Eunoia // Masterlist

Petals In The Wind

Pairing: Writer!Jin x Botanist! Namjoon

Genre: Fluff| Very light angst | Smut

Word Count: 6.3k

Prompt: Cherry Blossoms

Rating: 18+ (bc of the smut, thats about it)

Summary:  Jin, a young writer in Seoul has always had problems writing in the Spring. He can’t seem to find any inspiration, even in the season where many others write of love and flowers in bloom. Everything changes when he meets a young, handsome aspiring botanist named Namjoon.

A/N: @kimlinebiased Hey honey! This is your gift uwu. Also I know the prompt was Cherry Blossoms but I suppose I got a little carried away with the plum blossoms too, huh? Please enjoy and let me know what you think c’:

AO3 Link

Kim Seokjin never considered Spring to be one of his favorite seasons. It rained too much for his liking and despite the fact that it gave him ample opportunities to flourish and write, the artist found that the very concept of Spring was overrated and overused. Jin believed there weren’t many things that could inspire him to actually finish his work in Spring, and that the season would just be a dead zone of sorts as far as his writing went.

Until that day.

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The Mentor’s Child (a multi-chapter Shinsou x reader fic): Chapter 5

First Chapter | Previous Chapter

Warnings: none!

If you like my stuff you can buy me a ko-fi here!

Taglist: @universal-imagines​, @lucio-the-beautiful-goat​, @lostgirlheart​, @katsheen​, @estrellitaaart​, @complexhouseplant​, @vinaios​

A/n: And here’s the next chapter, along with a snazzy new picture that will replace the gifs in the beginning of the chapters! Thank you for your continued support towards this series and I hope you enjoy!

You sat in your classroom, not really listening as your teacher droned on and on about something. Normally you would at least try and pay attention or take notes but today your brain just wasn’t having it and you eventually just gave up. Akihiko would let you copy off his notes later anyways. So instead of being a good student and paying attention, you were zoning out lost in your thoughts. 

Specifically, you were thinking about what you said to Shinsou a few days ago during your training session.

You mentally groaned at how harsh you were. Sure he had commented on your quirk but he hadn’t even said anything bad or malicious. He was simply asking a question and you had let your insecurities get the best of you, causing you to be a little more mean than you had intended. It’s not like Shinsou knew your past or why you didn’t like your quirk, he was simply trying to get to understand you better and you had ruined it. He had even kind of complimented your quirk in a way, as he had commented it could be useful, but nope you had to focus on the bad parts.

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A Hard Day’s Night - One

Masterlist

Summary: After graduation from the FBI Academy, all new agents go through a year of New Agent Training before becoming official agents of the bureau. By some stroke of luck, you get assigned to complete your training with the department you’ve always wanted to join– the Behavioral Analysis Unit. You signed up for a year of profiling, case work, and catching serial killers, but you’re in for more than you could ever dream of…

Chapter Summary: As the newest and youngest member of the BAU, you’re always looking to prove yourself. The perfect opportunity arises when Hotch asks you to come along to interview a prolific serial killer. Unfortunately, the interview doesn’t quite go as planned…

(A/N: Hello hello! I am beyond pleased to bring you the first chapter in this series! Our twelve-chapter journey begins during the events of season 3, episode 14: “Damaged” and continues from there. Look forward to long chapters, mutual pining, hurt/comfort, found family, bed-sharing, domestic fluff, and even some sexual content 👀. But this is just the beginning, so I hope you all enjoy the ride!)

One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six | Seven | Eight | Nine

“A Hard Day’s Night”

You love a good work rhythm. There’s something so satisfying about finding the right music to play, finally sitting in the right position, and then letting the motivation just flow into productivity. 

So you were pretty happy, seated in your place at the round table (you didn’t have a desk), your headphones playing the perfect playlist and your fingers typing up a consultation for a sheriff out in Albuquerque. 

Well, it wasn’t an official consultation. Just a practice consultation. Kind of. 

As a NAT assigned to the BAU for a year of field experience prior to being assigned an official position in the Bureau, you weren’t quite sure how much your work actually impacted the work of the unit. The consultation request was real, but any paperwork you filled out had to go through one of the full-fledged BAU profilers before being sent off to whichever local law enforcement had asked for help. 

In your first few weeks, you were grateful for the extra step between you and the case consultations. Morgan, Prentiss, or Reid would catch the little mistakes in your profiles, usually bringing the case back and helping you figure out how to correct the errors. After almost four months, the mistakes were becoming fewer and further between. Only on the really difficult ones would they have to circle back and help you work through it. Most of the time your paperwork would pass over their desks with a once-over and a nod. 

So far, the Albuquerque case seemed fairly cut and dry. The case showed all the indicators of a sexual sadist. You were relaying the information accordingly when a tap on your shoulder startled you out of your focus. 

You quickly pulled one of the earbuds out, swiveling around in your chair to see Penelope Garcia. 

“Sorry to interrupt, lovie dove,” She smiled apologetically, “But I just heard some good news and I knew I needed to pass it along.” 

With her bright colors and even brighter smile, she’d made you feel welcomed and loved from your very first day with the BAU. You were forever grateful, considering how terrified you’d been. 

You were young, and though every professor and supervisory agent had assured you of your intellectual and professional capabilities, actually facing the work of the famous Behavioral Analysis Unit wasn’t something you could ever feel prepared for. But the cheerful technical analyst had connected with you and taken you under her wing, and the others had followed suit. 

“It’s okay,” You smiled, taking out the other earbud and giving her your full attention. “What’s up?”

“Well, the beautiful city of Atlanta just got two new residents– Jack and Katie Reese.” 

“Jack and Katie–?” You furrowed your brow, trying to understand, before it clicked. “Oh! Jack and Lindsey!” 

Garcia nodded. “All settled into a new neighborhood where, hopefully, things will be better for them.” 

Lindsey Vaughn and Katie Owen were two teenage girls kidnapped in Chula Vista, California a few weeks earlier by a gang of boys led by an incredibly troubled drop-out from Lindsey and Katie’s high school. They killed Katie before the BAU even joined the case, and Lindsey’s father Jack turned out to be a former member of the Irish mob out of Boston, his witness protection status adding an extra layer of complication to the case. 

You stepped up for that case in a way you hadn’t been able to before. Being not too far out of your teenage years, you understood Katie and Lindsey’s behavior and dynamic and the team needed your help more than ever. Katie’s murder hit close to your heart, but Lindsey made it out alive. 

And now she could start over. You hoped she would be able to find safety and happiness in Atlanta. She deserved some security and stability. 

“Oh, that’s great.” You grinned. “And she’s using Katie’s name. That’s…I mean it’s an interesting coping mechanism, but I’m glad to hear it.” 

“She wouldn’t have gotten there without you, mon petit cheri, I hope you realize that.” 

You shook your head, cheeks heating up at the praise as you looked down at the floor.

“No, look at me you little goober,” Garcia squished your cheeks between her hands, making you look up at her. “You were instrumental in finding her before it was too late. You saved her. You did that. We don’t have days like that all the time around here. Hold onto it. Be proud of it. Own that stuff, baby!” 

She let go of your face, doing a little shimmy as if to demonstrate “owning” it. You couldn’t help but laugh, smiling gratefully at her. 

“Thanks, Garcia.” 

“Seriously darling, keep working cases like that and Reid might have competition for his title as resident genius.” 

“Oh, please,” You rolled your eyes, waving her away, “Now you’re just making stuff up.” 

“I don’t know…even Hotch looked impressed after we got back. Do you know how hard it is for him to look like anything?” 

As much as you wished it didn’t, your stomach fluttered at the revelation. 

While most of the team had eagerly adopted you as their kid-sister, one member remained distant and inscrutable– Unit Chief Aaron Hotchner. 

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THEODORE NOTT AS A SON OF NEMESIS

Powers / Traits

Hello luv 💞 so I was listening to Lover's Oath and I had a thought,,, what if Huxian/Fox God! Reader has been with Zhongli even before the war, they fought by his side and after the War they got together but reader hasn't shaken off from their mind Zhongli's look of anguish and loss when Guizhong died in his arms. Reader decides that it might be better if Guizhong was there instead of them, so reader finds someone who could bring her back,,, imagine theres a scene where Zhongli and Guizhong looks at each other through the crowd, not noticing that reader smiles bitterly within the crowd and heads home to pack and leave Liyue, reader still feels happy for both of them. BUTTTTT Zhongli really loves reader, not Guizhong, she really was just his close friend. Imagine how shocked he'd be when he comes home earlier to tell reader the news and he catches them in her big fox form with luggage in mouth, about to leave. I'm feeling an angst to fluff kind of story if you don't mind d request,,,

Who you pretend I am

(Zhongli x fellow god! gn! reader)

ANON U ARE SO BIG BRAINED <3 Your ideas... CHEFS KISS <3 I had to do a LOT of research on Chinese mythology and genshin lore cus...that hole is deep, but I hope I did your idea justice!! Im ngl i was tearing up writing this--- title was inspired by "Wahing machine heart" by Mitski because I started thinking about the lyrics a lot as I wrote this

Length: 6. 8 k

Genre: Angst with a happy ending

cw: mentions of violence and blood, character death (not reader) and self-deprecating feelings

It is said that long before the archon wars raged across the land - long before the god Morax became the revered Rex Lapis, even preceding the connection of the Lord of Geo and Ruler of Clouds, another soul resided beside the Geo archon.

A young adeptus was all Morax had been, a spirit guided by lust for glory and violence - brute force with no wit to match. That was what he had been when you first met him, teasing him playfully as you tricked the young god.

