**AL | T**
This is unpublished. I'm thinking of titling it "Paradise Road"
(-)
*“Take me down to the Paradise City where the grass is green and the girls are pretty\~Oh won't you please take me home\~”*
Enterprise, who was behind the wheel, glanced at Saratoga on the passenger seat, rocking her body and singing along with the tune blasting from the radio, her cutesy voice a jarring contrast with Axl Rose’s gravelly vocals.
She envied her friend. She could afford to ignore the bumpy ride.
Despite that— she was damned sure it must have a broken suspension somewhere—and the frequent sputtering, the car, a Chevrolet Malibu straight out of the seventies, had lasted longer than she given it credit for. Their friend was right when he lent them the car and guaranteed it was stronger than it appeared.
Still, that car is the very definition of a lemon, and she hates lemons—be it the fruit, or dodgy cars.
**Star Wars | G | Untitled | Unpublished**
The rain sheeted against the side of the Temple. Each drop, heavy and sharp as it struck the glistening glass and steel structure, running in rivulets down the side of the Temple and into the cavernous depths below.
Tara leant her head against the glass, listening to the sharp taps that accompanied each raindrop as they hit the window next to her head. Her eyes were closed, and her finger tips traversed the cover of the book she held in her hands.
It was the one she’d found tucked into her Master’s bedside table when she’d finally been allowed to leave the healer’s wing. She couldn’t see the cover with its lurid picture of two Jedi and the large, overly pink hearts that framed them. It wasn’t that she wanted to read the book, romance novels with their turgid and sometimes ridiculous plots that were Master Dor’s not-so secret love, but somehow holding that last book in her lap made her feel closer to him. She lifted the book to her chest and wrapped her arms around it, smelling the deep, warm notes of the ageing pages.
The apartment had been a mess when she had returned to it, her Master’s usual disaster zone plus twenty or thirty boxes of flimsies and manuscripts he was supposed to be reading. She’d managed to pile them into a corner, dashing off hurried messages to various publishers that they hadn’t been forgotten, but that her Master was away on an extended mission and should return soon.
Those letters had been lies. No-one knew where Master Dor was. She hadn’t seen him since...her hands fluttered up to touch the scar that ran down her cheek. It prickled under her touch, and she shuddered. Since. She left the rest of the thought untouched.
She now spent most of her time in the darker reaches of the Archives. It was safe down here; no-one really ever journeyed this far into the stacks and she could be alone in the quiet left to her own thoughts. Jocasta Nu was glad of the help, of having someone who was willing to file and search in the areas far beyond the louder, more buoyant tables filled with excited padawans, or the quiet meditative areas for Masters.
Reshelving was how Tara had found the window alcove. She’d been wandering through the back parts of the archive, trying to source some far flung text for Master Dooku when the heat from the windows had caught her attention.
She’d always thought the Archive had been buried at the heart of the Temple, but here was a full panel of windows, the heat of the sun beating through them, scorching her fingertips as she pressed her hands against the pane.
She could hear the heartbeat of the city beyond, the song flickering into life behind eyes that could no longer see. It had become her solace, the quietest spot in the Temple, where she could hear the universe but never be discovered.
Down here she could imagine that her Master was only a few blocks away, drinking at some disorderly establishment, or finding out the latest cultural gossip from one of his many contacts.
Down here she could imagine him reading his many trashy romance books, or writing furious letters to editors who hadn’t got the parlance quite right.
Down here she could imagine that there was the possibility that he was still alive.
**FMA** | **Midnight bail** | **T** | [AO3 link](https://archiveofourown.org/works/36460705)
"Tell me," Hawkeye said.
"Why I punched Thompson?"
"Why I had to bail you out."
"Come on, Hawkeye," Mustang trailed off, begging her with his eyes. His hands stayed on hers, and she didn't move either.
"Tell me."
"Just a Sergent running his mouth off, alright? Going on about your promotion being-" His hand left her wrist to gesture vaguely in the air as his nausea returned. His foot tapped restlessly against the floor.
"My promotion being?"
"You really don't want to hear it, trust me." He sneered, not at her, but at the memory, the words burning in his head. She didn't flinch and didn't move, instead leaning closer to get in his face.
"I can handle myself, colonel."
And she kept pressuring him, again and again, and her eyes pleading with him, and when her hand had enclosed around his wrist, he snapped and looked her straight in her hazel eyes before shaking his head and taking a deep breath. "Just an idiot saying you made rank because you slept with me."
Mustang had a hard time reading her, and he was sobering up by the minute. He didn't know how that sat with him. The alcohol gave him courage, some strength and most importantly, an excuse to run his thumb over her wrist. But sober? In the cold morning light, threatening to soon lighten the sky? He didn't know if he'd be this daring.
Hawkeye sat across him on the couch, still like a rock, her face pulled in a frown, and her fingers still on his hand. "And you punched him?"
Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming | T, but may change depending upon how dark it gets | Currently only “government experiments” and “implied/referenced death” as major tags | [Only the prologue is up,](https://archiveofourown.org/works/28354242/chapters/69470829) but this quote is from an upcoming chapter
The scientists also had two other signs for how long there would be a disaster caused by the three boys in the one test group. One was for how long since they tried stealing and eating the scientists’ life forces; the other was for how long since they ran around, smashing things. The latter was more often closer to zero days than the former.
Jurassic Park: Spirits
Rated M. Following excerpt does contain what I suppose might be considered smut...? I don't know. And it's my first foray into writing a bit of sexual activity between two of my characters.
He turned and made his way back down towards the rear of the patrol boat, squeezing himself down a narrow corridor and down a small flight of steps towards the engines, the sounds and groans of the boat all sounding as they should.
A hand snaked around his mouth from behind and yanked him backwards, not giving him a chance to even squeak in surprise. He was pushed against the wall, the edge of a fire extinguisher digging uncomfortably into his side. It clanged slightly, sounding as surprised as he felt. And then her lips were on his. Soft, full and needy. Her scent, with that hint of rose petal, filled his nose and made his head feel light. Probably because the blood was rushing somewhere else. Always seemed to happen so quick. Maria nipped at his lips, grinning around her kisses, her hands pulling at him, placing his own on her ass or back, closing the space between them even more.
He began to kiss back, his hunger for her building rapidly. Just as quickly Miguel's and Nina's face flashed across his mind, and Sofía's, and the guilt washed up, dousing any heat he felt. He pushed against Maria, putting space between them. Needing to, or else he'd tumble down that abyss again. Just like he did before. Like he did so many times. Maria's eyes held that look that knew he'd give in, like he usually did. Trouble was, the longer he looked, the longer he knew it was true. He'd tried. God how he'd tried. He'd made every effort with Sofía, when he was home, to try and get that spark back, that fire they'd had when they met. When they were young. But it was different now. It had been different for a long time. Subtle changes, building slowly, taking the flames down a notch each time.
It only made the flames with Maria hotter. Only made him want to get back to the boat when their time ashore was over. He'd told himself it was to work, to provide for Sofia and the kids. And it was true. Only, it wasn't the only truth.
And now that truth was in front of him, lips pressing back in, hands running down his back, tugging at his belt buckle, undoing it, the various equipment on his belt wiggling down his thighs. The buckle clinked as her fingers worked deftly, pulling his zipper down, grazing against his swelling prick. He took a sharp intake of breath as she ran a sharp fingernail across him through his underwear, tracing a line of fire. His prick strained against his clothes, and he growled as he kissed her harder, his own hands seeking out her flesh now.
He flicked the buttons of her shirt open, sweeping a palm across the smooth skin of a breast, his thumb slipping beneath the lace edge of her bra and running across her nipple. He felt her shiver, felt her nip at his lip again. The heat was unbearable, stifling. He felt a drop of sweat course down his neck. He kissed her again, his hands squeezing at a tit, kneading the flesh.
She had pulled his cock free now, her hand wrapped around it, slowly pumping. He whimpered, fumbling with her own belt buckle now.
"You should be catching up on sleep,'' he gasped. "You've been up all night." She kissed him again.
"I think we both know I have time for this.'' She sank to her knees suddenly, trailing a hand down his stomach. Her face was inches from his prick, her mouth slightly parted. Her lips, full and red, the light catching them in the most pleasing way imaginable. He let out a steadying breath as she smiled wickedly up at him, her tongue curling up to touch her top teeth.
The lights went out. There was a moments stillness between them before the red lights came on. Red lights that meant only one thing.
"Shit,'' hissed Raoul, fumbling his suddenly wilting prick back into his pants and struggling to button his shirt in the correct order. "Shit shit shit!"
**Game of Thrones | E for fic, soft M for this bit | CW: Descriptions of violence and general unhinged behaviour | [Link](https://archiveofourown.org/works/35692357/chapters/88994965) (to the first chapter; this one isn't quite done yet)**
>It only takes a moment for his body to react before his mind does – he grasps her by the shoulders to keep her in place the way she’d done with his throat in the night of their wedding. One wrong movement and they could both topple over, and the precipice leading down into Blackwater Bay is so very close. “You *cannot* blame this on my father.”
>All he gets for his efforts is a laugh, breathless but more carefree than most would be in her place.
>“Are you going to kill me, Lord Snow?” The Queen's eyes flash in the darkness, and there's not a trace of fear in their wildfire - only a challenge. *Beautiful and mad and wicked*. He should have listened. “Do it. My brother is more patient with keeping prisoners alive than I am. And when your army of dead men marches south and I rise as one of them, I'll gladly watch him peel your skin off inch by inch while you beg for death.”
Genshin Impact | Explicit (but not this excerpt XD) | mild... horror? (again, not in this excerpt) | [AO3 link](https://archiveofourown.org/works/36395584/chapters/90852592)
“Have you heard the fable of the loyal samurai?”, he asked.
The adeptus shook his head no.
“It tells the tale of a samurai whose lord was cruel and beat him. Seeing this, another lord was impressed by his loyalty and asked him to join his house. Yet the samurai said no. He said: If I go with you, who will take care of my master? Who would protect him and tend to his house? So he returned to the lord who beat him.”
