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#kings road cafe
stereodaydreams · 10 months
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Safe & Sound
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Miguel O’Hara x Fem!Reader, 2.3k (18+, smut, oral(f!reciving), pnv sex, established relationships, use of baby/baby girl, no y/n, smidge of angst)
Notes: I write for another fandom in a different blog and couldn’t help but jump on the Miguel train. 💛✨
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18+
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Nueva York’s metro moves like a metal bullet tearing into a lavender and yellow sunrise. Birds break out into the skies, traveling from one tree to the next. Steam rises from vents as those waking rush to heat their homes, covering the streets and taxis in a man made fog. The thick mist drifts past cafes where open signs have just flipped and welcome bells ring. But high up on the 76th floor of a condominium, two bodies intertwine beneath warm sheets, too far to be awoken by the commotion.
Miguel’s legs drape over the edge of a bed, bare feet caught in strips of golden sunlight. It’s a king sized bed and somehow he manages to spill out of it, especially when he bullies his way over into your side, broad shoulders blotting out the sun and keeping you in the shadows where your sleep remains undisturbed.
There’s a wide gap from where his side of the bed should be. No matter how many times you tease him about a hostile takeover of what little domain you have of the king sized mattress, Miguel finds a way to fit himself around you. Your bare skin is warm and soft against his. You smell like a blend of your body wash, the pile of bed sheets, and a little like him and it drives him fucking wild. He’ll take whatever time he can have pressed up against you because... well.
Being Spider-Man is more demanding than a full time job. Try as hard as he might, there are nights where his superhero duties don’t end in a timely fashion and you sleep alone with a hand on his pillow. He tells you it’s because no one else can do what he does and… well, it’s half of the truth.
“I’m the one and only Spider-Man,” he laments to you. “The city needs me.”
“You have to come back in one piece. Promise?” you ask as worry etches itself on your face and on your body.
Large fingers wrap around your chin and Miguel pulls you in for a chaste but sweet kiss. Brown eyes blink slowly and his cheeks wrinkle in a smile.
“Always,” Miguel answers.
While you know his big superhero secret identity, there’s another secret that’s he’s been keeping from you— a little white lie. Miguel O’Hara is the only Spider-Man of Earth-928 but he’s not the only Spider-Man. He’s seen alternate realities, other universes where he’s an ordinary man working at a lab while a teenager gets bit and becomes Spider-Man or one where he’s a bodybuilder turned movie star. The multiverse is vast and entertaining to pick apart until Miguel gets a peek of realities that make his stomach twist and drop.
The fortunate events which link you two together often leads to roads where one of you is doomed to an early grave. So he decides he doesn’t want to leave your lives up to chance. Everyday, he whittles at his algorithms, tinkers with new wrist tech, all in the hopes of containing the status quo of his reality.
Miguel’s confident. Statistically, there has to be a reality where it all ends well for you both and it very well may be this one.
He watches your chest rise and fall as you doze and slowly moves his arm from your waist to your wrist. His fingers idly trace a band of metal on your ring finger and he smiles to himself, turning his gaze to a matching gold band on his hand.
You’re his, as he is yours and you are here, alive and safe and—
Miguel buries his face into the crook of your neck, breathing you in. Your back tenses as you wake, lungs inflating from a quick and deep inhale. With one eye open, you find the time on a wall clock and wince at the numbers you see.
“Mig…” you protest. It’s early, but not unreasonably so and you wouldn’t mind if it wasn’t your day off together. No superhero business, no work calls, just the two of you and a lazy morning. “Five more minutes. No… wait, half an hour.”
“Baby,” he purrs back in your ear.
You make a noise while burying your face into the pillow, your body twisting away from his grasp. Miguel laughs and exhales a warm breath that tickles the nape of your neck.
“Are you still tired?” he asks, voice low and laced with desire.
You know that tone and if his wandering hands slipping from your waist to your backside are any kind of indicator, Miguel won’t be letting you slumber for much longer. You can’t help it. Your back arches to his touch, lips parting in a half moan.
“Mhmm,” you mumble, your face digging into cotton as you nod. “Can’t wake up m’too sleepy.”
He chuckles, chest vibrating against your back. You’re lucky he finds you cute. Miguel’s palm grips your butt and gives it a small squeeze before the weight behind you dips as he shuffles his large body further down the bed. His hands engulf your thighs, fingers pressing into your skin as he pulls them apart. You’ve no choice but to reorient yourself onto your back, following his movement down your thighs.
“Mig, what are you up to?” You eye him warily with a lazy smile tugging at your lips. Your vision blurs as your eyelids threaten to shut.
He lays a kiss on your inner thigh. Bright red tints the edges of his eyes, threatening to spill over and replace the soft brown.
“Do you need help waking up?” At your nod, he continues, “That’s what I’m up to.”
He smirks, fangs catching the light of the morning sun and it’s gone once his face dips lower. His tongue drags along the seam of your sex, dipping between your folds for a quick taste. Miguel lets out a rumbling sound, pushing his face in deeper to breathe you in. Your fingers work their way into his hair but your grip is loose, a sleepy sort of pawing at his head. Still half awake, your thighs are slack, tensing only as his tongue rises and reaches a hard nub of nerves.
“Mig…” you moan, eyes fluttering shut.
“That’s my baby. Come here.”
A hand wraps around your back and lifts your hips up for him while thick fingers prod at your cunt. Miguel wraps his lips around your clit, licking flat, broad strokes as amber eyes watch you writhe and jolt beneath him.
“You don’t look so sleepy anymore,” he goads. You shake your head and he chuckles. “No?”
“Nuh uh-h. Oh god—”
He eases two fingers in knuckle deep, groaning at how wet they get. Pumping them in slowly, Miguel curls them around sensitive nerves, feeling you clench down on his hand. It’s easy to lose yourself to the feel of your husband’s mouth on you and the stretch of his fingers pounding into you, but you eventually notice something’s off.
You can feel him grinning while he licks and swirls his tongue around your swollen nub, hands beginning to slow to a halt. His fingers pull almost all the way out you, causing your eyes to finally open and a noise of protest leaves your lips.
“Mig—” you begin, swallowing down a hiccupy moan. “Miguel, please.”
Miguel raises an eyebrow at you, shrugs his shoulders like he doesn’t know what he’s doing. Wicked as ever, his tongue moves at unrelenting speeds. Heat flares from your abdomen, thighs twitching out of your control. Between you and him, there’s a damp mess between your legs as Miguel bullies your clit. Your hips try to chase his fingers as they leave you for good, desperate to clench around something, anything. You let out a sob when he stops to press a kiss to your clit.
“Babe!” you cry out, pulling harshly at his hair.
His face rises just enough for you to spot how drenched his chin is. A pink tongue darts around his lips and he smirks.
“You want it, baby girl?” His voice takes on a rougher quality as he challenges you. Large fingers push at your cunt, almost in but not quite. “Work for it.”
Your limbs are still heavy from sleep but the need to feel Miguel makes you roll your hips until you feel yourself push down and squeeze around his fingers. He doesn’t move though, grins wider while he watches you fuck yourself on his hand.
“Isn’t that better?” Miguel asks like he doesn’t know the answer. The hand on your back slips away, flattening onto the bed as he rises above you. You’re too busy trying to follow his other hand to realize he’s right by your head, wide shoulders blotting out the morning sun.
Breath hot and heavy, he snarls in your ear, “Does it feel good when you listen?”
“Mhmm!”
You cling to him, clumsily grabbing his arms as an anchor. Between gasps and moans, his name is a chant on your lips, drawing him closer.
Miguel’s an odd entity. Without the mask, he’s soft with you, cracks smiles throughout the day and fills your ears with loving whispers of devotion. He’s not demanding of you in the way that he is with his team of superheroes at his beck and call. You’ve overheard him being prickly and impatient when things don’t go to his plans, seen him bare his teeth in anger. But never at you.
In here, where the sheets are silken, the atmosphere a little lighter, a little slower… Miguel’s a different man.
“You’re so close… I can feel it,” he growls out. He places a hand on your hip to still your twisting form and it’s infuriating how little effort he uses to hold you like a limp doll. With slick sounds, his fingers slide in and out of you, dragging across taut nerves. “Not yet, baby girl. Not yet.”
“Mig, please. I need you. I need…”
“Hmm?” He lays a kiss on your cheek, lips lifting in a smirk. Miguel wanders down, repeating his hummed reply, kissing your jaw and nipping at your neck. “Say it again.”
You whine and rake your nails across the broad expanse of his shoulders, drawing red lines on sun-kissed skin. “Need you in me, Miguel.”
Your words seep through his skin and into his bones. Every fiber of him aches for you. He’s the king of edging himself, of self control as he fights to ignore the throbbing twitch of his cock. You call to him once more, needy and desperate for him, and Miguel’s done. His hips rut forward, seeking your soaked cunt and he finds it, the fat head of him nudging at your entrance.
He groans out your name, head hung forward and his hands splaying around your face. The sheets strain from his claws retracting and returning and all you see in his eyes are red. Miguel’s shoulders push into the backs of your knees as he hinges forward, forcing your thighs further open for him. There’s mumbled Spanish flowing past his lips as he claims you slowly, your husband taking his sweet time filling you up.
“Fuck, sweet girl. My wife. So fucking tight for me,” he groans.
The pace he sets is fast and devastatingly deep. Miguel reaches spots that makes you incoherent, makes your head toss back as you spew whatever your fucked out mind can give him. It’s messy, rough and he fucks you like you’d never break. And you never do. You always give him what he needs and knowing that brings him to his knees.
Red eyes find you in the waves of passion and Miguel’s looking at you as though this moment is finite. He’s never going to tell you about the other you’s— can’t let you know the statistics which haunt him daily.
Instead, Miguel devours your every moan, lips crushing yours so he can taste you as you tremble. You’re impossibly tight around him, muscles clamping down on him and skin slick with sweat. Your nails mark his back and shoulders, smaller fingers winding into his curls and tugging hard. He can feel you falling off the edge and leans into it, all too happy to chase the end with you.
His hand works its way between you, firm thumb rubbing tight circles around your clit. There’s no reprieve from the cascade of sensations he’s building. Miguel chases your climax until you come around him with a cry of his name.
“Yes, baby girl. Fuck. Fuck,” he moans.
Hips rutting faster, cock pushing you towards hypersensitivity, he wraps an arm around you and pulls you in close. His back muscles seize beneath your hands as he comes with a groan. Miguel’s muttering your name in a breathy chant, hips slowing to a roll as more of his thick spend fills you.
His nose bumps yours, eyes brimming with warmth and fondness. It should feel dirty and hot with how wet it sounds between your legs but you don’t hear it when Miguel murmurs in your ear.
“Still sleepy?” he coos.
You grab at his cheeks and squeeze, receiving an eye roll on his part. He’s handsome but stubborn, your husband.
“Mig…” you laugh. “Can’t feel my bones after that.”
He nuzzles your cheek and hums an acknowledgment. You’re warm, still clinging to him in more than one way. Outside, the sky’s turned blue as the sun finds its way through the windows, shining brightly on your skin. Beads of sweat caught on your neck and chest glitter in the light. He’s never seen anything as beautiful as you.
“Breakfast?” he offers.
“Shower,” you insist and twist your hips to remind him of the stickiness which coats both your bodies.
“Mmm. But I like you like this,” Miguel teases. He rolls his hips, cock still hard and buried deep, eliciting a moan from your lips. “So full of me, baby.”
“I like it, too,” you answer and squeeze his cheek again.
Miguel smiles as if he’s a man unburdened. Here in Spiderman 2099’s universe, you’re safe and sound.
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homochadensistm · 3 months
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Y'all Zionists are just paranoid colonizers, Palestinians would literally not touch you if you dismantled your government and Israel.
im so tired of responding to these because u ppl never seem to listen so I thought maybe delivering this to you in song will help. pls read to the cadence of Yakkos countries of the world song:
bus bombings and stabbings and rockets, car rammings torture and kidnappings too.
rock pelting and molotov cocktails not helping a small list of bus bombings for you: Lines 6, 14A, 16, 19, 25, 32A blew up outta the blue. Line 189 in 2001 then again in 2002.
Cafes were not spared they blew up people there, in Amakim mall, Hillel and Moment. In Armon David, Maxim, Sbarro and Matza and Did I mention the Dolphinarium?
Shuk HaCarmel, Shuk Hadera, the Shuk in Netanya were all shot up and blown up its true. Train stations like Nahariya, Binyamina were not spared, they killed people there too.
Random streets like Ben Yehuda, King George and Zif Junction, the French Hill, Jaffo, Metzer as well. Karmei Zur and Yagur, Tzrifin Bus Station too, Moshav Hamra - None of those did they spare.
Shootings on Road 60, Hadera, Kfar Saba, and the bombing of Mahne Yehuda. These were awful and dark but a real potent spark lit up when they blew up Hotel Park.
These dont scratch the surface, you asked for examples they happen almost every day. In Israel proper, the West Bank or Gaza theyll always look for Jews to slay.
