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makeste · 3 years

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BnHA Chapter 328: Pandora’s Box of Discourse

Previously on BnHA: DEKU TOOK A BATH.

Today on BnHA:

youtube

Also Naomasa grew a beard. Goddamn.

please let this be a cool chapter that plays nice with my ADHD lol

(ETA: lol I feel guilty because a lot of people hated this chapter, but I’m just happy there was a lot of stuff to make fun of, and also that I have another week to work on my backlog of meta posts since the kids were MIA.)

around one month ago?? ah, okay, so we’re gonna find out what was in that Tartarus security file huh

I love that they just randomly set the place on fire

was it necessary to do this in order to escape? no. was it a good idea to set the island they were occupying on fire while they were in the midst of still occupying it? uh. was it cinematic as fuck? fuck yeah

wow it’s a pervert!!

that’s so great that the villains set loose this fine fellow who I’m sure is definitely not a serial rapist. truly the LoV is so noble and misunderstood. they’re just trying to free society from its chains people

oh my god??!

SHANKED!!! oh my god I cheered for Stain before I realized what I was doing. time to have an identity crisis I guess

so he’s all “hey what’s going on.” which, while a respectable question, is something I personally would have waited to ask until I had put a bit of distance between myself and the fiery murder island. but that’s just my personal preference

Stain you really are tenacious I’ll give you that

“what’s the point of escaping prison if you’re not gonna be smart about it” well shit. anyways yeah you’re dead right, society is in the process of collapsing and the outside world is in total chaos, good call there

oh shit

I mean it’s not like we really expecting anything otherwise, but still. fucking brutal. I feel like these guys’ fates were decided the minute that one guy called AFO “scum” back in chapter 94. AFO is unmatched at getting long-term revenge

ahh, was it the security footage??

fdsdfk he’s still alive??

and he’s immediately launching into an inappropriately theatrical monologue even as the darkness closes in on him fdlfksjdlk. you know, was it ever confirmed that the other guy back in chapter 297 was Seiji’s dad? I’m just saying

very impressed that he’s still coherent enough to weigh the pros and cons before making the decision to gamble on giving this info to Stain, who at the very least has his own moral code and isn’t allied with AFO. it was definitely still a risk, but as we now know it was also the right call

what a weird alliance. so Stain tells him that he’ll give it to a just person, and the guy is all,

okay for real though I’m gonna need someone to run a DNA test on this guy. maybe it was some kind of cuckold situation?? the other guy had the family resemblance, but this guy absolutely 100% raised Shishikura Seiji and you are not going to convince me otherwise

anyway, so Stain is all,

PRISON GUARD: “???? ??????? what the hell. what the fuck does that fucking mean. I’m dying here, jesus christ, whatever man fuck you”

(ETA: I kind of feel like this might have been Stain’s last appearance in the manga, given all the fanfare. there’s not really much else he can do for the story at this point, and he seems to have gotten all the character development Horikoshi was planning on giving him. so if this really is it, hasta la vista and good riddance I guess.)

DWLFDKSLDK MEANWHILE, OUTSIDE

(ETA: I feel like this is meant to be evocative of that Sermon on the Mount painting, but in a really fucked up way lol.)

if it were me stumbling upon this scene I would just shake my head and walk right back into the flaming building. not getting involved in that mess. sorry not sorry. I’ll take my chances with the fire, especially given that it’s half-assed neutered BnHA fire lol

blah blah blah and so he decided to pass the info on to All Might -- HOT DAMN, HOLY SHIT

NAOMASA HOLY SHIT. THE APOCALYPSE LOOKS GOOD ON YOU, BOY

“I really like that facial scruff thing Aizawa’s got going on, I think I’m gonna get in on that” yes sir. “also thinking of ditching the tie in favor of the bulletproof vest look. also thinking of getting totally fucking jacked.” good lord. except I’m pretty sure that’s just body armor, but also I don’t care. anyway I should probably stop staring and actually read the fucking speech bubbles here lol

“All Might first handed this information over to Nao, and then went to see Deku, and then came back to Nao” thanks for that tidy little summary Horikoshi. we are capable of piecing events together in sequential order, I just want you to know that. but thank you

“so has Deku finally gotten a bath? also, sucks that Stain saved the day, but what are you gonna do” Nao I missed you so fucking much and didn’t even realize. how am I just now realizing that you are the perfect man

for a second I was gonna ask why Tartarus’s security systems would be cut off from the outside world, and then I remembered that’s a basic security control, and then I actually got impressed by how sensible that is. like, it’s been a while since I could genuinely say that the good guys (excluding class 1-A) did something smart. not that it helped them much in the end, but still

anyway so they’re talking about how AFO was able to coordinate the attack by communicating between his horcrux self on the outside and his ugly peanut-faced self on the inside

huh

okay you have my attention. I am taking notes here lol please continue

ah okay so he says that prior to Jakku, the transfer of information between him and his Vestige self was only one-way. but post-Jakku when Deku was in the hospital, he was able to tell what was happening inside the OFA Radical Lisa Frank Dead People Book Club Realm when he touched him. I feel like we established that before, actually. but he didn’t talk about how it actually felt, though

boy we already know this lol. yes AFO can talk with his horcrux self. and he can also communicate with his little bro in OFA too, let’s talk about that sometime why don’t we. what exactly does that imply, based on the rules we’ve established here

my god I cannot get over Naomasa and his fucking facial hair

no wonder All Might was in such a hurry to leave Deku and get back here

like I have no idea what this radio waves nonsense is but my god, people

that jawline. also so it’s a quirk, I see. except last I checked Deku didn’t have a radio waves quirk, so that doesn’t really explain his connection to AFO. but whatever, hopefully we’re at least getting closer to some kind of reveal here

(ETA: since I sometimes forget that other people’s lives don’t revolve around my theory posts, here are the two relevant links if you by chance want to know my thoughts about this.

Hagakure is still The U.A. Traitor™ regardless of whether Deku is passing information on to AFO through his psychic link, which he almost certainly is.

speaking of said psychic link, Deku is a horcrux.

just posting these now, because whenever trippy OFA stuff happens I tend to get an influx of theory asks. so hopefully this will be a bit of a time saver lol.)

-- wait, what

THAT’S what the recording was??!? holy SHIT. I genuinely was not expecting that. y’all wiretapped his fucking telepathy. fucking quirks, man. wild

AND THEY USED THAT POWER TO DETERMINE WHAT WE ALREADY KNEW, HUZZAH. GOOD SHOW

-- oh shit wait lol, except I forgot we’re not talking about 38 days from the present, we’re talking about 38 days from the date the conversation was recorded. heh. um

yeah that’s the face I would make too if All Fucking Might just casually told me we had eight days left until the end times

oh, pardon me. three fucking days

r.i.p. anyone who thought we were going to have another band arc sob. I sure hope Deku is enjoying that nap

(ETA: I realize people were hoping for a longer rest period here, but given that the man warned us all the way back in chapter 306 that we were entering the final act, you can’t really blame him too much when that turns out to be true. anyway but I do recognize that we’ve reached the point in the story where this kind of discourse is going to become a weekly occurrence, simply because there’s no possible way for Horikoshi’s actual endgame to line up perfectly with the variable headcanons of millions of fans, all of whom have wildly differing and in many cases contradictory expectations which can’t possibly all be fulfilled. anyway, so I’m already bracing myself for that lol. this coming year is going to be a wild ride.)

damn, U.A. out here looking like the motherfucking United Nations

-- is this U.A.?? I actually just realized, U.A. is four interconnected buildings, not two. wait holy shit is this Shiketsu?

wait holy SHIT

based on the overwhelmingly powerful vibes of bureaucratic incompetence, I’m thinking this really is the (future) U.N., or whatever organization it is that deals with international hero stuff

“just let them handle it themselves I’m sure they’ll be fine” yeah okay, thanks guys. appreciate it

wait oh shit did he say that it’s not just Japan?

soooo, what you’re telling me is that AFO is this close to bringing about the end of not just Japan, but the entire world, and you guys don’t think it’s a good idea to help the Japanese heroes stop him? so, genuine follow-up question: are you guys already planning your rich people exodus into space a la Wall-E, and that’s why you don’t give a fuck?? like, what??

omg international heroes

these guys are from World Hoodie Mission, right? is this Horikoshi’s way of reminding me to buy tickets

(ETA: and it worked too lol.)

WHO??? WHAT???

don’t tell me you’re introducing yet another badass new female character for me to fall in love with only to watch as you dismember them and/or blow them up, Horikoshi. I’m getting tired of playing this game my dude. don’t lie and tell me this time will be different. we’re not doing this again goddammit

noooooooooooooooooooo

god fucking dammit lmao. [sighs and rips the previous paragraph into shreds]

on behalf of Americans I apologize for our superheroes always being Like This

I also apologize because I love her already and I’m gonna be shameless about it. so fucking shameless you guys

is her fucking hair red white and blue. it is, isn’t it

this is the volume cliffhanger, 100% lol. it will take every ounce of Horikoshi’s willpower not to put her on the volume cover. he’ll have to settle for the spine or the inner cover this time because Deku VS his class 1-a superpals takes precedence. but it will be a close thing let me tell you

tbh it’s that smile that does it for me. she’s definitely All Might’s protege. get out there and show them how it’s done girl. and maybe call Salaam and BRD and see if you can’t convince them to play hooky from their governments as well. why not. world’s ending in three days you guys. “sorry, I’m busy this weekend” ain’t gonna cut it lol

so while I am not fully caught up with Vigilantes, I have read far enough to know that there’s an American hero named Captain Celebrity whose superpower from what I recall is being a humongous douchebag. and while I haven’t read far enough to know what happens to this guy, I can’t say I’m very disappointed to learn that he’s no longer the number one hero in the U.S. (actually, didn’t they kick him out and that’s why he moved to Japan to begin with?). anyway, so my thanks to Horikoshi for having a marginally higher opinion of Americans than Furuhashi, even though we have definitely not done anything to warrant said opinion lately, and you may have inadvertently opened the door to a pandora’s box of discourse lmao

(ETA: lol I went into the tags and they don’t disappoint. “why is she dressed like a flag” because she’s an homage to Captain America and Major Victory and literally every other character on this list. again, I apologize for fictional American superheroes being Like This. “oh boy another thicc waifu to make the fanboys happy” look, tumblr fandom never seems to have a problem thirsting over Dabi or Tomura or Aizawa or Nao, lol, I’m just saying. “where is Captain Celebrity” idk, probably murdered by the exploding bee cartel, let’s just be grateful for our good fortune and try not to Beetlejuice the man.)

anyway, so let’s see if Horikoshi’s recent character development with regards to making Mineta not terrible anymore will apply to other aspects of his writing as well. I know I was making light of discourse just now, but I do think the complaints about him introducing yet another new character at the 11th hour to be cannon fodder in the final battle are absolutely valid. and again, it wouldn’t be a problem if he didn’t keep maiming/killing off his female characters one by one instead of developing them and letting them kick ass long-term. but that said, I will never complain about Horikoshi adding another female character to the series, regardless of how clumsy the attempt may be. go ahead and pander away, just give us more girl power lol

anyway so we’ll see how it goes, but I think I’m gonna be optimistic and let myself hope once again, even though I’m probably gonna regret it lol. it is what it is. she is standing on an airplane just chilling for fuck’s sake. I’m only human. anyway fingers crossed

#bnha 328 #stain (bnha)#tsukauchi naomasa #all might #stars and stripes (bnha)#all for one #bnha #boku no hero academia #bnha spoilers #mha spoilers #bnha manga spoilers #makeste reads bnha #eta: how did I forget to type 'bnha' in the title sob

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acourtofsnakes · 3 years

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What Do We Say To Death? Not Today - Bucky Barnes x F! Reader (smut)

gif by: @buckypascal

Prompt request:

22. For sex after a near death experience and "I'm gonna fuck you until you beg me to stop"

I thank you for this @kenoobiwan - This was... I enjoyed writing this 😌

Summary: A near death experience encourages Bucky to make you feel better

Warnings: 18+ for explicit sex!! Slightly Dom! Bucky, swearing, Praise kink Fingering (f receiving), p in v sex, doggy style, slight cum play?, oral (f receiving and m receiving too), neck play/throat holding/breath play, begging, pleasure/pain play, mentions of death/near death/fighting, blood, injuries

Word Count: 4.4k+

Permanent Taglist: @greeneyedblondie44 @mamacitapascal @mypedrom @undiscovered-misunderstood @kaylee-krystal @queenofthefaceless @gallowsjoker @kirsteng42

Masterlist | | Requests!

There was something to be said about fighting bad guys with your boyfriend.

Especially when your boyfriend was James Buchanan Barnes – ex-solider, ex-assassin, all Brooklyn boy with a heart of gold and a smile that could bring you to your knees.

You had known him for years now, a partnership turning to friendship and friendship turning to love.

The entire time, you had remained partners because you were simply a formidable team.

Both of your experiences in training made you relentless, and you could work together like a force of nature, never failing to bring down the bad guys.

Well. Usually.

Today was… not one of those days.

It had been going well, good even but then… It wasn’t.

Somehow, one of the super soldiers you had been fighting had suddenly got the jump on you, pinning you down and then dragging you to the edge of Brooklyn Bridge.

He had held you over the drop by one of your hands, taunting you as you hung above the expanse of the East River.

It was a classic exchange.

Bucky – still fighting – either gave up and left them alone, or the soldier would kill you.

Back and forth the exchange had gone, until Bucky got even more pissed and shot the guy in the head, making him tumble back… And taking you with him.

Except, Bucky was already there, diving to the edge of the bridge and catching your hand just before you fell too far.

The force of his hand catching you had threatened to wrench your arm from its socket, but it didn’t matter – he had saved your life.

You couldn’t swim, certainly not after a fight like that and the energy it had sucked from your body.

You would have gone down like a lead balloon.

The pair of you had limped to the subway, battered, bleeding and shattered.

Everyone had avoided you in the carriage, but you didn’t care. You were both whole, safe and… together.

Even broken and battered, you still held hands up to Bucky’s apartment – he was closest. And it was cosy here, familiar and it would always be home.

You sighed softly in relief as the door of his bedroom closed behind you and you turned to look at him, only to find him already watching you.

Something stirred in you, something deep and blazing.

Maybe it was the adrenaline, maybe it was the fact you had danced with death and looked Her in the eye tonight but there was a fire beginning to blaze it your belly.

It could have been any of those things, but it was most likely Bucky.

A trickle of blood running down his cheek from a cut on his eyebrow, his plush lower lip split and a bruise already forming over that wickedly sharp jawbone.

His Arctic blue eyes were the colour of the ocean in a storm, waves of frustration and anger pelting the shores of his mind. And when he looked at you, those waves turned into a tsunami, darkening further with desire and it seemed he had the same thoughts on his mind.

He prowled toward you on silent feet, the air parting around his lean body as if sensing the presence of a hunter.

And you were his prey, caught in that blazing gaze like a butterfly pinned beneath a needly.

And oh, how you loved it.

You raised an eyebrow, watching him with mock indifference, even as every nerve in your body stood to attention, crying out for his touch. “What?” Just the perfect amount of sass.

Bucky’s eye twitched just slightly, a faint snarl on his lips as he got closer and closer to you, but he remained silent.

This was all part of the game, your blazing desire for each other battling, rising and falling in a game of tension and edging. To see who would break first, who would surrender power to the other.

You cocked your head, pushing him further, “Can’t find your words, Buck? That makes a change.” You laughed softly, that sing-song laugh and tone that was all bratty and cocky and you knew pushed him.

He was backing you up against the wall, the scent of his aftershave, smoke and iron washing over you. “Don’t use that tone on me.” His voice had dropped an octave, sinking into that deeper and more gravelly tone that turned your knees to jelly and made you ache for him.

Heat was flowing through your limbs, your clothes becoming too tight, too constricting. Each bruise and cut faded to a background hum as the toes of his boots met yours.

Ordinarily, you were both as stubborn and hot-headed as the other, but in times like these, when he had that voice and that predatory look in his eye… You were all too willing to quite literally drop everything and let him destroy you. “What are you going to do about it, soldier?” You purred the words up at him, all arrogance.

Bucky paused, close enough now that he filled your vision. He looked over you, eyes flicking over your face with a dark hunger that reminded you of the Winter Soldier, perhaps a level of control and darkness that lay within him all the time.

The clock on the far wall ticked by slowly, the tension growing thicker and thicker with each tick.

Just when you thought your head might explode, Bucky suddenly moved.

His hands shot out to spin your body around, left hand pinning your arm to your side as his hand curled around your jaw, grasping it tightly. His right hand pressed into your lower belly, pushing you back into him and you felt the hard line of him pressing against the bottom of your back.

He yanked your jaw to the side with enough pressure that it sent shockwaves of pleasure down your spine. You felt his rough stubble graze over your neck, his teeth tug your earlobe, “I’m going to fuck you until you beg me to stop.” His snarl echoed in your ear, his breath hot and almost a pant.

Your eyes rolled back in your head as you pressed back into him more, rubbing your ass against the bulge straining his trousers. “Then what are you waiting for?” You gasped the words, still taunting him because fuck, you adored soft Bucky but this, this hot predator of desire and dominance… He owned you.

A dark laugh echoed in your ear, his vibranium fingers pressing tighter into your jaw to give him access to the soft flesh of your neck, “Still being a brat, huh? I save your life, and this is how you say thank you?” He licked a wet stripe along your neck, tasting you and he blew out a moan that pebbled your skin with the cool brush of air. “I think you need to learn some manners, doll.”

The hand on your belly suddenly plunged beneath your waistband, his nails scraping the sensitive skin and then finding how wet you were.

That dark laugh echoed again as he felt the slick coating your underwear, “Oh, baby, you are so needy, aren’t you?” He pressed the pads of his fingers to your clit, wasting no time in rubbing quick, almost harsh circles.

“Fuck, Bucky-” Your head fell back to his shoulder, hips immediately driving forward to seek more of his touch, more of that insistent pressure.

Bucky bit at your neck, straight white teeth scraping over your skin and sinking into the flesh, “That’s it, baby, I know how much you need me… Need me to fuck you so hard you can’t walk.” He smoothed his tongue over the hurt, mumbling the dirty words against your skin like a prayer. His fingers slipped deeper, gathering the wetness on his index and middle fingers before slowly, slowly pushing them inside.

A languid groan broke from your throat, your arms straining against his. There was nothing to hold, to balance out the instant fiery sparks he shot through your body, so you were forced to stand there and take it. You could only make small movements with your hips, rocking in time with his lazy thrusts with those long fingers. “Stop teasing, you ass.” You shifted your head in his hand, managing to take one of the cool vibranium fingers into your mouth and you sucked the metal, liking the tang on your lounge.

Your soldier moaned deep in his throat as you did, unable to feel it apart form a faint tingle but the mere sight of it was enough – and he knew why you were doing it, “You want these fingers inside you, doll? Want to cum all over them like the gorgeous, needy thing you are?” He pushed another finger into the wet heat of your mouth, enamoured by the sight of your tongue slipping out and stroking up the length of them, the pink flesh against the black and gold sending him into a frenzy.

You hummed against his fingers, body straining again, and you managed a nod, aching for those hard, cold fingers to be inside you.

He gave you what you wanted – he always would – and he pulled those fingers from your lips with a wet pop!

Your solider wasted no time in lowering that hand, swapping his fingers and pushing the vibranium digits deep, deep inside your core.

They were thicker, harder, colder and fucking hell, they were everything.

They never tired and could fuck into you with a pace that was unlike anything else you had ever experienced.

Bucky watched as you arched against him, your lips parting with a moan worthy of song, “That’s it, baby… Take what you want, what you deserve…”

His murmured praise spurred you on, encouraging you to roll and rock your hips against his hand. He matched your pace, pumping in and out, curling up his digits to press against that spongey spot immediately.

He wasn’t taking you slow today, not by any means.

The warm flesh of his right fingers, slick still from being inside you pressed to your bundle of nerves again, combining slow figure of eight motions with the curling motions of his fingers.

It didn’t take long until you were keening his name, body shaking with the effort of being forced to take it all and you fell apart on his hand, coating the smooth metal with your release, soaking his wrist and your own skin.

Your knees buckled, and he guided you to the bed where you flopped back, head spinning with the force of how quickly your first orgasm had barrelled into you.

Bucky looked down at you on the bed, panting and legs parted for him as your thighs glistened with your release. He then looked down at his vibranium hand, seeing that same stickiness coat the metal, turn it gloss and he lifted them to his lips, sucking each one clean with appreciative growls that had you whimpering for him. “Messy girl.” His eyes dropped to his bed covers, where your sticky wetness had soaked the bed sheets.

You leant up on your elbows, chest rising and fallen raggedly to catch your breath still, “Bucky.” The word was a command, a plea, and a prayer all at once.

You raked your eyes from the top of his messy, curly hair, down to him licking his fingers clean and then lower, over his broad shoulders and chest, the vibranium arm, all the way down to his heavy, thick cock, standing to attention and swollen from holding back his own release – purely from watching you fall apart on his fingers.

Mouth-watering, you sat up, moving to your hands and knees and you crawled across the bed to him, ignoring the sharp ache as your shoulder protested.

He watched you keenly, knowing what you were going to do, letting you take control for the moment.

Besides, he fell to pieces when you did this.

You stopped when you were eye level with that beautiful, thick cock.

God, he was so beautiful.

Long, smooth, a vein delicately running up the underside that drove you crazy.

To be honest, everything about him drove you crazy.

You looked up at him, eyes locked on his as you curled your fingers around that length, spitting lightly on the end and then smoothing the combined mix of your saliva and the beads of his precum up and down him.

Bucky hisses slowly through his teeth, his head falling down to watch you, hands curling into fists as you teased him with these pumps.

You would keep with the teasing if you weren’t desperate to taste him, so you gave in, parting your lips and lowering your head along his cock.

He watched it disappear into your plush lips, inch by inch until you took all you could, your hand grasping the rest.

You moaned in unison, his head tilting back again with the feeling of the wet heat of your mouth enveloping him – and you from the velvety weight of him in your mouth, a taste like nothing else.

He was heavy, hot and tasted absolutely divine.

You could give up food for this, honestly.

Quickly, you began a pace as relentless as he had, bobbing your head up and down his cock, tongue swiping up and around like he was the tastiest lollipop in the world. With every lift of your head, your tongue followed up that damn vein, pressing into the flesh with enough pressure that Bucky’s hips jolted forward.

Perfect, exactly what you wanted.

A soft laugh rumbled your throat, vibrating down through the head of his dick and he fisted his hand at the back of your head in your hair, “Fuck, doll – Shit.” His jaw was clenched, eyes torn between closing in pleasure and watching you devour him whole.

You wanted more, more of a reaction from him, so you pulled all the way back, locking your eyes to him again as the tip of your tongue, tracing around his head and then pressing into that slit at the end of his dick. You lifted your free hand to his balls, feeling them tight and weighty and you grasped them, tugging gently as your tongue toyed with that sensitive end.

Bucky damn near whimpered, his hips jerking forward again, and he slipped between your teeth a few inches.

And you absolutely adored it when he fucked your mouth.

So, you did it again.

Squeezed his balls and hollowed out your cheeks, tightening your mouth around him. You gave him a look, eyelashes fluttering – fuck me, if you mean it.

Bucky let out a shaken breath, tongue darting over his lips and he nodded once, grasping the back of your head and his hips began to move, thrusting into your mouth gently.

You were already there, widening your jaw and controlling your breathing so that when he jerked forward – you took him down your throat. Deep. Deep enough that the warm hand holding your jaw could feel the thick press of him widening your throat.

It sent a shockwave through him, those impossible thighs tensing and trembling by your head as you took him down your throat again and again, jerking the inches you couldn’t reach, fondling his balls with the other.

