#he was born today. in a cardboard box probably
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submission: “i found this little guy on the sidewalk along an expressway so i took him home in my jacket and dropped him off at a wildlife center. he weighed as much as 2 slices of bread and i named him echo”
WHY HE SO SMALL
#submission#HES SO TINY!#I LOVE HIM!#he was born today. in a cardboard box probably#ive been trying to post this submission for 2 straight days but tumblr kept giving error messages#lets see if this time works?#possum#opossum#cute#cute animal#yeah thatws enough tags probably#very sorry for missing this when u first sent it#its been a long while. like. a year? idk#my bad
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welcome back to coparenting megumi with satoru (megs' birthday edition! because it's basically winter and i wanna write more found family fluff)
you're well aware that megumi is not a normal child.
you're reminded of it on a daily basis when he tells you about the low-level curses he spotted around the corner while he and tsumiki walked home from school. you're reminded when either you or satoru immediately go to the corner where he saw the curse and exorcising every curse within a four mile radius. you're reminded when he sees a dog and immediately wants to summon his divine dogs, even though his cursed energy isn't at a level where he can activate it without being wiped out for the rest of the day. but mostly, you're reminded on his birthdays that he was not born and will never be normal. still, satoru makes it his mission to give the boy what he calls a "bangin' birthday."
the other kids in his class would have their parents bring in cupcakes or goodies on their special day; megs, however, would probably argue that the other kids aren't deserving of the sweets you brought. so, on his 7th birthday, he's in class for barely an hour before you sign him out at the front desk. his eyes stare out the back window at the passing cityscape and he sips on a smoothie you had waiting for him when he met you at the front office.
"i thought you had a mission?"
"i called in a few favors and got today off," you reply happily, smiling wider when his fingers automatically grab your pinky. as you pull into the driveway of his first surprise, the tiniest gasp of realization leaves him and you wink at him through the rearview mirror. "recognize that sound, megs?" he nods furiously, throwing off his seatbelt as soon as the car is parked with excitement you'd never seen from him before. the barking coming from the house you've pulled up to only increases in volume while he practically runs up the front path and, with no warning, two gigantic dogs burst into the front yard and into the arms of the birthday boy.
"they still know me!" he beams as the two dogs nudge his face with their foreheads, sticking their nose against his clothes and licking stray drops of smoothie. "look, they still like me!"
"i see, megs," you say with a melancholy twist in your chest. even though he was becoming better at summoning his own divine dogs, you knew he missed the ones that helped him break his mental block in the first place. like no time had passed, megumi herds the dogs back into the house and they dutifully follow. you shoot your friend a text, thanking her for letting you use her house and letting him see the dogs she adopted all those years ago. while she worked in her office upstairs, she very generously gave you the rest of the first floor to use for birthday festivities. festivities, you noticed, were much more decorated than you previously planned it to be.
while megumi slips his shoes off at the door, the dogs race over to a gigantic box in the center of the dining room, barking furiously at it like it was an intruder. it's wrapped in shimmering, bright blue paper that gives you a headache the longer you look at it and looks suspiciously large enough to hide a 6-foot-something idiot. you knew you raised megs right when he's also immediately suspicious of the package, eyeing it with distaste as if he already knew what (or who) was inside.
"i'm guessing from your face that you didn't put that there," he remarks and you shake your head in acknowledgment. "any idea what's in it?" you swear you can hear a stupid giggle from inside the cardboard and you stifle a laugh.
"don't know," you say with fake indifference. "maybe it's a present from the dogs."
"it'd probably be hard for them to wrap seeing as they don't have thumbs," he states blankly, still frowning at the obnoxious wrapping paper. "wanna just put it somewhere to get it out of the way?"
"sure," you start, an idea popping into your head and a sly grin working its way onto your face. "i guess...i'll just throw it in my domain for now-"
"surprise!" as if on cue, the top of the box breaks open to reveal your very panicked boyfriend who despised portaling into your domain. he's wearing ridiculously oversized party glasses with frames shaped like balloons and his clothes are covered in metallic confetti that sprinkles onto your friend's floors. the dogs break into another bark-fest and satoru shushes them urgently; you break into giggles and help him step out of the box. "where's my favorite birthday boy?"
"why were you in there?"
"it's called a surprise, megumi. people have them when they want to have fun," he quips and you click your tongue, picking a stray piece of confetti from his hair. he murmurs an apology under his breath, kissing your forehead like he wasn't in bed with you a few hours earlier. "hi, gorgeous."
"hey, handsome. your limbs alright after being stuck in there?"
"a little creaky, but i'll survive," he reassures you, stretching out his ridiculously lanky arms as an example. his hand gestures to the ungodly amount of streamers and balloons that were much more than you'd bought last week. "i did a little redecorating."
"i see that," you chuckle. "alright, megs. you ready for your next birthday activity?" he looks up from his spot on the floor, where he'd somehow convinced the dogs to lay on either side of him.
"there's more?"
"mhmm, and it involves some strawberries from the fridge. you wanna help me wash them?" he nods and walks over to the fridge with the dogs trailing behind him. "there should be a strainer already in the sink."
"you still think we'll be able to make it to the park?" satoru asks quietly, pulling you into his arms and watching the winter sky become more unfriendly. "i can protect us from the rain, but a storm would probably ruin the atmosphere we've got goin' here."
"i agree," you murmur. a glance at the mirror shows megumi standing on a stool in front of the sink, sneaking washed berries to the dogs. "though, i don't think he'd mind just staying here."
"i also agree. i can order some lunch and go pick it up while dessert bakes. i need to go grab tsumiki, anyway," he suggests. "she can help me pick out matching cozy sweaters for when we watch a movie."
"i think megs would rather die than wear a matching sweater with you, sweetheart."
"true," he concedes. "but i'll do that, then. need anything else while i'm out?"
"no, just for you to get back faster."
"i'll be here before you can even blink, beautiful."
"are we making me a birthday cake?" megumi calls from the kitchen, finally noticing the ingredients stacked neatly on the island counter. "and does that mean i can throw food at satoru?"
"if you can get him to turn off infinity, then sure," you reply. your boyfriend makes a face of betrayal and you stick your tongue out at him. "tell him it's for your birthday present."
"gojo, i know what i want for my birthday!"
if you enjoy my writing and would like to support me, you can buy me a coffee on my ko-fi! you can also check out my full masterlist here :)
#gojo x you#gojo x reader#gojo x y/n#satoru gojo x you#satoru gojo x reader#satoru gojo x y/n#gojo satoru x you#gojo satoru x reader#jjk x you#jjk x reader#jjk x y/n#jujutsu kaisen x you#jujutsu kaisen x reader#jjk fluff
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Hello, if you write angst, may I request a any character you want x reader, where in the process of time travel, they lost reader. You can have any ending you want. It can be hurt/comfort or straight angst.
the time has come (Sonny Brisko x Reader)
Genre: Angst
Warnings: None, although this IS pure angst.
Disclaimer: All characters and events depicted are fictional, and are not intended to resemble real events or real people.
Note: Sorry for taking so long! This probably isn’t what you had in mind but I tried my best (๑•́ ω •̀๑) hope you like it!
“Sonny! Are you there?”
For a brief second, you could’ve sworn that you saw him standing near the window. Clearly, your appearance must have shocked him, for he hastily opened the door as soon as you rang the doorbell. You were then brought into a loose hug, the smile on his face ever unchanging.
“Hello! I’m sorry I couldn’t answer the door immediately. Is there anything you want to do today?”
“Well, what about you? You always seem like you have the whole day planned out, you know?”
“Ah, I was just wondering if we could go to the zoo! Oh, and maybe we can get some negi too. And then we can just spend the rest of the day here, just chilling and having some snacks. How does that sound?”
Immediately, you took his hand and rushed out, ready to start the day. A look of surprise appeared on his face, but since he didn’t forget anything he didn’t really mind.
You and Sonny arrived home several hours later. After placing the groceries you bought from the store on the table the two of you just watched the sunset from the window, its many hues giving way to the dark and cold night. Without warning, he wrapped his arms around you in a tight embrace, and the distinctive, yet muffled sound of sobbing came from deep in your chest.
“Please, don’t go!”
“…Sonny? What’s wrong? There’s no need to hide it from me.”
Upon hearing your response, he stood up and wiped the tears on his face with his finger. Yet, if you listened closely, the sound of sniffling could still be heard.
“I… There’s nothing wrong. People come and go all the time. It’s nothing unusual, really.”
“Are you moving out or something?”
“It’s… It’s more complicated than that. I don’t exist right now, and once I go back, you’ll never even know who I am.”
Sonny’s tears came back in full force as he prepared himself to reveal the truth.
“In short, I’m from the future, and by the time I’m born you’ll already be rotting in a graveyard somewhere.”
Your mouth was agape with shock as you tried to comprehend what he had just told you. Unbeknownst to you, his shoulders loosened and the expression on his face was less stiff than you’ve ever seen before, even if it wasn’t necessarily a happy one.
“Anyways, we should sleep. I’m getting really tired now. Can I hold you for just a second?”
You nodded, and Sonny carried you to the couch and placed you on his lap. This was the last time you’d ever hear the soft sounds of his breathing and his heartbeat, and the last time you would feel the warmth of his hand on your head and the softness of his lap. Around midnight, even those were gone, replaced by the feeling of a sleek, yet oversized jacket over your body.
Morning came. You were in an unfamiliar house, with someone’s jacket on top of you. There weren’t any huge cardboard boxes around, but it didn’t seem like anyone was living here either. Yet, the messy surroundings indicated that the owner of the house left in a hurry, without any time to take anything with them.
A camera was on the table. Curious, you picked it up. In it were pictures of you that seemed to be taken at the local zoo. Now, you’d never go to the zoo by yourself, but what was even stranger was the person standing next to you in the photos. He was far taller than you, almost dwarfing your small stature, and his hair was a very unnatural bright yellow. His eyes seemed to oscillate between blue and purple, with the exact hue changing in every photo. Whoever this was, you couldn’t recall seeing anyone in town with those exact features.
The door was already unlocked, and you walked outside, In the yard was a sign reading “House For Sale”. You had already guessed that the house wasn’t yours, but the sign raised even more questions. Surely, the jacket on top of you earlier and the camera full of photos had to belong to someone. The owner had put too many personal touches on their belongings for them to be for work purposes.
You then walked home, forever perplexed by the mysterious house. The next day, the family that moved in handed over that jacket and camera to you, but you denied that they were yours. Of course, you were the only person they knew that they saw in the photos, so they just left the mysterious objects with you until they could find more information about the owner.
To this day, you still wear that jacket. Nobody knows why you developed an attachment to it, but the scent just felt so familiar to you. Yet, it was also completely alien, completely new. You planned on returning it to its owner once you found them, but as the days went on it seemed you would never meet them at all…
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You found me:
The cold brisk of London only made me move quicker to my house. I was looking forward to the warm aroma where I could sit in my favorite chair, a cup of tea and a good book to relax my mind after a hard day at work. I was a stock clerk at a grocery store and today was just perfect to have 2 spilled milks, shattered bottle of wine and an egg crack catastrophe in the dairy aisle.
October weather did that to you. The orange and reddish leaves falling from the branches while walking down the brick covered road was picture book worthy. My hair that was neatly tucked into a bun, had a few free strands swaying to the best of the wind. My somber mood was non existent this morning, until a few nasty customers, an overly demanding boss because of his recent divorce and all the messes I mentioned contributed to the pushed down aggression that rose inside me the more I pondered on it.
The gray clouds mixed with the fall wind made me sleepy. My eyes started to close a little, but I jerked myself awake once I realized the walk home was still 5 minutes away. I walked past this brick building that I assumed to be a school, but there was this brown cardboard box that was soggy and splotchy. I heard some narrow cries from it.
I took a step back thinking it was maybe a mother cat and her kittens up for sale that nobody noticed. I hesitantly made my way over to the box and peeped inside. That's when I noticed a tiny baby that couldn't have weighed more than 4 pounds crying weakly. He had a blue blanket wrapped around him and he was dirty liked he hadn't had a bath in days. His cry wasn't that loud but I could tell it was a hungry cry from the suckiling sounds he was making with his mouth.
"Poor thing" I mumbled trying to situate the little baby in my arms. He looked like a newborn baby which made his situation worse to me because he was probably just born and no one wanted him. Or maybe his mother just couldn't take care of him. It dawned on me that no one heard his cry because it was so light, who knows how long he's been out here.
Poor baby didn't have a hat or really anything to protect him from the cold other than the blanket. I held him halfway inside my coat and tried to find an adoption agency. It was too cold and we were both tired and hungry so I called it quits and decided to continue this in the morning before work. Me and baby stumbled home to my apartment, where the lobby was empty despite how this morning it was raging with people from a party in one of the apartments from the 9th floor.
That's the fancy apartments at the top where they get more terrace space. I walked through to the elevators where my heart was beating out of my chest. I didn't like the neighbors knowing my business and vice versa. I mostly kept to myself and tried to keep it the same way with everyone else unless I absolutely had to talk to them or if they said "hi" or such.
I fiddled with my keys before going inside and locking the door immediately behind me. it's a useful habit but today it was very obligatory. I didn't want anyone following me or staring because they suspected I stole something or something like that. I was indeed hiding something....more precious than any other secret I've stored within me. It was for baby's protection.
I set him on my couch and carefully took a soft paper towel that I wet with warm water and gently cleaned him up. I knew he was starving so that meant running to the store and buying baby formula along with some toys, clothes and possibly a portable crib or bassinet. I didn't wanna leave baby here alone, yet it would be irresponsible of me to leave him here so I had to take him with me.
I already decided once I got back I would call the police and see if they could locate his mother or any other relatives of his. My gut told me his mother wouldn't want him back and or she's dead or out of the country doing whatever. I thought about what to do about the small little turquoise eyed baby boy laying on my couch with pillows around him to keep him from falling.
It just dawned on me that you're not supposed to keep a newborn on their backs, so I shifted him to his tummy. Tufts of auburn hair were protruding from his little round head. I couldn't help but bring myself to run my fingers over it. He was still making suckling noises, that snapped me out of my daze and made rush to grab a hat for baby. It was a soft blue hat with little duckies on it, one I had kept when I was a baby. I took baby's blanket and made it into a shaw like coat for him, then I took an old scarf and covered him up so he wouldn't get cold.
I scanned the room for anything I could use besides a dirty old box that was baby's home for the first few days of his life. Just thinking about it was gut-wrenching. I looked over to baby who was still laying on the couch, toying with the pillows set on either side for his safety. His eyes looked so tired and full of innocence. Of course he's innocent he's a baby. He was so vulnerable and helpless that the grisly thought of him not surviving one more day if I hadn't found him nearly killed me.
My eyes finally landed on a dresser drawer in my bedroom. I emptied out the books that were inside on to my bed and tucked inside three soft blankets before putting baby in there. I didn't really want the neighbors seeing me take a dresser drawer out in the hallway as it would draw unnecessary attention, Not that it was any of their business anyway. I meant it when I said I kept to myself. Me and baby flew down the hallway, after I finished locking up my apartment.
My car was parked in the apartment parking lot, next to a grey lexus. I clicked the button on my well used car remote that was swinged in with my car keys, and my apartment key as well along with a little green packers logo. I opened the car door and carefully placed the drawer in the backseat rear facing.
I just prayed it was safe seeing how I didn't have a carseat or anything for baby yet. I made sure his scarf and hat weren't too warm so he wouldn't overheat. Once I was satisfied that he was okay, I climbed into the driver's seat and we drive to the store. Target was the closet place. I parked the car and I gently grabbed baby and we went inside. A sense of happiness and relief washed over me. I would be leaving the store with a baby car seat, a bassinet, high chair and food for baby. And possibly more knowledge too.
Baby was too tiny to fit in the seating area of the shopping cart so that meant I had to carry him, but my arms started getting tired. I grabbed a shopping cart anyway and tried my hardest to balance it with one hand. I found the nearest employee working in the baby section and asked her if I could buy a baby carrier right now. "Of course. I can ring you up and you can continue shopping."
"Thank you so much." I grabbed a sturdy carrier and she scanned the price tag and then my card. "There you go you're all set" I smiled. "Thank you very much." I set baby in the carrier and pulled the veil built into the carrier down to keep any germs off him.
"You're son's adorable." The employee said. I didn't bother to correct her so I just accepted the compliment for what it was and thanked her with a smile. But that stuck with me. Son. The thought ricocheted in my head as a sudden pleasure grew on that title. I looked down at baby who was playing with his fingers. Maybe?
I continued on shopping, grabbing bottles, diapers, clothes, toys and a portable bassinet. I found some baby formula asking different clerks if it was safe for newborns. They all showed me different brands, but like with everyone, the most recommended was the one I chose.
I paid for the items and left the store quickly as possible. The medium colored clouds set in and small sprinkles of rain slowly drizzled down. The smush of the wet fall leaves that stood in between my boots and the rain. Me and baby rushed to the car, now feeling satisfied of the new things he has to help him. Somehow I could sense a feeling of relief and solace wash over the both of us. I looked down to be met with greenish-blue eyes and sweet deep dimples that I just discovered he had.
Ongoers noticed the tender sweet baby talk that was spilling from my lips by the minute. Bunches of "Yes you are's" were being spoken to baby which made him react with joy. I'm sure this was the most love that he's had in the little time of his life so far. Surely I was not his mother, just a 27 year old man who happened, completely by chance noticed a small infant in the dirty box that he laid in. Maybe this was fate? I shook it off not wanting to think to deeply about it.
I was just his temporary caregiver until he would be adopted by someone who could give him a stable home. Maybe even a pet? I imagined little baby playing on the swing set with his doggie running up to him desperately wanting his owner's attention that only the love of a child could provide for them. He would have playdates with the best friend he met at school, sleepovers with the boys on his soccer team, meet his first love and dream of marrying her as if she was the one....
I snapped out that daydream. I couldn't get attached. We both weren't ready for that. Adoption for baby would surely be a dream right? We arrived to the car where I unloaded everything in the trunk before picking baby up and returning the shopping cart to the store.
Man it felt nice to hold him again. Whoops...I mean my arms aren't tired anymore. I set baby aside as I was taking the drawer and moved it to the floor of the car and set up baby's carrier. I gently placed him inside and even gave him one of his little toys to keep him occupied. I couldn't feed him until we got home so there was no time to waste.
As I got in the driver's seat and put the key in, turning it...My mind wandered to what exactly would happen to baby. What if he didn't get a nice family? What if instead he would be raised only for the sole purpose of being a slave in a mean family's home? Or he was restricted from living his life normally due to the strictness and harshness of a mother and father who weren't to tightly wrapped themselves?
What if he was left to fend for himself with no one to love him and care for him? The harsh reality of the world set in the more I thought about baby's fate. But everyone always says two is better than one and baby needs two parents. But if those parents aren't gonna parent him in the right way....then would he really be better off?
Surely I could-
"We're here!" I said to myself trying to override the thought I was going to think that would distract me from my sensible thinking. I carried baby inside, and grabbed the things from the trunk and made my way upstairs to my apartment as fast as I could. A few elderly neighbors saw me and cooed about cute the little baby in my was. I smiled and thanked them before getting in the elevator hoping the doors would close as fast as possible.
Baby and me scurried inside once again just in time for baby to start crying. He was hungry of course. After closing and locking the door, I set him down on the couch, propping the pillows around him again and grabbed the formula from the bag and ran into the kitchen to fix it.
I followed the directions carefully trying the drown out the hungry cries from baby. "I know baby I know." I fixed it as fast as I could and while his bottle was heating up, I was successfully able to distract him.
Beep!
I turned around and flew into the kitchen and grabbed baby's bottle from the microwave. I pressed the bottle to my wrist and sat down next to baby. I gently picked baby up and inserted the bottle into his mouth. "It's not too hot is it?" Aw come on as if baby can talk. His button eyes looked into mine sucking away at his milk. Probably the first food he's had in days. "You're a hungry little guy aren't you? I know, I know. You're a little special baby. You're special because you're the sweetest little thing I've seen." I cooed.
I couldn't help but cloy baby. He was so small and new, bright eyes studying the room because he was so new to the world. I just felt this exquisite connection with him whilst looking into his fresh eyes. His mom didn't know what she was missing....or what she gave up. I smiled a warm smile and somehow I think he sensed the connection too.
I removed the bottle once he was finished. He drank all his milk. "Good boy!" I cooed cheerfully. Burp! I expected that.
I ate a quick dinner that night after baby went to sleep. I couldn't sleep a wink partly because of baby crying and needing his diaper changed or wanting to be rocked or something like that and the other because I was worried about him too. I put him in a fresh onesie and threw that old blue blanket in the wash.
I tossed and turned because I knew I was gonna have to call child services soon....but it just....this gut feeling. I mean he was already used to me so why would I give him up? I guess I used that to reason with myself. Who am I kidding? I'm only in my twenties I can't be raising a child! I have so much I wanna do, like travel and get married and start a family of my own one day. But despite all of those...Baby still played in my mind.
I couldn't be attached already right? And besides who would watch baby too? I have to go to work and run errands and he has to be babysat. I couldn't trust just anyone. All these thoughts raced through my head trying to get everything sorted out. Child services, doctor appointment, babysitter. My brain could've exploded.
But my alarm clock went off. Baby was still sleeping surprisingly so I tiptoed out of my bedroom into the bathroom where I took a quick shower. I would constantly check to see if baby was still sleeping and if I needed to change or feed him. That's pretty much what all babies do at the beginning of their first few months of life, eat, sleep and poop,
I brushed my teeth coming out of the shower and changed into my uniform. I carefully took baby from his bassinet and was going to give him his first bath. By the looks of it I don't even think baby was born in a hospital. His umbilical stub hadn't fallen off yet so I was cautious to how I bathed him. I quickly googled how to do it and got started immediately. Baby was so small that I was able to bathe him in the bathroom sink.
I filled the sink with a little water and used some mild baby soap and cleaned up baby. He seemed so happy to finally be clean and to be...loved. To have someone care enough about him to take him under their wing and care for him....I really hoped he would see it that way when he's older.
Me and baby hadn't eaten breakfast yet and I already had to be at work in 30 minutes so I had no choice but to call Gemma and ask if she could watch him. She'd said that she would be over right away, so that gave me and baby time to eat a small breakfast. I had a bowl of cereal and baby had some milk of course.
Gemma knocked on the door a couple minutes after I had put my bowl in the sink. "Hey gem!" I greeted happily. I was relieved to have some help. "Hey Haz. So where is this little bugger that you've been talking about on the phone?" I pointed over to baby who was in his bassinet. "Oi he's adorable!" Gemma cooed. "What's his name?"
"I just call him baby for now. Yeah he's my friend's nephew but right now his nickname is baby." I thought quickly cause I didn't want to explain the whole situation to Gemma just yet. It's not that I couldn't trust her it's just that....it's not like baby was my son. He was still sorta a strange baby without a home or name. Besides...I had to go to work.
"Thank you again for watching him, if you need to reach me you have my number and I left a list of things you're supposed to do with baby on the fridge. Thanks." I grabbed my coat and car keys. "Bye Gemma and bye baby!" I blew a kiss to both of them before dashing out the front door.
Work wasn't any easier. I kept thinking about baby and Gemma and how they were getting along at my apartment. Plus Mr Feltmen was once again being punctilious with the way I stocked the cereals or the way I put price tags on the sealed chicken dinners with my price gun. All because his wife said a few nasty comments on her way along with a big fat stack of divorce papers sent to him a couple days later.
My lunch break seemed to be relieving as I was able to call Gemma and ask her if her and baby were fine. "Oh yeah we're fine. Baby had a little hard time after you left but everything's okay now. He's taking a nap."
"What little hard time?" I asked kinda panicky. "Oh, he started crying because he wanted you. So when I showed him a picture of you, he calmed down." Sentiment washed over me. Baby wanted me? He missed me. My heart swelled with adoration and pride more than it should've for a baby who I'd only known for a day and half. "Thank you so much Gemma. I'll call you when I'm on my way home."
After I hung up, I searched up a really good pediatric doctor at the children's hospital and scheduled an appointment for baby later on today. I wanted to make sure he had his shots and everything he needed by the time social services came and got him. The thought broke me. I grievance pain struck me so I refused to ponder the thought more than necessary.
Baby really tugged at my heartstrings. I didn't wanna dive in heart first taking into consideration the logicalness of the situation. Was I really baby's best person to care for his every need? You're caring for him now. I swallowed hard at that and continued eating my lunch, not wasting time to get back to work.
The mid day night sky fell between 3 and 4 which is when my shift ended. The breeze sang it's fall time song the coziness of being warm in the cold started to take its toll. I grabbed my coat from the breakroom and hustled out the grocery store. "Have a good night Harry." I turned to my right to see my boss with a small tight smile and giving me a small stiff wave. "Thanks you too." I replied befuddled and tired at the same time.
As soon as I got into my car, I didn't waste time calling Gemma to inform her of my upcoming arrival. "Hey Gemma, I just got off work and I'm coming home right now okay? How is everything?"
I heard the sound of baby rattles and muffled cries that partially answered my question. "Oh everything's fine, baby just woke up from his nap and he's just been a little fussy that's all." I could sense Gemma regretted saying that last part. She realized how attached and concerned I was for baby. Way more than if it was just 'my friend's nephew' the way I said before.
"Okay, well I'll be home very soon." We hung up and then I started the car and pulled out of the parking lot very carefully. The drive home consisted of me trying to beat the clock so I could be on time for baby's doctor appointment. I concluded that one more night wouldn't be so bad for baby seeing how it was possibly too late to call social services anyway.
Was I just reasoning with myself?
Streetlights filled the downtown sidewalk. Oh how I missed late night walks and night drives through my city. Summer's were fun for it too, but it was just something about September, October and November that just had that fall time glow. That coziness of aroma around you. It was fun. Just me walking to and back from the library.
I snapped out of my nostalgia once I pulled up to the parking lot of my apartment.
I put the key through my front door lock and opened the door. "Hey Gem I'm home" Gemma ran up to me and hugged me which I returned. "Hey! How was work?" "Oh it was fine." My eyes glanced to baby sleeping in his bassinet. "How was baby?" Gemma looked to the sleeping newborn and back to me. "He was just fine. He was a little cranky today but above all a good boy."
I thanked Gemma who's coat I handed to her on the way out. "See you later be safe bye." "Bye." Gemma's voice trailed going out the door. I took off my coat before focusing my attention to baby. "Hey baby boy! Did you miss me? Yes you did! I know you did cause you're da-" I stopped myself. "You're a special baby! You're a little sweetheart aren't ya?" Oh how I desperately wanted cover those little rosy dimpled cheeks in hello kissys.
I quickly changed baby and put him into a new outfit before leaving for the doctor's. On the way, I put on the radio to some 90's music. He seemed to enjoy it. His little head bobbed to the infamous Alanis Morissette 'Ironic'. I kept checking the rearview mirror, making sure baby was okay. I was still new to this so I didn't spring for the expensive attachment mirror for baby car seats.
London children's hospital.
I turned to the left and pulled into the parking deck. I always loved the murk lighting of the in between ramps and parking spaces. The blueish sometimes yellow aesthetic lights were the only ray of light inside the closed in building that was usually filled to the brim with cars. I got baby's carrier out of the car with him in it and we traveled down to the entrance along with two other couples who either had babies or toddlers.
On the way, Baby was entranced by the colorful cars while we walked to the doors. A green honda, a blue civic, a sliver chevy, all had the baby's attention. We went inside the elevator and took it up to the offices on level 8. Inside, I just kept taking deep breaths and looked down at baby who was sleeping soundly. I hated knowing I would have to wake him up for his appointment.
I just don't know what would move me to do all this? Buying him clothes, baby formula, toys, bottles, taking him to the doctors? I didn't just take him the adoption agency before and let them do all this for him. I guess because I care too much...I care so much about other people and I don't regret it of course, but this time it really took me out of the way. Financially, Physically and Emotionally.
I looked down at baby who was still sleeping. I guess what I'm trying to comprehend is that baby is special, he's more than just some lost, injured puppy dog on the street...he was more than helping out a homeless person with a couple dollars, he was more than giving a tired sad stranger a smile. It was a deeper pleasure having baby.. it was.....it....
Three little words threatened to spill from my gut but I shut them out. After all he won't be with me long.
The sad realization grappled me. Ding! The elevator doors opened and I was instantly met with distance cries of babies and toddlers. The hall was empty and as I stepped out, I could breathe in the sterile air. The carpeted floor held rigid against my shoes as I walked down the corridor trying to find the Doctor Evan's office.
My hand weighed heavy as I held the carrier that was carrying a baby who was now wide awake and hungry. His little fussy whines made me rush inside so I could feed him before those little whimpers turned into blood curdling screams. "Hello." I said waiting for the receptionist to notice me. "Hi." she smiled. It was a young girl that looked to be in 20's. The first thing I noticed was her red bob and bright pink lipstick. Her earrings were the exact same ones my own mother had.
"You have an appointment?" I nodded before responding with a yes. "For?" Her voice trailed once she saw the name I confirmed for baby. "Baby styles." It sounded like I was posting an announcement on my instagram to welcome my new child. But nonetheless was his actual name as of now. "It's a nickname we always go by." As if that would make it all normal. The state didn't even know he existed until now so what was I to do. The receptionist smiled and gave me a clipboard with the patient fill out attached to it.
I thanked her before taking it and moving over to one of the seats in the back. Before I filled it out, I took a bottle of the baby bag and fed baby quickly. He's a fast eater so it wasn't too laborious. But after burping him and putting him back in his carrier, I filled out the form and gave it back to the receptionist. I sat back down and monitored baby. I took little peeks at him in between to make sure he was okay.
Time passed slowly it seemed. 4:25 went to 5:21 then to 5:36. Time went on like that even though we were only there for 25 minutes. "Baby styles?" Everyone in the waiting room looked up at that name which made me more self aware. I quickly picked up the carrier and the baby bag before walking over to the nurse who was holding the door open for the patient to enter.
"Hello..Mr styles?" I nodded. "Come follow me please." We went to a room that was yellow and decorated in Curious George stickers. I set the carrier on the chair next to me before taking baby out and putting him on the exam table that was specifically for babies. The nurse took his height and weight before writing them down. I noticed her eyebrows furrowed. She wanted to comment and ask if he was a was a preemie but she left that part up for the doctor.
She took his blood pressure and typed some things down on the computer. "You said he's newborn correct?" "Yes." I held my breathe. "He was born when?" "I think 5 or 4 days ago?" She continued typing.
"Okay. He is due for his hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio shots today." "Okay." "The doctor will be in shortly." The nurse smiled and left the chart on the outside of the door. I went over to baby and tickled his tummy a little. He giggled and started smiling. "Oh you're just a special little guy aren't you?" I cooed.
The doctor came in and I took my seat again. "Hi I'm Dr. Evan" she said holding out a hand for me to shake which I did. "And hello to you too handsome!" She said cooing to baby and shaking his hand as well. "You're here with daddy today?" My eyes traveled down. I knew I was gonna have to tell her. "Uh, Baby here is...well...I found him yesterday abandoned by the back of a school and so I took him in and I just brought him here today to make sure he was fine. That's why his name's baby and why he's a little underweight for a newborn."
The doctor took it all in before giving me a smile. "That's very commendable of you Mr. Styles. You did more for him than anyone else could've." I was proud of that statement. "Thank you. I wish he was my son though." I just said that?
She giggled. "I know it's very easy to get attached." I agreed. "it is." She took out her stethoscope and listened to baby's heart. "Very good." Then she listened to his stomach. "Very good."