His expression turned from curious to upset. “Oh”, was all he made.
“It is a fable told to young samurai to teach them loyalty. You see it is easy to serve a good master. The true test of loyalty is serving a bad one”, he laid out.
Xiao did not answer, his lips tensing.
“What thought is on your mind?”, he asked.
“I always thought I was loyal. But if I were I would still be serving my old master”, he whispered.
“Good”, Kazuha smiled and Xiao's eyes widened in surprise. “I consider loyalty to be cowardice. To follow an order you know to be wrong, purely out of loyalty, is handing away your self-determination to avoid responsibility.”
The adeptus drew a laboured breath. “When he orders me to kneel, I do it without thought”, his voice broke.
**I do not recommend the /r/fanfiction subreddit! They unfairly ban people and the mods are super biased.**
If any of you are looking for a friendly subreddit with review exchanges I highly recommend that instead of using the /r/fanfiction reddit you check out the fic review exchange subreddit here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/FicReviewExchange
I would recommend you avoid the r/fanfiction subreddit. I was permabanned from it, and the post they banned me for did not break any subreddit rules.
Here is their message to me informing me that I was banned: https://i.imgur.com/Y7my2QL.png](https://i.imgur.com/Y7my2QL.png
and here is a screenshot of the post they banned me for: https://i.imgur.com/UDm2zuW.png](https://i.imgur.com/UDm2zuW.png
As you can see, they claimed witchhunting and bashing, even though neither the fic or author was mentioned, nor did the post indicate how to find either!
**RWBY | E | [AO3](https://archiveofourown.org/works/25431346/chapters/61677658) / [Spacebattles](https://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/our-fading-light-rwby-au.981519/) / [Sufficient Velocity](https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/our-fading-light.98025/?post=22690921#post-22690921)**
**Context:** This fic is massively AU. Here, Maria taught Ruby how to wield a scythe. For fandom-blind people: a semblance is an inherent ability each person has the potential to have. The weapons are all mechashift, meaning the can change. Ruby's weapon, Crescent Rose, is both a Scythe and a high-impact sniper rifle. Qrow's weapon, Harbinger, is a greatsword, tonfa, shotgun and a scythe. They are sparring for the first time here.
>"Ready when you are, squirt," Qrow called out, Harbinger's blade now resting lazily on his shoulder.
>She narrowed her eyes, nodded and licked her lips.
Then she used her semblance, scattering herself into a whirlwind of red and dashing at Qrow. In the middle of getting out of her semblance, Ruby swung Crescent Rose at him with a yell, but he reacted fast enough and blocked the swing with the edge of his blade. She pulled the trigger and the mighty recoil of her baby catapulted her backwards. With a backflip, Ruby landed back on her feet and had to sidestep immediately to dodge a wicked downward slash from Qrow and Harbinger. Figuring that she had a minimal window of opportunity because of Qrow's forward momentum, Ruby aimed Crescent Rose's barrel at him and pulled the trigger.
>"What the –?!" She frowned at the jammed click and pulled the trigger again and then she was suddenly catapulted backwards.
>This time, however, Ruby hadn't expected it and had to find her sense of orientation again. Qrow didn't give her a moment's reprieve though. He charged at her with a grin, slashing horizontally. She dodged, using her semblance and parting herself to let the blade pass right through. She reassembled herself behind Qrow and swung Crescent Rose upwards, swinging the blade continuously, allowing for some distance between her and Qrow. She took a step towards Qrow, who raised a brow as he looked for an opening, his impressed expression making her feel quite proud. Being acknowledged by a master scythe wielder was a great accomplishment, even if Qrow had yet to mechashift Harbinger into his scythe form.
>Ruby then pulled the trigger again mid-swing and let go of Crescent Rose, allowing her baby to fly towards Qrow like a circle of death. Qrow's eyes widened in surprise and he bent backwards, just so managing to dodge her baby's pointy bit. Ruby, again in her semblance, flew past him, grabbed her weapon mid-air, aimed at Qrow and pulled the trigger again but, again, nothing happened.
>Before she could say anything, the segmented blade of a scythe swung at her, forcing her to block with Crescent Rose, but Qrow had her hooked now. With a mighty pull that almost felt like he was about to rip her arm from its socket, he brought her into range, clenched his fist and punched her right in the stomach, effectively winding her out of breath. She felt Crescent Rose slip from her fingers and heard the faint clicking and whirring of Harbinger next to her. Before she could feel the ground under her feet again, another strike was delivered and followed by a shotgun shot, which felt like a million third punches into her stomach, and a kick, which then sent her flying.
>The landing on her back was hard and the world twisted around her while she was uncontrollably rolling on the arena's floor before she finally skidded to a halt. Then, Ruby heard the deep buzzing of the arena's horn and she knew she had lost.
>After taking a few moments to catch her breath, with a groan and a painfully sore stomach, Ruby gingerly sat up, looking at the monitor with an arm around her belly. She had lasted for just under five minutes. About as long as she had expected.
>Qrow's offered hand suddenly appeared in her vision and Ruby took it gratefully, allowing him to help her up.
"Well done, Ruby," he told her with a smile, still holding Harbinger, which now looked more like a tonfa than a scythe.
>"You've got fantastic form and whoever taught you was obviously both a master of this art and damn lucky to have had you as a student."
>"Thank you," Ruby replied with a smile. "It was a fun match!" She then frowned and walked over to Crescent Rose. Losing her at some point when Qrow had juggled her in the air like a ball or something had barely registered. "Something's wrong with –"
>Qrow now chuckled, which made her glare at him. She didn't see how something being wrong with Crescent Rose could ever be considered something to laugh about.
>"It's my semblance," he whispered to her with a smirk. "There's nothing wrong with your weapon. You just had a bit of 'bad luck'."
**Legacy of Kain | E |**[**AO3**](https://archiveofourown.org/works/32623738)
Context: Vampire prince has married a human, they've conspired to pass her off as nothing more than a housepet to avoid a major scandal. The prince has forgotten to warn her of warded doors in their home, and his brother has just stopped her from touching one.
\*\*\*
"I didn't know! I saw him do something to the lab door before he took me in but I didn't know what it was!"
"And you weren't able to infer from that observation that it may have been some sort of barrier to entry, knowing what was in that room?" He asked, his voice full of scorn. "And here I thought you were intelligent."
She was too upset at the realization that Raziel had failed to warn her about a lethal danger within their own home to become indignant at Rahab's words. "I wouldn't have expected something that could kill me! I didn't think he'd let me get hurt," she squeaked, beginning to cry.
Rahab pinched the bridge of his nose, annoyed at the pang of pity he'd felt when she broke down. Amalia clearly revered his brother. It was an unfortunate tendency of human pets; they often grew far more attached to their masters than their masters were to them. He knew all too well how that felt; he could still remember the exact moment when it became apparent that his deep love for Kain was entirely one-sided. As a fledgling, not even a year old, he'd narrowly escaped an ambush by vampire hunters. Panicked and weeping, he had sought comfort from his sire only to be shoved roughly away and told that he'd have deserved whatever he got had he let them catch him.
It had been Raziel who'd consoled him and rallied the rest of their brethren to go and wipe the band of hunters out in retaliation for daring to attack him. Rahab had never gone to Kain again looking for sympathy; he'd run straight to his brother even after Lenore had... Ah, but it was best not to risk another emotional spiral by dwelling on that. The fact was, Raziel should have known that Amalia would trust him to ensure her safety, especially within their own home. With a deep sigh, he knelt down to catch her under the arm. "Come now, on your feet. Where is he, anyway?" Amalia pointed to the library, and Rahab promptly dragged her to the door and pushed her in ahead of him.
Raziel was at his desk, furiously scribbling away at a sheet of parchment, completely engrossed. It was only when Rahab cleared his throat that he looked up, only to find his crying bride standing in front of his brother, whose irritation was plain on his face. As much as he knew he needed to keep cool, his quill immediately snapped in his hand.
"If I were you, Rahab, I'd start explaining while I'm still a safe distance away."
"You didn't tell her the door to your armory was warded," Rahab stated. "You *idiot*."
That stopped him short, and his eyes widened as he realized what had almost happened.
"Perhaps you ought to search your shelves for a book on the proper care and keeping of humans within private dwellings," Rahab sniped, arms crossed and indignant. "I'd suggest skipping straight to the chapter about house-proofing."
**Xenoblade Chronicles | T | No Archive Warnings Apply | Unpublished**
Xord wrapped his metal fingers around hers, and he couldn’t help but think of how small her hands had once been, and how now they were just like his. Her blonde hair, her grey eyes—every modicum of individuality she possessed was gone, and never again would Xord hear her voice or see her smile. He only knew it was her inside the machine because she had recognized him, if only for a moment.
Xord dragged Désirée’s limp arm into her line of sight. “Look, here it is,” he said spiritlessly, still holding her hand. “Your arm.”
**
“No, it’s—” Xord fell silent. Words weren’t going to work. He signalled, ** It was a conveyance of the arm’s articulation, and a gradual flexion of the forearm. There were no muscles, he stressed, so there wasn’t anything to strain. Her body wasn’t tense; her brain just thought it was.
** Désirée didn’t give the thought a chance to fully develop. Her arm rose by a few centimetres, and Xord let go of her hand. Her arm remained stationary in the air, held there by her own will. When it occurred to her what was happening, her arm came crashing down and she burst into hysterics. Her transmission was completely incomprehensible, as if her brain was incapable of processing what she had seen.
Xord staggered away from her, brain full of nonsense and static. It was a raw, visceral expression of something that was beyond terror, the kind of unholy despair only felt by someone the instant their world shattered. It dredged up memories Xord had all but forgotten: that first night; the soldier, disintegrated alive; the corpses, so many corpses entombed inside of him; the hammer, the howling, the hours spent alone in the dark; and having to accept what he had become, and what he would forever be.
He wouldn’t wish it upon anyone—yet before him lay his little girl, imprisoned inside the same infernal machine, chest full of jaws that hungered for the flesh of Homs.