And when they tightened warning you of his release, you merely pushed forward more, taking the entire length of him so that your nose brushed the short, curling hairs.

And then your soldier came apart, crying out with a garbled version of your name, shooting hot spurts of cum down your throat.

You lapped up every drop, swallowing thickly until he was pulling back from you, his eyes wide with awe and something primal.

The next moment, you were on your back, and he was balls deep in you, your legs wrapped around his waist as he fucked you mercilessly.

Bucky folded his big, broad body over yours, his belly pressing into yours and there was a sudden jolt of icy cold on your face – his dog tags.

Fuck.

His dog tags were hitting your chin with every thrust of his hips, gently clinking together and thumping against your jaw line.

There was something filthy, messy about this. Pure, undiluted lust as you fucked each other, working off the adrenaline and fear from nearly dying.

Sure, you spoke, you had deep conversations that lasted the whole night and ranged from his time in the 40’s, to your childhood.

But other times, when words got too hard, and emotions got too painful to speak aloud… This was how you spoke to each other. The frantic movement of your bodies, the entwining of your souls as you escaped from your lives for an hour – or many.

“I love you, baby – Don’t know what I would do without you.” Bucky groaned low, hips thrusting and grinding into yours with relentless pace, “If I had lost you today – I would have torn everything apart and followed you.” He lifted his head, his eyes blown near black as he watched his tags hitting your skin.

Your head was thrown back in ecstasy, breath consistently stuck in your throat as he jack-knifed into you. Your nails scrabbled over his back, gouging deep crescent moons into his skin as you held on, “And I would have followed you to the end of the world.” A high moan broke your words, “I love you too, Bucky. Always…” You dug your nails in tighter, “Especially when you fuck me like this, break me apart with your cock – I always want it, always think about it.”

The snarl Bucky let out was something animal, unhinged and he started snapping his hips to yours with a frenzied pace, “You – You’re so fucking perfect, so beautiful”- He dropped his head to your neck, biting the skin and his hand moved to your thigh, bending your leg back to your chest to hammer into you at a new angle. The thick, blunt head of his cock thudded against that spot deep inside you, throwing you by the spine toward that edge – and when his pubic bone scraped against your clit, you tumbled off the edge, your orgasm shattering through you so hard you saw stars.

“Fuck, Bucky – Bucky-”, His name rose in a scream, back arching as waves and waves of pleasure crashed through your body.

“Bucky sucked in a choked breath, “Shit, baby – Fuck, look at you-” The feeling of your walls tightening and squeezing around him finished him, and pulled out just in time to watch thick ropes of his cum decorate your belly and thighs.

The feeling of it, warm on your skin had your orgasm riding longer, hips undulated against the air, and you barely had enough time to breath before Bucky grasped your hips, “Hands and knees – now.”

He flipped you over, panting as you rose onto all fours, and he was slamming back into you with no warning.

You cried out, the punishing size of him stretching your still fluttering walls, “Bucky, wait-”

A sharp crack to your ass shut you up, the sting of cold vibranium on sensitive skin causing you to nearly smash your face into the headboard. “I said you would be begging me to stop. I’m not finished yet. You still have more left in you, you greedy little thing.” His voice was thick and low, a rough rasp that could have commanded you to do anything and you would.

A whimper you couldn’t entirely control left your throat, causing Bucky to stop for a moment.

His warm hand caressed your lower back, silently soothing you and he slipped for a single moment, his voice normal, “Colour?”

You dragged your thoughts back together, enough to be coherent and you mumbled, “Green.” Your tongue darted out to lick your lips, the feeling of him just resting inside you was tormenting, unbearable – you needed him to move, now. “Don’t stop, Buck. For the love of God, please don’t.”

A stuttered breath let you know he had heard you. He was always in awe of how well you matched him, the darker corners of his soul and personality that you never ever shied away from.

He snapped back to attention a second later, pulling out agonisingly slow, so just the tip of his cock rested inside your aching core, “Say it, baby. Tell me what you want me to do.” He circled his hips slowly, hands massaging the flesh of your ass.

Your thighs trembled beneath you, entire body trembling actually with want and you cried out, “Fuck me, Bucky. Fuck me until I’m begging you to stop.”

If this man didn’t move, if he kept teasing you, you were going to fucking punch him. You didn’t care if he was as battered and bruised as you.

The soldier snickered under his breath, pulling on some super soldier level of restraint to not blow his load instantly again, “That’s my girl. Though, you might be regretting that.”

And then he moved.

A punishing, brutal pace, fuelled by that same super soldier serum, and something entirely his own.

His hands held your hips up, pulling you back into his body as he fucked into you hard and fast, “Gonna make you scream for me, doll. Make all the neighbours know who saves your life, who makes you feel like this.”

“Yes, yes, Fuck- ” Your spine threatened to break in half with his pace and you gripped the headboard with one hand, knuckles turning white and the other hand fisting into the bed covers. “Oh, god.” The moans that left your lips sounding more like cries, as he wrenched you toward another orgasm.

You matched him thrust for thrust, thumping your body back into his, so that the room was filled with the smell of sex, the sound of your twin panting, moans and growls and the utterly dirty wet squelch of his cock being swallowed by your core and the slap of his balls hitting your clit.

Bucky’s vibranium hand snaked up your back, the metal scraping your skin and then he curled his hand around your neck. His fingers tightened on your throat and the world tilted as he yanked your body up so your back was to his chest, “Such a good girl, take my cock so good – Like you were made for me.” He pulled your head to the side, pressing his face into your neck and he panted hot and heavy against the skin, “Fuck, I love you so much, so fucking much.”

Words were beyond you, your brain giving up as your concentration narrowed into the pleasure burning your core, your thighs beginning to quake helplessly, “Bucky, I can’t-” Every breath was filled with that feeling, the insistent barrelling of your release hovering over you. You had gone longer before, but each high he had delivered you to tonight was for more intense and relentless than before.

Bucky grinned wickedly against your neck, that slow growing smirk that was all cocky, male arrogance, “Yes, you can, doll. I know you can.” He turned his head, licking up your neck, sucking your earlobe and then tracing the tip of his tongue over the shell of your ear.

The strange, absolutely delightful feeling distracted you from the fact his other hand had slipped between your legs.

And then you felt the pressure of his fingers, rubbing little tight circles that merely trebled that building pleasure to something electric, fizzing through your veins and threatening to burn you from the inside out.

Tears prickled the backs of your eyes, the feeling almost too much, too intense, near painful and then – then Bucky thrust a particular deep jolt up into you, grinding against that spot as his nails scraped over your clit – and then you shattered apart.

Your orgasm came fast and unforgiving, searing through your spine and breaking you into a million pieces. Everything went black for a moment, a high-pitched ringing in your ears and you were dimly aware of Bucky hissing your name, his head tilting back as he came inside you, coating your shuddering walls with his release, mixing with your own and giving you that hot, filled feeling that you always craved.

You could live and die inside this moment, the hovering of blissful light as you slowly came back to yourself – except you weren’t allowed to come back slowly.

Bucky lowered you to the bed, held you there with his vibranium arm around your middle, “Stay on your hands and knees.”

When you were back on all fours, limbs shaking, he slowly pulled out of you, groaning softly as your walls tried to keep him inside, “I am in awe of you.” He breathed the words almost to himself, running a hand through his still messy hair and he sank down to his own knees at the end of the bed.

You couldn’t open your eyes, couldn’t even remember your own name, “Buck…”

Bucky laughed softly under his breath, mouthing kisses down your back, pausing to lick and bite at the bone and then his moved lower, “Oh, darling, I’m not done with you yet. I said I didn’t want you to be able to walk… I think you still have some movement left in you.”

He kissed down over your ass cheeks, delivering a sharp slap to the soft flesh that had you keening, back arching for him.

You loved the heady mix of pleasure and pain he bought you, loved that you could both let go like this with each other and trusted each other enough. Something like a moaning sob answered him, but you nodded all the same, beyond words so you held up three fingers – a silent confirmation that your colour was still green.

Bucky rubbed your lower back, watching as your walls clenched and fluttered around nothing, the combined mix of your releases slipping down your thighs. He licked his lips, tutting softly, “We can’t have that.” He gathered it on his fingers, pushing them back inside you a little.

Your hands fisted in the covers again, pushing your hips back almost without your own realisation, and gritting your teeth as heat coiled low in your belly, ready for him yet again even if there was a sting in your muscles, your thighs and arms still shook and you were wrecked, “Bucky, please-” You didn’t know if you were begging him to stop or to carry on.

He pressed a kiss to the back of your thighs, before licking a broad stripe over your lips, ‘That’s right, beautiful…” He took pity on you, using a hand to press between your shoulder blades so your torso sagged to the bed – hips up and ready for him.

“Let me hear you beg.”

#requests #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes smut #bucky barnes x reader smut #tw: blood #tw: injuries #tw: near death experience #tw: sex #dom! bucky #bucky barnes #sebastian stan #tw: hand round neck

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writingtoforgetreality · 3 years

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Untouchable - The Devil’s Daughter Chapter Ten (Lucifer Morningstar x Daughter!Reader)

[Lucifer-Masterlist], [The Devil's Daughter-Masterlist]

Previous Chapter / Next Chapter (04/26/2021)

Summary: Amenadiel was not as bad as you first thought he would be. In the end, you were glad that he asked you to talk to him. Maybe he would know what to do next.

Words: 1,452

Warnings: language, blood, angst, we're getting there guys, the end is near hehe

If you like my work & wanna support me: a coffee would be highly appreciated ❤

“What did they do to you?” you could only scoff at his question.

“I can’t believe that you don’t know me.” shaking your head in disbelief, you spun around, shirt pulled down again.

“You’re saying this like you’re a legend.” Amenadiel pointed out.

“That’s because I thought I was.” your head tilted to one side, eyebrows furrowed in confusion. There was an angel in front of you. One that spent his time in heaven (& on Earth, apparently). And the man in front of you had never heard of you. You had always thought that the other angels did not like you because of your story. Looked like they did not even have a clue you existed. Which made your life even more of a lie than you previously thought.

“Show me your wings.” it was not a question. It was a demand.

“Show me yours first. How am I supposed to know you’re telling the truth, huh?” two could play that game. Amenadiel wasted no time & only a second later, beautiful soft feathers surrounded his frame. You were awestruck. How you wished for your own wings to look like that. As much as you wanted to, you decided against touching them. You did not want others touching yours either. It was a silent promise you made to yourself. There was no time for it anyway. Because he withdrew them almost immediately.

“Show me your wings.” he repeated his question. There was no other way out of it. But then again, Dan was only a few rooms away. If you made a sound during that process, he would come running in, for sure. You also could not necessarily get rid of the shirt you were wearing. Apologies, Dan. Bracing yourself, you closed your eyes to solely focus on your wings. The pain would be much worse considering your wounds that still were not entirely healed yet. You bit your lip in order not to scream but a small whimper still left you the moment you extracted them. Destroying the shirt you were wearing. Cutting open your skin like it was nothing. Reopening the wounds with a burning sensation. Your eyes were still closed, not wanting to see his reaction. When there was nothing but silence, you slowly forced your eyes to open. His face showed shock, he was frozen in place. But when he saw blood dripping onto the floor, he wasted no time with running out of the room. Oh, great. That was not what you wanted to happen. No. If he went to Dan? What would that mean for you?

Your thoughts were cut short when the door opened again with Amenadiel rushing through. A first-aid kit in his hands. He wanted to help you. You went down to your knees due to the pain. The man in front of you asked a simple question before treating your cuts.

“May I?” he was gesturing to your wings. The only thing you could do was nod. You were at a point where you did not care any longer. Amenadiel winced when his fingers touched the golden, sharp structure that were your wings. Not soft to touch like his. Not black like they should be. No, yours were like metal that had been sharpened. Sharpened to hurt. Sharpened to kill. Lost in thoughts, you did not even notice the angel starting to clean your back.

“Wait.” you called out quietly. Immediately, he stopped, waiting for you to continue. “They’ll cut me open when I retract them as well.” you let him know & for the second time in such a short period, you winced in pain that was caused by what some people or angels called a gift. Luckily, Amenadiel did not talk during patching you up. He was careful as to not hurt you any further. The work was done fast, he was skilled at this, though you had no idea why. You figured this was not the first time he treated an injury.

“What happened to you? I wanna know the entire story. From the very beginning.” he handed you a new shirt that he found on the dresser in the room. Giving you privacy, he turned so his back was facing you. It was hard to pull the shirt over your head. But you managed in the end. You coughed as a sign that you were done. Sitting down on the bed, you waited for him to join you. Getting the message, he approached you & took a seat beside you. Though you did not even look at him once, you told him about your past. About everything. Well, not everything. Maybe you left out the fact that you were the Devil’s daughter. But you figured that, if he really had no clue who you were, it would be convenient to keep this fact a secret. Who knew how he would look at you if he found out about your origin?

“So, yeah. That’s it.” you finished with an awkward chuckle & the silence that followed made you incredibly uncomfortable. Amenadiel needed time to process what you just revealed.

“Okay. But why can’t I see your true form?” he questioned, more to himself than to you. Snapping your head in his direction, your eyebrows perked up. Right, he had mentioned that he could not see anything when he looked at you.

“I-I don’t know.” you sighed out. “Maybe it was something God did? I mean, he kinda locked me away. Maybe it’s some sort of protection so other angels can’t detect me?” you were just as confused. But in your defense, all of this came out of nowhere.

“Could be.” Amenadiel shrugged. Then his eyes widened a little as if he just got an idea. “I think I know someone who could help you.”

“Wait. No, wait.” you chuckled shortly. “Who said I wanted help?” you crossed your arms over your chest. The man next to you eyed you up & down, a dumbfounded expression adorning his face.

“You don’t want help?” to him, it was the only way but it seemed like you thought differently.

“I don’t want & I don’t need help. I left heaven for a reason.” you explained. Amenadiel shook his head then. You misunderstood him so he corrected himself.

“I’m not talking about bringing you back to heaven. That’s your decision & your decision only. I understand why you don’t wanna go back there. After everything…I was talking about your wings.” he gestured to your back that was bandaged under the thin material of the cotton shirt.

“Oh.” you muttered. “O-Okay.” you answered after a few moments.

Finally, after what felt like hours, the two of you left the room again & found Dan playing with Charlie. It was a cute sight. He really was great with kids. When he heard footsteps, he looked over his shoulder, a big smile plastered on his face. It was almost like he did not even care that you were gone so long. He simply focused on the baby in front of him & was more than happy when little Charlie smiled because of something he did. Amenadiel then announced that he would leave again. He thanked Dan & you for dinner & took the baby from Dan’s hold. You accompanied them to the front door. The last words you heard from him were “We’ll get this fixed.”. You only gave him a warm but tired smile in return. Closing the door, your back pressed against it. Softly as to not irritate your injury. A loud sigh left you.

“Long day?” Dan looked at you from the couch. You only nodded at him. “Hey. What did Amenadiel want from you?” shit, what could you possibly tell him. Another lie? Well, there was no other chance, right?

“Oh, he just gave me some rules to follow if he ever decides to leave Charlie here. Because he knew you would get distracted by his cuteness. So he trusted me more with that.” you shrugged your shoulders, sitting beside him & facing the television opposite of you. This time, your back did not touch anything. You simply sat up straight. Dan seemed satisfied with your answer & did not question why you did not get comfortable on the couch like you usually did.

Amenadiel pulled his phone out of his pocket after stepping away from Dan’s house. With one hand, he dialed the number of the only person who came into his mind. Charlie was secure in his other arm, already falling asleep. The phone rang once, twice. When Amenadiel lost hope, the other person picked up.

“Hello?” the voice came out through the speaker.

“Luci? I need your help.”

~to be continued~

Next Chapter (04/26/2021)

Published (04/19/2021) by Cathy

Tags: @fandomqueen2003, @natashaashleymarvelromanoff, @severewobblerlightdragon, @tenderlyunlikelyexpert, @zoseph, @suffering-canucks-fan, @dad-ee-drea, @xbarrjallenx, @marvelofwitch, @aceofspace95, @julessbrown, @thevelvetseries, @kotkaniemi-caufield-mom, @crumpets-are-better-with-jam, @strangewhovian-blog, @officialfictionalwreck, @peachescream06, @memeingcheetah27 (let me know if you wanna be tagged <3)

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adrienscroissantx · 3 years

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A list of good underrated brotps (imo)

Alix and nino: (they! Vibe! They have a similar taste in music and nino really digs alixs art and they're both insecure about making a career out of their passions. These are children of the Arts, with artforms that are more misunderstood. They just get each other, and they're going to be in the list of ppl they thank when they win an award for their work later down the line)

Adrien and juleka: (model buds, ok. Adrien supports julekas career and juleka teaches adrien the fine art of ✨ Teenage Rebellion ✨. They also play music together and have fun makeovers. She doesn't force him to be anything or do anything and she doesn't put him on a pedestal, he can be a little more himself around her)

Alya and kim: (a dangerous duo because they talk SO MUCH SHIT. they turn into gossip trains the minute they enter each other's radar. The kind of friendship where, when anybody does something stupid, they look to at each other like a camera on the office ((unless its kim doing something stupid, then alya is forced to break the fourth wall)) )

Rose and kim: (look they get along better than expected and shes the lightest person in class so he can just pick her up and put her on his shoulder and run around. I hc them as unlikely childhood friends who were maybe neighbours and they did a bunch of stupid shit together)

Kim is just a himbo he vibes w wlw coded characters there i said it also alya is bi

Speaking of which

Kim and kagami: (it writes itself. 2 jocks compete, one is arrogant, the others a bit pretentious, but kim just wants to make kagami lighten up a bit and let her know that sportsmandhip can be fun too.)

Max and sabrina: (they were enemies, as kids, every annual science fair event they were situated opposite each other. They become begrudging allies. Now in their late teens, they're just gamer buds who play until 1 in the morning and have random arguments about math and video game lore. They also watch the same tv shows. Absolute nerd out and it shows.)

Max and alya: (look they're both computer kids. Alya codes, max builds, and together they foster the stupidest robot designs they can possibly come up with. They Also just like working together because they can bounce ideas off each other. Max gets alya in the zone, and alya supplies a fresh perspective to maxs issues. Cue nino in the background but instead of being a cool STEM person hes building a tower out of staplers)

Mylene and chloe: (ok i know what ur thinking. What?? But chloe starts getting into activism bc she's fixated on bees and mylene shows her the ropes and she softens chloe while chloe teaches mylene how to harden up. They have a makeover but instead of making mylene glamorous, they dress chloe in Proper Protesting Attire. Also they totally do crimes together when the government process to be useless)

Nathaniel and marinette: (i don't think this is that underrated but just!! They're the true weebs of the grade!! They've been watching sailor moon together since they were kids!! They made their own ocs and drew art of them when they were 12!!! They both watch other anime now but they both have a softness 4 magical girl shows and they're still good art friends to this day "look tokyo mew mew just hits the emotional beats better than Tokyo Ghoul-" )

Ivan and kagami : (theyre the big tough people of the group, nobody mess w them, except when theyre alone together and they faun over their crushes and go to festivals and wear cat ears and ask for outfit advice on dates they're just!!! Wingman and wingwoman they are HOMIES!!! They are talking up their friends to the crush, sprinkling in how they're really cool and nice shirt huh (i picked it mwahahaha). kagami loves the drums n respects the skill needed to play them and ivan thinks fencing is just fucking awesome)

Lila and sabrina (the secret understanding and code, a silent agreement, a sisterhood that only comes from 2 people who used to be horse girls. Only they know what its like. They don't talk about it but they don't need to. They can tell. Don't fuck with them. )

#I said what i said #Nino lahiffe #Alix kubdel #Kim le chien #Marinette dupain cheng #Sabrina raincomprix #Chloe bourgeois #mylene haprele #Alya cesaire #Max kante #Kagami tsurugi #ivan bruel #nathaniel kurtzberg #Brotp #Juleka couffaine #adrien agreste #Lila rossi #Miraculous ladybug

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stayndays · 3 years

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𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐮𝐩𝐢𝐝𝐬! - 𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐣𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧

part of my anime!skz series, this story is based off of “Toradora!” and will include spoilers on the plot of the show.

genres & tropes: fluff, minor angst (mostly at the end), high school au, love triangle/square, enemies & neighbors to lovers au, tsundere!jeongin (i guess?), gender neutral reader, reader is misunderstood as a cold person

disclaimers: drowning (but no death), mentions of rumor spreading & outcasting, mentions of anxious feelings/actual anxiety, one or two swear words, i have not proofread this so if the last few episodes seem really wonky that’s why

word count: 11k... we don’t comment on that

summary: “Y/L/N Y/N. Yang Jeongin. Kim “Chuu” Jiwoo. Kim Seungmin. You like Seungmin, Jeongin likes Chuu. You’re best friends with Chuu, Jeongin’s best friends with Seungmin. You don’t like Jeongin, but you know about each other’s crush. It’s time to play a game of Cupid, while being struck with Cupid’s arrow yourself.”

a/n: happy valentines day and belated jeongin day! this is the first story i’ve decided to tackle for my anime!skz series as well, so i get to hit three birds with one stone with this fic. also, i decided to take out a couple elements in the original anime (such as the addition of a character that’s like ami, taiga’s family issues, and some events) just so it’s simpler and totally not because i’m on a time crunch. i hope you enjoy reading this! <3

taglist: @skzwriternet @dayawantstosleep @desertofdessert @mr-jisung @dreamylunarnight (sorry if i forgot you i’m running on 0.2 braincells)

anime!skz masterlist is here!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Episode 1: Collision Course

“Psst, look over there!”

“Huh? What?”

“The fennec fox is about to face off against the dark delinquent!”

You turn to face the two students after overhearing the words “dark delinquent”, making the duo back away in fear. Cursing your parents who gave you these intimidating genes, you heave out a breath out of annoyance, and continue walking down the hallway.

Alas, maybe your appearance is the reason why people never approach you unless it’s absolutely necessary. You still manage to give off this dark atmosphere despite how much you try to change your appearance.

“Don’t worry, Y/N,” your best friend, Chuu, attempts to reassure you. “It’s only the first day of school! You still have an entire school year to prove them wrong.”

You’d be lying if you said you didn’t envy your best friend, who basically embodies the definition of the sun. Always smiling and having a positive attitude regarding the situation, you just so happened to be the exact opposite of her. Boys are constantly crushing on her, she’s one of the most popular girls of your year, but she just so happens to be buddies with you.

“Oh, watch out Y/N!” Distracted by your thoughts, you process Chuu’s warning just a second too late, and collide with a particularly tall boy, somehow smacking your face right into the torso part of his male school uniform. The force manages to knock the both off you to the ground, sending your papers flying all over the place.

Oh, that’s right. That’s what the two girls were talking about. You’ve heard rumors of who this “fennec fox” person is, and how he has a really bad temper when you push his gears. But this guy you just bumped into? A fennec fox?

You guess you can see some resemblance of a fox in his facial structure, but his figure literally towered over you, making you feel like an ant standing next to a tree. The small crowd of passing students trying their absolute least to hold in their giggles make you feel even smaller, your neck growing hot because of how embarrassed you are.

“Watch where you’re going next time!” the boy scolds you, brushing off the paper that landed on top of his head. His voice makes you flinch slightly, and it’s only in that moment that you realize the rumors, so far at least, were true.

“Er, sorry,” you quietly mumble out, scratching the side of your face. He definitely looks pissed, you thought, smoke practically fuming out of the guy’s ears. “Here, I’ll help you gather your stuff.”

“I’ll help you guys out, too!” you hear a familiar voice, and meet the eyes belonging to a face you know all too well.

