#i keep thinking about how AM turns into a burning bush

[ziptie-bouquet]

Rain World has a big I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream feel to it. You can't die. There is a supercomputer capable of sentience who is trapped inside its own metal body. He was built to think about issues too complex for the ones who made him. He is unable to change his core programming. He can't die either. His purpose is meaningless after the death of his creators. He has a halo and calls himself a God. He produces rain that kills everything it touches. He is angry at his creators to the point of driving himself mad. I do think it's very interesting how ultimately Five Pebbles IS in Ted's situation. He is stuck in a can completely isolated, he can't talk with anyone because his communication system has been cut. He is left to think, trapped in his own body and unable to interact with the outside world. He can only see it through his overseers.

#rain world #rw #five pebbles #fp #i have no mouth and i must scream #ihnmaims #yeah #i guess the rain world frenzy is back #i keep thinking about how AM turns into a burning bush #it's super cool imagery #i think you can draw good religious parallels #while ihnmaims was a criticism of christian hell #rw is about reincarnation and buddhism and hinduism inspired symbolism #but i don't know enough about estern religion to comment on it #i can just see that like it's fucking incredible #i don't interact with rw circles so sorry if this is a very tired comparison in the community but it's just neat

[luveline]

steve with a reader who is touch starved but scared to ask for affection 😫😫

for you ♡ fem!reader | 1k words

One of the lesser known effects of touch starvation is touch aversion. You want to be touched so badly that when it finally happens you don't know how to respond, and so you move away from it. 

This creates a loop. Steve tries to offer you affection. You squirm out of his reach. Steve assumes you don't want affection, and doesn't try to give it to you again. 

Now the idea of asking for it, for touch, for anything, terrifies you. Something as simple as a hand in your hand becomes as monopolising and unquantifiable as thirst in the desert; it's all you can think about, and it's impossible to say aloud. 

"Hello? Earth to Y/N?" 

You wince and look up from the tray of chocolates in your lap. 

Steve can tell something's wrong with you because he's Steve – what he lacks in natural perception he makes up for in dedication. Which is a fancy way to say he's been studying you carefully over the last few days, trying to figure out what's wrong. 

He's ruled out a lot of options by now, you think. He'd brought you a fancy water bottle with stickers on the side to make sure you're staying hydrated, a grazing plate of fancy cheeses and crackers to boost morale and keep you fed, a pair of pajamas he'd seen that 'just screamed you, babe,' and now, tonight, chocolates and a flower he'd plucked from the bush outside your neighbours house. 

"Sugar," you say. "Sorry, here." You pass him the chocolates and your fingers touch. It burns. 

Steve accepts them with a frown. "Are you listening to me?" 

You'd kind of been hoping he'd asked for the chocolates. "No. Sorry." 

He tuts. "I said, do you want to go somewhere?" 

You blink a few times and tilt your head, perplexed. "What for?" 

"I don't know. Anything. We can go to the grocery store or- fucking catch a movie. Just something." 

His stressed tone has you frowning in turn, worried that you're boring him. 

You resolve to be a better conversationalist and clear your throat, "If you want to go, let's go somewhere." 

"But do you want to?" 

You frown some more. "Not if you don't." 

"That's a non-answer." 

You take one of the nicer chocolates from his lap and chew it rather than have to explain yourself. Nausea brews along with breathlessness. You're not breathing right and you have to pause eating to suck in a breath through your nose. 

"I'm just asking…" he begins to explain tentatively, "because getting out of the house can be good for you." 

"I leave the house every day?" you say, shoulders climbing as if awaiting a scolding. Something about his voice is strange, this agitated quality that roughens his every word. He sounds like he's about to burst. 

"I know you do." 

You raise your eyebrows and reach for another chocolate. Steve wraps his fingers around your wrist and your eyes flash to his, relaxing ever so slightly until you remember yourself and pull away. 

"That!" he shouts suddenly. 

You jump, hands in your lap. "What?" 

"That look! You look like you were finally happy for once and then you remembered and got all sad again." 

More nausea. You push your hand into your tummy until it aches, afraid to say the wrong thing. "I am happy, Steve." 

"I don't think you are. You look- You look really sad, sometimes. And not just sad. You look desperate." 

"Steve-" 

"At first I thought you needed to pee, and then I thought you needed a hug, but you didn't want either, and none of my tactics are working and I'm-" the pitch of his voice rises high, his distress evident, "I'm worried about you. I'm really worried. It's making me insane." 

"You've always been-" you wilt under his unamused stare, "insane." You cough and look down at your hands, flexing your fingers. 

Steve sighs raggedly. "Sorry. I'm not mad at you." 

"No, I know." 

You both eat one of the chocolates to avoid having to talk. 

"You don't need to worry," you say eventually, chancing a glance at him. 

He meets your gaze, pouting. "You realise that's like- that's like telling everyone on the Titanic not to worry about the iceberg." 

"I'm fine." 

"You're depressed." 

You wince. "That's a big word, Steve. And it's not true, I'm fine. I- I have been a little down, lately," you admit, anything to make him feel better. 

"Yeah?" he asks seriously. 

"But it's not your fault, and you don't have to fix it. You've done enough. You do enough." 

Steve moves so he's sitting closer to you than before, until his thigh is pressed flat to yours. You try your hardest to endure it – you want it, you want it bad, you just don't deserve it. It's like a hot bath after hypothermia. 

"Y/N." 

You look up into his face, very close. Unimpressed. 

"What?" 

"You gotta let me fix it." 

"There's nothing-" 

"Don't give me that crap." 

You chew the inside of your lip and stare at his jawline, thinking. The feeling of his thigh on yours has changed from a scorching heat to a normal warmth. It's comforting. 

"Whatever it is, I can help," he promises. 

You take a few shallow breaths and try not to wuss out, letting your side lean into his chest. You push one hand behind his back and the other lays at his side, arms wrapped around him in a haphazard, too-tight hug. Steve doesn't balk to his credit, only moves the chocolates from his lap and pulls you closer, a protective wall of his arms behind your head. 

"What's wrong, huh?" he asks softly. 

"Just-" You swallow against the burning lump in your throat. "Just needed a hug." 

His cheek warms the top of your head, his hand chases down the length of your back. 

"Are you gonna tell me what's wrong?" 

"It's hard to explain." 

He rubs a rough line, up and down and up again. It's overwhelming, and somehow he calms you down at the same time. "I got time." 

You laugh weakly into his chest and hang on for dear life, though something tells you he's not going anywhere. 

#steve harrington imagine #steve harrington x reader #steve harrington x y/n #steve harrington x you #stranger things fic #stranger things x reader #stranger things 4 #steve harrington #x reader #steve harrington drabble #steve harrington blurb #stranger things

[viaoverthemoon]

Behind Closed Doors

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3

Welcome back, Beloved Reader!

I was happy to see some of you guys were as excited as me for this chapter. I couldn't wait to post it ahhh!!

I hope y'all are ready for some questions to be answered.

Why did Leon bed Lady Ada? Will you ever forgive him? How does Lady Ada feel about all this? I don't know guys... It feels like the King of Duevaula is hiding in the shadows...

Let us continue!

☆*: .｡. Behind Closed Doors .｡.:*☆ Chapter 3

Medeival!Leon Kennedy x Fem!Reader

Summary: Lady Ada shares a few words with you, leaving you with harsh words and feelings burning the tip of your tongue. Meanwhile, Leon recalls the night he spent with Lady Ada and plans a way to explain what had happened.

Tw: Mentions of pregnancy, coercion into sex, sa(??), abuse, violence, angst

Please be careful reading this if you're easily triggered by these things and still want to read.

READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!

Enjoy!

☆*: .｡.☆*: .｡.☆*: .｡.☆*: .｡.☆*: .｡.☆*: .｡.☆*: .｡.☆*: .｡.☆*: .｡.

The garden has always been your place of peace.

Flowers of all kinds lined in rows and rows of different shapes, colors, and patterns. Large, well-kept, luscious trees planted sporadically all around the space. Bushes shaped like bunnies, horses, and lions.

For once, your mind has a moment to rest after this horrible week.

You'd spent most of your days locked away in your rooms, ignoring everyone's attempts to coax you out.

Albeit, by the third day your mother had had enough.

She'd stormed into your chambers, demanding you to get out of your head for five minutes and think about how you're going to win the prince back.

And that had caused you to spiral even further.

You abandoned indoors and took to the gardens, seeking the comfort of fresh air and solitude.

So now you sit on a bench, embroidery the only thing keeping all of your screws from falling out.

Your concentration is so deep you don't even hear the footsteps nearing you.

"Your highness."

You instantly recognize the voice, hands pausing the delicate work as you slowly look up.

Lady Ada offers a curtsy, much less deep than the one she'd done for the King.

She doesn't respect you.

You take a deep breath, setting the embroidery aside. "Leave us."

The guards, save for Jill, leave immediately.

"Lady Ada... To what do I owe the pleasure?"

A smirk spreads across her red lips, posture straight as an arrow as she rests a hand on her small belly. "I merely seek conversation with the princess I am to coexist with."

You try not to sneer as she gracefully sits beside you on the bench. "Apologies, I'm sure you don't mind," Her proximity makes your skin burn. "My God, this pregnancy sure is doing a number on my feet."

Your fists ball, your eyes unable to hold hers. "I'm sure."

She seems to notice your anger, smiling in a way the Devil would approve of. "Surely your highness isn't intimidated by me... She wouldn't think that I could take her place-"

You stand, turning and looking down your nose at her in disgust. "It would do you well to remember your place, Lady Ada." You bend to grab your embroidery, pausing when your lips near her ear. "You may carry his baby, but you do not carry the other half of his crown. Always remember that."

And with that, you turn on your heel and walk away, Jill three paces behind you.

☆ Leon ☆

Read. Flip. Sign.

He can feel his gaze.

Read. Flip. Sign.

He sees him flinch in his peripheral.

Read. Flip. Sign.

He clears his throat.

"What are you waiting for?"

His posture straightens, avoiding eye contact as his chin angles high. "Permission to speak freely, your highness?"

Leon waves a hand. "You always have, Chris. Do not fear me now."

