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#different side note did anyone else take a while to figure out how to fight armoured bokoblins??

tenelkadjowrites · 2 months

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The Heart's Filthy Lesson - Seonghwa x Reader (NSFW)

🪓Summary: Your best friend has always been dedicated to you. But isn't everyone's best friend like that?

🪓Word count: 15k

🪓Playlist for this fic can be found here.

🪓Genre & warnings: one shot smut. (twisted) best friends to lovers. unreliable narrator. elements of horror. descriptions of stalking against the reader, violence against others (not the reader), unhealthy relationship dynamics. dom hwa. dirty talk. underwear is torn off reader. oral sex, reader receiving. choking, reader receiving. unprotected sex. creampie.

this fic is not meant to represent seonghwa in any way, shape or form.

You’re fumbling with your keys, trying to get it into the lock without dropping your overstuffed bag. Why do I overpack so much? You curse inwardly. Every time, you swear that only essentials will be packed. Somehow, that ends up meaning enough underwear for a month and clothes for three different outfits a day even when you’re just visiting family.

You manage to get the key in the lock, practically tumbling inside your small apartment on the third story. Unceremoniously dumping your bag on the floor, you let out a long sigh. Like all family visits, you’re glad for them but also socially drained.

Padding into your living room, you wince a little. Way too much light in here, you think, I thought for sure I closed the blinds when I left. You turn around, fighting off the urge to take a nap. The trip is catching up to you, leaving you tired.

But you stand in the middle of the room, feeling a strange sense of unease. The living room looks entirely the same yet you cannot shake the sensation that something is different. It’s just cuz I thought I had closed the blinds. But the words ring hollow in your head.

In the quiet atmosphere of the apartment, you can distantly hear the traffic outside and the neighbor upstairs moving something heavy around. Your eyes slowly look across your kitchen counters before landing on a small pile of mail.

Curiously, you walk towards it, picking up the stack. There is a small sticky note stuck to the top with just a quickly drawn smiley face on it, the ink smeared into the paper on one side. Frowning, you peel it off and go through the mail. All of it is from when you were gone –

A knock on the door makes you jump, pressing your hand against your chest for a second. The pile of mail drops back to the counter, scattering across it as you go to the door. You don’t check who it is. You already know.

Opening the door, you find yourself face to face with your overly enthusiastic best friend.

“Hey, I remembered you were supposed to be back around this time so I figured I’d come over to say hi.”

“Hi, Seonghwa,” You say, already moving to the side to let him in.

He glances over his shoulder at you while heading into the living room. “How was the trip? How was your family? Did you tell them that I said hi?” Every word is said quickly, as if they are all fighting for importance and can’t decide what order to pop out in.

You push the door closed, trailing after him. You’ve known Seonghwa longer than anyone else in your life – he used to live next door where you befriended one another at just six years old. You went to the same high school, even the same college and when you decided to move to the city, so did he. You lived on different sides of the city at first until a year ago, when the apartment building finally had an opening and now he lived just one floor under yours. The two of you were a team – you knew everything about him and he never forgot a detail about you. Things were comfortable…although maybe a little too comfortable.

You cross your arms, leaning against the wall. “You brought my mail in.”

He turns to look at you, smiling brightly. Seonghwa always had the same countenance – pleasant and happy. “Yeah, of course.”

“I don’t remember giving you a key.”

“Oh, your plant needs watering.” He leans over and touches the wilting leaves gently, already moving past the fact he let himself into your place without asking. “Want me to do it?” He looks up at you.

You sigh, walking towards him. “Seonghwa,” You touch his hand gently, trying to get his attention.

His expression falters just for a moment before guilt pops in behind his eyes. Seonghwa looks tired, although that isn’t new, because he’s always on his computer at all times of the day and night. He glances downward at where your fingers had grazed his skin for a split second. His profile is so familiar to you – the sharp curve of his jaw, the long nose, his perfectly plump lips hiding perfect teeth. This is the same man you’ve grown up with your entire life. You know objectively he is beautiful but you’ve known him for so long that it no longer catches your notice. From the time he got in trouble for pushing a kid bullying you at the playground when you were both eight years old to sneaking out while in high school to go drink to this very moment, he’s always been there. That’s why you dislike whenever you come off as though you’re lecturing him.

“It was from two weeks ago. Remember? I had to let the plumbers in for you,” Seonghwa protests.

“You’re supposed to give the key back,” You hold out your hand, wiggling your fingers.

He ducks his head, some of his hair falling in front of his eyes as he looks down at the sagging plant. “It’s in my place. I don’t keep it on me.”

“Fine,” You sigh, “Next time, okay?”

Seonghwa bites down on his bottom lip for a second before his eyes lock on yours. “It happened six months ago. I mean, don’t you think – I think I’ve done a good job at not crossing a boundary since then.”

You hadn’t been expecting to have this conversation today. But maybe that is your own fault for constantly putting it off. It isn’t even that you’re mad at him anymore. But coming home late one night to find him passed out drunk in your bed after using your key to get in just felt like shattering a boundary. You took your key back after that, giving your best friend a dressing down even though he was apologizing profusely.

“I mean, you technically weren’t supposed to use the key to drop off my mail,” You point out.

His cheeks flush. “I was trying to be helpful,” He mumbles, eyes darting away from your face.

You sigh, knowing you’re going to give in. That is how it usually worked with Seonghwa. He was always the overzealous best friend, eager to help you even to the extent that it resulted in too much on his own plate.

“I know,” You reply, “And I appreciate it.”

His face lights up, all earlier guilt and tension erased immediately. Seonghwa immediately begins to pepper you with questions about the trip back home, leaving the earlier conversation about boundaries long passed. You aren’t sure if anything you said even sunk into his head. Likely not, you think.

After all, you know Seonghwa so well. You know what sticks to him.

“Hey!” The familiar chipper voice snaps you out of your mindless phone scrolling.

It’s two days later, after work, and you’re meeting Seonghwa for a coffee. The key issue is long forgotten, overtaken by the daily events of life that naturally take more importance than your best friend helpfully bringing in your mail.

He’s pushing through the crowd of people that have formed looking for a late afternoon caffeine boost. It had begun snowing earlier and there are a few snowflakes melting in his hair. His brown jacket hangs off his thin frame, the same jacket he’s had for easily a decade because he doesn’t care enough to buy a new one. It’s well worn, fraying at the seams near the elbows, and you’ve seen it against the backdrop of a multitude of different coffee shops.

“Am I late?” He stands by the table, looking down at you, not paying attention to the man trying to get past him while carefully balancing two cups of coffee in his hands.

“No. Even if you were, it’s okay. I was waiting for you before I got anything.”

You move to get up but Seonghwa shakes his head quickly. “No, no,” He nudges you back in the seat gently, “I’ll go order for us. It’s too crowded.” He is looking in your eyes. “I know what you like.”

He’s gone then, back in the crowd, moving towards the counter. You watch him go, turning your attention back to your phone. Ten minutes later, Seonghwa returns, handing you the coffee and sliding into the seat across from yours. The table is crammed in the corner, a clear attempt to try to fit more seats inside since the snow is coming down.

“I’m getting sensory overload in here,” You remark when someone smacks your arm with their laptop bag on accident.

“Do you want to go?” Seonghwa leans forward, “We can go if it’s too much.”

“No, it’s fine,” You shake your head, “I should have given more consideration to the time, I guess. How are you?”

He drums his fingers against the table while answering. “Fine. The usual. How was work?”

“The usual too. That project I’ve been stuck working on finishes next week – ow,” You wince as someone else hits your arm while squeezing through the tight space between your table and the next.

Seonghwa reacts like lightning, too quick for you to even say anything. His hand reaches for the strap of the man’s bag and he gives a sharp tug on it. “Hey!” He snaps and the man looks over his shoulder with wide eyes, “Pay attention to where you’re going!”

“Seonghwa, it’s fine –”

“I’d rather walk in the snow than be in here,” He says curtly, grabbing his coffee cup and gesturing for you to follow.

You do, and out in the cold, let out a small sigh of relief. Alright, maybe the idea of leaving the crowded coffee shop was the right choice. The soft layer of snow that is forming across everything is ruined by the many feet trampling over it hurrying to get home after work.

But you walk slowly along the sidewalk with Seonghwa, neither of you speaking for a few minutes. You glance out of the corner of your eye to find him looking at you.

He clears his throat quickly and asks, “What were you trying to say in there?”

“Oh, the project. It’s winding down next week. I’m relieved.”

Someone cuts in between the two of you and when Seonghwa moves back closer, he is no longer looking in your direction. “Is the project leader still texting you outside of work?”

You blink, a little surprised he remembers such a small detail from a few months ago. “Yeah, sometimes. But it isn’t anything unprofessional.”

Seonghwa’s cheeks are slightly red from the cold. He is holding the coffee cup tightly for warmth. “He might ask you out when the project is done.”

“Maybe,” You reply with a shrug, “We’ll see.”

Your best friend falls silent. The look in his eyes is from a thousand miles away for a couple of seconds before it snaps back into focus. “Would you say yes?”

“I don’t know. I guess I’ll see how I feel when it happens.” You hadn’t given it a lot of thought.

There is another silence which is unusual for Seonghwa who usually fills the conversation easily. But he seems to be mulling something over and is lost in thought – a rarity.

“What about you?”

His head snaps up, looking at you. “What do you mean?”

A lone snowflake lands on the bridge of his nose. You lean forward and brush it off. The gesture comes automatically, instilled from years of friendship. You’ve brushed a thousand snowflakes off his face and shoulders over the many winters spent hanging out.

“That woman at the coffee shop was flirting with you a few weeks back,” You then frown, “But we haven’t been back since. We could’ve gotten you a date.”

Seonghwa turns his face away from yours, slowing his pace down a little while watching the rush hour traffic grow larger on the road.

“No, I’m good.”

Coming to a stop at the crosswalk, you nudge his shoe with yours. “You haven’t been on a single date in ages.”

“So?” He turns to look at you, his eyes wide and questioning.

“Nothing, you just work a lot from home, that’s all. I wouldn’t want you to miss out something fun because of that.”

“Trust me, I’m not. I just am not interested in awkward dates.” He bounces on the heels of his shoes for a couple of seconds until the crosswalk turns green and he takes off like a shot.

This is typical of Seonghwa’s walking speed and you try to keep up. “Was I overstepping?”

“No,” He replies swiftly, his energy bubbling underneath the surface, “But I had a string of very awkward dates all last year and I need a break from them.” He runs his fingers through his hair, still walking at a brisk pace.

“Right, I get that. I didn’t mean to come off like I was lecturing –”

Seonghwa stops suddenly, so abruptly that you almost trip over your own feet. “You never come off like you’re lecturing,” He says, reaching out to help steady you, “I understand you just want what is best for me.”

“Right,” The word sends up a tiny puff of air from the cold, “You’re in your apartment a lot except when you’re with me. That’s all.”

Seonghwa’s hand is still on your arm but the grip is so loose that you can’t even feel it through the thick jacket. His nails are bitten to the quick. He lowers his hand once he knows you’re not going to fall over.

He flashes a quick grin, the same expression you’ve seen a thousand times. Your shoulders relax, knowing he isn’t upset with you.

“Is that so bad? Maybe I just wanna hang out with my best friend right now.”

“No, there isn’t anything wrong with it. I just need to make sure you’re doing alright though. You’d do the same for me.”

Seonghwa’s grin softens and he gently punches you on the shoulder. “Yeah, of course I would. I’d do anything for you. You know that.” He straightens up. “Now, come on. Enough discussing how I prefer to be indoors all day. Mental check-in complete. Ask me again in six weeks.”

“Right,” You are smiling, your concerns about Seonghwa spending too much time alone now allayed.

“Let’s get home, alright? I’m freezing.”

The conversation resumes, the ebb and flow always the same, some topics circled back so often over the course of time that they feel more like well read books with their spines bent than anything exciting. But you like that with Seonghwa.

With him, what you see is what you get.

“Nope, not Mario Party,” Seonghwa shakes his head, stretched out on the couch in his apartment, “You turn into someone I don’t even know when you play that. Half the time, I think you’re gonna tear my face off.”

You scoff. “Come on. That isn’t true.”

“Yes, it is. Think about last time.”

Shifting awkwardly on the couch, you avoid his eyes. “Whatever,” You mumble, remembering cursing him out for stealing your star.

It’s a week later and you’re trying to unwind from the stresses of work. The project finished yesterday which meant some relief. It is almost a routine now to pop over to Seonghwa’s, play a video game and unwind – to the point where neither of you ask to confirm, it just happens.

His place is organized and tidy, in a way that you could never hope to replicate. A shelf lined with books is next to the TV, with another one filled with his Legos he builds to unwind. His computer with dual monitors is in the corner, the chair pushed out from where he hastily got up once work finished for the day. The apartment is comforting.

Seonghwa gives you a knowing look and you drop the subject, aware he is right. He runs his fingers through his hair before turning his attention to the TV, leaning forward to grab the remote off the coffee table.

“You hear from that client? The one who is clearly interested in you?” He asks suddenly, staring at the TV while booting up Netflix.

Surprised, you glance at him and shift a bit in your spot on the couch. “He’s been texting me a bit.”

Seonghwa makes a noncommittal noise although for one second, you swear his grip on the remote tightens. When he doesn’t say anything further, you’re unsure of where to take the conversation. He’s never shown much interest in who you’ve dated before – in fact, he’s always seemed bored hearing about them, to the point that you barely mention it. You wonder what makes this guy different but something in you holds back asking.

“I gotta pee,” You say instead, and he just nods, swept up in whatever he’s thinking about.

You head down the hall and into the bathroom. You’re about to sit down when you notice there is no toilet paper on the roll. Rolling your eyes, you open the cabinet under the sink and rummage around. Why does he never pay attention to this stuff? Better yet why are you surprised?

The cabinet is as organized as the rest of his place but there is no sign of toilet paper. You try to remember if he stashes it elsewhere but nothing comes to mind. You think of your own cabinet under the bathroom sink and wince. Seonghwa has always been the more organized of you two. You’re lost in thought, pushing aside some cleaning supplies when your eyes land on a strange small black box pushed all the way to the back.

It’s slim and almost glossy, completely out of place to be shoved underneath the bathroom stick. You chew on your bottom lip, curiosity nipping at your brain. Seonghwa isn’t the one for secrets. There’s probably Pokémon cards or something inside that he misplaced.

But you still reach for the box, sitting down on the bathroom floor and opening it quietly. Guilt is poking at you for snooping through your best friend’s stuff. You can’t explain what is even driving you to open something personal that belongs to Seonghwa.

But you do.

There isn’t a lot inside.

One pair of underwear. A house key. A small bracelet.

Your pair of underwear. Your house key. Your small bracelet.

You stare at the items, not comprehending what is in your lap. The pair of underwear is green lace, one of your cuter pairs, and it went missing months ago. Around the time I found him passed out drunk in my bed, a small voice in your head points out.

The memory of the night replays. Coming home late, finding Seonghwa fast asleep in your bed, flopped on his stomach, wrapped up in the bedsheets as if it was his own room. You were frustrated at the lack of respect for your personal space. Seonghwa always had a tendency to do such things; back in college, more than once you’d wake up to him in your dorm with a cup of coffee in hand, somehow getting past security.

But you snapped that night, under a lot of work pressure and startled at finding a shape in your bed in the middle of the night. Waking Seonghwa up, you angrily asked him what he had been doing. Seonghwa slurred his words, said he was drunk and apologized. He sounded panicked and ashamed but that didn’t stop you from demanding your key back. You hadn’t talked to him for three days while he left you a ton of texts and messages apologizing and explaining himself. It was the longest you had gone without speaking to him.

Back in the present, you gingerly reach for the pair of underwear. Why would he take this? Your cheeks feel hot looking at it. Was he…doing something with this? Surely, that would be impossible. For a split second, your brain flashes a mental image of Seonghwa with his hand wrapped around the underwear as he – nope, no.

You drop it back into the box, opting for the bracelet instead. It’s a thin fake gold band with a tiny cubic zirconia diamond in it. You wore it over ten years ago, one night at the summer festival. Your boyfriend at the time just broke up with you and all you wanted to do was stay inside until Seonghwa prodded you to go with him. You wore the bracelet then, with a sun dress, trying to make an effort to look presentable. Seonghwa won a stuffed animal at one of the booths and gave it to you. You don’t remember misplacing the bracelet.

The house key winks knowingly at you.

You shut the box, shoving it hurriedly back in its spot as your heart threatened to explode in your chest. Your head is spinning, wondering what the hell to do. Do you confront him about it? That is what you’re supposed to do. But what do you even say?

You turn on the faucet, splashing cold water on your face while trying to gather your thoughts. Could it be that Seonghwa had some sort of crush on you? That is absurd. Keeping the bracelet would mean it has been a minimum of ten years he’s been pining for me. It could be longer. That’s enough to drive anyone mad.

In any case, you needed to get out of his apartment and try to calm yourself down. You had a tendency not to think very rationally when emotional and it would be better to put some space away from Seonghwa until you figured out how to broach the subject.

You open the bathroom slowly, trying to collect yourself and steady your breathing. When you enter the living room, Seonghwa is idly watching TV. He glances over at you and then frowns.

“What’s wrong?”

So much for looking casual.

“My boss texted me and there’s some crisis with another client. I need to pop back home and get on a Zoom meeting.” You don’t even know where the lie came from but it leaves your mouth smoothly.

Seonghwa sounds exasperated when he replies with, “You’re kidding.”

“No, sorry. You know how it is. Big girl job.”

“Yeah, fine, I get it.”

You are trying to get to the door without asking him what the fuck but he meets you there, his hand on the door knob. You force yourself to look at him directly – this face you know so well, this face you’ve stared at a thousand times. The same face that won you a stuffed animal at the festival ten years ago. Nothing has changed.

“I’ll message you later,” You say.

“Alright,” He opens the door, “Later.”

It closes behind your back, leaving you alone in the hallway. You stand there for a few moments.

You have no proof but there’s the sensation of Seonghwa looking through the peephole at you.

Not seeing your best friend for two days does nothing to help you figure out how to broach the subject of the tiny black box underneath his bathroom sink. By the time you see Seonghwa Sunday afternoon, the only idea you have is to avoid the discussion completely and opt to veer the conversation into you going on a date with someone.

The sun is lazily cutting across the floor of your living room while you pretend to be making coffee in the kitchen. Seonghwa is talking animatedly from the couch about something that happened the day before. You’re not really paying attention. Your mind keeps flashing to the night he fell asleep in your bed, picturing him rummaging through your underwear drawer to take a pair and slipping it into his pocket. You’re remembering the way he comforted you after getting dumped, convincing you to go to the festival. You can see him against the backdrop of the small white bulbs that were hanging off the booths, running his fingers through his hair while explaining with easy confidence how he could win a stuffed animal.

“Hey,” Seonghwa’s voice cuts through the memories and you blink, looking up from your place at the kitchen counter to see him standing in front of you, “Are you even listening to me?”

“I’m going on a date Tuesday night,” You blurt out without preamble, “With the client. The project that just finished.”

Seonghwa looks thrown before clearing his throat and replying, “Alright.”

But you keep going. “I think we have a real connection. It could turn into something.”

For the briefest moment, Seonghwa’s face goes startingly blank. There is nothing behind his eyes, and no expression on his face. Then he snaps back into focus, his hands pressing flat against the counter. “That’s good.”

You’re lying, of course, you doubt anything will come from this date. But if Seonghwa is harbouring some sort of intense crush on you, maybe showing him you’re into someone else will fix things. Knock the thoughts out of his head, redirect his focus to something else. Anything to get out of having a horrible discussion with him that could ruin the most solid friendship you’ve ever had in your entire life.

“Yeah, I can let you know how it goes,” You say a little too quickly, “Might be good for me. Like, I haven’t had a relationship in a couple of years. I feel ready for one now.”

Seonghwa pushes himself away from the counter, turning his back to you. “That’s great.” He plops back down on the couch. “Remind me again what I know about this guy.”

You decide to take this opportunity to really sell this man, to truly drive it home that this could be someone that you will be smitten with. You spend the next five minutes prattling on about him. At one point, you sit on the couch, on the opposite side of where Seonghwa is, still enthusiastically talking about a man you’ve barely thought of the entire time you worked with him.

Seonghwa’s face is slightly tilted with his arm propped up on the side of the couch, hand resting against his cheek. He’s looking at the wall, eyes distant. You’re trying to stay the course and see your speech through while at the same time studying his face for any sign that this onslaught of information is settling in. But there isn’t anything, not even a clenching of his jaw.

Running out of breath, you stop speaking and the room lapses into silence. Seonghwa stirs, turning his face in your direction. There it is once more – the same blank stare from earlier. Nothing behind his eyes, gone in a flash, replaced with the same Seonghwa you knew. You swallow hard, suddenly feeling a little off kilter. There is something unfamiliar in that blankness, something that is brand new ground in the relationship with your best friend.

“Well, you sound excited,” He says casually, “You’ll have to let me know how it goes.”

Your shoulders relax slightly. Are you overthinking everything? If Seonghwa was upset, you’d notice, right? You’ve seen him angry or annoyed a thousand times before. But the box still tugs at your sleeve. There’s a reason he has that. There is a reason he kept the underwear, the bracelet, the key. But the idea of asking your best friend why he has a box with such contents makes you want to jump off a cliff.

And Seonghwa is…comforting. Maybe it is selfish to think of him that way and to want nothing to change, especially if things are different at his end. But he’s been in your life for so long that the idea of him potentially not wanting to be around you anymore due to a crush forming makes your anxiety spike. He’s been there through everything…You can get stuff back on track. You can fix things without mentioning the box.

You’re sure of it.

Typically, the process of getting ready for a date is somewhat fun and enjoyable. You tend to overthink your outfit but other than that, you like listening to music, doing your makeup and wondering how the night will go.

This date doesn’t feel like that, mostly because the entire time you’re getting ready, your mind keeps going to Seonghwa.

You’ve been overanalyzing his behavior since your Oscar winning performance convincing him this date is important. It’s been a few days since your speech and he seems exactly the same. Maybe a little more reserved if you truly look at the small details. But that could be work related, you argue, maybe I need to stop being so self-absorbed and think that everything has to do with me.

