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back2bluesidex · 8 months

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Where Do Broken Hearts Go - Chapter 1 (18+)

Pairing: Model, ex-boyfriend!Jungkook X Child psychologist, Fem!Reader X Lawyer, Single Dad!Hoseok.

Summary: Jungkook stripped your emotions naked, left you bare in the chilly wind of despair and self-doubt with an unending heartache. You tried your hardest to move on from him, to live for yourself but failed miserably. Each night you had to come back to your empty home where memories and broken dreams were scattered all around the floor, until one day a little angel and her unbelievably beautiful father came into your life. Finally, when you find yourself healing, maybe falling too, Jungkook had to show up! Again!

Theme: Angst, pining, heartbreak, break-up, SMUT (MDNI)

Warnings: lots of crying, reader is broken, she is suffering so bad, a flashback explicit sex scene, big-dick Jungkook, kind of size kink, he hits it from behind, shower sex, unprotected sex (wrap it up), creampie, Jung Hoseok enters the scene, he is so attractive that you might faint, subtle and flirty Hoseok, an adorable little girl, Namjoon makes an appearance.

It's not really mentioned but just so you know, Hoseok and reader has a slight age gap like 5 years. (which is not at all an age gap to me because my first boyfriend was 8 years older than me. haha. you didn't just read that.)

Word count: 4.2k

Taglist requests are closed.

Minors and karens are not allowed in this blog

A/N: First chapter is here. I wrote 4k+ words for a single fic and that's unbelievable. Anyway, I hope you guys like it, and I hope it's worth the wait.

Main Masterlist

Chapters:-

Prologue/Masterpost || Chapter 1 || Chapter 2 || Chapter 3 || Chapter 4 || Chapter 5 || Chapter 6 || Chapter 7 - Finale

“Reaching in 10 minutes”

That’s what Jungkook texted you half an hour ago.

It’s nothing new. He has always been late to your every date, every plan, every meetup. What is new is the lack of explanations and excuses following his delayed arrivals. He only apologizes and you hardly hear any sincerity in his atonements.

You sigh, staring out of the huge window of the private cabin.

Jungkook can’t meet you at your (supposed to be shared) home due to his “privacy” issues. So, you had to reserve this private cabin of an over-expensive continental restaurant. It’s funny how all of these feel so formal. It feels as if you are meeting one of your wealthy clients and not your boyfriend. This is how far Jungkook has drifted from you.

Your feet bounce on the floor, reminding you that you are indeed very nervous.

It’s a “leap of faith” situation for you today. If it works out then everything will start afresh, if it doesn’t… you will have to fall and break without having any idea on how to mend yourself.

“Sorry. I’m late.” Jungkook’s muffled voice rings behind your ear.

You were so lost in your thoughts, or fear, that you didn’t even hear him entering the cabin.

He heads towards the seat opposite of yours, without any further greetings, any kiss or even a hug… not even a single glance.

“As if it’s the first time.” you scoff. Jungkook chuckles nervously, removing his mask and snapback.

“Let’s order something. Heard their soy sauce chicken is a hit-”

“Y/N, I can’t stay for long. Can you make it quick?” Jungkook cuts off your words. His tone is so curt, so foreign that you doubt if it’s actually him underneath his skin or not.

“Jungkook… What's wrong? Why are you making things so formal? For fuck’s sake it’s me. Your so-called girlfriend.” Your voice quivers but you scream nonetheless.

“Y/N! Quit being dramatic and lower your voice. We are not at home.” Jungkook hisses, teeth gritting, eyes narrowing.

“Home? You mean the apartment you left because your agency said it’s risky to share a space with your girlfriend of three years? The same place you refused to meet at because paparazzi are keeping tabs on you as you are rumored to be dating someone else?” you reply with the same ferocity.

Jungkook closes his eyes and rubs his face with both of his palms. Taking a sharp inhale, he says, “Can you please tell me why we are here? I don’t think you called me all the way here just so we can fight?”

You roll your eyes, less in sarcasm, more in an attempt to make your tears disappear.

You sit straight as if being prepared for the sword that is going to pierce through your heart, “Jungkook, do you.. do you love me?”

Jungkook visibly stiffens. His eyes go wide as if someone has asked him to jump off of the building. You see him collecting himself and clearing his throat only to lie, “O-Of course I do. But suddenly why?”

Even though you want to believe his words, you know those are as hollow as his eyes and maybe his heart as well.

“Then..” you pause, reaching for your purse. Pulling out the pitch black velvet box, you look at him. Jungkook’s eyes are wide again, filled with horror and confusion. He probably knows what you are doing and he does not seem to be the least bit happy.

You stand up from your seat and round the table to reach Jungkook, “don’t you think it’s the high time we get engaged? It’s been three years since we started dating, our families approve of each other and” you pause, being unsure of whether you should say it, “and we have always wanted a future together.” You open the box for him to see, a tight-lipped smile lingers on your face only to punctuate your proposal.

Jungkook looks up at you with his big, doe, mystical eyes and then looks down on the ring you have spent a fortune on. Your heart hammers in your chest, but it is not the flattering kind. Your heart races in a fear that you are not ready to face yet.

Jungkook’s face falls and he looks away from you. He plays with his fingers and avoids any kind of eye contact with you. You stand there like a doll made of steel, staring at him holding the ring.

“Y/N. This is not- I can’t. I mean, this is so sudden. I am at the peak of my career and I can’t think of getting engaged or married at this point of life.” he runs a hand though his dark hair out of frustration, “Why are you rushing everything like this?” Jungkook’s eyes are still trained on the table, not on you.

“Because I am afraid, Jungkook. I am afraid you might leave me behind if I don’t try to hold onto you now.” you finally let your tears fall. Uncontrollable sobs leave your mouth.

Jungkook whips his head towards you and then stands up slowly. He holds you by your arms and opens his mouth to say something, “Y/N. I-”

“But I guess it’s too late now. You were long gone. You were gone far before the day you were seen with her. I should have understood Jungkook. I should have…” you run out of breath but still continue, “now please answer me honestly, you love her. Don’t you?”

Jungkook starts avoiding your eyes again. His grip on your arms loosens and you somehow know the answer already.

“I never cheated on you, Y/N. I never lied to you.” He offers with eyes shut tightly.

“But you never told me the full truth either.” your voice comes out weak.

Jungkook remains silent for a while and then he continues with a frail voice, “That night. I mean, the photo that went viral, I was sending her back to her hotel. She flew all the way to the States to confess to me.” This is a new revelation to you, since you never really demanded any explanation from him. Honestly, you didn’t have the guts to face the truth. Rather you decided to try one last time. And that is what brings you here, defeated and rejected with a truck load of pain burdening you down.

“And? What did you say?” you press on, being determined to end your suffering today even if it means you will have to return home with a broken relationship and a broken heart.

“Nothing.” Jungkook gulps.

“You could not say no because you feel the same and you could not say yes because you still had me, is that right?” You know you awfully sound like you are in a session with one of your patients but you don’t care. You need to get to the root of this unbearable pain and cut it off for once and for all.

Jungkook nods. Even though his eyes are hidden from yours, you know, those are full of guilt and shame but not a single speck of love and affection for you.

You close your eyes, let the tears fall unbound, shut the box tight and take two steps back from your soon-to-be ex-boyfriend.

“I know this is a stupid question but I- I’m just confirming” another sob leaves your mouth unintentionally, “do you want to break up? With me?”

Jungkook pinches the bridge of his nose. He is probably finding a way to say yes without having to hurt you more than you can bear.

“Y/N..” he murmurs. This is most likely the last time you are hearing him call you by your name.

“Jungkook, please, just yes or no.” You take another step away from him.

“Yes.” Jungkook breathes out. His eyes are still shut tight.

Even though you knew what his answer would be, it still hurts much more than it did in your imagination.

You feel as if your head is underwater, you can’t breathe, can’t fight, can’t scream. You need to be saved but the person you want to reach out to is the same person who pushed you into this unfathomable water.

Your vision gets blurry with tears again, you can’t see Jungkook anymore. And you guess it’s better that way.

“Okay. That's all I think. That’s all for our three years of history. I hope you lead a happier life from now on. Goodbye….. Jungkook.” and with that you left without waiting for him to say anything. You left him and a part of yourself with him.

You are again sitting at your dining table, holding your phone tightly in your hand. You are again re-reading a headline just like you did a month and two days ago. You are again trying not to cry but you are failing miserably.

“Calvin Kline fame Jeon Jungkook confirms the rumors by kissing rumored girlfriend actress Han Jiwon at a club downtown - The agency is yet to provide a statement.”

It's cruel, how you have to wake up exactly at 7 in the morning despite crying for the better part of the night.

It's even more cruel, how your vacation application (which you have been pursuing for more than a week now) was declined harshly because there's a "priority client" and you, arguably the most competent child psychologist of the clinic, have to take over the case.

You reach for your phone and turn off the alarm.

Opening your eyes, you stare at the ceiling blankly. It's been two weeks since you last saw Jungkook at the restaurant. It's been two weeks since your relationship came to an end. And it's been four months since you are sleeping on your own but you still crave for his warmth beside you.

Love can be a funny thing. At one moment it's fulfilling you, injecting your heart with a sickening sweetness and at another one it's ripping off your urge to continue living, it's stuffing you with insecurity and self doubts that you hardly knew the existence of.

You wonder what Jungkook is doing now. Is he sleeping by himself or is he waking up beside Jiwon? Is he kissing her shoulders softly like he used to do to you or is he hovering above her, spreading her legs and inserting his large shaft inside.

Your thoughts are shaken off with the vibrating sound of your phone.

It's Miseon. The receptionist of The Mindscope ( the clinic you work for) and probably the only person you can call a friend in this entire world.

"Morning." You greet.

"Hey. Heard that your application was declined?" Miseon chrips from the other side of the line.

"Yeah. For some priority clients. Kim asshole Namjoon will be deep-fried in burning oil in a giant ass frying pan in hell." You grumble.

"So you are coming back to work today I guess."

"Yes I have to."

"Will you be okay tho?" You can hear concern in your friend's voice. She's the only person apart from your family to know about your and Jungkook's relationship. So, she called you immediately after seeing the tabloids twelve days ago. You cried on her shoulder when she visited you.

"Yeah. I guess. I have to start doing the actual work anyway. My eyes are in pain for the prolonged hours I spent staring at Microsoft Word for these two weeks. Ugh. Now I hate documentation even more."

Miseon chuckles, “Okay, see you at the clinic then.”

“Yeah. see you.”

You drag yourself out of the bed and head towards the washroom. If this is a new start, then you better accept it.

As soon as the warm soothing water touches your body, memories come rushing back, flooding your mind with despair in the process.

“Jungkook… I’m gonna get late” you whine, head tilting back with pleasure.

Jungkook’s hand snakes around your waist, fingers reach for your sensitive bundle of nerves.

“Five minutes won’t hurt, baby.” he whispers in your ear as his index and middle finger draw slow circles on your wet clit.

His other hand teases one of your wet nipples, twisting and tugging it as harshly as he wants.

A pool of slick gushes out of your hole making jungkook groan at the feeling. He dips his middle finger in your hole and collects some of your wetness, he then uses that to rub more smooth circles on your clit.

You choke on thin air, moaning his name again and again you start to roll your hip on his naked cock.

His giant cock fits perfectly along your ass crack, as if it was made to fit inside you.

You roll your hips harder to elicit a reaction from your boyfriend.

“Such a dirty girl, huh? All for me.” Jungkook’s husky voice pierce through your sober mind and you find yourself dazed with love and pleasure.

Jungkook increases the pace of his fingers and you get more and more wet each passing second.

“Kook.. I- I need you.” you manage to breathe out.

“Don’t be vague, Y/N. Tell me what you exactly need.” Jungkook replies smugly.

“I need your giant cock to ruin my pussy, daddy.” you reply, squeezing the tit that has been deprived of your boyfriend’s attention.

“Whatever my baby says.” and with that jungkook slips inside you in one go. You barely get any chance to adjust because he starts moving right away.

He fucks you slow. His fingers never stop teasing your clit and soon you two reach your climax. He fills you with his cum and you coat his cock with yours.

“Let’s get cleaned now, hm?” Jungkook places a kiss on your shoulder as he turns on the shower.

Your back slides down the shower wall. You shake violently as loud sobs leave your throat one after another.

“You are so cruel, Jungkook. You are so fucking cruel.” you scream. Your throat hurts but your heart hurts even more.

You should have read the signs. When he kept on talking about Jiwon, aka his new friend from the agency, you should have perceived that shine in his eyes.

You should have confronted him more when he said he would have a drink with her after his shoot.

You should have asked his whereabouts when he ignored your calls and texts because he visited her in one of her drama sets.

You should have done a lot of things but most importantly, you should have loved him a little less and loved yourself a little more.

Counselee Information: - Name: Jung Sua Age: 7 (seven) Gender: Female (F) Guardian: Jung Hoseok Relationship with the guardian: Father of the counselee Reasons behind seeking help: 1. Changes in behavior 2. Quieter and more reserved than before 3. Frequent nightmares 4. Mild panic attacks

“So, what do you think?” Namjoon questions, leaning on the plush chair, placed at the end of your table.

“Nothing complicated. You could have handled it yourself. There was absolutely no need of rejecting my vacation applications again and again.” you spat, being very unimpressed with the dimpled smirk on your boss’ face.

“Oh my god. What’s wrong?” he dramatically leans forward. Placing a hand on his chest, Namjoon continues, “I thought you will be in a better mood after two weeks of work from home. But you seem even more annoyed than before.”

“For your information, I asked for a damn holiday not work from home aka prolonged hours of documentation. I really need some time off, Namjoon. I am not kidding.” Your voice sounds so defeated that Namjoon has to sit straight.

A serious expression takes over his features as he replies, “I know, Y/N. You are definitely not the type to take leaves for fun. But I am helpless here. The client has asked for you personally. He has done his own research and concluded that you can help his daughter better than everyone else in this clinic. I could not do anything.”

You nod understanding his point of view.

You are always more than ready to help these little, innocent souls out. It pains you to see these babies experiencing something as horrific as panic attacks.

But this time you need therapy more than anyone else under your radar. Even though your exterior doesn’t show the unbearable pain your interior is going through, you still need some solace. You are really unwilling to work at this moment and you doubt if you can help anyone else when you are not mentally fit yourself.

But you hardly have a choice. And maybe, just maybe, you will get a chance of distracting yourself from Jungkook's thoughts. Maybe you will be able to take a breather. Maybe you will heal in the process. Maybe?

“The appointment is at 11 am, right?” You ask the man sitting right in front of you.

“Yes,” he answers.

“It’s 10:49 already. Get out and let me prepare myself.” you mutter, closing your eyes and leaning back on your chair.

“Okay okay. Don’t be so aggressive.” Namjoon chuckles before leaving you alone in the cabin.

You go through Jung Sua's records once more to verify if there's a health condition you should be aware of. But there isn't anything.

Just when you close the file, a knock rings on the cabin door.

You sit straight. Ready to welcome a new friend.

Yuna, your assistant, knocks once more before pushing the door slowly. She walks in first and then holds the door open for the guests.

And the cutest seven years old, you have ever seen, walks inside. She's so small that she can be easily mistaken for a five year old. Her chubby cheeks and immaculately done pigtails makes her look like a doll.

You almost coo at the sight.

Even though you mostly work with kids, for the past year you were working with only teenagers. It's been long since you had the pleasure to serve yourself for a kid less than ten years old, let alone a seven year one.

"Hello there, Miss Sua. How are you doing?" You say in a jovial voice, trudging towards the baby.

Sua tenses a bit and looks behind her, looking for shelter from her father. He stands right behind Sua, offering her to hold one of his hands. Sua takes that readily.

You come forward and sit on your knees to maintain an eye level with your new friend.

"Don't worry. I'm your new friend. My name is Y/N." You offer her your hand. She hesitates a bit and then looks at her father for confirmation.

You follow her cue and tilt your head up to take a look at the father of your counselee.

Only if you weren't the embodiment of damsel of distress these days, you could very well have a love at first sight.

The man flaunts a pair of incredibly beautiful yet intimidating eyes, a chiseled jaw that can cut you into pieces, perfectly styled dark hair that falls on his face, and a pair of heart shaped lips which enhances the overall beauty of his face. The fitted dress pants and the black dress shirt give hints of the lithe, well-structured body that lies inside.

He smiles at you, you do the same. And then you feel a softer, smaller hand wrapping up your fingertips lightly.

Her cuteness makes you giggle.

You stand up, taking her hand on yours, you start walking towards a cozier corner of your cabin, where you usually counsel kids. Her father follows you closely behind.

There's a small and round glass table along with three chairs. One is meant for you and two others are meant for the counselees and their guardians.

You turn towards Sua’s father. Smiling a little and you say “You need to take the seat first, so that she can be assured it is safe here.”

“Sure” he replies. His voice is smooth and light, a contrast to his dark and manly features.

He sits down on the bigger chair and pats on the smaller one, “come on Sua, com ‘ere.”

Sua leaves your hand and wiggles towards her dad. She easily plops down on her seat.

“Yuna, can you prepare the game room please?” You ask your assistant.

“Sure, Y/N” She says before closing the door as you get comfortable in your own chair.

Sua regards you with her big, round doe eyes. She looks at you so intensely as if you have grown two horns in your head.

You chuckle a bit, “Sua, don’t you like your new friend? Don’t you like me?”

Sua stays silent.

“Sua is very friendly. I am sure she will like Y/N very soon. Isn’t it, baby?” Sua’s father chimes in, squeezing one of her little hands with his bigger, rougher ones.

You are so accustomed to your patients and their guardians to address you as “doctor”, that you had to take a moment after your name rolled out of Mr. Jung’s mouth.

The change is welcomed anyway.

You divert your eyes from Sua to him, only to find him smiling at you warmly. You mirror his smile. His smile is so damn gorgeous that you can’t help but feel contaminated with it.

“Sua, what do you like to play the most?” you focus on Sua again.

“Mario kart” she replies briefly, staring down at her feet.

“Okay. That's a great game. But what would you like to play outside? For example with your classmates during lunchtime?” You place your next question.

“My classmates don’t play with me.” She was quick with her answer.

Your smile drops instantly and you already start mapping out all the possible sources of the issues she is facing.

Nodding to yourself in understanding, you proceed, “Okay, let’s not talk about games anymore. You tell me what you like more, oranges or mangoes?”

“Mangoes.” she replies.

“Okay” standing up from your seat, you walk towards your table and call Yuna. She comes within a few seconds.

You instruct her to take Sua to the game room and treat her to some delicious mango juice. Even though Sua hesitates for a bit, her father’s encouragement works really well.

As soon as Sua leaves the room, you find yourself quite nervous under the intimidating gaze of Mr. Jung.

This setting is nothing new. You have been into one-on-one conversations with your counselees’ parents for more times than you can count. But none of them were as young and attractive as Mr. Jung.

You inhale a long breath before continuing, “so, Mr. Jung, since when did you start noticing these changes in Sua?”

“Almost a month ago. I can’t pinpoint an exact date but she has gradually become very quiet over this last month. She used to be very chatty. She used to tell me every little thing in detail about her day, her friends, what she had for lunch, what colors she used in drawings and so on. Now-a-days her answers have become vague and insignificant.” Mr. Jung sighs.

“Hmm. and the nightmares?” you ask, scribbling on the ipad.

“Around the same time. She woke up at 2 in the morning, ran to my room crying and breathing heavily. She didn’t tell me what it was about but kept on saying she was afraid. The same thing happened two more times.” He completes.

“Umm. The next question might be a little personal but the information is required for future counsellings. I ask for your understanding.” you sit straight. He nods.

“You said she came running to you when she had nightmares. Hence, I assume you were alone in the room. What about Sua’s mother?”

“I am a single dad, Doctor. Sua’s mother and I were in a casual relationship when she conceived with Sua unexpectedly. Both of us were just starting our careers so it was tough for us to think of getting married. On the top of that we didn’t like each other enough to proceed with that option. So, we decided to co-parent. But…” he pauses, takes in a long breath and then continues, “she disappeared after giving birth. She left a note behind as an apology, saying that she is not ready to be a mother, asking me not to contact her anymore. My mother and sister helped me in raising Sua so beautifully. They are the only ones to become something close to a mother figure for her. That’s all.”

You feel something warm flooding in your chest. You don’t know what it is, it can be respect, can be sympathy, can be even admiration for this man who you don’t even know properly.

A genuine smile takes over your face as you mutter, “You have done a great job Mr. Jung. You have raised a beautiful daughter all by yourself. You have worked hard.”

Mr, Jung’s dark eyes flood with some emotions you can’t quite name. He stares at you intensely, so much so that you feel he is reading you inside out. You can’t help but stare back at him.

“Call me Hoseok. So that I can call you by your name too. Is that okay, Y/N?” his voice is deeper than earlier, his smile is lopsided, more like a smirk.

You find yourself easily smiling along with him, something that has been quite tough for you to do for the past few months.

“Sure. Hoseok.” Your reply comes out without any further thought.

Taglist:-

@phenomenalgirl9 @variety-is-the-joy-of-life @soraviie @sukunabitch @chimchimmarie @coffeedepressionsoup @meowstake @vonvi-blog @nochuel @xjoonchildx @justmewondering-recs @cuteipat @miakey98 @purpleanchorcrown @chimmisbae @ane102 @junniesoleilkth @terjeonbebas @kookssecret @appleh4ad @kayleeshinee @whoa-jo

#bts angst #bts smut #jungkook angst #jungkook smut #hoseok angst #hoseok smut #bts x reader #jungkook x reader #hoseok x reader #bts fanfiction #jungkook fanfic #hoseok scenarios #jhope angst #jhope smut

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the-witch-of-one-piece · 4 months

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Secrets Kept From Him Chapter 8: His Comfort Ran x F!Reader x Draken WC:5600+k Resident: @enchantedforest-network Synopsis: Waking up in a bed you weren't familiar with you in Ran's home. Trying to process all the events of last night, you are forced to stay in his home until the mess is cleared out. Ending up with you both going to his club to get your mind off what had happened you are face to face with the heiress Ms. Yamaguchi and she isn't too keen on you so close to Ran. The confrontation between you and her would escalate quickly causing Ran to remove you from the scene in that private moment of his comfort will it lead to more than just comfort? Will a certain pair of eyes send chills down your spine of someone from the club? TW: cussing, drinking, smoking, mentions of stalking, mentions of weapons, threatening, vaginal sex, masturbation, making out, multiple creampies, shower sex, desk sex, dirty talking, nicknames (pretty girl, baby girl, my queen) Possessive behavior, mentions of cheating.

MINORS DNI 18+

“Mommy wake up.” you heard your daughter's voice. Her tiny hands against your face. Your eyes began to adjust to the slightly dark room. You saw your daughter's violet eyes looking back at you. You sat up quickly all you could remember was blacking out last night, realizing you were in a bedroom you hadn’t been in before. Looking around just by the decor and the scent that lingers in the room it was Ran’s room.

You looked at your daughter who was next to you. “You okay sweetie?” She nodded “Mhmm. Where are we?” she asked. She remembers falling asleep at her aunt's home but waking up in a strange bed next to her mom.

“At your dad's home…” After a few minutes of being in bed, you both got up. Walking out of the room to find Ran and Rindou up. “Good morning you two.” Ran's voice spoke.

“Mornin..” You said. “Good morning.” D/n walked towards Ran who picked her up kissing the side of her temple.

“How did you sleep?” he asked.

“Okay..” d/n was a bit more quiet than he was used to. Ran had a feeling it could have been due to what happened yesterday.

“I know it's not a girl's room you slept in but I think we can arrange something in one of the other rooms for you.” giving her a comforting smile. Ran looked at you, the brief look into his eyes quickly averting his eyes away from his. Flashbacks from last night played in your mind. Rindou could sense the awkward tension between you and Ran. “Oi d/n let’s go down the street to get breakfast.”

“What about mommy and daddy?” she asked. “They need to take care of some things. They should be fine by the time we get back.” Your daughter looked over at you. Right now you were a bit on the edge about letting her go due to the incident last night. But you Rindou know he would be able to take care of her. “It -it’s fine, let me just go get her dressed.” After getting her dress and fixing her hair she met her uncle at the door. Ran kneeled down and gave her a hug and a kiss. “Be good for your uncle now okay?” She nodded agreeing you also gave her a big hug. You watch them exit the door and enter the elevator. Ran closed the door wearing a loose-fitted long sleeve, his hand reached for the back of the neck. “Doll…” starting off “How are you right now?” he asked you bit concerned from your passing out last night. “I’m okay…” softly speaking as you responded.

“Listen… Last night, well yesterday in general was bad… I don’t want to fight with you… that’s the last thing I want to happen between me and you.” Letting out a sigh you rubbed your face. You didn’t want to fight with him either. Apart of you could have been understanding what he may have been feeling just finding out that you slept with Draken. You were feeling that hint of jealousy last night when running into that woman from the club. Just putting a voice to a face still mind-boggled you why Ran wanted you still and not this woman.

“I know it was just overall not the best day… Look, I don't wanna burden you, me and d/n are going to stay with my aunt for a few days.” Ran shook his head “You can’t do that..” Cocking your brow “why not?” “Because of the person that entered your home…If he was able to get in your home that easily without you knowing he can do it again… That also means he knows your routine and where you go.” Ran walked to the couch taking a seat. “What do you have Ran. Don’t lie to me.” “There was a deal that went south a few years ago. Some stock supplies went missing that are worth a large chunk of money. They were never able to locate the missing supplies and I figured they would sneak their way to try and get it.” How he made it sound was so simple. “Ran, just give it to them. If you have it so they can leave us alone.” “The supplies are all the way in the Osaka warehouse we have. It will take a few days to get them here..” reaching into his pocket and pulled out a cigarette. “In the meantime, you and d/n have to stay here. They know better than to enter my property. I can’t let you both go anywhere unless it is with me or Rindou.”

Trying not to roll your eyes, maybe a part of him sounded so nonchalant as he spoke. “How long is a few days?”

“A week why in a rush to see someone?” Slightly shaking his head exhaling his cigarette.

A week in a place with Ran for 24hrs… “don’t go there, Ran.”

That was a dare to him in his next words of choice. “Fuck it I am. Why try to leave so soon? Is it you dont wanna be bothered by me? Or is it because of someone you fucked recently and think you are falling for them when in reality it was a desperation to be fucked?” He asked not holding back

“Why are you so concerned about what I do? I’m surprised to not see that girl from last night here with her. She seems more up your alley now…” you were playing with fire.

Ran stood quiet “I’m concerned who you bring around MY daughter. The well-being of her safety along with yours. Just do me the favor and stay here till the shipment comes. When they get their stuff you can go back home.”

“Fine”

“We will head to the house to pick up some more items for you and d/n.” Ran called Rindou letting him know you both would be home for about an hour. That escalated quicker than it needed between you both.

Rindou on the other hand hung up the phone he was sitting in the diner with d/n. His niece sat on a booster chair in front of her with a cup of juice. “Your mom and dad are going to your house.”

Her eyes widen “But what about the monster? Is he there?” She spoke in a feared tone. Rindou saw the expression on her face. He didn’t want her to be frightened.

“No no, he is gone.” He reassured her. “Your dad is with your mom. He will protect her,”

“Uncle Rin is mommy and daddy mad at each other?” She asked him. She remembered hearing them argue yesterday.