Chris, Leon's personal guard, sighs as his body relaxes. He steps closer to the desk and leans his hip on it. "Why don't you just tell her what happened?"

Leon gives him an obvious look, causing Chris to glare at him. "I know what the King said, but you love her. She loves you. I'm sure her highness will understand-"

"Loved."

...

"She loved me."

Chris scoffs. "Do not be ridiculous. You two spent years sneaking beyond your palace walls just to see each other and you're to tell me she just... stopped loving you?"

Leon exhales, dropping his pen and slumping in his chair.

He needed to think.

The effects of that night... The possibility of a bastard child...

A mistress.

It wasn't even him. He never wanted this. Never wanted her.

If only he'd stood his ground...

But now, it was too late.

-

"Father... I can't. It wouldn't be right."

Dim candle light illuminates the chamber, casting a dark shadow over the King's face.

He'd never been the type of monarch that accepted the word 'no'. Anyone to do so were immediately thrown into the dungeon and left to starve to death or until they realized how much they needed their King.

"And why would it be wrong? A King is not tied to a woman, son. A woman is tied to a man. You need not hold yourself for her."

Leon shook his head. "I've promised myself to her. I will only bed Princess-"

His words are cut off by a hand around his neck.

His body is slammed into a nearby wall as the King towers over him. Tension builds as Leon fights for air, clawing at his father's hand. But he doesn't let go, heaving heavy breathes as he grits out his words. "Listen to me boy. I will not have a child in the body of a man for a son. You will not be a man until you have bed a woman."

Black shadows form in the corners of Leon's vision, breaths coming out in shortened gasps. But the King isn't done. "So make of your mind Leon. You either bed the woman I've set for you, or am I going to have to make an example of that pretty little princess of yours?"

Leon's eyes widen, shaking his head as best he could with the hand around his throat.

Not her. Anyone but her.

He doesn't have time to think about his decision, only worried about what he could do to you.

His answer comes out pathetic, a whisper that leads back to a broken heart. "I'll- do it-"

The King let's go instantly, inhaling deeply as his fist clenches. "Excellent."

He ignores Leon's coughs and gasps for air, clapping his hands. "Bring her in."

The doors open and the skirts of a deep red dress embroidered with black flowers flows gracefully into the room.

The woman drops deep into a curtsy and grins at the prince. "Hello, your highness."

That night was not one that Leon would ever forget. His father watched every second. Up until the end, after Lady Ada had been escorted out. After the lights had all dwindled and melted wax pooled at the bottom of candelabras. After Leon had wiped his tears and sat in the bed with slumped naked shoulders.

And then, The King stood from his chair to leave. But not without saying these words.

"You will not tell anyone. Not even your mother. If you do, you can kiss your princess goodbye." He'd placed a hand on Leon's shoulder.

"You are a man now. Congratulations, son."

-

☆

"Ouch! Nara Vella!"

Your sister grimaces and loosens her grip on your hair. "Oh, sorry (y/n)! I've been practicing but I just can't get this braid right..."

You sigh, gently taking the braid from her and demonstrating how it should be done. "Over, under, untangle. You can do it Nara, just repeat those actions."

She gives a determined nod and this time, completes the braid just as you showed her.

"I did it!" She places the braid over your shoulder so you can see it. "Do you like it?"

You hum, smiling gently. "I love it, little sister."

Nara Vella giggles, throwing her hands up in triumph.

A knock comes at your door. Jill's uncertain voice a moment later. "Prince Leon, Your highness."

You roll your eyes, undoing the braid and grabbing a hairbrush. "Tell him to leave, Jill."

Nara Vella's eyes dart between you and the door, wringing her hands to ease her uncomfortability. "Um, perhaps I should come back another time...-"

The door burst open.

You look in the reflection of the mirror, eyeing Leon as he struts in like a King.

"We need to talk, (Y/n)."

"No. I don't believe we do."

A tense silence falls over the room. The two of you glare at each other in the reflection, both waiting for the other to say something.

Nara Vella clears her throat, lifting her yellow skirts and giving Prince Leon a clumsy curtsy. "I will take my leave now... Your highness."

She leaves, only smiling awkwardly in your direction before practically running out of the room.

Jill frowns apologetically and closes the door to give you privacy.

You huff a breath, continuing to brush the braid from your hair. "I would appreciate if you'd stop forcing my guard to obey you."

He steps closer. "We need to talk."

You hum. "So you've said."

"I want you to listen to me."

"And I wanted to be your first."

Leon's expression falls, something close to guilt overcoming his features.

"Though I suppose we can't all get what we want."

You put down the brush and stand, walking forward until you're right in his face, looking up into his bright eyes. You try not to drown in the weight of his gaze."...Do you regret it?"

His eyes flash. "More than anything."

You lick your lips, forcing the burning tears away. "Then... why did you?"

He reaches for your hand, but you're quick to yank it away. His brows furrow, breaths hollow and desperate. "Are you willing to let me explain?"

Are you?

He waits for your answer, both breathing the other's air. Your lips are close enough to share a kiss, something you'd normally kill for...

But you aren't ready to get your heart broken again.

You inhale, about to give your answer.

But then you see it. In his eyes, a flicker.

Pain. Desperation. Worry. Fear.

Love.

You'd once told him his eyes were like oceans. And it didn't help that his emotions hid poorly within those seas.

You could read him like an open book. It really wasn't hard.

Before... You suppose you didn't want to know.

You answer.

"Yes."

☆

Words would never be enough to explain how you felt.

Horrified doesn't even begin to reach it.

You'd welcomed him into your arms as he rested his head in the crook of your neck, spilling the secrets that'd plagued his mind for years.

And by the time he's finished, you still can't get the disgusted look off your face. "Leon- That's-... I'm so-... Great Gods, I wish you'd told me earlier." You gently run your fingers through his hair. "I feel like such an ass. I'm so sorry for not hearing you out, my love."

You coax his head from your neck and hold his face, thumbs caressing his cheeks. "You are a man. To me, and by definition. It wouldn't have mattered if you had bed a woman first or not. I will never see you any different." His eyes begin to water and his lip wobbles. "Your father, is a fool to see you any different."

Leon sighs, removing his hands from your hips and placing them over yours. "And... You still love me? Even though I didn't save myself for you?"

You shush him, brows furrowing. "Of course I do. That wasn't your decision." You look him deep in his eyes, placing a hand over his heart. "It wasn't your fault."

His eyes close. "It wasn't my fault."

"It wasn't your fault."

Relief.

Relief so strong his shoulders slump and he nearly falls to his knees.

You're quick to catch him, sliding your arms under his and clinging to the back of his shirt.

His arms wrap around your waist, holding you close as shuddered breaths pass from between his lips.

The truth will set you free.

☆*: .｡.☆*: .｡.☆*: .｡.☆*: .｡.☆*: .｡.☆*: .｡.☆*: .｡.☆*: .｡.☆*: .｡.

Did anyone see that coming? I know for a fact y'all didn't lmaoo

This isn't the end! We have 2 more chapters, me thinks.

Will Lady Ada continue to live in the Kingdom of Duevaula? Will anyone else ever know of the Kings harshness toward Prince Leon? How would the Queen react to such news? Do you still have the chance of becoming Queen?

See you next chapter!

-Via 💕

#viaoverthemoon #leon kennedy #leon kennedy x reader #leon x reader #leon kennedy x you #leon s kennedy smut #resident evil #leon s kennedy #resident evil leon #x y/n #resident evil x reader #x reader #reader insert #resident evil 4 #medieval #behind closed doors

[chrissymorgan9700]

So...

I have been thinking of an angst/tragic Bowuigi AU, but I don't know how to write it.

Picture it: Bowuigi, but a Prince of Egypt crossover.

The Koopa Kingdom has already taken over the Mushroom Kingdom and everything else but Sarasaland when Mario and Luigi are separated

Mario arrives and meets Princess Peach while she is in hiding in Sarasaland.

Bowser meets Luigi after he falls in the Darklands and soon they start falling for each other.

Cue wholesome Mama Luigi and Junior moments

Mario and Peach find a way to tell Luigi about what's really going on with Bowser's rule. Luigi is in denial.

Luigi finds out on his own and runs away, also going to Sarasaland.

Bowser's heart is broken.

Luigi is told to convince Bowser to let the Mushroom Kingdom go or face serious consequences (Burning Bush: Stars/Grambi/Rosalina)

Bowser and Luigi reunite, enter Kamek and Kammy (Playing With The Big Boys)

Luigi fails to convince Bowser, Bowser feels betrayed. Double angst

Consequence #1: Water turns to Lava (Water to Blood Plague)

"The Plagues", but replace 'brother' with 'lover'

Bowser & Luigi reunite during darkness plague and have a heart to heart

They love each other still, always have and always will and Bowser is almost convinced.

Enter Junior. He missed his Mama and wants him back, but is also scared of what's happening.

Bowser : "I will not be dictated to. I will not be threatened. I am the morning and evening star. I am Bowser! King of the Koopas!"

Luigi : "Something else is coming, something much worse than anything before. Please, let go of your contempt for life before it destroys everything we hold dear. Think of our son!"

Bowser is hardheaded.

Luigi tells Mushroom Kingdom & others to put a sign on their doors (a star/mushroom/what have you)

Enter Plague 10: Death of the Firstborn

Plague takes every firstborn child in the Koopa Kingdom

Cut to Koopa Castle as one last soul is taken.

The sounds of parents screaming in grief echo through the smoke-filled air.

Out of all the weepings and wailings in the Koopa Kingdom, Bowser and Luigi's are the loudest and most heart wrenching.

Bowser tells Luigi that Mushroom Kingdom and all other kingdoms he's enslaved are free while hunched over their son's dead body.

Luigi: *reaches out hand*

Bowser: *flinches away* "Leave me!"

Luigi leaves, Bowser silently cries as he watches him go.

Luigi starts bawling once more when he gets outside.

Has to keep it in to tell Mario and friends that Bowser is no longer in control of their kingdoms anymore.

Everyone is celebrating, but Luigi silently mourns

If any of you take this idea, please, PLEASE tag me!

