#i cannot focus on a book without background noise

[sourpatchys]

Chapter One: Hell Hole

Time: Right before the USJ attack

Rating: nothing explicit in this chapter, though overall this story is 18+

Word Count: 1k

Summary: To learn how to love after years of loathing— the very concept had Shigaraki sick to his stomach. He didn't love you, he didn't love anyone—not even himself. In which Tomura Shigaraki, a villain in despite of anything else, learns that maybe he doesn't hate everything after all.

A/N: Same drill as my other ongoing story! This first chapter is just a stepping stone to create some solid groundwork for future chapters, it may be short but the story cannot stand without it <3

It wasn't supposed to happen like this. You were supposed to be dead— a pile of dust in some dark alleyway where no one would think twice to look.

But you were alive, perfectly healthy and put together, staring at a sticky unwashed bar table just wishing— praying — that the floor would swallow you whole.

Disoriented couldn't even begin to explain the way you were feeling. You were nauseous, your skin was clammy and cold, a million thoughts were swirling through your head and you couldn't focus on a single one.

You were afraid to look up— hell— you were afraid to breathe too deeply without permission. No one was speaking, the only noise you could hear was the fast arrhythmic thumping of your own heart against your bruised ribs. The only concept you were able to hold onto was a single word, and even that was caught in your throat, unable to be spoken against the humid air— why? Why did this have to happen to you?

It was as if the world itself was mocking you, challenging you to try again— to go big or go home. You wanted neither.

Suddenly someone's throat was cleared, a gesture meant to grab the attention of the patrons, though you refused to look, afraid of what you might see.

"Tomura, what plans do you have for this girl?"

The voice belonged to the shadowy man behind the bar, you could feel his eyes on you as he spoke— it made your skin crawl.

"Does it matter?"

This voice was familiar, scratchy and untamed— it belonged to the man who had brought you here— the one who had tried to kill you not even a full hour earlier.

"I suppose not. I was hoping to understand the bedding situation, if she's staying I'll be needing to clean the storage room."

"Whatever."

The thought of staying in this disgusting place made you wish you would've died. It was awkward and stuffy, tense and so, unbearably quiet. Your body was in extreme amounts of pain, and you somehow doubted anyone within range cared enough to offer their assistance.

Sounds of shifting feet and clanking glass solidified your fears— you were going to be staying in this hell hole whether you liked it or not.

—

With nothing to focus on, minutes felt like hours and seconds left like decades— it was if your life force was being sucked out of your body bit by bit.

Usually, in movies or books there would be a clock ticking away in the background— a solid reinforcement that time was moving and the world hadn't ended. Unluckily enough this was reality and you were stuck clinging to yourself instead of abstract coos and ticks— not even your own breathing was loud enough to distract you from the overwhelming sound of silence.

You had almost forgotten Shigaraki was still with you— trying your hardest to lose yourself in make believe, pretending that this wasn't happening.

"Why didn't my quirk work on you."

His voice was demanding, seething and full of venom. It was an understandable question, even if it was disguised under something much more dangerous and lethal. It didn't seem as if he was used to not getting his way.

"I don't know."

It was an honest answer— choked out from your burning throat. You'd seen the horror that came from his hands. Cold, calloused and lethal weapons of destruction. When he'd touched you, you had made peace with the fact that you were going to die, that the world no longer had space for you and he was simply cleaning up the mess.

You could still feel of his fingers gripping your throat— and then your face, and then your arm and your leg. All he'd managed to accomplish was destroying your favorite jacket and turning your leggings into frayed shorts. If anything you were more confused than he could ever be.

"Bullshit. What's your quirk?"

Now this was hilarious, you weren't sure if it was the absurdity of it all or the pain finally turning your brain into mush— but you laughed. Giggling up a storm to the point your eyes were watering and your stomach felt as if it would collapse.

The stool Shigaraki was sitting on made a screech as he stood, marching towards you and grabbing the collar of your stained shirt forcing your face towards his in a frenzy.

"What's so fucking funny?!"

Without the fear holding you back, you found yourself looking into his striking vermillion eyes, small hiccups of laughter still spilling from your chest as you found the words to say.

"I'm registered Quirkless."

He threw his hands off of you, tossing your body back into the sticky unwashed counter. Looking at his face, devoid of the threat of dying, he looked like a pouting child. His brows were furrowed, his bottom lip was stuck in a pout between his teeth, and his hair was frayed in every direction, as if he had only just rolled out of bed. A distant part of you wondered how a man so slimy and unforgiving had become such a fuss in the world today. Though a much larger and present part of you knew, if he had wanted you dead, you wouldn't be sitting here right now.

In a shaky voice, one that made your bones tremble and your ever unceasing nausea to come back full force, he spoke once more. "You aren't leaving."

He was hunched over, his face now hidden under the turquoise locks that had framed his face only moments before. You felt sick again, the fear steadily creeping back into your skin as you looked away from his trembling body.

You wanted to take it back, to lie and make up some make believe quirk, just to see if maybe you could leave. To go back to your stupid 9-5 and forget this had ever happened. Realistically, you knew that wouldn't happen— Shigaraki had you in his grasp, like a snake strangling its prey.

Next Chapter

#tomura x y/n #shigaraki x you #tomura shigiraki x reader #shigaraki headcanons #shigaraki imagine #my hero academia shigaraki #tomura shigaraki #mha shigaraki #shigaraki x reader #bnha shigaraki #tomura shiragaki #shigaraki tomura #mha #bnha #my hero academia #boku no hero academia

[snaillock]

demotivated artist!reader x bllk boys

(bachira, kaiser)

tags: gn!reader, kaisers gratuitous stripping of course, bachira being a silly little guy, kaiser being an attention whore

bachira

you sat at your desk, mindlessly watching a youtube video that was supposed to be your background noise as you did your art. instead your sketchbook was left on the fresh blank page as you were completely engrossed in the video.

“aren’t you supposed to be doing something” you snapped out of your focus from the distraction and turned to see bachira cheekily smiling at you with an eyebrow raised and hands on his hips

“ugh fine you caught me,” you said as you turned back to look at your computer and felt bachira wrap his arms around you and his head rest on his shoulder.

“i just… don’t know how to start. i’ve been on an art block for weeks now and it’s starting to wear me down.” you let out a deep sigh as you rambled and tapped your pencil on the desk, “it’s just so hard to find any ideas now”

as bachira listened to your rant, he unwrapped one of his arms from your shoulder and silently reached out for your colored pens and markers with his tongue out in absolute concentration, none of which you noticed.

your ramble got interrupted the second you heard marker scratching on paper. you look down to see bachira doodling on your sketchbook

“bachira?! what the hell are you doing!?” when you said that, he quickly snatched up your sketchbook and a couple of markers and ran out the room giggling, too fast for you to catch up. ‘god why did i date a football player’ you sighed and ran out to find him

you spotted him on the couch, comfortably laying on his stomach as he continued doodling on your stolen sketchbook with your stolen markers. you immediately snatched the book out of his hands.

“i cannot believe you would take my things like that! not only did you take my sketchbook, you also drew in it without my permiss- oh wait…” your scolding trailed off as you took a look at the page he drew. you saw the vibrant squiggles and lines he did along with some star shapes and hearts.

“wow this is actually really pretty,” you said, sitting down right next to him. you took one of your pens that bachira stole from your desk and started to draw on that page, using the art bachira did as a colorful background to bring out the black ink of the figures you drew in front of it. bachira rested his head on your shoulder and watched the entire time.

“hehe looks like i once again saved the day,” bachira laughed as he looked at your ‘collaborated’ work.

you rolled your eyes at his comment. “ok fine i guess you did help with my art block,” you smiled and kissed his cheek, “i appreciate it and i appreciate you”

bachira grinned and wrapped his arms around your waist, “you are so so welcome!”

“is this something you did with your mom every time she couldn’t paint?” “oh yeah constantly” “ah should’ve guessed”

kaiser

you sat at your desk while scrolling through different photos on your laptop, trying to find something to draw since your brain was completely dried out of ideas

“babe~” you sighed as you heard a whiny voice from behind you. uh oh kaiser needs attention. you turned your head to look at him

“what do you need kaiser”

“how much longer are you gonna be in here for? you’ve already been here all day…” it’s only been an hour.

you rolled your eyes as his whining got more desperate and you spoke, “who knows at this point. i’ve been stuck for a while so you might have to wait for the rest of the day.” you glanced at him, knowing that would get to him.

“no darling! you cant stay here all day”

“well if you have any ideas for me, i’ll love to hear them”

he closed your laptop, pushing all your things aside, and sat on your desk right in front of you with his leg crossed over his knee, “how about this… you should just draw me.” he smirked as he looked down at your unimpressed face

you thought about it for a second before nodding, “you know what… that’s not too bad of an idea! i’ll do it.”

“ok great!” he said as he started taking his shirt off.

“kaiser no! i don’t need a nude model so please leave your shirt on!”

“fine…” he groaned, hesitantly removing his hands from his shirt and smoothed it out. he mumbled, “it’s nothing you haven’t seen before anyway”

you playfully rolled your eyes and got your stuff ready. you started drawing him as he did various poses while basking in all your attention. every now and then he would try to convince you that him stripping off his clothes would help more but you kept shooting that idea down. you had to deal with him constantly walking naked around the house already.

once you finished, you showed him the sketches. he wrapped his arms around you and kissed you multiple times, each one on a different spot on your face. “wow you did such a good job! you captured my beauty so well”

he took photos of your sketches while gushing about how good of an artist you are and how blessed he is for having you (and also how blessed you are for having a great and attractive model like him)

the next day while he was out at practice, he showed off your drawings to his teammates, bragging about how beautiful and talented his partner is

a/n: haha hai so like i was planning on only sticking to hcs format for this blog but i really wanted to do like a drabble/hc thingy and i also have very little writing experience so sorry if this sucks ass. hope you enjoyed it!

this was supposed to be a three character post but i struggled to

think of another so if anyone wants a part 2 with diff characters, feel free to request so with the characters you want!

#blue lock #bachira x reader #kaiser x reader #michael kaiser x reader #blue lock x reader #blue lock x gender neutral reader #blue lock x you #★ snail.writes ★ #bachira #kaiser #wrote this while watching various reaction videos

[kogurazu]

I'm just gonna rant my chest out regarding the recent Watcher's announcement because I'm still trying to process wtf has just happened & it's pretty late at night. (For the record, I'm one of their international viewers from a 3rd world country.)

It sucks that I cannot buy their official merch that is already expensive (due to conversion rates) + not being able to deliver in my country when I've some spare cash. That's fine by me.

It sucks that I cannot go & watch their live shows being available at certain countries that doesn't cost a damn fortune (plane tickets, hotel bookings, converting currency, etc.) + not in a million years they'll stop by SEA to do tours/live shows. That's also fine by me.

However, the way how they hyped up the announcement mentioning big things are coming only to just drop a video saying "Hey, we're leaving Youtube as the money ain't flowing much to cover our 'extravagant' expenses & all future contents will be locked behind a paywall. So if you're unable to watch most of your beloved shows because you can't pay then toodles!" That's NOT fine by me, let alone anyone else in the matter.

Even if I've a fuck ton of money to spare, I'm still not buying their monthly/yearly WatcherTV subscription because it's JUST. NOT. WORTH. IT. Who wants to buy a monthly yet alone yearly subscription just to watch 1-2 episodes of a show I like being put out weekly per season & then waiting for some time before another new season of another show that has a 50-50 chance whether I enjoy it or not pops up to fill the void? Not me, that's for sure. Damn, I rather subscribe to Netflix or buy YouTube premium if I could because the money spent is worth the content I can get on a monthly/yearly basis.

I get putting exclusive contents such as BTS, special interviews/podcasts, early access to episodes, etc. behind a paywall since they're just nice bonuses for fans who're able to support them but locking REGULAR YOUTUBE content that's not being released consistently & have nothing much to offer behind a paywall? I think you're losing your crackers on this one chief.

After watching the announcement video, I feel plainly numb & disappointed that this is the route they're going for. I understand they need the funds to make videos, pay people & also wanting the freedom to make content that you want to make without adhering to the restrictions of advertisers. I get it.