A dragon born of rock and a fox descending from the goddess who presides over life and death - an unlikely pair to say the least. You had laughed and teased the young Morax, whose anger created rifts in the newborn and smooth-faced earth as he chased your flickering form, morphing from shape to shape to confuse him further.

"Quit pestering me!" he'd snapped, his sharp talons digging into the ground as he glowered up at your form - stretched out on the branches above the tree he'd been resting under. You simply laughed - an enchanting sound magical enough to put anyone under its spell, you'd been told, and allowed your tail to flick his nose, a fond smirk upon your features.

"I'll stop once you prove you're no longer a child, Morax. It's simply so much fun to watch your childish tantrums," you teased, quickly moving your tail out of the way as he attempted to slash at it with his clawed hands.

And he did prove it - centuries passed, you teasing, but on many an occasion also aiding him - and he was to become known as the Lord of Geo. Your teasing slowly relented, becoming an occasional friendly jab that he had learned to deflect easily. The day had come, when you bowed to him, acknowledging his growth as a god.

That day, both sat under the forest that had bloomed around the lone tree you oh so long ago played under, he had asked you to become his right hand.

You stretched in the sun, your tails spread around you as you soaked in the warmth. With a teasing flick of a tail, you smirked. "I've always been that, Morax."

Battles were fought, lands created - all with you by his side. Serving as the brains to his brawn for the longest time. While his powers could shatter boulders and bones, yours could wreck minds and hearts - it was a successful conjoined effort of two spirits in separate forms that intertwined.

You had met Guizhong with Morax - the two of you wandering the fields when you came across the beautiful goddess. She introduced herself as Guizhong, the Ruler of Clouds, the Lord of Dust - and on the spot - amidst the beautiful wild glaze lilies, she gifted Morax a stone dumbbell she called Memory of Dust.

"I propose we form an allience, Morax, Lord of Geo," she spoke delicately, a smile upon her gentle features. "You are strong and powerful - and I am neither of those, but what I do excel in, is strategy." "You have a deal, Guizhong, Ruler of Clouds," Morax spoke with a smile of his own and you watched from the sidelines, eager and hopeful for a prosperous future for all three of you.

Later, that night, twirling a glaze lily in his hands - hands that destroyed so easily - he turned to you. "You approve of joining forces with Guizhong, don't you?"

You laughed, ruffling his hair with a clawed hand.

"You could use some brains to back up that empty head of yours - of course I approve!" You teased him playfully, and the gentle smile he sent your way warmed your old heart.

Soon enough, Morax and Guizhong enlisted the help of Marchosius, Patron God of the Soil and Stove - and Guili Assembly was forged from empty fields over the course of centuries, a flourishing nation in pursuit of knowledge. The four of you grew close - your love for the kind and gentle Guizhong becoming that of a sibling - she was the wise and balanced member of your group, always managing to bring about a calmness when turmoil threatened to arrive.

You watched happily, as Morax, a childish firecracker of a dragon once, matured more as a ruler - co-operating beside Guizhong in perfect harmony. The adepti that Morax had taken rule over answered to her every beck and call, and soon, your close friends became closer still without your presence.

It was bittersweet, watching Cloud Retainer, another old friend of yours, set up dinners for Guizhong, herself and Morax - it started off as a simple gesture of goodwill, but became a longstanding tradition you wished not to impede on. You were happy, of course, that the ones closest to you could find joy in each other's company - but still, a heart's a heavy burden that only grows heavier over time.

You laid upon a large bolder, your many tails keeping your figure warm in the cool night as you watched the skies above with Moon Carver for company. He was a gentle, nurturing presence on nights you felt most alone. Strumming your sharpened nails upon the bolder, your gaze slipped to the peaks of Mt. Aocang, upon which you could see the faintest glow of light. You sighed.

"You are unusually quiet upon this dark night. One is concerned over your wellbeing," he spoke, his bellowing voice steering your longing gaze from the peaks of the mountain. You smiled bitterly.

"I'm perfectly alright, Moon Carver, but I do appreciate the concern," you replied distantly, your thoughts drifting away with the gentle wind once more. With the softest of thuds and grace gifted to nimble foxes, you hopped off the boulder and stretched.

"I'm going to go get some rest, good night, old friend," you bid the adeptus farewell and he bowed his head in response, a knowing glint in his wise eyes.

Your wandering feet led you amidst the lands of Guili plains, taking in the sights before you shrouded in a veil of darkness. You sighed quietly as you took note of the large Ballista perched atop Mt. Tianheng. The most marvelous creation of your close companions Cloud Retainer and Guizhong. You climbed closer to it in silence and slid your fingers gently across the smooth wood it was constructed of.

You were happy to have such clever friends - truly. Friends whose wisdom did not rely upon trickery and metamorphosis as your did - friends who were of much use when it came to more strategic matters of battle. You placed your forehead against the wooden weaponry, having no fear it would attack you - it was constructed to protect the people, gods and adepti of the Guili Assembly after all. The cool wooden surface soothed a lingering ache within you.

Morax deserved companions such as the two masterminds behind the invention. He had grown much as a god, and you were certain, that with the help of Guizhong, he could grow more still.

The archon war was a cruel and unjust massacre - leaving gods of all status to fight tooth and nail for the seven seats reserved for those that Celestia deemed worthy. The soil of Teyvat was watered with blood of divine and mortal origin alike and no one was safe from the battlefields of the hunger for power.

Of course, you and the adepti, the Lord of Dust and God of Stove backed Morax in his conquest to secure one of those seats. Morax was an ancient being already compared to many of the gods that fought. Guizhong provided your troops with valuable strategies and you were quick to clutch the hilt of your blade in your clawed hands, baring your sharp teeth at your enemies as you charged into battle alongside your oldest living companion - Morax.

Yes. Blood flowed in rivers and no one could be safe from the paralyzing pain of loss, when it came to the gruesome battles you fought it, desperate to live - desperate to win.

"When I secure a seat amongst the seven - our people will thrive," Morax said with a stern expression set upon his stony face, facing you and Guizhong as he gripped his Vortex Vanquisher tightly, his tail moving swiftly from side to side.

Quizhong nodded slowly.

"We have no choice but to fight anyway - every being of higher status is out for blood," she agreed. You could not help but agree, despite knowing the needless blood that must be shed in your future endeavors.

Oh how you wished this cursed war had not taken place at all.

That you and your companions could have been spared of the pains of it.

"(Name), watch out!" you heard Morax' voice call out for you as you removed your blade from the slain body of a fellow god. You turned towards him swiftly, your ears pinned to your head. It all happened in a blur - a heavy claymore swung at you in the blink of an eye - ready to slash you open and drain you of life.

In that frightening moment, time itself seemed to slow down as your eyes locked onto the amber hue glowing in Morax's gaze, his face twisted in a desperate scream.

And then, you hit the ground.

But no pain penetrated your body other than the slight sting of your side making contact with the ground.

When your eyes darted to your right - that was when the pain arrived.

Excruciating, deep and unbearable pain, as you saw Guizhong bleeding out on the ground beside you, having taken the hit for you.

You could only watch in paralyzed sorrow as the enemy raised his weapon once more to descend it upon your fragile state - only to crumble to the ground as a spear shot through his heart with angry precision, dimming the life from his war-hungry gaze in a single moment.

You watched Morax's polearm clatter onto the earth, stained with blood as he surged forward, falling to his knees beside a bleeding Guizhong and swooping her weak, limp figure into his arms.

You felt wetness upon your cheeks, soon followed by your vision blurring as tears freely flowed from your eyes, crumbling any semblance of the façade of a strong warrior you had donned.

"Guizhong?" you heard Morax mutter in desperation as his attempted to stop the blood from oozing out of the wound in her torso, his hands glistening with a mix of hers and the enemy's blood. Weakly, you crawled towards them, your body shaking as you watched the two - grief wrapping you within its clutches as you saw Guizhong send Morax a weakened smile, her eyes slowly glazing over.

The skies wept in darkness along with you, glaze lilies stained in blood surrounding the three of you as a gentle breeze danced amongst them.

"It seems our journey together has come to an end, my friend," Guizhong whispered to Morax, her breathing getting slower as she gently patted his hand, the hand pressing down on her wound in an attempt to stop the flow of life oozing out of her.

She glanced at you with a sad smile - a smile of a loving friend, something so gentle and sweet.

"Morax," she turned to him again, and with trembling lips and shaking hands, his eyes met hers.

"Forget about the dumbbell," she told him. "No contract needs to mark our friendship," were her final words as her soul was swept away by the gentle breeze, carrying it to distant, hopefully kinder lands.

You could never forget the look upon Morax's face as his hand clutched the limp, gentle hand of Guizhong's body, a single tear rolling down his face as he shook with grief - a look of utter anguish and suffering that you had never seen him wear - not once in the long years you had known him for. A look of a grieving lover - pain of a love lost.

In anger, fuelled by grief, the war kept on - Morax mercilessly vanquished his enemies with a fury behind his actions - his pillars crushing and piercing all those that stood in his way. You fought by his side, quietly grieving alongside him - your only comfort being each other after battles were won and night had fallen.

"(Name)?" he approached your room in your temporary abode quietly, his expression exhausted and crestfallen as he stood in your doorway, all the anger from the battle fought gone, leaving behind only a desperate, grieving husk threatening to crumble before you like a pile of rocks. You surged forward, extending your hand to him quickly, your eyes wide. You'd never seen him like this before the death of your beloved friend, never seen him so out of it as he slowly took steps towards you and pulled you close, wrapping his strong arms, arms that had shed so much blood, around your figure, resting his face in the crook of your neck.

You shook as you returned the embrace, holding him tight in painful silence as the two of you mourned, the air heavy with an itching pain that refused to fade.