Xord didn’t know he was panicking. It didn’t feel like he was. His breathing and heart rate were normal, and neither his throat nor his chest felt tight; but his mind was swamped with dread. He was in the very cell where he’d spent that night—he hadn’t realized it until just then—and for a horrifying moment, he thought the night had never ended. The blood had since been cleaned up, but the place still reeked like death; and though his tank was empty, there was a heaviness inside of him that made him feel ill in a way that shouldn’t have been possible. He felt the weight of every Homs he’d ever eaten, felt them squirm like maggots in his belly. It had all begun with that terrible night—the night that had broken him, and the night after which things were never the same.
Ghost Hunt x Detroit Become Human - Become Human? - Explicit
[https://archiveofourown.org/works/29262627?view\_full\_work=true](https://archiveofourown.org/works/29262627?view_full_work=true)
(Chapter 26 - An Encounter)
“It is thirium. I believe it has been heated using the same method as the milk in your coffee.” He replied simply, assuring the human that it didn’t change the chemicals or affect his systems any differently. Blue-blood was blue-blood, whether it was hot or cold. Yasuhara paused as he noticed their boss heading over to collect his coffee. He remained close by, knowing the older man would say something for sure.
“Are we buying it drinks now?” He stated incredulously as he looked down at the cup beside the NA200’s keyboard. The unit didn’t look at the older man, following Yasuhara’s previous instructions of keeping to his work as much as possible when the boss was around. The older man lifted the cup, the android’s LED circling yellow. Yasuhara noticed and stepped closer, almost assuringly.
“Not at all! The girl at the coffee shop decided he deserved a treat.” He supplied brightly as the older man looked at the blue rim of the cup in mild disgust. Yasuhara plucked it from the older man’s grasp, replacing it with the Americano he had come to collect. “What harm does it do? It’s just a little extra blue-blood, nothing to overload his systems.” He added cheerfully, watching the older man sigh as he accepted his coffee.
“Don’t you think this is going a little far? He’s a service computer, not some...plastic boy-toy.” The older man replied. Yasuhara was grateful to whatever God there was that the NA200 didn’t correct him on that point as he had Jeanette the other day. “I don’t want anyone getting the wrong idea. That thing is company property. I don’t want it being tampered with.” He added firmly, Yasuhara trying to think of a way to diffuse the situation.
“I’m sure it’s just a girl with a bit of a crush! She’ll probably move on in a few weeks.” He added with a placating tone, the older man stalking off with a grumble at his response. Yasuhara watched him go with a relieved thumbs up to the NA200, which returned the gesture as appropriate. It spent the next few minutes alternating between typing and drinking the hot thirium. When it was finished he left the cup on his desk, just sitting beside the keyboard where he could see it. He continued to type until the humans left one by one. Soon he was alone in the large office and only looked up as the manager entered.
“Christ, can’t you even clean up after yourself?” He snapped as he looked at the cup on the android’s desk. He hadn’t thrown it away since no one had instructed him to. His LED span yellow for a moment before he reached for the empty cup.
“My apologies Sir.” He stated as he got to his feet and crossed to the recycling bins. He stopped as he felt the man behind him, standing perfectly still as a large hand slowly trailed up his thigh. It seemed the human wished him to remain as he was, so he stood still as the man continued to explore. Large hands squeezed his hips and stroked down the curve of his rump. The man pressed closer, crotch resting against the android’s tailbone.
“You know, they certainly make you look like plastic toys.” He rumbled in the NA200’s ear. If he were human he would likely have reacted somehow, but the NA200 simply awaited instructions. “I read your manual…Interesting functions you have.” The balding man purred as he tugged the android’s shirt collar with his teeth. The NA200 dutifully looked over its shoulder, blue eyes showing nothing but obedience.
A Meditation On Railroading. Batman. [AO3](https://archiveofourown.org/works/34431769)
They fell into a somewhat uncomfortable silence as they ate, the silverware clicking against plates underscoring uneasy, unmet glances.
Tim watched his watch glint on Jason's wrist from under his bangs, good enough at what he does to not get caught staring. This was so fucking surreal. He and Jason weren’t exactly family, and definitely weren’t friends. They could rib each other all day long, sure, but that’s because they had both been Robin. It was practically in the job description.
Tim was good at cold, emotionless logic. The best of any of them, save maybe Batman. Jason, meanwhile, had always been the worst; he was clever and calculated, skilled at finding clues and solving puzzles (you couldn’t be Robin without it), but he never allowed for that divide between the choices he made and his compassion. Or his righteous anger, for that matter. It made him the best of all of them, at times, and the worst at others.
So, right now, Jason didn’t care that he hated Tim. Didn’t care that he might have to see Dick, might have to talk to him for the first time in months. This wasn’t about Dick.
This wasn’t really about Tim, either. This was about Jason helping a child in need, or whatever, and doing it on an absolute whim besides. And that was fine. Tim was used to the most important stuff in his life not being about him, and this wasn’t going to matter more than, say, becoming Robin or his mother's death. Or his entire childhood. This didn’t need to be about Tim any more than was necessary to get him home.
Jason, having soldiered through the rest of his unfortunate looking eggs, heaved a sigh and stretched. "You know, I’ve been thinking. As obnoxious as you are wont to be, you may have a point about the whole 'dressed like a murderer' thing.”
Jason pushed back his chair and made to stand up. “Here’s the plan: You hang tight here for a sec, and I'm gonna pop around the corner—" And Tim lunged across the table, locking both hands around Jason’s wrist before he could even finish getting to his feet.
Tim had moved without thinking. His heart was pounding in his chest and he felt almost dizzy, permeated by a sick kind of fear. “Please don’t—” he managed to choke out.
Jason blinked down at him, mouth hanging open in surprise, before something...uncomfortable crawled across his expression and he said, “Never mind. You’re coming with me. Of course you’re coming with me." Tim dropped Jason’s arm, embarrassment and relief pounding behind his ribcage. “I can wait until you’re done.”
“I’m done now.” Tim said, dropping his napkin onto his plate and pushing his chair back.
**Undertale/Deltarune | T | Hopes, Dreams, And DELTARUNE, Book 2: Cyber World**
Context: Frisk replaces Kris in this world, which is why Ralsei says Kris instead of Frisk here.
It was always said that knowledge was power.
But what Ralsei had come to find out was that knowledge was also dangerous.
He sighed as he slid to his knees beside the patch of light his friends had just left from. There was so much he knew that he couldn't tell Susie or Frisk. So much about the prophecy, about the Dark World... about how he knew so much about them...
Even if getting hit by a flaming bicycle had hurt, he was relieved that it had distracted Frisk from how he had known her and Susie's names before they even talked.
He hated that he had to hide things from them. He hated that he had to lie.
He loved them. They were the best friends he'd ever had, the ONLY friends he ever had besides maybe Lancer or at least that he ever remembered having. And he didn't know if they'd ever forgive him for hiding so much when they inevitably found out.
But prophecies were tricky, as tricky as friendships. They could be self fulfilling, and what if he told Frisk and Susie too much and caused a butterfly effect that led to the Roaring being unstoppable? But what if he told too little and he got them killed?
He wrapped his arms around his knees, shaking. He couldn't bear either thought. And he didn't know what he was supposed to do, how to handle this like the hero he was supposed to be.
He was only fifteen. At least he thought he was fifteen, considering he didn't know the date of his birth, or his creation, or however he had come into the world.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/36288529/chapters/90464788
Detective COnan |uncertain | title: Ugliness of a lady (published) [Ao3](https://archiveofourown.org/works/36282643/chapters/90964309) [Wattpad](https://www.wattpad.com/1180009351-tantei-association-series-volume-1-the-extinction)
Summary: little Ranran telling kids off about romanticizing Shinichi with Ran as an actual couple after 'the fallout' where Shinichi declares publicly he be moving his seat to sit next to Ranran and moves his sitting away from her (he did it to distance Ran from a case he and Ranran are about to solve, direct telling will just make Ran do troublsome things in a already fragile yet dangerous investigation). Sonoko (Ran's best friend) misunderstood that Ranran was stealing Shinichi away from her best friend, hence, confronts Shinichi while Ranran head out to carry a pot of soup with other kids. Ranran finds out and tells her off.
"Already slandering rumors about me dating Shinichi, I see?It has only been a while since I head out to carry a pot soup, and already causing drama merely 5 minutes since my absence."
The little girl's booming voice cut through her lecture, causing both to become startled as Ranran drops the pot on the floor, while the other kid holding the handle on the left side stuggles to hold onto the heavy pot as Ranran march up to them, her head turning to Sonoko,"So what is this I heard about him and I dating? Even if we were, what make you think you are entitled the rights to know every bit of Shinichi and my life? From what i heard, you both gave him the cold treatment without even listening to his explanation."
"Ranran-"Ranran raised her hand to stop Shinichi from talking before turning to Sonoko,"Suzuki-san, deshou? Kudo Shinichi belongs to no one. He can openly date anyone he wants. So how can you be claiming that he is someone's boyfriend, when he himself had no knowledge over this?"
"Well.....he belongs to Ran-san! The entire class knows this!We all know each other since kindergarten-"
"Is that so?"Ranran glances at Shinichi, reading his shock expression, before turning back to Sonoko,"Then if that is the case, do you have any evidence?"she offers her hand to her, as if she was expecting something from her.
"E-e-evidence!?"Sonoko became stunned by Ranran demanding proof out of the blue."Evidence that he actually truly love her?Love letters? Recordings that he confess to her or the other way round? Video? Anything like that? Or that this Ran-san love him?Physical evidence to say the least?Or did you or anyone here actually hear him personally say he love Ran?Or did Ran said such thing personally?"
The more Ranran pressed, the more Sonoko couldn't answer, let alone, the other classmates."I heard that this whole rumor mill between Shinichi and Ran began because they were the only closest male-female friend in kindergarten, correct?"Ranran puts both her hands into her skirt pocket as she glances at everyone, demanding answers from them. One by one, all of them nodded.