But what I don't get is this mind numbing decision to spit at the faces of people who can't afford to fork out some cash to enjoy their once free favourite shows that helped cheer them up during the tough times. It's even more disgusting what I heard from Coffeezilla's recent video about Watcher mentioning that they don't even give out a free WatcherTV subscription to their Patreon members as a way to say thank you for your patronage is really saying something eh?

_____________________________

4 years ago, I found Shane & Ryan via Buzzfeed Unsolved just like everyone else randomly being recommended to me on Youtube. I binge watched all seasons of Buzzfeed Unsolved exactly at the same time they're announcing their departure from Buzzfeed to go do their own content at Watcher. What's this? A channel where I can watch the ghoul boys do their own thing? Hell yeah, sign me tf up.

It's really nice to see Watcher growing & trying out new different shows. I'm aware not all the shows they put out matches my taste & that's fine by me. Probably there's an audience out there who enjoy these shows that aren't for me.

I remember the time I was excited when they bring in Ghost Files & Mystery Files which can fill in the Buzzfeed Unsolved void. Are You Scared? & Too Many Spirits are the shows I enjoy listening to them as background noise so that I can focus on my work.

Puppet History & Top 5 Beatdown is where I enjoy the chemistry between the talents & guests. Weird, Wonderful, World & Tourist Trapped is where I enjoy seeing cool places run by passionate people & is like a nice, come hangout with me type of video blogs.

4 years later, this is where I'll be hopping off with the knowledge that I can't no longer be able to enjoy all these shows anymore like I used to just because I can't afford to whip out some measly cash to pay for regular content that I can easily find on Youtube for free.

Even if you leave up the old videos on Youtube (after you've backpedalled your decision to remove all the videos entirely in the first place due to the backlash & gaslighting us into thinking we misunderstood but your Variety article says otherwise), the whole ordeal just makes the experience to re-watch all the content that I used to love & enjoy feels awkward & left a sour, bitter taste in my mouth.

With a very heavy heart, I say thank you for the fun shows you have been putting out these past 4 years & farewell to Team Watcher. I don't know how're you going to recover from this but I wish you a best of luck moving forward.

#watcher #watcher entertainment #honestly feeling very confused & disappointed with the sudden decision overall #even if you manage to recover from this chaos things just don't feel the same way anymore like they used to be

[alcamcat]

Difficult to learn

Humans do things differently than demons. What is difficult for them to learn in the human world? -I don't own the game or the characters- James:

To cook. While normally things that he can read make sense to him within a few seconds and he understands them immediately, cooking requires a sense of time and experience in addition to a recipe. When baking, he can rely exactly on the recipe and implement what he has to do one-to-one, but while cooking? What the hell do they mean by "wait until the onions are translucent"? And even if he reads the recipe a hundred times, it takes experience to really find out the perfect doneness of a steak. Especially if you don't always cook on the same stove. It's a good thing that his brothers can eat a lot and aren't particularly picky.

Erik:

To drive a car. He's usually one of those brothers who gets used to new things quickly, and since he's quite charming, he can pull himself out of most situations with flying colors. But when driving, he cannot communicate with the people around him, he has to deal with following the rules and the flow of traffic by himself. And the mood on the street affects him more than he thought. Not a problem when dealing with light traffic, but he struggles when the streets get crowded. When a car in front of him slammed on the brakes and almost caused an accident, he was in a bad mood for the rest of the day. That's why he tends not to drive during rush hour. Sam:

To use a cell phone. Sounds silly at first, but he probably has big problems with it. First, because he doesn't have the patience to stay still long enough for facial recognition to recognize his face (it was torture for him to set everything up). He will probably quickly switch to PIN. He thinks all the games you can play with it are pretty cool, but the fact that he's constantly having to read and confirm or reply to things - even when he's telling his brothers not to write him - just annoys him. Then there are all the small buttons, he's pretty sure his fingers are too big for it. But the worst thing is the auto-correction, especially since he hardly reads again before he sends off. Of course, it doesn't help that Matthew regularly changes names on his phone and moves apps to annoy him. He will probably rarely use his cell phone, even if he eventually gets the hang of it. Matthew:

Wearing shoes. It's not that he finds human clothing generally annoying like his brother Sam. He thinks the hoodies, jackets and trousers people wear are beautiful, especially because they all have such practical pockets. But shoes? Why do people do this? Of course, he understands that he gets cold feet without shoes in autumn or winter, but he doesn't think that's a problem. He could hurt his soles? Again, not a problem for him, after all he would have the possibility to heal himself. At least in spring and summer you should really be able to go without it. More than once he's gotten the odd look for showing up somewhere barefoot, and while it annoys him that James always lectures him about it, he thinks it's worth it. It's taking him a really long time to learn that wearing shoes isn't optional when he's outside. Damien:

Reading a whole book. Yes, he and Sam share the burden of learning to read and write in the human world, but both get the hang of it rather quickly, with the help of their brothers and a study aid or two. Reading signs, a short note or typing a message isn't that hard for them. But Damien has the problem, especially in the first few months, that he usually has umpteen other voices in his head in addition to the things he wants to read at the moment. While that's not a problem when it comes to his brothers, who he can more or less block out as background noise in his head, every new voice is a distraction for him because their thoughts are more often than not about new thing he and his brothers haven't discovered yet. He's trying to focus on a paragraph in a book when a few people are walking by. The new voices distract him, even if their thoughts are relaxed, but it is enough that he has to read the paragraph several times. After a while he gives up, annoyed. He will read the book later.

#seduce me james #seduce me erik #seduce me sam #seduce me matthew #seduce me damien #seduce me the otome #seduce me hc #headcanon #just thinking #seduce me headcanon

[stressedlawsecretary]

Today's Focus

04.26.24 - I'm being soft with myself; it's sunny and gorgeous but it's also allergy season and it's kicking my ass. I rely on OTC allergy medicine, and occasionally I'll intentionally stop taking it to see if the pollen has cleared up. Unfortunately, I live in a place with three distinct allergy seasons, and at this time, it appears I cannot go without; my head hurt so badly I left work early yesterday and it's all sinuses. I'm going out for more today, but thank god it's the end of the week at least.

Work - So, like I said, I took off early yesterday, and SJC emailed me after I left asking me to fix the formatting of a document she accidentally fkd up. Other than that, and maybe an efile (I haven't checked if it's mine yet or not since I'm on the notification list for an AAG that's no longer 'mine') I foresee it continuing to be extremely quiet.

Background Noise - I am remote working, since it's Friday, so the background noise will be mostly the DVR. This is good, since the number is above 90% again and my father has told me there's like 12 hrs he's watched that I need to catch up on. Today if I pick up my tablet to watch YT I'm just watching the videos on the Watch Later in order; no specific focus for today, though I will skip beauty & wrestling videos as I watch those over the weekend.

I watched 25 videos on YT yesterday, which is quite good I needed to make some progress on some things.

Study - Friday & the weekend is where I try to read/finish open Wikipedia pages. Since I've been struggling with sinuses, I'm unsure how much reading I'll be able to do; it'll be hard enough to stare at a screen and format a document while my head is pounding. Ibuprofen can only do so much.

It did affect me yesterday; I only got four pages into one book, and two into another, and aside from a few Horizon/Post Office scandal articles and a random press release that's all I could accomplish. I am le tired man.

Extras - Friday means I clean out the catbox and prep it for the weekend; if I have any energy whatsoever I'll try to get some extra chores done. I am making a haddock meal tonight, after shopping with the hunny; we're prepping for Saturday's meal, which I think will be homemade fast food (chicken finger subs & filet-o-fish sandwiches.) I have three more episodes of Carranger before watching Garo over the weekend and switching back to Turboranger to finish it up next week. The second season of Freakazoid is not particularly long so that might get finished up as well, along with a couple more episodes of Krapopolis on the DVR and maybe some of the Bob's Burgers I got on there as well. I struggled to write yesterday, so I'm hoping to do better today if my headache doesn't overcome me.

#studyblr #my study stuff #today's focus #talking

[kai-the-mad]

Me, who has no attention span: God I wanna practice playing my mandolin because I like twinkley dinkle-ing strings and the whatnot but for whatever reason my brain cannot focus on anything without background noise but it would be distracting if I played music or a podcast so I'm gonna give this White Noise thingy a try and see what happens

Me, one hour later: okay so I have cleared the floorspace in my room, reorganized these storage bins, reorganized my bookshelf by size and also category of books, and hung up these star and moon string lights over my bed in the space of an hour...

... what was it I was supposed to be doing again?

#kai shush #there is no way in hell i don't have ADHD or something because what #also the white noise is great 💯💯💯 would recommend for gremlins like me who have weird brain worms #i mean it didn't do much for my attention span but at least i could focus on something without distractions

[heeyjuuuude]

tagged by @iwantlotsoftacos (thank you love!! this was fun!!) and then i put explanations/thoughts on each in order in the tags because i have so many thoughts on books lmao

hardcover or paperback

rent or buy

reads in silence or reads with music

standalone or series

annotations or pristine pages

ebook or physical copies

dog ears or bookmarks

mismatched series or complete sets

cover matters or you don’t judge

lend books or keep them to yourself

enjoys classic lit or despises them

browses shops or orders online

reads reviews or goes in blind

unreturned books or clean library record

rereads or once was enough

fanfic enthusiast or stickler for canon

deep reader or easily distracted

must read the book before seeing the movie or order doesn’t matter

has neat bookshelves or messy bookshelves

skips ahead or resists temptation

reads aloud or in your head

guesses plot twists or never sees them coming

i’m tagging @shardsoflesbianism, @wlw-omgcp, @miserybiscuits, and @onemusecalliope (if you’d like to!) and anyone else who wants to. thanks mabel!! this was fun and you know i never need an excuse to just like talk about books.

#i love paperbacks!! cannot explain but they are perfect #i love owning books so i can tear them up oops #i cannot focus on a book without background noise #the build up of a character arc is usually better!! #i mark up soo many of my books. i just like rereading later and being like whoa those were my thoughts the first time how neat #there’s just something special about a physical copy idk but again i love making them worn in #okay shut up i know i just love the look of a book that’s clearly been read a lot. like it’s well loved and that’s great #if i own part of a series i Need to own the whole thing #unfortunately i am one of those people that gets drawn in primarily by cover art (and summary next) #i love lending!! i have a friend who has very similar lit taste and we swap books and write in the margins. it’s the best and so cool #i’m very very picky about classic lit but when i find a good one i love it. my fav book is little women. i’ve read it 31 times #bookstores bookstores bookstores!!! #unless it’s a friend with a similar taste in lit i don’t like reviews bc my tastes aren’t like. standard. so i generally avoid reviews #i would NEVER!! not turn in a book!! partially because!! my elementary school librarian!! was my friend!! no shame #i reread EVERYTHING lmao again it’s cool to see how my thoughts on it change #dude listen. seeing other peoples’ interpretation of a character is so cool and i love it #soooo easily distracted. i used to be impossible to tear away but then my Mom Senses grew in and now i’m constantly alert for like anything #there are very few cases where i don’t care but you usually get so much more info and background from the book #my bookshelves are my pride and joy. they are organized into genre and then alphabetized #(except during pride month. then they’re organized by color) #i hate that i do it but i do unfortunately. sue me #lmao i read ALL the time as a kid. like at lunch or the playground or after a quiz or in five minute car rides. i would’ve gotten into #(cont) trouble if i read aloud. plus i’m a pretty fast reader but not a very fast speaker so it would be annoying and slow me down #i never get plot twists ever. it’s pretty nice #wowza this was long #do people still say wowza #alright time to find my two (2) mutuals besides mabel and agonize about whether or not i should tag them #personal #i feel like everyone’s gonna real what a dork i am and i’m okay with it

[imaginedreamwrite]

Barnes, Barnes & Barnes: Part 11

There was a steady thump that came from his fist making contact with the punching bag in front of him, that had been a kind of white noise to the chatter in the background.

All he had seen was the punching bag in front of him that was swaying slightly as the contact had been made more powerful with the aggression that was coursing through his veins. He was hyper-focused on the sound of the bag being struck, by the slight pain that had broken through the wraps around his fists, ignoring the stares penetrating his back.

“We should at least talk about this-“ The chain had groaned as a particularly powerful punch had been landed against the middle of the bag, the soft grunt coming from the other side was the only sound that had broken his focus, and as he had caught the bag once more, he had looked around the girth and saw familiar green eyes staring back at him.

