AU-gust day 12
12 Aug 23 Book Store
“Why don’t you just ask him out already!” MC rolled her eyes at her co-worker Yoosung. The blond barely did any meaningful work when the red-head was in the book store.
“That would be unprofessional.” Yoosung tsked. He unboxed books and set them on the cart, but his amethyst eyes hardly left the other man as he made his way around the stacks.
Saeran was about the same height as Yoosung, red hair, gorgeous mint green eyes, and apparently a voracious reader. Some days he would spend hours searching for books and sitting in the in-store café reading and sipping tea. The man had a store card and Yoosung always made a point to try and be his cashier, making small talk.
He came in so often that just about every employee knew him. It was unthinkable that he could read so fast, but they had all been spellbound at how fast he turned the pages on whatever book he was reading. The subject matter was impressive as well. Anything from romance, the classics, mathematics, science, language, and manga. It didn’t seem to matter as long as he found it interesting.
The man was pulling books from the Fantasy section today, but so far he didn’t seem to have found anything worth reading.
“Why don’t you make a recommendation?” MC suggested.
“Huh?” Yoosung raised his eyebrows.
“Go on, I’ll finish this.” She took the stack of books from Yoosung and gave him a gentle push. He hesitated, then walked towards the red-head, smoothing his yellow hair.
“Uh, hey, can’t find anything you like?” he squeaked out. Clearing his throat he looked away, embarrassed.
“Seems like the same plot over and over.” Saeran shrugged, setting another book back on the shelf.
“Do you like a lot of action?” Yoosung asked, eyes lighting up.
“Yeah, dialogue too, not so much into an overabundance of scene descriptions.” He answered.
“Oh! Then you might like this new collection, it’s based off the video game LOLOL. I don’t know if you’ve played it but it’s pretty accurate to the lore. They use a lot of the same magic system. Of course they take a lot of liberty with the weapon mechanics but that’s to be expected.” He walked towards the section the books were in, turning his head to make sure the man was following. He tried to shut up, but word vomit just spewed out of him.
“Characterization is insane! I mean, there are a lot of recognizable NPC’s and they use some of the same dialogue as in the game, but, if you don’t play you still enjoy the interaction, I think it’s more for the players to find some nifty Easter eggs.” He laughed.
Saeran followed silently. Making Yoosung try and fill the silence. He felt like an idiot with his flapping tongue. Was he boring the man? Was he just being polite but wanting him to shut up already?
“Anyway, here it is.” He pulled the first book in the series and handed it to Saeran. On the cover was a wizard with his hand out, a fireball in his palm and holding an ornate staff in his other hand. The other man turned it and read the back quickly, then turned to the first page and began to read. Yoosung stood awkwardly, not sure what to do. Should he walk away?
After a very long minute Saeran looked up and smiled.
“Thank you, I think I will like this. Do you play this game?” he asked.
“Yes, I’m kind of addicted.” He laughed.
“Maybe I’ll try it.”
“You should! It’s totally fun, and even more fun with friends.” Yoosung gushed.
“Really? Hmm, maybe you could come over and help me.” Saeran said.
Yoosung’s tongue went dry. Did he really just ask that? His eyes went wide and suddenly he couldn’t speak.
“Sorry, I guess I overstepped, nevermind.” Saeran blushed and turned to grab volume two of the series.
“No! I…I mean…” Yoosung stammered, “I can totally do that! It’ll be fun.”
“Yeah?” Saeran turned back and beamed at him. “Can I get your number? I’ll call you when I get the game and I’m ready to set it up, is that OK?”
“Absolutely!” Yoosung took his phone out and opened it up as Saeran did the same, they exchanged numbers and an awkward goodbye.
Was it a date? Yoosung hoped so.
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Artist’s Muse - Perc’ahlia
Percy, unsatisfied with Vex's refusal to buy the pair of earrings she wants, makes some himself. Somehow, he lands himself a date in the process.
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Day two of the AU-gust challenge. Prompt: Artist's Muse.
Rating: Teen and Up Audiences
Warnings: None
Words: 2273
Originally posted: 8/5/22
Ao3 link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/40815714
Percy wouldn’t normally consider himself an artist. An inventor, yes, and a brilliant one at that. The word artist, however, holds certain connotations that he doesn’t feel are accurate. Art isn’t meant to be purely functional, which his inventions are. Even his drawings are more meant to document than to perform.
It doesn’t bother him. He’s far more suited to a practical life. Always has been, even as a royal child. So, no, it doesn’t bother him that he's not an artist.
Most of the time, at least.