Kim Seungmin: your secret crush that nobody truly knows about (you’ve tried approaching the topic to Chuu multiple times, only to be interrupted by her other friends). He’s the vice president of your school, a role he’s gained through the student body president herself. The definition of hardworking and kind at the same time, who would you be not to fall for a guy like him?

Your breath gets caught up in your throat as you try to answer him. “Oh- Uh- Thank you, Seungmin.”

“Of course! Wouldn’t hurt to help out my best friend, too,” Seungmin replies.

Best friend?

“Thanks..” the boy simply mumbles in response, and you almost did a double take on what you just heard. Seungmin and this guy... best friends? Before you can dwell on it long enough, however, you’re already being pulled to your feet by Chuu, and your papers are back in your hands.

“Let’s go, Y/N!” Chuu beams with enthusiasm, and you could only afford a small smile in return. “Say, which class are you two in this year?”

“2-A,” the boy answers in a composed manner, the anger he released on you must’ve vanished by now, and you could almost see the pink dust coating his face. “What about you, Chuu?”

You can’t even process the way the guy completely skipped over you to only ask Chuu personally before you blurt out,

“We’re in the same class?!”

Episode 2: A Bold Strategy

Bad news: your love letter is gone.

That bastard fox dude, Jeongin, you learned his name was, must’ve taken it when you bumped into him in the morning. Not that you blame him entirely, because how could you remember to grab your letter in the ocean of textbooks and notebook paper?

Good news: you have his own love letter.

Why good news? Well, that just means he’s in the exact same boat as you, and now you can call yourself even with him. An exchange of love letters, it almost makes your heart calm down for a split second.

Until you read who the letter was addressed to.

There’s no way in hell this guy could get with your best friend. Jeongin, based off of first impressions, is a literal firecracker (who, for some reason, shouts at people he just met), while Chuu is a ball of sunshine. You don’t blame him, though, as almost every male classmate you’ve had has taken some sort of interest in her at some point, and you guess he’s no exception.

Then again, you’re in the same situation as him, crushing on somebody way out of your league.

While Seungmin is a star student, always willing to help people out and socialize, you’re a total outcast who can barely get average grades in school. Seungmin just so happened to be one of two (the other being Chuu) who’s approached you willingly, and that’s why you fell for him. That charming smile of his, and his caring nature. It was all too much for you.

As you thought about it more, flipping Jeongin’s love letter to Chuu between the flesh of your fingers, it’s not a terrible idea to help out Jeongin. He may currently have a 0% chance of getting with Chuu, but if you succeed and play a bit of matchmaking, he could return the favor to you.

You like his best friend, he likes your best friend...

You gently rip open the envelope encasing Jeongin’s letter, and start reading.

Episode 3: The Cupid Game Begins

“Uh, Jeongin-” you tap the boy’s shoulder once, which was conveniently right in front of your desk. He continues to talk to the people around him, which makes you tap his shoulder harder.

Jeongin whips his head around to meet your calm eyes, only turning slightly frightened when you flinch at his sudden movement. “Wha- Ah! What do you want?” He says in an aggravated tone.

“Sorry,” you apologize quickly for making him jump, not wanting to cause another scene like yesterday. “I just need to talk to you about something for a few minutes.”

Jeongin lets out a groan, fixing his position so he can look behind him more comfortably. “What exactly do you want to talk about?”

“Something I’m sure you don’t want your friends to hear,” you respond casually, picking at the skin on your fingers. The boy’s eyes visibly perk up at your reasoning, and finally nods. “Thanks,” you say to him and stand up, pushing in your seat.

“Careful Jeongin!”

“Fight back if they hit you!”

You let out a deep sigh at the comments directed towards you, not even bothering to shoot them a glance in response. It’ll only make the rumors worse, you think as you walk out of the classroom, Jeongin trailing behind your footsteps after closing the door.

The hallway was silent once you stepped out of your class, no longer hearing the chattering of your fellow classmates about the latest gossip and homework. You could only hear your very own footsteps, along with Jeongin’s feet, which were behind you. Once the two of you made your way to the vending machines near the school stairs, you take out the coin you were holding in your hand and insert it into one of the machines.

“Which drink do you want?” you ask the boy without turning to face him, fishing out another coin in your mini wallet.

“The melon one-” Jeongin does a double take, not believing what he heard as he watches you insert another coin into the vending machine. “Wait, why are you buying a drink for me?” He questions your antics, slowly sliding down the wall to sit on the floor.

You stick your hand into the machine to grab Jeongin’s drink, making eye contact with him as you hand it over. “Why not? Is there a reason I should be buying you a drink?”

“Well, I mean,” Jeongin scratches the back of his neck in confusion. “Aren’t you supposed to be... a delinquent?”

You chuckle at his explanation, “Does that mean you’re a fox? Our nicknames in this school are only based off of our appearances, isn’t that funny?” Joining him on the floor, you crack open your own drink. “So no, I’m not a delinquent, and I’ll never be one.”

“That’s not what I’m here to talk about anyways,” you don’t bother to check Jeongin’s facial expressions as you continue, starting to take out his envelope before you’re stopped by him.

“Wait! I have something to give you too,” Jeongin stops your movement, slipping out something from his pocket as well.

“Is this yours?”

You both say at the same time, revealing each other’s envelopes. There’s yours, with a tacky, red heart sticker stamped onto the envelope to seal it. Then there’s Jeongin’s, with only the word “To: Chuu” on the back.

Jeongin quickly snatches his letter from your hand, and quickly throws your own onto your lap. “Uh, thanks for returning it. You didn’t- Give it to Chuu for her to read... right?”

“Of course not.”

“And you didn’t read what’s inside?”

“..You got me there, I’ll admit it,” you chuckle slightly, raising your hands in defeat as your face starts to grow hot. Jeongin hums a bit, surprisingly not even a tad bit angry at your confession.

“Well,” Jeongin leans back against the wall. “I guess we’re even then.”

“What?!” you exclaim in surprise. “I mean- Yeah, cool. Actually, this works out perfectly.”

“Why?”

“I have a proposal for you,” you start. “We both like each other’s best friend, right? So we could be each other’s wingman and try to get with our crush. It’ll just take a bit of cooperation, though.”

Jeongin scoffs, “You made me look like a fool on the first day of school, why should I?”

“Well, besides being the apparent ‘delinquent’ of this school, I’d say I’m quite good at matchmaking thanks to Chuu, a cupid, you could almost say,” you cross your arms in defense. “Then again, since I’ve already read your sappy love letter to Chuu, I could always tell her that-”

“Fine!” Jeongin finally gives in. “I’m in, I’m in. I have absolutely no idea how I could get somebody like Seungmin to like somebody like you, but if you’re able to get me and Chuu into a relationship, I’ll try my best to play cupid. Okay?”

“I’m just going to ignore that comment about me and take it,” you shrug, standing up after checking the clock on the wall. “I’ll give you my address on a piece of paper later, so we could meet up and start planning.”

“Yeah, sure,” Jeongin follows your actions, standing up and tossing his drink into the trash can.

“Remind me to pay you back for the drink, by the way.”

Episode 4: His Angelic Neighbor

“How ironic.”

“How ironic, indeed,” Jeongin agrees with you, the two of you standing at the entrance of Eda Apartments Complex, your backpacks on your back.

The studio apartment complex the both of you just so happen to live in, that is.

Part of you is relieved that you live near Jeongin, so maybe you could get to know him better (not as a friend, of course, but to see if Chuu would actually like him), and of course to work out your cupid plans together. However, the other part of you is confused as to why you’ve never even seen him around your apartment until now.

These thoughts run through your head as Jeongin leads you to his apartment, walking up a lengthy three flights of stairs, as opposed to your usual two.

When he’s about to open the door to his place, Jeongin turns around to face you, key in hand. “Whatever you do, don’t comment about my place.”

“Okay...?” you comply with an incredibly confused tone, but it seems to be enough for Jeongin, as he swings the door open.

Soda cans upon soda cans are messily piled up near a trash can, which was overflowing with paper plates and tissues. His bed, which is in the corner of the room (which, to be fair, it’s a studio apartment, and you have the same bed layout as him), wasn’t even made, and what you could assume to be a dining table had leftover Chinese takeout boxes on it.

When you peered into the sink after reluctantly placing your belongings near the door, it’s almost clogged up with muck and filth, making a shiver run down your spine. Not to mention, when you asked Jeongin if you could have a drink from the fridge, all your eyes could see were frozen meals & rows of soda and juice. How long has Jeongin been living this way?

“Uhm, hate to mention this to you,” you close the fridge gently after grabbing a can of soda. “but your place is really-”

“What did I say to you before I opened the door?” Jeongin fires back before you could finish.

You stay silent.

“Exactly. Now can we please start talking about our ‘Cupid Plans’ as you like to refer to it?” Jeongin raises an eyebrow at you, taking out the items in his backpack.

“It’s a cute name, okay?” you respond, making your way to the table as Jeongin pushes the takeout boxes to the side. “And we’ll be studying too, we have a quiz tomorrow, remember?”

“I’ll rather do the studying later,” Jeongin. “So what does Chuu like?”

“Hmm...” it takes you a moment to think about what your best friend likes when it comes to love, which is a bit strange, because you’d think you’d know what Chuu likes after watching people confess to her after all these years. “I think she’d prefer something planned? Even extravagant, if you really push it. She likes plushies and small gifts.”

“What about Seungmin?” you ask Jeongin.

It also takes Jeongin a second to come up with an answer. “He’s always been into nerdy, yet bubbly people, I guess? Since you’re so antisocial, though, he probably won’t like somebody like you right now.”

“Wow, thanks.”

“I’m only trying to help!”

The conversation shifts slightly, and to your surprise, flows well despite your polar opposite personality. You and Jeongin discuss possible ideas as to how both of you could help each other out while studying for your upcoming quiz.

“And for equation 17, would it be-” you lift your head up from your math textbook, only to see Jeongin using his arm as a pillow and sleeping on his own book. You blink a couple times in disbelief, but remember that you’ve been over at his house for a little over three hours at this point. Shrugging, you gently close your textbook and decide to call it a day at Jeongin’s place.

But then you go back to your senses and remember how filthy of an apartment you’ve been at this entire time. The more you look at your surroundings, the more you desire to clean up the place.

A neat freak, that’s what everybody calls you. It’s what your mom taught you all throughout your childhood, and it’s a trait you’ve kept until now.

Your mind goes into autopilot mode as you start moving around his place left and right. Somehow, you were able to find a box of plastic gloves stored in the back of the sink cabinet, so you put a pair on and start cleaning. Tying up garbage bags and cleaning out the sink, you also make the effort to place the leftover Chinese food into the fridge after checking if it’s spoiled or not. Most people would stare at you in confusion, but you shake your head at the thought, only hoping that Jeongin would at least appreciate your efforts.

By the end of your cleaning session, you could now call the studio apartment an apartment, and not some kind of swamp. Pleased at your work, you take out one of your notebooks and rip out a piece of paper, grabbing a pencil along the way. You write a quick note for Jeongin to read when he wakes up:

“Cleaned up your place while you were asleep, I could also cook for you and teach you how to cook? (Chuu likes food) text me: xxx-xxx-xxxx”

Swinging your backpack onto your pack, you leave his apartment and make your way to your own.

Later that night, your phone dings with a message from an unknown number.

[Unknown: i’m so tired of frozen meals and takeout, please cook for me (and teach me how)]

Episode 5: However

“Here’s your lunch, Yang,” you pass your spare lunchbox to the seat in front of you, which Jeongin takes gratefully. Chuu, who was making her way over to the seat next to you, catches sight of your interaction with Jeongin.

“Y/N’s food is good, isn’t it Jeongin?” Chuu strikes up a conversation right away, leaving Jeongin flustered, and most likely burning hot.

“Y-Yeah, it is.”

“Say, you two have been talking a lot lately,” Chuu starts talking as you tilt your head up to take a sip of your drink. “Have you two been, or should I say, has Y/N finally gotten a-”

You choke on your drink, almost spitting it all over Jeongin’s back before catching yourself. Jeongin has almost the same reaction as you, only choking on the food you prepared for him instead. It had only been two weeks of school; two weeks of talking to Jeongin solely about each other’s crush, and yet Chuu believes that you two have something going on.

“Absolutely not, Chuu.”

“Yeah, no way.”

You exchange a glare with Jeongin, almost in a panicked manner. If Chuu believes that you two are dating, that would practically be the end of your chances to be with Seungmin, same going for Jeongin with Chuu.

“Alrighty then, I trust you two,” Chuu leans back in the chair she’s sitting on, before promptly getting up and making her way to the door of the classroom. “I’m gonna use the bathroom.”

As soon as she closes the door, Jeongin immediately leans over to your desk, ignoring his bento box. “We have to do something about what Chuu said.”

“Duh, there’s no way we could let her think that about us,” you agree with him. “What are some solutions? We could try to be more distant with each other, which honestly I don’t think either of us would mind too much. I could simply tell Chuu that we aren’t even close friends, or-”

“You need to confess to Seungmin,” Jeongin bluntly tells you, catching you off guard.

“What- why would I do that?!” you almost yell at the boy in front of his face. His plan is all kinds of crazy, you would’ve never thought of it yourself.

“You’ve known Seungmin longer than I’ve known Chuu, so you have a lower risk of being rejected. And if you actually end up dating Seungmin, then Chuu would know that us two aren’t a couple,” Jeongin crosses his arms over his chest. “It’s a win-win situation.”

You scoff, “And if I get rejected?”

“I’ll like- I don’t know, buy you ice cream?” Jeongin attempts to persuade you, to which you sigh as a response.

“I guess I’ll trust you on this.”

The day passes by without a hitch, to your utter shock, as the churning in your stomach says otherwise. The thought of impulsively confessing to your long time crush makes you feel lightheaded and dizzy, as it was something you’ve never done before. However, your stubbornness is refusing you to back down from Jeongin’s wild plan, so here you are, face to face with Seungmin at the roof of the school.

“Erm- So-”

“The weather is pretty nice today, isn’t it Y/N?” Seungmin casually breaks the ice wall between you two.

The sudden question catches you off guard. “Ah, yes.. yes it is...” Already, you could feel the heat rising up your body, even when the weather today was particularly cloudy. “Uhm, I brought you here to tell you something, Seungmin.”

“Oh, what is it?” Seungmin seems surprised at your statement, but the voice in your head tells you otherwise. He’s smart enough to look through people, you know that already, so why are you trying to hide your feelings when you’re already this far?

It’s time to take a leap of faith, you think, as you take in a large breath before telling him everything. “Uh, you see.. I’ve always appreciated you ever since you approached me that one day. Nobody’s ever done that for me except for you and Chuu, and because of that I think you’re a.. great person... What- What I’m trying to say here is-”

“I like you, Seungmin.”

You tilt your head downwards, almost in shame as you play with your fingers anxiously. Letting out a shaky exhale, you can’t believe that you just confessed all of those things to your own crush. Your heart beating a thousand miles a second, it felt like you were about to explode from either embarrassment or anticipation; quite possibly even both at the same time.

“You, know, Y/N..” Seungmin starts to chuckle, grabbing onto his left wrist with his right hand.

“I used to like you.”

That made you look back up at him in shock, blinking a couple times out of disbelief. “Really?!”

Seungmin simply hums, confirming what he just stated. “That’s why I approached you in the first place. There was something about you that drew me into talking to you. And of course, you didn’t disappoint me,” he flashes you a comforting smile, but it soon goes away at his next word.

“However...”

Seungmin leaves you hanging after that one word: however. His mouth opens and closes, most likely trying to come up with the right words to say. You wobble your feet back and forth, becoming more and more impatient.

But then, he says something. A simple, ten word sentence. Not a compound nor a complex sentence. Easy for a little kid to understand.

“I hope we can be good friends in the future.”

And yet it cracks your heart.

In a blink of an eye, Seungmin has disappeared from your view. An unexpected wind blows through your body, almost feeling like a comforting pat on the back after being rejected; friend-zoned.

You make your way to the front of the school, dragging your feet in a lazy manner. Jeongin’s head perks up when he nears footsteps, only to gaze down at your slumped figure. Letting out a deep exhale, you give Jeongin a glare that could cut him in half; one of disappointment and exhaustion.

“You owe me ice cream.”

The ice cream place is about two blocks away from your apartment complex, decorated in obnoxious pastel colors that make your eyes squint. Jeongin is relatively quiet throughout your walk there, only offering to carry your backpack if it’s too heavy for you, to which you declined quietly. You can feel the burn of his eyes on top of your head, anticipating for you to let out a scream in anger, but you’re simply not that kind of person.

You remain deep in thought even when you sit down, grabbing a menu to cover your face. Jeongin’s eyes remain on your figure, and you wonder if he’s actually, genuinely, worried for you.

“Er, what do you want to order?” Jeongin asks you in an attempt to break the tension. “I’ll pay, since you seem a bit heartbroken right now-”

“Hi, welcome 901 Freeze Treats Parlor-” you look up from the menu at the sound of a familiar, cheery voice.

You forgot Chuu works here.

And you forgot to tell Jeongin that information.

“Oh, Y/N! And Jeongin, hi guys,” Chuu flashes a grin at the both of you, and you can’t help but smile and almost giggle at how Jeongin grows beetroot red. She’s sporting a pair of pigtails in her hair, and the striped uniform topped with a cute hat on top. “What can I get you guys?” “I’ll- I’ll get the banana split Chuu!” Jeongin exclaims a bit too loud, attracting the rest of the customers at the parlor. Chuu, although a bit confused, seems to enjoy Jeongin’s enthusiasm for ice cream and writes down the order.

You set down the menu and point to what you want with a hum, to which Chuu bends forward slightly in order to see what you want. “You always order that, Y/N! Don’t you want to try something else?”

“I’m good, Chuu, thanks,” you give her a gentle smile, praying that she won’t comment about how tired and defeated you look. Fortunately for you, she leaves you alone, and you’re left back with just Jeongin.

“How have my letters been doing?” Jeongin blurts out before he could stop himself, covering his mouth with one of his hands soon after. “I- I mean, I shouldn’t.. really ask when you’re sad.. but I mean I might as well ask you since we just talked to her, right? Sorry-”

“They’re doing good, she likes them a lot,” you reply softly to the frantic boy, and he lets out a sigh of relief at your answer. You’ve spent the past few weeks helping Jeongin write love letters to Chuu, even decorating them with cute stickers. For once, your writing skills can come into play, and you haven’t let Jeongin down yet. “And it’s okay, my head is just in the clouds. At least he let me down gently.”

“What exactly did he say?” Jeongin eggs you on, wanting you to elaborate further.

“Something along the lines of us being good friends in the future,” you explain to him. “He even said that he used to like me, but I don’t know-”

“Then you still have a chance, right?” Jeongin doesn’t wait for you to finish your sentence before jumping in. “He left the door wide open for you to walk into, or- something like that at least. And, now thinking about it, I actually do think he used to like you.”

You roll your eyes, “You’re only saying that to make me feel better about this.”

“No, really! He mentioned that he liked somebody quiet and mysterious, and that he was gravitated towards that person. He told me that he would approach that person someday. It must’ve been you! I’ve known Seungmin for years, and this is one of two times he’s told me about his crushes,” Jeongin carries on with his own explanation. “So, in conclusion, I still believe it’s possible to win over his heart.”

Your lips press into a thin line, “You sure? Like, you’re absolutely positive about this?”

Jeongin nods, and for the first time since you’ve met him, he sends you a genuinely positive smile. It’s not like the annoyed snarks or the cheeky smirks he gives you all the time, but rather, something you could find comfort in. Just like Seungmin’s smile.

“Okay then, I’ll trust you.”

Episode 6: Swimming Lessons

“Did you guys hear that the school’s swimming pool is opening next week?” A masculine voice you know all too well, yet you wish you didn’t at the same time, is heard from behind your back. Seungmin locks eyes with you as he tosses an arm around Jeongin’s shoulder while you continue walking down the hallway.

It’s all too weird in your opinion that Seungmin is actually even friendlier after rejecting you. Because, shouldn’t the two of you be distant for at least a week or two? You guess that’s just not how Seungmin operates, then, as he dove right back into talking with you after that dreadful day on the school rooftop.

“Yeah, Seung!” Jeongin answers with a joyful tone, giving you the chance to break your eye contact with Seungmin. You, on the other hand, were not a swimmer whatsoever.

Being submerged into a body of water to the point where your toes can’t reach the ground has never been ideal for you. Any kind of physical action required to even survive in the water is off putting in your option, so you’ve always stuck to dipping your feet into the water and nothing else.

But you guess that changes starting today.

“You know Seungmin,” Jeongin starts to say, “Y/N is actually a pretty good swimmer! I think they could even beat you in a swimming race.”

Your head jumps up in surprise, eyes widening when Jeongin turns to you. He mumbles the words “trust me” before going back to Seungmin. How many times will you have to trust Jeongin and his crazy schemes?

“Oh, really?”

Jeongin hums in confirmation, ignoring the side nudges coming from you.

“Then we should race once the pool opens, Y/N!” Seungmin suggests with visible excitement beaming from his face.

Your gut immediately tells you to deny, but then you have to consider Jeongin’s “trust me.” He seems fairly confident that everything would work out, so is the risk worth the possible reward?

“Oh- Uhm... Sure! Sure, let’s.. let’s race, yeah,” you manage to let out before you could change your mind. “Just give me time to prepare, I, uh, haven’t swam in a while.”

“Of course!” Seungmin grins. “Let’s do it in two weeks, okay?

All you could respond with is a nod, which Seungmin takes without anymore questions. He bids the both of you well, and makes a left to the student council room.

You feel like a puddle of mush, waiting to collapse onto the tile floor of the school hallway. “I. Hate. You,” you scowl harshly at Jeongin.

“What?” Jeongin is caught off guard at your sudden hostility. “You never mentioned that you were afraid of the pool, and I don’t think it’s that bad of an idea. This is your chance to impress Seungmin!”

You scratch your head in confusion and denial. “Isn’t this a bit much, though? And who’s going to teach me how to swim?”

“You could always get me back with any ridiculous idea on how to get Chuu to like me,” Jeongin suggests to you. “And I’ll teach you, I’m a decent swimmer.”

“Sure, sure. Thanks for the idea, by the way,” you comment with a smirk, watching as Jeongin’s expression turns into one of regret.

“Now, teach me how to swim.”

An entire two weeks pass, and with those two weeks, comes the opening of the school pool. Although the vast majority of your classmates are genuinely excited to get a chance to cool down in the recent, scorching weather, you’re visibly less enthusiastic about it. You still try to keep a smile on your face with Seungmin is around though, so he doesn’t see through the lie Jeongin spontaneously made up.

“Y/N!” Chuu approaches you after exiting the changing room near the pool; you’ve already changed prior to her. “Your race with Seungmin is today, right? I see you’re all decked out in floaties.”

“Yeah, I’m just, uh- using them for safety purposes.” you give her a short and sweet response due to the churning in your stomach after being reminded of the event happening today. It’s a shame that your entire class knows what’s going down in just a few minutes, because they’re all anticipating your match with Seungmin. “The Delinquent vs The Student Pet” is what they’ve dubbed the match.

Also, Seungmin was generous enough to add onto the rules that floats were allowed to be used. So now you have floats all around your figure: some attached onto you, some you have to hold.

“Hey Y/N-” Jeongin stops walking towards you after noticing Chuu, her hair in a braid and only wearing a casual swimsuit. “Oh- Hi Chuu!”

Chuu acknowledges Jeongin’s presence, but quickly turns back to you. “I hope you win the race, Y/N. I have faith that you could do it!”