But then you think back to the box with your underwear, bracelet and key. Any rational person would just talk to their best friend about it. Instead, you’re forcing yourself to go on this date in hopes of avoiding it because you’re being selfish, putting your feelings before his and wanting everything to remain normal.

Your phone suddenly rings, startling you out of your brooding. It’s your client – no, your date.

“Hello?”

“Hey, listen,” His voice comes out fast and urgent, “I am so sorry but I’m going to have to cancel.”

“What? Why?” It comes out way more demanding than intended but you had been banking on this…

“Some fucking psycho ruined my car! It’s all smashed up! Like, it’s completely fucking ruined!” The client’s voice pitches higher in anxiety and an undercurrent of fear.

You grip the phone tightly while exclaiming, “What?!”

“My tires are slashed, my windows are blown out! The doors have these deep gash marks in the side like some lunatic took a fucking axe to it! Even the insides are cut up…Christ, I gotta go, okay? I’m really sorry. We’ll reschedule, I promise.”

“No, of course, I understand. I’m so sorry. I can’t believe that happened,” You say in shock, “That’s horrible.”

“Thanks. Again, really sorry. I’ll call you, okay?”

The call ends as suddenly as it began. You stare at your phone for a few seconds, feeling a wave of sympathy for your client. It would be horrible to deal with your car getting messed up like that. But this meant the date was pushed back…

Looking at yourself in the mirror, you wondered what to do now. Normally when plans fell through, you’d hang out with Seonghwa. If he found out the date got cancelled and you didn’t come over, he could think you’re avoiding him. But showing up all dolled up for a date that had nothing to do with him could be rubbing his face in things too, couldn’t it?

“I’m so sick of overthinking,” You mumble, leaving your bathroom and trying to find a hoodie to tug over your outfit, yanking it on over your head, adjusting it a bit and then grabbing your bag, “I don’t care.”

You’re lying – you care more than you’d like to admit, both about Seonghwa and whatever is going on with his feelings towards you and the fact deep down you’re aware that you are handling this poorly.

A few minutes later, you’re knocking on the front door of Seonghwa’s apartment. While you do have a key to his place, you weren’t going to violate that boundary even though you knew he wouldn’t see it that way.

No one answers.

You knock again but this time you go, “Hey, Seonghwa?”

Now, you can hear shuffling inside the apartment followed by a muffled, “Just a second!”

The door opens a second later. Seonghwa has clearly just gotten out of the shower. His hair is still soaking wet, dripping onto his black t-shirt. He runs his hands through his hair, trying to smooth it out but all that does is send some water droplets flying to the floor.

“What, were you taking a swim?” You joke.

His eyes land on you. “Wasn’t expecting you to come by. I thought you had that date.”

“I did but he had to cancel,” You reply as Seonghwa moves to let you inside, “He called me and told me like…his car got fucked up.”

“His car got fucked up,” He deadpans, raising one eyebrow, “Are you sure he isn’t lying?”

You scoff. “Seriously? Who would lie about that? He told me someone slashed his tires, broke his windows, banged up the doors and shit. So, he needed to go deal with it. We’re gonna reschedule.”

Seonghwa runs one hand through his hair again, seemingly unbothered by how wet it is. Even his t-shirt is damp, clinging to his frame. He flexes his fingers on his right hand, an action that is unfamiliar to you. The muscles in his arms move. You’re staring and don’t know why. It’s like he was mid shower when he got out or something, you think.

“So, I’m the backup plan?” He asks and there’s a strange edge to the sentence, stripping it of any humor.

You blink, thrown by the tone. “No, I didn’t…”

But Seonghwa smiles then, and his voice is back to normal. “It’s cool. I wasn’t doing anything tonight. We can hang out. You wanna watch TV?”

You nod, trailing after him into the comfort of his living room. He goes into the kitchen, opening the fridge and leaning forward to try to find something to drink. His t-shirt lays flat across his back, his black hair curling against the nape of his neck, still dripping onto the tile. You stare at him for a few seconds before settling in on the couch. You’re suddenly acutely aware of the dress you’re wearing although most of it is covered up by the hoodie. He didn’t seem to notice your outfit or makeup anyway. Be serious. He’s seen you on dates a lot of times.

There is the sound of a beer opening as Seonghwa returns to the couch, tossing you a bottle of water as he plops down next to you. You glance at him out of the corner of your eyes as he takes a swig from the beer, his Adam’s apple bobbing while swallowing.

“Aren’t you afraid you’re going to ruin the couch with your hair dripping everywhere?”

He tilts his face in your direction and then rests his head directly on the back of the couch. You roll your eyes.

“Get a towel.”

“Nah, I’m good.”

“You’re just trying to annoy me now.”

“Yup.”

The exchange is so normal and familiar that you don’t even realize you’ve sunken onto the couch next to him as he flips through the channels. The two of you lapse into a comfortable silence, so comfortable that you forget the box stuffed away in Seonghwa’s bathroom for the first time since discovering it.

Apparently, he is comfortable too because at some point, you realize you’re hearing soft snoring. Surprised, you look over at him. He’s dozed off, eyes closed, chest rising and falling peacefully. His mouth is open slightly, head to the side, blissfully unaware of his wet hair. Seonghwa often kept odd hours and it wasn’t so strange for him to fall asleep as soon as he got even mildly relaxed.

Mixed emotions are mingling inside your chest – a concoction of anxiety, peacefulness, and a sense of impending doom. In this quiet moment, it is as though you’re standing on a beach watching a tsunami approach. You’ve been trying so hard to run from the change that swept in with discovering that tiny box underneath the bathroom sink.

You want to lean over and wake Seonghwa up, just ask him what is going on. But you still balk at the conversation and at tarnishing this moment where everything feels so normal.

You wonder if the box is still under the sink.

Maybe you imagined it.

With one last glance at Seonghwa, you get up. Even though you’re walking to the bathroom, you cannot shake the guilt feeling swooping over your chest. You glance over your shoulder. He’s still perfectly asleep.

Seonghwa’s bedroom door is next to the bathroom, slightly ajar. You glance inside out of habit. His bed is perfectly made with a couple of framed posters on the walls. There isn’t anything out of place but…

Maybe it’s the way the light from the hallway lays across the carpet or maybe you’re spending too long looking inside but before you completely pass by something shines for a split second. You slow down and then stop, hovering in the doorway to his room. Your heart is beating quickly now.

One final look in Seonghwa’s direction to ensure he’s sleeping sends you into his bedroom. Now who is breaking boundaries? A little voice in your head remarks cruelly. You cross the carpet towards what caught your eye – the glint of something similar to a knife. The bathroom towel has been quickly thrown over whatever it is.

Bending down, your fingers hover over the towel. Your entire body is screaming for you just to leave and get out of there. You’re snooping, you’re keeping secrets, you’re posturing as if Seonghwa has done something unforgiveable but meanwhile you’re not doing anything better –

You snatch the towel off the object and your heart falls into a pool of ice water.

An axe is laying on the floor. You stare at it while the hair on the back of your neck stands up. “The doors have these deep gash marks in the side like some lunatic took a fucking axe to it!” The words of your date ring in your head with deafening volume. You think about Seonghwa asking for information about the client and how you babbled endlessly in order to convince him this date was real. You knocked on the door and he hadn’t been ready for you, soaking wet, barely toweled off as if he had been busy…what, hiding the axe under the towel?

This is insane. Do you realize what your brain is jumping to? What are you trying to suggest? That Seonghwa went out to this guy’s place and ruined his car? Do you know what that implies? It implies he’s not just crushing on you. It implies there’s something…wrong. There’s something wrong with him. That’s what you’re thinking about your best friend right now.

The anxiety hits you full force in the chest then. You can hardly breathe, quickly covering up the axe and stumbling to your feet. You didn’t know what to do. You don’t even know what to say to him. The most important thing is getting out of here –

“What are you doing?”

You almost jump out of your skin, whirling around to see Seonghwa’s figure in the doorway. His face is half in shadow and one hand is on the door frame. You take a step back, almost tripping over the axe while straightening up.

“I thought you were sleeping,” You mumble and all efforts to make your voice sound normal fail.

“I woke up.” His voice is different, altered.

Seonghwa takes a step into the room and his face is clearer now. Yet there is that same look you have seen flashes of before. The complete emptiness of expression, the utter blankness behind his eyes. There is nothing familiar about him now.

“Now,” He says in a cold voice, “Who is the one breaking boundaries?”

You swallow hard while your brain fumbles for an excuse. But instead of speaking one, what leaves your mouth is, “Why do you have an axe?”

“Is it illegal to own one?”

“No but it’s a little strange to have it on your bedroom floor underneath a towel.” You try to make it come out like a lighthearted joke but your voice quivers, giving you away.

Seonghwa takes another step. In exchange, you back up, over the axe and closer to his night table. It seems ridiculous to be afraid of your best friend. But it also is ridiculous to have a secret box in the bathroom and an axe on the floor.

His right hand flexes and his jaw is clenched. You get the feeling he is trying to wrangle himself under control – but from what? He has all the qualities of the Seonghwa you know but it’s like someone smeared him with a layer of paint and distorted him.

You try again. “Why do you have the axe, Seonghwa?”

He doesn’t answer. Just moves closer. You’re cornered now. He’s near enough to touch, to grab his shirt and demand he answer you – this man you don’t know, this man you’re realizing you might not know at all.

“Why are you in my room?” Seonghwa makes a small noise, a tsk tsk, before adding, “Gonna have to ask for my key back, I think. Didn’t we just discuss boundaries?”

Up this close, you can better see the blankness in his eyes. You can smell the familiar scent of his shampoo and body wash. Your mind is telling you to run but your heart is whispering that this is your best friend, just hug him and talk it out. You don’t know what to do.

You say Seonghwa’s name so softly, just a wisp of a thing against the boiling emotions that are brimming to the surface inside him. “Why do you have some of my things under your bathroom sink?”

Seonghwa recoils, eyes widening in surprise. Your brain tells you to push past him, take this chance and run. But your feet don’t listen. Even now, you want to hear him out. You’re desperate to prove this all some fucked up misunderstanding.

You keep going. “That bracelet. From the night of the festival. And my….my underwear. Why do you have those things? My date calls me, says his car got trashed and that it looks like an axe was taken to the sides and then you’re scurrying around when I knock, hide an axe under a towel. Where were you earlier? Seonghwa, where were you earlier? Why do you have those things? Tell me. If you don’t want me to walk out of here, tell me. If you don’t want to fuck up the friendship, tell me.”

He tilts his face away from you, eyes glassy, looking at nothing. He’s grinding his teeth, something else you’ve never seen him do. Seonghwa’s profile is striking but no longer comforting. When he looks back at you, your lower back nudges into the night table and your hands grip the edge, staring at him.

“I want to fuck up the friendship. I’ve always wanted to fuck up the friendship,” He declares.

You shake your head. “You don’t mean that. That’s not how things are with us –”

“That’s always been how things are with us!” He shouts suddenly, loud enough to make you flinch.

“No! No, Seonghwa, that isn’t true –”

“Don’t fucking lie to me!” His eyes are alive now, twisted, no longer blank but not belonging to him either. He’s so close to you now, dangerously so. The warmth of his body is seeping into yours. The rage is swimming off him, strong enough to knock you over. You have never seen Seonghwa so angry before…and certainly never at you.

“I’m not, I’m not lying,” You plead, wanting to touch him but too afraid of making things worse, “I’m not lying. I was just – I was just trying to understand. The box under the sink and the axe…”

“You’re a smart girl, stop pretending like you don’t know,” Seonghwa growls out, “You know why I have those things under the sink.”

“The bracelet –”

Seonghwa is bristling with an intense energy as he replies, “From the festival night! See, you remember. You knew immediately where it was from. It slipped off your wrist when you were at one of the games, landed in the dirt. I took it. I took it because that was the night I thought ‘maybe’. I thought maybe you’d realize how badly I wanted you. And I think you did realize it. But you looked the other way. I love you but fucking hell, you look the other way when anything might change. But I’m patient. I can wait. I can take care of things and I can wait.”

I love you he had said, so effortlessly, so easily. The air is knocked out of your lungs by his casual admission. Seonghwa doesn’t seem to notice nor care he said it. He just stated it as though it was a fact, like the sun rising every morning. He runs his fingers through his hair, his brow furrowed in memories.

“The underwear, do I gotta explain that? Like I said, you’re smart. You know. I didn’t think you were coming home that night. I thought you were out, picked up by a guy or something. I didn’t mean to fall asleep. I had shoved the underwear in my pocket before you got there and it just felt so damn good to be in your bed. Everything smelled like you and just…it was just a lot, you know?” His eyes land on you. “It was wrong to lie, tell you I was drunk. It was the fastest thing I could think of.”

“You lied to me?”

“I’m sorry,” Seonghwa says seriously and you realize he believes lying about being drunk was the worst thing he did that night, not using your key or stealing your underwear.

“You’re – you’re sorry? You violated my boundaries, you slept in my bed, you stole my…and then you lied to me,” You reply aghast, “It’s like I don’t even know you, Seonghwa.”

Seonghwa is starting to look anguished now. He goes to reach for you, thinks twice and drops his hands to his sides before taking a step back, carefully skirting around the axe. Then he stops, considering it before picking it up and tossing it onto the bed, making you flinch again.

“Don’t act like that,” Seonghwa says sternly, pointing to you, “Don’t do that. It’s me, alright? It’s me. You’ve known me since we were kids. I’m still the same person.”

You swallow hard, unable to reply.

He continues to talk, pacing the room. “Listen, for how long I’ve been in love with you, I think – I think I’m doing alright. I’ve never done anything bad to you. I have always had your back. That one asshole back in college – that professor. The science one. Remember? I made sure to stop that shit before it got out of hand. He was out of bounds asking you out. That’s wrong. You’re a – you’re a student.”

The floor is unsteady underneath your feet. You’re staring at Seonghwa as he paces, wondering if you’re going to faint. “That was you? He couldn’t even come back to work after that. He needed physical therapy. His legs…”

“Okay, in my defense,” He holds out one hand to ward off your criticism, “In my defense, I didn’t realize until later I maybe shouldn’t have brought the bat down so hard.”

Your eyes fall to the axe. You’re almost afraid to ask.

But Seonghwa follows your gaze and he immediately makes a noise of protest. “I didn’t lay a hand on that guy.”

“But…but his car…”

“So what? It’s a car. Which he thought was more important than you seeing that he cancelled the date, by the way,” He is talking so quickly that it is hard to follow his words, “You gave me so much information about him and this idiot – I mean, he’s a real idiot, alright? He had so much public information about himself. I found his address in like, two minutes. I mean, this is not the sort of guy you want to be with. He’s too stupid for you.”

You’re feeling dazed now like you got hit with the axe instead of the client’s car. “How did you not get caught?”

“He doesn’t live in the city. Lives in the suburbs, some big fancy ugly house with a private garage. Slipped in, slipped out.” A thought strikes him and Seonghwa moves towards you, holding his hands out to calm you down as if you’re a scared deer. “But I didn’t hurt him. I wasn’t going to hurt him. You seemed to really like the moron. I just wanted to see how badly he wanted to go on a date with you. If his material items were more important than seeing you.”

Thunderstruck, you reply, “Seonghwa, you trashed his fucking car.”

He scurries over, extremely close to you once again. He looks so warm and inviting again, earnest as ever as he goes, “And he picked it over you. He isn’t a good fit for you. Not like me. You get it? Not like me.”

You can only stare at him, unable to reply. Too much is happening. There is too much new information occurring at once. And the way Seonghwa is standing there, looking so open and honest – the polar opposite of earlier when he came into the bedroom, is making things confusing.

Seonghwa tilts his head to the side, his voice a soft murmur while studying your face. “Everything I’ve done, everything I’ve protected you from is because I love you. I’ve always loved you. The entire reason I exist is to love you. I’d follow you to the end of the earth. I’d follow you into hell. Some part of you had to know that. You felt it, didn’t you?”

Your breathing is quick and shallow. You’re grateful for the barrier of the hoodie because you’re acutely aware of how close you are to your best friend. You’re thinking about him moving to the city, and then into your building. You’re thinking of all the various strange occurrences you tried to steadfastly ignore – people getting injured after upsetting you, job interviews that felt horrible only for them to offer you a position, Seonghwa up all hours of the night on his computer looking exhausted and claiming it was just work, the beleaguered quick expression on his face whenever you mentioned him going on a date…

Seonghwa makes a small noise in the back of his throat. “You’re scared. It’s okay. You never liked change and you were never good with your feelings.”

You squeeze your eyes closed while saying, “I thought you’d think I was smitten with him. That you’d…you’d drop this. And we could go back to normal. I didn’t think you’d…”

“Go back to normal?” He scoffs, “What is normal for you? Ignoring what is right in front of you?” Very slowly and carefully, he brings the back of his hand to your cheek, gently brushing it along your skin. The touch makes your heart thud violently in your chest. Seonghwa looks at you tenderly. “I would be so good to you. I’m a perfect fit for you.”

“Seonghwa…” You aren’t sure if his name is a curse, a prayer or just a whimpered plea to let things stay the same.

He is close enough to your body now that you know what is going to happen next. You should push him away, get out of here and call the police on him.

But you don’t.

Instead, you allow Seonghwa to kiss you.

Your mouth opens underneath his, tasting your best friend in a way that is entirely new. The sensation of his lips on yours is dizzying in the most twisted way possible. Seonghwa’s hand goes to the back of your neck as the kiss grows more intense. His tongue is in your mouth and he makes a tiny noise – like some small bit of him is finally finding relief. You aren’t even sure if you’re breathing, too swept up by the mind-bending things that have occurred in the last ten minutes. As the kiss deepens, you tilt your head to the side, your tongue against his now.

There is a small voice in the back of your head quietly asking you what the fuck are you doing? Not only is this Seonghwa of all people but he’s obviously mentally unstable. But there is a heat swooping through your body and there is a need cracking through something inside you that is made worse by the fact you’re thinking about how he’s always had your back since first meeting.

Your hand is gripping the bottom of his t-shirt. You aren’t sure whose ragged breathing you’re hearing but certainly it cannot be yours because you must’ve died ten minutes ago. That’s the only logical explanation for why you’re now desperately kissing Seonghwa; it just simply couldn’t be happening like this.

The heat is unspooling in your chest now, dropping to your thighs. Seonghwa makes another quiet noise while kissing you, so fragile yet tense, and it is in that noise that the desire and fear smash together and overwhelm you.

You push him away with a small gasp, wiggling free from the confined space and placing your hand against the wall to steady yourself.

“I can’t,” You gasp out – although is directed to you or your best friend?

Looking over your shoulder at Seonghwa, he’s staring at you with blown out pupils while his chest rises and falls rapidly.

“You can’t what?” He drawls coldly, “You can’t what?”

You shake your head while saying, “I should be calling the police on you. You’ve hurt people. You’ve damaged people’s property.”

“Oh, please!” His mood shifts quickly again, his tone hostile. He approaches you, so close again, enough to see that his lips are slightly wet from the kissing. “Stop pretending. Stop pretending you don’t feel it.”

But it’s too much – all of it. You shake your head, afraid of…of what? Seonghwa? No, something else. Something worse.

You’re afraid of yourself.

“I can’t – I have to go,” You say, pushing past him, “I can’t do this.”

In all your years of friendship with him, you’ve never run out of his apartment. There has never been any reason to. But you leave Seonghwa in his bedroom with the axe on the bed, quickly scampering down the hallway. You cast a glance over your shoulder to see if he is following.

But he isn’t.

And you’re not sure how you feel.

There is no sleep that night, only replaying the entirety of your friendship with Seonghwa like a horrible movie in your mind. You try picturing him taking the bat to that teacher’s legs but it is an impossible thing to imagine. You wonder what else he’s done. He’s been off, slinking around in the night, breaking into your apartment, sleeping in your sheets.

You roll onto your side, staring at the edge of your bed. What is Seonghwa doing right now? Is he thinking of you? Most likely, since it has become clear that all he thinks about is you. He isn’t a good fit for you. Not like me. You get it? Not like me. His confession bangs around in your brain, refusing to give you any peace.

You’re back at the festival, watching him win you the stuffed animal. Seonghwa’s head is cocked to the side as he thrusts the stuffed animal towards you, grinning. You try to refuse it at first but he shakes his head, saying he has no use for it. His hair is softly glowing against the lights. His fingers brush against your wrist while accepting the gift. You feel a sense of contentment knowing you’re here with him and not crying in your room alone.

What happened the next day? Your ex’s dorm room goes up in flames due to an unattended candle left burning. You remember laughing about karma with Seonghwa.

But it wasn’t karma.

Unless Seonghwa is your karma.

Your brain circles to the one thing you’ve been trying the most not to think about: the kiss. It is something you’ve never ever considered. Kissing Seonghwa had always been something firmly planted in the realm of impossibility. Anyone of sound mind would have called the police on him, and what did you do? You kissed him.

And even worse, something that you can only admit in the dead of night when the world is still and quiet: you liked it. You enjoyed the small noises of relief Seonghwa made, how hot his body temperature ran, how his t-shirt was gripped in your hand. You enjoyed his desperation. You enjoyed his dedication.

What the fuck did that say about you?

You’ve never gone this long without hearing from Seonghwa. It’s been four days and you keep expecting him to show up. You think he might even be waiting in your apartment every time you come home from work. You almost wish he was. But he isn’t. His silence is throwing you off.

Maybe Seonghwa is going to skip town, you think in the silence of your bedroom one night. He might think I’m going to turn him in and he’s trying to get ahead of it. The idea of Seonghwa vanishing is eating you up inside. You just want to talk to him.

But now you feel like the stalker, taking the elevator one floor down to his place with his apartment key in your hand. Even if Seonghwa ignores me, I’m gonna go inside, you think, if he can do it to me, I can do it to him. I just want to talk to him. Your mind is flickering to the kiss. You’re thinking about staying up late with him watching movies over the years. You’re remembering how he stopped going to the coffee shop where that woman was interested in him. You can taste him in your mouth.

At the front door of his apartment, you knock. Softly at first. No reply. You knock again. You stand there, debating what to do. The key is heavy in your hand.

What Seonghwa has done is wrong. It’s not just illegal, it’s fucked up.

But no one in your life has ever looked out for you in the way he did and continues to do.

His hair, wet, dripping onto the tile in the kitchen. His right hand flexing. The blank look in his eyes. The axe on the bed.

