to get our wires crossed here,” you said firmly.

“Wires crossed?”

“Confuse things. Not be on the same page. Not understand the situation the same,” you clarified.

You bit your lip briefly as Andrei nodded at your explanation.

But still he didn’t speak.

“Please, Svech, I can’t read your mind,” you prompted.

And you really didn’t want to get your hopes up even though his words were full of nothing but hope, feeding into your stupid daydreams in a way that you’d never imagined would be happening in real life.

“Andrei,” he said quietly.

“What?”

“Please call me Andrei. Not Svech. Everyone calls me Svech…but you’re special,” he said.

You made a soft pleading sound, needing him to keep talking, needing him to tell you one way or another before your traitorous heart ran away with itself. Andrei took a deep breath, seeming to steel himself, before he moved to look at you properly, blocking your view of anyone else, keeping all your attention on him.

“You’re special to me. And I don’t think you know how much? The boys were saying…”

Oh fuck.

His teammates talked about you? About the two of you?

“…that I haven’t been clear enough, and I didn’t realise. These parties, these gatherings, all the nights out – they wouldn’t be the same for me if you weren’t there.”

“Why? Why wouldn’t they?” you managed to say.

Your head felt like it was spinning, definitely not from the two drinks you’d had but purely because of this man in front of you stealing your breath away with every word.

And Andrei just smiled. “Because you are the only person who makes my heart go crazy. All I want to do is make you smile and hear your laugh and I hate the thought of you flirting with anyone else. So this is me, trying to flirt with you, trying to tell you how I feel.”

Holy shit. Of all the things you thought would happen tonight, this was the last of it. He…liked you? Really liked you? As much as you liked him?

“Tell me. Tell me exactly how you feel,” you said firmly.

Andrei laughed softly, sounding a little relieved if anything, but he nodded.

“I like you, so much. And I’m hoping you like me too? Because otherwise I might have to leave and not come back out of embarrassment,” he said, voice full of hope.

As if you could feel any other way for him.

Hearing those honest and genuine words from him filled you with so much happiness, making you almost giddy with relief that this thing between you wasn’t one-sided after all, and you found yourself smiling widely without being able to stop yourself. Time for you to be brave too.

“I do like you, Svech. Andrei. I just didn’t think you liked me, so I never said anything,” you said softly.

“We wasted so much time,” he said sadly, almost with a whine, making you laugh.

“Well we can make up for that time, no?” you mused.

He nodded, eyes flashing with something that made your heart beat a little faster, before he took a final sip of his drink. Andrei put the bottle down on a nearby table, before stepping towards you. You bit your bottom lip as he took your drink and put it down too, watching in a silent joy as he rested one of his hands on your waist, the touch warm even through your dress.

“Would it be weird if I kissed you?” Andrei murmured.

“It would be weirder if you didn’t after all of that,” you replied, just as softly.

Andrei’s mouth crooked in a smile, dimple in full display, before he raised a hand to cup your face gently. You didn’t mention that you noticed it was trembling slightly, knowing yours weren’t much better, the build up of everything hitting you like a train. How was this real life? How was this not a dream? You certainly weren’t going to complain, especially not as he leant his head down to yours. As he pressed his lips to your lips in a soft kiss, you found yourself clinging to his shirt, oblivious to his teammates watching from inside, even more oblivious to money exchanging hands. The world outside of Andrei and his sweet embrace melted away, and for just a moment you lost yourself in him, just as you’d always imagined.

#my writing #birthday prompt list #andrei svechnikov blurb #andrei svechnikov imagine #andrei svechnikov fanfic

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blxckbutterfli · 2 years

Text

Xiao: We Can Eat It

I am literally begging tumblr to let this show up in the tags. Tysm to @kiamei2010 for the help, let's hope it actually works this time.

—Characters. Xiao, gn!reader

—Contains. Fluff

—Note. I watched a simplynailogical video

A few bubbles formed and popped on top of the thick syrup over the kitchen stove, the sweet smell of maple wafting throughout the kitchen, and maybe to the reception too. You hoped Verr won’t mind the smell. Thankfully, the inn was less crowded than usual–while it might’ve been a little money lost from the boss–this means that Xiao could freely roam around the inn and you won’t have to sneak past the many guests.

Black mist formed behind you then out came Xiao holding a tray of snow that you asked for earlier. You giggle when you saw him, remembering how he grumbled when you first asked for him to do something before teleporting away with a barely audible “fine.” Yet he still did the job perfectly–a tray of perfectly clean snow leveled into an even layer without any bumps.