So next time you feel your morality itching to chastise or just throw a fit, Remember this song, and also the fact that:
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lord-of-the-prompts · 2 years
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A-Z ALTERNATE UNIVERSE IDEAS:
A
afterlife
alien invasion
all female
all human
alpha/beta/omega dynamics
always a different gender/sex
amnesia
ancient era
angels & demons
animal shelter
another world
antique shop
apocalypse
army
arranged marriage
artists
art school
asgard
assassins & hitmen
atlantis
B
babysitters
bakery
ballet
blind date
boarding school
bodyswap
bookstore
bounty hunters
boxers
boy band
british
C
celebrity
character/actor swap
christmas
circus
civil war
coffee shops/cafes
college
cowboys & aliens
covid 19 pandemic
creatures & monsters
crime
criminals
cults
D
dance battle
dark fantasy
detective partners
different first meeting
different powers
dragon age
dungeons & dragons
dystopian
E
elfland
enemies to friends to lovers
everyone lives/nobody dies
F
faerie
fairytale
fake dating
fake relationship
fandom fusion
fans & fandom
fantasy
farm/ranch
firefighters
fix-it
flower shop
foster family
futuristic society
G
gangster
gang world
genderbending
genderswap
genie/djinn
ghost hunters
gladiators
gods & goddesses
gothic
guardian angel
H
harry potter and 1400s witch trials
heaven & hell
hollywood
horse racing
highschool
historical
hogwarts
homless
hospital
hunger games arena
I
ice skating/ice dancers
immortal
J
journalism
K
kings & queens
k-pop
L
laboratory
lawers
lifeguards
law enforcement
M
mafia
magic
magical creatures
medical
medieval fantasy
merepeople
military
mob
model/photographer
modern setting
monster hunters
mortal
muggle
mutants
multiverse
murder mystery
mythology
N
navy
neighbours
never met
ninjas
noir
noir detective
non-famous
non-magical
non-mutant
no powers
not related
no time travel
O
office
olympus
online dating
ordinary people
orphanage
P
paramedics
perspective change
pirate
podcast hosts
pompeii
powerswap
post-apocalyptic
prison ecsape
prom
psycics
Q
quest
quidditch
R
radioshow hosts
reincarnation
renaissance
restaurant
road trip
roaring twenties
robot uprising
rock star
roller derby
role swap/reversal
roommates
royalty
S
scientists
shakespeare
shapeshifter
siblings
shipwreck
single parent
snowed in
soulmates
space
spies & secret agents
spirits
spy
spyfi
steampunk
summer camp
sun flairs
superhero
supernatural
supernatural elements
T
tattoo parlour
theatre
thieves
time loops
time travel
trojan war setting
twins
U
urban fantasy
university
V
valhalla
vampire slayer
vegas
victorian era
video game world
vigilante
vikings
W
wedding planners
werecreatures
werewolf
western
witchcraft
world war i/world war ii
wormhole
Y
youtubers
Z
zombie apocalypse
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kookslastbutton · 8 months
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Love's Remedy ༓ jjk (m) l Ch. III
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✑ Summary: Jungkook is a romantic. He comes from a highly intelligent family who wants him to carry out the lineage. Being this way, he goes to college to be a pharmacist but his friends say college isn't just about studying! With a little persuasion, he goes to his first frat party thinking his hat will help him pick up a girl-or woman he means.
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Pairing: STEM major!virgin!jungkook x STEM major!hot girl!reader
AU/genre: angst, smut, fluff, s2l, college au, mini-series
Rating: M, 18+
Word Count: 4,378
Warnings: jk is very determined to "win" oc, jk a romantic, oc has philophobia (fear of relationships), protective!koo again, oc is an engineering student, PC Bang, jk is a king at LOL (League of Legends), jk lowkey flirts with new person, oc gets cold feet but please don't blame her 🥹, jk and oc get on level ground after hashing things through, themes of stalker-ish behavior (not oc or jk!), feat Jackson and Jae-beom, if i missed warning lmk!
Now Playing: seven, summertime sadness, she’s kerosene, angels like you+
A/N: For reference a PC Bang is: "a type of LAN gaming center and Internet cafe in South Korea, where patrons can play multiplayer computer games for an hourly fee". Also, I am not a gaming guru but I try for this chapter that means I researched haha Enjoy! 💞
<< ch. II ༓ ch. IV >> | series masterlist
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A week later, Jungkook waits for you at your agreed rendezvous point; for over an hour. You promised to meet him near the campus garden at 7 pm but here it is almost 8 pm and you're a no-show.
He checks his phone for the fourteenth time since arriving–no reply.
Jungkook tries not to jump to conclusions but you broke your word and you ghosted him.
He thinks back to last week when he'd stepped between you and Jun-ho. And when you followed him back to his dorm where he told you he could love and take care of you, as you helped patch his wound. Had he come on too strong? Did you get into more trouble that he didn't know about?
He kicks a few pebbles by his feet, sending them flying in every which way, as the number of endless possibilities rattles his brain.
"Stupid," he cusses himself. "You're just so fucking stupid."
How could he believe that after two short weeks of random run-ins with you that he'd earn your interest? You told him you don't do relationships yet he still shows up, anxiously presenting himself as your knight in shining armor. Any sane person would tell him he was barking up a dead tree.
"Might as well get a head start on next week's homework." Jungkook loses hope, trotting back to the dormitory with the wind howling and mocking behind him.
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"What do you mean she ditched you?" The boisterous inquisition belongs to Jackson who's looking thoroughly offended once hearing his new best friend was shown up. He isn't sure how much this woman meant to him, but either way, it makes him livid. Even if you weren't going to go out with him, you should've at least told him like a decent human being.
"I really thought she'd come," Jungkook replies with his heavy eyes. He walks alongside the blonde-haired boy, dirt crunching below his feet. "Guess she had something better to do."
"No." Jackson stops in the middle of the road. "You know who actually has better things to do? It's you. What do you say to hitting up the PC Bang downtown? Play a little League of Legends or Overwatch?"
Jungkook shrugs with less enthusiasm than a snail. "Sure…"
"Hey man," Jackson puts a hand on Jungkook's shoulder. "I'm sorry about you and __. It sucks being stood up. I've had my fair share and you just gotta take it as a blessing that nothing else happened between you both. Nine times out of ten, it didn't have anything to do with you either so don't blame yourself. Take it as a lesson and keep working on yourself until the right person shows up. They'll be the person you can truly give yourself to."
"Hard to believe you've been shown up. You're charismatic, confident, in good shape, have good facial features, and you're getting your MD." Jungkook's aware of his friend's attempt to lift his spirits but he can't fathom anyone not giving Jackson the time of day. Due looks like a pop star in the making.
"Nah, most of what you just said is me bullshitting my way through life. I'm not all that," Jackson rejects, striding forward. "I got rejected by a girl a few days ago myself."
"Had a boyfriend?"
"Nope, just didn't like me. And she doesn't go out with first -years apparently."
"Oh," Jungkook's eyebrows shoot up. "She was an upperclassman?"
"Yup, on her third year."
At this Jungkook's mouth gapes open. "No wonder she said no. What the hell are you doing trying to go out with a third-year?” The accusatory tone spins Jackson's head–he's a sad little puppy with you but a bulldog with him. What a puzzling fellow.
"Same thing you're doing trying to convince someone who doesn't want a relationship to go out with you."
Jungkook dials back his previous assertion. "We're idiots."
"Correction. we're dreamers." Jackson slaps him on the shoulder. "C'mon, let's go burn some shit up at the internet cafe."
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By the time he and Jackson get to the cafe nearly all the computers are taken. It's no surprise since PC Bang's are quite a rave amongst university students like themselves. You can play the hottest games for hours while stuffing yourself full with whatever food's served on the cafe menu–all for a small fee of course.
"Let's go here." Jackson manages to grab two free id cards from the counter–guiding them to two empty PCs, side by side to each other. "How long do you want to play for?"
Jungkook sinks himself in the leather gaming chair and powers on the machine in front of him. "I'm good until 6 pm, but then I should head back to my dorm and do homework."
"Cool, same for me. We'll play for three hours then."
"What should we play?" Jungkook tosses the headset over his ears and scrolls through the game options. Jackson does the same.
"Kinda in the mood for LOL." He flips to the game's screen card. "Gonna need to join a team though."
"No problem.," Jungkook clicks the game on his own pc until the loading screen covers his view. "So many people play League of Legends. We'll be able to find one in no time."
Jackson nods and opens LOL himself. "Let's kick some ass."
"Fuck yeah," Jungkook mumbles, inaudible to everyone but himself.
An hour passes and he and Jackson have been hammering their opponents into the digital abyss. The thrill and surge of adrenaline cause him to forget previous heartaches–aka you. Plus, after finding a team of three to jump into; one member who happens to be female, Jungkook's been able to turn his attention to other prospects.
"Soomin, how long have you been playing LOL for?" Jungkook decides to learn more about his female teammate after claiming the final victory over the opposing team.
"Five years," her raspy voice comes through his headset. It sure is a unique voice, he notes.
"Same. We should play on a team more often. In fact, Jackson and I are thinking about building an official LOL team so we could use a third person. You're really good so if you want, we'd love to have you." Beside him, his friend gives him a confused look. 'We are?' he mouths silently which Jungkook ignores.
"Wait really?" She pauses a moment. "I've never been on a permanent team before. I guess that'd be cool."
"I play late at night sometimes too. Meaning if you ever wanna jump on with me shoot me a message or something."
"Alright, I'll jot down your username."
"Already got yours memorized," he says, a tad more cocky than he meant.
"Damn," she cusses. "You work fast. By the way, do you go to university?"
"Yeah, I go to Seoul National University."
"No way, what year are you? I attend there too. I'm a second-year."
"What?!" He nearly hits the ceiling once the information is disclosed. He had no idea Soomin would be this close and that he could meet her in person. call him eager but should he ask her out? No…he's already made that move with you and look where it left him. He'll ask to hang out first. "We should meet Soomin. As long as you don't mind that I'm a first-year that is," Jungkook chuckle lightly and looks over to Jackson who immediately gives him a double thumbs up.
"Well I'm kinda busy this week but how about next week? Also, if it's good with you, can my boyfriend come?"
Fuck. If this is some kinda joke he'd like to catch a break any time now. Not that he was as intrigued with Soomin as he was, or still is, with you but he definitely thought it was going somewhere!
"You're dating?" Jungkook watches Jackson lower his double thumbs up, frowny face on.
"Yeah, we've been together for a year. Met as classmates." When she giggles Jungkook has the unexpected urge to roll his eyes. Of course, you did, he mutters, just a perfectly peachy coincidence for you two.
"Well that's nice," he says bitterly.
"Oh, I'm sorry Jungkook. He's actually calling me now so I have to go but I'll talk to you soon. And message me when you want to meet. I'll tell my boyfriend about you!"
Great. Jungkook bids her goodbye and she signs off.
"Sorry about Soomin. She seemed cute." Jackson slides his headset off his ears to rest them around his neck. "But you know what? You're still a force to be reckoned with inside the virtual world. I honestly don't know how you do it."
Jungkook grins shyly and slips his headset on the desk. "I've been playing for a long time. Must be something to do with that." He throws a hand over his abdomen when his stomach rumbles at the same time. "We should order food." He browses the cafe's extensive menu on his pc. Nothing but rows and rows of tasty options flash back at him, urging him to spend fortunes.
Still, he's got to cap it at some point with only about 2,000,000 Korean won (about 1,500 USD) in his bank account. The Jeon family is wealthy but Jungkook is not. His parents are especially careful to inform him that generational wealth is not going to be given to him freely. Instead, he is to earn his own money, starting at the car wash which he worked at over the summer.
"I'm getting an order of Tteokbokki and a soju. What about you?" Jackson punches in his order, sparing a glance at Jungkook who's tapping on his keyboard with one hand while the other rests under his chin.
"The Jjajangmyeon looks good. I'll get that with a soju too." After Jungkook enters in his own order he strolls his chair out from under the gaming table. "Do you see a bathroom around here?"
"Yeah, it's all the way to that far right corner." Jackson points in that direction with his thumb.
"Okay, I'll be right back."
Bathroom, bathroom, bathroom.
Jungkook repeats the simple word to himself. He scans the corner Jackson gestured towards earlier but sees nothing except a giant blank wall. Must have meant the opposite direction. He turns himself around to scout the other side of the floor.
"Excuse me sir-" a voice chimes close behind him.
"Oh sorry." He steps aside to let the young lady by and as soon as he does his whole body jerks forward in shock. "__!"
You turn around with the tray of food in your hand in what looks like a work uniform. "Yes, what can I do–Kookie?" You grip the plastic tray firmer to keep it from shaking uncontrollably, though the clamminess of your palms makes it a challenging task. Seeing Jungkook at the place you work was bound to happen being that the PC Bang is close to the university. You just weren't prepared for it to be tonight during one of your last shifts of the season.
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"I didn't know you worked here."
"Yeah, only part-time." After bumping into Jungkook moments ago, you found it inevitable to avoid him further. You agreed to meet him outside once your break started. "I'm planning on leaving before the semester gets crazy. I have about a week left probably."
It dawns on Jungkook that he doesn't know what you study so with shifty eyes and clenched fists, he asks. "What are you going for?"
"Engineering." You can tell he wasn't expecting that for an answer; most don't be a woman in the field and all. "Jungkook, let's not do this. I'm sorry about what happened the other night." A sick queasy feeling settles in your gut–you're well aware you did Jungkook wrong. You're not proud of it in the slightest and him standing in front of you right now only reminds you of your guilt.
"I waited for you __. You said you come even if it was a rejection." A twinge of hurt laces behind his words and he keeps a controlled stance. He doesn't get in your face, demanding for an answer, nor does he break down and cry. He's more inquisitive than anything else. "Where were you? Why didn't you come?"
"I–" You intertwine your fingers, a nervous habit you picked up in childhood. "I panicked Kookie. I'm so sorry."
Jungkook stiffens when he hears the endearing name drop from your soft lips again. It was nice at first but now it feels like a sharp pain twisting in his side, like a thorn only for his misery. "Can you not call me that, please? It's–It's making me uncomfortable."
"Oh god," you lunge forward out of instinct but freeze when he steps back. "Jungkook I really am sorry. I was planning to see you. I had my shoes on and everything. Like I said I panicked, I'm not suited for relationships. And I'm not suited for you."
The last part stings the most.
"But–"
“There’s no buts Jungkook." You place your hand on the door of the building. " I have to get back to work."
