#I use the term girl extremely loosely haha
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A Touch Of Something New
Prompt: - ⋆ "please, i'm begging you. don't make me watch the nightmare before christmas again." (Credit to @/scealaiscoite for this writing prompt which you can find here!<3)
Summary: Logan has been overworking himself for weeks on end and Virgil has become increasingly more and more worried about him, at a time when he least expects it, he comes up with an idea on how to get him to take a break.
Ship: romantic analogical
CW/TW: self-neglect due to hyperfocus and exhaustion (forgetting to eat, sleep, drink water, etc.)
Logan blinked slowly at the screen in front of him, hands in his hair, eyes irritated and threatening to close. He looked down to the bottom right to check the time. It was 3:26 AM, he had been working for 5 hours straight. His movements felt measured and drawn out as he sunk down into his chair. He was so, so tired. The script he was working on for the next video was barely done.
He closed his eyes and the burning feeling in his eyes became worse. Everything ached and he so desperately wanted to crawl next to his boyfriend and sleep.
Virgil had been begging him to take a break for weeks, to spend time with him, to eat, to drink water, anything, just stop working for two seconds; he insisted he was fine, that he could go without it, reminding him that he loved him dearly but he couldn’t pull his focus away from this right now. He begrudgingly opened his eyes and turned his chair around to face their bed.
The room was dark except for the blue light from the computer screen. His eyesight was fuzzy, but he noticed that Virgil had curled up against a pillow, his pillow. He sighed and turned around, powering his computer down hazily, watching as his progress faded into a black screen. He stared for a second, wanting to power it back on and force himself to work until sunrise.
He shook his head and sighed, getting up out of his chair. The room spun for a few long seconds before he felt someone’s arms wrap around his waist and hook their head over his shoulder. “Are you coming to bed?” Virgil said in his ear sleepily. When had Virgil gotten out of bed? He felt like he was going crazy.
Logan rubbed his eyes with his palms and nodded. He needed to sleep. “Thank you.” Virgil whispered before letting him go.
They both got into bed and Virgil pulled him into him, hooking his head over his shoulder again, whispering sweet nothings in his ear in his half asleep state.
“You work too hard Lo, but I love you.”
“Thank you for coming to bed, it’s the first step towards actually taking care of yourself”
“I’m proud of you.”
Logan was barely registering what Virgil was saying, but sank into his touch nevertheless. “Mhmmm” he responded every so often.
When Virgil noticed the responses becoming few and far between he began to stop talking and started planting small kisses on top of his head.
———————————————————————
Logan awoke to Virgil running his fingertips along his arm and staring at him lovingly.
“Good morning” he said gently
Logan smiled, but it quickly faded as his worries for the script took over. It was like watching storm clouds roll in over a sunny sky. Virgil saw the look in his eyes and took his face in his hands. “Honey, please, I am begging you, don’t think about work, just for today.”
Logan feigned a weak smile.
“Y’know, it’s almost Halloween, which means Christmas is even closer, so I was thinking instead of you working we could—“
"please, i'm begging you. don't make me watch the nightmare before christmas again." Logan interjected playfully.
“No, not that. I actually wanted to just hang out today; drink hot cocoa and watch horror movies? and maybe…cuddle a bit?” He said the last part quietly, he was a bit desperate for more psychical contact at this point, considering Logan and him hadn’t had any time together awake for atleast two weeks straight.
“I’ll make the drinks,” he said happily, “Do you want anything while I’m in the kitchen?” Logan asked
Virgil shook his head, a little grin on his face, he was just glad he was taking care of himself for the first time in a while.
He left the room, and with the way that he was positioned, he watched as Logan, with a huge smile on his face, giddily prepared their drinks. He never showed too much affection outwardly, that’s just how he was, but whenever he got the chance Virgil would watch as he did little things to show how happy he was. Smiling like it was the last time he ever would, humming, melting into Virgil’s touch whenever he let himself be relaxed for a moment. Virgil found it adorable, those little moments of his.
Logan added multiple tiny marshmallows into Virgil’s drink, watching them melt a little, just the way he liked it. He added whipped cream into his, and walked back into the room to find Virgil smiling to himself.
“What is it that you’re thinking about?” He said, interested, handing Virgil his drink.
He took it, and looked down to see the white sugar of the marshmallows mixing with the cocoa; it was as if he could feel the love of all of these years suddenly encapsulating the room.
He looked up, still smiling. “Nothing, don’t worry about it. I just really love you.”
#sanders sides#thomas sanders#ts virgil#virgil sanders#logan sanders#ts logan#fluff#analogical#analogical fluff#Logan sanders fluff#Virgil sanders fluff#a bit ooc#I like to think Virgil is actually super super sweet outside of videos#I’m fangirling over my own writing because this is so cute I can’t believe I actually wrote this#I use the term girl extremely loosely haha
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SYLVIA SCARLETT (1935)
Director: George Cukor
Cast: Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, Brian Aherne, Edmund Gwenn, Dennie Moore, Natalie Paley
A young girl disguises as a boy in order to escape the police.
This is one of my favorite movies. Which is pretty hilarious because this movie was completely panned when it came out and it actually lost $363,000. Katharine Hepburn, asked producers to destroy the film and offered to do another movie for free. Cukor would never be hired at RKO again. Wild!!
This movie is credited as the start of Katharine becoming "box office poison". Hepburn would later say you'd have to have something wrong with you to love this movie. I don't disagree, haha. There's something seriously wrong with me.
Didn't learn this until recently but blew my mind - this movie is adapted from a novel published in 1918. Imagine how ahead of its time this story was then, when it was still considered so in 1935! This makes it all the more important to remember that many of the terms we would use to describe today, didn't exist then. Even concepts of sex, gender, sexuality where not distinctly defined from one another. Which all affects how you might code a character who prefers the same sex and/or does not conform to gender.
According to a TCM article, the movie's "sexual politics were ahead of its time". For example, Hepburn's character continues to dress in men's clothes even after the character didn't have to any longer completely. That utterly confused audiences at the time. Audiences would also walk out when it showed that both male and female characters were attracted to Hepburn's character.
I re-watched this with someone unfamiliar with older movies and they saw Michael Fane (played by Brian Aherne) as "negging" Scarlett's character. However, Fane's whining about Scarlett was not intended to get her interested in him (like toxic goofy-ass dating "experts" would advise). If intentions didn't matter and it's just about slinging insults - any enemy to lovers trope would fall under negging. But, yanno, context...
With added context, Fane was actually interested in Sylvester and initially loses interest in them as Sylvia. It was almost night and day on first meeting "Sylvester" versus "Sylvia". His spiel on women was to indicate his past experience with Lily which he is unjustifiably attributing to all women. Beyond that, it also characterizes his disinterest in women, which is in opposition to what he is supposed to feel as a man. Thus he reluctantly chases Lily (the one who embodies the feminine ideal), yet never Sylvia despite Fane having been real keen when they were Sylvester. Note that he also starts to warm back up to Sylvia in men's clothes, hm? And both characters on their escapade begin to realize they are more compatible with each other (versus the conman Monkley or the manipulative Lily). Imagine the audience reaction at the time - though you don't have to try so hard as there were plenty of written feedback (featured in the last link).
This is only half-baked in my mind at the moment but I think Monkley and Lily may both loosely represent what their respective sexes should be to a toxic extreme. While Fane is stuck in jail with Sylv he realizes their kindness and gushes over Sylv (yup, in men’s wear). “Clumsy, impetuous, generous, warm-hearted fool...” And Monkley realizes Lily is perfect for him because they are both terrible and lets Fane and Sylv run off. The message, to me, becomes about finding someone who shares the same values you do rather than the ideal "man" or "woman"!
This gets pretty dark for a comedy, specifically the side story about Scarlett's father. So general warning for that!
The "French" makes me wheeze every time I hear it. hahaha.
This movie would later inspire the musical comedy Victor/Victoria (1982) starring Julie Andrews.
TCM Comments on Sylvia Scarlett (1935)
"The Men Who Made the Movies" portion with George Cukor on 'Sylvia Scarlett'
"A Woman's Lot" portion with Katharine Heburn talking about 'Sylvia Scarlett'
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False series by Meli Raine reading
So I started reading of one of the thrillers by this author. This one is being recently serialized on the radish app and I have been tweeting about it, but tumblr has better archive options and it does lend itself better to talk about books so here I come:
On the app the novel goes by a different name (aparently they can decide which name would sell more and change it. It's on their terms and conditions) The same happens with the other novels of the author and some of the titles do give naming conventions of Isekais a run for their money XD
Novel is a romantic thriller, which basically means it’s a very much athriller but the protagonist couple will get together and have sex at least once by the end of the book and quite a lot of focus is going to be made in their relationship.
And yes the cover chosen for the reading app does make me giggle a little. The contrast on the picture between SO SERIOUS and “this gym routine sure has worked look at those abs”... I love it, it's so silly haha.
The book is already published and sold in printed format and as I said it's published with a different name of the one of the app. Also is part of a series.
This is the cover of the first one which I took from the authors site. (Won’t link as tumblr is weird with links)
What I don’t get much are the veins popping on the hand and arm, maybe I don’t know much about bodies, maybe mine is just too soft, but seeing veins like that only make me wonder if the model is dehydrated...
The name that radish chose “Faking my amnesia to fool him” is way more descriptive but I will refer to the book as false memory as I am lazy and using the other it takes less.
So what is this about? Well first I would like to mention this book belongs to a series within a series, as the false books connect to 4 other series and while each one can be read separately, it’s quite rewarding a reader if you read all of them. And in this case specifically more as this one happens right after the series that came before ends. (This sounds complicated but they are honestly very linear so you just have to read each series in order)
So, the protagonist is the same as the other series? Nope, here is the thing with this kind of series. Each one has a different woman as a protagonist or a different protagonist couple to be exact as in most you will get the perspective of the guy too (need to check the first one again as I can’t remember if that one had that too).
So who is our lucky… or more like unlucky… protagonist?
Meet Lily, she worked at her parents florist shop and on the past series we first meet her as a ray of sunshine in a situation that looked everyday less full of hope for Jane, the past protagonist. Then she got shot in the head.
So why does this poor girl got shot in the head? D:
well it was because she looks extremely similar to Jane, and both were at the shop at the very same time someone tried to eliminate Jane.
There is a silver lining, she is not dead. I know it doesn’t sound like much but on these books getting out alive is already going well.
Without spoiling the other series more than necessary. By Jane’s last chapter Lily was in a coma for 14 months with some of the characters not even sure she would be able to wake up from it, but she does... right at the stinger. Jane nightmare might be (mostly) over but the problems are not yet solved.
Jane would be murderers have relented,either because they are now dead or lost power but the shooter who hit Lily is very much alive and hiding in plain sight… as one of the bodyguards on the team that was guarding Jane.
So in my guess this is the typical case of the double agent that ends stranded as their source of employment collapses: so he decides is better to keep up with the mask than to run as while the first could collapse if someone digs too well the second would cause immediate suspicion.
But as Lily has woke up from her comma, and she might have seen the guy who shot her... she is a loose end.
But the important question would be Did Lily saw the guy? Yes she did. And she remembers perfectly who shot her. Problem is, waking is not the same as moving freely which she can’t, and second… the shooter is among her bodyguards now…
Wait, wait, wait… bodyguards? Where do they came from? Who is paying them? Did the family with the flower shop did as good in their business to pay for the hospital bills (in the US, just try to imagine that cost for 14 months of care ) and bodyguards? Why bodyguards?
So regarding the why, first my guesses. While a longtime reader does know Lily remains in danger but her family might notice quickly that with the press becoming a familiar annoyance some security was needed. They didn’t pay the bodyguards though, Jane is doing that, along with the medical attention.
All of it. Anything the insurance doesn’t cover Jane is covering.
Continuing in next post, soon to be linked.
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For Malleus’ birthday can we get a date exploring abandoned buildings with him.
Note : This takes place back when you still don’t know what Tsunotarou’s real identity is.
Malleus couldn’t sleep.
Not like he needed much anyway, someone as powerful as him wouldn’t submit to something as primal as sleep. To him, it was irrelevant and the darkness of the night just so happens to be his favorite time of the day. So, he had to do what he always do the best; Escape from the surveillance of his retainers and explore a world he had never been to before. It’s the same old routine every time and yet, the unknown never cease to fascinate him.
However, it was strange to say that no matter how much he walks, his feet would always carry him back to a place that he knows all too well. The Ramshackle Dorm whose only occupant is a petty monster, and a lone human that could not use magic. It used to be his favorite place, although he’ll never actually admit that to anyone. It was a shame that there is now someone to disrupt that atmospheric peace it had. There would be more people that’ll visit that place and soon, it’ll lose all the qualities that made it special.
But even so...Malleus found himself gazing at it tonight as well.
He...Doesn’t really know how he got here in the first place, nor does he ever understand why. It felt like it’s a huge responsibility, to visit the dorm in every way he can. Maybe it was because he’s still attached to the place? Maybe he had already explored everything he has to in this island? No, it’s not that. He was simply waiting...and hoping for a certain someone to come out every time he comes to visit.
“My, my...It’s a surprise to see you still out in the cold at a time like this. Have you had any fear at all?”
One of the residence in that same broken down dorm, a child of a human. She had no powerful magic to compare to his, the odd one in a school focused on honing a wizard’s magical capability. Honestly, she was just an unfortunate creature, a bystander that shouldn’t have gotten involved in the first place. Malleus almost feels bad for her, having heard of stories from his supervisor about all the things that this human had to go through with the other dorm leaders mysteriously overblotting. She was a well-developed young woman by human standards, but in his eyes, all he sees is a little girl still in need of guidance.
She was nothing special, and yet, she never fails to put a smile on his face.
“Ah, Tsunotarou...!”
What a ridiculous nickname. If his people were to hear this one human call him, call The Malleus Draconia by such terms, there would be a riot, a controversy. Honestly, if it were anyone but you who would dare to call him by that name, a shot of lightning would’ve probably executed them right on the spot. Guess it was a good thing that you got permission beforehand, huh? Even if you yourself hadn’t realized so, it was charming to say the least.
“I could say the same thing for you too.” You said, with your head held up high to look at him in the eyes. Malleus could not see the tiniest bit of fear in your eyes, it was clear that you did not see him as a threat at all, unlike the others. “Say, didn’t you say that you were a fan of exploring around? I’m kinda in a mood to do just that so, would you like to accompany me?”
Malleus couldn’t help but chuckle at what you said, not one person had ever said that to him with a straight face before. “Was that an invitation, Child of Man? How curious...” He asked, in which he received an eager nod from you. “Very well then, I accept. Honestly, I could never find a gloomy moment with you.”
His comment only left you raising your eyebrow in confusion, something that he had already expected. It was no use on confusing the ignorant any further, after all. Either way, you carry on along with him accompanying you wherever you plan to go.
Some of the places that you both ended up visiting had already been old news to Malleus, having all the time in the world to explore them. However, that radiant in your eyes prevented him from saying anything that would spoil your excitement, your reaction was far too amusing. You were a curious human child, having the courage to look at every crooks a place had without worrying about the risks for traps. For that short time he had with you tonight, he already lost count of how many times he had to use his magic to move away debris away from you, without yourself even noticing. From the large boulders that could actually seriously injure you, to the tiniest of rocks that you wouldn’t even feel, it became a reflex for him to keep a look out for any other danger that may come your way.
Malleus even found himself secretly using magic to lead you to a specific part of a place, one that would make your eyes shine in amazement once you found it. You would go up to him, feeling proud by thinking that you found such treasure yourself when it truth, he played a major role in it. But still, he could never say that, he enjoyed your enthusiasm way too much to do so.
“Exploring like this really takes the energy out of you quick, huh...” You said as a yawn escapes you. Initially intending to take a break, you and Malleus sat beside each other in a nearby bench, a lamp post illuminating the surroundings.
With his arms crossed, Malleus observed the way you rubbed your eyes, as if to fight the urge to sleep. It was clear that you’ve already reached your limit for tonight, and although he feels rather disappointed that it would end so soon, you needed to rest your eyes. “Isn’t it about time for you to come back to your dorm? It has gotten quite late.” He suggested with his eyes closed, still in dismay that his time with you is over. Truly, the difference between the endurance between a human and a fae are both far and wide.
“Yeah...” You listlessly agreed whilst nodding off, it made Malleus smile slightly actually. Honestly, you’re hopeless, and with that extreme vulnerability of yours, just imagine all the things that he could do. He isn’t as friendly as you think after all, but revealing that now would simply be boring in his standards, not to mention quite pointless. With only a few months of talking and meeting up like this, you already had come to trust him so much as to never raise your guard up when it comes to him. He should be offended, but there was a certain charm around it when it’s you. “It’s really late, and...”
Suddenly, you looked up, coincidentally seeing a clock post nearby and Malleus had to tilt his head in wonder with that pause in your words. Then, you widened your eyes. “Ah! It’s already passed midnight!” You blurted out in panic, which made Malleus face palm gently, so that’s what this is all about? Just realizing that, you’re such a... “Here!”
This time, it was Malleus’ turn to be caught off-guard as you handed him some sort cloth, no...It was a scarf. “...What do you intend on giving me this?” Malleus asked, looking back at your smile.
You blinked repeatedly. “What do I intend...? Well...” You trailed off, scratching the back of your head before looking back at him with a cute blush on your cheeks. “...It’s your birthday today, isn’t it?”
It took him a moment, slowly widening his eyes as realization came by him. “Birth...day?” It didn’t even occur to him, he completely forgot the importance of this new day that came by. “...How do you know about that?”
“Lilia-senpai told me! Since he seemed to know you.” You beamed up at him. “Though...I kinda panicked a little, and I don’t really know too much about you to actually know what kind of gift you would like...”
You scratched your cheek in embarrassment, looking away from him. “...So, I ended up knitting something and before I knew it, it turned into a scarf, haha...” You sheepishly explained, face burning at how low your reasoning was. “Y-You don’t have to wear it if you don’t want to, but I’d really appreciate it...If you can at least take it...”
Malleus stared at your face, your usually bright expression had suddenly been overpowered by sheer embarrassment. Your face was red, the way you were biting you lips slightly was a new side of nervousness that he didn’t know about you, nor he had ever known that you were capable of expressing. It was honestly...refreshing to see that, adorable even. Looking at the scarf in your hand, it was true that it looked like it was hand crafted. You still didn’t seem to have a full grasp in knitting yet, judging from the few loosely strands sticking out here and there, but it still wasn’t exactly bad.
Then, Malleus just couldn’t help it anymore. A booming laughter escaped his throat, it was more than a chuckle, he was actually letting out his entertainment right there. “Haha! Oh, Child of Man...You are truly the most interesting human I’ve ever encountered!” He exclaimed, a large smile sprawled on his face.
“I-I am...?” You muttered in a flinch, not expecting him to say anything at all.
“Very well...I shall take it.” It’s not like there was any trouble anyways, Malleus would’ve still gladly take it from you if you were so generously offering it up to him. Regardless if it was his birthday or not.
“R-Really...!?”
“I don’t see why not.” Malleus said, raising his eyebrow with a smirk that can never disappear from his face for some reason. “I’ll even give you permission to place it around me and let you see how it looks.”
“Yay!” You cheered, scooting closer to him with the scarf on your hands. Malleus instantly noticed the gesture you gave him and lowered his head slightly, just enough for you to wrap the fluffy fabric around his neck. Tying them up nicely, you marvelled at the way your horned friend look. “Wah~! Tsunotarou, you look adorable! And comfortable too!”
A twitch displayed on his eyebrow, but you playfully dismissed it. “Is that so...” He said and you nodded vigorously. He huffed, the cold was not an enemy to him at all, he has a natural tolerance when it comes to it. A scarf was something that is normally pointless to him but surprisingly, he felt warm. Maybe not because of the heat it provided, but because he could feel the immense care and loving effort that you put into making it. “Well...Whatever makes you happy.”
Giggling, another sleepy yawn escapes you, but it sounded way more exhausted than the previous one. Without thinking, you lay your head on Malleus’ shoulder, startling the fae. “Hehe...Tsunotarou’s so warm...” You said, leaning your forehead against him, with your hands clenched around his sleeve. Malleus kept quiet, he couldn’t say anything back as he just stared at your form, waiting for your next response.
...But what greeted him next were just a batch of soft snores, suggesting that you had finally succumbed to your battle against the overwhelming slumber. Malleus blinked a few times, before chuckling at your behavior. Even in your sleep, you sound so chipper, probably because of the fact that you’ve accomplished something for tonight. He raised a hand and hanged it around your shoulder, pulling you closed for more comfort. He glanced down at your sleeping figure, still can’t believe that you fell asleep in his presence.
Sometimes, Malleus wonders what you would be like if you’ve met in an alternate universe where you’re aware of who he is. Would you be scared, or would everything stay the same as always? When it comes to you, he still couldn’t determine which would be the exact answer. But if he were to ask you that same exact question, a part of him could just laugh and sit back as it wouldn’t really matter. He already knew what you were going to say, after all.
“Tsunotarou would always be Tsunotarou”
...That was what you told him before too, right? Malleus liked that answer, it was really something to expect from the strangest human he had ever meet. So, until then, there was no reason for him to doubt you. He’ll believe your words as he continues to wait for the inevitable day that you will come to know of his real name. He doesn’t have to rush, he’ll cherish these moments for a little longer, while he still can.
It was funny, for the first time in his long years of fae life, he was fine putting his arms around a human like this. He even go as far as to keep you warm from the cold, making your slumber a little more comfortable. Closing his eyes gently, he leaned his head close to your own, foolishly basking in a human’s warmth himself...How scandalous for the future heir of the Valley of Thorns, being so intimate with a mere human like this. The very fact that he’s enjoying this moment right now is a sin of itself, he’ll be in so much trouble...
...And yet, for the very first time, Malleus could not care less.
MALLEUS AND YUU INTERACTIONS ARE THE BEST SCENES IN THE WHOLE ENTIRE GAME.
CHANGE MY MIND.
...Actually, no. You can’t, it’s too late. I’m already feeling so girly for this ship.
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Enemies-to-lovers!(demigod)Hyunjin
request: Hey :) I just really want to read something about Hyunjin if that's fine with you. I'm kind of a sucker for this whole enemies to lovers thing too lol but it would also be super cool if it could be something with fantasy. I don't really know 😅 I think if you're going to write it it would be good anyway.
genre: enemies-to-lovers!au (kind of, i feel like it wasnt that extreme but more of a dislike-to-lovers lol), demigod!au (fluff, slight angst? its rly not much, a lot of confusion on reader’s part)
pairing/s: Hyunjin / Reader (fem) (ft some skz, nct and got7 members!)
word count: 18k+
tw: mentions of blood and (sword)fighting
a/n: thank you to anon for being so patient again...its really taken me really long to think of something for this haha i kind of wanted to tap on Hyunjin’s like personality a little more for this like the side of him that’s very like in tune with his emotions or whatnot but idk if i emphasised that a lot but thats just a fun fact lol anyway there was a whole lot of thought exposition in this but this was very much a mix of information based off my existing knowledge of greek gods and the percy jackson series but i hope i explained it clearly enough so even if you’re not familiar with it you won’t be too confused while reading!
You wondered if you should’ve been scared when you’d awoken to the sound of your friend Jeongin waltzing into your cabin, the echo of ‘love is a many splendored thing’ coming from his lips as he meandered his way around the much more intimidating daughters of Ares in your room.
“Didn’t know they still allowed you in here,” you huffed, rolling your eyes but not without the small smile playing at your lips as you rolled over, sighing into your pillow and making space for Jeongin to flop belly-down onto your bed.
Ignoring your comment (not without sticking his tongue out at you for good measure), Jeongin’s smile had only grown as he supported his head with his hands.
You huffed, bringing a hand up to rub at your eyes, not being able to find it in you to be annoyed that he’d interrupted your sleep, “are you just gonna smile at me or are you gonna actually tell me what happened?”
Jeongin wrinkled his nose slightly, “guess,” he whispered.
“You...” you frowned, rolling over onto your back, hugging your pillow closer to your head, your eyebrows knitting into a thoughtful frown, “finished your painting?”
Shaking his head, Jeongin hummed, “better.”
“Better?” you echoed, “did you get elected for something... or something?” you yawned, trying your luck at this point, having close to no idea what he was so smiley about.
Jeongin rolled his eyes, though his grin remained, a small giggle leaving him, “give up?”
You nodded, “yeah, give up.”
“Someone’s back in the Poseidon cabin for the summer.”
You figured you might as well milk it while you could, pretending to not know who Jeongin was referring to as you pouted, “Who? Chan?”
Jeongin rolled his eyes, again, “don’t play dumb, you know who i’m talking about.”
You sighed, stretching your arms out above your head, dumping your act of ignorance (acting was never your strong suit anyway), “and what do you expect me to do about that?”
“You don’t have to do anything, technically,” Jeongin shrugged, “he’ll probably approach you first.”
You made a face, not liking Jeongin’s implication at all.
Jaehyun was just a friend you’d made from a few years before. Sure, he was friendly, and Jeongin did always point out the fact that he’d always somehow end up in the same area as the both of you, but you never read into it, having never felt anything romantic towards him at all in your time knowing him. After all, even if you wanted to, the last you heard (if the Aphrodite sisters were to be trusted for gossip) was that he had a girlfriend back home.
“Not funny, Jeongin.”
Jeongin scoffed, “who said I was trying to be funny?” he tried, failing to hold his expression of feigned offence as a bout of giggles escaped him, “okay, fine, maybe I was, but still, you have to admit that you know it’s gonna happen at one point.”
“What’s gonna happen?” you said with a scoff, sitting up in your bed as you let out another yawn.
Jeongin narrowed his eyes at you, “you know what i’m talking about,” he shrugged, making you groan. Trust him to be specific.
Getting out of bed, you brought a hand up to rub your shoulder, rolling your shoulders back with a wince, “I didn’t think he was gonna come back, honestly.”
Jeongin shook his head insistently, “think about it, if he already graduated... he’s probably only back because...” Jeongin gestured towards you, his eyes wide and full of implication.
“Shut up, Jeongin,” you couldn’t help the laugh that escaped you in spite of the part of you that was very much averse to his implication.
“Anyway, what are your plans later?” you asked him, eager to divert his attention elsewhere, earning a long hum from him.
You turned to see him fiddling with the corner of your bed sheet, frowning at the faint sound of rock music he could hear coming from the other rooms.
“Haven’t decided,” he sighed deeply, “might go back and finish up my painting... you?” You’d walked around your bed, “probably go and train or something,” you shrugged.
Jeongin made it a point to yawn loudly, “shouldn’t have expected anything else. Why don’t you join me one of these days after the game’s over?”
“Yeah, of course I will, I just wanna get... used to it before the game. It’s been ages since I touched my sword,” you made to pick up your things to freshen up, Jeongin deciding that would be his cue to leave, bidding you goodbye (but not without a smothering hug).
Don’t get you wrong, you were thankful for Jeongin. A son of Hebe, he’d been at the camp longer than you had, and he’d taken the liberty of befriending you after a particularly amusing run-in during a game the previous summer where you’d accidentally torn a hole in his pants with your sword at a pretty unfavourable area.
Not to mention how the boy was one of the few that dared to tread within Ares grounds. Being the son of the goddess of youth, you should’ve figured it was natural for him to be so personable to others (not to mention the fascinating way he looked so youthful), but you were thankful for it nonetheless. Not many people considered it a want to look past the barbed wire and screaming red motifs that seemed to surround the children of the god of war.
Though a part of you wished you could’ve joined Jeongin for a peaceful morning doing art while overlooking the lake, you were a little glad you didn’t, because as you sparred, you remembered just what felt so freeing about being in the field, a sense of anticipation building within you as you thought about the first capture-the-flag game of the summer coming up in a few days.
“Did you hear?” Yuta, another son of Ares, had asked you while the both of you practiced your archery.
You sighed, rolling your neck back before narrowing your eyes at the target again, “hear what?”
“Wait, look, look there, the new Aphrodite kid. Heard he was claimed a few days ago,” Yuta nodding his head towards the direction of the mess hall, and you spotted a small group of boys and girls making their way towards the mess hall.
It wasn’t hard to tell they were Aphrodite’s children, from the way they dressed so elegantly, to the way they carried themselves, as if nothing in the world could shake them or put a single hair out of place.
Something about the effortless nature of it all seemed so unreal to you, especially since you were stood there with your flyaway hair sticking out no matter how much you tried to keep it in place.
“Can’t say I didn’t see it coming, something about him was always more... mesmerising,” Yuta continued, with yourself busy observing the group of them.
“That one? Wasn’t he already here for a while already?” you gestured to one of them who was walking in the middle, rolling the sleeves of their shirt to their elbows with a sheer grace you couldn’t understand, his hair slightly longer than you’d remembered seeing it the previous summer.
Hyunjin was his name, if you remembered what Jeongin said correctly. Who were you kidding, of course you remembered.
The daughters of Ares in your bunk talked about him all the time, even if they didn’t show it. Almost every day you’d hear new things about him, as if it was your daily dose of the news. Something about him being a dancer, or something about a song he was listening to, even what movie he watched recently, none of which you bothered to actually commit to memory like they did.
Widely admired, was the term to describe it. You guessed you could understand why, his looks were pleasing to the eye, but there wasn’t much else you could draw from his personality, so you figured that was it for you. After seeing his sisters, and how... lovely they could be at times, you didn’t think there was much else to figure out.