Still no answer.

The key is heavy in the lock, and the tumblers sound like gunshots as you turn it. Quietly, you push open the door and creep inside Seonghwa’s apartment. There aren’t any lights on. Silence settles across the place like a blanket. You shut the door softly, wondering why you’re doing this.

But still, you continue, creeping down the hallway towards his bedroom. The door is open and moonlight filters in through his bedroom window, leaving a small band of white along the hallway floor. You hover outside Seonghwa’s room before pushing the door open wider to allow yourself in.

He’s sprawled out on the bed, asleep. You stand next to it, looking at the way the moonlight lays across his face. His black hair is messy, lips parted slightly as his breathing goes slow and deep. Some logical part of you knows it is bizarre to be watching your best friend sleep like this after using his key. You’re not any better than he is when you act like this, it scolds you.

But you study Seonghwa’s face. The moonlight washes his skin out. His bone structure is so familiar to you but tonight, you’re thinking that once again he looks like someone scrambled his face up with a large brush and showed you it.

You raise your hand to reach for his shoulder. You’re going to wake him up. To ask him…what? You’re not sure. You just want to talk to him.

But before you can touch him, Seonghwa’s hand reaches out in a flash and grabs your wrist, his eyes startingly empty. You gasp in surprise and almost fall back but he is holding onto you too tightly.

“You’re creeping around my place again. I might start getting the wrong idea,” Seonghwa’s voice sounds taunting, almost venomous, “I might start thinking you want to fuck me.”

You’ve never heard him speak like that.

“I wanted to talk,” You reply but the words sound so absurd given you used his key and were watching him sleep.

“No, you didn’t,” He retorts.

No, you didn’t.

Seonghwa pulls you down and you kiss him again, open mouthed and desperate. You gasp from the force of his lips on yours as though he wants to devour you. He’s half sitting up, his hand on the back of your neck, and you’re getting in his lap now, straddling him as his tongue slips into your mouth. He bites down on your bottom lip, tugging it with his teeth until you make a noise and the kiss breaks.

His hands are cupping your cheeks. Seonghwa is looking at you almost deliriously. You hadn’t changed before coming over, just wearing a thin pair of sweatpants which means you can feel him stiff in his own pair, rock hard already, pressing against your thigh.

It’s you who speaks first.

“Why didn’t you talk to me the last few days?” It sounds almost plaintive.

He’s studying your face as his thumbs graze your cheeks. “I was waiting for you to either turn me in or come see me. Whatever ended up happening, I knew what it would mean.”

Breathlessly, you reply, “I wasn’t going to call the cops.”

His thumb is running over your lips. Seonghwa is looking at you mesmerized as if he has never seen something so wonderful as you in his lap. No one has ever looked at you in this way.

“Everything I did, I did because I love you,” His voice sounds like a raw wound, “Do you get that now?”

“I get it now,” You reply, knowing it’s wrong, knowing it’s fucked up, knowing you must have lost it.

His grip on your chin tightens ever so slightly as his eyes grow intense. “I was looking out for you from the moment we first met. I have always protected you. I’ve always made sure no one would harm you and if they did, I ensured they got what was coming to them. You deserve the best. You always have,” His voice is hurried, emotional, “I always have tried to give you the best because I love you.” His fingers dig into your skin. “Do you get that? Do you understand how much I love you? God, sometimes, you would look right through me and it felt like the entire world was ending. Like the ground was just shattering underneath my feet. But I never dreamt of leaving your side. I love you too much even if you didn’t feel the same. I told myself I would just protect you until I died.”

His voice is pure agony, a crackling and fizzling of the years that have gone by spilling out from in between his lips. “You looked at me with such fear the other day when you were in my room, staring at the axe. As if…as if I would ever hurt you. It’s so absurd. I would never do anything to you. Everything I do is because I love you.”

“Seonghwa,” You breathe out shakily, “Your hand…. it’s too tight…”

His eyes drop to the way he’s gripping your face and he releases his hand immediately, apologizing. Your head is swimming, torn between the logical mind telling you to leave and your irrational heart pulled by his words, his love, his promises and protection.

But he feels so good underneath you.

Your lips find his once more and whatever remains of Seonghwa’s speech dies in his mouth, lost in the groan he emits when you touch him again. He shifts slightly so that his leg is pressing against your pussy and you react by grinding down slightly on his knee, just enough to feel pressure against your clit. Your breath hitches as Seonghwa’s hands roam across your body – fondling your tits through your shirt, down across your hips before resting on your waist, pushing you down on his knee.

He’s kissing and biting your neck, hard enough to leave marks. Your hands are in his hair while you grind on his knee. At one point, he bites so hard that you gasp and you swear that he chuckles quietly. Seonghwa pulls away, looking at you with an expression of mingled lust and something more possessive.

“You’ll have to cover that up for your date.” His words are like stone but there is a flicker of toying amusement behind his eyes.

“What date?” You mumble, slightly dazed, too turned on by the way he’s touching you.

Seonghwa laughs, his teeth like daggers in the flash of moonlight before pulling you towards him. His kiss is greedy, one hand sliding under your t-shirt to cup your breast. You’re not wearing a bra, having come over here quickly without putting much thought into it. You can feel him smirk against your lips, as if the lack of one is telling him something you’re not privy to.

He pinches one of your nipples, making you jump. His other hand is on your lower back, steadying you on his knee as you continue to chase your orgasm. It’s evident Seonghwa isn’t going to try to stop you. He leans his head down, tugging your shirt up so that he can wrap his lips around your nipple, sucking on it hard. He switches to the other one, biting on it. You’re making soft noises, a cross between a plea and pleasure, dimly aware that to be doing this with Seonghwa means forever ruining the very friendship you were once so keen on saving. But maybe it never stood a chance. Maybe time just caught up with the dynamic.

When Seonghwa pulls away from your tits, he grabs the back of your head, forcing you to look at him while demanding, “I want to watch you cum. I want to see what you look like when you’re cumming. I’ve pictured it so many times in my head – no, don’t stop. Don’t slow down. There, good girl. Oh, do you like that? When I call you that? Is that gonna make you cum?”

You manage to nod even though his hold on you is tight. He looks different in the moonlight, different in the manner he’s openly staring at you without hiding his feelings. There’s an energy rolling off him that you’ve never felt before, something bubbling to the surface and spilling out – who he really is. Who he hid for so long. You feel like a small bug crawling into a Venus fly trap but you don’t want to turn away.

Your orgasm starts then, after Seonghwa calls you good girl in that voice of his that is dripping honey while hiding a dagger. You can’t believe that you just got off from grinding on your best friend’s knee but you barely have time to come down from the climax before he is slipping your shirt off over your head and tossing it to the side.

He’s groping your tits, rolling his thumbs across your nipples, in seemingly no hurry to fuck you. You thought the orgasm would bring clarity, give your mind release from the problematic thoughts you’ve been having about your messed up best friend and allow yourself to exit the situation.

But you feel no such thing. Instead, you find yourself removing his shirt as well before kissing him hungrily while your hands press against his chest. His arms wrap around your waist and in one swift motion, he has you against the pillows underneath him.

Seonghwa is hot to the touch, his skin almost feverish as your fingers trail down his shoulders and along his arms. He’s moving downwards, his tongue across your nipples, down your stomach, obscenely leaving a trail of his salvia until he reaches your sweatpants.

Hooking his thumbs into the band, he yanks them down, leaving you in just your underwear. He nudges your thighs apart, pressing one finger along your pussy.

“You’re soaking wet,” Seonghwa drawls, sounding both pleased and tormented, “Underwear is fucking glued to your pussy.”

There is something fucked up and thrilling hearing your best friend talk like this. Seonghwa has always been so nice, so thoughtful over the years. Even when he would discuss his dates, he never dove into any details that would come off disrespectful. But now, mask off, it’s evident he’s perverted and unhinged on top of being psychotic. So why do I like it so much?

Seonghwa abruptly grabs the sides of your underwear and rips it with his hands. There is a loud tearing of fabric, his eyes alight while doing so, and then you’re exposed to him. Instinctively, you squirm, trying to close your legs. But Seonghwa is faster and his hands are on your thighs, keeping you open in front of him. His eyes look upwards to meet yours.

“No, I want to see how wet your pussy is from me. No hiding now. I’ve daydreamed about tasting your sweet cunt for far too long.” He turns his gaze back downward, one finger against your wet slit. “God, look at how fucking good you look,” The desperation in his voice is obvious, “What a perfect pussy.”

Seonghwa leans forward and his tongue is in your hole with a pornographic slurping noise as he tastes you for the first time. His nose bumps against your clit as he buries his face in between your thighs, trying to get his tongue as far as possible inside you.

“Fuck,” His words are muffled, “You taste so fucking good. You taste exactly how I knew you would. Can’t believe it took this long to taste your sweet cunt,” His hold on your thighs tightens, “Drives me fucking crazy knowing others had it before me. They didn’t deserve it.”

His tongue drags along your folds until he places a kiss on your clit, just enough to make you shiver. You know that you shouldn’t look down. It will make the entire situation feel entirely too real. But you don’t listen and instead prop yourself on your elbows slightly, just enough to look down at Seonghwa in between your legs.

His eyes catch yours and he lewdly flicks his tongue across your clit just to drive the point home that this is happening and you’re enjoying it. You sharply inhale, your hand grabbing onto the bedsheet. He closes his eyes, focusing on rolling his tongue over your clit slowly, just enough to drive you crazy. You cannot tear your gaze away from Seonghwa of all people doing this to you, making you feel this good. In the moonlight, his shoulders almost glow, and some of his hair has fallen in front of his eyes.

While Seonghwa is working your clit, he slips one finger inside your hole, meeting no resistance from how wet it is. You squirm, head rolling back a little from the new sensation. Still, he doesn’t miss a beat, continuing his soft licks on your clit while pumping his finger. Your eyes flutter closed. It had been a long time since someone ate your pussy this good. It is just fucked up that it’s your best friend.

Seonghwa pulls his finger out of you, eliciting a whine that would be embarrassing in any other case but he quietly shushes you. “Needy girl, you want my tongue back on your clit? Look at me when I’m speaking to you.”

You look down at him, your cheeks warm. His eyes are devious, a smirk on his face, making his cheeks stand out more than usual as he shakes his head to get his hair out of his face.

You nod and he looks gravely serious. “No, tell me. I want to hear you tell me.” His voice is ice cold, allowing no argument. You’ve seen him this way a few times, always when he is angry and never at you. No, always at someone who did something mean to you though, the little voice whispers.

“I want your tongue back on my clit,” You say meekly because begging Seonghwa for such a thing is a foreign concept.

He stares at you for a second or two longer before suddenly spitting on your clit and smearing it in with his thumb. Your hips buck automatically from the sudden pleasure.

“You’re so sensitive,” He murmurs, “Gonna be so easy to make you cum again.” Seonghwa sounds lost in his daydreams and you cannot fathom how many times he’s thought about this.

His finger is back in your cunt and his tongue is flicking across your clit faster now. He adds a second digit, pumping them hard and fast, stopping occasionally to wiggle them deep inside you. His face is pressed against your pussy, sucking on your clit and sometimes stopping just to spit on it again. Seonghwa is groaning when he’s eating you out, as if he is driven to intoxication from the taste of you.

You can no longer prop yourself up on your elbows, instead sinking back down among the pillows. One of your hands reaches down for Seonghwa, his hair wrapping around your fingers as you desperately hold onto him so he doesn’t stop. He makes a noise of approval, fucking you harder with his fingers.

And it feels just too good and it feels even worse because it’s Seonghwa, the person you know the most and the person you don’t know at all. When your climax starts, his name leaves your lips broken and shattered, forever changed by what happened tonight.

When Seonghwa pulls away, his eyes are ablaze. You’re disoriented from cumming so hard two times already but he pulls you towards him. His lips crush yours in a sloppy kiss. You can taste yourself on his tongue. When the kiss breaks, there’s a long strand of spit connecting the two of you. He’s holding the back of your neck again, looking at you as though you’re trapped in his web.

“Oh, my name sounds so good like that.” He rubs his thumb across your lips, and the spit makes a mess, “You’re such a pretty thing.”

You like the way Seonghwa talks to you as if you’re the most beautiful girl he’s ever seen. But you suppose to him, you are. You’re feeling an aching desire to have him inside you, to know what it would be like to be fucked by him. Tentatively, you reach for his groin, pressing your hand against the tent. He inhales sharply but gives a firm shake of his head.

“Not yet,” He brushes your hand away, “You’re going to cum again.”

Surprised, you open your mouth to say something but before you can, he places two fingers on your tongue. Without questioning it, you wrap your lips around them and then immediately wonder why you didn’t even hesitate. You swirl your tongue around his fingers while he watches, entranced at the sight.

“Fuck, you’re so pretty. I can’t get enough of you. Now, sit on my face.”

Seonghwa pulls his fingers out of your mouth, snapping his fingers at you after he issued his command. You’re not even thinking anymore, lost completely to whatever pull you feel towards him and the promises of more pleasure. He’s on his back, motioning for you to hurry up. You try to carefully straddle his face but he makes a noise of impatience, reaching upwards to grab your hips and yanking you down so that your pussy is against his face.

His tongue dives into your hole and you make a noise of surprise, gripping the headboard of his bed. He’s eating your pussy like a man starved, not stopping to let you adjust at all. His hands are holding onto your hips, keeping you in place as he brings his tongue swooping up to your clit, swirling around it. This time is a lot more urgent as though it is more for him than you.

The sounds of Seonghwa eating your pussy sounds graphic but it is the way he is moaning while doing it that is turning you on. You like how he sounds, so desperate and his voice muffled, and when you move your hips gently against his face, he makes a noise to let you know to keep going.

So you do, grinding against his face. He moves his tongue back to your hole and you can feel his nose against your clit while rocking your hips. Your clit is growing sensitive from all the overstimulation and sometimes your hips bounce a little when it becomes too much. Seonghwa notices this and instead of giving you a break swoops his tongue back over your clit, flicking it hard and fast.

Your grip tightens on the headboard but you’re close to cumming again. Your thighs are shaking, panting with your tongue poking from in between your lips as you ride his face. With one last flick of his tongue, you moan out his name loudly, unable to stop from how much you’re working your pussy against his face. This orgasm is somehow even better than the earlier ones although it leaves your body shaking. You slide off him, falling onto the bed, trying to catch your breath.

Seonghwa sits up, kicking off his sweatpants. With relief, you realize he’s going to fuck you. You’re unsure that you could handle another orgasm again so soon after the others. Your head is dazed and thighs sore and you’re pretty sure that your pussy is a mess of your juices and Seonghwa’s spit.

He’s stroking his length, drinking in the sight of your naked body on his bed with the same fascination of someone viewing a beautiful painting. He shakes his hair out of his face again while getting to his knees, his hand still wrapped around his cock.

“You’re gonna cum around my cock next.”

You give a small shake of your head, out of breath. “I don’t think I can cum anymore.”

“Of course you can,” Seonghwa replies simply while positioning himself over your body.

His skin against yours is heavenly and hellish, weighted by the knowledge you’re tumbling into bed with your best friend who isn’t as stable as previously believed. But what does it say about you that it won’t leave your mind? He’s propped up over you, studying your face with such intensity that you break eye contact, feeling exposed. His cock is pressing at your entrance as your hands go to his sides, gingerly touching his hot skin.

Seonghwa lowers his face down to kiss you while sliding inside your wet entrance. You arch your back, fingers digging into his waist as he enters you easily. His lips are back on your neck, emitting a sigh that is a mingle of relief and tension all at once.

His words are muffled as he goes, “You feel so good. Your pussy is made for me. I was meant to be in this pussy every night.”

Seonghwa is curled around you, taking his time. He’s moving slowly, lost in the sensation of your walls tightening around his cock. Your hands glide upwards to his hair once again, bunching it in between your fingers as you wrap your legs around his waist.

When Seonghwa speaks again, he sounds lost, as if he isn’t even present in the moment. “I love you so much,” He grunts, going still for a second to collect himself before thrusting a little harder, “I love you so fucking much. I’d do anything for you, I’d do anything to be in your cunt like this. You just had to ask. But you never did.”

Your body is warm all over, each nerve in your body responding to his passion in a way that you didn’t think was possible. The voice in your head that has been pointing out how wrong it’s been all night is eerily silent. Instead, you tilt your head so that Seonghwa looks at you. Your foreheads are touching and when you speak, your lips graze his.

“Tell me what you’d do for me,” You plead softly.

His breath catches, his cock buried inside you to the hilt while he replies, “Anything. You know that. You already know some of what I’ve done. And I don’t regret any of it. I’d do it again,” He starts moving his hips faster now, plunging his length in and out of your soaking wet hole while his breathing grows laboured, “I’d do anything for you.”

The words make your head light. You’re moving your hips in time to his thrusts, tugging on his hair to let him know to keep going. Hearing your best friend make noises of pleasure, noises you’re not supposed to hear from him, is making you only desire more.

Seonghwa shifts positions, just enough so that your legs are bent back so he can hit your sweet spot with every jerk of his hips. Your hands fall to the bedsheets once more, digging into them as he fucks you.

“You look so fucking beautiful taking my cock,” He grunts and runs his hand through his hair quickly with one hand to get it out of his eyes.

The gesture, so familiar, one you’ve seen him do often, strikes you in the chest. His desperation is evident in his eyes, in his voice, in every action he’s taken since he grabbed your wrist earlier. This is still your best friend, the realization dawning, this is still Seonghwa.

You’re just seeing all aspects of him now.

You aren’t sure what compels you to reach for his hand but you do, sliding it up to your neck. His eyes light up at what you’re requesting, that shark’s grin returning so quickly that it sends a shiver down your spine. His hand tightens around your neck while he fucks you. The muscles on his arm tightens; he pushes you back against the pillows while fucking you hard and fast.

“I’d do anything for you,” He repeats, voice breaking, “I’d have done anything you ever wanted if you just asked.” The pleasure is overtaking him and his mind is wandering, jumping from topic to topic, telling you all the things he’s ever thought about. “Fuck, my hand around your neck…” He grips you harder and you make a small noise which only drives his cock harder in your hole. “You look like a ragdoll taking my dick with your lips parted like that. I watched you through your window last week. You looked so tired. I thought – fuck, I thought about my hands around your neck, choking you while I fucked you into oblivion so you could sleep.”

I watched you through your window last week.

The angle and his hand on your neck is bringing you to another climax which you didn’t think could be possible. You can barely breathe, can barely move your hips to meet his thrusts. You’re so close to finishing, watching how Seonghwa’s eyes never leave your face, how intensely he is staring at you, no expression on his face as he fucks you.

With the little air you have left, you ask the question again. “Tell me what you’d do for me.” The words are so soft that you aren’t sure anyone else but Seonghwa could have heard them – he’s just too in tune with you.

“I’d fucking kill for you.”

And you’re cumming on his cock then. Seonghwa releases his grip on your neck so he can hear your hoarse moans. He hasn’t stopped fucking you, moving his hips the entire time you’re orgasming. You keep saying his name, your hips moving to meet his thrusts, making more noise than you ever have before.

Seonghwa pulls out, wiping the sweat from his brow before leaning forward, grabbing your face and going, “Open your mouth.” You do immediately and he spits in your mouth lewdly before kissing you hungrily. When it ends, he says roughly, “I’m gonna cum in your cunt now. Get on your knees.”

Your body protests a little while doing so, tired and sore from cumming so much and being fucked so hard. But once your ass is in the air, Seonghwa’s hands are on your hips, pulling you back onto his cock. He doesn’t waste any time and you know he must be dying to finish. You’re not used to someone putting their pleasure last like this.

The change in angle feels so good and you moan, prompting Seonghwa to go, “You’re cock starved, I love it. I love hearing you want more of me.” His hands slide to your lower back. “I love hearing you want me and none of those idiots you’ve wasted time on. All those fucking idiots. Made me sick.” He’s slamming his hips against your ass, his balls smacking against your pussy with each hurried thrust. “Makes me fucking sick to think of them touching you instead of me. They never deserved you. They never understood you, not like I did.”

You’re sinking into the bed, the weight of his hands on your lower back giving you no choice, your ass high in the air now as Seonghwa fucks you mercilessly. His voice is slurring at the edges, his words hazy like small things being tugged towards the light for the first time.

“I knew they couldn’t fuck you like I could or take care of you like I could. Just idiots, circling around you and I tried so hard to be nice. I wanted to be nice to those idiots because of you. Everything I do is because of you because I love you so much. F-fuck,” He does a particularly hard thrust and groans, “I wasn’t perfect. I knew I was doing bad things. Getting them fired from jobs. Snooping through their emails. Slashing their tires. I knew –” His breath caught, and his hands move to your ass, gripping it hard enough to leave marks. “I knew it was wrong but I couldn’t help myself. I was in love with you for so long and sometimes it’s enough to drive a man crazy.”

Seonghwa is fucking you so hard that you can’t even move. You lay against the bed, taking his cock, your eyes almost rolling into the back of your head from how it good it is. You couldn’t speak even if you wanted to. The way he’s fucking you combined with his speech is making your head utterly blank – it just feels so good. All of it feels so good. You think your tongue might be poking out from between your lips. All you know is he’s going to make you finish again.

“I’m gonna fuck you like this every night, I’m gonna – fuck. I’m gonna take care of you and I’m going to fuck you and no one is ever going to bother you again because you’re mine now. Tell me you’re mine, I want to hear you tell me.”

Using the last of your energy, you moan out, “I’m yours, I belong to you, I’m yours.”

Seonghwa grunts, giving one last thrust while going, “Now take my load in that sweet cunt of yours.”

His cum is warm in your cunt as he empties his balls, filling you up until it’s leaking out of your hole. You’re finishing again as well, perfectly in sync with your best friend. You’ve fallen on the bed, making an unholy amount of noise from the intense orgasm, completely overstimulated. Seonghwa has pulled out of your cunt, leaving a long strand of cum along your lower back as he finishes.

Your eyes are closed, feeling completely fucked out. Your tongue is heavy in your mouth; you couldn’t speak even if you wanted to. Seonghwa shifts behind you, sliding off the bed, leaving the room. A few moments later, he returns and you can feel a towel along your back, cleaning you up before he shifts, sliding closer to your body.