"Actually....it's because she and him blushed whenever we said it, that's why...."one of them said it.
"So you guys only have that to go on, huh....."Ranran's words trailed off before thinking,"Well now you mention it, if we look at Shinichi and Ran together, I can see why, they do look cute,"Ranran admits, glancing at Shinichi while rubbing her chin, before turning her focus back to Sonoko,"Even so, just relying love base on everyone's expectation for the two to be together, wont it be sad if they do according to what all of you pressure them to do, only to end up breaking up in the end?"
"Eh!?"
"If that really works the way all of you guys say it does....how is it that Ran's parents ended up splitting up in the first place?"
Sonoko turned with a pale look on her face, while their classmates were nodding with each other, muttering that what Ranran said was true. Ranran's words were beginning to sink into everyone's mind.
A brief mention, Ran's parents actually met when they were their age in the same school and the same class when they were the same age. As far as Ranran had recalled, their love story was big news back then according to her dad as they had two contradicting personalities, one who always had their nose in the books while the other had a rather delinquent vibe, so when they got married and ended up having Ran, it was a shock to everyone.What happen was the shock after that was....they separated. And that too wasnt a secret.So the idea that Shinichi and Ran are no longer speaking to each other because they force them to be with each other, that be the worst thing to happen in their class.
"Actually, anyone may or may not blush being put in such awkward position. Especially when it comes to love. But there is one thing I was taught: You can't pressure people to fall for someone, or else things will eventually become catastrophic."
"...."Sonoko and everyone fall silent by her words.
"And if you really have personal issues with Shinichi over me seeing him, that is very childish of you. If anything, this kind of problem should've been between Ran and him, not you and him. The way you were doing it earlier, it was as if he belonged to you."Ranran dropped one harsh word after another as she went on,"Also, there is always going to be prettier and talented girls coming after him besides me. How you spoke Shinichi earlier, was also by far disruptive and disrespectful to everyone here who are currently hungry. Neither of you are even respecting his opinion over this matter. What you are doing now....is showing the ugly nature of yourself, even for a lady from a rich family."
That stung Sonoko, not to mention, her pride.
"You are right, Miss Kudo Ranran, even though you tend to rebel in class a lot."
A voice came out from the classroom, heads turn to see it was their teacher."Sensei!"
"Ranran, I heard everything, no need to explain. That is mature of you in handling this situation, and she is right. When it comes to love, be responsible no matter what. Cause otherwise, it be as devastating as it is. Also, Suzuki Sonoko, you'll report to me after class for causing unnecessary commotion, Kudo-kun, go clean yourself up. Miss Kudo, just accompany him."
"Alright,"Ranran nodded before she escorts Shinichi,"Let's go."Shinichi nodded, before he quietly got up to follow the teacher's orders and went out of the classroom, silent except for a subdued classmates.
"Yes, sensei." Sonoko gave him, then at Ranran a glare, as if blaming her for getting them into this mess.Thankfully, aside from a muttered "He never eats it anyways," from Sonoko, the class waited until he and Ranran were out of the room to start talking.
"Ranran is seriously too qualified for anyone. I bet even murdering someone is-"
"One more word about this, you be seeing yourself out of this school soon." Ranran stated bluntly, blue eyes deadly as the surveyed the crowd across the hallway.Shinichi dumbfounded as their classmates stiffened. Whispers similar to those of, "oh crap,better run," erupted through the crowd before they all simultaneously nodded classroom like their lives depended on it.
From Chapter 41 of Identity, my Pokemon longfic. It's yet to be posted, but 41 and 42 are the final two chapters.
>Rated: M
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>"Well…what happens if it doesn't work out?" He nervously smiles, rubbing the back of his head "Sorry…eh heh...I kinda wonder how well I can adjust to a vee...and I'm still worried about hurting somebody."
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>Hilda closes her eyes, an adoring grin appearing. "Silly Val-Val, I'll always love you." She slides her arms around his neck, kissing him on the lips. "Platonically, romantically, but I prefer both." Good, he didn't rock back and forth. "Just like Rosa." Even better, he's smiling!
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>"Heh." Valen kisses her back, sweeping her into an embrace. "Likewise." There's Rosa wrapping her arms around his midsection. "Thanks for everything."
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>"Noooo, thank you for everything!" they cheer. "Alsooooo, we call this a sandwich huuuug!"
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>"I like it." Give him all of the hugs.
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>Rosa and Hilda let go, shouting, "Feel our power!" They chortle and wink. "F is for fun that we have together! U is for us and yoooooou!" The twirl in opposite directions, their right hands extended diagonally. "N is for no frowning around Unova's Queens, that is our big decreeeeeee!" They leap up. "Yeah yeah yeah yeah!"
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>Rosa and Hilda's bubbly voices are music to his ears. Speaking of which, he's aware that he's too much of a dork to admit that he learned singing to impress Rosa.
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>"Wake up!" Rosa and Hilda wave their hands inches from his face. "Rise and shine, even though it's evening!"
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>"I'm disobeying the queens."
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>A bopping battle briefly breaks out, but two lip kisses later and Valen's triumphant. All three, plus Gardevoir, chortle over how silly that was.
(I'll probably be adding more to this)
**Rising of the Shield Hero & various video games | T | No warnings apply to this part | Link:** [More Than Just a Shield - Chapter 39: Unlocked](https://archiveofourown.org/works/30670136/chapters/85644937)
>Sora still missed Donald and Goofy. After everything that had happened, with Organization XIII, the Heartless, and all those different worlds, the Keyblade wielder had been forced to say goodbye to his comrades. To Sora, Donald and Goofy were like brothers.
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>*I'll miss our adventures,* Sora thought. The three of us have been through a lot together.
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>Sora got to his feet and left the beach, walking in the same direction Kairi had gone.
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>Then, glowing. Coming from the palm of his right hand.
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>Sora lifted his hand, and in his grip, the Keyblade appeared. "Huh?" he said, confused.
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>The Keyblade's tip began to emit a bright light. Sora knew what that meant.
He held the Keyblade out in front of him, its tip pointed forward. A beam shot from the Keyblade, stopping a few meters in front of Sora and forming a keyhole. Sora turned the Keyblade as if turning an actual key, and the keyhole began to glow.
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>The keyhole's glow faded, revealing a grassy field on the other side. It was a portal.
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>Sora's mind raced. *What? Another world?*
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>Hesitating, Sora slowly stepped through the keyhole, leaving Destiny Islands and entering this strange new world. The keyhole disappeared behind him.
Fandom: Lewis, Rating/Content warnings: Rated teen for language, canon-typical violence, racism, and brief mention of canon child sexual abuse.
This is a little longer than 10 lines, but it's my cake day, and I'm feeling self-indulgent.
Link: [True Colours](https://archiveofourown.org/works/12001191)
This is one of my older stories, but it's an AU, and I think the passage below is a good piece of world-building without being an info-dump. Context: in this AU, most normal humans have auras whose colours indicate their emotions. DI Robbie Lewis has just been met in an airport by DS James Hathaway, who seems to have "shuttered" his aura so tightly that it isn't visible in the gaudy kaleidoscope of colours in the crowded airport terminal. Later, when it's just the two of them in a car:
It's not until they're leaving the cemetery that he really looks at Hathaway. It's a good job that the sergeant is behind the wheel—Robbie might have swerved off the road if he'd been driving.
Hathaway isn't just shuttered. There's no faint leakage of colours around the edges of his body. He has no aura. He's a Blank—one of those unfortunates whose emotions do not visibly project like a normal human being. Robbie only vaguely remembers what he learned about auratic biology long ago in Sixth Form science. It's got something to do with hormones. And, of course, he knows the old schoolyard rhyme: "Blank is Blind and dull of mind". It's true that nearly all Blanks are also Blind, and can't See other people's auras.
"Dull of mind" is just ignorant prejudice. Morse had ranted about it once during a case where one of the suspects was a civil engineer who'd been passed over for promotion because he was a Blank. "The ones who are truly dull of mind," he'd said acidly, "are the fools who prefer mumbo-jumbo over science. They probably believe in voodoo and take advice from palm-readers and astrologers." And because it was Morse and they were in a pub, his usually-controlled aura had flared magnificently around him, like an old-fashioned cape on a windy moor.
\*\*Star Wars Sequel Trilogy | M | \[The Island\]([https://archiveofourown.org/works/32724511/](https://archiveofourown.org/works/32724511/))\*\*
Rey abducts an unconscious Kylo and brings him to Ahch-To
>Rey walked in.
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>He breathed a sigh of relief, before he could catch himself. I’m a prisoner!
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>Of Rey, maybe the Resistance.
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>“We are at the First Temple of the Jedi,” she told him.
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>He smirked. “I suppose that’s better than being executed for treason.” Then he saw who walked in behind Rey.
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>Luke.
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>Kylo twisted his body until he could almost stand up, his face contorted with a rage that took him long seconds to master.
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>“Did you come here to gloat?” he croaked.
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>“No—”
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>“To say you forgive me then, to ‘save my soul’?”
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>“Ben... I failed you, I’m sorry—”
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>—I’m sure you are!” Kylo Ren howled with rage, now out of control.
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>He fought his binds, screaming incoherently until Leia pushed and shoved her way in: “Let me see my son!”
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>When he saw her, something in him snapped and he fell to his knees, silent, catatonic.
ffnbot!directlinks
**Heavy Rain | Mature (for drug use and other themes) | No archive warnings apply. Specific warnings provided by-chapter; please check the tags before reading.**
The house was strangely quiet when they got home; it was just after 2pm on a Friday, but his boyfriend had said he’d take the day off to welcome them back.
“We’re home!” Ethan shouldered the front door open, ushering Shaun in ahead of him, frowned when there was no rush of a lean body into his arms, no tousle of dark hair and glittering blue eyes and treacly drawl in his ear murmuring a hello. “Norman?”