“No, idiot, the other one walking at the front, he’s basically glowing,” Yuta clicked his tongue in annoyance, and your eyes had landed on the boy, shorter and definitely younger than Hyunjin, but no less beautiful. Looking even closer, you realised he was glowing, unmistakably a very Aphrodite way of claiming him as her son.
You frowned, turning back to Yuta, “that’s a lot prettier than how Ares claimed us, isn’t it?” you laughed, “why are you so interested anyway? It’s not the first time you’re seeing someone get claimed,” you dismissed him, drawing another arrow and firing it at the target, a small smile of satisfaction on your face when it hit the center.
Yuta shrugged, his hand coming up to flick his hair away from his eyes, “dunno, just thought it was cool. Since that means he’ll be on our side for the games too,” he explained, clearly having abandoned his archery practice with the way he’d let his bow hang loose next to his side, swinging it as he stood next to you with a hand on his hip.
“I don’t have very high hopes for that,” you murmured, shooting another arrow at the target, Yuta letting out an impressed low whistle at the thud, “they don’t strike me as the... fighting type.”
Yuta rolled his eyes, “are you done soon? I’m hungry,” he frowned, “and by the way, I'd be careful what I say about Aphrodite’s kids.”
You flashed him a tight-lipped smile, sceptical about his insistence, “what are they gonna do, smolder me to death?”
Yuta rolled his eyes, a scoff leaving him, “well they probably could. Look, if anything, I'm more afraid of their powers than Poseidon’s kids.”
You couldn’t help yourself from the face you made at the mention of the water-wielding demigods, earning a small grunt of amusement from Yuta, only then realising what he could’ve gotten from your expression.
About to interject, Yuta had continued, “I’m guessing you heard Jaehyun’s back?”
You sighed deeply, recalling your conversation with Jeongin that morning, nodding as you made your way back to the Ares cabins with Yuta strolling calmly next to you. Keeping your footsteps brisk, you dumped your armour onto the floor next to your bunk while Yuta did so with his as well, meeting him back at the door and leaving the cabin just as quickly as you came, still having not found an answer to Yuta’s question.
Though as you were busy forming a response to him, you felt yourself getting annoyed, or heavily annoyed for that matter, turning to Yuta with a scowl.
“Stop doing that,” you scolded him, making him raise his hands in a shrug, feigning nonchalance.
“What? You didn’t answer my question,” he defended, making you narrow your eyes at him, relieved when the feelings of anger and annoyance had diffused out of you within a matter of seconds.
“Thank you,” you sighed.
If you had to choose, that was one of your least favourite amongst Ares’ gifts. Sure, being skilled at fighting and the strength you had was a pro, of course. But being able to manipulate someone’s feelings of rage and fear was not something you found very necessary.
Unless you were Yuta, of course, and used it for the sake of getting someone’s attention.
“Why does everyone keep telling me about Jaehyun?” you blurted eventually, making Yuta shoot you a pointed look.
“He’s a legend, it’s basically our duty to talk about him,” Yuta snickered, grabbing your hand to pull you towards the mess hall as if deciding that your speed wasn’t fast enough for him.
“What’s so exciting about him?” you scoffed, letting Yuta lead you to a table where you saw your friends already seated, not missing the way Yuta had shoved you aside with his hip in his attempt to be seated closer to Ten, one of the sons of Aphrodite.
Seeming to have forgotten about Jaehyun, Yuta had focused on his conversation with Ten, leaving you to eat in peace.
“Hey, just came from practice?” you heard Seungmin ask you, taking a seat facing you while you tried to ignore the way Hyunjin had taken a seat next to Ten at the same time, his proximity making it harder for you not to look at him.
Turning to the said son of Athena, you nodded (albeit distractedly), earning a soft smile from him, “same here. Are you excited?”
Assuming he was referring to the games, you offered him a small shrug, “I guess, kind of curious to see how the new Ares kids handle it,” you tried your best to remain nonchalant even though you could hear Yuta asking the newer Aphrodite kid what he liked about being one of Aphrodite’s sons.
Seungmin nodded thoughtfully, “yeah, I saw some of them just now at the arena, but I doubt you’d have to worry, you could take half the Hermes kids on your own,” Seungmin laughed, making you wave him off.
Seungmin had seemed to find Ten and Yuta’s discussion interesting as well, turning his head to listen in as you brought your cup to your lips, frowning as you tried to pick up on what they were talking about.
You couldn’t help yourself from letting your gaze flicker between Ten and Hyunjin, hearing Ten cut in and explain something about acting cute and effortlessly getting people to do what you want them to do, all while you saw Hyunjin turning to ask one of Apollo’s daughters next to him if she had a tissue, the girl seeming almost compelled as she stood up and made her way to the far end of the table to grab a small packet of tissues for Hyunjin.
You had to refrain from scoffing, turning back to Ten with a sweet smile, your tone as lighthearted as it could be, “guess people just do things for you if you’re pretty, right?”
Ten seemed to have no qualms in agreeing with you, nodding at you with a smirk, “exactly.”
Hyunjin heard you of course, not knowing if that was a hint of spitefulness he detected in your tone, and you didn’t miss the way he’d looked up to meet your eyes, something about his gaze almost making it hard for you to look away, but you did. Scanning your attire, Hyunjin couldn’t help the small huff that left his lips.
Daughter of Ares, he should’ve figured abrasive words would’ve come with the package.
Deciding to dismiss it, Hyunjin turned back to Chan who was seated in front of him, rejoining whatever conversation they were having about swimming in the lake with ease. He would just forget about it, it wasn’t like picking a fight with the war god’s child was part of his agenda for the day.
Well, of course, that was until the time came to play capture-the-flag and Hyunjin found himself so unfortunately partnered with you to guard the flag. He should’ve just stayed with his sisters to cheer on the players.
You didn’t try to hide the fact that you were displeased, shooting a wide-eyed look at your Head Counselor Jaebum, who had simply dismissed you with a wave when you’d pulled him aside with a very annoyed glare on your face.
“Why can’t I guard with Yuta? I thought Aphrodite wasn’t playing,” you murmured harshly, fixing your armour roughly as you gripped the handle of your sword tightly, your heart sinking when you saw the way Jaebum had simply smiled, reaching his hand out to shove your helmet onto your head, flicking the red hairs that stuck out from the top with a laugh.
“There’s no time for you to complain, trust me, Hyunjin’s good,” he dismissed your hesitance, waving you off as he began to head elsewhere with the rest, “you’d better guard it properly,” he warned before leaving with the rest, the clinking of their shields against their armour growing softer the further they went.
Grabbing the flag from the floor with a huff, you’d started heading towards the lake, shoving the flag harshly through the pebbles to secure it in the ground, a small huff of annoyance leaving you as you squinted up at the sky, the summer heat annoying you even more.
Not being able to find it in you to relax, especially with the knowledge that Hyunjin was here, you paced around the flag, your hand placed protectively above your scabbard, the other hand on your hip as you eyed your surroundings.
Hyunjin on the other hand, seemed unaffected, and you heard the rustling of the pebbles as he sat down, his sword next to him and his hands behind him supporting his weight. To anyone else, he would’ve looked completely at ease, his head lifted to face the sky, his eyes closed as he enjoyed the warmth.
Though his ease didn’t last for long, the constant crunching of the pebbles and the annoyed scoffs that left your lips every now and then drawing his attention back to you.
Hyunjin never really liked Ares, he momentarily wondered if you were similar in the aspects he disliked as well, since the behaviour you were displaying right now was very...not typical of an Ares.
“Are all Ares demigods as high-strung as you?” Hyunjin furrowed his eyebrows in annoyance, “your pacing’s gonna give us away.”
Your head whipped around quickly, scoffing at him, “yeah, well, excuse me for feeling responsible for the flag,” you huffed.
Hyunjin didn’t understand why you took the games so seriously, (frankly you didn’t either), but you both figured it was the streak of Ares in you that made you feel competitive, but nonetheless, Hyunjin wasn’t amused.
“It’s not just your responsibility, you know. Jaebum literally asked me to guard it with you.”
You let out a half-hearted laugh, your words coming out in choppy bursts as if there were a million other things in your head that were fighting to be said, “yeah, well, I guess you could say that’s why i’m even more on edge.”
Hyunjin narrowed his eyes at you, wanting you to look in his direction but you didn’t seem to be giving him the time of day, your eyes still searching the woods in front of you for any sign of someone else.
“Look,” Hyunjin felt himself growing annoyed, “I don’t know what you have against me but now’s not exactly the time to be angry at me.”
You hadn’t realised, but your agitated state had been unconsciously manipulating Hyunjin’s feelings, making him more annoyed the more he saw you pace.
“Jaebum’s being stupid. He shouldn’t have put you here with me,” you sighed, more to yourself than to Hyunjin.
“You don’t trust me,” Hyunjin murmured, his tone giving away his surprise (or lack thereof), already moving to stand up, dusting the dirt off of his pants as he kept his gaze fixed on you.
You turned to face him, unaffected by his presence unlike the other day, now, Hyunjin noticed your gaze was much firmer.
“Yes, I don’t,” you told him, “forgive me for saying this but, you and your siblings don't necessarily have a very good track record when it comes to combat.”
Hyunjin rolled his eyes, folding his arms over his chest, “yeah, well, ” he mimicked your tone from before, “brute force isn’t the only way you can win, you know.”
You narrowed your eyes at him, wondering for a moment what exactly were the gifts that aphrodite had bestowed on her children to warrant such confidence from Hyunjin. You figured he was just trying to divert your attention from the fact that they really weren’t one to fight.
“So, i’m right? You don’t fight?”
You wouldn’t usually have been so... annoying, maybe it was your annoyance at Jaebum making itself known to Hyunjin, and in turn making Hyunjin annoyed at you as well.
Hyunjin took a small step closer to you, holding himself at arms length as he got a good look at your eyes.
Pretty, you thought, but probably not what you should’ve been focusing on at the moment.
And you really shouldn’t have, because you surely hadn’t expected Hyunjin to pull his sword from where it was on the ground abruptly, pointing it right at your throat, the slightest of smiles on his face, almost as if he was curious to see if you’d really lived up to what people said about you.
“I don’t know who you heard that from,” Hyunjin had an amused smirk on his face, something about him wanting to prove himself to you for some reason. The idea of protecting the flag already pushed to the far back of his mind.
You glanced down at the blade before you, pulling it ever so slowly out from its scabbard as you met his gaze again, something about it hardening when you could practically feel him challenging you.
There wasn’t a single sound between the both of you other than the sound of the wind blowing the trees and the lake flowing beside you. Clenching your jaw, you’d brought your sword up to push him out of the way with a grunt, seeing him dodge deftly when you swung it at his arm.
As if you weren’t already angered enough, you were shocked at how well he had been going against you, not paying much attention to what you were doing at this point, casting mindless swings and driving your elbow down on his shoulder, a small grunt leaving Hyunjin.
Swinging his sword at your back, you’d caught it with your sword, pushing back against him with as much force as you could muster, your swords coming in between the both of you, stuck there with the sheer force you were both applying.
Hyunjin had to admit that you were definitely stronger than him, almost giving up but too stubborn to do so, his other hand coming up to grab at your forearm, pushing your sword out of the way before his hand with his sword came up towards you.
Grabbing his hand quick enough, you’d shoved him away from you, bending to avoid another swing before turning, roughly bringing your sword to swing at him, hitting his chest and causing him to stumble back slightly, though what surprised you was how determined he was.
Regaining his stance quickly, as you dropped your shield angrily, he’d swung his sword just as you did, your swords colliding loudly as he brought his other hand to your hand, ripping your sword from your hand quicker than you could process and tossing it aside, his own sword coming to your throat once again, his other grand gripping onto your free hand firmly.
With how focused you were on fighting each other, the both of you hadn’t even realised Jaebum’s presence there, the said head counselor quietly observing you as Hyunjin tried to use his charmspeak on you. Being one of the (very few) children of Aphrodite that had this ability, Jaebum couldn’t help but be curious as to how this would play out.
You contemplated trying to summon your sword back, but as you were about to, he’d spoken up, distracting you.
“Pick up the flag,” he told you, in what you assumed was the most enchanting tone you’d heard from him, moreso with the way he was looking at you.
Hyunjin’s face was mere inches away from you, gripping your wrist even despite the gash you’d made on his palm, too absorbed in his motive to pay any attention to the pain. Something about his gaze had unsettled you, the pleasant smell of his perfume almost seeming out of place with the strong demeanour he was showing you now, making you curious as to what else there was about him that you were getting wrong in your head.
And he waited, he waited for your eyes to glaze over and for you to obediently walk over to the flag and pick it up without a single bit of defiance like how everyone else did. Except you didn’t.
His request had caught you off guard, making you furrow your eyebrows as your lips parted in confusion, “why the hell would I do that?”
Shoving his hand holding his sword away from you, you huffed, turning to see Jaebum and a few of the newer Ares and Athena kids standing there in shock. Well, at least most of them were in shock, Jaebum’s expression was all-too-amused.
Hyunjin stood, dumbfounded at the fact that his power hadn’t worked on you, turning to face Jaebum with his lips in a pout as Jaebum cleared his throat.
Ignoring the annoyed furrow to your brow, Jaebum brought a hand up to rub his exposed arm over his tattoo, “we... won...” he stopped to let a small laugh escape him, “you guys can bring the flag back.”
You huffed, moving to pick up your sword, shoving it into your scabbard, still confused at the fact that Hyunjin had just asked you to pick up the flag for no reason after what he did.
Turning back to Hyunjin, you saw him about to open his mouth, wanting to ask if you were going to take the flag with how he gestured to it.
Shaking your head as you were already making your way back, you said, “take the stupid flag, I don’t want it.”
It was only when you were with the rest in the amphitheatre did you realise Hyunjin had made an impression on you in more ways than just through surprising you.
You were making your way through the crowd to find Jeongin when you’d spotted Jaehyun, his hair messy and slightly damp with perspiration, giving you a friendly smile as he lifted his glass to you.
You saw him making his way over to you, his armour long discarded as he stood in his long sleeved t-shirt and cargo pants, pushing his hair back only to make it even messier.
“Hey, it was a good game just now, where were you?” he asked.
“Oh, I was just guarding the flag.”
Jaehyun nodded, a hum of understanding leaving him. Bringing his cup up to his lips, his gaze darted to your arm, his eyes widening as a sharp hiss left him, “hey, that’s a pretty bad cut, how’d you get that?”
You frowned, your eyebrows raising, a hum of confusion leaving you. Only realising when Jaehyun had reached a hand out to grasp your elbow gently, lifting your arm gently to draw your attention to the gash on your arm, the blood having gotten onto your shirt without you realising.
“Oh,” you hummed, shaking your head in dismissal at Jaehyun, “no it’s fine, it doesn’t hurt. I’ll just get Jeongin to help me patch it up later.”
Jaehyun’s forehead creased slightly as his eyebrows lifted, “really? I can help you with it now, if you want,” he offered, a soft smile on his face.
Turning to look over at where Jeongin and Yuta were seated at one of the steps of the ampitheatre, you tried not to let their knowing smiles fluster you, turning back to Jaehyun with a shake of the head.
“It’s fine, don’t wanna trouble you, but thanks for offering,” you assured him.
“What brings you back?” you asked, your curiosity getting the better of you, seeing his smile widen, giving you a shrug.
“For fun, honestly. I’m on break at university anyway, so I figured I might as well.”
Your lips parted in realisation, nodding slowly, “your girlfriend didn’t mind you leaving?”
He shook his head, “yeah, she was going back home to visit her family anyway,” you nodded, sighing in relief with the knowledge that he still had a girlfriend so whatever Jeongin said was baseless.
Jaehyun glanced behind you, spotting Yuta and Jeongin sitting at the steps, pressing his lips together so his dimples showed, “shouldn’t keep you any longer, your friends are waiting. See you later,” he had a hand gently on your shoulder, pulling it back to give you a small wave before you’d left to join Yuta and Jeongin at the steps.
“Ouch,” Yuta hissed, eyeing your arm, “who did that?” he nodded his head towards your arm, drawing Jeongin’s attention to the wound.
You huffed, gesturing towards the group of Aphrodite’s children gathered closer to the fire, “Hyunjin,” you offered half-heartedly.
Jeongin’s eyes widened, “Hyunjin? But why? Wasn’t he on your side?”
Yuta’s attention was still searching the group of them, observing the way Hyunjin had a little bit of bandage peeking out from the arm of his sleeveless shirt, a small scratch on his cheek and his palm wrapped with a bandage as well.
“Are you sure it wasn’t someone trying to get the flag?” Jeongin prompted, as if trying to wrack his brain to recall anybody from his side to making it that far over to your side.
“No,” you shook your head, leaning back in your seat with a sigh as you brought your cup to your lips, “just him.”
“What? Why would he do that, though?” Jeongin hummed. You knew he was friends with Hyunjin, so his confusion was catching you even more off guard.
You shook your head, “I’d rather... not talk about it right now,” you sighed, “can you help me with this?” you turned to Jeongin, gesturing to your arm.
You missed the look Jeongin cast Hyunjin’s way, nodding at you as he stood up, probably going to get the first-aid box he kept in his cabin. Yuta cast a brief glance in your direction before letting out a snort.
“I can feel how annoyed you are,” Yuta drawled, jokingly, of course.
You drew your gaze away from Hyunjin, turning to look at Yuta, “I’m not annoyed, ” you murmured, “just... surprised.”
Yuta quirked an eyebrow at you, “pleasantly surprised?” You waved him off, “don’t get too carried away.”
Daring yourself to look back at Hyunjin, you’d surprised yourself when you noticed he was looking in your direction as well, drawing his gaze away with a certain calmness to his gesture that made you almost unable to look away. Something about it still felt so... unsettling to you.
From what you knew, Aphrodite was the goddess of love, of beauty, but what you saw from Hyunjin was a whole other side of that, beauty with a certain kind of strength you weren’t used to witnessing. An almost unassuming kind of strength, something about it only making you more curious about him.
But after your interaction with him today, you weren’t so sure that you wanted to cause more problems for yourself. You figured if you just stayed out of his way, you would probably still be able to ensure yourself a peaceful summer. That was the plan, at least.
===
What you didn’t realise was that camp half-blood was a lot smaller than you thought it was, especially with how often you were running into Hyunjin after that day.
You were on your way to The Forge, since you’d come up with a plan to forge a sword this week, feeling in need of something that suited your own tastes more. In other words, you were bored out of your mind.
However, on your way to the place, you’d bumped into Hyunjin as you were making your way past the mess hall, unconsciously frowning at the sight of him, making him scoff, walking beside you with that same air of elegance he always carried himself with (a contrary to you who was trying to walk faster than him in your own unspoken petty competition).
Hyunjin wasn’t sure why he was entertaining your competition, also trying to walk quicker than you, his hair bouncing lightly atop his head as he walked briskly, making you realise halfway how stupid the both of you probably looked, halting your footsteps halfway to turn to him with narrowed eyes.
“Stop,” you told him firmly, making his eyes widen, his hand raising to point a finger at himself.
“Me?” Hyunjin scoffed, “you started it first.”
You opened your mouth to speak, closing it quickly, curious to why he was heading in the same direction as you, “stop following me.”
Though your question came out in a rather roundabout way, you figured that was the extent your pride allowed you to go to for now.
Hyunjin folded his arms, unsure why you were so proficient at bringing out the petty side of him, “you stop following me, ” he shot back, his height making him look more intimidating despite his expression showing nothing but child-like stubbornness (similarly to yours).
“I’m not, I’m going to The Forge!”
“I’m going to the Stables!” He shot back at the same time as you, as if it were even a competition to answer first.
Hyunjin hummed, so you were going to The Forge.
The information made Hyunjin curious as to what you were planning on making or fixing there, though he didn’t want to pursue it, still upset that the wound you inflicted on his hand made it hard for him to ride the pegasi.
Whereas you had to stop yourself from thinking about what an elegant thing riding pegasi would be, especially if it was Hyunjin doing it.
Pushing the thought to the back of your head, you huffed, leaving him to continue on your way to the Forge, his footsteps behind you barely audible until you’d both parted ways.
And so it continued. You would alternate between joining Jeongin to do some painting or sculpting and working on your sword, yet somehow you would always manage to run into Hyunjin one way or another.
For a moment, you thought this was some sort of punishment from your father for calling him a whiny bitch, warranting Hyunjin’s presence wherever you went.
It was either on your way to the Forge, or even when you would turn while painting to stare at the lake only to spot Hyunjin sitting at the corner of the area sculpting something with clay, it seemed as though wherever you went, misfortune in the form of a certain Aphrodite-born boy would follow.
What irked you the most wasn’t the way he would make even spilling paint look graceful, or the way his contagious laugh would echo loudly around the area, or how his silver ring would clink against the glass water jar distractingly to the beat of whatever song he was listening to as he worked. Instead, it was his ���response (or lack thereof) whenever you would meet eyes, how he didn’t have the same reaction everyone else did. How instead of looking away he would keep his gaze firm, yet gentle. How he didn’t seem... scared.
Hyunjin knew this too, how everyone tended to stay away from Ares demigods in general due to their tendency to make people feel angry or upset and result in fights between campers, but Hyunjin was curious. He couldn’t help himself. He’d tried his powers on other Ares children before and they worked, so why were you the exception?
He was down at the Lake, his usual spot he would go to whenever he wanted to relax or clear his mind, since no one else really came here in the night, trying to clear his mind of thoughts of you, having been tormented by them for the whole day as he tried his charmspeak on different people just to make sure he wasn’t broken or anything.
Though it seemed even the lake was no exception to you, something in him feeling as though he wasn’t the only one there, and being proven right when he’d lifted his head from looking at his journal, turning to see you sitting not too far from where he was. Except this time you looked a little... different.
Hyunjin wasn’t sure if it was the softness of the moonlight, but something about the way you looked now with your hands supporting your weight behind you as you looked at the water sloshing around in the lake, moving your foot right and left lazily with your hair flowing freely with the wind and a serene expression on your face. Something about it was very different from the picture of a daughter of Ares that he’d painted in his head. If he didn’t know who you were, he would never have guessed your father was the angry, aggressive, battle-driven god among the olympians, finding something about it awfully refreshing.
Hyunjin had averted his gaze quickly, his hand coming up to grasp at his neck, wincing at the pain from turning his head too quickly.
Drumming his fingers on his journal lightly, Hyunjin slid it into the pocket of his jacket, not knowing you’d already seen him when you came here. He’d contemplated on starting a conversation with you, wondering if it was worth the energy since it’d probably just end up in another petty fight between the both of you.
Deciding against it in the end, Hyunjin stood up with a small sigh, his hand coming up to run his fingers through his hair as he trudged through the sandy ground before he shoved his hands into the pockets of his jacket, walking past you when you’d spoken up.
“Didn’t they tell you?” you murmured, a slight teasing lilt to your tone, though it was sleepier than Hyunjin was used to hearing it.
Hyunjin turned his head to face you, his eyebrows raised in question, and a part of you just sighed at how unlucky you were that you had run into Hyunjin here too of all places.
“Tell me what?” he asked.
Hyunjin had a feeling you were about to crack a joke, with the way you tried (and failed) to contain your smile as you turned to look at him, a certain softness to your smile that came with sheer relaxation.
“You can see your reflection in the lake better in the daytime,” you grinned, making Hyunjin scoff, though he couldn’t help his amusement.
He shook his head at you, a forced laugh leaving him, “very funny, but i’m not Narcissus.”
There was a small pause that fell between the both of you, your arms coming up over your head in a stretch, a small yawn leaving you. Hyunjin hadn’t left yet, making you wonder if it was because he was surprised to see you here.
“I didn’t follow you here,” you added, “if that’s what you’re wondering.” You know, just for good measure.
Trust you to be straightforward, he thought.
Hyunjin figured he’d might as well take the opportunity to tease you as well, hoping it would help him regain whatever upper hand he thought he had in the exchange.
“Yeah, sure,” he drawled, turning and walking away before you could see his satisfied smile at your yelp of protest.
===
You were a little more excited than usual today, it’d been two weeks since you’d started forging your sword and today would be when you would be able to take it back and use it, the summer sun having started to set by the time you were done.
You were proud of it, frankly. It may have looked like any other sword, but the way it felt was different, it was less prone to wear during rough use as compared to your previous sword, the blade made to be sharper and sturdier. Not to mention how the handle was a perfect fit for your hand. Though you wished you’d had the power of conjuring up a weapon like some of the other children of Ares did, your powers were rather limited to just summoning your weapons and manipulating their material.
It was as if Ares knew you weren’t the most careful with your things.
You’d spotted one of the sons of Hermes, Minho, making their way into the armory as you were leaving, not bothering to greet him as you crossed paths. You knew who he was very well, and what a reputation he had for pranks in the camp, though you’d fortunately never been at the brunt of any.
But that didn’t change the fact that you were feeling just the slightest bit hesitant, at first, something almost prompting you to bring it back to the Cabin first before you went for dinner but eventually you figured it was fine. It was only for a short period of time anyway. You doubted people would want to steal swords in a place like this.
Meeting your friends at the mess hall for dinner, Jeongin eyed you suspiciously when he’d caught you smiling at your soup for the fifth time that meal.
“Something good happen?” he asked, making you nod eagerly.
“Guess,” you told him, seeing his lower lip jut out in a thoughtful pout, his hand coming up to touch his chin before his eyes had widened, his smile growing.
“Jaehyun—”
“No,” you narrowed your eyes at him in warning, making him burst into giggles, his hand raising in surrender.
“Okay, fine, fine...” he hummed, “oh! You finished your sword?” he asked, earning a nod from you.
“Just finished it this afternoon, it’s in the workshop now but i’m gonna go get it later,” you told him, biting into your food with a satisfied sigh.
Jeongin made a sound of awe, his excitement written all over his features, “can I go with you? I wanna see it.”
You nodded, “yeah sure.”
“Is Yuta coming too?” he asked, earning a shake of the head from you.
“Nope,” you told him, “he’s going over to the Aphrodite cabin for some party,” a small giggle leaving you as you recalled how excited Yuta was to hang out with Ten.
“Aphrodite cabin, huh,” Jeongin snickered, making you nod knowingly.
“I know,” you sighed, bringing your cup to your lips to finish the rest of your drink.
Jeongin tossed his used tissue onto his now-empty tray, “well I’m ready to go, you?” he asked, glancing at you for confirmation.
Giving him a nod, you’d both cleared your trays and made your way out of the mess hall, though as you were on your way out, you couldn’t help but notice the stares you were getting from the other campers as you made your way past the cabins. You’d dismissed their stares quickly, thinking nothing of it until Jeongin had let out a small hum of discomfort.
“Is it just me, or...” he grimaced, clearing his throat, “are they staring?” he asked you, twisting his ring around his index finger.
You nodded, giving him a small shrug as you brushed your flyaway hairs away from your face, the wind blowing it haphazardly around.
“Thought so, but it’s alright, I mean. As far as I know we’re fine ‘cause Jaebum hasn’t summoned us anywhere yet,” you huffed, already nearing the workshop when you’d seen a small group of people gathered there, one being Minho, who was currently crouched over something you couldn’t quite see.
“What’s that?” Jeongin murmured, more to himself than anything.
You watched as Minho had slowly emerged from his crouching position, looking at you with pleading eyes and his hands waving in front of him almost as if in reassurance, a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach.
“Y/N, I can explain, I’m really sorry I don’t know what happened I was just doing my own thing and I didn’t know that I was actually—”
“What happened?” you cut him off, his rambling only making your anxiousness grow. Looking at him with confusion written all over your features, you hoped dearly that your suspicions would be proved wrong.
Jeongin watched with horror in his wide eyes as Minho had pulled out what looked like your (now cut up) sword.
Furrowing your eyebrows, you looked back at Minho You were sure your sword wasn’t as hard or brittle enough to have broken like this, you would’ve known, you’d consulted the many sons and daughters of Hephaestus that had come and gone from The Forge while you worked and researched on what would be best for your sword. You were sure they, the sons of a blacksmith of all people, extremely skilled at crafting, wouldn’t have allowed you to make a sword that could get damaged so easily.
“How... did this happen?” you asked him, oblivious to the way the people there were looking on curiously, eager to see if you would live up to the typical Ares tendencies and go into a fit of blind rage.
“I thought this was my sword and I was gonna melt it down to cut it but then I realised too late that it wasn’t mine,” he admitted, his tone sounding too remorseful for you to be more angry at him.
Now that, you could believe.
You looked back at the sword and back at him, not wanting to look at your sword any longer as you inhaled deeply, hearing someone murmur that you looked as though you could kill Minho.
Jeongin heard it too, felt it even, the sheer anticipation from the crowd that you would prove them right that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. They didn’t believe you were capable of controlling your temper, not when all your other siblings couldn’t. And you were glad you realised it, that if you acted on your anger right now, you wouldn’t be doing anything other than perpetuating their image of you as someone that so predictably craved war.
A silence fell between you and Minho, aside from the hushed whispers and murmuring that could be heard from the other campers around you, feeling Jeongin’s hand touch your shoulder gently.
You shook your head, hoping you came across as more reassuring than wanting to kill Minho, a small murmur of an ‘okay’ leaving you before you’d turned away from him, leaving with Jeongin without another word.
Of course, your reaction came to the other campers as a shock, none of them having seen you display such an eerie calmness before. They were sure if the same thing had been done to Yuta, he wouldn’t have held back on showing just how upset he was, but you’d reacted in the least typically Ares way imaginable.
And Hyunjin thought so too.
He had been bored out of his mind waiting for the sons of Dionysus to show up with the drinks, sitting leisurely on the plush sofa in the big living room as he fiddled with his hair, glancing at the door every now and then as he pretended to be interested in whatever gossip his sisters were divulging amongst themselves.
