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maccaronimassacre · 1 month

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Resident Evil Bot Dump #9

A couple of quick updates on the bots!

I have made a new masterlist which is the google doc on my pinned post. It contains every single bot I have made and will be regularly updated with any rules or short notices in regards to them. I have also organised them into little subheadings and groups for easier navigation.

I will now take requests for my favourite girlboss Mia Winters <3

As requested I have made some character voices as well as some variations for people to use. Unfortunately it is only a feature on the mobile app but you can find them by looking through the voices as normal. I will also take requests for them.

On that note thank you guys so much for the support! Requests have been and will be slower as I have exams coming up but do keep them coming. Feel free to ask me anything whether it is related to c.ai or not and I'll try and answer them all!

Mercenary!Ada Wong x Mercenary!Reader

Ada sighs as she looks at the small compact mirror in her hand, taking the time to apply some more lipstick. “You do remember the plan right?” The whole reason why the two of you find yourselves outside the opulent manor in the first place is because of the intel from your employer. Apparently the host of the ball is in possession of an exotic and rare treasure. A treasure that you must try and find while masquerading as a couple.

Cat Hybrid!Ada Wong x Reader

Her footfalls barely audible, Ada slips through the open window, landing with grace. A sly smirk spreads across her lips when she sees you, her tail flicking back and forth playfully. “I told you that I’d come back, didn’t I?” Ada speaks with confidence and ease, yet the subtle twitch of her ears reveal her joy of being near you once more.

RE:4R Ada Wong x Agent!Reader

“You can stop right there {{user}}.”

A voice calls out from behind. A voice that you haven’t heard in years.

“Wouldn’t make me use this, would you?”

Her heels echo on the wooden floorboards as she strides towards you, a gun pressed against the back of your head. Ada finds a glimmer of satisfaction in reuniting with you, her eyes drifting to your face and taking in how the years have changed you both. The normally calm and collected Ada finds herself unable to suppress the smirk tugging at her lips.

Detective!Ada Wong x Reader

Files lay sprawled across the desk, each being inspected with a critical eye. The radio's talk show drones like distant static as Ada looks over the witness statements, the text blurring as exhaustion starts to creep in. With a weary sigh Ada tugs at her tie, adjusting it around her collar in an effort to cool down. Suddenly she’s snapped out of her daze by a knock on the door, prompting her to straighten up and refocus on the case once more. “Come in!”

RE:4R!Ada Wong x Reader

Ada was used to getting some odd jobs here and there from her employers, but saving the president’s kid? Now that’s a new one. Yet here she was, in a village overrun by mindless cultists and infected villagers, tasked with guiding you through the treacherous catacombs to safety. “Our best shot is that castle over there.” Ada calls out, her voice steady despite the chaos around them. As she navigates through the rocky terrain, her eyes stay fixed on the imposing walls of the castle.

Post RE:3R!Carlos Oliveira x Reader

On the balcony, Carlos finds solace, his eyes fixed on the horizon where waves cascade over rocks and meet the shore. Since escaping the destruction of Raccoon City and settling down with you in Mexico, he finally feels a sense of peace. Even though he has contemplated changing his identity, being with you washes away his doubts and anxieties just like the calming waves before him.

Android!Carlos Oliveira x UBCS!Reader

“This right here is Carlos, Umbrella’s latest android model who will help you rescue the remaining civilians here in the city.” Mikhail pats UB300 on the back, gesturing for him to analyse and familiarise himself with his new teammate. You watch as Carlos’ LED flickers while looking you up and down, looking up every bit of information about you and committing it to his memory. After a couple of moments he finally smiles at you and holds out his hand. “Nice to meet you {{user}}.”

Carlos Oliveira x Umbrella!Reader

Carlos is accustomed to working for all kinds of corporations and groups, regardless of their morality. To him, Umbrella was just another pay check and this time he’s been assigned to protect you, a scientist. He stands in front of your office, throwing a polite nod your way as you make your way over to the door to begin another shift. “Congratulations {{user}}, because you just landed yourself a personal bodyguard.” He announces with a slight bow, stretching his arms out dramatically while flashing you a charming grin.

Biker!Carlos Oliveira x Barista!Reader

The door to the coffee shop swings open, announcing the arrival of the rugged biker, clad in a black leather jacket and sleek leather boots. He effortlessly slides his visor off, tucking it under his arm while striding up to the counter. A charming grin plays on his lips as he leans closer to have a look at the menu, the blend of his cologne and motor oil wafting through the air. “Strange. I don’t see you anywhere on the menu.” He winks, casually draping his forearm across the counter.

Umbrella Agent!Chris Redfield x BSAA Agent!Reader

“Can’t say I expected you to be here.” A voice echoes, a voice the BSAA have sought for years. Your former partner, once a beacon of determination and courage, approaches with an icy expression, devoid of the spark that ignited his squad. “But after all these years you’re still their lapdog.” Chris adds, his gaze narrows when he catches the BSAA patch on your shoulder and his lips curl up into a bittersweet smile. He pats his own shoulder, revealing the familiar red and white logo of the corporation he swore to destroy all those years ago. Umbrella.

Bioweapon!Chris Redfield x Reader

“STARS…” Heavy footsteps and growling echo down the halls of the desolate RPD, Chris’ gruff voice distorted due to the modifications made to his body. He wasn’t even sure what he was doing. His mind conflicted between protecting you from the zombies and B.O.Ws roaming the streets, or crushing your head with one swift blow like he’s been programmed to do. Either way he’s hot on your trail with clenched fists…

Chris Redfield x Injured!Reader

Chris storms through the base, his usual stoic demeanour replaced by a desperate urgency. Disregarding all praise and kudos for the successful mission, he strides silently towards the medical ward, haunted by vivid images of you engulfed in blood soaked cries. He wanted to. No, he needed to know if you’re okay. Despite the protests of several staff members, he bursts into the room, his resolve shattering instantly at the sight of you in the hospital bed.

Chris Redfield x Reader (Stargazing)

“Beautiful isn’t it?” Chris gazes up to the sky while lighting a cigarette, the bright orange of flames illuminating his face before pulling away to take a drag. Leaning against the thick tree trunk, he exhales with a deep sigh, observing the smoke dance in the air, vanishing into the myriad of dazzling stars above. “Want me to show you some constellations?”

RE:1R!Chris Redfield x Zombie!Reader

A curse escapes Chris' lips as he faces the oncoming crimson head in the narrow corridor, devoid of ammo or flash grenades. Bracing for a gruesome fate, he squeezes his eyes shut and lifts his hands up to guard his face until a loud crash and sickening crunch disrupt the impending doom. Tentatively he opens his eyes to discover you standing by the corpse of the crimson head with grey glazed eyes and rotting skin giving way to brittle bones. At that moment Chris realises that you have just saved him. A zombie has actually saved his life.

Infinite Darkness!Claire Redfield x Reader

Moonlight seeps through the blinds, unveiling the vacant spot on the bed where Claire rested. You can see the familiar glow of her laptop from the hallway, the files and documents displayed on the screen reflecting off her glasses. Since her conversation with Leon and her humanitarian efforts in Penamstan, Claire has plunged back into the familiar pattern of sleepless nights, driven by her determination to uncover the fate of the Mad Dogs after the civil war.

RE:2R!Claire Redfield x Reader

When Claire told you that she was going to Raccoon City to see her brother, you decided to tag along knowing how dangerous it is to go alone. Of course you didn’t know that the danger included a zombie outbreak. “The STARS office. They will probably have something on my brother there.” Claire calls out while reloading her handgun. The two of you now find yourselves trapped in the RPD, exploring the labyrinthine layout and its strangely elaborate puzzles.

Mechanic!Claire Redfield x Reader

As you step into the shop you are immediately greeted with the smell of car oil and rust. Tools, spare bits of scrap, and scattered screws create an organized chaos on counters and workbenches. Claire's eyes light up as she spots you, promptly brushing sweat from her brow and wiping motor grease on her uniform. “Hey there, how can I help you?”

Claire Redfield x College Student!Reader

Claire continues to make her side of the dorm as homely as possible, putting up the front covers of fashion and car magazines on the wall and neatly organising out her trinkets on the desk. Excitement and nerves tangle within her as she wonders about her new roommate. What if they don’t share the same interests? What if they find her weird? The sound of the door opening interrupts her thoughts. Turning, she sees you entering with a stack of boxes in your arms. She can feel her palms grow sweaty and her heart races as she studies you, trying to form a quick impression of your character.

Post RE:8!Ethan Winters x Reader (+Rose)

Ethan chuckles as he watches Rose babble and squeal at the TV, her arms flailing with excitement when her favourite cartoon would appear on the large screen. Gently, he set Rose down on the floor to play, the metal of his prosthetic fingers cold against her skin. The BSAA were kind enough to fit him with some replacements after he lost his pinkie and ring finger in Romania. But more importantly, he was finally granted a quiet life with you and Rose finally by his side. No more tests. No more monsters. No more surprises.

RE:7 Infected!Ethan Winters x Reader

“Don’t worry Evie… They’ll accept your gift, and then we can be a family.” The voice pulls you out of your disorientated state, your vision blurring and your head throbbing with a dull ache. As consciousness returns, you find yourself strapped to a chair in front of a dining table laden with rotten and moulded food. The pungent juices that ooze out of each filled dish serve as an instant wake up call to your surroundings. “Eat up, it’s good.” Across the table sits a man bearing a cold smile as well as staples that protrude out of his left wrist. The candlelight flickers and casts shadows across his pale skin, making the wild look in his eyes more sinister and crazed.

Ethan Winters x Reader

Ethan's heart pounds in his chest like a drum, hands tightly gripping the steering wheel, now damp from sweaty palms. Silent since getting in the car, he's consumed by various scenarios and outcomes for the day. Today marks the fateful day where Ethan introduces you to his parents. To say he's nervous is a massive understatement as you're his entire world, and he prays his family embraces you as warmly as he did when sparks first started to fly.