That had been the first time of many that Morax came to you in such a state, seeking out your comfort and allowing you to see him in such a vulnerable and broken state. You took him in each time, running your hands through his hair and gently stroking his horns as tears flowed down your face, shedding enough of them for the both of you.

You wept each night as you watched the wilting glaze lilies in your vase, recalling the tender gaze the two had been locked in before Guizhong's life drained away.

You wished it had been you, who had died. You - who the blow had been intended for, who had died.

The Guili Assembly crumbled - all the hard work you had strained to achieve - gone in the throes of cruel war. You watched Morax, his face set in a heavy expression, as he gathered up all that was left of the people of Guili, and began to guide them towards new land - new lands where they could prosper. You followed him, doing all you could to aid him.

The forest that once bloomed, the tree you had made your first pact under - it was all left in ashes and still-glowing embers of fire. Destroyed like all else the two of you had loved.

It had been many years since the death of Guizhong, and the war was nearing its bitter end. Morax claimed his throne as the Archon of Geo, rightfully so - but the pain never eased through all of it.

"(Name)," he whispered, his smouldering eyes staring into yours as you stood within the ashes of where he once asked you to become his right hand.

"(Name)...I must admit, my feelings for you go beyond friendship," he told you calmly, a tired look upon his beautiful face.

"We are entering a new era - an era of Archons, and I would be honored, if you'd grace me with the opportunity to enter it with you by my side. By my side as my companion, my right hand, my lover."

Tears threatened to spill from your eyes as you ran into his arms, burying your face in his neck as you nodded, unable to speak in the moment. You should have felt happy - overjoyed, even, that the millennia of pining was not unrequited, yet you could not help but feel like a traitor.

You felt it was Guizhong, who deserved to hold Morax in her loving embrace, whose lips sealed the contract of her love to the Archon - who stood beside him as his lover and advisor as he built up the nation of Liyue with calloused, tired hands. Hands so tired of the blood they had shed - eyes filled with grief and regret as he built upon the ruins of the war, watching people prosper and forget the suffering he had endured for them.

And yet - you loved him. Perhaps you were selfish, but you accepted his declaration of love for you and bound yourself to him even stronger than before, willing to be the pillar of support he needed when grief threatened to tear him down. Willing to replace Guizhong, to be what she had been destined for - your only hope being that you did not let Morax down.

Centuries and millennia passed, the war long ended and the seven seats claimed by the strongest survivors of its cruelty. Liyue - the nation Morax raised lovingly from the bloodied soils beneath it, had become the capital of trade and contracts.

Morax had become Rex Lapis. The God of War had grown to become that of contracts, and the world had healed itself, its wounds were still there, but scarred over - pain subduing over time.

"Look at you now," you let out a bittersweet laugh as you watched Morax sat at his desk, delved deep into his analysis of the commerce system, already preparing for the next year's Rite of Descension as the people of Liyue had come to call it. His yearly gift of knowledge for aiding them in conquering the world with the iron fist of trade.

He peeked up at you through his dark lashes, a tender warmth to his ochre-colored eyes.

"What do you mean?" he asked, a soft smile resting upon his lips as he stood from his seat.

"All sophisticated and wise now - I bet no one would believe me if I told them what a petulant child you once were," you teased, reaching out your hand gently, using your long nails to tuck a strand of hair behind his ear.

"Mm.." he grumbled, placing a gentle hand upon your waist and drawing you closer gently.

"And I bet no one would believe me either, were I to announce that the Qíngrén Rex Lapis holds so dear was an unrelenting bully in their youth," he replied, brushing his nose against yours in a gentle display of affection.

"I wouldn't be so sure," with a smirk, you tugged at his tie gently, loosening it from round his neck and snatching it away. You quickly twirled out of his grasp, holding the silky item up proudly.

"I'd say I'm still quite the unrelenting bully, my dear Morax."

He allowed a rare laugh to emerge from his chest, rumbling warmly as he watched you fondly, crossing his arms.

"Perhaps you're right, (Name)."

Sometimes, late into the night, you wandered the halls of your luxurious shared abode, recalling the events of times long gone. Your walls were decorated with many luxuries - far too many of them trophies of a war bathed in blood and grief. Still, there was always one item you would stand before in silent grief - tears long shed, but the pain still as piercing as the sharp edge of the Jade weapon.

You remembered when Morax sat up late into the night, carving away at it with a rare serene expression, shreds of jade coating his lap and the ground around him as he worked relentlessly on the creation.

"What are you working on?" you asked one such night, taking a seat beside him as you watched him with glowing eyes, watched the blade he was carving away at carefully and tenderly.

"A gift."

You raised your brows, a smirk upon your lips.

"Oh?"

"For Quizhong. The Primordial Jade Cutter - is what I'll name it."

You could not help but feel your ears droop at his words.

"I'm sure she'll love it once she receives it," you said with a longing smile, sliding your fingers against it's blade gently before rising to your feet and sauntering away, your tails flickering behind you in a forced display of pleased satisfaction.

You watched the gift left ungiven, encased in glass on display. You recalled when Morax, dripping with the anger of grief, picked up the newly finished sword and rushed into battle clutching it - cutting down countless enemies.

Despite that, the green glow it emitted was still that of a brand-new blade - truly a pure and beautiful blade carved with the utmost care and affection.

Some nights you were a bit more bitter over it - not once in the centuries you'd known Morax, not even the ones where you shared tender kisses and embraces, had he gifted anything like that to you - nothing carved with his own hands - once wrathful and brutal, forced to be gentle as they poured over a gift from the heart.

On those nights, you would slip out of your abode and wander the streets of Liyue, feeling weighed down with guilt for your selfish feelings. Every time, you managed to end up on Yuijing terrace, watching the glaze lilies growing within the carefully planned flowerbeds. They were no longer the wild lilies of Guizhong - the last of those had withered away long ago - but they were the closest to it. On those nights, you'd caress the petals with a somber expression, letting unvoiced apologies linger in your mind before returning back home, Morax seemingly none the wiser to your comings and goings, immersed in his work.

"Are you sure about this?" you asked somberly as you finished listening to Morax's plan of stepping down as an Archon. Giving up the seat that you had shed so much blood to attain. The seat that signified loss of a life too precious and gentle - whisked away by the wind in the form of the dust she presided over.

Morax nodded, squeezing your hands gently in his. His horns and tail long hidden as he assumed a more human form. Something you had followed him in doing, faithful to follow him wherever he led you.

"Then I will do my best to aid you, my dear."

And so you did. Your powers were those of shapeshifting, of morphing items into something anew and tricking others with the ease and grace of a leaping feline.

The Exuvia was more than convincing enough for the crowds below, and even you, despite being the one to conjure it up, could not help the tinge of fear within you as you watched this copy of your beloved plummet into the ground with an ungraceful thud. You hoped sincerely you would never have to see such a vision come to life in reality - you had long since set aside your weapons, but you would not hesitate to grab them again to protect the few loved ones you still had left.

Zhongli was now the name Morax donned - assuming the position of a consultant in the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, providing graceful and wise advice to all that required it. It was a fitting position, you bemused - a work surrounded by grief that the both of you still wore heavily upon your hearts.

Sometimes, you visited him to bring him lunch or anything else you thought he might require - like the dutiful spouse everyone assumed you to be. You supposed the word was not quite far from the truth, but your union was far more than that. Still, mortals could not comprehend the strength of such bonds, so you settled for a smile and a nod when asked if you were there to visit your husband.

On occasion, you could hear him tell customers the tales of the war, an expert storyteller as he was. Not once did he fail to mention the gentle and kind Guizhong, a far-off look in his eyes as he recalled her memory fondly.

It was moments like those that you felt the pain hit deepest. Moments when you wished that it had been you who had been struck down as fate had intended it to. Guizhong had meddled with fate, had brought eons of unhappiness and sorrow upon you and Zhongli.

You wondered, sometimes, when Zhongli brushed his lips against yours tenderly, his eyes closed and his hands gently cupping your face, if he thought so too. If he wished, on nights alone as he allowed the bitter memories to wash over him, that your lifeline had been severed that fateful day.

Of course, you knew he would never admit to such thoughts, he wouldn't even admit them to himself, you were sure - but a mind could still wonder. Especially when he stood before the Jade blade encased in glass, a distant look upon his features.

It hurt.

And you felt selfish for hurting, when it had been your own carelessness that had brought this pain upon you and Zhongli both.

You could no longer stand it. No longer stand the wistful gaze in Zhongli's eyes as he spoke of Guizhong to the Traveler, as he recalled the times he dined with her and Cloud Retainer and as he praised the memory of her wits and the gentleness of her pure soul.

You decided you would do anything to right the wrong you had been living within for far too long.

You turned to research, to prayers dedicated to Celestia - to anything that might help you achieve your goal of bringing back the dear friend you had allowed to wither away and flow away as nothing more than particles of dust.

Countless days, weeks, months passed - and if Zhongli noticed the distance you put between the two of you, he failed to mention it. Perhaps he even enjoyed the space you finally gave him. After all, it had been you who had refused to leave him be since the beginning of time.

Perhaps if you had not stuck to his side like an incessant thorn, Guizhong would be by his side, holding his hand and bathing in his kisses.

Your efforts did not go to waste. You stood upon the empty Guili plains, the moon above lighting the ruins of what once was a great civilization. Your hands were clasped together in prayer as you sank to your knees, allowing the coolness of the ground to seep into your bones as you pleaded quietly for reprieve.

Celestia finally answered your call, sending down an envoy cloaked in shimmering stardust - radiating with energy far more divine than that of your own.

"Little fox," the envoy spoke, their voice light but holding the weight of knowledge and power within it.

