#i found good love but the price was my Natural Angst

[dilf-lover99]

Playing Pretend | J.P.

Pairing: James Potter x Female Gryffindor!Reader

Summary: When Reader's best friend James requests her assistance capturing the attention of Lily Evans, the two decide to make some changes to their relationship. Sort of.

Warnings: fluff, best friends to lovers / fake dating (two superior tropes), not much of a slow burn (sorry guys), a healthy amount of pining, maybe a teeny bit of angst if you squint, a kiss, i think that's it this is like the softest thing i've ever written

Word Count: 5.1k

a/n: i'm sorryyyyyy !!! i'm sorry i ghosted you, i promise it was an accident ! i've been working a TON lately, but i finally found a bit of time to write and i missed it so much. i hope this was worth the wait ! let me know what you think. p.s. love u lots<3

There were three things in life of which you were certain.

The first is that, no matter how skeptical one may be, the sorting hat irrefutably knows best. Being sorted into Gryffindor on your first day at Hogwarts was the greatest thing that ever happened to you, it introduced you to the friends who became your family.

The second is that you will never, swear on Merlin’s beard, read a book you’ve borrowed from Remus in the bath; Some lessons are best learned after making mistakes.

The third, and most important, is as follows : James Fleamont Potter is, and always will be, your very best friend.

You’re confident that there’s nearly nothing in the world the two of you wouldn’t do for each other if asked.

James has always been there for you in times of need, with a comforting embrace or a ludicrously ill-advised joke. He always talks out your problems with you, agreeing with your side of the situation even when you think you’re in the wrong.

There’s not a single problem the two of you haven’t been able to overcome together.

You’ve also spent countless waking hours of your life pretending to hold a flicker of interest in the precise mixture of colours in Lily Evans’ eyes, the scent of her hair, or wether or not she laughed at James’ joke that day.

The price of friendship, you suppose.

“This is the year, (y/n), I can feel it!” Your bespectacled best friend announces from his position sprawled across your bed on his stomach.

You withhold the good-natured urge to roll your eyes, exhaling an small breath through your nose with a smile, “You say that every year, James.” Ceasing the previous circles you were spinning in your desk chair, you make eye contact with James and continue, “Though I admire your persistence, perhaps it’s time to give it a rest? Maybe take up another hobby? Clearly quidditch isn’t keeping you busy enough to leave Evans be.”

“Ha Ha.” James grumbles sarcastically. The two of you have conversations like this regularly, though your attempts to divert his interests have consistently proven futile. “It’s different this year. I’m different this year. I’m trying something new,” He slowly pulls himself up from his relaxed position, now sitting at the edge of the bed to face you directly, “If you agree to my plan, that is.”

“Well, that depends,” You hesitate, eyeing your best friend suspiciously. Over the course of your friendship you’ve always had a difficult time saying no to James, which has gotten you into more than your fair share of trouble.

“Is there any part of this plan that could result in our expulsion? Or worse- Will my hands be stained again? It took me weeks to get the dye off my fingers after your last so called plan.” 

Without recounting each and every detail, James’ last plan involved the two of you, a pint of florescent pink hair dye, and the head of an unsuspecting Severus Snape, and resulted in semi-permanent dye-stained hands and a rather stern talking-to from Dumbledore.

James laughs mirthfully at the memory, “Come on, people loved that! We loved that!”

“Yes, we did.” You agree with a grin despite yourself.

James throws a wink your way, shaking his head amusedly before speaking again, “No, this’ll be nothing like that. Entirely free of repercussions, I swear it.” His tone resembles that of when he’s asking you for a favour, and judging by the way he’s dancing around the words, you have a feeling you’re not going to welcome his idea with open arms.

“Alright, Potter. Out with it, will you?” You voice lightly, “It can’t be worse than any other plan you’ve had.”

“I need you to pretend to be my girlfriend.” He rushes out, the shadow of a blush forming evenly across his pale cheeks at his own words.

“O-kay,” You draw out, eyes wide, “Perhaps I was wrong.”

“I know it sounds mad, but hear me out.” He starts quickly, “I was talking to Pads about it and he was all ‘Maybe if you weren’t so available all the time, she’d actually want you around’” He lowers his voice an octave, a dramatized attempt at impersonating your shared friend, “And I know what you’re going to say, ‘Why would you take relationship advice from Sirius of all people’” His voice raises higher now as he butchers an impression of your own, “But he had a point! And I thought, well, I wouldn’t be available if I had a girlfriend, would I?” 

You’re unsure if you should interrupt him or not, equal parts amusement and disapproval swirl around in your brain as he speaks.

“But I couldn’t do that to a real girl, y’know?” If he notices the icy glare you shoot his way at this, he does a bang-up job pretending he doesn’t, “Just string her about whilst I’m in love with Evans- But I could pretend! And who better to pretend with than my own best girl?” He finishes with a smile so sweet you almost forget the preposterous nonsense he’s just spouted.

Almost.

“There are about ten things wrong with what you’ve just said- Eleven if you count that horrible impression of me! Merlin, James, do I really sound like that to you?” James chuckles at you, running his lithe fingers through the charming mess of his curls.

“Don’t answer that.” You speak before he has a chance to reply, abandoning your chair in favour of standing in front of him.

“You really have gone mad, haven’t you? What exactly do you think is going to happen? She’ll see us together and be overcome with jealousy? Leaving her no choice but to confess her undying love for you?” You highlight the absurdity of his proposition, poking fun with dramatic sighs and emphatic hand gestures.

“Well it sounds a bit nutty when you say it that way, with your sarcasm and the like, but yes. That’s what I’d like to happen.”

“It’s not going to happen, James.” You deadpan.

“Why not?”

“Because that’s not how it works!” You state, humour and disbelief mingling together, “If she doesn’t want you now, why’d she want you after you get a girlfriend? And if she did, would that really be the type of girl you’d fancy anyhow? A boyfriend-wanter?” 

James chuckles amusedly, completely missing the nuance of your words, “Boyfriend-wanter?” He echoes teasingly.

You sigh emphatically, taking a seat on the bed beside your best friend, “You’ve lost the plot, mate.”

James’ previous contentment is no longer at the forefront of his emotions, instead there’s a vulnerable sincerity that tugs at your heart strings with all its might. “Look, I know it’s a long shot, but if there’s even a chance of it working, I just- I have to try, (y/n),” His warm hazel eyes are boring directly into your own with a distinct sense of desperation as he mutters a final, “Please?”

“I can’t believe I let you talk me into this, James.” Your voice wavers with nerves at the thought of walking hand-in-hand with James into the Great Hall where all your friends sit, blissfully unaware of the delusional plan James has concocted to win the affections of Lily Evans.

“Come on, (y/n), it won’t be so bad. You used to love holding my hand.” James jests with an irritatingly loveable grin, not-so-subtly referencing the ancient crush you harboured toward him in the beginning of your first year.

“Yes, very well, James. I had a crush on you when I was eleven. I also slept with a Beatles nightlight and cut the crusts off my toasts.” You’re starting to wonder how on earth you could’ve agreed to this when James grabs your hand, intertwining his slender fingers with your own and giving a gentle, reaffirming squeeze.

“Thank you for doing this. I know it’s barmy, truly, but it means everything that you’re willing to try.” His voice is softer than you’ve heard in a long time, and in the back of your mind you can’t help but think this is the boy you’d fancied all those years ago.

You squeeze his hand back assuringly, “I’d try anything for you.” You smile sincerely.

“Oh really? Should you have happened to change your mind about a certain prank involving-”

“Almost anything.” You interrupt with an amused roll of your eyes.

The two of you share another smile before turning toward the looming entryway to the Great Hall.

“Shall we, darling?” James emphasizes the final word teasingly.

“We’d best, before I change my mind, love.” You retort.

You’re familiar with the expression ‘so silent, you could hear a pin drop’ but you’ve never experienced anything of the sort. Until now, that is.

The moment you and James walk through the doors, all eyes are on the two of you. More specifically, all eyes are continuously moving from you, to James, to your intertwined hands, then back again.

In the two days since you agreed to James’ scheme, you’ve remained confident that it wouldn’t work, surely nobody would believe you went from best friends to being in a relationship overnight.

Your confidence was misplaced.

As the two of you walk closer to your usual spot at the Gryffindor table, your hand squeezes James’ tighter than you’d like to admit, painstakingly aware of just how many eyes are on you. You can hear the poorly concealed whisperings of each gossiping classmate you pass by, “Finally!” “See, I told you they were shagging.” “What does he see in her?” The latter may have stung just a bit.

“Alright?” James whispers close to your ear, fuelling another buzz of observations from your peers.

You nod your head perceptibly, a tad caught off guard from all the attention you’re receiving, “Yes, swell. You?”

“To be determined.” James tugs your hand gently, signalling you to stop walking as you’ve reached your destination at the Gryffindor table.

“Good morning.” You greet your friends with a smile in an effort to maintain normalcy. Taking your usual seat, Sirius is on your left and James sits to your right beside Remus. You promised James to keep the plan a secret from everyone, including your shared best friends, but with the way they’re looking at you now, you’re ready to spill your guts.

“Good morning? S’that it then?” Sirius starts incredulously, “The two of you leg it in here holding hands and we’re supposed to go about our day as normal?” 

“I think what he means to say,” Remus interjects, his tone soft, a welcome juxtaposition from Sirius’ brash one, “Is that this-” he gestures between you and James with a mild wave of his hand, “Is new. We hadn’t realized the two of you were… Romantically involved.” His statement ends as more of a question, a gentle probe to explain what’s going on.

You look to James, raising your brows questioningly as if to say you've created this plan, now you have to do the ground work.

He gets the message.

“It is a bit out of nowhere, isn’t it?” James smiles, not so subtly making eye contact with Lily, who’s sitting directly across the table, “We spent all these years as friends and never thought twice about it, um- But then…” He trails off, realizing he’s not half as good a liar as he’d hoped he was.

You close your eyes with a deep sigh, knowing it’s now your responsibility to make this believable.

James Potter and his bloody plans.

“It’s alright, James, love,” You speak up after he’s gone silent, “We can tell them.” He’s going to owe you for this, and you intend to cash in the favour for once, “I’ve fancied you as long as I’ve known you.”

Your friends are paying more attention to you now than they have to anything, ever, clinging onto your every word, “Bit embarrassing if I’m honest, cos’ you never really saw me that way.” 

You remember hearing once that the most believable lies stem from the truth, and though it was back in year one, and hardly went as deep as you’re leading on, this is a version of how you’d felt about James at one point in time.

You work hard to fight back a chuckle at the look of pity on Dorcas’s face as she takes in your words, “But, I guess after I finally stopped trying to get you to see me that way, that’s when you actually started to.” Now you’re just discussing the plan in plain sight, though your friends are drinking it up quicker than their pumpkin juice.

James squeezes your hand with a firm grip, as if to warn you not to say anything more and spoil his plan right in front of Lily.

But he’s also looking at you with a discernible note of gratitude in his eyes, never quite tiring of your knack for rescuing him in these situations.

“Yes, quite right, love, I’ve seen the light. Thank you all for tuning in, this concludes the interview portion of our breakfast. Now, over to Padfoot for the weather!” James voices deftly, eyes scanning Lily for any semblance of a negative reaction, and failing to hide his displeasure when all she offers in return is a bright smile and a soft “Congratulations, you two!”

That could’ve gone better.

“Figures the first time I’ve a date to one of these things, he’s only going for another girl.” You voice to James in the other room as you struggle to reach the zip on the back of your dress. 

You’re joking, though it’s not lost on you that this is the only time someone’s asked you to be their date to a dance. But you aren’t inclined to waste the opportunity. You’ve picked out a lovely dress and your hair is behaving particularly graciously tonight.

“Come on, love, I’m sure you’ll get plenty of offers once our plan takes off. And tonight’s the night! I’ve a good feeling about it.” Ever the optimist, your best friend.

“Oh, bugger off!” You shout frustratedly after multiple unsuccessful attempts at zipping up.

“I wasn’t trying to upset you! I only meant-” James’ panicked tone brings an instant smile to your face, all previous traces of dissatisfaction long gone.

“Not you, James, my dress. I can’t get the bloody zip to go up!”

“Oh,” He chuckles minutely, “Well c’mere then, let me help.” 

It’s a proper cliche, you think to yourself. Like something you’d see in a cheesy romance film, when the girl walks down the staircase in a fancy dress, everything’s suddenly in slow motion, and the lad’s just standing there thinking how am I just now realizing how beautiful she is?

It’s a proper bloody cliche, yet it’s exactly how you feel as you walk into the room and see James standing there in his dance attire.

His crisp white dress shirt is clinging faultlessly to his chest and arms, the muscles he’s defined playing quidditch showcasing themselves quite proudly, the black fabric of his dress pants pulled taught against his thighs. His mop of dark curls sits charmingly atop his head, a perpetual vision of captivating chaos. His rounded glasses are resting perfectly on the bridge of his nose, shimmering hazel eyes blinking delicately from behind them.

How are you just now realizing how beautiful he is?

“(y/n)?” James’ voice pulls you out of your reverie, and you’re thankful beyond words that he can’t hear your thoughts.

“Yes?” You clear your throat, simultaneously attempting to clear your mind.

“Turn around, love, I’ll fix your zip.”

Right.

His nimble fingers make quick work, sliding the zip from the small of your back to the top of the dress, a subtle trail of gooseflesh makes itself at home along the skin that’s been gently grazed by his own.

“There we are. Go on then, give us a twirl.” James’ playful voice sounds, you oblige good-naturedly and give a quick spin.

“That’s a lovely dress. Is it new?” His eyes scan your frame appreciatively, not quite as lengthy as the tour your own eyes had taken upon him moments ago, but you feel your chest grow tighter at the thought that, just maybe, he could be having one of those cliche moments too.

“As a matter of fact it is,” Your smile grows as you think back to the day before, when Dorcas dragged you and a reluctant Marlene to Diagon Alley to buy your outfits for the dance, “It’s her first dance with a date! Not just a date, a boyfriend. We have to pick the perfect dress.” She was far more excited than you were, especially considering it isn’t a real date, but her enthusiasm had made it a day to remember. “If Dorcas were here, you’d have just made her entire week.”

“Do you know what Lily’s wearing?” 

Not an unexpected question in the slightest.

What is unexpected, however, is the pang in your chest at it.

That’s new.

“No, I don’t. Sorry. ” You say, not particularly sorry at all.

“Are you alright?” James’ voice is laced with confusion at your sudden shift in mood.

Curse your best friend for knowing you so well.

“Mhm. Shall we go?” You place a smile back on your lips, taking care not to let it fall this time.

“After you, your majesty.” James answers in his most posh voice, gesturing toward the door and lowering his head in a mock bow.

It’s not real.

When you first agreed to James’ plan, this thought brought you comfort, peace, even. It’s not real, thank heavens, and it will be over before you know it.

Why does the thought feel so violent now?

Why is it tearing at the seams of your mind with each of his gentle touches and crooked smiles?

Why are you so reluctant to let go of James’ arm when you arrive at the dance?

And why have you spent the last twenty minutes sitting here, watching James watch Lily, as an unwelcome sense of envy blooms in your chest?

Because you wish it was real.

“Oh, come on! That was proper funny!” Sirius’s voice sounds from beside you, pulling you away from your internal revelations.

When did he get here?

“Was it?” You question. Your words come across sarcastic, but that’s a farce, you’ve no idea what he said.

“Yes, it was actually. You were just too busy making eyes at Prongs to notice.” 

And when did he get so observant?

“I was not.” You lie.

“Right,” Sirius starts, not believing you for a moment, “This is my life now, is it? My best mates’ll be too busy snogging to laugh at my jokes? What a cruel fate. Worse than death, really. Just put me out of my misery now.” He throws himself back into his chair melodramatically, posture now resembling a sickly figure in an old victorian painting.

What a drama queen.

Still, you feel the need to reassure him. Cutting off his theatrics, you place your hand on his bicep, giving a tender squeeze of affirmation, “Leave it out! I could never be too busy for you,” He straightens at that, lips lifting into a grin as you continue, “You just have to tell funnier jokes.” His grin disappears faster than it formed.

“Cheeky!”

You continue bantering back and forth, resulting in a fit of laughter that finally breaks James’ gaze from Lily. 

He focuses his attention on the two of you, unwilling to acknowledge the feeling blossoming in his chest when he sees your hand on Sirius, a brilliant smile having overtaken your face.

“Care to dance, love?” James questions, faster than you have time to process.

You remove your hand from Sirius’ arm, sparing a glance toward Lily. He’s trying to make her jealous, that’s why you’re here after all. But she’s not looking at you and James. In fact, she’s looking in another direction entirely.

“I’m alright mate, thanks. Take (y/n), though.” Sirius quips, ushering you onto your feet.

James guides you to the dance floor with a gentle hand on the small of your back, spinning you in a half circle to hold you properly once you’ve reached your destination.

Your heart is beating at an accelerated pace but you’re doing your damndest to hide it. “Is she looking?” You question softly, hiding any dejection from your voice.

“What’s that?” James asks.

You wonder how he didn’t hear you, his eyes having been glued to you since you started dancing. You were beginning to wonder if you had something on your face.

“Lily,” You start again, “Is she watching us?” You don’t know why you ask again, you’re not sure you want to know the answer.

“Oh. Yes-” James clears his throat, “Yeah, she’s looking.” 

Right.

His eyes never actually waver from your own. He doesn’t do much to pretend that he’s spotted her in the crowd or discerned wether she was looking or not. To be honest, he’d forgotten about the plan for a moment.

The song ends but before you can move from James’ hold he pulls you closer, “We should keep dancing.” He mumbles, then continues, almost as an afterthought, “Y’know, make it look more realistic.” 

But he couldn’t care less about that right now, he’s simply not ready for you to leave his arms.

It’s been six weeks since the plan started, an entire month and a half of pretending.

And you don’t think you can pretend any more.

Pretending to be James’ girlfriend isn’t the hard part. In fact, it’s the best part. Countless days of holding his hand in the Great Hall and resting your head upon his shoulder in the Gryffindor common room. Those moments are purely blissful.

Pretending that your feelings for James aren’t real? That’s the hard part.

In the beginning, James had started calling you love or darling for show, a way for you to appear more like a real couple. He must have grown accustomed to it, because they’re all he seems to use anymore, even when nobody else is around.

And your heart still skips a beat each and every time you hear it.

Somehow, it’s become routine for you to do your homework while watching his quidditch practices, despite the fact that Lily has only ever seen you there once. You tried explaining this but all James had said was “That’s alright, having you here helps me play better.”

Now you attend every practice.

You don’t know how to respond when your friends tell you how happy they are that you and James have gotten together, that they can tell how deeply you care for him. They’re right, partially anyway, you do care for James deeply.

But you’re not together. Not for real, anyway.

And it’s driving you mad.

Which is why you’ve decided that it has to end.

You’ve been thinking about this for weeks, ever since the night of the dance, when you realized you wanted more. But you weren’t sure what to tell James.

If you tell him the truth, that you’ve fallen for him, it could end your friendship, which is a chance you’re not willing to take. But you’ve also never been good at lying to him, he knows you far too well.

You’ve finally decided on a good old-fashioned half-truth.

You’re going to tell him that the plan hasn’t been working, that if he wants to get Lily’s attention he’ll have to go about it another way. Spending another year watching him pine over Lily won’t be easy, but it can’t be any harder than this; Seeing what a wonderful boyfriend James would be, being so close to the boy you want but never truly being able to have him.

The soft click of your door notifies you of James’ arrival. Taking a final deep breath, you find your eyes meeting his own, willing yourself not to get lost in them and lose your resolve.

“Hello, love. How was your day?” James questions earnestly, taking a seat in your desk chair, his eyes hold an undetectable glimmer of adoration as they take in your figure.

“I think we should break up!” You rush out at once, afraid if you wait another second you’ll chicken out again.

James’ eyebrows pull together in a wistful display of despondence, “What? Why?” His voice is rather melancholy and if you didn’t know any better, you’d think he was being broken up with for real. 

You sigh dispiritedly, taking a seat at the edge of your bed as you face James.

“Think about it. The plan isn’t exactly working, is it? I mean, when was the last time you even talked to Lily?” 

James is quick to defend, “We’ve just spoken yesterday! In the common room, remember? When you and Moony were talking about that smarty-pants book, she was all ‘your girlfriend’s too good for you, potter’, and I told her she was right. Surely you remember that?”

You fight back a smile at the memory, of course you remember that, you think of his words about as often as you breathe.

“James that was last week.”

He stops for a moment, counting the days on his fingers before deciding you're correct, “Okay… Alright, well, that doesn’t mean we should break up! We’ll just- We just have to try harder.”

You shake your head in opposition, but he speaks again before you have the chance.

“We can make it work, I know it.” James’ voice holds a perceptible air of desperation.

He knows you’re not really dating, right?

“Come on, James, it’s for the best. Surely you’re tired of me by now.” You joke, trying to appear unaffected by the nuance of your words.

“No.” James voices immediately, sounding as though he’s offended at the very idea of it, “I’m not tired of you. I could never be tired of you.”

“Have you any idea how much harder you’re making this?” You mumble under your breath, though it wasn’t quiet enough to go unheard by James.

He’s looking at you softly, almost tenderly and he lowers his voice a bit, no longer on edge, “What does that mean?”

“Nothing.”

“Try again.” James tilts his head, pushing his glasses up when they attempt to slide from the bridge of his nose.

“I just don’t think we should do it anymore, that’s all.”

“That’s all?” He knows very well that’s not all. He can tell by the way you’re avoiding eye contact that there’s more to it.

“Yep! So what do you say, friends?” You finally chance eye contact, holding your hand out to shake his own in an effort to regain control of the situation.

His hand grabs your own and holds it delicately.

“What aren’t you saying?”

“Nothing! I’m saying plenty of things. Loads of things. Things, things, things!”

“(y/n).” He states plainly, though he’s unable to hide the glimmer of amusement in his eyes, “If there’s something going on, you can tell me. We can tell each other anything.” He’s pleading with you now.

And you aren’t sure if it’s his words, or the way he speaks them, or the fact that his hand is still grasping your own, but you’re unable to keep the words from tumbling out of your mouth.

“I can’t keep pretending, alright? You’re driving me mad.” Both of your eyes widen at your confession, and James takes his hand back smoothly.

“Oh,” He clears his throat, a teasing undertone returning to his voice, though you can discern a hint of sadness in his eyes, “It’s you who’s tired of me then, innit?”

“What? No! That’s not-” You sigh frustratedly, standing from the bed and beginning to pace a small path back and forth on the floor, “James, if it were possible for me to be tired of you, it would’ve happened a long time ago.”

He breathes out a chuckle at this, visibly relaxing once he realizes he must’ve misunderstood.

You stop pacing, looking at James as he stands up in front of you.

“Can we start this whole thing over? It’s gotten a bit confusing if I’m honest.” You question.

“No, it’s okay. You were right, it’s best we call it off now.” James starts, adding quietly, “Before anyone gets hurt.”

Your gaze snaps up to his own, confusion etched upon your features, “Why- Why would anyone get hurt?” You swallow thickly, ignoring the sudden uptick of your pulse.

James sighs, bringing a hand up and running it through his curls, “Because it’s true. What you said before, about the plan not working. It’s not. And If I’m being honest, I couldn’t care less. I haven’t given a thought to the plan, or Lily, in weeks.” 

You know he can’t mean it the way it sounds, he can’t mean it the way you want him to mean it. But your heartbeat is racing rampant at the possibility that he does.

“And it’s why I don’t want to end things,” He continues, “Because, the way I see it, if something makes you sad when it’s ending, it must’ve been pretty wonderful while it was happening.” He’s rambling, but the contents of his words, and the fact that they’re directed at you, makes you want him to go on forever.

“You’re my best friend, and you always will be, I swear it! But, I just… I can’t help but want more.”

You’ve heard enough.

Well actually, you could never hear enough, but you’ve heard enough to propel yourself forward, urgently pressing your lips to James’ own.

He wasn’t expecting it, but he doesn’t waste a moment once he realizes what’s happening. 

James places his calloused hands on either of your cheeks, gently pulling you closer to himself. He smiles slightly into the kiss when you bring one of your own hands up to the nape of his neck and run your fingers softy through the curls there.

The kiss feels as though it’s lasted forever, and yet you never want it to end. But your lips part a fair distance as you rest your foreheads together in contentment, taking a moment to catch your breath.

“So that’s what you meant when you said I was driving you mad.” James teases, donning a grin so beautiful your heart could burst just from looking at it.

“Yes, I suppose it is.” You try to sound annoyed but you’re sure you’re missing the mark, wearing a blinding smile of your own.