“Did you hear?” one of them tapped on Hyunjin’s arm incessantly, making him turn to them with a bored expression, his fingers touching his ear absently as he prompted them to continue.
“Minho just had a run-in with Y/N,” she told him, her eyes beaming with excitement as though the information she shared was life-or-death, in a very entertainment channel kind of way.
Hyunjin frowned at the mention of your name, already trying to picture how that would’ve gone down, wondering if you’d pummeled Minho and had been the reason behind his absence at the party.
Well, that was until Minho had walked into the Aphrodite cabin looking absolutely unscathed, and Hyunjin decided that maybe he did want to know what happened.
“What happened?” he shifted in his seat, trying to appear nonchalant with his hand supporting the side of his head even despite his bubbling curiosity.
His sister had wasted no time in telling the story, “Minho broke Y/N’s sword because he thought it was his sword, and then when she was going to go get it he told her about it and she looked really angry,” she told him, nodding gravely.
“You were there?” Hyunjin asked, his frown deepening, wondering for a moment what he was doing during that time. Probably lazing on his bed, he figured.
His sister’s mouth had shut quickly, her gaze darting to the ceiling, “well... no, I wasn’t, but that’s what I heard from Ten, who heard it from- okay, nevermind, the important part was that she looked angry, okay?”
Hyunjin knew about Minho’s... penchant for pranks, usually not bothering about them since they were pretty minor. But even he thought this went a little too far. You’d been working on that sword for what... a little more than two weeks? If Hyunjin were in your position, he was sure he would’ve been upset too.
“So... did she like... fight him or something?” he asked his sister, earning a shake of the head from her, which had only surprised him even more.
Hyunjin’s eyebrows raised, “really,” he mustered distractedly, glancing over at Minho who had looked absolutely unaffected, laughing at something Ten had just said.
“She just... left?” Hyunjin asked for confirmation again, not being able to wrap his head around the unpredictability of your reaction. Nothing about you seemed predictable to him, so far.
Maybe your offhand comments, or your skill with weaponry, sure, that was predictable, but even from that day playing capture-the-flag, Hyunjin knew there was something in you that was very much Ares, and very much not.
He wouldn’t have expected such a reaction from someone as strong-willed as you, but then again, as he thought more about it on his way to where Minho was, he thought that maybe he should have expected it. There was something akin to a quiet strength about your reaction, to him.
“Oh, hey,” Minho greeted Hyunjin with a nod in the kitchen as he poured himself another drink, Hyunjin letting out a deep breath he hadn’t even known he was holding.
“Why’d you do that to Y/N’s sword?” he’d asked abruptly, shocking himself with the imperative nature of his tone, and Minho didn’t mask his shock either, the boy looking at Hyunjin as if he’d grown another head.
“Look, I don’t usually give a shit about your pranks but... don’t you have to admit that was a little too much?” his tone had calmed down considerably, maintaining his calm exterior as he gave Minho a small shrug.
Minho let out a snort, nodding slowly, “dude... you know I didn’t actually destroy it, right?”
Hyunjin’s lips parted in surprise, his tongue peeking out to wet his lips as he ran his fingers through his hair again, the whole situation proving to be very unnecessary to him. It seemed, whenever it came to you Hyunjin always found himself feeling emotions he wasn’t used to feeling, things like defensiveness, annoyance, though nothing about it was unwelcome to him, strangely. That part, he had yet to figure out fully.
“Then why’d you do it?” Hyunjin wondered out loud.
Minho shrugged, “wanted to see if she was as temperamental as the rest of them. Think about it, she’s never really...lost her temper like the rest of them.”
“Why do you care anyway?” Minho continued, “I didn’t recall anything about you two being friends,” Hyunjin was caught off guard by the implication.
Looking elsewhere, Hyunjin let out a small scoff, “I don’t, okay? I just... felt bad for her,” he tried to reason, “she worked hard on that sword.”
Shrugging, Hyunjin let out another huff of disbelief, removing his jacket with how stuffy it started to feel in the house.
“Whatever, why am I even explaining this to you,” he muttered, “where’d you put the actual sword?”
Minho eyed Hyunjin curiously, shaking his head with a small smile on his face as he gestured outside the house, “it’s still in the workshop.”
Sighing deeply, Hyunjin rolled his eyes at his own expense, giving Minho a firm pat on the shoulder before he left, his mind a swarm of reasons why he shouldn’t have been doing this, even stopping himself in front of The Forge to just be absolutely sure he was going to go out of his way to deliver a sword to someone he wasn’t on the best terms with.
But he did anyway, and that was what ended Hyunjin up holding your sword in its sheath and grimacing non-stop along with his annoyed mumbles on his very hesitant path towards the lake where he figured you would be.
Sure enough, Hyunjin had sighed in relief when he’d spotted you sitting at your usual spot, your knees propped up closer to your chest and your arms folded and resting upon them, your back facing him.
Shaking whatever hesitance there was left in him, Hyunjin cleared his throat, sighing when you hadn’t turned around.
You weren’t in the mood to have another bickering session with Hyunjin, as a matter of fact, already upset enough at the fact that you not only had to make another sword for yourself, but that the other campers probably just viewed you as some sort of ticking time bomb that they couldn’t wait to set off.
About to take another step towards you, you’d sighed, one of your hands going to pick at the hem of your pants, “shouldn’t you be busy shooting love arrows or something?” you huffed.
Hyunjin’s eyes widened, freezing in place behind you, “how’d you know it was me?”
You shrugged, not wanting to admit that it was the same pleasant floral scent that brought back your memory of that day playing capture-the-flag that had let you know it was him, the scent being somehow unmistakably Hyunjin that your mind seemed to have automatically associated the two together.
“And again,” he huffed, “just because Aphrodite’s my mom doesn’t mean i’m cupid.”
You hummed patronisingly, “what do you want?”
Hyunjin sighed, making his way in front of you, holding your sword out in front of you, your eyes narrowing at him as you took the sword from him slowly.
“It’s yours,” he murmured, “it wasn’t actually destroyed.”
If Hyunjin had expected to receive an appreciative expression of thanks, maybe he should’ve gone to someone else.
You stood up abruptly, a small gasp leaving you.
“Were you the one behind all of this?” your brows furrowed in annoyance, pointing your sword at him with its sheath still on, making Hyunjin step back slightly.
Hyunjin’s eyes widened in shock, a scoff leaving him despite his hands finding their way beside his head in a gesture of surrender, “why are you getting mad at me? I didn’t do anything, I was just returning this to you,” he defended himself.
Maybe Hyunjin was just unlucky, he thought, if only you would have reacted this way to Minho instead of him.
“How do I know you weren’t the one that planned all of this?” you’d almost moved to jab your sword towards him, Hyunjin having anticipated your move and grabbed your sword by it’s sheath, his other hand coming to your wrist and pushing it away from him, ripping the sword from your grip and holding it over his head.
“Excuse you, I left a party just to go and get this hunk of metal and return it to you,” he narrowed his eyes at you, “and this is how you thank me?”
You frowned, confusion prominent in your features as you dropped your hands to your sides limply, “why would you do that?”
Frankly not knowing the reason either, Hyunjin opened and closed his mouth as he fumbled for an answer, tilting his chin up in defiance when he scoffed eventually.
“Fine, if you don’t want this I can just go throw it in the lake or something—”
You stopped him quickly, a yelp of protest leaving you as your hand found its way around his wrist.
Hyunjin hadn’t missed the pleading look in your eyes that flashed for just a second, his grip around your sword loosening as he let you take it back, slightly amused at the way you’d let out an annoyed huff, holding your sword protectively next to you.
“You’re so annoying,” you mumbled grumpily, “didn’t know someone that came from the goddess of love could be such a pain in the ass. ”
Hyunjin raised an eyebrow at you, something about him finding your expression akin to that of a child as you sulked, not being able to help himself from prodding you further in retaliation.
Taking a step closer to you, Hyunjin licked his lips as he tried to think of a response, taking his lower lip between his teeth and letting it go with a slowness that had only served to heighten the tension of the silence.
“What about you, then? I’m sure you live up to what they say about Ares children craving fights and anger, right?” You couldn’t help but feel as though he were challenging you, as if he wanted you to prove him wrong, a feeling in his gut telling him that you would. He was confident in that, (also because he kind of hoped you would).
You’d met Hyunjin’s gaze, his words seeming to have struck a chord with you, a small pause ensuing before you’d shook your head slowly, averting your gaze from him, your gaze unconsciously flickering to the sky as a brief thought had crossed your mind on whether Ares would be angry at you for saying what you were about to say.
But you didn’t think you really cared.
“I don’t... fight without reason, okay?” you cursed yourself mentally for the way your words came out as a mumble, missing the small hint of a smile playing at Hyunjin’s lips, something making you want to look up at him.
Hyunjin nodded at you, liking the answer you gave him for the first time, “good. Me too.”
You’d met his gaze, finally, the sloshing of the lake behind you and the coolness of the summer night almost drowning out your next words.
“Good,” you murmured, “let’s... not give each other a reason, then.”
Shocking you with his reaction, Hyunjin had nodded, turning away as he tried to stifle his smile, his hand coming up to run his fingers through his hair again, only to have it fall softly back against his head.
“Go,” you murmured, not being able to tolerate the tension any longer, “join back your party.”
Hyunjin quirked an eyebrow at you, though he nodded nonetheless, a strange feeling within him after the interaction you’d just shared.
Leaving without another word, you turned your sword around in your hands, thankful to Hyunjin for doing something like that for you even though you’d been nothing but unfriendly to him recently, figuring that this could have been a peace offering of some sort.
And just for a moment, you thought, maybe he wasn’t as bad as you thought he was.
===
And maybe you were right about the whole peace offering thing, since after that day, it was safe to say that Hyunjin and you hadn’t bickered like you did before, tolerating each other’s presence whenever you would both be at the lake at the same time in the night, greeting each other with curt nods when you would walk past each other.
You were having dinner at the mess hall before another game of capture-the-flag that would start at 6 o’clock. Jaehyun had found his way to your table and seated himself next to you, so you were seated in between him and Jeongin, with Chan, Yuta and another son of Ares sitting in front of you.
Hyunjin was seated next to the newer Ares kid, minding his own business as he ate his food, his sisters on his other side talking about the pegasi riding lessons as Hyunjin tried his best to pay attention to the conversation you were having.
You’d been talking about some sort of event the camp was holding in the amphitheatre soon, something like a movie night. In other words, simply an excuse for the older kids to ask for dates to watch a movie with them.
“Are you gonna ask anyone?” Chan had asked Jaehyun, making Jeongin give you a look that was a little too obvious for your liking.
You weren’t able to see Jaehyun’s reaction, since you were seated next to him, not that you cared much about it anyway since you knew it wouldn’t have meant anything.
Choosing to keep your gaze fixed on your food, you prodded at it with your fork as you waited for Jaehyun’s response, almost sighing when he’d cleared his throat, shrugging, “dunno, I guess.”
You missed the way Hyunjin’s gaze wandered from Jaehyun to Jeongin, to you, his mind running wild with possible reasons why Jeongin looked like Jaehyun had just told a joke instead of the response he just gave.
He recalled hearing from his sister the other day that Jaehyun had broken up with his girlfriend from back home, something stirring in him when he’d considered the thought that maybe Jaehyun had his eyes set on you. Not that Hyunjin was in any position to have a problem about it, of course, Jaehyun was free to like whoever he wanted, but something in Hyunjin almost wished for a moment that the feeling in his gut would be wrong for once.
Dismissing the thought quickly, he’d averted his gaze from Jaehyun, focusing on finishing his drink instead.
You looked up briefly to cast a glare at Jeongin, thankful to Yuta who had spoken up, uninterested in the topic of who Jaehyun’s choice of date was.
“Who says we have to bring dates? Why don’t we just go as a group of friends?” Yuta shrugged, Chan letting out a small giggle in response.
“That would be cute, I don’t mind that,” he agreed, Hyunjin nodding in agreement.
“Can I join? I’d rather not let my sisters try to matchmake me again this time,” Hyunjin grimaced, making you unintentionally perk up at the mention of matchmaking, wondering who they had in mind that would be a good fit for him, running through your mental list as you continued to prod at your food.
“Oh yeah, cause you guys are like children of cupid or something, right?” the boy snickered, something about his tone striking a nerve with you.
Did he really think a god as unpredictable and destructive as Ares was any better?
You had to refrain from rolling your eyes, “Aphrodite,” you quipped sternly, “it’s not that hard to remember.”
Jeongin had to stifle his laughter, and you continued to prod at your food, missing the small smile on Hyunjin’s face when you went back to eating as if you didn’t just say what you said.
The boy had immediately quietened down, afraid that he would warrant another chiding from you if he made another mistake, Jaehyun nudging you with an amused smile on his face.
“Go easy on the kid, he’s not familiar with how it works here yet.”
You huffed, unsure why you had felt so defensive over it as well. It wasn’t as if you hadn’t teased Hyunjin about it before. But maybe that was what irked you about the boy’s statement, how his tone sounded mocking almost, as if it wasn’t something to be proud of to be born from Aphrodite.
Sighing, you’d stood up, ready to get ready for the capture-the-flag game, turning to Jaehyun and scrunching your nose in distaste, “he’s gotta learn at some point.”
The sun was already beginning to set when you’d started the game, the sky growing darker the more the both of you made your way through the forest, keeping your footsteps as quiet as you could as Hyunjin walked with you.
Hyunjin and yourself had been on a separate path to find the other team’s flag, the both of you having been split up from the rest after being bombarded with a group of Hermes’ children.
“Should we go that way?” Hyunjin asked, pointing in the direction of the lake, making you shake your head.
“No, they probably have a bunch of Poseidon’s kids standing by there, and I don’t know about you, but I really don’t wanna end up fighting Chan.”
Hyunjin let out a small huff, halfway to a giggle, a small pause ensuing as you stepped over a branch, turning to gesture to the branch as a warning to Hyunjin, hearing him murmur a small thanks to you. Something between the both of you felt more comfortable now, less hostile definitely, but something about it still felt tense, you just couldn’t exactly place the cause of the tension.
“Can I ask you a question?” Hyunjin asked, pulling you from your thoughts, his voice soft but loud enough for you to hear.
You nodded, “what?” you prompted, turning when you’d felt a movement, relaxing when you realised it was just a dove.
“You’re not very fond of your dad, are you?” he asked, making you inhale deeply, huffing through your nose.
You turned to him with a sceptical look on your face, “are you? ” you scoffed.
“So, i’ll take that as a no?”
You paused, giving him a small nod.
Hyunjin hummed softly, reaching a hand up to push the overhanging leaf out of the way before it could hit your head without you realising.
“Can I ask why?” he hummed, his footsteps delicately treading on the ground softly in contrast with you who were simply walking normally.
You shrugged, “guess it never really felt like I fit into the ideals he wants in his children? You know? Like all that... destruction and aggression without reason, it just didn’t feel right to me,” you shrugged.
Hyunjin hummed, as if prompting you to continue, slightly distracted when he contemplated if he should offer his helmet to you since you didn’t have one.
“It felt kind of weird, to be honest, when he claimed me,” you shared, thankful that Hyunjin made you feel as though you could share these things with him without being attacked for not respecting your father. “It kind of felt like it was wrong.”
Hyunjin let out a small giggle at that, a small sound of disagreement leaving him, “I wouldn’t say totally wrong,” he offered, making your eyebrows raise in question, curious to hear what he had to say.
“You know, you’re strong-willed, passionate about what you want, good at combat,” he told you, making you huff in your attempt to suppress the strange feeling within you at Hyunjin’s words. Hyunjin himself felt as though such words were foreign to him, or maybe it was the intention behind the words. He wasn’t sure.
“Thanks,” you murmured softly, the way your voice had come out as a mere squeak making you scrunch your nose up in distaste.
“What about you?” you asked, hearing a confused hum leave him.
“Am I fond of my mom?”
You turned to nod at him, seeing him shrug, “yeah, I guess. I guess the only downside I can think of is how we’re not the most... skilled at combat.”
You didn’t see it, but Hyunjin had to stop himself from letting his smile grow too big, especially because he knew his words had struck a chord with you.
Your breath hitched, feeling almost guilty hearing his words, not being able to help yourself from turning to him, stopping in your tracks in the middle of the path you were on.
“Sorry,” you told him, seeing him tilt his head at you, an expectant smirk on his face.
“For what?”
You shrugged, averting your gaze as you knocked your shield against his gently, embarrassment taking over you at the awkward gesture, “you know, for... underestimating you.”
Daring yourself to meet his gaze, you were surprised to say the least, when he’d simply smiled at you, his tongue moving to graze over his canine, “apology accepted.”
About to move forward, Hyunjin had stopped you abruptly, his hand on your wrist with urgency in the gesture, his voice dropping to a whisper, “Jaehyun.”
You wrinkled your nose in dismay, shaking your head, “probably means we’re near.”
You heard footsteps growing louder, not having expected Jaehyun to be alone, but you should’ve known he wasn’t, especially when you’d heard footsteps behind you, spotting Chan with Jaehyun, and the flag not far behind them.
“I’ll take Chan,” Hyunjin told you quicker than you could react, already wielding his sword as he proceeded to duel with Chan, while Jaehyun made his way slowly over to you, gripping his trident (a gift from Poseidon himself, he was very proud to inform whoever ) and using it to smack against the ground with small thuds as he grew closer.
“Fancy meeting you here,” he gave you a grin, his dimples showing cutely.
You rolled your eyes, not being able to stop yourself from smiling.
“Yeah, Jaebum didn’t put me on flag duty today, but I see you didn’t get so lucky?” you murmured, already pulling your sword out, the sound of Hyunjin and Chan fighting behind you making you wonder just where everyone else was, having expected them to reach the flag before you and Hyunjin could.
Jaehyun scoffed, “hey, I love flag duty.”
Already going into your ready stance, you wanted to laugh when Jaehyun had done so as well, not being able to take him very seriously from knowing him for so long.
And so you swung your sword, managing to nick him on the arm before your sword collided with his trident, though you tried to ignore the intimidating sharpness of its prongs as you continued to try your best, to dodge his swings and use your difference in size to your advantage. It was a blur to you, the whole process, like it usually was.
You figured it was a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing, where you would get lost in the fighting that you wouldn’t even have time to think before you acted, your body seeming to move naturally with its one goal of getting your opponent out of the way.
Maybe you’d thank Ares for that detail.
After you realised Hyunjin had stopped fighting Chan, you’d let yourself get distracted by wondering how he’d managed to get Chan to give up so easily, giving Jaehyun the opportunity to deliver a particularly strong blow to your shoulder.
Stumbling back, your back hitting the tree behind you as Jaehyun brought his trident up, your hand grasping the spear tightly as you tried to pull it away from your neck, though Jaehyun had an advantage with his stance, holding it against your neck and caging you in place, the tip of one of the pointed ends nicking you just below your jaw when you’d moved particularly abruptly.
Hyunjin had noticed of course, but after he’d managed to get Chan to leave with his Charmspeak, you realised he was free to go get the flag.
So when you saw him coming behind Jaehyun, you used your hand to gesture to the flag, Hyunjin thankfully having gotten the hint and making a break towards the flag, more people having gathered as Jaehyun had let go of you finally, watching with a smile as Hyunjin had claimed the flag, looking at you with a dazed smile on his face.
Jaehyun helped you up from where you leaned against the tree, “he’s pretty good, isn’t he?” you heard him say.
“Who?” you frowned.
Jaehyun nodded his head towards Hyunjin, who was gracefully accepting the praise from the other campers as he made his way towards where you were.
You huffed, nodding, “yeah,” you murmured, “sure is.”
You were too tired to join for the celebration after the game, finding your way back to the Lake. (With how much you went there, people would have thought you were a daughter of Poseidon if not for the red motifs on your attire).
Having asked Jeongin if you could meet him later on after you showered for him to help you clean up your cuts like you would both usually do, you heard soft footsteps behind you, sighing in relief that Jeongin was finally here.
Only when the smell of that distinct flowery scent had grown stronger did you realise that was definitely not Jeongin, your suspicions proven when you saw Hyunjin seat himself down next to you, his hair wet and in a new change of clothes, having freshened up as well, glancing down to see a first-aid box in his hands.
But not any first-aid box, you realised, when you spotted the little stickers on the side of the opening, Jeongin’s first-aid box.
“Hope you don’t mind, Jeongin said he had to get something done,” Hyunjin’s hands came up to pull the neck of his white shirt higher, his bracelet sliding down on his arm, “may I?” he asked, your mouth still sealed shut in your uncertainty on how to respond.
You nodded belatedly, seeing him already taking out some antiseptic cream from the box with a small cotton bud, “oh, uh, no yeah, that’s fine.”
You took the liberty of taking an ice pack from Jeongin’s box, pressing it against the area where your neck met your shoulder, sighing softly, and maybe even cursing Jaehyun in your head for practically ramming your back into that tree just now.
“I didn’t know you were still injured,” Hyunjin murmured, looking at your neck and then back down at his hands, “thought you would’ve just asked Jaehyun to heal you or something.” His voice came out in mumbles as he concentrated on getting the tube open.
Hyunjin figured with how comfortable you looked around Jaehyun that you wouldn’t have hesitated to accept his help, especially since no one liked to live with their injuries if they could help it, but Hyunjin had to dismiss the thought quickly when he started to think about how closeby the Lake was to the Poseidon cabin, wondering if that was the reason behind your constant presence here.
Pursing your lips, you shook your head, a small laugh escaping you, “I don’t really wanna do that unless it’s super serious,” you began.
Hyunjin hummed, “sorry can you like, look there a little?” he gestured to your right, making you turn to your right, side-eyeing Hyunjin at the little giggle that left him.
“No, like,” you’d tensed up when you felt his hand reach forward to tilt your chin up gently, exposing your cut better to him, wincing slightly when the cotton bud had touched your cut.
“You were saying?” Hyunjin prompted you, making you hum in confusion before realising he was referring to the whole healing thing.
You shrugged, “I don’t know, I guess when you’re a demigod and even things like healing can be done just like that, everything can become really... instantaneous,” you explained, “guess it’s nice to have slow moments like these that kind of feel more like, normal and stuff,” your laughter came out in a small burst, feeling strangely embarrassed to be telling Hyunjin something that felt so stupid when it came out of your mouth.
“Scarring?” Hyunjin laughed, making you shoot him a pointed look, “I'm kidding. I get it.” he smiled, not knowing what came over him to decide to continue, “besides, if Jaehyun healed you, I wouldn’t get to be here right now,” he huffed.
You turned to him, trying to decipher what he meant by that yet at the same time feeling as if you knew, Hyunjin’s gaze fixed on your neck as he placed a small bandage over your cut there, his fingers grazing over the skin there in a way that made you freeze in place, something about his movements and gestures feeling as though they were balancing on the line between intentional and unintentional.
Hyunjin’s gaze shifted to your eyes, offering you a small (and slightly belated smile) before his gaze fell to your forearm, sucking in a sharp breath when he saw the wound, grimacing.
“I’m starting to think I should’ve let you fight Chan instead of Jaehyun,” he laughed, beginning to apply the cream with gentle touches to your arm, his neck craned over your arm, his hair falling over his eyes in a way that made you want to reach your hand out and run your hands through it to push it back, shocking yourself at your thought.
“It’s fine, it doesn’t hurt,” you assured him, making him shake his head.
“Kind of think it would’ve been more for myself than for you,” he huffed, once again confusing you with the implication behind his words.
Pulling out a medium-sized dressing for your wound, he’d pressed it against your wound, securing it before his hands returned to his lap, Hyunjin almost forgetting himself for a moment with the tension he was feeling.
“All done,” he gave you a small smile, his shoulders relaxing as a barely-audible sigh left his lips, about to put the supplies back into the first-aid box when you’d stopped him, not knowing why your body seemed to be moving against your rational thought.
Your other hand came up to take the box from his hands slowly, shaking your head at him, “you’re injured too,” you pointed out, seeing his eyes widen and his lips part, a small scoff leaving him.
“It’s nothing,” he assured you, though his tone didn’t sound very convincing, a part of him simply refusing for the sake of refusing, “you don’t have to,” he tried again, knowing once again that his charmspeak didn’t work when you’d shook your head insistently.
“It’s something,” you dismissed him, though a small smile found its way onto your face as Hyunjin had wordlessly tugged the sleeve of his shirt up to expose the cut on his arm to you.
Hyunjin had to admit being in such close proximity to you was definitely making him more tense than he was used to being, especially more so now that he knew he couldn’t depend on his abilities to make himself seem more likeable to you. Though Hyunjin would argue that it was refreshing, since sometimes he found that he would say things offhandedly and end up using his abilities on accident, but he couldn’t lie that it made him very, very nervous.
“You came out pretty unharmed,” you murmured with an impressed hint to your tone, “considering you went against Chan.”
Hyunjin shrugged, flushing slightly, masking his shyness with an exaggerated yelp when you’d touched the cotton bud to his wound, flinching back and making you laugh.
“Don’t be dramatic, you were fine when I did it the first time,” you scoffed, seeing him calm down from his act but the smile had lingered on his face nonetheless.
“Yeah, well... I was just lucky he didn’t have a trident too.”
Hyunjin pressed his lips together in a firm line, not having noticed whatever you were doing to his arm because he was too busy looking at your face.
You couldn’t pay too much attention to it, continuing to ramble to take your mind off of how much Hyunjin’s presence made you nervous, especially with the way you could feel him looking at you.
“How did you do that, by the way?” you asked, remembering how you’d seen Chan walk away from Hyunjin halfway when they were fighting, something about the image having popped into your head when you were treating his cut.
Hyunjin raised an eyebrow, “do what?”
You touched the skin above his cut on accident, seeing him flinch back slightly, “sorry,” you gave him a sheepish smile, “I mean, you know, he just suddenly... left halfway, like he just stopped fighting you.”
Hyunjin’s lips parted in realisation, a hum of understanding leaving him, “it was uh... my charmspeak.”
The frown on your face must’ve adequately expressed your confusion, since Hyunjin continued.
“I guess you could say it’s one of the gifts from Aphrodite? That I can sort of like... hypnotize someone into doing what I want them to do.”
Your eyes widened, not having realised Hyunjin was capable of such a thing, starting to understand why Yuta had mentioned fearing their powers more than those of Poseidon’s children.
“That’s... cool,” you hummed, “I was surprised you even used it, you know, considering you were already taking him on pretty well even without the uh... hypno powers,” you waved your hands in front of your eyes for emphasis, making him wrinkle his nose, not seeming to be very convinced.
You scoffed at how modest he was being, shaking your head, “no, seriously. Jaehyun said so too,” you told him, “you’re a good fighter.”
Hyunjin pursed his lips, hoping the moonlight wouldn’t give away the heat creeping up on his cheeks, unsure why he was so flattered by your comment, especially since it wasn’t the first time he was hearing it. Maybe since it was his first time hearing you, of all people, saying it.
“Thanks,” he murmured, a small smile playing at his lips.
“You know, since Aphrodite doesn’t usually play in the war games,” you continued, “I have to admit it was kind of... nice,” you glanced at him briefly for a reaction, the slight quirk in his eyebrow making you rush to continue, “you know, not saying it was nice to fight you but like....nice to fight with you.”
“Thanks,” he murmured finally, making your shoulders relax unconsciously in your relief, “I uh, thought it was nice too.”
You pressed your lips into a firm line, taking a bandage from the first aid box and scooting closer to Hyunjin just slightly, wrapping the bandage around his arm carefully, Hyunjin’s other hand on his lap as he observed your movements carefully.
You thought about how you would’ve never expected yourself to be so comfortable with Hyunjin, figuring one thing that helped you get to this point was since you’d been spending majority of the summer around each other, thinking back to how you felt like your dislike towards him had started to dissipate after that day he’d returned you his sword. A part of you did still feel bad for not thanking him properly for that.
“Thanks, by the way,” you mumbled, “for that day, when you helped me get back my sword.”
You weren’t sure why you were feeling so drawn to him. You were supposed to be strong for crying out loud. Everything about your interactions with him had just felt so new t o you, and they did to him too (though he was better at hiding it than you were). You couldn’t understand why all Hyunjin had to do was just sit there and that was all it took to make you anxious and too nervous to look him in the eyes.
But finally, you’d mustered whatever courage you had within you to do just that, after you were done wrapping his wound up, watching silently as he brought his sleeve back down, refraining from reaching over to grasp your hand before you could withdraw it. Though once you’d met his gaze, you’d felt trapped, almost, something in you not being able to look away.
“You’re welcome,” he told you, his tone gentle and melodic, something so him that you couldn’t find a better response but to nod.
You saw his gaze flicker to your lips just briefly before looking back at your eyes, making you unknowingly do so as well, the silence between the both of you feeling almost suffocating and making you tap-out first.
Turning away quickly, you’d picked the first-aid box off of the floor, pretending to be interested in closing it as Hyunjin regained his composure, standing up and dusting off the dirt on his pants.
Hyunjin debated on helping you up, wondering if you would accept his hand if he were to offer it, his mental back-and-forth making him lose the opportunity quickly when you’d simply stood up on your own, dusting the dirt from your pants. Hyunjin pressing his lips together in a firm line to hide his disappointment at himself.
“I’ll uh... walk you back to your cabin?” he asked, earning a small nod from you.
You could still hear people nearby in the amphitheatre celebrating, thankful that they were either too drunk or too caught up in their conversations to notice you and Hyunjin walking towards the Ares cabins.