Seeing white particles on his hair, you reached your hand over to gently dust it off. Xiao gave you a curious look to which you responded, “you had snow on your hair”, with a smile. And like always, he grumbled and walked away, but not before you could see the light pink dust on his ears.

What a meanie, you thought as you lovingly gazed at his back, if you didn’t know better, you’d thought he hated your guts. Even with his reserved personality, he was still so polite to everyone else but always mean to you. Actually, you did think that once, but it wasn’t until Verr Goldet gave you hints about his past that you understood.

He was scared of hurting you if he stayed around too much.

Of course, after learning that, you dragged him on many more adventures whether you had to force him to or not… Which most of the time you had to. And him gathering snow was only one of the many things you asked–or rather begged– him to do over the course of your friendship.

But then that made you wonder, why does he treat that blonde traveler politely? Verr assured you he wasn’t playing favorites but it still stung a little. Oh well, you brushed the bad thought away, back to work.

“What are you making?” Xiao silently appeared behind you, peering over the look at the now boiling maple syrup. As if you never felt any sadness earlier, you heartily grinned as you recalled the fond memory of your childhood.

“Candy,” you answered, “back in my hometown, our winter carnival would sell this every year! I swear if I didn’t have my parents to stop me from eating this taffy, I would have rotten teeth by now.”

A concerned look appeared on Xiao’s face for a second before it disappeared as quickly as it came. It was another pointless human tradition, one that serves nothing but entertainment in a mortal’s short lifespan. But at least here, you can enjoy it together alone.

You poured the hot syrup over the snow in straight lines, and after waiting for a few seconds, you took a popsicle stick and rolled the syrup–now cooled down into a sticky taffy–onto the stick. “Tada! Adanac’s super-special-one-of-a-kind sticky maple syrup taffy with bits of snow stuck to it for some extra texture!”

Xiao did not understand half of what you just said.

Nonetheless, you shoved the stick into his hand, a determined look in your eyes seeking for his approval of your… ‘super-special-one-of-a-kind’ taffy. With a sigh, he brought it to his lips and took a bite. “See? See? It’s good isn’t it?” you egged him on.

“It’s not bad,” he said with a hum, to which you cheered, a hearty laugh, and a small jump at his approval of the candy. To tell the truth, it was nothing special, its taste nowhere near the deliciousness of almond tofu, and the sticky texture that stuck to his teeth slightly irritated him. But to see you this happy was enough.

You humans already lived such a short lifespan, he didn’t want to waste time making you miserable. You were like a little lantern lighting up a small portion of his dark night, and though it may not be significant in the long run, he hoped he could protect it as long as possible.

Xiao could only hope that you could stay with him just a little longer before his karma caught onto you too.

BONUS SCENE

“It’s such a waste though,” he interrupted your cheering.

“Huh? Are you calling the candy that I made with so much love and care a waste?!” You pouted.

“No, we can’t just leave the snow, it’ll be a waste of food.’ After saying that, Xiao grabbed a fistful of snow and shoved it into his mouth.

What?

Reblogs and feedback are greatly appreciated ♡

#totally not reposting a repost #xiao x reader #genshin x reader #genshin impact x reader #genshin impact #genshin #xiao #genshin imagines #genshin impact imagines #genshin scenarios #genshin impact scenarios #genshin x you #genshin impact x you #xiao x you

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wolfeyedwitch · 2 years

Note

Auction of evil for Bailey? Maybe an AU where SV tires of them and sells/rents them off to the highest (villainous) bidder

I liked these two together, so I combined them. Do I need more AUs for WBOH? No. Is that gonna stop me? Also no.

CW for non-con drugging/sedation, implied abuse

Masterlist

---

“I’m in position,” Zera said softly into their comm.

“Good,” came Elijah’s tinny voice. “Find out what it is they’re auctioning and get out. Just recon, nothing else.”

Zera tamped down on the anger welling up in them at that. He was right, after all. As much as Zera might want to help if someone was in danger, there were too many people here.

There were too many villains.

Iris had found the information about the auction with one of her programs. Zera couldn’t claim to understand what she had said when she explained it. Something about the dark web, VPNs, and honeypots? What Zera did understand was that she had found the coordinates, date, and time of an auction being planned. An auction to which all of the villains who could make it to the area were invited.

What she hadn’t found was information about what was being auctioned. All the heroes knew was that it had to be something big. Something dangerous. Potentially catastrophic if left in the wrong hands.

Zera was there to find out just what it was that had drawn so much attention.

“Got it,” they replied. “Find out what’s being auctioned, stay to see who buys it if it’s safe, then get out.”