"Mr styles, considering your case with baby right now, would you like to take him home today or did you wanna leave him here? I have to ask because you know..." I nodded. "Take him home." Dr Evan nodded and wrote something down. "We'll have to report this to the police and call children services. It's mandatory. But if you were to be interested in fostering or adopting baby then you can provide a word to a agency worker or lawyer. I'll put in a good word if you need it." She winked. That made me hopeful.
She continued the exam and asked me all the questions I could answer like when he eats, and sleeps and if he was fussy or calm most of them time. "I'll be right back with the vaccinations. I have to say Mr styles, when I listened to baby's heart, lungs and stomach....I don't think he would've made it another day if it weren't for you." She smiled. "Thank you!" I graciously said. Tears welled up in my eyes thinking about the actions of mine that save baby's life.
I looked over to baby who was examining the room carefully. Almost with detail as he became fascinated with the curious George stickers. "Yeah, he's funny isn't he?" I cooed. The nurse came back in with 5 shots on a small light pink tray. "Okay Mr styles, could you hold baby's arms please?" I gently intertwined baby's hands with mine. "Okay here comes the first one." Said the nurse after wiping down his thighs with alcohol wipes.
In went one needle followed by a loud cry from baby. My heart broke but i knew that this was the best thing for the vulnerable newborn. "I know baby boy but we gotta do this so you can be healthy." I said sweetly. I couldn't resist pressing sweet big kisses to his chubby cheeks.
That soothed him for a while until the last injection was given. A shriek was released from baby's small toothless mouth and fought back tears. It was painful enough to hear a baby cry, but when that baby.... felt like your own, it hit differently.
After all was done, I scooped him in my arms and hugged him tight. "Shhhh it's all over now." I rubbed his back desperately trying to soothe the little guy's cries. "I'm here for you, it's okay daddy's got you."
What?
I bit my tongue. I didn't mean that, I'm not daddy. It's just Harry or Mr styles.
Maybe not daddy yet. Oh shut up you always think sporadic!
I cleared my throat before setting baby back down in the table. I grabbed the baby bag and my jacket before settling baby in his carrier and then leaving.
"Would you like to make an appointment?" The receptionist asked. "Uh, not right now but I'll call later on." She nodded but I could tell she thought it was strange, I was strange I should say.
We left the office, heading back to the same elevator we came before. We went down to the parking deck and sudden ding! Snapped me out of my thoughts. The elevator doors opened to a mother pushing her disabled son in a wheelchair. I gave a polite smile which she returned.
She didn't think of me as a stranger to the baby I was holding in the carrier. I don't know why but I didn't feel like a stranger either to baby. He didn't feel strange to me despite me only knowing him for two days. I went back to my car with a heavy heart.
"We'll have to notify the police and children services because it's mandatory."
Those words ate at me. I didn't want them coming into my apartment and taking baby away from me.
I loved him.
Yes. I did! From the moment I met him I just couldn't let him go like that. He needed me, I was brought to him and I truly saw him as a priceless gift. Not something you have to pay for to raise. It was here I made a very crucial decision with baby. I was to adopt him.
The next day, children services came by along with the police. I let them in and asked them to take a seat. I brought baby out and set him down in his playpen.
"Thank you very much for welcoming us to your home first off. It has been brought to our attention that you found baby abandoned behind a school and so you took him in and cared for him right?" I nodded. The social worker wrote something down. "You took him to the doctor yesterday for a checkup and you reported your case to Dr Evan?"
"Yes." She wrote something down again. "I'm gonna ask you a few questions is that okay?" I agreed and we started. "Are you interested in adopting baby?" "Of course." "Are you in any relation or do you know any relatives of baby?" I shook my head. "No."
"Anyone in you're house that has criminal activity?" "Nope, it's just me and I've never been to jail or prison."
The social worker wrote something down and smiled. "Well you seem like a good candidate Mr styles. We'll have to take baby now but you still have a chance to adopt him. If you want baby specifically, then you can contact Sunnyside adoption center where baby will be taken and you can call and they'll give you an application and once you complete it and send it back, they'll schedule a meeting with you. The rest of the information is online at Sunnyside adoption center.com."
"Thank you very much." My eyes went to baby who was in his playpen. "Can I say goodbye first?" The social worker nodded and I picked baby up and held him.
"Okay baby this is the end now. I never got to name you or have you for that long but....I still treasure this time I spent with you. I'll try my best to have you again but if I can't..... I'll always love you. You'll always be my baby." His turquoise eyes looked into mine, his soft head with mini bald spots rested against my hand. I kissed his face one last time before giving him away to the social worker.
She smiled along with the two police officers. "Baby is very fortunate. I don't think he would've made it without your love." "Thank you." I said sheepishly. The trio left my apartment and I closed the door after them. I sat on my couch, scanning the room as if you say what just happened?.
Baby's bottle, his crib and clothes lied around the bedroom. Almost like a tornado had came and scattered everything around. I picked up one of his bottles and just... just broke down.
I've never loved anyone as hard or as much as I did baby. All I could see was those sweet little eyes and soft little fine hair. He was a quiet baby who rarely cried unless he wanted something or something was bothering him. Tears dropped on the floor and then on my jeans leaving wet splotches.
Baby. That was all that played on my mind. But it wasn't too late. I was determined to get baby back and adopt him.....no matter how long it took.
#harry styles#dad!harry#dadrry#harry styles imagine#harry styles son#single dad harry#son#adoption#baby#adoptive family#adoptive harry!
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"AYAKA – SIDE STORIES 04": AFTER THE RAIN
TRANSLATION: NARU-KUN
* List of Chapters
Amano Yako moved for the first time in his life in the summer when he was seven years old.
Previously, he and his parents lived in Ichinoshima. However, due to the volcanic eruption that occurred in Shinoshima, the area where the Amano family house was located was especially damaged. As a result, they were forced to move into temporary housing provided by the city.
At that time, or rather, even now, construction work was carried out daily on the island of Ichinoshima in order to achieve early reconstruction. Frequent noise and dust. And it seemed that Yako, who was born with a weak body, would not be able to bear it. The mild fever and cough continued for more than two months.
Concerned about the health of their only child, his parents decided to move to an old house in Ninoshima where Yako's grandparents once lived. They have been there many times and are sure that Yako knows it, it's quiet and the air is clear. His parents thought that perhaps his condition would improve.
And today is moving day. Unfortunately, has been raining since morning.
Despite having trouble walking, his parents carefully moved furniture and other items. Fortunately, the surrounding residents, who had already greeted them previously, lent their support, so the work went smoothly.
Yako also wanted to help, but they wouldn't let him do anything because they didn't want to make him sick. He thought that at least he would have some of his personal belongings, especially the cardboard box that contained his favorite adventure novel, but even that didn't come true. A boy of about the same age who had come to help him quickly took it away.
He couldn't do anything; they wouldn't let him do anything.
Yako felt so pathetic that he hugged his knees alone on the porch. When he looked outside, he can see his parents and neighbors working hard in the rain.
"Ah..."
He doesn't know how many times he sighed. When Yako dropped it...
"Hey..."
A boy was sitting on the terrace. He was the one who went ahead of him carrying cardboard.
"Your name is Yako, right? I'm Chatarou. Fukuwake Chatarou."
"Thank you."
When he suddenly called out to Yako and was nervous, Chatarou immediately extended his hand.
"Let's be friends."
Honestly, Yako was happy to hear Chatarou's words. Because he is physically weak and cannot play actively, he was unable to make friends in Ichinoshima.
However, Yako was unable to take Chatarou's hand. The reason was the four people standing at the front door, beyond Chatarou sitting next to him. Yako's parents and probably Chatarou's parents. They looked at him as if they were waiting for something.
The clever Yako understood that. A boy who was standing in front of him asking for a handshake was approached by adults who asked him to do it.
"If you have any problems, tell me. I'll be a great help."
Chatarou smiled, showing his white teeth.
They probably told him about Yako's situation.
--- He has a weak body.
--- He has no friends.
--- So please be nice to him.
--- Please help him.
No wonder his parents asked Chatarou to do it. They had been watching his only son look lonely for a long time.
However, that wasn't the kind of friend Yako wanted.
"No..."
"Eh?"
"I don't want to!"
Yako glared at him and forcefully pushed Chatarou's hand away.
It can't be helped that he can't make friends because of his physical weakness. However, asking someone to befriend them out of sympathy is different. Yako was still young and his budding self-esteem did not allow it.
"Hey!"
Chatarou's eyes narrowed and he pushed Yako's chest. The strength of the pusher's arms and the lightness of the pushed. As a result of their confrontation, Yako fell backwards and received a severe blow to the back.
He was choking and felt like coughing.
However...
--- Is it okay to give up?
Yako swallowed it and stood up, colliding with Chatarou with his entire body.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaah!"
"Speaks!"
The two tangled ones ran off the porch and fell into the Amano family's garden, which was muddy with rain.
"I don't need friends like that!"
"I don't even want people like you!"
In the rain, they hit each other, ripped each other, bit each other and pulled each other's hair. Both parents ran in and intervened, but it took more than five minutes to completely separate them.
The next day.
Yako had a fever and was in bed. That was a reaction to the big fight the day before. The day after he overexerts himself, his body usually asks for rest.
"Cough, cough..."
Coughing, Yako looked out the window. His eyelids were puffy and what he could see in his reduced field of vision was the perfect blue sky. The rain that had continued since yesterday stopped an hour ago.
"...The weather has been pleasant."
Yako felt resentful of his body. He was sure that he... that active boy would already be running around the slightly humid beaches and forests of Ninoshima. It was easy to imagine what he would look like.
"You are very clever..."
When Yako murmured that with envy...
"Are you still sleeping? It's already noon."
The window burst open and a boy looked out from there. It's Chatarou.
Due to yesterday's fierce battle, he has therapeutic gauze stuck all over his face and arms.
"You... cough, cough..."
"I really hope you get better soon."
Looking at Yako who was coughing, Chatarou said that with admiration. Strictly speaking, Yako's symptoms were different from a cold, but Chatarou's parents may have explained it in an easy-to-understand way.
"What do you want...?"
"This. Mom asked me to bring it to you. It's an apology gift."
Chatarou threw a rectangular box into the room. When Yako sat down and opened the lid, the contents were dorayaki. The number is three. The number of pieces is extremely small considering the size of the box.
"Eh?"
"Your family is a family of three, right?"
Chatarou laughed without a trace of guilt. If you look closely, you can see the skin of an azuki bean on his lips.
"Hurry up and get over your cold. Then, let's get back to finishing yesterday."
"Eh...?"
Yako's eyes widened at Chatarou's statement.
He was very surprised that he was still trying to get involved with him after all the mud and wrestling they had been doing.
"Yesterday my father and the others stood in my way, but next time I will win."
Chatarou moved his fists from left to right as he exhaled. It's probably an imitation of boxing. He may be good at working out, but he looks pretty good.
"I'm in a bad mood. Just like you."
"Eh...?"
When Yako asked him, Chatarou began to roll up his sleeves. There is a tooth-shaped scar around the exposed shoulder.
"Of course. You were crying next to me, and even when I hit you, you didn't let go."
"I'm sorry too..."
At that moment, Yako knew it for the first time. The identity of the mysterious energy that gave Chatarou a good fight because of his superior physical strength. That something like that was swirling inside him.
The Ichinoshima children, who were similar in age, treated him as if they were treating with a boil, or did not want to get involved with Yako in the first place because they thought it would be a hindrance to their playtime. As a result, Yako has never had the chance to show his competitiveness.
In a sense, Yako may have become the "real Yako" after having a serious fight with Chatarou.
"Then I'll be off like a frog. See you later."
"Tomorrow everything will be better."
Chatarou waved and started to leave the window, but Yako called him to stop him.
"So it will finally be tomorrow. This time I will win again."
"You didn't win yesterday either! I mean, if they hadn't stopped us, it would have been me!"
The two boys stared at each other through the window.
But soon they began to laugh.
"See you tomorrow, Yako."
"Yes. See you tomorrow, Chatarou."
That's what they promised.
+++++++++++
The rivalry between Amano Yako and Fukuwake Chatarou began after a childhood fight. That continued even after they entered elementary and middle school.
Their daily life is to compete in everything and go through joys and sorrows.
"Damn! I lost to Yako again because of the number "5" on my report card!"
"It doesn't matter, Chatarou."
Yako gave Chatarou a sarcastic smile as he stomped to the ground.
The two were walking home from high school under the scorching summer sun. That day was the closing ceremony and they were playing with the report cards that had just arrived.
By the way, Chatarou's report card had only a "5" in health and physical education, while Yako had five in Japanese, social studies, mathematics, science and foreign language.
"I will pay this debt at the table tennis tournament at the neighborhood association next week! Wash your neck and wait!"
Chatarou stuffed his report card into his bag with one hand and pointed at Yako with the other.
"Huh... table tennis."
Yako groaned with a slightly pale face.
Seeing this, Chatarou smiled and showed his white teeth.
In that short time, his expressions had completely changed.
"Can you stop my slice serve, Yako-kun? Well, do your best not to fall asleep the day after the tournament."
Chatarou patted Yako on the shoulder as if to provoke him.
"Uh, ah. That room for maneuver is the key to survival."
After saying that, Yako pointed back. Chatarou... or rather, the glasses he started wearing last year.
"You don't know if my strong smash breaks your glasses again like it did in the last badminton tournament, right?"
"What's with the "hard hit"? It wasn't the ball that broke the glasses, it was your racket that got away!"
"Is that so? That day Chatarou made me run so much that my consciousness and memory were confused..."
Cough-cough, Yako coughed deliberately.
"Aren't you suddenly sickly and weak? Not only your body but also your head has become weak?!"
"It's loud, idiot. You just know how to exercise."
"Shut up, Yako. All you can do is study."
The two landed light blows on the other's shoulder while uttering childish curses. These skirmishes were also part of their daily life.
The two have been competing against each other since childhood, but now that they are in the second year of high school, it has become clear that the other has strengths and weaknesses.
Yako is good at using his head and bad at exercising.
Chatarou, on the other hand, is good at moving his body and weak with his brain.
Therefore, if you want to win for sure, you only need to compete on your own field. But they didn't do that. Like today, they compete based on qualifications, and that time they competed based on exercise.
If they get the chance, they will compete by solving puzzles and, of course, they will compete by eating lunch boxes too fast. Neither Yako nor Chatarou had the option of "I won't do it because I don't think I'll win".
--- I don't want to lose to this guy.
Compete driven by that feeling. That's the rivalry between two people who hate to lose.
"If you say so."
Chatarou's hand, which had already been about to launch a counterattack blow an unknown number of times, stopped.
"Have you heard the rumors about the ruined cabin? It's said to be haunted."
"Yes. I've heard about that several times."
Yako nodded to Chatarou's question.
A ghost appears in a ruined cabin that stands peacefully deep in the forest.
The current hot topic at the high school Yako and Chatarou attend is a ghost story that has been told a million times before. The cabin had been used as a residence and studio by a painter, but was now intact and in ruins.
"Let's get rid of the ghost."
"Do you believe in such a common ghost story?"
Yako frowned, as if saying it was nonsense. So...
"Hey, Yako. If you're scared, tell me honestly that you're scared, okay?"
Chatarou raised his glasses and the corners of his mouth and smiled provocatively.
"If not, let's go now to the old cabin. It's a test of courage."
Apparently, whether ghosts appear or not is secondary, and Chatarou's intention is to have a match before the next table tennis tournament.
If that is the case, Yako's answer is already decided.
"Let's follow the results and win two games in a row."
Yako said a brave line. However, contrary to his words, his expression was full of joy as he went out with his friend.
The rumored dilapidated cabin was located in the forest at the foot of the mountain on the southwest side of Ninoshima. The thick branches and leaves of the trees block the intense sunlight and a fresh air floats that doesn't feel like summer. However, at the same time, visibility is extremely poor because light no longer reaches the area.
In conclusion, there were no ghosts in the ramshackle cabin. However, he appeared right after Yako and Chatarou left after completing their quest.
A monster made entirely of wood that can only be described as a "giant walking tree".
At the sudden encounter, both Yako and Chatarou couldn't help but let out a stupid voice, "Huh?". What glared at them was a large eye that opened in the center of the monster's body.
And the monster raised high his green arms that looked like trunks...
"Yako!"
Chatarou quickly regained consciousness, grabbed Yako by the neck, and fell into the cabin behind them. Immediately afterwards, a roar and impact hit the two of them.
"The cabin..."
Yako's voice shook as he hovered over his butt. The body that should have escaped into the cabin was now exposed to the outside air. A loud bang crushed it from the ceiling and the entrance itself disappeared.
"If he had hit me, I would have died..."
Chatarou, who had been lying on his back, suddenly sat up.
Then, through the smoke of dirt and dust that had filled the area, he saw the shape of that monster.
Furthermore, he once again waved his arms in the air.
"Run away quickly!"
"Yes!"
Yako and Chatarou immediately got up and ran towards the back of the cabin. They stepped on the easel and drawing table on the floor, kicked down the back door, and ran.
The next moment, a loud noise and wind pressure that was not comparable to before reached the two from behind. They were able to imagine it without looking back. The monster's second attack destroyed the cabin.
"Chatarou, that monster could be..."
"Ah. This is the first time I've seen one so close, but I think it's an Aramitama."
The two looked at each other as they fled through the forest.
Aramitama.
A mysterious creature called Mitama floats around Ayaka Island and is invisible and harmless to ordinary humans. However, the story changes when strong emotions are absorbed and stagnated. It acquires a body by absorbing surrounding matter and goes crazy without orbit. This kind of thing is called Aramitama on this island.
How many people must have visited that cabin after hearing ghost stories before Yako and Chatarou? Although it varies from person to person, they brought a strong emotion of fear to the place.
The two children acted as the final trigger, and the Mitama around the cabin transformed into Aramitama.
"There's nothing we can do about the Aramitama. Is there something about the pulse connector boy?!"
"Chatarou?!"
At this moment, Chatarou, who was running beside him, stopped. When he looked, he saw that a thick vine was wrapped around his neck, and was growing from the Aramitama of the great tree behind him. Apparently, that arm was shaped like a long swirl of vines.
"Let go!"
Yako picked up a fist-sized stone from the ground and smashed it against the vines that trapped Chatarou. However, that did not cause them to drop it, as it only caused small scratches on the surface. As he did so, the vines dug deep into Chatarou's neck.
"Ah... gah... ugh...!"
"Please wait! I'm definitely going to... cough, cough!"
At that moment, Yako's body began to scream, as if he paid the price for the quick exercise. He tried to hit him with another rock, but he couldn't get enough force.
That is not the case now.
The life of his dear friend is at stake.
"I don't care how bad it gets later, just for now...!"
With tears in his eyes, Yako tried to scream, but his body did not listen to him.
However, his most sincere wish had definitely come true.
A pure wind blew from beyond.
"The softest thing in the world, the most solid thing in the world are conquered and nothingness enters nothingness."
The moment a clear voice echoed around them, a tornado was born between the Aramitama and Yako. And he broke the vine that had captured Chatarou into thousands of pieces.
"Kuh... haa... haa...!"
Chatarou was finally allowed to breathe and crawled on all fours, desperately trying to get oxygen. Yako sat next to him and said, "Okay..." as he coughed and his expression fell.
There...
"It's okay now, guys."
He could hear the clear voice from before. This time he was close. Before he knew it, there was a young man in a hunting uniform standing right next to Yako and Chatarou. He must be in his twenties. Not only is he beautiful in profile, but the way he stands there is already beautiful.
"Leave the rest to me."
When he said that to the two children, the young man extended the tip of his unfurled fan ("Heaven") in front of him. At the end of this line was the Aramitama, who has had one of his arms cut off along with the vine.
"Furious Mitama, return to the great flow."
"......!"
As if resisting the young man's words, the giant tree monster trembled silently. Then he pointed his uninjured arm forward.
Frush!
The vines grew again. The thick and flexible whip attacked the youths at high speed while cutting through the air.
"Ugh...!"
Yako instinctively turned his head.
However, no matter how much time passes, Aramitama's vines do not appear.
Instead, a singing voice reached his ears.
"Those who do not lose their place are long gone; those who do not die live a long time."
When Yako cautiously looked up, the wind swirled around him, Chatarou, and the young man. It became a wall that protected them and prevented the vines released by the Aramitama from reaching them.
"It must have been hard. Getting carried away by the emotions caused by humans."
The young man made a sad face as the Aramitama hit the vines against the wind wall again and again. Then, he gently extended his hand.
"...Now, let's rest."
The next moment, the Aramitama flew into the sky with a booming sound. His height was greater than the surrounding trees. It seemed like he had decided that a half-hearted attack wouldn't work and he was planning to crush the young man with his weight.
If he could destroy a hut with a single swing of his arm, what would happen if his entire body crashed into it?
Yako and Chatarou imagined the "end" in a few seconds and were terrified.
However, such a desperate future did not come.
"Nothing is called the beginning of heaven and earth, and being is called the mother of all things."
The young man sang three times.
The soft voice spread across the wind and enveloped the Aramitama in flight. Before long, the once strong tree began to crumble and rot, and all that was left in the air was a large, extravagant eye. However, it turned into pale particles of light and finally turned into a bright rain that fell on the forest.
"Ah, that's very strange..."
"Yes... it's ayakai..."
Yako and Chatarou spoke with their eyes and mouths wide open, speaking only in the exclusive language of Ayaka Island.
A young man approached the two with a smile. It's hard to believe that he has just defeated Aramitama's threat, and his steps are light, as if he had just arrived in the neighborhood to do some shopping.
"Are you hurt? Yako-kun, Chatarou-kun."
"Ah, thank you, Kurama-sensei."
"Thanks to you I saved my life..."
Taking a hand from the young Kurama, Yako and Chatarou staggered to their feet.
His name is Haruaki Kurama. He is the priest of the Kaizumi Shrine in Minoshima and is one of the rare "pulse connectors" who can pacify the Aramitama. He is famous for being a person of character who lends his wisdom not only to cases involving Aramitama, but also to the problems of the island's residents. Therefore, both Yako and Chatarou knew Kurama since they were children. However, it's the first time they've had a face-to-face conversation like that without an adult involved.
"I've been worried about the stagnation around here for some time. I came to see if the Aramitama was about to leave..."
"Does that mean we were in big trouble?"
Chatarou took Kurama's explanation with a wry smile. Despite being almost suffocated by the vines of the Aramitama, the boy with glasses had already recovered his usual vigor.
In comparison, Yako spoke less. Unlike Chatarou, he had not received any direct damage, but the fact that he had forced his body to flee and try to save Chatarou had left a trail behind him. He tried to keep the noise down so as not to disturb Chatarou and Kurama's conversation, but he continued coughing.
"Yako-kun. I guess you're not okay."
Kurama noticed Yako's state and called out to him.
"I heard from your parents that you were born with a weak body. But now that I've seen you up close, I can see it. It seems that's not the only reason for your condition."
"What do you mean?"
Yako asked confused. Meanwhile, Kurama was watching the sickly boy alternately from the front and back.
"There are places where the flow of life energy is stagnant. If we can successfully resolve it..."
As he muttered to himself, Kurama put his hand in front of Yako's chest. When he closed his eyes, Kurama's palm took on a faint white glow.
"It's warm..."
Yako surrendered to the comfort of the light shining in Kurama's hands. The shortness of breath that ate away at his throat and lungs after overexerting his body gradually subsided.
"What about now?"
"Breathing feels so easy... it's like magic..."
Kurama was looking at his face and Yako responded in shock. Hearing that, the young connector nodded in satisfaction and said, "That's good."
"Kurama-sensei is amazing! You did it, Yako!"
Chatarou got excited and jumped while he shouted hurrah. He has seen up close his friend go through difficult times due to a physical illness. As a result, he was filled with joy as if it were his own.
"Ah, that! Thank you very much!"
Looking directly at Kurama, Yako bowed his head so deeply that his forehead almost touched the ground. Not only did he save him from a crisis, but he also broke the chains that had bound him since he was born. The depth of his gratitude was also reflected in the angle of his bow.
"Even if you're no longer short of breath, that doesn't mean your body has gotten stronger, right? Please don't overexert yourself."
Poof-poof. Kurama patted Yako's chest as if he were going to hit him gently. Then, he looked up at the roof of the forest, where a large hole had been left by the flight of the great Aramitama tree, and beyond it the sky was beginning to turn blonde.
"You two, it's time to go home. Regardless of whether there are ghosts or not, the dark forest is dangerous."
After saying that, he turned to the two children and said with a smile, "I'll take you home.".
That night, Yako looked out the window, excited.
If his body had been exhausted from spending time in the forest after school, at that moment he would have started to have a fever and cough if everything had continued as usual. However, perhaps because he was able to regain a normal flow of vitality, he only felt a little lazy and not enough to fall asleep.
All that too...
"Thanks to Kurama-sensei...!"
Yako spoke the name of his benefactor with great regret. His gratitude for Kurama grows stronger every time he thinks about it, and now it's starting to turn into admiration.
"I want to be like you. Someone who can save lives and hearts."
Yako spoke forcefully of the dream that had just been born that day. At the same time, the image of Chatarou suffering in agony as the Aramitama nearly suffocated him returned to his mind.
He felt frustrated and helpless because he could only watch his friend approach death. If he could be like Kurama, he's sure he'd never have to feel this way again.
"Tomorrow I will ask Kurama-sensei to make me his apprentice."
One night later, Yako set out to make his dream come true. He was so nervous and excited that he couldn't sleep well that day.
The next day, Yako left home early in the morning. He wanted to become Kurama's disciple as soon as possible, so he planned to board the first sea train bound for Sannoshima.
But...
"Ah..."
In the center of the platform at Ninoshima Station, which was thought to be deserted, Yako saw a boy with familiar glasses. This is Chatarou. He noticed his presence immediately and made a "Hm." sound with the mouth.
When the train arrived, the two boarded without saying a word. Although they sat opposite each other during the trip, they only stared at each other and there was no conversation. As soon as the door of the train that arrived in Minoshima opened, they began walking side by side towards the Kaizumi Shrine on the top of a small mountain.
Yako stepped forward with an indifferent look on his face, and Chatarou quickly passed him as he whistled. Clicking his tongue, Yako took the lead in a short race, and Chatarou, not to be left behind, increased his speed as well.
As they repeated that, they started running as fast as they could while trying to push each other with their shoulders. Immediately after arriving at the area filled with morning fog, they were in such a tie that they had to sit down on the spot.
"Haa... haa... haa..."
"Haa... haa... haa..."
Yako and Chatarou continued to look at each other in silence, both out of breath.
At that moment, Kurama appeared from beyond the mist, holding a bamboo broom. When he saw the children, he narrowed his eyes and said, "Hello.".
"Are you coming to visit so early in the morning?"
At the same time Kurama asked that, Yako and Chatarou, who had been sitting on their butts, quickly moved to sit up straight. Then, they straightened their backs and bowed their heads at the same time, as if they had practiced beforehand.
"Take me as your disciple."
"I guess that's impossible."
Kurama said with a bright laugh.
On the other hand, Yako and Chatarou, who were rejected while expressing their wishes, both made faces that said, "Why?".
"What you want to be is a close disciple, right? I'm sorry, but I have no intention of accepting disciples."
Turning his back on the boys, Kurama began to sweep the floor with his broom. Although it was not a clear rejection, it was as if he had no intention of discussing the matter further.
Still, Yako did not give up. That is a newborn but important dream. There is no way for him to give up easily.
"Do something about it! I really want to become your disciple!"
"Yako..."
Yako tried his best to appeal to Kurama's back. Chatarou smiled when he saw it, because he felt the same way.
"I will not move from here until my master makes me his disciple!"
Pashin. Chatarou patted his thigh and declared that. Immediately, Yako became competitive and said, "I won't move either!".
"No matter what you do, my opinion will not change."
Saying that with a sigh, Kurama entered the office without even looking at the boys. There doesn't seem to be any island to reach at that time.
"If this happens, it's a matter of patience."
"Yes."
Yako nodded at Chatarou's words.
Waiting will be a tough battle, but they are not alone. As long as there is a rival at your side, the feeling of not wanting to lose will continue to increase. It seems like they can last forever with just that. Both Yako and Chatarou felt that way, although they wouldn't say it out loud.
"Is it already noon?"
Kurama looked at the clock on the wall and muttered that. After finishing the morning cleaning, he took refuge in the office at the back of the shrine, where he had been sitting at his desk and writing on the amulets with a brush.
"......"
Suddenly, Kurama looked over his shoulder. There is nothing special in that direction in the room. But...
"Wow, Haru-nii."
The sliding door opened with a languid voice. The person who entered was a young man in his twenties who exuded a calm aura. This is Kurama's youngest disciple, who is actually like a younger brother to him.
"Hey, don't you have some pocket money? I was playing cards with my friends and for some reason I ran out of money."
Jingi said, sitting cross-legged on the tatami.
"Jingi. I can't spend my pocket money if you're going to use it for gambling."
Kurama said with a surprised expression, and Jingi held his head in a theatrical tone and said, "That's very true.". However, he immediately raised his index finger as if to say, "I have an idea!".
"Okay, I'll stop asking for pocket money! So lend me the money! I'm sure I'll pay it back eventually!"
"Isn't that how people say things when they don't return something?"
With a sigh and a wry smile, Kurama put down his pen and said, "You're right.". He then took out the wallet that he was carrying in his fist.
Kurama thinks it's sweet even for him. However, perhaps because he has been taking care of him since he was a child, he can't help but want to help him. He is like a grandfather with a grandson.
"Hehehe, thanks."
Jingi smiled widely as he put the money Kurama had lent him into his pants pocket. Looking to the side, Kurama picked up the brush again and began writing on the amulet.
"By the way, Haru-nii. There were two kids sitting outside, what was that? Are you punishing them for stealing money?"
"......"
When Jingi asked, Kurama's neat writing became slightly messy. It seems that neither Yako nor Chatarou have given up yet.
"It seems that they want to become my apprentices."
"Be a disciple of a priest?"
"...That would have been nice."
Kurama laughed, looking worried. With just that, Jingi understood the situation.
"Hey, are you hoping to hook up with someone? There are strange people out there too."
Although he spoke in a mocking manner, Jingi's expression seemed somehow happy.
"And then? You made them your disciples?"
"That's not my intention. I told you so."
"So they're just sitting around complaining? Ha, they're doing a good job in this damn hot weather."
Jingi laughed and blew a breeze around his neck with a fan.
At that, Kurama made a surprised face.
Looking closely, he could see beads of sweat on Jingi's forehead and neck. He didn't know it because he had been locked in the office the whole time, but maybe the temperature and sunlight outside were not comfortable.
"Jingi."
"Eh?"
When Jingi turned at the call, he saw Kurama rummaging through his desk drawer.
"It would be a disaster if they collapsed from the heat. Could you pass the umbrella to them both?"
Kurama said as he handed Jingi a folding umbrella.
"Why would I do something like that?"
For a moment, Jingi refused, but then he remembered what was in his pants pocket and reluctantly accepted the umbrella.
"Plus, they're probably thirsty, so bring some water and a towel to wipe off the sweat. Plus, it must be hard to sit up straight all the time, so they'd have to sit in a chair and, oh, maybe they're hungry. Could you make them some rice balls?"
"If you're going to get this far, accept them as your apprentices."
Jingi looked at Kurama, who was doing his best to take care of the children, his eyes narrowed in shock.
"Okay, you can make them your disciples. I think Haru-nii is suitable for teaching someone, right?"
It was a sincere and honest feeling. He is sure that his elder brother will teach and guide his disciples with kindness and patience.
But the person in question doesn't seem to believe it. Kurama silently shook his head.
"I couldn't stop my brother and friend from going astray... even though he was the closest to me. There is no way he can guide others in the right direction."
Kurama looked down sadly.