"Wait!"Jungkook moves to face in front of you from an angle. "You say you're not suited for relationships but why did you get ready to see me? Why didn't you just say no to me? And last week when you told me you needed more time to think…was it a lie?"
"Because I like you okay? You're cute, protective, sweet, but you like me too much." you release the handle. "You don't know anything about me yet you've already got into a fistfight with an obscene jerk for me and claim you'll wait for me even when you just met me. If you love me this much now how much more will you love me later?"
" I'll love you for eternity."
"See this is it, Jeon. You saying stuff like this before anything real has happened between us–it's too much. How can you be this devoted to basically a stranger? You'll love me for eternity but have you considered that maybe I won't?"
"What are you saying?"
"What makes you think I'll love you as much as you do me?"
" I don't think like that __. I don't want a relationship so I can see what I can get. that's not how my mind works. I understand that I've been very forward with you. I should have been more conscientious about how that would make you feel but when I say that I love–"
"Please, don't drop the 'L' word. If you're saying love then you don't love me; only the idea of me."
Jungkook pauses, wordless
"Never thought of it that way huh? Guess not. Let me ask you something…do you know what I do? With men?"
He swallows and shakes his head no
"I sleep with them. A new guy a week if not twice a week. People call me a whore, and I'm spreading my legs for everyone and anyone willing. Do you want to get involved with someone like that?" You wipe away an escaped tear.
"I don't care about that at all __."
"Well, you should! This is who I am Jungkook. I can't let you be responsible for me. So unless you want a one-night stand or a friends-with-benefits relationship, I suggest you forget about me. I can't be your girlfriend."
"__!" Your manager shoves the front door open, causing you and Jungkook to jolt in surprise. " Where have you been? We have about twenty orders that need to be served."
"Sorry Manager Choi. I'll get right on it." You spare Jungkook one last glance before disappearing back inside the PC Bang. "I'm sorry," you say with a lowered head.
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That night Jungkook lays on his bed, thumb hovering over your name in his contacts list. His logical side whispers for him to delete it. His heart says to call, text, or do something to–no. He remembers your pained facial expression; on the verge of tears as you explained to him that he'd been too quick in making his mind up about you. But then he replays your final words.
"…unless you want a one-night stand or a friends-with-benefits relationship, I suggest you forget about me. I can't be your girlfriend."
Well, he doesn't want the first two but if it meant he could be in your life longer–stop. His logical side intrudes. "You don't want to go down that path," he matters to himself. "It's better if you just delete the number." Jungkook moves to tap the trash can icon on your phone contact, a pang in his chest. Just as he's mustered up enough strength his phone buzzes off, screen lighting the entirety of the darkened dorm room. His roommate groans at the sound and rolls over in their bed.
"Jungkook," said roommate rubs his face. "I have an 8:15 tomorrow morning. Please speak take it in the hallway."
Jungkook quietly jumps out of bed not solely because of courtesy to his roommate but also because it's from you.
"Jungkook… can you um…"
"__?" He eases the door shut behind him and paces up and down the hallway. "Are you there?"
"Can you meet me at the bus stop near the campus library/ I'm sorry to be asking you it's just that…Jun-ho's–"
"What is it? Are you okay? What about Jun-ho?"
" I'm taking the bus back from work and he's on the same one he keeps staring at me and I'm scared of following me back to my dorm. Please Kookie-Jungkook I mean. I don't have any right to ask you, I know. He won't try anything with the bus driver here but once I get off I'll be alone. I have some pepper spray in my bag–"
"Yes, yes I'll be right there. How far are you out?" This isn't about pursuing you, impressing you, or anything like that anymore; it's about your safety. Jungkook leaps into his room, grabs his wallet, and shoves the sneakers on his feet. "__? Did you hear me?"
" I'm five minutes from the stop. Oh, he's, he's still staring at me."
"Don't look at him __. I'm walking down right now. Stay on the phone with me. I'll be waiting for you when you get there okay?"
"Thank you Kook. I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize. If Jun-ho's tracking you down like a wolf, it'll be his funeral." The icy tone in Jungkook's typically warm, milky tone sends a shiver up your spine.
The bus you're on pulls up in exactly five minutes, as you estimated. Jungkook frantically searches for you through the window glass, growling when he sees Jun-ho standing up a few rows behind you. He makes sure to be as close to the bus's exit doors as possible so he can grab your hand as soon as you step out.
"Hey!" He greets you loudly. "How was your shift?"
"Great! We were running around like crazy but thankfully, I didn't have to work through the night." You cling his hand tighter, slinging your other arm around his.
"That's a blessing." Jungkook and you walk faster, putting more space between you and Jun-ho. "You must be tired."
"Oh yeah, I can't wait to slee–ah!" You trip over a ledge on the sidewalk. Jungkook grips you before you completely fall flat on your behind.
"New feet?" He can't help but joke and you slap his arm. Jungkook helps straighten you back up, your hands remain interlocked. When it comes to a split in the road, you and Jungkook filter to the right side towards the female dorms. You hope to god Jun-ho takes the left.
"He's such a fucker." Jungkook curses, peering over his shoulder just enough to see Jun-ho faltering at the intersection. He burns holes at both of you so much that it makes Jungkook feel like kneeing him in the gut but he doesn't want to provoke the bastard–putting you in unpredictable danger. "I'll get you to your dorm. Which one is yours?"
"Up ahead." You gesture at the brick building with the number 318.
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"We can let go of our hands now." You're the first to speak after arriving outside your dorm.
Jun-ho thankfully did not follow you any more than back at the split in the path between male and female dorms. The fact that he still attends school here makes your skin crawl. You don't exactly like calling people a mistake but Jun-ho is by far an exception. You messed around with the guy one time while you both were a bit tipsy and he keeps hounding you. If you need to, you will make him stay away from you permanently.
"Promise me you'll get a restraining order on him if this happens again or gets worse." Jungkook ignores your suggestion to release your hands. "That idiot has no right to be around you."
"I will. Thank you for coming out. I was nervous to call you being what happened earlier. I truly, from the bottom of my heart, am sorry. And I know having to go back to work left things hanging so if there's anything else you wanted to talk about or tell me, please feel free."
"Anything for you–" slips out of his mouth before he can stop it. He slaps a hand over his mouth instantly, you chuckle softly.
"It's okay Jungkook," you reassure. "I can tell you wear your heart on your sleeve. You're naturally very accommodating and flattering."
"And you're beautiful. Damnit, I did it again. I'm sorry __, but whenever I look at you I feel butterflies and I say a lot of fluffy stuff. I'm not trying to flirt or impress you by using what can be in the right context, shallow methods. But yeah, I was thinking about what happened at the cafe earlier tonight and I think get it–I've been too quick to the draw. I'm honestly not sure why I'm so attracted to you other than the fact that you're breathtakingly gorgeous in literally every way, both physical and non-physical. It makes me want to know you more. And the fact that assholes like Jun-ho won't leave you alone makes me want to be your personal bodyguard or something. I don't lift as much as him but fuck, I can keep him in his place. I'm starting to sound crazy, aren't I? It's like you said, we're strangers after all…right?"
Jungkook waits for you to respond. The cool autumn air is crisp against your cheeks, not cold enough to see your own breath, but enough to have you secretly grateful for the warmth that comes from his hand. That's right, you've been clinging onto his hand for dear life for the past fifteen or more minutes. You should probably let go now if weren't for the fact that he's also clinging onto yours just as hard.
"You really want to know me Kookie?" You brush a few strands of his hair that have blown in front of his eyes. He's incredibly handsome now…how did you not see it before? Sure he's cute with his bunny-like smile, mole on his button nose, and his adorable voice that makes you oh so soft and comfortable inside. But he's also handsome with his piercing oak tree-colored eyes, perfectly sharp jaw, and eager yet tenacious energy that always seems to show up for you.
Jungkook takes your other hand in his, swinging them between you both. "Of course," his earnest voice chippers. "It’s next to impossible for me not to want to know you. I'm sure I'll eventually move on if that's what you really want, but if there's another alternative that can avoid that I'd like to take it. You seem to be in deep thought about something…" he switches up his response when he notices you don't look as alert as you usually do. “__.”
"I'm here," you say, the tiniest bit dazed. "I was just thinking about something."
"Yeah I know, but about what?"
You swallow before replying. “…You.”
Jungkook smiles sheepishly. You're unsure if he's pleased or nervous. "Is it–is it something good or should we leave it here?"
"Are you free tomorrow?" You bite the inside of your cheek, begging yourself not to take it back. "It's Sunday so I get if you have some last-minute studying to do. Just thought maybe we could do something….together." Jungkook goes to reply, cheeks more than raised but you continue speaking before he sounds a word. "It's not a date per se. I'm being crazy annoying but I'd like to be friends first with something extra."
"You said no to friends before though. This isn't an offer to be friends with benefits is it?"
"That was when I wasn't sure what I wanted with you if anything. I didn't want to take advantage of you or anything. I want to start as friends so we can see if we can somehow be more. I'm interested in you Jungkook so no, not friends with benefits but rather, friends with the potential to be more."
"Okay," Jungkook squeezes your hands. "I can do that. What do you want to do? What time do you want to meet? What do you want me to wear?"
"First of all, if we're going to do this I'm going to need you to treat me like your bro. Wear what you want, we can meet afternoon and we'll figure it what to do along the way." You think your suggestion is fair yet it's crystal clear that it's not ideal for Jungkook, given the pout on his face.
"I don't want you to be my bro though," he whines.
"We start as bros or we're not hanging out." You're firm because you want this to work but you know yourself, and you need to take this slow.
"No wait, okay. Bro it is. You'll be the prettiest bro of mine."
"Jungkook," you snort, undignified. "That sounds weird."
He shrugs, "I'm weird when I'm with my friends. Especially when they're as pretty as you, it makes me all dumb because I can't seem to think straight anymore."
"Alright Romeo," you say, face flushing. "Save the rest for tomorrow."
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<< ch. II ༓ ch. IV >> | series masterlist
A/N: This was originally going to be three chapters but it will be extended 😶 Lmk what you think and if you wanna to be tagged fill out tag form or ask 💞
Masterlist
Taglist:
@hoseokteardrop @skzthinker @igchochi @jksjx
no reposting, copying, or translating my work– © kookslastbutton
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thebubblesareevil · 2 years
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Ghost kings make bad Baristas..Coffee shop au
Should I be working on Superman adopting Danny yes am I doing that no I hit a road bump so u get this for now
Kaldur is Stressed as leader of the YJ and Dick tells him he needs a break and recommends this really great coffee shop he found in the harbor. Dick takes over training the kiddos for the day and Kaldur spends the day wandering around happy harbor trying to destress but the man is addicted to stress and we all know it.
Danny is a local college student studying astronomy and got a job at the local coffee shop. When Kaldur comes in he is greeted by a barista and he stands to the side while he browses the menu
Danny on the other hand cannot stop staring at the customer that just walked in to the point where he ended up being sprayed by steamed milk. It’s not his fault though the guy is doing it on purpose he swears. Standing near the window starring at the menu board with his chin tilted up and the light hitting him juuuussst right. It s just not fair, the dude it so far out of his league that Danny can’t help it.
Kaldur decides on a spiced tea and approaches the counter to be greeted by a rather flustered barista. He smiles and gives his order, when the barista asks for a name for the order and Kaldur decided to have a little fun and gave him his full name Kaldur’ahm to see what he would end up writing on the cup.
Danny is dead, fully dead, he has been killed, his gorgeous customer has finished what was started 6 years ago. His voice is just…mmmmmmm. Danny is trying really hard not to let his internal scream turn external that he isn’t paying full attention when he writes the name, Kaldur’ahm it suits him, on the cup. He makes the spiced tea calls his name and tries his best not to make a perfect imitation of a tomato.
Kaldur thanks the barista and turns but as he goes to drink his tea he catches sight of the name written on the cup. It was in fact his name, with not a letter out of place, written in perfect Atlantean. Kaldur freezes and checks the collar on his sweater, making sure his gils are not showing before he scopes out the cafe to make sure he’s not being watched. He turns back around to the counter to confront the barista.
Danny is FREAKING OUT he’s turning around, he only had one sip how bad could he have possibly messed up that tea oh god just end it. Kaldur’ahm calmly shows him the writing on the cup and asks him what it said. Danny looked at the cup and went pale. Apparently his autopilot recognized his name as being Atlantean and ghost speak took over. Oh my god that Atlantean he’s Atlantean wtf wtfnwtf!!! Danny tries to calmly respond that it’s his name and he hopes he spelled it right.
Kaldur is immediately suspicious, he looks at the name tag, this Danny can barely look him in the eye and he says no it’s spelled perfectly, but where did he learn Atlantean? Danny panics and says internet. Kaldur doesn’t believe him but nods and leaves. He informs nightwing of the incident and they both head back to the coffee shop together the next day to scope out the barista.
Danny looks very excited when Kaldur walks in and when he ordertheir drinks he and Kaldur end up talking for a bit as he made the drink, once again in Atlantean, to which Kaldur comments about how fluent he is. Nightwing is dying in the corner waiting for his friend when Kaldur comes back and they leave he can’t stop laughing because this “Danny” wasn’t plotting, he thought you were hot, he was nervous.
Kaldur is surprised but still brings up the fact that he spoke FLUENT Atlantean. Nightwing suggests he ask the barista out and see if he can figure it out and to keep him updated. The next time Kaldur went to the cafe Danny wasn’t there so Kaldur got his tea and left, oddly enough his tea tasted quite different from what Danny made him.
It was as he was leaving that Kaldur ran into Danny again, literally. Danny was walking out of the office and they crashed into each other, Danny immediately started to apologize. They started to talk and Kaldur asked if he was about to clock in. Danny laughed sadly and said no I actually just got fired, apparently I’m REALLY bad at making coffee, hopefully my tea making skills weren’t too bad though? Kaldur gave a slight chuckle and said not bad no.
