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vanteguccir · 27 days

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Speak Now | Matt Sturniolo

Matt Sturniolo x reader

Summary: Where it's Y/N's wedding day, but Matt isn't the groom. During the ceremony, an act of impulse on the boy's part changes the fate of everything.

Warning: Slightly angst, but with a happy ending!

Requested?: Yes, by anon.

Author's note: That is my work, I DON'T authorize any plagiarism, copy, or "inspiration"! | English isn't my first language, so I'm sorry if there's any grammar error.

༻✦༺ 　༻✧༺　༻✦༺

The cool orange color of the corner lamp lightly illuminated the walls of Matt's room, painting the room with a serene aura. He was still in his bed, mentally preparing himself to get up and start the day slowly, his thoughts still hazy from sleep, a low voice reminding him of the tasks he had to do - writing the script for the next video, answering emails, and posting his collaboration with Prada.

For a moment, he allowed himself to bask in the feeling of tranquility, but that peace was abruptly interrupted when the sound of his bedroom door slamming open echoed through the walls.

Matt turned abruptly to the source of the sound, frowning and opening his mouth to curse whoever had barged into his room so suddenly, but the words caught in his throat when he saw Nick standing there, his eyes wide and his hand holding an envelope tightly.

"Nick, what the fuck?" Matt's voice sounded hoarse and rough from lack of use as his eyes traveled from Nick's face to the envelope and back again.

"Matt... It's from Y/N." Nick muttered apprehensively.

The boy sat down abruptly on the mattress when he heard his ex name, watching Nick slowly approaching and leaving the envelope on the crumpled comforter that covered the younger boy's legs.

"I don't know what it's about, I just found it on the floor in front of the front door."

Matt took the paper delicately, a feeling of apprehension growing in his chest as he recognized Y/N's elegant handwriting on the sender, his own name, and his brother's in the recipient field. His mind wondered why she had sent that, who even sends letters through mail in 2024?

With shaking hands, he tore open the envelope and removed the paper inside, barely noticing Nick's silent exit. His heart sank when he noticed that it wasn't just any paper. It was an invitation... a wedding invitation.

The words printed in embossed letters and in gold color on high quality paper, announcing the day she would become the wife of her current boyfriend, or rather, fiancé.

An overwhelming mix of emotions hit him head-on. Matt gasped, holding the invitation as if it were a precious artifact, but also a knife that pierced his heart. He could feel the bitter taste of regret filling his mouth as his memories with Y/N flooded his mind.

He found himself transported back to the happy days when they were together, each moment shining in vivid colors before his eyes. The shared laughter, the hugs on cold or hot nights, the whispered promises of eternal love... Everything seemed so close, and yet so far away.

Tears threatened to flood his eyes as he struggled to process the magnitude of the situation. He bitterly regretted letting Y/N go, letting his insecurities and fears ruin what they shared. He knew he had no one else to blame but himself for his own loneliness.

A violent internal struggle unfolded within the boy. A part of him wanted to throw the invitation through the window, refuse to witness the ceremony that would tear him up even more inside. But another part, a stubborn and masochistic part, insisted on attending, as if seeing Y/N unite with another man was the punishment he deserved for his failures.

Matt clutched the invitation tightly in his hand, lightly crumpling the expensive paper, feeling fragile and broken. Every beat of his heart echoed with the weight of a decision he didn't know if he was capable of making. He felt the weight of loss pressing down on his shoulders, the pain of a wound that never seemed to heal.

Silent tears streamed down his cheeks as he fought his emotions in turmoil. He loved Y/N more than anything in this world, and even though he had already lost her the day he saw her walk through his bedroom door for the last time, he still held on to the narrow thread of hope he had in him, but now he was in danger of losing her forever, and it tormented him to the core of his soul.

With an anguished sigh, Matt finally let out a choked sob, pressing his hand against his mouth to muffle the ugly sounds, quickly glancing at the door left ajar by Nick. The last thing he wanted was to worry his brothers.

He knew he had no choice but to face the painful reality that Y/N would move on without him. He wished, with all his being, that things could have been different, that he could go back in time and right the wrongs he had made.

But now, all he could do was accept the invitation he held in his trembling hand and prepare to witness the love of his life being given to someone else.

༻﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡༺

Matt took a deep breath as he, along with his brothers, entered the imposing church where Y/N's wedding was about to take place. The decor details seemed to jump out, a lush fusion of fresh flowers - Y/N's favorite - and delicate fabrics, creating a fairytale atmosphere, exactly as he and Y/N had fantasized about for so many nights.

The rows of chairs were lined up precisely, each adorned with a floral arrangement. Matt watched the carefully planned details, feeling a pang in his heart.

As he rotated his gaze around the space, his eyes met Y/N's parents accompanied by her fiancé, who was already looking back at the triplets. Matt's eyes widened slightly when he noticed the man open a gentle smile towards him, a strange feeling of resignation and envy flooding him almost automatically.

Victor, who he saw so much of only through Y/N's social media, was tall, with slightly curly brown hair that shone in the light, and vibrant blue eyes that seemed to reflect genuine joy. Matt couldn't help but notice how he perfectly fit the stereotype of the type of man Y/N always seemed to prefer - an observation that left a sour taste in his mouth.

The boy wondered if Y/N really had a specific type or if it was just a coincidence that he and her fiancé shared similar characteristics.

He forced himself to look away, his mind a mess of conflicting emotions and his heart screaming that he should just turn around and go back home. With a resigned sigh, Matt followed his brothers as they found their assigned seats.

༻﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡༺

Matt's heart was in turmoil as he anxiously awaited the long-awaited moment of the bride's entrance. His eyes darted nervously around the church, his breath caught in his throat as he tried to control the flood of thoughts that threatened to consume him.

And then, as if time had slowed down, soft music filled the air, announcing Y/N's arrival. His breath seemed to catch as he saw her appear in the aisle, a glimpse of ethereal beauty in her stunning wedding dress. His heart was filled with a mix of joy and pain when he saw her so perfect.

Matt thought he would only see her in a wedding dress on their own wedding day.

Tears threatened to blur his vision as he fought to hold them back. He wanted to scream from the rooftops and release all his pent-up anger, but his words were lost in the void of his silent anguish.

"Matt, are you okay?" Chris asked beside him in an almost muted whisper, only receiving a short nod in return.

As she approached the altar, Matt felt his leg begin to bounce involuntarily in a mixture of anxiety and hesitation. Every step she took seemed to sound like an echo in his own broken heart, a constant reminder of what could have been but would never be.

He had to do something.

When Y/N finally reached the foot of the altar, Matt clenched his right hand into a fist tightly, his teeth biting his thumbnail in a desperate attempt to contain whatever was wanting to come out. He watched with a lump in his throat as she and Victor turned face-to-face, everything sounding muffled against his ears.

He had to.

Every word spoken was like a knife in his heart. He wondered if Y/N could feel the intensity of his emotions, if she could see the love and sadness mixed in his eyes as her own eyes circled the room momentarily, carrying a mix of nervousness and anxiety.

Silence hung in the church, heavy and dense, as the priest finished his solemn last words.

"If anyone has anything to say against this union, speak now or forever remain silent." Finally came the phrase so feared and long awaited.

The priest's voice echoed through the sacred space, resounding off the walls as the guests held their breath. Matt felt his heart hammer in his chest, almost hearing it in his ears, a tumultuous mix of fear and determination swirling in his mind.

He needed to.

And then, before he could think twice, before he could stop the urge that welled up inside him, Matt stood up. His body acted on instinct, his chair scraping with a harsh sound against the floor at the abrupt movement of his body.

The loud sound cut through the silence like a knife, causing the guests to turn to his figure in shock, eyes wide in horror. The priest raised his eyebrows in surprise, his words frozen on his lips as he watched the scene unfold before his eyes.

Victor, Y/N's fiancé, looked at Matt with flaming hatred in his eyes, a completely different expression than the one he displayed moments before the ceremony. He knew who Matt was, and he knew Matt would mean trouble for him.

But Matt ignored all of this. At that moment, all that mattered was Y/N. His blue eyes brimming with fear and love looked intensely into Y/N's shocked ones, who seemed frozen in place.

"I-I..." Y/N began, clearing her throat and turning to face the sea of guests. "I need a moment."

And then, without waiting for a response or further intervention, Y/N got down from the altar and turned around, starting to run towards the back of the church. Her footsteps echoed in the silence with the click of her high heels against the floor, each beat of her heart matching the frantic pace of her run.

"Matt!" Nick called through gritted teeth, quickly glancing at the people around him as he raised his right hand, holding Matt's wrist tightly. "Sit down, now."

Matt barely had time to process what was happening before his instincts took over again, pulling his wrist from Nick's grip quickly. He ignored the confused murmurs of the guests accompanying him as he ran after Y/N.

He had to reach her, had to find a way to explain himself, to convince her to listen. He couldn't let her go without a fight, not after everything he had risked.

Matt's feet pounded the church floor as he ran, his heart beating wildly in his chest. He barely noticed Victor's screams echoing behind him, barely noticed the dirty looks that glared at his back as he chased the only love he'd ever had. All that mattered was reaching Y/N, holding her hand, and never letting it go again.

Matt pushed open the back doors of the church hard, his mind spinning in a whirlwind as he prepared to face whatever was on the other side.

He was expecting the worst - a furious face, eyes full of rage, cutting words thrown his way. But what he found was the complete opposite of that.

Y/N's figure was there, just a few feet away. She held her heels in one of her hands, her veil was lying on the floor next to her bare feet, and her beautiful dress was rumpled, but there was a huge smile on her face, and her eyes showed an intense relief.

Matt frowned in confusion, his own mind in turmoil as he tried to process what was happening. The boy expected her to confront him, to blame him for interrupting her perfect day, for destroying her dreams. But not that.

Before he could do anything, Y/N dropped her heels onto the delicate veil before running towards him, her steps quick and purposeful. She stopped before Matt, her eyes shining with an intensity that left him speechless.

Without hesitation, the girl raised her hands towards his face, cupping his red, hot cheeks, her fingers touching his skin with a tenderness that made him shiver. And then, so suddenly, she pulled him towards her, her lips meeting his in a deep, desperate kiss.

Matt felt the world disappear around him as he gave himself over to the gesture, all his questions slipping from his mind, his hands finding their place around Y/N's waist almost automatically, as if it was marked into his soul.

He could feel the warmth of her body against his, the soft touch of her lips against his own, and Matt had never, until that moment, truly understood how much he missed that.

Matt's lips gently parted from Y/N's seconds later, his eyes remained fixed on her face, as if trying to decipher a complex riddle. He felt the euphoria of the moment still pulsing through his veins, but a sense of confusion was still mixed with the intensity of it all.

"I... I don't understand." The boy murmured, his voice barely above a whisper as he struggled to find the right words to express the whirlwind of thoughts that assaulted him.

Y/N shook her head, a soft smile still playing on his lips. She pulled away slightly, maintaining eye contact with Matt.

"I know this is all very confusing." She began, her voice soft and comforting. "But I'm so happy, Matt. So happy and relieved that you're here."

Matt's confusion deepened even further as he took in her words. He couldn't understand how she could be so serene and happy after everything that happened and what he did with her special date.

The boy felt a weight on his shoulders and an immense desire to look behind his shoulders towards the door, feeling as if someone would open it at any moment and expose them to the public.

"When I sent the invitation." Y/N continued. "I felt scared. Scared that you wouldn't show up, that you would choose not to be here. But deep down, I knew you would come. I knew you wouldn't let me down."

Her words hit the brunette like a wave of comforting heat. He watched her intensely, his racing heart overflowing with love as goosebumps ran through his whole body.

"Don't get me wrong, Victor is an amazing guy, but... Matt, he's not you. He never was. No one will ever be you." She unbuttoned her lace sleeves before rolling them up, ripping off the flower that was attached to the fake belt at her waist and throwing it over her heels.

She really was something.

"Y/N-"

"Run away with me?

Y/N's suggestion left Matt speechless. His body remained static as his eyes stared at her, his orbs filled with shock and disbelief. He never imagined that she could suggest something so radical.

"Matt, please, we have to go. Run away with me."

A smirk slowly grew onto Matt's face before he took her right hand in his, pulling her close tightly and picking her up in one quick movement, his right arm supporting her back and his hand gripping her waist tightly, while his left arm held her legs beneath her knees, pressing her against his body.

A squeal escaped Y/N's throat, who wrapped her arms around his neck and placed her hands on the back of his head tightly, hiding her face in the crook of his shoulder, a loud laughter passing through her lips.

"You're unbelievable, pretty girl... Come on, let's go."

So glad you were around when they said: Speak Now.

༻✦༺ 　༻✧༺　༻✦༺

My asks are always open. My requests are closed at the moment since I have many to work in, but you can always send questions or simply talk to me 🩷💋

And remember to treat people with kindness always!

~ taglist:

@lustfulslxt @ladybunny44 @worldlxvlys @earth2starkey @remussbitch @freshloveforthefit @il0vebeingdelulu @sturniolowhore @mimi-luvzyu @alorsxsturn @urfavgirllyyyyy @domizzzsstuff @sturnizd @hearts4chriss @cupidzsq @dracoflaco @leah-loves-lilies @tylerthecreatorsrealwife @rootbeerworshiper @junnniiieee07 @elliesturniolo1 @sstvrnioloo @lightsgore @gidgett11037 @sturniolho @ksskianshd @ccolleenn @sturniolo-lover1317 @soimightlikeoldmen69 @hrtyjy @ldr-sl0t @breeloveschris @bellasfavbisexual @its-jennarose @sainzzsturns @ecliphttlunar @thebottledwatersupplier @soso-scarlettolivia @maryx2xx @sturnolio-luvs @bitchydragonparadise @lvrsturn @freshsturns @iammattswife

(If you want to be added to the taglist, please comment here)

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thedivinershiddenarchive · 1 year

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idk how many incest-related or yandere requests you're getting but. okay hear me out for a moment. "healing" sex with big brother yan!tartaglia and mute!reader.

i say "healing" in quotations because he's not only manipulating her, into doing this, but he made a move the moment she's at a very vulnerable state (remembering her past). he's so good with his words that he fully convinces her that he'll "protect" her, that this will give some form of "closure." don't get me wrong he cares deeply about his step-sister ofc, but good lord the way he expresses it.

probably takes advantage of her (like praising her ig) just to let her trust him more so he can have her all for himself. he doesn't directly say it, but he makes sure she knows she belongs to him, whether she likes it or not. in this case, she probably does?? ig?? (it doesnt have to be mute!reader btw, if you want to change it to a different reader then go for it)

[Most likely referenced to Secrets can be kept in Snow]

cw. st3pc3st, yandere!childe x mute!fem!reader, possesive and manipulative AND unhealthy behavior, (reader's) family trauma, d4cryphili4, marking/h1ck3ys, usage of "princess", usage of childe's real name, arguments (childe's father & reader's mother), childe is s4distic

a/n. sorry yall, there are too much full fic requests and i'm extremely unmotivated so i'm gonna be doing thirsts.. idek if i call these thirsts bcus they're so goddang long for some reason.

masterlist | tag system | 17- & MASC-ALIGNED PLEASE DNI! THIS IS ONLY FOR FEMALE AUDIENCES.

I can see how manipulative he can be when it's in his POV rather than yours. Childe's wit most likely improved after he trained to become a Harbinger. Don't misunderstand him; he was initially protective of you because you couldn't defend yourself through talking or fighting. You weren't that type of person. He was.

Let's say, you haven't fully healed yet after your first time. You still cling onto him like a leech, the arguments your mother and Childe's father get into are not often but they happen and they remind you of your past. He wanted to help you so you let him, let him do whatever he wants to heal your trauma and you don't think twice about it. Why would you when he's being so sweet and helpful?

He'd do it with you many times, saying it was part of the process. You would trust his words blindly, never knowing his true intentions with you. His sweet praises on how good of a girl you are for him and how you're taking him so well while you sit on his lap and whimpering at the feeling of him stretching you out. You felt so good around him he couldn't help hugging you tightly and whispering for you to stay quiet. Ajax knows you feel good but you can't risk the two of you being caught.

We can also see how much our dear stepbrother becomes really posessive over you too. You're pretty easy to persuade and it isn't hard for Ajax to eliminate any other men in your life that could try to steal you away from him. Of course, not a lot of people know about the eleventh harbinger's family so he could easily take you out to places and act all affectionate. The two of you look nothing alike so it wasn't a problem to act like a couple.

Your cries and sounds, they're the reasons why he's still alive in the first place. Your whining as he fills you to the brim. It was those nights again where he'd visit your room for the healing process. Where he'll go gentle with you and sing praises into your ears when you get emotional from it. He knows how much this reminds you of your past and he does his best to comfort you (to get you to trust him more).

The process would include a lot of foreplay, Childe knows you're not used to his touches yet since they make you feel weird. Especially when they get intimate but you try and be brave for him. Taking the kisses he gives you on your neck and chest, his fingers tickling your clothed cunt.

And once he's inside of your sweet pussy, oh his touches just get even better (and physical). His hand carefully pulling your head back to mark your neck all over, don't worry, he'll make sure to have his scarf around you and tell the others that you were feeling too cold and that he was more than capable of taking care of you so they won't know about the hickeys.

Childe's love for you is genuine and everlasting, he wouldn't go rough on you if you didn't ask for it. Hell, you've been giving him everything he ever wanted and you're behaving well. It wouldn't be fair if he didn't do the same. He promises to make you feel good, make you feel safe. And he doesn't break his promises.

"Ah," he'll moan into your ear, "Feel so good, princess. J-just like that, fuck.." he groans, hugging you tightly, his face into your neck and sniffing your scent. Your gasps can be heard inside the room as well as the slapping of skin, "Doing so good for me, yeah? Being a good girl for me?" Ajax growls, biting into your skin lightly. You only sobbed, limping onto him. Tonight, you heard your mother's arguments towards Ajax's father and it was about you. Ajax knows how that makes you weak, especially when the arguments get physical or violent but that never happens, his father was a reasonable man and so was Ajax. He didn't blame you for being emotional so he wanted to comfort you.

Your parents' shouts are as loud as ever but he was making sure you didn't hear it by soughing into your ears, just not loud enough to deafen the whole thing. Your vulnerable state was the reason he could have you to himself to care for in the first place. "It's alright, darling. Nothing's gonna hurt you and if there is, they're gonna have to get through me first.." he chuckles, pulling your body closer to his.

Your pretty moans and sounds, they get him going as well as your tears. He'd lick them away and savor your face as you turn into a sobbing, hiccuping mess on him. Ajax doesn't like seeing you sad, especially if it isn't in this kind of way. Even after the healing process has finished, he'd ask for another round. Saying he felt unsatisfied and that it wasn't enough to comfort you. You just let yourself go and concede into his embrace as you just let him do what he wants with you. You don't know better but that's fine, he says. He can handle it.

#notsodivininglover ; king’s pages #childe x reader #childe smut #tartaglia x reader #tartaglia smut #yandere childe x reader #yandere tartaglia x reader #yandere smut #genshin impact smut #genshin impact x reader #genshin smut #genshin x reader

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gemini-sensei · 9 months

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Not What You Think | Tattooist!Hawk x Chubby!Reader

Tattoo Parlor AU ○ Based off of this POST ○

CW: suggestive themes, vulgar language, mentions of needles and healing processes (unedited).

"So did she actually get a tattoo or did you fuck her?" Tory asked. She was sitting at the worktable in the lobby, working on a drawing for a client. Her eyes stayed on the paper, but her ears were pert as the parlor fell quiet.

Hawk was trying to eat a granola bar, having just sent his newest client out the door with a "have a nice rest of your day" and an appointment card to come back for any touch ups her tattoo. She'd been very sweet, very easy to work with. She sat well, except for one little uncontrollable thing...