“Well that settles it then,” James loops his arms around your waist and pulls you closer to his body, “No more pretending.” His delicate lips meet your own once more in another intoxicating embrace.

Note to self : James Fleamont Potter’s plans don’t always end in disaster.

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[icarustypicalfall]

cara mia

ALEJANDRO VARGAS X F!READER

inspired by the glorious lovers, Gomez and Morticia.

a request that i hope will succeed to mend every heart i broke because of certain angst

summary: you can't love someone more than yourself and live everyday as if it's the last.. well, certainly not according to you and your lover

warnings: none, sfw, pure fluff <3

note: im not that good at writing romance.. im an angst person but yeah that was really entertaining, doing some research and planning 🤭 tysm for your request anon, I'd love hearing from you again, tell me what you think 🫶🏻

"I've finally found you, now my life tastes sweet like cinnamon"

"I think they truly love each other, but I'm not entirely sure," Rudy chuckled at Soap's comment as they observed Alejandro and his lover, you, dancing on the crowded dance floor.

Throughout the night, you danced, kissed, and flirted, seemingly inseparable.

Los Vaqueros had organized a party to celebrate their latest mission after the tank operation. It was an ideal opportunity for Alejandro to introduce you to his brothers and new allies: Gaz, Soap, Ghost, and Captain Price.

The evening had started as a simple get-together, but it quickly turned into a display of intense flirting and hours of dancing and drinks.

Rudy would often joke that Alejandro seemed to forget everyone else when he was with you. He was even distracted at the shooting range, nearly shooting one of his own men when he caught a glimpse of you passing by.

The men sitting at the table laughed, sipping their beers while keeping an eye on the couple swaying on the dance floor. "I can't believe this is the same man I used to work with. He is completely smitten with her," Rudy laughed heartily, clearly becoming more and more tipsy.

Shaking his head, he smiled. "No hermano, Alejandro and _ are not whipped. They simply love each other. They've had this connection ever since they met."

You had met Alejandro years ago, during a time when you both had to work together amidst the scandalous movements of the cartel. After a period of dating, he proposed, and within a year, you were married. Though Alejandro had some flaws, such as anger issues and work addiction, he never let that affect your relationship. Any disagreement or argument would swiftly be resolved with passionate apologies shared behind closed doors. Some never started believing in soulmates till they witnessed the Colonel and his wife dancing bachata at 2 am.

To Alejandro, you were a delicate flower, even with your own strong-willed nature. He took pleasure in watching you bark orders to incompetent recruits.

When some of his men playfully asked him whether he'll choose you over eternity.. well of course he chose you. Because, quoting him: "how could I choose a life where you are not by my side, cara mia? I'd consider it as hell itself. For me, amor, I'd rather hold you for a brief moment over any eternities."

You, on the other side, proudly showcased your love for him. The bond you shared was powerful and seemingly magical. Together, you lived for the moment, sucking the joy of life and spating out the sorrow. There wasn't any words that could describe how you feel about him.

Crazy? maybe. Deeply in love? Absolutely.

Taking a break from dancing, you volunteered to get drinks, and Alejandro made his way back to the table. A broad smile adorned his face as he glanced at you, seated closely to him, holding onto his arm. You smiled back, giving his hand a gentle squeeze as he kissed your forehead and kept a protective arm around your waist.

Captain Price chuckled and patted Alejandro's back, remarking, "Well son, you never told us you were married. Rudy mentioned it before he passed out."

You glanced at Alejandro, resting your elbow on the table, cheek supported by your palm, wearing a playful smirk.

"Is that so? He didn't mention me even once? Must have been pretty busy, right, amor?"

Alejandro held your hand, gently squeezing it within his calloused palm and placing soft kisses on your fingertips.

"Just because I didn't talk about you doesn't mean you weren't on my mind, Querida. You reside there constantly, occupying every thought of mine."

"That was cheesy, Alejandro. Eres increíble!" you teased, his eyes seemed to flicker like stars shining in his dark brown orbs. He drew closer to you, his smile wide.

"You really shouldn't speak Spanish to me, amor. You know it drives me mad."

"I'd absolutely love seeing you mad, Hermoso."

The men around the table followed your conversation, enraptured by this side of Alejandro.He was unafraid to show you off, proud of your relationship and unapologetic about his love for you. In fact, if he was to be called out for loving you this much, he'd proudly wear the title. He cherished you deeply, and you had no worries about the cartel using you against him. They knew not to cross that line, for you were a protected and treasured part of Alejandro's life. God help the ones who tried to cross it, let some peace fall upon their limp bodies.

After a long night, it was almost four in the morning when you and Alejandro reached your home. In the blue hour, you both would often take a moment to witness the captivating beauty of nature while wrapped in each other's arms.

Alejandro gently tilted your chin, meeting your gaze with a smile as he whispered slurred words into your ear.

"Do you remember our honeymoon, darling?"

"Which one, amor? Every day with you feels like a honeymoon, and you're definitely giving me a sweet tooth."

"..The night after we got married," he reminisced. "When everyone had left, leaving only you and me. We sat on the balcony, with the cold wind weaving through our hair. I held you close as the sun rose."

A slight smile formed on your lips as you relived the memory. Your fingertips lingered on the burning flesh of his cheek. Closing your eyes, his words sank in the depth of your mind.

"Do you ever realize you become a poet when you're drunk?"

"Just for you, amor, I'll be anything you want, if you wanted me to get you the stars, I'll collect every piece of them, even if i died trying. But if you wanted to shove me away, I'll stick with you for eternity and beyond. You're too precious for me, cara mia"

His hand found yours, in slow movements and dizzy stares, he squeezed your palm. As if the simple mouvement was a promise, a vow for you.

"I want to recreate that moment tonight," Alejandro murmured, his voice filled with warmth and love. "Let's stay up until the sun rises again, and we can relive our love story once more."

You nodded, anticipation gleaming in your eyes. Hand in hand, you made your way to the balcony, watching as the sky transformed from dark to a palette of soft hues. Wrapped in each other's arms, you whispered sweet nothings, promising to love, support, and protect one another until the end of time.

This kind of love that almost felt irreal, you shared a deep mutual connection that none could explain, and neither of you tried.

If anything, you just loved each other. You digged and bathed in the joy, forgetting the sorrow. Was this a blessing of life, an apology for the misery your souls endured during lifetimes?

Or were you simply lucky enough of to find the missing piece of your heart?

For the matter, you both knew that this love was enough to mend your hearts, over and over again.

As the first rays of sunlight kissed your skin, Alejandro leaned in and whispered against your lips.

"Te amo, mi vida. Forever and always."

"Te amo también, mi amor. Nada ni nadie nos separará."

(can i marry him please? i stg he's perfect. sorry if it's not accurate or not what you expected. ily all 🫶🏻❤️)

#cod headcanons #task force 141 #call of duty #call of duty fanfic #call of duty headcanons #alejandro vargas #alejandro cod #ghost cod #rudy cod #rudy parra #captain john price #ghost simon riley #simon riley #simon ghost riley #cod mwii #cod modern warfare #cod fanfiction #alejandro mw2 #alejandro vargas x reader #alejandro x f!reader #fall4rudy #kyle gaz garrick #könig mw2 #gomez addams #gomez and morticia #morticia addams #romance #cod fanfic #mw2 fanfic #cod mw2

[criminalmindsgonewrong]

a run down would be appreciated😭😭 and i sure hope coffee at midnight is a happy fic bc that one i did start reading and its my current obsession, i wont be able to take it if something bad happens to my babies

I won't spoil Coffee at Midnight, but I'm glad you're loving it!!

My other fics, though, I'm going to try and put into categories.

The Multichaps

A Fine Line will take you through every emotion. It's smutty and angsty and stressful but it has a happy ending!

illicit affairs is an ongoing multi-chap that's nowhere near finished. emily and aaron sleep together before her first day on the job, when neither knows who the other is. the affair they begin has consequences for years to come.

touchy subject is complete and is an emotional journey. a teenage emily aborted aaron's baby without telling him, and deals with the consequences of that decision in the decades that come after.

impact married Hotchniss are in a car accident that leaves emily in a coma.

the price we pay. I'll start by telling you that Emily's dead. that's not a spoiler, i literally tell you in the comments. this fic sees JJ try to come to terms with her death and her unresolved feelings for Emily at the same time.

Nodus Tollens is annoyingly incomplete. A complicated fic based on the Arizona-Callie-Mark triangle n Greys.

The One-Shots

The Five Stages of Grief are a Myth is a journey, but it does have a happy ending!

phantasmogoria - emily struggles with the trauma of having spent seven months in isolation, with only her own mind for company. hotch is her lifeline.

found family is a cute little fic i wrote for the 'accidental baby acquisition' tag for criminal minds week 2023. the team find a baby.

built a home and watched it burn may or may not stay an angsty one-shot. it's the first chapter of an unfinished fic i took down a while ago, in which emily and aaron are getting divorced.

Eulogy is an angsty af one-shot of JJ and Hotch telling Emily about the Paris plan.

You'll Always Be My Person is angsty Jemily fluff that I woudn't say has a happy ending, but it's sweet and short.

Habits is a cute little Jemily drabble.

in love with you is Emily POV Jemily angst.

twelve things that didn't break aaron hotchner and the one that almost did is Hotch angst with a happy Hotchniss ending.

The States Game is a cutie team fic based on That Friends Episode.

The Smutty One-Shots

Heat is the only 'only one bed' fic i've ever written. it's just pure, unadulterated, shameless, steamy Hotchniss smut.

every lover's game is what happens after you send the girl you fancy in to flirt with a creepy guy called Viper. it's pure filth. it's great. probably my favourite filth i've written. you're welcome.

trying to remember how it feels to have a heartbeat is angsty Hotchniss smut. like I earned the angsty smut tag on this one.

when it rains, it pours - more angsty Hotchniss smut. back from Paris, emily is struggling. then comes a storm.

Coming Home is wholesome Jemily smut.

Stress Relief and Debriefing are just pure Emily/Luke smut.

Hotchner's Future Au (in chronological order)

technically these all have a happy ending because emily and hotch are married and trying to cope with parenting x

nature vs nurture after having her first child, emily struggles with her mother's first visit and her criticisms.

a good cat never goes far - proceed with caution if you love Sergio. that's all i'll say. but also read it because i'm proud of it <3

the last first day - emily struggles with her last baby starting school

good intentions, bad excecution - livvy hotchner is a menace, but she's also a great big sister.

red-handed the kids catch emily and aaron in a...compromising position. based on a request to write a hotchners future au fic inspired by the modern family episode 'caught in the act'

my mama's in the kitchen worrying about me - emily struggles with having a teenage daughter who's exactly like her.

Good Crazy - jack announces that he and his girlfriend are expecting. emily and aaron temporarily lose their minds, but what's new?

#all of my fics #my writing #ask #steph speaks #nonny

[its-jaytothemee]

Until I Met You - Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Onward

Pairings: Halsin x Tav

Word count: 4,521

Rating: Currently M, will be Explicit in later chapters.

Read on AO3

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Summary: A slow burn Tav and Halsin romance fic about their relationship forming between the major events of Baldur's Gate 3, and probably a little bit after too. Explores Tav's friendships with all the other companions, but mainly Karlach. Lots of longing and fluff, including plenty of soft Halsin moments.

Tags: Slow burn, hurt/comfort, love confessions, eventual smut, light angst, implied past rape/non-con, description of injuries.

A/N: I took my BG3 party into the Underdark at too low of a level and paid the price. But what is an almost TPK but a good excuse for hurt/comfort in the fic? Karlach also tries very hard to be a good wingwoman.

Tav awoke the next morning to a warm, wet feeling sliding over her face. Scratch was looming over her, licking her cheeks. She sputtered a bit and gently pushed him away.

“Good morning, buddy. Yes, yes, your breath is the perfect hangover cure.” Tav felt her head reeling from last night’s activities. She nudged Karlach awake using one of the empty bottles, there were more surrounding them than she remembered.

Stretching her arms and legs was more difficult than expected, her stomach lurched at the movement.

“Oh Gods…I’m too old for this.” She leaned over with her hands on her knees to steady herself.

“Me too, soldier. Me too.” Karlach had only made it up to one knee. Half of her hair was tangled around her undamaged horn.

“I see you two got your beauty sleep.” Astarion’s voice sounded behind them.

“Ugh…not so loud.” Tav waved her hand at him. She was trying to shake the sand from her hair.

“Run a comb through that hair, darling. Halsin wants to speak with you.” He winked at her as he turned to walk back to camp.

She splashed some cold water on her face, taking a cupped handful and dumping it on Karlach as well. Her hair was a disaster, so she just tied it back out of her face. The tieflings had already cleared from their camp, no doubt they were anxious to get on the road to Baldur’s Gate.

“Good morning, I trust you enjoyed your evening?” Halsin called out to her.

“What gave it away?” Her eyes were still adjusting to the morning light. He snorted in response.

“There are worse ways to wake up than next to a friend with matching hangovers.” His eyes shifted over to Karlach, who was laying on the ground again. Tav couldn’t help but smile affectionately.

“Regardless, it was well deserved after all your efforts. It may be some time before you’re afforded another such night. There is much to be done, and I promised I would help you however I could.”

Tav nodded along as he spoke, working to push the fog from her mind.

“I’m certain a cure can be found for you at Moonrise Towers, but it’s…complicated. The journey specifically is particularly perilous.”

Tav sucked in a sharp breath and bit her lip. She still wasn’t certain that they should be going to Moonrise. Halsin heard her and shifted his gaze to the ground.

“Halsin, how sure are you that we have to go to Moonrise?” She asked. Her voice was small, quiet, and not just because of the incessant pounding in her head.

“I am certain. In the goblin camp, I heard the destination mentioned constantly.”

“Fuck.” She grumbled.

“What’s wrong with Moonrise?” Karlach had finally gotten up and joined them.

Tav and Halsin shared a knowing look, she nodded to him to take the lead.

“To get to Moonrise Towers, we must pass through a terrible place – a cursed place.” Halsin turned to address the rest of the camp. “The curse shrouds the entire land in shadow. Nature cannot thrive here, there is no life, no light.” He spared another glance toward Tav, but she couldn’t meet it.

She squeezed her eyes shut, convincing herself to keep tears from forming in her eyes. Desperately trying to keep the memory of her brief time at Moonrise out of her mind. It had been a century, yet the pain still plagued her.

“Any beings who linger are twisted by the shadow curse into tormented, dangerous souls.” Halsin’s voice was quiet, and she could feel his eyes on her.

“How have the Absolute’s forces been able to tolerate it?” Tav spoke up again, still looking at the ground.

“I’m not sure, but we will have to plan our approach carefully. There are two routes of which I am aware. The mountain pass, quicker at first but we cannot avoid the shadow curse entirely.” He took a deep breath. “You could also go under. I have heard of a secret passage in the secret temple of Selûne. Supposedly, it contains a passage through the Underdark to Moonrise.” So, her hunch was right, there was a pass through the Underdark.

“That’s why you went with Aradin, isn’t it? You hoped their search for the Nightsong would lead you to the passage.” Tav guessed.

“Precisely. But in my eagerness, I put far too much faith in Aradin and his band. We didn’t even get close.” Halsin sounded ashamed.

“We found the entrance to the secret temple of Selûne. We should be able to pick up the trail from there.” Tav took a deep breath, finally accepting that one way or another, she would be going back to Moonrise.

“Already? If only I had met you before Aradin.” He let out an impressed laugh. Tav tried to return a smile, but the shadow curse now weighed heavily on her mind.

“We will work our way to the Underdark as soon as we pack up camp here.” Tav decided.

“Thank you all, for allowing me to join your camp. I will offer my skills and counsel whenever possible. I have long awaited a chance to return to Moonrise.” He paused and looked Tav in the eyes. “It seems our fates are aligned.”

***

Halsin stood awkwardly in the center of camp as his new companions dispersed around him. This newfound freedom was refreshing, he was able to enjoy nature outside of the confines of the Emerald Grove. Still, he was unsure of how he would fit in with this group. The last time he set out with a strange group of adventurers, he ended up locked away and tortured for days.

To be fair, this group was far different than Aradin’s band of mercenaries. Aradin was a harsh, selfish leader. Halsin wasn’t even sure if he could call him a leader with the way he treated his followers. He saw how easily he abandoned those who had joined him on his quest. Aradin had left the injured behind as he ran away. The one night he spent in a camp with the group was enough to drive him to near madness.

But with these unlikely companions, he could already feel a difference. He already witnessed their ability to fight, as well as their ability to watch out for one another. They had laughed and mingled with the refugees that had been in their camp, inviting them to share their campfire. Even now, they worked together to clean up their belongings. Tav moved between everyone, checking in on them and helping roll the large pieces of canvas and taking stock of their supplies. He found himself smiling as he watched her, feeling another pull in his chest. Her advances from the night before were still fresh in his mind, stirring him to his core.

No, you must stay focused. You’re so close now.

The feeling of a wet tongue on his hands startled him out of his fantasy. The shaggy white dog he had seen prowling the camp had wandered over to his side. Halsin knelt down to pet him.

“Hello, you’re quite the handsome creature.” He said, scratching his ears.

“Hello, new friend. Mistress says you’ll be joining us now. I’m called Scratch.” The dog’s tail was wagging furiously.

“I suppose I am.” He couldn’t help but smile around dogs, they were such happy and loyal animals. Scratch sniffed around him quickly, his ears perking up a little bit.

“You have a different scent to you. Not bad, but different.” He sat back down, and his head cocked slightly to the side.

“Such a good nose. I spend time around all different sorts of animals, nothing to be worried about.” Halsin assured him, Scratch seemed content with his answer.

“You’re lucky to join us. The nice people rescued me after my last Master was killed. The Master with the pointy ears says I’m the most handsome one in camp.” Scratch looked over towards Astarion.

“Well, I think he might be right.” Halsin gave him one more pat on the head before standing up.

“Keep well, friend. I’m going to see if Mistress will bring back my friend to play for a while.”

Scratch trotted off to the bushes to grab something before going up to Tav. Her face lit up and she knelt to rub his ears. He could just barely make out their conversation.

“Could I play with sister? I found a toy.” His tail was wagging faster and faster, he dropped a small red ball at her feet.

“Sure, I’ll call her forward.” Tav let out a loud whistle and her wolf companion, Lunari, appeared by her side. She immediately knelt into a playful bow when she saw Scratch. Tav picked up the ball and tossed it into the bushes, causing both canines to sprint after it. Tav and the wizard, Gale, laughed as they watched the two of them playing. He found himself smiling along with them.

Yes, this group is much different than the last.

“Hey, bear man!” Karlach’s voice called from behind him. “I could use another set of tall limbs to take this stuff down.”

“Happy to help.” He grabbed the canvas at the top of her tent and tugged, bringing the whole thing down to the ground.

“Thanks! It’s nice to have someone else with some reach around here.” She beamed at him.

He helped her fold up the fabric and gather some of the various items lying around.

“So, Karlach, you and Tav seem to be close friends. How long have you known each other?”

“Tav and I? Oh, we just met about 4 days ago. Helped save me from some assassins Zariel sent after me. But yeah, I suppose we are good mates now.”

“Only 4 days? I would have thought you two grew up together from the way you spoke.” Halsin chuckled.

“What can I say? You may not believe me after her crazy stuttering yesterday, but she’s incredibly easy to talk to.” Karlach was stuffing a small toy bear into her pack as she spoke.

He spared a glance at Tav who was currently vomiting into the bushes.

“Even if she can’t handle her wine.” Karlach laughed. “Thanks for the help, want me to help you get your things together?”

“That won’t be necessary. I don’t really have any things. I brought a pack with some medical supplies and a couple of notebooks, but that’s about it.” He patted the bag slung around his back.

“What about your tent? Or a bedroll? I don’t think we have any extras.” Karlach looked around her, perhaps hoping that one would have magically appeared.

“You’re very kind to worry about me, but I don’t need such amenities. I’m happy to be resting under the stars and amidst the Oakfather’s creations.” He sighed happily at the thought. Karlach had a big grin on her face suddenly.

“Well, if you change your mind, I’m sure there’s someone here who would let you share. You know…in case you get cold. Or lonely.” Karlach was still grinning, and he caught the very quick change in her gaze as it momentarily shifted to Tav. He couldn’t help but laugh at her matchmaking attempt.

Good mates indeed. If only you knew, Karlach.

“I’ll be sure to keep that in mind, thank you. If you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll see if I can’t get our leader feeling a bit better before we head out.”  He stood up with a grunt, leaving Karlach with a proud grin on her face.

Halsin made his way over to Tav, who was finally standing up straight.

“I uh…I’m thinking year 207 is officially the year you’re too old to drink all night.” Tav wiped her mouth on the back of her hand.

“207? Please, wait until you get to be my age. You’ll barely want to look at a bottle.” Halsin teased. “Come here, my friend. Let me get you back on your feet.”

“No, don’t waste any healing on me right now, I’ll manage.” She waved her hand in front of her face, causing her skin to take on a bit of a sickly, green tint.

“I insist. I’m sure there will still be plenty to go around after helping you. Besides, I noticed some burns on your hands that will make moving all this equipment difficult.”

She looked down at her palms, apparently trying to figure out where they came from. Finally, a look of realization popped up on her face.

“Oh right…I accidentally touched Karlach a couple of times.” She remembered.

“May I?” He reached out to her, and she nodded in response.

He gingerly held her hands in his outstretched palm. His other hand covered the burns. The small blisters slowly faded away as he murmured the simple incantation, the words coming as easily to him as his own name. Even after all these years, he still hadn’t tired of the feeling of healing another living soul. The way their aching muscles or splitting skin would relax under his hands, the look of joy and relief on their faces as the pain vanished.

The familiar feeling came over him tenfold as Tav smiled up at him, causing his knees to buckle slightly. Her skin was returning to its normal color, and the blisters on her palms had transformed back to her smooth skin. He kept his eyes fixed on her hands resting in his. Letting out a shaky breath at the sight, he thought of how badly he wanted to keep holding them there.

“Halsin? Are you alright?” Tav spoke softly, her brow furrowed as she looked up at him.

“Y-yes. Quite alright.” He let his hands drop from hers.  

“Thank you…I feel much better. Once again, not making a great impression I fear.” She chuckled nervously.

“What makes you say that?” Halsin tried to meet her gaze, but she looked off towards the trees.

“Well, it’s not exactly a great quality in an ally to start the first day of an important journey hungover as all fuck. Not to mention, I can’t help but feel I perhaps came on a little too strong last night. I got a bit caught up in the moment and…I’m sorry if I put you in an awkward position.” The now familiar blush returned to her face.

“Cast those regrets aside, you were celebrating a great deed with your friends. And there are few things too strong for me. You did not get caught up in the moment you seized it.” She seemed to relax a little at his response, which is why he surprised himself with the next words that came out of his mouth.

“Under different circumstances, I would have done the same.”

Her head snapped forward again at his words, one eyebrow raised.

First day out of your Archdruid position and you lose all your self-control? Oh Tav, please let it drop this time.

“Well, I’m glad I didn’t leave a bad impression, then.” She said slowly, trying to conceal a smile.

“I’ll help get some of these tents packed up. Can’t have anyone thinking I don’t pull my weight around here.” He gave a small nod before turning to walk away, desperate to conceal the blush he felt coming over his face.

***

Tav kept her eyes on Halsin as he walked across the small camp. She felt even more confused about him now. After their other conversations though, she didn’t want to push the subject any further. She was certain that she had made her thoughts known over the last two days, if he felt anything as well, he would say so when he was ready. He was already proving to be a kind and valuable addition to their group, she would hate to push him away.

Under different circumstances, I would have done the same.

The words played over again in her mind. There was a sadness to the words that she couldn’t quite place. She thought back to their brief discussion of Moonrise when they first met, he said they could perhaps see the light again there. Something told her his eagerness to join their adventure wasn’t just to deal with the Absolute. Any living soul who has witnessed the shadow curse was likely forever changed by it and by the way Halsin spoke, she guessed that he was there when it was unleashed.

A high-pitched squeal pulled her from her thoughts. Karlach had bounded over next to her.

“That looked like it went well!” Karlach was dancing in place, eager to hear what Tav had to say.

“You’re being weird.” Tav smiled as she walked to her tent to finish packing.

“Come on, tell me!” Karlach begged.

Tav recounted her conversation with Halsin, leaving out her observations surrounding the shadow curse.

“Oh, he likes you mate. Just you wait, you’re gonna ride that bear before we make it to Moonrise.”

“KARLACH!” Tav half yelled, half laughed.

“What? Excuse me for rooting for you to get some action. I have to experience it through someone since I can’t touch anything without singeing it to bits.”

“If you’re going to stand here teasing me, at least make yourself useful.” Tav rolled her eyes and threw her bedroll at the large tiefling.

