#i look out to see the shopping plaza sign waving in the fucking wind
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Okay, so having a panic attack because I was caught at a Mexican restaurant in a storm that led to a fucking tornado warning and 80 mph winds with my teacher besties on a teachers only day was not the vibe.
#one minute it's clear and sunny and we walk into the restaurant#as soon as we walk in the alerts on our phones start#i live in appalachia#we don't get those fucking alerts#then just as our food is getting to the table the lights go out#i look out to see the shopping plaza sign waving in the fucking wind#or at least i could until the rain was so bad you couldn't see anything#i ended up hiding alone the bathroom having a panic attack#worth my phone's flashlight being the only source of light#fuck that shit
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In our own image... (20)
Chapter 20
(Poe Dameron x OFC)
Other chapters...
My Masterlist
Word count: 2100. Read it on AO3.
Rating: Teen & Up (PG) mind control.
It had been decades since Chewbacca had been to Centares.
Not much had changed, he noticed idly, watching the crowd part in front of him. Rey was by his side, and the small round droid rolling a bit in front of them. Metal buildings framed a wide thoroughfare heavy with speeders and other transport. The pavement to the sides was bustling as well, but there was something about seven plus feet of Wookie that made people give way.
It was often nice to be him.
"What was the address we were given, Rey? Fourth and…?"
"Market," she finished, eyes scanning the street signs. "I’m pretty sure we’re on Market and that sign says third."
Chewbacca nodded, lengthening his stride slightly, watching to be sure Rey could keep up.
They had been here for two days already, searching the streets and asking quiet questions in different bars. They’d left Ajan Kloss two days before that, after Chewbacca had returned from Delacrix without his partner.
He still wasn’t sure what had happened. When night had fallen without Dameron’s return he had left the ship, searching out for any sign of the pilot. He’d eventually found his way into a small garden of some sort and been told to wait. He did, impatiently, until Dameron had finally shown himself.
"Thank you for worrying about me but I’m fine," Dameron had said, patting Chewbacca on the arm and turning him back to the entrance to the rooms. "I’m more than fine, I’m happy. And I’m staying here."
Chewbacca had been too shocked to do much but stare, reminding Dameron of the purpose of their mission - Abyss, the purpose of the Resistance. But the man’s face had remained oddly blank as he talked, as he urged Chewbacca to leave him. When Chewbacca had tried to take Dameron by force, he found himself on the receiving end of several blaster barrels - including Dameron’s.
"Leave Chewbacca," Dameron had said, eyes glassy. "This is where I belong."
Left with little other option he’d returned to the Falcon and back to Ajan Kloss.
Which, after conferring with Leia, was how he found himself here on Centares searching for the only person they knew of who might know anything about the Chasinians Dameron had chosen to stay with.
"Do you think she’s really here?" Rey asked, eyeing the city around her with a mixture of awe and disgust.
"It is where she told you she was, yes?"
Rey nodded, "Yeah, she - here! Fourth." She pointed up at the sign and they peered around the small square. There was an electronics shop just next to them, a store next to that selling rugs.
"If you ever wanna sell your friend," a rough voice called out, "Wookie skins go for their weight in kyber."
Chewbacca turned to find the source of the voice but it could have come from almost anywhere. "Say that to my face you ingrate," he rumbled, scanning the crowd.
"Chewie, come on, they were just being horrible. We need to find-"
A sharp whistle pierced the air and Chewbacca and Rey turned at the same time. There she was, waving at them across the crowded plaza. Rey was the first to Kina’s side, wrapping the woman in a hug. When she let go, Chewbacca bowed, fist over his heart - but was surprised when he felt the Droidsmith’s arms wrap around him.
"I missed you friends," a voice said in a strange accent.
Both Chewbacca and Rey looked at Kina and she smiled, gesturing for them to follow her through a nearby doorway. Once inside, Chewbacca noted that it looked very similar to Kina’s workshop on Ajan Kloss - stacks of boxes and several tables piled high with parts. The main differences were the strings of lights and the significantly lower roof. Chewbacca had to duck slightly to get through the doorway and the ceiling nearly brushed his head.
Kina was on one knee, rubbing and petting at BB-8 who was whistling happily to her. Taking credit for finding her on the planet. Kina grinned in response, asking after the droid’s welfare and programming. The droid started to say Dameron’s name but Rey shoved at it with her toes and the droid cut itself off. Thankfully, Kina didn’t seem to notice.