The person he mentioned was Aka Ibuki, who studied and grew up with the "great hermit" Makoto Yanagi. Currently, Ibuki has deviated from Yanagi's teachings and has become an evil follower. Even now, several years later, Kurama still regrets not being able to stop him beforehand.
Of course, Jingi was well aware of the circumstances around him. After all, when Yanagi was alive, he, Kurama, Ibuki, and Yanagi's son Yukito lived under the same roof. In other words, just as Kurama is an older brother, Ibuki is an older brother to Jingi as well. That's why he can painfully understand Kurama's regret towards Ibuki and his hesitation in becoming a mentor because of it.
However, Jingi deliberately ignored him. There are times when a certain kind of callousness is necessary. His deep intuition told him that now was the time.
"No, it's Aka-nii's fault for becoming like this. He's always been reluctant to listen to what others have to say, he's an ultra-stubborn person."
After happily criticizing Ibuki, who was not there, Jingi sat on the corner of the desk. Kurama tried to warn him about his bad manners, but missed the opportune moment when Jingi pointed his finger at the tip of his nose a second earlier.
"Aka-nii doesn't care about that. But doesn't Haru-nii have an obligation?"
"Obligation?"
"Okay. Isn't it the role of Haru-nii, the greatest disciple of the "great hermit" Makoto Yanagi, to pass on the teachings of Yanagi-ryu to the next generation?"
"Passing the teachings of Yanagi-ryu to the next generation..."
Kurama repeated his words carefully.
Then, Jingi brought his face closer to him.
"If Haru-ni doesn't accept disciples, the future of Yanagi-ryu will be completely dark, right? After all, the only ones left are the one who has gone astray, the one who is only interested in living freely, and the one who doesn't even has trained yet.''
"You still have a mouth that turns a lot."
Although Kurama had a worried expression on his face, he let out a sigh of admiration. Instead of being persuaded logically, he was overwhelmed by an avalanche of verbal attacks.
"I can't compete with Haru-nii in terms of ability as a connector, but I don't think I lose when it comes to talking."
Jingi proudly rubbed his finger under his nose. He then asked Kurama again.
"And? In the end, will you accept the disciples, yes or no?"
"......"
Kurama didn't respond.
However, his gaze, which he used to look downwards due to regret and hesitation, was now looking straight ahead.
The heat of the sun falling directly from above. As a result, Yako felt like his neck was slowly being burned.
Several hours had passed since the early morning sit-in began and it was almost noon.
His legs, which have been sitting straight for so long, have overcome the numbness and pain and have lost all feeling.
"Haa... haa..."
Very hot, thirsty. They were hungry too.
(Let's just give up.)
He could hear that whisper inside his ear.
To be honest, Yako almost gave in to that voice many times. But every time she did that, he directed his attention to his neighbor. He looked at Chatarou, who was also sweating and continued sitting.
When he noticed Yako's gaze, he laughed.
(What's with that relaxed look on your face?)
At that moment he felt as if his feelings, which had been on the verge of falling apart, had found their core again. He looked like he could give his best again.
So there...
"Oh. You're still sitting there with stupid honesty."
Jingi approached with a flirtatious smile. He then stood behind the children and pushed their feet with his fingers.
"It's not like anyone is watching you, so you should just stand at attention or retreat into the shadows."
"Aaaaaaaaahhh!"
"Ah, the feet! Don't touch my feet!"
The lost sensation of pain was restored and Yako and Chatarou fainted from the pain, as if they were receiving an electric shock. Seeming to find his reactions very amusing, Jingi continued to move their legs rhythmically, as if he were playing a musical instrument.
"P-please take it easy!"
"Go away! Shhh!"
The boys sat up and waved their arms, trying to shoo Jingi behind them.
But...
"Is it okay for you to talk to me like that? I'm your benefactor, benefactor."
A significant statement made by someone who was thought to be a nuisance. As a result, Yako and Chatarou's attacks were temporarily stopped.
"You were in trouble because Haru-nii refused to make you his apprentices, right? You should be grateful, the great Jingi-san sincerely asked him to accept you. "Please accept them as your disciples", that's what I said."
Jingi made a supplication with many parts expressed. The performance is strangely detailed, with slurping and choking on the words in between. He seems to be good not only at speaking but also at acting.
"Then we...!"
"Can we be his disciples?"
Yako and Chatarou twisted their upper bodies to the limit and looked at Jingi behind them. Perhaps in reaction to the difficulties they have had so far, the two were filled with joy.
"I'm glad your wish came true. Well, then, 5,000 yen per person, including the persuasion fee and brokerage fee..."
He extended his left and right palms to the children and prepared to collect money. But soon, a hand came out from the side and grabbed his wrist, squeezing his joints.
The older brother even criticized the younger brother's problematic behavior.
"I thought it was taking you too long to call them both, but you ended up doing unnecessary things, right, Jingi?"
"It's painful! It's a light joke, Haru-nii!"
Although he groaned in pain, Jingi smiled and insisted that he was joking. Kurama let out a sigh at his lack of remorse. He then approached the boys who were sitting, bent his knees and looked them in the eyes.
"They both worked hard for a long time."
Kurama gently touched Yako and Chatarou's heads. And...
"First of all, eat and rest. After that, let's talk about turning you into apprentices."
Kurama then took Yako and Chatarou to a residence next to the main shrine where they ate.
Surprisingly, the one who cooked the food was Jingi, and his skill was at the level of a small restaurant. The boys were about to reconsider Jingi, but witnessed Kurama lecture him in the kitchen after dinner. Apparently, he was secretly trying to charge Yako and Chatarou for the food. Therefore, the evaluation remained negative.
"Well, let's go now."
About an hour after eating, Kurama called Yako and Chatarou. The three moved to a forest a little further away. The trees lined up are peach trees. Right now it's all green, but in the spring, one corner of the sanctuary will be painted bright pink.
"I can sense your desire to be a pulse connector. However, I would like you to try one more thing."
Kurama stopped at the edge of the forest, right where the row of peach trees ended.
"Will you be able to connect to the life line?"
Kurama took a seed out of his pocket and let it fall to the ground. He folded his hands, closed his eyes and sang.
"Everything is created with the blessing of the great way."
The next moment, a small sprout emerged from the ground. It continued to grow and in less than a minute became as splendid as the surrounding trees.
"Wow, that's amazing..."
Yako muttered as he blinked repeatedly at the magical phenomenon that occurred nearby. Chatarou and Yako opened their mouths and ran their palms along the trunks of the newly grown tree, as if to confirm that it was not an illusion.
"What I just showed you is Yanagi-ryu, the basic training at the school where I learned. It cultivates the sense and power to connect with the life line."
When Kurama said that, Yako and Chatarou's faces became even more surprised. Both boys looked nervously at the surrounding trees.
"No way..."
"The peach tree here is..."
Kurama responded with a slight smile at the boys' question, which seemed to be a soliloquy.
"Of course not all of them, right? But at least the trees around you were grown by Yanagi-ryu members through training."
It is said that miracles like the one Kurama performed previously have been performed as many times as there are peach trees in that area. Both Yako and Chatarou were so amazed by that fact that they both trembled and at the same time their hearts warmed with admiration.
"Someday we will too..."
Yako and Chatarou looked at each other and nodded.
Kurama stared dazzlingly at the two, whose eyes shone like those of little children. But soon his expression tightened.
"I will ask you both to do this training as well. Of course, I will not ask you to grow a tree from the beginning."
Kurama raised three fingers again.
"Grow the seed in three days. If you can do it, I will accept you as my disciples."
"Yes!"
Yako and Chatarou nodded without hesitation at Kurama's conditions. It's not about whether it's possible or not. A strong will to "do it" overflowed from their bodies.
"You seem to be in a good mood."
As he said that, Kurama took out two seeds. Then he placed them in Yako and Chatarou's palms.
"Once you have planted the seed, chant: "Everything is created with the blessing of the great way". If you are successful, you will be able to encourage the seed to germinate. But don't forget this."
Kurama leaned his tall body to meet the boys' eyes.
"The most important thing is not the words. It is connecting with the life line that flows deep underground."
"Connect with the life line..."
When Yako repeated his words, Kurama agreed with a satisfied "Yes.". Then, he straightened his back and spoke in a clear voice.
"So, now we will begin the learning exam. The deadline is until sunset the day after tomorrow."
Kurama clapped his hands loudly as a signal to begin.
Immediately afterwards, Yako and Chatarou stood side by side and dropped the seeds on the ground. Then they placed their fingers in the shape of a cross and sang.
"Everything is created with the blessing of the great path!"
The boys' voices overlapped.
Kurama heard that in the background as he left Jingi. Then, he suddenly stopped and opened his mouth, looking ahead where no one was looking.
"Sometimes it's okay. Can you check on them?"
"I don't have enough free time to protect those children."
Diagonally behind Kurama, leaning against a tree, Jingi frowned in annoyance.
"Once a day, I'll give you some pocket money whenever you see how they're doing."
"I'm bored! I'm such a lazy person that I'm going to protect those children!"
Jingi smiled and ran away. The destination is where Yako and Chatarou are training.
Kurama smiled bitterly at the actions of his younger brother, concerned about money. And...
"In my case, if I saw two people in trouble, I would help them."
He muttered with a hint of self-mockery.
"Haa... haa... haa..."
It was Yako who was crawling on all fours and breathing heavily.
Beside him, Chatarou was breathing on his shoulder.
The setting sun illuminated them and the forest where they were.
The two of them had been chanting spells relentlessly since the beginning of the exam. However, the seeds planted in the ground remained silent.
"Danm..."
Muttering in frustration, Yako dug his nails into the dirt floor.
The life line Kurama mentioned runs deep underground. To connect with that, Yako has continued to focus his attention on his feet. However, he still doesn't have an idea what the omen will be.
"That I have to do?"
Chatarou also moaned as he scratched his curly-haired head. The rivals seemed to be equally eager.
"Looks like you're in trouble."
Among the peach trees, among the deep shadows cast by the setting sun, Jingi appeared. Slimy like a monster. He doesn't know how long he had been waiting, but he was definitely waiting for the right moment when he appeared during a lull in the boys' conversation.
"Jingi!"
"Add the "san", brats."
Jingi lightly tapped Yako and Chatarou's foreheads.
"Well, how do you know my name if you haven't told me yours? Are you my fan?"
"I don't know anything about it, but you are a famous person in Ninoshima... no, on Ayaka Island."
Yako said as he pressed his forehead against Jingi who looked at him suspiciously.
"Am I really that famous? Well, recently I started doing connector-like things."
Upon learning that his name is known throughout the island, Jingi ruffled his hair. He is in a very good mood.
But...
"You are famous for being the problem child of Ayaka Island.", Chatarou said, and Yako continued, "All the adults say you are a bad example."
"Who is the problem child and the bad example, idiots!"
Exploding with dissatisfaction, Jingi held Yako and Chatarou's heads in his arms and squeezed them.
"It wasn't us who said that, Jingi!"
"That's right, Jingi! It's a false accusation!"
"I told you to add the "san", right?"
Since the boys didn't change his name, Jingi strengthened his strength even more. However, the guys not only received one-sided treatment.
"Stop!''
"Please let go of me!"
They counterattacked Jingi with their fists and feet.
When that fight lasted about three minutes...
"This is not the time to do this!"
With a particularly loud voice, Yako forcefully slipped out of Jingi's arms. He then turned to him with a penetrating and determined look.
"We are taking the exam to become Kurama-sensei's disciples! Please don't bother us!"
"Exam?"
Jingi looked stunned for a moment.
"That's right, it's an exam! That's why I called you!"
As he laughed out loud, he let go of Chatarou, who was still pinned down.
"Shall I help you with the exam?"
"You?"
Chatarou asked with a frown. The expression on his face was not only caused by the pain in his head, but also by disbelief.
"Okay. I look like this, but I am the third disciple of the "great hermit", right?"
Jingi dropped a seed at his feet, crossed his right and left fingers, and said, "Everything is created with the blessing of the great path!"
Finally, a bud appeared from the ground, and after a while, it turned into a peach tree with splendid branches.
"It's more or less like this."
Jingi put his hands on his hips, puffed out his chest as if he were going to back away, and laughed.
"Oh, I will. There's nothing to be proud of..."
Lifting his glasses, Chatarou honestly spoke words of praise. He was able to easily complete the task he was having trouble with. He couldn't help but admit it.
"If you leave it to me, this test will be over in seconds."
Saying that with confidence, Jingi extended his left and right palms towards Yako and Chatarou, respectively.
"Well, the helper fee is 5,000 yen per person. What do you think? Huh?"
"After all, the purpose is to make money."
Chatarou sighed with an exasperated look on his face.
However, Yako's reaction was different.
"If you can do this difficult task for 5,000 yen, it could be a good deal."
"You..."
Seeing Yako nod in admiration, Chatarou's face turned into a mixture of surprise and anger. Then, Yako noticed the look in his friend's eyes and let out a small laugh.
"If you think it is impossible to pass, let me know at any time. I will lend you 5,000 yen."
"Who's going to borrow it from you? Don't be stupid!"
Even when he raised his voice, the corners of Chatarou's mouth raised.
"It's a shame. If you had asked, I could have told Kurama-sensei that Chatarou cheated."
"You really have a bad personality."
The two began to move slowly while chatting lightly. Then, as before, they lined up side by side. They were still going to do the test.
"Hey, don't you need help? If you don't have much money for out-of-pocket expenses, you can split the fee."
Jingi opened his doors again. But...
"Please stay back!"
"Get out of the way!"
The boys looked over their shoulders and refused in unison. They then began to recite the spell they had repeated many times that day.
In the end, although they persevered until the last train, Yako and Chatarou were unable to advance on the first day of the exam.
Still, the two never looked down.
On the second day they were in high spirits and arrived at Minoshima on the first train.
"Everything is created with the blessing of the great path!"
The boys' voices echoed through the morning fog. They look a little blurry compared to usual. It is definitely the result of yesterday's fight.
However, they don't have the luxury of worrying about whether or not their throat hurts. If the sprouts do not sprout before sunset tomorrow, they will not be able to become Kurama's apprentices.
(Connect! Connect, connect, connect!)
It was Yako who echoed the voice of impatience in his heart.
Kurama said: "The most important thing is to connect with the life line.". And it is said to flow deep underground.
Therefore, Yako has been focused on his feet since the beginning of the exam. However, there was still no tangible response.
He may simply not have the talent to connect the threads and he simply does not realize that the thread of life flows beneath his feet. Such a faint thought crossed his mind.
But...
"Come out noooooooooow!"
Yako suddenly came back to his senses when he heard the powerful voice that echoed. When he looked next to him, he saw his rival, who was thinking about the peach seed, without even taking the time to wipe the sweat.
He can't stand losing.
When Yako demonstrated the competitiveness he had known since childhood, he returned his attention to his feet.
"It" happened on the second day of the exam, just as night began to fall.
"What?"
It was Yako who let out his stupid voice. But it was understandable. He felt a sense of crisis, as if he had been swallowed by a torrent, and a sense of security, as if he were being huddled against a large tree. He experienced a strange mix of those sensations in less than a second.
"Right now..."
Blinking, Yako looked at his feet.
Deep, deep, deep.
As a result of sinking his consciousness underground, Yako was able to connect, even if momentarily.
Yes, it was the life line.
"Yako, maybe you..."
Pushing up his glasses, Chatarou looked closely at Yako's face. Then the thin boy suddenly smiled back.
"It's a shame, Chatarou. It looks like I'll be Kurama-sensei's number one disciple."
"Guh...!"
Chatarou gritted his teeth in frustration, sensing from Yako's attitude that something had been accomplished.
"It seems that the connection has not been established yet. Ah, the life line is deeper than I thought."
"Loud, loud! I'll connect right now too!"
Chatarou turned his head and returned to his usual position.
After saying goodbye to that, Yako also headed to the place where his seed would be buried.
(I will try to connect again.)
Taking a long, thin breath, Yako once again regained consciousness…
"Cough, cough."
A cough escaped his mouth. That sound, the impact hitting his lungs, broke Yako's concentration.
And as if that were a sign, all the strength left his entire body.
Yako's body, which had been overworked for two days in a row, seemed to have already reached its limit.
"Just a little more... just a little more..."
As he fell to his knees, Yako grumbled sadly.
"Why am I so fragile...? Why...?"
Yako dropped his fist on his thigh as if questioning his own body. But even that power was already weak.
"Yako..."
Chatarou tried to call Yako, but stopped talking just before doing so. He didn't know what to say at that moment.
So he had no choice but to look at the sky. The moon shone faintly in the night sky. However, thick clouds were slowly approaching.
Third day. The last day of the exam.
Clouds completely covered the entire island of Ayaka, bringing rain to the island since midnight.
And that continued in Minoshima as noon approached.
"Everything is created with the blessing of the great path!"
Chatarou was the one who cast the spell. Along with the surrounding trees and the ground, it was bathed in gently falling raindrops.
Actually, he was wearing a raincoat when he left home, but perhaps because it was cheap, he got so hot that he started sweating while taking the exam. So he decided to take the plunge and get rid of it.
"...It feels spacious."
Chatarou turned to the empty space next to him and let out a sigh.
That morning Yako did not appear on the first sea train. He has contacted him but has not yet received a response. Judging by his appearance yesterday, there is a good chance that he is already in bed at home.
Yako didn't come.
However, somewhere in Chatarou's heart, he was waiting for his rival to arrive, even though he wasn't supposed to.
At that moment, he heard the faint sound of shoes walking on the muddy ground.
Step by step he approached.
"......!"
When Chatarou turned around with a confused look on his face...
"Ugh. How are you?"
What appeared was an umbrella. What he could see underneath were mud-spattered pants and shoes.
He couldn't see his face because his upper body was completely covered by an umbrella, but judging from his tone and voice, there is no doubt that it is Jingi.
"What's wrong, Jingi?"
"Hello, listen."
Jingi let out a voice of dissatisfaction at Chatarou's clearly unwelcoming attitude. But soon after he said in his usual tone: "Here we are!"
Not Chatarou.
Jingi spoke to someone who was under his umbrella.
"Thank you."
Accompanied by a weak voice that seemed drowned out by the sound of rain, someone landed on the ground from Jingi's back.
"Sorry... I'm a little late."
"Yako..."
Chatarou said his name with a smile on his pale face, an expression between crying and laughing.
"Can you pay the transportation fare from the station to here now?"
When Jingi called him, Yako nodded timidly. He began to walk with hesitant steps and arrived at Chatarou's side.
"I will not lose... Chatarou. I will become Kurama-sensei's number one disciple..."
Yako spoke to Chatarou looking forward and he made a seal. And...
"Everything is created... with the blessing... of the great way..."
As he said the spell, Yako's body slowly leaned back. But he didn't fall and was covered in mud.
That's because Chatarou supported him.
"Ah, you just collapsed. I was planning to start working as an assistant from now on."
Jingi let out a sigh, as if he was wrong. But he immediately smiled at Chatarou and said, "It's okay, I still have you.".
"Why aren't you doing well on the exam? Hmm? How about a reliable helper...?"
In the middle of speaking at a good pace, Jingi clicked his tongue loudly.
"No, it's already out."
"Eh...?"
For a moment, Chatarou couldn't understand the meaning of Jingi's irritating words. However, he quickly realized that and looked down, still holding Yako.
All he could see was the black, wet ground. However, there was only a small green spot there.
The buds of the peach tree peeked out slightly.
"Why...?"
Questions left Chatarou's mouth in joy. That couldn't be helped either.
After all, Chatarou still hasn't felt as connected to the life line as Yako felt last night.
However, that is something that Chatarou himself did not realize.
From early in the morning until this time today, Chatarou dedicated himself to the exam with even more zeal than the first or second day.
It was partly to forget the loneliness of not having a rival at his side, but the environment sharpened his concentration.
"The path of life is deeper than I expected." He continued to chant the spell innocently and honestly, keeping in mind the words of Yako, who had just connected to the life line.
As expected, Chatarou managed to connect with the life line.
However, it was so thin that he couldn't even notice that he was gaining life force.
That's why he had doubts about the outbreak.
"I don't care why, do you? You passed the test anyway."
Jingi secured the center pole of the umbrella between his neck and shoulders and used his free hands to say "Congratulations." and give a slow applause.
Passing the exam is the result of hard work. However, there was no smile on Chatarou's face. On the contrary, he was looking at Yako in his arms with a confused look in his eyes.
Chatarou soon looked up. Then, with a determined expression on his face, he focused on the mission.
"I have a favor to ask of you."
"......!"
Yako jumped up. The first thing that caught his attention was an unfamiliar Japanese-style room.
"Where I am...?"
His head, still dull and sore, began to think.
If he remembers correctly, he had been feeling unwell since last night and could barely move in the morning. But he couldn't just sleep like that under the futon.
He would make a peach tree sprout and become Kurama's disciple.
With that in mind, Yako crawled out of the house and boarded the sea train, dragging his heavy body.
Then, dazed, he somehow makes it to Minoshima... and doesn't remember anything after that.
"Are you awake?"
Suddenly, he heard a voice nearby. When he turned his attention away from him, Chatarou was sitting cross-legged.
"What? How so?"
Yako frowned. Chatarou was not wearing his usual clothes, but rather a white Shinto priest's robe.
"I got soaked from the rain. I asked Kurama-sensei to lend me a change of clothes. Just like you."
Yako finally realized it after Chatarou told him. He was also wearing a white coat.
"Thank you, okay? I was the one who carried you here after you collapsed, right?"
Chatarou nudged him on the shoulder condescendingly. Accepting that, Yako asked him what was worrying him.
"Collapse... where?"
"Training ground. You looked shaky, chanted a spell, and then collapsed. Well, I wanted to show you. That wonderful fall..."
"That... caused problems."
Yako apologized sincerely, which was rare. A headache different from his physical condition was coming.
"Ugh..."
"Do you still feel bad?"
It must have been because Yako let out a sigh, Chatarou looked at his face with a worried expression on his face.
"It's not like I'm going to collapse anymore. But if I collapsed, I thought I probably didn't do well on the exam."
Smiling weakly, Yako looked at Chatarou.
"How was it, Chatarou? The exam."
"I..."
Just when Chatarou started to open his mouth...
"How is Yako-kun?"
A soft voice came from behind the shoji screen.
"Ah. He just woke up."
When Chatarou responded, the shoji door opened silently. The person who appeared was Kurama. Behind him you can see a black and rainy sky. The deadline for sunset had already passed and night had arrived.
The reason why he could immediately see what was happening outside was because Kurama was standing on the terrace, and the room where Yako and the others were was adjacent to it.
"Your complexion has improved a lot."
"I'm sorry. I borrowed your clothes and bedding."
When Yako lowered his head, Kurama stopped him with his hand.
"I'm the one who should apologize. I purposely avoided visiting the training grounds for the past three days, so as not to disrupt the exam. But as a result, I couldn't do so because I was worried about your health."
Kurama bowed deeply and said, "I'm so sorry.".
"I promise that from now on, as your master, I will take careful care of you, my apprentice."
"Master... apprentice...?"
Yako bowed his head.
Seeing that, Kurama asked Chatarou, "Didn't you tell him?".
"I thought Yako would be happier if Kurama-sensei told him."
"I see..."
With a small nod, Kurama cleared his throat. He then bent his knees and looked directly at Yako on the bed.
"I accept you as my disciple. Together, let us protect and defend the Yanagi-ryu."
"Eh, yes?!"
Yako was shocked by Kurama's words and unconsciously kicked the quilt that covered his waist.
"Oh, did I pass? I don't remember anything..."
"Look this."
Chatarou held out his cell phone. The image of a small cocoon appeared on the screen.
"Didn't I just tell you that you collapsed while chanting the spell? That's when the seeds sprouted."
"I also went to the training ground and looked at it. I can be sure that the sprouts have sprouted correctly."
Kurama's testimony was added to Chatarou's photographic evidence. At this moment, Yako finally clenched his fists tightly as if he felt happy.
"I... will be Kurama-sensei's disciple...!"
"Good for you, Yako."
"Yes!"
Chatarou's blessing came to his side and Yako responded with a relieved face. But suddenly a question came to his mind.
"What about Chatarou? What happened to Chatarou's exam?"
"You can tell by this face, right?"
Chatarou laughed and shrugged, looking embarrassed.
"So..."
In a normal match, it is normal for the winner to provoke the loser a lot. However, perhaps because he had seen his rival sweating up close, Yako did not feel that way this time.
"You also worked hard for three days."
"Ah..."
Chatarou scratched his head at Kurama's praise. At that moment, he noticed that Yako was giving him a complicated expression.
"You won't be happy if I'm here. I'll go home first."
Chatarou stood up.
"That's right, I..."
"Say it's okay. Losers just leave."
Chatarou greeted and left the room. "I'll take you to the entrance." Kurama said, following him.
In the end, only Yako was left in the room.
"Kurama-sensei's disciple, huh?"
Yako whispered softly.
It's a dream come true and he's happy, but something is missing.
He knew why. There is no rival.
That doesn't mean his relationship with Chatarou will change. However, as Kurama's disciple, they would not compete. Thinking about it that way made him sad.
While he was immersed in that feeling, he heard the sound of heavy footsteps approaching the room.
"Phew, that was a nice bath."
It was Jingi who appeared with a towel around his neck and covered in steam.
"Oh. Did you wake up?"
When Jingi found Yako, he formed a circle with his thumb and index finger.
"Don't forget, okay? The fare for the "Jingi Taxi" that took you from the station to the training ground."
"What do you mean?"
"Are you trying to take me down?! What a villain!"
"I'm sorry, but my memory of today is very vague. I remember until the moment I arrived in Minoshima, but..."
"After that! After that, I, the great Jingi-san, carried you to the training ground on my back!"
"Hmm..."
"Seriously, this guy! This is the height of ingratitude!"
Jingi shook his head in disbelief.
"Hey, the guy with glasses! He saw me carrying you! So what's going on? Where's the guy with glasses?"
"Chatarou? He just came back, but..."
"What?! I'm sure that guy is trying to lower the price too!"
"Why does Chatarou need to pay you?"
"Well, I gave you a hand, so..."
When Jingi was about to say that, he let out a soft murmur of "Oh, no!".
"What do you mean?! Chatarou paid you to help him?!"
"How noisy! I can't answer that for reasons such as protecting the client's privacy! It's a secret! It's a secret!"
Jingi covered his ears with both hands, blocking Yako's questions.
However, a hand reached out from behind and grabbed his head. In contrast to his kind expression, he asked in a cold voice.
"I would like to hear more details too, Jingi?"
Under pressure from Kurama, Jingi easily revealed the situation.
The truth is that Chatarou was the one who took out the buds. And at his request, he replaced it with Yako's seed.
"Guh...!"
Immediately after learning the truth, Yako ran away.
The destination is the maritime train station. No, he can't just go back to his friend.
"Haa... haa... haa...!"
Under the pouring rain, Yako ran as fast as he could, forgetting about his physical condition.
"Chatarou!"
It was just after running down the stone steps and a long straight line that Yako saw the open umbrella. That's the area where food stalls line up during the festival held four times a year at Kaizumi Shrine.
"Yako...?"
Surprised by his friend suddenly approaching from behind, Chatarou turned around.
"Your body is already..."
"What do you mean, Chatarou?"
The umbrella rolled on the ground.
That was because Yako grabbed Chatarou's chest so hard that it seemed like he was going to push him away.
"Jingi has confessed everything! I heard that you replaced the seeds that sprouted with mine?!"
"......"
Chatarou looked uncomfortable, but he remained silent.
Frustrated by his attitude, Yako asked more questions.
"Why would you do that?"
"Because you wanted to be Kurama-sensei's disciple, right? So..."
"Did you take the exam with such a cheerful mentality that you could easily hand over your position as a disciple?"
"Do you feel light?"
Chatarou, who had been blamed for so long, could see the anger in his eyes.
"I wanted to be Kurama-sensei's disciple! I wanted you to give up!"
Chatarou began the conversation with a regretful expression on his face. Then, he screamed, letting out his pent-up emotions.
"But today, when I saw you trying to continue with the exam despite your habit of getting dizzy, I thought to myself...!"
Regretful and satisfied. Chatarou made a complicated expression that shows the two of them living together.
"I don't mind losing to this guy who's working so hard!"
"I..."
Only a little. A murmur escaped Yako's mouth.
A complete change from his fiery energy from before, he lowered his head helplessly.
"They've always made it easy for me. Even after I moved to Ichinoshima and Ninoshima, they told me that I shouldn't try too hard because I'm weak. Everyone gave me priority. But..."
Yako doesn't look up. Still, he said, "You were different.", and he squeezed Chatarou's neck tightly.
What goes through Yako's mind at that moment is that meeting on that rainy day.
"You were serious from the first time we met. You didn't hold back. You didn't treat me any differently."
The voice that spoke wistfully of his memories slowly became hoarse.
"Please don't say, "I don't care if I lose". Don't take pity on me and give up your victory."
It was raining.
Not only from the sky, but also from Yako's eyes, which were still downcast.
"I want to be the same, only with you...!"
"Yako..."
After hearing Yako's complaint, Chatarou regretted his actions. If he had used a little imagination, he should have figured it out.
If the situation had been reversed, he is sure that Yako would not have wanted to lose the victory in that way. He might have spread his anger even further than the night before.
"I will apologize to Kurama-sensei for exchanging seeds."
As he spoke, Chatarou patted Yako on the shoulder.
Then, Yako seemed to have calmed down and slowly loosened his grip on Chatarou's neck.
"I'll go with you. I'm the reason Chatarou cheated."
Yako laughed as he said that, but Chatarou frowned and asked, "Is this cheating?".
"Well, are you sure? I cheated. However, I passed the test by my own ability, so it's strange to say that I cheated, right?"
"But fraud is fraud, right? It's a fact."
"That's it! You know who I paid to do that dishonest thing!"
It was just a smile, but this time Chatarou grabbed Yako's chest and lifted him up.
Then, Yako seemed to get caught up in Chatarou's condescending comment and reached out to touch Chatarou's neck again, saying, "Even though I didn't ask you to do that?"
"What's that?!"
"What did you say?!"
Will there be a fight in the rain for the first time in several years?
"That's all."
It was Kurama who spoke to stop him. Under an open Japanese umbrella, he seemed as relaxed as ever.
"You two, please follow me."
After saying that, Kurama turned on his heel and started walking.
Yako and Chatarou were stunned for a moment when he stopped them just as they were about to warm up. However, they quickly looked at each other, nodded, and followed the young priest.
Kurama took Yako and Chatarou to a training field lined with peach trees.
That is exactly the place where the children had been sweating in line for three days.
And there, still, a cute little cocoon peeked out of the ground. The number is two.
"Ah, the cocoon!"
"Hey, there are two?!"
Yako and Chatarou's eyes widened and their bodies arched even further in surprise.
"It is possible that Yako-kun put his life force into the soil. Then, he gradually transmitted himself to the seed, causing it to sprout late."
"But I didn't arrive in time for sunset..."
Yako had a depressed expression on his face.
Kurama then scratched his head in embarrassment.
"Part of the reason you collapsed was because I wasn't supervising you properly. With that in mind, I'll give you a lenient score on this exam."
"What's happen?"
Chatarou and Yako held their breath as they looked at Kurama.
Immediately after, he smiled deeply.
"You two passed."
"Yahoooooooooooo!"
The boys hugged each other and rolled happily on the muddy ground. If they get so dirty, it wouldn't be enough to change their clothes. It looks like they'll have to wash off the mud in the hot springs at the back of the main shrine.
Kurama narrowed his eyes as the boys were having fun. Jingi then approached him, holding an umbrella.
"It's not just a lenient score, it's super lenient, right?"
"What do you mean?"
Kurama tilted his head.
Seeing his brother's innocent attitude, Jingi smiled and shrugged.
"Well, when I dug up the seeds, I felt like I was just one step away from germination. He has enough talent."