“Taaaaaaaavvvvvvv!” Astarion’s voice called from across camp.

“Actually, you know what, why don’t you go help Astarion with his instead. Otherwise, we’ll never get on the road.” She joked. As Karlach jogged over to his tent, Tav let her eyes wander back to Halsin, playing their conversation over again as she packed up her things.

*

Since they had ventured there already, the trip back to the temple was an easy one. They had left a magical sigil in the underground temple, allowing them to travel there easily with a simple incantation from Gale. A second later, they were all teleported to the Underdark, taking a moment to allow their eyes to adjust to the darkness. The musty smell around them was a sharp contrast to the air above ground. Although, she had to admit there was a strange beauty to her surroundings. The glowing crystals and mushrooms bathed everything in soft, colorful lights.

“First time in the Underdark?” Halsin asked, setting some of their packs on the ground.

“Yes. I didn’t expect it to be so…enchanting.” She looked through the bars of the temple that overlooked a large section of land.

“Yes, an entirely different world and an incredible feat of nature. But it is as enchanting as it is dangerous. Do be careful as you explore, there are many hidden threats.” He warned.

“Okay then, we should probably scout ahead a bit before we decide where to make a camp. Who wants to come with?” She asked.

“I’d like to explore this area a bit more. I’ve always been somewhat fascinated with the Underdark’s ecosystem.” Gale piped up from the back of the group.

“I’ll join as well. I’m awfully used to prowling in the dark after all.” Astarion was strapping a couple of daggers to his belt.

“Anything to get me out of this heinous temple.” Shadowheart was visibly disgusted by the building around them.

“Great, grab your shit and let’s get moving.” Tav called, checking her supply of arrows. Lunari padded up beside her, ready to accompany them.

***

All in all, the four of them were probably only gone for two hours before they came limping back to the temple. Astarion had Gale’s arm around his shoulders on one side, helping him walk. On the other side one of Tav’s arms was draped around his shoulder and neck. Shadowheart had the other and they were dragging Tav back in, unconscious, one of her legs a torn, bloody mess. Lunari trotted alongside them, whining and headbutting her. Halsin ran to the iron doors at the entrance of the temple.

“You guys weren’t gone long. Everything o –” Karlach started to call out but let out a loud gasp when she saw Tav. “Fucking hells! What happened?”

“Everything happened. Think of a creature and we probably found one and fought it off.” Shadowheart snapped back.

“Why didn’t you heal them?” Karlach asked, pacing nervously.

“I did! This is what’s still left over, I could barely keep her alive. I’m tapped out.” Shadowheart was breathing heavily.

Gale let go of Astarion and limped over to a bench. A large cut ran down his right temple. Halsin quickly looked over the four of them, out of all the injuries Tav’s were by far the most severe.

“Bring her over here.” Halsin pointed to a table nearby. Wyll cleared all items from the table as Karlach and Lae’zel lifted her up to lay on the old wooden surface.

“What creature did this?” Halsin asked, slowly moving the fabric around her legs out of the way. The right thigh had a huge laceration running down its length. Her left lower leg was shredded, tassels of sinew and skin hanging in various directions. One bone was broken in half. As he looked her over, he also noticed a very large puncture wound in her abdomen, but it looked like it had at least been partially healed. This had to be one of the worst injuries Halsin had seen in some time. Tav’s breathing was shallow, her eyelids fluttering slightly.

“Minotaurs. Two of them ambushed us not far from here on our way back. We already had the absolute shit beat out of us by a spectator, then a bulette.” Astarion was kneeling on the ground, catching his breath.

“A bulette?” Halsin asked, trying to keep his curiosity from distracting him.

“Also, some Drow that had been petrified for gods know how long.” Gale had grabbed a cloth to press against his head wound.

“Don’t forget the exploding mushrooms, darling.” Astarion was leaning against the doorway now.

“You mean the ones I told you to leave alone?” Shadowheart snipped. Astarion just made a face back at her.

“I’ll need some extra hands, whoever has the stomach for it.” Halsin started calling out instructions. Lae’zel and Wyll both stepped up to his side.

“Lae’zel, remove her armor, starting with her legs. Cut it off if you must. Wyll, there is a large, purple pouch in my pack. We’ll also need plenty of cloth to bind wounds. I doubt I will be able to heal all of this in one evening.”

Blood was starting to pool under her legs and seep into the wooden table. There was no way he could get all of these wounds taken care of in one session, not on his own. Shadowheart was already exhausted, and Tav was the only other one of them with healing magic.

Think, Halsin, think…the burns!

“Karlach, I’m going to need your help.”

“How? I can’t touch her without burning her.” She came and stood next to him.

“Precisely. I need to cauterize the thigh wound. She’s losing blood and I need time to get everything in place.”

“If you say so…” She held her hand tentatively above Tav’s leg.

Halsin made sure all her clothing was out of the way before he had Karlach press her hand into the bloodied skin. The smell of burning flesh filled the air around them, causing a few groans and gags from his new companions. Tav’s leg spasmed slightly, but he held it down. He pointed to the different spots for Karlach, who was grimacing with each touch.

“Okay, that should do for now. Well done.” He dismissed Karlach.

Halsin set to work, first cleaning the other leg wound best he could. Luckily with Tav already unconscious, he didn’t have to be as gentle. She likely wasn’t feeling much pain at the moment. He ground up a large mixture of healing herbs, pressing the fragrant paste into the hole in her torso. Her skin was slightly cool to the touch, with a light layer of sweat coating her entire body. A raspy groan slipped from her lips.

Hold on, Tav.

Once he was confident the wounds were clean, he began the healing spells. He had to work slowly, going too quickly could cause additional scarring and lingering pain when a limb was in such shape as this. He finished his first healing spell and waited a moment, giving the flesh a chance to react to his words. After a deep breath, he started the incantation over again, still concentrating on her tattered leg. He repeated the process over and over again, moving to the other wounds after a couple of rounds on her worse leg.

“T…Tev…Tev’aron come…back…” Tav whispered the words.

Halsin kept working between the wounds until he was unable to produce any magic. It took hours of concentrated healing to get the wound to a manageable state. He eventually fell to his knees, exhausted. Luckily, he had healed the worst of the injuries. Her left leg was still cut up and bloody, but he had at least managed to mend the broken bone and guide the tendons back into place. It was wrapped in some clean bandages to keep any dirt out. The wound in her stomach was completely healed outside of a small circular scab. Her right thigh was looking much better, although there was still some evidence of the burns around the area.

“That will have to do for now.” He said quietly, out of breath. “I’m sorry, I don’t have enough to help the rest of you.”

“We’ll live. We should have some spare potions here somewhere.” Gale assured him.

“Let’s get her to bed, I’ll watch over her tonight.”

They set up a quick camp within the walls of the temple. The others helped him move Tav to the ground onto her bedroll. Halsin sat down next to her and leaned against the wall. Karlach was kind enough to bring him dinner, he didn’t mind that she mainly used it as an excuse to sit next to Tav for a bit. After she left, he noticed a small stuffed bear sitting in the crook of Tav’s arm. He wiped the sweat from his brow as he looked down on the sweet elf next to him. Her breathing had calmed slightly, and her temperature seemed to be normal again. He slid his hand across her forehead and softly brushed some hair from her face. There was a low whine in the doorway as Lunari slowly walked into the room. She circled around Tav, sniffing the bandages around her legs. Eventually she circled over next to Halsin and curled up at Tav’s side, resting her head gently on her chest.

Halsin carefully reached over and pet the wolf on the head.

“It’s okay girl, she will recover just fine.” He assured her.

“Yes. She is strong. She would never leave me.” Lunari let out another whine as Tav took a ragged breath.

He laid his head back against the wall, trying to drift into a trance for a while, one hand still resting in Lunari’s fur.

Oakfather, please…watch over her.

Halsin’s silent prayer echoed in his head as his eyes slowly closed for the night.

#bg3 #baldur's gate 3 #baldur's gate iii #bg3 fanfiction #bg3 halsin #halsin fanfic #halsin x tav #halsin silverbough #bg3 headcanons #bg3 brainrot #bg3 fluff #the tadfools

[thesunshineriptide]

Thank you for doing this request (if within your rules that I read and hopefully understood correctly.) and love your work.

So the request would be for twst dorm leaders reaction to s/o losing a bet with Leona and having to spend an afternoon snoozing in the garden with him. Also, for some x reason, Leona is getting revenge on dorm leader or they owe him a favor.

It can be gender neutral or gn. Whichever.

I dont think this goes against any rules and feel free to modify. Really looking for some fluff and laughs from their "jealous" reaction.

THANK YOU!

Keep up the great work :)

Thank you!! I’ve been trying hard. Hopefully I understood your request correctly because if not I’m gonna look stupid af skhffkjsl also oops I forgot the s/o part but I remembered flirting. So it ended up kinda being ~will they won’t they~

Okay due to the nature of this request I don’t really think I can have Leona reacting to…Leona getting revenge on himself, however you will not be empty handed in Leona-ness. Also 👀👀👀 did I hear jealousy???

Too much green to feel blue

Characters: Riddle, Azul, Kalim, Vil, Idia, Malleus, Leona

Tw// mild threats, implications of criminal activity, mentions of poisoning, manhandling, jealousy, negative self talk (for Kalim and Idia), angst

Riddle

Riddle had invited you to the once a month Heartslabyul tea party like always, and you had of course said you were going to come. Well, day of, you appear nowhere to be seen. It isn’t like you to be late - at least not when Riddle’s involved, since he’d more than likely give you an earful on manners. So why, exactly, aren’t you here?

Riddle asked Cater to send off a clone to find you with the upmost amount of sweetness, it actually made Cater think he was having a stroke or got hit with a spell that messed with his mind. It wasn’t until Riddle began to flush bright cherry red that he got the memo that, no, he’s not dying, he’s just got a little crush.

So when a Cater clone went to find you and found you in the botanical gardens, laying there asleep with a smirking Leona napping on your chest, he knew better than to share this information.

“They’re sick.” He gave as an excuse, “Wanted to apologize for not letting you know sooner.”

So the party went on and as it was being taken down later, Riddle asked Trey to put aside some leftover cookies so he could take them to you and check on your health. Care frantically tried to get Trey to say no, only to be caught.

“They we’re in the botanical gardens with Leona…” he finally fessed, “Leona was taking a nap on them.”

Riddle’s little heart shaped hair antennas went straight in the air as his face went red. Trey could have sworn that smoke as pouring from his ears.

Of course it was Leona. A spat last week between Riddle and Leona must still be lingering in the air. All because Riddle said Savanaclaw can’t be excused from working in the arts and science festival, now he was using you to get to him?

Riddle marched his way to botanical garden. His face was scrunched so tightly and sternly that he almost looked constipated. As he stomped up to you and Leona, he softened slightly when he saw your eyes looking at him mournfully, and your arms trapped under Leona’s tight grip.

“Rosehearts.” The lion greeted, teeth glinting as he grinned, “Good to see you.”

Riddle narrowed his eyes, then leaned over and pulled you from Leona’s arms, much to Leona’s surprise (or possibly his plan, since the beastman was much stronger than this 7th grade looking teachers pet.)

“You missed the party.” Riddle said sternly.

“Oh, was that today?” Leona drawled in faux shock, “It completely slipped my mind. My apologies, truly.” He pouted, looking pleased with himself.

Riddle simply glared at him before tugging you away, “You’re never late. Why were you here?”

“I lost a bet.” You replied with exhaustion, “This was the price. I’m so sorry Riddle, I was looking forward to spending time with you.”

Instantly his mood shifted, and he threw another glare toward Leona before tugging you off.

“We’ll just have to have one of our own, to make up for it. C’mon, there’s treats left, and I’ll make us some tea. There’s this lovely Darjeeling I received in a package from my father that you’ll love.”

Azul

Azul tapped his toe impatiently as he looked at his watch. Mostro Lounge was ten minutes from opening and you still hadn’t arrived. Your shift was supposed to start 45 minutes ago, where were you? Well, he eventually grew tired of waiting and simply went to find you, leaving Jade in charge for the ten or so minutes it would take between finding you and bringing you back.

He had a generally good idea of who and where you would be held up, and he started at each location. Heartslabyul commons - nope. The alchemy classroom - no. Ramshackle - no, again. Perhaps you were stuck with an assignment for Crewel and gathering materials? You did seem to excel in Potionology, and Crewel did love to challenge his favorite students.

What he expected in the botanical gardens was to see you snipping flowers in a rush, or plucking roots from the soil. Maybe even watering the plants. What he didn’t expect was to see you trapped next to Leona, wrapped in his jacket (tied in a bow so you couldn’t use the arms, on backwards and zipped up like a straight jacket) with one of the lions arms slung over your side as you squirmed.

“Oi, herbivore, you lost the bet. Pay the price.”

“I’d rather deal with your wrath than the Leech twins. I watched Jade send someone into anaphylactic shock by ‘accidentally’ mixing peanuts into a dish. All because they were rude to one of the other servers. And I don’t wanna get squeezed either!”

Azul coughed to get their attention, resulting in both parties looking up at him. Leona wore a sly smirk as he looked up, while you wore a mildly terrified expression.

“You’re late for work.” Azul said tightly, “Leona, would you kindly release my worker?”

“Nah.” Leona said, proceeding to lay all the way on them. “They lost a bet with me. You know deals are made to be kept.”

“And what was this deal, exactly?” He asked, voice strained as he tried to keep it even. His knuckles where white under his gloves. He proceeded to hold his hands behind his back.

“He bet that I couldn’t evict all the ghosts from ramshackle in a month.” You said bashfully, “I said I could.”

Leona snickered and rubbed his head against their neck, “It’s fully legitimate.”

Azul adjusted his glasses, glaring at them both. “I thought you’d learned not to take deals with people after dealing with me, no?”

“Did you just admit that you’re shady?” You asked, suppressing a laugh.

“Perhaps.” He said, “Is there nothing I could negotiate in order for them to be freed?”

Leona laughed, then raised an eyebrow, “Aww, you care that much about one little herbivore? You goin soft on me?”

Azul glowered, “Mostro Lounge’s income triples whenever they work. They’re an invaluable asset, that’s all.”

“Mhmm, asset. Well, if you want…” Leona said. He got up and began to whisper with Azul as you struggled to sit up and free yourself from your jacket prison.

Azul continued to glare at Leona until he finally relented. “It’s a deal.” He said, snapping his fingers.

“No, no, no contract.” Leona insisted, “I’ll set ‘em free right now, but I ain’t signin’ that.”

Azul forced the golden scroll to disappear as Leona finally freed you. He tugged you to your feet and gave you a light shove to Azul.

“Have fun with that, herbivore.”

You rolled your eyes, “See you, Leona.”

As you and Azul walked back to Octavinelle, you murmured softly to him, “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet,” he laughed, though he sounded somewhat nervous, “You owe me now, you know that, don’t you?”

You sighed and nodded, “Yeah, but still. Thanks.”

He flushed a little, then looked away, “Of course, prefect. Can’t have my best worker out of commission, can I? Speaking of, you’re already late.”

Kalim

It’s odd for the ramshackle prefect and their talking cat to be late to Scarabia’s tri-weekly party. Whether this was for the food or because of Kalim’s company, that was a guess for anyone. It really seemed as though the housewarden and prefect were thick as thieves, going on carpet rides and walks alone more often than not.

So when you never arrived for lunch, Kalim got worried. He waited and waited, thinking perhaps you’d simply forgotten the time. He didn’t seek you out immediately - I mean, maybe you’re just busy? But he did go looking for you after he heard you were missing from classes too.

Leona wasn’t intending to make Kalim jealous. It honestly doesn’t seem like something he’d ever be, he’s so happy - but keeping you from Kalim made Jamil’s job harder, and Leona was pissed at him for snagging a spelldrive player and getting them on basketball club instead. Really, that’s fucking rude.

Kalim relaxed momentarily when he finally found you in the gardens, but a tight tingling met the back of his throat when he saw you were snuggled up with Leona. He looked away and rubbed at his eyes, then frowned.

This is where you were? Did you like Leona more than him now? Why didn’t you tell him you wouldn’t make it? Was he not a good enough friend? Did you not really like hi-

His train of thought is cut off when he looks up to see you sleepily staring at him, then detangling yourself from Leona for exactly one moment (Leona’s not letting go, but we’ll give a little more leash) to make grabby hands at Kalim.

Kalim obligingly came closer sitting close without touching.

“‘M sorry I didn’t come today.” You said, “Leona trapped me. I made a bet with him and lost.”

Kalim nodded quietly, “So…”

You opened your arms again, pulling him down to lay with you, “I wanted to hang out. I planned on coming, I swear, but Ruggie stole my phone.”

Kalim let you tug him down, settling down to snuggle with you and Leona.

“We’re still friends?” Kalim asked quietly.

“We’re best friends.” You said seriously, pulling him closer.

There, the three of you napped while the rest of the school was (metaphorically) on fire.

Vil

Oh boy. You skipped helping him film his new project. Spudling, did you think he wouldn’t notice? You’re quite vital for him! Who is supposed to be his general audience? Who will tell him if something is boring or too long or the shot is weird? Evidently, filming could NOT happen without you. Everything seemed like it was going wrong and Vil was NOT having it. So, he naturally stalked off to find you, leaving Rook to make sure every didn’t leave (or it’d be a worse fate than pissing off Riddle)

It didn’t take long before Vil cornered the idiot duo and made them spill where you were. Napping? In the gardens? With Kingscholar? ALL DAY?

How could you ruin your precious sleep schedule?! And especially on that mangey, dirty, lazy lion man?

Three minutes later he’s towering over you and Leona. Leona, who is staring back at him with and evil grin, and you, half awake, looking like you’re about to piss yourself.

“Spudling,” Vil began calmly, “What are you doing here?”

“RUGGIE STOLE MY PHONE-“ was the first thing you wailed.

This was cut off when Vil held up one hand, eyes closed as he took a deep breath, “Not what I asked. Try again.”

“They lost a bet.” Leona said cooly, “Said they could win an arm wrestling match with Epel.”

“He’s so much stronger than I expected…” you whispered, shuddering at the thought.

Vil stood there, trying to figure out if he should be proud, pissed, disappointed, or jealous.

“And this is the price of your bet?” Vil asked, staring at the beastman.

“Yep.” Leona said, popping the ‘p’ for dramatic effect.

“Hmm…” Vil looked around the gardens, “This could add a certain ambiance. Yes, this will do nicely for my project.”

Leona’s eyes went wide, then narrowed, “What do you mean, Schoenheit.”

“If you won’t let my Spudling come and help me, I will simply bring what I need help with here.”

The two held a staring contest for so long you were worried that time may have actually stopped. Leona blinked first, and let out a groan, “Oh fine.”

He untangled himself from you, mumbling, “You’ll just have to make up for this on another day, herbivore.”

Vil smirked as the two of you walked off, Vil with a confident strut and you in a daze.

“Spudling?” Vil asked sweetly, a hand moving to fix your hair as you walked.

“Yeah?”

“Don’t ever blow me off again.”

Idia

Honestly, Idia knew about this beforehand. He can see every text, email, and video feed inside the school, and he also can access all of Ortho’s files. So, he definitely knew.

He was just sort of silently hoping you would bail on Leona instead of him. Wouldn’t you rather watch anime or play star-whatever? Don’t you wanna snuggle and eat gummy worms with him while you infodump about everything you’ve learned recently and he offers random fun facts he knows while you talk so you know he’s listening? Don’t you wanna play mariokart with him and ortho?

Okay, maybe it’s just as boring, but he’s better company, right? Leona…Leona is a prince.

He ended up just sulking in his room, watching you through the botanical gardens security cameras until Ortho eventually appeared on screen.

“Leona Kingscholar, can you please let go of my brother’s friend? He’s sulking in his room.”

“No.”

Ortho did not accept this, and went into Child Mode, immediately beginning to annoy the shit out of Leona until he eventually gave in.

“Oh my sevens, fine. Herbivore, go to the little thunderstorm inside of Ignihyde. Just know you’re not getting out of paying up.”

You shrugged and nodded, saying goodbye. Twenty minutes later, you and Ortho arrived at Idia’s dorm room with two giant bags from Mr S’s shop.

“Sorry I’m late,” you said, despite not being late for anything, “I got caught by a lion.”

Ortho beamed at Idia, “I found them!”

“Yeah, you did. Great job Ortho!” Idia replied, words stumbling over themselves in the rush. He got up and came closer, tentatively pulling you into a hug.

“Please don’t stop hanging out with me because Leona’s cooler.”

you laughed, hugging him back, “I was just with him cause I lost a bet.”

“A bet?”

“Said I could steal Azul’s glasses from him.”

“…well that was dumb of you.”

“Thanks, sugar pie.”

“NANI?!”

Malleus

Listen, these two genuinely have it out for each other. No matter what, being around Leona is going to make Malleus insanely jealous.

“Child of man.” Malleus greets, standing directly above you.

You blink an eye open. You look at him, he looks at you, then he nods to Leona’s sleeping body beside you. He wears a blank look, but his eyes read pure firey hatred.

“I had hoped you’d accompany for the Gargoyle appreciate club meeting tonight. Come to find out, you were missing from classes all day. Is this where you’ve been?”

Leona finally ‘woke up’ and looked to Malleus. “You jealous?”

Malleus turned to look at him, unblinking, “I don’t take kindly to my things being stolen.”

“Things?” You asked, “Yours?”

He looked startled at his own words, the cleared his throat, “Ah, my friend. I apologize.”

Leona snorted, “His lizard side came out. Although, it’s never really hidden, is it?”

Malleus held in a growl, “You should know better than to test a dragon, Kingscholar.”

Leona shrugged, snuggling himself further into your side, ignoring the way you tensed at being in the middle of one of their spats.

“Hardly a dragon. Just an overgrown lizard.”

Malleus barely registered the fact that he used magic to remove you from Leona’s grip, instead being the one to hold you.

“I bid you good day, Kingscholar.”

“And where do you think you’re going with them?” Leona called, “They were with me fair and square. We had a deal.”

“A deal?” Malleus raised an eyebrow at you, then turned back to Leona, who was now standing, “What deal?”

“We made a bet.” He said smugly, walking closer, “Payment is that they have to spend a whole day napping in here with me.”

Malleus hummed, then turned to look out the window.

“It seems you did.”

Leona held out his arms, “So give ‘em back.”

“Ah,” Malleus grinned, “It’s past sundown now. That means the day is now over, and they’re free to go, does it not?”

There was a tense silence.

“Take ‘em.” Leona said, “I’m tired of nappin’ anyway. Got stuff to do.”

#twisted wonderland #twst headcanons #azul ashengrotto #twisted wonderland headcanons #twst #twst mc #riddle rosehearts #leona kingscholar #malleus draconia #vil schoenheit #kalim al asim #idia shroud #idia shroud x reader #riddle rosehearts x reader #azul ashengrotto x reader #vil schoenheit x reader #kalim al asim x reader #malleus draconia x reader

[justrainandcoffee]

Inner demons (Alfie Solomons x fem!oc)

“They gave me a free pass to kill and I enjoyed it...”

Masterlist

Summary: It's 1917. Alfie and the men under his charge were allowed to return home. The war isn't over, but it's for him. At least physically. His wife found him one night sat in front of fireplace, he's mentally lost back in France. "Tell me a story about a man tortured by his own thoughts," his mind says "I'll tell you the story of Alfie Solomons."

Warnings: PTSD. Mentions of war. Blood. Murder. Suicide. Angst. Hurt/comfort.

Words: 1.5k

1917

"Captain, captain! It's Jacob Craig!! Captain!"

In his dreams, Alfie is following one if his men. Out of the trenches, a young soldier named Jacob is lying on the ground his whole body is shaking and Alfie can see why. His left leg is no there anymore and around him there's only blood.

"I'm…I'm so-sorry cap-captain."

"It's okay, soldier, you're fine. You're fine." Alfie put a hand on his shoulder and tried to not look at his missing leg.

"Te-tell my mum I lo-love her."

"I will."

Jacob Craig, only 19 years old, died no longer after. He was just a kid. Alfie wanted to yelled while some of the men put the corpse next to the others. He didn't have a chance to become a man, to have a family, to live a long life. Jacob Craig was one of the many that didn't have the chance to return home. His thoughts travelled to London. There, in a nice house in Camden Town, his wife was waiting for him. Alfie didn't know if he will be able to see her again.

A bomb exploded next to him and he ducked. When you're in a battlefield there's no time for sentimentalism. You kill or you die. Alfie grabbed his rifle and shot.

Next to him, his wife is sleeping but Alfie can't. His mind is torturing him, his nightmares are chasing him like a predator. He can name every single man who died under his watch. Not just Jacob Craig, there was a Kyle, a Christopher, an Andrew, a Derek… and so many more. You can hide if you want to, but you can't hide from your own mind.

