#fun fact. this shot was the first one I tried to do with white charcoal

[angxlyxn]

pet - dabi x f. reader

summary: Dabi is intent on showing everyone just who you belong to.

warnings: NONCON, light smut, obsessive behavior, burning/branding, captivity, talk about body weight/appearance, emotional and physical abuse, suicidal/dark thoughts

a/n: hello lovelies!  this is actually my first requested piece on this account, and was sent in by the lovely @hotwings0203 <33.  i’m sorry that it’s not some of my best work, because i wasn’t entirely sure how to approach writing for someone like Dabi, but i tried my best!  thank you so much for requesting this love, it was so fun to write and i hope you enjoy it anyways!

wc: ~2.8k

“Hey, dollface.”

You jolted up at the sound of the harsh voice, the gruffness of it scratching against your ears and causing you to cringe a bit.  

“Look at me, won’t you mousey?”  He called again.  You hesitantly shifted in your spot, turning to face Dabi with a blank expression on your face.  You made an effort to show as little emotion as possible, flattening out your features and trying not to give him an opportunity to take advantage of your natural timidity.  

“Come ‘ere,” he said simply, a bit of bile catching in your throat as he jerked his fingers towards himself, the motion reminiscent of an owner calling an unruly pet to his side.  You carefully walked up to him, each step sending a series of prickles through your toes, the soft skin on your feet feeling as though it was being punctured by a bunch of needles.  

He held a palm up just as you reached him, signaling you to stop and wait for his next command.  Like a pet.  He smirked a bit at your obedience, dropping his hand lazily onto his lap and leaning back into his chair, legs widening and posture relaxing as his cerulean eyes drank in your stilled body.  

“Hm..You’re getting too thin, angelface.”  His calloused hand shot out, grazing your stomach and pressing into your hip bone.  “You’re all skin and bone,” he said with a little too much glee.  

You couldn’t deny his remarks.  You had been here for so, so long, and taking care of you wasn’t exactly Dabi’s first priority.  The sickly way that your shoulder bones were pushing through your skin and the torn babydoll covering your body attested to that.  The nightgown that so sparsely covered you wasn’t even yours, in fact, but one that Dabi had mysteriously obtained from a house that he definitely did not burn down.  

“Come,” he said simply, resting a hand down on his lap.  It was not a suggestion, but a command.  You shamefully lowered your eyes, obediently following his directions and sitting upon his knees in a less than graceful fashion.  Your back was fully upright, form tense and rigid in the uncomfortable position.  Dabi, however, was not a fan of your reluctance, and suddenly wrapped an arm around your waist, pulling you backwards into his chest and grazing the top of your head with his scarred chin.  You fell into him, limp and powerless against his vice-like grip on your torso, feeling much like a ragdoll as you rested your body against his.  

A laugh bubbled out of Dabi’s lips as he held you.  “Really, look at your ribs!”  He said, snatching up the hem of the gown and pulling it up to your chest.  You flinched at the exposure, still not fully accustomed to the fact that he could do that to you, that he could do anything to you.  His hand moved down to your lower half, pressing into your hip bone uncomfortably and toying with it in a disgusting manner.  Still his fingers fell lower, gripping your inner thigh and grazing over your clothed heat, an involuntary shiver erupting across your legs as he did so.  

“Little whore,” he chuckled lightly.  He finally released your dress, letting it settle back over your legs and he pulled his other hand away from where it was laying tantalizingly upon your creamy thigh.  You let out a breath that you were holding in as he did so, glad to be free from his teasing touches.  His fingers settled in your hair, petting it lightly, although his gentle massaging provided you with little comfort.  Instead, they just felt patronizing.  

Your body jolted as he fastened his fingers on your scalp, pulling harshly on your locks and flinging your chin backwards as he tugged.  A gasp left your lips, followed by a light whimper as you moved to try and resist him, body squirming and fingers pulling against his arms pathetically.   “Now tell me,” he spoke as you struggled.  “Why aren’t I enough for you?”  You looked at him, confused, your body stilling despite his burning grip on your hair.  

“W-What?”

“I see how you act around crusty over there,” he said, nodding to the door that led out of his bedroom.  You assumed that he was talking about Shigaraki, the nickname seeming too cruel for the man, who had been at least more civil to you than Dabi ever was.  “You basically whore yourself out to him and the other guys whenever I allow you to talk to ‘em.  Fucking beggar.”

“I don’t k-know what you mea-”

“God, really?  It’s bad enough that you’re a slut, but turns out you’re stupid too,”  He said, seething.  “The way you talk to them, like you’re begging for them to fuck you.  The way you let your dress ride up on your legs when you sit near them.  I see it all, dolly.”  You cringed once more at the nickname.  You thought about his accusations, trying to look for a way out of this situation, preferably one where you don’t end up with burn marks all over your neck.  Survival instincts kicked in as you softened your body, turning your brows up slightly and pouting a bit.  You looked like a child, or maybe a lost puppy.  Exactly what Dabi liked.

“I’d never give myself to anyone b-but you,” you said, slurring your words and stuttering purposefully.  

“Mm..” Dabi hummed.  “Really pet?”  

You shook your head affirmatively, swallowing down the bile that had made its home in your throat.  He looked down upon you, his eyes gleaming contentedly, cerulean orbs penetrating the dim light of the room.  

“Prove it.”

Your eyes widened a bit, pupils dilating as a smirk stretched across his cruel face.  

“Down.”  His eyes flicked to the floor, gazing upon the cold cement that lay beneath his planted feet.  His grip on your hair released as you moved to get up, legs shaking as you lowered yourself before him, kneeling on the icy floor.  

“You know what to do now, don’t you pet?”  You gulped heavily at his words, letting your eyes drift to the sickening bulge in his pants.  Trembling hands reached out and undid his belt, your fingers fumbling awkwardly with the buckle as you did so.  

“Good.”  You watched with bated breath as he slid his pants button out of its hole and unzipped his pants.   He reached into his boxers next, freeing his cock and looking down at you expectantly.  

You reached your hands out once more, this time taking hold of his throbbing member.  Your fingers grew slick with a bit of precum, delicate digits tracing it down his shaft as you massaged it.  Dabi’s head fell back as you finally took his dick into your mouth and maneuvered yourself closer to him, just as you knew he would want.  Your tongue glided over it, caressing the veins that sat on his length as you licked up and down his cock.  He let out a sinful groan, letting his hand wander to your hair and grabbing your locks back up between his calloused digits.  

“Hnnn...Little whore, that’s right…” He murmured, looking down on you with a piercing gaze.  “Getting..close,” he said, and you took this as your sign to up your already strenuous pace.  You nursed him to his climax, cringing as he finally peaked, a moan tumbling involuntarily from your lips as he began to shake.  He emptied his load into your mouth, ribbons of white painting your throat like a canvas.  A gasp left you as he pushed you back, causing you to scrape your hands against the floor beneath you as you caught yourself, seed dribbling down your chin and falling onto the silken fabric of your nightdress.  He stared you down, catching his breath as he tucked himself back into his pants.  

“Swallow.”  The word came out breathy and depraved.  Your eyes widened a bit.  You never got used to this part, despising the taste of the salty streams that always coated your mouth after your sessions.  Cringing, you willfully gulped down and licked the area around your lips, gazing up at him with watery eyes, just as you knew he liked.  

Dabi looked down at your disheveled state, eyes roaming over your body and brows downturning in fake pity.  He reached his hand out, gliding his finger beneath your lash line and gleaning the tears that had gathered there.  “Poor little slut…” He drew his tear-coated finger from your face, lifting it to his mouth and running his tongue along the wet digit.  He rubbed his hand against his charcoal colored pants before standing up, purposefully stepping over your vulnerable form and accidentally clamping the sole of his shoe down on your locks, which were splayed across the chilled floor of the room.

You whimper in pain, the tug on your hair adding to your already aching headache.  He gazed back down at you, mockery swirling within his cruel eyes.  “I’m sorry angel, did that hurt?”  He pouted down at you.  His words were far too enunciated, making you feel like a child as you laid helplessly.  “Here, let me help you up.”  Dabi reached his arm out for you to grab, intertwining his long fingers with your quivering hand.  

He pulled up on your arm, dragging you upwards from the floor.  Just as you thought the whole ordeal was over, you felt a searing pain spread through your hand.  You tried your hardest to tug away from the man, who was now wearing a sickening grin on his face as the familiar burn of his flames licked across your palm.  “Agh!” You screamed in anguish as you writhed around.  “Stop it!  STOP!  PLEASE!” He doesn’t cease his torture, instead just looking on as the flames began to dance up your arm.  

Before you can even try to beg him again, he begins to speak, voice uncharacteristically soft. “Oh dollface, you know I can’t stop.  I got to prove to everyone that you’re my favorite little plaything.  My little doll.”  You looked at him in complete horror and began to scream, your full body convulsing at the sheer pain that he was inflicting on you.  You watched him out of the corner of your tear-brimmed eyes as his eyes widened at your thrashing form.  The pain suddenly lessened as his grip on your hand let up, but your arm was still throbbing. You were certain that it was going to scar.  

Looking down, you realized that the burn had managed to form some sort of spiral pattern around your arm, the burn marks looking almost akin to vines.   Sliding down the wall and cradling your injured arm, you sobbed to yourself, not even taking notice as Dabi left the room.  Your only focus was on your limp limb, and the horribly apparent scars that now covered it.  

Dabi shut the door behind him, clicking the lock into place and leaning against it for support.  His head was spinning, thoughts mingling and grating against the expanse of his mind. For some reason, seeing you so utterly despaired and broken after he burned you had pained him. He tried vainly to push that thought from his mind, the very notion of empathy so foreign to him that it disgusted him, that it repulsed him to his very core.  Before he knew it, his mind had wandered over to his childhood, to the many tortuous years that he had long sought to forget.  He remembered the cruel way that Enji had conducted himself around his mother, the way that he would shove her around and condescend her without a care in the world.  He shook the thoughts off quickly, pushing away the guilt that was slowly climbing through his stomach and threatening to suffocate him if he spent too much time thinking about it.  Before long, that shit eating grin he always seemed to wear returned to his face.  He thought about the marks he had given you, the expanse of charred skin that now covered your boney arms.  Now everyone knew that you belonged to him, as they should.  You were his property, and others should know not to touch what belongs to him, what is rightfully his.  And you were just this.

You jolted up from your position at the click of a door, dropping your arm which you were previously nursing.  You backed away from his looming form as he entered the room, shutting your eyes tightly and clutching your arms to close to your chest.  You felt Dabi’s presence before you as he crouched down to your level, slowly reaching out for your singed arm.  You whimper as you sensed him growing closer, your eyes quietly cracking open and falling on his larger frame.  You braced for his touch, drawing into yourself and shielding your face with your hands as he approached you, waiting for a strike or another flame against your milky skin.  All you felt, however, was a benign grasp on your burnt arm. You hissed in pain, trying desperately to pull it back, but his hold on you wasn’t letting up, not even slightly.  

“Please..let go of me.  Just.. even killing me would be more merciful than this.  Dabi, at this point...” You whimpered out pathetically, stopping short as the tears pooling in your eyes betrayed you and began to stream down your reddened cheeks, the trickles of tears a testament to how truly afraid you were.  His sudden change in demeanor had only seemed to scare you more, uncharacteristically kind eyes boring into your own.  

“You know doll, I’ve done so much to get and keep you here. Do you really think I’m going to let you go that easily?  Honestly?  I didn’t think you were that dumb.”  You cringed at his pointed words.  “Hmm.. I don’t plan on letting go of you for...however long you live, I suppose,” he finished, punctuating the threatening sentence with a chuckle.  You didn’t dare say anything else as he dropped your wrist, charred arm falling into your lap. Dabi lifts his head to meet yours, sapphire gaze piercing through you.  He kept eye contact as he grasped your singed arm, bringing your heavy hand to his mouth and pressing a few chaste kisses against your sensitive knuckles.  

You gathered your wits and courage as you averted your eyes from him.  “Why are you doing this?  You’re never..like this.”  He just stares at you, standing himself up and backing away from your form.

A few chuckles fall from his lips, the grating sound swiftly turning into full blown laughter as he wrapped his scarred arms around his chest.  “I forgot how much I loved that fearful look in your eyes.  The way you stare at me like I hold your life in my hands.  It’s so..satisfying.  But you know, I’ve still got to be nice to my doll every once in a while.  Can’t have my little toy breaking, now can I?”  You looked up at him, horrified at his condescending words.  “Now, I wish I could stay, but I’ve gotta go.”  Your eyes glistened as he began to stride away from you, calling back to you over his shoulder. “More heroes to kill and chaos to create, you know the drill.  I’ll see you later babe. Be good for me,” he smirked. And with that, he left you alone again, locking the door behind him as he paced out of the room as though nothing had even happened.

Once you were certain that he was gone, you let yourself go. Tears poured down the apples of your cheeks and you muttered out a silent prayer, hoping that someone, anyone would hear you and free you from this horrendous place.  You weeped until you tired yourself out, eventually letting yourself fall asleep.  All you hoped for as you fell into your slumber was that it would be your last rest, and that soon it would be the salvation of death that would be taking you, rather than the cold embrace of sleep.  Anything would be better than staying here another day, and if dying was what it took to leave, you didn’t care.  You just needed to get out.

You refused to be just a mouse caught in Dabi’s trap.  But deep down, you knew that might be exactly what you will remain as, for the rest of your miserable days.  An animal.  A toy.  

A pet.

#yandere dabi x reader #dabi x reader #yandere x reader #bnha #mha #my hero academia #my hero academia x reader #dabi #x reader #yandere #yandere x you #dabi x you #yandere dabi x you #yandere my hero academia #yandere bnha x reader #yandere love #touya todoroki #touya x reader #x you #x y/n #this is bad #im sorry #thank you for the req #ily <3

[remmushound]

Curse of the Clans part 33! @brightlotusmoon @scentedcandlecryptid @hoshisoul

Trigger warning! Psychological horror, mental torment, scenes of death, blood, gore

How long had it been? A week? Two? Maybe even longer. The days just seemed to blend together here. Donatello tried to keep a tally log to mark the day, but every time he would look away from the paper, the amount of marks would change. He would be certain— or almost certain— that he had put down only one mark. Then, when he'd open the book next, there would be three lines. Or four. Or enough to cover the entire page, or sometimes none at all! It was impossible to keep track. All he had to go by was the day and the night, and sometimes even that didn't work. The sun and the moon were as reliable as everything else in that god forsaken forest!

There was only one constant: the foxes. Though they had at first been identical, with the time they had spent with Donatello, however long or short it was, Donatello was slowly able to tell a difference between them. The slightest contrast in pitch and the way the gold flakes moved in their eyes, or the way their ears fell when they tilted their heads. Little, small details that made a world of difference. They were there with him, watching him, occasionally snarling at the unseen beyond the rift. They were a good company, but Donatello was starting to go stir crazy when the only one he could have a conversation with wanted nothing more than to divide and shatter his mind.

He just needed to go on a walk, he told himself, to clear his mind. Could that voice follow him back to the temple? He sure hoped not. It was a straight shot down the trail, he knew. Why then did he feel the need to check his map, just to be sure? He knew that it was down the trail, the same trail that had brought him back here! Still…

Donatello searched for the map. And then he searched again, and searched some more. No, that couldn’t be right. He dumped out the contents of his bag, sifting through remaining contents of food and water and blankets. The map? Where was the map? He was sure it was here, it had to be here! Nothing else was missing! He continued his search for a few minutes more before frustratedly shoving the rest of the supplies back into his bag. It was a straight shot, he told himself. A straight shot through the trail. The trail. Where was the trail again?

Standing out in the middle of the campsite, Donatello spun around. No matter where he looked, the only thing that came back to him was the glint of bright snow and a horrid stench that had hung around the campsite for… some time. He couldn't tell how long it had been anymore. Nowhere did the trees part; in fact, they seemed to grow closer together with every passing glance. No. No, he refused to accept it. There had to be a trail, it had to be somewhere! Didn't it? Maybe if he just forced his way through the trees, he could find it somewhere on the other side! Bishop had mentioned something about plants, right? Right?!

The moment Donatello’s hand brushed against the leaves, a voice stung the air and made him flinch, almost falling forward.

“Those who stray the trail risk their lives…”

Donatello spun around, aiming his staff in all directions as he tried to find the source of the voice. All he found were his fox friends, reared on their back legs and staring at him like they often did.

“And all do stray the trail.” The left fox spoke, her mouth moving ever so slightly though her lips didn't seem to form any words. Still, the words were spoken, and the voice was new.

“What...?” Donatello still kept his bo at hand as he approached the foxes. “Did you…?”

“Yes.” The foxes mouth moved again, but the voice had a slight delay to it. It did, didn't it? Donatello wasn’t imaging that, right? “I apologize. The only reason me and my sister haven’t spoken to you before was because we didn't quite know what to make of you.”

Something was wrong. Donatello didn't move any closer. He felt like crying, and his shell felt like it was on fire, like his spine and ribcage and all connecting bones were being ripped from his body.

“You act like a human, but look like a yokai.” She stepped forward, and Donatello stepped back to keep the distance. “You smelled of evil, and we hated you until you cleaned our temple.”

Their temple? Yes… of course it was their temple! How the fox statues hadn’t given that away to him sooner, Donatello didn't know.

“You are a good Oni.”

“I’m not an Oni.” The words came to Donatello almost immediately, “I’m a mutant.”

The fox tilted her head. Just tilting and tilting and tilting until it looked almost like her neck would snap. “I have never met a mutant before. It’s nice to see you again.”

“Again…?” Donatello whimpered, his lip starting to quiver. Something was wrong. The stench was overwhelming, the stench of death! He knew that smell now. Decay and rot and so much more swirling like the campsite itself had died!

“Are there many mutants?” The yokai went on, her head flopping to the other side and twisting down just as far. “Where did you come from?”

“N...New York...?”

“Is it very far?”

Donatello couldn’t answer. His mouth felt like sandpaper.

“Are you the only mutant?” She stepped closer, “What exactly can a mutant achieve? Are you stronger? Smarter, faster than other yokai or humans?”

“W… why are you asking so many questions…?” Donatello backed away. The bareness of his shell brushed against the trees, but they felt more like a wall slowly closing in to trap him inside.

The foxes stopped walking toward him, but now they didn't seem so much like foxes. Their faces seemed too long; their arms too short— hadn’t they been too long before? Their cheeks were sunken, and they were getting even deeper! The white of their fur turned a charcoal black, but it wasn’t just the fur that did so. It was the skin and the flesh peeling and rotting away from them at impossible speeds, first in their faces and then in their stomachs and arms and all over them. Exposing bones that sloshed out of the ruined bodies like the only solid in a mass of melting gelatin, falling into a pile beneath where their bodies once stood. But there were no bodies anymore, only sludge and blood and bone and laughter!

Donatello fell over as the scent invaded his mouth so deeply he could taste it. Clawing violently at his throat, feeling blood drip down his hands, as he tried to rip the smell and the taste from his body by any necessary means. His eyes still forced him to watch as the mold that was once life was dragged across the snow by an invisible force, leaving bloody streaks in their wake, and squeezed into the cave with a sickening squelch. Donatello watched; it was all he could do. He hadn’t noticed how bad the rift had gotten. Cracks had turned to missing segments even with the power of his mystic bo keeping it in cheek. And through those cracks, if he squinted hard enough, he could just barely see a pair of pink eyes staring back at him. The eyes of the devil!

“Oh, how I look forward to playing with a mutant.” The devil laughed; the Oni laughed. “And one so special too.”

“W… where are my foxes?” Donatello managed to gasp out. “What did you… how…?”

“How do you know the kitsune ever even existed?” A grin; dolphin-like teeth leaking with some sort of ooze. Tentacles gripping around the shards of remaining purple, not quite yet able to break free. “How do you know it wasn’t me the whole time?”

“N-no! No no no no no!” Donatello clutched his head as he curled over himself, the smell still lingering, blood staining the snow. Bodies in the snow...

“Yes, yes yes yes yes yes yes!” The oni laughed. “I have broken far stronger men, Donatello. This is going to be fun.”

#the promised whump!

[shutupandshipit]

Sharpen your blades - Ch.2

Summary: “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

The thinning of Aizawa’s patience was evident in the twitching of his brow. “If you stop asking questions, maybe I could finish explaining.

”With a huff and roll of his eyes, Katsuki glanced away from their coach.

“City Hall and the SC want us to give them more variety. We are a team solely made up of single skaters. Every year, we dominate the rankings for single skate while Shinketsu dominates the pairs, so this year both cities are being required to split their skaters evenly between singles and pairs with at least one pair coming from out top five.” There was a collective intake of breath, but no one commented, choosing instead to remain silent. “Unfortunately, for us, it’s a lot easier to switch from pairs to singles. With our male to female ratio, alpha/beta/omega ratio, and those of you actually experienced with pair skating, we’re at a disadvantage. So, I’ve decided to choose your partners for you.”

…..

Or where Katsuki and Izuku are forced to be partners so they can continue to compete, but the blood in the water may be thicker than anyone realized.

Pairing: Bakudeku

Rating: T

Chapter: 2/20

Previously <- Chapter 1: Pairs

Chapter 3: Training -> Next

Chapter 2: Refusal

Katsuki laughed as he spun faster and faster, holding Izuku’s hands so that when his feet left the ice, he stayed in the air. The Death Spiral was their favorite trick to modify, and as they got older, they got bolder. They hadn’t been allowed to include this particular modification in competition, but Katsuki knew they’d get to one day.

That wouldn’t be for another couple of years, but that just meant they had time to improve together and individually.

Their coach, a tall spindly beta man, called from the rink entrance. “Alright, everyone! Come gather over here for a moment. I’ve got some announcements to make!”

Izuku’s blades bit back into the ice as they slowed, still laughing. “Are you excited, Kacchan? You put in for the single skate events this year, right?” he asked, grinning as they meanered away from center ice. They weren’t the only ones taking their time, but they were the furthest from the entrance.

Nodding, Katsuki’s eyes found the dusty yet still colorful ribbons and trophies that lined the ledge of the announcer’s booth. “Yeah, wanted to try it out. Can’t get better if I’m never alone, and I want my name to be up there! Right where all those first place trophies are. I’m going to be better than anyone else! You too, right?”

Izuku nodded enthusiastically, cheeks flushed pink. “We’ve never gotten to skate on our own before. I think it’ll be fun. But I want to skate as a pair in the December preliminaries before we go to seniors.”

“Don’t worry about that, dumbass, that’s years away! We’ll still skate pairs before then. Just not this year.”

Izuku nodded, but didn’t reply as they finally slid up to the forming group of skaters. They were all ages from the youngest being 3-years-old to the oldest being 17-years-old, but even at ten, Izuku still looked tiny compared to everyone else. Taking his hand, Katsuki pulled him around to an opening between bodies, and shoved him through so they could both see what was going on.

Their hands never left each other.

“Good, good, everyone is here,” Coach said, eyes scanning over them, “So, we all know that the April showcase in Yuuei is coming up. Is everyone excited?” The group cheered. “Fantastic! I have the skating assignments right here! Is everyone ready to hear them?” The group cheered again, deafening in the echoing space of the rink. “Great! I’ll start with our pairs. I’m happy to officially welcome Midoriya and Bakugou as our Alpha/Omega pair! They presented just two weeks ago, and I’m sure you can guess who presented as what.” He chuckled, but the sentiment wasn’t echoed by the group.