She moaned a lot during the session. Hours on hours of moaning. Fairly loud moans as well.

He almost choked on the granola and chocolate in his mouth upon hearing the question. It still made him cough and as he did his best to not die, Tory barked with laughter. She was the only one.

Then Robby spoke uo. "I thought he might very been killing her."

"Oh my god, I know," Tory groaned. She stopped drawing and sat back in her chair, finally looking up. "No one should be making those kind of noises back there."

Hawk finally regained his strength amd wits, taking a sip of long overdue water. "Shut up. Everyone reacts differently to getting a needle stuck into them a thousand times. And I was tattooing the the backs of the thighs, she's a little thick, so they were sensitive."

"I'm sure she enjoyed you grabbing her thick ass thighs," Tory snickered.

Hawk glared at her, but she only smirked in response. However, before he could come up with a witty comeback, someone else interjected.

Demetri grimaced. "I can't stand here and listen to this anymore. It was bad enough hearing the... noises coming from your room. I don't need any speculative imagery to go along with it. I have a two o'clock coming in soon, so maybe don't talk about it anymore either."

With that, he let the room and walked down the hall to his work room. He shut the door for some peace and quiet. Tory rolled her eyes and gathered her stuff.

"Whatever, she's just lucky she was the only one booked while she was here. I saw how embarrassed she was walking out of here, so I can only image how much worse it would have been had the rest of us has someone here," she said. Then she stood up and sighed.

Miguel let out a huff that was between disbelief and astonishment. "Yeah, my client had to reschedule. Kinda glad he did."

Robby shrugged. "I'm just waiting on walk-ins honestly."

Tory smirked and looked at Hawk. "Lucky, lucky you."

"Shut up, Tory," he spat, tired of the teasing.

They all cleared out of the lobby except for Miguel and Hawk. Miguel was at the reception desk, working on the computer as the phone rang. He greeted the person on the other end with his usual enthusiasm and Hawk walked outside, looking for some fresh air.

As soon as he was outside and leaning on the wall, Sam was walking up from her car. She smiled brightly and pushed her sunglasses up. "Hey, Hawk!"

"Hey," he grumbled.

Her smile quickly turned into a frown. "What's wrong?"

If anyone had a fix to a problem, it was Sam. That was part of her job after all. So even though it was a little embarrassing, he told her about what happened. "I had this new client come in. She was looking for a new shop to go to because all the ones she went to before never wanted her back. I wasn't worried about it. She's really sweet, too, so I didn't understand what everyone else's problem was."

"Did he kick and scream or something?"

"Worse."

"Break something?"

"No."

"Then what did she do?"

"She moaned. A lot. Like, the whole time I was tattooing her."

"Oh." Sam's pulled an awkward face before fixing it. She became thoughtful. "So what's the problem?"

"She's coming back for touchups and the second half of her tattoo."

"I see," she mused.

Things became silent and Hawk thought there was no way to fix this. There wasn't even a "real" problem to solve, but it sure did feel like there was. He rested his head back on the brick wall behind him and sighed. Just as he thought there was no hope, only further awkward situations, Sam let out a loud,

"Aha! I got it!"

"What?" he asked her, standing from the wall and turning to her hopeful.

She smiled. "You have your own studio at home, right? I know you've tattooed Miguel up there plenty of times. So why don't you just invite her out there for a more private setting. Surely that will be a lot better for you and especially her."

"Invite a stranger to my house? Are you crazy?"

"What's the difference than picking up a girl and taking her home?"

They were quiet for a moment, then Hawk sighed, knowing she was right. He supposed it wasn't a totally bad idea either. So he relented and nodded to her.

"Okay, I'll call her in a few to rearrange some things. Can't be too hard, right? And it's just a tattoo. What's the worst that could happen?"

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lady-hestia-rose · 7 months

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Persona 5 vs. Milgram: How One Story Succeeded at Portraying Teenage Sexuality Where the Other Failed

tw: child abuse, child ra**, sexuality and sexualization, abortion, s**cide

(Note: I am not personally a victim of abuse or ra**, so if I say something stupid here, please let me know. I am always open to criticism and I don't want to be an asshole.)

rare moment of @lady-hestia-rose having original thoughts and not just reblogging everything

So this year I discovered both Persona 5 and Milgram, and I love both of them sososo much. I've infodumped about both of them for hours and overanalyzed the writing and symbolism both stories use to no end. Persona 5 Royal is probably my favorite piece of media I've ever seen. Milgram has brought me and my best friend closer together as we rant about our murderer blorbos and how well-written they all are together.

However, playing Persona, to me, is like the video game equivalent of watching a Shakespeare play. It's a masterclass narrative, very entertaining, and full of depth and symbolism to analyze, but it also has a bunch of misogyny that can really sour the mood sometimes. This seems to be a problem that the Persona series has had for a while judging from my experience playing P4 and what I've heard about other games, but in 5 it's like eating the most rich, satisfying cake you've ever had and then finding out some jackass poured pebbles into it. The way Persona 5 treats its female characters is by far my biggest problem with the game, with one problematic aspect in particular being its sexualization of the high school female cast, particularly Ann Takamaki.

Ann's storyline is mostly focused around her looks and how her appearance affects the way people treat her. At first, this plotline is taken in a promising direction. Because of her Caucasian ancestry, Ann faces slut-shaming and fetishization from most of her peers at school. In addition, Ann, along with many other girls in the school, is targeted by her abusive gym teacher, Kamoshida. It's not entirely clear how far his advances went with Ann specifically, but she is shown to face sexual harassment and coercion from Kamoshida onscreen, and Ann's best friend Shiho attempts suicide after being all but stated outright to have been raped by Kamoshida. So Ann is a victim of sexual abuse and a witness of her friend's abuse as well. There are plenty of interesting and thoughtful angles you could take with this story. You could show her reconnecting with Shiho and bonding over their shared trauma, with them going through the healing process together. You could show her being initially distrustful of the other Phantom Thieves until their bond grows stronger and she is able to feel safe around them. You could give her an arc about reclaiming her sexuality and taking back this part of herself that was used to hurt her.

What does the game do?

Barely fucking anything.

Ann gets little to no character development post-Kamoshida. Instead, her Confidant storyline is about her modeling career, with only one conversation where she sees Shiho again even acknowledging her past trauma. The game also continues to make her the Ms. Fanservice of the team, with constant gross jokes about her "hot bod" and the male characters being pervy around her. She keeps getting put in skimpy outfits and having to use her sex appeal to seduce enemies, as if the previous storyline never even happened.

For obvious reasons, I am very uncomfortable with any storyline that sexualizes minors, even if it's for a reason that serves the story. This is a general rule I apply to most media I consume. I'm considering completely skipping the Dancing in Starlight spinoff game because of the content I've heard it contains. And it's not just something I apply to Persona. I stopped listening to the song "Romeo and CInderella" by doriko despite really liking it musically because I was very uncomfortable with the story of the song. It's a problem I run into a lot when consuming Japanese media. However, I was thinking about this stuff a couple days ago, and I realized something. There is one specific piece of media I really like that shows a minor with sexual imagery that actually doesn't make me sick to my stomach. That is the song "Tear Drop" from DECO*27's music project Milgram.

(Note for Milgram fans: This part is based entirely off my interpretation of the offical English translation of the lyrics. I have not watched the voice dramas.)

"Tear Drop" is about a 17-year-old girl named Kashiki Yuno. The music video has several shots of her wearing lingerie, and the song approaches themes of innocence, sexuality, and relationships. Not only do I like the song, it's arguably my favorite song in the entirety of Milgram (although Backdraft also puts up a good fight for that title).

(Note from the future: I have been corrected. Yuno is actually 18.)

Why is it that I like "Tear Drop" despite depictions of sexualized teenagers usually making me uncomfortable? What sets apart Yuno's story from Ann's that makes it work?

(Note: I'm about to discuss a controversial aspect of Japanese culture as a mostly uninformed American. I may be about to say something stupid. If you're more knowledgeable about this subject than I am and you notice me saying something stupid, I am so sorry. Please tell me.)

In Yuno's first song, "Umbilical," it was heavily implied that she was involved in the Japanese enjo kōsai industry, which is often translated as "compensated dating." Taking the definition from Wikipedia (the most scholarly of sources), it is "the practice of older men giving money and/or luxury gifts to attractive young women for sexual favors." The song also implies that Yuno's "murder" (the premise of Milgram is that all of the prisoners the songs are about have killed someone) was an abortion.

So, Yuno was raped. I think that's quite clear. If you're a minor and you have sex with an adult, you were raped. No further clarification needed. Hopefully I don't need to argue that Yuno's abortion was justified either.

After the release of "Umbilical," Yuno was overwhelmingly voted innocent by Milgram's official poll. She garnered a huge amount of sympathy from everybody in the audience, and people expressed their sympathy for Yuno quite often. However, this rhetoric often took on quite a patronizing tone, like calling her "poor baby" or regretting that the circumstances of her life "forced" her into compensated dating to make ends meet (which, from what I understand, isn't quite how enjo kōsai works, but that's another discussion for someone who knows more about this stuff than me).

In Milgram, the prisoners canonically can hear what the audience is saying about them. And Yuno was not pleased.

"Tear Drop" seems to be almost entirely addressed towards the audience. In the image above, we see Yuno removing the metaphorical rose-colored lens from the audience to see the real her. The lyrics call out everyone who infantilized and looked down upon her, drawing similarities between the people she dated and the viewers. Here are some examples from the English translated lyrics: "'Poor naive little girl'? So off the mark, what's it to you? It's just absurd"

"Don't weigh me measure me against your morality Just shut it, will you? You know it all Feeling magnanimous? INNOCENT? I'm so not that Just shut it, will you? You know it all" "Caressing me with your 'Good girl' Who needs your self-righteous pardon?

I'm the one who chose, let you and you and you all in Happy or sad? Why decide? Where'd you get your half-baked sense of justice So nauseating...so creepy...will you please disappear"

Yuno is sick of everyone else making judgements about her and trampling over her own desires and wishes, and in this song she gives the middle finger to everyone who did so.

Generally, I am against portraying sexualized minors in media. However, I think it's important to realize that teenagers are not completely sexless beings. They have their own wants and desires, they want to be sexy, and it is important for them to have their own safe sexual exploration. And like it or not, sex has undoubtedly affected Yuno's life as a rape survivor. And unlike Persona with Ann, Milgram has the respect to not just pretend this part of Yuno's life never happened and allows her to be sexual on her own terms, instead of just pandering to the male gaze.

I grew up in the LDS Church. While I have not gone through anything on her level, I see parts of my own story in Yuno as someone whose sexuality was used to hurt me and who has coped with the trauma by redefining my sexuality as my own. I find "Tear Drop" incredibly inspiring, and I think that's what sets Milgram apart from Persona in its approach to teenage sexuality.

This is the second-to-final shot of Tear Drop. Her face is full of relief, with her clutching the jacket like a comforting blanket. Not everything she has faced is fixed now, and her teenage naivety is still clear in many of the lyrics. One song didn't melt all her trauma away. But she's getting there. She's making progress one step at a time. The final shot of the song is her pulling the jacket in, covering more of her body as she rests.

In Persona 5, Ann's sexuality is used to objectify her. In Milgram, Yuno's sexuality is used to empower her. That's what makes the difference.

#persona 5 #milgram #persona 5 analysis #p5 analysis #milgram analysis #analysis #media analysis #ann takamaki #kashiki yuno #p5 ann #milgram yuno

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zeestarfishalien · 1 year

Text

Part 7: Leaves a Debt

TW for use of cigarettes I think.

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Taking a long drag on his cigarette and slowly exhaling as he stares fixedly at the open coffin and the being within, Constantine finally says, “ghost. That’s a ghost baby.”

“Well, not so fast." Captain Marvel holds up a hand to slow Constantine's roll.

“Huh?” He physically jerks back in affronted confusion, flicking ashes from his cigarette in the process.

Zatanna cuts in, “don’t jump to conclusions.”

“I’m jumpin’, I’ve jumped. I’ve landed. It’s a ghost,” Constantine insists, almost like it's some sort of competition.

Jason wasn’t sure how exactly they ended up here. Zatanna took one look at the being within the coffin and promptly dialed up both Constantine and Captain Marvel, saying nothing but, “You guys need to see this.”

Now the three are standing around the open coffin arguing and pointing about the thing inside. They look like a young teen with some major radioactive glowing going on, like those cats that scientists gave jellyfish glow genetics to. Beyond the seeming age, the kid doesn’t appear much in the way of human, human adjacent, but not human. They’re a little on the thin side but not too bad considering. They’re a spirit…of some kind. Which kind seems to be the topic up for debate.

What Jason would like to know is, what is up with these emotions radiating from the being? They're overjoyed and it kinda seems like it's because they can see/sense him. It feels directed at him somehow.

Jason blinks and realizes he’s a lot closer to the open coffin than before. The magic users are still busy arguing with each other and so Jason takes the chance to approach.

He’s careful not to touch the edges of the coffin, he still remembers the nasty little shock it gave him. Feeling for a pulse is the instinctual thing to do despite it being rather illogical. He’s seen weirder.

“You won’t find anything.”

The voice makes him jump. Captain Marvel is looking at him now, having edged out of the battle of wits.

“Whether or not they’re a regular ghost, a concept spirit, or some hybrid of those or something else, they won’t have a pulse. They aren’t ‘living’ entities per se. You can feel the energy pulsing from him though. Spirits don’t have a heart, but instead a core. Even non-magical people can feel it in a way.” He shrugs as he watches the resting spirit.

Jason watches him carefully. “Why aren’t they moving or waking up?”

Captain Marvel shrugs again. Something about the move is wrong, other. But then again, the hero has never quite looked ‘human’ to Jason.

“Could be a curse or something preventing them from waking. Or it might revolve around power levels. It sounds like they’ve been trying to call you for a while.” At Jason’s guilty look, Captain Marvel backtracks, “oh but don’t worry about that too much. Time for spirits is wonky and this one hasn’t been in any danger beyond being stuck here as far as we can tell.”

"They look like a kid,” he points out.

"Oh yeah, that happens sometimes. Could be a mental age thing or just a preference. It can be hard, but you can't trust looks with the supernatural."

"Yeah..." Jason acknowledges distractedly.

"Guys, guys," Dick cuts in between Constantine and Zatanna's arguing. "As riveting as this debate is, it is nearing dawn. We need to get outta here before someone decides to call in the cops."

“I’m tellin’ ya. It’s a ghost,” Constantine insists, not quite able to let someone else have the last word. Zatanna looks ready to fire back with some profound argument, Jason is sure, but Captain Marvel catches her eye and shakes his head.

She sighs but gets to work refilling the hole in the ground. Captain Marvel turns once more to Jason.

“Do you have somewhere you want to hold them? It’s probably best not to go too far from the cemetery.”

“They’ll heal best near death energy,” John cuts in unprompted. There’s a cigarette in his mouth and a lighter in his hands as he moves to stand with them all around the wacky glowing coffin on the ground.

Jason is sure they all make quite the scene but that’s neither here nor there.

“I have a small emergency base near here,” Damian offers. “It’s across the street, underground. You may use that if you are lacking accommodations.”

“Right. Take this then, put it on the ground and stand back.” Constantine chucks a small drawstring bag at Damian after finishing his impromptu instructions.

“Tt…I don’t take orders from some half-baked n…” Dick cuts him off.

“Thank you, we appreciate not having to lug this coffin around.” He strategically places his hands on Damian’s shoulders in order to gently guide him away and keep him from insulting the sad trench-coat man.

“Thanks Lil’ D,” Jason placates. “I appreciate the offer. I don’t have anything nearby.” His attempt at defusing works seeing as Damian collects whatever wounded sensibilities he had and leaves with Dick.

The sound of light footsteps and something in the corner of his eye is all the warning Jason gets before Cass brushes his arm. He leans into the touch, an encouragement. She leans into him as well. Jason knows it’s her way of showing her support and it’s a comforting gesture.

~*~

Having what amounts to a corpse on the dining room table is a very weird thing to get used to.

Technically Damian must have planned to use this dining table for spreading out clues and information. This isn't exactly a full on apartment or house, just a nest in the basement of one of the buildings. It connects directly to the sewer maintenance tunnels, because of course it does.

Back to the corpse...

Comatose spirit?

Not something in their contingencies (it will be from now on). Is it weird that Jason is kinda becoming accustomed to a lifeless body just chilling on the table?

Okay, clearly the answer to that is yes, but when you've spent four...almost five days living in the same small living space as the un-moving glowstick, you see if you don't get used to it.

The table thing is necessary and Jason isn't about to leave them fully unattended. (he maybe kinda sorta feels more comfortable sleeping near them. Not that he'll ever admit it) He still goes out on his nightly work, but he spends his off time here to keep half an eye on Glowstick McGee and the various runes and artifacts the three magic users finally agreed upon.

They said, "something something, energy...something, feeding...channeling it to them." Jason tried to pay attention, but they were kind of all talking over each other and all he knows is that this will keep the spirit alive...or well, existing.

And...it should help them get better, hopefully wake up, but possibly just maintain them while Constantine, Zatanna, or Captain Marvel figure out a way to suss out the problem.

Something catches his eye. A flicker in the shadows... No, must be the lighting. Glowpaint Ghost sometimes throws the shadows off. Jason turns to leave the room only to nearly run over Spooky.

In the flesh. Or shadows?

Jason may or may not have let out an undignified scream.

Spooky is just sitting there, watching Jason have his little freak out moment like he's been here the whole time. Jason didn't think they could leave the cemetery. They certainly couldn't seem to last time.

"What are you doing here?"

Spooky, as expected of a dog, doesn't answer. Their gaze flicks past Jason, to the comatose spirit. Jason supposes their presence is answer enough. Somehow Spooky can follow this spirit or Jason, or both?

It doesn't matter, because Spooky is okay. Jason had kinda been worried about them.

He pulls out his phone to dial up Zatanna.

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I have no excuses, neither will I apologize. Red Dead Redemption 2 has ate my right up and refuses spit me back out. My brother bought it for me on like...Sunday? Monday? Idk but it has taken over practically my whole life. I legit just didn't have enough time in the day to write more than a few sentences or paragraphs a day. Luckily rainycat from Batpham server gave me some of their writing juice. From there it's just been a few days wait bc brain funk. Gotta love brain funk. References to Shane and Ryan from Buzzfeed Unsolved (this episode) and the book Maniac McGee (mainly the title as inspiration for Jason in dubbing Danny Glowstick McGee)

Hopefully the tag list is still tagging everyone, I had to remove the links bc my laptop wigs out and won't let me even save the draft or post or anything

[Tag List] @emergentpanda-blog @my-perfect-storybook-love @gunebugfic @thegatorsgoose @thewondersoflebanon @bobred18 @d4ydr34min9 @ver-444 @redafi @echoednonny @greenmuffinofdoom @mentalcarebear @fisticuffsatapplebees @vythika96 @writer-extraodinaire @meira-3919 @yjfk @oddlydrawnpuppets @crystalqueertea @lazy-bouqet @darkthunder1589 @mnemovoid @keimiwolf @aarinisreading @love-has-no-labels @terzatheunderscorerima @idkmrpianoman @mur-ururu @chip-thief @kawaiikenna

@rangerhorsetug @treepainting @thatonegirl10 @demiourgias @spooky-fm @antagonisticly @fluffy23sblog @manglethemingle @kyrianclawraith @layyeschips @shepardking @asphyxia778 @ballzfrog @fluffen-spooky @drowningroane @deathsdaisy @malaayna @mistyaltair @potatoeofwisdom @heartsong18 @nixthenerd @icedbluesoul @the-church-grimm @overtherose @sara0055 @banishedthumbs @tired-yet-awaken

@dannyphantomphan @nonbinary-disaster @depressed-bitchy-demon @8-29pm @addie-lover-of-stories @lifefilledwithstories @apointlessbox @skulld3mort-1fan @katgirl05 @spookytragedyshark @mandyne-1001 @ascetic-orange @booklover9114 @qualifiedpasta @mouzerequis @fleeting-mists @gin2212 @rollthatcritical @kaitouhime @itsloveleo @litlecameron @phantom-dc @hippityhoppity-iownyourbones @pastalavistamf @kokoroluna @legowerewolf @riasthelustful @agreatcheesecakestudentstuff @mysterimax

#dp x dc #church grim danny au #the black dog danny #jason todd #dc x dp #danny phantom crossover #dc crossover

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xxfromthestartxx · 10 months

Note

Hii I saw that you’re open for requests and I’ve been looking for a Miguel x daughter!reader? Like the reader is the spiderman of her universe and Miguel recruited her. Miguel reminds reader her late father and stuff like that. One day the reader got rejected by her crush and you can do the rest. Preferably if it’s filipino reader hehe

Rejection and... Comforting? (Father figure! Miguel O'Hara)

pairings: Dad! Miguel O'Hara x Daughter! Reader

summary: It was a long day for you, even as the Spider-girl in your universe. You got rejected by your crush and you were tired of living, all you want to do is cry and seek comfort from anyone or anything.

a/n: I'm also taking requests from JJK so feel free to request them!! Also, I've seen reblogs where they can't understand tagalog so I placed the accurate translation so you guys don't need to google it anymore!!