"Your pleas have not gone unheard and what you ask is not impossible to achieve," they spoke and you stared up at them in awe, feeling a flicker of hope within your chest.

"Quizhong has rested long enough in the embrace of Celestia - and we are sure she would not mind returning home."

You felt as though you could float, a happiness coated in pain washing over you.

"But tell me, little fox - do you believe truly that you are undeserving of your lot in life?"

You blinked away tears and nodded.

"You are foolish, little fox - but your wish will be granted. Celestia simply hopes you will overcome your blindness and learn to see the truth of your worth."

You cared not for the meaning behind those words - all that mattered was that Guizhong would make her return. You swallowed bitter, selfish tears as you already pictured your beloved in the arms of another - the one he deserved to have. The one you had forced him to say goodbye to.

The sun beamed down upon the harbor with a happiness and warmth that you had not felt in far too long. You browsed the marketplace in silence, maneuvering the crowds as you gathered ingredients for the dinner you had planned that very evening. It had been a while since your talk with the envoy of Celestia - but you knew better than to doubt the promises of those above you, so you were patiently biding your time until the return of your beloved friend.

You hummed a gentle tune to yourself, idly wondering what Zhongli was doing - was he still busy with work, or was he ready to take a lunch break? You thought it best to buy him a little meal and began to wade through the busy streets to approach the funeral parlor, only to be stopped in your tracks as you saw a familiar face within the sea of people.

A beautiful face, with eyes wise beyond the years of its apparent youth, flowing long hair set into a beautifully simple updo and an an air of elegance that could only belong to one. You stared in awe at her beauty - the glaze lilies set into her hair and crowning her in angelic glory as she almost seemed to float through the crowds - they're all but the clouds she ruled over wisely as she studied her surroundings with a curious joy.

You felt tears of joy well up in your eyes as you saw her.

Celestia had granted your wish.

You wished to dash through the crowds, to run into her arms and shower her in endless apologies and affection - but when you searched the ever flowing sea of people, your eyes froze on another familiar figure.

Dark hair set in a low ponytail - perfectly ironed coat and an air of impeccable neatness and perfection coating him. You saw him - saw as his eyes locked with those of the beautiful goddess. You saw the way a warm recognition washed over his stony face - his lips forming a wide smile upon his face as he surged forward.

You tried to suppress the selfish sadness brimming in your heart and eyes, the tears gently rolling down your cheeks as you saw two friends united at last - arms wrapping around each other in a tender embrace.

You knew very well when you were not needed - so you turned quietly and headed back towards your abode, a firm yet difficult decision made in your mind.

You had pretended to be someone you were not for far too long - it was time you made yourself scarce. You ignored the concerned glances of the citizens you passed as you walked - more like staggered - towards the place you had called home for a long time. Of course people would talk, would gossip about the spouse of the beloved Zhongli's spouse walking home in tears before shortly disappearing from Liyue, leaving behind a smitten consultant and a new companion of his.

You simply hoped they'd be kind to Guizhong. Humans were far too simple at times.

Zhongli rushed towards the abode he shared with his beloved carelessly, an uncharacteristic joy to his movements as he waded through people, eager to share the wonderful news with them.

He had ran into Guizhong's arms, her soothing aura washing over him as he simply asked her how. She had known no more than him - only that Celestia had deemed her worthy of returning to the lands of the living.

He cared not for the specifics - one of the closest friends he had had was back - and he could not wait to share the news. He had made her wait for him - him and (Name) at Third-Round Knockout, promising her that they could all once again share a meal together as friends and companions.

"Have you finally made your move, Morax?" Guizhong asked, a sly smile upon her innocent features.

He chuckled.

"I suppose I have."

"Good. I feared you'd be too much of a coward too, Lord of Geo."

When he arrived to his abode it was quiet - eerily so. No aroma of simmering food lingered in the air, and there was a strange emptiness in the rooms as he wandered in, a few objects missing here and there.

A quiet dread arose in his chest.

"(Name)?" he called out, his brows furrowed as he felt a surge of panic within him - a panic he had only felt once before, when his beloved was to be slashed by a long gone god aiming to end their life.

There was no answer.

He rushed through the rooms of his luxurious abode, cold sweat forming upon his body as he reached their shared bedroom. The door was slightly ajar, and he could hear a faint muffled sniffle coming from within.

Slowly, he pushed the door open, stepping into the room.

You had taken on your animal form, tails curled around yourself protectively and your ears pinned back in a display of sadness - the air heavy with emotions he had not seen or felt you experience in eons - your home usually filled with gentle harmony.

He swallowed heavily as he saw the bag before you, filled with the few items you cared for - to take with you as a shard of memories to remind you of the years you had spent with Zhongli - with Morax. A last act of selfishness you allowed yourself.

"(Name)?" he quietly addressed you, his voice strained as he watched what was you undoubtedly preparing to leave - without a word to him, no less.

You whipped around, your eyes wide as you met his.

"Zhongli," you whispered shakily, ashamed to be caught in the act.

"Where are you going..?" he questioned, his eyes glued to your belongings and eyes filled with an unfamiliar desperation.

"I don't know, yet," you answered, lowering your gaze to the wooden floor below your paws.

He approached gently, crouching before you as he reached out his hand to stroke your face.

"Why?" his voice was small, desparate.

He had only just regained a companion - only to lose his lover the very next moment? Was the world truly that unjust?

"I didn't want to be in the way of you and Guizhong," you replied, looking away with a bitter tinge of sadness to your voice.

"You know she's back?"

"I was the one who demanded Celestia return her to you."

He stared at you in both shock and awe.

"What do you mean you didn't want to be in the way?" he asked slowly, feeling dread rise within his chest once more as his voice cracked.

Without fanfare, you assumed your more human form once more, your eyes watering and clumping together your wet lashes, blurring your vision as you tried to find the words to explain your feelings - feelings buried under centuries, wars and carefully constructed facades - all crumbling before the man you had always loved.

"I...saw how you looked at her - back then I mean." More tears rolled across your face as the dam finally broke.

Stupid, treacherous, selfish tears.

He was eerily quiet as he watched you crumble before him, you who had always kept his spirits high when he was in pain, always knew what to say or do to soothe him. However, he realized in a horrifying moment - he had no idea what to say to you.

"You loved her. And it was my fault she died," you hiccupped, letting go of any pride you may have held.

Your teary eyes met his - scared and filled with emotion you could not quite decipher.

"(Name)-"

You shook your head, forcing yourself to smile bitterly - it was a pathetic sight and you were well aware of it, but you could do little else to reign in the pain.

"I was supposed to die that day - and I would have gladly done so. I always wished I did - and I know you would never admit it, but you did too."

His hands clutched your shoulders suddenly, shaking as he gripped them tight.

"(Name) - that's not true," he spoke sternly, choosing to ignore the way his own voice wavered.

You let out a sound - a mix between a sob and a laugh as you stared into his eyes.

"Don't lie to me, Morax. I've known you longer than anyone - you should not attempt to deceive the god of trickery." You inhaled and exhaled shakily.

"I never deserved your affection - I was selfish in accepting it. I knew you wanted me to be her - you've never looked at anyone else like you looked at her. But I was selfish, and I was hurting too. I'm sorry for using you like that."

His brows furrowed as the weight of your words hit him - crashing into him like the boulders he had used to destroy his enemies with a fierce anger.

"It's you who has tricked yourself, (Name)." His gloved hand stroked your face gently, wiping at the streams of tears flowing across it aimlessly as he stared into your eyes.

"I've never loved Guizhong," he muttered, placing his forehead against yours as his mind frantically searched for the right words to say - the words that could soothe the pain of the burden you had been carrying in your heart for far too long.

"Not more than a close friend."

You stared into his eyes, sniffling.

"But..."

"Have you really been blind to the way my heart beats only for you - after the thousands of years we have known you?" He pulled you close, burying your face in his clothed chest, ignoring the way your tears soaked through the pristine cloth of his suit and shirt.

"I..."

"Guizhong was the one who had to listen to my incessant ramblings about how beautiful and wonderful you were, the one who kept trying to make me tell you. But I was foolish and stubborn. It took her death to make me realize that within a bling of an eye - I could lose you too. I almost did - that day," his words conveyed more emotion than you had heard him do in all the time you had known him. He had buried it deep down, hoping he could show them, instead - but he had failed in that, as well.

He buried his face in your hair, taking in a shaky breath and inhaling your scent - you, who smelled like home. Like comfort, like love.

You were in stunned silence.

Had you really been blind to the truth all this time? You who had prided yourself in seeing past facades and being able to deceive anyone at will. Had you willingly deceived yourself, hiding the truth?

"But she's a far better match for you than I could ever hope to be," you whispered, your voice muffled by his chest. You felt him tense.

He pulled away, cupping your face with a desperation you had only seen once before.

"You are a fool, (Name), if you think anyone would be a better match for me than you," he sighed, wishing he could simply bare his heart and show you all that he felt in his old, guarded heart.

"I strived to become stronger for you. I learned to reign in my temper, for you. Everything I did - I hoped it would impress you - from the very moment we met."

In that moment, with those words pouring from his lips, he was a young adeptus once more, chasing the fleeting and teasing attention of a fox god who called him immature.

You stretched out your hand towards his face hesitantly, resting your warm palm upon his cheek. He pressed it against your hand, an earnest youthful glow in his old, wise eyes.

"I love you, and only you, (Name). And I always have, you silly fox."

You released another choked laugh infused with a whimper, sniffling as you attempted to control the stupid tears flowing from your eyes.

"Morax... I feel so foolish, now," you whispered, a sniffle caught in your throat as you lowered your head, hand slipping from his face into your lap.