Katsuki’s ears burned.

The other skaters were dead silent, all eyes finding them as the scent of burning charcoal slowly filled the air. Even at ten, Katsuki’s temper was volatile, only made worse by Izuku’s sickly sweet embarrassed scent. Like rotting fruit.

Sure, everyone could smell that they’d had first rut and heat, but it just wasn’t something people commented on. Going through puberty was embarrassing enough without everyone also knowing when they presented. Everyone just knew, and that was that.

Someone cleared their throat. One of the older skaters, an alpha woman with long white hair and brown skin, spoke up, “Um, Coach, I might be mistaken, but both Deku and Kacchan put in for single skate this year. We all thought it would be a good idea for them to get experience on their own.”

“No, no, you’re right,” Coach said flippantly, “but I decided otherwise. Why fix something that isn’t broken. It looks better for us as a team to have an Alpha/Omega pair, and it’ll be easier for them to win since same-sex pairs are unconventional.”

The rest of the older skaters shifted uncomfortably, expressions morphing as the alpha spoke up again. “That’s really not the point here. The point is for them to have fun and experience new things. There’s others of us who pair skate.”

Katsuki was burning from the inside out, anger stealing the words from his throat. He didn’t think he’d ever been so angry before.

“The point,” Coach said with emphasis, “is to make our team look good. Looking good equals more attention which equals more money. Which is important to keeping this rink up and running. Skating isn’t about having fun, it’s about winning. They’re better together than either of them ever would be alone. So if Bakugou and Midoriya want to continue to skate with our team, then they’ll skate pairs. That’s that. End of discussion. Anyone who has an issue with that can take their chances finding a different team.” With a wave of his hand, he continued down the list of pairs as if there had never been an interruption.

Grinding his teeth, Katsuki ripped his hand from Izuku’s. He ignored the hurt whine that came from the other boy.

The alpha that had tried to defend them shouldered passed the coach with a hissed, “Fuck you,” just loud enough for the entire team to hear over his talking. She grabbed her guards and her gear, and they never saw her at practice again. When the coach got fired two years later though, they knew she was behind it. Too bad it was too little, too late.

…..

Rage roared through Katsuki, and suddenly, the burning charcoal scent of his anger crowded out Izuku’s acidic anxiety scent from his nose. Blood thrummed loudly in his ears as his temperature rose with each beat of his heart, much like the first time he’d been required to partner with Izuku. It had always been their choice until it hadn’t been, and that pissed him off more than anything.

He couldn’t even hear Aizawa’s next words.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me!” he exploded, forcing himself not to look at Izuku when he heard the little unconscious whine the omega made. A sound that had his alpha screaming at him to ‘ calm, scent, protect, calm, help, protect .’ He hated it, hated the instinctual need, wished he could rip his alpha right from his chest. “This is a fucking joke, right? You expect me to fucking skate with him ?”

Aizawa slowly lifted his eyes from his clipboard, crossing his arms over his chest. “Yes, I do. You two are the best for this despite the fact you can barely speak civilly to each other for more than a moment.”

A manic laugh spilled from Katsuki’s mouth, and the teammates near him took careful steps back. “That’s a joke! That has to be a goddamn joke!”

Yaoyorozu’s hand shot into the air, worry etched into her features. Katsuki wanted to rip it from her arm. “I also don’t understand, Coach. Surely it’d be more beneficial to pair myself with Shouto or Midoriya, wouldn’t it?”

‘ Yes, agree. Switch Izuku’s goddamn partner. I can’t- ’ he thought desperately, but knew Aizawa wouldn’t.

“No. The program I’ve selected for the top rank is going to be difficult. Even if it weren’t, I can’t have someone who has never skated pairs trying to master it in just three months. We just don’t have the time to get you up to that skill level. On top of that, I’m not going to move two of my top three over to pairs when Bakugou and Midoriya have skated pairs previously. They are also the bottom of my top five. They’re the best option to make partners,” Aizawa explained, voice growing monotone the longer he spoke.

Katsuki couldn’t and wouldn’t skate with Izuku again! It just wasn’t going to fucking happen! This felt like the last time they were paired up for their dynamics, and he hated the sick black feeling that bloomed in his chest. Every rank dropped, every point lost, every mistake made flashed through his mind as if they’d happened yesterday.

He could still remember the sound of Izuku hitting the ground, the failed catch, the other skaters’ gasps even as no one moved. The smell of blood thick in his nose, his hands trembling, the anguish on Izuku’s face.

He hadn’t been the one to throw him, but he was still at fault in the end.

“I’m not skating with Deku!”

Aizawa’s eyes returned to Katsuki along with the rest of his teammates, stony and set. “Yes, you will. If you don’t, I’ll drop you from the team and you can find another to skate with. With your legendary attitude, I can’t imagine many would want you. Your choice.”

He was being forced into a corner again, given an ultimatum that wasn’t really a choice at all. If it was between skating and never skating again, there wasn’t a decision to be made. The blackness in his chest only expanded, spreading through his chest and up into his throat, choking him.

He ground his teeth together savagely, an ache sprouting in his jaw. “What the fuck ever, but I’m not practicing with him. Fuck that.” It was stupid, he knew it was. Eventually, he would have to practice with Izuku. Eventually, he’d have to eat his own words. There was no way around it, not if they wanted to have any chance of actually placing. That didn’t mean he couldn’t master his part of the skate to the most minor of hand placements before attempting the larger tricks with him.

He wasn’t going to be the one to let Izuku get hurt again.

Rolling his eyes, Aizawa seemed to be done with the argument. For now. “As long as you don’t make us look like a group of fools at the charity event, I don’t care how you figure it out. No deaths, no injuries and no stupid mistakes. Now, back to what I was saying. If anyone else wants to waste my time today, just leave.”

No one left the rink, but Katsuki shoved away from the wall with a snarl and found his way to Kirishima and Ashido’s sides. The pair were grinning at him, Kirishima placatingly and Ashido goadingly. He didn’t wait for them to say anything. “Pinky, I’m going to need to borrow you for practice.”

Her smile was sharp as she ruffled her pink spikes. “Not even going to ask first?”

“Are you going to say no?”

She shrugged her pink clad shoulders. “No, as long as you help me with my program. I’m competing too, and I’m going to need time to practice.”

“Sure, whatever. Just need you for the stuff I can’t do on my own. Lifts, death spiral, that shit.”

“I can help, but why not just practice with your partner? Hm? I’ve seen the videos, Bakubro, you two were really good. You used to tear up the ice,” she needled, and Kirishima shot her a reproachful glance.

He sighed and smiled at Katsuki. “Listen, man, I don’t want to like pry or anything, but I think you should just practice with him too. Maybe if you talk?”

“Shut it. None of that is either of your business. Just fucking leave it,” Katsuki snapped.

They shrugged, and let the topic drop even if it wasn’t for good.

…..

Izuku hadn’t been able to pay attention to Aizawa after that, his mind racing in circles to figure out what he could do. He didn’t want to disappoint anyone, and he was sure that no matter who Katsuki practiced with, he’d be able to perform with Izuku when the time came no matter what. It was Izuku himself that he was worried about.

There were a lot of things he could practice alone. Foot work and jumps synced to the milli-second with whatever track Aizawa chose for them. His costume and hair. Hand placement. Endurance. There were also a lot of things that he couldn’t do by himself that were, in retrospect, the most important aspects of their performance.

Those included, but were not limited to, lifts and throws. To put it simply, he couldn’t perform any of the tricks alone.

Pair skating required an astounding amount of trust and understanding between partners, just like anything else where two people were working together. The only person he truly and completely trusted on the ice anymore was himself. That was no one’s issue, but his own. Now, he didn’t have a choice. While he knew he could trust Katsuki and his caliber, was sure that Katsuki would never drop or fail to catch him, he didn’t know if he could let himself be that vulnerable again. He didn’t want to disappoint Katsuki when he couldn’t bring himself to do a trick, and he didn’t know if Katsuki could understand why he couldn’t.

They hadn’t been able to understand each other for a long time.

Aizawa had made a terrible mistake.

With each beat of Izuku’s heart, phantom pain flared from his hip to his ankle, from elbow to wrist. It had been eight years since he got hurt, but the fear that it might happen again followed him every time he stepped out onto the ice.

“Midoriya.” Todoroki snapped Izuku out of his own thoughts with a hand on his shoulder, and he glanced up to find the others dispersing. Most pushed back out onto the ice, some sat down to put their heads together, others stuck around to ask Aizawa questions. His friends were still standing close though; Iida, Uraraka, Asui, and Tokoyami. “Most of my pair work has been as lead, so I can help you practice until Bakugou pulls his head out of his ass.”

Izuku wanted to protest, to say that it wasn’t all Katsuki’s fault, but he couldn’t find the words. Couldn’t make his lips move to form the ones he did have.

“Is that really wise?” Iida asked seriously as he leaned down to remove his guards and step out onto the ice. He remained at the wall, face tense. “Pair skating is already difficult enough, but practicing without your intended partner…”

“I have to wonder the same thing,” Tokoyami sighed, glancing over his shoulder towards where Katsuki was briskly correcting Kirishima’s clumsy pick placement, “Wouldn’t that cause more problems than it solves?”

Asui placed a considering finger against her lips. “It seems odd that he’s so against it too. I know he’s smarter than he’s acting right now, so I’m surprised he’d take the risk.”

“Not only that, but you’ll have to practice too, Todoroki! Wouldn’t it just be better to practice with him from the beginning?” Uraraka asked earnestly, “Why is he so against it anyway? I know you two haven’t gotten along in a long time, but this seems excessive. Coach Aizawa isn’t asking you to be friends, he’s just asking you to skate. I thought Bakugou knew how to compartmentalize better than this.”

‘ Then you don’t know, Kacchan .’ Izuku didn’t say that out loud, even if he wanted to. He sighed, rubbing at the back of his neck. After a moment, he smiled. “Kacchan isn’t the only one with reservations. It’s just… there’s a lot that we haven’t worked through.” Read: that he hasn’t worked through. Nothing that happened when they were younger was Katsuki’s fault, at least Izuku didn’t see it that way.

His friends rolled their eyes. “You don’t have to make excuses for him,” Todoroki said, leaning forward to check his laces before standing.

Except that he wasn’t. His friends and teammates knew that Izuku and Katsuki had both skated pairs for most of their childhood and knew each other through their mothers. What no one knew was that Katsuki had been his partner most of that time. His friends didn’t know everything that they went through after they presented. They didn’t know why they had decided to go singles after skating pairs for so long. They didn’t know exactly how Izuku had gotten hurt. Maybe one day he’d be able to tell them, but every time he remembered that he spent an entire year thinking he’d never skate again, it just made his breath grow short and his heart beat fast.

They didn’t even know that Toshinori and Aizawa were the only reason he was still skating now.

Swallowing thickly, Izuku forced a smile as he allowed Todoroki to help him to his feet. “I’m not.”

#my hero academia #mha #bakudeku #dekubaku #decchan #bakugou katsuki #midoriya izuku #omegaverse #a/b/o dynamics #alpha!katsuki #omega!izuku #figure skater au #no quirks au #my writing #sharpen your blades

[atiny-dazzlinglight]

Sweet Tooth

Pairing: Seonghwa x Wooyoung 

Genre: Smut, Modern day Au

Rating: M

Word count:12.3k 

Warnings: There is some heavy smut at the end with toys involved as well as choking and face fucking at one point so please be advised for that. There’s also small parts of alcohol consumption too

Notes: This is kind of a slow burn because everything happens at the end but please enjoy.

Summary: Wooyoung wasn’t planning to lock eyes with him that night. He was honestly just trying to enjoy the night with his friends when he glanced over to find this raven haired man, staring at him. He wasn’t planning on speaking to him, let alone have a drink with him, but he especially wasn’t planning to accept his offer when he asked for him to be his sugar baby. 

Wooyoung was happy to be out again. 

With a busy schedule that always seemed to clash and fight with that of his friends, it was a miracle for you all to have a day off and on a weekend at that. It was refreshing to have everyone together, laughing and enjoying good food as he sat there, laughing and leaning into his good friend and housemate San.

He knew that the five of them together can cause a ruckus and cause a few head turns with irritated stares, but he could care less. He was just having a good night with his boys.

“ Does anyone have any plans for tomorrow? Everyone is free from work right?” San asked after the laughter died down. With a collective no, he continued, “ Let’s go to that new nightclub called ‘Treasure’. I heard that it’s really fun.” With a wiggle of his brows he waited for everyone’s responses.

“ Well, it sounds like a good idea to me.” The tall brunette named Yunho states, “ It sounds like it would be good.” 

“ I’m fine with going as long as Mingi doesn’t drink because then I’ll get stuck bringing him home.” Yeosang mumbled with his lips on his glass of water, eyeing his tall peachy haired friend. 

“ That was one time!” Mingi argued with him as Yeosang stared at him from behind his glass.

“ It happened three times but you only remember the one time because that was the only time you weren't blackout drunk and woke up like you were in a different dimension before running to my bathroom to puke.”  

“ Alright alright, no drinking for Mingi, we don’t want to stress out Yeosang-hyung, but can we all go.” San chuckles as he looks towards Wooyoung.

“ Like I would say no to a good time.” He smiled and they continued on with the rest of their dinner before paying and leaving, heading to the club.

~

San was right when he said the night club was popular. 

They had barely made it inside before the bouncer told the other patrons behind them that it was at max capacity. 

Managing to make their way to the bar, Woo ordered himself a drink as he chatted with Yunho beside him. San dragged Mingi towards the dance floor, Mingi instinctively pulling Yeosang as well when he was going to order a drink for himself. Wooyoung planned on following suit shortly after he finishes his drinks for the night.  

While having a conversation with Yunho, the tall man turned his head to order himself a drink, Wooyoung looked around the club and ended up locking eyes with a man seated by the wall.

He was sitting in one of those booths with a friend he assumed as his eyes gazed at him from his seat. Raven hair covering his forehead while he was dressed in a white button up with sleeves pulled up to his elbows, seemingly charcoal slacks with the matching jacket discarded in the booth. 

Wooyoung turned his head before focusing back on his hyung, noticing that he was staring too long at the stranger. Trying to continue his conversation with Yunho, he still felt a pair of eyes on him that nearly made him shiver. He felt the eyes trail from the side of his face, down to his neck. Slowly he drifted to the expansion of his chest and it felt like he skipped down to his thighs and stayed there for a bit. 

“ I’m gonna go dance with San. Are you okay if I leave you here?” Wooyoung asked Yunho, trying to hide the antsiness in his voice to leave this spot.

“ Yeah that’s fine. I’ll join you guys after I finish this drink okay?” He gave a warm smile that Woo returned before quickly heading towards his friends, easily spotting them due to Mingi’s fluffy peachy colored hair.

“ San help!” He slightly yelled to gain his friends attention who was enjoying the music. He turned around, looking slightly irritated at first from being pulled from the music when he noticed the look on his face.

“ What’s the matter? What happened?”

“ This guy has been staring at me from the bar and I don’t know what to do.” Wooyoung said, noticing how Yeosang moved closer to listen as well.

“ Well is he cute?” San said first, earning a smack on the arm from Yeosang.

“ He’s worried about this creep checking him out and that’s the first thing you ask?” Yeosang scolded.

“ If he knew what his face looked like, he wouldn’t worry as much as he is now.” San states in a matter of fact tone as he turns his attention back to Wooyoung. “ Where is he sitting?” 

“ To your left in the small booth. He has on a white button up and charcoal slacks with raven hair.” Wooyoung told him as San sneakily looked through the crowd in that direction. When he locked his eyes on the one who’s been eyeing his friend, they grew in size.

“ What? Is he creepy and gross?” Yeosang asked as he tried to look over San’s shoulder. 

“ Woo, that man is gorgeous. Please get his number or something.” San said, tearing his eyes away before he gets caught. 

Woo would never question San’s judgement on looks as he rarely was wrong when pointing out beautiful men for him. 

Yeosang looked as well, rolling his eyes, “ He looks like a real life angry bird, but I can see Wooyoung talking to him.” 

“ How does he look like an angry bird?! That was uncalled for hyung.” San points out and Yeosang just shrugs his shoulders as he draws his attention back to see Mingi taking a shot or two from a girl who had a bottle, rushing over to stop him. “ I told you not to drink tonight!” 

“ Anyway…” San drew his attention back to him, “ I say go talk to him and I’ll keep an eye on you. You know I wouldn’t let nothing happen to you. Find either me or Yunho-hyung if something goes left or uncomfortable for you.” Giving Wooyoung a reassuring squeeze on his shoulder, he turned him around and gave him a gentle push in that direction.

This isn’t the first time San and Wooyoung have nudged each other to talk to someone in a club and watch from afar, but this time it felt different. Usually it was always the jock looking dudes and gym enthusiast but not someone as sophisticated as the man he was approaching looked.

The closer he got, he noticed that he was still sitting with a friend that was adorned with white hair; the complete opposite of the other. 

Slowly making his approach, it was his friend who noticed him as he was glancing at the dance floor when Wooyoung finally broke through the crowd. He looked up at him with a smile, sitting his glass down.

“ Well what do we have here?” His voice was playful as he rested his chin in his hand, “ I wasn’t expecting such a pretty face to walk over here.” 

The comment made the raven haired man turn to his right to gaze at Wooyoung, a small smirk on his lips. 

San was right. This man was gorgeous. 

A beautiful pair of eyes that looked up at him, a nicely sculpted nose to fit his gorgeous face and perfect lips that looked quite soft from his view. He’s lips looked a bit pink. Maybe it’s from a lip tint, but Wooyoung could care less. They just looked kissable. 

“ I’m quite shocked that you came over here. I thought I scared you off at the bar.” The man spoke, his voice sounding sultry to his ears. 

“ Well I couldn’t get a look at your face from the bar. You could have been some ugly creep.” Wooyoung crossed his arms .

“ Now that you're here, do I look like an ugly creep?” He chuckled, drinking from his glass again.

Hell no.

“ If you were, then I wouldn’t be standing in front of this table right now.” Wooyoung shifted to one leg, involuntarily poking his hip out.

He let out a laugh, “ What a bold thing to say to someone you just met.” 

“ Well I can only act in such a way when you introduce yourself by staring at me from across the room.” Wooyoung retorted and he watched the man’s smile grow.

“ Well, how about starting over and getting to know me better.” He slides deeper into the booth, offering a seat to Wooyoung; his hand patting the upholster of the booth chair. “ Let me introduce myself properly to you.”

Hesitantly, Wooyoung sat down as he paid close attention to the raven haired man's features.

“ Well, let me introduce myself.” He extends his hand out for Wooyoung to shake, the boy noticing the expensive looking watch adorning his wrist, “ My name is Seonghwa and who do I have the pleasure of meeting?”

Wooyoung took his hand and gave it a firm shake with a smile, “ My name is Wooyoung. It’s nice to meet you.”

~

Wooyoung has been sitting in the booth with Seonghwa for about twenty minutes now and it has been nothing more than pleasant. 

Completely different from the typical guys that would entertain him during nights like these. There was no lustful groping on his thighs and ass. No pulling him into their lap for a make out session that would bring in unwanted eyes. Especially, no whispers of tempting offers to have a quick fuck in the club’s bathrooms. He got kicked out of one bar because of that last time. He was too loud.

But no. Seonghwa simply offered him drinks, everything on his open tab and continued to talk to him. He rarely touched him and gave Wooyoung his space to not make him feel uncomfortable. 

To be honest, Wooyoung didn’t plan on staying there for long. He was going to speak to him, give him his number and party with his friends. That’s what he originally came here to do. 

But here he was, drinking champagne and just giggling away to whatever the conversation was about. 

He quickly learned that Seonghwa was working in this corner office for a well known company that he earned the rights to have simply by his father running the place. He’s been involved in every legal matter since he was 16 and here he was now as the youngest rising CEO in Seoul and such a person took an interest in him.

Wooyoung would be lying if he said that it didn’t inflate his ego a bit to know that he can pull someone as high end as him. 

“ I’m really enjoying myself the more I talk to you.” Seonghwa admits, turning his head to offer a sweet smile that could have stopped people’s hearts. “ If you don’t mind me asking, could I get your number? I would love to get to know you more. Maybe over some dinner?” 

Seonghwa has this hopeful look in his eyes, praying that this wouldn’t be the last time that he sees his sweet face. 

With a smile, Wooyoung extends his hand out to him, “ Are you gonna let me type my number inor no?”

With a laugh,  Seonghwa gave Wooyoung his phone, watching him swiftly place his name and number in his contacts, pressing the save button. “ And there you go.” Wooyoung smiled before he heard a rush of footsteps from behind him.

“ Sorry to interrupt.” The voice said to Seonghwa, tapping Wooyoung’s shoulder, making said boy turn around.

“ San what’s the matter?” 

“ We have to leave.” San kept looking behind his shoulder and back to him.

“ What happened?” Wooyoung grew concerned as he faced him.

“ So Mingi got drunk and some weirdo tried to sneak him away when Yeosang wasn’t looking and long story short we have to leave cause Yunho-hyung is pissed and ready to fight.” San rapidly explained, making Wooyoung eyes grow wide as he processed the information he was told.

A pissed off Yunho was never good. It rarely happens but once he gets there, all hell breaks loose.

Wooyoung swiftly turned to Seonghwa who had a concerned look on his face as well. “ I’m sorry but I have to go. Just text my phone later okay.” 

“ Sure I can do that.” Seonghwa said before you could hear Yunho’s voice from across the room. 

“ He told you no and you're still trying to touch him?!”

Without a second thought, Wooyoung and San sprinted away from the table, pushing past the crowd of people just in enough time to push Yunho back and exit him out the club with Yeosang and Mingi behind them. 

It wasn’t the best way to end the night, but it could have gone worse. 

San ended up driving instead of Yunho, him being the least intoxicated and Yunho being too pissed off to really do anything. He was slowly softening and calming down when Mingi kept cuddling him and apologizing for the trouble he caused to ruin their night out. Yunho gave a deep sigh and just rubbed the man's back as he told him it was fine and wasn’t his fault. 

The car ride was silent and it only left Wooyoung with the casual conversation that he had with Seonghwa. It was a completely different interaction than what he had dealt with before and it truly intrigued him. Wooyoung was never someone to be hooked and become attached to someone that he just met, but he felt like he was damn near close.

When San pulled up to his and Woo’s shared home, he offered the boys to crash here so they don’t have to drive home. But Yunho declined since he indeed only had one glass of alcohol and his anger was the only thing preventing him from driving, so he drove the others back home as San and him walked inside. San quickly retired for the night as Wooyoung went to his own room. By the time he showered and made it back to his bed with a change of clothes, he saw a notification on his phone .

Unknown Number [ 2:37am]: This is Seonghwa. I hope everything went okay with your friends.

Wooyoung laid on his back as he saved his number before replying back to him

Wooyoung [2:39am]: Thankfully, it went well. No fights happened and everyone’s okay. Thanks for asking.