Seonghwa’s arms carefully wrap around you, pulling your body towards him. You curl up against his chest, eyes closing. He’s kissing the top of your head, his fingers trailing along your back in gentle touches. All his earlier energy is gone, depleted, and now he is soft and inviting.

You tilt your face to look at Seonghwa, reaching upwards to graze his jawline with your fingertips. He kisses them too. Would it be so wrong to have everything with him? To be so adored and loved with someone who has known you forever? His eyes are cutting through your defenses, nuzzling into the soft spot of your brain that should know better.

Your lips find his.

A cloud covers the moon.

You’re wearing just one of Seonghwa’s shirts, sitting on the edge of his bed in the morning light. He left twenty minutes ago to get coffee from your favourite spot, leaving you alone in his apartment.

You’re thinking about him.

You’re thinking about the soft kisses he gave you upon waking, his smile that you know so well, the way he looked shirtless in the morning light.

He had cupped your cheek, said he was going to get coffee and you felt a pang at him leaving, even for just a little while. Even just for twenty minutes.

Relief swoops through you when the front door opens, and Seonghwa calls your name. He comes down the hallway and stops in the doorway. His jacket is already removed, just wearing a hastily thrown on Star Wars t-shirt and a pair of jeans. He places one coffee cup on his dresser, running his fingers through his hair with his hand. He’s smiling, sitting down next to you.

“I missed you,” He admits bashfully, holding onto your coffee, his eyes dropping to your lap, “Should I keep it?”

Your hands are curled around the handle of the axe. You look at the blade; your reflection is distorted. He rests his chin on your shoulder, peering at you, waiting for your choice. Everything with Seonghwa is your choice because he loves you so much. He doesn’t question that you’ve been sitting in his bed, holding his axe, lost in thought.

You’ve been thinking about what is right, what’s wrong and what you want.

You kiss his forehead, and he makes a noise of contentment.

“You should keep it,” You declare, shifting the axe into his lap carefully. “Just in case.”

Seonghwa grins cheerfully.

“Yeah, just in case.”

the end.

#ateez fics #ateez smut #seonghwa x reader #seonghwa fics #seonghwa smut #the heart's filthy lesson #kpop fic #100 notes #500 notes

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estrellami-1 · 10 months

Text

If I Should Stay

Y’all are the best. Seriously. I love y’all. One quick note: if y’all reblog, please include the tag “#if I should stay” (mind the capital i) so people can find the rest of the parts! Thanks so much!!! ❤️

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

Eddie does end up following Robin because he does not, in fact, have a death wish.

Even if, apparently, he dies in the future. Go figure.

She instructs him to grab his guitar. “Why in the fuck,” he starts, then reconsiders when Robin whips around to stare at him. “Anyone ever tell you you’re terrifying?”

Robin shrugs a shoulder. “Not as much as they should.”

She stashes her bike in the back of his van and directs him to the Harrington residence, where Steve’s waiting, arms crossed, wondering smile on his face. “Miracle worker,” he calls, and Robin laughs as she grabs her bike from the back.

“Hate to break it to ya, Dingus, but you’re just not scary.”

“I’m plenty scary. I’ve got a nail bat.”

“Right, because that would beat Nance’s sawed-off in a fight.”

“Hey, it could! You never know! They’ve got different ranges!”

Robin rolls her eyes at Eddie, like she’s asking if he can believe it, which. No. No he can’t.

“Sorry,” he says, regretting everything when they both look at him. “What the actual fuck is happening?”

“Come inside,” Steve says, suddenly all business. “We’ve got a lot to discuss.” His eyes find Robin’s. “One of ‘em took Barb last night.”

“Fuck,” Robin whispers.

“Yup. Will’s been missing for two days. Maybe, if we get down there soon enough…”

“Let’s hope so. Which one of the rugrats found El?”

“I think they all did? But Mike’s the one who took her in.” He shakes his head, mouth a grim line. “I saw Dustin today. They’re kids, Robs.”

“So are we,” she reminds him, heaving a tired-sounding sigh. “A buncha kids fighting real-life monsters.”

“Monsters?” Eddie parrots.

Somehow they end up inside while Steve goes to pick up the Party. Who the party is, Eddie doesn’t know. Just like he doesn’t know why he’s in Steve’s Harrington’s house with someone who isn’t Steve Harrington.

“Who’s the Party?” He asks Robin. “And why am I here again? If I die, doesn’t that mean I shouldn’t be here? Should be somewhere far, far away instead?”

“The Party’s a group of kids Steve babysits. They’re the first ones to go through this whole mess. And admittedly, you’re here partially because you can help, and partially for selfish reasons.” She offers him a lopsided grin. “Believe it or not, watching you die was kinda traumatic.”

“Right,” he says slowly. “And you and Steve? How do you know each other? He and Nancy Wheeler are the talk of the town, and if he’s stepping out-”

“He wouldn’t,” she says harshly. “Ever.” She takes a breath. “Two years from now, or a year ago, he and I work together in a mall. Long story short, we get captured and tortured by Russians. High on truth serum, I tell him I’m a lesbian in the bathroom, we help take down the big bad, and boom. Instant platonic soulmates.”

Eddie gapes at her. “What the fuck.”

“Just about,” she nods. “Oh, and the kids love D&D, so you’ll have plenty to talk about. They’re little shits but they’re also kinda great once you get to know them.”

Eddie stares at her. The front door opens, and Steve walks in, followed by a gaggle of preteens and Nancy Wheeler.

“Robs,” Steve says, not slowing his stride as he begins taking the stairs two at a time. “Bathroom. Now.”

Robin grimaces. “Breakdown time,” she murmurs to Eddie, then follows Steve, leaving everyone else staring at each other.

“So,” Eddie says. “I heard you like D&D?”

A dark-haired kid who looks suspiciously like Nancy narrows his eyes. “You play?”

“Play!” Eddie repeats. “I don’t just play, my young friend, I am the greatest Dungeon Master this side of the Mississippi.”

A curly-haired kid begins to grin. “I think we should put that to the test.”

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Fic Taglist: @blondlanfear @do-you-want-something-more @little-gae-shit

#if I should stay #eventual steddie #stranger things #steve harrington #eddie munson #robin buckley #dustin henderson #he’s the curly-haired boy at the end #in case it wasn’t obvious lmao #time travel au #fix it fic #starambles

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friendship-ditch · 3 months

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Broken

(Katniss Everdeen x Fem Reader) ❀

Summary: After the mutt attack, Katniss takes care of your broken bone.

Warnings/Notes: A few graphic descriptions of a wound/pain but that’s it.

Word Count: 1873

It was quiet, uneasily quiet. Nobody wanted to speak, and if they did, they wouldn’t know what to say, not to mention the exhaustion.

Your group had grown much smaller than it was before. There were only six of you left: Cressida, Pollux, Gale, Peeta, Katniss, and yourself. Nobody wanted to mention the lost but it was weighing heavily on all.

After being ushered into the safety of her basement, Tigris provided what medical supplies she had and then returned upstairs.

Everyone was mostly taken care of.

Deep wounds had been stitched, blood had been cleaned, and grief had been consoled as best as it could’ve been in this moment.

Now, you lay on a bed of old fabric and furs, curled up in the corner by yourself. You’d let Cressida wrap the wound on your leg but you didn’t tell anybody that you couldn't move your arm.

The mutts had grabbed you by the leg, hence the deep claw marks, and launched you into the wall. The pain was too excruciating to relive so you pushed the memory away, but the fiery ache in your useless limb wouldn’t stop.

You weren’t really sure why you didn’t tell anyone of the wound.

Everyone was weak right now, and another injury wouldn’t cause a difference but you didn’t want to create more problems then you already had.

Nobody else had broken a bone and you’d just have to fight through it, at least for a while.

When you finally figured everybody else was asleep, you wandered over to the leftovers from Tigris’ medicine stash. You scooped them up with your good arm and returned to your corner in the shadows.

There, you took your shirt off and looked at the wound.

It wasn’t too bad on the surface, just some minor bruising across the skin and swelling but it hurt like hell on the inside.

You tried to touch the limb but when your finger hovered centimeters above the skin you nearly burst into tears.

Your soft cry was quickly muffled by you biting the fabric of your shirt. You tried to touch your arm again but you couldn’t handle it and just hung your head.

“Y/n?” It was Katniss’s soft voice from on the other side of the room. Her voice was laced with exhaustion but you could tell she wasn’t sleeping either.

“I’m okay.” You managed to croak out through gritted teeth, waiting for the fire to burn out in your arm.

You were never quite good at lying.

Katniss was at your side a few moments later, eyebrows furrowed with confusion. Her eyes had this glassy film over them now but beneath them you saw worry.

She quickly scanned your body. She didn’t really care that you were only in your bra, that was the least of her worries. It was the unshed tears in your eyes and the pain written on her face that really concerned her.

“What happened?” Katniss slowly bent beside you. Her shaky hand slowly reached to touch your arm but you pushed it away with a hiss.

“Nothing.” You mumbled. She let out a huff and you sighed, shoulders and head dipping. “I hurt my arm… back with the mutts.”

Katniss nodded quietly. “Can I take a look?”

“Not without me crying.”

“Then we’ll go upstairs, come on.” She murmured, picking the bandages up for you and helping you to your feet.

Tigris was still awake and sitting at a desk when you came up. She said nothing but directed you to an extravagant bathroom tucked to the side.

In the bright light, you could really see the damage. Your arm looked even more swollen and the bruises were turning purple.

Katniss sat you down on the large counter and looked at your arm, then back at your face. “How bad does it hurt?”

“Like it’s burning from the inside out.”

“Can you move it?”

Hearing those words from somebody else, and then trying to move your arm with no avail really set the sense of reality in your head and you let out a broken sob, shaking your head. “N-no… I can’t.”

“Can I touch it first? To make sure it’s broken?”

You couldn’t find a voice to muster a reply, but you let out a loud cry when she touched your arm. It felt like the world was spinning and somebody was trying to tear your arm off. You yanked away from her and curled into a ball on the counter.

“If you didn’t hide this, we could’ve gotten this over with earlier.” Katniss suddenly snapped at you.

You stared wide eyed at her and she did the same.

Then she broke.

“I’m sorry.” Katniss murmured quickly, feeling awful for only putting you in more agony. Seeing you in pain hurt her too and after everything she was as fragile as glass. “I.. probably would’ve done the same as you.”

You slowly relaxed and leaned into the wall with a heavy sigh. “I know… And I’d be the one taking care of you instead of this.” You mumbled. “I’m sorry you have to deal with me.”

Katniss’s hand rested gently on your knee and you looked back up at her. You thought she’d be upset for having to take care of you, but in her eyes was a look of gratitude. You were giving her something to focus on, something to do and feel useful, life saving, even, not life wasting.

“Don’t be.” She whispered, then something crossed into her mind and she left the bathroom.

A few minutes later she came back with some more supplies and set them down. She took your hand, being careful not to touch your arm and carefully held it out.

“I broke my arm falling out of a tree when I was younger.” Her voice was soft, wistful even for a time where although there was still pain, life was simpler, loss this deep was unknown. “My mother set it for me. I think I can still do it, but it’s going to hurt.”

“Alright...”

Katniss dumped a few Capitol painkillers into her hand and gave you a glass of water. “Take these.”

You took them without question, almost immediately feeling the pain fade. It almost felt like cheating but you said nothing as the warm Capitol drugs began to take effect on your wounded body.

As Katniss washed her hands and got ready to set your arm back into place, you suddenly felt a rush of panic even though there was no pain. You reached out with your good hand and grabbed hers.

“Just… just talk, please.” You begged softly.

Katniss hesitated. She was never the talkative type, that was your role. You were the one that dragged her outside for long walks and held her hand while you told her about the latest book you read, or told her silly made up stories until the pictures from her nightmares were gone and she could return to sleep.

You were always there for her and even though it was hard, she knew she had to be there for you too.

“Of course.” Her smile was futile but it made you feel better anyway. “Any.. requests?”

“Something happy.”

“That’ll be hard.”

“Just look at me, I’m sure you can come up with something.” Your voice was a little higher in pitch now, the drugs making you feel woozy, but good, and a bit bold.

That response actually drew the softest chuckle out of Katniss which made you feel even better.

“Okay, something happy.” Katniss stared at you for a few seconds to increase the effect, then she nodded. “Well… once upon a time, I knew this girl. She was tall, but I still towered over her by a few inches. We were neighbors back in District 12.”

Katniss’s hands rested on either side of your arm but you couldn’t even feel it now. Your eyes were closed but you were awake, listening to her soft, almost raspy voice.

“We didn’t speak a lot when we were younger, but one day she found me in the woods with a horrible thorn in my foot, and she pulled it out for me.” Katniss continued. “She wasn’t afraid of anything.”

Her hands started to find the broken spot on your arm and she began to apply pressure.

“And we’ve been friends ever since then. I taught her how to hunt and she taught me all kinds of things in return. She’s the kindest, sweetest person I’ve ever met. She’s the kind of person that I’d want to spend the rest of my life with… She’s always there for me and I’m trying to be there for her.”

You listened to her speak dreamily. This person sounded–wait…

“And… we’re both going through some really tough times, and the moment isn’t exactly appropriate, but I just want to tell her how much I love her. How happy she makes me, how she makes me feel like everything is going to be okay. How she fills my stomach with butterflies and she’s just… the last light I have in my life. I was broken and she put me back together.”

A small, ditzy smile spread across your lips. You looked up at her.

Her eyes were still dark and dim but there was clear affection shining in them.

“That’s not… something happy.” You whined with a silly grin. “You’re just describing me.”

“You make me happy.”

“I do?”

“Did you not hear everything I said?” Katniss chuckled. Her warm hands were now gently cupping your face and you leaned into the touch yearningly.

“I did but…” you paused. “Weren’t you supposed to fix my arm?”

Katniss nodded. “I already did. Can you try moving it for me?” She asked gently.

To your amazement, you could actually move your arm now. Sure, even with the painkillers it was aggressively painful, but you could move it. You smiled thankfully at her and she kissed your forehead gently in reply.

Afterwards, Katniss wrapped your arm up in the best sling she could make, then she slowly helped you off the counter. You were still pretty woozy from the hefty dose of painkillers so she practically carried you back downstairs.

She quietly laid you back down in your bed, tracing your facial features with her thumb as you got settled.

“You know.. what would make me happy?” You said softly.

“Hm?”

“If you… laid here with… me.” You were slowly falling asleep but you wanted her presence, you needed it. You scooted over a little.

Katniss knew better than to argue.

Once she laid down beside you and wrapped her arm around you in a way that wouldn’t mess with your sling, she kissed the top of your head.

“I love you too.” You murmured in a slurred voice, head on her chest. “You put me back together.. and and everythings going.. to be okay…”

Katniss smiled softly once more, her heart swelling as she realized you were reciting everything she’d said before. “Only because I have you.” She whispered back as you fell asleep in your embrace.

She laid there for a few minutes and then finally felt safe enough to drift off as well.

#the hunger games #catching fire #the mockingjay #katniss everdeen #katniss everdeen x reader #katniss everdeen x fem!reader #katniss everdeen x you #x reader #comfort #I'm a sucker for hurt/comfort fics #these are my jam #request more if you want #accidentally deleted the request but the fic remains lol

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bluerose5 · 1 month

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Hmm how about Halsin and Iron Bull (in whatever relationship dynamic you like!) commiserating after a fight with some goblins?

The kind of ship that snuck up on me out of nowhere. These two 100% took control of the fic and made it longer than what I intended, although I'm not complaining. 😌

...

One thing the Iron Bull never expected was for Halsin to admit to being a lightweight of all things.

While the tieflings' party was in full swing, he made his rounds throughout camp, took note of where everyone else's minds were at, his companions' especially, and he drank.

That was, until Bull realized the liquor on hand was some of the weakest shit compared to back home.

Still, it was a celebration, so he accepted drinks when offered, disgruntled by the fact that he was barely breaking a sweat over it.

Sobriety aside, he waited to speak with Halsin last, mostly because he wasn't quite sure what to make of him yet.

For one, he was big. Probably a little shorter than your average Qunari, but bigger than any elf Bull encountered in Thedas at least.

Secondly, he wielded magic different from most that Bull was familiar with, and the fact that majority of spellcasters in Faerûn didn't have to struggle against demons and possession in order to control their power...

Strange. Reassuring in a sense, but very strange.

When all was said and done, Bull figured no harm could come from getting to know the newcomer. This esteemed, knowledgeable "Archdruid" of theirs.

Who happened to be easy on the eyes —well, eye, singular— as well, but that was neither here nor there.

The Iron Bull sauntered up to him with a friendly smile, his head held high in a show of confidence.

"Well, it looks like I saved the best for last!" Bull greeted. "Settling in okay?" Before Halsin could answer, Bull interrupted. "Wait! Wait." He gave a dramatic pause. "I couldn't bear it if you said 'no.' Haha!"

He beamed at Halsin, who couldn't resist a snort of amusement, the corners of his eyes crinkled in delight.

Bull could practically hear Krem grumbling from there.

"Do not concern yourself with me. I am settling in just fine," Halsin assured him. "Of course, it always helps to have a host as gracious as yourself."

"Let's see if you still think that by the end of the night," the Iron Bull joked. He stood at Halsin's side, giving him a playful nudge with his elbow. "Seriously, though, that fight at that temple was great, yeah?" His heart raced at the memory. He leaned in, his voice low, appreciative. "You were incredible."

"Oh, come now," Halsin said, brushing off the compliment. "I don't know about that. You and your companions did most of the heavy lifting, after all."

"Don't downplay your role in our victory," Bull told him. "The sheer amount of goblins alone would have proved a challenge for anyone, but you cut through them like it was nothing." Try as he may, Bull couldn't help it, his eye trailing up and down Halsin's body. "All of that fury and rage, unleashed, directed at our enemies. You were a sight to behold, but tell the truth. You enjoyed it, didn't you?"

Halsin glanced at him, not even bothering to hide how his eyes raked over his frame in return.

"Perhaps," he allowed, taking a second to clear his throat. "I must admit, I have come to expect at least a hint of fear from outsiders in response to my wild shape."

"Heh," Bull chuckled. "I fought dragons before, pal. It's gonna take more than a big teddy bear like you to scare me away."

"Is that so?" Halsin raised an eyebrow at him, surveying the area around them. "Maybe I should work on that then. Everyone should maintain a healthy balance of fear and respect for nature."

"Trust me, I respect it plenty," Bull said, "but by all means, do your worst."

Halsin shook his head, smiling to himself.

"Tempting as that is, you surely have others to go mingle with. Don't let me keep you."

"Nah." Bull waved off that concern without second thought. "I've done more than my fair share of mingling for tonight. I want to get to know you better."

He gave him a playful poke to the arm.

"Hmm..." Halsin hummed in contemplation. "I wouldn't want to be selfish and rob others here of your company. I can wait until morning to speak with you at the very least."

"Which is fine, if that's what you want," the Iron Bull whispered, "but what if I want you to be selfish?"

Halsin searched his expression for any sign of deceit.

When such scrutiny proved fruitless, his entire demeanor shifted, more open to the idea compared to before.

"In that case," he responded, "will you tell me about one of your dragon hunts then?"

"Fuck yeah, I will!" Bull exclaimed, his excitement radiant like a flame.

He clasped a hand onto Halsin's shoulder, giving it a warm, companionable squeeze.

A small shiver shot down his spine, one that Bull was quick to watch with keen interest.

The Iron Bull reckoned that Halsin didn't know many people who towered over him. It was almost funny how often his gaze would level with Bull's pecs or wander farther below before darting up to his face yet again, as if he had to constantly remind himself that he was the shorter one for once.

Then again, maybe he just liked the sight of his chest. Bull couldn't fault him for that.

"Let's see. Let's see," Bull said, rubbing at his chin while he thought it over. "I could go simple. The first dragon I ever hunted alongside the Inquisitor was terrorizing the countryside we were in at the time. It was a Fereldan Frostback."

Already, his eye was glazing over at the tale, his voice taking on a tinge of admiration that bordered on reverence. Or as close to it as he could get.

"Extremely territorial, those ones, and damn if she wasn't a beauty. All of that raw, untamed power, but unfortunately for her, her territory happened to include a few defenseless villages that couldn't ward her off on their own. That's where we came in."

He wrapped his arm around Halsin's shoulders, drawing him in closer as he spoke, staring off towards a faraway land that was well beyond their reach for now.

"That sharp burst of air that rushed past as she swiped her tail at us. That loud ringing in our ears when she screeched at the skies. That molten heat that radiated in the air when she snapped her teeth at us, so close that we would have been her next meal, had we not rolled out of reach in time."

He bared his teeth into a grin.

"That was a good day," he all but growled. "A good day, indeed!"

Halsin shifted in place. Of course, it didn't escape Bull's notice how he eased closer to him in the process.

He stared at the Iron Bull with a mixture of heat and shock.

"You almost sound excited," he said, hesitant, not wanting to overstep his bounds.

Not that it deterred Bull in the slightest.

"That's because I am," Bull stated, unashamed. "Even now, something about it gets my blood pumping and my heart racing, more so than any other fight." He grunted loudly as he lingered on the memory. "Maybe it's in my blood."

"Your blood?"

"Yeah," he said, "rumor has it that there might have been some dragon's blood mixed into the Qunari's somewhere along the way." He shrugged. "No one knows for certain. Would be pretty badass, though, wouldn't it?"

"Definitely."

"Okay, now it's your turn."

"My turn?" Halsin questioned.

"To share. Come on," Bull encouraged. "You can't tell me that you don't have some wild stories stashed away."

"Well," Halsin launched into his tale without missing a beat, "it's not too different from yours. Back in my youth—"

"Nuh-uh, none of that," Bull interrupted. "You're not that old."

"I'll have you know that I am three hundred and fifty years young."

"Hot."

Bull smirked when that got a laugh out of him.

"I can admire anyone who is so open with their desires," Halsin said, "but shall I continue the story?"

"Oh, alright, I'll behave."

"Somehow I doubt that," Halsin teased, "but as I was saying, I was young and impulsive at the time, traveling and exploring the world to my heart's content. After indulging in nature's gifts on land for so long, life led me to the sea. Throughout my journey, I heard about a string of pirate attacks, led by a rogue band of water genasi. Their greed had already impacted several coastal villages by the time I caught wind of it."