"I'm the fool for not realizing how you felt sooner. All this time, you'd been thinking lowly of yourself - and I never even took note." He sighed and pressed your figure closer to himself.

"I suppose we're both a couple of old, bitter fools, then."

He huffed in amusement, tickling the strands of your hair in doing so.

"I suppose we are," he sighed, pressing a gentle kiss upon your forehead when your face emerged from his face to look up at him, eyes still red and puffy.

You closed your eyes, allowing them reprieve from the crying. You felt a wave of exhaustion wash over you as Zhongli leaned down to capture your lips with his own, his touch ever so gentle as he stroked your face, wiping away the last remains of tears still lingering upon your face.

"I love you," you whispered as you opened your eyes.

He smiled at you - a smile he had never before allowed another but you to witness - sweet, vulnerable and full of thousands of years of adoration.

"I love you too, my dear."

This one was really fun to write! I read SO much genshin lore for this and I feel like I def missed some things, but I tried my best. Relationships are complicated, man. And writing this made me Feel Things. I hope you guys enjoy this one, though!!

🖤🏎!she’s the boss!🏎 🖤

Pairing : Toto Wolff x Mercedes f1 driver! Cherrie!

Word count : 7.5k

Summary : in which she’s always get what’s she wants ; and what she wants is him.

Warnings : fluff. Smut. Like rough , throat grabbing , booty shaking smut. Cherries a spoilt bitch, toto gives kinda sugar Daddy vibes . (She does call him daddy cause like , look at him. He’s daddy) also in this their team is dominating and mick is her teammate because I said so. Okay. That’s it. This is all on you guys , you wanted this. Dunno if it’s any good cause like I quickly wrote it at like 3am last night soooo…enjoy I guess? Lemme know what u think xoxo

Cherries steps were confident and lazy as she strolled down to his office as though she had all the time in the world, waving and saying hello to everyone she passed.

Winking at her teammate as she passed him, Mick just shaking his head at her with an amused grin on his face. More than used to seeing her deliberately turn up late just to wind their boss up , doing everything that she could to get underneath his skin.

She was probably the only person around that could get away with deliberately annoying toto like this. From turning up late , to refusing to turn up at all without an expensive initiative. To refusing his orders, calling him a Boring old fart to his face, and just flat out teasing him and winding him up for her own entertainment . She was walking the tightrope and she knew it.

But did she care? Fuck no.

Because she knew that despite his lectures and his 'do as I say or perish' attitude , there was no way in hell that he would ever get rid of her.

It was a nice, smug feeling to know that she could do whatever the hell she wanted and get away with it.

She might as well have been her own boss seeing as Toto just went along with her wildcard ways, instead sending a team to pick up the pieces and scramble to fix whatever hell she had created in her way.

Media control? Absolutely not. pr trained? Absolutely not.

She said and did as she pleased . A spoiled princess they called her. They were right of course but she didn't give a shit for the way they said it with distain and judgment .

Because at the end of the day, she was the current three time world champion at her young age. And she was going to continue to collect her Trophies and her titles for a long time to come.

She drove like a beast and won like one too. She was on such a domanent streak that even she was getting a little bored, hoping that the others teams would hurry up and make their cars even faster so she could have some more drivers to battle with.

She already struggled with getting bored easily , the attention span of a excitable child that only ever achieved greatly when she was getting her own way. Hence why toto just let her get away with it all because she was bringing them the points, bringing them the awards and the trophies . The money and the fame, she was the moment. Had been the moment for a while now.

She was unbeatable , unstoppable and the queen of the game.

She loved it and she loved winding her boss up just as much as she loved bringing home the points for him.

Loved to see him smile and have him clap her on the back, telling her that he never doubted her for a second. Loved the way she could bicker with him on the radio , the way she could tell him that she knew what she was doing and that he just needed to trust her.

He did. But not without a little argument . Getting riled up with the way she flat out told him that she would not be following the original plan halfway through the race. He would snap at her and tell her that she better know what she was doing.

and she did. She won again , and again and again. That shut the big man up real quick and there was nothing more that Cherrie loved than making toto speechless.

She didn't bother knocking , just barged right into his office like it was her own. So used to her behaviour, he didn't even flinch or glance up from his computer screen.

"You're very late." He told her firmly , face blank as he typed away.

Throwing herself down onto the chair in front of his desk, she turned her body sideways and threw her legs over the arm of the chair , swinging them lazily as she got comfortable.

"No I’m not. You're just very early." She responded just as quickly while yawning loudly . Gazing over at him , and admiring his tight white button shirt and black slacks , hating that he looked so damn good.

She knew that it was wrong to crave her boss the way she did. Had read enough Stories and seen enough films to know that getting involved with your boss was a bad idea. But that was because they were a superior and well…

Out of the two of them, Cherrie always had the final say. So...while she respected him and looked up to him, thought that he was really amazing and smart. Someone to admire and want to be like ..

He was also just a giant , handsome man for her to follow around and annoy. He could try and act all tough around her. Try and be strict and all bossy but they both knew who pulled the strings and who had the last word .

Toto just liked to cling onto the image of being in control but where Cherie was concerned...control had always been a struggle because she pushed at his limits. Testing him and daring him to give in. She had been getting on his nerves since day one, had gotten underneath his skin without even trying.

One sly wink and smug little smirk from her and he was wrapped around her little finger , and she knew it. Maybe that was the worst part of it all.

She knew the effect that she had on him. And she used it to her advantage because she wanted him. As clear as day , she never tried to hide it. And he never told her not to either.

Because secretly he liked the way she would run after him and ramble on about everything and everything.

The way she would demand and ask him to do things that others would balk at. Then grin in amazement when he would pull some strings and get her whatever she wanted without hesitation. 

He liked the way she would immediately come to him when something was wrong or she wanted something changing , trusting him with her entire being that he could fix it.

He liked the attention she gave him. He couldn't deny it. A young , insanely talented and insanely beautiful woman bossing him around and testing his self control everyday? He was a sucker for punishment . Because he looked forward to it. Anticipating what she would do next.

She kept him on his toes and made him feel young again. Having him run around after her like she was the boss.

And maybe she was.

"What have I told you about your little attitude?" He finally looked over at her, frowning. Taking a sip of his coffee knowing he would need it to deal with her, she wasn't about to make this meeting easy for him and he knew it..

She didn't even flinch at his hard tone of voice , simply laughed a little as she fiddled with her hair

"That you love it sir?" She teased, looking over at him beneath her lashes.

Blinking innocently at him, fighting back a smug smirk as she saw him tense up at her use of 'sir'. Biting the inside of her cheek to stop herself from climbing into his big lap and saying it again .

She was working up to it because getting toto wolff was a challenge and well, she loved challenges. Especially giant , handsome ones that were glaring over at her in annoyance at her cheek.

He inhaled sharply and just shook his head in defeat "never mind. You know why you're here." He said bluntly as he brought up his iPad and clicked on it for a minute.

She did know.

Rolling her eyes a little, she looked up at the ceiling for a moment . Bored already.

“Am I here so you can teach me how to dance?" She sarcastically said. Snoring at herself . Finding herself far too funny .

Toto didn't.

He was already grinding his teeth as he glared over at her , fingers tightening around his iPad as he turned it around to show her the pictures on there.

"You're reputation is terrible right now Cherrie:" he stated unhappily , "and this photo of you leaving a sleezy bar with two men is trending right now. For all the wrong reasons." He tried to push down the green claw of jealousy in his chest . But he was sure his distain showed on his face.

Cherrie just snorted and said "I was just walking them back to their hotel room. I was being a gentleman." Looking down at the photo of her leaning aginst the car with her tongue in one guys mouth and the other guy mouthing at her neck, she frowned a little. Having not noticed the camera on them at all.

Whoopsie.

But oh well. She was allowed to have fun. Everyone else her age went to clubs and had fun, got laid with as many people as they wanted. Just because she drove around in circles for living didn't make her any different.

She liked sex. She got horny so she solved that problem very easily . It just so happened that this time she bagged two pretty guys instead of one. It was fun and she wasn't ashamed to admit that it had been a very good night.

Toto shook his head at her , displeased, as he straightened up in his seat and deleted the photos quickly . Not wanting to see them a second longer.

"I'm serious Cherrie." He snapped at her, wishing she would listen and take him seriously. "I don't want you being booed in the paddock and called names because of this."

Annoyed , she groaned loudly "I don't give a shit what anybody thinks of me." She snapped back just as quick.

Toto gritted his teeth "the sponsors do! Everything you do outside of here affects this team. Which affects me too. Do you understand that?" He told her sternly . Hands intwined as he stared her down .

She squirmed in her seat but for all the wrong reasons.

Grinning a little as she felt her belly grow hot as he glared at her, his hardened voice setting off that feeling Inside of her.

It was hot and she wanted to suck his dick right there and then but

Baby steps. Yeah. She was gonna ease into this one. Didn't want to give the big man a Heart-attack after all.

She had a feeling that he might go into shock if she just got down onto her knees right there and then.

So instead she smirked a little at him as she swung her legs back down to the floor. Catching the way his eyes flickered down to her bare legs in her shorts before darting back up to her face again just as quickly.

"You should sponsor me then. You've got enough money to fund me for life. You don't have to worry about others. Fuck them." She said casually , playing with a pen on his desk. She looked at its gold lid and pocketed it without any shame.

Toto just shaking his head at her in disbelief , running a hand through his hair with a loud sigh.

“why are you like this?" He groaned , giving in like he always did.

There was no point trying to tell her what to do. The more he told her no, the more she would do it just to get on his nerves some more.

She was a menace like that .

He started typing on his computer again , wondering how the hell he was supposed to keep his composure while she was grinning at him like that.