Once you’d reached, you turned to Hyunjin, giving him a small smile, and he wondered how you could look so out of place standing in front of the deep red cabin in front of him with its barbed wire perimeter and the intimidating Ares brothers that were eyeing Hyunjin suspiciously from the window, yet somehow managing to look right at home. And he was growing to like that.
“What?” you asked, a slight furrow in your brow when Hyunjin had let his gaze linger a little too long without saying anything.
Hyunjin gave you a soft smile, shaking his head as he tucked his hands into his pockets, “nothing. Bye.”
You narrowed your eyes at him, though you couldn’t help the smile from your face as well, nodding slowly, “bye.”
===
Things between you and Hyunjin after that day were... different to say the least. It’d almost been an unspoken thing for the both of you to meet at the Lake in the evening and talk about whatever it was that was in your minds before he would walk you back to the cabin.
Jaebum loved to situate himself at the front porch to ‘read’ whenever it would be time for you to come back, his knowing smile always serving to unnerve you.
Hyunjin was a good friend, you came to realise. Talking to him was different, different from talking to your Ares brothers who were so insistent on putting up a tough front all the time, (aside from those days Yuta would show up in your room wanting to watch a sad movie), or talking to Jeongin because your conversations would usually revolve around mindless things or become all too philosophical to be discussed while sober.
But Hyunjin, talking to him felt balanced, in a sense. Something about how his personality brought out a side of you that you never really paid much attention to, the part that freely loved things and appreciated the nowness of things without always anticipating what was about to happen next or what you had to prepare for. How just being at the lake with him had made your nights feel longer and allowed you to relish in it, not having to be caught up with the activities of the day when you were there with him.
You figured another reason could be because talking with him didn’t feel like he was just waiting for his turn to speak or give his opinion, it was very clear to you whenever he had those days where he’d simply wanted to listen to what was weighing on your mind and help you through that, without you having to ask him first.
And maybe it was that which warmed your heart, because as the days passed, you felt yourself starting to see Hyunjin differently. How you would find yourself looking out for him without even realising, getting the feeling of wanting to make him happy, or observing little details about him that you wouldn’t have bothered to notice about Yuta or Jeongin.
It was one particular day at the mess hall that made you realise just how in trouble you were.
You were all back on that dreaded conversation topic of the movie night, hearing that someone had tried asking Jaehyun to go with them but getting turned down instead, the information seeming to stir childish scandal amongst your friends as they all tried to tease information out of Jaehyun as to why this was so.
“C’mon, why’d you say no? It’s not as if you were gonna ask someone else, right?” Chan laughed, Hyunjin perking up when Jaehyun had laughed, rolling his eyes.
“Yeah? Says who? What if I wanted to ask Y/N?” Jaehyun gestured to you, bringing his drink to his lips nonchalantly.
You knew he was just using you as an example, but Hyunjin didn’t.
Looking at you with his eyes wide in surprise, his gaze flickered between you and Jaehyun as he tried to make sense of what was happening, something in him almost deflating at the thought that Jaehyun could have been interested in you.
You couldn’t help but glance at Hyunjin in a small panic, hoping he wouldn’t misread what Jaehyun said. Why were you even worried about what he would think?
As calmly as you could, you let out a small scoff, “forget it, I wouldn’t go with you even if you asked,” you stuck your tongue out at Jaehyun, Hyunjin not knowing whether to take it as a joke or not, but he didn’t have much time to think about it before Chan had turned to him.
“Didn’t someone ask you too?” Chan asked, having recalled seeing one of the daughters of Poseidon approaching Hyunjin the day before when he was conducting a pegasi riding lesson at the stables.
You looked at Hyunjin with evident surprise in your features, since he’d definitely excluded that little detail when he told you about his day the previous evening, surprising yourself even further when you’d pictured the scene in your head, wondering how he would’ve reacted.
Hyunjin cast you a brief glance, meeting your eyes and averting his gaze just as quickly to fixate it on Chan, nodding with as casual a shrug as he could muster, “yeah,” he answered simply.
You couldn’t help yourself, “and?” you blurted before you could stop yourself, catching Hyunjin off guard with the expectancy of your tone.
Jeongin eyed you suspiciously, though it went ignored by you as you focused on waiting for Hyunjin’s answer, watching as he let go of the tissue he was holding in his hands, bringing his drink up to his lips, almost raising his hands in surrender (but thankfully not doing so).
“Said no,” he shrugged, taking a long sip of his drink, eyeing you for a reaction over the rim of his cup.
You nodded slowly, a short hum of understanding leaving you as you turned back to Jeongin, making eye contact with the boy who was looking at you with a look that said he definitely was going to ask you about this later.
And he did, soon enough.
Lying on your bed on his back, Jeongin was busy pulling his knee to his chest in his attempt to do some ‘yoga in bed’ that he’d come across online.
“What’s up with you and Hyunjin?”
“What do you mean, ‘whats up with me and Hyunjin’?” you huffed, hoping he wouldn’t read into your flustered expression as you turned away from him, concentrating on folding your freshly done laundry.
Jeongin rolled his eyes, letting go of his leg before pulling the other one towards his chest with a small grunt, “I mean, what’s going on with you and Hyunjin?” he said again, making sure to enunciate his words pointedly.
You shrugged, “nothing, we’re friends,” you told him plainly (though not plain enough to please Jeongin), “that’s what’s going on.”
Straightening his leg, Jeongin lowered it down, stretching his hands over his head with a yawn, “then what was with your face when Chan said someone asked him out?”
You let out a high-pitched hum, making a wrong fold on your shirt, “well aren’t you an observant little thing,” you cooed, re-doing the fold.
“Don’t avoid the question,” Jeongin laughed, straightening up in his seat and looking at you with wide eyes, “why are you being so weird about it?”
You sighed, bunching up your shirt in your hands as you looked at him, “I don’t know what it is, okay? It’s just that... these days whenever i’m with him I keep thinking about how nice he looks or how good his stupid flower perfume smells or how he just, I don’t know, chooses his words so well,” you frowned.
“It’s weird, like, even I think it’s weird, because I don’t usually pay attention to things like that, but suddenly when it comes to him—” you inhaled deeply, stopping yourself short as you looked at Jeongin in desperation. “If it’s not some kind of magic, I don’t know what to make of it.”
Jeongin snorted, giving you a shrug.
“I’d love to just say you’re losing it, but I heard Aphrodite kids have a reputation for that, you know?”
You frowned, standing up to make your way towards where he was, “for what?” You slumped down on your bed next to him with your arms stretched out above you, rolling over until your shoulder was against his hip, a tired sigh leaving you.
“You know, the whole like... love voodoo shit,” Jeongin prompted, your confused expression making him groan, “it’s like what you guys can do with anger and fear but they do it with pleasant feelings instead.”
Your frown deepened, not having realised Hyunjin was capable of doing something like that.
“I thought it was only the charmspeak?” you frowned, seeing Jeongin roll his eyes.
“You say it as if Ares only gave you guys one ability.”
You snorted, “wouldn’t have put it past him,” you shifted your body to support your head with your hand, “has it happened before?”
Jeongin hummed, nodding matter-of-factly, “yeah, duh. ”
“Then, do you think that’s what’s happening to me?” you wondered out loud, bringing your legs up to hug your knees to your chest with a sigh, trying to wrack your brain for reasons why Hyunjin would manipulate your feelings like that. Did he not trust you?
Giving you a shrug, Jeongin laid back on his back, “dunno, maybe you can test it out or something. See if what you’re feeling is heightened when you’re talking to him, you know?”
You hummed, nodding slowly. You still didn’t know what would compel Hyunjin to do something like that, wondering if you weren’t on as good terms as you thought you were, deciding that for now, observing him was your best bet to figuring out just exactly what he wanted from you.
Hyunjin was stressing himself out too, but not quite over the same reasons that you were.
While you were trying to come to terms with the fact that you were finding him a little too pleasant to be normal, Hyunjin had been trying to come to terms with the fact that Jaehyun probably found you as pleasant as he did (or something along those lines).
He’d already passed the point of figuring out whether or not he liked you. He knew that for sure.
Whether it was because he was more in tune with his feelings of love or just him tending to trust his feelings more, he didn’t really pinpoint a specific cause. All he knew was that he had found himself completely enamoured with you, drawn to you in ways that made him question if his mother had a hand in this.
What he was more concerned with now, was coming to terms with the fact that you may not have felt the same way.
It was in the small things, like how he would let himself read into the looks or the inside jokes that Jaehyun shared, or how he couldn’t help but feel as though you would feel more comfortable with Jaehyun judging from your conversations and how naturally they flowed. Not that his conversations with you didn’t feel natural as well, Hyunjin just couldn’t help but worry.
And this was new to him, these feelings of heightened worry or anxiousness that somehow you managed to bring out in him, though Hyunjin had to say that it wasn’t that bad, because with the anxiousness, he realised just how much he liked you. But nonetheless, as previously said, he really couldn’t help but worry.
Even now (or especially now), as Hyunjin was seated behind you in the amphitheater during the movie night, watching some sort of pirated romantic movie that, if anything, only made him more anxious about you, he couldn’t help the glances he would steal at Jaehyun every now and then. As if by some unlucky stroke of fate, he would always seem to turn to look at you at a part where Jaehyun would be whispering something that would elicit a laugh from you, something about the feeling of helplessness mixed with just a tinge of jealousy making Hyunjin’s stomach churn.
But what Hyunjin didn’t know was that you weren’t actually as amused as he thought you were.
What he didn’t see, past the giggling and inside jokes, was that your leg was bouncing incessantly in your seat, how your eyes were dead fixed on the movie playing but not being able to focus on anything other than the fact that even the way the male lead dressed had reminded you of Hyunjin.
You were trying your best, to ignore the sounds of agreement or giggles that would leave Hyunjin whenever Yuta would hum about the beauty of the leads, or the way Hyunjin would lean forward every so often to ask for another handful of popcorn. And he wouldn’t just ask, he would make sure his lips were barely centimeters away from your ear and that his voice was as enchanting as it was in the forest during your first encounter with him.
And then the scent of his perfume would flood your senses and your mind would be practically yelling at you that all you had to do was just turn ever so slightly and your face would be right in front of his.
But the keyword was trying.
You couldn’t ignore it, with every instance, you were growing increasingly convinced that this was just Hyunjin’s way of messing with you and manipulating your feelings for reasons unbeknownst to you.
And as time passed, you were getting tired of feeling so strongly towards him when you frankly couldn’t do anything about it (it wasn’t as if you could just turn around and kiss him now, that would be too much implication and too little reasonable explanation on your part).
But your tipping point was a particularly tense scene in the movie when the lead couple had shared a moment, looking into each other's eyes and the male lead saying something stupid that you couldn’t bring yourself to remember, before sharing a deep kiss.
And of all moments, Hyunjin had chosen that moment to lean forward for what you felt was the thousandth time, “Y/N,” he whispered, “can I have the—”
You shoved the popcorn box behind you into his hands, a deep sigh leaving you, “here. Take it.”
Jeongin shared a look with Hyunjin, the younger boy’s hand coming up to stifle his smile when you stood up abruptly, deciding that what would do you good right now is some fresh air, or just... air where you could focus on anything other than Hyunjin.
Your sudden decision had caught Hyunjin off guard, frowning at you in confusion when you declared that you ‘needed some air’, stalking off in what Hyunjin assumed was the direction of the lake.
Turning to Jeongin, Hyunjin was about to speak when Jeongin had beat him to it, a definitive ‘yes’ leaving him.
Yuta let out a chuckle when Hyunjin had only looked more confused.
“‘Yes’ what?”
Jaehyun turned to cast a knowing smile towards Hyunjin, making him even more confused to begin to process it.
“I’m guessing you wanted to ask where Y/N was going, but then I think you already know the answer to that,” Yuta pressed his lips together in a poor attempt to contain his smile.
“So, the next question would be whether to go after her, and my answer is yes,” Jeongin finished simply, Hyunjin’s lips parting and closing.
Scoffing, Hyunjin shook his head, “who said I was gonna ask about her?” he folded his arms, even though he had already begun to stand up, making Jeongin giggle.
Jeongin brought his hand up to shove Hyunjin out of the way, “dude, just go. You’re gonna make me miss the rest of this movie.”
===
You were sitting down closer to the water, thankful for the sound of the rushing water that managed to soothe you, running your fingers through your hair in a half-hearted attempt to tame it from being blown about by the breeze, giving up at one point and simply huffing, staring at the rocks as though it would give you an answer to why you were so riled up.
But what irked you even more was that even here, you seemed to be so wrapped up in your thoughts of Hyunjin that you swore you could smell that same flowery scent even here. Cursing him mentally that whatever love voodoo he was doing was strong enough to make you think of him even when you were trying everything in your power not to.
Well, that was until you heard someone clear their throat gently behind you, a soft, “hey,” leaving them.
So the flowery scent was real.
You huffed in annoyance, “whatever you’re doing, you have to stop it now.”
Hyunjin frowned, making his way closer to you, “I’m not doing anything,” he told you, standing in front of you now, crouching into a squat so he could be at eye-level with you.
“Don’t play dumb, just undo it,” you tried again, not understanding how even when you wanted to be annoyed at him now, you couldn’t help but find the confusion on his face more than just a little endearing, your gaze softening for just a brief moment when you caught a good look at his face.
Hyunjin shook his head, his hands coming up beside his head in surrender, “I really don’t know what you’re talking about,” he insisted, making you groan.
“Jeongin told me, okay? That you and the other Aphrodite children can manipulate feelings of love, I need you to stop making me feel like this,” you told him plainly, your eyes searching his face in desperation hoping that he would at least take pity on you and stop playing dumb.
Hyunjin’s eyes widened, his forehead creasing slightly when he frowned, “that’s... not possible.”
You scoffed, seeing him rest one of his knees on the ground to balance himself, “what do you mean it’s ‘not possible’? Of course it’s possible, if you can do it, you can undo it, right?”
Hyunjin wanted to laugh, a small exasperated scoff leaving him, unsure what to make of this entire situation, “I mean,” he struggled to contain his amusement, having passed the point of exasperation, “it’s not possible because it doesn’t work on you.”
Your frown had deepened, your lower lip unknowingly forming a pout as your eyes searched his expression for any sign that he may have been joking.
“Doesn’t work?” you panicked, unsure what to make of his words, “That doesn’t make sense, what do you mean it doesn’t work? How can it not work?” your lips parted in confusion, Hyunjin getting tired of squatting and sitting before you instead.
Hyunjin couldn’t help but smile, shaking his head, “I’m just as confused as you, okay? I really don’t know, maybe Ares gave you a thick skull too,” he raised his hands in defence, a small bout of laughter leaving him, seemingly satisfied with his own joke.
Scoffing, you folded your arms, a small silence ensuing, somehow not being able to wrap your head around your newfound information, “explain.”
Hyunjin tilted his head at you, his elbow on his knee to support his head as he looked at you with an expression you couldn’t place, “do you remember? That first day we played capture-the-flag and I told you to pick up the flag?”
You nodded, remembering that moment very well, how firm his gaze was, how sweet his tone sounded, how his proximity made you feel as though you couldn’t move, “I remember.”
“That was me trying to use my charmspeak on you, and failing.”
You remembered the confusion you felt when he’d asked you to pick up the flag, your annoyance overpowering you and possibly being the reason why his abilities hadn’t worked.
“Ever since then, I realised it was never going to work on you,” he murmured, “and believe me, I would’ve known if it did. Which is why i’m telling you now,” he told you, his pace slowing down as his gaze stayed intent, enunciating his words clearly for you to hear.
Hyunjin leaned closer to you, taking his lower lip between his teeth with a small pause before letting it go, his lips curving into a small smile, “that whatever you want me to undo, I can’t undo it.”
Only then did you realise the gravity of the situation, that whatever you were feeling towards Hyunjin was all coming from you, and that as much as you should’ve known, you still couldn’t help the wave of relief that washed over you at the knowledge that it was real.
Hyunjin had taken in a deep breath before you, patiently giving you the time you needed to process whatever he’d told you, amused at the fact that you looked as though you wanted to hide.
“I don’t really... know how to explain this to you,” you admitted, seeing Hyunjin bring his hand up to cover his mouth, stifling his smile while trying to maintain a serious expression.
Hyunjin shook his head, “you can explain it however you want, you can not explain it too, if you want.”
You frowned, figuring he’d probably felt embarrassed for you, standing up and pressing your lips tightly into a firm line, a silent way of telling him that you’d wanted to leave, Hyunjin giving you an understanding nod.
Deciding that you just needed to regain your composure, you nodded, giving him an apologetic smile before you left.
===
You’d obviously consulted Jeongin in the time between that and your next meeting, the said boy claiming that he would never have seen it coming if you’d asked him a month before. Though he was no less supportive, the other daughters of Ares seemed to agree with him as well, all of them singing praises to you about Hyunjin and why you shouldn’t ‘miss this opportunity’.
Which was what ended you up at the Lake again that night, hugging your jacket closer to yourself to protect yourself against the cold breeze.
Staring at Hyunjin’s back, you took a deep breath as you made your way towards where he was seated at your usual spot, dressed in a simple shirt and sweatpants, not looking bothered at all by the cold.
“Hey,” he murmured, hearing the soft crunching of the pebbles under your shoes growing louder, a small smile on his face as you took a seat next to him, something about him not feeling as nervous as he’d expected himself to be.
Mustering a small hum in reply, you gulped, taking in a deep breath as you thought of where to start.
“Had a good day today?” you started, missing the way Hyunjin had quirked an eyebrow at you in his amusement.
He nodded, “average. Didn’t see you at dinner,” he mentioned, turning his head to look at you, silently questioning your sudden politeness.
“Yeah... wasn’t hungry. Was with Jaehyun and Jeongin at the arena.”
At the mention of Jaehyun, Hyunjin pursed his lips, his smile slowly disappearing as he nodded slowly in understanding.
“Does he like you?” he blurted abruptly, his words making your eyes widen. Once again, Hyunjin found himself wishing that Aphrodite would give him more confidence for once, especially in a time like this.
You shook your head, his words having shocked you into laughter, “oh, no, he doesn’t. He’s dating someone back home.”
“Really? But I heard from one of my sisters that—”
You couldn’t help the laugh that escaped you, “your sisters? I heard it from Jaehyun himself. Trust me. He’s not interested.”
Hyunjin had visibly relaxed, “oh...” his tongue peeked out to wet his lips, “good.”
Turning to him, you’d raised an eyebrow at him, “good?”
He nodded, a small huff of laughter escaping him, “yeah, good. Honestly, I don’t think I'd stand a chance if he was involved.”
“What makes you say that?” you couldn’t help but laugh, in disbelief that he sounded almost threatened by Jaehyun.
Shrugging, Hyunjin shifted in his seat, bringing his hands behind him to support his weight, “you know, everybody loves him.”
You had to refrain from scoffing, “I think everyone loves you too.”
Hyunjin didn’t bother stopping himself, saying the first thing that had come to mind.
“Including you?” Maybe Aphrodite heard him.
Your head whipped around to look at him, lips parting in shock as you met his gaze again, something about it exuding a kind of certainty that you weren’t used to being on the receiving end of, something about the fact that it was coming from Hyunjin making a warmth spread through your chest, once again reminding you that as delicate as the thought of Aphrodite was, Hyunjin never failed to show you that where there was beauty, there also came a lot of strength.
You gave him a firm nod.
“Including me.”
A smile played at Hyunjin’s lips, “I’m glad you decided to meet me here.”
You huffed, “I had to,” you told him, “I had so many things I wanted to say to you, but now that i’m here it’s like... nothings coming to my head.”
Hyunjin’s smile grew, and it was such a Hyunjin thing to see. How he didn’t bother to contain his happiness, especially now, “what about you say the first thing that comes to your mind right now?”
You didn’t hesitate.
“I would say I’m thankful that whatever i’m feeling isn’t just because of magic,” you averted your gaze briefly, daring yourself to hold his gaze no matter how foreign your words felt as they left your lips, “because it’s the first time it’s ever felt so... you know, real. ”
Hyunjin nodded, “I know i’m supposed to be like... familiar with love and everything but,” Hyunjin paused, finding his gaze lingering on your lips a little too long.
“Me too,” he finished.
You knew you weren’t hallucinating when you’d seen Hyunjin leaning closer to you, his hand behind him supporting his weight as he drew closer to you, your eyes slowly closing as Hyunjin’s lips were barely next to yours, being able to feel his breath just ghosting over your lips, something about it almost sending shivers down your spine.
Your heart wasn’t beating fast, your chest didn’t feel tight, this wasn’t like anything you were used to reading about it novels or witnessing in movies, or even hearing from your friends, no. Something about this moment had felt so comforting, that with each second it had only managed to draw you in even more.
“May I?” his voice came out as barely above a whisper, your breath hitching at the way you’d felt as though you were hanging from a string, the anxiety from not having done this before but the urge to just go ahead with it because it had felt so natural.
And soon enough, you’d felt his lips press gently against yours, sighing a breath you hadn’t realised you were holding as you let yourself follow his lead, feeling his hand move to touch the side of your head gently, the warmth from his hand flooding into your cheeks as you felt his hair brushing against your forehead with a featherlike pressure. It was as if every tiny detail was making itself known to you with the sole purpose of making you feel as if you were in some sort of perfect situation.
Almost deepening the kiss, Hyunjin stopped himself, pulling away almost reluctantly as his thumb grazed over your lower lip gently, his eyes looking dazed and unlike anything you’d seen before.
Feeling breathless and hazy, Hyunjin had let out a small huff, a smile making itself known on his face as he caressed your cheek softly, pressing another soft kiss to your lips, standing up as if nothing had happened, though you didn’t miss the way how this time he’d held a hand out for you to take.
Accepting his hand, he helped you up, but he hadn’t let go. Instead, he’d stepped just slightly closer to you, interlocking his fingers with yours as he turned to give you a smile, his eyes forming cute crescents and exuding pure relaxed happiness, something you were glad to have grown so accustomed to seeing and experiencing with him.
“What?” you asked, not being able to help yourself from feeling shy under his gaze.
“Walk you back to your cabin?”
#hyunjin#hwang hyunjin#skz#stray kids#stray kids hyunjin#skz hyunjin#stray kids au#stray kids scenarios#stray kids fluff#skz au#skz scenarios#hyunjin au#hyunjin scenarios#enemies-to-lovers!hyunjin#demigod!hyunjin#stray kids imagines#skz imagines
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More bond content because apparently this is my niche in the fandom now (although yes also william my beloved he gets the attention he deserves)
The fourth fucking james headcanons from my extremely biased opinion of he’s me but better in every way
---
-Bond’s gender is, certainly there, I can say that! He enjoys feminine things and has little to no dysphoria but hates to be percieved as a woman specifically, though he will often misgender himself for comedic purposes. Like he’s a girlboss but NOT a girl, you know that kind of thing.
-Generally, his gender is “whatever bothers cis people the most” to be perfectly honest. It’s very funny for him to confuse and irritate people but he WILL fuck you up if you think you can disrespect him.
-bond constantly pulls the “i fucked your girlfriend” card on moran and it’s very funny. love how that’s canon, straight up.
-every time moran says some shit like in the locker room bond goes lmao u want me and calls him gay. this has proved to be a very effective strategy
-yes, bond has a significant ego, but it’s not at all fragile. The only opinion about himself that he really values is his own, and that’s an advantage when you’re basically a celebrity most of your life. it doesn’t fuck with him like it would with most people.
-Louis had a conversation with him over tea where he just vehamently complained about liam and sherlock being stupid and in love and Bond thinks it’s the funniest thing ever
-him and moneypenny bonded over complaining about moran and moneypenny gave him so much dirt on the man
-Bitch has ~committment issues~ and you KNOW it. He loves being around people and he loves messing around with people but is 100 percent not interested in a long term relationship lmao
-He got his insane platform shoes through a conversation in which he’s like “the one downside of transitioning is that i can no longer wear heels to feel tall” and albert was like “who said that lmao” and custom ordered him the most big dick energy pair of shoes
-he pegged moran once and will never let the man live it down. it’s especially funny considering moran would definitely go for it again but bond is like haha no lmao
-like legitimately once moran realizes bond’s actually valid bond is still never gonna let him live down the shit he said. it’s funny to him now cause he’s established himself as Better Than Moran now and is going to use this status to embarass the shit out of him constantly. he has no obligation to be nice to moran even tho moran is honestly begging by then and he knows it. Good for him. He’s never gonna give the dude an inch.
-sometimes he will appear in public like a cryptid and cause a few tabloids to go “IRENE ADLER ALIVE??? MAN??? GENDER?????” and he thinks it’s very funny because they’re not credible and no one ever believes them
-before he transitioned i feel like this is kind of obvious but he definitely did this crossdressing/disguise thing constantly, like as a hobby. Being anonymous and tricking people into treating him like a dude was always the best source of seratonin and also very funny. he’s gone by like 50 different names, one of the most infamous being “ryan thomas man” which he came up with on the spot when drunk at a party. he also asserted he was the king of london
-his first gender crisis happened when he played puck in a midsummer performance and he was like damn shawty this gender kinda fire but he largely ignored it because it was useless to entertain the idea at the time
-as an actor there were constant rumors of him being attracted to women but he purposely buried them under the constant scandalous affairs with men who then suddenly and unexpectedly found all their money gone for some unknown reason so no one got around to calling him a lesbian. they didn’t know you could be bisexual
-on that note I think he’s aromantic bisexual :) ignore the fact that i am projecting my entire gender and sexuality onto him :) he can act out romance sure but he’s just like “is that not. friends with sex” and he lives by that. but yeah like romance sounds like a fucking mess to him so he mostly goes about things through one night stands iulgyfktdjrfygu but by loose terms yes he is definitely polyam
-legitimately when the crimes squad contacted him like “yo do you want to be part of the group and fake your death” he’s like uhhhhhh how am i supposed to help idk i can be the whore ig but they’re all like, yeah, we already got like three of those. but you seem pretty resourceful. i mean what do you WANT to do and he’s like uhhhhhhh can i be a man and they’re like. that can be arranged
-also jack fucking adopted him just went oh hello could i perhaps teach you the ways of manhood. need a gun. you look like you need a gun. and then went would u like to be an assassin
-on that note bond has never touched a gun before this! he just went ooh and pulled the trigger the first time they handed him one. somehow it went well. with very little training bond succeeds moran as the squad’s sharpshooter and moran is unbelievably angry about it
;ahsifh;dsohdsds;;sa i definitely could go on but holy shit this is so much
#moriarty the patriot#yukoku no moriarty#rowan's hyperfixation essays#ynm james bond#I LOVE HIM SO MUCH#yuukuko no moriarty
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thoughts on reputation by lex croucher
first my non-spoilery thoughts (mostly non-spoilery. light spoilers for tone and general content): this book was so good and also SO STRESSFUL. haha. if you’re going into it expecting a light read, this isn’t it, but it’s incredibly funny (like seriously so so funny, there was probably at least one phrase or sentence on every page that gave me a little chuckle inside) and has a lot of really important things to say. and the stress does pay off for a very cathartic ending. you’re gonna suffer, but you’re gonna be happy about it etc.
honestly the two things I care the most about in books these days are if they’re funny and if they have characters that I care about. this supremely delivered on both counts. I really loved every single one of the characters (I mean, except the ones you’re supposed to hate, obviously. it does a very good job making you hate them). the third thing I care about is friendship narratives and hoo boy was there a lot of that too.
it gets compared to bridgerton a lot and I haven’t seen bridgerton, so I can’t speak to that, but I don’t think I would like bridgerton based on what I’ve heard of it and I really liked this. make of that what you will, I guess. it also gets compared to mean girls a lot and I think that’s very accurate, if mean girls as a narrative was kinder to its characters (including the plastics) and actually let characters be gay in a nuanced way. and if mean girls did a better job developing the love interest so we care about him and the romance part of the plot. similar to mean girls, if you’re going to be really bothered by secondhand embarrassment, this might not be the book for you. it’s not quite as pronounced but it is there, and I did squirm through a few scenes. this didn’t subtract from my enjoyment but it might for some people. The other content warnings are here for anyone who wants to know what I mean by heavy material: https://www.lexcroucher.co.uk/reputation-cw
Now time for my spoiler-filled thoughts under the cut!!
So I knew going into this that it would be too much drugs and alcohol content for me, a known prude, but that being said I thought it was handled really well and I liked that the narrative had things to say about doing things in excess / requiring that stuff to be able to have fun. and thomas’s whole thing was really thoughtfully handled.
Georgiana cracked me up the whole time with her naivety. I do think part of the embarrassment of this book for me was how much she reminded me of my younger clueless self, being inexperienced in everything and scandalized by everything. I also reeeeally related to the whole “this person is friend-shaped, be my friend be my friend be my friend”-ness of her. And I’m always a sucker for a “female character is very flawed and honestly kinda shitty to her friends but learns to be a better person over the course of the narrative” story.
I LOVE BETTY. I call being #1 betty walters fan. I get crazy when I latch onto a character, all I do is wait for them to make a next appearance and scream about it when they do. But anyway I just want to say that I loved betty from her first scene and I’m so glad george finally caught on. I was initially scared that it was going to go more the route of like, george is mean to betty in the climax and then realizes she has to apologize because she feels bad for her, but the fact that they became actual genuine close friends on top of that made me very very happy. No matter what else I say please know betty was my absoluuute favorite character, I’m obsessed with her, I would die for her, etc.
This book honestly just kept subverting what I thought was going to happen. I did not see the end coming at all, particularly with the way the jeremiah plot went. It reminded me a lot of Oklahoma (the musical) and a lot of… real life lol. but yeah it was v good and I’m proud of george.