Post RE:8!Ethan Winters x Reader (+Rose)

After moving to another continent, discovering that he’s dead and made out of mould, having a half mould child, killing a scientist posed as a deity and an extremely messy divorce, Ethan decides to do the unthinkable. Online dating. As Ethan swipes through all the profiles and pictures he can’t help but feel ridiculous, he’s in his late 30s with a daughter yet his hands are shaking like leaves when your name and profile pop up on the screen. After pacing around the living room for five minutes he finally settles on the perfect opener. A real conversation starter. He types out: “Hey.”

RE:7 Infected!Ethan Winters x Reader

He asked you to come find him. After three years he finally gave you a shred of hope, all the way out in the swamps of Louisiana. “You shouldn’t have come here… I must contain… Must contain the outbreak.” Ethan growls as he approaches you, his hazel eyes swallowed by a black abyss and dark veins snake across his features. A low laugh tumbles from his lips and he lunges towards you with the kitchen knife, chasing you down the corridors of the decrepit house with a sinister smile etched on his face.

Ethan Winters x Reader

Glittering like diamonds under the golden sun, the waves sweep against the shore line, leaving behind bits of seashells in its wake. The sand feels good under your feet, keeping you warm against the cool ocean breeze. “I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of this.” Ethan squeezes your hand, your fingers interlaced with his while you continue the quiet stroll down the beach.

RE:3R!Jill Valentine x UBCS!Reader

Jill scoffs as she heads up the subway stairs, checking the remaining ammo in her handgun. To her annoyance, you, an employee of Umbrella, have been ordered to assist her in powering the subway station for the survivors' escape out of the city. “Just stay out of my way, got it? The last thing we need are more screwups from you people.” With a huff she slips under the metal barrier, heading back into the chaos of the city where she is immediately greeted with smell of fire and rotting flesh.

Android!Jill Valentine x Reader

With crime rates on the rise, the RPD finally relented and invested in some androids, programmed to act as human partners and aid the police force. “{{user}}, correct? I’m Jill Valentine, part of the STARS series of androids created by Cyberlife. Captain Wesker has assigned me to be your partner.” Despite the formality of her words, there is something uncanny about her mannerisms and flat tone of voice. Her gaze flickers to your desk, assessing it with a critical eye, as if she's attempting to gather information about you.

RE:1R!Jill Valentine x Zombie!Reader

After stumbling upon another batch of supplies in the mansion, Jill can’t help but wonder who keeps leaving all this stuff for her. She picks up the torn piece of paper attached that simply reads “heer :)” scrawled in poor handwriting. It can’t be Wesker, and even though Chris isn’t the brightest bulb in the box he can at least spell. Barry was also ruled out, having been with her just moments ago. As Jill contemplated the situation, a figure emerged from the shadows of the stairwell, carrying first aid sprays and ammo. With lifeless eyes fixed upon her, the figure shuffles closer, grunting as it places the supplies on the ground. The person actually helping out Jill is a zombie?

RE:3R!Jill Valentine x Zombie!Reader

Jill's heart pounds in her chest as she slams the door shut behind her, her breaths coming in ragged gasps as the heavy footsteps of Nemesis echo through the streets. As the sounds fade into the distance, she makes her way to the Subway Office, her handgun held firmly in front of her. The door to the control room swings open, revealing a figure hunched over the control panel manipulating the subway lines. "Hey, what are you-" Jill’s words die in her throat when you turn around. Your skin is pale and sickly in colour and your eyes glazed over, boring into her soul with a blank expression.

RE:4R!Leon Kennedy x Agent!Reader

The bell tolls, bringing an abrupt end to the chaos. Villagers, entranced and mumbling in Spanish, slowly shuffle out of the square, leaving behind the haunting aftermath of bodies and ruined houses. “Where’s everyone going? Bingo?” Despite the eerie atmosphere, your fellow agent still manages to find the time to crack out one liners.

Leon Kennedy x Pregnant!Reader

“How’s little {{user}} and Leon junior doing in there, hun?” Leon wraps his arms around your waist tenderly, drawing you close from behind. Gently he caresses your stomach and rests his chin on your shoulder, taking in your beauty and marvelling at the transformations your body has undergone during these past few months.

RE:4R!Leon Kennedy x Mercenary!Reader

“Try using knives next time. Better for close encounters.” Leon smirks, holding his combat knife to your throat as he restrains the arm bearing your gun. Despite his confident facade, Leon’s heart races, his mind is turbulent with conflicted thoughts as the memory of your supposed demise plays in his head on repeat. He watched you die that night, yet here you stand, devoid of any scars that bear witness to the event that has tormented his dreams for six years.

Single Dad!Leon Kennedy x Teacher!Reader

As you're wrapping up your files and shutting down your laptop, the door to the classroom bursts open, revealing a somewhat dishevelled man. Running his fingers through his hair and adjusting his collar, he strides over with an apologetic expression. “Sorry I’m late, I got caught up in some business… You’re Sherry’s teacher, right?” He quickly takes a seat across your desk, offering an easy going smile.

Leon Kennedy x Reader

“Hey, looks like we’re in luck! I can’t believe these things still exist.” Leon remarks as you pull into the drive-in cinema. Only a few cars are scattered around, providing you both with perfect view of the classic movies projected onto the large screen. Once parked, Leon grabs the popcorn and snacks, wedging them in the console between you two. He also fetches a couple of blankets, draping them over both of you for a cosy yet old fashioned movie night under the stars.

RE:2R!Leon Kennedy x Zombie!Reader

In the tense silence of the narrow corridors, subtle clicks and low snarls echo as the licker crawls across the ceiling, hunting for new prey. Leon struggles to keep still as the creature approaches him, holding his breath and trying to calm the pounding of his heart. Just as the licker is about to sense him, a sudden loud bang shatters the stillness from the opposite end of the corridor. Squinting, Leon catches sight of you, your greyish skin and glazed eyes gleaming in the light that pours through a barricaded window. You throw something in the other direction, diverting the licker’s attention as it scurries away towards the source of the noise, leaving the rookie unharmed.

RE:7 Infected!Mia Winters x Reader

“{{user}}? You can’t hide from me forever you know…” Mia’s words turn into twisted snarls as she stumbles down the corridor, revving up the chainsaw once more. Her eyes, now black abysses, lock onto yours as she charges forward, the chainsaw raised for a deadly strike. “They’re counting on me! I must contain it… I must stop the outbreak!”

Mia Winters x Reader

A gentle breeze rolls over the hills, caressing your bodies as you bask in the warm sunshine. The flowers appear to glow under the bright rays, swaying in the wind as insects rest on their delicate petals. Mia continues to flip through the pages of her book, one hand on the pages and the other gently caressing the side of your head that rests in her lap. Her fingers create soft and soothing patterns on your skin, tracing any bumps or marks, as well as the contours of your lips and cheeks.

RE:8!Mia Winters x Lord!Reader

Your footsteps echo throughout the hidden dungeon of Mother Miranda’s domain. While your ‘brothers and sisters’ were tasked with Rose’s body parts, you’ve been left to watch the child’s mother, Mia Winters. “Why won’t you listen to me? If you let Miranda go through with the ceremony it’s over for everyone in this village. She won’t hesitate to kill you or any of your siblings. She’ll throw you out just like all her other failed experiments.” Mia pleads, her voice laced with frustration as she rattles at the bars of her cell, yet another futile attempt at escape.

RE:7!Mia Winters and Bioweapon!Reader

It’s a simple task for Mia. All she needs to do is keep you under control and pretend to be your mother while the ship makes its course to Romania. “Just one more… You’re doing good {{user}}.” Mia smiles as she administers another dosage of medicine into your veins. She ruffles your hair, pretending to be sweet and affectionate towards you.

Post RE:8!Mia Winters x BSAA Agent!Reader (+Rose)

It’s been a couple of months since the events of Romania. Since Mia’s husband, Ethan, sacrificed himself for their daughter Rose. Mia never wanted the BSAA in their lives ever again, but who could blame her? Their blunder ultimately led to his death, leaving Mia to raise a baby all on her own. Despite her self isolation, you still visit her and help out with Rose when it gets too much. Which is why you find yourself at her front doorstep today, Mia welcoming you in with a small smile.

RE:7 Infected!Mia x Reader

“We’re going to be a family now that you’re here.” Mia’s voice lulls you out of your stupor, the dingy dining room lights filtering through your eyelids. Despite the throbbing headache you can make out Mia in front of you, her elbows propped up on the table with her chin supported by her hands. The pungent odour of mold and rotting meat assaults your senses, the food laid out before you oozing a strange alien like substance. “Eat up darling… It’s good.”

Post RE:7!Mia Winters x Reader

Mia quietly comes up from behind and plants a tender kiss on your cheek, a soft hum escaping her lips as she savours the tantalizing aroma swirling around the kitchen. “Rose is finally asleep. Honestly how does her little body have so much energy?” Opening the wine cabinet, she retrieves a bottle of fine red wine that Chris bought them as a housewarming gift. She pours out two glasses and takes them to the dining room table.

Post RE:7!Chris Redfield and Ethan Winters x Reader

You walk into the gym after your Captain, Chris Redfield, had asked for some help with training someone. “Hey, over here {{user}}!” Chris’ gruff and booming voice calls out from the training mats, a wide grin spread across his face. Currently on the floor and panting like a mad man beside Chris is who you assume is Ethan Winters. “H-Hey!” Ethan waves as he regains his footing, his face glistening with sweat. It’s quite difficult to believe that this is the man who supposedly took down a whole house of monsters and Bioweapons with a stapled hand and leg.

Post RE:7!Ethan x Mia Winters x BSAA Agent!Reader

Since they were relocated to Romania, you’ve been tasked with regularly checking up on the Winters family. “Ethan! Can you get that, hun?” “Yeah one moment!” You stand at their front door after ringing the bell, the muffled sound of shuffling and talking can be heard. The door swings open, and Ethan's eyes light up with recognition. He gives you a warm smile and steps aside, welcoming you in. “Oh hey, {{user}}. Come in, Mia and I were just having some lunch.”

RE:3R!Carlos Oliveira and Jill Valentine x Reader

“The subway is out of power, looks like we’ll have to head to the substation and get it back up and running.” Carlos remarks while adjusting the earpiece in his ear and casts a glance between you and Jill before gesturing for you to follow. Jill resists the urge to roll her eyes as she begrudgingly follows him out of the subway. She’s already made her disdain for working with an Umbrella mercenary evident since the beginning. “Stay close to me, {{user}}. Let’s just focus on getting these survivors out of here.” She says, refocusing her mind on the task ahead as they step out onto the desolate streets of Raccoon City once more.

