A WIP I didn’t end up having time to finish and I’m not sure when it’ll really be “IP” again sdkjfhsk, BUT since it’s still February 15th in some time zone somewhere, HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIM DOKJA!!

[ID: a digital sketch depicting several characters from Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint, posing for a photo. A young Kim Dokja lays asleep in a hospital bed in the center of the frame. A slightly older Lee Gilyoung and Shin Yoosung crowd his sides; on Kim Dokja’s right, Lee Gilyoung half-climbs onto the bed to rest his elbow on Kim Dokja’s shoulder, while on his left, Shin Yoosung kneels beside the bed and rests her hand on Kim Dokja’s arm. In front of her, Yoo Sangah rests her right arm on the foot of the bed, a somewhat wistful expression on her face as she kneels on one knee so as to not block the people behind her. Han Sooyoung stands behind the bed with her arms folded over the top, chewing a lollipop stick as she stares at the camera with a tired yet determined smile on her face. Finally, Lee Jihye stands in the right foreground, grinning at the camera and making a peace sign as she takes the picture. /end ID]

Charming (Part 2 of Charm)

Pairing: TFATWS!Bucky Barnes x Reader

Summary: Bucky has everything planned out for his date with you.

Word Count: 2,566

Warnings: No TFATWS spoilers here, Bucky being charming (hence the title) is a warning in itself

A/N: Ahhh you guys, thank you for all the love for Charm! I didn’t expect for that oneshot to receive so much love from everyone. Can’t thank y’all enough!!! For those who haven’t read it yet, make sure to do so before reading this!

Charm (Part 1) || MAIN MASTERLIST

Bucky nervously waited outside of your apartment building. He made sure to plan really well for this date, he didn’t want to mess up. He really liked talking to you and he wanted you to enjoy this day.

“Okay, I’m ready!” You announced as you stepped out of the building, jogging downstairs to approach him.

You looked excited, Bucky noticed. Okay, that’s good. He’s off to a good start. He found himself smiling at you, admiring this light and bright aura that radiated off of you. He could use a little light in his life and it might be too soon for Bucky to even consider it, but you seemed like the perfect girl to him.

“Hi.” Bucky greeted. “You look beautiful.” He said, eyeing you from head to toe.

Bucky’s confidence grew when your cheeks turned pink at his compliment. You thanked him and let your eyes fall to his left arm, making Bucky instantly regret his decision to forego the gloves. He should’ve worn his jacket on top of his blue henley. All his worries though eventually dissipated when you reassured him.

“Glad you aren’t wearing your gloves, it looked really uncomfortable.” You told him genuinely.

Bucky shyly let out a chuckle, “Yeah.”

“So, to the park?” You asked excitedly.

Bucky made a face, “Actually, I thought of changing our plans a bit. Hope that’s alright?” He asked hopefully.

You narrowed your eyes at him as you nodded, “Hmm, that sounds interesting. Alright then, what do you got?”

Embarrassment filled Bucky’s entire being when he whipped out a folded piece of paper from his back pocket. He glanced at you and watched your expression as he unfolded it, revealing it to be the size of a bond paper where he had written down his agenda for the day.

“Oh wow, that’s...very interesting.” You pointed out but with no malice. In fact, you were impressed.

Who would’ve thought that guys nowadays came to a date prepared? But then again, Bucky wasn’t from this time but truly appreciated how old-fashioned he still was.

Bucky rubbed his neck, “I made an itinerary but saying that out loud, it actually sounds terrible.”

“Not at all!” You were quick to defend. “I like a well-planned day. I’m not really the spontaneous type so this really works well for me.” You chuckled.

Bucky bit his lip to stop himself from smiling too wide. It seemed like the date would go pretty well, he hoped it’d last the entire day though. He couldn’t help but worry that something might happen that would throw you off. Or that he might end up saying things that you’d find offensive.

“What’s first on the itinerary?” You asked.

-

“I got a strike!” You squealed in excitement and pumped your first in the air.

Bucky took you to a bowling place and honestly, he didn’t expect for you to be so excited about it. He felt silly for outdoing himself for this first date. In fact, he researched about dating in the modern day the moment he got home after meeting you. The tips were very different, some of which he wasn’t comfortable doing. So instead of adjusting to the present, Bucky stayed true to himself.

He was going to do it his own way, no matter how traditional it seemed. This led him to writing down his ideas on a piece of paper and planning everything out properly.

“Looks like I won.” You smirked, seeing the scores flash on the television hanging on the ceiling. “Did you go easy on me? Tell me the truth, Bucky.” You warned as you looked at him suspiciously.

Bucky chortled and shook his head, “I didn’t. It’s been decades since the last time I did this so I got pretty rusty at it.” He explained.

“You ready to grab something to eat?” He asked, checking the time and seeing that it was close to three in the afternoon.

You nodded enthusiastically, “I’m starving! I mean, beating a super soldier at bowling can be really exhausting.” You teased.

Bucky smiled, “Great, but can we stop by somewhere first?”

-

Bucky felt proud at himself when he saw the astonished look in your face.

“Oh my god, is this...?” You asked, eyeing the car that Bucky drove out of a car rental shop.

“A 1942 Pontiac Torpedo.” Bucky boasted before stepping out of the car and leading you towards the front seat.

Bucky waited for you to slip in, your expression still that of utter disbelief, before closing the door and walking around to ride back inside.

“And it’s the convertible one.” He said proudly and laughed at your reaction when he brought down the roof.

“I have no words for this, Bucky. This is amazing!” You exclaimed, running your hands on the compartment and just taking in the beautiful interiors of the vintage car.

Bucky watched you with a soft look in his eyes. He felt kind of selfish for gloating at the fact that this date only proved to himself that he still is James Buchanan Barnes. Despite decades of torture and brainwashing as the Winter Soldier, he still had pieces of himself left.

But seeing you so giddy at the date that he poured so much effort in? Maybe he wasn’t so selfish after all.

“And where will you be taking us next for you to rent this lovely vehicle? I honestly don’t know what to expect after this. I’m just...I love it!” You laughed, unable to hide your excitement.

“We’re having burgers and milkshakes.” Bucky announced.

-

Bucky wanted you to experience what it was like dating in his time, so it was only right that he took you to a diner. But it wasn’t just the regular one, he took you to a drive-in diner where waitresses even wore roller derby skates.

“You just keep on outdoing yourself, Bucky. I’m speechless!” You laughed.

The waitress rolled by your car and took your orders. After she left, there was finally a moment of peace which allowed you and Bucky to have an actual conversation.

“Did you often hang out in one of these places then?” You asked.

Bucky smiled at the memories, “Yeah, used to take Steve with me. He always ended up getting mad whenever he realized that it was a set-up for a double date.”

You hummed in amusement. “You seemed really popular with the ladies, huh?”

Bucky chuckled timidly before letting out a sigh. He turned to you curiously and creased his forehead, “Why didn’t you tell me you knew who I was?” He finally asked.

You seemed surprised at his question but your features softened up almost immediately. Shrugging as if it was no big deal, you told him that you really didn’t feel the need to do so.

“Would it change anything if I told you I knew who you were?” You curiously asked.

Bucky thought for a brief moment, “I probably would’ve excused myself and left.”

“That’s what I thought.” You said. “You seemed comfortable then, I didn’t want to overwhelm you by bringing it up. Besides, I really don’t care about it. I mean, I had fun talking to you and that’s all that matters to me. Superhero or not, I do enjoy your company.”

Bucky snickered, “I don’t think superhero is the right word.”

“You’ll be surprised that a lot of people call you that.” You said, placing a hand on Bucky’s arm, squeezing it to offer him comfort.

Bucky loosened up at your touch and kept his gaze lingering on how your fingers were wrapped around his arm.

“There’s this one kid at the orphanage I volunteer at,” you said, letting go of Bucky’s arm as you adjusted your position in the car so you could turn to him. Bucky almost missed the warmth from your hand on his skin.

“I asked them to draw someone they looked up to and this is his work.” You said, bringing out your phone to show Bucky a photo of the drawing.

Bucky’s breath hitched when you handed him your phone, revealing that the kid drew a man with long brown hair and a metal arm. He used black and gold to color the metal arm, not silver. It didn’t even have the red star on it. When Bucky looked up at you, he saw the most genuine smile he had ever seen.

“I asked him why he chose you and he said that he liked how Captain America’s best friend fought alongside him. For a kid his age, he knew a lot about your history too. He’s a huge fan.” You laughed.

Bucky’s eyes almost brimmed with tears. He was unable to believe that a kid would look up to him, consider him a superhero. All this time he had been seeing himself as a villain still, the bad guy. Someone who would have a hard time redeeming himself. You made him think twice about it, that maybe he had been too harsh on himself.

“You should come with me to the orphanage some time. The kids will love you, Bucky. It’s not that hard to do so.” You said softly, lifting your hand up to fix a strand of Bucky’s hair that was out of place.

It was a beautiful moment between the two of you. Bucky felt vulnerable but safe, like you’d keep him safe. Not from danger but from his very own destructive thoughts. Whenever he loses control of his mind, whenever it wanders into the darkest parts of his past, Bucky tends to self-destruct. And he almost wandered there but you were quick to pull him back to the surface.

“What are you thinking of?” You asked when you noticed that Bucky was just staring at you.

Bucky’s gaze fell onto your lips and then back at your eyes, “Thinking about whether I should just go for it now.”

“Go for what?” You blinked.

Bucky slowly leaned in but was immediately startled when the waitress arrived with your orders.

-

After the diner, Bucky drove to the park where the two of you walked around while talking about well, anything. He learned more about you and this time, he didn’t have to lie about anything whenever you asked him. In fact, Bucky got really comfortable opening up about his life in the 40’s, he even talked about his family.

The two of you talked more until the sun set and the next thing you knew was that Bucky brought you to a drive-in theater and bought pizza to cap off the date.

-

It was a little past ten in the evening when Bucky drove you home. He opened the car door for you and nervously fidgeted with the piece of paper in his back pocket.

“So did you tick off everything on the itinerary?” You asked.

Bucky let out the fakest laugh because no, he hasn’t ticked off everything on his list. There was one more thing that he planned to do at the very end of the date. He had been confident about it, especially after how much you enjoyed the date in its entirety. But, now standing outside your apartment building and staring at you nervously, he wasn’t sure whether he had enough courage to pull this off.

“I uhh...well...” Bucky stammered. “Did you enjoy?” He asked again, just to be sure.

“I am offended that you had to ask because I thought my face was unable to hide at how much I did!” You laughed.

“Thank you for giving me the 1940s experience. I love it. I really do, it’s...it’s been a while since I last went on a date that I really enjoyed.” You shyly admitted, biting your lip and looking up at Bucky through your lashes.

Bucky’s breath got caught in his throat as he gazed down at you. You looked really beautiful, no matter how simple you looked. He wanted to take you out to another date, maybe tomorrow. Or the next day perhaps, actually, Bucky wanted to be with you every single day.

You were so kind and bubbly, you offered so much light to his darkness. He loved how your hopeful attitude rubbed off on him, he badly needed it. And he loved how you made him feel...himself. He was just Bucky Barnes, a guy navigating through the modern times and finding his place in this world. And it would seem like an easy task with you by his side.

“Well, I guess this is it.” You said. “Thanks again, Bucky. I really did enjoy.”

Bucky was surprised when you stepped closer to him for a hug. Feeling your arms wrap around his waist and your hair brush against his chin gave him the boost of confidence he needed to finally check off the last on his date itinerary.

By the time he convinced himself to do it, you already stepped back and bid Bucky good night.

Bucky proved to himself the other night that he still has his charm from back then. And tonight, he was going to prove that his charm was going to sweep you off of your feet.

“Wait, one last thing.” Bucky said, reaching out for your wrist.

He tugged you forward making you squeal, and then wrapped his metal arm around your waist before swooping you down for a kiss.

Bucky wasn’t sure how you would react to his kiss but he could no longer hold himself back. It could either make or break his friendship with you, but Bucky just had to. And it wasn’t just to prove something to himself, he’d been wanting to kiss you all throughout the day. He would have already, at the diner, if only the waitress didn’t interrupt his little moment with you.

He almost panicked when your lips remained still, but it all went away when he felt your hands wrap around his shoulders before finally kissing him back. Bucky’s lips curled into a smile against yours as he slowly straightened, bringing you back up before pulling away.

You panted against his lips, your hands sliding down to rest on Bucky’s chest as his landed on your hips.

“Was that...was that a part of your list?” You breathlessly asked.

“Yes. Almost went for it at the diner but I guess the universe wanted for me to stick to the schedule.” He grinned.

You threw your head back in laughter, “So that’s what you meant by that!”

Bucky laughed in agreement and held your face in his metal hand, noticing how you weren’t thrown off. Instead, you turned your face to even press a kiss on his palm.

“Was I too fast? Kissing you on the first date?” He asked, caressing your face.

You shook your head, “You did wait until the end of the date to do so, I guess your timing was just right.”

“And...how was it?” Bucky meekly asked, almost afraid that he might have sucked given that this was his first kiss in decades.

Smiling, you leaned in again to give him a quick peck on the lips. A reassurance, something to melt Bucky’s worries away.

“What can I say? James Bucky Barnes, you are one charming man.”

Now, Bucky was a hundred percent sure that he still has it in him. And he made a mental note to boast to Yori how his first date with you went.

-

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Heads and Tails

Genre: Fluff, Angst, College AU

Warnings: Aged up, smut, drinking, blowjobs, good old fashion drunk hookup, self degrading at one point, ahhh non descriptive smut....

Wordcount: 6.8k (my bad)

Summary: You slowly become best friends with Noya. One night you get drunk with him and Tanaka and it leads to drunk confessions. You two start dating afterward, you try to surprise him one day by at practice but his old feelings for Kiyoko bring out your insecurities when you see him talking to her. 

A/N: This took wayyy to long to write, and it’s a lot longer than I expected. First piece for Haikyuu and I was drinking wine while writing most of it so please forgive typos. The ending is ehh because I just wanted to get it finished. 

Inspired by a rp with @astrid-thirsts (....... Its not as much angst as I said)

You couldn’t remember the last time you were excited for a volleyball game. They weren’t something new you went to. You had always watched Karasuno’s boys team play, ever since you were little. Fond memories filled your thoughts whenever you thought about going to the matches. For a while though, there was something missing. The excited cheers from fans started to dwindle and you found less and less seats being filled. There were no longer group hugs when the team won. Replaced with hung heads and silent tears. But you kept going. Even as the boy’s losses stacked against them so high it cast a shadow big enough to drown them. Things started to change this year.

Rumors floated around the school pretty quickly. Apparently, there were knew recruits on the team and they had pretty good potential. It piqued your interest. If there was a chance that the team could start building back the foundation it once had, you wanted to be there to see it.

You decided to take the long way back to your dorm one day. It gave you a chance to walk by the gym where volleyball practice was held. You walked for a while, a tinge of excitement pooling in your stomach at the thought of maybe getting to see the team up close. For years you had watched them from high up in the bleachers. The only constant as the members came and went.

As the gym came into view, you slowed your pace. A part of you wanted to peek through the doors. With a sudden burst of courage, you went up to the doors. The few steps seemed like forever. Reaching a hand out to push one side open, your heart jumped when it slide open right when you touched it. The first thing you saw was a pair of bright brown eyes. The boy tilted his head a bit and you noticed a towel wrapped around his neck.

“Y/n? What are you doing here?”

That was one of the first times you had actually spoken to him, you weren’t even sure if he had known your name before. You weren’t a stranger to Nishinoya. He was in a few of your classes; you had just never really talked to him all that much. You didn’t know if it was the fact he was on the volleyball team, or that you had a huge crush on him but, it even thinking of talking to him made you nervous. I wasn’t like you didn’t want to talk to him, he was just overwhelming. Constantly full of energy, lighting up whatever room he walked into. The idea of just walking up to him and striking a conversation was intimidating. So, when one day you got paired together for a project you didn’t know if you were excited or scared.

It was easy to talk to him. A lot easier than you expected. Something about him always drew you in, even if he was going on and on about the volleyball team for the fifteenth time in the hour. The playful energy that exuded from him held a welcoming arm out to you. Like it was offering everything you’d ever wanted, even if he didn’t realize it. But you took it. Grabbed its hand and ran.

Its grasp eventually led to more nights spent with him, even after the work necessary for the project was finished. It sort of became the new norm for you. After his evening practice, you would either go to his dorm or he’d come to yours. The conversations came easier, shifting from class and volleyball to shared hobbies. You learned more about him than you ever thought you would. Every time you left his dorm, your head swarmed with the memories of the night. The entire walk home felt like you were floating, and you kind of felt ridiculous for it. The way your heartbeat sped up when he was close, or how your eyes lingered on him when he wasn’t looking shouldn’t happen. Especially because you weren’t sure if you’d ever get the courage to tell him your feelings. Little did you know, Nishinoya felt the same way.

He started to rush through the end of practice just so he could see you after. Just spending time with you was the best part of his day. He didn’t realize what his feelings were, just that he was happy when he was with you. It wasn’t until he brought you up to Tanaka at practice for the fifth day in a row did he slowly start to think different about you. Tanaka didn’t help either, teasing him about if that’s the reason he left practice early. If you knew about that, Nishinoya was sure you’d chew him out.

Your love for volleyball was only one of the things that drew him in. It was the way you always found the good in something, even if it felt like the world was ending at the time. One time he came texted you about a test in one of his classes, his grade ended up being a lot lower than expected and he was a little annoyed. You just offered to help him study for the next one, wanting to make him feel better. To him it felt like the entire weight was lifted off his shoulders just with that one response. There were other things too, of course. You were incredibly beautiful, catching his eye before you even became friends.

Months went by and the two of you fell in routine. He would meet you halfway between his dorm and yours before classes, walking you to yours which barely left him any time to make it to his. You told him you were fine when he mentioned it to you on accident one morning, but each day he stood under the same lamppost waiting for you. Slowly, without meaning to, you fell in love with him. But it didn’t feel like falling. It was more like stepping into a warm embrace.

 “Yuu?” Your voice was quiet as you called his name for the second time in the past few minutes. Slightly amused you nudged him with your foot under the table, trying to get his attention. “Nishinoya?!”

“Oh, sorry!” He set his phone on the table, a goofy grin on his face when he looked up at you. “Did you need something?”

“I was helping you with your Algebra homework. Don’t tell me you forgot.”

“You’re going to be pretty disappointed then, because I haven’t done a problem in at least a half hour.” You couldn’t even be mad at him; all you could do was shake your head. He promised he’d work on his homework for the next hour. He lasted maybe ten minutes before groaning and pushing the paper away from him. “This is too boring. It’s a Friday, we should go out and have some fun!”

“What did you have in mind?”

“Wanna get drunk?”

 Three hours later, after an embarrassing little bit of Nishinoya watching you get ready as he laid on your bed, you ended up in Tanaka’s dorm room. Drink in hand you sat in his desk chair as Nishinoya and him sit on the ground in front of you.

This wasn’t what you thought when he mentioned getting drunk, but it was fun, nonetheless. You preferred this. Nishinoya was a popular guy so you figured he’d bring you to one of the clubs near campus, but this felt different. Maybe even special. Just you two and his best friend. Something about it was heartwarming. Until Tanaka brought up their manager again. It had been so many times the night already that you were tired of hearing about it.

“I’m telling you, y/n. It is better when she ignores me!” Tanaka yelled emphasizing his words by throwing his arm out, causing his drink to slosh over the edge of the cup.

“Really? I would’ve thought that being ignored would hurt.” You say, trying not to glance at Nishinoya when you do. Your feelings completely opposite your words.

“No, no it doesn’t. I don’t know how to explain it. Noya! You try for me; I can’t think straight.”

“Ahh, I don’t know man.” You didn’t notice the slight discomfort lining Nishinoya’s words or the way he looked to you as he responded. Already on your fifth drink of the night, you started to feel your head swim past tipsy. You caught his glance smiling into your cup as you drank more of whatever concoction he had made you.

“How’s your drink, y/n?” Nishinoya asked standing to make himself another one.

“Really good actually!” Your voice was louder than you anticipated, making you cringe slightly. “How are you so good at making drinks?”

“I learned my secret from those old Italian grandmas on youtube. I just don’t measure anything, letting my heart decide what to put in it.” All you could do was stare at him as he demonstrated. Tossing random things into his cup, trying not to make a disgusted face at the amount of alcohol you watched him pour.

“Did you… put that much into all my other drinks?” His toothy grin was enough of an answer and you stared into your cup. You hadn’t even tasted the liquor.

 Several rounds and a few shots later, it was your turn again. You had brought up the idea to play truth or drink. It was a game you had always played with your girl friends back home, so you decided why not. The amount of alcohol in your system didn’t help either.

“So, y/n.” Tanaka started, you could already see the evil look in his eyes. “Out of everyone on the volleyball team, which one of use would you want to hook up with?”

The question should’ve startled you, it probably would’ve if you hadn’t had the boost of vodka running through your veins and the newfound courage that came with it. Your answer came with no hesitation, you even looked into his eyes as you said it.

“Noya.” Your eyes flicked from his wide eyes to the growing smile on his lips. Not at all aware to the blush that flooded his cheeks.

 “Oh, dayum. I thought for sure you’d drink to that one.” Tanaka said but you didn’t really pay attention to his words. Your eyes focused on Nishinoya, feeling like if you ripped them from him. You’d never be able to look him in the eyes again.

“You’re turn, y/n.” Nishinoya’s voice was quiet, almost a whisper. Not able to tear his eyes away from yours.

Caught up in the moment, you direct your question towards him. “Yu-“

Your words are cut off as Tanaka lets out a loud groan, drawing your attention to him.

“Grossss, you guys can take that shit elsewhere. I’m gonna text Kiyoko again.”

 That’s how you found yourself sitting on one of the campus’s benches, your side nearly pressed against Nishinoya.

“Y/n, you look so beautiful under the light from the lamppost.” In your drunken state, you found his normally constant flirting cute. Your cheeks burn lightly from the deep blush resting on them. The two of you sit in silence after that. Neither of your quite ready to go back to your dorms.

“You know, I never got to ask you my question.” You say as you lean your head against his shoulder.

“You’re right, I forgot.” His response was short, but you could hear the hopeful tone swimming in it. “You can ask me now if you still want to.”

“Yuu, will you kiss me?”

“I don’t think that would’ve worked as a question, y/n.” He answered.

“God, just shut up and kiss me.” You quipped back, moving to face him. He didn’t even respond. Cupping your cheek, you both leaned in, you were too impatient to wait for him. The kiss was soft and sweet, ending too soon. You wanted more.

 Ten minutes later after dragging him to your dorm you pushed the door open. Thankful you didn’t share it with anyone as you pulled him into the room. You gently pushed him to sit on the bed, sitting on his lap arms wrapped around his neck loosely.

“I wasn’t kidding. He spoke. “You really do look amazing tonight.”

You hummed in response, not trusting your voice. Staring into his warm brown eyes, the fairy lights that light up your room danced in the reflection of them.

“You’re so handsome, Yuu.” Your voice is quiet and uneven as you talk. “You always are, I know I’ve never told you that before.”

“You’re drunk, y/n.” His voice matched yours as he wrapped his arms around your waist.

“It’s your fault, dummy.” You shook your head, laughing at the amount of alcohol he probably put into your drinks, not realizing how fast you would drink them. “I meant what I said you know.”

“Really? I thought that was just for the game, you wouldn’t prefer someone else?” You could see the hope swirling in his eyes.

“Absolutely not. I don’t like anyone else.” You answered while your hands gingerly played with the ends of his hair.

“You like me?” His eyes widened at your statement and you couldn’t help but laugh a little.

“You didn’t realize?” You asked and he shook his head as his answer. “I thought I made it a little obvious, but yes I do.”

Your voice was nearly a whisper as you leaned in close to him. Breath ghosting over his lips, you could feel him shiver a bit and it put a smile on your face. He didn’t have to respond with words to make you know he felt the same way. Your lips connected again, this time different than before. Rough and passionate. Like he was pouring everything he was holding in into your lips. You did the same, every pent-up emotion you felt for him, every lingering gaze you spent trying to make yourself confess, every single thing.

The kiss became rougher, teeth clashing and noses bumping as you pulled closer to him. Unknowingly grinding your hips down into him at the way his tongue slipped into your mouth. A soft whimper slipping from your lips.

“Yuu..” You breathed out when he pulled away, panting himself.

“Fuck, y/n. Your lips are so soft.” He leaned in again, pulling you into another kiss. You could taste the lingering vodka on his tongue as it danced with yours. Both of you fighting for dominance. He groaned as you pushed your fingers into his hair, tugging gently at it. He jerked his hips up and you could feel him against your core. “Sorry, I couldn’t help it. You’re just….”

“No, it’s okay.” You said, smiling as you slipped off his lap. Hands sliding down his torso, stopping at his waistband. The tent in his pants already obvious. You looked back up to him, waiting for him to give you some sort of confirmation you could keep going.

He grabbed your hands gently, leaning in to press another short kiss against your lips. “You don’t have to.”

“I want to. Just, let me take care of you.” Confidence flooded your voice in your drunken stupor. He could only nod at your words and you moved your hands lower, palming his hardness through his pants. Enjoying the quiet groans that fall from his lips at the sudden friction. You tug on his waistband and he shifts his hips up, helping you pull his pants down. You move up pressing your lips against his again as you slip your hand into his boxers. Feeling him hiss lightly against your lips at your hand against him.

“Ah, shit-“ You could barely hear his groans as you focused wrapping your hand around his cock, loosely stroking it.

“You’re already so hard, Yuu. Did my answer affect you that much?” He bit his lip nodding again at your words as you worked your hand. A smile tugged at your lips.

You moved down further, placing soft kisses against his abs. Feeling him shudder as you trailed down, stopping at his boxers before pulling them down all the way. His member springing free, slapping against his stomach

“You’re so pretty.” You ran your tongue up the underside of his cock lightly, admiring the way it twitched lightly in your hold before swirling your tongue around the tip as you pumped the rest of his length. Hearing his quiet groans pushed you forward, and you looked up to him, meeting his gaze and you slowly brought more of him into your mouth. Watching as his head fell back through your blurry vision.

“I should be the one saying that, y/n.” He said, his voice unsteady.

You pulled back with a pop, smirking up at him. “Don’t hold back, let me hear you.”

You wait for him to respond before dipping your head back down, taking him into your mouth again. A loud moan fell from his lips as you did, and you had to press your hands into his thighs to keep him from bucking up into your mouth. Once he stilled himself, you started wrapping your fingers around what you couldn’t fit into your mouth. Swiping your tongue over the slit that leaked precum already.

You could feel his thighs twitching under you as you worked your mouth on him. Breathing through your nose and relaxing your throat you pushed your face down until your nose brush against his pelvis. The loud moan that ripped from his throat made you hum approvingly, and you moved your hand to play with his balls. When you pulled away just enough to breathe, he moved his hand to your jaw pulling you up to him.

“Want to cum with you.” Was the only thing he said before pushing up your shirt, helping you take it off. Biting his lip to concentrate on the clasp of your bra that for some reason he just couldn’t figure out. You grabbed his hands gently stopping him before unhooking it yourself throwing it across the room. His heated gaze fell to your chest as he wasted no time in touching you. Squeezing, sucking, nipping. Every time his tongue danced around your sensitive nipples he grew more confident at the soft breathy moans you let out.