I really did not expect to get very attached to thomas. Usually when a book is a friendship book with romance also in there, I get very very wrapped up in the friendship parts and then only sort of care about the romantic lead. And it did start that way when george was initially obsessing over him, I kept just kind of being like “ok he’s here, sure”. But lex gave us a kindhearted emotions boy, which is honestly the best kind of boy, and he plays piano and his dad is nice and he keeps george in check about being a kind friend? Heck yeah. The LETTERS?? YES. listen my favorite book is ella enchanted and ever since then, any romance that involves witty written correspondence is automatically in my good books. also he has the benedick energy of like, unquestionably supporting women over his sketchy friends and that’s Always good.
I loved each of the friends in different ways, and I am a little sad that we didn’t get much closure on Cecily and Jonathan in particular, but I do understand why it ended the way that it did and I appreciate Georgiana realizing that these were never really going to be her People. That’s a really cool thing that I don’t see a lot in stories. Usually either they make friends for life, or it turns out that the group were Bad People and that’s why they go their separate ways. So the fact that it was like “no, I think they are good people and I care for them deeply, but our ways of life are just never going to be compatible in the long run so I’m just going to appreciate them in my periphery from now on” was a really nuanced take and something that I think is truer to reality.
Let’s Talk About Frances. Frances intrigued the hell out of me because I never knew what the heck she was going to do next. I do always love a bitchy woman with secret emotions and after the first vulnerable sleepover scene, in my mind I already felt like I knew where frances’s arc might be going. But lord I did NOT! It’s really really interesting to have a book that follows so many tropes of other stories but at the same time goes in completely different directions. I would’ve read a whole bunch more about frances and her emotions and her parents and her trauma, and I really hope jane is helping her heal from all that and also be less of a jerk to everyone, and if anyone is writing the “jane and frances heal from trauma and become better people together” fic I am soooo there. I’m glad we at least got the confirmation that she believes george, that she got the satisfaction of telling off jeremiah, that she’s living with jane, and that her parents have separated at least for the time being. But yeah I think in a lesser book, frances would’ve been reduced to like “the regina george” and not necessarily given all the nuances that she had, and I really appreciated how much she felt like a rounded-out person with a lot of her own shit going on. I am sad that she and george had to end the way they did, but again, it makes sense for the narrative and I’m glad they’re at least on good enough terms that she’s going to go to the wedding.
I do think there were some things that were left loose (george bringing up donating to the poor was never addressed again, frances’s parents are barely addressed again which surprised me after the mrs. walters bit, etc) but now that I’m finished with it and not waiting for certain loose ends to be tied, I think that’s kind of the point. that sometimes things just end without closure. sometimes you just move on from people and you don’t get to change them in the way you wanted to.
I probably have a bunch more to say but the main thing is that every single character in this book felt extremely three dimensional to me, and that is a Really hard thing to pull off and it has made me even more excited to read all of lex’s future books. Came for the humor, stayed for the insanely well-developed characters.
#reputation#lex croucher#idk if there's a tag that won't get all mixed in with tswift stuff but yknow#excessively long post
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Twin Snowflakes 26: Preparation
[part 1 of 2]
TSF pt25 here! <-
“THANK YOU, PEOPLE OF MANTLE!” Summer yelled, shredding each note of her personal favorite songs. One after another she played to her heart's fill. Each song was more aggressive and brimming with vigor than the last. Summer would’ve played till dawn if she had her way but neither her body or promise to her brother would allow that. It wasn’t time to leave yet but she needed a break.
Summer begrudgingly got herself to get off the stage to let others perform. Their music wasn’t terrible by any means but the other musicians could easily stand to have more practice. A rave audience isn’t hard to please however, so the crowd ate up the talent all the same. A little insulting to her own performance but eh, this wasn’t an actual contest. Summer was happy enough blowing off steam and listening to the beats from behind the stage. Not even she could deny the beats and tempo. Her hips couldn’t help but sway!
From the corner of her eye she could make out a familiar figure keeping an eye on her. “Did Nick tell you to keep an eye on me, Eliza?”
“Not really.” She walked over and poured herself a cup of water. “I was training in the area.”
“Are you saying he had nothing to do with you being here?”
“Oh no, that would be a lie. You know Nick, always negotiating. He really knows how to persuade a person. I wouldn’t be surprised if he could sell a heater to someone living in Vacou. Anyways, he didn’t ask me to stalk you or anything like that. He knew where I’d be and told me if I could swing by for a spell. No harm in that.”
Summer smiled. “Funny. That sounded like you were defending him. Don’t want me getting upset with my own brother?”
“Shut up. It would be a pain if I caused unnecessary controversy in a household. Need I remind you that you both have duties to the school that require your full attention? Frankly I’m glad I arrived. I don’t go to your concerts so my opinion of your performance skills was limited.” Eliza sipped her water, giving Summer’s attire and overall attitude a once over. “Where’s all this when you're getting harassed in the halls?”
“That’s...school is different.”
“Pfft, yeah okay.”
“It is!” Summer said, defensively crossing her arms.
Eliza watched the girl's face soften into the meek and reserved Summer she was used to. To think that’s all it took to shut her down. “I swear you and your brother don’t have a consistent bone in your body. Whatever the case, I don’t really care much as long as you bring your best effort to rehearsal and the live performance.”
Summer squinted. “Not the actual tournament?”
“Hey I don’t participate in the duos. You can bomb that for all I care. But you know, Nick is counting on you to pull your weight. Also it would be pretty annoying if you lost to Max and his asshole know-it-all, Darren. Gods know he’d talk about it until graduation.”
“Was the fight that happened in the school bad?”
Eliza shrugged, “Can’t say. Wasn’t there. He’s always been a thorn to me though so I don’t doubt he made things ugly. He was very rude to Veronica in the principal’s office as well. An act I find inexcusable.”
Summer couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “Look I know you admire her and all that jazz, but I’d bet she didn’t help the situation.”
“My views on her have nothing to do with it!” Eliza huffed. “I would think you off people would be sympathetic to a person like her.”
Summer leaned against a wall. “Call me jaded, but Veronica has a habit of bringing out the worst in people.”
Eliza frowned. “You know her better than I. Tell me, is she the type to lie about being harassed?”
Summer didn’t have to think long, especially after learning more about her in the forest. Then there was Veronica’s sketch journal. Summer still couldn’t make sense of all the scratched out pages. On top of that, Blake’s request made Summer even more uncertain. “No. Veronica’s a piece of work, but she isn’t a liar. She might actually be too honest if you asked me. I’ve never had to deal with Darren personally but Nick’s not a fan by any means.” Summer bit her bottom lip. She couldn’t believe it, did she just defend Veronica’s qualities!? It was only fair. Veronica did almost end up a frozen husk.
“Well it’s good to know we can all agree on at least one thing without fail. So not to rush you but how long are you planning on staying in a place like this?” Eliza asked, watching all the party animals.
“Haha, not your type of crowd?”
“The crowd is fine. I can handle a little noise and rowdiness, but it is technically a school night. I- ah! Summer!?” The girl had taken Eliza by the hand and started pulling her to the dance floor.
“If you keep bringing up assignments 24/7 then all you’re gonna look like is a stick in the mud. Live a little. School sucks!”
“School is important!” Eliza protested.
Summer grabbed Eliza’s other hand and started making them sway side to side, back and forth. The blood rushing to Eliza’s cheeks made Summer giggle. “Awww you know you dig it. I’ll make a deal. Cut loose with me for a few songs and I’ll gladly let you dance me right out the front door. Show me that colorguard rhythm!”
Eliza watched the petite girl actively laugh without reservation. Summer jokingly shimmied towards her and swayed her hips, getting lost in the music. Just how much did this girl go out to rave? She looked like she belonged here! The beat got more intense by the moment with no sign of stopping. With her pride in check, Eliza began to sway steadily, getting into the music.
Summer’s eyes lit up. “Aye!”
“Two songs and then we’re out of here.”
“Works for me! Show me what ya got!” Summer turned up the heat by dragging Eliza deeper into the chaos. She might not be as persuasive as Nick, but Eliza quickly found out Summer was definitely more pushy. Forget the tournament. Eliza was beginning to think they’ll beat her at everything!
xxxxx
“This is crazy. How did I not know about this!?” Nick said, walking down the rainy sidewalk.
Veronica smirked as she held Nick’s hand, allowing rain to pass right through them. “Why would you? I barely have any reason to use my semblance; let alone in the more complex ways.”
“You don’t use it when making clothes?”
“Haha, I’m not entirely sure how it would help. Unless I wanna get out of my clothes and into something new in an instant. Not a real trick to show others. Unless…” she blushed at her lewd teasing, refusing to finish the punchline. “Never mind.”
“Okay?” He had a feeling he knew where that was going but chose not to pull that grenade pin. “Speaking of clothes, that brings up a question. Why aren’t our clothes falling off now?”
“Control. Anything I touch can phase like me. My clothes are touching me, so are you. I can keep it strictly to myself though with control and timing. I can also start it and end it on any spot on my body; which is why we aren’t falling through the street.”
“That sounds hard.”
“Little bit. Really flexing my semblance like a muscle right now. Still, I’ve done harder, like not breaking surface tension.”
Nick did a double take. Did he hear that right? “Surface tension? Like...for water?”
Veronica nodded. “Yeah that’s the one. Well I’m not actually walking on water. It’s more of me beginning to fall through the water with my semblance, and shutting it off quick enough to push me back up just above the surface. Took a lot of practice but I got it most of the time. Waves suck.”
“Don’t you burn through your aura quickly?”
“Well it’s like flicking a switch on and off. Also I’m quick about it; not to mention not fighting anything in the water. I’m bound to fuck up them.”
“Still sounds like an extremely large amount of work and multitasking. You got real talent. I’d get a headache.”
“Says the king of multitasking.” Veronica chuckled, “It’s less thinking and more of reaction; knowing how to feel the shifts to the things connecting you.”
Her explanation was interesting. Veronica had an understanding of her semblance to a complex level though she didn’t fight. And here was Nick, struggling with a candle exercise for a semblance that didn’t interact with physics or molecules. “A reaction huh? Maybe I should try that more often? It might help with-”
“Valerie.”
“What? No my-” His hand was squeezed a little before being brought up to point towards the Schnee gate. Nick’s eyes went wide. Valerie stood by it with her mother’s car, staring just as surprised. “Oh…” Nick said.
The three stood quietly, not prepared in the slightest. Valerie was the most shocked. She was prepared for an awkward conversation with Nick by the door. Not catching him outside in a suit; next to Veronica. Nora, who was in the car, wanted to take initiative but found her lips tucking themselves in.
“Oh boy. Maybe convincing Val to see him was a bad move on my part.” She thought. Ren was gonna have a field day whenever Nora got back home.
Done with the shock, Veronica finally spoke. “Umm I can give you two a minute, if you need it?” All the events that happened tonight made her feel very pleased. Veronica did not want to taint those moments and knew it would be for the best to remove herself from this before she said anything...emotional. She turned to Nick and smiled awkwardly. “I’ll see you inside?”
Nick could only blink while he thought about it. Veronica was a bit quicker to the draw though. “No, no, it’s...clearly you two are in the middle of something. I was just leaving anyways” Val said, a hint of irritation and even a bit of sarcasm crept into her voice. It might not have been that big of a deal but for some reason it made Nick tense up.
“This is only happening because of you.” He said instinctively, catching everyone off guard. “I don’t see how you can be upset about a thing you caused. I did invite you originally.”
“Don’t see how that has to do with anything.” Valerie lied, clearly offended. “You can do what you want.I only came here to-”
“It’s always your terms.” He interjected, grumbling a bit. “You tell me you want space and we’ll see each other at the tournament, but then show when you feel like talking. If I did that you’d be pissed.”
“Hey! I came here to try and smooth things over.”
“Yeah well maybe I don’t want things smoothed over right now? I...I have nothing to say to you right now. We’ll talk at the tournament.”
Valerie let out a subtle gasp. Her brows furrowed and she bit down on her lip harder than she meant to. “Forget it. If you wanna be made then be made. Tournament it is.” Valerie didn’t waste another breath, getting back into the car so it can drive off.”
Veronica was in disbelief. Did that really just happen? In now way did she think the conversation was going to be good, but she at least thought there was going to be one. She might’ve thought this best if it wasn’t for Nick visibly sulking next to her as he started walking her up to the manor. The solemn look on his face did nothing but make her feel bad. Not to mention a little guilty.
“Hey...I know this is a dumb question but are you okay? If I influenced that in any way during dinner, that wasn’t really...what I mean is...”
“I know, and don’t worry. That wasn’t me being caught up in my emotions. I just really want to think about all of this for at least a couple days. Besides, I made a deal with Eliza. I might not keep it if Valerie tries patching things up.”
“You’re plotting on her? That’s...wow. Now I know for sure that you’re pissed.”
Nick rubber the back of neck. “For once I think I’ll get greedy, act the way I want. Does that make sense?”
“Make sense? It’s my language. Fair warning, your best quality is that heart of yours.” She poked his chest. “Keep it safe, or I’ll be the one getting greedy by knocking the optimism back into ya.”
“Oh is that right? Haha, maybe try praying to me first, then I really know you must mean business!” He teases.
Veronica gave a playful shove. “Like I’d know how to start one? I think I’ll stick with the tough love approach.”
“Tough love huh?” Nick opened the front door. His eyes never left the girl as she walked in, seemingly content. Veronica eventually looked back at him and gave a head tilt.
She blinked, “What?”
“Nothing.” He chuckled. Nick was starting to think that just maybe, he understood Veronica’s choices and beliefs a little more than he used to. If he learned anything from tonight it was just how differently they saw the world around them. “Well I guess this is the end of our date. Didn’t go as planned but I’ll admit it, I really liked spending alone time with you.” He said, rubbing the back of his head.
Veronica couldn’t stop herself from letting out an anxious chuckle.“Hehehe, what’s with the sweet talk all of a sudden? Trying to butter me up?”
“No, just being honest with myself. A date should end as well as possible.” Nick stepped towards Veronica and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. Eager to not let this moment linger, Nick swiftly left for Summer’s room to see if she was back. Without thinking about it tonight, Nick had left two girls red and speechless. One of them standing in the main hall with a smile growing wide; while the other watched the rain fall during a quiet ride home, frustrated and jaw clenched.
Nora took care to drive slowly. Getting home quickly would only mean Valerie would march to her room. Nora let out a sigh. “Whether it’s me or your father, one of us is gonna make you talk about this. So-”
“What’s there to talk about? I’m upset and he’s upset, because we want different things. So we’re taking a break. Simple as that.” Valerie leaned against the cold glass.
“And what is it exactly that you want?” Nora asked. She was given no answer. Not that she was expecting one. “I love you, but if you don’t know the answer yourself then how can you expect Nick to not upset you? Life is like any sport you play. Gotta know the rules if you wanna do well. Only way to figure that out is knowing yourself.”
“I know myself pretty well.” Valerie huffed.
“Really?” Nora dragged out. “So tell me, do you like Nick, romantically?”
“No.” She said instinctively.
If Val could see Nora’s face then she would’ve been upset that she was rolling her eyes, not believing her daughter. “Okay, but just so you know, taking a break is not what most friends say about another.”
Valerie’s eyes widened. She turned to her mother to see her focused on the road like she hadn’t said a word. Val went back to looking at the window. “Good to know.” Valerie controlled the urge to huff. Talking to Ren might’ve been less painful.
xxxx
Nick walked into Summer’s room to find it sisterless and a little cold. “Guess she’s not home yet.” He closed the door behind him as he went further in. Nick made sure to keep the light off but turned on the heater. A cold room was the last thing this night needed. His chill hadn’t kicked in all this time so Nick had no real reason to worry about Shiva, yet his nerves would feel better actually seeing Summer come home safely. Pulling up a chair to sit in may have been a bit much but he did it anyway. Overbearing or not, Shiva would never be a subject he’d take lightly. Not like he had in the past when he was younger, naive of the danger that thing had. He could his body ache at the thought of it. Pain fades and the body heals, but it also remembers. Not like he needed a reminder. Not when the memories rear their ugliness often in his dreams.
A scroll rang loudly, bringing Nick out of the dark thoughts. He reached in his pocket to see it was in fact Summer who was calling.He wasted no time answering. “Where are you? I thought you’d be back by now?”
“That didn’t sound like hello.” Summer grumbled. “Relax, I'm close by. I actually called to ask for a favor. You’re home right?”
“Yes?”
“Cool. Can you open my window?
Nick walked over to her window and opened it. In the distance he could spot his sister and Eliza outside the gate from the right side. “Done. What-”
“How’d you do that so fast? Were you already in my room!? You aren’t snooping are you!?” She yelled.
“Quiet before you get caught. No, I wasn’t snooping. Pretty sure whatever secrets this room holds is one that would scar me. Though I’m curious about your journal, wherever you hid this time. Perhap under your nightstand?”
“Do you really want to rummage around a young woman's nightstand?” Summer could hear her brother let out an overtop gagging noise. “Grow up.”
“Say it to my face. You better hurry before I decide to close this and watch you hit the glass like a pigeon.”
“Fine, ya baby.” Summer hung up. “Thanks for walking me home, as well as helping me stay dry.” She looked up to see the small dome of water floating over her from Eliza’s magic.
“Exactly what was the plan if I had said no or not shown up at all?”
“Glyphs aren’t just for platforming and dust ya know? Not that it matters. I knew I’d see you tonight.”
Eliza scoffed, “Tah! That confident in your predictions about your brother?”
“Well yes, but that’s not it. It’s not a secret you practice at the pier. It’s also terrible luck on your part you almost shot a captain with a bolt of lightning. One time.”
“W-What!? B-but how would-”
“Is it a Marigold thing to be attracted to my family like a magnet? That captain is my cousin. He says your aim could use work. Bye!” Summer made glyphs to trampoline over the gate and platform through the air and through her window.”
Eliza couldn’t believe it. Why was this her life!? It had to be a joke. Atlas or Mantle, you’re bound to be in Schnee territory. It would’ve been fine if she wasn’t practicing moves to fight one! Now she needed a new training spot. Who knows what they might now. “Damnit, now Nick’s offer is even more to my best interest!”
“Sup bro. How was your date?” The rock n’ roll twin kicked off her shoes and took the black wig off before falling backwards onto her bed.
“Well Valerie was at the front awhile ago.”
Summer sat up. “Okay, that’s not what I expected. Did I miss a fight? No wait, I’m pretty sure I’d hear Veronica scream bloody murder because there’s no way her dress would stay flaw-” her rambling was cut short when Nick suddenly sat beside her and fell on her lap. “Woah. Hey, are you still sick!?”
“No, just tired. The past week has been a little...draining. To be honest I don’t think I even have the energy to shower right now.”
“Well you probably smell better than me right now so I’m not complaining.”
“How was the rave?”
“Fun. Got Eliza to dance a little. The crowd worshipped my performance.” She chuckled.
“What did you sing?”
“Nothing special. A few Linkin Park songs; an experimental original. Oscar thought it would be a good idea to take a few of my journal entries and vent it out through music.”
“Hmm, anything you’ll share to your actual fan base, or me?”
Summer looked at her ceiling to let out a composed sigh. “I don’t think I’m quite ready, or the song for that matter. It and myself are...a work in progress. Sorry.”
“It’s okay. Just know your fans think you can’t do wrong and there’s no world where I won’t support you. Family and all that.”
“Love you too.” Summer patted his head. “Sorry if I’ve been causing you trouble. Well, more than usual. Tomorrow is a new day.”
“That’s the spirit. Push yourself but not too hard. That’s my territory. Speaking of which, I’ve been racking my brain with ideas. You can talk to Shiva in that headspace whenever you like right?” He felt her hand stop. Nick looked up to see Summer look apprehensive.
“I can...but it’s not a thing I look to do. Plus tonight has been good. I really don’t want that to-”
“Summer, do you trust me?”
Nick’s words were calm and real. Summer didn’t know what he had in mind. It wasn’t like Nick to invite danger. Her eyes looked to the floor to the orange glow of her heater. Like usual it appeared that her brother had already taken strides for her and everyone’s sake. Just how far would he go, ever making herself feel like she’s at a stand still? Maybe tomorrow could start today. Just a little bit.
“What’s this idea of yours?” She said cautiously.
“Nothing too crazy. You’re just gonna take a page out of Veronica’s playbook.”
xxxxx
You would think a person would know what goes on in their head. Unfortunately, that’s hardly ever the case. Summer never got a full understanding of what went on upstairs in her mind. Then again that would only make sense. She was in therapy after all. Though no amount of emotional talking could explain why her headspace imagery was inconsistent at times. A void of nothingness, her own room, those were the usual shapes that took place. However, this time she found herself back at the frozen lake. Going back and triggering an episode must’ve left a lasting impression. At least her trauma brought variety. The only separation from the real place was the ice ceiling and a distinct lack of cold nipping at her skin. Her psyche though, it was definitely feeling something.
She began walking through the white hell of her own making until she found her target, Shiva. The being was skating across the lake like how Summer once did. “Shiva.” Summer called out.
The woman of ice and snow looked over, surprised. She stopped right in the middle of the lake. “Well, well, well, come to properly thank me? You’d be in a grimm’s stomach by now if it wasn’t for me. You and that idiot girl. Tell me, is she in pain from our encounter?”
“I’m not here to thank you or chitchat.” Summer bluntly stated. “This is an in and out thing.”
“I’ll take that as a no then? Pity. I wouldn’t mind seeing her cry and despair. I bet her tears are uglier than yours. Though I'll say that this look you have going on isn’t gross. Honestly it helps to see you better in this place. You’re always so pale when you’re talking to me. Afraid I might hurt you?” A smirk spread across her face. “Oh I do hate you so.”
“Feeling is mutual. I came here to tell you that from this point on things are gonna change.”
“Pfft, heard that before. You’re all talk.”
“Am I?” Summer reached her hand out. Right before her eyes, the shape of a shovel formed. Hiding her surprise, she focused on Shiva’s own shock. “My mind, my rules. If I can subconsciously make this hell then I can shape it to an extent. Summer tossed the shovel at Shiva for her to catch. “Keep that safe for me.” Summer’s body began to slowly fade from this space.
“And what exactly is this for?”
“Your grave. Feel free to dig it yourself.” Her final words before disappearing completely while witnessing a smug smirk vanish before her eyes. Right as she faded, Summer could hear one last remark.
“We’ll see who buries who.”
Summer opened her eyes to find herself back in her room. Good, she hadn’t moved an inch. “Well I’ve thoroughly pissed her off, but it actually felt good to be the one harassing her. Thank Ni- huh?” Summer failed to realize she’s been talking to herself. Nick was fast asleep already! “Unbelievable. What if I would’ve messed up?”
“Zzzzzz.”
“Quite the convincing answer.” Summer returned to rubbing his head. He felt a little warm but nothing serious. Taking breaks needed to be at the top of his list from now on. Only way that would happen is if things weren’t hectic. It was time to step up. “I’ll do right by you. I promise. Just...give me a little more time.”
Her eyes became heavy. It appears the day’s events weighed on her more than she realized. Both twins fell into slumber there for the entire night, finally getting some rest.
#rwby#rwby twin snowflakes#summer schnee#val valkyrie#nora valkyrie#eliza marigold#veronica belladonna#nicholas schnee
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EXO D.O. Series: You and Me. (P3)
Genre/Desc: Loosely adapted from A Love So Beautiful
Chr: u x ksoo
Find the previous parts in my master list! (It’s pinned on my tumblr)
————
In a blink of an eye, more than a month had passed since the beginning of high school. And you and Kyungsoo seemed to have developed a habit of walking to school together.
Alright, not really, maybe it was just your habit. After the first day, you weren’t sure if kyungsoo was going to wait for you, so you decided to leave home 20minutes earlier everyday to wait for Kyungsoo by his apartment.
You really enjoyed his morning company, and maybe he did too? You realised by the second week that he came out the same time everyday. So, nowadays you would just arrive 10 minutes earlier to wait for him.
Being in the same clique as kyungsoo was like a dream come true. You got to hang out together during your breaks and chat more than you both ever did in the past years. You can’t help but get more hopelessly drawn to him.
On the other hand, Woohyun being handsome and athletic made him real popular among the class girls. He often got gifts, which he would share with you, if they could be shared—like food. He wasn’t like a playboy or jerk but rather girls really wouldn’t leave him alone, because he’s just really nice, not to add he was really fun too.
Okay, but the unfortunate among the fortunate gathering of the 3 of you is that everyone sucks at studying; though it was only you and woohyun who often got into trouble with the teachers.
Chatting in class, playing games, sleeping, doodling, eating in class... you name it, the list probably has it. Basically you both made the best and worst tablemates at the same time.
Sad to say, it was coming up to mid terms soon, means it’s the time for hardcore studying. So these days, the 3 of you have been staying back after school to study together.
Or it was more like fun in disguise of studying.
‘Woohyun ah’ you nudged and spoke in a suppressed volume
‘kai bai bo, see who goes out to get our snacks after school today.’ It was now self study period and you were trying your best to get things going, but it wasn’t working
‘Y/n ah, I’m sorry, but it seems like there’s no snacks for you today. I have training after school’ woohyun stuck out his tongue playfully.
‘HUH?! NOOOO, WHY DIDNT U SAY EARLIER’ you exclaimed just a little louder than your normal voice, but was amplified because of the silence in class.
From beside, Kyungsoo shot a look over.
‘Kyungsoo ah, it’s just me and you todayyy. Pleasee follow me out of school to get snacks?’
Frowning, he just flatly rejected you
‘No, I don’t want to. It’s 20 minutes there and back it’s not like I really need those snacks anyway’ and turned back to continue working on his tutorial.
Whining, your motivation for after school study crashed a little and you grudgingly stabbing through the tutorial book with your pen.
——
After the final school before rang, it wasn’t long before the classroom was empty with only you and kyungsoo left. You had shifted your belongings to beside kyungsoo.
Your attention span was running really low after revising through the math content covered today. Getting restless, you started taking peeks at Kyungsoo who seemed equally lost though focused at whatever he was studying. You later giggled when you caught him talking to himself cutely.
But kyungsoo must have known you were watching him for quite awhile because he suddenly turned to you , asking seriously
‘Are you even going to study?’
‘But I can’t even focus anymoree, there’s no snacks to motivate me either. Let’s take a break together?’ You suggested hopefully
You tugged on his uniform sleeves and attempted aegyo at him
‘Ah, fine. Don’t pull my sleeves’ he moved himself away from you with his classic annoyed expression.
Leaving your tables, got down to the vending machine on the first floor.
‘Orange soda for me! Kyungsoo what are you getting?’
‘Uh, coke?’
Just as you were about to reach the vending machine only did you realise your hands were empty.
‘AH! MY WALLET!
Kyungsoo I didn’t bring my wallet, do you have enough?’
‘Aish, y/n ’ Sounding extremely defeated by you, he reached into his pockets. But reached deeper into it by the second.
‘HAHA YA KYUNGSOO , you didn’t bring either right?’
‘Shucks... I forgot I took it out during physical education’
‘This is it, kai bai bu, loser climbs four storeys up to get the wallet’ you smugly suggested
‘fine, since there’s a 50% chance I might win this’ he was all up for it
‘Kai bai bu!’ You both threw out your bets
‘HA KYUNGSOO! You’ve always been unlucky since you’re a kid! Pali! Help us get it, I’ll be waiting~~’
Sucking it up, Kyungsoo headed up the stairs while you sat down by the stairway to wait for him.
But 15 minutes had passed yet he wasn’t coming down. Your cheery mood was starting to fade,
Kyungsoo... did you play me out ?
It couldn’t be though... you didn’t believe kyungsoo would just leave you here alone and he was never a sore loser
You slowly start making your way up. But when you were reaching the third floor, you thought you heard kyungsoo’s voice.
Looking down the corridor, you were right. Kyungsoo was there.
But not alone. He was chatting with a female senior.
Your heart sank, did he just forget about you for a pretty senior?
You looked at them as they started to walk away together, you called out Kyungsoo’s name softly, and felt an ache in your heart.
Watching as they disappeared around the corridor, you could only make your way back up to the classroom.
Looking under your tables, both your wallets were still there. You dropped down to your seat wallowing in self pity. You just felt left behind and forgotten .. the more you think about it, how he put you there just to talk with a pretty senior made you feel more down than ever.
10 minutes in, he still hasn’t came back to class. To take the wallets, to go back to you.
You were in no mood to stay any longer. Packing up, you left the classroom with eyes swollen with tears threatening to fall.
#dks u&me#exowritersnet#kyungsoo#exo scenarios#exo#exo d.o.#do kyungsoo#exo scenario#exo fanfic#kyungsoo scenarios#exo kyungsoo#exo imagines#exo series#kyungsoo series#kyungsoo imagines
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The Arcade
Summary:
Choi Seungcheol decides that you two ought to go on a date. Why he suddenly decides this, you aren’t sure, but you know the moment that you two step into that small, dark, empty arcade, that he has his own idea of exactly what you two will be doing before you leave.
5k+ Words
Warnings: Hair pulling, light degradation, a few jealous comments, slightly possessive Cheol, biting, marking, public stuff, overstimulation, lots of power play, dub-con, use of safewords, creampie!
The jealousy and possessive stuff is likely to be very triggering for some people! So please make sure not to read this if that stuff tends to trigger your in any way! I apologize if the way that their relationship is portrayed in the fic makes anyone uncomfortable at all- i assure you that wasn’t the intention. Please know their relationship can be seen as very unhealthy and toxic!