"What brings you here?" That voice again, coming from around Kina’s waist. Chewbacca tilted his head and she held up her right arm. Covering her from wrist to elbow was a metal sleeve. She whistled and the device translated. "I asked C3PO to let me duplicate their language files over. They’re a very gratifying droid once you get to know them." She frowned, eyeing the metal. "It’s not one hundred percent accurate yet, but it does the work."
"It is nice to hear your voice Treesinger," Chewbacca said with a chuckle.
"And yours as well," Kina replied, tapping on her ear where a small disc of metal was inserted. "Figured if I was going to go full translation I might as well go full translation." She grinned at them, perching on a stool and motioning for them to sit as well.
"How does K-0 feel about that?" Rey asked with a smile.
Kina rolled her eyes. "Oh, they hate it."
"Bad Kina," came a muffled voice from under the Droidsmith’s table.
Kina shook her head. "I’ve barely seen them since I turned this on. But enough about us, what carries you to Centares?"
"Friend Poe is in danger," BB-8 finally managed to say in a burst of noise and Chewbacca noticed that Kina’s spine went stiff.
"What is it, what happened?"
Rey raised an eyebrow at him and Chewbacca sighed, they had hoped to ease into the topic more gently. "We were on Delacrix, looking into the information you left for me. About the other Droidsmith." Kina nodded and Chewbacca let his eyes slide away from hers, "We were told he had an intermediary, a group of Chasinians, and Dameron went to speak with them. When he didn’t return I went to find him. He refused to return with me. Said he was done with the Resistance, that he was staying there."
"Did you see them?" Kina reached out and grabbed his arm, her eyes worried. "The Chasinians? Did you see them?"
"I did, I saw one woman, for a brief moment before Dameron told me to go."
"Did she have her hair like mine? Shortened on one side?"
Chewbacca nodded. "Yes, only hers was much shorter."
Kina’s head dropped into her hands. "Fuck, you let him go alone into a group of Chasīar?"
"A group of what?" Rey asked but Kina ignored her.
"Did he take any safeguards? Did you?"
"He had his blaster," Chewbacca offered.
Kina rolled her eyes. "No. Safeguards. Earplugs, a noisemaker, something?"
Chewbacca shared a look with Rey. "Why would we need to do that?"
"To block out their Song," Kina replied, turning to her worktable and quickly sorting through the pile of parts there.
"What threat could the Song be, Treesinger?" Chewbacca followed her movement, standing to help her reach a box. "The song makes the trees grow."
Kina turned to him, rubbing her brow with one hand. "Chewbacca, the Song of Making is one song."
Rey seemed to catch on faster than he did. "How many are there?"
"Thousands," Kina replied, pulling a bag down and stuffing clothes into it. "Even not including the forbidden ones… thousands."
"Forbidden ones?" Chewbacca grabbed Kina’s arm, turning her to him. "What do you mean forbidden ones?"
Kina patted his hand and looked at Rey. "Chasī, what your people call the Force, has both good and evil to it yes?"
"Light and dark," Rey replied.
"Well, the Songs are the same - they come from the same cause. Just as there are good things you can do-"
"There are dark things as well," Rey finished for her, eyebrows rising.
"Yes," Kina nodded, crouching down and fishing out K-0’s docking station from under the table and winding the power cable up. "You can affect people’s emotions. So can we - well, some of us. It’s intricate, but if there are more than one Chasīar, if Poe encountered a Choir…" she trailed off looking worried.
"Friend Kina?" BB-8’s whistle sounded worried. "What has happened to Friend Poe?"
Kina sighed, drooping slightly. "To be honest I’m not sure he’s even in there anymore. You may have seen his body Chewie, but his soul…" Kina shook her head. "We need to get to him. Now. For what length have they had him?"
"A week?" Rey offered hesitantly.
"You waited a week to come find me?" Kina’s jaw was clenched and Rey held up her hands in supplication.
"We didn’t know all this," she explained. "All we knew for sure was that he didn’t want to come back with Chewie."
"Chasī," Kina cursed, hefting the bag on her shoulder, K-0 running a circle around her feet. "I hope we’re not too late."
=
Chpt 21
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ha, that's funny cause you're in a witch costume - witch!haechan
nct dream halloween special: main menu | mark | renjun | jeno | haechan | jaemin | chenle | jisung
a/n: i was gonna write more in haechan’s POV but i didn’t want this to be too long since it’s already 3k (i say this all the time but pls ignore typos bc i’m a blind bitch)
genre: fluff + humor
word count: 3.3k
"I wonder if the ice cream shop is open this late."