“Y-Yeah Y/N! We didn’t train all for nothing,” Jeongin adds onto Chuu’s comment. Thankfully, although Chuu doesn’t even know that you couldn’t swim prior to now, she doesn’t question Jeongin’s extra addition of training. “Let’s head over to the start of the pool? Seungmin’s already there, I’m just here to fetch Y/N.”

“Okay! I’m referee as well, so I have to be there too,” Chuu claims, and the three

Seungmin turns around from a group of boys to greet you, “Hey, Y/N! Ready for our match?

“H-Hey Seungmin,” you greet him with a friendly, yet shy tone, along with a nod.

“Okay!” Chuu gathers everybody’s attention with just the sound of her voice. “We’re here today to watch the race of Y/N vs Seungmin. On the count of three, I’ll blow my whistle and they’ll start swimming. You must go to the end of the pool, and right back to where we are right now. Ready?”

“3...”

“Also, just to calm your nerves a bit,” Seungmin whispers to just you right before the race begins.

“2...”

“I already know that you didn’t know how to swim before this. It’s okay if you fail, I’ll make sure nobody makes fun of you. Just stay safe, okay?”

“1...”

Your breath hitches for a split second, but before you can fully process what Seungmin just confessed to you, the whistle blows.

Seungmin dives into the water head first, while you jump in measly with your feet touching the water before the rest of your body. By the time you’re able to start kicking your legs, Seungmin is already ahead of you, so you push against the wall using your feet and start doggy paddling. It’s quite pathetic, and you’re sure that’s what everybody is thinking as they watch you swim, but it doesn’t matter at this point.

Or does it?

Because while you’re swimming across the pool, your brain just had to remind yourself about what Seungmin said seconds before the race started. He already knew you couldn’t swim, so it’s not really about impressing him anymore.

Then again, it’s not necessarily about winning, but about showing Seungmin that you’re dedicated enough to try new things to have fun with him.

That’s why it matters now.

However, it feels like you’re sinking.

Throughout the race, you’ve lost float after float, and now you only have the two floats that wrap around your arms. The water is slowly starting to touch your lips, and falling into a standing position, making your situation even worse. Your heart pounds faster and faster in a panicked frenzy, struggling to comprehend what to do.

Thankfully, cupid comes to rescue you.

He jumps into the pool like a lifeguard, placing his hands near your armpits before pulling you out of the water with a surprising amount of strength. Despite the midst of chaos you were put in, you’re able to hear cheers and applauds, signaling that Seungmin must’ve finished the race. Once again, you’re left to vanish, with the only other misunderstood student to help you.

You feel the surface of the concrete outside of the pool on your bottom as you cough out water. Yet, Jeongin is nowhere in your sight.

That’s when you realized. He’s submerged under the water.

You assume that he must’ve lost energy while saving you, resulting in the two of you swapping places. Eyes widening at the sight, you sprint across the flooring of the pool site, screaming your lungs out for somebody to help.

“Shit!” you curse yourself when you finally get the an adult’s attention after being unable to get a classmate to help you. All of your classmates ended up next to Seungmin, aka, the opposite end of where you stopped swimming. It’s only when the teacher pulls Jeongin’s unconscious body out of the water for it to lay down that it grabs everybody’s attention, swarming to see what was happening.

That’s when you snap.

“I’m disappointed in all of you right now!” you scold all of your classmates, something you’d never think you’d get the courage to do until now. “All of you were focused on that stupid race, but you never bothered to check on Jeongin. He could’ve died because of your ignorance! I hope you all know that.”

After leaving your classmates’ mouths agape, you storm out of the crowd, and make your way to the changing room. Nobody, not even Chuu or Seungmin, bothers to approach you.

Later that day, after some of your classmates apologized for not noticing what was happening, you, and a now in-stable-condition Jeongin, walk home after an exhausting day. Not many words are said, just like your regular walks after each school day, until Jeongin turns to you.

“Uhm, I just wanna say..” Jeongin starts to speak,. “Thanks for defending me earlier after I drowned.”

You blink in surprise, “Wait, you heard all of that?”

“Yeah, I was already conscious for a few seconds before you started going off on them. But thank you, seriously. I appreciate it after being misunderstood by our classmates for all these years,” Jeongin sighs, and then gives you another one of his kind smiles.

“Of course...” your mouth forms a thin line after you mumble out those two words.

Why is your heart fluttering like Jeongin’s pair of cupid wings?

Episode 7: All For Your Happiness

“Hey Chuu, listen to this!” you hold your phone right next to Chuu’s ear, which was playing the sounds you’d find at a haunted mansion. She yelps once she realizes what she’s listening to, and pushes your phone away with her palm, making everybody laugh.

Never in a million years would you find yourself sitting on a train with Chuu, Jeongin, and Seungmin all at once. The four of you were on your way to Chuu’s beach house, a place you’ve been to before during every summer break prior to this one, but it was always just the two of you. Now, however, you have your very own crush tagging along, plus his own best friend (and you don’t exactly know what you should call him anymore... Friend? Good Friend? Partner in Crime? Cupid Partner?).

And you and Jeongin have a plan. One time, for once, you came up with, and you believe that it’s less traumatizing than nearly drowning in a pool.

It just so turns out that Jeongin is a horror movie enthusiast, so he slipped multiple DVD sets of horror movie classics into his suitcase to do a watching marathon at the beach house. It also turns out that Chuu is terrified of anything that could scare her, like jump scares. So, the plan is for Jeongin to become Chuu’s knight in shining armor for whenever she gets scared during this trip.

“Why are you making me listen to all of these things?” Chuu whines with a pout. To be fair, you’ve been making her listen to these chilling noises for the entire train ride, to the point where you’re almost at your stop.

“It’s kind of funny to watch your reactions, that’s all,” you semi lie, because while it is a bit hilarious to see Chuu’s dramatic reactions, you’re waiting for the moment for Jeongin to strike.

And it’s at that moment when Jeongin finally speaks up, “Er- Chuu! If you ever get scared during this trip, come to me and I’ll-”

You mouth the word “protect” to Jeongin once he stops speaking.

“Uh- protect you!” Jeongin finishes after looking at you.

“Oh okay!” Chuu gives Jeongin a heartfelt grin. “I’ll make sure to go to you then, thanks!”

Jeongin nods eagerly, something Seungmin chuckles at, and you lean back in your seat at ease. If you’re able to successfully help Jeongin be Chuu’s knight during this trip, you’re certain that Chuu will at least take some interest at Jeongin.

The train reaches your destination swiftly after Jeongin’s interaction with Chuu, and after a quick bus ride and a trek to the beach, you’ve finally reached Chuu’s family beach house.

“Wow, this is awesome Chuu!” Seungmin shouts gleefully as he looks at the house. The house is relatively small and gives off a modern feel, but it’s fortunately enough to fit four people in.

Chuu smiles at the compliment, “Thank you! My family is fortunate enough to own a place like this for the summer. But since my parents are always overseas when summer rolls around, this place turns into a paradise for Y/N and I!”

“Anyways,” Chuu continues. “We should probably clean up the house since it hasn’t been used since last year, but I say we go play on the beach first!”

While Seungmin and Jeongin nod their heads eagerly, a lightbulb is turned on in your head.

“Actually,” you speak up. “I’ll go on ahead and clean up the house first. It’s probably messy inside, and you guys know how much of a ‘neat freak’ I am.”

Jeongin seems to catch onto your idea, his eyebrows rising, “Oh, then I’ll clean up with Y/N too!”

“But you seem really excited for the beach Jeongin,” Seungmin questions, but Jeongin waves it off.

“It’s okay! You two can go play first,” Jeongin insists, and the other two don’t ask anymore questions, heading towards the ocean. “You really are a smart person, aren’t you Y/N?”

There it is; that fluttering in your heart again, but why now? “Well, you’re smart for catching on. Let’s go place scary traps all over the house?”

“Heck yeah.”

After some time cleaning up the house (and making what would be Seungmin and Jeongin’s room especially clean) and placing various objects around the rooms to create a horror effect, the two of you had finally joined the others at the beach. It was then that the “Scare Chuu Montage” officially began.

During your time at the beach, you attempted to kick some seaweed at Chuu’s legs to make her jump, but the ocean water never agreed to your intentions and spared her. That night, Chuu walked into the dark bathroom only to meet eyes with a reflection in the mirror. But when Jeongin came rushing over, Chuu had already turned on the light and saw the makeshift face you created on the mirror using face cream and cotton balls.

The second day, Chuu woke up to the sound of being a woman screaming her head off, making her jump out of her bed in alert. It was simply a sound you found on the internet, but at least it woke up her up. The day was spent shopping at the nearby mall, so you couldn’t do very much to scare Chuu other than to hide at various nooks and crannies. You also ordered for Jeongin to stay by Chuu’s side at all times, but he didn’t do very much other than attempt to hold her hand (which was a very poor attempt, so of course, he failed). At least you and Seungmin talked individually while getting some ice cream, and to your utter surprise, it wasn’t that awkward.

The third day, you finally got Seungmin on board with your plans. Although a bit skeptical at first, you insisted that it would be a fun and harmless prank, and counteracted him by saying he laughed when Chuu got scared during the train ride. With Seungmin teaming up with you and Jeongin (without knowing your real intentions with the pranks), the horror movie marathon started despite Chuu’s pleads (to ensure that Chuu didn’t find any other movie disks around the place, you hid them all on the first day in a location she’d never look).

With Jeongin and Chuu on the couch and you and Seungmin on the floor, you don’t think it’s possible for the two to still be away from each other after this marathon ends. The first movie starts off generally slow pacing, but it’s enough for Chuu to mutter out pleas of worry for the characters. Jeongin quietly laughs at her antics, telling her once more that he’s there if she needs to be comforted, and you give Jeongin a mental high five.

By the end of the night, the two were cuddling, Chuu’s face looking especially scarred, while you and Seungmin finished the massive bowl of popcorn. When the lights finally came on, Chuu and Jeongin finally realized the position they were both in, and quickly scurried away from each other to your amusement.

The fourth morning came shortly afterwards, and with that morning came the end of your trip at the beach house. Although it was spent mostly with your attempts at scaring your very own best friend, you still had fun yourself, and even spent some time with your crush.

And it seemed like your efforts finally paid off, because Chuu wanted to talk with Jeongin privately.

After Jeongin shoots a glance at you while walking off to a private room of the house with Chuu, you quickly shuffle your feet over when Chuu’s not looking, placing your back against the wall. You hear footsteps inside the room before they suddenly stop, and then hushed whispers are all you could hear.

But then, Jeongin’s voice increases in volume.

“You.. You knew that we were pranking you?”

Your next breath gets caught up in your throat once you realize what exactly that meant.

You failed?

Chuu hums, “I did, but I didn’t bother to tell you because it looked like you and Y/N were having so much fun. Actually, I was only guessing that you were pranking me this entire time, until Seungmin came and confirmed it with me.”

“Seungmin?!”

“Yeah, Seungmin! I guess he played you guys,” Chuu laughs. “At least you had fun on this trip! I actually did, too, because I love scary stuff. I’m not afraid of it at all.”

“Oh...”

“Hey, cheer up! You made me happy, and you’re happy too, isn’t that what matters?” Chuu reassures Jeongin. “Anyways, we should continue packing. I just wanted to get that off of my chest.”

You hear more footsteps, and then something that sounds like a cushioned thud.

“Thank you, Jeongin.”

You must’ve heard Jeongin squeak, because he has to clear his throat before answering. “S-Sure, Chuu. Yeah, of course!” Jeongin says the last few words more confidently as Chuu giggles.

That’s when you rushed into the nearest bathroom moments after the door swings open. The shuffling of footsteps is heard again, until they stop once more, and then somebody knocks on the door.

“I know you’re there, Y/N,” Jeongin claims, and that’s your signal to open the door.

“Yeah, but that’s not what matters here!” Jeongin’s eyes are wide open as he lets out wheeze after wheeze. “I- No- We made her happy, Y/N! She really enjoyed these past couple of days! And, and! She gave me a hug, Y/N!! I don’t think I’ll ever get over this, seriously. I’m falling for her more and more.”

It’s the first time that you’ve seen Jeongin as giddy as this, in the several months you’ve known him. Is this what love does to people? Is it supposed to make their heart burst like what you’re seeing right now?

Because, if so, why don’t you feel like that for Seungmin anymore?

Note to self: Jeongin, out of all people, loves hugs.

Episode 8: And He’s Gone

Seungmin has been acting.. rather odd lately.

To be fair, the school festival had just ended, plus the student council election was about to occur, so you’d reckon he must be exhausted as vice president of the council. Perhaps he must be busy thinking of ways to campaign (not that he needs to, everybody agrees that he’s the best person to become the next president) or maybe he’s just getting a good rest.

But that’s not what Jeongin claims.

[Jeongin: he doesn’t want to run for president]

[You: really?!]

[Jeongin: yeah, but he won’t even tell me the reason]

[You: ahhh what do we do now T-T]

[You: on one hand we should respect his decision]

[You: but on the other, the school will crumble without him]

[Jeongin: idk y/n]

[Jeongin: i could try to explain to him why he should run or at least try to get his reasoning]

[You: yeah you should do that]

[Jeongin: cya]

You drop your phone down onto your chest, sighing heavily. Rolling over on your bed to face the window, you ponder as to why Seungmin would make such an impulsive decision like that. He was always so passionate about being a member of the student council, so why is he backing away from it now?

“Bad news: I wasn’t able to get any info from Seungmin,” Jeongin confesses as the two of you walk to school for another day. “Good news: I have a plan in case Seungmin truly doesn’t want to run for president!”

“It seems like all of your plans are either dumb, crazy, or both,” you retort back at him. “But shoot.”

“One of us runs for president!”

“Don’t shoot, nevermind.”

“No no no, you have to listen to me for this,” Jeongin attempts to persuade you. “Because after you hear my explanation, you’ll probably think it’s a good idea.”

You stay silent.

Jeongin continues though, “So, if one of us runs for president, and campaigns really bad, we’re talking ‘I’m going to give everybody six ounces of homework when I become president’ bad, then Seungmin would want to jump in to save the school!”

“Why don’t we make somebody else do it? Like- Chuu for example!” you insist, but Jeongin’s not having any of it.

“Chuu’s too popular, she might actually win. So it has to be one of us.”

“Then you do it because it’s your idea.”

“Nope.”

You sigh in defeat, “Rock paper scissors?” Jeongin nods, and gets his hands out. You’re quite confident that you’ll win, as you’re somehow incredibly good at rock papers scissors. Jeongin seems like the type of person to throw out scissors as a first move, and since this isn’t a best out of three game, you have to take your shot.

“Rock, paper, scissors, shoot!”

Your rock is meant with his paper as Jeongin chuckles, covering your fist with his hand.

“Looks like you’re running for president!” Jeongin beams at you.

It’s now a week after your rock paper scissor match with Jeongin, the reason you’re even here in the first place. Next to you is a set of speakers, and in your hand is a megaphone. Taking a deep breath, and taking the time to glance at the boy behind you, you put the megaphone next to your mouth.

“Listen up you morons!” you shout at the confused crowd of students beneath your feet, trying to ignore the burning of your face. “I, Y/L/N Y/N, am running for president! So unless any of you cowards decide to run as well, I’ll be your new president! Get used to it!”

“Y/N’s running?”

“Out of all people?”

“Gosh, why isn’t Seungmin here when we need him?”

You continue on with your speech, going on and on about how you’re basically going to rip this school into shreds. You start to worry that you’ll be doing this until the school bell rings for first period, starting to question how much courage you have left to not collapse out of embarrassment, until he finally shows up.

“Excuse me! Sorry, I need to get through!”

“Why are you doing this, Y/N? And why are you helping them Jeongin?! This isn’t like you guys,” Seungmin demands with a worried expression on his face.

You and Jeongin look at each other, before you decide to answer. “We’re doing this because you weren’t running for president for some dumb reason. This school needs you, Seungmin!”

Seungmin’s mouth forms on “o” shape as he realizes your intentions, his eyes sparkling in the sunlight.

He chuckles, “You really are something, aren’t you Y/N?” Seungmin’s expression softens when he meets your eyes, showing gratitude. He gently takes the megaphone from your hands, and clears his throat.

“My name is Kim Seungmin, and I will be your next student council president!”

An uproar of cheers follow his announcement, and you let out a laugh of relief. Now you could bail out of the election, leaving Seungmin as the only person the school could vote for as president. It’s a win win situation.

Until the election ceremony rolls around.

All of the students are packed into the gymnasium, each class standing in rows. On the stage you could see the current student council members, along with Seungmin, and your heart races for him.

He’s called up to the front of the stage after being announced as the school’s new president, and a thunder of applause booms through the gym. Seungmin stands in front of the microphone.

“I’m Kim Seungmin, I’m your new president, and... and-”

“I am in love with our former president, Park Jihyo!”

He’s in love... with Jihyo?

Jeongin immediately turns to look at you, his mouth agape just like yours. The rest of the audience starts murmuring to each other in disbelief. Seungmin, out of all people, pulling a stunt like this?

Oddly enough though, you don’t feel the same heartburn that you felt the first time you were rejected. It’s almost as if... you’re okay with this.

“You’re the reason why I’m standing here today; because you gave me a purpose at this school! And I know that you’re leaving to study abroad right after I take your role of president, so that’s why I’m shooting my shot today!” Seungmin explains loudly to the microphone, right in front of Jihyo, who’s standing there with an unamused look on her face. “Do I have any chance to be with you? Any chance whatsoever?!”

By the end of his speech, Seungmin is out of breath from shouting so much, and Jihyo seems to be stunned. She quickly shakes her head to clear out her mind, though, and takes the nearest microphone into her hands.

“And here, ladies and gentlemen, is your new student body president,” Jihyo calmly announces to everybody, not even acknowledging Seungmin’s confession at first.

“I taught him how to be a good leader, and that’s how he ended up on this stage today. I have absolutely no doubt that Seungmin will do an incredible job as body president. I care for him quite deeply, and I hope you will help him succeed at his duties of being president.”

“Please look after my good friend, Kim Seungmin, while I’m gone. Thank you.”

Rejection: unrequited love, but confirmed. To some, it may feel like a glass filled to the brim with water suddenly shattering onto the floor. To others, it’s a gentle, yet brutal, falling of a feather, easing its way to the ground.

While Jeongin thinks that two hearts were broken in that gymnasium, only one truly was.

And it wasn’t yours.

“So you’re saying you’re over Seungmin at this point?” Jeongin’s voice goes higher in pitch when he asks you. “Did I shoot my cupid’s arrow at the wrong person or something?”

You walk in silence for a few moments, letting the both of you ponder for a bit. How do you answer that question without obviously revealing who you truly like?

“Yah,” you ultimately avoid the question. “You never paid me back for that peach drink I bought for you.

Episode 9: Shot an Arrow at Each Other

[Chuu: i think i like him]

[You: who?]

[Chuu: jeongin]

You suck in an unexpected breath, and it’s almost as if your heart stops. Valentines Day is tomorrow, so it’s no wonder that Chuu’s coming to you for love advice. When you don’t reply, Chuu keeps sending texts.

[Chuu: i think i might confess to him on valentines]

[Chuu: and i have suspicion that he’s the one who’s been sending me love letters, but im not too sure]

You gulp, turning over onto your side and tucking yourself further into the sheets of your bed.

[You: then go for it!]

[Chuu: i would but]

[Chuu: i feel like somebody else would be happier with him]

[You: care to elaborate?]

[Chuu: i know there’s somebody else out there who could treat him better than me]

Does Chuu know? Are you that obvious?

[Chuu: y/n]

[Chuu: you have a special connection with jeongin]

[Chuu: you like him, don’t you? ^_^]

That damn emojicon. You could imagine that if this conversation were to happen in person, she would smile at your real big before dropping the bomb.

And you wouldn’t know how to respond. Because she’s right.

This wasn’t supposed to happen. Jeongin wasn’t supposed to be nice to you. Jeongin wasn’t supposed to save you from drowning. Jeongin wasn’t supposed to encourage you to confess to Seungmin when you still liked him, and he wasn’t supposed to buy you ice cream

But at the same time, you weren’t supposed to buy him a drink. You weren’t supposed to clean his apartment. You weren’t supposed to cook him meals willingly. You weren’t supposed to help him that much during summer break.

The two of you were supposed to just be each other’s cupid, but because you weren’t, you’ve fallen for him.

[You: but jeongin likes you]

No, you refuse. You refuse to let your emotions get in the way of Jeongin’s and Chuu’s happy ending. You refuse to let your emotions get in the way of what you and Jeongin have been striving for this entire school year. You’re better than that, stronger than that.

But why does it hurt so much?

The next day, Valentines Day, comes faster than you would’ve liked. Normally, this would be your favorite day of the year, because you liked seeing other people happy despite you being alone yourself. The outcasting you’ve put up with for the majority of your school life doesn’t bother you on this day surprisingly, as it’s always fun to see Chuu’s desk swamped with candies and anonymous letters.

It’s fun watching other people be happy.

This year, however, you’re left with a stain in your heart that you’re constantly reminded of throughout the day. Jeongin raves on about how he’s thinking about confessing to Chuu, yet you don’t have the heart or the energy to tell him that Chuu is thinking of the same thing. Then again, it’s better not to get in the way of love, right?

Chuu hasn’t spoken to you much ever since she read your final message to her last night. You don’t blame her, really, but she should do what’s best for her, not what’s best for you.

And Seungmin, to your utter shock, has been pretty chill this Valentines Day, not making a fuss over being rejected by Jihyo. Jihyo has already been abroad for several months at this point, so it’s given time for Seungmin to heal.

You make it through the day without too much distracting you, other than those thoughts buzzing in your head. The bell rings, signaling the end of the draining school day, but Chuu grabs onto your wrist and drags you into an empty classroom.

Your stomach starts churning once more when you see Jeongin and Seungmin in the room. Flinching when Chuu slams the door close a little too hard, you watch as she walks to the center of the room.

“Seungmin, you’re only here if I need backup, okay?” Chuu eases down Seungmin’s nerves, to which he responds with a nod.

“So,” Chuu takes a deep breath. “Don’t you have something to say to me, Y/N and Jeongin?”

You’re caught off guard by the sudden question. “What- What do you mean?”

Chuu only laughs, “You and Jeongin teamed up to make sure I fall in love with Jeongin this year, right?”

You and Jeongin freeze.

“And also, you tried to make Seungmin fall in love with Y/N, yes? But it didn’t work out, which brings us here,” Chuu crosses her arms over her chest. “You know, you almost did make me fall in love with Jeongin. Remember our conversation yesterday, Y/N? About how I was gonna confess to Jeongin?”

You don’t bother to move a muscle, but Jeongin, across the room from you, looks stunned.

“Well, I never bothered with that plan anymore. I realized that I only merely had a crush on Jeongin, and crushes never go that far. So with that being said-”

“Why are you... ruining everything now?” you take the chance to ask Chuu, but your question comes out in a more timid tone than you had anticipated.

“Ruining everything, you say?” Chuu scoffs. “That’s not what I’m doing here! I’m making sure everybody gets the ending they’re happy with.”

“But this isn’t how it was supposed to go!” you finally yell at the top of your lungs. “Jeongin liked you, and now you like Jeongin. The two of you already have a happy ending, why do you need to push this further?”

“Because you like Jeongin, that’s why!”

You shut your mouth before you could utter another word, panic spreading all over your body. Not even making the effort to look at Jeongin’s current expression, you raise your head up to look at Seungmin, who looks like he could offer you no help whatsoever.

It’s all falling apart.

“Y/N-” Jeongin attempts to speak, but you cut him off without realizing.

“I.. I don’t want to do this anymore.”

“You’re running away, Y/N,” Chuu states, which makes you grit your teeth.

“Wait, Y/N, just listen to me-”

“Please, not now-”

“Y/N!”

