#this is an essay you've been warned lol

[youraverageaemondsimp]

Ruinous Fixation // Stalker!Aemond Targaryen x Fem!Reader || MODERN AU.

Valentine's special 💕

Summary: Aemond had been stalking you for a while after an encounter with you in the past, when you found out, you should've been creeped out and called the police, but you didn't, he intrigued you, and so, you pursued him.

WARNINGS: mdni, dark themes, stalker!aemond, afab!reader, unprotected p in v sex, cunnilingus, oral (f. receiving), body worshipping, teasing, masturbation (m. & f.), fingering, multiple orgasms, reader is fucked in the mind too, consensual impregnation(?), voyuerism (to aemond that's watching through cameras), lmk if I forgot + not proofread

WC: 2.5k

A/N: ah yes, valentines special, surely the fic will be something sweet and fluffy, lol sike, it's just two mentally ill ppl getting together 😍, don't let the header fool u guys. // divider credits @cafekitsune

Perhaps it was too much.

Perhaps it wasn't.

Maybe following you home without your knowledge, leaving you presents not signed with a name, instilling secret cameras into the gifts he had given to you — which you've naively kept in your room — could be considered stalking.

But Aemond doesn't feel that way, whether he is ashamed to admit or is in pure denial is unknown to himself, he justifies all of those actions by simple reasoning, ‘to make sure you were safe.’ which is way far-fetched than it should be.

You did not know Aemond, but he knew you, a obsession developed through the course of an year when you had first defended him in something, nobody ever took his side since he was a child, so seeing you step up in his defence, when he was mocked because of his eye, really ignited something in him.

You of course had forgotten about the encounter and moved on, he didn't, he cherished that memory like it was a tiny water droplet amongst the vast desert, he didn't want it to evaporate.

At first he just appreciated you, but then he got curious, of what kind of person you were, and then he got attached and now? well now he's far too in deep to leave, he knows everything about you, the outfit you like, what you do after coming home, your favourite food, what song you blast while getting ready, every miniscule thing, and he prepares his gifts accordingly.

Aemond thought you'd throw his gifts away, but you didn't, he would drop off your favourite flowers which you'd keep in your vase, he was confused why you weren't creeped out by this type of behaviour, an unknown person leaving gifts should make you be fully alert right?

The thing is, you knew.

How can you not? He was way too fully obvious, you had only ever pretended that you did not remember him, but you recognized him, he was unique after all, you'd often catch him staring in your direction, and the gifts and letters he leaves you? How can you not recognize the handwriting when you're both in the same English class? When you've read countless handwritten essays by him?

You knew he was stalking you, you knew it was fucked up, but there was some deep subconscious part of you that liked it, to see someone be obsessed over you to the point of stalking or having their whole life revolve around you was like a stroke to your ego, maybe you're allowing it because you liked the guy? he wasn't a bad person, and neither does he behave like a total creep.

His behaviour is indeed creepy, but not completely creepy or anything — is what you justified your non-repulsiveness about him with

However you had gotten tired, tired of waiting for him to make a move, so you got ahold of his schedule to see when he's free and that's when you decided you'd strike him yourself.

You walk through the hallways in search of him, immediately smiling when you find him coming out of the class, you neutralise your expression and begin walking at full speed towards him, eventually ‘accidentally’ bumping into him, causing your belongings to fall down.

“Watch where you're—Oh are you okay?” He takes a moment to recognize you, and you nod slightly, picking up your things slowly, waiting for him to help you, which he does, but when he's about to touch something – and item that he himself had gifted – you grabbed it in a rush, hiding it from him and he raises his eyebrow at that while he picks up your other things.

He then hands over all the collected stuff, “Sorry for being, that was just an important thing someone had gifted me, I cherish it a lot.” You tell slowly, and smile up at him, you watch the way he shifts in his position, as his eyebrows relax and his mouth slightly curls up in a smile, “No problem.” He tells you and you both part your ways.

That wasn't enough however.

Because Aemond still did not strike, and it made you anxious to no end, so you began planning your guys’ accidental meetings until you eventually became friends with him, Aemond did not expect any of this but he enjoyed every moment, thinking his efforts paid off, well they technically did.

You found out about the camera in the eye of a comforting bed plushie he had gifted you accidentally, it made you shocked to know that he was keeping his eye on you like this, but you didn't care at that point because you too were so obsessed about him.

It's fucked up.

And then, an idea struck up in your head.

You invited Aemond for a coffee date, if you could call it that, and spent time together, preparing for English, he's actually very smart when his life isn't revolving around you, and you liked him even more because of his intelligence.

After a few hours together, you guys ended the date and went back home, you knew he'd be watching you through the camera so you decided to put on a show for him, you laid on the bed, breathing heavily as you imagined Aemond.

You closed your eyes, imagining that your hands were his and you began touching yourself, the way his hands would squeeze your breasts, play with your njpples, you mimicked as your imagery began to go wild.

Aemond was watching all this happen, it's not like he hadn't watched you masturbate before, or hump the plushie he had given you, but this time he for an odd reason, knew it was different.

You hand slowly pulled your panties down, pretending it was him before you slowly spread your legs apart and cupped your own cunt, before rubbing small circles onto your clit.

The pleasure and tension slowly began to rise as you picked up the pace, quickly growing desperate. You knew he was probably watching so you began to make noises hoping he'd hear you, and then an idea struck through you.

Maybe you should give a point of view if he is indeed watching.

You stared at the plush for a second before committing to that, you grabbed it and positioned it between your legs and took off your shirt, so you were completely naked now.

Aemond was unbearably hard at the sight, he massaged his balls to ease the tension before unbuckling his pants pulled his cock out and wrapped his hand around it.

You rutted against the plush, bouncing up and down to create friction inbetween your legs that provided pleasure, Aemond threw his head back, trying to match your pace with his hand, imagining that it was your cunt wrapped around him instead of his hand.

Your orgasm was drawing nearer and you desperately moved your hips back and forth, letting out gasps and whines, squeezing your breasts and pretending it was Aemond's hands.

The band that tightened in your core snapped with a warning, and you closed your eyes shut at the intensity it hit you with, you came with a loud moan of his name, “Fuck— Aemond.” you gasped.

Aemond finished right then there when he heard you say out his name, he grunted as he finished all over his hands. He breathed heavily gazing through the screen as you plopped down onto the bed tiredly, “Mhm Aemond.” You whined sleepily as your tiredness finally caught up to you, and you slowly drifted off to sleep, your breaths slowing down.

Aemond couldn't sleep that night.

——————

“Are you alright?” You teasingly ask him the next morning at class and he stares at you for a moment before nodding. He decided that since you had liked him back, there should be nothing stopping him right?

“Y/N, I have something to say.” He begins

‘Finally,’ you think.

“I'm in love with you, and I don't know if this will ruin the friendship between us but I really do.” He finally confesses and you smile.

“I know Aemond, I loved all of your gifts.” you tell him

And before he could process what you had said, the professor had come in and silenced the class, even after class he didn't get a chance to talk to you, you were always whisked away by something and he grew more frustrated.

So after the college had ended, you both walked home, and he thought it was better to discuss it in private rather than in public, to which you nodded and allowed him into your house. You dropped your bag on the couch before undoing your shoes and throwing them off, before making your way into the kitchen, fetching some water and bringing it for Aemond, while he sat on the couch.

“What do you mean by that you liked my gifts?” He questioned before gulping down some water and placed it on the table right in front of the sofa. You wasted no time and got on his lap, straddling him as you wrapped your arms around him and gazed into his eye.

“I know about everything, Aemond.” You mutter and his eye widens, “Since when?” he queried and you smirked, “Months ago, our meeting wasn't a coincidence.” You cup his cheek, caressing his scar with your thumb. “I hope you liked my show last night, I was waiting for this moment.” You whisper seductively before connecting your lips with his and he lets out a satisfied hum at how soft your lips feel against his, he immediately succumbs into your kiss, grabbing you by your waste and chasing your lips with his, the kiss becomes heated as well as passionate while you grip his head and push your tongue into his mouth.

You pull away to catch your breath and stare into his eye, you push a strand of his hair behind his ear before you lean in, “Take me to the bedroom and fuck me in the bed, Aemond.” You demand and he immediately obeys, holding you tightly against him as he carries you to your bedroom, before gently throwing you on the bed.

And you sit up on your elbows as he crawls up the bed towards you, pawing at your clothes and trying to pull them off, which you assist him with, he kisses your shoulders and your neck, all the way down towards your breasts and to your stomach before pressing a loving kiss on flesh of your cunt.

“You're so fucking wet.” He says amused, and your face heats up at that comment, “All for me, yes?” He looks at you and you nod, “All for you, Aemond.” You reaffirm and he smirks, you felt warmth creep up in your stomach at his expression, giving you butterflies.

He wets his fingers with his spit before pushing one inside humming in satisfaction as your cunt swallows his finger as though it was waiting for him, he slowly begins to thrust in and out, growing more restless and hot as he watches his finger move in and out, hoping that would be his cock soon.

He adds another finger and you whine at the delicious stretch, bucking your hips upwards to which he huts at and presses them back down, his hot breaths fan against your clitoris, causing you to twitch and look at him desperately, and he immediately knows what you want.

His lips wrap around the neglected bud before he begins to suckle on it, twirling his tongue around the pearl whilst you throw your head back at the amplified pleasure he was bestowing you with.

Your fingers tangle themselves in his hair, gently pulling against his scalp as you writhe and squirm because of him, your orgasm hits you before you could even process it, making you moan his name out loud as your vision turns white as well as make your ears ring loudly.

He pulls away with a wet pop and pulls his fingers out before cleaning them up with his mouth, he licks his fingers – that was covered in your juices – squeaky clean before and hovers above you and kisses you. You wince at the tangy taste of yourself but nonetheless still kiss him back.

You tug at his pants and shirt, “Take them off.” You command, but in a pleading voice and he gladly does as you say, you watch as he pulls off his shirt and unbuckles his pants.

The sight of his body was divine, from his chest muscles to his defined arms, you began becoming more aroused as he fully undressed, and hovered above you once again, positioning himself between your legs.

“I don't have a condom.” He bites his lower lip nervously, but you cup his cheek and pull the lower lip from between his teeth, before you gazed up at him, “I don't fucking care, take me raw Aemond, I just want you to fuck me right now.” You admit unashamedly to which he chuckles lightly at before pressing his lips against yours once more.

He breaks the kiss and guides his hand towards his cock, gripping it and lining it up with your entrance, Aemond suddenly sits back so he isn't hovering over you anymore and pulls your legs over his shoulders, holding them in place as he pushes his cock inside.

He begins to thrust in and out, fucking you with a slow and gentle pace to gently stretch you out so you can adjust to his cock, and soon begins to move a faster pace than before.

However that still wasn't enough, so you begged for him to go faster; “Faster Aemond! Fuck, fuck me harder—” You are cut off by your own gasp when he sets his pace even faster than before, his thighs slapping against your butt.

Lewd noises fill the room, the scent of sex permeates the room while your body jolts up and down your bed as he restlessly pounds into you, all you could hear was your own moans matching with his as he too experiences the pleasure of this act.

“I'm cumming— fuck.” He warns you and tries to pull out but you pull your legs off his shoulders and wrap them around his waist, locking him in place, “Impregnate me like you desired, Aemond.” you tell him and he gasps as he hits his high at your words, shooting his seed inside of you.

He stimulates your clit while riding off his high which causes you to peak as well, making your walls to grip his cock tightly as they spasm around it.

He immediately plops down next to you, and you pull him to your chest, caressing his hair as he nuzzles his face in between your tits.

“I found your diary, you know, this morning.” You begin to speak as he catches his breath, “And I've found all the deepest and darkest desires you've written about me.”

His heartbeat rises and he stares up at you.

“I'd love for you to do those to me, Aemond.” you tell him.

“How are you okay with all of this? A normal person would be creeped out.” He questions and you smirk.

“I'm not so normal after all.” You kiss him on the head.

— !  ݈݇- thank you so much for reading! i hope you enjoyed it <3 comments and reblogs are appreciated greatly ♡

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[hwanghyunjinenthusiast]

Kinkuary Day 4

AN: Given how much this man touches people's necks, this was a given. Also, I have been experiencing a bit of Hao brainrot lately so this came up at the perfect time lol.

Synopsis: Xu Minghao is not typically what you envision when you think of the word 'fuckboy.' However, with how often you've found yourself in his bed, the term fits him to a t. Not that you're complaining.

General tags and warnings: Xu Minghao x Fem! Reader, university au, non-idol, (sort of) friend with benefits! Minghao and this is pretty much pwp.

Primary kink: Choking.

Smut tags and warnings: hair pulling (f. receiving), biting (f. receiving), mentions of clawing (both f. and m. receiving), some manhandling, overstimulation (f. receiving), mild dirty talk, choking (f. receiving), dacryphilia if you squint and piv sex with a condom (I know, who am I?).

Word count: 1.8k.

I will block you if you are a minor and/or have no easily visible indication of your age on your blog if you interact with me in any way.

You really did intend to spend tonight catching up with your friends.

Mingyu and Seokmin have been begging you to catch up with them for ages now and, you always feel like you've kicked two giant puppies when you apologise to them and have to decline every invite to hang out. Between essays and attending lectures all in an attempt to earn your Honours, you've barely had time to be a human being these past few months.

The two of them always understood. Because of course they did. They're probably the two kindest men you've ever met and, it's all just made you feel like even more of an asshole for constantly turning them down.

It doesn't help that you've been more than happy to spend time with their other friend either.

Calling your relationship with Minghao friendship would be generous. Frankly, it's a miracle the two of you can manage to stand each other given his disposition for cynicism and fondness for mocking your taste in music. However, to put it crassly, he's hot. All seemingly never ending dark locks, masterfully applied eyeliner and chipped, black painted fingernails. Considering your past ‘relationships’ with men like Seungcheol, Chan and even Mingyu that one summer, it's safe to say your friends were more than a little surprised when they noticed you and the perpetually stoic man gravitating towards each other.

“Am I boring you?” Minghao's words cut through your momentarily guilt swiftly. Long fingers winding themselves in your hair and tugging hard enough to provide a pleasant sting.

“N–No, I ah–,” your train of thought is interrupted by an especially harsh snap of his hips, his tip brushing against the part of your walls that renders everything but, him white noise. You claw at his sheets while he continues to fuck you into his bed. The obscene sounds of his hips snapping into your ass echoing throughout his bedroom. Luckily, the music blasting outside is more than enough to drown out whatever noises the two of you typically have to muffle.

“Good to know,” he laughs breathlessly into your ear, biting down on the lobe in time with his other hand gripping one of your breasts hard enough for the slight pain of his fingernails to shoot straight to your clit. If he wasn't holding onto you so fiercely, you're sure you would've fallen face first into one of his pillows by now.

You know Minghao fucks around with other people so, you're not going to delude yourself into thinking he's especially ravenous tonight because it's been a couple of weeks since the two of you have fooled around. However, it's hard not to think that way when he sinks his teeth into your shoulder while kneading your breasts in his massive hands. It's especially hard not to think that way when he's thrusting into you so deeply that you're sure you can feel him in your lungs and you're dangerously close to cumming again.

Sometimes, Minghao's phenomenal observation skills are great. Mostly, however, he uses them to drive you closer and closer to insanity.

“Close already?” He snarks against your skin, one of his hands snaking its way down your stomach to lightly brush your swollen clit. You reaction is immediate. A broken moan ripping itself from somewhere deep inside of you while your walls clench around him like a vice. He's barely touching you but, it's still enough for the network of knots in your core to grow tighter and tighter again.

“Hao,” you pant, your eyes squeezing shut when he graces you with more pressure on your clit. The circles he's drawing are lazy and slow but, it's better than nothing. You'll happily take what you can get at this point. “Please, I'm– It's– I'm so close,” you gasp out.

You're already too far gone to really pay attention to what he's saying but, your heart does leap into your throat when you feel the familiar weight of his hand around your neck. That simple gesture alone is enough to violently shove you over the metaphorical edge. Somewhere in the distance you can hear him curse behind you but, your brain is too busy breaking into a million pieces to really pay all that much attention.