Bull made a mental note to ask more about the race later, too intent on listening to the current story to venture off on another tangent.

"People were being taken from their homes, everyone from their children to the elderly. Those who relied heavily on fish as a staple found themselves on the brink of starvation. Resources were being drained. Their valuables were looted. Any who fought against the genasi were executed or enslaved, made an example of."

"But you stopped them?"

"Eventually," Halsin sighed, it obviously taking a toll on him that he couldn't save more than what he did. "I studied their movements, their tactics. At first, I would rally others behind me, wait until the genasi tried for an ambush, and attack then. But there were still too many deaths for my liking, so I went on the offensive. The locals provided me with a vessel of my own, and I sailed out into the open waters. I took the fight to them, grew more and more cocky with each ship I took down. I believed myself to be invincible, and that made me reckless."

"What happened next?" Bull asked, although he already had an idea.

"You clearly survived, though."

"I was taken prisoner. One of my attacks went exactly as I planned, but I didn't know that the genasi had others lying in wait, holding back until they saw the perfect opportunity to strike. They outnumbered me, enough so that they were able to overpower me, and that was that."

"That, I did. With me as their trophy, the band that captured me left the coastland for quite some time. About a year and a half passed, give or take a few months, but I forced myself to be patient throughout that time of servitude, difficult as it was. I earned the trust of the crew. And later, the captain.

"Then one day, I felt it. There was something stirring in the water, restless, massive in size. I could sense it, and part of me knew that it was my time to act.

"I convinced the crew that there was treasure, worthy of the gods, in some nearby wreckage. I made up a lie, said I recalled the area from my studies, and they believed me."

"You led them right into a trap," Bull said, impressed.

Halsin nodded.

"It was a kraken's territory," he explained. "A sea monster of great power and might. It rose up from its dark depths to confront us. The waters turned rough and formed a large, gaping vortex that threatened to consume us all. The winds whipped at blinding speeds. Storms formed that spewed lightning everywhere you looked. The kraken even managed to charm some of the crew into fighting under its thrall, so you can imagine how everything turned into a bloodbath from there."

"Damn." Bull released a low whistle, recalling a few stories he heard of dreadnoughts encountering an aban-ataashi —a sea dragon— while out on their patrols.

He imagined this creature must have been similar to cause so much destruction.

"Nothing against you or your skills, but I'm surprised you survived."

"You and me both," Halsin agreed. "I was so weak that I couldn't switch forms all that much at the time, but I managed to rely on some basic spells to keep me safe long enough to escape. I fought alongside the crew for a while to discourage any suspicion, but I stole one of the ship's work boats the second it was clear that the crew and the kraken were going to go down destroying each other. Through the gods' mercy alone, I managed to make it out of there. I watched both ship and kraken sink into the sea from afar, and I somehow survived until I found land once again."

"Okay, now that story deserves a drink," Bull said. "Or several. Care to share one with me?"

"In truth, I rarely imbibe," Halsin answered. "The stuff goes right to my head."

The sounds of the party returned to them then. Voices rose and fell. Squeals of delight and the clink of tankards greeted their ears.

People danced and swayed, stumbling around without a care in the world.

"Wait, really?" Bull asked, incredulous. "You're telling me that you can't hold your liquor?"

Somehow, that was even more unbelievable than him fighting a kraken.

Halsin laughed, holding his hands up in surrender.

"All I'm saying is that it won't take long before I'm breaking into song or declaring love to the first person I lay eyes on."

"Well, I mean, if you need a target to focus that energy on..." Squeezing him up against his side, Bull flexed his free arm, waggling his eyebrows at him. "I'm your guy."

"A tempting offer, I'll admit," Halsin said, admiring him openly.

"Plus, I've also been known to break into song here and there."

"Now, that, I have to see."

"Find me something stronger than the swill they serve around here," Bull challenged, "and you're on."

"Ah." As understanding dawned on him, Halsin flashed Bull a secretive smirk. "You thought that I meant that I can't handle the spirits such as those at this party." At Bull's confused look, Halsin clarified. "I keep a, uh, personal flask on hand for special occasions."

"No shit," Bull said, watching him closely, unable to keep his curiosity at bay. "You have your own recipe or what?"

"Something like that, and I have my pipe on me too, if you're interested."

"Don't have to tell me twice. Let's go make a little music, yeah?"

Amused, Halsin readily agreed.

They didn't even try to hide it as they ditched the party in favor of the surrounding forests, neither of them the type to sneak about in such a manner anyways.

They spent the rest of the night in high spirits under the stars, drinking, smoking, trading stories. And yes, singing rather terribly as well.

They fell asleep bathed in moonlight, and only when the rising sun bid them to wake did they return to camp together to discuss their next move.

#baldurs gate 3 #bg3 #dragon age #dai #halsin #the iron bull #the iron bull x halsin #halsin x the iron bull #ironbear #bluerose answers #bluerose writes #crossover

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darkstarofchaos · 2 months

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For the ask thingy... I have a feeling I might know some of the answer to this, but here's a two-fer. Take your pick (or answer both if you're in the mood): - OpStar -OpFire

OpStar: Don't ship it.

Why don’t you ship it?

Well, for starters, there's Optimus laughing at the idea of Megatron doing horrible things to Starscream. Bit off-putting, that.

More generally, Optimus has a... morality thing. Specifically, his own view on morality, which he pushes onto anyone in his vicinity. Which, y'know. Starscream is a villain, you kinda have to redeem him if the ship is actually going to work, right? Or file off his rough edges and make him Secretly A Good Person Actually, or a generally good person/helpless victim who just needs to See The Light.

Two problems with this: first, I prefer corruption arcs. Let Starscream bring people to the Dark Side, darn it. And second, Optimus does not practice what he preaches. One might even call him a hypocrite. Case in point, mind control is Evil when the Bad Guys do it, but he was perfectly happy to try controlling the Constructicons - and through them, Devastator - in The Core. And if mind control is an acceptable approach to turning people to your side, what does that mean for the ex-Decepticon you're looking to bed? I wouldn't trust any canon Optimus to treat Starscream with legitimate kindness, save for Armada Optimus. Because he actually did that. And maybe EarthSpark, but we only have a couple lines of dialogue to go on so far, so I'll reserve judgement there.

(Note of clarification, most of my Optimus Problems apply to G1 versions of the character. I actually kind of like other Optimii. Still don't ship him with Starscream, though).

As for Starscream, he's not going to do a 180 and suddenly be a loyal and obedient follower just because he gets some praise once in a while (if he does, that's incredibly unhealthy and he shouldn't be in a relationship with someone who could very easily take advantage of him). Starscream has opinions and ideas. And when he sees someone doing something stupid, he's going to call them on it. But Optimus does what Optimus thinks best, and if Starscream thinks differently, they are going to fight. And Optimus isn't going to listen to him, because he doesn't listen. Doubly so if Starscream's opinion can be construed as immoral.

Tl;dr: they would be horrible together.

2. What would have made you like it?

I think TFP is the only place where they would have had a chance with me, so... Maybe if Optimus had tried to reach out to Starscream after Arcee chased him off? But the irony is, if Optimus was the kind of person who could be trusted with Starscream's well-being, he would also recognize that his status as a powerful authority figure makes him someone Starscream shouldn't be in a relationship with. So it still wouldn't work.

3. Despite not shipping it, do you have anything positive to say about it?

It's fun when they argue. Which has nothing to do with them as a pairing, I just enjoy when their dynamic is ruthlessly antagonistic.

OpFire (just gonna lump Jetfire in with Skyfire): Don't ship it.

Why don’t you ship it?

I ship Skyfire with one (1) person. Irrationally uncomfortable seeing him with someone else. OTP in the purest sense of the term.

Optimus is not that one person.

2. What would have made you like it?

Might need to rewire my brain, tbh. First, I'd need to be comfortable shipping Skyfire with someone else. Second, I would need to like Optimus enough to ship him with anyone. Third, they would need to have enough in common that I could ship them specifically.

Impossible task, I would say.

3. Despite not shipping it, do you have anything positive to say about it?

I had a roommate a few years ago who really liked anime, so I decided Armada would be a good way to introduce them to Transformers. They came away with a few ships, including Optimus/Jetfire. And they decided the ship name was Flying Fish, because of how the pair's combined form looks.

So that's a fun little story.

#transformers #Starscream #Skyfire #Not gonna tag the pairings since I went pretty negative on them #Unsure if I should tag Optimus because I went pretty negative on him too #Ah well

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blackjackkent · 3 months

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Everyone loves a good camp fight.

Sadly, no one else in camp came to help fight the spawn except the current main party (and Astarion, obviously). On the bright side, this is apparently counted as before the long rest, so Hector still had his cloud giant potion up and could absolutely wreck face.

Highly entertained by Astarion's combat, which was AI controlled while the rest of the party was under my control. When it came around to his turn, Astarion wandered over to Hector, cast Invisibility on him despite both of them being DIRECTLY in front of one of the spawn, then moseyed on behind said spawn, tried to hit it with Flourish as a bonus action, missed, wandered away and was smacked by two different opportunity attacks, and then watched as the spawn cast Sense Hidden Presence and knocked Hector right back out of invisiblity.

Phenomenal. Stunning. 10/10 no notes.

Unsurprisingly, all of the spawns vanished into gas clouds and drifted away when they were "killed" so presumably we'll see them again later. (And, probably, they'll tell Cazador that we're coming and planning to kick his ass, but I can't imagine he hasn't guessed that already anyway.)

At the end of the fight, I tried four times to arrange everyone in positions such that Hector would get the post-fight conversation with Astarion; I put him closest to Astarion, I put him farthest away, I made sure Hector was getting the last hit on his turn, but no matter what I did, Astarion would ONLY talk to Karlach for this conversation and I couldn't figure out how to convince him otherwise.

I mean I don't blame him, because Karlach is great, but I would like my player character to have the conversations please. XD

That said - this turned out to be a strangely poignant interaction just because it ended up being these two characters specifically.

I'm going to go with the explanation that Hector darted off to do a perimeter sweep of the camp with Minsc and Jaheira and make sure there were no other lurking spawn hanging about, and Karlach (because she is a sweetheart) hung out with Astarion to make sure he was okay.

"What a mess. Well, at least you've met my family now."

He's smiling slightly, offhandedly, as if it doesn't matter, but it's not fooling anyone, least of all Karlach, who is a master herself at laughing jocularly at terrible situations she is stuck in.

"Was it true what they said? That you gave up fighting him long ago?"

It occurs to me that Karlach can relate to that too. Ten years she spent in Zariel's employ (not long for a vampire, but very long for a living tiefling), and there must have come a point where she realized that trying to resist was pointless and doing what was necessary to survive was the only thing left to her (at least until the beacon of hope that was the nautiloid came crashing through the Hells).

Astarion, however, recoils - clearly taking it as a criticism, a condemnation.

"You don't know what it was like," he snarls. "There was no way out! Once--" His voice cracks abruptly, and he stops and has to take a breath before he can continue. "In my first decade of slavery, I found a... darling boy, who I couldn't bear to bring back to him." He swallows. "So I ran, instead of hurting that... sweet man..."

His voice is thick with the memory, with pain and grief and fear overlaid on themselves across centuries.

"After Cazador caught me, the bastard sealed me, starving, inside a dusty tomb, all on my own... for an entire year."

"A year of silence. Months of scratching my hands raw, trying to carve my way out. More months of not moving at all. Months wishing only for death."

His mouth tightens - whether with anger or tears or both, it's hard to tell.

"So don't you ever judge me for doing what Cazador ordered."

(A/N: Someone bring Neil Newbon back and give him another award please.)

Karlach had the saddest fucking expression on her face through this whole little speech. Perhaps she considers telling him what she went through in return. How Zariel had her trapped in a war she wanted no part of, killing people she had no quarrel with. How sometimes she considered running away but had nowhere to go; how disobedience meant punishment - sometimes of a military sort and sometimes far more personal. How she understands about doing what is necessary to survive, about being trapped in another's cruelty.

But all she says is, "I have no words. I'm so sorry."

He notices none of the nuance of her response; his expression is twisted in rage at the memories, an anger that is trying to blot out the thickness of tears audible in his voice. "Nothing can make up for that," he mutters hoarsely. "Not even Cazador's death."

Without waiting for a response, he turns and walks away.

#bjk plays baldur's gate 3 #hector carlisle #WELL THAT WAS UPSETTING

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mxtxfanatic · 2 years

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One thing that kinda bothers me (but only kinda since whatever way this scene is interpreted, the outcome is the same) is when people say Jiang Cheng is the reason why Wei Wuxian was seen as enemy of the cultivation world. I don’t think so, because emphasis on the conflict between wwx and the cultivation world is put on how wwx chooses to protect the Wen remnants over his status amongst the gentry, thus challenging their authority and their claims to righteousness. This is what made him public enemy #1.

And this isn’t to absolve jc of his role in this, because his unwillingness to stand by wwx, the Wen siblings who he owed a life debt to, or any sort of moral definitely played a role in the narrative. However, this attitude in the labor camp situation is directly in line with the other clans, which is why I believe that “jc visits the burial mounds” scene placed so much detail and emphasis on wwx saying he is not coming back to the Jiang (and thus the greater cultivation world) while the actual duel and naming of wwx as “enemy of the cultivation world” is a couple of sentences at the end of entire scene. Wwx was an enemy because he stood by the Wen while the cultivation world was committing genocide, because as far as I know, clan defection and exile is not grounds enough to be considered everyone’s enemy or having committed treason.

And as much as I love me some “wwx raised in any other clan” fics and thought exercises, I very much so believe that had wwx been taken in by any of the other great clans, it would have ended in his defection and him being named an enemy purely over him protecting the Wen remnants. Nie “anyone even tangentially related to a person I hate must die” Mingjue would not defend wwx at the expense of also protecting the Wen. Lan “will not make an active choice that would paint the people I like in a bad light but will allow slander against people I don’t care for” Xichen would not defend wwx at the expense of also protecting the Wen. The only thing that the Jiang have on the other clans is that, without the Wen as the wedge issue, wwx would have still defected because jc is just an overtly terrible person doing overtly terrible things. That was the personal narrative. But everyone else would have forced wwx’s hand in defecting, himself, over the labor camp liberation, because the only way wwx would stay in any clan is if they stood on the side of morality with him. And none of them would.

(Now, I personally think the other clans wouldn’t accept wwx defecting like jc did, and would either try to keep it hush while they figured out how to get him to drop the Wen issue or would flat-out try to kidnap him until they could deal with the Wen remnants thereby taking the issue out of his hands. Wwx is too powerful an ally to just let leave, but he’d also be too powerful to forcibly keep. I feel like it would still all culminate in the siege with the only post-siege difference being that whichever clan he was a part of would probably have fought harder for his notes for the sake of wwx having been their former disciple, rather than giving the Jin all his manuscripts after a fight like in canon.)

#mdzs #i need a tag for metas that don’t come purely from me reading #but my interpretation of scenes #i feel like i said I’d expand on this once so here it is #i actually need to go through a lot of my old posts and see what ideas i said I’d expand on #human metas mxtx #ignore any typos this has been in drafts for a minute

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bkdk-art · 2 years

Text

No matter when

Chapter 5 - Time travel-quirk

Summary: Katsuki’s and Izuku’s daily life at UA is disturbed by a younger Bakugou Katsuki suddenly showing up in their common room. While they’re trying to figure out what happened and how to return him to his own time, the younger blond’s behavior towards Izuku reminds them of their dark middle school-years. Both of them – older Katsuki and Izuku – are confronted with different feelings and are handling the middle schooler their own way.

Fandom: My Hero Academia / Boku no hero academia

Characters: Bakugou Katsuki, Midoriya Izuku, Class A, fic-original character (Yamamori)

Pairing: Bakugou Katsuki/Midoriya Izuku

Word Count: 2,000

Rating: General / Teen

AO3-Link

Notes: Takes place after current events / Senior year at UA / I wanted to write a short one shot but it ended up to be a multi-chapter monster :D (:

Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

______________________________

Izuku was kind of nervous and he didn’t know why. Maybe because he thought time travel quirks were one of the most exciting things on the planet. Or maybe because Katsuki was glued to his side while they were waiting for the girl – Yamamori was her name.

Most of their classmates were there, only Iida and Aoyama, who was visiting his parents, were missing.

“A guard will bring her”, Izuku said to Kirishima after he had asked why Izuku wasn’t picking her up at the gate, “Something about safety on the campus.”

Katsuki snorted at that. “Then why is this brat not monitored by a guard”, he glared at his younger self who was hissing at him in response.

“He’d outsmart them and run off”, Mina said, “But he can’t outsmart us, we’ve got three years of experience with the older Bakugou.”

The younger blond rolled his eyes. “The wimp doesn’t seem like much to handle to me”, he said.

Everyone else started laughing while Katsuki growled at him. Izuku tried to muster a smile too, but it didn’t feel too convincing.

Another five minutes went by and Izuku thought of all his questions: When did the quirk manifest itself? What was the first incident? How did it work in detail? Did anything go wrong in the past? Was Yamamori able to travel herself? Did she-

“You’re mumbling.”

Izuku turned his head and looked at Katsuki. The blond wasn’t really looking at him, his eyes were rather fixated on his shoulder.

“Sorry”, he whispered, also lowering his eyes.

He heard Katsuki taking in a deep breath to say something, but before he was able to the door opened and one of UA’s guards entered.

Izuku jumped to his feet when he saw a smaller figure behind him.

“Yamamori-san!”, he said and rushed towards her, “Welcome to our dorm, come on in!”, he made an inviting gesture, thanking the guard. The man nodded, saying he would wait on the veranda.

“You can stay inside”, Yaoyorozu said, smiling at him but he shook his head, excused himself and stepped out again.

“Okay then”, Izuku said, looking at the girl he had only known by name when they had been in middle school, only talking on a few occasions then, “It’s been a while”, he bowed.

“It’s been quite some time”, she agreed, lowering her head too, “Thank you for having me.”

“It’s our pleasure”, Izuku guided her to the rest of the class, introducing her, making her sit on the couch next to him.

“Long time no see”, she said to Katsuki, smiling at him.

Katsuki nodded at her and pointed over his shoulder to the younger Katsuki. “Thanks for the trouble.”

“Kacchan!”, Izuku furrowed his brows, “Don’t be rude!”

But Yamamori burst laughing. “You’re still that brute, aren’t you?”

Izuku could feel Katsuki stiffen besides him and he knew why – Katsuki was nothing like back then. Yes, his rude tendencies might still be there but he was much calmer now, less aggressive, wasn’t searching for fights all the time. He was gentle and caring. And Izuku knew how hard Katsuki had worked on himself. He had even started seeing a counselor and a therapist, even if he hadn’t told anyone besides his parents and Izuku.

With that in mind Izuku said: “He’s not actually.”

He could feel all the other’s looking at him, probably thrown off by his dry tone.

Yamamori must have noticed it too because she stopped laughing, waving it off. “No, no, don’t get me wrong. I didn’t know the Bakugou-san back then and I surely don’t know him now. It’s just… the… I mean”, she struggled for words.

“Attitude?”, Sero suggested.

“Aura”, Kaminari pondered.

“Air of confidence”, Kirishima added.

“Boldness”, Mina shrugged.

The room went silent for a second before everyone started laughing, even Izuku smiled a little when he saw that Katsuki was chuckling.

“You’ll get that back”, he reassured his friends who acted fearful, gasping and hiding their faces.

“Shitheads”, Katsuki mumbled, but with clear amusement in his voice.

“Anyways”, Izuku said, “thanks for coming. Your high school is on the other side of the city, right?”

Yamamori nodded. “Yeah but that’s nothing. I’m too excited anyway!”, she smiled brightly, “I never got to see someone who I’d sent in the future besides my immediate family. Somedays my mother would appear right next to herself, being totally startled.”

“Was that when you were little? And you couldn’t control your quirk yet?”, Izuku asked, checking one of his questions off his mental checklist.

“Oh no!”, her smile wavered a little, “Things like this still happen accidently since I never got to train my quirk and therefore, I’m still not able to control it. That’s why I avoid touching people.”

Everyone made stunned sounds.

“Reminds me of Eri-chan”, Uraraka said.

The weight on Izuku’s heart seemed to double.

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

Living in fear of one’s own quirk. Like Eri, like Shigaraki had for a while, like he himself did. And not being able to even touch others – he couldn’t imagen how lonely Yamamori must feel.

“Well, you know”, she shrugged, “Got used to it.”

“Is that why you didn’t decide to enter UA or any other hero academy?”, Izuku asked, wondering if he was pushing her.

But it seemed like she didn’t mind.

She shook her head and said: “No, to be honest I never really thought of becoming a hero. I know, my quirk is extremely rare and it seems powerful and all that but… you know, it also bares a lot of risks. And”, now she was looking down on her lap, “People thought it to be very creepy and other kids were making fun of me, calling me a hazard. Even my parents were overwhelmed by all of it. That’s why it never came to my mind that I could be a hero someday. That’s why I seldom tell people about my quirk.”

Izuku twisted his mouth.

This reminded him of Shinsou-kun and how other kids had told him his mind control-quirk was better suited for villains, not heroes, making fun of him and avoiding him all along.

“Children can be cruel, indeed”, he said, still deep in thoughts.

He could once again sense Katsuki tensing next to him and saw him clenching his fists. Izuku felt everyone silently looking at him and that’s when he realized how his words sounded to them. To Katsuki.

Oh no, he thought, his gut sinking.

“I was-“, he started, looking at Katsuki who was avoiding his gaze but he couldn’t explain himself because Yamamori talked right over him: “Sorry for starting such depressing stories. Actually, I’m here for you”, she smiled at the younger Katsuki.

Izuku still tried to catch Katsuki’s eyes, nudging him with his elbow, urging him to finally look at him but Katsuki ignored it, snapping at his younger self: “How come you’ve been this quiet?”

Izuku sighed, leaving it alone for the moment. But he would put this right later.