Vex’ahlia, though, always seems to make him break his own rules. Like right now, as she eyes the pricy piece of jewelry from across the boutique, envy swirling in those mesmerizing hazel eyes. For her credit, the set of earrings are beautiful, dazzling blue gems embedded into glittering gold. They would suit her perfectly.
Of course, she won’t buy them, not with that price tag. Even her bargaining skills wouldn’t be able to bring them down to a reasonable cost. So Vex settles for letting her gaze linger every time she gets a moment.
Percy doesn’t like it, the pucker between her brows as she walks out of the shop. He could, of course, buy it with his own funds as a gift, but Vex might never forgive him for paying such an atrocious price, so he tries to push it out of his mind as he trails behind the rest of the party.
That proves to be a challenge. He can’t stop thinking about how beautiful she would look in them, in large part due to the smile she’d no doubt wear. It makes his fingers itch.
“I’ll be right back,” he announces to the party, taking a sharp right at the next turn. “I have a few errands to run.”
“Oh,” Vex says, looking at him curiously. She’s too good at picking up on subtleties. “Anything interesting?”
Percy shakes his head. “Unfortunately not. I need to get a few parts for my Pepperbox.”
Keen eyes stare into his soul, definitely aware that the gunslinger is lying through his teeth. Vex doesn’t push, though, and he thanks the gods for it. “Have fun, Darling,” she simply says, throwing in a sly wink.
A red hot blush rises in Percy’s face, but he walks away before Vex can catch sight of it.
His errands don’t take long, and he arrives at Greyskull keep before the rest of his party is done with their shopping. Good, that allows him to slip into his workshop without interruption. Pulling out the items he’d purchased, Percy gets to work.
It’s harder than he expected, crafting jewelry from scratch. Perhaps Percy should have done some prior research. After his sixth or so failed attempt, he’s almost ready to throw in the towel, suck it up and just buy Vex the goddamn earrings. Surely she won’t mind that much if he uses his own funds?
Percy rubs his chin thoughtfully, feeling the growing stubble under his calloused fingers. This is all foolish. Vex has probably already forgotten about the damn earrings.
But, fuck, Percy wants to make her smile.
“Percy, Darling, are you alright? You’ve been down there all day,” Vex herself calls from outside the door to his workshop, startling him so much his knee jerks up and hits his work table. “Won’t you come get some food?”
“In a minute, Vex,” he responds, grabbing some more supply. Surely one more attempt won’t hurt.
But Vex isn’t done, apparently. “For someone who prides himself on being polite, you don’t tell the truth very often.”
He snorts. “Being polite is the opposite of telling the truth.”
“Seriously, dear, you can’t hole yourself up forever.” Curse her and her persistence. “If you’re not up in ten minutes, I’m coming back down,” she announces, followed by the sound of her retreating footsteps.
Ten minutes. Percy can get a lot done in ten minutes. Surely he won’t lose track of time.
Except it only feels like it’s been seconds of crafting the earrings when the door to his workshop slams open, Vex not even bothering to knock. “You’re so stubborn, Percy. It’s really quite a flaw.”
Trying to hide his current project by hunching over his workbench, Percy scoffs. “You’re not exactly one to talk, Vex.”
“Hush,” the archer demands, stepping around his workbench and wiping away a spot for her to sit on the opposite side. Two plates are set down. “Now, because you’re such a loner and refuse to eat with the group, I have to make sure that you actually do get enough nutrients to keep yourself alive. Eat up.” One plate full of steaming food is passed in his direction.
Percy blinks. It’s such a small thing, one that he might have found offensive if anyone else did it. He does not need a babysitter. With Vex, though, he feels flattered that she cares enough to make sure he’s taking care of himself. “Well, thank you.”
She softens, eyes crinkling around the edges with her smile. “Of course, Darling.” Leaning back in her chair, she throws her legs up onto his workbench and begins eating.
“Did everything go smoothly today? I do apologize for not being there to try and tame the lot, somewhat,” Percy says in between bites of food.
Vex laughs. “Percy, you are a man of many skills, but I do not believe even you can tame them. On the bright side, we only got kicked out of one pub.”
“That’s certainly an improvement.” Their last outing without Percy had resulted in three bar fights and one permanent ban from the nearest tavern. Perhaps next time, they'll manage to get through the whole night without issue.
Probably not, but Percy can dream.
“You know, you provide much better dinner company than Grog. Or Scanlan,” Vex says.
“I’d imagine so, yes,” Percy says through a chuckle. “You’re not half bad, yourself.” A pause hangs heavy in the air, making his throat dry up. Was that the wrong thing to say?