Wooyoung [2:40am]: I’m surprised that you texted me tonight lol.

Wooyoung would be lying to himself once more if he said that he didn’t want to stop talking to him at the bar, especially since he didn’t plan to leave so early.

Seonghwa [2:42am]: Well I would rather call you, but texting is more than enough.

Wooyoung bit his lip as he thought about the chance to be on the phone with him, just to hear his voice again. 

Wooyoung [2:45am]: I don’t mind being on the phone with you.

Wooyoung [2:46am]: You can call me if you want to…

There was this quietness in his room. No other notifications coming through his phone and San has already gone to sleep from dancing the night away. For the first time in a while, Wooyoung felt anxious. It wasn’t until he watched Seonghwa’s name pop up on his screen for a phone call. Without missing a beat, Woo answered.

“ Hello?” Wooyoung spoke through his phone and he heard a light hearted laugh.

“ I’m actually happy to hear your voice.” Seonghwa admitted before speaking again, “ What were you doing before I called?”

“ I was just laying in bed. I honestly didn’t want to leave the club so early.” Wooyoung rolled onto his stomach, feet dangling off the edge.

“ Oh is that right? Can I assume that you wanted to stay there because of me?” Woo could practically hear the playfulness etched into his voice.

“ You can assume correctly.” 

Wooyoung doesn’t even know why he’s flirting like this. This level of flirting sounds much more mature than what he was used to and yes, he knows he sounds like a broken record, but can you really blame him? When you have someone as cool and collected to flirt with you, would you really go and act a fool?

Seonghwa laughed through the phone, “ If I had the chance to, I would have loved to take you home with me.”

“ That’s really bold of you. Who says that I would have gone home with you?”

“ You’re telling me that you wouldn’t if I offered you?” 

He doesn’t know why he was lying to himself because he knew very well that he would have gone home with him if that argument over Mingi wouldn’t have happened. Who knows what would have went down if he went, but he does know that he at least wanted a kiss out of him.

“ Who knows.” Wooyoung laughed into the phone, it sounded like music to Seonghwa’s ears as he was resting in his own bed, the tv on as some sort of background noise.

“ I know that this may also sound bold of me to say, but do you know when I’ll be able to see you again?” Seonghwa bit his lip slightly, hoping he wouldn’t have to wait too long to see him once more.

“ Well I work during the week and I’m assuming that you do as well. I’m free for the rest of this weekend if that’s okay with you.” Wooyoung spoke softly, despite being just as eager to see him as well.

“ Well are you free later this evening since it is Saturday now. I have something to handle in the morning, but then I’m free for the rest of the day. We can meet at a cafe if you're comfortable with that.” Seonghwa suggested.

A bubbly smile graced Wooyoung’s features; a smile Seonghwa would have loved to see, “ Give me a time and place and I’ll see you then.”

~

San was just as eager as Wooyoung once he told his friend about the little meeting that he planned with Seonghwa during the night. Making sure that he was dressed cute enough before sending him off and wishing him the best of luck with a wide grin, sneaking a few snarky words to mess with him.

Wooyoung just rolled his eyes as he bid farewell and left their shared home to catch the bus to the cafe that was suggested. The bus was right there when he got to the spot and he paid his fare before sitting in the front. He pulled out his phone and told Seonghwa that he was on his way. The ride was about fifteen to twenty minutes long and he spent that time just scrolling aimlessly through social media. 

Wooyoung felt himself getting a bit anxious as he grew closer to the location. He won’t be seeing this man in a club setting. It’s more like a date now that he thinks about, even though he tried very hard to not think about it like that. He tried to convince himself that it’s like a get together with a friend.

A friend that he would like to kiss…

A friend that he would like to touch sensually…

A friend that he would like to fu-

Wooyoung pulled the stop request button and nearly darted off the bus, leaving those raunchy thoughts behind him. 

“ I need to stop these thoughts. It feels like I’m going through puberty all over again.” Wooyoung sighed to himself as he started walking down the block to the cafe. 

The day was still warm and it was a gentle breeze that caressed his body, sending a slight shiver even though he was wearing a long sleeve shirt. He just enjoyed the little noises from the cars driving by and the other people walking beside and having their own private conversations. After glancing down to check the directions, Woo stopped in front of a shop with a cute coffee cup on the window. He double checked the address before stepping inside, looking around until his eyes fell on a man sitting at a table in the corner. Waltzing over before standing in front of the table, the well dressed man looked up with a smile.

“ Will you have a seat?” Seonghwa's voice was gentle as he motioned towards the chair. Wooyoung took the offer and sat down. “ What would you like to drink?”

He passed Wooyoung a menu, fingers involuntarily touching him as he passed it to him. Woo tried not to jump from the contact as his eyes glanced through the menu. Wooyoung was completely unaware of the gaze that Seonghwa had given him, most of it was sweet but there was an underlying emotion that no one could even see or detect.

“ I’ll take an Iced Green Tea.” Wooyoung passed the menu back, “ Do you know what you want?”

“ I picked what I wanted before I gave the menu to you. Do you want to share a tart with me?” Seonghwa offered as he stood up to go and order something at the counter.

“ Sure I don’t mind.” Woo smiled and Seonghwa happily returned it with one of his own as he walked away to the counter, leaving Wooyoung with nothing but his thoughts.

His mind is really starting to see this as a date and in reality, it was. But did Wooyoung want to accept that? Not really.

He doesn't know why he’s denying it when it’s so blatantly in front of him. Maybe it’s because Wooyoung isn’t used to such sweet behaviour, especially from someone who wasn’t his boyfriend. As much as Woo enjoyed coming to different cafes that he casually goes to with his friends and friendly coworkers, it was never with any type of significant others or crushes and whatnots.

Seonghwa came back to the table with a tray in hand, gently resting it on the table. He placed his drink on the table in front of him, Wooyoung saying a thanks as he brought it to his lips, Seonghwa watching him all the same.

The edge of the cup went between his lips, sipping the drink and he hummed, “ This is good!” A smile broke through his features as it secretly made Seonghwa's heart swell.

Seonghwa lifted his cup and sipped his americano; a smile hidden behind the cup. Wooyoung’s reaction was childlike without meaning too but Seonghwa wasn’t bothered by it.

“ I’m glad you like it. I usually come here when I have some free time in my schedule.” Seonghwa sat the cup back down as Wooyouung drank from his cup a bit more before placing it back down on the table. 

“ It’s a cozy little spot. I like it.” Wooyoung folded his arms and propped himself on the table, giving him a smile that Seonghwa deemed infectious because he found himself smiling too.

“ I’m glad that you do, but I’m more thrilled that I’m meeting you again.” Seonghwa leaned forward on the table as well. “ I thought you would have ignored me and found someone more interesting.”

“ You were the only guy that I talked to last night.” Wooyoung started off, “ I didn’t even get a chance to dance with anyone.” Wooyoung stared at him and Seonghwa let out a laugh.

“ So you were so focused on me that you didn’t pay attention to any of those other people that were staring at you?” 

“ What are you talking about?” Woo gave a confused look as Seonghwa continued.

“ You know I saw you walk into the crowd of people, assumingly to your friends, right? As you walked away from that tall friend of yours, you had about five other pairs of eyes on you.” Seonghwa explained as he took a fork and broke a piece from the tart he ordered. “ You were quite popular.” 

Wooyoung didn’t even notice the other people on him last night. Usually he does pay attention to that but Seonghwa clearly overran his consciousness. “ I didn’t even notice them, but you're not helping yourself cause you're making yourself sound like a creep again.” Woo joked as he took another sip from his tea. 

“ Not really. I lost you in the crowd and focused back on my friend. I would have never guessed that you would have walked over to me yourself. If you would have stayed at the bar, I was going to walk over to you.” Seonghwa explained as he still had the piece of tart on his fork, eyeing the fruit on top before placing it in his mouth. 

“ I have no problem approaching men.” Wooyoung shrugged as he picked up the other fork Seonghwa had gotten for him, taking a piece of the tart as well, “ But I stayed because you interested me and you were attractive like I said before.” 

Wooyoung has no problem admitting that he was attracted to the young CEO; he just couldn’t admit to himself how much he really wanted to fuck the fine man.

“ So I was so good looking to you that you completely ignored everyone else around you?” His tone was mocking as he sipped his americano once more, taking in large gulps this time around.

“ Don’t flatter yourself sir.” Wooyoung joked as he pointed with the fork at him before stuffing the piece of tart in his mouth, quietly moaning at the taste.

“ I would prefer Mr. Park.”

“ That sounds like a kink now doesn’t it?” Wooyoung laughed as he was going for another bite of the delicious dessert.

“ And so what if it is?” 

Wooyoung nearly choked on his spit and dropped the sweet on the table. He looked back up to see a dastardly smirk on his features and man did the room get a bit hot for Jung Wooyoung. His pants feel a little tight too.

“ Let me stop joking around with you and get a little serious. There’s another reason for why I wanted to meet up with you so badly.” Seonghwa says, his voice was even and he seemed serious about what he wanted to discuss from what Wooyoung observed. “ But maybe not here. Somewhere a bit more private?”

Seonghwa looked up at him, waiting for any type of response.

Wooyoung didn’t know where this was going, but if it would give him a chance to spend more time with Seonghwa, then he’ll go. “ Where do you have in mind?”

“ Well my car is still parked in a garage that’s two blocks away. We can go somewhere else and talk and afterwards I’ll drive you home.” Seonghwa offered, eating more of the tart after Wooyoung agreed to his idea. They sat in comfortable silence as they finished their drinks and left the cozy cafe.

~

They were supposed to simply get in Seonghwa’s car, drive to a park not too far from here, talk and then get dropped off at home to take a bath and sleep.

What ended up happening? Wooyoung can barely remember how he ended up in the backseat of Seonghwa’s Mercedes Benz, straddling the man's lap with his tongue down his throat. Seonghwa’s hands grabbing at his ass, roughly grinding him down on his growing erection.

Wooyoung would have been a bit self conscious about doing anything like this in a public space, especially when he was 100% sober, but with all of the windows being tinted, that tiny issue flew out his mind. 

Seonghwa broke their kiss and went straight to his neck, pressing hungry kisses to the column of his throat. Wooyoung would moan whenever he nipped at his neck; tempting Seonghwa to place a couple love bites in his trail. Seonghwa pulled away from him, causing the younger to whine.

“ Why did you stop?” Wooyoung pouted and if Seonghwa didn’t have any self control, then he would have been pressed against the seats, yanking his pants down.

“ Let me ask you what I wanted to ask before anything else happens.” Seonghwa caught his breath as he was still hungry from the kisses Woo gave him.

Wooyoung nodded to show that he was listening before Seonghwa started to speak, “ I was out that night looking for someone to spoil. Someone to have around once in a while and just have fun. I want to forget all types of stress that I might have at that office and release it in the best of ways. So when I saw you, I couldn’t picture anyone else that I would have wanted for this.” Seonghwa started to pepper a few more kisses on Wooyoung’s neck as he spoke.

“ What are you asking me exactly?” Wooyoung looked deep into his eyes and watched his lips produce words.

“ Would you mind being my sugar baby?” 

Wooyoung has never been offered something like this before. 

Well that’s not true. 

He had maybe a handful of older men who would ask him once in a while and he would decline, never seeping that low to get with someone old and unattractive for cash. Oh but this time it was different. He had a young, rich CEO with extraordinary looks asking him if he could spoil him. 

Why the hell would he say no?

So Wooyoung responded with another deep kiss, mumbling a quick ‘ yes’ before their lips sealed one another’s. Seonghwa didn’t question it any more as he pulled the boy closer to his body, almost trying to fuse the two of them together.

Seonghwa’s fingers slipped under his shirt, the pads of his fingers rubbing against his sides, drawing a few giggles in between their kisses until it was replaced with a moan as he reached a nipple. 

Seonghwa slowly pushed him onto the back seat, pulling his shirt all the way up to expose tanned skinned and perked nipples. Leaning his head down to immediately latch onto a nipple and a pinch to the other, having Wooyoung’s back arching up to his mouth.

Wooyoung didn’t understand why his body felt so on fire whenever he touched him. Every move he made had sent shocks up his body that just made him react in the most delicious ways.

Seonghwa’s mouth had made its way back up to his mouth and hungrily kissed the boy back as he tugged at his pants. He unzipped Wooyoung’s pants, sliding them down with the help of Woo lifting up his ass.

Seonghwa spit on his hand as he lazily stroked his dick up and down, flicking his wrist occasionally to gain a reaction out of him. Tiny moans and groans would leave his throat as Woo tried hard for once to stay quiet. Even though the windows were tinted so they couldn’t be seen, anyone that just happens to walk by can hear them.

“ Don’t stay quiet.” Seonghwa whispered into his ear, nipping the cartilage between his teeth, “ I wanna hear how good I make you feel.” Seonghwa moved his hand faster, the change of pace causing Wooyoung’s breath to hitch and he stopped biting his lip that kept him from moaning too loud. 

Wooyoung tried so hard not to buck into his hand as Seonghwa worked him better than he can work himself. His moans started to grow louder, he felt the knot in his stomach tighten and his thighs slowly start to quake and Seonghwa loved every minute of it. 

There was nothing more that Seonghwa loved than a responsive and vocal lover. He wanted to hear every little sound you make as he makes your body unbearable with pleasure. Watching Wooyoung slowly become undone as he simply pleased him with his hand and his hand alone, fueled Seonghwa’s ego as he sped up to hear a beautiful moan leave his throat. 

“ I’m...clos-AH!” Woo tried to speak but couldn’t as Seonghwa rolled his palm over his sensitive tip and nearly took any form of speaking from him. 

“ What was that baby boy?” Seonghwa teased, a smirk evident on his features, “ You have to speak up.”

Now Wooyoung has been nicknamed a lot of things but baby boy has never been one of them surprisingly. He doesn’t know why it sounds so good to hear it from him, but his body clearly knew more than him as precum leaked from his aching tip. 

“ I’m close...mhm! Gonna cum…” The whine left Wooyoung’s throat as Seonghwa leaned back down to nip at his neck, leaving a few marks in their wake. His hand moved faster and it only made Woo moan louder, no longer caring about keeping his voice down. 

Wooyoung’s words turned into complete gibberish as he tried to warn Seonghwa before his hips stills, spurts of cum shooting from the tip that Seonghwa managed to contain with his hand with some dripping onto the younger’s stomach.

Wooyoung pants as he tries to bring himself back down. Seonghwa kept his hand around his soft dick as he reached with his other hand to grab a wipe, cleaning both his hand and Wooyoung. 

Once he was finished, he opened the car door, peeking first to see if anyone was around before quickly throwing the tissue away. 

You thought he was just gonna dumb it in his car or throw it out the window? What kind of man do you think he is?

He came back inside, Wooyoung coming back to his senses more as he adjusted himself to sit up. 

“ Are you okay? I didn’t do too much, did I?” Seonghwa cupped his face, eyes glancing down at the red marks that blossomed on his neck.

“  I’m good, great even.” Wooyoung said, his fingers going through his hair as he glanced back at him.

“ Well, if you don’t mind, can we talk more about this situation that we’ll be having between us? I want you to be 100% sure that you want this.” Seonghwa adjusted himself and Wooyoung felt the need to do the same as well.

Wooyoung gave a warm smile before speaking, “ I’m all ears.”

~

“I’m sorry. Your a what now?” San was staring with a disbelief expression as he leaned on the island counter, staring at his friend’s back.

“ I’m a sugar baby now. I said it clearly the first time.” Wooyoung huffed as he washed the dishes from their dinner.

“ You're not joking with me are you?” Woo turned around to see him with a skeptical look on his face and he couldn’t blame him. It happened out of thin air.

“ No, I'm not joking and I wasn’t expecting this either. He asked me when I was making out with him on his lap.” Wooyoung went back to rinsing the dishes as he talked, “ We talked more about it afterwards.”

“ And here I thought I would have a sugar daddy before you.” San laughed as Wooyoung dried off his hands after placing the clean dishes in the rack. “ So how is this supposed to work out for you guys?”

“ Essentially I’m a little stress reliever for him. I come when I’m called and he pays me for my time. That and I’m told that I can get an allowance on top of that.” Wooyoung shrugged as he got a bottle of water from the fridge before sitting across from San.

“ That sounds like a sweet deal for you Woo. Maybe I should get one too. Does he have any cute friends?” San leaned on his arms more to get closer to Wooyoung’s face.

“ He did have a friend at the table that night. He was cute and he might be shorter than me though.” Wooyoung explained, giving a laugh as San mentally debated with himself if he should.

“ I can’t be picky if they plan to give me money. Get his number for me if you can.” San pinched Wooyoung’s face before he slapped it away.

“ You don’t even know if his friend is similar and wants a sugar baby.” Wooyoung rebuked, clearly amused at his best friend. 

“ Well can you at least try,but you don’t have to do it now.” San tried and gave his best puppy dog eyes and it made Woo gag. 

“ Fine I’ll try it, but can you help me find an outfit for this date we plan on having Tuesday night?” Wooyoung grinned as San agreed to help him out.

It didn’t take long for San to find something for him, even though he could have done it the day of. But Wooyoung knew better. He had to come straight home from work, change and immediately leave back out to make it to the dinner reservations that Seonghwa had made for them. He believed it was better to have it all out now than try to wake San up in the morning or leave him completely in control of his wardrobe when he wakes up since San was off that day.

Seonghwa still texted him when he had time, when he was bored with work related things and wanted him to ‘spice his life up’ as he says. He even called him last night and they would flirt back and forth. It honestly didn’t feel like a sugar daddy and sugar baby relationship until Seonghwa sent him a little bit of money through the apple pay from his iphone in order to reward him for what happened in his car.

It felt weird at first to receive the money but he agreed to this and just tried to think of him just being spoiled by a man who he finds himself completely enthralled by.

Wooyoung would usually talk to a few different people at once, enjoying all of the attention that he receives, but with Seonghwa he finds that he has more than enough and doesn't need any others.

When Monday rolled around though, their texting had cut down immediately since Seonghwa had a business to run and Wooyoung had a manager that was always on someone’s ass when they slack off for even a millisecond.

Wooyoung had a fifteen minute break that he decided to take because his legs were falling asleep at his desk. So he walked into the floor’s bathroom, checking up on his hair and the small amount of makeup he added to his face that day. Simple and natural as anything really bold would be a violation, but they never cared about his changing hair colors. His manager loved the purple he had before.

While checking himself out, he checked his phone and noticed a text from Seonghwa two minutes ago. Woo’s phone was on silent, so he never heard it. Unlocking his phone, he quickly looked at the text.

Seonghwa🍬 [ 2:15pm ] : Are you on break? 

Wooyoung [ 2:17pm ] :Yeah I’m on break. Is there something you need?

Seonghwa 🍬 [ 2:18pm ] : Everyone is acting unreasonable and stupid today. 🤦🏻 

Seonghwa 🍬 [ 2:18pm ] : I was hoping that you can find a way to make it better for me.

Wooyoung stares at the phone, trying to figure out what Seonghwa was asking from him. 

Wooyoung [ 2:19pm ] : What exactly do you want me to do?...👀

Seonghwa 🍬 [ 2:19pm ] : Well it’s up to you, but if you could send me a picture?...

Seonghwa   [ 2:19pm ] : For what type of picture depends on how comfortable you are with doing so, since you’re at work.

This man was really asking for a nude in the middle of a work day. It was honestly ridiculous that he asked that and should just send him a cute selca.

But his cock shouldn’t have throbbed at the idea of sending him an inappropriate picture, while on the clock.

Wooyoung felt his legs aimlessly go into the bigger stall, arms reaching up to lock the door. This stall had a mirror as well as it’s very own sink. Woo sat his phone down as he carefully took off his suit jacket and unbuttoned his dress shirt without causing any wrinkles to form. Once his shirt was open he undid his pants just a bit to show off the top of his boxers. Wooyoung shimmed his shirt a bit off his shoulder, showing off the hickies that were adorning his neck from the last time they saw each other. 

Wooyoung picked up his phone,aiming the camera at the mirror as he bit his lip gently and using his other to rest on his toned stomach before snapping a picture. 

Wooyoung [ 2:23pm ] : Picture sent 

Wooyoung [ 2:23pm ] : I hope this is acceptable enough for you Mr. Park 😉

Wooyoung places his phone back down, a giggle leaving his lips as he quickly dressed himself before listening to see if anyone else was in the stalls. Once he heard nothing, he left and exited into the halls as his break was nearly up. 

With his phone in his pocket and it being back on silent, he didn’t know that Seonghwa had responded back to him after he had a client leave his office. He didn’t know how hot and bothered the following text got him just because he called him Mr. Park. Woo didn’t know how badly Seonghwa was ready to turn him back into a whining mess when he saw him again.

If he would have known, he would have sent a cute selca instead.

~

Wooyoung was rushing and anxious that Tuesday evening. 

His boss asked him to stay later due to someone else’s work, being incompetent to get it done in enough time, yet they allowed them to leave and give it to him. Having no room to argue, Wooyoung worked fast and tried to file everything as the speed of light while sneaking a text to Seonghwa that he might be running late. With the other few people who were stuck late doing some work, they were all impressed with the small man’s speed.

Yes it was some paid overtime, but Wooyoung would rather be home getting ready for his date with Seonghwa.

So here he was, leaving his job at 6:00pm instead of 5:00pm, the bus was packed and running slow and it was so humid on the bus the Woo’s hair started to frizz. So by the time he stepped in the house and San went to greet him at the door, he was completely over his evening already.

“ What the hell happened?” San asked as he watched Woo kick off his shoes and rushed past him to get ready.

“ I can’t talk right now. My date is at 7:00pm and it just became 6:45pm. I’m gonna be late.” Woo spoke fast as he entered his room and immediately started stripping, uncaring of San watching him from the doorway.

“ Woo-ya, please call that man and let him know about everything that’s happening. It’s better to keep him informed.” San mentioned as Woo stopped and sighed, grabbing his phone to call Seonghwa. The phone rang twice before he could hear a voice on the other line.

“ Hey baby boy, is everything okay?” Seonghwa asked, checking the time on his watch.

“ Hey, I wanted to call you and tell you that I’m gonna be running really late and I’m sorry.” Wooyoung explained as he tried to throw on the clothes that was left out.

“ It’s okay but you sound a bit stressed out. Do you want to change our date to another time?” Seonghwa asked, the last thing he wants is the boy to stress about meeting him.

“ No I really want to see you.” Wooyoung states

abruptly only to realize what he said. Wooyoung could feel his cheeks flush slightly as he didn’t mean to word it like that, even if it was the truth.

“ And I really want to see you too, but I don’t want you to rush and stress with all this, so I’ll make a suggestion. We can ditch the restaurant, have some ramen and relax at my apartment. How does that sound and you can come dressed in whatever, no stuffy clothes or anything.”

Wooyoung stares at the phone in disbelief as he hears Seonghwa talk. The man didn’t have to do that but he did and Wooyoung can’t help but feel his heart swell a bit at that. 

“ If you're fine with that, then sure we can do it. Should I send you my address again?” 

“ Yes, send it to me again. Is 7:30pm a good enough time to come by and pick you up?” Seonghwa asked him as he called for his waiter to pay for his drinks and leave the restaurant. 

