Cillian Masterlist

Would Lamb like listening to Narinder's heartbeat and vice versa?

I would say so~

As for vice versa..

Astarion walking into the fight with Cazador, skin glowy and moisturized, recently fed off of thinking blood, hair freshly curly girl-routined, surrounded by allies (one of them on fire... several of the others in possession of at least 2 different "disentigrate that old man" spells), dressed to the nines in the finest clothes the world has to offer, pockets jangling with the 30k gold and the copious amounts of jewelry we have given him throughout the journey, chapstick: on, four ghouls he summoned with his newly acquired Necromancy of Thay knowledge b-boying along beside of him, big wet kiss mark on his forehead: fuck you!

Cazador, with 2 bucks and cobwebs in his bank account, no steeze, no friends, no real plan of attack except the 8 dudes he found on craigslist, and yet all the audacity in the world: I got this... He has NOTHING ON ME!!!

More ideas!

God Au. Heavily based on @sallysoot God au! Technoblade fic. Check it out cuz it's absolutely beautiful!

Philza being the god of life and death. He is the reason you have lived for so long. And everytime you happen to die, he resurrects you. Even if it's against your wish. Please don't be so harsh with him. He has lost so many people he held dear, he can't bear to actually lose you.

He calls you his goddess/god and sometimes the younger gods (like Tommy and Tubbo) call you mother goddess/ father God. Even if you're a mortal

Has offered to make you a god

Technoblade, the blood god, also the god of war. The humans that worship him say he's cruel and heartless but he's actually awkward. He would fight the whole world and other Gods for you. And because he's so tough, he's afraid he'll hurt you so he's super gentle with you.

He's scared to hold your freaking hand as it's massive compared to your hand. But he finds it so cute. If he found out someone had hurt you, Philza knows Techno would tear them apart.

Tommy, the God of chaos! Kinda the life of the party, but horrible life? He creates chaos everywhere he goes and forces you to join him. The only way you can stop him from destroying something is if you refuses to join him.

He enjoys having you around and considers you a best friend. Enjoys when you, him, and Tubbo hang out together (Tommy's is Platonic!)

Wilbur, the god of music and insanity. He writes songs dedicated to you. Your smile, your eyes, his love for you. Songs and poems galore! Every time he creates a new piece, you're the first one who gets to listen to it. Sing with him please, he'll love it.

But the God of music has a dark side. Where he conducts the fall of nations and bloodshed. He goes mad with heading the people cry out. He says, "It's music to my ears~". Just know, he'll never show you his insanity, for fear it'll drive you away.

Nihachu, the goddess of rage and the forgotten. She's the forgotten, stuck in the black pit filled with anger and sadness. But no matter how hard she rages, screams out to be heard. No one hears her.

Till you did. You heard her whispers as you were left behind and filled with rage. You heard her cries and you went to her. She finds comfort with you. With you, she's calm, she smiles, she loves. You make her feel important and loved.

Schlatt, the god of wealth and alcohol, He takes and takes. He wanted to take from you, but when you kicked him to the curb. He decided he would rather have you than take from you.

He spoils you beyond belief, anything you want? Done! Handed to you on a gold platter. He may say he hates spoiling you, but he's lying. He's happy to see you covered in the gifts he gave you. Gave you a Ruby ring that shows the other Gods you are with him.

Dream, the God of lies and manipulation. He didn't want to fall in love, he believed love was pointless. Till he spotted you from above the clouds and was smitten from the start. But he finds it so hard to court you.

You believed he was lying to you. He was the god of lies after all. But he stayed around. He spent months, almost a year just being your friend till you believed he really loved you.

Hard Eyes: Part 3

Prompt: Batmom that was former suicide squad? 

Words: 938

Part 1 , Part 2 

    “I’m sorry, but this is just crazy.”

    You grin at your second oldest son, “And why is me going for a spa weekend crazy?”

    Jason scowls, “Not that! You leaving Penelope with Dick! She likes me more.”

    From down the hall you hear Dick yell back, “She does not!”

    You do your best to hide your chuckle but you don’t quite succeed. Straightening you sling your duffle bag over your shoulder and say, “Dick is in charge because I can trust him to keep the fighting to a minimum. When I come back from this weekend I would like all of my children to be alive and intact without any internal bleeding. And Jason, as much as I love you sweetheart, you like to stir the pot.”

    Jason crosses his arms against his chest and asks, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

    You grin. “That I know it was you who broke Tim’s computer and not Damian. And that you tricked Tim into thinking it was Damian so that a fistfight would break out in the middle of the New Year’s Gala, so that you could sneak off without anyone noticing. I’m here to tell you that I did notice.”