#bowser x luigi #bowuigi au #angst #prince of egypt #super mario bowser #super mario fanfiction #luigi my beloved #luigi x bowser #tragedy #hurt/angst #no comfort #bowser junior #bowuigi

[nikkisheep]

Let Me In

Daryl Dixon x female reader

Warnings: ANGST, daryl will not let anyone close to him, sad daryl, crying, right after the fall of the Prison (season 4), walkers, near death, hurt reader, twd elements, reader gets shot by an arrow, reader is from the south but can be from wherever you want it to be but she has an accent, mentions of Sophia

GOING TO BE A SERIES IF YOU ALL ENJOY IT

Summary: Being left in a cabin with only Daryl, the man you love, he pushes you away.

Fire. Woods. Trees. Walkers. All you could hear was drowning out the screams from the prison. You were shot in the side, bleeding as you ran from the burning, overrun prison that you once called your home. Pain runs through your body as you stab a walker when it walked right up to you.

The swarm of walkers were getting bigger and bigger as you looked for safety. You take the knife that you had killed the walker with and cut it open, rubbing the nasty bodily fluids on yourself to shield your being from the herd.

Walking for what seemed for hours, you hear a twig crunch under very heavy boots. You pull the sword from your back and hid in the bushes from whoever or whatever was approaching. Sure, you were covered in walker blood and guts but walkers were not the only thing you had to fear. You watch as a dark figure walked right up to where you were just standing. It was a man.

The man bent down to look at the foot prints and when he turned around, you saw the very familiar vest with angel wings on the back. You put your sword back and climb out of the bushes which might not have been the best idea. Since it was dark and you were covered in walker blood, Daryl fired a shot at you without realizing that it was you. Hitting your side where you had already been shot before.

"Daryl!"

"Shit!'' Daryl says when he recognizes you and your voice.

"What the hell ya covered in walke' blood? Why ya in those dam' bushes?"

He felt bad, really bad. You whimper in pain as you grab the arrow, pulling it slightly. Daryl picked you up and carried you to the nearest place he could find, a cabin deep in the woods. The place was covered in wire and stakes to keep off the dead. He cleared the place just in case and then brought you in where there was two beds.

"I'm gonn' pull it out. Bite this," He hands you his belt, placing it in your mouth for you.

He grabs the arrow, gently pulling it out until he realized that the end was four pointed, snagging on the outer part of your body. He grabbed his knife and saws off the pointed part and the arrow slips out of your body. You scream into the belt as tears came to your eyes.

You whimper while he wraps your side up and looks like he was going to cry. He fills a tub with cold water that the two of you found and you clean the walker guts off of you. Coming out, you noticed that Daryl was standing by the door.

"Daryl, I'm okay. I'm alrigh'." You say as he looked at your side.

"If this is what ya think this is alrigh', then I'm a damn rooster."

"Daryl, damn it, I am fine. I promise."

"I shot ya, I could have killed you."

He shook his head and walked away.

"Where are you goin' huh? If yer think this is over then it ain't." You yelled.

"Why do you care so damn much, Daryl? Huh? Why?" You ask.

"Because I nearly killed ya and I already lost everyone I fuckin' cared about and I can't lose ya too. What do you want me to say? You want me to admit how I can't even protect you because I nearly killed you like I killed that little girl," He yelled, tears falling. You hardly ever saw Daryl cry and you felt like you were going to cry too.

"Daryl, what girl?"

"Sophia. Carol was countin' on me and she walked out that barn, she wasn't Sophia anymore. All I had to do was track better and I would have never lost her,'' Daryl says, hands coming to tug his hair.

"Daryl, Sophia was not yer fault. You did everythin' ya could. That's why I love ya. You never quit 'cause you care."

His face contorts to shame? anger? sadness? You couldn't tell. You walked up to him, grabbing your side, pressing a hand to his cheek. He leans into your touch before moving away. You follow him.

"Get away from me,'' He orders.

"No! Not until you finish talking to me."

"Why do you care? Why do ya love me when I literally could have killed you?"

"But ya didn't."

"I could have."

"But you didn't. I am fine."

"Yer side is bandaged because of me."

"It was my fault for hiding and then scaring you," You reason.

Tears pour down his face, you wipe them with your thumb. You had your own tears and his heart broke.

"I love you, Daryl. Let me love you. Let me in."

"I don't deserve yer love," Daryl says with a broken voice.

"You don't get to decide whether or not I love you.''

He lets out a sob that wracked through his body, falling to his knees. He hugs your legs while you softly run your hands through his hair.

"I should have don' something. I could have stopped that damn man. I could have done somethin' to that man before he killed so many of us.

You knew he was talking about the governor and your heart ached for him. You wanted to tell him it wasn't his fault. You wanted him to realize that. You wanted him to see that the prison was not his fault. You were not his fault, he saved you. If he didn't find you, you could have died from the gun shot wound you had.

-----

The sun and the sound of walkers were outside. You opened your eyes and noticed that Daryl was gone. You started to worry. You didn't know how long he had been gone. If he left you here completely. You watched the window and door for a while but then gave up. You went outside, killing all of the walkers around the cabin. You wanted something to do. You needed something to do. You went back inside to clean up the little house, wanting the place to look nicely. You weren't sure as to why but you wanted it to.

You cleaned the windows, pulled the weeds from around the house and trees. You gathered firewood, careful of the healing wounds. You were taking medicine that you found for pain and you were doing a bit better these days. You started to sing one of your favorite songs that you listened to before the fall. You smile at memories of your family telling you to shut the radio up in your room because they were tired of hearing the song over and over again. You missed your family.

You opened the wallet that you carried in your jeans, carefully opening it up to see the pictures of your family. Your siblings, smiling at the camera before your dad had thrown water on you all. Your mom smiling at your father with so much love in her eyes. That's what you felt when you were with Daryl. You felt the love your parents had for each other for the archer.

Hours passed, you weren't sure how many, before Daryl comes back. He walks in, moonshine in his hand, stumbling to his chair.

"Daryl, where were you?"

"Went out Mom," He slurred, obviously drunk or buzzed.

"I am not your damn mother. Where were ya? Are you hurt?"

"No ma'am," He groaned.

"I am tired of this Daryl. I want you to let me in without running away," You sigh, moving to him.

"Get away from me."

"Damn it, Daryl. Stop bein' like this."

"Just let someone care for you. Let me care for you,'' You started begging him to just let you care. To let you care about him. To love him.

"I can't let anyone in, darlin'."

"Why not, Daryl?''

He looks up at you with tears, "Because I am broken and not deservin' of love."

#daryl dixon x reader #daryl dixon x female reader #daryl dixon #twd #twd x reader #the walking dead #angst #twd angst #twd x reader angst #daryl dixon angst

[thezombieprostitute]

Sparks Fly - Part 4

Summary: After working as an engineer for Wilford & Gilliam Trust for several years you find evidence of seedy dealings and burned books. After turning in the evidence you find yourself in danger and seek help. You're taken into the protection of a mob family where you run into your high school best friend, Mace.

Word Count: ~1200

Warnings: Implied violence and attempted murder. Please let me know if I missed any.

Part 3 -- Part 5

Series Masterlist

“DC,” Mace whispers between kisses. “DC, we gotta stop.”

“What? Why,” you whine as he gently pushes you away.

“You’ve had a roller coaster of a week,” he explains. “Your emotions have been, understandably, all over the place. I want to make sure you’re in the right state of mind, that I’m not taking advantage of you.”

You can see the pain in his face as he says this. It’s clear he wants to keep going but he’s putting your emotional needs first and it makes you want him more. But you know he’s right. You hug him tight and ask, “can we still cuddle on the couch? Make out some more?”

“Absolutely,” he breathes, making you giggle. “Want to do that now,” he asks.

“Gotta finish the fries first,” you tell him, moving back to your seat. He chuckles and nods, “okay. I submit to french fry superiority.” You giggle and he continues, “we probably should use this time to talk about what’s going to happen during and after your testimony.” You sigh but nod in agreement. “I’m currently waiting to hear back if I can be with you at the courthouse but I’m hopeful. Between GBH, Barton and maybe Fowler we’ll have at least one person outside the courtroom and one inside. The third would most likely be outside the courthouse."

“And you trust them,” you say more than ask. 

He nods in affirmation, “absolutely. They’re really good at keeping people alive.” You pause your eating and he thinks, “there’s probably a better way I could’ve worded that. Sorry.” 

“It’s okay. I know what you’re trying to say.” You resume eating your meal so he continues. 

“As for after your testimony, I know from previous experiences that you’ll have a few options. One of them is your standard Witness Protection. We’ve got some connections with the Federal Marshalls and we can get you to them. New name, new city, and some protection. The other version of that is we set you up with a new name and enough money to start a new life in a new city. One of the primary differences being we could get you set up in another country all together.”

“What if I don’t want to leave?” 

“What?”

“I worked so hard to get where I am, I don’t want to just drop everything and leave.”

“DC, these people are trying to kill you. What’s the point of holding onto everything if it just leaves you dead?”

“I’m going to die eventually, regardless of whichever option I choose. I might as well choose the option that makes me happy. What makes me happy is living here, being with you again.”

“I…I don’t know,” Mace admits. “I’m not sure how much protection we can actually offer if you’re not working for us. You’re doing everyone a huge favor by testifying, of course, but…”

“Will you at least look into it as an option, AC?”

He thinks for a minute, eyes never leaving yours. “Let me call Teach,” he finally says. “If there’s a way, she can find it.”

“Thank you, Mace. I really appreciate it.”

“Mace,” Teach says over the phone, “I’m gonna need you to put me on speaker for this.”

He quickly pulls the phone away from his ear and puts it on speaker so you can hear as well. “Done,” he tells her.

“Ms. Y/L/N, can you hear me?” Teach’s tone is very serious. 

“Yes, Ma’am,” you’re quick to reply. 

“I’m going to ask you some questions and I need you to be completely honest with me. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Ma’am,” you nod, even though she can’t see you.

“What is your primary reason for wanting to risk your life by staying in this city?”