Why she had to be so fucking beautiful and look the way she did , it wasn't good for his heart at all

"What? Amazing?" She said with a grin as she got up from her seat and made her way over to his desk.

Not getting a reply , she sat at the edge of his desk and started nudging his shin with her foot over and over again.

Still , he kept his eyes on the screen. Stubbornly ignoring her. So she kicked him some more, eyes on his face as she watched his nose twitch ,  his eyes narrow as he struggled not to give in.

Giggling like a child , she spoke up after a couple minutes of silence between them. Poking him repeatedly  in his hard bicep this time with her finger , "toto?" No answer.

She sighed, then Flicked his arm this time.

"Totoooo" she sang not giving in. Laughing at the way his nostrils flared as he side eyed her .

"What?" He grunted , typing away a response to their team about what to do about her latest trending incident .

Nothing . He replied. It'll blow over. She'll do something else stupid soon enough , gear up for that instead. He responded in defeat .

She laughed a little as she watched him send that email off , knowing her team were going to need a regular blood pressure check to deal with her.

"If I win this race tomorrow will you buy me a Ferrari?" She asked him with hope written across her pretty face . having been browsing their collection and deciding last night that she wanted one.

She could buy one for herself of course , but where was the fun in that when she had a hot , older boss who would do anything for her ? She had to get her thrills somewhere.

Toto scoffed loudly at her. Turning in his seat to give her his full attention.

He pulled at her slightly lowered  sock and straightened it out so it matched the other one again absentmindedly.  Tapping her ankle as he did so.

"Why not a Mercedes?" He wanted to know. She could have as many as those as she wanted.

But Cherrie just groaned loudly "no. I want a Ferrari. They're sexier to look at and drive." She pulled out her phone to show him a picture of the red and black Ferrari that she wanted "this one." She said.

Toto immediately scowled , tightening his hold on her ankle as she placed her foot in his lap , placing her chin on her knee as she batted her lashes at him prettily .

"I'm going to pretend like you didn't say that. I'm not getting you one. There's already enough rumours about you leaving me. " he accidentally said , quickly trying to cover it up "I mean- leaving us! The team. To go drive for Ferrari. Getting you one wouldn't help that."

She frowned at him , huffing a little like the spoilt brat she was. "Maybe I will since you're such a mean bore." She muttered.

Getting off his desk and walking over to the door. Ready to leave now that she had done her favourite task of getting underneath his skin.

Toto felt the disappointment rush into his chest as the sight of her leaving , wishing he had a good excuse to get her to stay. But he didn't. And he wasn't going to beg her to either. He still had some of his pride left after all.

A tiny amount. But still.

"I could fire you for the way you talk to me." He called out to her, typing in the make of the Ferrari that she liked just evause he was curious. That was all.

She lingered by the doorway, grinning at him smugly over her shoulder as she replied without missing best "but you won't." Before wandering off without another glance behind her.

Leaving toto to sigh in defeat "but I won't." She was irreplaceable after all. One of a kind. And he was never going to just let her go without a fight.

She won. Because of course she did. She knew that she would and so did toto.

And as she made her way the parking lot to drive herself back to the hotel, she found her boss waiting for her with a Nonchalant look on his face. Arms crossed over his chest as he leaned against the building wall behind him, casually nodding his head at her in hello.

"I won." She grinned at him excitedly , skipping over to him. Still pumped .

She ran her fingers through her still damp hair , the quick shower she had taken wiping away the stickiness from the champagne. She imagined celebrating her win with toto and him licking the champagne from her skin with his tongue , her sigh came out a little more dreamy than intended.

“Proud of me old man?" She nudged his arm , wanting praise.

He easily gave it to her. Wrapping his arm around her shoulder to hug her into his side , squeezing her tightly with pride.

“Of course. You drove like the champion you are. Congratulations. You did well like always." He told her , smiling . Pleased and so proud of her.

Cherrie felt her cheeks flush with colour and she laughed giddily . Squeezing her arm around his waist and making the most of his embrace while she could.

"Did you get my prize?" She asked him , biting down on Her bottom lip as she peered up at him cheekily.

Toto just rose a brow at her. Flicked her forehead with his finger before sighing loudly , nodding his head over to the parking lot where a brand new Ferrari waited for her.

"I did." He simply said.

Watching with a small grin on his face as she squealed loudly , snatched the car keys from his hand before sprinting over to it as fast as she could.

"Fuck yes! Oh my god" she ran her hand over the front of it with a excited grin , beaming over at him in happiness . "You're the best!"

Toto chuckled, hands in his pockets as he strolled over to her. Eyes on her smile and sparkling eyes.

"I know." He agreed as he took a picture on his phone of her posing with the Ferrari , shaking his head fondly at her . "You like it?" He asked despite already knowing the answer.

She scoffed in disbelief , "like it? I love it toto." She told him seriously as she sighed dreamily

"wanna kiss me in my new Ferrari?" She offered up to him shamelessly.

Making Toto choke on his breath , face flushing as he narrowed his eyes at her wink. Trying to remain stern and reign in his self control.

"No. I'm old enough to be your father Cherrie!" He scolded her , fighting back a grin. Heart racing in his chest as she kicked his shin with her foot lightly.

Smirking slyly at him "or my daddy." She replied without missing a beat. Then she simply shrugged and slid her way around to the drivers seat.

“But fine . suit yourself old man. There's no better mouth than mine."

And toto was fucked. Absolutely fucked. Hands on his hips as he swallowed thickly , gathered himself to speak again.

He could imagine her mouth when he was back at his hotel room , alone and in his bed. Shoving away the thoughts of all the ways he could shut her cheeky mouth up. He would be the boss then.

He inhaled deeply "don't forgot about the photoshoot on Friday Cherrie ." He said instead . Having to physically shake the thoughts from his head.

She groaned loudly and frowned up at him through the lowered window as she buckled herself in.

“Are you coming?" She asked him hopefully.

Toto shook his head "no. I have better things to do than watch you get your photos taken."

She pouted up at him unhappily "I'm not going then." She simply told him. Meaning it.

Toto knew not to take her threats lightly . He glared down at her sternly "yes you are. It's important Cherrie. You have to go."

She just rolled her eyes and sighed "what do I get if I do?" She asked him, enjoying the way he was scowling down at her in disbelief.

"You get to keep your job!" He exclaimed. Amazed by her cheek. And arrogance. It never ceased to amaze him what a cocky little shit she was.

Cherrie just shrugged "fine. I'll just go to Ferrari with my new Ferrari. They'll have me." She casually taunted . Not missing a best.

And toto caved. Because of course he did.

Because his driver was a beautiful menace who had him wrapped around her finger. And she always got what she wanted. She was the real boss there.

"Fine." The thought of her anywhere near another team with other drivers had him tensing up. She was his. Nobody else's. "What do you want?"

She hummed a little as she thought about it, turning on the engine of the Ferrari as she got ready to leave.

"A heart shaped Vivienne Westwood bag and some new diamond studs please." She said to him , tapping her earlobe gently "these ones just don't do it for me. Charles bought them for me-" she showed him the butterfly earrings .

Toto took one look at them and held out the palm of his hand , face calm as he muttered blandly "give them to me. They're not you."

"Not me?" She laughed in amusement . Enjoying the jealously far too much.

She took them out and handed them to him anyways . Give and take a little. She thought . He had gotten her a Ferrari after all, she could let him have a little bit of control.

Toto pocketed Charles gifted earrings and shrugged casually "yes. You want real diamonds?" He asked.

Cherrie pulled a face "well I don't want fake ones ." She replied in a duh tone.

“See you Friday boss!" She wiggled her fingers at him teasingly as she pulled out of the parking space. Ready to take her new baby for a spin.

Toto watched her go with a exasperated shake of his head. Chuckling In amusement as he headed back to his office to finish off some paperwork , and buy her the best diamond earrings he could find.

Friday came by and toto was waiting for her at the photoshoot building , two Vivienne Westwood bags and shining diamond earrings by his feet .

Cherrie gasped in excitement as she ran over to him, throwing her arms around his waist for a hug. Chin resting on his chest as she beamed up at him, dressed in simple joggers and a tank top, face bare and hair free.

Toto couldn't believe that she was real, that she was this beautiful .

"Thank you toto." She mumbled against his chest.

More affectionate than she usually would be in public but it was early , and she was still sleepy. So she clung onto him a little tighter , yawning into his chest as he held her close.

Rubbing circles into her back with his big hand , his other hand running fingers through her messy hair to detangle the knots she hasn't bothered brushing out.

"You're welcome. Have you eaten?" He asked her quietly in concern as he heard her stomach rumble. Seeing the team motioning for her to hurry up, he waved them off with a stern frown.

Cherrie shook her head and closed her eyes. Still not letting him go.

“No time." She mumbled.

Toto scowled and pulled away enough to glare down at her "very stupid. Breakfast is the most Important meal of the day. You'll be moody without it." He scolded her sternly before turning to the impatient photographer and telling him bluntly "you wait. She eats then you can take the stupid photos."

Ten minutes later and they were in the nearest cafe, a plate of pastries and fruit in front of them.

Toto pouring the chocolate fudge over her pastry for her as she put in her new diamond earrings he had gotten her .

Tucking her hair behind her ears, she wiggled her lobes at him with a grin . Perking up now that she was being fed.

"Look good?" She asked him through a mouthful of food. Chocolate staining her lips.

Toto his his fond grin behind his cup of coffee "sparkling." He simply said . "you like the bags, yes? I got both black and red."

Cherrie just sighed happily "love them." She smiled. Heart feeling so full she felt like it was going to burst out of her chest.

"Toto?"

He swallows his bite before answering "yes?"

"I like your face." She told him bluntly.