“You’re just as guilty.” His accusatory tone had come with acid dripping from every word, from every syllable and beat. “You overstepped your bounds.”

“You wanna talk about overreaching? Stark?” Natasha had raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms over her chest as she studied the avenger in front of her with suspicion and irritation. “You had kept him locked in like an animal.”

“He’s a danger to us all, and until the proper procedures-“ Tony had bent down to pick up the water bottle resting near the punching bag, his actions stilled when Natasha kicked it out of his reach, the power behind her kick sending it flying into the wall.

“You didn’t bother talking about this with anyone on the team. You decided by yourself, without consulting anyone who could have had a difference of opinion.” Natasha had stepped closer, her green eyes narrowing into an icy and potent glare, looking over the avenger with distaste.

“I did what I needed to do! I did what should have been done! The Winter Soldier-“

“-has done nothing to prove he is any more of a danger than you are. And yet, you thought it would be okay to completely lock him down.” The tension between the two had heightened and spiked, almost tumultuously so, drawing attention from anyone that remained in the training room.

“The Winter Soldier cannot be commanded without the Red Book, and you had that destroyed. Didn’t you?” Natasha had cocked her hip and raised her eyebrow in question, analyzing the response that had come from the man rich with arrogance.

“You think HYDRA just had one?” Tony had blatantly danced around the subject before he huffed and lift his hand to wipe the sweat from his brow.

“Keep dancing around the subject, Tony. No one, and I mean no one, thinks what you did was the right move. And if you try and punish L/N for what she did, you should know that there are more people against you than for you.”

** **

“You know his fragile ego will take a hit,” Bucky was wording it lightly, using the tentative method to describe how pissed off Tony Stark would be when he found out you’d busted Winter out of his cell, “and you are gonna face the brunt of it.”

“I should be the only one facing punishments. I was the one who decided to break him out.” You nudged your hip into Bucky’s and turned your head, your attention falling to the sight of Winter combing through the history of your Bucky, the events that were largely shared between them before Bucky was broken out, and Winter had continued being used.

He was lighter in his guilt, in the trauma that had afflicted him. It seemed as if time away from the constant torture and brainwashing had been doing him good. Without the constant pain and torture, without the constant flux of those dreaded words that pushed him into the role of a seemingly mindless assassin, Winter was healing in his own — albeit slowly.

“You shouldn’t face punishments at all,” Steve had countered your fact and Bucky’s, his blue-green eyes studying the assassin pouring over the details of the life he could have had, the gentle whirring of his arm as he flexed his fingers was an indication that it was affecting him, everything he couldn’t have.

“Well, we all know how stubborn Stark can be,” you sighed and had lifted your hands to the sides of your head, placing pressure against your temples. You had begun massaging the area with your fingertips as an attempt to rid yourself of the headache that was surely going to creep up the back of your neck and take over every sensation.

“We are going to have to remove everything inside there, ya know the stuff that makes him comply.” Steve had leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest, glancing at Bucky and then yourself. “Shuri and Wakanda are off the table, while I’m sure they would understand-“

“There’s a lot more people to involve and more opportunities for Winter to fall into someone else’s hands.” You had agreed with Steve on the decision to keep him here under a watchful eye, however, it wasn’t as a punishment but to keep him out of the hands of others. “But how do we remove everything they had done to him? Being out and without that constant torture and brainwashing is helping but the roots are still there, the trigger words are still engrained in his mind.”

“Dr. Banner and Dr. Strange are coming up with a plan to help him. They’re going to attempt to break off the synapses-“

“Synapses?” James had questioned in passing, entering the kitchen for a bottle of water from the refrigerator. “Not that I’m eavesdropping…”

“Synapses are a bridge between two nerve cells that transmit impulses.” Steve had drawn his arms tighter across his chest as he spoke, the underlying tentative rush to have this done quickly and safely was ever-present.

“So…these synapses…are like wires of a bomb. If you can safely pull the right wire, there’s no explosion.” James had cracked the lid off the bottle, tossing the clear plastic lid in the air to catch it again.

“That’s the hope.” You had sighed again, the sound weary and exhausted as it fell from your lips. The sound had prompted Bucky to slip his arm around your shoulders and pull you into his side. You had leaned into him and brushed your lips against his cheek, the buzz of electricity that moved swiftly from him to you, and back again, was a perfect and synonymous match for the flutter of your heart. He was everything to you, they all were, and it was almost difficult to believe how quickly things had happened in the last few months.

“They have the red book?” You wondered, drawing all three sets of eyes upon you. “The Red Book, was it burned?”

“I didn’t know they had the Red Book?” Steve had drawn speculation and the simple message had confused you.

“Natasha told me they had the Red Book. She told me that Tony was going to burn it.” Bucky’s arm had tightened around your shoulders, and you could feel the tension building in his chest, the clench of his jaw pulling your attention away from Steve to Bucky, and then back again.

“Tony didn’t burn the book..?” Your mouth had gone dry, your heart-rate spiking at the silence that had filled the space, the lingering and unseen threat of what that red book could do. You had thought it was burned, you had thought it was destroyed because that is what Tony said he would do.

“Tony didn’t mention the Red Book to Steve or me.” Bucky’s voice had dropped an octave, the unnatural eeriness of his words falling like a thinly veiled threat from a phantom unknown.

“Natasha told me that Tony would burn it, she believed that he would burn it. And yet Tony never told you about it. Is he still holding onto it?” You felt as if you already knew the answer, you felt as if you had already known what to expect, and the longer that silence had gone on, you knew you were not alone in that thought.

“There is nothing in the Red Book that will help us. There is nothing new that we don’t know.” Steve had pushed himself off the cupboard he was leaning on and brushed past you and Bucky, stalking toward the front door. “If he has the book, I’m going to kick his ass.”

“Stay here with them.” Bucky had pulled away from you, only stopping to cup your cheek and tilt your head back, placing a soft and quick kiss on your lips. “We’re going to get that book back.”

You nodded your head and watched Bucky following after Steve. You listened to the rattle of the walls as the door was shut with force unnecessary, the handle itself warped from the strength used. There was so much animosity in the degradative nature of Stark’s mistrust in the agents who worked for SHIELD and his avengers. Tony Stark had believed he was the one to make all the decisions, he was the one who thought he could call all the shots. By not destroying the book the moment it had fallen into his hands, he had set in place the ability to take control of another Winter Solider, only this one was under control for longer and had more shit ingrained in his mind.

“Things bad, huh?” James’ question about the book had felt innocent and loaded all at once, the nature of what was or could happen to teeter on the edge of abysmal.

“That book,” you glanced toward Winter, fully aware that he was listening, “is cruel. It’s evil, in the simplest terms. That book can take someone like Bucky, before he was fixed, and Winter and turn them into a machine that takes orders of whoever is in control. There is no free will, there is no fighting it.”

“The Red Book, that’s a Hydra thing, isn’t it?” James had come to lean beside you, his left hand reaching for your right hand, his fingers caressing yours. “I mean I know I wasn’t…tortured like them, but I was taken as a prisoner of war and I was…tested on.”

“I almost forgot about that.” You had frowned, your mind reeling. “You weren’t turned into a weapon but you were still…tortured. Some.”

“Doll,” James had angled himself toward you and reached out to cup your cheek, his thumb brushing against your cheekbone, “my ma used to say that the world is full of pain and misery, the more pain you focus on the more you’ll feel. It’s hard to see the good in people when they’ve committed such tragedies, but it is good out there.”

“Your ma was smart.”

“I’d like to think that no one, not even a man who was turned into a weapon, is incapable of fighting against the evil that keeps us down.” James leaned in and brushed his lips against your own, the kiss tender and sweet, soft and gentle.

“You think he has a chance?” You spoke against his lips, the stroke of James’ fingers against your hip bones endearing and comforting.

“You said he was better already, without the constant torture.” James’ was reassuring with even the softest words and the most subtle embraces.

“I think he is.” You had leaned back in for another kiss, the first brush of his bottom lip against your own was starkly interrupted by the steady pounding of a fist on the door.

You had pulled away from James and moved toward the door, your feet dragging across the floor as you approached the only barrier between you and the exterior.

“Agent L/N!” You had furrowed your brow as you gripped the warped metal and turned, opening the door to come face to face with an agent you had seen often.

“What’s wrong?” You noted her frantic appearance, her raggedness as you opened the door wider, your attention moving past her to the hall.

“The Winter Soldier, is he here?” The question hadn’t been finished, the words falling from her tongue before you started to close the door, the hair on the back of your neck standing on end.

“No, he’s not.” You answered coolly, the agent on the other side ripping a tool from her thigh holster, the glint of the end and the electricity that started to spark between the posts drawing your ire.

“Don’t start anything.” You gave her a mild warning, your hands gripping the door, and as she tried to bust through with the long taser, you slammed your shoulder into the door.

The edge of the door had broken her hand, the sickening cracks chilling you. When the taser had fallen from her hand, you bent down and scooped it from the floor, curling your fingers against the handle, swinging it once to knock her back from the threshold of the door.

While she had flown into the opposite wall, another agent you had seen lurking in the training room recently, took the place of the first agent that was trying to bust in with a minimal and well-hidden electrode hidden in his hand.

“You have a choice,” he had stepped toward you, slamming the electrode against the door, effectively turning the barrier to a completely useless obstacle at keeping him out, “give us the Soldier-“

“Not happening.” You swung the taser again, using the momentum of his hand catching it mid-strike, to propel yourself forward. You had caught him in the chest with your shoulder, breaking the hold he had on the taser, and the door.

“Get him out of here!” You called over your shoulder to James, briefly able to watch him loading a gun that had been ripped from the wall safe. “James-“

The agent has used the moment of distraction to twist your arm behind your back and kick your feet from under you, the sharp and iron-hot flash of pain from a baton being driven against your lower back was immediate.

“Let her go.” James cocked the gun, stepping toward the agent and yourself, his fingers hovering over the trigger. “Back off and let her go.”

“What the fuck is this? Huh? Some soldier that’s supposed to be dead?” The agent laughed with north, clearly unthreatened by the appearance of James holding a modern gun while facing off against a deadly and trained agent.

“Let her go now, you arrogant son of a bitch.” James had threatened again, taking a step toward you. “You ain’t getting the other guy.”

“You gonna stop me? This little bitch can’t stop me.” When he started to yank you to your feet, you had leaned forward and then forced your head back, cracking the back of your skull against his nose.

It was enough to get his grip to loosen but as you struggled to step over the debris, the agent had grabbed a hold of your hair and smashed your head into the nearest wall, your vision fading in and out.

“You’re gonna be next-“ the agent had taken a single step, a single step toward James and then he had dropped instantly with the thundering crack of a gun, the ear-shattering split of a bullet being fired and the spurt of warm blood on your cheeks as he fell.

“Winter,” you attempted to brace your hands on the floor, attempted to bring yourself to a sitting position, “where is he?”

Pain flooded your body and you fell pathetically to the floor, weak and weary.

“We’re leaving.” His voice, Winter’s voice had echoed in your head as you were lifted, set against a chest. “We need to leave now.”

“You need to leave,” you groaned as you were jostled, being held by James and escorted toward an emergency elevator by Winter, “they’re after you-“

“We are leaving.” He has spoken with finality, addressing you and James. “All of us.”

#bucky barnes x reader smut #bucky barnes x reader angst #bucky barnes x reader fluff #bucky barnes x reader #barnes barnes & barnes masterlist #barnes barnes & barnes #bucky barnes #the winter soldier imagines fluff #the winter soldier imagines angst #the winter soldier imagine #the winter soldier imagines #the winter soldier x reader #the winter soldier

[anonym-potato]

The Entire Main Cast of Stranger Things are Autistic have some headcanons

El:

• Echolalia Echolalia Echolalia. Also a lot of verbal stimming in general.

• On the other hand, she tends to go nonverbal when she’s really stressed.

• Eggos taste the same all the time and that taste is pure deliciousness, most foods are either gross or change how they taste every time, therefore Eggos are the best food ever.

• Never makes the ‘right’ amount of eye contact - she either stares into your soul or can’t look at your face.

• Fluorescent lights are bad, both because of Hawkins Lab trauma (they used nothing but fluorescents) but also because they’re so damn loud.

• Shopping with Max was nice because a lot of clothes give her sensory problems and Max Got It so they found stuff that was pretty and comfy pretty easy.

