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bitchinfawkseh · 6 months

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Heaven Knows Your Name, I've Been Praying: Chapter 5

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Summary: Cheryl and Sam desperately try to find a way to save Dean after he gets permanent heart damage after being electrocuted by a monster.

W.C: 12 842

Warnings: religious trauma, religious guilt, sex dream, reference to drugs and domestic abuse (1).

[A/N] Warning for drug and domestic abuse references, also, there's a parallel between this chapter and s3 e10 (basically Dean has a sex dream about cheryl) Abigail and the guy beside her (Isaiah) belong to my friend! It was just a sweet Easter egg, check out their fic

Masterlist | AO3

"Nebraska? There's someone in Nebraska who can help him?" Cheryl asked in shock. Sam's knee brushed against Cheryl's as he spun his laptop around to show her the screen. Her face fell once she realized it wasn't a doctor or a licensed professional to help Dean, it was some faith healer. Now, she believed in all that stuff, but this was just pushing it. "Seriously? A faith healer - those are nothing but a scam, Sam." She said. Sam sighed and reached behind him to grab a journal he had sprawled across the bedspread. Her brows raised and her nails dug into her bare knees, one of her favourite things to wear to bed was a satin nightgown and a hoodie. And plus - Sam wasn't flirty with her like Dean was, there was no way this would get sexual at all.

"This is our Dad's journal, and there is nothing that gives us any info on how we can help Dean." Sam said as he passed the journal to her. Cheryl flipped through the pages, the writings in here - the drawings, this was pretty damn impressive. "We have to try this guy... just in case it does work." He added. Cheryl's lips flattened into a straight line and her dark brown eyes met his. She gave him a slight nod and looked back to the journal, "Okay." She barely had the chance to say anything else when there was a knock at the door.

Cheryl and Sam shared a nervous look before he slowly slid off the bed and went to check the peep hole. She slowly rose out of the bed and crossed her arms against her chest. "Who is it?" She asked. Sam didn't answer, he just swung the door open and ushered a sickly, pale looking Dean inside. "Why aren't you at the hospital!?" Cheryl and Sam questioned in unison. Dean smirked and gave Cheryl a slight nod in recognition as he moved along the wall into the room. "Checked myself out." He replied. She scoffed and rolled her eyes, she had to turn away from him - if she looked at him any longer she may punch him.

"Dean - you can't just leave -" Sam started as he watched Dean practically collapse onto the free bed. "Well, I just did." Dean interrupted. Cheryl glared down at him and all he did was flash her a grin. "You're an idiot, you should have stayed at the hospital. Do you have a death wish or something?" She scolded. Dean was often reckless when it came to his own well-being and it honestly concerned her - although she'd never say it out loud, she wished he cared about himself more so that she wouldn't have to. "I'm already dying, they can't do shit for me." Dean scoffed. She rolled her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose before having an complete outburst. "We have something in Nebraska! Someone who can help you!" She yelled. Cheryl let out a little huff and tucked some of her hair behind her ear. Before anyone could say anything, she turned on her heel and snatched up the lighter and cigarette pack on the desk by the door. "I need a smoke." She grumbled angrily as she slammed the door shut behind her.

"So... Nebraska?" Dean asked with a slight raise of his brow. Sam glanced over and nodded, he muttered a "yeah" and took a seat on the bed across from Dean. They were silent again for a bit, Dean stared at the door waiting for Cheryl's return and Sam picked through their dad's journal. "Do you think Cheryl likes me?" Dean asked quietly. Sam let out a chuckle and he raised his brows, was it even a question that needed to be answered? "No, dude. She hates you." He laughed. Dean frowned and his eyebrows knitted together in concern. "Well, how do I make her like me?"

Sam shrugged and pursed his lips together, "I dunno, just... give her some time to get to know you. It's only been two months, dude."

Cheryl came back 10 minutes later and headed straight to the bathroom to wash her hands. She set a water bottle on the nightstand by Dean's bed and stared down at him, "Sit up." She ordered.

"What?"

"Sit up!" She hissed. Dean grumbled and sat up on his elbows, he expected her to do anything but this. She fluffed up his pillow and pulled the blankets up over him. "Should get you some garlic to eat, it's good for your heart." She mumbled as she gently placed her hand on his chest and pushed him back down. Dean flushed and swallowed hard, "Huh?" Dean glanced over at Sam nervously and all he had was a smug smile on his face. Dean was being babied by a woman who hates him.

She smoothed the covers over his chest and sighed deeply, "I'll get you some garlic cloves tomorrow, and you are eating them whether you like it or not."

Dean chewed on his lip and watched her intently, "Uh, what does it do?" He asked. She sat down on the bed across from him and cocked a brow. "Well, it lowers blood pressure, regulates cholesterol, prevents cell damage," She gestured towards him. "Are you comfortable?" Dean nodded and she pursed her lips together, her phone started buzzing on the bedside table. "Excuse me, I have to take this." She said urgently as she snatched up the phone and rushed to the bathroom.

She flipped the phone open and turned on the tap to drown out their conversation. "Carlos! Hi." Cheryl beamed. Carlos was the one person who has been there for her, always, he was the one who helped her learn English when she first came to the States - and he was even one of her chambelanes at her quinceanera. "Hey, Cherry." He grunted. Her face fell and she swallowed hard, he was upset - she could tell by the sound of his voice. "How is Marisol?" Cheryl asked quietly.

"Not good, she's gettin' real bad, Cherry." He whispered, his voice hoarse as if he was trying not to cry. Marisol - Carlos' wife - was probably the sweetest woman she has ever met and she had pancreatic cancer. In situations like this, Cheryl wondered if there even was a God out there - why would he allow such horrible things happen to such good people?

Cheryl sat on the edge of the tub and frowned, "I'm so sorry, cariño." She whispered. Carlos chuckled tearfully and sniffled which just made her heart drop. It pained her to see her friends suffer this much. "She keeps askin' me to paint her nails a different colour every day 'cause..." He trailed off. Because she can't do it herself anymore. She smiled a little bit, "Yeah? You better be painting her nails, Carlos."

"Of course I am, what kind of husband do you think I am?" He chuckled. Cheryl grinned fondly, he's always been a good husband.

Cheryl shoved her phone into her pocket and shut off the tap before opening the door. Sam noticed the tears in her eyes and his face fell, "Are you okay?" He asked softly. Cheryl pushed past him and groaned which caught Dean's attention. "Woah, what's wrong with you?" Dean questioned with a raised brow. Cheryl collapsed into the free bed and let out a deep sigh, why are these boys so nosy?

"Do you think she's going to get better?" Cheryl asked innocently. She doesn't even know why she asked that, she knew the answer. They discovered her cancer at stage 4, and with the type of cancer it was, there wasn't much they could do. Carlos sighed. "No. That's why I called you... we're moving her into end of life care."

"Hospice?" She breathed out. Her heart felt like this deadweight in her chest and tears welled in her eyes. Marisol didn't deserve to go out like this, she should have been eighty - not thirty - and have gone peacefully instead of in pain. "Yeah, I'll - I'll call you when it happens." She nodded slowly and swallowed the lump in her throat, "Okay, yeah," There was a soft knock on the door and she glanced up, probably Sam considering Dean was... sick. "Look, I gotta go. I'm sorry, love you."

"No worries, love you, bye."

It only took a few minutes for every one to wind down and for the lights to go out. Sam and Cheryl stuck to their respective sides of the bed, never touching each other once throughout the night.

"Just... not now. Please." She whispered. Cheryl sighed and rolled onto her back, staring up at the ceiling as she debated whether or not to tell them about this. "Sam and I can share a bed tonight, since Dean is a sick little boy and deserves a bed to himself." She teased all of the sudden. Dean's eyes widened and he looked between Cheryl and Sam, no way Sammy got to share a bed with her. Cheryl gestured toward Sam and clasped her hands together in her lap. "If you're comfortable of course, I can go get another room." She added.

"Or - you know, crazy concept - but you and I could share a bed?" Dean suggested with a smirk. Cheryl shot him a glare and her nose wrinkled in disgust. "No." She said bluntly. Cheryl stared up at Sam expectantly, waiting for his answer. He nodded and shrugged, "Yeah, I don't have an issue with it." He said.

The rumbling of her bike died down as she pulled the keys out of the ignition. Cheryl was sort of thankful she wasn't in the Impala to hear Dean's whining about the faith healer. They didn't tell him anything about it until they arrived, otherwise Dean wouldn't have been cooperative when it came to coming here.

Dean shoved Sam off of him and shoved his hands into the pockets of his hoodie. "I got it." He grumbled angrily under his breath. Cheryl sauntered over to the two of them and chuckled softly, "That's a shame, I was about to offer you my arm." Dean's brows shot up and he glanced over at her with wide eyes. Was she being serious? "Wait, really?"

She snorted and smirked, "No." His face fell and Sam let out a chuckle, shaking his head at their banter.

Soft rain fell from the sky and pattered against the ground and their coats, almost everyone had an umbrella as they headed into the tent. Except for them of course. "What? Do they expect us to believe that this is real?" Dean scoffed. Cheryl shot him a look and crossed her arms against her chest, she didn't believe in any of this stuff either but it didn't mean that they got to act like they are better than the people who do believe in it. "Be respectful, Dean." She hissed. Dean's brows shot up and he scoffed in disbelief, he subconsciously leaned into Sam. It felt weird feeling constantly weak and tired, he's never been like this before. "I thought you guys said we were going to see a doctor."

"I believe I said specialist. Look, Dean, this guy is supposed to be the real deal." Sam said. Cheryl reached into her coat pocket and pulled out a little crumbled plastic bag with a single head of garlic inside. She was being serious when she told Dean that she'd be making him eat garlic cloves, it is good for him.

"I can't believe you brought me out here to some guy that heals people out of a tent." Dean muttered. Cheryl peeled the skin off the garlic head and passed him one of the cloves. He wrinkled his nose and turned his head away, Cheryl's eyes sharpened and she continued to hold it up. "Eat it." She demanded. He sighed deeply and plucked it from her fingers, popping it in his mouth and cringing as he started to chew it. How in the hell was it spicy? "Hey, you better not spit it out." Cheryl warned. Dean sucked in a breath and tried to ignore the slight tears welling in his eyes. "I mean, come on. A faith healer?" He asked.

"Maybe it's time to have a little faith, Dean." Sam sighed deeply. Cheryl tucked the rest of the garlic cloves back into the plastic bag and shoved it back into her coat pocket. "You know what I got faith in? Reality. Knowing what's really going on." Dean shot back. Sam frowned and his brows knitted together, his Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. "How can you be a skeptic? With the things we see every day? How do you know that good isn't out there too?" He asked. Cheryl's lips thinned into a straight line and she glanced up at Dean, her eyes softening ever so slightly as she watched Dean scoff and look at the ground. "Because I've seen what evil does to good people." Dean answered simply. Her lips curved down into a frown and she quickly glanced away before Dean could catch her staring and tease her for it again. Cheryl understood both of the boys perspectives, Dean’s... it resonated with her, and not for the reasons he may think.

Cheryl's eyes narrowed and she grit her teeth, she was currently fighting the urge to start a fight with Dean. What did he mean by her being "Sam's friend," she was both of their friends - she just enjoyed teasing Dean more than she did Sam. As an older woman came up behind Layla, presumably her mother, Cheryl cleared her throat and excused herself. She'll be damned if she let Dean's words get to her.

A pretty young blonde woman overheard their conversation and turned to face them, the soft rain pittering against her umbrella. "Maybe God works in mysterious ways." She quipped up, a sweet smile on her face. Dean smirked and looked her up and down, quite obviously checking her out. "Maybe he does, I think you just turned me around on the subject." He mused. Cheryl and Sam both rolled their eyes practically in unison, here he goes again. The blonde smiled again and nodded slowly, "I'm sure." She said.

"I'm Dean," He gestured towards the two behind him and smiled charmingly. "This is Sam and Cheryl." Cheryl gave her a small wave and a half smile as Dean outstretched his hand toward the woman for her to shake. "Layla," She replied, taking his hand. "So, if you're not a believer, then why are you here?" Layla asked as she cocked her head to the side. Dean chuckled and shook his head, he always did that when he found something funny. "Well, my brother and his friend here believes enough for the three of us."

Dean's brows shot up and he glanced over at Sam, "What's got her panties up in a bunch?" He asked. Sam sighed deeply and shouldered his way into the tent, minding the flap and the rows of chairs that were immediately in the way. "Probably hurt her feelings." Sam stated as if it were obvious. Dean laughed, he thought it was a joke at first until Sam didn't laugh with him. His face fell and they filed into the row of seats up front that Cheryl secured for them. "Seriously?" He whispered. Sam nodded and sat down next to Cheryl who paid no mind to Dean. He swallowed hard and stared at her for a long while before focusing his attention up at the front.

Cheryl crossed one leg over the other and stared blankly up at the front, with the way she was scrunching her lips together there was no doubt in her mind that she looked like a complete bitch right now. Someone to her left gently tapped her arm and Cheryl jerked her head over into their direction. She cocked a brow as she realized it was a cute, round faced, red-headed young woman. "Are you okay?" She whispered. Cheryl’s brows furrowed in confusion and she leaned toward the woman. "Pardon me?" Cheryl asked. The woman smiled and pushed her glasses up with her middle finger. "You just seem upset is all, I'm Abigail." She introduced herself and extended a hand for Cheryl to shake. Cheryl returned her smile half heartedly, muttering her own name back quietly and shook her hand, it wouldn't hurt to chat before the service began.

Cheryl pointed to the brothers who were beside her and leaned into Abigail. "See the sick fucking idiot over there? Yeah, he basically said we aren't friends even though we've been on the road together for what? Two months now and I've seen his stupid face every day. He said I was just his brother's friend." Cheryl whispered angrily. Abigail's eyes widened and she gasped, her gaze flitted between the boys for a moment. "That is rude." She commented.

"I know." Cheryl groaned with an eye roll. She crossed her arms against her chest and slumped back in the uncomfortable chair. "Might as well spit in my face." Cheryl added, a little louder this time. She wanted Dean to hear them.

A taller man spoke up from beside Abigail, dark circles hung from his eyes and he had shaggy brown hair. "Yeah, dude it's red." He spoke up. Dean's brows knitted together in confusion and he clicked his tongue before looking away and slumping back in his chair. "Alright, red. Got it." Dean muttered. Sam discreetly nudged Dean with his elbow and snickered, "Told you that you hurt her feelings." He whispered. Dean jerked away from his touch and crossed his arms against his chest as all conversations around them seemed to die down. "Yeah, yeah..."

Sam and Dean both glanced over at the girls, now Cheryl wasn't one to start bantering with a stranger - this must be important. She shot Dean a glare and shrugged, "I would introduce you to him, Abigail. But he said we aren't friends so I don't see the point." She said plainly. Dean's eyes narrowed and Sam let out a snort, quickly concealing his mouth with his hand and covering it up by clearing his throat. "Didn't know you considered us friends since you never tell me anything about you." Dean snapped. Cheryl's eyes widened and she scrunched her lips together, he did not just go there. "Don't ask such invasive questions." She retorted. Dean scoffed and raised his brows in disbelief, "Asking you what your favorite colour is, is invasive?"

"It is." She shot back. Cheryl glanced back at Abigail who nodded in agreement, the curly stray strands of her hair falling into her face. "It is," Abigail repeated. She gestured towards Cheryl's red leather jacket and her chipped ruby nail polish. "Her favorite colour is obviously red. Why should you even have to ask?" She flashed the boys a smile as she finished off. Cheryl let out a little chuckle and pointed towards Abigail, "Isn't she just magical? She doesn't even know me but she knows my favorite colour," Cheryl wrinkled her nose. "Based on observation."

An older man with big glasses came onto stage, he looked like one of those typical guys who you'd always see at Sunday service. "Each morning, my wife, Sue Ann, reads me the news. Never seems good, does it?" He began. The crowd murmured in agreement and Cheryl tucked some of her hair behind her ear. Now it was time to be respectful and quiet, it cost nothing to show respect for others. "Seems like there's always someone committing some immoral, unspeakable act." Roy frowned. Cheryl swallowed hard and let out a shaky sigh, choosing to stare down at her feet instead. These types of things made her feel all ill and shaky, they made her feel like she wasn't a good Catholic - or worse, that she was going to go to Hell because God doesn't love her.

"But I tell you, God is watching." Roy continued. The crowd continued to whisper and mummer, finally an obvious "Yes he is." Rippled through the rows of people. A wave of nausea washed over her and she clutched her jacket, unknowingly she started to bounce her leg. "And he punishes the corrupt and rewards the good." He said. The crowd cheered and clapped as they agreed with his statement. Cheryl squeezed her eyes shut and slowly shook her head, "No he doesn't." She mumbled quietly in disbelief under her breath.

Things just seemed to keep moving, Roy was saying things but they weren't fully registering in her brain. "It is the Lord who does the healing here friends. The Lord who guides me in choosing who to heal by helping me see into people's hearts." He said. Dean leaned towards Cheryl and Sam and snorted, "Yeah, and into their wallets."

"You think so, young man?" Roy said, looking in the general direction of them. Dean's face fell and his lips thinned into a straight line, all eyes were on him now and the crowd was completely silent. This was awkward. "Sorry."

"No, no. Don't be. Just watch what you say around a blind man, son, we got real sharp ears." Roy chuckled. Cheryl smiled a little bit as the crowd laughed and glanced over at Dean.

"I'm not exactly a believer." Dean chuckled nervously as Roy gently touched his arm. Roy smiled, if it weren't for the glasses and the fact that he was blind, Dean would've swore that he was looking at him. "You will be, son. You will be," He said. "Pray with me friends!" Roy exclaimed as he slowly raised a hand into the air. The crowd lifted their hands into the air, their hands conjoined by one another as they mummered prayers. Cheryl and Sam glanced around, seeming to be the odd ones out when it came to this.

Dean flushed a bit in embarrassment and looked anywhere but the stage. He hadn't really expected to be called out like that, especially by the host of the whole event. "What's your name, son?" He asked. Dean cleared his throat and rubbed his thigh, hesitating for a moment before he answered. "Dean."

"Well, Dean. I want you to come up here with me." Roy said. Cheryl and Sam's eyes widened and they both glanced over at Dean who refused his offer. Sue Ann moved to the centre stage near the steps that led up to it, a soft smile on her face. "Dean, what are you doing? Go!" Sam urged. Dean let out a sigh and glanced over to Cheryl who motioned for him to go up. "You've come to be healed, haven't cha?" Dean blinked and rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, he didn't really know what to say. "I mean, yes - but..." The crowd clapped and made some encouraging hoots, they all believed that he should go up. The Lord picked him after all.

"Maybe - maybe you should pick someone else." Dean called out. Sam's brows furrowed and he looked Dean up and down as if he was insane. Roy chuckled, "I didn't pick you, the Lord did." He replied. Cheryl glanced between the stage and Dean, "Go! Dean, please." She said, her voice dipping as she pleaded. A muscle in his jaw twitched and his brows furrowed a bit, it only took a second for him to make a decision and rise out of his seat.

Roy placed a hand on Dean's arm, then to the side of his head. Cheryl held her breath and she perked up in her seat as Dean slowly sunk to his knees and his eyes glazed over. Suddenly, he wobbled and fell back onto the stage. Sam was quick to jump from his chair, as was Cheryl as the crowd clapped and cheered. "Dean!" Sam yelled as he rushed to his side and gripped the front of his hoodie just as Cheryl knelt down beside them. Dean's eyes flew open and he gasped as he came to, "Say something!" Sam begged. His eyes briefly settled on this tall, pasty white figure behind Roy - he was in a suit and his snowy hair was combed back. He didn't look... human. And as quickly as he appeared, he disappeared. "What the hell -" He started but Cheryl quickly and unsuspectedly wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. "Thank God you're okay." She said, her voice muffled against the fabric of his hoodie. Dean's eyes widened and he nervously glanced up at Sam who only shrugged before Dean loosely wrapped his arms around her waist, returning her hug.

Dean sat on the uncomfortable cot in the doctor's office, the sound of a crinkling plastic sheet anytime he moved filled the air. "So you really feel okay?" Sam asked. Dean sighed deeply and rolled his eyes, he swore - if another person asked if he was okay he was going to punch them. "Yes." He growled under his breath. The doctor skimmed through his file and tapped the back of the clipboard. "Well, according to all your tests there's nothing wrong with your heart. No sign there ever was. Not that a man your age should be having heart trouble, but, still it's strange it does happen." He said. Cheryl nibbled on her bottom lip and glanced over at Dean for a moment, either Roy was the real deal or the garlic worked a little too well. "What do you mean, strange?" Dean asked. Sam and Cheryl shared a knowing look and she crossed her arms against her chest before turning her attention back to Dean's doctor. "Well, just yesterday, a young guy like you, twenty-seven, athletic. Out of nowhere, heart attack." He explained.