“ Yes, that’s more than enough now. I’ll text you my address and hurry up to change out of my work clothes. I’ll see you later then.” Wooyoung spoke, a giddy smile on his face as Seonghwa said his farewells and hung up. 

Quickly looking for a more cozy outfit, Wooyoung went and pulled out some grey sweats and a white shirt, grabbing the matching grey jacket to go with. He touched up the light makeup he wore today and fixed his hair. 

When San came back to the room, he was confused at the completely different outfit he wore. “ You're going to meet him at a fancy restaurant wearing that? What was the point in me picking out your outfit then?”

“ Change of plans. I’m just gonna chill and relax at his home now and we’ll eat there.” Woo explained, brushing out his brown locks, making sure every little hair was in place.

“ So you're doing house calls already? My my Wooyoung, you move faster than I thought.” San’s cat-like grin appeared on his face; Woo forced himself to not roll his eyes as he glanced at the clock. It was 7:20pm, so Wooyoung packed a small black bag as he headed back downstairs to the living room, San right on his trail.

“ You know there’s a chance you both will fuck right?” San points out as Wooyoung sits down on the couch, his phone in his hand as he scrolls through his Twitter feed.

“ Well I’m in a sexual sugar baby relationship Sanie. I kind of expect that to happen.” 

“ So should I expect you to come home tonight or no?” He plopped down next to him, heading resting on his shoulder, just in time to see Seonghwa text him that he was outside. His head quickly lifting up like a meerkat, he rushed to peek through the blinds to see the expensive car double parked in front of their shared home. 

Grabbing his bag from the floor, Wooyoung placed his shoes and placed his keys in his pockets before opening the door, saying a goodbye to San as he peeked from the doorway to watch him enter the car and offer a smile to Seonghwa. Seonghwa offered on as well before he drove off.

“ I’m assuming that your friend San that you mentioned before?” Seonghwa asked, eyes glued to the road.

“ Yes that’s him. He’s been interested in this situation that we have as well. Even going as far as asking if you had a friend who’s willing to offer him something similar.” Wooyoung giggled and it was honestly music to Seonghwa’s ears. 

“ Well if I have to think about it, then maybe Hongjoong but don’t hold me accountable for that.” Seonghwa states as he stopped at a red light. 

“ Let me know as soon as you do, so he can stop bugging me about it all.” Wooyoung glanced at him

Before stuffing his phone into his bag. “ But besides all of that, how was your day.”

“ Stressful as always. You wouldn’t believe how many idiots I deal with on a daily basis. I feel like they’ll hire anyone as of now.” Seonghwa sighed, rubbing his temple as he could feel a headache coming on just from the thought of it all over again. 

“ You and me both. I had to stay late because someone else couldn't do their job. Yeah it’s overtime but still.” Wooyoung mumbled.

The rest of the car ride was filled with pleasant conversation as Seonghwa drove them around before stopping at a Convenience store to buy some ramen and a few other snacks before getting back in the car and driving a few minutes longer to go park in his apartment building's garage.

With the convenience store bag in his hand, Seonghwa guided Wooyoung to the elevator to take them to the ground floor for them to catch another elevator that would lead to his.

The elevator ride was quiet in the comfortable sense ,even though Woo couldn’t help but shift from foot to foot since he had never been to an expensive home like the one he was about to see.

When the elevator dinged, Seonghwa let him walk out first and guided him down the hall to a room that he promptly typed in a pin before pushing the door open. He stepped back and allowed Wooyoung to walk inside to view this very minimalistic and modern looking home. 

The apartment was quite spacious. The decor had some whites, somes greys and this azure color that just gave a calming vibe throughout the apartment. Topped with decorative plants in almost every corner, it gave Wooyoung an easing vibe as he was guided to an island counter with a marble countertop as he sat the plastic bag on top before grabbing the two bowls of instant ramen.

“ It’s something quite amusing to see someone with such a high-class place sit in the gourmet kitchen to prepare bowls of instant ramen.” Wooyoung jokes, sitting on the stool with his arms propped on the counter. 

“ Ramen is good, so I have some from time to time.” Seonghwa laughs as he quickly prepares said food. “ I may be rich, but I’m never too good to eat some ramen.”

Wooyoung just sat there and admired him from behind, staring at the expansion of his shoulders and back, not caring if he gets caught at all. But Wooyoung found the strength to tear his eyes away just in enough time for Songhwa to bring both of the bowls back over along with two pairs of chopsticks in his hand. Sitting beside him, he placed them both down him and handed him the chopsticks. 

So here was Wooyoung, sitting beside this young and rich CEO, literally slurping up some noodles and having pleasant conversation in between it all. If there was any type of anxiety in Woo’s body, it was completely gone. Wooyoung felt so at ease around this man that he barely knew for a week. As Wooyoung stared at his profile for a minute, still astonished at how he managed to snatch up a man like him, unaware of how obvious he made his staring as Seonghwa took notice and tried to hide his smile.

Finishing the rest of his food, Seonghwa peered over to look at the younger man, who tried to make it seem as if he wasn’t just staring at him. “ If you're finished eating, do you want to sit in the living room and watch something? We both had stressful days, so we can relax some more there.”

“ That’s fine with me.” Wooyoung smiled as Seonghwa cleaned up before they both walked into the spacious living room. They sat down on this charcoal grey sofa as Seonghwa reached for the remote on the table and threw on a random movie that they both agreed on. 

Now Wooyoung wouldn’t be complaining about a simple date like this. It was comfortable. It was cozy. It was sweet and he really had no reason to complain about it, especially after the day he had. But Wooyoung, who was cuddled up under Seonghwa with a blanket draped over them, wanted nothing more than to be straddled up on this man’s lap and have his tongue back in his mouth.

He felt like he should be able to, but for some reason he feels like he would maybe get rejected. I mean, he was paying him to spend time with him, so if he wanted to have anything sexual from him, then it wouldn’t be that hard for him to do it.

Would he really care if he initiated any of it? 

Wooyoung glanced up to see him focused on the movie they chose, then his eyes drifted down to look at his neck. Unintentionally licking his lips, Wooyoung felt the urge to start some trouble. A smirk reached his face as he shifted closer to him, first to press an innocent kiss to Seonghwa’s cheek, making him smile but not tear his eyes from the screen.

Upset for not gaining his full attention, Wooyoung immediately went closer and brought his lips to his neck, placing soft kisses aimlessly. He heard Seonghwa’s breath hitch but he made no effort to stop him. Seonghwa gave this warning grab to his thigh, still not looking down at him, but Woo wasn’t taking no for an answer. 

Woo added a little more heat behind his kisses, letting his tongue swipe out, tempted to add hickies to the man's neck, but he knows better than that. He didn’t want to cause unnecessary attention to the man if he left purple splotches on his neck. 

“ I’m assuming you don’t want to watch the movie?” Seonghwa spoke, his voice was tight as he tried his hardest to actually fight the desire building up inside him.

Woo kissed up his neck until he reached his ear, “ I rather occupy myself with something better, Mr. Park.” 

Wooyoung nipped at his ear with his teeth before he was flipped onto his back, Seonghwa hovering over him with a piercing gaze.

“ I was trying to be nice and just have a relaxing evening before driving you home, but you just can’t sit still and behave can you?” Seonghwa clicked his tongue, only making Wooyoung smile more.

“ I rarely behave, Mr.Park. That’s something you should by now.” Woo sent him a heated gaze and he could see the flip switch on in his head as he was quickly dragged to his feet and pulled down a hall, nothing but giggles to know that his little antics worked.

Seonghwa opened the door and all but tugged the smaller man inside, shutting the door and pressing his back right against it, caving him between his arms. Wasting not even a second, he placed an intense kiss to Wooyoung’s lips, swallowing the moan that left his throat. Placing his leg between his, rubbing against the growing hard on and pinning his hands above his head with one of his. 

Woo’s mind shouldn’t be feeling as foggy as it was with just a kiss, but the power this man had on him was ridiculous. 

When Seonghwa pulled away, Wooyoung tried to chase his mouth, but was abruptly stopped as his other hand came up and wrapped itself around his throat. “ Now now, you have to be patient. You didn’t want to behave, so now you’ll have to wait.” 

Seonghwa released him, but kept his arms above his head as he stared him down. “ Choose a safe word.”

It took a minute for Woo to realize what he said as his mind raced through his vocabulary as he stared back at him. “ How about Sunrise?”

A smile graced his lips as he leaned forward to press a chaste kiss to his lips, “ That sounds perfect.” 

Releasing his hand and pushing him towards the bed, “ Strip.”

He gave no room for a response or argument and it shouldn’t have turned him on as much as it did. So Wooyoung couldn’t help but do as he was told; all underneath his watchful gaze.

His hoodie was on the floor and so was his sweats. The white t-shirt was pulled over his head, fluffing out his brown hair and he slowly slid down his boxers, his eyes matching Seonghwa in a challenge; just to tease him more.

He watched the corner of his lips curl upward, a scoff leaving his throat. “ You still have a defiant look in your eyes.” He reaches forward, grabbing a fist full of Wooyoung’s hair; a whine leaving his throat as he was forced to his knees on the floor.

Seonghwa gave a dry laugh as he used his free hand to undo his belt and quickly pull his pants down, his boxers following suit. “ You love running that mouth of yours, so how about you put it to good use for once hmm?”

He pulled him closer to his cock; the tip pressed against his lips as he watched Wooyoung parted his lips, finally feeling the weight of Seonghwa’s cock in his mouth. 

Woo swore that Seonghwa couldn’t be human. There is no way that his cock should be throbbing and aching with neglect just by having him sitting in his throat, but here he was, happily bobbing his head with a lust filled gaze as he felt the tip reach the back of his throat. 

“ My baby boy looks so pretty like this.” Seonghwa cooed, his nails scraping gently against his scalp as he pushed him down further into his mouth, loving how greedy the boy seemed to look. 

There he goes again with that pet name. Shooting straight down to his groin as he moaned around him, hollowing his cheeks as he swallowed, earning a groan from Seonghwa. 

Wooyoung really didn’t know what came over him. He felt like he shouldn’t tear his eyes away from him as his tongue glided on the underside of his cock, making sure to treat the tip well whenever he came back up his length. He felt like he should completely submit to this man, but the damn brat in himself hasn’t completely vanished yet. 

He looks up at him, that playful glint back in his eyes as he went to graze his teeth gently against the length, causing a hiss and a tightened grip to his scalp.

“ You still want to play around, don’t you baby boy? It’s okay, I’ll fix that.” He playful says before switching to a normal tone. “ Pinch my thigh if it’s too much for you.”

Despite having his mouth full of cock, he gave a smile. The only indication of it to him was the pull to the corners of his mouth. Knowing very well, that it was his way of saying yes, Seonghwa places his other hand on the side of his head, bucking his forward.

Wooyoung barely had a chance to adjust as he gagged a bit, his nose brushing against the well trimmed patch of hair above his member. Held there as Woo was forced to breath out his nose to breath. Pulling out just slightly, just to push himself back inside at a quick pace.

This was bad.

Wooyoung wasn’t trying to get more turned on by this. Shit he didn’t think it was possible but here he was. Cock twitching from having his face fucked by the most handsome man he has ever seen.

When he pulled away, a whine left Wooyoung’s throat, halfway addicted to the taste of Seonghwa on his tongue. “ Get on the bed.” 

Woo rushed on to the soft mattress, the blanket way cooler than his body. He watched him walk towards a dresser, his back facing him as he spoke. “ I’m really glad that we talked about your limits while we were texting and on the phone. I now have a chance to try out some things on you.”

Wooyoung tried to swallow the spit formulating in his sore throat as Seonghwa turned around; handcuffs in his hand, a bottle of lube and a few condoms. But it was the last item that he saw in his hand. A tiny bullet of a vibrator with a remote attached. His belly grew tight as Seonghwa stalked towards the bed.

Standing in front of the smaller man, he instructed him to turn around onto his stomach, hands folded behind his back. Woo heard and felt his arms get trapped behind his back and it only added fuel to the fire in his belly. 

His back arched slightly as he felt the cool touch of the lube as it dropped down from his crack, down until it dripped from his balls. Seonghwa leaned over his body, his mouth feverishly placing kisses on his neck as he lifted his hand; fingers rubbing against Wooyoung’s hole until he could feel his body give way as a finger sinked inside.

“ God your so fucking tight.” Seonghwa hissed, feeling the pull from Wooyoung whenever he retracted his finger, just to sink it back inside. 

Woo continued to spiral down into pleasure as he could feel Seonghwa stretch him open with another finger, scissoring the boy, all while avoiding his prostate. 

Unbeknownst to Woo, he didn’t see Seonghwa reach for the bullet, rubbing any excess lube onto the tiny thing before he reaches back up to slowly push the toy inside him. 

A whine left Woo’s throat as he felt the toy slip inside him, nestled deep as Seonghwa subtracted his finger from his hole. He leaned over and grabbed the attached remote before flicking it on it’s first setting, that made Woo’s body buzz. The bullet was close to his prostate but the vibrations still reached it, causing him to moan.

“ Does that feel good baby boy?” Seonghwa spoke into his ear, nipping at it as he trailed his hand forward to reach for his nipples and give a good pinch that made Wooyoung pull at his cuffs from the suddenness. 

Seonghwa loved hearing Wooyoung’s voice whenever he adjusted the settings of the toy, enjoying how his whines only made him want to wreck him more.

“Seong..hwa...” Woo moaned, turning his head to look up at the raven haired man before a moan ripped from his throat as the toy slightly touched his prostate. He gathered himself enough to speak, “ Please…”

“ Please what baby? Tell me what you want.” Seonghwa cooed into his ear, undoing his pants and pulling them down, well aware of what the smaller male was begging for. 

“...inside.Want you..inside…” 

Woo felt sensitive. His body was literally buzzing, his skin felt hot, his throat was parched and the only thing that was on his mind was to have that cock of his deep inside of him. He felt like a bitch in heat; shaking his hips to tempt the man to stop teasing him as if Seonghwa needed any type of encouragement.

“ That’s what you want from me baby boy?”

Woo could not see the wicked smile on Seonghwa’s lips, lathering himself with lube as his tip pressed a kiss to is hole that made him whimper. Woo nodded his head, not realizing Seonghwa’s intentions.

“ With pleasure.”

Seonghwa pushed forward as the tip of his cock went threw the tight ring of his ass, slowly plunging inside until his tip was pressed right against the bullet still inside, fully pushing the toy into Wooyoung’s prostate. Woo’s voice caught in his throat as the older man leaned over and wrapped his arm around his torso, hugging him from behind. 

“ You wanted me inside right? How does it feel?” Seonghwa kissed his cheeked, leaning forward to do, causing him to press the bullet harder onto the boy’s prostate, which made a yelp leave his throat. Trying and failing to stop himself from cumming onto his stomachs and the blanket, his inner walls squeezing down Seonghwa’s cock. 

“ Aw baby boy, I wasn’t expecting you to cum so fast now. But you know we’re nowhere near done right?” Seonghwa teased as he pulled out and thrusted back inside, making him cry out. 

Seonghwa’s thrust was deep and hard. Whenever he would pull out, Wooyoung would try to squeeze down on him and stop him from leaving. When he slammed back in, Hwa quickly became motivated by the signature smacking sounds that would come from it; Woo’s ass bouncing each time he thrusted forward. Seonghwa’s finger would pinch Wooyoung’s nipples once in a while to draw more sounds from him, but man was Wooyoung lost in his own world of pleasure.

Wooyoung was always a vocal lover, but never had he felt like he was this loud before. Maybe it’s because of the large apartment that he was getting fucked silly in because he couldn’t hold anything back even if he wanted to. Seonghwa just knew how to work his body and bring his nerves into overdrive because he felt like he would short circuit. It didn’t help when Seonghwa started to speed up his thrust, the sound of skin slapping echoing off the walls of the bedroom.

Woo’s moans seemed to grow louder; his cuffed hands wishing they could grab onto something, anything that he could use to ground himself from slipping too deep into pleasure with this man. Wooyoung immediately tried to bite into the soft pillow beneath his face, muffling his sounds as he bite down harder.

“ Oh no you don’t.” Seonghwa grunted, his own voice etched with lust. 

Pulling both of them up without pulling out, Seonghwa reached between to get rid of the cuffs from Wooyoung’s wrist to place them at his sides. Folding his knees underneath him and with Wooyoung sitting on his legs like a chair, legs spread with his cock rubbing against his stomach, leaking once more. “ I’ll let you do the work baby. Show me how much you want it.” Seonghwa kissed Woo’s face once more as one arm wrapped around his body tight to keep him close; the other one reaching down for the remote to the bullet that’s still buzzing around Wooyoung’s walls.

Hwa turned the settings two times higher; making the vibrations even stronger against his prostate and Woo nearly lost his mind. Nearly.

“Oh god!” The younger yelled, his legs spasmed as he gripped the sides of Seonghwa’s thighs. Feeling a hand tilt his face to the side.

“ Is it too much? We can stop if you want Woo.” Seonghwa’s voice brought some clarity to Wooyoung’s boggled mind before he raised his hips and slammed back down onto Seonghwa’s length, a moan leaving his throat from the suddenness. A giggle left Woo’s throat as he leaned back into his chest. “ I have enough energy for the both of us.”

Seonghwa couldn’t help but chuckle as he watched Wooyoung move his hips repeatedly lift up and down. His legs shook each time he moved on Seonghwa, but his movements never faltered. Seonghwa held him close to his chest, fingers going right back to toying with his pink colored nipples. Seonghwa couldn’t help but add more pink tinted hickies to Wooyoung’s shoulder as Wooyoung’s moans became more high-pitched even more as the bullet shifted inside him again. Wooyoung was gripping onto Seonghwa’s thighs to ground himself as he bounced on Seonghwa’s cock; angling himself to try and get Seonghwa even deeper but failing.

Woo started to sob, not reaching the spots he wanted anymore. 

“ You want me to help you baby boy?” Seonghwa asked him, Woo nodding his head as Seonghwa eased him back onto his hands and knees, Seonghwa’s hand grabbing his waist as the other wrapped around his throat to keep him up and steady. Woo’s breath hitched for a moment as he felt Seonghwa pull out to the tip before slamming back inside again; making the boy’s body lurch forward, nearly falling if it wasn’t for Seonghwa’s strong grip.

Woo’s moans became more high-pitched and his eyes were just rolled back into his head as Seonghwa relentlessly pounded into him, unable to keep his own groans quiet anymore. Wooyoung would be lying to himself if he didn’t love the sound of Seonghwa’s moans. His voice was music to his ears and he couldn’t help but get even more turned on. His own hips had started to push back against him, their hips meeting each other each time and it made everything better for them both. Wooyoung could feel another orgasm coming and he tried to say something, but Seonghwa already knew.

“ Just hold on for me baby boy. I’m almost there.” Seonghwa groaned as he couldn’t help but admire the view once more; growling deep in his throat as he watched how Woo would throw himself back without realizing how hot it was to him. Seonghwa could feel the coil his stomach as Wooyoung’s walls squeezed down on him more and the bullet was now starting to rub against his tip and it was turning him on way more than it should have. 

Woo whined as he tried to hold himself off for Hwa, his voice desperate and he wanted nothing more to finish at this point because he felt himself getting addicted. Seonghwa was fucking his body too well and Wooyoung was worried about become addicted to not only this man, but becoming obsessed with his cock.

“ Hwa...I- I can’t~” Woo chokes out, his throat raw from his moans and screams as his head hangs down in Seonghwa’s hold. 

“ Yes you can baby. Just a little bit more.” Seonghwa leaned forward to turn his head, giving him open mouth kisses that barely swallowed any whines that left Woo’s throat. He reached a hand up holding onto Seonghwa’s forearm, needing something to keep him steady as he tried to fight off his orgasm. 

It felt painful. He wanted nothing more than to be good and wait for him like he asked, but with the speed and force that Seonghwa was giving him, it was impossible. He could feel beads of precum leaking from his tip, begging for release as he felt the sporadic feeling of Seonghwa behind him. 

“ Feels...too..goo- AH!”

Seonghwa had his arms wrapped around his body, his face resting between his shoulder blades as he rutted deep inside Wooyoung. His brows were knitted together and his bottom lip was stuck between his teeth. So focused on his own release, he unintentionally pressed right onto Woo’s prostate once more and he lost it. His whole body tensed up as his insides convulsed and he let out a weak whine as he came again. The squeeze of Wooyoung’s walls were too much for Seonghwa and with a curse slipping from between his lips, he pulled out and came onto the comforter beneath them. 

Seonghwa slowly removed his hand from Wooyoung’s throat before reaching back to turn off the bullet and to gently pull it out of him despite the whine that left Wooyoung’s raw throat. Woo felt his body be gently pushed down to the clean side of the bed, Seonghwa getting up to carefully remove the big comforter so they wouldn’t fall asleep on dirty sheets. He was quick to put them in the hamper and come back to the bed with a new clean and cozy blanket that he placed on the bed, also coming back with two bottles of water. He placed one on the side of the bed where Wooyoung was at as he leaned down and rubbed his back. “ You haven't gone to sleep yet, have you?”

“ I’m up Mr. Park.” Wooyoung jokes, despite his voice barely audible. He reached his arm over to grab the bottle of water, more than welcoming the cool liquid down his throat. He watched Seonghwa walk around the bed to get underneath the covers himself. “ Now wasn’t that better than watching a movie?” 

“ I was fine with either of the options, but I am happy with the one I went with.” He smiled, pulling Wooyoung to his chest and he was perfectly fine with it all. “ I didn’t go too far on you, did I?” Seonghwa asked.

“ I didn’t say Sunrise, did I?” Woo had a playful smile on his face and that only made Hwa lean forward and kiss his forehead.

“ You have a point there. I thought I did too much with you and the whole bullet thing.” Seonghwa explained as he unconsciously started to rub the younger man’s back.

“ I never had that happen before, but I must say that it was quite the experience that I enjoyed.” Wooyoung’s eyes glanced down to Seonghwa’s lips before he leaned forward to press a chaste kiss to his lips that he returned. 

Wooyoung found himself getting comfortable in his arms, completely forgetting that it was a weekday and that he would have to eventually go home and deal with the stress of work tomorrow. His sigh is what drew Seonghwa’s attention.

“ What’s the matter?” The concerned look on his face made him look adorable, it almost made Wooyoung forget this was the man who literally destroyed his ass a few minutes ago.

“ I have to go home and go to work tomorrow and I don’t feel like it.” Wooyoung threw his head into Seonghwa’s chest and he gave a dramatic sigh, knowing very well that he has to get up soon to leave for his shared home.

“ Then don’t go.”

Woo whipped his head up to look at him, “ What did you say?”

“ I said don’t go. I don’t feel like going to work for once either. If you're capable of calling out then do it. I would prefer your company more than those fools I have to deal with at work. We can both stay here together and then maybe we can do a date in the morning before I take you back home.” Seonghwa offered, propping his head up on his arm as he looked down at Woo.

Wooyoung gave a weak giggle, pulling himself closer to Seonghwa, his body heat slowly covering him along with the blanket as he grew tired.