Once Jeongin shouts your name, Chuu accidentally releases her grip on your wrist, and you flee the classroom, sprinting as fast as you could in your school shoes. Chuu stares at Jeongin once you swiftly exit the classroom, to which Jeongin responds by running after you, Chuu following behind right after after thanking Seungmin for being there.

“You can’t force love! You can’t make two people fall in love with each other!” Chuu tries to tell you while running through the hallways. “Love happens naturally. I might love Jeongin, but Jeongin only had a crush on me, that’s not the same!”

“So I’m willing to put aside my feelings to help two people who truly, genuinely, love each other without any doubt in their hearts! Can’t you see? Jeongin loves you, not me. And you love Jeongin, not anybody else.”

And then Jeongin snaps.

“SHE’S RIGHT!” Jeongin booms. “Y/L/N Y/N, you’re the one I love! I love y-”

But you’re already gone from their sight. The school entrance has no people around, not even a silhouette of you running in the distance. The two catching their breaths at the entrance of your high school, their shoulders slump over in defeat.

Of course, it doesn’t end there.

Hours after the incident, hours after crying over the mixed emotions you experienced this Valentines Day, your doorbell is rung. You hesitate on whether you should even answer the door in the first place, sifting through the possible scenarios in your head. Your feet answers first, though, making your way to the door before your brain could even stop your motions.

It’s a letter, and you know that handwriting.

“come upstairs!”

And despite how reluctant you are, you still head to his apartment.

Jeongin greets you at the door, still wearing his school uniform just like you. In his hand is a rubber spatula, which is somewhat odd because you’ve never seen him hold kitchen utensils unless you were teaching him how to cook.

But there’s the aroma of food coming from the kitchen, one of various vegetables, and even the smell of meat. When you turn the corner, you infer that Jeongin was attempting to cook one of your one pot pasta meals, and it seemed to be almost done.

“Honestly,” Jeongin quickly goes back to tending to his cooking. “I wasn’t even sure if you were going to come, and that would be bad because this is two servings of pasta. But I knew you wouldn’t left me hanging.”

You hum, taking a seat at the dining table that was sparkling clean (something Jeongin kept up with even after you cleaned his apartment). Jeongin brings over two plates of pasta, steam still coming off of them.

“Try it! It’s your recipe, so unless I messed up something, it should be good,” Jeongin dives in with a fork, slurping up the noodles eagerly as you do the same.

“It’s good, really good, actually,” you compliment him. “But why did you invite me over here?”

“Well,” Jeongin says with food still in his mouth, but he swallows shortly after. “This is a date.”

You almost choke on your food at the word “date” coming out of his mouth. “But what about Chuu-”

“Didn’t you hear Chuu while we were running earlier? She’s content at the fact that we’re about to become a couple. She told me that she rarely ever saw you as bright and as happy before you met me, that’s a good sign, right?” Jeongin smiles at you, and it’s that smile again.

“A good sign that...?”

“You love me too.”

You pause your movements for a full three second, before you laugh tiredly. The realization hits you while you twirl your pasta with your fork. “This is weird.”

“What is?”

“That we tried to be each other’s cupid, but ended up falling for each other instead.”

Your analogy makes Jeongin burst into laughter, nodding his head excessively. “Yeah, you’re right.”

The two of you eat Jeongin’s food in a comfortable silence for a few moments, before Jeongin speaks up again.

“Does that mean that I shot an arrow at myself then?!” Jeongin gawks at you comedically, almost making you choke on his food.

“Perhaps,” you simply shrug, leaving your, what you assume you could finally call your boyfriend, up to speculate for himself.

The cupid game was finally over, after many, many months of pinning.

And it ended with a pair of cupids, in love with each other.

it’s promo time baby!

follow my networks @fluffyskzclub and @/angstyskzclub, our members provide you with sfw fluff & angst content for you to read!

i’m starting an official taglist for my fics! there’s one for oneshots like these, and one for my stray kids ot8 reactions & scenarios! (not gonna bother with one for my blurbs, don’t waste your time on a 2 minute read fic LOL) just let me know through my inbox as to which one(s) you’d like the join.

thank you so incredibly much for reading “a pair of cupids!” this story was physically and mentally draining. i wrote the first 3 sections last week, took a 3 day break because my family visited another state, and then wrote these last 6 sections in a span of... 5 days? it was NOT FUN my back is killing me oh my gosh have mercy on me if you think this was bad

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mikaze-discord · 3 years

Text

Class S: Love letters

This is the Class S+ Cecil love letters!!

Please enjoy under the cut

TOKIYA ICHINOSE

From Riri:

Maybe it was his midnight-blue hair, or perhaps it was his ocean eyes, but the very moment I laid my eyes upon him my mind immediately thought, “Wow, he’s very good looking… charming... I really like his vibe.” That was the first reason why he piqued my interest, rather, the initial reason why I fancied him. My eyes were drawn to him and the fact that Kay bombarded me with a truckload of his pictures didn’t help at all, I just fell deeper into the hole. But as if that wasn’t enough, she started spamming me with utapri songs and I fell in love immediately. They are all such good singers but there’s one of them who sticks out to me the most, as expected, it’s Tokiya. His voice has this intricate and refined softness that seemed to caress my ears and touch my soul. He has such a sweet (and might I add a handsome) voice, kudos to Miyano Mamoru for that.

So I started watching the anime and through that, I got to know him better. At first, he seems cold with an air of loneliness and uneasiness dawning on him. But as the series progresses, I discovered that he’s a good-natured, warm, and dedicated person who loves singing and music with all his heart and all. He’s hardworking, dedicating everything to his craft. He has pride in it, so when he was told that his singing has no ‘heart’ it affected him a lot. That caused a lot of distress in his system, and the fact that his company is pushing him to pursue other things than being a singer added to that. His passion for his craft is burning, a fire that no one could put out. That’s one of the things that I love about him. He’s dedicated to everything he does. He’s a perfectionist but he’s also a caring person who cares a lot about the starish members. He’s genuinely a good person but that doesn’t mean he’s perfect. He strives for improvement and development all the time. He helps the members whenever they need. Most importantly, his attitude towards his passion is respectable and admirable.

I might’ve said a lot of things but I guess that only means I love a lot of things about him. He’s such a beautiful soul that inspires me to be more dedicated to my passion, to make my dreams come true no matter what it takes. His path towards his dream was rough, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows but that’s life, isn’t it? Despite that, he kept walking towards his dream. He’s admirable, respectable, and irresistibly loveable. That being said, I love all the things that made his character; that made Tokiya Ichinose be the kind of character that he is right now.

PS. Miyano Mamoru played a big part too. His insane talent gave life to Tokiya’s character.

From @poorlydrawnutapri:

When I first watched the Utapri anime like 6 years ago, having a best boy didn't cross my mind. At first, I was just most interested in Tokiya out of all the boys because I just thought he looked cool. I liked how mysterious he seemed and also, his hair, probably just because it was blue tbh. Either way, good design.

However, what really got me attached to him wasn't his looks. I then liked Tokiya's serious personality. I like how he starts off cold and stoic but how throughout the games and anime, he slowly softens up. I didn't just like his personality, I could also relate to his perfectionism and hard-working side, even when he exhausts himself, which is something I admit I also have. I continue to relate to him now after all this time, and that's why he's such a good character to me.

Besides that, his songs are nice to listen to and he has just a very pleasant voice. It's nice just to go listen to his voice after a long day. In a way, liking Tokiya also got me into the whole Utapri franchise: made some friends, made a couple of good memes, all that kinda stuff.

Also, I feel like it's a crime not to mention this so: he thicc. Like, dang, no wonder the guy only eats salads because all the fats he eats goes straight to that ass of his. (I am sorry that you had to read that.)

Overall, I just think he's neat. To me, he's relatable and has a nice character development. Tokiya is and will continue to be my best boy. :)

REN JINGUJI

From @incorrect-jinguji-ren:

Ren Jinguji, the 5th member of Starish is without any shame my favorite character of the Uta no prince sama series. Though often disregarded Ren is and always will be my most favorite and I firmly believe that he has one of the most, if not the most depth in his character. I love Ren a lot however because of his surface charismatic attitude he is usually labeled as a “playboy” or a “lothario”. This is not correct and it should never define him, as he actually is one of the most gentle and compassionate characters of the series. Ren has a very deep surface characterization and personality that is never usually recognized unless you truly take the time to understand WHY Ren acts the way he does, and WHY he makes the choices that he makes. My favorite part about loving characters is being able to accept them for their demons and embrace what others would see as the “imperfections” in them. That Is the best way to truly love them. I love Ren because of his motives, choices, and most of all his passionate loving heart. Although the pain he hides and the personality of who he really is, is hidden under a mask of charisma, he never loses himself deep within.

He’s misunderstood, but he’s beautiful. He’s so deep, from the everlasting devotion to loving his passed on mother, to always cherishing memories and the past bond he had with his childhood best friend Masato, to going against what his brother wants of him because he wants to fight to have a choice and to be passionate about something that he wants to love, because HE wants to love it. Ren didn’t have the love that a lot of people had at such a young age, he made a path for himself and along the way succumbed to the human faults that we all falter from within the hardest times in our life or even dicult events. He almost gave up, just as I know many of us had almost done before, as I know and can relate to, and still do now.

But he dusted himself o and picked up where he left o, making himself happy from once the feeling of being a hollow shell with no reason why he even existed to realizing that the most important thing in the world to him was cherishing the people who made him see the world in colors and seeking the choices that had been stripped from him at such a young age. He broke free from the chains of his family, his past, and his regrets to spread a beautiful pair of rose wings, his own wings to fly. And I hope he always flies. I will always love him, and wish nothing but the best for him whatever that be.

From @chips-and-vodka:

Ren Jinguji- the sexy, charming and flirty member of the STARISH boys. The youngest of the Jinguji family, a troubled child who grew up without a mother. A person who possesses many charms and is blessed with the gift of beauty. A red rose he was, beautiful yet his thorns are to be avoided. Beneath his passionate and seductive mannerisms there is a boy that craves genuine affection, from the one he truly adores and cherishes.

Ren Jinguji to me initially was one with a beautiful, attractive deep baritone, who is voiced by none other than the legend- Suwabe Junichi himself. The voice is an accurate fit of how this stereotype of a charming bishie should be, youthful and sensitive, and at times warm and seductive. His portrayal brings out the appeal of the character, the emotions and thoughts a troubled young adult such as the ‘useless third son’ lived through. Many would see him as a romantic one, one who showers those around him with attention and passion. Within however lives a rebellious soul who distrusts many, but still somehow desires that ray of sunshine that brightens his lonely soul.

Ren Jinguji is one that deserves real love, someone who appreciates him for who he is.

SYO KURUSU

From Jules:

Why do I like Syo, huh? Well, there are a lot of reasons! Some of them are more personal ones. First of all, Syo has always been my best boy, since UtaPri (the anime) exists. So ten long years now.

His fashion style is the first thing I noticed and it immediately intrigued me. I remember that my first thought, after seeing him in season one, was “Woah, he looks really cool!” even though Syo was just in his school uniform! I think what also made me interested in him was his energetic persona. The way he looked up to Ryuya Hyuga and wanted to follow in his footsteps was really sweet to me as well. Syo’s enthusiasm and positive attitude actually encouraged me to become stronger in a way too, if I’m being honest. I, personally, have always found his songs motivating and they made me feel better. I really came to love Syo in his episode in season one. When he talked about his childhood and how weak he was, I really felt with him. From that moment on I cheered him on and Syo definitely became my favorite character. My interest never wavered over the next seasons either.

I also have personal reasons why I love him so much. I just feel very connected and relate to him a lot, y’know? We have quite a few things in common. Syo and I have the same eye color, we have both played the violin since we were little, and were born weak and with pretty much the same health and heart issues. I like to say that Syo “saved” me, which is true. There is also the fact that the blonde and I are both on the shorter side (and regularly get teased for it), too! Though, I’m even a little shorter than him.

But to be more positive again, there is just so much more to him than meets the eye at first! Syo is more than just the stereotypical short sporty character. He really cares for his friends and wants the best for them. Syo’s friendship with every STARISH member is different but still close. He’s also protective of the ones around him. Syo really cares about his little twin brother too, which can be seen in the games and the few times he talked about him in the anime. Syo’s big heart easily balances out his, sometimes, tsundere behavior and I love him for that. This blonde idol is just a great guy and deserves all the love he’s getting and more.

Seriously, stan Syo Kurusu, guys!

From Vic:

Syo Kurusu is my favourite idol within the utapri games and any other form of media pertaining to the franchise. He is my favourite idol because of several factors, one of which being that his voice actor is Hiro Shimono, who voices Zenitsu from Demon slayer and Lucifer from “Devil is a part timer”. Syo is a very outgoing character and is talented in many aspects athletically. Born with a heart disease, he continues to persevere throughout the myriads of life’s problems in front of him.

He’s extremely outgoing and is proficient in the martial art of Karate and desires to strengthen his body more than what it is currently. He is best friends with Natsuki and can communicate with each other proficiently. Syo is my favourite character within the franchise because of his resolve, perseverance and great chemistry with Natsuki and his teammates. Hiro Shimono did the character justice by making his voice one of young, adventurous and energetic. With that said, Syo is a character I truly enjoy within the franchise and wish to see more of him.

CECIL AIJIMA

From Anon:

Greetings, princes and princesses, and welcome to a world of princes, questionably talking cats, and magic! I’m of course talking about Cecil Aijima, our foreign prince of UtaPri! So, why do I like Cecil Aijima? It’s borderline ridiculous, but it’s because of Cecil’s birthday. More specifically, Cecil’s Birthday Cruise card. But, I should start at the beginning.

Back when I first watched the anime, I thought Cecil was a little bit of a brat towards literally everyone, and one of my least favorites at the time. After watching through the rest of the anime though, I started to like him a lot more than I did before. To me, he had matured a lot after season 2, and never turned back to that bratty self. And so, when playing SL, he might not have been my favorite, but I didn’t hate him. Then, that one fateful day, I decided to pull in his birthday gacha. To my surprise, I had gotten the card in my first pull! Then the story dragged me into the Cecil Appreciation Group. I thought the story was incredibly cute. Then I got more Cecil cards so I could read more stories. Then the cycle repeated itself again. And now, well, if I’m writing this, I think you know what happened to me afterwards. I’ll be here, doing my best for him.

From Eden:

The boy with childish like demeanor but continues to have a heart of gold for his friends and wonderful composer.

I remember first watching Utapri in middle school and questioning. "Well shit- this is my life now..." and I didn't really have a favorite character at the time. I was always bouncing between characters like Syo, Otoya, even the teachers. However it was season 2 that made me realize who my true favorite was. Despite his at first cocky nature when he was first introduced, Cecil to me was amazing! His singing was magical, his origins even more fascinating. You wouldn't think Utapri would turn that down the magic route but it somehow did.

As the seasons went on, and as I got more into the series, he just became more of a love to me. His kindness and child-like nature and curiosity, he felt different than the other characters.

I love the other characters, yes but him?

Something about him just felt right! He not only seems to be a protector for those he cares about but also feels like he would be the best person to be around. Always wanting to do anything new and exciting just to peak his curiosity and to learn more. Ever since then, he has always been my favorite. The one and only Annapolis Prince, Aijima Cecil.

#utapri #utanoprincesama #uta no prince sama #Tokiya ichinose #ichinose tokiya #ren jinguji #jinguji ren #syo kurusu #kurusu syo #Cecil aijima #aijima cecil

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knight-queen · 3 years

Text

Lunatic Parade Subaru Sakamaki–⁠ (Chapter 2)

[Chapter 1]

Place: ??? (BG black)

Yui: (nng…)

(Huh, what time is it…?)

(Last night, I was having difficulties in sleeping so I couldn’t sleep well…)

(...? Oh no...I can’t move my body…! Bu- but why…!?)

???: ….Zzz

Yui: (Someone...is here...!?)

Place: ホテル•モーントシュタイン客室 / Hotel • Mortstein,Guest room

Yui: 一Su- Subaru kun!?

(Lemme think? Why’s he sleeping on my bed…!?)

(Could it be I accidentally fell asleep here…? ...Nope, it’s no way…)

Subaru: nnh…

Yui: (Wa- What should I do! He is about to wake up…!?)

*Subaru gets up*

Subaru: ….ah?

Yui: Err...that’s...Good morn- ning?

Subaru: ...Yeah….hm?

That’s, Yo- you!? Uwaa! Why are you here!? *blushing*

Didn’t I warn ye’ not to enter on the other side!?

*Subaru backs off*

Yui: You misunderstood! This is my portion…!

Subaru: Haah!? That’s not一

Yui: Then look! My Rosary is on this bed-side…

Subaru: ……

Yui: (What can I do, he isn’t saying anything…)

*Subaru stops blushing*

Subaru: Oh...I see now...yesterday…

Haah…

Yui: Subaru kun…?

Subaru: ...How’s your health today?

Yui: Eh…? Health? I haven’t felt anything recently though…

Subaru: ...Then, it’s good.

Yui: (Why does that mean…?)

Saying that...why were you sleeping on my bed-part…?

Subaru: ...kh...that’s ‘cuz…*blushing*

...Shuddup! That doesn’t even matter!

Yui: Eeh...but I’m curious…

(Because...he strictly prohibited not to enter on the other side…)

Subaru: ……

Yui: ……

Subaru: ...Tch! Aaah, damn it!

Got it, if you’ll be satisfied if I say it, then I’ll!!

...You’re...having a nightmare last night.

Yui: Eh…?

Subaru: When I was sleeping on my side, I heard you making painful noises and...

That’s why...I go there to check out your state.

...Was it my bad?

Yui: Oh…

(Last night, it wasn’t a dream that I felt my chest hurt…)

(Because of that, Subaru kun has...slept…)

You were worried for me, right?

Subaru: Wha...I didn’t really worry or something like…*blushing*

Yui: Fufu…

Subaru: Shit, don’t laugh!

*Screen shakes + Subaru gets closer*

Yui: Kyaa…!?

Don’t pull off my arm so suddenly…!

Subaru: Shuddup! I’m gonna sleep twice.

Yui: Eeeh…!?

Subaru: Just be quiet and embrace me…!

*Hugs her tighter*

Yui: (Oh come on. We must have to get up by right now...but…)

(Last night, I am sure he had been concerned for my health all the time…)

(Just a little bit...should be fine, no?)

Place: Glimmer Street Main street / グリンマーストリート表通り

Yui: The antique art dealer that you’ve mentioned yesterday...do you know where he is?

Subaru: Yeah...but saying the truth, I don’t wanna drag myself near him…

Yui: Is he such a weird person…?

Subaru: Weird you say...He’s a narrow-minded guy who always comes up with a disagreement for some reasons.

Even for the father, he is a damn crap old-uncle who always shows-off around.

Yui: You didn’t have to explain it in such a cruel manner…

Subaru: Hmph…

Subaru: However...this old uncle is the only guy who can resist my father.

By putting it that way, that guy is incredible, I think.

Yui: Oh...I see now…

(The one who can resist Karl-Heinz san...then he should be a pretty amazing right…)

(I wonder what kind of person he is…)

Subaru: I am sure he lives around this area…

Oh, here it is...let’s enter.

Place: Aizen Stahl, Antique Art Store/ アイゼンシュタール古美術商店

Subaru: 一 Oi, Ye’ here?

Antique Art Dealer: Hmm…?

Ooh! You’re the youngest kid of the Sakamaki.

Yui: (This person is the artist of the antique…)

Antique Art Dealer: You were so small in the past…

Now you’ve grown up so much, like walking in the future carrying a woman huh.

...I think she looks like a young girl having a plugged-nose though.

Yui: Pu- pugged nose…!?

(How awful…)

Subaru: Tch…

...Don’t care about him that much. I told that he's narrow-minded and has a disagreement with everything, right?

Yui: Y- yes…

Antique Art Dealer: So, what’s up today? For you coming in this place is rather rare.

Did Karl-Heinz assign you any mission or something? Heheh…

Subaru: Ye’ aren’t even close, that old man has no connection with it.

...Do you know that guy called Earl Walter?

Antique Art Dealer: Hm….

Subaru: I had smashed several furnishings of his castle yesterday.

Antique Art Dealer: ...You did?

Subaru: Yeah.

Antique Art Dealer: Ho...you see...the furnishings of the Walter are…

Pfft….Hahahah! Oh my, I see! You breaked them huh!

That was the masterpiece thing you did!

Yaay, you did well, youngest kid of Sakamaki!

Yui: Eh…

(He seems to be laughing so much…!?)

Subaru: O- oi…?

Antique Art Dealer: What are you trying to hide? I strongly hate that guy.

Yui: Is that so…?

Antique Art Dealer: Yeah, absolutely. For telling the truth, he has stolen my treasures in the past.

Since then, I just continued hating and hating him…

For this, I become overjoyed hearing this, you know!

Yui: (I get it...so that was the reason…)

Antique Art Deal: I think I can repair the implements in his castle other than the goods in his treasure house.

Subaru: You mean it!?

Yui: That’s a relief….!

Antique Art Deal: Since you had blown up the hell out of that guy then...I shall help you.

Which stuff do you wanna repair?

Yui: A jar, sculpture and a painting…

Antique Art Dealer: I get the point. If that's the case then I can manage somehow I think. Hold on a sec.

*Walks away*

Yui: Looks like at the end we can come up with something, Subaru kun…!

Subaru: Yeah, I believe so…

*Pulling something big*

Antique Art Dealer: I appreciate your waiting. What about this thing?

These things are quite similar with those types of implements, right?

Subaru: Yeah, almost like that.

Yui: Then...if we give these to Earl Walter, he may pardon us…!

Subaru: Yup, we appreciate it. Then We’re takin’ out leav一

Antique Art Dealer: Hold ittt!

*Slaps Subaru*

Subaru: Ouch…! What the hell are ye’ doin’!?

Antique Art Dealer: Who said I’ll do these for free!

Subaru: Haah!? Did you say you’re gonn’ help us out!?

Antique Art Dealer: If you sound like having complaints then I won't hand these over to you.

Subaru: Ghh…

...Oh! Then I am gonna go to the human world and get some money from that old father.

That’s why...let us make an exchange with these.

Antique Art Dealer: Hmph, I don’t even slightly agree that Karl-Heinz will take out money for such things.

Subaru: ….kkh….

Yui: Then...what can we do for the charge…?

Antique Art Dealer: Let’s see…

If you can hand me three things that I’ll order, then I am gonna exchange these things.

Well, if I put in other others, those things should be close to my hand-maid things.

Yui: Hand-maid…

Subaru: Tch….annoying but...that’s the only way.

一一Understood. We’ll get them for you.

Antique Art Dealer: ...Told you, right? Then, let’s tie up our discussions here.

Yui: What should we search to begin with?

Antique Art Dealer: ...The head-mask of a clown. That should be an antique item.

Subaru: HAAH!? Why the heck you need such a thing!?

Antique Art Dealer: That’s because I want that, so you can’t blame it.

If you don’t want to then you don’t have to, ya’ know? Since I am not allowing exchange if so.

Subaru: ...Told ye’ that I am gonna do it! I’m gonna search for that right away so wait!...What a shit!

Place: サントノレパーク通り / Saint Honoré Park Street

Yui: It’s much crowded that I’ve thought…

Subaru: Ahh...ear sore…

Yui: (It's a parade after all so we have to endure these…)

一Ah! There is a clown right ahead! I think there’s gonna be a performance onward.

(It was a great decision for visiting the amusement park. Because, after it if we ask about the head-mask to the clown, then一)

Vampire Child A: Oh! It’s a clown! Hurry up and come 一!

Vampire Child B: Hold on一!

Clown A: There, there. Don’t push each other, okay~!