Toto paused for a moment , cup halfway to his mouth. Then he laughed a little and muttered quietly "I like your face too."

She just giggled. He smiled at her without hiding his affection behind his cup this time.

The next couple of weeks went around the same way, she asked for whatever came to her mind first and Toto found ways to get her them.

It was almost like a challenge to see what strings he could pull and just how far he would go to please her.

She asked him for a golf cart with her logo and name on it. Even though she had never even played golf.

There was one waiting for her when she got home after the race. The steering wheel even had a fluffy cover on it.

At silverstone he had gotten her a tea set made of real gold. And a giant box of haribos after she had asked him to get her all the packets he could find . He did. And he even came out with her as she handed them to all the kids in the crowd too.

In Miami she asked for a metallica record. He got her that and vip tickets to their next show. Then let her drive them in her new Ferrari to the show. He Even let her sit on his shoulders the whole time too while she screamed along to all her favourite songs.

Then She asked for a life size giraffe teddy. He got a life size set of every animal she could name. She now had a room full of them. Her nephew loved them .

No matter what she asked for , or what she threw at him, he kept giving her it all. Always finding new ways to make her happy, to see her smile and gasp in excitement . Loving being the one to make her feel that way.

And  they grew closer as toto finally let down some of his walls and let her convince him to come along with her to different events or just to hang out.

He took her golfing , so she took him to a tiki bar. Then Got so plastered that he had to carry her back in his arms to the five star hotel they were staying at.

He stopped being so cautious and started giving in more and more. Everyone else around them noticing his lighter and much better mood he was in as he whistled his way around the paddock.

Still bickering with Cherrie over the radio during the race but always being the first one to applaud her when she won. Even when she sprayed him with champagne , cackling like the menace that she was as she dragged him into the celebrations . Refusing to do it without him.

And well. She always got what she wanted didn’t she?

She felt like pushing the line a little more than normal . Trailing her way to his hotel room in just an oversized shirt , blanket wrapped around her head. She knocked on his door loudly , yawning as she did so.

Toto opened the door and frowned at her , chest bare im nothing but checkered pj pants low on his waist.

He cleared his throat as he watched her zone out, eyes shamelessly roaming his torso as she reached out a finger to poke at his abs.

Toto slapping her hand away with a amused sigh, fighting back a smile as he watched her grumble. 

"why are you here?" He opened the door for her to come in nonetheless. Tapping the top of her blanket covered head as she pushed her way into his room happily.

"Can I stay here with you?" She asked him casually like it was no big deal. Eyeing the messy bed he had so clearly just rolled out of.

Toto paused , hesitated then muttered a weak "no.you cannot. I'm you're boss."

Cherrie just blinked up at him tiredly, pouting a little to get her way. "Please?"

"No." He muttered. Trying to stick to his weakening resolve .

She huffed and pettily responded "fine. I guess I'll go see if Charles will let me stay with him then-" she couldn't even get a step further before toto was scooping her up into his arms ,  a loud squeal escaping her lips as he roughly threw her down onto the bed.

Quickly throwing himself down next to her, he huffed "little shit." Grabbing her arms and manoeuvring her so that her head was laying on his chest , Cherrie cuddling up to him with a pleased little sigh .

Throwing her leg over his hip, she got comfortable , then laid a kiss gently over his heart.

“You still like my face?" She asked him after another yawn.

Toto just grinned up at the ceiling in the dark , huffing a soft laugh of disbelief that this was even happening. He rubbed between her shoulders gently , lightly scratching at her back just the way he knew that she liked it .

"I still like your face." He mumbled, amused.

She let out a pleased hum, struggling not to fall asleep . "Still like yours too." She let him know.

Toto chuckled "thanks. Very nice of you to say."

There was a few minutes of silence , the two of them just cuddling and letting the warmth of each other sink beneath their skin to warm their hearts. Before Cherrie felt the need to break it

Unable to help herself , she was born to be a little shit after all.

"Toto?" She whispered into the dark.

He sighed knowingly "yes?"

"I want a Rolex like yours." She whispered .

He laughed fondly "of course you do." He muttered in amusement having noticed her eyeing it on his wrist for days now. "Go to sleep."

"Will you get me one?"

"Go to sleep now Cherrie." He firmly told her.

She did as she was told for the first time in her life. Snoring away on his chest while toto ordered her a Rolex to match his.

Because he was very so clearly fucked.

Then her birthday came around and toto was stumped on what he should get her. Having spent the past few months buying whatever her heart desired, he had finally ran out of ideas. And for once, Cherrie hadn't asked him for anything.

So he turned up at her apartment with Empty hands and a worried frown on his face. Entering her place like it was his own. Having spent more time there than at his own recently .

He greeted her cats , gave them kisses before turning to Cherrie and telling her "I haven't bought you anything." Almost horrried with himself .

Cherrie just laughed "oh how scandalous!" She joked as she trailed off into her bedroom , dressed only in a small silk robe. Hair perfect and makeup done, meant to be getting ready for her birthday party at the club with friends.

She bit down on her lip as toto followed her to her room without any hesitation , side eyeing the way his white shirt fitted him tightly . So broad he barely fit through her doorway. She clenched her thighs and took a deep breath , cursing god for making her boss so damn delicious .

Toto was still frowning at her "Cherrie. It's your birthday." He stated like she didn't already know. Taking a seat at the end of her bed as he looked up at her , feeling terrible that he didn't come with a gift.

Little did he know, Cherrie had always pictured him with a big red bow on top. So she wasn't mad at all.

Smiling down at him in amusement , she slowly walked over to him till she was stood between his parted legs, looking down at him through her lashes slyly.

"I know." She said.

Toto swallowed , fingers lifting up to graze at the end of her silk dressing gown. Smelling the coconut oil on her skin that she had lathered herself in.

"What do you want them? Name it and I'll give it to you." He promised her softly , he would give her the whole world if he could.

But Cherrie only wanted one thing "I want you." She whispered honestly to him. Slowly Untying her silk robe Before letting it drop to the floor below them.

She wasn't wearing a single thing underneath . Not even a scrap of lace.

She took ahold of totos hands and slowly dragged them up up her bare waist , his eyes glued to the movement of his hands as she placed one hand over her breast , toto squeezing it gently . Caressing her soft skin.

Then she slid his other hand between her legs , he didn't need anymore guiding. He cupped her wet cunt with the palm of his hand and swallowed thickly.

"Oh." Was all he could let out.

Then he inhaled sharply , lifted his ankle and knocked her knees out from Beneath her .

"Shit!" She gasped out between a startled laugh As he pushed her down onto her bed , hair fanning out onto the white covers as he crawled over her body, twice the size she was. He covered her completely .

"Happy birthday you little shit." He mumbled while smiling down at her , eyes dark as he bowed his head and kissed her like he had been dreaming of doing for a while now.

Cherrie moaning against his mouth as she felt his hand slide back between her legs , breath hitching as she hurriedly placed her hand on his shirt and ripped the buttons clean off.

"Cherrie." He scolded her lightly , pulling briefly away from the kiss to glance down at his ripped shit. Rolling his eyes at her as she giggled and pulled it off him impatiently, laughing lightly Against her heated skin as he kissed all over her pretty face .

So in love it hurt.

"Fuck toto.." she sighed blissfully as she wrapped her legs around his waist, forcing his hand out from between her legs .

She held onto his wrist as she brought it up to her mouth , his lips parting for a hitched breath as she slid his wet fingers, full of her slick , between her lips and sucked them clean, swirling her tongue around his digits until he was yanking his fingers out of her mouth and wrapping them around her throat instead.

"Fucking brat!" He cursed out , free hand quickly reaching down to shove off his pants. Cock hard and heavy as it slapped aginst his stomach , he groaned deeply as he felt her reach up to kiss down his neck, titling his head to give her more access .

He rocked his hips up aginst her thigh as she sucked and mouthed  at his throat , writing her name acrosss his skin with her tonghe, slowly and carefully. He grunted.

"You've been teasing me..all the fucking time." He breathed out breathlessly as he grabbed a fistful of her hair and yanked her face away from his neck , her dark eyes gleaming up at him ,needy , as she panted Beneath him.

She just giggled like the minx that she was , laugh catching into a long moan when he suddenly leant down and took her tits between his mouth , sucking at one while his fingers pinched and twisted at the other until she bucking up her hips at him desperately.

"Please toto! Fuck- please!" She cried out, feeling his hard cock rubbing up aginst her hip as he thrust his hips up aginst her roughly . He slapped her breast in response . She moaned. "Fuck!"

"You like that huh? You like it hard? Want me to fuck you until you go dumb around my cock?" He growled into her ear as he hiked her thighs even higher around his waist , slotting himself between her legs as his free hand wrapped around her throat and squeezed gently . "Huh baby?"

Cherrie swallowed , chest heaving as she rapidly nodded her head the best that she could, feeling the wetness dripping between her lips as she squeezed her thighs around him.

Lips trembling as she breathed out a breathless "please toto! I want you so bad! Please fuck me!"

He grinned. Took in the sight of her spread out below him, his cock nudging at her dripping cunt , his large hand around her throat as she begged him to take her . He groaned , squeezed her jaw in his hand as he kissed her hard.

Their Nose knocking together As he bit at her bottom lip till she cried out, his tongue slipping into her mouth , fighting for Dominance.

Toto won this time as he finally thrust up into her hot cunt at the same time he sucked at her tongue , not even giving her chance to breath before he was fucking her into the mattress like she was some cheap whore .

Shrill cries and moans choking out of her lips as she tossed her head back in pleasure , nails scratching down his broad back as he pounded into her, fingers bruising her hips as he cursed against her skin.