Rindou didn’t know how to respond, “it was a disagreement. But it’s nothing you should worry about. They can’t get mad at each other for so long. They end up making up every single time. Have you ever heard of what a drama queen is?” “When something small happens and someone makes it bigger?” she asked to understand the term. “Yeah something like that but both of your parents are drama queens.” he took a drink of his coffee. “Daddy is a drama queen because he had pigtails before so he is not a drama king?” He slightly choked on his coffee wanting to laugh but he kept his composure. “Yeah, he is a Drama queen.” The food came for both of them. He was cutting her pancakes up. Rindou looked at his niece once more “Kiddo I have a question.” “Yes?” she spoke as he placed her food in front of her, placing a fork full of pancakes in her mouth. “Do you remember where the man came from?” he asked She stopped chewing and looked at her uncle. She finished chewing her food before she said “I went to grab my toys from the closet and he was there. He told me to be quiet and ask me to call my mommy. When getting into the car to leave the house….. Mommy took me to Aunty’s home… When it was time for bed I couldn’t sleep. I looked out the window. It was the same black car that followed me and Mommy.” Rindou had a view of the outside window “Do you see the same car right now?” She looked out the window and she was looking at all the cars on the street and the small parking area. “No, I don’t see it.”

~~~~~~~~

Arriving at your home you felt anxious about possibly seeing the man there. Ran entered the home first doing a walk-through before you went in making sure it was safe. “Grab what you need..” Ran began looking for possible break-in spots that would have let the person in the home. He began to check the locks to see if they were picking the windows throughout the house. When he saw the glass window sliding door lock scratched up. He found the way the person entered the home. Opening the back door he took a step outside just observing if something seemed out of the ordinary.

In your room, you began to back some items when your phone rang. It was Draken when picking up your phone. “Hey,” you said a happy yet with sadden tone

“Hey you okay?” he noticed your tone was off. “Something happened last night and..” “What did he do?” Draken dropped the wrench in his toolbox adjusting the phone to his ear. “Someone broke in last night and… I can’t stay in my house right now… I can’t go into full detail about it.” “Wait what? Why didn’t you call me? I would have been there?” Draken walked out of the garage. “Is it the same people following you?” “Yeah… apparently they know Ran and I can’t stay at home until whatever they need to recover from him…” Draken let out a sigh. “But you and d/n are alright?” he asked.

“Yeah, we are fine... I have to stay with Ran for a few days until it gets all cleared.”

Hearing this Draken was a little displeased he didn't want you staying over there with someone who just found out you both slept together. “Look why don’t you and d/n just stay with me until it gets cleared. After everything yesterday, do you think it is best to stay with him?” “Draken whoever was in my home threatened me and d/n…Ran told me these people are not a joke” Remembering the man's words from yesterday was making you feel anxious. “I-I don’t want more people involved in this mess. I agreed me and d/n to stay with him. D/n also found out Ran is her father. She doesn’t want to be apart from him…”

He let out a sigh. “_________ if it doesn't work out over there let me know and I will have you and d/n stay with me.” Closing your eyes for a moment “Alright… I will try and meet you sometime this week, okay? I will explain everything more when I get more info.”

“Okay just call me still if you need something.”

Hanging up the phone you finished packing your items before walking into your daughter's room to pack some items. Ran came back into the home once again he locked the door before going upstairs. He saw you packing some items in the d/n room and putting them in a bag. “They came in through the back door. If you want I can have people come over and install cameras on the outside of the perimeters.” You nodded at him “Yeah I just can’t have something like this happen again. You're calling to have the shipments delivered right?”

“Yeah I will have to wait for Rin to confirm everything then all we have to do is wait. I promise it will be done.”

When getting back to his home Rin and d/n were there. As the day went on the sun began to set. You could see your daughter looked a bit sad taking a seat with her on the couch while Rin and Ran were in the other room talking. They were trying to figure out a shipment way to get the items back here to Japan. You and Ran didn’t do a lot of talking to one another while being under the same roof. “Everything okay d/n?”

She nodded “Mommy, are you still mad at daddy?” “Why do you ask?” “Because you aren’t talking a lot to him anymore…” She observed the minimal talking you and Ran had since being here. “I don’t want you guys mad at each other…” She wanted to see her parents get along.

When Rin and Ran came out they could see D/n and you talking. When she saw her dad “Daddy say sorry to mommy.”

Ran was surprised by his daughter's request. “What?”

“Mommy say sorry to daddy.”

“Hmmm?” you blinked your eyes at her. Then both you and Ran looked at one another.

“She is saying both of you stop acting like drama queens and say sorry to one another. I mean you will be around one another for a while and it will be awkward for you both not to be talking.” Rin said, making his way to the couch. “Sorry..” you both said at the exact same time. When you both looked at each other d/n looked at her uncle who sat on the other couch he gave her a secret thumbs up. Maybe Rin had some tricks up his own sleeves on how to get this ball going for you both. “As congrats you both made up have ________ take my spot tonight at the club.” “Wait what?” you looked over at Rin. Ran was a bit confused about his brother's action. “I can’t leave d/n” “I got her, you can’t go out by yourself if they are following you... other than barging in yesterday into the club you didn’t get to experience what it's like to enjoy the atmosphere in there,” Rin said.

“Yeah, Mommy you should go!” D/n seemed to back Rin up on his suggestion. Squinting your eyes at Rin who seemed careless about the death glare you gave him. “Daddy would want to take you, right daddy?” Ran couldn’t help but smile at his daughter's request. “Of course.” “I don’t have anything to wear for that.” trying to make an excuse. “Actually you do…” Ran walked out of the living room to his room. You saw a white garment rack cover in Rans's hand along with a shoe box. “I held onto it, I don't know why...But it was an anniversary gift years back you never got the chance to open...” Opening the garment rack to find a deep maroon-colored dress with the tag on it and a pair of laced heels to match it…You couldn’t even make an excuse now that you have an outfit… just seeing how he kept this item you felt like you needed to go now. After agreeing it would take both you and Ran some time to get ready. D/n walked towards her uncle taking a seat next to him. “You did good kiddo, told you they would go out.” “It worked! So does it mean it's a real date?” d/n she asked.

“Yeah you can consider it a date for them,” Rin said. A part of Rin wanted to see you both back together because you guys ending up with anyone else didn’t make sense to him when he saw there was still underlying love for one another. He just gave the push and with the help of his niece, it worked.

After finishing getting ready it was about 8:30pm, walking out of the guest room Ran was just leaving his room. ‘She still takes my breath away.’ ran said to himself. “Lovely as alway,” he said out loud walking towards you. He always looked good in a suit you had to admit. “You look good too.” Giving him a small smile.

Rin didn’t live too far; he had a small backpack ready for d/n. Both of you gave her a hug before seeing them drive off. Getting into Ran's car he made his way to the club. Ran was hoping tonight would try to ease the tension off of the both of you.

Ran opened your car door for you. The blazing music coming from the club and the line of people trying to get in. The amount of attention locked on you and Ran as you both walked in as a pair into the club. Feeling the girl's eyes burning at your back as you walked in with Ran. You don’t even wanna count the possibility of how many he has already slept with. Trying to continue to follow Ran you didn’t want to get lost in the crowd you held onto his arm slithering through the crowd. Making your way to the VIP area you can see some of the high rollers greeted Ran. Seeing how some of them began to look at you, your outfit making you feel like you were some type of object. The sudden feel of Ran’s arms sliding around your waist. “You're fine. I got you.” he leaned into your ear.

He took a seat in his favorite area and the waitress took orders for your guy's drinks. Looking around it was a really nice VIP section even the whole atmosphere of when you enter the club. You felt proud of Ran seeing the hard work he and Rin did over the years.

As the waitress brought the drink and took them both, handing one of them to you. “Well, what do you think?” Ran asked

“When you talk about it in the past every detail I remember you wanted I can see it being done. It’s honestly amazing.” You admitted to him.

“Thank you.” Ran smiled watching you take a drink. Your whole demeanor was seeming to relax more still his eyes wandered as the dress hugged your curves. “I knew that dress would look good on you.”

You smiled slightly blushing before you could respond and you heard a voice “Ran dear I thought I wouldn’t see you tonight.”

Both of your heads turning to the voice that made Ran cringe seeing Ms. Yamaguchi.

“Ms Yamaguchi, what a surprise?” He spoke in a friendly tone. Giving him a side glance it sounded kinda like he didn’t want to be bothered.

“Oh, it’s your little friend from yesterday I almost didn't recognize you you all dressed up.” the comment it almost took you back as if you looked really bad yesterday, “Sorry what was your name again?” She asked

“Oh it’s _____” giving her a polite smile.

“______ pretty name.” She responded, “tell me how do you know Ran?”

“We have known each other for a long time. How long have you known Ran?”

Ran was mentally stressing out on the interaction between you both just how it’s starting off it was going to be not good.

“For a few weeks but we have gotten very close close.” Ms. Yamaguchi smiled then looking at Ran giving him a wink. You nodded, then looked at Ran. It was becoming a bit more noticeable why she came over. “Oh darling,” she looked at Ran getting close to him. “I was thinking maybe this coming weekend we can take off.”

As you close your eyes, rolling them as you open them, you are taking a drink. You turned around slightly looking around the bar avoid what she wanted to hear from him.

Ran taking a step back. “I actually have to decline.”

“Awww why?” She slightly pouted. “I promise to make it worth your wild.

“I have plans with _____ and our daughter.” She responded.

You looked over at Ran, who was a bit closer to you now. Ms. Yamaguchi was taken back by his response. His hand trailing down your arm he caused you to blush. The jealousy was fueling her a bit seeing how he was interacting with you.

“You have child? since when?” She wanted to hear Ran say it. Even though she already knew.

“We do have a child.” Not wanting to give her info.

“I’m assuming you both are together?” She asked

“We are not together yet.” Ran said.

At this point you didn’t know what to say. But you know he was trying to get away from her with all the questioning. Trying to help him out a bit “I mean by the end of the night we might pick up where we left off we will see where tonight takes us.” Taking a step closer towards him, his hand finding your waist once more.

Ms Yamaguchi spoke “usually exes are exes for a reason. Since knowing Ran he never brought up a child before till now and I never saw you before till yesterday. Where have you been?”

“If you must know, I was overseas. I just came back….” You calmly spoke. In that moment she let out a sarcastic laugh. “Sorry, what do you find funny?”

“You.” Ms Yamaguchi looked at you with a snarky response.

“What about me?” Placing the drink down on the counter.

“Seriously, you think for one minute you can fool me?” Ms. Yamaguchi spoke close to you. “You fooled Ran but not me.” “There is nothing to fool. You don’t know anything about me.” the friendly tone you had disappeared.

“ It is odd to me that you left then reappeared, with a child. When a woman leaves and becomes pregnant with a child in some cases that means the woman was unfaithful to their boyfriend and instead of them coming clean they disappear. I know more than you think….”

The comment irked you. She didn’t know what she was talking about. She was trying to get a reaction out of you “As I said you don’t know anything about me or my daughter.” More things were gonna come out of her mouth letting you both know how much she does know about you both. “Seemingly she does look like a Haitani from what I saw,” she said it made you question how she saw your daughter. Ran looked over and he knew he never showed a photo of his daughter to her. Before Ran could speak Ms. Yamaguchi finished her sentence “Rin and Ran are brothers now. That could be Rin’s daughter for all we know.”

“Ran, get her out of my face before I do something stupid.” you looked at her. She laughed “Is that a threat? I don’t think you would want to have your daughter visit you behind bars now, what example are you going to show her by doing that?.” In a matter of a flash of a second, the finally thin string came undone. Before you could do anything you felt a pair of hands pull you away quickly. “You need to leave now.” The more assertive voice came from Ran looking at Ms. Yamaguchi. You wanted to rip her eyes out. The false accusation of sleeping with Rin and that d/n wasn’t Ran's daughter. Ran was pulling you towards the office you needed to clear your mind. He wasn’t going to let you make a fool of yourself because of someone's jealousy. As he opened the door to his office both you and him went in. Ran could see the anger in your eyes, you couldn’t even talk. Feeling so upset your eyes began to water up. “Stay in here.. I will be back.” Ran walking out of his office. He saw Ms. Yamaguchi walk towards him. He had enough of her games. She stuck her nose in too many times and it was the final straw. “I told you to leave.” She raised her brow “Really Ran?” “You insulted the mother of my daughter” his hands were in his pocket. “It shows how ugly of a person you really are..” She was taken aback by the comment made to her “Excuse me?” She felt like that was worse than getting hit. “She would never be half the woman I am.” “That’s where you're wrong, you can’t compare to __________. What can I say you were only there when needed to relieve stress. Freely opening your legs as I came and went.” Ran's voice was cold as ice. “If you thought there was a chance of me being with you, you were sadly mistaken. Beauty only gets you so far…. I don’t wanna see you here anymore. Get out before I have security escort you..” Ran turned and began walking away leaving her almost dumbfounded by his response.

You were leaning against the desk, your foot tapping on the ground. Your arms were crossed when you heard the door opening the music emitting from the outside your eyes saw Ran coming in. Closing the door, he let a low sigh “I know she is my daughter ________. I never doubted it for a moment." His hands rested his pocket as he walked towards you. “Are you okay?”

“Ran…you know I never did anything with Rin or anyone while we were together.”

“I know, I know… I made sure she wasn’t going to come here again. I just wanted to have a good time with you.” Ran felt like any moment he had with you someone fucked it up. His hand reached for your cheeks brushing the tear away. His hand didn’t leave your face. When he saw your face it began to flash back to a specific time where he saw you like this compared to other times you cried. “_____”

His hand was gentle against your face, he was close to you. Something about Ran in this moment made you feel comfortable and so familiar, something you hadn’t felt in a long time.

Just like a strong magnetic, he was closing the gap between you both his hands reaching for the other side of your cheek. Your lips pressed against his, Ran hands still cradling your face before they drifted down to your lower back. The tip of his tongue lightly brushes against your lip allowing him access to your wet canvas. His lips were so familiar and yet so comforting. They always have been a weakness of yours. His lips were drawing you in for more, Ran could feel your hands reaching for his jacket grasping onto him.

The music was still pounding on the outside of the room. He sat you on his desk not breaking from the kiss. His large hands slide up and down your thighs. “I need you” he was trying to catch his breath. His fingers are already brushing underneath your dress. “My queen, let your king take care of you right away.”

‘Fuck fuck fuck.’ You kept repeating. Your eyes traveled down to the large bulge in his pants. Your own arousal was turning you on and pushing any kind of negative thought was gone. Your hands gravitate to his buckle undoing it. The hem of your dress is being pushed up. Your thong is being pushed to the side. His cock was throbbing and aching to want to be inside you for so long... You could feel the smile tugging on his lips as he kissed you. Feeding into his ego seeing just the small makeup session got you the moment you. He slowly slid inside of you, the deep grunt coming from him has his shaft filling your warm tight cunt. His lips locked with yours as he began to thrust into you “Ran~~~ Ran~~~” You were panting between each kiss.

“You don’t know how much I missed you saying my name like that.” Ran brushing off your straps from your shoulders as he exposed your breast. “I missed all of you ______.” His kisses began to travel from your cheeks to your neck.

At this point you didn’t know if you were just letting the words slip out due to lust. “I missed you too Ran. Fuck~~~~” you tremble whispered looking up at him. The moment he picked up his speed he saw your eyes rolls back for a moment.

“God I love you so fucking much.” panting as his mind fills with a pure craving for you. Just the way you were responding to him was just like he remembered. “tell me you love me ______. Stop denying it.” his fingers trailed to your thighs gripping them “Say it”

“I-I” you were trying to think clearly and it was hard. “I love you Ran,” Ran in the moment of lust and a sense of relief he kept repeating he loved you. You were wrapped around the three words as you kept repeating them to him back. You were the only woman he fell deeply in love with. The mother of his precious daughter, the woman he still planned to have a future with.

“Fuck your so wet”. His eyes glance down to his cock sliding in and out of your sweet pussy. Your cunt kept sucking his cock in. “I missed coming inside what is mine. It feels like you want me to fill that cute little pussy of yours.”

“Don’t pull out Ran.” You whimpered pleading into your fetish of wanting to be filled up to the brim.

“Is that a request?” He cooed slyly as he looked at you “Beg for me to fill you up, come on tell me, pretty girl.” He slowed down his thrust.

“Ran~~ please give me your~~ c-cum~~” you cried out. “Attagirl, one more thing…… Tell me who you belong to.” pulling your thighs slightly up causing you to slightly lean back on the couch. His cock inching deeper and deeper inside of your constricting cunt. “ngh~~~” you were messing up some of the papers on the desk. Knowing he would use this against you.

“Say it ______.” the possessive behavior came from Ran as he was fucking you. “You Ran” the rush of heat filling your body shuddering of euphoric bliss. Your vision became foggy that moment when you looked at him you saw him with his long black and blond hair and the tender loving smile each time you both made love. Reaching to pull him down slightly towards you. You kissed him again not wanting to break the kiss.

Ran sunk into the kiss along with thrusting still in you as you held your closer. He is rapidly thrusting into your tight cunt and sending him into a thrusting frenzy trying to chase the familiar rush sensation. Flexing his jaw tightly, the warmth of his cum plunges into you deeply. Letting out a shudder moaned as he began milking his cock in and out of you.

He felt at home his knee was going to give up in a matter of seconds. Taking a few deep breaths “I love you ____.”

“I love you too Ran.”

Seeing you makeup was slightly smeared; he didn't want you to go out like that and people know what you did. You both began to make yourself look a bit more presentable. He runs his fingers through his hair as he watches you look into the mirror fixing your makeup. There was some form of doubt you both had been thinking right now almost like you couldn’t believe you both had sex a few minutes ago. You saw Ran walking towards you through the mirror. The comfort of his arms wrapping you from behind his head slightly buried in the crook of your neck he closed his eyes briefly softly whispering between your skin “I love you more than anything.”

“I know you do Ran… I don’t have a doubt you do.” Just in that brief encounter right now you weren’t over him either. How easily you said I love you back to him without a doubt in your mind. Still, that part of you didn’t want to say it back because of other situations happening. With the break-in at your home, the woman who envied you from the moment you met her, to Draken…. You criticize women about sleeping with different people but you slept with your closest friend and then the father of your daughter in a short period. You were being a hypocrite and it started to weigh in on you.

Picking his head up slightly he looked at you in the mirror seeing the almost lost look on your face as the pressure was weighing in on you like a ton of bricks. “______.”

“Yeah.” Looking at his violet eyes through the mirror.

“I know you love me. Just a few minutes ago how you said it was just like before.”

“I’m not denying it Ran I just…there is a lot to take in that is happening…I just want to leave.”

He didn’t argue but agreed to take you back. His arms were removed from your waist. When both of you were ready to leave his office the blasting of the music hit you both. You looked around the club and didn’t see that woman around anymore. Walking out of the VIP section you tried to maneuver out of the way with Ran. A sudden chill went up your spine as if someone’s eyes were piercing through you, looking around but there were so many people. In the back corner of the club near the bar you saw a man with piercing yellow eyes, in his hands was a clear glass inside the glass was a dark liquor thinking it could be bourbon or whiskey. That moment you made eye contact with him almost stopping you. Something about his demeanor was off. By himself in the corner of the club, the distinct hand tattoo you saw that said punishment. When Ran felt you slightly slow down he looked at you, seeing your eyes in a direction. “______.” He called out through the music.

Snapping out of it when you looked at him. “Sorry I don’t know what happened.”

“Are you sure?”

You looked at the corner of the club once more and he was gone. “Yeah.”

Proceeding to exit the club getting into his car. You got a text from Rindou along with a photo of your daughter starfished out on the large king mattress.

Rindou: She is out, she stole my bed. T-T If she isn’t her father’s daughter.

You couldn’t help but smile. Ran could see the smile tugging on your lip and the glance at your phone of his daughter knocked out. “She is definitely your daughter.”

He smiled “yeah she is.”

Getting back to Ran’s place. The home was quiet; it made you feel a bit at ease knowing that d/n was secure with Rindou. Ran began taking off his jacket, “I’m going to head into the shower then get some rest. I’ll see you in the morning.” Nodding at his response. He wanted nothing more than to ask you to join him. His hand reaching for the back of your head he leaned in pressing his lips against your forehead. He walked off toward his room.

Walking to your room you placed the bag down on the bed. Taking off your make-up, thoughts pondering into your mind. Just the kiss on the forehead made you feel relaxed. Maybe your next action was questionable you felt like you had no control over your own thoughts. Opening the door up you walked toward his room. You could hear the shower on. Entering his room he was already in the shower. Before stepping into the bathroom you began to undress. Standing bare naked in front of the bathroom door you opened it. You could see the foggy glass on the shower glass door. Rans back facing you he mustn’t have heard you come in. When opening the shower door Ran turned around to see you entering the steamed shower. His eyes trailed your naked frame before bringing his eyes back to yours. Both of you take a step closer, your body pressed against one another. The warmth of the water hits you both. Just the silence alone for the both of you was more than enough to know what one another was feeling. Just the taste of him made you hooked

Your fingers grazed his thigh till your fingers reached for his semi-hardened cock. Ran letting out a shallow breath as his eyes still focused on you. Stroking his cock slowly, feeling him twitch in your hand as she began to get harder. Ran leaned in kissing your lips, his hands sliding down your back gripping your ass cheeks firmly in his hands.

“I thought you wouldn’t have wanted more so soon?” lightly panting as you continued to stroke him. Your body pressing against the cold wet tile wall. Ran's hands gripping your thighs effortlessly lifting you off the floor. Your legs wrapped around his waist “I wanna feel your bare body against mine.” he cooed softly. “I would be lying if I said I didn't want to either…. Just don’t drop me.”

“I wouldn’t do such a thing, you're too valuable to drop.” pressing his lips against yours. The tip of his cock slid in so easily as he held onto you. It would be sometime before you both left the shower.

~~~~~~~~

On the other side of town, Draken was having drinks with Mikey and a few others. Letting them know what happened. “Do you think Ran could have set this up?” Mikey asked.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if he did because of what he found out... But if it’s a way to try and win her back I'm not backing down like that.” Draken took a drink of his beer. “She sounded frustrated on the phone. I even offered to let her and d/n stay at my place but she declined. I don't know all the details but I will see her in a few days. I told her if she needs something to let me know.”

“Ran is going to have her on a close scope. Highly doubt he would let her out of his sight for too long… Still, you know what might happen if she is there too long..” Mikey said. “I'm not saying she will but there is always the possibility.” “I know…” Draken kept getting flashbacks of multiple scenes with you “I know there is something there between me and her there always was something now that it is out in the air I’m not letting go.” ~~~~~

“Ran you can’t mmmm no more cum can fit inside of me ~~~~” Your hair was still damp he had to sprawl out on the couch, the incubus inside of Ran couldn’t control himself he couldn’t stop. The cum was dripping onto the sheets, even if he was feeling tired he needed to fill you just one more time. “Come on baby girl just one more time for Daddy.” he held the back of your thighs pushing them to your chest. “Take all my cum.~” he glanced down at your swollen cunt that had both of your juices on it. In the back of his mind, he may have another alternative motive to fill you up this much but he wouldn’t say it out loud. If it happened once it could happen again.

But if it happened would it be the results he wanted or someone else’s results? IF IT HAPPENS

to be continued....

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#ran haitani #ran x reader #tokyo revengers #ran x you #Secretes kept from him #chapter 8: his comfort #TR telenovela #ran x reader x draken #val's writing #rindou haitani #tokyo rev x reader #tokyo rev smut #the witch of one piece

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hyunfilms · 6 months

Text

blue side of the sky (lmh) | fourteen.

♡ spotify playlist | series masterlist

—summary: waking up after 3 months with no recollection of your past, your friends do what they can to help you remember. except, they omit an important piece to the puzzle - afraid you would remember the heartbreak and hurt all over again.

—pairing: lee know x f. reader

—genre: (18+) exes to lovers, bestfriends to lovers au | fluff, angst, smut

—word count: 4.4k

—chapter content/warnings: cussing, cuddles, small, sweet kisses, cute gestures of affection, whatever happens later in the chapter - it's really not what it looks like (aka minho means it), minsung heart to heart, flashback scenes - one that is cute, the other that is a bit more angry and full of emotion (some pushing involved), jisung is trying hard to be an equal middle person between his bestfriends and respect boundaries, pls prepare because the next update will not be fun ... 😅

minho: get to work okay?

you: yes!

minho: stopping by?

you: maybe.. ☺️

minho: 🥺

minho: i'm literally just down the street, why is it a 'maybe?'

minho: i never hear chan or seungmin get 'maybe's'

minho: san too......

you: oh please, how would you know!

you: chan and seungmin are my favorites, remember? same thing with san 😉

minho: bye 😞

You giggle to yourself as you tuck your phone in your pocket, knowing Minho is probably sulking after the teasing you've done. A little teasing shouldn't hurt. Though, it doesn't change the fact that you do plan on visiting him during your break and it doesn't change the fact that you really, really miss him already.

And he really, really misses you, too.

☁︎ FLASHBACK | THE OTHER NIGHT

"Y/N?" You hear your name being called, followed by a few soft knocks. You get up from the easel, halting the current watercolor painting you were working on. When you pop your head out of the room, you see Minho looking through the small windows on your door— a smile tugging at the corners of your lips.

"Hi." You smile up at him. "What're you doing here?"

"Just wanted to see you." You step aside to let him in, bits of the cold, night air rushing in just before you shut the door close.

"Didn't you have class?" He nods, pushing the hood down from his head.

"Yeah, took a quick shower then came here." He chuckles.

"How was it?"

"Good. Tiring." He says, sitting on the edge of your bed when you return to the easel. "What're you working on?"

"Trying to paint one of the flowers from the conservatory." You giggle. "What's your house up to?"

"Nothing. When I left, Ji and Seungmin were playing this board game while Chan was just watching his show in the living room."

"I don't think I'm any better company." You laugh.

"You are."

"Did you teach today, or did Hyunjin teach?"

"Hyunjin. I had to help him figure out his last 8 count though because he didn't know how to close out the piece." You nod as you continue to paint the last strip of pink onto the canvas, setting your brush down off to the side before getting up to keep Minho company.

"Did you eat?"

"Kinda yeah, but I'm not hungry."

"You sure?" Minho nods, pulling you in between his legs. He gently wraps his arms around you and lays his head against your stomach. Minho doesn't say anything, but you can feel him relaxing in your hold— your arms wrapped around him while your hand massages the back of his head. "You okay?"

"Mhm." He mumbles. "I just really missed you." You're not sure if Minho is speaking in the moment, because his actions, the way he doesn't want to let you go, says he's speaking about the past. How he's been feeling. How he's been yearning for you just as you have for him. It's more than a simple 'i miss you.'

"I missed you, too." He looks up at you, resting his chin against your stomach. "Come, let's go and watch something, yeah?" You unwrap his arms from around your waist, slipping your hand into his to lead the way. Before you can walk further into the living room, Minho pulls you back. Your body is pressed flush against his, his hands on your hips and giving them a gentle squeeze. "What?" You shyly giggle.

"Nothing, I like looking at you, remember?" He breaks his silence, a small laugh falling from his lips. He edges forward to kiss you on the forehead, before moving down to your lips; hands squeezing at your hips again to show you how much he loves kissing you.

How much he adores you.

You only smile at him before leading the way to the couch, where Minho plops onto his side and makes some room for you to lay in front of him. There's a debate about which movie is going up, but Minho quickly waves the white flag and surrenders the decision to you. He doesn't mind watching Hocus Pocus even though it isn't remotely close to Halloween yet, he just wants to be here with you;

Holding you, keeping you close.

Feeling your warmth against him.

Minho is surprised that you even make it past halfway into the movie before you fall asleep. He chuckles to himself when he hears your soft snores amongst the Hocus Pocus background noise. He presses a few kisses to the back of your head that wakes you up for a few seconds— only for you to shift in your position and face him.

"Baby, do you want to sleep in your bed?" He whispers, hoping you're still awake enough to hear him. "I can go and let you sleep."

"No." You simply mutter against him, shifting closer to his body as if there was no way you'd separate from him at this moment.

"Okay." Is all he says before he's silently chuckling again, wrapping an arm around you to keep you safe. Because this time, he will. He can't help but press a few more feathery kisses across your face, making sure to give a little more love to your scars.

He missed you.

Really, really missed you.

And this time, he'll keep you safe. He'll protect you, choose you.

Yours.

☁︎ END

"What's the cute giggle fit for?" Mrs. Pak smiles at you and softly nudges your arm, making you shake your head.

"Oh, nothing. I'm just, happy?" You respond in a questioning tone, followed by another small giggle.