“Exactly. Comms blackout starts now.”

With that, Zera’s earpiece went dead. They felt a shiver travel up their spine at the idea of being unable to reach their team. It was necessary—there were too many technopaths in the villain world for any comms to be safe in this situation—but they still hated it. They settled into their hiding spot in the rafters, making themself comfortable for the wait.

The seats in the old theater started filling up. Zera recognized many of them. Ice Queen, Black Fox, The Piper, Livewire, Miss Eerie… these weren’t just local small-time villains. Some of these were international supervillains.

What the hell was special enough to draw them all here!?

Finally, the lights in the hall dimmed and the chatter went silent. All eyes turned to the stage.

The figure who walked out wore an expensive tailored suit. The click of their dress shoes against the stage reverberated through the hall as they walked to the spotlight. The domino mask they wore was a decorative, lacy thing that wouldn’t have been out of place at a masquerade ball.

Slipknot gestured like they were embracing the gathered crowd, and the villains in attendance applauded.

“Welcome, welcome!” Slipknot greeted their audience. Their voice was amplified and played through speakers throughout the hall, giving the disconcerting impression that they were everywhere.

The hall quieted, and Slipknot continued. “Thank you all for coming. I promised you something special, and you won’t be disappointed.”

They clicked their fingers, and a second figure emerged from off-stage. This one lacked Slipknot’s refined poise. Their suit was meant for combat, not elegance; their mask was utilitarian, not decorative.

Poppet looked as out of place as a bloodstain on a wedding dress amidst the finery of the hall.

They reached Slipknot’s side and sank to their knees beside the supervillain, head bowed. Slipknot placed a hand on the back of their neck; Poppet didn’t so much as flinch.

What. The. Hell.

“As many of you know, I have been training a protege for the last few years,” Slipknot said. “My Poppet has come on in leaps and bounds in terms of their powers. Their telekinesis can be used for both brute force and finesse. For more detail, just look at the news.”

That got a chuckle from the audience.

“I am here to auction off one month of Poppet’s service. During that time, they will be yours to command as you see fit. They must be returned at the end of the month in the same condition they are now: all limbs attached and functioning.” Slipknot grinned at that.

Zera felt like they’d swallowed a stone. Poppet was their nemesis, sure, but that didn’t mean they deserved this. Hell, Zera almost enjoyed fighting the villain! They were smart and witty, something that Zera learned when getting to banter with them between blows. And lately, those blows had been barely connecting. The villain had been going easy on them for some reason. Zera hadn’t had so much as a nosebleed from fighting Poppet in the last month. And okay, yes, some of that was that Poppet had been suspiciously absent for the past few weeks, but the point still stood!

Poppet finally showed up, only for it to be here?

Slipknot was willing to sell their own apprentice? Like they were nothing more than a weapon, an object? A guard dog to be loaned and traded?

“The bidding starts at one million dollars,” Slipknot said.

Zera needed to get out of there. They needed to get back to their team, to report on this. To let everyone know just how ruthless Slipknot was.

But…

Wouldn’t it be useful to know just who bought Poppet’s services? That way they could make plans for what that villain might do. Maybe they could even rescue capture Poppet during that time. And Elijah had said they could stick around if they deemed it safe…

Their thoughts were cut off by a sharp sting in their neck, followed by a wave of coldness seeping out from that spot. They turned their head to see Viper, a villain specializing in poisons, standing a few meters away with a… blowgun?

They reached a hand—why was that so hard to do?—to their neck. Their fingers brushed against something, and they pulled it out.

A dart. She had hit them with a dart. A dart that had to have some kind of paralytic or sedative or something, because their body wasn’t responding correctly to their commands.

Viper touched a hand to her ear before speaking. “Yeah, caught them sniffing around just like you suspected. I’ll bring them down now.”

The next thing Zera knew, they were being manhandled. Time was acting funny, too fast and too slow at once, like molasses shot from a cannon. A blink later and they were dropped to the shiny wood floor of the stage.

“And as a bonus, I’ll include custody of the hero Foxfire to whoever wins the bid on Poppet,” Slipknot said smugly.

Zera’s eyelids were too heavy to stay open. The last thing they saw before they closed their eyes was Poppet, staring at them in horror from behind their mask.

---

Zera woke up with a scream stuck in their throat. Everything ached, a bone-deep pain that seemed to throb in time with their heartbeat.

“I’m sorry,” came a small voice.

Zera managed to turn their head to see the speaker.