Definitely.

~~~

Katsuki was zoning out, although he was really trying to focus on the time travel-girl.

But his mind circled around what Izuku had just said a few minutes ago.

Children can be cruel, indeed.

Cruel! Katsuki wasn’t sure if he deserved that. It seemed too harmless. He would have used words like barbaric, atrocious, or monstrous to describe himself back then.

“So”, Izuku said now, his voice hyped up again, “you can send people to the future but not to the past?”

“Exactly”, she said, “Maybe so the time-and-space-continuum stays intact. Cause things you change in the past would have enormous influence on the future, or better said, our present, even if you forget everything once you’re back. The present will be different from the one you left. But all the things you change in the future won’t alter the time you will return to.”

Izuku nodded vividly and Katsuki could almost see himself taking notes inside his head.

“The brat right here”, Katsuki said, “will remember nothing, right? Not even one second?”

The girl exhaled at that. “Not that I know of”, she lifted her hands, looking unsure herself, “Maybe the subconscious will remember some things, creating specific dream sequences or deja-vue moments or something like that. But that’s only my theory, I haven’t heard somebody mention anything like that, like ever. I guess, it’s just my desire that my quirk isn’t useless.”

“It’s not!”, Izuku rushed to say and the rest of their classmates agreed with him, directing reassuring words at the girl.

“But don’t worry, Bakugou-san”, she said after a while, “You would know or remember when this little… journey would have had any effect on you in the past since we’re in one timeline and-“

“You think so?”, Izuku interrupted her, almost unable to stay put with all his excitement.

Katsuki rolled his eyes and by doing so he met eyes with his younger self, who was rolling his eyes too. Katsuki instantly looked away from him, uneasy about the fact that they had reacted in the same way.

Damn it!

Was he still that asshole? Had he not change after all? Was everything, every progress for nothing?

You’re still that brute, aren’t you?

This girl had looked at him for only a fucking second and had come to that conclusion. They had been on the same middle school so she must have known his manners back then, his behavior at its lowest – or that’s at least what Katsuki had thought. But apparently, he hadn’t changed that much since she-

He’s not actually.

Katsuki gulped.

Izuku thought him to be different. Wasn’t that the opinion that mattered most to him? But at the same time Izuku was the most forgiving person one could ever come across. Like idiotic forgiving, he had even been able to see the hurt child in Shigaraki. So maybe Izuku defending him didn’t guarantee that he had, in fact, changed.

Katsuki’s palm hurt from clenching his fists so hard, but he couldn’t help it. He felt like his whole world was slowly falling apart.

~~~

Middle school-Katsuki was bored out of his mind. He had thought that he would somehow learn about some shortcuts to get home but instead Deku was just invested in his usual quirk rambling and the girl – still wearing a bow, but this time it was placed to at the end of her braided hair to hold it together and…

Katsuki clicked his tongue. He couldn’t believe it. He was thinking about her hair, that’s how bored he was.

“Do you”, Deku said, “have a theory why people get send to the specific times they land in?”

She seemed to love that question, starting to grin.

“I have actually, but again I can only judge by the incidents that have happened with my family. But it had mostly something to do with what the other person was thinking about at that specific moment. For example, when my father suddenly landed in our kitchen and I had asked him what he had been thinking about before being sent away, he had told us that he had been making plans about what to cook on that exact date before I accidently hit him with my quirk. But it’s not always that exact. It seldom is, actually.”

Deku made some big eyes like the nerd he was and started to ramble: “This means Kacchan might have thought about UA which makes a lot of sense since at that time of the year we were all busy with applying to the schools we wanted to go to”, he nodded to himself, apparently satisfied with that explanation, “But that also means you could train your quirk after all.”

Katsuki watched lazily as the girl seemed startled by that suggestion.

“I mean, if I would think very hard about tomorrow and how I wanted to see the swans down on the beach, maybe say… at the dawn, you could hit me with your quirk and wait there tomorrow and see if I-“

“No fucking way”, the older Katsuki interrupted him.

“There are swans at the beach?”, Katsuki heard the pink one whispering to the one with the long ears who looked amazed too. Katsuki just shook his head.

What a waste of time. Especially since he hadn’t found out why looking at shitty Deku made him ache once in a while.

He hated it here.

“Why?”, Deku said, towards his older self, frowning at him, “This shouldn’t be dangerous.”

“Oh, yeah? How’d you know?”, the older blond challenged Deku.

Deku sighed, gesturing towards Katsuki.

“That’s why!”, he pressed, “He’s not hurt, he’s not confused, he’s not lost in time and space!”

“So what?”, his older self barked back, “That doesn’t mean shit!”

Katsuki closed his eyes, trying to block these dorks out.

Why the hell did this quirk last so long? He wanted to go home, like asap! He wanted to stroll through that boring school halls, wanted to go to the arcades with those extras who always followed him.

“You’re being irrational, Kacchan!”, Deku argued back.

Katsuki wanted to go back where he would tell Deku off for his nerdy mumbling and his analysis notebooks, fangirling over every minor hero instead of being so obviously worried for him like his older self right now, even being open about it in front of everyone and-

A shrieking sound pierced through Katsuki’s head, making him jump to his feet, blocking his ears.

“What it is?”, he could hear one of those extras ask him, but he couldn’t answer them.

It was like someone had unplugged a dozen boxes which were now making the most excruciating sounds. Katsuki’s head felt like it was about to burst, everything he looked at was framed by pink and turquois lines, making the world seem to waver.

The high-pitched sound grew louder and louder, causing him to cry out in pain, pissed off at that unknown feeling. Suddenly he was unable to make any sounds, feeling himself fall.

The last thing he heard was Deku’s alarmed, annoying voice calling out for him.

#bkdk #bkdk fluff #bkdk fanfic #bakudeku #bakugou x deku #katsudeku #katsuki x izuku #katsuizu #decchan #bnha #bnha fanfiction #fluff and angst

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gillianthecat · 2 years

Text

So, I started watching The Devil Judge knowing almost nothing about the plot. I may have looked at the MyDramaList summary but if so it was too vague to leave an impression. I'm in the middle of episode 5 now, and here are some ramblings on what I think the story is and where I predict it's going:

(If anyone reading this knows how the story develops, please don't spoil me before I finish it! I'll make a note here once I'm done if anyone wants to comment after that. Thank you!)

Update: Finished it! Spoil away!

Also, this will include spoilers up through episode 5, and probably won't make much sense if you haven't watched it.

Early on, I did google "devil judge BL" because the glimpses I'd seen on tumblr gave me the impression it was somewhere on the scale between unintentionally homoerotic and censored bromance. This brought me to absolutebl's review, which I skimmed through very quickly to avoid spoiling myself, but left me with the sense that the leads never kiss or get together but are overtly shown as having a romantic relationship and/or sexual tension. That it was not a BL but that it was gay. (This might not be what absolutebl actually wrote!-I was actively trying to not process most of the words I saw.)

This is all to say that I've gone into The Devil Judge without knowing even what genre(s) it is, which has made watching an interesting experience of trying to figure out what's going on. On top of that, I have only watched a few other pieces of Korean media, and nothing like this, so I'm sure I'm missing connections and interpretations that would be obvious to Korean viewers and others more familiar with Korean storytelling conventions, and adding on my own interpretations that aren't there.

But! I'm on episode five and I think I finally figured out what the story is! I think it's three stories, actually: a gothic romance, a revenge tale and a detective story. To my American eyes, I see shades of two European classics - Jane Eyre and The Count of Monte Cristo. These two stories are kind of nestled along side each other, taking turns. Ga-on and Yo-han are in the gothic romance together, while Yo-han is in the revenge tale. And both these stories are framed by an overarching detective story with Ga-on as the protagonist.

(I'm still not sure which of these is the "main" genre. Will one of them take precedent? Or will they continue to have equal weight through the end? And will that work as a story if there isn't one single framework for it? I don't know enough about storytelling to predict that.)

I think it took me a while to figure out because early on it felt like it was going somewhere different. There were a few contradictory threads. (Looking back now I do think the mystery of "what genre even is this?" is intentional. Part of the fun of this show is the layers and layers of mysteries.)

At the beginning, the story is introduced as a detective tale, with Kim Ga-on being asked by his mentor to solve the mystery of Kang Yo-han's secrets. But there was so much else happening it never felt to me like "detective story" was going to be the true genre we were in. The stuff about televised trials made me expect something like The Hunger Games. All the political intrigue and secondary characters made it feel like an ensemble political thriller.

But the main vibe I was getting was "corruption of innocence." The title The Devil Judge and the framing of Yo-han as mysterious and incredibly powerful made me expect a corruption thriller. This version would be Ga-on's story and Yo-han would remain mysterious and opaque through the end. It's the story of the innocent ingenue who is seduced by the sexy devil but tries to fight his attraction and the narrative forces pushing him into the devil's arms. (This is what I imagine the story of Hannibal to be, although I've never watched Hannibal, so this might be inaccurate.) Ga-on's investigation of Yo-han's mysterious past, all the political intrigue, all the drama around the trials, all of this would be the ways in which the devil judge drags Ga-on down with him.

But then the show began doing things I that didn't fit that storyline. It kept giving us, the audience, insights into Yo-han as a person. The first time was an interaction with Elijah, where he's grumpy and pouty and more human than we'd seen him yet. At first I dismissed it a little bit of softening of Yo-han's image to make the seduction more plausible. But then the show started revealing some of the mysteries about Yo-han. And we started getting flashbacks from his perspective, and started seeing his mask slip while he was in private. Oh! I thought, he's becoming a character with his own arc in this story.

The moment when I realized this was a gothic romance was mid episode 5 when GaOn is playing with Elijah on the sunny lawn and YoHan is in the dark house, in his expensive dressing gown, peering through the curtains staring at him. Ga-on leans back on his arms in what is frankly a flirtatious pose, and their eyes meet.

Ah! I thought, I've seen this scene before! This is every historical romance novel where the wide-eyed ingenue is forced by circumstances to live with the bitter duke in his cold dark mansion. The ingenue melts the duke heart, the duke gives the ingenue a sexual awaking, and they fall in love. That's it! Everything we've seen so far of Ga-on and Yo-han fit into this story.

The gothic romance framing is most apparent when we're at Yo-han's house. Common romance plot beats and tropes include: The ingenue slowly wins over the child, the cat and the housekeeper! She does kind things (Ga-on's cooking!) to make the duke's life brighter. She's distrustful of him at first but slowly starts seeing his vulnerable side. He slowly starts to melt from her innate goodness. Like, they are literally that! Yo-han even dresses Ga-on to take him to a ball! They encounter each other in their night clothes and half-naked! Ya-hon looks slutty in his dressing gown! He forbids Ga-on from exploring the mansion! Ga-on does it anyways, but what he finds ends up making him sympathize with Ya-hon! Ga-on wakes Yo-han from a nightmare! Yo-han tends Ga-on's injuries! Sorry, that's a lot of exclamation points; I got excited about how well it mapped.

Outside the mansion, the romance framing is not as obvious. I think its set up deliberately ambiguously, to imply the possibility several potential stories. But looking back, all of Ga-on and Yo-han's relationship fits a gothic romance plot.

Ga-on is presented as a purely good person in a corrupt world, a little naïve, but also brave and clever. His ingenue-ness is emphasized in the contrast with the calculating cynicism of the other judge (this is not a criticism of her, I think she's a great and complex character!).

Ga-on is set up from the beginning to be intimidated and intrigued by Yo-han, just like Jane Eyre is with Mr. Rochester. All of their interactions are filmed and edited in way that builds tension, tension that reads to me as sexual. Yo-han is shown as fascinated by Ga-on in return. At the charity event, he is possessive and proprietary over Ga-on, steering him around with a hand on his back, showing him off to the guests, than claiming him back.

All of this could be interpreted as part of a corruption thriller - that's a storyline that also features a wide-eyed ingenue. But when combined with what we're learning about Yo-han, it feels very gothic romance to me. Even the way that Yo-han manipulates Ga-on, which most strongly gives the impression of a corruption arc, also fits into the romance.

If Go-han and Yo-han's story is a romance, than Yo-han must be a human being with his own character arc, which in turn implies an answer to the opening mystery of the show - is he a sociopathic predator or is he on quest for justifiable revenge? For the romance to make sense, it has to be the latter.

Even through episode five, the show is still teasing us with contradictory evidence about the truth of Yo-han's character. Is he a sociopath who likes to hunt people for fun? They show us Crime and Punishment in that childhood bedroom. They give scant context to his night time attacks in the black hoodie. He seems pretty deranged during the car chase with the minister's son. Elijah and the housekeeper both say they don't trust him and blame him for stealing the house. After Yo-han tells Ga-on his tragic story of the fire at the cathedral, we the audience see him laugh and say something like "everyone loves a sob story."

But I think we're starting to receive evidence that the true interpretation is that Yo-han is on a quest of justifiable revenge. In many of Yo-han's flashbacks, there's no reason for it to be a lie. He's not telling the story to anyone else, he's alone with his memories of being beaten as a child, or of setting aside his feelings to be the "perfect" judge, implying that's part of his revenge plot. None of these memories specifically answer the central mystery of what happened in the cathedral fire, but they do make him human and sympathetic. Combined with his framing as a romance character, its enough to make me believe that "righteous avenger" is the truth and "evil sociopath" is the obfuscation.

This means that the second story of the series is Yo-han's tale of a painstakingly planned and long awaited revenge. I don't know if its intentional, but I'm seeing lots of shades of The Count of Monte Cristo in this, where Yo-han has disguised his true self for a decade and put an elaborate plot in motion to take down his betrayers one-by one.

The question I'm asking at this point is how this is going to interact with the romance plotline. My prediction is that Ga-on is going to be pulled into Ya-hon's vengeance quest, which I suppose would be a version of the corruption plot, which would mean that my initial impression of the show was partly correct.

The other options would be for Ga-on to be sidelined during the revenge quest, which just seems boring and therefore unlikely. Or for Ga-on to gentle Yo-hon into giving up on vengeance, which seems even more boring and not where all the dramatics are leading us.

Oh! I suspect the merging of these two plots will turn out to be based in the resolution of the framing detective plot, which asks the question: "is Judge Kang good or evil?" My prediction is that this is a mystery not just for Ga-on and the audience, but also for Yo-hon himself!

It's not just the narrative that teases the audience with contradictory information -- even Yo-han himself is teasing Ga-on, sometimes presenting himself as a predator, sometimes a victim. For the audience, this is part of the original mystery. But for Ga-on and Yo-han, I think this is actually part of the romance plot. On a superficial level, I think the teasing is way that Yo-han flirts with Ga-on. But I think a major thread starting to emerge is Yo-han's conception of himself, and I predict that thread will be part of the romance plotline.

Given what the priest said about him, along with the flashbacks of his father, I think that as a child Yo-han was vilified and always seen as an outsider. Now, I don't know how much of the priest's flashback was accurate - was he really stirring up chaos in the classroom or was the priest's version a lie? But either way, I predict we're going to be shown a Yo-han whose childhood misdeeds were understandable and justifiable, but who internalized a view of himself as a bad person. He then shed all his vulnerabilities and kindness in order to turn himself into a tool for vengeance. In seeking revenge, he has hurt and possibly killed a lot of people, and he has to view himself as callous and uncaring in order to do that. I don't think he actually is a sociopath, but I think at this point he probably sees himself as one.

Yo-han has been on this revenge quest for so long that he's lost the sense of who he is outside of it. He's presenting two different version of himself to two different groups of people. To the general public he's the kind and wise judge, beloved by all. But for some reason, (and I don't yet know how it fits his plan) he's decided to let his enemies perceive him as a sociopathic predator in disguise. And since he knows that the "benevolent hero" is not real, he's come to believe that the sociopath is the real him.

This is part of the romance plot because I'm predicting that Ga-on will help Yo-han come back to his true self, remember the parts of himself that aren't about vengeance, and find healing from tragic childhood of being abused and misunderstood. This is a common plot point in gothic romance.

I could be way off base here, but this would actually make a lot of sense on a narrative level. It would also imply that the main genre of the story is romance, and the detective story and the revenge story are serving the romance. I'm a much bigger reader of romance, so this could be my biases in interpretation, but I do think it would work!

However, I don't think this is actually a romance genre story despite the strong romance arc. This is mostly because I read that they don't end up together, which is a requirement for genre romance. That means I have no idea how its going to ultimately end. Is it going to be a tragedy? Ambiguous? Confusing because they switch genres at the end? The only "happy ending" I can imagine to all the mess and drama is Ga-on and Yo-han together as each others' refuge in the chaos and cruelty of the world, but I already know that doesn't happen. Unless they do end up together but the story tries to tell us its a friendship or similar obvious nonsense.

I still do predict that Ya-hon and Ga-on are collectively going to continue the vengeance quest, and I don't think that contradicts Ya-hon starting to see himself as a good person. I think there are a couple ways this could go.

It could end on a tragic note, with the quest completed but Ya-hon feeling hollow and that victory doesn't give him the relief and freedom he was seeking. And perhaps Ga-on feeling disgusted with himself for being seduced by evil. So basically Ga-on is following the corruption arc and Ya-hon is following the romance arc but is saved too late.

It could be that they continue the quest but stop before its completed because Ga-on helps Ya-hon realize that's not who he wants to be. Basically, Ya-hon choses Ga-on over vengeance. That would be the most "romance genre" of endings, but since I don't think this is actually a romance genre story its probably not where the story will go.

I suppose they could lose and the "bad guys" could win. I don't know what this would do to Yo-han and Ga-on's relationship. Or it could be another ending I can't imagine now, but I'm excited to see what happens!

Ok, I've written all these words, and its only focused on Ga-on an Yo-han! I do have many thoughts and predictions about the other characters, themes and plotlines, but haven't organized them into coherence yet. Perhaps I'll post more later. Edit: It’s a mess, but here they are!

#the devil judge #the devil judge reaction #my ramblings #my predictions #wow that's a lot of words #the devil judge spoilers #although most of them are just guesses #kim ga-on #kang yo-han #i've finished it now so feel free to talk about the show #reaction by gillianthecat

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links-destiny · 2 years

Note

Hand-Holding.

Word count (1,484)

No content warnings involved

Mentioned characters - Electro // Rhino //

Notes: This took a total of 5 days and 7 tries before finally getting something. 8th time's a charm, said by nobody ever. I had fun though ^ ^) and aye, new AU content too if I make any ships canon

Also, Electro can be written in a range of ways depending on how long it's been since his accident so that was definitely why I struggled in characterizing him so this is my best :'D

Today was a somber day.

Either the members of the Sinister Syndicate were in the labs, outside the base doing nefarious criminal activities as usual, or they are splayed out on the floor of the main living area because otherwise, they could catch the couch on fire yet again, and they weren't ready to have another lecture centered around that.

Electro stares up at the overhead ceiling lights, which flicker under his intense gaze. To pass time, he's been nervously fidgeting with his claws, waiting like this for nearly an hour. Closing himself off in his own room felt like a worse idea in his mind.

The instructions were clear: He is to rest in the containment unit until notified, but then when did someone like Electro follow every order handed to him exactly as is.

He's fine spacing out all alone, that is until his view is blocked by the towering figuring of a certain Russian. "Care for company?"

He sighs and props himself up against the wall, so he could make space. "Knock yourself out, big guy. Nobody's certainly going out of their way to take it."

Rhino sits down next to Electro, fumbling a little as the ground slightly shakes from his movement. He presses a button on the side of his headgear, and the red visor over his eyes clicks out of view. "Hm, your speech sounds bitter... Heavy day?"

Electro holds up his claws, flexing them a bit. "You could say that. My tech regulators have been on the fritz lately, guess it was only a matter of time before they would break during a fight. While Tinkerer's working on it, I'm considered grounded until then."

He didn't like the sensation of charge that's been building up since then. It's different and has a specific negative feel to it that he could chalk up to be a bad sign. The regulators are an accommodating device that works well to keep his powers under his own control, but without them, he could hardly be trusted, and anyone else would agree all the same.

"Tinkerer is very capable, smart man. I am sure he will make quick work, and you can be back on your feet again." Rhino shoots him an encouraging smile, but Electro doesn't catch it, instead brooding over why he was even approached in the first place. It's not unusual, but in this state, everyone would prefer to keep a safe distance, almost as if they have forgotten that he worked with them before that tech was even built.

"Not quick enough. I swear, sometimes he takes way too long to inspect our tech even though he's what, some well-known weapons specialist that Mysterio just happens to personally know?"

"Have patience. If you want, I am more than happy waiting along with you. I do not mind one bit if you are looking to talk."

Electro despised being in a terrible mood, especially towards his friends, but he doesn't stop to think as he tries to push it. "I'm a complicated mess. Wouldn't want to drag you into my issues just because you happen to feel bad. I don't need a pity party. Two becomes a crowd, you know."

"Complicated is what I assume makes the Syndicate what it is. We are outcasts of society, deemed unacceptable despite injustices that put us here. We are all like that, inside and out."

Electro huffs, coming up with a better excuse, but more unsure as to why he's trying to drive Rhino away in the first place. Maybe that charge is to blame. "Well, I'm dangerous then! Without my crutch, who knows what could happen to you?"

"Dangerous, how so?"

"Are you that oblivious to my condition?"

Rhino shrugs. "You have changed physically, but you are still you."

"Not anymore. Why do you think everyone treats me with the end of a 10 ft pole?" This time Electro does catch his expression, but of confusion. "Not literally, man! They just act different because I can hurt others, and friends happen to not be an exception."

It was terribly unfair in his mind. Even with the regulators as an aid to connect to the people around him, it just felt like nothing has even changed. With that, he felt alone. The doubts and fears on Electro's mind certainly haven't left, and neither did the passing looks he would often get.

He would never have had these insecurities as Max Dillon because that's not who he was. Max was confident, funny, and charismatic in a cheerful way that helped brighten the moods of his friends. Electro... well, he wasn't that at all. Sure, he's had his moments, but when it really came down to needing help, nobody was around to tell him that it would be alright.

Except for Rhino.

"Perhaps... I could be this exception you mention?" Rhino's voice is steady and firm.

Whatever Electro was thinking of saying, glitches at the back of his mind as Rhino gently settles a hand over his own. He tries to restrain himself from flinching, worried that he might scorch him in the process, but there's no reaction. In fact, the metallic cover over Rhino's gauntlets acts as a perfect foil against such harm when he experimentally runs his claws over it.

"I think you're doing this just to mess with me..."

"My suit is well-made, is impervious to your touch, Electro. You do not need to ask if you need hug, hand to hold, or shoulder to lean on. It would never bother me."

Electro looks up, eyes widening as he takes in the genuine smile of appreciation across Rhino's face. Not even a look of hatred or contempt that he has previously feared.