"Happy looks good on you, sweetheart." Mrs. Pak chuckles as she helps you get a big bouquet together. "Is it San?"

"San." You repeat his name. "Right, I forgot to tell you about that." You give her a small toothless smile. "Just friends."

"You talked to him?"

"I did. He was very sweet about it."

"Good. How did you do it? Tell me all about that evening."

"It was nice! He took me to that famous unagi restaurant and Peace Piece. Then, he took me to the movies for the Studio Ghibli event. We watched Spirited Away."

"That sounds like a lovely evening."

"It was." You look at her. "He took me to the beach to talk about everything, but he was very understanding about it when I told him I just wanted to stay friends. I told him I thought we worked well this way."

"It's good he was understanding. Says alot about his character and how much he respects you."

"He's truly a great friend. It hasn't been long, but San has done a lot to help me feel comfortable, especially in my own skin."

"That's good." She hands you some ribbons. "How about the one you have feelings for?" You giggle.

"The one that I have feelings for? Hm, he's one of my bestfriends." You fiddle with the ribbon and tie it nicely around the tissue paper to keep the bouquet secured. "He actually owns that café down the street. Sunday Morning."

"Oh, he does? I've gone there before, it's a nice café."

"Mm, yeah. Might pay him a little visit later." You smile at her.

"What's his name?"

"Minho. Me and Jisung met him in high school." She nods. "I'm not really sure how to explain this, but I've always felt something for Minho after I woke up. I feel connected to him on a deeper level—" You pause just as you set the bouquet aside. "Attached, almost."

"Do you guys have history?" You shrug.

"I think so. Wish I could remember. But, Minho said he'd tell me in time. He didn't wanna rush it because he didn't wanna overwhelm me." Mrs. Pak gives you a toothless smile. "I trust him. I know he'll tell me when the time is right."

"That's good. He wants to tell you, I'm sure. But, he's still thinking about you and helping you get comfortable."

"I'm just scared."

"Why scared?"

"I.. I don't know. I don't really know what to expect."

"That's okay. I'm sure he'll tell you, just like you said. When the time is right." You nod.

"Yeah." You simply agree before grabbing a vase to fix another bouquet. "I don't know how else to say it, really. But, I like him. A lot. We.." You let out a small sigh. "Things happened between us already over the past few days. It escalated so quickly? But, I don't think any of this is weird. These aren't unfamiliar feelings."

"Sometimes, the heart just knows."

"What if our history isn't the greatest?"

"Well, that's okay. We are only human, and we aren't perfect." Mrs. Pak softly says next to you. "It's up to you how you'd like to take it, but I would take it as something that can help you grow and learn. We are always learning, and there are always ways to improve. It's never a linear path, my dear." You sigh and nod, eyes darting to the customers that just walked in.

"True."

"Do I get to meet this young man?" You chuckle just as you walk away from the front, looking over your shoulder with a small smile.

"Of course. I'd love for you to meet him and my friends—" At this moment, just as you're about to greet the customers that had walked in, another body comes through the front door; eyes landing right onto you just as you shift your attention to them.

"Minho." He smiles when he hears his name slip from your lips, watching as you tuck your hair behind your ear shyly.

"Hey." He steps in and patiently waits for you to tend to the customers. You walk over in the cutest outfit, with the brightest smile on your face, and Minho can't help but melt.

"What're you doing here, sir?" You joke and he holds up a cold drink and a pastry bag.

"Since you didn't wanna visit, I thought I'd come make the walk." He hands you the drink and food. "Also wanna make sure you're eating."

"I am, or.. I will." You chuckle. "Once I get a little break." You turn to look at Mrs. Pak as she's ringing up a customer, a small smirk planted on her face. "Come." You loosely lace your fingers with his, dragging him over to Mrs. Pak for a quick little meet-and-greet. "Speaking of Minho."

"Speaking of Minho? What does that mean?" He asks, and you simply laugh it off.

"Mrs. Pak, Minho. Minho, Mrs. Pak."

"Oh, he's a handsome fella." Minho blushes, shyly acknowledging her from your side. "You know how to pick 'em." She whispers and teases you. "It's nice to finally meet you. I've heard quite a bit about you."

"Only good things I hope." He looks at you and you simply shrug. "I hope I'm not being a bother, just wanted to make sure she had something to eat." Minho scratches at his temple. "I'm sorry I didn't bring another for you, Mrs. Pak."

"It's okay." She smiles and nods at you. "Go take your break, I'll be here."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, go. It's time anyway."

"I'll be right back." You reassure her even though you know she isn't looking for it. You look up at Minho and he gives her another small smile and a shy wave, rubbing his grubby hands against his jeans when he gives her one last goodbye.

"It was nice meeting you, Mrs. Pak."

"You too, handsome!"

"Please." You mutter just as you turn on your heel to walk out the door and Minho scoffs.

"Wow, someone's in a mood today."

"No." You giggle. "You didn't have to drop by, I was going to come." You start walking towards the nearest bench until you feel Minho's hand gently wrap around your wrist and pull you back towards him.

"Were you?" He pulls you close to him, hands slowly wrapping around your waist. "Cause it almost seemed like you were gonna go visit San instead." You laugh.

"Just a joke." You playfully hit him. "Besides, he's still my friend, you know? You're gonna have to get used to San." Minho purses his lips into a tight smile.

"Right." His slight jealousy leaves when he feels your lips against his cheeks, your eyes falling back onto his— glistening like they hold the entire universe in those orbs.

"But anyways, I was going to visit. Because I kinda sorta missed you?" You say so innocently, so shyly, all doe-eyed and pure.

"I missed you, too." Minho taps the tip of your nose before giving you a chaste kiss to the forehead. He laces his fingers with yours, finally bringing you over to the bench to sit and let you eat.

"What did you make today?" You chuckle when you peek into the pastry bag, finding a thick, fluffy, slice of coffee cake. "Coffee cake?" You look at him and sip on your iced vanilla latté.

"Mhm."

"You spoil me too much."

"I don't, not enough at least." You giggle.

"Shop busy?" Minho shrugs.

"Hm, it's been on and off. The usual. You?"

"Mm, nothing too overwhelming."

"That's good." You both sit for awhile, enjoying the the fresh air, the perfect breeze. Minho has his arm resting on the bench behind you, finger gently drawing shapes on your arm. "You've been feeling okay, right?"

"Mhm. I feel great." You nod and look at him. "It's been nice being able to help Mrs. Pak out."

"She seems very sweet."

"She is." You chuckle.

"You sure we can't hang out tonight?" Minho brushes the hair away from your face.

"Nope. I promised my uncle I'd have a movie night with him. It's the first night he doesn't really have something to urgently work on. Says he can finally sit back and relax for a bit." You chuckle.

"That's good. He deserves some rest." You nod, popping another piece of the coffee cake into your mouth.

"Yeah, he does. Maybe we can hang out tomorrow after pottery class?"

"Here we go again with the maybe's." He pouts, making you laugh.

"I'm sorry. We will, okay? I'll come by and wait for you."

"You sure?" You nod.

"Positive." You check your phone and sip the vanilla latté a little more, letting out a small sigh. "I should probably get back in there. Thank you for my coffee cake and drink." You stand and do a little stretch, Minho following suit.

"Of course. Just needed to make sure you were okay."

"I am, especially now." You smile. "Thanks again. I'll call you later?"

"Okay, sounds good." Minho cups your cheeks and gently caresses the surface before pulling you into a quick, but sweet kiss. "Have a good rest of your shift, okay?" He continues to look you in the eye and caress your cheek before pulling back to let you go. "Call me if you need me."

"I will." You wave him goodbye, turning on your heel to continue your shift. You take one more look at Minho, who is still waiting until you safely make it back to the register before stepping away.

That night, Minho cooks dinner for him and his roommates— setting aside the food on serving plates until they find themselves hungry and ready to eat. He gathers his own plate and pours himself some beer before walking out to the outdoor sectional in the backyard. He pulls up some videos on Youtube, occasionally watching in between bites to entertain himself while also responding to your texts. He's a bit sad since your responses are slightly delayed, but he understands that you've been wanting to spend time with Uncle Adrian, and you should be.

He just misses you, and feels a constant need, yearning, for you whenever you aren't around.

"Yo." Jisung pops out into the backyard from the house, adjusting his beanie as he plops onto the sectional next to Minho. "Just eating?"

"Mhm. I made some extras, they're on the counter."

"Thanks." Jisung leans forward and rest his arms onto his knees. "I'll probably eat a bit later. What else have you been up to?"

"Nothing really. Been kinda bored. Popped in to check on Y/N earlier while she was at work."

"She was okay?"

"Yeah, she seems happy to be there." Minho shrugs. "I met the owner, she's really sweet."

"That's good. Where is Y/N?"

"Movie night with Uncle Adrian." Jisung nods.

"I haven't really texted her today, I've been swamped at work." Jisung lets out a small sigh. "You don't have class today?" He shakes his head.

"Nope."

"Wanna do something then? Where's Channie and Seungmo?"

"Like what? Seungmin is taking a nap in his room and Chan hasn't been home."

"Damn, nevermind then."

"We can hop on FIFA after I eat?" Minho asks him, trying to keep him entertained for tonight.

"Okay." Jisung responds right before nodding towards Minho's phone. "What're you watching?"

"I've been trying to perfect this recipe for awhile, so I'm trying to see how other people bake it." Jisung watches, even though he has no interest in baking or cooking whatsoever. But, it doesn't last long when he's easily distracted by Minho's text tone all of a sudden going off.

One text,

and another,

and another.

He can't help but be a little nosy to see who's blowing up his phone. Surprisingly, it isn't you. And this is the shit Jisung was afraid of.

"Dude." Jisung furrows his brows at Minho's phone, watching the un-named number pop up a few times. Even though it no longer has a name to it, Jisung knows.

"What?"

"Okay, seriously. Can we talk about this?" Jisung pauses the video for Minho before pointing at the texts coming through.

"Shit. It's Kat." Minho groans. "It's really not what it looks like though." He sighs and picks up his phone, briefly scrolling through the angry texts from Kat. All of a sudden. "I cut it off with her completely awhile ago and blocked her number. She's texting from someone else's phone."

"Okay, but you can't say you're done with her and keep the line open. Block that too and be done with it. She's obviously going to keep creating issues if she feels like you'll keep letting her in."

"I'm not letting her in, okay? It's done. Completely."

"Please don't repeat your behavior, for the love of god. I know you hate the nagging. But, how am I supposed to react when Kat is still popping up on your phone even though you claimed you were done with her before?" Minho groans a bit and lays back on the outdoor sectional.

"I really have no intentions of going back. I swear I haven't reached out to her. This is the first time she's trying to text me again on someone else's phone, I'm not even sure why she's texting me all angry." Jisung watches as Minho texts away and asks for her to stop reaching out, blocking the number and deleting the thread shortly afterwards.

"Swear on our friendship?" Jisung asks.

"Swear. I don't know where this is coming from." Jisung sighs a bit and shrinks back into his seat.

"I just.. I don't know. I think we're all just scared about you reverting back to your old ways. It takes two to tango, but Kat has always played a big part in this." Minho sighs.

"I know, I know. I hear you."

"Have you even told Y/N? Because I know you're trying to get back together with her. But, I think that's a crucial step that you need to take first no matter how it makes everything turn out. It'll need some time and I think that's much needed. Not saying I don't ever want you to stop proving yourself and try again, but I think you both need the time to heal."

"I do plan to tell her."

"Alone?"

"It's better if I do."

"When are you going to tell her?" Minhi shrugs at the question and lets out another sigh.

"Tomorrow." Minho solidifies the thought because even though it will kill him to do so, it’s time for him to be honest about it.

"Okay. I just need you to tell her before it's too late, or if she somehow finds out through word of mouth. It'll be harder for her, and it could seriously fuck everything up." Jisung looks up at Minho and he can't even lie, he feels his heart ache a bit seeing how distraught and conflicted he is. He knows he loves you, and that has never changed. He just made the wrong choices.

"I.. I know. I'm going to." Minho swallows the lump in his throat before shifting his attention to Jisung. "I'm sorry."

"I'm just afraid." Jisung says lowly. "It's not that I don't trust you to do better, I just hate seeing her hurt. She's been through so much, and the whole reason I did this was because I just wanted to give her time." Jisung shrugs. "Time to get used to the world and being in it again. I didn't want to see her shrink and hide from the world again. That's all."

"I made some really dumb mistakes, but I wouldn't hurt her. Not again. I'm learning from all of that, and I don't ever wanna go back."

"Yeah." Is all Jisung responds with because of course he wants to trust him. But, he'd be lying if he said he does fully. He can't. Not after he sees Minho prove himself a bit more. "You're going to tell her about that night too, right?"

"Yeah, I have to. I'm sorry, I really am." Minho repeats.

"I'm sorry, too. I'm sorry I haven't really been there for you but.. Y/N." He looks at Minho and shrugs. "Maybe time would be really good for the both of you."

"I understand. I really do. However this pans out, I'll be there for her. I'll respect her space and give her all the time she needs." Minho's thoughts shift back to that night, his heart wrenching thinking about it because not only had he broken up with you once over Kat, but he acted like he chose her that night. When in reality, that was never the case. You got back together and things seemed great— until that very night. The argument was huge, Minho can still hear the yelling repeating in his head; over and over again like a fucking siren.

You got back together with him because you trusted him to love you, to protect you and keep you safe.

But, he didn't. He didn't protect you, keep you safe. He acted like he chose her that night.

He let you leave even though he shouldn't have.

"Either way— please." Jisung says close to a whisper. "All I ask is that you're sure this time. No more playing with her emotions, no more second-guessing her. Please mean it."

☁︎ FLASHBACK | SENIOR YEAR IN COLLEGE

When Jisung is finally able to get you to bed so that you can take a nap, he leaves a note saying he'll be back and that he's grabbing some food for you to eat later.

Which, isn't entirely a lie. But, he has other plans right now.

He's fuming as he pulls off to the side of the curb, barely putting the car in park before he's hopping out and racing to the apartment.

"The hell is wrong with you?!" Jisung storms into the shared apartment and pushes Minho.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" Minho pushes him back. "Not today, Jisung. I'm not doing this—"

"No, you don't get to do that. I just left Y/N after she's been crying for hours over you!"

"Am I fucking wrong to be honest?! I just think we need some time apart to figure things out."

"Figure things out? You've clearly figured things out. If I only knew you'd pull this and leave her for somebody else, I wouldn't have let this shit happen in the first place." Jisung furrows his brows at him and shakes his head. "You don't even look like you care—"

"Of course I do!" Minho's tone raises. "God, it was the fucking hardest thing to do! Of course I care about her, that's why I didn't wanna hurt her more!"

"Then why do it!" Jisung yells back.

"I don't know!" It falls silent between the two before Minho lets out a breath and runs his hand through his hair. "I don't know what to tell you. I really tried not to, but it just wasn't happening. It wasn't working." Jisung scoffs.

"All because of Kat?" Silence, again. "What the hell has Kat given you that Y/N hasn't?" More silence. "Right."

"I'm sorry." Minho says lowly. "I love Y/N, I do. I just haven't felt in love with her for awhile now. I don't really know what it is, I thought maybe—"

"Bullshit! Not with the way you easily disposed of her and made her feel replaceable." Jisung shakes his head. "You don't get to say shit. There's gonna be a day when you realize that tossing your relationship over one girl wasn't worth it, but I hope you don't come crawling back. Y/N is worth way more than that." Jisung begins to walk away but comes back to face Minho once more, stepping closer towards him. "I trusted you. I really trusted you to take care of her and be there for her. I would've understood if you two needed some time apart, but never would I have imagined that you'd do it over another girl." Jisung probably sound so ridiculous calling his bestfriend out, but what can he say? He really is upset, and he really did trust Minho to take care of you. There wasn't a single thing that made Jisung think he'd ever leave your side. Sure, he noticed Minho getting close to Kat, but he didn't think it'd get to the point of this—

Of hurting you, leaving you;

Making you think you were disposable. Replaceable. Not worthy enough to stay.

Because you are worthy, you are all the amazing things and then some. If it's anybody who would know, it's Jisung. You've always been his other half, and he knows how big your heart is. You've always put everyone else before yourself, and you've always given your all— loved harder than anybody else has loved.

Minho was making a mistake.

But Minho is also his bestfriend, and he knows he would prefer for him to be honest. He wouldn't want him to go behind your back, god no. He just doesn't understand Minho's thinking process, and maybe he never will.

Wasn't this just a phase?

Was it really worth throwing it all away to see if something new would make him happy?

Maybe.

Jisung doesn't really understand it entirely.

What he does know is that he's angry at Minho, and he's hurting to see you cry. What he does know is that he can't really look at Minho right now, and he can't really talk to him. What he does know is that he may not be able to talk to him properly for awhile.

"What just happened here?" Chan asks, confused as he walks through the door. He feels the tension already, and he's not sure how to react. He's barely seen Minho and Jisung like this.

"I don't know, ask him. Maybe he'll tell you more." Jisung diverts his attention to Chan briefly before returning to Minho. "Whatever. Do you, dude. But, keep your bullshit away from Y/N."

☁︎ END

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lxmelle · 10 days

Text

I wanted to make a post on the number of times Gojo and Geto “meet halfway” even beyond death. Just a complication of moments!

Spoilers if you’re anime-only.

Gojo Satoru stops in his tracks upon hearing something roll onto the floor; quickly followed by the voice of someone whom he killed with his own hands.

More under the cut:

Gate open!

The same words upon a 10-year separation. Not “hisashiburi ne” but “hisashi ne” (a shortened version):

(Worth noting: the flashback image of Gojo after killing Geto looks eerily like Toji upon death. There is a deliberate parallel.)

Gojo tries to make sense of what is happening and his six eyes registers the physical information that it’s really Geto.

In processing this he is momentarily flooded with memories of the best 3 years of his life - the Blue Spring 青い春.

Ironically like being flooded with information after being hit by unlimited void, as there have been others who pointed out.

He was rendered immobile with information on his precious memories and that’s what seals him.

His mind was matching up information from his physical senses (six eyes) and his soul (presenting as feeling).

And his soul refutes the information. His mind knows Geto wouldn’t do this. Thus, he knows otherwise.

Here is where he reverts back to “ore” 俺 as his raw and authentic self presents itself for a the moment where he is experiencing heightened emotions from the sacrilege before him that gets his trapped.

And it all kinda sucks because seems unfair that Gojo is going to suffer again for what seems to be a heavily one-sided pining for his best friend.

But then, Geto, who really is unable to react (because it isn’t Geto, as he is actually dead) ... still manages to do something.

Although like a dragonfly whose head has been cut off, it responds. His body appears to be imprinted with information despite his brain (mind) and soul not being there.

As someone pointed out on Twitter/now X, Gojo reacts to Geto’s words/presence and Geto react to his name being called (and possibly also from seeing Gojo in that position):

Gege, thank you for making this a reciprocal moment.

That smug lil smile from Gojo also kinda depicts a small victory that he made that happen. Something, as a reader, we appreciate that even the ancient Kenjaku has never encountered before - the vessel reacting whilst he is the host.

It’s poetic how they react to each other despite the situation where one is practically dead but can still depict sentiments of a strong bond.

Gege follows up on this with a moment between Toji and Megumi to illustrate another example of parallelism and emphasis, just 7-8 chapters later:

The narrator doesn’t finish the sentence, but it hints at how the remnants of a soul can still persist within the body if it’s important enough. Leading the body to react even if the brain isn’t there in Geto’s case, and the body in a vessel can still react even if it’s soul information wasn’t summoned by the curse technique user.

It also hints at the parallels between Geto and Toji who died after yielding and “burying” a part of themselves.

The reciprocal nature of Gojo and Geto extends to the afterlife scene.

Can I just add (again) that I love how they’re sitting closer together than compared with when the chapter began? 🤭 yes I like repeating myself because i dedicated a whole post on it before

And I like how they meet halfway there too.

Isn’t it romantic somehow? Last person Geto saw before his death was Gojo, and the first person Gojo saw was Geto in the afterlife.

I wrote this in another post but I’ll include that here too: the top bit is in reference to Geto’s death where his reaction acknowledges that he doesn’t feel he deserves the loving words, but rather a curse at the end.

Link: https://www.tumblr.com/lxmelle/748022415626567680/ah-this-makes-lots-of-sense-especially-that?source=share

And taken from my other whopper of a post on souls because I’m too lazy to write it all again:

The end.

Thank you for sharing in my satosugu indulgence.

Please feel free to share and reblog with other moments worth pointing out! ╰(*´︶`*)╯~♡

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justagalwhowrites · 8 months

Text

Yearling - Ch. 8: Tipsy

You, Joel and Tommy go on patrol. A continuation of Yearling ch. 1-7 found on Tumblr here.

Pairing: Joel Miller x Female Reader

Warnings: Mention of past SA (minor details, not majorly described); light smut (in flashback); canon-typical violence. No use of Y/N. Minors DNI 18+ Only

Length: 7.1k

AO3 | Chapter One | Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

“Y’all always miss the easy shit or am I just lucky?”

You were stopped on your horse, waiting for them to pay attention.

“Bullshit you found somethin’ easy,” Tommy gave you a cocky half smile, shaking his head. “No way.”

You shrugged and smirked a little back.

“Not my fault you’re slacking off, Miller.”

Tommy pulled his horse to a stop and jerked his head at Joel to do the same before they both turned their horses around to face you. You leaned forward onto the saddle horn, arms crossed, smiling.

“Alright Bambi,” Tommy said. “Enlighten us.”

“Y’all are so busy watchin’ for footprints, you’re missing the other shit,” you said, nodding to a tree trunk just off the trail next to you. “See that spot there? Where the moss is gone? Right at shoulder height or so, not in a pattern that makes sense for somethin’ eating it or climbing it. Too small to be a bear. That’s a human hand that grabbed that tree. Probably headed that way, leaves are just too generally disturbed to see a pattern. Guessing infected that tripped.”

Tommy frowned but nudged his horse toward the tree and you watched, still smirking, as he examined the spot.

“Shit,” he shook his head, smiling. “Alright, lead on Bambi, let’s see what we find.”

You nudged Renaissance in the right direction and you could tell Joel was trying not to smile as you took the lead.

It was your third time out on patrol with the Miller men, going out on 12 hour shifts with them every other week.

You’d had to force yourself to go at first, shoving the panic down deep as you rode out of town with Joel and Tommy.

It hadn’t seemed to matter that you’d spent at least a few hours a day every day at Joel’s house since you first borrowed his guitar or that you’d had dinner with Joel, Tommy and Maria three times `now. It didn’t matter that the logical part of your mind felt they were safe and trustworthy, the part of you that was on the edge of panic was screaming.

That part of you was loud and desperate and insistent. It wasn’t like what had happened to you was something that was talked about. No one had equipped you for it - you weren’t sure it was possible to be equipped for it - but it was hard to not be mad at being so ill-prepared for the fall out. Mad at going through life when your body was a crime scene and there was perpetually some part of you scraping and clawing to keep it from ever happening again. You didn’t want to keep your distance, not from Joel in particular. He was one of the first friends you’d had in so long, you wanted to be able to do things like have his arm brush yours when you walked down the street and make it so you didn’t jump away from him.

But while part of you didn’t want to keep your distance from Joel, the rest of you needed the distance. So the distance remained and the clutching fear made you almost vomit on your way out of Jackson with Joel and Tommy the first time.

“Doin’ OK Bambi?” Joel frowned in the early morning sun as he rode alongside you.

“Fine,” you said, looking straight ahead, the grip on your reins tight. You could tell he didn’t believe you.

You were jumpy all morning, fighting to pay attention to what they said as they explained how patrols worked and why they did it the way they did. It was hard to absorb the information through the haze of the heady, high-alert feeling that thrummed through you. You were aware of everything about them, every breath that came a little quicker, every sharp move of an arm, every look in your direction. You couldn’t shake the screaming alarm inside you, the shrill yell of “danger” drowning out everything else.

Around lunchtime, Tommy excused himself, wandering into the woods alone to use the bathroom, leaving you and Joel on your own. You resisted the urge to get back on Renaissance or at least go press yourself against her side, borrowing her strength and safety. Instead, you stayed on the ground, back against the tree, Joel a few feet away from you.

“I know it probably don’t mean much but you don’t need to be afraid of us, Bambi,” he said, watching you carefully, an almost sad look in his eyes. You frowned at him. He seemed to know why. “I can see it, how tense you are. Don’t need to be. We’re not going to hurt you. I understand you’re scared but you don’t need to be. It’s OK.”

You looked at him for a moment before you just nodded. He was right, it didn’t mean much. He was right, you didn’t need to be afraid of them. You knew that, some part of you knew that. You held onto that, focused on it, tried to force the pulsing fear out of your body when Joel was close.

It got better as the day went on and, at the end of it, you settled the horses and went to Joel’s. He brought you his guitar and you sat against the tree, playing until your fingers were too sore and you were falling asleep sitting up.

The next time out, you were less tense from the start. It felt familiar and comfortable now and you were able to fall into a comfortable rapport with the two of them.

You were almost surprised to find that you liked Tommy. He was kind, funny, sarcastic and it felt like you could trust him. Or almost trust him, at least.

By the third trip, it was easy. Almost easy, anyway. You found yourself smiling and joking with them in ways you hadn’t in years. You felt like yourself. Almost like yourself, anyway. You’d missed that.

You spotted more marks on the trees as you worked your way slowly through the forest, your rifle at the ready, until you spotted movement ahead. It was far enough out that it wasn’t distinct at first but it was something. You held your hand out and you heard Joel and Tommy come to a stop behind you.

“Binoculars?” You asked, not looking back at them, just turning your palm up. You felt Joel’s fingers brush your own as he put them in your hand and you didn’t flinch away from him. You could see the infected clearly now, more than a football field away through the brush. You smiled a little.

“Think it’s just the one,” you said quietly. “But should be ready, just in case there are more. Y’all OK for me to handle it since you’d have just let ‘em run amok anyway?”

“You go right ahead,” Tommy said. “Just don’t get mad if we’re the ones who clean up when you miss.”

You scoffed and handed the binoculars back to Joel before raising your rifle and lining up the shot. It was tricky, the infected was on slightly higher ground and you had branches to contend with. But you thought you had a clear path. You took a deep breath and then breathed out as you relaxed before you fired. You watched through the scope as the bullet hit its chest and it dropped.

“Nice shot,” you could hear the smile in Joel’s voice.

“No way,” Tommy said. “No way she hit that fucker.”

“She dropped it in a shot,” Joel said, proud. “Did real good, Bambi.”

“Hear that Tommy?” You said, twisting in the saddle and flipping him off. “Did real good, Joel said.”

“Oh yeah, because Joel’s the arbiter of good,” Tommy rolled his eyes but he was smiling a little all the same.

“Start shootin’ as good as me and you can be the arbiter of good,” Joel smiled at you.

“Please, I can hit an infected from half a mile…”

“No way,” you said at the same time Joel said “Bullshit.”

“Just because you ain’t ever seen it…” Tommy began.

“Because you can’t do it,” Joel said.

“I’m with Joel,” you said. “Bullshit.”

“See, I’m real glad this is your last patrol with us, Bambi,” Tommy shook his head. “Can’t take gettin’ ganged up on like this. The guy saves your life one time…”

“Two,” you replied.

“One time, two times,” Tommy said. “Basically the same thing. Don’t mean you’ve gotta take his side even when he’s wrong for the rest of your life…”

“Ain’t wrong,” Joel said. “You’re not that good a shot.”

You tried to not audibly laugh. Tommy was right, it was your last patrol with the two of them. After this, you’d be out with just one patrol partner. You weren’t sure when that was starting or who it would be - something that made your stomach knot to think about - but you were going to miss going out with Joel and Tommy.