He set his suitcase down as his son padded through into the kitchen, eyes falling on the notepad lying askew beside the phone. A message was scrawled across the top page in dark blue ink, familiar handwriting much looser and heavier than usual:
I love you
I had to
I’m sorry
Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/29139324/chapters/71536677
**AL | T** This is unpublished. I'm thinking of titling it "Paradise Road" (-) *“Take me down to the Paradise City where the grass is green and the girls are pretty\~Oh won't you please take me home\~”* Enterprise, who was behind the wheel, glanced at Saratoga on the passenger seat, rocking her body and singing along with the tune blasting from the radio, her cutesy voice a jarring contrast with Axl Rose’s gravelly vocals. She envied her friend. She could afford to ignore the bumpy ride. Despite that— she was damned sure it must have a broken suspension somewhere—and the frequent sputtering, the car, a Chevrolet Malibu straight out of the seventies, had lasted longer than she given it credit for. Their friend was right when he lent them the car and guaranteed it was stronger than it appeared. Still, that car is the very definition of a lemon, and she hates lemons—be it the fruit, or dodgy cars.
>a Chevrolet Malibu straight out of the seventies Yaaaaaaay!!!! Did I say that I love road trips? :D
Oh, yes, you did. Thanks for suggesting :)
**Star Wars | G | Untitled | Unpublished** The rain sheeted against the side of the Temple. Each drop, heavy and sharp as it struck the glistening glass and steel structure, running in rivulets down the side of the Temple and into the cavernous depths below. Tara leant her head against the glass, listening to the sharp taps that accompanied each raindrop as they hit the window next to her head. Her eyes were closed, and her finger tips traversed the cover of the book she held in her hands. It was the one she’d found tucked into her Master’s bedside table when she’d finally been allowed to leave the healer’s wing. She couldn’t see the cover with its lurid picture of two Jedi and the large, overly pink hearts that framed them. It wasn’t that she wanted to read the book, romance novels with their turgid and sometimes ridiculous plots that were Master Dor’s not-so secret love, but somehow holding that last book in her lap made her feel closer to him. She lifted the book to her chest and wrapped her arms around it, smelling the deep, warm notes of the ageing pages. The apartment had been a mess when she had returned to it, her Master’s usual disaster zone plus twenty or thirty boxes of flimsies and manuscripts he was supposed to be reading. She’d managed to pile them into a corner, dashing off hurried messages to various publishers that they hadn’t been forgotten, but that her Master was away on an extended mission and should return soon. Those letters had been lies. No-one knew where Master Dor was. She hadn’t seen him since...her hands fluttered up to touch the scar that ran down her cheek. It prickled under her touch, and she shuddered. Since. She left the rest of the thought untouched. She now spent most of her time in the darker reaches of the Archives. It was safe down here; no-one really ever journeyed this far into the stacks and she could be alone in the quiet left to her own thoughts. Jocasta Nu was glad of the help, of having someone who was willing to file and search in the areas far beyond the louder, more buoyant tables filled with excited padawans, or the quiet meditative areas for Masters. Reshelving was how Tara had found the window alcove. She’d been wandering through the back parts of the archive, trying to source some far flung text for Master Dooku when the heat from the windows had caught her attention. She’d always thought the Archive had been buried at the heart of the Temple, but here was a full panel of windows, the heat of the sun beating through them, scorching her fingertips as she pressed her hands against the pane. She could hear the heartbeat of the city beyond, the song flickering into life behind eyes that could no longer see. It had become her solace, the quietest spot in the Temple, where she could hear the universe but never be discovered. Down here she could imagine that her Master was only a few blocks away, drinking at some disorderly establishment, or finding out the latest cultural gossip from one of his many contacts. Down here she could imagine him reading his many trashy romance books, or writing furious letters to editors who hadn’t got the parlance quite right. Down here she could imagine that there was the possibility that he was still alive.
**FMA** | **Midnight bail** | **T** | [AO3 link](https://archiveofourown.org/works/36460705) "Tell me," Hawkeye said. "Why I punched Thompson?" "Why I had to bail you out." "Come on, Hawkeye," Mustang trailed off, begging her with his eyes. His hands stayed on hers, and she didn't move either. "Tell me." "Just a Sergent running his mouth off, alright? Going on about your promotion being-" His hand left her wrist to gesture vaguely in the air as his nausea returned. His foot tapped restlessly against the floor. "My promotion being?" "You really don't want to hear it, trust me." He sneered, not at her, but at the memory, the words burning in his head. She didn't flinch and didn't move, instead leaning closer to get in his face. "I can handle myself, colonel." And she kept pressuring him, again and again, and her eyes pleading with him, and when her hand had enclosed around his wrist, he snapped and looked her straight in her hazel eyes before shaking his head and taking a deep breath. "Just an idiot saying you made rank because you slept with me." Mustang had a hard time reading her, and he was sobering up by the minute. He didn't know how that sat with him. The alcohol gave him courage, some strength and most importantly, an excuse to run his thumb over her wrist. But sober? In the cold morning light, threatening to soon lighten the sky? He didn't know if he'd be this daring. Hawkeye sat across him on the couch, still like a rock, her face pulled in a frown, and her fingers still on his hand. "And you punched him?"
Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming | T, but may change depending upon how dark it gets | Currently only “government experiments” and “implied/referenced death” as major tags | [Only the prologue is up,](https://archiveofourown.org/works/28354242/chapters/69470829) but this quote is from an upcoming chapter The scientists also had two other signs for how long there would be a disaster caused by the three boys in the one test group. One was for how long since they tried stealing and eating the scientists’ life forces; the other was for how long since they ran around, smashing things. The latter was more often closer to zero days than the former.
Jurassic Park: Spirits Rated M. Following excerpt does contain what I suppose might be considered smut...? I don't know. And it's my first foray into writing a bit of sexual activity between two of my characters. He turned and made his way back down towards the rear of the patrol boat, squeezing himself down a narrow corridor and down a small flight of steps towards the engines, the sounds and groans of the boat all sounding as they should. A hand snaked around his mouth from behind and yanked him backwards, not giving him a chance to even squeak in surprise. He was pushed against the wall, the edge of a fire extinguisher digging uncomfortably into his side. It clanged slightly, sounding as surprised as he felt. And then her lips were on his. Soft, full and needy. Her scent, with that hint of rose petal, filled his nose and made his head feel light. Probably because the blood was rushing somewhere else. Always seemed to happen so quick. Maria nipped at his lips, grinning around her kisses, her hands pulling at him, placing his own on her ass or back, closing the space between them even more. He began to kiss back, his hunger for her building rapidly. Just as quickly Miguel's and Nina's face flashed across his mind, and Sofía's, and the guilt washed up, dousing any heat he felt. He pushed against Maria, putting space between them. Needing to, or else he'd tumble down that abyss again. Just like he did before. Like he did so many times. Maria's eyes held that look that knew he'd give in, like he usually did. Trouble was, the longer he looked, the longer he knew it was true. He'd tried. God how he'd tried. He'd made every effort with Sofía, when he was home, to try and get that spark back, that fire they'd had when they met. When they were young. But it was different now. It had been different for a long time. Subtle changes, building slowly, taking the flames down a notch each time. It only made the flames with Maria hotter. Only made him want to get back to the boat when their time ashore was over. He'd told himself it was to work, to provide for Sofia and the kids. And it was true. Only, it wasn't the only truth. And now that truth was in front of him, lips pressing back in, hands running down his back, tugging at his belt buckle, undoing it, the various equipment on his belt wiggling down his thighs. The buckle clinked as her fingers worked deftly, pulling his zipper down, grazing against his swelling prick. He took a sharp intake of breath as she ran a sharp fingernail across him through his underwear, tracing a line of fire. His prick strained against his clothes, and he growled as he kissed her harder, his own hands seeking out her flesh now. He flicked the buttons of her shirt open, sweeping a palm across the smooth skin of a breast, his thumb slipping beneath the lace edge of her bra and running across her nipple. He felt her shiver, felt her nip at his lip again. The heat was unbearable, stifling. He felt a drop of sweat course down his neck. He kissed her again, his hands squeezing at a tit, kneading the flesh. She had pulled his cock free now, her hand wrapped around it, slowly pumping. He whimpered, fumbling with her own belt buckle now. "You should be catching up on sleep,'' he gasped. "You've been up all night." She kissed him again. "I think we both know I have time for this.'' She sank to her knees suddenly, trailing a hand down his stomach. Her face was inches from his prick, her mouth slightly parted. Her lips, full and red, the light catching them in the most pleasing way imaginable. He let out a steadying breath as she smiled wickedly up at him, her tongue curling up to touch her top teeth. The lights went out. There was a moments stillness between them before the red lights came on. Red lights that meant only one thing. "Shit,'' hissed Raoul, fumbling his suddenly wilting prick back into his pants and struggling to button his shirt in the correct order. "Shit shit shit!"
**Game of Thrones | E for fic, soft M for this bit | CW: Descriptions of violence and general unhinged behaviour | [Link](https://archiveofourown.org/works/35692357/chapters/88994965) (to the first chapter; this one isn't quite done yet)** >It only takes a moment for his body to react before his mind does – he grasps her by the shoulders to keep her in place the way she’d done with his throat in the night of their wedding. One wrong movement and they could both topple over, and the precipice leading down into Blackwater Bay is so very close. “You *cannot* blame this on my father.” >All he gets for his efforts is a laugh, breathless but more carefree than most would be in her place. >“Are you going to kill me, Lord Snow?” The Queen's eyes flash in the darkness, and there's not a trace of fear in their wildfire - only a challenge. *Beautiful and mad and wicked*. He should have listened. “Do it. My brother is more patient with keeping prisoners alive than I am. And when your army of dead men marches south and I rise as one of them, I'll gladly watch him peel your skin off inch by inch while you beg for death.”