“ I’m perfectly fine with skipping work with you and we’re on for that date in the morning.” Wooyoung said, a smile that’s genuine on his face, completely forgetting how this was supposed to be a sugar baby/sugar daddy relationship that they have. But here he was, catching feelings for the sweet and sexy man in less than a week.

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Taglist:

@atiny-piratequeen​ @angel0taiyo​ @kpopstreeanon​ @kimnamshiks​ @kesmonsterwrites​ @beankeeper37​ @thereal-smolchild​

#ateez smut #seonghwa smut #wooyoung smut #aurorateeznet #dee writes #sweet tooth

[ddaengyoonmin]

Chapter one

Pairing: Jungkook x reader, eventual Ot7 x reader in later chapters

Genre: Angst, fluff, uhh maybe smut eventually??

Theme: Based kinda on sword art online a lot of similar ideas and themes kinda combining the idea of them trapped in the game, but the world is closer to ALFheim online

Word count: 2.1k+

Warnings: Swearing?..I swear a lot it can’t be contained. Giant Bees?? Not too much to warn about for this chapter but future chapters might get crazy

*check my master list for the prologue, I suggest reading it first*

Next -> Chapter 2

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A bright light shone in from a missing blind.  One of your bothersome, but too cute to be mad at cats must’ve broken it, you made a mental note to fix that later. It woke you up earlier than usual for a Friday, probably not a bad thing, you had a big day ahead of you.  Working from home had its advantages such as being able to create your own schedule.

You had set the day aside to mentally prepare for and then try out your dreaded birthday gift you had received just the day before.

The clock read 8:00 am. You sighed as you pulled yourself out of bed, startling the young calico cat who had been sleeping on your stomach throughout the night. “Sorry velvet” you mumble sleepily.  Though she should be used to the rude awakenings by now, given that you on the other hand had not gotten used to having a cuddly cat and always seemed to accidentally throw her off your lap in the mornings.   Your other cat Tiger always kept to herself and usually slept on the top of her cat tree or on a top shelf in one of your closets.

Last year when you bought your new apartment you had marveled at the spaciousness of the classy two bedroom layout.  You debated on turning that second bedroom into a room for Tiger to have all to herself, but decided that would only feed into your family’s idea you were becoming a crazy cat lady hermit. Instead it became your office, and today it was the room you decided you would try out the full dive gaming experience headset in.  You had a comfortable black leather office chair that you usually spent most of your days in while you worked on your designs.  You figured that would be fine to recline in while you went into the game.

After getting yourself a filling breakfast you fed Velvet and Tiger a little extra, not knowing how long you’d be in the game.  Part of you hoped that your mom would be satisfied if you just tried it for 30 minutes or so, then you could get back to the practical reality you preferred to live in. But you still wanted to be prepared in case the impossible happened and you actually enjoyed yourself.

You picked up the sleek looking packaging that held the headset and the game you had been given. You let out a sigh and looked over to your pets, “lets give this a shot huh?” you said, looking at them as if they could understand you.

When you arrived to your office you plopped down into your comfy chair and finally opened the packaging.  The headset was shiny and heavy, looking similar to a motorcycle helmet.  In the back by the base of the neck there was a long wire the same shade of silver as the rest of the headset.  You pulled out the instructions from the box and skimmed it over.  

“Internal battery, internal memory to store data, in game items, and achievements”

“Pre-programmed with Faerie Realm installed, no updates or installation required”

“To enter the game is simple, put on the headset and click the large button on the side of the headset and say the command ‘LINK START’”

You felt skeptical of this whole thing, but you reasoned that they wouldn’t sell it to the public if it was unsafe.

With one last see ya later to Tiger and Velvet you plugged in the headset and carefully placed it over your head.  It was a snug fit and there were straps to secure it underneath your chin.

A small wave of nervousness ran over you, you took a few deep breaths and put your pointer finger to the side of the headset and held the button. Loud and enunciated so as not to mess this up somehow, you said the command…

“LINK START”

Almost instantly, like falling asleep suddenly, everything went dark.  It only lasted a few seconds until you were standing in a bright, white, empty room with no doors or windows.  You looked to your left and right in a slight panic, you felt like you could hear some music start to play.

Then, catching you off guard a giant holographic screen projected onto the wall in front of you.

“Welcome new player!” A chipper voice rang out from the direction of the screen “It’s time to chose your fairy race, and dive into the world of Faerie Realm! Point your hand straight out fingers spread out to the screen and swipe to the right to scroll through the choices, make a fist for 10 seconds at the screen on the page of the Fairy race you choose and you will move on to the next step!”

On the screen an example character popped and you giggled at it.  It was an image of you, but not totally you.  Your hair was longer than in real life and it was dyed a turquoise shade of blue, you were wearing a tight royal blue and white dress that was much shorter than anything you’d ever worn before.

 You had to admit from a designers point of view, that it was pretty interesting how they’d managed to do that.  The thing that really caught your eye was that coming from behind your back was a pair of beautiful shimmering turquoise wings matching the hair, they were slightly transparent and had a light blue glow coming off of them. The title under this character “Water Fairy”

You scrolled over the other choices shortly, five options of fairy races each with different styles, perks and nerdy sounding stats you didn’t even bother to read. You were mostly focused on the look, and none stood out as much as the first you had seen and you settle on the Water Fairy, holding out a fist to the screen as it instructed.  

The next step you were prompted to complete was to choose a username.  You decide on “Velvet Tiger” in honor of your bestfriends at home. Once you held out your fist again to declare that you were sure of your name, the room turned dark again.  Next you felt like you were falling, falling falling, and the perky voice echoed around you “Have fun in Faerie Realm!!”

With a loud thud you felt yourself hit grass, strangely you felt no sort of pain from your fall, odd.

You picked yourself up from the ground and brushed the dirt off of what you now realized was the same blue dress from the screen.  You pull your now extremely long hair in front of your face to see it was indeed also the hair you had seen on yourself in the preview.  “Color me impressed” You chuckled aloud.

You started to look around to get a bearing on your surroundings.  “Umm...what exactly am I supposed to do?” You spoke aloud again, not sure if you were hoping someone would answer or that some sort of screen would pop up at your question.  But nothing happened.  

You were alone in the middle of the most perfect flowering field you’d ever seen in your life, it was beautiful, cream colored daisies scattered all around you.  It was sunny and bright and the temperature was perfect. You could feel a light breeze press on your cheek, you brought your hand up to your face.  “Woah…” you muttered.  It was crazy to think none of this was real.  

A noise suddenly snapped you out of your state of awe.  You cocked your head to the side slightly.  It was a humming noise getting louder and louder by the second.  

To your surprise and horror the objects in question made themselves visible.  “What the fuck!!!” You scream, and immediately start to book it in the opposite direction.

BEES? But not just regular bees, a swarm of GIANT bees about the size of your cats were headed straight towards you.  You found yourself screaming out a series of fucks and holy shits as you tried to outrun the swarm, they were catching up faster than you could run.  ‘Thanks mom, this is real fun’, you thought.  

You were about to get to a treeline that was up ahead when you tripped and fell flat on your face, you winced, not because it hurt, (you realized this game must not let you feel pain, which is nice), but because you were just embracing the fact that giant bees were about to be your ‘game over’ only 5 minutes into the game.

A loud POW sounded out right behind you and you covered your ears and buried your head into the ground.  A crackling noise like fireworks followed. And then...a beautiful sound.

“You okay miss?” A silvery voice spoke from above you.

You uncovered your ears and lifted your head up from your embarrassing position you had assumed when you thought your demise in this game was upon you.

What you saw when your eyes met the figure standing over you took your breath away.  You had to try and keep a straight face and contain your awe so as not to further embarrass yourself.  

The man standing over you looked like an angel covered in black.  He had on a tight fitting black shirt with a gray jacket that was styled fitting to the theme of this game draped over top, and tight black skinny jeans to go with.  From behind his back you could see a pair of shimmering translucent wings similar in design to yours but the color was a charcoal black.  

He extended a strong looking hand towards you, but you were still frozen in a combination of awe and embarrassment.  He retracted his hand, chuckled, and ran his fingers through his pitch black hair. You scurried to get up on your own  snapping out of your daze and standing eye to eye with the man you asume must’ve just saved your ass from the killer bees.

“Um, thank you” You nervously mumbled his way.  His eyes were kind as he met your gaze with a smile.  You had to force yourself to keep your eyes on his as they seemed compelled to trail over all of his body.  “You’re welcome” His smile grew bigger than it previously was.  “You’re lucky I got here when I did! They were gearing up for some power stings that definitely would’ve sent you to a black screen at your level”

“At….my level?” You said with confusion.  “Yeah, I can see your level right there” he pointed just to the left of your face.  You for the first time notice a small screen was there that had your username, level, health and an option for ‘menu’ listed.  “Oh..” you managed an awkward smile.  You realized you could see his too, ‘Kookie, level 10, full health’ listed on the screen hovering next to him.  

“I’ve been here since 12am when it opened” he said sheepishly running his hand through his hair again.  “Games are kinda my thing and when I heard this was coming out I wanted to get ahead right away...did you just get here or something?” He questioned.

“Yeah, literally just a few minutes ago” you laughed “That was about to be a real short run” you winced at the not too distant memory. “I...uh..games aren’t really my thing”

He smirked at your comment “You don’t say?” he teased.  You stuck your tongue out at him, then immediately felt embarrassed.  Not totally sure what came over you to do that to a total stranger, but hey, it is just a game and he started it right? So you shook off the awkward feeling and decided to just go with it.  He laughed a full belly laugh at your action and shook his head “Ok, I like your style ma’m, so I’m gonna take pity on your and show you the ropes here” He spoke cockily.

“Oh? And what makes you think I need your help?” You tried to come back with, only eliciting further laughter from him. “You’re right,” he put his hands up in fake defeat “those bees were completely defenseless to your ‘duck and cover in the middle of a field’ fighting methods”

You pouted slightly at the mention of that embarrassing part of the incident that had just occurred you are hoping to just pretend didn’t happen.

“Fiiine” you sighed “I really don’t know what I’m doing here, but don't take me for some damsel in distress that's going to worship you as her hero now or anything like that”  His eyebrows raised high taken aback by your bluntness.  “Of course. I have no doubt you take care of yourself well in the real world, on first impressions you seem to be a strong, independent woman…I admire that in a lady” he assured in an honest and serious tone, but then He stopped and took a few steps closer to you standing so close it sent a shiver up your spine.  

He leaned in to your ear, tone changing from his previous statement into a more smooth and sultry whisper  “But this isn’t the real world...you’ve stepped into my world now.” He pulled away, a smirk on his face.

Your eyes widened.  What have you gotten yourself into…

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#ot7 x reader #bts au #bts angst #bts fluff #bts x reader #bts smut #bts fanfic #bts fic #jungkook x reader #jhope x reader #jin x reader #jimin x reader #namjoon x reader #taehyung x reader #yoongi x reader

[likethetailofacomet]

A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words... Rose of Sharon

This is my submission for the Choices Fandom Game: A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words

I was given my picture by the wonderful @bobasheebaby who not so subtly hinted that I should write this about Bastien and Annabelle, and I was more than happy to comply. I tried my actual hardest to keep  this AT 1,000 words. But, you guys, I am wordy. This was so much fun, though, and I am very excited to share this piece! 

A/N: This piece can be read alongside my series The Broken Bits. This takes place just three days after Bastien and Annabelle meet. If you haven’t read their first meeting, you can do so here. Also, fun fact: a “rose of sharon” isn’t actually a rose. it’s used to describe “a flower of the field or valley” but there isn’t a specific flower that is being referenced. (picture prompt appears in body of text) 

Word Count: 1,263 

Tunes: Rhiannon, Fleetwood Mac and Rose of Sharon, Mumford and Sons

He saw her again just three days after meeting her in the entrance hall of the palace. It was a warmer than usual spring morning and Bastien was finishing his rounds before meeting with Jackson to discuss the arrangements for the Milan trip. He made his way through the courtyard between the main building and the outer offices, the sun warm on the back of his neck. The hedges were tall but trimmed with razor precision into thick, solid walls of green. Bastien reached out and ran his hand along the waxy leaves as he passed by. He enjoyed when his patrol took him through the gardens or the courtyards. The palace was beautiful with its sculpted reliefs and oil paintings, everything dripping in gold, but it was stifling at times. A gilded cage was still a cage, and on warm days he much preferred to be outside. He turned the corner and where he would normally expect to see the violet blossoms of the giant Rose of Sharon bush; he was met instead with a shock of fiery orange hair glinting in the sun.

He reacted instinctively, not wanting to be seen, by shrinking back against the hedgerow. She sat in front of the bush, one leg stretched out, her milky white skin practically glowing against the emerald blades of grass, the other bent with a sketchbook propped against her knee. Her curls rolled down her back, some of them dancing on the breeze and blowing into her face. He watched as she used the hand that held her pencil to brush a few stray strands back behind her shoulder, only for them to blow back into her face again. It would be much easier for her if she tied it back, Bastien knew, but he found himself enjoying the fact that she hadn’t. She didn’t strike me as someone who does things because they’re easy, he thought to himself, remembering her quick comebacks and sharp wit…that playful glimmer in her eyes, the way that her cheek would get that dimple in it when she smirked at him. She does things exactly as she wants to.

 He’d found himself thinking of her over the past few days, wondering if or when he’d bump into her again. He watched her for another moment as she brought her pencil back to the paper, moving it gracefully, sweeping it across her page like a magic wand, making flowers and tangled vines appear from nothing. Her toes curled in the grass, the sun in her hair and on her skin- she looked like a flower in the field, no wonder she could capture them so perfectly. He realized he’d been watching her for longer than he meant to when another breeze blew through the courtyard, shaking the blossoms and the leaves and her hair, and he knew he had to move before she turned and saw him. He stepped out from behind the hedges and started back on his path, his palms sweaty as he got closer to where she was set up in the grass.

 She’s just a girl. Just say hello, what’s wrong with you? His thoughts did nothing for his confidence. You’re training to be the Captain of the King’s Guard someday, man, and you can’t talk to a pretty face? Before he could continue berating himself, he heard something and realized she was not only listening to music on a small battery operated radio, but that she was signing along. The song changed and her nimble fingers jumped to the volume dial, spinning it and making the music louder. Her outstretched leg bopped with the beat and her voice hit his ear, “Rhiannon rings like a bell through the night and wouldn't you love to love her? Takes to the sky like a bird in flight and who will be her lover?” He stutter stepped as he heard her voice, off key; she was an artist but certainly not a singer, though that wasn’t stopping her from belting the song with reckless abandon. Now you really have to say something. You’re watching her, you’re listening to her, for god’s sake, at least clear your throat. Bastien wished he could teleport to Jackson’s office so he wouldn’t have to interrupt her, wouldn’t have to pierce this perfect bubble of sunshine and song that she was enjoying. But that wasn’t an option, so he cleared his throat and took another step towards her.

 “I was wondering how long you were going to stand there, Bastien,” she said between lyrics, without turning around. “This is a private concert, do you have a ticket?” she glanced over her shoulder at him and he could see a dark smudge of charcoal above her right eyebrow. She looked amused, that smirk back on her face, one cheek squished up into her sparkling eye.

 Despite being caught in the act, he felt a smile creeping up his warm face, a sheepish laugh falling from his lips. He patted his pockets as she spun around, drawing her long legs up in front of her. “I seem to have misplaced my ticket,” he said, “would you happen to have another?”

 Annabelle grinned at him and set her sketchbook aside. “Sorry, an act like this,” she gestured to herself, “sells out quickly. “Better luck next time, Mr. Senior Assistant.”

 “Apprentice,” he corrected her, but the wink she shot him told him that she knew, and that she was teasing him. He shook his head and checked his watch. He had exactly 3 minutes before he was due in Jackson’s office, and at least a 5 minute walk ahead of him. He’d have to run. “So when’s the next show time?”  he asked.

 Annabelle looked down at her sketchbook, at the blossoms she’d been working on. With a smirk, she ripped the corner piece off of one of the pages and quickly turned it over, scribbling something on the back. She rose, unfolding her long legs, and crossed the space between them. She smelled like grass stains as she came closer, holding the paper out to him. “You tell me,” she said, biting her bottom lip and looking at him through her lashes.

 Confused, Bastien looked down at the paper. It was one of her flowers, gorgeously lifelike, and on the back she’d written her name and a phone number, and two little x’s. When he brought his disbelieving eyes back up, she was already scooping her things back into her bag. “I’ve got to get to a meeting with my advisor. You’re probably supposed to be somewhere too,” Bastien nodded, still in awe of the drawing she’d given him. “Well, you better get wherever you need to before you’re in too much trouble to take me out sometime.” She winked again as with a toss of her hair she set off towards the palace, leaving him to shove the paper on his pocket and sprint across the courtyard to Jackson’s office.

 _ _ _ _

 On the final day of his post as Captain of the King’s Guard, Bastien Lykel left the room that had been his office, an age softened piece of paper in his hand, the smudged sketch of a Rose of Sharon still as lifelike as the day she’d given it to him. Ever our lives entwined, he thought to himself, recalling a poem she’d read him one day. He sighed, tucked the sketch back into his breast pocket where it had been a constant for the past twenty one years. Time to find out how true that is…

And I will surround you With a love too deep for words Hold you from the world and its curse So long as I have breath in my lungs Long as there's a song to be sung I will be yours and you will be mine Ever our lives entwined My rose of Sharon

tags:  Writers: @speedyoperarascalparty @ao719 @leelee10898 @riseandshinelittleblossom @zaffrenotes @drakewalkerwhipped @stopforamoment @annekebbphotography @lizeboredom @boneandfur @mind-reader1 @jovialyouthmusic @ooo-barff-ooo @bobasheebaby @ownworldresident @hopefulmoonobject @sleepwalkingelite @likethetailofacomet @silviasutton1989 @blackcatkita @blackcoffee85 @kennaxval @andy-loves-corgis @callmetippytumbles @iplaydrake @the-everlasting-dream @brightpinkpeppercorn @agent-bossypants @tornbetween2loves @dcbbw @jlouise88 @choicesbyjade @breaumonts @thehonorarybeaumont @pixelsandkink @innerpostmentality @katedrakeohd @darley1101 @carabeth @sirbeepsalot Readers: @cocomaxley @mfackenthal @moneyfordiamonds @romanticatheart-posts @choicesarehard @gibbles82  broken bits tags:  @zaffrenotes @ooo-barff-ooo @sleepwalkingelite @brightpinkpeppercorn @jovialyouthmusic @mind-reader1 @endlessly-searching-for-you @notoriouscs @endlessflame  @endlesstaylormckenzie @agent-bossypants @andy-loves-corgis @akrenich @nekkidmolerat @indiacater @the-everlasting-dream @thequeenofcronuts @the-whiskeywife @roonarific @stopforamoment @mkatschoicesblog @mfackenthal @drakewalkerisreal @jlouise88 @drakesensworld @gibbles82 @gardeningourmet  @iplaydrake @speedyoperarascalparty @bobasheebaby @carabeth

#a picture is worth a thousand words #choices fandom game #rose of sharon #bastien x annabelle #bas x belle #young bastien #trr bastien #bastien x oc #the broken bits

[chibinightowl]

A Man Walks Into a Saloon

@charcoal-soul, your little head cinemas are going to be the death of me.  

For those who aren’t privy to these little headcanons, welcome to the Wild West where Bruce is the town Sheriff, Dick is his secret deputy who really has too much fun wearing a skirt, and Stephanie runs the local saloon. 

I could be persuaded to continue this. We’ll see.

~*~*~*~

Dick is a performer, through and through. It’s in his blood, is part of the very essence of who he is. But just because he’s on stage dancing his heart out in men’s burlesque show in front of a crowd of rowdy customers doesn’t mean he’s not paying attention to what’s going on around him. Bruce trained him better than that.

Not that anyone knows he’s a deputy for the wily sheriff. Much of his work here at Stephanie’s saloon is just that. Work. Bartending and running tables when he’s not on stage or rehearsing, but through it all, he keeps an eagle eye out for folks who just don’t look like they belong here. He’s gotten to a point where it’s practically a sixth sense.

And that sense is screaming at him as his blue gaze lands on the tall man who strides into the saloon and takes a seat at the bar. He looks road weary and dusty like most do in these parts, as does his companion, an equally tall woman with fiery locks barely contained in her long braid. Normally his attention would be on the redhead, especially since she’s dressed in men’s clothes rather than the divided riding skirt that’s more common in these parts, but Dick keeps going back to her dark-haired companion. There’s just something about him that sends a tingle down his spine.

This warrants further investigation.

But first, there’s a show to finish.

When he and the other men are done, they hop off stage and work the crowd. Or rather, Dick works the crowd while the others run off and change. While they’re all part of the entertainment, he’s the only one as comfortable in women’s clothing as he is men’s. And that means more tips and more attention for him. Dick has no problems playing both sides of the fence and Stephanie knows he’s more than capable of taking care of himself if someone gets too handsy.

One less thing for the saloon owner to worry about.

Dick slowly makes his way to the bar, stopping here and there as he does to chat. One woman even stopped him to ask where he found the rich blue silk that stands out so vibrantly against the black of his skirt.

“Had it special ordered from St. Louis,” he says, twirling around so she could see the full effect of it. “No offense to Mr. Pennyworth, but this just ain’t something he keeps in stock down at the general store.”

“It sure isn’t,” she agreed, her eyes lingering not only on the silk, but also on the ribbed corset in matching colors going up his waist.

Dick grins and winks at her as he walks off. The corset is strictly for show, as is the little bolero jacket he wears over it. His best friend Wally often teases him for how he looks in costumes like this, but to him, it’s all part of the act. Stephanie doesn’t care what he wears as long as it brings in customers, so he’s allowed free rein.

As he approaches the bar, he can’t help but like what he sees and wonders if maybe the shiver earlier was simply him picking up on the gorgeous hunk of a man sitting there. From behind, all he can see is broad shoulders, well muscled arms, and a solid trunk of a torso. The man’s jacket falls over the back of the barstool so Dick can’t make out the rest of the package, but so far, things look promising. Time for a closer inspection.

The stool on the man’s right is open, so Dick flops down with a flourish of silk and lace. “Hey, Steph! Got anything you’d think I like?” he calls out to the busy bartender/owner. The blonde woman knows better than to give him too much alcohol after a show (especially since he has another set in an hour) but dancing and flirting is thirsty work.

“Honey, you like it all,” she replies, dropping a pint of beer in front of him. “Try not to have too much fun in that new skirt of yours.” Steph winks and bustles off, her own purple and black striped dress looking fantastic on her. He’d ordered the silk for hers along with his own.

Dick salutes her with his glass. Turning, he looks at the two strangers and instantly, his heart starts beating harder. The woman is stunning, but the man…he can’t find words to describe him. His face looks like something out of one of Tim’s history books, the ones about Ancient Rome or Greece.

Time to turn his flirting up a notch.

“Hello, stranger,” Dick says with a saucy smile and runs a gloved hand over the smooth fabric of his skirt, outlining his thigh in the process. He picks up his beer and takes a sip, eyeing the man over the rim. The man is dressed for traveling, his dark brown leather jacket shiny with age. A dusty cowboy hat rests on the bar next to an empty shot glass and a mostly full glass of beer. “You must be new in town,” he offers with a wink. “I’d never forget a face like yours.”