“Feel like we should celebrate,” Tommy said as the three of you got close to town. The sun was dipping low on the horizon. “Bambi’s graduating from patrol school, going out into the wild blue yonder, the great unknown if you will…”

“It was three patrols!” You laughed, looking over at him. “Not that I ever went to college or some shit but somethin’ tells me it was a bit more than that…”

“This still deserves some recognition,” Tommy said. “Friends are watching William tonight, Maria and I were going to the Tipsy Bison, why don’t the two of you come, too?”

“Tommy,” Joel gave him a look. “C’mon…”

“It’ll be fun,” he ignored Joel and looked at you. “There’s booze and there’s music…”

“And people,” you scrunched your nose at that.

“Yeah but we’ll be there to keep any of ‘em from doing somethin’ you don’t want,” Tommy said. “We didn’t let any infected get you…”

“No, I didn’t let any infected get you,” you corrected him, smirking slightly. “Seem to recall my bullets being the lethal ones…”

“Today maybe but we can’t know with the one two weeks ago,” Tommy protested.

“Oh please!” You scoffed. “You shot first, first shot winged the fucker’s shoulder, the second shot - my shot - hit ‘em in the chest…”

“Arguably my shot kept us from getting ripped apart by infected…”

“It was one infected and it was my shot!”

“And I say we can keep you safe from all the assholes in Jackson,” Tommy finished, looking smug. “Tipsy Bison’s fun. Promise.”

You looked at Joel for a second. He was glaring at Tommy before he looked, apologetically, at you. But you wanted to be able to do things like go to a bar. You hadn’t since the night of the outbreak. In large part because you didn’t have a bar to go to and, since you’d come to Jackson, the thought of being near that many people made your skin crawl. But you’d had dinner in the mess hall with Joel a few times since then. It had gone well, you were a little more relaxed each time. A random woman had come up and put her hand on you and Joel’s backs once and you’d jumped but you hadn’t grabbed the knife from next to your plate to defend yourself from her.

Joel had noticed. The second the woman was out of earshot - what she’d come to say, you had no idea, the roar of blood too loud in your ears - he leaned over, careful not to touch you.

“You’re OK, Bambi,” he said, his voice low and calm and steady. “You’re in Jackson, you’re with me, you’re safe sweetheart. Just breathe, OK? You’re safe.”

You just nodded, squeezing your eyes shut, clenching your teeth together like that might keep you from biting into something that you couldn’t rip and tear your way through. You could feel him there next to you, the heat of him, the comforting smell of him so close, close enough that it kept you from spiraling into the bleakness of panic.

Joel had called you sweetheart once before, too. You weren’t sure why but you liked it. It felt like something solid, like you could lean into Joel’s presence because of it. It was what you called something you cared for, something you’d protect. You liked it.

“Tommy,” Joel said, a warning tone in his voice. “Told you not to push…”

“We can go,” you said, only catching a glimpse of Joel’s brows going up as you looked to Tommy on the other side of you. “But I’m only stayin’ if the whiskey is decent.”

“It ain’t bad,” Tommy winked. “Definitely worth a night out.”

You returned the horses to the stables, Olivia - a girl you were training to help run the stables - taking Tommy’s as you started to take the tack off Renaissance.

“See y’all there,” Tommy clapped Joel on the shoulder. “I’m gonna go grab Maria. No wimping out, Bambi. Know you’re just dyin’ to be a chicken shit…”

“I’d need you to teach me how to do that, Miller,” you shot back. He barked a laugh as he left and you shook your head, smiling a little.

“You really don’t have to humor him that much,” Joel said, smiling a little himself.

“I like it,” you said, bending low to unbuckle the saddle. “He reminds me of my brother.”

“You have a brother?” Joel asked.

You froze for a second before scratching Renaissance’s chest and standing up again.

“Had two,” you said. “Richie and Brendan. I was the baby of the family. Richie was a lot like Tommy, always giving me shit. But he could take as good as he gave. Our mama didn’t understand it, she always thought we were inches away from brawlin’ when all we were doin’ was teasing the ever loving shit out of each other. Not that we didn’t brawl every now and then but usually it was just mocking the other one relentlessly. Brendan was seven years older than me, didn’t know him as well, really. He moved into the bunk house when I was 11 and I didn’t see him as much after that. But he taught me the first things I learned on guitar. ”

“Sounds like you miss them,” Joel said softly.

You nodded.

“Yeah,” you said. “Yeah, I do.”

“You really don’t have to go tonight,” Joel said after a moment. “I warned ‘em not to put pressure on you, I know you don’t like people…”

“I don’t,” you nodded, pulling the heavy saddle into your chest. “But, believe it or not, I really liked bars before the outbreak.”

“Really?” You could hear his raised eyebrows. You smiled a little to yourself. You liked knowing someone well enough that you could hear their facial expressions. You hadn’t had that in so long.

“I was at a bar the night of the outbreak actually,” you said. “Listenin’ to a band fuck up some of my favorite songs. Got in a brawl with a woman, smacked ‘er upside the head with a beer bottle. Turned out she was infected. Didn’t know it at the time but… Anyway, I liked bars. They were fun. I want to be able to go to them again. I know it probably doesn’t seem like it but I am trying…”

“I know you are,” Joel cut you off. “Trust me. I know you are. And I think you’re brave as shit for doin’ it, but that’s why I warned him not to push you because you shouldn’t do anything you’re not ready for.”

“Well, you’ll be there right?” You asked, pausing for a second to look at him as you carried the saddle to the rack.

“Yeah,” he nodded after a second. “Yeah, I’ll be there.”

“Then I’m ready for it,” you shrugged, going for the rack and putting the saddle up.

“You know,” he said, breaking a moment of awkward tension as you went back for your horse. “Tommy did somethin’ similar on outbreak day.”

“Yeah?” You smiled a little.

“Had to bail that fucker out of jail that night,” Joel laughed darkly. “It wasn’t the first time, figured he was just causin’ trouble again. By the time we got back to mine, the neighbors were turned… Anyway, there was a guy who was roughin’ up a waitress, actin’ crazy, Tommy stepped in and knocked him out. Didn’t know until later that he was infected.”

“So before Tommy was a dad he was someone who picked fights in bars?” You asked, brows raised as you took the bridle off Renaissance and gave her forehead a scratch.

“All the fuckin’ time,” Joel laughed, shaking his head. “He was such a damn hot head. Kept tellin’ him he was a bad fuckin’ influence and it didn’t matter…”

“Bad influence on who?” You laughed too. “You’re the older one, were you that impressionable?”

He paused for a second, the shadow of something sad and terrible ghosting over him before he answered.

“Just in general,” he said. “Doubt Maria’d look twice at him back then. Except maybe to prosecute him…”

You laughed and Joel smiled and you decided not to ask about whatever haunted him. He didn’t ask about your ghosts, seemed only fair to not ask about his.

Joel volunteered to go grab sandwiches for the two of you while you brushed down the horses and you took the time to try to settle and calm yourself before you knew you’d have to go be around a bunch of people.

Renaissance seemed to sense your unease, lowering her head and pressing it to your chest and stomach and giving a soft whinny. You kissed the place between her ears and gave her a nice scratch.

“You’re my good girl, aren’t you?” You said softly. She chuffed. “You just know, don’t you?” She nuzzled against your body and you smiled, putting your arms around her. “He’s a good one, right? Joel? You can tell, can’t you?” She breathed out in a little huff and nuzzled closer. You scratched deeper on her neck. “Yeah, you know. Can’t get anything past you.”

Joel came back with sandwiches and apples that were still hanging on from fall’s harvest and the two of you ate sitting on the floor outside Renaissance’s stall. You ate half your apple and held the other half over your head, the horse coming and taking the rest gently from your outstretched hand.

“You were always meant to work with animals weren’t you?” Joel asked, watching you for a moment.

“As much as someone can be meant for something,” you shrugged, looking up at Renaissance and giving the underside of her chin a scratch. “It’s why I didn’t bother with college. I was shit in school anyway, solid C student. It was boring as hell. The books in English class were never what I actually wanted to read, the shit in math never seemed like something I would use… But my counselor really wanted me to audition for some music school in the northeast but fuckin’ why? I could just be a rancher, knew everything I needed for that already. Why try to make it in music when that’s nothin’ but disappointment?”

“Yeah, tell me about it,” Joel laughed. “I wanted to be a musician for a while, when I was young and dumb.”

“Really?” You looked at him, brows raised. He just nodded, a little sheepish. “What happened? You make a go of it?”

“Nah,” he waved you off. “Life got in the way.”

“What’d you do instead?”

“I was a contractor,” he said. “Built shit. Worked with Tommy a lot, so that was nice.”

“Family business can be fun,” you nodded. “Assuming your family aren’t shits.”

You and Joel both laughed at that. Your body felt oddly loose there on the floor of the stable, nothing tense or strained.

“Think Tommy will be pissed if I take half an hour to get cleaned up?” You asked after a moment. “I don’t think I can smell myself anymore but I’m pretty damn sure I smell like horse.”

“He can deal,” Joel said. “If not, won’t be the first bar fight he loses.”

You went to your respective houses and you took a quick shower, washing off the sweat and the dirt of the trail, braiding your hair and piling it on your head while it was still wet. There was one pair of jeans that fit you better than the rest, a pair you rarely wore because you knew they showed off things about yourself you’d prefer to hide. But you got them out of your closet this time and pulled them on, the denim tight over your ass and hips and thighs, highlighting your shape. You found a tank top that you usually just threw on under a button down and pulled it on, too, the dip in the fabric revealing a hint of cleavage. Looking in the mirror gave you goosebumps but you weren’t sure if they were from nerves or excitement or both. It took you a second to realize that you wanted to dress up, to look good. Desirable. It was such a foreign feeling that you hadn’t recognized it until you saw yourself.

Joel showed up just as you were pulling your boots on and you opened the door as you ducked back to the hook just inside the door to grab the coat.

“Sorry,” you said sheepishly. “Just a sec…”

You went back for the door and Joel was just… staring at you. There was a pull in your stomach, a tightness that felt strange yet familiar.

“What?” You frowned, shrugging the coat on.

“Nothin’,” he said, looking off to the side. “Ready?”

“Yeah,” you said, turning on the lamp and locking the door behind you.

You shoved your hands deep in the pockets of the coat, the shearling soft on your bare skin.

“You gotta be warm in that damn thing,” Joel said after a minute.

“A little,” you shrugged. “But I don’t mind being warm. Texan, remember?”

“There’s warm and there’s that, Bambi,” he half smiled at you. “You’re gonna sweat to death in that sucker come July.”

“Yeah,” you grimaced a little. “I’ll have to start leaving it at home soon, I think. Not looking forward to it.”

“Why…” Joel paused, like he was rethinking the question, but then asked it anyway. “Why do you wear it so much?”

You frowned. It wasn’t something you’d really thought about. It was more something you just did, the same as turning on a light in a dark room at night or looking over your shoulder when you felt a chill up your spine. It felt good and safe so you put it on and that was the end of it.

“It’s just…” you tugged your hands together, still in the coat pockets so it was completely surrounding you. “It’s like that blanket you had when you were a kid, where you just had to haul it with you everywhere because everything kind of felt overwhelming without it? It’s like that.”

“What… um,” he began, clearing his throat awkwardly. “What makes you like it that way?”

“Can’t make fun of me,” you said.

“Won’t make fun of you.”

“It smells good,” you couldn’t look at him when you said it. “Or, it did, anyway. Mostly worn off now. That’s what started it.”

Joel just nodded and didn’t say anything about it, to his credit. You stole a look at him as you walked. He’d showered, too. Changed into clean clothes, his denim shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows, his hair no longer unruly but slicked back. He looked good. Really good. But Joel always looked good, this was nothing new. It was just that you were connecting to it now. It was more than just a neutral observation, like the sky is blue or water is wet. Joel was handsome and you liked it, liked looking at him.

You weren’t sure what to do with that.

“You clean up nice,” you said, giving him a small smile.

“Thanks,” he said, frowning a little, glancing your way quickly before looking back to the street. “You do, too.”

The Tipsy Bison was busy. Not as busy as you remembered bars being before but on par with the mess hall at peak meal times - just rowdier. Music played over a sound system, people laughed and talked, you could smell the alcohol on the air.

You tensed a bit. You couldn’t help it. There were just so many damn people. You’d gotten better with people over the months that you’d been in Jackson but being so outnumbered still left you uneasy at best, terrified at worst. There had been no indication that the people here wished you harm but you knew that, if they wanted to, you were too overwhelmed to do a damn thing about it.

“You’re alright,” Joel said, leaning ever so slightly toward you. “Won’t let anyone hurt you, promise.”

You just nodded as you caught sight of Tommy and Maria flagging you down from a corner table.

“We were startin’ to wonder!” Tommy said, sliding off his chair at the high top table to hug Joel and clap him on the back. “Glad y’all could make it.”

Maria got down, too, only to sit with her back to the door. Tommy sat next to her, also not in his original spot. You frowned.

“Figured you’d want your back to a wall, Bambi,” he said as he got settled back in. “But couldn’t see ya come in from over here so we traded.”

“Thanks,” you frowned a little as you sat down, oddly touched. Tommy shrugged and took a sip of his beer.

Joel went and got you both drinks at the bar and sat next to you, his elbows on the small table. The bar was warm, warm enough that keeping the coat on was starting to get uncomfortable. You were only half way through your first drink when you slid it off, draping it over the back of your chair. You felt Joel and Tommy watching you and you put your hands between your knees, covering your torso with your arms. You wished you’d bothered drying your hair before leaving your house or put on another shirt so you had something else to hide behind, feeling exposed.

“Hear you’re about to go into regular patrol rotation,” Maria said, breaking the silence. “Also heard you’re a bit of a deadeye.”

“Well, compared to Tommy maybe,” you smirked, reaching for your whiskey glass. Maria’s eyes darted to your wrist for only a moment and you resisted the urge to pull your hand back into yourself as quickly as possible, finishing your drink instead. You were so used to the scars there, so used to having as much skin as possible covered, you hadn’t thought about it. Now they felt like a neon sign, screaming and loud on your skin, advertising to the world everything Mitchum liked to do to you. Like Maria and everyone else here knew how he liked to chain you to a mattress for hours at a time, how he liked it when you made yourself bleed.

“Need another drink,” you said, slipping off the stool and heading for the bar. You shoved your hands in your pockets, having to force them in the tight denim, and tried to think of anything but Mitchum on top of you as you waited your turn.

“What can I… shit, hi!” Julie, a woman you’d seen at the stables when she came to pick up a horse for patrol was behind the bar. She smiled, wide and kind. “Good to see you somewhere besides the stables! What can I get you?”

You blinked in surprise for a second before getting your bearings. It hadn’t occurred to you that people you barely spoke to would ever consider you outside of those interactions. Another adjustment, another thing you’d forgotten about being around people.

“Can I get two shots?” You said.

“Of?”

“Don’t care,” you said. “And then two whiskeys, neat.”

She poured you two shots and put them in front of you and you took them both one after the other, wincing as you did.

“OK girl,” she said, eyes a little wide. “Sure you still want the whiskeys?”

“Yes, please.”

She gave you those, too, and you picked them up and turned to go back to the table before remembering that you needed to say goodbye to people when you stopped interacting with them.

“Thank you,” you smiled tightly. “See you later?”

“Yeah!” She smiled. It looked more natural than yours felt. “Really, it was good to see you.”

You brought the drinks to the table and put one in front of Joel before taking your seat again, Tommy laughing at something Maria said just before you came up.

“Aw, none for me?” Tommy pouted a little.

“Yeah, yours is as real as the shot you made that took down that infected,” you replied dryly. Joel snorted and the song changed.

“Oh, come on!” Maria grabbed Tommy’s arm. “I love this one!”

“Fine, woman,” he sighed but smiled, letting his wife pull him out of his chair. “So demandin’…”

You watched them dance and enjoyed, for a moment, that you could actually do things like make out the song over the buzz of general conversation. You couldn’t do that just a few months ago. You took a sip of whiskey and left your arms resting on the table. For some reason, you were fine with Joel seeing your skin.

“So where’d you learn to dance, anyway?” Joel asked, looking over at you.

“If I tell you,” you said, looking back at him. “You have to promise to not make fun of me. And never use it against me. If you do I swear to God I will trample you with a horse and make it look like an accident.”

“I promise, Bambi,” he laughed a little. “Sure I can find somethin’ else to tease you about.”

“My mama made me do cotillion when I was 16,” you said.

“You’re kidding.”

“I am not.”

“I cannot picture you doing cotillion,” he shook his head and took a sip of whiskey.

“Oh I rebelled every step of the way,” you laughed. “They had to bribe me. Said I couldn’t do rodeo if I didn’t do cotillion so I did the bare fuckin’ minimum the whole time. And then, as a final fuck you to my mother, the night before we left for cotillion, I fucked one of the ranch hands just so I wouldn’t be virgin when I was up there in that stupid white dress.”

Joel almost choked on his sip of whiskey and you laughed a little before patting him between the shoulder blades.

“Doin’ OK there?” You asked, leaving your hand in the middle of his back, the pleasant haze of alcohol settling over you.

“M’fine,” he managed, coughing. “Just… not what I was expecting out of you.”

“Yeah, I was a hellion,” you laughed a little, rubbing his back as he started breathing normally again.

“Well that part ain’t a surprise,” he gave you one of his half smiles that made cheek dimple.

It was only then that you realized you were touching him. That you could feel the muscle of his back beneath his shirt, feel the heat of him. You were so close to him. Your heart beat faster. You took your hand back and cleared your throat before taking another sip of whiskey.

“Anyway, that’s my deep, dark secret,” you smiled. “I was raised to be a southern belle and all I wanted to do was get thrown off fuckin’ horses.”

“Better gettin’ thrown off horses than tryin’ to be something you’re not,” he said.

Tommy and Maria came back to the table, laughing and breathless and you tucked your arms below the table again. But it was fun sitting there, next to Joel, laughing and talking with people. Even if you found yourself more listening than talking, you also found yourself drifting closer to Joel the more drinks you had, until your knee was against his thigh below the table. Your fingers brushed his leg when you brought your hands under the table after polishing off another glass of whiskey, your head fuzzy.

“We should head out,” Tommy sighed, finishing his drink. Maria groaned and leaned her head on her husband’s shoulder. “I know, baby, but we gotta pick up William or Lisa is never gonna watch him for us again.”

“I know,” she groaned. “Alright, let’s go since you’re apparently the responsible one tonight.”

“Surprises me too,” he kissed her head. “Feels like some alternate reality or somethin’… Y’all have fun! Seriously, Bambi, it was good working with you the past few weeks. Hope I’ll get to again sometime.”

“You too, Tommy,” you smiled and watched him help Maria off her seat and get her out the door.

“I’ve never seen Maria that drunk,” Joel laughed a little. “Or you, for that matter.”

“Yeah, I haven’t been drunk around another person in…” you thought about it, the math harder in your drunken state. “About 13 years?”

The last time had been the night before Marisa had left. Marisa would have liked Jackson.

You’d found her one day in the fall, her leg broken and a gash on her arm, just on the edge of what you considered your territory.

“Please,” she managed as you stood over her. “I won’t last out here. Please.”

The smart thing would have been to shoot her instead of bringing her home. You had a lot to protect and the fewer people who knew how to find it, the better. But she was so vulnerable, so beautiful, you couldn’t bring yourself to do it.

Instead, you hauled her onto Nike and brought her home, doing what little you knew to set her bone and keep her wound from getting infected.

She was just a friend, at first. It was nice, having another adult around to talk to and laugh with. Someone who remembered what life was like before, who could appreciate what was gone and what you had now. She was smart, bitingly sarcastic, funny as hell, kind almost to a fault. She was so easy to love.

Then, one night you were on the couch, snow falling outside and a fire going in the hearth and it felt like you couldn’t help yourself anymore. You leaned into her and she met you halfway, her full lips pressing against your own. Soft and sweet at first, then insistent, pressing you back into the couch until you were lying below her, your hands sliding below her shirt to trace her soft curves, slipping beneath her bra to cup her breast, her nipple firm against your palm.

“Have you ever done this?” She asked, breathing heavily over you, her eyes tracing your face.

“I made out with girls before,” you said, your face getting hot as you resisted the urge to grind your hips up against hers. “But anything more was with men. Is that… is that OK?”

She kissed you and smiled as she did, her hand going to your waist, slipping below you to pull you a little closer.

“It’s OK baby,” she kept her lips close enough to your own that you could feel her as she spoke. “I’ll take care of you. Promise.”

She was true to her word. She undressed you slowly, kissed down your body to your wet and aching slit, the first person to ever taste you, moaning as she did. Her hands slid up your body, fingers sinking into your flesh as she drove her tongue deeper and you came against her mouth. Her body was both wondrous and new but familiar, so much more like your own than lovers you’d had before. She was soft where men were hard, full where they were flat and you relished it. You weren’t sure how long the two of you were entwined before you fell asleep, tangled up in her.

She stayed for eight months. When she decided to leave, it broke your heart almost as much as killing Justin had.

“Come with me,” she was begging, pleading, the night before she was planning to set off for San Francisco. The two of you had polished off a bottle of vodka you’d traded for a few months earlier and had been saving for something that felt worth while. This was nothing if not worthwhile.

“You know I can’t,” you whispered, holding her close. “But you can stay…”

“I can’t,” she brushed your hair back. “This isn’t… I need more than this, than hiding away from everyone in the wilderness. This isn’t the kind of life I was built for, baby, you know it’s not.”

“Stay for me,” you were trying not to cry. “For us, please. I’ll try to be enough for you, I…”

“You are enough,” she said. “And I really wish this was the kind of life I could lead but it isn’t. It just isn’t, it doesn’t matter how much I wish it was.”

She left the next morning but you woke up, confused and wondering where she was, for months after she was gone. You’d never known if she made it to San Francisco.

“Didn’t know you had friends then,” Joel said, sounding a little surprised and pulling you out of your own head.

“I had a couple,” you shrugged. “Mostly folks I’d trade with, I wasn’t totally feral.”

“News to me,” he winked and you rolled your eyes, laughing a little as the song shifted. “Can I ask you somethin’?”

“Besides that?”

He glared at you and you laughed.

“Say no if you don’t want,” he said. “But… Would you dance with me? Doesn’t have to be any of the fancy stuff you were teaching Ellie…”

“Sure,” you cut him off, before you could think better of it. “Yeah, let’s… let’s dance.”

He smiled and you went with him to the dance floor, careful not to touch him, your head spinning. He stopped at the edge of the dance floor, looking at you for a moment. His eyes were soft and deep and you were having a hard time remembering why being close to him scared you.

“Can I…?” He trialed off, but you knew what he meant. You nodded and the two of you stepped closer together. You reached up and slowly, hesitantly, put your arms around his neck as his hands found your waist, his wide palm brushing your ribs. He was careful to not have any more of his body touching you as the two of you started to sway on the dance floor. You were acutely aware of where you were making contact with him, could feel the line of his broad shoulders below your forearms, the line of his fingers at your waist. It was so intense that it took you a moment to even realize what was playing.

“Always liked this song,” you said, looking up at Joel.

“Hm?”

“Hallelujah,” you said. “Always liked it.”

“Me too,” Joel said, his eyes searching yours. “It’s… it’s beautiful. Always thought so.”

“It’s been nice, patrolling with you,” you said, feeling yourself inching closer to him. You couldn’t help it. “Not sure going out there with anyone else will be even half as fun.”

“I’m sure you’ll end up with someone good,” Joel said. “I’ve patrolled with most of the folks who go out, they’re all good people. All know what they’re doin’, too. You’ll be safe.”

“I’m not worried about that part of it,” you smirked.

“I am.”

“Why?” You laughed a little.

“Don’t want you gettin’ hurt, Bambi,” he said softly, his hold on you deepening. “They all know what they’re doin’ but… Not sure I trust someone else to look out for you.”

“You think I need someone to look out for me?” You raised your eyebrows.

“No,” he said. “But I like bein’ the one to do it.”

Your front was brushing against his now and you couldn’t seem to pull your eyes away from his. He was so close to you but you liked it that way, liked that there was a pull in your stomach that wanted him even closer.

“I’m going to miss it,” you said, your voice quiet. You were almost afraid to speak any louder, like that would break whatever was happening between you if you did. “Being out there with you.”

You moved closer, so close now that you had to rest your head over his heart. Your hands slid down him, one resting on his chest, the other on his shoulder. He was so warm and solid and broad and his arms were around your waist, his hands splayed wide over your back. You could hear his heartbeat, feel his breathing, smell his skin. He was so close to you, so close that you could feel the line of his body and you liked it. Wanted more of it.

The song ended and he held you like that for another moment, his nose brushing the top of your head.

“I should get back,” you said, still in his arms, not wanting to move quite yet. “Have to be up early, I’m in the stables tomorrow…”

“C’mon,” he said, stepping back from you but keeping his hands on your waist. “I’ll walk you.”

You got your coat, draping it over your arms, and walked slowly, silently, with Joel back to your house. It was almost strange, having him not be close anymore. Part of you felt like he should be, that you should always be able to smell his skin and feel him breathe. His arm brushed yours as you walked.

“That was fun,” you said, more sober as you stood outside your door. “Thank you. And if you see Tommy before me, thank him, too. I think I needed a nudge like that.”

“May not want to thank him,” Joel smiled, his hands in his pockets. “It’ll go to his head, he’ll be even worse…”

“Good point,” you smiled back. “Can’t let him get to be any more insufferable.”

The two of you stood there on your porch, watching each other in the haze of moonlight and the glow of the lamp from inside your home.

“I should go,” Joel said after a moment. “Don’t be a stranger just because we aren’t killin’ infected together anymore.”

“I wont,” you smiled. “You’ve still got the guitar.”

He laughed.

“That I do,” he shook his head a little. “Night, Bambi.”

“Night, Joel.”

Next Chapter

A/N: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK

THEY LIKE FULLY TOUCHED GUYS I CAN'T.

Also, hi there! Bambi is bi :) She's been bi since I first thought up the character - her first kiss was with a girl she learned trick riding with - and we'll see a little bit more of Marisa in flashbacks later.

I do have a taglist, comment below if you'd like to be added. But the taglist gods are fickle beings so no promises. I will be starting a notifications blog soon and I'll let y'all know when it's up!

You can find me on Twitter (I refuse to call it that other stupid thing) at @AGalWhoWrites. Twitter tends to be slightly more unhinged, FYI.

Thank you so much for being here and following Bambi and Joel's story! I'm so excited to have people to share it with and you are so appreciated. Love you!!

Taglist: @ashleymsnodgrass@planet-marz1@kalea-bane @juneswonderlust@ilovepedro @h-annahayy @starstruckmusiciansartghost@beccerjune@mumma-moonchild@netonetoneto@mellymbee@purplelye@n7cje@flugazi@evyiione@randomhoex@aliengirl99@orcasoul@reds-ramblings@pedropascalsbbg @fupoola @tinypotatothing @knopes-waffles @lilmizmoz @ayamenimthiriel@jenispunk@panda-pascal@sarap-77@flugazi@your-slutty-gf

#fanfic #joel miller x female reader #joel miller x reader #joel miller x you #joel miller x oc #slow burn #yearling

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daydreaming-nerd · 17 days

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Young Love and Old Money (Cassian x Female! Reader) Part 8

Part 1 , Part 2 , Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 9

AN: Hey guys I have a feeling no one really liked part 7 so I cut out a couple scenes for this. This chapter might feel like we’re jumping around a lot but I wanted to get you guys to the good stuff that you want in the next couple parts. I do want to take this time to tell you that things are going to get more angsty before they get more fluffy. At least the next two will have ANGST… but please hang in here with me and let me cook I promise you’ll love it in the end. I hope you all stick around. Sending you all love 🥺🖤

Summary: She was the most beautiful woman in Prythian, sister to the High Lord of Night, and now she is the soon-to-be wife of Eris Vanserra. Despite her many titles and her aura of unattainability, Cassian can't help but fall deeply in love with the princess of the Night Court. But will it be enough to stop her impending wedding to a man who is sure to destroy her from the inside out?