    Jason just shrugs, “Alright so I don’t like Tim and the demon spawn all the time, but I love my sister, and if Dick has her he’s going to invite Barbara over and they’re going to place make believe house, and I’ll die from fluff overload.”

You kiss your son’s cheek, “Then I suggest not stirring the pot next time.”  

Without another word you leave the room, a pouting Jason on your heels. You make your way downstairs and let out a sharp whistle. The boys come into the foyer a minute later.

Setting your bag on the floor you lay out the rules. “All right I will be gone a week. This spa I’m going to doesn’t allow electronics, so it is next to impossible to reach me. I’ve left a number to be used in emergencies only. As in the world is ending, not someone stole your poptart.  Your dad and Alfred are also out of range. They’re with the League, trying some new physical therapy they’re hoping will help.

“I’ve left Dr. Lee’s number on the fridge, along with Commissioner Gordon’s, who has agreed to make surprise visits to make sure you’re all doing what needs to be done. AND NOT STIRRING THE POT.”  Your eyes flicker to Damian and Jason for a minute before you continue, “Also Dick, sweetheart, as much as I love you you’re not in charge.”

You watch your oldest son’s eyes go wide as you reach over and take Penelope from him, as Jason let’s out a sharp laugh. “What, why?”

You smile, “Hun, the minute Barbara comes in you go all love struck, and if you’re focusing on her and Penelope and in Jason’s words ‘Play house’ I fear that the manor would burn down and I do not want to explain that to Alfred.” You ignore Jason’s “Hah!” and keep going, “So I called in the big guns.”

You watch the girl slip out of the shadows without a word. You watch as Damian begins to scowl, not because he’s unhappy but because he hadn’t sensed her. Smiling at your oldest daughter, you give Cass a quick hug before handing Penelope over. The girl takes the infant with a smile. You can’t help but grin at the sight of your two girls.

Picking up your bag you simply say, “Cass has permission to use force if needed. I highly suggest following the rules. Bye kids.” And with a wave you leave.

You slink into the car, and begin your drive. Instead of driving towards a spa you make your way into the city. You head through it straight into the slums. You pull the car up to a less than stellar bar. You park it, grab your bag, and then lock it.

The beep draws more than a little attention. It’s a nice car, a payday kind of car, and had you been anyone else, it probably would have been gone even quicker than Jason could get the tires off the Batmobile.  

But you are you, and that’s why when a rather large goon steps in your path, you don’t even hesitate to drop him to the ground. Ruthlessness is prized here. Coldness treasured. Slipping inside the bar you let your new life fade away and slip into your past. It’s comfortable, if not a bit dusty, and as you drop your bag on the ground and it lands with a thud eyes turn towards you, and you meet all of them head on.

Floyd is sitting in the corner of the bar, guns on the table, a smirk on his face. It takes less than a minute for him to stand up and make his way over to you. His arm wraps around your shoulder and says, “Our Baby Girl is back.”

You smile as a cheer goes through the bar, and for the first time in forever your eyes land on your best friends. Harley and Ivy are there, smiling, and slightly behind them, sticking out like a sore thumb is your brother Captain Rick Flagg.

He’s dressed in jeans and a tee-shirt, and looking more uncomfortable than a cat in a dog fight. Your eyes meet his, and he tips his head just a smidge, he’s here for you. They’re all here for you. They might be a bunch of villains but they stick by there own, and make no mistake you are one of them. 

"How do you write such realistic dialogue-" I TALK TO MYSELF. I TALK TO MYSELF AND I PRETEND I AM THE ONE SAYING THE LINE. LIKE SANITY IS SLOWLY SLIPPING FROM BETWEEN MY FINGERS WITH EVERY MEASLY WORD THEY TYPE OUT. THAT IS HOW.

BNHA masterlist

Aizawa Shouta:

Oneshots:

Background Music

Midoriya Izuku: 

Oneshots:

Moral Support

Todoroki Shouto:

Oneshots:

Worried

Shirakumo Oboro:

Headcanons:

Helping his S/O who has a strong quirk

Shinsou Hitoshi:

The Mentor’s Child (a multichapter fic): Chapter 1, Chapter 2

Oneshots:

Your Feelings Matter

Amajiki Tamaki:

Headcanons:

Having an underclassman S/O

Dabi:

Oneshots:

The Smell of Jealousy (Omega!Dabi x Alpha!reader)

Art by Alena Aenami on Artstation.