The man honest to god blushes. Dick wants to crow in delight as red stains his cheeks.

“Yeah, Arty and I are just passin’ through.” The man replies as he tries for casual, even running an awkward hand through his black hair while his companion laughs boisterously. He’s young, probably around Dick’s age, but he’s got a white streak in his hair that’s rather eye-catching.

“Jay, I swear you always act like this whenever anyone hits on you.” The woman, Arty, slaps him hard on the shoulder. She catches Dick’s amused eyes. “Don’t let the blush fool you. He’s had his eye on you since we first walked in.”

Jay groans and gives Arty a good-natured shove. “Shut it.”

Dick laughs because this is just too much fun. “If it’s any consolation, I have too.” He takes another swig of beer and holds out his hand. “I’m Dick.”

The man accepts it and grips it firmly. “Jason, but I go by Jay more often than not.”

Dick reaches across Jason to shake Arty’s hand too. She also has a very firm grip. “Artemis. Only yahoos like Jay get away with Arty.”

“Noted. So, what brings you two into town?” Dick settles in for some small talk. He’s got the time but maybe if he plays his cards right, he won’t be crashing into an empty bed tonight. It’s rare that someone gets him this interested this fast, but hopefully Jason won’t be like the others.

He has a tendency to be attracted to the wrong type, usually with questionable appreciation for the law. Wally and Tim both joke about his poor taste, but Dick only has to remind them that they’re both single and to shut up, that at least he gets laid on occasion. Stephanie doesn’t run a brothel, no sirree, but she doesn’t care (much) what her employees do in their off time.

“Like I said, we’re just passin’ through,” Jason replies easily as he sips at his beer. “Wanna try and get to Colorado Springs before the end of the month. Heard tell there’s gonna be some hirin’ down there for some merchant trains and we could use the work.”

Before Dick can probe further, there’s a commotion over by the main entrance. Shouts ring out and Stephanie reaches under the bar for her shotgun.

“You assholes take it outside!” she shrieks loudly and pumps the shotgun for emphasis. “Now, before I blow someone’s hand off!”

Dick doesn’t even realize he’s stood and sits back down, but as he does, he catches sight of Jason lowering his jacket back over the gun on his belt. The stock on the revolver is inlaid with pearl. That’s an unusual sight and one that doesn’t exactly fit with the poor cowboy image the man is trying to portray.

Something isn’t right here.

He starts talking with Jason and Artemis again, casually flirting and enjoying the crap out of the blushes he gets from the other man. Soon enough, his hour is up and it’s time to get ready for his next show. As he stands, Dick runs a gloved hand over Jason’s lightly stubbled cheek. “Keep your eyes on me,” he whispers and leans in to plant a kiss where his hand just was. Jason looks startled, his deep blue eyes wide as he blushes again.

Artemis laughs raucously as Dick walks away, making sure to put an extra sway in his step.

Jason is seriously cute and Dick really wants to find out how far down his neck the man’s blush goes, but he’s still bothered by the sense that something is off about him. He’s halfway through the next set when he figures it out. Only years of performing keep him upright and in character.

The man sitting at the bar is the Red Hood.

Bruce had shown him the new wanted posters that arrived with this morning’s post. The sketch doesn’t do the man justice at all, especially since he always wears a red bandana over the lower half of his face and the brim of his black cowboy hat pulled low, but the sketch did mention his deep blue eyes.

Some additional information about him was passed along only to law enforcement, which Bruce shared with him as well. Like the pearl gripped revolver and the fact that his accomplice is suspected to be a woman. Dick remembers the poster for Artemis being even more vague as she wears a full wrap of faded red around her face and head, leaving only her eyes bare, probably to conceal her feminine features and that massive amount of red hair.

The pair are wanted in conjunction with over a dozen robberies in the last year. Almost no one is ever seriously hurt but one man was killed when he tried chasing after them. He’d been shot in the shoulder and the impact sent him flying off his horse where he then landed wrong and broke his neck. Accidental to be sure, but murder is murder.

Dick wants to groan in frustration as he kicks up his legs and dances around the stage. Why does this always happen to him? It’s like he’s one of those magnets that attracts trouble rather than iron shavings.

But he remembers Jason’s blush as he flirted with him and how sweet he is, even while telling Artemis off for ordering a third beer. This can’t be the same person that has a $500 reward for his capture.

Additional verification needs to be done first. After all, the sketches for the Red Hood Bandits are iffy at best.

It doesn’t take long for Dick to rejoin Jason and Artemis after his last performance. Stephanie drops off another beer for him, which he downs quickly. “Care to take a walk, Jay?” he asks with a wink. “I could use some fresh air.”

Artemis all but pushes Jason off his barstool. “You do too. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

Jason curses and mutters something that Dick doesn’t quite catch, but has his companion laughing uproariously as she slaps his hat on his head and shoves him towards the door.

Outside, the night air is cool against Dick’s flushed skin and he welcomes the change in temperature as he and Jason stroll down the wooden sidewalk. Jason’s heavy boots jingle slightly as they walk from his spurs. He awkwardly holds out his arm for Dick, who can’t help but laugh lightly at him. “I am a guy, you know. I just wear women’s clothing because it’s fun.”

“Well, my ma beat it inta me ta always offer my arm to a lady and since the one I travel with never wears a skirt…” Jason’s lips quirk in amusement.

“I accept then,” Dick replies and takes his arm. The man is taller than him but not by much. Warm too, but in a good way.

They stroll for a little ways before Jason speaks up again. “Ya know, wanderin’ off with strange men may not be the smartest thing for someone like you ta be doin’.”

Dick waves off the warning. “Thanks, but I’m more than capable of taking care of myself.”

“That so?” In the faint light from the moon, Dick catches a glint in Jason’s eyes.

Challenge accepted.

Before Jason can react, Dick has him firmly pressed against a wall, out of sight of the street and one of his secreted knives pressed lightly against his throat. “I grew up in a circus,” he breathes into the other man’s throat. “Learned a few other things besides how to put on makeup, kick up my heels, and look fabulous in a dress.”

“I see that,” Jason replies carefully, not moving in the slightest against Dick’s body, which he thinks is a crying shame. “So what now? You gonna rob me?”

Dicks smiles into the warm skin and presses his lips firmly against Jason’s fluttering pulse. “I can think of one thing I want to steal from you.”

“What’s that?”

“This.” Dick slides the knife back into his skirt and presses even more against Jason, capturing his lips in a heated kiss. The man gasps into it, startled, but then lets out one of the sweetest moans he has ever had the privilege to hear.

Oh, good lord. If Jason is the Red Hood, boy is Dick ever screwed.

#chibinightowl writes #Jason Todd #Dick Grayson #JayDick #Wild West AU

[encomiium]

Alighieri Had Nothing on This 8 November 2020 Elias

Sitting without ventilation for a few days, the air inside the house felt like molasses, nearly viscous and pouring out when they opened the front door. Ever the gentleman, Marshal Bo Roudette lifted the flimsy yellow crime-scene tape for Elias to duck under and wade through the groaning mouth of a now desolate home. Elias flashed him an appreciative smile as he passed, but the Marshal’s eyes stared into the deep, cavernous hallway entrance, wet and gaping and hiding secrets under toothy floorboards and carpeted tongues. 

Right, straight to business then.

The deputy handed Elias a manila folder as he walked through the front hallway. Before the large, stout man could begin his briefing, Elias froze in the middle of the hall, between the doorways to the parlor and kitchen. Eyes trained on the ground, it seemed to the lawmen their city-slickin’ friend had suddenly found a very interesting knot in the floorboard. 

Coincidentally, in the exact spot the first body was found. 

Elias stared at the echo of a fresh corpse laying before him. He could see her screaming for her life, dragging herself towards the door, even as her insides poured out behind her, and finally falling limp, right at his feet. He realized, then, that the air was not so much heavy with swampy heat, but with death and unresolved grief; the moisture in the air did not waft in from the tupelo trees, but from the foundation of this house weeping. The buzzing in his chest was not in anticipation of cicadas yawning to life in a day, maybe two, but from the rattle of partial souls locked in the loops of their deaths, trembling all around him. 

Sometimes, he really didn’t know how no one else felt all this.

The deputy cleared his throat when Elias finally lifted his head, shaken from his stunned silence at watching the devilman work. He’d heard stories, of course. Rumors. The Marshal’s favorite ace in the hole. No one knew how he did it, but most of the office had stopped laughing about smoke and mirrors when Elias wasn’t around and deferred to terrified silence at the mention he’d be working on a case. 

“Four bodies-” the Deputy sputtered, forcing himself to take a step forward.

Elias interrupted unceremoniously, “Here,” he pointed to the now-clean spot on the floor where they found half a woman--no, a girl. Sophomore in college at most. She was still wearing her University shirt. Dead in the middle of clawing her way to freedom.

“There,” he stated, matter-of-factly. He looked into the parlour, following the wet sobs of another, around the same age, whose body was found slumped on the floor, a pool of blood pouring from the hole in her chest, right through the heart. Now, the couch had been removed as evidence and the officers only saw an empty room and a blackened fireplace.

“Kitchen,” he said, without looking, instead passing by and only catching the sight in his peripheral vision. He was found on the dining table. The responding officers had to run outside to vomit. 

“And bathroom,” Elias said, pausing in front of the open door. Another male victim, partially decomposing in a bathtub filled with lye. Elias wondered if the coroner would be able to figure out the kid was still alive while his body was being eaten away. Broken neck doesn’t always mean dead. Elias watched, unflinching, finding it harder and harder to breathe as the boy’s eyes lolled about in his skull, before his chest finally stopped moving and one, last rattling breath fell from his lips.

“Told’ya he wouldn’t need any pictures,” Bo mumbled to the deputy, thumbs looped triumphantly in his belt loops. 

Elias moved quickly and efficiently, glancing around the house for anything that might help, rattling off a few facts he gathered just from the visions: “Co-ed house, four roommates, college students. Two were killed quickly, two were killed after a fair bit of struggle. Personal, but superficially so. Maybe an angry ex or vengeful rival. Killer tried to decompose one, probably realized it would take too long and fled when they heard cops coming.”

He finally took a long look into the kitchen, circling the pretty, antique table, “Killer had a bit of fun with the one in here. Dissected the body, but in a dirty, amateurish way. Unskilled, could be a younger perp with big dreams of being the next Jeffree Dahmer.” 

The Deputy sputtered again, trying to get a word in edgewise, “Yes, well--” 

“My guess is,” Elias continued, barely even acknowledging the short, stumpy man, who was still reeling at the unopened envelope in Elias’s hand. Bo leaned against a wall, grinning. It’d never get old, watching someone witness Elias at work for the first time. And truth be told, Elias would give him the time to speak. Maybe. If it weren’t so fucking hard to listen to the whispers. He didn’t need the living talking right now. 

“Bathroom body went down first, neck snapped, but not dead--” Elias glanced up as he crossed from the kitchen to the parlor, “You should be writing this down.” The deputy fumbled for a notepad and pen.

“Parlour victim was watching TV and didn’t hear Bathroom hit the floor. Killer came up behind and stabbed her once in the chest. She fell in front of the couch, so, when Kitchen came home maybe five, ten minutes after, he didn’t see anything out of place. Kitchen went straight to the--well, kitchen--where Killer was able to overpower and tie him down to the table. Killer knew their schedules, Killer knew when to strike best to take them down in succession. 

“Hallway was the wild card. Worked late. Killer would have to work quickly with Kitchen. Hallway came home, easily spotted the kitchen victim, screamed--which alerted neighbors--and Killer dealt with her. He didn’t want his little science project going to waste, however, so he let her bleed out on the floor.” 

Elias reentered the hallway, taking in a long breath before raking the sweat from his forehead into his hairline, shaking out his shoulders and sighing at the Deputy, “Did I miss anything?”

The Deputy, awe-struck, blurted out, “Do you know who did it?” 

Elias rolled his eyes, catching Bo’s amused, but otherwise unreadable gaze, “I wouldn’t have walked around this bloody sauna for ten damned minutes, waxing poetically, if I did.” He looked up at the ceiling, up at the stairs just beyond the door to the kitchen, where something felt--off. He dropped the still-unopened manila folder onto a nearby tea table, shaking his head, “I can only see echoes of the dead. But they tend to be more willing to give up information, surprisingly enough.” 

Just then, the back door shot open and slammed up against the house, allowing a sweeping breeze from the swamp to carry in the effervescent sounds of the duckweeds and cyprus just off the porch. There, a woman stood, visible only to Elias, with a thin, dirty bandage wrapped over her eyes and a dry, gaping black hole in her chest. She pointed out towards the swamp, and he sighed, immediately heading for the doorway. 

The last thing Elias heard on the earthly plane was the Deputy crying out, “That door ain’t supposed to open that way!” and the twinkling sound of Bo’s laughter as the poor man crumpled to the floor in a terrified heap.

As Elias crossed the threshold of the home to the swamp, he was immediately transported back to the entryway, but the house had changed. Once a charming little thing that stood jubilantly on the shores of a snide and jealous swamp, the house was practically crumbling before Elias’s eyes. The pure-white wood walls were now charcoal and brittle, flaking away in bits as scalding, dry gusts of wind blew through a land smoldering in every direction. Half the house had been consumed by a bright fire, still burning a hateful orange light into Elias’s face. Little embers crackled past him on the backs of screaming zephyrs and the world smelled of sulfur. Everywhere was rotting, everywhere was crying.

He always thought Hell might do well with an upgrade. 

But fire and brimstone were going to be eternally effective, loathe as he was to admit it. The world, mirrored in ash, dissolved in thick dusty clouds all around him as his suit jacket whipped about in the violent and howling wind. Bloody awful thing about Hell, it was almost impossible to see anything. 

“Damn,” he growled. He had hoped to be led to the foot of some demon, where he might be able to con or deal them out of a clue, whichever came first. Today, he’d have to work for his check.

What people often fail to understand is that the veil between worlds is so damn thin. “Hell--” or “Heaven,” for that matter--on Earth is more true than anyone realizes. Things slip through, especially when souls are at stake. Sometimes it’s a blessing, sometimes a curse, sometimes it's a confession, sometimes an alligator’s tooth. 

The sky above burned and the hardwood floors beneath his feet rattled with the sound of suffering, thrashing bodies. He’d only seen that level of Hell once, where an infinite sea of people flailed and wept in eternal damnation. Moving quickly, he searched the burning corpse of the house, careful not to stand too long in any one place. As vocal as the great Italian poet was about the separation of layers in Hell, Elias knew how close his feet were to the clamoring, clawing nails of damned souls seeking redemption. The veils were paper-thin, and he preferred his precious alone time on the surface. 

Finally, the upstairs screamed a piercing, harrowing shriek that demanded Elias’s attention. 

And, unfortunately, the attention of any low-level scavenging demons lurking on the surface. Anything that made it out of the lower levels, trapped for eternity on this hellish mirror of Earth, became a grotesque parody of their once-human selves. Crawling around on all fours, they devoured anything they came across, and Elias was the first bit of fresh flesh any of them had smelled in eons. 

“Fuck,” he hissed as he lunged for the stairs, taking them two-at-a-time. Behind him, he heard the hunting cries of the scavengers, their long, beastly nails screeching over dirt and dilapidated cars in pursuit of their prey. Even reduced to grey, ashen skin sunken over a skeletal form in their eternal starvation, they were fast. Faster than any one human could ever manage. Elias leapt into the first room at the top of the stairs, shutting the fire-ravaged door behind him and burning his hands in the process. Gasping for breath, he quickly scanned the room--one of the boys’ in the house--and spied a single charred baseball bat leaning against a degraded dresser standing valiantly against the back of the house, which had completely burned away to reveal the entire swamp aflame. 

The bat was interesting, but nothing significant in terms of the case. Physical items which held important spiritual value often lingered on this plane. The kid liked playing baseball. Sweet, but not fucking helpful. 

He turned just as the door behind him split open and a tangle of yellow nails swiped for just a taste of plump, juicy flesh. The burnt remains of that door would not last much longer and he was very quickly running out of options. There was nothing here. 

He thought, for a moment, of returning before he got any answers. No case was worth being devoured by a horde of shrieking demons. He prepared to shatter the small glass of holy water he always kept in his breast pocket, just in case of emergency, but something in the back of his head whimpered, a thought that wouldn’t quiet, even in the face of a bellowing pack of hungry demons. 

Growling, his mother’s voice drifted into his ear, singing a sweet tune about one’s intuition. It’s a damn gift you’ve got there, Elias. The minute you stop list’nin’, is the moment you find yourself in a whole lotta hot water. 

The door heaved one last shrill cry under the weight of the legion and Elias, cursing himself til the end of days, took a running start before crashing through a burning wall to the room next door. Just one last look, one look at a room that’s been calling to him since before he descended. The smoldering remains of the wall rained down on him in a shower of embers, singing his suit and covering his face in a layer of ash. 

Coughing, he hissed as his shoulder hit the other wall quickly--too quickly. He had crashed into a shallow, hollow crawl space between the two rooms. Only big enough for one mattress, and a single metal pot still filled with piss and shit. 

Got you, motherfucker. 

His one measly defense against the legion finally splintered to pieces just as Elias reached up and smashed his hand against his chest, shattering the glass vial and soaking his chest with holy water. Not fast enough, two of the scavengers wailed as they clawed around the corner and slashed their long claws, tearing his suit into ribbons and leaving three shallow scratches over his shoulder towards his neck. 

The floor fell out from under him and in an instant, Elias was dropped back into the threshold of the house in a rush of blues and green, tumbling to his knees. He left a single grey handprint on the pristinely white wall where he forced himself to stand, coughing and shaking as his throat adjusted to the wetness of the air. Steam rose up from his body in plumes and bright red blood trickled down what remained of his white button-down shirt. 

In front of him, the Marshal rose to his feet, leaving the recovering Deputy shaking where he sat staring wide-eyed at the demon who had appeared out of nowhere. Bo crossed the few short steps to Elias and tried to help pick him up, but Elias only stopped him with a raised palm. So fresh out of Hell, touching Elias would be like touching a hot stove. 

Still coughing and trying to catch his breath, Elias pointed at the stairs, catching the deputy’s eye, “Killer lived in the house for a while. Hollow wall. Between the two bedrooms upstairs.”

The Deputy nearly sprinted up the stairs, not hesitating when Elias gave him a clear order. Bo lingered, sweet man. 

God forgive Elias for being a little sensitive any time he got out of Hell, but he couldn’t help noticing how pretty Bo’s eyes were in that moment. He’d always been beautiful, but he looked practically immaculate when compared to the wastelands just beyond the veil. The way Bo watched him so carefully, baited breath, not quite sure what to say, but meaning everything he could in just the way he stood by, it made Elias so deliciously weak.

“Go help him,” Elias rasped, nodding towards the stairs, “You’ll probably find a way into the room behind a bookshelf or something.” 

Before Bo could contest, Elias headed toward the kitchen, supporting himself with a hand on the wall as he walked. When he was sure Bo had gone up the stairs, Elias began stripping himself out of his shredded clothing at the sink, groaning when he straightened his arm the wrong way. He grabbed a nearby washcloth and began toweling ash and soot from his skin. He drew in a sharp breath when he found a particularly tender patch of skin on his shoulder, burned raw and already threatening to blister. He opted, instead, to begin washing his face, his hair falling into his eyes as he splashed cool, blissful water against himself. When he dragged the towel over his tired eyes, he glanced out the kitchen window to the lawn, where the woman with the blindfold stood, tilting her head at him. 

She didn’t smile, but something seemed peaceful, tranquil. She mouthed something to him, nearly indecipherable on her cracked, grey lips, before her head drifted back to the sun and she faded away. 

Echoes only echo because they’re trapped--take away the walls and they’re free to dissipate into little droplets of sweet, summer rain.

#I WAS IN A WRITE-Y MOOD SOOOOOO WHAAAAT #gen:drabble #d:elias dubois #elias;bo

[ipoddymouth]

Miracle On Whatever Street My Mom Lives On (An ‘Et Al.’ Holiday Drabble)

“Is Santa real?”

That was it. That was the question that fucked me over. There were so many things Moose asked me that I answered without even batting an eye (what’s sex? Handled. How much is crack? I gotchu, sis!), but that was the one question that I legitimately didn’t know how to answer.

It wasn’t like I could call up Flimsy and ask her if she’d had this conversation with her kid yet. Homegirl was literally dead. Her sticker-covered urn was in my living room, and I didn’t own an Ouija board. Her only offspring/living relative I knew about, Moose, was smart and I often couldn’t tell if she was just testing me or not. It’s degrading when a five year old makes you feel like an idiot and I often tried to avoid it. But this time she was looking at me so innocently that I genuinely did not know if this was a trap.

What was I supposed to say?

My mom swore - even to this day - that Santa was real. My mom also smoked anything that could burn for a large part of my childhood and I was a bit more of a realist than she was, so I’d never fully been convinced. I think that she’d wanted for there to be some sort of stability in my nomadic upbringing and there’s nothing more constant than an old, fat, white man always knowing where you are.

Santa was supposed to be fun though, right? And Moose had had a shitty year. Like, she’d lost her mom and was now living with someone not even related to her. She deserved to have a good time; there was no reason for me to swoop in and crush her childlike wonder.

“Yes, Moose, there is a Santa Claus.”

Once the words left my mouth, I knew that I was fucked. I was now officially #n2deep and there was no backing out.

Moose immediately jumped in for the contradiction. I should have kept my big-ass mouth shut. “I know that Mall Santa isn’t real because there’s Santas at every mall ‘n I’m smart enough to know that you can’t be in multiple places at once.”

Honestly, wouldn’t it really have killed Flimsy if she’d given birth to a dumb child?

And did I really need to have phrased it like that?

“Those are fake Santas, you’re correct. The real one’s at the North Pole getting stuff ready for Christmas.” The lie wasn’t effortless, but there wasn’t much hesitation. It should’ve been enough to hold her over until something else captured her attention. Really, the only thing that prevented me from routinely fucking up everything I said was how Moose would move on before the words would even leave my mouth.

But, for some reason, she wasn’t willing to drop the Santa thing. I swear, the kid had never given a flying fuck about Santa her entire life, and now she was apparently gearing up to write a fucking tell-all.

“Can I meet him?”

Moose had essentially just asked me to square the fuck up.

“Yeah. But not right now. He’s super busy this time of year,” I replied quickly. Game, set, match, little twerp!

“When will he not be busy?” Damn, bitch was straight-up about to interrogate me.

“Um… the summer, probably. Less busy then. Better hours,” I nodded at her. It’s fun knowing you’re going to go to hell solely because of the lies you’ve told a semi-innocent demon-child.

Moose’s mouth fell into the perfect frown. Like, a literal upside-down U. Her eyes got super wide, like a bush baby on speed. And they got all watery too. Moose didn’t cry… ever, so I wasn’t sure why the Santa thing was fucking with her so bad. Of course, there was the chance she was doing this on purpose and was totally fucking with me. The kid was crafty: she’d been in the principal’s office multiple times for all of the fast ones she’d pulled on the lil dummies she went to school with.