Warnings: Sexism, flashback to under the mountain, ANGST

Word Count: 5,609

The smell of sulfur and sweat filled my senses. During the day it was always burning hot and at night the temperature dropped significantly. The hour that it took for my body to adjust to the change in climate everyday was always grueling. When my brother and I first arrived he was able to keep me hidden, offering me his coat or an arm to slink under, but the second Amarantha set eyes on him he was ripped away from me. I hadn’t been allowed to speak to him since.

For the most part I had kept my head down, desperately trying to blend into the crowd of fae. It was all I could do to survive, yet the whispers still followed me.

“The Jewel”

“Rhysand’s sister”

I knew they were all plotting against me, weighing whether or not my brother would have leave to reprimand anyone who dared hurt me. It was only a matter of time until someone decided to test the waters.

I stood among the crowd of fae looking up at the dias before us. The King Of Hybern had come to see how his little experiment had been going and Amarantha had made a point of making a show out of it. She had the most noble subjects lined up first, Kallias, Helion and myself included among the ranks. The rest fell into place behind us.

I looked up to the dias where the High Queen sat, my brother standing dutifully by her side. To my knowledge he had not yet given in to her wishes, but by the bags under his eyes and the paleness of his skin I wondered how much more of her torture he could take.

“As you can see my king, they have bent the knee without much fuss,” Amarantha gestured to those of us kneeling before her. The rocks under my knees cutting my skin. “We have all the High Lord’s but one present with us.”

“Very good,” the king smiled, making his way down the line to survey every High Lord that Amarantha had lured into her domain.

I kept my head down, staring only at the ground before me. The sound of his heavy boots crunching against the gravel was my only indication that he was getting closer to where I was kneeling. The toe of his leather boots came into view before me and then stopped. My heart started to race and my palms became clammy behind my back. A cold hand lifted my chin and my eyes were met with a pair of black soulless ones.

“What about this one?” the king asked, never once taking his eyes off me. By the look on his face I could tell that he ate up every ounce of fear I projected, practically thrived off it.

“That is y/n, sister of Rhysand, High Lord of Night.” Amarantha purred, clearly proud of herself for getting me here.

“I’d like to have her,” he said, pulling me up roughly by my arm. “It’s time I take a wife so that I might have an heir to this mighty kingdom I’ve built.”

Fear courses through my veins as I feel tears start to prick my eyes. The king spoke so casually, like he was picking out a new tapestry. If I had eaten any food the last two days I would’ve hurled onto the stone floor below me. This would be my fate, and there was no one coming to save me.

“She is yours then,” Amarantha said, sipping her wine. “She’s of no use to me. Make an example of her for all I care. Some of her companions have been especially restless these past few evenings.” she uttered, referring to how Helion punched a lesser fae for trying to touch me last night.

“With pleasure,”the king growled, tossing me onto the ground.

The stone and rock sliced open my palms, the pain quick and biting. I had barely any time to think before I felt the king kneeling behind me, his hands beginning to lift my dress.

“NO NO NO!” my screams echoed off the walls falling upon deaf ears.

I tried to crawl away but I was hauled back by a pair of hands, one wrapping around my neck forcing me up.

“WAIT!”

My brother's voice boomed through the room, ricocheting off the walls like glorious night earning gasps from the lesser fae behind us. Thankfully the disruption was enough to stop Hybern in his tracks.

“If you don’t give my sister to him and you promise me her safety I will go to bed with you willingly,” Rhys pleaded and my heart dropped.

My eyes flitted up to find my brother, the High Lord of the Night Court, and the most honorable man I ever knew, kneeling. His hands grasped one of Amarantha’s as she looked down at him with a light in her eyes.

‘No, no, no, no’ was all I could think.

“Without any fuss?”she asked him.

“Yes,” he agreed.

“Rhys no!” I called but Hybern’s grip on my throat tightened.

“For as long as I wish?” she clarified.

“Yes.”

“Consider it done,” she purred.

My eyes flew open, my breath racing so fast I couldn’t keep up with it. A sheen of sweat coated my skin and it took me a moment to recognize where I was.

Home.

Cassian’s breaths rose and fell behind me, his arms around me an impenetrable wall to anyone who might try to take me from him. But it was all too much, and I needed to feel the fresh air. The fresh air I didn’t get to feel for 50 years.

So I wiggled out of his grasp with great difficulty and padded down the hallway to the balcony where he and I normally would take off.

The second the freezing night air hit my bare skin I felt like I could finally breathe again. My nightgown did nothing to keep me warm but I was more than happy to feel the breeze. I looked down upon the sparking lights of Velaris and took it all in. There was a time I thought I would never see my home again, yet here I was. But at what cost?

Images of Rhysand’s health deteriorating under the mountain flashed through my mind. What he had done with Amarantha, so completely unspeakable. The only time I ever saw him perk up was when the Cursebreaker showed up. The one who had saved us all, the one I would later find to be my brother’s mate. I had never met the woman, but I longed to thank her for what she did.

These past few weeks I had been able to escape the nightmares of my time under the mountain. I supposed Cassian chased those monsters away. But as I stood here now I realized that it didn’t matter how far I ran, I could never be free of that stench of sulfur, and I could never outrun my guilt.

“You’re going to catch a cold,” Cassian murmured from the doorway. I didn’t turn back to meet his stare, unwilling to show him the tears in my eyes.

“It’s not that bad,” I laugh subtly wiping away a tear.

His arms wrap around me and I can’t help but lean into his warm chest, as his wings cocoon around me to block out the wind. He’s so warm, how is he always so warm?

“Are you okay?” he asks softly, words rumbling through his chest.

“I just had a nightmare that’s all,” I sigh, resting my hands to where his arms are clasped over my chest. “I thought that I was done having dreams about what happened under the mountain but I guess not. The things I saw? What Rhys did for me?” I pause, taking a deep breath. “Sometimes I think I’ll never really escape that place.”

Cassian turns me slowly in his arms and though I know he wants me to look at him, I can’t stop myself from wrapping my arms around him and burying my face in his bare chest. He holds me even tighter as his wings wrap around me, keeping in the warmth.

“Never again y/n,” he coos, running a hand over my hair. “For as long as I live you will never have to go back there again.”

I can’t help as a tear trickles down my eye at his words. My face burying further into his warm chest, the one place I truly never want to leave. Not when I longed for it for so long. I breathed Cassian in deeply, trying to remind myself I was here, I was home. Rhys was at the townhouse, we were both safe.

“What can I do? How can I help?” Cassian asked me, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

“Just hold me,” I say with a shaky breath letting my hands wander up and down the bare skin of his back.

I felt his chest rumble through my cheek as he let out a small laugh, “I remember when I would’ve done anything to hear you say those words.” he says wings coming in tighter around me.

“You can hold me whenever you want general,” I smile, continuing to rub circles on his lower back.

“Almost whenever I want,” he corrects me quietly.

Reality came back to me in an instant. I knew what he meant. The complexities of marriages, and armies and alliances keeping us from being transparent.

But we would get there soon… Together we would get there.

The next few days my dream follows me.

Every night I dream of my brother on his knees before Amarantha, every night I wake in a cold sweat, every night Cassian soothes me until I fall asleep again.

As I stare at myself in the mirror the bags under my eyes are a reminder that last night the nightmare had found me again. The ladies maids behind me pull my corset tighter, taking away my ability to breathe.

The only saving grace about today is that Eris isn’t here. Apparently he was out on a hunt with his brothers on a hunt and had been gone for three days. I knew it was really a bachelor party, no doubt spent in a seedy brothel, but I didn’t care to correct the autumn court women. How could I when they had the garment so tight I could hardly speak.

Today had been all about fitting me for my wedding dress, one I had yet to see. It was a long process of measuring my arms, legs, and bust. Picking out shades of white that would look best with my complexion, (the debate between ivory and white lasted an hour and was utterly ridiculous). With Eris gone Cassain had spent the day lounging on a sofa, letting his guard down, that is until the corsets came out.

“Prince Eris says he wants her a size smaller for the wedding, keep pulling!” Ordered the older of the two, her gray hair falling from its updo. Gods they had already taken me in a full size.

My hands braced on either side of the mirror as the women yanked with all their strength one last time. It took everything in me not to scream out in pain once more as the fabric constricted around me again. I swore on my life I heard a rib crack.

“That should do it, measure her,” the older one snapped again. I wasn’t sure who this woman was but I didn’t dare argue with her.

A tape measure was slipped around my waist for the millionth time as they checked to see if the dress would fit. I watched in the mirror as the young one held up the measurement, my eyes flitting to Cassian’s worried gaze in the back of the room.

“Perfect, the dress will fit nicely after the alterations on the arms are done,” the older woman reported, putting her tools away. “You are free to go.”

“Can you help me get this off?” I ask trying to reach around trying to find the ribbons but the damned thing is tied so tight I can’t even reach.

“Absolutely not!” the woman cried like I had asked her to murder her first child. “You will need to leave that on till at least the end of the day to train your waist.”

I don’t argue, too scared to hear the woman squawk at me again like she just did. Thankfully the younger one, who I assume is her apprentice, helps me put on my old dress. The rusty colored fabric is looser in the middle now but all I can think about is going home. The sooner I’m home the sooner I can take this damned thing off.

“Ready?” Cassian asks, standing from his spot on the couch.

“More than you know,” I laugh waddling over to him.

He leads me out of the palace and neither of us say a word or even dare to brush hands as we walk down the too quiet hallways. Even when this place is empty it feels like it has eyes everywhere. I swear if I looked up right now there would be a dozen people staring down at me. Normally the second that I step outside I feel like I can breathe, but today that’s not the case. I’m thankful that Cassian feels my urgency to get home shooting us both into the sky as soon as possible.

I knew it was dumb but I never got tired of this part of our day. There was a certain sense of joy in getting to spend these peaceful moments with Cassian. Just him and I, the world soaring by around us with the knowledge that I would be home soon and life could resume as normal.

The second we touch down on the House of Wind balcony I’m rushing to Cassian’s room, well I supposed it was our room now, considering I hadn’t slept in my own in over a week. I hear Cass close the door behind me as I fumble for the ties on my dress desperately wanting to take a full, deep breath.

“Here let me help you,” he pleaded, moving my hands out of his way.

“Thanks,” I breathed as I felt my dress fall to the ground, the impending freedom starting to make my heart race. Cassian’s hands fumbled with the knot at the base of the corset.

“They tied it so tight I can’t break the knot apart,” he said, starting to panic a bit as my breathing quickened.

“Cut it off me Cassian, I can’t breathe,” I rasp trying to pull the top of the corset off my skin a bit to allow my chest to rise and fall normally but it’s useless.

“Shit baby hold on,” he assures me. I hear him draw a dagger from its sheath on his thigh, carefully dragging the tip down the back.

With every single snap of the ribbons I feel my lungs expanding again and the second the torturous garment is on the floor I nearly double over, taking my first full breath.

“Oh my gods,” Cassian curses, his fingertips running down my spine gently, like he might hurt me.

“What? What is it?” I ask looking into the floor length mirror in the corner of the room. In it I can see Cassian looking over my back with furrowed brows.

“They bruised you,” he said, eyes meeting mine in the mirror.

I turn around so I can see myself in the mirror from afar and sure enough a bruise lines my vertebrae where the corset was. No wonder I felt like I heard bones cracking.

“It’s fine, you’ve experienced worse,” I sigh, picking up a discarded robe on the floor and slipping it over my shoulders.

“I’d rather fight a battle than wear a corset,” Cassian snickered and honestly I didn’t blame him.

“At least I’ll never have to wear it again,” I say, tossing the corset aside, taking my anger out on it.

“Does that mean you’ve figured out how you’re gonna handle this?” he asks me tentatively, like he was terrified to either ask or hear my answer.

I turn to meet his eyes, and for a moment I think about taking the easy way out, telling him something that might give him hope. But we had spent so long lying about our feelings for one another, wasting so much time. I wouldn’t lie about this.

“I thought I did, but the last two times I brought up calling off the wedding he-”

“If he touches you again I don’t think I-” he trails off, looking to the side as if he’s trying to compose himself. “Last time it felt like my blood was on fire.”

His admittance nearly brought me to my knees. The anger in his eyes veiled with sadness had me reaching up to cup his face, just needing to feel him.

“I know Cass and I’m so sorry. I know this is hard for you and gods I’m a fucking monster-”

“Fuck y/n,” he shakes his head taking my hands in his. “Don’t you dare apologize. You are trying to save your people and help your court. I’m being a selfish prick.” he says, casting his head down in embarrassment.

My blood boils at the thought that he felt selfish in any sort of way. Even more so that I was the reason.

“No, don't say that,” I order him, squeezing his hands to bring his gaze to mine. “You are the most selfless male I’ve ever known. I love you Cass, and I promise I’m going to figure this out. Because I honestly don’t think I can live without you now. You are everything to me, and so much more. I know I can do this,” I assure him, but really I feel like I’m assuring myself more.

His gaze softens, and a twinge of light flickers in his eyes, one that looks like hope, “I know you can too, My smart, ambitious, caring and beautiful woman,” he praises, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “I am beyond honored to call you my princess.”

“And I’m thankful to call you my general,” I smile, craning my head to read his face. “But mostly I’m just thankful to call you mine.”

“I’ll be yours until my heart stops beating, and maybe even after that if there’s a place we go when our time in this world is through,” he coos, brushing a hair from my face.

“Wherever that place is,” I sigh, pressing my head to his chest and pulling him closer to me. “I’ll follow you there too.”

The days that followed were generally boring. Cassian would fly up to the Illyrian Mountains with Azriel to further prepare the troops for the impending war. Apparently Windhaven had become the main stronghold for all the camps, and of course having hundreds of Illyrians in the same camp was more than rowdy. Cass and Az were constantly breaking up fights and coming home worse for wear. One night Cassian had come home caked in mud and blood, which he assured me wasn’t his own.

That night I demanded that he let me get him cleaned up and after hearing a million phrases along the lines of…

“You’re a princess, you shouldn’t be having to clean me up.”

And

“I don’t want to get you dirty.”

I finally convinced the stubborn general to let me take care of him. I took my time rubbing out the knots in his shoulders, his muscles so hard I could barely feel my hands afterwards. The sounds that fell from his lips were enough motivation to keep going though. He even let me wash his wings, something I knew Illyrians didn’t normally tolerate.

I remembered a day when I was just 10 years old and Rhys was 12. I had instinctively reached out to touch Rhys’ wing and he just about had my head. After that I was terrified to go anywhere near them. I could tell he felt bad about the encounter. One day when I was crying over something our father had yelled at me about he hugged me, and used his wings to cocoon me in. It was enough to bring a smile to my face and ever since then it had become a silly thing he had done whenever I was upset. Gods we hadn’t had a moment like that in years.

Nevertheless, my heart soared when Cassian asked me to wash his wings. I took my time to be extra careful. Grazing over sensitive areas when necessary. But appreciating every breathtaking inch of them. I didn’t miss the way one of his large wings curled over my frame that night while we lay in bed, almost as if it was its own sentient being thanking me.

“So last family dinner huh?” Azriel said as Cassian and I walked into the living room of the townhouse.

The words rolling off the Shadowsinger's tongue was enough to make my stomach hurt again. Rhysand had asked for us all to come together one last time for dinner as a family before I married Eris and moved to the Autumn Court.

Cassian hadn’t asked for updates surrounding the nuptials that would be taking place in two days time, which I was thankful for, considering I had none to give. I knew that tonight he would ask for answers, I could tell by the quiet demeanor he had all day. But I would cross that bridge when I came to it.

“Yeah I guess so,” I replied to Az as the three of us made our way to the long dining room table.

I took my usual place at the end of the table next to Azriel, Cassian sat across from me, Mor next to him and then Amren. Rhys, who always sat at the head of the table, arrived late adjusting the lapels of his jacket.

“Forgive me for being late,” he apologized, taking his seat. “I was just reading the latest reports and well-” he trailed off, not wanting to bring it up.

“What is it?” Amren demanded, leaving no room for him to avoid the question.

“Hybern’s forces are growing and there are rumors that the spring court will stand with him,” Rhys admits and my stomach plummets.

My eyes lift to Cassian’s and find him already looking at me. Worry passes between us. If the spring court has chosen to side with Hybern then we are truly outnumbered, especially if Tarquin refuses to fight. His foot brushes against mine under the table, the only comfort he’s able to offer me at the moment.

“Why would Tamlin do that?” I ask, breaking the silence.

“His father was one of Hybern’s biggest allies in the first war. My guess is that he’s trying to follow in his fathers footsteps,” Rhys turns to me.

“Wouldn’t surprise me,” Mor scoffed, sipping her wine.

The topic of conversation was dropped and dinner continued as usual. The boys swapped fond memories and fought over who was the true winner of last year's snowball fight. All the while I couldn’t shake what my brother had said, if the rumors are true and Tamlin joins Hybern what does that mean for the rest of us? For Cassian, who would no doubt be on the front lines.

I lift my eyes to see him and just like always I nearly have my breath taken away. He had one arm thrown over the back of his chair, the other holding a glass of wine while he laughed at something my brother had said. Cassian was so handsome when he was like this, at ease, laughing with his family. I had yet to see him in battle, but I knew that seeing him that way would be just as knee wobbling. If he was gone then what?

I looked at my family around me, the home my brother had built and fought so hard to protect. The warmth that lived here, it was something that couldn’t be put into words. It could all be gone in seconds, and then everything my brother sacrificed under the mountain? It would’ve been for nothing.

“Well I have to get back and finish some paperwork,” Rhys said, tossing his napkin on the table.

“I have some mission reports to wrap up,” Azriel said, also throwing in the metaphorical towel.

We all stood, our chairs sliding across the wooden floor with a squeak, my eyes found Cassian and I could sense that he wanted to speak to me.

“And you dear sister need to get some beauty sleep for the big day,” Rhysand said, placing a kiss to the top of my head.

I embraced him warmly, taking in every part of him. I knew it wouldn’t be the last time I saw him, or the last time I saw any of them. But with the wedding and war, everything seemed so much more precious now.

We all moseyed over to the front door where I said goodbye to Mor and Amren, as they wouldn’t be attending the wedding. I gave the townhouse one last look, taking in the warm fae lights, the plush carpets and the love that the place offered. I hoped it would be a bright light for me to remember when I would no longer be able to visit. The door closed and I swear a part of me was locked behind it.

“I’ll see you two at home,” Azriel said, he didn’t even give us a chance to say goodbye before shooting off into the sky.

“Walk with me?” I asked Cassian, cocking an eyebrow at him.

“Look at that you’re taking me for walks now, what a responsible dog owner,” Cassian smirks referring to the dog comment made nearly a month ago.

“You’re never going to let me live that down are you?” I laugh bumping into his arm as he holds open the front gate for me.

“Never baby, never,” he laughs

Velrais was beautiful no matter what time of day or what season it was. But summer nights in Velaris had to be my favorite. While growing up I hardly ever got to leave the house, if I did it was when Rhys would sneak me out on night time flights. Often going into the city for sweets or ice cream.

Tonight was perfect. The temperature was just warm enough to merit the lilac satin I was wearing, while the breeze coming off the Sidra kept us both cool. It seemed that the whole town thought it was a perfect night. Many people opted to take their dinner and drinks on outdoor patios, a small band had brought their instruments out for children and couples to dance to, and there was a general scene of merriment everywhere. This was home.

As we got closer to the river and further from the music the breeze picked up and Cassian’s wing shot out to create a shield for me. My mouth was halfway open poised to say something when a small cry came out from behind me. Cassian whipped around to assess the danger even faster than I could, but as we both turned around all we found was a little girl, about 5 years old, running toward me, doll in hand.

“Princess! Princess!” she squealed in excitement as she came to a halt at my feet, tugging on my dress.

“Celia!” shouted a woman running towards us. By the matching black hair and blue eyes I could tell it was her mother. “Get back here this instant!”

“Don’t worry she’s alright,” I smiled towards the mother trying to offer her some reassurance.

The woman quickly halted in her tracks upon seeing my face and bent at the waist, “Your highness please forgive me,” she said quickly.

“Please, please, no bowing,” I laughed, placing my hand on her shoulder.

“You’ll have to forgive this one, she’s much faster than me,” the woman laughed nervously.

I looked down to see the little girl looking up at me with stars in her blue eyes, I bent over to pick her up using all my strength to do so.

“Sounds like she’s going to be a little warrior then,” I laugh. “You should meet my friend Cassian, he’s the general.” I say to Celia hiking her up on my hip to see Cass.

He tucked his wings in tight and wiggled his fingers at the little girl, trying to seem less intimidating. She hesitantly waved back unsure of him and then turned her gaze to me.

“You’re pretty,” she smiled, one of her tiny hands grazing my nose for emphasis.

“Why thank you. I think you’re very pretty as well Celia,” I smile at her cherub cheeks. “Tell me about your dolly,” I say looking at the porcelain doll in her arms.

“Her name's Poppy, she’s a princess too,” Celia stated proudly holding the doll up so I could see her more clearly.

“Well it’s lovely to meet you princess Poppy,” I nodded, shaking the doll's dainty hand.

“Come on Celia it’s time for bed darling,” her mother laughed.

I placed the girl down on the ground and watched her run to grab onto her mothers legs.

“Thank you princess,” she nodded to me. “General,” she nodded to Cassian.

“Of course,” I said, waving goodbye.

As I watched the two walk away hand in hand I couldn’t help but notice the warmth there and the love. At that moment I found myself missing my own mother. I looked out over the river, the calm black water drifting by as the stars sparkled over Ramiel. The distant sounds of children laughing, adults singing, music playing.

I couldn’t leave this place to chance. This beautiful home that Rhys had built, the shops and restaurants. The people who lived here peacefully and without worry.

I wouldn’t let people like Celia and her mother suffer from my selfishness.

I turned to find Cassian already staring at me expectantly, as is if he was on edge waiting for me to say something. There was a wariness to his stare that told me he knew what came next.

“Cass we need to talk,” I sigh.

I see his metaphorical hackles raise as he speaks, “No y/n, absolutely not. I won’t lose you.” he declared the heat of the argument already rising.

“There isn’t a way out Cassian. I won’t put my people at risk like that. Think of the little girls like Celia. I can’t just sit by and watch her go to the slaughter because I didn’t want to marry someone.” I argue, gesturing to the city behind him. “And what about you? Huh? You heard what Rhys said. If Tamlin is involved and we still don’t have Tarquin’s support, then where does that leave you? On the frontlines. If something were to happen to you and I had to live with the thought that I could’ve done something to stop it but didn’t, I couldn’t live with myself.”

Cassian’s fists clenched at his sides, “I would rather live with you for however long I have left then be without you y/n.” he pleaded.

His words hit like a blow as I felt tears pricking my eyes. This was the end. This beautiful, wonderful thing I had found that made me feel so alive, so loved. It was ending, and it was dying like a star. Burning bright and exploding, taking everything in its path.

“And what about them?” I gestured to the city in the distance as a cheer sounded from one of the taverns. “If I don’t marry Eris that means I’m okay with their blood on my hands Cassian. What does that make me? A monster.”

His jaw ticked, “So I’m just supposed to sit here and watch you marry him? Watch him put his hands all over you? Watch you have his fucking children!” he roared, eyes only softening when I flinched away from him.

“I’m sorry Cass, but I don’t know what to do anymore. All I know is that I want to save my people, and this is the only way I know how. The safest.” I say calmly.

Cassian steps back and looks over the water, like he can’t even face me and I don’t blame him. He takes a deep breath, seemingly collecting his thoughts and then he speaks for the last time.

“He is going to kill you from the inside out y/n. You’re going to become just like that dog in his kennels,” he grits, unable to meet my gaze. “And I won’t stick around to watch.”

He walks past me, wings nearly knocking me over.

“Cassian please,” I cry trying to reach out for him, but he’s airborne and flying gods know where before my fingers can graze his leathers.

I stand there watching him disappear into the night sky. Once he’s out of sight I swear I hear a roar so loud it rattles Ramiel. I’m left there on the edge of the river with no one but myself to wipe my tears. And I suppose I deserve that, I should’ve never kissed Cassian that night after the ball, should’ve never gone to bed with him. Should’ve never fallen in love with him.

Turns out it didn’t matter what I did, I was a monster either way.

And I sat and thought about that for a long time.

Part 9

Taglist: @crystalferret202 , @nickishadow139 , @graceshifts , @writeroutoftime , @heyyitsnat21, @stinkinstuffie , @lilah-asteria , @12358 , @fxckmiup, @daughterofthemoons-stuff, @mybestfriendmademe, @anxious-study, @bxm-1012 , @mal-adaptive-dreams , @sh4nn , @talesofadragon , @5onedirection5

Permanent Taglist: @fides25, @dissociated-always

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ckret2 · 10 months

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Masterpost for Bill "Goldilocks" Cipher fic

If you're new here, this is one of those fics where Bill comes back in a human body and is imprisoned in the Mystery Shack until the Pines & friends can figure out how to kill him (which they won't, because this is also a "Bill's redeemed through the power of improbable friendship" fic). The "Goldilocks" is because the Pines need a code name other than "Bill Cipher" to call their prisoner, and Bill liked Mabel's suggestion best.

For all my fic, art, doodles, upcoming scene excerpts, and posts about characterization & plot plans, see my #bill goldilocks cipher tag.

New chapter every Friday!

For just the fic itself, here are all the current chapters:

⛓️ 1. Bill returns, in a bedsheet toga.

⛓️ 2. Bill tries to murder the Stans and Soos (with time travel).

⛓️ 3. Dipper and Mabel save the day (with time travel).

⛓️ 4. A tense evening as the Pines prepare to get rid of Bill.

⛓️ 5. Plot twist: the Pines physically can't get rid of Bill.

⛓️ 6. The gang goes to a diner at 3 a.m. for hostage negotiations.

⛓️ 7. "How'd Bill get here" flashback; plus, entering his new prison.

💇‍♀️ 8. Bill gives himself a haircut and depression.

💇‍♀️ 9. Bill & Ford grudgingly have a sincere conversation; regret it.

💇‍♀️ 10. The kids decide Bill won't ruin their summer. Also: Pacifica!

🧚 11. Mabel gives Bill the most beautiful makeover ever. (It's not.)

🧚 12. Pacifica advertises Harry's Hairy Fairy Formula. Bill wants it.

🧚 13. Pacifica refuses to share; the twins discover its side effects.

🧚 14. Mabel wins Bill's eternal friendship with arts & crafts.

💭 15. Bill, Ford, and Dipper have nightmares that are Bill's fault.

💎 16. Ford has a fun day with Mabel but everything goes wrong.

💎 17. The day goes right again thanks to healthy communication.

🐿️ 18. Mabel's Guide To Local Animals, co-starring Bill Cipher.

🧊 19. Wendy snoops into the weird things happening in the shack.

🧊 20. Wendy meets the weird thing (it's Bill).

🎂 21. Stan & Ford's birthday party! Bill gives evil gifts.

💭 22. Bill "helps" Dipper's nightmares; no one knows his motive.

👁️ 23. Bill's ex is back in town and nobody's happy about it.

👁️ 24. Everyone's even less happy to learn Bill has a sex life.

🧿 25. Mabel and Bill make friendship bracelets! :)

🧿 26. The Pines take Bill to the mall. He wears terrible things.

🧿 27. Bill breaks Mabel's heart (and panics to fix it).

🏳️‍🌈 28. Bill talks his way into going with Wendy to Rainbow Club.

🎃 29. Bill contacts the Henchmaniacs on Summerween morning.

🎃 30. Costume making. Mabel pries into Bill's past, with crayons.

🎃 31. The Trickster's pals trick-or-treat; and Bill terrifies Dipper.

🪮 32. Dipper & Mabel make a poppet to control Bill.

🦷 33. Stan takes Bill to the dentist. In handcuffs.

🦷 34. Dentist & tooth fairy attack. Stan & Bill are still handcuffed.

🦷 35. Bill & Stan reach a painful understanding and stop the fairy.

🛁 36. Anime night; and Mabel makes Bill do community service.

🛁 37. Bill plots escape and runs into Wendy. Dipper panics.

🛁 38. Bill has the worst and stupidest day of his afterlife.

