#hard to believe that there was a time when i thought heartbeat was the peak of this series

[glasswingowl]

ep 7 spoilers under the cut

oooo snazzy new intro! love it

the fucking for rent banner lmao

OH

NORI MOMENT INCOMING

THE FUCKING SHADOW CLAWS SICK AS HELL

"get 048" awww friends :3

THEY KEEP THEM IN LOCKERS??

uh where did the sentinels go

oh you are so dead dude

OH THIS IS SO COOL

potential nori moment??? that's gotta be nori right??

hehehe crab

n instantly trying to go back for v ;-;

uzi ;-;

"robots like boxes, right?" tessa. bro. not cool.

oh SHIT

bonk

THAD AND LIZZY THAD AND LIZZY THAD AND LIZZY BELIEVERS WIN

v????

"i deserve this" n sweetie no!!!

oh not this again

AAAA-

THE FUCKING POSTERS-

????

OH. IT WAS THEM. THEY DESTROYED EARTH.

wait why didn't tessa mention this earlier? seems kind of important, no?

homegirls been taking flying lessons! good for her!

FUCKING NIGHTCORE????

oh here it comes. time to meet mama, uzi

:O

"you look familiar" uhhh. that's not a good thing

"I'm looking for a hunk named Khan" CONFIRMED NORI EVERYONE STAY CALM

"HOW DO YOU KNOW MY DAUGHTER" AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-

oh it's just j. disappointing.

forgot how much i loved lizzy

Khan??

"MY WIFE"

"having interests beyond cannibalism and NIGHTCORE-"

i take back everything bad i ever said about khan he is the best

oh hey tessa's alive- what the fuck is she doing

SPEAKING OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ALIVE

wait wdym you don't know??

"not sure it needs you, buddy" what the fuck is that supposed to mean?

FNAF JUMPSCARE

YEVAAAAAAA

i'm choosing to believe that yeva is mute until proven otherwise

hand cutting again!! (is that meant to be a parallel to n and uzi? because if so...)

aww- o shit. well that explains that

I love nori. so much

poor doll.

y'know when everyone was coming up with predictions for nori's personality, i don't think anyone really guessed "AN EXACT COPY OF HER DAUGHTER" she even tells people to bite her!

i'm too lazy to copy the get a job stay away from her image just pretend it's here again

OH. OH HE JUST FKICING. well that's one way of picking a side

;-;- oh this is the hand scene wait no

SHIT

"your backups will forgive me" oh so he's just a plaything to her just like he was to tessa. man he just CANNOT catch a break can he

NORIIIIIII!

"you're frickin grounded" nori ma'am i love you

oh this is SICK AS HELL

slap

I HAVE TOO MANY THINGS TO DAY ABOUT THIS FIGHT SO IM JUST GONNA SCREAM AAAAAAA

THE CAMERA CIRCLING AROUND A CHARACTER DEFENDING THEMSELVES FROM PROJECTILES/ENEMIES IS ALWAYS COOL I DON'T CARE HOW MANY TIME I SEE IT

N-

N YOU FUCKIN DUMBASS

solvers hate her! free you daughter from possession by forcing her to confront her relationship with her sort-of boyfriend!

THE FUCKING DELIVERY ON THIS SCENE IM DYING

oh ;-;

wait. WAIT WHAT

OH GOD OH FUCK. YOU GUYS WERE RIGHT.

Y'ALL AREN'T ALLOWED TO LAUGH AT ME FOR MIXING UP TESSA AND CYN THAT ONE TIME ANYMORE.

i can't tell if this is an effective compromise for the whole "wanting to see what tessa looks like vs no visible human characters" debate

still, sick as hell, and very on brand for liam vickers.

OH SHIT-

LMAOOOO-

WHAT THIS? BY GOD, IT'S KHAN, LIZZY AND THAD WITH THE STEEL CHAIRS!

"prior hazard" yeah you'd know wouldn't you

MYSTERY FLESH PIT

OH THIS. THIS FUCKING SCENE

uh.

OH. OH. THIS IS A HALLUCINATION RIGHT-

AND IT ENDS THERE????

#murder drones spoilers #glasswingtalks #murder drones #good fucking god. #i am #reeling #absolutely phenomenal work from the animation team on this one #AND WE FINALLY GET NORI #THE HEART OF THIS ENTIRE MYSTERY #ALIVE AND WELL #just. wow #hard to believe that there was a time when i thought heartbeat was the peak of this series

[imthegayone]

The Goliath

Summary: Roller coasters were never your favorite but when your girlfriend wants you to ride one, how can you say no?

Warnings: mentions of anxiety of riding roller coaster, passing out on a roller coaster, and not the best writing

Author's Notes: I'm very new to writing, but @wol-fica asked for this and tho someone said they had it covered I wanted to give it a try :) I've also never been on the Goliath but I looked up a video and its a hard no for me. But I hope you enjoy and I hope your next cup of hot coco is exacty how you like it 🩵

(p.s. I'm also kinda new to crushing on Jenna so if she's a bit ooc I'm sorry)

Word Count: 892

__________________

When you suggested a trip to Six Flags with Jenna and her sisters, you imagined odd food and maybe a ride on the Wave Swinger. Not a ride that was so tall it struck fear into you the second you laid eyes on it. The Goliath, the name alone made you wanna speed walk in the other direction. Towards the food stand with tables to share a huge plate of funnel cakes with your loving girlfriend. 

The same loving girlfriend that was leading you to the long line of people waiting to experience the thrill of having their hearts jump into their throats. Maybe you were being a little dramatic but the impending doom you felt as you listened to the people scream at the steep drop overpowered any other thought. You were terrified, but the clear excitement Jenna was feeling made you believe that you could be brave enough for her. 

However, as the line shortened and the ride grew taller, you began to question why you agreed to risk your life. “Thank you, I know rides aren’t your favorite.” Jenna whispered as she leaned closer to you so no one else could hear. She knew that you were only doing this to make her happy and the way she looked up at you made you realize just how much you’d to achieve just that. 

“I just hope your sisters don’t realize how sweating my palms are.” You whispered back earning a chuckle as you wiped your hands down your pants for the 100th time. The feeling of her hand slipping into yours brought your attention away from the ride and back to her. A smile making its way across her face that made your heart quicken from something other than fear. 

The moment was broken as the teenager controlling the ride motion for your group to get on. You were feeling confident as love for your girlfriend surged through you but as the safety bar lowered to your chest all confidence you gained disappeared. Jenna grabbed your hand again, gaining a scared but grateful smile from you. 

Creaking as the cart started its journey on the track to the steep incline and your quickened heartbeat was all you could hear. The desperate prayer that the torturous wait would be quick was never answered. The slow trek up the incline felt like hours, the suspense making you nauseous. 

Reaching the peak you closed your eyes tight, the grip on Jenna’s hand turning ironclad. “Oh, fuck.”. 

_______________

Your hands were still shaking as you entered your shared apartment. Your feet mindlessly taking you towards the couch. As you plop down onto the cushions you think you hear the sound of the kettle being put on the stove and cabinets being opened but think nothing of it. 

After a few minutes of staring blankly at the wall you see Jenna enter the living room with two mugs in hand and a hesitant smile. “Hi baby, I made you some hot chocolate.” Placing the mug into your hands she gives you a kiss on your forehead and settles in next to you. You take a sip of your drink, the warmth of her and the chocolate grounding you. 

“Thanks, J.” You sent a smile her way as her free hand played with the baby hairs at the back of your neck. All of the sudden the memories of the last hour come rushing back making you groan. 

“Do you think Aliyah will post that video of me.. passing out?” Jenna chuckles but it dies as she sees you frowning. “She won’t.” The reassurance falls flat as she tries to hide her growing smile as your checks redden. “Oh my god she will!” You place your mug down on the coffee table and cover your face with your hands even more embarrassed than the moment it happened. 

The laugh she was trying to cover up bubbled out as she gently grasped your wrist pulling your hands away. “Baby please, it’s gonna be okay, I promise.” You knew there was more by the look in her eyes. You were gonna kill Aliyah, or at least beg Natalie to give you some embarrassing baby pictures of her in revenge. 

“She might've already put it on her story, only on close friends though.” 

“Oh god. I’m never living this down am I?” The responding laugh was enough to know you were doomed to have that video haunt you for the rest of your life. 

“Look at it this way, now you're truly part of the family. We all have some embarrassing things over each other. You saw the post my mom made when she learned I smoked.” That pulled a chuckle from you, remembering just how embarrassed Jenna was when she read it. She swore she wasn’t leaving the house ever again. 

“See I made it through so everythings gonna be okay!” Jenna says with a smile, pulling you into her until your head is resting on her chest and your body lays between her legs. Your hand slips under her shirt to feel even more of her comforting warmth against you. A hum escapes you both when she wraps her arms around your shoulder and kisses the top of your head. 

“Thank you for trying the ride for me Y/n, even though the Goliath took you out.”

#jenna ortega x reader #jenna ortega x you #jenna ortega #im not 100% happy with this but im happy i gave it a shot #wolficas fics are so good and inspiring that i cant not try and give them what they want #so anxious to post this tho that I might just pass out and get into character #fics by the gay

[runscold-runsdeep]

Just A Check-up

Hema (OC)

Warnings/disclaimers: EKGs, OC and an unnamed character, implied anxiety and stress, chest pains and palpitations

Word count: 645

Hema finds himself getting anxious about chest pains and a rapid, pounding heart, so he decides to get it checked out. He's okay, don't worry.

//Author's note

Just something I wanted to write down about my blorbo. My silly guy. I need to start making more content for him, since he's the perfect candidate for these kinds of writings

🫀⸸⛧⸸🫀

Hema shuddered, the cold air of the infirmary chilling his bare torso as he laid back on a rather stiff stretcher, shifting a bit to get comfortable on it after having his heart listened to by the sister of sin who worked the nurse duties in the infirmary. A familiar face in an all too familiar place.

He was far more than just familiar with the Ministry's infirmary, his given vessel being weak upon his summoning resulting in the plague ghoul making frequent, almost daily, visits for tests and diagnosis for whatever disease or abnormality decided to show itself that day. This test was no different.

He twitched slightly, the sticky gel for electrodes against his skin chilling him further. "Ain't there no way you could warm these up before stickin' 'em on me?" Hema complained with his noticeable Southern drawl.

"Are you going to whine the whole time, or do you want to find out why you're experiencing these chest pains and palpitations?" The sister of sin taking nurse duties raised her brow at the ghoul, glaring playfully at him while feigning annoyance.

"Well, I just figured that since I'm a regular visitor I should have some kinda special treatment here." He folded his arms behind his head, which earned him a couple of light jabs to the ribs, making the ghoul jolt and swiftly clamp his elbows to his sides.

"And with how frequent you visit, I'm surprised you haven't learned to keep your arms down at your sides for these types of tests." She scolded.

"Right, right. Sorry." Hema chuckled bashfully.

The nun began gathering the electrodes, which were tangled like webs, sorting them out and placing them where they should go on Hema's body. Soon, the machine did its magic, showing all the peaks and valleys of the demon's heartbeat and printing it all out. They seemed normal. A steady rhythm with no skips or stumbles. There was one issue, however. It was just a little fast for a ghoul of his size. The nun hummed thoughtfully at the paper.

"What? What's it showin'?" Hema leaned up a bit to face her.

She said nothing, setting the paper aside to remove the electrodes from Hema's body, the ghoul wincing whenever the gel tugged at his body hair. "Am I okay?"

"Well," the dark nun began, "It appears normal for the most part, but it's not your usual rhythm." She explained, "Your heart sounded perfectly clear when I listened to it, which leads me to believe there's really nothing wrong with your heart at all. Have you had any caffeine?"

"No, ma'am. It makes me too jittery." He replied truthfully.

"Have you been nervous about anything or stressed out?"

Hema thought hard, his brows furrowing as he looked to the side. "I dunno what I would be stressed about. I mean, this tour is over now, so I shouldn't be stressin' out or nervous 'bought anything."

"Stressors tend to linger, even if you don't think it's there." She turned to a desk, writing something down on a sticky note and handing it to him. "Give this to Papa so he'll know to leave you be for a while. Rest up, drink some chamomile or lavender, chill out for a bit."

Hema glanced over the note before looking to the sister of sin, nodding at her and giving her a soft smile, "Appreciate it." He stood up from the stretcher, stretching, "Hopefully I won't need to bother you again today."

"Hey, you're not a bother." She patted his arm, "I'm here to help you when you need it."

Hema smiled a little wider, "Thanks."

After sending the note off to Papa Emeritus, he did as instructed. He decided to make himself a calming tea and curl up in his den, watching TV and sipping the warm drink. He already felt a little better.

#cardiophile #cardiophilia #heartbeat #cardiophiliac #ghost bc #the band ghost #rcrd's fic #ghost #ghost band #ghoul oc #ghost ghouls #rcrd's ocs #not proofread

[davnittbraes]

A Piece of Whimsy

Pairing: Tim Rockford x Marcus Pike x F!Reader

Rating: T

Word Count: 380

Warnings etc: naughty thoughts, allusions to smut

Notes: just a little snippet from a current WIP. For context, Reader is involved in a case Detective Rockford is working on and has agreed to meet with him.

He shifts that serious gaze away from you, toward the dossier peaking out from the clutter on his desk.

You finally take a breath, trying to soften the tremor in your lungs as you recenter yourself. Being the sole target of that gaze - deep brown, heavy with thought, intent - is doing things to you. 

Inappropriate things, considering the circumstances. 

Fingers digging into your thighs, you sit up straighter in the worn office chair, setting your jaw. 

Get a hold of yourself. He’s a detective. You’re here to answer questions about a case. Be professional. 

Detective Rockford flips open the dossier, pulling a few sheets from underneath the first file and holding them out to you. “I’m hoping you can fill in some of the gaps I’ve run across. I’ve got some reports here, I’d appreciate your insight on the events they’re describing.”

Taking the papers as calmly as you can, you settle them in your lap and start scanning the typed words. 

You reread the first sentence five times before you even realize it. 

Oh come on. Focus. 

It’s impossible. Not when he’s right there, sitting across the desk, loosely knotted tie and unbuttoned collar exposing a sliver of skin that has your tongue sticking to the roof of your mouth. 

And definitely not when he’s settling back in his chair, white button-up stretching across his broad chest, shoulders shifting under those holsters that your fingers are twitching to curl around, yank him closer as you crawl into his lap -

The office door suddenly swings open and the papers crinkle in your hands as you startle, twist around in your seat in surprise. 

Oh. Oh no. 

Detective Rockwood sighs heavily, tapping his fingers on the top of his desk as he looks at the intruder. “Miss, I believe you’ve already met the FBI liaison on this case, Agent Pike.”

Your heartbeat trips as you meet the warm, brown gaze that had you so ridiculously flustered this morning, running to the bathroom the moment he’d left to dab cold water on your cheeks and give yourself a stern talking to in the mirror. 

Marcus smiles, corners of his eyes crinkling, plush lips parting as he returns your gaze. “I was hoping I’d run into you again.”

You swallow hard. 

You’re fucked.  

#tim rockford fanfiction #marcus pike fanfiction #tim rockford x reader #tim rockford x female reader #tim rockford x f!reader #tim rockford x you #marcus pike x reader #marcus pike x female reader #marcus pike x f!reader #marcus pike x you #reader insert #no y/n

[zooophagous]

Strauss reclined with his arm behind his head and idly thumbed through his latest book. "Into Thin Air," a harrowing true story about an adventure on Mt. Everest gone awry. It was a depressing story, though it did make him wonder about the exploits of vampire explorers. Surely someone with incredible strength, a resistance to cold and a disregard for such petty frivolities such as "oxygen" could make a very accomplished mountain climber. Maybe he'd try it. If he was ever able to spend more than a month without ending up in the hospital wing.

His body's healing was markedly faster now, now with a real ration in his belly every evening. But it was still too slow for his racing mind. He had to do... something. Train to fight. Learn to use a weapon. Do drills with security. He had no idea where to start, just that he had to, somewhere.

He was distracted from his dark thoughts by a weight at the foot of the bed.

"Artemis. Didn't see you come in."

"I have something you might think is cool." She grinned, and handed him a little folder.

He took the folder and flipped it open, displaying a series of numbered and dated diagrams and photos. There was a line on a graph, a "heartbeat monitor." The little line peaked and valleyed and waved like a poor drawing on an Etch-A-Sketch.

"Is this an EKG reading? Whoever this is must be quite dead."

"You're right. Because that's your EKG." She smirked.

"You don't say? I didn't think my heart moved at all, shouldn't it be a flatline?"

"You'd think, right? Turns out vampire's hearts DO have activity, just not steady productive beating. It's sporadic with long periods of stillness in between. It almost moves like it has a mind of its own."

"Yes, like a little animal that writhes in its nest when something bothers it."

"You don't feel it when it moves?"

"I suppose I always chalked it up to just being hungry. Speaking of which..."

He bared his fangs at her and licked his lips. "I believe it is about time for my feeding?"

"Looks like it is. You taking your new diet well? It's a pretty big change."

"Yes. I have more energy and I even feel more bold. I look forward to increasing my physical activity, when my leg surgery has healed."

"Glad to hear it. I was wondering if you'd get sick from over eating but maybe you just needed to actually kickstart your normal appetite again. I'll go grab it, don't go anywhere."

She was teasing him. He looked down at his leg, which had been cut open and the femur inside crudely pinned back together and the skin re-stitched to encourage a quicker resolution. He didn't even want to walk on it now.

"I'll be right here."

She stepped out, he went back to his book. Soon however, he set it down and went back to the folder. There was an MRI in here, allowing him to view his own heart. It didn't much look like a human heart any more. At least, it had a few key new parts he didn't have the names for. It unnerved him to look at it. He was sure now that he could feel it moving- trying to beat but unable to remember how. Or maybe there was just too much in the way for it to beat anymore. He rubbed his chest uncomfortably and tossed the folder aside. It wasn't right for a doctor to feel like this looking at an anatomy chart.

"Artemis, are you back yet?" He called out quietly. She had stepped to the room over but there was no answer from the hall. He needed a distraction. She'd been gone how long now?

He began to grow impatient.

"Artemis? What is delaying my dinner?"

He sat up and looked out the door as far as he could.

"Oh relax, it's right here." She stepped in, looking queasy.