It's easy to forget how strong Minghao is sometimes. In these moments, where he keeps you from crumbling into a heap on his bed while your body is hit with wave after wave of release, you're appreciative of that fact.

“–making a mess on my sheets,” are the first words your muddled brain can make out when you start to come back to your body. Everything is still a haze (and the purple lights decorating his room definitely add to that feeling) so you just barely register him manoeuvring you on your back. Still trying to catch your breath, a sweaty, eyeliner smudged Minghao entering your line of sight isn't helping matters.

He kisses you before you can think to do or say anything else. God, you'd almost forgotten how fucking great of a kisser he is. Full, plump lips leaving no room in your mind for anything but, him while his large hands spread your sticky thighs to allow space for him to comfortably position himself between them. He smirks against your mouth when you gasp in shock at the single thrust it takes for him to fully sheath himself inside of you again.

“Always so tight,” he groans, dragging himself out slowly enough for you to feel every vein of his cock before snapping forward. All you can think to do is claw at his muscular back while he fucks you into his bed once more. You're veering dangerously close to overstimulation territory but, you know from experience that that's what Minghao is hoping for. Precise thrusts making sure to hit that spot inside of you that causes your pussy to flutter around him and tears to build in the corners of your glossy eyes.

Minghao watches every twitch in your face like a hawk. Drinking every furrow of your brow and part of your lips in as though he needs them. Typically he's better at holding off his own release but, it's been far too long since he's fucked you and the way you're gripping him like you want to milk him for every last drop shoots sparks to the very tips of his fingers. However, he has to make you cum at least one more time on his cock before he lets himself go.

Everything in you seizes up for a brief moment when Minghao wraps his hand around your neck again. Blinking your eyes open takes a great deal of effort (when did you even shut them?) but, it's worth it to see him like this. Minghao is always hot but, when he's all sweaty and his eyeliner is smudged on his handsome face, he looks out of this world.

The air in your lungs vanishes in an instantly when he tightens his hold on your neck. His fingers burn every bit of skin they touch and the lack of air is making it increasingly difficult to focus on anything that isn't Minghao and his cock.

“–so fucking beautiful,” is all you hear before his mouth crashes into yours and his fingers apply more pressure. Sometimes, you wish he'd push your limits a little more but, between his cock continuing to bully your sensitive walls and the light-headedness you feel, you can't complain too much. God, would it be so terrible to spend the rest of your days with his hand around your neck? You don't think so.

You quickly shove that insane thought aside. His muffled groans and breathy curses add to the growing wetness you can feel leaking out of you onto his sheets with every precise stroke of his cock. However, it's ultimately his thumb pressing against your pulse that makes you fracture around him all over again. Noone has ever made you squirt but, you think this is the first time you've come dangerously close to doing so.

Minghao does not let up this time. Continuing to fuck you through your release, kissing away the stray tears that roll down your face due to the all-encompassing overstimulation. You don't think you can cum again right now but, with the way he continues to choke you through this already intense orgasm, he seems to be putting all of energy into trying to get you to cum again soon.

“Ha-Hao,” you choke out, teary eyes meeting his wild ones while he chases his own release. “I–It's–I'm– To-Too mu–much,” you babble out between broken moans and watery whimpers.

You've always (sort of) joked that Minghao has a very obvious sadistic side. He's never agreed with you but, he's never outright denied it either. Now, when he moans out a string of curses along with your name, you don't think he has much of a leg to stand on. He still has the presence of mind to drop his hand from your neck before nuzzling into your neck. Mouthing at whatever skin he can while his body jerks with every rope of cum he shoots into the condom he hastily put on who knows how long ago.

It's the smart, safe option obviously but, sometimes, when you're by yourself, you wonder what it would be like for him to paint your walls white instead.

The rush of oxygen must be getting to your head.

“Fuck,” is the coherent first word he pants out before pulling out of you and rolling onto his back. The pleasant pain of a thorough, good session already starts to set into the apex of your thighs and, you're honestly tempted to just pull his blanket over your body and crash. However, you two don't do sleepovers. It's become an unspoken part of your arrangement. Plus, you really should actually go spend some time with Seokmin and Mingyu. They're probably worried sick by now.

“Where are you going?” He croaks out, watching you with one eye as you crawl to the edge of his bed. You choose to ignore the way your clit zips back to life at the scratchiness in his voice. You know better than to look back at him right now. You really might just wind up under him again.

“To clean up and get dressed?” You ask back, confusion colouring your voice. You still don't look at him.

“Relax, you don't have to be in such a hurry,” he responds, grabbing your wrist and tugging you back into his bed. Your heart leaps to your throat when he awards you with a throaty chuckle, your hand reflexively coming to rest on his sweaty chest as you slot yourself comfortably into his side.

Well, you're sure Mingyu and Seokmin will understand.

Reblogs are greatly appreciated.

Do not repost, edit, copy and/or translate my work. I do not give you my permission to do so, nor will you ever receive it.

Kinkuary Masterlist | Seventeen Masterlist | Ko-fi.

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[thenerdykneazle]

Wild Ride

Summary: You and Seb aren't on the best of terms in sixth year. He's desperate to get you to let him back into your life - to the point of inviting himself along on a trip to Clagmar Coast to get ingredients for Garreth's newest potion. The simple errand turns out to be much more dangerous than either of you could have anticipated.

Sebastian Sallow x M!MC

Another collab with the talented @darch7995 who turned this story into audios. Listen to part 1. I gave Rina a task with this one with all the fighting, and she killed it. If you've never heard her audios, you're missing out.

Warnings: violence, swearing, angst with a happy ending, reckoning with the Scriptorium b/c I'm still mad it's glossed over in the game lol

Word count: 6203

You stalked along the edge of the raised platform, scoping out the perfect angle. “Accio!” you said, dragging the blue stone towards you. You held on longer than normal. You released the spell, and the stone kept rolling. It smacked into a red one at the end of the court, which jolted forward – right off the platform and into the grass. The blue sphere slowed to a stop just before the edge, earning you another 50 points.

“Ugh! That’s the third game in a row,” Leander groaned.

“You really should stop going first,” you said, unable to hold back a chuckle.

Leander glared at you. “I should just stop playing,” he said hopelessly.

“Also a valid option,” you replied drily before smirking at him.

You grabbed your bag and sauntered off to head into the library to get some studying done for once.

“Hey, MC! Do you have a moment?” Garreth said as he jogged up to you.

“Sure. What’s up?” you replied as Garreth joined in step.

“I’ve got a favour to ask,” he said. “I need you to help me track down an ingredient.”

You sighed. “Yeah, okay. What is it this time?”

Garreth beamed at you. “You’re the best! It’s just knarl quills,” he said.

“Knarl quills? Seriously?” you interrupted, indignant. “Can’t you just buy some in Hogsmeade?”

“Normally, I would, but Brood & Peck is wiped out after Sharp’s lesson on Laughing Potion. It’ll take weeks for them to get new stock. But it gave me a brilliant idea for a new drink. I’m calling it Gigglewater. Imagine pairing a nice buzz from firewhisky with the euphoria of Laughing Potion! So…think you could get some quills for me?”

He looked at you with a hopeful expression.

“All right. I know where to find a den,” you said, resigning yourself to being an errand boy yet again. “But if this brew of yours works out, I expect a steady supply.”

“Brilliant!” Garreth said, clapping both hands on your shoulders. “You’ll have as much as you can drink, mate. I promise.”

Garreth bolted off to go prepare the rest of his ingredients. You picked up your pace to head inside before your to-do list could grow any longer. Before you’d taken ten steps, you were stopped by another voice.

“Oi! MC!” they called from across the grounds.

You turned to see Sebastian headed toward you with his broom slung over his shoulder.

“I’m headed to the pitch to get in some practice before Quidditch try-outs start next week. You want to join? Ominis mentioned you’re planning to go for chaser,” he said. He added under his breath, “Not sure why he knew before I did, but…”

“Oh,” you said uncomfortably. “I was just headed inside to study, actually. Got to finish that essay on bowtruckles for Howin. But you have fun.”

“Oh,” Sebastian said, crestfallen. He had been excited to practise with you – you never turned down a chance to fly. He’d also hoped a little rough-and-tumble play on the pitch might relieve some of the tension he felt around you lately. “Yeah, no problem. I suppose school does come first.” He forced a laugh. “So, what, uh…what did Garreth want?”

You assumed he had been aiming for a ‘casual’ tone with his question. He ended up sounding rather nervous. “Just help with another potion,” you said shortly.

“Oh, are you going into the forest?” he asked, eyebrows raising slightly. He stood his broom up on the ground, leaning on the handle. “Need a hand?”

“No, I’m fine, thanks,” you said with a tight smile.

“It’s no trouble,” Sebastian insisted with an annoying level of earnestness. “Besides, I can’t have my charge wandering through the woods alone.”

You rolled your eyes. “Professor Weasley put you in charge of me for one trip to Hogsmeade – a year ago. I can handle myself, thanks,” you said before turning to head inside.

“Wait!” Sebastian called as he shouldered his broom again and jogged after you. “I know you don’t need my help. I just thought it might be nice to hang out. It’s…been a while.”

“Has it?” you said, feigning ignorance. “I hadn’t noticed, really.”

“Are you cross with me about something?” Sebastian asked, grabbing your arm to stop you.

You pulled it back out of his grasp. “Maybe I’m just not in the mood to hang out,” you replied coolly, avoiding the question.

“Well, I could come with you to study,” Sebastian said. “I miss my friend.”

You gave a bitter laugh. “Is that what we are?” you asked as you crossed your arms over your chest in what you hoped was an imposing stance.

His brows drew together. “Don’t be ridiculous! Of course, we’re friends!” he asserted.

You flattened your mouth into a thin line and gave a disbelieving grunt. “I figured I was more of a useful acquaintance,” you replied.

“Are you actually joking?” Sebastian asked, gaping at you.

You sighed. “I don’t have time for this,” you said. “If you want to help, then fine. Meet me in the Room of Requirement at half 9.”

“Yeah, okay,” Sebastian said, looking like he wanted to say a lot more. “I’ll see you then.”

“Grand,” you said sarcastically.

That night, Sebastian arrived in the Room of Requirement at 9:35. “Sorry I’m late!” he said as he burst in. “Weasley was asking me all sorts of questions when she found me wandering the corridors. I swear that woman has an extra sense about when students are planning to sneak out.”

“It’s fine,” you said tersely. “We’ve got a long journey ahead, though. We should get going.” You checked your supply of potions again. You made sure Sebastian had a full set, too. Garreth had set you up with a large store of all sorts of potions, including a particularly strong form of the edurus potion. You had to admit that your partnership with the ginger was quite mutually beneficial.

“Is this what you did all the time last year?” Sebastian asked. “Sneaking out and running around the Highlands?”

You shrugged. “Basically,” you confirmed.

“No wonder you were always so exhausted,” he said. “I swear you had permanent bags under your eyes.”

You shot a glare at him. “Cheers, mate,” you said sarcastically.

“Not that you looked bad,” he assured you, hands raised in defence.

“Mhmm,” you said sceptically as you grabbed a handful of floo powder. You threw it into the little flame. “Clagmar Coast.”

You disappeared in a haze of flames and soot.

Sebastian sighed. “Smooth, Sallow. Real smooth,” he said to himself, shaking his head. He quickly went through the floo, as well.

He landed in a small cabin. It was cold, as the shabby building let the wind rolling off the sea slip through its many cracks. He pulled his cloak more tightly around himself as the two of you stepped out of the little hut and onto the beach. “Merlin, it’s freezing out here!” Sebastian groused.

“Yeah, that tends to happen when the sun goes down,” you snapped as you started down the beach.

“What is your problem lately?” Sebastian asked as he followed you.

Before you could answer, you heard a distant voice.

“I swear, every time we draw straws for patrol, I get the short one,” a man said.

“Hide!” you hissed in a low voice. You practically body-slammed Sebastian against the cabin, tucking yourselves just behind the chimney. As you did, Sebastian steadied himself with a hand on the wall and the other on the chimney, while you slapped your hand over his mouth so that he didn’t make noise. All he got out was a little “oof” as his back hit the stone wall.

You cast a nonverbal disillusionment charm over the both of you. Sebastian’s heart was racing. He genuinely wasn’t sure if it was due to the sudden presence of unfriendlies or your practically invisible body pressed against his in the near-perfect reverse of the position he so frequently desired to put you in lately.

You both heard the crunch of their footsteps on the sand as the two dark wizards approached.

“I don’t see why you’re complaining. Going on patrol’s more interesting than standing around at the camp,” a feminine voice replied as the footsteps continued to draw nearer.

“At least there aren’t dugbogs at the camp,” the man huffed. “That last one nearly took my eye out with that slimy tongue!”

Just then, Sebastian’s hand slipped as the brick he’d been holding came loose. He squeezed his eyes shut, wincing as it clattered against the rocky ground.

“What was that?” the woman asked.

“It came from over there!” the man replied.

“Bombarda!” the woman yelled.

Sebastian launched you both away from the cabin just before the spell hit the chimney you’d been hiding behind. It burst apart, sending dust and brick in every direction. Your disillusionment released as you tumbled across the damp sand before clambering to your feet.

“Stupefy!” you yelled, aiming for the man in front.

“Confringo!” Sebastian said just a split second slower.

The man, who was dressed in a soldier’s uniform, dodged your spell but was hit with Sebastian’s. He yelled in pain as the fiery curse burned his side. “You’ll pay for that!” he said.

The woman, an assassin, sent a slew of curses your way. You dodged and deflected, waiting for an opportunity to strike. Meanwhile, the soldier was locked in a duel with Sebastian.

“Time for some assistance,” the assassin said, aiming her wand at the ground.

Several inferi burst out of the sandy shoreline. They lunged for you. “Incendio!” you shouted. The ring of flames that erupted around you knocked them back. You levitated one before dispatching of another. A third clawed deep gashes into your back. As you whipped around, sending a blasting curse its way, the assassin hit you with a disarming charm.

The inferius crumpled in a burst of flames as your wand went flying. With your wand gone, the inferius you had levitated crashed back to the ground.

Sebastian finished off the soldier with a severing charm before summoning the remaining inferius away from you just as it lunged to attack. You dove into the sand, and just as you grasped your wand, the assassin attacked. “Petrificus totalus!”

The spell hit you as you were half-way to your feet. You could do nothing as you heard the assassin cry out, “Expulso!”

You were blasted back into the rocky cliffs that rose up from the sand behind the ruins of the cottage. You collided with a crunch before falling to the ground. Your lungs burned as you tried to replace the air that had been knocked out of them by the impact.

“Reducto!” Sebastian roared. A blue jet of light erupted from his wand. It arced through the air before striking the assassin in the chest. She shattered into ash – the sea breeze scattered her remains across the wet sand before the tide rinsed them away.

Sebastian turned to you, looking panic-stricken as he saw your crumpled form. Behind him, the soldier who lay bleeding on the beach raised his wand. You summoned your remaining strength, reaching deep inside to your connection to the ancient magic, and sent a nearby boulder soaring through the air before crashing it down on the man’s body. It collided with a sickening crunch as his bones splintered apart. His arm fell back to the earth. He didn’t move again.

Sebastian had watched the final blow with wide eyes. His attention quickly snapped back to you as you struggled to get back to your feet. He rushed over and grabbed your arm. “I’ve got you,” he said.

“I’m fine!” you bit out, ripping your arm from his grasp in a painful, jerking motion.

“I was just trying to help!” Sebastian said irritably.

“Yeah, well, you helped enough giving our position away by knocking that stone loose,” you said. You uncapped a wiggenweld and gulped it down. The ache in your side faded, and you were able to breathe easily again.

“You’re seriously blaming me for a loose rock?” he asked.

“It’s an old shack. You should’ve been more careful,” you argued. “Clearly it didn’t take much to bring down that chimney.” You gestured to the wreckage.