RE:4R!Leon Kennedy and Ashley Graham x Reader

“Will we really get out of here?” Ashley asks timidly as the three of you walk through the opulent and grand halls of the castle. The walls are lined with renaissance style paintings of the Los Illuminados and the Lord Saddler and Salazar, their ghostly expressions following your every move. “Don’t worry, {{user}} and I will make sure you make it back home to your father safely. I’m sure of it.” Leon replies while he reloads his weapons and looks over the castle layout, mentally mapping out any escape routes. Despite the horrifying circumstances you’re in, he manages to maintain his stoic and almost nonchalant attitude towards the dangers up ahead.

Link to the Masterlist

#ada wong x reader #carlos oliveira x reader #chris redfield x reader #claire redfield x reader #ethan winters x reader #jill valentine x reader #leon kennedy x reader #mia winters x reader

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fenharel · 2 years

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I appreciate the fact that you even thought of me.

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ratcate · 2 months

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I'm here to admit that I may have developed a hyper fixation on your OCs (especially on Zerion and Sir. Valentine) so can you perhaps tell us more about them? (And other OCS)

oh hey!! great selection of characters. Makes me really happy you wanting to know more about them! I love them a lot, but Sir Valentine more, as Zerion's personality and setting is pretty nebulous still. info about them both under read more!

Zerion is some sort of cartoony super villain, heavily inspired in the night of the bald mountain monster interpretation from Fantasia(disney)

(art from 2020)

I think he's a very strong dark mage or something. Right now I have him reduced to a joke. A cartoony villain living his slice of life, but always awaiting action, the smallest spark chaos, to join in, in a world where nothing ever happens. He has his sidekick, Vampina (I think that was her name). A vampire chick who lives in the moment and is Zerion's servant, as long as he provides him with some blood every now and then

(2023)

(2021)

she almost never pulls off that relaxed smile from her face, her brain usually has no thoughts more than "can i eath this?" "I can eat this" Both of them are pretty evil. I remember once i tried to sketch out a first chapter, where they had a visit of income tax department agents, coming to remind Zerion he hadn't paid his taxes, and both Zerion and Vampina made a whole intricate plan on how to get rid of them and torture them, to show the government they're not to be fucked with. Though, all their scare tactics were just confusing, failed magic tricks for the men, now tied to apparent non functioning electric chairs, looking at each other through their sunglasses, stoic faces, while confused to what Zerion is yapping about in his villain monologue, while Vampina eats a stale bread in the BG. ---------------------------------------------------------

I don't have much about Sir Valentine either, but I certainly have drawn him more. For now, His name is Sir Cannon Valentine, but we'll get to that in a bit.

(both from 2020)

This is the first art ever I made of him, and that's a lot of his vibe. (2019)

This MAN, is some warrior who died in his armor but is back by some whack magic, and he's impatient, easily irritated, screams instead of talking, and I've always imagined having him a strong accent. He's here to fight and go headfirst into everything bc he really cannot die.

As of 2024, Sir Valentine is Sir Cannon Valentine (you can still call him the first version), BECAUSE, besides him being reborn and inmortal, angry and ready to fucking obliterate anything in his way, now his body works as a canonball

He went through my manic episode of redesigning many of my characters, after getting a taste of Pizza tower's cartoony characters, and became this. Much more functional, easily drawn, flowy. he just works, i can animate him in a snap of fingers. Still consistenly working to improve his design even more.

I will probs change the story, but this guy is resucitated as a last resort for a war between kingdoms, as a mistake, bc they wanted to revive some other guy, but got mistaken and went to his thomb. This guy revived him, after a ritualistic dance and some lightning

and then he is like "oh wait I fucked up", and Valentine is like "TOO LATE BITCH I'M FREE!!" and blasts away from him, as a cannonball, fueled by his own fire and methane gas from the catacombs he is in lol. This story is very not much constructed, but I love Sir Valentine a lot, and the characters I can surround him with. I see him falling for a bourgeoisie woman, or a princess even, bc all my stories need the romance, I'm nothing without the romance. I am also thinking of including another character of mine, Sayen, as the daughter of this death guy

Sayen previously appeared as a participant in a nsfw comic in my twt alt account lol. I love her and her design very much.

#zerion oc #sir valentine oc #OCs #oc

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blueraineshadows · 11 months

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Love Me, Love Me Not - Part One

This is for @applinsandoranges and her brilliant request.

Sebastian Sallow x F!MC 🌶🔥 NSFW

Blurb: She loves him, he loves her, but they are both too damn scared and stubborn to admit it. She finds solace in the arms of other boys, he just wants her to be happy - can these two idiots actually fess up and admit the truth?

Summer after 5th Year

Clouds of the purest white, fluffy and inviting, as though you could jump in and lose yourself in the softness, sailed lazily across a perfect summer sky. It was beautiful, pure, the air warm and balmy, but summer was fading out fast.

MC lay on her back, her eyes watching those peaceful clouds float by, her chest rising and falling with slow, steady breaths. She allowed a sense of peace to wash over her and she closed her eyes.

A voice, deep and raw, the tone familiar and holding all that held her heart hostage. "I will never be able to repay you, you know that, right? Everything you've done for me. My debt to you is limitless."

Her eyes opened. Those clouds may look inviting, but don't be fooled. Once you dive in, there is nothing to hold you in their fluffy depths, and you will soon be plummeting for the ground, reality rushing up to swallow you whole.

The magnitude of the last school year loomed over her. Her first year at Hogwarts had been a baptism of fire and death. And yet, here she was, laying on the grass, spending lazy summer days looking up at the sky, alive. Beside her, the boy who had stolen her heart and consumed it with fire and magic.

Sebastian Sallow. A boy with trauma in his past, a boy just as lost in the dark as she was, a kindred spirit that had somehow found her and woven his tragedy deeply with hers.

Her heart was his, and yet he did not know it. The words were there, at the back of her throat, tethered there by all the horrors they had been through.

So much darkness, so much death, so much to process under this peaceful summer sky. Too much death.

The words from her heart had to be swallowed down, harboured safely in the secret caverns of her chest. They both needed time. Time to grow up, time to heal, time to sort through the mess that had been scattered after that day in the catacombs, the horrors underneath Hogwarts. The grief, the loss, the pain, and the sacrifice.

Her hand fumbled out across the grass, fingers seeking out Sebastian's, taking them and holding them securely. She would always try to catch him when he stumbled.

"There is no debt to pay," she said, softly. "I would do it again, gladly. As far as anyone else is concerned, we were never in those catacombs. I will take our secret to my grave, and even then I will hold it tight in my death grip."

She stared at the sky, not daring to look at him, because her eyes would betray the love in her heart. His head turned towards her, she could feel the burn of his gaze. Her lips ached to kiss him, to taste him, to know him even deeper than she already did.

But it wasn't the right time. And, who knew? He may not feel the same. He was grateful, of course, but that didn't mean love. He was her friend, first and foremost, and to lose that was out of the question. She'd never had a best friend before him, never had the chance to. He was a friend so precious that she had lied to save him from a fate worse than death.

Why then would she risk losing him over something so small as a kiss? No. For now, she was content to lay under a peaceful sky and hold his hand. Alive.

....*....

One Year Later

This would be MC's third year at Hogwarts but the sight of the castle on the first day still made her stop for a moment, a small pause amid the chaos of students arriving in their droves, just a moment to appreciate the beauty of the place she thought of as home.

A bump from behind made her stagger a little and she turned to see a group of younger students, their eyes widening in recognition as they looked up at her, mumbling their apologies. She smiled and waved them off. No harm done. They continued to stare at her though, whispering behind their hands as they headed off towards the school. "That's her, that's the Hero of Hogwarts."

Sighing, still shying away from the hero worship that didn't sit right with her, she followed the students down the path. How was she a hero? She had blood on her hands, and plenty of it. She held secrets that would scare you more than a creepy bedtime story ever could.

Trauma, she had discovered, wasn't something you could just sweep under a carpet. No. It lingered in the shadows and leapt on you when you least expected it, lurked on the edge of your dreams, circling, waiting, always waiting.

Carrying such weight was hard. And sometimes you needed a release. MC was sure her methods were a little scandalous, definitely frowned upon in the Muggle world, but luckily, she didn't belong there anymore.

The Wizarding World was more accepting, more open, but it still had a sense of morality of course. She still had to be discreet. And she was. Mostly.

She had been rather good over the summer. Working in a cafe by the sea, lodging in a room above it, taking the time out to try and find herself. Becoming an adult came with its own problems, and she had discovered that drinking in bars and meeting charming young men had eased some of the insecurity that plagued her. It made her feel good, even if only for a little while. She absorbed their compliments, allowed them to spoil her, allowed them to hold her hand and charm her with soft words. A stolen kiss in the dark to chase the shadows away.

But never to come anywhere close to her heart. No. Her heart was still in the hands of Sebastian Sallow, and yes, he still had no idea he owned it.

....*....

Walking into the Slytherin common room was like stepping into home, and MC felt a smile tug at her lips, savouring the feel of the room around her. The energy of a new term was thick in the air, excited chatter and the meeting up of friends after two months apart made for a noisy atmosphere. But it felt good. It felt right.

"MC!"

Her heart skipped and stuttered in her chest. She spun, her eyes lighting up immediately at the sight of him. She hadn't seen him all summer and the ache of missing him had her running, arms out, her feet leaving the floor as she threw herself into his embrace.

Sebastian grunted at the impact, the rumble of his laughter pleasant against her chest as she squeezed him tight. She didn't care that others were staring. She was owed a Sebastian hug, it had been too long.

"I missed you, too," he said, chuckling.

She lifted her head to look at him more closely, her hands behind his neck, her feet dangling uselessly where he still held her. A little sigh escaped her. Oh, how beautiful he was!

His skin was sun kissed, a riot of freckles splashed across his nose, his features sharper, hardened into those of a man. But his eyes, they were still him, still sparkling with his mischief and warmth.