"Do you want company for dinner?" She gave him a thin smile.

"Are you alright?" He raised an eyebrow. "You seem a bit off."

"Oh, no I'm fine. I just have low blood pressure."

She stepped towards the bed, and her body fell limp. Her legs crumpled beneath her. She dangled halfway off the floor. Strauss caught her by the arm, before she could land on the hard waxed hospital floor on her head.

He dragged her up onto the cot. "Artemis! Frau Van Helsing!"

She was breathing, she had a pulse. Good signs.

"Frau Van Helsing you cannot die here, I will be blamed for it, and I do not want Frau Harker to shoot me."

"What?" She blinked awake and flushed bright red, realizing she'd apparently landed in bed with her patient.

"What is right. Are you ill?"

"No, I... heh. I must have given too much blood." She smiled weakly.

"Too much blood... how much have you been  giving me?"

"Oh, I gave a half unit last week, and another half this week, and a half today-"

"Artemis, are you telling me you've been the one giving me almost all of my food for the past two weeks?"

"Well, I didn't think it was that big of a-"

"You of all people should know that you cannot do that." He dragged his hand down his face in exasperation.

"I wanted to. You're my responsibility. A-and you're also my friend."

"I have lots of friends, Artemis. I do not need, or want, you to suffer for me."

"I'm not suffering, chill."

"Yes you are. I'm doing this because I want to help you, if I drain you dry myself I may as well have just let Sylvain kill my friends for all the good I've done."

"You sounds like Auntie."

"Eugh... auntie is... CORRECT." He said with an exaggerated gag."I understand the urge to shoulder all of the responsibility yourself. However, I am very swiftly realizing, you cannot. I cannot. Nobody can. For the project symbiosis to work, it must be truly that. Symbiosis. I want to keep the 'Eu' in 'Eusocial.' I am not a parasite."

"Ok, ok, you win." She sighed and scooted to the edge of the bed to sit. "I think I might need to eat more red meat if I'm going to help with this anyway."

"Don't let Troy hear you say so. Speaking of, how is he?"

"Oh, you know. Depressed about his boyfriend. Scared of Sylvain. Doesn't want to go anywhere or do anything."

"I wish I was not bedridden. I should like to lift his spirits. I miss him when he is like this."

"You're telling me. We need some comic relief in here."

"I should like for him to join me in some form of self defense classes. He is the second strongest among us, and he would be an asset with some training."

"I don't know if auntie really cares to start training you guys to kill. She sort of already thinks you're dangerous enough."

"Not to kill. To avoid being killed. I feel fear too, you know. I do not relish the idea of my own destruction."

"I can ask. Oh, hey. Here." She handed him the cup from her pocket containing a gulp of hot blood.

"Eat your dinner."

"We just had an entire discussion about me feeding from you too much."

"What am I going to do, put it back? If I'm going to do too much for you, just don't let it go to waste."

He nodded and accepted the cup from her hands.

"I won't waste your kindness. Danke."

#wayward souls #writing

[skekilla]

https://www.deviantart.com/skekilla/art/Runaway-Train-Act-I-Scene-9-907046887

Staring up into the face of Death once was terrifying. Doing it twice in a day was something else.

Once again, Johnny was sure he had met his end. He’d just narrowly escaped one, with the help of this strange man. Now, though, it seemed that his aim hadn’t been to save him; rather, he intended to finish him off himself. His eyes squeezed shut and he braced himself to be gored for the last time, to bleed out on that carpet still beneath him. Just as he thought he had gotten another chance at this life, it was going to be taken away. Just what I should get. I’m useless. A useless coward.

Suddenly, though, the man’s shovel was knocked off its course, finding the floor instead of Johnny’s chest. A frustrated snarl left him as he whipped around to see what had thrown him off. Johnny’s eyes flicked frantically in the same direction. Sally!

The woman quickly gave him her hand, which he gratefully took, trying to pull himself up. “Come on, come on!” she muttered. Johnny’s rapid heartbeat echoed her worry. He pushed himself up onto his knees, drew a leg under him—he was nearly up, nearly free! Just as he stood, though, he heard it: that odd clicking again. All hope fled him. No… no no! One more step and he’d surely fall. He froze right where he stood. It was no use to even try.

Still holding on to him, Sally tugged. When she realized he wasn’t budging, she turned back to him, incredulous. “What’s the matter with you?!” she said. “We only have so long, let’s go!”

“I can’t,” he practically whimpered in reply. “Just- just go! D-don’t bother with me, my leg-”

Before he could say anything else, a grunt of effort alerted him to the shovel being swung down at them again by the stranger. He couldn’t do anything but scream, wouldn’t even have time to move if he could. It seemed Curtis was able, though; he darted in front of the blow, catching the shaft of the man’s weapon. The other two stumbled aside, watching the fight begin to unfold before their eyes.

“Fighting so hard just to stay trapped here…” the man murmured, cold burning eyes fixing on each of them one by one. A breathless chuckle left him before he yanked the shovel back out of Curtis’s hands. Getting a good grip on it with both hands, he knocked the man across the room with it. The sailor fell like a sack of flour, groaning in pain. “It’s useless, you see?” the stranger said, as if to make his point clear.

Johnny’s terror only grew as the man slowly but surely drew closer to them, each step pounding in his ears. “There’s only one way you’re going to be getting out of here,” the stranger continued. “Just so happens that I’m willing enough to give you the chance to go quickly and easily. It’d be best to take it, you know; you don’t want to see some of the things in here.” Another step brought him right in front of Johnny, where he shook in fear. “Believe me, I of all people would know by now.”

The shovel raised to strike him where he stood, helpless. Running wasn’t in the cards for him; he was out of ammo, he couldn’t shoot; he could do nothing but stand there and wait with his eyes shut tight against the terror. Against death.

Pwang!

That… didn’t sound right. That wasn’t what it sounded like to be bashed over the head. Johnny wasn’t dead, at least; that was a pretty good indicator that whatever he’d thought would happen didn’t. He and the murderous man both. Timidly, he opened his eye a crack. Then opened both fully. What he saw almost would have been funny, if the circumstances around it weren’t keeping his heart beating on a rapid tempo: Orla stood there, evidently having taken the shovel right out of the man’s hands, as he now was sprawled out on the floor, out like a light. With one last peak down at him to make sure he wasn’t getting back up, Orla giggled to herself. “Well, seems a good hit on the back of the head works on even big rude burly men!” she concluded through more laughter.

Though Johnny was the one directly in front of her (and standing there all slack-jawed and shocked, at that), she easily darted around him to help Sally up from where she’d apparently fallen down in the scuffle. She extended the butt of the shovel’s shaft for her to grab on to, and the singer took it. “Great. Now if only you’d grab on to my other end that willingly,” Orla said with a smirk as she helped her up.

A sigh and a quiet chuckle were Sally’s response. “Really? Even in a time like this?” she replied, pretend exasperation in her voice. “Forward as usual. Well, we’ll see about all that later. We’ve got more pressing things to deal with now, honeybee.” Letting go of Orla and stepping away, Sally concerned herself again with Johnny. “That brute didn’t hurt you, right? We all stopped him in time?”

“Y-yes,” Johnny stuttered. “Thank you. Thank you both.”

“Don’t mention it,” Sally said with her usual sweet smile, though something about it seemed more personal than the first couple times she’d shown it. “When I’d said you’d best stick with me, I wasn’t intending to just leave you in harm’s way.” Orla was more interested in examining the worn blade of the shovel, so much so that she didn’t seem to hear and therefore didn’t reply.

“Not that you did much to avoid it.” The grumble made Johnny’s heart sink a little. Spitting out what must’ve been blood, Curtis forced himself to stand. A pained grunt or two left him and he staggered over to where they stood. A gravely cross expression hardened his eyes, which were firmly fixed on Johnny. “You just stood there.”

“I-I-I- I couldn’t move. I still can’t; my leg, it’s-”

“Doesn’t matter now.” He stuck his hand in his pocket, rummaged around some, and brought out a small, flat box. Johnny’s breath paused when he saw it; he knew what it was, and it only brought back memories of the worst kind. It was a pack of bullets, he recognized. He held it out to him, but when he wouldn’t take it, he simply pressed it into his hand. After that he just stood there, expectant. “Well?”

Johnny was stunned by all those painful reminders. Loading. Shooting. Reloading. Click. Click. Bang. “W-what?”

“Shoot him already. You’re the one with the gun.” Curtis’ voice was getting more and more annoyed by the moment.

That sinking feeling only became worse. If there was a bottom his heart could reach, it was very near it. “No no, please, I can’t,” he choked out. “I- I can’t kill him.”

He huffed a frustrated breath. “Fine, then,” he growled. “I can. Give me the gun.”

“No!” Johnny cried, leaning as much as he could away from Curtis. “I won’t let you.”

“Give me my gun!”

“I can’t! I won’t!”

“He’s tried to kill us, what, twice now? He’ll do it again!” The anger in his face was obvious now. Fear rose in Johnny at the sight. “If you can’t see that, you’re blind, and if you can’t do the same to him, you’re weak and a coward.”

That changed something in him. Through the fear, a sense of strength came: righteousness, maybe. He wouldn’t back down on this. He wouldn’t kill his fellow man. He couldn’t. “I’m not weak,” he muttered.

“Bullshit,” Curtis spat. “Give me the gun.”

“I’M NOT DOING IT!!” he suddenly yelled. “And I’m not weak for that, at least! M-maybe- maybe you’re the weak one for being so heartless! So cruel!” Silence. No one made a peep for a while after that. All looked at him with something like surprise. No one had known he had that in him, it seemed. Honestly, he hadn’t either. He let out a breath, suddenly a little self conscious. “I’d like to go now, if you don’t mind helping me,” he mumbled to Sally.

A nod from her and a hardening of her expression were her agreement. Her shoulder found a place under his arm, well enough to hold him up till they got to safety. On her other side, Orla held on to her arm, having dropped the shovel. Nothing more was said or done; the three walked slowly off towards the other end of the car together, leaving the fuming sailor behind them where he stood.

But as they went, a strange sound flew through the car, something like a breeze blowing past them. What…? Johnny turned to glance over his shoulder, just for a moment. Fragments of shadow seemed to be being drawn to the unconscious stranger where he lay on the floor. More specifically, to that awful mask in his hand. They quietly crept to it, seeping into its gaping eyeholes. Darkness filled them. Johnny’s eyes widened in terror as that shadow spread out from under the mask, forming the barely visible hulking body, the arms, the claws. Panic seized him all over again. Oh god. It’s back. It’s alive again.

#runaway train #art #original story #train #vintage #story #novel #illustrated book #illustrated novel #book #act I #skekilla

[magioftheseas]

Boiling Point

Written for @izuruzine

Summary: Enoshima Junko had promised him that despair would be different, that it would make him feel something. She had, of course, just been saying that to manipulate him. She was lying. So, then, why...?

Rating: T+

Warnings: Canon depictions of violence; trauma.

Notes: We can finally start posting these! I have another fic but I’ll have to post it tomorrow because I’m exhausted today. Anyway, Izuru is tragic and traumatized and he deserves better.

***Alternate Ao3 Link*** Commission? Donate?

When put in a life-or-death situation, those involved experience an acute stress response. This response consists of the sudden release of hormones, activating the body's sympathetic nervous system. Then, the adrenal glands are stimulated, triggering the release of catecholamines.

This chain of reactions causes an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate. It is also known as the fight-or-flight response.

The question is: when the option of escape is taken away or compromised, will the subject default to fight?

He supposed that was what Enoshima Junko expected. For the most part, she had gotten what she wanted.

The student council had torn itself apart at a rapid pace. Once one turned on the others, soon after did most of them turn against one another. There were still some that cowered and hid, defending themselves in a purely reactive way. Screaming and begging, flailing their weapons so uselessly before being struck down.

Predictable, Kamukura Izuru had thought. In the end, the one who survived had completely given himself into violence and brutality. So predictable.

If this was supposed to be entertaining, then...what?

Despair is supposed to be different, is it?

In the end, there were a bunch of dead bodies and one other bloodied, broken individual. As an observer, the carnage was meaningless. The supposed survivor was cackling with victory, but if he were to leave, he would never return to whatever life he lived before.

There was no point to any of this beyond the cruelty. Kamukura still felt hollow. Empty.

That broken, desperate, blood-soaked boy charged at him and Kamukura reacted fast. He shoved the boy back and watched impassively as he hit the wall hard enough to fracture bones and landed on his own chainsaw.

It was violent. It was vile. Kamukura still hadn’t felt anything resembling relief.

Why did I even bother?

He wondered that, and he couldn’t come to an answer. How strange, but strange in a way that was just unpleasant.

Despair is supposed to be different. She said that despair was the cure to her apathy.

She tricked me.

In that second-long realization, the boy pulled the trigger.

Worthless. Meaningless. Even if he landed his shot, he still would’ve died. There hadn’t been any logical point to firing.

And yet.

Kamukura hadn’t completely dodged, the bullet slicing a thin line along his cheek. His breath caught. His heartbeat had spiked. Peripheral blood vessels constricted. Blood pumped through muscle, and his blood dripped down his jaw.

That boy looked at him with such desperation, and then he died. His last moments had been so defiant.

The security camera had caught everything.

She tricked me, he thought. All of this was a farce.

And yet.

As he wiped the blood away, he registered the sting. It may not have been the first time he had gotten used. He had been designed to serve the academy’s lofty goals and ideals, but it was the first time he had been hurt like this in memory.

Kamukura Izuru looked at the camera.

The faculty is going to be displeased, he thought.

--

One important aspect of the project was the necessity of confidentiality. For obvious reasons, there would be large-scale backlash were details of the project ever leaked to the public. As proud and as tall as Hope’s Peak Academy stood, such a blow to its reputation could cause it to topple. Or so it was believed by the faculty.

With the massacre of the student council, the staff was thrown into hysterics. With her spreading footage taken from the Incident, the staff had gotten driven into a corner.

As matters stood, they expected him to be on the down-low. The only reason he hadn’t been terminated when they found him was due to hesitance to waste all the resources that went into bringing the project to completion.

And perhaps because they thought they could cover it up by hiding him elsewhere in one of the other labs. Unfortunately, he knew that wretched girl would not be so easily thwarted.

Which left him—with what, exactly?

He was still in a largely empty room like before. And this time, if he left, he would not have a place to return to.

She got what she wanted from him. Hope’s Peak Academy would not stand for much longer. With them gone, so too would be the reason for his existence.

The faculty was going to fail in their attempts to cover up the Incident. Hope’s Peak Academy was destined for collapse.

So, then, what was going to become of him?

Will they attempt to terminate me first? He wondered.

He waited for the fear response. An accelerated heart rate. A sharp intake of air. His muscles tightening. The fear that would be suited to before when that bullet grazed him open. Instead, that possibility washed over him so dully, like the lightest sprinkle of rain.

How boring. I still don’t feel afraid enough to want to leave.

He rubbed at his cheek, at where the cut had long healed completely. There wasn’t going to be another scar, and when he was to be terminated, it was going to be quick and perfunctory.

I can’t be bothered to think about it any longer.

--

She said despair was unpredictable.

With the increasing chaos and turmoil, his termination was soon to come. As his inevitable death drew nearer, he found himself looking back. As not much had happened, he of course thought about the Incident.

Despair is chaos. By definition, chaos is unpredictable. Except she expected it to go a certain way from the start.

That wretch had set up the conditions for a killing game. There was nothing surprising when the killing game then occurred. There was a moment where perhaps it may not have. There was a person who spoke up. This person calmed most of the students down with his straightforward and earnest words.

That person had unsurprisingly been the student council president, but even he could not fully control the violent impulses of his peers. Once one of them started killing, they all came toppling down.

It would be ridiculous to feel betrayed. She hadn’t made herself a trustworthy person at any point. He hadn’t taken her offer because he trusted her, but because he was curious about her. Everything fell apart, everyone tore themselves apart just as she had planned, and she hadn’t experienced a single second of disappointment.

He watched everything unfurl as she had wanted and he still felt numb for almost all of it. He could shut his eyes and re-experience all the senseless bloodshed and violence and would still feel nothing.

It was only when he remembered the look on the person who futilely tried to shoot at him that he paused.

Someone marked for death. What had he been thinking? Was it delusion? Spite? Or did he not want to die alone?

He looked at his hand. Held it out like he had when he pushed that person. Curled his fingers. Imagined tearing through flesh and bone with ease.

I could kill her, he thought. I could kill her and I could wipe out everyone else. I could save myself with ease.

...

Would I enjoy doing that?

His hand dropped.

I don’t think I would. That girl had first attempted to appeal to me using our supposed similarities, but I’m not anything like her at all. I didn’t enjoy any part of that.

In fact, I hated what I saw.

Right now, the reserve course was surely rioting with everything they had. Even without her at the helm, they were angry enough to destroy Hope’s Peak Academy brick by brick. They felt justified, considering the broken dreams and promises that they claimed the academy peddled to them. Obviously, they were angry. It had only been only a matter of time before they snapped.

The faculty had called them parasites. It would not be surprising, then, that the reserve course would end up bleeding them dry. It wasn’t a surprise at all that the reserve course would drag the academy down.

She knew that. She banked on it. She used their fury to further her goals of destruction. The student council was sacrificed for that.

And they had fought so hard to survive. For nothing. Their fates were sealed the second he had walked in.

She used me. Used them. All of that bloodshed was just a bonus.

He still felt so hollow. But if that were truly the case, why were his hands squeezing into such tight fists? Why were his teeth grinding themselves to dust? Like a tightly wound coil, his body felt close to bursting.

He remembered—something. A remnant of parasitic mediocrity. A bone-deep feeling of dissatisfaction and desperation. A desire to give up everything—or, perhaps, to tear everything apart.

The world is not harmonious.

That thought came with a white-hot flash of vitriol.

It was destined for destruction.

You just wanted to seize control of that inevitability for your own amusement. For that purpose, you found me to use. Because I didn’t care, I allowed it. I didn’t...

Kamukura twitched. He shut his eyes tightly.

He could still see the bloodshed. That mutual massacre. That despair, that desperation. He could still hear the broken laughter and how his cheek stung afterward.

His eyes snapped open.

I didn’t want any of that to happen.

--

At some point, he had gone to sleep.