You pause. She’s not beating around the bush at all. “My life is going to be at risk in any of the scenarios I was presented with. It’s just a matter of to what degree. The relocation options would certainly make it difficult for me to be found, especially the international one. However, the people who might occasionally check in on my safety have no investment to do so other than pay obligations. Additionally, I’d never know if I could actually trust anyone. I wouldn’t be living beyond going through the motions. I’d spend my life looking over my shoulder with minimal support.”

Looking at Mace, you continue, “whereas if I stay here, I have people I can trust. People who are invested in my safety."

“Will you accept one of the other options if we are unable to provide you the protection and means to stay?”

“I…I don’t know.”

“One last question,” Teach says. “Is your primary interest in staying because of Mace?”

You hold Mace’s free hand, fingers interlacing with his, “I’ll admit he is a major factor. But, as he pointed out recently, we’ve only been back in each other’s lives for a couple of days. I have a life here that I’m not willing to just give up without a fight. Or at least exploring all of the options. I understand your organization may not be able to offer more than this one time protection and one clean slate and I accept that. But I have to try.”

Teach is quiet for a moment, “okay. I’m gonna need a copy of your resume. Mace will know how to get it to me. In the meantime, please make sure to take care of yourself. You’ve got your testimony in just a couple of days. Which reminds me, Mace?”

“Yeah, Teach?” Mace moves closer to the phone.

“You’ve gotten approval to be in the courtroom but you are not allowed to actually be in proximity. Huffman needs to make sure none of our people are seen too close to her or the Defendant might be able to claim witness tampering.” 

“Okay,” Mace nods. “That makes sense. Just so long as someone tells me what room to be in and when I can go in on my own.”

“And Ms. Y/L/N?”

“Yes, Teach?”

“You’ll have to be careful to not make too much eye contact with Mace. I understand you want some emotional support for this, but we have to be careful to make sure your testimony isn’t dismissed.”

“I understand, Ma’am.”

Teach hangs up and you curl up against Mace. You work with him to get a copy of your resume to her quickly.

“Do you think she’ll be able to find something,” you ask Mace after he sends the file.

“If anyone can, it’s her,” he assures you. “She’s quite the fighter, especially when she thinks it’s for something that’s right.”

“I hope she finds something,” you whisper.

Mace nods, “in the meantime, we should make sure to get you ready for your testimony. Like she said, I won’t be able to be with you but you’ll see me. I promise.”

“Thanks, AC. I’m gonna need all the help I can get.”

Part 3 -- Part 5

Series Masterlist

Tagging:

@chibijusstuff

@jaqui-has-a-conspiracy-theory

@rebekahdawkins

@texmexdarling

Please let me know if you'd like to be tagged.

#mafia!james mace #mob!james mace #james mace x reader #mace x reader #mafia au #mafia!mace #mob!mace

[inuhiime]

:: 𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒 ! ──── ⪩⪨ 𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐎 𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄

' fear is a premonition. if you ignore it, it's bound to cause even worse disasters. '

' brace yourself. there's gonna be an ugly battle. '

' your death now belongs to me, and so does your life. '

' there is no place in this world for kindness and tolerance. '

' as long as you still want to shout and hold your head high, you have the right to fight. '

' let go. this time, it's my turn to protect you. '

' the faithless, the insincere, the dishonest-- their souls do not return. '

' for someone like me, dying here is the easy way out. '

' you were born to wreak destruction. '

' you have already seen the truth of the world. do you still want to head towards the deep end? '

' it's incredibly easy to kill a person. too easy. '

' no matter how you try, you will be forever mired in blood. '

' don’t you want to destroy everything? '

' those who fool others have no place to turn to. '

' the fires of rage may burn out, but i am their fuel. '

' i'm not your enemy. '

' no matter what you're doing, no matter what they say, i believe you. '

' you idiot! how could you put your life on the line like that? '

' look at you, scared to death. '

' thank you for always protecting me. '

' neither love nor hatred matters anymore. '

' along this path, many have come and gone, and i am one of them. '

' don’t die in a place like this. '

' as long as you need me, i'll always stay by your side. '

' the fraud believes in what they think is true, and therefore feels that they can manipulate everything. '

' don't give me that crap. answer my questions. '

' the deluded take refuge in the dark. '

' you don't care about the lives of ordinary people anyway. '

' stop beating around the bush. my patience is thin. '

' you have nothing but that violent power of yours. '

' the stronger you get, the more you are doomed to failure. '

' don't back away. we have to fight. '

' i will crush every enemy with my own hands, and i will do that by whatever means i can find. '

' i'm really sorry, but this is the only way out. '

' we aren't friends and can't be friends. it was doomed from the start. '

' if you had the slightest idea what real tragedies looked like, you wouldn't think to defend the sinners. '

' better be careful if you're their lapdog. '

' in the face of a massive disaster, all the pride of human beings is ultimately vulnerable. '

' i will always be grateful to have met you. '

' don't lose control of your emotions. '

' this is our duty; we must continue, even if it's a losing battle that we're fighting. '

' the answer's not out there, it reflects from within. '

' i can't make you stay even if i want to. '

' come on, you can always trust yourself '

' don't hold onto your little secrets and lock yourself up. '

' our city was never built on peace. '

' all is well as long as you're safe, no? '

' sorry, i may not be able to survive much longer. '

' how much have you given up and how much evil have you done for that false hope? '

' i'll bury your body when the time comes. '

' you cannot accept it, and you cannot forgive. '

' you'd rather burn it all down and destroy everything than run away or compromise. '

' fulfill my most frantic loneliness. '

' there are questions you should never ask, and there are unspoken rules you should never challenge. '

' that future you kept talking about, it doesn't exist. '

' it's not going to end. everything is completely rotten, but no one is going to end it. '

' don't get overprotective. i'm not that weak. '

' you don't really have a purpose, nor a destination. '

' do you want to stop here? '

' i'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe. '

' is your body feeling stiff? how about i help you reassemble it? '

' come on, show me how you're going to torture me this time. '

' we all live, bleed, and die. what makes you think we're any different? '

' i'm all alone again... this is for the best. '

' don't lose... and don't lose to yourself. '

' are you monitoring me? or do you need someone to protect your safety? '

' don't go, please. '

' i'm sorry for leaving you there alone. '

' the wheel of destiny has begun spinning sooner than i thought. '

' you've tried hard to search for a way out, tried hard not to fall into the abyss. '

' blind idiot, all is vanity. '

' someday, you'll be mercilessly abandoned, too. '

' you're thinking you must go back, aren't you? '

' sorry, i took the liberty of judging others. '

' you never stop moving forward, that's the way you've always been. '

' i'm sorry, it's all my fault... i messed up things for everyone. '

' good luck, i'll be waiting for you. '

' don't come back. it's not worth it. '

' you wish to dominate all, but will perish a servant. '

' you've done your best. leave the rest to us. '

' in the end, i've been able to protect nothing and no one. '

' protect yourselves and get your freedom. this is an order. '

' if there's any danger, do not risk it. you can't die here. '

' they don't know death. '

' if devils did exist in this world, i suppose they would be as stubborn and shameless as you. '

' never underestimate the darkness lurking beneath the city. that's a lesson that's cost me everything. '

' i won't betray you. so... don't betray me either. '

' don't bring up all that crap from the past with me. '

' your path will not be easy from now on. '

' may you spend every day in peace and happiness. '

' this world will punish you. '

' if something bad happens, i can't save you. '

' don't you want to be human? '

' you've already lost one companion, you can't lose another. '

' why are you so stubborn? why can't you just let go? '

' let me feel that i still exist. '

' this kind of attitude won't do you any good. '

' you see something that i can't. if what you see is hope... then go and fight, and i'll protect you. '

' i'm better at using people than you are. i make the most of each of my pawns. '

' if you have so many doubts about me, why don't you just kill me? '

#rp meme #rp starter #sentence prompts #sentence starters #sentence starter meme #⪩⪨ ･･･ games

[manfuckthisimout]

Posting this here too lol

My initial post got no attention and I personally think that’s criminal but hey

Fanfic idea: rizzness taemin (black version with nails and thingy on his nose) as some kind of dream fae/demon/incubus that reader keeps visiting when she sleeps

He is very charming/slightly eerie and thinks her as a cute little human pet

Little does reader know she’s projecting to another dimension—the one that he rules

Taemin x fem!reader

Warnings: none..? Maybe slight dubcon? I guess for what’s to come. No nsfw in this one yet.

“Guys this isn’t funny!” There’s virtually nothing you can do about being locked on the other side of this gate. It’s old, decrepit at best, and very obviously rusted shut. God knows how your idiot ‘friends’ got it open in the first place. They were more like bullies than friends to you, but you take what you can get. “Those absolute idiots,” you mutter, seething. “I still have to study for that calculus exam and now I’m stuck in the other side of the gate of some creepy haunted garden. Great.”

You press on further into the plot of abandoned land, not without giving the stupid rusty gate a good kick first, and start to call out—hoping that there’s someone in the brush around you that knows how to open said stupid gate. “Hello? Anyone there?” It’s pointless, you know that, but it’s your only option if you wanted to graduate high school on time. “Hello? Can anyone hear me?” Carefully stepping over crumbling moss, you step into a circle tucked in the middle of the plot, surrounded by bushes full of withering leaves.

All of a sudden, a rush crawls up your spine. Was it always this cold? A chuckle rings out around you, a tut follows soon after. “Poor little human. All alone at my doorstep? I thought your kind would be far smarter than to leave such a delicious offering after leaving me so many years hungry.” Offering…? What the fuck? “Uhm, I-I don’t know what you mean by offering, but I was wondering if you could please open the gate for me? It’s old, and rusted shut. I-I need to get home before it gets dark out…” The chill gets chillier. You feel a faint brush of skin at your waist. “Silly thing. Such a silly request. Let you go? How could I do that when you’ve been presented to me so nicely?”

Sweat. It seems you’ve kicked the covers off of yourself in you relentless tossing during the night. Your body feels unpleasantly sticky. The sheets are soaked in your sweat. That was all a dream? You faintly connect the memory to a real one, not that it ended that way. One of your idiot ‘friends’—who you came to find wasn’t really your friend—was hiding in the brush and saw her opportunity to jump out and scare you when you reached the little circle of the garden. But who was that voice coming from in this rendition of that memory? Why were you dreaming about it now? What was he saying about an offering?