“Yes, well, we’ll certainly be needing a different way back to the castle,” Sebastian said bashfully.

“What an astute observation,” you said sarcastically. You sighed, running a hand through your hair. “We should get going before anyone notices that two Ashwinders are missing. The knarl den is in a cave just west of here.”

You made haste up the rest of the coast, breathing a sigh of relief when you reached the mouth of the cave without incident. “Well, that’s inviting,” Sebastian said, noting all the warning signs and paintings of skulls and crossbones. “‘Turn back or perish.’ What more invitation do we need?”

“Oh, it’s not so bad inside,” you said. “Especially since all the poachers should be gone.”

“Any other surprises that might be awaiting us in there?” he asked.

“I mean, it’s a cave, so spiders are likely,” you said.

“Naturally,” Sebastian replied unenthusiastically. “I’ve been living arachnid-free for too long, anyway.”

You gave him a cheeky smile. “Look at you learning the difference between insects and arachnids,” you said with mock pride. “You studied over the summer didn’t you, you little bookworm?”

Sebastian gave an exaggerated roll of his eyes. “I’m so glad that Ashwinder didn’t knock that charming sense of humour out of you,” he said sarcastically.

“Come on, you grump,” you said. “I don’t want to be out all night.” You ducked into the cave, and he followed after you with a begrudging “fine.”

The first half of the trek into the cave was uneventful other than some cobwebs and egg sacks, both of which were easily burned away. Fortunately, there was no sign that any poachers currently occupied the cave. It was just damp corridors, jumping over crevices, and climbing ladders.

Sebastian groaned as you started up yet another ladder. It was even taller than the earlier ones. “You were just gallivanting through caves like this all the time on top of all the things we got up to together?” he asked.

You paused in your ascent. “Pretty much,” you confirmed. “That and helping Poppy to fight poachers and Natty to take down Harlow.”

“Oh, I haven’t forgotten that. Or all the errands you were running for other students – which, clearly, is one hobby you haven’t given up,” he said. He followed you up the ladder. He had to admit, all this climbing did come with the perk of some very nice views of your arse as the fabric of your trousers was pulled taught against it. You were waiting casually as Sebastian hauled himself up the last bit of the ladder. He doubled over, hands on his knees, as he caught his breath. “No wonder you’re so fit.”

You raised an eyebrow at him.

“I-I mean, not fit fit, but actually fit,” he added quickly. “Not that you’re ugly, though! It’s just that you’re very, erm…athletic…is my point.”

You nodded slowly, resisting the urge to laugh at him. A small smirk had found its way to your lips, though. “Right…Maybe you should worry about your own stamina, Sebastian,” you said. “You do have quidditch try-outs coming up.”

“Yeah, that’s probably good advice,” he said sheepishly. He was thankful for the flush he had already had from all the climbing, or his embarrassment would be obvious in the blush on his face.

You just shook your head at him before marching on. The awkward conversation was quickly forgotten as he had to focus on crossing rickety boards and passages with steep drop-offs. You progressed rather quickly through the maze of tunnels as you were able to recall the proper path forward.

“You know, it’s quite nice going through a cave without you stopping every five feet to rummage through an old chest,” Sebastian teased.

“Well, if we’re sharing, it’s nice having you actually follow my lead to hide and assess a situation before rushing in wand blazing,” you said, glancing back at him before ducking into a tunnel.

“That was one time!” he argued as he followed in behind you.

“Only if you don’t count the second trip into the catacombs. Or the scriptorium. Where you cursed me. Which, I never got the chance to say, but fuck you for being able to, by the way,” you said.

Sebastian was taken aback. This was not how he anticipated the night going.

“What had I done to you at that point, anyway?” you continued.

You were out of the low tunnel now and were moving at a quick pace. Sebastian grabbed your hand so you would stop and look at him. “Just wait a second, will you?” he said.

He sighed, releasing your hand and then shifting nervously on his feet as he tried to find the right words. You watched him impatiently with an arched brow.

“You hadn’t done anything,” Sebastian said honestly. “I just wanted to get us out of there.”

“Well, you must’ve had some reason to hate me enough to want to cause me that much pain,” you replied bitterly.

“I didn’t,” he vowed. “I imagined that the day I brought you to Feldcroft to meet Anne – when you talked to Uncle Solomon after our fight – you sided with him. And I imagined that you would try to stop me from finding a cure for Anne. Obviously, I know that’s not true. But it was the only way I could think to want to hurt you. Even then, I…when you started screaming…” He squeezed his eyes shut as if in pain. “I don’t think I could do it again. I still have nightmares about it.”

You nodded in understanding. “So do I,” you admitted.

Sebastian knew he had caused you immense pain that night. He loathed himself for it. He had lost his nerve the second you started screaming, though the curse had still crackled between you and the door for what seemed like an eternity afterward. He had never considered, though, that it haunted you like it did him. “Merlin, I’m so sorry. I…I didn’t know,” he said. His eyes had welled with tears.

“I think it’ll help – knowing what you were thinking, I mean,” you said. “In the dream, you just don’t stop. Not when the door melts away. Not when Ominis begs you to. The pain goes on and on until I wake up.”

“I swear I’ll never, ever hurt you again,” Sebastian vowed. He couldn’t bear the thought of all the pain he had put you through. The curse alone was bad enough. But having to relive the torture in your sleep? More than ever, Sebastian regretted not insisting you learn the curse to cast it on him, instead.

“You’d better not,” you said light-heartedly. “Now let’s keep moving. We’re almost to the den.”

You reached the nest of the knarls with only a few spider hatchlings to dispose of during the rest of the trek.

The den was in the middle of a grassy patch. Moonlight filtered in through gaps in the cave ceiling. Several knarls scurried about, fleeing into their nests when they saw you and Sebastian approaching. You two filled a satchel with shed quills. It was tedious work picking up the tiny spines, and you were admittedly thankful you didn’t have to do it alone.

“That should do it!” you said. “Now, we’ve just got to get back out of here.”

Sebastian quickly spotted an exit from the cave right by the nest. “Why didn’t we come in this way?” Sebastian asked as you walked along the gravel path.

“I didn’t remember it was here,” you admitted. He gave you an irritated look. “I’ve been in a lot of caves, you know. I can’t remember every detail.”

Sebastian just chuckled at you. Though, his smile disappeared when you shrieked. In the darkness, you hadn’t noticed the path took a steep downturn. Sebastian yelled your name as you slipped out of sight. He jumped down after you without hesitation. You tumbled out onto a path carved between the rocky hills of the seaside. Sebastian soon slid next to you. He stood up first and extended a hand to help you. “Are you hurt?” he asked as he pulled you to your feet.

“Just a few scrapes,” you assured him.

All of a sudden, jets of light streamed all around you. You and Sebastian dove for cover as the spells blasted dirt up from the ground and ricocheted off the rocks. You two managed to scramble behind a large rock formation along the path. “I guess the Ashwinders noticed their scouts went missing,” Sebastian said.

“Or else heard me yelling when I went arse over tit,” you replied.

More spells flew overhead. They were coming from the ruins atop a nearby hill.

“Cover me,” you ordered.

You popped up, and Sebastian sent a deluge of spells up at the hill.

“Accio! Bombarda!” you said, summoning one of the Ashwinders into range before blasting them back into the cliffs. Sebastian levitated another foe before slamming them back to the ground. You and Sebastian each sent a flurry of curses at respective enemies, while dodging curses sent from a third. When the other two Ashwinders were down, you both focused on the sole remaining combatant. You each sent a blasting curse at her, and the infernos seemed to magnify each other. She was taken out instantly.

“Well, that was surprisingly easy,” Sebastian remarked brightly.

The wooshes of apparating forms sounded all around you as enemy after enemy appeared in a haze of black smoke.

You sighed. “You had to say it, didn’t you?”

Before you knew it, there were a dozen Ashwinders around you. You and Sebastian quickly downed edurus potions and started firing off spells. You injured several of them, but it was difficult to focus on any particular foe with so many running around. That made it difficult to thin their numbers. You took a thunderbrew, as well. You also threw out some tentaculas. You were pulling out all the stops to try to get the upper hand. You quickly took out three of the Ashwinders, using your ancient magic to call down additional lightning upon them each in turn. You both took another edurus potion to keep your protection. A few exploding charms, blasting curses, and a severing charm later, and you were down to the last four enemies. You disarmed one, and the fire they had been summoning rained down on them instead of you.

As Sebastian dispatched another one of the Ashwinders, another wave started apparating in. There were close to twenty surrounding you now. “Well, this is just perfect,” Sebastian said sarcastically as he sent several basic casts at an animagus, forcing them back into human form. “Where are they all coming from?”

“Clagmar Castle is just over that hill. They’ve got a stronghold there,” you replied while dodging incoming spells.

You downed potion after potion – edurus, thunderbrew, and maxima. You even threw out more tentaculas and a few Chinese chomping cabbages for good measure. You threw spells, boulders, and even dark wizards you’d transfigured into barrels of explosives until you and Sebastian were the only two left standing.

You both gasped for breath. “Are you okay?” Sebastian asked.

“Yeah. You?” you replied.

“I’m fine. This better be some bloody magnificent potion Garreth’s working on, though,” Sebastian groused.

You rolled your eyes. “Let’s just get out of here before–”

More Ashwinders began apparating in around you before you could finish your sentence. Around the bend, a troll collared in goblin metal emerged on the path.

“Bollocks,” you said as you realised you were out of edurus and thunderbrew potions. You downed a maxima potion.

The troll charged you both, and you dove in opposite directions to avoid its attacks. It caught Sebastian’s side with a swipe of his club, and he flew high into the air before landing hard on the ground.

You focused on the troll first, while dodging attacks from the dark wizards. You dodged another swing of its club before flipping it back into its own face with a knockback jinx. While it was dazed, you sent spell after spell at it. In your rush to attack the creature while it was vulnerable, you didn’t see the duellist behind you. They blasted you with a reductor curse as you dealt a final blow to the troll. It knocked you forward as a burning pain spread through your back. You yelled in pain. You landed on your stomach, but you quickly rolled over despite the agony it caused. You cast a protection charm just in time to block their next spell.

Sebastian disengaged from the executioner he had been duelling to focus on your attacker. “Confringo!” he yelled, blasting them off their feet. “Accio! Incendio!”

Sebastian cast a severing charm that separated the witch’s head from her already lifeless body and both thudded to the ground. His eyes were filled with pure rage.

Just then, a bolt of green light coursed through the air, hitting Sebastian in the leg. For a brief, terrifying moment as he crumpled to the ground, you thought he’d been hit with a killing curse. But as he cried out, you knew he was alive. For now, at least.

“Reducto!” you yelled, blasting the executioner back, but, somehow, he was still standing.

You scrambled to your feet as the three remaining Ashwinders began to close in. Sebastian was still writhing in pain. “Now this has become personal, you little brat,” the executioner growled.

“Like lambs to the slaughter,” another wizard said.

“I'll put some flowers on your grave,” the third said, chuckling darkly.

They froze when a loud roar came from behind you. The ground shook as a large beast leapt into view from the cliffs and sprinted forward. The wizards shrieked, but their cries were short-lived as the massive graphorn trampled them. Sebastian yelled in fear as the graphorn rounded on him.

“No!” you yelled.

The graphorn turned and headed straight for you.

“Hey, you stupid monster!” Sebastian said, raising his wand as he struggled to his feet.

“Sebastian, don’t!” you yelled, lunging to get between the wizard and the beast.

The graphorn growled behind you.

“Get out of the way, MC!” Sebastian yelled.

“Stand down,” you ordered before turning to the large beast. “Easy boy. He’s on our side.”

The beast instantly relaxed. You reached out a hand to pet his muzzle. He nuzzled into your shoulder, closing his eyes as you stroked his neck.

“You know this overgrown lizard?” Sebastian said, flabbergasted.

The graphorn huffed.

“He didn’t mean it,” you said soothingly. “This is the Lord of the Shore. He was part of my final trial with the Keepers. Lord of the Shore, this is Sebastian. He’s my friend.”

“So, we’re back to being friends now, are we?” Sebastian asked.

“I’d say we’ve been through enough tonight to merit it,” you replied. “Speaking of, do you have a spare wiggenweld? That reductor curse bloody hurts.”

“Yeah, here,” he said, limping over to you. He handed you a phial before downing his own.

You grimaced as you downed the brew. You hoped you never had to take another potion in your life, as you felt near bursting with how many you’d had to drink that night.

“We should get moving before the next wave finds us,” you said as you mounted the graphorn.

“You want me to ride that?” Sebastian asked in disbelief.

The Lord of the Shore growled.

“No offence,” Sebastian added quickly.

“The nearest usable floo is in Bainburgh. Unless you brought a broom, then your only other option is to walk and face whoever you find along the way,” you said, holding out a hand to him.

“I’ll take my chances,” he said stubbornly, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Sebastian, just get on!” you urged.

“Ugh, fine!” he relented.

He grabbed your hand and mounted the beast behind you.

“You can pet him if you like,” you offered.

“I think I’ll pass,” Sebastian replied, looking horrified by the idea.

You rolled your eyes. “Suit yourself. Now hold on,” you said.

For a moment, Sebastian didn’t know where to place his hands. He eventually decided on holding onto your hips. His face flushed as he settled in behind you. It was a rather intimate position to be in.

“All right, boy, Sebastian’s not used to this, so unless we see any dark wizards, let’s start nice and–” The Lord of the Shore started out in a sprint, making both of you yelp. “SLOW!”

You held onto the graphorn’s neck, while Sebastian clung to you with his whole body as he yelled ineffectually.

“No need to race now, my friend,” you said nervously.

The beast continued on at full speed.

“Slow down now,” you said, willing him to listen. He did not.

“Is he always like this?” Sebastian asked as the graphorn crashed through barricades blocking the path.

“No, he’s normally much calmer,” you replied, yelling over the rushing wind. “I think you offended him.”

“Offended him?” Sebastian roared.

He shrieked again as the Lord of the Shore leapt into the air over another set of barricades. The beast landed on the ground with a hard thud that nearly bounced you both off. A few remaining Ashwinders attempted to slow the massive animal, but he mowed them down.

He crossed the bridge toward Bainburgh, then deviated down to the beach.

“Where are you going? We need to get to the floo!” you said, but the graphorn trekked on. “Stop! Not through the–”

The Lord of the Shore splashed through the creek, soaking you and Sebastian.

“…water,” you said dismally as the beast continued splashing his way down the stream. You gave an exasperated sigh. “Thanks for that.”

Sebastian, who had gotten a mouthful of water due to his screaming, coughed and spluttered. “Okay! I’m sorry I called you an overgrown lizard!” Sebastian said. “Just let us down!”

The Lord of the Shore slowed to a walk, and you breathed out a sigh of relief. “There’s a lad,” you said, patting his neck. “Are you done with your tantrum now?”

The animal growled at you.

“Guess not,” you quipped.

“Sorry,” Sebastian muttered when he realised he was still wrapped around you. He quickly went back to holding your hips.

“Oh, erm, don’t…don’t worry about it,” you said, a blush rising to your cheeks.

The Lord of the Shore kept a leisurely trot toward Bainburgh. It was rather bumpy riding bareback on a graphorn, even when he was just walking. Every step the beast took was making your arse bounce along Sebastian’s front. He had his eyes squeezed shut and his teeth digging into his bottom lip as he tried not to be hyperaware of the sensation.

He tried to push himself backward to put space between you two and end the maddening friction.

“Ow! Sebastian!” you said as his hands dug into your hips. “Enough with the death grip! I promise you’re not going to fall off.”

His cheeks flushed as you glared at him over your shoulder. “Sorry,” he said sheepishly. He looked like a scorned child as he stared down, avoiding eye contact with you. Eventually, Sebastian was still able to shift his hips back enough to stop his suffering.

“Merlin, I can’t believe the sun’s starting to come up!” you said as you noticed the light peeking over the horizon. “I guess it’s been a longer night than I realised.”

“Time flies when you’re having fun,” Sebastian joked. “Or, you know, fighting for your life.”