While saying that to himself, Jingi looked at Kurama with an unusually serious expression on his face.
"Anyway, are you okay? This is your first disciple, and suddenly there are two."
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried."
Kurama made a worried smile. But right after that, he said, "But...", and turned his gaze directly towards Yako and Chatarou.
"I thought it would be better for the two of them to be together, although it might be a little difficult for me. The environment where you have your rivals by your side is what helps you grow more than anything."
"Don't speak like someone experienced."
When he said that jokingly, Jingi started to walk away. He got some money and could see that his older brother became more positive. His mission had already been accomplished.
"Don't get too excited and catch a cold, idiots."
On the way home, Jingi called out to Yako and Chatarou, who were throwing their bodies on the ground, exhausted with joy. However, he suddenly noticed something and decided to look over his shoulder and make a slight correction.
"No, from now on, you're my stupid little brothers!"
"......!"
Hearing Jingi's words, Yako and Chatarou jumped up.
That's all.
They have now become disciples of Kurama Haruaki, a pulse connector.
Then, as if he sensed their conscience, Kurama approached the boys.
"From now on, if you want to receive training, please come to the shrine. However, Yanagi-ryu training is not easy, understand?"
The young master made a stern expression and asked.
"Are you ready? Chatarou, Yako."
"Yes, Master!"
The newborn disciples sat upright and responded loudly.
Before he knew it, the rain had stopped and there were only stars in the night sky.
+++++++++++
"I cannot follow you."
"What?"
Yako, who was walking next to Chatarou, asked as he let out a deep sigh.
They are both in Minoshima. Under the gray and rainy sky, they walked along the long path that led to Kaizumi Shrine.
"It's the first day of our memorable training and it's raining, isn't it? Not a good omen, right?"
Waving his umbrella vertically as if to get in the way, Chatarou sighed again.
On the contrary, Yako was not depressed. In fact, he seemed to be in a good mood.
"It is just a thought."
"But you will get wet, the ground will be muddy and it will be difficult to walk, the bottom of your pants will get dirty, the visibility will be bad, it will be wet and your hands will be blocked by the umbrella, right?"
Chatarou listed all the negative points of the rainy days that he could think of.
"That's right." Yako agreed with a wry smile on that point. But he quickly continued: "But...".
"I don't hate it. Wonderful things always come after the rain."
The reason he was able to form a bond with his only rival, was able to become an apprentice to his long-awaited master, was after the rain.
He doesn't know if there will be a third time, but after the rain there may be an encounter or event that will change his life.
There was no way Yako could hate the rain at the point where he was able to make that dream come true.
"Did anything good happen after the rain? The other day we were covered in mud to the point that even if we took a hot spring bath, we couldn't get rid of it."
Chatarou tilted his head in disbelief.
Yako looked at him out of the corner of his eye and smiled.
At that moment, a light shone through his feet.
"Oh. It finally stopped!"
Chatarou took his hand out of the umbrella and checked if the rain had passed. Then, he excitedly began to fold his umbrella.
Following his example, Yako also lowered his umbrella.
Immediately afterwards, his blocked field of vision suddenly opened and a perfect blue sky caught his attention.
And in the background, a young man in a hunting uniform waved in the distance. He is Kurama. The boys were greeted at the bottom of the long stone steps.
"Come on!"
When Yako said that, Chatarou also responded with a strong nod.
Then the disciples began to run up the stairs.
They were aiming for a much higher place where his master was waiting.
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Third Wheeling
CEO!Yoongi x Reader
Genre: Strangers to Lovers!AU, Angst, Fluff, Smut
Chapter 32 (Final Chapter).
Warnings (Updating Still): Smut, Cheating, Unexpected Pregnancy, Unfaithful, Emotional Damage, Love
Warnings For This Chapter: Daddy Kink, Degradation, Hand Job, Lactation Kink, Milk Drinking, Cunnilingus, Fingering, Pregnant Sex, Unprotected Sex, Riding, Begging, Praise, Spanking
A/N: This is the FINAL, FINAL chapter.... Wah, can you believe it? This is so crazy! I'm so so happy that everyone has enjoyed Third Wheeling so much! Thank you to my forevers @xjoonchildx, @ladyartemesia and @ppersonna for being behind me on everything about this series
The sharp whistle that Yoongi chirps, bleeds through the living room of the mansion.
His two year old son turns to him with round, curious eyes. His small hand is outstretched trying to pick up the million dollar vase you have on display on the coffee table.
"What're you doing, my little troublemaker?" Yoongi murmurs, wrapping his arms around his son and throwing him up in the air.
Honggi squeals loudly, curling his arms around his father's neck like needy vines.
"Maya, please move that vase before Y/N has a fit." Yoongi whispers to the woman he's always admired.
"Yes, Sir." she giggles.
"Dada," Honggi squeals into his neck and Yoongi's heart clenches at the sound.
"Yes, bud?" he inquires, tilting his head to look down at his son.
"Hungry." his son breathes.
"Mommy's making food, let's go see." Yoongi chirps, running his large hand over his son's small back.
Taking in the new mansion, Yoongi is really happy with it.
He didn't bring over a special architect from Greece, he didn't fawn over the marble this time around. He let you pick the house.
And like always, you're incredible.
The house isn't particularly gaudy like the last one which he shared with his ex-wife. It's warm wooden interior and gray and white furnishings scream home. And that's what Yoongi always needed -- a home.
Although, anywhere with you is home, he's noticed.
The wings that spread out far and wide throughout the house have pieces of art that make Yoongi feel comforted and he's astounded everyday by how thoughtful you are.
"Mama!" Honggi screams and it rips your husband out of his daydream.
"Uh oh, here comes trouble." you sing, slinging your towel over your shoulder.
You extend your arms over the quartz island for your son and Yoongi is incredibly cautious.
"Be careful, please," he begs.
You give him a sweet nod, accepting your son into your arms and Honggi leans over the pot curiously.
"Cow?" he asks and you snort loudly.
"Yes, beef." you reply, wiping his chin with your thumb.
"B-Beef," he repeats and Yoongi beams.
Honggi isn't one to stay in anyone's arms for long, despite how much he adored being held as a newborn. He wriggles almost immediately to get down and Yoongi takes a sharp breath between his teeth cautiously.
"Watch mommy's belly, please." he yelps, setting your son on the floor.
"Jesus," he bleats, kissing your cheek.
"It's okay," you promise him, bending down to fix your son's black hair.
Honggi hugs your neck tightly, kissing your cheek so sweetly that it turns you into a puddle of love.
"What should we name your brother and sister?" Yoongi inquires of your son as he leans both elbows down on the island.
He pops a grape in his mouth, looking at his kid expectantly.
"Pororo... Poby!" Honggi giggles, swaying back and forth.
"Oh yeah, good idea! We can name them after penguins!" Yoongi teases, giving his son a grape.
"Poby is a polar bear." you inform him, stirring the stew.
"Yeah daddy! Bear!" Honggi scoffs, tugging on Yoongi's pants playfully.
"Oh, I'm sorry daddy doesn't know what anthropomorphic animals his son watches while he's at work." your husband murmurs.
"An-Anth-Anthr… Animals!" Honggi gasps and you laugh gently.
Yoongi takes a deep breath through his nose, allowing the comfort of being surrounded by his family to enrapture him.
He steps behind you, wrapping his arms around you and your growing stomach.
"I missed you today, little dove." he breathes, kissing your temple.
"You miss me everyday," you state, turning around in his grasp.
"That's true. Because I love you." he coos, pushing some hair back behind your ear.
"I love you too," you giggle, accepting the kiss he gives you.
Since Yoongi became a father he's learned so many things like patience and showing love to his child, the likes of which his younger self never got to see. He wants to give his family the entire world if he can, he wants to give all of you everything you could possibly desire because it was so terribly lacking when he was a kid.
"Dinner isn't going to be ready for a bit." you tell your family.
"But I'm hungry now!" Honggi cries, throwing his head back in a dramatic two year old fashion that both of his parent's laugh at.
"Okay. We'll have yogurt and go play with the Gaesu until Mommy is done cooking." Yoongi announces, picking up his son and slinging him over his shoulder.
"I love you mommy!" Honggi squeals.
"I love you too, bub." you reply, kissing his forehead.
"Give mommy's belly a kiss before we go." your husband instructs, patting his son's backside.
Honggi kisses your growing stomach and you can only snort at your husband's silliness.
"Okay. Now dada!" your son says, clapping.
The CEO kisses your stomach and then your forehead.
"You're gonna wrinkle your suit." you chide him, leaning back against the counter.
"So worth it." he retorts, giving you a gummy smile.
Two years have flown by in the blink of an eye.
There has, of course, been hard work that's been poured into your marriage whether it be for Honggi or just to be able to spend time together but the honeymoon phase has never truly died down.
You bask in each other's company like lizards under the hot sun.
You thrive when you're both together.
It's fate, really.
"He's asleep," Yoongi announces, stepping into your bedroom.
"Oh, nice. It only took two hours instead of three like yesterday." you know you sound sarcastic but it's really true. Honggi never seems to be able to sleep when he needs to, he's hyperactive in waves and thoroughly enjoys spending time with his father.
"Well tonight we read the big bad wolf and then he got scared so I had to calm him down and stay with him until he finally fell asleep." your husband rambles, peeling off his clothes.
You hum in agreement, sitting up gently.
Yoongi's tattoo of the large family tree on his bicep seems to shine in the dull lights of the room and it makes a smile spread over your face.
"How are my other babies?" he inquires, laying down beside you on the bed.
It's no secret that you adored your son and it's no secret that Yoongi wanted you pregnant almost immediately after Honggi was born. He missed your big belly and the closeness it brought the both of you when you were pregnant. But after Honggi was born, your paintings were flying off the art exhibit walls like hot cakes and you needed time to create new works of art.
While your husband had his tantrums and gripes about it, he understood. Being pregnant is difficult and he knows that, so when you told him he had to wait, he begrudgingly accepted it.
Your art was on hold now, with over two hundred pieces out in the world at any given second, you decided to focus on family.
"They're okay," you promise, running your fingers through your hair.
You can remember when you found out you were pregnant again for the second time. All of your symptoms hit so much harder than the first pregnancy.
"Baby? We gotta go. We're gonna be late." Yoongi calls, peeking into the bathroom.
He didn't expect to find you heaving over the toilet but when he does, two things happen simultaneously. There's a sharp bout of worry and a thinner vein of excitement that spread through his bones.
"What's the matter, my dove? You feel sick?" he pouts, entering the bathroom to rub at your back.
You shiver gently, waving your hand to the large gray cabinets beneath your sinks.
"I'm not a mime, I'm sorry." your husband whispers, raising an eyebrow.
"Pr-Pregnancy test," you plead.
He could just about pass out and die from happiness from those two words.
"Really?! You think so?!" he beams, ripping open the doors and tearing open the cardboard box like some sort of rabid animal.
His hands are shaky when he gives you the test and he helps you off of your knees immediately.
His thumbs rub at the tile indentations on your kneecaps and like always he stares up at you like you hang the moon on a string for him each and every night.
"I'm sorry we're late." you whisper, blotting your mouth with toilet paper.
"This is way more important. Fuck that. Jeongguk can wait." Yoongi avows, watching you cap the pregnancy test.
"We probably aren't even going to make it there anyway," your husband breathes.
"Why not?" you inquire, standing up and smoothing out the skirt of your dress.
The CEO wraps his arms around you, burying his face into your neck. "Because if you are pregnant, I'm gonna have to do some celebratory stuff."
You laugh aloud, running your fingers over his arms. "Stuff like what?"
"Like eating your pretty pregnant pussy and fucking your pregnant cunt." he murmurs against your skin.
You shiver at his words, glancing down at the test.
You hope you are pregnant. There's something insane in women's brains which makes them forget just how painful childbirth is so they can always look forward to more.
But the euphoric feeling of having a baby is well worth the pain, that's something you'll always remember.
"God, I think you are pregnant." he hisses, running his hands over your sides.
"Why do you say that?" you ask, tilting your head to look at him.
"You just feel different in my hands."
"I think you're crazy," you retort with a laugh.
"Why?!" he gasps.
"Because you didn't say anything yesterday when we… y'know."
"When we fucked?" he goads, kissing you softly.
You hum in agreement against his lips and he snorts softly.
"You did feel warmer around me." he announces, hooking his chin over your shoulder.
"It should be ready." you inform him, both of your eyes glued to the face down stick.
"Go on, show me that my baby is in you." he urges, kissing your temple.
Your heart races and your fingers begin to shake as you flip over the stick.
Yoongi holds his breath and you find yourself doing the same.
When you flip it over, the plus sign screams at you and Yoongi breathes a sigh of relief.
Your husband groans happily, picking you up off the ground and spinning you around.
"Thank you baby, thank you!" he cheers.
When he sets you down on the ground, you can't help the thrilled giggle that seeps from you.
"Should we head out?" you ask your husband softly.
The scoff he gives only seems right. "Yeah, right. I have more important things to celebrate than a boxing match."
You can only squeal when he scoops you up bridal style.
Putting his head on your shoulder, your husband takes a deep, calming breath.
His fingertips dance over your distended skin and his lips traipse over your exposed collarbone.
"You're so gorgeous," he breathes, letting his eyes flutter shut.
The smirk that spreads over your face is goofy and flushed, sometimes you find it astounding that he can even be so sweet with you.
There's a tiny kick beneath his fingertips that makes his head lift off of your body.
"What are you up to in there, guys? Fighting or something?" he gawks, feeling another flurry of taps below his hand.
"They don't have enough room," you announce, lolling your head back to the pillow.
"Well, just four more months and you won't have to be cramped anymore." Yoongi promises, sliding down the bed to kiss your belly.
"We should sleep, we have plans for tomorrow."
"Caleb's first birthday party." Yoongi remembers, drifting his lips over your skin.
You nod in agreement, tucking your hand beneath your head to get comfy.
Your husband knows just how difficult it is for a woman with a set of twins inside of her to fall asleep and he's nothing if not doting.
"Lemme put my babies to sleep," he murmurs, sliding his fingers over the soft skin of your inner thighs.
It's fascinating how the Kisung CEO can make you feel as if black coffee pumps through your veins even when you're completely exhausted.
He watches you avidly, making sure this is something you're up for. When your nipples begin to pebble and strain under the flimsy nightgown that can barely contain your swollen flesh, Yoongi knows he's got the green light.
His eyelids lower with lustful intentions and the tip of his tongue glides slowly over his plump bottom lip.
He knows you're excited for anything and everything when your hips lift expectantly.
Clicking his teeth, he pushes your body back down to the bed. "Easy now, little dove. You should know who's in charge here, baby."
Your whimper sounds like the most earnest plea as it passes through your parted lips and Yoongi can feel his cock straining against his briefs for some semblance of relief.
He kisses at your clothed pussy, already feeling how sodden the material is getting in a matter of seconds.
It continues to astound him, two years in, how willing your body is for him.
"Daddy," you breathe softly, carding your fingers through his hair.
His hands caress whatever he can find whether it be your thighs, your belly, your breasts.
"Wet little slut for me." he murmurs, tugging your panties off with his teeth.
You're quick to discard your nightgown, wanting nothing more to be touched anywhere you can get it.
Your husband hums at the sight of your core, pussy lips puffy and swollen with greedy intentions and slick with arousal.
"There she is," he breathes, kissing over your belly.
Palming your breasts in hand, you understand why he's taking so long -- to drive you insane.
He wants euphoria and adrenaline to course through you like wildfire so when it ebbs away, you'll be completely exhausted.
"My beautiful dove." Yoongi professes, spreading your legs wider.
Your eyes are glued to his abs, the way the muscles contort and constrict with each shallow breath he breathes.
You can thank each and every god everyday for the man you're married to.
You know the hierarchy in this bedroom, it rarely ends up with you on top, but the temptation of his thick, hard cock straining against his Balenciaga briefs has you throwing all cares to the wind.
He hisses gently against your distended skin when you cup his long length with your hand.
Yoongi will be the first to admit that he's missed this. He's been sweet and caring, not wanting to trouble you for sex with you being as huge as you are. He knows two babies are way more difficult than just Honggi. But, he needs you. In every single way.
"Play nice, my dove." he chides you softly, kissing up your belly to your swollen breasts.
You don't heed his words, tugging down the band of his briefs and swallowing thickly when his large cock bobs in the air before smacking up to his toned honey stomach.
His eyes flutter shut at the feeling and you know you've neglected him for too long. His cock is throbbing and needy as sin, beads of precum endlessly spurting from the top and slowly traipsing down the head.
"Baby girl," he gasps when you pump his cock in hand.
Yoongi kisses over your puffy nipples, scoffing at the pleasure that vibrates through him with each jerk.
He coos softly when you bead milk for him and his eyes snap to yours. "You didn't tell me your milk came in."
"I-I didn't know," you chirp, pumping his cock harder.
He shivers then, wrapping his lips around your peaked nub and tugging softly. He groans happily at the distantly familiar taste of your milk and his needy hands grip and massage your thighs as he situates himself further between them.
"Daddy, fuck!" you cry out gently, arching your back.
The tip of your husband's tongue is quick against your sensitive skin and you can only whimper for more.
Your shaking thumb runs circles over the swollen, red mushroom head of his cock and he gasps above you, pressing his forehead into your breast.
"Ba-Baby, this is about you. Please," he begs, wrapping his hand around your wrist.
You give a smirk, feeling high and mighty at how quickly you can break him down to a mere lustful animal.
Your free hand rubs circles to your stomach and he can just about cum at the sight of you.
His cock throbs wildly and he forces your hand off of him with narrowed eyes. "Behave, little dove. I won't say it again."
You hide your smirk, laying back down for him.
He eyes you wearily for a second before continuing his dissent on your body. His fingers caress over your sodden lower lips and his name tumbles from your mouth with a quickness.
"You're messy." he prods, spreading your lips with his fingers and tapping your throbbing bundle of nerves with the pads of his fingers.
Your body jolts, bottom lip tucking between your teeth.
God, you've missed this.
You've missed him doting on you so eagerly.
Yoongi continues to take his time, enjoying how your entrance clenches around nothing.
You're a needy little thing and you're all his. The way it should be.
"Daddy, please!" you beg, rubbing circles over your distended skin.
"What's wrong, beautiful? You're too much of a slut to enjoy this? You want gratification now?" he quips, lowering his head to your core.
You can't even see him over your belly and it drives you absolutely mad. You can feel the puffs of hot, needy breath that pass his lips but it does nothing but earn more dripping arousal from your center.
"Such a pretty pussy you have," he purrs, suckling your swollen lips.
You gasp loudly, screwing your eyes shut.
He plays with your entrance, swirling the tip of his index finger around it until your racking with sobs above him.
Yoongi presses the tip of his tongue to your throbbing clit and he groans gently at the feeling.
"Shhh, my dove. Daddy is going to take care of you, I promise." he avows, lapping at your nub with slow strokes.
It's so pleasurable, but it's not enough. You're on the precipice and he keeps you there for what feels like eternity.
"God! Daddy, please!" you beg, bunching your hands up in his hair and tugging.
He hums in fake confusion, adoring how your body shakes before him.
He's good at the long game.
He thrives in it.
When he slips two fingers inside of your slick cunt, you're about ready to burst but he pulls away from your core with a devilish smirk.
"My pregnant wife is so needy," he jeers, curling his fingers with ease to the soft patch of nerves within you.
Your chest constricts, heaving for breath. Your skin develops a thin sheen of sweat and you feel yourself possibly going insane within his grasp.
Picking his face up between the apex of your thighs, the sight of his soaked chin and cheeks hurdles you to the precipice.
"Wanna cum, need to cum!" you chant, cupping your belly while you grind yourself down onto his fingers.
"You hold it," he orders sweetly.
You can only scoff and the animalistic pride within you snaps.
You sit up, as quickly as you can, before pushing him down on the bed.
"Baby," he warns you, pulling his fingers from your heat and entering them into his mouth.
"I need it!" you whine, straddling him.
His hands immediately hold your hips to protect you from any imminent danger you might face. He goes to chide you but when your soaked cunt glides against his hard, thick length, he can only take a sharp breath between his teeth.
"I missed your cock Daddy, I missed it so much," you whine, rocking your hips.
"Oh Christ," he murmurs, gliding his hands from your hips to the globes of your ass.
With every rock of your hips, your clit thrums pleasantly at the feeling of the head of his cock prodding against the bundle of nerves.
Your shaky hands grip at your breasts, swiping your thumbs against your leaking nipples until your sobbing with pleasure.
"You're so gorgeous, fuck," Yoongi curses, enraptured with the sight above him.
Your eyebrows furrow and you're losing yourself in the pleasure as your mouth drops open.
His hands knead at the supple flesh of your backside before rearing back and spanking you with a fierceness that you adore.
"Yes, more!" you gasp, sitting up and positioning his cock at your entrance.
"You're a little cock slut, you know that?" he seethes, leaning up on his elbows to kiss at your belly.
"Your cock slut, Daddy. I'm yours," you whimper, slowly sitting down on his length.
His mouth opens at the euphoric feeling of your warm, wet cunt sliding down on him and he can only fall back to the bed with a heady thump.
"Shit," he breathes out, looking up at you like you give him the universe.
You do.
You give him everything and anything that exceeds his expectations.
You take a second to adjust to his length, preening as the head of his cock prods against your soft cervix.
"Good girl, little dove." he bleats, running his fingertips over your outer thighs.
Yoongi can see the way you swallow thickly and he can tell how fucked out you already are with your eyelids being as heavy as they are and pride blooms in his chest.
"Want you to suckle," you beg, palming your breasts.
He can only scoff at the arousing thought, he's up in a flash, minding your stomach. His lips pluck and suckle at your sensitive skin until you're shaking like a leaf under his ministrations.
"Your cock feels so big in my pussy, feels so good," you purr, rocking your hips.
He moans against your breast, gripping your hips with needy hands.
The rhythm you set as he suckles from you is slow but the impending orgasm you've been denied comes back in waves. The head of his cock taps against the sweet spot inside of you with each jolt of your hips and you're losing your grasp on reality.
"D-Daddy!" you gasp, letting your brain free of any thoughts besides just how pleasurable he feels inside of you.
"That's it, baby girl. Take it. Take what you need from me." he announces, laying back down.
Your hands push down on his chest as you begin to pick up speed and he can only cry out your name like a man possessed.
"Jesus, just like that, little dove. Fuck!" he curses, spanking the globes of your ass until your skin is smarting.
Then you feel the precipice again, you feel yourself teetering.
Your mouth opens to give a silent scream and your eyes well up with tears.
He coos softly, running his fingers through his hair as if the pleasure he's receiving is truly unbelievable.
You groan loudly, pressing your hands beneath your stomach. "I'm-I'm-"
"Cum for me, little dove. I can feel how badly your cunt wants to milk my cock. Cum." he orders and your gasp echoes throughout the room.
Your hands rub comforting circles to your stomach while your hips rock at an unfound speed.
"Yoongi!" you cry, squeezing your eyes shut.
Then -- euphoria.
Your orgasm explodes within you like a million shards of glass. With deafened ears and tear streaked cheeks, you don't even feel your husband lay you down on your back.
He fucks his cock so deeply inside of you that it brings you back to reality in waves.
"God, you look so beautiful taking what's yours, baby." he coos, sitting up.
You can only cry out gently when his strokes become erratic and deeper.
"You want me to cum inside you? You want to drip with me?" he inquires, tucking his bottom lip between his teeth.
You nod incessantly, spreading your legs wider when you feel his cock throb within you.
"Yeah? You want to be my little cum slut? Get so full of my cum when you're already pregnant with my babies?" he seethes through his teeth.
"Y-Yes, want to feel your cum so badly," you hiccup, running your hands over his chest.
His eyes screw shut when your hips meet his every stroke.
"Oh fuck, I'm cumming. God, your cunt is incredible!" he whines.
His hips give one last thrust, burying himself as deeply as possible before the warmth of his cum floods through your battered core.
You hum happily, rubbing your belly.
"I love you," he whispers, bending down and planting a passionate kiss to your lips.
"I love you, too." you reply, hooking your hand around the back of his neck.
After cleaning you up and situating yourselves back to normal, Yoongi pulls your body to cuddle against his. His fingers drift over your bare back and he sighs happily.
You're out like a light in mere seconds when you finally get comfy and he can only chuckle at your shallow breaths.
His hand comes to rest beneath his head and he can't begin to express how lucky he feels.
His attention falters to your stomach when he feels a gentle prodding against his hip. He smirks, kissing the top of your forehead and closing his eyes.
"Mama!" Honggi screams and you know better now than to rush to him whenever he shouts for you.
"Yes, baby?" you call to him, fixing your earrings.
"Want to play with Yumi!" he calls, peeking into your bedroom.
"We're going to see Yumi now." you reply, turning to him.
Your eyebrow raises as you look at your husband's spitting image. "Where are your shoes?" you ask your two year old.
"Dada said I don't have to wear them!" he beams, rolling on the floor with your corgi.
"Oh yes you do, you're not going over to Aunt Leena's house with no shoes on." you reply.
When your husband steps into the doorway, he knows he's made a mistake. Just the look you give him makes him want to run and hide.
"What?" he bleats.
Min Yoongi is obsessed with giving his son whatever he wants. He's obsessed with spoiling him and sometimes you have to look like the bad guy.
"He needs to put on shoes." you tell your husband.
Both of your boys frown at you and it's almost so ridiculous that you can barely contain the eye roll.
"Why?" Honggi chirps.
When you place your hand on your stomach, Yoongi nods. "Mommy's right, you need to wear shoes."
He's quick to avoid chastisement today.
"But why, dada?" your son inquires.
You love the 'why' phase… when it's directed at your husband.
"Because your little feet are gonna be cold and because mommy said so. And what did I tell you about when mommy says something?" your husband whispers conspiratorially to your son.
"That you do it! Mama has two babies a-and mad isn't good for babies!" Honggi says, sticking up two small fingers.
You can only snort, shutting the bathroom light off and leaning against the door frame.
"That's right, bud. So let's get you some shoes."
When your husband goes to leave the room, he widens his eyes apologetically at you and you can't help but giggle.
"Silly," you mumble, grabbing your purse.
Caleb's first birthday is a huge deal.
You know how much work his mother put into it and you know that it needs to be over the top and perfect for her to be thriving and happy with the day's events.
"Miss Thing!" Leena gasps, throwing herself out of the door to hug you.
"Hi Beena," you giggle, wrapping your arms around her.
Taehyung is right behind her with a smile plastered on his face.
"Happy birthday Caleb!" you gasp, taking him from Taehyung's arms.
Yoongi kisses your best friend on the cheek before looking over at her one year old son.
"Hey buddy! Happy birthday!" your husband cheers, watching as Caleb tucks his face into your neck.
It's always astounding to see how much of a one eighty Leena has done when it comes to Taehyung and her family.
You remember how adamant she was on not getting pregnant and not getting married but then when you gave birth to Honggi -- she wanted that.
And you completely understood it.
Now that your best friend is married and having a family, you can see how content and happy she is. It's something you're really proud of.
"Everyone is in the backyard." Leena announces, fixing Caleb's small suit.
"Yumi?!" Honggi screeches, looking past Taehyung.
"Yeah, Yumi too." Leena's husband quips with a laugh.
Yoongi snorts, following after his son.
"Miss Thing, I have to tell you, I would have never in a million years thought we'd see him today." your best friend blurts, guiding you into her mansion.
"Who?" you inquire, handing Caleb back to his father.
Leena's hands clamp down on your shoulders and her eyes widen. "Jin."
"Shut the fuck up," you gasp, pulling her towards the backyard.
There are a multitude of people in the backyard but your eyes find his tall, handsome stature easily.
He's standing by the fountain with his wife by his side and he looks in his element.
It's been months since you've seen your other best friend.
You aren't really sure why he dropped off the face of the Earth. You know he's probably been busy, you all have been.
But you know Leena has taken it the hardest. Jin has always meant something deeply to her so when he didn't return phone calls or texts… you know it burned her.
It's almost as if he feels your eyes on him the way he turns to look at you.
He gives you a warm smile, immediately leaving his wife to make his way across the large backyard.
Yoongi notices how your eyes get glassy when he looks away from Honggi and Jimin's daughter, Yumi. "Jimin, watch him." he orders, leaving to comfort you.
Now, Yoongi doesn't hate Jin, by any means. He respects him and in all honesty, appreciates him for helping him in his dire time of need.
But the CEO will be damned if he doesn't coddle you, his pregnant wife, to his side when you're emotionally distraught.
Seokjin is wary when he sees your husband loop his hand around your hip protectively.
"Shhh," Yoongi coos, hearing your gentle sniffles.
Leena on the other hand, just folds her arms, widening her eyes expectantly at your best friend.
"Hey guys," he bleats, running his hand over the back of his neck.
"That's it? All we get is a 'hey guys' from you?" Leena scoffs.
Jin blushes furiously, cupping his whisky tighter in his hand. "What do you want me to say, Beena?"
"How about a sorry, Kim Seokjin? That'll be the start. Then you can veer off into how apologetic you are for pushing us into the background for her." Leena sneers, nodding her head to Sera.
You take in how nervous Jin is and you absolutely hate it. You hate how small he's making himself look.
"I am sorry." he agrees, grabbing for your hands.
"Maybe you guys should take this inside," Taehyung whispers, looking over the party guests who have stopped their conversations to look over at all of you.
Leena doesn't even give an answer, only trudging back into her mansion with narrowed eyes.
Taehyung clears his throat awkwardly, walking with his son towards Jimin and Anna.
"Do you want me to stay?" Yoongi inquires, brushing some hair back behind your ear.
You nod immediately, wanting the comfort of your husband with you.
"Alright, my love." he promises, kissing your temple.
Seokjin chases after Leena and you can only sigh at the impending yelling you're about to hear.
"Miss Thing, please sit." Leena gushes, pointing to the couch inside the library.
You take a seat, watching Jin wade back in forth nervously like he's waiting for a scolding.
"Did you know that Y/N is pregnant again? That she's having twins?" Leena spits.
"Yes, I did. I'm very happy for her and her husband." Seokjin replies, helping you sit down.
Yoongi pours himself a small glass of scotch, draping his arm over your shoulders.
"Do you fucking understand how sorely you've been missed?" Leena inquires to the handsome man as she sits down across from you.
Seokjin clears his throat awkwardly. "Yeah, I-I do."
"Then where have you been?" you prod, folding your arms.
Your best friend leans back against the large wooden desk. "Listen guys, I've missed you guys so deeply. I need you to know this, okay? I'm sorry that I've been absent from your kids and your lives. I've been dying to spend time with you all."
"Okay. Then where have you been?!" Leena yelps, repeating your question.
Jin takes a deep breath, letting his eyes flutter shut. "I've been trying to start my own family. It's not easy! I've been taking Sera all over the world to different doctors and hospitals to try and see why she can't get pregnant! I've been depressed and down on myself until recently. I'm fucking sorry I abandoned you guys but I needed time to heal my heart."
The news resounds in your ears and you cuddle closer to your husband who rubs your shoulder with his thumb soothingly.
The smugness is wiped off of Leena's face within a second.
"Why didn't you tell us?" she whispers softly.
Jin's fingers card through his hair and with a frustrated huff, he lolls his head back.
"Because it's…it's heartbreaking and not what I want to bring to the table when you guys have families and lives already. I don't want to burden you guys with my troubles." he mumbles, spinning his wedding band with his thumb.
You take a sharp breath between your teeth, standing with the help of your husband who urges you to be careful.
"Jin," you whisper, hugging him tightly.
He stiffens at your touch before wrapping his arms around you. He sobs gently, burying his face into the crook of your neck.
"I did miss you guys, so much. I'm sorry," he cries loudly.