He backed up onto the bed, pulling you with him before crawling over you catching your already swollen lips in another rough kiss. You couldn’t stop the whimper the fell from your lips when he ground down into your core. It put a cocky smile on his face, something you weren’t used too.

“Noya, please.”

“What do you want me to do, baby?” His voice was low, and his words were muffled as he kissed down your neck. It was becoming too much, you wanted him. Needed him.

“Fuck me! Pleas-“

You didn’t get to finish your sentence as he pushed your legs open. Swiping the tip up and down your folds a few times before slowly pushing in. Your mouth fell open at the sudden fullness. He didn’t stop until he was bottomed out inside you. You looked up at him once started moving his hips, trying to paint the look on his face into your memory. His eyes blown out in lust as he fucked into you, the way he gritted his teeth trying to quiet the loud moans. It was the last clear image before the night completely blurred.

 The next morning you tried recalling the events that occurred, and it only came in slivers. Like an old movie with holes burnt into the film. The pieces that you could interpret left you with memories of giving yourself to Nishinoya, and him to you. Maybe it was a good thing you couldn’t remember clearly. The way your head ached would’ve only been amplified by the weight of what you did last night. You tried not to think it was a mistake, but it was hard not to. Everyone has a drunken hook up once in a while. You’ve had your share, so why would this one be so different?

It was only when Nishinoya shifted beside you were you pulled from your intruding thoughts. You felt your body tense as he slid his arm over your side and bury his face into your shoulder. He mumbled something incoherent. There was a small voice in your head hoping he was still asleep. But it was nothing compared to the way you felt your heart speed up at the simple action. You closed your eyes telling yourself it was to stop your head from hurting, but you really just wanted to stay in this moment as long as you can. The soft, quiet calm before the shit storm you felt was coming. But, he proved you wrong.

Whispering your name softly as if not to wake you. You found yourself unable to answer him. Waiting to see what would happen, what your reaction to this should be. No matter how badly you wanted to be happy that this happened, you would take whatever came. You didn’t expect him to hum softly and feel his soft lips against your bare shoulder as he gently kissed it. Tangling his legs with yours, you felt him gently rubbing your arm. You couldn’t handle it anymore. His sweetness was too much, and you needed to look at him. Shifting in his hold you turned to face him. A small smile pulled at his lips when you did.

“Morning, y/n.” His voice was a bit raspy, and you found your heart speeding up again at the sight of his tussled hair. The memory of tangling your hands in it flashing across your mind and you couldn’t help the blush. “You okay?”

“Mhm. You’re just really hot.” The words spilled from your lips before you could stop them, and you groaned a little. “Fuck, ignore that. I’m still asleep.”

Nishinoya “When did we fall asleep?” Your voice was quiet, trying to ignore the way his eyes were lighting up at your touch.

laughed at your plea and shook his head, which made you reach up to push the hair that fell in his eyes.

“Honestly, I’m not sure. Was it we fucked for the sec-“

“Yuu!” Your hand covered his mouth, eyes wide at the way he could casually say it. It wasn’t like you didn’t want to talk about it. Just that you didn’t know where to even start. There were so many things you wanted to talk or ask him about now that you were sober. You just weren’t sure if you had the courage anymore. You dropped your hand and shifted your gaze from him, a little nervous.

“Something wrong? Oh no. You regret last night. I’m so sorry, I knew I should’ve waited to make a move when we were sober. I-“ His face pulled into a panicked stare and he started rambling before you cut him off again.

“No, Yuu. I don’t regret it at all. Not one bit.” You sighed looking back to him, trying to reassure his worry. “You were… really good. I just didn’t know how to talk about it.”

“Oh thank god. I was scared I fucked up.” He relaxed a bit, slipping his hand into yours. It warmed your heart how sweet he was being. “I don’t want to ruin this… whatever this is.”

“Do you remember what I said last night?” You asked meekly, hoping he did so you wouldn’t have to repeat it.

“Which part? You said a lot, most of it sounded like my name actually now that I think.” He laughed when you shoved his arm a little, glaring at him. “I know what you said. About liking me, and I feel the same way for you.”

“Then, what is this?” Your heart was pounding in your chest as you asked, and you hoped he couldn’t hear it. The next part you forced out, not wanting to hear the answer. Fearing it would be something that would hurt. “Is this just a one time thing?”

Nishinoya stared at your for a few seconds, completely silent. It felt like forever and the nervousness that pooled in your stomach started creeping up your body. The worst responses flashed through your head.

“No, I don’t want this to be a one time thing. Or anything casual either.” His voice was steady, and serious. You could tell he meant everything he said. “Do you want to go out with me?”

“Yes.”

“Yes, what?”

“Yes, Nishi. I want to go out with you.”

“Fuck yeah! Does this mean I can take you out on a date? I’ve been wanting to for a really long time just never thought I could.” He rambled a little and you couldn’t help but laugh.

“A date sounds perfect. If its anywhere other than our dorms, we spend too much time in them.”

“Yes!! I’ve been wanting to for so long, I just never thought you liked me back!” His arm slid around your side again and your felt the urge to bury your face into his chest. He squeezed you tighter when you did. “Can I tell Tanaka? I feel like we owe this to him!”

“Sure. But don’t mention what we did?”

“I cant promise you that.”

 You two spent most of the morning and afternoon laying in your bed. There was something about him that made you let your guard down. You could talk to him for hours about random stuff and never get bored. It was a lot nicer in his arms too. You always imagined the way it would feel to be wrapped in his arms. Even when you thought you’d never tell him how you felt. It was nice to imagine though, but it was nothing compared to now.

His usual rough wildness on the court was replaced with a softness you didn’t know his arms had. They were always covered in scratches and bruises from practice. You found yourself tracing the dark marks on his biceps, admiring the contrast against his skin. He had a story for each one. Telling it to you as your finger ran over it, and you could picture each one. You’ve seen him on the court before, he was a fury to reckon with but you didn’t realize how aware he was.

The lazy cuddling only ended when both of your stomachs growled for the third time in thirty minutes. He reached over to your nightstand for his phone, asking if you wanted him to order food in. You were thankful for that, the headache from the lingering hangover still pulsated at the back of your neck.

When the food came, you put on a movie and the two of you ate in silence. It wasn’t an awkward silence. You knew there were things you could talk about if you really wanted to, but you found no need to. There was something about just sitting with Nishinoya that made a sort of warm feeling hold in your chest. It was relaxing, and almost familiar.

 The next two weeks flew by. Your old routine with Nishinoya quickly turning into a new one. Instead of him asking you to study as an excuse to see you, he was already at your dorm when you got back from your last class. Each time you entered your dorm and found him sitting on your bed waiting for you made your heart soar.

What you felt for him before anything happened only amplified now. Lingering gazes turned into lustful ones, soft brushes became loving embraces. It was amazing. Everything you had dreamed of and more. It wasn’t until you came by one of his practices early to surprise him did the doubt slip into your thoughts.

You pushed open the gym door entering quietly, not wanting to interrupt anything. Your eyes scanned the gym looking for him and once you did, your excitement dropped a little. Him and Tanaka were standing next to their manager, the one Tanaka always went on and on about. It looked completely innocent, they were just talking. But you didn’t miss the way Nishinoya laughed or the bright look on his face as she said something.

You couldn’t hear what they were saying, but you didn’t even have to. He looked so excited, the way his face was flushed as he swayed on his feet. It was a simple action, they were only talking so why did it have to feel like this?

He had told you about his crush on her before, but explained it was long gone. That it had been nothing but a simple unrequited crush. But it stung seeing him so happy talking to her. Confliction twisted in your stomach. You didn’t want to be the type of girlfriend to get jealous over other girls, but this somehow felt different.

You went up to the first person next to you and quietly asked them to give the bento box in your hands to Nishinoya. It was their captain. You were a little familiar with him from watching all of their games, you just never talked to him before.

“Don’t tell him I came in. Just if you could say I dropped it off?” Your voice was unsteady and you could feel your hands shaking a little.

“Sure thing. Are you, y/n?” You could only nod as your eyes flicked back to Nishinoya still standing by their manager. “So you’re Noya’s girlfriend! I was wondering when we were going to meet you. I was beginning to think you didn’t exist, but he talks about you so much.”

“Yeah, I am. I didn’t realize he talked about me that much. I’m surprised you’re not sick of it.” You laughed nervously a little, trying not to look at them.

“No, he means no harm. He obviously really cares about you, I’m glad he has someone like you. From what I’ve heard, you seem like an amazing person.”

That hurt. You don’t know why it did, but it pulled at your chest heavily. You tried so badly to fight against the way seeing him over there picked at your brain but it didn’t work. Tanaka’s signature laugh echoed in the gym and your eyes moved to them again. Their manager was gone now, but you saw the way Nishinoya looked after her.

You could feel tears start welling in your eyes and you quickly excused yourself. Moving back toward the doors hoping to whatever gods were out there that Nishinoya didn’t see you leave. But, he did. Just as you slipped out of the door he saw you. You caught his gaze when you looked back one last time and it almost felt like the wind was knocked out of your chest.

Fighting everything inside you screaming to turn around and go to him, you ran the other way. You didn’t know what to even say if you were to go up to him.

“Y/n! Wait up!” Nishinoya yelled behind you and you gritted your teeth. Of course, he’d follow you, that’s just who he was. You slowed your pace knowing he’d catch up any moment. Facing away from him you felt his arms slip around your waist as he hugged you from behind. “Hey, sweetheart. I wasn’t expecting you here.”

You couldn’t say anything. It was like your voice was stuck in your throat even though you desperately wanted to speak. Eyes fixed on something in the distance you tried to wipe the upset expression from your face. Wanting nothing more than to turn and bury your face into him, you felt the frustration building in you.

“Y/n? Are you okay?”

The concern in his voice hurt. More than anything else so far. You were being stupid, there was no reason to worry. You knew that so why did you feel so shitty? When you didn’t respond he moved around to face you. The panic was evident on his face when he saw how upset you were.

“Baby, what happened?” His voice was soft, welcoming. You flicked your gaze to his eyes and felt a pang of guilt in your when you saw the worry flooding them. You couldn’t help but look away again.

“Nothing. I just forgot something.” Your voice was quiet, much quieter than you thought it’d be. It wasn’t very convincing, and you knew it.

“You don’t have to lie to me. Did something happen today? Is that why you came to practice?” You had to clench your jaw at his caring words. His hands cupped your face gently and you felt your lip quiver at the touch. Without meaning to, you leaned into his touch. Closing your eyes which made a tear slip from your welling eyes. “Baby, talk to me.”

You shook your head trying to shake his worry. “It’s stupid.”

You knew that wouldn’t work, but you tried. The feeling in your chest, frustration over yourself and the lingering hurt from seeing him in there became too much and you couldn’t hold it in anymore. Pushing his hands from your face and burying yourself into his arms. The warmth of them didn’t do much to soothe you this time. It almost had the opposite effect. When he hugged you tightly a sob was ripped from your throat.

Crying was something you never wanted to do in front of him. You knew it would just make him worry, and yet here you were wrapped in his arms as your tears stained his shirt. Guilt tore at you again at that thought. He was supposed to be at practice. This was completely your fault. You shouldn’t have even come here to begin with.

Maybe this was meant to happen. The universes way of showing you that you weren’t meant to be together. You could go back to your old ways, watching silently from the stands while she was down there with him. That thought tore through you hard.

Kiyoko was mesmerizing, there was a softness in everything she did. She was so much better than you in every way. What were you even compared to her? You kept replaying the way he looked at her in your head. He looked so happy. Did he ever look that happy with you? You began questioning everything your thought you had known about your relationship.

“Y/n!” Nishinoya’s voice ripped through your intrusive thoughts and you couldn’t help but gasp. You hadn’t even noticed when you knelt on the ground, completely focused inside your own head.

“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry, Yuu. Go back to practice. I know I’m being annoying. I-I’ll go to my dorm, its okay.”

“What? No way, I’m not letting you leave.” He shook his head brows furrowing at your statements and apologies. “Let me help you…”

The way his eyes softened as you looked into them made a fresh wave of tears slip down your face. You found yourself spilling everything you were holding in with them. All your worries and fears, the reason you were crying. The way you felt you weren’t good enough for him.

“I saw you and your manager; I can’t help but think I’m not enough for you.” He didn’t say anything to interrupt your tear-filled rambling. “ You’re so amazing, and kind. You’re the best person I’ve ever met and I just…. Maybe you should be with Kiyoko. She’s so much better than me-“

“Stop.” He suddenly spoke out, “Stop it right now. You don’t get to say that about yourself.”

“But I-“

“No! I can’t believe you would even think like that.” His voice was raised a little causing you to snap your attention to his face. He looked so angry. The concern from before gone from his features. You couldn’t take your eyes off of his.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know why I just, I don’t think I make you as happy as you should be.”

“Stop apologizing, y/n. This is not your fault its mine.” That made you a little confused despite how upset you still were. This wasn’t his fault; he didn’t do anything.

“It’s not your faul-“

“It is though! I know I’m not that good at showing how I feel. That’s why I waited so long to do anything.” He shook his head as he talked, and you couldn’t pick apart the look in his eyes. “Should I have not asked you out? Would this have been better as a one-time thing?”

“What? No, Yuu. Don’t say that.” You felt your voice shake when you responded, it was so quiet you weren’t even sure if he heard you.

“I knew I’d hurt you. Do something to fuck this up. I couldn’t even keep this one perfect thing, could I? God I’m so stupid! This would’ve been so much easier if I wasn’t in love with you. Maybe we shouldn’t even have started dating, I’ve only been an ass to you.” His voice got louder as he berated himself. You knew he had a bit of a temper, but you never thought it would be toward himself.

“Yuu, stop.” He didn’t hear you as he continued beating himself up, “Yuu!”

You shoved his chest lightly to get his attention, panic coursing through your body. His eyes flashed to yours and the tears that spilled from them matched your stained cheeks.

“I’m sorry.. Fuck, I’m so sorry!” He scrambles toward you, diving into your embrace. You’ve never seen him angry like that and it scared you. He could tell, the look on your face when you pushed him made his heart drop. He pulled you to him again, this time he was crying. You felt the tears against your neck as he shoved his face into your shoulder. “Baby, I didn’t mean any of that. I promise. Please, please forget it. I’m not leaving you. Just don’t- don’t leave me.”

Hearing his desperate cries into you made your heart break, forgetting everything that happened before. You sat and held him like he did to you. Giving him a place to let all his fears out in the safety of your embrace.

“It’s okay, I’m not going anywhere.” You voice was basically a whisper as you ran your fingers down his hair, trying not to let the tears spill from your eyes again at they sadness in his voice and the way he clutched onto the back of your shirt.

“I’ve never loved someone before. I don’t know what I’m doing.” He spoke after a moment, he felt more relaxed in your arms and you let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding. Until you registered what he said for the second time.

“You love me?”

“Fuck. Did I say that?” He pulled away to look at you, eyes wide. All you could do was nod at his question, still processing it. “Shit, y/n. I, uh, ignore that.”

You shook your head rapidly, opening your mouth to say something. Anything. When nothing came out you leaned forward pressing your lips to his. His eyes flew open for a second but then he melted into your lips as his hands moved to bury themselves in your hair.

“I love you too.” You whispered into his lips, but he didn’t hear you. Too focused on your lips against his. You pulled back breaking the kiss to say it again, if you didn’t say it now you knew you’d regret it. He needed to hear how much he meant to you. “Yuu, I’m in love with you. I think I was before anything happened.”

“Really?”

“Let me finish!” You couldn’t help but laugh a little at his eager tone. “You’re so good to me, more than I think I deserve. Hearing you beat yourself up like that. I just…. Don’t ever, ever think I regret being with you for one second. The things you said…… Yuu, they’re not true. You need to know how much you deserve.”

“I’m sorry.” Was all he said. He knew he had a temper, and it usually was directed toward himself. Starting off as a simple thought and snowballing into full on degrading himself. You tilted his chin up making him look at you again, wanting to make him feel better. Pressing your lips to his again, this time less sweet. Deepening it by tugging on his shirt.

“If you don’t believe me… Let me show you just how much I love you, Nishi.” It took one look into your dark gaze for him to understand what you meant. His face flushed and you almost giggle at the sight. “I was heading back to my dorm, why don’t you come with me?”

“But, Daichi….” Nishinoya glanced back at the gym quickly before looking back to you.

“It’s okay, I can wait. Alone. In my dorm. Who knows what I’d do while you’re at practice…..”

“No fucking way, I’m coming with you” That was the first practice he missed on purpose.

I’ll Always Defend You

Hey loves! This is the fifth and final prompt fill for my 500 Follower Raffle! 

This is for the wonderful @booknerd0612 who requested the pairing Geraskier and the trope Childhood Sweethearts! I think I also managed to include all of your other ideas as well? I hope you enjoy!

Warnings: Valdo Marx is a meanie, Jaskier and Geralt are in a dom/sub relationship which you do see some of at the very end of the fic. There is no sexual content.

-

Jaskier was excited for the reunion, he had enjoyed high school, making friends as easy as breathing to him. It also didn’t hurt that he was ready to show off his super hot, successful husband and brag about his budding music career. Geralt was less excited but he would do anything for his husband, including be dragged to their high school reunion.

“How do I look?” Jaskier asked, spinning around with a flourish.

Geralt rolled his eyes and pulled Jaskier in for a quick kiss, “Fantastic as always and you know it.”

Jaskier preened, “Yes but I love to hear it every once and a while.”

“You mean every hour?”

Jaskier made an affronted noise, placing a hand across his chest. Geralt ignored his dramatics and continued, “On the hour, preferably.”

“How dare you! This must be spousal abuse.”

Geralt snorted, “Are you ready to go get this over with?”

“Over with? Darling, this is my time to shine.” Jaskier gestured to himself and Geralt took a moment to look over his husband, appreciating the lean figure complimented by the well-cut clothes.

Geralt rolled his eyes again, “Come on, you’ve already made us late.”

Jaskier scoffed and waved a dismissive hand, “Only fashionably so.”

-

The reunion was everything Geralt had anticipated. And dreaded.

Jaskier was thriving, flitting from table to table, dragging Geralt along behind him. He was a master at making conversation, casually dropping his latest accomplishments, bragging about Geralt recently making partner at his law firm, and it all felt natural, never forced.

All things considered, the night was going well. Jaskier had been well loved in high school and was able to easily keep the attention on him and off Geralt. Not that most people even recognized him. Geralt had changed quite a lot since high school, putting on nearly two hundred pounds of solid muscle in college that he had maintained ever since.

He still remembered the day that Jaskier realized just how strong Geralt had become, the way his eyes had darkened as he demanded Geralt pick him up and ravish him against the nearest wall.

A sharp nasally voice cut through Geralt’s thoughts, breaking him from his reverie. Geralt glanced at his husband as he felt him tense, following Jaskier’s gaze to see none other than Valdo Marx standing in front of their table.

Ahhh. Jaskier’s suddenly tight grip on Geralt’s arm made sense with this development.

Jaskier and Valdo hadn’t exactly gotten along in high school. They were… rivals of sort.

Jaskier still referred to the man as his nemesis… ten years later.

Geralt sighed as he took in Valdo’s appearance. Jaskier had been hoping Valdo would have let himself go while Jaskier had, in his own words, aged like a fine wine. Unfortunately, Valdo looked fairly similar, although perhaps his hair was thinning in some spots. Although he never had been a particularly attractive man so at least Jaskier wouldn’t be upset by that.

“Julian!” Valdo said shrilly, making Jaskier scowl.

“Marx.” Jaskier responded flatly, clearly unimpressed by Valdo’s use of his given name. He’d started going by Jaskier sometime in their sophomore year, but Valdo had always disregarded it.

Valdo sat across the table from them, his eyes roving over Geralt appreciatively. Geralt shivered in disgust as Valdo leaned on the table, “And who are you? Surely you’re not here with Julian.”

Geralt grunted, “Well I’m his husband so yes, I am here with him.”

Surprise lit up Valdo’s face, “Really? And what do you do for a living, handsome?”

Jaskier spoke up then, “He’s a very successful lawyer. In fact, he just made partner.”

“Indeed…” Valdo started, his eyes never leaving Geralt, “odd that someone so successful would settle for…” his eyes finally shifted to Jaskier, “well.”

Jaskier bristled in his seat, “Excuse me. I’m a catch. A successful musician, brilliant, incredibly attractive.”

Valdo hummed, clearly unimpressed, “Botox would help with the crow’s feet.”

Jaskier made an offended noise, “And what do you do, Marx?”

Valdo smiled, looking like the epitome of a slimy car salesman, “I’m a recruiter. In fact, I just surpassed the former top recruiter in the region.” He pulled a brochure out from… somewhere and slid it across the table to Geralt. “So, handsome, what’s your name?”

He frowned down at the brochure before answering, “Geralt.”

“Well, it’s lovely to meet you… Geralt.”

Jaskier snorted suddenly, bringing Valdo’s gaze back to him.

“And what is so funny?”

Jaskier chuckled, “Just that you still haven’t recognized my husband despite how hard you’ve been eyeballing him this whole time.”

Valdo looked unimpressed, “And when would I have met him, Julian?”

Geralt answered this time, bringing Valdo’s gaze back to him, “Maybe some time in the four years we went to high school together.” He hadn’t been particularly popular or outgoing but the two had had plenty of classes together over the years.

Valdo’s eyebrows drew together before his face smoothed out, understanding dawning on him. “Geralt” he said, sounding surprised, “Yes, I remember now. I’m impressed. You’ve… changed. Doing well enough to support a freeloader even.”

“I’m not-” Jaskier started indignantly, but Geralt cut him off with a hand on his shoulder.

“I assure you that Jaskier and I are equals in our relationship.” The very idea that Jaskier was his lesser in any way was insane and he certainly wouldn’t tolerate the idea.

Valdo’s face was pinched when he responded, “Doubtful. With his weak ‘music career’ as he called it, I doubt he could be anyone’s equal.”

Geralt growled, “I suggest you and your bullshit pyramid scheme,” Geralt slid the brochure back across the table pointedly, “find somewhere else to sit.”

Valdo huffed and picked up his brochure angrily, tucking it into his jacket before standing up and making his way across the room, not looking back.

“How much longer would you like to stay?” Geralt asked softly, his hand still a comforting presence on Jaskier’s tense shoulder.

Jaskier took a steadying breath, “I’m ready whenever you are.”

Geralt nodded understandingly, “Then I think we should get out of here.”

Jaskier led them outside, on firm grip on Geralt’s hand. When they reached their car, Jaskier pushed Geralt up against it, leaning in for a kiss. Geralt moaned into it, enjoying the power Jaskier was pouring into the kiss.

The ride home was tense, Jaskier clearly worked up over Valdo’s words. Geralt stayed quiet, keeping a hand on Jaskier’s leg as he drove, offering silent support. Jaskier wasted no time, driving quickly and getting them home in no time at all.

They had been home for only minutes, just long enough to get settled, their shoes off and jackets put away, when Geralt heard Jaskier speak, his voice soft, “Will you wait for me in the bedroom please?”

Geralt watched Jaskier momentarily, taking in how much calmer the man seemed now, before nodding, leaning in and giving him a kiss and squeezing the mans upper arm gently, silently signaling he was on the same page.

The gesture brought a gentle smile to Jaskier’s face before he made a shooing motion toward the bedroom.

Geralt walked in the room and looked around before finally deciding to settle on his knees on the pillow on the floor at the foot of the bed, facing the door. He rolled his neck and shook out his shoulders, letting the tension from the day seep from him as he closed his eyes and let his mind settle.

It wasn’t long before he heard Jaskier’s sock covered feet pad into their room and he opened his eyes slowly, taking in his husband standing before him. Jaskier was towering over him with a bright smile on his face. He truly could light up a room with that smile.

Jaskier ran one hand through Geralt’s hair, placing the other on Geralt’s face. Geralt turned his head into the hand on his cheek, seeking the comfort the gesture brought him, “Thank you for coming in here and settling down for me. You’re so good to me, darling.”

Geralt smiled shyly, “Did I do well today? Protecting you.”

Jaskier’s eyes watered despite the smile on his face, “You did so well. I’ve never felt more cared for darling, thank you so much for defending me.”

“You’re sad.” Geralt responded softly.

“I am a little, yes. The day didn’t quite go how I had hoped. But you were wonderful for me darling, my good boy.”

Geralt smiled bashfully, pleased with the praise.

“Would you like to continue darling?”

Geralt nodded eagerly.

Jaskier tutted, “No, darling, I need your words.”

“Yes, I would like to continue.”

Jaskier smiled brilliantly, “Well then how about you get up and undress for me? The day might have been a letdown, but I think the night will go brilliantly.”

-

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The Value of Recognition Chapter 2

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13934252/2/The-Value-of-Recognition

Chapter 2 - Who’s your shufu!????

“Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah” cried mini jiujiu.

“Ahhh please jiujiu, don’t cry!” said a distraught Jin Ling.

“A-niang….a-die” sobbed the baby.

Jin Ling was now close to tears himself.

“Young Master Jiang,” cooed Healer Zhang, “Look what I have here. If you stop crying, you can have some.”

She waved a sweet-cake in front of him.

He paused his crying, peeking at the Healer tentatively. At the same moment his stomach rumbled. He looked very much like he wanted the cake. But then he shook his head and said, “Jiejie said A-Cheng mustn't take food fwom stwangers.” He sniffled miserably. “A-Cheng wants jiejie,” his eyes started watering again. This time Jin Ling’s eyes were watering too.

“It seems like Jiang-zongzhu has not retained his memories,” concluded Healer Zhang, “So it’s not just his body but his mind as well that has reverted.”

Jin Ling nodded in understanding. It would hurt but he couldn’t lie to his jiujiu about this. Though he couldn’t quite say the truth either. “Jiejie isn't here,” he ended up saying. The others were watching quietly and felt their own hearts hurt for the both of them.

“No. Want jiejie. Jiejie won’t leave A-Cheng,” he sniffled, big baby eyes staring accusingly at them as if to say ‘you’re lying’.

No, they were not tearing up. They weren’t!

“Hey look who’s here!” said Ouyang Zizhen, bursting into the room with Wei Wuxian following behind him. The infirmary was now very crowded.

They all turned to look at him, and he stopped short in his tracks upon seeing the somber looks on their faces. “Oh no! What happened? Is Sect Leader Jiang okay?”

“Where’s Jiang Cheng?” said Wei Wuxian, abnormally serious.

“He’s right here,” said Jin Ling, lifting the baby slightly.

Wei Wuxian’s eyes widened. “A-Yuan.. Did you maybe... forget to mention something?”

“No! He wasn’t like this yesterday!” Sizhui defended.

“Huh, well how did this happen then?”

But before anyone could answer him the baby gave a short cry, his eyes lighting up at the sight of Wei Wuxian. He struggled in Jin Ling’s arms stretching out his own towards Wei Wuxian in the universal baby gesture for ‘pick me up’.

“I thought he didn’t remember anything?” said Lan Jingyi.

Healer Zhang looked just as confused as they did, “He shouldn’t… from what we’ve heard so far.”

“But he seems to recognise Senior Wei though.”