Music: BLANKS - HIGHER 

There was this boy…

Summary: Y/N shares a tale of her first love with the Crows.

Warnings: Not much other than ooc Kaz and alcohol consumption.

Note: I’m more of a angsty writing typa gal, so here’s some fluff for now. Let me know what you guys think.

In the dimly lit confines of the Crow Club, the Crows gathered around a secluded table, basking in the afterglow of a successful heist. Glasses clinked, and raucous laughter filled the air as the alcohol flowed freely. Kaz, Y/N, and Matthias sat with relative sobriety amidst the drunken revelry, observing their inebriated comrades.

Jesper, his cheeks flushed and eyes gleaming, leaned toward Y/N with a mischievous grin. "So, Y/N, have you ever been in love?" he slurred, barely able to contain his curiosity.

Y/N's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Of course, Jesper," she replied, her voice carrying a hint of mystery. The Crows leaned in, their drunken curiosity piqued.

"There was this boy," Y/N began, her eyes sparkling with memories. "I met him near the harbor when I was just a wide-eyed nine-year-old. He had this mischievous smile and eyes that seemed to hold a million secrets. A captivating presence that drew me in. He was the first person I ever truly loved."

Confusion clouded the faces of the Crows. They exchanged glances, unable to decipher who Y/N was referring to. Only Kaz, ever perceptive, held a hidden smile, understanding the truth behind Y/N's words.

“We were inseparable. We would spend our days exploring the harbor, sneaking into places we weren’t supposed to be. We had a sweet tooth that knew no bounds, and we’d devour candy like it was our secret treasure.” Y/n paused for a second to compose herself from the small chuckle that managed to escape her lips, “Whenever times got tough, we’d help each other steal food, laughing as we escaped the clutches of hunger.”

The Crows listened with rapt attention, their faces reflecting a mix of curiosity and sentimentality. The image of two children forging a bond over stolen treats warmed their hearts.

Y/N’s voice grew softer, her eyes distant. “We shared our hopes and dreams, our fears and vulnerabilities. It was as if we created our own little world, shielded from the hardships that surrounded us. He was my confidant, my partner in mischief, and my first taste of love.”

Nina, her words slightly slurred, leaned closer. "What happened to him, Y/N?" she asked, her voice tinged with genuine curiosity.

A tender smile played on Y/N's lips as she replied. "He changed. Life took him down a different path, one far from the innocence we once shared." she replied, her voice steady, "but my love for him didn't."

Y/N’s gaze drifted across the table, locking eyes with Kaz, the only one who knew the true identity of the boy from her story.

The Crows, their senses dulled by alcohol, cooed at the sweetness of Y/N's confession, their questions dissipating into laughter and sighs. Meanwhile, Matthias, ever vigilant, noticed the lingering glances between Y/N and Kaz throughout the evening. An inkling of suspicion gnawed at him, planting seeds of curiosity that would bloom in the days to come.

As the night wore on and drinks were consumed in abundance, the Crows bid each other goodnight and stumbled off to their respective rooms.

What they didn't know was that Y/N's steps veered away from her designated room, drawing her toward Kaz's quarters instead. The door closed behind them, and the atmosphere shifted from the revelry downstairs to a more intimate setting.

In the hushed whispers of their shared secret, Y/N and Kaz laughed and marveled at the obliviousness of their companions. They reveled in the fact that the Crows had no inkling that Y/N's tale of first love was a covert homage to their own hidden bond.

As silence settle, Kaz moved from his previous position near y/n. His gaze met Y/N’s, and a mischievous smile played on his lips.

“Care to join me for a moment?” Kaz asked, his voice holding a hint of intrigue.

Curiosity piqued, Y/N nodded, joining him near the record player. The room was enveloped in a nostalgic melody, its soulful notes casting a spell of tranquility.

As the music filled the room, Y/N couldn’t help but remark, “What a lovely choice. I didn’t know you were a fan of this genre.”

Kaz’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “There’s more to me than meets the eye, y/n,” he replied, his voice infused with a touch of playfulness.

They stood there, amidst the gentle hum of music, engaging in lighthearted banter and sharing whispered stories of their day. Their laughter mingled with the nostalgic tunes, creating an intimate symphony that resonated within their hearts.

A comfortable silence settled between them, a testament to the depth of their connection. In that moment, Kaz extended his hand with a gallant gesture, “Care to join me for a dance, Mrs. Brekker?”

Y/N’s eyes sparkled with delight as she placed her hand in his. “I’d be honored, Mr. Brekker,” she replied, her voice filled with a warm affection.