No matter, you have work to get ready for. You turn over to you phone. The bright screen burns your eyes in the darkness of your room. The time reads 5:35 AM. Time to get up and shower.

#taemin #taemin x reader #taemin x fem!reader #shinee #the rizzness #guilty taemin #I might write another part if this one actually gets attention lol or when I get some time on my hands #brain go brrrr

[aurik6]

The truth got into my eye –

"Yes, humans are certainly fragile. Although,  the thing is — they are valuable to us. You've been in despair, am I wrong? Tell me, Laito?"

Laito has been awfully unlike himself this time. Everyone caught this in the eye but only Reiji had an effort to try dealing with him because he was intimidated by his younger brother sometimes, as he was unpredictably chaotic.

– I don't wanna talk about this girl... I don't know why. After I got with her, I felt that something was changing in me – Laito rubs his eyes, frowning, hiding his face from Reiji.

***

Both of them went to the mansion's garden, filled with blooming smells of rose bushes. After reaching the live hedge, they stopped in front of the small field, where something like a ditch could be seen.

– Could it be, perhaps... Her grave?

– It is...

– It's unsettling how you left it. Please, make it at least not a hole in the middle of this field.

– I... You see, haah... I wanted to do it... But I couldn't bear it anymore!

Laito stepped aside and completely turned away. Reiji frowned and came closer to the pit. He only winced.

   Yes, it was that young girl, a sacrificial bride Makoto who was sent to the manor a few months ago. She quickly became the triplet's interest due to her appealing look and durable... mind.

Reiji recalled, how he always scolded her for not matching the norms of etiquette or just her loud manner of speaking, but she never failed to appear upset by his words. She was very easy-going and light-hearted, and sometimes her irritating behaviour was even soothing.

She became intimate with almost everyone in the manor in a very short time and it felt as if she always existed there...

Now Reiji was looking into her muted blue eyes which has always been a definition of what lively eyes are. It was a striking sight, although there was no room for sympathy toward a human girl.

– Do you regret that you killed her?

– Now I don't get a thing about what I feel, Reiji.

Two green fireflies have almost burned Reiji's soul with their teardrops. He got an ominous feeling.

– Please, calm down, Laito. If you don't know what's going on in your mind, then try to rationalize it. I see that you are in.. pain, however, you reached me despite the urge to keep everything in secret. Your actions talk instead of you. Then, tell me how did you do that... – And Reiji gave a gaze to the grave's side.

***

She quickly became Laito's victim as did many girls who appeared in the Sakamaki family.

   Laito was interested in her at the beginning of the assumption that she is the kind of girl who seeks attention. He partially got it. But only partially.

 She was chatty about herself, she was quick-aid and looked like a creature that was always on the lookout for danger.

  "You know, Laito, my uncle never loved me. I was a burden to him and after his death, I still feel he is looking after me. it's like a trace on my soul that he left after he passed away.

The feeling of grief, the regret was eating me out for days after that car accident because I always acted infantile and selfish towards him, I have never behaved. Then I felt my guilt. But you know what? Two weeks passed – and I was enjoying my solitude, playing video games and skipping school.

Am I a nasty person? Am I cynical? What do you think?"

Laito wasn't happy with that frankness. He wasn't in the mood for all of these debates.

"Fu-fu, you really sound shallow bitchy girl, you possess an open mind. But I'm getting bored of you very quickly... Let's have a nice time without those chit-chats... Let me drink your blood instead."

And his long arms wrapped around her body, she was drowning in this weird pleasure, as she was losing her blood but she didn't care for it, because she had nothing to lose. Blood loss didn't make a thing to worry about. Any physical damage didn't bother her anymore. 

"How can I enjoy the moment if I always think about what type of bruise and where I have it? It's unnecessary bullshit! It ruins the whole mood! " – she said once.

"Your body isn't rejecting my fangs, but I hear this lying whisper, begging me to stop. All you women are the same damn sweetest thing..."

"I just want you not to be bored, because I don't want to be unwanted. I don't like this feeling. It's suffocating, you know?"

***

After those times they both got satisfaction, got fed with each other – he with blood, she with attention, – Makoto didn't want to be quiet. She always wanted to talk with him.

"Tell me about your parents, will you? "

"Huh... But why are you interested in it? I think it's unnecessary to know for you."

"Why not? We're close enough to share the time, I simply want to know you more.."

Laito glanced at her. There was an irresistible willingness to learn. Something ached inside him, he couldn't figure out where exactly.

"Not everything is worth mentioning, my little human girl.~"

He told it as always with a smile on his lips. She grinned in response but not as she usually did it. Now there was arrogance in the corners of her mouth.

A sparkle of tension rushed through his body. "What's with that face?" he wondered.

"Laito, do you know, what type of a person I am? You surely could realize it, because you're so wise. When I appeared here for the first time you said that everything is written on my forehead. You said I must have been quite lonely. And now. Now, what am I to you?"

He smiled again, but his eyes didn't. He was observing her face, trying to stumble up on something... Something that changed?

   He finally caught it.

"How hadn't I noticed this before... This girl wants to know everything, she appreciates only the... "

– "My name means "Truth", by the way! And yours... Laito, yeah? What kanji do you use to write it?" — the sparkle of memories appeared rapidly and disappeared at the same rate.

"She only wants to know the truth."

The vampire bit his tongue. He was the one who enforces on his victims the reality he wanted them to comprehend. Now, what's that? He felt very icky about her statements. And she – she was like she was! Definitely had no fear.

***

Laito undoubtedly loathed, despised his brother Ayato's directness and honesty that he had, unlike Laito himself.

The young man subconsciously discovered how he was... morally weaker than Ayato, but he accused his brother of it, thinking that it is all his stupid fate to be a scapegoat made those priorities.

This jealousy didn't let him go. And now he had to deal with a woman who resembles his brother a lot. The best thing he could desire is to see how Ayato suffers and now – also Makoto.

"Looks like this human girl is begging me to test her durability. Don't worry, Little Bitch, I'll make you rue this.. I'll make you get down in the very core of agony"

***

They continued having their time together. Earlier, things were rather promising: she appeared to show some resistance to his actions, yet also didn't deny that her body felt pleasurable from all those teases.

  However, the humility in her, which the vampire could watch over due to her obvious physical weakness towards him, started fading away.

    He began to see something else in her bright blue eyes. From the very beginning, she had an open, bright glance, she rather looked curious but also frightened somehow.

Now there was sort of an audacity and it grinned his gears.

But... he didn't know why actually?

"Weird... I feel so weird when I look at her. As if I'm losing my perception?.. Or worse?.. What's that aching feeling in my chest?.."

He remembered her image, he thought she was pretty... At the same time, he didn't understand what keeps his interest in her: the desire to destroy or to make her his possession.?

***

"You told me that you know everything about me. How come? Is it the power of vampires? I honestly never thought vampires were able to read thoughts... Tho I didn't know vampires do exist, sorry.

But Laito, I don't understand you... Yet, I want to. Your eyes look like two mirrors, they reflect me in them and plug me when I want to learn about your soul. Why do you do this to me? You see, I want to be closer to you... I have no one to be with me..."

She never told him, that she loves, only likes... Laito was distracted by how that simple person doesn't say simple words, she says something tricky instead, but without any hint in her voice which would mean — she only acts down to earth. But she didn't have those hints.

***

Once she came to him, looking as if she cried. She couldn't hide her feelings. She didn't even try.

When he saw her red face and looked into her eyes – they became even bluer in comparison to the skin swelled with blood.

"Why are you crying? Tell me, who hurt you?"

He felt concerned but didn't know why.

He held her face with both his hands.

"It's the truth, nothing else." — was heard in response.

Laito clenched his teeth. She looked at him nervously.

"What fucking truth? I don't want to hear this damn word. Tell me who made you cry and I'll cut their head off..."

Makoto gulped, her knees were trembling.

"I asked your brothers... Why are you always acting so strange... I've never understood you... You never wanted to tell me... And they told me what your mother did to y–"

She suddenly felt how his fingertips pushed her cheeks...

Laito grinned atrociously. He tilted his head a little down, closer to her forehead. His cold breath horrified her to the bones.

"Do you cry because you perhaps pity me? Do you think I'm pathetic? Don't you? And you wanted to know all this crap because you wanted to be closer? You just wanted to flare my weaknesses.."  – he talked desperately, he was on the edge of madness.

She leaned her arms around his arms, maybe intending to wake him up from rage with touches.

"I'll drink you to death, till your body dries if you lie to me about what's on your mind. Have you heard it? Now tell."

She sighed deeply, as for the last time.

"Laito... I never lied to you... I value the truth... more than anything else in this world... And I think a person has to know their reality, their fate... And accept this to..keep going further in life... But.. Ayato said, you don't want to hear it, you didn't want to hear the facts... And see... And feel your true feelings... And I also felt that you're not okay with yourself... I thought that a person who can't accept the verity of his own life... can't feel... happiness..."

  Laito was unable to listen to this shit.

"Cut the crap or I cut you instead!" he shouted, then started mumbling something unrecognizable.

He was hurt, hurt again. Everyone tends to hurt him, he can't make up another way to protect his inner world... Everyone likes destroying, humiliating him, they want to break the facade just to prove to themselves that they are so good and so kind.

"You were hurt, Laito... But... I'll be with you... I'll help you to overcome this because I see you in myself, I felt the sa..."

Laito didn't hear. He grabbed her throat, his long fingers pressed on her skin tightly, and he started strangling her.

"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Wither already!"

As she was suffocating, she tried to speak but instead, there were only murmurs. 

"You never take control over me! You never overlord ! "  he yelled.

"I'm suffocating..."

She was done. A huge purple bruise around her neck... Lifeless body. Warm soft skin.

   Laito was covered in gloom. He was crying and didn't feel relief as he expected he would... Seems like he didn't find the solution...He made things even worse.

  ***

He dug a hole in the field and put the body in it. He couldn't make himself close her eyes, he couldn't stand this stare.

***

   Reiji sighed.

"The familiars will bury her properly. And for you, Laito... I doubt I'll satisfy you with any advice."