“It’s not that deep, dude. He keeps a low profile. Do you wanna get donuts?” I tried to steer the conversation back towards safer grounds.

Her frown immediately switched back into a smile. “Yes!”

Victory!

“But all I want for Christmas is to meet the reaaaalll Santa,” she drawled out, staring me dead in the eye. Terrified shivers slithered down my spine. “That’s alllll I want.”

Well, fuck.

X

I called an emergency meeting at Harry’s house. The emergency meeting could’ve been held at my house, but Harry’s house has more food and better central heating. So even though it was pretty out of the way for all of the people at said emergency meeting to meet there instead of my place, at least the payoff in their end was much better.

“Why are you always here?” Harry asked me as I shoved a holiday cookie in my mouth.

“Your mom sent you cookies,” I told him through the cookie that I was demolishing.

“Why are you opening my mail?”

“Um, we’re related, so that’s technically okay now.” I mean, it was. “Do you think that she’d send me some if you asked her? Like, I’m not her daughter, but I’m still kind of like her daughter.”

Harry couldn’t complain anymore because that was the moment that the rest of the guys and Ella showed up. Ella was the only one of them that Harry was happy to see, which was a bit rude, but I also couldn’t complain anymore because I was about to draft all of them to help me out with my problem.

“Am I missing something?” Harry looked at me. Okay, so maybe he was going to complain some more. Whatever; I’m fine with that.

“It’s about Moose,” I said, waving the guys over so that they too could enjoy the cookies that Harry’s mom had made. Sharing (other people’s food) is caring.

The mention of Moose’s name made everyone stop and pay attention to me. I mean, no one gave a fuck about me or my issues, but they all cared greatly for Moose. I understood that; even though the little grub was generally annoying as hell, she’d remained relatively untainted by the horrors of aging.

Once I finished basking in how I was the sole center of attention, I finally told them why we’d all gathered together. “She’s never had a Christmas without her mom. Or, at least, I’m assuming that she’s never had one without Flimsy. And now Flimsy is dead, so she’s definitely not having another Christmas with her. So we need to go balls to the fucking wall to make sure that this is the best damn Christmas that Moose has ever had.”

“What did you do?” Harry glared. It was kind of rude for him to automatically assume I’d fucked something up, but if I were Harry then I’d totally automatically assume I’d fucked something up. Because, like, I had fucked something up. I had to pull a real-life Santa Claus out of my own ass.

“I just want to give Moose the best Christmas possible,” I blinked innocently.

No one bought it.

Like, at all.

Like, they were literally folding their arms over their chests and staring me down.

Which, like, yes, I was being fake as hell. But my doe-eyed approach typically had a high success rate. I wasn’t sure why it wasn’t working on the people who knew me best. It wasn’t like I ever used that face on them.

“And there’s one more thing,” I added on quickly. Now that my jig was essentially up, I went back to my normal face before I broke the bad news. “I told Moose that Santa’s real and that means we need to prove to her that Santa is real.”

Everyone went quiet.

“She’s… she’s too smart to believe a fake Santa costume,” Niall said slowly.

“Moose is the girl who would tell the other kids on the playground why Santa is illogical,” Ella chimed in. Like, thanks, girl, for showing me how hard this was going to be. “In fact, I’m pretty sure that Moose told one of my brothers that Santa wasn’t real.”

“Why do you have so many brothers?” Niall asked.

“How many brothers do you have?” That was Louis.

“Too many. Back to the Santa issue!” I clapped my hands together before Harry could ask Ella if he could meet her hoard of siblings. I wasn’t sure where their relationship stood at that point, and even though I wanted to somehow know both everything and nothing at the same time, it wasn’t the time. “What are we going to do?”

“Tell her the truth?” Harry Styles, Santa Slayer deadpanned.

“Damn, you’re really no fun, are you?”

“I’m sorry, did no one ever introduce reality to you?” Harry sneered.

“How many lumps of coal did you have to get before you could turn it into that charcoal toothpaste you have in your bathroom?” I shot back. For the second time that day, game, set, and fucking match.

“Verity’s mom convinced me that Santa’s real,” Niall interrupted with complete and utter seriousness.

My mom loved telling people Santa was real, and it was one of the most embarrassing things about her. Like, more embarrassing than how she had me before she was legally able to drive, and also more embarrassing than how she chose to procreate with the unsalted baked potato that was Des. I never talked about the Santa thing with anyone because there was no cool, kitschy way to make it not seem totally fucking weird. It was supposed to follow my family to the grave, where it could then potentially be murdered for a second time, just to ensure it’d never have to be brought up in the future.

Damn it, Veronica. Couldn’t you just stay in your place, wherever that was?

I immediately jumped in to do damage control, but there’s only so much you can do when you know your mom’s already given the full spiel to your incredibly naive best friend. “When did the two of you ever talk about Santa in the first place?” When was Niall hanging around my mom when I wasn’t there? I mean, I knew that it’d happened before, but what  the fuck? Normally he told me every single detail because he enjoyed comparing me to my mother, which was another annoyance of mine.

“Veronica and I go way back, Verity,” Niall replied like that meant anything to me.

“We go way back too! She’s my mom!”

“I argue with Verity enough on my own; I don’t need to hear the two of you fight either,” Harry interrupted us, probably because he was feeling left out and he can only survive for mere minutes when all of the attention isn’t on him. “Can you get back to the purpose of this meeting? I have things to do.”

Harry didn’t have anything to do, and if he did then it was something lame that he was better off missing than attending. The dude is really not interesting.

“Help me show Moose that Santa’s real,” I insisted. “Please. All of you. That’s all I ask.”

“You want us to trick the trickster?” Louis asked. “Sounds pretty fucking impossible.”

“A Christmas miracle,” I leveraged.

“Miracles and Santa,” Harry snorted. Seriously, who hurt him? Was he really naturally that awful? “Must be nice having your head so far up in the clouds.”

“Chill out, Krampus,” I rolled my eyes at him. “So, are we in or are we in? I’m only acting like I’m giving you options here; I’ve built an entire lifestyle out of forcing people into doing what I want them to, so there’s really no out as long as I know where you all live.”

“Make your existence sound less illegal,” Ella scolded me. Hm, maybe her and Harry had more in common than I thought.

“I will help you,” Niall, the man of the hour/someone who contractually had to agree to all of my plans (it’s what happens when both of you are reckless; you always have to go along with the other person), insisted. “But do you have a plan?”

Psh.

Hell no, I didn’t have a plan.

“I’m working on it,” I told the room. “And it’s definitely going to work.”

X

Liam hadn’t been at the emergency meeting because he had to work or whatever. I couldn’t penalize him for having an actual, non-boring job, but it sucked having to recap the entire afternoon to him. I mean, yeah, it only took a few seconds, but those seconds could’ve been spent doing other things, like wallowing in self-pity.

Moose had been propped in front of the television with a giant stash of dinosaur nuggets and a vault of apple juice, watching some annoying animated shit that I would never agree to watch with her. She was in her ~zone~, so I knew she wouldn’t do anything too terrible for a couple hours. I was counting on her to be chill long enough for me to formulate an actual plan, since no one from that afternoon had contributed anything even remotely useful. Honestly, what’s the point of having friends if they can’t solve all of your problems for you?

While Moose was having the time of her kindergarten life, Liam and I were holed up in my room like we were in one of those emergency bunkers that doomsday preppers build. We weren’t coming up for air until I had Santa on lock.

“Why are we hiding from Moose?” Unfortunately, the guy I was banging wasn’t entirely caught up with the crisis mode lifestyle adjustments.

Liam knew I wasn’t about to fuck him because of my strict no-penetration-while-the-child-was-in-the-apartment rule, but I typically didn’t sequester her alone in a room.

“Did you not read the messages?” I asked him. Like, there was literally a fucking group chat made specifically for this event.

“There were 47 of them and the last eight of them are between Ella and Niall talking about the best kinds of frosting to use on Christmas Tree cookies. I figured it wasn’t important,” he shrugged. “Why? Is something wrong with Moose? Does she have the chicken pox or something?”

“Worse,” I shook my head sadly.

Liam looked at me blankly. “You aren’t about to make me guess, are you?”

“No,” I told him and he let out a sigh of relief. “But it really is awful. The only thing Moose wants for Christmas is to meet Santa. The real Santa. None of that mall shit.”

It took Liam a few moments to realize I was being serious. I mean, I was also being dramatic, and he knew that, but there were overall serious tones in the room. Once he figured it out, he spent a few more seconds trying to figure out what he wanted to say.

“This… this doesn’t have to be hard, Ver. There are probably hundreds of Santas you can rent out this time of year. Just hire one of those,” Liam came through quick with the rational response I could’ve used hours ago. “Feed them some facts about her ahead of time so she seems surprised. Parents do this all the time.”

“But it’s Moose,” I stressed, gliding over the fact that I was technically a ‘parent’ in this situation. Like, where had the fucking time gone? “She’ll tear all of those imposters apart. I need the most genuine Santa I can find.”

Liam sighed, falling back on my bed. I’m glad he was calm enough to sleep at a time like this. “Can’t you just ask your mom? This seems like something she’d know how to solve.”

“I’m trying to not ask her for things. You don’t understand how weird she gets about Santa; I’d rather not have to fight with her about this again.” I may have shuddered at the thought, but deep down I knew I would have to consult The Expert sooner rather than later.

Liam pulled me down so that I was resting on top of him. If I wasn’t about to have the stress-induced anxiety attack of a lifetime, I totally would’ve made out with him. But my libido had been shot. “I know you don’t want to talk to her, Ver, but seriously? Who else is better equipped to handle this shit than her?”

“A psychiatrist? Google?” I tried.

“Stop being so difficult, dude, and just ask her.”

It was my turn to let out a deep sigh. “Ugh. I wish she had chicken pox instead of this shit.”

X

Veronica Clare was my mother, not my sworn enemy. Her and I were super close; probably a lot closer than we should be. But that didn’t mean that I wanted her help with this. I wanted to do everything on my own.

Unfortunately, I knew how much this meant to Moose, and I also knew how often I messed things up.

I had to concede.

Finding my mom was easy because a) she’s my mom and b) she typically had a phone on her ever since she married Clive the Guacamole Guy (he made good guac; his actual job title had nothing to do with food) and became a regular member of society. Clive made enough money for Veronica to keep with her normal busker lifestyle, so while he was doing his shit as an art dealer, my mom… made art?

Anyway, I kicked into her studio like the hellforce that I was, ready sign my soul away in order to help a potentially troubled youth. Like, let’s not pretend like Moose wasn’t going to go through some #phases. I mean, with me as her legal guardian? I went through a phase an hour and both of my parents were still living.

“I need your help,” I announced. No need to beat around the bush!

My mom wiped her paint-colored hands off with a towel as she practically floated her way over to me. Bitch was ethereal, I’d give here that. “With what, petal?”

“I need for Santa to meet Moose.” Wow, it just finds a way to sound even dumber each time I said it out loud.

My mother, to her credit, didn’t flinch. Like, at all. She was almost too calm, if you know what I mean. In fairness, she’d probably been waiting for this day since I was a child. The only man I’d ever even kind of wanted to meet was my biological father (imagine my disappointment when I found it was just Des’ old baldin’ ass), so Santa never held any appeal to me. He, much like my father for all those years, was just another mythological being. Like, at least my dad paid taxes.

“I’ve been waiting for this day!” my mom cried out with outstretched arms. See? I told you. The bitch loved Santa.

“Please sound a little less excited,” I replied with a slight frown. I knew what was coming next. Things were going to take a turn for the worse.

“Well, I happen to know Santa!” she exclaimed in a concerningly non-joking manner.

Ah, yes, the worse was here.

“You’re kidding me, right?” I narrowed my eyes at her.

“Oh, petal, quit being such a non-believer! Who do you think gave you all those Christmas presents when you were young? We were poor; you know I couldn’t get you all of them.”

“They came from homeless shelters and charities. I was one of those kids who’s name was on a little tag on a tree. People would pick it off and buy me presents and then drop them off and there we go.” Just because I wasn’t the smartest person on the planet, it didn’t mean I didn’t know how being both poor and a child worked.

Veronica gave me soft smile, reaching out and playing with the ends of my hair. “Oh, petal, no. That never happened.”

“It did, though.”

“Okay, it happened, but that’s not where all of the gifts came from. Some came from Santa, I swear.”

I could’ve argued to have my mother institutionalized, but I didn’t know if that would actually help anything. Like, was there any point in me trying to convince her otherwise? Clive probably knew about her weird Santa thing and he married her anyway, so I guess this wasn’t a controversial issue for everyone. To me, it was plain-fucking weird, but maybe this was the universe’s way of presenting me with a solution to my problem.

“Well, can you get Santa to meet Moose? It’s urgent.”

Not a second passed.

“Sure, Petal. I can see if he can swing by my holiday party this weekend. You and your friends are coming, right? Santa will only be able to stay for a couple minutes and he probably won’t be able to bring any of the elaborate gifts because it’s so close to Christmas and all, but he’ll probably have activity books. Moose still likes those, right?” She said in one breath as she fluttered around her studio.

I stared at her, my mouth slightly open. Like, I didn’t think she was going to commit this hard. The things Clare women will do for a bit, I guess.

“I, uh, yeah, sure. We’ll all be there.” Was I supposed to thank her? I think I was supposed to thank her. I mean, in the odd chance she actually had a convincing Santa come through and not ruin Christmas for an innocent child.

X

A weird thing had happened where even though I knew Moose wasn’t my child and I had no reason to, like, care all that much about how she acted-slash-looked, ever since she’d been shacking up in my apartment, I felt like I had to make sure she was on her best behavior and looked at least kind of okay. Not, like, great or anything, since I’m literally a blood relative of Harry Styles: World’s Worst Dresser, but good enough for someone to not call CPS every time the kid walked into a room.

I didn’t want to enforce gender roles on her and shove her in a dress, but the only decent thing she had was a dress, so I wrestled her into one before brushing her hair and making sure there wasn’t dirt in her teeth or whatever gross things kids acquire.

I looked… okay…, which was good enough for me.

“Is Santa going to be here?” Moose asked. Yet again, I couldn’t tell if she was testing me or not.

“If everything goes the way it should, then yes, you should be meeting Santa soon.” Was I not playing it cool enough? Veronica was reliable enough (she managed to keep me alive and out of jail), but, like, this was fucking Santa we were talking about. Could she work that one?

Moose looked up at Liam, who was riding over to my mom’s with us. “Will Santa be there?” Um, what the hell, bitch, wasn’t I all the validation you needed?

“Of course!” Liam smiled without hesitation. He was able to do that because he didn’t have to live with Moose, so he wouldn’t have to hear the inevitable fallout when she found out Santa wasn’t real.

The kid rode that high all the way to Veronica(and Clive and Raf)’s house. Meanwhile, I wondered if this was going to be the panic attack that finally took me out. I knew the situation wasn’t, like, dire whatsoever, but this somehow felt more daunting than signing the guardianship papers that allowed me to have legal responsibility of Moose. I started stress-squeezing Liam’s hand with such ferocity that he started pretending he needed both of his hands to fake-text people on his phone. Well played.

Moose immediately went on alert mode the second we stepped into Veronica’s place. She was keeping her eyes peeled for Santa. She looked like a damn meerkat. Moose was so ready to throw down that she literally stopped talking to Liam mid-sentence so that she could begin her hunt. What had I created?

“Wait!” I grabbed Moose’s arm before she could go and do whatever the hell it was kids do at someone else’s house. I pulled her close to me so that I could hiss threatening messages into her ear. “Keep your Santa propaganda to yourself,” I whispered to her. I didn’t want for her to hype up all of the other kids just to have them all get their lives ruined. Like, that would suck for literally everyone.

The gremlin shot me an annoyed look but nodded. I’d trained her well.

“Now, be free,” I commanded, letting go of her arm.

Moose tore off like a rocket so that she could wreak havoc upon people who didn’t have to speak to her on a regular basis.

“Relax, Ver, it’ll be fine,” Liam assured me before my step-sister swooped in so that she could tell Liam something wildly uninteresting. It wasn’t her fault it was boring; there’s just nothing interesting about being fifteen.

For the next twenty minutes, I forgot about the Moose-and-Santa thing. I was at my mom’s house with some of my best friends, so I logically wasn’t going to spend all of my time worrying about a malleable five year old. Like, I was a full nogg-and-a-half in before I realized I’d been stressed out all week about this party, and now Moose was nowhere to be found. I didn’t care about all the work I’d put into this (stop: I did some work). Santa whom? I wasn’t even worried about where she was. She could’ve been playing in traffic and I was so at ease that I would’ve just told her to not get her dress yet. And, knowing her, she probably really was playing in traffic. I was never going to see here again.

That is, until she barrelled directly into my legs.

I literally doubled over because Moose had almost taken out both of my kneecaps in one foul swoop.

“He knew my name!” she whispered excitedly. “Santa knows my name!”

“Moose?” Like, that was all we’d been calling her since… forever? I didn’t even know Moose’s real name until she showed up at my house. Even at that party, she was getting introduced as Moose.

“Maisie!” she shrieked. “He knew my name was Maisie! I never tell anyone that!”

I didn’t have the heart to tell her that both my mother and the entire New York Public Schools System had direct access to her real name. I was just happy she was going with this whole Santa thing.

“That’s… that’s great, dude!” I smiled at her. Huh, I guess my mom really had pulled this off. The bitch was good at what she did.

“He also said that he would bring you gifts every year, ‘n that sometimes you wouldn’t really believe it ‘cause you’d get presents from nice people -- charity… oh, that rhymes with Verity! -- oh, um, he said that you’d get presents from charity, but even when the charities couldn’t find you tha- that he’d still bring you gifts.”

I blinked. “Excuse me?”

Moose kept ramblin’ on, havin’ a good-ass time. “Yeahhhh, because one time you moved right before Christmas ‘n there wasn’t enough time for you to get on a present list but Santa still came and brought you presents anyway because he didn’t want for you to not get anything ‘cause he knew your mommy couldn’t buy stuff!”

I stared at her.

“Man, I love Christmas, Variety!” she said with a happy sigh, slapping me on the arm and skipping off to go become an evangelical Santa fan.

I was so in shock by her a) knowing about my time as an impoverished youth and b) her somehow gaining this information by a man named as Santa that I didn’t even have the chance to make a scene and scold her for calling me ‘Variety.’ Like, I didn’t call her ‘Maisie’; she could extend the same courtesy towards me.

“Why do you look like you’ve just found out we’re related for the first time?” I think Harry was making a joke, but since he’d never intentionally said anything funny in his entire life, I couldn’t be too sure.

He did, however, seem a little too smug. I mean, yeah, that was just how his face looked a lot of the time, but in this situation, it meant a lot more. I yanked his arm and dragged him to the corner of the room, away from all the festivities taking place around us. It was about to be a damn interrogation up in this bitch.

“Was that you in the Santa costume?” I hadn’t noticed him in the room (I hadn’t even noticed him at the party, tee bee aych. The guy can best be described as the word ‘beige’ come to life.), but that would’ve given him ample opportunity to slide off and do this little stint. Niall was nowhere smooth enough to pull this off, Louis couldn’t hide his accent to save his life, Zayn hated me/wasn’t even invited, and Liam was too hot to ever dress up as Santa, and it was clearly someone I knew.

Harry played dumb. I hate calling him smart, but he was smart enough to know when to play dumb. Rather unconvincingly, if I might add. Acting was definitely not this kid’s forte. “Why would I have been in a Santa costume?”

“Well someone had to be inside of it!”

“Yeah, and that someone doesn’t have to have been me,” he scoffed. “It’s not me!” he insisted as I continued glaring. “Verity, I swear, that wasn’t me.”

“I don’t believe you!”

“You don’t have to believe me! But it doesn’t change how it still wasn’t me!” He was getting annoyed now. “I don’t even believe in Santa; why would I want for Moose to believe in something just as fake?” he grumbled.

“Damn, Scrooge McDuck, what’s so bad about having a little fun?” I smirked at him. “Come on, just admit that your alter ego wanted to help me out some and then we can move on.”

My brother didn’t see the fun in this. “Would you stop? I already said it wasn’t me! I never even saw someone dressed like Santa even walk in here! God, you and your mom just never know when to quit!” he threw his hands up in exasperation before stomping off, probably grumbling insults about me to himself.

“Wait! If it wasn’t you, then who was it?” I called after him

Harry glared at me over his shoulder, still walking away. Homie didn’t even have the decency to stop in his tracks. “I guess Santa’s fucking real after all!”

#technically i wrote this last year #and just added random sentences this year #since it was a part of the series i never fully posted #anyway if yall remember et al then youll probs appreciate this more than if u dont know what et al is #poddywrites #also the italics didnt copy so yallre on your own #tryna figure out what i italicized #hint: its p much every other word

[11jj11]

Upon Our Sea -- Pokeshipping -- Chapter 3

Sorry for the lack up updates! Here's chapter three, and also we'll get our first Ash POV at the end of this chapter. :)

   Chapter Three – ‘Alola’ to Alola

   A week later Brock found himself staring out the window of the airplane, eyes locked on the sprawling ocean below. He wasn’t truly focused on anything in particular– his mind elsewhere as he flew out across the ocean. The Vulpix on his lap was fast asleep like usual, his many tails contently flicking as his trainer ran a hand down his back.

   Vulpix was the newest member of his team, having been with Brock for nearly a year now. He was the son the Vulpix that Brock had once temporarily raised while on his journey through Kanto– Suzie and Zane both agree that Brock should be the one to raised the kit of their Pokemon. Brock had been honored at the request, and had quite enjoyed having a fire type on his team once more, even if his Vulpix could be a bit temperamental at times.

   “Vul,” Vulpix opened one eye as Brock stopped petting him. Brock was rubbing at his temples, letting out a long sigh.

   “Do you really think I’ll just be able to find Ash?” Brock muttered, mostly to himself.

   Delia, Ash’s mother, had informed Brock that Ash was currently in the Alola region, which should have come as no surprise considering how much Ash had loved the region when they were younger. While this was a huge step forward in his search, simply knowing what region Ash was in wouldn’t be enough to find him. He had tried to reach Ash by every method he had known– but Ash’s Pokegear number still kept saying ‘out of range’, no matter when he had called.

   But still, that hadn’t stopped Brock from booking a flight to Alola, determined to find one of his oldest friends.

   “Pix!” Vulpix demanded, nudging Brock’s arm with his snout. Brock complied, once more petting the fire type.

   Misty had no idea of Brock’s sudden vacation– he wanted this to be a surprise. He had already told Misty that he had taken time off to visit her gym to celebrate their trio’s ten years of friendship– and that he wouldn’t be able to meet her for lunch for some time. This left him with roughly a week and a half to find Ash in Alola, and then to get back to Kanto in time to meet Misty. While this plan had seemed reasonable on paper, Alola was still a whole region to search!

   He had asked Delia how she contacted Ash– to which she replied with letters carried by Ash’s Swellow. Brock had been stunned that this was the only method she communicated with her son, but apparently she found the whole letter exchange very sweet. Delia had assured him that Ash did use a video phone on occasion when he stopped by a Pokemon Center, but these calls seemed to be quite random in nature. He did not have weeks to wait for Swellow to return so he could send a letter, nor did Brock have the time to wait for one of these occasional calls, and so traveling to Alola seemed like his best bet for now.