They swayed to the timeless melody, their steps graceful and in perfect sync. The world outside seemed to fade away as they reveled in the simple joy of being together, their laughter intertwining with the music.

In the embrace of their dance, Y/N and Kaz spoke volumes through their movements. Each twirl and sway conveyed a love that transcended words—a love that was hidden, yet tangible.

As the music played on, they allowed themselves to get lost in the moment, cherishing the intimacy they shared. Their smiles spoke of a shared secret, a commitment that only they held dear.

And as the final notes of the song faded away, they remained locked in a tender gaze, their hearts speaking a language known only to them. In that stolen moment, they were reminded of the strength and beauty of their hidden love.

Their laughter resonated in the quiet room, an acknowledgment of the unspoken bond they cherished. They knew that their story would forever remain known only to them, a treasure woven into the tapestry of their lives, while the Crows slumbered, oblivious to the truth that danced in the shadows of their own revelry.

broken rules

Viktor x gn!Reader (SFW)

Synopsis: Viktor has two rules: 1) no decorations. 2) no gifts. They're fairly easy rules to follow until you and Viktor get closer and he opens up to you about why he has them. The next thing you know, you're standing outside his door holding a little wrapped present.

Warnings: slight friends to lovers, nervous and shy viktor, general softness, some awkwardness/secondhand embarrassment, viktor trying his best

Word Count: 4.5k

A/N: Just a soft little story idea I had for Viktor :) Merry, Merry Christmas!

The gift felt too small. The five-by-five box felt dainty in your hands. It was velvet underneath the gold and silver wrapping paper. A soft, dark blue velvet with artificial diamonds embedded in the lid. It had a weight to it that made it feel heavier than it was. A little bit of glass, some perfectly polished metal; it felt like a solid rock in your hands.

Gifts were off the table. An easy ruling to come to when one of your two employers actively avoided holidays. His birthday, the winter celebrations, Halloween. Even the romance festival in the spring. No gifts and no celebrating. 

Well, in the lab, that is. 

“It is a hazard,” he said whenever the subject was broached. He wouldn’t even look up from whatever he was working on, those glittering eyes glued to his desk. “No decorations.”

It wasn’t a rule you could exactly argue with. It was a laboratory with dangerous machinery—garland, lights, and felt decorations didn’t mix where sparks flew and flames were open. 

But the no gifts rule, however…you hadn't bent it last year, but it felt applicable to do so this year. At least with Viktor, it did. You'd already broken it with Jayce for every holiday. Some baked goods, a fancy pen, a new notebook, or protective gear. He accepted it with the sole follow-up of don’t tell Viktor. 

Even if Viktor already knew. 

The new items had to come from somewhere, right? 

But Viktor just kept his head down as he worked. Some sly comments here and there about how he wondered how Jayce had come into the ownership of the new protective mask. Said specifically when you were holding sensitive material and balancing it on a tray to bring to Viktor. 

You almost dropped a hex crystal on him on more than one occasion when he had the worst—or, perhaps, the best—timing of his comments. But there was ill intent behind them. In fact, half of the time, upon you recovering from nearly breaking a hex crystal or a stack of beakers, Viktor would smile up at you. 

“Have you always been a rule breaker?” 

That was a popular question he threw at you with different variations. Always cheeky about it, too. At first, you hadn't caught the sly smile, and you'd started stuttering out an apology that you'd gotten him something too, but since there was the no-gift rule, you hadn’t followed through, but you had picked something out for him. 

“It is alright, (Y/N),” he’d say softly. A hand would go to your shoulder to help steady you before he took whatever you were holding. “I have the rule for a reason. If Jayce chooses to break it, that is his prerogative.”

“Okay,” you breathed out, the fear of losing your assistant position fading more and more as Viktor smiled up at you. “If you ever change your mind—”

“I will not.” The soft smile got tighter. “But I appreciate the sentiment.”

You dropped it after that, never pushing the topic, even when Viktor teased you about the gifts given to Jayce. It wasn't like you were buying them to suck up to Jayce either—nor had you asked Viktor in order to do so with him. But the previous year working alongside them, you'd broken a different rule. 

No gifts, sure. But when you spent a third of your day in the lab with the two scientists, it was hard not to blur the line between employee and friend. Of course, it'd been a hard line at first. But as the months passed and you spent more late nights in the lab—ones that earned you curious, envious, and judgmental looks from the other assistants—it was kind of hard not to go from assistant to friend. Especially when you had sleepy brain and, rather quickly, things would turn into fits of laughter.