Reiji managed to leave him alone. Honestly, it was the best thing he could do.

"Reiji... do you have something like a poison? I know you have, I know you have everything in your lab..." his voice still had some nervous echo in it.

The older vampire didn't even turn back. "Good grief. I have to admit, she had the truth in her words. You'd better think about it." he said.

***

After this accident, everyone felt how Laito acted downcast. However, nobody had the nerve to soothe his pain.

Ayato kept silent, as he probably figured out why the girl was killed...

Laito ignored Ayato for some time but after a few months, he started acting the ae as usual. A new girl arrived at the mansion, a new cycle started...

However, sometimes during the dawn time, Laito visits Makoto's grave. It's nothing more than an unnamed gravestone, to tell you the truth. He sits nearby the grave, sometimes he cries, who knows why, although. Maybe he figured out whom she was to him? Maybe he was up to way accepting his reality? Or he just regrets that he killed her so he would never play with her again?

Only Laito knows that.

#diabolik lovers #diabolik lovers oc #diabolik lovers fanfiction #oneshot #laito sakamaki #laito × oc #makotoaomine #diabolik oc #kirua9 #diahell

[optimisticstudentangel]

Hide and seek

Warning: kinda horrory themes, Simeon is bastard here. 

You and Simeon decided to go to the forest, to find some relaxation in the fresh air, where no one will disturb your peace. Checking out the to do list, you made sure that nothing was forgotten. Simeon packed the heavy bags, so you didn’t have to do the hard work.

You rented a car, because it was nearly impossible to go there on foot. Rumors say that the forest is cursed, that place is inhabited by evil spirits, by no means you must be there all alone by yourself.

By now you’re used to all the cursed stuff. Devildom - is no joke to ordinary humans, but you are not exactly ordinary, and also you will be accompanied with a charming angel, who will protect you in any frightening scenario that could happen.

You both get into a car, and head to the desired direction. While you were driving the car Simeon told you the newest gossips about royals, it seems like Barbatos and him have lots of fun badmouthing the brothers and the others.

But you are not complaining about this, it’s always interesting to see your partners new and unexpected sides.

-          And then what happened? – curiously you looked at him, waiting for him to continue the story.

-          Heheh, he jumped out of fear, and broke the dishes. He stopped for a minute, and said: “Y/n, I offer you keep your attention on the road. Or is it that you want to look at my face that badly?”

-          Hah. You worry too much, Simeon. I am multitasking, I am a pro at this.

-          Oh. Is that so? Then this will not be a distraction for you, I suppose, - he pulled his hand to your hip and began to squeeze it. Chuckle came out of him, as he looked at your blushing face. “Am I making it too hard for you to concentrate, little lamb?”

-          You are mistaken, - you tried to defend yourself, but your red face made it clearly obvious, that he was right.

-          Well, if you are comfortable, I think I’ll keep my hand here then, - and for the rest of the ride he indeed didn’t even move a finger.

 When you arrived to the woodland, you both started to unpack the things, and then set up a tent.

-          Y/n, would you bring me dry sticks, so I could start a fire?

-          Yeah, ok. I will be soon here.

-          But be very careful, my love. Don’t go too far, I am sure you will be able to find enough sticks in this area, - you nodded and started to search for materials that would burn easily. Little by little you went further in the woods, not even noticing it. You were surrounded with long trees, which made it harder to look around.

“It probably will be wiser, if I turn back and go to our camp, Simeon must be worrying about me” – you thought. You tried to remember the path which would bring you back to your loving boyfriend, but luck was not on your side today. Panicking you went choosing the wrong ways, completely worsening your situation. You took a step, not noticing big rock on your way and you fell to the cold ground.

It was not easy to get up, you didn’t have enough energy to that. And you decided to lay there, until it would be simpler to stay on your legs.

While you rested on the ground, you hoped that Simeon would go searching for you. Your body was becoming chilly, and as luck would have it, weather started to deteriorate. Wind was getting stronger and the leaves of the trees were rustling loudly.

If you are not mistaken, you’ve heard sounds of the approaching footsteps. Would it be a good idea to try and ask for help? Or is it better to stay silent, and watch the person from a far…

A little afraid, you chose the safest option to find a big bush where you can observe the person, without any worry, that they will know that. Your eyesight carefully followed them, trying to guess the personality of theirs.

They wore a baggy dress, which completely covered their body, had a shawl wrapped around their face and had gloves. You couldn’t figure out how they looked like, which made you very suspicious of them.

-          Who dares to walk around my surroundings, huh? Aren’t you to bold for that? You are going to get what you deserve, when I will find you. And don’t even dare to run away from me! I will not let you escape that easily! – they sounded really unusual, it seems like they had to many voices that spoke at the same time. But you heard every voice clearly, though it really creeped you out.

You felt how your knees started to tremble out of fear. You were not sure, if they knew the spot you were hiding in.

It didn’t help, that they were quickly and aggressively running from one place to other, looking between trees. They understood that this was useless tactic, which took away a lot of energy. That’s when they came up with new and brilliant idea. They made sure to break the branches of the trees, they had already looked at.

-          Not so brave right now, are you? Well, well, I wonder how sweetly you will cry for forgiveness little la-… You little brat! – they were coming to your bushes. You silently prayed for any help, promising to god that you will never come back here, and that you will be forever grateful.

They were closer and closer…… Panicking you muttered Simeon’s name lots of times.

-          Please, Simeon rescue me……… please……… I will never leave your side……… I promise… I am so scared…………… - you whispered.

Branches began to rustle. To avoid seeing them, you covered your face with your hands, hoping that it’s all just a bad dream.

Silence.

You didn’t dare to look at them. If you could die of fear, you would have already been dead.

-          Y/n? what are you doing here? I’ve been looking for you everywhere! Oh, my dear, come on, let’s go to the camp, - he sat on his knees, hugging you firmly, making sure you are safe and secure. “My little lamb……… don’t worry, I will carry you on my hands”

-          I am glad you came. You won’t believe what just happened, - while he carried you gently, you told him the story.

But one thing you didn’t know, and never will. He had the same gloves, like that person. And you didn’t notice the dress and the shawl laying on the ground next to the bushes.

#obey me #obey me x reader #obey me simeon #simeon obey me #simeon x y/n #simeon x reader #obey me dark #simeon x mc #simeon x you

[yourmomsgranddad]

— RUNNING UP THAT HILL

— PAIRING: Peter Parker x maximoff!fem!reader

— SUMMARY: You shut Peter out after Tony dies and your sister goes missing.

— WORD COUNT: 1.6k

— WARNINGS: a lot of kate bush, tony's death T-T, angst!, i think like one curse word

thanks for this request, @oyasumimosura!

Your tears burned as they poured out of your eyes like geysers.

The only guy to take care of you since your brother, was dead and you were just broken up about it.

Tony was like that dad you never had and now he was gone forever.

You were done.

You were at Tony's funeral.

It was after the ceremony and you were sitting on the steps, your leg would not stop jumping.

You weren't in the highest of spirits and you felt like you were all out of tears, there were no more left to cry.

You jumped when you felt someone put their arm around you.

You turned around to see it was Peter, who's eyes were red as he was crying as well.

"Oh it's you."

He nodded with a slight smile on his face but it fell as soon as he noticed how fidgety you were.

You only got fidgety when you were nervous about something.

"Ok what's wrong?"

"I don't know, Peter. What could be wrong?" You answered and before he could say anything else, you put on some headphones and began walking away.

You couldn't hear him at all through your blasting music.

Through all the madness, your sister went missing. You and Peter started drifting away from each other.

Eventually you decided to call it quits on your relationship.

You couldn't carry that large bag with you when you already had two other ones to carry.

So you had to drop him.

Less weight off of your shoulder.

But whenever something happened, you always had your music to keep you company. Every time Peter saw you around school, you were wearing your headphones, blocking everything else out.

It's like you weren't even there.

Your grades were slowly lowering and lowering.

You quit all the school clubs you were in, including Mathletes.

Too much work.

Now you were on your way to your guidance counselor because he said he had to "speak with you." Whatever that meant.

You walked inside and sat right down in front of him. He motioned for you to take your headphones, you did so reluctantly.

"So Miss Maximoff, it's come to my attention that your grades are depleting. What's going on? You used to have phenomenal grades. And I heard you dropped Mathletes."

"I don't have times for clubs, sir."

"But you do have time to fail all your classes. I get that you might be a little broken up about your foster father but you can't let it interfere with your work."

You nodded but you didn't really care.

You felt numb, you just couldn't feel. You lost all feeling when you saw the light go out in Tony's chest.

"Mister Stark. Mister Stark! You're going to be fine! Please! Wake up!" His head fell down as he was not longer in control of his body, he was dead. You didn't want to believe so easily. "Mister Stark?"

Pepper put her hand on your shoulder, letting you know you had to let go. But you didn't want to.

You let out an ear-splitting scream and it felt like you were about to explode.

"Y/n!"

You climbed out of your memories to see Peter was looking at you with a smile on his face, holding both of his backpack straps.

"Hey." He greeted but your face remained unfazed which just made him feel even more awkward. This was the first time he had actually talked to you since the funeral.

"Hi." You replied, sounding already ready to leave this conversation.

"What were you in the guidance counselor's office? Is everything okay? Was it about Tony? or Wanda?"

"Oh my gosh Peter! Stop pestering me! You're not my boyfriend anymore. You don't need to know everything." You shut down, going to put your headphones back on but he started talking again.

"I get that. But I am still your friend, even when you shut me out. I'm allowed to care, aren't I?"

"Yes but you don't have to always get in my business."

"That's the thing. You don't let me in your business anymore. Just let me in." He reached for your hands, pulling them into his body.

At first, you were remind of all those late nights when you and Peter would just walk around New York, eating street food.

Back when things were okay.

Back when Tony was still alive.

You pulled your hands away and put them behind you. "I can't." You shortly said.

"Where did you go?"

"Peter, I'm right here."

"Are you?"

With that, he walked away, going toward where his friends were, leaving you with thoughts you didn't want.

You were now on a trip you didn't want to go on.

But Sam urged you to go. He didn't want you at home, moping and being quiet.