The frills of your red and black pirate costume casually sway from the winds of the late October night. You're lucky the costume set came with striped tights to keep your legs protected and warm from the biting cold weather. It would be a lot colder if it weren't for the group of three energetic friends walking beside you. Thanks walking heat bags.
"Probably closed by now, it's Halloween, Y/N," Renjun responds, pushing his glasses up. The breeze picks up once again, it blows dramatically on his black wizard's robe and blue scarf.
"That sucks, everything's closed." Jeno kicks at the loose gravel on the asphalt road, his Batman mask covering most of his vision. "What do we do now?"
"How about we play a little game I like to call, Truth or Dare?" Jaemin pops up from behind, swinging his arms around Renjun and you. The ninja sword sticking out of his back knocks into the back of your head, in which you return a playful smack on Jaemin's side.
"You dumbass, everyone calls it Truth or Dare," Renjun asserts, throwing Jaemin's limp arm off of his shoulders.
"Well, how about it, then?"
The four of you agree since almost all of the houses around are stripped of candy and ready for bed. You guys trick-or-treated for a while but only got the smallest amount of candy since apparently you guys are 'too old for Halloween.' Abandoning the traditional Halloween custom, you four walk around town, finding anything to do to pass the time. Now it is almost 10:30 PM and you are still out and about in town. Somehow, your parents are okay with this.
You rock, paper, and scissors to pick who goes first, resulting in the loss of Jeno. He chooses truth once Jaemin asks the main question.
"Where is the strangest place you have peed?"
"Jaemin, what the fuck?"
The rest of the group laughs as Jeno scowls at the younger, "I don't fucking know."
"Nope, you gotta say it," Jaemin pokes Jeno's nose with a sly smirk. Jeno looks at you and Renjun for help but the both of you shrug in response. It's truth or dare, you gotta do what you gotta do.
Jeno grumbles before taking a minute to recall, "I think it was in a bush while I was camping last summer."
"Wait, I know this story. You have to tell the rest!" Renjun urges the already embarrassed Jeno. Jaemin and you stare with big puppy eyes, waiting for Jeno to continue the story.
"Huh... Long story short, I peed in a bush where a family of skunks was living and they sprayed me... while I was in my most vulnerable position," Jeno explains, defeated.
You choke back a snicker but the other two has already let out their heaviest laugh. Through your stifled laughter, you tease the latter, "wait, Jeno... The skunks sprayed your- dick?"
Without saying anything, Jeno replies with a slight nod, the tips of his cheeks burnt as red as Jaemin's ninja costume.
"Jeno sprayed the skunks- and they sprayed back!" Jaemin nearly has tears in his eyes, latching onto Renjun's shoulder for stability as the shorter hunches over to stop his stomach from hurting. You take refuge by a pole of a street light, gripping it with all of your might and trying not to topple over in laughter.
"Just continue with the damn game. Renjun, truth or dare."
The game continues with more embarrassing truths, since no one is brave enough to choose a dare. Your turn comes up next, high on sugar and laughter, you decide to be the first to choose a dare.
Jaemin's eyes widen in excitement as Renjun looks around the premise, coming up with a dare. "Y/N, I dare you to enter that store and buy something."
Your line of sight follows Renjun's finger, leading to a small, dark store. It stands alone in the middle of two large shopping plazas across the street. The windows, bordered with intricate lacey designs, are tinted black so that you can't see the inside. The aura the shop exudes causes a shiver to run down your backside. You wouldn't have been able to tell if it's open or closed if it isn't for the light-up sign that reads, "Mystik Hex."
"Guys...I don't think it's even opened," you lie with a nervous chuckle.
Jeno slaps your back, pushing you across the abandoned road, "You got this!"
"Don't be a pussy, Y/N!" you hear Jaemin yell as your hands land on the door handle, which is a smooth purple orb. The glass door is tinted black just like the windows, a deep purple curtain decorated on the outside. It's tied up at both ends revealing the name of the shop again, in a fancy but eerie font. Before opening the shop, you take one more glance back at your friends. In case I die in here, at least I know who to haunt.
With your eyes shut, you slowly swing open the door. You don't expect that the first thing to hit you is the warmness of the shop, compared to the harsh fall weather. After the warmness comes the obscure fragrance of the shop, lemons and roses.