Despite how large and imposing he is, something that hasn't changed even after adopting the role of a criminal, is how heartfelt and true Rhino always manages to express himself.

Electro honestly hopes that nothing could change the part that is Aleksei, believes that could never be the case, while Rhino squeezes his hand as if to reassure his thoughts.

"It is not easy, I know. Understanding power is harsh to process, even more so when you always have to be aware, and careful with each move you make. You do not want to hurt those you care deeply about, and I share these thoughts too."

Rhino ponders in deep thought before continuing, linking their hands together. His heavy accent is more rough but uncertain. "Electro, forgive me for asking but ah, do you not think you deserve moments like these because of who you are now?" Rhino frowns, hurt by how taken aback his friend is by the imposing but concerned questioning.

"Maybe. It gets worse without the tech though, thoughts running a mile a minute, unfiltered. Sorry to disappoint..."

He leans against Rhino, pressing his head against his shoulder just so he couldn't see how terrible he felt. He didn't want it to be true, but in his spark, he knew exactly how much he wanted to avoid it, lest he'd end up admitting to such a notion to the wrong person.

He comes to realize that Rhino could never be the wrong person, nor would he go storming off to tell the rest of the group in what he could describe as a moment of confession.

His spark aches for some semblance of comfort, but it has been too long, and with his condition, it's not likely for people to trust him, not like Rhino seems to do wholeheartedly. He's probably either brave or too dumb to consider the possibility of getting hurt.

"You could never disappoint me. You are nothing but exceptional in my eyes."

Electro shakes his head. "Alright, now that's getting to be a bit too cheesy and scripted. Which film did you take that from?"

Embarrassment shows across Rhino's face, and he shies away from facing him. "Well... Growing up in Irkutsk, I learned most English phrases from ah, romantic comedies."

"No way, rom-coms? Man, that's so you!" Electro tries not to laugh, but it makes so much sense now in his speech, and how he carries himself.

"Now, no more talk of that!" Rhino pulls Electro closer with an arm draped by his waist. The poor flustered Russian tries to steer the conversation back with rushed importance. "Electro, please listen. I want to make a difference, ones where we can both learn to enjoy moments like these without worry or judgment. What do you think?"

Electro chuckles softly, glancing down at their linked hands. His face heats up at the thought of making this a more regular occurrence, no impending burden on his shoulders, only respect, and understanding between the two.

Aside from the new information to tease Rhino with, it's something that Electro can look forward to while they stand with the Syndicate.

"I wouldn't be opposed to that, big guy."

#Marvel #Spidersona AU #Spider man AU #Electro #Max Dillon #Rhino #Alex O'Hirn #Aleksei Sytsevich #Diamond-verse #Link writes #*Throws this writing in the queue because I'm terribly nervous and need to phase out of existence*#fanfic

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tiredassmage · 1 year

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Hear, see, and speak no evil (the monkey emojis lol) from the OC ask game?

Tyr gave me such a FIT over these, okay? Naturally, I had to bother him to be stubborn, but woof. This was a bit of a heavy one.

I feel like he needs a sticker warning about... veering a bit dangerously close to that self-sacrifice (aside, I read that back in HK's voice and now I'm just. sighs @ myself) is the answer thing, but... he doesn't quite cross that line. He just. Flirts with it. A lot. Without telling anyone else. I don't know, he's just kfnalskdfnlsaf. Keysmashing. It isn't the answer. He theoretically knows this. Theoretically.

This will not stop him from making fucking stupid decisions. Send help. For me or him? Yes.

My poor little glowstick 😔 smth smth his arresting looks and layered identity crises have captivated me, etc etc

Hear-no-evil: What is the worst thing your oc could hear from someone?

It was all a lie and you are alone.

This was the trickiest one, honestly. Tyr takes a lot not exactly on the chin, but... He’s good at… pretending he’s fine, really. He conceals. He swallows. Because it’s part of how you could survive living with the Sith watching your every move. Tyr says one of his worst fears is to lose the few people he cares about - and, to an extent, it is.

But he also spent a while without being able to fully, genuinely rely on others. He’ll fight ‘til he’s worn down to the bone to protect those people, but the inner, ‘uglier’ (I’m stumbling to find a better word) realist in him recognizes its always a possibility. Forever’s not a guarantee. Especially when your husband’s also a spy.

“We’ll take everything from you” isn’t an unfamiliar threat. Hunter made it and made all but complete good on it. I think they succeeded a bit more than Tyr will ever want to admit; the interlude period between Chapter 3 and… even as late as Shadow of Revan? Tyr doesn’t trust almost anyone. It’s hard to completely trust even someone like Vector because he did, in a sense, lose everything. It’s not that Vector got any less trustworthy and more that Tyr was painfully aware how thin the ice underneath his feet was and how dark the waves were beneath it. He’d never want to drag anyone else into that.

But a betrayal, an abandonment by the extremely few people he’s tried so hard to let in, whom he’s trusted enough to try to figure himself out in front of? That’d cut him to the core.

It's also probably worth noting that while he doesn't exactly refrain from speaking his mind all the time with Sith, there is always an apprehensive tremor that runs through him about it. Lana may be the only eventual exception because they ultimately finally find ground as equals, but that back of the mind knowledge of being undone with no power to change or stop it never leaves. Acina's scathing Intelligence should have retired you when they had the chance! from Iokath clocks quite high on the list of things that dealt way, way more damage than Tyr has ever talked about or admitted to. That was a sore one on multiple levels and, as John Mulaney says, we just don't have time to unpack all of that.

Is what Tyr maintains about it, anyway. [inhales] Boy.

See-no-evil: What's a side of your oc that they don't want to show to other people?

Alright, okay, you got me, this one was also rather difficult, largely because his “sides” aren’t that well-defined - rather nebulous and shifting like dissipating fog. And it’s different for different people - which, obvious, I suppose, but particularly complicated given how much Tyr walks a tightrope through intrigue and opposition for so long.

Ultimately though, I don’t think he really wants to share just how far he’d be willing to go - the risks and compromises he is willing to put himself through. He doesn’t shy away from this, per se - I have written him practically verbatim telling Malavai Quinn he’d tear the Empire down to the foundations with his bare hands if that’s what it takes (and a 'same scenario, different take' version where he admits basically the same to Vector; one day maybe I'll finish either of them, F). But saying it and enacting it in front of these few souls who care so much for him, have come so far at his side are two drastically different things.

It won’t necessarily be enough to stop him, I don’t think. He still can’t see it, won’t admit it, but Tyr is dreadfully dedicated to his ideals at times. And he’s willing to wade through blood and plasma bolts to get there if he needs to. Ideals they may be, but this world has never been spotlessly idealistic. That makes him no less willing to fight for it though.

He doesn’t even quite acknowledge this as much as he maybe should to himself. Just another part of Cipher Nine, mayhap, that he won’t dare to wake until he’s necessary.

Speak-no-evil: What is something your oc will refuse to remain quiet about?

Haha, maybe all of this was just building to this kanfdlkadnslf!

Alright. Boy’s really keen to talk back to their pretentious Sith overlords about the value of mere “pawns” like himself, no matter that it continues to kind of genuinely startle him probably… until he has to deal with Valkorian on a daily basis and it finally wears the edge off (because that shit’s gotta be exhausting, what energy is left over to worry about the consequences?).

Because while he talks back somewhat often for an operative that’s all too well aware that they’re living and serving on borrowed graces and he wouldn’t change this, necessarily, he still knows a little too consciously that he’s playing with fire. He just… continues to choose to do so. To say it’s because he knows his work is necessary overstates his confidence of his position. He’s really not that confident about it. It’s just… he’s tired? Tired of trying to please while trapped in the constraints of a web. The Dark Council’s already proven they don’t trust his judgement or his loyalties and that’s what gives him a reason to genuinely question those loyalties so far as to actually break them.

The way he sees it is kind of that he’s already been a target. He has just enough of a reputation to turn heads when he speaks up, so he can’t, in whatever good conscious may be left to him, stand by silently. It happens with Lord Razer, it happens on Makeb when he talks the mission over with Darth Marr, and it, in a sense, happens on the Dominator against Darth Jadus. It definitely happens with Lana on Rishi. If there’s a single consistency to Tyr, it’s that he stands by people he cares about even a little - no matter how fucking blind he is to that quality. He’s been around the Empire long enough to know more than enough about what it’s like to be thought of as a means to an end first and anything else - friend, citizen, ally, what have you - second. That’s not acceptable to him. He’s not a spy or a soldier to spread fear and destruction. That is the cursed domain of the Sith. He signed on to look after things - people. And if they’re not doing that, then the system’s gone wrong. That’s supposed to be their jobs, their purpose. And his passion for that will always overrule any apprehensive notion of self-preservation in the face of a loosened Sith lord. Because if he doesn’t stand ground there, who will? How do you change the precedent if you’re not willing to make that change?

So, really, in short... double-edged character traits and Tyr, I guess. x,D He fascinates me. I love him. I pity him. I want him to get better and I'm going to watch him possibly get worse akldnfldsanfsdf. He's got such a Pandora's Box thing going on and idk if any of us are ready for him to actually recognize that, ignorance might genuinely be bliss klfdsalkn; or at least... maybe a little less emotionally damaging. If still potentially incredibly self-destructive. Stars help him.

#answered #ch: tyr #swtor ocs #i'm staring at him under a microscope is he uncomfortable yet? very likely #the amount of a lil fucked up he is when i pull back some of his defenses is a little like!!! yikes!!! you okay bestie!!!! he's so not!!!#i love him i do he just has SO many problems my GOD #imperial agent #dial it back my boy go pet a fluffy critter i hear they're good for the happy chemicals #genuinely i need this man to adopt his random alley cat and finally take his cat and his husband and fuck off this is for your health tyr

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ecofinisher · 4 months

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Opening Gifts (Sims X-Mas oneshot)

Note: For a better read, please enter AO3 above.

On Christmas night the two single mothers Fiona McIrish and Molly French had a free day off and together they organized in their home the Christmas dinner. Despite both having an “incomplete” family, they still celebrated the day together, whenever they could. It probably wasn’t the same as their times as they were children, but it was still something special to allow them to show their loved ones how much they meant to them. On the other hand, both their children Sandi French and River McIrish had a large age gap from one another, so things were different. Sandi, was just two. This was going to be her second Christmas night. Perhaps this can be considered her first one, due to her age and still-growing memory. River is sixteen years old. She’s getting closer to adulthood and she did experience various sorts of Christmas during her lifetime. The ones, she remembers the most were the ones she wasn’t around or still had her father around when he still was alive. She liked Christmas as a kid. All that what bothered her back in the day, was when people would fight on that day. Despite it being normal in certain aspects, her issue was, that when her father still was around he would be arguing a lot with his wife. She didn’t even know why though. It wasn’t like it happened every year, it was the fact, that the day was the feast for the loved ones to be together and share the time together and she hoped it would be like that at least on that day. Of course, River was young back there. She had no idea, her mother and her were victims of domestic violence. She acknowledged her family had a lot of faults, mostly coming from the father’s side, but that all that was going on could have been solved earlier if they asked for help at the school or somewhere else. Thankfully, things have changed for the better upon one night, Fiona decided to take young River out of their home to seek for help and they came across the new townie Claire Ursine, a hobbyist fisher from down the Sun Song Avenue. She had taken River in protection, while she and Fiona had split up as Mr. McIrish came after the two, then only followed his wife. River didn’t see, what happened afterward, and neither did Claire. All River knows from memory was being at the police station with a certain officer MacShannon, who had interrogated her about her father and their life.

Within the months River grew with the absence of her father, she got to know about the topic she had been through and was relieved all that was in the past. She grew up as an outcast during these years. She didn’t have anyone she could consider a friend or a good friend. She did have Claire Ursine, whom she met as a child and used to babysit her on moments Fiona needed to go to work or go to formation school. During her free time, she got inscribed herself in art class at the school and befriended the girl Bebe Hart. River knew Bebe but never interacted with her before. She knows she used to hang out a lot with the heir of the Alto clan, Holly. She got to know the blonde as well and figured out she was interested in arts as well, but was forced by her parents to attend the debate club. River did have some things in common with Holly, but it was mostly superficial. River didn’t feel the need to tell her about the past issues and Holly didn’t even ask. It did sound strange, but when River was with both Holly and Bebe, she felt left outside. The two girls had a long-lasting friendship and River just got there for a couple of weeks. She didn’t break her head about it. They weren’t hurting her. River was so used to being alone in the past years, that all this felt slightly strange for her. What River enjoyed doing with the girls was, at certain times of the year, when there was a beneficial call-out by the Riverviewer or Appaloosan city hall to participate in certain actions to collect donations. River loved to help. Whenever she could, she would volunteer to visit children at the pediatric hospital in Bridgeport to entertain them. River adored seeing, what she and others did on those days when they were around. It made River feel good about it. Most of the time, she volunteered there during Christmas. When she knew, she would be alone she notified her mother and would contact a hospital to show up to help prepare Christmas for the patients. River never felt alone on those days. She saw, that many other people couldn’t be at home with their families and were fighting a disease or a health issue at the hospital, several workers needed to work in order to keep the clinic working and be ready for future issues. It’s funny, River used to think as a child, that most of the places would shut down during Christmas, but in reality, there are way more locations, that are open during Christmas, mainly because they are needed daily.

This year, she’s able to be at home with her mother, including their roommate Molly and her toddler. All had already eaten dinner a while ago and sat on the couch beside the large Christmas tree, that was set by the windows between the couch and the stereo. The women trio, who sat on the couch, observed Sandi crawling down under the Christmas tree to pick up a red-colored ball to look at her reflection, which made the mother chuckle.

“That’s not your present, Sandi,” Mentioned the mother watching Sandi shake the ball, making the woman shake her head amused.

“I think she doesn’t understand yet, what presents are,” Mentioned Fiona observing the kid look down at the red carpet under the three, that spared the remains of the needles to get on the wooden floor. Sandi kept playing with the ball, then Fiona pointed under the three at the presents to see if Sandi would look in there. Sandi looked into the area, then pulled the ribbon of one of the presents and tried to push it towards her. Upon seeing, that she was just opening the yellow-colored ribbon, she pulled it with both hands trying to get it closer to her. Fiona smiled amused at seeing the girl have fun with the ribbon, then looked at her daughter, who eyed the toddler enamored and offered to get down the couch.

“I’ll help her,” Announced the brunette going down on her knees to grab the kid gently on the shoulder. “Hey Sandi, shall I help you?” Questioned the teenager earning the attention of the kid, who showed her the open ribbon. River smiled, then placed her hand under the tree to pull out the present to make Sandi widen her eyes and clap. “What do you think? Is this your present?” Questioned River looking down at the present, before facing the toddler, which admired the red-wrapping paper with caricatures of various sorts of stars. River tapped on the side to show the kid the etiquette with a name on it, which belonged to the toddler. “Whose name do you read here?” Questioned River watching the toddler look at it, then grab the box from the side making the brunette chuckle. “It’s says your name there, exactly…..look…..San-di,” River read out the name from the box, and then Sandi tried to say it.

“A-di,”

River smiled enchanted with the toddler, then looked down at the tree and back at the girl.

“Are there more gifts?” Questioned River observing the kid look down at the tree, then she crawled under the tree and babbled.

“Ah,” “You’ve found something?”

“Ah,” Replied Sandi, then River heard her mother talk to her.

“Perhaps, you need to help her,” Suggested the redhead, making her daughter nod and bow down to encounter the toddler under the tree playing with the ribbon of another present. River chuckled from seeing Sandi play, then moved the present away from the trunk out to the floor. River looked back at Sandi grabbing the next present by the ribbon and pulling it against her to release the loop again, making River shake her head and pull the other ones away from under the tree, then helped Sandi with the present and helped her pull the gift behind her to get it out from the tree.

“So. We brought them all out of here,” Announced River checking out all the present gifts on the floor, then picked one up to hand it over to her mom. “This one’s from me,” Stated River making her mother smile and accept the gift.

“Thank you, sweetheart,” Said Fiona, then pointed out at one medium-sized box with a smaller gift on top of it, which River pulled to herself to see both were addressed to her, just the one box was from her mother while the smaller gift was from Molly. River listened to Sandi growling, then she glimpsed back at the toddler, who tried to open the present by the middle of the flat texture of the wrapping paper, afterward River pointed at the edge of the present, where the leashes were. Sandi began to rip the paper off from the said side to unpack her gift.

Sandi managed to get everything off to see the box of a small xylophone, then clapped making River smile.

“You’ve got an instrument to make music,” Commented River, then Molly got down to open up the box to see it was wrapped up inside a white fabric.

“What about we try it out?” Questioned Molly earning a nod from the daughter, then the kid observed Molly take it out to place it down next to the side of the couch and remove the white cloth from the instrument. Sandi crawled towards her mother, which showed the toddler the hammer and showed her, what she had to do with it. Molly borrowed the hammer from the girl, then had eye contact with her roommates, who waited for Sandi to copy her mother. Sandi began to use the object to produce various tunes on the keyboards, causing the women joy.

“Aww!”

River looked down at her presents, then opened the first one, which was from Sandi’s mom. River smiled from seeing it was a music CD on the current year’s best music. River turned the CD around to see the playlist of the CDs and looked at Molly, who was moving her finger to the sound, then flinched her teeth as the kid missed the beat.

“Thank you, Molly!” Said River earning the dark-brunette’s attention, which gave the teenager a thumb up. River looked up at her mother, who was opening her present and River did the same with her own present to look, at what her mother had bought her. River cackled from seeing her mother had gifted her a pair of roller skates.

“Hey, those are the ones I had seen once at the shoe store in Bridgeport,” Commented River glimpsing up at her mother, which mirrored her daughter’s smile.

“You like it?” Questioned Fiona earning a nod from her daughter, who got up to embrace the mother.

“Yes, I do,” Responded River sensing her mother put her arm behind her back. “Thank you,” Said River, then both heard the ringing of the kitchen bell and the duo looked at the kitchen at the clock, that was on top of the counter.

“The cookies are done,” Commented Molly getting up, then noticed her daughter move her hand sad wanting her mother to be near her. “Fiona, can you take the cookies out? Sandi wants me to stay here,”

“Sure, I’ll be right back,” Mentioned Fiona, then got off her daughter, who looked down a Sandi as well. Fiona stood up to walk to the kitchen, while River remained on the couch observing the toddler playing on her new toy. River glimpsed into the box of her mother, then looked at the CD Molly gifted to her and got up to approach the stereo, that had been pushed closer to the TV due to the space for the tree. River turned on the device, then opened the CD box and looked through the window at the snow-covered landscape. River noticed a person walk on the sidewalk near their house and she observed the person get closer, thereafter she widened her eyes to recognize it was her schoolmate Parker Langerak. She smiled upon seeing him turn in her direction, afterward she moved away from the stereo device to the entrance to unlock the door to step up and watched him stop by the middle of the path.

“Good evening,” Greeted River getting downstairs to meet up with the short-haired boy. “What leads you here on Christmas Eve?”

“Good evening. I just came here to bring you a gift,” Responded Parker opening the bag he had with him to pull out a wrapped-up present with the name of River on it. “It’s a little thank-you gift from my side,”

“Aww Parker, that wasn’t necessary…...I don’t even have anything to give you in return,” Commented River slightly disappointed.

“It’s alright. I just saw this at the mall and I thought, that it was something good. After all, you’ve helped me a lot in the past year,” Explained Parker observing River grab it with a smile. “Thanks to you I have passed the class and learned to take things with my own hands. I couldn’t always count on moving my life this way. The time you invested wasn’t self-evident and you just did it, despite our rough start,”

“It was my pleasure. One great thing about all that adventure is, that it brought us closer,” Commented River shoving her hand over the present at Parker’s hand. He mirrored her smile, then glimpsed down at the present, followed by the brunette. “May I?” Asked the brunette making Parker nod and let her remove the wrapping paper off the present, which was revealed to be a painting set box.

“That’s huge. Is this a painting set?” Questioned River making Parker nod and point at River’s side, where the opening was for her to open. He held it tight, so the brunette could take a look into the set and was surprised to see the various colors and pieces the object contained.

“This set here has a greater selection. Instead of only having coloring pencils or felt tip pens, you have both or more…...Watercolors, acrylic colors, there’s also this row of coloring pencils. I’m not sure if they’re the same as the other row,” Mentioned Parker looking into the box as well. “I know the backside has all listed down for you,”

River chuckled, then closed the box and gazed at the raven-haired boy.

“I don’t know, what to say. This is simply too expensive,” Mentioned River watching Parker shake his head.

“Well I don’t think I should say this, but it was on promotion. I bought it last month on Black Friday with the intention of giving it to you,” Confessed Parker making River chuckle. “A simple thanks is enough or a Tack or even an Obrigado. Whatever you say, they all mean the same,”

“Go raibh maith agat” River said making Parker furrow his eyebrows curious.

“Wait…..that was Irish?” Questioned Parker curious making River nod. “I never heard you speaking it,”

“I know. We’re so used to speaking English since we live here in Sunset Valley, that we tend to forget to use it. With Molly around now, we practically don’t use it,” Commented River. “If I had Irish friends here I could use it more often,”

“This is how I feel about Swedish. I only have my dad or my sister. Speaking with my sister or my mother isn’t the same as with my dad, cause we will always slip into English or Portuguese and it will sound strange. There’s also Holly, but we’re unable to understand each other, so we just speak English with each other,” Explained Parker, then observed River begin to shiver and shrink. “Oh, you better get in,”

“Y...es,” Responded River shoving her present back into the bag of Parker. “Are you coming in?”

“I’m heading back to my family. I promised to be quick and deliver you this,” Explained Parker making River nod. “Get back into your house, before you catch a cold,” Suggested Parker making River nod. “Merry Christmas,”

“Merry Christmas to you too, Parker,” Wished River receiving from the boy the bag, so she could return to the house. “See you on Monday,” Said River moving her face closer to give Parker a peck on his cheek, thereafter she returned to her home to encounter Molly French, who went to check out, why the door was open and spotted Parker on the outside, then waved at the boy, which gladly replied back with an amused grin.

“Merry Christmas!”