Alfie was always an impulsive person, using the violence to be feared and respected was part of his nature. The problem is that the war increased that. He had to survive to return home and he knew what to do. But now in his mind there were not only the voices of his men, but also his enemies. The ones he killed with his own hands.

Back in 1914, before the war, he thought that returning home it'd be easy. But it wasn't. He was back, it's true, and it was more than millions could say, but the price he had to pay…

He goes to their living room. Alfie sits down in front of the chimney and watches the fire. It's hard to control himself. It's hard to pretend that everything is fine, when everything is not fine.

"Please, please… spare my life."

The voice of a man he never knew appears in his memories. Alfie can see his uniform in his mind. It was an Italian. 'A fucking wop'.

Alfie didn't spare his life. He took it and now the spirit of the Italian soldier lives forever in his conscience.

The rage he's carrying is too much. Too strong. "Tell me a story about a man tortured by his own thoughts, mom." His imagination says. And another voice responds: "I'll tell you the story of Alfie Solomons."

Anibal González was a good man. One of his best friends while they were there. Son of a Peruvian couple, Anibal was raise in England when both of his parents moved to Europe. Anibal was a funny man, full of good intentions who just wanted to live in the countryside and have a farm. That was before he blew up his brain after two years in the front. Alfie tried to stop him, but he couldn't.

He hides his face in his hands. "Make it stop… make it stop…"

"Al?" her soft voice, makes him turn around to see her. "Alfie, what's happening?"

"Ghosts… I can see them. They can see me. They're haunting me. All of them."

His hands are shaking and she put hers over his. Alfie is not the same and she can see that. His eyes are now always scrutinizing the surroundings. He's alert all the time and he can't sleep, like now.

"I don't want to hurt you, Rosie. I don't want to hurt you."

"You won't, Al."

"No, you don't understand. I know I'm 'ere, I know I'm safe now and I know who ya're… but it requires a lot of strength to reminding myself that. I need to tell me all the time that I'm not in the trenches. That there aren't wops here… only you. But I'm afraid that one day I won't be able to distinguish between ya and an enemy, between this house and the battlefield. I-… I'm terrified of hurting you. Of killing you, because my mind is damaged."

Rose caresses his face. Her poor Alfie. In her whole life she never saw him that bad… broken. Fuck those who dared to hurt him. She doesn't need a reminder to know that her husband isn't a good man, but Rose knows her husband is incapable of doing anything against her. And the proof is in front of her. Even broken, Alfie's biggest fear isn't his well-being but hers. The man she loves is terrified of hurting her because his mind isn't the same.

She hugs him and he hides his face against her body. Rose strokes his hair. "We'll face this together, Al. As always. Even if it takes you ages. I don't care. I'll be here."

"If I hurt ya, I will kill myself, ya know that, right? I fuckin' shoot myself."

"And I'm going to stop you before you can do it. You're my everything, Al. I know you better than I know myself. True that I don't know what did you experience in France, what did you see but I know how strong you are. And this is only…"

"They gave me a free pass to kill and I used it. I enjoyed it," he interrumpts. Alfie looks at her "I know I can't stop now. My nightmares, luv, are red and the voices keep claiming blood. Over and over again."

She notices that he's trembling again and holds him even tighter: "I wish we'd have the chance to run far away from here. I wish those who sent you there die cruelly. Alfie, I can't change the past. But I'm ready to this new present. If hypothetically you kill someone else… Do you think that will scare me? The day you arrive here covered by blood then I'll prepare a bath to help you to clean yourself. I'll stitch your wounds. I'll kiss your bruises. I'm not scared of you. But I'll help you to fight that urge, no matter what. Listen, I said I know you better than I know myself and it's true and since it's true, I know you're incapable of hurting me even if your voices are screaming at you."

In the house there's only the two of them. As always the two of them. Their dog called Fancy is sleeping next to the door. The sound of the fire is only interrupted by the sound of their breathing.

"I love ya, pet."

"I know. And I love you, too Al."

"I'm tired. It's just it. I'm tired of everything. Ya think it'll pass?"

"Everything always pass, Alfie. One day this will be a distant memory."

"Probably."

They remain in silence once again. When Rose watches at him again, she sees him sleeping on her. The woman caresses his hair slowly.

"They gave me a free pass to kill and I enjoyed it." His words are engraved in her mind now. If hell is a real place then Alfie's soul already has a room for him there. But he was not going to go alone there. If she had to sell her own soul to be with him then she's ready to make a deal with the devil himself if that meant to be with him forever.

Alfie sleeps with his head on her lap. He's dreaming again. He's in France but this time his wife is there, right in front of him while he's ready to use his rifle. Alfie's hands are shaking and is bitting his lower lip. He sees her smiling at him and before he'd realise what's happening, the gun fells on the ground. For the first time in his dreams he's not hurting anyone. Rose is right: he's incapable of hurting her even in his nightmares. The demons in his head scream but he's not listening to them. In the dreams, Alfie smiles at her too.

#peaky blinders #alfie solomons #alfie solomons x oc #tom hardy #alfie solomons x ofc #peaky blinders x oc #alfie x rose

[erklin]

Angst...ig? I wrote this because I was bored and lonely, also this is my first time writing. English isn't my first language. This honestly was just kinda a vent or a rant, I don't know.

Tw-Physical abuse, manipulation.

You foolishly thought Muzan would love you, but you're wrong.

Muzan, the man you loved with all your life. The man who captured your heart in a suffocating grip, the man who made you feel so loved, yet so alone.

How could such a man turn out to be like this? He never acted violently towards you. He vowed to never yell at you, even when he was surrounded by a cloud of anger and despair. So how could he switch his persona in a blink of an eye? At some point in your misery, you figured that it was all an act. An act just for his cruel enjoyment, an act that was for his dark fantasies of seeing how a human so insignificant like you responded to love. Now he had dug himself deep into a hole, where he couldn't help but toy with you more. Just for entertainment.

He kept you around just for fun, he dotted you in love and affection just to see how you would react. You mindlessly followed him and got caught in his unforsaken trap. That oblivious head of yours trusted a demon just because you found him "hurt" one night. You were too kind for your own good. Now you have to pay the price for your stupidity.

You fell to the ground, gripping your broken arm with fresh tears filling up your eyes. You had disobeyed him again. You said you wouldn't do it again, you promised and swore up and down that you would never go through what he did to you the first time you crossed the line. Now you have done it again. It wasn't your fault honestly, you saw an injured man and rushed to save him, forgetting that it was the most important rule in the book. If you cared about a dying man more than him, why should he give you mercy?

Muzan stood in the corner of the dimly lit room, staring at you while you sobbed and begged. You knew it was no use to cry to a man who didn't care about you, but you couldn't help it. It was a natural reaction, especially when he was treating you worse than prey. Even hunters had the heart to kill an animal quickly, but Muzan wasn't a hunter. He was a king, an entity who was higher than a hunter. He didn't have the moral to kill you quickly, no, he wanted to see you suffer.

He walked over to your shaking form, just...staring at you without moving a muscle. He took joy in your sorrowful figure, you were nothing but a chunk of meat he was playing with. He could break every bone in your body, and all you could do was accept it. Maybe it was a punishment for foolishly believing his loving words that were no less than a hoax. Now that he had shown you who he truly was, he had no reason to continue faking the persona of a loving husband. Now, he was Muzan. A being that you wish you hadn't met. A being that you wish you never trusted, and a being who will eventually be the cause of your death.

You couldn't do much but accept your fate, after all, Muzan wasn't nice enough to just kill you. All you could do was bear with it, bear with his violence, bear with his abuse, and bear with his suffocating presence. Maybe one day, he will get tired of you and end your suffering, but who knows. Now he was in control of your fate, and he wanted to make it as miserable as possible.

#muzan kibutsuji #demon slayer #muzan x reader #angst #demon slayer angst #muzan x you

[vylad243]

What's Lyric's personality like? And will there be more of her in the future fics?

Cuz I already love this child and she sounds more like charlie ngl :3

And Vox mpreg 😭 will there be a fic during he's pregnancy? I already see the angst the way you worded it 🥲

Lyric is a ball of pure chaos. She is basically if Alastor was left alone too long and had Vox's ADHD

Lyric is a lot like Charlie because Charlie babysat her a lot while Vox is recovering! Alastor went through a phase of postpartum himself at the sight of his partner barely being alive, and he spiralled from there. He didn't try to blame the baby, but he blamed Lyric's pregnancy a lot before he found out what Mammon was doing, which led him to feel disconnected from her and he didn't ever want to leave Vox

Lyric adopts a lot of mannerisms from Charlie, such as singing to connect with people and talking a lot with her hands. She has way more energy than Charlie does and actually uses more dark magic than her own hell-magic since her powers are so weak. She's pretty flexible and can make everything and anything work if she wants to. She's also really good at manipulating people, but she never realizes she's manipulating people under after she did it. She doesn't hold a lot of remorse for her actions as she has to think things through a l o t because she has to do certain spells or pay the price later. She's a lot more calculating, but underneath all of that, she really is a sweet girl. She does have a few daddy issues because Alastor was pretty disconnected from her for a while, but he does try to make it up to her, and she does forgive him. She understands he was scared about raising her by himself without his partner because no one knew if sinners could die from childbirth. She's pretty positive overall, though, and she's a lot more animalistic than Alastor because, as a kid, she used to mimic Vark and never grew out of it

I tried to work a lot off of Vivie saying Alastor wouldn't be a good father while also trying to preserve how Alastor acts in my series so I think I did a good job with trying to decide their relationship!

As for the mpreg! Oh yes there will be a lot of angst coming your way. I already have a few angst moments planned and one is when Vox is in his third trimester, crying to Alastor that he can't do it anymore and how he doesn't have enough strength to do it anymore. Mammon really used all the power he could. All the other sins held back and stopped production once they were halfway through the second trimester, but Mammon decided he could use all the other sins' power they they left for Vox

Attention can only do so much for Vox when all the power he gains goes to the baby and to Mammon. Alastor really was the only thing keeping him going because Alastor kept giving up his power to keep Vox and Lyric alive

It's probably going to be one of the larger one-shots because of how much I have planned, but it isn't easy on anyone. Sinner pregnancies are rare, and most sinners who can fall pregnant don't have as much power of influence as Vox does, which naturally some sinners viewed as a weak point and tried to take his ranking of Overlord while he was pregnant.

It doesn't help that Alastor and Vox refused to use sinner doctors because 'they're in Hell for a reason, Charlie' so they would only use hellborn ones, and they're quite hard to find in Pride because they're usually killed off

#hazbin hotel #vox hazbin hotel #hazbin hotel alastor #anonymous #radiostatic #a month in rut #AMOR #Lyric hazbin hotel #hazbin hotel oc

[jinwoosungs]

{ 58 }

time heals all wounds.

bakugo katsuki x fem.reader

warnings: unedited; angst; spoilers for bnha ch. 362 + 363

your quirk was thought to be something close to a godsend; and due to how immensely important it was, you were often told to use it sparingly and only in cases of severe emergencies.

your quirk has come to be known by this simple phrase: time heals all wounds. it worked similarly to eri's rewind quirk, but with a focus on healing even the most dire of wounds. it was a quirk you had inherited from your great-grandmother, who was a reknown healer back in her pro-hero years. and her quirk was so profound and legendary that those who witnessed her in action said she could bring even those on the brink of death back to life.

she was famous for being able to save countless of lives, and her legacy was something that would never be forgotten-

however, it came with a high price.

with each hero she saved with her quirk, reversing time and healing their wounds, her own lifespan had been cut. she was a brave woman, often sacrificing herself for the sake of others without without hesitation.

despite her death at the ripe age of 40, she still found time to fall in love and raise a family of her own, which was how you came into existence.

before your quirk ever manifestated, your parents often prayed that you would be born quirkless, that you wouldn't inherit time heals all wounds and live a relatively normal and happy life.

so when you were four years old and scraped your knee while trying to ride your bike, your mother had come to you, face filled with concern as she got the first aid kit ready. you didn't like seeing her so worried, so you did what you always do whenever you got a small cut or bruise-

you would simply focus and press your hand against the scrape, watching the blood slowly morph away as your newly healed skin was seen, completely good as new with no blemishes or proof of your prior injuries.

but instead of seeing your mother's happy expression, you were met with your mother's anguished cry of your name. the tears that filled her eyes was unmistakable-

you had inherited your great-grandmother's quirk.

after your display, you remembered your mother gripping your shoulders tightly as she begged you to never use your quirk to heal your wounds ever again. by now, you were crying yourself, unable to comprehend that waiting for your bruises and cuts to heal naturally always hurt, and that you'd rather fix all of your 'ouchies' by yourself.

your mother was devastated upon hearing your words, simply holding you close while pressing her fevered lips against your forehead, "oh honey, i know it hurts, but trust me, the more you use that quirk of yours, the greater your pain will be when you grow older. i don't want your future to be taken away from you, my love."

you wouldn't understand what her words meant back then, but in due time, as you grew older, you had quickly learned the ultimate truth about your quirk: if you were ever to use your quirk to rewind time, regardless of how far back you reversed it, your own lifespan would be cut short in response.

you kept such truths deep inside of your heart, still choosing to pursue an education at u.a. despite your obvious limitations. all of your teachers and mentors helped with honing your skills in the art of healing without relying on the use of your quirk, often putting you under recovery girl's own tutelage as you helped her with treating any injured students.

never once were you told to use your quirk-

that is, until now.

you recall being shaken up, eyes opening to be met with shoto todoroki's panicked gaze. you briefly wondered how he came into your dorm room, but was snapped out of it upon feeling how much his hands were trembling. he calls out your name, practically on the brink of tears as he tried to tell you what was going on.

"we tried to fight, and bakugo- i- fuck, please, you have to help him. i know it's asking a lot of you, but please, i'm begging you, only you can save him."

the desperation heard in his voice breaks you out of your drowsy daydream. you were told by recovery girl to stay on campus while the others fought, just in case you were needed. your hopes were placed high, practically on a pedastal as you had complete confidence that your peers were strong enough to overcome this war and come back unscathed. yet the hopes that you had, you realize now, were akin to a child's dream.

todoroki leads you past the crowd of students, pushing past their own tired and forlorn forms as he lead you to the common room. settled in the middle of the now emptied space was the broken body of bakugo katsuki.

you gasp, heart fluttering close to the base of your throat at the sight of his lifeless body. his once angry, ruby red gaze was now empty, the blood that had painted his uniform was dried and now caked within the fabric. the scent of iron makes your stomach churn, and you felt the blood rushing into your own ears at the sight of his unmoving form.

"i couldn't bring myself to let eri see him like this. she's already been through so much that i don't think she can take it if she couldn't heal him. please-"

the rest of todoroki's words fall to deaf ears when you fall to your knees and crawl closer to bakugo's body. the damage he suffered was unmistakable, yet at the same time, you felt a newfound determination fill you.

bakugo katsuki had such promise as a pro-hero. you knew that you could save his future, save him, so long as you put your mind to it. you reach out to him and carefully cradle his limp body into your arms, breathing out a sigh of his name as you curled yourself around his form.

focus on his wounds, picture yourself closing them. focus on his torn heart, remember the veins and arteries and make them appear once more.

time heals all wounds-

time heals all wounds-

you kept repeating the phrase over and over again, feeling your quirk take over as your body began to feel warm, unbearably hot. you refused to break your focus, wanting nothing more than to save this hero who held so much promise for the future.

a sudden gasp makes you wince, but still, you remained focused. after all, everyone was relying on you to save him, to heal something so irreversible with your quirk that was known to work miracles in the past.

you didn't know how much time had passed when the sudden ache was felt pounding against your temple as the heat you felt pouring out of your body suddenly go into the body of the boy you held in your arms.

his chest was still pressed against yours, and when shivers began to wrack through your body did you realize something amazing:

bakugo now exhibited a tiny heartbeat, and his breathing, despite being so shallow and slight, was still felt against the nape of your neck.

you actually succeeded in saving a life, yet all that energy you used in reversing all of bakugo's damage made a fresh wave of exhaustion wash over you. you end up slumping back down to the floor, taking bakugo with you as everyone crowded around you, making sure that you were both okay.

"please, t-take us to the infirmary, but don't separate us. i...i need to stick close to him...to make sure that he's...okay."

that was all you remembered before giving in to the exhaustion, falling into a dreamless slumber while still holding on to the now barely alive boy.

------

the last thing bakugo remembered was a feeling of regret and sadness, his last wish of wanting all-might to sign the same collector's edition card deku had gifted him before being bathed in nothingness.

he had felt no pain, just the sensation that he was floating-

but dammit all, was he hurting real bad right now.

his whole body felt like it was on fire, muscles aching as he struggled to even move. he groans, opening his eyes to see the blinding lights burn into his retinas, causing some stray tears to fall from them.

"fuck, what the hell happened to me?" his voice was raspy, as if he hadn't spoken in centuries as he tried to move his arms, only to find that they were not only bound and hooked up to several IV wires, but there was someone cuddling close to the hospital bed with him.

he manages to pull away to see you, a girl whom he only knew in passing as recovery girl's mentee. you allegedly had a great healing quirk, but that was all bakugo knew about you.

he struggles to recall your name and ends up attempting to wake you up with his typical rudeness, "oi, get off of me. since when are patients allowed to share a bed?!"

this works in waking you up, earning a groan from you as you lifted yourself off of him, eyes widening when they met with bakugo's burning blood red gaze.

"bakugo...! you're okay!"

confusion clouds over his prior feelings of pain and annoyance, watching your expression quickly morph from disbelief to relief.

he was about to say something to you, only to be cut short when he feels your hands carefully explore his features. it was as though you were treating him with a reverence he had never felt before, feeling your fingertips carefully trace at the hard contours of his jawline all while droplets of your tears were felt dripping against his skin like summer rain.

bakugo had never known such gentleness before in his life, and he found himself quickly becoming captivated by your sweet caress. becoming nearly drunk off of your touches, he watches as your eyes close slightly, looking at him now through a half-lidded gaze when you suddenly surged forward to press a chaste kiss against his lips.

the words were caught in his throat, and he was close to trying to draw you even closer to him, placing a hand behind your head when the sound of a door opening breaks you away from him.

"katsuki! my beloved boy, you're alive!"

shame was seen flashing within your eyes when you quickly got off the bed, allowing his parents to crowd over to him as you snuck out of the infirmary. he reaches out to you, only to be met with his parent's tight embrace.

he wasn't sure what had happened. in the past, he always hated how doting his mom and dad were, their affections always feeling so stifling to him. yet now, he could feel his eyes fill with tears, reverting back to the age where he was just a child who needed the comfort of his mother's embrace to feel safe again.

"ma, pa, i-" the emotions were overwhelming now, the pain he felt was all encompassing as he allowed his parents to take him within the comfort of their arms without a single dry eye in the room.

it's then that bakugo realizes what that emptiness he felt was-

he had died back then. and the fact that he was back was inexplicably tied to you.

------

the weeks following bakugo's recovery had a few rocky starts, but altogether, he was doing well. in fact, he was doing so well that he was determined to extract his revenge and go back out on the field-

a goal that was rejected on the spot due to how dangerous it was if the villains realized that bakugo had survived.

which in turn would lead them to you.

yes, it was better off for them to believe that bakugo had truly died until this was all over, and you were grateful that you were able to help even at the cost of your own life.

but perhaps who was the most grateful for the use of your quirk was mitsuki bakugo herself. she and her husband kept sending you gifts and other small tokens of their gratitude, almost treating you like some deity simply because you had willingly saved their son-

however, you felt undeserving of being treated with such high regard. you knew that your great-grandmother's blood flowed through your very veins, and that you were simply carrying on the legacy she had made.

you were simply happy at being able to live your life as the hero you always wanted to be, even if it felt like a piece of you was missing.

after saving bakugo, you were caught in an almost trancelike state. you felt a yearning that was so strong that you swore your soul ached with it. sometimes, when you allowed your emotions to take over, you would wander the empty hallways of u.a. and find yourself directly outside of bakugo's own dorm room.

upon realizing this, you would immediately shake your head and bring your hands together to slap against your cheek, trying to snap out of whatever desire that had you coming towards bakugo himself. and for the most part, you were able to get away without him knowing.

but this time, it was different. the urge to see bakugo was so strong, and when you were finally met with the door leading to his room, it unexpectedly opens.

you take a few steps back, completely caught off guard at finally seeing him after so long. your mouth opens and closes with the desire to say something, to say anything to break the awkward silence-

yet words still managed to fail you, and the yearning you felt for him simply grew by a tenfold once you finally saw him in the flesh

gone were the harsh lines seen on his face. in the past, he would usually be seen with a scowl on his face all while yelling at whoever dared defy him. yet now, his expression remained soft, peaceful even when he takes a hold of your hand and brings you into his arms.

he shakily says your name, holding you close while falling to his knees. you felt him trembling all while pressing his face against your abdomen. by now, you were close to being in tears yourself all while begging him to stand up, that he didn't need to cry because everything was okay simply because he was okay.

yet still, he refuses to let you go, pressing himself even closer to you when he finally admits, "my mom and dad told me everything, told me they were so grateful to you because you brought me back. you made my heart beat again at the cost of your own soul, and i can't stop thinking about you. i can't get you out of my head."

you end up falling to your knees with him, eyes burning with your own tears as bakugo gently frames at your face, "i don't think i can see anyone else but you, now. i swear, i won't let your gift go to waste. i'm gonna be with you until the end of time, i swear it."

coming together one last time, you allow yourself to melt into his arms when he kisses you, taking your very breath away as you delved your fingers into his own hair. no longer did you feel incomplete while in the safety of bakugo's arms-

finally, you felt like you were home.

epilogue

bakugo katsuki closes his eyes, basking in his one last memory of you, savoring it as if it just happened yesterday.

a pair of tiny hands ends up breaking him out of his own daydream, and he opens his eyes once more to see a little girl settled on his lap. he swore his heart ached at the sight of his precious granddaughter pouting up at him-

she looked so much like you, and the similarity of her features to yours only made the melancholy of losing you even more evident.

her lips were trembling as her tiny hands gripped at the front of his shirt, "grampa, is that why grandma isn't here with us right now?"

he sniffs a bit, wrapping his arms around her tiny body before pressing his chapped lips against the soft skin of her forehead, "that's right, babygirl. but there's no need to feel sad. your grandma lived a full and happy life, your grampa made sure of it when he gave her the prettiest wedding ring of her dreams and married her." he reassures his granddaughter with a smile, gently wiping away her tears, "your grandma even got to hold you when you were first born."

he listens as she hums in response, "okay grampa, as long as you promise she was happy. c-can we look at your picture books again? i wanna see grandma because she was so pretty."

"of course, honey. come, let grampa take you back inside and we can look at pictures of grandma together."

despite how much it hurt to keep on living without you by his side, bakugo knew he had to keep his promise and protect the family you had built together. he couldn't afford to let your gift for him go to waste and decided to live life to his fullest, solely because he knew that was what you wanted.

someday soon, he'll see you and have you in his arms again-

but for now, he knew that you were patient enough and could wait for him just a little while longer.

all stories are written by rei; reposts, translations, and plagiarism are not allowed.

#bakugo katsuki x reader #bakugo x reader #katsuki bakugo x reader #bnha x reader #mha x reader #bakugo katsuki angst #bakugo angst #.stories

[mykneeshurt]

Haunted pt5

Gonna be MIA next week, I’m getting married 28/11 so I’m gonna be a bit busy. If I find time to do another chapter I will.

I don’t know how to do a taglist lmao let me j ow if that’s something y’all want

Have some angst hehe

Applying the last of your concealer on your now golden bruise, which adorned the bridge of your nose, you let out a sigh. ‘Alright lass?’ Turning round you saw Soap leaning against the door frame. ‘Yeah. I think so. Just nervous.’ Offering you a reassuring smile he walked over to you and placed a firm hold on your shoulder. ‘You be alright lass. Keegan’s doin all the listening, you’re there just to look good’ he winked. Laughing you shoved him off you ‘fuck off Soap.’

Walking downstairs to the dining room your stomach was doing somersaults. The thought of seeing Keegan again after all this time made you feel physically sick. Taking a deep breath you rounded the corner to the dining room, all the men sat waiting for you. Keegan stood in the corner, his ice blue eyes slammed into yours within an instant. Fuck. ‘Long time no see kid’ he greeted in the silence of the room. Putting on your brave face you smiled back ‘Hey! Yeah it’s … been a while.’ Christ why were you so awkward? He still looked incredible, firm body, tall, imposing and those eyes. You almost forgot you’re meant to breathe.