Kaldur asks if he’s not busy would he like to get some lunch. Danny blushed and said yes they talk all afternoon (in Atlantean) and Kaldur ends up asking him on another date then another and another, you see where this is going… or do you? At one point Danny address someone who says something homophobic in another language and Kaldur starts to wonder how many languages Danny knows. The whole team gets in on it. They are absolutely certain they got him when M’gann starts speaking Martian and they are all blown away when he starts speaking fluent Martian. They are determined to figure it out. Danny eventually tells Kaldur about ghost speak. Neither tell the team. Tim has been looking for the most obscure language he can find and Danny wants to see what he comes up with.
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enbyobeyme · 1 year
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A Date with Diavolo
This is an old piece of writing from my old blog! Enjoy! GN Reader.
Diavolo tends to be alone most of the time, not out of choice, but because of his status. Hanging out with a king isn’t anything casual. Not only will attention be on you all day, but the media will jump to any type of opportunity to publicly shame or invade the privacy of the person he was with.
You didn’t care. In general. You cared little about how others perceive you, only doing what made you happy. You weren’t formal with him or treated him like a big shot like everyone else (much to Barbatos’ and Lucifer’s distaste). “Ah, a human! Welcome to-” “Who the fuck are you?” “That is the future king of the Devildom!” “Okay cool, he’s no king of mine.”
Diavolo was completely taken aback by your ‘take no shit bad boy’ persona, but you ended up being just his type. You showed up to tea parties in your casual clothes, slouched, elbows on the table holding your head, grabbed the cup by the side, and slurped it down, not caring about the lecture from Lucifer.
You did what you wanted and Diavolo always watched in envy. You parkoured and climbed on top of the RAD building, you hitched several rides on garbage trucks just to get to a place faster, you dressed how you wanted, called people out, and took everything easy. You crawled through vents at school to get places faster and took trips through the underground labyrinth to avoid traffic and feed the rats who gave you gifts. You got into fights. You fascinated him.
He loved that boldness. It was your boldness that was the reason he stared into the mirror, debating how to dress. Casual? Cool? Formal? Youthful? You knew that he tended to be lonely, and asked about it, not giving him time to answer before saying “Hey I know a place, let’s hang out. Consider it a date if you want. Anyways, see ya.” Diavolo was frozen by how casual you are to not only ask out a Prince in such a way but also know that he would say yes.
He decided to go in his usual red jacket. He went over to the location you sent him. A cafe? He didn’t expect this from you. “Oh, there you are! Come on let’s get some coffee before I show you the spot!” Ah, he should have known. After ordering coffee, that you insisted on paying for, you held his arm with yours and led him into an alley as you talked both joked around.
You didn’t blink at all the burning stares you got, and the weird looks you got. Diavolo looked over at your calm face as you led him deeper. “Where are we going?” you smirked, “You’ll see.” Diavolo thought he knew the Devildom inside out, but not even he knew where you were going. You ended up cutting through the main road of stores and ended up at the very end of them. Smaller family businesses and restaurants tended to be on this side of town. He was amazed that you found these shortcuts so quickly within the year.
You pulled him into what seemed to be a mix between a gym and cafe where many devils went to hang out with friends. “This isn’t the place either, it’s actually inside here. Promise to keep a secret?” “What do you mean?” “There’s a lot of hidden places to explore if you can smell a front. I’ve seen lots of them, so come on. This can be our secret little hangout, okay?”
You went up to the counter. “Don’t worry he’s with me. Can I pass through?” The shopkeep opened the door to the counter, letting both of you through the back. Diavolo looked around at one seemed to be a full-on arena with a lot of sectioned off parts where people trained one-on-one. How did you even find this? You started to point out people and tell all types of stories. “Oh that Steve or as they call him The Right Arm, seriously if you ever need to refine your punches, his your man. His husband also makes the best tater-tots. He’s also does voice lessons. Great guys.”
After a bit more walking, you got to a different side of the store. Looking at the wall he noticed all the other patrons from the other side through the wall, a spell maybe? This side was a lot more rowdy and lively than the other side. This side of the cafe seemed more like a bar with many demons chatting, betting, wrestling, and wolfing down food. Diavolo looked around as you guided him to the counter, the server taken aback at being face-to-face with the future king.
“Heya, I’m here on a date, can I take my usual seat?” The server nodded and you took your seat at the far end of the counter, pulling out a stool for your little prince. Diavolo looked around in amazement, then up at the menu. “Ay MC!” called out one of the rowdy demons “Ain’t that the royal brat? He ain’t shutting this place down is he?” “Ay, no he isn’t and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t talk to my date like that. Don’t mind him, Dia, he’s just protective of his friends here. He can play a mean banjo solo, I’ll tell you that.”
The evening was spent chatting with other patrons and enjoying the food before you slinked off with him again to check out some of the illegal wares. Well, ‘illegal’. It was mostly rarer items from the human world across many different cultures, including ‘poisons’ such as cashews and pufferfish. Diavolo knew he shouldn’t encourage these types of places, but there was no one getting hurt, nor was anything illegal actually happening, just his people wanting to try some human world food and understand their culture.
“Humans eat poison?” “Well yeah, famine was quite common in ye olden days. So all there was to eat was poison. And we tried to eat it over and over until we found a way to eat it. Weird, huh?” He looked at all the strange food. He needs to get some for Barbatos later. Diavolo turned back to look at you just to see you trying what seemed to be a black hoodie with little red horns. He felt heat rise to his cheeks as you stretched. He also started to look around the human clothing section, amazed at the absolute range of these lads. He admired the traditional mask of Onis, Devils, and Demons that humans made.
When he turned around after he felt your hand on his shoulder he jumped a little at the strange horse mask you were wearing, before letting out a hearty laugh. “Oh my god they have Hot Topic and Spirit Halloween stuff here, come on you have to check these out” You both tried on mask after mask, hat after ridiculous hat, not taking anything seriously at all. Dressing up as dumb abominations and mocking them. It felt nice.
It wasn’t soon where it was getting late, and you opened up a manhole in the corner of the store to take a shortcut through the labyrinth with him. You pulled out some leftovers (mainly pickles from Diavolo) that you left aside on purpose. Diavolo didn’t understand why you ordered an extra sandwich but quickly understood with the rats that soon came up to you. You held your hand out letting them hop on your shoulder.
Diavolo watched how soft you looked, offering parts of the sandwiches to them. At some point you leaned down, picking a big raccoon and treating it like a baby. How can you still look cute when you have a feral forbidden cat with hands in your arms? “This is Meatloaf, that’s Tater-Tot, this is Maurice, that one over there is Malakai: Devourer of Worlds…” Diavolo laughed and continued to listen to your introductions, even letting him name or rename some of the newer rats. He never thought that you could make such a dreary and unnerving place so welcoming. Especially when you say “Wait, wait, hold on bro, you don’t understand man, I HAVE to pet this squirrel, wait bro please-”
Once you came out of the manhole, you were pretty much in front of the palace. “See, you all bully me for using the manhole all the time, but it’s convenient!” You chuckled and pulled him up, leaning on him as you both walked to the palace. Maybe you should make one more stop?
"Hold on, the stars are coming out…” He didn’t want to leave either. You both walked into the gardens, sitting down on a bench. He looked at your face, staring up at the stars. “We don’t have many stars in the human realm cause of light pollution. I’m jealous.” “Is that so?” You nodded, looking over at him. “Hmm. Your eyes are very pretty. Like gold... So intense…” Diavolo felt himself blush at your comment and even more as you gazed at him lovingly.
Diavolo gazed at you, trying out an intense voice “My eyes are nothing compared to your beauty…” Diavolo felt a small smile creeping up to his lips. He didn’t feel too shy anymore. You laughed. “Oh my god, you are such a dork!” You snorted and laughed harder with him. Both breathless, letting out some deep breaths from the laughter.
You glanced at him, and he locked eyes with you. “Heh… Come here, Dia…” You cupped your hand on his cheek, holding his chin. You smiled at him and you pulled him for a surprisingly chaste kiss. It wasn’t enough. The second you tried to pull away, Diavolo deepened it, wrapping his arms around your shoulders. You pulled away, “Tch.. my my, at least take me out to dinner first.” “We just had dinner.” “Touche”
You both chuckled, leaning into each other before you had to leave for the night. You pulled away and started to get up. “That time huh? Let’s do this again sometime.” Diavolo’s smile dropped a bit, he reached out, standing up and holding your hand. “Will you stay the night? I know it’s selfish but I don’t want to say goodbye yet.” How could you say no?
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thoughtsandbones · 6 months
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A cranium full of tea and coffee
Pairing: Simon 'Ghost' Riley x F!Cafe Reader
Synopsis: Ghost takes a trip to a cafe out of town and meets a curious young lady and bond over books.
Warnings: Fluff basically, slightly OOC Ghost.
Song inspo: Baba O' Riley - The Who, Asleep - The Smith, With You - AP Dhillon, Wise Enough - Lamb and Excuses - AP Dhillon
A/N: (Discovered AP Dhillon a few weeks ago, because I have a bad habit of listening to songs/bands I already know...) SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL COFFEE SHOPS!!
(Reader is wearing glasses cos who doesn't love glasses...? Also I assume my reader is South Asian because there is a lack of South Asian representation for COD fanfics sorry not sorry)
MASTERLIST
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It was quiet rainy Thursday afternoon in the the small town centre of Maidsfield. Ghost had the next seven days off and he was already bored out of his mind in his flat in London that he decided to take a train to a nearby town centre, Maidsfield, on the outskirts of London.
As he sat on the train he pulled out a book from his rucksack, flicking through the pages. His firm fingers ran over the bumps of the illustration on his new hardback copy of Stephen King's Salem's Lot.
Ghost hated the hustle and bustle of London cafes. All full of business folk, rushing in and out, talking too loudly on their mobiles, hosting noisy meetings next to him.
Office folk should stick to the office he remarked to himself the one and only time he went to a chain cafe in central London when a bunch suits sat next to him cackling over their espressos. When he looked up from his book he caught one the suits staring at him, giving him an odd look. Of course Ghost was wearing his signature skull balaclava, which often meant every day folks staring at him with odd looks.
Ghost returned the book in his backpack and sighed heavily, hitting his head back on the headrest of his seat. The carriage he sat in was virtually empty. He looked behind him as the train pulled to a stop and the other passenger got off. Ghost took this opportunity to go the toilet and switch from his regular skull balaclava to a black face mask the covered his nose and mouth, leaving the top of his head bare.
Before placing the mask on, Simon quickly brushed out his messy light brown hair so it was somewhat neat. He didn't wear any black paint today, partially because he forget his standard paint at base and also thought he'd give his skin a break today. Giving a final glance at himself in the small mirror he sighed again and raised his eyebrow at his reflection.
Simon left the toilet, and swung his backpack over his right shoulder, and stood by the doors as the train reached his stop. When the doors opened, he stepped out and pulled up his hoodie to combat the rain.
Walking out the station, Simon stood momentarily to the side. He realised he had to no idea where he was going in this new town. This was quite unusual for Simon, always a man prepared for anything and everything, especially on the battlefield. But this was not the battlefield. For the next seven days he had to acclimatise to civilian life.
Coffee shop sprung into his mind at last, and he walked down the road past various hurrying from shop to shop, trying to shield themselves from the onslaught of rain that came battering down.
Simon didn't mind the rain, he was strangely comforting to him, but as it became heavier he soon realised he had to find refuge in a warm cafe.
A chain coffee shop was just on his right, Simon glanced into the shop and saw that it was very busy, partially full of suits.
Fuck chain coffee shops he thought and walked on down further into the town. Simon was determined to find a small cafe that was not too busy.
Turning right down a small alleyway, Simon walked down the cobblestones pathway and noticed a coffee shop that drew him in instantly, Cerebrum Coffee Potions, which had a logo underneath of a white skull with a snake wrapped around the base.
Simon walked in and saw that it was virtually empty
"Afternoon!" Said the lady behind the counter who working behind the coffee machine
"Afternoo'" Simon said, shaking off the rain that drenched his jacket.
He noticed on the side a winding staircase that led upstairs. He took in the cafe, the various gothic art in black frames and antique tables and chairs adorned the bottom floor.
"Bit wet outside?" The lady said laughing slightly at Simon's drenched jacket and hood that covered his damp hair.
"Just a bit" Simon said, forcing a chuckle moving over to the till, gazing at the menu behind.
"What can I get you?" the lady said wiping her hands on her apron.
"Tea, Earl Grey please" He said and the lady typed away on the tablet. Simon gazed again at the winding staircase.
"There's space upstairs if you'd life" The lady said, noticing Simon's wondering eyes.
"Cheers" He said, returning to look at the total amount on the card machine.
"That's £2.30 please" She said, Simon pulled out his card and tapped it against the machine.
"Wonderful, I'll bring it up to" She said
"Thanks" Simon said, and made his way up the staircase, the walls were also decorated with more artwork of various skulls, both human and animal, woven with flowers or snakes.
As Simon reached the first floor, he noticed a younger woman, wearing a black hoodie, blue jeans with bright pink boots, sitting in the corner typing away on her laptop. Tortoise shell glasses framed your face that moved as your scrunched your nose. You looked up at Simon, who moved to the table in the opposite corner.
You smiled briefly as you locked eyes with him, Simon nodded back as he took a seat. Returning to typing, Simon pulled out his book and placed it on the table as he took his wet jacket off and placed it on the chair next time.
His eyes wondered at the antique coffee machine opposite him, serving as a condiment table. So far, he felt comfortable and relaxed compared to the chain coffee shops that had previously been in.
The barista came up the stairs holding a tray and placed it on the table where Simon sat.
"Anything else I can get you?" She asked him
"No, all good thanks" Simon said, moving the tray close to him and taking the black teapot, white teacup and saucer off and setting it to the side.