When he finds the courage to glance at Vex for a better gauge of her reaction, she’s observing him with a considering look, eyes trained on him in a way that makes him feel like her prey. He wants to ask if everything’s alright, if he had offended her in some way, but all the letters and words jumble around in his brain.
“Perhaps,” Vex murmurs, finally looking away and letting Percy breathe again, “we could make a habit of it, then.”
Oh.
Percy’s smile is nearly boyish. “Yes, I think that would be lovely.” The soft and saccharine tone he uses is a rare thing, the novelty of it causing a light blush to brighten Vex’s face.
“Alright then. Tomorrow, six o’clock. Meet me at The Oaken Tavern,” she demands, stretching her sore muscles before standing. “Don’t be late.”
“I’ll be right on time,” Percy assures her, collecting their plates. His back is turned towards the half elf, so he doesn’t see her approach behind him, but he does feel her lips, soft and plush, brush against his cheek in a barely-there kiss.
Every muscle in his body goes taunt, eyes growing to the size of the plates in his hand. Vex chuckles behind him. “Have a good night, Percy,” she hums, turning and walking up towards the main room as if she hadn’t just rendered him useless and flustered.
It takes almost a minute for Percy to remember how to use his body, and another after that to actually follow through and sit back down at his work bench.
The broken earrings stare up at him, glittering in the dim lighting.
He sets his face in determination and gets back to work.
Four hours and several cups of coffee later, Percy surveys his work. He’d had to go out and get more supplies, after ruining all his own, and he’s pretty sure that he’s now spent more on materials than the original earrings cost. At last, though, he has a set that looks good. Not perfect, not identical to the ones in the store. But passable.
If he weren’t worried about sleeping through his date (holy shit his date) then he might stay up and try until he’s created better. As it is, he wants to be well rested and completely attentive tomorrow, so he quickly flops down into his bed, not even bothering to change out of his daytime attire.
*LINEBREAK*
Percy checks his watch for the tenth time in as many minutes. He’s still got a bit to go, but it was better to be early than late, he’d decided. Vex’s earrings are in a small golden box that he can’t help fiddling with relentlessly.
Maybe he shouldn’t have made them. Too late now, though. Besides, she’ll surely like them more than a bouquet of flowers, which was his other idea.
Perhaps a bouquet of enchanted arrows would work best. Unfortunately, Percy doesn’t have time to procure those at this point. The earrings will have to do.
“Hello, Percy,” Vex greets from behind him. He doesn’t jump, but it’s a close thing as she takes his hand in hers. Turning to look at his date, Percy’s remark dies on his tongue. Oh, dear Gods, she’s going to kill him .
Her dress clings to the curves of her body, the navy material accentuating every little dip. Golden gemstones sparkle in the lamp light of the street, creating the illusion of a starry galaxy, contained in her dress. Red-painted lips smile sharply at him.
Percy, for all his training and refinement, lets out an undignified choking noise. “Vex, you look-- stunning,” he breathes, suddenly feeling very inadequate, despite the effort he’d put into dressing up. How can his plain suit compare to the beauty that stands before him? It clearly can’t.
Vex smiles, all too pleased with herself, and does a little twirl. The golden gemstones shimmer and flicker with the movement . “You like it?”
“It’s beautiful.” He wants, so badly, to reach out and grab her hips, pull her in close and press their lips together. A proper kiss. If he did that, though, Percy wouldn’t be able to make it through the date, and would surely try and drag her back to the keep for an early night in, one spent deliciously alone together.
“Percival? You’re staring, dear. Is everything alright?” Vex asks, all faux innocence and concern as she steps closer and cups his face in one hand. Her calloused fingers stroke comforting circles into his skin.
“Everything is fine, darling,” he assures her, but when he tries to focus on taking deep, calming breaths, all he can do is smell her spicy perfume and that just makes everything worse.
Vex grins, slowly letting her hand drop from his face and gripping his arm, instead. “Well then, shall we eat?” It’s almost comical, how she has to almost drag him into the restaurant as he tries to remember how his muscles work.
Somehow, they end up sitting at a table in the corner, ordering off a menu. Percy comes back to himself just as the waiter asks, “And your order, Sir?”
Swallowing, he forces himself to look at the menu and rattles off the first appealing dish; a shrimp and garlic pasta. All throughout, Vex is just grinning deviously, especially when he catches her eye and blushes deeper.
When the waiter finally leaves, Vex leans across the table so she’s closer to Percy. “You seem a little distracted, Darling. Are you sure you’re feeling okay?”
He laughs, looking at the ceiling. “This is going straight to your head, isn’t it?”