Feeling everyone’s eyes on you, you quickly found your seat and sat down. Next to Ghost of course. He was able to see you were feeling tense so he placed his knee next to yours under the table. A subtle sign to let you know he was there. Brushing your arm briefly along his thigh as a thank you, you settled into the briefing.

‘Now’ Price began ‘just wanna say thank you Keegan for takin time to come and help us with this intel operation. Ghost, like I said the other day you’re look out. You’ll be on the roof opposite the cafe, keepin an eye. Soap and Gaz you’ll be outside to start. One by one go in and keep eye on Doc and Keegan. Keegan knows what he needs to listen for, Doc you’re there to make it more convincing. Get the intel and get out. Piece of piss.’ All nodding in unison you stood to get ready to depart. Everyone had left the room all bar you and Ghost. Looking up at him he could sense your wavering nerves. Planting a firm kiss on your forehead he held your hands in his ‘you got this love.’ That’s all the reassurance you needed.

Once outside the town you secured your switch blade to your thigh and another smaller knife in the neck of your boot. Pulling your flowy skirt down you noticed Keegans eyes on you. ‘Just like old times eh. Flashing me a thigh to get my attention’ he smirked. ‘In your fuckin dreams Keegan.’

‘You always are kid.’ Snapping your head to him you shot him a firm gaze ‘don’t start this please. I don’t have the mental energy to deal with you today. Come on, before I lose my nerve.’

Taking his hand in yours you began walking down the street to the cafe. Your earpiece crackled to life underneath your hair. ‘Got you in my sights. They’re not here yet, linger for 5.’ There he was, your guardian angel in the skies. Soap was sat by a fountain reading a newspaper and Gaz was lingering on the corner looking at his phone. Keegan wrapped his hand around your waist pulling you in tightly to him. Ghost looked on, an ache deep within his chest. You looked so natural on his arm, so comfortable and care free. Ghost began to wonder if that’s how you felt with him, that carefree and comfortable. He felt an ache of jealously creeping up into his chest.

‘They’re coming up on your 6, get ready.’ Taking a deep breath you tried to calm your nerves, Ghost reading your body longed to hold you, to calm you. Instead Keegan had other ideas, he also knew how to read you. Pulling you in he placed his lips on yours, knowing you were unable to pull away you could only allow him to kiss you. Extremely aware the only man you wanted was forced to watch, helpless at the situation before him. Keegan pulled away ‘you taste just as good as I remember.’ Ghosts grip on his sniper rifle grew tighter by the minute, his knuckles white hot with rage. The jealousy kicking up a notch.

You smiled back at Keegan, knowing you couldn’t do anything else. But your eyes were dead. You glared back at him, wanting nothing more than to slap him. ‘Let’s go in’ you urged, feeling the burn of Ghosts gaze. Walking into the dull cafe you saw your targets sat in a booth, luckily for you another booth was empty next to them. Sitting down in the booth you were sat back to back, in optimum position to hear everything. The waitress brought over coffee and you both relaxed into the shabby dark green leather.

Keegan was taking this couple business far too seriously. He nuzzled against your neck, finger tips grazed your thigh and planted a kiss on your cheek any time he could. ‘Careful’ you chided ‘could be giving the impression you’re not entirely over me.’

Taking a sip of his coffee he looked over towards Soap who had now entered the cafe. ‘Not entirely kid. Would much prefer to be under you.’ You snorted into your cup, placing his hand on the knife concealed on your thigh. ‘What I wouldn’t give to bury this into your fucking face’ you said with a sickly sweet smile. ‘God I’ve fuckin missed you’ he retorted.

With the Russians conversation finally switching to what you were here for, Keegan leant back against the booth. Intently listening. Locking eyes with Soap you gave a subtle nod to inform him it was go time. Soap diverted his attention back to his newspaper, ears clearly on stand by. You had no idea what what Keegan needed to listen out for. Your mind wandered back to your relationship with him. The arguments, the fights, the make up sex … the amazing make up sex. God. The thought made you blush, pushing the memories back down you tried to stay alert and focused on the mission.

With a firm slap to your thigh Keegan smiled ‘got what we need, let’s go.’ Not needing to tell you twice you jumped up from the booth and made your way outside hand in hand with Keegan. Once outside and clear from Makarovs men you radioed to Ghost, ‘all clear. Got what we needed.’ Silence. Odd.

Making your way back to the jeeps, Keegan again tried to get handsy with you. Pushing him off you, you looked at him in disbelief. ‘I haven’t seen you in years and you think we can pick up where we left off?! You’re fucking deluded. You HURT me Keegan. Really fucking bad. I would have done anything for you. And you hurt me.’ Tears pricked your eyes as the seriousness of your tone finally got through to him. He backed off finally getting the message.

Soap and Gaz rounded the corner to find you both mid argument. Ghost was the last to turn up, his eyes expressionless. The journey back was tense. You sat in the middle of Ghost and Keegan, Ghost back to being tense around you. Not even looking in your direction. Feeling how tense it was Soap turned on the radio and flashed Gaz a grimace.

Once back at the safe house Keegan filled in Price on what he needed to hear. Soap and Gaz took to the living room to relax. You however went to find Ghost. Finding him in his room you knocked, he didn’t even look at you. You felt uneasy. ‘Hey? What’s wrong?’

Nothing. ‘Simon, please talk to me?’ Nothing. He just stared at the floor. Your heart rate increasing, you were starting to feel incredibly anxious. In reality he didn’t know what to say. He couldn’t express how he felt inside, seeing how natural you looked with Keegan played on his mind massively. His mind reverted to constant negative self-talk, why would any one love him? Why would any one want to show affection to him? You were just using him because you were bored. So he did what he does best with relationships. Self-sabotage.

Standing up he towered over you ‘you gonna fuck him?’ If your eyes could have widened further they would have. What the fuck did he mean by that?! ‘Simon what are you on about?’

‘I saw how cosy you were with him. Looked like more than just actin to me.’ His eyes were cold, void of emotion but his tone of voice made up for that. ‘I told you we had history Simon …’

Without letting you finish he carried on quoting him ‘you taste just as good as I remember?’ His fists were clenched tight ‘bet you fuckin loved kissin him.’ Knowing exactly what he was doing you called him out on it. ‘Just because you cant handle your emotions Simon does not mean you get to take it out on me. You’re not the only one here with a past so you don’t get to pull this self-sabotage bullshit with me.’ Tears were welling under your eyes, a mixture of frustration, sadness and pure rage. ‘And what the fuck would you know?’ He spat.

‘You wanna know?!’ You seethed, squaring up to him ‘you’re not the only one who’s been fucking abused Simon. You’re not the only one daddy didnt fucking love. You know my father and brother would often beat me? Make me watch as they beat my mother? I was tortured in Afghanistan for 2 weeks’ you spat as you lifted your jumper to show multiple scars across your abdomen. ‘They burnt me, the cut me, water boarded me cause they thought I was someone else. When clearly I’m just a pathetic medic who doesn’t know shit, and loves fuckin everyone I see.’ Lowering your jumper your face twisted with the our emotions you were feeling.

Turning to leave he grabbed your arm, the tears were so close to falling. ‘I know you think you’re not worthy of love Simon. I’ve been where you are. But picking fights because you think you’re worthless isn’t the way to do this. And I don’t think we can carry on until you really look at yourself. You have complex PTSD, that isn’t going to go away. That’s not your fault. But how you treat other people is.’ Shaking loose of his grip you left him in his room.

Making your way to the bathroom you splashed your face with cold water. Your eyes red and bloodshot from holding in the tears. The ache in your chest was indescribable. You felt like a fool. You were finally letting yourself feel something for him. Which has now been robbed courtesy of his jealousy and emotional issues. Scurrying back to your room you curled up into your bed and sobbed, muffling it with your pillow. You allowed yourself to cry the heaviest tears, the anguish punched through your chest. Feeling as though you were losing control you noticed your breath becoming faster, your chest becoming tighter. Your hands shaking, your thoughts becoming muddled and blurry. Feeling unable to breathe or catch your breathe complete panic took over your body.

Upon hearing the sounds of complete distress coming from your room, Ghost barged in. He ran to your side and scooped you up into his arms and held you. Melting into him you tried to regulate your breathing. ‘Shhhh love, I’m here, I’m here. Breathe with me’ he cooed. You felt hot and sweaty, hair wrapped around your face as thick tears fell from your swollen eyes. He cupped your face and placed a firm kiss on your lips. ‘I’ve got you, breathe. In and out. That’s it.’ Slowly the panic started to drift away as your breaths started to regulate themselves. 10 years without a panic attack and now you’ve had a huge one in front of him.

Feeling embarrassed you apologised. He grasped your face to look at him. ‘Nothin to be sorry for love. I’m sorry. You’re right. You were completely right.’ He used his thumb to wipe away fresh tears as he kissed your forehead. ‘Come here’ he whispered, lying you down in his arms. You clutched onto his jumper, his presence the only thing making you feel safe. You slowly drifted off to sleep, the warmth of his chest against your face as his soothed your back with his touch. That was the first night that Simon had ever slept all the way through.

#fan fic smut #ghost x you #simon ghost riley #call of duty #cod mw22 #fluff #ghost x reader

[writerwrites]

Ain’t No Sunshine

Pairing: Steve Rogers x Reader

Summary: You fled Brooklyn on your eighteenth birthday to escape heartbreak. The last person you expect to be giving a lap dance to a decade later is that childhood crush and former neighbor. Okay, maybe the last thing you expected was what he’d say when he realized who you were...

Word Count: 3.8K

Warnings: Mature content - 18+ ONLY, MINORS DNI, angst, sex work (stripping and boners), flashbacks of teenage virginity loss (both were 18 but also the scene isn’t written out) and heartbreak. Canon divergent and I’m not sorry about it.

A/N: This is my D1 “Lap Dance” fill for @steverogersbingo​ | jammies | dividers by @firefly-graphics​​ | ​I do not consent to my fics being translated or reposted anywhere.

Two hundred and thirty miles. Four hours and thirty minutes. A decade of silence. Everything had a price, so why hadn’t you expected your past to catch up with you? Hell, maybe you did, but you definitely didn’t think the catching up would happen when you were in nothing but lace lingerie on the lap of your first love at his first love’s bachelor party. Yet, there he was, Steven Grant Rogers all grown up and in a lounge chair waiting for his evening entertainment. Maybe it wasn’t the right thing to do, but the thought of any of the other girls on his lap made your skin crawl and, against your better judgment, you took the initiative and sauntered his way.

With your hands on the back of his chair, you kept your chest in his face while you found your rhythm with the music and tried to pep talk your way through this interaction. When Steve tried to meet your eyes you spun around in his lap, placing your hands on his knees because his arms were stretched across the armrests of the chair, his massive hands clutching the leather as you circled your hips against his crotch. You controlled just how much of your weight you lowered onto him as you looked around the crowded private room. Each guy with a dancer except for the groom to your left, given two. A year older than you and the only other person in the group that might recognize you. Using your long hair, dyed the complete opposite of your natural color, as a curtain, you caught the bouncer watching each of the girls.

His expression changed minutely from girl to girl, an unspoken language that you knew to gauge behavior in order to get the best tip from each customer. When he gave you a slight tip of his chin, you assumed you were in the clear, not going to be encouraged to turn back around and not going to be watched for a few more minutes. No, his hierarchy of priorities included customer satisfaction and then staff safety. It had taken you years to gain the confidence and skills you had, a few more to prove you could handle a drunk asshole before you were even offered these types of opportunities. Nevertheless, bachelor parties were always some degree of trouble, but it was the kind of trouble that paid too well to care.

As the music kept playing you tried to get out of your head, your body rolling against the hard muscles of his chest. A fleeting memory of your body against his in a shitty Brooklyn studio apartment made your pulse race and your stomach tighten with want. Two ambling, inexperienced, uncomfortable-in-their-skin teenage bodies; sticky with sweat. Pushing the thought away you kept dancing, hoping no one noticed that you’d spaced out. The start of a show was luckily fairly predictable, men typically looking around to see who got the most attractive dancers before accepting their fate with whatever girl they were dealt. No one too old made it into these events with good reason, one drunk guy and a saggy tit do not a satisfied customer make.

On Steve’s lap, you drew figure eights with your hips against his hardening length, applying more and more pressure, and you found little release from the pent up sexual frustration that had been building since the second you saw him. Steve’s warm breath ghosted across the curve of your neck and you swallowed down a whimper that was gratefully silenced by his own groans and the music. Another memory flashed through your mind, the sweet teenage boy that never cursed groaning Buck as he thrust deep and came inside you. Your innocent voice breathless and giggling, stupidly thinking that lanky boy was enjoying himself so much that he said ‘fuck’. Now you worked your ass against Steve’s hard muscle, the lace panties doing little to hide the heat at your core. When you turned your head ever so slightly to catch a glimpse of his face, desperate to see him and what you were doing to him, you saw his knuckles white on the armrest. The corner of your lips tugged into a smirk, trying to remain satisfied with that little bit of a reaction.

The other girls were already in various stages of undress. New dancers seemed to have already lost everything. The experienced dancers were rolling down stockings and tangling their guest’s wrists with their garter belts. With pasties on you chose to take your bra off, nervous about just how wet being on Steve’s lap and making him hard had made you- not that he could see it in the black lace panties. Settling onto his thigh, you wiggled as he tortured you by flexing his muscled. Making a show of draping all of your hair to one shoulder, still blocking the groom from seeing your face, you began to ride his thigh as you unclasped the bra and let the straps fall slowly down your shoulders before you ceremoniously held it over your head to the cheers of a few of the others in the room. With a playful bounce on Steve’s thigh you dropped the garment to the floor, but just as you set out to keep dancing, to turn around and push your breasts into his face, you froze.

Goosebumps stained your skin after familiar hands ghosted over the curve of your shoulder where, dancing between a small constellation of beauty marks, the word ‘sunshine’ was forever inked into your skin. The pad of his thumb grazed the words and traced out the beauty marks like they did the last day you saw him. You weren’t sure what hurt more, the fact that he didn’t recognize you or the fact that he still had the same ability to turn your body into a live wire. Maybe it was the way you immediately stilled or the firm, singular snarl of ‘hands’ from the bouncer, but Steve stood up so quickly that the room fell silent as you were tossed from his lap onto your hands and knees on the floor. Your face warmed with embarrassment and you kept your head down as you scooped up your bra and refastened it as quickly as possible.

The bouncer took a half-step forward as Steve held up his hands in a solemn apology before he offered a hand to help you up. It was a bad idea, especially with how your body seemed to betray you around him, even after all this time. Keeping your hair in your face, you spoke to the bouncer while keeping your eyes on the door. “I’ll get one of the other girls to take my place. I don’t want to sully Bucky and Steve’s night.” It seemed to satisfy him and he returned to his statuesque position. His gaze returned to their rhythmic study of the dancers, indifferent to you dusting off your hands, elbows, and knees.

You took Steve’s hand to pull yourself up, finding yourself in his personal space and intoxicated by the proximity. In the few seconds you stole, you realized that despite both of you growing up and filling out, you still fell short of his shoulder in heels. As you tried to let go of his hand and leave, Steve squeezed your hand, stopping you. If there was any remaining doubt that he knew who you were, it was gone when you glared up at him and jerked your hand away as politely as possible before you booked it out the private room. Rather than making sure the bouncer wasn’t coming at the pair of you, your gaze flitted to Steve’s lips, watching his mouth bob open and closed forming silent questions you didn’t want to answer. You made it down the stairs with your hand on the door to the main floor when Steve caught up to you. A part of you desperately wanted him to follow you, the same part that noticed the door to the private room never clicked closed behind you.

Steve didn’t ask where you’d been for the last decade or why you left Brooklyn. He didn’t grab your wrist to stop you from turning the knob and continue to distance yourself from the past. His strong, calloused hands cupped your face and tilted it to meet his. For a fleeting moment you thought he was going to kiss you, dragging you back to the horrible feeling of being a starry eyed school girl in love with the boy next door. The corners of your lips turned down at the memory and you swallowed, clutching his wrists but failing to pull him away. Stupid body, stupid heart, you mentally chanted. The internal scolding was silenced by Steve’s mint and whisky breath hitting you, “It’s really you, Sunshine. There hasn’t been a single day I haven’t-”

“Stop,” You cut him off to swallow down the pain, pulling your eyes to his lips so that you couldn’t be mesmerized by those blue eyes. “I don’t want to hear about how you regret what you said the last time you saw me or how you regret what we did. It’s not going to ever make it hurt any less.” A tiny part of you felt vindicated knowing that Steve wasn’t getting his happy ending either and your stomach immediately twisted, hating that you found pleasure in him knowing your pain. “I’m sorry he didn’t choose you in the end. It’s his loss.”

Looking over his shoulder, you half expected to see Bucky busting through the door to chase after Steve. Maybe, you thought, seeing Steve chase after some stripper would make Bucky see him as more than his best friend. “Hey, look at me, Sunshine.” Swallowing, your eyes flitted back to Steve’s face, hating that he looked so put together, even better than he did when you were kids. “Where’s the girl that…” you tried to pull your face from his hands, not wanting to hear him ask where the naïve starry eyed optimistic teenager had gone. After a decade, Steve had to know she died naked in his bed when she gave him her virginity and he called out someone else’s name. Instead, he surprised you, clearing his throat and trying again, “Where’s the girl that sauntered up to me full of confidence and pushed my buttons so that all I could focus on was her? When did you become this earth stopping woman?”

“Don’t confess your love in the back stairwell of a strip club just because I got you hard. I dance for a living, what do you do, Brooklyn?” You had nowhere to go so you leaned back against the wall and crossed your arms.

Steve’s hands fell to the sides of your neck, his thumbs caressing the tension from the line of your jaw as he seemed to study your face, still processing all of the differences between the girl next door and this woman in front of him. “I was in the military for a while, but I work for the VA now. Bucky and I have been talking about opening a gym in Brooklyn… probably take it seriously after the wedding.”

Swallowing you asked the inevitable question, dreading his answer though there’d been no indication that Bucky and Steve were together and you had no right to be upset of hearing it confirmed, “Who’s marrying the pretty boy that stole your heart?”

“Her name is Sarah. She’s perfect for him, really. Doesn’t put up with his shit, makes him smile.” There wasn’t an ounce of heartbreak in his expression, no bitterness in his tone, and it made a million more questions bubble up like sea foam in your throat. Everything about being this close to him was suffocating. “Can’t we just talk for a minute? I’m sorry.”

“No,” The word was firm and stubborn, rushed and used every bit of air in your lungs. Steve looked at you wide eyed like those two letters cut deep, completely unaware of how much it hurt you to say it. Tears stung your eyes, despite how you squared off your shoulders. “After all this time, no matter how hard I tried to forget you, I still love you. I really chalked it up to a school girl crush, first love, and I’ve sat on enough laps to know I can be attracted to other people. Steve, no one ever knew me like you did and I haven’t been able to trust anyone with all of me like I did with you.”

With so much to process in those few clipped sentences and the hurt written on your face, Steve stood dumbfounded as you pushed your way out the door. With a growl of frustration he pulled out his wallet, digging past the bills and folds of worn leather, pulling out a piece of paper, no a picture. The folds so faded they created deep lines in the image and weak small holes where the folds’ points met. His blue eyes studied the picture, two lanky kids on a bench at Coney Island. She’s leaning into his side laughing as her ice cream drips down her hands, his eyes stay on her and he knows that look, it’s love. Steve had always been stubborn, but he’d never seen you act that way. Still, these new parts of you he didn’t know yet didn’t scare him. He walked out and went straight to the bar, asking for a pen and flipping the picture over to write down his cellphone number, the name of the group’s hotel, and his room number in the space left below the scrawled verse of a faded poem.

Passing the pen back, he turned around and leaned against the bar in search of you. He scanned every face twice, but a few seconds later a dancer pinched his elbow and nodded to the door upstairs. “Little Miss Sunshine sent me your way. Let’s get you back to your boys, big guy.”

“I’m actually going to head out for the night, but I need her to get this.” He held out the picture and waited for her to take it. When she didn’t, Steve watched her eyes flit to the door and he realized why. “I know you’re going to miss out on tips because you’re not up there. I’ll make sure you get it, okay? I just really need her to get this message.”

Snatching it out of his hands, the woman smiled like the Cheshire Cat. “You’ve got a deal, hun.” She unfolded the picture and turned it over in her manicured hands. “And now I know where to find you and how to get a hold of you if you’re lying.”

“I’m a man of my word.” He looked at the picture, watching her fold it up, waiting on him. Steve pulled out his phone, ready to send Sam a message about covering tabs and heading back to the hotel. Something tugged at the knot that had been tight in his chest since he saw your shoulder and he added. “Thank you for passing my message along before you get back to work. She can’t miss the message before she heads home tonight. I’ll take care of your tip while you take it to her.” When he saw her reaction he knew it was the right move as she turned around and went toward the back.

A quick exchange in the group chat that included a snarky gif from Tony, mockery from Clint, and confirmation from Sam was all Steve needed to head out. He told the bartender to pass along word about who had the dancer’s money, and Steve was outside power walking the two blocks back to the hotel. With his pulse racing, his eyes moved from face to face like a trained soldier, desperate to find you in the evening bustle of the city. The last thing he expected was for you to be leaning against the door to his hotel room, mascara streaked down your cheeks and the picture cradled in your hands. “Though in my heart I have longed for you, never forgetting for a day…” You recited the faded verse on the back, “Never forgetting what, Steve?”

He felt like he ran a marathon, his ears ringing with his own pulse as he closed the gap between the two of you. Instinctively, he wiped away the tears, gently thumbing away the new ones that fell as he watched your chin quiver. Steve didn’t back away, his body heat radiating through the thin, long coat you wore. The cut of the coat exposed your décolletage and he swallowed, thinking you might not have anything underneath except the lingerie he’d last seen you in. Reaching in his pocket he pulled out his key and held the door open for you, “Not out here, you look like you’re freezing.”

The door clicked closed behind you and you leaned against it, refusing to take another step forward without an answer, but Steve’s back was to you as he rifled through a weekender bag on the bed. Pulling out the t-shirt he planned to wear on the flight home tomorrow and sweats he planned to wear to bed. He passed them to you and nodded to the bathroom door on your right. With a stubborn roll of your eyes you opened the coat watching as Steve stared at your body in the bright, warm lights of the hotel room. The first once over was to see if you had any other tattoos, none he noticed right away and if you ever gave him a chance he’d realize there really were no others- just the one at his constellation, the one with his nickname for you. He stepped closer and you set the clothes on the small table by the door, watching him watch you as you took off your heels. Despite the stubbornness etched in your stance and gaze, your voice gave you away, weak and cracked. “Steve, what did you never forget?”

“This.” Steve ran his fingertips over your shoulder and expertly outlined the unique sun-like constellation he always made when he connected your beauty marks, a pattern he didn’t need to see to recall. A pattern that he discerned when you met on the day you moved next door to him, dubbing you Sunshine. As if that little touch didn’t send shivers across your entire body, Steve brought his fingertips to the shell of your ear, eliciting an immediate snort of laughter. “That sound.” Then you watched as his eyes stayed on your lips and his fingers moved lower and lower until he held your hips, “This one too.” When he pressed his thumbs into the curve of your pelvis Steve knew a moan would pass your lips and he caught you as you went weak at the knees.

Wrapping your arms around his neck, Steve carried you to the bed and laid you down with the utmost gentleness. To your surprise he backed away, sitting on the edge of the dresser across the room. You rolled onto your stomach, smirking when you caught his eyes moving down to your ass before they flit back to your face. “So, you never forgot you knew my body; how to make me laugh and, despite sleeping with me just once, how to make me weak at the knees. That doesn’t explain why you carried a picture of us around for a decade after you called out Bucky’s name while you were still inside me. I told you I loved you, that I wanted you to be my first and my last, and…”

Steve didn’t hesitate as you trailed off. “When you left, Bucky told me I was an idiot. I didn’t get it at first, but he promised to help me find you and he kept breaking it down every time we went canvasing all our old hangouts, putting up signs and asking around.” Steve crossed his legs at his ankles and stuffed his hands into his pockets. “I’m bi, that’s pretty obvious, but I’d never been comfortable around any female but you and my only other real friend was Buck. I may have thought about him, loved him, but what I said was a mistake. I was a confused kid, it’s not an excuse, just honesty. I know I’ll never be able to sufficiently apologize for what I said. All I can do is tell you that it wasn’t said with a clear head or malicious intent.” You met his gaze and saw the pain there, the genuine apology. No matter how hard you tried to drudge up the anger you’d held onto for years you knew, like sand, it had already slipped through your fingers. “The longer we looked for you the more I thought about all the places we’d been and the things we did together, all the secrets we shared- things I’ve still never even told Bucky. Sunshine, I was an idiot and I realized I was in love with you, but you were gone by the time I got my head out of my ass.”