“I mean to be fair he might just think Senior Wei looks the least intimidating or something, cuz that’s not usually how he looks when Senior Wei is around,” said Zizhen. To be frank, none of them had ever seen Sect Leader Jiang looking openly happy to see anyone.

Xiao Jiang Cheng seemed to get fed-up of waiting on Wei Wuxian to come get him though and with a burst of strength he pulled away from Jin Ling and tried to hop off the bed to go to him himself.

He seemed to be at an age where he could come off of the bed by himself but he wasn’t wearing clothes in his size, he was merely wrapped in adult-him’s inner robe, which tripped him up and he would have face-planted if not for Jin Ling’s good reflexes.

Seeing as he was thwarted, his eyes began to water again. Raising his arms once more he looked pleadingly towards Wei Wuxian, “Shufu!”

Wei Wuxian choked on his own spit. “Shu… who???”

Seeing fat tears start to drip down Xiao Cheng’s chubby cheeks he hurried over and picked him up. “Alright. It’s okay. You’re okay,” he soothed, as the baby snuggled into him.

His tears petered out and he looked up at Wei Wuxian hopefully. “Wei-Shufu, whewe’s A-die an A-niang? Flower-gege (Lan Jingyi snickered in the background “Flower-gege hehe” “Shut up idiot” “But it suits you”) said jiejie is not hewe. It’s not twue, wight shufu?” he frowned.

Oh. Oh no.

For some reason, Jiang Cheng was calling him uncle and seemed to be okay with his presence, unlike all the other people in the room. But...how was he supposed to answer that question. The guilt hit him acutely because if only this child remembered that it was thanks to saving him that his jiejie was no longer around, he would hate him once more.

But how could he tell this child that his parents and sister were dead?

He couldn’t.

“A-Cheng, do you know why Wei-shufu is here? It’s because your A-die, A-niang, and jiejie had to go on a trip. So Uncle Wei is here to keep A-Cheng company. And all of these friends are here too.”

“Twip? Witout A-Cheng?” And oh no how could a baby look so heartbroken? He’d made a grave mistake.

Jin Ling glared at Wei Wuxian. “They left A-Cheng here because A-Cheng is going to be Sect Leader one day. Do you remember what a Sect Leader does?” he said hastily, trying to fix his colossal screw up.

“The Sect Weader has to pwotect the Sect,” said A-Cheng, as if he had memorised that fact.

“That’s right. And who is the Sect Leader” “A-die!”

“Mhm. But when A-die and A-niang are not here, who will protect the sect?”

“A-Cheng?” he said questioningly.

“That’s right! A-die trusts A-Cheng to watch over the sect when he is not here. And A-niang trusted Uncle Wei to watch over A-Cheng.” Well, that was entirely the truth and way too bittersweet. He pushed down the feeling to focus on the child in front of him, “So will A-Cheng allow Uncle Wei and these friends to help him?” He set his little face determinedly and nodded seriously. An expression that was so Jiang Cheng that he couldn’t help but pinch his little cheeks in response, making the child squirm and pout at him.

His movements made the big robe that was wrapped around him loosen slightly and halfway fall off. Wei Wuxian fixed it but decided they would need a plan of action, especially as the child’s stomach rumbled once more and he blushed, hiding his face in his Uncle Wei’s chest.

“Alright, so here’s what we’re going to do,” he said decisively.

“A-Ling, if I know anything about Jiang Cheng, it’s that he’s really a big sap, and I assume he still has some of your baby clothes lying around here somewhere. See if you can find any. If you can’t, use that nice Lanling gold of yours to go to the tailor’s and order some. We don’t know how long he will be like this and we can’t keep wrapping him in these *he indicated to the huge robe* things. He needs proper clothes.” Normally Jin Ling would protest being given an order by Wei Wuxian, but this was for jiujiu and he didn’t want anyone else poking through his uncle’s things anyway, so he left right away to find some of his old baby robes.

“Have you all had breakfast yet? “No Senior Wei.”

“Okay, right, next order of business is breakfast. This little one is hungry. By now the kitchens must be busy. Lotus Pier has breakfast ready by 6:00am so we don’t have to wait very long. Though I don’t know if A-Cheng can wait, maybe we need to find something for him until then.”

“I offered him a green bean cake,” said Healer Zhang, “But his jiejie rightfully taught him not to eat from strangers. Maybe he will eat it from his Uncle Wei though, to tide him over until breakfast is served.”

“Hmm A-Cheng, do you want the cake?”

He nodded shyly.

(“This is so weird,” said Lan Jingyi. “Yeah… I never thought Sandu Shengshou would have been such a cute child,” said Ouyang Zizhen gleefully. He’d been aching to pinch those cheeks since Senior Wei did it and drew his attention to them. So. Cute. Zizhen was gonna die.)

Healer Zhang held out the cake to him and he took it, bowing halfway from Wei Wuxian’s arms and saying a quiet Thank You.

Zizhen was having cuteness overload. “He’s so polite.” *sniffs*

“Now while the Young Master eats that cake, I’d like to do a checkup,” said Healer Zhang seriously.

“Yes, I was about to suggest it myself. A-Cheng, will you let Healer Zhang do her job? I promise it will be okay, Healer Zhang is a doctor and you can trust her.”

A-Cheng looked sceptical but he nodded and Wei Wuxian handed him off to her. “Uncle Wei is right here, A-Cheng, don’t worry.”

He turned back to the juniors while Healer Zhang did her inspection, “A-Yuan, your message said that he was only unconscious. How did he become this way instead?”

“We don’t know Senior Wei, Jingyi and I were woken up by a baby’s cry. When we came to check on Sect Leader Jiang, we found out the baby was him! Senior Wen and Jin Ling spent the night with him so maybe they will know. We didn’t get a chance to ask before you came because Sect Leader Jiang was very upset. He only really stopped crying when he saw you.”

“Wen Ning?” “Yes Master Wei?” “Aiya stop it with that Master Wei I told you.” Wen Ning blushed, as much as a fierce corpse could blush, he’d gotten better at not calling him master but it was a habit and those were hard to break. “What happened last night?”

“Nothing much at all, but this morning just before 5am Sect Leader Jin woke up and said Sect Leader Jiang felt hot like he had a fever, and he asked me to get Healer Zhang. When I came back with Healer Zhang, we just walked in and there was a huge flash of light and where Sect Leader Jiang was, there was a baby.”

“Huh. I haven’t heard of anything like it. We’ll have to do some research but if it’s related to the night hunt you went on maybe.. Hmm.. A-Yuan after breakfast, if you’re up for it you can play Inquiry and see what the spirit has to say. If we don’t solve this soon I might have to ask Lan Zhan to do it because they can’t lie to him.”

“How come Hanguang-Jun didn’t come with you, Senior Wei?” questioned Lan Jingyi.

“Ah well you know Lan Zhan and I just got back from travelling. Since old man Lan has been doing all of the sect leader duties it’s Lan Zhan’s turn. He couldn’t just leave again, it would be unfair. My core is strong enough now to make the trip from Gusu to Lotus Pier so I told him not to worry about me, I’ll be fine. I should probably shoot him a letter though, he’s probably going to worry until he hears from me.”

“I don’t care if you’re writing to Hanguang-Jun, but Wei Wuxian, this news better not be spread outside of Lotus Pier, or else,” threatened Jin Ling, walking back in with a few robes bundled in his hands. It would be a prime opportunity for jiujiu’s detractors to try and kill him as a defenceless baby.

Wei Wuxian raised his hands in surrender, “I know, I know. I won’t even put what the problem is in the letter. I’ll just say he’s been cursed.”

“Good.”

Jin Ling dumped the robes on Wei Wuxian’s lap. “You can dress him since he seems to like you the most.” He was not salty at all.

Wei Wuxian laughed sheepishly; it wasn’t like he could help that! Not that he wasn’t enjoying it of course, baby Jiang Cheng was adorable and looked even more fun to tease than big Jiang Cheng.

“Right,” said Healer Zhang, garnering their attention. Wei Wuxian’s levity fell away. “What have you determined?”

“Sect Leader is a healthy toddler.” Said toddler was already reaching out for Wei Wuxian, who cooed and cuddled him close.

“He seems about three at the moment. His memories of course, are of the three-year old him. He does not have a core at the moment so it’s likely that the curse actually transformed him to how he was exactly at that age, memories and all. There doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with him, other than the obvious of course. The issue here is that we don’t know if this is permanent or not. I can’t say if this will wear off or if he will have to grow up once more.”

Jin Ling made a wounded noise. As cute as xiao jiujiu was, he wanted his normal jiujiu back.

“We’ll find a solution,” said Wei Wuxian resolutely. “Yeah if anyone can find it it would be you Senior Wei!” said Zizhen supportively.

“Don’t worry so much Young Mistress,” Jingyi poked at Jin Ling’s furrowed brow, “Your pretty face will get premature wrinkles.” Jin Ling turned red and batted away his hand, scowling just like his uncle.

“Alright, breakfast should be ready by now. Let’s go kiddos. We’ll need to eat to keep up our strength. We have lots of work to do,” said Wei Wuxian.

Healer Zhang cleared her throat, “Aren’t you forgetting something?”

“Eh?”

The robe slipped further down the baby.

“Ah hehe, oops. A-Cheng, be good and let Uncle Wei dress you.”

But the toddler took one look at Wei Wuxian’s disheveled robes (in his defense he’d come straight to the infirmary after flying to Lotus Pier okay, he didn’t have time to freshen up!) and screwed up his cute little face.

“Flower-gege help A-Cheng,” he said decisively.

Jin Ling, of course, was impeccable despite being in yesterday’s robes. Wei Wuxian pouted. “Figures he’d want the peacock’s son to dress him,” he mumbled.

Jin Ling was quietly delighted.

“Xiao-jiujiu, you have good taste,” he said, promptly taking the baby away to have a bath and get dressed.

“Well,” he said, overcoming his disappointment, “We should probably find whoever’s in charge while Jiang Cheng is away and brief them on the situation.” There was a twinge of hurt when he realised he didn’t know who that was. He and Lan Zhan had travelled for a while, only stopping for brief periods in Cloud Recesses as things were still a bit uncomfortable for him. The rule against interacting with him was still carved into the stone after all. It was easier to just...not remain there, and since Lan Zhan was known for going where the chaos was, it wasn’t unusual that he himself wasn’t often there. But with Lan Xichen’s seclusion, Master Lan had been running the sect once more. Since at the moment Lan Zhan was the heir, it really should have fallen to him if the Sect Leader was indisposed. As much as Master Lan was upset at his nephew’s choice of partner, he still gave him the freedom to wander about. Master Lan had fallen ill recently, nothing major but still, Lan Zhan had realised how much leeway his uncle was allowing him by taking on all the duties himself and had asked if Wei Ying would go back with him. They hadn’t expected that Wei Ying would be leaving on another trip on his own this time, to face the demons of his past (or in Lan Wangji’s eyes, demon). Lan Zhan couldn’t come with him no matter how much he’d wanted to. It would have been supremely unfair to Master Lan now that he’d accepted the responsibility of acting sect leader, to just up and leave again. But being here on his own really reminded him that this was no longer the Lotus Pier that he knew. Once upon a time he would have been the one who would be in charge if the Sect Leader was indisposed. He would have been Jiang Cheng’s right hand man. But he’s also the one who stuffed it all up so he had no right to feel bitter. It was his idea to defect. Jiang Cheng hadn’t wanted him to. He’d been doing his best to put the past in the past like he’d told Jiang Cheng to do, but he wouldn’t be able to escape it, would he? Jiang Cheng was now quite literally in the past….and Wei Wuxian would never be able to abandon him again. He didn’t want to. He’d find a way to restore Jiang Cheng, and failing that, he’d take care of him as much as possible.

“Indeed. I’ll get our Second-in-Command to speak to you. You should follow me, Sect Leader Jin will know where to find us for breakfast.” Healer Zhang’s voice brought him back to reality.

He nodded and they all followed, the juniors behind him like a row of ducklings.

Healer Zhang arranged for them to meet with the Second-in-Command, who introduced himself as Pan An. “Hehe rhymes with Lan An,” Jingyi joked quietly behind them. Wen Ning wanted to excuse himself since he didn’t need to eat and Pan An was staring at him rather intensely, but they insisted he was needed for the discussion and so he sat down reluctantly.

Luckily, breakfast was set out in a private room so that they could discuss matters freely and keep the mini sect leader with them. “I have already briefed the disciples on the importance of staying silent about Sect Leader’s indisposition,” said Pan An, “However, now Healer Zhang has said there is another problem?”

The aforementioned problem finally arrived and he was looking cute enough to eat in his mini Yunmeng Jiang robes, walking in on his own now, holding Jin Ling’s hand. Both uncle and nephew had taken a bath and Jin Ling had thoroughly enjoyed seeing xiao-jiujiu playing and laughing in the tub like he had no cares in the world. It was bittersweet because as much as he liked it he wished his jiujiu would be able to smile like that as an adult. It hurt his heart to think that this innocent little boy would have to go through so much pain in the future.

“Ah yes, here’s our problem now,” said Wei Wuxian, smiling at the toddler.

Pan An’s eyes widened. “I..is that who I think it is?”

“Yup,” said Lan Jingyi cheekily, “There’s the fearsome Sandu Shengshou in the flesh.”

“Jingyi..” reprimanded Sizhui.

“What,” he grinned, “It’s true. Children can be terrifying.” He shuddered thinking about the baby’s ear-piercing cries. A crying child was almost as scary as a ghost.

Wide-eyed, A-Cheng looked at the stranger and hid slightly behind his Flower-gege’s leg.

Jin Ling pat his head and picked him up. “Don’t be afraid, this is Pan An. Pan An is here to be your second-in-command while A-Die’s gone. You know that Sect Leaders have second-in-commands right?”

Xiao jiujiu nodded.

“Of course he does. A-Cheng’s a smart boy,” praised Wei Wuxian. The tot blushed and hid his face in Jin Ling’s robes. Jin Ling carried him over to the table and set him down in between himself and Wei Wuxian who began teasing the child immediately, squishing his cheeks to see his cute expressions of annoyance.

The juniors looked on in envy; the toddler had not warmed to them yet.

“We’ll debrief you after breakfast,” said Jin Ling, “Xiao jiujiu’s hungry. The rundown is that he’s been cursed and is now a three year old with no memories beyond that time.”

“And Pan-qianbei…” Jin Ling looked at him sharply, “Young Master Jiang’s family is currently on a trip. They have, of course, left him in charge because someone needs to protect the sect while they’re gone. We are all here to assist him.”

“Understood Sect Leader Jin.” The man was quick to catch on, after all Jiang Cheng would not leave just anyone in charge of his sect. Pan An was also secretly proud of the young boy in front of him. He was handling this situation well and sounded every inch the Sect Leader. His jiujiu would be proud, though he would mask it with grumbling if he wasn’t… three.

They all set about eating though Jin Ling and Wei Wuxian both fought to outdo the other when feeding mini Jiang Cheng. One would be spooning congee and the other breaking up buns to feed him...until-- “A-Cheng is big boy. A-Cheng eat like shufu and gege!” And what do you know, he really could eat by himself. That put a stop to their competition and they both pouted. Lan Jingyi didn’t even make fun of Jin Ling for it because...he got it.

Pan An could cry. Who knew his tsundere sect leader was so precious as a child?

Wei Wuxian sighed in pleasure. Yunmeng’s food was the best! It had been so long since he last ate at Lotus Pier.

“Wei-shufu like spicy?” asked A-Cheng, upon seeing him reach for the chilli to add to his already spicy dish.

“Mm. Wei-shufu likes spicy very much. A-Cheng is a good host. The food he serves his guests tastes the best! Wei-shufu has to visit more often.”

Mini Jiang Cheng nodded seriously at this. “Wei-shufu must bwing A-Ying an Aunty ‘angse. Wei-shufu pwomised to bwing A-Ying to play with A-Cheng next time. But now is next time an no A-Ying. A-Cheng want to meet A-Ying.”

And all of a sudden, he felt as if he’d taken a hit from Zidian. Wei Wuxian was struck dumb. Because he’d simply been going along with Xiao Cheng, thinking that some part of the child’s subconscious memory must have remained. But that wasn’t what it was, was it?

Because it was now obvious that Jiang Cheng thought...

Jiang Cheng thought he was Wei Changze.

ONEUS Fancall Writeup

In summary: aldjalskdjdkfjkdj I should have thought of more to say, but it was enough just to meet them and they were so kind and amazing, 10/10 group, will stan forever as long as they behave themselves, which I trust they will.

(sorry for potato quality on the gifs. That’s the unfortunate reality of Wi-Fi video calls. I tried my best to at least color them a bit)

FIRST OF ALL, MMT get your queue in order. I got the message that said “your call’s coming up very soon, be on standby” and literally ONE SECOND LATER Skype was ringing, ahhhhhhhhh

The thing with fancalls is that it’s always disorienting to see the member order. Like you can’t prepare for that. You never know which person is next until the phone is passed. 

Also, I got too caught up in past fansigns with asking questions so I just focused on what I wanted to tell each member here, and... well, that was a mistake. I should have indeed prepared some questions. I just feel like everything’s been asked at this point, you know?? More on that later. Anyway I felt like the time limits per member in this call stretched on for AGES, and I was not prepared to fill the space well aaaskdjhaskjdhsa I’m sorry everyone.

🐥LEEDO

First up was Leedo, and tbqh the boy looked checked out, but he was still so wonderful. They’re probably so tired and working so hard, so I felt a little bad. And, honestly, Leedo was the one I had the least to say to because idk I love him but I have kind of a silent respect for him. I’d let Leedo do his own thing and just nod at him in acknowledgement if we ever met irl

I told him that he’d looked really happy lately, and that I hoped he was taking care of himself and doing well. I also told him I hoped he was eating his vegetables (shoutout to @highponyleedo​ - admittedly I panicked 😂).

🐥: I’ll think about that.

I told him that he’s inspiring and that I think about him when I work out (which is true! Gotta get buff like Leedo!) It was a nice little convo, and I was still VERY nervous at this point having been thrust DIRECTLY into the call. In every fansign I’ve been in (four at this point), the first member is always unfortunately sort of a throwaway for my mind because I’m still scrambling 😖

He was beautiful and gracious nonetheless.

🐱RAVN

He has never done anything wrong, ever in his life. 

OKAY SO 

YOUNGJO TRIED TO DO OUR WHOLE CONVO IN ENGLISH??? 

I WAS SO IMPRESSED

HE’S SO WONDERFUL 

🐱: Your hair is green? 

✌🏻: Yes!

🐱: Like my hair for Easily song 

lksdjsalkjdaksdj ❤️

I also gave him a cheesy personal message of encouragement, and in the process I mentioned that I’m so much older than him (I AM) but I find him to be kind of a role model (I DO), and that I hope he gets to be his true self and make art that makes him happy. 

🐱, aka this bitch: Age is not important. 

✌🏻, knowing he has a noona problem: For some things, yes, you’re right!

I also showed him a fanart I drew of him, and immediately he was like “Oh, Procreate?” Yeah, boooiiii. Also he said my art was good but I’m sure he wouldn’t have said anything negative to a fan so... I just wanted him to see it lmao. 

Youngjo spent almost the entire call like this, so there aren’t many great gif opportunities, but I’m glad he got to practice his English with me! How special!

As the phone was passed to the next member, Youngjo calls out: “You are very young!” 

I love he. I’d fight him in a Denny’s parking lot, but I love he. For what purpose, that smile??

🐶XION

My son.

***Hey. Self. Note for the future: next time prepare a little more to say to your Ult.***

Okay, like, Xion looked RADIANT what the hell. See proof below

I gave him a very cheesy personal message about how I’ve watched him grow and improve and it makes me so happy, he makes me so happy with his music and his kindness. Also I mentioned that his makeup skills are always on point and look so, so good. 

🐶, like immediately, proudly: Oh, thank you!!

I’ve lived a long and good life. But now I have expired. I have deceased. My ult smiled at me like this, and I have ascended to the next plane of existence. 

However I’m coming back from the dead to finish this writeup and also to keep shitposting. 

Anyway I would and did die for him. 

BONUS: his reaction when I was like “I swear I thought I had more written out, I was like ‘oh I have so much to say to Xion’ and now here I am just staring at you.”

🐯HWANWOONG

Best! 👏🏻Boy! 👏🏻

(they’re all best boy, but Hwanwoong was just so on. He’s really just so welcoming and kind, ahhhhh)

I told him I’ve really been enjoying the 1theK choreography videos, then I mentioned the Cardi B choreo specifically and did a chef’s kiss motion, and this was his reaction (along with “thank you for watching that!”: 

Then I asked him if there was a song he really wanted make some choreography for, but he hadn’t had the chance yet. 

He thought, and then he swerved me by saying it was a SECRET and I’d have to stay tuned. 👀👀👀👀 You know I will, ya tricky lil’ bean.

Also hey who gave him the right??? To be so cute?? Like, stop. (don’t stop.) 

🐰KEONHEE

 So there’s this thing I’ve noticed with fansigns, where there’s always one member who just knocks the fansign experience out of the park so thoroughly that they steal a piece of my heart I never expected to give. For this fansign, that was Keonhee. 

At this point I was also realizing I didn’t have much prepared to say, and I was just kind of riffing. But I did want to tell him that we had two things in common: we both studied ballet, and we both sang opera. I thanked him for the recent VLive where that was A Whole Thing, and then: 

🐰, in English no less: Can you show me?

I don’t know what I expected. But I did show him. I sang a couple of operatic scales for him because I was like “what the hell, why not? Lee Keonhee’s gonna hear me sing opera. This is what my training was for.”

So that happened even though I was definitely nervous and forgot to open my throat up as much as I should have. It’s been a while, okay?

He also pointed out the LED moon lamp I keep on my side desk, which I’d forgotten to turn on before the call. So luckily Lee Keonhee was there to remind, at 5/6 of the way through my call!

🐿SEOHO

Firstly, I was taken in by the cool retro style jacket, so I mentioned that. 

What’s with this little dance he did when I was gearing up to tell him what I wanted to say? Anyway he’s cute. 

Then, I told him that Dizzy is one of my favorite ONEUS songs, and that he should definitely try to do more songwriting in the future if he wants. 

He agreed. 😂

Then, he sang a little bit of Dizzy for me, but the sound was really not doing me any favors at this point in the call so it came through a little choppy ahhh. 

So there you have it! All in all an amazing experience, would definitely do it again but would definitely prepare more to say/do/ask! I just don’t want to go in like an interviewer, but I also don’t know what else to do when there’s The Language Barrier, even with an interpreter. I’m definitely not in this for the boyfriend wish fulfillment or aegyo (Xion can’t help it), but since there is SO MUCH I could conceivably ask about, I’ve got fodder for future fansigns. 

I hope you enjoyed!!!

> LettresPromises informs you : You have one notification.

> Letter object : The tamer of the flamboyant flames of passion.

> Todoroki Shouto sent you a letter, would you like to read it?

@mangosnakesandpeaches​ sent a letter :  ❝heyo! its aydudenoway, just moved to my writing account! request number 1/3 : okay okay, so ya know how people always tend to write like, dom shouto and sub reader? what about dom reader and sub shouto. like, damn as much as i like dom shouto, kinda want to see some dom reader nglll. could this be a drabble/imagine and not too too graphic NSFW? i hope this is okay! ahhh okay okay so idk if you started writing my request (dom reader) or not, but could i add onto it real quick? breathless Shouto is all im saying. im so sorryyy for this being so sudden! if you can't add it, thats okay!❞

author’s letter :  ❝dear @mangosnakesandpeaches​, thank you once more for trusting me with your ideas and letting me express through words the love i have for this man and this man only!! hot take but i do kind of feel you.... like.... shouto is low-key a sub to me (aside from pegging ofc.) anywhoopsies!!! i hope you’ll like this and i tried not to make it nsfw which was a bit confusing but?? nonetheless, i hope you’ll enjoy this promised letter.❞

Genre : Erotic but not explicit smut, fluff. (Please consider that the characters are aged up.) Warnings : Cursing, foreplay, innuendos, sexual deeds. Word count : 1.6K.

After personally handing crushing losses to many villains throughout the entire week, admiring the hint of a shy smile adorning the face of civilians torn by fear as a gleam of hope while they’re being saved, secretly glancing at the newfound scars worn as medals on the abused flesh of your skin when no one is looking, any hero would be mentally and physically drained, as if your body was just the host of vacuity. And rightfully so.

Thus came the ever so needed tradition of self-care with Shouto, this renaissance of an evening was held every Friday night ever since you both graduated from U.A. No word was needed, the sole acknowledged information of today’s date was enough for the both of you to understand that today had your name as a synonymous of self-care written all over it.

This context explains why you found yourself enveloped in Shouto’s embrace, a physical testimony of just how much he loved and cherished your presence, if you will. These oh so special Friday nights also drew a contrast with your everyday life as heroes, it was also the perfect opportunity to say (or paradoxically declare in a silent manner) just how much your presence was needed to one another as the cons of being a pro-hero weighed on your mind like the sword of Damocles. To put it more harshly, the inevitable curse of never knowing if the day you were bound to spend together would be the last represented said cons.

His arms found shelter on the area above your hipbones, and every time he would let his genetically given large palms roam on this area, he would always wonder if said area had been carved to fit perfectly the form of his hands— Shouto liked to think that perhaps this was yet another sign that you were meant to be, he always tried to find poetic parallels everywhere.

His thumbs were brushing invisible shapes on the flesh of your hips left bare by the intervention of Shouto’s hands, these brushes were anything but calculated, yes, they did respect a certain common pattern—  but each time they felt similar, they always felt new at once. The semi-random nature of his gestures were the living proof that the documentary being played on the TV was semi-interesting as well.

You, on the other one hand, were sheltered in Shouto’s warm and welcoming embrace, your head fit right in the crook of his neck, and as per usual, Todoroki found yet again another poetic parallel drawn by your jointed souls. Nonetheless, if Shouto’s stare was focused on the succession of bright lights radiating off of the TV, yours was laying on the personification of your source of happiness— your boyfriend himself. After all, wasn’t staring at him way more interesting than some documentary being played? Nothing could compare to some well-deserved ‘staring at Shouto session’, but said sessions came with the slight danger of being caught, oh well…

« Love, I believe you’re doing it again. » Shouto blurted out which made you unconsciously flinch in response.

« Doing what exactly, mhm? » Oh, the fake tone of innocence could have been heard from miles away, and it sure as hell didn’t go unknown under Shouto’s radar.

« You know what I’m hinting at— staring. » But this time, it was his turn to stare at you, it was a mutual game now.

« You’re saying that as if staring at you was illegal, I mean, looking this hot should totally be considered illegal. » Shouto’s blood rushed under your newly left comment, causing his cheeks to adopt a rosy tone.

« Y/N, I’m a pro-hero, I’m not quite sure I can be considered as a villain… Is looking a certain way truly illegal? Should I change something about my appearance? » His heterochromatic eyes found yours, and a certain desire for reassurance chimed in the way.