He had been taking care of you since, you know, your foster dad was dead and Wanda was still MIA.

So now you were sitting on a plane with your music blasting through your ears.

Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush.

"I don't understand why you like such old music." You wondered aloud as you and Tony went through a bunch of old records.

"You forget that I am an old man, Y/n. I get better looking with age."

You chuckled before stopping on a specific record.

"Who in the world is Kate Bush?" You asked, pulling it out of the box it was in. Tony's mouth dropped open as he was super surprised at what just came out your mouth.

"I'm just going to forget you asked me that."

"I'm serious, dude."

"So am I."

He took the record from you and began walking over to the vinyl player that he just happened to have in his lab.

It started playing the intro to the song.

"This was one of my favorite songs as a kid. I'm surprised I haven't said anything about it. I loved it."

You listened on quietly.

You understood why Tony loved this song, it sounded graceful.

Then, it slowly became your favorite.

He caught you listening to it all the time.

While you were doing homework, cooking, just dancing in your room, you would be listening to it nonstop.

It was your happy song.

Now it just reminded you of what you lost.

But somehow, it gave solace at times like this, reminding of you of what you lost but at the same time, of the good times that came before.

"Y/n!"

You were taken out of your thoughts when you noticed Peter standing above you.

"Hmm?"

"Would you mind standing up so I can sit down?"

You stood up long enough for him to scoot into your seat. Then you sat back down, going back into your music.

You were looking up into space, memorizing all the bags and all the people putting them away.

This is what you had to do when you were trapped in your mind, find other ways to distract yourself from the bad thoughts.

You could tell it was working because you didn't notice when you got a text.

my little tater tot 🥔🕷: i'm sorry.

you: for what?

my little tater tot 🥔🕷: i farted and now you're going to be stuck next to it for 8 hours.

You let out a giggle and that's how he could tell it worked.

This was always Peter's plan whenever he made you mad and it always worked.

You would be sulking in your room then you would get a text that just said 'sorry ;('. It always made you laugh and he knew you forgave him.

"It always works." He spoke aloud, making you look at him and take your headphones off, fully. "It's not fair. You know how to make me laugh. It's an unfair advantage."

He caught a glance at your phone and looked at it with disgust.

"I can't believe you haven't changed my name in your phone yet. You haven't called me that in months."

You looked down at it with a pout.

"I can't. You're always going to be my little tater tot, whether we're dating or not." You leaned over and squeezed his cheeks.

You two ended up talking the entire flight.

This was the most he talked to you in months and he was just loving hearing your voice again.

"I really missed talking to you." You mentioned, making a little smile appear on his face, he was glad you were feeling it too.

"Now will you ditch the Kate Bush?"

"Don't knock it til' you try it."

You handed your headphones over to him and he put them on. He didn't want to admit but it was a good song, his face said it all.

He took them off of his ears and you awaited his verdict.

"It's okay."

You pushed him lightly as he laughed.

"Liar!"

He let out a girly giggle, making your eyes go wide. You have never heard anything like that ever come out of his mouth. He was surprised too since he had the same look on his face as yours.

"Holy shit. What was that?"

"A laugh." He answered, covering his mouth as he was scared it was going to come out again.

"From who?"

"Shut up!" He shouted toward you, shoving you now jokingly. "We're never talking about this ever again."

"Of course not."

He looked at you to see if you were serious but then you burst into giggles. "I am so sorry but I am never gonna let you live that down!" You barely got your sentence out since you were drowning in your laughter.

"And that's why Kate Bush sucks."

"Hey don't take this out on Kate Bush!"

Honestly he didn't care that you were laughing at him, as long as you were interacting with him, that's all he cared about.

Talking with you was one of his favorite past times.

#peter parker x y/n #help lol #marvel #marvel imagine #peter parker #peter parker imagine #peter parker angst #peter parker fanfiction #peter parker fluff #peter parker x fem!reader #peter parker x reader #peter parker x you

[dennydraws]

The art of slowing down

Hello, hello! Good morning :D It's time for another art related blog post that I'm surprised to find people following and enjoying? \o/ I want to be consistent with these cause over the past year or so I started to feel less and less connected to my art or art in general and talking about art related things does help me get back into that mindset!

And today I wanted to ramble about .... slowing down.

I recently working on a personal piece and while completely enjoying the process I reached the background part. As usual my first idea was - ok I'm not drawing this grass or bushes or whatever, surely I can find a brush somewhere. Long story short I spent more time looking for a brush than working on my line art, got upset and started drawing my own grass. And as I was drawing the grass I got completely sucked into the process, I was actually enjoying it? Why was I in a hurry to get the background done anyway? So I could post it asap? Why?

(Behold! My very much self painted and slightly burned grass :D)

I'm pretty sure I rambled about this before somewhere... or here and I have a need to ramble about it once more xD;;

It feels like nowadays we're so bombarded with fast content. Even looking on youtube for art videos you keep being fed with - draw faster, improve better, complete X for Y days etc ... and I was in that trap too. My first idea all the time is how do I get faster? But now I'm starting to replace it with - how do I get comfortable. If the process is comfortable, then it doesn't have to be faster, does it?

Thanks to beloved algorithm and social media trends we are taught that our art is worth 5 seconds on the platform's dash, so yes why should I invest hours and hours into a piece that will go into the endless scrolling void in 5 seconds? Yes, my mutuals will see it, but they will also see my blorbo scribbles that I did in an hour or less. It feels like the current climate online doesn't want you to slow down and enjoy the process of your own art and instead invest in quantity over quality.

That's not good for your brain, or mine. I've always been one to enjoy the process until recent years where I found myself constantly stressing over how fast I draw or what's the point when something easy can get me seemingly same results - just how a grass brush would seemingly get me same results - it didn't. I felt way happier with me drawing the grass myself. Will anyone notice or care? I don't know but it made me really happier that I did it.

I can't help how people like or dislike my art, I can only help how I feel about it and I rather go back to loving the process even when it's slow and even when a couple of brushes will 'solve' my issues. I'm not saying hey ditch all the brushes, no I think they are wonderful mean to enhance your piece! I only used it as comparison cause it made me, personally me, say wait, hold on... why am I not drawing the grass myself? When did I stop enjoying the process?

But yes, thank you for reading my little rambles, dear reader! All inspired my me drawing grass :D;; I need to post the said piece later on, I was really happy how it turned out too! \o/ But with that said, I don't want my rambles to get way too long so, I hope you have an inspiring and great rest of the week!

#Good Morning! #Denny rambles #Art Journal

[yeonbinfics]

even with my sad heart, make room for me

even with my sad heart, make room for me by  rxckbttm (ao3)

Rating: E

Word Count: 39233

Summary: The rustling of the bush gets extremely loud before he sees them part.

He holds his breath, afraid.

This is it. I’m going to be robbed and left for dead. Of course, that’s just my fate on the one night I choose to go out—

He sees a small black figure arch in the dark, and Soobin pauses.

It’s a cat.

++

(Longtime loner-slash-introvert Choi Soobin somehow miraculously adopts a cat. It turns out to be a lot more than he bargained for.)

Review: 

this will probably be a good time to mention that i am in fact the president of the cat boy yeonjun agenda, so when i first came across this fic i screamed. 

a long, slow burn, fluff fic about yeonjun being a cat? and its tagged whith a happy ending? bitch yes! sign me up! 

this is such a good fic to get lost in on a rainy day. you instantly get lost in the world the creator has set up for us. while it’s not majorly based on world building, the tiny world the author wrote up, one where soobin and yeonjun who are desperately lonely find each other and fall in love, its so cozy and i found myself sad when it ended just because i wanted to spend more time with the characters and the cozy little home of theirs. 

it starts with soobin who keeps to himself. he’s lonely, that is actually the very first thing we learn about him. 

Soobin knew he was lonely. He did.

that's literally the very first line of the fic. 

from there we get a little glimpse of his life. his work life, which taehyun asks him when was the last time he has gone out. well meaning friends but also such comments make him even more anxious because he knows how people must see him as a loner. he goes home as usual, it all seems routine. 

It must be nice, he thinks as he stares out the window. He feels like he’s in one of those ridiculously dramatic teen films, in the scene where time freezes and the main character glances out onto the empty street with their saddest realization dawning upon them. A turning point, to try and make the most of life with this new weight they’re forced to carry around; the metamorphosis of adulthood that costs more blood and teeth than it’s worth.

But this is not a movie— the streets are full, time is ticking, Soobin isn't a teenager anymore.

this is where we realize that not only is soobin lonely but he is sad too. and this is also a foreshadowing that his turning point will soon come as well. so even though the tone is sad, it still feels a little hopeful that soobin wont be sad for much longer. that's where we are introduced to the shampoo ad. 

and this is what i love about this fic. the author uses little things to push the story forward. because while it looks like a regular shampoo ad, and while soobin thinks the man on the ad is beautiful, he has no idea that this ad will also be his turning point. even though he walks past it regularly, its significant to us, the author makes sure we know its important.

days pass, same routine, same loneliness, and same shampoo ad he sees everyday. except this time, something follows him home. a cat. and soobin is instantly taken by it. full on mush for it. he takes it in and this is the true turning point for him.

and from the tags, we can already guess that this cat is yeonjun. so even though i was waiting desperately to see how yeonjun would turn back or how soobin would find out, it was still such a nice build up as we got to see a glimpse of their bonding even in yeonjun’s cat state. from when yeonjun refuses to eat cat food so soobin has to cook him human food, or when soobin takes a shower not really caring if yeonjun sees him because duh its just a cat but yeonjun is staring at him with wide eyes. i love the bits of humor the author throws at us.

i don't want to write everything down but one of my absolute favorite parts was in third chapter. its after yeonjun turns back into his human form and they have to get used to yeonjun being human again and their bond soon turns into love. after all of that,

“You...were a cat up until I met you? So that day you shifted before I got back was—”

“My first time doing it successfully since I’d given up,” Yeonjun hums, brittle. “Fear and panic shifted me back.”

“Why were you panicking?” Soobin’s face screws up in the soft emptiness of the bedroom, trying to picture that day and what it was that could have drawn Yeonjun’s fear out of the dark. He had only been gone a few minutes.