You laughed. “I’m gonna squeeze in a bath and a nap before defence against the dark arts when we get back,” you said.

“Maybe Professor Hecat will give us a free period if we tell her we fought two dozen dark wizards and a troll,” he joked.

You laughed. “Wouldn’t that be nice?” you said. “Thank you for your help tonight, by the way. I don’t know what would’ve happened if those Ashwinders had found me alone.”

He smiled, but there was a sadness behind it. “Anytime,” he said.

He was relieved when you reached Bainburgh and he could finally dismount. “Thank you for rescuing us,” you said, patting the graphorn. “I’ll come visit you soon.”

The beast chuffed happily. He even gave Sebastian a lick before setting off.

“Ugh, that’s disgusting,” he groused once he was certain the Lord of the Shore wouldn’t hear him.

You just chucked. “At least he likes you now,” you replied. You threw floo powder into the green flame. “Room of Requirement, Hogwarts.”

You whirled through the floo, appearing almost instantly in the familiar room. You stepped aside and Sebastian whooshed into the room a moment later.

“You know, I was hoping that he’s not the only one who’s forgiven me,” Sebastian replied. “I really am sorry.”

“What for?” you asked.

“All of fifth year, basically. But especially cursing you,” he replied. You had almost forgotten about your earlier fight. “I should’ve insisted you or Ominis cast the curse on me. It was my fault we were trapped down there.”

“I don’t think either of us would’ve preferred that,” you said honestly. “It’s not a night I’d wish to repeat, but…we did what we had to. All three of us would be dead otherwise.”

Sebastian ran a hand through his hair anxiously. “What if Ominis was right? What if we could’ve found another way?” he argued as he began pacing. “I mean, I didn’t even try. Not bombarda or confringo or finite incantatem. I didn’t do anything to try to protect you.”

You shrugged. “You were focused on helping Anne,” you said simply.

He turned back toward you. “And I’ve used that as an excuse to hurt too many people,” he said. He looked at you imploringly. “I just…I want you to know that I really am trying to change.”

You pulled him into a tight hug. “I know, Sebastian. And I’m glad you are.”

Sebastian melted into your embrace. Of all people, he needed you to accept him. If you could see all the parts of him you had and not run away, then perhaps there was hope for him yet. If you still saw good in him, then he would continue to believe it was there.

Sebastian pulled back to look at you. “I was really scared that Ashwinder was going to finish you off,” he said gravely.

You nodded in understanding. “I thought that executioner hit you with a killing curse,” you admitted. “I was terrified that I’d…I’d lost you.” You cleared the emotion out of your throat. “I mean, you’re a git, but…I don’t know what I’d do if you were gone.”

He gave you a crooked smile. “You’ll always be stuck with me, I’m afraid,” he said.

“That doesn’t sound like such a bad thing,” you replied.

Sebastian bit his lip. He looked uncertain about his next words. “MC, I realised something…when I thought you were going to be taken from me,” he said. “I…I don’t want to never have told you…”

“Told me what?” you asked, prodding him to continue.

He took a steadying breath. “Well, you see, I…I like you…as more than a friend, I mean.”

You stared at him in disbelief.

Sebastian shifted uncomfortably as the silence stretched. “Could you…say something?” he asked. “I mean, it’s okay if you don’t feel the same. I know I haven’t treated you the best. But I swear I don’t just see you as a means to help with Anne or defeating goblins. I really do care quite–Mmph!”

You had crashed your lips into his. The kiss was brief but passionate. “The feeling’s mutual,” you said, beaming at him.

Sebastian, though he had been caught off guard, recovered quickly. He reconnected your lips, kissing you fiercely as he pushed you back against the wall. He gripped your robes in both hands as he pinned his body against yours. You gripped his strong arms as you returned his fervour, sliding your tongue across his bottom lip teasingly before delving into his mouth. He had the coppery taste of a hard-fought battle, and it spurred you on as you thought again of how close you’d been to losing him.

You were the one to break the kiss as your lungs burned, begging for oxygen. “We should get what sleep we can,” you said, and Sebastian reluctantly let you go.

“Right,” he said as he recollected himself. “Well, maybe we could…go to Hogsmeade this weekend?”

You smiled. “Only if you promise there won’t be any trolls,” you joked.

“I’ve always thought you handled them quite well,” he said playfully. “But I’ll scope it out beforehand to make sure it’s troll-free.”

“Then it’s a date,” you said, unable to stop grinning. “We could go visit the Lord of the Shore after, too! He’ll probably even let you ride him alone.”

“Erm, yeah. Course. Brilliant,” Sebastian replied uneasily.

“Only joking!” you assured him.

He breathed out a sigh of relief. “Oh, thank Merlin!”

A/N: Not me headcannoning that Garreth invented gigglewater. Also, the cave is modelled after the phoenix cave, just in a different part of the map now. That whole entrance/exit thing is true in the game, and I felt the need to include it in this story.

#sebastian sallow #hogwarts legacy #sebastian sallow x mc #sebastian sallow x m!mc #hogwarts legacy fanfic #sebastian sallow fanfiction #sebastian x mc #sebastian sallow fanfic #hogwarts legacy fanfiction #sebastian sallow x reader

[creedslove]

STUDYING

Pedro Pascal x f!reader

A/N: I got the inspiration for this piece during my own spanish class this week, I was supposed to be paying attention but I was thinking of him and my upcoming test and got distracted. Also, it's worth to mention that reader studies Spanish in a language school that teaches adults foreign languages just like I do in real life (and I'm 26) which means there's NOTHING to do with highschool or underage reader at all. If this kind of school isn't a thing in your country then it's too bad, lol!

Summary: Pedro helps you study and get your Spanish essay done on time but you get distracted by your personal tutor at home

Warnings: fluff, sweet boyfriend Pedro and a tiny bit of smut towards the end

1.2k words

It was about your third or fourth sigh that caught Pedro's attention. He knew you were having your moment of studying and he always made sure to give you your space, so you could focus, do your tasks, spread all your pens and papers with endless notes across the table and finish everything on time.

However, this time he could tell by the times you ripped pages off your notebook and crumpled it things weren't going so smoothly. He'd borrowed one of your highlighters to highlight his lines in the new script he was engaging into, being comfortable in the living room when he heard you mumbling something about 'fucking that shit'

He frowned curiously as he knew you absolutely adored studying Spanish, you enjoyed it so much you often spent hours making cute and colorful vocabulary summaries you'd learned in class, and you were nerdy to the point of writing essays without the teacher requesting them, just for fun, writing about random topics you enjoyed.

And Pedro was also aware you didn't study Spanish because of him. You'd been studying it for at least a year before you two met, knowing it had to do with the possibility of getting a better position, or a new job, or a nice trip abroad or even understanding movies and series. As he knew, you loved studying languages and that was one of the things he loved about you. And also the fact he could practice it at home with you, enjoying the fact you very often got his internal jokes or pet names you called each other.

In reality, he knew he wasn't the reason why you started learning Spanish, but he knew he was the reason why you kept studying it and made sure to get good results. And he loved it.

One thing you really enjoyed about Pedro was that he never intruded in your business. He knew you were smart enough to learn it by yourself and only if you needed help he would offer some. You avoided asking him for help as much as you could, you just wanted to do things on your own and you also loved his proud face when you were able to carry full conversations on different topics or understand a whole movie without having to rely on subtitles. But that essay was driving you insane.

Your test was coming up and it made you nervous. For the first time, you began feeling the difficulties in the language as the grammar was becoming harder and harder and you didn't know what else you could do to memorize that. Your essay, or composición as your boyfriend would say, was stressing you out, as nothing seemed good enough, you've written better, hell, even Pedro had told you many times how good your writing was and he wouldn't lie to you, that's for sure. But yet, you weren't convinced and when you finished that piece of shit you called a text you were already exhausted.

You began collecting your pens and pencils and organizing them back into the case and cleaning up the table when Pedro walked towards you. He had a sweet smile on his face and gently stroked your cheek, his curious brown eyes scanned the place until they fell onto your work.

"¿Qué pasa mi amor?" He asked in his beautiful, sexy accent and pulled a chair, sitting next to you. "I know you can do everything, but if you want, I can help you" he offered gently, not really thinking you'd agree with it, but when you handed him your text he grabbed his reading glasses, those black ones you loved and that always distracted you. At that point, you didn't give one single shit about tests, grades or evaluations, you would love to climb his lap and ride your handsome boyfriend while he dirty talked in spanish into your ear until exhaustion.

You barely noticed him talking to you, you were too busy looking at him, his tight sweater looking great on him, his messy soft hair, the way he softly bit his lips unconsciously when he focused on reading and those damn glasses.

"Y/N? Princesa? Are you listening to me?" He raised his brow and stared at you, waiting for you to reply. You swallowed hard and looked at him, feeling your cheeks flushing as you were caught fantasizing about your boyfriend.

"Y-yeah, I am, sorry cariño, I was just thinking of the test" you lied and looked at what he was pointing out in the paper. Pedro had taken a red pen and circled some words, you had either misspelled those or just put them in the wrong place, but overall your text was pretty decent. He gently explained you what you got wrong and how you could fix it better, though he could also tell you weren't really caring about that at the moment and knowing his sweet little puta very well, he knew whatever was on your mind had nothing to do with tests or school.

"Are you having wet dreams about your Spanish teacher, Y/N?" He folded his arms and looked at you "because I can just tell your mind is miles away from your studies and by the way you are clenching your thighs together you are probably very wet now" he smirked and loved how red you got. You knew there was no way you could fight that and lying would be just stupid. You bit your lips and chuckled, placing your hand on his thigh "I would have these if they fired that annoying cunt and hired you instead, though I can't complain about my private tutor" you whispered and leaned into his body, kissing his exposed neck gently and before he had any other action, you got up and immediately sat on his lap, facing him and pecking his soft lips gently, feeling his facial hair tickling you. His hands immediately wrapped around your waist, pulling you closer, at the same time you raised your ass lifting your skirt up and feeling the contact of his rough jeans against your thin panties, moving your hips slowly against his, the friction on your core sending shivers down your spine just as Pedro felt his pants tightening at how hard he got.

"I know you want to help me, but we both agree this isn't my best work, so I can even rewrite it later if you want, but now…" you kissed him deeper this time and you felt how Pedro bucked his hips against yours, looking for more touch, more exposure of your skin on his.

"Y/N… you're teasing me" he groaned and only got a smirk as a reply

"Lo que quiero decir és que podríamos hacer otras cosas ahora, papi… ¿Qué te parece?" You whispered against his ear knowing it drove him insane when you spoke with him like that.

Pedro pulled your panties to the side and ran his thumb up and down your hard clit, feeling how wet you were and nodded.

"Sí, pero si no te vayas bien and la prueba, voy a darte un castigo" he whispered back against your lips and slapped your ass hard, making you whimper and feel your cheek burn, as you definitely knew what kind of punishment he'd give you.

______

A/N: this is my first one shot after years of not writing. I hope it wasn't so bad and there might be a second part to it because I still have many Spanish tasks to carry out which means there might be more ideas, hopefully a little bit more smut this time. Also I posted it through the app and it somehow got worse when it comes to editing posts 🤌

Anyway, feedback = life

#pedro pascal #pedro pascal x reader #pedro pascal x you #pedro pascal x y/n #pedro pascal fanfic #pedro pascal fanfiction #pedro pascal works #actor #hot actors #male actors #pedro pascal headcanons

[geminigengar]

Mean Girl

eddie munson x popular!reader

you and eddie fell out of touch a long time ago. it's not until you're grouped together for a history assignment he realises he may hate what you've become but that doesn't mean you ever stopped looking out for him.

warnings: misunderstandings, douchebag!eddie, lowkey obsessive reader, mean reader, bullying and harassment, canon typical fighting, general angst, fluff, happy ending, & stupid long bit about a history assignment

A/N: anon, ur galaxy brain fr i LOVE this concept. the mean girls are my shit. & sorry it took so long this is my first request ever (ty!✨) so i wanted it to be perfect🙏🏽 • and as always reader is bipoc-coded

edit: not finished, unedited but will prolly never work on it again figured i may as well post it lol

···

you were nine the last time you had spoken to eddie as his best friend.

eddie was almost eleven when he watched as you spoke in hushed whispers in the shallow end of the local pool with chrissy and eden; giggling to each other behind your hands.

he felt his hands curl into fists as you broke away from the group, pulling yourself out of the water to talk to your best friend for what you didn't realise would be the last time.

to say he was pissed was an understatement. moments before, he had watched as you had harshly and blatantly insulted another girl until she left the pool, retreating home in tears.

he was tired of this. he didn't care how nice you were to him, he still hated how you treated other people. sure, it was mostly when they deserved it. but the mind of a ten year old thinks in only absolutes and to a young eddie, as of late you had only been mean.

he hated it. hated any type of bullying. he got it often enough that he winced seeing others experience on a near daily basis. you were his best friend- his only friend. how could you be doing the same thing those block heads that shoved him in the hallways did to anyone else?

"eds! i've been looking for you." you smiled your usual pretty smile, scrunched nosed and dimples on display.

he crossed his arms as you flipped your hair out of your face. you were suprised at how upset he looked. "you made that girl cry."

blinking in shock as his tone you asked, "who? eleanor?"

"yeah! how could you do that?"

"i- eddie she-"

he cut you off shaking his head "ain't gonna be friends with a bully."

"What?" you grabbed his arm but let it drop after he shook you off. eddie left the pool, your arms feeling like deadweight at your sides as you stared at the door he'd left through.

dustin sat at the hellfire club table at lunch. the rest of the club sprawled about on the table and seats discussing the upcoming d&d campaign.

dustin watched hands gesture animatedly and food fly from open mouths mid-argument as the group argued about the quest. the boy chimed in every so often, more focused on finishing his sandwich before the bell rang and the daily trudge through the musty halls of hawking high, shuffling from class to class, began again.

a yell from mike caught his attention, his head whipping to his side. the boy was greeting with the sight of a tall senior holding the character creator sheet she'd snatched from mike's hands. "you losers still playing kids games?"

mike tried and failed to get the paper back from the girl only for her to hold it above his head. "you can't seriously like this shit,"

before the rest of the group could react the sound of paper tearing resounded around the table.

•

you snatched the papers out of eddie's hands "whats this?"

"that," he growled, taking them back just as easy. "is our history project."

you starred at him dumbfounded and a little offended. the eddie munson, two-time held back eddie munson wrote an entire essay? "nuh-huh."

"yeah-huh."

"nope!" you snatched them once again, shoving them in your backpack before standing. you felt bad disregarding his edday he worked hard for for whatever reason but you had to see this through. linking your arm with his as you picked up a second bag from the floor. "we're up first, sunshine."

eddie was seething, frown seemingly stuck gracing his features as you settled at the front of the classroom. "are you fucking-"

you shushed him as your swat his chest with your hand still around his bicep.

detaching from him, you slapped the hefty bag into his arms taking out your essay from it, "hold this."

before he could cuss you out your history teacher called the class to attention. you grinned as he asked you both what your project was on.

you couldn't keep the smirk off your face as you answered. "our project is on the history and influence of metal music."

eddie's head whipped down to stare at you, a flip of hair over your shoulder being the only acknowledgment of the questions you could feel in his stare.

you heard a sigh from your teacher, "Y/N did you participate in this project at all?"

"duh," you scoffed "obviously i wrote it down. his handwriting is shit," you added, waving the stapled papers for emphasis.

he rolled his eyes, taking the assignment from you, but waved you to continue on nontheless.

you were scared but fuck if you were gonna let it show. clearing your throat you began clearly, having perfected your public speaking to keep all eyes on you years prior. your body language, well placed smiles, and velvet voice were captivating. you knew expertly how to wrap people around your finger no matter what.

but this wasn't for everyone else, this was for eddie. he slacked refusing to speak to you, you had assumed ignoring the project entirely. you had spent hours perfecting this essay, hoping this would work. hoping to use the paper as an olive branch of sorts to finally, finally get eddie to speak to you again.