Yui: (Wah, it’s a huge crowd...I can’t get near him at all…)

Subaru: Oi, what are ye’ gonna do? There’re so many kids so we can’t get to him.

Yui: Umm...at this rate, the performance is gonna begin soon…

(What shall we do…)

Clown B: ...What shall we do?

Clown C: I can’t answer even if you ask...it’s a weekend after all…

Yui: (Hm? Over there are…)

Look, the clowns are getting prepared over there. Let’s talk with them.

I think they are having some kind of trouble…

*Walks over there*

Yui: Excuse us…

Clown B: Yes?

Yui: Did something happen? You look somehow troubled…

Clown C: Oh...that’s...the clown who was supposed to play main role in this performance,

Cannot show up for getting an injury…

Vampire Child A: So we can’t start!

Vampire Child B: I am getting sick of waiting!

Yui: (Ah...there children are…)

Clown A: ...Kh, We can’t buy ourselves time anymore! What should we do!?

Yui: Tell us! Is there anything we can do to help you?

Clown B: Eeeh!? But…

Subaru: Ha? Oi, what are ya’ sayi…

Clown C: No...maybe you can. If you lend us a hand in the fountain-show then…

...Certainly...if you do that much then...At this moment, that’s the only way.

Subaru: What’re ye’ thinking? It’s now way...we can help ‘em!

Yui: Sorry for deciding all of these even if you’re refusing to….

But, if we help, then we can have a talk with them as early as possible…

Subaru: ………

Clown A: Can you please do it for us?

Subaru: ...Certainly...we won’t have a delay talking with ‘em if we do so…

...Understood, we’ll do it.

Clown C: That’ll be a great help! But...we’re lacking time so, please get ready right away.

Yui: Yeah…!

*After a moment*

Clown A: Alright, dear people! Thank you so much for your long wait!

Clown B: After a moment, we’re going to show everyone in a fantasy world.

Yui: (Aight...let’s do my best…!)

→Game

Words Subaru said in the game 一

What're you doing? Get started.

Looks like we’re done.

If you win 一

*Audiences’ claps *

Yui: (Have we done it...perfectly…?)

Vampire Child A: Ohh! Wonderful!

Vampire Child B: The fountain-show was so incredible, right…!

Clown A: Thank you very much! You succeed so well!

Yui: Really….!? We did it, Subaru kun!

*Yui hugs Subaru*

Subaru: Uwaah…!?

*Fades to CG*

Yui: (What a relief...we get that right…!)

Subaru: O- oi! Lemme go!

Yui: Eh?

Vampire Child A: Look! It’s a couple, a couple!!

Vampire Child B: Right~! A lovely-dovely one~!

Yui: ...kh…!

(I was so happy that I….!)

Yui: Ah, Subaru kun, that’s...err, I didn’t mean to do it…!

Vampire Child B: Couple~! Couple~!

Subaru: Tch…! Ya’ll are being damn noisy!

Vampire Child A: Uwaa! We got him mad! Let’s escape!!

*Run*

Subaru: Fuck…!

Yui: (Uuh...and also, what was I doing….so embarrassing….!)

*CG Fades*

Yui: S- sorry, I did something weird so suddenly…!

Subaru: Geez…

Clown C: Phew, thanks to you two, the show has ended up smoothly.

Furthermore, you absolutely deserve larger congrats than I’d expected!

Clown B: Honestly, thank you a lot!

Yui: (I’m glad that we’ve come out handy to them.)

Clown A: 一Once again, we’re expressing our gratefulness for supporting us.

Clown B: As a thank you, please recommend to us what can we give you as a present.

Yui: Err...Actually, if you could manage us a thing that we have been searching…

Subaru: 一 This one. Can you recall seeing something like this?

Clown C: This is…

Yui: (Ah...that photo was…)

Subaru: It’s a head-mask used by a clown. If you have it, then please give it to us.

Clown A: Oh...it looks like an old-modeled head-mask. I hope it is left out in the warehouse...

However, you have helped us so much after all, so we’ll search up the warehouse for you.

Yui: You mean it!? Thank you…!

Clown A: Then, we’re gonna go there to search….can we request you to wait here for a while?

Yui: We’re counting on you!

*Goes away*

Yui: That’s good right, Subaru kun…!

Subaru: If they find it, then yes…

Yui: (...Looks like we’re having a freetime. What can we do…)

Oh...tell me Subaru kun. We’re having some time so let’s play something cool?

Subaru: Huh?

Yui: It’s boring if we just wait here plus…

Subaru: ...What do you wanna ride?

Yui: Err...let’s see….Oh, what about Merry-Go-Round?

Subaru: HAAAH!? Which fool is gonna ride such a childish thing!?

Yui: Ah…

(So we can’t huh...I really wanted to ride something together…)

Subaru: ……..

Tch…

*Walks away*

Yui: Subaru kun…?

Subaru: ...What’re ye’ standing like a statue for? Hurry up.

Yui: Eh...hurry up but why…

Subaru: Huh...you wanna ride, no? Come along before I change my mood to ride.

Yui: ...Mhm!

*After a while*

Yui: Haa, it was fun…!

Subaru: Which side was fun….such stuff was just embarrassing! *blushing*

For starters...You ended up choosing that horse-drawn vehicle…

For making me ride on like a clerk...of that horse…!

If ye’ make me do so next time, then I’ll blow ye’ up…!

Yui: (Certainly it was embarrassing of two of us riding together but…)

I enjoyed riding with you, thank you for that.

Subaru: …ngh…*blushed*

Well...if you’d enjoyed it then it’s okay but….I won’t gonn’ face such a ride next time!

Clown A: 一Sorry for making you wait!

Yui: Oh, you are…

Subaru: You’ve found that?

Clown A: It was...expectedly way much old, so it wasn’t left in our warehouse.

Subaru: Haah!?

Yui: S- such…!

Clown A: However, if I take the correct conjecture then you may find it in the dress shop of this town.

Yui: Dress shop…

(Then we should go there I think.)

Thanks a lot for giving us valuable information. We’re going to that shop then.

Clown A: Yup. Take care…!

Place: Glimmer Street, Aizen back street

Subaru: 一Where can we find that dress shop?

Yui: Umm...according to the map we received earlier, that should be around here.

Right ahead of that crowd, I guess…?

Subaru: Crowd….I’m sick of that.

Yui: Ahaha, you’re right…

(By the way, I wonder if it’s just my imagination to have a bad feeling about it…)

Place: Dress Shop /ドレスショップ

Yui: ………

Subaru: ………

Why is it crowded here too…!

Yui: Y- yes…

(The bad-feeling that I was having was true after all…!)

Umm...excuse me. Anything going on here?

Vampire Woman A: Yeah, there’s going to be a fashion show.

Yui: Fashion show!?

If the fashion is gonna start then I bet the workers in this shop are busy…

Subaru: Ahh...crowds are annoying too. So, let’s wait until it’s over.

Yui: Right...let’s wait then…

(Fashion show of the Demon World huh, I am bit interested一)

???: 一Ah! Hey you there!

Subaru: Aah?

Yui: (Hm…?)

???: I want you to follow me!

*She pulls Subaru*

Subaru: Aaah? What’s so sudden!?

Dress shop owner: I am the owner of this shop. I’ll explain everything inside that room. Anyway, come!

Subaru: Oi, hold it!

Yui: Ah, wait….!

(What on this earth going on…? I should just follow them…)

Place: Dressing Room / 試着室

Yui: (She has brought us very inside this shop…)

Dress shop owner: My apologies for bringing you here so suddenly but please get changed into this costume.

Subaru: Haah!? You’re doing these so abruptly! Why the heck is going on!

Dress shop owner: ...Right, I was forcing you way much…

For here on, we’re going to perform a fashion show here, however…

It was frustrating that there wasn’t a single model out there to wear my masterpiece costume.

I was able to find substitutes from the time being but none of them were perfectly suitable.

However, in the meantime you show up! You’re an ideal model for this.

Yui: (Subaru kun….a model…)

Subaru: Stop fussing around! Who’s gonna do such a shit!

Dress shop owner: No refusal! I’ll make you to be the model by any means!

I bet you’re gonna be pleased with the costume that I created.

Subaru: Hmph, what an absurd one. Oi, we’re going back.

Yui: Ah, but….

(We must have to ask them about that head-mask…)

(Above that…)

*BGM stops*

(I am very interested in seeing Subaru kun participating in the fashion show…!)

Tell me, Subaru kun...it’s a great offer so please participate in it?

Subaru: AAAAH!? You’re also saying these!?

Yui: ….Please do!

Plus...please lend me your ear a bit?

*Subaru gets closer + Yui whispers*

Yui: You see, it may be the right chance for us to ask them about the head-mask…!

Subaru: ...gh…

Dress shop owner: I have no clue what you’re mumbling for…

But I am begging you too. Because you can be the supreme model for sure.

Subaru: ………

….Lend that thing. I’m gonna wear it.

*Starts putting on*

Yui: Subaru kun…!

Dress shop owner: Woo! Thanks a lot! Then come here please!

Yui: (I am looking forward to the upcoming…!)

Place: Glimmer Street Main street / グリンマーストリート表通り

*Shutter sounds of taking photos*

Yui: (Every single model has so cool styles. I can’t help but to admire them…)

(Subaru kun’s turn hasn’t come yet…)

Dress shop owner: Alright, so our last display will be this costume of our pride!

Yui: (Ah, he shows up…!)

*Louder Applause + Shutters*

Monologue一

The appearance of Subaru who modelled was looking so cool that anyone’d get caught in his enchantment.

...It was rather a displeasing mood for me though.

He was in an unusual appearance or for something else, I was feeling like he was refreshed.

The shop-owner who stood by this Subaru kun 一一

She is so beautiful too.

I was just curious that...two of them who were getting captured in photos taken by others, what conversations they were having while having short distance in between them.

End of Monologue

*Shutters*

Dress shop owner: The visitors are congrating us so much…!

Come on, you also shake your hand with these audiences.

*Swats her hand*

Subaru: 一Don’t you freely touch my hand.

||気安い means actually friendly or familliarly. However, I thought ‘freely’ would go smoothly with the sentence. However, the more literal concept would be “Don’t touch my hand treating so friendly / familiar with me.

Yui: (Ah…! Subaru kun just shook off the shop-owner’s hand.)

Subaru: I’m engaged. Hand-shake with someone else.

||Spoilers! 予約済み means engage / reservation. I am pretty much sure he meant engaged. Because it reflects a clue about ‘engaging’ to the dress-shop owner. :p But some translators may also translate like “I am reserved here. Touch other else” x’D However it would sound weird or logicless since ‘reservation’ has nothing to do with ‘touching hand’. The next sentence, it makes it more obvious :’)

Dress shop owner: Oh my…

...Fufu, it’s that girl over there huh.

Subaru: ...Hmph.

Yui: (I hope he won’t fight over this time…)

*After a moment*

Yui: 一Subaru kun!

Subaru: ...Oh, you come huh.

Yui: Oh...you have got back to normal appearance huh.

Subaru: Absolutely! Who’d wear that damn cloth for a long time.

Yui: (I want to...tell him about my impressions of that show...How should I describe that?)

→Selection

面白かった / You looked interesting

かっこよかった / You looked cool (+correct)

Yui: Subaru kun, you looked so cool!

Subaru: I- is that so? I haven’t really done anything. *flushed*

Yui: It’s not like that. That costume also suited you pretty well and…!

Subaru: ...Thanks.

Dress shop owner: Thanks for the earlier. For you, we really hit a huge profit.

Subaru: I’d acted just as you said. This time, listen to our request.

Dress shop owner: What is it? It will be a pleasure to help you with anything I can.

Subaru: ...Have you seen something similar to this photo? We’re searching for that.

Dress shop owner: ...Oh, it’s inside our warehouse. I’m going to bring that so wait please.

*After a while*

Dress shop owner: 一I think it’s this one.

Yui: Yeah, it is!

Dress shop owner: No one has been using it since it was just left there...You can have it if you need it.

Yui: Thank you so much! We did it, Subaru kun!

Subaru: Hm...I have no clue what he's planning to do with this worn-out thing…

That’s fine. Let’s get back to that old uncle anyways!

Yui: Right. Ah, really thanks a lot!

Dress shop owner: Whether it’s useful to you or not comes first. If it’s possible then stop by here again.

Place: Aizen Stahl, Antique Art Store/アイゼンシュタール古美術商店

Subaru: 一Here, ye’ haven’t gotten any complaints right!?

Antique Art Dealer: Oooh! This one indeed! I haven’t imagined you’d really give it to me.

Subaru: Geez, my head hasn’t just got that why do ya’ need such a thing.

But...with this we’re done with one of the assignments I hope.

Antique Art Dealer: Yeah, you sure did. I’ll count on you tomorrow as well.

Place: Diamante Fountain / ディアマンテ泉

Subaru: Haah...I’m tired…

Yui: The first day was tough…

Ah, I got churro from the Wagon. Wanna eat?

Subaru: Yeah….mmn…

...The saying that “Sweet things taste more tasty the time you’re tired”, not a lie after all…

Yui: Fufu…

(But, today we really had to face many things.)

(I hope we’ll be able to hold out tomorrow as well…)

Subaru: Don’t make such a depressed face…I’ll be with you.

Yui: Right…!

(That’s true, if Subaru kun’s with me then we’ll be fine…!)

(Alright, let’s do our best tomorrow!)

一The END of Chapter O2

#lunatic parade subaru sakamaki #Subaru Sakamaki #subaru sakamaki lunatic parade #diabolik lovers translations #subaru #lunatic parade subaru sakamaki chapter 2 #lunatic parade subaru sakamaki chapter 1 #final #diabolik lovers lunatic parade #lunatic parade #dl #yui komori #here u have to play a game and u'll get a cg if u win #Cg; yui holding a arm of annoyed subaru

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marshieee · 3 years

Text

Yes boss!

Headcanon

Normal day for them to flirt to their superior

A/N: ah it’s been awhile, i just noticed that my story about you being yamaguchi’s twin is still in my drafts hahahahaha.

Oikawa tooru

He didn’t expect that their temporary coach was someone HOT not that he doesn’t see any attractive people who coaches volleyball it’s just that it was shocking he expected someone who’s a bit old around their 50’s kindof guy, but you look like you both are in the same age

It’s been awhile since he met someone who was his type, unfortunately you’re his coach.

Let’s just say your filling in the spot of your uncle after he accidentally injured himself and have to rest for 6 months.

Good thing you’ve got alot of experience of coaching from little kids to college students.

BUT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT THE NATIONAL TEAM HERE

Pressure was already tough, stress was literally your second self now unfortunately it became worse.

“Oh good morning coach you look lovely today, you’re putting some models to shame”

“Save your sugary words for the ladies outside oikawa, ok guys warm up!”

One of your players who’s name was Oikawa tooru likes to flirt with you.

Whenever he has the chance he’ll take it and throws a cheesy pick up lines or lame puns.

“Ah it’s so good to have a sunshine who can light up my world thank you coach”

“Thank the sun Oikawa not me”

“But you are my sun”

“No I’m your COACH”

Honestly you’re not interested to get into relationship as this was one of your biggest gig, you can’t just blatantly flirt with your player.

I repeat YOUR PLAYER

But you can’t hide the fact that he is kinda cute when he’s trying to get your attention.

“What’s this?”

“My love~”

“.....”

“Ok ok can you do my bandage?”

“Why don’t you ask—“

“Look their busy doing the others bandages”

“Then wait”

“Don’t tell me you don’t know how?”

“Of course i know how idiot”

“Great then! It’s all yours”

He’ll just look at you with soft eyes as you were doing his bandages with a serious look.

You just look so cute

When you’re already done doing his bandages he’ll take your hands and place a soft kiss, which boi caught you off guard.

“Thanks coach, let’s do our best today again”

Maybe liking him won’t hurt right?

Kuroo tetsurou

Your schedule was a normal schedule for a working adult

Wake up, go to work, finish your task then go home.

It’s a cycle that you’re used to. Not until you got a new employee.

He was a hard working guy, never really bothered you and doing all of his work done and on time.

Not until he marked you as HIS.

“Hey boss~ got you some coffee”

“Oh, thanks....is this?”

“I made it my self it’s my own blend”

“Really?”

“Yeah really, it’s nothing special really just a little bit of love potion that i got in the corner of the streets”

You would immediately spit it out, though it was so good

“ARE YOU CRAZY?! WHAT IF THAT WASN’T A ‘POTION’ WHA—“

“I’m joking I’m joking I’m sorry I didn’t mean it,but I’m serious about it being my own blend”

He would be so sly about flirting with you that you can’t do anything about it.

“What?”

“Whoah easy now tiger I’m just here to tell you that hinata shoyo agreed”

“REALLY?”

“Yeah can i have a kiss now? I think i deserve an reward”

“Your ‘reward’ will be in your paycheck kuroo”

He seemed to be one of your best employees and it would be a shame if you put him in another division.

It’s not like you hate his flirting tho, but you just wanted to be professional that’s all.

“So it’s bring your kids to work day and since i don’t have kid i brought our children instead!”

“Our?”

“Yes our”

You’re so used to this you didn’t even bother to argue with him, he would just dodge it and get back to you 2x

“Tadaaa~”

He would show you a basket with a persian cat and a saimes cat sleeping.

“OMYGOSH THEY’RE ADORABLE”

“You’re adorable”

“I didn’t know you were a cat person kuroo, you don’t seem like it”

“Really? Um boss question”

“Yeah?”

“Do i really don’t look like a cat person?”

“No”

“But I’m pretty obvious that i like you right?”

“Wha-?!”

He just straight up confessed his sin to you in the OFFICE, your co workers who heard all of it started to “oooohhh”

“How bold kuroo-san”

“Just straight up confessing hahahaha”

You cheeks will immediately burn from his sudden confession. Grabbing the basket you turn around.

“Yes, yes it is kuroo and what about it?”

“Nothing just making sure that you know you’re loved”

That’s where you immediately started to combust, you can’t face him with a very red face.

It would be embarrassing. Head down you gave him the basket back.

“I swear to God kuroo if you continued doing this a little more push and i might fall inlove with you”

You whispered to yourself, which you thought only you can hear it.

“What’s stopping you then?”

You really can’t take it anymore and stomped all the way to your office.

“YOU AND YOUR SUPER HEARING IS SUPER ANNOYING”

“I DONT THINK YOU HATE IT THO~”

You’re falling for your employee named kuroo and you can’t help it.

Yamaguchi Tadashi

Well you were appointed to a new department

It was all good, you got good workers who actually do their jobs and a cute employee who basically lowkey flirts with you.

It wasn’t the first time someone is flirting with you at work but it was the first time where it wasn’t very...

Forceful, and it was super sweet.

Yamaguchi cannot straight up flirt with you like kuroo because you’re his boss. He respects that.

So he would do it in a subliminal way. Like he would volunteer to buy you coffee and when he gets back it’s not just your coffee but it was with a tiny little trinkets.

Like cute stickers, a candy, a flower, a note saying “let’s do our best today” “have a smile sunshine” “you can do this boss!”

To be honest you’ll just find yourself having a shit tons of butterflies in your stomach early in the morning.

He would also bake something for you, but also gets all embarrassed and started to bake for the whole team.

Like he would bake some cookies and give it to your department just 3 cookies per pack but when he gives one to you he will give you a dozen and with a cute little heart on the ribbon.

Or when he would give you his papers he would sneak a little motivation note for you, or a poem he made himself.

You never really got the chance to tease him back as he immediately shys away from you.

Well heavens wants you now.

It was a rainy night, your dumbass forgot to check the weather today so you didn’t have any umbrella with you.

Your friend already went to her date, so you got no choice but to wait until it stops.

“Boss?”

“Oh yamaguchi good work today”

“Ah y-you too, I’m sorry but what are you doing out here?”

“Well i forgot to check the weather today so I don’t have an umbrella with me”

“Um if you don’t mind you can share with me”

You would just look at his face, which reminded you of a strawberry which is fucking cute btw

“Sure why not”

As you two were walking towards the station he would be so stiff that you immediately noticed when you went besides him.

His shoulder was wet as he was trying to cover you from the rain.

“Hey yamaguchi scoot closer you’re getting wet”

“A-ah y-y-yes”

You would pull him closer only for him to get even redder.

As you two arrived at your stop which was the train station. You’ll instantly shot him a smile, the smile he really loves.

“Thanks yamaguchi i owe you one”

“It’s nothing boss”

“Oh you know what i can pay up right now”

“P-pay up? But the pay day is—“

You cut him off as you kissed his cheeks. It took awhile before it sink in yamaguchi’s mind that you’re kissing him rn

“There i don’t owe you one now we’re quits, see you tomorrow”

You would wink and left the blushing boy.

Flirting back might change some things a little.

Sugawara Koushi

You never thought you’d be a principal at a elementary school.

It’s not like you hate it though, you’ve been always so fond of kids. Your kids at school are so very sweet and respectful as they always greet you whenever you’re around.

You got the nickname “pretty sensei” to the younger kids as you often play with them whenever you got time. Though you weren’t a teacher there but you don’t mind them calling you sensei

A new teacher was assigned at your favorite class, which you weren’t aware since you’ve been too busy with some other stuffs.

As you visit your favorite class per usual you met the new teacher which was sugawara koushi.

“Sensei sensei! This is our pretty sensei!”

“They always plays with us”

“And they’re very nice too!”

Sugawara was aware that you were the principal and you told him it’s fine that the kids calls you sensei. It’s cute

Sugawara know that their principal was good looking but that won’t give any justice to what he was seeing right now.

You look so pretty and gentle as the kids surrounds you, laughing and running with them.

He can watch this forever.

Later that day when you already left sugawara confessed to his kids.

“I like pretty sensei but I’m too shy can you guys help me get pretty sensei’s heart?”

Well a few of them cried as they misunderstood the “get pretty sensei’s heart” but that was fixed.

The kids helped their sensei courting you. Like handing you flowers or heart shaped paper with “pretty sensei x suga sensei”

There are also times where the kids wanted to play house and asked you to be the parents.

“Looks like we have a big family huh?”

“Yeah hahahaha”

This always happens that you’re already used to it. How sugawara calls you honey just to tease you or how you would help sugawara put the kids to bed.

The girls decided that they want to play wedding and wanted to be the flower girls and bridesmaids.

“Really?”

“Yep, you and suga sensei will get married”

You blushed when she said that. Ok maybe you do have a little crush on the teacher so what?

“M-marry?”

“That’s a great idea! Pretty sensei you don’t mind do you?”

Sugawara pops up besides you agreeing with the wedding game.

“Huh? Y-yeah sure it’s just a game so why not”

The game already started and the girls have their own pretty little flower crowns as they just throw some colored papers.

One of the kids decided to be the priest tho he didn’t know what to do and just asked.

“Suga sensei do you accept pretty sensei?”

Sugawara would hold your hand and just looked at you with a soft expression.

“I do”

“Pretty sensei do you accept suga sensei?”

It’s just a game why am i blushing?!

“I do”

“Um suga sensei do you like pretty sensei”

You don’t know why but your heart skipped a beat as you anticipated his answer, you don’t know why you’re so curious but...

Sugawara just laughed and smiled.

“Yes i do like pretty sensei”

The girls immediately squealed and asked “really??”

Still looking at you sugawara squeezes your hand.

“Yes really”

“Then you may kiss pretty sensei”

“K-kiss?”

“Hahaha it’s fine don’t worry”

Sugawara gave you a soft kiss on your forehead which made you redder than anything.

“Pretty sensei is red!!”

“Sensei are you sick?! Are you ok?!”

“I-i’m fine”

“Suga sensei! Pretty sensei is sick!!”

“Don’t worry pretty sensei is fine”

After school sugawara immediately would apologize about what happened.