"Wow, that's awful." Cheryl murmured under her breath. Dean nodded towards the doctor as he was leaving the room, "Thanks Doc."

"No problem."

"That's odd." Dean commented as he shrugged his coat on. Sam sighed and scrunched his lips up, he wanted to just believe that this was a miracle - nothing more. "Look, Dean, do we really have to look this one in the mouth? Why can't we just be thankful that the guy saved your life and move on?" Sam said. Dean hopped off the cot and made his move towards the door, he held it open for Cheryl after he and Sam walked through. "Gracias." She smiled and he nodded slightly in response.

"Because I've got this feeling." Dean answered.

"What feeling?" Cheryl asked, her brows furrowed in confusion. Dean sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, he didn't want to seem like a freak or crazy. It didn't even fully make sense to him - he didn't expect Cheryl to understand (Sammy probably would.) "When I was healed, I just...I felt wrong. I felt cold. And for a second...I saw someone. This, uh, this old man. And I'm telling you, Sam, it was a spirit." He finally said. Cheryl's heart dropped and there was a gnawing feeling in her stomach. If this spirit healed Dean - then maybe they could unheal him.

Dean swerved down the gravel road leading up to Roy and Sue Ann's house. He tapped the steering wheel with his pointer and glanced over at Cheryl for a split second. She was staring out the window, like she has been for the past twenty minutes. She hasn't said a word to him this entire ride - he assumed that they were good now because she hugged him and all that. But apparently not.

"But if there was something there, Dean, I think I would've seen it, too. I mean, I've been seeing an awful lot of things lately." Sam said. He glanced over at Cheryl momentarily, he hadn't exactly told her about the headaches, the visions - the dreams. But she was smart and there was no doubt in his mind that she wasn't catching on. Dean rolled his eyes and his lips thinned into a straight line, an unamused look painted across his face. "Well, excuse me, psychic wonder. But you're just gonna need a little faith on this one. Sam, I've been hunting long enough to trust a feeling like this."

Sam sighed, "So, what do you want to do then?"

"You're gonna check out the heart attack guy, me and Cher are gonna go see the reverend."

"Sorry for the shit that happened yesterday." Dean said quietly. Cheryl sighed deeply and her head fell back into the seat. "It's fine. I don't exactly blame you for thinking we aren't friends. I don't tell you anything." She muttered. Dean's lips thinned into a straight line and he opened his mouth to say something and hesitated. He didn't want to force her to open up to him - she owed him nothing. "My, uh, mom - when I was a kid, she died in a fire. I carried Sammy out of the house while my dad tried to save her." He said quietly, his voice was strained like it physically pained him to talk about this. Cheryl frowned and swallowed hard, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She tucked her bottom lip between her teeth and glanced back at Dean, her gaze softening. "That sucks, I'm sorry."

"It is what it is." He replied bluntly. Maybe if his dad finds the damn thing that killed her then things will finally be at peace.

Everything Dean initially thought about Cheryl was wrong, she wasn't rude or abrasive, arrogant or bitchy. She was just... Cheryl, and she wasn't ready to let people in, and now, Dean understood that.

Dean shifted into park and pulled the keys out of the ignition, he was about to climb out of the car when she sucked in a sharp breath. Dean looked up, only to see that she was already staring at him. "My dad... he - he wasn't really around growing up, I mean - he was, but -... he was always either on coke or some other street drug." Cheryl shyly looked away and rubbed her clammy hands on her jeans. "So, he was usually in some sort of drugged out coma or beating on my mom." She flashed him an uneasy smile and let out a little chuckle. "Looks like we both had shit childhoods."

Dean blinked. "Yeah, no kidding."

Dean swallowed hard and tapped his knees, they hadn't left the Impala quite yet. He glanced over at her and jerked his head towards the house, "You ready?" He asked. Cheryl shook her head and her lips thinned into a straight line. "No, you go ahead. Can't deal with any more faith stuff right now. I'll wait here." She said. When they first left together, she fully intended to go into the reverend's house with Dean - but she just didn't have the energy anymore. He nodded slowly in understanding and Cheryl crossed her arms over her chest. "I'll tell Sam to meet us at the McDonald's, I want some chicken nuggets." She muttered. Dean snorted and grinned as he looked her up and down. "You want chicken nuggets?" He asked. Even Dean couldn't deny that chicken nuggets were good, especially after a long day. "Yeah, so hurry up." She said, a hint of amusement in her voice.

Dean sat down on a plush couch with little floral decals on the fabric, and of course, it smelt like old people. Roy sat directly across from Dean on a matching sofa and Sue Ann poured them each a glass of water. Dean smiled a bit and nodded in thanks, "I feel great. Just trying to, you know, make sense of what happened." He said.

"A miracle is what happened. Well, miracles come so often around Roy." Sue Ann spoke up. Dean spared her a quick glance and leaned toward Roy, his hands clasped together and resting on his knees. "When did it start? The miracles?"

"Woke up one morning, stone blind. Doctors figured out I had cancer. Told me I had maybe a month. So, uh, we prayed for a miracle. I was weak, but I told Sue Ann, 'You just keep right on praying.' I went into a coma. Doctors said I wouldn't wake up, but I did. And the cancer was gone." Roy said. He took off his glasses, revealing his white eyes, "If it weren't for my eyes, no one would believe me." He added.

"And you could suddenly heal people afterward?" Dean confirmed. Roy sucked in a breath and slowly nodded as he put his glasses back on. "Yes, God blessed me in many ways." Well, that was a load of bull.

Dean swallowed hard and his lips thinned into a straight line, he didn't believe Roy one bit. "Can I ask one more question?" He asked politely. He knew Cheryl would be glad that he was so nice and "respectful," even though she wasn't here, he'd rather not risk an earful about manners. Roy nodded and his lips quirked up into a smile, "Of course you can."

Dean hesitated for a moment and his eyes darted around as if he was trying to "dance around" the question. "Why me? Why did you choose to save me out of all of the other sick people?"

"Well, like I said before, the Lord guides me. I looked into your heart, and you just stood out from all the rest." Roy answered simply.

"What did you see in my heart?"

"A young man with an important purpose. A job to do. And it isn't finished."

Dean slammed the car door shut as he climbed into the driver's seat, startling Cheryl. "We're goin' back to the motel." He said bluntly. Cheryl pouted her lips together and her brows furrowed, whatever happened in there did not leave him in a good mood. "But chicken nuggets..." She trailed off. Dean sighed deeply and checked over his shoulder, placing his hand on the back of Cheryl's seat as he spun out of the parking spot. Her eyes widened and she flushed, butterflies started to flutter in her stomach. "We can go through the drive-thru or something, tell Sam to meet us at the room." He replied. Cheryl swallowed hard and inhaled deeply, he was in a... mood. It was always obvious when Dean was upset about something, he wasn't very good at hiding it. "What's got you upset?" She asked.

"Nothing."

Cheryl scoffed and rolled her eyes, "Yeah, okay. Whatever you say, Winchester." Her voice was laced with disbelief and slight sarcasm. They both knew that she knew that he was a load of bullshit.

Dean threw his keys onto his bed and shrugged off his coat just as Cheryl shoved a chicken nugget into her mouth. Dean bought at least twenty chicken nuggets on the condition that she would share - which she did... for the most part. Sam - who was sitting at a round table with his laptop glanced up as they came in. "What'd you find out?" Dean asked Sam as he popped a nugget in his mouth. Sam frowned and his eyes met Cheryl's and her heart dropped. Whatever this was, it wasn't good. "I'm sorry..." He whispered. Dean cocked a brow and obnoxiously (with his mouth closed, of course) chewed and tossed his coat onto the bed. "Sorry about what?" He questioned as he approached Sam. Cheryl set the bag full of food on the nightstand and came up behind Dean, shoving her hands into her back pockets. "Sam?" She said when he didn't say anything.

Sam sighed deeply and gave Dean that infamous puppy dog look, "Marshall Hall died at 4:17."

Cheryl's eyes widened and her arms dropped to her sides, she murmured a string of cuss words in Spanish. Dean's lips parted and he swallowed hard, "The exact time I was healed." He whispered.

"Yeah. So, I put together a list of everyone Roy's healed, six people over the past year, and I cross-checked them with the local obits. Every time someone was healed, someone else died. And each time, the victim died of the same symptom LeGrange was healing at the time." Sam said, pointing to his laptop. Cheryl stepped forward and leaned down over Sam's shoulder, squinting as she read over what was on the screen. "So someone is healed of cancer - and then someone else dies of cancer?" Dean confirmed.

"Looks like it..." Cheryl sighed.

"Legrange is trading one life for another - I don't know how, but he is." Sam added. Dean palmed his face and rubbed it, slowly turning his back to the pair as his mind raced. His eyes narrowed and he spun around to face them, "Wait, wait, wait - so Marshall Hall died to save me?" He asked. Cheryl's face fell and her posture straightened, she couldn't even imagine the guilt he must be feeling right now - "Dean," She started gently. Sam's brows furrowed and he frowned, his nose slightly scrunching as his emotions appeared clear as day. "The guy probably would have died anyway and someone else would've been healed." He interrupted.

Dean slowly shook his head, his lips curling in disappointment and his jaw flexed. "You should have never brought me here." He said bluntly. Cheryl frowned and she fiddled with her fingers, twisting and pulling and pinching. "Sam was just trying to save your life, Dean."

"Yeah, well. Now some guy is dead because of me." He shot back.

"We didn't know." Sam said quietly.

Cheryl's lips scrunched to one side and she crossed her arms, "How is Roy doing all this, though? Trading one life for another." She asked.

"Oh, he's not. Someone else is doing it for him." Dean quickly answered, his green eyes briefly meeting hers. Her brows furrowed in confusion and when she didn't look away, Dean averted his gaze. "What do you mean?" Sam asked. Dean blinked rapidly and a muscle in his jaw flexed, he didn't want to believe it - but all indicators were pointing to yes. "The old man on the stage, I didn't wanna believe it but..." He trailed off. Cheryl's brows shot up and she gestured her hands for him to continue. "But what?"

"There's only one thing that can give and take life like that. We're dealing with a reaper."

Cheryl sighed and parted her legs as she attempted to crack her back on the chair while listening to Sam and Dean’s chatting. "You really think it's the Grim Reaper - you know, the angel of death, take your soul?" Sam asked, his brows raising. Dean opened his mouth to respond and Cheryl's knee bumped against his. A shiver went up his spine and there was this odd warm feeling in his stomach - and it disappeared as soon as she mumbled an apology and moved away. Cheryl then shrugged, "There are many Reapers from different cultures. Not just one - like in my culture we call her Santa Muerte."

"Your reaper is a chick?" Dean asked.

She rolled her eyes and sighed deeply, "In a sense, yes."

Sam sucked in a breath, "But you said you saw a dude in a suit."

"What, you think he shoulda been working the whole black robe thing?....You said it yourself that the clock stopped right? Reapers stop time. And you can only see 'em when they're coming at you which is why I could see it and you couldn't." Dean snorted. Cheryl grinned a bit and fixed her hair into a low ponytail. She preferred to have it loose and natural most of the time but right now it was just an inconvenience. She glanced over at Sam and adjusted the strap of her low-cut tank top. "I think Dean is right, what else would it be?"

"That cross." He murmured under his breath. Cheryl cocked a brow and shot Dean a look only to see he was already staring at her. His eyes were settled on her chest, if there was a God out there, she was certainly blessed.

Cheryl cleared her throat and Dean flushed and his eyes widened as if he was a child caught with their hand in the cookie jar. "What?" Sam, who had no idea what was going on, just answered his question. "There was a cross in the church, I had seen it before but I couldn't remember where until," He flipped through some papers on the table and then held up a card. Dean leaned in and plucked it from his hand, "A tarot?" He questioned.

Sam nodded, "It makes sense. A tarot dates back to the early christian era right, when some priests were still using magic? And a few of them veered into the dark stuff? Necromancy and how to push death away, how to cause it?"

"So you're saying that Roy binded a reaper using magic?" Cheryl asked with a cocked brow. Dean passed her the card and she inspected it thoroughly, they reminded her of the card game that her mother would always play with her aunts and uncles - Lotería. "If he is, he's riding the whirlwind. It's like putting a dog leash on a great white." Sam snorted.

Now this is where Dean liked to spend his time, his head between the legs of a gorgeous woman. Her short mini skirt was bunched up at her hips, and Dean's tongue delved in her folds and her glistening pussy. God, he would eat pussy for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if he could.

Dean took his empty mug to the sink and rinsed it, "Okay, then we stop Roy." He called back over the running water. Cheryl cocked a brow and her and Sam both side-eyed each other. "How?" She spoke up. He sighed and turned, he leaned against the countertop and crossed his arms against his chest. "You know how." He said simply. Sam's brows shot up and he scoffed in disbelief, "Dude, we're not gonna kill Roy."

Dean rolled his eyes, "The guy is playing God, deciding who lives and who dies. That's a monster in my book." Cheryl wrinkled her nose and her lips curved in disgust, she couldn't even believe that he would suggest something like that - killing a man. A human man. "We are not going to kill him, we are no better than he is at that point." She said.

"Got any bright ideas then, smartie pants?" Dean smirked, looking her up and down. Cheryl grinned back, she closed her eyes and scrunched her nose at him. "Yes, it entails shutting the hell up and stop suggesting murder." She sneered. Sam snorted and Dean simply rolled his eyes, maybe they shouldn't murder the guy but how else were they supposed to stop him? "If Roy's using some kind of black spell on the reaper, we gotta...figure out what it is. And how to break it." Sam said. Cheryl nodded in agreement and patted him on the back as praise. "Right again, Sam."

He suckled at the clit, the immediate moans of gratification it brought out of this girl nearly made him cum right there. "Shit, baby. You taste good." He purred, his voice muffled by a face full of cunt. Her fingers threaded through his hair and her hips jutted into his face. Dean grinned and his grip on her thighs tightened, he was sure that his hands may cramp later.

Her body tensed and she arched her back into him as she came all over his face. Lapping up all of her juices gratefully, Dean moved up to check out the post-orgasm afterglow that every chick always had. Dean grinned and admired how Cheryl's hair stuck to her forehead from sweat. Then, their lips met in a passionate and intimate kiss.

Dean's eyes flew open as Cheryl smacked his bare leg and he was immediately aware of the fact that he had a raging hard on and he was wearing boxer briefs. She grinned and cocked a brow, tilting her head "Nice ass, Winchester." She teased. Thank God that he was on his stomach - this whole situation was just utterly humiliating. He had a sex dream about Cheryl, woke up with a boner, and he wasn't wearing anything but underwear and a t-shirt. Dean thought she was hot, sure - he would totally fuck her given the chance. But he didn't have feelings for her - that would be stupid. If anything he just dreamed of the possibility of having a friends with benefits situation.

Dean waited about 10 minutes before reluctantly going to shower and to rub one out. Sammy must have come back from his morning jog (which he does every morning now to deal with the nightmares) because he heard a loud annoyed sigh outside the door as he stepped out of the shower. "Calm your tits, pretty boy. I'll be out in a damn sec." Dean called out, a wide grin on his face. There was some more incoherent grumbling and Dean chuckled and shook his head. He wiped the steam off the mirror and ran a hand through his messy and unkempt hair. He had to be quick with getting dressed and presentable if he didn't want to hear Sammy's bitching.

He tugged the sheets up to cover himself and forced a smirk on his face. "Back at cha, sweetheart." He replied. He cleared his throat and ran a hand through his messy hair. He wasn't gonna move off of his stomach, he felt like a horny teenager again, having sex dreams over a hot woman in his vicinity. Cheryl set her coat down onto the bed and crossed her arms against her chest. "You gonna get up? We have shit to do." She asked. Dean swallowed hard and his mind blanked, shit, he slowly shook his head and relaxed back into the mattress and pillows. "Nah, gimme a minute," He said. His brows raised and he smiled hopefully, "Can you get some coffee, though?" Cheryl sighed and then nodded slowly, she pulled on her leather jacket and fixed her hair so it wasn't caught. "Better be ready when I get back." She warned.

"I will be, and make sure it's bl-"

"Black. I know." Cheryl interrupted as she made her way towards the door. Dean's lips thinned and then he called out a thanks as she left. Hopefully this damn woody would go away on its own.

Just as Dean came out of the bathroom, Cheryl was back with coffees. She passed Sam one and tucked some of her hair behind her ear as she pulled Dean's coffee out of the cup holder. "What took you so long?" Dean asked as he took a sip. He wrinkled his nose and his mouth curved in distaste as a sickeningly sweet liquid hit his tongue. "Oh, shit. Sorry. That's mine." Cheryl quickly passed him the cup in her hands and took back the one he had. Dean coughed and his brows furrowed as he chuckled, "Do you even like coffee at this point? That's like... pure sugar."

"Oh my God, shut up." She shot back with an eye roll. Sam set his cup down on the table and carefully walked past Cheryl and Dean. Unfortunately, she got a whiff of his post workout smell. Cheryl gagged and stepped away, nearly bumping into Dean. She didn't want to be rude, so she didn't say anything until the bathroom door was shut and locked. "Does he normally stink that bad?" She asked, glancing up at Dean. His lips quirked up into a smirk and he gulped back some black coffee this time. "Oh, yeah."

Cheryl stepped out of the Impala, soft rain pittering against her coat. She didn't mind riding in the backseat, in fact, she preferred it because half of the time Sam and Dean would forget that she's there and wouldn't talk to her.

Cheryl sat down on the edge of Dean's bed and her finger circled the rim of her cup. "So, we're going to today's service and gonna snoop around?" She asked. Dean nodded and sat down next to her, he shrugged and his lips thinned. "Pretty much, yeah." He answered. Cheryl frowned and sighed deeply, she really didn't want to do this. "I feel bad, Roy seems so... nice. Do you really think it's him?" She glanced up at Dean, Roy didn't seem like a monster - or one of those guys who was just a massive bigot. "Yeah, who else would it be?"

Cheryl shrugged and looked away, "I don't know, maybe some weirdo that's obsessed with God or something. I just don't think that it's Roy." She said. Cheryl tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and swallowed hard. "I went to church all the time growing up, and guys like Roy - they'd never even hurt a fly. He's the type to teach Sunday school - not that we do that, but still. There were also people who claimed that they were good, but they weren't. We should watch for other people, suspicious people." Cheryl said. Dean nodded slowly and he rubbed his thigh, she could be right. It might be someone else doing it for Roy, although he didn't understand why she cared so much - he'd give her the benefit of the doubt. "We'll look into it." He promised.

Sam and Cheryl snuck around the house, waiting near a hidden spot by the porch for Sue Ann and Roy to pass. They were quick to make their move, climbing into an open window and beginning to search the house. Cheryl pointed to a book on the shelf that Sam was checking out, "That one doesn't have dust." She whispered. He pulled the heavy encyclopedia off of the shelf and realized that there was a much smaller book hidden behind it. The two of them shared a look and Sam started to flip through it, there was an image of a reaper - the same cross Sam saw, and then articles. Cheryl's face fell when she realized that they were targeting people who weren't "holy." The man who died for Dean was an openly gay teacher, and the woman who recently died was an abortion rights advocate. "This is fucked up." Cheryl whispered under her breath. Sam frowned and nodded in agreement, targeting a gay man and a pro-choice woman was distasteful. Then, there was a clipping about Wright - the man who handed out flyers about Roy being a fraud. "We gotta find him." Sam said urgently as he pulled his phone out of his pocket to call Dean and update him.

"If Roy's using a spell, there might be a spell book." Sam said. Cheryl glanced up at him, her face devoid of emotion - she was good at hiding what she was feeling, which right now was extreme nausea and disgust. "You see if you can try to find it," Dean started, glancing between the two of them. "I'll try to stop Roy from healing anyone. Cheryl, wanna come with me?" He asked hopefully. She pursed her lips together and shook her head, shoving her hands into her coat pockets. "No. I'll go with Sam." She replied.

"Oh, okay."

Sam filed through a row of cars, glancing around for any sign of Wright (or life.) "Help! Help me, please!" A voice cried out. Sam spun around, his eyes immediately landing on Wright who ran past a flurry of cars. He was quick to sprint towards him and Wright smashed into him, desperately clinging to his arms and fear painted across his face. "Help me! Please!" He begged. Sam looked around wildly, he saw no signs of the reaper - "Where is he?!" He asked. Wright's grip on his shoulder tightened for a moment before he pointed behind Sam - of course there was nothing there as Sam wasn't on the reapers agenda - but he believed Wright. "Okay. Come on, let's go."

Cheryl and Sam sprinted through the parking lot, desperately searching for Wright - he never went into the tent during the services, he had to be here. Somewhere. She glanced around, rising onto the tips of her toes as if it would do anything compared to the giant next to her. "I'll take the left, you take the right side." He said. Cheryl nodded and gently grasped his arm, giving his elbow a squeeze before letting go. "You be careful, Sam. Can't have you getting sick like Dean."