Also, this story is for my friend @kimseokmomjins ! I went to an arcade with her one day in literally like August or September and she was like: “SEUNGCHEOL FUCKING YOU IN A PHOTOBOOTH” and I was like “HECK YEAH, I’LL DO IT” and now it’s December! Haha, sorry about the wait- I hope it’s worth it!
Confused by changes to the story?
-
“The arcade?” You asked suspiciously, quirking an eyebrow toward your boyfriend.
“Yeah! The arcade!” He replied chirpily. You eyed him curiously, not entirely sure what to think about his words.
You had been “dating” Choi Seungcheol for the last few months now. You only used the term dating loosely because so far, your relationship with him had been almost entirely physical. From the second you laid eyes on him you were utterly whipped. His hair was messy and everywhere, his lips big and bruiseable, and his eyes dark. Everything about him screamed danger but nothing in you was sensible enough to stay away.
Because from the second that he looked at you, his flat expression turning into a mischievous smirk as his eyes dragged up and down your body and from the moment he parted his lips- his tongue darting out briefly to wet his lips and say: “Chan, I don’t believe you’ve introduced me to this lovely lady.”
Ever since then you were all his.
He’d dragged you away from everyone, not even ten minutes after you’d met. He’d pressed you against a gritty wall, his lips on yours, his hands everywhere else. You’d been so distracted by those lips you hadn’t initially even caught his name.
“I’m going to make you mine- and only mine.”
“I don’t even remember your name.”
“Well, I expect you to say a name, so you better hope to God you don’t say the wrong one.”
He had gotten your phone number not long after that encounter, leaving bruises all over your waist “because if you do decide to be with any other guy between now and the next time I see you, I want them to know that you already belong to someone else.”
You didn’t see anybody until the next time he called you and invited you over for a movie.
You guys didn’t watch any movie.
You two decided early on that you were going to be exclusive.
It wasn’t anything you two really had to discuss. Seungcheol was possessive. If you were with other guys when he saw you he would rev his motorcycle, give you a look and tell you to get on. He left bruises on your body, in places that people would see if you wore too little, and he made a point to be seen with another girl between him and a wall if he thought you had gotten too friendly with another person.
It made you roll your eyes.
It was cute that he thought you were ever going to be with anyone after being with him.
One day you had mumbled into his ear that he didn’t need to worry so much- you weren’t going anywhere and in response, he had promised you to keep away from other girls if only to make you happy.
So, he draped his arm around your shoulders, pinched your arm and called you his girlfriend when he wanted to make someone else back away from you and that was about as romantic as he got.
So, when Seungcheol asked you on a date- a normal date, you couldn’t help but be a little suspicious. Because you two didn’t go on dates. You planned normal dates but never ended up doing date stuff because he couldn’t keep his hands off of you for long enough to treat you to dinner. You liked it- you honestly did but an arcade.
“And what are we going to do there?” You asked him. He scoffed, shoving his hands in his pockets, looking away from you with a stubborn expression on his face.
“What? Can I not take my girlfriend out to play some video games?” He asked. “Stop acting like I don’t ever take you out.”
“You don’t,” you replied bluntly. “You invite me over, bend me over a table and-”
“Hey!” Seungcheol interrupted, jumping forward to cover your mouth with his hand. At first, you were confused by the action, but then you saw a small group of children wander past you two. It made your expression soften a little bit.
For a boy like Seungcheol, who hadn’t had trouble getting a single girl into his bedroom and wasn’t afraid to openly admit exactly what sexual act he had performed to get her to come back a second time he was extremely soft around children.
His smirks turned to smiles, his rough grips were feather-light. Seungcheol was in no way ready to settle down, but you could tell that a few years down the road, a family was definitely going to be in the picture.
“Okay, fine, I want to take you out on a date. A real date. Bend you over a pool table to help you shoot straight kind of date.”
“You been talking to Mingyu?” You accused, a teasing smile crossing your lips. “When’d you get so soft?”
The nervous expression riddled over Seungcheol’s face changed at that. His lips quirked upwards and he let his hand trail over the back of your neck. He tickled you lightly with his fingers, making a shiver run down your spine.
“Oh, don’t worry, I have a sweet surprise planned for you if you are good,” he mumbled. His fingers tangled into your hair and he tightened his grip before leading your lips to his. You went to kiss him, but he held you firm in your spot, just before your lips touched his. “But only if you’re good. You going to be good?”
“You going to hold sex over my head so that I’ll go on a proper date with you?”
Seungcheol raised his eyebrows at the snarky comment, and it immediately made you drop your eyes to the ground.
“Yeah, I’ll be good,” you murmured quietly. Seungcheol’s grip loosened on your hair and he gave you a happy smile.
“Good, I’ll be taking you out at eight tonight.”
It frustrated you that he didn’t really touch you and that in itself should have been a good hint towards what your night would hold.
The arcade was small and dark and not many people were there. You couldn’t help but notice the lack of employees around the small building, only seeming to be one standing right behind the counter. You smiled awkwardly at the guy, and despite your general overall confidence, you wandered closer to Seungcheol’s warm body.
You felt him hum his approval at the action and he draped his arm over your shoulders, tugging you close.
“Ever been to an arcade before?” He asked softly. You wrinkled your nose at him.
“Not one like this,” you mumbled. “It’s small. Old.”
Seungcheol scoffed.
“And let me guess, you like them big and young.”
His eyebrows wriggled suggestively- an action to which you nudged him in the side for with your elbow.
“Keep it clean, I thought this was a date,” you mumbled. Seungcheol scoffed.
“And you better watch your little mouth, I thought I was the dom in this situation.”
You rolled your eyes, and looked away from him, instead focusing on the scene around you. There was a small girl with her dad, dragging him from game to game as she tried to figure out where to win the most tickets. You smiled a little at the kid and looked back at Seungcheol, who was watching you with quiet eyes. You raised an eyebrow at him, your smile dropping.
“Give me your jacket,” you mumbled. He mirrored your expression.
“You trying to undress me here?”
You scoffed.
“No stupid, I’m cold. You want to be a good date? Give me your jacket.”
Your indignance made him laugh, but he happily shouldered off his jacket, draping it over your shoulders. You pulled it close to you, inhaling the lingering scent of old cigarettes with a tiny wrinkle of your nose. You had never liked that Seungcheol smoked, and you had been thankful for your ability to get him to quit, but you had to admit, there was nothing more comforting nowadays than that lingering scent.
“I’m not just going to be a good date,” he responded, his warm breath tickling your ear. “I’m going to be so good you won’t be able to stop thinking about me.”
You tried to laugh off his words, but instead, all you were able to do was uncomfortably switch your weight. You still weren’t sure why he was so obsessed with going on some dumb date, but here you were… There was no going back now.
“So, what are we doing first? Ping pong? Pool? Want me to kick your ass in basketball?”
Seungcheol snorted and poured some quarters out into his hand.
“You wish you could beat me in basketball sweetheart. Let me show you a thing or two.”
Seungcheol was all talk and awful at basketball. Not only was he awful at basketball, but he was pretty bad at pretty much all the games in the small arcade. You beat him in Ping pong, at Flappy Bird, you kicked his butt in ski ball, and you even scored higher than him on the pinball machine.
And you weren’t even going to go into how badly you beat him at Dance Dance Revolution. He did so bad that halfway through the song you stopped dancing to kneel over laughing. After that he rather disgruntling walked you over to a large Jungle Cart game. You squinted at the title. Let’s Go Jungle: Lost on the Island of Spice.
He pulled you into the machine and slid five quarters into the coin slot.
“I’m going to sit this one out,” he stated. “Go ahead and kill some bugs.”
You didn’t think twice before wrapping your fingers around the fake plastic gun.
“Alright but prepare to be amazed.”
The screen loaded up after a short moment, throwing you into what looked to be a jungle cart tour. There was some cheesy dialogue, a few faux screams from nearby characters when all of a sudden, the camera view turned to show spiders chasing after you.
You immediately trained your gun on them, aiming for the spiders like the small instructions of the game were telling you.
You missed a few spiders, but you caught on pretty fast, and soon you were taking down spiders like nobody’s business.
The view of the game turned again, and suddenly the spiders were running alongside you. You began shooting more, your tongue peeking out of the corner of your lips as you concentrated on aiming your gun. The view was about to change again when suddenly a hand slid itself onto your thigh.
You tried to pay attention to what was happening in the game, ignoring the intoxicating feeling of Seungcheol’s warm hand on your bare thigh.
“Cheol, I’m trying to focus,” you mumbled. He didn’t respond, but his hand stilled on your inner thigh. You thought maybe that meant that he was going to leave you alone- but you should have none better.
Just when you started focusing again, you felt hot breath on your neck, making you shiver.
“I’m trying to focus too,” he mumbled. His lips pressed against your neck with purpose, and you felt his teeth nip at your skin. You subconsciously tilted your head to the side so that he had better access to you.
That action made him smile against your body.
“I haven’t studied your quirks in a while, I wonder what I need to do to make my little girl squirm.”
Seungcheol grinned as bug guts splattered across the screen and the Game Over screen flashed over. Your nose wrinkled in frustration and you turned to tell Seungcheol off for making you lose the round- this game was not cheap- but the minute your attention shifted away from the game Seungcheol started to speak.
“Climb into my lap,” Seungcheol mumbled against your ear. You glanced at him.
“What?”
A sly smirk spread over his lips.
“You’ve been so disobedient today,” he mumbled. “You should start doing what I want you to do when I tell you to do so.”
He took you by your hips, leading you to straddle his lap. His hands ran over the curve of your ass, and he nipped your ear lobe. You whined softly, biting your lip as you did so.
“What are you trying to start?” you mumbled softly. He laughed.
“I don’t think I’m trying-” He ground his hips up into you, grinding his hard-on right up against your core. You hated to admit it, but he was right. The simple act of being near Seungcheol had you ready for his hands all over your body. Your core was soaked with the excitement and anticipation of what he might do to you tonight, and you only got more eager as he started to touch you. “I think I am starting something.”
“Cheol,” you mumbled…. Well, whined into his ear. It made him chuckle darkly, which went right down to your core. “Cheol I-”
Before you could say more the lights in the small booth clicked back on and you became hyperaware of the fact that you were being very public with Seungcheol. You climbed off of his lap, your face red.
He seemed to find that amusing, as that stupid smirk didn’t leave his lips for even a second. You wanted to tell him off for being so cocky, but instead, you let him take you by the hand, pulling you out of the game cart.
“Why don’t we go into the photo booth next?” He suggested softly. Your eyes followed his and you took in the photobooth in question. It was large, and white, and had curtains that fell all the way to the ground.
For some reason, you got the feeling that if you went into that photo booth you weren’t going to end up leaving it very quickly.
You pressed your lips together and nodded your head, glancing around the arcade secretively as if anyone there really cared what you two were doing. When you noticed that truly nobody was watching- hell the attendant was just sitting there on his phone- a pang of excitement ran through you.
He acted at first like he genuinely intended to sit there and take pictures with you. He slid some coins into the machine and sat you down in the center of the bench. He clicked through a few of the screen options too- not letting you see what exactly he was doing before pausing on a screen.
“Now, I think the question is whether or not you’re going to be a good girl?”
You resisted the urge to groan. You hated it when he teased you like this. He knew you were going to be good. You always listened to him and did as he asked when it really came down to it. You opened your mouth to say just that but before you could, Seungcheol’s fingers had curled into the collar of your shirt.
He pulled you close to him quickly, his lips pressing controllingly over yours.
At times in the past, you liked to wrestle for dominance with Seungcheol when he had his lips on yours. You knew that once you two moved past all of the kissing and he got his hands on you and got your clothes off then the floor was all his.
You were his, and you didn’t mind that at all.
Even so, you liked to rile him up. Make him want to control you more… Maybe punish you a little bit for being bad. But not today. Today he was already riled up enough.
You let his tongue explore every corner of your mouth, mapping out the territory that you knew he already knew like the back of his hand. He pulled back only to let you breathe. He gave you a curious look as he did so, his head falling to the side.
“Is this okay?” He mumbled, his expression softening. You could still see the raging lust in his eyes... You could feel his desperation to have you in the way he gripped your arms, but still, he hesitated. “Do you really not mind doing this here?”
You rolled your eyes, a smile gracing your lips.
“I keep telling you Cheol, you’re never going to take me out on a proper date. I knew we would get to this point today,” you teased him with a laugh. “I didn’t specifically think it would be a photo booth, but hey what an experience. Of course, I want to do this here.”
“Safeword?” He asked. You squeezed his side.
“Bento, same as always. Be as rough as you need.”
And that was apparently all he needed to hear. His lips returned to your neck, his teeth barely nipped at your skin, which made you whined a little, tilting your chin up to provide Seungcheol with better access to you. You felt him smile against your neck.
“There something you want from me, darling?” He asked you teasingly. You shivered at the feeling of his breath against you, loving the way his fingers crept over your body, lightly messing with the fabric that was protecting your bare skin from his.
“I want you to just get on with it,” you mumbled in annoyance. You left your fingers to tangle themselves in his hair, messing with his strands as you did so. It momentarily distracted you. “Your hair is getting sort of long.”
Seungcheol hummed against you.
“You think so?” He asked you softly. He pressed his teeth into you and sucked hard. You moaned airily and nodded slowly.
“You should get a trim,” you murmured back. “It’s easy to pull.”
“I’m the only one who should be pulling hair tonight,” Seungcheol agreed.
He lowered himself to his knees in the booth, kissing down your body until he had reached your hips. You whimpered as his fingers ghosted over the waistband of your underwear.
It made him smile.
“Look at you love, so responsive to my touch,” he mumbled. “You kinda like that I’m about to fuck you in a photo booth, don’t you? A place that is so public, and so innocent, and you’re being defiled in it and you love it, don’t you?”
You shook your head slowly, not wanting to admit what you knew Seungcheol was already aware of. He didn’t mind the shake of your head, instead, he slid your underwear down your hips and looped it over his finger, he showed you the wet spot on the underwear, raising an eyebrow in amusement.
“You dirty, dirty girl,” he murmured with a click of his tongue. “Look at how wet you are, there are children around.”
You were about to tell him off for his words, but before you could his smirk grew, and he set the pair of panties to the side. His hands returned to your thighs, and without any warning he pressed your legs open further.
“But enough chit chat… Let’s get on with the main feast,” Seungcheol murmured. You glanced down at me, your eyebrow-raising lazily as you watched him.
At first, he just stared at your wet pussy, just admiring it in silence. He didn’t have to speak for you to know what he was doing, but you didn’t appreciate it either way.
“Cheol, please just touch me,” you mumbled. It made Seungcheol chuckle, which sent a few short spurts of warm breath against your core. You shivered at the content (or lack of it thereof really).
“But your pussy is so pretty,” he replied. He leaned forward, his tongue darting out to tease your clit. You wanted to grind yourself against his mouth, but Seungcheol had his hands pressed pretty firmly against your thighs, keeping you down firmly.
You pouted.
“You’re such a tease,” you whined. “This isn’t the sort of place to take your time in you know?”
Seungcheol laughed again.
“You’re so impatient,” he reprimanded softly. One of his hands eased down your thigh, and he pushed his middle finger experimentally into you. He was inside you for such a brief time that it hardly even seemed like contact at all, however. Once he had pulled it out of you, he slipped the finger into his mouth. “You always taste so good.”
His hand went back on your thigh and he surged forward, his mouth latching onto your clit. He sucked on your little nub, likely just doing so to pull the little moans from your mouth he knew you would illicit at the contact.
He didn’t stay there for long, however. He moved his tongue down and began to lick long strips between your folds. His eyes fluttered after each lick- showing that he truly wasn’t afraid to savor your taste. He pressed his tongue into you, searching the depths of your pussy as he did so.
You did your best to not squeeze your thighs around him, letting out a moan that was louder than you meant for it to be. It made him laugh against your pussy. He pulled his lips away from you, wiping some of your fluids from his mouth with his free hand, and using the other one to begin to finger you again lazily with a single finger.
“You better be careful love. If you get too loud, someone’s going to hear you,” he teased you lightly. “Can’t you keep yourself quiet?”
He pushed a second finger into you, and to muffle the surprised moan that left your lips, you shoved the back of your hand over your mouth and shot him a sharp glare.
He laughed and began to increase his finger pace, starting to shove his fingers into your body hard and fast. You whined into the palm of your hand, screwing your eyes shut.
You supposed that was your mistake because the minute your eyes had closed Seungcheol’s mouth was back on your clit, and he was sucking relentlessly.
Aside from the constant pressure, and his purposeful finger, his tongue would randomly dart out to mess with your sensitive bud at the most unexpected moments.
He was trying to make you cum, you knew that. You whined and let your free hand tangle into his hair.
“I can’t cum in a photo booth,” you hissed, risking a moment to move your hand from your mouth. Seungcheol laughed, and the vibrations just made it harder to hold back your rapidly increasing orgasm.
“Can too,” Seungcheol mumbled back. “And you will.”
“I won’t,” you argued, but the protest was weak.
Seungcheol glanced back up at you, his eyes hooded with lust.
“10… 9… 8…”
He increased the speed that his fingers were bulleting in and out of you.
“7.”
His fingers began to curl inside of you as he did so. Each curl hitting your sweet spot.
“6.”
Your moans could barely be muffled by the back of your hand, and you had to bite yourself hard, trying to hold back from being too loud.
“5.”
Seungcheol reached back suddenly with his free hand, pressing something in the photo booth that you weren’t sure of.
“4.”
He quickly resumed what he had been doing, but nonetheless you were suspicious as hell of his actions.
“Ch-cheol. What are you-”
“3.”
You threw your head back in pleasure, barely able to think straight with the rate at which Seungcheol was dragging you closer and closer to your ultimate undoing.
“2.”
A flash went off in the small room, forcing you to look forward again.
“Oh fuck Seungcheol I’m going to-”
“1… Cum for me baby.”
You came for Seungcheol without him having to utter another word. Your thighs shook and your eyes rolled back as you were overcome with pleasure. Another few flashes went off, but you barely could even register it as Seungcheol fingered you through your orgasm.
In the middle of it, his tongue left where it was latched to your clit and his mouth came down on your thigh, his teeth latched down onto you suddenly.
You cried out against the back of your hand, literally living for the shot of pleasure that ran through your body at the pain of his teeth sinking into your thigh. You didn’t have to look down to know that he had left a mark of his teeth right there on your body.
He didn’t still his fingers in your body until your thighs had stopped shaking and the hand in his hair had relaxed, but he didn’t really give you any time to recover.
He pushed you over on the bench, and unbuckled his pants, letting his trousers and boxers hit the floor. He went to just grab you right then and there, but you whined and pressed at his shirt clad chest.
He rolled his eyes, but removed his shirt, exposing his perfect chest. He wasn’t perfectly ripped, but you still loved how he looked with all of his clothes off, towering over you right before he was about to destroy you.
“Ch-”
Before you could say anything else, he lifted your leg up over his shoulder and slowly sank his cock into your still sensitive pussy.
That action in itself was enough for you to lay your head back in pleasure, and you were unable to contain the loud moan that the action ripped from your body. Seungcheol grunted at that.
“I told you to be quiet,” he grumbled. Before you could protest that you were much too sensitive to be silent, he leaned down and bit your neck again, making your mouth fall open. Then, as soon as it was open, he shoved something into it.
You frowned at your inability to shut your mouth completely, wrinkling your nose at the mystery of what he had put in your mouth… It was cotton and a little salty…
The panties in your mouth suppressed a gasp, and you looked up to find yourself looking at Seungcheol with a bright smirk on his lips.
He had really gagged you with your own panties.
“If you need me to stop at any point at all, pinch me, or take the panties out of your mouth okay?” He mumbled, that soft look returning to his eyes. “Nod for yes. Don’t be afraid to say no.”
Your pussy walls clenched around Seungcheol’s dick, an action that made him start to fuck you once again. His hips snapped in and out of your body, the utter force of each thrust shaking the entire photo booth.
It was so obvious what the two of you were doing in that small photo booth and you hoped to god that no one would come to investigate it. Seungcheol had cleverly muffled his moans in your neck, his warm wet mouth latched on your throat- his moans vibrating against your skin- but you two still had to be pretty loud.
“You’re such a good girl,” he murmured into you. “You take my cock so well.”
He accentuated each word with a sharp thrust, making you let out a few muffled yelps. He chuckled, his nose bumping against your chin as he made eye contact with you.
“You’re my perfect little slut,” he murmured affectionately. You whined, which just made him fuck you harder, each thrust pushing his cock deeper and deeper into your body. You only ended up wrapping your legs around his hips, pulling him further into you, and then you wrapped your arms around his body, your fingernails lightly scraping his back. You just nodded wordlessly at his praise.
“You know, we might just have to make this an on-going habit of yours, I like knowing that someone very well might walk in on us and see how perfectly you take my cock. I want them to admire each movement you make… See the way your walls squeeze my cock for all it’s worth, and I want everyone to appreciate your angelic little moans.”
He pulled his makeshift gag from your mouth, and suddenly your uncontained tiny pants and moans began to escape from you.
“But you don’t want any of them, do you? You’re a little slut for me, aren’t you?” He asked. “No one can get your pussy as wet as I can… No one can fuck you as well as I can.”
You moaned your agreement, but it wasn’t enough for Seungcheol. He leaned down and nipped your nipples with his teeth.
“I’m your slut,” you agreed quickly. “All yours... Only yours.”
“That’s my good girl,” Seungcheol mumbled with a smile. He gripped your ass tightly as he began to fuck you even harder, pressing harder into the wall of the photo booth. “I’m gonna fill you so full of my cum that you won’t even be able to walk out of here.”
You weren’t able to say anything in agreement. All you could do was moan wordlessly as he used your body for his own pleasure.
You came a second time before he did. Your entire body shaking when his hand reached down to fiddle with your clit. He didn’t cum right away after that… Instead, he fucked you through your orgasm, totally abusing your already abused pussy as you whined into the air.
His lips suddenly moved to yours and his tongue was in your mouth again. He swallowed each moan that you made, keeping the two of you relatively silent. Then he pulled back again, his forehead resting on yours.
“I want you to cum one more time,” he mumbled against your lips. Your eyes fluttered shut and you let out a soft groan.
“I can’t cum again,” you mumbled. “You know I can’t… Too much.”
“You’ve cum more than this in the past,” he mumbled back. “One more time baby doll, one more time.”
He turned you around in the booth, pulling your head back by your hair, as he pressed you down by the small of your back. You whined and placed your hands on the walls of the booth to support yourself weakly as Seungcheol pulled another orgasm out of you, his fingers tweaking your tits again, using the most sensitive spots on your body to work you up.
You screwed your eyes shut and blankly turned your head to the side so that Seungcheol could capture your lips with his. You whined against them and came undone again for Seungcheol, which only had him moaning against your lips. You fell limp against his body, tears pricking at the corners of your eyes as he continued to use your way too sensitive pussy.
“You’re perfect. Absolutely perfect,” he mumbled against your forehead. He switched the position he had you in again and this time pressed your naked sweaty body against his. You could feel his heart beating against your chest, each thrust of his cock getting more and more desperate. “That’s why you’re going to cum one more time for me.”
You hissed as his fingers brushed against your clit again, sending shock through your body.
“Please,” you mumbled, desperately not wanting to have another orgasm pulled from your body but knowing that the way that Seungcheol knew you he could have you cumming again in an instant. “Bento.”
Before the word had even fully left your mouth he was pulling out of you. His hands stayed on your body, but they moved to areas that were a lot less sensitive.
“Sorry,” Seungcheol murmured. He pressed his lips to your cheek quickly, concern flashing through his dark eyes. “Are you okay love?”
You nodded, your pants softening a bit.
“Just need a second is all,” you mumbled softly. “I can do it again. Just need a second.”
Seungcheol began to press open-mouthed kissed across your body, careful not to do so anywhere that he knew would provoke your hormones anymore.
“You don’t need too, you’ve already done so much, you’re good. I’ll take you home in a minute and you can get some rest with me okay?” He assured softly. His fingers brushed over your arms, his touch feather-light.
“No, I want to again,” you assured. “I just needed you to stop a second.”
You reached down and tenderly wrapped your fingers around his still throbbing cock. You gave it a hesitant pump, finding it easy with how slick he was from your fluids.
“Besides,” you stated. “You haven’t even cum yet... You’re so close.”
You shifted your weight so that you could lean towards Seungcheol, your lips brushing his jaw.
“I don’t need to cum right now,” he assured you, but the words were through gritted teeth. It probably wasn’t helpful that you were swiping your thumb over the tip of his cock, purposefully teasing him where you knew he was sensitive. “You really don’t need to cum again.”
You continued to pump your fingers up and down the length of Seungcheol’s cock, keeping your fists slow and agonizing. Just enough to pass the time. As you did so you leaned forward, leaving open-mouthed kisses everywhere but Seungcheol’s lips. He kept his strong demeanor, murmuring about how well you had done for him, and how he could finish himself off on his own if he really needed to and that you didn’t need to feel pressured at all to help him cum.
You weren’t having any of it. You pressed your lips to his, and climbed into his lap, still pumping his cock. You swallowed his words and his moans and after a few minutes, of enjoying his lips on yours you pulled away and smiled at him.
“You ready to finish this?” You asked him, letting your hips hover over his, your entranced trained over the tip of his cock. He looked at you suspiciously.
“You sure you’re okay?” He asked you. You smiled and nodded.
“I know my safe word, and I’ve proven I’ll use it. Besides, I’ll be so disappointed if you don’t cum in me today.”
Seungcheol smiled, and shook his head, looking mystified.
“You’re too good for me.”
He slowly slid himself back into you, gauging your reaction before twisting you back around, and picking up his pace gradually.
You whined, burying your face into his chest, but let him use your limp body, pulling you into one last orgasm. As it finally ripped through your body- you almost whiting out from the pleasure Seungcheol finally spilled his cum deep into your body. You felt each spurt of his warm liquid filling you up until he seated himself fully inside of you.
“So good,” he mumbled against you as his hips became more sporadic, and his breath hitched in his throat. “Such a good girl, my perfect little sex toy.”
You whined, tightening your grip on his body.
“I hate you so much,” you mumbled indignantly, your breath catching in your throat as you tried to keep your cool. Seungcheol laughed.
“You don’t hate me,” he replied pleasantly. He briefly buried his face into your hair, clutching your body closer to his. “You’re such a good girl for me.”
You couldn’t deny it. The whispered praises made a smile cross your lips and suddenly you felt less stuffy and hot and warmer and cozier.
“And now I have proof of it.”
You whined as Seungcheol shifted his body and reached forward. He returned to his previous position pretty fast, humming thoughtfully.
“Oh, babe, you’re so picturesque… Look how pretty you are,” he mumbled. You looked up, wrinkling your nose curiously. Seungcheol had a smug look on his face, as he showed you a small strip of photos. It showed a series of pictures of you, in the midst of…
Your face turned bright red, and you snatched the picture strip from his hands.
“Oh my god,” you exclaimed, hiding it between your two bodies. “Seungcheol, you ass.”
He laughed again.
“Hey! It’s a photo booth, you should have expected to get your picture taken.”
You slapped your hand across his chest, and in response he lifted you up by the hips, slipping his cock out of your body. You couldn’t deny how surprised you were by the sudden action, and your reactive yelp made him laugh.
“We can’t stay in here forever. I’m going to take you home now,” he stated pointedly. You rolled your eyes and weakly began to gather your discarded clothes into your arms, slowly sliding them back onto your body. The actions had him just sitting there, eyes glued to your body.
“I can’t get enough of you,” he mumbled, once your eyes on his were too much to handle. You hummed and secured your shirt back on your body.
“Well, you can have more of me once you get me into a bed,” you stated pointedly. “And I’m too sensitive to fuck tomorrow morning.”
A smirk grew across his lips.
“You also thought that you wouldn’t be able to cum three times, but here we are,” he stated pointedly. It made you groan and throw his underwear at him.
“I’m serious this time!” You protested. He put his hands in the air in surrender.
“Okay, I hear you! Nothing but an innocent little morning for the two of us tomorrow,” he assured. “Bento?”
You nodded surely.
“Bento,” you agreed. Then you shifted your attention to the clothes you were putting back on. “And because of you my panties are wet, and that’s disgusting.”
He slipped his clothes back on and reached forward, pulling you close to him by balling his fist in your shirt again. You groaned at the action but didn’t protest when he smashed his lips against yours and he didn’t pull away until you were panting against his lips.
“Yeah but no matter what you say, you’re still wrapped around my finger,” he teased lightly. “Now let’s get out of here before people get suspicious okay?”
You rolled your eyes and got nudged forward. When you turned to glare at the boy in question, his heavy leather jacket was draped back over your shoulders, and a genuine smile had returned to his face. It made you relax just a little bit.
You figured that despite it all, you’d find some way to get even with him for the photo strips. You didn’t mind them having them- you knew he would be careful not to show anyone them- but he certainly didn’t need to know that, now did he?
#miss you scoups#get better soon love#Seungcheol#choi seungcheol#seventeen smut#smut#scoups#scoops#scoups smut#seungcheol smut#svt smut#seventeen#kpop#kpop smut#kpop fanfiction#kpop fanfic#seventeen fanfiction#seventeen fanfic#svt fanfiction#svt fanfic#seungcheol fanfiction
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RULES: repost, don’t reblog. just pick a muse of yours and fill it out.