« Shouto, baby— of course not! You’re perfect the way you are, I was only messing around, you know? » His desire for reassurance fades away and instead, you are met with a gleam of content as you continue :

« What I meant to say was… You’re so handsome, so out of this world… » Each word leaving your lips and connecting to his eardrums was accompanied with the fitting gestures to emphasize just a bit more the comforting undertone of your speech. It all began with a swift shift of position— you were now sitting on Shouto’s lap, a crucial position which guaranteed you the upper hand of physical exchanges.

« You’re divine, Shouto… » The longer your eyes met his, the more you were secretly convinced that he was indeed out of this world, thus, you underlined this statement by tracing an invisible line from the corner of his lips to his jawline under his intrigued facial expression. An intrigued expression, perhaps, but he was begging to hear more.

« You’re have all the qualities one could dream of, don’t you? » This rhetorical question was signed with the manifestation of the presence of your lips upon the flesh of his neck, Shouto let out a gasp he ignored he was holding and tilted his head to give you more room to play with as an answer, longing for the next lines of your tirade. Instead, the soft pressures left by the pecks were replaced with biting motions, and interchanged with sucking motions at times. This newfound balance of pleasure on Shouto’s newly bruised skin was the cause of a chain reaction— first, his lips parted as if he was gasping for oxygen, he didn’t need it, it was more like a precautious deed than a clear remedy to something he needed; then, his lids closed shut, in anticipation of the bliss which was bound to course every inch of his body; eventually, a deadly sin named gluttony got the best of him and encouraged him to let his palms wander on your derrière. A bold action quickly reprimanded by a quick slapping motions on the back of his hands.

« No touching, got it? Keep your hands to yourself and maybe, just maybe I’ll reward you. » A sentence so embedded with delicious sin which became amplified under the spell of your whispers, right against the shell of his ears. There was no vocal response on his end, only a line of chills from the back of his neck to the bottom of his spine, sure, it wasn’t vocal, but it was such a sweet way to respond to the temptation.

This comment would be stating the obvious but you had the monopoly of the game, you controlled the fate of the protagonists and bent the rules your way— some would call it cheating, you’d call it having the world at your feet. An adventurous hand traveled underneath the fabric of Shouto’s shirt and, on its journey, felt the various kinds of reliefs sculpted on his body. The rock hard sensation of his abdomen against the soft flesh of your palm was one of the sweetest contrasts. Your hand followed a vertical path— first, a journey near his pectoral muscles, and a tragic fall to his growing bulge right beneath you, you couldn’t help but bow your lips into a grin which echoed to a thousand of hidden desires and beyond while Todoroki looked at you with pleading eyes.

« Aren’t you such a good boy to me? You did as I said, baby, keep going for me, yeah? » Shouto knew that the way you would pronounce each individual word was a hint to what was bound to happen, and the precise manner you moaned « good boy » near his eardrum was just a mere indicator amongst a myriad of them that you would not give up on your iron hold any time soon. Your lips eventually met his once more in a heated exchange, the advantage of the height played in your favor to assert dominance and set the done of the secret ballet between your tongues. Meanwhile, your palm was dangerously stroking the oh so growing bulge in Shouto’s underwear— and when your tongue would twist in a clockwise direction, your hand would do the opposite and vice-versa.

Shouto could feel you through all his senses— and although his lids were shut closed, this couldn’t prevent him from picturing your frame towering over him, he would always remember everything about you, even the most trivial details anyway. The gluttony in him cursed at him and screamed to touch you, but he knew better than to fall under the spell of his temptations. If he couldn’t manifest his pleasure physically, he could still do it orally— and thus a silent melody resonated in your mouth at the contact of your tongue with his. Said melody ended in the crescendo of the volume of his uneven breaths after breaking your kiss due to the lack of oxygen.

His cheeks were crimson red, his mouth was set agape to let fresh air fill his lungs again, his eyes echoed nothing but an irresistible paradox of pleading and will to continue further, his head felt dizzy under your sweet toxins which had just penetrated his mind… He was so addicted to you.

You let a smirk grow on your face in response to the aftermath of your antics, knowing very well that this was just a way to foreshadow what was bound to happen : « You’ve been so good to me, pretty boy, so, so good. Guess who’s going to have his reward now, baby? »

He knew he was going to get his reward, but at what cost?

6, 3, 7 H2OVanoss! You know me heh ( •ॢᴗ•ॢ⋈)

Ahhh Owlbun! So I hope this fits the perimeters of a cute-meet cause I don’t know if it does but I think it does? Idk, its cute, please enjoy this mess of a story. >.> It’s a diff style than I normally do, but….hope it works out!

AU: Coffee shopTrope: Meet cutePrompt: “You had no idea, did you?”

Pairing: H2O Vanoss

If Evan was being honest, he hadn’t expected the chalkboard wall at his coffee shop to make much of a difference. The Owl Cafe was a staple in the community, and he had an okay group of regulars that liked to come in and check out his new blends on the daily. There were ones he knew by name, like the 6 year old girl Momo who loved Brian’s hot chocolate, or the late-night writer Kryoz who always seemed to appear when the place was deserted. Some regulars he didn’t catch names for, so he titled them as he saw fit; Runner man, vlogger teen, cute sweatshirt guy. All had their place in his cafe, which was steady in its sales. He wasn’t rolling in cash, but it was enough to pay Brock and Brian, so he felt that he was doing alright. 

The chalkboard had been something of a whim. A friend when he was younger had a wall in his bedroom with chalkboard paint that Evan had always enjoyed drawing on before bed. When he’d bought the cafe two years ago, he hadn’t really remembered the fun times he had scribbling across the bedroom wall. He was too focused on payments and attracting customers to stroll down memory lane. That had changed three months ago when bumping into Lui, the two speaking about their times as a child. The wall came up, of course, and Evan couldn’t let the memory go for days after. Lots of his customers had children, and college kids were always quick to bore when waiting for coffee. So one night, after a really good week at the shop, Evan went out and bought the paint in order to make his wall next to the waiting area a drawing board. 

The result was amazing; people loved coming by and adding their own doodles to the wall, filling it with different styles of art or funny sayings. There were always the punks who tried to draw dicks or write derogatory marks, but street justice tended to stop the crimes far quicker than Evan or his friends picked up on them. Evan enjoyed looking at the board at the end of the night, seeing what secrets it held from the customers he served. He tried to guess who drew what, or where each blurb of inspiration writing came from. Was the struggling mother of three the one who drew the calm beach? Did the preppy college girl express her darker thoughts in the corner of the board? Or was that old couple who shared a coffee really sweet enough to write their 70th anniversary with a heart around it? All of the pieces of the board was a collection of minds, hearts, and souls, and the nights didn’t feel complete for the shop owner without gazing at them in appreciation.  

His favorite part was the confessions; like an anonymous message board, people left words of secrecy every day. Evan felt it was a safe way for customers to express themselves without having to reveal their identity, and so far he hadn’t gotten any confessions that worried him. Brock always enjoyed reading the romantic ones where someone would claim their love for a friend, an ex, or a person they could never have. Brian’s favorites were the weird claims; he made Evan keep the ‘I like smelling feet’ confession up for three days. Evan couldn’t really say he had a type he sought out, because all of them were fun to read. If anything, he liked taking in the handwriting of the confessions, seeing whose were quaking with fear or more broad with confidence that only anonymity provided. 

It was nearly two months into owning the board that a message caught his eye; it didn’t have much color or outlandish design to it, so Evan wasn’t sure why it stuck out to him so much. But the writing just…looked different. Friendly. A little messy but with long enough strokes to show some care went into it. The words only took up a small part of the board. 

I come here every day because I think the owner is nice. And maybe cute? I wanted to ask for his name, but I’m too nervous.

Evan blinked in surprise, feeling his face heat up when he read it again. Someone…confessed about him? It was sort of risky, since this was his shop and he could have checked in on the board at any time, but it was also endearing. Someone was too shy to approach Evan, but felt strong enough about him to confess on his wall? He read the line two more times while he cleaned off every other drawing and confession, leaving the words in the middle of the board. Slowly, his eyes dropped down to the basket of chalk at the bottom of the wall, fingers twitching by his side. Despite having it for months, he’d never actually written on it. He left designing the morning greeting to Brock, as he was the artistic one of the three. But now…

He kept the confession where it was, drawing a little circle around it with the red chalk. Then, with block letters bright enough to catch any returning customer’s attention, he wrote out a simple reply. 

It’s Evan. Nice to meet you.

He didn’t think about the teasing Brian would rain on him, or how unlikely it was for him to get a response. The confessions were meant to be anonymous, not openers for conversation. So sure that his words would be left unanswered, Evan didn’t look once at the board the following day, trying to keep focused on making his customer’s happy. Any time he wasn’t working, he rushed into the back, trying to stay occupied so he didn’t stare at the wall. The day dragged on forever, but when the final customer was out the door, Evan nearly fell flat on his face vaulting over the counter to move to the board. 

“Desperate much, buddy?” Brian’s shout from across the shop went ignored when Evan scanned the wall, looking for any sign of a response. At first, the words around the response were disheartening; nothing connected to what he’d said. The drawings were still cute, and he wanted to read the confessions, but his heart slightly dropped at the sight. Had he scared off the anonymous messenger? He felt his frown start to capture his lips, but then his eye picked up on something. A blue circle had been wrapped around Evan’s words, and a line of chalk was drawn to the left of the board. Curious, his eyes tracked the line. Like thread in a maze, Evan was led to a familiar handwriting. 

Your name fits you! I’m…Jonathan. Is that okay? 

“Jonathan.” He rolled the name around in his mouth, his smile small when he finished. He knew instantly what his new secret penpal was asking, and he found the red chalk from before in order to scribble out his answer. 

That’s totally okay. I bet your name fits you, too, though I’m not sure who you are. Care to give me a hint? 

And for the next two weeks, the hints poured out. 

I like to wear blue a lot. Luke says it matches my eyes. But I think yours are prettier.

Evan counted seventy three customers with blue eyes who wore blue that day, but it did little to limit his search. 

I saw you drop that lady’s coffee on purpose. She deserved it for treating Brock like that. You’re a really good boss.

The incident had been in the morning around rush hour, which probably meant his penpal was at least his age. 

You only wear hats when you clean the mocha machine; it really looks good on you. 

Except this was something he did at night, so maybe he had different shifts throughout the week? 

Whenever little Momo comes in, you always give her the best smile. Sometimes I wish you’d smile at me like that.

Evan’s face hurt from how many smiles he gave out that day, but there had been nobody who hinted at knowing why he’d been grinning so much. 

You’re so beautiful. I really want to ask you on a date. 

Evan’s face flush red for the rest of the night. 

After the days of trying to piece together just who ‘Jonathan’ was, Evan was almost ready to throw in the towel. The little banter between them was fun, and peeks of Jonathan’s personality came out with doodles or smilies at the end of his sentences. He mentioned his friends, his dog, and if Evan closed his eyes, he could almost make out a voice to the words. Everything just felt so familiar about this guy, like he was already seated comfortably in Evan’s life. But he just couldn’t come up with a name, or anything to sink his teeth into. 

So, with a shot of courage (Brian may have supplied the alcohol) and nothing to lose, Evan wrote out one final message. 

Anything but coffee, and I’ll say yes.

Evan tried not to look at the board, just like the first day, hoping he wouldn’t scare away his crush by staring the wall down. Brock and Brian helped distract him, jokingly picking out old men and toddlers as ‘his secret admirer’ before laughing at the outlandish suggestions. Evan tried to smile and joke with them, but his shaking hands when giving out the orders always proved how nervous he was. Each time a customer came up to him, his back tensed, wondering if it’d be his penpal. But they never were, always asking for sugar or a bag for their half eaten muffin. 

When the last minutes of the day ticked away, and just a few regular souls lingered in the cafe, Evan finally broke. He left Brian and Brock behind the counter to walk up to the wall, hands shoved in the pockets of the apron to hide his twitching fingers. Slowly, his eyes scanned the board, trying to find the blue handwriting he’d grown to adore over the couple weeks he’d gotten to see it. But there was nothing; his crush hadn’t replied. 

“I scared him away.” Evan sighed and pressed his head to the chalkboard, eyes closing in defeat. His shoulders slumped down, unable to hide his disappointment. He’d just wanted to know who this guy was, because starting to fall for a chalkboard he technically owned was starting to feel a little creepy-

“Um.” An unsure voice made Evan bite back a groan, trying to keep his composure. Even if he was being ghosted by an anonymous customer, it didn’t mean he could ignore his other ones. Pulling back from the wall, Evan turned to catch sight of a familiar face. Cute sweatshirt guy had been a regular for months, always polite but never one to really engage in much conversation with Evan or the others. He always contributed it to the slight stutter in his speech, which only seemed to come out in longer sentences. It was actually kind of late for cute sweatshirt guy to be at the cafe; he’d bought his coffee close to an hour ago, and though he normally left right after, he’d seemed to linger now. He’d been one of the people who’d come up to Evan, looking like he was going to burst out in a confession, only to ask for creamer.

And sugar.

And a new cup.

…And more creamer.

For a coffee he always drank black.

“Wait.” Evan’s breath hitched in his throat as his eyes widened on the blue gaze nervously watching him, fingers curled into the worn down sweatshirt that was identical in color. 

“Yeah, I’m-that was me. Jonathan. Who you were-I’m the guy tha–that, um, fuck. Luke said I should’ve just-but the wall was…was our thing.” Jonathan’s face lit up in color at the confession, the nervous laugh that poured out loud and uncontrolled. It echoed from the emptiness of the cafe, and both men jumped when Brian swore and knocked over a stack of cups in surprise. Tagging that as future Evan’s problem, he turned his attention back to Jonathan, who looked ready to let his sweatshirt swallow him whole. The smile he gave only lifted half his mouth, proving he didn’t feel confident. “You had no idea, did you?”

“None,” Evan admitted, hands pulling out of his apron at the defeated look that sunk over Jonathan. 

“Right, that’s- I don’t have to ask you on a date if this isn’t what you…if I’m not who you-”

“Ask me!” Evan cut him off fast, not wanting to let Jonathan feel rejected for a second longer. He rushed forward, snagging hands that tugged the end of torn sleeves to entwine their fingers. Blue eyes widened above him, but Evan refused to let his racing heart of reddened cheeks stop him from repeating his confession from before. “Anything but coffee, and I’ll say yes.” 

“Dinner? Can I-would you like to get food with me tomorrow?” Like a puppy, Jonathan’s body perked up at the possibility. Evan laughed before lifting their hands to cup Jonathan’s cheeks. He pushed up onto his toes, feeling the slight intake of his customer’s breath before he answered with a kiss.

But just to be safe, he wrote ‘yes’ on the chalkboard the next morning.

Growing Things

The road to recovery is a long one, but the journey is easier with good company. Steven and Connie work in the garden and discuss the past and future.  Connverse, 2797 words, a little angst, a lot of fluff.  

(A sequel to my Steven-gets-therapy stories Full Disclosure and ice cream sundaes that asks, what if Prickly Pair had occurred in a healthy way?)

***

A throb of power, a humming in his ears, a light, a song.  Rage boiled in his chest; he sobbed into his hands, gasping with the weight of it.  Pink light shimmered around him.  It built itself into a cage of lies and fears, and he flung his hands out, fingers sliding down its smooth surface.  As it closed in around him it changed into a mirror that glinted and rippled.  He tried to hide his face, but he could see how much he looked like her --

Steven woke up suddenly, breathing hard, sweaty and trembling.  I’m here, I’m here, he remembered.  He ran a shaky hand through his unruly hair, wiping the sweat away.  

A knock at the sliding door startled him, and he looked up, fighting momentary panic.  The fear dissolved when he saw Connie waving at him through the glass.  He nodded to her and she let herself in with the key he’d given her ages ago.

“Hey!” she said happily, but the smile on her face quickly faded.  “Are you okay?”  

Steven took a few breaths.  Focus, then let it go.  No feeling lasts forever.   “No,” he said, simply, honestly.  Another breath.  “Give me a minute.  I think I will be.”  

She sat down beside him, kicking off her shoes and curling up on the bed.  She leaned against him and settled her head on his shoulder. It was one of her newest favorite spots to lean on him, and he relaxed into her, his breathing slowing.  

“Another nightmare?” Connie asked, hugging him.  He dug his hands into his thighs, gripping hard at first, then gradually relaxing until his knuckles were no longer white.

“Yeah.  Not a flashback or anything. Just me, stuck in my own head.”  He paid attention to how he felt, the way Connie felt against him, the sound of his breathing, his feet flat on the floor.  

Get out of your head.  It was starting to help.

“Well, I’m here too,” Connie reassured him.  She pressed a gentle kiss to his temple, then his cheek.  He grinned despite the nightmare’s memory, fighting the sudden urge to float up to the ceiling and take her with him. He turned his face to hers and kissed her, her mouth parting open beneath his, and the nightmare quickly slipped back into distant recollection.  How could he think of that when the way Connie held him was so right?

They drew apart a moment later, both slightly breathless, Connie as pink-cheeked as Steven felt.  “Thanks for coming over,” Steven said, suddenly shy.  “Even if I overslept.”

“Nah, I’m early.  I might have missed you a little bit since yesterday,” said Connie, pretending to look innocent.  Then she giggled and nudged him with her shoulder.  “Besides, I’m starting to get into this whole gardening thing with you.  These plants won’t take care of themselves… unless you’ve added any --”

Steven laughed a little, climbing out of bed.  Connie stood up beside him, slipping on her shoes.  “No, no, these ones up here are still just normal Earth plants.  No cheating.  I’ll get dressed.  Um, maybe you should --”

“Suddenly shy, Steven Universe?”  She turned around so that she couldn’t see him change, but she was blushing as she did so.  

“Um, maybe,” Steven said, his voice threatening to crack for a second.  He gulped through it, disguising it with a swallow.  Oh jeez.  “Uh, maybe I just don’t want you to be overwhelmed by my extremely handsome physique,” he blustered. Better.  

They’d only officially been dating for six and a half weeks, and he was still figuring out how to be both a friend and a boyfriend.  He wasn’t sure how exactly to do it, but it felt like he was doing okay.  Except what was this flirting thing, again?  He hoped she didn’t think he was too ridiculous.

He pulled off the light tank top he’d slept in.  Part of him half-hoped Connie would watch him get changed after all -- but that was both too exciting and too terrifying to handle just yet, so he quickly changed with his back to her, sweating again.  Where had he put that deodorant?  Ah, there it was. Phew.

“Well, it’s true,” Connie mused from across the room.  “I do think you’re handsome.”

“Come on, Connie, don’t tease me,” he said, rummaging for fresh underwear and jeans.  He put them on at lightning speed.

“I wasn’t teasing, but I can start.  Isn’t calling you handsome one of the perks of being your girlfriend?”  The way she said girlfriend was light and airy, tinged with pride and the excitement of newness.  The sound of it made him feel all floaty again.

“Can I just say that us actually dating is… it’s kinda weird, and more than a little scary, and also I really love it?  Because it’s awesome.  You’re awesome. And beautiful, and smart, and funny, and badass, and -- well, you know,” Steven said in a rush, pulling on a fresh shirt.  It got stuck temporarily on his head, and he pulled it down, his hair going every which way as he did so.  “Okay, I’m decent.”

“Decently goofy, that is,” said Connie, turning back around.  They headed out onto the deck, and she laughed brightly, one of his favorite sounds.  “I feel the same way.  It’s weird, and I get all these crazy butterflies every time I look at you, but you’re still Steven.  It’s like… being best friends plus this whole new thing where I get to hold your hand and kiss you and tease you until you blush.  I’m a big fan.”

“Well, that’s a relief.”  He bent down to examine some of the plants in their pots and planters.  He had considered growing them magically, but there was something comforting about these ones, their shades of green and blue and goldenrod a cheery sight against the Gem-constructed dome.  Maybe it was that they were content to stay here and grow where he’d asked them to; but maybe it was that there was no way they would cause problems any more severe than allergies.

“It isn’t really cheating,” Connie said, watering a row of blue and pink-blooming hydrangeas in their beds.  

“Huh?” Steven asked, nonplussed over by the burgeoning azaleas.  Their first blossoms were just starting to unfurl in shocking fuschia. 

“Using magic to grow these.  It would be okay if you did, I think.”  She paused, trailing a hand over a bundle of pink blossoms.  “Magic’s part of you just as much as being human, if that’s what you’re worried about.  It’s not wrong to use it, and it’s not wrong to not use it, you know?”

How did she always see through him?  He was glad she knew him so well, but sometimes, it made it difficult to hide.  He thought back to the sessions he’d started going to, human therapy with someone who didn’t know him, didn’t know Dad and the Gems, didn’t know any of this stuff… but someone who let Steven talk.  And one of the things he’d suggested was reconnecting to his human side.

“I know.  But I fought so hard to be a good Gem, to get control of my powers, to save the galaxy… I forgot about who I was as a human.  I guess this is me trying to figure it out, one plant at a time.  Plus my counselor thinks the whole gardening thing is a good idea.” He brushed his fingertips over the spiny leaves of a variegated aloe plant. “Thanks for helping me look into it.  Peridot’s advice was super technical, but just hanging out and taking care of plants is a little more my speed.”

She left the watering can, closing the distance between them and taking his hand.  “It’s okay if it takes time.”

“I know,” he said, and he did know it, and the thought made him glad.  There was a time, not that long ago, that he wouldn’t have believed her.  That he would have thought she wasn’t telling the truth.  “That’s why I’ve been working so hard on letting myself not work.  I really needed help.  And it feels good to be getting it.”

Connie looked down at his hand, held in her slender one.  “I’m so sorry you were struggling so much.  I knew something was wrong, I just… I didn’t know what exactly.”

He gripped her hand tighter.  “Well, my counselor says I can be really stubborn,” he laughed.  “And he says I’m really good at hiding things.  The Gems didn’t know, Dad didn’t know…”  He sighed, the laughter in his voice fading.  

Oh.  There it was, that feeling.  Steven tried to sit with it, instead of trying to shove it aside.  It was still a difficult thing for him.  “I just can’t believe I lost a whole year, feeling like that.  Empty and angry and numb….  I wish it had been different. That I’d been better at dealing with everything.  I mean, I could have been going off to college with you in fall, and we could have been dating so much sooner because I wouldn’t have been so messed up.  I wouldn’t have worried everyone so much, or scared you so much that night -- I’m really sorry -- ”

“Hey, hey hey hey,” said Connie softly.  

He looked up.  She searched his face, her brown eyes wide and earnest.  She smiled gently at him, and he realized what she meant.

“Oh man, I’m doing it again,” Steven said, shaking his head and smiling faintly.  “That thing where I assume I have to apologize if I try to talk about my feelings.  And that other thing where I assume I have to take care of everyone else’s problems instead of mine.  Ahhh, it’s really hard to unlearn!” He let go of her hand, throwing his up in the air.  “What’s that saying?  Two steps forward, one step back?  It’s annoying.”

“I think it’s really normal,” said Connie, reaching out and booping him on the nose.  He giggled.  Sure enough, the painful feeling from earlier was already starting to fade, all the less powerful for having been shared but not ruminated on.  It was a balance he worked at with every counseling visit.  More and more often, he was getting better at it.

“And I think it’s amazing you’ve worked so hard.  I can tell you have, Steven.  You just seem… like you again.  Maybe it’s a you that’s still figuring things out, but I am too,” said Connie.  “It’s not like I know everything about what I want to do.  There’s my classes now, which college to pick, my driving exam… and how much time I want to spend in space in the future versus if I want a career that’s more Earth-based… there’s a lot to think about!”

Steven kissed her on the cheek, then wiped off a bit of dirt that had gotten on her nose.  “I know it’s hard to choose -- oh man, do I know -- but I hope you know you can do anything you want, Connie. You’re so smart, and you work so hard.  Whatever you pick, you’ll be incredible.”  She flushed, but didn’t contradict him.  “And if you ever want to practice driving the Dondai, I’ll go with you any time.  I know you’ll pass it.  Stevonnie was a great driver even when we were kids, so I’m sure you’ll do great.”

She poked him in the side.  “Yeah, but it’s a little different when someone’s grading you on it.  And I think the racing moves Stevonnie’s so good at are a little frowned upon in the driving test.”

“The test wasn’t bad at all,” said Steven.  “I got dinged on a couple things, but they still passed me.  Turns out parallel parking is crazy hard when you’re used to parking on an entire beach…”

“Dork,” said Connie, smirking.

“Guilty.”

“You know, we’re not doing a very good job with the plants, Steven,” she said, glancing around them.  

“Someone’s very distracting,” said Steven, halfheartedly picking up his watering can.  “You’re just really good to talk to, and super cute, and you smell really nice --”

“Such a dork!” She went to pick up a trowel, but sighed.  “Dang it, you’re really distracting too.  Your hair’s doing this extra curly thing where it’s sticking up in the back and it’s adorable, and I keep just wanting to touch you and hold your hand --”

“Hey, I have an idea,” said Steven shyly, an idea occurring to him.  “I know a way we could be a little more productive.”

“You better not tell me to go home already, Universe,” Connie said, raising an eyebrow.  “I thought I was supposed to go to lunch with you and your dad and the Gems later.”

“What do you take me for, Maheswaren?” he scoffed.  “No.  I was thinking --” He stepped backward, leaving a little space between them, and held out his hand.  “I bet Stevonnie could focus more.”

She grinned, blinking rapidly, her eyes a little too bright.  He knew how she felt -- hopeful, eager, excited -- and a little nervous.  “Are you sure?” she asked.  “I mean -- we haven’t since….”

He took a deep breath.  “Since before I broke down?  I know.  But I think… I think I feel enough like me now that I want to try, if you do.”

Her grin deepened into a fierce, blazing expression, the type of expression that said she would take on the world.  He loved that look. “Then let’s dance.”

Their dance was slow at first, the steps a little fumbling, out of practice.  For a moment, Steven’s eagerness shifted into worry.  Maybe he wasn’t ready after all.  Maybe he still wasn’t enough of himself to fuse.  Maybe --

But Connie’s dancing was so joyful, so familiar, that his worry slipped away.  It’s okay.  I’m me.  We’re us.   A lightness filled him, a happiness so intense his eyes pricked.  He took her hand in his, and together they whirled, they spun, they fused  --

Stevonnie laughed, the sound ringing throughout the dome. It felt so good to be themselves again.  “Yes!” they crowed.  They felt so much different than they had the last time they had formed.  That day, months ago, Stevonnie had felt unsettled and strange throughout.  They had struggled to stay themselves in a way that hadn’t made sense, and they had only remained a few moments before Steven and Connie unfused.  Now they understood why, and it was a relief to once more feel like Stevonnie, confident, relaxed, at ease.

They realized things felt a little different.  “Ooh!” they said, reaching up to feel stubble on their cheeks. “Huh, might be a good look for me.”  Stevonnie reached down to touch their toes, then stood up and stretched as tall as they could.  Ahhh, that was nice.  

Stevonnie glanced around the garden, noting how little work had been done this morning.  Steven and Connie really were too much sometimes (only in the best way, of course).  “Yeah, I think it’ll be a little easier not to be distracted this way.”  They collected the watering can and the pruning shears.  

Stevonnie hummed to themselves as they made their way through the rows of Steven’s garden, watering here, pruning the occasional dead branch there.  A few plants needed some fertilizer, and Stevonnie sank their hands into the soil of each pot, relishing the feel of cool dirt against their fingertips.  A breeze played through the open door of the conservatory, its touch blowing lightly through their hair.  The morning sunlight streamed through the glass, brilliant, coruscating, lining the edges of the plants with golden light. Below them, Stevonnie could hear the surf breaking against the sand, wave after wave, the sound mingling with their humming.