Mostly between you and Jayce as you fell against each other. Viktor was a bit more closed off, but his laughter was even more rewarding than anything. The little smiles, the branch away from his cold, workaholic behavior; you were determined to get the ice to completely melt. 

When you all shared common interests, it was fairly easy. 

The second year of what was supposed to be an internship rolled around, you weren't brought back as an intern. They asked you to be their full-time assistant—pay and obligatory help with any questions you might have about your classes at the academy included. 

How the hell could you say no to that? 

That’s when you started bending the rules. Sure, you had a bit more security and there was a stronger friendship underlying the relationship, but you still didn’t break it with Viktor. 

“There was not much celebrating to do in the Undercity,” he said one evening during year two. He was staring out the window at the crashing waves on the coast. There was a chill permeating the walls. Colder than typical for fall when the bushes and trees were still a bright summer green. “Given my situation, I was not attending many reciprocatory celebrations.”

You nearly dropped the freshly washed beakers. The glass felt thinner and more fragile in your hands than ever, and you stopped in your tracks. Viktor kept his eyes glued to the window and took some long, steadying breaths. His hands were resting on the desk before he pulled them to his lap and ran the right over his leg. 

That was the first time he’d ever said anything about his time pre-Piltover. Sure, Jayce had made mention of a few different anecdotes—Viktor being from the Undercity, the feat he faced getting into the academy, and absolutely zero mention of Viktor’s family. There were dots there to connect that created a Viktor-shaped image filled with a few walls around specific rulings that made a bit more sense. 

That didn’t stop the sudden surprise of Viktor being the one to share the information. 

“Jayce had mentioned I had never explained my desire—or lack thereof—for certain decisions made for the lab.” He pressed his fingers into the sensitive tissue around his knee. “Or, perhaps this friendship is a better label.”

He finally looked at you, the slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. A little vulnerability hung in the simple expression, and he looked back down at his desk when your eyes met. 

"I appreciate you sticking to it." He sighed and rolled his shoulders. "I do not bite, (Y/N). You can continue your work."

He tapped the empty space where you were supposed to put the beakers, and it was like you were kicked back into gear. Soft steps echoed in the now-empty room as you sauntered up beside him. A few potential responses rattled in your head as you sat them down on the metal top and pushed them toward him. 

A year ago, you probably would’ve just nervously nodded, excused yourself, and then beat yourself up for being such an awkward idiot. But after waking Viktor up in his room when he was late for presentations, staying late and helping him alone in the lab, having dinners and lunches with him—it was different. 

“You don’t have to explain anything, you know that?” You nudged his arm softly with your elbow. “You’re allowed whatever rules you want without feeling like you gotta explain them. But thanks for telling me. I know you don’t like talking about that stuff.”

Not the Undercity—Viktor was extremely open about the mistreatment of the citizens. But his personal time there? That stayed under lock and key. 

He knew what you meant. A clear representation in his softened gaze when he peered up at you. 

“Yes.” He nodded and pushed a few stray strands of hair from his forehead. “Given your new position, you have…I felt you should know, that is all.” 

“Fair enough.” You held your breath as you squeezed his shoulder. A lingering touch you hadn’t intended as one, but when there was a pale pink on his cheeks, you stayed to watch it sneak down his neck. “If you need anything else, I’ll be in the adjacent room working on a research paper.”

"Of course." Viktor nodded, and you took that as your cue to leave. "Should you require any assistance…"

“I know. Thanks, Vik.” 

He gave one sharp nod before the tinkering began, and you were slipping into the other room, breath held and heart reacting. It was like a racehorse aiming for first, and you plopped into your desk chair, holding your imaginary pearls. 

Viktor had confided in you. After a year of only academic and research talk—some funny stories, too, but those were mostly from Jayce—it was like jumping from an airship without any safety precautions. 

You were a grinning mess as you rocked back and forth, left to right, the tips of your toes on the ground and guiding you. Giddy. You were giddy. 

Finally, your friendship with Viktor was taking a step forward. 

He wasn’t exactly an open book after that, but he was starting to turn the key in the diary lock whenever it was just the two of you. Little tidbits slipped out whenever you were sitting side-by-side and working in comfortable silence. It was never at your expense either—you never had to share some deep, dark secret in order for him to feel like he should reciprocate. 

Sometimes he just…decided to share. 

How he liked to tinker as a child. He'd built boats, robots, new canes, even items that could be classified as weapons, but he never used them as such. How he'd snuck up into Piltover and basically slid unnoticed into campus until he proved his keep. How the hell could the professor say no when such a brilliant mind was present? 