#ecofinisher #ecofinisherfanfics #the sims #the sims 3 #simblr #the sims community #fanfic #fanfiction #ao3 #archive of our own #river mcirish #parker langerak

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donnabroadway · 1 year

Text

Random thoughts

I love Mo'nique and I am glad she's being vindicated and getting everything she's been fighting for over the past 10+ years but her special, My name is Mo'nique should have been anything but a stand up special. It was very informative and I learned a lot about her and her life but maybe she should have done a documentary about her life over the last 10+ years or so or a loosely based biopic about her entire life and career but comedy specials are supposed to be funny and an hour of hearing about someone's trauma, while informative and well delivered, was not exactly funny. I enjoyed it but it wasn't a comedy special. I would have preferred it to be something else because I missed the jokes.

Side note, I hope Mo'nique has healed and made peace with her trauma or she's going to be in the same position she was in for the past 10 years. I am happy to see that Lee Daniels was in the audience supporting her. Mo'nique is so funny and talented and I'm glad she's working again.

As much as I've been secretly loving the Xscape drama from the past month or so, I need them to wrap it up by close of business next week. The finale is Sunday, which means everyone has three days to get their reviews out and say their peace and clear the air because after next week, I don't want to hear about it anymore. Whatever they say Latocha and Rocky did, they did, Tamika was a doormat who burned bridges and lost out on bags due to wanting the approval of her sister and mother, Kandi got to the bag and everyone is jealous, I am sure she has more than enough dirt on her and if anyone has any true tea on Kandi, now is the time to put it out there but since it's not even being rumored, I am going to assume that Kandi is less messy but just as messy, Tiny goes along to get along and she made a video to capitalize on this mess but spent 15 minutes saying not much of anything. SWV is creating drama on the show about being the "opening act" because these ladies know they don't want to do what needs to be done to get headliner money, which is truly invest in their shows. SWV may have sold more records and may have more bops but Xscape, namely Kandi and Tiny, are about their business and know how to get it done. SWV should get out their feelings and take notes.

So, it looks like Ashley and Wendy were seen filming for season 8 of Rhop, I wonder if Robyn will be back. She's not going to tell the truth about Juan and he won't tell the truth or even talk about it because he's trying to protect his mistress, so call it a wash. Robyn can make money another way.

As much as I applaud Bobby being where he is today in his life after all he's been through, maybe Bobby needs to figure out another way to make money because he is struggling through those New Edition shows. I get it, age, years of drug and alcohol abuse, health issues and just life in general but how long are y'all going to delude yourself into being grateful for Bobby being alive but he can't even get through one show without being helped on and off the stage. Maybe it is time to retire but Bobby has three young kids, probably does have not access to his catalog or masters as he only wrote a few songs, royalties may not be a lot depending on the business decisions he has made over the last 40 or so years, so all he has is touring and his life story, which is why he is always retelling his life story with Whitney Houston even though they've been divorced 17 years and she's been dead 11.

I get that music and art doesn't always age well but singing a song "back stage, under aged, the girl is gonna do me" at 20 or 21, when "underaged" may only be a 4 year or so age difference, is different than singing that line as a 54, 55 year old man. Maybe omit it, change it up, or let the audience sing it but t's a bit creepy. All of New Edition are old enough to have grandchildren that are teenagers or young adults and dating girls young enough to be your grand child is a bit, ick.

Speaking of underaged, I need Marques Houston to stop talking and just let people speculate. The math is not mathing. So there is proof that Marques Houston and his wife Maya, knew of each other when she was 13, nothing illegal there but we're supposed to believe that they magically began dating the day she turned 18, okay. It is weird and creepy but whatever. We're not stupid, stop trying to convince us of this math.

The reason why B2K can't get it together is because something nefarious, and probably very close to what Raz B has been alleging all these years, and they don't know how to reconcile everything that comes with that, including the confusing feelings, questioning of sexuality, probable attraction to their group mate, the anger, how Omarion was placed on a pedestal and given a pass, which is why it is always three against 1. They need a therapist but I don't even think a therapist can fix this because the issue is very deep and complex and no one seems to want to talk about it.

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retvenkos · 3 years

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hope in the jar | k.b.

Six of Crows - Kaz Brekker x Reader, slight fluff, slight angst requested

tw: gunshot wound, medical stitches, mention of gun violence, mentions of blood, slightly ooc kaz because have you tried to write him softly?

word count: 1.4k

prompt: “I don’t trust anyone… but you’re not just anyone.”

A/N: 1) this doesn’t seem to take place at any given point in canon but i want wylan and matthias to be there, sue me, and 2) do i know that there is no greek mythology is the grishaverse? yes. does that stop me from mentioning pandora’s box? no.

summary: Kaz Brekker is far from just being anyone. And maybe, so are you.

"You're quiet." Wylan bumped your shoulder, pulling you out of your thoughts.

There was a particular kind of calm that descended after a shootout. When pistols stopped smoking and adrenaline had left the bloodstream, the cool weight of evening fell back on your shoulders and managed to settle differently. For Jesper, it meant more jokes than usual. For Inej, more prayer. For Nina, it meant more grumbling, and for Matthias, more smiles. You weren't always sure what it meant for you, but tonight, it meant pensivity.

The walk back to the Slat was victorious. The streets of Ketterdam were empty and unusually quiet, thanks to Wylan's affinity toward bombs and blowing half of the cobblestones right off the street. The tranquility wasn't typical, but somehow, it was comforting. Perhaps even invigorating. How often did Ketterdam fall silent? Especially for canal rats like you?

Maybe if you still had a slow trickle of adrenaline, you would have commemorated the moment - maybe by getting waffles? But it was late, and after taking a bullet to the side after getting a little too close to the enemy, the only thing you wanted was to wash all of the grime off of your face and fall asleep. Maybe you'd celebrate after a good night's rest - Saints providing that such a thing existed in the Barrel.

"Am I quiet? Or are you slowly going deaf from all of your 'science experiments?'"

Wylan flushed a little. Even after all this time, he was so easy to tease. What made it even funnier was that he always managed some witty comeback or another, all while his cheeks were a shocking 'embarrassment pink.' Wylan opened his mouth to speak—

"Definitely quiet!" Jesper called from in front of you, one of his arms slung around Inej's shoulder, the other twirling a pistol.

Wylan let out a scoff of admiration, and you mumbled under your breath - something about Jesper being an irritating, smart mouthed idiot.

"What was that, (Y/n)?"

"You're annoying, Jesper!"

"Well, I'm glad something can make you lively again." Jesper turned his head to toss you a wink, and you rolled your eyes.

Wylan bumped your shoulders together, again, careful not to jostle you too much. "You're not quiet now. Just seething."

"Just tired," you corrected, passing the redhead a lazy smile.

"Admitting that is admitting weakness."

Kaz walked behind you and the rest of the group, but his voice was loud enough for everyone to hear. You turned around and walked backward so you could face him.

To anyone else walking the street, the Bastard of the Barrel was just more brooding than usual - his tone curter, his eyes sharper, the lines on his face deeper than they had the right to be. To you, though, Kaz was tired. His leg was stiff from the fight, giving him more trouble than usual, and his jaw was set in a rigid line as to not give away his weakness.

The Slat wasn't too far, now, but even after getting inside, there would be stairs to climb, and a hell of a lot of them were so worn down, they might buckle at any given weight.

It would be a rough night; it already had been.

You just sighed. "Admitting that is trust."

Kaz held your gaze. For a long moment, you couldn't figure what he was thinking. Kaz Brekker was always considering something, and after a while, you had gotten good at knowing just what he was thinking, when.

But not this time. Kaz was a sphinx to you during that baited moment - inexplicable, an enigma. What made it worse was that it was deliberate.

Kaz raised his eyebrows and looked down at his cane, hitting the ground with more force than before.

"We're all tired."

The night was filled with the quiet once more, but with every step you took toward the Slat, the low din of unruly jeers and shouts filled your brain like cotton on a wound.

✧ *:･ﾟ

You sat on the floor of your room, a bowl of water before you, a haphazard pile of medical supplies to your left. Nina had told you that she wasn't a Healer when she began to seal your wound earlier, and you had said you didn't want to waste time while still exposed on the streets - by all accounts, Nina did a decent job with the three or so minutes you allowed her. But Saints, someone should have told you to stuff your pride and let Nina work on you just a bit longer. Maybe then you wouldn't be sitting on the floor of your room, stitching up a wound with supplies you nicked from Muzzen.

You had just finished your stitches (you still needed to thank Inej for teaching you how) when you heard Kaz walking up the steps.

You wrapped up your wound as best you could. You were pushing down your shirt when you heard him speak.

"I wouldn't trust just anyone in the Dregs."

You washed your hands clean as best you could and sent Kaz a wayward glance, noting how he stood in your doorway - as though he wasn't quite sure if he belonged.

"I've been in Ketterdam too long—" You grabbed a towel and wiped your face, trying to rid yourself of the dirt and grime. You turned back to Kaz "—I don't trust anyone."

He nodded as though agreeing with your judgment. But it was too quick - too relenting. He turned to go.

"But you're not just anyone, Kaz."

The Bastard of the Barrel froze. It seemed to you that his grip on his cane tightened. Perhaps it was a side effect from the blood loss or maybe even a fast-acting infection from that suture needle, but it felt like something sucked all the air out of the room.

You turned to face him properly.

"C'mon, we've both known it for longer than we care to admit. I'm doing us a mercy - putting it to rest."

Silence, still. If the Slat were up in flames, you doubted you would have noticed. There was nothing else here - it was just you, Kaz, and the space that lay between.

You eased your legs out in front of you, putting your arms out behind you and leaning on your palms. The floor was cool - like the night had been, earlier, when you were talking away from a gunfight. The world was somehow smaller, then - like you had held it in your grasp.

Kaz was still half turned, but you could see his profile, and once again, his thoughts were under lock and key.

"You can either take it or leave it, Kaz. But whatever you decide to choose, know that you chose it."

He spoke sooner than you expected. "You're not just anyone, either."

Your mouth went dry. You weren't sure what you had been expecting or even hoping. Hope was still trapped inside Pandora's jar, and even the barest inkling of it could have destroyed your whole world. Hope belonged to the innocent and the pious, and you hadn't been either in a long time. You weren't sure what you had been expecting, but it certainly wasn't that.

And for some reason, you could fathom how Kaz Brekker could have ever said such a thing and meant it.

Maybe Kaz didn't think you heard him, because he affirmed it, turning to you. "You're not just anyone, (Y/n)."

"Not just another soldier in your ranks?"

"Not anymore."

You wanted to laugh, but it came out as more of a breath. You settled for a lopsided smile instead. "That's practically a proposal, coming from you."

"If I could offer you more, I would."

You looked at Kaz as he stood in the doorway. He was exhausted and beaten at his own game, but there was nothing but sincerity and truth swimming in his eyes, nothing but honestly dripping from every syllable. Had you ever seen Kaz the way he was, now? To take his own words, he was admitting a weakness. Earnestness was a defect in the Barrel. Vulnerability was a sin.

"It's not much," you conceded. You moved your outstretched leg so that you could tap his shoe - toe to toe. Kaz watched the slow movement carefully, but never pulled away. "But for now, it's good enough."

-- taglist: @musicallisto, @catsbooksandmusic // message me if you want to be added!

#six of crows #grishaverse #kaz brekker #kaz brekker x reader #kaz brekker x you #kaz brekker imagine #x reader #reader insert #gender neutral reader #fluff #slight angst #one shot #imagine #hi yes why are you all so intent with making me fall in love with kaz brekker?

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violettelueur · 3 years

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ITADORI YUJI + FUSHIGURO MEGUMI + GOJO SATORU + RYŌMEN SUKUNA || HOW THEY WOULD APOLOGISE TO THEIR MAD S/O

| featuring : itadori yuji + fushiguro megumi + gojo satoru + ryomen sakuna from jujutsu kaisen

| warnings : grammar errors and a lot of my side comments

| form : headcanons

| published : 27 november

| request : Hello! How are you? Hope you’re taking care of yourself :3 can I request headcanons for Itadori, Megumi, Gojo, and Sukuna making their s/o really mad for x reason and what they would do to make it up to them/apologize? Thank you have a great day/night!

| barista’s notes : hiya! this one was kind of hard for me to do since it was hard to come up with reason on why you were mad at them (some of them are really stupid in my opinion...ʕ ﾟ ● ﾟʔ) but this update is going to be the last one for the night since it is 12am aka midnight and i’m going back to school after being in isolation for 14 days!＼ʕ •ᴥ•ʔ／thank you so much for requesting for a cup of classic black coffee (jujutsu kaisen request!) and please come again soon!

ITADORI YUJI:

Itadori will be the most clueless boy ever and doesn’t even know that you are mad at him in the first place.

It might take a few days or a few hours at best for him to realise that you were mad at him - probably Fushiguro will tell him that you are pissed at the boy.

Once he FINALLY finds out that you are angry at him, he would try to think back on what he could have done to make you angry at him - and boy, does he think long and hard because once again to remind you: he is clueless.

Did he do something stupid again? Did he accidentally eat your food again? Did he forget something? DID HE FORGET AN IMPORTANT DATE?

Yes, when he tries to recall what he did that made you annoyed at him, he does tend to overthink it.

You know what you were mad at him for? He had indeed eaten something of yours by accident. The reason why you were mad at him was because he ate the last of your ramen that you were saving after the mission that you were set was finished.

Now since Itadori thought he was completely screwed, he would full-on plan a whole game/movie night with you.

Sukuna would lowkey mock the dude as Itadori was preparing his room causing our poor boy to worry even more since Sukuna was making him feel more nervous.

This preparation of his will include the game consoles set up, piles on DVDs on the table for you to choose for the both of you to watch and your favourite ramen that he brought from the closest store - that he also still doesn’t know he ate accidentally ate - cooked and set on the table for you guys to munch on.

Once everything is prepared, he would slap Sukuna’s mouth if he is still talking and would make his way to your room.

Now, this can go two different ways:

1. You are too stubborn to give in and refuse to leave the room that he would beg you and lowkey will physically drag you out of your room.

2. You would sigh and agree to follow him to see if he realises what was the issue and see what was going on because there was a lot of ruckus in his room from what you heard.

Once you see his room, you are generously surprised at what he had prepared since you didn’t think he would put this much effort to apologise to you - you generally just wanted a verbal ‘sorry’ but this was too cute to not forgive him.

Once both of you settle down and get into what YOU had chosen to do, he would apologize in a nervous tone since he STILL doesn’t know why you were mad at him.

“Yeah babe, I’m really sorry for what I did, well...I still don’t know what I did but I kinda notice you were mad at me and I didn’t know what to think since I thought I forgot a date that he planned or-”

This boy will ramble and ramble until you stop him by kissing him since you didn’t realise that he was overthinking it.

“Baby, don’t overthink it, I was mad because you ate the last ramen packet that I was saving but this whole thing really was a lot then what I expected, but thank you so much for preparing this whole thing! I love you!”

“Am I forgiven then?” - this boy I-

“Yes yes yes you are, I forgive you Yuji”

FUSHIGURO MEGUMI:

Fushiguro Megumi. Now how do I say this? This pretty boy will be between not realising that you are mad and realising instantly that he had angered you.

When he doesn’t realise that you are mad at him, he would notice the small behaviour changes that you express from a slight frown on your face or now you would give him short answers.

Short answers being: “yeah”, “alright”, “okay”, “nah” ect, with the longest answers being “that’s fine/cool” or “I’m not feeling it”

But! That was only towards him, with the other guys you would give more detailed answers to them, making him surprised since he probably asked the same thing.

Once he realised that you were annoyed, (like Itadori) he would try to wonder what he had done wrong and (unlike Itadori) he would most likely figure out what he had done wrong this time.

The reason why you were mad at him? You were angry at the pretty boy because he was hiding his feelings again.

Even though you knew that Fushiguro wasn’t one to express his emotions freely like the others, you both promised each other that you would go to each other when either one of you was having issues or problems that were bothering you.

And since you knew that Fushiguro held in his emotions, you allowed him time to come to you when he needed - but this time, you knew there was something that was bothering him extremely to the point where he was getting distracted during missions

Distracted to the point where he was nearly hit if you didn’t come to protect him and allow him to snap out of his daze.

Now that the reason was identified, Fushiguro would quickly try to figure out how to now apologise to you.

Since Fushiguro is a good listener, he would most likely buy a small bouquet of your favourite flowers since he remembered you mentioning that random fact from a conversation that you both had around when you and Fushiguro first met, trying to get to know each other.

He doesn’t apologise in front of anyone because this little issue was about you and him and not everyone else.

So when he found you somewhere in the hallways, he would lightly place a hand on your shoulder before shoving the flowers in front of your face - since he didn’t want you to see his flushed face.

Of course, you are really surprised since who wouldn’t be when a bunch of your favourite flowers just randomly appear in your face.

Once you take the flowers from his grasp, he would probably have a hand scratching the back of his neck - why was he nervous now when seconds before he was just fine?

“I’m really sorry…….for not telling you what was going on, I just didn’t want to bother you with my issue and all that,” - this would be said in a low mumble that you nearly couldn’t catch what he said.

“Mimi, telling me what is bothering you isn’t a bother, I want you to be okay, just please when you’re comfortable to come to talk to me, if you need a shoulder to lean on, I’m right here,”

There are times when Fushiguro forgets that you don’t mind him ranting off when he needs to and that you are a shoulder that he can lean on - he just used to keeping everything in until he met you.

“Also, you remember my favourite flowers, thank you so much, Mimi, you are forgiven, I love you,”

Just seeing you smile at him again after so long is enough for him to smile as well, knowing that you have forgiven him.

GOJO SATORU:

Mr Gojo ‘steal your girl’ Satoru.

Now this man will make you mad on a daily but not to the point where you are now.

And Gojo will notice INSTANTLY that you are mad at him because he is so used to making you mad due to his constant teasing.

But this time you weren’t mad at him because he took his teasing over the line. No, no, no, you were mad at him because he was late for your date.

Even though Gojo is known to be very handsome and the ‘perfect’ person to everyone on the outside of the shaman world, his lateness was one of his worst traits about him.

Sometimes you ask yourself if he does this on purpose - but in the back of your mind, you know that he attracts many curses and that he had to fight them - but this time, you knew that he was late because he was just late.

So while you’re waiting for him with a slight scowl on your face, you would constantly check your phone to see if he texts you or just to check the time.

Of course, he would send the usual ‘I’m going to be late’ with a cute emoji at the end - like that was going to make your anger lessen at all.

But when he does text you that he had arrived at the date location, you were ready to explode at him for making you wait - for like how many dates now?

However, once he arrives with his fashionably late safe, he would come prepares - Haha try to get mad at him now~

In his hands, there would probably be a white bag containing the souvenir that he had been wanting to give you after his mission but didn’t have the time to, or a white box containing your favourite cake from your favourite cake shop/cafe/bakery.

Damn it, this guy knows that food always solves every issue~

“Sorry for being late to our date honey~ I wanted to get you your favourite cake that I forgot that there was going to be a long line at this time, hope you can forgive me~”

THEN THIS MAN WILL TILT HIS SUNGLASSES GLASSES TO LET YOU SEE HIS CRYSTAL BLUE EYES - LIKE WHY????

Damn it, now you can’t stay angry at this man.

The fact that he dressed up so nice, got you your favourite cake and let you see his beautiful eyes made you realise that you can no longer be mad at him.

Like the boy put in the effort today…

Taking the cake from his hands, you would probably blush and say “thank you...but I’m still mad at you”

If you say this, be prepared for this man to cup your cheeks and continuously kiss you, trying to affectionately make you forgive him.

Okay okay okay, now he’s just trying to be very very cute.

“Am I forgiven now honey~ I’m sorry that I made you wait, please don’t be mad at me”

“Okay, okay! I forgive you!”

Expect that cheeky smile that he would give you after you forgive him - I mean like, you have to now.

RYOMEN SUKUNA:

Apologise? Would he? Does he even know what ‘sorry’ means? Do you think he would?

If he really cares about you, he would probably push away his pride and there would be a 50/50 chance that he would apologise, so don’t expect it much.

But if you were really mad at him and ignore him for most of the day, he would probably get very very annoyed.

Why weren’t you paying him any attention? Why weren’t you looking at him? Why weren’t you asking for him to shift with Yuji and let him have you all to himself? Why?

The reason? You were mad at him because he exorcised a curse that you knew you had the capability to do yourself.

Does he think you're weak? You were just angry at the thought of Sukuna thinking you were frail since you were an independent woman and he had no right to do your goddamn job.

Once he gets to his boiling point, he would demand Itadoru to switch with him and if his vessel would ignore him for your sake, he would continuously shout at the boy even when he is trying to sleep - poor Itadori……

Once it gets too much for the boy, Itadori would run to you and just randomly grab your shoulders to stop you from what you were doing and quickly explain what was going on.

“Okay, I’m going to switch with Sukuna and you are going to talk to him. He’s been annoying me ever since you stopped talking to him, please shut him up!”

Then before you would even get a single syllable out of your mouth, he would just switch quickly to let the both of you deal with your situation.

“Okay woman, talk to me! What have I done?”

You would probably just stare at with an annoyed look and tut at him before turning your head away like he doesn’t exist.

However, he doesn’t take this action of yours lightly and would probably grab your chin - gently since you are mad at him - and would just start leaving biting your neck.

“Sukuna! Stop it, the marks are going to show!”

“Not until you tell me what I have done wrong woman”

“Sukuna! OKAY! You think I’m weak and I hate the fact that you think I am, I can exorcise curses myself you know!”

Ha? You were mad at him for protecting you? Sukuna thought that it was ridiculous that you were mad at him for that reason - but will just go with the flow because even though you were just a powerful sorcerer to him, you being angry was a slight fear of his (Sukuna fears Oh my….)

“Idiot, I was protecting you”

“I can protect myself dickhead”

“Ha? I apologise, then, there done, do you forgive me?”

Sukuna….what type of apology was that?

If you say no, he would just continue to bite on your neck to make you forgive him since he really wasn’t going to take ‘no’ for an answer.

“Sukuna! Stop it!”

“Not until you forgive me little one,”

Ah, that nickname always gets to you, doesn’t it? - Girl, I don’t blame you….

“FINE FINE FINE! I forgive you, just stop biting my neck”

Looking up at you and looking you at dead in the eyes, he would literally say, “I don’t think so, I was actually having some fun marking your neck, let me continue little one”

I-.....go ahead…….

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