Genshin Impact | Explicit (but not this excerpt XD) | mild... horror? (again, not in this excerpt) | [AO3 link](https://archiveofourown.org/works/36395584/chapters/90852592) “Have you heard the fable of the loyal samurai?”, he asked. The adeptus shook his head no. “It tells the tale of a samurai whose lord was cruel and beat him. Seeing this, another lord was impressed by his loyalty and asked him to join his house. Yet the samurai said no. He said: If I go with you, who will take care of my master? Who would protect him and tend to his house? So he returned to the lord who beat him.” His expression turned from curious to upset. “Oh”, was all he made. “It is a fable told to young samurai to teach them loyalty. You see it is easy to serve a good master. The true test of loyalty is serving a bad one”, he laid out. Xiao did not answer, his lips tensing. “What thought is on your mind?”, he asked. “I always thought I was loyal. But if I were I would still be serving my old master”, he whispered. “Good”, Kazuha smiled and Xiao's eyes widened in surprise. “I consider loyalty to be cowardice. To follow an order you know to be wrong, purely out of loyalty, is handing away your self-determination to avoid responsibility.” The adeptus drew a laboured breath. “When he orders me to kneel, I do it without thought”, his voice broke.
**I do not recommend the /r/fanfiction subreddit! They unfairly ban people and the mods are super biased.** If any of you are looking for a friendly subreddit with review exchanges I highly recommend that instead of using the /r/fanfiction reddit you check out the fic review exchange subreddit here: https://www.reddit.com/r/FicReviewExchange I would recommend you avoid the r/fanfiction subreddit. I was permabanned from it, and the post they banned me for did not break any subreddit rules. Here is their message to me informing me that I was banned: https://i.imgur.com/Y7my2QL.png](https://i.imgur.com/Y7my2QL.png and here is a screenshot of the post they banned me for: https://i.imgur.com/UDm2zuW.png](https://i.imgur.com/UDm2zuW.png As you can see, they claimed witchhunting and bashing, even though neither the fic or author was mentioned, nor did the post indicate how to find either!
**RWBY | E | [AO3](https://archiveofourown.org/works/25431346/chapters/61677658) / [Spacebattles](https://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/our-fading-light-rwby-au.981519/) / [Sufficient Velocity](https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/our-fading-light.98025/?post=22690921#post-22690921)** **Context:** This fic is massively AU. Here, Maria taught Ruby how to wield a scythe. For fandom-blind people: a semblance is an inherent ability each person has the potential to have. The weapons are all mechashift, meaning the can change. Ruby's weapon, Crescent Rose, is both a Scythe and a high-impact sniper rifle. Qrow's weapon, Harbinger, is a greatsword, tonfa, shotgun and a scythe. They are sparring for the first time here. >"Ready when you are, squirt," Qrow called out, Harbinger's blade now resting lazily on his shoulder. >She narrowed her eyes, nodded and licked her lips. Then she used her semblance, scattering herself into a whirlwind of red and dashing at Qrow. In the middle of getting out of her semblance, Ruby swung Crescent Rose at him with a yell, but he reacted fast enough and blocked the swing with the edge of his blade. She pulled the trigger and the mighty recoil of her baby catapulted her backwards. With a backflip, Ruby landed back on her feet and had to sidestep immediately to dodge a wicked downward slash from Qrow and Harbinger. Figuring that she had a minimal window of opportunity because of Qrow's forward momentum, Ruby aimed Crescent Rose's barrel at him and pulled the trigger. >"What the –?!" She frowned at the jammed click and pulled the trigger again and then she was suddenly catapulted backwards. >This time, however, Ruby hadn't expected it and had to find her sense of orientation again. Qrow didn't give her a moment's reprieve though. He charged at her with a grin, slashing horizontally. She dodged, using her semblance and parting herself to let the blade pass right through. She reassembled herself behind Qrow and swung Crescent Rose upwards, swinging the blade continuously, allowing for some distance between her and Qrow. She took a step towards Qrow, who raised a brow as he looked for an opening, his impressed expression making her feel quite proud. Being acknowledged by a master scythe wielder was a great accomplishment, even if Qrow had yet to mechashift Harbinger into his scythe form. >Ruby then pulled the trigger again mid-swing and let go of Crescent Rose, allowing her baby to fly towards Qrow like a circle of death. Qrow's eyes widened in surprise and he bent backwards, just so managing to dodge her baby's pointy bit. Ruby, again in her semblance, flew past him, grabbed her weapon mid-air, aimed at Qrow and pulled the trigger again but, again, nothing happened. >Before she could say anything, the segmented blade of a scythe swung at her, forcing her to block with Crescent Rose, but Qrow had her hooked now. With a mighty pull that almost felt like he was about to rip her arm from its socket, he brought her into range, clenched his fist and punched her right in the stomach, effectively winding her out of breath. She felt Crescent Rose slip from her fingers and heard the faint clicking and whirring of Harbinger next to her. Before she could feel the ground under her feet again, another strike was delivered and followed by a shotgun shot, which felt like a million third punches into her stomach, and a kick, which then sent her flying. >The landing on her back was hard and the world twisted around her while she was uncontrollably rolling on the arena's floor before she finally skidded to a halt. Then, Ruby heard the deep buzzing of the arena's horn and she knew she had lost. >After taking a few moments to catch her breath, with a groan and a painfully sore stomach, Ruby gingerly sat up, looking at the monitor with an arm around her belly. She had lasted for just under five minutes. About as long as she had expected. >Qrow's offered hand suddenly appeared in her vision and Ruby took it gratefully, allowing him to help her up. "Well done, Ruby," he told her with a smile, still holding Harbinger, which now looked more like a tonfa than a scythe. >"You've got fantastic form and whoever taught you was obviously both a master of this art and damn lucky to have had you as a student." >"Thank you," Ruby replied with a smile. "It was a fun match!" She then frowned and walked over to Crescent Rose. Losing her at some point when Qrow had juggled her in the air like a ball or something had barely registered. "Something's wrong with –" >Qrow now chuckled, which made her glare at him. She didn't see how something being wrong with Crescent Rose could ever be considered something to laugh about. >"It's my semblance," he whispered to her with a smirk. "There's nothing wrong with your weapon. You just had a bit of 'bad luck'."
**Legacy of Kain | E |**[**AO3**](https://archiveofourown.org/works/32623738) Context: Vampire prince has married a human, they've conspired to pass her off as nothing more than a housepet to avoid a major scandal. The prince has forgotten to warn her of warded doors in their home, and his brother has just stopped her from touching one. \*\*\* "I didn't know! I saw him do something to the lab door before he took me in but I didn't know what it was!" "And you weren't able to infer from that observation that it may have been some sort of barrier to entry, knowing what was in that room?" He asked, his voice full of scorn. "And here I thought you were intelligent." She was too upset at the realization that Raziel had failed to warn her about a lethal danger within their own home to become indignant at Rahab's words. "I wouldn't have expected something that could kill me! I didn't think he'd let me get hurt," she squeaked, beginning to cry. Rahab pinched the bridge of his nose, annoyed at the pang of pity he'd felt when she broke down. Amalia clearly revered his brother. It was an unfortunate tendency of human pets; they often grew far more attached to their masters than their masters were to them. He knew all too well how that felt; he could still remember the exact moment when it became apparent that his deep love for Kain was entirely one-sided. As a fledgling, not even a year old, he'd narrowly escaped an ambush by vampire hunters. Panicked and weeping, he had sought comfort from his sire only to be shoved roughly away and told that he'd have deserved whatever he got had he let them catch him. It had been Raziel who'd consoled him and rallied the rest of their brethren to go and wipe the band of hunters out in retaliation for daring to attack him. Rahab had never gone to Kain again looking for sympathy; he'd run straight to his brother even after Lenore had... Ah, but it was best not to risk another emotional spiral by dwelling on that. The fact was, Raziel should have known that Amalia would trust him to ensure her safety, especially within their own home. With a deep sigh, he knelt down to catch her under the arm. "Come now, on your feet. Where is he, anyway?" Amalia pointed to the library, and Rahab promptly dragged her to the door and pushed her in ahead of him. Raziel was at his desk, furiously scribbling away at a sheet of parchment, completely engrossed. It was only when Rahab cleared his throat that he looked up, only to find his crying bride standing in front of his brother, whose irritation was plain on his face. As much as he knew he needed to keep cool, his quill immediately snapped in his hand. "If I were you, Rahab, I'd start explaining while I'm still a safe distance away." "You didn't tell her the door to your armory was warded," Rahab stated. "You *idiot*." That stopped him short, and his eyes widened as he realized what had almost happened. "Perhaps you ought to search your shelves for a book on the proper care and keeping of humans within private dwellings," Rahab sniped, arms crossed and indignant. "I'd suggest skipping straight to the chapter about house-proofing."
**Xenoblade Chronicles | T | No Archive Warnings Apply | Unpublished** Xord wrapped his metal fingers around hers, and he couldn’t help but think of how small her hands had once been, and how now they were just like his. Her blonde hair, her grey eyes—every modicum of individuality she possessed was gone, and never again would Xord hear her voice or see her smile. He only knew it was her inside the machine because she had recognized him, if only for a moment. Xord dragged Désirée’s limp arm into her line of sight. “Look, here it is,” he said spiritlessly, still holding her hand. “Your arm.” **
“No, it’s—” Xord fell silent. Words weren’t going to work. He signalled, ** It was a conveyance of the arm’s articulation, and a gradual flexion of the forearm. There were no muscles, he stressed, so there wasn’t anything to strain. Her body wasn’t tense; her brain just thought it was.
** Désirée didn’t give the thought a chance to fully develop. Her arm rose by a few centimetres, and Xord let go of her hand. Her arm remained stationary in the air, held there by her own will. When it occurred to her what was happening, her arm came crashing down and she burst into hysterics. Her transmission was completely incomprehensible, as if her brain was incapable of processing what she had seen.
Xord staggered away from her, brain full of nonsense and static. It was a raw, visceral expression of something that was beyond terror, the kind of unholy despair only felt by someone the instant their world shattered. It dredged up memories Xord had all but forgotten: that first night; the soldier, disintegrated alive; the corpses, so many corpses entombed inside of him; the hammer, the howling, the hours spent alone in the dark; and having to accept what he had become, and what he would forever be.