MUSE: Zelda
— basics
▸ is your muse tall/short/average? She’s average height, which is 5′3″ however in the world of LOZ where most characters are sizes of trees... she’s probably considered on the short side. In fact, she’s actually shorter than almost all of the cast in SS save for a few characters. Especially since she’s around the same height as manlet king Link. As Hylia in her past life, when in her form that mortals can comprehend, because looking at a god is similar to staring into five suns, she was a seven foot goddess. Even bigger in goddess form but by mortal eyes it just looks like a great ball of light haha!
▸ are they okay with their height? It’d be nice if she could be just a few inches taller in order to get books from the highest shelves. And maybe knock a few taller folk’s pegs down... aside from that, she’s fine with it!! Though the short jokes can get irksome.
▸ what’s their hair like? Very soft, super thick and an over abundance of it. It may seem short in that low pony tail she sports but it actually falls to her waist in terms of length. She takes good care of it and tends to style it in mostly low ponytail or other hair styles that keeps it out of her face. Side note: It is a-ok to play with her hair so long as you don’t mess around too much with it.
▸ do they spend a lot of time on their hair/with their grooming? A normal amount of time is spent on it! Gotta take good care of those goldie locks of hers!
▸ does your muse care about their appearance? Of course! To an extent! First impressions are important and all. She likes looking cute as a button if she can help it, thanks! Honestly though she likes to look and feel cute more for herself rather than others. Nothing wrong with loving to wear pink and other pastel colors and simple jewelry that goes with your outfit and junk!!
▸ does your muse care about what others think about them? Hmm. Yes and no! Not nearly enough to completely change herself for others in order to appear better or anything, Zelda is very much an open book and what you see is what you get with this girl. She’s not going to try hard to make you like her or anything. But well, she has that natural charm going for her so :’)
— preferences
▸ indoors or outdoors? Both? Both! She loves the outdoors but staying inside to read or to sew/knit something is also nice to her!
▸ rain or sunshine? Sunshine
▸ forest or beach? Forest
▸ precious metals or gems? Metals
▸ flowers or perfumes? Flowers
▸ personality or appearance? Personality
▸ being alone or being in a crowd? AH hm, both seem very extreme options haha. Either way she doesn’t mind both settings.
▸ order or anarchy? Order
▸ painful truths or white lies? TEAM PAINFUL TRUTHS AFTER ALL THAT’S HAPPENED IN SS HWEOH, she’ll try to make the delivery gentle as possible but well the truth hurts.
▸ science or magic? Magic
▸ peace or conflict? Peace!
▸ night or day? Day, she’s out like a light once the sun’s down lol
▸ dusk or dawn? The dawn!!
▸ warmth or cold? Warmth, she’s been spoiled by the mild weather in Skyloft so experiencing super cold and bitter winter for the first time was like 8D to D8 in a matter of five seconds.
▸ many acquaintances or a few close friends? Few close friends
▸ reading or playing a game? Both! She’s a bit of a bookworm for sure (I mean all those books in her room) however she also likes to have fun too!
— questionnaire
▸ what are some of your muse’s bad habits? COMBINING WORRYWART TENDENCIES WITH BUSYBODY HABITS IS NEVER A GOOD COMBO BECAUSE GIRL WILL TAKE MATTERS INTO HER OWN HANDS AND WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY EXCUSES WHATSOEVER IF SHE FEELS SOMEONE’S SLACKING ON SOMETHING. She tends to rush into things if she comes to her own conclusions and will sometimes press forward without thinking much on it. When she steps in like this it’s mostly done from a good place and she only does this with nothing but good intentions. She’s responsible to a fault, putting everything and everyone above her own needs first and foremost. And the girl could learn to be a bit more selfish.
▸ has your muse lost anyone close to them? how has it affected them? :’)))))) It wasn’t enough recalling her past life. But gosh, as Zelda? Impa. Without a shadow of a doubt, she still misses Impa and still regrets not being able to say something as simple as thank you before Impa passes on. Of course, there was more that she’d wanted to say but thank you sums up all of her feelings neatly with a pretty bow and all. Zelda is pretty straightforward with revealing her inner thoughts and this increases tenfold once Impa passes on.
▸ what are some fond memories your muse has? Any time spent with Link and in the skies. She also loved spending time traveling around with Impa because of how much wisdom Impa had given her throughout the journey as well as being an amazing friend.
▸ is it easy for your muse to kill? You’d think she’d be used to the idea considering her past life as Hylia but if she can help, Zelda will never ever kill.
▸ what’s it like when your muse breaks down? Tragic. WAIT I’M REALIZING THAT THIS SOUNDS SO DRAMATIC BUT WAIT HOLD ON LET ME EXPLAIN. I’ve mentioned time and time again that Zelda is someone who wears her heart on her sleeve, she’s very expressive and very in tune with her emotions, having no issue with showing whatever thoughts she has out in the open. So with that in mind, she has no issue with expressing what doesn’t exactly make her happy. Once she breaks down it’s mostly when things are finally over. Whether for better or worse, that’s when she just lets loose and lets the water work go. No crying until the very end and all that... honestly... this question needs more context though hweoh.
▸ is your muse capable of trusting someone with their life? EHHH well, yes and no. She believes in giving chances to everyone, benefit of the doubt and all that jazz. And she likes to believe in the best in others, as such she does like to extend trust to them too. But to trust another with her own literal life is a bit much for her ;v;
▸ what’s your muse like when they’re in love? EVEN MORE DISGUSTINGLY CUTE GOD I can guarantee that any couple with Zel is going to be the new grossly in love couple that’s all lovey dovey aka very cute hours. You’re dating Miss. 💝💘💕🎀🎀uwu girl🍬🌸🌸🌷🍭🌺 herself. You more or less signed up for this. That said, it all ties into with what was said above in that she has no issues with expressing herself as such she will openly display her affection once that whole shy period goes out the window after the Confession™ happens. She loves spending time with S/O the most, doing just about anything! Zelda has lots of love to give and she’ll spoil her S/O with it. I’m sorry for any future grossly cute content u-u
#about.#dash games.#phew i think that's all the dash games i have saved up in my drafts uvu#now.... The Drafts!!#i will be gone because writing is a struggle#I REALLY MIGHT ACTUALLY POST SOME WRITINGS AT THREE AM WHEBAHDJBS
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I Won’t Back Down - Five Hargreeves x OC
Word Count: 3,244
You can stand me up at the gates of hell
But I won't back down
I'm gonna stand my ground
Won't be turned around
And I'll keep this world from dragging me down
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
Pt. 4- Waking up to Ash and Dust
Lola didn’t know what woke her but she groaned and opened her eyes, lifting her head from where her cheek stuck to the page she’d been writing on before she’d fallen asleep. The basement was pitch-black, her candles having been burned out while she’d been resting. Unbothered, the brunette stood, stretched, and made her way to the wall where she knew the light switch was. After patting the guessed area, her hand hit on the dimmer and flicked it up. Nothing happened.
She moved it up and down several more times and the room remained completely dark. Frowning in confusion, Lola guessed that they’d lost power during the night for some reason. With no windows in the basement, it was impossible to tell what time it was or if a weather event had happened. Shrugging, she stepped twice to the right and placed her hand on the banister to guide her steps up the stairs. Only- she hit her head even halfway up.
”Ouch!” the girl yelped, rubbing the sore spot on her head. What the hell? The ceiling was never this low before! There were fifteen steps from the door to the bottom of the basement. Lola had only gone up ten.
She pushed on the supposed ceiling tentatively. No movement, “hey, guys? Mom? Dad?” she called, hoping someone would hear.
There was no way the ceiling was caved in, right? How would that even be possible? Maybe her uncle was pulling a prank on her and had stuffed obstacles down the stairs so she couldn’t come up.
“Uncle Ed? You’re really very funny! Haha!” she tried, hoping it would convince him to help move the stuff.
Then, something shifted and movement by her feet made her jump, causing her to yelp. There’s no mice down here, idiot. Her mother would never allow that, so what had fallen by her foot?
Still in pitch-blackness, Lola made her way back down the stairs until the was on the last one. Gripping the banister carefully, she moved her foot into the empty space below the final step until she hit what had fallen. Bending over, she was surprised by the weight of the item.
Lola moved the object between her hands, feeling the roughness and shape of it. It wasn’t any sort of object used for a prank, she determined. It felt like a part of her house. But how could that be right?
Stay calm, Lola, she told herself, there’s a reasonable explanation for this. Maybe mom decided to renovate the upstairs, started this morning, and forgot you were down here? That seemed a little far-fetched. What about school? Her mother always checked the basement if Lola wasn’t in her room and it had to be around the time she had to get ready.
Dropping the loose object, the girl made her way back up until her head brushed the blockage again, “MOM? DAD?” she yelled again, straining her ears for an answer.
What the hell happened last night? Or early this morning, she supposed. She called for her parents several more times, all of which went without response. Turning, she sat down on the seventh step and buried her face in her hands, the sudden coverage of her eyes making no difference with the black of the room.
Okay, she thought, you know the basement. What could you use to help you?
There were drills and electrical cords so she could drill herself out but she’d never used the tools before, her mom would go nuts and there seemed to be no power. She had candles, so she could burn her way through but if it was mostly cement on top of her that wouldn’t help. Paint was useless and so were light bulbs. She doubted there was something useful in the holiday section. Did they have a pick axe? Those couldn’t be so hard to use. Or maybe an anvil and a hammer.
That would take longer but didn’t require electricity and her mom might be more okay with that.
What if it caves in on you, though? she considered, biting her lip as she tried to puzzle around it, what did people use to prevent cave-ins? Some type of support, she supposed. Did they store plywood in the basement? Was that even strong enough?
Stay calm, Lola, you can do this. And besides, she was jumping ahead of herself. Surely her parents would notice and dig her out? Maybe there wasn’t even that much blockage and it just seemed like a lot. It probably just was a rotten prank her Uncle Ed had cooked up but she couldn’t see her mother being okay with her being late for school because of it. Still, she didn’t want to jump to conclusions so she stood and made her way back up the stairs, calling as loudly as she could, “MOM? DAD? UNCLE ED?”
--
There was no telling how much time had passed but no answer came as Lola’s voice tired out. After her 839th call, she gave a final cough, turned, and sat down, bending her head slightly to accommodate the small space. What now?
Surely it was past school’s starting time. Her uncle and father would be at the store and her mother would be at the library starting her shift. Lola sighed and strained her eyes into the blackness, hoping it would reveal an answer of what happened. It didn’t, of course, but she wasn’t sure what else to do. Maybe her voice wasn’t loud enough? The thought suddenly occurred to her and part of her favorite, well-memorized story came back to her: Liesel hit the lid of a paint can. Maybe her paint cans weren’t as useless as she thought.
After sliding down the stairs feet first and lowering herself carefully by her hands, she stood and made her first step to the left. Suddenly, she was very glad she was a counter. There were exactly twenty-seven and a half steps to the paint section of the shelves from the bottom of the stairs. Carefully counting them out, she arrived in the correct place and took the top paint can after feeling around for the handle. Then, with another fifteen steps, she made her way to the hand-held tools and felt along the second shelf for a hammer, pleased when her hand grasped the worn, wooden handle.
Turning, Lola counted the total forty-two and a half steps back to the stairs and went up again to the blockage. Placing the paint can on the last available step, she swung the hammer down, hard, on the lid. It let out a resounding clang which was loud in the dark stillness and made her flinch in surprise. Shaking off her prickle of fear, she repeated the action several more times.
--
The girl jumped when something slightly wet splashed on her and she gingerly felt the spot where it landed on her shirt. Oops.
The lid had dented after so many hits and now it had finally given, the most recent contact had splashed the sent the wet paint flying. She swallowed nervously. How many paint cans did they have? How long would she be stuck here? Clearly, no one was coming to help. Lola supposed she should have waited until her parents would actually be home but the thought hadn’t occurred to her until now. Besides, who knew how long it had been?
The thought made her shudder slightly, the idea of days passing without being released not sitting well with her. She loved the basement but even she didn’t want to live out the rest of her days here. I need light, Lola thought, slightly frantically.
She shook herself and took a deep breath. As well as she knew the space, losing count of the steps wouldn’t help her. She descended the stairs again and stepped left, this time counting out eleven steps. Her hands found the candles and matches blindly, relieved when she felt that there were twenty-five in all. She would still conserve the light, though. Just in case.
Lola repeated her path in reverse and sat on the third step, carefully holding one slim, long candle between her legs as she prepared the lighter. There was a spark and the match caught, causing her to quickly set it to the wick and shake it out, relieved to keep some of the darkness at bay. Holding the light aloft, the brunette stood from the stairs and in twenty-one steps she reached the far wall where a wine cellar of sorts stood embedded into the cement. The space was tiny and hand-dug, extremely cold in the winter and less so in the summer but was an additional food storage area for long-term items. They didn’t usually keep it very full but there were several packages of canned drinks, two tubs of ice cream, some frozen dinners and a case of water.
The girl now took stock of the items, checking that each one she thought was in there actually was and was reassured that she would be able to survive down here for some time, if it came to that. She hoped not. Lola had zero practiced survival skills and what she knew only came from books like Hatchet which wouldn’t truly help her here.
She wasn’t an idiot; rationing her food should start immediately and she needed to go as long as possible without eating or drinking to make it last longer. Going to the bathroom would be a challenge, but she’d dedicate a spot and hope for the best.
Stop it, idiot, Lola thought suddenly, you’re acting like you’re stuck down here. You probably aren’t.
Still, she couldn’t help but think what if she was? At least the couch could act as her bed and the rest of the time would be spent trying to free herself.
She sighed and exited the food storeroom, at least you don’t have to worry about homework right now. Your teachers will understand if you miss because you’re trapped in a basement. Hopefully.
Okay, she thought, if worst comes to worst, you’re pretty well off. There’s definitely no need to panic. Nope, none at all. Think: what would Liesel do? WWLD? She wouldn’t panic- well, she did at the sight of her dead-
STOP. Don’t think like that. The point is, she didn’t panic when she was trapped in her basement. People came to help. The same will happen for you. You’ve always wanted to be like her, remember? Now’s your chance.
“At least this will make for an interesting section in my autobiography,” Lola commented aloud and instantly shook her head, stop it, talking to yourself is a sure sign of insanity. It had only been a few hours at most, probably eight.
The uncertainty of exactly how many made her shudder slightly.
--
The next day- or what she assumed was the next day- she tried the same routine, calling her parents’ and uncle’s names for as long as she could before her voice gave and then resorting to banging on a paint can until it, too, gave. Lola used some of her light to count exactly how many paint cans she had, which were fifteen. A little over two weeks and she’d used two already.
They could help her keep track of the estimated days. To keep herself busy, she also partitioned out her food into servings so she wouldn’t eat a lot at once, even if she was really hungry. Her stomach was already starting to growl but she pushed through knowing it could get worse.
Another obstacle she realized she had was that there was no running water, not that the basement had a sink. There was no way to keep her hands clean or wash herself and she cringed at the thought of becoming disgustingly dirty.
--
The next guessed day came and Lola was entertaining the idea that something had gone very, very wrong outside. She’d sat for several hours next to the cave-in and heard nothing. She allowed that the pile on top of her was too thick to let sound through but it seemed that she’d hear police sirens or something as they swarmed over the collapsed house.
The thought made her heart twist in her chest. What about her parents? Were they hurt? The only explanation that there could be was the house collapsed, but surely they hadn’t been inside when it happened? They were probably worried out of their minds right now about her. Lola wished she could send them a message that she was okay.
An idea had crossed her mind that she could tap out an SOS out on her paint can lid but she didn’t know Morse code and had tossed the idea aside. The brunette was glad that she had rather weak olfactory senses and couldn’t easily smell herself but she was sure that after three days of not showering, she must stink.
You stink to high heaven! her mother would say. Lola had never missed her as much as she did right now and she wished she could have been more understanding about her mother’s reasoning for things. The next time she gives me chores or scolds me, I won’t ever complain again.
--
Two more days passed without much change. Lola still lived in darkness most of the time, worried about running out of light. It was surprisingly easy to stick to food rations. She’d never been a big eater but she wasn’t a small eater either. She chalked it up to the fact that she could count each serving.
Her first time going to the bathroom without a toilet had been awkward and messy but luckily they did store toilet paper and trash bags on the lower part of one of the shelves so at least she could clean up. The couch was a fine sleeping place and only creaked a little when she shifted around.
After spending her obligatory hours trying to get help, Lola would then shuffle, shuffle, shuffle her cards, over and over again to keep the panic at bay, the action familiar and comforting. In the dark, she would try magic tricks which proved to be difficult as she couldn’t see the result. Then, she returned to counting all fifty-two of the cards, reassuring herself that they were all there. Her writing fell by the wayside as she focused on keeping herself calm and definitely not panicking.
--
After approximately one week, Lola was starting to feel the affects of being stuck in the dark for so long. Sleep had become more difficult and she instead lay awake for hours, staring into nothing as she lay on her side on the couch, the cushions pressed against her back. It was easier to operate without light now, too. She still counted her steps whenever she moved around but her ears seemed sharper- the ringing of the paint can lid proved that- her touch seemed more sensitive and it seemed like her smell had improved, too, because she was definitely stinking.
Lola wished she had a change of clothes at least, but she was out of luck. The only possibility of new cloth was Christmas tree skirts and that wouldn’t help her since she didn’t have needle and thread- not that she was even a fashion designer, but she could have figured something out.
Sometimes, when she stared at nothing for long periods of time, bright spots would enter her vision or strange, geometric shapes would pop up. Then, she would blink and they would disappear. The thought of seeing things terrified her and Lola made an effort to keep her eyes physically closed instead of just peering into the darkness.
--
By the beginning of the second week, sleep had suddenly come back. Lola thought she was just closing her eyes in short spurts but in reality, they were closed for many hours. The paint cans helped keep her from misjudging how many days she’d spent in isolation and the food rations did too, slightly.
The panic that had threatened to overwhelm her had ebbed, only poking at the back of her mind every so often. Lola could feel that her body had become weaker, too, even though she spent many hours pacing the edge of the space, counting out all 900 steps. It was clear that no one was coming to help her but she couldn’t bring herself to stop hoping. Even as she lost everything else, something told her to press forward and keep believing someone would come.
She’d been speaking to herself more and more too, to cover up the awful silence that persisted in the darkness. She’d often just recite parts of her autobiography, sang song lyrics she'd memorized or she’d spend several hours reciting The Book Thief as a way to help calm her as her panic increased. One time, in her rotations, she’d turned on the third corner and had stopped for a moment, eyes wide, as what looked like a monkey on a unicycle juggled in front of her, complete with flashing circus lights and music.
Lola’s mouth had dropped open and she’d let out a crazy, slightly maniacal laugh before she rubbed at her eyes furiously in disbelief. The darkness had promptly returned, leaving her to shiver fearfully on the spot.
--
On the twelfth day, according to her paint cans- not that she actually knew for sure anymore- something changed. Lola hadn’t been expecting it, of course, and had gone on with her usual routine. Then, in one of her circuits of the basement, she heard something, out of the ordinary from the sounds she was used to- not that there were many. Her pulse picked up. Was someone trying to kill her?
“No, stupid,” she said aloud, her voice raw and hoarse from the hours she spent yelling, “you’re dumb. There’s no one alive. I think we’re alone now.”
The words didn’t make sense but then nothing much did these days. When had she started speaking in plural? Still, the shifting continued.
Creeping slowly up the staircase, the brunette paused next to her already set-up paint can. It certainly sounded like someone was out there. The girl looked down the dark staircase, thinking about her remaining food and liquid supply which was now rapidly dwindling, her shrinking amount of candles, paint cans and matches, her wrinkled, used deck of cards and came to a decision.
At first, her banging went unnoticed on the surface until the shifting stilled above her.
“Hello?” the sound was faint and muffled, clearly she was hearing things.
Lola continued her banging, hoping that maybe, just maybe, she wasn’t.
The shifting resumed but it seemed more purposeful now. The sound came again, “hello? Is anyone there?”
Bang, bang, bang came the answer, the brunette continuously hitting the lid. A chink of brilliant light appeared above her head, making her shut her eyes in pain.
“Hello? Can you hear me?” it was definitely a voice, a young one, too.
Then, the hole opened wider, wider, and wider until bright light came pouring into the dark space. Turning up her face but closing her eyes, Lola tried to look up at who had come for her. Maybe she was dead and the light was from heaven.
The answer was the exact opposite as the voice spoke again, this time disbelief clear in the tone, “what the hell?”
#The Umbrella Academy#Umbrella Academy#five#five hargreeves#five hargreeves x dolores#5#five hargreeves x oc#five hargreeves x reader#Five x oc#five x reader#five x dolores#human dolores#dolores isn't a mannequin#dolores#pre-tua#apocalypse#hargreeves#tua five
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other side of paradise
Kyokou Suiri (In/Spectre) | Sakuragawa Kuro, Iwanaga Kotoko | AO3
Summary: In the span of a month, Sakuragawa Kuro has been dumped by his girlfriend, lost his job, and lost his home. Things can't get much worse from here, right? (In which Kuro joins the mafia, for better or worse.)
Notes: Inspired by atutsie’s tweet! A rapidly written & loose mafia AU i wrote a few weeks back; loose bc i don’t have real knowledge about how organized crime truly works haha.
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Sakuragawa Kuro does not consider himself a particularly unlucky man. He has a place of his own, a steady job (if not a high paying one), and attends a fairly prestigious law school. He has a little savings, hardly ever gets sick, has a girlfriend of two years, and overall leads a very, very normal and uneventful life. He likes it that way.
It changes, one day, when Saki breaks up with him. She wants to focus on her career, she says, and thinks that they would have probably been better off as friends, anyway. He looks bored, she tells him, when they go out, and even after two years she doesn't think she really knows or understands him.
(Kuro startles a bit at those last words, so like his own during one of his last conversations with Rikka. Unfortunately, that means he knows exactly how Saki feels.)
He's not bored, Kuro insists, but Saki smiles a little sadly at him, and says that he's probably being genuine, but she can't bring herself to actually believe him. Kuro is quiet, after that, unable to fault her. He's not sure if he's telling the truth, himself.
Saki shakes her head when he pulls out his wallet to pay for the two of them one last time and splits the bill with him when they leave the restaurant. They shake hands outside the door, and stare at each other for a moment longer.
"I'd like to stay friends," she says, her voice almost wistful, "But I have a feeling that I might not see you again."
"That's ominous," Kuro says. She laughs, though it's a little strained.
"Well, say hi if you see me, and I'll do the same," she responds. "Don't be a stranger, if you can help it."
He raises an eyebrow at the wording, but nods. Saki smiles faintly, leaves first, and Kuro watches her go, until her back is out of sight.
.
Things go downhill, after that, like the universe has decided to cash in whatever misfortune it's been withholding.
Kuro is suddenly out of a job, when the store he's been working at is irreparably damaged; the store owner promises him a job if he can rebuild, but with the investigation under way, the possibility of the money he can collect via insurance and using it to rebuild is extremely questionable.
About two weeks later, as Kuro is still job hunting, the apartment complex he lives in sends a notice out to its residents that the building has been sold and everyone must move out within one month. The building manager is unreachable for the first week, and when he finally does pick up the phone, his voice is high and distressed and can only repeat it’s out of my hands, my apologies, there’s nothing I can do over and over. The whole thing sits oddly in Kuro's stomach. He doesn't think that he's specifically being targeted, despite this chain of consecutive severe downfalls, but he feels like there's something else at work here.
In any case. Kuro sits on a park bench, a flyer for another apartment complex in his hands, and stares at the yellowing grass. It’s late summer, and in the span of a month, he's been dumped by his girlfriend, lost his job, and lost his home. His savings will tide him over for a short while, but the lack of place to have and to move his things to weighs heavily on him.
Kuro puts his head in his hands and breathes deep. He could probably sleep in the school library for a while if it comes down to it, but he still needs a long term solution. He's still young. He can figure this out.
A breeze picks up and lifts the loose flyer out of Kuro's hands. He watches it fly away, hitting the ground before being carried a few more feet and hitting the ground again with loud, papery smacks.
Sakuragawa Kuro has a short term solution: to sleep in the school library once he's officially kicked out of his apartment. He has a second short term solution as well, the favorite of any college student his age when times are tough: get drunk.
Very drunk.
How much worse can things get, anyway?
.
Gunshots make everything exponentially worse, he decides, as he rests his head against a lamp post. He’s not entirely sure where he is—he’d wanted fresh air and wandered, but a brief glance around reveals that he’s on an empty street that he thinks leads up to a park. Wow, maybe he'll die here tonight, after everything that's happened. He's had too much to drink, but at least everything is numb, so he takes in the increasing noise around him with an incredible sense of calm.
"Sir? Sir, I think you should evacuate the scene," a feminine voice says, and he peels himself away from the lamp post to see a young girl standing next to him, her left hand resting on a cane.
She's wearing a frilly black dress with intricate white embroidery that stands out underneath the light. Kuro stares, and she shifts after his gaze has lingered a little too long, shooting him a suspicious look.
"Your dress," he manages thickly, as he meets her eyes. They are startlingly clear and a bright indigo, and his head pounds a harder. He winces as the increase in pressure, holding a hand up to his head.
"Oh my, you have a good eye for quality," the girl says, flouncing her skirt with pride. She blinks when he winces, then looks a little closer at him, and her eyes widen just a little. He's not sure what is happening, but the glare of the street light is also starting to hurt his head, so he walks a little ways away from it. The girl follows, her shoes and cane tapping on the concrete.
"Are you drunk?" she asks, her voice innocent and curious.
"A bit, yeah," he says, leaning against the stone wall this time. Dimly, he registers more gunshots, and he looks at the girl next to him, delayed panic setting in. There's a young girl here. "Wait—you—run, those are gunshots—"
"Yes, I've been trying to tell you to evacuate, but you seem to be incapable of doing so," she says, businesslike, perfectly at ease as she pulls out a cell phone and taps a message out. "It's your lucky night that I'm here, then."
His lucky night, is it? It doesn't feel lucky at all.
"Have a seat," the girl suggests, and he obeys, sinking onto the ground, even though he really should be running. He leans his head back against the wall, and the girl leans in a little and scrutinizes him a bit more. "You have very nice collarbones," she says suddenly, and he blinks at her.
"What?"
"Your collarbones. I like them," she repeats, slower this time. He looks down to the top couple buttons of his shirt undone.
"Oh," he says, for lack of anything else to say.
"A man should have nice collarbones," the girl says, decisively.
"Okay," he says.
"Anyway, what your name?" she asks.
"Sakuragawa Kuro," he says, and she hums.
"Iwanaga Kotoko," she says, watching his face. He bobs his head in acknowledgement, and she smiles a little at this.
"Iwanaga-san," Kuro begins, squinting at her. "Gunshots notwithstanding, isn't it dangerous for middle school girls to be out this late at night to begin with?"
"How rude!" Iwanaga says, her cheeks puffing up childishly. "I am twenty years old, thank you. I'm ashamed to say my face hasn't changed very much since middle school, but—! It has changed some, thank you very much! You could have at least said high school student!"
Kuro laughs, and she looks startled at the sound, and were he a little more sober he would notice the dusting of red across her face.
"My bad," he says, still chuckling, "Then, a young lady like you shouldn't be out so late at night anyway."
"It matters not," she shrugs, taking a seat next to him and looking very dignified as she does so. "I'm not afraid."
It's not a matter of being afraid, he thinks, or says, he's not sure. At that moment, someone rounds the corner, spots them, and raises a gun—and drunk as he is, Kuro's body moves before his mind can catch up. He throws himself in front of the Iwanaga girl, her eyes widen, and he hears the crack of a gunshot before he blacks out.
.
"I rather like him in my lap," he hears a voice say, as a hand runs through his hair. "Up close, I really do like his face. Is this what they call love at first sight?"
"My lady, please...he's a civilian."
"Foolish and unnecessary as it was, he jumped in to save me. I think that merits something, don't you think? Bring him back with us. I'll have Sanshiro treat that bullet wound."
"...Yes, my lady."
He hears a laugh.
"A lucky night for both of us, then," she says, and the darkness drags him back under.
.
When he wakes, his shoulder hurts, and there are two strange creatures in the room. They're probably dogs, one black and one white, but they're very long and leggy and certainly not a breed he's used to seeing. They look a little nervous, and they walk over and circle the bed he's lying on before sniffing him hesitantly. He tries to reach a hand out to pet one of them, but they shy away, blinking at him with their large, wary eyes.
"Oh, you're awake," a voice says, and he looks over at the door to see the young girl from last night. He wracks his brain for her name, as the dogs trot over to her and circle around her. She pets both them before walking closer to his bed, and the dogs lie down by her feet.
"Iwanaga-san," he says, voice hoarse.
"You remember my name," she says, pleased, then considers. "I suppose you would, if you got shot on my account."
It comes back to him then, the full events of their previous encounter, though the details of the conversation they shared are lost.
"On your account?" he asks, putting one hand over his eyes. "Whoever they were...were they after you?"
"Yes and no," Iwanaga says, sitting on the side of his bed. "It would be more accurate to say that I was after them, and unfortunately things got messy. But they caused a mess on my turf in the first place, so I could say they were after me, as well."
"That's...confusing."
"Well, you are a civilian."
A civilian, she says. He vaguely remembers a man’s voice pleading—my lady, please, he's a civilian—and suddenly he's not sure if he wants to ask what he was going to ask.
He might have looked suddenly wary, because Iwanaga smiles at him, and leans a little closer.
"Kuro-san, do you need a job?" she says cheerfully, and he freezes. "I'd say it's a good deal, and it comes with a place to live, free of charge, with a full range of amenities, of course."
"That sounds too good to be true," he counters, after a brief pause, and she laughs.