"It is a unique conundrum," he murmured when the topic of your distaste toward a few elitist classmates. "Such a collection of brilliant minds, yet the classism separates those who could interact and prove to make a difference."

He sat back and laughed quietly. He wiped his hand on a rag before it rubbed the back of his neck, working out a knot. 

“It can be rather isolating in the Undercity when you are in my particular shoes, but coming to the academy, I expected it to be a similar experience.” He peered over at you and the pink was back on his cheeks. “Sure, there were times of isolation and, of course, distaste toward Piltover’s lifestyle. But I am grateful to have proven my old fears incorrect.”

He shrugged and reached forward, handing you a wrench and nudging the small engine you'd been watching him play with toward you. He pointed at a bolt that needed to be tightened, and you carefully moved, rarely allowed to directly help with whatever Viktor was personally working on. 

“Even if one is painfully egotistical and the other leans toward the desire of ignoring rules." He smiled when you pulled the wrench back, and he pointed to another bolt. "But Jayce and I would not be where we are were rules not broken." 

Viktor's hand grazed atop yours when he took the wrench back, and the pale pink traveled up to his ears. He cleared his throat and gave you the next instruction before you could even fathom a response. It seemed he hadn't wanted to hear one either once he immediately moved on from the topic, going into detail about wires, safety, and passing you some pliers. 

You’d heard the speech before, but you still listened. Even if you were a bit thrown by the sudden shift in subject. 

It was when you were walking back to your room that night that you decided you’d break the rule beyond Jayce that year. You just had to come up with the perfect present for Viktor. 

It sat in the fake-diamond studded blue velvet box beneath the silver and gold wrapping paper. There was a little ribbon wrapped around it, and you played with the bow it made on top as you stood outside Viktor's room. It was a fifty-fifty chance he was actually in there, and you just needed to muster up the courage to check. 

But it was also a fifty-fifty chance whether he’d like or dislike your rule-breaking decision. 

Still, you couldn't stand outside in the blue and white garland-covered hallway all night. Either Viktor would return and find you, or he'd leave and find you. So, you just had to knock. 

You knocked twice. Hard enough for him to hear if he was all the way back in his bedroom. Counted to thirty as you waited for him to open the door. Told yourself that if you got to sixty, you’d knock again. Then if he didn’t answer after that, you’d leave and check the lab. 

At forty-five, he answered the door looking a bit disheveled and unfurrowed his brows upon seeing you. His khaki slacks were wrinkled, his white shirt was unbuttoned and showing off the tank top underneath, and his red tie was left hanging untied around his neck. He had what looked like a new cane in his hand with vibrant reds and golds on it. 

Then his eyes dropped to the present in your hands. 

"It's not a gift." But you held up the obvious present, and Viktor cocked a thick brow. "I promise. It just fell into the wrapping paper and then spiraled into the ribbon." 

You turned the bottom of it to face him and shrugged. 

"Then it fell onto a little tag that said 'to: Viktor, ' so, really, I'm just playing messenger here." You turned it bow-side up and fixed the slightly turned ribbon. "No idea who it could possibly be from or what it could be. Just doing what I felt was the Good Samaritan thing to do and delivering it.”

Viktor sucked in his cheeks ever so slightly before nodding, smiling, and, with obvious amusement, stepped back. He held out his left hand and motioned for you to enter, and you trotted into his dorm. 

"Sit, please." He followed you to the couch where you always sat whenever you had to bring him something there, and any conversing took place. Well, any beyond the typical thank you he gave for the personal delivery of something from Jayce or Heimerdinger. “So, if you do not know who this ‘not gift’ is from, how did it come into your ownership?”

“Magically appeared in the stack of presents I had already wrapped.” You held it up as Viktor sat beside you, his cane resting in front of you on the coffee table. “I was so confused, so I took a look, and bam, it was meant for you.”

"Ah." Viktor held it carefully as if he was worried he'd break it before even unwrapping it. "Well, you did not have to go out of your way to deliver such a package, but I…appreciate it."

You waved a hand and shrugged. 

"It's the holiday season. I had to do it.”

“Mhm.” Viktor gave you an expectant look before he gently tugged the bow undone. He let it fall to his lap before he reached down and gathered it up, moving it to the coffee table before carefully undoing the wrapping paper. The same way you used to as a child to try and take it off without ripping a single inch of it. “Well, I know it is not from Jayce. He could never wrap anything this well.”