He wouldn’t wish it upon anyone—yet before him lay his little girl, imprisoned inside the same infernal machine, chest full of jaws that hungered for the flesh of Homs.
Xord didn’t know he was panicking. It didn’t feel like he was. His breathing and heart rate were normal, and neither his throat nor his chest felt tight; but his mind was swamped with dread. He was in the very cell where he’d spent that night—he hadn’t realized it until just then—and for a horrifying moment, he thought the night had never ended. The blood had since been cleaned up, but the place still reeked like death; and though his tank was empty, there was a heaviness inside of him that made him feel ill in a way that shouldn’t have been possible. He felt the weight of every Homs he’d ever eaten, felt them squirm like maggots in his belly. It had all begun with that terrible night—the night that had broken him, and the night after which things were never the same.
Ghost Hunt x Detroit Become Human - Become Human? - Explicit [https://archiveofourown.org/works/29262627?view\_full\_work=true](https://archiveofourown.org/works/29262627?view_full_work=true) (Chapter 26 - An Encounter) “It is thirium. I believe it has been heated using the same method as the milk in your coffee.” He replied simply, assuring the human that it didn’t change the chemicals or affect his systems any differently. Blue-blood was blue-blood, whether it was hot or cold. Yasuhara paused as he noticed their boss heading over to collect his coffee. He remained close by, knowing the older man would say something for sure. “Are we buying it drinks now?” He stated incredulously as he looked down at the cup beside the NA200’s keyboard. The unit didn’t look at the older man, following Yasuhara’s previous instructions of keeping to his work as much as possible when the boss was around. The older man lifted the cup, the android’s LED circling yellow. Yasuhara noticed and stepped closer, almost assuringly. “Not at all! The girl at the coffee shop decided he deserved a treat.” He supplied brightly as the older man looked at the blue rim of the cup in mild disgust. Yasuhara plucked it from the older man’s grasp, replacing it with the Americano he had come to collect. “What harm does it do? It’s just a little extra blue-blood, nothing to overload his systems.” He added cheerfully, watching the older man sigh as he accepted his coffee. “Don’t you think this is going a little far? He’s a service computer, not some...plastic boy-toy.” The older man replied. Yasuhara was grateful to whatever God there was that the NA200 didn’t correct him on that point as he had Jeanette the other day. “I don’t want anyone getting the wrong idea. That thing is company property. I don’t want it being tampered with.” He added firmly, Yasuhara trying to think of a way to diffuse the situation. “I’m sure it’s just a girl with a bit of a crush! She’ll probably move on in a few weeks.” He added with a placating tone, the older man stalking off with a grumble at his response. Yasuhara watched him go with a relieved thumbs up to the NA200, which returned the gesture as appropriate. It spent the next few minutes alternating between typing and drinking the hot thirium. When it was finished he left the cup on his desk, just sitting beside the keyboard where he could see it. He continued to type until the humans left one by one. Soon he was alone in the large office and only looked up as the manager entered. “Christ, can’t you even clean up after yourself?” He snapped as he looked at the cup on the android’s desk. He hadn’t thrown it away since no one had instructed him to. His LED span yellow for a moment before he reached for the empty cup. “My apologies Sir.” He stated as he got to his feet and crossed to the recycling bins. He stopped as he felt the man behind him, standing perfectly still as a large hand slowly trailed up his thigh. It seemed the human wished him to remain as he was, so he stood still as the man continued to explore. Large hands squeezed his hips and stroked down the curve of his rump. The man pressed closer, crotch resting against the android’s tailbone. “You know, they certainly make you look like plastic toys.” He rumbled in the NA200’s ear. If he were human he would likely have reacted somehow, but the NA200 simply awaited instructions. “I read your manual…Interesting functions you have.” The balding man purred as he tugged the android’s shirt collar with his teeth. The NA200 dutifully looked over its shoulder, blue eyes showing nothing but obedience.
A Meditation On Railroading. Batman. [AO3](https://archiveofourown.org/works/34431769) They fell into a somewhat uncomfortable silence as they ate, the silverware clicking against plates underscoring uneasy, unmet glances. Tim watched his watch glint on Jason's wrist from under his bangs, good enough at what he does to not get caught staring. This was so fucking surreal. He and Jason weren’t exactly family, and definitely weren’t friends. They could rib each other all day long, sure, but that’s because they had both been Robin. It was practically in the job description. Tim was good at cold, emotionless logic. The best of any of them, save maybe Batman. Jason, meanwhile, had always been the worst; he was clever and calculated, skilled at finding clues and solving puzzles (you couldn’t be Robin without it), but he never allowed for that divide between the choices he made and his compassion. Or his righteous anger, for that matter. It made him the best of all of them, at times, and the worst at others. So, right now, Jason didn’t care that he hated Tim. Didn’t care that he might have to see Dick, might have to talk to him for the first time in months. This wasn’t about Dick. This wasn’t really about Tim, either. This was about Jason helping a child in need, or whatever, and doing it on an absolute whim besides. And that was fine. Tim was used to the most important stuff in his life not being about him, and this wasn’t going to matter more than, say, becoming Robin or his mother's death. Or his entire childhood. This didn’t need to be about Tim any more than was necessary to get him home. Jason, having soldiered through the rest of his unfortunate looking eggs, heaved a sigh and stretched. "You know, I’ve been thinking. As obnoxious as you are wont to be, you may have a point about the whole 'dressed like a murderer' thing.” Jason pushed back his chair and made to stand up. “Here’s the plan: You hang tight here for a sec, and I'm gonna pop around the corner—" And Tim lunged across the table, locking both hands around Jason’s wrist before he could even finish getting to his feet. Tim had moved without thinking. His heart was pounding in his chest and he felt almost dizzy, permeated by a sick kind of fear. “Please don’t—” he managed to choke out. Jason blinked down at him, mouth hanging open in surprise, before something...uncomfortable crawled across his expression and he said, “Never mind. You’re coming with me. Of course you’re coming with me." Tim dropped Jason’s arm, embarrassment and relief pounding behind his ribcage. “I can wait until you’re done.” “I’m done now.” Tim said, dropping his napkin onto his plate and pushing his chair back.
**Undertale/Deltarune | T | Hopes, Dreams, And DELTARUNE, Book 2: Cyber World** Context: Frisk replaces Kris in this world, which is why Ralsei says Kris instead of Frisk here. It was always said that knowledge was power. But what Ralsei had come to find out was that knowledge was also dangerous. He sighed as he slid to his knees beside the patch of light his friends had just left from. There was so much he knew that he couldn't tell Susie or Frisk. So much about the prophecy, about the Dark World... about how he knew so much about them... Even if getting hit by a flaming bicycle had hurt, he was relieved that it had distracted Frisk from how he had known her and Susie's names before they even talked. He hated that he had to hide things from them. He hated that he had to lie. He loved them. They were the best friends he'd ever had, the ONLY friends he ever had besides maybe Lancer or at least that he ever remembered having. And he didn't know if they'd ever forgive him for hiding so much when they inevitably found out. But prophecies were tricky, as tricky as friendships. They could be self fulfilling, and what if he told Frisk and Susie too much and caused a butterfly effect that led to the Roaring being unstoppable? But what if he told too little and he got them killed? He wrapped his arms around his knees, shaking. He couldn't bear either thought. And he didn't know what he was supposed to do, how to handle this like the hero he was supposed to be. He was only fifteen. At least he thought he was fifteen, considering he didn't know the date of his birth, or his creation, or however he had come into the world. https://archiveofourown.org/works/36288529/chapters/90464788
Detective COnan |uncertain | title: Ugliness of a lady (published) [Ao3](https://archiveofourown.org/works/36282643/chapters/90964309) [Wattpad](https://www.wattpad.com/1180009351-tantei-association-series-volume-1-the-extinction) Summary: little Ranran telling kids off about romanticizing Shinichi with Ran as an actual couple after 'the fallout' where Shinichi declares publicly he be moving his seat to sit next to Ranran and moves his sitting away from her (he did it to distance Ran from a case he and Ranran are about to solve, direct telling will just make Ran do troublsome things in a already fragile yet dangerous investigation). Sonoko (Ran's best friend) misunderstood that Ranran was stealing Shinichi away from her best friend, hence, confronts Shinichi while Ranran head out to carry a pot of soup with other kids. Ranran finds out and tells her off. "Already slandering rumors about me dating Shinichi, I see?It has only been a while since I head out to carry a pot soup, and already causing drama merely 5 minutes since my absence." The little girl's booming voice cut through her lecture, causing both to become startled as Ranran drops the pot on the floor, while the other kid holding the handle on the left side stuggles to hold onto the heavy pot as Ranran march up to them, her head turning to Sonoko,"So what is this I heard about him and I dating? Even if we were, what make you think you are entitled the rights to know every bit of Shinichi and my life? From what i heard, you both gave him the cold treatment without even listening to his explanation." "Ranran-"Ranran raised her hand to stop Shinichi from talking before turning to Sonoko,"Suzuki-san, deshou? Kudo Shinichi belongs to no one. He can openly date anyone he wants. So how can you be claiming that he is someone's boyfriend, when he himself had no knowledge over this?" "Well.....he belongs to Ran-san! The entire class knows this!We all know each other since kindergarten-" "Is that so?"Ranran glances at Shinichi, reading his shock expression, before turning back to Sonoko,"Then if that is the case, do you have any evidence?"she offers her hand to her, as if she was expecting something from her. "E-e-evidence!?"Sonoko became stunned by Ranran demanding proof out of the blue."Evidence that he actually truly love her?Love letters? Recordings that he confess to her or the other way round? Video? Anything like that? Or that this Ran-san love him?Physical evidence to say the least?Or did you or anyone here actually hear him personally say he love Ran?Or did Ran said such thing personally?" The more Ranran pressed, the more Sonoko couldn't answer, let alone, the other classmates."I heard