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 (COMING SOON)

You're Spider-girl. You have duties. You have priorities. You need to protect everyone from any harm.

That's what you keep telling yourself, that's what you keep repeating in your head as you try to hold it together. This day was supposed to be your break, hanging around with your friends, and you did.

But it didn't go well, things were told and two of your best friends and one of your friends had a complicated situation. The hangout was great but the aftermath was a disaster to say at least.

The city was in chaos and you immediately got out of the tricycle and went to an empty alley. You let the holographic suit materialize over your clothes and swung away.

The fight was a rough one, that's why you ended up being badly bruised and with a large number of wounds in your body. Even with your patrol partner with you, you can't seem to focus on the fight.

That's why you ended up in your room, fixing your wounds when a notification rang from your phone. It was your best friend, telling you about what happened earlier.

You quickly got your phone and chatted with her, ignoring your fatal wounds and using the healing serum that you stored in your mini-refrigerator.

You quickly drank it and focused on the chats. You can see how worried she is about the problem. And what's this problem you might ask?

Your friend, Mary J. has an ongoing mutual understanding with Peter, who happened to be both of your best friends. The problem is, one of your friends, Dale, has a crush on Peter.

Mary J. hid it from Dale, not wanting to hurt him in any way, now that he found out, it was worse because Peter was there to witness it all. You were there to witness it all.

That's how you ended up having to switch contacts, chatting with Dale, Peter, and Mary J. all at once. It didn't happen that you were so sore and tired.

It didn't help that one of your best friends got into a fight with her mother, so now you are switching contacts between 4 people. Giving them pieces of advice while you process everything.

You were good at giving advice, that's what they say, the same advice you seemed to be ignoring when it comes to you. Your eyes welled up with tears as you read their chats, your empathy being too much.

That's how you are, you tend to absorb people's emotions. You were tired, but you didn't stop chatting with them, they needed you, and you want to be there for them, and it was exhausting.

Another notification popped up, this time, it was your crush. Your eyes widened and you quickly wiped away the building tears, ignoring the chat and continuing talking to Mary J.

You close your eyes shut as you contemplate whether you read it or not, you sighed and opened it, remembering what you sent them. Telling them, asking them to clear up things whether they like you back or just entertaining you because they knew you like them.

You knew the answer, deep down you knew, yet there was hope somewhere. You sighed as you read the chat, not having any time to process before you chatted with Mary J. once again, then chatting Dale.

It went on for hours until you were tired, the problem was toned down and you were only chatting with Mary J. now. You've helped your friends once again, that's what matters to you.

Grace wasn't that much upset anymore, you've convinced her that mothers are really complicated when it comes to parenting. You've convinced Dale to talk it out with Peter and Mary J. when he's ready to.

And Peter, you've convinced Peter to try and give Dale some space for his own good. You were happy to help, always. But it seemed to be so unfair that you were alone with your problems.

You bit your lip, replying to your crush, saying that it was okay and shit like that. They left you on seen which made your facade crumble apart.

One minute you were talking to Mary J. and giving her advice, and now you were casually chatting with her about the chat from your crush.

It took you a full hour to process everything, and by that time, you said goodbye to your best friend and you laid on your bed, holographic suit no longer to be seen.

You sat up, no tears forming in your eyes, but that didn't change the fact that your heart seemed to drop, oh how it was hurting you. You felt weak and vulnerable, not even your fights can compare to it.

You were slowly falling apart as a person and you can't call anyone, you don't want to, you don't want to be a burden. You knew that they have so much going on and you don't want to give them more headaches.

You stared at your room, your once comfortable room now having no sense of comfort, it felt empty. You felt lost. You gripped your chest, where your heart is supposed to be, you clutched it and you want nothing but to just rip it out of you.

You didn't want these to happen, yet it happened and it makes you upset, so mad, so vulnerable. It makes you feel things that were weakening your state.

Your mind was blank, desperate to seek comfort literally from anything, and one place crossed your mind. You let out a small smile and looked at your watch. You stood up and typed the universe where Miguel is.

You entered the portal and used your ability to teleport quickly to his office. "Tito?!" You shouted, shooting a web at the ceiling and descending up. (Uncle?!)

"What is it now, niña?" He didn't bother to look away from his screen, one word from you is enough to know that it was you.

You stayed silent and it was your breaking point, he noticed the silence and immediately looked at you. His eyes softened and his brows were furrowed.

"What happened?" He asked, putting hands on his waist. You only let go of your web and went to hug him. "Ayaw ko na. Ang sakit na." (I don't want to anymore. It hurts.)

Miguel stood frozen, eyes wide from your actions. He slowly put a hand on your head and gently patted it, an awkward gesture for him.

"Anong nangyare?" He asked in a thick Spanish accent, you looked at him with surprise. "You know how to speak Tagalog?" You asked, baffled by the fact that he spoke in your language. (What happened?)

"I'm learning so that I could understand and make sure you don't say anything bad to me." He replies, looking at you straight in the eyes.

You looked back before hugging him tighter, burying your head into his stomach. You let out a muffled cry, feeling your heart drop once again. You hated it, you hated when that happens, you hated that you feel weak.

"Ayaw ko na, tito. Why is living so hard? I don't get it. It's so tiring. Not just from the latest happenings, I just- I've been keeping it at the bay and now it's just, it's just flooding. And I hate it. I hate it so much it hurts." (I don't want to anymore, Uncle.)

Miguel looked at you with soft eyes, hugging you back, it was weird for him at first before he melts, hearing you cry was painful, he sees you as the daughter he longed for, the daughter he thinks his daughter would've become.

"I know, I know, let it out. Let it all out." He muttered, caressing your hair gently and sighing. You stayed there, crying your heart out, not saying a single word anymore, you cried there until there was nothing but sniffles.

You pulled away from him, giving him space after half an hour of crying, he looked at you and gave a tight smile. "So, are you going to tell me what happened? Mierda, pareces un desastre." (Shit, you look like a disaster.)

You couldn't help but smile, understanding what he was saying. “Estu complicado, tito." You replied in Spanish, now it's his turn to look at you weirdly. "When did you speak Spanish?" (It's complicated, Uncle.)

"Since the Spanish took over the Philippines for 333 years?" You snorted, wiping your cheeks. "Okay, fair." He shrugged, "So, ano nga nangyare?" (So, what really happened?)

You looked at him before sighing, pointing at the chairs. He nodded and went there while you used your power of teleportation to teleport there. "Long story. Basta- nakakapagod." (Just- it's really tiring.)

Miguel looked like he wanted to do something but decided against it, "Just.." he trailed off, looking away, "I'm here for you, okay?" He continued.

You turned to him, a small smile gracing your lips. "I'm just... Tired is all. Everything is so fucked up lately, you know?" you whispered, playing with your hands.

"I know I'm saving my city but it hurts. Am I not lovable the way I am? Without my mask, am I not... lovable?" Miguel's eyes widened at your words.

He couldn't say anything, processing what you just told him. "I've never been so weird with someone. I've never acted this way. This is the first time I liked someone so much it hurts. It hurts, tito, sobrang sakit. Hindi ko maintindihan." (It hurts, Uncle, it hurts so much. I don't understand it.)

You sniffled, tucking your knees to your head. "I shouldn't feel this way. I'm too young to have a love life. I'm too young to feel this way." Miguel looked at you, scooting closer to you.

"Hey, hey. Don't talk to yourself like that. You are lovable. You have friends who love you, okay? And what's with the love life talk? Did something happen?" He was soft, underneath all the facade he put through, he was so soft. So soft for you, for someone who resembles his daughter.

"My..." You hiccuped, shaking from the feeling. "My crush chatted me, I asked them to clear things up because I don't want to get my hopes high." You said, "I know that this is our last problem right now, but why does it hurt so much?"

There was silence before you decided to speak again. "Tangina, ang sakit. Hindi ko kaya, ayaw ko na siya makita. Ang sakit kaya sa puso, gago." You cursed, voice lacing with venom. (Son of a bitch, it hurts. I can't stand it anymore, I don't want to see them anymore. It really hurt my heart, asshole.)

"You don't mean that." Miguel was quick to respond, making you look at him. "I've known you for a while now, niña. You tend to say things you don't mean when you're overwhelmed."

"It's just that, I don't know, okay? I'm supposed to be strong, I'm supposed to be there for my friends, I should be there to protect them, I don't have time for me to play around." You ranted out, on the verge of crying once again.

"That doesn't mean you aren't allowed to feel anything, niña. Even after all that happened, you're still a person. A person that's allowed to feel something, okay? So don't invalidate your feelings. Your feelings matter, you matter."

Miguel wasn't sure if his words were doing something, just at least something for you. He wanted to be there, and he is there for you, for you to lean on. He sighed before looking at the ceiling, trying to come up with something.

"Feelings..." he started, taking a deep breath. "Feelings are complicated, it doesn't need to make sense. You just need to find it out yourself. It will take time to translate it into something easier for you to understand... "

He stopped and thought about something, "You can't force yourself to continue saving the city like nothing happened, you need time for yourself." He said, his voice low and his eyes soft.

"What? You're making me take a break?“ you asked, voice cracking. "You have a superhero team back in your universe, right? I'm sure they can handle themselves."

"But-" you were cut off by him shushing you. "It's just until you figure out what you will do. Just so you can have time for yourself to clear your mind." He replied firmly. "I'm not going to stop you from swinging around your city if that's what will help. I just don't want you to go on dangerous missions."

"I get it." You muttered, "I don't want you thinking I'm doing this because you did something bad. Those feelings are normal. I want you to give more time to yourself. To have inner peace." He then clicked something on his watch.

"Do you want anything?“ he asked, "Food, anything?" He asked, standing up from his seat as Lyla materialized in front of Miguel. "Hey, Lyla." You greeted the AI with a smile.

"Hey." She glitched to your side, performing your not-so-secret handshake with her. "Boogsh!" The two of you said in unison, mimicking a bomb explosion. She then moved to Miguel's side, a smile on her face.

You thought for a second before speaking, "I want some ice cream, or fries, or... A float? Hm... Burger seems nice too. But like, kwek kwek? Oh! I know, milk tea! Nah, I think Takoyaki is fine too, but I want something sweet. Maybe spaghetti? But carbonara though...?"

Miguel took a deep breath before facing you, "Forget that I asked." Closing his eyes then putting a hand on his nose bridge. "Mierda, so indecisive." (Shit, so indecisive.)

"Narinig ko yun! Tsaka bakit ba?! Nagtanong ka eh!" You huffed, the tears you've shed now dried into your skin. "Wait! I know what I want!!" You stood up from your seat, walking towards Miguel. (I heard that! And what is it to you?! You asked for it!)

"I want f/f, pretty please!“ you bounced at the balls of your feet, eager to have some food. "Lyla, you know what to do, please." Miguel then tapped into his watch once again.

"Alright!“ Lyla then made a screen appear in front of her, ordering food for you. "Salamat, tito!" You hugged him from behind, the impact was not too strong but it made him tense. Unknown to you, he smiled a bit, just a bit before he let out a sigh. (Thank you, Uncle!)

He didn't know when did he start being this soft to someone, he didn't know that he could be this soft after Gabriella. "Done!" Lyla chirped, pulling Miguel out of his trance.

"You can go now, Lyla. Thank you." Miguel swatted away the projection of his own AI. Lyla rolled her eyes before scattering into bits, disappearing completely.

"What..." You started, "What should I do now? I'm classmates with him, I can't possibly... you know, avoid him?“ you pulled back from the hug, shrugging your shoulders at him.

"Well, what are you willing to do? Miss your classes?" He asked, his voice filled with authority like he was interrogating you. "I'm not going to! Sino ba s'ya?“ you crossed your arms with a huff. (Who do they think they are?)

Ignoring on how your stomach is doing cartwheels inside you. "You are so easy to read, estúpida." Miguel chuckled slightly, his eyes softening with your antics. (Stupid.)

"You need time to heal, take things slow. Just know that the whole spider society is here for you, okay? Don't rush things. You're still friends, right? Just clear things up with them."

You pursed your lips, uncrossing your arms and taking a deep breath. "I can't... I don't want to talk to them." You admitted, shooting a web on the ceiling and descending up.

Miguel could only look at you before he went down to his seat. "As I said, it will take time. They are friends of your friends. It's best if the both of you handle it privately."

"I know. But for now, all I want is to avoid them, you get it?" You stuck there for a while, sticking yourself to the ceiling, spreading your arms and legs like a starfish. "You can't keep avoiding them. There will be a time they will reach for you, you know that. It might be sooner than you think."

His words echoed in your brain, you know he was right. Your crush is part of your friend group, you can't just avoid them. You can't avoid the whole friend group, especially if that friend group is the same superhero team Miguel was talking about.

"They're... part of the superhero team right?" Miguel raised an eyebrow, looking up at you. "How'd you know?" Your heart leaped, remembering the times the two of you will patrol the city at night.

"I have access across the multiverse, remember? Tanga." You let out an exaggerated gasp once Miguel called you an idiot. "Don't use my language against me, descendant of colonizers!" (Dumb.)

"Ay por favor." He sighed, hearing you chuckle a bit. "Yeah, they are." You shrugged, "I guess I need to ask someone else to accompany them to night patrols." You whispered, smiling a bit. (Oh please.)

Miguel couldn't get a grasp on what you were thinking, you were too predictable but not at the same time. It was weird to say the least. You always have this look when you think of your crush, a very lovestruck one.

Miguel had heard you rant about your crush million times, whether it was intentional or not. It's like you were in denial that you've completely fallen in love, yet your actions says otherwise.

The silence was comfortable, just the two of you having your own train of thoughts. It was so rare for you to be this relaxed but you liked it, you feel safe and secured. It's funny because you always had your guard up even when you were in HQ, but now, you feel secure.

"This is nice." You thought out loud, looking down at him. "What is?" He asked, curiosity dancing in his eyes. "You being not angry at me." Once the words left your mouth, you burst into fits of laughter. He only rolled his eyes and grunted.

"Really now?" He scoffed, mumbling Spanish curses. "What?! It's true! You always scold me and the others!" You defended, still in the fits of giggles. "Not always." He rebutted, eyes narrowing. "What do you mean 'not always'? You always do!"

"I don't! I mean, from time to time, yes but no!" His answer made you laugh more, the denial on his tone is just so funny to you. "Yeah, whatever." You tsked at him, shaking your head with faux disappointment.

"I just noticed that you're not in your suit." He pointed at the clothes you wore. You wore a cyan T-shirt with small patterns on the top and pink shorts. Like the usual clothes when you stay home. "Yeah. Na ka pangbahay ako." You shrugged. (Yeah. I'm wearing clothes I usually wear in my own house.)

"You went out with your friends... " He gestured at your fit. "With those." He finished with an amused smirk. "What? It's alright." You scowled, crossing your arms. "Yeah, right. You have a lot of great clothes and you chose those for a hangout."

"I was too lazy to actually dress up!" You huffed, rolling your eyes. "You're lazy in general, mija." He let out a hearty laugh, shaking his head. Your eyes widened at his laugh, it sound so familiar yet so distant.

"Wow, you could laugh like that?!" You taunted, jumping off the ceiling and pointing your hand at him. "What's that supposed to mean?" He slapped your hand away. "And don't point, it's bad."

"You sound like my mother." You slapped his hand back. "Don't let her hear you say that, mija." He teased, a smug look on his face. "Don't you have like, a crush on my mother?" You rose an eyebrow.

"What?" He choked, patting his chest harshly. "Yeah, I've heard it from someone from the HQ." You smirked devilishly, taunting him. "I don't... Have a crush on your mother." He finished.

"Does that mean you’ll be my father?" You both grimaced, "Iih..." You let out a small screech, tilting your head to the side, measuring your hands, and gesturing a 50/50.

"Don't have a crush on her." He repeated, firmly this time. "Don't let her hear you say that, tito, or should I say... Papa?" You taunted, grabbing his shoulders and shaking him.

"I can't believe it! The rumors were true! You have a crush on my mother!!" You shrieked, pulling away before jumping around like a little girl. "I don't!" He called out, massaging his shoulders.

"You so do!!" You giggled, grabbing a file of paper before throwing it up, and scattering it. "Ay por dios, no puedo más contigo." He mumbled, wiping his face and then resting his hand on his mouth. (Oh my God, I can't with you anymore.)

"Okay, that's enough." He mumbled, standing up and looking at the mess you've made. "Clean that up then we can eat. The food is outside the door."

"You're not my mother!" You called out, running to the door with a smile, taking the bag of food from another Peter.

Miguel was left there, a soft smile on his face when he saw you smile. You were complicated, weird, and overall confusing. But it was okay for him, after all, you're his daughter.

a/n: requests are still open! Both from ATSV and JJK!!!

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five-bi-five-mind · 2 years

Note

Hiya! Can you please write something about readers social battery running out and JJ noticing??

Safe Place

Fandom: Criminal Minds

Pairing: JJ x fem!Reader

Genre: Fluff and Comfort

Words: 1.7k+

Summary: JJ seems to always know what you need when you push yourself a little too hard.

Warnings: Mentions of alcohol, brief mention of nudity and description of a shared bath (but no smut in this one, sorry folks!)

A/N: Thanks for this request anon and sorry for your wait! Hope this short fluff fic satisfies! Sometimes I can write a cute, happy JJ :)

(gif not mine; credit to the creator)

It had been a rough week. The case you were on was the hardest you’ve had so far. Yes, you were fairly new, only being part of the BAU for less than a year now. There was still so much to learn, about your coworkers, about the job, about how to unpack and heal from the horrible things you’ve seen.

What you wanted when you landed and returned to the office was to go straight home and have a quiet evening with your girlfriend. Throughout all of the hardships of this job, all of the impossible tragedies you had to witness and navigate through, your bright light was meeting JJ and starting a relationship almost immediately after joining the team. She was already used to seeing these things, she already knew how to compartmentalize way better than you do. So far, the only way you were able to recover from these things was to hide in the safe space that was her arms. Unfortunately for you, that was going to have to wait tonight.

There was a pattern you started to notice with the team. Anytime a case was particularly challenging, once it was over they would go out together to their usual bar and melt away the case’s tension with drinks, laughs, and time spent together. It seemed to work for almost everyone there. It would seem, to you, as if a night together out on the town would wash away the pain they had endured the night before. And you would be lying if you said you didn’t enjoy seeing the team outside of work, you absolutely do. You loved seeing everyone relax and put on a completely different demeanor. Every smile and laugh you shared, you knew healed their hearts and probably even yours too a little bit. However, it wasn’t what you needed. It just prolonged your ability to process what you had seen.