Your head was spinning as you tried to process everything he was saying and for some reason, out of all the questions floating in your head and all the things you wanted to say, you muttered, “The pair of you couldn’t have looked that hard. I took the first bus out of Chinatown and it brought me to D.C. I’ve been here the whole time.”

Steve’s jaw was tense, but he quickly cleared his throat and collected himself. “Sunshine there are two things, no, three things I need you to understand. First, I’ve been carrying that picture around since the day it was taken, a lot longer than a decade. Second, I never stopped looking for you. Even when I was deployed I scoped out any place you ever told me you wanted to visit or I scoured social media trying to find accounts with your name. Third and this is the most important, so listen closely Sunshine,” Steve walked toward the bed with confidence and you rolled onto your back watching him get closer. You propped yourself on your elbows and raised an eyebrow at him. Then he grabbed your ankles and pulled you to the edge of the bed, making you gasp as his eyes stayed locked on yours. “I’m not leaving D.C. until you can look me in the eyes and honestly tell me that I’m too late and you can’t forgive me.”

Maybe it was the way he said it, like he knew you’d never be able to form those words or perhaps it was the smirk forming on the corner of his lips, but the noise in your head was silent except for two words: Well, shit.

A/N: Well, well, well, what fresh chaos do we have here? Alex play T-Pain’s “I’m in love with a stripper” 🤣 Listen, out of Sam, Tony, Clint, Bucky, and Thor (yeah, I just mentally couldn’t picture Bruce at a strip club, sorry) who do you think is going to give Steve the most shit for bailing on the Bachelor party? Am I evil for not fully writing out what the 18 year old Steve and Sunshine did on her birthday? I actually removed a paragraph of their first meeting, so if you want that let me know. Most importantly though: What do you think happened in that hotel room?

Poem credit: Lady Otomo of Sakanoue, from Ariake: Poems of Love and Longing by the Women Courtiers of Ancient Japan

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#SRBingo2022 #steve rogers au #steve rogers x reader #steve rogers x you #steve rogers x y/n #fic: steve rogers #writer: writerwrites

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Pairing: Dabi x Reader

Rating: Explicit

Tags/Warnings: fantasy au, violence, smut, angst, fluff, non-major character death, pregnancy, dub con/fuck or die but only kinda?, enemies to lovers, there's an arranged betrothal somewhere in there that eventually goes away, spoilers for dabi's identity

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“The sacred day we know as Beltane was one of the few sacred holidays whose celebration was not forbidden by the Empire. It was a celebration of springtime, the coming summer, and fertility during the warmest and best months of the year, and so long as the imperial soldiers got their fair share of the celebration (both in terms of food and sex), everything went on quite well.  However, it is worthy of note that the good gentlefolk of the Clans often forgot to warn their imperial counterparts of the danger of traveling during this time of liminality without a proper offering to give to those they might meet, and many a man with an imperial lion on his breast found himself carried off to the realm of the fae, never to be seen again.”

—Balthazar the Wise, On the Age of Unrest 

A few hours before dawn's first dim glow painted the horizon, (Y/N) had nearly worked her hands free of the rope that bound her. Silently as she worked, she dedicated every layer of skin, every drop of blood as a sacrifice to the goddess; her fury flowed hot and deep, and even as she tore more flesh to wrench free, she thought of home and how every single scrape on her wrists from this encounter would be answered by swirling flame and piercing ice.

I'm coming, Shoto, she thought fiercely, finally freeing one hand fully from the rope. You won't have to worry for long.

If (Y/N) were honest with herself, Shoto had been right to try and convince her to call off this mad trip to the countryside— the dangers had obviously outweighed the benefits, if her current situation was any indication— but it was Beltane, and (Y/N) had always taken a few weeks away from the Summit to visit the people, her people before the festivals. Besides, ever since her betrothal, she'd felt more strongly than ever the need to be free and roam where she would while she had the chance. Soon, she would be a lady of Clan Todoroki, and some of that freedom would be stripped from her. 

Naturally, however, that freedom would not be given lightly, nor would it be exchanged for a small, trifling price; no, for a sliver of her freedom, (Y/N) would secure peace for the people and all the protection the Todoroki name could provide her, which was no small thing, indeed. It was a good thing, too, that she and Shoto were as compatible as they were, for while Shoto would be honor-bound to seek vengeance for his betrothed regardless of the fondness between them, the act of capturing and humiliating the closest confidante of the Todoroki heir apparent warranted a hellish punishment indeed. When he caught wind of this, Shoto would be like a bloodthirsty hound unleashed from its cage; because for all that they did not love each other as lovers should, (Y/N) was as dear to Shoto as she was to him. 

"You're my star-match," he'd told her once under the midnight sky as they sipped an ale strong enough to warm their very bones. "If I thought I could ever love anyone, it would be you."

Once (Y/N) made it back and told her story, Shoto would squash every man in this camp like a bug beneath his heel. Vengeance would be swift and sure, and (Y/N) hungered for it. 

Just a little more, she thought, pulling the rope over the meat of her right hand. Only a few more seconds… 

She was free!

Swiftly, (Y/N) glanced around, looking for something she could use as a weapon just in case she was found; a moment later, she grabbed hold of a knife Dabi had haphazardly thrown to the ground before collapsing on his mat to sleep. Now armed, she quietly made her way towards the exit, but stopped just in front of Dabi's sleeping figure, hovering there while she considered her options. 

I should kill him, she thought, tightening her grip on the knife she held. It would be easy.

It was true. The human body was such a fragile thing— all it would take to end his life would be a quick drag of a blade across his throat. (Y/N) could do it without even waking him, and she'd be free to make her escape with no one the wiser until she was long gone. One smooth, solid slide of the knife in her hand, and Black Dabi would be no more, her vengeance won by her own hand. 

Really, she should do it, she thought, moving silently towards the sleeping marauder. It would be wrong of her not to strike this blow for every peasant farm boy slain, for every young maid robbed of her girlhood; morally, it was (Y/N)'s duty to end his life. 

At least, that's what (Y/N) told herself as she lowered her body gently over his, watching his chest rise and fall steadily.

In his sleep, Dabi looked peaceful and almost sweet. As (Y/N) placed a knee on either side of his hips, raising her knife to his neck, she thought that he could almost have been handsome if he hadn't been so evil. He had the fine, strong features of a nobleman, and in another life, she might have batted her lashes at him in the marketplace. 

One motion, she told herself, placing the knife against his skin. It will be quick and easy, and more merciful than he deserves.

But before she could manage it, a lightning-fast and beastly-strong pair of hands gripped (Y/N) by the upper part of her arms, and she nearly sliced through the tendons of Dabi's throat by sheer accident.

"Oh, I'm sorry, am I interrupting your fun, pussy-cat?" asked Dabi with a dark chuckle, his voice thick with sleep. "You didn't really believe that I could sleep through all that racket you were making, did you?"

(Y/N) had thought that she had been rather quiet herself, but in hindsight, it was possible that she had been mistaken. 

"You're a monster," she replied hoarsely, and Dabi pulled her down, forcing the full weight of her body down onto his pelvis. "If I don't kill you, more innocent people will die by your hand."

"Most assuredly," he agreed, smiling almost lazily, his eyes half-lidded. "So do it. Stop playing with your food and eat it."

To her horror, (Y/N) could feel the hard press of Dabi's cock against her. Desperately, she tried to move away, but Dabi held her hard and fast, his grin turning almost manic as she squirmed against him. 

"Do it," he urged her, his grip on her arms painfully tight as he pulled her closer. "Kill me, purge me, purify me, O Hand of Cerridwen. All men die, but few do so beneath a beautiful woman."

(Y/N) looked at him then— really looked at him— and was suddenly struck by how familiar he seemed. Though it was dark, she could have sworn she knew his eyes from another face. 

This is not his path, a still, small voice within her said, and (Y/N) lowered her blade. He has a part yet to play in this life. Let him live.

"Why hesitate?" he asked with a strange softness. "What do you see, pussy-cat?"

"A man," she replied, equally soft, and she knew she couldn't make herself complete the task she had risked everything to accomplish.

What a fine mess I'm in now, (Y/N) thought, watching as Dabi stared intently at her. I'm certain he'll do worse than tan my hide this time. Who knows what hellish punishment a stunt like this would warrant?

Just then, an idea occurred to her.

No killing, the goddess had commanded— but as far as (Y/N) was concerned, maiming was entirely on the table. 

"Terribly sorry to cut this philosophical talk short," she told Dabi, tightening her grip on her knife, "But I've got places to be."

With that, she raised the blade and brought it down again just above Dabi's collarbone, driving the knife through his flesh and down into the ground. The sound Dabi made as his body was wounded could probably have been heard for miles around, and (Y/N) knew she had mere moments before the whole of the League was on her tail. Adrenaline coursing through her veins, she scrambled out of the tent and into the night, looking desperately for a means of escape. 

Horses, horses— where were the fucking horses? On foot, (Y/N) would be little trouble to hunt down, but on a horse— 

Ah!

A fine black stallion was tied to a tree about five yards away, and (Y/N) bolted to it like her life depended on it.

Which, incidentally, it did.

"Easy, easy," she told it as shouting and the clanking of metal could be heard from all around. "Will you let me ride you?"

The stallion snorted and beat the ground with its hoof. It became immediately apparent that the animal was of some ill temper, but (Y/N) didn't have time to be picky; she hauled herself up onto its back as best she could without the aid of stirrups and a saddle, and she held on for dear life as the damn thing bucked once then took off like a shot, carrying her out of the camp in the blink of an eye. 

I’m free! she thought, laughing hysterically as the stallion beneath her beat the earth with his hooves, his gallop faster than anything (Y/N) had ever experienced. They’ll never catch me now— the moors are perilous at this hour, and these mists are so thick that they won’t be able to see even a foot in front of them. It would be a fool’s errand to chase me now.

Her joy, however, was short-lived. Not even a moment later, a shout rang out across the moors that chilled her to the bone. 

"You wily little bitch!" came Dabi's voice, rich and booming as though he were close on her tail. "When I catch you, I'm going to make that thrashing I gave you look like a goddess-damned maypole dance!"

Panic overtook her as the sound of galloping hooves and that of her heartbeat intermingled, hammering in her head in a great cacophony. (Y/N) willed the horse beneath her to gallop faster, terrified of what would happen if she fell back into Dabi's clutches— but even as she did so, the damn thing stopped completely, launching her from its back and onto the ground. Temporarily, the world went black, and when (Y/N) came back to herself, she could have beaten herself for having been such a fool.

What the horse had seen— or otherwise sensed— and she had not was the fairy ring that she now lay in the middle of, the white-capped mushrooms sharing at her as though to laugh at her predicament. As the mists before her thickened, (Y/N) remembered belatedly that the same perils that existed for her pursuers existed also for her— and the mists at this hour held more than just physical obstacles. 

"Where are you, you wretched bitch?" Dabi called out, oblivious to (Y/N)'s peril. "You can't hide in the mist forever!"

(Y/N) should have just let him wander off into the mists without breathing so much as a word in warning— ironically, if she had, it might have kept Dabi from discovering her and stumbling into the fairy ring— but (Y/N) just couldn't help herself. She called out to him, doing the best she could to dissuade him from searching for her. 

"Stay back!" she yelled out to the moors, hoping like hell that Dabi would understand. "Turn away, Dabi! It isn't safe!"

There was a somewhat muffled reply, but before (Y/N) could process it, a hand dropped to her shoulder, startling her. When she turned to see what— or who— had touched her, her blood ran as cold as ice.

Greetings, blessed one, the creature above her seemed to say, its eyes soft and considerate, though they were also the unsettling shade of ichor gathered in a wound. You are far from home. 

The creature— one of the aes sídhe, (Y/N) could only assume from its humanoid shape and colorless visage — held out a wooden cup for her to drink. As she took it, she also noticed another, smaller aes sídhe, one who looked to be possibly more feminine, hiding a little ways back. 

Fear not, Hand of Cerridwen, said the first aes sídhe, straightening itself from where it had bent to speak to her. Drink of the cup, and you will be well. 

The first rule of the supernatural was to never, ever eat or drink anything offered to oneself by a nonhuman. (Y/N) knew this rule well, as it had been beaten into her derriere as a young novice in the temple who liked to skive off her lessons, but she’d had no water in the past several hours. A mere moment ago, she would have killed for even a single drop of something liquid… and even now, confronted with a strange being who didn't feel the need to move its mouth to speak, (Y/N) wasn't sure where she stood any longer. 

"What will this drink do to a mortal body, O Fairy of the Ring?" (Y/N) asked, finding herself a bit shocked that she had reverted to the Old Tongue, as she hadn't quite realized what language the aes sídhe had mentally addressed her with. "I believe you bear no ill will, but do you know of its effects?"

The aes sídhe shook its head. 

It is naught but the water of our land, our people, blessed by the goddess, it said, and (Y/N) peered into the cup, finding the liquid that lay within as clear as spring water. Drink now, little sister of the Mortal Lands, and taste the blessing of the Land Undying. 

(Y/N) knew better, but she drank the cup dry. The water— smoother, sweeter, and more viscous than anything she'd ever drank— was gone in a matter of seconds, and the aes sídhe extended a hand to her, intending to help her to her feet. 

"Back away," came a low, rough voice from behind. "Come one step closer, and I'll burn you to ash."

(Y/N) turned, her body trembling and her mind racing at hearing the Old Tongue once more— Aloud! From a human!— and then everything in the world seemed to slam to a screeching halt as she realized that the voice belonged to Dabi. 

Oh, he was angry now. His chest was heaving, his sword was drawn, and his eyes were wide like a snarling beast's. He charged at her, flames coalescing into existence in the palm of his left hand, and for one awful moment, (Y/N) was struck with paralyzing fear. 

He's going to kill me, she thought, terrified. My lineage, my legacy ends here— 

But then Dabi strode past her, only stopping once his body was fully in front of hers, his feet planted solidly at shoulder-width before her. 

He wasn't trying to capture (Y/N); he was protecting her. 

Ah, a champion for the little sister, said the ais sídhe, a little amused. A man for the woman of the goddess. 

"I am no one's man but my own," Dabi shot back. "I said get back."

At that, (Y/N) scrambled to her feet, alarmed.

"You fool!" she hissed, tugging at his jerkin. "That's an aes sídhe, it could squash you like a—"

"I know what it is," he snapped, shrugging away from her. "Get out of here while you still can, I'm giving you an opening."

(Y/N) wanted to laugh… only, she felt much closer to crying. 

"Dabi," she said in Common, yanking him backwards as the aes sídhe looked on. "I'm the Hand of Cerridwen. I don't need an opening."

Dabi turned to look at her then, eyes narrowed. 

"The fuck are you on about?" he asked, matching her languge, and the aes sídhe took that moment of distraction to close in.

You feel such anger, such bitterness, it said, its large hand gripping Dabi's jaw. It gives you strength, mortal, but it makes a poor sacrifice.

"Sacrifice?" 

Dabi looked genuinely confused, and (Y/N)'s heart sank as she noticed the faintest rays of light coming through the fog. 

It was the dawn of Beltane, and Dabi had nothing— no pouch of seeds, no bouquet of spring flowers, no summer crops— for the aes sídhe. 

It is Beltane's dawn this morn, and you have crossed into our land, the aes sídhe told him, releasing his face. You mean to say that you come without an offering? 

(Y/N) didn't know what to do. There had to be a way to stop this madness, and yet without an acceptable gift, the aes sídhe were well within their rights— well, certainly within their habit, in any case— to do with Dabi as they would. Death would be favorable in a situation like this; aes sídhe were fond of taking wayward humans into their fold for, ah, recreational purposes. If (Y/N) couldn't invoke some right, weasel out through some technicality, Dabi would be— 

Sai'dor. 

All three of them— (Y/N), Dabi, and the aes sídhe— turned to look at the aes sídhe's smaller companion, who now approached. 

What is it, sweet one? asked the first aes sídhe— Sai'dor, apparently— and its companion looked at (Y/N) with a sheepish expression. 

I have foreseen this, it said. Its eyes never left (Y/N), and she felt suddenly discomfited by the depth of its scrutiny.

Sai'dor shook its head, then spoke a phrase that (Y/N) didn't understand. 

"What the hell are you talking about?" Dabi demanded. (Y/N) could have punched him, but before she got the chance, the smaller aes sídhe spoke up. 

The fields are ripe for sowing, it said with a tiny smile of shiny black teeth, and there is more than one kind of seed. Let that be our gift to the goddess; in receiving your offering, we give also our own. Provided, of course, that the Hand is willing.

(Y/N)'s heart sank to her stomach. It all became painfully clear what the aes sídhe expected of them, and she was sick at even the thought. 

It has been foreseen, said Sai'dor almost gently. Consider it wisely, little sister. 

That was it, then. One way or another… 

Her hand drifted to her torso, and Dabi looked horrified. 

"Absolutely not," he said, once more in Common. "I refuse."

It was almost cute, (Y/N) thought, how he suddenly wanted to play the hero now. Cute, but ultimately futile. 

"You can't refuse," she told him, pulling him once more to her by his shirt. "You should have left like I told you to. If I had been by myself, none of this would have…"

(Y/N) didn't finish her sentence, but Dabi's eyes widened, first in understanding, then in panic. 

"Fuck," he swore. 

(Y/N) let out a hysterical little giggle, wondering whether or not this was what it would feel like to go insane. "That's the idea."

Dabi turned to her, piercing her with eyes of azure, his expression determined. 

"I won't do it." There was no anger left in him, only acceptance. "If you're truly free, then go. I'll deal with this."

(Y/N) shook her head. She didn't know what the right answer to this was, but she did know that she wouldn't be leaving Dabi here to face this alone. He might have been a murderous bastard, but he had risked his very life to save her, and that in itself had value. 

Would it be so bad? she wondered, taking in Dabi's strong jaw, his slender nose. He's a bit patch-work, sure, and he's a murdering bastard, but… he's not bad-looking.

In any case, it couldn't possibly be worse than two weeks in an imperial dungeon, could it?

(Y/N) closed her eyes for a moment, and when she reopened them, she looked on Dabi with the eyes of the Mother— eyes that saw brokenness, not vileness… pain, not anger. This man, as well as any other, had the potential to be good, but he had made terrible choices. Even so, the Mother had a plan for him, and (Y/N) was resigned to play a part and bear witness to it. 

"Come, Dabi, make your peace," she told him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "In all things, we must endure."

He stared at her with a blank expression instead of finishing the platitude. 

"What?"

(Y/N) sighed. Men always required too much explanation.

"I'm hardly a virgin, and you're hardly unhandsome," she told him, her eyes locked with his, "And unless your tastes run in the other direction, I think we should manage just fine."

Dabi looked at her as though she'd taken a bite out of a plague rat right before his eyes, and (Y/N) fought the urge to laugh.

"Have you lost the fucking plot?" he demanded, batting her hand away. 

And here she was hoping that an amoral blackguard like Dabi would be an easy lay. So much for that.

"If I said I wanted you," she said, stepping even closer, "Would you deny me?"

There was hesitation in Dabi's eyes, but there was skepticism too. 

"Not even an hour ago, you would have killed me," he told her. "How am I supposed to believe you want me now?"

(Y/N) wet her lips. Dabi followed the action with his eyes, and she knew she had him. 

"An hour ago, I didn't know you spoke the Old Tongue," she replied, placing a finger gently over his lips, tracing the seam of them. "An hour ago, you were my captor, the man who stripped me of my dignity before a camp of marauders."

Dabi grabbed her wrist, pulling her hand away, but he did not release her. 

"And what am I now, priestess?" he asked. His eyes— still so familiar— burned with an intensity unlike anything (Y/N) had ever experienced, and she swallowed thickly before she replied. 

"You're the man who risked his life to save me." Suddenly emboldened, her eyes opened with godly insight, she added, "In fact, you're a nobleman's son who has chosen the wrong path, a would-be lordling that I might have flirted with at festivals, had we been in the same circles. You are so much more than you would have had me believe— and now I'm baring myself to you in the same way you've unwittingly done for me."

Dabi shook his head. 

"You lie," he told her, crossing his arms. "If you can't do any better than that, then— mph!"

There were few things in the world indeed that couldn't be solved by a simple kiss. This situation, (Y/N) supposed, would certainly not be hurt by one. 

"Could you speak to me in the Old Tongue again?" (Y/N) asked against his lips, wondering if it was herself or the goddess talking. "I haven't heard it since the war ended, except for—"

(Y/N) stopped short, stricken with shame at the thought of her betrothed. Shoto also spoke the Old Tongue when his father wasn't around to scold him for it, but instead of the usual joy the thought of him brought, (Y/N) felt only guilt and sorrow. 

"Is this really what you want?" Dabi asked, adopting the language of the ancients once more. "Your eyes are sad."

I am the High Priestess of this land, (Y/N) wanted to say. When has what I want ever truly mattered?

Instead, she shook away that uncharitable thought and kissed him again. The texture of the scarred skin of his lower lip was strange but pleasant against her own, and she pressed forward, deepening the kiss, allowing her hands to come up and trace the metal embedded in his skin with her fingers. As she did so, strong, calloused hands cupped her shoulders, first pulling her closer, then pushing her back; (Y/N) opened her eyes, puzzled by the motion, but when she saw where Dabi was looking, she couldn't quite blame him. 

A little ways away, the aes sídhe were sitting in the grass, the vines they wore as clothing shed to reveal their forms as they touched and kissed. In the early light, they looked like the ghosts of lovers who had died together, having run off to the moors to fulfill their forbidden vows. For a moment, (Y/N) wondered if that truly was what they once had been. 

"Look at me," said (Y/N), moving Dabi's face back to hers with a gentle hand. "I'm the woman who is about to give you her body. As such, I deserve your full attention."

Dabi's eyes were soft then, softer than they had a right to be, and he returned her words with a kiss of his own. He kissed her deeply, his tongue pressing forward past her lips, and he caressed the very place on her neck where he had choked her before as if in silent apology. 

"It's not in me to be gentle," he warned her, his lips moving to tease at her ear. "If that's what you were hoping for, you should say so now."

With a quiet smirk, (Y/N) grasped his cock through his pants.

"Don't coddle me," she replied as Dabi inhaled sharply. "Unlike this New Religion's virgin queen, my goddess doesn't require those who serve her to remain untouched. I know my way around a man, and man has known his way around me enough to know that I like it rough."

Dabi huffed a laugh, then winced, drawing back to clutch at his shoulder. It was then that (Y/N) remembered the wound she'd given him earlier, and she scratched the back of her head, sheepish. 

"Lie down on the grass, and I'll take care of that for you," she said, pressing her fingers around the wound. "It'll make things easier, more pleasant."

Dabi brushed her away. 

"It's cauterized," he said, "And something else for nothing— you won't be the one giving orders around here."

So saying, he fiddled at unlacing her shirt, revealing her breasts. Eagerly, he lowered himself to kiss between them, taking one in each hand as he left markings there with lips, tongue and teeth. Impatient, anxious to be done, (Y/N) fisted a hand in his hair, unsure of whether she wanted to pull him up to kiss her or down to have those teeth scrape against her nipple, but he tugged against her with such force that she was worried she would rip the strands from his head no matter what she chose. 

"Pushy, pushy," he grumbled against her skin, nipping the sensitive skin of her left breast as a calloused thumb brushed over her nipple. "Pull my hair all you like, pussy-cat— you're not the only one who likes it rough."

(Y/N) groaned at that, but then Dabi sank to his knees, his hands at the laces of her breeches. Teasingly, he rubbed the heel of his palm against her sex, and she threw her head back at the sensation. 

"Like that, do you?" he asked with a grin, and (Y/N) felt the vicious urge to kick the bastard for being so smug. She would have, too, if he hadn't yanked down her breeches, grabbed her by the cheeks of her sore arse, and smashed himself face-first against her sex. 

"Mm, the way you taste," he chuckled darkly against her pussy as she shuddered. "You really are divine."

Only a truly evil man could have known just how to become (Y/N)'s undoing in the way that Dabi did. Slowly, teasing, he used the big, bony knuckle of one finger to rub against her clit, using his tongue to lick the wetness from her core as he traced sensitive circles into her skin. Just when (Y/N) thought she would have to exhale a soft please, he moved his fingers to her opening and his mouth to her clit, thrusting two fingers inside her, reaching just deep enough to tease her, slowly but forcefully pumping them in and out as she rocked against him, helpless to do anything except ride the wave of her pleasure.