He smiled briefly, "I won't."

People started piling out of the tent - yelling various things about a fire. A man bumped into Cheryl, knocking the air out of her lungs and she fell right on her ass. She grunted from the impact and crawled away from the mass of people - she had just about reached a clearing of tall grass when some idiot had stepped on her hand. "Mierda!" She hissed in pain. Cheryl shook her hand as if it would do anything as she rised to her feet. Being 5'2 and in the middle of a mob of panicked people may just be the worst thing that's ever happened to her.

Cheryl searched for any sign of Sam or Dean, Dean clearly succeeded at his job - there was definitely no service happening now. Which means he should be somewhere close. She sighed deeply and walked along the outskirts of the crowd that slowly started to separate as they went to their own cars. Whenever they got separated from one another they'd always meet back at the Impala.

She jogged over to the Impala where Sam and Dean were waiting, and Dean had this sour look on his face. Which wasn't unusual, but lately she found herself being more and more worried for him. It shouldn't be normal to be that upset all the time.

Here they were, back at the motel waiting until they could go back to Roy's to stop Sue Ann from killing another person. It was sort of like their first ever case together, it felt so long ago with all the cases they've had since - two months and nearly ten cases. "So Roy really believes he's healing people?" Sam said as he sat down on the edge of his bed. Dean shrugged and pulled off his boots, biker boots as Cheryl called them, she made fun of him once for wearing them when he doesn't have a motorcycle. "I don't think he knows what Sue Ann is doing." He replied. His eyes never left Cheryl as she bent over to untie her shoes, his eyes widening as her shirt rode up revealing a tattoo. Cheryl had a tramp stamp. Dean tucked his bottom lip between his teeth and grinned, he was about to say something about it to her when Sam practically shoved a book into his hand. "Well, I found this. Hidden in their library. It's ancient. Written by a priest who went to the dark side. There's a binding spell in here for trapping a reaper." Sammy informed. Dean scowled at him before skimming through the book, he wrinkled his nose at the drawing of the reaper. Damn, even the art of something could be scary. "Must be a hell of a spell." He commented.

"Hey, sorry. Got caught up in the crowd." She panted, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Dean's brows raised slightly and he turned to face her, "You okay?" He asked. Cheryl nodded and let out a little breath, her hand hurt like hell - throbbing like crazy and definitely swelling. "Yeah, did you find Wright?" Cheryl's question was directed towards Sam, who thankfully nodded and said that he was alive and good. Dean's eyes dragged down her form, taking note of the redness of her hand and the little specks of gravel on her knees. His lips thinned and he looked at her face again, "Cheryl, you were right." He said.

She blinked in surprise, "What?"

"It's not Roy, it's Sue Ann." Dean answered. Cheryl let out a sigh of relief and her lips quirked up into a slight smile, she was right. Roy - the sweet, nice old guy wasn't doing all of this. "Oh, thank God."

"Yeah. You gotta build a black alter with seriously dark stuff. Bones, human blood. To cross a line like that, a preacher's wife. Black magic. Murder. Evil." Sam glanced over at Cheryl who was popping a couple of painkillers. She swallowed and cleared her throat, "Desperate. Her husband was dying, she didn't have anything to save him. She was using the binding spell to keep the reaper away from Roy." She spoke up. Cheryl wiped the tears that were welling in her eyes and sniffled. Dean's face fell and his heart dropped to his ass it felt like. "Are you okay?" Sam asked, his brows furrowing in concern. She chuckled quietly and wiped the tears that fell, "Oh yeah, pills just went down weird is all."

"Why did you take em?" Dean asked.

"Period cramps." Cheryl dead panned. His mouth made a little 'o' and he quickly looked back at the book, embarrassment filling him to his core. He sort of forgot that Cheryl was a woman who got periods. "Uh," Dean cleared his throat. "But, Roy's alive - so why is she still using the spell?"

"To force the reaper to kill people she finds immoral." Sam quickly answered. Cheryl's lips thinned and she sighed deeply, these hard-core religious people pissed her off. Dean clicked his tongue and shook his head slowly, "May God save us from half the people who think they're doing God's work." He muttered. Cheryl couldn't help but grin at his comment, sauntering over to them and crossing her arms. "How can we break the binding spell?" She asked.

Dean flipped through some pages, his eyes landing on the same cross that Sam recognized and the cross that Sue Ann had. He pointed to the picture and glanced over at the two of them, "You know Sue Ann had a coptic cross like this. When she dropped it the reaper backed off."

"So you think we gotta find the cross or destroy the altar?" Sam confirmed.

Dean nodded and shrugged, "Maybe both. But we gotta do it soon, he's healing Layla tonight."

The Impala rolled up to the house and the tent, the headlights were off as they didn't want to announce their presence and Dean was quick to turn the car off. Sam noticed the second smaller car parked near the tent and frowned. "That's Layla's car. She's already here."

Dean nodded sadly and let out a deep, disappointed sigh, "Yeah." He shouldn't have been healed, it should have been her instead of him - he didn't deserve a second chance. Cheryl's lips curved down into a frown and she rested her chin on the benched seat in front of her. Backseat privileges were awesome. "Dean..." She whispered. He sighed deeply and relaxed back into his seat, he's been trying to ignore how guilty he's been feeling since he got healed. How there were definitely many other people who deserved to be healed rather than him. "You know if Roy woulda picked Layla instead of me she'd be here right now. And if she's not healed tonight she's gunna die in a coupla months." He muttered.

"What's happening to her is horrible. But what are you gunna do? Let somebody else die to save her? You said it yourself Dean, you can't play God." Sam comforted. He remained silent for a moment, he didn't have anything to reply with. He knew that Sam was right, but it didn't change how he felt.

Dean abruptly climbed out of the car and Cheryl slid over and came out after him. "Hey." She whispered shouted. When he ignored her, she jogged over to him and gently grasped his arm. He turned and she dropped her arm to her side, "If you're going through a hard time over all this, I'm here for you... we can talk or drink away the pain together. Whatever you need. I'm here." She whispered. Dean's eyes softened for a moment, this wasn't the behaviour of a woman who would hate him. His lips thinned and he glanced back at Sam who peeked into the tent. The service had already started, Roy was about to heal Layla and of course, Sue Ann was nowhere to be found. "I'm fine."

"Dean, I know I've never said this before but you're my friend. I care about you and I care about what happens to you, don't suffer alone if you don't have to."

Dean didn't know what to say, so, he just gave her a curt nod before turning and walking away.

All of the lights in the house were off - no sign of life inside. They crept around the wrap around porch, and Cheryl peaked over the railing noticing light poking out the cracks of the outside basement entrance. She tapped Sam's arm and jerked her head towards it, "Here." She whispered.

"Where's Sue Ann?" Dean asked.

"House." Sam replied. He glanced down at Cheryl and they all started to move towards the house until Dean stopped "Go find Sue Ann, I'll catch up." Sam stepped back and was immediately pushed (gently) forward by him. "Dean, what are you..." Two cops descended a set of stairs and Dean backed away from Cheryl and Sam. He grinned, "Hey!" The cops' heads snapped over in his direction but Dean's grin only widened. "You gonna put the fear of God in me?" The pair of cops were quick to drop their coffees - sprinting after Dean and not even noticing Cheryl and Sam who ran up the front steps to Roy and Sue Ann's house. "God, I could kiss him right now." Cheryl joked in a quiet whisper.

"Pretty sure he would like that." Sam snorted.

Sam pried the doors open and ushered Cheryl inside, tucked in the corner of the basement there was an altar. It was littered with blood, animal bones and horns - there was even part of a rabbit's ears. Sam's eyes landed on a photograph of Dean taken from security footage inside the tent. His face was crossed out with what looked like blood and Cheryl felt her stomach churn. Her fingers gently grazed the photo, then realizing (much too late) that Sue Ann was going to take Dean's life for Layla's. "Sam -" A voice from behind them cut her off, "I gave your brother life and I can take it away." They both startled and turned, only to see Sue Ann who was clutching the cross in her hands. Sam and Cheryl side-eyed each other - and it barely took a second for them to act together.

Cheryl flipped over the altar table, scattering all its items across the floor and the glass cups shattered on impact. Sam rushed up the stairs behind Sue Ann - but she was faster than he was, slamming the wooden doors shut and securing it with a wooden beam. He pushed against it with all the strength he had - and nothing. "Sam, can't you see? The Lord chose me to reward the just and punish the wicked. And your brother is wicked and he deserves to die just as Layla deserves to live. It is God's will." Sue Ann soothed. It was pitiful that she believed she was doing any good. Sam grit his teeth and quickly surveyed the room, a window, secret door, anything that may help them get out of here. "What is it with you Winchester's and getting me stuck in creepy basements." Cheryl muttered under her breath.

Cheryl glanced around, noticing a small window that was boarded up with old wood pieces. She pointed, "There!" Sam rushed down the steps and Cheryl climbed on top of a rickety table to tear off the wooden boards. Keeping one of the wooden pieces, she smashed open the window and laid down her jacket so that they could safely climb out.

After managing to get rid of the cops, Dean was making his way back to the tent when some lights behind him had started to flicker. His brows furrowed in confusion and he slowly turned as the lights on the path began to go out one by one with a pop. A muscle in his jaw flexed and when he turned back around, the reaper was stalking towards him.

Sue Ann clutched the cross in her hands - her eyes screwed shut as she recited the spell in Latin right outside the tent where the session was being held. Dean had to die - it was only right.

The reaper placed his hand on the side of Dean's head and he convulsed almost immediately - sinking to his knees like he did when he was healed.

Sam ripped the cross from Sue Ann's hands and threw it to the ground, the glass vial full of blood that was snug inside smashing to tiny pieces. Sue Ann's eyes flew open and a scream tore through her throat, "No!" She cried out. She fell to her knees and desperately clawed up the broken bits, "My God, what have you done!" Cheryl stared down at her, a blank expression on her face. Religion as an excuse to do heinous, terrible things was no way to live. It was the same as saying that the "devil made me do it," it's not true. It's not faith. "He's not your God." Sam said.

Sue Ann exhaled sharply, looking up at them with horror. "You-." Her eyes landed on a figure behind them, something only she could see. She let out a terrified yelp and scampered to her feet - taking off in the opposite direction. The reaper kept pursuing her, however, placing his icy cold hand on the side of her head and smiling menacingly down at her. Tears welled in Sue Ann's eyes and she sank to her knees. Cheryl turned away when she began to convulse and collapse to the ground. "Let's go." She muttered.

"You okay?" Sam called out to Dean once they reached the Impala. He ran a hand through his short hair and sighed deeply. "Hell of a week." He replied. Cheryl's lips thinned and she climbed into the backseat of the Impala without a word.

The ride back to the motel was silent and as soon as Dean parked she got out. "I'm gonna grab my stuff and get my own room." She quickly spat out. Her heart felt heavy in her chest and she pushed past Sam. As soon as Cheryl got into the room she went to the bathroom to grab her makeup bag, her clothes would be fine. She always kept them neat in her bag and not all over the place. "Cheryl, you're not serious." Dean scoffed. She shrugged and tucked her hair behind her ear, all this faith shit has really fucked with her. "I am." She said simply.

Cheryl laid curled up on her side on the bed, all of the blankets were wrapped around her as she flipped through the channels on the television. She didn't have much time to watch TV when the boys were around and they probably wouldn't be able to agree on something to watch. Her eyes widened as she saw that a channel was doing a Friends rerun, "Hell yes." She smiled. American sitcoms were her bread and butter.

There was a knock at the door and Cheryl glanced over, slowly sitting up. It'd been a while since she got her own room, at least an hour or so. There was another knock, louder this time and Cheryl rolled her eyes, tucking her tongue into her cheek as she roused out of bed to answer it. She cracked the door open and peered out, "Si? Hola?" She called out. Her face fell when it was just Dean, "Oh. It's you." She muttered, pulling open the door for him to come in. Dean chuckled quietly and looked around the room, it was a little nicer than theirs but that was to be expected. This was a room for one. "I come bearing gifts." He said, holding up a white paper bag. Cheryl cocked a brow and tried to mask her hunger. She ran her tongue across her front teeth and gestured towards the bag. "What'd you get?"

Dean grinned, "BLTS."

"Okay, sit on the bed."

Dean sat on the edge and kicked off his boots, he unwrapped one of the sandwiches and Cheryl plopped down next to him. When she unwrapped her own sandwich, she realized that there were avocados on it - and Dean had gotten extra fries. Her lips thinned and she inhaled sharply which caught his attention. "What? You don't like it?"

"No, it's good. Thanks." She smiled at him reassuringly. Her eyes settled on the TV in front of them that was still playing Friends. Dean raised his brows, "You like this?" Cheryl hummed out a "yes" and bit into her sandwich, BLTS were hard to screw up - they were good no matter where you went. Dean snorted at a particular scene and shook his head, "Ross sucks."

"Right?! God, he's so annoying." Cheryl groaned. He laughed and pulled a basket of fries out of the bag, which makes sense for America. Portion sizes are massive. "Uh, why'd you get another room?" He asked gently. She sighed and shrugged, she had her own reasons but they were nothing compared to what Dean went through during this hunt. "All this... religion stuffs been hard." She replied quietly. She tucked her bottom lip between her teeth and nibbled on it. "I dunno, I'm fine. How are you?" She questioned with a raised brow.

"Not good."

"Wanna talk about it?"

"No." He replied shortly. Cheryl nodded in understanding and looked away, when she was upset she liked distractions. And, well, maybe this would work.

Cheryl swallowed hard and sucked in a deep breath, "You can ask me a maximum of three questions about me, and then I'll ask you three questions about yourself." She offered. Dean's brows shot up and his eyes widened, the woman who never answered his questions - was letting him ask her questions? "Quick! Before I change my mind." She waved and popped a fry into her mouth.

"Shit, okay, uh... where did you move to when you came to America?" He asked. He was hopeful that she wouldn't refuse to answer this question - friends were supposed to know things about each other. Cheryl squinted and pouted her lips together in thought, "New Orleans, I think." She answered. Dean grinned a bit and set his sandwich down on the bed, turning his full body to face her. "Your turn."

"I know, do you have any allergies?" Cheryl tilted her head to the side and bit her lip. He nodded and rubbed his nose, "Yeah, cats."

"What? Cats are so cute, though."

"It's not like I can control what I'm allergic to, believe me, I'd rather not be allergic to cats." He snorted.

Cheryl smirked and leaned over to playfully punch his arm, "No pussy for you." She teased. Dean's face fell and then he let out a nervous chuckle as he rubbed his thighs. He had to think of another question, and it had to be a good one that may lead to a conversation... or more uncounted questions.

"What's your biggest fear?" Dean questioned. This was a harmless question for non-hunters, people who didn't know what really lurked in the dark. For people like them... it could be uncomfortable. "Dying alone," She quickly answered. She gulped and tucked some of her hair behind her ear. "Probably weird considering our profession but, yeah. Dying alone."

Dean shook his head, "Nah, not weird. I get it." Dying alone was a reasonable fear, but when you're a hunter... it's probable that you will die alone. This job isn't for the faint of heart. Cheryl pointed to the silver ring on his hand, she'd been curious about it ever since they met. Dean wore jewellry, the necklace (Samulet), the bracelets and the watch - he had style. "Are you married?" She asked. Dean let out a bark of laughter and shook his head in amusement. Him? Married? That was comical. "No, no. Shit, no." He laughed. He cracked an eye open to look down at her, "Are you?"

Cheryl grinned, "Are you sure you want that to be your last question?" She asked. His eyes narrowed as he thought about it, he could think of a better question to ask her... but knowing whether or not she was married would be nice too. Finally, he nodded. "Yeah, wanna know if I keep hittin' on a married woman or not."

Cheryl laughed and nodded slowly, "Okay, okay. I was. But not anymore. Happy?" Dean's brows shot up in surprise, he half expected the answer to be no with how she was. Such a hard-ass, trust issues, et cetera. Someone got past all of that and managed to marry her?

They spent the rest of the night watching Scooby-Doo together on some kids channel until he went back to his own room to sleep.

"Okay, it's my last question." Cheryl mused. She ran a hand through her hair and fluffed it up. Her eyes softened when she thought of her last question, she didn't expect him to tell her if he wasn't comfortable. She wasn't going to force him. "What was your mom's name?" She asked gently. His jaw flexed and he looked away from her almost immediately. His silence was enough of an answer. "I'm sorry, I'll ask something else..."

"Yeah." He exhaled. She picked at the bread of her BLT and her lips thinned. "Favourite TV show as a kid?"

"Scooby-Doo." He quickly answered.

"Never seen it."

"What?!"

Dean sat on the edge of his bed, seemingly staring at nothing. Sam, who was watching him, frowned "What is it?"

"Nothing." Dean shut down. Sam sighed and his lips thinned into a straight line, he was worried for Dean. And it wasn't exactly easy to get him to talk about his feelings. "What is it?" He repeated, kinder this time. Dean exhaled a breath and rubbed his face, he was silent for a moment before quietly asking: "We did the right thing, right?"

"Of course we did." He comforted. Dean hung his head in shame and screwed his eyes shut. "It doesn't feel like it."

A sharp knock at the door grabbed their attention, "I got it." Sam quickly said as he went to open the door. Dean's eyes widened as it was Layla who was on the other side, her hands neatly clasped in front of her. She smiled a little bit as Sam greeted her and stepped away to let her in. "Hey." She said sweetly. Dean quickly rised, "How did you know that we were here?" He asked.

"Sam called. He said that you wanted to say goodbye...?" Dean shot Sam a look and he was already smiling sheepishly, hand on the door knob. "I'm... gunna grab a soda." He muttered before leaving.

Dean glanced back at Layla who was nibbling on her bottom lip. "So... uh, where are you going?" She asked.

He shrugged, "Don't know yet, our work takes us all over." He replied. She watched him in silence and tucked a strand of her light hair behind her ear. "You know, I went back to see Roy."

"What happened?"

"Nothing. He laid his hands on my forehead but nothing happened." She whispered as she sat down on one of the beds. He sat beside her and squeezed his own knees, his hand flexing as he did. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry it didn't work." Layla glanced over at him, her eyes soft and kind - there probably wasn't a mean bone in her body. "Sue Ann died, you know, stroke." She whispered. Dean's lips thinned and he nodded slowly, the reaper got his much deserved revenge. "Yeah, I heard. Roy's a good guy, he doesn't deserve what's happened," He looked down at her and his lips parted slightly. "Must be tough. Believing in something so much only to have it disappoint you."

Layla smiled and Dean's brows furrowed in confusion, "You wanna hear something weird?" She asked. He nodded once and her smile widened, "I'm okay. Really. I guess if you're gunna have faith...you can't just have it when the miracles happen. You have to have it when they don't."

"So what now?"

Layla smiled softly, "God works in mysterious ways." She gently cupped Dean's cheek and rubbed his cheekbone with her thumb. His eyes fluttered shut and he remained still, enjoying her soft touch. "Goodbye, Dean." She said tearfully as she began to walk to the door. He opened his eyes and his lips parted, "Well..." He cleared his throat and Layla turned to face him with an expectant look. He swallowed hard, "I'm not much of the praying type... but... I'm gunna pray for you." He said. Her smile widened and her eyes shone with unshed tears, the gesture meant a lot to her. "There's a miracle." She whispered before leaving, the door quietly clicking shut behind her.

#Spotify #supernatural #supernatural fanfiction #spn fanfiction #supernatural fic #dean winchester fanfiction #dean winchester x oc #dean winchester #spn #spn fanfic #spnfandom #spnfamily

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nolita-fairytale · 1 year

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make my heart surrender | carmy x reader | the playlist

here's a fun little collection of songs that make me think of this story. some of the songs feel like they could function as a soundtrack to the story, and some just make me think of carmy x reader. i created this playlist and listened to it while writing, in the car, doing dishes... seriously, the way this story took over my brain.

make my heart surrender: the playlist

***

sleeping with a friend - neon trees

carmy & reader's relationship in new york city -- while the title feels self-explanatory, this song has all the sexual tension of wondering our favorite kitchen lovebirds' will they won't they relationship. do we need a oneshot of the before times? maybe...

robbers - the 1975

angsty carmy & reader's relationship in nyc. this is also allegedly the prequel to 'about you' so it felt right to include it.

about you - the 1975

where the title of this fic comes from: 'now there's something about you that i can't remember / it's the same damn thing that made my heart surrender / and i miss you on the train, i miss you in the morning / i never what to think about / i think about you

it's the pining for me

chicago - sufjan stevens

the iconic song used in the show. i could see this song playing on reader's first day at the bear, or underscoring reader's travels to chicago

sleep tight - holly humberstone

oof, this song kills me. i'll add notable lyrics that make me think of carmy x reader, but it would be a beautiful underscore for their moment at the end of chapter two, when they say goodnight to each other.