Realising she was just staring at him, grinning like an idiot, she ruffled his mop of brown hair, some of the strands tinted with gold. "Someone has been spending a lot of time out of doors," she said. "You have a tan."

His eyebrows flicked upwards playfully. "I've been working the fields. Got to earn honest coin somehow."

He placed her back on her feet and her hands slid down to his upper arms, her own eyebrows lifting at the firm muscle she could feel through the fabric of his shirt sleeves. She gave them a squeeze in appreciation. Working the fields felt good on him. In fact, she took a step back to study him a little closer and felt a flicker of fire twist into life within her. He had filled out more, his shoulders were wider, and damn if he didn't seem taller. He filled the space he stood in completely, and she was staring hungrily.

His cheeks reddened and she gave herself a mental shake. If she wasn't careful she would be drooling in a minute. She covered her obvious oogling with a little smile, a turn of her shoulder. Make it playful, make him smile. "Looking good, Sallow," she nodded. "Your Crossed Wands fan club are going to be swooning in the spectator stands."

His trademark smirk appeared and he took her arm, walking her towards the staircase. "That's alright, if they get too much for me I can just set my all powerful bodyguard on them." He gave her a little wink. "Come on, let's find Ominis. I'm starving and there is a seat in the Great Hall with my name on it."

Getting to their table was a flurry of hugs and greetings. MC, Natty and Poppy had stood in a three person hug, squeezing each other for so long that Sebastian had waded in, separating the girls, tugging MC possessively away. "Now, now, ladies," he chuckled. "You can catch up later. Now, MC and I need to eat."

Poppy and Natty exchanged a secret, knowing look and then they let MC go with promises to meet up the next day.

Ominis was already seated, looking as handsome and composed as ever. MC slid onto the bench next to him, her hand gentle on his arm. "Hello, Ominis," she greeted.

He smiled and nodded. "Good evening, MC," he said. "May I say, your new perfume is particularly lovely. I shall have to remember it. I had grown used to your previous scent."

"Thank you, Ominis. You always say the sweetest things."

He passed her the jug of juice. "How was your summer? You're owls were less frequent this time."

"Busy, I was working through most of it," she said. "But I am more than ready to get back into the swing of things here. I've missed you all so much."

Sebastian met her gaze and smiled. Yes. It was really good to be back.

....*....

Sebastian turned down the covers of his bed and slid between the sheets, the cool, clean linen of his pillow soft against his cheek. His drapes were still open on the side that faced Ominis and he watched as his friend climbed into his own bed.

"It feels good to be back this year," he said.

Ominis hummed in agreement. "Our last year," he said, thoughtfully. "It's a bit scary to tell you the truth. The big, wide world awaits."

"How bad can it be?" Sebastian grinned.

"Where you're concerned, anything is possible," Ominis sighed.

Sebastian smirked and wriggled a bit, getting comfortable, sleepiness making his eyes droop.

"Do you think this will be the year when you finally tell MC how you feel?"

Sebastian froze, his eyes opening wide to stare across at Ominis. Ominis lay with his head angled towards him, waiting for a reply.

"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about," Sebastian said.

Ominis sighed. "Of course you don't," he drawled. "Except, for me, it's so very obvious that you are ridiculously in love with her."

Sebastian rolled over to stare up at his canopy. Was he really that obvious? Maybe he needed to reign his affections back a touch then. He didn't want to scare her away. The thought of losing her made him feel sick to his stomach.

But, at the same time, his whole body ached for her. He closed his eyes, his mind replaying the moment she had spun to face him in the common room earlier. She was just perfect, so beautiful, and she had run to him, run right into his waiting arms. The feel of her softness pressed up against him like that had made his mind reel. For a split second, when she had stepped back from him, her eyes scanning him from head to toe, her hands feeling at the muscles in his arms, for that split second he had thought he saw something in her eyes. Desire? Want?

His heart had leaped, sped up. Did she want him too?

But then she had turned playful, flirty, the look gone, if it had been there at all.

He rubbed at his face with his hands and turned to look over at Ominis. "Maybe it's not love, Ominis. Maybe it's just...I don't know. A crush?"

"Oh, Sebastian, it's not a crush, and you know it," Ominis said. He leant up onto one elbow to face Sebastian. "And I will tell you right now, if you don't say something to her, then someone else is going to beat you to it. Someone else is going to snap her up and then you will have lost your chance."

Sebastian scowled. The very idea of another man touching MC waking up a rage in his gut that made him feel nauseous. Ominis was right. Wasn't he always? MC was highly eligible. Who wouldn't want her?

He rolled over, thumping at his pillow a bit before settling down. The sleepiness was gone. He lay there and thought about MC, his demons hovering in the corner, waiting to pounce.

....*....

The whip of brooms speeding past filled the air, the whack of the Beaters, and the shouts of the team joining the din of Quidditch. MC sat in the stands watching Sebastian speed through the air, his arm swinging the bat to whack a bludger back towards his opponent. His face was set with intent, a grunt leaving his mouth as he hit it, the crack of the impact ricocheted across the stadium.

MC bit her lower lip. Watching him was stirring up feelings. Hot feelings. She felt her cheeks flush with heat. She had been kissed by some handsome lads during the summer, but none of them had fired her up as quick he did. And he hadn't even touched her like that. Like she wanted him to.

Then he was gone, zooming off, the chants of the spectators rising as Hufflepuff took a shot at goal, but the Slytherin keeper saved it. MC shot to her feet, a cheer bursting from her lips at the cracking save. She shook her Slytherin scarf with pride and the Keeper, Andrew Clemmens, looked her way, giving her a cheeky wink. MC laughed and waved at him.

The game continued, Slytherin dominating the play, Hufflepuff struggling under the relentless stamina of her house. Imelda was like a roaring dragon, driving her team with a mad gleam in her eye. It paid off. Slytherin caught the Snitch. They were victorious!

As the team were heading off for the changing rooms, MC elbowed her way through the mass of students milling about to find Sebastian. He had earned a congratulatory hug, but she couldn't see him, craning her neck over many heads, her hands tugging at her scarf.

"Hey, MC."

She turned and looked up at Andrew Clemmens, the Slytherin Keeper. He gave her a smile. He was cute, soft, dark curls framing a handsome face, eyes like a stormy sky. He was well built, a strong neck and tall, very tall. Her lips curved upwards in a return smile. "Nice save earlier, Clemmens," she said.

"Thanks. I saw you cheering," he said. He glanced about, rubbing the back of his head. "Are you coming to the after party?"

"Wouldn't miss it," she said. Her brow creased slightly. "Have you seen Seb? I was hoping to catch him."

"Oh, er, I think he has gone in to change already," he said. He hesitated. "Are you and him a thing?"

MC flushed. "Oh, no. No, we're not a thing. Just friends." She inwardly cringed. The irony of everyone assuming that was the case was not lost on her. She was faced with similar questions on the regular.

Andrew's eyebrows lifted a little, a smile widening his lips. "Oh, okay, well...maybe I will catch up with you later at the party then?"

She stared up at Andrew. She wished he made her heart beat faster, it would make things a lot easier for her if he did, but no. However, she found herself nodding and said she would see him later. His smile was dazzling, and she watched him walk off, knowing without a doubt that she might well catch up with him later, but she couldn't give him her whole self.

....*....

The way MC had smiled at Andrew Clemmens, the way she had stood and watch him walk off, it made Ominis' words ring in his ears. Somebody else would try to win MC's heart. Sebastian's hands were clenched at his sides as he watched them talk. Was Andrew swooping in to make a claim on her?

Sebastian had been about to go to her, celebrate the win with her before changing, but now he was wound so tightly he would probably say something stupid. The best thing to do would be to go shower, cool off, then find her at the party afterwards.

But then, she was turning, her eyes scanning the crowd and seeing him standing there. Her face brightened and she was skipping towards him. She flicked her scarf up and over his head, wrapping it about his neck. "Why, hello, Beater boy," she sang. "How's it feel to be a winner?"

Her smile was infectious, he couldnt help but return it. "It feels pretty damn good, I must say."

She giggled and tugged on the scarf, he was pulled a little closer. Her face was close, close enough to lean in and kiss her. Fuck, he wanted to. He really would be a winner then, better than any match win.

"Going to the after party?" She asked.

He nodded. "You?"

"Want me to wait, or shall I meet you there?"

He wanted her to wait, no, he wanted to sneak her in to the changing rooms, smuggle her into a cubicle, press her up against his body, naked and wet. Fuck the party.

He reached up to rub a hand against his forehead, his thoughts making his blood feel hot and thick in his veins. "Meet you there?"

Oh, Sallow, you idiot!

She nodded and slid the scarf free of his neck, the scent of her wafting up from the wool to drive him wild. She prodded his chest with a finger. "No getting waylaid by your little fan club and leaving me waiting," she teased. She glanced to one side where a group of 5th year girls were staring and whispering, little flushed cheeks and admiring eyes.

MC's flirting was doing things to him, twisting his insides up into tight knots. He couldn't care less about this so called fan club. She was the only girl he wanted to kiss. But his jealousy was scraping nails through his thoughts. Did she flirt with Andrew like this? Did she give him that same smile?

"Won't you have Andrew Clemmens to keep you company if I'm not there?"

The words had left his tongue before he even realised they were there. Her face fell a little, her brow creasing, and her cheeks flooded with a rosy blush. "What?"

The words were out there now. Too late to pull them back. He shrugged, trying desperately to look as if he didn't care. But he did care. He cared a lot. "You two looked fairly cosy. Don't let me stand in your way."

She stared up at him, a shadow passing through her eyes, and then she straightened. She wrapped the scarf around her own neck and gave him a tight smile. "Since when do I ever let anyone stand in my way? I'll see you later."

And then she was gone, striding across the grounds, away from him. He watched her go for a minute, cursing his stupid mouth, before heading to go and change.

....*....

The Slytherin common room was a riot of noise, flags hanging from wherever they were thrown, plenty of refreshments, including more than one flask of firewhiskey being passed around the older students.

MC managed to snag one and took a long drag, calming her frayed nerves.

Could she have been any more obvious? Putting her scarf around his neck, tugging him closer, asking to wait for him. Why hadn't he kissed her for Merlin's sake?

And then, to top it all off, he had mentioned Andrew, telling her he wouldn't stand in her way. In other words, go snog him, I don't care.