“You said if you were gone for longer than five minutes, to call the police. I was counting the seconds, you know.”

It clicks together like puzzle pieces sliding into place, and Soobin can’t stop the intense rush of tears that tips over. Like a dam breaking, as more and more pours out.

god i swooned so much at this part. full on rolling around trying not to squeal. 

overall, this is a cozy fic. i don't know how else to describe it but 1000000/10 would read ten more times in a span of a week. 

please leave kudos and comments for the author. 

#Alternate Universe #Fantasy #Magic #Whipped Choi Yeonjun #Whipped Choi Soobin #Cat Yeonjun #Fluff #Slow Burn #Domestic #Mild Hurt/Comfort #Humor #Happy Ending #Mild Smut #Chaptered Fic #Word Count: 40k #Yeonbin #Yeonbin Fic Red #Yeonbin Fic #rxckbttm

[littleperilstories]

Whumptober 2022: #15 :: Emotional Damage

Whumptober Masterpost Lies | New Scars | Breathing through the Pain

Whumpee: Will Wardrew, Bree Cooper

Whumper: Constable Baden Hatchett

@whumptober-archive / @whumptober

CW: police/prison, mention of death/execution (hanging), stab wound, infection, infected wound, burns, lady/female whumpee & male whumper, restraints (chains/shackles)

The Prince of Thieves

Follows from Day 13 and precedes Day 24

The skin of his arm is hot to the touch. I knew this, expected it, and yet my stomach still turns. In the dim light, I can only just discern the violent redness streaking out from the still-gruesome stab wound. He’s wincing now, trying to calm his breaths as he permits my fingers to gently explore just how bad it is.

Bree

The boy in the cell next to mine—Fox—has been quiet. Too quiet. I’m starting to wonder if he’s dead.

I cannot stop thinking about how sorrowful his voice was when I was first dumped in this cell. How it seemed like he really meant it when he said he was sorry I got thrown in here with him. Even though we’d never met before. Even though he had no reason to care about me one way or another.

I creep toward the bars that separate our cells. “Are you still alive?”

A slow, drowsy answer. “Maybe.” A long, pained breath. “I think so.”

I press as close to the bars as I can, squinting at him through the dark. “Seems you are.”

“Shame.” Another dawn-out breath, punctuated by a wince.

“Does it hurt?”

“Like hell.”

I bite my lip. That infection is getting worse, I can tell. A lot worse.

I’m waiting to see what kills me first.

“Can you get up?” I keep my voice casual, trying to keep the sliver of worry out of my words. “Let me see.”

“You really don’t want to get close to me.”

“In case you’ve forgotten,” I say, an edge of annoyance slipping its way in, “I’m at least half as filthy as you are.”

A weak snort that serves as a laugh.

“Let me see.” I don’t know if insisting with do any good, if it will prompt him to move his failing limbs, but I have to try.

“Fine.” He’s rolling his eyes, I can tell. As if I am the one who’s being unreasonable.

The skin of his arm is hot to the touch. I knew this, expected it, and yet my stomach still turns. In the dim light, I can only just discern the violent redness streaking out from the still-gruesome stab wound. He’s wincing now, trying to calm his breaths as he permits my fingers to gently explore just how bad it is.

How deadly.

“Just breathe,” I murmur, only half-aware I’ve even said it. My mind is racing. If no one does anything about this…

He doesn’t respond. He’s shivering now. Moving from his spot on the floor must’ve triggered a bout of chills. I press a hand to his forehead. It’s radiating heat, too.

“Well…” What other choice is there but to tell the truth? He won’t believe me if I say anything different. “It seems pretty bad.”

Another weak laugh, interrupted by the stutter of chattering teeth. “H-Hatchett’s going to be so pissed off when I d-die before giving up the stuff he w-wants.”

A different sort of chill runs through me. He’s probably right. He’s going to die, probably soon. Then it’ll just be me and Hatchett. Eventually, maybe, the same fate with befall me, or maybe I’ll just get the noose like all the others.

“Why’d you join?” His voice is quiet, but he doesn’t seem to be growing faint. Shivers still wrack his body, but his eyes are on me. Still attentive. “The ring?”

Keeping his voice down, I realize, in case someone is trying to listen from…on the other side of the door, perhaps, or from the shadows outside our cells, stationed there without us knowing.

“Well—” No one has ever asked me before. When I got recruited, no one cared about the why. The only important questions: Can you do it? Will you be loyal? Are you willing to risk it all?

“I grew up rich,” I said. No point beating around the bush. “I had everything I want. My father did business, and he…made lots of money. For a while.”

He won’t feel sorry for me as I recount what comes next. Why should he? Surely he’s lived a much harder life. But his weary face doesn’t change. No judgment, not so far, anyway. He just listens, his eyes on mine.

Will

I wish I could see what Bree looks like in brighter light. Yellow torchlight, deceiving and dim, reveals so little of her features. I cannot tell what colour her eyes are. I’m not even sure about her hair. Brown, I suppose, but the details of her…they are obscured by the darkness.

As she speaks, she unties the bandage from my shoulder, then reaches for her cup of water. I know what’s coming.

“Breathe.” There it is again, that word. She’s already said it once. The trickle of water onto my wound is enough to make me dizzy, but when she says it, I feel like I have no choice but to obey. I suck in as much air as I can, squeezing my eyes tightly closed.

A realization draws them open again. Through the bars, I’ve grabbed her free hand, nearly crushing her bones between my fingers. She doesn’t wince, doesn’t balk.

“Breathe,” she repeats.

The water runs out, rivulets streaming down my arm and pooling around my useless fingers before sinking into the damp dungeon floor.

“What happened here?” Her fingers trail down my arm once she’s finished tying a new bandage—fashioned from her own shirt—in place. I grit my teeth as she brushes the fresh burns left there by yesterday’s interrogation.

“You know what our little meetings are like.”

I think of her watching, pale-faced and still, when they drag me away. So far they haven’t given any beatings while she is right next to us. I’m not sure why.

“It’s going to leave a scar.”

“I mean…” I shrug. “I’ve got plenty of those already. What’s a few more?”

“How can they keep doing this?”

I don’t know what to say, don’t have an answer. What am I supposed to tell her? I’m the one thing they need to crack Jamie’s hideout. To blow the ring wide open. I won’t give them what they want, so they get more and more creative each time. That it’s cruel doesn’t matter. That it hurts doesn’t matter. I’m no one to them. Nothing.

“You didn’t finish the story.” Slowly, I pull away from the bars. From her touch. “You were rich until…”

Silence falls between us like winter’s first snow, and then it cracks like ice. “I—”

A pause.

“I was twelve, maybe, when business turned bad.” Her voice is slow. Sad. “I don’t remember what happened. My father never explained it. Just that one day we were starting to get rid of things. Clothes. Furniture. My mother was weeping all the time.”

I nod. It happened more often than she thought, probably. My brother used to work for a family who went through the same thing.

“And then he began to let the servants go. Not just let them go—turn them out on the street. It was…awful. Cruel.” Bree wraps her arms around her knees. “I remember that so many of them cried. Grown women, grown men. They had nowhere to go.”

Dreamy darkness slithers toward me. She keeps talking. “The worst was this—this boy. I remember only pieces of him, snatches of things I’d heard him say or others say. Only in passing. I don’t remember his face.” She chuckles—humourless. “Isn’t that awful? If I ran into him on the street, I wouldn’t know him. But I do remember the look on his face when—when Father told him to leave and not to come back, he—I don’t know—he looked so—lost.”

No, I think. It can’t be.

I know this story. I have heard it before.

“I told my father he couldn’t be so cruel to a child. He was perhaps fourteen or fifteen. I don’t even know. But he was young. My father didn’t listen. I know the boy heard. James. That was his name. He had a little brother somewhere, not at our house. I remember thinking of that when I watched my father fling that boy into the snow.”

Into a snowdrift, shards of ice cutting into his bare hands.

She was the girl who tried to stop the master of the house from turning him out on the street.

Just as she had never known me, only heard of the younger brother elsewhere, I had never known her, only of the little girl with reed-thin limbs and a shrill voice who had begged her father not to sentence my brother to a life of destitution.

“And I knew,” she says softly. “I knew I couldn’t be like my father. That when the opportunity to do something good with my life, something better, I would.”

So you became a thief. It’s the sneering voice of Baden Hatchett that comes to mind, but I don’t share his contempt. “So you joined the ring to help people.” It isn’t true of everyone who steals for us. Some want to keep the spoils and riches for themselves.

But that is not what we do. Not what James ever intended for his merry band of thieves

“Father died,” she says flatly. “I was to be married. I chose differently. Now I’m here.”

I want to ask, I want to know that part of the story. But I’m so tired.

I don’t realize I’ve fallen asleep until I jerk awake. The memory of what I’d learned, what Bree had unwittingly confessed, strikes me like lighting.

Muddled thoughts pool together, the sluggish trickle of a drought-stricken river. Her, it was her. My shoulder hurts. The burns, they’re still stinging, they hurt. Everything hurts. Breathe.

It was her.

Her voice cuts through the mud. “I want to make a deal.”

I sit up, panic already fighting into my throat even before I fully understand what she’s saying.

No, I want to say. Don’t.

“What do you think you have that you could possibly offer me, Bree?” It’s Hatchett, his face snide as ever. He leans against the bars of her cell.

“Why don’t we have a conversation and you can find out?”

He catches the movement when I sit up straighter, shift my sore manacled feet. A smirk.

“Maybe I know more than you think I do,” Bree says. A voice like butter. Like hot oil, searing, blazing, burning. Leaving scars all down my arms. “Don’t you want to see if I’m bluffing?”

“Don’t.” The word, it spits itself out, twisted and mangled. “Don’t.”

This cannot be the girl who tried to rescue Jamie all those years ago.

James. That was his name.

Did she know this whole time?

“Don’t,” I repeat. She only glances at me, doesn’t speak, not a word. Her eyes are chips of ice, slicing into bare skin from the belly of a snowdrift.

Has she been keeping things from me, lying to me, this whole time?

A fool, I think. Hatchett is unlocking her cell. I am a damned fool.

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