"sleep tight i'm on my way back and feeling kind of sad because you were the best thing i never knew i had"

"you were the best thing i never knew was mine"

"god knows i've missed this feeling" makes me ache in the best ways why do we love being sad sm?!

closer - tegan and sara

i could see this song underscoring some of the kitchen flows when carmy & reader have smoothed things over around chapter three. i can just see reader working the garnish station and falling in love with carmy all over again as she watches him expedite.

can we also just talk about how this is a peak in the flow of the playlist? like they've finally smoothed things over and it's been nostalgic/acoustic/angsty and then this song happens and it's like an explosion of energy?? we're finally going to get some connection between these two

only human - the code, william singe

if this were a movie/tv show, i'd have this song play in the background of their conversation (date) at the aviary in chapter three.

untouched hearts - acoustic - the hunna

the lines "i know it's been hard but now it's time for you to get what you want, to know you're enough" feel like a fucking love letter from mikey to carmy. #LetItRip

it also feels like a feeling reader and carmy would share between the two of them about each other.

la vie en rose - emily watts

the song that plays at carmy's apartment after putting her dinner party playlist on shuffle. reader is flipping through the cookbook while he finishes the carbonara to the sweet sounds of this song. and they're making eyes at each other, and stealing glances when they think the other isn't looking GOODBYE

the girl - city & colour

this song is giving major waking-up-together-morning-after vibes. i mostly saw this song for the second to last chapter for the cute tattoo scene, but it could also be great for their first morning after season in chapter five.

flashed junk mind (acoustic version) - milky chance

just picture carmy & reader traipsing through chi-town's chinatown, arguing over who's gonna pay (because they both think it should be themselves), being cute, and fighting over carmy's cigarette during their walking dumpling date.

strawberries & cigarettes - troye sivan

this song accompanies their sweet goodbye at the start of chapter 7 and i'm quite convinced that troye sivan wrote it about carmen berzatto and you can't change my mind lol.

for the lines: "blue eyes, black jeans, lighters and candy, i've been a fool / strawberries & cigarettes always taste like you" and "remember when you taught me fate / said it'd all be worth the wait."

somebody - dagny

less on brand for the show, but the lyrics make me think so much about these two. it's giving: plot twist this is now a freeform show, i know. however, i envisioned this song being a part of reader packing up her things and catching up w friends back in ny. maaaaybe even as she's getting in her u-haul to drive to chicago.

solsbury hill - peter gabriel

peter gabriel said that this song was about losing something so that you can gain something else and i'm just not okay. this is the song that underscores the final scene in our lovely little epilogue, when reader surprises carmy at the bear ready to tell him that she's finally all in.

#carmen berzatto x reader #carmen berzatto x you #carmy berzatto #carmy x oc #the bear hulu #the bear fx #jeremy allen white #carmen 'carmy' berzatto #the bear marcus #sydney adamu #the bear tina #richie jerimovich #playlist #spotify #make my heart surrender #make my heart surrender soundtrack #make my heart surrender playlist

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sid3buns · 24 days

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Cool little writing game I've been taggued in by @joeys-piano (thank you so much ! ) I've been writing SO MUCH lately to cope with the stress of several life events all happening at once and because I can't afford therapy, so this is the next best thing. I will post 3 snippets from published fics and 2 from current WIPs :3 I'm only tagging @fukurodani bc i think everyone else from my minuscule pool of moots who write have already been taggued, afaik ; but if not pls feel free to do it! Rules: Post your favourite line or passage from as many of your published works as you’d like. Let yourself feel proud of your creations! Tag as many people as you post snippets, so your fellow fic friends can be proud, too. Anchors | Windbreaker

All it takes to fall a man is to figure out where the hits are the most likely to land. This one was full of holes ; it’s a punch to the kidney, a swift hook under his weaker knee (the right one), and he’s on the ground, head bashing against concrete in a crack that might as well be the wind rattling a tree. Suo craves for more ; the song is not finished. If there’s to be an intro, a bridge, and a chorus, it needs a worthy finale. How easy it would be to smash your skull open, right now. He wonders if one hit is enough to see brain matter stain his kung fu shoes. He almost finds out ; his leg lifts on its own, it’s a hammer on a nail. One step away from being a coffin.

Bouquet | Blue Lock

” And what do you expect me to do about it, “ Barou hisses, busying himself with leaving wet circles of condensed water all over the table with his glass of beer. “ I don’t know him, I just prepare flowers for his wicked needs. “ That’s a half-truth ; Barou is starting to know Isagi. They chat for a bit whenever the man drops in, and it’s almost daily. He works nearby the flower shop, and it looks like it’s very demanding work. He has a dog named Müller, and he likes to watch soccer matches to unwind. They support opposite teams ; Barou gets to nag him about goals a couple times. “ Maybe just slip him a pamphlet, or something, “ Niko says wisely, staring at Barou from under his bangs. “ Or drag him to the back store of your shop and fuck his brains ou- “ The waitress has to intervene when Barou almost chokes Aiku to death at their table, and Barou gives her a nice tip.

Barou Shouei's Seemless Guide To Successful Dating | Blue Lock

“ What are you afraid of, Shouei ? “ Trust. His mom reads between his silences ; mothers are made of magic and stardust. “ Have you tried trusting this person ? “ and she knows the answer, because how could Barou even begin to understand how trust worked - he’s always been a lonely child, on top of his lonely mountain. “ Can you trust that they know you enough to understand all of the wonderful things you offer to this world ? “

Trying To Feel Alive (WIP) | Blue Lock

He’s surprised to see a flash of long, red hair, and he smiles softly as Chigiri continues to hit the dummy in diligence. Sweat falls in heavy drops from his drenched, beautiful skin, hair carefully braided to the side as always ; some strands have fallen in front of his eyes, sticking to his skin, but Chigiri is elsewhere - there is anger in his eyes, and sadness, and rage. It permeates his kicks with something foul. Chigiri is not training - he’s fighting for his life, right now, and it makes Kunigami so, so sad. (It reminds him of himself.)

Déjà Vu (WIP) | Blue Lock

” Because sometimes, Rin drives how he ought to really drive. “ They reach the very end of the cliff, and car lights illuminate the night in the faraway distance. “ Like he’s the freest man on this goddamn earth. “ They’re finally in front of them ; it lasts for a split second, and yet it feels like eternity in Isagi’s eyes. It’s here in slow motion, time standing still, he sees it all on Rin’s face - this punch drunk madness called freedom, seeping through each and every one of his pores, reverberated in the halo of his smile. In that moment, watching Rin feels like staring into the sun - blinding and warm, all engulfing. Isagi’s heart shatters into a million pieces, because he wants to chase after the light.

#taggued #tag game #wip #fanfiction #windbreaker #blue lock #bllk #thanks for tagging me this was fun !#and kind of hard ngl dhdkjs

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ravenquing · 11 months

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I've not been watching Campaign 3 for a while now, but Twitter and Tumblr have been feeding me crumbs...

Now, an idea has sprung up in my head that I want to explore, but I don't know if I will write for it yet.

I mostly write for Vox Machina, I find that dipping my toes into writing for the other parties makes me uncomfortable, but this fic wouldn't be so bad.

Idk, maybe some day.

But here's sort of how it would start, i guess?

SPOILERS FOR CRITICAL ROLE CAMPAIGN 3 FROM AT LEAST EPISODE 51 ONWARDS

Thinking about Vex suddenly being startled by a feeling in her chest that she hasn't felt for a very, very long time.

She's concerned immediately, but for the wrong reason.

What sort of pain is this? Did she need a cleric?

Then it hits her.

But that can't be right…

Then the amulet goes off, the dragon tooth one Keyleth gifted to her oh-so long ago, from where it rests on her necklace stand.

She snatches it at once and rushes to find her husband, her chest aching more than ever, and finds Percy as he jumps out of his armchair in his study clutching at the amulet around his own neck.

Knowing the other is safe, they quickly rush to check on Pike, who was here to train Gwendolyn healing magic and emergency aid techniques.

Pike is fine, and her own amulet is back at home, so Vex & Percy's sudden and frantic appearance startles her and Gwendolyn.

When Pike is informed of what's happened, she immediately scries on Grog.

Grog's fine, he's been off doing Grog things, but he's stopped upon realising his amulet is doing that weird thing again that it hasn't done since... Well. In a long time.

They try to check on Scanlan next, but there's interference now - it's alright though, because he's suddenly appearing in a puff of purple magic looking terrified.

That just leaves Keyleth and Taryon then…

Pike tries to scry again, setting her target to Keyleth, but she just can't get through.

Scanlan admits he had struggled controlling his magic when coming here, which concerns his friends greatly - what was going on?

Still determined to try and check on the others, the group gathered some supplies before trying to teleport to grab Grog from out in the woods nearby…

But that's not where they end up. Instead, they find themselves ending up all the way in Emon of all places.

Scanlan is embarrassed, assuring them it isn't his fault, but the group's attention is soon turned to the sky.

A light is shooting into or out of the moon known as Rudius... That can't be good.

They rush to find Allura, who is franticly scrambling around her tower while Kima and Gilmore argue off to the side.

Magic is broken, divine and arcane... Uh oh.

And now these three pillars of magical strength Vox Machina have looked up to for years are now more terrified than Vox Machina has ever seen them before.

Something was happening.

Today's the solstice, right? Wasn't Keyleth doing something related to that?

They need to get to Zephrah, but they don't know how.

Was Keyleth safe? Was it her who set the amulet off?

It's stopped flashing by now... But they don't feel like she's been lost... Is she okay now?

That feeling in Vex's chest has also subsided, but Vex has no idea what that was. (She does, but she refuses to believe such a silly idea.)

The group had to rangle horses, but they eventually set off for Keyleth's home to find some darn answers.

After Zephrah, they can try to find Grog and maybe go look for Tary over in Wildemount.

It takes longer than they'd like, but they get there only to find out she isn't here.

She's in Marquet, actually, dealing with a huge thing that they can't know about.

Keyleth didn't want them worrying about her, of course, but Zephrah could help them get to Marquet via tree.

This magic works, at least.

So they get to Marquet, but they don't really have much to go on, though whispers and rumours direct them there.

Everyone there is dead when they finally arrive, a large machine now dormant.

Black feathers are scattered everywhere, laying in pools of different coloured blood.

Keyleth isn't here, but fallen Ashari soldiers are dotted around the ruins of whatever catastrophe happened here.

They need to find Keyleth.

Vex takes one of the mysterious black feathers and tucks it into her hair.

After searching and searching, they find some first aid supplies and empty potion bottles by a tree big enough for Tree Stride.

They hope this means Keyleth got home, but it means they missed her... Frustrated, they investigate some more.

Percy is curious about the machine but can't figure out how it once operated.

Satisfied they didn't miss anything, the group began the long journey back to Emon and across the sea.

They finally get back and report to Gilmore and the ladies, who are all deeply troubled by the news.

Vox Machina then disembark once more, heading for Zephrah once again.

This time, when they arrive, Keyleth is home - and she's in the worst state any of them have ever seen her in.

Hurt, using her staff as a crutch, she's beside herself with toe-curling anger.

That is, until she sees the innocent black feather in Vex's hair and breaks down.

There is so much to tell them.

There is so much to do.

#i have had so many thoughts about marble'dan...#maybe i will write this #critical role #cr #critical role campaign 3 #cr c3 #critical role spoilers #cr spoilers #critical role campaign 3 spoilers #cr c3 spoilers #vox machina #cr drabble #cr fanfic #my fic #lynias writes something #lynias shut up challenge

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shiningstardan · 1 month

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During the process of writing fanfictions, do you have a creative block or are you able to flow a story easily?

☆ A S K T I M E ! ! !

Well... Imma try to reply to the best of my abilities. But first context:

I have come just come out from a 5-year writing pause. I won't call it a block because 5 years ago I didn't have much interest in writing, I just wrote 5 fics but didn't think much of it and even dropped one of those.

So, what have I done now that is so different and has gotten my juices flowing?

I have established some rules

1. I will not write for others.

What does this mean? I will not write expecting kudos, bookmarks or reviews. So I don't place my writing motivation on feedback, some people get writers block because they don't feel appreciated. It's hurtful but you gotta remember that you also write because you love this character and the fandoms. I've always been kind of a lone wolf irl so, I gotta conduct the same mentality on online spaces.

2. I will find what I need out of the fics I'm writing and write that

I have been investing a lot of time thinking in Naruto for example. What do I need from this story that I never got?

Hyuga lore & politics

Konoha 13 interactions

Re-imagining of the time skipped between the OG series and Shippuden.

The fact that naruto talks friendship to everybody but he only cares about 1 friend, so I need him to interact with the other.

Knowing I need this I have started writing fics using prompts that may help my inspiration. Created character profiles to know who is friends with who besides what we are told in canon. Taken advantage of certain fandom patterns, there are some headcanons that have become universal.

For example: Somehow, somewhere a fan decided that in fanfic Hinata's grandfather is called either Hideo / Hideto and the rest of the fandom just rolled with it! which brings me to my next point~

3. I don't have to start from scratch.

If you feel that you are inspired by an image, headcanon, just roll with it. Don't feel pressure to come out with "original ideas" all the time, that's exhausting. I personally love when authors reference things, so maybe you said that a character likes the color red and you repeat that in a different way every fic you have, maybe through clothes, maybe through food, maybe through objects. A nod is always welcomed.

4. I can work on something else or abandon your idea

If you are stuck with an idea you can

Sleep on it and check it later

Outline it and move on. You can write 4 or 5 sentences about what you want to happen in that section and then you can come up with the details for the scene and write something else.

Not work on it anymore, maybe you can recycle what you wrote for another project (that's how I wrote Happy Valentine's Day, I didn't want to star from scratch so I reused the first portion from a discarded idea)

5. Length doesn't define you

I'm currently writing a 20k+ fic. This is my first time writing this much and it's scary AF. I thought it would be a 2k max, because I don't have a really good imagination. In the past I have mainly written works under 1k and even a 40 part drabble pieces (if you know the technical definition drabbles are 100 words exactly). So up until now I had just written relatively short works.

Challenge yourself to write short, write a haiku, a drabble, some flash fiction (250 w) or something under 500. Just a page.

Any writing is good writing.

6. Workshop it

Talk about your story and the ideas you want to explore with a friend (that includes me now, just so you know. Whether it is an annonymous ask or a direct message, my ask box will always be open for fanfic questions, even if it's a different fandom or ship I personally don't gravitate to).

7. Educate Yourself

This last few months I have discovered that english and spanish are formatted totally different in terms of punctuation.

I have also wanted to learn more about creative writing so I watch some Lectures

That being said I think I write slowly, but enjoy it nonetheless.

#answered asks

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marvelandponder · 3 months

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💖 📥 🖊 🌝 📝 🤔 💻 💭

Hahaha! You're going all in, huh? Thanks for the interest! Fanfic Ask Game! I'll save the snippet for last so it can live after a cut! 💖 What do you like most about your own writing? Answered this one but since you asked, only fair to answer again! Let's see, another thing... I love when my stories have good set-up and pay-off. Bevin and I love to joke that my favourite word is consequences - it's so satisfying when you get to see little seeds grow into something bigger, or something from earlier on be recontextualized into something new! Timber sure is Sunset's new best friend :D

📥 What is your fave fic to receive comments/messages on? Currently, Empathy for the Devil, since it's the most recently released and Bevin and I worked the hardest on it. But that answer's probably gonna change when we start releasing The Ex Files, so I guess whatever's most recent! 🌝 Who is one character you haven’t yet written for that you would like to? Also answered, but again, only fair to give you a different answer! Someone else I'd love to write for is probably Pinkie. She's so fun and great when I've written her as a non-perspective character, I'm real excited to write in her POV! 📝 What is one growth area you have for your writing? Scene vs. summary! I actually tend towards a lot of scene, but don't summarize spans of time very often I've also been working on subtlety in my show vs tell. I'm trying to play around with language more since it didn't really come naturally to me as much as dialogue did! 🤔 What is the hardest part of writing fic? Answered, but I bet I've got another one! Perfectionism. Sometimes, that's with the prose itself. Now, it's just being satisfied with the number of hours I get to spend writing per week. It's still a ton, but I have to fight the perfectionism demon who lives in my basement. He's a nasty one 💻 Do you do research for your fics? What’s the deepest dive you’ve done? I do! I was researching little things just this morning! The deepest dive has maybe been reading actual research papers on brain chemistry cross-referenced with the Greek forms of love. Ironically, what the characters techno-babble about in that story (which also involved mechanical engineering) is way less researched than the thematic stuff! The Ex Files is gonna be a really fun time! 💭 What is a headcanon you have about your own work? Aww, I like this question! It's actually a tough one because I usually end up writing my headcanons into stories, so it's tough not to give away too many spoilers. Here's a small one: Sunset came out to see Timber sometime after Empathy. They hung out and had a besties weekend watching too many sitcoms, and ended up bonding over a really embarrassing one from like the 80s. It's their show now. 🖊 Post a snippet from a current WIP.

Loathing. Unadulterated loathing is what it was.

“He thinks he’s so great,” Sunset grumbled into her punch, “...just because he kind of is. What an asshole.”

“Is he actually? You think he’s secretly a big dumb jerkface?”

“No,” Sunset sighed, disappointed. She had her arms folded save for the cup of punch in her left hand. “I’ve been scoping him out ever since camp. I know he’s clear of Equestrian magic and all, but I wanted to see if he was really as good as he seems for Twilight. And the fucker’s as big of a dork as he seems. Who’s like that? Drives me nuts.”

“You too?” Flash slapped his chest. “Oh wow, I thought it was just me! I’ve been getting weird vibes off that guy since we met him!”

More specifically, since canoeing lessons out on the lake when Timber’s shirt got wet and he pulled the sopping wet fabric off revealing a pristine six pack. Worthy of a fitness magazine, probably even better than what Flash had… once. Flash couldn’t stop staring the whole time they were out on the water, and it made Timber’s whole Charming, Able to Socialize With Everyone All the Time Super Easily routine that much more aggravating.

Sunset really looked at him as if she hadn’t quite noticed there was anything in the room except Timber Spruce. “Dude, seriously?”

“Yeah, seriously! I hate that guy!”

Sunset lit up. “He’s the worst!”

They clinked their plastic cups together.

“Oh my god, okay, I’m not crazy here! I hate Timber and his stupid, perfect, handsome⁠—”

“What?”

Sunset stared at him, interested all of the sudden. More so than she’d been in a long time. He didn’t entirely feel like he was in on the joke, and he was almost nervous the longer she looked him over. She smiled that halfway smile of hers. “I missed you, dude.”

“Missed you, too.” He nudged her shoulder with his drink hand. He didn’t want that to sound like a come on, because it wasn’t, so he said the dumbest thing that came to mind (which also happened to be the first). “Good for you, moving on. Kind of, I guess. I didn’t know you had a thing for Twilight.”

Sunset’s eyes seized open and she shoved her hand over his mouth, shuffling the both of them over to the side of the room, landing them in front of the buffet table with all the fancy stuff his mom set out. She threw a glance over her shoulder and then shushed him again for good measure. “Dude! Not so loud!”

“O-oh! Okay, yeah, sorry,” he came down to her vocal level, and her height, caught up in her conspiracy. “It’s just. Seems kind of obvious. You know, with the whole⁠—” He would have gestured to all of her, but that wasn’t accurate. Just difficult to make a hand gesture to the numbered going on countless little nervous tics that Sunset once had around him that she’d been rocking around Twilight now. So he gestured to all of her. “Thing you do.”

That was unfair, and he knew it. Could have been twenty different things, especially to anybody not in the know. He just had insider information.

“Yeah? Well, nobody else knows, okay? And I’m trying really hard to keep it that way.” While checking her back to see if anybody would overhead, Sunset got distracted with Twilight laughing nervously across the room and Timber swinging an arm over her shoulders. She grimaced. “She’s happy. And she worked really hard to get there. She deserves it. They both do, I guess, so I don’t want to be the one to ruin that.”

“Uh-huh, of course.” Flash’s eyebrows lifted. “But, it’s killing you not to go Old Sunset on their asses, huh?”

Sunset scrubbed her eyes and muffled a moan that mimicked a sob in her the palms of her hands.

He clapped her shoulder and picked up a plate of pre-cut cake to offer out to her. “I think this one is chocolate.”

#eftd #writing #equestria girls #sunset shimmer #flash sentry #timber spruce

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wildelydawn · 1 year

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I'm waiting for your bittersweet chocolate 90% . Will you update it? Or are you leaving it? Please answer this.🥺

Hello there! Thank you for checking in about Bittersweet Chocolate, 90%. I am not leaving it, but I am not sure when I will update it.