He was in a bloodied, destroyed classroom. He could hear laughter. It was her laughter. The bodies were writhing, dripping with an odious black fluid as they shambled towards him. They were laughing, but the laughter was tinged with sobs.

They were begging for salvation.

He was frozen. They crawled up to him, but the black blurred in with the dark suit he wore.

They were begging for salvation.

He couldn’t move.

They forced his jaw open and then—

He woke up in a cold sweat dampening the sheets on his bed. He inhaled sharply. If he focused, he could hear the screaming. The screaming of rioters. The panicking of the staff. Her laughter.

He didn’t want to think, and yet.

She tricked me. She used me. She showed me that even despair wouldn’t be enough to alleviate the emptiness of my existence.

I should repay her for that.

Nausea built up in his gut. His mouth was already damp with saliva. His hands were shaking. He needed to throw up.

It was the first time he ever felt so sick.

Before I die, I’ll drag her down.

He wondered if this is what that broken boy with the chainsaw thought. He wondered if this was how the reserves felt. Perhaps. Perhaps not.

What did it matter if it was?

It was how he felt.

I’ll drag them all down.

#izuru kamukura #kamukura izuru #junko enoshima #enoshima junko #sdr2 #Magi fics #super dangan ronpa 2 #dr3 #rip the stuco

[j-graysonlibrary]

Heartbeats; Paradise Chapter 15

Title: Heartbeats; Paradise

Author: Jay Grayson

Word Count: 112K

Genres: Psychological thriller, drama, sci-fi, LGBT+

Available on: Kobo and my website

Synopsis: Melvin Hardy and Kade Axel appear to be a match made in heaven. After a meet-cute in the rain, the two quickly find themselves in a burgeoning, wholesome relationship.

Yet, things feel…off. It isn’t the ghosts of their pasts that resurface to test the strength of their partnership—no—it’s something nebulous. Something indescribable. Melvin can’t put his finger on it but, the more time he spends with Kade, the more he starts to wonder what’s real and what’s pure fiction. 

Full chapter 15 under the cut:

Chapter Fifteen:

Whoever is in control wants us to fight. She wants us to kill each other or at least try very hard to. But we don’t want to. I’d had doubts about Oswald with how fiercely he’d attacked me at the start but now I’m sure he’s doing all he can to stop himself.

Neither of us wants to hurt the other. We just want to talk but until we break this spell, somehow, we’ll be unable.

There is the idea of pretending to fight. To exchange blows like actors on a stage but I’m not sure I can do so convincingly. And, with the fact the brain fog is literally in my head, I have a suspicion that whoever is watching will know damn well we aren’t actually fighting.

So that leaves fewer options.

All I can think is to do something so far removed from the narrative that they might leave. It’s not sure to work but if I can’t force my intended words to come out then I can, at least, get a few points out in the air and maybe Oswald can too.

But when I open my mouth, nothing comes out still. My eyes take in Oswald and the state of him. He’s fighting harder than I am so I can’t give up. He’s trembling and I see sweat glistening on his skin. His shirt just barely hangs off of him and I glance down to the thick hair across his chest.

I feel a bead of sweat fall down my temple and my mouth becomes dry. My legs stretch out, one of them moving out from under Oswald’s body and allowing him to lie snugly over me. It’s more comfortable but I feel heat rise in my body and I worry that voice will compel me to start fighting him again.

What am I waiting for?

He’s not moving.

I should kill him now.

Go on.

Kill him.

Wring his neck.

It’s forceful but I don’t believe the words I hear in my head because I know they don’t belong to me. I glance up and meet Oswald’s eyes as he fights just to breathe. His forehead still rubs against mine and my hand remains in his hair. I close my fist around a few locks again but I use the hold to bring his head even closer.

I latch my lips onto his and an ear piercing scream rings through my ears. I wonder if Oz hears it as well but I’m not left wondering for long as he turns his head and opens his mouth wider, forcing my lips apart. The feel of his tongue invading my mouth blanks out my mind but not in the way I’m used to.

My body is on fire and I match the raucous movements of his tongue with my own, trying and probably failing to keep up. He’s dominating me—just in this kiss—and my head spins.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

Defying you, I think, and move one of my hands to Oz’s chest. I grope against the firm, fuzzy pec and a jolt of electricity shoots through my body, heading directly south.

The deep, wet kiss finally breaks and I gulp in the fresh air. While Oz starts to pull apart my shirt, I feel my excitement peak. If he so much as brushes against my crotch, I fear I’ll cum. I almost hope he does. The thought of his face at knowing he’s affecting me so badly might be worth the embarrassment.

“Stop,” I breathe out and, instantly, Oz stops moving.

No, no I don’t mean that.

Oswald raises himself back to my eye level and stares down at me with concern. He seems completely free from the control but the brain fog hasn’t taken it’s hooks out of me just yet.

I shake my head viciously, trying to make it clear that I don’t mean what I say. “Get off me,” I hiss against my wishes.

But Oswald doesn’t move. “Is that you speaking, Melvin?”

I’m so glad he can tell. I shake my head even more and he seems to get the picture.

He sets a hand on my bare chest and drags his fingers close to my nipple. Pinpricks ripple through my body and I bite back a moan. Still, the voice rips out of me, “You sick fucking pervert. Knock it off or so help me…”

“Or what?” Oswald asks before leaning toward my chest, licking against my nipple while his eyes stay glued to mine. “If you hate it so much then stop watching us.”

I whimper at the touch and the intensity in his gaze. I want him to do anything and everything to me. My body aches for more and I wish I could just say so. I want, terribly, to tell him to fuck me until I can’t walk. To make me scream until my throat is raw—bleeding even. To use me like a sex toy.

But I don’t have to speak for Oz to carry on. Maybe he can see it in my eyes—I’d like to think he can anyway.

He rolls me onto my stomach, pulling my pants down in the process. I press my forehead against the floor and breathe in the oil, realizing finally that it is some kind of cooking oil. My hands slip in it and I reach out to grab the nearest cabinet for support.

I never really experienced this part of sex with Kade before and it just now dawns on me how odd that is. We’ve had sex—many, many times—but this portion eludes my memories.

The intrusion in my body is more poignant than I expect. I let out a short gasp at the sensation but Oswald doesn’t slow down. Even when I start to curse him, calling him a, “fucking disgusting freak,” he doesn’t let it faze him. I make sure to push my hips back to meet his oiled hand, letting him know for certain that I still want this.

Oz lifts me up by the waist and I already feel weak at the knees. The heft of my erection hangs heavy between my legs and the tension I feel in my gut is all I can focus on.

The voice is growing weaker but it manages to make me say, “Don’t—” just before Oswald enters me.

He’s huge and I can’t think straight. There is discomfort, sure, but the desire I feel easily eclipses that. I feel as if I’ve wanted this for so long that I almost don’t know what to do now that I have it.

Oswald’s hand grabs the back of my neck, holding me still and pressing my face into the floor. My eyes roll into the back of my head with every thrust and I don’t try and stop the stream of moans, whines, and other shameful noises that are coming from my throat. Oz isn’t exactly silent either and he huffs and grunts as he drives into me with increasing force.

There’s a sound I’m not familiar with but I feel I should be. The squelching and slapping of our bodies when they meet. A sound I’m sure I should be very intimate with given how often Kade and I have made love. But, like the preparation stage, I can’t remember it. 

Under any other circumstance, the sound would probably be gross and it’s certainly vulgar but it really only further fuels my lust. In a sense, it’s a degrading feeling or maybe I just think it’s supposed to be. After all, I’m a man—a strong man—and I shouldn’t be letting some other man force me into submission like this.

I honestly don’t know if that thought is mine or not but it’s jostled from my mind when Oswald grips my dick and starts to stroke in time with his thrusts.

It doesn’t matter anymore. Nothing does. I just want to feel this. I want to feel him. Because he feels too good to care about anything else.

I whine as I come close to climax, a feeling I’m completely unfamiliar with. I simultaneously want it to last forever and I want it to pass quickly. My legs are like jelly, hardly able to hold themselves up any longer but, luckily, Oz is keeping my hips and ass in the air all on his own.

When I do cum, I don’t hold back and just let whatever humiliating sound wants to come out of my throat come through. I shiver immediately afterward, both incredibly happy to have done this and incredibly guilt ridden.

***

The fog begins to return as I get closer to my apartment. I don’t fight it—not like I did in Oz’s place. I don’t have the strength anymore. Physically or mentally.

My entire body is sore and I walk into the entryway with a limp. I don’t know how I’ll explain this to Kade or, rather, how “she” will explain it to Kade. Part of me is genuinely curious as to what will happen.

If the truth comes out, I don’t know what I’ll say. I did cheat, after all, and with the worst person in the world as far as Kade is concerned.

A headache starts to creep in and I stumble back to the bedroom to find my boyfriend asleep right where I left him. He is angelic in his slumber and a faint smile paints his lips.

The guilt swells in my chest as I sit down beside him. I brush some of his hair back and mentally apologize since I’m not sure I’ll be able to do so verbally. Unless this brain fog wants to take over and spill all of the details but, considering what it was trying to make me do, I somehow doubt that.

My hand against his cheek is enough to stir Kade from his dreams. His brow furrows and his eyes flutter, confusion running rampant in his gaze until he, probably, remembers the events from earlier.

“Mel…” he mumbles, “What are you doing out of bed?”

I had been under the covers with him before sneaking out. I sigh and give him room to sit up and look at me. There’s a lot to take in, I’m sure.

“Your glasses are gone too…and that bruise!” Kade gasps and reaches over to inspect my injuries. His fingertips graze the bruise on my cheek where Oswald clocked me.

“I’m sorry, Kade,” I say and grab his hand, holding it tightly between mine. I honestly don’t know what the next words from my mouth will be so I’m surprised when I say, “I went to Oswald’s apartment.”

“What?!” Instead of ripping his hand away like I expect, he scoots closer. He inspects the damage, more impassioned now. “Oh, Mel…”

“I wanted to warn him to stay away from us,” I explain and, while that is how things started, I still tense as I continue. Kade doesn’t notice. “You should see what he looks like.”

“You didn’t…kill him…did you?” Kade retreats and looks to me with big eyes and a pout.

I shake my head and my hair, knocked loose from more than just a fight, falls into my eyes. I brush it back and Kade helps me. “No,” I tell him with a soft smile, “I did think about it though…but I thought about what you might think of me if I did it.”

He brushes his fingers through my hair and pulls me close and into a gentle kiss. It doesn’t last long before he’s embracing me and I feel his chest rise and fall against mine. His heart thumps in retroactive fear—either from the possibility of me being hurt badly by Oswald or from me almost crossing the line and taking a life, I’m not sure which.

“I’m glad you didn’t but…” Kade mutters before he pulls away to look me in the eye. Those blue-green irises aren’t as captivating as they usually are. “You shouldn’t have put yourself in danger like that. Mr. Oz he…”

“He’s strong, I know,” I interrupt and cradle the side of his face. “But I’d fight anyone—anything—for you.”

His eyes shine with unshed tears and I anticipate the kiss before it happens. He’s not so distraught over my actions after all, I guess.

“You’re my hero,” Kade mutters against my lips before he pulls me over him.

The dance is the same as always and I notice that I’m under the covers, naked, the next time I blink. We’ve skipped some details and now that I’ve noticed these things, they are glaringly obvious. Still, I rock our bodies together and silently hope that Kade doesn’t grab me anywhere too tender.

I am incapable of telling him what truly happened with Oswald (though admittedly I’m a little happy about it in this case) but I am more than able to think about it.

As Kade gasps and links his hands together behind my neck, I am taken back to just an hour ago. I can still feel Oz’s hands on my body, helping me to my feet only to push me against the counter.

I remember the sensation of the countertop cutting into my torso as Oswald railed me against it. The second time was even better—maybe because I knew what to expect or maybe because that fog wasn’t making me cry about how much I didn’t want it.  

We started to talk about what we’d each experienced, in terms of the brain fog, since we last spoke. My voice broke as I retold the strange tales from my office and with Gladis. Oswald, with unrelenting hips, told me about some similar instances.

Kade holds me tighter and I move, basically, out of muscle memory. The tight coiling in my belly isn’t because of anything we’re doing but it’s a result of my mind running wild with the imagery and memory of my affair.

Oswald wasn’t finished with me after the second time. We still had more to discuss as well. Theories, conspiracies, and the like—though I can’t say I’m any closer to understanding anything even after everything we shared with each other.

The memory shifts to when he practically carried me to the wall and lifted me from the thighs—an ungodly show of his strength. He really doesn’t look that powerful but, after tonight, I’m well aware of the feats he’s capable of. Just the grip of his fingers on me were like iron clamps, holding me in place.

I wrapped my legs around his waist, quite like Kade is currently doing to me. My voice strained at it’s limit and I remember actually blacking out for a second when I climaxed that third time. Every fiber of my being sang with release and I felt both more alive than ever and a second from death’s door.

I don’t think I’ve ever felt like that with Kade before.

As much as I’m inclined to disagree and find moments, tucked in my mind, of when I was completely engulfed by our passion, nothing actually compares to what I experienced tonight.

There is no one more fulfilling than Kade, the voice tries to tell me.

But I’m not sure I agree.

My body certainly doesn’t.

It still craves Oswald’s touch.

#heartbeats paradise #my novel #my writing

[stardust-serenade]

“With each heartbeat, I whisper your name, for you are the rhythm to my soul’s melody.”

Embrace of Two Springs: A Love Blossoming Through Years.

My Precious Zefano Sagara Einhard,

As the dawn breaks and the world awakens, my thoughts are already consumed by you. Each sunrise brings with it a renewed appreciation for the love we share. I find myself overwhelmed with a desire to express the depths of my feelings for you— feelings that transcend time and distance, painting our story with hues of endless affection.

In the tapestry of time, two years is not a short time, it has woven itself into the fabric of our journey, painting hues of love, resilience, and joy. As the sun rises and sets, our bond only grows stronger, each day a testament to the beauty of our shared existence.

If we rewind, everything feels so surreal. We were merely friends until comfort slowly crept in, enveloping every facet of our relationship. I began getting used to your presence and gentle touch. I can’t imagine how I would be without you, as I’ve started relying on you. Every aspect of my life started needing you to accompany me. You were like a ray of light arriving just as darkness began to engulf my life. Surely, you understood what I was like back then, how others treated me. Fragrant blooms and butterflies began to flutter around me at that time, followed by small cubes of hope starting to emerge, hoping for you to settle in my life.

In your eyes, I’ve found a universe where constellations of trust and understanding guide us through the galaxies of life. Your laughter, a melody that orchestrates the symphony of my heart, echoes in every moment we've embraced, casting away shadows with its radiance.

In the intricate web of existence, where moments weave a tapestry of memories, you, my beloved, stand as the cornerstone, an irreplaceable soul who has etched significance upon every fiber of my being.

“You are the symphony of my heart, the melody that lingers in every corner of my being.”

You’re not just a chapter but the essence of my life's narrative, a melody that resonates within the chambers of my heart. Your presence isn't mere happenstance; it’s the orchestration of fate, aligning stars to guide me through life's labyrinth.

It’s hard to believe how swiftly the wheel of time has turned, framing another year filled with boundless love once again. In every moment, we’ve etched beautiful memories, adorning our journey with laughter, support, and warmth.

Like the steady tide embracing the shore, our love has weathered storms, finding solace in the sanctuary we’ve built together. Through the valleys of challenges and the peaks of triumphs, your unwavering support has been the compass guiding me through life’s labyrinth.

With every whispered “I love you” and every tender touch, my soul finds solace in the sanctuary of your arms, a place where vulnerability is cherished and dreams take flight.

With you, I feel marvels in every breeze, every approaching twilight, and every morning that wakes us to new adventures. We've become one, complementing each other in tenderness, strength, and unspoken romance.

When I gaze into your eyes, I find a true home, where boundless happiness resides, and in your embrace, the world feels complete. Together, we’ve navigated the oceans of emotions, through life’s ebb and flow, steadfast amidst storms.

You’ve transformed my existence into a vibrant canvas, painting hues of laughter, understanding, and unwavering support. You’re the reason fragrant blossoms bloom within my soul, awakening newfound depths of joy and purpose.

In your absence, I’d be adrift in an ocean without shores, yearning for the compass of your presence to navigate life’s boundless possibilities. You're not just important; you're the cornerstone upon which my world revolves, the embodiment of love that colors the very essence of my existence.

Your importance surpasses mere companionship; you're the anchor that steadies me in turbulent seas, the lighthouse guiding me through life's darkest nights. With each passing day, your significance grows, intertwining with the very fabric of my existence, shaping my thoughts, dreams, and aspirations.

“With each step together, our footprints etch a love story upon the sands of time.”

So, here’s to us, to the uncharted tomorrows we’ll explore hand in hand, to the countless adventures awaiting our eager spirits. As we mark this anniversary, I reflect on the moments woven intricately into the fabric of our story – the whispered confessions, the shared laughter, and the silent embraces that speak volumes. With gratitude in my heart and admiration in my soul, I cherish the man you are, the one whose love illuminates my path, guiding me through life's labyrinthine passages.

Happy second anniversary, my love of my life, Zefano Sagara Einhard. Thank you for every precious second we’ve shared, every story we’ve crafted, and every dream we’ve chased together. May our story continue to be a masterpiece painted with the strokes of affection, understanding, and an unending love that transcends time itself.

You are my confidant, my companion, my partner-in-crime, and my greatest love. With each passing day for these two years, my affection for you grows deeper, like the roots of an ancient tree, intertwining with the very essence of my being.

In the mosaic of life, you are the cherished piece that completes the picture of my existence. We walked hand in hand as friends, until our footsteps aligned into the dance of love’s sweet melody. I love you beyond the confines of mere words, beyond the limits of the universe— a love that transcends space and time. I love you forever and always, my best friend of all time and also my best lover.

With boundless love and eternal devotion,

Until our next embrace, Nathalea Rachela Myesha.

[wsl-chelsea]

I think it’s totally cool that you’re a communist, my friend called herself a communist for many years and we used to have discussions like this. She said what you said that Soviet and everyone else they weren’t really communist. I just think that, if you remove money and therefore remove the value of work, if it makes no difference if you work hard, then you remove the motivation from people. And that creates scarcity and poverty, not wealth and abundance, like we are more used to in the west. I don’t think capitalism is perfect either and it makes people greedy, but it’s better than communism.