• Plays white noise in the background a lot even if she’s not going into the void because it gives her ears something to do without being too loud so she can focus.

Mike:

• No, I don’t think it’s weird I dip my chicken nuggets in ice cream, why would it be? It tastes good.

• Routine good. Random interruptions bad. This has been a Mike Wheeler PSA.

• Constantly reads and re-reads his D&D books to fuel the special interest train.

• Always wore the same eight striped shirts and nothing else for like three years. Yes Mom I know I have more shirts these are just the GOOD ONES-

• What is sarcasm and how do you notice it. Hell if he knows.

• He also goes nonverbal when things are A Lot, he and El bonded over it.

• handflaphandflaphandflap

Will:

• I don’t care if my haircut is dumb looking Mike I’ve always had it it’s my haircut why would I change it-

• Special Interest in art, infodumps over family dinner, every desk he’s ever sat at has been covered in pencil doodles.

• Related to that, paint has a Good Texture, nice and squishy, finger painted all the time when he was a kid.

• Lonnie was predictably asshole-ish about it, Will doesn’t have a lot of obvious stims because he got used to hiding them, and it took him ages to feel comfortable stimming around the party even when the rest of them were.

• Has So Many Feelings about Everything and doesn’t know how to process them.

• Used to really like cold temperatures because sweat makes his skin sticky and gross. Not so much anymore, for obvious reasons.

• Doesn’t eat school lunches even when they don’t have food in the house for him to bring to school because it’s like playing roulette with his mouth.

Dustin:

• He can tell you what radio station played three Cindy Lauper songs in a row last week, the technical name for every part of an elephant’s body, and how to fix a completely smashed walkie talkie with duct tape and a prayer. He cannot tell you what he had for breakfast today.

• Lets Mews/Tews lay on his chest and purr, the fur and rumbles are a nice sensation.

• Waves his arms around whenever he talks because the point will be clearer if he gesticulates.

• Is the best of the original 4 party members at masking, which is why they declared him the Bard. He keeps trying to push it for way too long and getting exhausted, they’re working on it.

• Guess who hyperfixates on a different special interest every three months and has no control over it YOU DO YOU DO.

• Hyperfocus as well, sometimes doesn’t sleep because he just…forgets. He was busy re-reading The Hobbit for the seventeen billionth time, okay?

• The purring is a stim, do not question it.

Lucas:

• Subtlety is overrated, being as direct as possible is way more efficient.

• Doesn’t have as many issues as some of the others with lights and sound but he’s super sensitive to smells, he has to stand upwind from Steve at all times because his cologne is gross.

• Great gross motor skills, horrible fine motor skills. He‘s got amazing aim with the Wrist Rocket, but his handwriting looks like Norse runes and Jackson Polluck paintings had a baby.

• He doesn’t always realize when he’s done a Social Whoops and his attempts to fix it have a 50% chance of making things worse (see: him and Max with the canteen in 3x01).

• Please don’t touch my stuff Erica I have a dedicated mental map of where it all is and if you move it I will not find it for a week WHAT ARE YOU DOING-

• Also forgets to sleep, he and Dustin pass the time having long conversations over walkie talkie about really boring stuff in the hopes it’ll get one of them to pass out.

• Has three facial expressions: Excited/Happy, Upset, and Scared. If he wants to make any more he’s gotta try.

Max:

• Skateboards back and forth on the sidewalk outside for hours at a time because pacing helps her think.

• Real sensitive to sudden/unexpected touch, she likes it alright but you have to give her a two minute notice first.

• Possibly comorbid with ADHD, but I don’t know enough about ADHD to elaborate.

• California was not exactly a paradise, but people at school were less mean about her stimming, Indiana takes some getting used to.

• Meltdowns more than shutdowns, which drives her parents up the wall (why can’t you be a good polite quiet girl Maxine) but the party’s understanding and gives her space when she needs to discharge.

• The color green bothers her and she could not tell you why, it just does.

• Constant pen clicking. Constant.

To be continued because this is getting long

Update: Part 2 Here and Part 3 Here

#Stranger Things #El Hopper #Mike Wheeler #Will Byers #Dustin Henderson #Lucas Sinclair #Max Mayfield #Headcanons #Autistic Headcanons

[demonicheadcanons]

The Obey Me Brothers Reaction to MC Breaking Down Over Schoolwork

(Initial ask contains an ableist slur and so cannot be posted. Please, in future, refrain from using slurs in any asks sent in!! It has since been added to my rules and I will straight up delete asks with slurs in them. Thank you <3)

AN: Apologies for taking so long to get to this one, its been in my inbox for a while. I’m sorry you were feeling that way, its really difficult getting adjusted to everything again, I work in a school and a lot of the students and teachers alike are definitely really struggling. Best wishes <3

I think I’m usually okay at not letting slip that Levi is my favourite boy, but you can tell here ;u; Sorry

Lucifer

He realises all too late that things are probably tough. Initially Lucifer is distant, and whilst he notices how tired you look sometimes at RAD, he decides to ignore it - you were probably distressed because you had been pulled into the Devildom out of nowhere, you’d just have to adapt because nothing else could be done. In his mind it was pointless worrying about it.

However, as he begins to pay more and more attention to you, he realises its more than that. You frown in class, your grades jump around and you don’t leave your room regularly, probably too busy focusing on studying. The few times you’ve accepted his offer of help, you seem to be on edge.

He decides one night to check in on you, and he hears a harsh thud from a few paces down the hall. He throws the door open without knocking, convincing himself that he was just worried you might be hurt because they needed you for the exchange programme and it would be a pain replacing you now, months into the whole endeavour.

You whirl around, arm still raised, your grip tight on your textbook. He looks about and sees other books scattered about, the room a mess.

Lucifer makes a low growling noise in the back of his throat, raising a hand to press against his temples before he freezes, finally taking in the look on your face. Your eyes are wide, having been essentially caught by the one person you really, really wouldn’t want to see you right now. You lower your arm slowly as he approaches, taking your face in his hands before you can duck away from him.

His tone and expression are impossible to place as he silently examines you, gloved hands wiping across your cheeks to get rid of any traces of your tears. You don’t have the time to process any of it before he pulls you against his chest, wrapping his arms carefully around your shoulders.

Lucifer is silent, almost eerily so, and he holds you there without moving until you either push him away or until you stop sniffling and drop the book. Even when he does speak again, he’s quiet, deep in thought as he looks around the room and tells you simply to head over to his - he’ll bring you something to eat shortly, get some rest in the meantime. You mumble something about a test, and he waves a hand. He’ll bring the textbook, its fine, go rest.

It takes him a half hour to get to his room, carrying a tray with some tea and snacks. Your textbook is tucked under one arm, and he gently invites you to eat before he starts talking things out. He asks if classes are too difficult, asks if there’s anything in particular you’re struggling with. He makes a lot of offers - Luci is a busy guy, but he can free up a time slot if you want to study with him, or he can get you a tutor, or you can simply text him your concerns and he’ll respond as soon as he’s available. His advice is simple and realistic.

Once you’re done eating and drinking, he opens the textbook and goes over the things that are most likely to be on the test. He gives tips, explains the things that confuse you in a clear and concise manner. He’s a good teacher, and he’s a lot more patient than you’ve seen him before.

Overall, Lucifer is a quiet comfort, but a determined one. He works to make things easier for you in the background, marking out important parts of the textbook so you know what to focus on, and offering a hand whenever you need it. Also, when you get back to your room later, your books are neatly organised on your desk.

[Other brothers under the read more]

Mammon

Mammon randomly pops into your room quite often, making excuses about how he’s absolutely entitled to because he’s in charge of taking care of you. On this particular evening, you have absolutely no warning as per usual and he doesn’t bother knocking, because this boy only has good manners when it benefits him.

He freezes instantly, and he’s over to you in a second before you can throw whatever’s in your hand. His grip is careful but tight on your wrist and he squeezes until you let it go, tossing whatever it was onto your bed without looking and wrapping you up in his arms. You might feel trapped for a second, but he has this fear that you’re Going To Get Hurt and so he just holds onto you until you settle and start sobbing against his chest. (Mammon is panicking too much to think about it, and he’ll definitely apologise after and try not to do it again if he scared you.)

He pulls you over to the bed and sits you down, a hand smoothing through your hair. His grip remains on you at all times, and you can feel his hands shaking when he asks what’s wrong, MC? Did something happen?

Mammon listens carefully, swallowing and smoothing a hand over your hair when you tell him its because the work here is just too damn hard and you can’t do it, you can’t, you can’t remember all the dates for the history or recall the right Latin to say for this one course and its not like it matters anyway because you’re human, why would you need this?

He mumbles back “I know, I know,” and runs his hands down your arms, back, along your hair. Wherever he can to comfort you, wherever makes your breathing slow back to a normal pace and takes away the hiccups left from sobbing. He doesn’t force you to look at him, almost doesn’t want you to as he bites back sniffles and sobs and wipes his face against his sleeve because crying right now won’t fix anything for you.

When you’re both calmer again, he starts rambling about something or other to take your mind off it. Mammon isn’t one to offer any immediate solutions, and rather tries to distract you with stories until you fall asleep and he can lay you down and march straight to Lucifer and demand he talk to Diavolo about this, as fearless as if he were defending Belphie or Levi for accidentally breaking something.

You’re assigned a tutor, and have tutoring sessions with each of the brothers for things they’re good at, with Lucifer and Satan covering any areas the others don’t particularly excel in. Mammon himself helps you with maths, and although he isn’t always the best at explaining it, his presence along is comforting and helps makes working through a little easier, and he’s good for taking your mind away from any stress so that you can focus without worry holding you back.

Leviathan

He had just wanted to get something back that he loaned you, a book or DVD. He can’t remember what it was the second he hears a crash and throws open your door, and finds you in a ball on the floor, the room a mess around you. You don’t even look up as the door opens, and the two of you stay in place for a few moments.

Levi doesn’t know what to do, doesn’t know where to start, but he can do one thing. Quietly and carefully, he tiptoes around your room and starts putting things back where they belong. He tidies your desk, faintly organises whatever notes he finds by subject and piles them up together. He doesn’t touch you, because he’s worried you wouldn’t want him to right now, that he might scare you, and so he just tidies until the room looks a little more normal again.

When you finally look up, he’s sitting a few feet in front of you, headphones on as he stares at his D.D.D., either playing a game or watching a video or scrolling through Wikis as he waits patiently for you to start the conversation or ask for whatever comforts you need. You move over to sit beside him, and he blushes but takes off his headphones and holds an arm out so you can rest against his shoulder.

He lets you watch whatever is on his phone for a beat before asking in a hushed voice if you need anything, if something was wrong, or if someone (maybe him?) upset you. When you tell him it’s about schoolwork, he sighs and pulls you closer without thinking about it. He hands you his D.D.D. and puts his headphones on you, tells you to stay there for a bit and keep watching until he gets back.

Levi returns a few minutes later with Satan in tow, each of them carrying a bag with their own textbooks in them. Levi kneels down to take back his D.D.D. and headphones and to help you up, and tells you you’re all going to start studying together in the library. If you’d be okay with it, he means... he could use the help too, and maybe it wouldn’t feel so bad if you were there. Not for any reason in particular!

Study sessions are added to your schedule after that. Even on days where Satan is off doing something else, Levi will tutor you on whatever he finds easiest - usually history, and oftentimes its history involving the navy. His shyness melts away into confidence as he talks about all the things he’s done, about how he was appointed head thousands of years ago and he thinks he’s yet to let Diavolo down.

After study sessions you go and get a drink together, something like bubble tea or smoothies or whatever, and then play games together to relax and let the info sink in instead of obsessing over it. If you ever start to get stressed out again, Levi gently puts his headphones on you and the two of you wait it out together, and he smiles at you every time you take the headphones off and take a deep breath, ready to keep working. He’s proud.

Satan

Satan is observant enough to notice ahead of time that something is about to happen. You seem horribly stressed and unfocused in your classes one day in particular, and he decides to stop by your room the second he gets home to find out what was wrong.

He knocks and waits for a while, but you don’t answer, and he was sure he heard noise before but now your room is deathly silent. He carefully creaks the door open a bit to call in and see if you’re there, and hears paper crumpling against the door. Deciding to investigate, he opens it a little more and slides in through the gap.