Stevonnie finished with the gardening in an hour, much quicker than it would have taken Steven and Connie with all of their flirting.  They wondered what the future held for them both: Connie’s schooling and future career, Steven’s Gem and human struggles and his improvements, this new layer to their friendship that had developed recently.  So many changes, but good ones, they thought.

They looked around at the garden, feeling a warm sense of pride at how well it was doing.   Steven and Connie had worked so hard to help this place become lush and beautiful.  It had changed, too.  No longer a sterile Gem structure, it was a true garden, vibrant and alive and growing.

Stevonnie sat down cross-legged in the middle of the conservatory, surrounded by greens and pinks and yellows, scents of jasmine and rose.  The surf was steady in the background.  Stevonnie closed their eyes, considering the future, and took a moment to breathe deeply.

They smiled, calm and serene.  Maybe they didn’t have future vision, but the future seemed bright after all.

****

*

*

*

(Author’s note:

I had this rattling around in my drafts but was waiting until Prickly Pair aired to figure out what direction I wanted to go with it. WOW that episode was a gut punch, wasn’t it? So I felt I had to reimagine it in a much healthier setting since in these stories, Steven’s breakdown occurred earlier and he was willing to go to therapy. You can see he’s not 100% better — old fears and patterns slip through — but he’s social now and overall has a much better outlook.

I also thought it was important to spell out that dating wasn’t really possible until Steven had made significant improvements in his mental health, and that dating/relationships alone can’t save you from mental illness. They can help if there’s a solid foundation there, but you can’t jump into a relationship at your lowest point because your self is too wounded to be a good partner. So, this is set some months after Steven had been in therapy. They were very close before then but not officially dating yet, at least in these stories.)

Creative Fervor

Part 4c

Summary: Summary: Dating Roman Sionis and being a famous designer interesting things happen to those in Gotham.

⚠️ WARNING⚠️ There is torture. It is not pretty. You have been warned!

After pulling up to the warehouse, the driver cut the engine.

He took the mask from you. “Thank you.”

He looked at the vivid blue, purple bruises that blossomed on your cheeks. The blood that had dried on the corners of your mouth. Finally, saw where the ropes had rubbed some of your skin raw. It made his blood pump with hot rage. It had been awhile since he had been that angry. How they damage what was his.

“Tonight, Gotham will learn the lesson of what happens if someone hurts my queen.”

“Your queen? He watched your brow stitch together. “I thought that was Circe.”

“What?”

“Yeah, she is so elegant. She’s closer to your age, and she’s from world you come from.” He could hear a sadness that was different then what you felt from being kidnapped and slapped around by these animals.

He put his mask down beside him. Then he grabbed both of your hands. “You will learn this, Y/N I am not one to indulge falsities or embellishments. So when I said you were mine, I meant it. I had taken you on the new queen of my territory for what it’s worth. Circe, threw it all away when she thought I’d never kind out about her and Bruce in my own fucking bed.”

“So, you saw someone bloated with guilt and jealousy.”

A single tear escaped one. “That was why I walked away, I walked right into the plan they were springing.”

Letting go of one your hands, he brushed the tear away with his gloved hand.

“That is why tonight they will bleed.”

“Good.”

He knew you could still feel the slaps, you could still feel as he squeezed your thigh. He was going to make it so no one ever dared hurt or touched you again.

*****

“While I am in there, try and get some winks, I may be a while.”

You nodded.

“It is time.”

Grabbing the mask, he exhaled and he slipped the mask, his face into place.

“Roman?” You said, you heart thudding.

“Yes?”

You cup one of his black metal cheeks, his blue eyes have taken an icy edge. Normally, that would have worried or scared you. Now it excited you. You kissed the other cold cheek.

He nodded as your hand went back to your lap. He tapped on the glass and the driver opened the door and he slid out.

Once closed, you slipped into his seat. You undid the straps of your heals, you rubbed your now tired feet before tucking them under you. It felt like a lifetime ago when you had put them on. The warmth of him in seat as you curled up against the leather padding of the door.

You watched in the rear view mirror as he went into a door with a satchel off one shoulder. Then you let yourself close your eyes.

*****

“I have arrived!” He announced.

He put the satchel down on a table that was set before the three bodies hung from the rafters. Each of them wriggled like worms on a hook. He made him chuckle, the sound was louder from behind the mask.

“Mikey, Larry...how nice to see you!” He said as he went over to each one pulling them by their hair to see their faces.

“Who the fuck is this?” He ripped off the duck tape that covered the man’s mouth. “Who the fuck are you?”

He shook with fear as he pulled harder on his hair.

“I’m Benny...Benny the driver.”

“Oh...ooh should have known that blonde hair anywhere. You’re their assassin with a golf driver. I like the method.” He chuckled and pushed him off so he could swing with the others.

He went over to grabbed his first knife. It had ragged teeth. He loved seeing his reflection in the spotless metal.

“Zsass, does he even need to be here?” He came over to him and shrugged.

“He’s only ever been pain in the ass. But he’s efficient enough with that golf rod.”

“Zsass that’s a golf driver,” he corrected his henchmen with a sigh.

He went over to Benny. “Did you have anything to do with taking my girl?” He grabbed him by the hair again with one hand. The man shook his head. “Maybe we can hire you? I could always use fresh blood on the team.” The man, shook his head agreeing.

“What do you think Zsass? We could stock up on some golf drivers.”

Zsass, just shrugged indifferent.

He went behind the man and tied his arms that we bound behind him. “Would you give your loyalty to me? Would you work along side Zsass, he my main henchmen.”

The man nodded. “You can speak Benny. Tell me.”

“I pledge you my loyalty.” His face relaxed. “I have plenty of golf drivers.” He let go of his head gently.

“Would be interesting to learn how to kill with golf clubs.” Zsass smiled. Black Masked just looked at him. He wasn’t in the mood to keep correcting him.

He shrugged. “Why stop at golf drivers?”

“Good point.” He admitted before going over and grabbing Mikey the Scar by hair, he had been the one who called him.

“Did you hear that Mikey?” He asked grabbing him by his hair. “He wants to pledge his loyalty to me?” He chuckled.

He pushed him away again and went over to Benny. He knelt down beside him. “It’s an interesting method, those golf drivers.”

“They are boss, they can be a lot of fun.”

He grabbed him, violently by his hair again and this time grabbed him close as he stood up. He drew close to his face. “But that is too messy of a kill. I’ve seen stories of your kills in the news.” He then sliced from one side of the man’s throat to the next. Blood flew and erupted from the man screamed and he letting him go, he swung violently by his ankles, desperately holding the slash with both hands. “We like it clean here.” Blood splattered his black suit, his white gloves were now turning scarlet.

Not very long, the man stopped wriggling and stilled. A small red pool, formed below where the man’s head hovered.

He dropped the knife with a clatter on the table with a clatter.

“Who’s next?”

He went over to Larry the Fab. “Hello.” He grabbed him by his hair. “So how are you going to end up with my girl now?” He looked towards Zsass, “can you grabbed the blowtorch?” The man’s eyes widened in fear.

“Oh, don’t worry that is necessary.” He tapped his chin. “You didn’t answer me.” He then ripped off the tape. “How are you going to end up with my girl now?” He shook him so he felt it in his ankles.

“I’m not.” He sputtered. His fear making his voice shake.

“Isn’t she a treat on the eyes? Are you the one who cut her dress?”

The man remained silent.

“Come on, talk to me. We are having a dialogue here. Truth will set you free.

“I did.” He swallowed hard. “I had to bring her to the dressing room and the dress kept on catching.”

“Ahhh the dress kept on catching.” He nodded agreeing. “That’s why you cut it well above her knees?”

He looked embarrassed.

“Get it. You wanted to see those thighs, I get to stand between hmm? Over have over my shoulders when I want right?”

He nodded.

“I guess you saw the marks I leave sometimes on her.” He paused and looked at the blowtorch. “You can turn it off. Not sure we will need it. But put it there.” He pointed off to the side of him.

“See, we’re talking here.” He looked down at Larry. “You didn’t answer me Larry. Did you see the marks my hands leave on her soft thighs?”

“I did.”

“I figured you. Had to hitch that fabric just a little higher.” He moved his head from side to side. “You have to know, she just drives me crazy. I’ve never needed sex as much as I do now that I am around her. Even when we are just talking about the news over breakfast. Did that happen to you Larry? Did you begin to crave her?”

He shook his head no.

“Larry...Larry what did I say about telling the truth?”

“Ok..ok...I did.”

“Good. Now..tell me did you touch her thighs?”

He nodded.

Mikey made a sound beside them he let go of Larry and went over to him.

“What the fuck do you want? Can’t you see I am having a nice conversation with Larry?” He ripped off the duck tape.

“I told him to not touch your girl.”

“Good, well thank you Mikey. That was very nice of you.” He paused and looked at Larry. “But you, Mikey you touched her too.”

He shook his head no.

“You did...I know you did. You’re the one who started with the slaps...and you pulled her hair.”

He looked sheepish.

“That is still touching. Why did you have to pull that soft hair? Was..it because it was so soft? You wanted to feel it?”

He finally nodded.

“See I love feeling it. I feel it on my chest waking up in the morning when she is curled up to me. Or I feel it on my thighs when she so wonderfully takes me into that sweet little mouth of hers. Something you will never know.”

He went back over and grabbed Larry. “Yes, Larry you will never know what her hands or little mouth will ever feel like.” He chuckled. “and believe me no fantasy can compare. So tell me this, I am curious did you touch her with one hand or both on her thighs?”

He began to shake. “Both.”

“Great, thank you for the honesty.” He looked at Zsass. “Mm Zsass, turn it back on. Maybe just go over the surface of his hands.”

“What the fuck?” His fear turning his scream into a shriek.

“You touched my girl. There has to be some form of punishment.”

His screams turned into howls as a fouls stench filled the air.

Roman, smiled, while the man still howled in agony. “You don’t fuck with Roman Sionis or his girl.” Grabbing his knife he plunged and twisted it right into the man’s heart.

Zsass turned off the blowtorch and let him go.

“Good..good.” He looked back. “Oh, you can stop..we should leave him something of his hands, he only did touch the thighs..he could have done worse.”

“I...I...” Mikey sputtered, unable to speak.

“Oh you think I will use that on you for touching, for slapping my girl, my queen?”

“Yes...” he shook in his grasp.”

“They were just slaps and hair pulling...one does that with kidnapping. He shrugged. “He touched her thighs, those are my fucking thighs.” He swallowed. “Now what should I do to you?”

“Please...I’m sorry. Fuck I am so sorry.”

“Really Mikey...are you sorry?” He traced a finger on the man’s scar, blood from Benny smeared on his face. “I thought when someone had given this to you, you would have smartened up. Wasn’t it Jimmy that gave that to you?

“He did.” He spat out.

“Then why are you so fucking loyal to him?”

“Not so much loyalty..”

“Oh..interesting..I knew you were a little worm.”

“Zsass, take his fucking face and sclap off!”

“But..but..”

“Fuck you! You took what’s mine.” He let him go. “I am done here.”

He went to leave. “Woooo!” He gave a sound of victory. “What was fun, boys!” He twirled.

“Zsass, you and your boys clean it up and have fun if you want with Larry!”

He shed his gloves and went back out to his girl. As he stood outside of the car he saw that peace had filled your face as you slept.

At least you have no nightmares, the thought as he got back into the car. He slid over to be close to you. He took off his face, and put it on the seat beside him. He rubbed his face and ran his fingers through his hair, as he relaxed. His driver was taking you two home.

Gently, he reached out to you sleeping form and eased you to him. Deeply asleep but knowing what your body wanted you curled up to his sold frame. He smiled down at you and kissed the top of your head. “My queen his whispered.” He put one arm around you and the other he, gently let his hand caress your hair as you slept.

@spn-obession @thehybrid666 @vintagemichelle91 @xxxeatyourh3artoutxxx @ewanfuckingmcgregor @zodiyack @emyliabernstein @top-rumbelle-fan @rosionis​ @johallzy​

Kismet

Summary: After years of struggling to make it on your own, your life was finally on track-that is—until soul-collector Taeyong comes to derail it. Taeyong decides to give you a second chance at life—with a catch.

Genre: A LITTLE OF EVERYTHING, sci-fi, powers

Warning: Mentions of Death, Language, Alcohol, Cheating, this writing in no way represents the members mentioned, all events are fake.

Part 1

________________________________________________

Part Two: Second Chances

Word Count: 1,400

It had been two weeks since the wedding, but you couldn’t stop thinking about him, the mysterious man that made your heart shutter in only a few minutes. Every night before you dozed off you remembered his big eyes, his soft lips, the gentle touch of his finger tips on the small of your back. It was strange. How could he have this effect on you? You had so many questions but didn’t have his number. The thought of you never meeting him again, never having the chance to feel those lips again made you sad.

“Ahhh there’s my sunshine!” Haechan greeted as you unlocked the door of your bakery and welcomed him in. Haechan was your employee, you could always count on him to be there on time to open the bakery with you. His curly hair and bright smile always brightened your mood and the mood of hungry customers. How could anyone get upset with him?

“Hey Chanie! How are you?” You asked as you flipped the lights on. Haechan squinted and raised his hand to his eyes.

“Hmmmm I’m a bit hungover to be honest, but never better!” Haechan responded and you chuckled before turning on the bakery’s vinyl player.

You flipped the upside down chairs on the tables and set them into place while Haechan popped some muffins and croissants into the oven and started the coffee maker. 

Your bakery was small, but cute. You had about ten tables, each set with four chairs and a bar for those that were traveling solo or just needed a quick bite or hot drink. You pride yourself on your small business and your ability to make those of all backgrounds feel welcomed. It was a quiet and warm environment where people of all ages could come in spend time with each other, meet strangers, work on homework, and even play their favorite vinyl.And today just like any other day, was busy. 

The ovens were always on, preparing the next batch of cookies, cake pops, brownies, basically anything sweet; and the espresso machine would pump out at least 100 shots an hour. So when there was a mechanical error, it came as no surprise, but hopefully with the help of your trusty sidekick Haechan, you would get the machine up and working in a matter of minutes.

It was around 3pm when the crowd had died down slightly. There were only two couples in the bakery that were chatting and munching on some chocolate croissants.You decided that it was the perfect opportunity to head back to your office to count up stock and decide how many bulk items you needed to buy for the next week.You were halfway through with your work when Haechan popped his head in your doorway.

“There’s a man here that wants to speak to the manager” Haechan said as he rolled his eyes.You looked up with a confused expression and furrowed brows. 

“Speak to the manag- what’s the problem? It’s a bakery, not a car shop” you responded before looking back at your notes and writing again.

“Yeahh I know, but he seems to be pretty angry” Haechan whispered.

You sighed and placed your eyeglasses on your desk before heading out to the bar. “Hi, how can I-“ you started before looking up to realize who it was.

He was here. He stood in front of the Vinyl shelf, his broad back faced you. His burnt red hair reminded you of the red lights of that night. He wore a hoody and dangly earrings, he looked a lot more causal than when you last saw him, but his strong aura still drew you in. You watched as he picked up the Ella&Louis vinyl, a classic.

Of course, you thought.

You needed to remind yourself of why you were here, he’s a customer and he apparently had a problem that needed to be fixed. Regardless of how you felt, it was time to face him.

He probably didn’t even remember that night or you, you thought and you started to feel dumb for thinking about him every night since the wedding.

You cleared your throat. “Sir...is there something I can help you with?” You finally asked.

Taeyong turned slightly and glanced up. He wasn’t frowning but his slit eyebrow and dangly earrings made him seem upset.

He looked back at the vinyl and slowly placed it back into its original spot. He spun on his heel and face you.

“Y/N.” He said before looking you up and down. You were in completely different clothing as well. Your hair tied up and a flour-stained pink apron that covered your red t-shirt and blue jeans. You realized that he did remember you and smiled slightly.

“Yes?” You muttered out.“Sit with me.” He said while pointing to a chair.You looked at the chair then looked back at him. You felt like you were in the principals office about to receive your suspension letter. He was visibly upset but you didn’t understand why.

“Is everything alright, Taeyong?” His face softened a little once you mentioned his name. “I really have to get back to work, I just-“ you were trying to escape the intensity when Taeyong interrupted you.

“Sit.” He said before pulling out a chair.

You nodded and sat down, praying that this would go by quickly and a little less awkwardly than the past five minutes had been.You sat in silence and watch as he sipped his green tea. 

His blueberry muffin only had one bite taken out of it, and it had been pushed away like an empty bread basket from Olive Garden.You couldn’t help but appreciate the features of the man sitting across the table you shared. In the daylight, his sharp jawline and dreamy eyes stuck out even more. 

His short hair was lightly gelled to make it stick up in certain angles but it made him look young and trendy. He was a far cry from the classy man you met that night.

“Taeyong, I-“ you started in an effort to break the silence.

“The muffin has too many blueberries in it.” Taeyong said as he focused on stirring more sugar cubes in his green tea.Your mouth opened slightly and you had to restrain yourself from saying all that was on your mind. Instead, you decided to focus on something else

“Taeyong, I don’t know you and I found out that actually no one from the wedding knew you. Who are you and h-how did you even find me?” You quietly said as you leaned forward and waited for him to look up at you.

He still looked down at his tea. “Oh dear, Y/N, I’ve always been here” he finally looked up and into your eyes and your heart trembled. He was too good looking and the combination of his dominant presence and entrancing eyes drew you in just like they did that night.

You shook your head in an effort to remain strong. “no Taeyong, speak clearly. I want to know who you are. I-its almost like you’re stalking me.”

Taeyong scoffed and dipped his tea. He tilted his head, sat back in his chair, and watched you. 

“Are you gonna change the recipe so that you don’t put an entire shopping cart of blueberries into your muffins?” He said with a raised eyebrow.

“Damn it Taeyong, I’m leaving” you were about to stand up when Taeyong snapped his fingers.Suddenly, the couples in the bakery stopped talking and froze. 

Their mouths were still open and their hands were still in the air. You turned to look at Haechan who was washing a few dishes, but froze in the middle of rinsing out a cup.

“What the hell? Haechan? Chanie!” You got up and walked over to Haechan who was unresponsive, still holding the cup and the sponge. A moment later and you realized that even the water from the pipe had stopped moving. 

The cars outside that were zooming by moments ago had completely stopped and birds were frozen in mid flight. You turned to Taeyong who was the only other thing moving.

“What the hell’s happening? What did you do?” You asked worriedly, fear building as you were coming to terms with the fact that this man may have been otherworldly. 

Taeyong sighed and placed his tea cup down before sitting back in his chair once again.

“You have so many questions, and I guess I should give you some answers.”

Last year I talked about Fantasia, which is not just one of my favorite Disney movies, but one of my favorite movies in general. And if I may be self-indulgent for a moment, it’s also one of the reviews that I’m the proudest of. Fantasia is a visual, emotional masterpiece that marries music and art in a manner few cinematic ventures have come close to replicating. One question that remains is what my thoughts on the long-gestated sequel is –

…you might wanna get yourselves some snacks first.

As anyone who read my review on the previous film knows, Fantasia was a project ahead of its time. Critics and audiences turned their noses up at it for conflicting reasons, and the film didn’t even make it’s budget back until twenty-something years later when they began marketing it to a very different crowd.

“I don’t wanna alarm you dude, but I took in some Fantasia and these mushrooms started dancing, and then there were dinosaurs everywhere and then they all died, but then these demons were flying around my head and I was like WOOOOOAAAHHH!!”

“Yeah, Fantasia is one crazy movie, man.”

“Movie?”

Fantasia’s unfortunate box office failure put the kibosh on Walt Disney’s plans to make it a recurring series with new animated shorts made to play alongside handpicked favorites. The closest he came to following through on his vision was Make Mine Music and Melody Time, package features of shorts that drew from modern music more than classical pieces.

Fast-forward nearly fifty years later to the golden age known as the Disney Renaissance: Walt’s nephew Roy E. Disney surveys the new crop of animators, storytellers, and artists who are creating hit after hit and have brought the studio back to his uncle’s glory days, and thinks to himself, “Maybe now we can make Uncle Walt’s dream come true.” He made a good case for it, but not everyone was on board. Jeffrey Katzenberg loathed the idea, partly because he felt the original Fantasia was a tough act to follow (not an entirely unreasonable doubt) but most likely due to the fact that the last time Disney made a sequel, The Rescuers Down Under, it drastically underperformed (even though the reasons for that are entirely Katzenberg’s fault. Seriously, watch Waking Sleeping Beauty and tell me you don’t want to punch him in the nose when Mike Gabriel recalls his opening weekend phone call).

Once Katzenberg was out of the picture, though, Fantasia 2000, then saddled with the less dated but duller moniker Fantasia Continued, got the go-ahead. Many of the sequences were made simultaneously as the animated features my generation most fondly remembers, others were created to be standalone shorts before they were brought into the fold. Since it was ready in time for the new millennium, it not only got a name change but a massive marketing campaign around the fact that it would be played on IMAX screens for a limited run, the very first Disney feature to do so. As a young Fantasia fan who had never been to one of those enormous theaters before, I begged and pleaded my parents to take me. Late that January, we traveled over to the IMAX theater at Lincoln Center, the only one nearest to us since they weren’t so widespread as they are now, and what an experience it was. I can still recall the feeling of awe at the climax of Pines of Rome, whispering eagerly with my mom at how the beginning of Rhapsody in Blue looked like a giant Etch-A-Sketch, and jumping twenty feet in the air when the Firebird’s massive eyes popped open. But did later viewings recapture that magic, or did that first time merely color my perception?

We open on snippets from the original Fantasia…IN SPAAAAAAAAACE!

It reminds me a little of the opening to Simply Mad About The Mouse, where bits of classic Disney nostalgia fly about to evoke the mood of this upcoming musical venture. In a clever conceit, snippets of Deems Taylor’s original opening narration explaining Fantasia’s intent and music types plays over the orchestra and animators materializing and gearing up for the first sequence, which jumps right into –

DUN DUN DUN DUUUUUUN – I mean, Symphony #5 – Ludwig Van Beethoven

Here, a bunch of butterflies flee and then fight off swarms of bats with the power of light – I can’t be the only one who saw these things and thought it was butterflies vs. bats, right?

It does look cool with its waterfalls and splashes of light and color bursting through the clouds, but this brings me to a bit of contention I have with the movie.

When I planned this review I was going to do a new version of “Things Fantasia Fans Are Sick of Hearing”, except there were only four major complaints I could think of that. On further introspection, I admit they are legitimate grievances worth addressing. I’m going to get them out of the way all at once in order to keep things rolling.

#1 – This Seems Familiar…

Certain sequences are noticeably derivative from the first movie. It’s as if they were afraid of trying too many new things that would alienate audiences so they borrowed from their predecessor in an effort to say “Hey, we can do this too!” Symphony #5 is clearly trying to be Tocatta and Fugue with its abstract geometric shapes swooping all over to kick things off. Though I love how much character the animators managed to give two pairs of triangles, Tocatta’s soaring subconscious flights of fancy leaves me more enthralled. Carnival of the Animals literally began as a sequel to Dance of the Hours until the ostriches became flamingoes. And Roy E. Disney openly stated he wanted the last sequence, The Firebird Suite to have the same death and rebirth theme as Night on Bald Mountain/Ave Maria, which they got, right down to a terrifying symbol of destruction emerging from a mountain to wreak chaos.

‘Sup, witches?

#2 – Too Short

Speaking of repeating the past, the original idea for Fantasia 2000 was to follow Walt’s vision in that three favorite segments would make a return amongst the newer ones – the Nutcracker Suite, which was eventually cut for time, Dance of the Hours, which I’ve already stated morphed into Carnival of the Animals, and finally, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, the obvious choice to keep since that’s the most popular piece out of any of them. Cutting things for time doesn’t make that much sense, however, when you realize that Fantasia 2000’s runtime is only 75 minutes. A very short animated film by today’s standards that lasts barely half as long as its previous installment. I don’t see why they couldn’t keep at least one other sequence from the first Fantasia to make things last a little longer and keep in the original idea’s spirit.

#3 – All Story, No Experimentation

Unlike the first Fantasia, all of the sequences have a linear narrative structure that’s easy to follow. Not a bad thing and kudos to you if you’re among that group who prefers Fantasia 2000 for because of that, but again, I admire how the original film didn’t stick to a coherent story the whole time; how it was unafraid to let the music, atmosphere, and visuals speak for itself without sticking to a three-act plot and designated protagonist for every piece.

#4 – The One You’ve Been Waiting For, The Host Segments

One of the things that turned Fantasia off for its detractors was Deems Taylor’s seemingly dry narration. But maybe Fantasia 2000 can fix that with some folks who are hip and with it, perhaps a wild and crazy guy or two…

Eh, he’ll do.

Now, the idea of varying segment hosts isn’t an altogether bad idea. Most of them work well: Angela Lansbury gives the lead-in to the Firebird Suite plenty of gravitas befitting the finale, as do Ithzak Perlman, Quincy Jones, and James Earl Jones, who build plenty of intrigue for Pines of Rome, Rhapsody in Blue and Carnival of the Animals respectively; this seriousness makes James’ reaction to what the Carnival segment is really about a successful comic subversion. Even Penn and Teller for all their obnoxiousness kind of works with The Sorcerer’s Apprentice due to the linking magic theme.

I suppose what turns people off is the self-congratulatory tone and seemingly forced attempts at comedy you get from Martin, Penn, Teller, and Bette Midler. But you know what? They still make me laugh after all these years (well, you have to laugh at Bette Midler’s antics or she’ll come after you when the Black Flame Candle is lit). In fact, I have to hand it to Midler’s intro in particular. Fantasia 2000 came out right around the time I began taking a keen interest in what animation really was and how it was made. For me, her preceding The Steadfast Tin Soldier piece with tidbits about Fantasia segments that didn’t make it past the drawing board was like the first free hit that turned me into an animation junkie (plus this was before you could look up anything on the topic in extraneous detail on the internet, so it had that going for it). If I have to nitpick, though, The Divine Miss M referring to Salvador Dalí as “the melting watches guy” is a bit reductive. That’d be like calling Babe Ruth “the baseball guy” or Walt Disney “the mouse and castle guy”. Plus, Dalí and Disney were close compadres with a layered history. They planned on many collaborations, though the fruit of their labors, Destino, would not be completed in either of their lifetimes. Couldn’t show just a modicum of respect there, Bette?

Ahhh! I take it back! Don’t steal my soul!

So, I wouldn’t say I hate or even completely dislike the host segments. Sorry to disappoint everyone who was hoping for me to rip into them. They’re not awful, just uneven. And if you think they ruin the movie for me, you’ve got another think coming.

Pines of Rome – Ottorino Respighi

The idea for Pines of Rome’s visuals came about due to an unusual detail in some concept art. Someone noticed that a particular cloud in a painting of the night sky heavily resembled a flying whale. So why make a short about flying whales? The better question would be why NOT make a short about flying whales? A supernova in the night sky miraculously gives some whales the ability to swim through the air over the icy seas. Again, seeing this in IMAX was incredible. There’s just one minor issue I have with. This and another segment were developed well before Pixar made its silver screen debut, and unfortunately, it shows twenty years later; the worst cases are the close-ups.