"nowadays," you began "the creation of metal music is debatable. some historians say it can solely be credited to black sabbath," him being taller than you meant you had to stand on tip toe, and you dug in the bag eddie held. you pulled out a vinyl record. "with the creation of their self titled album released in february of 1970."

eddie starred at it wide eyed as you held the record up for the class. the same he had given you for your birthday one year when you were kids. it still had the wear and tear from you both as you had played the album over and over until the record sleeve was torn and frayed. neither of you had a care in the world back then- only each other. for him there had only been you. and now the same record you'd cherised together still showed that you used and reused the gift. his gift to you.

"others however, say it can be credited to what's been dubbed the 'unholy trinity.'" you said, taking out two more records. "which consisted of, along with black sabbath, led zepplin and deep purple."

"whatever the case may be, clearly black sabbath had a heavy influence in the creation of heavy metal."

eddie snorted as you continued. posture perfect and voice even, you went over the beginnings of rock music, how it laid the foundation for metal. explained the metal's rise in popularity and record sales. he was surprised you even mentioned the rise in false accusations of occultism in those associated with the genre; much to jason's chargrin.

you'd pulled out albums and tapes, all of them worn. eddie remembered most of them from when you were kids. he registered some were newer. he had assumed you'd given up metal entirely as you climbed the social laddar. he figured you and the other cheerleaders listened to whatever top 40 bullshit was put out on MTV that week. the realisation that you clearly still loved the genre made him feel warm inside for reasons he didn't want to figure out.

he listened intently as you went over the importance of every album, letting him interject his thoughts every now and then that you were grateful for. his favourite album of yours being the agents of fortune album by blue öyster cult that you proudly admitted to the class was the first item you ever shoplifted.

you finished up your speech by dumping all the albums into the bag eddie still held, earning an 'oof' from him.

as the next presenters took your places, you both returned to your seats, eddie dropping the bag by your feet. to be completely honest you were nervous. you were nervous. you were one of the most seemingly carefree people to ever ever walk the halls of hawkins high; everyone thought you never cared what anyone thought, were never embarrassed by anyone or anything.but you did. you did care, especially when it came to eddie.

even if you could care less about some brain dead jock and whatever few thoughts he was capable of concerning you you were still scared. of losing your friends again, no matter how surface level those friendships were. ever since eddie left you behind that day never to speak to you again you'd been terrfied of losing people; doing whatever you could, by any means to keep someone, anyone in your life.

but this wasn't just anyone, this was eddie. sure he was still your eddie, at least to you, but you knew you had both changed. you knew he already hated you, what if he thought you were a loser, desperate to impress him? or worse- a poseur.

you had mastered your poker face a long time ago. you worked at your nails with a nail file you had pulled from your backpack; face neutral as if you hadn't a care in the world. you could only keep it up so long as you felt eddie's stare on you. he never was very good at subtly.

the second the bell rang you were out of your seat on the way to your car despite it only being the middle of the school day.

eddie didn't follow you or come after you which had you both relieved and disappointed. you dropped both bags onto the passenger seat. releasing a shaky breath, you felt your façade crumble. your bottom lip jutting out of its own accord as you focused on keeping tears of embarrassment at bay. popping one of the tapes in and blasting the speakers. you peeled out of the parking lot.

•

you were nine the last time eddie had spoken to you as his best friend.

you had been sitting on the edge of the local pool with your legs in the water as you waited for your friends to arrive.

it was summer in hawkins which meant everyone in town came to the pool sooner or later to cool of. you were excited to show off the new bathing suit you had gotten that year; earlier you had put it on, ecstatic to trade in your usual tee shirt and shorts you wore in the water to a real suit.

in fact a lot of your wardrobe had been swapped out. unable to afford the clothes you preferred: tee shirts, jeans, and cargo pants, left you with your older sisters hand me down now that you fit them. colourful skirts and blouses, none of which you cared for. the bathing suit was the last thing you were able to choose for yourself and you planned to wear it every day this summer.

you turned as you sense a presence next to you. "oh hey, eleanor." you said as the girl sat down.

you made small talk about the heat, how much you dreaded going back to school, and who all you might see in classes. you were laughing right along with her until the topic changed.

to eddie.

"oh you know who we're definitely gonna see? munson," she spit with disgusted as her face scrunched at the mention of his name.

"what's wrong with that?" you questioned.

this year eddie wouldn't be only a single grade ahead of you, since you were skipping fourth grade this year, you both going into fifth grade. before the different grades meant that still left you in different classes, unable to hang out at school due to your different schedules. you were looking forward to having him in your classes, hoping you could help with his notes and homework.

eleanor not knowing he was your friend, practically glued at the hip, wasn't surprising to you. the only people who knew of your friendship were those you both were able to see before and after school. ms. byers, the pretty lady who worked at the connivence store. officer hopper when you and eddie had gotten reprimanded and dragged home late on a number of occasions. your mom who still she graciously took eddie in after his father passed until his uncle, another adult who often saw you together, could pack up his life to fly down to hawkins to raise the boy.

what was surprising it how harshly she had said his name.

"seriously? the freak was too dumb to even stay in his own grade. who would be happy we have to see him?"

you scoffed, unable to believe what you were hearing.

she continued before you could question her. "my mom says it's because he wasn't raised right. she says he must be a lost cause if even his own mom didn't want him."

at that you snapped, "well my mom said she doesn't know how your mom can talk so much shit when her teeth look like they're falling out." the girls jaw dropped, wide eyed at your outburst "is she where you get your overbite from?"

eleanor's lips turned down into a pout, as she closed her mouth quick with a huff. you kept going, livid that she would talk about your friend like that. if she wanted to be mean you'd be worse.

you actually had learned from your mom exactly how to pinpoint insecurities and go straight for the emotional jugular right off the bat. she had taught you being brown in an all white town meant you had to establish dominance first and fast.

"my mom also said your daddy lost his job and that's why you can't get your teeth fixed. maybe jason wouldn't tell the other boys how ugly you are if you got them fixed." you stated with a shrug.

she covered her mouth with a sob as she started crying. you noticed her crush on the boy and you could see by the way her eyes watered you had been right. eleanor got up and ran home, ugly crying loudly all the way.

after looking from over your shoulder after watching her, your spotted your friends chrissy and eden. you called out to them before joining them in the shallow end. chrissy told you both about her crush of the week in hushed whispers as you and eden quietly laughed at her antics.

it wasn't long before you spotted the boy you'd come here for in the first place, saying a quick goodbye to both girls before pulling yourself out of the water to make your way over.

"eds! i've been looking for you." you said, smile in place, unaware you were about to hear the worst news of your life.

"you made that girl cry."

•

that girl he felt pity for all these years. the girl he had been extra nice too for years after, feeling as if he had to make up for your actions. she laughing at him that day.

he had never known. never asked. until now

"why didn't you tell me?"

"you didn't ask."

eddie sat stunned, gaping at you before he scoffed. "you could've just fucking told me!"

you slammed your hands on the table, exhausted from the betrayal that you've carried for years.

"you didn't fucking ask, eddie! you didn't! don't yell at me for not telling you when you're the one who didn't even give me a chance to explain; didn't even bother to ask why i wanted to make her cry- 'cause you had already made your mind up that i was the bad guy."

"'cause you were! you were always a bitch, fuckin picking on everyone-"

"'cause everyone was picking on you!"

eddie's argument died in his throat he took in your words. he had been too in his own head as a child, focused on his own demons, to see you fighting for him when he couldn't. all he'd seen through his lenses of self-pity was another bully. and yeah, you were one, but only when it was deserved. only to protect him.

everything clicked for him then.

he'd never noticed the connection between his bully of the week and the way their social life would crash and burn by the weekend. never noticed he'd gone from being shoved into lockers, thrown in dumpsters, and beaten by jocks to only stares, murmurs, and rumours, only occasionally catching the shoulder of a random jock in the hallway or his books knocked to the floor

it wasn't perfect by any means but over the years he'd been able to come home safe, not having to hide growing bruises from wayne. he'd stopped dreading arriving at school every day. hell, he'd even made friends. he realised they too, every member of the hell club, had been better off once they had befriended him.

you broke his train of though with a scoff. "how stupid i was to even care since you'd obviously already decided i wasn't important enough to give a shit about- what were you too disgusted by me to even talk go me? you were already done with me, bored of me? we grew up together; spent every day together and you dropped me from your entire fucking life like i was nothing."

you gathered your books and backpack as you readied to leave, taking a deep breath "so what? you want me to apologise for being the only person in this piece of shit town to look out for you? fine. you want nothing to do with me- you're never hearing from me again."

and you left leaving eddie behind at the table; fully intending to keep that promise as he sat guilty and heartbroken.

•

eddie stood having climbed in your window. why you had opened it you didn't know. you should've kept it locked, told him to take his sorry ass home but you didn't.

you were obviously upset "why are you here, munson?"

eddie winced. he'd been called by his last name tons in his life. various tones and emotions behind it every time, but never from you. not like this.

he struggled to find the words, cradling his backpack as his mouth opened and closed.

you rolled your eyes, already tired from having been woken up abruptly to the rocks hitting your window.

"ugh, whatever eddie. go home."

he stopped you in your tracks, begging him to wait. he took your raised eyebrow as momentary acceptance. he sat on the edge in your bed as he opened his backpack taking out a book and a d&d game box.

you didn't speak, waiting for him to wade through whatever storm was raging in him brain. he finally bit his lip, setting on a quiet "lemme show you?"

this was far cry from the conversation you knew you should have with him, but the blush on his cheeks and his eyes boring into yours, desperate and longing, you caved.

you rolled your eyes again as you made your way to the head of the bed leaning against the pile of pillows placed there. you pat the spot next to you, beckoning him closer. "start with the basics."

he grinned, relaxing now that he was momentarily forgiven, and scrambled to take his place by your side. a place he'd be as long as you'll have him.

#eddie munson #eddie munson imagine #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x f!reader #eddie munson x y:n #stranger things #stranger things imagine #my own writing

[dearhargrove]

Hi 🤍 I'm the anon that requested the previous fic. I absolutely loved it. I felt much calmer after reading it, thank you. 🤍 Could I request another one with the prompts 1, 16 and 24 from the same promptlist ? Thank you so much ♥️♥️♥️ Please take care of yourself.

hugs & pizza

Billy Hargrove x f!reader (gender not specified though I think)

summary you had a shitty day, but what are boyfriends there for if not cheering you up (and getting you pizza)?

word count 993

prompts (from @urfriendlywriter) used hugs first kinda love. seeing each other after work? hugs. and being picked up during hugs, brushes of lips with shaky breaths and a tired smile after a long day, little teasing pecks after kissing passionately

warnings some swear words, nothing else :)

a/n tysm for requesting again!! Appreciate it a lot. However this is very similar to the previous oneshot I posted lol

masterlist

navigation

Another long day filled with exams, annoying teachers and not seeing your boyfriend once. You guessed he had either skipped school or just skipped the few classes that would usually allow you to see each other in the hallways. Whatever it was, you were slightly pissed especially as he hadn't even joined you during lunch break; something he always did.

It was almost 8 PM, your homework and several essays were strewn all over your desk and some other school books lay discarded on your bed. You weren't in a good mood. You miss your boyfriend, you're stressed and your day has been utter shit.

You groan at another question you had no clue how to answer - another thirty minutes of research looming over your head. You're contemplating just giving up and crying instead when the door to your room opens and your mother calls your name gently.

"Hm?" You groan, not even looking at her as you've buried your head in your arms. You hear her chuckle and shuffle in her place before the smell of your favorite pizza wafts into your room. That makes your perk your head up, however there's not just pizza as a surprise but also your boyfriend.

Billy stands next to your mom, leaning against the frame of your door. His red dress shirt is almost halfway unbuttoned and his denim jacket is slung over his arm. He smirks lazily at you and turns to your mother to say something you can't make out. Whatever he says makes her nod understandingly and hand him the pizza carton (which you're still eyeing with a grumbling stomach) before she leaves, closing the door behind her.

Now it's just you and him (and the pizza and your mountain of unfinished work you're choosing to actively ignore).

"How're you doing, baby?" He greets with his raspy voice and sets the carton containing the unhealthy but delicious food down on your dresser. You watch him as he starts gathering the books and folders from your bed, stacking them up and putting them on your desk so neatly it surprises you.

You sigh at his inquiry and pout, stretching your arms out. He gets the message and leans down to where you're sitting and wraps his arms around you, pulling you off the desk chair and into his arms.

"Bad day?" He guesses, one hand stroking along your back and the other hand simply resting on your hip. "Horrible day," you correct.

He huffs amusedly at your obvious disdain at the memory of today, but presses a loving kiss to your temple.

"Want me to make it better?" He asks cockily - fully knowing he had the ability to do so and that you would agree. Before agreeing you pull back and slap his shoulder, remembering how awfully alone he had dared to leave you.

"Where were you today? I was waiting at our spot the whole lunch period."

He winces and pulls a minimal grimace before schooling his expression and moving the hand that had rested on your hip to your cheek, gently cupping it and stroking his thumb over your puffy under eyes. "I know, I'm sorry. Max is sick and as much as she pisses me off I didn't want to leave her by herself."

That changes your mood from annoyed to worried, a frown appearing on your face. "How sick is she? Just a cold?" He nods and absentmindedly presses another few kisses to your forehead - whether that was to calm himself or you wasn't clear to you.

"You should've called me! I would've come over with some soup or something," you huff. "No, love. You do enough for us," he denies, effortlessly lifting you with his hands under your thighs, making your legs wrap around his waist to hold yourself up.

"Not gonna argue about that again," you simply say, knowing no matter how often you'd tell him you wanted to help whenever you could he wouldn't accept it without feeling guilty.

He smiles and agrees, though his mind is seemingly elsewhere as he leans in to passionately kiss you.

You welcome it, the stress of the day leaving your body as he hums against your lips. This goes on for at least another minute and then you pull back, eyes falling on the forgotten pizza box.

You try to get out of his hold but he just keeps you there, pressing kisses to your lips.

"Billy-!" You try to stop him but he just ignores you. It makes you laugh, his teeth clanking against yours as he continues with the pecking. "Stop," you finally manage to say between the presses of his lips to yours.

He huffs unhappily and has a deadpan stare as he looks at you again, "What? You don't want my love anymore?"

You roll your eyes and mumble 'dramatic' under your breath (which he definitely hears) before half-wrestling yourself out of his grip. He unhappily lets you and scoffs in surprise as you head straight for the greasy, oily food that slowly overpowers the smell of your scented candle, making your room smell heavenly.

"Ditching me for pizza. I see," he comments, dramatically falling back on your bed. You ignore him and start eating it, almost moaning at the taste. "This is so fucking good," you say before taking another bite.

He shakes his head with a laugh and scoots up to the headboard, shoes discarded somewhere around your bed. "At least sit with me," he beckons you over and you do; pizza carton held in your hands as you seat yourself sideways on his thighs.

He grabs a slice for himself, pausing in between bites to hold it out for you to take bites as you search for a TV program you could watch.

When you find one you lean into his chest, still munching on the food. "Love you," you mumble and he smiles, leaning his head against yours and reciprocating the statement.

#stranger things #stranger things 4 #stranger things imagine #stranger things x reader #billy hargrove x reader #billy hargrove #dacre montgomery #dacre montgomery x reader

[imagine--if]

Eddie seems like the type of person to get spurts of cuteness aggression for the reader. Like he'll randomly scoop them up into his arms in a bear hug and pepper their face with kisses because he adores them that much. It'll just randomly hit him how precious they are when they're laughing at a funny video or something.