It was Poppet. They were no longer in their suit, but rather civilian clothing. The change in outfit revealed dark bruises ringing their wrists and decorating their arms. Zera winced in sympathy.

“I’m so sorry,” Poppet said again.

---

Taglist:

@heathenville @nonbinary-disaster @kim-poce @whump-world @dolls-circus @pickleking8 @ghostfacepepper @cupcakes-and-pain @badluck990 @mylifeisonthebookshelf @pumpkin-spice-whump @deluxewhump @extemporary-whump @whumpwillow @multiple-characters1-acct @sunflower1000 @fleur-alise @equestrianwritingsstuff, @scp-1296 @livingforthewhump @thingsthatgo-whump-inthenight @suspicious-whumping-egg @kaiwewi @lelly-belly @neuro-whump @newbornwhumperfly @whumpthisway, @whumpcreations, @wicked-whump @heart4brains, @myhusbandsasemni @how-to-be-a-hero @kixngiggles @kurochan @whumpsday @extrabitterbrain @pattonvirglsanders @neverthelass @we-write-as-one @elrysdoesstuff @whumperflies-and-roses @ha-ha-one @whatwhumpcomments @ramadiiiisme @towerlesskey @emmanemanemm @pigeonwhumps

Special thank-you to everyone who helped me come up with villain names to round out the crowd!

#with bloody outstretched hands #auction of evil #au #bailey the villain #bailey aka poppet #zera the hero #zera aka foxfire #supervillain is a manipulative bastard #asks answered #bthb #auction of evil bthb #non-con drugging #sedation #forced sedation

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vanilla-c0c0 · 1 year

Text

William Rex route - ch. 3 summary

All possible disclaimers are valid! I'm not a mother tongue speaker and I'm doing this for fun. 100% accuracy is not guaranteed.

The “pleasant place” that William invited MC to is a mansion; inside, there is a variety of different people pleasantly chatting together while exchanging drinks. Young and old, men and women, nobles and normal people: it’s a social gathering with no social status restrictions. According to William, it’s similar to the coffee houses that were popular in the 18th century, and it seems to be called “Mad Tea Party”, taking its inspiration from Alice in Wonderland. The only two rules are: respect the will of others and do not engage in monetary transactions. As long as these rules are respected, one can exchange information, make friends, have discussions, etc. MC asks if this is William’s mansion, and he says that although he owns the land and building, it’s managed by a completely different person.

People start approaching and exchanging words of gratitude/greetings with William, and there is even a woman who gives him a pamphlet in favour of women’s suffrage. MC wonders if people there know that he is a part of Crown, but the moment she thinks of that, he puts his lips to her ear. “They don’t know anything; you’re the only one who knows my secret here. Be careful not to let it slip by mistake. Other than that, spend your time as you please.” A great sense of responsibility dawns on MC, who decides to look around in order to try calming her turbulent heartbeat. In the crowd of people, she spots a familiar red-haired man, and involuntarily lets out a voice. When William asks her if she knows the man, she replies that he’s a newspaper reporter she kind of admires; he would come to the post office every now and then, and he has always been friendly. William recalls that his name is Brian Bennett, and MC explains that he’s a hero-like reporter who helps the weak and crushes the strong, unafraid of greater powers and leader of the civil movement. He then asks her why won’t she approach him, as her eyes are as bright as when she was watching the stage back at the theatre. It’d be a shame to hide it (the emotion in her eyes). MC doesn’t feel confident enough to do such a thing; firstly, he probably doesn’t even remember her name, and secondly, he’s an actor on stage, whereas she’s just a spectator. “That’s not true. You, me, and him are all standing in the same place” (IF EVERYONE IS NOT SPECIAL MAYBE YOU CAN BE WHAT YOU WANT TO BE- sorry.). Suddenly, William narrows his eyes as he ponders something.

William: “There’s no helping it. I’ll cast a small magic on you.”

William holds his index finger to her lips and beckons her towards a deserted corner of the room. Confused, she approaches William who has his back to the wall. In an instant, her position is reversed. “I duly advised you not to trust my words too much. And yet… you followed me to a place like this in the middle of the night. Would it be easier for me to get my point across if I told you that it’s too late to resist now? (Note: I’m heavily interpreting this last sentence bc I couldn’t understand it). This is my land, whatever I do, no one will blame me.”

“Even if you shout out loud, no one will come to your rescue.” William traces the contour of her cheek, barely touching it. “Come on, what should you say when a bad guy is pressing you like this? A good girl like you should know.”

MC: “….S-Stop.”

William: “Ahah, with a whisper like that, I can’t even hear you”

MC: “Please stop!”