“Please don’t stop visiting the kids”

“Why do you think i would?”

“Because of what happened?”

You would just laughed at him.

“Of course i won’t and besides...”

“???”

You raised your hand with a flower ring that was made by the children.

“We’re a big family aren’t we?”

Now it was sugawara’s turn to be red

#haikyuu oneshot #haikyuu scenarios #haikyuu smau #fluff #haikyuu #haikyuu!!#oikawa #sugawara #kuroo #yamaguchi #haikyuu hc #headcanon #haikyuu headcanon #haikyuu timeskip

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mystxmomo · 3 years

Text

Title: Empathy (Reprise)

Fandom: Identity V

Chapters: 1/2/3/4/7

Description:

Here's the thing.

They don't get Andrew first.

Link: Ao3

Here's the thing.

They don't get Andrew first.

Andrew is an older man, with a forlorn frown etched into his face, and skin so pale he might have fooled Victor into believing he was a ghost at first.

"S'just albinism," Luca tells him when Victor brings it up far later. More curious than anything. He shrugs, not looking away from his latest project, "I think it happens more often 'n animals. Mice and rabbits and stuff. But it's not unheard of in humans."

"Huh," he says, and then, "Interesting."

“Willing to bet money it caused him some trouble,” Luca adds, absentminded, “People can be quite awful about those that are different.”

Different. Andrew is different. Different is a good way of putting it.

Here’s the other thing.

Victor doesn’t actually have that many friends, outside of Luca.

Luca has plenty. If he can’t find Luca, he’s probably with Tracy. If he’s not with Tracy, he’s with Norton. If he’s not with Norton, he’s with Eli. He’s recently taken to Melly, one of the newcomers in the manor. Luca likes people, in a way Victor cannot. Bounces between them with a proper amount of distance and certain amount of magnetism.

Victor’s never been the sort to get along with others. Not from lack of wanting. Not from lack of trying.

He’s just bad at it. He’s bad at… He doesn’t know what he’s bad at. Interaction feels inhuman, and distant. Like he’s playing a role in a play he doesn’t quite know the ending of.

“People respect you,” Luca points out, misunderstanding his conundrum, “They like you well enough, don’t they?”

Victor shakes his head, sighs. Luca seems to understand he’s misunderstood something, but what exactly that something is goes beyond him.

That’s fine. He can’t ask everything from Luca.

But Andrew, he thinks. Andrew might be easy to get along with. Andrew also doesn’t understand people, in a way far too familiar to Victor to deny. He knows this not because he’s been told, but because Andrew is bad at social ettique, in a way that is obvious.

Andrew takes his morning envelopes through a crack in the door and doesn’t match Victor's gaze. Victor is fine with that. Because Victor also doesn’t like matching people’s gaze. He has, however, trained his eyes to match the area near another’s, offers polite smiles and gentle hums in conversation. Andrew never steps close enough for Victor to feel burdened. Even Luca had an issue with that, at first. Victor never brings it up, eventually grows to enjoy it. But Andrew never learned what was proper, so he simply does not. Victor is fine with that.

They get paired up for chores often, work together in silence. Andrew offers him occasional glances, reaches over to push the basket of clothing pins in his direction with a polite nod. No need to fill the air with conversation, and Victor enjoys that. They sit together mornings where Luca has decided to sleep in, or gotten side tracked with others. Andrew doesn’t eat much, if at all, and Victor doesn’t say anything of it.

But they sit together. And it’s easy like that.

He’s unsure if he can consider Andrew a friend. He doesn’t understand him like one. Doesn’t know much about him at all. But Victor thinks he’s comfortable enough to be around, easy enough to sit with. That maybe, he might be able to consider him one, one day.

Andrew was a night owl

That's not entirely right. It's more correct to say, and he functions best at night. The baron, all knowing he seems to be, schedules all of his games dusk and early morning, leaving the weird period of time inbetween hours he can sleep and function.

Victor used to have a proper sleep schedule. He really truly, honestly did once upon a time. But Insomniac that he is, Luca doesn’t get lots of sleep, and Victor likes to spend time with him, and days and nights bleed together to become one in a manor where time exists around them, rather than with them.

So Victor is often up at night.

And it is awful. Because, unlike Andrew, he does not function best at night.

He finds Andrew outside. It’s one of those spans of time where Victor’s just woken up, the sky is an odd pale shade of blue, and Victor could not tell you if it is dusk or dawn. It's still lit mostly by slivers of moonlight, a small amount of fog dancing around their feet. The garden, somehow both messy and maintained, tangles around them and thrives. The air is damp, but chilly.

He’s not been invited to stay with Andrew, but Victor has a habit of intruding where he does not belong and getting away with it. Andrew side eyes him, raises the lantern as though questioning his presence. Victor has a note prepared.

“ Can I walk with you? I’ve nowhere else to be and nothing else to do,” And then, under it, “Wick also needs some time outside. ”

“Uh.” Andrew says, squints at the note, looks down at the ground, “Sure. I suppose?"

He doesn’t think through this plan, admittedly. Walking is not the best for writing, and unlike Luca, Andrew barely talks enough for one person, let alone two. But just like with cleaning, he doesn’t mind the silence. Doesn’t mind the way crickets chirp in the distance, or grass crunches under their feet.

Together, they pace foot worn paths into the garden.

It’s comfortable enough.

" Do you read much? " Victor asks him, once, in an attempt to prompt conversation from him. He has the not prewritten. Elegantly folded in the palm of his hand, testing the waters for an attempt at something greater. Andrew holds it up to the lantern, needs to squint to make out the words.

"... Not really," Andrew says, like he’s humoring Victor.

" Are you fond of coffee? " He tries again, a different time. Andrew, once again, holds the note up to the lantern, squints like he had beforehand.

Andrew sighs. Shakes his head, and hands the note back, “I don’t,” He says, toneless, and turns to get back to their walk. Victor crosses his arms and sighs.

" Do you like dogs? " Is his final attempt, something that earns blank confusion, and a raise of the eyebrow.

"I've become more of a cat person I'm afraid,” Which is the most information Victor has ever gotten out of Andrew, perhaps ever.

He counts it as a win.

Andrew confronts him on one of these walks.

They've taken to sitting together off to the side. Victor is throwing Wick a stick, which she's eager to bring back to either Victor Or Andrew. Andrew, reluctant to throw it, shifts it off to Victor. Victor has already asked today's question (“ What’s your favorite season? ” “I don’t know. Winter, I suppose.”) and Andrew stares down at the page like it’s something that’s burning at his fingers tips.

"I don't understand," He tells Victor, voice a whisper, “Why you’re bothering.”

This confuses him. Victor's eyebrows raise high on his face, and he makes a mad scramble for his notebook. Andrew offers him a bit more light to write with.

" Is it hard to believe that I enjoy your company? "

"Yes," Andrew says, immediately, "Incredibly so."

“ I think you’re interesting. You’re different. Unique. I want to know more about you, that’s all, ” Victor admits, pulls his legs up to hug them to his chest.

Andrew stares down at the page as though it’s offended him. Then huffs, loud and pointed, “Ah. I see. Good to know.”

Victor isn’t sure why Andrew sounds so offended, nor why he looks so upset.

They don’t talk anything else the rest of the night.

They don't talk again until they're forced to, midmatch.

This is not of Victor’s choice. Andrew had simply been avoiding him. Victor ends up walking the garden alone on the first night. Sitting and rolling moss between his fingers on the second. By the third, he’s fully come to terms with the fact that Andrew has decided he’s not worth his time. Andrew refuses to eat in the dinning hall with the rest of them, and pointedly does not look at him when they pass one another.

"I don't think you did anything wrong," Luca whispers to him, in a confused attempt to comfort him, "I think he's just like that."

But it’s hard to avoid one another in a match.

Andrew stumbles in his direction, an awkward limp to each step. His hand smears blood on the wall, and gaze seems distant. It must have been a rescue gone south, because somewhere distant he hears the fizzle of a rocket chair shoot off.

“ You’re hurt, ” Victor signs, “ Please allow me to help? ”

Andrew blinks up at him, looking confused, unsure. Victor realizes a little too late that Andrew doesn't actually know how to sign. He does, however, allow Victor to ushers him over. To begin patching up what wounds he can reach with what supplies they have.

"You're so... persistent," Andrew mumbles, a few words slurring over one another, "What's your goal."

Victor raises an eyebrow at him. Andrew stares, like he’s waiting for an actual verbal response. When he doesn’t get one, he tilts his head away, "I hate men like you. Hiding your cruelty under the guise of kindness. Do you really think I'm so foolish?"

Victor’s fingers halt against his arm. He stares at Andrew, smile shattering off of his face.

What?

“I’m right, aren’t I?” Andrew

Victor genuinely does not know what he's done to earn the man's ire, but something about it sits wrong and uncomfortable in his chest. His smile hardens on his face, and he shakes his head, quickly. He doesn’t have anything he can write with, exactly, and his fingers are currently covered in blood, and when Andrew goes to move away from him Victor has to hold on because he’s still very much bleeding.

A gong sounds throughout the field. Andrew looks up to it. Sighs. Glares at Victor, with a heavy, half lidded gaze, “Leave me alone, please.”

Again. He thinks. What?

He talks it over with Luca.

"You can't really control how people feel about you," Luca points out, just seeming bemused at this point, "Maybe just like.. Shit Victor, I don't know."

Which is helpful. Very helpful.

Victor paces a line into his floor, huffs and sighs to himself as though that will be the one thing to solve his issue. He muses and thinks over something that shouldn't haunt him as much as it does, and comes to accept an uneasy truth.

If Andrew does not want to talk to him, then he's no place to try. It is as simply as that.

“What,” Andrew says, when Victor catches him in passing. Victor hands him the note he has pre-written.

“ I’m sorry, ” The note says, “ I must have made you uncomfortable. I didn’t realize. I will be leaving you alone now. ”

Victor hands him the note at the base of the manors stairwell, a guilty look crossed into his face. Andrew takes the time to read it.

“I don’t-”

A cough.

At the top of the stairs, Aesop stares down at the two of them.

Aesop Carl, Victor knows, is another person uncomfortable with the etiquettes of social interaction. It panics him. Aesop's gaze has always been a particularly uncertain one. He holds himself unnaturally tense, speaks in low mumbles. He drifts off on his own and lingers away from the rest of them.

But as he looks down at the two of them, it is not a look of uncertainty that crosses his face. Rather, it’s concern, and confusion.

They stand at a silent standstill.

"Ah," Aesop finally looks away, as the thickness in the air finally gets to him, "Mr. Kreiss. I… believe we had plans?" Aesop says, holds that makeup case of his closer, “I apologize if I am intruding.”

“Sorry,” Andrew speaks, shakes his head quickly, “You aren’t.. I didn’t mean to be late, I just-” He nods to Victor, who offers Aesop a passing smile and a wave. Aesop looks over him. Tilts his head. Frowns, “Got caught up. And then distracted. I’m sorry.”

Aesop shakes his head, “Take your time.”

He offers them another sparing look, before turning and leaving them. His footsteps echo down the hall as he walks away.

Andrew offers him one last look. He holds the message back out for him to take. Victor does.

And then Andrew follows behind Aesop, not sparing him another glance.

….

Victor gives up. Making friends is not worth whatever this is.

Him and Luca, as they tend to do, fall together in the smallest den in the building. They lay with tangled legs and twined fingers, and Victor spends near an hour complaining to Luca about the hardships of social interaction. Luca is more amused, than sympathetic.

“You tried to befriend Andrew Kriess,” He points out, snorting, “I don’t know if that’s ended well for anyone.”

“It seemed to go well for Aesop,” Victor points out, resting his head back against the couch.

“Yeah, but Aesop is also a real odd one,” Luca rebuttals with a snort, “Go quite well together, the two of them.”

Victor thinks the two of them might be considered odd, by most. He decidedly does not point that out to Luca. Does not think he needs to. He happens to know that, despite his words, Luca is fond of Aesop. Fond of him in the same way a one is fond of a friends sibling. Not too close, talk in passing, but would defend him to the death if push came to shove. That sort of fond.

Together like this, it’s easy to doze. Easier than when they’re in bed together, where Luca’s projects tempt his mind and Vicor’s room allows in more sound than an open window. The fire is decent white noise, voices that trickle in too muffled to break through it. Dryer will scold them for sleeping on the ground should she see them, but she rarely does, and it becomes something calm for them.

Which is to say, Luca falls asleep against his arm, and Victor focuses his attention on the embroidery Emma has been attempting to teach him recently. Which he appreciates, despite how clumsily he works the needle.

He doesn’t notice Andrew in the doorway, looking between them with tired eyes and a blank expression.

“... He looks tired,”

Victor almost jumps when he hears him, too busy nursing the wounds at his finger tips to have noticed his entrance. He stares up at him with wide, round eyes, holding his project close to his chest. Slowly begins to relax, as Andrew flusters, and looks away from them.

Victor recognizes an olive branch when it’s offered to him. He’s unsure why it’s being gifted.

“ He often is, ” He writes, hands it to Andrew. Andrew squints down at the scribbles, rubs his eyes. Finally offers a sigh, dejected and sharp.

“You’ll have to forgive me,” Andrew says, slowly, “I.. ah. I cannot read so well, especially in the low light.”

Ah.

Andrew shifts to sit a distance away from them, holding himself close. His legs are drawn up to his chest, eyes to the floor.

It’s quiet. They both stare into the fire, air between them some kind of heavy.

“I believe I owe you an apology,” Andrew finally says, stilted, rubs the back of his neck, “I have been rather rude to you, haven’t I?”

It startles Victor to the point that he jumps again , almost waking Luca up in the process. He turns to Andrew, goes to write. Andrew stops him.

“I was talking to Mr. Carl, and.. Ah. I do not know if I’ve told you, but I've spent most of my life alone. I don’t quite understand.." Andrew admits this to him with characteristic nerves holding onto his shovel as though it is something that will save him from this conversation. Victor wants to tell him that he could have assumed as much. That Andrew does not need to tell him of his childhood, “It was pointed out to me that your actions may be sincere. And that I might have assumed the worst of you. For that, I am sorry.”

Victor tilts his head. Frowns.

“ It’s okay. I assumed us to be closer than we were. I am not very good at this either, ” Is all Victor can think to write.

It, once again, takes Andrew a moment to read over it. When he does, his lips twitch up into a smile, “I think you do fine, Mr. Grantz. Especially compared to. Well, someone like myself, I suppose.”

“ You can call me Victor. There is no need for formalities. ”

“...” Andrew tilts his head, “Can you really not speak? I am sure I’ve seen you speak to him frequently enough,”

Him, Victor knows, is Luca.

“ I can, theoretically. It is very hard on me,” Victor bites the back of his pencil as he thinks, then adds, “It is not very different to you being unable to see, I think. I can still speak. Just not in a metaphorical low light.”

It’s not a good comparison. But Andrew looks over it, and understanding seems to dawn on him well enough, “Ah,” Is all he says, “I’m sorry for your troubles.”

Victor shakes his head.

“ I do not mind it. Even before it grew to be this bad, I was a rather quiet person. A few things happened that simply cemented it to be a condition,” Scratch that, ”Permanent. But, it is not horrible. I also think it’s interesting to have so many of my conversations recorded on pages. It puts an element of weight to them. Of course, given that often, I only have one side of the conversation, it can be less than entertaining. ”

Squints again. Tilts his head.

“I see.” Andrew looks over at his embroidery, to the needle he’d less than elegantly been handling, “You needlework?” He asks, raise of an eyebrow sent his way.

Victor laughs, nervous and silent, “ I am no good at it, I’m afraid. Miss Woods has been looking for someone to teach, however, and I have become the target. I do not mind. It has been an interesting learning experience. ”

Andrew, for all it’s worth, smiles at him. Shakey, but sincere, “It’s not too hard. Come here.”

(“Were you honest?” Andrew asks, later in the night, when Victor has a finished flower elegantly sewn into his fabric, almost none of it his own handiwork, “About wishing to understand me?”

“ I was. You seem to be an interesting man, Andrew. ”

“Huh,” Is all Andrew says. And then, “Huh.” Again.)

Andrew does not read because his eyesight does not allow him the pleasure, but he enjoys stories that end kindly and tales of places far from home. He is more fond of tea than coffee. He does not like dogs because one attacked him, leaving his arm scarred over with a bite mark.

Victor learns this over the course of about one conversation, something Andrew had both cautiously been sitting on and uncertainty offered.

" I'm sorry if Wicks presence bothers you, " Is his first reply to that.

Andrew shakes his head, quickly, looks over to where his friend has taken to laying sprawled out on the floor, "She is fine. Small dogs are.. they're okay. She’s very well behaved." But he still seems anxious on the matter

Victor, another night, does eventually end up asking for clarification.

“Why were you so offended? I still don’t know what I did wrong.”

“... Surely, you will laugh.”

Victor shakes his head, quickly. Holds the note out again as though ushering him to answer the question. Andrew stares at it. Then him, studying his face to assure himself that Victor is honest in his curiosity.

“I thought you were trying to get close to me to mock me,” He admits, eventually, slowly hands collapsing together, “I thought- Ah. You said I was different . Surely, There is nothing different about me that is good. So I figured..” He grimaces, laughs nervously under his breath, “Surely, he is digging for information to use against me. And the idea angered me.”

And Victor thinks he might be able to understand that, if he thinks on it long enough.

If trying to get Andrew’s trust was hard on him, it is particularly harder for Luca.

Luca, who is a little less elegant with his words, and a little less observant with his presence. Who touches too much and smiles too bright, who is a little too noisy and a little too much. It certainly does not help that Andrew is Victor's friend now. And given that Andrew is Victor's friend, Luca has decided that Andrew is officially Alright, and because he is Alright he gets pulled around like any other one of Luca’s friends.

Andrew doesn’t trust him on an instinctual level.

“No one is that open without ulterior motive,” He tells Victor, holding his arms close, “It makes me uncomfortable. He’s going to pull something on me.”

“ ... Am I not open? ”

“I didn’t quite trust you, either,” Andrew points out, into his hands.

Luca isn’t unaware of Andrew’s growing uncertainty with him.

“I think he hates me,” Luca admits, musing over it, “I’m right, aren’t I?”

“Maybe,” Victor says, sheepishly, “I don’t actually know. But you know as well as I that there aren’t a lot of people Andrew likes. I think he barely likes me.” Victor signs it with a fond smile, and Luca just sighs in acceptance.

Things, as they tend to do, fall together on their own. Without Victor's input, and out of nowhere.

Victor is laying with his head on Luca’s shoulder. Luca is flipping through the pages of a book, and Andrew has once again taken hold of Victor's embroidery and claimed it as his own, and Victor isn’t about to call him on it (The last time he had, teasingly, Andrew had mumbled about “not being a thief.”)

It’s a bit quiet, but that’s comfortable enough between them.

Andrew must think him to be asleep, because he addresses Luca, instead of him.

“So. Ah.. Mr. Balsa,”

“Hm?” He feels Luca shift, look up at Andrew. The new eye’s on him must not help, because he practically hears Andrew stutter over himself.

“Are you two,” He starts. Hesitates. Then, mumbles, in a voice so ashamed, so quiet, “I- I mean. I was just wondering if. Er... What. What is the nature of your relationship with Victor?” Luca seems dumbfounded. Doesn’t say anything for a good time, tenses against Victor. Then laughs. Something that causes Andrew to sputter, “You don’t have to answer! I will just ask Victor instead-”

“No, no,” Luca waves a hand, “You misunderstand. I’m not laughing at you. More. How you phrased it? Nature of our- You asking if we’re fucking?”

Andrew coughs. He feels Luca shake his head.

“Right, right. Sorry, I’ll curve my language some. It’s just- I thought it was kind of well known that we’re- well, together ,” Luca places emphasis on the final word, seeming amused, “We haven’t told anyone but, you know. People talk. Assume things. In this case, most have assumed correctly.”

“I- I see,” He whispers it, holds his shovel close to himself, “I’m sorry. I don’t talk to many others. It must not have gotten around to me.”

The room falls quiet. Not comfortably so.

“... You’re uncomfortable with the notion?” Luca notes, crosses his arms. Not exactly defensive, but not entirely welcoming.

He can feel Andrew startle.

“No- I mean, not that- Not that you two are together ,” Andrew gets over his moment of panic pretty fast this time, to his credit, “I am afraid I’m a bit stuck in my ways. I don’t understand how you can be so open about it. Is... that not something to keep quiet?”

He feels Luca’s fingers brush atop of his knuckles.

“Well,” Luca says, “We’ve nothing to lose here but eachother.”

“You’re not afraid of their judgement?” Andrew asks, sincere, “For his sake?”

Victor thinks Andrew might be looking at him. He does not risk opening his eyes to check.

Luca leans back, gives out a sigh long enough that it stings. He knows the telltale signs of Luca thinking. The bite of his thumb, the way his hand rubs against the tip of his temple. He’s not even being careful, as to not wake Victor up. Maybe he knows he’s been awake this whole time.

Then, finally.

“Hey, Kriess. Can I say somethin’. Kinda. Make an assumption of your character?”

“I. Suppose, yes.”

“The people who are here aren’t here to hurt you,” Luca says, and it’s so blunt and unimpressed that Victor’s eyes fly open, ruining his facade, “You realize that, right? We’ve some interesting character’s here. Real colorful ones, you know. The sort that have a presence,” Luca laughs, but it’s humorless, “But they aren’t here to judge and ridicule you. Let alone our relationship. And I understand you may be worried about Victor but it’s not-” Luca tilts his head back and forth, like his head is hurting him, “It’s not their business, y’know? ‘Specially when half’a them are fraternizing loud enough to echo down the hall.”

“You’re right. That’s an incredibly bold assumption of my person,” Andrew’s tone is blank, and he speaks immediately.

But, something interesting happens. Victor can practically see the way his shoulders begin to untense. How some kind of understanding passes over his expression, so fast others might miss it, “You’re a very straight forward person, aren’t you Mr. Balsa.”

Luca giggles, and has to hide it with his hand, “A little too forward, I’ve been told.”

“That’s... very comforting,” Andrew admits.

(“I suppose if you’re.. Together with him. Then he must not be a bad person,” Andrew tells him, later in the night. Which is good enough for Victor.)

They fall into a simple routine.

They'll bring their dinners up to one of their rooms, sit sprawled out about the floor. Luca and Andrew will get into a debate about some godforsaken topic, and Victor will listen in with rasp fascination. Sometimes it’s something theological. Something like;

“You really don’t believe in anything ?” Andrew asks Luca, in amazement.

“Not really,” Luca will shrug, reach over to place his butter-roll on Andrew’s plate in exchange for an extra helping of pulled pork, “Sort of hard to wrap my head ‘round, you know? Maybe s’ above me.”

Andrew fairly obviously does not understand. Luca does not make him try to.

Other times, it’s mostly Luca talking;

“Have I ever told you about the Ramanujan Summation?” Luca asks, hanging off his bed in a way that looks like it would hurt eventually, more interested in whatever’s written in his book than the food in front of him. Victor will get on him for that later.

“... No,” Andrew says, only half paying attention, because Luca’s book looks to be on modern math theory, and math theory goes over his head as much as it does Victors.

“Do you want it in layman's terms, or-”

“ Please .”

“Okay. Fair enough. So theoretically when you add up all the numbers. All of them, every number in existence. It makes -1/12.”

“...What?” And then Andrew is actually interested, and Victor knows this because he’s looking Luca in the eye, and has placed his own fork down, and Victor sighs as he resigns himself to the fact that neither of them will be eating anytime soon.

“See? I knew you’d be interested. Okay, so- ack ,” Luca falls off the bed in his attempt to scramble to sit next to Andrew and Victor, “Sorry, sorry, okay anyway, there’s this formula-”

And then sometimes, most often, it’s quiet, and personal.