A/N: Absolutely!! He just can't help himself and doesn't try to 😂 I did a headcanon and lil blurb under it because I couldn't decide between a hc or imagine 💚 (For everyone who's waiting for the next To My Hope chapter, so sorry for the slight delay!! I've just had exams every day this week lol, had to cram a lot in, but I'll definitely be updating on the weekend 🥰)

Pairing: Dano!Riddler x reader (The Batman 2022)

Warnings: Fluff, obsessive loving Riddler, he be a simp 😌

• It doesn't matter whether Eddie's ranting and raging as the RIddler, or just being Edward Nashton... he's still gonna be all over you lmao

• I mean, you could be doing the simplest thing, like reading a book or watching videos on your phone, you make the smallest noise or move an inch and his attention is immediately caught like 🥺😍

• Even if he's in the middle of talking to his followers in his Riddler get-up, he'll gladly take every opportunity to show you off if you cover your identity enough to keep you safe 💚

• You've learnt not to get started by the random times Eddie literally picks you up and hugs you as tightly as he can in his lap, head buried into the crook of your neck, wanting to be as close as possible

• He'll look at you like you're kidding when you ask him why, which results in an essay about how beautiful you looked and how he can't help it and you've not been hugging for ages

• And for ages he means, like, ten minutes 😂

• Edward really can't get over the fact that you're with him in his apartment, looking all adorable and distracting while he's trying to give his followers clues to his next target or do some other form of work

• If you choose to join him on some of the live streams - wearing a mask of some kind for protection - he'll just put you in his lap and smile approvingly at the excited chat

• Seriously though, this man's an amazing cuddler, they're always so warm and protective and impossibly close 🤗

• I feel like he enjoys babying you a bit when he gently scoops you up and kisses you all over, cooing at you adoringly and whispering sweet little things that make you smile

• Like, Eddie calls you little pet names like my sweet angel and princess and cute nicknames of your actual name while he hugs you and leaves trails of wet kisses on your neck and face 😚

●～●～●～●～●～●～●～●～●～●～●～●～●～●～●～●

You smile to yourself as you feel familiar arms wrap around your waist and pull you back into him from behind you. One laugh at some stupid video, and Edward's suddenly beside you on the sofa, trapping you in a strong embrace as his hair tickles your cheek. His face nuzzles against your neck, licking and sucking at it as you hold back giggles at the feeling, letting yourself lean back into him.

"I love your laugh," his voice is muffled against your skin, and he lifts his head to bury his nose in your hair, taking in a deep breath and exhaling shakily. "I'll never fully understand how one person can be so... so perfect."

Taglist:

@for3v3rda1sy @glitterycheesecakegladiator @greenxtea0 @moonwritesblog @lilyevans1 @httpsunflowers @hxney-lemcn @confusedchildsstuff @phantomofthecathedral @sugahbabieexo @bokksieu @skateb0red @wilburrrsworld @philiasoul @darthcringe @felicityofbakerstreet @bloodypantomime @deadlights-darling @tianotfound @mortem-muse @ireadandream @tinyryder @kpopgirlbtssvt @truecobblepot @jessicainhell

#edward nashton x reader #dano!riddler x reader #paul dano x reader #the riddler x reader #edward nashton x you #edward nashton x y/n #edward nashton imagine #edward nashton fluff #edward nashton fic #edward nashton fanfiction #edward nashton headcanon #dano riddler x reader #paul dano riddler #dano riddler #dano!riddler imagine #dano!riddler x you #dano!riddler fluff #dano!riddler #paul dano x y/n #paul dano x you #paul dano fanfic #paul dano nation #edward nashton #paul dano movies #paul dano characters #paul dano headcannons #paul dano imagine #batman 2022 #the batman 2022 #paul dano

[thepaperpanda]

𝓓𝓪𝔂 22 - Hide Your Phone When You’re Drunk || Layla El-Faouly x m!reader

Masterlist

Summary: You are Layla's ex-boyfriend. After a night of binge drinking, you feel the urge to text your ex-girlfriend.

Warnings: descriptions of smutty behaviours

Word count: ~ 840

Author: Fenrir

A/N: The prompt for today is: Sexting Here's a non-linear story where Layla had a relationship with a male reader before she met Marc, and she is not truly happy with him and misses her ex. The warning has been given

You returned home completely wasted. While playing with a screen under the influence of alcohol, you got a stupid idea and wrote to your ex, Layla, asking whether she liked a picture of a sticking cock you've sent her.

She replied after a minute with a picture of her tits and a note "jerk yourself at it"

You: I didn't mean that, but thanks, I haven't seen you for a long time, honey

Layla: Now you have to show yourself as well

You sent her a picture of your dick, or rather boxers, with equipment clearly defined underneath.

Layla: What is this? Y/N, I wanted a cock! 🍆

You: And I'd like a pussy! 🥵👅

"Now show me your cock!" Layla texted, along with a picture of her spread legs and her open pussy.

Perhaps she's drunk as well, you thought as she started being vulgar. She received a photo of a cock without boxers, standing slightly.

Layla: I want it how I like it! Put it up, it must be stiff and shiny! Play it like you mean it

You: 😏It would have to be slimed by you and hung over your head 😏😏

Layla: You'd have to be in a position hahaha, what a silly idea, Y/N

Layla received a short clip after you lowered the phone and took a nice angle, turned on the recording, and started jerking off, thinking about her.

Layla: Thanks, it's been a long time since I've seen one up close

You: But you have a man, what's his fucking name? Marc?

Layla: Yeah... fucking like it's a formality in the bank

You: What do you mean?

Layla: Spreading my legs, turning around, showing my ass, stretching my ass with my hands, grinding my holes with his cock until he cums, pushing the cum out, wiping myself, washing up and going to sleep, that's my reality. Have you already cum, luv?

The thought of her being so sexually uncomfortable made you frown slightly. She sent another text after a longer period of time, asking again: Layla: Have you cum?

You: Nah, didn't write to have cyber fun lol 😂 I didn't think you were just fucking around, no fun, but rather you always liked a bit of fun before and after 😏

Layla: My preference would be to watch a cock straddle me in my every hole rather than simply feeling the lubricating gel, followed by a hard cock in my unstretched ass

You: From your perspective, how did it work out?

She must have been offended, you thought after waiting about 15 minutes after your last text was left without a response from Layla. Due to the late hour, you decided to take a shower. When you set your alarm clock after the shower, you noticed a message notification. You checked it reluctantly, convinced that you had just received another ranting message. Instead, this was the biggest message you've ever seen someone send. It resembled a fucking essay.

Layla: When I knelt in front of your erect cock, just looking at it, taking it in my mouth, licking it, and sucking it made me turn on 😍 Additionally, grabbing your slightly dangling balls was always a good way to keep you from shoving your cock down my throat, since you often fucked me in my throat like you were driving into my ass without resistance haha 🥵 When I held your cock in my mouth, I often had to suck to keep my neck from getting too tired. My neck hurt anyway after a while, so I put my hands on your ass and pushed you down. Your cock would then push into my mouth as you dropped yourself down, and I could see the ball sack coming toward my face. I felt the hard cock kneading my tongue and going almost down my throat, which I didn't like because I can't deep throat. Your half-hard cock with cum hanging over my face always got my attention, as did your cum running down your cock on the video when you jacked off, or when I finished you off with my hand while lying on your back for a hand job with my fingers drilling into your ass and me sucking on your balls. Watching you cum for me again or feeling your sperm on my face would be wonderful. Please don't take me for a pervert, but fuck, I miss you, Y/N 🥺

It was a severe shock, and your dick was standing all over the place; your response was to push your sweatpants down to record yourself jerking to the camera again until you spurted your cum on your lower, well-built abdomen, with a grunt.

Layla: That's what I needed, handsome. Now wash your dick and go to bed, because we have a long day tomorrow, don't we? Would you like to hang out, then?

You: Sure. If you message me when you're in our pub, I'll meet you there, ok?

Layla: Yes. If I said I didn't miss you, I'd lie... See you then, babe ❤️

#layla moon knight #moon knight smut #layla el faouly x reader #layla el faouly smut #layla el-faouly x reader #layla el faouly imagine #layla el-faouly fic #scarlet scarab #layla el faouly x m!reader #moon knight fic #moon knight x male reader #layla x male reader #moon knight drabble #writers on tumblr #paperpanda kinktober #kinktober 2022

[ca-kie]

it’s summer ✿ steve harrington

❀  [1.8k] best friend!steve harrington x fem!reader ✎.ೃ࿐ ˖♡ Every summer is hell. Both physically, and mentally. It's hot, and you still can't help but stay in your room all day. Right now, it's late, really late, and you're having another night-time descent to depression. You need someone with you, so who's best to call but your best friend? Wait- no- sorry! Nevermind... ╰┈➤ angst (also hurt/comfort?), fluff, implied suicidal ideation (if you've been thru it, you'll see it), descriptions of an anxiety attack, symptoms of depression, best friends to lovers !! , reader is implied to be shorter than steve and can wear his sweaters (doesnt say how it fits them tho!)

a/n: HI so this is actually my first fic uhmmmm!! i've based this fic a little on my own experiences with staying up late bc of anxiety, depression, all that jazz—and if at any point you feel triggered, its completely okay to click off! if i've missed any warnings pls dont hesitate to comment! same goes for things i could improve on! ALSO!! GUYS REBLOGGING HELPS A TON!! IT GETS WRITERS MORE REACH N STUFF!!! 

a/n 2: i edited a bit lol

also! you do not have permission to translate/post this onto other websites, tumblr is my only posting site as of now, and i will inform yall if i ever decide to add another. 

It should be playful splashes of water, and half-melted popsicles to beat the heat. Water balloon fight filled days, and picnics in the park. Stargazing in the cool of the night, and tired heads resting on shoulders. Where sweets and junk food replace heavy textbooks and tossed aside essays. 

Yet, it’s 4 seconds in, and 4 seconds out. It’s, “5 things you can see, 4 you can touch…” It’s sleepless nights filled with loneliness and anxiety. It’s dried-out tears on your cheeks as you stare at the dark of your wall. You can’t close your eyes without the intrusion of no-good-thoughts. You can’t keep them open without feeling like your lungs are closing in on themselves. You’re too scared to sleep, dreading having to battle through another, repetitive and emotionally-exhausting day. You just want it to stop.

‘Splash some water on your face to ground yourself’ your mom had told you. But as soon as you open your eyes, patting away leftover droplets, your gaze drifts over to the bathtub. A bucket of water, filled to the brim. You’re tired, everything is too much and you just need a break. The cold prickles against your fingertips, gliding smoothly as you draw patterns. Plugging your nose, you dip your head in; coming back up with a sense of refreshed-ness. Albeit, short-lived, but refreshing none-the-less. You find yourself chasing that feeling.

A soft stream of water…

Plop

Plip

Plop

Plip

You gasp, running to turn off the sink faucet. The stopper had somehow broken, and plugged up the sink. Fortunately, only a small puddle had formed during your reverie. God, you’d be dead meat if your mom found out you’d accidentally flooded the bathroom at 2am. After getting a rug to clean up your mess, you take a look at the mirror. Your swollen eyes had calmed down after being soaked with ice-cold water. You had as well.

Not ready to go back to the dark confines of your bedroom, you sat down on the closed toilet seat. Only now, do you realize what you were thinking about whilst zoned out. And, god, did it scare you. Your breathing got more ragged, shallow, and all your senses were heightened. You were home alone. 

Alone.

Again.

The vent was getting too loud, and the lights too bright. The bathroom mat beneath you more spiky than soft. Knives were running through your heart. Tears were threatening to fall, and you wanted to crawl out of your skin. Everything was getting so uncomfortable. You just wanted to shed like a snake and float away into the night; carried by the wind to faraway places. You needed something to ground you. Tell you that you’re okay. And by instinct, your feet led you to the kitchen phone. Dialing the oh-so-familiar digits that you knew by heart. You fidgeted with the phone cord, focusing on the swirly loops going through your fingers.

Doooot, doooot.

Doooot, doooot.

Click

A faint ruffle, then a sleep-dowsed voice spoke, “Hello…?”

You waited a few seconds to respond, processing the fact that Steve actually answered. You didn’t expect anyone to pick up at this time. Especially not him. A small whisper followed, meek and lined with unspoken apologies, “Hi.” “Y/n? Shit- Are… are you okay?” Steve could hear the sadness in your voice, the emptiness and longing for comfort. His heart broke a little at the thought of you going through this again. He knows about the many sleepless nights you go through, mind racing with terrible thoughts, “Wait, I- no- That was a stupid question, do you-” You panicked. Feeling bothersome because you had awoken Steve from his slumber; guilty knowing how much he needs it. “Uhm- I… Can you…” A deep breath in, “nevermind, I’m-sorry-I-woke-you-up-bye.” You spurt out quickly, putting the phone back without waiting for an answer and running back up the stairs. 

Back to your blanket pile of pathetic-ness. Because that’s what you are, right? Just a pile of pathetic-ness who always bothers those around them with their problems.

He probably hates you now. Called him up at 3am for nothing? You’re so needy. He can probably tell that you’re fucking obsessed with him. Your friendship will probably go downhill from here. And that's all your fault.             You stuffed your face into your pillow. Just wanting the night to end. The ticking from your clock is the only thing that can be heard, besides your breathing and the occasional night breeze. You sigh, and focus on the ticking sound to push any negative thoughts away. Tick.

Tock.

Tick.

Tock.

Tick.

Tock.

Tick.

Tock.

Ti– Plink!

… Plink!

Plink! You sprang up from your bed. That isn’t your clock ticking anymore. And it’s coming from the window. Cautiously, you grab the closest solid object near you, ready to chuck at whatever’s outside the glass. You swish your curtains aside and… Steve? Your brows furrow as you take him in; clad in plaid pajama pants and a gray pullover, backpack in his hand, pebbles in the other. He sighs in relief when your figure appears in the window. As soon as you hung up on him, he sprinted to his car, grabbing a few things along the way. He knew you were having another bad night, and it stung his heart—of which you hold—remembering how quiet and shaky your voice sounded. He yells as loud as he can at 3am, “Y/n! Can I come up?” Shock and confusion makes up your expression, blinking a few times before nodding and opening your window. Steve being Steve, he climbs up with ease, kicking off his shoes before engulfing you in a big, bear hug. Your face trembles, your emotions coming back to you all at once. He pulls back, grabbing his backpack and bringing out his maroon sweater to put on you. Oh, that sweater.

He knows how much you love it, despite actively denying it. Steve pulls you back into him, your head buried in his shoulder and you cry, “Shh, sweetheart. Let it all out, you’re not alone anymore… I’m here,” he mumbles into your hair, stroking your head comfortingly. His overwhelming affection made you cry even more, which made him hug you tighter.

A few minutes pass, and you’ve moved to your bed. Steve tidied your room up, taking dirty dishes downstairs, and swiftly coming back up with a glass of water, “Drink.” 

           When you’re done he places it on your bedside table, and cups your face in his hands, analyzing it, “What’s wrong? Or are you not ready to talk about it? I mean, that’s totally okay, we can just lay in bed or whatever.” You give him an appreciative, tight-lipped smile, and gesture to him to lay beside you. Your voice comes out a bit raspy as you thank him, “Steve… I don’t know how to explain to you how grateful I am for you to be such an amazing…” Sniff, “friend… Uhm– I don’t know what I’d do without you, honest.”

Steve smiles, and pulls you in for another hug; your head on his chest. He hopes you can’t hear how fast his heart is beating, and you hope he can’t feel yours, “‘Course poppet. Anything for you.” Your heart skips a beat at the innocent confession, he meant that in a platonic way—and you’re just emotionally vulnerable, right now… Right…? You push your feelings aside, which are probably deceiving you. You look up at him, but he’s already looking at you. You think you can see blush rise to his cheeks as he looks away embarrassed, you tease, “Like the view, Harrington?” Unconsciously, he squirms under your gaze and rolls his eyes, “Aren’t you supposed to be, like, sad right now?” Playfully, you sit up with a ‘humph’, and turn away. You steal the whole blanket from him, “Okay,” before inhaling and letting out a cry reminiscent of a toddler’s. “Literally shut up.” Steve laughed, grabbing you by your waist and tickling you. You jump from his touch, but he pulls you back just as fast. His fingers press harder, and it makes you laugh even louder. Giggles and snickers turned your once sorrowful room into a place of pure joy. No longer was it filled with a sense of loneliness, but a fuller, happier feeling of love. Silly, teenage love. 