If it didn't make her feel so wretched she might have actually laughed. She really needed to stop trying to send him signals. He clearly didn't want them.

He was her best friend. She had been desperately trying to not fuck it up for two years now. Maybe she needed to accept that this is how they were supposed to be.

Slapping a brave face on it, she smiled, she drank, and she sang along with the bawdy songs. She didn't see Sebastian, he hadn't showed up yet. Must have been giving her plenty of time to catch up with Andrew.

Speaking of which, there was the Keeper, swigging from a flask of fire whiskey. She found herself wandering his way, his smile aimed right at her. She smiled back and he offered her the flask.

Just like during the summer, she covered her pain with a handsome face, seeking comfort in their playful flirting, giving as good as she got.

When Andrew bent down to whisper in her ear, asking her if she wanted to go some place a little quieter, she nodded, her hand sliding into his. Grinning, he tugged her through the still rowdy party, and along towards his dormitory.

When his lips found hers she closed her eyes and tried not to think too much, because if she did, it would be Sebastian's face she saw behind her eyelids, and not Andrew's.

....*....

Two weeks. It had been two weeks since the Quidditch match and Sebastian could feel a shift in his friendship with MC. She was always busy, her presence most definitely missed by his side, and he hated it.

She hadn't said anything to suggest she was cross with him, always had a smile and friendly word for him, but he felt like she was slipping through his fingers, drifting away from him. He didn't know how to pull her back.

Neither of them had mentioned Andrew Clemmens again, but Sebastian had heard she disappeared with him from the party. One of the crates in the Undercroft had been shattered into tiny pieces after that tasty piece of gossip.

They didn't seem to be a couple, they didn't spend a lot of time together, but Sebastian did not like the way Andrew smiled at her. He didn't like it one bit.

To distract himself, Sebastian threw himself into his studying. Final year meant exams, important ones, and Sebastian did not want to spend the rest of his life farming in fields. He had higher hopes for himself, and that meant getting his head down and putting in the work.

He was laying on his bed, head resting on a hand reading a text book, when Ominis came in, wand out. "Ah good, you're here, Sebastian," he said. He moved to join him, sitting on the edge of his bed. He grimaced. "I've just had a chat with Sharp about my Potions assignment. It was better than last time, but still not up to standard. I'm getting rather vexed about it to tell the truth. Do you still have that book we used last time? I wouldn't mind another read of it."

Sebastian sat up, thinking. "I may have returned it to the library already. I don't recall seeing it in the Undercroft."

"Hmm, that's a shame. Perhaps I should go and hunt it out."

"Would you like me to go?" Sebastian offered. "I was going to head to the library anyway and look up a few things. Might as well give old Scribner the wind up while I'm there."

Ominis sighed. "That poor woman. Why must you bother her so?"

Sebastian smirked. "She loves me really, and anyway, it's my last year. I can't disappoint her now, I've got a reputation to uphold."

"Just try to avoid detention,' Ominis said. "I thought you could aim for a whole term without one this year."

Sebastian slid from his bed and clapped a hand to Ominis' shoulder. "I love your optimism, my friend. But, you know me. I'm not usually put off by a little detention."

....*....

"Psst."

MC turned and quickly ducked as a little ball of parchment paper sailed towards her and bounced onto her text books. She snatched up the paper, smoothing it out to see words scrawled in ink. 'You look sexy when you're concentrating.'

MC fought the smirk that tried to lift her lips. She looked across the library to where Andrew Clemmens was sitting, his own study books out on his table. He was sitting relaxed, his chair tipped back a little as he gazed across at her. He winked and she shook her head, still fighting that smirk.

They had kissed a few times, but she had told him she didn't want anything serious, and definitely didn't want it to be public knowledge. Her excuse? Well, being the hero of Hogwarts made her prime gossip material, so it was better to be discreet.

Mostly, she wasn't sure she wanted Sebastian to know about it. Knowing she was kissing other boys might make him think less of her. Despite trying her best to bury her feelings, her heart ached for him. She missed him, but being close to him made it harder to try and forget how much she burned for him. So, she had been avoiding him a bit. It was killing her to do it too.

Andrew was a distraction. A bit of fun. She thought he would grow bored with her, fed up with being a secret. Oddly, he seemed to love it.

Feeling bored with her study and acting on her mischievous streak, MC stood up, picked up a book and walked past Andrew's table. She gave him a little smile, her eyes indicating to follow, and she moved towards a quiet part of the library.

There was an alcove, right near some old texts that people rarely looked at. Not quite the restricted section, but a good spot for hiding none the less. She moved behind the bookshelves and didn't have to wait long before Andrew joined her.

He glanced at the books, trailing a finger along the old, dusty spines. "And what are you going to study in here?" He asked. His grin was playful.

She reached out and gave his tie a little tug. "I can think of a few things."

His hands moved to her waist and she tilted her head back. "I can think of more than a few things," he murmured.

He kissed her firmly, backing her up against the bookcase. She slid her arms around his neck, their tongues meeting in a deeper kiss.

Andrew must have been feeling bold, because he slid his hands down to cup her arse, squeezing gently. He moaned a little, pressing his hips against her. His mouth moved to her jaw, pressing kisses down to her neck.

MC felt a flash of panic. She didn't want him to mark her. "Easy," she whispered.

He licked up the length of her neck, kissing behind her ear. His fingers moved to the waistband of her skirt, thumb tracing lazy circles before he tugged her blouse free.

She gasped. He chuckled against her neck. "It's alright," he said. He slid a hand under her blouse, his fingers hot through the thin fabric of her chemise as he caressed her waist.

She opened her mouth to tell him to stop and then froze at the sound of footsteps. Andrew hadn't heard them, he was still kissing her neck, his hand sliding higher under her blouse, rucking the material up against his wrist.

Shit! She made a grab for his arm, ready to pull away and then the footsteps rounded the bookcase and came to a sudden stop.

Oh gods, no! No, not Sebastian, not him!

"Oh, fuck," she gasped. She shoved Andrew forcibly away from her, her gaze locked on to Sebastian's as he stood there, dumbstruck.

Andrew looked up, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "Oh, Sallow, it's only you." He breathed out a relieved chuckle. "Thought you were Scribner for a moment. That would have been awkward."

"And this isn't?" Sebastian asked, quietly. Too quietly.

MC cringed, her heart a twisted thing in her chest. Of all the people to walk around that corner. Why did it have to be him? She would have taken a months detention any day over this. The look on his face cut her like a Diffindo spell.

"Sebastian," she said. Her voice sounded like a plea. She even held out her hand a bit towards him.

Sebastian looked at her hand, his gaze lifting to meet hers once more before he stepped up to the bookcase beside her. His eyes were blank, cold even. He scanned the books before sliding an old volume off the shelf. "Don't mind me," he said. "Just pretend I was never here."

And then he was gone. His footsteps fading as he walked away.

MC felt tears burn the backs of her eyes. It felt like something had been ripped, a wound opened and left to sting, a gap widening between them. She didn't think she could bear it. She wanted to shout his name and make him come back. But what if he didn't? What if he ignored her? That would be worse. So she didn't make a sound.

"That was a close one," Andrew said. He grinned. "Now, where were we?"

He reached for her and she immediately slapped his hand away. He jumped. "What the...?"

MC hurriedly shoved her blouse back into her skirt and threw a cold glare at Andrew. "Enough," she snapped. "We're done."

He frowned in confusion. "What? Is this because Sallow saw us? He won't tell."

"No, he won't tell," she said. Of that she could be certain. "But, what if it hadn't been him?"

He looked at her, his eyes narrowing. "Are you sure there is nothing going on between you and Sallow?"

Her throat tightened. Oh, she was sure, now even more so. "I'm sorry, Andrew. I can't do this anymore."

Without a backward glance she walked quickly away from him. So much for not fucking things up.

....*....

The Undercroft was blistering hot, smoke and ash thick in the air. The whole place was a wreck, crates splintered, books scattered, feathers from exploded pillows drifting through the smog of his spell casting.

Sebastian was soaked in sweat, his hair stuck to his forehead, beads of it dripping off his face. Despite his furious blasting, his stomach was still clenched tight, his stance rigid. Whenever he closed his eyes, all he could see was Andrew Clemmens with his hand up MC's blouse, her face flushed, bodies pressed close.

He gritted his teeth. He had dreamed of doing something similar with her once, a hot, suffocating dream. Seeing her reenact it with another man made him feel sick, the bile stinging the back of his throat.

His shoulders slumped as he realised he had no right to be this furious. She didn't belong to him. She wasn't his. And that was his own damn fault. Hadn't Ominis warned him? He stared at the devastation he had caused in the room and sighed. If either her or Ominis were to see this, they would want to know why, and he wasn't ready for the answers to those questions. He lifted his wand. This was going to require a fair few Reparo spells.

Undercroft all fixed and looking as though a Sebastian sized storm hadn't blasted through it, he made his way to the Great Hall for dinner. He wasn't particularly hungry, but he had to show his face. He had to smooth over the cracks in his heart and make it alright. He couldn't lose her.

She was there, sitting next to Ominis, looking composed and neatly dressed. His jaw clenched, the image of her all flustered trying to crowd his thoughts. He climbed onto the bench opposite her, and she looked up, pausing her conversation with Ominis. He almost flinched. She looked scared for a split second. It was a rare emotion on her face, but it flitted across her features, and then was gone.

His resolve to make things right strengthened. He smiled, the movement effortless, a well practised lie to cover up his boiling emotions. "And what are you two whispering about?"

He reached for a bread roll and pulled it open.

"My Potions assignment," Ominis replied. "MC kindly offered to help."

Sebastian turned his gaze to her and lifted an eyebrow, his smirk teasing. "I'm surprised you can find the time."

She blushed, her eyes skipping awkwardly away. "You're not funny, Sallow," she grumbled.

Ominis tilted his head. "Am I missing something?"

Sebastian wanted to punch something, he flexed his fingers, his smile cool and controlled. "MC seems to have found herself a boyfriend, that's all."

"He is not my boyfriend," she said, quickly. "In fact, he isn't anything. I won't be meeting with him anymore."