The room is a mess of books and paper and pillows, and you’re at your desk, hands clamped hard over your ears. You’re making some kind of whimpering noise every now and then, and Satan starts to piece things together as he gathers up books in one arm and smooths out paper. He taps you on the back before moving back a pace or two, just in case.

You freeze before turning around to look at him, seeming almost guilty, and he doesn’t really get why you’d feel that way but he holds up your books and clears his throat. “Do you want some help?”

Satan is more practical than emotional and, whilst he isn’t sure what kind of comfort he can offer you right now, he knows he can help with the work, help make it easier. He pulls a chair over beside you, motioning for you to scoot over, and leans against you as he opens the first book and asks where you were struggling. He keeps a constant connection between the two of you, either has his leg against yours or his entire side against you so that you know he’s there, so that you’re permanently aware of his presence.

He doesn’t look at you too often, not when you can see him do it. Even then, there’s no judgement in his gaze, just his brows furrowing slightly out of concern until your breathing in alright and you start to smile in little bursts again. He smiles then as well, scribbling down some notes for you.

After that, Satan regularly pulls you aside after class and asks if you want to come out with him to a cafe or to the library, or he’ll call you to his room in the house and ask if you’ll let him teach you this set of notes so that he can remember it better. He’s subtle, never really brings up what happened and never asks you about it because he’s already got it all figured out in his mind. Instead, he just works on moving on from it and making sure it doesn’t happen again, and if it does, he’ll be ready to be there for you again.

Asmodeus

Asmo had decided to visit your room because you weren’t responding to his messages asking if you wanted to go out shopping with him. Majolish had new season wear and he absolutely needed to go get first pickings at it, and he wanted you there by his side.

He knocks but opens your door immediately after anyway, not giving you time to do much more than turn to face the door, bringing the pillow you were about to throw up over your face instead so he can’t read too much of your expression. He sees the tears, anyway, and without thinking walks over to you and holds your face in his hands.

His voice is laced with concern as he asks what’s wrong, and he immediately looks like he’s going to cry as well, but he just did his makeup and he’s not going to risk ruining it right now. Instead he moves over to the bed and pulls you down onto his lap, holding you tight against his chest. He keeps asking, every few moments, if something was wrong and if there’s anything he can do, and his eyes dart around the room to try to piece it all together. Your books were still out on your desk, pillows a mess around the room, and you... You were curled up against him, shaking and choking down sobs.

Asmo pouts and holds you in silence until you calm down and start talking to him, start telling him what was wrong, what subject you’d been struggling with over the past hour and you were still stuck on the same damn page and not making any progress and the test was only a few days away and everyone was expecting so much from you, you who never even asked to be here. Obviously you weren’t good enough for this, obviously they should’ve chosen someone better-

Asmo cuts you off there, pushes against your shoulders until he can see your expression and cup your face in his hands. He’s not having you put yourself down because you’re struggling with work that the centuries-old demons also had a hard time with, not on his watch, and he tells you just as much. When he’s done half-scolding you, his expression softens and he offers whatever help he can. He’s sure he can rope Satan or Lucifer into helping out, and if not he can charm the examiners into giving you a better score... he keeps going until some of his silly advice gets you to snort out a little laugh, and then he relaxes.

He lays back and pulls you down with him, sighing as he instructs you to take a nap, and then after you two can go out shopping and you’ll figure everything out as you strip Majolish bare of its new wonderful outfits. And Asmo keeps to his word. As you’re trying things on he talks through the stall walls, proposing different ideas to you whilst simultaneously boosting your confidence as he compliments you and finds the perfect outfits for you.

Asmo makes it clear that if ever you should need a distraction, just give him a call - there’s always something better to do than reading over textbooks, and he’ll throw in study sessions so long as you’re there to spend time with him. Anything to make you feel better.

Beelzebub

Beel was in the kitchen, clearing out the fridge as usual when he heard a muffled thud against the wall. He pauses, turning to look in that direction, and realises that its the wall attached to your room.

He’s outside your door in no time, and taps nervously against it with his fingertips before opening the door slightly and calling in to ask if you were okay, and could he come in please? He hesitates when you don’t respond, but decides to head in anyway, because you might be hurt and any embarrassments he’s sure the two of you could live with, but with an injury there was no guarantee, not for a human.

There are books everywhere, the room as messy as he’s ever seen it, and you’re... nowhere to be seen. Not until he hears a sniffle and rounds the corner into the dining room section, and finds you curled up in a ball against the wall, face against your knees. He’s quick to back away, worried that he’ll upset you more, but then Beel kneels down a few paces in front of you and leans forward to tap your arm.

You flinch and look up immediately, pulling your knees closer to your chest until you realise its him, and then you just look guilty. Beel’s chest hurts, he feels horrible - what happened to make you feel like this? Could he help, or should he go get someone else? He asks just as much, voice somewhat broken over the questions as he hesitates. He doesn’t get this anxious often, but right now you remind him of Belphie a few thousand years ago, and he doesn’t know what to do with that.

He pushes the thought away and slides closer, sitting against the wall beside you. His presence might not help, and he waits for you to tell him to leave, but after a while you press against his side and he opens his arms to you and holds you as tight as he can until you feel a little bit okay again. And then he asks, again, what’s wrong, and he waits for you to tell him, shaking but as patient as can be. You open up to him slowly, and he listens.

Beel doesn’t know how to help, doesn’t think he’d be a good tutor for you, doesn’t know how to relieve the stress really. But, he promises his arms are always there if you want a warm hug, and... he is sure that there is some resolution to be found, but for now you should just do your best and that’s all anyone could expect from you, and if anyone doesn’t like that then... he’ll be your bodyguard, ready to defend you at any moment. He was good at that, sometimes.

Beel smiles at you and gives you the warmest smile he can manage before tucking your head back against his shoulder or chest. He tells you to rest for a little while, and then you can try working again later. Whilst you’re asleep, he pulls out his D.D.D. and messages Belphie asking for advice, and then Lucifer. By the time you wake up, he’s got a few tips from the brothers and a tutoring timetable is being organised by Lucifer for the two of you, so that you wouldn’t be alone.

Belphegor

Belphie doesn’t know why he was on his way to your room, and he stops thinking about it the second he throws the door open and sees you crying. He’s too tired to put the pieces together as he looks around, too tired to really take in the room, but he’s on high alert when he runs over and wraps you in his arms, looking around properly to see if anyone was there, if anyone had hurt you.

You can hear him growling in the back of his throat until he slowly relaxes, shoulders lowering as he takes in how messy your room is. It must’ve been you, he decides, holding you closer to him. A demon would’ve left this place in a horrible state. But nothing was torn, just scattered around.

He’s more awake when he pulls you over to the bed and immediately lays down with you on his chest. He doesn’t get what’s wrong yet, but he’ll figure it out. He wills his powers, his sin’s influence, over you until you’re drowsy and fall asleep, still sniffling occasionally, and then he starts to work things out.

By the time you wake up, Belphie apologises for how disorientated you might feel. He probably should’ve talked to you first before making you fall asleep. He smiles sheepishly at you, but the concern in his eyes is only thinly veiled, and you can see through to it.

“So, school, huh?” he asks, lopsided smile almost teasing. He wants to make you smile, or laugh if he’s lucky. Instead you make a frustrated noise and press your face into his chest again, and he pats your head to comfort you. You hear him swallow before he pushes against your shoulders to get you to look at him again.

He’s not hiding so much when he asks what’s wrong, and he listens as you stumble through an explanation before sighing and asking if you want to take another nap. He grins when you glare at him, before adjusting you both so you’re sitting up again. “Let’s get to work, then. What subject is first?”

Belphie isn’t the best at a lot of the work, and he’s missed a lot of classes, but he’s a decent help and he keeps your stress down by cracking jokes and patting your head when you do well. He’s a comforting presence, and if you get overwhelmed again he leans his elbows against the desk, head in hands, and suggests you take another nap with him because he could really use one right now. He laughs when you swat at him and tell him to focus, and then looks at you and tells you that you can come to him if you need help, anytime. Don’t wake him up if he’s deep asleep, though - get Mammon or someone stupid to do that, he jokes, just in case he lashes out.

In future, Belphie will tap on your door when he knows you’re studying and, although he often falls asleep at your desk or just immediately heads over to your bed to nap, he gives off a comforting aura that makes the work a bit bearable for longer.

#obey me #obey me shall we date #obey me headcanons #obey me lucifer #obey me mammon #obey me leviathan #obey me satan #obey me asmodeus #obey me beelzebub #obey me belphegor #fluff #breakdown mention #ask to tag #food mention #no beta reading as usual #time to queue #school

[59writes]

SEVENTEEN- SCENARIO: HAVING AN ALT PARTNER (PERFORMANCE UNIT)

VOCAL • HIP HOP • PERFORMANCE

Last but most definitely not least, the boys with the moves 🙌🙌

again! don’t be shy, feel free to reach out or request!! I’d love to have some anon buddies lol. I promise I’m nice haha!!

also hi Jun’s is about kandi I had to self indulge a little lol (which is why it’s so long omg) I make kandi and it’s literally the best pastime and the culture around it is super cool too so I had to add it in haha!!

🌈🌈🌈!!!PLUR!!! 🌈🌈🌈

tw: food maybe (?)

JUN

• you guys met on complete accident

• he was walking to the company, you on your way home

• and he bumps into you and one of your bracelets hooks onto his bag and it snaps

• you’re both shocked by the sound, watching the beads bounce into the street while people shoved past you both, glaring at you both for blocking the way

• and even though Junhui is late he stoops down to pick up the beads

• you stop him quickly

• “don’t worry, I have more beads at home”

• and he’s like “wait woah you made this” because it’s intricate and pretty and a little pixel art cat that he accidentally ruined ):

• but he feels so bad, and wants to pay you back somehow cuz the bracelets are so cute and he broke one!!! he cannot get over it!!!

• even when you assure him it’s fine he looks so concerned you have to give in

• so you give him your number, telling him to text you when he can and you can work something out

• and at the company he considers it all day

• he, an idol, just got a number from someone on the street. all because he messed up and then insisted to be in your life

• was this a good idea?

• Seungcheol hears about it eventually, and says to give it a chance

• “your friends are in another country, Jun. make some here too. plus you’re stressed, and it’s probably best to get any weight off your shoulders you can.”

• and so he texts you

• and plan to go to a cat cafe (his treat) on his next day off

• when he walks into the cafe you greet him with a beaming smile

• “I have a gift for you.” You grin, pulling something out of your bag

• and like, Jun almost disagrees, like “no I’m supposed to be apologizing to you” but then be sees what you’re offering

• a little cat bracelet just like the one he broke the other day

• he reaches out for it but you shake your head

• “there’s a special way to do it, here.”

• you give him a rundown on the style of bracelet, called kandi

• and you explain they’re meant to be traded

• “and there’s a secret handshake to trade with, ok? just do what I do.”

• peace, love, unity…

• and he’s suddenly holding your hand

• you slip the bracelet onto his wrist before letting go, grinning as he examines his new accessory

• “I’m y/n, by the way.”

• “Junhui.”

• you chat and play with the cats that come to visit your table

• you take off one of your kandi rings at one point and gently loop it around one of the kittens’ paws

• Jun hasn’t had this much fun in a while, much less been in such a positive environment

• as you were bright and cheery as you made kissy noises at the cats to offer them snacks

• always had something new to say or observe

• and when it was time to leave he really didn’t want to go

• you don’t either, but you have an appointment you can’t miss

• so you promise to do it again soon, giving Jun a quick hug and a wave before dashing off

• Jun can’t keep his eyes off the bracelet as he goes back to the company, running his fingers along the peyote weave

• he spends the rest of the night reading about kandi and kandi kid culture

• and everyone involved is so happy, and their bracelets?? like holy shit.

• he thought yours was good but some of these people had massive and intricate kandi

• the next time you meet, he asks if you can teach him how to make kandi

• and your face lights up!!

• the next few meetups he learns, little by little

• passing the bracelet to you if he can’t get part of it right

• and he just keeps getting surprised by your patience when you have to undo rows, your bubbly spirit calming a bit as you focus on a pattern

• and one day you invite him to a rave

• and yo he’s so nervous ??? but he wants to go so bad ???