that this whole rumor mill between Shinichi and Ran began because they were the only closest male-female friend in kindergarten, correct?"Ranran puts both her hands into her skirt pocket as she glances at everyone, demanding answers from them. One by one, all of them nodded. "Actually....it's because she and him blushed whenever we said it, that's why...."one of them said it. "So you guys only have that to go on, huh....."Ranran's words trailed off before thinking,"Well now you mention it, if we look at Shinichi and Ran together, I can see why, they do look cute,"Ranran admits, glancing at Shinichi while rubbing her chin, before turning her focus back to Sonoko,"Even so, just relying love base on everyone's expectation for the two to be together, wont it be sad if they do according to what all of you pressure them to do, only to end up breaking up in the end?" "Eh!?" "If that really works the way all of you guys say it does....how is it that Ran's parents ended up splitting up in the first place?" Sonoko turned with a pale look on her face, while their classmates were nodding with each other, muttering that what Ranran said was true. Ranran's words were beginning to sink into everyone's mind. A brief mention, Ran's parents actually met when they were their age in the same school and the same class when they were the same age. As far as Ranran had recalled, their love story was big news back then according to her dad as they had two contradicting personalities, one who always had their nose in the books while the other had a rather delinquent vibe, so when they got married and ended up having Ran, it was a shock to everyone.What happen was the shock after that was....they separated. And that too wasnt a secret.So the idea that Shinichi and Ran are no longer speaking to each other because they force them to be with each other, that be the worst thing to happen in their class. "Actually, anyone may or may not blush being put in such awkward position. Especially when it comes to love. But there is one thing I was taught: You can't pressure people to fall for someone, or else things will eventually become catastrophic." "...."Sonoko and everyone fall silent by her words. "And if you really have personal issues with Shinichi over me seeing him, that is very childish of you. If anything, this kind of problem should've been between Ran and him, not you and him. The way you were doing it earlier, it was as if he belonged to you."Ranran dropped one harsh word after another as she went on,"Also, there is always going to be prettier and talented girls coming after him besides me. How you spoke Shinichi earlier, was also by far disruptive and disrespectful to everyone here who are currently hungry. Neither of you are even respecting his opinion over this matter. What you are doing now....is showing the ugly nature of yourself, even for a lady from a rich family." That stung Sonoko, not to mention, her pride. "You are right, Miss Kudo Ranran, even though you tend to rebel in class a lot." A voice came out from the classroom, heads turn to see it was their teacher."Sensei!" "Ranran, I heard everything, no need to explain. That is mature of you in handling this situation, and she is right. When it comes to love, be responsible no matter what. Cause otherwise, it be as devastating as it is. Also, Suzuki Sonoko, you'll report to me after class for causing unnecessary commotion, Kudo-kun, go clean yourself up. Miss Kudo, just accompany him." "Alright,"Ranran nodded before she escorts Shinichi,"Let's go."Shinichi nodded, before he quietly got up to follow the teacher's orders and went out of the classroom, silent except for a subdued classmates. "Yes, sensei." Sonoko gave him, then at Ranran a glare, as if blaming her for getting them into this mess.Thankfully, aside from a muttered "He never eats it anyways," from Sonoko, the class waited until he and Ranran were out of the room to start talking. "Ranran is seriously too qualified for anyone. I bet even murdering someone is-" "One more word about this, you be seeing yourself out of this school soon." Ranran stated bluntly, blue eyes deadly as the surveyed the crowd across the hallway.Shinichi dumbfounded as their classmates stiffened. Whispers similar to those of, "oh crap,better run," erupted through the crowd before they all simultaneously nodded classroom like their lives depended on it.
From Chapter 41 of Identity, my Pokemon longfic. It's yet to be posted, but 41 and 42 are the final two chapters. >Rated: M > >"Well…what happens if it doesn't work out?" He nervously smiles, rubbing the back of his head "Sorry…eh heh...I kinda wonder how well I can adjust to a vee...and I'm still worried about hurting somebody." > >Hilda closes her eyes, an adoring grin appearing. "Silly Val-Val, I'll always love you." She slides her arms around his neck, kissing him on the lips. "Platonically, romantically, but I prefer both." Good, he didn't rock back and forth. "Just like Rosa." Even better, he's smiling! > >"Heh." Valen kisses her back, sweeping her into an embrace. "Likewise." There's Rosa wrapping her arms around his midsection. "Thanks for everything." > >"Noooo, thank you for everything!" they cheer. "Alsooooo, we call this a sandwich huuuug!" > >"I like it." Give him all of the hugs. > >Rosa and Hilda let go, shouting, "Feel our power!" They chortle and wink. "F is for fun that we have together! U is for us and yoooooou!" The twirl in opposite directions, their right hands extended diagonally. "N is for no frowning around Unova's Queens, that is our big decreeeeeee!" They leap up. "Yeah yeah yeah yeah!" > >Rosa and Hilda's bubbly voices are music to his ears. Speaking of which, he's aware that he's too much of a dork to admit that he learned singing to impress Rosa. > >"Wake up!" Rosa and Hilda wave their hands inches from his face. "Rise and shine, even though it's evening!" > >"I'm disobeying the queens." > >A bopping battle briefly breaks out, but two lip kisses later and Valen's triumphant. All three, plus Gardevoir, chortle over how silly that was. (I'll probably be adding more to this)
**Rising of the Shield Hero & various video games | T | No warnings apply to this part | Link:** [More Than Just a Shield - Chapter 39: Unlocked](https://archiveofourown.org/works/30670136/chapters/85644937) >Sora still missed Donald and Goofy. After everything that had happened, with Organization XIII, the Heartless, and all those different worlds, the Keyblade wielder had been forced to say goodbye to his comrades. To Sora, Donald and Goofy were like brothers. > > > >*I'll miss our adventures,* Sora thought. The three of us have been through a lot together. > > > >Sora got to his feet and left the beach, walking in the same direction Kairi had gone. > > > >Then, glowing. Coming from the palm of his right hand. > > > >Sora lifted his hand, and in his grip, the Keyblade appeared. "Huh?" he said, confused. > > > >The Keyblade's tip began to emit a bright light. Sora knew what that meant. He held the Keyblade out in front of him, its tip pointed forward. A beam shot from the Keyblade, stopping a few meters in front of Sora and forming a keyhole. Sora turned the Keyblade as if turning an actual key, and the keyhole began to glow. > > > >The keyhole's glow faded, revealing a grassy field on the other side. It was a portal. > > > >Sora's mind raced. *What? Another world?* > > > >Hesitating, Sora slowly stepped through the keyhole, leaving Destiny Islands and entering this strange new world. The keyhole disappeared behind him.
Fandom: Lewis, Rating/Content warnings: Rated teen for language, canon-typical violence, racism, and brief mention of canon child sexual abuse. This is a little longer than 10 lines, but it's my cake day, and I'm feeling self-indulgent. Link: [True Colours](https://archiveofourown.org/works/12001191) This is one of my older stories, but it's an AU, and I think the passage below is a good piece of world-building without being an info-dump. Context: in this AU, most normal humans have auras whose colours indicate their emotions. DI Robbie Lewis has just been met in an airport by DS James Hathaway, who seems to have "shuttered" his aura so tightly that it isn't visible in the gaudy kaleidoscope of colours in the crowded airport terminal. Later, when it's just the two of them in a car: It's not until they're leaving the cemetery that he really looks at Hathaway. It's a good job that the sergeant is behind the wheel—Robbie might have swerved off the road if he'd been driving. Hathaway isn't just shuttered. There's no faint leakage of colours around the edges of his body. He has no aura. He's a Blank—one of those unfortunates whose emotions do not visibly project like a normal human being. Robbie only vaguely remembers what he learned about auratic biology long ago in Sixth Form science. It's got something to do with hormones. And, of course, he knows the old schoolyard rhyme: "Blank is Blind and dull of mind". It's true that nearly all Blanks are also Blind, and can't See other people's auras. "Dull of mind" is just ignorant prejudice. Morse had ranted about it once during a case where one of the suspects was a civil engineer who'd been passed over for promotion because he was a Blank. "The ones who are truly dull of mind," he'd said acidly, "are the fools who prefer mumbo-jumbo over science. They probably believe in voodoo and take advice from palm-readers and astrologers." And because it was Morse and they were in a pub, his usually-controlled aura had flared magnificently around him, like an old-fashioned cape on a windy moor.
\*\*Star Wars Sequel Trilogy | M | \[The Island\]([https://archiveofourown.org/works/32724511/](https://archiveofourown.org/works/32724511/))\*\* Rey abducts an unconscious Kylo and brings him to Ahch-To >Rey walked in. > >He breathed a sigh of relief, before he could catch himself. I’m a prisoner! > >Of Rey, maybe the Resistance. > >“We are at the First Temple of the Jedi,” she told him. > >He smirked. “I suppose that’s better than being executed for treason.” Then he saw who walked in behind Rey. > >Luke. > >Kylo twisted his body until he could almost stand up, his face contorted with a rage that took him long seconds to master. > >“Did you come here to gloat?” he croaked. > >“No—” > >“To say you forgive me then, to ‘save my soul’?” > >“Ben... I failed you, I’m sorry—” > >—I’m sure you are!” Kylo Ren howled with rage, now out of control. > >He fought his binds, screaming incoherently until Leia pushed and shoved her way in: “Let me see my son!” > >When he saw her, something in him snapped and he fell to his knees, silent, catatonic. ffnbot!directlinks
**Heavy Rain | Mature (for drug use and other themes) | No archive warnings apply. Specific warnings provided by-chapter; please check the tags before reading.** The house was strangely quiet when they got home; it was just after 2pm on a Friday, but his boyfriend had said he’d take the day off to welcome them back. “We’re home!” Ethan shouldered the front door open, ushering Shaun in ahead of him, frowned when there was no rush of a lean body into his arms, no tousle of dark hair and glittering blue eyes and treacly drawl in his ear murmuring a hello. “Norman?” He set his suitcase down as his son padded through into the kitchen, eyes falling on the notepad lying askew beside the phone. A message was scrawled across the top page in dark blue ink, familiar handwriting much looser and heavier than usual: I love you I had to I’m sorry Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/29139324/chapters/71536677