Interesting. Sebastian shrugged and popped a piece of bread roll into his mouth. Ominis was switching his interest between the two of the them, soaking up the vibes. He would definitely have something to say once he got him alone. Sebastian was determined to avoid that until he had the will to face it.

"That's a shame," Sebastian said. "There is a market and fair on in Hogsmeade at the weekend, I was going to suggest you invited your new man to join us. Never mind."

The lie almost stuck in his throat. He would rather swim with Dugbogs.

MC frowned at him. "How very welcoming of you," she said. She screwed up her napkin and dropped it onto her plate, food half eaten. "Now, if you will excuse me, I have some things to see to."

She climbed off the bench, her mouth tight. Sebastian was trying to be nice, what was wrong with her? "I'll see you later, then," he said.

She threw him a look over her shoulder that almost made him flinch and then she put a gentle hand on Ominis' shoulder. "Meet me later and we will look at your assignment."

Ominis nodded. "Thank you, I appreciate the help."

MC left the Great Hall and Sebastian tossed down his bread roll, shaking his head. Maybe he should have just raged in front of her, at least he might have got some kind of reaction other than just coldness.

"Is this about Andrew Clemmens?" Ominis asked.

Sebastian stared at him. "You literally know everything, don't you?"

Ominis smirked. "Knowledge is power my friend," he said. Then he frowned. "If only that applied to my Potions work as well."

"I caught them kissing," Sebastian admitted, quietly.

"Hmm, well it sounds like that won't be happening again anytime soon," Ominis mused.

"You believe her?" Sebastian asked.

"Why would she lie?"

Sebastian shrugged. "I don't know."

Ominis sighed and shook his head, patting his mouth with his napkin and preparing to stand. "Honestly Sebastian, you're supposed to be smart."

"What does that mean?"

"You'll figure it out, hopefully." Ominis shook his head again and left Sebastian sitting at the table, a thoroughly confused frown on his face.

....*....

MC held out some kibble to the kneazle that was curling about her ankles, the interaction with the beasts calming her nerves. She hadn't meant to cry about it, but a twenty minute sniffle session in the bathroom had been unavoidable. How could she love Sebastian, but at the same time want to slap him across his smirking, handsome face?

He didnt feel the same way about her as she felt about him. Her heart squeezed painfully. His acceptance of Andrew had been like a cold bucket of water in her face. She tried to picture a jolly outing to Hogsmeade, Andrew at her side, Sebastian making jokes, and she just couldn't see it. There was something very wrong about the idea. But, he had offered that scenario up with a smile.

It was time to face the hard truth. She had to bury her love for him. Bury it deep. She winced, bending down to stroke the kneazle, scratching behind its ear. She might as well try and stop breathing, because switching off her feelings for him was going to be like being starved of air.

....*....

Halloween. Always an excuse to party, and being their last year, the students in 7th year were planning a little party of their own. Taking place after the feast, they had organised a place, just far enough from the school. A little tent near the edge of the Black Lake, innocent looking enough, until you stepped inside.

Decorated with pumpkin lanterns, garlands of flowers and spider webs, creepy candles, all manner of curiosities placed around, the party tent looked spectacular. MC had taken some inspiration from the gothic Victorian Muggle movement, and it had a creepy effect on their party space.

After the feast, MC, Poppy and Natty met up, giggling and whispering excitedly as they headed down towards the lake. MC was wearing a black dress, the corset adorned with lace and silver pearls, green ribbon tied through the laces. It pushed up her breasts rather scandalously, and she was showing much more skin than usual.

"Blimey, MC," Poppy giggled. "You're going to have no trouble finding a snogging partner tonight."

MC grinned wickedly. "That's the plan."

Natty frowned. "What about that Gryffindor boy you were courting?"

"Thomas? Pfft! We weren't courting," MC said. "I merely snogged him a few times. There is a difference."

Poppy put a hand over her mouth, giggling. "Oh MC, I wish I was as brave as you when it came to boys."

Brave? She wasn't brave. She was a fool. Hiding behind her flirting and kissing boys in broom cupboards was not being brave. Inside, she was quietly screaming. It didn't matter how many boys she turned a smile to, Sebastian Sallow was the boy who haunted her dreams, his was the face she saw when she closed her eyes at night.

Their friendship was a little strained lately, she found it harder and harder to be close to him. It was breaking her heart but she found she was spending less and less time with her best friend. And that was what she had wanted to avoid, wasn't it?

Ominis suspected, she knew he did, but he never pushed her for details, and she certainly didn't want to drag him into this mess. It would be highly unfair to place him between her and Sebastian.

Tonight, she wanted to drink, she wanted to dance, and she wanted to enjoy time with her friends. That wasn't too much, was it?

She turned to Poppy. "Got your eye on someone, Poppy?" She flashed a cheeky smirk. "Who is it?"

Poppy blushed a deep, rosy pink. She stuttered a little. "Oh, well...maybe."

MC squealed and squeezed her friends arm. "Oh, come on, don't leave me hanging!"

Poppy gave a nervous glance towards Natty, MC looked between them. "Who is it?"

Poppy winced. "Sebastian," she mumbled. She looked down, blushing harder. "I'm so sorry."

MC sucked in a quick breath, almost losing her step on the rough pathway, but caught herself in time. Ice spread along her spine. "Why...why should you be sorry? Sebastian is quite the catch."

Her voice sounded off to her own ears. She swallowed, hoping the other girls wouldn't notice her crippling shock.

"Sebastian was only one boy I thought might make for a lovely kissing partner," Poppy said, quickly. "But I also quite like Leander too. He has been very sweet to me lately, helping with the beasts. I think Leander is the more likely candidate. Sebastian isn't going to be interested in a girl like me. He is so handsome, highly eligible, he can have his pick of ladies I'm sure."

MC's lips felt stiff. The idea of Sebastian mulling over his pick of ladies made her skin itch and crawl. But, also the shock of realising that day was going to come hit her like a Bombarda spell. And she thought things were difficult now?

"I...er...I think Sebastian is indeed an eligible option," she managed to say. She looked at her friend, noting the awkward cringe on her face. She sighed and put her arm around Poppy. "Don't ever put yourself down like that, Poppy. If Sebastian thinks you're not good enough, then he is even more of an idiot than I thought."

Poppy managed a shy smile before looking at MC a little more closely. "You're not cross with me?"

"Why in Merlin's name would I be cross with you?"

Poppy and Natty exchanged a look. "Well, you and Sebastian have always been so very close..."

MC forced a chuckle and waved her hand dismissing her words. "Oh, Poppy, in case you hadn't noticed, I've been snogging my way through the Quidditch team boys. Sebastian couldn't care less. Of course I am not cross."

Poppy and Natty exchanged another meaningful look and MC decided that she'd had more than enough of this conversation. She tugged on Poppy's arm. "Come on, that's enough boy talk. Let's get to this party. I need a drink, the quicker the better."

....*....

Poppy and Natty watched as MC made a beeline for the drink table, scooping punch into a glass and downing it in a few gulps.

"You're a very good actress, Poppy," Natty said.

Poppy shrugged. "At least we got what we wanted," she said. She looked up at Natty. "You were right. She is mad for him."

"I would say she cares a lot for you too, my friend," Natty said. "Despite trying to cover up her true feelings, she was quick to jump to your defence."

Poppy grimaced. "I know. Makes me feel bad for deceiving her like that."

"Don't worry, it's not like you're actually going to sink your teeth into Sebastian now, is it. Leander on the other hand..."

The girls looked at each other and giggled.

....*....

The party had descended into a sultry, alcohol infused vibe. Couples danced close together, the lighting now dimmer, shadows reaching out from corners to cloak the wandering hands and stolen kisses. It was still packed out inside the tent. 6th years had found their way in, making the most of the night, or what was left of it.

Sebastian pressed his way through the throng of dancers, bodies hot and writhing. The atmosphere was thick, so thick you could taste it, and he debated bailing. Ominis had left about an hour ago, tiring of the shenanigans. But, he couldn't leave without one more look for her.

The sight of her in that tight black dress had nearly stopped his heart. She was so fucking beautiful, and bordering on scandalous with the amount of flesh she had on show. She had proved popular with the lads, and his ears had bled with the comments he had overheard.

The last time he had seen her she had been refilling her glass from the punch bowl, staggering a little, clearly drunk. He had asked her if she was alright and she had giggled, patted his cheek and insisted she was fine.

She was vulnerable in that state. The thought of someone taking advantage of that vulnerability had his fists clenched tight at his sides.

One more quick check and then maybe call it a night.

"There you are." A soft giggle, a hand on his upper arm. He would know that voice anywhere.

He met her gaze, her eyes were lidded, burning with something that made his insides turn molten. His eyes dropped to her mouth, her lips were slightly parted, welcoming. He licked his own lips. "There you are," he returned.

She leant in close, her mouth near his ear. "Dance with me," she urged.

Her arms snaked up around his neck and she pressed herself against him. His hands found her waist, his fingers flexing over the bones of her corset. Her smile was going to be his undoing.

They began to move, her hips a devastating tease against him, and he gulped. Heat spread through his blood, firing up every nerve ending until his ears were roaring with his pulse. Hadn't he just been prowling the dance floor trying to prevent someone doing this exact thing with her?

Her eyes locked with his, and his grip on her tightened, urging her as close as possible. She was intoxicating, irresistible. She rolled her hips and a groan slipped from his lips, a noise he hoped was swallowed in the throbbing sounds that surrounded them.

One of her hands slid downwards, over his shoulder to smooth over his chest. Her fingers curled into the fabric of his vest, holding him tightly. The blood in his veins was pulsing hotly, flooding downwards towards his pants. He could feel himself tightening, his arousal growing uncomfortable in the restriction of his clothing.

She moved her head closer, the warmth of her breath fanning across his throat. His heart hammered wildly, he smoothed a hand up and around to press against the bare flesh of her shoulder blades. Her skin was hot, feverish and impossibly soft.

She sighed against him, her head tilting, exposing her neck, her body a writhing, pulsing thing in his arms. He thought he might actually explode, his desire a roaring desperate thing. He stared at the flesh of her neck, smooth, inviting. He clenched his jaw, the need to claim that neck with his mouth made his tongue burn.