🌅 39. A cultist finds Bill; Bill tries to re-recruit Ford.

🚙 40. Gideon broadcasts car commercials; invokes Bill's wrath.

🚙 41. Bill apologizes for bullying Gideon. lol no he blackmails him.

🌕 42. Bill tells Dipper secrets of the universe; predicts an eclipse.

🌖 43. Gravity is disappearing; Ford and Fiddleford investigate.

🌗 44. Ford & Dipper drag Bill hiking; Bill faces his death.

🌘 45. Ford demands answers Bill can't give as totality looms.

🌑 46. Totality. Bill decides whether Ford lives or dies.

🌒 47. Bill feels rotten but finally explains the eclipse.

🌓 48. Bill has a complete mental breakdown.

🌔 49. The gang limps home. (Plus: a second dimensional eclipse.)

COMING SOON:

50. Bill finally processes that mental breakdown.

This fic will start crossposting to Ao3 after The Book Of Bill comes out, because I have my fingers crossed that I'll be able to make it TBOB-compatible with light edits but won't know til then. Until then, read it here!

This post was last updated April 27, 2024! If you're seeing this post as a reblog and it's been a while since then, check back on the original post to see if more's been added!

#bill cipher #human bill cipher #gravity falls #gravity falls fic #about my writing #my writing #bill goldilocks cipher #reference

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kaelidascope · 2 months

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I love your mm au so much literally if you made a series of one random one shots of just the bees and friends getting up to random shenanigans I would read it in a heartbeat

This is an old one but I might, actually. There were a lot of mini-scenes (and sex scenes) that got cut from the final product of MM due to story flow issues. There's this one scene I cut that I am turning into an art piece instead where they have a bath one morning and Blake sees Yang's stupid rubber ducky collection and asks if they can use them. Then they order pizza and have it while in the bath because what is life if you can't eat pizza while taking a bath (don't @ me about cleanliness ok let the girls live a little)

I really loved that scene, and I'm sad it didn't fit anywhere, but maybe some of y'all might actually wanna read it?

Other cut scenes include;

A very dirty sex scene after Lemon Custard that's full roleplay with the bees

Serena chases off new competition at the club (Neon Katt) by 'marking her territory' with Yang

The actual alley fight between Yang and the White Fang

Car sex LOL

Guy's Night 2.0 with Yang and Pyrrha but this time they have to track down Weiss and Blake WITH Ruby because they get lost after barhopping

Blake teaches Yang Bachata

Early Blake and Weiss before the events of MM when she was living with her for a while

More exploration of Blake dissociation issues

Flashback to Vernal teaching a teenage Yang how to shoot

A collection of mini-scenes that happen during the chapter called Eight that are meant to span over 8 months but don't fit the final product (small conversations, Blake and her parents, Weiss and Yang interactions, mundane stuff like that)

Where Emerald and Blake's long-standing rivalry comes from in literally everything

And a lot of bullshit small scene ideas that I've talked about in private with friends that were just misc details

Here's the sketch of that pizza bath scene as a treat

#midnightbeesfic #rwby #bumbleby #yang xiao long #blake belladonna #nah fr I'm so normal about this AU #I have so much shelved content for them #I just don't want to overkill it LOL so I'm restraining what I'm actually sharing #I don't want to make /too/ much #The story is already extremely long-winded as it is #But I mean hey #if thats what yall want 👀

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jmdbjk · 4 months

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Episode 1: The Beginning

Beyond the Star, produced by HYBE Media Studio

Opens with a flashback of Namjoon explaining their belief in the concept of how any art, any genre of art, can change the world.

This opening footage was recorded during a press conference for CONNECT, BTS.

A good explanation of what CONNECT, BTS appeared on DAZED, January 14, 2020.

It was a huge wide-ranging global art project to link visual art to music art. This is one of the installations in New York City:

Then we see scenes of them arriving at Incheon Airport in February 2020.

In February 2020, they were about to embark on the MOTS world tour. They were really pushing into the western market, especially the United States. They were headed to the States to start promoting on the talk show circuit and for magazine interviews. Western media was all over BTS. The public relations hype for their tour was huge. It was going to be HUGE. BTS was HUGE. At this point in the documentary we see english speaking fans trying to buy tickets for this tour.

This was the beginning of the year that would be their magnum opus.

Leading the docu-series with this reminds everyone what was supposed to happen and the impact they hoped to make here in the United States, to ride the wave of their success as far as they could go until they had to stop. Keep in mind they did not have any full English songs yet.

As far as they knew, this would be the end as we knew it, the end of Chapter 1. We all know what was to follow the MOTS tour even though no one wanted to speak about it: Enlistment. Jin would enlist December 2020 even though rumblings of a potential military exemption were beginning to buzz.

This period of time and after was when MANY MORE became fans of BTS. MOTS:7 was a record-breaking album. They were riding HIGH.

The scene of them being told the MOTS tour was cancelled is gut-wrenching. It makes me think of the content they filmed that day (March 8, 2020 a music show?)

and I wonder at what point during the day they were told. Jimin and Hobi did a Vlive:

There are scenes of MOTS cancellation day in 2020 Memories, but not THIS scene of them being told the tour was cancelled.

Then we jump forward to scenes of the members on the beach in LA (end of 2021) recalling their feelings and thoughts about the previous (almost) two years (the pandemic), reflecting on themselves. They had to overcome frustration, and change and adapt to reality.

Some of them were able to do that easier than the others. We know Jimin had a rough time, and it was challenging for Jin, Tae and Yoongi. Namjoon and Hobi worked on music. Yoongi wondered what was the point of even releasing music at all.

Jungkook says even though they were sad, something good came of it, they realized how much singing and dancing – performing – meant to them and how it superseded everything else.

Jimin says he and Namjoon spoke about how they needed to organize their thoughts over the years pertaining to the reasons they are doing what they do, how they feel and what they want to do, perhaps in order to help them sort through the pandemic aftermath and to serve as sort of an outline of how to proceed... it is sort of how the rest of this documentary series unfolds: the past, the present, the future.

Namjoon begins sharing thoughts of how he felt in the beginning and we flash back to 2013 debut. And the rest say their thoughts about how they began. This is a good way for newer fans to understand how they began: hearing their words as mature adults reminiscing about their roots and their start.

We’ve heard the general story of how they began with RM first and the rap line was assembled, then the vocal line was added with Jimin being the last to make the team. Bang PD recalls how impressed he was with Namjoon and knew this was someone special.

I’m positive there were opinions, decisions and choices made that we will never know because we weren’t there witnessing the moments. Whatever those decisions were, some probably forgotten in time or only known by a few involved in the process, however it happened, these seven individuals were settled upon and the team was created. The rest is history.

No one had an inkling of how much they would change the idol and kpop industry from what they then knew it to be.

Preparing for debut: one of the things Jungkook says is they expected hardships back then but looking back now, if he tried to do that now, he couldn’t do it, but back then, it was a given. Yoongi said they spent every moment in the practice room when they weren’t eating or sleeping… up all night practicing, so much stress and pressure amongst seven young passionate young men trying to make a good debut.…you can see the stress and fatigue on their faces.

Through all of that they reveal how hard they worked and how deep their commitment is. They felt it was important to convey this deep personal connection to each other they developed and how strong their bond is.

The events might be repetitive for people who’ve been Army since the beginning or since before 2020, but for the benefit of newer fans, presenting their story like this in the words of each member is important.

The author of the book Beyond the Story, Myung Seok Kang, explains how much of an underdog BTS was in the beginning. They were from a small, barely making it company and had the audacity to win Best New Artist in 2013 at the Melon Music Awards.

Hearing them state how they felt during that debut year, their young minds trying to process what was happening, thrust into society at such a young age, seeing their friends still being students, they had to reconcile within themselves that their lives were so different.

Jungkook (our now giant global pop star) said he remembers how small he felt hearing another really good singer in his in-ears as they prepared for a performance.

Watching them struggle to come up with the melody for Danger, working on it as a team from Jungkook, to Namjoon, to Yoongi, note by note… at such a young age and then not experiencing the expected success or gains after they had done that with the previous song… they thought this would be the end for them. All they wanted was to win first place at a music show…. CAN YOU IMAGINE?? The team was wavering.

Newer fans need to be aware of this struggle.

All of this led to them writing the album, The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, the real start of their rise to stardom. They finally bagged that 1st place music show win with I Need U. The win gave them the confidence they needed to push forward and they kept winning with each song after that. Seeing their confidence grow after each win is exhilarating.

This album is the turning point in their career, the launch pad, so-to-speak.

And the song, Yet to Come (The Most Beautiful Moment in Life) is the thread connecting Chapter 1 to Chapter 2 and beyond. We will have a Most Beautiful Moment in Life 10th Anniversary in 2025. This docu-series is the bridge between what was then, now and what is … yet to come.

Review of Episode 2 next…

#if you can read the book it adds so much more #bts beyond the star #jimin #jungkook #hobi #namjoon #yoongi #jin #taehyung #what will the song be that connects YTC with the future?

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phoebepheebsphibs · 6 months

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Hide & Seek references compendium

I put so many little easter eggs and hidden things in my Hide and Seek fic, so here is my little ongoing list of references I purposefully put in the fic for those of you who like this kind of thing idk man

Chapter 1, Disney's Hercules: "Hey, Mack! Ya wanna buy a sundial?" Disney's Jungle Cruise: “Trader Sam��s! Come shop at Trader Sam’s! He’ll give you a great deal on shrunken heads! Two of his heads for one of yours!” the Holmes Hotel, Hugh's Pies is a reference to Nickelodeon's Jimmy Neutron series, Lilo's Stitches and Embroidery is a nod to Disney's Lilo and Stitch, "Crusty the Crab" is a nod to Spongebob Squarepants, Chell's Portal Stop is a reference to the game series Portal, and the final scene is from the ROTTMNT episode "Hidden City's Most Wanted".

Though this is not technically a reference or Easter egg, I wanted to add this note… I made a point of referring to Splinter as Lou Jitsu when he was mad or angry or selfish, and as Hamato Yoshi when he was scared or sad.

Chapter 2, Leo's determination to have Raph call him "the world's greatest ninja" is a reference to the film, Leo's quote "Land safely!" is taken from the episode "Mystic Mayhem" as well as the episode "The Evil League of Mutants", Leo's complaining to be leader is a nod to his future role, Raph referring to his father as a "sewer monster" is a reference to the episode "Man vs. Sewer", Splinter has a flashback from the episode "Goyles, Goyles, Goyles" and the line "OW! Why, you little--!" is also taken from that same episode.

Chapter 3, Mikey's dream is obviously a nod to all that he will do in the future.

Chapter 4, The origin of Lace Face from the episode "Man vs. Sewer".

Chapter 5, Phineas and Ferb "Escape from Phineas Tower": "That's some mole!" The line "Raph! Your enormous body is crushing me!!” is a reference to Disney's Lilo and Stitch, "sweater town" is a reference to the Gravity Falls episode "The Hand that Rocks the Mabel", the line "I didn't want to believe it, but... *sigh* science." is taken directly from the ROTTMNT film as well as a moment when Leo mentions that Donnie was wrong, Donnie uses two really's, a reference from the episode "Breaking Purple", Donnie gives Leo the comic seen in the episode "Jupiter Jim Ahoy!"

Chapter 6, Splinter's tv flips through several channels which include clips from media. These include a Thomas Sanders vine with "Weatherman Al", the quote "My leg!" from Spongebob Squarepants, part of the Fairly Odd Parents' theme song, Mrs. Cuddles' catchphrase "Let's be friends forever!", "I've got bad feeling about this" is a quote from Star Wars, the fake show about "Goosey" is an easter egg to @gooeseyleo and her Gooseyleo series. When Leo goes onstage, he does "a few improvised dance moves", which is a nod to Ben Schwartz and some dance moves he did in the Netflix improv comedy special "Middleditch and Schwartz”. The Lou Jitsu play the boys perform is a parody of the Godzilla franchise and the Pacific Rim films. Donnie's line "I strive for accuracy" is a reference to @sleepis4theweak 's comic (which I think about every gosh darn day), Horsebot-3000 and Splinter's line "I liked Horsebot-3000" are references to the show Community, season 3 episode 7: "Studies in Modern Movement".

Chapter 7, in the illustration Leo and Donnie are wearing Transformer and Decepticon t-shirts, respectively, and in the background you can see spray paint that spells out "Atomic Lass", as well as a drawing of the turtles' weapons.

Chapter 8, a young BEBOP AND ROCKSTEADY make an appearance, as does a very young Harvey Hokum from the ROTTMNT comics. When Bebop tries to sell Leo, he calls him “Shelly”, a reference to my pet turtle of the same name. In the illustration you can see a goldfish on the shelf, which is meant to be Piebald.

Chapter 9, How It's Made, APRIL O'NEIIIIILLLL, Harvey Hokum, Warren Stone and Kendra are referenced, "Operation Blue Suede Shoes" contains the title of a song, a reference to how in the show there are several similar code-names used for the characters ("Purple Rain" for Donnie, "Yellow Submarine" for April, etc.) Leo says that Mikey has empathy amplified, a reference to the fanfiction of the same name written by @filsa-mek on AO3.

Chapter 10, the boys watch "Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit". Leo promises to never leave Raphael alone and to always find him. Raph offers several scenarios that actually happen in the future where Leo searches for Raph - sewer monsters (a reference to the episode Man Vs. Sewer), getting captured by bad guys (the episode Bug Busters), and aliens attacking (the events of the film). The chapter as a whole is also based off of a few sketches I made - one of which shows the boys watching the film with Splinter, and one where Raph has a bad dream and wakes up to seeing he hurt Leo, who offers to help and gets the bros together for a turtle pile.

Chapter 11, the episode is heavily inspired by an episode of the audio drama series Adventures in Odyssey, specifically the episode "Mandy's Debut". The line "Wow, the shortcake of death" is a reference taken from said same episode! During Leo's flashback, a reference to the meme "She knocked that smug look off my face, but fourtunately I had a smaller smug look underneath" when Leo takes off his sunglasses to reveal a cooler pair of sunglasses underneath. Leo and Raph make a note to the fact that Leo is not the eldest in this universe.

Chapter 12, Raph, Leo, and Mikey teach April a game they play in the episode "Late Fee". When using sign language, Donnie tells Leo to "Stop yelling at me", which is inspired by a moment in Spy Kids 4. April introduces Raph to Ghostbear's starting career. Mikey repeats a line from the episode "Bug Busters", which is "Remind me not to ask questions anymore." Mikey uses the phrase "hydrate or die-drate", which is taken from a meme but is also something I say constantly as well. When in the Hidden City, Splinter hears people calling out to customers, one uses the lyrics to the Fairly Odd Parents' theme song, another is selling Mary Poppins' umbrella, a third is selling the three mystery journals from Gravity Falls, the fourth is selling Cinderella's glass slippers, and the last one is selling the Stanley Parable bucket of reassurance. Ochimizu is a Japanese mythical elixir of eternal life. The introduction and origins of Loathsome Leonard and the Mud Dogs. Malicious Mickey uses the "creepy doctor" line from "Stuck on You".

Chapter 13, Donnie delirium is directly based off of my own experiences with delirium, as well as his and Leo's conversation about whether or not Leo would miss him when he dies (which was an actual conversation I had with my mother when I was sick with croup as a little girl). The second half of that conversation was adapted from a scrapped fic called "The Kids Are All Dying". Donnie references the song "Big Yellow Taxi". The seven-tailed fox comes from Japanese folklore, but specifically this one was a reference to Naruto! Mikey sings the first line of the "Wonderfilled" song by Owl City. The secret ingredient being a discontinued soda was inspired by the ending of the musical "Be More Chill". The toad yokai becomes Heinous Green.

Short story, in the illustration you can see several signatures and sketches on Leo's cast, such as Raph signing "Mad Dawgs" and Mikey drawing his stickers. On the wall behind Leo is an eye exam that has the words "RISE" and "PHOEBE" on it. There's also a computer monitor in the back with Leo's vitals on it, as well as a notification about the trackers, and a list of all Hamatos Donnie tagged.

I will update more when I post new chapters... ;)

#rise of the teenage mutant ninja turtles #rottmnt #tutant meenage neetle teetles #rottmnt raph #rottmnt leo #rottmnt donnie #rottmnt mikey #rottmnt fic #rottmnt fanfic #fanfiction #i understood that reference #reference #easter eggs #hidden refrences #did you catch that?

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the-obnoxious-sibling · 5 months

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“Being a pirate is all about going your own way.” // “Come with me, Buggy!!”

is this post totally redundant after the similar post i made last week? idk. i guess the main difference is that this time i’m looking at the same topic in an unambiguously romantic light? the shipper goggles, as they say, are on, and i want to talk about these scenes in that context. so, if you’ll forgive me for repeating myself a bit, let’s talk about this again:

as much as i enjoy the heartbreak of “they always thought they’d be together but miscommunication tore them apart” takes on shanks/buggy, the very first flashback we get about them—the first things we learn about them at all, really—tells us this isn’t true.

and i think what we get is more romantic.

Chapter 19, Pages 12-13. i know last time i said they’re at most 12 here, but looking at these lanky-ass teenaged designs that’s nuts. i fully believe oda hadn’t thought through their ages/the timeline at this point, and they were originally supposed to be about luffy’s age when buggy got his devil fruit. which is not relevant to this post in any way, but it’s my post so i get to go off-topic if i want.

Shanks and Buggy have their own goals as pirates, and at this time they understand them to be mutually incompatible. Buggy thinks Shanks’ travel-and-adventure-oriented take on piracy is soft and foolish; Shanks doesn’t care for Buggy’s exclusively treasure-focused take. They’re sometimes friendly, sometimes not, they’ve fought side by side, but they know this time as allies and crewmates is temporary. (Buggy plans on taking his treasure map and the Devil Fruit and leaving the crew immediately.) Maybe they’ll become friendly rivals, ‘fighting to the finish’ when they run into each other like Roger and Whitebeard do, or maybe the next time they see each other they’ll literally fight to the finish. Who knows?

“That’s also what being a pirate is all about.” It’s very sensible behavior. Smart planning for the future.

Which means the contradictory ways they act later—Buggy secretly deciding to follow Shanks, Shanks bluntly asking Buggy to come with him—are not about these characters thoughtlessly clinging to the status quo. They are not in a “we were always together and I never thought that would change” situation. Deciding to stick together is a considered, emotional decision: “I know we don’t make sense together but I don’t care, I want us together anyway.”

Chapter 1082, Pages 8-9. i was cursed the moment i saw these pages with Unable To Stop Thinking About It disease; only time will tell if seeing it animated makes it worse or cures me.

This argument is a codependent breaking point. Buggy’s pinned all his dreams on Shanks, hoisted that poor boy up on a pedestal, and it all falls apart when Shanks reveals thoughts and plans that don’t match Buggy’s perception of him. He can’t bear to be around him now that the false image has been revealed. (Shanks, poor thing, seems to have had no idea any of this was happening.)

But if Shanks hadn’t said no to Laugh Tale in this moment—or maybe if he’d offered a soft no of, idk, “okay, sure, once we’ve got a strong enough crew”—Buggy would have gone with him, still projecting wildly onto Shanks. He’d convinced himself that being a member of the Pirate King’s crew was enough for him, that he didn’t need to be Pirate King himself if Shanks got the title and he was with Shanks.

…but would he have actually liked being a member of that crew?

Like, looking at the things the Red-Haired Pirates do, would Buggy have enjoyed being one of them? Wandering East Blue, hanging out in friendly port towns, collecting treasure here and there but spending a lot of time getting drunk and making friends with the locals? Eventually becoming famous for having a large, weak fleet of subordinate pirate crews Shanks has to sometimes physically step in and protect?

God, no, he’d’ve been miserable. Just seething with thwarted ambition, furious at the perceived disrespect. A real power hungry first officer stereotype, the kind of character that makes you think, Why’s he working for this guy if he hates him so much?

And Buggy must have suspected it would go something like that. But if Shanks hadn’t rejected Laugh Tale, he would’ve gone with him anyway.

(Better to be miserable with you than a loser on my own.)

Or say Buggy agreed to come with Shanks. Obviously his presence wouldn’t change the crew makeup significantly enough to skew the Red-Haired Pirates towards his way of thinking, but for the sake of argument: if he had convinced Shanks to do things his way, would Shanks have enjoyed the kind of piracy Buggy engages in? Taking over and destroying East Blue port towns, ordering your crew killed on a furious whim, single-mindedly hunting down treasure maps and single-mindedly hunting down treasure chests and paying no attention to anything along the journey? Eventually becoming the boss and administrator for a bunch of bounty hunters and mercenaries?

No way; most of that behavior is totally repellant to Shanks. If he let Buggy do that kind of thing under his banner, you’d be left wondering What happened to his morals? Why does he let this guy walk all over him?

And Shanks knew the kind of pirate Buggy was and wanted to be. But he asked Buggy to come with him anyway.

(Better to be miserable with you than have fun apart.)

It’s hard to see a way to make these very different styles of pirating work together. It’s probably doable… with a lot of compromise and honest conversation. The younger Shanks and Buggy had a point, when they said each going their own way was the obvious choice! It was certainly the easier one. Was it the happier one? Who can say.

#i also keep thinking of that year after the roger pirates disbanded. did everybody REALLY go their own way?#or did the two youngest maybe stick together. for safety in numbers! not bc they’re afraid to be alone or apart or anything!!#they’re just. SO codependent after roger’s execution…#i really don’t think that was the first time they’d seen each other in a year.#shuggy #one piece #i’m sorry i can’t stop thinking & writing about them #eventually i’ll be able to have thoughtful opinions about other things again #maybe even about non-one piece things!! anything’s possible!#shanks #buggy #my meta #*the shuggy roguetown breakup #*shuggy miscommunication #.19 (devil fruit flashback)#.1082 (roguetown flashback)#*shuggy ironies #*buggy’s bad choices

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pawschamp · 11 months

Text

VOL 8#2/CH35: “double team” appreciation

i’m a huge fan of the way nightow encapsulates a certain thematic or specified topic in each chapter, almost making each chapter its own arc with the way a character can change in just a few pages. as an example to appreciate this, i’m using chapter 35 aka “wolfwood doesn’t shoot” chapter aka one of my favorite chapters in the entire series.

warning, this is not a thought out essay, this is just the insane ramblings of a guy that likes trigun and wolfwood. there will be tangents, there will be derails, but overall, it’s a 4k insight into where my mind goes when i read these chapters.

TW WARNING: wolfwood’s backstory pictured (child experimentation, child harm), blood, death

SPOILERS WARNING: mentions of vol 8 events

for consistency sake, i’ll be using overhaul’s translation.

this chapter throws us into the familiar perspective of wolfwood. the readers have been in his shoes, we’re made to understand his thoughts since the very beginning of maximum, considering max started from his perspective. his ordeal and his internal struggle was made clear since the leonef arc, but this chapter serves as a checkpoint of where he is now, paralleling almost to chapter 11 where it had began with wolfwood’s dream + where his internal conflict were first laid bare to readers.

it’s also good to note that this chapter is in vol 6, the vol that takes place after the midvalley/hopper arc. this entire volume consists the internal dialogue of essential characters and where they stand with vash; the first chapter being meryl, then wolfwood, legato, knives, milly (a bit of vash), and then an open ended one, but it leads into vash’s flashback -- obviously, each chapter progresses the story itself too, but the main focus tends to be the thoughts of these characters. i really appreciate nightow writing an immensely thoughts driven and relatively quiet (in terms of action) volume after the heavily action packed previous volume. he does this well in the chapters themselves, knowing when to lead the reader into quiet so we can all feel the scene much more intimately. these chapters become more emotional because we’re settled with each character individually, we lean into their fears, their worry and concerns. the fact we get so little of vash and his thoughts in these chapters aside from the flashback makes him feel distant and lonelier (which, considering his immense guilt of remembering july, it feels purposeful.)

vol 10 will always be my favorite vol but vol 6 is certainly up there... i think it was masterfully put together and nightow’s character writing is one of my favorite parts of trigun. the introspection is such a core part of trigun itself alongside the action and i just appreciate the overall pacing of it and how it eventually leads into vol 7 where we return to vash, to the conflict between the brothers, and then into the harrowing 7 months of destruction on no man’s land where the kind of peacefulness that settled in vol 6 no longer exists for a long time in the future chapters.

anyway, to the chapter now

from the dream alone, we can tell there’s a progression of wolfwood’s risk taking heart beginning to open. from all the time he’s spent with vash and what he’s witness after the leonef arc, he’s starting to change internally, he’s no longer the same as he was at the beginning of trigun. the dream provides a what-if situation, where wolfwood kills off the eye of michael (vague individual, but probably chapel again?), freeing the children.

side note, but it’s particularly sad to me he says “i can never come back, but at least y’all will be safe now.” in an universe where a happy ending could be provided for the orphanage, there still wouldn’t be a happy ending for wolfwood. he can free the orphanage but even the destruction of the eye of michael wouldn’t free him from the man he’s grown into and it’s telling of just how little he believes he deserves to go/have a home.

but the dream then panels to knives and his fear of someone/something other than himself is shown. as i mentioned earlier about how this parallels to chapter 11, in that dream, it showed how wolfwood can’t return to the kids because of the blood that stains his hands, a dream he gets after having killed rai-dei and confronted by vash about his role.

he still feels this way considering his mentioned thought of “can’t return” anymore, but the dream shifts focus to knives because the threat of him looms closer now more than before after having witness vash transform in the previous arc -- and it’s clear him being a first hand witness has influenced his fears considering knives is using his ability within the dream.

overall, wolfwood has sooo much on his mind at this point; he saw vash transform, he came face to face with the rest of the gung-hos, met the strongest gung-ho, seen the price of betrayal with his own eyes (though b/c it was carried out by legato, it doesn’t necessarily hold the same weight)... he’s also done his fair share of trying to get others away from danger, notably when he speaks to meryl in the previous chapter, and tries to ward her away now that she’s seen first hand of vash’s strength, seen below from the chapter right before this. he’s relatively passive in his interactions with meryl so it’s insane how his behavior in ch 35 contrasts with this.

kind of a side note but i’ve always enjoyed this interaction between wolfwood and meryl. this is the first time they actually got to converse and he’s actively reading her and giving her advice; it’s advice he’d give to any average citizen, he’s always been an advocate for regular folks to turn their back so long it can keep them safe, but his advice here definitely felt a little personal considering how he’s gotten to known milly and he Knows for certain that this just isn’t the environment for her. the way he says “This isn’t the place for that cute partner of yers” as a reason to push Meryl to turn away always gets to me, because while there may be an implication for meryl to hightail out of there to protect herself, the discussion ends at wolfwood telling meryl to back out for milly. being with milly in the previous arc, he knows the lengths and sort of reckless, self sacrificial nature that milly has; she who refused to back out constantly, even after having expressed she was terrified, she still stayed, so wolfwood knows that if meryl leaves, then milly would too. he prods meryl, reminds her there’s another life aside from her own she’d be risking if she stayed.

after he wakes up and leaves the bar, he runs into zazie who just drops off a message from knives, as though to taunt him any further lmfao... it’s relevant that zazie shows up here considering wolfwood’s recent meeting with the rest of the gung-hos. zazie in particular is a complacent neutral party amidst the conflict, willing to see things through for knives / legato as long as the worms can be left alone.

one of the funniest lines ever to be delivered to wolfwood, “You’re a scary one. Almost like Bluesummers.” i laugh every time i see it.

but anyway, as stated by wolfwood, he recognizes that the point in conflict has reached far enough that what he does doesn’t necessarily matter anymore. sure, he’ll still keep to his job, but vash is going to end up at knives doorstep no matter what, especially with his recent recollection of july. wolfwood recognizes the minor part he plays, he recognizes how small he is amidst the overarching battle between the twins. i think this realization influences his dream too, being that he had rebelled and felt hope that the orphanage would be left alone, but still, the orphanage can’t avoid the fate that would fall on humanity as a whole. regardless, they would be caught up in what knives does.