"Yes," she cried at one particularly hard thrust, his tongue flattening against her clit. "Dabi— Dabi please—"

She didn't need to ask him twice. A third finger was added, and the long, slender digits hammered in and out of her with a force that sent her quaking. His tongue circled her clit, and he began alternating between teasing and nipping and sucking it in a maddening cycle of pleasure-pain. (Y/N) had never felt like this— never— and she clung to Dabi's hair for dear life, hoping to the goddess and all things good that she didn't pass out from it. 

"Fuck," she swore as his mouth closed gently around her clit, sending a jolt of sensation through her whole being. "Oh, oh, I'm so close already—"

Beneath her, Dabi was using his free hand to stroke himself, and watching him pleasure himself so roughly, almost punishingly, pushed her over the edge and into orgasm, drenching his fingers. 

"Dabi!" she cried, pleading as he curled his fingers inside her. She pushed at his head with all her strength— she wasn't sure how much more she could take— but he didn't budge an inch. "Fuck, I've finished, I've come, I—"

Dabi pulled away from her clit, but his fingers inside her never stopped. 

"Let me see if I can make this situation any clearer," he grinned, sharp and carnivorous. "This isn't about you, pussy-cat. It's about me."

With that, he buried his face between her thighs once more, and (Y/N) could almost have cried at the sensation of too much and yet somehow not enough. It felt as though Dabi was going to consume her entirely, and in that moment, (Y/N) wasn't quite sure that she would object. 

It's been too long since I've been with someone, she thought as Dabi finally, finally withdrew his fingers, switching hands so that the wetness from her covered his prick as he stroked it. I've spent so long on my own that I had forgotten what being with another person feels like. 

Since her betrothal to Shoto, (Y/N) hadn't been with anyone, especially not Shoto himself. Despite the immense, all-consuming love they had for one another, it wasn't that kind of love, and it hadn't felt right to engage in such a thing until it was expected of them to do so… but now, faced with a blue-eyed devil who looked like he could rearrange her insides, she almost wished she had been a bit more in practice than she was. 

"Who did this to you?" 

In the time that (Y/N) had lost to her musings, Dabi had still been kneeling before her, watching her intently. He was looking at her now with darkness in his eyes, and suddenly she felt very, very naked, and a little fearful.

"Didn't you hear me?" he demanded, splaying a hand over her thigh. "I asked who did this to you."

Ah, (Y/N) had forgotten. The scars. 

All across her body were scars from the war. Either from healing the wounded or sustaining her own injuries, scarring was inevitable… but what Dabi was doubtless referring to was the scars she obtained during those fourteen days of captivity. 

The matter of her scars, however, was none of Dabi's business. 

"I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours," she replied curtly, and Dabi snatched her to him, somehow still commanding despite being eye-level with her crotch. 

"You and that smart mouth," he growled. "If I had more patience, I'd teach you a lesson about sassing me."

"You don't have it in you, craven," she shot back. Bitterness of the past welled in her, threatening to drown her, but Dabi was too quick to allow it. Mean, nasty thing that he was, he swung a single powerful arm behind her, landing a sweeping blow to her knees, and she took a hard fall right onto her ass. Now angry, she made to scramble to her knees, but she was too slow; Dabi was on top of her, his cock hanging long and hard from his breeches, and he wrapped a hand around her throat, suddenly vicious once more.

"Silence," he ordered, this time in the Old Tongue, and (Y/N) couldn't fight off the shudder that ran through her body at the command. "You wild animal, you untamed beast— I risk my sorry neck to save you, do everything I can to keep you from harm and you— you stand there talking to me like I'm some serving boy, like I'm beneath you— fuck, I can't stand it!"

He kissed her then, furious and forceful, and her hands found themselves once again in his hair, pulling him closer as his tongue forced itself between her lips. (Y/N) wanted to consume and be consumed; at once, she felt drunk, feverish, and the slide of Dabi's cock against her was an unbearable temptation. 

"You said you hate me?" he told her, pulling away to look at her with those eyes that were more blue than the sky, more wild than a rabid wolf, "I can promise I hate you more, pussy-cat. You weak-willed woman, you worthless bitch— you and yours fucking gave away everything that I fight for, everything that was taken from me, and yet here you are, so fucking beautiful that I want to crush your skull beneath my hands just to get away from you. You are every mistake I never would have made."

"You're insane," she snarled, biting his lip, and he bit back. Hard. 

"Count on it," he growled right back. "We can't all be well-adjusted like you, Your Worshipfulness— though I question how begging for a criminal's cock is any form of sane for a straight-laced boot-licker like yourself."

"I did not beg—" she protested, but then she was being shoved onto her hands and knees, her face full of dirt and her ass in the air as Dabi's cock slid between her thighs. 

"Maybe not," he said, bending his body over hers so that they were touching back-to-chest, "But you will."

Dabi snuck one hand around her to play with her too-sensitive nipples, and the opposite arm forced her into a headlock. He kissed and licked and sucked all along her neck, and (Y/N) shuddered at the feeling of his cock sliding along her folds, always close but never enough. It was maddening, but (Y/N) would not beg, she wouldn't, she'd die before she lowered herself to that— 

"Please," she gasped as he licked the shell of her ear. "Dabi, I— I'm sorry, I didn't mean what I said, I just—"

"Beg," he snarled, his teeth skimming the back of her neck, teasing at a bite. 

(Y/N) shivered.

"Fuck," she hissed as one of his arms circled her neck. "Please, please, I want you to fuck me."

He chuckled darkly against her, raising the hair there with the warmth of his breath. 

"You think that's adequate?" he asked, tightening his forearm so that it was almost strangling her. "Are you so unaccustomed to asking nicely that 'I want you to fuck me' is the best you can do? Pathetic. You don't even know my real name; you never even fucking asked for it."

(Y/N) didn't know how else to beg. She rocked herself backwards into his cock, hoping for something, anything, but all she got for her efforts was a stinging bite to her collarbone. 

"Ask me for my cock," he said against her skin, rutting his cock even harder against her. "Beg me for it."

(Y/N) almost wanted to cry. What else could she possibly say or do? 

"Please," sobbed (Y/N), fisting her hands in the grass. "Please, please give me your cock, Dabi, I want to feel you, I want to come with you inside me, I—"

Dabi released her from his headlock then, and lacking the strength to hold herself up, she collided with the ground so hard it made her jaw ache. 

"Call me by my name," he told her, grabbing her by the hair. "Ask me what my name is."

"Y-your name—" she gasped as he was suddenly inside her, filling her. "What's— What's your name?"

"Call me Touya," he murmured, his lips suddenly close to her ear as he yanked her upwards. "That's the name I want you to scream when you come."

Touya… where had (Y/N) heard that name before? There was something in the way he said it— in the whispering of it, in the nigh-upon painful utterance— that was as familiar and yet impossible to place as his eyes. She knew that name, knew it like the smell of the land just before a thunderstorm, like the banished light of a candle in a temple corridor; it was a part of her somehow, and she couldn't help but repeat it, try it on like a silken slip.

"Touya," she groaned as he began fucking her in earnest. "Where do I— oh fuck."

Dabi— no, Touya— repositioned them slightly, adjusting the angle, and (Y/N)'s words died in her throat. There were a thousand and one things racing through her mind— too much, not enough, are they seriously watching us from over there? Fuck me, fuck me, fuck me— but she couldn't focus on a single one of them. The hot slide of Dabi's cock inside her, the wild, erratic thrusting of his head against her insides, all of it was too much, and all she wanted was to not think. 

"That's it," Dabi praised her, pistoning his hips. "See, you can be good, pussy-cat— and if you're very, very good, you'll get the cream you're hoping for."

"Touya," she gasped. "Touya, I—"

"Quiet, now," he told her in the Old Tongue, his hand coming around to circle her clit. "Find your mountaintop."

And wasn't that beautiful? Find your mountaintop, he'd told her— of course, it was just an Old Tongue nicety referring to an orgasm, but as (Y/N) was sent careening towards her own, it seemed so poetic. 

(Y/N)'s second orgasm felt like free-falling. Her whole body was a-tremble, and adrenaline coursed through her, carrying its own high. If she would have been cognizant enough, she would have been ashamed at how she cried out, how wrecked she had become as Dabi finished inside her, but all she could do was sink against him, at once heavy and weightless as she collapsed against him. 

"Shit," said Dabi, pulling her up and steadying her on her knees, his skin warm and wet where they connected. "You don't do things by halves, do you?"

(Y/N) wasn't entirely sure what that meant, but decided to let that be a problem for her future self to suss out; she faded in and out of consciousness until she finally succumbed, warm and safe in the arms of a strange man with two names and familiar eyes, whom she hated and yet trusted with her life. 

I'm sorry, Shoto, she thought as the darkness of her inner being took over. I hope you can forgive me. 

***

Dabi had never felt so emotionally raw after sex, but he supposed there was a first time for everything. 

The Hand of Cerridwen lay sprawled out over his body, her own having consumed too much of her energy to maintain consciousness. Truth be told, Dabi might have passed out right along with her if only his bloody stab wound from earlier didn't hurt so bad. The sharp pain of it kept his body thankfully awake and alert, but his mind was hazy and unfocused as he held (Y/N) to his chest, wrapping his arms around her torso and wondering what the hell he was supposed to do from here. 

You reveal much, Black Dabi— or should I say, young Todoroki.

Dabi flinched at the echo of the aes sìdhe's mind-voice in his head. He'd nearly forgotten they were there. 

"Is that a threat?" he asked tiredly, and the aes sídhe let out a breathy sound that might have been a laugh. 

Merely an observation, it said, patting the back of its mate, who was still busy between its thighs. You reveal everything, and she reveals nothing— and yet— how amusing!— neither of you are the wiser. 

Dabi wanted to ask for an explanation, but even blinking took too much effort. 

Still, mused the aes sídhe, I suppose you do make quite a pair. Though there is much you do not know and cannot see, your child will be strong. My mate has foreseen it. 

A sinking feeling settled in the pit of Dabi's stomach, but he refused to succumb to it. The Beltane sunrise was long past them, and he had little time to worry about a child of all things. He needed to dress himself, dress (Y/N), and get out of this mad fever dream; if he didn't get them back to camp soon, who knew what would happen in the meantime. 

"Come on, priestess," he sighed, pulling out of her as he struggled to pull up his pants without throwing her naked form to the ground. "Wake up, pussy-cat, we've got a long way to go." 

She woke, if you could call it that— (Y/N) was alert enough to stand, but dazed and disoriented as Dabi dressed. Feeling foolish despite his coherency, Dabi helped her into her clothes once he was done with his own, pausing only once when he felt metal against his skin. Looking down, he caught sight of a glint of gold on her hand, and upon closer inspection, noticed that there was a plain gold band encircling the ring finger of her left hand. 

An engagement ring. 

This just keeps getting better and better, he thought to himself, cursing his own naivete. He had supposed (Y/N) to be unattached, a spirit free to roam the land as she wished; but under the Empire— with their New Religion and their woman-hating and their flaccid fucking pricks— it was no surprise that the High Priestess had attached herself to a man who could protect her and give her rights in their world. 

A man who could hold her back, maybe, Dabi thought bitterly to himself as he whistled for the horse (Y/N) had stolen away from him. A man who could punish her with impunity under the law— a man who is rich enough to buy that pretty chunk of gold and fancy that he owns her. 

Dabi might have crossed a few lines himself, but at least he knew there were bloody lines. 

Farewell, Todoroki Touya, said the aes sídhe with a toothy grin as Dabi's own black stallion approached. May your path be shaded and your burdens be light. 

Dabi nodded in return, helping (Y/N) up onto the great beast before situating himself behind her. Bandit— for that was the name of the horse— snorted contrarily, but eased into a canter at the nudge of Dabi's heel into his side. 

She took both of us for a ride today, huh, old boy? Dabi thought fondly at the stallion. Had her way with man and beast alike, and now we have to carry her sleepy little arse back. 

It was curious; no one— no one— had ever ridden Bandit besides Dabi and lived to tell the tale. Scarce had a fool's arse cheeks touched that animal's back that weren't smashed beneath several hundred pounds of warhorse… and yet (Y/N) had convinced the stubborn beast to gallop for her. How she managed it, Dabi would never know, but he had to admit that watching that wily lass ride at breakneck pace across the moor had seemed something of a dream. She was the finest rider he'd ever seen, too, and he began to wonder what it would have been like to know her in a world without an inheritance of war. 

"Touya," she said, stirring suddenly in front of him. "I know that name."

Slowly, she turned to him, and Dabi felt his cheeks flame as she looked at him with searching eyes.  

I revealed too much, he thought, thinking back the words of the aes sídhe and his discovery of her engagement ring, And she revealed nothing at all. 

"Who are you?" she asked earnestly, pressing him. "I know you're high-born, so don't lie."

"Don't call me that unless we're alone," he told her, refusing to meet her gaze. "Who I am is of little consequence."

(Y/N) turned around then, but Dabi knew the conversation wasn't over— after all, a woman never loses an argument, she only postpones it— but even so, he was glad to regain their peace, especially once they approached the camp. It wouldn't do for the men to see his reclaimed prize as anything but tired and pliant to his will after the stunt she had just pulled. 

"Dabi!" Twice exclaimed, jogging up as soon as Dabi reached his tent. "Thank the goddess— we thought you were a goner for sure!"

Dabi huffed a laugh. "So did I. Here, help her down and into the tent— I'm going to get something to eat, and then I'm going to sleep. The first man that wakes me up before I'm ready had better hope we're being ambushed, because if not, I'll have his guts for garters."

That didn't quite happen, though; as soon as Dabi had eaten and settled in, he found himself wide awake, staring at (Y/N), who was fast asleep on the furs he liked to lounge on. She was so innocent and peaceful in her sleep, but the image of what lay beneath her clothes haunted Dabi like a wraith in the night. Those scars… he had never seen their equal on a woman. He wanted to touch every single one, wanted to know their story— the war had affected everyone, he knew, and the tales of the valor of Cerridwen's Chosen had inspired the nation in times of desperate need— but he was almost afraid of what he would find. There was already so much rage within him that any more would surely crack open his ribs and spill from the seams in his flesh like froth from the mouth of a rabid wolf. 

“Hey, pussy-cat,” he murmured to her, expecting no response. “What’s your story, huh? Why did you give up the fight for this land and make peace with the Empire?"

When (Y/N) spoke, Dabi nearly jumped out of his skin. In that moment, her voice was not her own, and instead took on the deep, melodious tones of a woman many times her age. 

“Because the war was lost before it had begun,” she said, her lashes kissing the skin of her lower lid. “When a bonfire is lost to the rain, it is better to carry a torch into a cave than to let the fire burn out entirely just to breathe open air.”

Dabi’s heart was going to beat out of his chest.

“Goddess divine?” he asked, sitting upright. “Cerridwen, Mother of us all?”

(Y/N) spoke no more, but Dabi knew what he’d heard. His hands shook as he peeled back his blanket, and he walked on wobbly knees over to where (Y/N) lay, placing his hand on her cheek. He caressed her skin, remembering the way he’d struck that very cheek earlier, and then and there, he vowed never to strike her again. She was fragile, this woman, but not fragile in the same way that a glass vase would be; she was fragile like a vessel of Greek fire. Dabi had been careless with his treatment of her, and suddenly, the words of the aes side came back to haunt him. 

Your child will be strong, it had said. My mate has foreseen it.

If a child really did come from that union… it would be more than goddess-blessed. It would be more than human. 

“Shit,” Dabi swore, brushing hair away from her face. “How the hell are you asleep?”

There was no reply, and there wouldn’t be one; the righteous rarely had any problem finding their rest. 

#dabi #dabi x reader #mybigbangacademia #touya x reader #mha x reader #bnha x reader #dabi smut #dabi x y/n #touya x y/n #fantasy au #enemies to lovers #a suitable match (to start a fire)

[i-need-entertainment]

Angeleyes

Character: Suna x female reader, background Atsumu x reader

Warnings: Angst, reader living with choices made in pt.1, regret & heartbreak, reader falls in love with someone whilst dating someone else...Part 2 in a 3 part series

Pt.1: The One You Love - Pt.3:🎵

"He took my heart and now I pay the price...Don't look too deep into those angel eyes"

Suna moved on, right? So why can't you..?

Song: Angeleyes by ABBA

“Ah-ha-ha, keep thinking 'bout his angel eyes, Keep thinking, ah-ah”

As soon as Suna had stopped talking to you, you started to get this sick feeling in your stomach that maybe, just maybe you might’ve made the wrong choice.

After your call with Atsumu you noticed Suna had started to act a little distant, even more so when you and Atsumu got back together. He no longer responded to your texts in record time- leaving them on read for hours, sometimes days at a time. Your in person hang outs lessened from several times a week to sometimes going weeks without seeing each other face to face at all- and when you did it was…off.

 You knew why this change had occurred; you had once again ignored his advice along with your better judgment and gone back to your ex. This wasn’t unusual whenever you and Atsumu got back together. Actually, wait, was it?

You pulled out your phone and suddenly (or not so suddenly, you had been considering doing this for several days) opened Suna’s contact, scrolling up and up mindlessly until you found what your brain kept telling you to look for. It seems like a useless endeavor, and really it probably is. But it’s not like you don’t have time to kill, you were just sitting through one of Atsumu’s practices, listening to shoes squeak and the *bam!* of volleyballs being slammed on the opposite side of the court.

It’s usually what you did during his practices anyway, at Suna’s practices you’d have the time of your life talking to Komori’s girlfriend and Washio’s wife- like their significant others they were very welcoming and fun to talk to.

And it’s not like you didn’t get along with the MSBY members girlfriends/wives, you just didn’t click with any of them…although you did notice the occasional side eye, or a quick glance and mutter (most likely about you and Atsumu’s ‘on again off again’ relationship) before they ultimately left you alone.

Your thumb paused its scrolling when you found what you thought you might be looking for. The conversation was from the previous, previous break up to the most recent one. You had just texted Suna the news of you and Atsumu getting back together [INSERT TEXT PICTURE HERE!! Don't ignore it this time✋🙄] 

Even back then you could always tell that the people around you were getting increasingly frustrated with you and Atsumu’s on-again-off-again relationship. And to be fair- you didn’t blame them, you knew it must’ve been irritating to bear witness to the nature of your relationship with the setter.

Back then it seemed like everyone and their dog gave you attitude when you spoke about your relationship. Everyone except for Suna. Sure, he gave his fair share of snarky comments and off handed remarks, but they always came from a good place and really just served to lighten your mood. He cared about you, with him you never had to wonder if he was still going to be there for you because he always was. And you knew that…and you took advantage of that.

You kept scrolling through Suna’s contact, scrolling past the normal everyday texts. As you scrolled you started to notice a pattern. When you and Atsumu were broken up; your texts were much lengthier and more common. You would talk everyday, about anything and everything. But when you and Atsumu got back together, your texts became shorter and less common. Actually, there were a few times you’d accidentally leave Suna on read for hours, sometimes days at a time…

Is this how he’s felt for the past 4 years?

“Last night, I was taking a walk along the river, And I saw him together with a young girl, And the look that he gave her made me shiver”

You tried not to give Suna’s distant behavior too much mind. The most likely conclusion was that he was tired just like everybody else. Tired of dealing with your post-break self and the exhausting tendency you and Atsumu had to just break up at every seemingly minor inconvenience. 

It didn’t take you long to figure out he probably just wanted some space. Something about this break had been different, maybe because you didn’t go running back after 2 days and he didn’t call until weeks later. No, it was something more than that. It was something about the way Suna looked when you finally left his apartment. The sad look in his eye, it wasn’t frustration or anger, no…

It was defeat. 

You spent days, weeks, trying to figure out what he wasn’t telling you- well that’s not quite right, after all, you knew. You had this inkling suspicion he had liked you. Why else would he rush to aid you at the drop of a hat? Open his home and his heart to you time and time again even though he KNEW you were going back to Atsumu as soon as he asked. Had he held onto hope that things would change? That once and for all you’d gather the courage to do something about this unhealthy cycle and change something? That maybe, just maybe during one of these breaks you’d realize that everything you ever needed- ever wanted, was right in front of you..?

It felt like there was ice in your veins as that conclusion dawned on you…you were in love with your best friend.

That one was hard enough to accept, you spent the past 4 years dodging that realization- was that why you stayed with Atsumu? To convince yourself you really did have feelings for him and not for the man you’ve called your bestest and closest friend for over half a decade?

That was a hard pill to swallow, but the pain you felt from that revelation didn’t come close to the ache you felt as the crushing weight of reality began to sink in.

It didn’t matter if you finally broke down your walls and admitted defeat, because you were too late.

“Look into his angel eyes, One look and you're hypnotized, He'll take your heart and you must pay the price”

You burrowed into the collar of your jacket. After Atsumu’s practice had ended you told him you weren’t feeling well and started on your way home. It wasn’t a…complete lie- after the realization hit you, you really didn’t feel all that great. But in all honesty, that wasn’t the only thing about your situation that was making you feel unwell. 

After all, now that you have come to this conclusion, what would you do? Do you tell Atsumu the truth and break his heart 2 months after you both promised this time would be different? It wasn’t fair to either of them- and you knew that. But how can you force both of you to stay in a relationship if one of you can no longer give it their all..? Isn’t that worse than simply ending it for good, right here and now? 

You sighed and slowly drifted to a pause in your walk. You were about half way across the bridge that connected the small river that ran along the city. You took a moment to try and clear your thoughts. It was cold- hence why Atsumu had insisted you take his jacket before you left. You shoved your hands into his jacket pockets and mindlessly watched the gentle reflection the moon made on the water. Forcing your hands out of your pockets you shifted to rest your elbows on the concrete railing, people watching the folks walking by in another effort to clear the never ending thoughts from your mind.

And then you saw him- or rather, you saw them. Standing across the river, hand in hand, smiles so wide you wondered if they’d ever stop. He looked…happy, so so happy and at peace. Free from the burden of your emotions, free from the weight of carrying your happiness on his shoulders. He looked so free. 

You wanted to move, wanted to turn around and walk back to the apartment you pretended to call home. Run away and avoid the confrontation you really didn’t want to have right now. Go home and cry because you knew this was what you deserved- you were a coward for too long, stuck in a never ending cycle and missing the bravery to break it. Suna would have given you that strength, he tried to give you the strength to make a change but you just wouldn’t take it would you?

“Y/n?” You whipped your head around at the call of your name, eyes widening in surprise when your brain registered it was Suna who asked you. “Oh! Rintaro, hi.” You smiled, you had no right to be jealous of him, no right to feel anything but happiness for him, just as he must’ve felt nothing but happiness for you every time you turned around and- “Hey, are you crying?” 

You blinked, rushing to wipe the tear that fell and immediately working to save your composure- to save face so you didn’t make anymore of a fool of yourself. 

You laughed, not out of humor more so to try and mask the overwhelming surge of emotion you just experienced. “I’m fine, uhm- I really need to be going. It was nice seeing you Ri- Suna.” Giving him and the girl one last smile you turned on your heel and left, walking as fast as you deemed it socially acceptable to the train station. No longer being able to keep the tears at bay you purse your lips to keep from breaking out in sobs in the middle of the city.

You had no right to be sad. You had no right to be jealous. But wow was it hard to hold yourself together after seeing him completely moved on from you- happy and whole with somebody else. Looking up to the sky you just hoped and prayed she treasured him, and didn’t take him for granted like you had.

“Look into his angel eyes, You'll think you're in paradise, And one day you'll find out he wears a disguise, Don't look too deep into those angel eyes”

“Rin who was that- Rin?!” The girl’s eyes widened, in all their years of knowing each other she could count on one hand the amount of times she had seen her brother cry. Suna took a deep breath bringing up a hand to wipe his eyes and ushered out an ‘i’m fine’ before slinging an arm around his little sister's shoulders and continuing on their way.

#haikyu x reader #suna x reader #suna rintaro #suna angst #still not gonna tag atsumu LOL thats not fair to atsumu simps #suna x y/n #haikyuufanfiction #haikyuu angst

[deathchill]

call out post for @angainor because they’re always sweet when im trying to be angsty and it tarnishes my hardass exterior bc then i get all happy & sappy

#angainor #i found good love but the price was my Natural Angst

[wangxianficfinder]

I’m in the Mood for a Fic Where…

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1. Good morning Mods!! For the next in the mood for, can you please rec some of your favorite Modern AUs??