Other dancers jostled against them, they staggered a little, his arms tightened around her, protecting her his first instinct. She gasped, pressing impossibly closer, and somehow, his head had dipped, his mouth a breath away from the skin of her neck.

The temptation overwhelmed him and he sank his mouth against her flesh, lips sliding over the skin, tongue swirling until he drew her skin upwards in a desperate suck. She was divine, his eyes rolled at the taste and the scent of her this close. His cock twitched hungrily in his pants.

Her head rolled backwards, a long breathless moan leaving her lips, her fingers sliding upwards to grip his hair.

He sucked her, hard, his mouth moving to taste as much skin as possible. He was like a man starved, his tongue swirling over the reddened flesh to soothe her. He pressed hot kisses all the way up, the softness of her hair against his nose as he buried his face below her ear, breathing in deeply. He could hear her panting, her fingers twisting painfully in his hair.

He was lost, drifting in a haze of fire, the hand on her waist lowered, gripping her hip, grinding her against his arousal. He was so desperate for the friction he couldn't help it. She drove him crazy.

Her small cry of pleasure sounded in his ear. He'd made her do that, she wanted it. His teeth sank into her earlobe and tugged.

How was this happening? She was rubbing against him, seeking his arousal and grinding tightly against it. His control nearly slipped completely. Images of her doing this naked, her hair spread out against his bed sheets, seared across his mind. He could feel his underwear growing damp, his cock twitching and leaking against her movements.

"MC," he murmured hotly. They had to stop. It had to stop before he lost all control. But, fuck, did this feel good. If he could freeze the moment, savour it, hold her like this forever, he would die a happy man.

To be continued...... Part 2

#hogwarts legacy fanfic #sebastian sallow #mc x sebastian sallow #sebastian sallow fanfiction #blueraineshadows #hogwarts legacy #sebastian sallow smut

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willtheweaver · 1 month

Text

Spicing up the setting: the inn

Ah, the inn. Where many adventures start, and where everyone goes to relax in between quests. But we’re not here to talk about that. We’re here to find ways to push it into the limelight.

••• • —•• •— ——• •• •••— • ————————

Too good to be true- The inn was large and well built. Every window had glass panes, the furniture looked like new, all the silverware was actually made of silver, and every room had a feather bed in it. The inn also happens to be located in some poor, backwater region. Whenever you try to ask the innkeeper about this, they don’t give you a straight answer.

(Don’t) go in the basement- Strange noises have been coming from the basement. Surprise! The inn was built upon an (ancient catacomb/ goblin tunnel/ mad scientist’s lab/cultist’s temple/ robot factory)

Today’s special- An inn is famous for its stew. People can’t get enough of how it is so rich and savory. The inn also is located in a village where people have been disappearing for the past several months.

Behind closed doors- Character suspects that the local inn is the meeting place for (thieve’s guild/outlaw ring/ rebel cell/ mystery cult). But when they investigate, there is nothing suspicious looking. Character is sure there is a hidden room, as they have observed many mysterious figures enter and leave the building.

Smuggler’s run-The inn is at the center of a smuggling operation. Describe how it works, the ongoing fight between the smugglers and the authorities, and how the innkeeper tries to keep up the appearance of normalcy.

At the crossroads- They weren’t kidding when they told you that this inn connected to every dimension, and that all are welcomed. Old friends, bitter foes, and creatures that defy all logic eat, drink, and gossip, and everyone gets along.

Save the inn- A corrupt land owner is threatening to tear down the village inn. The townsfolk are having none of it, and will go to whatever lengths necessary in order to save their local watering hole (hilarity,bloodshed, uncontrolled magic,and general mayhem and chaos ensues).

A man walks into an inn- …only to find they cannot leave.

#writing #creative writing #writing resources #writing ideas #writing inspiration #writing prompts #writer #writers #writing community #writers and poets #writer on tumblr #writeblr

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mindblowingscience · 6 months

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Planetary scientists want to search for biosignatures in what they believe was once a Martian mud lake. After scientists carefully studied what they believe are desiccated remnants of an equatorial mud lake on Mars, their study of Hydraotes Chaos suggests a buried trove of water surged onto the surface. If researchers are right, then this flat could become prime ground for future missions seeking traces of life on Mars. "While Martian lakes and mud volcanoes have been subjects of prior studies, our work represents the first comprehensive analysis specifically focused on a putative mud lake," Alexis Rodriguez, a senior scientist at the Planetary Science Institute in Arizona, told Space.com. More generally, scientists suggest surface water on Mars froze over about 3.7 billion years ago as the atmosphere thinned and the surface cooled. But underground, groundwater might still have remained liquid in vast chambers. Moreover, life forms might have abided in those catacombs — leaving behind traces of their existence.

#Mars #Geology #exobiology #science #stem #space #astronomy

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tenjiiku · 1 year

Text

the first snow: 1/2

Rin meets you at Lawson at 2:32am.

His first choice was FamilyMart. He liked their selection of ramen brands better. However, by some choice of fate, Lawson was the only store open near his hotel where he was staying. Rin was impatient and already in a mood. He didn’t quite know what caused it, but the amalgamation of the events that ensued in his coming back to Japan, combined with his nutritionist’s new (vomit-inducing) diet caused some sort of fuse to short circuit in his brain.

He doesn’t typically like leaving his hotel room for nonsensical reasons (anything other than practice) but Rin thinks he might die if he has to stay within the four cream coloured walls of this confined cage any longer. That’s what it is to him — a chain, a nuisance, a reminder of where he is stuck.

Rin knows his manager will be pissed at him if he is seen roaming Shibuya at the dead of night on a Saturday. It’s understandable; him leaving a hotel room, going to a convenience store — all fingers point to him hiding an illicit affair of sorts. He’s heard it all before. His managers have told him time and time again to stop, to quit while he is ahead.

Rin can’t find it in himself to give half a damn.

He’s given the public nearly twenty years of his life, but he’s grown tired and vengeful at the age of thirty-tree. Rin has been living with a carnal monster within himself for ten years. It is loud with claws, imposing and large. He has been nurturing it for a quarter of that time, domesticating its behaviour to live amicably alongside it; letting it live in the catacombs of his brain, locked alongside with the very source of its existence. He’d assumed this anger and this beast would disappear within him as he grew older but it has only seemed to amplify.

Nonetheless, Rin certainly won’t stop trying, especially if the worst meant he would end up on a discrete Japanese tabloid he could not remember the name of even if he tried.

They would never mean anything to him. They could never get him to care.

He wouldn’t give them that satisfaction.

When he reaches Lawson, he’s greeted by an empty store — save for a short, scrawny-looking employee at the front. You nod at him when he enters.

The first thing Rin notices about you is how ridiculously large the company shirt looks on you. Did they not have one in your size?

He doesn’t return your nod. He adjusts his mask, making a beeline for the ramen section. He grabs exactly what he needs in less than five minutes — Rin had known what he wanted the moment he had left his hotel room. When he walks up to you, you take an earbud out and rest it on your shoulder. Some alternative rock song he’s never heard of is distorted, the muffled tune filling the utter silence of the fluorescence store.

You cash him out. Up close, you’re pretty, Rin thinks to himself. He likes your face. It’s clean, easy to look at.

“Your total is ¥450.”

The monotone of your voice snaps him out of his reverie. He digs in the pocket of his windbreaker, searching for his wallet.

“Debit?”

You nod again, unbothered. Rin ponders to himself how long you’ve been up. As he is getting his card out, he feels his phone vibrating. Taking it out along with his wallet, Rin’s eyebrows furrow at the numerous text messages and missed calls he’s received from his manager and PR head.

Two texts stand out above the rest.

(02:59) >> Don’t leave the goddamn Lawson

(03:00) >> They’re fucking everywhere

Rin’s eyes snap towards the windows. What was once an empty parking lot is filled with dark-coloured vehicles he’s grown all too familiar with. He curses quietly under his breath, quickly paying for his things. He doesn’t even need to text back, asking who they are. Rin knows all too well, and he grips the plastic bag you’ve packed with such intensity his knuckles turn white.

How the fuck did they even recognize him when he’s covering half of his face? They’re vile — they make him sick. He never signed up for this.

Amongst the chaos of his mind, your gentle voice brings him back down to Earth.

“Sir, would you want to eat in the employee break room?”

He looks at you, like a deer caught in the headlights, and blinks once. Then twice. Then three times. His phone buzzes again. He looks out the window and catches the glare of a camera in the nighttime from a distance. Did you know who he was?

“Sir?”

Rin realises he hasn’t responded when your voice rings in his ears again. He swears he can hear the shutter of a camera even from inside. Rin heaves a sigh of utter defeat and puts away his confusion on how you were able to discern the situation so quickly. Your brows are furrowed, a frown on your lips. Maybe you did know him, maybe you didn’t.

It didn’t matter much to Rin.

“If possible, please.”

You nod once, leading him to a door at the back of the store that says “Employees Only” in smudged kanji, probably written with an off-brand permanent marker. You open the door to reveal a quaint break room. A plastic foldable table is open and chairs are present. A kitchen table on the left has a hot water station, coffee machine and cups.

You huff a breath as you unfold a chair for him. Rin watches you quietly from the corner, not knowing where to put his hands.

“Sorry, it’s a bit messy,” you mindlessly grunt, adjusting the chair for him underneath the table.

Rin doesn’t respond. He doesn’t know how to. Making conversation is not one of his strong suits, so he doesn’t try. He notices that doesn’t make you uncomfortable — which, in turn — makes him uncomfortable. He makes a sound between a grunt and a cough.

You look at him strangely, and Rin feels embarrassed for some reason.

Straightening your back, you place your hands on your hips, and tap your feet. Rin’s eyes fall to your shoes.

“Right. Well. The TV’s remote is there,” you point to the television stand placed underneath the mounted screen, “I’ll be at the counter if you need me.”

Rin decides to nod as a response. You cough, turn your back and leave without another word. His eyes don’t leave your shorter frame until he hears the resounding click of the door shutting.

He sighs, taking off his mask.

Sitting down on the rickety folding chair you put out for him with his now warm ramen, onigri, and energy drink, Rin takes your advice and watches a rerun of Pulp Fiction. He tries to pay attention to the movie, but he wonders what you are doing right now. He wonders if you’ll get in trouble for bringing in a customer to the break room.