The barista smiled and walked over to the other lady in the corner.
"R/n, how's the report going?" She asked
You looked up with a disappointed look, pouting your full lips at the barista.
"Awful Jane" You sighed "Only so many times I can say experiment didn't work out well due to lack of time" You continued
"Awh, well I'm sure your supervisor will understand" Jane replied giving a smile.
"Hmm, hope so" You said smiling before returning to her laptop.
Simon watched as the barista walked back down the winding stairs, before pouring his tea in the cup, where he noticed there was also a skull embossed in black on the side.
I like this place so far Simon thought to himself as he poured the tea into his cup, placing one sugar cube, taking the vintage spoon stirring the hot dark amber liquid before adding a dash of milk.
He gazed at the lady in the corner again, who was making funny faces at her laptop as she typed with fervor, leaning closer and closer to her screen.
After he was sure that she wouldn't look, Simon took off his mask and took a sip of his tea. The taste of bergamont slid over his tongue, mixed with the sweetness of sugar. The warmth soothed his cold shoulders as he took another sip.
"Ahhh" Simon moaned aloud, he looked up briefly to see if you had noticed, yet you were still typing away, one eyebrow raised and only inches away from the screen of your laptop. Stopping momentarily, you rest your head on your left hand, with your pinky finger you slide your glasses up your nose bridge.
A part of him wanted to say 'Any closer and you'd be in your laptop' but he held his tongue. He opened his book and began re-reading the first chapter of his new hardback.
You sighed heavily and withdrew from your laptop, you leant so far back that your head hit the white brick wall behind you. Your skull bounced softly. Confusion struck you. You hit your head again on the white brick wall, and your skull bounced again.
Simon looked up curiously as you repeated the move, eyes bewildered as you knocked your head again.
Why is the wall so soft? You thought, whacking your head a bit harder this time, and then repeated the motion a few more times, staring blankly at the red walls in front of you. Withdrawing your hands from the keyboard of the laptop you touch the brick wall, as you pressed against it, felt it was soft slightly.
Of course it's a fake brick wall... You conclude, bouncing your skull again. You look over at the man in the corner, who was staring at you with his bright blue eyes in confusion. Your eyes widened as you realised you were not alone... The man in the corner had locked his eyes on you, you noticed his
"Ah sorry" You laugh nervously "It's a fake brick wall" you add smiling at him and touching and pointing to the wall behind you.
Simon was taken aback by that smile, that showed dimples in your cheeks.
"S'alrigh'" He said before returning to his book, smiling under his mask. Returning his focus back to the book, but his eyes flickered back to you.
Picking up the cup, Simon took another sip, taking pleasure in the sweet hot tea, he turned the pages of his book, fingers tracing the edges of the next page as he read on.
You got up from your table and went downstairs, grabbing another coffee from Jane. As you made you way up the stairs, you noticed that the man was reading a Stephen King book from the bold font on the spine.
"Stephen King fan huh?" You blurt as you caught eyes with the man again.
Simon cleared his throat "Yeah" he said closing the book, showing the cover.
"Salem's Lot!" You say grinning at him "I like Carrie, got a signed copy when he came into town last year at Page Stoner"
Simon leaned back in his chair, wonder captivated him.
Finally, someone who also likes Stephen King he thought, reminiscing the time he tried to get Johnny to read this book, but refused stating he hated anything to do with horror.
"Carrie is a good one" he said moving his hand from the table and resting it on the edge of the empty wooden chair next to him.
"Did you go to Page Stoner to see him?" You asked, taking a sip of coffee, still standing near his table.
Simon was confused, Page Stoner?
"Ergh no, I'm not from here" He said
"Ahhh" You sigh, "Where do you hail from then?"
"London" Simon said, not telling the whole truth "Wanna sit down?" He added motioning to the chair opposite him.
"Sure" You said smiling, setting down your coffee on his table "Let me just pack my things" You said, realising that you left your stuff unattended.
Simon watch you sit in the chair opposite, taking another sip of coffee.
"What's your name?" You ask
"Simon" He replied
"Nice, I'm R/n" you say, smiling again brightly
"Nice to meet you R/n" Simon said, admiring the dimples in your cheeks.
"So what do you do for a living?" You ask
Simon looked down at his half empty cup. He knew this was dangerous territory and didn't want to give too much away.
"Army" He said, blue eyes meeting yours.
"Ahh, Royal Marine?" You guess, judging by his muscular and tall build.
"Can't say" He murmured, taking his mask off, so he could take another sip of his tea.
"Oh sorry, I didn't mean to pry" You said, looking down at your cup of coffee, briefly looking at his face, you saw a glimpse of several scars over his lower jaw and over his nose.
"It's okay" Simon replied "How about you?" He asked placing his mask back on.
"Student, studying a masters in chemistry at UCL" you say "But I live here, commute to university"
"Nice" Simon said, looking down at his cup, observing you as you took another sip.
"How's your tea?" You ask
"Best Early grey I've had" Simon chuckled, tapping the edge of his cup with his right hand.
"This coffee shop is great. Better than those shitty chain stores"
"Indeed" Simon agreed with you.
"You like any other Stephen King books?" He asked, clearing his throat again.
"Yeah, I love IT and The Shining" You say, remembering you had a copy of The Shining in your bag, pulling it out to show Simon.
Simon took ahold of the book, flicking through the worn pages, clearly read many times.
"Didn't get this signed then?" He said, opening the first page of the book.
"Nah, was only allowed to get one copy signed..." You said remembering the look on Stephen King's face when you brought five of his books with you to the signing.
"Did you try and get more than one book signed?" Simon asked, grinning under his mask.
"Yeah..." You said, guilt flooded your face, cheeks turning slightly pink.
The rain outside pounded against the window where they sat, you look out, eyes trailing the raindrops running down the glass. Thunder bellowed outside. Perfect weather to be inside.
"Good thing you settled with Carrie" He said, setting his eyes again on you.
"Hmm" You smile in agreement
"I haven't read The Shining..." Simon started, staring back down at your copy, running his forefinger against the creases of the worn spine.
A grin appeared on your face as your eyes met. Simon saw your deep doe eyes glisten slightly.
Was this guy flirting..? You ponder,
"I haven't read Salem's Lot.." You replied, grinning mischievously.
"Want to do a swap?" Simon suggested
What are you doin'? A little voice spoke up in his head
"I'd love to" You say beaming at him.
Simon took in your big smile, that it made your dimples even deeper which caused a warmth to spread across his chest.
"Any chance you have a pen?" He said without thinking
Don't do it the little voice whispered again in his head
"Sure" You say, reaching for you rucksack, and taking out a pen from the outside pocket and handing it to Simon.
Simon grabbed a clean napkin from the tray and wrote his number down, his fingers went numb slightly as he hurriedly finished the last four digits.
"If you're in London the next few days, we should meet up" He said, handing the napkin over to you.
Taking the napkin, you fingers graze his for a moment, Simon ran his fingers against yours, a sharp zing simmered from his fingertips, up his arm to his chest, he quickly retracted his hand before temptation grew to hold your hand in its entirety.
The stairs creaked as Jane the barista came up, stopping just at the top.
"Sorry, guys, I'm about to close" She said
"Ah shit, it's 4:30 already?" You say bewildered checking your watch.
"Yep, times flies eh!" Jane said as she made her way back down.
Both you and Simon began to pack your belongings, Simon handed Salem's Lot over to you, and he placed your copy of The Shining in his bag and slung it over his shoulder.
"You heading home now?" You ask
"Yeah, train station actually." He replied
You nod at him and then peer out the window, it was still raining. You notice his jacket was slightly damp still. Your heart fluttered a bit, as you thought about offering to walk with him... He seemed so enticing and it was actually great to meet another avid reader of Stephen King.
Pulling out an umbrella from your backpack you hold out to Simon
"Think you might need this" laughing slightly as you motion to his damp jacket with the umbrella
Simon chuckled and moved closer to you, peering down at your slim frame and then looked out at the ever persistent rain outside.
"Think we both need it" He said raising his left eyebrow and then motioned with his head.
"Guess we'll have to share it then" You say smiling
"I'd like that" Simon said, gesturing you to go first down the stairs.
Once outside, you opened the umbrella, Simon took ahold of it, placing his hand briefly on your back as you both walked away from the coffee shop. You were quite surprised at how tall he actually was when you stood beside him. Together you walked down the wet cobblestones towards the train station.
Simon looked down at you and smiled under his mask. Today, he was grateful that he hated chain coffee shops, because it meant he met someone sweet like you.
80 notes · View notes
lale-txt · 2 years
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✂️ One Piece characters and their recent search history (pt. 1/?) ➳ w/ Ace, Roger, Law, Shanks, Whitebeard, Sabo, Sanji & Kid
➳ pt. 2 w/ Marco, Doflamingo, Smoker, Nami, Zoro, Garp, Kaido & Killer
a/n: you know how intimate your recent search history can be, right? it's like a micro character study and i think that's beautiful.
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Ace
“daddy issues help”
“does loving a bird make me furry”
“where to buy weed on Grand Line”
“i love my 1.600 brothers bumper sticker”
“restraining order against my father and his partners”
“chaps with flame pattern”
“WikiHow roll a weed”
“giant scam on Grand Line”
“can u smoke Basil”
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Roger
“gentle parenting methods”
“my son hates me help”
“Grand Line polycule”
“Silvers Rayleigh OnlyFans”
“Monkey D. Garp OnlyFans”
“Road Poneglyphs scans leaked”
“dilf maid cafe application”
“cool patterns for trimming your bush”
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Law
“AITA for misuse of devil fruit”
“hot topic new collection”
“best concealer against dark circles”
“alliance meaning”
“GoFundMe bread ban”
“is it gay to steal 100 hearts” 
“lint roller giant pack polar bear hair”
“tattoo on ass cheek pain scale”
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Shanks
“how not to pay child support”
“alimonies help when broke”
“am i a deadbeat test”
“how to change pirate crew name”
“shower how often”
“20-in-1 shower gel maxi pack”
“ugliest pants where to buy”
“fashion faux-pas Grand Line 2022”
“Dracule Mihawk book of poems release date”
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Whitebeard
“how many sons too many”
“how to adopt son from your rival”
“son bites what do”
“sexy nurse uniforms”
“honk if you love dilfs bumper sticker”
“dilf to gilf when”
“lube big pack groupon”
“dick appointment urban dictionary”
“silly little meow meow meaning”
“why does date call me babygirl”
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Sabo
“why capitalism bad”
“dragon claw skull kink”
“burgoisy”
“borgoysie”
“bourgeoisie spelling”
“hot [redacted]”
“how to [redacted]”
“[redacted]”
“how to apply becoming a dilf”
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Sanji
“All Blue where”
“best feminist pick-up lines RESPECTFUL”
“zoro x reader smut”
“am i gay test”
“how to come out to your crewmates”
“cheese of the year”
“how to end nose bleed before it ends me”
“best playlist to kiss boys, girls, theys and gays to”
“bi disaster booty shorts”
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Kid
“best kiss-proof lipstick in shade of my enemy's blood”
“diy glitter grenade kit”
“am i Florida man test”
“is it gay to brush your first mate’s hair”
“how to become pirate king”
“why do i need a plan b in life”
“how to become beauty influencer”
“cool names for a boat”
“list of cool one-armed redheads”
“breaking bones ASMR”
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xmy-love-to-youx · 10 months
Text
What if...
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Pairing: Leon Kennedy x reader
Summary: Leon dreams of a better life and its within reach but he can't afford to corrupt an innocent
Warning: Light angst
Leon is in a loop. After Raccoon City, he entered a loop. A loop he can't break... He could if he wanted to. If he allowed himself too.
His eyes slowly opens, the dark gloomy skies, snow gentle falls from the sky with a long slow fall then it touches the ground. It's the middle of winter and it makes the blonde think of warmer days.
His mind wonders to days where he could walk to the Cafe.
The Cafe he visits every day, he practically knows the menu by heart now. He knows the price of everything, the names of the workers and their moods. Just like his lifestyle, his coffee is the same, dark and plain.
His in a loop...
Leon throws the blankets off him and was greeted by the cold air, sending a shiver down his spine. The house is cold and quiet. He sat up with a groan.
He hates winter. He hates the cold.
With a heavy sigh, he forced himself to stand up and wash himself. The warm embrace of the shower water made him nearly relax. Nearly.
It wasn't long till Leon clothed himself, wearing only the warmest clothes he could find to protect himself from brutal cold. Leon slowly made his way to his car.
Hopefully a short trip to the Cafe will cheer him up. It always does.
He hopped in his car and drove off, the snow continued to fall, the road is full of cars, people on thier way to work.
Leon could see the Cafe, the bright light shining through the windows, it was like heaven to him. A safe haven. A place where he could forget about everything, forget about his job, forget about his life.
Leon couldn't wait to get inside and once he did, he instantly relaxed, a soft smile on his face, his eye light up with joy. The Cafe was warm and the rich smell of coffee fills the air.
There weren't a lot of people in the Cafe, a few sat and drank thier warm beverages and a few waited for thier coffee.
"Hello Leon!" a chirpy voice said.
Leon's heart starts racing, adrenaline pumps through his veins, his paralyzed for a moment, that voice that haunts him.
"The usual?" the voice pulls him out of his thoughts.
"Um. Yes and one of your chocolate donuts please?" Leon replied and his eyes wonders to the beautiful chocolate glazed donuts. The donuts were second best thing about the Cafe.
"Oh! Okay, sure. Someone's being a little adventurous today!" a giggle was heard.
That giggle were like music to his ears, better than music itself. He couldn't help but feel warm on the inside, the butterflies in his stomach intensives and his palms were sweaty.
Yes its possible...