I don't talk about myself a lot on this blog, and I know you're not really asking about me, and perhaps the following will be way too much information and will make you and other feels really uncomfortable, but since a few people have asked about BSC90, I just want to clarify a few things.

tl;dr: I'm sad. I'll start writing and updating again soon.

I have very severe depression. And I do mean severe: the kind that where I don't get out of bed for anything, the kind that leaves my hair uncombed and unwashed for days, the kind that destroys any creative ray of sunshine in my life, the kind that worries people IRL. I zone out for hours. I have no concept of time when I do zone out. I get up out of bed when I have to, physically go to work, and immediately come back to bed when I am home. I open up my phone, muster the strength to reply to a few people, then go to Google Docs, and stare at an empty document until my phone locks. I fall asleep and repeat that cycle over and over and over again. I don't leave my apartment for anything besides work; last week was the first time I left my house in months and that was by sheer force (bless my partner for that) and I have no plans on leaving my apartment again because I simply have no will to do so. If it wasn't for my cat, I would absolutely never leave my bed. If I could, I would, and want to, just rot away in bed, and talk to no one. And I am sure many people who talk to me on here, Discord, etc. have noticed that I am taking longer and longer to reply. (In fact, I am neglecting to respond to The Woman right now, and she is someone I prioritize, always.) I could go on and on about how heavy this illness and its roots dig into me and weigh me down, and usually, I have a handle on it, and for the most part, I did! This last year These last six months have been really terrible in terms of IRL stuff, but writing, whether it's creative, or journaling, or academic, has always helped. It's always been my escape.

So you can imagine why I felt incredibly lucky to come across KinnPorsche: the Series because it does spark a lot of creativity in me. I can't believe I've written 200K words for a single fandom, let alone 150k+ words on KimChay. I spent May through November using KP and other media and writing fics to navigate my depression. I spent the last few weeks developing what I would call close friendships with people when earlier this year, I had no one to talk to. Hell, I have all the inspiration at my finger tips. I literally have projects in development with really amazing artists on here. People send me prompts and ideas and I watch my list grow and I think of how lucky I must be to be inspired. I made friends with people on Twitter. Twitter! And it's winter time, my favorite season, and I'm looking forward to the snow, the walks in cold air, my trench coats and sweater vests. And I've been updating YLTTL (which is a finished fic, but still need heavy editing.) According to the math, I should be good; I should be in a place where I can write BSC90 and update. And I should be happy.

But I am not. Right now, I am in a really bad place, and if I have the will to write, it comes in flashes that dim out rather quickly. I am frustrated. I am exercising immense self control when the urge to delete everything I've ever written and run away overtakes my head. I write things, and I delete them because nothing feels good anymore. Nothing I write feels good enough to post either. And I've never written for anyone: as in, I write for me and my health, even though BSC90 is literally for someone. But it really sucks when your own brain is telling you, "Hey! Everyone's lying to you! You're not really a good writer, and if you were, you would push past all these terrible feelings and write like you always do." And I do that often, but that methodology is not working right now because of the severity of my feelings.

Now, I am not saying that this is anyone's fault or that you or anyone who asks about my fics is a bad person or anything. I promise you that's not where I am coming from. I promise you that I appreciate every reader I have, including you. I promise you my intention with this response isn't to make you or anyone feel bad or to solicit pity or sympathy. But I do need to say something because:

1) I think people deserve honesty, no matter what.

2) I've given the "Haha I've just been really busy!" excuse over the last month and that hasn't been enough and

3) I'm beginning to feel like I'm letting people down, which I know really isn't the case, but my flickering brain is trying to convince me that I am, and my chest tells me the same thing.

I promise when I come back, Chapter 6 of BSC90 will be, I hope, worth the wait. And that despite everything I've written here, I do appreciate you asking about the story and I appreciate your patience. So please don't feel bad or some type of way if you (or anyone else) is reading this. I just want to be honest.

Thank you for reading. 🖤

#personal #BSC90 #this is about depression #ask #answered

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beels-burger-babe · 3 years

Text

Storm Clouds on a Sunny Day

***Oooooo Teen!MC! Thank you for the request @lovevictoire! Now, although I think I'm technically Gen z??? (I could be a millennial. I have no idea). I have like 0 sense of most pop culture and probably won't be able to write that classic gen z chaotic humour properly, so I'm not going to attempt. What I can do is the hurt/comfort aspect of this which I LOVE! So, let's do this. I hope you enjoy it. ((Oh and before I forget *hugs*))***

Summary: MC has always been a happy positive ray of light that brought joy with them wherever they went; at least that's what the brothers and the other exchange students would tell you. But when they suddenly start getting quiet and begin isolating themselves, everyone is concerned.

TW: descriptions of grief.

In the darkness of the Devildom, you were the sun.

Since arriving in the dark, cruel world of the demons, you had reminded them how to smile, how to laugh, how to love. With you around, it was like the brothers had another sibling again. For the other exchange students, you were a breath of fresh amongst all the horror and despair of the Devildom.

In short, everyone had come to love and be incredibly fond of the teenage human that; which is why they noticed instantly when you weren't acting like yourself.

For starters, you had skipped breakfast, which greatly concerned Beel. The friendly giant had to go up and bring you your food afterwards.

He gently knocked on your door with one hand as he held a plate with way too much food on it in the other. "MC? Are you awake? You missed breakfast."

There was a small curse from the other side before he heard some shuffling. The door cracked open to reveal you wrapped in a bundle of blankets. It wasn't until you looked up that Beel got a good look at your face and his stomach dropped.

Your eyes were tinged red with tear tracks stained onto your cheeks. Your bottom lip was still trembling from the effort of not breaking down into sobs. There was not a trace of the sunshine child that you usually were inside of your stormy sad eyes.

Beel's heart broke as you still attempted to give him a small smile and took the plate from him. "Th-Thanks Beel."

He kept a hand on the door to prevent you from closing it. "MC, are you alright? What happened?"

Your eyes widened a little and you quickly wiped at your cheeks. "I-I'm just not feeling that well. Can...Can you tell Lucifer I'm taking a sick day?"

Beel nodded as concern grew stronger and stronger inside of him. "Of course. Whatever you need."

You weren't actually sick, Beel could tell that much. What you were was heartbroken. Something had reached into your soul and shattered it into pieces. He to ask you what it was. He wanted to reassure you that everything would be okay. But instead, he let you close the door and hurried back to his brothers.

His brothers looked at him skeptically as he arrived, noting the lack of a tiny human alongside him. It was Belphie, however, who noticed the distressed look on Beelzebub's face. "Beel, is everything alright? You look upset."

Beel simply shook his head and looked over to Lucifer. "MC has asked me to tell you that they would like to take a sick day."

Everyone was instantly on their feet in worry.

"Sick? What kind of illness? I can get any medicine they might need and look up the quickest way for them to recover." Satan quickly stated as he began to move towards the kitchen.

Belphie nodded and picked up his pillow. "If they're sick, they'll need rest right? I'll go up there and help them sleep better."

Mammon moved to go with Belphie. "I'll come with ya. They'll feel better with if their favourite's there with them."

Belphie growled and shoved Mammon as Levi spoke up. "I-I mean, I doubt they'd want to spend the entire day with me, but at the very least I can provide them with some movies and games for entertainment. In fact, it might be easier if we just, um, m-move them to my room."

Mammon and Belphie were now snapping at Levi rather than each other.

Asmo scrunched up his nose in disgust and put up his hands. "Yeah, no thanks. I love MC, but I'll leave you guys to handle all the snot and vomit thank you very much. Tell them when they're healthy, I'll give them a spa day, just the two of us."

Lucifer sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Boys, Beel hadn't even told us what is wrong with them yet," everyone froze and turned to Beelzebub. Lucifer nodded and gestured for him to continue. "As you were saying, Beel."

Beel shifted uncomfortably at the attention. "Right. So, I don't think they're actually sick."

Lucifer rose an eyebrow at this as an air of defence grew around him. "You think they would lie?"

Beel huffed in annoyance and shook his head. "No. I don't think they would. But when they answered the door, they didn't look sick. They looked like they were grieving," everyone breathed in sharply at the statement, but Beel continued. "They honestly looked like they had been crying since midnight. I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't get any sleep at all last night."

Lucifer frowned and finally made a move towards the door. "I, and I alone, will go speak with them. We don't want to overcrowd them. In the meantime, someone please contact Simeon just in case they truly are sick and Beel misinterpreted it," he ignored the several shouts of protest as he walked to your room.

He knocked softly on the door twice before carefully opening the door. "MC? Beelzebub informed me that you aren't feeling-"

Lucifer cut himself off as he saw you hugging your knees to your chest in bed, sobbing your heart out. He quickly made his way over and sat down beside you, gently placing a hand on your back. "MC, what's the matter? I've never seen you this upset before."

You didn't answer. You merely turned towards him and buried your face in his chest as you clung to his shirt. Lucifer quickly wrapped his arms around you and held you tight.

It was almost as if he could feel your sorrow within the sounds of your cries. The way they shuttered and cracked with every inhale and vibrated with pure agony on every exhale. You were trembling violently in his arms in a way that he hadn't felt since-

Since he held his brothers after Lilith's death.

Realization came to him as he glanced over and noticed the lightly crumped picture of you and another human on your side table. His breath caught in his throat and he held you tighter. "Oh MC," he whispered softly. "I am so sorry."

He held you there, letting your tears stain his shirt without a single care. He held you as your sobs softened into sniffles. He held you as your head lolled to the side and you finally gave in to sleep.

Lucifer had been about to fall asleep himself when he noticed the door open. Simeon, Luke and Solomon stood there with equal expressions of concern.

Luke took one look at your tear-stained face before a flicker of fury and angelic protectiveness flashed across his face. He opened his mouth to shout at Lucifer, but was stopped as a hand came over his mouth.

Solomon looked down at him sternly. "They're sleeping, Luke, and clearly in need of it. You don't want to wake them."

Luke huffed and slapped Solomon's hand away before going over to the bed and climbing in beside you and Lucifer.

Simeon pulled out a bag that clinked and clattered from the vials within it. "Satan had said that there was a possibility MC was ill?"

Lucifer sighed and continued to rub circles into your back while Luke gently dried your face with a handkerchief. "Unfortunately it seems the only illness they have is a broken heart." He nodded to the picture on the nightstand. "They appear to have lost someone. Today must be an anniversary of some sort that reminded them of it."

Both Solomon and Simeon's faces softened at the explanation. Simeon put the bag away. "I'm afraid I don't have anything that can help with that."

Solomon nodded. "It's a feeling I believe we are all familiar with," he stood in silent thought before snapping his fingers and grinning. "I know what will cheer them up! Some soup! It most certainly cheers me up whenever I'm upset. I'll go make them a pot right away," he smiled proudly as he left the room, missing the look of horror on everyone else's face.

"Oh my," Simeon began, "I better go supervise and make sure he doesn't accidentally poison them. Luke, do you wish to come?"

He shook his head and hugged you. "I'm not leaving them."

Simeon smiled fondly and glanced up to Lucifer who shrugged. "So long as he doesn't mind being the presence of a demon, I suppose he can stay."

Luke grumbled and continued looking at your hand as he held his up to it and compared sizes. "If they were able to fall asleep around you and you were able to comfort them...maybe you're not so bad."

Simeon raised an eyebrow in shock and laughed a little. "Well there you have it," he looked back to Lucifer. "I'll be in the kitchen if you need anything."

He nodded and watched the older angel leave.

@thegrimgrinningghost

Although the day was a rough one for you, there was not a second where you felt alone. There was always someone to hold you, to listen to you, and comfort you when you needed it most.

On days when sadness and despair threatened to cloud over the Devildom's only source of sunshine, the lords of the Devildom and your friends would be there to keep you warm until the sun could shine again.

***I hope you enjoyed this cute little comfort fic! Thanks again for the request @lovevictoire!***

TAGLIST

@henry-and-the-seven-lords

@satans-beloved-riv

@cosmixbun

@sufzku

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sirenascales · 3 years

Text

-> double black [part one] 18+

-> Chuuya x 1stPov!F!Reader x Dazai

-> Who knew getting fired from work could lead to this?

-> Content: SMUT, slight angst, violence, murder, swearing

A night out drinking leads to a small misunderstanding with a handsome, yet dangerous man. [Chuuya x 1stPOV!F!Reader]

3,894 words

note: edited this so it could still be read as a reader fic! it's actually a lot of fun writing in first person! hope those who read this enjoy my first bsd fic!

Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four | Part Five | Part Six | Final || masterlist

I've experienced a lot of amazing things since I've moved to Japan. A new job in a different country, new co-workers and friends, work parties, themed bars, cafes, and hookups with pretty strangers. There was a long list of great things I've had going on, and a long list of things I've never expected... and being fired from the job I had for a year was not one of them.

"A year of hard work... for nothing," I mumbled bitterly as I sat at the bar with my close friend, and now ex-coworker, Keiko. She was beautiful, with long black hair and brown eyes. She frowned, a sympathetic look on her pretty face as she sighed.

"I'm so sorry," she said softly, giving my shoulder a squeeze. "I'm sure you'll find something else soon! You have an awesome resume, and you're an amazing worker who can speak English, Japanese AND Spanish... there is totally a place for you out there!"

Keiko has always been supportive and enthusiastic, a really bright and friendly girl who made it her mission to befriend me as soon as I started working with her. She was relentless, and soon enough, I found myself spending many hours with the woman.

"Yeah..." I just mumbled again and she laughed softly.

"It's okay to mope... that's why I brought you here!"

"Yeah, about that," I started, sending Keiko a look as I swiveled the stool so my body faced her. "Why did you bring me here?" As soon as the work day was done, Keiko immediately dragged me to what was clearly a mafia bar. That didn't surprise me, since she was actually dating a mafioso.

A mafioso, who was part of the Port Mafia. It wasn't long after I moved to Yokohama that I started to hear stories about the organization, and was also warned not to cross them. Of course, with my luck, I became best friends with someone who dated someone who was in the Port Mafia. How a sweet girl like Keiko ended up with a man like him, I'll never know.

What I do know is that Taichi adored Keiko, gave her everything she could possibly want and need with the money he makes, and that was just being a normal grunt! Even so, it was dangerous, but Keiko didn't seem to mind.

"I come here with Taichi all the time," Keiko answered, sipping her drink. I turned to sip on my own. "You can't tell me it isn't luxurious." It was. My jaw had dropped to the floor when we first stepped into the very luxurious bar. "Don't worry about it, okay? Drink your sadness away! You're safe here. Since I am Taichi's woman, and you're with me, nothing will happen, okay?"

"Where is Taichi anyway?" I asked, glancing over her shoulder when I spotted a group of men walking in through the entrance. I missed the way the light left Keiko's eyes, chewing on her bottom lip anxiously. My eyes were on the men, which in the middle was a man with orange hair, a black hat adorning his head. I felt my breath hitch in my throat, my eyes looking at the very handsome man up and down. I swallowed thickly.

"He had a job tonight and couldn't make it. He'll be home to- hey, what are you looking at?" Annoyed at me ignoring her, she turned in her seat, a shocked look on her face before she smiled tightly.

"Taichi! I thought you had an assignment!"

"Hey, babe! We finished early, which was quite surprising, honestly."

The couple embraced and I barely registered the mushy love between the two as I watched the ginger man lead the rest of the group further into the bar. He walked by me, and before I knew it, dark blue eyes were staring right at me, eyebrows furrowed.

"The hell are you looking at?" he sneered and my face turned red, heart dropping in my chest.

"No one! I'm sorry!" I exclaimed, quickly turning back around and facing the bar.

"Tch. Whatever," the man only responded before walking off.

"You look like a cherry," Taichi said, clearly amused. I sent him a half-hearted glare, Keiko slapping his chest lightly.

"Be nice to her. She got fired today."

"Ohh, that sucks. If you need help-"

"She won't take it," Keiko said with a huff. "Stubborn ass."

I rolled my eyes at her, biting my lip nervously as I fiddled with my glass. "So uh... who was that guy? With the hat?"

Taichi blinked. "Oh, that's Chuuya Nakahara."

"Is he part of the Port Mafia?"

Taichi barked out a laugh, Keiko giggling softly behind her hand.

"Baby... he's an executive. Chuuya works closely with the leader of the Port Mafia."

"And I work under Chuuya," Taichi finished, amused at how wide my eyes have gotten at the answer.

"You mean to tell me... I pissed off... an executive member..." I was dismayed, heart pounding in my chest.

"Hmm, probably. Don't go home alone tonight," Taichi grinned as I balked, clearly having fun torturing me.

"Taichi! Babe, don't listen to him."

I gulped nervously, downing the rest of my drink before signaling to the bartender to get me another one.. "R-right..." Despite my better judgment, I turned my head, looking towards the obvious VIP section of the bar. Chuuya sat with some other grunts, a glass of what seemed to be red wine in his hand. Of course, his eyes found mines yet again and I whipped my head back around. Fuck, I did it again! I quickly downed the newly made drink, unaware of Chuuya's eyes narrowing as he watched me.

"Nooo, do you have to go?" a drunk Keiko whined as she latched onto my arm, a forever amused Taichi watching on. "Don't leave me with hiiiiiiim."

"I want to go home, dammit," I huffed, successfully peeling her off of me and handing her to her boyfriend. "I have to start job hunting tomorrow. Thank you for bringing me here, I do feel better and I love you but... I'm tired."

"Ugh, you are such an old lady!" Keiko whined again and I couldn't help but laugh, turning to start walking towards the exit.

"Goodnight, you too. Please get her home safe, Taichi."

"I wouldn't count on it~"

I rolled my eyes at his teasing, leaving the two behind as I left the bar. I stepped out into the cool night air, shivering a bit as I closed my cardigan tightly around me. I wore a simple but cute outfit; a black dress with burgundy tights underneath, black flats on my feet and my favorite tan cardigan over the entire outfit. It helped me fight off a bit of the cold, but as I started to walk down the block, I grabbed my phone to start searching through my usual rideshare app.

I didn't get far. My phone cluttered to the ground as it fell out my hands, a gasp leaving my mouth as I was slammed against the nearby brickwall of a narrow, dark alleyway.

"Who the fuck are you?" a familiar voice hissed and I'm shocked to find Chuuya Nakahara glaring daggers at me, his strong hands pinning my arms against the wall. He growled when I didn't answer. "Answer me! Who sent you here?!"

"N-No one!" I cried out, shaking like a leaf. Of course, of course I would be confronted by a fucking high level member of one of the most dangerous organizations in Japan. "I swear, I just came here with my friend."

Chuuya growled again and he flipped me around, pressing my front against the wall. "Stay still," he grunted, and my face started to heat up as I felt his gloved hands quickly feel along my body. He was frisking me, and I gulped when he shoved his hand under my dress, producing the knife I had strapped to my thigh.

"I carry that to protect myself," I immediately explained, Chuuya turning me around again to face him. His eyes were still narrowed, staring me down as if trying to figure out what the hell I was up to.

"And the bouncer didn't pat you down?" he questioned and I shook my head quickly.

"No, he didn't pat me or Keiko down."

"Tch, that's Taichi's woman," he said, though he still looked at me with narrow eyes, hesitating a bit before he turned my knife in his hand, handing it back to me hilt first. "You sure know how to make yourself look suspicious."

I cringed a bit as I strapped my knife to my thigh strap again. I missed how Chuuya's eyes lingered, him licking his lips. "That's my fault I... I know I was staring..." I could feel my face heat up again and I couldn't even look Chuuya in his face. "S-sorry if I creeped you out. I don't mean any harm. Keiko brought me here 'cause I got fired and she wanted to help me feel better..."

"Hm," was his only reply, crossing his arms over his chest. "What you do to fuck up?"

My mouth fell and I sputtered as I tried to come up with the words. "What do you mean?! I didn't fuck up!" I protested. "It literally came out of nowhere! I worked my ass off all year, only to get fired 'cause I wasn't what they needed anymore. Fucking bullshit."

Chuuya was amused by my little vent, snickering a bit as he gave me a quick look up and down. "I'm sure it wasn't your winning personality."

I scoffed. "Says the one that shoved a random woman against a wall?! That hurt, you bastard!"

Chuuya raised his eyebrows at me, and I immediately slapped my hands over my mouth.

Oh no. Fuck, I forgot who I was talking to.

Chuuya snickered again, his eyes flashing in amusement. He stepped closer to me, making me press back against the wall again. Chuuya leaned his face close to mine, a smug smirk on his face as he spoke.

"Be careful who you talk to like that," he hummed, and I shivered despite feeling some of his body heat. "Someone might just cut out your tongue for talking back like that. Me? Well, it'd be a waste, especially when I think of all the things I could make you do with it."

I squeaked, the heat never leaving my face as I stared at Chuuya with a puzzled expression on my face. The sudden switch up was giving me whiplash... and lowkey turning me on. "I..." I stuttered, looking away and finally noticing my phone still on the ground. "Crap, I hope it's not broken."