• you promise him you guys can leave it early, because eventually you get overwhelmed too

• so he agrees

• you meet at your apartment, Jun shy as you flit around and drape him with more kandi

• you ask him to sit still as you paint a tiny design on his face in UV paint, hand resting on his jaw to keep him still

• and when you gleefully spin him around to look at himself in the mirror he’s just. wow.

• a line of heart stickers on his cheek, a necklace made from kid toys draped around his neck, and of course, endless bracelets

• this was so cool.

• the rave was even better.

• Jun got used to the flashing lights and eccentric music very quickly, mostly following behind as you greeted people and traded bracelets

• and then you turn and pull him out to the dance floor

• and that shit is like a fever dream.

• adrenaline, glitter, and neon lights fill your veins as you both dance for hours

• eventually too tired to keep up, you fall into Jun’s arms, laughing

• and he’s grinning too (:

• you leave shortly after that, walking home in the dark

• you stop to sit at a park bench, and Jun says he has a surprise

• he holds out his hand

• peace, love, unity, respect

• and slips a bracelet onto your arm

• he did it completely himself, as you’d never seen the design before

• it’s of a cat with a rainbow tail, along with his name spelled out in pixels

• and you look up at Jun, whose eyes are filled with anticipation

• and you give him a huge hug

• and he thanks you for showing him this diverse underground world full of color in the night; a way to break out of his shell a little

• and damn I guess you can’t help but hold back an “I love you”

• and he feels the glitter surge back into his veins

• and the feeling never leaves again (:

HOSHI

• Soonyoung always thought photographers were more likely to stay out of the lens’ view, but you proved him wrong

• when you introduced yourself as his photographer for the magazine shoot you were working on, he couldn’t help but feel like you should be in front of the camera, not him

• like holy shit. the beads and chains that engulfed your arm and shimmered in the dim lights. the clips nestled in your hair that were shaped like cartoon spiders. the patches for bands he’d never heard of on every square inch of your camera bag.

• he’s polite and energetic the whole shoot, and to be honest maybe you take a little longer than usual to line up closeups of his face

• after all he deserves the best photos (:

• once you’re finished you agree to meet again at Pledis the next day, just to review the photos

• and Soonyoung spends the whole night hyping himself up lol

• you look just as cool as the day before, if not better, and he manages to compliment you without a problem (practice pays off!!)

• he wants to see more of your photos, and you offer him a ticket to a portfolio viewing you’re having

• he shows up without telling you, taking his time to walk through the gallery and examine each photo

• and they’re so dynamic, perfectly balanced, mysterious. he can’t help but get lost in each one, not even noticing you staring at him

• you, heart warm from his wonder and genuine interest

• he was soon a common subject and reviewer of your photography

• and you were soon a common staple of his, Soonyoung trying to be with you at every opportunity

• he invites you over for movie nights with the other guys

• if you show up in your usual outfits he whines about how you’re all pokey and he can’t lay on your arm without getting stabbed ):<

• luckily you own soft sweatshirts that still look super cool so it’s a win/win

• he’s so adoring of everything you do omg

• every interest of yours is now his interest too

• and he’ll always be by your side, curious and wide-eyed, always ready for the next adventure with you

• whether it be through clothes, or photos, or even just the park

• you’re what makes it special (:

MINGHAO

• dude. he’d lose his shit in the best way possible.

• have you seen this man??? his sense of style??? he’d be drooling in seconds lol

• you’d catch him watching you as you intern at Pledis, sketching up scenes in the corner

• finishing your degree required film to turn in, and you managed to snag an internship with the production crew for Seventeen

• a successful music video for a major group would definitely save your grade lol

• every dance practice, you’d be in the corner, wedged against the mirrors, huddled over your sketchbook as you designed

• and of course you watched them dance, you had to encapsulate the emotion somehow

• during a water break, one of the members plops down next to you and introduces himself as Minghao

• his hair is damp with sweat, sleeveless shirt clinging to his chest

• and he asks to see your ideas

• the concept is focused on the ideas of identity, and your current plan was sketches of each member as the background

• you could animate them slowly turning into each member, and you explain the idea to Minghao as he very gently flips through the pages, fingers hardly touching the pages

• he lingers on his own page

• “you didn’t sketch anyone else’s face this detailed.”

• “you’re pretty.” You say simply, reaching for the book back

• he grins at his lap.

• he sits next to you every day now, always eager to see your designs

• but more often he wants to see your other works

• and when you tell him you and your friends made most of your clothes he’s dumbstruck

• “can you make some for me?”

• you laugh and he apologizes for being so straightforward

• but the next day you bring in a trench coat you’ve been illustrating

• cutting diamonds into the sleeves and lining them with neon thread

• the half-finished painting on the back your friend started working on

• and as you proudly explain the coat’s background Minghao can’t help but want to join in too

• the way your face lights up when you speak about it, how gently you fold the fabric, how you adjust the collar on him so it looks just right

• eventually you begin to hang out outside of the company

• and you take him to craft stores when you need supplies or new clothes to ruin

• and he has such a good eye oh my god

• and his long fingers pick up sewing so easily

• and many hours are spent on your apartment floor quietly snipping, painting, lacing

• minghao wears his clothes with pride, especially the ones you make for him

• you go out one day, both of you completely dressed in your own designs

• and Minghao has never felt this beautiful before

• and when he sees your outfit he can’t help but wrap you in a huge hug

• he’s proud: of himself, of you, of the creativity and passion and hours put into these clothes

• and he admits he’d like to keep that feeling around a lot more

• and so your time in the city becomes a date

• and behind the music video sets becomes a spot to hide and snuggle

• you still sketch him sometimes

• when he doesn’t notice

• when he’s too focused on choreo, or reading a book, or laughing at the other boys goofing around

• because you’re proud of him, too

• and when he sheepishly admits he’s been doing the same, pushing over his own sketchbooks filled with endless drawings, improving page by page

• you know he’s your other half.

DINO

• Dude he’d be so flustered

• he straight up would just. not know what to say and would probably be defensive whenever you talk to him so he might come off as rude ):

• it would take time for him to warm up to you

• but when he does it’s clear he can’t get you out of his head

• as a choreographer, you had to spend a lot of time with the performance line

• and in this case, specifically Chan, as he has a solo

• and just seeing you look so damn rad even when you’re slowly walking him through potential choreo,,,, homeboy is gonna break down and try and defend himself

• the first few days are awkward because he’s drawn back and a little hostile

• but you force him to get lunch with you after a particularly rough morning, just to try to have a better relationship

• you guys didn’t finish the choreo that afternoon, choosing to sit on the studio floor and talk

• the next day he’s still quiet, but shyly rather than defensively

• and he can’t seem to get his arms right, and you have to go over there and straighten his arms for him, rings digging into his biceps

• and even though he tries to hide his grin you know it’s what he wanted

• eventually your job is done and you’re ready to head to the next performer, or go plan choreo for another group

• and Chan shuffles up and even though his cheeks are red he manages to ask you out

• and how could you say no?

#svt #svt fic #svt scenarios #svt reactions #performance unit #jun #Junhui #hoshi #soonyoung #minghao #myungho #dino #lee Chan #svt x reader #x reader #kpop x reader #alt reader

[saphyhowl]

I have an RQ, write about Le comte having a day off

Comte had attempted to elaborate a list of all the activities he desired to do on his day off for the fourth time. He glanced at the clock. Two hours left before dinner. Then, he would be free of all his obligations and his day off would start even earlier than he had anticipated. No more checking if everyone had drunk their rouge or blanc. No fearing for an unexpected guest waltzing through his door. A whole day without worries was a rare occasion for Comte. However, he had yet to find a complete list of activities to do on his day off. You would think that as a man gifted with immortality, Comte would have all the time to fulfill all his lifelong wishes. That had been the case before he had offered the residents of this mansion, the gift of life.

An idea popped in his head and he eagerly wrote it down before it would fade away from his mind.

“A bath!” he exclaimed out loud.

He then scribbled something again as he hungrily whispered the word “chocolate”. The ideas finally flowed out of his mind and after some time Comte was satisfied with the list of activities for his day off. He stood up and went straight towards his wardrobe.

“Spending the day in pajamas?” he thought out loud.

Comte pondered whether a dignified noble like him should follow MC’s advice and give in to the temptation of being lazy for a day.

The next day, Comte was soaking in his bath, a book in his hand and a cup of coffee in the other. This was pure bliss, all the stress washed away. How calm it was today. Comte sipped his coffee. At this hour, everyone would be awake and would be enjoying their breakfast. Why were they so calm? Comte shook his head and tried to immerse himself back into the book.

A faint thud coming from the lower floor almost stirred him out of his reading, but he pushed the urge to check on the strange noise aside.

As he soaked in the bubbles surrounding him, Comte heard another thud followed by a voice proffering an insult. Comte almost thought he heard the name “Dazai” as well.

“That’s it!” Comte sighed.

He stepped out of the tub and put on his bathrobe. He carefully dried his feet before sliding them in his slippers and made his way towards where all the muffled noises occurred.

The dining room. A place that had witnessed several fights and arguments. Logically, the noises had to come from this room. Comte violently opened the door to catch the troublemakers in the act.

Comte froze. All the residents were sitting together at the table, visibly in the midst of their breakfast. They turned their heads to see a half-drenched Comte in a bathrobe anxiously looking around the room.

“You might want to close that bathrobe a tad more, Comte,” Arthur suggested.

Theo choked on his pancakes.

“You were not fighting?” Comte asked.

They all shook their heads.

“Do you want us to?” Theo asked confused.

Comte did not answer and left the room grumbling to himself that he had imagined things.

Back to the bath in which the water had turned lukewarm. Comte snatched his book and decided to sit in his armchair instead. As he read on, he eventually grabbed some chocolates from the box on the table next to him. In the background, he could still hear voices coming now from the garden. He managed to remain focused on his book until a discussion tore him away from his reading for good.

“Oh hello, little bees! Theo, look at the bees. How wonderful nature can be- Ah!” said Vincent in his usual cheerful voice.

“Sebastian! Vincent got stung by a bee. Damn those bees! ”Theo shouted.

“Did you know bees die after they sting you?” Arthur explained.

An ominous silence and then the clear sound of someone punching a person.

“What was that for?” Arthur complained.

“Sebastian! They are fighting again,” Isaac warned.

There was a sound of hastened steps crunching the gravel.

Meanwhile in Comte’s room, Comte was now finishing his third box of chocolate. The book had been long tossed on the floor. His knees were jumping up and down nervously. He was waiting for the right time to intervene. No, Sebastian had it under control. Comte munched on another chocolate piece..

A shadow passed his window.

“I am coming to your rescue Arthur,” Dazai said.

“Dazai! No jumping from the windows, especially the third floor,” MC scolded Dazai.

 A window opened on the right side of Comte’s chambers.

“Will you all just shut up! I cannot concentrate.” Mozart complained from his window.

“Arthur, we do not give the finger in this house.” Sebastian scolded.

The scolding continued in the garden while Comte was opening every drawer in his room to find the earplugs he had once found in the modern age during his numerous trips. As soon as he found them and put them on, the voices from outside became muffled. With a sigh of relief, he lied down on his bed to enjoy a nerve-calming nap. He concentrated his thoughts on relaxing his mind and preventing it to spiral around the wellbeing of the other residents.

Something tugged on his sleeve, but he ignored it. His body was gently being shaken, but he found refuge under the covers. Something tickled his feet and he jumped upright, clearly awake. He took his earplugs out and glared at the intruder…Intruders. The whole household was solemnly standing around his bed.

“How? Wh-What are you all doing in my room?” Comte asked.

“You slept until dinner time. We thought you were dead.” Arthur said and got a flick on the forehead from Napoleon.

“It is time for dinner and as we all know some of us caused a lot of trouble today. To apologize for disturbing the much-deserved rest you needed on your day off, we decided to have a special dinner outside in your name Comte,” MC explained as she glared at the culprits, namely Dazai and Arthur.

Comte blinked several times as he fully grasped what was occurring. How foolish he was to desire a day off on his own! He was bound to them all, having a day off meant isolating himself from them. While they annoyed him, made him worry countlessly, he did enjoy their company greatly and truth be told he had found it hard to ignore them.

They waited outside of his room to let him change accordingly. Comte was back to his impeccable self.