“I can’t say I don’t enjoy it,” she admits in turn, hand reaching out to take his, which, he notices, is still clutching the golden box. “What’s this?”
Percy forces himself to stay calm. “Ah, that would be a gift. Something to celebrate our first date.”
Curiously, she takes the small box, inspecting it closely. “First of many, I would hope.”
“That is-- yes, I hope so, too.” Gods, where did his charisma go? He’d grown up as royalty, learning how to speak to others with dignity and grace and charm, yet here he is, nervous and stuttering like a lovestruck teenager.
Vex seems pleased at her effect on him, though, so he can’t be too upset.
Carefully, she begins to open the gift. The cocky, suave smile is wiped off her face when she sees what’s inside, but before Percy has time to worry about her reaction, she’s looking back at him with awe. “Percy, did you make these?”
He adjusts his glasses. “Well, yes. I do hope you like them?”
She doesn’t break out into a grin, or thank him profusely, or overdo her reaction. Instead, Vex just stares at him with a gratitude that makes his chest flutter. “Thank you, Percy. They’re very beautiful,” she murmurs, taking one out of the packaging to further inspect it.
“Ah, it was nothing.”
“Don’t be modest, you dick. They’re a great gift. Own it,” she demands, unhooking her current golden studs to put in the new pair. Percy thanks his lucky stars that they match her dress so well.
Looking down to hide his proud grin, Percy says, “You deserve it, Vex. I’ll have to make you more, sometime.”
She smiles again, but it’s nothing like the sharp, seductive grins she’d sported just earlier this evening. This one is soft and gentle and Percy wants to look at it forever. “That would be lovely.”
And with her as a beautiful source of inspiration, Percy has no doubt that he will follow through on that.
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Red Market — 3.25: Artist’s Muse
giggles (also @augustwritingchallenge)
content: bondage, use of ‘sir’ and ‘master’, use of ‘pet’, implied human trafficking, begging, broken bones, slapping
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Leo woke up in a strange position. He was splayed in an X shape, suspended in the air by ropes hanging from the ceiling, barely upright by the balance of gravity. His newest owner was sat under him, grinning. He was holding a paintbrush and sitting behind an easel. There were paints surrounding him, all in soft ivory tones like that of Leo’s skin.
He was about to paint him.
Leo screamed. All he had wanted in his captivity was to be hidden. That was all he asked for. He would be good, he would do anything, just don’t show him to the world.
He couldn’t handle it if anyone saw him like this. It terrified him more than any punishment he’d ever been given, chilled him down to the bone, earned immediate tears. And this was a painting. His torture would be preserved forever. His owner would probably show off the artwork to whoever would look, proudly parading Leo’s agony. Everyone he’d ever cared about would see. Everyone would know he was weak.
He sobbed hoarsely.
“You’re so pretty like that, love,” Leo’s new owner cooed as he leant over the easel and looked him uncomfortably in the eyes. “Stay there. You’re beautiful.”
“N-No! Get me down!” Leo screamed.
He didn’t expect to and he didn’t mean to, but he did. He had only fought back to Master once. After that day, after that punishment, he vowed to himself to never defy again. He would just take it and be good and pray that he wouldn’t be hurt too badly. But everything was different now. He was scared, just like he had been when Master took him. He didn’t escape that time, but maybe — just maybe — he could now.
So he fought against his bonds and screamed at the top of his lungs. “Fuck you! Get these off me, you fucking sicko! I’m not gonna be your- your muse!”
Leo’s new owner cracked a thin smile. “So, that’s how you wanna be,” He growled, voice low. He pulled a lever and Leo’s ropes went slack, sending him careening towards the cold stone floor. He screamed out in shock and pain.
“No!” He managed. The ropes snapped taut just before he hit the ground, sending him into a daze. Pain exploded from his arms and legs. In his confusion, it took him a second to realise. The bones in his limbs had shattered on the impact. He let out a broken shriek of agony.
“So you want to be difficult? I’ll make it difficult.” His owner hissed. He smacked Leo round the face, hard, as he sobbed.
Every single piece of dignity Leo had regained suddenly crumbled. “No! I-I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to- please, make it stop, please-“
“That’s what I thought.” He pushed the lever back up and sent Leo reeling back to the ceiling, head still spinning.
“No… p-please, no…” Leo managed between frantic breaths. His limbs were in excruciating pain, his head felt like a shaken-up beehive, and his heart-rate was spiking.
His owner flashed a grin and prepared his paintbrush. “Ah, that’s the pose I wanted.”
•
leo <33 i love to torture this innocent little man. he doesn’t deserve any of this and i love it!! :))
taglist (i guess?? /vpos): @whumpsday
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