You raised your brows and snickered—Jayce couldn’t wrap to save his life. Last year, you’d helped him pick out a gift for his mom and wrapped it for him. When you happened to be in the room with her after she’d received it, she gave your arm a squeeze and thanked you for clearly wrapping her present. 

You gave Jayce shit over it for the next three weeks until he finally said it’d been the one thing he’d never been able to master. 

"It looks like the sky one of my first nights at the academy," Viktor murmured when he got to the box, and your heart lurched in your chest. "I was given access to the telescope in one of the courses. One of the few ways to truly see the stars in their genuine beauty."

He ran his fingers over the top of the box and smiled. 

“Perhaps I need to revisit the telescope. Have you had the chance to visit it?” 

Viktor peered over at you and it was such a genuine, unexpected question that you just stared at him for a few seconds. You were still recovering from his previous sentiment. His smile grew the longer you lingered in silence, simply blinking at him as you tried to find words to say.

“No,” you finally muttered. You mentally slapped yourself in the face and laughed softly. “I haven’t, unfortunately. My schedule never took me that direction.”

"Do you wish to visit?" His head cocked to the side, and you felt like you'd slipped into an alternate dimension where Viktor was interested in doing things outside of the lab. 

“Yeah.” You nodded. “I’ve been wanting to, but…well, you know.”

“I will take you.” Viktor smiled and glanced back down at the box. “It is one of the few extra benefits of my position alongside the professor.”

Before you could respond, Viktor opened the box, and his brows rose. It was a dark blue velvet on the interior, too, just lacking the fake diamonds. Instead, however, it held a silver pocket watch. The chain was hidden through a small slit beneath it, wrapped perfectly underneath the cushion the watch sat on, and Viktor looked like he was going to melt as he picked it up. 

He pressed a little button on the top and the front sprung open. He glanced at you with a curious expression before holding it up to his ear. 

“It’s unfixable according to the seller,” you whispered as you watched the realization dawn on Viktor. “Told him I knew someone who would take that challenge with a smile.”

Viktor lowered the watch and turned it over, carefully gathering the chain and twisting it around his fingers. He truly melted when he saw the back. A few of the runes he’d discovered work with the hex crystals were engraved in diamond with one in the center. 

“He engraved it for free when I told him who I was bringing it to.” You found yourself turning the ring on your middle finger until the metal was warm from the friction. “Although, I did pick the design, so I hope it’s something you—oh.”

Viktor’s arms were around you. You laughed a little as you returned the hug, hugging his lean frame as tight as you could as he let out a somewhat shuddered breath. 

"Thank you," he whispered next to your ear, but he didn't pull back. "Truly. This is…"

“I figured the ‘having to fix it’ caveat was enough of a loophole to claim it wasn’t a gift. So, technically, I’m not breaking the rule.” You idly played with the ends of his hair to give your hands something to do so you didn’t fidget. “That counts, right?”

Viktor pulled back, and his eyes were a bit red as he chuckled and held up the watch. 

“It is a spectacular ‘non-gift.’ Thank you.” His voice broke as he looked down at it. “I am sorry, I do not…I do not have anything to reciprocate with.”

"No, Vik." You reached out as he sat the box down on the coffee table. "It's not about that. I don't expect anything in return at all. I was just out browsing stuff when I saw it, and the guy was talking to me about it, and I just kinda…I knew I had to get it for you."

You very tentatively moved your hand from his wrist to his hand. The intention was a bit blurred as you carefully settled your hand atop his, giving him a light squeeze, and smiled at him. The desperation for him to know that he didn't need to give you anything in return was a little heart-stopping, and you ran through whatever options you could think of to hammer that idea home. 

“Seriously, Vik. Just having you in my life is gift enough.” You squeeze his hand again. “You owe me nothing.”

Viktor stared down at your hand, and you felt his start to shake beneath it. You'd had physical contact before, but as you felt his hand shake, part of you was regretting the choice. The last thing you wanted was to make Viktor uncomfortable. Crossing a line when you were already doing so with the gift was not what you'd intended and you held your breath as you slowly started to move your hand back to your lap.

You gave him a soft smile as you flattened out your bottoms and started to stand. Overstaying your welcome was also on the list of no-gos you were trying to avoid. And with the continued silence, it felt like you were. 

Except you only made it to the part where you put your hands on your knees before Viktor's hand was on your wrist. His mouth was pressed into a fine line, and you stopped the instant you looked at him. There was always a lot happening in his head—from work to pleasure—but this time, it looked like he was untangling a heap of lights that'd been long tangled together. 