Tonight was particularly worse for you. It felt like the worse the case was, the longer they stayed out and spent time together. You were the opposite. The harder the case was, the less you wanted to be social. You especially didn’t want to drink tonight. The images of everything from the past week just weren’t getting out of your head. You’ve barely eaten through the whole thing and the idea of putting any amount of alcohol in your body had your stomach twisting and turning uncomfortably.

You were currently sitting at a table with both Reid and Garcia, both of which were talking away about random things that you only have paid attention to. They were a couple drinks in, but you were barely even sipping on the one JJ got for you when you first got there and that was a few hours ago. Your brain honestly was starting to feel a little bit like radio static as they continued on about whatever they were talking about. Of course, you would still nod and smile here and there, but you knew the smile you were throwing their way didn’t ever reach your eyes. Luckily, it didn’t seem like they noticed tonight. If they did, they didn’t seem too bothered by it at least.

JJ was somewhere else in the bar, chatting away with the rest of the team. Each time you peered around the room to find her, you’d see her pretty engaged in a conversation. She looked like she was enjoying herself, and while you desperately wanted to grab her hand and pull her out of the bar and all the way home, you also didn’t want to ruin her good time. So, you pushed on, pretending like you were having just as good of a time as the rest of the team. You only hoped no one would notice your lack of enthusiasm.

Of course, this tactic backfired when Garcia insisted on everyone at the table taking a shot. Reid gave an exaggerated frown and you tried your best to keep your features neutral, but Reid’s face only spurred Garcia on more.

“Come on, guys!” Garcia pleaded with both of you. You could tell Reid was about to break, looking towards you for advice.

“I don’t know…” you trailed off. You didn’t really have an excuse for this. If you disagreed, they might finally notice your exhaustion. If you agreed, you’d be drinking more than you wanted to. It was taking everything in you not to gag at even just the thought of a shot burning it’s way down your throat.

“(Y/N), you’ve barely started to have fun! You need to unwind more!” Garcia was basically jumping in place. The amount of energy she was radiating was making you internally wince.

“I guess we can,” you finally relented. “Only one.”

“Yes!” Garcia did a little victory fist pump before hopping off her chair. “I’ll go get them!”

“Actually,” a voice came from behind you. You felt a hand press to the small of your back gently and you didn’t need to look to know who it was. Your body immediately started to relax at the feeling of her touch. JJ couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. “I’m going to have to steal (Y/N) from you for the rest of the night. We’re both tired and I think it’s time we go home and get some rest.’”

Garcia pouted, but knew there was no arguing with JJ.

“Raincheck, okay?” JJ offered with an apologetic smile, before offering you her hand. You took it and began to stand. She led you all the way out of the bar, never letting go of you until you reached the car.

The drive home was silent, but it wasn’t a bad silence. It was actually a relief to have a little bit of comfortable silence for once that night. Rather than needing to call for a car and pick yours up in the morning, JJ actually let you drive. Trusting that you didn’t even have a third of your drink. She kept her hand comfortably on your thigh as you drove and the warmth of her touch felt like it was soothing your entire being.

When you reached your place, the comfortable silence remained. It was as if JJ read your mind and knew you needed a break from the loud chatter of the bar. She still stayed close by to you, though. Another comfort you were glad to finally have as you started to take your shoes off and unwind for the night.

Silently, JJ took your hand again before you could make your way to the couch. Instead, she pulled you back to your bedroom and sat you down on the bed. Brushing her fingertips across your jaw as she stared down at you with gentle, concerned eyes.

“You don’t have to push yourself, you know,” JJ finally broke the silence. She knelt slowly in front of you, her hands placed on either of your knees.

“But I do,” you sighed as you looked down at her hands. The slow trail of her hands from your knees to your thighs and back starting to release some of your anxieties. “I’m still the newest member on the team. I… I’m trying to be a team player, to be a part of the bond you all have.”

JJ gave you a sympathetic smile before shaking her head.

“You already are, my love,” she said gently before standing up. She cupped your chin with one of her hands, tilting your head to meet her eyes. “This case was hard and everyone has a different way of dealing with the toll it had. A lot of the team deal with it by going out and having fun, but they can be a lot of energy. They understand that that doesn’t work for everyone and they wouldn’t think less of you for taking the time you need for yourself. Don’t force yourself just to fit in with what you think the team wants, baby. I promise, it’s okay.”

You nodded meekly in response. Maybe it was the soft way she was speaking to you or the feeling of the past week’s tension finally starting to dissipate from your body, but it felt like a dam finally broke. You felt silent tears slip down your cheeks and JJ moved her hand to wipe your tears away. Your body slumped forward so that you could press your face into JJ’s stomach, the overwhelming urge to hide from the rest of the world had finally taken over.

JJ held you there for a moment, stroking your hair and whispering kind words of affirmation. You let yourself silently cry against JJ until the tears finally stopped. When you pulled back to look up at her, she looked back at you with nothing but love in her eyes, leaning down to give you a gentle kiss. You melted into the kiss, closing your eyes and enjoying the feeling of her lips on yours and her fingers running gently through your hair.

After a moment she broke the kiss and stepped back.

“Why don’t we take a bath and relax for the rest of the night?” She gave you a smile before walking towards the bathroom. Before you could even answer you heard the water running and couldn’t help the smile spread across your face. It always amazed you just how attuned JJ was to what you needed and with each moment of gentleness and care she showed you, you loved her that much more.

Her head popped out of the bathroom and you saw that she had already started to undress.

“Well?” JJ smirked. “Are you coming?”

You chuckled before standing and heading her way. Once you reached the bathroom she pulled you in by your shirt, sitting you down on the lip of the tub and undressing you slowly. She treated you like the most delicate thing in the world and if it were anyone else it would annoy you, but with her you just felt safe, cherished, and protected. When she helped you into the tub and then slipped in behind you, you automatically leaned against her and closed your eyes. Her hands gently trailed over your entire body and you could feel the tension you’ve been carrying all week start to wash away. Finally, you were exactly where you wanted to be all night. Finally, you could close your eyes and relax in your safe place, in the arms of the woman you love.

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transxiao · 2 years

Text

Every Letter from the Hidden Strife Event

Below the cut are all the letters from the Hidden Strife event, in chronological (or close to) order. The full written text for each letter is included. Will contain some spoilers for the Genshin Impact comic but they are there only for context

Note: Due to writing out to letters, this post is very long! Warning for when you open the rest of the post.

The first letters follow Crepus' death - for those who have not read the comic, on the day of Diluc's 18th birthday, (or the subsequent day) while traveling with his father, Diluc and Crepus were attacked by Ursa the Drake. Crepus used his delusion to kill Ursa in order to protect Diluc, but the delusion backfired and killed Crepus as well. Eroch, the then investigator for the Knights of Favonius, ordered that the incident be covered up. That was when Diluc left the Knights. (Eroch also claimed credit for killing the Drake around this time) That same night Kaeya revealed his origins to Diluc which involved Diluc reacting violently and Kaeya getting hurt, recieving his vision in the process. The first letter is shortly after that, and is from Kaeya, and Diluc, still displeased, does not reply.

A Letter With Beautiful Handwriting (I) To D: A Storm is brewing within the Knights of Favonius. Varka's inner circle is preparing to investigate Eroch and his henchmen, and it's looking increasingly likely that Eroch is about to get unseated from that high horse of his. You might not be too pleased to see this letter of mine, but I mean to get this news to you as soon as possible. You don't have to reply.

The next letter is likely from about the same time, and is sent from Alice, Klee's mother.

A Tidily Written Letter To the heir of the Ragnvindr Clan, I apologize for sending this letter without notice. You may not remember me, but we've met a few times. We've met near the square, when I sat at the table adjacent to yours at the Good Hunter, and seen you in your tavern… You were always busy with a great many things, especially back when you were much chattier than you are now. You spoke cheerfully and often with you brother and friends then. It's probably no surprise that you did not notice me then. But I've always had my eye on you, child. I recall with crystal clarity how my little Klee once made a complete mess of your vineyard while she was trying to catch Crystalflies there… But you didn't get angry. In fact, you personally escorted Klee back and even gave her a few bottles of fresh grape juice. Now I think that might jog your memory, yes? Klee recently told me that she "hasn't seen that strange man with the red hair in aaages," so I decided to look into it out of curiousity. My deepest condolences regarding your father. In many of the stories I've been told, you are the model knight: proud, driven, a knight of noble character and lineage. But I know that you're gentler than you appear. If you weren't, you wouldn't have treated Klee the way you did. And since you helped my child out, I hope you won't mind if I treat you as if you were my own. Therefore, I sincerely hope that you will leave the dark place that you are presently in, and that you will not wallow in grief and remorse. Partings are the most painful things, but they also encourage us to grow. A bird that has lost the roof over its head will fly further than otehrs of its kind. Go out and see the world. That's the best course of action I can envision. Only by feeling, observing, and listening can your heart be healed. Parents all wish that they can accompany their children forever, and the skies, seas, and stars bear witness to that oath. Everything that was your father now finds new life with you. That which you will experience in this world may have been things that you father experienced once upon a time. I hope that the wind will bring you all manner of wondrous things in your journeys to come. In any case, keep your chin up, young child.

Diluc in return sends a reply to Alice, which can be found in Albedo's camp in Dragonspine.

Letter Addressed to Ms. Alice Dear Ms. Alice, I must admit that when I read the opening lines of this letter, I was not expecting it to have been written by you. It seems that I may have indeed failed to notice you despite your presence nearby. My apologies for that. Regarding Klee, I have heard that you are an extremely powerful witch, so I suspect that Klee would have been just fine sans my presence. Even so, you sent me this letter, for which I am thankful. As you have said, traveling is my best option at present. I will go out and experience all that the world has to offer, just as you have suggested. My father's will shall find continuation through me. Klee is welcome to stay at Dawn Winery as a guest during my absence. Adelinde will prepare sufficient snacks and grape juice for such occasions. And if you don't mind, you are also welcome to drop by. I hope that you and Klee stay in good health.

At this point Kaeya finds out about Diluc's plan to leave Mondstadt, and is the first to send him a letter regarding it.

A Letter in Beautiful Handwriting (II) To D: Even I was a little surprised to hear that you'd decided to leave on a trip. Jean wanted to write and try and dissuade you, but I advised her against it. As for Varka, I don't think he knows that about this. Otherwise, he'd have probably sat you down for a talk. If you'd like to leave, do it now. The less the people know, the less the goodbyes you'll have to say. Leave at night, too, so things won't be too saddening. Take care.

Diluc has started his travels around Teyvat at this point, when Grand Master Varka finds out and sends him a letter.

A Letter With Rough Handwriting Diluc, Jean wrote to me lately with shocking news. If I don't miss my guess, she wrote to you too. Her sentiments are those of the Knights as a whole. Crepus was a good man, and I thought very well of him. It grieves me greatly to know that he met with such a fate. As for your defeat of the drake, the honors for that accomplisment should go to your father. I do not accept Eroch's theft of the credit for that deed, which was bought with your father's sacrifice. Stolen credit will not be accepted within the Knights of Favonius under any circumstances. I will not permit it. I have already given Jean the authority to punish Eroch with all necessary severity. The Knights will inform you of the results. I've heard that you've been taking some time off outdoors and may not be easy to reach, so there is no guarantee that my letter will reach you. As such, I'll stop here for now. If it does reach you, then I wish you good health and safety in your travels. Contact us if you need anything. I hope that falcon of yours will help put this letter in your hands. I mean, I don't write in person very often, you know? These may seem like pointless words to you right now, but remember: even the greatest of disasters must come to an end. Mondstadt waits for your return, and if you're willing, the Knights will always welcome you. (If you're not, forget I said anything, yeah?)

Kaeya also sends Diluc a letter, echoing Varka's message about Jean taking care of Eroch.

A Letter in Beautiful Handwriting (III) To D: Some slightly bad news. Eroch won't be quite so difficult to bring down after all. The Grand Master's order to investigate has certainly dealt him a major blow, but I wouldn't call the problem "pulled up by the roots" yet. The matter's been haned over to Jean's jurisdiction. She'll take care of this, I believe. Eroch is an obstacle in her path, in any case. Just sit tight and wait for the good news.

A Dawn Winery staff member then sends a letter to Diluc. It was likely Elzer due to his authoritive status amongst the staff, but there is no confirmation there.

A Letter With Clear Handwriting Master, Master Kaeya took leave and stayed at Dawn Winery for a few days. In a rare turn of events, he decided to stay in his original bedroom. He would pace around the grounds when idle, and even asked Adelinde to make him his favorite dishes. Ah, it really does take me back. I shall be honest with you, butu I was quite surprised to hear Master Kaeya say that he wanted to stay for a few days. We did not refuse him, however. We believe that even if you were here, you would not refuse him outright. Dawn Winery has always been a more quiet location, perhaps because all who stay here are rather peacable people. The house is made by those who live in it, and Master Kaeya's uncommon arrival did end up livening the place up significantly. I hope that you are doing well in your travels abroad. Everyone here at the winery misses you. May you remain safe and in good health.

Diluc sends a reply to Varka next. (This can be found in Jean's office in the Knights of Favonius Headquarters)

A Letter Addressed to Grand Master Varka Dear Master Varka, You have my utmost thanks for your condolences and concern. My father would be pleased to have heard your compliments. I doubt that anything would have pleased himm more than to have the acknowledgement of the Knight of Boreas. I am presently traveling, andby a stroke of fortune, your letter has indeed reached me safely. If nothing goes awry, I believe that I will not be joining the Knights of Favonius. However, I will not forget my previous experiences. I will commit everything the Knights taught me to heart. May this find you in good health.

Around this time, Kaeya sends Diluc another letter.

A Letter Beautiful Handwriting (IV) To D: Recently, a group of businessmen returned to Mondstadt. Word is that the reason for their return is a downturn in business. According to my observations, their employees are regulars at Angel's Share. These people can also be found out in the more dangerous parts of the wilds around the city. Now, a few of them were a little careless and even dropped some pages of their notes on the ground. I took the liberty of returning these sheets to the Angel's Share. You know, out of the goodness of my heart. I think they might have something to do with you, seeing as how they were there. I also noticed that their notes were written in code. Information brokers, perhaps? Or some kind of secret organization? Whatever the case, it took quite a lot of effort to see those blurred words with only one eye, you know? Don't worry, I'll keep this a secret.

Diluc replies to Kaeya for the first time we see. (This letter is found in a secret storage compartment on the roof of the Knights of Favonius Headquarters. The images containing Diluc's letters to Kaeya are compiled in one with the compartment details and will be at the end of this post, but the letter will be typed out below here)

Letter Addressed to "K" (I) To K: Message recieved. Thank you. Also, I suggest that you stop mentioning eyes in your letters. Don't think that I don't know that your right eye wasn't blinded.

Kaeya sends another reply.

A Letter to Beautiful Handwriting (V) To D: I didn't try to hide it from you on purpose, you know. But I suppose you found out all the same, huh? I mean, not everyone who wears an eyepatch must be blind, right? Don't people also wear an eyepatch if they have a scar over their right eye? The long-awaited news is finally here. Now I'm going to bring a glass of wine when I go to watch Eroch pack his things and leave on his last day (good riddance, by the way). That should be fun, eh? I know you're not the type to do that sort of thing, but I am, so allow me.

Diluc then returns to Mondstadt and recieves a letter from Jean.

A Letter With Elegant Handwriting Dear Diluc, Welcome back to Mondstadt, Sir. It has been some time since the incdient. We discovered that Eroch had betrayed us, and he has been punished severely. I hope this news will put your mind at ease. In other news, out people have discovered that the Abyss Order has stepped up its activities between Wolvendom and Stone Gate lately. Also - a mysterious individual that people are calling the "Darknight Hero" has suddenly started showing uup out of nowhere all around Mondstadt city. He typically acts in the dead of night, and his intentions are currently unclear. Please stay safe, and notify the Knights as soon as possible should you see anything suspicious. We will send support immediately. Whether you are presently in our ranks or not, all faithful knights will remember your contributions to the Knights of Favonius. May you remain in good health.

Kaeya sends another letter to Diluc.

A Letter in Beautiful Handwriting (VI) To D: Oh my! No sooner did you get back than a mysterious character started popping up. I hear he's called the Darknight Hero. He has repeatedly fought off Treasure Hoarders and monsters in the Mondstadt area - and he's even attacked Abyss Order strongholds. So far, it seems like he is on Mondstadt's side, but the Knights of Favonius could never permit the existence of a vigilante. I get the deeling that the two of you would get along nicely. Why don't you find the oppurtunity to get to know him and give him some sage advice? You know, just so he doesn't get caught by the Knights?

Diluc replies to Jean's letter.

Letter Addressed to the Acting Grand Master Dear Jean, Thank you for your concern, Acting Grand Master. It is as you say. That incident should no longer weigh heavily on my mind. Punishing Eroch for his malfeasance was the righ way to correct the Knights of Favonius's past mistakes. This is an immportant step indeed for the Knights. As for my own personal safety, you need not concern yourseld too much. The Knights of Favonius should focus their efforts where it counts by looking after those who need it most. May you also remain in good health.

Kaeya sends Diluc a letter as the Knights further their investigation into the Darknight Hero.

A Letter in Beautiful Handwriting (VII) To D: Per standard procedure, the Knights of Favonius needs to take a statement from all relevant parties. Recently, the Knights of Favonius have recieved reports from a number of eye-witnesses claiming to have seen the Darknight Hero in the vicinity of the Dawn Winery. The Grand Master has assigned the Cavalry Company to this mission. As such, I will be paying you a visit in three days. He seems to think that our relationship can be improved if we are forced to talk in person. Don't worry, though. My lips are sealed. This will be nothing more than a formality. Anyways, three days' notice should be enough for you, I presume?

A Letter in Beautiful Handwriting (VIII) To D: The appearance of the Darknight Hero has indeed bought the Knights of Favonius some valuable time during the Abyss Order's last attack. This helped Jean convince the Knights of Favonius to stop focusing on trying to stop him. This will decrease the limits on the Darknight Hero's actions, but this doesn't mean that his situation will necessarily improve. Objects with too honed an edge tend to be damaged more easily. You, I'm sure, are aware of the great dangers that come with acting alone. That said, I would advise against such a course of action.

A Letter in Beautiful Handwriting (IX) To D: I heard that the Dawn Winery did not suffer any damage. Likewise, the Knights of Favonius only sustained minor injuries, and will recover quickly. However, an employee of a local merchant has gone missing, and their last known location just so happens to align with the Abyss Order's are of activity. The Knights have dispatched people to go to the rescue. Do be aware that the Abyss Order has become more dangerous as of late, even going so far as to organize multi-pronged offesives. Perhaps the Darknight Hero and the Knights of Favonius should team up. That might guarantee that things will go off without a hitch, hmm?

After the investigation is somewhat concluded, Diluc sends another reply to Kaeya.

Letter Addressed to "K" (II) To K: Thanks for the letter. Cooperating with the Knights has objective pros and cons, like two sides of a coin. I'm sure you understand that better than I do. No need to worry about my safety. Self-preservation is easy. Striving towards my goal is hard. Take better care of yourself instead.

Going to the Coast where the ley line is located, you can find some notes at the tent. These are from Diluc's informant who suggests he reach out to Albedo. (The informant is possibly Vile [or associated with her], who gets defensive if you talk to her behing the Angel's Share during the Hidden Strife event)

The First Note It's been years since the ley lines last released such highly aggressive monsters during an anomaly. The Darknight Hero's timing was perfect. The way he lured the monsters a few time into the open to defeat them one by one… quite the strategy. And then he pretended to be seriously injured, luring out the Abyss Order's main forces and then meeting them head on. A truly magnificent counterattack. Still, this plan involved too many uncertainties. The Darknight Hero himseld even said that he can't afford to take risks like this every time. Getting to the root of the problem and preventing these types of ley line disorders from happening is the safest approach.