"You don't have to hide your feelings from us. You should feel comfortable to tell us anything and everything. I'm sorry if you didn't trust us enough with your worries." you murmur into his ear.
"No! I just… I was scared, I didn't want to trouble you both." he breathes, pulling away and cupping your face.
"Jinnie," Leena pouts, standing up and hugging the both of you.
"You're never a bother to us, don't ever think that." you coo, fixing his hair.
He takes a deep, calming breath, running his hands over your belly. "One of your kids is kicking me in the ribs." he mumbles.
You can only giggle, patting your eyes with a tissue.
"That's the least you deserve for not trusting us with your fears," Leena scolds him gently.
He nods, exhaling sharply until his cheeks are puffing out.
"So is she?" your best friend asks him.
"What?" he mumbles.
"Is she pregnant?" Leena inquires.
He takes a sharp breath between his teeth, tilting his head. "Something like that."
Your eyes drift slowly over the perfectly manicured lawn watching Honggi offer to share a toy truck with Yumi. His smile is the spitting image of Yoongi’s and it makes you sigh happily. You lean against the arm of the lawn chair, resting your hand against your cheek.
You can barely believe how happy you’ve become over the past two years.
Everything just falls into the right place, everything just fits like a perfect complete puzzle.
Honggi turns to you, flailing his hand wildly and you can only giggle. Waving back, your heart expands to the size of the universe.
Yoongi laughs at something loudly, drawing your attention. You watch him sling his arm over Taehyung’s shoulder and you can only snort at the sight.
You can remember when you never heard his laugh, you didn’t know what it sounded like for quite a while and then… once he began to laugh, it never seemed to end.
That’s something you revel in, your husband’s happiness is yours well.
It gives you great pride to see him beaming from ear to ear. And you don’t think it often but -- you got him here. You got him to this state of happiness.
It’s your best artwork, yet.
“Hey Y/N.”
You look away from your husband to the one person you’d never thought you’d speak to.
“Sera… hey,” you breathe, looking up at her flawless form.
“H-How are you?” she inquires, sipping her water nervously.
You haven’t seen here in two years. She looks good, that isn’t hard for her. Something about her seems calmer and more poised then when you knew her.
“Can I sit?” she asks gently, running her hand over the back of her neck.
“Please,” you insist, sitting up straighter.
You can feel eyes on you and you can only imagine who it is but you don’t dare look away from the actress before you.
While you weren’t her biggest fan, she’s made Jin happy over the past two years and you can’t fault her for that. He hasn’t loved anyone since Leena and you can see that his heart has bloomed since being with this woman.
“No drink?” you quip, pointing at her water.
“I thought, y’know, since my surrogate can’t drink then I shouldn’t either.” she shrugs.
You don’t know what to say if you’re being honest. It must be a sore subject…
“Yeah-” you breathe awkwardly.
“I’m not upset about it, we can talk about it.” she announces, putting her hand to your shoulder.
Sera in all the time you’ve known her has never touched you and you’re surprised at how normal it is, honestly.
“I’m sorry that you… y’know… you’ve had a difficult time.” you say honestly.
You can’t imagine how hard Sera and Jin have been trying, how many hospitals and specialists they’ve gone to, how much heartbreak they’ve gone through.
“At least I’m getting a baby at all, right? I always used to be so angry about the whole situation… Maybe that’s why I was so mean to you.” she admits, carding her fingers through her long, now blonde hair.
You hum thoughtfully, looking up at the dusky sky. “I mean it mustn't have been easy for you either. I came into Yoongi’s life and flipped it upside down. You were comfortable with the situation and I just spun things around like a top.”
“Well… yeah, true. But if you didn’t come into Yoongi’s life then I wouldn’t have been able to become a better person and find the person that’s right for me.” she avows, looking over at you.
Her words resound through you and your eyes widen just the slightest bit. She’s really different these days, huh?
“Well, I came over to say I’m sorry for treating you terribly the whole first time you were pregnant, it was in bad taste and I was so selfish back then that I couldn’t begin to understand how horrible that could be for you.”
“I accept your apology.” you reply, giving her a small smile.
She breathes a sigh of relief, letting her body go lax in the chair beside you. “Oh good, I was so nervous to talk to you. I thought I was gonna have a heart attack or something.” she gasps.
You find yourself giggling and she snorts softly.
“You’re kid is cute,” she comments, watching him run over to you.
“Thanks,” you whisper, widening your eyes at Honggi curiously as he stops in front of you.
“Mama!” he cheers, holding up his paint covered fingers.
“Yes, baby?” you murmur, pushing his hair back.
“I’m painter like you! Look!” he squeals, tugging your hand.
You look over at Sera apologetically, standing up to follow your son.
“It was nice to see you Sera, I’m sure I’ll see you again soon.” you call back to her.
She smiles warmly, giving you a gentle wave goodbye.
Jin could have done worse.
Lowering your head, you look at the picture that your son has painted. The fingerpaint is thick and blobbish but you can see a few distinct shapes that stick out to you.
You don’t say anything at first, letting him finish a few small details that he thinks are important. He gives you his gummy smile, seemingly proud of himself and it makes you smile too.
“It’s very nice, baby. I can see how much work you put into it.” you coo.
“It’s mama and dad, Honggi and baby!” he beams, picking up the picture which is almost too heavy for him with all the paint on it.
Your husband sweeps in beside you, planting a wet kiss to your cheek and taking the painting out of your hands.
“Mommy is having two babies, not just one.” Yoongi reminds him, pointing at your stomach.
Honggi nods fervently, opening and closing his small hands demanding the picture back from his father.
Your husband snorts gently, lowering the picture for his son. You can barely contain the ridiculous giggle that tries to escape you as he draws a black circle next the one already painted.
"Two!” he cheers, sticking up two of his paint covered fingers.
“Good job, bud.” Yoongi chuckles, kissing the top of his head.
“I saw that interaction. You okay?” your husband inquires softly into your ear.
You hum in agreement, wrapping your arm around his waist and laying your head down on his shoulder. “Better than okay,” you murmur, feeling his lips caress over the top of your head.
“Do you think he’s okay?” Yoongi inquires, pulling over the car.
You can’t help but laugh at his worried expression. “He’s fine,” you promise, putting your hand on his knee, “we can go out on a date without him around us all the time. Maya’s got it. Honggi loves her.”
He shuts off the engine, turning to you with a pout spread over his face. “I just miss him, I didn’t get to read him a bedtime story.”
Your heart is warm and you can’t help the giggle you give. “It’s our anniversary, besides it’s just for a few hours.”
He picks up your hand, placing a soft kiss to the back of it. “You’re right, I’m sorry. Happy anniversary, little dove.”
“Happy anniversary, babe.” you reply, with a smile.
The inside of Magic Shop is pristine like always, you’re so surprised that Jin has kept it exactly the same as two years ago. He always loved to change things up but you realize that he probably got so busy since you’ve last been here, he probably hasn’t had time for anything.
The music is quieter than normal and there isn’t a soul in the club. Which makes you understand immediately that Yoongi rented the whole place out.
“You shouldn’t have,” you hiss, giving Hyun a small wave.
“Of course I should have, you deserve the world, baby. Plus, loud music isn’t good for the babies,” he whispers, kissing your cheek.
Your eyes immediately land on the black velvet curtain and the memories of first meeting Yoongi flood through you like water.
“Thanks,” your husband murmurs, grabbing a whisky from Hyun.
When you pull back the curtain, you can only smile at the same leather booth from that fated day.
“Jesus, it even smells the same in here.” Yoongi breathes, running his fingers over the top of the couch.
This room holds so many memories for you but nothing beats the one with your husband.
“God, it’s like it was yesterday. I can still remember that black dress you were wearing,” your husband chirps, sitting down in the same spot he did two years ago.
He pats his lap, setting down his whisky onto the floor and you’re absolutely gobsmacked by how much this feels like dejavu.
“I’m a little big,” you murmur, sitting down slowly.
“Never, you’re gorgeous, little dove.” Yoongi coos, wrapping his arms around you.
His warm hands caress your practically bare thighs and when he looks at you, you can see the sheer love and devotion in his eyes.
“My little dove,” he breathes, drifting his thumb over the apple of your cheek.
You can remember just how smoking hot you thought this man was, how intrigued you were by him in an instant. You remember every single second of your time in this back room. You remember every minute of your days when you found out you were pregnant and how absolutely scared you were.
You can remember his good times and his bad when he was working out his feelings about you.
Nothing has left your mind and you treasure each and every memory -- because they make up who you are. They make up your life.
And it’s perfect. Because you have him.
“You were a good girl that I wanted to break so badly,” your husband announces, breaking you out of your thoughts.
“Well… you did that,” you quip, humming when he presses his face to the crook of your neck.
“Thank you, little dove, really. Thank you so much for loving me and giving me such a wonderful family,” Yoongi gasps.
“Thank you for opening up to me and showing me that our love could blossom into something as perfect as this.” you reply, running your fingertips over his arms.
When he lifts his head, you can see how glassy his eyes are with tears.
“God, I love you, little dove.” he whimpers.
“I love you too.” you reply, kissing him softly.
His lips are plush and soft against yours and you can feel the tears that careen down his cheeks until they’re soaking into your skin. He’s so gentle with you, drifting his hands from your back to your distended stomach.
“My wife,” he chuckles, capturing your chin between his thumb and index finger, “my beautiful, gorgeous, powerful wife who has given me enough love to last eons. I love you so much, little dove, it hurts me.”
There are one hundred and fifty eight ways to say ‘I love you.’ And, they all pertain to Min Yoongi.
He’s a gentle soul and a loving husband that holds high standing with billions of people worldwide. He is sweet, wonderful and a perfect man at the end of the day. And now, everyone sees this side to him.
In the media he is praised and renowned for being a fantastic father and an equally fantastic husband. And to you, nothing could ever be more true,
It was March 23rd, when you saw him and met him. You tasted the finest of liquors and smelt the smoke of the richest Cuban cigars.
It was March 23rd when your life had truly begun.
Third Wheeling Taglist - @wickizer, @imluckybitches, @slothykrueger, @claireelise19, @ggukkieland, @rspbrryy, @iv-bts, @bambuzlee, @chanelbts, @mxxngxdss, @bluewhale52, @milesjeon11, @diamonddia-mond, @vinylphwoar, @xnxy97, @hubbytaehyung, @140503at-dawn, @bts-7beauts, @jadeblackwoll, @sunshiine-hobii, @creatorspalace, @eclectically-esoteric, @nikkiordonez12, @kaitswrld, @skamlover200, @sevgilove98, @kooeuphoria, @jikooksgirl19, @hobbledehoy26, @singular-itae, @dchimminie, @lowlifeoeuvre, @sugaslittlekookies, @bloopbloopb, @pjmcth, @softysuho, @codeinbelle, @jaiuneamesolitaiire, @betysotelo18, @jeonmisha, @iwanttohitmyself, @ayyyocee, @neverthefirstchoice, @itsbangtanoclock, @little7bitchh, @veryuniquenamegoeshere, @deathkat657, @firstlovesuga-93, @namjoonia, @paperpurple, @muzikabijou, @liebeoppa, @veronawrites, @kleff03, @ruinsofangels, @brightwingr5, @leekanchol, @rkivemagic, @ithinkileftmycoatoutside, @melaninkpops, @y00ngisbabygirl, @ungodlyjoon, @prochnost513, @dunixxd, @athenakyle, @igotnotype, @chxmachxps, @tinymintyoongi, @vangameren-blog, @alpaca1612, @ohcarolinamin, @thegreatestsushi, @eltrain80, @btsmylife21, @deeepvibes, @httpminyg, @deliciouslydisturbed365, @rkchmestizangmaldita, @jimin-chu, @pimpnameyannie, @preciouschimine, @daughterofthequeen, @monetsberet, @vanillamyg, @aamxxrii, @kooafraid, @ladykadyrova, @singjisu, @yazanii, @moonlitmyg, @justzeera, @absolutefantrash, @whocaresarchives, @loosewindmill, @vantesfx, @bt21chim, @flowerboyhobi, @kozuume-kenma, @taepiper
Sorry for those it didn’t tag!
#third wheeling#final chapter#btswritingcafe#thebtswritersclub#yoongi x you#yoongi x reader#ceo!yoongi#ceo!au#ceo!bts#min yoongi#yoongi smut#pregnant smut#bts fic
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Day by Day
Shangqi x Reader
A/N: My love for this man has hit an all time high so let me capitalize on it while I still can! If you read everything, I sincerely thank you for doing so!!! And holy cow 2 fics in 2 days have I gone back into my prime days?
Genre: PG-13
Notes: As the title mentioned, I’ll probably set it some time after endgame. You could see it as a prequel to my first post! Reader is a social worker and she’s just dealing with all the mess that the snap bought back. The reader’s name as Jen Lee. I also apologize in advance for the potentially long fic.
***
‘Excuse me, I’m looking for my child? Her name’s Wang Yiman and she’s seven.’ Another frazzled-looking parent fought her way to the front of the receptionist, approaching the helpless intern who looked like she was going to be on the verge of tears if another request came in.
‘I got this,’ a hand calmly reassured the young intern as she beckoned the relief parent. ‘Mrs Wang? My name is Jen Lee and I’m the social worker here.’ I offered my hand for the anxious mother. ‘Oh thank god! Is Yiman ok? She must have been so scared!’ I slowed to a stop outside the room at the end of the corridor, gently sitting her down.
‘Yiman has been a very brave girl Mrs Wang, but I will not lie to you. The sudden disappearance of their parents has traumatized a lot of kids. We’ve managed to explain to them what was going on but they will need a lot of support.’ I gave a glance over Mrs Wang’s shoulder, nodding to my colleague, Tammy who was holding the hand of a little girl in pigtails and a floral dress.
妈妈! mā ma (mommy!)
The young girl ran into her mother’s open arms, allowing the floodgates to open from both ends. I turn to Tammy as we shared a silent agreement to leave the area. ‘That’s the last one for the day,’ Tammy unceremoniously plops herself onto the chair, letting out a groan. ‘Thanks for your hard work Jen.’
‘Right back at you.’ I entered the last bit of paperwork before uploading Yiman’s case file onto the portal. Yiman’s reunion with her parents meant the Children and Youth Centre were halfway in getting every displaced child back to their parents. Looking at the dingy television that was hung on the walls at the waiting room, despite not being able to hear anything, it didn’t take a genius to figure out what was going on. S.W.O.R.D was apparently in a stand-off against Wanda Maximoff? Reported rumors that Sam Wilson didn’t want anything to do with the shield? It’s been a crazy few weeks but that was utter-
‘Bullshit! If anything it’s the government. They must have psyched him into giving up the shield.’ My chair swiveled to face Tammy who returned a nonchalant shrug. ‘What? You know I’m right. Doesn’t matter if half the world’s gone or our universe gets split into two - they’re the true evil here. I’m still struggling to find a place after I found a couple making out in my apartment! And you know what the global repatriation council told me? We’re only dealing with urgent cases right now. Well I say f-’
The incessant ringing of the bell interrupted our conversation, replacing Tammy’s tirade into a cheeky grin. ‘Look who’s here!’
Shangqi stands behind the counter, dressed in his usual red varsity jacket and jeans, holding bags of what I could only make out as takeout from the Chinese restaurant that was run by a friendly Singaporean couple. ‘Did I interrupt something?’ He scratches his head nervously. ‘Nope, in fact you just saved me from Tammy’s monologue, any further and she’ll explicitly tell me what she saw in her apartment when she got dusted back that day,’ I shivered in mock fear. ‘Still haunts me up till today.’ Tammy meets us by the door, bag in her hand.
‘I thought you were staying? We got fried dumplings and 泡饭 pào fàn (poached rice).’
‘Last minute duty - A parent called, gotta run! Enjoy your dinner date.’ She waggles her eyebrows suggestively, much to our embarrassment. ‘What? It’s not...’ Shangqi stutters, trying to form intelligible sentences. ‘Get out before I throw a fried dumpling at your face Tammy!’ She winks at me, before darting out of the door. Once my nosy colleague was out, I turn towards a red-faced Shangqi. ‘I’m so sorry... just don’t mind her.’
‘Huh?’ The man was knocked out of his stupor. ‘Oh yeah... sure,’ in an attempt to forget everything that had just happened, he opened the packets of fried dumplings. ‘Ready for war?’
‘I was born ready.’
Thirty-five minutes later, all that was left were the remnants of fried dumplings and three empty containers.
‘This should be illegal,’ I patted my stomach in satisfaction to his amusement. ‘Laugh at yourself! You lost track of how many dumplings you had and ended up taking my share!’
Raising his hands in defeat, Shangqi starts to clear the table up. ‘So how’s the center? Everything alright?’ I nodded numbly.
The past five years had been a blur. Hazy, even. All I remembered was a kid running into the office telling me that half of the staff disappeared during a school holiday program that we were running with a dozen other kids. Parents who survived the snap rushed to our center, demanding to see their children. We couldn’t give them any answer as we too, were equally perplexed. Maybe the only thing that made sense was Shangqi and Katy bursting into the center to help us with the chaos.
Coming back from what could be the 1000th phone call, I got a glimpse in the children’s playroom where the five years old kids were at, treating myself to an amusing sight. They all had red cloths draped around their neck, each holding a stick that was from the abandoned prop box. Katy wasn’t spared to as she was wearing her own red cloth that seemed a few sizes to small for her. Not that she didn’t seem to mind.
‘Alright my warriors! Chargeeeeee!!!!!!’
In unison, little pairs of feet pattered across the room towards their ‘enemy’, a cardboard cutout of a monstrous creature who was really just Shangqi in disguise.
‘RAWR! I’ll eat anyone who stands in my way!’ He stands up, mimicking a dinosaur that was about to trample an entire city. I decided that the paperwork could wait, standing near the door to watch an Oscar-worthy performance. With great effort and bravery from the kids, they finally managed to take down 5 foot 10 worth of muscle.
‘Again! Again!’
I chuckled upon seeing Shangqi on the floor, about to drift off into wonderland. It was time for me to step in. ‘Alright kids that’s enough for today! Dinner’s here.’ As the kids dispersed with the help of Katy, it was just the two of us left to clear up the mess. ‘Thank you so much, both of you. I honestly can’t think of what would happen if you guys didn’t come to help.’
Perhaps my body language was screaming ‘I’m dead tired, please just knock me out’ as Shangqi takes a cloth from me, folding it back into the box. ‘It’s what we would have done, this place, it means a lot to us - to me.’
A small knock on the door diverts our attention away from the trash. Little Yiman stands at the door, as she stares at the both of us with big round eyes.
‘Yiman, it’s late, what are you doing here?’ I squat down to her eye level. The little girl beams, ‘ 妈妈 said that I could give this to you!’ She passes me a juice box together with a handmade card with colorful scribbles. Maybe I was carrying too much on my shoulders, as I suddenly felt a boulder lifted off me. ‘Thank you,’ I smile at her sweetly, ‘I love apple juice.’ Happy with the response, she runs to Shangqi. ‘Shangqi 哥哥 gē ge (brother)!’
He breaks out into a smile, opening his arms wide. Yiman nuzzles her head into his shoulder before breaking out into uncontrollable giggles from his sudden attack of tickles. ‘Are you hear to help Miss Jen?’ I took the trash from his hands, giving him some time with the girl.
‘Yes I am. Miss Jen needs some help so I’m here today!’
‘Are you her boyfriend?’
Shangqi freezes on the spot. He had undergone what could be the toughest training by his father, fought the greatest assassins in the world and here he was - stumped by a question from a seven year old. ‘Well... I’m her close friend since when we were very young,’ Yiman looks at him expectantly. ‘She helped me when I was in trouble so I had to be a good friend when she was in trouble too.’
‘Like how Ningning helped me when I injured my knee?’
‘Yeah... something like that.’ He breathes a sigh of relief, thankful to escape his first crisis. Honestly, he wasn’t even sure if he was telling himself the truth.
‘Yiman! Your mother’s here!’ The little girl gives him one last hug before running to the waiting room. Shangqi takes a moment to recollect himself. ‘Here I am thinking that you finally managed to have some stamina while interacting with young children, maybe I was wrong.’ I teased as I sat beside him.
‘Har har, hilarious.’ He tosses me a straw for our peach teas, as we were greeted by the amazing night view of San Francisco. ‘Enough about me, you good though?’ Looks like he didn’t forget the conversation that was cut off earlier. My mind goes back to a few minutes earlier, eavesdropping on the conversation.
‘I had to be a good friend when she was in trouble too.’
Life has been so unpredictable, I don’t even want to think too far into the future. With appearances from more superpowered beings, I don’t know what’s real anymore.
‘Yeah. To be honest, it’s been so crazy and overwhelming but I’ll get through it. I have you don’t I?’ Giving him a wink, I slowly sipped on the sweetness of the tea, savoring the pearls. He pauses for a moment, nodding thoughtfully.
Life isn’t the same as it was before. But maybe, just maybe... if I had Shangqi, I’ll take each day on one at a time. Day by day.
[END]
A/N: Hoho! I literally spent the whole afternoon writing because I just had to get this idea out and also because work was pretty slow today. I have no idea what is up with my first two fics hinting at unrequited love? I guess I got inspired by Shangqi’s and Katy’s platonic relationship because I thought it was so well written but I also love Shangqi so I guess is a compromise kinda thing. Again, do like and comment if you wish! Really thankful that y’all have been so kind to me so far!
Perhaps I’ll try my hand at shorter ones like headcannons before this girl exhausts herself out and I don’t want to do that because I believe I have more to show!
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I've been tagged by @medievalfantasist for a truly ghoulish game, the rules are thus: List the first lines of your last 20 stories (if you have fewer than 20, just list them all!). See if there are any patterns. Choose your favorite opening line. Then tag some people to take part.
this is going to be nightmarish for me, as it will require figuring out exactly how many abandoned projects I actually have loitering in my drive.
also not a one of these bitches has a title.
When the terrible thumping and bumping of the escape pod at last came to a stop and his neck was somehow still miraculously unsnapped, Malinnaeus Zo was forced to accept that he had survived yet another tender caress from death.
It is his first day on the planet that will one day be called Earth, and he is still adjusting to how strange the light is from this yellow sun.
The Rook was pretty sure she was going to die of boredom, which should have been impossible given the circumstances.
My sister and I were born looking as utterly alike as any two stones in the road, with not a thing about us that anyone could have used to tell us apart.
When Tessa Moriondo returned to her dressing room the first thing she noticed was the smell of ozone.
Marnie started out her Sunday by promptly fucking herself over, waking up at 10:14 AM when she knew perfectly well that her writing circle brunch was going to be starting at 11.
It was a doozy of a thing to be perusing the obituaries (for normal reasons, I assure you) and find out your old workplace archenemy had expired.
There was probably no such thing as a good time to start seeing the ghost of your mostly-dead sister, but in the middle of a formal ceremony in front of one hundred superheroes, your ex, and a dozen high profile journalists was definitely one of the worst places it could have happened.
I’m bleeding.
It started out simply enough.
When her stepmother demanded her heart as proof of her death, the wayward princess cut out the offending organ on her own.
Good morning team, there’s been some confusion about the promotion process lately, so we’ve had our friends over in HR assemble a helpful FAQ to make sure that everyone is on the same page.
Mr. Buttons is being especially demanding in his requests for affection today.
On Halloween morning Liv Westing went for a run that wasn’t much different than the runs she went on every other morning, except that she took a different trail than usual and ran into a woman who was probably also gay.
On a drizzly spring morning in an unremarked city, in the fourth year of the Medusozoa War and the fourth century of the Interstitial Empire, Wyr Cordate was having a dream.
I sometimes hear it said that nature is quiet and therefore a good place to think.
In hindsight, Ophelia Oliphant really should have trusted her suspicions when her aunt unexpectedly kicked the bucket.
The feared and notorious supervillain known as Frostbite kicked off her twenty fifth birthday in style: snoring, face still caked in last night’s smudged blue lipstick and shiny white eyeshadow, spooning with a greasy cardboard box filled with pizza whose cheese had long since congealed.
Once upon a time on a lonely stretch of beach at the end of the world there was a drafty little cottage, and in that cottage there was a young woman called Elnora.
The moon was calling.
I don't have a favorite (I have some that fill me with deep existential dread but don't worry about it) and I'm not going to tag anyone else to do this, but I WILL be taking follow up questions if anyone has any.
actually hang on I take it back "I'm bleeding" is my favorite and it's one of the only things on this list that has a completed draft so double win.
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happily ending catastrophies ~ Fred Weasley
summary: Fred is accidentally (and fortunately) at the right place in the right time, and is able to save a muggle girl's life.
pairing: Fred Weasley x muggle (female) reader
words: 5K
meaning of: (y/h/c) means 'your hair colour'
(kinda) warnings: (1) this plays after the war and Fred lives, because i refuse to accept anything else; (2) i'm not from the UK so excuse the possible mistakes i made about the underground; (3) also there are a couple time jumps, i didn't want to drag it for too long and had quite a few ideas i wanted to write
a/n: this was an idea born whilst i was studying for this year's most difficult exam at uni lol but i thought it was worth giving a shot so here it goes xx
my masterlist
(y/n) wakes up to the sweet scent of some kind of flower filling up her nose and lungs. Despite the panging in her head she cracks her eyes open to find the source, though as soon as she takes in the totally unfamiliar room around her, the flower immediately gets forgotten.
What the hell?
She frowns, pushing her upper body up on her elbows to get a better look around. She has never seen this room ever before. Or has she? Suddenly she's not so sure as a foggy memory appears in her mind. Her glance travels across the cardboard boxes beside the wall on the floor, piled high on top of each other, then a desk, a wardrobe, arriving to the bedside table that has a lamp and several strange things - looking like some foreign country's small candies in colourful wrapping - on the wooden surface.
Sitting up fully she tries to move her legs to place them on the floor, but finds that it's much harder than it usually is - than it should be. All her attention turn to her legs now and the weird feeling that surrounds her left leg she hasn't noticed before. Carefully she lifts the covers that wrapped her body in a warm embrace to see what's wrong with her leg. A gasp leaves her lungs right away as her eyes fall on the cast wrapped around it from her knees straight to her toes.
In that exact moment the door slowly opens and her eyes snap towards the entering figure - a flaming red haired young man - whilst her fingers scramble to get the blanket back on her lower body, hiding the lack of clothing she's wearing as she's in nothing else but her underwear.
"Ah, you're awake! How are you?" He asks when his eyes connect with hers and slightly widen.
And his voice brings back everything. Literally everything to her mind about how she got here, all the memories flashing by in front of her inner eyes.
- - - - - - - flashback - - - - - - -
Friday the 13th. The day of misfortune and disasters. (y/n) huffs as she makes her way down the street towards the underground station to go back to her apartment. Now she knows this fact from experience.
She woke up a bit late that morning and didn't have time to drink her usual morning coffee in the comfort of her home, so she had to wait until her first break at work to drink one. When she just finished brewing a cup for herself in the small kitchen at her work, the handle of her favourite mug she kept in there broke and the now handle-less mug full of the brown beverage fell to the ground and shattered to a thousand tiny pieces, and if it wasn't already bad enough, the coffee splashed on her white shirt, colouring it light brown and leaving a wet stain behind all across her chest.
After that she managed to get through the day quite normally, right until 3pm, when her boss called her in to his office.
"The company is facing a hard time," his voice still echoes inside her head, making her shiver in sadness and anger. "I'm sorry, (y/n), the performance you showed us in the past two years was truly great, but you gotta understand that I have to decrease the number of employees. And that unfortunately includes you. I'm sorry."
If the way she worked was actually 'truly great', then why do they fire her and not someone else?
Well, probably her boss told the exact same thing to everyone he kicked out today, she thinks, but it doesn't help at all - it doesn't get her her job back.
So half an hour ago she packed everything in a box and set off to go back home, mentally raging about the cursed day. She has never believed in any superstition like this, but today she's changed her mind. Maybe all these things are true.
And that's when the next string of catastrophies starts.
As she's moving along the pavement next to the tracks at the station, the heel of her shoe breaks and she stumbles, her box flying away from her grip, all the contents of it scattering all over the ground. (y/n) tries gaining her balance back, taking a couple steps back, but the pavement disappears from under her feet as she reaches the edge, completely unaware of it.
She falls back, down to the tracks, and an impossible pain shoots up from her left leg as she lands, the air totally knocked out from her lungs. As she tries catching her breath, her hands move to lay flat on the ground so she can push herself up, but the world around her seems like it's spinning and she feels too weak to move a single muscle in her body.
Everything decelerates into slow motion and she glances around to see what she could do when something bright catch her eyes. A shiny warm yellow circle in the distance, getting slightly bigger and bigger with every second. She observes it carefully, thinking about how pretty it looks as she wonders what it might be. It only takes a second or two for her mind to catch up and suddenly she's more than aware that a train comes towards her and she's not capable to do anything to stop the collision from happening.
Friday the 13th.
Out of nowhere she feels a presence next to her, and just as she turns her head that way to see what's going on and her eyes fall on locks of bright red hair and a freckled face, the man has already grabbed her arm and with a fierce pull hoisted her up to a standing position. It feels like her arm is ripped out from her body, for a moment even the unstoppable hurting from her leg fades out to give space for the one in her upper body and she gasps before everything goes black.
- - - - - - - end of flashback - - - - - - -
The following events go by as a dozen of blurry pictures (y/n) can't make out in her mind and she blinks a couple times to get back to the present, to reality. She focuses on the redhead again, the last person she clearly remembers seeing.
"Where am I?" Her voice comes out hoarse and quiet and she clears her throat, waiting for his answer, knowing how she behaves quite rude completely ignoring his question, but she just can't help it.
She hasn't a clue where they could be, she's never seen a place like this in her entire life. It's obvious it's not a hospital. And after what happened it's just as obvious that she needs hospital treatment.
"The Burrow," he replies with a small smile playing on his lips.
And though she thought his answer would help clear some of the fog inside her head, it only confuses her more. Fred bites back the chuckle that threatens to burst from him seeing her cute frowning expression and waits for her to ask again, knowing it'll soon happen.
"The what?" The girl speaks up again, her voice now much clearer.
"My family home."
The confusion still stays on her face, and Fred truly can't blame her for it - who wouldn't be distraught after waking up in a stranger's home? Still, seeing the same expression he first ever saw on her face brings him back to the Tube station in London.
- - - - - - - Fred's flashback - - - - - - -
He's rushing down the stairs to catch the apparently soon arriving underground train, cursing his twin brother under his breath for winning the bet that resulted in the usage of any and every magical thing being forbidden for Fred for this whole week. Now he has to run errands adjusting to the timetables of muggle public transport and he's running out of time. Everything takes so much more time in the muggle world, and in the past few days he's grown to appreciate being born into the world of magic more than ever.
Arriving next to the tracks he catches sight of a dozen or so people there and relief fills his body. So the train hasn't left yet. He slows down to a walking pace and tries to catch his breath, and that's when he notices something weird about the people, something he has never seen in the past days when he used the Tube. They're all moving closer to each other, slowly making a tight circle, all of them looking in the same direction, as if something was on the tracks.
Curiosity rises in Fred and he makes his way to the edge of the crowd, standing on his toes to tower over it and glance down. His eyes immediately fall on a young woman lying there, one of her legs twisted in an abnormal way. She's looking to the side, towards the tunnel from where the train should arrive any minute now. Her expression displays confusion and slight fear, but her breathtaking beauty is still obvious, and it makes his heart skip a beat. His eyes slowly turn to where she's looking and he can see the light that swiftly grows brighter and brighter inside the usually dark tunnel, but his mind can't comprehend what he sees as all his thoughts are still only about the gorgeous woman lying there.
"The train's coming!" Somebody in the crowd shouts and that's what wakes Fred from his daze. His head snaps back and forth from the tunnel to the girl a couple times, so fast it's a miracle his neck doesn't break.