I rushed over to pick my phone up, ignoring Chuuya's hard stare on me. I looked over my phone, sighing in relief when I saw that it had sustained no damages.

Chuuya then stepped up to me, jerking his head back towards the bar before walking off. "Let me take you home. Take that as an apology for being so rough on you."

I blinked. "Um..."

"Hurry up!"

"Okay!" I squeaked and followed after the man quickly, chewing on my lip as I asked myself... what the fuck was I doing? Am I really about to get inside this man's car? He was a stranger! Who frisked me! Let alone, he is clearly a dangerous man.

I must be insane.

"Tell me," Chuuya started and I was dumbfounded as he approached a rather cool looking motorcycle. No way. "What the hell were you being so creepy for?" He turned to me and asked, an all-knowing smirk on his face. I blushed deeply. Of course, he already was able to figure it out once he realized that I wasn't a threat.

"No reason," I huffed out, earning a low laugh as Chuuya grabbed the only helmet I could see. I looked at him confused, gasping when he unceremoniously placed the helmet over my head. "What about you?"

"I don't need it," Chuuya simply answered before he finally mounted his bike. "Come on, you little liar. Hop on."

I couldn't help but stare, my mouth going dry as I took in the image of this handsome bastard with his bike. The engine roared as he turned it on, revving it a bit and making me make a mess in my panties.

"Hey, ya done eyefucking me, dollface?"

I sputtered. "I was NOT eyefucking you!" I stormed over to the bike, glaring at the grinning bastard as I climbed onto the bike behind him.

Chuuya snorted. "Yeah, like you weren't eyefucking me earlier in the bar," he retorted, easily reaching behind him to grab my wrists, pulling me against his back as he wrapped my arms around him. I was stunned silent, from his words, and his actions and the fact that his back felt so solid.... and he smelled so good...

"I was not..." I mumbled, pressing my cheek against his back. "Shut the fuck up."

He laughed darkly, and that sent a shiver down my spine.

"Where do you live?" Chuuya asked and I hesitantly told him my address. "I know where that is. Hold on."

"You do? It's on the other side of the city," I said and Chuuya just chuckled softly, looking over his shoulder and smirking at me.

"And who exactly runs this city?"

I clamped my mouth shut, his eyes staring into mine. I blushed and looked away from him. He turned his head back around with an amused laugh, the engine revving as he took off on his bike.

"Hold tight, dollface!"

He didn't have to tell me twice, my arms tightening around his torso as he sped down the street, weaving in and out of traffic. It was scary, but also so fucking exhilarating. My heart was thudding in my chest, my eyes watering because of the wind. Still, I kept them open, wanting to watch the world blur by us. Chuuya made a sharp, right turn, making me scream while he laughed loudly.

"Man up!" he yelled at me.

"Stop driving like a crazy person!" I yelled back.

I didn't see the large, almost evil smirk that grew on Chuuya's face. Didn't see him licking his lips excitedly as he eyed a rather tall building coming up ahead.

"Tell me, dollface," he hollered back at me, revving the engine and I gulped as I held him tighter, his bike going faster. A bad feeling started to settle in my stomach, balking when he asked his next question. "Do you want to defy gravity?"

I didn't have time to answer, not when I finally realized that we were heading right towards the side of the building. I couldn't even scream, fear striking me as I suddenly started to see red, body jostling as Chuuya maneuvered the bike to jump in the air.... before landing perfectly on the side of the building and continuing vertically up towards the sky.

"Don't let go!" Chuuya sneered. Like that was ever going to happen.

I didn't dare turn my head to look down, my wide eyes staring up into the night sky as we made it closer to the top of the building. I couldn't even think straight, my body just running on nothing but adrenaline and fear.

"Ch-Chuuya!" I gasped out sharply, the bike finally making it to the roof of the building. Chuuya didn't slow down though, only barreling towards the edge and I started to panic. "Chuuya! What are you doing?!"

Chuuya only snickered, revving the engine once more before sending the bike flying off the edge of the building. I squeak and screw my eyes shut, pressing my face against the middle of his back. I didn't want to watch us plummet to our doom.

"Hey, idiot, open your eyes."

I whimpered and shook my head. "N-No..."

Chuuya sucked his teeth. "Just open your eyes! You'll regret it if you don't."

Biting my lip, I wanted a moment before I lifted my head up and opened my eyes, a small gasp leaving my mouth as I looked around me.

We were still floating in the air, biking moving through the sky. The City of Yokohama was lit up beautifully underneath us. I looked over, seeing the ocean at a distance, the ferris wheel lit up and spinning slowly. My mouth had fallen open, eyes wide in wonder. Chuuya was looking back at me, a triumphant grin on his face.

We made it to my apartment and Chuuya stood over me, an amused smile on his face as he watched me melt on the ground after I got off his bike.

"That was intense..." I mumbled, still feeling the effects of flying through the fucking sky. "I shouldn't even be surprised that you're gifted, with the power that you have already in the Port Mafia."

"Yeah, it was pretty great, huh," Chuuya said smugly, gloved hands stuffed in his coat pockets. I laughed softly, slowly standing up with my shaky legs. He took one look at my frazzled state and he grew even more smug. "That's a cute look on you, though if I really had my way with you, you wouldn't even be able to stand."

My face turned hot, sputtering as I tried to respond, but I had nothing to even say. Because the thought of actually inviting Chuuya inside and--

"Fuck..." I breathed out softly, looking at the man standing before me. His eyes didn't leave mine, the heat in them making a shiver go down my spine. "Do you... want to come inside?"

Chuuya fixed his hat on top of his head. "Lead the way, dollface."

"So... your ability lets you control gravity?" I asked once we made it inside the elevator of my apartment building. We were going fifteen stories up, after Chuuya parked his bike safely, of course.

"To put it simply, yes," Chuuya answered, stepping closer to me. I gasped softly when he grabbed my chin, the leather of his glove pressing against my skin. "But we're not here to talk about that." He pressed himself against me fully, leaning his face in until his lips hovered just above mine. I shivered, looking at him with hooded eyes. "This will be a one time thing, dollface."

I nodded, appreciating his honesty. "Of course," I replied just as the elevator stopped on my floor, doors sliding open. I grinned at him. "So let's make it count."

He liked the sound of that, grabbing my wrist and leading me out the elevator. I rushed to my apartment, grabbing my keys and hurriedly unlocking the door before opening it.

The door slammed shut as Chuuya immediately pressed me against it, his lips on mine in a fervorous kiss. I knocked his hat off his head as I ran my fingers through Chuuya's hair, moaning when his hands started to roam all over my body.

"Fuck..." I moaned softly when Chuuya started to kiss down my neck, squealing when he squeezed on my ass.

"Damn... you won't be able to fucking sit right, either," he growled against my neck as he massaged my ass and thighs. "Let's go."

Groaning when he moved himself away from me, I rushed to lead Chuuya to my bedroom, our clothes coming off in the process and making a trail on the floor.

It didn't take us too long to start really going at it, our lust fueling us to incredible heights. Chuuya held my hips tightly with his leather clad hands, thrusting his hard cock in and out of my soaking pussy.

He was fucking me hard, my body just sprawled on the bed as I moaned and grunted from the pleasure this man was giving me. "Fuck, fuck, Chuuya!" I whined, making the man grin widely as he kept his pace. Sweat covered both of our bodies, moans and deep growls mixing with the sound of skin slapping against skin.

"That's right, dollface, ride me," Chuuya smirked up at me, now on his back as I bounced up and down on his cock. His hands were right on my hips, his eyes going back and forth between watching my bouncing breasts and watching his cock disappear inside my heat. "Fuck, you're so fucking sexy," he growled, thrusting up particularly hard and making me toss my head back, screaming when I finally fucking cum.

"Oh my God!" I gasped sharply, still squeezing around him as I began to slow down. "Oh fuck... it's so good," I moaned, reaching out and hooking my finger into Chuuya's black choker. I pulled and he pushed himself up, lips meeting mine in a messy kiss.

I moaned against his mouth, still slowly riding him as his hands ran up and down my sides, the leather cool against my skin. Then, Chuuya placed his hands on my hips, and with a mischievous little smirk, he licked his lips. Immediately, my body started to feel a little bit lighter, and Chuuya started to effortlessly bounce me up and down on his cock, 100% controlling my body with his ability.

"Chuuya..." I moaned his name, head lolling back. He continued to maneuver my body, little grunts and moans leaving his own mouth as he worked to reach his own pleasure, and mine.

I came again, tears falling down my face from the intense pleasure, and that was enough for Chuuya to pull me off of him completely, putting me on my knees before him on the bed. His hand grabbed the back of my neck and he pushed my head down, stuffing his cock in my mouth.

"Take it," he growled, his hands in my hair and using it to push my head up and down as he fucked my mouth. I moaned around him, a new wave of pleasure washing over me as I let the mafioso use me as he wanted. Soon enough, he exploded into my mouth, and I made sure I swallowed all of him.

"Fuck, that's hot..." Chuuya breathed out when I opened my mouth to show him that I did so. "You're such a good girl, dollface."

That made me flustered and I looked away shyly, earning a chuckle from him. I looked over when I felt him get up from the bed, thinking that he would leave. Instead, he just gave me a look. "Where is your shower?"

We showered together, which took longer than needed because Chuuya couldn't keep his hands to himself. I was surprised when he climbed into bed with me afterwards, allowing me to cuddle against him as we slowly fell asleep.

I wasn't surprised though, when I woke up the next morning, sore and alone. I didn't get too upset about it, though. Chuuya laid it out clear and I accepted it and moved on.

I sat on my dining room table, looking through the newspaper as I sipped on my morning coffee. I was looking for a new job and figured looking at the local ads wouldn't hurt.

"Hm... let's see..." I whispered, reaching over and grabbing my knife. I ran the tip of it down the paper, stopping when one particular ad stuck out. "Hm... the Armed Detective Agency, huh? Interesting..." I set my knife down, staring at the ad as I took another careful sip of coffee.

-End

#bsd x reader #chuuya x reader #chuuya nakahara x reader #chuuya smut #bsd smut #dazai x reader #dazai smut #yeah lmao #I got a charlie horse trying to post this but I survive!!#im going to bed after posting this cause im scared please dont yell at me #I tried my best

452 notes · View notes

rafaelblackbird15 · 3 years

Text

Teen Wolf Fic Recs Part 4: Sterek

These are Sterek, Stiles Stilinski/Derek Hale fanfictions.

I really love these. They are some of my favourite Sterek stories, and ALL of these are absolutely beautiful. Without a doubt. Send the authors some love, because that's what they've given me and us right here. :)

If there is a problem with any of the links, let me know and I will fix them.

For appropriate reading check the hashtags on the actual fics.

I hope you enjoy these as much as I did.

And check out my other Steter fic recs [Part 1] and [Part 2] and Sterek fic recs [Part 3]

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God Brings The Wounded by CallieB on Archive of Our Own

Words: 4938

Chapters: 1/1

Summary:

“Jesus,” Stiles says, when he sees Derek for the first time, and feels his face do that thing where it tries to smile. Derek, or the weirdly fresh-faced teenage version of Derek that he is now, doesn’t flinch at Stiles’ exclamation.

He’s too busy flinching at everything else.

Requested by the lovely nohomohomie, who asked for something angsty post-nogitsune.

Has got to be one of my favourite canon teenage/de-aged Derek fics, with beautiful, angsty Sterek, of course.

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You're Not You by CallieB on Archive of Our Own

Words: 5266

Chapters: 1/1

Part 9 of the Sterek Bingo 2017 series

Summary:

Stiles lifts his head slowly, meeting Derek’s gaze. His eyes… they’re always clever, bright, perceptive, but today there’s something in them that Derek doesn’t recognise. He’s pale, but not defeated. He looks stronger than Derek expected. And unexpectedly, he feels it flash through him in a bolt of absolute, though surprised, certainty.

That's not Stiles.

Written for the Dark!Stiles square on my Sterek Bingo card.

This story is possibly one of the best EVER Void!Stiles stories I have ever read. The idea is complex and fascinating and unique. After I read this for the first time I was left stunned and I kept coming back to it in my mind as well as to read because I couldn't get over the idea. It's beautiful.

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Yeah, Pass The Salt, Stiles by CallieB on Archive of Our Own

Words: 3609

Chapters: 1/1

Summary:

Yeah, pass the salt, Stiles.

They're not particularly inspiring words. Not like the long stream of goo spilling over Scotty's arm. But somewhere, Stiles' soulmate is out there, waiting to say them to him.

If only he could stop thinking about the mysterious hot stranger he met in the woods...

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Author: CallieB

This author has 15 Teen Wolf works, most if not all are Sterek. Some of them in particular really hit somewhere special.

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Behind Locked Doors by isthatbloodonhisshirt (wasterella) on Archive of Our Own

Words: 11128

Chapters: 1/1

Summary:

Derek often showed up in his room—at least he used the fucking door now that he knew where the spare key was hidden—and he couldn’t escape people in general in the Jeep since they could see him through the window. His dad was home, and when he wasn’t, there was always the risk of other people showing up.

His bathroom, on the other hand? No, his bathroom was a small room with no window in the middle of the house with a lockable door and no judgement. He could sit in the bathroom for hours, and no one would question it. Was he watching porn on his phone and jerking off? Was he taking a massive dump? Did he have constipation? Was he stitching up the millionth injury of the month in private? Who knew? No one but Stiles!

The locked door at his back felt like a safety net for him sometimes. In the bathroom, he didn’t have to pretend. He didn’t have to smile and wave people’s words off, insist he was fine, laugh and act like everything was okay. In the bathroom, he was allowed to sit on the floor, his expression tight, and his body falling apart on him.

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Author: isthatbloodonhisshirt (wasterella)

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Should Have Looked on Craigslist by Akiruchan on Archive of Our Own

Words: 27217

Chapters: 1/1

Summary:

Derek is rash and self-sacrificing, everything that will one day get him killed. Stiles doesn't want that. He's become too accustomed to a life with Derek Hale in it. To live without, well, it just doesn't seem to be an option.

or...

The five times Stiles' expectations fall short, and the one time he's glad they do.

This is an incredible, slow burn, build of the winding relationship between Stiles and Derek and the world they now live in, side by side. It's wonderful and blessedly long.

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Bless You by Ankiruchan on Archive of Our Own

Words: 3070

Chapters: 1/1

Summary:

It all started with a sneeze...

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Lend Me Your Eyes, Give Me Your Heart by Ankiruchan on Archive of Our Own

Words: 3057

Chapters: 1/1

Summary:

Stiles’ life sucks. He’s honest enough with himself to admit to at least that. More often than not he spends his free time running for his life, saving people from creatures who want to rip his face off, and all around having a distinct lack of self-preservation. It sort of comes with the territory. Not something he can avoid when his circle of friends happen to be werewolves.

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Nobody's Fault But Mine by Akiruchan on Archive of Our Own

Words: 26552

Chapters: 4/?

Summary:

Stiles has always been good at ignoring his problems. Preferring to wait them out until they are nothing but a distant memory. But when a midnight stroll leads to a nasty scratch to Stiles side, courtesy of Derek, Stiles finds that some things just can't be ignored, not that he doesn't try. Better hearing and improved eyesight, that is something he can ignore for now. The sudden urge to touch and smell Derek all the time? Not so much.

This is werewolf!Stiles, and it's one the of the laid back, kind, intense versions that I enjoy very much. Unfortunately, I think it's been discontinued, but I believe even so, these 4 chapters are worth the little heartbreak that comes with the knowledge it may not be finished.

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Author: Akiruchan

This author is responsible for some of the best slow build Sterek stories I've read.

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Lock All The Doors Behind You by entanglednow on Archive of Our Own

Words: 25960

Chapters: 1/1

Summary:

He has no idea what you're supposed to say when you find one of your...werewolf acquaintances, completely out of their mind, growling like they're about to see what your insides taste like. There's no handbook for this. Stiles is thinking that if he survives he might write one.

I've come back to this so many times. The relationship is so vulnerable, down to earth and open and kind, extremely kind, which is something Derek really lacks in his life, someone to be kind to him. There's a feeling, somehow, that this is quite natural for them.

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In Case Of Emergency by entanglednow on Archive of Our Own

Words: 1826

Chapters: 1/1

Summary:

Derek falls through Stiles's bedroom window at ten past midnight.

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By Any Other Name by entanglednow on Archive of Our Own

Words: 33090

Chapters: 1/1

Summary:

He doesn't know his name, he doesn't know who he is, and neither does the werewolf he's on the run with. But he's pretty sure they hunt monsters, because they seem to be really good at it.

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I Could Find My Way Back by entanglednow on Archive of Our Own

Words: 6250

Chapters: 1/1

Summary:

What's the worst that could happen?

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Author: entanglednow

This author is responsible for so many amazing fics out there. They have 55 Teen Wolf fics, all with really interesting ideas and takes on the characters and supernatural world.

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You want forgiveness (I'll give that to you) by dearericbittle (dutchmoxie) on Archive of Our Own

Words: 2806

Chapters: 1/1

Summary:

Derek is running from the Alpha, suffering from wolfsbane poisoning and he’s clearly losing it. Why else would he be seeing his mother - and everyone else he might as well have killed himself. But Stiles can’t just let him get what he deserves. Stiles never leaves him behind, even when he should.

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(Fuck you they said) As they threw their threads from their wedding bed by dearericbittle (dutchmoxie) on Archive of Our Own

Words: 96199

Chapters: 9/9

Summary:

First Son Stiles Stilinski just accidentally caused an international incident. And apparently the only way to save human-werewolf relations is to marry him off to Prince Derek of Triskele. Stiles is going to need all of his acting skills to make the marriage look real, because the Prince is kind of a fucking asshole.

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Author: dearericbittle (dutchmoxie)

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fake empire by Poe on Archive of Our Own

Words: 3685

Chapters: 1/1

Summary:

Stiles hadn’t meant for any of this to happen. He was going to tell Derek. The whole truth of it. He was halfway through when the phone rang. A half-finished sentence, left hanging in the air as his life crumbled around him.

(or: Stiles gets so, so lost. But he finds himself again.)

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you all over me by Poe on Archive of Our Own

Words: 3705

Chapters: 1/1

Summary:

The thing about Stiles is, Derek thinks, is that he has no idea how enthralling he truly is. He’s easy to overlook, right up until the point he isn’t, and at some stage, Derek started looking, and now, it’s all he can do.

(or: the one where the pack is happy, healthy and alive, and Stiles and Derek are sort of inevitable)

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Author: Poe

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For If Dreams Die by veritas_st on Archive of Our Own

Words: 24169

Chapters: 8/8

Summary:

“I had a dream about a boy last night,” Mischief says through a mouthful of pancakes. His dad points the spatula at him and he swallows before he says anything else. “His name was Derek. He called me Stiles. I want to be called that from now on.”

*********

Author: veritas_st

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About Today by rufflefeather on Archive of Our Own

Words: 8901

Chapters: 1/1

Part 1 of the inside these arms series

Summary:

Stiles is having the worst day of his life and it keeps happening.

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Until Tomorrow by rufflefeather on Archive of Our Own

Words: 9016

Chapters: 1/1

Part 2 of the inside these arms series

Summary:

Derek's worst nightmares didn't prepare him for this.

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Let it be me by rufflefeather on Archive of Our Own

Words: 1495

Chapters: 1/1

Summary:

After everything that happened, Stiles goes to see Derek.

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Even the stars they burn by rufflefeather on Archive of Our Own

Words: 5770

Chapters: 1/1

Summary:

Derek finds out quite by accident what makes Stiles shut up. If he reveals along the way that he didn't always carry this darkness around, then that's entirely Stiles' fault.

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Solstice. by rufflefeather on Archive of Our Own

Words: 4119

Chapters: 1/1

Summary:

It's the first total lunar eclipse during winter solstice in three hundred and fifty years and Derek has no idea what's going to happen.

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Author: rufflefeather

This author has some intense, sometimes heartbreakingly endearing, and wonderful Teen Wolf fics.

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Hear The Wheels As They Roll by crossroadswrite on Archive of Our Own

Words: 44919

Chapters: 2/2

Summary:

“You can’t be here. This is private property,” someone calls out and for some reason that voice sounds painfully familiar.

When it hits him why, Stiles almost chokes with the realization, “Derek Hale,” he says, unbelievably happy because he remembers Derek when they were young.

Derek looks grumpier, sadder, angrier. Stiles can’t really fault him for that. He also looks surprised that Stiles knows who he is. He squint/glares suspiciously at him, his nostrils flare for a second before he widens his eyes almost dramatically.

“Stiles,” he says quietly, like he can’t really believe it.

Stiles beams, “Yeah, you remember me!”