Leon Scott Kennedy. Survivor of Raccoon City. Agent of the DSO. The man that the President trusts dearly. The king of one liners and few words. The man who has witnessed things that could make anyone's blood run cold. The man who doesn't hesitate in combat and has nerves of steel, is in love.
The woman who stole his heart is Y/N Y/L/N, a sweet woman who works behind the counter with a bright smile. Her smile is enough to brighten anyone's mood.
Leon watches her as she prepares his coffee. The way she moves, it's quick and light. Leon preferred that Y/N make him coffee every day, to him, your coffee was always the best.
Leon has faced deadly monsters and has near death experiences, in his line of work difficult decisions are bound to happen but facing the bright and happy Y/N has to be the most difficult thing. He has to work up the strong to talk to you and to avoid embarrassing himself in front of someone like you. Someone so beautiful. It bizarre. He hasn't realized that he had fallen for you so hard, it's undeniable. He craves your attention but can't seem to work up the courage to ask you out.
"Is that all Mr Kennedy?" Y/N looks at with her bright eyes and even brighter smile.
Leon swears his heart stopped beating when she called him Mr Kennedy, his cheeks blushes a soft red. Unable to speak, he nods his head. His hand reaches in his pocket and grabs his wallet, he pulls out a 2 dollar bill and gives it to her.
For a moment, Y/N's fingers touches his hand. The soft delicate touch of her fingers against his, sent him to heaven. It's euphoric. He could only imagine what it's like to feel her fingers on his skin.
In Leon's eyes, you are his little angel. So innocent and sweet to him. Your smile can brighten the hardest days in his life, being in your presence can chase away every single nightmare he had.
"Thanks" he takes the coffee and donut.
"Hm? Leon?" Y/N smiles at me.
"Yes?" I answered.
"Why don't you stay for a bit? It cold outside and you barely stay to drink your coffee" Y/N tilts her head with a smile.
"You've been watching me. Stalker" I joked with a playful smile.
The cutest giggle erupts from her, a cute blush on her cheeks.
"Whatever. Just stay for a bit" She smiles.
"Sure" I smile.
After our exchange, I sat down at one of the tables by the window, the light of the Cafe bounces off my car, the snow covers the ground and form a thin sheet of snow on the rooftops of the cars and buildings.
Y/N has a way of making the burden on my shoulders feel lighter. Much lighter. My life is dark, depressing and cold but with Y/N, things can change, my days will be brighter and happier...
But...
With my life, I'll be put her in danger. I can't allow that. So for now I'll just keep pondering 'what if...'
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eardefenders · 3 months
Text
Sherlock & Co Locations
Location, location, location. Are you like me and not a native Londoner? Are you also like me wondering how to visualize a place or, perhaps more importantly, how long does it take to get from 221B to the various locations and how much they're spending on tube fare?
Well then look no further! This is my masterpost with links to each location described in detail in each post made on those locations. Each post gives a bit about how far from 221B it's located (depending on travel method), how much it likely cost them to get there, photos of the location, and a bit of the location's history.
Every time we get a new locale I'll add a post and link it here. :) Lmk if I miss any and I'll add them. If you see a location and it has no link then either the link broke or I haven't made the post yet, but logged the location.
Cheers!
The Criterion Bar
221B Baker Street
Brixton
The Volunteer Pub & Restaurant
Regent's Park
Hampstead
Thor Bridge (Upney Ln)
Walthamstow (Morgue)
King George's Hospital
Barking/North Barking
Fortnum & Mason
Paddington Station
Hilton Green/Chatham
Berlin (John's Vacay Spot with The Boys)
Heathrow Airport
Hotel Cosmopolitan
Bailey's Street
Shoreditch
King's Road
Chelsey
44 Cross St., Croydon
Chiswick Flyover
The Fox (the swinger's pub)
Hanwell/Ealing/West London
Islington Tunnel
Eltham
Blackheath Common
"GAIL'S Bakery"
The Strand
'Saxe-Coburg Square'
Pinewood Studios
Embankment
Charing Cross
Opera House (?)
Barking Station
Walthamstow
Waterloo Bridge
Bank of England Museum
Camden Town
Living Room Club Cafe
'Gloria Scott' (Oil Rigs)
Ramack/Kosovo
St Dunstan
Little Venice
Satalfields
Brick Lane
Neal's Yard
South Kensington (Ice Rink)
25 notes · View notes
Text
CFWC F/AotW - Feb 11 - 17, 2024
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✒️= Fanfic | 📱= Text Fics/Edits | 🎨 = Fanart Ⓜ️ = Mature Content 18+ | 🔥 = Explicit/NSFW 18+ 🏳️‍🌈 = LGBTQIA | 💘 Valentine's Day 🔹Submitted by creator
AMERICAS MOST ELIGIBLE
Derek Taylor x F!MC Fanart 🎨by @lilyoffandoms for @tveitertotwrites
BLADES OF LIGHT AND SHADOW
Aerin Valleros x F!MC Fanart 🎨by @erixadraws
Happy Valentine's Day 🎨💘 | Aerin Valleros x f!human!mc - @artbyalz
Maiele Nightbloom Fanart 🎨🔹| BOLAS elf!MC by @storyofmychoices for @lilyoffandoms
Mal Volari x F!MC Fanart 🎨💘🔹by @cammarada (C: @storyofmychoices)
A Whitetower Festival of Friendship & Love ✒️🔹| Mal Volari x MC - @dutifullynuttywitch
Woven Threads and Winding Roads ✒️🔹| Tyril Starfury x f!human!mc - @aria-ashryver for @thosehallowedhalls
BLOODBOUND
By Any Other Name ✒️💘🏳️‍🌈🔹| Kamilah Sayeed x F!MC - @thosehallowedhalls for @vampirkit
First Birthday ✒️| Adrian Raines x f!MC - @mynotsohealthyobsession
CRIMES OF PASSION
CoP Full F/AotW List Week Ending Feb. 17, 2024
THE CURSED HEART
Kieran x MC Fanart 🎨🔹by @gaiuskamilah for @lilyoffandoms
DESIRE AND DECORUM
Whimsical Walks and Poetic Talks ✒️🎨🔹| Ernest Sinclaire x F!MC - @storyofmychoices for @oh-so-youre-a-nerd
DISTANT SHORES
Distant Shores: An Alternate Path ✒️🔹| f!Charlie Smith x M!MC - @korgbelmont
THE FRESHMAN SERIES
Happy Valentine's, Hater ✒️💘| TFS MC - @choicesmc
Zig Ortega x F!MC Fanart 🎨🔹by @/artsbymena (C: @choiceswithmika)
HIGH SCHOOL STORY
Aiden Zhou Fanart 🎨 by @lilyoffandoms for @cadybear420
Rolling on Forward ✒️🏳️‍🌈 🔹| Aiden Zhou x NB!MC - @cadybear420
HOLLYWOOD U
Cafe Whispers & Scone Kisses ✒️🏳️‍🌈🔹| Addison Sinclair x F!MC - @storyofmychoices
IT LIVES IN THE WOODS
A New Chapter: A Valentine's Day Special ✒️💘 🔹| Stacy Green x M!MC - @korgbelmont
LAWS OF ATTRACTION
Dancing Queen ✒️🏳️‍🌈🔹| Original Characters - @aces-and-angels
Date Night🎨🏳️‍🌈💘 🔹| Gabe Ricci x M!MC - @choicesmc
Guess Where Magnus is From 🎨| Original Characters - @oh-so-youre-a-nerd
LOA OCs Fanart 🎨🏳️‍🌈by @oh-so-youre-a-nerd
That Place ✒️🏳️‍🌈Beau McGraw, Wind (NB!MC) - @oh-so-youre-a-nerd
The Tarmin Awdernviel Gala 🎨🏳️‍🌈| Multiple Characters by @oh-so-youre-a-nerd
Wind Fanart 🎨🏳️‍🌈🔹| LOA NB!MC - @storyofmychoices for @oh-so-youre-a-nerd
MURDER AT HOMECOMING
Let Me Be Your Valentine, St. Valentine ✒️🎨🏳️‍🌈 💘 🔹| Donovan Navarro x/& NB!MC - @aallotarenunelma
OPEN HEART
Open Heart F/AotW Full Listing Week Ending Feb. 17, 2024
PERFECT MATCH
Sloane Washington Fanart 🎨by @sazanes
Sloane Washington Pajamas 🎨 by @sazanes
Sloane Washington Valentine's Day 🎨 by @sazanes
Sloane Washington x F!Hayden Young Fanart 🎨🏳️‍🌈by @sazanes
Women in STEM/Girl Power! 🎨| Sloane Washington - @cassiopeaicorvus
Written in the Stars 🎨| Sloane Washington - @cassiopeaicorvus
Written in the Stars: Queen Star 🎨| Slaone Washington - @sazanes
THE ROYAL ROMANCE
Cordonian Karaoke: Hana Take 3✒️🏳️‍🌈🔹| Hana Lee x MC, Drake Walker x MC - @angelasscribbles
Goodbyes Are the Hardest ✒️| Liam Rys x MC - @silvermillenniumqueenneptune
Marabelle: The Game of Kings ✒️💘🔹| Liam Rys x F!MC - @tessa-liam
My Lonely Valentine: The Agreement ✒️💘Ⓜ️ 🔥🔹| Liam Rys x MC - @angelasscribbles
Round Robin Chapter 1: Welcome ✒️🔹- @angelasscribbles
WISHFUL THINKING
Anna Koishi x F!MC Fanart 🎨🏳️‍🌈 by @lilyoffandoms for @noesapphic
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voidnoidoid · 4 months
Text
Thoughts on Weak Hero's Ending
Weak Hero ended a few weeks ago, and I took some time to process the ending after I read it. Overall, I think it was a great ending to such a wonderfully written series.
I like how things were mostly wrapped up, but left as an open ending. I appreciate how the Union, although mostly defunct, is being kept somewhat alive by Kingsley, who can't accept that Donald is truly gone and that the Union is over. I might write a more detailed Kingsley analysis, but it's interesting how Kingsley, as Donald's right hand man, never fully understood Donald. He placed him on a pedestal and deified him. He did care about him, the most out of everyone, but it is still sad how he got so caught up in making Donald king that he failed to recognise how Donald's rapid ascension and ceaseless violence was a cry for help.
Jake being the one to recognise Donald's true feelings is rather apt. I haven't thought much about his character (as is not fully analysed) but I think he's much more complex than he lets on. He's in a similar situation to both Ben and Donald I think, that being both Ben and Jake are the leaders of their schools, they just want to hang out with their friends and have fun, both shoulder the burden of being the strongest of their schools alone... It's just that Jake has a darkness within him that led him to join the Union. He has an inner bloodlust, one that he recognises in Gray. Jake is very perceptive of others emotional state, so it's no wonder he could correctly guess how Donald was feeling, given that he's one of Donald's most reliable officers.
I'll have to update my Donald analysis soon, because of the revelation that Donald willingly put himself in danger, running in the road screaming for Gray to fight him again. I think on one hand, Donald wanted that connection he felt with Gray again, as well as desiring gray to defeat him. But also I think he felt like death was the only escape left, hence the panel where he had a resigned and accepting expression as the truck neared him. As if he was waiting for his end.
I'm sure the Union will dissolve soon despite Kingsley's efforts. Wolf and Jake have left, and maybe Forrest and Jimmy too. I also like how Jimmy's character arc closed off, with him admitting that all he wanted was to be acknowledged by Donald.
Now then, let's go over to the Eunjang kids!
Although they lost the fight, they won the war. Losing meant they didn't have to bear the burden of being the strongest. Though they may face some fights in the future due to the resulting power gap left in Donald's wake. But that's a story for another time.
Eugene woke up and is happy and well! I really love how despite Eugene thinking he didn't contribute much to the fight, all his friends comforted him and reassured him of his major role thanks to his light controlling device! Yay Eugene appreciation!
Unfortunately Gray was deeply affected by Donald's death and entered a spiral of self guilt... the scene with his reflection mocking him hurt to read. Thankfully his friends were by his side to ground him. Gray really does have a kind heart after all.
Finally, Stephen and Gray meet again! I like the reintroduction of Jeremy, and that he remains a good friend of Gray by telling him Stephen is okay! His reactions to Gray being the White Mamba was so funny to read. I can't express how happy I was to see that not only was Stephen still alive, also that he's all better and working part time at a cafe! Gray's monologue at the end was so touching, and im glad he was able to greet his most treasured friend with a big smile.
I really wanted a Stephen and gray epilogue where they interact, but I do like the happy open ending. I think Stephen would be so happy for Gray and he'd fit right in with the eunjang kids! I guess that's what fan fiction is for lol. (sorry for the lack of weaktober writing... ill try to write something.)
I kinda wish some side characters had more cameos, like Toby, Lily and Julia, but their arcs were wrapped up relatively well too.
That sums up my overall thoughts on Weak Hero's conclusion!
Thank you to Seopass and Razen for creating a wonderful story!
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Shadowgast Recs: Featuring Cats
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This week, we have a dozen mostly-fluffy fics that feature Caleb and Essek's cats - sometimes Frumpkin, sometimes the ones that come after. Dig in after the cut - and as always, if you liked them, don't be afraid to kudos and comment!
You don’t understand, we don’t hold hands. by comradeartemis (1435,Teen) Warnings: none
In a modern AU, Caleb and Essek are teachers and Frumpkin has a habit of showing up on zoom
Reccer says: It's very cute!
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On our own time, in our own way by royalgreen (allyoop) (1576,Teen) Warnings: none
Essek learns about New Years wedding traditions. Essek then panics.