I promise you people are selfish and look to take care of themselves first. If there is poverty and starvation, everyone will want to try and feed their own children, not share what little they have with hundreds of strangers. Ask yourself if you’re prepared to give away everything that’s yours. Your money, house, car, phone, clothes, furniture. If yes, then you can be a communist.

I would say Sweden was/is socialist and thought of ourselves as such. The other Nordic countries I think had similar economic models. The social democratic party formed the government alone for decades, creating all the social reforms. Important infrastructure such as roads, railway, electricity was all built by and owned by the state. As well as major industries, some are still state owned. The welfare model that we have was probably working at it’s peak in the 1970s. Now it’s not working as well anymore. It’s difficult to maintain, as it requires a high level of trust, a sense of unity among the population, a willingness to pay high taxes, and also that the State succeed in providing what we all pay for.

oh thanks! i love talking about it as well with a few of my friends

im gonna keep putting this stuff under 'keep reading' bc ik lots of people follow me for soccer and wanna scroll and find soccer asks lmao

im gonna make something clear bc i dont think i did before- i dont think communism is something that will happen within my lifetime, being honest. it does require a large cultural shift in mindset and a revolution of sorts but when we have people in the working class defending billionaires who are quite literally exploiting them (not saying this is you guys btw) i find it hard to believe we'll get anywhere in creating communist societies on the larger scale. this is why i think people can be hard workers without the incentivisation when you completely detach them from capitalism. intrinsically, when you love what you do or you are doing something for a greater good- like lets say weekend volunteer charity work, you know that slacking off is only going to do bad things for the society you're in and the people you're helping, so you do your best work, completely detached from material rewards. bad example but thats kind of where i come from.

'Ask yourself if you’re prepared to give away everything that’s yours. Your money, house, car, phone, clothes, furniture. If yes, then you can be a communist.' you can still have unique possessions in a communist society. individualism doesn't have to be stripped. sure, you don't have money bc money doesnt exist, but you can still have a nice house with a phone and clothes and furniture. people will still make that stuff either in their free time or as their jobs and you can get it! cars though i would give up in a heartbeat lols setting up a good transportation system and cities that don't require cars are infinitely better lol

i think it might depend on who you ask. economically some people say it's not socialist, since it still is a market state but socially it has elements of socialism which is cool. and thanks for informing me about sweden atm/in the past, it's really interesting :)

[chilumi-shipper]

When Mommy's Resting

Diluc x Fem!Reader

Warning: Smut, NSFW, Mommy Kink, Consensual Somnophilia, Sub Diluc, Dom Mommy Reader, Overstimulation, Oral Sex (Reader Receiving)

Summary: To most people, Diluc was a man of mystery, a strong, rich and handsome business man who seems to always be stoic, but within the space of your own home, he is just sensitive baby who likes getting you to ride his dick. He was obedient, until of course he was put under the influence of the Cavalry Captain.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

Diluc was done for the night, he sighed, it was a long day bartending at the tavern, he can't wait to just go home to you and cuddle up to mommy.

As he was cleaning up, he thought if you were still awake at this hour. 'Probably not, she did tell me that she has a lot of things to do with Cyrus and the others in the Adventurer's Guild, she must be tired.'

As he was wiping down the counter, he heard the door of the tavern open and close, and an unwanted guest stood right in front of him. The Cavalry Captain, Kaeya, who seems to wear a smirk quite different from his usual grin.

"Diluc, good you're still here." The blue haired man walked up to him, arms crossed with mischief painted on his feature.

"We're closed, better get going, Sir Kaeya." Diluc said with a rather tensed and irritated voice. But that only seemed to amuse the knight.

"Ohh, I see." The blue haired man still sat on a stool in front of his brother though. "Eager to see your Mommy back at the Dawn Winery?" Diluc froze up, looking at the former with a shocked expression that seemed to irk him even more.

"I d-don't know what you're talking about." Diluc stuttered, turning away from his brother and pretended to clean up the other parts of the counter.

The Cavalry Captain chuckled, "She told me." 'No, she wouldn't, my Y/N would never.' "Told me about what goes around you guys, pretty interesting. It makes me quite jealous, my flings aren't usually comfortable with that kind of relationship." He continued and Diluc's clenched his hand in frustration. You did tell him! And now that one eyed punk is gonna try to gt you from him.

He looked back at the smirking man and glared. "Don't get any ideas, bastard." He'll never let anyone steal you from him.

"Relax, brother. Although I am quite interested in that kind of relationship, I'm quite sure she doesn't like anyone but you." Kaeya laughed, "However, she did tell me another thing. You're a bit too obedient aren't you?" Diluc felt uncomfortable, sure when you tell him that he's a good boy, kiss his forehead and pat his head while you ride him, he feels so good about himself, other people telling him just makes him uneasy.

"This is between me and her, it's non of your business, Kaeya." He said in a serious tone. "I'd rather not talk about this." Diluc straightened up, finished up cleaning and walked away from his brother.

As he was about to leave though, the knight stopped him. "Don't you want to contribute more on that relationship, she seems to be the only one putting in actual effort." Kaeya stated to him. He smiled when Diluc stopped and sighed.

"Alright, what do you have in mind?"

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

He can't believe it, why is he doing this?

Did you think he was boring? Maybe you complained to Kaeya about him and his brother is just giving him a boost.

Yeah, maybe that's it.

Well, anyway, as he watched your sleeping figure, Diluc smiled a bit, you look so beautiful, like an angel, and now he's supposed to take you this way.

Being honest to himself, he is so excited! You two have always been so comfortable around each other, to the pint where he basically knows that you won't mind what he's doing right now, taking of your garments that didn't even cover much in the first place.

He loves seeing your naked body, you perfect boobs that he loves to suck on when you shove his face onto your chest, your skin with a few stretch marks that only he's been able to see, your plump thighs that you squeeze around his head whenever you order him to eat you out, and then, your pretty little cunt, just made for him and his cock, the juices you make are like a sweet tasty treat just for him.

Diluc can't wait to taste it again.

Gently spreading you're legs apart, he was met by your slightly wet pussy, he can practically feel his mouth watering with hunger for you. Diluc tested the waters buy liking your clit with the tip of his tongue, you didn't move. He felt his heartbeat increasing by the second. He was still afraid to wake you up, deep down, he wants to keep his title as your good boy despite him defiling you right now.

'Fuck it.' And he just shoves his face between your legs, lapping your juices and sucking on your clit. He can hear you let out a few whimpers, Diluc's never heard that before! Usually you're the one that always makes him moan and scream, this time he can actually hear you make lewd sounds! And boy does he love it, the noises you make irks him on even more.

He sucked even harder on your clit and that's when you let out a moan that just straight up went to his cock.

"D-Diluc?" He looked up and there you were, with tired eyes that looked so so cute. But he didn't stop sucking though and you kept moaning. "Ughh, baby.... Mhhhm, baby, what are you- Ohhh!" His tongue grazed your hole, which made you jump. And now you're holding his head and shoving it down even more, as you grind your cunt on his face. "Ohhh, that feels so good, Luc." You moaned out.

Diluc loves it, the way you just grind on him mouth, loves how much juices your giving him. He just really loves you.

And you came hard on his mouth, which he of course as a good boy, swallowed.

Your head fell back onto the bed. Tired from your post orgasm. You felt your Diluc suck a few more times to clean up your cunt before slipping beside you.

You rised up and open your arms for him, and he gladly welcomed himself into your warmth, laying his head between your boobies.

"What was that for, love?" You asked him. He felt his heart clench. Did you not like it? And now he's gonna lose his good boy privileges.

"You didn't feel good, Mommy?" He asked with a broken tone, looking up at you to see that you're already staring at him.

"Of course I did, silly!" You laughed a little, "I think I was just surprised, my baby boy, doing something so naughty." You booped his nose as he smiled a little.

When you told Kaeya about Diluc and your kinks and stuff, you knew he was gonna go to Diluc to embarrass and probably suggest something to him. But you never expected Kaeya to tell Diluc to eat you out in your sleep!

You did purposely do that so Diluc would have motivation for a little spice. And you got it, and boy did it feel amazing.

"But was I good?"

"You always are, baby."

With that, he nuzzled his face at your chest lovingly.

"But..."

His ears perked up. "It's not fair that Mommy's the only one to cum right?" You asked teasingly.

And then he felt it, the painfully hard cock still confined within his pants. You start to rub it with your leg.

You are gonna give him a lot tonight.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

"Ahhh... Mommy, please.... ughh." You stroked his messy red hair as you savagely went up and down on his cock, squeezing it so good with your delicious pussy walls.

And he let out a low grunt as he came once again, he's so tired from cumming so many times inside you already. But just looking at your face and down to where you two connect makes him hard all over again. It just feels too good to stop.

"That's right." You roll your hips around before slamming back down to take all of him. "Moan for me, baby. Tell Mommy what you want." You grabbed his hands and guide them to cup and fondle your boobs as you ride him.

He came so many times that there's only a little bit coming out when he hits his peak.

"P-please, make me cum inside you again." He said while holding back a few moans.

He lets out a growl after he came out for the last time and you felt his seed pour into your cunt that's already full of his cum.

Getting up from his dick, his and your cum starts to drip down your thighs.

You sat down between his legs and spread you thighs to show him your pussy stuffed full of your shared cum. "Oh, baby. Look at that, you came so much, huh?" You giggled as it dripped out of you.

"M-Mommy, please keep it inside." He whispered in a low voice, making you smile even more. Exhaustion was shown all over his features. You knew that he did feel better if you keep all his cum inside you every time you make him cum so many times.

You giggled again, "Alright, baby. Go to sleep, maybe we'll do this again tomorrow morning." He nodded before closing his eyes.

But before you can even lay next to him, his eyes opened up immediately.

"Why did you tell Kaeya?"

Oh, right. Hehe.

#genshin impact x reader #genshin smut #genshin impact smut #diluc x reader #genshin impact diluc #diluc smut #mommy kink #tw: somnophilia

[yoyokslut]

A tragic goodbye.

Pairing: Chris Evans x female reader.

Summary: I guess everything comes to an end, isn't it?

Word count: 895 words.

"I think we were meant to be but we did it wrong."

It was a quote repeating in your head lately, you read it somewhere and couldn't help but think about it over and over again. It perfectly described a relationship full of love, with so much passion, endless affection and admiration and never-ending laughter that at some point everything faded.

Sort of how your relationship with Chris was, at first everything was peachy, the butterflies in your stomach with every kiss, smile, laugh, gaze. There was magic every time you were together.

But since certain point everything started crumbling, you barely had topics to speak about, you weren't excited anymore while being with each other, your time together was coming to an end and you didn't want to believe it nor accept it.

The reason? Job. As simple as that, Chris was having a tight schedule, project after project and more were joining the list, his career was reaching one of its peak and you were happy for him, honestly, you were so proud of him, proud of everything he had to go through to get to this point, he completely deserved it.

And with you was the same scenario, work was driving you crazy in every sense of the word, never before in your career you have had so much work, clients, appointments, projects, everything was going great in your work life.

It felt like as one part of your lives grew, another fell apart.

You were in the bedroom watching a movie which you weren't even paying attention because of all the thinking. You turned to look at him and it seemed like he was.

His profile was beautiful, long lashes, cute nose with that little bump and soft lips. He was everything you wanted, everything you've waited for.

It was time to talk about the state of your relationship, you couldn't delay it anymore.

You took a deep breath.

"Chris" you said with a little shaky voice.

"Yes?" he said looking at you.

You looked him in the eye and swallowed it's okay, you got this, you can do it you thought.

"Ummm I don't know how to exactly say this but... Don't you feel like our relationship it's not the same anymore? Like we're not us anymore," you said nervous.

You felt him tensing and then he said "I don't know, I guess you're right it's not the same since a long time, I don't know what is happening to us. It's like we're losing each other,"

"I know that it's because of our busy schedules maybe everything will be back to normal when they're less loaded don't you think? Or perhaps we should take a break of work so-"

"I can't take breaks now, I have really important things that are almost done I have to finish them," he said sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Okay so what do you think we should do from now on so we could have our relationship back? So we could have us back," you felt how your hands were becoming sweaty.

"I-I'm not sure, I'm leaving in two weeks for a business, you maybe wanna come with me?" he said rubbing his neck nervously.

"I can't do that I have so many things to do, I can't leave just like that," you said almost whispering.

"Then I don't know how we can fix this... Maybe our time together... Got to the end," he said looking away from you.

You swallowed hard and felt your heartbeat racing.

"S-so you a-are saying that, we should b-break up?" you felt tears coming down your cheeks.

"What else do you expect us to do? We barely see each other and when we do it's like we're not here physically, we don't even talk anymore," a tear threatened to come out from him while speaking.

"But t-there has to be something we can do, I don't wanna let you go this easy, I don't wanna let us go," you said wiping the tears.

"Such as?" when his eyes met yours your heart finished breaking, the sparkle in his eyes every time he looked at you had disappeared without a trace as if it had never been there.

You remained in silence. Not only was it because of the busy schedules... He didn't love you anymore and he didn't want to say it out loud, he didn't want to hurt you more. As masochistic as it sounded, you needed to hear it from his lips.

"You don't l-love me anymore, do you?" your voice was beginning to break.

He didn't say anything, he just remained silent avoiding your gaze.

"C-Chris?"

He glanced at you as if saying sorry with his eyes and you couldn't hold back your tears anymore crying your eyes out, heartbrokenly unable to stop.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't want it to end this way, I hope you can forgive me one day," he took a step towards you but immediately you took another step back and turned around trying to process everything that had happened.

"I'm sorry," he whispered before walking out of the bedroom.

#chris evans #cevans #chris evans fanfiction #chris evans x reader #chris evans imagine #chris evans one shot #chris evans x female reader #chris evans x angst #Spotify #chris evans angst #chris evans x y/n #chris evans x you

[dreamerstreamer]

Into The Woods

Pairing: werewolf!Dream / Clay x human!gn!reader

Summary: [Werewolf!AU] It’s love at first sight when you move into a quaint, little house by the forest’s edge, but you soon find that there’s more waiting for you in the woods than you originally thought. 

Word Count: 10k

A/N: my third commissioned story! this work has been altered so everyone can read it, but the plot remains the same. this story was a blast to write, and i hope you all enjoy it! <3

With a step back and a firm tug, the back door slammed shut with a satisfying click. You grinned as you turned the key in the lock. Slipping the silver keyring into your pocket, you turned on your heel, your gaze sweeping over the vast open forest that stretched out before you. Viridian green leaves loomed over the earth, standing in stark contrast to the clear, cerulean blue sky that stretched across the horizon overhead. On the ground below, the occasional wildflower sprouted up and out of the earth, their soft petals shyly unfurling and fluttering in the warm summer breeze.

For such a lovely view, you never would have guessed that you would be able to afford a place like this for so cheap.

Then again, Elmwood Ridge wasn’t a particularly notable town. Best known for its countless acres of elm forests and the large lake that laid at its centre, the town had become something of a nature reserve unto itself, despite being anything but. It was a quiet, quaint region, somewhere you had always distantly dreamed of visiting, if only because of its peaceful atmosphere. You never thought that you would end up living there, though.

It had been a split second decision made on impulse, and looking back, maybe it wasn’t the smartest move you’d ever made, but you didn’t regret one bit. Your new house was two stories tall and built with lovely stone bricks that looked like they came right out of a fairytale. The triangular sloping roof hung just over the sides of the house to provide some shelter from the rain, and the second floor had two balconies—one in the front and the back. Needless to say, you were sold in a heartbeat. Not only was the house pretty, but so was the price tag. You vaguely remembered hearing something about complaints of noisy wolves in the forest, but you weren't deterred. A little noise never killed anyone, and you were more than happy to share your space with nature.

Hopping down the back steps, you gently tread across the soft grass, careful not to step on any flowers as you walked. After moving in two days ago, you had planned to take the day off to hike and learn all that you could about your new backyard. You would head into town tomorrow and look for a job then—right now, all you wanted to do was explore and appreciate your new home.

Gazing up at the rustling elm leaves one last time, you smiled to yourself before stepping out of your lawn and into the forest.

In the distance, a faint howl rang out across the trees.

Between stretches of chestnut wood, a flash of tawny brown and golden fur dashed across the earth, powerful paws pushing off the ground with each leap. Landing atop a fallen log, the wolf raised his head, his muzzle raised toward the sky as he inhaled sharply, his nostrils flaring.

Fresh. Clean. Warm. The faintest scent of flowers.

He exhaled, emerald eyes blinking as he scanned the open forest around him.

Carrying out routine morning patrols around the pack’s territory was one of the alpha’s many duties, but Clay still wasn’t quite used to it.

Stepping down from the log, he let his tongue hang out of his mouth, his ears flicking as he took in every sound. Somewhere above him, a bird flapped its wings, chirping as it took flight. Along the breeze, he could pick up the distant scent of deer coming from the south. His eyes flashed at the smell. He would have to report that to the pack when he returned—it had been a few days since they last had a large hunt. Sniffing one last time, he began weaving between the looming trunks, his entire body rapt with focus.

He had only been appointed as alpha a little less than a month ago, and although he had technically been taught the ropes, it took more than just a few lessons for a wolf to truly become alpha. He could still remember how the former alpha had pressed his nose to his side, nudging him onto the rock peak in front of his pack with an aging howl. He had been getting older, and everyone knew it—it was only a matter of time until a new leader was selected, but Clay never would have dreamt he would be the one who was chosen.

Only a few people were as surprised as he was, though. He was one of the larger wolves in the pack, and while he wasn’t the tallest in his human form—that title belonged to the young, curious Ranboo—he was by far the strongest, having led more than his fair share of hunts before. It was only natural that he ended up in his position, and he was welcomed into the upper ranks with open arms.

A glimmer of warmth washed over him at the memory, and he would have smiled if he wasn’t shifted. He had never felt such pride before, feeling everyone’s excited gazes on him as he howled up at the gleaming, full moon. The shouts that filled the starry night sky made his heart swell in his chest, and he just knew he was going to do his best to make everyone proud. He would protect them to the ends of the earth, if he had to.

Kicking away a stray branch, his eyes quickly flicked over his surroundings. He recognized this area, and he knew that he had almost completed a full circle around the pack’s perimeter, by now. There was only a tiny stretch left before he would return to the camp and fill everyone in. Raising his head, he let his jaw fall open to catch any aromas that travelled along the breeze.