His body moves before he can fully think about his actions and suddenly he's pushing people away to make a path for himself in the crowd and he jumps down to the tracks. He hears a couple gasps from behind him, even a couple voices trying to inform him again and again that the train is actually soon there, but he doesn't care. All he focuses on is the task in front of him.
Squatting down he grabs one of the woman's arms and drapes it around his shoulder, standing up again as fast as he can, pulling her with him a bit harsher than he intended. She lets out a gasp in obvious pain, but he knows there's no time to be more gentle. Both of his arms move around her, one around her shoulder blades and one around the backs of her thighs to lift her up bridal style as he knows one of her legs is broken and she can't stand on it. And he's thankful for his own speed and thoughtful actions as he feels her body go limp as she faints.
The head-splittingly loud sound of a horn fills the air just as he turns around, signalling that they were noticed by the people on the train. As he takes the first few steps back towards the pavement he glances up, seeing two or three men already there bending down with their arms stretching in his direction. Fred quickens his pace as much as he's able to and practically throws the woman in the waiting hands, helping them pull her up by pushing her body from under, the screeching of brakes, iron on iron being the only sound that can be heard.
He stays on the tracks until he's completely sure that she's safe, than he grabs the edge of the pavement and swiftly pushes himself up, crawling on the cold surface until his legs are lying there as well. He feels a breeze moving against his back as the train arrives to the station, but he doesn't care about it, neither the cheering that erupts from the people around him, celebrating his heroic act, not even the burning feeling in his muscles from being strained. He just pushes himself up and stumbles to the woman, falling back down on his knees to be able to get a better look of her.
From up close he can see how she's even younger than he has thought, probably close to his age. She's obviously falling in and out of unconsciousness every other second. The word 'ambulance' enters his ears from the people around them, and he finds himself with a new task ahead of him. Somehow he has to get the girl away from this place and back to the shop so he can take her to the Burrow. Muggle hospital treatment isn't enough now, the wizarding world offered much better methods of healing. His mother will know what to do.
- - - - - - - end of Fred's flashback - - - - - - -
"And why am I here?" (y/n) continues asking.
"You broke your leg."
"Yeah, I figured, but shouldn't I be in a hospital then?" She tilts her head, raising an eyebrow.
"This is better than a muggle hospital," the young man shrugs.
"Mu... a what?"
"Ah, sorry. Slipped out," he let out a small chuckle, scratching the back of his neck in slight embarrassment.
Here comes the moment he dreaded. When he has to explain the existence of magic and the wizarding world to a completely clueless person and trying to do that without making a complete fool out of himself in front of the angel-like girl when she won't believe him - which he's sure she'll do.
"Wait, who are you? I don't even know your name," she speaks up again. "And how could I truly thank you for saving my life if I don't know even that?"
"There's no need to thank me," Fred protests.
"Of course there is!" (y/n) squeals as loudly as her weakened state allows. "Not everyone would jump down to the tracks when there's a train coming to save a complete stranger."
"Yeah, well, true," he mumbles, thinking back to how nobody did anything for her, anger filling his veins. Then he clears his throat, shaking his head to get rid of the negative thoughts and to focus on the girl again. "I'm Fred. Fred Weasley."
"Thank you for all you did, Fred. I'm (y/n) (y/l/n)," she sticks her hand out and a smile makes it's way to Fred face, matching the one on hers as he steps closer to shake her hand.
- - - - - - - 2 months later - - - - - - -
"I'm absolutely fine, Freddie, stop acting like I'm made of porcelain. I'm totally able to walk down the stairs on my own two feet," (y/n)'s giggling voice fills the air on the second floor of the Burrow when the redhead gently pulled her arm around his neck as he's done so many times in the past weeks.
"Alright, alright, I get it," Fred puts his hands up in surrender, backing away as laughter erupts from his throat and he turns his head away to hide the blush forming on his cheeks from the nickname she used.
Unfortunately he only gets completely face to face with his smirking twin brother who winks his way before pushing past him, a knowing chuckle sounding from him as he rushes downstairs, past (y/n), who follows him right away, only a bit slower, with Fred's careful, watching eyes trained on her back.
"See? I told you," the girl glances back at him over her shoulder after arriving downstairs, not stopping on her way to the dining table, only to stumble in a shoe someone left in the way. Fred immediately reaches out to grab her elbow and stop her from falling. From the strength of his attentive pull on her arm, instead of flying to the ground she crashes into his chest.
"I don't know, I'm not so sure," he teases, looking down with a smirk playing on his lips.
(y/n) moves her head up to connect her eyes with his, and Fred glances around her face, taking in the pink colour of her skin on her cheeks caused by the embarrassment of almost falling, then as his eyes reach the sight of her lips, he suddenly becomes almost too aware of how close the two of them actually are, and the breath hitches in his throat.
"Come on, kids, dinner's gonna get cold!" Molly's voice breaks the moment they shared and (y/n) regains balance, then gently pushing the boy away she turns around and limps the rest of the way to the dining table.
All of the Weasleys are already sitting there, watching the two of them appear in sight, and (y/n) has to bite back a giggle, still not used to the seemingly infinite number of redheads, all smiling wide and sweet at her. George pulls the chair she has always sat on ever since she was able to get downstairs out for her, offering a helping hand knowing that it's harder to sit down with only one properly working leg. Fred reaches out for her other arm just as she makes contact with George's hand, and the two of them don't let go until she's stopped moving.
She glances back and forth between the two boys sitting on either side of her, rolling her eyes at how overly protective both of them behave, when she's already told them hundreds of times that she's able to get by on her own.
The meal is delicious and the company is entertaining, just like it has always been since (y/n) stepped foot into the Burrow. Conversation flows without a hitch, only the occasional laughter breaking it for a second or two, and the (y/h/c) girl finds it hard to think about the inevitable - the moment that's coming fast, the moment when she has to leave these people and go back to her normal life. The Weasleys has become like a second family for her, and she fears that if she walks out that door, she'll never see them again. They're living a different life, in a completely different world. Their paths most likely will never cross again. She tries to brush off the sad thoughts, knowing that she'll have all the time to mope and grieve when she's back in her (ordinary and plain) flat on her own.
As she's helping Molly clean the dishes after the family finishes dinner, (y/n) pauses for a moment to glance at the redhaired woman. "Thank you for letting me stay here and for taking such good care of me."
"Oh, sweetie, you're more than welcome. It's our pleasure to have you here."
"That's true," Ginny chimes in with a joyful grin on her face as she places another dirty plate in front of her mother. "Your presence brightened up our boring lives."
"Boring?" (y/n) lets a loud laugh escape her throat. "Your lives are nothing even close to boring. Everything around here is breathtaking and spectacular."
"Is it though?"
"Try living my life for a week or so, and you'll know what boring really means," she shakes her head, the different memories and thoughts swiftly filling her mind as she turns around to lean the small of her back against the counter top, her eyes instantly connecting with Fred's, who's still sitting at the table, shamelessly watching her with searching eyes.
"I still can't believe there's a whole world of wizards and witches that we have absolutely no clue about. It makes me wonder how many things are there that's hidden from us. And it makes me scared how clueless we all are in the muggle world."
(y/n)'s only able to stand the intensity of his gaze for a couple seconds before she has to turn her head away, feeling the blood rush to her cheeks and heat them up. She swallows, only hoping that it stays unnoticed by the boy, but when she finally dares to glance back for the shortest of moments, she catches sight of a small smirk playing on his lips and she knows that nothing has gone unnoticed by him. Clearing her throat she tries to find something else to say, speaking the first words that come to her mind.
The newly learned word still rolls uncertainly from her tongue, not sure if she says it correctly, but when her restlessly moving eyes accidentally catch Fred's again, she sees a new kind of glint sparkling in his eyes, and it's enough to let her know that she used it correctly.
"It's not your fault," Ginny places a hand probably destined to be reassuring on the older girl's shoulder. "We're just too good at hiding it."
The two of them share a laugh, and unbeknownst to (y/n), it turns the shape of Fred's eyes into something that very much resembles a heart. His own heart flutters at the sound, the temperature of the room suddenly feeling too hot for him to bear, and he abruptly kicks his chair back, standing up and swiftly moving out of the house to get some fresh air and somehow try to cool the fire that's burning inside of his chest.
(y/n)'s eyes follow him, an eyebrow raised in question, deep in her thoughts right until the door closes shut again behind the boy. The sudden noise brings her back to the present and she shakes her head to get rid of the things running around in her head.
"Anyway, I gotta go upstairs and pack. I really have to go back home now," she sighs, pushing her body away from the counter.
"I'll come help you," Ginny immediately offers, hurrying after her.
Two and a half hours and a heart wrenching goodbye later (y/n) and Fred come to a stop outside her apartment's door, both of them feeling a previously never felt sadness fill their hearts.
All (y/n) can think of is flashing images of the flaming red haired boy. The way he sat at the edge of the bed she was lying in, telling her everything about the wizarding world. The way he lifted her up so effortlessly as if she weighed nothing to bring her downstairs when she was unable to walk in the first weeks. The way he walked her around the house and the garden, showing her everything and explaining things to her, adjusting to her extremely slow pace without a word. The way he showed her multiple of the products he and his twin brother sell in their shop, sometimes only speaking of their effects, other times even showing her, not caring with the fact it caused something inconvenient for himself as long as he made her laugh - which she did so many times and so hard that it made her sides hurt. The clothes he let her have when winter set in and her own became too thin to keep her warm, and the way the material smelled like him. The lingering touches of his calloused fingertips against the skin of her cheeks when he thought she was fast asleep - when in fact she was completely awake, fighting back the urge to press her face further into his touch.
In the meantime all Fred can think of is flashing images of the gorgeous muggle girl. The genuine curiosity that sparkled in her eyes whenever he told her about the world he's living in, the endless amount of questions she's asked him about anything and everything, the pure interest she showed from the first time he told her about the existence of magic. The way she bonded with each and every member of the Weasley family, finding a common thing with all of them and eventually making them all grow fond of her. The way she told him all about the muggle world and her own life, sharing all the details with him without hesitation - trusting him right away. The way his name rolled from her tongue - even more when she called him Freddie. The bubbling, loud laughter that erupted from her throat when he told her about the shop and all the pranks George and him did back in Hogwarts or when he showed her the products they now sell in the shop, the laugh that always made his heart skip a beat, the laugh he couldn't help but adore along with the fact that she seemingly didn't care the slightest bit how loud she is or how funny her laughter might sound. The way she looked in his clothes, always taking his breath away, making him wish nothing more in the rest of his life than to see that very sight every day as long as he lived - and possibly even after that.
"Well, thanks for getting me home," (y/n) points at the door behind her back as she looks up into his mesmerizing eyes. "And for jumping down in front of a train for me. And for letting me into your family home. And for taking care of me."
"It was the least I could do," Fred smiles sheepishly, his mind spinning, trying to come up with something to say that would keep the girl in his life.
"Bye, Freddie," she hesitates for a moment, then decides it doesn't matter anymore and leans in, pressing a soft kiss on his left cheek.
Fred's eyes flutter closed, heart bursting with the sudden feeling of love from both her lips touching his skin and the oh so loved nickname. He freezes, unable to think anything else than eight very important letters.
The girl moves back, fiddling with her keys to find the correct one, pushing it in the slot and turning it, gently shoving the door until it's wide open. She steps in, her eyes taking in the furniture and decoration she once loved but now finds unbelievably plain and mundane. A sigh escapes her lungs and she turns around to close the door - and wave once more the boy.
Fred still stands in the exact same spot, obviously not moving even the slightest bit since she backed away from him. (y/n) raises her hand to wiggle goodbye with her fingers at him whilst moving to close the door with the other hand, already feeling the tears blur her vision as she tries to take in the sight of him as best as she can to be able to remember him forever.
"Wait!" Fred exclaims, placing a palm flat against the wooden material to stop it before it fully closes.
This time (y/n)'s the one to freeze, hand pausing high in the air and she even holds back the breath in her lungs as she waits for him to continue.
"Can we meet again?"
Her eyes widen in surprise. She always thought that he'd never want to see her again. That he'd be happy to finally get rid of her and be able to continue his life as before. He wants to meet with her again?
"I... y-yes, of course," she stutters, heart stammering inside her ribcage so wild and loud, she's almost sure he can hear it.
The extremely wide smile that splits his face in two hearing her answer makes it impossible for her not to mirror it, her own lips curving on their own accord. Fred, feeling the previous nervous shyness evaporate from his body and the always present confidence fill his vein up again, takes a step closer to her, then another until he's right beside the door, gently pushing it wider open again. (y/n)'s hand on the door handle inside goes limp, and she lets it fall down to hang loose beside her body as Fred steps inside.
When he's so close that she can feel the breath coming from his nose reach the skin of her face, his lips open again to let out a whisper. "Can I kiss you?"
The already abnormal rhythm her heart beats in gets even more uneven, and her head moves in a nod as she breathes out the word 'yes'. Fred's eyes sparkle up even more, and his hands slowly start moving up, one reaching out to gently caress her cheek whilst the other wraps around the small of her back. Slowly, extremely slowly he leans down, pausing for a second just before their lips could touch, and as a wave of impatience rushes through the girl, she raises her head and presses her lips against his.
Fred lets out a muffled chuckle at her eagerness before tilting his head and snaking his arm further around her torso to pull her flush against his own body, his hand that's resting on her cheeks moving slightly further back until his fingers completely disappear in her (y/h/c) locks, his lips moving passionately against hers.
She completely melts into his touch, feeling like she's floating in the air, as if she's only dreaming. But when they both run out of oxygen and pull away to fill their lungs again, their foreheads pressing against each other in search of support and their eyes connecting without problem, looking deep into his beautiful brown orbs (y/n) grows sure right away that it's truly reality, not just a dream.
"I love you," he breathes in-between his quiet pants, but it's enough to make (y/n) totally dizzy as a love-struck grin spreads across her face.
And in that very moment they both know that their story is just starting.
.::the end::.
my masterlist
[wanna be added to my taglist?]
#i love fred with my whole heart#fred weasley#please i want this#fred weasley imagine#fred weasley fanfic#fred weasley x reader#fred weasley x y/n#weasley twins#harry potter universe#hp universe#harry potter imagine#harry potter fanfic#hp imagine#hp fanfic#george weasley#weasley#tumblr writer#x reader#imagine#fanfic#x y/n#fanfiction#the weasley twins#fred weasley fluff#y/n#muggle#hogwarts#gryffindor
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I’m a Dad
Fandom: Choices, Open Heart, AU
Relationship: Dr. Ethan Ramsey X F!MC (Name: Alyssa Brooks)
Warnings: Fluff, slight angst, mentions of birth complications, Alan is okay no need to panic 😅, anxieties of fatherhood, slight injury (nothing gruesome).
Rating: 12+ Word Count Total: 3209
AN: This is a birthday commission for @tsrookie who wanted a fic of dad!Ethan. I hope this is what you wanted and enjoy. The song that inspired this was Michele Morrone’s Dad (Accoustic Version):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cDNO--sPgE
I wanted to portray the significance of Alan in Ethan and Alyssa’s lives. It was emotional writing this 🥺.
Rome’s Birthday Celebration Masterlist 2021
CHOICES MASTERLIST
Tagged: @eleanorbloom @juliafranquet @me-and-my-choices @drethanramslay @choicesficwriterscreations @queencarb @miss-smrxtiee @melaninnntae @they-callme-ami @openheartfanfics @mvalentine @starrystarrytrouble @drariellevalentine @nikki-2406 @caseyvalentineramsey @kiara-36 @choicesreal @sophxwithers @brightningstar @tsrookie @gryffindordaughterofathena @arnikki-2406 @mercury84choices @theinvisibledreamergirl @stygianflood @ethansramsey
A blissful silence settled in the room as Ethan tossed his house keys onto the kitchen countertop. Flicking the switches as the lights turned on in his house. A large suburban white painted house that he and Alyssa bought a few years ago. Ethan’s eyes wandered around the living room, taking in the quiet. Alyssa wasn’t home yet which gave Ethan the time to head to his study. Clambering up the stairs and going to the first door on his left, a spacious room with forest green walls. A metal case of shelves with wooden baskets filled with stationary, was diagonally placed in the corner to the door. Directly opposite the door was a mahogany table with a cushioned wheeled office chair.
To the left of the door, was a red and green small plastic table and bench. Crayons and pencils were scattered on the table and floor, there were sheets of coloured papers with indiscernible scribbles. The furrow in Ethan’s eyebrows relaxed as he slipped off his black cashmere jacket and hung it on a hook to the left of him. Crouching by the small kids table and glanced at the drawings, noting the curved shapes to be attempts at writing. Writing what exactly? He wasn’t too sure.
Nathan and Savannah were the smartest kids he knew. Why wouldn’t they be though, since their parents were the acclaimed doctors of Bloom Edenbrook’s diagnostics team. Ethan put their drawings in a woven basket which had a label of ‘kids’, he held onto all the crayons and pencils and placed them in their respective labelled pots. Placing the pots in their woven basket and placing their basket on top of the shelf unit. Alyssa probably didn’t have time to tidy up their mess because they were spending the afternoon and evening with Alyssa’s friends.
Maybe now was a good time to get started on his project as he pulled out a basket and took out a few sheets of thick matte paper and an envelope. Bringing them over to his desk and seating himself, opening a drawer in his desk. He took out a few ink pens and placed the pens next to his paper, his eyes darted to the wooden picture frame of Alyssa and their three kids: Allison, Nathan and Savannah. He still couldn’t believe that he was theirs, and they were his. It was only yesterday, when he and Alyssa were in the reception, treating for a thoracotomy and now they had a house and kids.
Ethan knew what he had to do as soon as he brought his pen to the paper, the words flew right through him as he wrote. The memories of his kids flooding his brain with a warm familiar glow.
~~~~~~
“Out of the way!”
Ethan rushed down the stairs, shoving past nurses and doctors before slamming the corridor door open to the maternity ward. Sienna was hot on his heels as he growled and grimaced at people, his eyes went to the pager as a message from Naveen popped up. ‘4cm dilated’. Ethan was close as he weaved through a never ending maze of Edenbrook’s corridors. In the distance he spotted Naveen, his dad Alan, and his daughter Allison were looking into the window of one of the maternity rooms.
“Ethan! There you are!”
“Daddy!”
His crinkled grumpy face relaxed at the sight of Allison. Five years old with a knack for mischief and a carbon copy of himself. She had his eyes and ears but Alyssa’s nose, lips and hair. Alan was taking care of Allison while Ethan and his wife were working, however, Alyssa’s contraction pains strengthened and her constant lavatory needs indicated that she needed to be checked in. Naveen came up to stand beside Ethan; who took Allison into his arms.
“Naveen, how is she?”
“Well the contractions are hurting and I have a feeling the babies are coming now. Dr. Delarosa is in there with her. Are you ready Ethan?”
Ethan gave a nod as he turned to Allison, a calm gentle smile reserved for her.
“Time to get your new siblings. You okay to wait here with Uncle Naveen and Grandpa?”
“Yeah! Uncle Naveen is buying me chocolate!”
Ethan quirked a brow at his mentor, who in return stuck with a confident grin before Ethan placed Allison down. Naveen clasped his hand around her tiny hand and led her to the staff break room, whilst listening to her ramblings about her new siblings. Ethan took a deep breath as Alan stepped up to rest his hand on his shoulder.
“I’m proud of you, son.”
Ethan smiled and was about to step into the room, when something held him still. His buried nerves leaked through his wall as memories of Dolores seeped to his front. Alyssa was pregnant with twins, that alone carried several complications in terms of the positioning of the babies, possible post partum haemorrhage. On top of that she was one week late, twins born post due date carry risks to the mother and the babies.
A flash of baby Ethan in the NICU drained the warmth from his face and he felt like he was drowning. He couldn’t breathe as he pressed a hand against the door ledge, bowing his head as Alan stood beside him. Alan could tell Ethan was panicking. His shoulders shook as Alan gently probed.
“Ethan?”
“What if something happens?”
“Boston’s famous doctor is worried about a twin birth? Ethan, you’ve done this before. You know what to do.”
“It’s different. Alyssa is in there. She’s the patient. What if I can’t make the right decision?”
“Ethan Jonah Ramsey. You are a diagnostician. A famous one at that. You look at the possibilities before you make your decision. You have it in you son. Plus she’s a fighter. She won’t back down. But she needs you. Be brave and if you can’t be brave, be brave for her. She needs your support.”
His father’s words felt like a warm wash of life as he inhaled the air, exhaling his anxieties and giving a steady nod. Ethan smiled at his father before pushing open the door to step into the room, stepping into action to help make Alyssa’s labour as easy as possible.
~~~~~~
“Daddy! When is Twilight Sparkle coming?”
“In a bit. If you finish your lunch, then she’ll come.”
“Daddy! Will she bring a lot of presents for us?”
“An average amount, Nathan.”
Ethan pinched the bridge of his nose as he watched over the several little kids munching on their mini pizza slices and tater tots. It was the twins’ birthday today and the two of them invited their whole class to celebrate, the sun was shining as the kids sat on picnic blankets. The Ramseys’ had a spacious garden which could hold for nearly twenty five kids and several adults. Bryce, Jackie and Elijah were keeping an eye on the kids as Ethan slipped away to the kitchen where Alyssa was sat on a breakfast stool with her foot in Sienna’s lap. Aurora was beside them as she carefully tapped a finger against the swollen skin near her ankle. Jenner paced on his paws with nervous energy as he whined at his mom, Alyssa.
“Alyssa has sprained her ankle … Ethan.”
The friends still had a difficult time addressing Ethan by his first name but he paid no heed to it as Alyssa tried to come off the stool, trying to brush off the pain.
“It’s nothing, I’m sure I’ll be fine as long as I don’t walk on it.”
Ethan sighed rather exasperatedly as he folded his arms at his wife. That motion alone made Alyssa meekly smile and remain in her seat. Aurora handed her a cool pack for Alyssa to use for her sprain. She knew that she needed to rest her ankle but the twins would be so upset.
“Fine. But how are we going to solve the entertainment issue?”
At that moment the front door opened and closed as Alan strode in with a confident excited gait. He had a white cardboard box in his hands as he hummed and placed the box on the table, unveiling it to reveal a My Little Pony cake with ‘Happy 4th Birthday! Nathan and Savannah’. Alan’s brows sagged at the sight of his daughter-in-law.
“What happened?”
“I … fell.”
Ethan resorted to pinching the bridge of his nose before explaining the story. The children were showing off dance moves and there was a little girl who was showing off her gymnastics ability. Alyssa thought she could show off her talent by demonstrating a cartwheel, unfortunately her cartwheel was aimed the wrong way and Alyssa landed awkwardly in a bush with her legs askew. Alan smiled at Alyssa as he realised that there was an issue of entertainment since Alyssa was planning to dress up as the kids’ favourite character, Twilight Sparkle.
“I guess that means Alyssa can’t be Twilight Sparkle.”
Sienna gave a nod and spoke up.
“Aurora, Jackie and I would do it but I don’t think there’s enough time for any of us to learn everything about My Little Pony. The kids are gonna see right through us.”
“It’s a conundrum.”
Everyone took a moment to think before Alan’s eyes twinkled with an idea.
“I have an idea. Sienna, start watching some My Little Pony, I’ll stall the kids. ‘Lyssa, where did you keep your guitar?”
Alyssa’s eyes twinkled as she informed Alan of the guitar, to which Aurora ran up to search for it. It seemed everyone knew what to do, everyone except for Ethan, who placed his hands on his hips, turning to his father.
“Would you mind clueing me into your plan?”
“A little singing will have the kids distracted while Aurora, Alyssa and Sienna get ready. The kids will love it!”
At that moment, Bryce popped his head through the glass garden doors, there’s a slight line of sweat near the crown of his neck as he nervously glances back.
“The kids are going rabid if Twilight Sparkle doesn’t come in the next five minutes.”
Aurora rushed back down and handed Alan a brown varnished acoustic guitar, a gift from Alyssa’s patient Remy. Alan hung the strap over his shoulder and strutted outside to where all the kids shrieked and yelled.
“Okay kids! Who’s gonna sing the My Little Pony theme song?”
Ethan went out and noticed all the kids sitting at their picnic blankets, bopping and singing while Alan strummed the tune of the My Little Pony theme song. Ethan and Rafael took the time to begin cleaning up the rubbish whilst Bryce, Elijah and Jackie kept an eye out for Sienna, Aurora and Alyssa. All the kids and the twins were enraptured, even Jenner was happily panting to the music. Alan was going through a list of songs going from the My Little Pony Theme Song, to the lime and coconut song and to the rhinestone cowboy.Not long after, Alan got a thumbs up from Bryce and Jackie to which Alan smiled and announced.
“Now children! There is someone who’d like to wish two special children a Happy Birthday!”
Nathan and Savannah jumped up with excited shrieks as Alan strummed the music of the theme song and out came Twilight Sparkle. It was Sienna donning a purple sparkly dress, wings protruding from the back and a dark wig flowing off her shoulders. Her unicorn headband was fixed into the wig and her purple make-up shone in the sun as Sienna skipped towards the kids, tossing bounds of glitter.
Aurora and Jackie were helping Alyssa settle on a deck chair as the twins hugged and cried at the fact that Twilight Sparkle had come to their party. Ethan and Alyssa sent a thankful smile as Alan returned their smile, everyone’s faces warming at the twin’s excitement.
~~~~~~
Ethan used the back of his hand to wipe off the sweat on his brow as he pushed the front door of his apartment open. Baby Allison happily chewed on her yellow teether while bouncing in the baby sling, strapped across Ethan’s chest. Alyssa was working at the hospital after spending four months at home and it was Ethan’s turn to stay home with Allison. He was glad he opted for a loose linen shirt and khaki trousers as the Boston heat was slowly racking up. Ethan had gone out to buy some ingredients for their dinner: stir fried tofu and broccoli.
Alyssa would need some good comfort food after going back to work and he knew that Chinese would delight her. He unclipped one arm strap, pressing a palm to hold up Allison before unclipping the other to carry his daughter to her high chair in the kitchen. Allison was teething so he handed her a teething ring to help Allison improve motor skills. His daughter smiled and babbled at the sight of her dad as Ethan pressed a kiss onto his daughter’s forehead.
Allison was a daddy’s girl since she would whine and cry with Alyssa, but when it came to Ethan, Allison babbled and laughed. Alyssa was sure that she would say ‘Dada’. Ethan grinned as Jenner padded into the kitchen, bringing himself up to stand on his hind legs beside Allison. The dog was protective and loving to Allison as she tried to swat at Jenner’s nose.
“Jenner, keep an eye on her.”
Jenner barked as Ethan began taking out utensils and the shopping to get started. Draining the water from the tofu and breaking up the broccoli into florets. Every so often, his eyes would wander to his little girl on the high chair. Ethan still couldn’t believe the fact that he was a father. A living breathing child was in his care, one he made with the woman he loved as his eyes glistened at the memories of her birth. Despite expecting for children to not be in the cards for him, life had a way of telling him that it was always the case.
As Ethan stared longingly at his daughter, Jenner could smell something faintly burning; turning his head to hear a loud crackle and pop. Jenner barked furiously which had Ethan snap out and realise the onions and garlic had burnt in the wok, the broccoli was charred beyond recognition as Ethan turned off the induction hob. The loud barks caused Allison to startle and little beads of tears streamed down her face.
His heart lurched as he immediately stalked to his daughter to take her in his arms and get her to settle down. It was the first time in a long time that Ethan burnt dinner as he exhaled at the time on his wrist watch. Alyssa would be home in an hour and it was too late to restart. He didn’t have enough ingredients and he couldn’t whip up something else in time for Alyssa to sink her teeth into.
At that moment his phone rang as Ethan reached into his pocket to rest the phone between his ear and shoulder, while bouncing a teary Allison in his lap.
“Ethan Ramsey.”
“Ethan.” The corner of Ethan’s lips curled upwards at the recognition of his father’s voice. “I’m just about ten minutes away from your home. Alyssa invited me to have dinner, do you need anything?”
Ethan glanced at the mess behind him, a low exhale left his lips.
“Can you please pick up some Chinese on your way here?”
It wasn’t long when Alan arrived with several bags of Chinese take out from Xing-Fu’s Restaurant. Ethan took the bags from Alan and set up the dining table while Alan took the time to talk and play with his granddaughter, Jenner wagged his tail rapidly as he watched Alan and Allison. Not long after the kitchen was clear and the dinner table was set, Alyssa had entered the apartment with a smile on her face.
She took a moment to freshen up before joining the Ramseys at the dinner table. Her eyes sparkled at the array of side dishes as she pecked Ethan’s cheek before digging rather ravenously into the food. All the tension from the day melted under the spicy heat of duck and the softness of lotus buns. Ethan and Alan share a knowing smile as they too get stuck into their meal, Allison smiles and babbles in her high chair next to Alyssa. Glad to have her mother with her.
~~~~~~
The memories faded as Ethan lifted his pen from the letter, a soft nostalgic smile brushed on his face as he pushed the frame of his glasses up the bridge of his nose. A faint sound of the front door opened as excited chirps and barking fluttered into his study. The kids, Jenner and Alyssa were home as Ethan smiles at the incoming thunder steps, spinning his office chair to the direction of the door. The twins come tumbling in and launch themselves into Ethan’s arms, not giving a chance for Ethan to pay attention to their chatter. Jenner is sitting at the entrance of the door, while Allison stands behind him with her hand scratching the top of his fur.
“Nathan, Savannah! I cannot understand your rambling.”
“Yeah, they had a lot of pastries. Aunt Sienna made a lot of cakes and biscuits.”
Ethan shook his head with a teasing grin at the twins. The two of them hid their mouths as Nathan denied.
“No we didn’t. Ally did!”
“Liar, I saw you two take two slices of the chocolate fudge cake.”
“No! You’re dreaming Ally.”
Ethan raised an eyebrow at his troublesome twins but pressed long kisses into their hair. Savannah leaned over his shoulder and noticed the pen and paper before pressing her two palms on Ethan’s face, forcing him to look directly at her as she asked.
“Are you drawing without us?”
Ethan shook his head as he explained.
“I’m making a gift for grandpa.”
“Are you gonna give it to him tomorrow?”
Before he could answer, Alyssa appeared at the door with her hands on her hips, dressed in a green cotton dress and brown knee high boots. Her mom voice was coming through as she moved her eyes between the troublesome twins.
“Nathan and Savannah. Time for bed. We’ve got to wake up early tomorrow if you want to spend the whole day with Grandpa.”
“Do we have to?”
Ethan stood up and held on to the twins as he smartly urged.
“Come on if you get dressed for bed, you can stay up late tomorrow.”
The twins gasped as they scrambled off Ethan’s arms and rushed to their bedroom to get into their pyjamas. A small smile curled up on Alyssa’s lips as she turned to the eldest Ramsey child.
“You too, Ally!”
“But Mom!”
“Come on.”
Ethan steps up to the doorway and sweetly kisses his wife as she cupped his cheek.
“You coming?”
“Just finishing up.”
Alyssa gave a nod and led her daughter away to her bedroom, Jenner obediently bounding behind them. Ethan returned to his desk to read over the last words he wrote.
Look at me now. I’m a dad.
Thank you for making me the man I am today.
Love,
Dr. Ethan J. Ramsey
#ethan ramsey#ethan#dr ethan ramsey x mc#ethan ramsey x mc#ethan ramsey x fmc#ethan ramsey x f!mc#Ethan jonah ramsey#dr ethan jonah ramsey#open heart#open heart 2#choices open heart#open heart second year#choices open heart second year#choices oh#choices fanfiction#choices#oh#ohsy#oh2#open heart final year#open heart 3#oh3#choices oh2#rome writes#rome birthday celebration#rome 21 birthday celebration#rome 21 celebration#21 birthday celebration#birthday#birthday celebration
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saw you wanted some sfw alphabet requests so i am here to deliver❤️
may i get C, R and Z with shinso and kaminari please?
have a lovely day/night and remember to stay hydrated!!!!!