“Now Comte, please just focus on the path ahead and think about all the nice food Sebastian prepared for us.” Vincent beamed at Comte.

“Is that a hole in the wall?” Comte blinked in astonishment as he passed by a gaping hole on the wall where there used to be paintings.

“Now, it may smell like something burned, but rest assured we managed to put out the fire,” Leonardo added.

Comte blinked again in shock and only managed to whisper how one day Leo would all kill them by accident because of his smoking habit.

The crowd ushered Comte outside and into the garden before he could see the rest of their mess.

Each of them took up the task they had been entrusted to make this barbecue evening a success. Comte was given the hardest task, which was to stop worrying. There he was, enjoying the mild evening as he sipped a glass of wine. Only then, surrounded by his rather weird friends, whom he even considered family, was Comte able to fully enjoy his day off.

Then, Arthur decided to pour beer over the meat to “give it a nice taste” only to cause a large amount of smoke to spread through the garden and making everyone cough. Jean, who had been calm and peaceful until now, panicked. His warrior instinct kicked back in as he tried to protect MC, carrying her around the garden, and shouting at the top of his lungs: “Take cover!”.

Comte held onto his wine amidst the chaotic crowd trying to calm Jean down. “A peaceful day off indeed,” he sighed.

*******************************************************************************************

I believe the people in this mansion have no day off  or privacy whatsoever lol. I hope you enjoyed it @crystallikelaw. 

#Ikemen Vampire #IkeVamp #ikevamp sebastian #ikevamp arthur #ikevamp theo #ikevamp le comte #ikevamp napoleon #ikevamp vincent #ikevamp jean #ikevamp isaac #ikemen vampire napoleon #ikemen vampire arthur #ikemen vampire theo #ikemen vampire vincent #ikemen vampire le comte #ikemen vampire jean #ikemen vampire isaac #ikemen vampire sebastian #ikevamp fanfic

[pluviositea]

I had a realization last night. Honestly, I am still not even sure about it. For some time now I have been struggling with fatigue, which until now, I had been chalking it up to being highly introverted (meaning my energy is easily drained by interacting with people). That might still hold true, but I am beginning to think there is something else involved here.

Last night I was sitting in my college's cafe, while a friend was on shift for a few hours. For some background information, they play music pretty loud from some speakers, and there was an event that evening which brought a lot of people in to the cafe (so lots of audible voices).

I thought for the first 30 to 45 minutes there, that the noise level was fine, that it was not a bother to me. But around the hour mark, I was beginning to feel increasingly more fatigued. Eventually, it reached a point where I was rereading passages from my book over and over, because I was struggling to take in and process the words on the pages. When I could not focus on it anymore, I gave up, and instead found myself occasionally zoning out, staring out the window or at the table. I had to shake myself a few times, when I realized what I was doing.

I deliberated over putting my ear defenders on, but I could not bring myself to use them with so many people around. So, I convinced myself after a while to leave and find somewhere quieter within the college's campus center.

In a more isolated spot, I put my ear defenders on, and immediately felt a wave of calm wash over me. Despite that though, I still found myself crying, curled up, with my face buried in my knees.

What brings me to believe this is a matter of auditory processing, instead of it being due to my introverted nature, is that I hardly interacted with people in the cafe last night. The only times were when two or three people asked me about if seats were taken. Sure there were a lot of people there, but social drain is primarily the result of engaging in conversations, or other social activities, for long periods of time. Considering this, simply sitting in that Cafe, reading and keeping to myself, should not socially drain me to a great extent like that.

I can see how I would associate the fatigue with socializing; gatherings of people tend to involve a decent amount of noise. I believe I may have been overlooking the noise factor (as being a potential causation for the fatigue), because I was under the preconception that it was the human factor (along with mental health factors) that were the primary cause.

I told a friend about this late last night, saying that I still cannot feel sure about this, even though it sounds very possible. She told me, "I think it is okay to not be sure." She continued on, saying something along the lines of: if you have gone this long without being aware that this is a possibility, then that means this is not something you can easily be sure of for the time being.

I feel reassured, hearing that from someone outside of myself. Her words are incredibly valuable to me right now, as I am deliberating over something that could be potentially life changing.

#auditory hypersensitivity fatigue #hearing sensitivity #mental fatigue #Fatigue #Is it APD? #auditory processing disorder #college #mental health #mentally drained #sound struggles #auditory defensiveness? #SPD? #sensory processing disorder #sensory #auditory system #sensory defensiveness #sensory induced fatigue? #hearing

[voidstilesplease]

For @steoevents' SteoVDay

The Quest for Eros' Wayward Arrow (a demigod Valentine's au :)

Tags: 1.7k word count, fluff (??), Isaac's here, vague kinda confession but they get it, so are they together now? who knows.

I pretty much gave up on making an aesthetic for this one, so here's a cute gif I found on Google instead. It fits, I guess, since this is my last arrow! Happy Steo Valentine's everyone 💕

---

Walking the wet pavement on his way to his apartment, Stiles reaches inside his hoodie for his dagger, eirènè. His senses are tingling, alerting him that something is off - something is following him. Inconspicuously, he bumps against a stranger in an excuse to turn around, half-heartedly apologizing, while his eyes scan the space behind him. Nothing suspicious to the common eyes. Then again, monsters lurk behind the Mist.

He pulls the hood over his head and continues walking, his pace faster this time. February in New York is cold, rainy, and with the possibility of snow, but hundreds of people still walk around the city, trickling in and out of establishments. It's going to cause a ruckus if there is a monster trailing Stiles. But it's better to end it before it starts.

Passing by a flower shop with reflective glass panes, he spots it - a disturbance in the atmosphere as it knocks back a potted plant from the sidewalk. Stiles thinks he also hears noises and grunts. Facing forward, he sets his jaw and straightens his spine to get ready. Stiles's fingers close around tightly on eirènè, veering from his direction and turning sharply into an alley, walking faster, leading himself and his pursuer deep into a more deserted location. Up ahead, he finds a narrower passageway, and he makes another turn toward it.

Seconds later, he hears an empty can rattling. He shoulders off his school bag and chucks it to the ground unceremoniously. Then, he pounces.

•••

What he finds himself holding his blade against is not a monster, though. It's Theo in the camp's orange T-shirt, choking on Stiles's arm around his neck. When he realizes who it is, Stiles quickly releases his grip. He stares at the boy wide-eyed, in a mix of confusion and anger.

"What," Stiles gapes as Theo bends to cough. "What are you doing here?" Stiles's arms flail. "And why are you following me? I could've hurt you, you know, dumbass."

Theo points an accusing finger, still coughing a little. "Hey," he glares, rubbing his throat with his other hand. "I slipped a note in your pocket."

Stiles frowns. Someone had slipped a note in his pocket, but that was back at school. "You've been following me since school? I thought it was just a random Valentine's note from-" he cuts himself abruptly. It's probably unwise to be talking to Theo about a nameless admirer.

But Theo is already narrowing his eyes, "Who's giving you Valentine's notes?"

"Hey," another voice grunts out of thin air, male, startling Stiles to action, raising his knife again and making a defensive stance. He sweeps his eyes around but sees nothing. It speaks again. "Could you cancel the glamour now before Stiles sticks his knife to my forehead?"

The accent and dry tone is familiar, and just when Stiles places the voice to its owner, Theo touches an empty space with a sigh, and Isaac, son of Aphrodite, appears of thin air, holding a limp-

"Why are you carrying an empousa?" Stiles cries incredulously, looking alarmingly at the unconscious shapeshifter. It's female with a beautiful face but hideous one hairy donkey leg and the other a prosthetic one made of Celestial bronze - and lying like a sack of flour over one of Isaac's shoulders.

Theo steps forward, pursing his lips. "We're on a quest, Stiles." he says, "And we need your help."

•••

"So, let me recap," Stiles says after Theo and Isaac finish explaining a bit of the situation. "Somehow, a group of empousai got hold of one of the god Eros's magical love arrows." Stiles looks at the two demigods for confirmation. When they both nod, he continues. "And now, they're using that arrow to bewitch young men into entering this blind dating thing where these vampire ladies could suck the poor, loveless guys dry?"

Isaac nods, shifting the limp empousa onto another shoulder. Stiles grimaces at the creature. "Eros called in a favor from my mother to send a quest to retrieve it. Aphrodite appeared to me to do the quest. Ares bonked Theo in the head-" Theo rolls his eyes hard at this. It's a marvel how Theo is an expert at eye-rolling now. He must have picked it up from Stiles someone. "-to come with me. Now, we're on a mission to take back our shared brother's magic arrow on this fine day of hearts and roses. It's all very lovely."

Theo gives Isaac a flat book before turning to Stiles, "Hecate explains that she can't stop the nature of her children, but that she can assist." Theo takes a purple pouch from a front pocket and shows it to Stiles. "The goddess had Lydia send this to us. Invisibility dust. We have enough for the three of us to come in undetected into the building where the empousai are holding the blind dates. At least, for a few minutes."

"What perfect occasion to seduce desperate men to their deaths other than Valentine's Day, huh?" Isaac quips from behind them, grinning dryly.

"Okay," Stiles says nodding, "and why do you need my help exactly?"

Theo pauses for a second, caught off-guard, recovers, then shrugs casually, "You're a very skilled demigod, and from around the area."

Isaac snorts loudly.

"Shut up, Isaac," Theo grinds his teeth without turning to him.

The empousa on Isaac's shoulder shifts and moans, but Isaac commands her to sleep again. She hangs limply once more - just like that. Charm speaking is handy and definitely scary.

Theo shakes his head, exhaling a long-suffering sigh. When he looks at Stiles, he puffs his chest and straightens as if he's about to reveal a life-altering secret. "It's true. We can use your battle expertise. But there's also something else," Theo takes another pause. "The presence of Eros's arrow won't beguile only four people: his children, children of Aphrodite, Hecate's children because it's currently under enchantments by the goddess' followers, and-" he stops again, wetting his lips. "anyone touching or near someone they're in love with."

For a second, Stiles stops breathing, quickly understanding the implication. It still throws him off-kilter, though. Did Theo really just-

"So," Theo speaks again, stepping closer, looking into Stiles's eyes. "I need you with me in this quest."

Isaac makes another impatient noise in the background, but Stiles cannot focus on anything else at the moment. His vision tunnels on Theo and the honesty in his eyes.

Finally, swallowing with butterflies in his stomach, Stiles finds his voice. "How do you know it will work on you?"

For a moment, Theo looks confused. Then, he laughs at the question as if it's ridiculous that Stiles even asked. "It will," he says with absolute certainty that his eyes are bright with it. "After all, it worked on Calypso's island. I have zero doubts."

At the mention of Calypso's island, Stiles becomes aware of the cold pendant of Theo's Christmas gift, sitting on his collarbone with the words for bringing me back from Ogygia where three azurite stones sit as proof of the mythical island's existence. And how Theo came back from it. Stiles's hand reach unconsciously to feel it, now familiar to his skin after over a month of wearing it with his camp beads.

Theo's eyes track the movement, smiling when he realizes what Stiles is touching. It's the first time Theo sees it on Stiles.

Stiles clears his throat, forcing down the heat rising to his face, only faintly aware of Isaac murmuring behind them - probably charm speaking pedestrians to walk the opposite direction or just muttering to himself about the delay. From the corner of his eyes, Stiles sees the son of Aphrodite move the empousa to the other shoulder again. But it feels as if it's happening miles away from him and Theo. Hands falling to his sides, he puts eirènè back to its sheath. Then, Stiles opens his mouth and asks, "How do you know it will work on me?"

Theo falters at that, studying Stiles's face as he considers the question. Then, his gaze drops to where the pendant is and flicks back up with a reply, "Won't it?"

Stiles bites the inside of his mouth to stop the dumb smile threatening to break through his face. But he knows his eyes must be laughing because Theo grins dopily at him, taking cue from his reaction, making Stiles's insides somersault in a giddiness he only ever knew with the son of Ares, of all people.

"You guys are pathetic," Isaac comments, and it's without heat that Stiles kindly tells him to shut up.

"All right," Stiles announces cheerfully after a few seconds of daffy staring, feeling like a total dork. He picks and hoists his school bag on his back. Belatedly, he thanks the Fates that he left all his textbooks in his locker. "Let's go, then."