then we get to this insane flashback, this Gorgeously illustrated first meeting between wolfwood and knives that haunts me every day of my life. i just want to appreciate this page for a minute, art wise... the tubes forming the composition throughout the panels, trapping wolfwood, encaging him despite him being the one standing over knives. i like how that’s emphasized with the overlap on the top panels and the gun he holds is so small in the bottom right panel. in the bottom left panel, it’s a perspective shot from wolfwood’s eyes, the gun trained onto knives chest (i think compositionally, it just looks cooler which is potentially why it isn’t aimed at knives’ head, but i can also think wolfwood might’ve lost the resolved to kill knives already from fear alone and thus, his gun was lowered.)

also i feel like not only did knives’ presence halt wolfwood but the medical equipment strung to knives might’ve triggered a terrible memory for wolfwood too, considering his experimentation.

above is from ch. 50.

but the focus of this flashback is in knives’ otherworldliness and how despite wolfwood managing to get so far to be face to face with knives, he could not pull the trigger from fear alone. and wolfwood has this humane reaction every time he comes close to death which is a resurgence of a will to live; he feels it in this moment with knives, he feels death closing in on him despite him being the one with the trigger at his finger and knives against the ground.

above from chapter 6.

from the knives flashback, we can see the lack of choice that wolfwood had at that moment. the lack of choice in the mission given to him, the lack of choice in being able to shoot at all. it solidified him into the position where he is today and quelled the rebellion he dreamt of.

from his nightmares to the meeting with zazie to this flashback, remembering knives and his presence and comparing that fear to vash, him remembering the last time he felt that fear from vash at all... although he’s always known vash to be an “other” from humans, when faced with the actuality of it, he starts to think more on their differences and kind of distant himself mentally from vash? by calling him a monster and “the one who can save humankind”, honing in on his inhumane side. he knows vash, but wolfwood is thinking from the memories of knives, he’s thinking from his feelings of fear in that moment with vash, and he probably feels so small, not capable of anything beyond doing his job. as a reminder, this is what he thinks during that scene, similar feelings to how he felt with knives imo although vash’s anger is transformed into outer and inner, almost like he’s trying to kill that anger he holds to upkeep his resolve to not kill.

and in the moment of deep pondering, with brilliant timing, vash calls out to him.

no matter how many times i see this page, i explode with so much emotion. to stay on topic, this panel of vash sitting leisurely on top of a rooftop has a lot of elements to it. the moon he blew a hole into shown right behind him, an ever present reminder of his destructive powers which wolfwood, no doubt, is remembering it distinctively in this moment. but i loooove love how this page contrasts the one with knives. this scene following is just parallels to wolfwood's memory of knives and while in his confrontation of knives, wolfwood was trapped in both a physical and internal sense. the positions being different too, where wolfwood hovered over knives but still remained below in a hierarchical sense while now, vash is above him physically and wolfwood looks up towards him. considering wolfwood's thoughts so far, the positioning is reflective of that. but considering their space, the openness, outside, the expansive sky behind vash alongside the moon, there's so much freedom in where they're both standing. wolfwood is constrained beneath the thoughts he has, his worries, but he has freedom to move around vash and yet wolfwood chooses to go up to meet him.

now i can derail and go a little insane over their expressions here, IDK. im VERY vw-pilled, so excuse me, but VASH'S LOOK TO WOLFWOOD?? "You're a bit of a night owl, huh?" it’s just a plain observation really, the casual nature in how he converses with wolfwood, something he’d recognize over the course of their journey... this also isn’t the ONLY time they’ve met under the moon, they did so in multiple bullets too. gay ass moon couple... whatever... i’ve also seen people note that vash is fake smiling here and perhaps. some days, i can believe that because he is just so goddamn sad during this time, but i also like to think it’s genuine. maybe prior to seeing wolfwood, he was neutrally observing the on going events in the town, but the moment he saw wolfwood strolling about in deep thought, he’s just like “oh, wolfwood! :]” Just being a little happy to not be alone for the night.

it’s a small detail, but i like how nightow incorporates these side missions into the chapter’s arc and the overall theme in little ways. because it’s been these yin-yang brothers that’s been making trouble since the last chapter and in this moment, vash watching these two brothers bringing down mayhem on a peaceful town.

alongside this page, we see wolfwood’s steady approach, vash’s back turned to him as they chitchat before wolfwood quietly

positioned the same way as before, the gun held to a twin that’s positioned lower and wolfwood looks down.

aside from how beautiful he is, i like how wolfwood holds a resolute gaze. he probably feels he has the upper hand, Knows it in some way because vash is seemingly defenseless. if he wanted to, he can shoot.

meanwhile, vash just Looks tired. not necessarily sorrowful, to me, he just looks exhausted. from the many clues later in this chapter, i think the reader can clue in that vash definitely knew wolfwood pointed a gun at him. whether it’s sorrow, a sense of betrayal, or nonchalance is unclear. i think vash might’ve knew wolfwood wouldn’t pull the trigger and if he had, i think vash would’ve felt resigned to it. vash understands the reason why wolfwood kills; in all his instances of killing, it’s been for the sole purpose to protect. when he killed rai-dei, it was to protect vash. when he killed gray, he was doing his part in protecting vash’s home which vash had entrusted to him. there’s tons of thoughts that goes through wolfwood’s head when he does kill and what it means to him personally, but to vash, wolfwood has never killed for a selfish reason so when wolfwood points a gun at him, if he has intentions to kill, there would be a reason that vash understands considering his own beliefs on protecting humanity. i think at the end of it though, he knew wolfwood wouldn’t shoot him.

and wolfwood doesn’t pull the trigger. his hand doesn’t shake, there are no sweat marks on his face, he’s not afraid at all. with a soundless mind, he decides not to shoot. it’s important that we get wolfwood’s thoughts because it’s not as if he has any particular doubts in his own abilities. to wolfwood, if he put a bullet through vash’s head, he may die, he may be immobilized to be easier to kill, etc etc but ultimately, he chooses not to. just prior to meeting vash, he was already riddled with the memory of his rebellions amounting to nothing, so if he had “killed” vash (just like how he had “killed” chapel before), he’d still have to face knives and he’s already experienced once what going against knives was like. he can’t do it, wolfwood wouldn’t be able to kill knives and there would be nothing to ultimately gain from killing vash.

naturally, i think we can also conclude the “reasonable” reasons aren’t the only things keeping him from shooting vash. it’ll be mentioned later, but what wolfwood thinks vs what he does can be fundamentally different because sometimes, wolfwood Just isn’t fully aware of how he acts, doesn’t know it. i think that’s part of the reason we don’t get his thoughts here when he lowers his gun, because he doesn’t know, he doesn’t understand why he can’t shoot vash either. if i had to reason it, it would be what i said before and that’s how i view how wolfwood might reason it, but that isn’t all of it. <-- this thought will be continued later.

i always found it funny how vash looks back because i’m sure he sensed something was weird about how quiet wolfwood was and how nothing was happened, so he just looks at him like “???”

wolfwood hits him with the reminder again of what to keep his focus on, as he usually does, and it’s ironic of him to say “It’ll be pointless if ya get yerself killed before ya meet him.”, having pointed a gun at him literally 2 seconds ago.

anyway, as the story progresses, the yin-yang brothers has started to blow shit up and vash, ever so involved, runs after to stop them. wolfwood, diligent, runs after vash.

i don’t have a lot to note but i like how vash is called a pretty boy. he is the prettiest boy. the page after this, they basically try to run him over, but vash sidesteps just in time to avoid that and turns towards the car to shoot at them. turns out though, the brother hopped off the car and appeared behind to hurl these sharp thingies at vash’s vulnerable back. please read the next 3 beautiful pages carefully

this sequence is just So well done. it’s very simple to bring back the hard ass table that wolfwood had woken up on and smacked his hand hard against at the start of this chapter, a purposefully strong table made to withstand drunkards... but it was pulled into the fight, to cover that split second to defend vash before wolfwood himself makes it to him. it’s important to note that vash doesn’t even look at wolfwood here. he’s not the least surprised, he’s still keeping his eyes directly on the tank. he does briefly look at the enemy behind him on the previous page for one panel, but i think that glance may have been targeted at the table wolfwood threw. i say this because vash moves fast and if he had wanted to target the yinyang brother behind him, he would’ve shot him already.

the both of them focus on the targets they’re aiming at. vash with his gun can’t break the armor of the tank and wolfwood’s punisher isn’t made for a single target unless he wanted to pulverized the dude with bullets and his aim won’t be precise with the punisher either. they’re mainly talking to themselves on this page, but the fact they don’t even say anything to each other, only giving a single glance before...

changing positions immediately -- understanding where the other had lacked in, understanding what they themselves would be capable of doing and what the other could not... like.... wolfwood quickly changing the punisher’s form to activate the torpedo to take care of the armored up tank and vash quickly getting aim on the yinyang brother the moment he turns around. in just fighting together, it communicated everything we needed to know about their teamwork. and taking into consideration how they’ve been fighting alone for their entire lives only to flawlessly come together as a team despite that... they’ve developed a trust on each other, a trust i think vash is relatively aware of at this point, but wolfwood hadn’t realized it.

i’m saying that because of his expression here lmfao

i think wolfwood can be pretty slow on realizing things for himself. i think for vash, he’s already built a recognition that wolfwood was going to be following him, that wolfwood would be there to protect his back, and i think that feeling stems from personal trust, considering how often wolfwood has done that for him already and i think a bit of that is also vash being aware that wolfwood has a job he’s upkeeping to protect/keep an eye on vash, so he’d expect wolfwood to upkeep that too.

on wolfwood’s end, he turns back to vash immediately, realizing that he had left his own back unattended. wolfwood knows vash, he understands the kind of person he is, but he was still anxious because of all the thoughts he held up throughout this chapter. i don’t think wolfwood’s trust in vash was purposeful prior this chapter and really, there wasn’t any particular scene that showed him trusting vash outright because wolfwood has always moved pretty independently throughout the arcs. it tended to be vash putting his faith in wolfwood instead while wolfwood himself was still trying to figure out where he stood with vash. but through battle, through the nonverbal communication and through instincts, i think that provides a lot of context of how his trust is ingrained instinctually and how despite what he states, what he thinks for himself, he internally already knows otherwise that he would never be able to harm vash, that he has already deeply sided with him.

when the fight is over, vash immediately disarms himself, thanks wolfwood, and his back is once again bare, turned towards wolfwood, vulnerable and full of trust. it’s intentional in how vash shows his trust towards wolfwood and wolfwood, processing, realizing that in full... how despite all of his worries, his fears, pondering about how this monster was going to save humanity, he’s ultimately just looking back at someone who’s grown so close to him. and i think this page is wolfwood coming to realize what his relationship with vash has become. overall, this chapter just feels like the moment when wolfwood has come to be honest and frank with himself on where his allegiance lies. in the previous arc, midvalley came at him constantly about who he was betraying and i think wolfwood was like “what the fuck is he talking about” for a good portion of it up until this chapter.

a lot of what wolfwood had to tackle that previous arc was where he stood in the crossfire. being a gung-ho after having killed “chapel” and stolen his spot which in turn led him to working under knives directly which led him to become vash’s guide, merely a job to be his guide until it no longer was just a job. he has a lot in common with midvalley, both being assassins, both having a heart that lied elsewhere and not in line with knives or legato. they both acted out, betrayed before, and midvalley himself mentioned how the twins were beyond them, higher beings while they were mere insects, or something along those lines... which wolfwood basically echoes similar sentiments here. when midvalley died, he most likely saw a reflection of himself. when he comes before midvalley’s grave, he thinks on that, the “can’t make a stand, even with those fangs of yours”, thinking of betrayal that comes about in his dreams. he knows for certainty that he wants to protect the orphanage; beyond that, i don’t think wolfwood believed he sided with anyone at the beginning of chapter 35. it’s a realization he makes steadily throughout the course of it and only when he’s back to back with vash does he realize he’s already sided with him whether he wanted to or not.

the chapters in vol 6, from all these different perspectives, they all end up concluding something new about vash, something they realize from what they’ve observed of vash in the previous arc and in person. meryl recognizes that vash’s fears and shame won’t stop him from shooting his gun. legato recognizing the significance of if vash could collect all the coins that becomes prevalent in chapter 80s. knives realizing that vash is already in the process of dying due to the black hair. milly seeing vash’s muddled up expression, the smiling facade he holds automatically when he doesn’t know what to do and gets a glimpse into the loneliness he feels.

the significance of wolfwood coming to terms with his feelings of vash makes his actions in vol 8 all the more meaningful and comprehendible. granted, i think throughout the previous chapters, we can all sense this sort of change in wolfwood and how much he cares about vash and all that... but i think the trust that wolfwood solidifies in vash goes beyond personal sentiments. after all, i think wolfwood having saved vash in vol 8 is because he trusted vash would be capable of saving humanity and that trust was enough for him to risk his own life... despite being afraid of dying, despite not being Ready to die, despite his own personal doubts and uncertainties and the echo of rebellions falling into ruins, he still went forth to save vash for the sake of humanity and he trusts that vash, despite his lonesome for those 7 months, would be resolute enough to stop knives. --> i’m saying “for the sake of humanity” because that’s just relevant with his thoughts in this chapter. him freeing vash has multitudes of layers that’s both personal and selfless to the fault, but that’s for another post.

and the final light hearted page in this chapter, where they chit chat a bit casually. i feel like every time we see wolfwood in his off time, he’s always eating something/discussing eating, which is kind of cute. he’s on top of his meals!! and of course, one of the best panels for millymeryl, the utter destruction and devastation in that house and meryl looking like she definitely Did not sleep from the chaos (and probably due to her own nightmares too) while milly is refreshed... they’re the cutest ever.

anyway, that was the last page so that means this chapter is finished! the way this chapter went full circle in regards to wolfwood’s thoughts, how all of his worries eventually led to a resolution to his feelings about vash... i think wolfwood’s point of view is always a gift to explore because his thoughts sometimes conflict to the resolution he comes to, especially when it comes to vash. wolfwood never had a presence like vash in his life, never known someone so different but still so similar to him. it’s all very new, so i think wolfwood’s circling thoughts, confusion, and the eventual choices he make when it comes to vash is a precious insight that i’m Very grateful towards nightow for.

i don’t know how to conclude this, but that’s all i have to observe! i hope it’s understandable what i mean when i say this chapter feels like an arc of itself and yet, it’s still so perfectly entwine with the rest of the plot. wolfwood’s thoughts here are not foreign, his development doesn’t come from nothing; it’s all a steady progression and i think it’s valuable for all the decisions he ultimately makes in the future chapters.

#trigun #trigun analysis #trigun meta #???#trigun maximum #also i didn't know where to put this thought but the title of this chapter is double team #double team can signify to vash and wolfwood's teamwork #it can also signify to wolfwood's troublesome allegiance to both knives and vash #anyway know that im also pulling shit out of my ass sometimes because i think TOO much and too deeply lmfao #i also might not be thinking enough and am wrong about things but WHATEVER!! this is just my view #some of these might just be assumptions and are kind of insane conclusions but i hope - above all else - that it's Comprehensible.#it's bene a year since i wrote something this long lmfao but this is just a soft appreciation of this chapter #if possible i would this for the entire manga but i Don't think i have that kind of time

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nico-is-typing · 6 months

Text

"Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation", a guide

Notes:

The chapter summaries were written by the author and translated by the staff at the Mo Dao Zu Shi Wiki. This "guide" serves as a simplified overview.

To make it easier to access the information, this is divided into novel volumes. Aside from the list of chapters, and respective summaries, at the end you can find ALL FLASHBACKS (for people who, like myself, dislike flashbacks and need a previous warning).

Volume 1

Prologue

Wei Wuxian has died!

1. Reincarnation

Wei Wuxian is reincarnated into someone else's body.

2. The Intractable

Part 1: Wei Wuxian makes a scene in front of Gusu Lan disciples. Part 2: Evil spirit comes Part 3: Battle corpses

3. The Prideful

Part 1: I have a little donkey that I never ride Part 2: Wangji's long-awaited arrival Part 3: After washing my face, found out I was actually pretty handsome Part 4: Soul-eating woman Part 5: I am taking this person back to the Lan Clan

4. The Elegant Flirt

Part 1: Overbearing Hanguang-jun's crazy little escaping wife??? Part 2: Inviting death by crawling into his bed Part 3: First meeting as schoolmates Part 4: I hate you Part 5: Inviting death by provoking him Part 6: Teasing this Goody-two-shoes Part 7: Water spirit, loquat, muahh! Part 8: Rabbit, taking a beating, bye-bye!

5. The Sunny Pair

Part 1: Leaving the mountain to elope!!! Part 2: The husband duo leaves the mountain Part 3: Caressing your hand, huzzah! Let's go to a darker place together...╭(′▽`)╭(= =)╯ Part 4: Man-Eating Ridge

6. The Malevolent

Part 1: Rotten luck Part 2: Coming out alive Part 3: Nonchalantly shedding fake identity + princess carry Part 4: Unveiling the secret of the Man-Eating Ridge of Qinghe Part 5: Aaaahhhhh! What else is buried in the walls?!

7. The Morning Dew

Part 1: Come~~ be happy~~ let's drink wine~~ Part 2: "Sir, what's your last name?" "It's... Lan" Part 3: The extermination of the Chang clan, gravedigger, summoning Wen Ning again Part 4: Lan Zhan... is drunk......... Part 5: "You were so wild last night, Hanguang-jun"

Volume 2

8. The Stalk of Grass

Part 1: Foggy ghost city Part 2: Paper effigies Part 3: Paper effigy shop and sticky rice porridge Part 4: Who's outside the door? Bamboo pole clacks Part 5: Who are you, and who are you? Who the f**k are you guys really? Part 6: Secrets start unveiling Part 7: Yi City's story Part 8: Frost Blood Parts 9: Trash Yang incites the wrath of heaven and people Part 10: The husband duo decapitates Trash Yang, Xing-Lan-Qing gets sorted out, Yi City Arc complete

9. The Allure

Part 1: Wangji drunkenly hits Wen Ning, Xiao-Wanjun binds Wei Ying at night Part 2: Special program: "Drunk" by Lan Wangji, "Interrogation" by Wei Wuxian, "Kiss" joint performance Part 3: Take off my headband, you become mine!!!

10. The Beguiling Boy

Part 1: Headless man Part 2: Secret room, head Part 3: The Venerated Triad Part 4: A mutual fan-turned-anti story Part 5: A mutual fan-turned-anti story, complete

Volume 3

11. Supreme Courage

Part 1: Previous life Part 2: The beast at the end of the deep cavern Part 3: Wicked beast and biting Wan-jun, piggyback leads to heart aflutter Part 4: Tease. Flirt. Escape. Bite. Yell. Wail~ Part 5: Kill after finishing teasing, tease after finishing killing.

12. Sandu: The Three Poisons

Part 1: A storm is brewing Part 2: All hell breaks loose. A great slap Part 3: Upheaval at home Part 4: Wen Ning Part 5: Dead end

13. Ill Winds

Part 1: Rise of the evil and charming wickification Part 2: Continuing that rise of evil and charming wickification

14. Soft

Part 1: Inseparably in love Part 2: Sinister melody Part 3: Set out Part 4: Pouncing into a grass pile is a type of romance Part 5: Dig graves and eat melon Part 6: Crusade against

15. Peony for the Soon Departed

Part 1: Everyone, I like flashbacks Part 2: Shadow Part 3: Tossing flower from the balcony

Volume 4

16. The Unruly

Part 1: Crashing a feast Part 2: Defect

17. Distance

Part 1: Two people taking care of a little one together Part 2: Goodbye my love

18. Night Flight

Part 1: Wei Wuxian, lifelong anti-fan of Jin Zixuan, says "I won't troll Jin Zixuan for a year" Part 2: Wickification maxed Part 3: Die with her, everyone!

19. Core of the Truehearted

Part 1: Flashback ends, back to the present Part 2: Unmask Part 3: The crowd of corpses at Burial Mounds Part 4: Battle against the fierce corpses Part 5: A-Yuan, A-Yuan Part 6: Blinding the children by showing off Part 7: Spilling secret Part 8: Don't you know? Once you have a boyfriend, you must take him to see where you grew up Part 9: Pay respect towards heaven, saving mutual salute between couples for later Part 10: The truth behind the golden core Part 11: Jiang Cheng is shook

20. Day and Night

Part 1: Stealing lotus pods Part 2: One inn, one room Part 3: One is handsome, one is charming, therefore they should do something Part 4: Drunken Ji Part 5: Stealing jujube and chicken Part 6: Love bathing Part 7: Overthink Part 8: Now Wei Wuxian can't leave Lan Wangji

Volume 5

21. Hensheng: To Hate Life

Part 1: Time to beat Yao-meimei Part 2: Discipline whip scars Part 3: Confession Part 4: Rescue failed Part 5: I'm sorry. I broke my word. Part 6: But, those are all things in the past Part 7: It is all you guys' fault Part 8: Boss's dignity Part 9: All gathered in one hall

22. Hidden Edge

Part 1: Everyone fights older Nie together Part 2: Nie Mingjue f**k you #%@&#*&@ Part 3: Seal the coffin Part 4: Everyone has their own path

23. Wangxian: Forgetting Envy

Part 1: Every day is every day Part 2: Sweet Part 3: The ballad of Wangxian was as long as the journey here, now the song has ended but the couple are together at last

Extras

Family Banquet

Part 1: Honeymoon, going back to check up on Hubby's family (○｀3′○） Part 2: Honeymoon, day-to-day accounts Part 3: Daily lives of the lovey-dovey husband duo

The Incense Burner

Part 1: Let's gather around and watch Er-gege's () dream Part 2: Yiling Patriarch Xian vs Young Wangji, KO

Villainous Friends

The daily lives of the evil duo, committing crimes and wiping evidence

Gate Crasher

Part 1: A small night-hunt after Wangxian goes into seclusion Part 2: Catching creatures with Sizhui Part 3: You're a virgin? :P

The Iron Hook

Part 1: Patriarch's night-hunt course Part 2: Second night-hunt notes

Lotus Seeds

Summertime of youth

Yunmeng

A dream among clouds, a dream come true

From Dawn till Dusk

Cuddling and grading papers

Flashbacks

Vol. 1

From "The Elegant Flirt, Part 3" to "The Elegant Flirt, Part 8"

Flashback to the beginning of the Cloud Recesses' Arc. Includes: Wei Wuxian and Lan Wanji's first meeting at around fifteen years old.

Between "The Morning Dew, Part 2" and "The Morning Dew, Part 3"

Lan Wangji (re)tells the story of Xiao Xingchen and the massacre of the Yueyang Chang Clan.

Vol. 2

From "The Stalk of Grass, Part 6" to "The Stalk of Grass, Part 9"

Past memories, from performing Empathy on A-Qing (ghost) Includes: The expanded story of Xiao Xingchen, A-Qing, Xue Yang, and Song Lan; What is really happening in Yi City.

In "The Allure, Part 3"

Minor flashback to the archery contest, at the Qishan Wen Clan's Discussion Conference. Includes: One of the first forehead-ribbon incidents

From "The Beguiling Boy, Part 3" to "The Beguiling Boy, Part 5"

Past memories, from Nie Mingjue (non-consensual Empathy) Includes: Meng Yao's back story; A look into sworn-brotherhood; What really happened to Nie Mingjue?

Vol. 3

From "Supreme Courage, Part 1" to "III Winds, Part 2"

Flashback to Wei Wuxian's first life. Includes: Nightless City Arc (Wen Clan of Qishan); Burial Mounds, the first appearance; The demise of Wen Chao; Jiang Cheng and Lan Wangji realizing Wei WuxIan has changed.

From "Peony for the Soon Departed, Part 1" to "Peony for the Soon Departed, Part 3"

Flashback to Wei Wuxian's first life. Includes: Archery competition, the full story; A sneaky kiss; Jin Zixun being the worst.

Vol. 4

From "The Unruly, Part 1" to "The Unruly, Part 3"

Flashback to the "The Downfall of Wei Wuxian". Includes: Crashing the Jin banquet; Qiongqi Path (freeing the remnants of Qishan Wen Clan); Turning the Burial Mounds into a home; Cultivation World leaders start scheming; Jiang Cheng wants to fight.

From "Distance, Part 1" to "Distance, Part 2"

Flashback to the "The Downfall of Wei Wuxian" continues. Includes: Lan Wangi visiting the Burial Mounds; Accidentally adopting a child together; "Rich-gege"; Jiang Yanli is a bride now.

From "Night Flight, Part 1" to "Night Flight, Part 3"

Flashback to the "The Downfall of Wei Wuxian" continues. Includes: Wei Wuxian tries to be a good uncle; Ambush at Qiongqi Path; R.I.P Jin Zixuan and good-riddance Jin Zixun; The Wen siblings surrender; Wei Wuxian says goodbye to his remaining sanity (Yanli deserved better); Bloodbath of Nightless City ensues.

There's no actual flashbacks in Vol. 5. Still, some of the Extras take place in the past.

#grandmaster of demonic cultivation #mdzs #mxtx #wangxian #mxtx mdzs

62 notes · View notes

maggiedanikka · 2 years

Text

Let Me Go || Part 3

Pairing: Hangman x f!reader, Rooster x f!reader

Warnings: ANGST

Word Count: 3.9k

Summary: Reader is married to and shares a child with Hangman. Life and circumstances drives reader into Rooster’s arms, but Hangman isn’t giving up that easily.

Author’s Note: Hi! First of all all thank you for all the kind comments and your general interest in this little story of mine. I do apologize about how late this chapter is comin out. I fully intended on posting sooner but I had to continuously stop and reflect on where I am taking this story, because I don’t have a plan written down or anything, everything is literally coming straight out of my head. My editor ( @jhelly-bean) is VERY nitpicky. Also, this chapter is the longest so far. I know I left you all on a cliff hanger on the last part and many of you are probably anticipating the continuation of that scene but patience my loves, I promise you will see how that scene ends soon. This chapter is lacking Hangman, so I do apologize in advanced to the Jake stans, but do not fret he will be back again soon. To my Rooster fans, I hope his official entrance into the story fills the Bradley void of the last two parts. Warning: this is very flashback heavy.

Rooster Playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4tS2I0YnKUSrBOMSUCqLgh?si=6a1898d0be474904

Hangman Playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2z4lAcBPvbCx19NWni8DVS?si=f7da4ba91773424e

Italics is past

The weight in your chest still did not lift. Even after you pulled out of the driveway, into the parking lot of the firm, and all the way into your office.

The last thing you should be feeling is guilt, but the way that Jake asked you that last question sounded so defeated, and maybe a little hopeful? Hopeful that you’ll deny the claims that he had no doubt he’d heard about your involvement with a certain pilot. One with a fowl themed call sign.

That was the unfortunate part of being the spouse of the top 1% of naval pilots, the circles were small and gossip spread fast.

Yet somehow, no one had the decency to tell you of Jake’s wrongdoing until it quite literally was in front of your face.

You sighed as you tried to focus on the depositions in front of you, this particular case had left you busy and stressed for the past week and a half.

You felt your stomach grumble and glanced at the clock on your desk, it read 1pm. You usually had lunch around 12pm, but the heartache that was this morning and the work that you desperately tried to bury yourself under caused you to be unaware of the time. Up until your stomach started to scream at you.

You reached into the drawer where you normally keep your packed lunch, and mentally cursed yourself as you remembered that it was still sitting on your kitchen island. You were so quick to leave the house after Jake’s arrival that you forgot to grab it on the way out.

You were far too busy to go out and get something, and even if you weren’t buried in work. The only good places nearby were fast food places.

Which you would not normally be opposed to, but after a particularly busy and lazy week in the not so distant past, where you and your 4 year old were left no choice but to only eat McDonalds for a full week. You promised yourself that you would never eat the stuff again. It also helped that even the sight of a cheeseburger made you sick to your stomach.

You groaned and hoped that you still had some TUMS left in your desk to prepare for the inevitable ulcer you would get for not eating. You sigh in disappointment once you realize you did not have any left.