**********

Author: crossroadswrite

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133 notes · View notes

sxfik · 2 years

Text

peace is not known to man (III)

part I | part II | part III | part IV (coming soon)

read on ao3 • main masterlist • law school masterlist

fic summary: after turning his back on the prosecutor's office, lawyer han joon hwi attempts at a clean slate, starting his own private firm. but, there was no way for him to move forward without clearing his former suspect, his current coworker, lawyer kang sol. with lee man ho, their main suspect, escaped and an empty apartment, can they prove her innocence?

suspicious partner au, fake dating, roommates au of solhwi :)

chapter summary: the news of ji ho's state pushes the team to a standstill, but it's the news that will follow that will truly test the breaking point.

a/n: after 7 months, this is the third chapter of peace is not known to man. it's been an incredibly long time since i've updated and i sincerely apologize for that. in this time, quite a lot has happened in my life! i'm now in college, in second semester, and holy shit it's a brand new year! this chapter took a lot of time for me to write, writers block combined with a busy schedule and zero focusing ability! but without further adieu...

There are moments in life when time seems to be going too slow. Each moment feels like you're wading through an ocean of molasses, your movements lethargic and slow. Every second stretches out, the future not coming fast enough. Yet, your mind is still sharp and bright, willing your body to propel itself forward against the waves crashing against you.

This was one of those moments, as Joon hwi watched as Ji ho's chest rise and fall, his breathing in tandem with the assortment of beeps and noises filling the hospital room. His vision felt sluggish and it felt like the day his former roommate could gain conscious wouldn't come soon enough. Everywhere he looked, there wires and tubes attached to the man lying on the bed, the red and blue colors flashing on the monitors monitoring every second of Ji ho's condition.

"It's a good thing you brought him in as soon as possible," the doctor had said to them, the group almost clinging onto each other in front of the ER. "He experienced a lot of blood loss. If you were a few more minutes late, the operation would have been much harder. He's in a more stable condition now, but might take a while to gain consciousness."

It's been two days since then, as they all took shifts, watching their dear coworker and friend as he lay in the hospital. Each of them would shuffle in, their suit crinkled and hair disheveled as they took turns watching over him.

Despite their firm still being swamped with cases, none of them could focus on anything except Ji ho's condition. More often than not, they would all bring their stacks of case files to the private room, working as they monitored his condition. Everywhere you looked you could see papers and case files, the room as much of a mess as they were. It was only on Joon Hwi's instance that any of them showered or went home to take a break.

Of course, none of this would get through to Kang Sol B. She insisted on staying by his side, snapping at anyone who suggested she leave to take a break. After Sol's incessant pestering, she'd go home but soon enough, the girl would be back, ready to stay by Ji ho's side. Eventually they just gave up, letting the girl sit by her side.

To any outsider, the calm, cold demeanored girl didn't look any different but they all knew better. Her eyes were red rimmed, shifting to the man laying in the bed at any shift in breathing or any discomfort. Her voice didn't hold the same strength anymore, her words had no bite to it. Her hands trembled in her lap, constantly scrubbing at each other, trying to clean themselves off despite not a speck of dust in sight.

Ji ho had left Sol late at the office that fateful day, after getting an apparent phone call that Lee Man Ho was spotted in an abandoned corner of the city. There was construction everywhere in the area, so it was a plausible hiding site for their culprit. Despite her insistence to wait for someone else to go with him or at least take her with him, he wouldn't relent, insisting that he had to follow this lead to prove some hunch he had, before it ended up in a dead end. Stil, he promised her he would call as soon as he was at the site, or at least after he’d checked the place out.

An hour passed, then two. Sol B had patiently waited but after not receiving a phone call from him, she took matters into her own hands, driving herself towards the construction site. After searching every alleyway and street, she found him, lying against the corner of an unfinished wall.

By the time Joon hwi and Sol A reached the hospital, Sol B was still sitting against the wall of the ER, her gaze blank as blood soaked up to her elbows. Her white shirt was smeared with his blood, and she was completely unresponsive to any of their calls.

Sol had refused to tell them how he was when she found him, her lips pursed and her eyebrows furrowed. The moment any one asked her about the events that happened between finding him and landing up in the hospital, her gaze would go blank and she wouldn't speak for the rest of the hour until someone changed the subject.

Understanding that she wouldn't speak until she was ready, they had let her be, each of them taking turns to make sure she was taking care of herself instead. Sol A and Ye Seul would occasionally bring her clothes and food, tried to ensure that she would eat and take care of herself.

"Ji ho, if you wake up, I promise you I'll give you all my candy that you've asked for over the years." Ye-beom said, sitting at the seat across from Joon hwi and Sol B. The aloof and cheery guy who always had candy at hand, now has a pile of candy he laid out in a small bag labeled 'for Ji Ho.'

"I'll even give you the orange lollipops that you always asked for," he looked down to the floor, sighing.

"Give me the cherry ones, the orange ones are too sour," a weak voice murmured out.

"Sure, anything you want," Ye-beom replied mindlessly, before his head shot up looking up at Ji Ho’s faint smile, his eyes finally open, on the bed.

"God finally!" Bok-gi shot to his bedside, his curly hair frizzier than ever. The only thing that kept it back was black hairband with "Ye-Seul" embroidered on it in gold thread. They'd all slowly gathered around Ji ho, standing at the sides of his bed, the cheers of glee and laughter scattering across the room.

Ji ho scanned the room, looking at the shock and glee on everyone's face before landing on a certain girl who stayed quiet, her eyes narrowed at him. He squinted. "Kang Sol? God, I can't even see you properly because I don't have my glasses. Next time I get shot and I'm in the hospital, please keep my glasses on my face," he joked, everyone letting out scattered bits of laughter.

"Next time?" She stared him down, looking square at his face, her face emotionless as everyone quieted down looking between the two. "There better not be a next time," she said firmly. And it would have been effective, if not for the slight wavering in her voice. If not for the slight tremble in her hands as she looked at him, fully taking him in. Ji ho only grinned at her response, possibly one of the biggest grins he's ever had on his face.

The rest of the afternoon had passed by quickly, with Joon hwi ushering in the doctors letting them know he had woken up and the next two hours spent checking his condition and making sure he was okay. By the time he was able to relax, it was late into the evening.

"Guys, go home, I'll take care of Ji ho for the night," Joon hwi reassured the group, looking specifically at Sol B. Before she could protest, Ji ho grabbed her hand, squeezing it tight. Her lips pressed into a thin line and finally, she relented. Sol A and Ye-Seul came to her side, gently lifting the girl up to her feet as the rest of the group shuffled out, Sol B leaning onto the girls.

"I was right," Ji ho murmured to him, his eyes still glued to the door their friends had shuffled out of.

"I think your uncle and Assemblyman Ko was involved in Lee Man Ho's hit-and-run case," he sighed out, his voice clearer now as he looked up at Joon hwi. Joon hwi turned to him, finally looking at his best friend, but before he could jump to his uncle’s defense, Ji ho held both his hands out.

"When I left the office that night, it wasn't because of Lee Man Ho. I actually found someone that had the footage of the hit-and-run case he had witnessed."

"What?"

"Your uncle. It was your uncle Joon hwi," Ji ho softly said, hesitation coating his voice, "Your uncle was the one in the hit-and-run case.”

Joon hwi felt the same lethargic feeling climb up his body as he looked down at the man, his best friend telling him that the man he had idolized and loved, was the cause of all his pain. The cause of everything Sol A had been through. He could only blink back at Ji ho, his body frozen in shock, his mind too slow to process. The silence in the room stretched out as the tension was thick as ever.

“Look hear me out, okay? You don’t need to say anything right now, let me just,” Ji ho paused, looking up at him with pleading eyes. “Let me just explain.”

Joon hwi could only nod, as he took a seat, lest his body fail him more than it already has.

“For the past week, I’ve been going through your uncle’s older case files. I had to do quite a lot of digging for them, because for some reason these weren’t in the stacks that we could gather when we originally investigated. When I reached files around the time of the hit and run, there was a major gap. Not to mention, that your uncle struck up a friendship with Assemblyman Ko in that same period,” he paused, trying to catch his breath as his eyes scanned Joon hwi’s rigid face.

“After doing a little bit more detailed tracking of his locations and that days events I found that both your uncle and Assemblyman Ko was in the car together as they left the dinner. It’s the only reason why Lee Man Ho has been so elusive with you, because he knows your uncle was in the car with the Assemblyman. So, I tracked his steps back, and I found someone with the footage.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because,” Ji ho paused, looking into Joon hwi’s eyes. He bit his lip slightly, almost hesitating. “Because I needed to be sure it was him. I couldn’t tell you this news because I didn’t want you to re-live the pain of your uncle’s death and now, the death of who you thought your uncle to be.”

The room was dead quiet then, Joon hwi’s body and mind unable to process the death of what his uncle was to him. There was nothing said, because there’s nothing Ji ho could say to make this digestible for him. Nothing he could say to take back the truth of who Joon hwi’s uncle was.

“I need air. I’m going to all Ye-beom and Bok-gi to take over for me,” Joon hwi said as he abruptly stood up, his eyes not meeting Ji ho’s.

“Joon hwi—” Ji ho started, but it was of no use. The man had already stormed out, the hospital door slamming.

Joon hwi stood in the aisle of the corner store, his hands crumpled into fists at his side as he stared into the walls and walls of ramen. He had just called Ye-beom and Bok-gi, ensuring they took guard of Ji ho’s room before he marched out. Even though his whole world had crumbled in one conversation, he couldn’t bare it if something happened to Ji Ho. Joon hwi passed on the job without much fanfare, attempting at a thin veiled excuse of I’m a lot more tired than I thought I was.

Now, in front of him were rows and rows of colorful packets of ramen. The colors of the packaging blurred as Joon hwi stared intently at the packets, his body unable to move as his mind was still stunned from his best friend’s news.

When he was a kid, his uncle would take him to a convenience store, one that looked exactly like the one he was standing in right now. His uncle, laughing, would place him on his shoulders, making sure he could see every choice before making it.

Giggling, Joon hwi would choose the brightest one possible, and together, his uncle and him, would go home and make it together. Joon hwi would be placed on the kitchen counter, his young legs swinging into the cabinets as he watched his uncle do all the hard and dangerous steps, steps he wasn’t quite old enough to do by himself.

Sharing the sacred process of making and eating ramen together, his uncle making sure to ask Joon hwi about his studies, his days at school, learning everything that went on his life.

And when he would go to sleep on those weekends, he’d dream of wearing the mahogany robes of a prosecutor, just like his uncle. He would dream of laughing and appreciating his life, just like his uncle. And he’d dream that one day he’d be old enough to make the ramen by himself, at his uncle’s side rather than watching him do the steps.

But now he was tall enough to see all the colors of the packages. He was old enough to make the ramen without getting burned, without needing help. But in this moment, all he wished was to return to the blissful ignorance of a child. To have his uncle hold his hand, as he stirred the ramen and teach him every step.

He wished to have his uncle here, to hold his hand through every step. To tell him how to grapple with the fact that the man he idolized, the man he formed his ideals after, was human after all. To help him accept that his uncle was not the man he thought he was.

Joon hwi could only stand, looking into the aisles, as he felt like he was both five and thirty at the same time, looking into the same ramen packets but now from a completely different perspective.

The small chime of the store door rang, as another customer walked into the store, but it was only background noise to Joon hwi, his body still frozen in place. Still, he could make out the black cap of the customer move across the aisles into the one opposing his. His brain still slow, he couldn’t make the connection between the man’s face and his own memory until his eyes met the man’s eyes. The familiar sneering, kniving eyes. The eyes of Lee Man Ho.

As if his mind was jolted into reality, his body reacted, moving from his aisle. But he was a beat too late as Lee Man Ho had already taken off, running out the door of the convenience store and into the street.

Joon hwi ran after him into the street, adrenaline pumping through his veins. His legs couldn’t move fast enough, his body severely constrained by his office wear, but it didn’t matter. Despite the rounded alleyways and narrow streets, Joon hwi followed him, running as fast as his legs could carry him.

Lee Man ho twisted into the alleyway, the walls closing in on the both of them, until it led out into an street, leading all the way to some tunnel. With a new burst of energy, Joon hwi picked up his speed, his hands reaching out to push the rough material of the culprit. Lee Man ho stumbled, his pace ruined for long enough for Joon hwi to reach and swing, his fist connecting sickeningly against the body of this man. Lee Man ho twisted, now facing Joon hwi was he went in for a punch but Joon hwi ducked, stumbling back.

A calm rage washed over him as he sprung forward and swung again, this time his fist connecting with Lee Man Ho’s face. He recoiled, but sprung back to land a punch into Joon hwi’s gut, almost kneeling him over.

“Finally abandoned the law for this, huh Prosecutor?” Lee Man ho’s eyes narrowed as he flashed him a sickening smile, the dim street light glinting off of the metal in his teeth.

Joon hwi could only grunt in response, a hand going up to press into his gut as he stood up once again. He raced forward blindly, attempting for another hit, only for the man to dodge.

“Oh sorry, you’re a lawyer now, aren’t you,” Lee Man Ho sneered, and Joon hwi attempted again, just time kicking up at him. His foot connected with his body as Lee Man ho crumpled into the pavement.

Taking this opportunity, Joon hwi once again surged forward, caging Lee Man ho to the concrete road as he swung, his fist connecting to the man’s face. There was only adrenaline and anger, betrayal and rage, that flooded Joon hwi’s mind, the rationality leaving his body as he kept going. His knuckles screamed at the repeated contact, and his hands were now covered with the red, sticky blood of the man laying on the ground. There was no end to what he wanted to do to the man laying here, all the pain and rage and mistakes and hurt pouring out of him.

“Like uncle, like nephew,” Lee Man Ho laughed up at him, the taunting face now covered in blood and bruises. Tears blurred in his eyes as he slowed down, his punches becoming less frequent. Like uncle, like nephew.

Suddenly, a bright light tracks down the street, the sound of a car’s tires against the asphalt fills the empty night. Joon hwi turns, his mind suddenly distracted and Lee Man Ho takes his opportunity to push him off, stumbling up. His body was dragging, as he ran off, away from Joon hwi, away from the car.

Still, with bloodied hands, Joon hwi could only stumble back to the side of the road, away from the path of the car as he collapsed once more, his body crumpling down. The pain of his uncle’s betrayal was nothing compared to the guilt and pain of what he had just done. It only came crawling back into his soul, the pit in his stomach only deeper than ever.

The car rushed down the street, but oddly, it started slowing down, nearing where he sat against the side of the road before stopping fully. The bright light of the car shone into his eyes, only able to squint as someone got out of the driver’s seat, a figure approaching him. On instinct, Joon hwi crawled back, danger and warning bells ringing in his mind.

“Joon hwi?” an alarmed voice rang out, and Joon hwi jerked his head up to see Kang Sol tower over him, concern etched in her face. His Kang Sol. He could only blink at her, his mouth unable to form any words to greet her, to tell her what he’d done, to tell her what he is.

“Are you alright?” she asked him, her voice soothing as she knelt in front of him, her hands carefully placed around his jaw and his face, turning it in her hands to face her. Still, he blinked back.

Her gaze was so gentle, as if she knew. Her touch was so soft, her nimble hands cupping his face as if he deserved the kindness. Here was the woman he had wrongfully convicted, the woman he had almost put in jail, then taken back in as a lawyer to undo his own wrongdoing.

Like uncle, like nephew.

The thought raced through his mind as the tears fell from his eyes, his body shuddering with the withheld pain and anger. They only fell faster, as her hands moved against his waist to pull him to her, wrapping her arms around his exhausted form.

“I was– I was wrong, I was always wrong." he shuddered out the words, the tears choking him. His body shuddered again as he cried into her shoulder, the tears and pain wracking his body.

“My uncle. He was–” he started, but his mouth paused, unable to finish the sentence.

“Shh, I know, I know,” she soothed him, dragging him closer into her embrace.

“You know?” his voice cracked asking her, as he pulled away slightly to look at him.

“Bok-gi told me. Well, Ji ho told the both of them, concerned for you and Bok-gi called me to go look for you. I had to track your location through your phone,” Sol explained, her voice especially soft as she nervously shifted his hair out his eyes.

The pain only grew inside him, the tears still falling as he struggled to apologize, to explain, to say something to the woman in front of him.

“If I had based everything off of my uncle’s morals, the tenants of the law that he had taught me...” he paused, looking up at her, his eyes pleading her to tell him he’s wrong. “Then what if I’m wrong? What if I had been wrong this whole time, and... and every arrest and argument I made as a prosecutor was wrong?”

There was a silence that enveloped him, as he cried harder, his body shuddering at the thought that everything leading him was wrong. Everything he used as a guidance was wrong.

“You’re not your uncle, Joon hwi,” Sol told him, her voice firm as she looked at him. He peered into her eyes then, as she repeated the phrase to him, almost soothingly. “You’re acknowledging it, apologizing for it. Something your uncle never did. You’re not your uncle.”

Still, it wasn’t enough to override his mind as he lay there, in her embrace, the exhaustion preventing him from moving. And she stayed there, by his side, drawing him in as she repeated the soothing words. Until he was all run out of tears. Until his sadness gave into exhaustion.

#user: sxfik #kang sol a #kang sol b #seo ji ho #han joon hwi #ryu hye young #kim beom #lee david #lee sookyung #law school #law school jtbc #jtbc law school #law school kdrama #law school netflix #solhwi #jisolB #my writing #kang sol a x han joon hwi

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writer-dreams · 4 years

Text

Matchmaker (Draco Malfoy x Reader)

Hi everyone! So....I know that it's been a while but I've recently joined a writing challenge called Cliche Month Challenge. It was made by @wreckofawriter (thank you so much for inviting me). Expect 2 more fics for this challenge. Also, I'm so sorry about being slow with requests, I am still writing them, I'm just being a turtle. This was really fun to write and I'm excited to write the other 2.

Prompt: 5 times Pansy and Theo failed to get Draco and Y/n together, and the 1 time they succeeded.

House: You choose

Blood Status: You choose

Warnings: Underage drinking, possible swearing, slight angst

Word Count: 4,822 words

A/n: If I'm being honest, this is a little messy and the point of view changes quite randomly at times. I'll also admit that it does seem pretty repetitive (heh). The reader in this story is female / uses female pronouns.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

3rd Person POV

Pansy and Theo snickered to each other in one of the hidden corners in the empty corridor. They watched as Y/n and Draco bumped into each other, waiting for the scene to unfold. For years, Pansy and Theo had to watch as the two friends fell deeper in love with each other but refused to confess their feelings because they were afraid it would ruin their friendship. Pansy was almost at the point where she almost screamed out to Draco that Y/n loved him so much and that she was sick of watching them dance around each other. Theo, on the other hand, found the two's obliviousness amusing and he wanted to see how many times he had to push them in the right direction before they confessed. So, the two teamed up to try and get their friends together to stop their useless pining. They continued to watch, listening in to the conversation between the two.

"Oh, sorry Dray, I didn't see you there." Y/n chuckled, feeling a light blush dust her cheeks.

"I didn't see you there either, (N/n)." Draco smiled back at her, blushing as well.

They stared at each other, an awkward silence now filling the room. Y/n couldn't tear her eyes away from Draco's grey eyes and his handsome face. Draco couldn't stop looking at Y/n's swirling (e/c) eyes. There was a certain warmth to them that captivated him. A few seconds passed before Y/n turned away and coughed slightly.

"Um, have you seen Pansy anywhere? I got this note from her to meet her here." Y/n asked, pulling out a small piece of paper.

"That's funny, I'm waiting here because Theo left me a note to meet him here." Draco said, confused.

"Do you think they-"

The two suddenly burst out laughing, thinking that they had both been ditched. They had no idea that Pansy and Theo had orchestrated the whole thing to let the two spend some time alone.

"Well, seeing that our friends have seemed to abandon us, how would you feel about spending the day with me instead, bestie?" Y/n smiled.

"I would love that, dear best friend." Draco answered.

From their hidden corner, Pansy and Theo watched the pair walk away. Pansy let out a frustrated sigh, turning to Theo.

"It didn't work! How can two people be so blind?" She pinched the bridge of her nose in annoyance.

"Calm down, Pansy. We'll keep trying and eventually they'll see." Theo smirked. "I have another plan."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Classes had just ended and the hallways were filled with students quickly trying to move to their dorms or next class. Pansy and Theo waited outside of their friend's classrooms, prepared to pull off Theo's plan. Although Pansy would call said plan stupid, Theo wanted to see how far something as simple as this would go. Finally, Draco and Y/n emerged from their classroom, talking excitedly to each other. Pansy stuck her leg out in front of Y/n while Theo shoved Draco forward. The end result was Y/n falling to the floor with Draco falling on top of her.

The two teenagers stared at each other, completely forgetting about the awkward position they were in. Their faces were turned into a deep shade of red, their lips just barely an inch away from each other. Y/n's eyes flickered to Draco's lips, feeling his soft breaths hitting her face.