Reccer says: It's extremely cute and fluffy
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(Do I wanna know?) If this feelin' flows both ways? by Criticalpancake (17758,Mature) Warnings: none
Caleb and Essek go from friends with benefits to something more with the help of Frumpkin
Reccer says: It's a soft, very pleasant Modern AU set in the post-97 feeling of being attracted to each other but not sure where they stand - and both are more comfortable showing affection to the cats than other people
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Herding Cats by roundandtalented (3258,General) Warnings: none
Essek keeps on bringing home cats, for a very loose definition of cats
Reccer says: It's sweet and soft and there's a little bit of humor
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a piece of me that's always somehwere else by essektheylyss (midnightindigo) (4718,Teen) Warnings: None
The small black cat that Caleb has taken in does not like Essek, until he very much so does.
Reccer says: Very sweet and fluffy, with just enough of a hint of angst to make it tasty
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Familiar by Timbrene (8793,Teen) Warnings: none
Essek's interactions with Frumpkin, before and after the campaign
Reccer says: There's a lot of touching descriptions of Essek learning about cats, interspersed with a lot of yearning
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A King in Cat's Clothes by royalgreen (allyoop) (1544,Teen) Warnings: No warnings
Caleb owns a cat cafe, and Frumpkin is very suspicious of Caleb's new friend.
Reccer says: Frumpkin's POV is amazing and hilarious. Frumpkin does not forgive and does not forget, even though Caleb and Essek are well on their way to becoming soft domestic boyfriends.
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Troublemaker by SaltCore (1309,General) Warnings: none
Essek deals with an unruly kitten. Caleb is smitten.
Reccer says: It feels extremely true to life and all the more adorable for it.
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Smoke Sting, Strangled Pulse by thetickingclock (783,Teen) Warnings: Major Character Death, Lifespan Angst
Two different castings of Find Familiar
Reccer says: It's a short piece, and little bittersweet, but it's very evocative
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a healer’s gift by toneofjoy (7280,General) Warnings: None
When one of Caleb’s cats falls suddenly ill, he seeks help from a druid healer.
Reccer says: This is a cat owner’s dream. It will make you want to give your cat a smooch and maybe cry into their fur, in a good way.
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Traveling Elf AMBUSHED by WILD BEASTS by Professor_Rye (2709,General) Warnings: none
Based on a certain cute video, Essek finds himself targetted by a number of stray cats on the side of the road
Reccer says: It's tooth-rottingly sweet. Just completely adorable
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In the Cat’s Tongue by Interrobang (1367,General) Warnings: None
Caleb gets a magic item that lets him cast speak with animals. He learns secrets from the cats.
Reccer says: I commissioned this and it definitely exceeded expectations! It’s SO sweet, and it’s funny, and it’s like a heated blanket on a cold day. This is definitely every pet owner’s wish fulfillment fic.
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Aeor is for Lovers is an 18+ Shadowgast Discord server. The above fanfic recommendations were pulled from our community for this weekly event. All fics, unless otherwise specified, will primarily feature Shadowgast. And hey! Don’t forget to leave comments and kudos for the lovely authors!
Have any questions about what this is? Check out the FAQ! Next week’s theme is going to feature a number of Essiks - pre episode 97 fic!
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gofancyninjaworld · 11 months
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OPM Manga Update 230 Review: Updates
Summary
This is the sort of chapter we've not had in too long: the sort that zips along, catching us up on what's been happening. Finally, the long, dark nightmare of Tatsumaki's tantrum begins to fade. (No, it's not that it's that bad, but 2 chapters would have been plenty).
We start with Flashy Flash trying to find God. No, Manako, who's the next best thing to God. By asking monsters. He's getting nowhere fast, which is anathema to our speedster so he decides to enlist Saitama's help, after he polishes him up. Because what Saitama truly needs in his life is a random drop-in master.
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Anyway, on we go. Much less inflated, in both ego and body, we have Tank Top Master. He has finally worked off the fat (phat?) boost that Fubuki gave him. He misses the strength it came with but the rest of the gym like s him back to his old shape. Speaking of the reset, there aren't many Tank Toppers left: many have retired in the wake of the Monster Association showdown. Tank Top Rockabilly starts to curse their cowardice, but Tank Top Master stops him, pointing out that what mattered were those who still showed up. Besides he had a feeling about tank tops -- and on cue, three C-Class heroes come in to sign up as new recruits.
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Also in a gym but much less happily, we see Super Alloy Darkshine trying to do what he's done so many times before: work off his insecurity. It isn't doing much for him, and, as he peels off his shirt, we see the livid scars left on his torso and hands. He reflects that he simply cannot quell the fear he feels at the rethought of fighting again. We close out this scene with Captain Mizuki watching him with concern.
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The camera moves again (yes, yes, I know -- bear with me; there's method to my madness) and we watch the biggest, fuzziest chick mascot you ever did see help little children cross the road safely. Yes, it's Phoenixman, or Chick Man as he's now known. He catches sight of Child Emperor across the road and the two repair to a cafe. He explains to a very wary Child Emperor that even though he's no longer a chick-sized man, but a man-sized chick, his powers haven't returned and he ekes out a living doing good. Kids love him! It's not too bad at the moment, so what does Child Emperor want with him? Child Emperor wastes no time getting to the point: he wants to know what the monster knew about the bad things happening at the HA, and how.
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Feels like just a few days ago since we left Monster Chick Man cheeping in the rubble -- don't they grow fast? Speaking of fast-growing things, we have a problem in City Y. Yes, this is the city where Child Emperor has his lab -- looks like he's too busy interrogating monsters to look after his patch, and in his absence, we have an invasion of trees. Sentient moving trees announcing their divine purpose to restore the Earth's soils to their former fertility -- by using people as fertilizer. We see three heroes trying to cut them down (or blow them up), setting up a smokescreen to confuse the monsters but they're quickly snared by the tree roots. It looks bad, but then Tank Top Master and several of his Tank Toppers come barging through. Tank Top Master urges the heroes not to sit there but to join them in their charge. They charge forward, sending tree monsters flying and it's all looking good until...
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...obscured by the smoke, they run straight into the Forest King himself. The monster wastes no time picking up the heroes and, starting to squeeze the lives out of them, announces the arrival of new fertilizer.
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Of course, a hero always knows how to pick their moment, and in that moment, all the plant life in the boulevard, even the vines choking the buildings disappear in a flash. Out of that smoke appears a very familiar silhouette. Declaring himself satisfied with Dr Kuseno's work, Genos tells the monster and heroes that he wants a new spar with Saitama (talk about non-useful information!) But first, he had some trash to get rid of. And that is the end of the Forest King, gone too fast to be worth panelling.
We close with a very excited Genos showing his nice new parts to Saitama, who appears to just about have noticed there's something different about his disciple again.
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Correction: we close to the Tank Toppers working out frantically to catch up to machine power. Can't call Tank Top Master a quitter.
Meta below the cut.
Meta: So much to catch up on
You know, I was happy to see Flashy Flash looking for Manako... at least until I heard his reasons for it. If he'd protested to someone that he was just looking for her as a witness too valuable to let some random hero kill, I'd have smiled and called him tsundere. As this is him musing to himself, I'm much less reassured. There's something I find deeply untrustworthy about that ninja.
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People are like tea bags: you never know how strong they are until they're in hot water
Another chapter, another hero group, another shakedown. Earlier, we had seen the Blizzard Group shaken down to the few members who truly believed in what Fubuki did and were willing to seek to grow stronger in their own rights rather than just propping her ego up. This time, we're seeing a shakedown of the Tank Toppers. The good thing about the Tank Top Army is that with its policy of hard work, wearing tank tops, and just doing one's best, it's not as politically scheming as the Blizzard group and has the advantage that people there really do want to work together to do some good. However, a lot of them have also been hiding behind a Class S hero to get points (and wins) easily. With the long night of the Monster Association raid and all it pulled out of them, it looks like many have honestly looked at themselves and realised that they aren't going to be able to give the world what it needs. Tank Top Master respecting that a hero can only give what they can and letting them leave without rancour or ill word is a real credit to the man.
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I've seen Tank Top Master called the Mumen Rider of the S-Class. I don't know if I'd go that far, but he's certainly the sort of guy one could describe as having no side. He's very much of the what-you-see-is-what-you-get persuasion. I loved how he shone in the Monster Association raid. For me the single most impressive thing was him cutting through Mumen Rider's self-deprecating routine and making him the de facto leader of the local rescue operation. And Mumen rose to the occasion without question. Tank Top Master really does know how to pull the best out of people.
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This chapter is no exception when he refuses to berate the heroes who have been trapped by the tree monsters and urges them to get up and press on. Life is been tough for Tank Top Master, but heroism isn't measured in wins and losses: it's not a game, but a belief in doing the right thing whatever the odds. I would like things to go well for him sooner rather than later, but as long as his tank top is strong, let's watch him and cheer him on.
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It's all in how you see it
Something that's too big and too long a topic to deal with here is the role of the subjective in One-Punch Man. ONE did set out to make OPM not a story with a single definitive narrative, but rather one told through multiple viewpoints, and it seems to exist at all levels of the story. Even the idea of a person turning into a monster is based on that person's subjective view of themselves and their place in the world. So it shouldn't be surprising that there appears to be a lot of characters with body image problems, one shown most graphically by Darkshine. Whether the scars on his body are as livid as they appear to him to a third party is irrelevant: to him, they're there, and all the trauma and shock of having the skin he trusted to keep his fragile self safe being breached is right there in front of him. His donning a t-shirt so as not to see it in the gym mirror is painful to see indeed.
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I'd love to say something about Phoenixman/Chick Man but it escapes me for now. In the meantime, I have only questions. How the hell did he grow back to man-size so fast? What exactly has happened to him to so comprehensively depower him? Why is he able to be accepted as a mascot in society? Are there no background checks? Like Child Emperor, I find myself very curious but not one whit trusting.
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Back to the grind
I'm not going to say Genos is back. He's been around in the aftermath of the Monster Association raid, helping Saitama find their old apartment, terrorizing the Hero Association, and just hanging out. He's appeared in reasonably good spirits and decent health, and yet, this is a return of sorts. It's more like he's come off sick leave and returned to work.
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I know people like to pretend to know nothing for argument's sake, but if you've ever burned wood, you know that wet wood is not easy (or advisable to burn): you need dry wood to get a fire going. Living wood is 60% water and takes a lot of energy, such that to get a forest fire you need high temperatures, prolonged dry weather conditions, and a lot of dry underbrush to keep the fire going… and even there many trees don't burn fully. So for a forest of living trees to not just burn up but to be ASHED in a flash, like they're made of gun cotton speaks to a truly terrifying power.
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I'm unsurprised that Genos can do that, and crush a dragon-level monster like it's a bug -- it's been clear he's got the power for a while but it's nice to see him consolidate his hard-won gains.
That said… what the heck is he so keen to show Saitama? I have no idea what Genos thinks he's got to show Saitama that will impress the latter. If nobody else knows, he knows the absurd heights of power from which Saitama looks down on the world. He knows too that Saitama sees him and thinks well of him. And yet he's eager to spar him. Okay, kid. Just don't embarrass yourself, that's all I'm asking.
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elejah-wonderland · 4 months
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_elejah au
Love is in the Air
_a tvd fanfic_Part 2
a/n: I am already in Valentine's Day mood...hence this story...lol
Hope you'll enjoy it.
It's a light-hearted love story.
xoxo
*
Like clockwork, Elena was up at six and showered quickly, underwent her morning beauty regime, and packed most of her casual clothing. She then looked at the book and picking it up from the night stand. "All right, Elijah Mikaelson  or Smith, whatever you like to call yourself nowadays. Hope you can write as good as you can dance." 
She then whipped the book in the suitcase. Though they had met just this once so many years ago in Mystic Falls, this man left a mark, though she had only met him for the day.
She now took her phone and called Jo.
"Yes, I am at cafe acriss road. I thought you'd sleep a bit linger" Jo said as she picked up the call.
"I just want to get out of here. Ok. I will see you in five." Elena said before she hung up.
She now picked up her bag, slipping her phone in and looked around to check once more if she had everything.
"Ok. I think that's it." the brunette muttered to herself and then rolling her suitcase behind her, she got out.
*
In New York, Elijah finished getting dressed and walked out of his apartment rolling his suitcase behind him. In the taxi cab to J. F. K Airport, he fumbled with his phone, opening Elena's instagram. He looked at her picture she had posted about the last day of her movie shoot. He looked at her photo, transfixed, his mind travelling back to the night after his sister's college designer debu night.
Flashback
"Dance?" - Elijah said as he came up to Elena, who had just waved bye to her friend Caroline, scampering away with her boyfriend.
"What?" Elena looked surprised at this question without innuendos.
"Would you like to dance? Unless you don't dance - well, can I buy you a drink? I feel that this morning I intruded on you -"
"Yes, I'd like to dance" Elena now cut in mid-sentence.
The band played the Kings of Leon's 'Closer' as Elijah's hand slid around the brunettes back, taking her hand in his, smoothly sway and turn to the rhythm of the song. He found himself lost in a gaze  as their eyes met. Elijah smiled at Elena, who smiled shyly at him. Rhythm of their bodies danced slowly with the music. He twirled her around, dipping her as he had lean forward closer to her at one moment. Staring at the beauty before him, his breathing became shallow and his heart had suddenly felt vivacious inside his chest.
Stranded in this spooky town
Stoplight is swaying and the phone lines are down
Floor is crackling cold
She took my heart, I think she took my soul
With the moon I run
Far from the carnage of the fiery sun
...
Over the years, every time he had heard this song, he remembered that one moment. Like the song said it felt like this woman took his heart and his soul, as that same heart of his was like a ghost ever since that evening. 
Elijah swiped the phone closed. He took a note book out, and wrote a few notes for his new book. 
Flashback
Two years back
"Who is Angel really?" Camille, Elijah's editor asked as she sat down on her desk chair. 
"No one particular. I've just invented a character." Elijah fibbed. He knew all too well, who the heroine was.