What a day this day has surely become.

You were about to return to work when a buzz from your secretary disrupted your focus. You pressed the call button.

“Yes?”

“Sorry to bother you Attorney (y/l/n), but there is a delivery for you.” Your secretary explained apologetically.

“Okay bring it in.” You wondered what was being sent to you and more importantly who sent it.

You were surprised to see your secretary bring in Tupperware of what appeared to be a home cooked meal. You open the pack to see your favorite food neatly packed with a bottle of your favorite juice.

You thanked your secretary as you grabbed the sticky note that came with the food.

“Knowing you and how your morning could’ve possibly went, figured you would need this”

-B

You smiled knowing exactly who this delicious package came from.

You sent the culprit a quick text:

“Thank you :) you are literally my savior.”

After eating your meal. You returned to work, until your phone received a notification less than 5 minutes later.

“You’re giving me too much credit, just had some extra this morning, just thought I’d share.”

“Well still, thank you, I couldn’t have gotten through the afternoon without your share.” You replied.

You put your phone down and put it on silent as you returned to your work. By the time you finally brought your head up from all the files and papers you were staring at, it was almost 5.

Your stomach churned as you remembered what or rather who was waiting for you at home. You’re usually excited to go home to your little girl and you couldn’t wait to see her. Her 6’0 father however was another story. You needed some time to think and unwind after the day you had.

You went into your messages to text someone and saw they already read your mind.

“Wanna meet after work?”

You smiled as you sent your reply. “Yes, I’d love to.”

________________________________________________________________

The Hub was a local hotspot in the town that you've called home the past almost 3 years. It was no Hard Deck, but it was hard to think about that place after all the memories it had given you.

“(Y/n)” You heard a voice say. You smiled as you came face to face with none other than Lt. Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw.

Astrid was a 1 year old, nearing 2. You were doing your weekly grocery shopping, and it was definitely one of those days.

You had a meeting early this morning at the firm, you knew it was important because only you and a particularly snooty co-worker who SWORE she was Elle Woods. Despite her lacking the charisma of Reese Witherspoon and her propensity to belittle you, was invited.

Unfortunately, the sitter bailed last minute and you were of course forced to stay home, thus losing out on a big case to said Legally Blonde wannabe. You were forced to now work under a fake nice barbie who smugly told you to “take the rest of the day off to take care of your…messy life.”

Now you were in the middle of the cereal aisle with a crying baby, who would not calm down no matter what you did.

People started to give you pitiful looks, some looks of disgust as they assumed that you were an unmarried single mother. Though at this point you might as well be. You hadn’t seen or heard from Jake in over 4 months since he was shipped off on some top secret mission to either South America or Asia, the details you could not remember as you were trying to calm down your irritated child.

“What’s wrong sweetheart? I just changed your diaper. Are you hungry? Do you have a big burp that won’t come out? You want mommy to help you?” You cooed at your baby as you rubbed comforting circles on her back

“I can probably burp myself but thank you for the offer ma’am.” A gruff voice said behind you.

You turned your head to find the source of the remark.

Slight recognition flashed on your face.

He was tall, probably just as tall as Jake and just as built. He wore an open Hawaiian shirt with a white tank under with a pair of vintage ray ban sunglasses. He had a dopey smile under a manicured…pornstache? That sealed it, you knew exactly who this man was.

He used to frequent the Hard Deck, back when you worked the bar. You knew he grew up in the area and often heard about the famous Bradley Bradshaw. Two years before you met Jake, was the first time you ever laid eyes on Rooster.

You heard stories about Rooster’s old man and how he also was a navy pilot, mostly from your mother who worked the bar when the aforementioned Goose trained at North Island.

Your mother used to go on and on about her schoolgirl crush on the pilot, wanting nothing more than to have the sweet goofy pilot notice her. But she stood no chance against Carole Bradshaw and the love that Goose held for her. She spoke of the grief that she saw overtake Carole when Goose passed, and how it loomed over her until the day she died.

You never quite understood how someone could love another person that much, your father and mother certainly did not hold that same special bond, considering he left before you turned 5.

Rooster was just as cocky as all of the other Top Gun pilots but he didn’t take himself as seriously as the others. The first time that he unplugged the Jukebox at the Hard Deck and sang on the old out of tune piano, you were mesmerized. The way his fingers danced across the keys, his voice coming out a little rough. The way he moved his head to the sound of the music, and how his Ray Bans moved lower down his face as he sang his song. It was enough to drive any woman crazy.

If Goose was just half as confident and enthralling as his son, you could finally understand why your mother was so head over heels.

You never actually talked to him at the Hard Deck, he finished his Top Gun training and you moved on with your life. The small crush you had for the pilot moving to the back of your mind. Then, you of course met Jake and no one else mattered after that.

But nevertheless, you still heard of Rooster, his skill as a pilot, and how he hardly ever let anything under his skin. It drove your husband insane. Jake called him his “rival”, calling him the “Maverick to his Iceman”. You often just chuckled at his dramatics and listened in amusement as Jake would go on his monthly tirade about the other pilot.

Which is how you knew who exactly the man in front of you was.

“Are you flirting with me?” You asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Because I’m a married woman Lieutenant, and you seem to have lost your manners.” You feigned offense as you continued to rock your crying baby.

His dopey grin dropped, “oh no, I’m sorry ma’am I didn’t know. I didn’t mean to disrespect you, I just.. I’m so-”

You dropped your pseudo annoyance and interrupted with a small laugh.

“I'm just kidding.”

You saw the redness form on his cheeks, but his dopey grin returned to his face.

“Well I am still sorry ma’am, that was no way to address a lady.”

You offer him a kind smile. Your baby seemed to have calmed down, you placed her back into the carseat in your shopping cart and went to grab the Frosted Flakes on the top shelf, and you to no surprise failed to reach it, yet you still continued to try.

Rooster watched you struggle with amusement clear on his face, he gave you a few more seconds before he came behind you. He reached up to the box of cereal you were reaching for accidentally placing his hand on the small of your back. You felt a shiver move up your spine that you fought to ignore.

You smiled at him as he handed you that box.

“Thank you Lieutenant.” You said before placing the box in the cart and began to walk away.

“Call me Bradley!” He called after you.

You smiled to yourself as you continued to walk away from the pilot, he watched you in a trance as you disappeared into another aisle. He began to walk in the opposite direction when a sudden realization hit him.

“Ma’am wait!” You heard a voice calling after you and saw Bradley chasing after you, stopping your cart with curiosity.

“How did you know I’m a Lieutenant?” He asked.

“I used to work at the Hard Deck, had the pleasure of witnessing one of your world famous performances.” You replied with a slight chuckle.

He furrowed his eyebrows at your response. You worked at the Hard Deck? Bradley wracked his brain trying to place you in the bar. He kicked himself mentally for not seeing you before, because if he saw you then, you would have definitely caught his attention.

“Well I’m sorry we missed each other.” He said with a half smile.

“And I’m sure we’ll see each other again, you and my husband have actually flown together, I think maybe a year ago.”

“And please stop calling ma’am, it makes me feel old. The names (y/n).” You remarked as you finally left the aisles to pay at a register.

He flew with her husband a year ago? Bradley tried to think of a mission he flew a year ago. The only special detachment he could think of was the uranium plant, the mission that finally brought him and his estranged godfather back together.

He thought of the people he flew with, it couldn’t be Fritz, Omaha, Yale, or those other guys, yes they were part of the assignment with him but they didn’t exactly fly with one another for too long. There’s obviously no way it was Phoenix. He already knew Fanboy’s girlfriend and Payback refused to be tied down. It could be Bob, he was very good at keeping secrets considering he’s a WSO and one of the best ones at that. But something told him that it wasn’t Bob. And Rooster could not see Coyote with a wife let alone a kid. Which left only one other person.

“(Y/n) Seresin” He muttered to himself.

Of course! He remembered Jake bragging about how he tied down the knockout that was the former Hard Deck bartender. Jake might’ve been a cocky son of bitch but he did not at all exaggerate.

By some work of the universe, you and Bradley became fast friends. He became your official human grabber stick. He would help you reach the things that were too high up on the grocery shelves and you taught him how nutrition for adults worked. You couldn't believe that you had to explain to a grown man (more importantly, a navy man) that you could not live off just pizza and beer.

It was nice to have a friend, you didn’t have too many of those as working at a law firm and having a baby took up most of your time. He made you laugh after a particularly bad day and he was an awesome babysitter. You smile as you remembered how Astrid referred to Bradley as Uncle Roo Roo when her verbal skills weren’t yet developed, and he called her his “Little Chick”.

You grabbed weekly lunches, had movie nights with Astrid, you helped him with advice with whatever girl he was seeing on any given month, and he comforted you whenever Jake flaked on coming home, which was increasingly becoming more often than not.

“Roo, is it me?” You asked your friend as you wiped away the tears.

“Is that why he refuses to come home? Does he hate me that much?” You fought the tears that threatened to leave your eyes.

“Don’t say that (y/n), Hangman has his reasons but hating you is not at all on that list.” He replied, as he handed you another tissue.

“This is the third time in a row that he promised he’d be home and then gets shipped off, there’s a difference between being career driven and being a slave to your job!” You sobbed.

Bradley wished he could provide a reason why Hangman thought it was a good idea to leave his wife and child for months and months at a time. He understood the call of duty. He himself had been called to missions at inconvenient times. But he at least said no when they were too close to each other. He could not at all understand Seresin’s reasoning.

“And it’s not like it’s just about me. Does he forget we have Astrid? She is almost 3, she’s already starting to notice him not being around.” You admit as you twirl a piece of hair around your finger.

“She was looking forward to seeing him, Roos, how am I going to tell a 3 year old girl that her daddy is not coming home?”

Bradley’s heart broke for both of you.

“How about this? You and the Little Chick get changed and I’ll take you both for ice cream?” Bradley proposed as he pulled himself off the floor of your living room where you were both situated.

“You can have as much chocolate syrup and toppings as you want.” He added with a smile as he offered a hand to help you up.

“On top of mango ice cream with extra maraschino cherries?” You inquired as you accepted his hand.

“Anything you want Darlin’” He smiled.

You knew Bradley wasn’t the biggest fan of sweets, preferring a bag of chips over a bag of candy. With ice cream being at the very bottom of his list of preferred treats.

But he knew how much you and Astrid loved ice cream, especially when you’re sad.

“Okay, I’ll get Astrid ready.” You smiled.

The three of you went to get ice cream. Astrid getting a double scoop of chocolate with lots of Jimmie’s, and you getting a cup of mango ice cream with the chocolate syrup and huge pile of cherries as Rooster promised.

Rooster claimed he didn’t want any but continuously stole spoons of ice cream from both you and Astrid.

You were surprised that Astrid allowed this because she normally never shared food.

“How come you share with Uncle Roo Roo but not Mommy?” You asked your daughter teasingly with your hands on your hips.

“Because Uncle Roo Roo promised to fly me on a plane!” She explained through her grin.

“And…???“ Bradley added.

Astrid gave an exaggerated sigh.

“Annndddd he’s the coolest uncle in the world.” She admitted defeatedly.

Bradley fist pumped into the air as he pulled Astrid into his lap and tickled her neck.

“That’s right Little Chick! And that earned you a trip to the carnival!” He exclaimed in between Astrid’s little giggles.

You three spent a few hours at the carnival, with Astrid having her fill of cotton candy, and having her face painted as Yoshi.

“I don't wanna be a butterfly! I wanna be Yoshi! Yoshi is cooler!” Your toddler screamed at the poor teenage face painter, you offered her an apologetic smile as Bradley appeared to be amused. He made sure to tip her extra for her flexibility.

Bradley managed to win at every game stall that you encountered. Astrid was thrilled at the amount of prizes that Uncle Roo Roo was winning for her.

“Mommy! Look at all my new friends!” She exclaimed as she showed off the prizes, struggling to hold them up.

“Okay that’s enough prizes.” You laughed.

“One more teddy bear and you’ll fall over sweetheart”

“Awwww finneee.” Your toddler sighed as she continued to walk in front of you and Bradley.

“I have one last prize.” Bradley told you with a small smile.

“Roo, I said no more, Astrid has enough to last a lifetime.”

“This prize is actually for you Darlin’.” He said softly as he handed you a stuffed small tiger. You furrowed your brows in confusion.

“Tony the Tiger,” He explained.

“Like the mascot from Frosted Flakes?” You asked Rooster with an amused smile on your face.

“Yeah.. it was the cereal box I handed you when I met you and Little Chick for the first time.”

You felt a soft warmth in your chest upon his admission.

“Thank you Roo, I love it.” You looked at him with a small smile, you noticed the golden flecks Bradley had in his eyes for the first time.

“Ferris Wheel!” An enthusiastic voice interrupted your moment.

“Uncle Roo Roo, Mommy, Can we PLEASE ride it?!”

“Sure Little Chick, as long as your Mommy says yes” Bradley told your daughter with a small chuckle.

Your 3 year old gave you puppy dog eyes.

“Alright fine, but this is the LAST ride, okay sweetheart?” You told Astrid sternly.

She nodded excitedly as she pulled you and Bradley towards the ride.

“Woah, we’re so high up! It’s so pretty.” Astrid said in wonder.

“Well get used to it Little Chick, because when you’re up in a plane with me it’ll be even higher and even prettier!” Bradley told her.

You were grateful for Bradley and how much he helped your little family. You loved to see how well your best friend treated your daughter, and how much he clearly loved and cared about her.

But you couldn’t help but feel a pang in your heart. These were moments your daughter was supposed to have with her father. Jake should be the one buying her ice cream, winning her stuffed animals, and taking her on plane rides. You cursed Jake for being gone, but you couldn’t bring yourself to stay angry at him because despite all of the bullshit, you still loved him and wanted him to succeed.

Bradley noticed the sadness settling on your face.

“Hey, let’s take a picture.” He said and took you out of your thoughts.

The three of you sat together on the bench of one side of your Ferris Wheel car. You gave your best smile as Bradley snapped a picture. Rooster was on your side with his show dazzling smile, and Astrid on your other side smiling wide despite missing a few teeth. It instantly became one of your favorite memories.

When you finally got home that night, Bradley helped you carry an exhausted 3 year old into her bed.

You walked downstairs with him to see him out.

“Bradley.” You whispered. This caught his attention because you hardly use his first name. He looked at you.

“(y/n)” He replied.

“Thank you for today, you really made Astrid happy.” You told him appreciatively.

“Of course, I would do anything for the Little Chick.” He replied with a smile “And I hope I also made you happy.” He added.

“You did.” You said with a soft smile. “You’re going to make some lucky girl very happy one day, Bradley”.

You saw something flash in his eyes, but couldn’t figure out what it was before Rooster placed his Ray Band on his eyes.

“Goodnight, (y/n)” He whispered, as he walked out the front door.

You went back upstairs to get Astrid ready for bed. After washing off her face, and changing her into her princess pajamas, you finally began to tuck her in.

“Why didn’t Daddy come home today Mommy?” Your toddler asked, looking up at you with her big eyes.

You dreaded having this conversation. You took a breath before beginning to explain. But she beat you to it.

“He had to go away for a special mission again didn’t he?” Your daughter surprised you with her question. You gave her a small nod, ready to leave the room and begin your own night routine.

“Is Uncle Roo Roo going to be my new Daddy?” Your breath gets caught in your throat at her question.

“What makes you say that sweetheart?” You asked her nervously.

“Because he plays with me and tickles me and buys me toys and ice cream like a daddy does.” Astrid explained.

“Sweetheart, your Daddy will always be your Daddy, Uncle Roo Roo is Mommy’s best friend so he likes to help hang out and play with you.” You tell her praying that this answer would be enough for the toddler.

She gives a small nod as she takes a big yawn.

You finished tucking her in and turned to walk out the room. As you reached to flip off the light switch, your daughter asked you one last question.

“Mommy, is Daddy your best friend too?”

“Yes of course baby, why do you ask?”

“Because Uncle Roo Roo looks at you the same way Daddy does.”

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klbwriting · 2 months

Text

Broken Prism

Chapter 8

Fandom: Red Hood

Pairing: Jason Toddxfemale!Reader

Warnings: violence, blood

Summary: Jason has been working to extend territory, now he's trying to do some recon on Two-Faces operation, it doesn't go as planned

Jason really didn’t notice the season change from Fall into Winter, no one did in Gotham. The only difference was the rain changing to snow and the changing of the crime lords. Black Mask’s empire had fallen based on the information YN had supplied about his assistant. The GCPD threatened a long trip to Blackgate and they rolled over on him and the rest of his cronies. This worked fine for Jason, he still had the drug dealers and now with Black Mask out of the picture he had some new territory as well. The Narrows was his and he was working his way into the surrounding neighborhoods. He still had managed to give Batman the slip, much to Bruce’s annoyance probably. He knew that Nightwing was back around more now, probably trying to track him down but he wasn’t letting that happen. His next task was taking down Two-Face who had settled in Crime Alley and the Bowery. If Red Hood could conquer all of North Gotham, then he had a solid chance of really getting the crime rates down in the whole city.

He just wished he had a solid chance of getting his nightmares to stop. They were getting worse, egged on by the fact that Joker was out of Arkham. How fucking stupid could Bruce be? Why was that pile of garbage still alive? Jason wanted so bad to go storming into Wayne manor and demand answers, but honestly, what would that do? He knew when and how he wanted Bruce to see him again. When he had Joker’s head delivered on a platter to Bruce’s dinner table. Tell his mentor how Jason, not Bruce, was the one who had finally fixed Gotham. He knew what he was doing. Killing people, murdering people. Villains, not people. Jason closed his eyes tight, trying to will away the voices that had started going through his head recently. Bruce and Joker, one telling him he was worthless, the other telling him he was only a toy. None of it helpful. He shook himself, twisting a little on the fire escape as he watched the party going on in the museum below him. Two-Face was supposed to show up, rob a bunch of people, his whole crew was needing to be there for crowd control and Jason needed to know numbers, see exactly what kind of power Two-Face was working with before he started planning the ex-lawyer’s downfall. He had everything planned, knew the guest list, all of it. What he hadn’t expected was YN to walk in on the arm of Jim Gordon, followed by fucking Dick Grayson and Barbara Gordon. Fucking fantastic.

He slinked into a roof access hatch and ducked onto the third floor. He noted the guards, scanning them for weapons. They all were carrying standard issue walkies and handguns, except one. First floor near the back entrance. He had an extra walkie. That was the guy, the plant from Dent. He needed to get down there without being scene. There were enough wings and back staircases for employees that he could do this, he just needed to be quick about it. He started down a back staircase when he saw a shadow swoop to the lowest level past him. Batman.

Jason moved quicker, getting to the first floor just in time to watch Batman stand after incapacitating Dent’s guy. He turned, sensing Jason there.

When he came face to face with him Jason had a flashback to being fifteen again, trying to sneak a gun with him on a job. Bruce had been furious. He had been locked in his room for the night. Alfred came up around midnight to check on him, finding him wrecking some first editions Bruce had given him for his birthday.

“What are you doing Master Jason?” he asked, setting a tray of snacks on the desk. Jason looked at Alfred, clearly angry but also sad.

“Why doesn’t he just kill the bad guys? That way they can’t do any of this again,” he asked probably for the 100th time. Alfred sighed, sitting down on the desk chair. Jason collapsed on his bed, tossing the book. He knew in the morning he would be sick at what he’d done, but in the moment, he just wanted to destroy something that made Bruce happy. Bruce loved that Jason read all the time, that he wanted to read anything and everything.

“These gangsters you want so badly to shoot, do they have families?” Alfred asked. Jason looked at him, frowning. Bruce didn’t ask him follow-up questions when Jason complained about not killing. He just said it wasn’t their way and left.

“I don’t know,” he said finally. Alfred nodded and threw him a cookie. He caught it easily, taking a bite and noting to ask Alfred to teach him to bake next.

“Well, in most cases a person doesn’t commit a crime because it is fun or because they want to, they commit a crime because they are desperate. Tonight, you were not going after the Penguin or the Joker but a group of people who are trying to find a way to feed their families in a world that doesn’t accept them,” he said. Jason sat up, looking at the butler. “Instead of killing Master Wayne likes to try and fix first. Everything can be fixed if you try hard enough.” Alfred had been so very wrong about that.

The memory swam in Jason’s vision. He stared at Batman and Batman stared at him. He waited, Batman waited. Finally, Jason gave in.

“Didn’t expect to see you here tonight,” he said. Batman narrowed his eyes, looking over the younger crime lord, probably trying to figure out how many weapons he had.

“I wasn’t expecting company either,” he finally answered. “Have you come for more murder? Maybe another theft?” Jason shrugged, trying to keep his cool. It had been a long time since he’d heard Bruce try to talk to a criminal.

“I just came for recon, not a fight,” he said casually.

“Then why are you inside skulking around?” Batman asked. Shit. Just like Bruce to trip him up. Jason was too good for these mistakes. He could see in the way Batman moved his head he was listening to the comms in his mask. Probably something from Robin. “If you didn’t want a fight its too late.” Jason paled and was glad no one could see his face. He had hoped that taking out this guy would give him time to cause a ruckus, get everyone out before Two-Face showed up. Batman threw a smoke bomb and disappeared just as the backdoor burst open and in poured goons. Jason shot his grappling gun to the third floor landing again, disappearing before they started shooting. He moved quick, ignoring the guards on the top floor who were quickly distracted by the guys bursting through the glass ceiling. Jason perched on the railing, scanning the crowd. Where was she? Finally, he spotted you and jumped, tackling one of those repelling in off the roof. The guy was knocked from the rope, falling and hitting the ground with a sickening crack.

You weren’t trying to end up a hostage again when you let Jim talk you into attending the Gala in place of his wife who had gone out of town for a family emergency. You had just been talking to Dick and Barbara about the fancy parties they went to together and somehow Jim got you in as his plus one. It had been fun at first, the four of you standing off and chatting, Dick was particularly funny talking about some of the other rich patrons that he knew, telling stories about them that were highly embarrassing. You had sensed something was off when Dick stopped a story, seeming to be listening to something before giving Barbara a kiss and they both had disappeared, claiming they needed to answer a call. You of course knew that Dick was Nightwing, that wasn’t hard to figure out once you knew Bruce Wayne was Batman but considering Bruce hadn’t told anyone about your visit you kept that information to yourself. You looked around nervously and Jim asked what was wrong.

“I just have…” you didn’t finish as the roof burst, sending glass flying down. Jim pulled you out of the way of a falling shard that crashed right where you had been a moment before. You looked around, trying to see an exit but thugs were storming in, shooting at something above. Those people that weren’t imbedded or impaled on falling glass were cowering on the ground, trying to not get shot. Jim pushed you to a large column that could hide you both. He got on his phone, calling for backup and you removed the switchblade from your bag. He eyed you and you shrugged. This was a Gala in Gotham of course you came armed with something; you weren’t an idiot. He pulled his gun from his ankle holster, heading nodding for you to follow him. You figured he was trying to get you to the front door and maybe you could get out. You were slinking around another pillar when you stopped, seeing that the men on the ground were surrounding a single vigilante in a red helmet, still hanging on a rope from the ceiling. You froze. Jim motioned for you to follow, and you shook your head, pointing. Jim turned and frowned as the Red Hood faced off against at least two dozen armed men. He was holding the rope with one hand and the other was holding out a semi-automatic. Yes, it could shoot fast, but not fast enough to take out everyone. What was that idiot doing?

Harvey Dent walked into the center of the room, his good side facing you. He looked around at the bodies below and sighed. He seemed annoyed, like this wasn’t going to plan. If you had any real money to your name you would bet Red Hood had definitely not been a consideration. Dent walked over and picked up a dead lady’s purse, shaking some of the dripping blood from it.

“Guess this will take longer than expected,” he said before snarling up at Red Hood. “I’m a on schedule!” He took out the famous coin. You were trying to figure out where Batman and his crew were. Shouldn’t they be handling this? “Now, now, Red Hood is it? I hear you have been starting to creep onto my territory. I’m not a fan, so how about this. Let’s see what fate has in store for you tonight. Heads I tell my men to fire…tails…” he let out a shriek of pain as a bullet shot through his hand. Your mouth fell open as you saw the smoke clear off Red Hoods gun.

“Heads” Red Hood said before he jumped. The guns started firing but by the time they started Red Hood was already on the second floor over look, running into the darkened shadows. Screams went up from the living still in the main room before smoke started to fill it. Jim grabbed you this time, yanking as he could, then his hand was gone and you were grabbed by rougher hands, flinging you out onto the floor. You stabbed wildly and caught something, hearing a shout and a gun go off near your waist. You dove the opposite way and then felt another arm around you. It gripped you tight but not roughly, you felt calm at the touch. Red Hood and you went flying back up and he landed the two of you on the second floor. “Hide now, I’ll find you after.” You didn’t need told again, heading into one of the exhibit rooms. You knew there was a child’s play area here with a fake pyramid the kids could play in. You slid inside and took a few breaths to calm down as you waited.

Jason jumped back over the railing, joining Batman, Nightwing, and the new Robin as they fought. He let out a cry as a knife sliced his arm, but he shot at the attacker’s knee, incapacitating him. He shot again at another’s arm, leaving him alive but with need for amputation probably. Two-Face was starting to see that he was outnumbered so he fell back, running back out the back door. Once the room was clear Batman looked towards the front entrance where Gordon was waiting. He had seen the last hostage escape before closing the doors and walking into the room.

“Did you make a new friend?” he asked, eyeing Jason. Jason didn’t say anything, just looked at the other three. “You going to shoot me?” he asked when no one answered.

“No,” Jason said. Gordon nodded slowly and looked at Batman, clearly trusting that Bruce wouldn’t ally himself with someone untrustworthy.

“Do you need some time here? My guys are going to want to take evidence,” he said. Bruce nodded and Gordon left, knowing they needed time. Then he looked at Jason.

“Should we make introductions or does everyone know everyone already?” Nightwing said. Jason sighed, if he was honest he missed his big brother’s easy humor but right now he wanted to punch him.

“Well, guess I’ll start, I’m Nightwing, you must be Red Hood, and this is…” he motioned to the new Robin.

“Robin, I know who you are” Jason said. “I have some business to attend to, have fun with the mess.” He grappled to the roof, hoping they wouldn’t follow. He waited silently for several minutes and then peeked back in, making sure that they were distracted with the evidence before he slid in silently again. He wound his way down to wear his scanner still showed a heat signature in the Egyptian wing. He slid into the pyramid and removed the helmet. Before he could stop YN she was hugging him and despite everything, the insecurity, the fear, the self-loathing, all the things he wanted to say to stop himself from getting this close to her died in his throat as he felt her arms around him.

“You saved my life, again,” she said. Jason let out a sigh and pulled back, looking down at her. He opened his mouth. “Don’t, just shut up and enjoy the win please.” He closed it and nodded. “Thank you.”

“You weren’t supposed to be here, what were you doing with Gordon?” he demanded, pulling back some. YN rolled her eyes.

“He invited me. I have been hanging out with Dick and Barbara recently and we got to talking about Galas, his wife couldn’t attend so he invited me just to see what it was like, dress up, all that,” she said. She looked at the tattered remains of her dress and sighed. “I rented this thing; I am going to owe so much for it.”

“I’m sure Dick will pay for it,” Jason said. She nodded.

“O he better, that or Bruce,” she said. He frowned. “O sorry, did you think I didn’t know him either? I know them all, except for your replacement, I am not sure about meeting that one yet, might punch him in the face just for the hell of it.” Jason couldn’t help the small that came from that.

“You should go home, I’m sure you can just wander downstairs and Gordon will take you home,” Jason said. She nodded again.

“Can I know your name yet?” YN asked before he left the pyramid. Maybe it was the high of feeling her in his arms, the fact that her smile was keeping the thoughts he normally had about himself at bay, or something else but he finally relented.

“Jason, my name is Jason.”

#jasontodd #jason todd #jason todd x reader #jason todd x you #jason todd x y/n #redhood #red hood #red hood x reader #red hood x you #red hood x y/n #brokenprism

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