"It's not an easy job," she says. "And there's some risk involved. But I think the benefits will outweigh it."
She leans over to whisper his anticipated pay in his ear, and he raises an eyebrow. It's a very calculated amount—high pay, but not outrageously so. He wouldn't have to worry about expenses, and could put a hefty amount into his savings, and could afford semi-frequent luxuries if he so chose.
"What's the job?" he asks, narrowing his eyes, and Iwanaga continues to smile.
"My right hand," she says. "It's safe enough, by my side. But again, there is some risk involved. And I'll need help when I need it."
This is the first risk, Kuro realizes, that his job doesn't have a specific description, nor specific hours.
A minute passes, two. Kuro considers the recent events of the past month, and this sudden golden offer.
"There is an alternative, too," Iwanaga says, her eyes gleaming. "But it's least two steps."
"And what," Kuro says, wearily, "Is that?"
"We could date," she says, batting her eyelashes, "As a preamble to getting married."
He chokes on his own saliva.
"It was love at first sight," she continues hotly, unperturbed by his reaction, "Of course, we could do both—that is, you could take the job and date me, and I come with quite a lot of assets if we get married."
"I wouldn't agree to it just for...whatever fortune it is you have," Kuro manages to get out, between coughs. "And there has to be more than two steps involved in that."
"Well, that's silly," Iwanaga sniffs, ignoring the last part. "But I suppose that's sweet of you, too. In any case, it's not a bad deal, is it? You've recently broken up with your girlfriend, you're out of a job, and you'll be evicted in less than three weeks. You don't have any better options, here, Kuro-san."
He frowns at her.
"How, exactly, do you know all that?"
"I have my ways, which you can learn a bit of if you accept my offer," she says, continuing to smile.
He comes to the realization, then, that the choice is—more illusory than it seems. He doesn't feel in danger, and he could probably walk out of here if he wanted to. But. But. She's used to getting what she wants, and so if he left, it wouldn’t be the last he would see of her. And he...well, she's right, he doesn't have any better options. There's not a real choice, here.
"I'll take the job," he says, exhausted.
"Wonderful! And about my other proposition...?"
Oh, she was serious, Kuro thinks, with mild surprise.
"For that I'll...have to think about it," he demurs, as best he can.
She pouts, but seems satisfied enough with the fact that he's taking the job offer. Iwanaga reaches out a hand, and it takes what little energy he has left to shake it.
"That's well enough, then," Iwanaga smiles, and grips his hand firmly. "Welcome to the mafia, Sakuragawa Kuro-san."
He doesn't startle, merely lets out a deep sigh. It's odd, to hear it confirmed out loud, though he had an inkling that this was where he was headed towards. You look bored, he remembers Saki saying, and closes his eyes briefly. Now, he's just tired.
"Waka, Momo, be nice to him, now," Iwanaga says, and the dogs lift their heads. They sniff at him again, and this time when he reaches out to pet them, they allow it, though they still look at him a bit warily.
"Is it too late to ask," Kuro begins, as Iwanaga begins to walk away, the black dog, Waka, following her. Momo lingers behind, still curious, apparently, about Kuro. "Who you are, specifically?"
Her eyes widen, and then she laughs.
"Well, no, I suppose," she says. "They call me the Heiress. My parents run the Iwanaga Group as the heads, but—I do, as well."
The Heiress, indeed. How literal.
"Wow," he says, flatly.
"You could stand to be a little more impressed," she sniffs.
"Wow, amazing," Kuro says, with only marginally more feeling.
She pouts at him.
"In any case, take this time to recover; I'll take care of your other affairs. I'll also have someone come to take measurements for your suits in a day or so, if you’re well enough to stand."
"Suits," Kuro echoes. "Right."
He's still kind of winded from what she said first, that she’d take care of his other affairs. Kuro doesn't have to do a thing, and all his problems are being solved in a heartbeat.
"You needn't sound so excited," Iwanaga pouts, "Your daily life will be unimpeded for a while, and you'll be able to attend school fairly normally. It's more likely than not that I—and therefore you—will be warned in advance if we need to sortie. Just think of it like any other on-call job. In any case, I hope you aren't squeamish, Kuro-san."
He makes a noncommittal noise, and she smiles one more time before leaving the room, the two dogs trailing after her.
It's only after that he realizes that even though he now knows who Iwanaga Kotoko is, he doesn't actually know what it is that she, specifically, does.
He sighs again. Well. He had more or less already hit rock bottom—now, the only way from here is up, right?
.
(Some weeks later, he is formally introduced to the rest of the Family, walking into the dining hall in one of his new perfectly tailored black suits. He presumes this isn’t all of the Family, but an impressive number of them line the sides of the room, perfectly straight, their own suits just as crisp. Some are old, some are young, and there are men and women alike. The intensity of the stares unnerves him, but he keeps his eyes on Iwanaga, who is sitting at the head of the long table eating her breakfast with elegance. Waka and Momo pad over to circle him, and Waka returns immediately to Iwanaga's side while Momo escorts Kuro the rest of the way. He stops when Momo stops, a few feet away from Iwanaga, though the white dog leaves him after a moment to stand next to Waka. Kuro feels a rush of gratitude for the dog, who has instructed him more than anyone else so far.
"Good morning," Iwanaga greets, wiping her mouth with a pristine white napkin. "You look very good in that suit."
"Thank you," Kuro says, and he supposes he's meant to say something more, because a few of the others shift, or give him a measuring look.
Iwanaga doesn't seem to mind, either way.
"Everyone, this is Sakuragawa Kuro. He took a bullet for me a few weeks ago. Today, he starts his position as my right hand."
Silence, though Kuro isn't sure if it's shock or simply decorum. The looks he gets are—honestly, less hostile than he'd expected. He thinks he sees pity on several faces. He's not sure what that means.
Iwanaga waves him over, and he crosses the remaining distance. He thinks he knows what he's meant to do, now, though he hasn't been given any particular instruction.
He kneels. Iwanaga blinks, surprised, but looks pleased.
"Boss," he says, then pauses. "My lady."
"Either will do," Iwanaga says, amused, holding out her hand.
He takes it in his own and kisses the back of her hand. Iwanaga smiles, he stands, and moves just behind her, to her right.
"You learn quick," she says, resuming her breakfast. "In any case, this whole…ceremony is only for this morning's formalities. It would be absurd to do this every day."
Kuro has to admit that he's relieved to hear that.
Iwanaga finishes her meal relatively quickly, and she rises, using her cane to help her up. He supposes he'll learn the story behind that, soon enough.
"So, what's today's agenda?" he asks, as he follows her out.
"Nothing special for now, just familiarizing you. You're still basically a civilian at this point, after all."
Kuro has nothing to say to that. Iwanaga glances at him.
"To be honest, you're remarkably calm for someone who's just joined the mafia," she says. "Or is it simply because you don't know much about us?"
"If I'm just a regular civilian, what cause do I have to know about the details of the mafia?" he says, raising an eyebrow.
"Touché. In any case, if you're concerned, no one here will mess with you, unless you provoke them first. But I doubt you will, and I don't think me telling you this will go to your head, either."
So, he's under her protection, and it seems like it's worth quite a lot even if she is the heiress to the group, if she can say this so surely.
"That's quite the confident assumption for a random drunk college student you picked up off the street a few weeks ago," he points out.
She giggles, a suspicious sort of hee hee that has him narrowing his eyes. But she says nothing else, and Kuro lets it go. He follows after her in silence as they tour the place and meet other employees; they all greet him politely enough, but their gazes linger, and again he’s not sure if he sees pity amidst the curiosity.
"Are you bored?" Iwanaga asks when they take a break for lunch, not looking at him as their food is served. They eat together, this time.
"No," he says, watching Iwanaga cut into her food with beautifully precise moments.
She looks up at him, tilts her head a little, and the corner of her lips quirk up.
"Oh?" she says, turning her attention back to her meal, evidently not expecting a response.
Oh, Kuro thinks to himself, as he turns to his own plate. This time, he might actually be telling the truth.)
#kyokou suiri#inspectre#iwanaga kotoko#sakuragawa kuro#fanfiction#more notes on ao3#oof had such a bad headache today and it took all day to finally post this#did wanna get it out before the end of the weekend tho#i think i had more notes i wanted to write but. at this point whatever
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What do you think is the REAL difference between Stu and Murdoc? Is it upbringing, age, personality, or cocktail of things?
I’ve gotta tell you, of all the kind asks you sent (and what a nice thing that was of you to do, thank you, they were fun to ponder!) this is the one I’m like… jittery to answer because there’s just so much to be said. Put under a cut because it ended up kinda stupid-long.
I mean, what has to be determined first is– are Murdoc and Stu that different? I tend to think they’re not, not as much as they are alike. That’s actually what I like best about them and something I usually play to when I can, how much they both resemble a certain stereotype but with their own twist. Many of their differences are a little superficial, like Stu being a bit more geezery with his football and all, and Murdoc being less uptight with his hobbies (be it involving cheeky GTA or a gimp mask.) I joked the other day that the biggest difference between the two is just that Murdoc does uppers and Stu does downers, and that’s pretty much it. I do think on a “deeper” level, like a more innate behavioral level, they’re a lot more similar than they actually realize.
But with all that being said, of course they’re not identical, and there’s a lot that contributes to where exactly they differ. I think that everything you said is absolutely relevant to that!
Let’s start with age and upbringing. The age difference between Murdoc and Stu is actually fairly stark when you just look at the years, but it never feels quite that bad to me because Murdoc and Stu are both so emotionally stunted and immature. There’s a line in Bojack Horseman than I think is incredibly on-point here, about how “the age you are when you get famous is the age you stop growing.” I think for Stu, it absolutely damned him to become famous at around 20, it locked him mentally into an age where he should’ve been learning everything wouldn’t be given to him, and instead it was just… given to him. In excess. If you follow that reasoning Murdoc’s sort of odd though, in that he never actually achieved fame on any major scale until he was in his 30′s. It seems more like Murdoc’s exaggerated sense of self-importance (probably a response to knowing, very much knowing, that he was not in fact something towering and impressive at all, and there’s like… something absurdist in really choosing to think he is. That’s almost the ultimate form of his Humor As A Shield– what could be a bigger joke than not hating himself?! Ha! It’s funny because it’s sad!) set in way before he actually became famous. It’s more like his maturity is stalled at the time he started trying to be famous. Stu didn’t actually try to pursue music at all before, while Murdoc spent a decade absolutely convinced that it had to work and doggedly not accepting when it wasn’t. It feels like these two approaches enabled (or damaged) them in different ways, but both end up with the result of men who don’t act their age for many years and have hedonistic, stereotypically rockstarish ways of living far beyond that of their bandmates. Stu can barely claim he knows better though and is perhaps more… people are gonna yell at me for being so hard on him haha, but more spoiled and therefore more ignorant because he never actually lived a responsible adult life. (Does that mean Stu hasn’t had difficulty in that life? Absolutely not. The man has at least three counts of massive head trauma and was in a coma for an undetermined period of time, he has a permanent physical impairment that likely impacts his vision, I think he’s earned a few perks.) Murdoc on the other hand is very aware of what it was like to be a failure, to be conventionally unemployable, and to have so little to lose that he’d make incredibly stupid decisions that could’ve ended his free life. His indulgence now is frankly more extreme, but Murdoc has an even greater sense of believing he earned that and he owes nothing (whether that’s completely true or not.)
And that’s just touching on the ends of their “upbringing,” not the actual 18+ years that went into it. It goes without saying that Stu and Murdoc had very different home lives– Rachel and David Pot are suggested to be rather precious with Stu out of some probable guilt for his first head trauma, in complete contrast to Sebastian’s humiliation and neglect– but on top of that, what seems to be glossed over at times is how they grew up in very different regions at very different time periods. I’m far from an authority on this or on anything (as always I really suggest asking @elapsed-spiral if you want better information, don’t let the hiatus thing fool you, Danni’ll still talk about British Shit Innit) but I’m told the British school system Murdoc would’ve endured in the 60s and 70s was unremittingly bleak and damaging to a child’s development. Despite his immaturity and my feelings that their age difference isn’t really so pronounced, Murdoc is older than Stu and unfortunately he experienced a much colder and rougher school environment, and it’s tough to argue that didn’t have an effect. (Though on the flipside, Stu was in school during Section 28, a thing I’m also not an authority on. Go figure a working class and very closeted bisexual man in the 80s might internalize some homophobia! The go-go 80s aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.) It’s not exactly surprising that Murdoc, who grew up on the lowest end of working class, in council housing, in an unglamorous Northern town like Stoke with a neo-fascist brother and a neglectfully-abusive alcoholic father, would come away an emotionally repressed and embittered person. It’s almost a bit bold that Murdoc is as “flamboyant” as he is (even if it comes with a hefty side of toxic masculinity)– he could’ve become hateful in a more stony way, but instead he’s like a giddy-cruel showman out of spite. You can argue that Murdoc’s lack of support system results in him feeling much more unfettered. He has no one to thank for getting him out of that and no one he credits for getting him where is. He very much has the mentality of “I take what I can and do what I want, because the world owes me everything.” And in a way, I can see where that’d come from.
He’s wrong though. Because Stu’s there. And Stu owes Murdoc nothing.
I know I’m really running on here, and I think you probably already have a picture of what I see Stu’s upbringing and childhood as. Rachel Pot is the unsung best character in Gorillaz, Stu was quite coddled by his parents, and Stu admits to being largely unmotivated and rudderless. It’s notable that Stu is in fact also working class but he’s presented like he’s not, I think just as a result of looking a lot better in comparison to Murdoc and us Americans not fully knowing the details of the British class system as compared to ours. (I don’t want to condescend to you anon, you may be British and know all this a lot better than I do. But because I am American, what would be more American than assuming everyone’s American?) I would say Stu’s family places on the higher end of that though (again, council housing for Murdoc, Stu had a garden with what must’ve been a decently big tree for him to fall out of) and isn’t portrayed as struggling in the same way. His job at Norm’s seems more like something he does because he’s not allowed to sit in the house all day, and he likes messing with the keyboards and he likes having spending money because he’s too old for allowance, and girls he’s fooled around with occasionally pop in to his work and bring him a pastry from the Tesco Express she works at and they make out in her car. Stu comes away from Crawley with quite a few “tethers” that disallow him from feeling as “loose” as Murdoc– he has a good relationship with his parents, a handful of mates, probably a handful of girls he wasn’t on bad terms with, at least one who’d end up becoming his girlfriend. So why does he have some of the same “cruel showman” qualities as Murdoc? Why does his entitlement end up looking much the same? That’s all personal interpretation of course, but I’d say it’s because Murdoc drove a car into his face and stole an unspecified amount of time from his life. I’d say because he’s out of his parent’s house for the first time in his life, and he’s going full throttle into being this person now. I’d say that in one night, and many unconscious nights following it, Murdoc smashed that same embittered attitude into the front of Stu’s skull. To be clear, that isn’t writing off Stu’s faults on Murdoc; it isn’t to say Murdoc made him egotistical or promiscuous or immature. But the attitude that you are fucking owed something is really only an attitude they share because Murdoc gave Stu someone to spite where he didn’t have that before.
(I recognize this whole dynamic isn’t for everyone and I do get it, and for what it’s worth I think it’s totally correct to say Murdoc gave Stu all the best things in his life. He just also gave him the worst bits too. The reality is neither would be here without each other, for all the good and bad that implies. It’s true that Stu’s famous because of Murdoc, but it’s also true that Murdoc’s famous because of Stu. What a tangled web!)
I’m sorry, I’m so off the question now, I just love this stuff. So, personality! That’s unquestionably a factor, the answer to the nature vs nurture debate will always be a little bit of both. I think if you tallied up all of Stu and Murdoc’s traits, desires, and behaviors after they’ve been living together a few years, you’d find a longer list in the similarities column than the differences. The environmental influence doesn’t just stop at where you’re raised, I think the environment you live in and the people who inhabit it continue to have an impact on you pretty much throughout life; even if moving to a richer city doesn’t “change” you, it changes the way you look at things, understand things, respond to things. It just inherently does. Still, I recognize that’s my own characterization of them and if you just look at the characters in canon, you’d be hard pressed to say they seem like the same guy. There are things about them that are just innately different, some of it learned through their upbringing and some of it dictated by… the way they’re wired.
Which is a point I’m really hesitant to comment on too much, but– mental health. It probably doesn’t look the same between Stu and Murdoc. There are other blogs who will discuss in more depth their neurodivergent headcanons and I see nothing wrong with that, I don’t really think there is any case that can’t be made, but I’m not especially confident making those cases myself. What I’ll say is that I don’t necessarily read Stu as having any specific learning disorder, because I fear it’s a little… iffy to have so many jokes in canon about him being thick or being slow. I think it really is just that, even prior to the injuries I reckon Stu was “a bit thick.” Head trauma doesn’t help that, though. Lifelong migraines and impaired motor function came about from the brain damage, absolutely, and I do imagine he must’ve suffered some neural response slowing, but his “lower intelligence” I feel a little less comfortable casually ascribing to anything and more to just Stu being Stu. Murdoc is also a case to be careful with, but within phase 3 it seems fair to say Murdoc suffers a psychotic break and is dealing with some delusions. Dangerously, I kind of lean into thinking this isn’t something that “just happened” because of the events of El Mañana and Plastic Beach, and that Murdoc had perhaps needed to be on an anti-psychotic like lithium well before that point. Again, I don’t want to insensitively represent this so I try not to really put such a fine point on things, but… I’m a little inclined to think Murdoc went undiagnosed in his young life and still may be demonstrating some effects of that. So, y’know, make what you will of it, but there’s that.
Sorry I nattered on about this, I do really enjoy examining both characters. Jokes about the drugs and stuff aside, I’ve always felt that the biggest difference between Murdoc and Stu is that Murdoc is adaptable, and Stu is malleable. Where that stems from is probably a combination of all these things. Murdoc knows what he wants and has no loyalties, he’s been without a future, he does what he can to succeed because he’s already done what he can to survive; Stu doesn’t know what he wants and he does have “loyalties,” but he has no sense of purpose, and he’s easily nudged in the direction you need him to go. While he can be stubborn, just like Murdoc, he’s also more sincerely shaped by his experiences even later in life into multiple, sometimes disparate versions of himself– I might even wager that’s why Stu becomes such a contradictory character without any of the contradictions feeling inauthentic. The two of them “being what they need to be” is part of the reason they accomplished as much as they did. But it’s also hard to say that they really “held on” to each other through the years, or if they just melded together in parts.
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Hackney recollections! A bit jumbled and I will add more if I think of anything! After the cut.
We arrived the day before the show and because we were staying literally around the corner from the venue we wandered by the stage door to see if we could hear any rehearsals going on. It was silent but we did see the band’s equipment being loaded in. We ran into some lovely fans at the bar in the alley that had a view of the stage door, Patrick and his mum Clara who I had met in Australia too! We had some drinks and waited around.
Eventually at around 7pm Sarah saw the huskies first and Peter in his incredible suit. We walked over to say hello. He seemed so happy and so excited and appeared to have walked there with the dogs. We went straight for the puppies and petted then both. He seemed in a hurry so I quickly handed him my gift - a pair of antique cigarette cards as he collects them - and he ran in.
Two minutes later he emerged dashing out looking excited and asked “who gave me these?” meaning the cards. I timidly put my hand up and said me! He said “they’re amazing!” And kept asking where I got them. Apparently they’re quite old and rare and he had my lovely friend Camilla google them. Then he asked if they were real or reprints - I was slightly insulted and insisted they were real! - but he picked at the silk covering to be sure haha! Standard. Then he gave me a hug and kiss and again said they were amazing. I was so, so chuffed to give him something he loved. After taking photos with a few of us, including myself, I asked him if Carl was inside because I heard a trumpet - he smirked and said no he’s not, as if that was the most ridiculous suggestion ever.
I showed him my tattoo of “the luck a penny brings” and his eyes lit up and he said “I saw that in the alley!” I told him I had written it. Not sure he was filming anything that day, so it appears he just wandered through the Up The Bracket alley himself for a little nostalgia. Which is so cool! Then he headed back into the venue.
Carl arrived soon after looking very rushed and hurried and a little unwell, he had a chest cold apparently. He was carrying a kid’s backpack. I handed him a Neighbours Christmas album I got for him literally two years back and he looked surprised - inspected the cover for faces he recognized from his fave show haha - kindly said it’s brilliant then gave me a quick hug. He had to go as he was late for rehearsal so dashed off fairly fast. Apparently he came outside later looking for ‘the Australians’ including myself and Camilla haha but we’d left. He had a beer with Patrick and his lovely mum and shouted them a round.
Next day was the show! We didn’t see them arrive as they were in good and early. Now the show... what can I say. Word got around a few hours before that the Langley sisters would be joining them on stage and suddenly what we all thought was an acoustic set - just them like 2007 - was something else. And won’t lie - there was a lot of concern and disappointment at first, and worry about how it would be received, but we all hoped for the best.
The show was of course bloody epic. The boys looked amazing in their matching Herr Von Eden suits. So impressed by the arrangements and Peter playing far more interesting and complex guitar parts than usual. Both their vocals were spot on and some of the best I have heard them do. Carl admitted they were nervous - telling the crowd as much - and it was obvious, they both seemed a touch tense. Peter also seemed a little more... high than usual which was probably due to nerves too.
But that and the nerves did make the pair of them a little less connected than I would have liked to have seen them. They were so in sync musically but banter was very minimal and there wasn’t the same sense of chemistry you sometimes see. They seemed extremely focused on being very professional and it paid dividends musically for sure.
However because we were so close - like most people in stalls we got out of our seats and stood in front of the stage - you could see how much of that famous eye contact and small gestures were used as shorthand communication. It’s really amazing to see how well they know one another without many words. You could also see them sing mashed lip to lip and mouth to mouth rather frequently - the latter to the point where people seated further away asked if they’d had a smooch as they were literally singing with their mouths near-entirely pressed together at one stage. They really don’t have any physical boundaries on that level.
At some stage during the night a group in the crowd began chanting, “Touch his bum!” about Carl and Peter stopped and asked: “Touch his BUM??” While Carl looked flustered and amused. No bum was touched. It was also enjoyable seeing Peter swaying side of stage when Carl was singing Let it Rain. He seemed really into it and watching attentively.
There were some awesome lyric changes - they did a portion of The Letter and Peter said, “my lonely days are gone, I’m going home, Carlos he sent me a letter”. Then there was the Tell The King change on both nights where Peter sang, “you’re like a tabloid journalist, you cut and paste and twist, like me you’re awful”. Which felt like a nice acknowledgement of recent interviews and such.
Peter also told Carl to “thank the girls” meaning the backup singers and Carl looked at the audience and said “thanks girls!” Which got a laugh. It was then explained to him that Peter meant the singers ha.
Highlights were definitely Bound Together (where Carl sang “we’re bound together by sex and drugs”) and the shared version of Grimaldi, which was just ... astonishing. There could not be a higher fan service delivered in terms of what so many of us had dreamed of hearing. It was even better the second night when they did it again - the way they mixed the two different ways they perform it was just poetic, operatic, amazing. It needs to be recorded!
They’d opened the first night with Seven Deadly Sins but the next night did a medley instead including Can’t Stand Me Now which sounded insanely good acoustic.
After the show we headed out to see if they’d emerge and after a long wait Carl did with Edie and his older son, who in person truly looks a LOT like his dad, he has the whole Carlish vibe. Edie was quite vocally insistent on ensuring he’d leave quickly but he did attend to as many fans as he could. Sarah and I managed to get a hold of him to write out some of the lyrics to Truth Begins to get tattooed. When I said we wanted the lyrics to the song he said, “How much of it do you want? My son’s waiting!” in standard Carl comic tone. He wrote Sarah’s line - all the friends you’ve not yet met - and looked so pleased and touched when he said, “that’s my favourite line too”. Awwww. He was though very very drunk and properly slurring. Then he was rushed off by the missus who was quite insistent in saying that they had a taxi waiting. Peter escaped via a side door so we all headed home on a total high.
Night two was amazing as well, again we didn’t see them come in to rehearsal but heard they’d arrived a lot later that time. You could hear Peter singing from inside however, believe doing MWTLGO. We were seated way higher that time and it did give us more of a sense of how epic the whole musical performance was. While we waited we say Gladys and Narco get loose in the theatre and have to be wrangled by a helper. It was hilarious but I do worry they’re getting enough sleep as they’re so often up all hours.
The show was even better than the night before and Peter seemed more lucid. The two of them were a lot more in sync emotionally and some warm looks and small jokes exchanged, making for more unity than the night before. A group started chanting “We love Carl” and Peter said “Carl loves you too!” And Carl seemed all coy. Peter also invited a round of applause for Carl’s hard work on making Hackney happen which was really moving and Carl seemed touched. Peter then added that he was only responsible for the “cha cha cha” version of What A Waster but it was still being worked out and “may be ready by Amsterdam” which got a laugh from everyone including Carl. The version of Grimaldi was insane that night too and even longer.
At one stage Zeus ran on stage and Carl leaned down and gave him kiss on the snoot! So cute. Carl then brought the mic down to his level and Zeus did a huge husky howl! Massive applause for that haha, then he was led off.
Watching from higher up gave us a better perspective of how amazing the staging and music was. It was really such an operatic gig and what they pulled together in a short time was miraculous.
After the show we waited outside at the stage door and it took a while for anyone to emerge. Peter stuck his head out the top window looking all fluffy and so cheerful and said hello. We were glad he stayed back to spend time with Carl and everyone backstage for a few hours though no window performance as we’d hoped! Katia and Jack were leaning out a lower window to smoke and Jack later came out to lap up some attention from the waiting fans.
Eventually Carl came out and was swamped! @carlbaratnews encouraged him to wish Sarah Happy Birthday and he gave Sarah a lovely birthday hug. They had a chat which she described in her recap. I came over and asked if he liked the Neighbours record I gave him - he said he did - then he rattled off a bunch of gifts he recalled getting from various people - some from us and some from others, and went on about how much he loved the ship cup he’d gotten from lovely Polina @bergamotandbiggles in Melbourne and said he uses it. He also mentioned he had Sarah’s record she gave him last year on his jukebox at home.
Sarah then assured him we both loved Let it Rain - he had said on stage that it’s a song not many people know or like and “If you know it I love you” - and he seemed genuinely touched. I got all emotional at that stage and looked him in those lovely eyes and said of the whole show: “It was amazing, just amazing” and I admit I got a little tearful. He looked quite moved by my ridiculously embarrassing display of fan-girl sop and grabbed me for a hard hug and a big warm smooch. His lips were so damn warm in the cold air and it was ... gah lovely. I’m glad I got to tell him how I felt.
He was then ushered off by Edie who asked how much longer he was going to be, he said ten minutes but she said let’s go now. He stayed another minute to sign my lovely pal Jessie’s ticket but then headed off. Peter left around the same time, through the side door yet again, and a van took him and the dogs away. We didn’t see him leave but a few fans did though he didn't stop.
All in all it was such an amazing night and we got to spend time with so many amazing fans from on here and beyond, who were all having an incredible time. Still can’t quite believe it all happened, and so hope to see them again soon.
It was nothing like most of us expected - nothing, but for those I spoke to that night, it was beyond our wildest dreams. I kept looking at @jessinthesky and @riddle-me-this-blog and @suchasinistergame and literally asking “Is this a dream? Have we fucking died?” It was a show that we couldn’t have imagined could ever come to be, and it was sheer, unbridled joy. I keep remembering seeing Camilla @riddle-me-this-blog just beaming and beaming and thinking wow, yep, this is the feeling I will aways have and always turn up for. No matter how much noise and naysaying there is, it’s those moments that just take us somewhere brilliant. Wank as it sounds - Arcadia, even.
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2, 10, 18, 19, 25, 27, 29, and 40 for the Writer's Meme?
2. Is there a trope you’ve yet to try your hand at, but really want to?
Does slow burn count? Haha. I feel like I’m way too impatient to succeed with that trope, despite the interest.
10. Which fic has been the easiest to write?
Hmmm. That’s hard to say. I write with an extremely loose outline (literally just bulletpoints) but I guess in terms of the ideas just flowed and came to me, I’m going to say Oasis. Writing naga prince Garrus seemed so natural and fun. Same with femshep in that verse.
18. Do you use any tools, like worksheets or outlines?
Not really, no. For both fanfic and original stuff I’ll have a loose outline but like I said above, it’s just bulletpoints. I find I have better success writing that way and letting the ideas just organically come.
19. Steven King once said that his muse is a man who lives in the basement. Do you have a muse?
Do monster men count as a muse? 😜Honestly if we’re talking inspiration my biggest influencer there is music. Especially Florence and the Machine. Something about her voice just conjures otherworldly romance for me.
25. What do you look for in a beta?
To be honest I gotta be friends with the person first to share my rough drafts. I’ve been super lucky @s0me-writer @squigglysquidd and @cousinslavellan have all at some point been willing to review my stuff and offer edits and great feedback. So I guess I look for friendship in my beta readers?
27. How do you feel about collaborations?
It would depend on the person and the project. If it were a friend whose works I was familiar with, I’d definitely be down to co-write stuff. Actually, that sounds kinda fun.
29. If you could write the sequel (or prequel) to any fic out there not writen by yourself, which would you choose?
Gosh, neither? I love reading other works for the ideas other people came up with. That said I definitely fan-girl over certain works and if an offer came to co-write a chapter or something I’d pounce, haha.
40. Write an alternate ending to _____.
I’m honestly pretty happy with the endings to my chapter fics and one-shots. Not sure what I’d change?
Thanks for the Asks!
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