Hiii! 💖💫of course 💖
- Denki -
C = Cuddles (Do they like to cuddle? How would they cuddle?)
• He's very affectionate boi
• He'll be all over you, 24/7, he loves you and he needs to let you know that
• Pda isn't problem for him, he doesn't care who sees, he'll hug, kiss and cuddle you whenever he wants
• But if you don't like pda, he understands and will try to keep his distance from you, but holding hands are a must, there's no way you two won't be holding hands
• He loves cuddling you while watching movies
• He'll like being both big and small spoon, sometimes he wants to be held and sometimes he wants to hold you
• He'll love playing games laying in the bed with you hugging him from behind or you in his lap
• Sometimes he let's out small sparks while being content with something, so get used to being shocked
R = Remember (What is their favorite moment in your relationship?)
• His favourite moment is when you were at together at Luna Park
• The way your eyes sparkled as you dragged him with you
• He loved it as much as you did, of course, it was one of the best days of his life
• Even if he was little bit scared of some attractions, you held his hand and he felt so much better
• You shared cotton candy and both took soo many pictures together to post at social media
• He tried to shoot out some plushie for you, but he's not exactly the best at keeping calm and focusing
• In the end you shoot out a Pikachu plushie for him
• He sleeps with it until today and he loves it so much
• He'll definitely take you to more Luna Parks now that he knows how much you both enjoyed it
Z = Zzz (What is a sleep habit of theirs? Does it change around a partner?)
• He probably doesn't sleep a lot, he spends the nights playing games and streaming
• He's trying to go to sleep earlier because of you, if you're used to going to sleep early
• He'll stop drinking energy drinks so much and he'll try to go to sleep when you do, but sometimes he just has to play
• But if you play games and stay awake late too, you two will call and play games together until morning
• Or when you're at his place, you'll play on console together or stream on Twich all my Denki HC's are twich streamer!Denki and I'm not sorry for it
- Shinsou -
C = Cuddles (Do they like to cuddle? How would they cuddle?)
I did A (Affection) for Shinsou and I included cuddles in it, so because I don't want to repeat myself, it's here! 💖
R = Remember (What is their favorite moment in your relationship?)
• Saving stray kittens with you
• You we getting back from your visit at Aizawa's and Yamada's place when you heard meowing
• You thought it's just some stray cat who wants to be pet so you turned around
• But the only thing you saw was cardboard box
• You took a look inside and saw black and grey kittens
• They were still bloody, they had to be born just few minutes ago, but their mother was nowhere to see while she should have been cleaning them now
• You looked at each other and without having to exchange a word, you knew you had to save them
• Hizashi carefully took the box and you made your way to your flat as fast as you could
• When you arrived, you took some towels, spread them and carefully took them out of the box, to place them on the towels so you can check them
• Except being cold and dirty, they seemed okay, that was good
• You cleaned them with wet cloths and placed them into another box, this time laundry box with soft blankets and a heating blanket inside it to keep them warm
• You sent Hitoshi to get some milk for kittens while you watched over them
• You kept them, you couldn't give them away after saving their lives
• Except 2 kittens, these went to Aizawa's, because Hizashi had to leave the city for few days, so nothing stood in his way for getting cats wow this is really long
Z = Zzz (What is a sleep habit of theirs? Does it change around a partner?)
• Sleep? What's that? Our boi doesn't sleep at night
• At least then he's alone, when he's with you, he fells asleep sometimes
• Eventually, he starts sleeping for at least few hours most of the nights if you're with him
• But if you're not? He's not sleeping the whole time, he got so used to you that he can't sleep without you now
• He'll sleep mostly during day and always cuddled to you
• He doesn't care if he has to lay his head on your stomach, chest or lap, he needs his pillow
• He loves holding you when you sleep, even if he can't sleep, he'll at least protect you when you do
#bnha#bnha fanfiction#mha#mha x reader#bnha x reader#my hero acadamy#boku no hero x reader#boku no academia#bnha imagines#denki kaminari#denki kaminari imagine#denki x reader#denki#denki headcanons#denki fluff#kaminari headcanons#kaminari x reader#kaminari fluff#shinsou x y/n#shinsou imagine#shinsou scenarios#shinsou hitoshi#my hero academia shinsou#shinsou x you#bnha shinso hitoshi#hitoshi x reader#hitoshi shinso x y/n#mha hitoshi#hitoshi shinso x reader
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Five Seconds (2/8)
As I mentioned, this is the sequel to Of The Eight Winds. I will be posting the first two chapters today and then one chapter a day until next Monday. You can also read it on AO3 here.
Chapter Two
It was decided the best place to go would be the Midwest -- far from family on the coasts. They’d avoid the biggest cities -- Chicago, Detroit -- but still stick to denser populations; mid-sized cities on the edge of farmland -- it would give them the ability to lose tails in the chaos of town or hit the road quickly and disappear into the woods. A college town where no one would think anything of a new family moving in at the beginning of a semester. It was early May and the summer semester would begin soon at many universities. Frohike said he had a trustworthy contact nearby, so they settled on Lansing, Michigan.
The inheritance from Mulder’s father’s estate would keep them afloat for as long as they needed. Now they just needed to tell the kids.
XxXxXxXxXxX
Frohike handed him a shoebox. Mulder opened it to find new IDs for the whole family. They were now the McDonald family of Okemos, Michigan. The driver’s licenses looked real, as did the passports. Mulder thumbed through everything slowly.
“How’d you get these so fast?” he asked, looking up.
Frohike shrugged. “Best not to ask.”
Mulder leveled a look at the older man.
“If either of my kids ever come to you for a fake ID, I’m hiring a plane and skywriting your location,” he said.
Langly snorted from his chair.
“This is your new address,” Frohike said, handing Mulder a piece of paper that he threw in the box. “Subleased a furnished house from a professor traveling on sabbatical. Darlene will meet you there at noon on Friday. Don’t be late, she gets cranky.”
“Darlene?” Mulder asked.
“Darlene Frohike,” Byers piped in. “Melvin’s sister.”
“You have a sister?” Mulder said, surprised. He pictured Frohike with breasts and long hair and felt one eye start to twitch.
“Go to her if you need help,” Frohike said, “she lives nearby.”
“You have a sister?” Mulder said again.
Frohike glared at him.
“They used to run pacifists over the border into Windsor, Canada during ‘Nam,” Langly helpfully piped up. “She can roll.”
“She can roll?” Mulder asked.
“Her kung-fu’s the best,” Frohike said seriously.
Mulder held up the box of fake documents.
“Family affair, huh?” he said, and Frohike shrugged.
Mulder thumbed through everything one more time before departing the bunker. They’d been generous with Scully’s height and his weight. He could picture his wife’s smirk already.
“Hey, Mulder?” Frohike called out just as he opened the door. Mulder glanced back at the three men. “Be careful.”
XxXxXxXxXxX
Mulder called a family meeting as soon as the kids walked in the door that evening. After the news they’d received the last time their parents had sat down with them like this, they both looked at them with trepidation.
“God, you’re not about to tell us Mom’s having twins, are you?” Lily said, plopping down on the couch in the living room. Will lowered himself down next to her, his eyes darting back and forth between his parents. When neither Mulder nor Scully laughed, Lily’s face fell. “What’s going on?” she asked seriously.
Mulder had debated with Scully how honest to be with them. While he thought they were old enough to handle the full truth, neither wanted to scare them. And yet they needed to know the severity of the situation. A parent’s eternal dilemma.
“Our family is in some trouble,” he started, sharing a look with Scully. “And we’re going to need to leave town for a while.”
“When?” Lily asked, “For how long?”
“What kind of trouble?” Will asked.
“There are some people that are after your mom-” Mulder started, and both kids interrupted him quickly.
“What kind of people?” Lily asked, at the same time, Will, whose voice rose almost an octave, said:
“After her for what?”
Mulder rubbed a hand over his face. He was perched on the arm of the chair Scully occupied, and she reached out and took his hand.
“I think we need to start from the beginning,” she said. “The very beginning.”
She gave his hand a squeeze and began talking. Starting with the abduction of Samantha Mulder, Scully gave a thorough, yet succinct account of the ins and outs of their current predicament, making the whole outlandish tale sound coherent and almost reasonable. Both kids listened to her raptly and remained calm, and Mulder once again thanked his lucky stars for the woman next to him. For all the tumult they’d experienced through the years, there was no one he’d rather have by his side.
“I have a friend -- some friends -- that have set us up with a new life-” Mulder said, when Scully was finally done talking.
He was interrupted by Lily.
“The friends who you visit at Arlington Cemetery? The ones we’re not supposed to know about? Those friends?”
Mulder looked to Scully who wore a surprised smile.
“I haven’t said a thing, Mulder,” she said, looking to him.
“Lily hid in the trunk of your car once,” said Will.
“Will!” Lily shouted at her brother.
“Lil, is that true?” Scully asked her daughter, concerned. Lily wouldn’t meet her eyes.
“I’m not sure whether to be terrified or impressed,” Mulder said. Then shook his head. Back to the topic at hand. He would worry about that later. “Anyway, those friends have set us up with a life in the Midwest for a year, probably less. Until the heat is off. Until we’re sure we’re all safe.”
“Where in the Midwest?” Lily said with trepidation.
“Michigan,” Scully said.
“They’ve got good hockey in Michigan,” Will offered, and Mulder wanted to hug the kid for his optimism.
Lily looked pained. “What about school?” she said. “What about UVA?” She was supposed to start college there in the fall.
“Lil, these people are not above using you to get to us. The only safe thing is for you and Will to come with us. It’s not even for a year. You can defer. Just the fall semester,” Mulder said.
Lily fell back against the cushions on the couch. Scully and Mulder shared a look.
“And we have to leave soon,” Scully said, “before graduation.”
Will reached out and put his hand on his sister’s knee, his face all sympathy. To her credit, Lily looked at her little brother and gave him a thankful look, a small uptick of the lips. Will turned back to his parents.
“When do we have to start packing?” he asked.
“Tonight,” Mulder said.
XxX
A day later found Mulder in the attic with Lily and William, going through boxes, taking the few things that they had in storage that they thought they might need. Mulder had grabbed a tent, a few sleeping bags, a kit knife, various useful odds and ends.
Will was over in the corner and had unearthed a box of old pictures and held one up for Mulder’s perusal.
“What’s this one from?” his son asked.
Mulder came over to take a look. It was a glossy 8x10 of him and Scully facing each other, framed in profile, hovering on the edge of a crime scene. He remembered it, now. It had been taken by a federal crime scene tech who’d finished documenting a scene and had needed to finish off the roll of film. Mulder had seen him snapping and had handed the guy a fiver. Two weeks later it arrived in an interoffice envelope, accompanied by three dollars and a post-it that said “keep the change.”
In the photo, Scully was looking up at him, the sun at her back slanting on her autumn hair so that it shone like a halo of spun gold. She was wearing a dark suit, as was her wont, the bulge of her service weapon at her back, one arm out and gesturing at something out of frame. He was struck, as he always seemed to be, by her exquisite beauty; her face was a composition. A work of art. A call to prayer.
“God,” he said, a little awestruck, “look how young we were.”
“Mom used to be really pretty,” Will said, and though he said it kindly, Mulder turned to him slowly.
“I’m sorry, ‘Used to be?’” he said.
Will looked nervously between his father and Lily.
“She’s still pretty?” Will said, more as a question than a statement.
“God damn right,” he said, “Every day I thank my lucky stars that she still deigns to share my bed.”
“Dad, don’t be gross,” from Lily, who at 18 didn’t mind her parent’s displays of affection so long as they weren’t public.
“Gross?” Mulder said, pointing at each of them. “Gross? You were born of the loins of an ethereal creature of heaven, the both of you. Don’t blaspheme.”
“Says the guy who just said ‘God damn,’” said Lily, cheekily.
Mulder grinned and turned back to the photo.
“To me, fair friend, you never can be old, for as you were when first your eye I ey’d, such seems your beauty still,” Mulder said, looking at it.
“Which sonnet?” Lily asked.
“104,” he said, and they shared a smile. Another silent moment of admiring the photo and he set it down, turned to his children. “All right,” he said, “pack what you need. Let’s get a move on.”
He added the picture to his own cache.
XxXxXxXxXxX
Something caught Lily’s eye as her father was folding up the old box of photos. The corner of a glossy 5x7 was sticking up from the edge of the box -- in it, she saw her father’s face, smiling, looking extremely young.
She helped him shove it back into the corner of the attic with a scrape of cardboard on plywood and he stood, head still bent down in the cramped space so as not to crack his skull on the slanted beams.
William was already heading back down the rickety ladder onto the landing below them, the hollow sound of his steps on the aluminum like the beat of a drum.
“You okay, Lil?” her father asked, his eyes squinted at her in concern. She was still kneeling by the box.
“Yeah,” she said, smiling at him, and glanced around the attic, at the memories their family had built up over the years. She hoped they’d be able to revisit them one day. Deep down she was afraid this might be the last time she saw some of these things -- an old box of her brother’s LEGOs, her Raggedy Ann, the doll’s black button eyes fixed and sightless, a wispy cobweb hanging limply off her yarn hair.
“Let’s get out of here, then,” he said, and reached down to help her up.
Before she took it, she reached out and pulled at the glossy photo, sliding it easily out of the box and slipping it surreptitiously into her back pocket as she stood. It crinkled in her jeans as she walked toward the attic ladder with her father behind her, as she moved on toward she knew not what.
XxXxXxXxXxX
Scully sat in her car with her keys in her hand, staring at the woman’s house, debating whether or not to get out.
She had faith in her husband and all her things in a suitcase, but there was still a small part of her that didn’t quite believe the tale Olivia Kurtzweil had told them. In all their years working together on the X-Files, Mulder had always been the engine, and she had always been the brake -- and the impulse to tap the pedal when faced with the fantastic had never left her, even after more than a decade out of the basement office.
She drummed her nails on the steering wheel once and then made a decision, shoving the keys into the pocket of her coat, double checking that her service weapon was in order, and sliding out of her car and onto the sidewalk. She wanted one last talk with the woman before committing to this drastic course of action.
It hadn’t been easy to find Kurtzweil’s address -- even with the Bureau’s resources at her fingertips. She’d had to call in a favor to a friend with ties to the State Department to get it.
The street Kurtzweil lived on was quiet, just outside of Pentagon City. Parking on the street was by permit only, and there were hardly any cars. The house was a one-story ranch with a long porch, big enough for two rocking chairs, which were tilted at an angle toward each other just-so. The landscaping was impeccable and there weren’t any bugs in the porch lights. Olivia ran a tidy ship that Scully could appreciate.
She hesitated one last time at the door before reaching for the doorbell. She’d debated the merits of coming unannounced and had settled on the element of surprise -- hoping if the woman were lying about anything, unprepped and unrehearsed, Scully might be able to suss out lie from truth.
She heard the bell ring inside the house and waited for muffled footsteps or perhaps the bark of a dog. She was met with silence. She gave it about another ten seconds before ringing the bell again. When there was still no answer, she walked over to the garage and stood on tiptoes to peer through the window. There was a BMW parked inside. Scully made her way back to the door, and reached up to give it a knock. When her knuckles hit the wood the door gave an inch and suddenly feeling unsettled, Scully pushed it slowly the rest of the way open.
Just inside the door there was a purse laying on its side and a cascade of unopened mail fanned out on the floor. A chill ran up Scully’s spine and she reached for her sidearm, suddenly glad she’d brought it.
“Olivia?” she called tentatively, before taking a step inside, the gun held out in front of her, listening sharply for any hint of sound. None came.
She swept the perimeter of the entryway, all her senses on high alert. Hearing nothing, she called out Olivia’s name again. Still silence.
She turned the corner into the main part of the living area -- an open concept living room, dining room, kitchen, and nothing looked out of place. She edged her way slowly into the kitchen, and that’s when she saw it; two feet sticking out behind a large island in the kitchen.
Scully darted forward and slid to her knees next to the woman, quickly taking in what she saw before her: Olivia Kurtzweil had been shot, a double-tap to the head and one to the heart--a professional kill. Knowing she wouldn’t find it, Scully reached out to feel for a pulse in the woman’s neck. Her body was still warm.
XxXxXxXxXxX
Mulder stood in the elevator, his finger hovering over the ‘12.’ It was one of the newer office buildings outside the district, a high rise of dark glass and steel. He thought maybe he should have called first, but hadn’t wanted to risk it. Finally, he depressed the button and the elevator lurched to life.
On the twelfth floor, the doors opened to a brightly lit lobby, the walls and floor all stark white granite. There was a sleek reception desk ahead, manned by an even sleeker looking young blond woman, who looked at him expectantly as he approached.
“Hello,” she smiled, not showing teeth, “Can I help you?”
“I’m here to see Lauren Williams,” he hedged, and the woman’s eyebrows shot up.
“Do you have an appointment?” the woman asked.
“No,” he said, and started to wonder if he should have come at all.
“Okay,” the woman said slowly, narrowing her eyes, “I can call her assistant and ask if she can see you. Your name?”
Mulder felt like a bug under a microscope.
“Tell her it’s Fox,” he said.
She nodded.
“One moment.”
Mulder glanced at his watch. They were supposed to be on the road in four hours. This was a last minute stop for him, a barely thought-out ‘what if’ plan C in case the whole thing went to shit.
When he glanced back up, the receptionist was looking at him expectantly.
“She’ll be out in a moment,” she said, and Mulder smiled his thanks and took a few awkward steps back.
There was a small waiting area to the left of reception, but the seats looked more modern than comfortable, and the entire space had a disinfected don’t-sit-here vibe to it. Set dressing.
After a moment he heard the efficient clicks of approaching heels, and turned to see his ex-wife coming out of a metal door that he’d thought was a wall.
“Fox?” she said, her face one of pleased surprise.
“Lauren,” he said, as she leaned in and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, “I’m sorry to drop in on you like this. You look well.”
She did. She was in a crisp grey suit that was likely Chanel or Hermes, and trim as ever. Her face looked sculpted and her skin clear and bright. Not a wrinkle to be found. A mild cloud of the same perfume she always wore clung to her, lending her an air of sophistication where it may have made other women seem like they were trying too hard. She leaned back, holding onto one of his forearms and gave him an assessing look.
“You look… worried,” she finally said, her eyes narrowing a bit in concern.
He didn’t reply, and she turned to the receptionist.
“Thank you, Amanda,” she said smartly and inclined her head toward the metal door/wall which clicked open as they approached it.
She led him down a long hallway, with glass conference rooms lining one side and open concept work stations along the other. At the far end, she opened a floor-to-ceiling glass door and led him into a large and immaculate corner office.
Mulder raised his eyebrows, impressed.
“You’ve done well for yourself,” he said, “it’s been a while.” She shut the door behind them and gestured to a small sitting area off to the side of the office. It was more welcoming than the lobby seating had been, and he slid into one of the chairs gratefully.
“Executive Vice President,” she said proudly, and took the chair opposite him. She settled into the leather of the seat and leveled a look at him. “You okay, Fox?”
Mulder glanced at the door, at the bustle of the office beyond it. No one seemed to pay them any mind.
“I’m…” he started, “we’re in some trouble.”
“You and Scully?” Lauren asked kindly, “Is she okay?”
“Yes,” Mulder smiled, “she’s good, she’s…”
He fumbled a bit. Not quite sure where to start.
“Is it money?” Lauren asked. “Do you need-”
Mulder cut her off, laughing uncomfortably. He and Scully both made a very good living, and his father’s estate would have kept them more than afloat even if they didn’t. He huffed a deep sigh, and she sat quiet and patient, looking at him in concern.
“Our family is in danger, Lauren,” he finally said, “and we need to disappear for a little while.”
Her brow furrowed.
“Is it Scully’s work at the FBI?” she started, “Is it-”
He once again cut her off.
“Listen, I don’t want to tell you much for your own protection. The less you know, the better.”
She nodded, her brow furrowed with concern.
“The reason I’m here is… we’re going away for a while. Headed to the Midwest.” She remained silent, waiting for him to continue. “Do you… does your aunt still have that hunting camp up in Michigan?”
He saw a small smile crack through her unease. Lauren’s Aunt Clio was half Williams Family Secret, half Williams Family Legend. A bright, effusive personality, she was blustery and smart, and unpretentious to the point of embarrassment, as far as Lauren and her upper-crust-endeavoring parents were concerned. She lived in Ohio, where she and Lauren’s father had been raised, ten years the man’s senior. She kept a hunting camp in the eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan called Camp Hi Early. She hunted deer throughout the state’s archery season and had told a story at Mulder and Lauren’s wedding reception about running at a bear with an axe from the outhouse. The story had mortified Lauren at the time -- Mulder had just been delighted. Aunt Clio had been drinking straight whiskey at the party, and had just been about to tell Mulder a story of running ‘shine when Lauren had pulled him away and to the dance floor. Mulder had never forgotten it, or her.
“Aunt Cli died last year,” she said with a begrudging smile. Mulder marveled. The woman must have been close to a hundred years old. Lauren’s eyes met his. “But she left me the camp.”
“You still have it?” Mulder asked, amazed, “it doesn’t seem like your kind of… scene.”
Lauren laughed.
“That it’s not. But there’s a mining company that has its eyes on the northern 100 acres, and if they get their hands on it whether from me or from someone I might sell to, Clio Williams will haunt me from the grave.”
Mulder laughed, felt something loosen in his chest.
“If you need it, it’s yours, Fox,” Lauren said, the humor dissipating from her voice.
He leaned back in the chair.
“We probably won’t need it,” he said, “it’s just something I thought of as a distant Plan C. But if we need to get out fast -- if we need to go somewhere we can’t be found…”
Lauren nodded and stood, moved over to her desk.
“It’s rustic, Fox,” she said, and sat down in the chair, pulling open a desk drawer. “And not charming-rustic. It’s rustic-rustic. And likely in disrepair. I sent a local handyman out there this past spring. He assured me that the roof doesn’t leak and the windows aren’t broken, but that’s about it.” She was rifling distractedly though the drawer. “I’m not sure how well outfitted it is, and It’s probably overrun with mice and squirrels. He said it looked like a moose had been gnawing on the siding…”
“It’ll be a last resort,” he said seriously.
Lauren paused and looked at him.
“Bad?” she asked.
“Pretty bad,” he nodded.
She winced and stood, an envelope in her hand. She made her way over to him and raised it.
“This is the key to the padlock on the cabin door,” she said, “and a map to the camp. The handyman I hired drew it up for me, not the other way around, mind you. I haven’t been out there since I was a kid and Aunt Cli took me up there to teach me to shoot. There’s the boondocks and there’s this. I’m talking county highway to a dirt road to a two-track. A seasonal road that the county doesn’t plow. I don’t even know if an SUV can get in there. The road to Camp may be impassable...” she handed him the envelope.
“That’s what I’m counting on,” he said.
Lauren reached out and squeezed his shoulder, the concern on her face cutting rare lines into her perfect skin.
“I want you to check in with me, let me know you’re okay,” she said, “do you feel safe doing that?”
Mulder nodded, put his hand over hers where it rested on her shoulder, squeezed.
“Yeah,” he said.
“I’m serious, Fox,” she said, “if I call, you answer your fucking phone. I’m scared for you. For the kids and Dana.”
“I promise,” he said, giving her hand one last squeeze before he rose to leave. “I’ll send you a number when I’ve got one.”
His phone rang then, like a premonition. He answered.
“Mulder?” Scully said into his ear, her voice shaky with panic. He heard the slam of a car door. “We have to leave. Now.”
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Callie's Key
Mod: A quick-fic I made for the Fiascrew! I wanted to write out a potential introduction to how Spooky's (@fedoraspooky) character Callie (plant character via @mak-to-the-future) across Destin's artifact, the Night Key :) Hopefully you like it!
~~~
Old Mr. Prescott had had enough. Fed up with all the junk piling up in his garage, it was time to clean the place out. He wasn't a hoarder, but rather he collected a variety of paraphernalia over the years, as older folk do. Some of the junk might classify as antiques, but as far as he was concerned, that was just a fancy word for junk with a price tag. Maybe he could actually make some coin from all this nonsense in his house, and get some much-needed walking space while he was at it.
There was, of course, that damn box to deal with.
Prescott had gotten into the habit of storing everything he wasn't sure how to sort, handle, or throw away into a single box, simply labeled 'WEIRD THINGS' in big capital letters. While the cardboard outside was benign, Prescott was certain at least a couple items that got tossed inside were cursed. He kept the box of 'WEIRD THINGS' shoved far into the corner of the garage under a tool bench for several years, until something he picked up made affairs surrounding the box significantly worse. Tools started to fly off the rack, rearrange themselves into cryptic symbols and messages on the work table. One instance, he even got the word 'STUCK' spelled out from wrenches and a tire iron. It was at that point, Old Mr. Prescott knew he was being haunted. Something else had arrived in his house, it threw things to get his attention or stole food from the fridge, and he had no idea how to drive it out. Professional exorcism did nothing - the wrenches were arranged to spell 'NO' a mere hour later. Setting up protective runes to drive out malevolent demons had no effect at all. The fridge was missing a jar of blackberry jam the next morning, found empty on the tool table. Old Mr. Prescott had moved the box away from the tool table and shoved it into a closet right after.
But today was the day. He was going to be done with that cursed box, and whatever random object inside had brought this nuisance upon his house.
With any luck, he might be able to sell it off with the rest of the junk. If not, Prescott resigned himself to throwing the entire box in the trash, and hopefully doing away with the poltergeist plague. He was getting too old to deal with this.
---
Callie peeked out the window of the car as her mother drove through the residential neighborhood. Big eye blinking in the bright light of midday, she watched the trees full of autumn leaves zip by in a blur of color. It was so pretty! And it looked just like her hair! She was almost 6, soon to be a big girl, and she was quite proud of the vibrant yellow-orange petals starting to puff out from under the leaves on top of her head. Mom said it made her look quite fluffy, which made her think of her T.Rex stuffy, Munchy.
Callie hugged Munchy tight, feet wiggling over the edge of the cushion. She was bouncing in her chair, excited.
Her mom, a Dryad with hair made from sunflower petals and leaves, hummed to herself as she drove. She glanced over to Callie every now and then, smiling gently.
"Thank you for being so patient, sweetheart," Mom says, reaching over with one hand to bump her daughter on the shoulder, before her hand returns to the wheel. "I know we've done a lot of errands today, but just one more, ok? We'll get ice cream afterwards- how does that sound?"
"Ice cream!" Callie repeats, brightening at the thought. Ice cream?? Yes!
Mom chuckles. "Mr. Prescott is having a garage sale for the first time in fifty years- there's sure to be some interesting finds in all that mess! The man hasn't cleaned house since we moved into the neighborhood before you were born. If you find something small that you like, I'll get it for you, ok?"
"Yay!" Callie cheered, holding up Munchy in delight.
A present, AND ice cream later? This was the best day out ever!
The drive through the neighborhood was brief. The closer they got to the destination, Callie's mother squinted, making a sound similar to clicking her tongue.
"Shoot, looks like we weren't the only ones with that idea," Mom mutters under her breath, looking left and right.
Callie sits up, craning her neck to look outside at the houses. There were cars all over the place!
Mom eventually finds a spot to park, a short distance from a house with wooden shingles and roof tiling. Gravel crunches under Callie's blue rubber sandals as she hops down from the car, turning to stare in wonder at the squat old house. It looked like a pop-up book whose contents had unfolded into the lawn and driveway. Furniture was strewn across the yellowing autumn grass, neatly arranged in a grid with walking space between every piece. Chairs, a
coffee table, a big old couch whose leather had softened from use. A squat Sphinx cat-man in a striped shirt, bowtie and overalls leaned on his cane while he spoke in a gruff voice to a woman. Callie didn't understand everything they were saying, but it was something about money, and the coffee table. Next to the furniture were foldout plastic tables covered in random things, some of which Callie had never seen before in her life. Kitchen utensils that could be from the Great Depression, glass dishware in pristine condition, hand-me-down clothing in less pristine condition.
Oh! There was a toy table! Callie immediately scampered over to the toy table, hopping up and down to get a good look at the wares. The selection was charming, and had the warm feeling of well-loved antiques. A wooden pull-along train, a cloth teddy bear with button eyes, a cup with a ball on a string, and... some wooden cage-things with jingle bells in them? Callie shook one of them to see what noise it made, and the wrinkly cat-man looks up with ears perked for a moment, before shaking his head with a huff and returning to his conversation.
Callie feels a hand on her shoulder, and smiles up at her Mom as she ruffles Callie's petal hair with the same hand.
"I'll be talking to Mr. Prescott about some of the glass dishes," Mom says. "Don't go wandering off, and stay where I can see you. If you can be very careful and promise me you won't break any of Mr. Prescott's things, you can go ahead and explore, ok sweetie?"
"Ok mom," Callie says, bouncing on her feet as Mom ruffles her hair one more time.
"I'll be right over here," Mom says with a nod, keeping an eye on Callie while she walks over towards the cat-man, who had finished speaking with the other woman by this point.
Free to explore, Callie's eye sparkles as she examines this wonderland of new things to investigate. It was like a playground, but small! Callie wastes no time hopping onto the big couch, quite pleased with how soft it felt. There was something just- fun!- about a couch being outside. It felt forbidden, like taking a cookie from the jar before dinner. From her elevated vantage point, Callie could see all the houses across the street, as well as some of Mr. Prescott's neighbors. One of them was mowing the lawn! Callie waved with enthusiasm. They stopped and stared at her, and Callie beamed a smile back. They kept staring, lawnmower stalled. Probably admiring her pretty orange petal hair! She was so proud of it.
Callie stayed on the couch for another minute or two before she slid off, eager to look around. Mom said if she was nice and careful, she could have something small from all the things to play with here. She was going to be the best daughter ever.
Callie explored through the kitchen things, first- while she was quite a mean chef with an Easy Bake oven, she wasn't quite tall enough to reach the counters yet in Mom's kitchen. A metal ladle was the first to be picked up, as she gently swung it around to feel the weight. Hm. Shiny, but heavy. Probably not fun to carry around for very long. She put it back down. Next was an ironically stained stainless steel pot. That went right over her head. Hmmm. No, it blocked her eye. Not a good helmet.
Not much else in the kitchen section was interesting, aside from a few wooden spoons that were smooth to the touch. Callie could see her Mom side-eyeing her from the table where she was talking five feet away. Callie carefully returned the kitchen things to their proper places and moved on to the next table. It was covered in books! Callie got very excited, until she saw how thick they were. These would take forever to read! Maybe she could convince her mom to pick up some of the more colorful books for them to read together, but aside from making a fort or tiny city using the books as bricks, there wasn't much this table had to offer for a five-year-old. At least the books smelled nice.
The old clothing didn't smell so nice. Callie poked her head into the hanging rack of old coats and shirts, feeling like a spy - until the scent of
mothballs made her sneeze, and she pulled her head back out with a squint of disgust. Ew. The clothes were all too big, anyway. And some had holes in them! She could have sworn she saw a small poof of moths flutter off one of the old frock coats. She liked bugs, but not in clothing. The thought of a moth crawling around her favorite yellow dress and nibbling at her pretty petal hair made her squirm.
At long last, Callie let herself return to the piece de resistance- the toy table. She wanted to play-test everything here! Within reason, of course. Mom said to be careful.