Pansy and Theo watched from the sidelines, the latter convinced that his plan had worked. He had a smirk on his face while Pansy raised an eyebrow at him. There was no way that Theo's stupid plan would work if her note plan failed. She turned back to her friends on the floor, seeing that all of their classmates had created a circle around them, waiting to see what would happen next. At first, it seemed as though Y/n and Draco were in their own world before Y/n took a look around and noticed the crowd. She looked back at the boy on top of her, her face growing even redder.

"Um, Dray, do you mind g-getting off of m-me?" Y/n stuttered, as if finally taking in the situation.

Draco also seemed to snap back into reality as he too looked around. "Oh yeah, sure. Sorry about that." He apologized as he stood back up and offered a hand to Y/n, who gratefully accepted it.

The students who were watching the scene, grumbled disappointedly before continuing on their way. Pansy looked up to see that Theo's smirk had faltered, a fact that she found herself smiling at.

"Not so easy, is it Nott?" She taunted.

"I got further than you." He answered bluntly.

Pansy snorted, patting Theo's back gently. "Like you said, we'll keep trying until it happens."

Theo flashed Pansy a smile, chuckling softly. "Damn right."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

This time, Theo had concocted a plan based on Pansy's first idea with leaving fake notes for Draco and Y/n. It was around the time that dinner would happen and the sky outside was dark with thousands of stars littered across the black space. Like last time, Theo and Pansy hid themselves away from view, waiting for Draco and Y/n to arrive.

The two teenagers arrived at roughly the same time. Their eyes were lit up in surprise when they spotted the picnic blanket and candles placed gently on the grass.

"Did you-" Y/n started.

"What? No. Did you?" Draco asked.

Y/n shook her head before stepping in closer to the blanket. Atop of the checkered material, another note was waiting for them. Written on it, their names were printed neatly in fancy handwriting.

"Well, it looks like this whole set-up is for us." Y/n said, showing Draco the paper.

Draco raised his eyebrows before his signature smirk made its way onto his face. "Well, who are we to deny?"

Y/n's face turned red as Draco sat down on the blanket and gestured for her to sit with him. She obliged, settling next to her best friend.

"So, I'm guessing this note I got from you is also part of the set-up then?" Y/n questioned, taking out the note that Pansy left on her desk out of her pocket.

"I guess so, considering I also got a note from you." Draco chuckled, pulling out a similar note.

Y/n rolled her eyes at the utter ridiculousness of this situation. This had to be one of the stupidest pranks that anyone has pulled on her. Though deep down, she was glad that she could spend more time alone with Draco, so perhaps this 'prank' wasn't as bad as it seemed to be.

"Hey (N/n), you can really see the stars tonight." Draco pointed at the sky.

Y/n looked up and admired the stars with him. It felt nice, just being here with him and looking at stars together. She lay down on the blanket and started looking for any constellations she recognized. Out of the corner, she could see Draco closing his eyes and breathing slowly. He looked so peaceful in the quiet evening, the candle's light making him more attractive. Eventually, he opened them again before turning to her.

"Thank you, Y/n. Thank you for always being there for me. For always listening, no matter how little the problem is. I don't know what I'd do if you weren't my best friend." Draco said sincerely.

Y/n smiled back, "I'm happy that you're my best friend too, Draco."

About an hour or two had passed before the two friends decided to head back inside. They blew out the candles and took the blanket inside with them, smiling and laughing before they disappeared into the castle. Pansy and Theo came out of their hiding place, with Pansy grinning at a frowning Theo.

"It was a good attempt, Nott. Though it appears that not even you can get the two oblivious idiots together." She laughed.

"I'm still not giving up." Theo grunted.

"And neither will I. We'll get them someday, I just hope it won't take years."

Theo chuckled at the thought of him and Pansy spending the rest of their years at Hogwarts trying to get their two friends together. "Yeah, let's hope."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

One of the students was hosting a large party in one of the school's unused rooms. Luckily for Pansy and Theo, they managed to convince their two friends to come join them. There was a rumour that Blaise had managed to sneak some alcohol into the party to 'spice things up'. Pansy and Theo arrived at the party to see Y/n and Draco already chatting away happily in a corner. Theo leaned over to Pansy, a worried expression on his face.

"Are you sure about this?" He asked.

"Of course. Drunk words, sober thoughts, all that stuff. Just keep Draco away from Y/n and leave the rest to me."

He nodded before making his way to their friends, greeting them before taking Draco's arm and leading him away, leaving Y/n all alone. Blaise approached Pansy, two glasses of firewhiskey in his hands.

"Hey Parkinson, you want to join in on the fun?" He asked, lifting a glass to her. Pansy smiled, taking both glasses from him.

"Of course." She said, making her way over to Y/n, who looked a little nervous as she watched the rest of the party.

"Hey Y/n."

"Oh, hey Pansy."

"Great party, eh?"

"I guess so." Y/n answered uncertainly.

"What's wrong?" Pansy asked, knowing exactly why Y/n was uncomfortable.

"Pans, you know I've never been much of a party person, I don't even know why I agreed to come here."

"Because of Draco?" Pansy questioned slyly, watching Y/n's face grow red. She laughed at her friend' reaction, becoming even more amused at Y/n's attempts to shush her.

"You know what you need, Y/n? I think you need a little bit of liquid courage." Pansy held up the glass of firewhiskey to Y/n.

Y/n seemed to consider this before she cautiously took the drink from Pansy. She looked at the Slytherin girl, who nodded approvingly. Gathering her courage, Y/n lifted the glass to her lips and let the burning liquid go down her throat. She looked back to Pansy, seeing her friend offering her another drink.

"Two drinks in and you'll probably feel more comfortable." Pansy smirked, knowing fully well that Y/n was a lightweight and two drinks would be enough to get her totally drunk.

Y/n ignored any warnings ringing through her head and gulped down the second drink. Not long after, the effects of the alcohol began to take over. The next thing she knew, her brain felt fuzzy and she couldn't quite think properly.

"Pansy, have I ever told you how much I love you?" Y/n hiccupped. Pansy chuckled at the sight of her drunk friend, gently wrapping one of Y/n's arms around her back and taking her back to Draco.

"Yes, you have. Now for you to say that to Draco." She muttered.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Pansy had finally found Theo and Draco, Y/n was a drunken, blabbering mess. Draco looked worried as he took Y/n off of Pansy's back.

"What happened to her?" Draco asked, brushing some of Y/n's hair out of her face.

"She had a bit too much firewhiskey to drink. Come on, let's take Y/n back to our common room so she can sober up." Pansy answered, watching Draco take one of Y/n's arms and Theo take the other. The group then headed down to the dungeons to the Slytherin Common Room. The whole time, Y/n loudly exclaimed whatever was on her mind, with the trio trying to keep her quiet so they weren't caught.

"You guys ever wonder why the Dark Lord has no nose? Like, if I were to be the most powerful wizard to ever exist, then surely, I'd wanna look good. Who wants to be famous for not having a nose?" Y/n shouted.

"Yes, yes, Y/n. Noses are great. Now, can you please be quiet?" Pansy sighed. She knew that Y/n was a lightweight but she didn't know how difficult she would be to handle.

Soon, Y/n fell asleep, the trio letting out a sigh of relief. Out of the corner of Theo and Pansy's eye, they noticed Draco smiling softly at Y/n's sleeping form.

As they entered the room, they noticed that it was completely empty. Everyone was still at the party, allowing the four friends to have the whole room to themselves. Draco and Theo gently put Y/n down on one of the couches, Draco sitting next to her. A few minutes had passed with idle chit chat between the three as Y/n continued to sleep. The night was still young and everyone was not likely to return from the party for a few hours. Eventually, Y/n appeared to stir a bit from her sleep, though she was still very drunk. Pansy elbowed Theo gently in the side and they both excused themselves before exiting the Common Room. In reality, they were hiding in the entrance to the boy's dormitories. Pansy gave Theo a high five as they leaned against the wall to peer into the Common Room.

"Draco...." Y/n murmured, finally starting to wake up.

"Y/n! How are you feeling, do you need anything?" Draco took Y/n's hand and squeezed it gently.

"Draco....I need to tell you something...." Y/n continued muttering.

"Yeah, of course. You can tell me anything, (N/n)."

Pansy excitedly looked over at Theo. "It's finally going to happen!" She whisper-shouted. Theo put a finger over his lips and gestured for her to continue watching.

"Draco....I...I...."

"Come on!" Pansy was ready to scream. Her body was filled with anticipation and she could barely hold it in.

"Draco....I'm really glad that you're my best friend." Y/n smiled sleepily at him.

"Oh come on!" Pansy face palmed. Theo was shaking beside her, trying to hold in his laughter.

"Shut up, it's not that funny!" Pansy swatted Theo's arm.

"Of course it is! You were practically splitting at the seams from excitement only for it not to happen!" Theo held a hand over his mouth, still trying to stay quiet.

Pansy rolled her eyes and went back to watching Draco and Y/n, disappointment settling into her stomach. She was so sure that this would work, that drunken Y/n would be dumb enough to confess to Draco her undying love for him.

"I'm glad that you're my best friend too, Y/n." Draco grinned. "Now, let's get you to your room. You're going to need to sleep off all that alcohol." Draco lifted Y/n up bridal style and carried her off into the direction of her room.

With both of them now out of the room, Theo burst out laughing. He practically fell to the floor from the endless laughter. Pansy watched him with crossed arms, waiting for him to finally finish. As the laughter died down, Theo took a couple of deep breaths before he settled down.

"Got anymore bright ideas?" Theo joked.

"Maybe." Pansy smirked, a new plan already forming in her head.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Pansy was tired of their plans failing. She took out a small bottle of a love potion out of her bag, seeing Theo raise an eyebrow at it.

"This is your big plan?" He asked, almost unimpressed.

"Well, everything else hasn't worked so far! This is almost a guaranteed way for them to get together." Pansy reasoned, pouring the potion into a glass of orange juice. Due to being hungover from the party last night, Y/n ended up sleeping in past breakfast. Although Pansy couldn't sneak any food out of the Mess Hall, she had managed to grab some juice on her way out. She watched the potion disappear into the orange liquid, smiling to herself. Theo was doubting the plan, but she'd show him. This would work, she told herself.

Of course Theo doubted the plan. He'd heard of far too many stories where love potions only lead to trouble. He looked back to Pansy, seeing her smile at the mixture in her hands. She was so confident, so sure that this would provide the success they needed. He couldn't wait for this to fail so he could have another laughing fit. Not saying that he wanted this to fail, just that it would be hilarious if it went wrong. He chuckled, thinking of various scenarios where it could take a bad turn.

30 minutes later, Pansy found Y/n tiredly walking through the halls to get to class. Luckily for them, the four friends had Charms together in the morning, so it would be easy to give Y/n the potion and watch her reaction.

"Y/n! You doing okay? You were pretty drunk last night." Pansy greeted, "I couldn't get you any food, but I got you some juice so you have some energy."

Pansy handed her the drink, Y/n thanking her. The three then headed to Charms class, with Y/n complaining about how groggy she felt. They arrived and saw that Draco was already there, patiently waiting for his friends. Y/n sat down next to him while Pansy and Theo sat behind them. Y/n took a sip of the juice, not expecting a strangely sweet taste to fill her mouth. It was an unnatural sort of sweet, like someone poured a whole bottle of honey into the drink. She brushed it off though, thinking that it tasted weird because it was the first thing she had consumed that morning.

"It's happening!" Pansy whispered excitedly, as she elbowed Theo's arm.

"Don't get too excited, Parkinson." He reminded her.

It didn't take long before the potion had taken over the (h/c) haired girl. However, to Pansy's confusion, the girl's gaze snapped from her notes to Blaise Zabini. To her horror, Y/n got out of her seat and settled into a new one next to Blaise.

"Oh no...." Pansy cursed to herself.

"Hey Zabini. Have I ever told you how attractive you are?" Y/n asked, giving Blaise a flirty smile. The potion apparently also gave her newfound confidence.

"No, but I would like to hear more about it." Blaise returned her flirty tone as Y/n giggled.

Pansy continued spitting curse words under her breath as she looked over at Draco's heartbroken expression. Theo looked at her with crossed arms and a smug smirk.

"What did I tell you?" He said, sarcastically.

"Shut it. Now you gotta help me convince Draco that she's not in love with Zabini!"

"Fine. Just keep in mind that this was your plan." Theo rolled his eyes.

Pansy and Theo leaned over their desks to Draco, who was still looking at Y/n with sad eyes. Pansy felt horrible and was terrified that she'd driven them apart.

"Hey Draco...." She started, not sure how she should approach the situation. Draco looked up at her, hurt evident in his eyes.

"Cheer up, I'm sure that she doesn't actually like Zabini." Theo reassured. Draco nodded silently before his eyes went back to the (h/c) haired girl clinging onto Blaise's arm. He let out a sigh before turning back to his work, glancing at Y/n every now and then through the corner of his eye.

"Merlin, Theo. We need to get an antidote for this thing and we need it bloody fast." Pansy scowled.

"Well, I could make it but it'll take me the rest of the day."

"Then, you need to get started on it now. I can't watch Y/n cuddling with someone like Zabini any longer without feeling the urge to vomit."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The end of the day was nearly approaching and Pansy was anxious for Theo to be done with the potion. The whole day, Y/n flirted and complimented Blaise, which really didn't help the Slytherin boy's already overinflated ego. Poor Draco was stuck watching his best friend fawn over an arrogant arsehole. Eventually, he was so upset that he retreated to the Common Room, hoping to avoid seeing them together again.

Pansy stood by Blaise and Y/n, cringing every time she heard her friend gush about the large muscles the boy had. Where was Theo? She wasn't sure how much more of this she could take and she could only imagine how Draco felt. Finally, she spotted Theo hurriedly running towards her, holding out the antidote. He quickly handed her the bottle and she turned towards her spelled friend with full intent to end this now.

"Hey Y/n! I dare you to drink whatever is in this bottle!" Pansy taunted.

"What? No! What if it's poison?"

"What are you, chicken?" Blaise challenged as he turned to his new admirer.

Y/n's face turned red as she begrudgingly took the bottle from Pansy's hand. Pansy smiled knowingly, realizing that Y/n was only taking it to impress Blaise. Y/n removed the cork and swallowed the contents, not even hesitating or stopping to breathe. When it was empty, she nearly dropped the glass as a sudden dizziness hit her.

"Guys, I'm feeling a little woozy." Y/n trailed off, the world spinning as her eyes closed and everything turned black.

Y/n awoke to Pansy and Theo calling her name. She opened her eyes and found the two looking at her with worried eyes.

"What happened?" Y/n asked when the memories suddenly flooded her brain. She grimaced at the thought of how she acted, especially when she constantly fed Blaise's massive ego. "Wait, where's Draco?"

"He's in the Common Room. He left after seeing-" Theo started but he didn't need to finish before Y/n felt the immense guilt build up. She hated the idea that Draco thought she liked Blaise. That would never be true in a million years.

"What about me? Why don't you tell me more about how attractive you think I am." Blaise asked, pushing himself between Theo and Pansy, holding out a hand towards her. Speak of the devil. Y/n scowled before shoving his hand away and getting herself up.

"Shove off, Zabini. I'm going to get Draco." She flipped him off as she started quickly making her way to the dungeons with Pansy and Theo behind her.

When they arrived, Theo and Pansy hid in the entrance of the boy's dormitories and Y/n found Draco sitting on one of the couches, staring intently at the fires burning warmly in the fireplace. Her heart twisted at the sight of him and how his usual bright eyes seemed blank. She sat down next to him and waited for him to acknowledge her. Finally, he turned to her with a deep frown.

"Didn't know you liked guys like Blaise Zabini." He said, coldly.

"Dray, I swear that it wasn't me. I was spelled with a potion. Please, you have to believe me. I don't love Zabini, I love-" Y/n cut herself off before she could reveal her big secret. "I don't want you to get the wrong idea. You're my best friend, Dray. I would hate it if you saw me as that type of girl."

Draco gently took her hands in his. "You promise you're not into Zabini?"

"Yes. Merlin, I would take back all those compliments I gave him if I could. He such a pompous arse."

Draco chuckled, making Y/n's heart skip a beat. He wasn't mad at her and he believed her. Her best friend was back and she hoped that she would never come that close to losing him again. She loved Draco too much.

"And for the record, you're my best friend too, (N/n)."

"I know."

Pansy crossed her arms and sighed deeply. She royally messed this one up, didn't she? Theo smiled softly at the girl next to him, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"Are we done with your extreme plans now?" He teased.

"I give up. It's your turn to come up with a plan now." Pansy said, dejectedly.

"Oh, I have one." Theo's smile grew wider.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

"Are you ever going to tell Draco about your crush on him?" Pansy asked Y/n as they walked through the halls together.

"Pans, you're not supposed to be talking about this in public."

"I just want to know. You guys are best friends, you're not meant to have secrets."

"That's just it, we're best friends. If I told him, it could ruin our friendship. Or worse, if we fall apart, we could never be as close as we used to be. It's easier for me to just keep these feelings hidden because I don't want to lose him." Y/n sighed.

Pansy's face grew hard as she suddenly took hold of Y/n's arm and began dragging her somewhere.

"What are you—Pansy! Let go of me this instant!" Y/n shouted but Pansy ignored her, leading her to an empty classroom.

"I'm tired of you refusing to tell him about your feelings just because you think that you'll lose him." Pansy growled lowly as she tossed Y/n into the room. "You two are going to talk and I'm not letting you out until you confess."

Pansy closed the door and locked it, causing Y/n to panic. She began to knock furiously on the door, begging Pansy to let her out. "Pans, let me out! This isn't funny!"

"You're trapped here too, eh?" Y/n's pleading was cut short when she turned and saw Draco at the other side of the room.

"Yeah, how did you get here?"

"Theo told me to meet him in this room, then he turned and locked me in here." Draco glared at the door, knowing that Pansy and Theo were probably listening in to their conversation.

Y/n turned back to the door. "Pans, I swear to Merlin, let me out!"

"Did you two confess yet?"

"No!"

"Then you don't come out." Pansy's blunt statement caused Y/n to bang her head against the wooden door.

"We don't even have feelings for each other!" Y/n shouted before she heard some sort of heavy breathing. Confused, she turned back to Draco to see him looking at the ground, his fists clenching and unclenching. She approached the blonde boy, worried about why he was suddenly acting like this.

"Dray, are you....alright?" She asked, cautiously.

"No, I'm not because, Salazar, I love you, Y/n!" He shouted.

Y/n froze in her tracks, unsure of what to say. Her heart was racing and her head was filled with a million thoughts. Draco loved her? After all this time, he loved her and she didn't even know.

"And it hurts to know that you'd only ever think of me as a best friend. Yesterday, when you were with Zabini, it was hell to watch you flirt with him because I was so incredibly jealous. I hated the thought that you liked him, and that you could never see me that way. Then you told me you were spelled and I actually thought I still had a chance. Now, we're trapped in a room together because our stupid friends think that we like each other. Under different circumstances, I would have never told you about these feelings because I was willing to let you be happy with someone else as long as I could still be with you, even as a best friend. I love you, Y/n. I love you so much and I would do anything for you. Though, it's been made clear to me that you don't feel the same." Draco finished his rant, still breathing heavily.

Y/n's brain was still trying to process this new information. Too many thoughts were running through her mind and her mouth refused to move. Those three words were at the tip of her tongue but for some reason, she couldn't say them. Her silence was all the answer Draco needed.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't of have said that. This was stupid. Just forget what I said." Draco averted his gaze to the side, tears starting to form.

That's when Y/n couldn't control herself as she ran up to him and pressed her lips against his. Draco let out a surprised squeak but soon began to kiss her back. Eventually, the two parted and Y/n embraced Draco tightly.

"I love you too, Dray. Merlin, I was afraid to tell you for so long because I didn't want to lose you. I tried to push away my feelings but I never could. I wish that I had confessed sooner. Like I said before, I would never be into guys like Blaise because I love guys like you. I love you, Draco Malfoy. I truly mean it with all of my heart." Y/n whispered.

Unexpectedly, the door to the classroom burst open with Pansy whooping loudly as she walked in. Behind her, Theo smirked at the now couple as Pansy gave him a high five.

"We finally did it! Salazar, that took forever!" Pansy cried.

"Wait....all those other times....you guys were the ones setting us up?" Y/n raised an eyebrow at her friends.

Pansy froze, realizing the potential 'danger' she was in. She slowly nodded as Y/n's face twisted into a scowl. Taking this as her cue to leave, she tugged on Theo's sleeve and the two took off running down the corridor.

"Come back here, you two!!"

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

Thank you so much for reading! Fun Fact: A friend actually gave me a couple of ideas for this one! She helped edit it for me and she definitely ships Pansy and Theo in this one. (You don't have to ship them, I wrote it so that you could either see them as close friends or maybe growing closer and closer as the fic goes on. Let me know what you think.) I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. Thank you again. Until next time.

-Jade

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