The Second Note Ley lines hold many secrets. We ordinary people do not need to concern ourselves with the way they work. But since the Darknight Hero will be fighting Against the Abyss Order for the long term, it is in our best interests to gain a deeper understanding of them. I heard that the caption of the Knights of Favonius Investigation Team is a highly accomplished academic, but unlike Lisa, he is not especially close with the Acting Grand Master. We should be able to learn a few things from him without the Knights of Favonius finding out. Perhaps the Darknight Hero could ask him for input on the technical issues regarding the ley lines. I will deliver the letter to his camp on the mountain.

Albedo reaches out and sends a letter to Diluc.

A Neatly Written Letter Dear Mr. Diluc, It is my pleasure to investigate the ley lines alongside you. As you know, my focus is on alchemy, so my knowledge of the ley lines remains quite shalloe, and I fear that I will only be able to share what little understand I have. According to many pre-existing documents, the ley lines can be seen as a medium for storing informamtion. Under certain circumstances, they can record activities that occur in the area around the. All this information goes through a recording and storage prcoess. After a certain period of time, they may be released once again by the ley lines. If I may be so bold as to make a guess, there should be a method to activate the ley lines. Those who grasp such methods can control the times at which ley line information is recorded and released. Judging from the runic symbols and some other clues, I surmise that there are particular members of the Abyss Order who may have a very small chance of being able to achieve this. If you believe that this requires further investigation, these entities may serve as your point of entry. I wrote a paper a few years ago in which I covered my brief foray into questioins concerning the flow of ley lines and other such topics. You will find a copy of this paper enclosed. I hope that it can help to clear up some of your doubts.

Diluc replies to Albedo next. (This letter is found at Albedo's camp in Dragonspine, near the letter to Alice)

Letter Addressed to Mr. Albedo Dear Albedo, Thank you for the detailed explanation. I have read your paper and found it both enriching and easy to understand. It is rare a and well-written document indeed. I have written the relevant information down in hopes that it will be put to good use in the future. Guarding against danger is a very important skill. I will continue to keep watching over the Abyss Order, and use force against them where necessary.

We are now brought to the last day of the event, when we get a letter from one of Diluc's informants that led to us reading the other letters.

A New Letter Dear Darknight Hero, the Knights of Favonius have stepped up the guard details throughout Mondstadt without making any major movements. The Abyss Order will not have noticed. I am scouting around Dragonspine. The monsters here are scattered and seperated. Clearly, they haven't been assembled by the Abyss Order. There are no signs of enemy activity in the south of Mondstadt either. If you can confirm that the other locations are also free of monsters, we will be able to conclude that the Abyss Order has nothing to do with the recent ley line disorders.

While caught up with the letters, there is a little bit I couldn't appropriately fit into the timeline. It is in a secret compartment belonging to Kaeya, which was where Diluc's letters to him were located. Here is the descriptions and other contents of the compartment.

Mysterious Box in a Secret Comparment The objects in the box are all pretty old. One particular sheet of paper stands out. A piece of it has been burned away, and the remaining parts show signs of hacing been rescued from that same flame. Every line on this sheet of paper has a matching one right under it. From the handwriting, it looks liike a child wrote on this first before an adult stepped in, held their hand, and taught them how to do it a second time. The writing are as follows: "Remember always that it was the Alberich Clan, who did not have royal blood, who stepped in as regents when the strength of the one-eyed king Irmin failed" "Though we could not restore Khaenri'ah to life, we of the Alberich Clan should leave lives as those who blaze like fire, rather than those who wallow in the embers." If you flip the paper over, there are other words there. You reckon these must be annotations of some sort. "I saved this one memento from the fire 'Father' made while he wasn't paying attention. This was in violation of our principles. Our clan's affairs should never be recorded. For me, this sheet of paper cannot serve as any form of identification, and will not give me pasage anywhere. Now that I look at it, his handwriting was as grieving as a smoking ash pile. There is no way that I can write something like that, living in Mondstadt as I am." Moving the paper aside, you can see a cloth bag underneath it that conatins an eyepatch of significant age. A sticker is attached to the side, and the text on it reads: "Hah! to think that all that play-acting as a one-eyed pirate would eventually end with one actual wounded eye. I have never blamed Diluc for that. I suppose I must have been asking for it, telling him the truth the day my adoptive father died without expecting conflict to emerge somehow. He seems to believe that I really was blinded, though that's not the case. Well, I've fooled him for a while, haven't I? Might as well keep going." Two letters lie beneath the bag, all of which have "D" as their sender. The letters are in great condition, and there is a time written on the back. This is most likely the time these letters were received. You can tell that the words have been written in a strong but elegant hand. [See "Letter Addressed to 'K' (I)" and "Letter Addressed ti 'K' (II)] A small paper bag lies next to these two letters. It contains nothing but a few seashells. They have lost most of their luster. It is unclear how much time has passed since they were picked up.

Note: The seashells are mentioned in the Echoing Tales event from the 1.6 version of the game. In the event, Kaeya asks if Diluc wants to collect seashells like they used to when they were kids, to which Diluc is surprised Kaeya remembers that.

#admin posts #genshin impact #hidden strife #tag later

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cawthorntales · 2 months

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Let's learn more about Emily Rothwood. First two pictures are of when she was a good witch. Bottom two are after she made her choice.

She was born in New Henford in 1672.

Annita was her twin sister.

Emily was part of the Rose Coven. A coven her grandmother had created. It consisted of twenty six witches. The coven was loved and respect in New Henford. People in the town sought the witches out often for their magical help and the coven was always willing to help the non magic users of the town.

Emily wasn't the strongest magic user in her coven. In fact she was pretty weak by magical standards. Her sister Annita was considered one of the most powerful witches in New Henford. A magical prodigy from a young age

She loved to help others. From small animals to people. She always did everything she could to help those in need.

She was a gentle soul who wouldn't hurt a fly.

Her and Annita were super close and they shared everything together. Family and her coven meant everything to Emily.

She was in love with a witch from her coven named William Sapling and the two were engaged to be married. A day Emily was looking forward to.

However everything came crashing down when an unknown and unexplained illness hit the town. It was deadly and no matter what the Rose Coven witches tried they couldn't cure or stop the sickness.

Emily's beloved William was one of the first to die from it. His loss devastated her.

As more and more of her beloved friends and family became infected and lost including her grandmother and father she knew she had to do something. But the coven's combined efforts weren't solving it and even Annita as powerful as she was couldn't stop it. When Annita became sick as well, Emily made a choice that would change everything.

She broke into the spell archive her coven kept and find a dark forbidden spell. It was said this spell had the power to cure any illness, but the user had to sacrifice something to be able to draw on it's power. Emily knew what she'd be losing if she went through with casting this spell, but she also knew what she would lose if she didn't.

Emily cast the spell. As the spell spread throughout the town Emily felt a darkness grow within her. She had saved those she loved. At the cost of her humanity. She stole the rest of the forbidden scrolls and books from the archive and retreated back to her home.

She grew and grew in power. Gaining the ability to heal any injury, or sickness, to stop the aging process, to control the will of others, to change the body, gain the ability to corrupt others. The more she consumed the dark magics the more of her was lost.

The once kind, loving, gently and helpful Emily was gone. In her place was someone wicked.

She set about testing her powers on the very townspeople she once loved and the very people she had sacrificed greatly to save.

Eventually the coven found her hideout and knowing she was too far gone they made the heart wrenching choice to combine their power and end Emily putting an end to her terror. Knowing they couldn't kill her they planned to turn her into a harmless chicken and without her powers and given a chicken's lifespan that would save the town.

In the last minutes as her coven cast the spell to take her life as she knew it. Emily chanted a loophole spell under her breath. She lost the ability to use magic herself, put her power and the spells she knew courses through her body keeping her immortal and allowing her to influence others through the magic infected eggs she sometimes lays.

Emily's coven never learned the truth about her fate.

She will deny it if asked, but she watched her sister for the rest of Annita's life. Emily saw her get married and have children and those children have children. And she saw when old age took her sister.

She witnessed the split of the Rose Coven after generations of it existing.

She actually cares about Logan in her own odd way. She won't admit it though and she can't explain why she cares about him. Or why she feels a bit of guilt towards corrupt him. All feelings she hasn't had with her past victims.

She has no issue killing.

She loves that she and Logan operate a criminal ring.

#simblr #sims 4 #the dark heart legacy #emily rothwood

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bauhausluvr · 7 months

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a lot happened today, good and bad, and im still processing it. but i'll try to retell it all below. warning: this will be long and graphic

major tw for self-harm

so i had class with M and everything was fine, I even got to talk with her a few times which i was really happy about. but later when we were doing our own thing, she got really fascinated with this one student which made me want to cry because i was jealous she was so intrigued and spent so much time with them. this student is also so much cooler than me so i understand why. i got super upset at myself for feeling this way, so with very little thought i left the room to go to the bathrooms and consequently slash my arm up

i had new blades and i was in such a state where i wasn't thinking so i wasn't careful with how i cut, i just wanted to do some damage, and i ended up bleeding much more than i usually would. once i saw how much blood there was on me and on the floor, i realised i had to stop the bleeding and used a bunch of paper towels to make it stop. eventually, unluckily for me, i ran out and spent a long time just rinsing my arm under the water (which in hindsight definitely prolonged the bleeding), but i couldn't go to the next stall for paper since there were people outside and it seemed to keep being taken.

had i not gone in the stall with barely any paper left i probably would've avoided this, but this led to me having to ask the people outside for paper and since i was kind of panicked i was saying i had a medical emergency, so this led to them getting a teacher down to check on me and basically the whole process of first aid coming down to bandage my arm n setting a welfare meeting for another day since this was at the end of the day.

what i didn't expect however was M to come down as well. i felt super embarrassed and ashamed once i saw her face, i didn't know how to react. but once she heard I was harming myself she came in to comfort me, even calling me her 'baby' when coming down and hugging me. i hugged her back tightly and sobbed into her shoulder, it was so comforting.. she has such a motherly charm its crazy. she soon revealed she also used to self-harm, even at work, which made me feel so much more at ease since i felt extremely bad about myself as i feel like i should've grown out of these feelings by now, but i clearly hadn't.

after all the paperwork and talk was done, i went back to her class to get my stuff back and found she edited my work and added her own little charm to it while i was gone (we were just playing around with an editing program) 😭. since everyone was gone by then i asked to talk w her alone and ppl kept coming in the class, so M grabbed my wrist gently and led me out somewhere where only us two can talk

i basically thanked her for her hug and all her kind words, and was sorry that she had to witness me at such a state. following this we talked for a little bit about her own struggles with self-harm and having to be sectioned, and about her thoughts on me which, i wish i could remember all the details, but i was so messed up i only remember it partly. regardless, it was lovely to hear and definitely what i needed at the time.

one of the best parts of this whole aftermath conversation was when i not-so-jokingly said i have mommy issues and she laughed saying "I KNOW" 😭😭😭. i was rlly taken aback by that so i stuttered and asked what made her come to that conclusion, and she basically just talked about stuff like my conservative mother and catholic upbringing which i brought up to her. she later said that she had her own struggles w her daughter and how she kinda sees that in me, to which i hesitantly said "i kinda wish you were my mum" and SHE SAID "me too right now" ?!!??"! IDK HOW I DIDN'T IMPLODE RIGHT THEN..

during this whole conversation we hugged so many more times and it was kinda awkward at one point cuz her lanyard got stuck on my cardigan LMFAO but it was so healing and awesome to talk w her about all this, even if i wish she didn't have to witness any of it. there's so much more i could say but if i gave all the details then this post would be 10x longer. obviously i didn't mention why i cut in the first place, and i'm contemplating even doing so to anyone cuz i don't want her taken away from me.

with all that said despite all the horrible stuff, something good came out of it and i'm grateful for that, although i worry it deepened my attachment to M even further....which honestly was inevitable at this point anyway.

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atths--twice · 1 year

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First meetings, dinner, and some conversation. ❤️

Chapter Four

Melissa Scully, or Mel as she preferred to be called, was easy to talk to and incredibly funny. She had a quick wit and sometimes it took a second for Fox to get her joke, but when he did, he could not help but chuckle.

She was more straight laced than Dana, her style of clothing leaning toward a more sophisticated fashion. Designer jeans, shoes, and a handbag, showed she had exquisite taste. Unlike many women he had known in his life who shared the same style, for her it seemed effortless and without thought of being seen as above anyone else. She wore it all with an air of ease and grace.

She seemed to bring Dana out of her shell a bit more, engaging her in conversation and laughing over inside jokes. But then there were moments when he saw Dana falter and pull back, a frown tugging at her eyebrows. When she did, Mel would touch her hand, or look at her and smile, drawing attention to something on the table or in the room.

She’s grounding, he thought as he watched them, Dana nodding with a slight hint of a smile as Mel rubbed her back.

He remembered the term from the therapy sessions he had gone through when he was in middle school.

Angry over his parents divorce, he had gotten into fights at school, refused to do any schoolwork, and became a problem in his classes.

One of his favorite teachers, Mrs. Stuart, had brought him to a meeting with the school counselor, kindly explaining how she was worried about him. He had acted nonchalant, shrugging often as if it had not bothered him, but hearing the worry in her voice had hurt him exceedingly.

Letters had been sent home and therapy sessions began not long after. He had hated them at first, not speaking at all and wasting the entire hour.

But once he had actually spoken, opening up about how he had been feeling, he found that it did help with his anger and anxiety. He continued seeing the same therapist until his sophomore year of high school.

“When you’re overwhelmed, when you feel an anxious moment coming on… stop,” his therapist had said. “Stop where you are and breathe. Look around you. Find three round objects. Then breathe. Or think of the names of dog breeds. Count backwards by fives, whatever helps you in that moment… then breathe.”

It had been a long time since he had felt that level of anxiety. But even without realizing it, he had been using those techniques in his day-to-day life.

He would name the parts of the camera in his head. Baseball teams in order of preference. Recite little songs he had learned as a child.

Her big cardigan, he thought suddenly, realizing that she was using it more than as a way to cover up. It was something she could touch, something tactile for her to implement when she became anxious or overwhelmed.

He drew in a quiet breath and let it out, anger on her behalf rising to the surface.

Fuck Tom and fuck any man or woman who caused a person pain and suffering. Especially to that level.

“Any room left for dessert?” the waiter asked as he approached, smiling far too happily, but providing a much needed distraction.

“Uhh,” he said, knowing he did not want any dessert. “I’m… Dana? Mel? Any dessert?”

“Oh, none for me, thanks,” Mel said, smiling at the waiter. “Dana?”

“No, thank you,” she said quietly and Mel smiled as she squeezed her hand.

“Just the check then,” Fox stated. “Actually, could you just charge it to room 511?”

“Certainly, sir,” the waiter said, nodding and walking away.

“Well,” Fox said, laying his napkin down and standing up. “It was a pleasure having dinner with you both. As I’ve been here to this resort many times, may I suggest taking a walk around the grounds before you turn in?”

“Yes, I’d like that,” Mel said, standing as well and picking up her bag. “Come on sis, let’s go see how the other half lives.”

“As if you couldn’t afford to get married here,” Dana scoffed as she stood up, rolling her eyes as she stepped back and pushed in her chair.

“Oh, we could now, but we’re already married. Opportunity missed,” Mel said, shaking her head in mock sadness as she looked around the lavishly decorated room.

Dana caught Fox’s eye and she shook her head with a slight smile and he felt the anger and annoyance leave his body. He smiled back and nodded.

The waiter brought over the invoice and Fox signed it, gesturing for Dana and Mel to walk ahead of him as they left the restaurant.

“Well,” he said with a smile as they reached the lobby. “I’ll leave you two to it. Enjoy your walk and I’ll see you in the morning.”

“You’re not coming with us?” Dana asked with a frown.

“Yeah, what?” Mel asked, shaking her head. “You’re the one who suggested it to us.”

“Oh. I was meaning the two of you would like…” He looked from one to the other as they stared at him, not budging, and he laughed softly. “Okay. Yes, I can join you.”

“Good,” Mel said, taking Dana’s arm as he put his hands in his pockets and walked beside them.

It really was a beautiful resort, especially at night. The lights were soft and placed strategically around the grounds, adding to the ambiance. There were many places to sit and relax, large fire pits lit that allowed for a pleasant moment to talk.

“You know,” Fox said, pointing as they approached one of the fire pits. “They sell these little kits to make s’mores over the fire. Everything you need to make a single s’more.”

“Really?” Dana asked with a smile.

“Yeah. Would you like to do that?”

“I would, yeah. Mel?”

“Sure,” she agreed with a smile.

They walked over and spoke to the woman selling them and got one each. Claiming a spot, Dana began to open her small kit with an excited hum.

“Oh,” Mel said, handing Fox her bag and shaking her head as she looked at her watch. “Dane, I just remembered that I need to call Ryan before Layla goes to bed. I said she could stay up until I called and I’m sure she’s getting tired by now.”

“Oh, we could wait for you.”

“No, that’s okay, babe. You stay and I’ll see you back in the room.”

“You sure?”

“Absolutely sure.” She smiled and nodded to them both. “Goodnight, Fox. Thank you for dinner. It was nice to meet you.”

“And you. And you’re welcome.” They shook hands and then she hugged Dana before waving and walking into the hotel.

“Well,” Dana said, holding a marshmallow in her hand. “I guess we’re on our own.”

“Looks like it.” He smiled at her and she nodded as she exhaled a breath. “So, how do you like your marshmallows toasted?”

They sat down, discussing marshmallow toasting preferences and before he knew it, a quick glance at his watch told him an hour had passed.

“Wow,” he laughed. “Time really does fly sometimes. Are you ready to head up? We have an early start tomorrow.”

“Last one,” she said, placing a marshmallow on her stick and then holding it above the fire.

“Here, I’ll get the rest of it ready for you.” He unwrapped the chocolate and laid it between the two graham crackers, watching as she took her time to perfectly toast her marshmallow. “I like that you take the task so seriously.”

“If you want the marshmallow to melt the chocolate, you gotta take the time to do it right,” she said, turning her stick as she nodded.

“And you’re not feeling like you’re on a sugar overload after the last two s’mores you’ve had?” he teased and she shook her head.

“No such thing.”

“Okay,” he laughed.

Soon, her marshmallow was done and he held the graham cracker steady as she placed it on top of the square of chocolate.

She took the s’more from him and squeezed it slowly, the chocolate indeed melting slightly as she took a bite. The marshmallow squished out the sides and she hurried to eat it before it dropped to the ground.

“It’s puhfahc,” she said, her mouth full.

“Good,” he said, laughing again as he held up some napkins, silently asking if she wanted them, and she nodded as she took another bite.

They walked as she finished her treat, him carrying one of the bottles of water that had been offered, along with the napkins.

“That was so much better than any dessert in a restaurant,” she said, taking the water bottle from him and taking a long drink. “It’s simple and yet so delicious and satisfying. Makes you feel like a kid again, you know?”

“Yeah,” he agreed as they stepped into the elevator.

She wiped her mouth and her hands, getting one of the napkins a little bit wet to do so. Finishing off the water, she threw it into a recycling bin as they stepped off the elevator.

They were quiet as they walked to her room, which was down the hall from his own, but she stopped him before they reached the door.

“Thank you for tonight. For letting my sister stay and treating us to dinner. It was kind of you. Not that… not that you usually aren't. I just meant…” She sighed and shook her head. “I appreciate it. That’s what I’m trying to say.”