Carved wooden train cars, a deck of cards- even the creepy monkey with the pair of cymbals got some attention. Callie poked at it, afraid it would move, and was grateful when it remained inert. The eyes wigged her out. No thanks. The cards were arranged in patterns, and she didn't quite know how to play with them, but they fascinated her regardless- definitely not a first choice, though. Callie compared the old cloth teddy to Munchy, who she sat up next to it with a critical toddler eye. The teddy was a bit smaller than Munchy, and not quite as soft. Cute eyes, though!
Callie picked up the wooden train cars, turning them over in thought. They felt sturdy, and were polished with wood lacquer. Soft and smooth, and really cool! It was a bit heavy, but that was fine. She was sorely tempted to pick one as her choice, but she had to know how they rolled. If they couldn't roll like a train, they wouldn't be fun. Putting all of the other toys back where they used to be, Callie set the toy train engine on the floor, and pushed it with her hand.
The toy train made a delightful clatter of wooden parts, the wheels carrying it over the bumpy concrete of the driveway. It comes to a stop after a foot of travel. Callie smiles, clapping her free hand against Munchy, before scampering forward and taking the pull chord. It rolled so easily behind her, and she didn't have to worry about breaking it if she was in front. Callie giggles, running in delighted little circles with the train clacking along behind her-
-until the train veers from a bump in the concrete, and clatters into the leg of a smaller foldout table.
The bump wasn't strong, but it was enough to make the table rattle. Callie froze on the spot as several small trinkets and random objects fly off the table to the ground, fear spiking in her chest as she looks over towards her mom. Mom was still talking to the cat man about the set of chairs, but she did glance over with a raised eyebrow.
Callie quickly waved back with a smile, trying to feign that everything was alright.
Her mom looked curious for a moment, before the cat man drew her attention back to the conversation at hand.
Callie immediately drops the train chord and kneels on the ground next to the small table, checking desperately to make sure everything that fell off was okay. The small table had been holding random trinkets and knickknacks, pieces of old jewelry, and a metal cup that thankfully stayed on the table- Callie was sure she would have been in trouble if Mom heard THAT hit the ground.
The objects that fell from the table were all sorts of small things, ranging from expensive-looking jewelry to simple puzzle toys that looked more like key chains for a backpack zipper. Callie quickly picked up a necklace- which, thankfully, hadn't broken or chipped- featuring a large amber-colored stone, and stood up to replace it on the table. Necklaces hung from the weird bird perch-looking thing, right? There were other necklaces on it, so that was where it was going. She had to hop a few times to reach it, but she managed to loop the necklace back on the display. Next was a wooden block puzzle- it was so simple that she solved it in her efforts to put it back together, before setting it on the tabletop. Some rings, sparkly rocks, more key chains- Callie knelt down to continue cleaning the mess, panic still bringing a light sweat to the back of her neck.
Among the mess was a small bag of marbles, and she'd accidentally knocked one of them across
the asphalt of the driveway. Scampering over, the youngster picks up the shooter marble- and pauses.
Sitting on the sunlit path, sparkling in the light, was a small key. Blue-black of the deepest reaches of space, shaped so strangely, it lay half-under a stray tablecloth from where it had clattered to the ground. Callie couldn't make out a lot of details, but even from here, the light that hit the object was seemingly absorbed by its depths, casting almost no shadow. Yet, the sunlight caused a small scattering of stars to sparkle on the asphalt.
...Callie crawls forward, leaning under the table and lifting the cloth with one hand to pick it up. She slides back out to hold the key in the sunlight, fascinated.
The key was very odd in shape. The teeth were thick and blocky, with an angled shape she hadn't seen on her toy keyring. The head of the key was weird, too- three holes arranged in a semicircle, and the top was swirled. Like ice cream, or a cinnamon bun! This key was so pretty! But- what was it a key for?
Well, whatever it was for, it sure was pretty! Why would the cat-man be selling a key? Didn't you need keys to lock and unlock stuff? If he was getting rid of it, he must not need it anymore.
...a gentle breeze tugged at Callie's sleeve.
She- felt something at her shoulder.
Callie turns around, curious and confused- but there's nothing there.
Huh. That was strange. But- she couldn't shake the feeling that someone was here. She wasn't scared, though. It was a warm presence. A gentle one. She couldn't explain how, but she knew. Whoever or wherever they were, they were nice!
"Callie?" her mother called.
Callie jumped to attention, startled out of her small reverie by the crashing reality that she still had a mess to clean up. She scrambles to pick up the remaining items and shove them back onto the table, no longer caring for organization-
-but the ground is clean.
Huh?
Did she pick it all up already? Callie could have sworn there were still scattered items on the driveway. But the ground was clear. Even the wooden train car, which she'd crashed into the table leg, was back in its place on the toy table. How-?
"Callie!" Mom says, and Callie spins around with a wide eye. "Honey, are you alright over here? I thought I heard something fall over."
"Oh- I'm ok, mom!" Callie says quickly, putting on a smile. Inside, she's still confused. Did she clean up the mess that fast?
"Okay," Mom says, looking around with a critical eye. Seeing nothing amiss, she appears satisfied. "Have you settled on something to take home, sweetie?"
Callie takes a breath to answer that she wanted the train car- then stops. She squints, thinking. She looks down at the key in her hands, turning it over in the sunlight. It sparkled and was warm to the touch. It felt good to hold, smooth and polished. She couldn't explain why, but it felt like holding Munchy- soft and comforting, somehow.
"I like this!" Callie said, making up her mind as she holds up the starry key with a smile.
"Oh my," her mom says with a smile, looking at the sparkling key her daughter presented. "It's so lovely! Are you sure you want this, and not one of the toys?"
"Mmmm," Callie hums in thought, eye narrowed. She did really like that train car, but... she makes a big smile. "No, I want this! It's pretty! Feels soft, like Munchy!"
Mom chuckles, patting Callie on the head as she hefts her stuffed T. Rex and hugs it tight.
"If you're sure, pumpkin. Let's take it over to Mr. Prescott, and we'll see if we can buy it." Callie's mom gently takes her hand, and starts to lead the tiny flower puff away from the display tables back towards the lawn.
Callie clutches her pretty new key to her front, beaming. It wasn't a toy train, but it was so pretty! She'd definitely add it to her keyring, filled with toy keys and old spares her mother let her play 'house' with.
Her shadow warped on the ground behind her skipping steps, forming into a curious silhouette. Flowing almost like water, the shape is thin, and retains a vague semblance of a person. Three eyes, like cutouts
in a piece of paper, followed Callie with a gentle curiosity from the head that flowed like gel in a lava lamp.
The warm presence remained at Callie's back, as the child pranced at her mom's side to buy her pretty new trinket.
---
Callie's mom finally finished talking to Mr. Prescott. The sphinx cat-man didn't blink an eye at the item of Callie's choosing, asking only for a handful of dollars in exchange. He shook paw with her mother's ebony black hand, and the two turned towards the arrangement of chairs set out for display. Callie watched as her mother passed the cat-man several more large green bills, and he gestured with his cane towards the chairs with a gruff nod. Looking relieved, Callie's mother walked over to her daughter and knelt to eye level.
"We're just about done, sweetie," Mom said, smiling as she ruffled Callie's petal hair, earning a giggle. "Mr. Prescott's just going to help me load up the chairs, and we can get going for that ice cream, ok?"
"Ok, mommy," Callie agreed, smiling.
"Thank you for being so patient, baby girl," her mother sighed, quite tired, but managing. "This is the last errand, I promise. Hang tight, I'll be right over here- and don't go anywhere!"
Callie nods, sitting down on the grass with a happy hum as she plays with some clovers popping out of the lawn.
Her mother walked back over to where she'd parked the car. With the help of the old cat-man, who was surprisingly limber for his age, Callie's mother got ahold of some straps and began the process of lifting the dining room chairs from the grass one by one. Callie smiled and waved every time they got close, getting smiles from her mom and amused half-chuckles from the cat-man. She busied herself with plucking the little clover blossoms, arranging them into little intertwined bracelets. She even got ambitious and started making a flower crown- it smelled really nice! Struggled to hold its shape, though, with how short and flimsy the clover stems were. Maybe the bees would like it? Callie liked bees, so fuzzy and clumsy. At least Munchy liked it! She put her first tiny flower crown on the T. Rex's head.
Callie's mother and Prescott finished moving the chairs to the car, and started lifting them to be secured down on the car roof with the straps.
Right then, Callie feels a rough grip latch onto her arm.
Startled, Callie yelps as she's pulled up to standing, her eye snapping wide open as she looks up in shock and surprise.
The hand on her arm belonged to the neighbor she'd spotted from the couch, the one who was mowing their lawn not long ago. They were holding her arm very tight! It hurt! She squirmed and tried to push the fingers off of her, but she was a small child and this was an adult. They were much stronger.
"Hey kiddo," they say, smirking with alcohol on their breath. "Your mom's busy, so she told me to watch you for a bit. It's ok, I'm not going to hurt you."
Alarm bells were firing off in Callie's mind, as she stared up at this total stranger in fear. Her mom told her all the time, don't talk to strangers! This stranger was way too close for comfort, and hurting her!
"L-let go!" Callie pleads, trying to sound brave like a big girl, but it only came out in a squeak. "You're weird!"
"I'm weird? You've got a flower for a head," they say, less amused, and frowning now. "There's a lot weirder things than me in this world, kid. How about we take a break from the sun in my house? It's right across the street, you saw it from your little seat on the couch earlier. We can even pet my dog- how does that sound? Your mom said it was ok."
Callie looks desperately over to her mother, trying to confirm in some way if this was true, but her mother was still busy loading the chairs on the truck. She was on the other side, and couldn't see what was going on unless she peered through the car windows.
The neighbor yanks on Callie's arm, causing her to yelp again as she's tugged off the grass and away from Munchy.
"Come on, kid- let's go, it'll be quick," the neighbor insists.
"No!" Callie says, trying to raise her voice as
she tugs back, straining with all her might to pull away. "Let go!"
Somebody help! Please!
wcrACK
The hand releases, and Callie plops down onto the grass in surprise.
From her shadow on the ground, a long snakelike limb had sprung into reality, and whipped the neighbor across the face with incredible force.
"aUGH- WHAT THE FU-GKKGHK-"
Before the neighbor can finish, the tendril swiftly wraps around their neck, tightening. It coils, lifting the stranger a foot off the ground. They struggle and squirm, held aloft and clawing at the cable of night-sky patterned darkness at their throat.
Five seconds pass, and the tendril lifts them higher, before slamming their face down into the dirt. The neighbor coughs and groans, protesting the treatment as they're lifted yet again.
From behind Callie, her shadow bubbles up, gaining size and definition as it materializes into a figure of its own. Movements fluid like water, the stick-thin limb around the stranger's throat is connected to an equally thin shoulder on a being whose body reflects a sky full of stars. A window to the universe in the vague shape of a person. On the presumed head is a set of golden eyes, narrowed in anger as they focus on the stranger. They tower over Callie, hovering protectively as they step forward, blocking Callie from the neighbor's sight.
Callie stares, wide-eyed. This thing was so big, so strange! She didn't feel afraid- why wasn't she afraid?
Were they- saving her?
"Never touch her again," they warn, voice like a hissing bell. "You will get no mercy."
This time, the neighbor doesn't get much chance to choke on their words. The being reels back that limb, and with a snap of elastic tension, whips the unfortunate schmuck across the lawn. They collide with a table, crumpling over one side as the contents are thrown akimbo with a loud crash.
That immediately gets the attention of Mr. Prescott and Callie's mother, who stop dead before racing over to the commotion. Prescott leaps with nimble steps to yell at the neighbor, while Callie's mother runs right over to her daughter. She passes the thin void-person without even a glance.
"Sweetie!" she frets, kneeling down to look over her daughter in worry. "What happened? Are you ok?"
"M-mom," Callie stammers, still spooked and staring at the big starry thing right next to them. "The- they- they helped me. The star-man- saved me."
"The who?" Callie's mother repeats, confused, looking around. Her eye slides right over the star-man nearby, not a hint of recognition. "Honey, who saved you? From what?"
Callie's rapid heartbeat stars to slow in her chest as the fear is gradually replaced by confusion. She frowns and points over her mother's shoulder.
"The star-man! They saved me," she explains, uncertain how else to explain it. She doesn't know how, but... somehow, they saved her. "They stopped the bad man. He hurt my arm..."
Callie's mother wastes no time looking at both her arms.
As she does so, the star-thing slides closer. Callie watches with owl-eye as the being gets very close, and extends a tendril-arm towards her. Having seen what those snake arms can do, she flinches back, and the arm stops.
"Honey, I can't see where it hurts if you don't hold still," her mother says, taking the flinch as a response to her checking.
Callie is still staring right at the void creature. She- can't read their face very well, if that is a face. The golden eyes blink, and they speak again. It's oddly comforting.
"I will not hurt you. I promise. Will you let me help?"
Were they asking her?
Callie hesitates. She wasn't supposed to listen to strangers. She just dealt with a scary stranger. But this one carried that same softness, that feeling of safety. She couldn't explain how, but she knew they meant it. She could feel it in her bones. In any case, her mom was here now- if they tried anything, mom would knock them silly.
Uncertain, but feeling more confident, Callie nods once.
The being extends the arm again, and ever so carefully taps Callie on the arm with the pointy limb. They leave it gently overtop
the area where the bruise was forming from the neighbor's harsh grip. Warmth emanates from the contact, and within moments, the bruise that had begun to bloom faded away, leaving only the healthy charcoal-colored flesh. They remove the starry limb shortly after, Callie staring in amazement.
Callie's mother is perplexed, looking at the same arm.
"That's... hm. I could have sworn you were bruised... Callie, sweetie, are you alright?" she asks, concerned.
Callie flexes the arm, and is amazed to find the arm is totally fine. It didn't hurt at all! That was so cool! She looks up with a smile to thank the starry stranger-
-only to see empty sidewalk.
Callie looks left and right. Where did they go? They were just here...
"Callie?"
Oh- right, her mom!
"I'm ok," Callie says, meaning it this time. "Arm feels fine, now. Starry man fixed it!"
"Alright," Callie's mother says, sighing once with a closed eye. "Well, as long as you're not hurt or anything, sweetheart. You tell me if anything feels wrong, ok?"
"Ok, mommy," Callie says, glancing over to where the neighbor was getting reprimanded by the cat-man. The reprimands progressed into the neighbor getting menaced with the cane, cowed away from the cat-man's yowling. "Can- can we go, now?"
"Yes, sweetie, of course. Let's go get that ice cream."
Callie's mother takes hold of her daughter's hand, scooping up Munchy to tuck into her daughter's arms, and the two start walking out to the car. Callie glances over her shoulder, looking all over for the starry man, but not seeing them anywhere. That was a shame... she really wanted to thank them!
As she clambers up onto the car seat, a star-speckled shadow follows at her back, vigilant and close.
~~~
The End
Mod: Thanks for reading!
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i got de like one week after they patched jean to 3.0 and i'm scared to mod him back to 2 or 1 because i'm already used to his 3.0 voice and anything else will sound weird. it's really funny to see people complaining about jean 3.0 being awful when to me that's all he's ever been. that's just who he is. don't be mean to him he was born in a wet cardboard box all alone
alsdkfhs he really was and I love him for it. he is simply all three versions at once and all three are valid.
But I hear you on just being used to the voice you have, and that's probably half of why the new version felt off and I had to change it back. Same thing for 1.0 - I've never heard it and at some point I should give it a listen but I know it'll feel Weird. 2.0 is just what I'm used to.
It's still the same actor between 2 and 3 (1 is someone different) so there isn't actually a huge difference, but it's definitely there. I haven't listened to every bit to compare, but personally from what I heard I just felt the new delivery was flatter and gruffer (and just a bit more French, but that part's just funny). I felt some of the emotional nuance was missing from some spots I liked.
What I love to imagine is someone out there who started playing in 2 and got the (unannounced) update to 3 in the middle of their game and he just. abruptly sounded a little different from the last time they talked to him. He's just feeling extra sad and tired today. He needs to go lay down in the rain for a bit.
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Celebrating Your Daughter’s First Birthday ~ Min Yoongi
The noise in your house grew instantly as the boys all piled in, Yoongi sighed, stepping aside as they barged into the living room, all carrying several bags of presents that were chucked onto the sofa, all eyes quickly scanning the room to be able to see your daughter.
“She’s over there, playing with her toys.,” you told them, pointing to the youngster as she climbed into her toy box, throwing things everywhere as she enjoyed all the new things she’d been bought.
The past year had flown by, you couldn’t believe how big she’d grown, and how far she’d come. To think it had been a whole year since she was born was crazy, it felt like only yesterday she was placed into your arms for the very first time.
Jimin was the first one to hold onto her, lifting her up with one of her building blocks still in her hand, cooing across at her, bringing a wide smile to her face as she realised who was holding her and who was stood all around her too.
Jungkook ran his hand over the top of her head, “happy birthday princess,” he smiled, pressing a kiss to the side of her cheek. The boys all reiterated his sentiments, hearing her giggle. She had no idea what was going on, but she was enjoying the attention.
“We’ve bought you loads of presents,” Hobi squealed, pointing to them.
“She’s been spoilt already today by Yoongi’s family, the house is going to turn into a mess.”
The boys didn’t care, they wanted to spoil your little girl like they always did, every time they visited they had gifts for her, but now, as she celebrated her birthday, they’d gone above all expectation you had of what they’d buy her.
Jimin sat her down in his lap, “why don’t you open Uncle Jimin’s presents first, seeing as I am the favourite uncle after all,” he teased, grabbing his huge present bag he’d bought.
Yoongi frowned when he walked back into the room with drinks for the boys, spotting all the things that had been bought. He looked across at you, as you shrugged your shoulders, knowing exactly what was going through his head, feeling the same way.
He passed the drinks around, sitting down beside you on the sofa, “where are we going to put all of this now, it’s crazy.”
“I’ve got no idea.”
“At least she’ll enjoy all of it.”
You nodded, resting your hand on his leg, “I think it’ll make the boys happier than it does her, they’re so excited to give her their presents.”
The two of you sat back and watched as the boys doted on her with all their presents your living room soon filled up with cuddly toys, games, clothes, anything that could have been bought, the boys had got it, once you had it, it wasn’t their problem.
“We did buy a present for the three of you to enjoy as well,” Jin told you, walking out the front of your house, with Namjoon by his side.
“Is it our birthday too?” Yoongi teased, earning a glare from the boys.
They walked back in with a huge canvas, wrapped in bubble wrap for the two of you. You ripped the wrap off, turning it around to see a make up of several photos of the three of you across the first year of your daughter’s life.
“This is beautiful,” you whispered, studying it closely, reminiscing about all the memories that had been captured. “I can’t believe you guys made this, it’s so lovely, you didn’t have to do this,” you told them all, trying to take it all in.
“You’ve done such an incredible job as parents, we wanted to remind the two of you how amazing your family is, and now you can remember the times,” Namjoon told you.
Straight away, Yoongi knew where he wanted to put them, one of the walls in her nursery had been empty since she was born, the canvas would fill it perfectly, for her to be able to look at all the photos too. “Thank you for doing this, it was so kind of all six of you.”
Your daughter was quick to walk over and see what all the fuss was about, you held it out to her, pointing out al the images that had her in it. Her eyes however only recognised you and Yoongi, slapping her hand whenever your face occurred, looking between the two of you, as she struggled to understand why she could see more than one of you.
Yoongi chuckled behind you, “one day she’ll realise how much of a treasured gift this is, and how photographs work.”
“Well, that’s not the end of our gifts,” Jimin smiled, grabbing a cardboard box that you’d spotted a few minutes prior. “We didn’t know how organised the two of you would be, so we took matters into our own hands.”
The box was placed in front of the two of you, Jungkook lifted the lid off to reveal a cake that the boys had made themselves yesterday. “It’s not the best-looking cake in the world, but we promise that it tastes amazing,” he assured you.
“We never actually bought a cake,” you whispered, watching the boys all look across at you in horror. “She’s one, a cake wasn’t exactly our priority, she probably doesn’t even know what a cake is,” you challenged, but they couldn’t hide their disappointment in the two of you.
Luckily for the two of you, in his bag, Hobi had one candle that he placed in the cake as it was lifted out, using the lighter he’d bought to, to create a flame, capturing your daughter’s interest straight away, as you held her back to stop any accidents from happening.
Hobi brought it slowly towards her, mimicking a blowing action for her to copy, watching the flame flicker out. “That’s it, you’re such a clever girl!”
“We didn’t even sing!” Taehyung then cried out from behind him.
Everyone groaned, looking between each other to place the blame on someone’s shoulders, your daughter’s birthday was slowly turning into carnage around you, not that you could expect anything less with the boys around you causing havoc as they always did.
You turned to face Yoongi, shrugging your shoulders, “is it too late to sing now? You asked, but Namjoon had already started, with everyone else quickly joining in, tickling your daughter, bringing a wide smile to her face.
“It’s a good job she’s young enough to probably not remember any of this,” Yoongi frowned, holding her in his lap for a bit, “when you ask us in years to come how your first birthday was, your uncles were the ones to ruin it all.”
“That’s not fair! We did a great job!”
You chuckled at how quick Jin was to shout, throwing his arms up in the air, shaking his head at the two of you.
He frowned across at you, “I think her birthday sums us all up perfectly, it was a bit of a mess, but eventually we manged to pull everything together to create something fun, and I’m sure she’ll love all these presents for a long time.”
“Presents aren’t the most important thing about a birthday,” Namjoon reminded him, “she’ll just be glad that we were all here to spend a bit of time with her, but also that we bought her things.”
“It’s alright for the two of you, we’ve got to find a place to store all of these when you all go, goodness knows where all of these are going to go.”
Jin shrugged his shoulders, “that’s not our problem, we just bought presents to spoil our favourite little girl, you only turn one once.”
“I know, we’ll find a way somehow.”
“You’ve managed so far.”
---
Masterlist
#bts#bts imagine#yoongi#yoongi imagine#min yoongi#min yoongi imagine#suga#suga imagine#bts reaction#bts scenario#bts drabble#bts one shot#namjoon drabble#namjoon one shot#bangtan#bangtan sonyeondan#kpop#kpop imagine
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Five Years
requested, sort of.
a/n; hi, i had half of this drafted and decided to finish it up just to give you all... something because i felt a bit guilty lmao. the original prompt was "I just wished you really meant it when you said you loved me back" but i decided to change it up a little bit, hope you enjoy!
tw // mentions of alcohol abuse, mentions of death (kinda?)
Did you know, the first cardboard box was created back in 1871? An Englishman produced it, likely by accident and it became a commercial success. But, he probably didn’t think that one of it’s most common uses today would be to transport your personal items from one place to another, more often than not whenever a negative situation arises.
Someone loses their job? They pack their things up in a cardboard box. You break up with your girlfriend of the last five years despite her claiming she’d never hurt you but then ended up doing it all throughout your time together? Pack all of your memories into a cardboard box... or multiple.
The first year was the easiest, the best… everything seemed a lot more simple back then. Dinner at new, expensive restaurants that neither of you could truly afford or wine tasting bottles from far beyond either of you were even born. It wasn’t practical, nor was it smart to use up the majority of your pay slips for the month on such exuberant dates but it became a thing… your thing… together. Now, those same wine glasses the two of you purchased in hopes of one day having the bottle worth more than your life to go along with it are about to be split apart like the two of you. The reviews about the best nights of your life haunting your phone whenever you decide to scroll through it idly, anything to take your mind off her and the end of what was supposed to be your forever.
Back then, at least, it felt like your forever. The nights simply laughing at ridiculous jokes or watching those old Hollywood classics where the main protagonist is a burly man and his only purpose is to save the frail, meek young woman from whatever is ailing her. You’d always mock how ridiculous the plot was and how neither of you needed saved from anything. The truth, however, is that you possibly needed saving from each other more than anything else.
The second year brought change. A new job for her meant far less time together than usual, but you both agreed to make it work, both agreed to put in the effort necessary to continue your relationship. It lasted, for a small while. But then meetings or appointments began to crop up seemingly out of nowhere and whilst it had begun to affect you both, neither of you bothered to address it. Smiling and waving away the nagging doubts in the back of your minds instead of facing it head on. Thinking about it now, you’re sure this is where the downfall began. It’s quite a feat you were both able to remain for another three years afterward.
You’d be lying to say that you didn’t think for quite some time that perhaps it wasn’t the job which was distracting Siyeon or taking up all of her attention, but rather that she had met someone else. Someone she had perhaps fallen for without realizing until it was too late. Someone she loved more than you. But, there were never any red flags about her being with anyone other than you, your life within the bedroom department remained steady and you’re certain she wouldn’t be capable of that if their were another person for her to sleep with.
The third year is a blur. Empty promises of adventures and quality time together that somehow always managed to blow up right before you both mere moments before you were due to finally have the space or freedom to be a couple. The late nights at the office becoming more frequent than not, sometimes neither of you would even see each other whatsoever for days on end. A coat would sometimes rest on the back of the living room chair to signal she was home, but physically, her presence was not anywhere to be seen in your shared apartment, in your mind and worst of all in your heart.
Communication began to dwindle and loneliness replaced the full feeling you used to feel deep down inside. You’re not even sure the two of you did speak at all at this point. She was merely a light breeze whisking in and out of your life whenever she pleased leaving behind a coldness that couldn’t possibly be cured. No amount of warmth could melt the icy barricade you’d built up around yourself.
The fourth year was full of trying. Real, honest trying. Both of you finally wising up to the fact that things were heading for disaster if nothing changed and fast. It wasn’t anywhere close to the first year, nor was it anything for either of you to be proud of. You’re sure if a relationship counsellor looked into the connection between you both they’d have told you things were dead in the water already, but you both tried. Even if that meant quick ten minute “dates” where eye contact couldn’t even be maintained. In reality, it was eating one meal together maybe once a month if you were lucky where she’d offer you small talk as if you were strangers meeting for the first time.
It wasn’t honest trying, nor was it real. It was a delusion. A façade. A lie to yourself in order to be able to keep some form of hold on this relationship that you refused to let go of for reasons you’re no longer sure about. Whatever the reason was at the time, you regret it now and wish you had just left when things went downhill the first time rather than putting yourself through extra heartbreak for someone who couldn’t care less about you, your relationship or sometimes even herself.
This year, everything fell apart. You could no longer lie to yourself about the fact that both you and Siyeon had managed to self-destruct within the confinements of your relationship. She began staying at random hotels, sometimes not even sleeping in a bed at all but rather resting wherever her head landed after a long night of drinking away her days work. That didn’t last, as she was eventually fired for not showing up, or showing up under the influence. You’re not even sure which as your brain had stopped processing her slurred words half-way through the conversation. She promised to find a new job and get back on her feet as soon as possible, instead, your savings account balance ended up being raided and left without a penny to feed her habit.
Despite every part of you screaming that you should leave and not think twice about it, a guilty feeling would always spring up into your head and chest whenever the fleeting thought crossed your mind. Fear consumed your every thought that she’d one day end up on the news having been found in a ditch unconscious or worse no longer alive.
Surprisingly, the breaking point finally came about from something far less dramatic. It’s what you needed otherwise it’s very possible that ten, twenty or even thirty years from now you could both be still stuck in the exact same position, moving around each other rather than with each other. Avoiding any and all confrontation in case it made her situation worse and putting up with all of the small things that have ended up building up a far larger pile of problems.
Nothing from this relationship has been fair on your heart or mind. It’s been a relentless battle everyday from the second your eyes open in the morning to when they close again after your mind has finished it’s final spin of thoughts, self-doubt, self-hatred as well as resentment for the person that the body lying mere inches away from your own belongs to. Well, when she does decide to return home and sleep beside you that is. You never imagined a day would come where you hate Siyeon, despise her in fact, and yet whenever you see her perfectly sculpted face now that is slowly beginning to show the wares of her alcohol abuse, you’re left with inner torment and pain, rather than the happiness you had once upon a time felt. Though, you’d be lying to yourself if you were to deny the fact you do still have a tiny amount of love left within you for her.
The weekend prior to the fall out, your family had decided to pay the two of you a visit. This alone was rather out of the blue and peculiar, however, you agreed to open up your home, if you can call it that, to them and Siyeon promised she would be there if only to keep up the appearance of a happy life together. But, as always, she was nowhere to be found. Not even a single text or phone call to explain why she had decided to not show up or why she had left you to try and explain away how she’s just “too busy lately” but that you’re both still as in love as ever. Her days are only ever busy with which hard liquor to pour down her throat next.
Nobody bought it. In fact, hiring someone in a clown suit to come and recite a monologue of known lies would have been more convincing than the performance you attempted to put on. It took all of one question to finally break the dam and unleash everything you’d been holding back from them all.
“Are you happy with her?”
The answer perched itself onto the tip of your tongue, threatening to spill out at any second, however, your eyes had other plans and instead allowed a steady stream of tears to douse your face. Everyone in the room remained stiff, stuck in place almost as if they were scared to breathe too loud out of fear it would break you further.
It was mid-week by the time she decided to finally return home. Your clothes neatly packed into a suitcase by the front door, everything else slotted into a cardboard box as best as possible. Old newspaper wrapped around some of the more fragile items, something you wish were able to protect your heart too. She stalked past all of it without even a second glance, nor did she bother to look your way as you sit on the edge of your seat hoping desperately that she’ll finally see how her actions have broken you both. Perhaps, offer an apology and make some actual promises that she will keep and the two of you could return to the happy place you once adored and cherished.
Instead, she moves toward the kitchen to grab a glass from the cupboard and pour herself some juice from the fridge. Her head resting in her hands as she sits down at the dining table. Her face looks tired and clothes unkempt. Whichever hole she decided to stay in this time, she hasn’t been taking care of herself that much is clear. But you’re far too enraged by her ignorance to offer her the last drop of sympathy remaining within you.
“They waited for you. They waited all weekend for you to show your face even just for a few seconds, and you couldn’t even do that for me.” Her head dropping further down onto the table, you hope out of embarrassment but you doubt it. “I asked you for one thing. Just one single thing, Siyeon.”
As you expected, she doesn’t speak. Her body moves every now and then from her breathing but nothing more. You’re not sure you even want her to say anything but the silence only further fuels the anger you’ve allowed to brew within you.
“I can’t do this anymore. I can’t do us.” Her body finally sits itself up and her eyes lock onto your own immediately. “You’ve taken too much from me these last five years and I’m tired of it. Things were supposed to be different between us, you were supposed to be the person I spent the rest of my life with. Now, you’ll always be the person I wish I’d never met at all.”
You turn away from her before you say something that you may end up regretting, however, her hand latches itself around your wrist as she pulls you back toward her encasing your retreating body into a loose hug that you don’t reciprocate, instead allowing your hands to rest inside your coat pocket to make sure they don’t weakly hold her in return. Her shoulders slump upon realizing you aren’t going to offer her any lasting piece of affection and she nods her head in self-realization that things really are over as she pulls away.
"I love you. I need you to know that. I always loved you and I always will. I’m just not good enough for you, I never will be." She says, eyes dazzling from the light reflecting on her tears she’s holding back. She groggily sits back down in her seat, head once more resting her hands, however, they wipe away a few stray tears that managed to escape.
Without giving it a second thought you turn to leave one more, because you’re sure that if you had thought about it even for a second longer than she deserves, you’d end up falling back into her arms and back into the depressed state you’d been ignoring. Picking up the suitcase and opening the front door, you can’t help but whisper out words you know that Siyeon can’t possibly hear, but you need to let them out regardless in order to finally say goodbye to everything you’ve both been through.
“I wish I could believe you, but I love you too.”
#dreamcatcher imagines#siyeon#girl group imagines#girl group scenarios#dreamcatcher scenarios#siyeon imagines#dreamcatcher#lee siyeon#kpop imagines#dreamcatcher siyeon#dreamcatcher angst#girl group angst
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