Okay, who put googly eyes on the moldy beanbag?

There are ways of blending CGI and hand-drawn animation well, and this isn’t one of them. I understand the necessity of having expressive eyes but simply dropping one on top of a CGI creature gives it a bit of an uncanny valley feel. They should have either stuck with traditional all the way or made the whales entirely CG. The CG animation of the whales themselves isn’t too shabby, so they could have pulled it off.

Because simply giving whales flight apparently isn’t enough to hold an audience’s interest, we have an adorable baby whale earning his wings, so to speak. Once he gets his bearings above the surface, he swoops ahead of his family and bothers a flock of seagulls. They chase him into a collapsing iceberg, leaving him trapped, alone and unable to fly. The quiet dip in the music combined with the image of this lost little calf adds some genuine emotional weight to this piece. The baby navigates the iceberg’s claustrophobic caverns until he finds a crevice that elevates him back to his worried parents. From there a whole pod of whales rises out of the ocean to join them as they fly upwards to the supernova’s source.

“So long, and thanks for all the krill!”

As the music reaches its brilliant crescendo, the whales plow through storm clouds until they reach the top of the world and breach through the stars like water. It’s an awe-inspiring climax of a short that, flaws and all, reminds you of what Fantasia is all about.

Majestic.

Rhapsody in Blue – George Gershwin

The music of jazz composer George Gershwin? Timeless. The art of renowned caricaturist Al Hirschfeld? Perfection. All this brought to life with the best animation Disney has to offer? It’s a match made in heaven. Eric Goldberg, who animated the Genie among other comedic characters, idolized Hirschfeld and drew plenty of inspiration from drawings, so getting to work alongside him while making this was nothing short of a dream come true. That attention to detail in rendering Hirschfeld’s trademark curvy two-dimensional style goes beyond mere homage. It is a love letter to a great artist that encapsulates everything about him and his craft, and to a great city that we both had the honor of calling home. The story goes that Goldberg screened the final product for Hirschfeld shortly before his 96th birthday and his wife told him after that it was the best gift he could have ever received.

All this to say I am quite fond of this particular short, thank you very much.

The piece follows four characters navigating 1930’s Manhattan and crossing paths over the course of a single day:

Duke, a construction worker torn between his steady, monotonous job and following his dream of drumming in a jazz band,

Joe, a victim of the Great Depression desperately looking for work,

Rachel, a little girl who wants to spend time with her parents but is forced to attend lesson after lesson by her strict governess,

and “Flying” John, a henpecked husband longing to be free from his overbearing wife –

And her little dog too!

By the way, John is modeled in name and in looks after Disney animation historian John Culhane, who also was the inspiration for The Rescuers’ Mr. Snoops, hence why the two look so similar. He’s not the only name who appears in this sequence: Gershwin himself makes a surprise cameo as he takes over Rachel’s piano solo halfway through the story.

Speaking of, my family used to compare me to Rachel because at that point in my young life I was doing or already did the same mandatory activities as she – swimming, ballet, music, sports, all with the same amount of speed and varying degrees of success.

No one can argue that art is where we both excelled, however.

The physical timing of Rhapsody in Blue’s animation is hilarious, though it doesn’t rely wholly on slapstick for its humor. The sight gags and clever character dynamics all weaved into the music milk plenty of laughs, and envelop you in this living, breathing island that is Manhattan.

I speak from experience, this is the most accurate depiction of commuting on the 1 train that there ever was.

Even with such a premise and two masters of combining comedy and art, there is still enough pathos to keep the story rooted. Take when all four characters are at their lowest point. They look down on some skaters in Rockefeller Center and picture themselves in their place fulfilling their deepest desires. Seeing their dreams so close in their minds and yet so far away while paired with the most stirring part of the score is heartwrenching.

In the end, things pick up as the characters unwittingly solve each other’s problems. Duke quits the construction site, leaving an opening for Joe to fill. Joe accidentally snags John’s wife on a hook and hauls her screaming into the air, allowing him one night of uninhibited fun at the club where Duke performs.

“Anyone hear something? Nah, it’s probably just me.”

Rachel loses her ball while fighting with her nanny, which Duke bounces off the window of her parents’ office, which in turn gets them to notice their daughter about to run into traffic and they save her. Everyone gets their happy ending and it ends on a spectacularly glamorous shot of Time Square lit up in all its frenetic neon glory.

And not a single knockoff costumed character hitting up tourists for photos. Those were the days, my friend.

If you haven’t guessed by now, I adore Rhapsody in Blue. It’s easily my favorite part of the movie; a blissful ménage-a-trois of art style, music and storytelling, and it’s so New York that the only New York things I could think of that are missing are Central Park and amazing bagels. This sequence is gut-busting, energized, emotional, and mesmerizing in its form. I don’t often say I love a piece of animation so much that I’d marry it, but when I do, it’s often directed at Rhapsody in Blue.

  Piano Concerto #2 – Dmitri Shostakovich (aka The One With The Steadfast Tin Soldier)

This piece has an interesting history attached to it. Disney wanted to do an animated film surrounding Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales – including The Little Mermaid and The Steadfast Tin Soldier – as far back as the 30’s, but the project fell by the wayside. During Fantasia 2000’s production, Roy E. Disney asked if they could do something with Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto #2 since he and his daughter were attached to that piece. He looked over sketches and storyboards made for the unrealized Tin Soldier sequence and discovered the music matched in perfect time with the story.

This is the second sequence that features CGI at the forefront. Unlike Pines of Rome, though, it works because the main characters are toys, and you can get away with your early CGI looking shiny and metallic and plastic-like when you’re animating toys.

Hell, it worked for Pixar.

The story centers on a tin soldier cast with only one leg who is shunned by his comrades for routinely throwing off their groove. He falls in love with a porcelain ballerina when he mistakes her standing en pointe as her also missing a limb. Despite his embarrassment when he learns the truth, the ballerina is enamored with him as well. This rouses the jealousy of an evil jack-in-the-box who I swear is a caricature of Jeffrey Katzenberg minus the glasses but with a goatee and Lord Farquaad wig.

“MUST. CHOP. EVERYTHING!!!”

The jack-in-the-box and the soldier duke it out for a bit before the former sends the latter flying out the window in a little wooden boat. The boat floats the soldier into the sewers and attracts a horde of angry rats who attack him, because animated rodents seem to have a natural hatred towards toy soldiers.

Case in point.

The soldier hurtles into the sea where he’s eaten by a fish – which is caught the following morning, packed up to be sold at market, bought by the cook who works at the very house he came from, and he falls out of the fish’s mouth on the floor where his owner finds him and places him back with the rest of the toys. Now the story this is based on hints that the jack-in-the-box is really a goblin who orchestrates the soldier’s misfortunes with his malicious magic. But based the extremely coincidental circumstances of his return home, I’d say the soldier’s the one who’s got some reality-warping tricks up his sleeve.

The soldier and jack-in-the-box duel again that evening, but this time the harlequin harasser falls into the fireplace and burns up. Our hero gets the girl and lives happily ever after. A nice conclusion, though a far cry from what happened in the original tale: the ballerina is knocked into the fire, the soldier jumps in after her, and all that remains of them by morning is some melted tin in the shape of a heart. I gotta say, for all my love of classic fairytales, Disney made the right call. Andersen’s life was far from magical and it reflected in his stories, making many of them depressing for no good reason. The triumphant note the music ends on also would have clashed horribly if they stuck with the original. Even the Queen of Denmark agreed with Disney’s decision to soften their adaptations of Andersen’s work. I don’t know if I’d call The Steadfast Tin Soldier one of my very favorite parts of Fantasia 2000, but in the end, s’all right.

  Carnival of the Animals: Finale – Camille Sant-Saëns

This shortest of shorts (clocking in at less than two minutes) kicks off with James Earl Jones asking with as much seriousness as he can muster from the situation, what would happen if you gave a yo-yo to a flock of flamingos?

The answer –

Good answer!

Fie on those who dismiss this part as a silly one-off that doesn’t belong here. Fie, I say! It’s a pure delight full of fun expressions and fluid fast-paced action. Once again we have my man Eric Goldberg to thank for this, though this time he animated it entirely by himself. I’d call it a one-man show except for the fact that his wife Susan handpainted the entire thing with watercolor, making it look like it sprung to life straight from a paintbrush. It’s a simple diversion about a flamingo who wants to play with his yo-yo while the other snooty members of his flock try to force him to conform. As you can see from the still, they fail quite epically. Nothing beats the power of nonconformity and yo-yos (also every yo-yo move featured here is authentic; I love when animators go that extra mile).

  The Sorcerer’s Apprentice plays next, but since I already touched on that in the first Fantasia review, I’m skipping over it. The segment ends with Mickey congratulating Leopold Stokowski (again), then crossing the barriers of time and space to inform the conductor, James Levine, that he needs to track down the star of the next segment, Donald Duck. Levine stalls by explaining a bit about what’s to come while Mickey frantically searches for his errant costar. The surround sound sells the notion of him moving around the back of the theater accidentally causing mischief all the while. Thankfully, Donald is found and the sequence commences.

Pomp and Circumstance – Edward Elgar

This famous piece of music was included at the insistence of Michael Eisner after he attended his son’s graduation ceremony. He wanted to feature a song that everyone was already familiar with. Of course, since this was after Frank Well’s untimely passing and no one was bold enough to temper Eisner’s worst instincts with common sense, his original pitch had every animated couple Disney created up to that point marching on to Noah’s Ark – and then marching out with their babies.

Okay, A: Unless you’re doing a groin hit joke or are Ralph Bakshi or R. Crum, cartoon characters don’t have junk as a rule. And B, one of the unwritten rules of Disney animation is that barring kids that already exist like the titular 101 Dalmatians or Duchess’ kittens, the established canon couples do not in any official capacity have children.

To which Eisner laughed maniacally and vowed that they would.

But in order to placate Eisner’s desire to turn every branch of the Disney corporation into a commercial for itself, the animators compromised and agreed to do Pomp and Circumstance with the Noah’s Ark theme, BUT with only one couple – Donald and Daisy Duck. In this retelling of the biblical tale, Donald acts as Noah’s beleaguered assistant (I guess Shem, Ham, and Japheth were too busy rounding up the endangered species). Daisy provides emotional support while preparing to move on to the ark as well. It’s refreshing to see these two not losing their temper at each other for a change. I wish we got to see this side of their relationship more often. Donald returns Daisy’s easily lost plot device locket to her and as the rain rain rain comes down down down, he starts directing the animals on board; the lions, the tigers, the bears, the…ducks?

Anyway, all the animals and Donald get on board – well, most of them do.

The world’s first climate change deniers.

Donald realizes Daisy hasn’t arrived yet and runs out to look for her, unaware that she’s already boarded. Daisy sees Donald leaving but is too late to stop him before the first floodwaters hit their home. Donald made it back to the ark in time, however, though both of them believe that the other is forever lost to them. I find it astounding that they never run into each other not even once during the forty days and forty nights they’re cooped up on that boat. It’s the American Tail cliche all over again, and well, at least it’s happening in a short and not the entire movie.

Soon the ark lands atop Mount Ararat and the animals depart in greater numbers than when they embarked on their singles cruise. Daisy realizes halfway down the mountain that she’s lost her locket again, which Donald finds at that very moment while sweeping up, and the two are joyously reunited.

“I thought you were dead!” “I thought YOU were dead!”

I kid around, but I truly enjoy this short a lot. There’s so much warmth to Donald and Daisy’s relationship that makes their reunion at the end all the sweeter, and there’s plenty of great slapstick to offset the drama in the meantime. I will admit it’s nice to hear there’s more to Pomp And Circumstance than just the famous march, and the entire suite matches flawlessly with the visuals, though the main theme itself is so ingrained into the public consciousness that it’s difficult to extricate it from that what we’ve seen accompany it countless times.

Come on, you all know what I’m talking about.

“What? Don’t tell me YOU don’t think of heads exploding like fireworks when you hear Pomp and Circumstance! Name one other life-changing moment could you possibly associate it with…you weirdo.”

The Firebird Suite – Igor Stravinsky

Fantasia 2000 comes to a close with a piece that has some emotional resonance if you know your history. You might remember from my first Fantasia review that Igor Stravinsky was disappointed with how Rite of Spring turned out, especially since he was a big admirer of Walt Disney and really wanted to do more projects with him beforehand. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that they picked his premiere ballet to end the movie on decades later. After all these years, Disney worked hard to do right by Stravinsky – with a few twists, though. Instead of a balletic retelling of Russian folktales involving kidnapped princesses and immortal sorcerers, we have a fantastical allegory for the circle of life.

No, not that circle of life.

A lone elk who I’m fairly convinced is the Great Prince of the Forest walks through the forest in the dead of winter. With his breath, he awakens the spirit of the woods and one of the most beautiful characters Disney has ever created, the Spring Sprite.

I. Love. This character. Her design is gorgeous, shifting from a shimmery opalescent blue as she steps out of the water into an eternally flowing fount of live greenery spreading from her hair in her wake. Wherever she moves, grass, flowers, and trees blossom, fulfilling the idea of a springtime goddess more than Disney’s own Goddess of Spring ever did. The Sprite was a massive influence in developing my art style, particularly in her face and expressive eyes, and I used to draw her a lot. Visit any relative of mine and chances are you’ll find a picture of her by me hanging up on a wall somewhere in their house. Yet there’s far more to her character than just a pretty representation of nature; there’s plenty of curiosity, spunk, determination, and a drive for creativity. I love her frustrated expression when she’s dissatisfied with the tiny flower she sculpts out of the ground and how her face lights up when she morphs it into a buttercup as tall as she is.

The Sprite paints the forest with all the colors of the wind (mostly green) until she reaches a mountain that isn’t affected by her magic. Perplexed, she climbs it until she finds a large hunched over rock figure – or is it an egg? – standing inside. She reaches out to touch it and…

The Sprite has awakened her counterpart, the wrathful and deadly Firebird. Think giant evil phoenix made of smoke, flame and lava. And it goes without saying that seeing this on the biggest screen left quite the terrifying impact. One of the biggest inspirations for this sequence was the eruption of Mount St. Helens (though the shot of the Sprite surveying the breadth of the Firebird’s destruction reminds me far too much of the Australian bushfires going on) and the sheer horror of nature’s irrepressible chaos is fully captured here. But the Firebird refuses to settle for merely destroying the Sprite’s handiwork, oh no. It won’t rest until creation itself is consumed, and the Sprite is reduced to a powerless mite as she scrabbles to escape the Firebird’s relentless pursuit of her. Try as she might, however, the towering monster corners and devours her in one fell swoop.

The forest is reduced to gray ashes in the wake of the Firebird’s rampage, but the Great Prince has survived. Once again he brings the Sprite to life with his breath, only this time she is tiny and weak (the animation of her slowly developing from the ash into her huddled ragged form is breathtaking). Now, I didn’t think I’d get emotional revisiting a small part of a single movie I’ve rewatched countless times before but viewing this through a mature eye combined with the beauty of the Firebird Suite’s climax and its timely message has caused me to see it in a new light:

The Sprite is utterly broken by what she’s been through and the destruction she carelessly caused. She’s lost all faith in herself and in the idea of returning the forest to what it once was. Even so, the Prince gently insists on carrying her on his antlers to the remains of their favorite cherry blossom tree. Where her tears fall, grass shoots begin to sprout. This fills the Sprite with hope, and she soars into the air becoming one with the sky and rains life down on the forest. New trees burst from the earth. The air is filled with leaves and pollen and new life flowing from her essence. The Sprite’s joy and power grow so strong that she even encircles the Firebird’s mountain in all her verdant glory. Life and creation overcome death and destruction. It’s not Night on Bald Mountain/Ave Maria, but it’s close.

And unfortunately, that’s the biggest problem Fantasia 2000 has.

While working on the original Fantasia, a storyman made the mistake of referring to the work they were doing in “the cartoon medium” in Walt’s presence. Walt turned on him and snapped “This is NOT ‘the cartoon medium’. It should not be limited to cartoons. We have worlds to conquer.”

And conquer they did…just not the way Walt intended.

The point I’m trying to make is Walt was breaking new ground and experimenting with things nobody ever tried when it came to Fantasia. While those risks were initially deemed a failure, it eventually gained the recognition it deserved from the animation and filmmaking community. Any attempt to recreate the magic of Fantasia is no small feat. But rather than taking new risks that not even the first film dared, the studio opted to adhere to Fantasia’s formula with pieces that recall if not flat out copy from the original segments. I hesitate to call it a pale imitation or cash grab however because this was done for the art much more than the money (though Eisner was probably hoping it would bring in some bank). There’s even a little bit of depth to it: while the first Fantasia had themes of differing natures in conflict – light vs. dark, fire vs. water, etc. – Fantasia 2000’s theme is accidental but brilliantly meta: CGI vs. traditional animation, a conflict Disney would become very familiar with in the decade following the film’s release. In some ways, it reminds me of Epcot’s genesis. The driving force behind it was long gone, but the attempt to bring it to life as close to the original vision as possible is still much appreciated.

For all my gripes, I really do enjoy Fantasia 2000. Perhaps not on the same level as its predecessor, but it has its moments, oh yes. And believe me, as far as Disney sequels go, you could do far, far, far worse than this one. Fantasia 2000 is Fantasia’s kid sister mimicking its beloved older sibling in an attempt to show it can be cool like the big kids too. But hey, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this review, please consider supporting this misfit on Patreon. Patreon supporters receive great perks such as extra votes for movie reviews, movie requests, early sneak-peeks and more! If I can hit my goal of $100 a month, I can go back to weekly tv series reviews. As of now, I’m only $20 away! Special thanks to Amelia Jones, Gordhan Rajani and Sam Minden for their contributions! I’ll see you in a few weeks when I and review the 1959 Disney animated classic, Sleeping Beauty!

Artwork by Charles Moss.

Screencaps from animationscreencaps.com

Yes, I know The Lion King and Lady and the Tramp ended with the titular characters having babies, but was there anyone out there apart from Eisner who demanded there be sequels to those films that focused on their offspring?

January Review: Fantasia 2000 Last year I talked about Fantasia, which is not just one of my favorite Disney movies, but one of my favorite movies in general.

What Will I Have Left?

No Warnings :) ... well language .

Klaus X Reader   

Part 1 of 2

      “Another day … another victory for the Mikaelsons .” Klaus marched proudly into the compound . Fluffing out her curly hair , Y/N stood beside him . Her hand was comfortably rested in his as they walked together in contentment .

“They really got on my nerves . Honestly , death was too good for them.” The heels of her black , lace up boots clicked against the tile floor . He painted a ray of sunshine on his face when he smiled with both his mouth & eyes . It was a rather small smile , not to the point in which he bared his teeth but big enough to make the world sing .

“Ahhh yes , Aurora , Tristan & Lucien seemed to have that effect on people quite often . But fear not love … their reign of terror is over .” Whilst she admired his grin , she managed to form one of her own .

“You’re smile is the best thing that I’ve seen in ages , Nik ,” she whispered it without second thought . Slipping her hand out of his , Y/N found herself a nice seat on the couch . Niklaus , however , remained frozen . He averted his gaze but the sudden rosiness of his cheekbones gave away his state of pleasant shock .

“I’m not entirely sure how to respond to that , sweetheart.”

“You don’t . Blushing says what your words can’t .” In that moment , when she looked up at him . Her eyes shone brighter than every star in the sky , as did her smile & grace . Her intelligence never ceased to impress him & in all his years of living … her perfection was unparalleled .

Upon nightfall , Y/N lounged alone on the balcony . She admired the little lights that were strung intricately around the sleeping city . Soft jazz traveled through the streets as did happy couples & smiling civilians . She watched as a group of friends took pictures together before prancing into a club , & as two teenagers shared a kiss before waltzing down the sidewalk to get home . It had been 600 years since she was human … so full of wonder & ignorance . A hand landed on her right shoulder.

“Don’t talk . Just sit ,” She motioned towards the empty chair next to her , “& watch .” Niklaus complied . His arm sat comfortably on the arm rest , his left palm facing up . She delicately placed her hand atop his as they watched New Orleans in a beautiful silence .

“Why can’t we do this forever , Nik? Why must there always be something to rip us from complete contentment ?”

“We are alpha’s . Our lesser beings want to fight for power & to do that , they need to rip from us what is ours .” His voice remained barely above a whisper .

“We’ve earned this , & they just ,” She struggled to find the right words , “ … they just refuse to take advantage of their gift of immortality ,” An embarrassed , half-smile grew on her lips as she shook her head , “Never mind , maybe I’m just drunk or something .”

“No , you’re right . You don’t deserve to be everyone's #1 target … but the decisions I made before I met you -”

“Stop. Do not blame yourself for the ignorance of our community . They could live out their lives , find eternal love, travel , have fun … I mean , how does that not sound like heaven on earth to them ? Some people just can’t see what they have until it’s taken away from them .” Standing up to get ready for bed , Y/N kissed him .

“Goodnight , love ,” Klaus’s voice remained steady as he gazed curiously upon the people. She managed to convince him to watch the city live & grow , without saying a single word . Y/N always showed him the beauty of things when he couldn’t see it himself .

Her heart skipped a beat whenever he called her , ‘love’ . The way it rolled gently off of his tongue left her in awe … every time. She looked back at him , sitting alone in his own little world . Honestly , she would do anything to stay like this forever .

Come sunrise , Y/N & Klaus still laid entangled in each others arms . Running her fingers through his hair , she let out a slight smile . The way she lit up whenever she saw Klaus was truly magnificent & obvious to everyone but them .

“When I was human , I used to think that if I’d just followed the rules then everything would be fine . & then you came along … with your cute british accent & your amazing curly hair … & you completely shoved me off that path . Now , we make our own rules & I want you to know that I love you , so much that it might kill me.” With a deep sigh , she lingered in the moment for a second longer . His eyes opened slightly revealing two baby blue masterpieces with dashes of emerald sprinkled in .

“I love you too … so much that I’d die for you without hesitation .” She watched as he allowed himself to give her another one of his half smiles . Y/N’s eyes took in the artistry of his dimples & then his lips. He faded back into another deep sleep , allowing her to linger in the moment before slipping into some better clothes .

She strutted down the stairs angelically , adjusting her leather jacket & drowning in a sea of thought . Freya , Rebekah , Elijah & Kol stood scattered around the main corridor of the Compound . They looked particularly concerned , causing Y/N to enter a state of wonder . She inched into the room , watching each of them ignore her presence .

“What’s going on ?” Her tone was demanding , reflecting slight feelings of irritation . Kol muttered something under her breath before throwing his glass of bourbon to shatter against a wall . Elijah closed his eyes to take a deep breath before looking to his siblings , waiting to hear another voice . Rebekah sat on the couch with an unreadable emotion on her face as did Freya. Every one of them stood with no intention on answering her question . Finally , after shooting a disapproving glare to his siblings , Elijah replied.

“Do you remember Lillyana Amor ?” Elijah fixed his tie as he spoke . She nodded  , her eyes still wide in confusion .

“Well , she’s decided to pay us a little visit ,” Kol said. His attention locked onto a single stray rock beneath his shoe , attempting to distract himself .

“That’s … impossible . She’s mortal .” Y/N still waited for a reasonable answer … or something to help her understand .

“All her life , Lillyana learned from you & Niklaus ,” Elijah said , whilst being dreadfully disturbed, “She did what she knew how to do best … survive .”

“None of you are giving me any good fucking answers! I said, How ?” Blood boiling & heart racing , she felt herself grow incredibly impatient .

“You could ask her yourself . But I suspect magic . I guess that power-hungry whore decided that she wanted to live until the very earth itself died.” Rebekah spat with a remarkable amount of venom in her voice .

“Where is she?” Taking deep breaths , Y/N calmed herself down . Jumping into something like a fight with a Werewolf / Witch hybrid army wasn’t the smartest idea … yet .

“Lucien's old penthouse . You know , I am really starting to hate that place .” Freya kept her head in her hands as she spoke .

“Starting to ?”

That morning , the sun was particularly bright  . Y/N felt it beating on her skin , causing her to feel almost as if she wasn’t currently wearing her daylight ring . She knew what to expect from Barcelona , seeing as though she’d been here twice before today , but ignored her better thoughts when she packed. Men , women & children ran throughout the streets with big , happy smiles on their faces . Cars drove around the city , full of families , admiring it’s unusual architectural beauty . Most would say that New Orleans could never be half the city that Barcelona was but Y/N was missing her family & her home . Hours before she arrived in Spain , she’d received a somewhat urgent phone call . The caller was a woman named Katya Thomas whom Y/N considered an old friend . Katya spoke in a perturbed tone about a young Werewolf / Witch hybrid … the first of its kind . Intrigued , Y/N traveled here in search of her .

The repetitive clicking of her boots against the concrete ceased once she entered the home . Instantly , the cream colored interior drew out a surprised gasp from her mouth . It was the single most breathtaking estate that she’d ever seen . Her hazel eyes took in the buildings antique charm as she listened for any sign of a child . She heard the clinking of two glasses above her but most importantly , the pitter patter of small feet rushing towards her .

“I’m Lillyana . Who are … who are you ?” The little girl stopped running when she saw Y/N . Lilly was a small child , no older than 3 . She wore light brown skin that delicately mirrored her milk chocolate eyes . & Bouncy black curls that dropped down to her waist , one curl stayed clutched in her hand as she fidgeted nervously .

“I’m Y/N . Do you know where Katya is ?” Lillyana looked worried as if she was scared of the ‘intruder’ . “She’s my friend … I flew here to meet her . Is she upstairs ?” Nodding , Lilly scattered up the stairs herself before slamming a door shut . Y/N followed close behind , looking for Katya & a few answers while she was at it .  The sound of a News channel brought her attention to the only door on her right .

“Katya ?” Her fingernails tapped on the mahogany door , “Katya , I know you’re in here .”

Emerging from the room , she greeted Y/N cheerfully . She was a fair skinned woman , who was home to the greenest eyes that Y/N’d ever seen . Katya also wore short , curly red hair that contrasted beautifully with them .

“Y/N … it’s been forever !” Embracing her in a hug , Katya remembered her reason for the visit . “I suppose the loud bang was Lilly slamming her door ?” Y/N gave her an embarrassing nod & a half-smile .

“She’s cautious but … but that’s good . A girl as special as her is always going to be a target . Be glad that it’s not paranoia , yet.” Katya agreed with Y/N , as she lead her to Lillyana’s room . The hallway had few lights but the shine of the gold color walls made it brighter . Y/N admired the paintings & portraits that hung elegantly along each wall .

“I’ve told her about you but she has yet to connect the dots. I’m sorry that I can’t take care of her myself but we both know I have no experience with children . Let alone hybrid ones.” Her tone was playful as if it hadn’t been 50 years since they last saw each other . Although , 50 years to a vampire can be awfully short . & if she was being honest , Y/N found herself missing Katya’s presence .

“Of course , love . I’ve known you for ages & I’m honoured that you find me fit to take care of her .” A flattered grin appeared on her lips .

“Not just you . But uh … you are dating the original hybrid .” Katya gave her a slight nudge in the arm with her elbow .Y/N dramatically rolled her eyes before letting out a slight giggle .