“You’re welcome. More than welcome.” He smiled and she smiled back, though it did not quite reach her eyes. “You go in and get some sleep- if you’ll be able to that is, after all that sugar.” She exhaled a soft laugh and nodded. “Do you want to meet for breakfast? Or would you rather eat before we meet up?”

“I think I’ll go down to the coffee shop and then bring it back here to eat while I’m getting ready.”

“There’s no need to go to all that trouble. Just order something up to the room.”

“I can’t do that,” she said, frowning as she shook her head. “That’s… no, I can’t do that.”

“You can. Whatever you’d like. There’s a menu in the room-”

“I can’t, Fox,” she whispered, looking down at the floor. “It would be…”

“You don’t have to if you don’t want to,” he said quietly, touching her elbow briefly. “But please don’t hesitate because you feel I wouldn’t want it. You’re here because you work for me. I mean with me. You need to eat before you do said work and there is a kitchen downstairs waiting to fill that request. Considering our early morning departure, it's easier and makes more sense to have it brought to you, to us, rather than leaving to get it.”

She raised her head and looked at him for a second before she drew in a deep breath and nodded.

“I still feel like I shouldn’t do it. But, okay. I will,” she whispered and he smiled.

“Your sister as well, if she wants anything.”

“No. I agreed to the order for me,” she said, shaking her head. “But I won’t-”

“Okay,” he said, putting up his hands and chuckling softly. “Okay. You win.”

She nodded and licked her lips, stepping forward and continuing to her room. Taking her card key from her pocket, she looked at him and sighed.

“Thank you again. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Bright and early. With a full stomach.” He raised his eyebrows and she smiled.

“Yes.”

“Good. Goodnight, Dana.”

“Goodnight, Fox.”

She put the key in the reader and the light blinked green. Pressing the handle down, she opened the door and stepped inside, smiling again as she closed it. He waited to hear the lock turn before he continued down the hall and around the corner to his room.

Tomorrow would be long and tiring by the end of it, so as soon as he entered the room, he began to prepare for bed.

Lying down, he smiled as he set the alarm and turned out the light. He thought of Dana as he drifted off to sleep, remembering the intense look she had as she toasted her marshmallow and the happiness in her smile when she then bit into the gooey s’more.

#alternate universe #photography #dinner #getting to know each other #resorts #smores #caring and worry #friendship #bad past relationship #moving past the pain #xf alternate universe

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abracadav-r · 2 months

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since this has just become the "talk about your hyperfixation on main" account here's some more

a prior campaign highlight i wanna share:

once, during a prison break (for context, 2e vhaeraun demands that captured thieves, jailed male dissidents, etc be freed as part of a darkmask's obligations) felyn and her backup managed to catch a priestess. what do you do in this situation? kill her? run while you can and let her know you've won? the males of the group were discussing what to do with the lolthite until felyn took charge and went "we deal with her how we'd deal with anyone who profits from their kin's misery, like any thief" and since she managed to win the CHA roll, she got her way and smashed the priestess's hands with her mace but otherwise left her alive. this is why i describe her as "neutral leaning evil" since while felyn is quite capable of kindness, she is equally capable of using a situation like that to

a: maintain the organization rules as a reminder

b: remind everyone that gender equality is a a goal, aka we punish her as we'd punish one of our own for similar crimes, we will not punish her as the lolthites would since we do not worship lolth

c: do not allow a punishment that degrades her as a woman, which is against the teachings of vhaeraun (in felyn's take)

d: still reap the benefits of having a witness to their victory

e: renders her a non-threat since so many spells require somatic components and hands, even if healed, are likely to be wrecked by being broken in so many places

f: still give the others the violence they wished to see, and likely in a more satisfying way since the victim is in obvious pain and its a drawn out process that exterts dominance compared to just a quick and clean kill before vacating the area

#felyn

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amaranthine-enihtnarama · 2 years

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Feel Alright (Goku x Reader)

(it’s going to be more fun than it sounds; manic pixie dream BOY; s3x; crushes; grief; hiding the past; friendships; jealousy; slow burn; “friends”; healing; growing; will-they-won’t-they; tension baby!!!!; canon blender >:)

inspired by @sevenstarsinning’s “Sweat”

TW: death mentions, suggestive situations!

taglist: @ilove-evanpeters @moonyscardigans @twinshii @raspberryhaterade @iwenttoshiratorizawa @uselessdoodlesdude @khai-luvs-iida @ferneskin @burneraccountant @de4ds0up @bellaisasleep @arougeme @aurorarevenclaw1927 @applecandy14 @fingersnapples @langdoncult @loona-thebadchild @anlin2058 @dont-feel-so-good-peter

When Bellatrix moves to the city after a personal tragedy under the wing of her friend Bulma, her life is completely turned around after she leaves everyone—including herself—stunned with the discovery of her own powers. Suddenly she finds herself swept up in a world of aliens, new bizarre planets and training, along with prospects of romance. One problem, though; she can’t leave the past behind to answer the new life that’s knocking at her door.

𝖕𝖆𝖗𝖙𝖘 (((𝖔(*ﾟ▽ﾟ*)𝖔)))♡: part one : 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 / part two: 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

part three | nothing is fair in love or war

“You ready?”

I leaned against the rock Goku propped me up on, pulling my blanket tighter around me. I gave a thumbs up.

“Yup, blast away.”

He smiled. “Alright, I’m going to aim for that rock over there.”

“I mean, that’s going to destroy the entire landscape but go ahead—“

“Ka…me…”

I immediately fell silent as the hairs on my arms stood to attention. Goku’s entire demeanor had changed from happy-go-lucky into deadly warrior within a split second. The look in his eyes could’ve made the rock formation explode on his own, but as his stance deepened and his muscles rippled, I had a feeling that whatever was creating the vibration in the air around us and tickling my nose was going to blast those rocks out of existence. I jumped in surprise as blue light began to form between his palms, adding dramatizing shadow to his already severe expression.

“…ha…me,” he continued, voice gaining volume as the orb between his hands grew.

I started feeling uneasy then as the ground beneath me started to tremble and it crossed my mind I might’ve been too close to the ‘splash zone’ per-se; and scooted to the right again as the ground under Goku started to crack and float around him. The light he was creating was so bright it had illuminated him and drowned me in his shadow so I could only make out his silhouette. His head turned to me for a second, but I couldn’t make out his expression.

“Here goes,” he said, “…ha!”

I gave a thumbs up that quickly disappeared as his voice echoed across the valley and an intense, blinding beam of light shot out from his hands and towards the rock formation. I clung to my little rock for dear life but couldn’t tear my eyes away from the absolute spectacle I was witnessing. The force of the blast was making the wind whip against my face and even pushing Goku backward slightly as it reached the rocks on the horizon, slid between the cracks, and, after a moment of stillness, devoured them in an earth-shattering explosion.

A shiver ran through my entire body at the sight of it, and I lifted off of the ground a bit as it passed down my back. My heartbeat had gotten a little faster, and my physical state seemed like an afterthought for a moment as I stared at the newly empty land in front of us, then looked slowly back to Goku.

He let out a little sigh, placed his hands on his hips, then turned to me with a smile.

“How’d you like that,” he questioned proudly.

I had to find the words for a moment as I processed fully what I’d just witnessed. Not only was an alien in front of me, smiling like a kid in a candy store, but he’d just showcased something that I would’ve never believed possible by any living being without having experienced it firsthand. I swallowed thickly.

“That was…fucking…incredible.”

Goku’s smile seemed to get even bigger from my answer, and he laughed, coming over to me.

“Want to see me go Super Saiyan?”

“First off, yes, secondly, what the hell is that?”

“It’s kind of like a fighting form,” he said, picking me up again, “It makes you stronger, faster and your attacks more powerful.”

“You mean…”

I pointed to the newly cleared path between the rocks.

“That can get even stronger?”

He only chuckled, lifting us into the sky again.

“We’ll go over to the rocks so you can have a little distance,” he said, “You almost started flying yourself when my blast hit them.”

I looked away from him with an embarrassed blush. “Well, when you show a scientist the impossible, flying into the air is an understandable reaction.”

The remnants of the formation grew bigger the closer we got, and my body tensed.

“Um, those seem a little high, don’t you think?”

“Not really, why?”

I could feel my cheeks burning as anxious knots formed in my stomach. “I’m…still afraid of heights, you know…”

“I thought you were only scared of flying,” he remarked with genuine confusion.

“I’m scared of flying because I’m scared of heights.”

“Then how can you live so high up?”

I smiled grimly, tightening my hold on Goku’s shoulders. “I try not to think about it.”

“Well, we can find someplace—“

Goku suddenly went quiet, eyes sharp like they were before. My heart stilled as the air around us seemed to grow heavy with his pinpointed stare. We were still now, and the thought of a distracted Goku holding me this high up made my stomach twist.

“…Goku?”

“Something’s coming from over there,” he said, “It doesn’t seem like anything powerful, but I just got a really bad feeling from it.”

I frowned. “Huh? What do you mean?”

The sound was faint, but it started to reach my ears too—it was familiar, and not in a good way.

“Oh god,” I muttered to myself.

A helicopter approached in the distance: dark red with a logo I’d been fighting to get out of my mind for the past two weeks. My grip on Goku tightened as it started to get closer, and I shook my head to myself. Nope, nope, not today, none of this shit.

“Instant transmission,” I said quietly.

“What? What’s wrong? I thought—“

“Show me Super Saiyan later, just instant transmission now!”

He shrugged. “Okay.”

I bit my lip and squeezed my eyes shut as we teleported back to the medical ward in Capsule Corp, and the air conditioning nipped at my cheeks.

“Holy fuck, what the fuck was that,” I muttered to myself.

“Uh, Bellatrix…”

“What the hell are the chances—“

“I knew that helicopter would scare you back here.”

I fell silent, staring blankly at the wall.

“Should I let you—“

“No,” I asserted quietly, “Wait—no—yes, put me down, put me down.”

Goku let me down, and I hesitantly turned to face her. Her jet-black hair was as glossy and perfectly curled as ever, her red lip was flawless; there was nothing about her perfectly tailored appearance that would suggest that Delilah Blackthorn ruined my life—or, at least, that she gave a shit—I couldn’t hold back the disgust that creeped into my expression.

“So, we still haven’t learned that stalking is bad, have we,” I said coldly, crossing my arms.

She laughed, flashing her perfect smile and dimples. “Look at you, trying to be tough after your adorable little entrance.”

She was definitely jealous a man like Goku was carrying me. I gave her a plain look, unimpressed by her display for the bodyguards that had filled the room, holding back Bulma and, oddly enough, crowding Vegeta into submission. I frowned at the sight, and Delilah quickly gloated for my clarity.

“Oh, it’s just so sweet. I only had to twist Brief’s arm a little to get the spiky-haired one in line. Isn’t that just precious?”

“What do you want,” I suddenly snapped, surprising myself, “The thought of you makes me sick enough, I’d hate to vomit all over this shiny floor.”

Her blue eyes flashed with a mixture of hurt and anger as she looked me over.

“Well, someone’s gotten rude.”

“If you think I was going to be remotely polite to you, you’re as deluded as that crazy mummy you called a father.”

Her silvery voice lost some of its gentle airs. “I don’t appreciate you talking about my father that way.”

I only smiled bitterly, holding her gaze. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly with upset, then she sighed, looking away.

“Well, since you’re so disgusted by the sight of me, I’m glad to be the bearer of good news. My facility is moving locations, so it’s likely you won’t see me again.”

I snorted. “I doubt that.”

“I don’t appreciate being berated, so you don’t need any doubts,” she retorted with slight offense.

“Oh, but you do love to win.”

The silence in the room was heavy, and I stared her down, surprised by how my fight or flight instinct was backing me up right now. Goku was still behind me, and I knew because Delilah’s eyes were flitting between me and him more and more as the seconds passed, and her lips were slowly pressing into a thin red line.

“You’re not going to introduce me to your new friend?”

“No need. Why should I care if you’re moving the lab?”

She gave a slightly tight-lipped smile, cocking her head. “Well, since you decided to so graciously jump ship, your office has remained a museum for the last month and a half. I figured you wouldn’t want me touch your things.”

“Never stopped you before,” I shot back with a shrug. “Why didn’t you hire a new researcher?”

“Nothing can replace the best,” she said, giving a little smile.

I sighed, staring at her impatiently.

She glanced away with frustration. “What’s the point of this performance, Bel-bel? Showing off for him, or the short one?”

I ignored her provocation, turning my attention to Bulma and Vegeta. “Let them go. You’ve relayed your message, I’ll come pick my stuff up tomorrow. And don’t call me that.”

My pulse was starting to raise as she peered at me, dismissing my request.

“You don’t look so good,” she observed, “Are you sick?”

I sighed sharply. “Delilah, it’s time for you to leave. And tell your silly entourage to back off.”

Genuine concern suddenly washed over her face. “Have you been taking your medication?”

Anger bubbled up inside of me. “Wow, what a brilliant question, Delilah. Have I been taking my insane ex-girlfriend’s medication that she told me I needed because I was ‘unstable’? Fuck, that’s a real head-scratcher, isn’t it?”

She suddenly turned dead serious.

“Bellatrix, you need to take those,” she insisted gently, stepping towards me.

My chest tightened as I took a step back. “Don’t get any closer to me.”

She frowned at my words, maintaining her severity. “Did you…run out?”

“If by run out you mean I threw them over my balcony after breaking everything in my apartment at two in the morning, then yes, I ran out.”

Delilah sighed heavily. “Look, Bellatrix, I’m—“

She looked up at Goku behind me with some discomfort.

“Can we talk somewhere else?”

“No. You’re a big girl. You can apologize with someone else besides me in the room. Just means it has to be sincere for once.”

I crossed my arms. She stepped towards me indignantly, lowering her voice.

“I have always been sincere to you. I—I loved you.”

My back ached from the tension in my muscles. I could smell her perfume; floral, light. It filled my nose the longer I looked into her eyes. A sharp pain erupted in my forehead as I looked at her. I clenched my fists, feeling the knot in my throat and trying to get rid of it before answering.

“You,” I bit my lip in annoyance hearing my voice waver, “You don’t know what love is. If you did, you’d know you never hurt someone you love the way you hurt me.”

Her eyes glistened, and she looked away before doubling down and reached out to touch me. I slapped her hand away in alarm, eyes widening.

“Bel—“

“Do not touch me.”

“Darling, please. I can’t stand to see you like this.”

“Then maybe you shouldn’t have made me this way!”

A light burst behind her, and Delilah shrieked, whirling around. I didn’t expect my voice to raise the way it did; it just came out, I didn’t mean to yell at her—

“Bellatrix, you need your medicine, okay? Please come with me.”

“What? No, no, don’t touch—“

Before I could stop her, she reached out and grabbed my wrist, and my strong front shattered as my skin crawled and my stomach lurched. I snatched my arm away, feeling a surge of what felt like rage, an anxiety attack, and a caffeine rush mixed into one. My mind went blank with nothing but the urge to get rid of her.

“Get! Out! I’m sick of you! I’m sick of you! Get the hell out! You selfish bi—“

“Woah, woah, Bellatrix!”

Someone grabbed me and I shoved them off, but when they grabbed me again I wasn’t strong enough to push them away. I let out a cry, struggling until I recognized Goku’s scent, then his voice, then blinked, looking around at the flickering, swinging lights above us, the strewn bedclothes all over the floor, the broken windows and the TV monitor which was now securely in the wall above my upside down hospital bed. My muscles were tense and aching, I realized, and I relaxed, looking around the room with disorientation.

Bulma, I remembered.

I turned my head to see a frazzled and shocked Bulma guarded by a bewildered Vegeta in the corner of the room. The bodyguards had disappeared. As loose wires sparked above us, I looked down at Delilah, who was pale as death. Her hair was a mess now; completely ruffled out of its pressed, shiny state from before. There were tears in her eyes. They made my breath catch in my throat.

“This is what I meant by unstable. Your emotions are completely unregulated. It makes your…”

She cleared her throat, brushing her hair out of her eyes.

“Your affliction volatile.”

I looked at her in disbelief. “What…what just…?”

“You’re not well. You need to get that under control before a bad day ends up with someone dead.”

She got to her feet shakily, brushing off her black trench coat and putting her heels back on, clearing her throat again. Despite her grave demeanor, which usually meant I was in trouble, she headed to the door. She turned to Bulma before she left.

“I know you all hate me, but Bellatrix can’t have whatever this is—“

She gestured to the demolished room tensely.

“Running wild. Someone’s going to end up hurt or dead. It could be her, but it’ll be one of you before that happens.”

“Seems like that someone would be you if you don’t get the hell out,” Vegeta suddenly said, giving her the usual glare as he crossed his arms again.

She looked him up and down, then managed a cold smile. “Aren’t you just the most devastating Napoleon complex.”

Vegeta obviously had no idea what than meant, but his glare still deepened in offense.

“See you later, Bel-bel.”

She gave a wave, not even looking at me as she left and walked down the hall. I didn’t say a word until the elevator pinged and the doors closed. I let out the breath I was holding, clenching my fists.

“What…did I do? Did—I didn’t do all of this, right? What’s going on?”

Goku made a pleased sound, and I turned to look up at him in confusion. He smiled at me.

“I knew your energy was strong.”

***

“Bulma, I feel fine,” I protested again with a frown.

“I don’t care, I’m still making sure your vitals are good. Now do it again.”

I huffed, looking to Goku and Vegeta. The former smiled and gave me a thumbs up, while the latter just glared—or it was his usual face; I’m still working on discerning that.

“C’mon, don’t worry about them,” Bulma pushed, “Close your eyes and do it again.”

She was understandably testy after Delilah’s bodyguards manhandled her and she said god knows what to her while they were waiting for me to come. I was a little annoyed, but I ignored her spike in temper.

“Okay, okay, I’m doing it.”

“Remember to relax your your body, okay?”

I looked over at Goku with an ‘I-got-it’ smile, then focused on the metal target at the other end of the testing hall. It was uncomfortable with all of the wires hanging off of me, but I tried to ignore it.

I closed my eyes, shut everything out, and relaxed my body. My heartbeat started to slow down, and as I kept still, I felt the thud beating against my chest and sending blood flowing through my veins. The awareness of my body sent tremors through it again, but I only breathed through the feeling and kept focusing on the inner tension that released within me before. For a moment I heard beeping somewhere, but then I was encapsulated in silence. A small chill passed over my skin, and my mind wandered back to Goku’s kamehameha from before—the feeling of power in the air, the ground buckling beneath my feet, the sound of the blast rushing against my ears as my stomach flew into my throat—then it clicked. I was floating.

I felt something bump against me from behind, and I opened my eyes. It all came rushing in; the sound of metal creaking and bending, swirling wind, crashing here and there, alarms, bright sunlight overtaking the sterile, artificial ones, and the grunts of effort coming from Goku behind me, who had his arms wrapped around me as we slowly inched backward from the force of an invisible explosion. I could feel the energy flowing from my palm, but it wasn’t like Goku’s. It was cold, empty, and almost seemed…consuming.

I looked at the destruction ensuing in front of me as I began to hear the urges of Bulma and Vegeta for me to stop. The metal wall was warping and curling back like burning paper, and the target from before was a charred memory of what it used to be. My eyes widened as a huge crack split the wall in half, and it began to reach the ceiling. With alarm, I shut my eyes, trying to close whatever I’d opened, and it shut off bluntly, sending Goku and I flying against the wall behind us faster than either of us could think.

“Ugh…”

I curled onto my side, catching my breath. Goku panted, giving a half hearted half.

“I’m impressed,” he said, “Once you get that under control, you’ve got to let me spar with you. Need help getting up?”

“I’m not done lying on the cold, hard ground; thank you very much,” I said, turning onto my back as Goku got to his feet and gave me a hand.