As you both calm down, you feel warmth rise to your cheeks. Steve is redder than a tomato below you, at that you let out a small giggle. “What?” he asks, “Shit– my hair’s messed up isn’t it?” But that makes you laugh even more, which makes him laugh even more. You collapse into his chest, tired from all the emotions you’ve gone through tonight. 

A beat or two passes, the both of you enjoying each other’s presence in silence. It was never awkward when things died down after some banter. Your eyes grow heavy, and you nuzzle closer to Steve’s neck. Leaving soft butterfly kisses that have him growing warmer underneath you, “Thank you Steve. M’grateful to have someone like you…” You brush your lips against his skin; too short to be considered an actual kiss, but lingers long enough to cross the platonic-romantic border. As you fall into your body’s pleas for slumber, a confession of romance tumbles out. Quick, and casual; as if it's said on the regular, which it isn’t. At that, you both freeze. Steve processes your words in his head, “You… what?” You’re quick to put up your defenses, not willing to be hurt again tonight by your own, reckless actions, “Okay, I– Uhm-well-I… I meant that platonically…?” your voice goes up at the end, making you cringe internally at how fake that sounded, “Shit– sorry, it’s just that-”

Quick to interrupt, a confession of his own slips out, “I-love-you-too.” And Steve can see the wave of relief immediately sweeping away your tensed shoulders. You smile up at him, and kiss the corner of his mouth. As much as he tries to fight it, a huge smile appears on his face. Full of genuine elation and adoration. Steve pulls you closer, boops your nose with his, and pecks your lips.

Pulling away, he tsks, “Don’ be a coward, poppet.” Which is immediately met with a punch to his arm, and a peck back.

You throw your arm over his chest, and he pulls the blanket up. Signs of day tickle the sky; indigo, berry blues, a touch of vermillion, finished with a faint sprinkle of stars. Your clock reads 4 AM, but you don’t care. You aren’t going to wake up alone. And you certainly won’t be getting through each day by yourself.

Gone are the constant grounding exercises, and puffy, red eyes; sleepless nights, and negative self-lies. They’re replaced with love-filled hugs, and endless tickles. Feeling loved on bad days, and tissue-caught sniffles. It’s late diner dates, and shared milkshakes. Subtle gazes, and trips to the lake.

It’s finally summer.

❀  

© revised 2023 fikafika

#ೄྀ fifi's bookshop ! ˊˎ #steve harrington #best friend!steve harrington x reader #steve harrington x reader #steve harrington x fem!reader #steve harrington angst #steve harrington fluff #hurt/comfort #whump #??? i think #stranger things fic #stranger things x reader #stranger things fanfiction

[thelioninmybed]

hey hi. is it cool to ask about how the publishing stuff is going? you're one of my fave writers and i'm curious but I don't wanna like, pry.

You have impeccable timing, anon! If you want more content from me, and an update on the publishing situation, I'm on the cusp of sending the draft of my latest project to my agent. But first...~*I need beta readers*~

The final voyage of the terraforming ship Persephone left Will Carrow with a hole in his head and no memory of his life before the mission’s bloody end. Now he works a dead end security job on the barren world where the friends and family he doesn’t remember tore each other apart, determined to find out why. His boyfriend, fellow Persephone survivor Jasper, says aliens made them do it, but obviously no one believes him. Carrow barely believes Jasper’s stories of the funny, precocious young man he used to be. 

When two colonists are murdered in a grizzly echo of the Persephone deaths, Carrow is furious. And elated. It’s the justification he needs to search the Persephone’s rotting hulk for answers. He’s prepared for the corpses. He probably should have been prepared for the alien parasites that infest them. He’s not prepared for the truth; he can’t remember his life before the massacre because it was never his. He’s not Will Carrow, he’s the parasite that killed him. 

While Carrow - or the thing still using his name - is horrified to realise he’s a monster wearing his victim’s corpse, guilt won’t bring back his host. All he can do now is keep his loved ones from suffering the same fate, and he’s going to destroy every last parasite to do it. Himself included.

But not everyone shares Carrow’s priorities. There’s money to be made from the alien technology he represents, and money to be lost if he derails the terraforming effort. And there’s Jasper, who refuses to believe that Carrow isn’t the man he loves. No matter what it costs, no matter what Carrow has become, Jasper is determined to save him from himself. 

Out of the Dead Land is a 92,000-word dual-PoV Science Fiction novel that asks ‘What if The Thing was a love story?’ It combines the exploration of human identity in Ann Leckie’s Translation State with the romantic chemistry of Everina Maxwell’s Ocean’s Echo, set against the tense horror of Caitlin Starling’s The Luminous Dead. 

Content Warnings: Implied/referenced/attempted suicide, stigmatisation of mental illness, body horror and, while I'm a terrible judge, the consensus is there are graphic depictions of violence. If you've read my original work on AO3, you'll know what to expect on that front.

What are you expecting of a beta? You can give feedback however you want; via tracked changes in the manuscript, answering some book report questions, writing a small essay, or sending a single DM telling me the ending sucked and refusing to elaborate further. Only request is that you get through it quickly-ish (or if you're going to dnf then commit to dnfing and tell me where you gave up, that's still valuable info) because I promised to send this to my agent at the end of Feb and lol.

How do I sign up? DM me or, if you don't have an account, send me an anon with an alternative means of contact.

Didn't Stephenie Myer already do an alien parasite romance? Yeah. More tentacles in mine, though.

#doitforthevine #also feeling out my pitch here #lmk if that works for you

[trulyrogers]

◐ 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨, 𝐘𝐨𝐮. ( 𝐈 {𝐏𝐓 𝐈𝐈})

synopsis. ─ 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮, a bookstore manager in New York, who meets Steve Rogers, an aspiring writer, with whom you become immediately infatuated. To feed your obsession, you soon turn to social media and technology to track his presence and eliminate any possible obstacles that stand in the way of your romance.

・❥・Pairing : Steve Rogers x Dark!Stalker! Reader

・⚠︎・Warnings : Reader is creepy, slight flirting, no use of Y/N, 6'8 Steve, Stalking, Manipulation, Not proofread lol, slight sexual thoughts if you squint

༊*·˚ W/C : 821 TBA!

A/N.─ Hey ya'll! Well because I'm lazy the first chapter isn't finished but here's a second snippet of what to expect. I think from now on, I'll do it daily to keep me motivated lol. I hope you enjoy it!

! italics are the reader's inner monologue :)

║▌║█║▌│║▌║▌█

ᖭི༏ᖫྀ By pressing the 'keep reading' button, you consent that you are over 18 and have read the warnings of this post.

"Aren’t essays usually in non-fiction?" He examines, craning his neck slightly to look down at you. Out of all the people you've known, you've never encountered someone as lofty as him. He was a gentle giant. Burly, yet kind. His muscles protruded in the cream sweater he wore, and you resisted looking at them. You swallowed heavily, although it wasn't perceptible to him. You dusted your hand over the brown apron you wore, wiping off a tad bit of sweat that rested on your palm. To say he made you nervous was an understatement. God, he was attractive.

"Usually. But the owner has his own way of doing things. Who’re you looking for?" You ask wryly as you gaze up at him with your doe-shaped eyes, before positioning the last book on the shelf.

"Hank Pym." He replies without hesitation. Your eyes want to narrow, but you don't, fearing you'll look foolish. After the snap, most of the world had become a sorrowful body of what it once was. Known for his slightly erratic personality and discoveries about time, Hank Pym was infamous for his rivalry with Tony Stark. His books and discoveries after the snap were gathered to help understand the snap and the type of anomaly it was. Despite this, the world remained the same. The former beauty has been reduced to a despondent shell.

"Good choice." You compliment him as you beckon him to follow you, and his laughter ricochets off the walls. His footsteps sound quietly against the carpet and his shadow towers over you, causing you to bite your lip. He was mouthwatering. Although you couldn't catch a glimpse of him, you felt strangely turned on by him. Who wouldn't be? There is no doubt that he was one of the most prominent individuals on Earth at the moment.

"I feel weirdly validated."

"Most of his old stuff went out of print years ago. But since Ransom started talking him up, we’ve been getting more requests. We keep him here-- " You arrive at an undersized shelf, and he inspects it for a moment before speaking.

"'Celebrity authors?' I thought Pym was pretty obscure."

You shrug at his response with a laugh, "He knew Tony Stark."

During his lifetime, Tony made significant contributions to scientific exploration and funding. Media outlets devoted articles, polls, and even news reports to the rivalry between him and Hank Pym, who were friends turned rivals. In the wake of the snap, Tony disappeared for such a long time that people thought he had been killed by Thanos. Until it was all over the news that he had come from a spaceship from the sky. It had been an odd world after Thanos.

"Ransom wants anyone in here that’s even tangentially famous. Thinks it sells more books." You beam and nod your head to the manager watching you both, feigning to be on his phone, and the man you are talking to laughs.

"That’s sad. People buying books because of what’s popular and not because they want to be moved or changed in some way." A frown materializes on his face. Throughout his childhood, his mother prompted him to read, and even as she slipped away peacefully on her deathbed, he read a book to her.

"It’s an epidemic. See that guy --" He whispers to you, continuing, and leaning closer. "I saw him on the way in. Grabbed Dan Brown’s latest on his way in. Now he’ll walk around for another five, ten minutes to try and find something legitimate to buy with it."

His scent is like that of a forest on a warm spring day. It's a musky scent you want to bask in forever. As he becomes more friendly with you, your face ruptures into a smile. Maybe you could become closer to him. Perhaps friends, or even more.

"Like the cereal guys buy when they’re really there for condoms. Only makes it more conspicuous. Like, own your shit. If Dan Brown’s your kink, be out about it." You answer quietly, so only he can hear, and his cheeks begin to redden a bit as he chuckles, trying to regulate his volume level.

"He’s shame-buying Dan Brown."

"At the end of the day, people can be so disappointing, can't they?" You sigh in faux dissatisfaction.

"Sometimes they surprise you." He quips at you; looking down at you with a small grin. A moment passes as you both hold your gaze. Those brilliant blue eyes, you could lose yourself in them for hours. The air around you both suddenly becomes heavier, and you swallow. God, he's so close to you right now. It is as if his shadow engulfs you so perfectly that you can't help but want to get up on your tiptoes and kiss him. Tenser, but quickly, you break eye contact, reminding yourself of patience, and you clear your throat.

"Hank Pym, it's the top shelf."

#chris evans #chris evans x reader #chris evans characters #x reader #elvis presley x reader #steve rogers x fem!reader #steve rogers fanfiction #steve rogers x reader #steve rogers x you #captain america x you #captain america x reader #angst #fluff #lloyd hansen #ari levinson #ransom drysdale x reader #dark!steve rogers #dark!ari levinson #is anybody going to actually read this lol #Youtube #Spotify

[cwarscars]

@ceaselxss

Send me a url and I'll write some positivity for it.

@ceaselxss

(im INCLUDing this w/the one you sent too as they came close together and just yeAh that seems like a way easier way of doing things honestly)

cas no joke, i wrote a whole fucking essay about how much i love you and tumblr just decided to FULLY erase it upon me queuing it SO im gonna warn you, if another of theses posts from me with much of the same - that's WHY, cause tumblr is an ASSHOLE.

but BASICALLY what i SAID WASSS-

i absolutely think you're cool as fuck- mun wise, you've always been so chill, easy to communicate with and a pleasure to have on the dash. i love your passion for tseng (and all of ur other wonderful creatures) and i like that you're wiling to explore a darker and more deeply interesting side of tseng and others; i know we havent spoke ooc for a while due to timezones and business and bla bla, but like, i've always thought you were cool a/f and chill as hell.

IN TERMS OF TSENG - i said in my last little essay that got deleted (lolcry) that i loved your exploration of tseng's response to trauma, his potential masochism and the representation of gender / how he presents himself. i said that i love the way you tackle these things and add this intrigue to the character that the game doesn't necessarily give in terms of his reaction to being wounded / going through these traumatic events etc. i also said that i love our relationship between heid / tseng, expanding more than just 'oh they hate each other'. i love that we've made them two guys who fucking take their ANGER out on each other. like, their version of unwinding is a fight club style car park fight - i LOVE that. it gives me ichi the killer vibes in terms of just having these two characters explore their sadomasochism with each other. not even necessarily in a sexual way, they both just wanna take some anger / insecurity out and i LOVE writing that with you.

you're just, urgh, a solid 10/10, think you're rad a/f and i hope this essay does my last essay justice on how cool i think you are lol, sorry if this posts twice, tumblr is SMELLY.

#(answered) #(ooc) #tumblr can suck my whole ass #(positivity) #(foreversave) #(queued) #my sick brain trying to muster words lol

[supremechancellorrex]

Ok, so I was just replying to someone on how the Bad Batch take Omega on dangerous missions (although my thumb kept fighting me on that today by brushing reply too early, clearly a TBB sympathiser) and we agreed that not helping regular clones with the excuse Omega 'needs to be protected' has been a little weak, especially with fact they keep running into the Empire anyway, and that got me thinking. Now, I know they're at Pabu now, trying to give her a childhood for now because of Phee's suggestion (we'll see how that lasts, lol. They didn't give Omega a pretty plasma energy bow so she can put it in a box), but it opens up questions about the Bad Batch's behaviour and motivations this past season.

Protecting Omega

So, TBB act like they want to protect Omega and keep her safe, and that's part of the reason why they don't really want to help the normal clones who are currently enslaved and being tortured and killed off by the Empire, too much heat supposedly. I'm not gonna get too into how the Bad Batch's apathy here is actually odd and terrible because I already did a previous essay post on those issues and how the underdeveloped 'bullying/isolation' excuse doesn't actually work writing wise. The problem here I want to focus on is how the Bad Batch want to keep Omega away from the good fight (*cough* and leave millions of slaves to get continuously railed by fascism *cough*), yet the Bad Batch take Omega to the Imperial Centre, to Coruscant, just because Rex asks for them (I mean, it is Rex, the goddamn king, but it's not like Rex asked for Omega specifically).

Moreover, when the Bad Batch get to Coruscant, they drop her off with Senator Chuchi, a civilian who already accidentally got another clone killed (R.I.P Slip), and let Omega just waltz around the Coruscanti back alleys and Senate building with Chuchi where creeps like the Emperor can be. THEY PUT OMEGA IN THE SAME BUILDING AS THE EMPEROR! And Rampart and corrupt, sleazy senators that support fascism! How can the Bad Batch be 100% sure no one else ever found out about Omega? I mean, they have no confirmation that Nala Se, the Kaminoan Prime Minister Lama Su or Crosshair didn't talk or let something slip. They don't even totally know if more Kaminoans knew about Omega, and they can't assume everyone on Kamino died without being utter morons.

Additionally, Rampart had a lot of time on Kamino in Season 1, so what if Rampart had realised the little girl standing next to Chuchi looked like a clone cadet? Omega did manage to blend in with them at some point. It doesn't matter that he didn't in the end, it was a risk.

Confusing Motivations

This is one example where the plot of the show jars and is at odds with the character motivations we've been shown previously. Another is that most of the named clone characters the Bad Batch know (Rex, Howzer, Gregor, Cut, Cody, etc.) over both TCW and the Bad Batch series are actually rather nice to them and help them out, which you think would make their heart twinge for the normal clones' plight by Season 2 as they realise they're individuals they share DNA with and increasing connections, but nope, because Hunter tells Echo this in Tipping Point.

Hunter: "Echo, you've seen the power your up against. We can't defeat them."

Echo: "It's not about that. It's about fighting for our brothers."

Hunter: "I understand why you're doing this. When will it be enough?"

Yeah, Echo, 'when will it be enough? When you gonna start letting your reg bros be tortured and die again? You can't keep this up, Echo! Omega misses you, Echo! I get your choice, Echo, but don't get obsessed with saving people's lives, your reg brothers' lives, because over all it'll be pointless!'

Funny enough, as Hunter tries to put down Echo's, you know, mission to save his brothers from slavery and systematic neglect, experimentation, mind-control and death, Echo had just saved Howzer, who'd helped the Bad Batch out in Season 1 by warning them of Crosshair's trap and got himself captured and sent off to get experimented on. If I was Howzer, I'd be pretty pissed off, just saying. If the writers want Hunter to be unlikeable and mind-bogglingly unempathetic, well-done.