All of a sudden, a new scent wafted over his nose, an unsettling sense of unfamiliarity striking deep within his core.

There was something in the woods—something that did not belong here.

In an instant, Clay’s lips were pulled back in a snark, his sharp canines bared as he sank his paws into the soil below. His claws latched onto the dirt, his grip firm and unwavering as he pressed himself closer to the ground, careful not to let his scent travel in the air.

They weren’t common, but every now and then, hunters would venture into the woods with their heads held high and guns drawn. Most of them came hunting for game, shooting down the occasional deer or elk to bring back to their own families. Clay didn’t have a problem with those hunters, but as for the ones who came in search of wolves?

Clay wasn’t sure he could be so lenient with those ones.

Prowling forward, he kept his haunches low, his tail brushing over the shrubbery as he took step after step toward the strange, new scent. Ever so slowly, he crept closer, his pupils dilated in focus. Suddenly, he stopped, freezing in place.

He could hear footsteps.

Inhaling deeply, he let his eyelids fall shut.

One, two, three...

His eyes shot wide open, and he whipped his head up, only to go stock still as a silhouette came into view.

It was a person, a regular person.

He blinked as he lifted his head, his expression growing neutral as he watched you crouch down to examine a small pile of stones stacked beside a tree, one that he vaguely remembered being made by Tommy and Tubbo when they went exploring a few weeks ago. There was no gun strapped to your body, no pack hanging off your hips as you rose back up to your feet. You didn’t seem to be a threat at all, and from the back, he couldn’t tell if you were even carrying a weapon.

Just then, you turned to the side, and he felt his breath hitch in his throat.

The world suddenly fell away, his surroundings melting into nothing more than a hazy blur as his eyes locked onto your face. His heart came to a screeching halt in his chest.

You were beautiful.

The light framing your lovely face made your cheeks seem all the more lively as you rose. He watched as you brushed your fingers delicately over the bark of a tree, your brilliant eyes meticulously tracing over the curve of every leaf as you walked past. Your feet never lingered in one place for long, constantly moving and skittering across the forest floor like a rippling stream. It was almost as though your every movement cast streaks of dappled sunlight everywhere you stepped, the marvelling spark flickering in your gaze making his head spin with wild abandon.

Clay felt something warm and tight curl against his insides, unmistakably soft and affectionate. It was almost hard to breathe with the way his lungs squeezed and shook behind his ribs. He hadn’t felt this feeling before, but he had heard enough stories to know exactly what it was.

His mate—you were his mate.

There wasn’t any one way to truly describe what a mating bond was, but the most commonly accepted one was that it was a connection that tied people’s souls together, uniting them in perfect harmony. Every werewolf had a mate, and most of the time, they would find their mate in another one of their kind. But right now, as Clay stood in the forest, his gaze glued to the most beautiful human he had ever laid eyes on, he knew that he wasn’t going to find his mate in some other shifter like everyone else had said he would.

Having a human for a mate was rare at best, and unheard of at worst. After all, not every human had a mate, and he had heard stories of shifters being rejected by their human mates. Some of the elders in the camp still refused to believe that having a human mate was even possible, but nearly all of the younger shifters had accepted it—embraced it, even. But never in his pack, at least, had someone learned that their mate was a human.

It looked like he was going to be the first.

For a few long moments, he simply stood there, watching you silently with wide eyes as you slowly made your way deeper down the path. A part of him wanted to chase after you, yearned to walk by your side for as long as his legs would let him. But as soon as he raised his paw, he quickly lowered it again, a pang of guilt shooting through him.

He couldn’t go up to you—not like this, and most certainly not now. He didn’t have nearly enough experience under his belt as an alpha yet, and bringing you to his world could just make everything even worse if he wasn’t careful about it. He swallowed, taking a single step back as you slowly slipped out of view, disappearing into the trees and carrying your lovely scent away with you.

Anxiety gnawed at the inside of his gut, and he couldn’t help but wonder if you would even return. Surely you must live around here to be hiking in these woods—maybe you would hike here again, if not even more often.

He paused, then nodded to himself before whipping around, his tail swishing behind him as he clenched his jaw.

Tomorrow. He would come back tomorrow.

A few feet deeper within the trees, the sound of a stick snapping shattered the forest’s silence.

Along the lightly-treaded path, you whirled, your head pointing toward the sharp sound. Pausing, you raised your head, your gaze darting to the forest canopy above. The sun peaked down at you between swaths of vibrant green, and you squinted, raising a hand to shield your eyes. The trees remained quiet around you, only whispering with the soft rustles of their leaves.

A moment passed in silence. A robin warbled.

You let out a long exhale and shook your head. Turning once more, you stepped over a small crack in the ground, humming as you walked further into the woods.

It was probably nothing.

Sapnap grunted as he dropped the pile of sticks onto the ground, the wood clattering at his feet in a heap. He scowled at the sight, resisting the urge to kick the pile down. He couldn’t believe Wilbur had actually tricked him into doing something as simple as collecting firewood. It wasn’t difficult or anything, but he was the beta, for crying out loud! He could have at least passed the buck to someone like Tommy, that brat.

“Sapnap.”

Sapnap blinked at the familiar voice, turning to find himself standing face to face with Clay. His dirty blond hair was disheveled atop his head, and his cheeks were flushed with heat. A smile tugged on his lips at the sight. “Oh, hey, Clay. Welcome back.” He squinted at the way Clay’s chest heaved, his breaths coming out shaky and uneven. “Um, you good, there? Did you run back here or somethi—”

“It happened,” Clay blurted.

Sapnap blinked, raising a single brow at him. “What happened?”

Clay swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “I met my mate.”

Sapnap paused. “Oh. Oh.” A wide grin stretched across his face, and he reached over to clap a hand to Clay’s back. “That’s awesome, man! I’m guessing it happened on your patro—”

“My mate’s human,” Clay said suddenly.

Sapnap paused again. “Oh. Oh.”

Letting out a deep sigh, Clay’s shoulders went slack at his side as he ran a hand through his hair, pushing it away from his scalp. “I, um,” he said, his words coming out in a hazy rush. “I don’t think I’m ready to—” He stopped, feeling Sapnap’s patient gaze rest on him, then opened his mouth, again. “I can’t just reveal our world so soon. I’ve only been alpha for what?” He gestured vaguely. “A month? I’m not experienced enough, yet.” He slumped forward, a hollow, wistful look settling onto his features. “It would be too much for both of us.”

Sapnap nodded thoughtfully, understanding flooding his face. “It’s okay, Clay. Take your time.” He fell silent for a brief moment, then quietly added, “Did you reveal yourself or anything?”

He shook his head. “Not at all. I was too surprised to even move.”

Sapnap’s lips quirked up into a tiny smile. “Then there’s no rush,” he said. “You’re allowed to build up your confidence first, dude. Your confidence as a wolf. As an alpha.” His eyes flashed with soft reassurance. “As a mate.”

Clay raised his head, blinking as Sapnap gently nudged his shoulder with his. “You can do this. Plus,” he added, his tone growing more lighthearted, “I’m your beta. You know I’ve got your back.”

The chuckle that escaped Clay’s lips was low and short, but he could already feel the tension seep out his shoulders like a leaking dam. “Thanks, Sap.”

Taking a step back, Sapnap hummed, offering him a lopsided smile. “Anytime.”

Clay turned on his heel, jerking his head toward the centre of the camp. “Well, I need to organize today’s hunt, but I’ll catch you later. I trust you’ll keep things under control while I’m gone.”

He nodded. “Of course—you know me.” With a short wave and a small grin, Clay began walking off in the opposite direction. “Oh, also,” Sapnap suddenly shouted after him, “don��t forget to grab something to eat before you go hunting today, yeah? I know you missed breakfast.”

Clay didn’t look behind him as he shot a thumbs up at Sapnap from behind his back, but Sapnap could already picture the way he would roll his eyes with a smile. Shaking his head, he turned back to the firewood scattered around his feet, a new glower creeping onto his face.

He was so getting back at Wilbur for this.

Every morning after, Clay dutifully woke up early and strolled deep into the woods, shifted into his wolf form as he scented the air and patrolled the area just as any good alpha would. But time and time again, that one sweet scent never seemed to return, almost as though it had vanished from the forest entirely. At times, he thought he caught the faintest whiff of it, but some further exploration would only reveal a small patch of flowers, never you.

Needless to say, his disappointment was palpable.

It had been a full week now, and Clay was running out of hope. Maybe he was wrong—maybe you wouldn’t ever come back. His heart ached at the thought.

He had been too hasty, wasn’t he?

Hanging his head, he whimpered to himself in the quiet forest, sniffing absentmindedly as he ambled about almost aimlessly. He still had a duty to fulfill, he knew, but he couldn’t ignore the empty feeling burrowing deeper and deeper into his chest.

But right then, just as he paced another few feet forward, he heard it.

A melody.

It was soft, the singing travelling down from the west in a distant murmur, or perhaps a hum. If he hadn’t been paying attention, he surely would have missed it. He didn’t know this song, didn’t recognize it one bit, but he could already tell that it was sweeter than any thrush’s song or any loon’s call. He felt his heart flip in his chest, and just like that, he knew.

In a flash, he was racing across the earth, his paws flying out beneath him in a blur as he ducked under branches and darted past deer, missing the way they startled at his sudden approach. The song was louder now, and he could smell it—smell you.

It was only a few seconds later that he came to a stop, his paws digging into the ground as his heart leapt into his throat.

Soft hair. Bright eyes. A dazzling grin.

You were back.

You had headphones on this time, he realized, and you were humming aloud to yourself, your feet most likely moving in time to the beat of whatever song you were listening to. You were a little off-key and occasionally stumbled over the refrain as it came around, but he found himself entranced nonetheless. Even when you were doing something as simple as humming, you were stunning.

Why come back today of all days? he distantly wondered to himself. What made today so different from any other day?

He wracked his mind as he felt the sun shine down on him gently, warming his back as he crouched down a little. He rarely kept track of the days—that was Sapnap’s job—but he knew that there hadn’t been any special events or holidays going on in the human world. Pressing his ears flat against his head, he scratched his paw at the ground in confusion. Just what made today so special?

That was when the realization slammed into him.

It had been a week since he last saw you.

Once a week—you must hike here once a week.

If he could smile in this form, he already knew that he would have the biggest, stupidest grin plastered to his face. He wanted to leap for joy and howl like there was no tomorrow, but he didn’t want to alert you of his presence just yet. Again, it had only been a week, and he was still far from being a worthy mate for you.

Once a week, he thought once more, his eyes glued to you as you skipped further down the trail and out of his sight. I can wait another week.

The wind sang in his ears as a gentle breeze brushed over his tawny fur, the forest murmuring a silent lullaby into his ear as he whirled back around. As much as he wanted to stay with you forever, he had a patrol to finish and a pack to defend. He let his eyelids flutter shut for the briefest of moments, your face engraved into the rosy crevices of his heart as your humming filled his ears once more.

He couldn’t wait to see you, again.

One week later, you grumbled to yourself as you stomped through the woods, complaining about your new job under your breath. Clay wished he could comfort you, but stayed put with his claws buried in the dirt.

Two weeks later, you watched with wide eyes as a doe and her fawn drank from a nearby stream. He made sure not to hunt those two down in particular later that week.

Three weeks later, you were snapping photo after photo with the camera hanging around your neck, your eyes absolutely brimming with curiosity. He thought you were prettier than any view the forest had to offer.

As one week stumbled into the next, the months began to pass in a blur. Summer collapsed into autumn as the leaves turned gorgeous shades of crimson red and golden orange before tumbling from the sky. Shortly after that, the forest was covered in a blanket of ivory white snow, leaving the branches bare and awaiting the return of spring. The snow soon melted into rain, and puddles littered the forest floor while flowers began to bud and bloom once more. In almost a whirlwind of seasons and waiting, summer rolled around once more, marking the first anniversary of your arrival in Elmwood Ridge.

With each passing season, Clay continued to watch you from afar with a tender gaze. Some days, he would listen to you hum as you trekked along while other times, he would only manage to catch the tiniest of glimpses of you between the trees. No matter how short the instance was, every second he got was well worth the wait, and Clay could feel his affection bloom like a new spring flower. As the trees grew larger, as did his confidence. Time was the best teacher the forest had to offer, and it didn’t take much longer for Clay to grow comfortable with his duty as the alpha of his pack. But despite his newfound strength, he still didn’t feel ready enough to approach you outright, to reveal himself to you as he was. Doubt swirled in his mind like a raging storm, eating away at him like a gnat digging through mud.

He was beginning to fear he may never be ready.

Lifting his head, he sniffed the air, the now familiar scent of his mate drifting across the new summer breeze. You were taking a new path today, he noted in an instant. Perhaps you were doing some exploring.

Padding through the trees, leaves crunched beneath his feet as he leapt over logs and puddles, following after your scent as it grew stronger and stronger. It only took a few moments for him to find you standing atop an elevated rock face, your head lifted as you gazed up at the light scattered between the tree leaves. Your face almost seemed to be glowing in the pale, morning sunshine, your eyes looking like two dewdrops as they curved into tiny crescents. Clay’s heart rattled in his chest, and he resisted the urge to howl to the heavens above.

You were lovely, his mate. If only he could work up the courage to properly tell you.

Basking in the sunlight, he watched as you took a few steps forward closer to the cliff’s edge, your eyes still trained on the sky above. It wasn’t a terribly deep fall, he knew, but the fall was most certainly far enough to hurt someone if they fell at the wrong angle. He narrowed his eyes as you stopped dangerously close to the edge, halting just a few inches from the drop. Surely the stone was strong enough to support your weight, even as old as it was, right?

Apparently not.

Clay saw the cliff crumble before you did.

Terror shot through his body like a bullet as he watched the rock face collapse under your shoes, your feet tumbling out beneath you. Your hands desperately reached for the cliff face, but he could tell from the way your scream cut through the forest’s silence like a sharpened blade that you weren't going to be able to grab it in time.

There was no time for him to think—his body moved first.

In one moment, he was standing with his mouth slack and his emerald eyes blown wide with horror. In the next, he was lunging across the rock face, his jaws wide open as he reached for the lower collar of your shirt. The moment he felt his nose brush against the back of your neck, he snapped his jaws shut, careful not to pierce your skin with his sharp canines as the cloth caught between his teeth. Your weight bounced beneath him once, and the gasp that escaped your lips made his head spin dizzily.

Close—you were so close, and your scent was intoxicating.

You turned your head ever so slightly, and he felt it the moment your eyes locked onto his. You were scared, he could tell, but as you took in the sight of the wolf holding onto you, you almost seemed to relax in his grip. Planting his paws firmly against the rocky earth, he tugged his jaw up and backwards, pulling you away from the cliff face and over even ground. Your hands scrambled to latch onto the cliff edge, helping to pull yourself up until finally, he let go of you, your now torn collar resting against the back of your neck.

Heaving a sigh of relief, you let yourself collapse against the rock face, lying on your back as you gasped for breath. Your chest felt tight like a wound-up spring, and adrenaline pumped through every vein in your body, yet you felt oddly calm. After a minute or two, you slowly pushed yourself forward on your arms until you were just barely slouching forward, looking over your shoulder. A few feet away from you, the wolf stood, his eyes trained intently on your face as you swallowed.

“Um,” you breathed, your eyes desperately scanning him up and down. “Hello?”

He didn’t say anything in return, simply shuffling further away from you. He was giving you space, you realized after a brief moment, and you blinked as you scrambled to sit completely upright. His fur was a soft, golden brown, and you had half the mind to distantly think that you wanted to run your fingers through it. Something about him seemed comforting like that.

“Hi,” you whispered once you were seeing him eye-to-eye. “Ah, um, thank you for saving me.”

Maybe you were just imagining it, but you could have sworn his eyes widened in an almost human-like manner. He didn’t move from his spot a few feet away from you, and you swallowed. You thought you would be more scared than this, more terrified of the beast standing before you. But as you sat there, watching as he blinked at you, you felt as though you were anything but. An unfamiliar yet strangely comforting warmth curled around in the pit of your stomach as you tilted your head at the wolf.

He felt so... safe. So familiar, almost like you had met him before.

“Are—are you a nice wolf?” you asked after another moment, your voice faltering the tiniest bit. “I’d like to think you’re a nice wolf, since you just saved my life.”

Once again, you were greeted by silence, the only indication that he had heard you at all being the way his ears flicked. What am I doing? you suddenly thought, your mind running at a million miles a minute. I’m talking to a wolf—an animal. I’m not a Disney character.

This was weird—or at least it was supposed to be. Yet, as you stared at this wolf who simply stared back at you with these bright, stunning green eyes, you couldn’t help but feel that everything in this moment was just perfect. Like you had been waiting your entire life for this moment to happen.

“You’re really pretty,” you suddenly blurted. In an instant, you were slamming your palm over your mouth, your cheeks flooding with heat. “Oh my god, that was embarrassing,” you murmured, your voice coming out muffled. “I’m sorry.”

Your heart hammered against your ribcage like a caged bird begging to be let out, and ever so slowly, you lowered your hands from your mouth, offering the wolf a shaky, sheepish smile. “Um, thank you, again,” you said gently, honestly. Leaning forward, you pressed your hands against the cool stone to balance yourself, your fingers digging into the rock as you spoke. “I don’t really know how you knew I was there or how you knew I was going to fall, but I really appreciate it.”

The wolf blinked at you once more, then took another step back, subtly dipping his head. Your smile widened at the sight. Pushing yourself upward, you rose to your feet, brushing off the dust from your frontside before standing upright, fidgeting almost nervously.

“I—I,” you stammered, suddenly feeling awkward, “I think I’m going to go home now, but...” You swallowed, raising your hand in a small wave as heat rose in your chest. “...thank you so much, again!”

Before the warmth in your heart could burst, you whipped around, sprinting away as fast as your legs could take you. You didn’t see the way the wolf practically crumbled into a ball on the ground, whimpering to himself as you disappeared out of sight.

Bolting down the hill and past the trees, branches blew past you in a blur as you dashed between the trunks and over patches of wildflowers. Your heartbeat pounded in your ears like a beating drum, and your chest felt oddly light. You couldn’t shake the memory of how intense that wolf’s gaze had been on yours, his eyes swirling with something that made your stomach churn and your mouth go dry.