William: “….well done.”

Suddenly someone approaches. “It’s surprising that Count Rex would do such a barbaric thing.” A fearless voice flies between them, and flame red hair appear in the picture: Brian Bennett has arrived. William immediately steps away from MC and comments that since she’s such a charming lady, he couldn’t help himself.

William: “Brian, while I’m still able to think straight, could you please take her away?”

Brian complies, but as they’re leaving, MC notices William winking at her. The magic he was talking about earlier… did he lure out Mr. Brian on purpose? “Shhh—“ What a pushy guy! Returning to the centre of the room, the reporter offers MC a glass of champagne, formally introducing himself; he remembers her name, and tells her that her boss was surprised when she was suddenly summoned to the royal palace out of nowhere. Furthermore, he praises her skills as a delivery girl, embarrassing MC who would like to convey her admiration for him. “I always read your articles. Please continue doing your best from now on, too.” (Ahh, what a terrible comment…!! There’s so much I’d like to tell him and yet…!). Brian laughs and thanks her, asking if he could sometime interview her, the woman who made Count Rex go crazy. He hands over his business card, and MC finally feels like she’s in the spotlight, too. In the meantime, a gentle piano melody flows in as if to snuggle up to people’s conversations: William is playing the one playing, and it's the gentlest sound MC has ever heard. A sense of security enevolps her, uplifting her spirits and filling her chest with encouragement (note: she says that it feels as if the melody is giving her a light, encouraging push on her back).

MC: “How well do you know William Rex?”

Brian says he’s the one that invited him to the gathering, and that he first met the man when he was starting out on his career; William gave him the courage to shake off his hesitation and take a step forward. Usually, activists and people like him are seen as enemies by the nobles, but William proudly supports them, which is the reason why some believe he can live this peacefully (note: I think he means in the sense that he’s not attacked by the activists); he doesn’t hesitate to support the people he likes, regardless of status or background. And, by the way, Brian adds that this is the first time he’s ever seen him approach a woman like that, when usually he’s on the receiving end. MC looks at William’s face from a distance: even when in the middle of the spotlight, he’s the focus of people’s smiles and praises. Yet, the other night she saw the face of the ruthless and terrifying killer. Which one is the real him? The mystery deepens more and more. Maybe, all his doings were not a malicious trap for her, after all. At least not for today.

MC: “By the way… I heard that William was involved in some kind of incident (the one that caused the foundation of Crown) in the past. Do you happen to know anything?”

As soon as she says that, Brian’s expression changes and his voice is low as he explains, wary of their surroundings. From when it happened, the incident was hidden by the government, so it never caused a big ruckus. When William is asked about it, he just smiles and doesn’t say much. Since the topic is considered as semi-taboo in society, Brian promises MC he’ll send a letter later on to explain the details. She thinks that she has no choice but to unravel the truth, wondering if this is what he was talking about when he gave her the knife. Switching topics, the reporter asks her if the fact that she’s there tonight has anything to do with her sudden summoning at the palace. “I’m sorry… I can’t tell you.” Brian guesses that she might get in trouble if she does, and quickly drops the subject.

The two of them part ways, and MC goes to sit next to the grand piano. William stops playing and asks her if she has spoken to her heart’s content; “…you used an outrageous magic, didn’t you?” William comments that reporters and newspapers love gossip and sensational stories, and Brian is an activist with a strong sense of justice. He shrugs his shoulders without any apology, and MC can’t help but laugh, finally in a natural way.

MC: “Thank you very much.”

William: “I was doing such a bad action… did you enjoy it?”

She realises once more that she doesn’t know who the man in front of her is; and although her vigilance has not gone down to zero, it is still true that a conversation with the person she admires has lifted her heart and spirits.

MC: “…Yes, thanks to you.”

By the time they get back to the castle it’s already past midnight. William escorts MC to her room, saying that he wonders how she will record his sins tonight, and that it’s a pity that he cannot read through her report. MC is puzzled. “Did you commit any sins tonight…?” “What do you think?” Again. Whenever she asks a question, he asks one of his own to hear her opinion. This forces her to take a look deep into her heart, searching for answers she doesn’t even know herself. Tonight, in Brian’s eyes William must have looked “evil”, a bad guy who forcibly approached a woman; but in hers… “I don’t think you were guilty… at least for me”. He neither confirms nor denies it, he simply smiles mischievously at her.

William: “Then, let’s commit one sin.”

☆ letter

☆ chapter 4

#Ikevil #ikevil william #william rex #ikemen villains

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