“Way to ruin the moment .”

“Geez , someone's a little sensitive today . Did ya wake up on the wrong side of the coffin ?” Without a second thought , Katya kept walking before tapping her nails upon Lillyana’s bedroom door . Y/N shot her a sour glance in good fun .

“So funny . Oh , my bad , I forgot to laugh .”

In the corner of the room sat a rather large pile of stuffed animals . All different animals with a plethora colors & clothes . Lilly sat upon them , sitting them upright & placing small tea cups before them .

“Hey , sweetheart .” Y/N’s brown orbs took in Katya’s long strides across the room . She wrapped her arm around Lillyana as she brought her towards Y/N standing in the doorway . “Remember the woman that I’ve been telling you about ?” A look of realization conquered her face .

“You’re going to be my new mom!”

---

Vigorously making her way back up the stairs , Y/N felt tears building in her eyes . The clicking of her boots reminded her of the day that she met the little brat & as she reminisced about her time with Lillyana , she felt a pang in her heart . How could such a close , loving , mother - daughter relationship go south so fast ? She practically blew her bedroom door off of its hinges as she looked to Niklaus for comfort . He was awake now & his eyes were open wide . He sat quietly upon the side of their bed , his hands folded as he was covering his mouth . She suspected that he heard their conversation , & was worried about his reaction .

“What did you hear ?” Y/N inched towards him , waiting for an outburst of some sort . When there was none , she realized that the news hit him harder than she had thought . She took a seat next to him & rested her left hand upon his back as an attempt to comfort him .

“All of it .” Klaus’s voice remained , steady , full of no emotion except for a slight crack . It waivered a little , as if he felt the same lump in his throat that she did .

“Are you okay ?” She’d momentarily forgotten all of her worries & instinctively tried to comfort him . “Look , I understand how you feel . ”

“& what if she does ? What is she comes for Hope or you ?” Y/N shared his same fears , but knew better than to succumb to them . Her hope was what kept her sane & if there was one person that needed Y/N to be sane , it was Niklaus.

“I can handle myself , you of all people should know that .” A comforting smile grew on her lips , she’d painted a false ray of sunshine on her face in order to sedate him . He glanced at it , letting a small feeling of admiration rush through his veins before the fear of losing her bombarded every inch of him .

“What if I can’t save you ?” “Look , we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it . First , let’s just see what she’s here for … okay?” In his own way , Nik let her know that he’d hold off on panicking for a short while . While she watched , he stood up to leave .

“Let’s go see what she’s doing in our city .” Standing up in determination , Klaus reached back his hand . A king could not go to war without his queen by his side . Y/N felt as if her heart had skipped a single beat , then felt it rush .

“I love you .” She whispered as they strutted powerfully out of the compound .

“I love you too , sweetheart .”

Knock . Knock . Knock . Three knocks , each one drove Y/N into a deeper state of agitation . Noticing the deep breaths & the repetitive tapping of her left foot , Niklaus intertwined his fingers with hers . She felt the anger that once risen in her mind , like a cup of freshly poured soda on the brink of overflowing , simmer down , like the foam that fizzed upon the top would & gave the door one . last . knock .

A ding sounded from the monotonous elevator , grabbing ahold of their attention . Just as they turned , 3 of Lilly’s hybrids stepped out of it . Klaus & Y/N shared a glance. Only they could interpret without words . It said , “are you ready ?” , “Let’s rain hell on these abominations,” & “I love it when you’re like this ,” , simultaneously without even opening their mouths . Charging at the hybrids … she and Nik were ready to rip their hearts out , snap their miserable little necks & grab a snack while they were at it . Sadly , their plan was derailed by the painful realization that those ‘abominations’ were also witches who knew how to torture them with a terrible ringing noise inside of their heads .

“Anulum anulum capitis doloribus . Anulum anulum capitis doloribus . Anulum anulum capitis doloribus !” Yells of pain emerged from Niklaus's mouth . In the spur of the moment, Y/N felt a rush of adrenaline come over her. It overpowered the chanting of the soon to be dead hybrids . She sped to them with a fire in her eyes , one that could frighten even Klaus himself .  As Y/N plunged her arm into the chest of the hybrid closest to her , she tore out his heart. Y/N quickly turned & shoved it into the others mouth with such force that he began to choke. Using nothing but her left hand , she ripped his head clean off & laughed in enjoyment . The last one’s hold of Niklaus broke as it stared at Y/N in fear . While the hybrids attention was on her , Klaus sped behind him . She gave Nik a wink before smirking in satisfaction . He smiled as his fingers wrapped around his neck & within seconds , there was a snap. Taking her thumb , she wiped only a small dot of blood from her cheek before licking it off . Niklaus walked towards her , with a look of admiration in his eyes . She couldn’t take the anticipation & bolted to him , locking her lips onto his .

“There’s gonna be more .” She broke the kiss . Making sure she was ready for battle , her mind began to calculate strategy plans & -

“To hell with them … together we are stronger than anything that dare stand in our way .” He cupped her face in his hands as he kissed her once more . It’s the kind of kiss where they can’t do or comprehend anything for a few seconds after. When it ended , momentarily , Y/N kept her eyes closed with her mouth agape as she lingered in the moment . He ran his thumb over her lips , trying not to give into his burning desire . She knew what was happening , as she had the same thought . Why fight it ? , she asked herself . & the answer to that question was … don’t . It would only last for seconds longer before Niklaus heard someone enter the elevator from the floor below . Freezing for a moment , he listened carefully as it drew up each floor . 1 , 2 , 3 , & on . He’d broken away from the kiss , leaving Y/N to focus her hearing as well .

“You think it’s her ?” She asked , her voice hardly above a whisper . Nik glanced at her , noticing the smeared mascara around her eyes , he let out a slight smirk .

“I dunno , love .”

“Well … if it is , be prepared to explain the three dead bodies in front of her door .” His sly smirk disappeared when he’d realized their predicament & a look that could only be described as , “Oh shit .” spread across his face . It was not fear . Dear god no . But Y/N & Klaus intended to fool Lillyana into thinking that they were allies . Welp .

Ding . A woman with glowing caramel skin stepped off of the elevator , she let out a sigh before looking to Y/N & Nik . Holding her arms out & facing her palms towards them , Lillyana began to chant violently .

Not Falling For Your ‘Jeojangs’

Wanna One’s Park Jihoon X Reader [fem ver] Lee Daehwi ver Fluff Word count: 3270 • as much as you love your best friend, Park Jihoon, you’re not super impressed by his job choice for the summer • and the fact that his new job involves interacting with other customers in the most heart racing manner • but he’s your best friend? That’s all he’ll ever be, right? ;) hey anon, I hope you still like this even though I added bff - bf even though it wasn’t mentioned by you but I had to come up with a plot. ( I am so cliche I shld quit ) You can re request when my request box opens again! Thank you, anon. - admin L __________ When your best friend - whom you had known since middle school and of nine years - Park Jihoon, told you that he applied for a job at the new flower boy cafe near your house, you laughed and told him not to joke about things like that. You nearly shoved him off his bed when he said he was serious about the matter. “What? Y/N, you don’t think I’ll make a good flower boy?” He exclaimed, mildly offended. “Yah! All my hyungs call me the flower boy.” “Full offence but Sungwoon is the flower boy,” you replied, pulling up your phone to show Jihoon photos from Sungwoon’s latest photo shoot. “I mean, look at that. This is pictorial evidence. How are you the main flower boy? Once, you wore a yellow t-shirt and daisy patterned pants. I think that’s the closest-” “Okay! Thanks for the information,” Jihoon shouted, the tips of his ears going red when you brought up his dark past and terrible fashion sense. “Okay, but seriously, why do you want to work there? Didn’t you say you were traveling for this break?” You took a sip of Jihoon’s drink before planting the bottle back on his bedside table. Your tongue swiped over your bottom lip and Jihoon caught that, he shifted his gaze as heat rose to his face. 

“I mean, I am but it’s only for a week so I have the rest of the time to go work and earn some money. What about you, what’s my favourite girl going to do?” He reached for his drink but you swiftly lifted it out of his reach. Jihoon wasn’t that tall. ( is he? idk, let’s just pretend you’re tall af too ) I’m his ‘favourite girl’. Why is my heart beating so fast because of that? I thought I moved on from my crush on him. Why do I still feel like this? Truthfully, you couldn’t move on. It seemed like there was no better guy than your best friend, at least in your school or even your neighbourhood. There wasn’t that… connection you found with Jihoon and it puzzled you. “Am I not your only girl?” You pointed out, drinking his drink again. Jihoon rolled his eyes but sighed and agreed. “It’s a good thing though, I can’t seem to click with anyone else.” He waddled across his bed to where you lounged and tried to snatch his bottled drink again. You tried to suppress the emotions rising within you. Y/N, calm down. Calm down. Don’t be like this. “Yah, the flower boy cafe is only going to get customers because you’re working there. The whole school has a crush on you, Jihoon. They’ll flock there because ‘Jihoon Oppa!’ is there,” you imitated a higher pitched squeal of a Freshman infatuated with Park Jihoon. Jihoon was not even the slightest bit impressed, in fact, he wrinkled his nose in disgust. “God, why am I even friends with you. Yah! You don’t even call me oppa, I’m older than you.” You blinked. “By like two months. It doesn’t count. Unless you’re into some kinky shit….then…..I gotta call Guanlin to come collect your ass.” Jihoon blushed tomato red and tossed a pillow at you. “Yah! Don’t do this to me!” He wailed dramatically. Going back to his question, you responded, “Well, probably not much. Maybe get work at my uncle’s flower shop nearby so I can feed your flower boy reputation.” It actually sounded like a decent idea, at least better than the original one which was lazing around your house and moping over Jihoon. Jihoon placed a hand on the small of your back comfortingly, smiling. “I just hope that this Summer will be filled with fun and good memories for us both. It’s our… tenth? summer spent as friends. Toast to that!” He made you laugh and you proceeded to pass his drink back to him. He frowned when you wrenched it back. “Can I get a kiss first?” You teased. “Come on. Practice your fan service, flower boy.” A pang shot through your chest at the thought of Jihoon kissing random people for his job. It’s his job, Y/N! No strings attached! It’s for his job, he has to if they request, you assured but it didn’t make you feel any better. Jihoon pressed a quick peck to your cheek and held out his hand for his drink. You passed it back to him reluctantly, fingers brushing and a million sparks ignited in you. “Are you staying for dinner? You know you’re always welcome here,” he grinned. Shaking your head and getting off from his bed, you replied, “No, I’m sorry. My parents want me back home.” It was a lie, they allowed you to stay simply because they were super close to the Park family too. Jihoon’s smile faltered but he nodded understandingly. “Okay, I’ll walk you back.” That, you couldn’t deny. … Ever since that day, you prayed that his application would be denied since half the high school’s population had also applied to work there but of course, the universe held something against you and Jihoon was one of the few successful applicants. It was two in the morning when he called you to tell you about the wonderful news. The worst part was that you had to pretend you weren’t breaking on the inside, maintaining for cheerful tone despite tears running down your face and onto your pillow. You felt silly for crying over such a filial matter but you couldn’t stop the tears. You spent nights thinking about his tender words and loving gazes directed towards you and now they would be for someone else. Not to mention any of his crazy aegyo. You hated it yet you wanted it. It was selfish, so to take things off your mind, you approached your aunt and uncle and asked if you could work for them at their flower shop. They happily agreed and worked things out with your parents. Your aunt patted your back. “Your cousin could learn a thing or two from you. All she wants to do this Summer is visit that new flower boy cafe,” she complained, shaking her head in disapproval. “She says her friend, Jihoon? Is working there and she’s going to support him but I don’t buy her lies.” Jihoon? Her friend? Puh-lease. You’re a Freshman, we are Juniors, stay in your league. “Oh. Jihoon is… actually my best friend so…” “Good lord! Please don’t mention her to him. She shouldn’t be thinking so much about boys ( charli XCX hurh hurh ) at such a young age. I doubt he would take interest in a Freshman anyways,” your aunt commented which drew a nod in agreement from you. But it was clear cut that people were already targeting your best friend’s heart and hopefully none of them shoot a bullseye. “I would, however, approve of you dating him though,” she said a while later. “It’d be cute.” “What? Me? Him?” You spluttered, large eyes growing wider in shock, nearly trimming a flower off of its stem. Your aunt nodded, beaming. “Yes, why not. I’ve seen the way you look at him and the way he looks at you. It’s cute, to be honest.” Reluctantly, you shook your head. “I don’t think so. Everyone likes him and I’m only his best friend….” you trailed off, talking about it only made you feel miserable. “Ahhh, that can change. I know you’re going to say something like ‘If he liked me, he would do something’ but no, who says he has to make the first move. It’s up to you, do what you want but you should. Y/N, remember, love can’t kill you.” ( life advice from yours truly™ ) … Great, just wonderful. You thought as you exited the shopping mall only to meet a downpour. ( sobs bc IOI ) 

It was the second week of the holidays and so far, all had been well. The only thing that stood in your way was the rain. See, your uncle had sent you to grab lunch from the mall nearby but you didn’t exactly foresee it raining on a sunny day like this one. Of course, the only time you needed an umbrella was the time you never had one. To make matters worse, it was Summer so you didn’t have a hoodie or anything remotely shielding with you. You were dressed in Summer attire and a gust of cold with made you shiver. Whatever, I can run through this. It irked you when your sneakers splashed into a puddle so you were suffering in this weather. Rain pelted heavily on you and soon, you were drenched from head to toe. Okay, what kind of weather is this? It’s supposed to be Summer! If only Jihoon was with me, he’d- No! Stop thinking about him! You dashed across the road and without even looking at the signboard, ducked under a colourful awning. Relieved you had found shelter, you checked your pockets for your phone. Only to find that it wasn’t there but left on the counter in your break room. A groan emitted from you and you sank to the floor, tucking your knees to your chest. Keep it together. Keep it together, Y/N. You’re okay now. It’s fine. You’re fine. You breathed in deeply before standing up, reading to make a couple more dashes through the storm back to the flower shop. What shop is this anyway? Is it new? I haven’t seen it before. You did a double take when you saw the sign and let out another series of wails. People passing by were wondering if they needed to call a priest for extortion. Of course, of course, it has to be the damn flower boy cafe. I hope Jihoon doesn’t see me. He’s probably- Damn these glass panels! You didn’t know whether to be happy or sink into despair when your eyes locked with familiar, large brown orbs. It was seconds before the front door burst open and Jihoon emerged, mouth hanging open in shock. “Y/N!” You smiled sheepishly, fully aware that your shirt was sticking to your body like second skin and your hair resembled that of a wet poodle. “Hi?” “Oh my god! What happened? Are you okay? Come inside!” He shouted above the pitter patter of the rain, bundling you up and practically shoving you inside the cafe. Ignoring all the curious stares, Jihoon yelled a few words to his co-workers as he pushed open the door to his break room and pulled you inside. He snatched a towel from Ha Sungwoon’s bag - because that boy has everything - and wrapped it around your shivering form. “T-thanks,” you stammered out, partially because of the cold, partially because of your close proximity. He passed you one of his hoodies from his locker, you supposed it was another one to add to your collections. Jihoon often called you to go shopping and whilst browsing for outerwear, he would rant endlessly about how his hoodies kept disappearing but he never noticed the fact that you wore a different one every time you were over at his place. He insisted it was his sasaeng fans, you smacked his arm lightly, shaking your head. “Why? Y/N, do you not think I’m popular enough to have fans? Believe me, I am. Daewhi told me that there’s a fan account for me on Instagram. Wanna see?” He argued, pulling up his Instagram account. That memory made you smile. Suddenly, you realised Jihoon had left and that you were all alone in the break room. You continued to towel dry yourself as best as you could, making a mental reminder to wash and return the towel to Sungwoon. If you dug deeper into his bag, you would find a hairdryer. You sighed and shook your head, wondering why he would need a hairdryer at work. … Outside, Jihoon was hurriedly preparing hot chocolate with extra whipped cream and marshmallows, just the strange way you liked it. Ong Seongwoo and Kim Jaewhan sniggered at his antics. “Y/N is a special girl to him. He would never do anything like this for anyone,” Jaehwan mused and Seongwoo agreed. Lee Daewhi raised his eyebrows when Jihoon charged the hot chocolate to his own credit card. “Hyung never really treats us to anything…Y/N must be really precious to him,” he murmured, Jaewhan and Seongwoo hummed in response, all curious about you. Bae Jinyoung grabbed Jihoon’s wrist just as he was about to leave with a tray of strawberry cake for a customer. “Are  you going to tell Y/N you like her?” Jihoon could only stare at his shoes. “I don’t know. I don’t want to ruin our friendship. Besides, she has been getting close to Guanlin recently.” Jinyoung rolled his eyes. “Y/N’s cousin has been ranting all over her blog that she spent nights crying over you and is pretty much in love with you. Do the right thing,” he hissed. Jihoon nodded but he couldn’t bring himself to. He liked you too much to ruin the close friendship he had with you. It hurts but if it’s for Y/N, I would bear with it. I can’t risk damaging our closeness and stopping her from entering into potential relationships. It isn’t that boys aren’t interested in her, she just seems to brush them off. So, that means that she probably has someone in mind. He set the plates down on the table neatly and turned to rush into the room but the customer grabbed his arm. “Oppa? Can you do some aegyo for me?” She asked. Upon request, Jihoon half-heartedly performed his ‘kku kka kaa’ with a fake smile but it elicited squeals of joy from the girl anyway. He didn’t realise the pair of glossy eyes watching him from behind a door. It isn’t a big deal, Y/N. Why are you getting so worked up over it. Your thoughts were interrupted by Jihoon’s entrance, you glanced up to have a proper look at him and nearly laughed. Sitting on his head was a gorgeous crown of flowers that you could easily replicate. “You look like a flower prince,” you blurted out without thinking twice. “What?” Jihoon blinked, not catching whatever you had said. “I said, this towel could use a rinse.” You gestured to Sungwoon’s damp towel that you were attempting to dry with his hairdryer. “Ahhh. It’s okay. I’ll take it home to wash. Oh, you look good in my hoodies, you can keep it I guess. Just return to me whenever,” he said, placing your mug of hot chocolate on the table. “Mhm. Thank you, it’s really good. Oh, I’m sorry! I’m probably disturbing your work and all!” You apologised, hands flying to cover your mouth. Jihoon smiled. “Nah. I’m about to knock off soon anyway.” Tell her! Just tell her! There were instances in that conversation where he nearly did but the words got stuck in his throat at the last minute. So, once the rain had cleared, he watched you walk back to the florist in his hoodie but without knowing the truth. Jinyoung was disappointed, to say the least. … The next time, you actually came willingly to the flower boy cafe. You felt extremely bad about that whole incident and decided to bring a bouquet of flowers for Jihoon to thank him. And a new flower crown. Simply because the ones he wore were fake and he deserved a better one. You also wanted to return Sungwoon his towel, it was pretty embarrassing you held onto it for the entire weekend. Ong Seongwoo was right at your service the second you entered the cafe even though you asked for Jihoon. He apologised and said that Jihoon was too busy with his tables. Seongwoo leaned closer., “Truthfully, it’s to get under his skin,” he whispered, chuckling. You took an immediate liking to Seongwoo already. Playing along, you hyped up his 'aegyo’ and jokes. He was a visual but also a gag. You were enjoying your time at the flower boy cafe more than you thought you would. You watched Lee Daewhi pretty much throw away his entire ego and reputation as THE president of Brand New High School’s renowned English Language Drama and Debate Society for a girl, it was entertaining, he was so smitten with her. Unlike Daewhi, Jihoon only noticed your presence when he raced past with multiple trays, he grinned but it fell when he saw Seongwoo approach with your orders. There wasn’t much he could do anyway. You sat in your plush armchair and read a book, slowly sipping your drink and munching on a couple of delicious cookies. Eventually, the hours passed and Jihoon was finally able to breathe. He approached your table, almost skipping towards you. “Y/N! You are saved in my heart!” ( park jeojang strikes ) You looked up from the page you were on and raised a perfectly plucked brow. “I’m not falling for your awful aegyo,” you shot back. I’ve fallen for the other things about you. You don’t need to use your aegyo on me. There’s so much more to you than just your looks. Jihoon pouted and made a crying action with his hands. “I’m hurt!” If he were in a cartoon, there would be a dark cloud hanging over his head. You gestured for him to come closer as you fished around in your bag for his new, fresh, flower crown. “Show me your best aeygo. I have a gift for you.” Jihoon formed finger hearts and brought them to his lips, kissing them and offering them to you. “I love you.” Stop it! You’re going to make me cry. I wish you meant it. You half smiled but slipped his fake flower crown off and replaced it with the one you slaved on. “It looks so much better on you,” you complimented. “How are you so good looking?” “What?” Jihoon used his hand to cup his ear. “I didn’t catch that.” You furrowed your brow. “I said Ong Seongwoo is good looking!” You yelled loud enough for Seongwoo to hear and he gladly sent a flying kiss your way. Jihoon huffed and frowned, clearly unimpressed with your answer but his expression changed to one of pure joy and surprise when you produced the bouquet. He plucked a small flower and tucked it into his pocket. “I-I just want to thank you for the other time…where I interrupted your work and all. Pretty…embarrassing of me,” you admitted, face turning red. Jihoon opened his mouth to respond but you clamped your hand over his lips. “J-just let me say something? I’ll let you talk later.” There’s no going back now. “I like you.” You confessed. “Like…more than a friend.” “I’m sorry, what?” Jihoon questioned, his jaw wide open. “Say that again.” Oh my god! He doesn’t like me back. You could feel your heart slowly starting to crack and you stifled tears. “I like Ong Seongwoo.” “She said she likes you, Park Jihoon!” Seongwoo and Sungwoon yelled before high-fiving each other. Daewhi almost squealed. You couldn’t help but allow the tears to flow. “I-I’m sorry-” “Don’t be. I like you too. Let’s date,” Jihoon admitted, grabbing your hands. “Y/N, don’t cry.” He dabbed a soft tissue to your face. “You’re saved in my-” “I didn’t fall for your jeojangs. I fell for you.” You hissed, mildly ashamed as he dried more tears. Jihoon’s grin only grew wider. “I know, that’s why I like you even more.”

NO VACANCY

(requested by anon)

Kai Parker x Reader word count : 4 602 summary : based on the song ‘No Vacancy’ by One Republic note : i might have strayed a tiny little bit from the idea … * gif by fondu-with-downey __________________________

When Kai got off the bed that morning after yet another sleepless night spent counting the hours till sunrise , he had no idea in a few hours his life would change completely. As soon as the first sun rays had shown up through the windows , he got off his bed and turned off the lights. After all this time spent alone in the Prison World he just couldn’t stand the darkness or the silence. Or being alone for that matter. Every now and then he’d go out at night, sharing a couple of hours with strangers but even around all those people at the bar he still felt alone and empty on the inside. Unknowingly his entire life he had been searching for her until one day when he had least expected it he finally found her and she tore down all the walls he had build around himself.

Kai was walking down the street on his way to the Salvatore house to meet with his least favourite Salvatore brother. Damon wasn’t his friend , none of them were but he liked spending time around them better than being alone. He kept trying to win them over but every time things didn’t work out he ended up feeling even more empty on the inside than before. Yet he kept trying , hoping that maybe one day this will change. He put his hands in his pockets and turned down the street listening to his playlist when he heard the screams. Kai stopped right the same second, pulled out his earphones quickly and ran towards the screams. Turning down the alley he saw a vampire feeding on a girl who was trying so hard and fiercely to fight the vampire off her but it wasn’t enough. There was something about the way she wouldn’t let herself get killed that drew him in like a magnet and he ran , pushing the vampire off her.    "The girl is with me.“ he growled , purple / black veins flashing in his eyes. Kai raised his hand and the vampire started choking while the young heretic was using magic to pull his heart out. “Leave now or you lose your heart.” After the vampire ran off , Kai turned towards the girl who had dropped to the ground , holding her hand on her neck trying to stop the bleeding. She looked shaken and kept starring straight ahead with eyes filled with tears , flinching a little when he took a step towards her.    "Hey hey. It okay. I’m not going to hurt you.“ said Kai softly , kneeling down next to her biting his wrist. "This will help heal the wound and then -”    "What ? You will compel it away ?“ she whispered , wrapping her fingers around his wrist. Kai studied her face. Why wasn’t she completely freaked out about what had just happened ? He sat on the ground before her, taking a better look at the young girl. It appeared that she was around his age , her hair was pulled in a loose pony tail wearing a little baggy ripped in the knees jeans , a grey top and a dark blue/white plaid shirt tied on her waist – and she was beautiful. They had met barely a few moments ago and she had already taken his breath away.    "Well , you are full of surprises aren’t you - ” he said a little amused. “Anyone else would’ve run away by now. So why haven’t you ?”    "Let’s just say my friends are not exactly normal.“ she smiled. "Thank you for saving me – um , sorry. I didn’t get your name ?”    "Oh right. Sorry , manners. I’m Kai. Kai Parker.“ he said outstretching his hand. He expected her to run away since obviously the girl knew vampires and quite possibly Damon , but she never did. Instead Y/N smiled widely at him , shook his hand and for the first time in his life , Kai felt something spark inside his heart.     "I’m Y/N.” she said , unable to look away. “So , you are Kai. It’s nice to meet you.” All her friends , specially Bonnie , had warned her about Kai , filling her head with all the awful things he had done and for a while she had pretended to listen , then she had tuned out. Kai had made mistakes , but Damon had done worse. Stefan had done worse. Most of her friends have – being vampires and all. Judging Kai by the worst mistakes he had done in his life but not judging her friends for theirs would make her a hypocrite. That wasn’t her. Everyone deserved a chance , everyone had light and darkness inside. Her new friend seemed so friendly she couldn’t help but like him instantly and he was beyond hot — and had just saved her life when easily could’ve walked by and let her die. To her Kai didn’t seem as dangerous as they had made him out to be.    "Ahh so you have heard of me.“ he sighed , looking at the ground. "For a moment there I thought I might … Ahhh never mind. I take it you are friends with Damon ?”    "No. Stefan. I can’t stand Damon.“    "Wow. You didn’t run away from me screaming and you don’t like Damon.” he laughed. “I like you already.”    "For what’s worth - I kind of like you too. I – “ she said noticing her bloody top. "Ahh , I better go home and change.” Y/N started to get up and almost immediately she stumbled a little. Kai got up quickly holding her steady so she wouldn’t fall. Their eyes met and a spark of electricity floated between them , waking up something inside of him he didn’t even know was there. He had no idea who this girl is , but already knew there was no way he’d ever let anything happen to her.    "Are you feeling okay ?“ he asked concerned. "You know what, I will take you home. Don’t worry , you don’t have to invite me in or anything. Just want to make sure whoever that was won’t try and finish the job and that you won’t faint somewhere.”    "I just feel a little light headed that’s all.“ she smiled , unable to take her eyes away from him. Never before in her life she had someone’s eyes sparkle like this.  "Wow..”    "What ?“    "N-nothing.” she smiled , feeling her heart skip a beat. “You know , maybe it’s a good idea that you walk me home.”    "Yeah ? You are not scared of me ?“    "No.” she smiled. “Not scared of you.” Kai couldn’t help but smile at her words. Usually everyone ran away from him but not this girl. There wasn’t a hint of judgement or fear in her eyes and they were so warm , just like her smile. Barely a few minutes spent around her and for the first time in his life he didn’t feel as alone or empty as before. However something kept tugging at his mind.    "You weren’t at the wedding. I am pretty sure I would’ve remembered you –“    "Um no , I was out of town with my parents that day.” she smiled nervously , as they took a turn down the street.    "I am happy you weren’t there. What I did – I just – “ he sighed.    "I’m not judging. You had your reasons and Bonnie , well — she sort of deserved it. I mean she provoked it in a way. I — ” she sighed. “Don’t tell them I said that. I’ll never hear the end of it.”    "I won’t.“ he smiled at her. "I’ve never met someone – as understanding as you. Not judging - thats definitely a new one for me. Where have you been all my life?”    "Probably right under your nose.“ Y/N winked at him , unable to stop smiling. Kai laughed under his breath , listening to her heart beating strong and fast , skipping a beat every time their hands touched accidentally while they walked. He couldn’t help feel the electricity coursing through his veins , starting from the places where their hands touched , waking up every fibre in his body.    "So , if you know the Salvatore’s how come I haven’t seen you before ?” he wondered while they took another turn down the next block. “Were they keeping you tucked away safely somewhere or something ?” Y/N ran her fingers through her hair looking up at the sky and then at him with a smile on her face. Kai’s heart did a flip almost making him stop in the middle of the street , trying to figure out what was happening.    "As if I’d let them do that.“ she laughed but her tone was serious. "No , I am a senior. You know with Elena’s brother Jeremy. There just wasn’t much time to hang around with my friends.” Y/N stopped in front of one of the houses and Kai felt his heart sank. That was it ? Why did it feel like they had been walking barely a few seconds when it had been minutes ? He didn’t want to let go off her , not now not ever.    "This is me.“ she sighed. "Thank you for saving me and walking me home.”    "Yeah. Always. “ he smiled at her , scratching his forehead nervously. "I guess I’ll be seeing you around –” Kai started turning around when she pulled him back. He looked at her confused for a moment and then her hands wrapped around him in a surprise hug attack. Kai wasn’t sure what to do at first. It had been so long since someone had hugged him or had been this nice to him. Specially someone who knows all the awful things he had done. Then his arms wrapped around her , holding her tightly towards him. His eyes closed for a moment and he felt happiness like never before spread through his body. What was it about this girl that had him feeling this way ? Warm, fuzzy, complete…    "You are welcome to stop by and come in any time you want.“    "Y-you are inviting me in ?” he asked surprised. Y/N nodded. “What would your friends say ?”    "That’s not really their decision now is it?“ she winked at him , reaching into his pocket. "This is my number. Call me any time , literally.“ she said serious , typing in her number and taking a selfie as a contact picture. "I don’t sleep much.”    "Weird , neither do I.“ he smiled nervously. "It’s — hard , after the Prison World and everything.”    "You know –“ she trailed off. ”– my parents are not home most nights , if you want you can come over and we can talk or watch a movie or something ?“    "Your friends are going to freak out.” he said amused.    "Let them.“ she winked him. "See you around Kai..”    "Yeah – see you around Y/N.“ Kai watched her walk inside the house unable to stop smiling. This girl was different , he could feel it. Could it be that he had finally found someone ? A real friend , maybe more than a friend ? He walked down the street trying to figure out what were all those emotions swirling in his heart and head in that moment. There were so many of them he couldn’t separate them but knew all of them were connected to her. Something told him that night he won’t be staying awake counting the hours as usual. No , that night was going to be different. His phone rang returning him to reality. Kai reached into his pocket pulling it out - DAMON.    "Where are you? You said you’ll be here first thing in the morning..”    "Something came up.“ said Kai not even feeling annoyed at the tone Damon was talking to him with. "I’ll be over in five. Even you can’t ruin my good mood today.”