And then he moved. 

It was hesitant, and his hand visibly trembled, but you stayed totally still as he reached for your cheek. His jaw clenched before he let out a shaky breath, and you pushed your spiked adrenaline and surprise aside and helped him. Silently prayed that you hadn't completely misread Viktor's intentions as you scooted closer and smiled, leaning in as he did.

You caught the pale pink spreading over him before your eyes fluttered shut and his mouth pressed to yours. 

His hand twitched on your cheek and you held back your excitement as you reached up and put yours over his. Held it there with a tender hold as you kissed him back. Soft and sweet, nervous and tentative as Viktor’s hair tickled your forehead. His nails dug slightly into your skin when he realized you weren’t pulling away or shoving him back, and he gained a bit more confidence as you reached up and slid a hand over his chest, shoulder, and up to his neck. 

He tasted like cinnamon and vanilla, but you hadn't noticed any cookies or baked goods when you came in. No coffee or tea, either. And he smelled like a goddamn bakery. Usually, that was left as an undertone to what you could only describe as metal, sparks, and literal magic itself. 

But the tender touch of Viktor’s mouth on yours was more like magic than the hex crystals themselves. 

You would’ve damn well gone a lot farther, too, as Viktor’s tongue grazed your bottom lip, but it was like that triggered a response in him and he pulled back. He was panting as he kept his eyes fixed on your chest, the hand still holding the pocket watch coming up and the tips of his fingers touching his mouth. 

He was bright red as he smiled and forced his eyes up to yours. 

“I…”

“That was a hell of a gift,” you said with a wide grin. “Shit, Vik. Way to one-up me.”

Viktor’s exhale came with a laugh and he seemed to visibly relax. You threw up your hands and sat back, shaking your head. 

“You know, I was so excited and worried about whether you’d like your gift—excuse me, ‘non-gift.’ And then you just one-up me so easily.” You scoffed and tried to keep a straight face, but your grin came through without a fight. “That’s mean.”

“My apologies,” he murmured with such a small smile that it was your turn to melt. 

“So, is that the gift you give everyone or…” You motioned to yourself.

“No.” His eyes fell to the watch as he turned it over in his hands. “I do not give gifts to anyone else.”

“Damn, Vik.” You nudged his shoulder playfully. “Giving out such a special gift and you said you didn’t have anything to give me.”

“So that…was okay?” He peered up at you with wide eyes, his mouth pressed into a worried line, and you contemplated reaching across and shaking his shoulders and yelling yes. “I…did not…I do not wish to compromise our current relationship—”

“Vik,” you murmured and reached over, taking his hand. “It was more than okay. I promise.”

You leaned over and dropped your head against his shoulder. His arm moved as you pulled it to your chest and hugged it. 

"Seriously. Really, really okay." You pursed your lips. "Although I think Jayce might be a little jealous that I got such a spectacular gift, and he didn't get anything.”

It took a moment, but when Viktor gradually moved and leaned his head against yours, you nearly cheered. Of all potential outcomes for the evening, this had been so far down on the list that it was categorized under the 'impossible fantasies' heading. Awkward rejection of the gift or simply disliking it—those were what you expected. Maybe a simple thank you and a reminder to not break the rule again, but not this. 

Not an ‘impossible fantasy’ level reaction. 

“I, uh…” Viktor reached down and intertwined his fingers with yours. “I am making tea and going over some of my old research. Do you want to stay? I would love the company.”

You technically had more to do that night since you hadn’t expected any outcome where Viktor asked you to stay. But you damn well weren’t going to say no. Not after that—not when you picked your head up and you caught Viktor’s focus dropping back down to your mouth. 

“I’d love to stay,” you murmured with a smirk. 

“Wonderful.” Viktor bit his lip before giving your hand a squeeze. 

You watched with masked glee as he swapped the pocket watch for his cane and stood. He slid his tie off and dropped it to the table before going into the small kitchen all dorms had and put on the kettle, moving with the same ease he had in the lab whenever you worked together. 

You grabbed his little throw blanket and pulled it over your lap, getting comfortable as you watched him work. Your lips still tingled from his, and you were already missing the warmth from his hand on your cheek. Something you hoped would be repeated upon your staying—something you hadn't even thought conceivable with Viktor outside of a few unpoliced thoughts and fantasies when working alongside him. 

Yeah—you nodded to yourself and grinned as Viktor grabbed two mugs and peered back at you with that tiny smile. 

You’d definitely made the right call in deciding to break the rule this year.  

always thinking about nick robles version of Jason Todd