"Fuck! Yeah! Oh! Oh!" She cried out, hips bucking up to meet his thrusts. Feeling his thumb flick at her clit , she trembled beneath him.

Sweat dripping down her chest , toto leaning down to lick it right back up as he sucked at her tits, marking his name into her skin with his mouth. Until TOTO was written across her soft skin in purple lovebites.

"Fuck!" He cursed as he felt her cunt squeeze around him, his head thrown back in a moan as he tried to catch his breath .

Hips slapping aginst the back of her thighs as he fucked her harder , messier , feeling her dripping all over his skin. His balls slapping against her ass as he hovered over her, leaning down to kiss her open mouth again.

"I love you." He Moaned aginst her chin, her eyes rolling back to her head as he hit her g spot over and over again. Thumb roughly sliding down to cuticle her clit "fucking love you so much. You little shit." He almost laughed, overwhelmed by her. Always.

The sweat dripping down from his face and onto her skin as she clung onto him, the bed frame slamming against the wall as he pounded into her ruthlessly , making her scream.

“Fuck! Just like that daddy! Harder!" She begged. Clawing at his shoulders with her sharp nails, drawing blood.

Toto gritted his teeth , eyes squeezing closed as he almost collapsed aginst her . Laughing against her mouth as he panted "say that again."

"Daddy! Fuck me daddy!"

He groaned and gripped her hips harder , practically bending her in half as he slammed into her, mouth hanging open as he gazed down at her below him, placing his palm over her stomach and feel how tight she was, he grinned "you gonna cum baby?"

She cried, tears falling from her faces as she sobbed in pleasure. Hips rising off the bed to meet each harsh thrust "yeah. Yeah! Yeah! Please..." she whined, cupping his Neck to pull his face down to her own.

She kissed him messily , open mouthed kisses all over his mouth , his chin and his face. Moaning his name into his jaw as she clenched around him "please!"

Feeling his own stomach tighten , his quickened his pace, trusts growing harder and sloppier as he felt the light approach the both of them.

He leaned his head down and licked a strip from her breasts and up her throat till he reached her mouth , sipping his tongue inside her mouth as she cried out

"Fuck!"

"Yeah! That's it baby! Give it to me! Shit!" He grunted , orgasm hitting him just as quickly as he fucked them both through it.

Moaning against her throat as he buried his face into her neck, feeling her fingers pulling at his hair as she came hard around his cock, milking him as he coated her cunt with his own.  Panting her name as he came.

"Shit.." he breathed out, collapsing down ontop of her .

Cherrie huffing at the sudden weight of him ontop of her, wrapping her legs around his waist , his softening cock still deep inside of her as they caught back thier breaths .

Cherrie grinning up at the ceiling as she hugged him close, kissing his jaw repeatedly .

He sighed softly , then turned his head to kiss over her heart gently . Then he mumbled quietly "say it back."

Cherrie hummed "say what?" Still dazed from the best fuck of her life . She nuzzled her nose aginst his shoulder, but toto pulled her head away by a handful of her hair.

Narrowing his eyes at her, he said firmly "I love you."

Realising what he wanted, she giggled happily "oh yeah. I love you . Best gift ever." She said.

Toto finally relaxed. Rolling his eyes at her with a grin as he rested his head begween her breasts , rubbing his hand soothingly up and down her side as she yawned . Their fucking having tired her out.

It went quite for a while between them . Toto eventually slipping out of her, cleaning her up and making sure that she was comfortable before sliding back into the bed with her.

Her head on his chest as she clung to him like a monkey , arms around his neck and legs around his waist as she kept yawning tiredly, toto barely keeping awake too.

She ignored her buzzing phone, friends no doubt wondering why she wasn't at her own birthday party. But she couldn't care less because she had finally gotten what she wanted.

Toto. In her bed. With her.

Telling her that he loved her over and over again between gentle kisses and back scratches. The rest of the world could get fucked because as far as she cared, it was just him and her now.

But she was still the same old little shit that enjoyed asking him for things and testing just what he would do for her. Especially now that she knew just how much he loved her too.

He enjoyed spoiling her just as much as she loved being spoiled.

So it wasn't a surprise when a little while later , half asleep , she whispered into the dark "toto?"

He laughed underneath his breath , spelling out his name on her spine with his fingertips. Then he wrote out her name too, changing it around. He knew what was coming. Waited for it patiently.

"Yes?"

"I want a diamond ring . Teardrop shape. With little diamonds surrounding it too." She told him casually in a whisper.

He just kissed the top of her head , grinning against her soft hair as he muttered softly "so bossy."

And it was no surprise to her when she woke up the next morning to Toto’s head between her thighs and her new, sparking diamond ring on her finger. Teardrop shaped with little diamonds surrounding it.

She always got what she wanted after all. He was her boss and she was gonna be MRS boss now.

Cherrie Wolff kinda had a ring to it. Don't you think?

This is why I don’t tell 99% people im bisexual

Imagine a world where, after Tim lost his brother, he went to the Cult of the Lightless Flame for help

Imagine Desolation Avatar Tim, with fire that springs to his fingertips on command, and a disconcertingly amiable personality, kind and charming and so, so similar to our Tim, right up until he sets your house on fire with your children inside

Imagine an Eye avatar Jon who got his powers organically, without meddling from Elias.

Imagine a man conflicted and torn about his actions, orchestrating events where technically, he never directly hurt anyone - think feeding on social anxiety, exposing people’s secrets and feeding on their despair.

After all, if they didn’t want to be his dinner, they shouldn’t have kept secrets, right ? He’s not a bad guy. He’s just…doing all he can

Now imagine a Tim who feeds off of Desolation by following closely behind Jon’s actions.

Oh, Jon revealed that so-and-so was cheating on his wife ? Well, that sounds like a mighty painful experience for the wife. Seems a shame to let all that good fear go to waste, right ? Might as well feed !!

Now imagine Web Avatar Annabelle Cane , watching from the shadows as all this happens.

Eventually, she reaches out and makes contact with Tim, and makes a deal - call a local fast-food place, and Cane will trick them into believing Jon’s a police officer. Then Jon can make the employees humiliate one of their own, as Tim feeds on the target's pain and Annabelle feeds on the control she's exerting, both over the employees, via social conditioning, and her fellow Avatars

Perfect deal. Why would Jon go along with it, you ask ? Why would Tim ? Well, if Annabelle conveniently made them forget the meaning of the terms “strip search”, then they have no reason to turn her down, right ?

Seeing how well this turned out, the three decide to make their dynamic a daily thing, each one orchestrating events that let all three feed. True symbiosis

Maybe they get Spiral Avatar Michael in on their shenanigans too, sometimes - he makes someone hallucinate their way into believing all their secrets have been exposed, killing themselves in front of a loved one, and feeds on their madness as Tim feeds on their loved one’s pain and Jon on their humiliation

Maybe they find that even more useful and now he’s part of the team too !! Woo gang !! Friends forever !!

Maybe they try to get Flesh Avatar Jared Hopworth in as well, only to realize he’s already made a deal with Hunt Avatar Daisy Tonner - she hunts and kills one out of a pair of travellers, and Jared convinces the survivor to feed on the corpse

Maybe they decide - hey, fuck it - and form an alliance with Slaughter Avatar Melanie King. She kills, and the others feed on the chaos that ensues. Maybe Jared and Daisy get in on it too sometimes - one big happy Avatar family, each one feeding everyone with their actions

And maybe one day Jon has an epiphany - maybe he accidentally hurts someone he cares about or sees the consequences of his actions. Maybe he decides he doesn’t want to be an Avatar anymore

Maybe he runs away from the group. Maybe he goes to the Magnus Institute, using his position as a fellow Eye Avatar to get Elias to help him out

Maybe Elias agrees and sets him up in a small house by the countryside. But wait - unfortunately, he’s going to have to share the space. You see, the Institute recently helped a prized pupil of Peter Lukas escape his grasp

Oh, who ? Why, Lonely Avatar Martin Blackwood of course !!

Sorry, just having thoughts about my Avatar Crew AU. Do y’all want me to write it ? I might

The Ultimate Dark Academia Book Recommendation Guide Ever

The title of this post is clickbait. I, unfortunately, have not read every book ever. Not all of these books are particularly “dark” either. However, these are my recommendations for your dark academia fix. The quality of each of these books varies. I have limited this list to books that are directly linked to the world of academia and/or which have a vaguely academic setting.

Dark Academia staples:

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio

Dead Poets Society by Nancy H. Kleinbaum

Vita Nostra by Maryna Dyachenko

Dark academia litfic or contemporary:

Bunny by Mona Awad

The Idiot by Elif Batuman

These Violent Delights by Micah Nemerever

White Ivy by Susie Yang

The Cloisters by Katy Hays

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

The Lake of Dead Languages by Carol Goodman

A Separate Peace by John Knowles

Black Chalk by Christopher J. Yates

Attribution by Linda Moore

Dark academia thrillers or horror:

In My Dreams I Hold a Knife by Ashley Winstead

The Maidens by Alex Michaelides

Ghosts of Harvard by Francesca Serritella

Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas

Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth

They Never Learn by Layne Fargo

The It Girl by Ruth Ware

Never Saw Me Coming by Vera Kurian

Dark academia fantasy/sci-fi:

Babel: An Arcane History by R.F. Kuang

The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

Vicious by V.E. Schwab

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

The Betrayals by Bridget Collins

Dark academia romance:

Gothikana by RuNyx

Alone With You in the Ether by Olivie Blake

Dark academia YA or MG:

Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson

A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

Crave by Tracy Wolff

Wilder Girls by Rory Power

The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

Dark academia miscellaneous:

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

Disorientation by Elaine Hsieh Chou

Alphabet of Thorn by Patricia A. McKillip