“ Your mother is important to you, ” Victor notes one day, looking at the worn, loved picture tucked away on his desk. He signs it without thinking, and Luca translates without thinking, startling both him and Andrew in the process.

“.. She- She was,” He says, clarifies, looks away, “She died quite a while ago, I am afraid.”

“ I’m sorry . I didn’t know, ” Victor signs, frowns.

“There’s no need to apologize. She’s in a far kinder place now,” Andrew sighs, rubs the back of his neck. But there’s a bit of bite behind his words that he can’t quite get rid of, that weighs heavy on the air between them.

“ You miss her, surely? ”

Andrew blinks at Luca. Then, realizing he’s translating again, turns and looks at Victor with the same, blank expression, “Of course,” He says, “It is no sin to miss the dead. But I will see her again one day. And that is what I wish to think about.”

He and Luca exchange a look. Death is a friend here. Comforting, and sweet. It is not something that takes them permanently, and hasn’t since the day they walked through the manor doors. This is not, in fact, something they’ve brought up with Andrew, who holds his beliefs close to his heart. This is not something they will ever talk about with him so freely.

“What about you?” Andrew is looking at Victor, when he asks. Victor returns it by pointing towards himself, frowning. Andrew nods, “Yes, you. Your family. What are they to you?”

Victor smiles. It’s something tight.

“You’re asking some exciting questions,” Luca says, leans forward on the bed, “Victor hasn’t even told me about his life before all this,”

“Really?” Andrew turns and looks at him. Victor offers a guilty, silent smile. Andrew recignizes this for what it is, privacy, and turns to Luca instead. “I see. And you? What are they to you.”

This, Victor knows, is a touchy topic. Victor makes a few gestures at Andrew, ones that aren’t signs and are more recognizable as “No don’t ask Luca that”

But Luca takes it well enough. Smiles, easy, “Couldn’t tell you if I wanted to,” He admits, easy, “Really wish I could though!”

Andrew’s eye’s soften, “I’m sorry fate has been so unkind, as to remove you from your blood.”

“It is what it is.”

Victor notices it in one of his matches with Andrew

Matches with Antonio are always something unique. The hunter seems to have a rather laissez faire way of approaching the games they’re forced to play. Sometimes, he manages to wipe their team clean within the first ten minutes. Other times, he will simply sit back and strum at his instrument, humming along to a melody that seems both too familiar and too distant. He’s never particularly cruel, in the same way Joseph or Jack can be. Not particularly kind in his plays, like Robbie. He’s.. respectful. Treats the game as a responsibility he can shed at a moment’s time.

It’s interesting to watch. And so Victor does. From his place in a Rocket Chair, as Antonio paces back and forth in front of it.

He imagines he must be quite a boring person to have captured. Someone like Mike easily indulges in conversation with the hunters he’s caught with. Someone like Norton sits and groans and cusses and puts on a show. Victor can only really sit and politely smile, offering uncomfortable shrugs and nervous sighs.

This isn’t often an issue with Antonio.

“You do not mind if I play, do you?” He asks Victor, always, without fail, “I do so dearly enjoy having an audience.”

And Victor will always, without failure, give a shrug. Who’s he to stop the man from playing?

He plays with his back turned to the chair. Andrew approaches at a crawl, brows furrowing at Antonio. Confused, but not ungrateful for the easy escape. His fingers yank desperately at Victors bonds, gaze flickers anxiously between

And, just as Victor heaves himself up and out of the chair, the bow slams back.

...?

Into the side of the chair instead of Andrew’s head.

“Oops,” Antonio mumbles under his breath, “How uncharacteristically clumsy of me. Lucky survivor.”

And then he smiles, and plays a shriek of a note.

Andrew grabs his arms and yanks, rushing the two of them forward without another word.

Did he purposefully miss?

Andrew’s skin is so pale that he could have fooled Victor into thinking he was a ghost at first.

The thing about that is, it leaves his body a canvas of unnatural colors and shades. Veins show under his skin, flushes are especially prominent. He ends matches with sickly shades of purple on his arms and sides, and blood lays on him in an ugly, uneasy contrast.

The other thing it shows off is bitemarks, resting at the base of his neck.

Well, he thinks. That answers that question.

“ Are you seeing one of the Hunters? ” He asks Andrew, upfront one day

“No,” He says quickly, too quick, eyes wide, “Absolutely not.”

Victor doesn’t push an obvious lie.

Andrew falls into the lake. Is thrown back into it, by one of Bonbon’s bombs.

He is fine, for the most part. No more hurt than he would normally be, just a little more wet and absolutely dizzied by the waves.

He comes down ill, shivers and shakes and vomits up his dinner into the trash. For as.. Generous, as the manor seems to be healing them of their injuries, it is less than generous with their illness. He is bedridden by the end of the night.

Emily sighs, “It’s just the flu. He’ll be better with rest. I am sure Miss Behamfil or Mr. Ellis will be more than willing to take his place over the next few matches. Just make sure he stays in bed, alright?”

She is looking at Victor when she says this. Victor smiles placid at her and once again wonders when this became his responsibility.

Andrew doesn’t get better, immediately.

He gets worse. His fever spikes, breathing becomes heavy. Gets a cough that rattles his chest and shakes his form. He gets a distant look to his eye, looks awfully dizzy when he’s forced to walk across the room. Victor insists he stays in bed, attempts to usher him back to lay down.

Andrew wants nothing more than to be left alone.

“ Are you going to be okay? ” Victor asks, delivering him his dinner. A dish he doesn’t know the name of, has never tried before. A dish that according to Eli, was made by Naib. A comfort meal, made of rice and chicken and that smells heavily of spices. Easy on the stomach, clears the sinuses.

Naib had flustered an odd shade of red from his spot as Eli had spoken wonders of the dish. Hid his face further in his hood.

Victor does not think he was supposed to know who it was from. He doesn’t tell Andrew, as a result.

“Don’t worry about me. Go away, leave me alone,” Andrew tells him, face an ugly shade of red and hair sticking to his skin. He shuts the door on his face.

Victor sighs, and shakes his head.

He doesn’t think anything else of it.

(Until Andrew is leaning against his doorway with the same distant look in his eye at three in the morning, struggling to keep himself up.

"Can you help me get over to the hunter side of the manor," he requests, so soft Victor almost misses it, "Please.")

The walk to the hunters side of the manor is an easy one.

There’s no barriers to pass, no traps to avoid. The only thing that separates the hunters and the survivors is a maze of too dark hallways that twist and turn in directions he cannot remember, and the uncertainty that comes with sharing the same space as the very people whose only job is to hurt you.

Andrew navigates the halls like he navigates the garden paths. Takes glances up to check where they are, raises a hand to wave Victor in the proper direction. Their walk is a quiet one. And, as they get closer to the hunters dwelling, becomes a far colder one.

The hunters side of the manor is made to be more elegant. Their own is rustic at best, shabby at worst. But the wood floors become polished instead of worn, wall paper becomes shiny and clean. There’s paintings on the wall, who’s eyes track him down corridors, and statues around each corner that loom and shadow over them. What the hunters halls have in appearance, it lacks in atmosphere. Victor has never once felt uncomfortable in the Survivors side of the manor. The people there, as varied and selfish as they could be, had always been welcoming. They understood their place as a group, understood that they were stuck with one another. He might not be friends with all of them, but he did not fear around them.

The hunters halls seem built to separate. He wonders if they want that. If it’s intentional, on their part.

The issue is, they get caught.

Bad timing on their end, it seems. One of the doors open just as they begin to pass it, leaving everyone here at an awkward standstill.

He doesn’t think there’s any shame in saying that The Evil Reptilian has always terrified him. Perhaps it’s because he just doesn’t get thrown into matches with him a lot. That every match he has had with him has gone pretty poorly. He’s heard Norton insist that “ He’s not too bad, really, kind of one of those weird nerd types actually, ” But when staring down someone that’s got teeth the size of his hands, and scales that seem thicker than metal, it’s hard not to put aside preconceived notions that he’s already pushed into his head.

The Evil Reptilian stares at the two of them. Seems momentarily dumbstruck that they’re there, in front of him, where they should not be.

" Hello. Violinists room ?" he tries to sign, but between trying to keep Andrew balanced in one arm, and his own uncertainty it falters. He opens his mouth to speak to him. Feels butterflies form in his gut and something ugly crawling under his skin. He tries again, weaker this time, but the only thing that comes out is a strangled, uncertain breath of air.

Victor can’t bring himself to speak. His words, as they often do, feel trapped inside of him.

And. Well. The Evil Reptilian is not even looking at the two of them. Victor already has trouble enough reading people's faces, let alone that of a lizard almost twice his size. But, looking at Luchino, he almost thinks he’s.. Annoyed.

“Yeah, yeah,” He raises a hand and waves off Victors attempts to speak, “I know, you’re the mute one,” Then, in mumbles and hisses, “I know why he’s here. I told Antonio- I told him, if you’re going to invite him, come collect him so he doesn’t get lost. But no one here listens to Luchino, what does he know-”

Victor makes an attempt to gesture a “ no ,” in Luchino’s(?) direction. Then, just shakes his head quickly.

Andrew clarifies, “Sorry. There was no invitation extended to me tonight.”

“Not invited?” Luchino looks over them, gets a better look. Seems to notice the feverish look to Andrew’s eyes, the flush across his cheek. Reassesses the way Victor has him propped up. Tastes the air with his tongue, gives a sniff in their direction.

Victor doesn’t expect his gaze to turn as sympathetic as it does, “Ah. I see. That’s how it is.”

Luchino (He’s decided that’s probably his name) sighs. Stretches his head in a way that seems a little unnatural to his build. He hisses and rubs between his eyes and with a flick of his tail and a turn of his heel gives into whatever he’s thinking. He begins to stalk down the hall.

“Agh. Fine. Sure, alright this is how it is! Come on. The sooner you’re out of here, the better.”

As it turns out, Victor had gotten them a little lost.

By a little lost, he means a lot of lost. Luchino huffs out an unamused sounding laugh when Andrew tells him that really, they’d been planning on going to Antonio’s room the whole time.

“The bedrooms are on the opposite side of the wing, and about two floors up,” Luchino points out, crossing his arms in a way that seems unnatural and distinctly human, “How out of it are you?”

Victor goes to sign again, because he wants to say that Andrew has been sick for three day’s time now, and hasn’t been getting any better. But he once again realizes how futile the effort is, how little input he has here, and curses the hand that trained his tongue against him.

The bedroom wing is a bit more welcoming than the halls they’d been in. Candles lit to lead the paths with a warm sort of lighting, and sounds leak out from doors as they pass. The sound of mumbling, clicking of machinery, gentle humming and clicking of heels. It’s eerie familiarity that crawls up his spine and dances under his skin, and he wonders why he feels as though he both does and does not belong here.

They stop at a door. An elegant song he would not know the name of leaks out, played with something he thinks might be desperation.

Luchino knocks on the door, “Antonio,” He tries, with an annoyed huff.

The song continues, stronger.

Luchino shakes his head, knocks harder. Gives an irritated swish of his tail, “Antonio, open up. Your survivor came for a surprise visit.”

The music stops near immediately. Victor thinks about the verbiage. His survivor.

“.. Oh? One moment, please.”

There’s the shuffling of pages, and click of footsteps. Victor thinks carrying Andrew would have been easier, at this rate.

“ My gravekeeper, you know I adore any moment spent with you, but-” He begins to open the door, and Victor swears for a moment he sees that grin of his falter upon the realization that Andrew is not alone tonight. The moment of italian rests oddly on his ears, and Victor has to shake his head to rid himself of the dizziness that comes with hearing it, “Hm! I see! Absolutely fascinating night it is turning out to be! Thank you for your help, Luchino, but I believe your presence is no longer required. You may be off now."

The lizard sighs. Looks away, "Yeah. You’re lucky it wasn’t Jack this time,” This time, Victor notes. Then, looking at Victor, “You seem smart. You can make your way back on your own?”

Victor smiles. It’s not shaky in the slightest.

“Good. Be careful.”

Antonio’s room smells of cheap wine and expensive cigars, with a mess of music sheets sprawled about where he imagines the man to have been working. His bed is something large, but is the nightstand to the right is anything to go by, only one side seems to get any use. There’s fresh flowers, purple, plucked in a vase, and a painting of a landscape Victor feels like he might have seen before. If he digs through his memories.

It feels oddly human. He’s not sure why the music sheets surprise him the most. Perhaps it’s because he’s never actually thought about what most of the hunters do in their spare time. They must have hobbies of some kind, he thinks. Could be passionate about as many things as they are.

(When he asks Antonio later, he is amused.

“Well,” He says, claps his hands together as he laughs, “If you’re Joseph, you pace about the halls until 4 am mumbling dramatics to yourself, and keeping the rest of the manor up. But, the rest of us, we do have hobbies as well, yes.”

Joseph scoffs in the corner, spins his sword in a way that is an attempt to be threatening but comes off as rather childish instead.)

“Place him on the bed,” Antonio tells him, “Easy now.”

Victor does as instructed, shifting to help Andrew to bed. Andrew says nothing, only moving to curl in on himself. Shivers somewhat, but relaxes into the sheets.

“...” Victor turns to look up at Antonio. He realizes that this may very well be the first time he’s seen him outside of a match. He’s met some of the hunters before. Robbie doesn’t seem to actually see the self-segregated line they’ve drawn for their groups, running around the survivors side of the manor in an attempt to get people to play with him. Burke travels freely between the two sides, grumbling to himself about the building's layout. Or something like that. It’s really hard to catch, if he’s being honest.

But Antonio seem’s to keep to himself. Not a loner in the same way Joseph seems to be, but not particularly social to their lot either.

Is what he’d say, were it not for the fact he’s brought the walking talking evidence that contradicts that thought. Antonio takes a moment to wrap Andrew up in his covers, whispering something too soft for Victor to catch. A scold of some kind, the gentle sort that comes from concern rather than rage.

“Sleep now,” He thinks he catches, “We will talk tomorrow.”

Victor, momentarily, feels like a voyeur. This, he knows, is not something meant for his eyes, and he thinks himself polite when it comes to averting them.

“... Thank you for bringing him to me,” Antonio tells him, dreamy sigh on his lips, “I would have rather he stayed on the survivors side of the manor but- I suppose I’ve made my space too comfortable. What a shame,” But his voice seems to have a thrill of laughter to it, and Victor's brows furrow. Goes to pat down his person to find a pencil and paper, then frowns when he discovers he’s forgotten it.

Antonio is perceptive.

“Ah. Yes. You’re the little Postman my Gravekeeper is so fond of? The quiet one?” Antonio considers it, stalks over to his music sheets and shuffles through the piles. He hums to himself as he does, quite happy, and returns with the pen and paper intertwined in his hair, “Here now. Freedom to speak. Use it well.”

He doesn’t know which part to address. To give Antonio his name, the part about Andrew apparently being fond of him, a thank you for the pen and paper.

“ That’s a good thing, ” Is what he decides, “ That he’s comfortable around you. Isn’t it?”

Antonio hum’s, “Maybe so,” Which, as a response, is somewhat annoying. He would never say that outloud, but it must show on his face, because Antonio follows up with, “Is it fair to him? That he must make a trip across a manor to find a moment of respite? I think not, Little Postman. That is my concern.”

Victor’s eyebrows furrow.

“My name is Victor Grantz,” He writes, and shoves it in Antonio’s face.

Antonio must gaze upon the page, because his head tilts. But instead of saying something reasonable, he replies, “Tell me, Little Postman. Are you fond of tea?”

Victor is more of a coffee kind of guy. What he writes, instead, is, “ Do you have oolong ?”

Antonio, as it happens, makes a rather fantastic oolong tea.

“I am surprised he allowed you to bring him here,” Antonio tells him, thoughtfully, “He was quite taken with the idea that he could keep our relationship ah… how do you say it?” hums as he considers his words.

Victor is busy writing on the pages he’s been given.

“ He didn’t want people to see you two together, yes. I figured it out on my own. You two are very obvious in matches, if I may say so myself. I don’t think anyone else has realized quite yet though, because they do not know how to pay attention to what is in front of them, ” And then adds on, “ You may speak Italian, if it helps. I am very rusty, and not fluent, but I think I might know enough. ”

Antonio looks on the note. Laughs.

“I see. You are perceptive then?”

“ Perceptive enough. ”

Antonio moves in a way that is foreign on the eyes. Limbs that look as though they’re being pulled on a string, hair that twists and curls on its own accord. When Victor looks at him for too long, he thinks the sight becomes overwhelming.

He uses his hair to lift the tea cup and bring it to his lips.

“Tell me, Little Postman,” Victor takes the chance to circle his name again in thick, bold lines, but Antonio seems to ignore it again, “What do you plan on doing with this information.”

Victor’s only close friends are a man so forgetful that he sometimes wakes up not remembering where he is or why he’s here, and a man who’s secret’s he hasn’t even begun to discover the depths of. The rest of the manor shallows in comparison to those two figures.

“ Absolutely nothing. It is obviously something he would rather not spread. I’ve no reason to be telling anyone. ”

“Oh! How delightful, then there’s no need for threats,” Antonio hums, rather pleased with this development, “I think I might find myself to become quite fond of you.”

It takes Andrew another three days to return to them. He wonders how bad his sickness is that it takes that long to run its course. He wonders if he simply chooses to spend an extra day or two away. He lets questions run through his head, wonders how long they’ve been together for, if it’s Victors business to ask. He wonders if Andrew would consider it prying to try. He wonders and wonders, until Andrew is standing in his bedroom, arms crossed in a way that reveals his uncertainty.

And Victor goes to pester him. He does. But he only gets one question out.

“ You get on well with the hunters? ”

“...” Andrew seems tense. Like he didn’t expect Victor to bring it up. For them to sit in their usual silence, unquestioned, and certain.

But Andrew has a secret. And Victor wants desperately to know more.

“I have always had a place amongst the damned and the monstrous, Victor,” He finally answers, staring down at his hands.

... What?

"What?" Victor speaks without realizing, something that startles Andrew into looking at him. Andrew's gaze, for what feels like the first time, meets his own. It burns. Andrew is tense and uncomfortable, and when (after a moment of hesitation) Victor reaches out to settle his hands on either side of his shoulder he jumps. Looks two seconds from running away from him.

Looks scared.

"You're disgusted by me," Andrew says, immediately.

"I'm not," Victor assures, at a whisper, "I'm just confused-"

"You can be," And then, firmer, "You- you should be! You should. Be disgusted by me. By my presence."

"I'm not," Victor repeats, firmer, louder, "Andrew."

Andrew can't pull away from him. He's more bone then he is skin, let alone muscle. His response to this is to do the next best thing, to sink to the ground at a heap of dead weight, "I'm sorry," he tells Victor, a whisper.

Victor, who doesn't know why he's apologizing or why he's become so panicked, can only do what feels right. And what feels right, in that moment, is to sink down to match Andrew's level. To wrap his arms around Andrew's form and hide him away from the world. Andrew tenses under his touch. Reaches to hold him closer. Grabs at him tight and hides his face.

“I, I- I think they placed me on the wrong side of the manor,” He admits, hands shaking, “I don’t think I belong here. I’ve- I’ve asked to switch sides, you know. I would be fine with it! I would have. I would do well as a hunter, I believe. How wretched is that? To know you'd do well in bloodlust. Not that it matters. The baron would not allow it. I think it’s just another way for fate to taunt me. I come somewhere and find those that might just understand me, where I may belong and-” He’s gripping his hair hard enough that his hands tremble, “I am denied it," He laughs. It's humorless, "What a joke.”

Victor stays still as he heaves in breaths.

"My existence is something cursed," He says, and his voice cracks, "I'm sorry to have pulled you into it. I'm sorry you need to discover my true nature like this. I'm sorry, Victor. I am truly sorry."

He can’t talk to Luca about this.

He can’t betray Andrew’s trust like that. He doesn’t know how much Andrew has told Luca, but he imagines it's not much. So he doesn't risk it. He returns to Antonio, following the maze of hall’s he’s only wandered once before. He has an excellent sense of direction. Brings Wick with him this time, to assure that they won’t be caught. And when he appears at Antonio’s door, holding up an offering of wine and tea cakes, the man simply waves him in with a sweep of his hair.

“ Andrew believes himself to be of the devils making, ” It’s not a question.

“Hm!” Antonio laughs, “Sharing secrets today, are we?”

“ It’s not a secret. Not from you. ”

“....” Antonio reaches over to pluck a glass from his cupboard, offers one his way as well, “He does believe himself to be of the devils making. Quite literally! Would you believe that?”

“ I didn’t realize his self hatred ran so deep. I knew he did not think highly of himself. But I, ” Victor doesn’t know how to end that sentence. He doesn’t get the chance to. Antonio peers over his shoulder, reads the scribblings he's cursing.

“There is not thinking highly of yourself. And then there is believing yourself to be cursed at birth?”

Victor nods. Antonio hums.

"Well," He starts, "He certainly has lived a very unforgiving life. One that very few would be able to wrap their heads around.”

Andrew hasn't told him much of his life before the manor. He knows he's worked as a gravekeeper. He knows his mother had died. That she meant a lot to him. He knows that he is a lonely man, who curses acts of kindness like they're from the devil.

He thinks, maybe he should have asked more about Andrew's life before now.

“ Can you wrap your head around it? ” Victor asks, “ His life? ”

“.. Birds of a feather, Little Postman.”

“ Ah. I’m sorry to hear. ”

Antonio shakes his head, “ Most of my life was a sin of my own creation. Ah. But you certainly are not here to hear about that!”

Victor doesn’t know a lot about Antonio, either. But one of the first thing’s he’d been told about was that he was a demon. The devil’s self made violinist. He's not sure how much of that he believes.

He wonders if Andrew had been told the same.

“ Do you find irony, in the fact that he finds comfort in your presence? ”

Antonio tilts his head up. Swirls the wine in his glass in a way that reeks of fake thoughtfulness. A show of emotion. Victor almost wants to tell him to knock it off, but does not, because his next words are honest and sincere, “Our relationship is a self fulfilled prophecy, you see! He sees me as damned, sees himself as damned. In his mind, we are one in the same! Ah, tea cake?”

Victors brows furrow, and he reaches out to accept the tea cake (That he brought over)

“... Do you believe him to be damned."

“I think he is an angel,” He says almost immediately, with a dreamy sigh. And Victor, really not in the mood to hear Antonio fawn, rips his eyes away.

“ Right .”

“... The thing about Angels, Little Postman. They can be perceived to be quite monstrous. And for something so beautiful, they’re left quite defenseless. They can have their wings plucked and halo’s shattered, be torn apart and put back together,” Antonio says this so brightly, Victor almost misses the meaning behind the words. Then. He stalls. Looks down at his wine, as though it’s telling him something personally, “Eventually, that angel is going to lash out. What do you think happens to angels that lash out?"

He smiles at Antonio. Still confused. Still unsure.

"To put it gently. The world is unkind to angels such as he. Eventually, the world forces them to fall, and develop horns and nails and teeth."

Victors brows furrow.

"Oh, but of course! This is just all theoretical. Entirely hyperbolic, you know."

...

“ I didn’t know you were religious, ”

Antonio laughs at him, “Oh. I’m not. Have never been. I like to think myself an opportunist, more than anything.”

Victor decides he wouldn’t mind learning more about Antonio. Maybe. One day. But tonight, he’s more interested in finishing the wine in his glass, and the cigar in his hand, and maybe going in for another of both.

What a headache.

#luca balsa #andrew kreiss #victor grantz #Antonio IDV #Empathy (Reprise)#I forgot to post it to my tumblr oops #formating is a bit wonk here though

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