   “Well Vulpix, I hope you don’t mind some heat,” Brock said, scratching the Pokemon behind the ear. “I mean, you are a fire type, but I’m sure there’s some reason your Alolan cousins are ice types.”

   “Vul?” Vulpix flicked his ears uncertainly.

   Brock chuckled. “You can go back to sleep if you want– I’ll wake you up once we land.”

   Vulpix took his words to heart, because soon the fire type was fast asleep. Brock smiled weakly, and wondered if he should do the same. Jetlag would most definitely be hitting him, so it’s not like a nap would throw off his sleeping schedule. And with at least another hour or so until they reached Melemele island, it seemed it wouldn’t be a bad idea. Settling down into the small airplane seat, Brock closed his eyes.

------------------------------------------------------

   Brock wouldn’t say his nap was restful– being jerked out of his light sleep everytime turbulence hit– but it was better than boredly waiting for the flight to be over. He was pulled out of his sleep a final time as the plane landed, the whole jet rattling its passengers as its wheels ground against the runway. Vulpix dug his claws into Brock’s legs, the fur on his back standing on end.

   “It’s okay...” Brock muttered, though he wasn’t heard. Vulpix’s ears were pressed flat against his head, even after the plane had come to a complete stop.

   Brock had to carefully pry the Vulpix from his jeans so they didn’t rip, and he took in a painful breath as Vulpix instead dug his claws into Brock’s arm as he cradled the fire type against him. His other arm reached for his carry-on bag, leaving him unable to do anything about the Vulpix. Not even a Pokeball would do– Vulpix took after Pikachu when it came to Pokeballs.

   Exiting the plane was no fun either– everyone was in a rush, not afraid of shoving by people to get ahead. Luckily Brock had no other luggage except for his carry-on, which he slung over his shoulder once he got away from the crowd. Exiting the airport didn’t take long either, since Alola was used to having many tourists.

   “Well, we made it,” Brock said as they strolled away from the airport parking lot– not that he had any vehicle with him to park, but it was the quickest way out of the airport. He set down Vulpix at his heels, earning a glare from the fox. “Too bad, you get to walk now. My arm is all scratched up thanks to you, and I’d like to keep my shoulder in one piece.”

   Maybe he did favor Vulpix from time to time– but he never spoiled his Pokemon. Brock merely rolled his eyes as Vulpix gave him a begging face– ears back, charcoal black eyes gleaming, and a slight whimper. It was adorable... but Brock knew he couldn’t cave in. Years of training to be a breeder and a doctor had prepared him for such shows.

   “Pix...?” Vulpix whined.

   “We were just on a several hour flight– be grateful we can stretch our legs,” Brock replied, setting off under the Alola sun. He was regretting having worn long pants, but luckily he had several pairs of shorts in his bag.

   ...But he still had no idea of where to begin on looking for Ash.

   Vulpix was trotting unhappily at Brock’s heels, tails drooping. Brock figured a Pokemon Center would be his best shot for now. He could get a room, a nap, take a look at how Alolan Nurse Joy’s looked...

   Brock stiffed up– half expecting Toxicroak to pop out of his Pokeball at the thought. Luckily the Pokeball remained still on his belt. That was good– the last thing he needed was to be poisoned with his first few steps into Alola. He didn’t need to focus on girls right now– he needed to find Ash.

   So of course fate decided to mess with him.

   “Nine!”

   Brock looked up as he saw a flash of white– discovering a sleek creature racing towards him and Vulpix. The Pokemon was covered with white fur, highlighted with soft blues and purples. It came to a halt at Brock’s feet, peering down at Vulpix curiously. Brock stared, having seen pictures of this Pokemon, but never having seen it in person before.

   The ice type flicked its nine tails, leaning down to get a better look at Vulpix. The fire type glared up at his Alolan evolved counterpart, hissing, slipping behind Brock’s legs. This made the Alolan Ninetales only more interested, brushing by Brock while doing so. Amused and interested, Brock watched as the Ninetales tried to sniff at Vulpix, who backed away.

   It wasn’t until he saw the Ninetales’ trainer that things got difficult for Brock.

   “Shiron!” A voice cried, causing Brock and the two Pokemon to look back. A young woman was making her way through the crowd, carefully darting around people, muttering hasty apologies. She was swiftly trying to reach the Ninetales, worry on her face, apologetically looking up at Brock as she approached.

   And he felt his heart stop.

   Brock had become less... forward when it came to girls, age having maturing him, somewhat. He no longer promptly ran up to them, flowers in hand, and cheesey pickup lines falling from his lips. He knew very well now that not only was it quite startling and intrusive, but it was one way to swiftly lose his slim chance with the girl. But that still didn’t change the fact that it felt like he had been swept off his feet each time a beautiful maiden came his way– and this woman was no exception.

   The first thing he noticed about her was her uncertain smile– so sweet and worried at the same time. His eyes swiftly looked over her face, her skin pale like ivory, hair long and sweeping. It was a soft blonde, lighter than most blondes he had ever encountered. It wasn’t harsh like a Unovan girl that had bleached her hair, but everything about her screamed natural.

   “I’m– so– sorry–!” The girl huffed as she finally reached them, panting, hands on her knees as she tried to catch her breath. Her voice was just as soft as her features, as if no anger could come from her. She looked up at Brock, that apologetic look in her eyes.

   Her eyes... Arceus– they were beautiful! Such a charming green, not an intense emerald green, but rather more like the light green of meadow grass. Brock blinked slowly, staring at this beautiful woman before him. She was dressed mostly in white, giving her an angelic appearance.

   She clasped her hands together. “Please don’t be upset at Shiron, sir! She was just curious of the Vulpix you had! She had a fire type Vulpix friend growing up, and I am sure she was just–”

   Her apologetic ramblings snapped Brock out of his thoughts– and he realized that he had been silently standing there, expressionless. And with the hissing Vulpix at his feet he could understand how someone could mistake his stunned self as anger. At once he relaxed, shifting his gaze to her Ninetales, who was darting back to her side. It was easier to focus if he wasn’t staring right at her face– he didn’t want to make a fool of himself.

   But as he looked down he couldn’t help but notice she didn’t have a ring.

   That doesn’t mean anything Brock! He snapped at himself. She could have a boyfriend!

   Forcing himself to relax, he looked back at her gorgeous eyes, smiling.

   “Don’t worry ma’am, I’m not upset, just a bit startled. Please forgive Vulpix here, he isn’t the best with strangers,” Brock looked down at the fox. “Mind your manners, Vulpix.”

   “Vul,” Vulpix snapped, slinking between Brock’s shoes, glaring at the Ninetales.

   The woman relaxed at Brock’s words, and once more he found himself captivated by her. She seemed to be about Misty’s age– twenty, give or take a year. She smiled, before turning to address the Ninetales she called ‘Shiron’.

   “You just can’t run off like that!” She told the ice type. “You scare me when you do that, what if something had happened to you?”

   “Tales...” Shiron whimpered, ears going back like Vulpix’s often did. Unlike Brock though, this girl seemed to be unable to resist her Pokemon’s cuteness.

   “Oh Shiron, it’s okay,” She quickly said, kneeling down and stroking her head. “I just don’t want you to get hurt! Next time you want to meet a Pokemon just let me know, okay?”

   “Nine!” Shiron chirped, nodding, and the girl stood up.

   “Now, why don’t you go apologize to Vulpix for startling him,” The girl said, and the Ninetales happily trotted towards Brock once more.

   “Be nice to a lady,” Brock sternly told Vulpix. Vulpix glared up at Brock, before unhappily slipping out from between his trainer’s legs, allowing his icy counterpart to approach him. Brock took in a deep breath, and looked at the girl once more. “I believe I didn’t catch your name?”

   She smiled. “It’s Lillie, sir!”

   “Lillie, what a beautiful name,” He stopped himself from adding ‘for a beautiful girl’, but unfortunately this wasn’t enough to stop his chaperone.

   The sound of a Pokeball bursting open reached their ears, and a Toxicroak popped out next to Brock. The poison type slowly turned to face his trainer, who paled, eyeing him as a Poison Jab formed on the Pokemon’s hand. Toxicroak threateningly raised the Poison Jab, and Brock scrambled back.

   “Cro...”

   “I didn’t do anything!” Brock yelped desperately, and Toxicroak’s eyes narrowed.

   “Cro...?” Toxicroak’s head slowly turned towards Vulpix, who was grumpily sitting in the shadow of Shiron. Vulpix merely shrugged at Toxicroak’s questioning glare, and the poison type looked back at Brock. The sac on his throat inflated and deflated as Toxicroak thought on the situation, looking at Lillie.

   She looked quite startled at the sudden appearance of the Pokemon, but unfortunately her fearful face wasn’t helping Brock’s case. The Kantonian man simply closed his eyes, knowing that Toxicroak was judge, jury, and executioner.

   But no Poison Jab came.

   Brock opened one eye, finding Toxicroak glaring at him. The frog Pokemon raised his hand, pointing at his eyes, then at Brock. The Pokemon doctor gulped at the warning– and then Toxicroak vanished back into his Pokeball with a flash of red light.

   “Um...” Lillie muttered uncertainly, looking at Brock.

   “Heh... my Toxicroak can be a bit, um... dramatic,” Brock explained. “Sorry if he startled you...”

   To his relief, Lillie smiled. “It’s fine! You have very expressive Pokemon, it’s kind of cute, sir.”

   She smiled down at Vulpix, who had stiffened up as Shiron licked his head.

   “Please, just call me Brock,” Brock said, relaxing. It had been several minutes and the girl was still talking to him– and he hadn’t been dragged off by Toxicroak! He studied the girl for several moments longer, frowning. She seemed almost... familiar– but he hadn’t been to Alola before. “Are you from around here?”

   “Yep!” Lillie said, kneeling down next to Shiron, holding out the back of her hand to Vulpix. The fire type stiffened, but a glare from Brock caused him to sniff the girl’s hand. She took this as acceptance, and stroked Vulpix’s head. “I’m guessing you’re not though, since you have this cute little guy!”

   To Brock’s surprise, Vulpix allowed Lillie to pet him without pulling away. Sure, he was still as stiff as a rock, but he was still letting her do it.

   “I’m a Pokemon doctor, from Kanto,” Brock said, and Lillie jerked her head up. “I’m here looking for a friend.”

   “A Pokemon doctor?” She cried, quickly scrambling to her feet. Brock took a step back, was there something wrong with that?

   “Um...” Brock began.

   “Please, can you help me?” Lillie plead, taking a few steps towards him. “I came into town to find a Nurse Joy, but they usually don’t leave the Center during working hours–”

   “S-slow down,” Brock said, holding his hands out as a panicked looked crossed her face. Was something wrong? Then why had she stopped to talk to him? “Is everything alright?”

   She took in a deep breath. “S-sorry... It’s just Professor Kukui– I work for him– asked me to come get a Nurse Joy. His Lycanroc’s eggs just hatched a few days ago, and the litter just isn’t doing well, and we have no idea what’s wrong! They aren’t dying or anything, but we just don’t know what to do, and when you said you were a Pokemon doctor...”

   She trailed off, and Brock took in her words. A Lycanroc, an Alolan Pokemon he was familiar with. Ash had caught one, and thanks to his family’s interest in rock types he had spent some time with the wolf-like Pokemon. Brock stared at Lille for a moment, eyes watering up with worry and uncertainty– there was no way he’d leave such a beautiful girl hanging.

   But Professor Kukui– Brock knew the name. It was the name of the professor Ash had stayed with while originally in Alola. What would be a better place to start to get a lead on Ash’s location?

   “I know it’s kind of sudden, but we could really use your help!” Lillie said. “We– we’d pay you of course, and–”

   Brock held up a hand. “I’d be honored to help– no pay necessary. I can’t guarantee I can magically fix whatever is wrong, but I do have experience with rock types,” He smiled. “There’s no way I could just walk away from gir– er– Pokemon in need. Besides, there’s something I’d like to ask the professor, actually.”

   Lillie’s demeanor brightened. “Thank you, Brock!”

   Brock smiled down at Vulpix, who was currently being groomed by Shiron the Ninetales. A potential lead on Ash, and good company? Yes, this trip to Alola was starting off quite well.

------------------------------------------------------

   “Hey, Boss! You deaf or somethin’?”

   “H-huh?” Ash blinked a few times as he was jerked out of his thoughts, staring out at the open sea. He frowned a bit, before turning away from the beach view and back towards who was calling out to him. “Is everything alright?”

   “Besides me callin’ to you for several minutes?” The speaker rolled their eyes, crossing their arms. “The lugs want something to eat, they sent me to ask you since... you and me are... ya know?”

   Ash closed his eyes. “You’re all my students, please don’t tell me that they’re afraid of me.”

   He shrugged. “You can be pretty scary at times to be honest, Boss.”

   “Please don’t call me that,” Ash muttered, stretching. He hadn’t been asleep or anything, but his mind had been lost in a wonderful daydream... but he just couldn’t remember what it had been about. A warm Alolan breeze rushed over the beach, causing Ash to let out a sigh.

   “...So... about dinner...?” The voice asked.

   “Have you guys defeated Pikachu yet?” Ash asked, and the speaker looked away, as if he had been hoping Ash wouldn’t asked this.

   “You know he’s too strong for us!” The voice cried, his accent sounding like it would be more fitting for Unova than an Alolan paradise. “You can’t honestly expect us to be able to defeat him! Besides, you know the Piks don’t trust us a bit...”

   “And who’s fault is that?” Ash asked, once more turning his attention to the ocean, frowning. It had been a lovely dream... but what had it been about...? “Besides– you’ve defeated him before. There’s three of you, and one of him. Just be clever, then you can all take a break.”

   The speaker grinned. “Cleverness, huh...?”

   Ash closed his eyes. “Using Pokemon attacks only! No... dirty tricks, or... giant robots or anything...”

   “Where would we get a giant robot on this Arceus-forsaken island?” The voice asked, though he sounded mildly disappointed.

   “I wouldn’t put it pass you three,” Ash said, and he waved his arm. “Now go, Pikachu’s your teacher today. Defeat him, then we’ll talk about food.”

   “I’m hungry though...” The voice muttered unhappily.

   “I’m pretty sure you three have been eating better during our training than any other time of your travels,” Ash muttered. “Now please, go finish what was asked of you– or else you’re going back in your luxury ball.”

   “Eep!” The voice yelped at this threat, and quickly turned on a heel. “Sure thing, Boss!”

   Ash sighed as the Pokemon raced back into the forest that covered most of the island. They were a needy bunch alright... though he couldn’t blame them for wanting to eat right now, Ash could always go for a quick snack...

   But with lunch only a few hours ago, he knew that they were just fine.

   Ash walked down the beach, letting the ocean rush up the shore and over his feet. He watched the waves retreating, and once more found himself wondering what he had been dreaming about. Whatever it was, it must have been nice for him to be missing it this much. He stooped down, picking up a seashell, before tossing it into the ocean.

   He watched as it made a small splash, before sinking into the waves, and he shook his head.

   “Doesn’t matter,” He muttered aloud. “I should be training, not thinking.”

   The ocean’s response was sending another few waves ashore, but Ash had already turned away from the beach. The water rushed against the sand, before retreating back to the ocean unnoticed. Ash was hastily heading towards the tropical forest, several bird Pokemon diving down as he approached. The twenty-year old held up his arms, allowing several of the flying Pokemon to land.

   A young Skarmory claimed his shoulder, while a Murkrow and Pikipek landed on his head. A Swablu landed in his outstretched palm; while a Pidgey, Taillow, and Spearow landed on the same arm. The Spearow let out a harsh caw as a Zubat fluttered over, and the frighten poison type quickly clung to Ash’s shirt, shaking.

   “Spearow,” Ash said in a warning tone. “Be nice to your siblings, or else your father will hear of this when he gets back. That goes for all of you too,” Ash added when he noticed Skarmory glaring a Wingull flying over head.

   All of the flying types set out several cries of understanding, a few of them nuzzling their nearest half sibling. Ash smiled as the young Pokemon, before heading into the forest, the Wingull landing next to Skarmory.

   Ash glanced back at the ocean one more time, longing for the forgotten dream.

#pokeshipping #pokeshipping week #pokeshipping fanfiction #pokemon fanfiction #Ash Ketchum

[sanscsq]

A Comprehensive Post On Mems: Major Characters Edition

prepare yaself for a whole lotta info. tw for gore and death mention.

MYSELF:

- assumed to be around 5′0″. skinny; no ectobody. shared a more slender face with papyrus, but my head was more round than square like his. had skeletal hands with sharpened tips, along with large and sharp canines. no scars or other notable features.

- wore a jacket with a furry hood. also wore a white sleeveless turtleneck, along with sweatpants and pink slippers.

- had a very strong association with dogs. my blasters behaved like dogs when not in battle, i got along well with dogs, i was always affectionate towards them, so on so forth.

- eyelight behaved much like a human’s adrenal gland; when i was in situations where adrenaline, hormones, or cortisol were needed (i was stressed, i was fighting, etc.), it would appear. it didn’t flame -- it only flashed between an electric blue and a pastel yellow. however, it did give off warmth.

- would sometimes do this very guttural, deep-throated growl when frustrated.

- would friendly-flirt with people if i knew they were ok with it. was kind of a shit about it.

- hung out in waterfall a lot. i’d often wander the caverns, humming and talking to echo flowers.

- better at biology than math. did a lot of dt research instead of super complex physics. you could get me to explain quantum physics, but if you put me down in front of an equation for it, i’d just leave.

PAPYRUS:

- tall, lanky. assuming i was 5′0″, he would estimate at about 7′10″. had skeletal hands, like me, as well as sharp (but much smaller than my own) canines. no scars or other notable features.

- first attempt at spaghetti tasted like charcoal.

- his voice was deeper than mine, and mine was already pretty deep, so.

- his armor was partially knit, partially cloth. the chest piece in particular was kind of like a sweater material with how it was knit.

- his scarf was ripped at the edges in some places from when he’d train.

- he wasn’t all innocent and naive. he was actually kinda badass when he needed to be, could hold his own, but didn’t believe he had the right to take someone’s life -- even if that meant beating them within an inch of it. ahem, frisk.

- would let me piggyback sometimes.

- one time shut the lights off on me while i was working in the basement.

- him and mettaton were best friends. very close to me, but we would annoy the hell out of each other (ofc, not to be mean) or just friendly bicker a lot.

ALPHYS:

- estimated to be somewhere around 4′5″ to 4′8″. had legs that bent backwards and ended in almost talon-like feet. resembled a bearded dragon, had tiny little spines poking out from the space between her jaw and her mid-neck. no scars or other notable features.

- wore big round glasses. usually had her lab coat popped open (at least when i was still working in the science field), and wore either a black or pink skirt alongside the usual turtleneck for work. wore skirts more than pants bc of the way her legs were shaped; said they were uncomfy.

- witnessed gaster’s death with me.

- enjoyed darker animes and mangas, but nothing too terribly dark. think madoka magica-level dark. about that level. 

- married undyne after we all got to the surface. a good friend of mine, no more, no less.

UNDYNE:

- estimated to be somewhere around 8′3″. had fin hair instead of actual hair; had three spines that ended around mid-neck, mid-back, and the back of the knee; between each spine, the semi-transparent red fins were ripped/ruffled near the edges. her fingers (and more than likely toes) had webbing between them, she had gills placed between three of her ribs on either side, and her skin was rough to touch (against its natural grain) because of thousands of pinkie nail-size scales. had almost angler fish-like teeth. had scars on her cheek, jawline, and upper lip.

- her eye was shot out by the yellow soul with his last bullet.

- once tried to fight me because i was slacking off at work; i just kept dodging and it pissed her off. destroyed the sentry station, where papyrus later put his cardboard version.

- married alphys after we all got to the surface. a boss figure to me since i was a sentry, and though that lead to a more restrained relation, we weren’t on bad terms either.

ASGORE:

- estimated to be somewhere around 10′3″ without horns, 10′10″ with. had long goat ears, sideways goat pupils, and satyr-like legs. built like a goddamn mountain, broad in the shoulders and quite muscular, but he also had a bit of a belly to him. no scars or other notable features.

- soft-spoken and calm, but had a thick and deep voice that rumbled like an earthquake. used really old-timey lingo sometimes.

- one time invited me for tea to talk about science progress. it was fucking terrifying, he was so intimidating. given, he’s not a bad guy, i shouldn’t have been worried, but still. holy shit. otherwise though, we didn’t talk much.

TORIEL:

- estimated to be somewhere around 9′10″ without horns, 10′1″ with. had long goat ears, sideways goat pupils, and satyr-like legs. she had a smaller frame than asgore, an hourglass shape, and she had quite a bit of muscle. no scars or other notable features.

- calm and sweet when she talked. used really old-timey lingo sometimes.

- a friend of mine. we would talk over text and in real life, but it wasn’t like we were talking every single day either. a casual buddy.

METTATON:

- estimated to be somewhere around 6′9″. didn’t vary much from his appearance in-game, except for the fact his boots were thigh high instead of to the knee. no scars or other notable features.

- my boss when i worked at his resort as a comedian. he’d often badger me about not having good enough jokes, but i didn’t get fired, so...not sure he really meant it.

GASTER:

- estimated to be somewhere around 9′0″. right eye had a white iris and a black pupil, while the left had only a white pupil. he was naturally built a little stronger than expected, but he was a skinny thing in spite of his frame. had no nose. had two deep-set lines etched into his face, the one in his right eye heading up to the very top of his skull while the one in his left eye dragged down to the near corner of his lip. no other notable features. 

- the definition of the gentle giant trope. wouldn’t hurt a fly unless forced, and would gladly care for you if you needed it and weren’t obviously looking to screw him over. would sometimes stutter when he spoke, but it was more because of sleep deprivation or flusteredness than a vocal tick.

- would sometimes also say some incredibly stupid shit because of said sleep deprivation.

- threw himself into the core after its completion.

- had a friendly relationship with him in spite of work. we’d get shit done when we needed to, but we’d often fuck with each other -- i’d jokingly flirt with him until he was a sputtering mess of purple blush, and he’d make petty jabs at me when i wasn’t doing what i was supposed to.

FLOWEY:

- estimated to be somewhere around 2′3″. petals curled and waved near the edges, but he otherwise didn’t vary much from his appearance in-game.

- we hated each other. no doubt about it. don’t remember how we met or how confrontation started, though.

FRISK:

- estimated to be somewhere around 5′6″. had dark brown hair with bangs that covered their eyes for the most part (unless they’d been running around and whatever to shift it out of place), darkish tan skin, and a slim figure. wore a sweater that was too big and it covered everything but the very ends of their fingertips. possibly wore cowboy boots.

- couldn’t speak. signed instead.

- an older frisk. they ranged from somewhere between 15 to 25, i don’t remember.

- kind of a shit personality-wise, but that didn’t mean they weren’t a good person deep down. expressed remorse for the (albeit aborted) geno run and would help others, but they were the type to use intense sarcasm and poke fun at you for stupid shit. playful fuckery, basically.

#mems #tw: gore mention #tw: death mention