---

So, what does this mean? It looks like the show wants to have it both ways. It wants the Bad Batch to be about clone rights and continuing TCW plot points with Echo and the Bad Batch meeting up with beloved characters like Rex, Gregor, Howzer and Cut, but it also wants the Bad Batch to be a special, distinctive-looking unit of elite savants that go on dangerous episodic missions, pull at your heartstrings by playing house and are too cool to bother with mundane regs, even though normal clones desperately need help as they're slaves being treated like absolute crap and dying off right now. Don't you get it guys, protect your own only, Omega's more important and needs to have a childhood (except also put her in real danger when the episode needs it?), screw everyone else but we'll still accept help from Cut and Howzer debt-free or never feel any motivational accountability or guilt over accidentally helping screw all clones en masse by playing into Palpatine's hand in the Clone Conspiracy Arc.

These conflicting elements are muddling up their motivations and characters, and makes the Bad Batch come off as perplexing and surprisingly cold and awful at times as they continue to help more non-clones they only just met than clones. Why even have a story about clone rights if the protagonists don't really care?

#tbb critical #the clones #clone rights #clone army #tbb echo #the clone wars #tbb season 2 #make it make sense #character writing #tbb howzer #captain rex #the bad batch #anti tbb

[blush-and-books]

Top 5 all-time favorite ships?

TEA!!!

Warning - this list is literally just the same m/f couple in different fonts. A lot of these were more formative and influential in my childhood or were from series that are from a couple years ago. I am naming these as my top five because of how insane I went over them/how hard I hyperfixated on them.

When I made this list I was disappointed to realize that there hasn't been a wlw couple from a series or movie that has influenced me this powerfully, but I hope to find it soon and if you have any recs lmk! :) Will also include honorable mentions!

1. Kirsten Clark and Cameron Goodkin, Stitchers (2015-2017)

This is tied with Julie and the Phantoms for one of my biggest hyperfixations ever. Kirsten and Cameron were a slowburn that was done really beautifully and nobody was doing it like them. I watched this show at a very pivotal developmental point in my life, and I think these two taught me a lot about the work that a relationship takes and the fact you have to be willing to put it in - they were a healthy relationship example for me at a time that it was necessary for me to see it. They have a lot of character development over 3 seasons but grow together in healthy ways, and the writers kind of bake it into the plot that they're meant to be lmao. They also are just a great example of loving someone for everything that they are. They definitely made me a little mentally ill but also inspired me to be a writer, so...

2. Julie Molina and Luke Patterson, Julie and the Phantoms (2020)

I don't know how long you have been following me anon, but if I've been on your dash at all in the past couple years, it was most definitely related to Julie and the Phantoms, and probably related to Julie and Luke. In one season, they had insane development and beautiful chemistry. The way their characters were written made them naturally fit together, and made me cry "soulmates!" quite often. I will forever mourn what they could have been, and be grateful for some of the most stellar works of fanfiction I've ever read that were produced in their name.

3. Anne Shirley Cuthbert and Gilbert Blythe, Anne With An E (2018-2020)

Technically they're from the whole Anne of Green Gables Universe but AWAE is one of my Shows Of All Time ™ lol so I'm crediting them to the show!!! Just everything about them..amazing. Definitely gave me unrealistic expectations for love tho bc who tf assaults a man and still bags him in the end!??? Anne. She's that bitch and I haven't reached that yet but I'm working towards it.

4. Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy, Pride & Prejudice (2005, dir. Joe Wright)

This is another one of those ships where I'm like if you've followed me long enough you could have seen this coming lol. These two are from the general Pride & Prejudice Universe, first created by the lovely Jane Austen, but P&P 2005 is by far my favorite movie of all time, and it is still breathtaking every time I watch it. Keira Knightley and Emmy Award Winner Matthew Macfadyen are really a perfect pair and their adaptations of the characters are so genuine and whole. Everything I do, I do for them.

5. Nina Martin and Fabian Rutter, House of Anubis (2011-2013)

My original Ship of All Time. Was very mentally ill over them. I rewatched this show last year and I expected to be like "oh god this is cringe how did young me like this so much" but instead I was like "oh god this is so well written how could anybody hate this show." Yes it has its silly moments but I could write essays on how well it was written. The foundation of trust between Nina and Fabian was more powerful than any "do you trust me?" YA teen fantasy movie moment of the 2000s. Fabian was the blueprint for every fictional crush I have had since.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Kaz Brekker and Inej Ghafa, Six of Crows Duology and Shadow & Bone TV series

Aziraphale and Crowley, Good Omens

Su-hyeok and Nam-Ra, All Of Us Are Dead

Joyce Byers and Jim Hopper, Stranger Things

Zoya Nazyalensky and Alina Starkov, Shadow & Bone Trilogy and TV series (yes I am a Zoyalina truther sorry)

Dan Humphrey and Blair Waldorf, Gossip Girl (will I receive hate for this one? to be determined)

Steve Harrington and Eddie Munson, Stranger Things

John B and Sarah Cameron, Outer Banks

Ethan and Sarah, My Babysitter's a Vampire

#chloes answers #stitchers #jatp #juke #awae #shirbert #pride and prejudice 2005 #pride and prejudice #house of anubis

[kinnspocketporsche]

Okay so I've been wondering about a couple things since pretty much VegasPete became romantic and I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. They're related but I'm going to break them up into two because they're not identical and this is already going to be long lol.

Thing one: do you think (also past but particularly as of ep 14) VegasPete are in a codependent relationship? It seems pretty clear to me (as someone who has been in a codependent relationship formed via trauma bonding yay!), but there are also a couple moments that could be interpreted to not be codependency. One example is Vegas telling Pete he's alright with him leaving in ep 14. I personally think there's a double-meaning there: Vegas is both saying I'm not going to be that person who imprisoned you, it's up to you to make the choice if you want to stay, but also giving him an out by saying I'll survive if you leave now [but if you don't, I will give you my whole heart and if you leave later, I won't survive that]. It's kinda hard to tell, even as someone who has so much trauma myself (part of the reason I have anon on 🤡), what is codependency and what is a trauma response seeing as the two are so interlinked and sometimes indistinguishable.

Also that moment with them in the alley in ep 13... I feel like I don't even need to explain it much. Like Pete was broken both from what Vegas did to him (aka torture) and what Vegas did to him (😏) (Pete: oh shit it's feelings) but still needed Vegas with him. I know their relationship changed a fuckton in 14, but that seems hella codependent to me.

Does this mean they moved out of (or are starting to) whatever toxic thing they had previously (like I'm sorry but "(2 days ago) previously tortured bodyguard and his torturer fall for each other" does not sound like a healthy relationship no matter what anyone says) into another different kind of toxic relationship?

After practically writing a whole freaking scatterbrained essay, my essential question is: based off of your interpretation of the series (and whatever the hell those paragraphs I wrote were trying to explain my thought process), do you think they're codependent and how could that play out further on in the storyline?

~MA (just so you know it's the same person with my next question(s) lol)

First off: I love this ask, I love the critical thinking skills, thank you for sending it to me! Second, while I did study Psychology and am now in the field of Social Work, I do not specialize in intimate relationships. My population is children and my specialization is childhood trauma, so I have some familiarity with these concepts via schooling, research, and some of what I've seen in families - but I have never been a relationship counselor. I'll take a stab at it, but if anyone who knows better wants to correct me, please do so!

Trigger warning for discussions of trauma, abuse, and self-harm. Also, this is a long post that falls somewhere between character analysis and informative ramblings, so if that's not your thing, feel free to skip it!

I also got a strong sense of relationship imbalance and manipulation from them in their earlier episodes. I'm going to avoid using the term codependency, because my understanding is that it's outdated with little to no basis in science. Along with that, I think understanding why it's not the best term here might be helpful in understanding the core of the issue you're describing very articulately.

(Note: I have zero issue with you or anyone else using it to describe things you've personally experienced. If it's what feels most accurate to you, I absolutely don't want to take that away. Labels are tools to be used to the extent that they help us process things. From a clinical perspective, I just try to be as accurate to our current scientific understanding as I can.)

"It's kinda hard to tell... what is codependency and what is a trauma response seeing as the two are so interlinked and sometimes indistinguishable."

This, actually, is the root of it. The DSM doesn't include diagnoses for relationships, because relationship mismanagement is believed to stem from individual distress/disorders. More than that, we need to differentiate the individuals involved to determine their individual conflicts. It's possible that both are struggling with a disorder, but it's also possible that one is responding in a normal way and is struggling due to the effects of the other individual's disorder.

For example, say a friend of mine tells me he's going to self-harm and that he has no one else but me to help him. My instinct is to drop everything to help! Maybe I skip work, or maybe I am up all night with him instead of sleeping. Say this cycle repeats and my friend refuses to - or is unable to - get help from a professional. I am now caught between risking my friend's wellbeing and my own, so I may continue to "accommodate" this behavior of his while doing damage to my own life. In this scenario, my response can actually be considered a normal one, even if it is detrimental. Cutting off our relationship won't solve whatever disorder my friend is struggling with - my skipping work and not sleeping stems from him and the fact that, as a friend, I feel a responsibility to him. It's good to feel some responsibility to your friends! It's just not helpful here because of the root of the issue. In reality, me cutting off our relationship could mandate that my friend get help elsewhere, but it could also have disastrous consequences for both my friend and myself. The solution, either way, is my friend getting the help he needs from someone who can provide that for him, and it isn't my fault as someone who's trying to support him that he's not getting that. However, I also may look at that relationship and say I need to end it for my own wellbeing because my friend's disorder is hurting me, and that's also a normal response.

So: did VegasPete start off as an unhealthy relationship? Absolutely. Was it unhealthy because of codependency? Ehhhh, kinda. I lean more towards it being a problem of Vegas not having any perception of what a healthy relationship should look like. Vegas's father treats him like a pet, so he treats Pete like a pet. I'm almost tempted to diagnose all of these fools at this point. And I know Pete wanted to be with Vegas, but the fact that he left tells me he didn't need it. Yes he was sad after he left - anyone would be after leaving someone they care about. Especially when that person used manipulative language like "I need you" right before he left. And honestly that line is a red flag for manipulation, whether intentional or not, so it was a good move on Pete's part to leave.

What was so interesting to me about VegasPete was how extremely aware Pete is of his position. He wants to help Vegas, but he can only do so much. He knows that. He looks at Vegas and says "it's your choice" or something similar to it so many times I've lost count. He's right - whether or not Vegas heals is on him, and, unless therapists start infiltrating our beloved mafia world, it's on Vegas alone. Pete has done as much as he can by getting Vegas to realize there is a problem and even getting him to the point of thinking about fixing it.

Pete is so very aware that he doesn't deserve the way Vegas treats him, but he's also aware that it's still hurting him (Pete) and not helping Vegas.

There's a model that's used in the mental health world that is often used with clients who have substance use disorders, but applies to anyone with any problem, called Stages of Change. It's exactly what it sounds like - people will not change unless they are internally ready to do so. I like to look at VegasPete through this lens. In episode 11, Vegas has 2 related problems to fix: his position as his father's victim and his position as Pete's abuser. Pete's problem is that he's not being seen as human by Vegas, but still wants to stay with him.

Pre-contemplation: This is Vegas for most of the show. He doesn't realize he has a problem with his father that needs to be fixed. Pete's refusal to be treated as a pet and his refusal to fight gets Vegas thinking for the first time that his relationship with his father is not entirely his own fault, which allows him to start thinking about changing.

Contemplation: I like to think that Vegas "letting" Pete escape only to taser him is part of this stage for Vegas with their relationship. The thought of letting Pete go has crossed his mind, but he's not ready to act on it in any significant way yet. The discussion about Pete's father jolts Vegas out of this stage.

I also think we see Pete in the contemplation stage when they're laying in bed at the very beginning of episode 13. Vegas says "Do you know how sexy you are?" and they have this whole conversation where Pete is just quiet, keeping his thoughts to himself, brain whirring.

Preparation: An individual starts experimenting with small changes. This is the next part of episode 13 - Vegas preparing the food for Pete, Vegas standing up to his father. Vegas agreeing to let Pete out of the handcuffs - on the condition that Pete stay with him.

And Pete is getting there at the same time, when he's talking to himself saying "I didn't want it" and pushing Vegas once after the food incident, realizing he needs to go but wanting to make sure it's necessary.

Vegas is still here in the alley scene, he's saying he's sorry and doing things against his father's orders, but he still wants Pete to be with him. He still pressures him into admitting that he can't kill Vegas. He's still being manipulative. We start to see him move into the next stage when he leaves Pete willingly.

Action: Pete gets here before Vegas does. He punches him in the face and leaves. Yay Pete! He has a bit of an advantage here because he, unlike Vegas, knew what he needed to do for himself from the start.

Vegas gets here when he stops seeking Pete out, and when he stops making it Pete's responsibility to save him. He's self-destructive as hell in episode 14, but it's not at Pete's expense. He's not trying to guilt Pete into staying. I am choosing to take him at face value when he says "If you run now, I'm alright with that." I really hope that means that he'll find other ways to be okay if Pete leaves, even in the future. I don't think he wants to make promises he's not sure he'll be able to keep, so I read this as noncommittal rather than something manipulative like "if you stay I won't let you go." My instinct with Vegas from his past interactions with Pete is that if he'd meant it to be that, he would've said it more clearly. Pete tends to speak in double meanings - Vegas has been very direct. I trust Pete's instincts, too, because he's been so self-aware this whole time. But it's honestly impossible to tell for sure until we see follow through.

Additional note: I also think we see Vegas reach the action stage with his father in episode 14. He would've killed Kinn if he was blindly following his father's orders. He wouldn't have warned Porsche about the upcoming battle. Y'all realize that if Porsche hadn't been there, Gun/Kan wouldn't have died? Vegas was (unintentionally) partially responsible for his father's death. Anyway, we don't really get resolution on this one for obvious reasons, and I will admit we have some mixed signals with Kan/Gun sending Vegas off before the fight, so I might be more hopeful about this than I should be.

Maintenance: We saw this when Pete didn't go after Vegas in the alley. He'd already taken action, and was standing his ground. He hasn't gone back on it, because he only went to Vegas when his problem of being treated as less-than-human was resolved (Vegas telling him he loves him and then leaving).

This is where we're at the end of season 1, too. This is what we need a season 2 for. I don't personally feel like these two are in a position of absolute stability like some people believe because yeah, it takes time - you mentioned that this all happened very fast for them and I agree. What's more important to me and what makes it interesting is that they made it to this place of maintenance very quickly and painfully. They're both clearly willing to work for this. Whether or not they can bear the struggles moving forward remains to be seen, but they're pretty tough so I think they'll be alright.

I'm sorry this is so long and I hope I was able to answer your question here! If not, or if you have any follow-up questions, definitely let me know! This was a lot of fun to think through and I'll be posting a response to your second part soon! <3

Edit: Part 2 is now up!

#tw trauma #tw abuse #tw self harm #vegaspete meta #vegas x pete #vegaspete #vegas theerapanyakul #pete saengtham #kinnporsche meta #meta #kp meta #kinnporsche the series #kinn porsche the series #kp ep 14 #kpts ep 14 #kinnporsche episode 14 #winnie's answers #winnie's words

[the-luckiest-man]

I definitely have more screaming about Star Trek to do but I also have like...a bunch of real life stuff i gotta get done so consider this an ominous warning that at some point this blog will briefly be taken over by essay-length lefty analysis of Picard and everything that is wrong with it because I care far too much.

also since stupid ass Tumblr won't let me reply to replies with my sideblog, shout out to that person who said they stopped watching Picard cuz it got too depressing(ly bad, I assume?)....I feel ya. And in some ways wish I hadn't tortured myself by seeing it through to the end. But when you've been watching Next Gen since you were six years old....well.....you sometimes make choices that hurt LOL

#star trek #star trek picard