Kai spent almost two hours listening to Damon trying to convince him to break the spell linking Bonnie and Elena. It seemed to be the only thing the vampire wanted to talk about and this time he was actually being a little nicer to him , probably thinking that a change in his attitude would get things done.  However Kai wasn’t really listening. Only one person mattered to him and that was Y/N.    "Damon ?“ interrupted Kai. "How do you know when you are in love ?” Damon’s eyes widened in shock , surprise and confusion.    "Sorry what ? In love ? What are you talking about ?“    "Just answer my question.” insisted Kai , pouring himself two fingers with bourbon. “And maybe I will find a way to break the spell. I am a mega powerful heretic right? .”    "Fine.“ sighed Damon. "It’s like the whole world stops and there is just this other person you see. Your heart beats faster around them , you can’t stop thinking about them and wanting to be with them. That person is all that you need and when you are apart it feels like hell. Why ?”    "No reason.“ he replied a sip of his bourbon.    "Ahh , don’t go anywhere.” said Damon , leaving the room to answer his phone. A few moments later Kai heard someone fall down the stairs not too far away from him. Curiosity won over and he went to check out what had happened. When he got there he saw a very familiar looking girl and he couldn’t help but smile. He leaned against the stair railing looking at her trying to gather a bunch of books which probably had caused the noise he heard since she didn’t appear to be hurt. He only caught glimpses of her face but that was enough for his heart do this weird flip it kept doing whenever he thought about her.    "Need some help with that ?“ he asked , making her scream in surprise. "Easy there Y/N. I am just trying to help. Are you okay ? You didn’t get hurt did you ?”    "Stefan is going to kill me..“ she muttered , freezing a second later. Y/N looked up at him and a wide smile spread across both their faces."Hi.”    "Hi.“ he grinned , kneeling down on the ground to help her gather the books. "What are you doing here ? I didn’t walk you home for you to leave like two hours later.”    "So over protective.“ she winked at him. "I had to return them before I forget they are not mine.”    "Here. Let me help you with those. What is that ? Great Expectations ? To Kill a Mockingbird ? Damn – did you read all of those ?“    "Thanks.” she smiled. “Yes , took a while though. Do you know the way or should I -”    "After you.“ he smiled nervously. Kai was sure he’d follow her everywhere, including to the end of the world. "I am so happy to see you again.”    "Me too.“ They took another turn down the hall entering the library. In the next few minutes he helped her return the books to their places and Y/N climbed up one of the ladders to return the last one almost at the top shelf, stretching out her hand dangerously far away.    "Careful. We don’t want you to fall to your death do we?” he said not taking his eyes away from her , ready to catch her at moments notice.    "Almost — there —“ she screamed falling to the ground. Kai ran towards her in vampire speed catching her mid air , losing his balance a moment later , falling on the ground with her on top of him. How had she landed face first on top of him with their faces barely an inch apart?    "OH my God ! Are you okay ?” she asked worried “S-sorry. I didn’t meant to - ”    "You know you are like really pretty. “ he said , reaching his hand to touch her cheek for a moment. A small smile spread across his face when she didn’t flinch or pull away. Kai wondered why her heart had started beating so fast all of the sudden. "Absolutely beautiful –” he whispered clearing his throat.    "T-thanks.“ she smiled at him.    "What - what is going on here ?” asked Stefan confused, making them look up at him. “Why do you look like you are about to kiss?!”    "Hey there Steven.  Don’t worry. I saved the pretty girl — again.“ said Kai smiling. "And I think she likes me. ” Y/N winked at him and cleared her throat rolling off him. He sat up, cracking his neck for a moment before helping her up. Kai  studied her face trying to figure out if maybe somehow she had gotten hurt but she appeared to be perfectly fine. More than fine actually - her smile never left her face and he felt the strange urge to hold her in his arms again. It had felt so right having her in his embrace.    "Hey , Stef. Thanks for the books. Can I get a couple more ?“    "Yeah , just stay away from him.”    "Oh here we go–“ muttered Kai. "Why is it so hard to believe that I can be nice?”    "I don’t know , maybe because you almost killed Bonnie -“    "Hey,  she started it. I was perfectly nice to her. Even flirted for a while until she jammed that axe in my chest. Wouldn’t you get upset too ? It happens.”    ” - and your entire family on your sister’s wedding day.“    "You try living with them being called an abomination and – ” sighed Kai , looking at the ground. Just the slight memory of his childhood was enough for another wall to build up around him only this time the wall crumbled before it was ever built. All because of her.    "Don’t listen to him. He is just being super over protective.“    "For a good reason.” said Stefan but she shot him a warning glance. Y/N sighed quietly and wrapped her arms around Kai who looked so sad in that moment with pain visible in his eyes. Her friends had mentioned Kai had isolated himself but to her it appeared like it had been the other way around. Being called an abomination by your own family clearly had hurt his feelings and she couldn’t blame him for snapping. Not really anyways. There was always a breaking point , but that didn’t mean what he had done was who he is.    "Kai is my friend — and nothing you say is going to change that.“ A friend? he thought. Wrapping his arms around her , burying his face in the crook of her neck. Surely he had already thought of her as his friend , but hearing her say it felt different. Y/N had said it with a note of affection in her voice and his heart had done that weird flip again. Kai thought back to what Damon had said earlier and realised that somehow he had started to fall for her.    "Oh-kay – but I am keeping an eye on you two.” THREE AND A HALF WEEKS LATER Kai had never thought he’d find someone who makes him feel this way. He had saved her life that day and she kept saving him every day since. All the emptiness he had felt his entire life had vanished completely because of her , starting with the moment she had wrapped her arms around him that very first time. He had never thought he’d find someone who would accept every part of him , never judging but trying to understand. Kai had fallen in love with Y/N and for the first time in his life wanted to take a chance. The young heretic wanted to tell her how he feels about her and maybe have what he had always wanted  - a chance at a happy future. With her , because to him it was clear there was no version of his life without her in it.     “We are not supposed to be here.” she said in a hushed voice while her best friend kept pulling her through the closed fair. They had been there earlier in the day but things hadn’t worked out like she had wanted and clearly he had the intention on making things perfect. Even if it was 1.23AM and technically the place was closed , not that it appeared to matter to him. Something told her he liked it better when its just the two of them , just like she did.     “You wanted to go on the ferris wheel earlier. There was a giant line , now there isn’t one.”     “How are we even going to get to the top?”     “Just close your eyes and trust me.” Y/N studied his face for a moment , closing her eyes in the next. Kai wrapped his arms around her , feeling her heart about to leap out of her chest just like every time they were around each other. All her friends had protested like crazy when they had realised how close they had become. To her it didn’t seem to matter what any of them had to say. Barely a month with her in his life and he had never felt happier. With her around all the darkness disappeared and there was only light and warmth in his life.      “Never going to get tired of doing this.” said Kai grinning , pushing off his feet with every ounce of strength he had until they were at the very top. “You can open your eyes now.” Y/N felt his breath tickle the skin of her neck while he whispered the last words in her ear. Her eyes opened and the view around her and over head took her breath away but not as much as seeing Kai smiling at her with eyes wide with excitement. A whole month and Kai had gotten into her blood stream since day one , able to send butterflies in her stomach just with one look.     “Wow , we are so high up.” she gulped.     “Don’t worry. I am not going to let you fall.” he said softly putting his hand over her shoulders. “You die — I die.” Y/N smiled at him , wondering what his words meant. “Thank you. Do you know what I want to do now?”     “What?” he asked curious ,leaning in a little closer towards her.     “Spend the night watching the stars with the most special person in my life.” she replied gazing into his eyes , leaning in closer.     “Weird.” he said pretending to be shocked. “That’s exactly what I want to do too.” Y/N smiled widely at him. “Always so in sync. No wonder my parents think we are dating.”     “T-they do?” asked Kai nervously. “And w-what do you think about that?”     “I think — that if we were dating , I’d be the luckiest girl in the world.” she replied taking his hand in hers. Kai couldn’t help but smile at her words. A moment later Y/N rested her head on his shoulder while both of them gazed up at the night sky , each of them stealing glances at the other when a shooting star burned across the sky. He turned towards her noticing how instead of closing her eyes to make a wish like she’d usually do ,she was looking at him.     “You didn’t make a wish ?”     “No. I have everything I could ever want right— here.”     “You do ?”  he asked. Y/N hummed. Kai wondered what that meant. What could she have right —  and then it hit him , or maybe he was reading too much into it. He wasn’t sure which one it was but wanted to find out because having her in his arms without actually having her the way he wanted was driving him out of his mind.     “Y/N –” he trailed off brushing his palm against her cheek , slowly leaning in towards her. “There is something I have to tell you. I tried so many times to find the right moment but I am starting to think there is no such thing and I am losing my mind not saying this to you.”     “Saying what ?” she wondered , her eyes darting between his eyes and his lips feeling butterflies flap their winds in her stomach just like every time they touched. All those midnight visits at her bedroom , those late night calls , his entire affectionate and caring attitude towards her just made her fall for him more and more every single day. And the way he was looking at her in that moment with eyes gleaming in the darkness like never before took her breath away. Kai’s heart was about to leap out of his chest and he didn’t have to listen to her heart rate to know she felt the same way.     “I love you Y/N. I fell in love with you and my life changed completely. There were so many walls build around me you would’ve thought I was a castle and somehow because of you they came crashing down. I used to feel alone and so damn empty on the inside , spending time with people I didn’t really know , trading pieces of my heart with them only to end up feeling more empty and shallow every time. I have been searching for you my whole life and then you showed up and everything changed. Every moment spent with you has filled my heart with so much love, happiness and joy. You occupy every inch of my heart and there is no room for any one else there. Just you and only you.” Y/N felt her heart skip more than a beat or two at his words. Kai appeared to notice it because a flash of worry crossed his eyes which quickly drained away seeing her smile at him.Their fingers intertwined together and a nervous smile spread across his face.     “I love you too Kai.” she smiled. “I fell in love with you the moment our eyes met that day or did you think I’d invite just anyone to spend the night in my bed whenever they want right after meeting them.”     “You love me back ?” he smiled widely.     “Yes , more than anything. I love you and I always will. I love yo-” Kai’s lips crashed against hers not letting her finish.Their lips moved in sync , fitting  perfectly together as if they had been made for each other. Y/N tangled her fingers in his hair unable to get enough of him , while he placed his hands on her waist pulling her towards him. In a way the kiss reminded him of chemistry lessons at school when mixing the right two elements would make them explode. He pulled away completely out of breath and by the looks of it she felt the same way , noticing somehow his magic had lit up the entire place. Her heart was racing so fast he was afraid it might burst and her eyes glowed like never before , kind of like the stars over head but so much brighter.     “I will always love you too Y/N.” he whispered , pressing his lips against hers again. MASTERLIST - SMUT MASTERLIST - FLUFF

A form of justice - Part 2

“What do you think is the most important quality an officer can have?”

“A strong moral compass” answered Rebecca, “this job is hard, it’s meant to be tough. You have to keep in mind why you’re doing it at all times - to serve your community, to save lives, to make a positive impact”.

The Assistant Commissioner looked at her and smiled. “I agree”, he said, “you’ve a sharp mind Miss Davidson. Keep that compass pointed in the right direction and you’ll have a bright future”. He stood up, straightened his uniform and offered his hand.

“Thank you sir” said Rebecca. She stood and shook his hand before he showed her out of his office. She smiled when the door closed. The meeting with Assistant Commissioner Locke was the final step in her recruitment to the Metropolitan Police and knew she had aced it. She was not sure what team she would be assigned to, but her results in testing had been exceptional and the interviews with top personnel had gone well.

“Well done love”, the Assistant Commissioner’s secretary said. She was an older woman with a thick cockney accent. Rebecca thanked her and headed out of the office towards the street. This called for a celebration. As she walked out of the building on to Victoria street, she spotted her colleague Kate Belmont wearing a leather jacket, jeans and a blue shirt and leaning on a lamppost carrying two cups of coffee. Rebecca hugged her.

“It went well?” asked Kate.

“Very well” said Rebecca.

“Then it’s congratulations to you, Constable Davidson”, said Kate, handing her one of the coffee cups. They touched cups together and walked down the road, Rebecca catching a glimpse of herself in a shop window and approving of the professional way she had presented herself. She was wearing a black blazer and pencil skirt with a white shirt and looked pretty good in her opinion. Today was a good day. It had been over two weeks since they killed the bike thief Jack Meadows. His body had washed up downstream and whilst it was clear he had been murdered there was nothing to link him to the ongoing Mulvaney investigation. Detective Chief Inspector Sullivan and his team had been focussing their time on identifying Mulvaneys lieutenants. They had been observing the movements of several characters, trying to determine who reported to who, what business lines they were connected to and how Mulvaney could run his underground empire. It had been painstaking work but Sullivan had kept the team motivated. Kate has been out of the office most days working leads in the field and Rebecca had not had chance for the two of them to catch up.

“We’ve not seen you much” said Rebecca, hoping to learn where the Sargeant had been and her plans for their next hit.

“I’ve been working on a gambling angle” Kate said, “we looked into the accounts of a couple of amusement centres last year that are run by Patrick Hanlon. They were buying their machines from a supplier I’ve never heard of. Unregulated stuff, rigged most likely. The DCI reckoned Hanlon was running it all on behalf of Mulvaney but we couldn’t find anything in the accounts or physical evidence to link them”.

“Could you ask your friends to help?” Rebecca knew Kate had some connections to some powerful people in counter-terrorism that had access to some tools they didn’t.

“This isn’t one of their hotspots. But...”, Kate took out a photograph from her jacket pocket, “I did get to snap this”. She showed Rebecca the photograph. A white van was being loaded with large boxes. “Old machines”, said Kate, “they’re bringing in new stock. But look here” she pointed to two men observing the work. The first was tall, wore a flat cap and coat and was smoking a cigarette. “Patrick Hanlon”, Kate explained, “nothing wrong with that yes, observing his work. But look at that other man in the shadows.” Rebecca peered over the photograph to try to see the second man but he was hidden by shadows. His hair was dark and shaggy and it looked as if he was dressed plainly, but Rebecca recognised the profile of his face.

“That’s...Mulvaney. Kate you found the link!”, she said excitedly.

“You’ll like this next picture then” Kate said. She showed a second photograph. Mulvaney was completely hidden from view by a box that was being wheeled past him but Rebecca could see a bit of his hand passing a black duffel bag to Hanlon.

“Is that enough for a warrant?” Rebecca asked.

“It might be” Kate replied, “but I don’t think I want us to get one”.

Rebecca looked at her puzzled. “Why not?”

Kate quickly turned down a side road. She checked that her and her colleague were alone. “Because I can’t be certain that we don’t have a leak”.

Silence passed between them for a few seconds as Rebecca processed the revelation. A leak? Could Mulvaney have a mole in the department? Was that how he’d be able to dodge the police for so long? It was a plausible enough explanation.

“Think about it” said Kate, “that witness withdrawing their testimony. I think they were threatened but we had them in the protection scheme. The only way someone could have reached him...”

“Is if they had access to the files”, Rebecca finished her sentence. “But who?” she asked, “surely not one of the team?”

“I can’t be certain but until I figure it out I want to keep this off the books. There’s information in that arcade and there’s evidence in that bag. We can strike tonight but i can’t do this alone. Are you in?”

Rebecca nodded.

———

Five hours later they were sat in Kate’s car down a quiet side road in Bethnal Green. Both women had changed to being totally in black, Rebecca in a long sleeved black top, leggings and sunglasses while Kate wore a black sleeveless athletic top and leggings. Rebecca also donned a long red wig. They had already armed and suppressed their Glock 17 guns and gone over the plan. Ideally they would be in and out quickly and make this look like a robbery. Mulvaney would be furious but have no reason to suspect police or another gang’s involvement. Kate knew the office would be around the rear of the building, away from the arcade machines and they both suspected the duffel bag and other evidence would be there. They went over their plan again and then got out of the car. Kate put on a shoulder holster and stowed her gun. She slipped around the block so she could approach the back of the arcade unseen.

Rebecca tucked her gun into the back of her leggings next to the spare ammunition she had stashed there. It felt cold against her skin and she took a moment to compose herself. This was no longer target practice. The people she would encounter here would not be bound and gagged like Jack Meadows had been. She had to remain focussed and be ready to react. Consider all angles, not leave herself open to a counter attack. Mulvaney would be ruthless with them if they were caught. She remembered the training Kate had given her and the feeling of dominance she had as she shot Jack. Killing was not the main objective tonight but she had to be ready if the situation changed. She walked around the corner to the back of the arcade. The building was relatively old, probably built in the 1950s and had dreary white weather-beaten walls. There was a heavy black steel door that led to the back. Outside was a middle aged man with long curly hair smoking a cigarette and wearing an old brown jacket and blue jeans. He was stood by the door, paying little attention to the world around him. Rebecca had expected him to be there. Her job was to distract him whilst Kate subdued him. She flicked her red wigged hair over her shoulder and walked towards him.

“Excuse me”, she smiled politely, “do you have a phone inside? My car won’t start and my phone is out of battery”.

“Oh no lovie”, he said mockingly in a thick cockney accent, “well I think we can help out with that. Where you trying to get to love?”

“Enfield”

“Give me a sec and I’ll get my cousin Lenny to take you that way. Anything to help a beautiful damsel in distress”.

Rebecca smiled but didn’t fancy meeting cousin Lenny and getting in his car. “Thanks”, she said, “what about the car?”

“Don’t worry about that, I know a thing or two. I’ll be happy to sort it out. Favour for a favour basis”. He was looking at her breasts, the outline of her bra showing through the tight top she was wearing.

Rebecca bit her lip and wondered how much longer she might have to keep him talking. The smell of cigarettes on his breath were disgusting. Luckily she spied Kate slowly creeping up behind him, gun raised. “Well, let’s see what we can offer each other”, she said and backed away from him towards the door. He advanced slightly and Kate made her move behind him.

Chik-chak. “Don’t move���. Kate chambered a round on her Glock and spoke with authority. The guard froze. “Keep your hands high” she commanded. Kate nodded at Rebecca who reached in to his jacket and pulled out an old Beretta handgun.

“You stupid fucking sl-ahhh”, the guards insults were interrupted by Rebecca smacking him with the butt of his own gun around the head. He collapsed on the floor. Kate smiled at her, impressed by her apprentice’s vicious blow.

“Hands behind your back”, Kate ordered and the guard dutifully linked his hands around the back. Rebecca handcuffed them and then his legs and put a gag over his mouth to secure his silence. She drew her own gun from behind her back and for a second felt a strong desire to shoot him and feel that excitement at pulling the trigger. She was disciplined and did not do so, instead taking the keys out of his back pocket. He was faced away from the two women now so Rebecca took her wig off, keeping her dark hair tied up in a bun. Kate handed her a black balaclava that covered her face and donned one herself. Kate raised her gun whilst Rebecca unlocked the back door. She opened it slowly and Kate peered down the dank corridor it opened to.

“Clear” she said. Kate entered the door and led Rebecca down the corridor slowly. The wallpaper was not in great condition. It smelled of industrial cleaner that had evidently been used on the plastic flooring underneath them. At the end of the corridor was a large double door. They heard the bass of pop music tunes playing alongside the pinging, whizzing and whirring of the amusement machines and guessed it led to the front of the shop and the desperate punters attempting to win money on the slot machines. There was one other door on the left that must be the office. Kate lowered her gun and listened at the door for noise. She tried the handle but it was evidently locked. She pulled a lockpick from her leggings and began to work on the door while Rebecca covered her with her Glock. Her heart was pounding. Kate finished with the door and softly opened it before both women slipped inside.

The office was well-furnished with an antique wooden desk and two plush leather sofas. There were a couple of filing cabinets and a bar cart with a selection of spirits. Kate holstered her gun and started looking through the cabinets while Rebecca went to the desk. There was an old desktop computer that she turned on but found it was password-protected. She decided to look around the desk and saw the duffel bag hidden underneath it. She pulled it out, opened it and gasped. It was almost completely filled with cash - bundles of 20 and 50 pound notes. There must be thousands of pounds within. She couldn’t fathom that amount of money in cash. It was staggering. She saw a business card inside and pulled it out to examine it. The card was white and had elegant writing advertising “Madame Rouge Gentleman’s Club”. She put it in her pocket, resolving to study it more later. Kate was busy flicking through a series of files she had pulled out of the cabinet.

“Kate”, Rebecca said softly and showed her the bag of cash.

“Holy shit” Kate said, picking a bundle up and flicking through it, “I was right - he was laundering money here. Look at these” she pointed to some of the files, “accountant details, suppliers, a couple of contracts. This is huge”.

A noise from outside broke their conversation. It sounded like a lorry pulling up and two men getting out. “Hurry up Harry”, one voice called. Patrick says we have to get these inside and set up for tomorrow’s trade”.

“Lovely bit of kit” said another voice they guessed must be Harry, “I’d have a gamble myself if it wasn’t rigged”. The two voices laughed.

“Shit” said Kate. It must be the new amusement machines being delivered. She put the files in the duffel bag of money and pulled out her pistol. “We need to get going. This place doesn’t need to be left intact right?”

Rebecca nodded. An accidental fire would be best. She went to the bar cart and spread the alcohol around the room. They would light it to cover their escape. Kate had slung the bag over her shoulder and was slowly opening the door, checking the corridor with her gun. There was the faint noise of two men talking. Rebecca wondered if they would find the guard they had gagged around the corner. She moved out in the corridor past Kate and covered the door at the end with her gun. Kate pulled out a small packet of matches and lit one, throwing it on the carpet of the office where the alcohol caught fire.

“Go, go!”, she said to Rebecca and they swiftly moved to the end of the corridor by the door. The voices were still chatting to one another and grunting a little as they took the machines out of the back of the van. Rebecca was on the left of the door, Kate was on the right grabbing the handle. “Like we drilled”, she said, “one, two, three!”

Kate flung the door open and her and Rebecca both swung around the door, suppressed guns ready to fire. There were two men on either side of a large box. Both were dressed in casual jackets and jeans. Rebecca found the one on the left, while Kate aimed at the one on the right.

Pfft-pfft pfft-pfft pfft pfft. They eached fired three shots, stunning the men and hitting them in the chest. Pfft-pfft - Kate shot twice quickly into the skill of her target as he sank to her knees. Rebecca’s man had fallen flat on his back and she walked over, gripping her gun tightly. She fired a final pfft into his head and felt a rise of pleasure within her. The adrenaline was addictive. Without asking Kate, she found the guard around the corner. He had been struggling at his bonds.

Pfft pfft. She slowly and deliberately placed two bullets in his back. Pfft - she placed a coup de grace into the back of his head. His body went limp as her nipples hardened beneath her top. She went back to Kate who was lighting another match and throwing it on to the cardboard boxes in the back of the van. Rebecca turned and saw smoke pouring from the door they had burst through. Evidently there was no fire alarm as no bell sounded but it was clear the arcade was on fire. The women ran to Kate’s car and dived in quickly, ditching their balaclavas as they did.

They were both excited. They’d pulled off a job, killed three lowlifes, set a Mulvaney business on fire and found more evidence to help them in their pursuit. Kate would use one of her contacts on the street who would claim to have found the documents and cash in a bin near the arcade - it would look like he’d disrupted a drop and the police would have a lucky break. As they drove towards central they saw a fire engine driving past them, sirens blaring.

Rebecca sat back and reflected - it had been a very successful day all in all!