He really was pretty.

Sapnap yawned as he stretched his arm behind his back and above his head, rolling his neck as the joint popped back into place with a satisfying crack. He couldn’t remember the last time he slept in like this, but he did not regret it one bit. Clay had given him the okay, after all. One late morning wouldn’t hurt anyone.

“Sapnap, you are not going to believe this.”

Sapnap yelped, whipping around with eyes as wide as saucers as he stumbled back a step. The drowsiness left his body in an instant, almost as though he had never been tired to begin with. Clay’s hand shot out to grab his arm, steadying him as he swallowed, relaxing once he realized who he was looking at.

“Holy crap, Clay,” he gasped, pressing a hand to his racing heart, “you scared me! I know you’ve gotten better at this whole stealth thing, but that was just straight up terrifyi—”

Clay’s grip on his arm tightened. “I saved them today,” he whispered.

Sapnap froze, and there was a beat of silence. “You did what, now?”

Just like that, Clay had flung his arms up and around his head, his fingers buried in his hair as he began to pace, his tone frantic and rushed. “There—there was this steeper area with this cliff but it was kind of hidden, and then it was breaking and I just knew something bad was going to happen, and I couldn’t just let that happen, so I moved without thinking and I was pulling them back and—”

A pair of hands suddenly grabbed onto his shoulders, stopping him dead in his tracks. “Breathe,” Sapnap instructed calmly. “You need to breathe, dude.” Clay opened his mouth, but Sapnap spoke before he could. “You are talking so quickly right now, and I can’t understand you when you talk like that.”

Clay closed his mouth, mulling over the whirlwind of thoughts and emotions steamrolling through his head. After a few moments, he finally spoke once more. “I still can’t believe it,” he murmured, suddenly sounding completely and utterly awestruck. “My mate actually stopped and thanked me. And called me pretty.”

Sapnap’s fingers loosened around Clay’s shoulders, a ghost of a smile gracing his lips. “Yeah?”

Clay sighed, sounding absolutely lovestruck. “Yeah.”

Pulling his arms back to cross them over his chest, Sapnap eyed him up and down, cocking his head. “So,” he began gently, “how are you feeling?” When Clay opened his mouth, Sapnap quickly added, “Slowly, please.”

Clay groaned, teasingly rolling his eyes before leaning back on his heels, rocking back and forth as he began to speak. “I only revealed myself as a wolf,” he said softly, “so I don’t know if they know about the mating bond yet. I don’t even know if humans can feel it like we can.”

He tilted his head back, gazing up at the cerulean blue sky. “But there’s something about the way we looked at each other that makes me feel like maybe, just maybe, humans can feel it,” he whispered, sounding breathless all at once. “Call it a gut feeling, I guess. I don’t know.” He cast a glance over at Sapnap, his eyebrows furrowed. “Do I sound crazy?”

A thoughtful look flickered across Sapnap’s face. Then, he grinned. “A little bit, yeah.”

Clay sighed, something he noticed he had been doing a lot more, lately. “I just…” He swallowed. “I just don’t want something like that to happen ever, ever again.”

Suddenly, he fell quiet, his lips parting as the wheels in his head began to turn. Sapnap watched as a tiny spark came to life within his focused gaze, small but oh-so vibrant.

“You got an idea there?” he prompted after a few seconds of silence.

Clay blinked once. Twice. Then, a smile stretched across his face—a smile as bright as the full moon.

“Something like that.”

It was probably a dumb idea for you to return to the forest for your weekly hike as if nothing had happened, but you couldn’t quite quench the curiosity that bubbled up inside you every time you thought about the wolf who had saved you. His gaze had been fiery, yet compassionate, and he had been purposely so gentle when tugging you away from the cliff. You weren't a fool—you knew how powerful a wolf could be. Then why did he treat you so kindly?

You had to find out.

Marching through the brush and shrubbery, you whipped your head this way and that, scanning every strip of forest you could lay your eyes on. Wolves were good at hiding, you knew that. After all, if they weren’t as stealthy as they were, they would never be able to catch a meal. But you had been hiking for almost an hour now, and you still hadn’t seen a single glimpse of the wolf. You couldn’t say you were completely surprised, since it wasn’t like you knew every inch of the forest, but you were frustrated to admit that you were at least a little disappointed. Maybe this was a lost cause.

But then, you heard it.

The sound of a stick snapping.

Freezing, you paused, turning as you glanced to the sides. Nothing out of the ordinary stood among the bushes. You stopped again, then pursed your lips.

No, something was there.

A tender curiosity sparked between your lungs, but it was coated in a thin layer of reluctance. Sucking in a deep breath, you whipped around, squinting at the seemingly empty trees around you as you opened your mouth.

“Wolf?” you called out slowly into the quiet. “Is that you?”

At first, all was quiet, and you held your breath. The leaves rustled around you almost tauntingly, and you distantly heard the caw of a crow. You were just about to give up and go home when a flash of gold caught your eye.

Standing motionless a single yard away was a wolf—your wolf.

A grin stretched across your face, joy surging through your body as you carefully took a few steps forward. Oh, this was definitely a dumb idea, but you was more than brave enough to keep going.

“Hi, there.” You shuffled your feet, a tentative look passing over your face. “You’re, um—” You gulped. “You’re not going to hurt me, are you?”

Clay’s eyes went wide, and he took a step back. No! he thought, hoping you would be able to read his expression, even as a wolf. Never. Not in a million years.

You stared at him for a long moment, blinking slowly as you scanned his face up and down. Then, your lips quirked up into the tiniest of smiles.

“No,” you murmured in the softest of voices, and he felt his heart melt in his chest. “If you were going to do something, you would have done it by now, wouldn’t you?”

Clay nearly sank in relief, and he barked. You raised a brow at the sound, furrowing your brows slightly. “Do you want me to keep you company?” you asked, beginning to walk up to him. “Is that what you’re doing?”

You had only made it a few steps when he suddenly barked again, taking a step toward you. In an instant, you froze, watching with bated breath as he curled around to your other side and gently nudged at your leg with his nose. You shot him a curious glance, stumbling forward the tiniest bit. “Hey,” you said, “what are you...?”

You trailed off, a cut rock face suddenly catching your attention from the corner of your eye. The stony grey wall was nearly perpendicular to the ground and looked almost eerily similar to the one you had nearly fallen down the week prior. Just like that, it clicked.

There was another small cliff right there. He was trying to keep you away from it.

“Oh,” you breathed, your lips splitting into an even wider grin as you made sure to steer away from the short cliff, “you don’t want me falling again, do you?”

He snorted, and you blinked at him. That sounded far more human this time—almost too human. It almost reminded you of a dog, if anything. A triumphant smile slowly crept onto your face, and with your head held high, you turned on your heel, marching onward and away from the rock face.

“Well, wolf,” you said, a teasing arrogance seeping into your tone as you glanced over your shoulder at him, “I promise you that I’ll be much safer this time arou—woah!”

The toe of your shoe caught on a protruding stone, and with a sharp yelp, you stumbled forward, gravity pulling you downward with a harsh pull. With a flail of your arms, you only just barely caught your balance as your hand shot out to grab onto a tree and steady yourself. Your heart flipped in your chest as you planted your feet firmly against the ground, the soles of your shoes pressed flatly against the earth as your fingers curled into the bark. Your chest heaved with surprise as you stood upright, turning to look over your shoulder at the wolf. He blinked at you, and while you knew wolves couldn’t quite smile, something about his gaze almost seemed cocky—like he was laughing at you. Heat crept up your neck and onto your face, your cheeks bursting with warmth.

“Y-You did not see that,” you sputtered, coughing into your sleeve as you brushed off your pants dismissively.

Almost as if to spare you some embarrassment, he turned his head away from you, although you could see his eyes glance your way every few seconds. Pouting, you huffed, whirling on your feet as you continued to trudge down the path. Soon enough, the sound of soft footsteps trailed after you, and you couldn’t help but smile at the sound, knowing that he would follow you even if you weren't looking.

That night, you dreamt of whispering trees and a pair of bright, viridian green eyes.

What had once been a weekly ritual of watching from afar soon turned into an amicable companionship between human and wolf. You weren't afraid as you walked into the woods to see a familiar pair of eyes waiting for you, your eagerness to see him only growing with each passing week. Clay himself could hardly contain his excitement. Actually walking beside you was so much better than simply watching from the woods, hidden by the trees. He loved your company and absolutely basked in your presence, even if you sent his heart into an absolute frenzy.

“Sometimes,” you said aloud one day, “I really do think you can understand me.”

Clay stiffened, praying you wouldn’t notice the way his ears pressed flat against his head as he turned to look at you. You sat on a tree stump while he padded atop the fallen trunk it sat beside, your gleaming gaze slowly blinking at him as he silently circled around you.

“I think it’s got something to do with the way you react to some of the things I say,” you murmured. You watched the way his tail flicked behind him, the soft fur brushing gently against the low-growing plants. A second later, you sighed, waving your hand. “Ah, I’m probably just imagining things.”

Clay nearly heaved a sigh of relief, continuing to pace. You would say surprising things like that every once in a while, and it would send his heart racing. Well, you usually only said one absurd thing per week, so you probably weren’t going to say another thing like that toda—

“Can I pet you?”

His paws came to a halt. Perhaps he thought too soon.

Before he could even properly process what you had said, You were backpedaling, shaking your head with an apologetic look. “Agh, that’s a terrible question. You’re a wolf, not a dog. There’s no way you wou—”

All of a sudden, he was crawling up to you, jutting his forehead toward your hand. His muzzle was clamped shut as his eyes bore into yours, and you gaped at him, the realization beginning to dawn on you.

“Wait,” you breathed in disbelief, “you’re actually going to let me?”

He didn’t move, lowering his eyes to the ground almost shyly as his ears curled toward you. Slowly, you raised your arm with a shaky hand and reached forward, letting your fingers gently brush over his tawny fur with a feather-light touch. You nearly gasped at the feeling, not noticing the way his legs trembled beneath him.

“Wolf,” you whispered after a few seconds, “you’re really soft.”

Clay nearly combusted on the spot. Perfect—everything about you was just perfect.

With your hand buried in his soft fur and the summer breeze ruffling your hair, You smiled, sighing with warmth lighting up your heart as the wolf at your feet melted beneath your touch.

Sapnap tapped his foot impatiently, squinting up at the glaring sun. George slept in, again. He was kind of used to it now, but even though he wasn’t surprised, he wasn’t afraid to admit that he was more than just a little ticked off.

“My mate pet me today.”

Sapnap tensed for a split second, turning to see Clay staring at him with wide eyes. Relaxing once more, he stared at him for a long, long moment before speaking. He really needed to start giving him some sort of heads up at this point.

“Dude,” he said, “I know that the last time you asked me if you sounded crazy, I said a little bit, but I feel like I might have to change my answer.”

Clay shot him a glare, and he couldn’t stop his lips from twitching in amusement. “Sapnap,” he said bluntly, “you act like you don’t talk about Karl and Alex like this.”

Sapnap looked taken aback for a moment, raising a finger, then lowering it with a defeated look. “Touché.”

As Clay walked off with his head held high and a bounce in his step, Sapnap chuckled, watching him leave with a small smile. He recognized the gleam in his eyes, the rosy hue of his cheeks.

Love—Clay really was in love, wasn’t he?

“I’ve been thinking,” you said one day, a few months later.

Clay perked up at the sound of your voice from where he lay at your feet, soaking in the first few rays of sun. It had been well over a year since he had first laid eyes on you now, and a little over a few months since you began walking together. It was only a matter of time until the leaves would turn golden brown once more as autumn descended upon them.

“I dunno,” you murmured, knocking your legs back against the stone you sat on. “I feel like I should give you a name instead of just calling you wolf all the time.” You flashed him a shy grin, your gaze darting this way and that. “It feels kind of awkward, you know?”

He cocked his head. A name? Chances were you probably weren't going to guess his actual name. He supposed he wouldn’t mind a nickname. Then again, he didn’t think he would mind anything that you might do. Lowering himself closer to the ground, he let out a quiet bark of approval.

Your lips twitched the tiniest bit at the sound, and you hummed, drumming your fingers against your thigh. “How do you feel about... Aaron?”

His emerald eyes flashed as he took a step back, ducking his head the slightest bit. Your lips pursed into a small pout, and you leaned down to rest your chin on your hand. “Alright,” you murmured, “not Aaron, then.” You chewed on the inside of your cheek for a second. “Roy?”

Clay didn’t even have to think about it for more than a second before he was whimpering, pressing his head to his paws as he dropped his haunches close to the ground. You snorted at his obvious disapproval, tapping the toes of your shoes together with a pensive look.

“Okay,” you said slowly, drawing out the vowel sound, “maybe we should try some less... human-sounding names.” You tilted your head, letting your gaze trail up the tree trunks and up at the sky above. The sun wasn’t shining directly into your eyes this time, and you blinked with surprise to see a puff of white fluff blocking out the light.  

“What about,” you offered with a hum, “Cloud?”

You glanced down again, only to see the wolf staring back at you blankly. You couldn’t quite read the look in his eyes, but you had a feeling he wasn’t quite satisfied with this one, either. Lowering your chin, you puffed your cheeks, glancing this way and that across the forest around you. You couldn’t just call him something like Leaf, or Sky—those would be too obvious, too plain for a wolf as lovely as him.

Sighing, you let your eyelids flutter shut, letting the sun wash over your cheeks and warming your skin. He was... special, even if you knew you were biased in your opinion. There was some special quality about him, something that made your chest swell and your heart skip a beat, almost as if he came straight out of a—

“Dream,” you whispered at last.

Clay’s ears perked up at the new name, and he lifted his head, flicking his ears at you. Maybe it was the name itself, maybe it was the way you said it, or maybe it was just you, but something about it just felt right. He barked once, lifting his tail as he stepped toward you.

You blinked at the sight, a small smile tugging at your lips. “Dream?” you repeated. “You like the sound of Dream?”

He barked again, leaping up onto his hind legs for a moment. You grinned, giggling at the sight of such a large wolf acting almost like a dog around you. “Alright,” you murmured, reaching your hand out toward him, “Dream it is.”

Leaning closer to you, he sank into your touch as you rubbed your hand over his head, scratching behind his ears as he let out a soft whine from the back of his throat. Your eyes softened, and you curled your knees a little closer to your chest, resting your chin on them.

“It probably doesn’t matter to you since you’re a wolf and all,” you said softly, your voice almost sounding shy in the quiet of the morning, “but my name is [Y/N].”

Clay felt a tender warmth blossom in the cracks beneath his chest, heat unfurling from the depths of his soul as something inside him swelled beyond belief. Your hand continued stroking his fur all the while, not at all noticing the way he pressed his head a little closer into your soothing touch, yearning and longing for more.

“[Y/N],” his heart sang, shooting from the top of his head to the tips of his toes. “[Y/N], [Y/N], [Y/N].”

Had a name ever sounded as beautiful as yours?

Sapnap was going to wring Skeppy’s neck. Skipping out on a morning meeting was one thing, but skipping it to hang out with your mate? Not even he did that.

“[Y/N].”

Sapnap didn’t bother flinching as he turned to see Clay standing in front of him, panting like his life depended on it. This was far from the first time this had happened, and he was sure it most certainly would not be the last. “What?”

Clay shook his head, half-looking like he was about to collapse on the spot. “My mate’s name is [Y/N].”

Sapnap blinked, then his lips curled up into a smile. “Congrats for learning what it is, man,” he said honestly, patting Clay’s shoulder with his free hand. “That’s fantastic, really. You’re making progress.”

Clay swallowed, and he reached up to drag a hand down his face before letting it drop loosely at his side. “Sapnap,” he said slowly, his voice sounding quiet and raw, “I don’t know if I can do this anymore.”

Sapnap’s eyebrows knit together, confusion rippling across his features. “What do you mean?” he asked. “You can’t keep visiting?” Something uncomfortable and cold tugged at the back of his mind. “There’s no way you’re just gonna give up like that, are you?”

Clay’s jaw dropped. “What? No! I mean that...” He paused, squeezing his fist for a moment as he sucked in a deep breath. “I don’t think I can keep showing up in only my wolf form.”

The cogs in Sapnap’s whirred to life as he took in his friend’s clenched jaw. Then, his eyes went wide. “Are you saying...?”

Clay nodded, pursing his lips as he swallowed thickly. “I’m going to reveal who I am.”

His eyes flashed with determination.

“Who I really am.”

You hummed as you twisted the key in the hole, the back door locking shut with a click you had grown used to hearing every week for the past year and a half, now. Whirling around, you could already feel the smile start to spread across your face as you leapt off the porch and ran toward the well-worn path, the forest beckoning you forward with a distant howl. You didn’t remember when exactly your weekly hikes grew to become your favourite part of the week, but you couldn’t imagine life without them, anymore.

Sucking in a deep breath, your chest swelled at the fresh air rushing into your lungs, excitement flickering through your body with every step you took. You couldn’t wait to see Dream again, as strange as it may sound. He had grown to be a greater comfort than you would have ever imagined, even if he was just a wolf. You couldn’t quite put your finger on it, but you knew your feelings were true—you couldn’t deny the warmth he made you feel.

Whipping around a tree trunk, you felt your heart skip a beat. You already knew Dream would be waiting for you at your rock—the one he had saved you from all those weeks ago. It had become a sort of meeting spot for them, and every week without fail, he would appear there, no matter how early or late you were.

As the shrubbery gave way to a clean, dirt trail, you lifted your head, squinting your eyes. You recognized this part of the forest, and you knew that you were getting closer. Just then, you saw it—the familiar streak of grey stone slanting up from the earth in a small cliff face. Usually, Dream would sit at the cliff base, his ears already pointed toward you. But today, your brows furrowed when you didn’t see a pair of ears facing you, but a head of hair.

Someone else was at your rock.

Slowing your pace to a walk, you paused for a moment, eyeing the figure sitting at your usual meeting spot. It was a man, you realized, and he was facing away from you. He wore a simple white shirt with jeans, and his hair was a shade of dirty blond with streaks of gold. Even if only from the back, it looked almost oddly familiar gleaming underneath the morning sun.

Taking a tentative step forward, you curled your fingers into your palm. “Hello?” you called hesitantly.