I stood up with a groan, rubbing my back. I looked at the mayhem in the testing hall, pausing. My brain was starting to scramble.

“This was all me?”

A loud crash nearly sent me flying through the roof and I screamed. The lights flickered as I jumped, and everyone tensed a little. Goku chuckled uneasily.

“Why don’t we go outside so you can cool down,” he offered, ushering my outside.

I shook my head. “No, I want to see what the data was. I’m going to need a really good explanation for that.”

I pointed to the source of the loud crash—the metal wall had fallen to the ground, still peeling away.

“Someone get samples of th—“

“—Samples of that then one of you two destroy it.”

Bulma and I both dictated the same thing to the room,and looked at each other. I smiled weakly, then I let my shoulders drop as I hesitantly went over to the monitors. I leaned over onto the desk next to Bulma, surveying the screens.

“Whaddya got—oh…”

The screens were jumbled nonsense flickering all over the place. I jumped as a few sparks flew here and there. I looked to Bulma, who was staring at me in silence. I frowned, but didn't pay it any mind.

“What happened?”

She didn’t answer, and I looked at her again. “Bulma?”

She was pale, and, now that I read her expression better, completely stunned in silence. I waved my hand in front of her face.

“Bulma?”

Her eyes pupils shrank and she jumped, covering her face.

“Don’t blast me!”

I gave her an annoyed look. “Bulma, what happened to the computers?”

“They crashed,” she said, peeking out between her fingers, “At a certain point, the numbers for your heart rate and brain activity just went crazy—random numbers, then zeroes, and then the screens glitched out like this while I was hanging on to them for dear life.”

I gave her a look as she frowned at me.

“Don’t get that blaming tone with me like I did it on purpose.”

I leaned on the desk as the screens continued to glitch and spark. I looked over at the destroyed wall, and blushed in embarrassment as Bulma’s parents peeked in from outside.

“I don’t even know what’s going on…oh god. Someone catch—“

I groaned as the room spun, and my legs gave while I collapsed to the floor. I tensed my entire body as a brutal wave of nausea went through me, and the sound of metal creaking made me freeze as it passed.

Goku came over and helped me up, but everyone else was staring at the gaping hole where a wall used to be—even Vegeta. Or…at least that’s what I thought until I saw the piece of broken wall.

It was compressing like a piece of crumpled paper. I stared in disbelief until a sharp pain erupted in my stomach, and I folded over, crying out, hearing metal grinding against metal horribly. It was shrill and grating like nails on a chalkboard. I forced myself to look up, and watched as the metal crumpled more and more, then seemed to almost smooth out until I couldn’t take it anymore and put all of my weight on Goku in exhaustion.

“Okay, let’s get you back in bed,” Goku said, genuine worry coloring his voice.

I only muttered back. “Bed. Nice.”

He picked me up and walked us to the elevator then to the medical ward. I stared up at the ceiling lights as my sight started darkening. I was starting to feel weak, too. My arm slid off of Goku’s shoulder, dangling behind us. For some reason, in this state my mind cleared enough to process what I’d experienced for the last thirty minutes.

I had superpowers. I had genuine, Professor X, alien-superhero-fucking superpowers. And my crazy ex-girlfriend somehow knew before I did.

***

I woke up a week later with a dry mouth and a mild, constant anxiety attack. I couldn’t manage to speak very much, too much talking and I was left winded. The world seemed much too bright and loud every time I woke up, and with Goku as company, my ears were being assaulted until he got the message to quiet down from Bulma.

It seemed that every time I woke up, a new person was watching me. First Goku, then Bulma, then some short guy without a nose, a pretty unassuming guy if it weren’t for his equally insane muscles, a bald man with three eyes and a tiny clown-looking kid as a sidekick, and, finally, a fucking GIANT green alien-looking guy.

It was only when I woke up to Vegeta glaring at me in the corner that I was worried I was losing my mind. The new people would appear and disappear as the days passed, but I kept seeing them, which didn’t exactly rule out them being hallucinations, but Goku and Bulma saw them too, which put me at ease.

“Just because the woman can move things around with a little ki doesn’t mean she has any potential,” Vegeta said curtly, “She’s still just a human.”

“Is she, though,” Bulma chimed in, “Is she really?”

I groaned, breathing heavily as I tried to move or open my eyes. What the hell were they getting on about; of course I was human!

“Look, all I know is that Bels was a kid when I met her in high school. A kid. Literally. She was probably a few years older than when I first met Goku! And her brain was this total supercomputer, it was remarkable to see her work on experiments or proofs. She’s smarter than me, and I’m a genius. Also, sidenote, I don't think she's ever had a period."

I heard a groan--probably Vegeta.

“If she was so smart, then why didn’t she know she had any abilities in the first place?”

“I’m sure Bels will be happy to answer once she’s well enough to talk again,” Bulma smoothly deflected.

“And how long with that be taking exactly?”

Bulma huffed, and I heard her stomping. “Look! Her vitals are improving, so we just have to wait! I know that’s like pulling teeth for you, your royal highness, but you’re just gonna have to manage!”

I drifted away again as Vegeta grumbled and muttered to himself.

I wasn’t sure how much time passed until the night I woke up ready to go. I wanted a smoke, so I knew I was at a hundred percent again and got out of my bed. I’d awoken to an empty, silent room, and an uncomfortably still medical ward. Everything was dark, but the lights would flash on and off as I passed under them. I would’ve been more interested in that if my body wasn’t so heavy and uncoordinated as I swayed through the halls to the elevator—I poked the button for the floor Bulma’s lab was on and rested my forehead against the doors. I let out a sigh, closing my eyes and slumping my shoulders. Everything I remembered felt like months ago.

I jumped as the elevator pinged, catching myself on the doorframe as it opened. I groaned, punching the button to close the doors, and collapsed against the wall as I pondered Vegeta’s words.

Why didn’t I know anything about my own powers?

Based off of my last two experiences, I didn’t remember anything after I used them, so it would make sense I wouldn’t know anything during Delilah and I’s relationship. But…what about my parents? My entire family? My brothers and sisters? Not one of them had powers? Why didn’t they have powers?

Why didn’t he?

The realization hit me as the elevator dinged, and I slid down to the floor, sitting. I stared at the floor. All this time I had powers. If I’d never taken those stupid pills she made me, I could’ve changed so much. I could’ve done something that day. A tight ball of grief knotted up my rib cage and I clenched my fists.

Why did everyone lie to me? Why was this secret kept? Why, why, why did I have to know about it now when it didn’t matter anymore?

When I could’ve saved Adam’s life?

The elevator creaked, and I jumped, looking up as tears fell from my eyes. I should probably get out of here if I’m going to have another emotional breakdown. I took my breaths, shutting my eyes and calming down. One, two, three, four, hold, just like that doctor lady had taught me. Then I got up, pushed myself from the wall, and walked into the hall.

“Bulma? You up?”

My voice sounded fragile as it echoed and floated back to my ears. I didn’t want to walk anymore; my body had become sapped of everything. I couldn’t clear the images from my mind, no matter how hard I tried. The way the motorcyclist’s bones twisted after flying through the air, Adam’s wide, glassy eyes staring past me and fixing themselves on the clouds. I crumbled to my knees, groaning, wiping my hands frantically on my hospital gown. I could feel his blood pooling around my knees, hot and sticky against my fingers and palms, spilling out into a halo around his empty eyes, matting into his curls. I vomited.

The next thing I knew I was blinded the same lights on the ceiling, and there was an awful noise. A shrill, almost screeching kind of noise, that I was too tired to cover my ears to block. I could smell dried bile on my lips, along with a familiar earthy scent. I froze up in embarrassment in Goku’s arms, meeting his eyes. They searched mine with worry.

“You were crying,” he said simply, “I felt your energy spike, and when I found you, you were crying in your sleep.”

And lying in a pool of my own vomit, I figure.

I sniffed, wiping my eyes defensively. “It’s…loud.”

The next thing I knew, we were on my balcony, and my insides were doing somersaults. I yelped, glaring at him as I slapped my hand over my mouth to hold back a wave of sickness.

“I’m not well enough for that,” I sharply muttered, wiggling out of his arms.

“Sorry, you just seemed fine last time we did it so…”

“Fight or flight, Goku, fight or flight.”

My ears rang in the silence of the patio—city sounds aside—and I collapsed onto the lounge chair. Goku sat down next to me, still watching me intently. I could feel the question bubbling up in the air; practically hear it forming in his mind.

“Bellatrix, why were you crying?”

I frowned deeply, glaring at the skyscrapers through the glass. At my silence, Goku spoke more carefully.

“Was it..your ex?”

He seemed hesitant to ask; I wondered if he thought just the mentioning of Delilah would set me off. I sighed sharply, looking at him.

“Look, I get that—“

His gaze was gentle. Attentive. He was in full listening mode, which seemed…new. It made me self-conscious, preparing to shove away his concern, thinking of his kindness over the past week. I looked away and slumped my shoulders.

“Can this stay between us? Like a secret?”

He nodded. “Yeah, of course.”

I hadn’t even told Bulma yet. I hadn’t even gone to visit my parents to see if they were alright. I’d barely faced it myself since it had happened, and it loomed over my constantly. Why was it so easy to tell him? Why could I tell him anything right now?

“When I left my ex, I went to stay with my older brother Adam.”

“You have a brother?”

My stomach twisted. “I, uh, had an older brother, yeah.”

He easily connected the dots. His face softened as he looked me up and down. I tried to ignore it, but it didn’t help, the tears still formed.

“Delilah had hired this P.I.—a uh, private investigator. Maybe she thought I had found someone else, or that I was losing it, who knows. I knew I was being watched, I could sense it, but I couldn’t see anything. I was scared out of my mind, but I didn’t tell Adam because I wanted things to feel fine. Just for once. He was so…”

I clasped my hands, breathing shakily.

“Uh, anyways, one day we were leaving a movie and the P.I. was there in plain sight. I just laid my eyes on him and knew. I didn’t know he was a P.I. at the time. I thought that it was just some crazy guy, or a stalker, or one of Delilah’s bodyguards come to beat me into a pulp and drag me back to her, so I told Adam.”

My throat tightened as I looked up at the clouds. I could see it in my head as I told Goku, my voice quivering.

“I tried to stop him. I couldn’t. I couldn’t do anything. A single fucking thing. Him and the P.I. started getting physical, and it escalated, it all happened so fast. Next thing I knew Adam…”

I fell quiet, wiping my palms again.

“Adam what,” Goku gently prodded.

I looked to him, remembering he was there. I interlaced my fingers.

“A motorcyclist hit him in the street. The motorcyclist ended up paralyzed from the waist down, but Adam…”

A few tears rolled down my cheeks.

“He died there in the street. I held his head in my hands as blood oozed out of him, and I was crying and screaming for am ambulance even though I knew there was no point. I couldn’t do anything but watch. Watch as he left me alone forever. And it was all Delilah’s fault.”

We sat in silence. Goku didn’t say anything, which I couldn’t decide made this better or worse. I sniffed, drying my eyes.

“So, um, I guess I was crying because now I have these powers or whatever, and it doesn’t mean a fucking thing.”

“Of course it means something,” he protested.

I looked at him. “I can’t save my brother’s life, I can’t fix the gaping wound in my family where he was, and I can’t…I can’t even at least scrape it all from my mind. I’m just—just…a fucking public safety hazard now! I can’t even use it consciously, I’m just fucking crazy, and unstable, and fucking weak above it all.”

Realizing I was starting to get angry, I sat up and massaged my temples, trying to calm down.

“Just—what am I supposed to do with this?”

He suddenly smiled and rose to his feet.

“That’s easy: you get stronger.”

I stared up at him as he placed his hands on his hips, eyes fixed on me as he waited for a response. I blinked.

“So, what, I become a fighter like you?”

“Sure,” he said, “Why not?”

I squinted at him. “You’re not joking right now, are you?”

He frowned, confused. “Why would I be joking?”

He was so sincere, it made me laugh.

“Goku, your confidence is very…sweet…but I’m not a fighter, not at all. I am a brain, and all of this crap—“

I waved my arms and legs and smushed my face. “—Is an unfortunate meat case for that I’m stuck with cleaning and feeding.”

“That sounds horrible.”

I only smiled and shrugged. “Yup.”

“Okay, I need to go shower and change and…god, I need to smoke.”

Goku nodded. “I’ll wait out here.”

I nodded, yawned, them gestured for him to turn around, which he did. I stood and stepped over the chair, ripping off my hospital gown and throwing it to the floor.

I flicked my lighter with annoyance, tugging my sweater closer around my neck.

“Ah, shit.”

“I can light it for you,” Goku offered.

“Oh, no, no, it’ll light.”

I flicked it again, and euphoria washed over me at the sprouting of a flame. I hurriedly lit my cigarette, smiling at Goku.

“See? What’d I tell you?”

I took a long drag, and exhaled. My eyes scanned over the cityscape below us briefly until I scurried back to the center of the roof, planting my butt on the ground.I sighed, placing the cigarette between my lips.

I was still playing with the thought of what Goku was suggesting I do with my life. I was never going to be some kind of warrior; I couldn’t even imagine it. I had the stamina of a depressed corpse, and about the same physical force as a sheet of paper.

But, still.

You need to get that under control before a bad day ends up with someone dead.

Superhero pipe dreams aside, I had a dangerous force inside of me that was hungering to unleash itself at any given moment. I couldn’t just let it rule my life as do as it pleased, leaving me with memory loss and an almost certain anxiety disorder.

I had to control it. I had to make it mine—not the other way around, or I was never going to be allowed in any lab ever again.

“Hey, Goku?”

“Yeah?”

“How fast could you teleport and catch someone if, say, theoretically, they’d fallen from a building like this?”

“Probably pretty fast, why?”

I stared at the railing on the edge of the roof, narrowing my eyes. I felt my cigarette burn hotter in my fingers.

“Let’s go back to where we went to do your blast.”

***

Goku lowered us onto a cliff, eyeing me strangely. I slid from his arms, pressing my feet on the earth. Closing my eyes, I inhaled the fresh air, tossing my cigarette stump aside.

“You sure you’re gonna be okay up here?”

I exhaled deeply. “Nope. That’s kinda the idea.”

I opened my eyes, looking down at the ground below us, dimly illuminated by the moon. Fear immediately took my body, seeping into my knees and feet. I swallowed, timidly peering over the edge and seeing the steep fall it would be. Goku came up next to me.

“Uh, what’s going on, exactly?”

“This would be a pretty gnarly fall, don’t you think?”

He hesitated in confusion. “Yeah, probably.”

“My body would probably just break on impact.”

I kicked some rocks over the edge and listened to their clacking as they fluttered out of my sight.

“Pretty terrifying thought. Splattering all over the ground.”

I looked at Goku, raising my eyebrow. He smiled uneasily.

“Should…I call Bulma?”

“Don’t call Bulma,” I told him, turning away from the edge and returning to the middle, “We’re just conducting an experiment, that’s all.”

“Experiment?”

I smiled at him as he followed me back to where we landed.

“My power’s triggered by intense emotion overriding everything else in my mind, like a security system.”

I awkwardly averted my eyes. “Which is why it’s so volatile and likely to come out at any moment, since…well…”

“Yeah.”

I turned to face the edge again. “Putting that aside for a moment, I’ve never voluntarily triggered it, and if I’m going to control this, that’s my first step. I’m obviously not going to cry over my dead brother and failed relationship every time I want to use this thing, so I’ll go for my next best option of turning the switch.”

“Which is?”

I met his eyes. “Fear.”

“If I’m about to splat, I’ll call out for you and you can catch me.”

He looked at me in alarm. “I don’t usually say this, but I don’t think this is the best idea right now.”

I smiled. “You better be as fast as you say, because if I die, Bulma’s coming for your ass first.”

I stepped backwards, creating room, feeling the strong breeze against my legs and back, feeling my muscles trembling at what I was about to do. Oh, I was going to shit my fucking pants.

“Don’t catch me until I say, alright?”

“Bellatrix, I think you’re shaking.”

I gave him a pointed look. “Alright?”

He frowned, but crossed his arms in resignation. “Okay.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. I could do this, I could do this. I didn’t need Delilah’s creepy medication, and I sure as hell didn’t need to listen to her. I could control this, no matter what she thought. Or what my parents thought, or even what Bulma, Goku, and Vegeta thought.

I settled my eyes beyond the edge, skipping my feet to get myself ready. I was going to learn this power, I was going to control it, and then I was going to find my way back to some kind of a normal life. The thought of this spurred me.

“Bellatrix—“

Without letting myself think, I sprinted forward, leaping right over the edge and flying into the air.

Gravity immediately took hold of my body and started to drag me to the ground. My stomach wrapped around my lungs and crushed them as I watched the stars grow further away from me. I was weightless; paralyzed by the force of the wind that beat beat against my ears and shoved my limbs around like they were papier-mâché. My locs beat against my face—I was frozen; too shocked to be afraid, and too afraid to snap myself out of it.

“Bellatrix, you’re getting close to the ground!”

The sound of Goku’s voice shot me into action. I started flailing, then found myself spiraling through the air with the sounds of my swearing barely keeping up with my mouth. My sight was a blur of rock, stars, the moon, and the ground, which was getting closer — much, much, fucking closer. Heart slamming into my chest, I bit down on my lip indignantly: there was no way I was going to call for Goku. I was a big girl, I was going to do this!

Grunting with effort, I fought against the choppy wind and twisted myself to face the ground and holy fuck I was feet away from it! My terror spiked, and I thrust my arms out in front of me, squeezing my eyes shut.

Break my fall, I willed desperately, break my fall damnit!

Then—nothing. I felt no resistance, no magical force, no explosions. I surrendered to the force of the winds, gliding with the rough push and pull of the air. I braced myself for the splat. Or, I should probably call-

“Hey, nice job!”

I opened my eyes in surprise at the sound of Goku’s voice so close, and looked over to see him looking up at me from the ground with a beaming smile. His eyes were alight with excitement.

“You really are a quick learner, huh?”

I gasped as I looked over my shoulder—I was hovering.

“How do you feel?”

“It feels like I’m in a very cozy bed. I’m warm.”

I felt a sudden wave of relief as I lowered myself to meet Goku’s eyes, and found myself smiling, then laughing. The sound filled my ears.

“Holy shit! I did it!”

“Yeah!”

“I’m fucking flying right now!”

Goku laughed along with me, fed by my own excitement.

“And look—“

I reached out to him, holding out my hand in front of his face. He tensed a little, looking between my hand and my smile uneasily. I rose my eyebrows.

“No explosion.”

“Oh—good.”

He relaxed again, rubbing his nape.

“That was a real leap of faith you did,” he remarked, “You weren’t really going to call me, were you?”

My cheeks ached, and I tried to calm down. I let out a sigh, rubbing my face. “Not really…”

He laughed. “Sounds like something Vegeta would do!”

My happiness dropped immediately. “Please take that back.”

He only kept laughing, then stared at me after he cooled down a bit. His eyes were sparkling like onyx in the moonlight, but aside from that, they held an odd glow to them. It was warm, and fond. I continued floating awkwardly, glancing around shyly under his gaze. Then, he pressed his palm against mine, and my stomach flipped.

“Why don’t I help you get on the ground?”

I felt myself start to blush and laugh nervously. Oh god, how embarrassing. I could feel it coursing through me as we held each other’s stares; my body felt lighter—probably my soul trying to crawl its way out of me.

“Uh—yeah…sure—oh no no no—“

I was starting to lift into the air, and I grabbed Goku’s hand tightly in an attempt to stop it. He laughed. He was laughing. I glared at him as I grabbed onto his forearm desperately.

“Are you laughing right now?!”

“Don’t worry! I’ve got you, it’ll be fine—“

“Goku!”

I shrieked as I lurched up into the sky out of nowhere, clinging onto Goku’s arm for dear life while he calmly rose with me, still laughing.