"The book is amazing and it is going to print immediately. This will be a smash. It has everything, suspense, mystery, erotica. I am amazed that you have not thought of historical genre before." the blonde said.
"I thought that everyone is into murder mysteries." Elijah said.
"Well, your series of CSI detective Ross, was gripping, but this one will make it into a block-buster."
"All right. If you say so."- Elijah said and continued-"Is there anything else you need."
"I will talk to Gia about the whole promotion thing - well, you know it all"
"Yeah." Elijah nodded and got up.
"Erm- I just wanted to say sorry about your divorce."
"Thank you- but - it's not a big deal - Hayley and I had already separated - just didn't post it on any of tge social media." Elijah said.
"I know - but I thought that maybe you will get back together." Camille said.
"No. We've actually never really been compatible - it just took me a long time to realize that." Elijah said and turned the subject around to ask about if he would have a meeting with Gia.
"I'll call you when I speak to her." Camille said.
*
In Florence, Italy
"A fiat 500" Elena said as Jo now handed her the key cars over.
"You're apartment is in the old part of Rome, and the roads are quite narrow, and trust me you will be grateful to have such a small car."
"Oh - I love it. It's perfect. I want the ultimate Italian experience. Thank you." Elena said smiling."I hope it's red"
"It's a red one - yes. I don't know why the rented car always has to be red"
"It's to do with ladybugs - and good luck," Elena explained, and now sipped down the rest of her cappuccino,"ok- I am so ready. Can I ask you one last favour?"
"What?"
"A week without any phone calls and - about this new movie - I'd like to put money in it " Elena said.
"You want to co-produce it?" Jo said a tad bit surprised.
"I read the reviews and - the prologue - I have a feeling this will be huge."
"You got it. Right. Have a great time- and I hope you really enjoy yourself. And don't do anything I wouldn't do."
Elena raised and eyebrow at her friend as to say Please- do I ever do anything that is crazy?! And Jo nodded a little with a chuckle.  The two women now hugged and Elena went away.
Though she had travelled extensive through Europe, visiting France and Paris numerous times, as well as Spain, and Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Iceland, Greece, also North Italy, somehow she had never had the time or moment to go to the eternal city. And since her college days in Mystic Falls, she was forever pumped up to go to the heart of the most romantic places on the planet. There was one more thing that had a particular reason she wanted to see it. Being a huge fan of vintage movies, she admired the most divine actresses the big screen had ever seen. It was Audrey Hepburn. She had even played Holly Golightly on London's West End.
Three hours later, after a steady drive down from Florence, she arrived. Already, as she drove in, the whole feel of the busy city, it's ancient vibe, made her feel like she entered a world where old met new. Unlike any other places, this one gave her a jolt of adrenaline in the tired and somewhat weary soul of hers. 
Flashback
A year ago
Paris, France
"Here is to me - lucky in everything but love." Elena said and sipped down the champagne.
"Oh, come on, 'Lena" Caroline said, "Kaleb is the one - you should just so go for it. I mean he is the sweetest."
"Yes, he is sweet and lovely - but -huh- I don't feel - you know the fire - like I did with Elijah Oh, God - and we have just danced- we didn't even kiss"
"You are forever thinking of p 'EM dance thing' - God, Lena that was a thousand years ago -will you forever compare all the guys to something that never happened." Caroline shook her head.
"I need more Champagne" Elena said and waved to the waiter to bring her another glass.
"You have this dream-like thing in your head about this - and you have to stop it."
"Says you, who talks nothing about how love is fire and walking on clouds." Elena reminded her friend about her own views about love, romance and couples.
"Touché," Caroline now said,"but, seriously, Lena - you had this one dance- he left and he most probably never thought twice about it. Have you forgotten that Rebekah told me that he got married a year later."
"Yes. I didn't say that I pine after him or think what if - I am just saying that - Oh, God - I am actually thinking what if, aren't I?" Elena sighed, her eyes shining as if she finally had an epiphany.
"Yep. What if - Rebekah didn't pull him away, and what if - the next day you were not offered the role that kick started your whole career- and you jetted off to L.A. - what if - what if - but you can't live with what ifs." Caroline said.
"I know. Ok. Today is the day that I will officially forget the 'EM dance thing'" Elena said, but her heart fibbed. 
Now, she walked into the apartment on the last floor. It was a cute, quaint little apartment. It was exactly what she wanted. She put her case down and went out on the little terrace, her gaze smiling at the sun dancing on the rooftops of the bustling city. Refreshing herself a bit, a minute later, she was out, and lost herself in the cobble-stoned labyrinth.
*
Meanwhile in Stefan Salvatore's Apartment
Elijah's phone rang and he picked it up from the nightstand, "Hello"
"Hey," Stefan said,"sorry - you're still asleep?"
"Hey- ah, I am- well - so jet-legged- and I worked when I got here - already got two chapters down," Elijah replied rubbing his eyes,"what time is it?"
"8 p.m." Stefan said, adding,"go back to sleep. We can talk tomorrow."
"No. Need to get up. Anyway - all is good. How are you?"
"We are fine. Damon says hi. If you have time pop to Amsterdam one weekend, you are more than welcome" Stefan said.
"Yeah- I'll do that. Thank you so much for this. It's not that I could not afford an apartment, but -"
"I know, you wanted a home-like feel, and I told you that it's not a problem. We are best friends - and stop thanking me. Ok. I got to go. Talk in a couple of days - a friend of mine, Stella has managed to get you to the Roman Historical Institution, to the archives that are closed to the public. She will give you a call."
"OMG- thank you." Elijah moved to the terrace.
"Hey- seriously, you don't need to thank me" Stefan said.
"Right. Say hi to everyone and we'll talk later. I need a pizza and a good glass of red."
"Down the street in Campo di Fiore, there is a great old-new bar, I can recommend. I don't know if you remember it - it had that Audrey Hepburn poster on the wall" Stefan reminded his friend.
"Yes, I do. Why do you say new bar?"
"The old guy died and his son redesigned it a bit, but it is still the same place, food is still good and the wine is even better." Stefan explained.
"I will definitely check it out."
And with that their conversation ended, both hanging up.
Elijah showered and changed. As he said, he was ready for something to eat, and he made his way down to the bar, he and Stefan hung out so often when he came to visit right after his separation, two years back.
The streets of the old part were bustling and though it had rained a tad bit, everything still looked so sparkly and inviting, with dancing cobbles under the feet, made Elijah feel like he was at home already, like there was an everlasting theatre on display as he walked through the labyrinth of the ancient streets. 
And in his head he was writing out scenes for his book.
Plunging into the bar the next moment, with his imagination in full flow of the next chapter, his eyes, and his heart stopped still as they descended on Elena sitting by the large window. 
_to be continued
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myhauntedsalem · 6 months
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6 Dark Places Aleister Crowley Performed His Particular Brand of Magick
Born in the late 1870s, England, Aleister Crowley was one of the great characters of the 20th century—a poet, a magician, a journalist, an alchemist, a philosopher, a spy, a self-affirmed drug fiend, and a sex addict. He was also known as “The Great Beast” and the “wickedest man in the world.” He played a major role in the creation of alternate religions like Wicca, the A∴A∴, and the Ordo Templi Orientis, and he founded the Order of Thelema, a semi-Satanic cult whose famous edict was “do what thou wilt.”
Crowley is to the occult as Tolkien is to fantasy—he set the stage that everyone else plays in. Basically, if you’re dabbling in things dark and dastardly, Aleister was probably there first.
In all of his doings, Crowley traveled a lot. He pursued exploits in Egypt, India, the Far East, Australia, all over Europe and North America, dotting the map with sex magick and weird stunts. Here are a six places in the Atlas where the infamous occultist left his mark.
1. 36 Blythe Road
LONDON, ENGLAND
Though he was interested in the occult from childhood, Crowley’s first foray into organized magic (or “magick,” as he preferred to spell it) was with the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Well liked by its co-founder, Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers, Crowley advanced in the ranks very quickly. However, not everyone was a fan. The London chapter, which had already found faults in Mathers’ leadership, particularly disavowed him for the eccentric, bisexual Crowley. This caused a decisive rift between two factions of the Order, but Mathers wasn’t ready to concede his leadership.
In 1900, while the poet and London chapter leader W. B. Yeats was heading a meeting, he was attacked by an “astral siege” from none other than Aleister Crowley. Crowley, wearing a black Osiris mask and a kilt, and his mistress burst into the temple, casting spells and brandishing daggers. They intended to take the temple for Mathers’, but were unsuccessful. The police came, the scuffle went to court, and the London chapter of the Golden Dawn won (as they paid the rent on the space). Now the nondescript George’s Cafe resides in the former site of the secret society’s temple, with no indication of its former life.
2. Boleskine House
INVERNESS, SCOTLAND
Boleskine House was steeped in darkness long before Crowley moved in. The manor is allegedly built atop the ruins of a 10th century church that burnt to the ground during a service, killing all the congregants inside. Crowley bought Boleskine House to seclude himself and perform magic from The Book of Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage. It was during this period that Crowley became famous for his occultism and black magic, both around the Scotland and later, the world. Sometime during this period Mathers called Crowley to Paris. He left without dispelling the “12 Kings and Dukes of Hell” he had summoned, and many locals blame the house’s unlucky history on evil spirits left behind.
First, Crowley’s housekeeper’s two children died mysteriously and abruptly. Crowley also bragged that one employee of the estate who had long abstained from alcohol got drunk and attempted to murder his entire family. After the house had changed hands, it still wasn’t free of dark energy. In 1965, the army major who owned the house committed suicide by shotgun. The next owner, Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page, spent very little time at the estate, instead bequeathing it to a friend who didn’t mind the unexplained creaks, groans, and various ghostly apparitions, but was bothered by the Crowley and Page fans who frequently attempted to break into the house and defile the grounds. Later owners dismissed any notions of hauntings or witchcraft at the house, but in 2015, the residents returned from a shopping trip to find the house completely in flames.
3. Crowley’s Magickal Retirement
HEBRON, NEW HAMPSHIRE
In 1916, Crowley spent four months at the home of renowned medium Evangeline Adams in what he called a “magickal retirement.” This didn’t mean taking a break from cocaine, heroin, sex magick, and prolonged rituals. Quite the opposite in fact. In Hebron, Crowley doubled down and did a great deal of writing, poetry and magical instruction alike. He was even a ghost writer on several of Adams’ books of astrology.
4. Esopus Island
HYDE PARK, NEW YORK
In another magickal retreat, Crowley spent 40 days and 40 nights (a la Jesus Christ) on a tiny island in the Hudson River. His mission was translating the Tao Te Ching, a 4th century Chinese philosophical text. He hadn’t brought much food but had packed plenty of red paint, and also put himself to work painting Thelemic graffiti on the island’s rocks. Curious families watching the bald, robed man on the island from the banks of the Hudson began bringing him rations. He was also visited by fans and artists, who brought him food, drugs, and company.
Much later Crowley reported experiencing visions of his past lives during his stay on Esopus Island, all of which were somehow very influential figures. His former selves included legendary Taoist Ge Xuan, Renaissance Pope Alexander VI, alchemist Alessandro Cagliostro, and the magician Eliphas Levi. Today, the island is open to the public so long as they can reach it by boat. There are even camping amenities for those who wish to follow in the footsteps of the infamous occultist.
5. Boca do Inferno
CASCAIS, PORTUGAL
Any eccentric worth his salt has to fake his own death at least once. When visiting Portugal in 1930 and feeling annoyed by his current mistress, Crowley gave appearance he had committed suicide at the Boca de Inferno (“Mouth of Hell”) caves. His friend, poet Fernando Pessoa handed Crowley’s suicide note to newspapers, helpfully explaining the magical symbols and translating the mangled Portuguese to police and media alike. Three weeks later, Crowley reappeared at the opening of an exhibition of his works in a Berlin gallery, suggesting this whole affair was more publicity stunt than anything else. Today, there is a small white plaque mounted on the rock provides the text of Crowley’s note: “Não Posso Viver Sem Ti. A outra ‘Boca De Infierno’ apanhar-me-á não será tão quente como a tua,” which translates roughly to “Can’t live without you. The other mouth of hell that will catch me won’t be as hot as yours.” That might be touching if any of it were genuine.
6. The Abbey of Thelema
CEFALÙ, ITALY
Crowley’s magickal career came to its peak in a little Sicilian town. For a small amount of money, he, his two lovers, their small children, and miscellaneous followers moved into one story house facing the Mediterranean sea. They called it the Abbey of Thelema. The common room was dedicated to ritual practices and held a scarlet “magick” circle marked with the sign of the major Thelemic deities. Crowley’s own bedroom, labeled by himself as “la chambre des cauchemars” (or “the room of nightmares”) was entirely hand-painted by the occultist with explicitly erotic frescos, hermaphroditic goblins, and vividly colored monsters. This private room was used for specific night initiations involving psychoactive drugs which gave terrifying cinematic life to this Bosch-like vision of hellish debauchery.
Crowley considered his temple a school of magick, and gave it an appropriately collegiate motto: “Collegium ad Spiritum Sanctum”—”A College towards the Holy Spirit.” The Cefalù period was one of the most prolific and happy of his life, even as he suffered from drug addiction and had to write the scandalous Diary of a Drug Fiend to finance his community. The growing interest in dark magic and the occult provided him with an ample student body (pun intended). But in 1922, the experience in monasticism ended when Raoul Loveday, a young disciple, tragically died from typhoid fever contracted from drinking contaminated spring water, though Loveday’s wife maintained it was from drinking cat’s blood.
Crowley and his people were evicted by Mussolini’s regime in 1923. The dictator had no sympathy for pornographic art or mysticism. Once the Abbey closed, the villagers whitewashed the murals, which they somewhat correctly saw as demonic. This erased much of the history and work of Crowley in Cefalù. The Abbey of Thelema is still there, a hidden monument of mysterious, magickal decay.
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