The man startled for a moment, then turned toward you, his face coming into view. As his gaze locked onto yours, he opened his mouth and uttered two simple words.

“Hi, [Y/N].”

You felt your breath hitch in your throat.

His voice was soft, gently wrapping around you like a soothing blanket. Your gaze only briefly raked over the comforting smile gracing his lips, instead focusing on the gleam in his eyes that danced with something warm and inviting.

His eyes were green—a shade of green that you had grown to know and adore.

No, you thought, your heart trembling in your chest. He couldn’t possibly be...

You took another step forward, closing the space between them by another few inches. With your eyebrows knitting together, your voice dropped to a small, curious whisper. “Dream?”

He shot you a crooked grin, chuckling softly. “That’s my name—or at least the one you gave me.” Leaning forward, he rose to his feet, the sun casting a bright streak of light across his cheeks. “My real name is Clay.”

All of a sudden, you felt as though all the air had been sucked out of your lungs. “Clay,” you repeated, your mind slowly growing murky with confusion, “but you’re also Dream. How...?”

A sheepish look skittered across his face, and he ducked his head. The way he lowered his chin was familiar, looking almost far too like a certain wolf you knew. “I—I guess you could say I live in two worlds with two forms,” he began. “Sometimes I’m a wolf, sometimes I’m a human.” He shrugged nonchalantly, but you didn’t miss the way his shoulders remained tense. “You already know one of them, but I didn’t want to keep hiding this form from you, so...” He gestured to himself with a bashful look. “...here I am.”

You blinked at him slowly, the muddled fog in your head slowly giving way to a strikingly warm clarity. But before the clouds could fully part, your lips began to move.

“You’re still pretty,” you blurted, your eyes going wide as soon as the words left your mouth.

In a flash, Clay’s cheeks flushed crimson, a haze of rosy pink dusting his freckles. “H-Huh?”

Waving your hands in front of you, you took a step back, embarrassment shooting up your spine. “I-I mean to say that you’re still pretty as a human! Because you’re pretty in both of your forms!” You stiffened, exasperation soaking your features as your knees buckled. “Wait, no, oh no, that’s also embarrassing... wait, please, um—”

Suddenly, he began to laugh. You fell quiet as you watched Clay clutch at his stomach, his lips split into a wide grin as peals of laughter tumbled from his lips. A familiar pit of warmth flared up in your stomach, one you had felt standing here with Dream so many times before.

He really was Dream, wasn’t he?

As his chuckles finally died down into silence, he stood upright once more, wiping a barely there tear from his eye. “I’m sorry for laughing,” he managed with an apologetic smile. “You must be confused about, well, everything.”

You offered him an honest, lopsided grin. “A little.”

His smile slowly melted from his features, and he cleared his throat as he turned to face you head-on. “Well, this is probably going to sound weird, but you and I...” He swallowed, his gaze flashing. “We’re mates.”

You blinked, your lips parting in surprise. Something in your chest slowly expanded. “Mates?” you repeated softly.

He nodded, his expression firm yet hesitant. “Yes, mates. It means that in one way or another, our souls are connected.” Inhaling deeply, he screwed his eyes shut before continuing. “It’s a lot to take in, I know, but I just want you to know that you don’t have to accept the mating bond.” His voice was trembling now, growing quieter by the second as he squeezed his hands into fists at his side. “You don’t owe me anything. I know this must be scary for you, and the last thing I want is for you to feel pressured because of m—”

“I’m not afraid.”

Clay’s eyes shot wide open, and he raised his head, shock etched into his features. “You aren’t?” he whispered.

The smile on your face was open and kind, and you shook your head. “No,” you murmured, sincerity lacing your every word. “Not at all. Dream, Clay... no matter what your name is, you’re still you, and I know you.” You took another step forward, your eyes never leaving his. There was hardly any space between them now, and Clay could feel his shoulders begin to shake with the sheer gravity of the moment. “I can’t explain it, but I just know I do.”

He swallowed, a whirlwind of anxiety and affection brewing just beneath the surface of his skin. “You don’t have to do this,” he whispered, his voice cracking. “I know I’m just a stranger to you.”

You shook your head, again. “You’re not,” you said quietly. “Not to me.”

Before he could even register what was happening, you were reaching for his hand, clasping your palms around his fingers and holding them gently. His heart flipped in his chest at the feeling of your skin against his, and something stung at the back of his eyes.

You were so warm.

“I want to do this,” you whispered, just for him to hear and him alone, “I promise. I—” You gulped, your gaze remaining steady. “I might not know anything about your world yet, but I want to learn.”

You squeezed his hand. “I want to learn more about you.”

Clay sucked in a ragged breath. With shaky fingers and a gentle touch, he pressed his other hand to the back of yours, squeezing back ever so slightly. “I want to learn more about you, too.”

The smile you flashed him easily outshone the sun and every star that scattered across the night sky, and for a moment, he thought his heart had stopped in his chest.

“I’m glad,” you said, your eyes gleaming with delight. “I think we’ll have plenty of time to do that on our hike.”

Right then, a breeze came drifting past, the distant scent of rain filling the air. The trees murmured with rustling leaves and flapping wings as two birds landed on a hanging branch above, gazing down at the two silhouettes standing at the base of the rock face. Just for a moment, or maybe even two, the entire forest went still.

And unbeknownst to you and Clay, right between your feet, a flower began to bloom.

#commission #mcyt x reader #dream smp x reader #dreamwastaken x reader #dream x reader #dream team x reader #mcyt scenario #mcyt fluff #mcyt x you #mcyt x y/n #mcyt fanfic #mcyt fanfiction #mcyt imagines #mcyt imagine #dream smp x you #dream smp x y/n #dreamwastaken x you #dreamwastaken imagine #dreamwastaken scenario #dreamwastaken fanfic #dreamwastaken fluff #dream team x you #dream team x y/n #dsmp x reader #dsmp x y/n #dsmp x you #dream x you #dream imagines #dream imagine #dream fanfic

[ignitedbynatsu]

He Makes You Feel Insecure ~ Laxus

A/N: Erik/Cobra will be up next! I’ll probably post it next Tuesday or something like that. Anyway let me know who you want me to do next! I was thinking Natsu or Rogue 🤔 (future me: well that was a big lie 😶)

warnings: insecurities (he makes you feel weak), cursing

genre: angst to fluff

Other versions:

Gray ~ Erik/Cobra ~ Bickslow ~ Gajeel ~ Natsu  ~ Jellal ~ Freed ~ Sting ~ Rogue

⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡

It was supposed to be an easy mission. Go in by morning, get back by noon. For some reason you couldn’t get yourself to focus, often leaving blind spots, but luckily Laxus was always in time to protect you from harm. 

You didn’t like relying on others, especially Laxus. It only made your overthinking worse. After all, why would he be with someone that’s not even S-class? You’ve heard the whispers in the guild and Magnolia. Mira-Jane and Laxus would’ve been a much better couple than you two. Even Erza would’ve been a better match, but he still chooses you. Was it out of pity? Did he think you’d get better eventually? Was it a joke? After all, you hadn’t been dating for that long. He could easily change his mind if he saw how weak you actually were.

As your thoughts kept going down the negative spiral, you once again left your right side completely open. Only this time Laxus wasn’t in time to protect you, resulting in a nasty cut that ran across your ribcage.

Laxus finally decided he had enough as he saw his significant other clutches her side, blood soaking through the fabric of your shirt. He electrocuted everyone around, making sure not to hit you. 

“I’m sorry-“ You wanted to apologize but quickly cowered at his stone-cold glare 

“What the hell do you think you’re doing, (Y/N)? How many times am I gonna have to save you today? Get your head out of your ass and start taking this serious, or I’m going home.” He growled “I don’t need this job. If anything it’s an embarrassment that I still go on such low-class jobs. This wouldn’t have happend if I went with Freed”

The vile words that came out of Laxus mouth, confirmed your already overwhelming fears. You were too weak. You were nothing but a burden to him. The difference in power between you two was enormous. While this job seemed like a walk in the park for him, you still would’ve struggled even if you didn’t have an off day. You wouldn’t have gotten hurt that’s for sure, but you still would’ve been drained afterwards. 

“I’ll be better,” You said quietly as you bit through the pain. You recollected yourself and fought off the remaining bad guys, making sure that you were covered on all sides.

All throughout the fight, the pain in your side got worse. It felt like someone was stabbing you repeatedly, but you bit your tongue and decided to ignore it. You didn’t want to look even weaker in front of your boyfriend. After all, it was just a light graze, right?

“How’s your wound?” Laxus asked once you left the job requester’s house with your payment. “It’s fine don’t worry about it”

“Really? Let me take a look” He pressed, but you pushed his reaching hands away “I’m serious, Laxus, it’s just a small cut nothing to be worried about”

That was a massive lie. The cut burned with every step you took. The both of you didn’t even notice that there was still some blood spilling out of it due to your shirt being incredibly dirty from the mud and blood mixed together.

Once back at the guild, Laxus went straight up to Freed, Bixlow and Evergreen, while you went and sat at the table Lucy, Wendy and Carle were seated at.

“How did the job go?” Wendy asked as she sipped on whatever drink she had ordered from Mira-Jane.

“Some cuts and bruises, but the payment was worth it” You joked. The two girls and Exeed laughed at that before talking about something else.

You zoomed out as your wound was taking up all of your attention. It felt as if your heart was beating right where the cut was. With every heartbeat, you had to do your best to suppress a wince. 

“(Y/N)? Are you okay? You look a bit pale” Carle suddenly asked, snapping you out of your thoughts

“Yeah… I’m going to the toilet” You didn’t make it far, because the moment you stood up you collapsed to the ground, fainting from the amount of blood you had lost.

“(Y/N)?” Laxus called out, panicked, as he saw your familiar figure hit the ground with a thud. He quickly shot out of his seat and was in mere seconds crouched next to your body, picking your head up carefully. 

“Everyone, step back!” Makarov ordered as Wendy knelt next to you as well. She lifted your shirt and gasped at the deep cut.

“How did you not know about this?” Wendy asked the older mage as Mira-Jane quickly ran off to get a wet towel to clean out your wound and some bandages.

“I know she got hit, but when I asked her about it, she told me it wasn’t anything serious” Wendy was already performing a healing spell on you while Mira-Jane rejoined to clean out the wound. “She lost a lot of blood, so she’ll need some rest, other than that, I think I healed her”

“I’ll take her home. Thank you, Wendy” Laxus picked you up carefully before saying goodbye to the others and reassuring them he’d look after you.

As he walked the short walk home, he couldn’t help but wonder why you lied to him. Did you not trust him? 

He had laid you down in bed and decided to prepare the both of you some food while you were still out cold. This is the reason why you woke up to the smell of something burning. “Laxus?” You croaked as you recognized the all too familiar room you woke up in.

“You shouldn’t be out of bed” He quickly rushed you back. It was a rare sight to see Laxus worry about someone this much, but it was a sight you often got to see when you two were alone.

“What happened?” You asked as you peaked over his shoulders at the steam coming out of your kitchen.

“I wanted to make us some food since you were still out cold, but as you can see, it didn’t really go as planned.” He replied as he scratched the back of his neck with the ever slightest tone of pink visible on his cheeks.

“It was very thoughtful of you, thank you,” You said as you got back in bed with you back rested against the headboard. 

Laxus sat down as well, but at the end of the bed, putting some distance between the two of you, signalling that something was up. He made it even more clear when he let out a heavy sigh “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I didn’t think it was that big of a deal-“ “that’s bullshit, (Y/N), and you know it” He cut you off before you could finish your excuse. A heavy silence was placed upon the two of you. You were contemplating whether you should let him in on your thoughts or not.

“Do you not trust me?” He asked softly, you had never heard the feared Laxus this vulnerable, it made you feel guilty for making him feel that way. 

“No! No, of course not. I trust you with all my heart, it’s just…” You trailed off, at a lost for words once again. You didn’t want to seem weak in front of him. Furthermore, you wanted to prove that you were just fine, but you couldn’t think of a believable lie.

“(Y/N), please, tell me what’s on your mind. Was it something I said?” He pressed on.

“What is it that you see in me, Laxus?” You asked softly. “Where is this coming from?”

You sighed, making sure you were 100% okay with letting him in on your insecurities before continuing “You can’t tell me you haven’t heard the whispers on the street about you and Mira. You two would be a much better match. I’m just some weak mage that’s only holding you back. I’ll never reach your level. Not only that, but I don’t even get why you still want to go out with me on these kind of jobs ‘cause it’s as you said, it’s an embarrassment for you to still do these. The fact that I still see them as hard only proofs how I’ll never be good enough to be an S-class wizard like Mira or Erza. I’ll never live up to the standard of being the girlfriend of the powerful Laxus. I’m just… Not good enough I guess”

He listened carefully that every word that left your mouth and realization struck him as you recalled his words. He had made you doubt yourself. “Is that really what you think I care about?”

You looked up at him and softly nodded your head while biting down your lip. Afraid of him starting to laugh at you for your insecurities. “Listen, (Y/N), I wouldn’t give two flying shits about you being strong or not. Hell, I wouldn’t even care if you had magic or not. I fell in love with you for who you are. You are the smartest, most creative, breathtaking woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. Don’t even get me started on that smile. I am deeply sorry for playing into your securities. I was frustrated with myself for not protecting you from that bad guy in time. Please, don’t ever feel like you can’t tell me something because you’re afraid that you’ll come across as weak. I care much more for your health than your pride”

“You love me?” You asked as you looked at him with puppy eyes.

“That’s all you took from that?” He chuckled softly, making you give him a sheepish smile “But, yes, I love you. I know we’ve only been dating for a couple of months and I don’t expect you to say it back, so-“

“I love you too, Laxus. Sorry for making you think I couldn’t trust you.” You said as you inched closer to give him a sweet kiss “So, how about some take out?”

#Laxus Dreyar #laxus #fairy tail laxus #laxus fairy tail #laxus x reader #laxus x angst #fairy tail #fairy tail lucy #fairy tail sting #fairy tail imagine #fairy tail x reader #fairy tail imagines #fairy tail angst #laxus angst #laxus dreyar imagines #laxus dreyar imagine #laxus imagine #laxus imagines #fairy tail laxus imagine #laxus dragon slayer #laxus dreyar angst #laxus dreyar x reader #natsu #natsu dragneel #natsu dragon slayer #natsu imagine #gray fullbuster #fairy tail fanfiction #laxus dreyar

[diosmio76]

What I Deserve (2) | soft Dark!Bucky Barnes x Reader

Bucky couldn’t believe his luck when he found you. So innocent, so alone, and so naive. He had been following you throughout the week, hell- he wasn’t even trying to hide it anymore and you never noticed him once.

Pairing: Dark!Bucky x Reader

WARNINGS: +18, dub-con, needle use, stalking, fingering, kidnapping, kind of non-con (more dub-con but just incase)

Word Count: 3,076

A/N: my timeline on which version of Barnes is fucked up and a mix of everything honestly // my first ever time writing smut, and honestly I'm open to constructive criticism b/c I have no experience in this area LOLZ

You squeezed your eyes as you stretched your body. Feeling your comforter rise and fall against your skin from your movements. You hung your feet off your bed and stretched them before standing up. You did your usual set of morning stretches, were they done correctly? Probably not, but it was the thought that counts and the only form of self-care you gave yourself. You let out a sigh as you got ready for another day similar to all the rest. You don’t even remember what it felt like to be excited about waking up, but who were you to complain. You used the toilet as you went back and forth in your mind about nothing in particular, your eyes staring at your bed that was quickly losing the warmth it collected from your body. Once done in the bathroom you dragged yourself to your vanity, hearing the faint noise of cars on the street, you began getting ready for work. After changing and grabbing your tattered work bag, you began your journey with all the other commuters.

The day dragged on like any other, talking to coworkers only when they needed something from you. Hearing the usual remarks of “Oh, I didn’t notice you” or “I didn’t even see you there”, you got used to it but you’d be lying if you said it didn’t bother you. Before you had time to dwell on it, it was time to go home. You packed your bag then began your walk home, following the same route you always take during the week. Taking a little solstice in the fact that you were just another face in the crowd, that fact made you feel as if everyone else was alone too. Once home you locked the door and dropped your bag, heading to the bedroom you changed into an oversized shirt and put on your slippers before heading towards the living room. You turned on the tv and lowered the volume for some background noise, making the short trip towards the kitchen to make dinner. You rarely got messages on your phone unless it was from your mom or your phone provider wanting you to update your old phone, so you scrolled mindlessly through various social media newsfeeds. You munched on a vegetable as you waited for your pan to heat up. You tried to not feel bad for yourself, you were the one to blame for the lack of social life but you were in too deep. Too set in your ways. You stared at the steaming pan as you imagined moving across the country.

“Yeah right” you said aloud to yourself as you finished cooking your dinner, eating the food but not really tasting it.

~~~

You repeated the same routine the next day, unbeknownst to you today was the day that Bucky decided you were ready. It didn’t take him long to find a house isolated by miles of forest. Despite its unassuming traditional exterior, the inside was modern as he enjoyed the impersonal nature that the style provided. He spent the majority of his time there making sure the house was locked and secure in case you tried anything. The thought made him laugh a little, knowing you didn’t have it in you but he didn’t want to take any chances. Things had been going his way lately, and finding you was like the universe was rewarding him even more. At first, he considered getting to know you, and doing the whole flowers and dates thing but decided he didn’t have the patience for all that waiting, he’s been waiting long enough and he deserved something good. He settled on a much easier method. Breaking in was easy, old apartments like this barely gave him any trouble. He even had someone hold the building door open for him, just his luck.

The lock felt weird when you opened your door but you didn’t think anything of it, dismissing it as another sign of the building’s old age. He watched from afar as you went about your usual routine. He was beginning to become skeptical at how oblivious you were. He was practically behind you and you hadn’t even looked over your shoulder once. He even made some accidental noises by stepping on squeaky floorboards and didn’t get a reaction from you, he took this as another lucky break. You were tired today and fell asleep relatively easily, considering how long it typically took you to fall asleep. Bucky walked around your apartment as he waited for you to enter a deeper sleep, familiar with everything since he had been in here a few times since first spotting you all those weeks ago. He looked at your book collection, a mix of genres, and looked closer at the few photos you had on display. A majority of the old photos seemed to be of your family from decades ago. He picked up one that seemed more recent, the only one you had up that included you. He recognized the other two people in it, your mom and sister, both busy with their own lives. He already sized up your family and it would be easy to handle them if he needed to.

He walked into your bathroom and went through your medicine cabinet, finding nothing out of the ordinary besides a few nail polish bottles and various allergy medicines. Finally, he noticed the soft snores coming out of your room. He shut the cabinet, staring at his reflection for a second. He knew this was the right thing to do and had no bad intention. He softly grunted at his pathetic moment of self-reflection and took out a needle filled with a small dose of anesthesia. He observed you for a moment as you slept, mouth slightly agape and eyebrows relaxed, he considered for a moment how easy it would be to take you, but reminded himself of the bigger picture. He easily found a vein and waited a few minutes before taking you to your new home.