“Goku, stop laughing or I swear to—oh my god—“

We flew up past the clouds, and I did my best to hold in the scream that was trying to claw its way from my lips.

“Hey, hey,” he encouraged, “You’re doing great!”

I faltered in the air slightly and yelped, looking to Goku in a panic. He placed his hand over mine reassuringly, which didn’t do much for calming my nerves. My blood pressure slowly lowered as we fell still in the sky, and I looked at the stars with a mixture of terror and wonder inside of me.

“Why don’t you try moving yourself upright?”

I broke my admiration of the night sky to look at Goku incredulously. I smiled uneasily. “Oh, I can give you many reasons why not.”

“I can catch you in time if anything happens,” he assured, “Besides, you can’t fly around on your back.”

“Says who?”

He laughed softly, floating away. I heard his voice at my feet.

“Just stop, then tilt your body to face me, okay?”

I frowned, eyes darting to either side of me. “How am I supposed to stop, exactly?”

“Just relax and let it happen. Trust yourself.”

He made it sound so easy. I sighed, closing my eyes.

“Alright.”

I stretched my limbs out wide, spreading my fingers and reaching to feel the air around my body. I frowned, opening my eyes. How the hell does one just stop, exactly? What does that even mean?

“Am I supposed to be feeling something?”

“Do you feel something?”

“Goku…” I warned.

“Okay, okay,” he relented, giving a chuckle, “let’s try something.”

He suddenly appeared above me, and placed his hands in front of his chest.

“Put your hands against mine,” he instructed.

I hesitated. He smiled, looking at me expectantly. With furrowed eyebrows, I obliged and pressed my palms against his again. I waited for more directions, but he didn’t say anything. He was just…staring at me.

“Uh…what now?”

No answer, only a playful grin in return. I couldn’t manage to hold his gaze anymore and looked away. He turned my chin back towards him—my eyes widened and fixed on his timidly.

“Keep looking at me,” he encouraged.

His knuckle grazed my jaw briefly. I swallowed, chuckling nervously. Goku’s eyes, kind as they were, enveloped me the longer I looked into them. His hands were so big compared to mine.

“Goku, is there a point to this?”

“Of course; I want you to push me.”

I frowned at him. We both knew I wasn’t strong enough to even trip him.

“Make sense.”

“You should feel a kind of aura around your body,” he clarified, “I want you to use it to push me away.”

I blinked. “Hm. Okay.”

I shut my eyes instinctually to focus but Goku pinched my cheek. Yelping, I slapped his hand away.

“What was that for?”

“I want you to keep your eyes on mine.”

“Why?”

“Because you get so nervous,” he said with a laugh, “It helps to be uncomfortable.”

My face burned, but now I was stubbornly holding his gaze.

“I don’t get nervous.”

“Yeah, you do! And you get really nervous when I hold your hand like this.”

He intertwined his fingers with mine and I felt ready to melt. What the hell was happening? Was this Bulma’s doing? What happened to nice Goku?

The air grew heavier around us and my skin prickled.

“Feel that?”

I slowly nodded, trying to mask my shallow breaths. I shivered as my aura tickled the back of my neck.

“Okay, I feel it.”

“Great! Now push me away from you.”

I pushed against his hands, but he didn’t come close to budging. In fact, he pushed back, and I found myself slowly moving to the ground again.

“C’mon, push me back.”

I could feel the power coursing through his body buzzing in his hands. His eyes were starting to grow...intense. Not in a threatening manner, but enough to make me want to shrink out of his sight. They held a challenge, an immovable resolve that thoroughly intimidated me. He wasn’t going to blast me, was he? He suddenly leaned in, making my heart fall into my stomach.

"What -- what are you doing," I muttered.

He gave me that same boyish grin, pulling me close enough for our noses to brush.

"Oh nothin', just getting a little more friendly."

My voice wavered. "You're completely invading my personal bubble."

"I know," he breezily dismissed, "but what're ya gonna do about it?"

I glared lightly at him and tried to push his hands away again.

“We both know that’s not gonna work. You gotta use your ki.”

Great, more new words. With a grumble, I tried harder to focus my energy into my hands while still handling Goku’s proximity and stare. My effort didn’t satisfy Goku, though.

“You’re still holding back, Bellatrix,” he lightly reprimanded, “Just let go, I can take it.”

“I’m trying,” I insisted.

He suddenly smiled again, and I swallowed thickly.

“Maybe I still need to get closer, then…”

“How much closer can you get?”

Goku’s eyes crinkled as he gave me another playful smile, and his arm wrapped around my waist. I made a sound—maybe a squeak—and felt something switch on throughout my entire nervous system. Energy surged through every vein, every sinew of my body, making my hands and scalp tingle. He released my waist, placing his hand back over mine. His eyes widened excitedly.

“Yeah, that’s it!”

I growled, lifting us back up into the air, separating his hands from mine.

“Good, good! Keep going!”

“If you say so.”

Feeling my adrenaline spike, I swiftly unleashed the blast out of my hands, sending both Goku and I flying away from each other.

“Woah!”

I chuckled as Goku’s voice echoed loudly in the sky, then yelped as I slammed into the ground, crashing through the surface and collapsing in the center of a crater. I stared wide-eyed at the broken clouds above me in a daze.

“Ouch.”

Goku suddenly appeared above me with his fingers to his forehead, his clothes torn and ratty.

“Heh! That’s some energy you’ve got.”

I smiled meekly. “I think my brain rattled around my skull just now.”

“Eh, happens to the best of us. Want to head back?”

I gave a thumbs up. He gently gathered me in his arms, and I winced.

“Shit, my back.”

“Oh, don’t worry, I gotcha.”

“I—woah—okay—“

He hinged me over his shoulder. “Is that better?”

I blushed. Admittedly, it was.

***

“That was some nice power for your first time.”

I shrugged off my shirt, hanging on the edge of the bed. With a grumble, I struggled to get it off as it hung onto my arms, which I couldn’t move well. Goku’s voice suddenly sounded behind me.

“Let me help you with that.”

I sighed, feeling the soreness throughout my entire torso. I wasn’t in much of a position to refuse.

“‘Kay.”

He eased the shirt off of my arms and tossed it to the floor. I tensed up as I felt his fingers fiddling with the fastener of my bra, my face going up ten times its normal temperature.

“Goku?”

He huffed. “Sorry, I just don’t know how to take this off.”

I shook my head slightly at his oh-so innocent apology.

“Goku, you don’t need to so that,” I reassured, “I’ll leave it on for now.”

“Oh, then should I help you with it later?”

I turned to look at him incredulously. He cocked his head, raising an eyebrow.

“What?”

I started to say something, but simply gave it up. I smiled.

“I’ll take care of it, alright? Don’t worry about it.”

“Okay. Still, this bruise is looking pretty nasty.”

I sat up straight as Goku’s fingers pressed on my spine. Pain shot through my back.

“Goku!”

“Sorry—I just wanted to check if it hurt any.”

“It hurts plenty.”

The bed shifted as he stood up.

“Hm?”

“Just lie down, I’ll be right back.”

I frowned, but crawled out onto my stomach as he disappeared from the room. As I shut my eyes, he returned.

“Okay, here. Eat this.”

He sat down next to me, holding a bean to my lips. I looked at him questioningly.

“It’ll help with your back.”

“Normally, I’d be inclined to question you, but I’m far past disbelief these days.”

I took it from him, eating it and lying back down. A surge of energy shot through me, and goosebumps rose on my entire body. My back loosened easily, and I relaxed into my bed.

“Feel better?”

“Mhm.”

“Good. Wanna eat?”

I turned over, sighing. “Mhm. Why don’t you show me Super Saiyan afterward?”

“Sure, I’ll show you all of them.”

My ears perked up, and I looked at him with what I hoped was subdued excitement.

“All of them?”

He grinned. I sat up, swinging my legs over the bed.

“Okay, show me first, then we’ll eat.”

“Awe, but I’m hungry!”

I rolled my eyes. “Fine, fine, let’s go to Bulma’s.”

“Great!”

Before I could go to my dresser and put on a shirt, Goku took my hand and instant transmission-ed us right in front of Bulma.

And Vegeta.

On her bed.

We all stared at each other, with Bulma crimson red, and Vegeta looking like he’d just been caught doing something awful. Goku and I shared a glance, then he laughed awkwardly and moved us to a different room.

We stood there quietly until Goku broke into another quiet laugh, and I grinned, covering my mouth.

“Stop laughing,” I insisted, voice wavering, “St—stop that.”

“Oh wow, Bulma and Vegeta...”

I elbowed him gently in the ribs, shaking my head and placing a finger over my lips.

“What?”

“That’s inappropriate. Besides, it wasn’t like they were doing anything. We probably shouldn’t mention anything.”

“But you’re smiling!”

I used my fingers to straighten the corners of my mouth.

“No, I’m not.”

He chuckled again, and I pinched his cheek hard.

“Bulma’s going to be embarrassed, so stop. Besides, we’re the ones who are half naked—“

I paused, looking down and shyly covering my chest and heading for the door.

“I’m going to find a shirt.”

Before I could touch the knob, Bulma nearly opened the door in my face. I jumped back before even processing it, staring straight at her.

“We, uh, didn’t see anything.”

“I thought we weren’t going to say anything about it,” Goku piped up behind me.

“It just kinda…slipped out.”

Bulma blushed lightly, but didn’t give any other signs of being affected besides that. She examined us in confusion.

“Why aren’t either of you wearing shirts?”

I rubbed my back unconsciously. “I may or may not have bruised my spine recently.”

She sighed. “Hanging out with Goku’ll do that.”

“What do you want, Kakarot?”

Vegeta emerged behind her, barging into the room. He gave me a hard look, and I rose an eyebrow at him, crossing my arms.

“And what are you doing here?”

I frowned. “What are you?”

“I LIVE HERE.”

I knew it would annoy him more, but I couldn’t help giving Bulma a questioning look.

“Why is he living here?”

“Don’t ignore me!”

Goku walked up to us with an easygoing smile and put his hand on Vegeta’s shoulder.

“Hey, calm down Vegeta! We didn’t see anything you and Bulma were doing.”

Vegeta gritted his teeth with a blush. “Ngh…we weren’t doing anything!”

Now I was annoying him on purpose. “Yet, I’m sure.”

“Quiet, earth woman!”

Bulma nudged Vegeta aside with a sigh. She was surprisingly calm, it was odd.

“Goku, Bels, what are you doing here?”

I pointed at Goku. “Dinner.”

She looked at him tiredly. “The chefs are already asleep.”

I furrowed my eyebrows. “And you don’t have a microwave?”

Goku whined. “A microwave?”

I gave him a harsh look. “What?”

“Can’t one of them just wake up?”

“Goku, the chefs are humans, they need rest—especially if they’re already feeding one Saiyan regularly.”

“Microwaves make the food less good, though,” he complained.

I groaned. “Oh, my gosh, fine, I’ll cook something for you!”

“Really? Thanks, Bellatrix!”

I grabbed his wrist, dragging him along with me to the kitchen, grumbling.

“Stupid, hungry Saiyan…you two are helping me!”

Bulma and Vegeta followed.

“Bulma, I know you can handle a knife better than that,” I lightly chided.

“I’ve never cooked for myself in my life, give me a break!”

Something about having to slice vegetables had taken away some of Bulma’s cool from before. I chuckled, checking on Vegeta again discreetly to make sure I hadn’t hallucinated—he was strangely adept in the kitchen.

“Goku, keep stirring,” I instructed, eyeing the pot I’d put him in charge of.

I slid past Bulma to lower the burner under it. He smiled at me.

“It’s smelling really good!”

I leaned past him, smelling it, then went to the spice rack, smelling a few of those as well before settling on a couple and coming back over to add them.

“That should be good,” I muttered to myself.

“Will it be done soon?”

I shrugged. “Yeah, but I don’t know if we made enough.”

I looked to the table full of large, competed dishes, humming thoughtfully.

“Well, I’m sure it’s gonna be great anyways,” he said, “thanks a lot.”

I sighed. “Yeah, yeah.”

“Where’d you learn to cook anyway?”

“My family has a farm and a garden at home; I always cooked with them. We were a big family, I’m used to cooking a lot of food.”

“Wow, that sounds great.”

I smiled a little. “Yeah, it was.”

“I’d love to meet them,” he said brightly, “If they’re anything like you, I’m sure they’re great.”

“O-oh…cool.”

I opened the larger pot next to Goku, checking the broth and smelling it, hoping the steam would clear my head.

“Chi-chi cooked a lot too, but our family was way smaller.”

I looked at him in surprise. “Family?”

Something dropped and Bulma yelped. I looked over at her in alarm, seeing she’d knocked over a can of oregano. I sighed.

“I’ll get the broom.”

***

“Wow, this is amazing Bels,” Bulma remarked, patting my head gently, “I forgot you were so good at cooking.”

“Yeah, this is really great,” Goku concurred before shoveling more food into his mouth.

I smiled as I watched him eat so enthusiastically, oddly pleased by the thought he loved my food so much. Bulma nudged me.

“What?”

“You’re staring,” she cooed.

I glared at her defensively, making her laugh.

“I’m not.”

“You sure are spending a lot of time with him,” she said quietly, smile playing on her lips, “Are you really sure there’s nothing going on there?”

I rolled my eyes, pouring myself a glass of wine.

“I suppose I’d call him my friend.”

She giggled, and I frowned deeply.

“I said my friend.”

“Right, right,” she teased, “Your friend.”

I gave her a look, smirking. “If we want to talk about friends, now…”

“We were just talking,” she quickly dismissed.

“Mm, yeah, I’m sure. I’m sure you’ll have plenty of deep, thorough conversations in the future.”

“You’re disgusting,” she whispered, slapping my arm.

I grinned, laughing. Goku looked at us curiously.

“What’s so funny?”

Bulma’s cheeks colored slightly. “Nothing.”

After a filling dinner, Bulma quickly went to bed, followed by Vegeta announcing he would do the same and earning a suggestive look from me. He glared at me before leaving. Then, it was just me and the well-fed Saiyan. He let out a sigh, smiling at me, eyes shining.

“Man, you’re amazing Bellatrix,” he remarked, “you’re strong, and you can cook.”

“Don’t go marrying me,” I joked, “Sounds like I’m your type.”

He laughed as I got up and started to gather the dishes.

“What’re ya doing,” he asked, eyeing me curiously.

I chuckled at the question. “Cleaning up?”

“Why?”

I gave him a look instead of gracing that with an answer, and took my two stacks of dishes to the kitchen. When I got back, he was stacking plates too. I smiled.

“Thanks.”

“The quicker we finish, the sooner I can show you Super Saiyan, right?”

I scoffed in amusement; always a one-track mind with him.

“Yeah, but don’t break anything.”

Once we got all of the dishes to the kitchen, I handed Goku a sponge.

“What’s this for?”

“All that eating you do and you haven’t washed some dishes before?”

He blushed slightly, looking away. “I think Chi-Chi might’ve done all of that…”

I shivered at the thought. “Your ex-wife sounds like a saint.”

He laughed. “Yeah, Chi-Chi’s the best. That’s why Gohan’s turning out so well, getting smart and everything.”

I rose my eyebrows. “Gohan?”

“Oh, right! Gohan’s my son.”

I nearly dropped the giant bowl I was washing. My eyes met Goku’s in disbelief.

“You have a son? Why didn’t you mention him sooner?”

“Bulma told me not to, she said you might not like me as much if you knew. But you like me now, so it’s fine.”

I scrunched up my face in an attempt to grasp such warped logic.

“Why wouldn’t I like you if you had—“

I blinked, then glared at the plate I was rinsing soap duds off of. Bulma was trying to set me up, wasn’t she? What the hell? After I told her I wasn’t ready?

“Hey, watch the plate!”

Goku took the plate from my hands swiftly, eyeing it with worry.

“Awe, you cracked it. Bulma’s going to be so annoyed…”

I huffed, throwing my sponge into the sink and storming out of the kitchen.

“Hey, where are you going? Should I keep washing the dishes?”

I made my way to Bulma’s room, knocking harshly, then opening the door and turning on the lights. She groaned, sitting up.

“What the hell, Ve—Bels?”

I frowned at her, crossing my arms.

“What’s up?”

I closed the door behind me with my foot.

“I want an explanation.”

She quickly grasped she was caught, and shielded herself with a pillow.

“Don’t explode me! Don’t be mad, okay?”

“No, it’s not okay. What the hell are you trying to play matchmaker for? I told you that I wasn’t ready for a relationship.”

She leered at me over the pillow. “Who said anything about a relationship—"

I glared and she retreated back behind it quickly.

“—okay, okay I’m sorry!”

“Sorries are cheap, Briefs. I want a space telescope.”

“Okay, fine!”

“Hm.”

“I’m sorry Bels, I just…”

I eyed her curiously.

“I wanted to cheer you up, I guess. I wanted to make you happy, and Goku, even with his flaws, always leaves people happier than he found him.”

I sighed. “That’s a nice thought, but you might as well have gotten me a dog if you wanted a warm body to cheer me up with.”

“Well, I wanted you to get laid too!”

“Bulma!”

She grinned, waving her hand dismissively.

“Oh please, I’ve seen the way you two have been acting, you’re probably halfway there.”

I blushed, stiffening. “We are not!”

“You’re blushing, Bels, I can tell,” she teased, laughing, “Have you guys already gotten to first base?”

“I could ask you the same thing,” I shot back, retreating to the door.

“You’re running away because I’m right,” she called.

“Space! Telescope!”

I slammed the door as she giggled, turning my back to the door as my cheeks burned. I had to admit…she wasn’t far off. With a huff, I turned and opened the door again looking at Bulma and walking back in, closing the door and putting my hands on my hips.

“Look, Goku’s sweet, and yes, I’ll admit he cheers me up a bit. But nothing’s going to happen between us, okay? Besides, the man has a son. We’re friends, and all we’re going to be is friends. I don’t want anything more than that. So don’t try and play us again.”

Bulma smiled at me, then sighed. “Alright, alright, I’ll stop.”

“Thank you.”

I rubbed my forehead, leaning on her vanity table.

“Right now, all I want is a little peace. I just want to get my mind off of everything and go back to how I was before.”

Bulma got out of bed and came over to me, putting an arm around my shoulders. She pulled me close.

“Bels, we can never go back to how things were. No one can revive the past once it’s over. Trying to live in the past is like trying to shrink yourself—it doesn’t work.”

I looked down at my feet quietly. “I’d rather shrink than feel like this.”

She sighed. “I wish I could help, Bels. I hate seeing you so miserable.”

I smiled at her, taking her hand. “You are helping. And, honestly, Goku is too. He’s got me doing something new every five seconds, so I don’t have any time to wallow in misery.”

She laughed, then hugged me tightly.

“I’m sorry for trying to trick you, Bels.”

“It’s okay. I…I know you wanted to help.”

We sat in our silent embrace, Bulma’s head on my shoulder and mine resting on hers. Then, I sat up.

“Oh! You know how you can make it up to me?”

She rose an eyebrow. “Besides the space telescope?”

“Mhm,” I nodded, “Get those two Saiyans to help me clear out my office tomorrow.”

Bulma’s face soured. “Oh, right. The Blackthorn’s research facility. Do you have to go?”

I chuckled. “I’ve abandoned my things there for too long anyway. And once that’s done, I can forget her forever.”

“Well, that’s all you had to say! I’ll get Goku and Vegeta and we’ll head over to the Ice Continent bright and early!”

“Thanks. I owe you a bunch.”

“Make us dinner again and we’ll be even,” she offered, smiling sweetly.

I rose a brow, then jumped.

“Oh shit, the dishes.”

I straightened up. “I left Goku there to wash them.”

“They’re probably not washed,” she joked.

“They’re probably not.”

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