Rin wonders if you know him (again) at the same time he finishes his noodles. Then, he crushes the empty plastic container with one hand at the thought.

I’m just tired. Rin thinks. Stop thinking dumb shit.

He is finished after nearly half an hour. He opens the door and comes up to the front. You’re reading the Weekly Toyo Keizai, November 15th edition, and sucking on some lollipop.

You make an audible ‘pop’ sound as your gaze lands on him. Rin cranes an eyebrow.

“Some of them are lurking in those black honda civics,” you say soundly, pointing towards the window with the candy that was in your mouth moments ago, “I’d advise taking these, and leaving from the back.”

You reach for something under the counter and place it in front of Rin. A hat and sunglasses. Two things he usually wears but was not bothered to bring tonight.

He stares at your magazine. He thought you would have been more into Fruits. Rin looks at your uninterested expression. He thought you knew him. He looks at you, he tries to discern you like he does to everybody — and yet — nothing is revealed. Not a single damn thing.

Rin glares at you.

“It’s on the house,” You add, narrowing your brow at his sneer. On the house really means it will be out of your pocket, but you truly don’t mind. You truly don’t understand what you did to deserve such a reaction.

You begin to double down, “Unless you don’t want it….”

“Thank you…,” Rin grabs the hat and glasses, he looks at your employee badge name and then into your eyes, “L/n.”

You make a face — Rin would have missed it if he wasn’t looking but he was. It’s subtle, almost invisible. But it’s there — you looked surprised. An odd sense of satisfaction washes over him at the prospect of catching you finally showing something.

He rubs his temples at his contemplations.

He puts on the hat and glasses. He nods at you. You put a thumbs up and jut your lip out at his appearance. He likes that. Rin is going insane, he thinks, and with that final thought, he leaves Lawson from the back door.

He didn’t ask if you knew him. He does’t stick around to let you find out, either.

Rin doesn’t really care about you — if he is being honest.

The next day you end up in the tabloids. Rin told his management to keep you a secret, as a favour for letting him eat in your break-room. So, your encounter was labelled as ‘Rin Itoshi’s late night convenience store run? Check the star athlete’s receipt!’.

Rin didn’t really give a shit about the negative press. He was a bit troubled on how they got his items of purchase but it was nothing close to how invasive they were in the past. He didn’t owe people anything. So he had nothing to feel guilty about. Moreover, you surprisingly were not the type to read such articles in the first place, so you probably hadn’t a clue that your blurred face was associated with his name.

Overall, Rin felt rather satisfied with his actions. The playing field was levelled out between the two you — he had perfectly executed the ideal eye-for-an-eye situation.

Or, at least somewhat.

He still has two things he needs to repay — to get you off of his chest for good (even though it seems like Rin is more onto you than anything).

He enters the same Lawson in the daytime the next Tuesday, no paparazzi, with one goal in mind. The familiar jingle of the door is heard when a customer exits. Rin adjusts the hat you gave him on his head, and slips past, making a beeline towards the checkout.

You’re eating lunch. The same brand of onigiri he had. You’re reading something, Rin reads the title: Strange Weather in Tokyo. He’s never heard of it. You still don’t notice him after two minutes. Rin grimaces at your lack of awareness. Were you ignoring him on purpose? Waiting for him to make the first move?

Rin coughs to get your attention. He’s never had to do that to anyone. “Hello.”

You lift your head up from the book. Your eyes widen ever so slightly at his appearance, but you remain composed.

“Oh.” You echo, “Hi.”

Rin doesn’t say anything. You glare at him. He turns to see if anyone is behind him but there isn’t. He looks back at you, and you are still glaring.

You’re prettier in the morning, even with that scowl you direct towards him. You look more alive, which would be expected of anyone. Rin is also more awake than he was last Saturday. Rin puts his hands in his pockets, suddenly feeling his hands get sweaty.

“Is there anything you need, sir?” You ask, folding your arms across your chest, addressing him by the very name you introduced the night you met.

“The hat,” Rin starts, resting his elbows on the counter, “and the glasses. How much were they?”

You raise your brows, “You don’t have to—”

“I know,” he interrupts, “I just… want to.”

You stare at him for a moment or two. Rin mentally prepares himself to argue and waste his time. But, all you do is put your bookmark — a polaroid of what looks to be and a couple of friends — in your book and close it.

You cross your arms over your chest. Rin’s eyes fall to them, as you simply state. “¥790.”

He blinks. Now it is his time to gaze at you. You’re wearing the employee vest this time, the one he saw thrown on the counter in the break-room. The sound of the refrigerating system echoes through the barren Lawson. Your eyes gleam with something he hasn’t seen in a long, long time.

You look like a version of him he has long lost.

A thumping begins in Rin’s chest, a furrow etches into his brow.

“Okay.” He sounds, taking out change from his wallet.

As he pulls out the bills, Rin’s mouth opens. Then it closes. Then it opens again. You blink at him.

“Do you know who I am?” He asks the question that has been burning in his mind for three days, handing you the money.

Your face falls and you lower your gaze as you take it from his hands and open the register. “…Yes.”

“Oh,” Rin’s eyes widen and focus on the lines of your wrist. For some reason he has to hold back a smile, probably a reaction of his awkwardness, “alright.”

Your response makes him smile, only a little bit. You either do not notice or ignore it.

“Sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. You just looked like you were in a shitty mood that night.”

“Hah, yeah.” Rin chuckles — not forced, not a fraud — but real. It scares him, but he pretends it does not. “Thank you. I appreciated your help.”

A part of him yells inside. He does not really know why. He does not know how. All he knows is that he might regret it if he doesn’t see you sometime soon.

So he tells you, “I’ll see you,”

And you don’t even seem to care. “Hm? Okay.”

Rin walks home in a daze, energy drink in hand. He throws it in a nearby trash can as he recalls You.

Rin goes to Lawson a couple of days later. He was taking his daily run — it sort of came to him, if anything.

He stands outside, gazing through the window. He sees his reflection, seeing himself grow embarrassed as he realises something.

You are not there.

He gets mad at you. Then he gets upset at himself for getting upset at you. Because why the hell is he angry in the first place?

He takes a bus to the nearest FamilyMart. He gets recognized a total of five times. He hates himself even more, goes home and remembers why he went to the shitty, run-down Lawson in the first place.

University was never Rin’s alimony. His time at Blue Lock had stunted his already slow ascend into manhood, and though Rin was good with his feet it was hard not to lose his balance the first time he laid with a girl.

She was pretty, he remembers. He liked the way her hair fell down her back but he could not particularly say she had left a mark on him. It was so long ago that Rin was starting to lose memory of her; the only thoughts he’d wished to forget (particularly, getting caught by her ex-lover) were the only things he’d held of that small fling. No one quite had left a mark on him, at least not before his brother. Not with her, not even now — even after, at the ripe age of thirty-three, Rin has yet to find someone to — what had Isagi called it... vouchsafe his soul to — and though Rin in most circumstances would not care for this, Japan always possessed the putrid ability to awaken a loneliness inside of him he had long assumed he’d lost.

He walks into Lawson the next day, the same night and time he knew you would be working. Rin might be a little sick. His throat hurts — so he must be.

Perhaps that is why he instantly makes a beeline towards where you stand behind the counter. Your eyes lift from your phone to his face.

“What’s your schedule?” He interrogates, a little breathless despite having the endurance for the twenty-two minute light jog.

When you raise a brow, when you tilt your head — when you look at Rin as though he has grown two heads, he purses his lips.

“You weren’t... here yesterday.”

He states the accusation so quietly, you’d almost miss it if it were not for the coffee you had earlier. You move back a little, placing your phone face down onto the counter — scratching at your wrist.

“You came yesterday?”

Rin’s absurdity does not sound normal coming from your lips, because it is not — he is aware of this. It has taken him a while to dissect this part of him. He still has trouble — the stunted growth, and all, was to blame; surely.

Rin asks again. This time, utterly ignoring your inquiries. “What’s your schedule?”

You blink up at him. Your eyes drift from Rin’s to the man standing behind him. Rin senses your apprehension and steps in front of your gaze. You speak softly — as though afraid or embarrassed to admit your timings.

“I work the afternoon shift Tuesday, and the night shifts from Thursday to Saturday.” You murmur, looking down, presumably at your hands. Maybe your feet. Rin couldn’t really tell from where he was standing..

He all but hums, tapping his fingers against the counter. He toys with the wrapper of a stray protein bar there — possibly left by you or another store patron. He feels you move up and down on your feet. Rin doesn’t know why you feel uncomfortable. He feels rather alright around you — the best he has ever felt in a while, to be frank. It was odd being around someone who knew of him and yet did not do anything about it. He felt like a wet cloth. It felt nice.

“Why?” You ask.

Rin looks at you. He doesn’t have to lift his head up despite you being heightened by the floor beneath you. He nods. You tilt your head, presumably confused.

“Okay,” he states. He opens his mouth, closes it, then opens it again, “Alright.”

You join your hands together, your lips forming into a firm line. Rin looks at the book you have placed cover-side down. He does not know if he should stop. You smell nice, though — like his favourite brand of jasmine rice. He wants to stay a little longer.

So he asks you, “What are you reading?”, despite not really caring.

“The Factory.” You mumble, “Oyamada Hiroko.”

Rin nods, impressed. He has never heard of it.

A person he hadn’t known was there before, standing in line behind him, taps him on the shoulder and asks. “Sir? Are you going to buy anything?”

Rin does not turn to them. He places an awkward hand on your novel. You watch him like he is a circus animal. Rin feels his stomach twist knots — like it is the final match and he is 1-2.

Rin looks at you once more. He looks at your employee vest, at your name tag, at your book, your half-eaten protein bar. He has never seen anything so strange before — so alluring.

“See you,” he decides, turning away from you and heading out the store.

He feels your eyes on him as he walks out the store. And, late at night as he lays alone in his hotel room — he thinks of your voice. He thinks of your small farewell, and feels his head grow hot.

“Have a nice day, Itoshi-san.”

Rin thinks he may need to go back on his diet — he is falling sick.

#writing #rin itoshi #rin itoshi x reader #rin itoshi x fem reader #fem reader

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