🧡 Mud and Canvas by StormsBreadth (M, 109k, WangXian, Modern AU, LARPing AU, Fluff, Light angst, Role-playing, Camping)

🧡 boyfriend material by ricken (M, 41k, WangXian, Background ChengSang, College AU, Modern AU, Bad pick-up lines, Fluff, Humor, Mutual pining, Happy with a happy ending)

🧡 some life yet unspent by Fahye (E, 28k, WangXian, Background XiYao, Spy AU, Modern AU, 007 LWJ, Q WWX, Fluff and angst, Mutual pining, Injuries, Canon typical violence)

🧡 A Study in Fluff by WeaverOfTheNight (T, 29k, WangXian, Modern AU, Ghost bunnies, Vet LWJ, Architect WWX, Kid LSZ, Domestic fluff, Modern with Magic)

leave all your love and your longing behind by scarlettstorm  (E, 142k, wangxian, modern, meet-ugly, panic attacks, hurt/comfort, autistic lwj, neurodivergent wwx, pining, minor angst, happy ending)  

💖Life as a House by Terri Botta (Isilwath) (T, 55k, WangXian, Modern AU Corporate Espionage, Post-Divorce, Father-Son Relationship, Reconciliation, Angst with a Happy Ending)

These Things Stay the Same by notevenyou (E, 29k, WangXian, Modern AU, Kid Fic, Canon-Typical Violence, Minor Character Death, Injury, Natural Disasters, Angst with a Happy Ending, Hospitalization, Accidents)

💖homeward by sasamelons (T, 41k, wangxian, modern w/ cultivation, roadtrips, dysfunctional family, getting together, verbal abuse, friends to lovers)

💖oceans, drowned in starfire by stiltonbasket (T, 30k, wangxian, LXC/NMJ, mermaids)

💖All Old Things are New Again by The Feels Whale (miscellea) (M, 51k, WangXian, Reincarnation, Modern AU, canon still happened, Sugar Daddy LWJ, Kink Negotiation, gentle dom!LWJ, canonical levels of consent play, Modern Cultivators, cultivators can recognize important people from previous lives, vaguely, this started out as a cute sugar fantasy and got just incredibly horny very fast, blame LWJ)

💖Pentimento. by orange_crushed (E, 73k, wangxian, modern, art conservation, angst w/ happy ending) no, I definitely did not spend an hour crying about this one, nope ~Mod L

💖WWWWXD (What would Wei Wuxian Do?) series by deliciousblizzardshark (T, 55k, wangxian, modern, grief/mourning, angst w/ happy ending, hurt/comfort, autistic LWJ, fluff, panic attacks, LWJ has friends, trans characters, found family)

💖To school or not to school series by Scrippio (T, 67k, wangxian, modern, college/university au, hurt/comfort, fluff)

💖you've ruined my life (by not being mine) by cicer (E, 132k, wangxian, modern, developing relationship, awkward flirting, teenage romance, slow burn, happy ending)

Tempo Rubato by Spodumene (E, 107k, Modern Setting, Angst with a Happy Ending, persuasion au, Mutual Pining, Angst, Implied/Referenced Self-Harm, Eventual Smut, Jane Austen Fusion)

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2. Hi! I'm in the mood for some MDZS from Lan Wangji's perspective. I just want to see what he was thinking and feeling during the book/series.

The Price of Old Wishes by SoManyJacks (E, 67k, WangXian, Minor canon divergence, Angst, POV LWJ, Depression, Suicidal Thoughts, Eventual Happy Ending, Eventual Smut, Slow Burn, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, semi-verbal!LWJ, Implied/Referenced Homophobia, Implied/Referenced Suicide, Mojo's Post )

Song of Clarity by vicchan (T, 59k, wangxian, LWJ pov, major character death, slow burn, canon retelling, missing scenes, pining, WIP, maybe abandoned?)

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3. For the next “mood for” could you recommend any really nice domestic fluff? I’m in the mood to get lost in some long soft wangxian works. Modern setting is better and I prefer completed works but if a wip is super worth it, I’d take that too. (Demon Ink by Jade_Valentine is a great example) Thank you!

Zero by @theladyofravenclaw (G, 19k, WangXian, Modern AU, Soulmates, Musicians, Friends to Lovers, Past lives) for #3 I just finished writing a modern au that's pretty fluffy if you dont mind the self rec

you're the only thing i think i got right by sandustorms (lucianclouds) (M, 48k, WangXian, Modern AU, Arranged marriage, strangers to lovers, Slow Burn, angst with a happy ending, Fluff) Also for #3 "You're the only thing I think I got right" by sandustorms (lucianclouds) is very good!

my little love by mellowflicker (T, 54k, wangxian, modern, single parent WWX, kindergarten teacher LWJ, kid fic, hurt/comfort, domestic fluff, pining)

💖sudden nature series by everbrighter (M, 97k, wangxian, modern w/ magic, 5+1, family feels, parenthood, teenage rebellion, past character death, resurrection, pining, domestic fluff, angst, happy ending) 

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4. Hi 👋. I was looking for any wangxian fics in which: A) wwx gets jealous due to someone else trying to get lwj attention. Preferably lengthy fics. And B) modern fics where lwj takes care of wwx after the jiangs mistreated him. Thanks

4A)

Four Parts Honey and One Part Vinegar by masked (T, 13k, wangxian, post-canon, 5+1, Mojo’s post)

Hanguang-jun's Husband by lilacevergarden (T, 6k, Time Travel, post-canon wangxian being disgustingly in love, wwx bullying teenage wangxian, Yeah that's it, Jealous WWX)

4B)

Step by step by apathyinreverie (T, 12k, wangxian, modern, not Jiang friendly, def not JFM & YZY friendly, guilt, fluff, past angst, flashbacks, hurt/comfort, protective LWJ)

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5. Do you got anything for villain redemption/villain happy endings? I recently read the Surrender Sweetly series by jeejaschocolate which is... rated E for good reason, and it got me in the mood for redemption arcs. But I can't find any!! 😭😭 @untdoc

❤️Love made visible by Moominmammashandbag (M, 31k, zhuli (jiang yanli/wen zhuliu), wangxian, canon divergence, fix-it, major character injury, amputation, hurt wei wuxian, angst, JYL is a ROCK, and she cultivates with food, Hurt/comfort, Mojo’s Post)

Book Club series by Anonyma (T, 49k, WWX & WC & LQY, wangxian, LQY/WQ, canon divergence, learning to read, friendship, fluff, family bonding)

~*~

6. this blog is great, thank you for all your hard work! for 'in the mood for a fic' i was wondering if anyone knew of any fics where xxc and wwx meet and bond but with canon ages. preferably book canon where xxc is younger, but i'll also take untamed canon where xxc is same age or only slightly older. i've read tons where xxc is the kind uncle to wwx with an expected age gap to boot, which i do love, but i'd also love to see how their dynamic would be with canon ages. thank you! :)

Songxiao - Canon? What canon? Series by MonchingBamboo (Varied, 241k, WIP, SongXiao, WangXian, Fluff, Getting Together, First kiss, Pre-Yi City, Humor, Smut, Hurt/Comfort) the focus is mostly solely on songxiao but a couple fics within the series have them interact with wangxian and the ages line up with the request :)

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7. Hi 🙂 I want to ask.. I know there are lots of DragonJi & FoxXian fic, but do you happen to know one with plot/AU like Three Lives Three Life - Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms? Has anyone ever write it? The similar the plot the better.. Thank you in advance 🙂🙏🏻 @yellowridge

Ten miles of Lotus Flowers by Yukirin_Snow (M, 273k, WangXian, XiCheng, A/B/O, Slow Burn, Angst with a happy ending, Hurt/comfort, Eventual Smut) For #7 "Ten Miles of Lotus Flowers" by Yukirin_Snow is one of my favorite fics of all time

Keep Me on Your Pillow by catbrainedschemes (E, 41k, WangXian, Pillow Book AU, high immortal!LWJ, red fox!wwx, Pining, Angst, Fluff, Eventual Smut, Slow Burn, Feelings, First Meetings, Misunderstandings, Happy Ending) is this exact plot. And also great.

~*~

8. Is there any fanfics about bodyswap between WangXian and YiZhan? Like they get confused the first time but after get used to it they quite enjoy their daily lives. Like Yibo get used to flying with a sword, and LWJ trying to learn how to skateboard lol or yea any story line is fine tho. Thanks✨

These have been moved to YiZhan Compilation

~*~

9. Hi! Do you know of any fics set in canon or as close to it as possible, where they use modern objects? Like cell phones or clothes, things like that

🧡Song of Suibian and Bichen: Or, the Greatest (And Only) Furby Master of Demonic Cultivation by moonwaif (T, 64k, WangXian, Suibian/Bichen, Fix-It of Sorts, Canon adjacent, The spiritual weapons are furbies, Angst with a Happy Ending, Mutual Pining, Canon-Typical Violence, Canon-Typical Behavior, Taking my favorite parts of every adaptation and smashing them together) (Do Furbies count as something Modern? Because if they do, I'd definitely rec this fic ~ Mod C)

my life's journey is far from over by thelastdboy (E, 147k, WangXian, Modern AU but not too modern, Canon Divergence, Everyone loves/Nobody dies, Angst, Case fic, Hurt/comfort) It's a weird kinda canon-modern + has some heavy themes, but I loved it 🥰

~*~

10. Hey .. this is my first time trying a request on Tumblr so please excuse me if I .. do it wrong or something idk (You're doing it just fine ^^ ~Mod C) . Also, you guys are awesome, you do god's work. I found some real gems through your blog. Thankyou so much. Wanted to ask if there's any fic with romcom-ish good boy lwj/bad boy wwx theme. Any au is fine, I like all. I read one called "detour of the year" (Let me know if this is the wrong fic~Mod C) with drug dealer/college boy au and I just can't get  over it. :(

~*~

11. well, since some people seems to ask yizhan fics here, i might as well. i hope its not too much of a bother. i have a very hard time looking for fics that is like is as close to reality, where they are still actors. perhaps like behind the cams, who they are to each other. i have only read one like that, others are au. in other words, its like yizhan fics where they are still actors, same people same stuffs. like canon divergent, or behind the scenes if they are in books or so. hope u get it

These have been moved to YiZhan Compilation

~*~

12. Hi!! Do you have any good sugar daddy! lwj fics? thanks <3 (also welcome Mod C!! It’s nice to have you here 🧡) (Hi! It's good to be here ^^ ~Mod C)

Weak by wayward_wing (M, 27k, WangXian, misunderstandings, Sugar Daddy LWJ, Sugar Baby WWX, Idiots in Love, Fluff and angst, wwx wears what he wants, Meaning wwx wears dresses, Lwj wears heels, Jc wears a skirt, Fashion is fun, Lan Zhan has a hair pulling kink, Anal Fingering, Hand Jobs, Rough Sex)

The Fault in Our Stars by Vamillepudding (T, 17k, WangXian, Modern AU, Getting Together, Romantic Comedy, Comedy of Errors, Mistaken Identity, Misunderstandings)

All Old Things are New Again by The Feels Whale (miscellea) (M, 51k, WangXian, Reincarnation, Modern AU, canon still happened, Sugar Daddy LWJ, Kink Negotiation, gentle dom!LWJ, canonical levels of consent play, Modern Cultivators, cultivators can recognize important people from previous lives, vaguely, this started out as a cute sugar fantasy and got just incredibly horny very fast, blame LWJ)

how to be a heartbreaker by sweetlolixo (E, 105k, WangXian, Modern AU, Sugar Daddy LWJ, Sugar Baby WWX, Dark WWX, Dark LWJ, Pining LWJ, Possessive LWJ, Crossdressing WWX, Seductress WWX, Eventual Happy Ending, Dirty Talking LWJ, They Do Fall In Love and there’s Fluff, Dark!Wangxian, Power Couple, Off the Charts Sexual Tension, Size Kink, Daddy Kink, degradation kink)

A Sure Thing by vesna (mrsronweasley) (E, 95k, WangXian, Modern AU, Sugar Daddy LWJ, Sex Work, Light Dom/sub, Aftercare, Semi-Public Sex, Exhibitionism, Bondage, use of sex toys, boundary setting, Relationship Negotiation, many baths, Barebacking)

~*~

13. can you find any male pregnant wei ying when wei ying and lan zhan lives at gusu.

ShuangXiu by panda_desu (M, 54k, wangxian, post-canon, unplanned mpreg, domestic fluff, Nirvana in fire crossover, pregnant sex, family feels)

Golden Spice by Torrinidae (E, 21k, wangxian, post-canon, ABO, omega WWX, alpha LWJ, mpreg, mating cycles/in heat, smut, hurt/comfort)

Many Lan babies series by luckymoonly (M, 388k, wangxian, so many babies one way or other)

~*~

14. Hello! First of all: thank you all the Mods for managing this blog, I've found so many great fics this way! <3 Second, for the Mood for a fic: do you know any in which A) orphaned!wwx meets his parents via time-travel or by some other way? I'm looking for fics in which they were dead or assumed dead. B) most people don't know that mxy=wwx and later (post canon for example?) wwx has to deal with something related to mxy (idk for example he learns that mo manor now belongs to him). Thank You again @marudny-robot

14A)

The Return of Cangse Sanren by milesofheart (T, 27k, WIP, WangXian, CS/WCZ, Canon Divergence, CS and WCZ Live, Angst with a Happy Ending, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, BAMF CS, Burial Mounds Settlement Days, Canon-Typical Violence, Creative talisman use)

31 Steps to a Brand New Qishan Wen by starandrea (M, 37k, wangxian, 9th in series, shapeshifters, kid fic, burial mounds, time travel, CSSR & WCZ live, family reunions)

And We Came Back To You by SilverMoonlightInBrightNight (M, 10k, wangxian, CSSR/WCZ, CSSR & WWX & WCZ, family reunions, family feels, fix-it, fluff, angst w/ happy ending, war, blood & gore, WIP)

empty as the sky by incendir (T, 23k, wangxian, JYL & WWX, CSSR & WWX, be careful what you wish for)

14B)

A place of Gold by ThisIsWhereTheMagicHappens (T, 10k, WangXian, Post Canon, Junior's as Sect Leaders, Mistaken Identity)

focal, filler, and line by bosbie (T, 26k, wangxian, canon divergence, flower shop, falling in love, slice of life)

Our Small Steps by tokaku (T, 9k, WangXian, Post-Canon)

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15. hello! for the next "I'm in the mood for", do you know any fics where bingqiu adopt wwx?? i always see hualian adopting him but only one where it was them (they actually mentored him bc he had demon blood i think, he even called lbh shizun) thank you!!

Hello, Neighbor!!! By Dragon_Scribe (M, 69k, BingQiu, WangXian, Canon Divergence Demon WWX, Crossover, Found Family, Angst with a Happy Ending, Dimension Travel?, Mystery, Mind Control, Love Confessions, Self-Indulgent) For the record I think the one they're talking abt on 15 of today's iitmf is "Hello, Neighbor!!!" By Dragon_Scribe on ao3. I figured it would be good to know

[New Mission – Parenting] by Forgotten64 (M, 92k, bingqiu, wangxian, child WWX adopted by bingqiu, fluff, romance, angst, violence, DISCONTINUED! but still worth a read I think)

A Guide on Parenting a BL Novel Protag by BingQiu by anatheme (Not rated, 75k, bingqiu, wangxian, fluff & crack, WWX adopted by bingqiu, fix-it, pining, misunderstandings, family fluff, marriage proposal, WIP)

'Til the Sun Grows Cold by xnemone (M, 73k, bingqiu, wangxian, LXC/JGY, post SVSSS canon, pre MDZS, demonic cultivation, found family, fluff & smut, light angst, childhood trauma, slow burn, pining)

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If you didn’t get an answer to your ask here, don’t forget to make use of @mdzs-kinkmeme and MDZS KINK MEME on Dreamwidth. Authors actually do use them for ideas. You may get what you order!***Your prompt doesn’t have to be kink! Fluff, crack, whatever - it’s all good!***

#mdzs #wangxian #the untamed #wangxianficfinder #wangxian fic search #i'm in the mood for a fic #wangxian fic recs #rpf #long post

[l-r-christian]

Title: 'Tied to one' part three

Pairing: Poly!Mikaelson x Black!Witch!Reader

Summary: Hayley had gone to a undoing the Mikaelsons soulstrings to Y/N and to have Elijah tied to the hybrid. Not only did it undid the strings it also had brought back Mikael and Esther along with the second oldest Original.

Warnings: Angst, Jealous Mikaelsons, Hayley being kinda of bitch, Reader being a shy bean, Soft Finn

A/N: holy another long part Batman 😳 I am really enjoying doing this series.

Hayley went to the witch that she was going to check out with Elijah but since the noble vampire and his siblings found their soulmate, Elijah was more focus on Y/N instead of Hayley.

"This spell is powerful. Are you sure you want this? The price for this is great."

"Whatever it takes. Just do the spell." Hayley said glaring at the witch who swallowed knowing she'll die after doing the spell as to rewrite a soulstrings could disrupt the balance of nature. Hayley woke gasping feeling an arm tighten around her and Elijah's scent hit her nose and felt him nuzzle her neck.

"It's too early to be awake baby." Elijah's voice husky from sleep making Hayley flush as she realized that she was bare. Hayley looked seeing it was 7AM and heard Klaus with Hope then felt Elijah's hand move along her waist.

"Elijah?"

"Hmm?" Elijah acknowledge Hayley as he placed kisses along her neck pulling her closer and Hayley caught a glance at her string that was tied to Elijah's finger and couldn't help but notice three other strings tied to hers.

"Hum...what...happen last...night?"

"Did you drink too much last night?" Marcellus threw a party then Niklaus and I took you to bed which you took us both so well." Elijah says as Rebekah walked in without a care surprising Hayley when the vampire kissed her.

"You and Nik wasn't too rough on her, right?"

"Never Rebekah." Elijah says kissing Hayley's shoulder before getting out of bed and Rebekah began to dress Hayley. The hybrid walked out a little overwhelmed of the fact she took Y/N's place to which she noticed the witch wasn't in the compound as it was like that the witch didn't even step foot in the place.

"What happened to Y/N?"

"Y/N? Who is that?" Kol asked confused as the others looked at Hayley confused as Hayley realized the spell the witch did had work though Hayley only wanted Elijah.

"Nothing, I was just thinking of a character of a book." Hayley said sitting next to Elijah as everyone took her word unaware of what was coming their way. Mikael woke in a tomb with the thought of killing Klaus while Esther had woke where Klaus left her last frowning when she didn't see Finn. The second oldest Mikaelson had woke before his mother and saw his string having a burst of color and went to follow it to his soulmate.

Y/N flet like something was wrong as four of her strings was a ash gray yet one was a warm orange and brown with swirls of gold mixing with her pastel colors but she couldn't ignore the magic over the other four. Y/N rush down the street carrying a bag of herbs and bumped into a man who quickly caught her from falling.

"Oh.....sorry." Y/N breathed staring at the man getting lost in his hazel-green eyes as the string on her finger glowed and the man stared into her chocolate eyes. Soulmate echoed through Finn's head and now he was going to focus on her no longer caring about Esther's mission.

"No my fault. I'm Finn Mikaelson......your soulmate."

"Oh hum....I'm Y/N L/N." Y/N said flushing when Finn kissed her hands and he noticed the ash gray string.....dead soulmates this made his heart ache at the idea that Y/N had ready lost four soulmates.

"Witch?"

"Yes....an old one..... I was just getting some herbs." Y/N said as Finn held his arm out to his little soulmate and the urge to protect her filled him.

"Allow me to take you home."

Klaus stormed into the compound tearing a stake from his chest getting the others attention right away. Elijah stood pulling away from Hayley worried about Klaus watching the Original hybrid pour a drink.

"What happen Niklaus?"

"Our father happen! Mikael is some how alive again." Klaus growled angry as Elijah narrowed his eyes as Freya frowning walking into the den getting their attention.

"Freya is something wrong?"

"Finn isn't in the pendant.....I can't feel his soul."

"First Mikael now Finn what's next? Our mother?" Rebekah asked as they all looked at one another unaware of Hayley's worried face. Hayley left the den to check on Hope as Freya went to do a spell to Finn and Kol leaned back looking at the others.

"Hey do guys feel like something is missing? I know that Mikael is important and a missing Finn but lately I have been feeling a dull heartache."

"Yes and the ash gray string....are we going to ignore it?" Rebekah asked as they looked at the second string seeing how dark the string was. Klaus and Elijah knew what both Rebekah and Kol was talking about.

"A dead soulmate we never met? Though it is impossible as soulmates always find one another." Elijah said as Klaus stood from his chair he sat in.

"We'll deal with it later at the moment our loving father is alive."

Finn watched Y/N make some kind of potion for her protection rituals as the three months he spent with her was the most joy he had ever felt in a millennium as she made him feel alive. The vampire moved behind her placing his hands on her hips nuzzling her neck taking in her scent relaxing against her making the witch smile reaching up rubbing his cheek and he turn his head kissing her palm.

"You seem clingy today Finn."

"Only for you my beloved. Are you feeling better today?"

"I am so is our little jelly bean." Y/N said as Finn placed a hand on her abdomen listening to the small heartbeat. A sudden crash caught Finn's attention and he quickly place his soulmate behind him growling lowly fangs showing feeling Y/N grip the back of his shirt.

"Protective of your little witch, brother?" Finn heard Klaus say as the oldest Mikaelson stood straight glaring at the hybrid as Elijah and Hayley walked in. Y/N peeked out from behind the tall vampire seeing the other Mikaelson brothers feeling an urge to hold them fill her.

"What do you two want?"

"Our mother and father has been back for awhile now. Niklaus and I hoped you knew where mother was."

"I haven't seen her, Elijah. I have been focused on my soulmate." Finn says as the two looked at Y/N feeling the need to kiss her filled them as an ache settled in their chests hearing a soft heartbeat coming from her. Elijah was snapped out of his thoughts when Hayley held his hand making him smile as Y/N felt hurt for some reason but shook it off.

"Your witch uses old magic maybe she can find mother or father. Her magic won't be sensed my mother."

"It is up to her."

"We should help them my big bear." Y/N says softly still staying behind Finn feeling shy as she clings to her vampire while Klaus smirked looking at Elijah.

"A bear? Elijah, I thought our brother was the boar."

"He is, Niklaus."

"He isn't a boar! He is a bear!" Y/N said shouting at them narrowing her eyes at them then squeaked when the three looked at her.

"Stop scaring her. We'll help."

Freya was so happy to see Finn even more learning her brother found his soulmate too while both Kol and Rebekah stared at the young witch feeling the need to rush to hold her. Y/N was beautiful in their eyes as it seemed her mocha skin was glowing as Finn was carrying her things talking to Freya about the spell Y/N would be doing.

"So you're Finn's soulmate." Y/N heard a voice say and look seeing Kol standing in the door away watching the black beauty working on a spell as Kol thought it was odd that he could see her strings but was drawn back to her cute face.

"I'm Y/N and you must be Kol." Y/N said smiling as Kol spotted her tarot cards and walked in sitting down.

"Can you give me a tarot reading?"

"Yeah I can. I need to leave this sitting anyway." Y/N said shuffling the cards and had Kol pick four cards. Hayley stopped hearing Kol and Y/N while seeing Finn and Elijah watching from the doorway.

"What do they say?" Kol asked watching the witch frown as she looked over the cards then looked at Kol.

"Someone close to you is lying to you, something is not real or not what it seems." Y/N said as Kol stared at the cards and how all this felt familiar. Kol looked at her and his heart skipped a beat as he swore a memory flashed in his mind.

"What do they say?"

"Hmmm something good is in your future." She says making Kol smile brightly staring at her in awe as Elijah comb though her hair loosening her curls letting them fall down her back.

"Is that good thing you, baby?" Elijah asked the witch as he kissed her neck making her flush while Kol smirked enjoying how Elijah flirted with her.

"You alright Kol?" Elijah asked snapping the vampire from his thoughts and just got up leaving in a hurry confusing them all. Y/N looked at Elijah worry on her face as Elijah looked at her feeling the urge to cup her cheek to soothe the witch.

"Did I do something wrong?"

"No beloved." Finn said moving down kissing her forehead as jealousy fill Elijah watching Finn with Y/N. Hayley stepped up to Elijah pulling his attention to her as he gave her a smile.

"I'm sure Kol is fine. Maybe your tarot cards are wrong?"

"Her cards are never wrong." Finn says noticing the worry on Hayley's face but Y/N grabbed his attention.

"I found your mother. She is in the Ninth ward hiding with the witches."

"Stay here with Freya. I don't want you hurt." Finn tells you as much like Elijah the other three felt jealousy fill them seeing Y/N cup his face placing a gentle kiss on his lips.

"Return to me safe. Return to us safe."

"I will my beloved." Finn says smiling as his siblings saw their ash gray strings spark with color before dying out. The siblings left unaware that Mikael was headed for the Abattoir while they headed for Esther and soon Hayley's mistake was about to com ed to light.

#L.R writes #mikaelson x reader #mikaelson family x reader #Finn mikaelson imagine #elijah mikaelson imagine #klaus mikaelson imagine #kol mikaelson imagine #rebekah mikaelson imagine