"Finally," Isaac grumbles, opening his palm expectantly for the pouch of invisibility dust. "Do you realize I've been carrying her for a while now? This girl smells like a fried donkey."

Theo passes it to him, not losing the silly smile on his face, then fishes something from his back pocket. "Here," he hands it to Stiles.

Stiles takes the object. It's- "A Valentine's card?" He asks in amusement, but his heart is dancing in his chest, and he wants to melt inside, giggling. Di immortales. He can deal with cocky, short-tempered, impulsive, asshole children of the War god, but he can't handle the sappy ones. Stiles wants to swoon like no respectable son of Athena should. It's as disconcerting as it's pleasant.

Theo shrugs, looking so attractive with his eyes alight in happiness instead of fury. "At least, I get to give it to you this time. Happy Valentine's Day, son of Athena."

"Are we going or what?"

Stiles allows himself to laugh then, ignoring Isaac. Really, he should be more excited about this development. Aren't children of Aphrodite notoriously enthusiastic about match-making and romances? Stiles opens his backpack to keep the card in safety. He feels inexplicably light at the moment that he thinks he might float. Gods, he never knew he missed Theo, but he desperately did.

"Happy Valentine's Day, son of Ares," Stiles answers, taking Theo's hand when he extends it. "Now, let's go put some bloodsuckers back to Tartarus."

Theo smirks, brandishing his free hand in the air to conjure a weapon, a skill he now artfully masters. Instantly, a celestial bronze sword appears in his hand, folding smaller and smaller until it's nothing but a ring on his finger. It's so fucking hot. "It's a date."

~•~

#Steo #SteoVDay #SteoEvents #Teen Wolf #Stiles Stilinski #Theo Raeken #demigod au #fics tag #stiles x theo #demigodseries

[dramioneasks]

HP Fests: Mad Frankenstein Fest 2020

July - September 2020:

All Mixed Up by Pargcool - G, one-shot - You’ve got to be kidding me. Hermione froze, her eyes fixed on the back of the man wiping down the bar counter. Lydia—according to her name tag—didn’t seem to notice her sudden lack of attention and continued her introductory spiel. The words faded into the background, Hermione’s gaze narrowing on the back of the bartender’s head. She’d only seen that bright platinum hair once before, but surely it was just a coincidence. What the hell would Draco Malfoy be doing in a random muggle bar?

Architectural Symmetry by MissELY, Wolfqng - T, one-shot - Draco Malfoy hadn't planned on setting foot in Malfoy Manor ever again. Maybe to set it on fire. So when he and his curse-breaking partner, Hermione Granger, were assigned to go there he dashed off a response to their supervisor "Under no circumstances will we take this bloody assignment, are you out of your mind? -DLM" Hermione, however, had other ideas

Breaking the wall by DaniiiAnn, VGinny - T, one-shot - The prompt was Healers or Co-workers at St Mungo's. It's seven years since the war, Draco is a speciality Healer and Hermione is his Solicitor. His experimental healing has put his career and the hospital in trouble. Would Hermione be able to help the former enemy get out of trouble?

Chrysopoeia by hiyas, monsterleadmehome - T, one-shot - Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy both have their personal reasons for studying Alchemy, but when they decide to work together to develop a new Panacea, they discover more than they bargained for.

Cuando Pienso en Ti by LilithShade, TakingFlight48 - E, one-shot - Giving back to the magical community with her flourishing Philanthropic organization, Rennervate, would have been much simpler if Draco Malfoy would just leave Hermione Granger alone. It's time Draco learned that the Rumba was a dance for two, because although each encounter increased the heated passion between the two of them, Hermione will walk away if he cannot change his playboy ways.

Feint of Heart by Aneiria, hiyas - E, 3 Chapters - ‘Want to make this interesting, Granger?’ Draco said. His voice was low and dangerous and sent a delightful shiver down Hermione’s spine. She forced herself to focus on his words, not how he was saying them. ‘What do you mean?’ Hermione asked warily, not dropping her wand. ‘Winner gets a favour granted by the loser.’ Hermione scoffed. ‘I’m not giving you carte blanche like that, Malfoy.’ Draco watched her with his trademark cunning behind his silver eyes. ‘Alright then. How about a kiss?’

Mandatory Electives by DracosQuill, PhoenixDragon111 (Phoenix_Dragon) - M, one-shot - Hermione and Draco are tasked with revamping Hogwarts’ Mandatory Elective curriculum. What will happen when they come together?

The Melody of Touch by magical_traveler - E, one-shot - One of Hermione Granger’s favorite things about playing in an orchestra was when the orchestra began to warm up on stage. Tonight, however, was a different story. The London Philharmonic and guest pianist, Draco Malfoy, were performing together in concert. The program was beautiful but Hermione halted at the fact she would have to sit on a stage and perform music with him. They would be making something together. But all she could think about was the way his fingers caressed the piano keys, and the fact her body knew what it felt like to be touched by those same fingers.

Nontrivial Pursuits by senlinyu, sleeplessai - M, one-shot - Draco had a plan: reach the end of his probation, get promoted, and finally ask Granger out. Unfortunately, as his supervisor in the Ministry Archive, Granger seemed to be resistant to all Draco’s ideas on principle. The last thing he expected her to go along with was a trivia strip competition, and yet, somehow, here they were. “Do you have to?” Granger’s voice was sharp and jumped slightly at the last syllable. Draco glanced up and found that she was staring at him, the hollows of her cheeks a faint pink. He unfastened the cuff on his left sleeve without looking down and watched the pink transform into a stunning shade of red as he folded the fabric up to his elbow. She sucked her lower lip into her mouth and bit down on it visibly. “Have to what?” he said with a lazy grin. She made an incomprehensible noise somewhere in the base of her throat and looked away. “You’ll be losing your shirt soon enough anyway, I don’t know why you need to bother rolling up your sleeves.”

A Promise To Please by hslades, mia_moriarty - E, one-shot - Hermione Granger was great at most things, as such it didn't come as a surprise she was a great Quidditch Commentator. However, after her All-Star Seeker boyfriend, Draco Malfoy gets gravely injured in front of her eyes, she struggles to stay professional and keep their secret. Can Hermione keep her cool while trying to give Draco the healing touch he requires to overcome a grave injury? “You were wicked, love. I’d almost get injured again just so I could justify you retaking the reigns.” “Don’t!” She playfully slapped his chest, “Joke!”*slap* “About!” *slap* “Getting!”*slap* “Injured!”

Rebirth by elithien, senlinyu - M, one-shot - Granger will do almost anything to survive the curse slowly killing her, even if it means reawakening magic that has been dormant for a thousand years. Draco will do whatever it takes to save her “Draco...” she says again, fingertips fondly brushing across his cheekbone. He opens his eyes and finds her staring at him. “Before I do this, I want you to know—“ His heart lurches. “Don’t,” he says before she can say another word. “Don’t say it.” He catches her wrist and pulls her hand away from his face, careful not to smudge any of the words scripted across her skin. “I don’t want you to tell me.”

Roots & Recesses by ExpositorRevan (Naydras), simplifiedemotions - T, one-shot - “Her nephew working with the Mudblood to decommission her wand. Bellatrix must be rolling in her grave.”

Second Chances by PixieKisses - E, 2 Chapters - After years of working closely with Hermione Granger, Draco meets two children who end up changing his whole life.

Small Mercies by JessiRomantic, Kkpwnall - E, one-shot - Draco Malfoy had been working with Hermione Granger in the small bakery that occupied the ruins of the boathouse for eight years. For the last year, they have grown closer. But the 10th year anniversary of the battle racks up the tension to a new high.

A Turn of Phrase by AkaiaOwl, MissyJAnne85 - M, 4 Chapters - “A book deal? I thought the Malfoy inheritance guaranteed you wouldn’t have to work a day in your life.” “Do you write for money Granger?” She snorted at the ridiculous thought. “Of course not!” “Why do you assume I do?” he asked. A story about how Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy turned the page after the war and found each other in the process. Written for the MF Fest - Dramione coworkers challenge. Prompt: Authors.

Tylwyth Teg - Fairies on a Welsh Mountain by Ernestin3, FedonCiadale - G, one-shot -  Draco Malfoy, on probation in the department for the surveillance of magical creatures, is ordered by his boss, Luna Lovegood to collect tears from the elusive Welsh fairies for a much needed potion. Of all people, it is Hermione Granger, the witch from the Department of Law who is to come along. Will Draco finally be able to curb his tongue and tell her all the compliments that are in his head?

Unforeseen by ectoheart, riane_b13 - M, 2 Chapters - Hermione Granger was going to fail something for the first time in her life. Hermione Granger was going to fail something for the first time in her life and it was next to Draco Malfoy of all people. When she decided she wanted to become an Unspeakable she thought that it would take a lot of studying and hard work. She didn't think it would take a drawer full of leather, or a six-inch stiletto. Of course, Draco would be perfect at everything. Of course, everyone would love him. Of course, he would look positively sinful in everything he wore. It should be illegal for a man to look that good at seven in the morning. She needed a cup of coffee, she needed a stiff drink, she needed to get laid and she needed to pass these exams. Hermione Granger did not fail.

Ungentlemanly Behavior by MissELY, morticiahavisham - E, one-shot - After a tipsy hook up, Draco Malfoy has an apology to make. Hermione Granger would prefer not to hear it. But when they're forced to work together on a tricky translation, she's finds she can't avoid it.

Unyielding by Ernestin3, HeyJude19 - T, one-shot - Do you yield? She hated uttering that phrase whenever she bested Draco, but it was the standard protocol for ending a duel wherein both participants remained conscious. Hermione could count the instances on one hand in the four years they’d been partners that one of them had been Stunned. Do you yield? It clawed at her. It ate at her to demand this of another person when her own wand carried with it such a conceptually contrary and dubious description. Unyielding. No, not her own wand, she thought bitterly. The wand of Bellatrix Lestrange.

Your Latest Competition by ahoidraco, theheavycrown - T, one-shot - Hermione ventures into new professional waters after a career start at the Ministry, opening a shop in Wizarding London. Her café is well-received until it quickly becomes the target of Draco Malfoy's personal vendetta. If only Hermione knew why. Written for the July-September Mad Frankenstein Fest 2020.

#Fests/Exchanges/Challenges #Mad Frankenstein Fest 2020 #co workers office partners #dramione

[smilepal]

8, 23, 55, 67, 98 c:

Behind the blogger asks for @billlybutcher 🖤🖤

8.) Movies or tv shows?

I prefer TV shows to movies, mostly because I can binge watch them easily and have them playing as background noise. Occassionally I'll do that with movies too--especially Studio Ghibli ones 💖 I've lost track of how many times I've seen the Planet Earth series or other BBC nature documentaries. Abstract-Art of Design is another favorite, as is High Score, the CNN docu-series on the different decades/culture. Project Runway is another thing I like having on in the background. Sometimes it's nice having something I've seen before so I can multi-task with it.

23.) Strange habits?

I don't know if it's strange, per-se but definitely compulsively checking to see if I've locked the door/shut the windows--ect. I'm forgetful enough that it can't hurt to check more than once. Or just talking to the dog when I'm home alone--not a huge fan of dead silence, and it's not like he minds/seems to enjoy the attention so 🤷‍♀️

55.) Favorite fairy tale?

I was admittedly less into them when I was younger than I am now, but I always enjoyed Mulan. I think I was more into the mythology stuff than actual fairy tales/had a minor obsession with the Greek/Roman gods. I had a big book of what were basically 'kid-friendly' greek myths and I completely blame that--as well as a dad who encouraged the mythology/history fixation.

67.) Good luck charms?

I don't have any good luck charms per-se, but I definitely have stuff I try not to leave the house without, especially if I know I'm going to be gone all day--sketchbook/pencils/lead, my phone, sometimes my switch if I'm going to be waiting anywhere. Headphones are an absolute necessity. If I'm anywhere on campus, I'll usually have my laptop too. I just like feeling prepared 😜

98.) Favorite historical era?

That's a really mean question 😂 I cannot pick just one, so obviously Medieval Europe is a favorite (not surprising, considering it's the focus of my major--that and manuscripts), but that's a fairly broad answer. Victorian England, and the US in the 1920s are also really interesting! I'll try to be concise and cut myself off here or I'll never stop rambling.

Thanks for asking!! 🥰🥰

#behind the blogger #ask game #liv speaks