~~~

You squeezed your eyes shut and smiled to yourself as you thought about how well you slept last night. You hummed as you kept your eyes closed briefly noticing the absence of warmth that the morning sun provided you in the mornings. You thought nothing of it, too distracted by the fact that this was probably the best night’s sleep you’d gotten in months. Despite that you still felt a little groggy, you began to move but quickly felt something rough holding you down. Your eyes shot open as your breathing began to quicken. You became conscious of the rough restraints around your arms and legs. You awkwardly lifted your head up as you tried to look around, it looked like a basement based on the unfinished walls surrounding you, a single lightbulb hanging above you on the unfinished ceiling. You attempted to calm yourself down by deeply inhaling but knew it was a lost cause once you heard the shaky exhale leave your mouth. You knew you couldn’t break free from the knotted rope holding you down. You had weak arms and tried to use your leg strength in an attempt to kick yourself free but felt it begin to sting as it irritated your ankles from the pressure. You sat in a deafening silence and felt completely petrified.

You let out a whimper as you heard footsteps approaching the door. The door opened as you saw a tall, broad man approach you. You were too scared to notice anything about him and began to feel yourself shake, causing you to miss the way he hungrily reacted to your frightened state. A shadow was cast on you as he stood over the bed. From the corner of your eye, you watched as his right hand lowered the comforter to your torso and expose your shirt as you twitched at the action. He smirked in response, your eyes following his hand as it hovered over the comforter as though he was going to do something. It exited your line of sight but your eyes were fixed in place. You heard movement as he straightened himself before speaking to you for the first time.

“Did you sleep well? You’ve been out for most of the day” His deep voice filled the room as you kept shaking, too scared to answer. You could hear your heartbeat in your ears and wondered if he could too, but he was too busy trailing his eyes over your torso. He noticed the way your nipples created peaks on your oversized shirt. He licked his lips before he moved his hand up to grab your chin, forcing you to look up at him. You did your best at avoiding his gaze keeping your gaze low, you swallowed the lump in your throat and tried to control your shaking but felt it intensify instead.

Still gripping your chin, a little tighter than necessary, and trying to control your shaking body got him hard. You looked so weak like this, it made him excited, a wicked smile painted his face as he looked down at your wide eyes and lips clamped together in terror.

“Look at me when I talk to you, doll”

You had a difficult time looking people in the eyes in general, so you lifted your eyes and stopped at his chin. You didn’t dare go any higher. He squeezed on your chin and heard him let out an amused chuckle. If you weren’t so terrified you would have noticed how out of place it sounded given the situation.

“That’ll have to do, for now, I can tell you’re terrified but you really have no reason to be. I only want to do what’s best for you- for us, I’m only doing what needs to be done.” He didn’t expect a response and stared at you as he let you sit with his words.

He took a moment and let his hand trail down from your chin. He felt the nervous swallow as his pointer finger trailed lower and lower. His finger deviated from its straight path as he placed his palm against your chest, pausing to feel your heartbeat racing. He almost felt sorry as he felt its frantic rhythm. He couldn’t help himself as he cupped your left breast. His thumb gently circling around the hard bud. You scrunched your eyebrows and scolded yourself for getting pleasure from his action. His gentle touch was a strong contrast to the situation he had put you in.

His finger continued its journey down and stopped just above your mound. You swallowed as you felt his eyes staring at you intently, not daring to see if you were right. He lifted his hand momentarily as he moves to sit next to you, hearing the springs groan under him, pushing the comforter towards the bottom of the bed. You get chills as warmth escapes, feeling the crisp air conditioning surround your body instead. Jerking at his touch, he returns his right hand to your body just below your navel this time. His fingers trace down until it feathered above your mound. You held your breath as if any noise from you would assure that he would continue his actions as if he would forget you were there. You felt his pause when his fingers hit the material of your cotton underwear. He slowly traces a short line along your clit, you ball your hands into fists wanting to make him stop. Why was your body enjoying this?

You hold your breath as he gently pulls them down till they were at your knees and returns his hand to its previous place. The empty room is quiet, amplifying the sound of both of your breaths. You feel his middle and ring finger move lower gently stroking your folds. You hear him let out a surprised huff as he continued stroking.

“I was gonna bring lube, but it looks like we won’t be needing it, huh sweetheart?”

You felt your cheeks heat up, he was right. You felt heat building ever since he grabbed your chin, but he didn’t need to know that. All you wanted to do was at the very least was cover your face, but felt the irritation of the rope on your wrists instead. He began back and forth on your heat for a few moments. The room now having the added noise of his fingers slowly speeding up as he stroked you. You shut your eyes as he circled around your entrance, you could already tell his fingers would be significantly bigger than yours. He slowly inserted a finger as you sucked in a quick breath. You could hear him let out a quiet groan as he watched his finger disappear into your hole.

After finding a rhythm he added another finger. You let out a whimper at the fullness of both of his thick fingers filling your hole. It stung at first, hurting slightly you wanted to try and stop his intrusion. Besides your finger, you had never had anything else inside of you. You felt slightly embarrassed by this when you were younger but as you got older you accepted the fact that your lack of social life was a major reason as to why you never had anything close to a romantic partner. Never being social enough to meet someone that you would want to be friends with, let alone sleep with. You felt as though you should tell this man, did you even know his name, that this was the farthest you’ve ever gone with anyone before. Before you think any more about it you open your mouth, nothing coming out at first but it was enough for his eyes to go to your face. He slowed down his pace and had his eyes trained on your face waiting for you to speak as if his fingers weren’t leisurely stroking your soft walls in the meantime.

“I- I think I need to tell you something” The words left you slowly and your voice was shakey as you tried to speak and ignore your oncoming orgasm at his rough fingers stroking you gently. Why did you feel like you owed him this? You briefly thought to yourself. But it was too late to stop now.

He smirked at you as he waited for you to continue on. So far, you’ve shown him nothing but submissiveness. Cementing the fact that he made the right choice when he chose you. He didn’t plan on being this gentle with you originally but he couldn’t help it, feeling as though any other treatment would scare you away. His fingers never stopping their gentle strokes, he watched your lips as your quiet voice trembled on.

“I’ve never really, I haven’t done any of this before. I’m a virgin” the words leave you slowly, you gulp and still refuse to meet his gaze, scared for a moment that you would lose the gentleness he has given you thus far. You knew that wouldn’t stop him, but a small part of you hoped it would be enough for him to stop just for now. For the first time you decided to look at his face, still too scared to meet his eyes you opted to watch his mouth as you waited for a response.

To say he was ecstatic was an understatement. You had chosen to tell him this on your own, he didn’t even get a chance to ask you. He didn’t want to assume but based on his observations of you he had an inkling that this was the case. He felt proud of you, his perfect girl. He smiled gently at you in response. You shivered as his fingers paused their gentle strokes in you as he moved to kiss the top of your head.

“Thank you for telling me, my good girl” it sounded patronizing but your body thought otherwise. Feeling heat shoot straight to your core at his response. He felt you squeeze around his fingers at his response.

Once he felt that you adjusted to his fingers he began to alternate inserting them. Thrusting one and then the other inside of you. Your eyes squeezed shut, you never felt this close to cumming so quickly. Your eyes swelled with tears as you quietly sobbed, reaching your climax. Both of you watched as he pulled his fingers out of your sensitive heat. Covered in slick from your climax. You watched as he moved his fingers close to his face, smirking at you.

“Just a little taste for now,” he said he brought his fingers to his mouth to suck on his two fingers that were just inside you seconds ago. The empty room amplified the sound, your face felt hot as you watched the lewd act feeling your core still throbbing.

He reveled in your obvious embarrassment, humming at your reaction. He wiped his damp fingers on his pants as he got up. You blinked slowly, taking in what had just happened. You had enjoyed what had just happened but felt angry at yourself for that. He shouldn’t have done that, and you had let yourself succumb to his fingers so easily. He watched you, deep in thought with your eyes spaced out. His cock throbbed as if reminding him he needed a release too but he didn’t want to scare you. He had a plan, but you had just showed him that he didn’t have to be as rough as he initially thought with you. And he wouldn’t ever admit it but he couldn’t have even if he wanted to, as soon as he interacted with you it was almost as if he needed to handle you with care. Something that he thought wasn’t in his nature, but for you, maybe he’d try.

He felt his confident demeanor waver for a second, an odd feeling. He needed to get away from her and have a moment alone, so with a quick glance, he turned towards the door and practically ran out of the room without speaking to her.

Too busy thinking, you didn’t notice the foreign feelings your captor had just experienced. Only noticing this broad figure leaving the room as if he was late for something. If you weren’t so busy scolding yourself you would have wondered if you had done something wrong to elicit that action from him.

#bucky x you #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes fanfiction #winter solider x reader #stalker!bucky #stalker!bucky x reader #winter soldier x reader #bucky x y/n #bucky barnes x y/n #dark!bucky barnes #dark!bucky x reader #Bucky Barnes #soft!bucky #bucky x reader #bucky fic #bucky imagines #marvel imagines #soft dark!bucky #bean writes

[kuroliondragon]

You are not getting away! (Ace Trappola x Reader)

Υou have a crush on Ace and keep on avoiding him. Until he finally has enough and confronts you about it…

Warnings: slight angst, fluff

“We will wait for Ace-chan and then we can all go to the cafeteria together!” Cater chirped cheerfully.

The moment you heard your friend’s name, you instantly turned to face Cater with blushing cheeks. “W-Wait! We are going with Ace?!” A cloud of panic was visible all over your face.

“Well yeah. It would be bad if we let Ace-chan alone.” Cater explained.

“Ohh, yeah…guess your right.” You awkwardly swallowed, hoping you didn't sound suspicious.

You looked at all your Heartslabyul friends, sweating as you thought hard for an excuse. “Oh! I just remembered!” you squealed as you found the perfect excuse.

Everyone turned their attention to you while wondering what has gotten in to you all of a sudden. “Is something the matter Perfect?” Riddle's silver eyes flashed at you with concern.

“Yeah… you see…I have left my notes for Crewel’s Alchemy class back at the dorm!” You nervously exclaimed.

“I see.” Riddle said as he placed a finger on his chin thinking. As he remebered something, he reached for his bag.

“So… I should really go.” With a shaking voice you signaled your head towards the other end of the hallway while hoping your little lie had worked.

“No need.” Riddle lifted his head, holding a notebook in his hands. “You can have mine instead.” He kindly offered.

“But are you not a second year?” You titled your head in confusion.

“This one has notes from my first year." Riddle held the notebook in the air. "I often lend it to Ace, Deuce or any other first year when they forget theirs.” His expession darkened a bit as he clicked his tongue in annoyance . "We wouldn't want to violate a rule now would we?" Riddle said while giving an intimidating smile to Deuce.

Deuce let out an embarrassed laugh while kept apologizing to his dorm leader with pleading eyes.

“Anyway, you can have it.” Riddle offered you his notes with a soft smile.

“I’m sorry. I can’t.” You nervously declined, clenching the hold of your bag. The truth was that you hadn't forgotten anything. Your notes for Crewel's class were safely secured in your bag but you― no matter what― needed an excuse to get away from Ace. You had to get out of there fast, and even if you wanted to be close to him you couldn't. After realizing your feeling for your dear friend, you couldn't be near him not even five minutes without being nervous or blushing red.

“You don’t have to be embarrassed Perfect.” Riddle spoke softly, placing his hand on your shoulder in an encouraging gesture. But his silver eyes suddenly narrowed, giving off a threatening aura that soon was matching his face. “Ace is the one who should be embarrassed, for making us wait for so long.”

“If he keeps this up, he’s going to violate rule 366: 'You shouldn’t be late more than 10 minutes before going to lunch on Wednesdays'. The dorm head gritted his teeth, his patience was running thin.

“Dorm leader!” A voice yelled, in your mind it sounded familiar― way too familiar for your liking.

All of you turned to the unexpected shouting, to find Ace running towards your group. “Dorm leader!” he shouted, his heartbeat rapid as he tried to take a few deep breaths, finally reaching you. "Dorm leader, there is a crisis at the dorm!"

"What crisis?" Riddle raised an eyebrow.

Ace gasped for air. "The flamingos are loose!", he panicked.

"What?!" Riddle,Trey and Cater yelled in unison.

"Yes! You need to head there fast!" He pointed towards the Mirror Chamber at the other end of the hall.

Without a second thought they all rushed to Heartslabyul to resolve the situation, while leaving you and Ace alone. Once they were gone, you slowly turned to face your friend― sweat was already forming in your forehead. "You know…I really have to go." You nervously voiced as you tried looking anywhere but Ace's red eyes, "So…it would be best if you followed them." You suggested, praying to any of the seven get him as quickly as possible off your back.

You hurriedly took a few steps towards the other end of the hall. But Ace grabbed your arm, stopping you in your tracks as he stared at you, "I lied."

"What?" You furrowed your eyebrows in confusion.

"I said, I lied." He gave out a sigh. Observing your still confused expression he decided to provide you further context. "The whole flamingos incident…is a lie. I made it up, there is no crisis."

"Then why did you-" you couldn't believe what you were hearing. Why would he do such thing?

"Because I needed an excuse to be with you…You were about to run off again." He confessed with a sadden expression.

"I wasn't. I was just-" you tried to make an excuse.

"-trying to get your Alchemy notes that you left in your dorm?" He sarcastically asked. "Yeah, I know", his voice sounded more and more disappointed as his red eyes travelled to the ground.

Your eyes widen as you gasped in shock. "How did you know that?" You imidiatly shifted your body and faced him. He was still holding your hand. Maybe he had no intention of letting go...

"I overheard your conversation." He said as he kept his gaze down and for the first time you thought you heard just a bit of shame in his voice. Shame...Ace…Ace Trappola being ashamed… This must have been the greatest joke of the century! There is no way that compulsive liar would be ashamed for anything! He wasn't ashamed when he challenged his dorm leader in a duel for the dorm head position. Why he would be now?

He swallowed hard. "Why are you avoiding me?", he frowned. Oh no…

"No, no, no, no. NO!" You cried in despair. "Why?! Why are you asking me the one question I can't answer you?!" You said trembling as you lowered your face in your hand― hiding from Ace's view.

For a few moments there was pure silence. None of you spoke, only the wind and the chatter of some students was heard. What could you say?! What he could say?! This had turned out a mess. There was no saving your situation. You could just tell him your feelings. The idea appeared in your mind like a flash of lightning. But Ace was a bit of a special case. Yes, he was your friend. Yes, you two may or may not have done some awesome pranks together. Yes, you have also been in a lot of trouble together. But that did not mean that you could just confess to him! He would laugh at you in no time. Once he knows, he will never stop. He will keep teasing you until you two graduate, if you are lucky! Because if not, he would tease you until you die. So, why would you pour your heart out to him?

All of a sudden you heard a deep sigh and a pair a hands pushed yours away, revealing your troubled expession. "What?" You snapped at him, your voice stained with melancholy, while you turned your head away from him.

"Hey!" He slightly slapped your cheek to make you face him.

You did face him but with an expression he had never wished to see on your face. You were about to shed tears.

"Hey…don't…don't cry." He slowly placed his palm on your cheek as he cupped you cheek with a sincere gaze. "I'm just worried."

"I know. I know." You reassured, placing your hand on the top of his. "But it's hard to say what I feel…" you pressed your lips together in a tight line.

"Then say it. Don't hesitate because of me. " He encouraged with a smile.

"You will laugh." You twisted your gaze to the side, hoping he would leave the matter alone.

Only for him to brought your face to look at him once again, "I won’t."

"You will because you are a little shit." You almost laughed yourself.

"True." He gave you a small giggle. "But I want to know." He sofly stared at you. You still refused to give him any information about what you wanted to tell him. So he moved onto plan B. "Alright then, how about this: I will try guessing and you will tell me if I am close or not." He gave you a toothy grin.

You let an exasperated sigh, "Fine, because you are not going to leave me alone either way."

He gave you a mischievous smile. "Is it about..." he thought a bit, "...that you don't want to be friends with the best prankster of NRC?" he said playfully.

You bursted out laughing, "Cold, very cold."

Oh, now it was beginning to be fun! His red eyes twinkled craftily. "Is it because you are in love with some one?"

You bit your lip, averting your gaze from him, "Warm."

"Is that person close to you?" He suddenly brought his face close to yours.

"Warm, very warm!" You yelped, turning red.

"Is this person me, perhaps?" He cooed.

Your nervousness reached it's peak after Ace had asked the question. Something inside you, a gut feeling, was whispering to you that Ace knew exactly what he was asking, as well as, what the answer was. So, you shallowed and opened your mouth to answer. But you had no time to; without a warning you were met with Ace's lips on the top of yours, forcefully wanting access to the inside of your mouth.

Once he pulled away, you were left dazed, staring into thin air, while trying to catch your breath like a fish gasping for air. Ace laughed at your silly expession. "I surprised you, didn't I?~", he gave you a playful wink.

Still dazed as you were you could only utter one word, "Warm." You still couldn't believe the fact that Ace Trappola had just kissed you.

"And it's about to get warmer." He huskily whispered, grabbing you by the collar of your shirt and diving for another deep kiss.

"ACE TRAPPOLA", a furious shout was suddenly heard.

You and Ace quickly pulled away from each other, dread filling both of you as you realized whose heels were angrily tapping in the halls.

The two of you turned towards the sound, finding a Riddle seething with rage while being followed by a concerned Trey and Cater. "Dorm leader, I can explain!" Ace cried out as he saw Riddle marching towards him.

"Riddle at least let him explain." Trey pleaded.

"OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!!!" The dorm leader screamed as he unleashed his unique magic.

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