You open your eyes, one then the other, to take in your surroundings. As dark as the outer appearance seems, the inside is much more welcoming. The walls are painted a dark beige and lined along them are shelves stacked with boxes and jars labeled the strangest things. In the middle of the shop sits a glass display case, revealing an arrangement of jewelry and ornaments. Hanging from the ceiling is a variety of dreamcatchers, of all sizes, designs, and colors. And in the middle of the ceiling hangs a large candle-lit chandelier. Speakers hidden somewhere around the store plays soothing 80's jazz music.
"Can you close the door, it's cold?" A voice sounds from the back of the shop. You close your mouth, not knowing it fell wide as soon as your eyes opened. You step into the shop, letting the door close behind you with a tinkle of the welcoming bell.
"May I help you with something?" the same voice calls. You slowly make your way around the glass display, eyes wandering all over the store as there is a lot to take in.
Finally, you arrive at the back counter, meeting the sight of a witch (well, someone dressed as a witch), holding a magazine in her hands with a lollipop stick hanging from her lips. The tilt of the hat restricts you from getting a good look at her face and the magazine in her hands.
"Um, what's the- cheapest thing in here?" you hesitate, not knowing if the employee is listening. The latter lowers the magazine, eyeing you up and down as she switches the lollipop to the other side of her mouth.
Finally, the employee tilts her hat back to reveal...a male.
༄
[Earlier that day]
"Haechan!"
"Haechan!"
"Hae-!"
"What? What? What do you want?" a boy appears from the back room, pushing the beaded curtains to the side of the entryway. His hands are stained with a dark blue color.
"Remember, you're gonna be running this shop today by yourself. Open up at 12 PM and please remember to close at 12 PM. We don't want a repeat of what happened last time...," Yuta, the owner of the witch shop, lectures the younger. Small bottles of dried up leaves and colorful liquids magically enter into his messenger bag with a wave of his hands, surrounded by a haze of purple.
"By the way, Happy Halloween. I left your costume by the cash register. You better wear it or I'm gonna fire you."
Haechan rolls his eyes away from the entrance and towards the stool behind the counter. A plastic bag sits on the chair, with a picture of a female's witch costume on the front of the bag.
"Oh, for fuck's sake." Haechan picks up the bag, turning it around to see if Yuta is actually being serious.
He is.
On the back of the plastic bag is a sticky note with Yuta's scribbled handwriting on it, "I got security cameras in here."
Haehcan makes direct eye contact with a security camera to the right of the counter, pulling a middle finger out for Yuta to see later. The yellow sticky note floats above his flat palm before it burns into nothingness.
"Dressing up like a stereotypical witch is so embarrassing when you're an actual witch," Haechan thinks to himself. "But I know Yuta will give me shit for months if I don't put this on."
Entering the back room, Haechan slips into the purple and black dress, not even surprised that it fits perfectly (and that it matches the aesthetics of the shop). He ties the cheap corset around his waist and plops the bent hat on top of his head. Then, exits out of the room, back to the camera.
"Jokes on you, shithead. No one comes into this shop anyway."
༄
A male? In a female's witch costume? I mean it is 2018, and fuck gender roles.
"What did you say?" the boy squints his black-lined eyes at you. Your eyes travel down to his name tag, Haechan.
Even his name is just as intimidating as his appearance is. His dark brown eyes are smudged with black eyeliner with a touch of red shadowing. His lips are coated with a deep red tint and a sparkly gloss over them. His ears are lined with silver piercings, he even has a piercing on the right nostril of his nose. His hair is dyed a honey brown with highlights of pinks, blues, and greens. Loosely holding onto the magazine, the boy's fingers bears many intricate rings, but the uncanniest thing about them is that he has complex markings on the back side of his hand.
"Um- What's the cheapest thing in here?" you repeat with a gulp.
Haechan pulls out the lollipop with a pop noise and points it at you, "what is this, some kind of prank? Because I'm not in the mood."
"Well, actually kind of. It's a dare from my friends."
"Your friends dared you to come in here- and buy the cheapest thing?"
"Basically."
Haechan returns to his magazine, which now you can see clearly it's for magical spells, and points to the far corner of the shop, "Those rocks are $5."
You look at the small cauldron of differently shaped rocks and colored crystals, which are actually pretty cool and seem to glow in an unusual way. You dig around in the cauldron before selecting a violet-colored crystal.
"I'll have this one," you announce as you place the small gem on the table.
The latter glances at the crystal placed on the counter, "Ah an amethyst. A remedial stone."
You tilt your head in curiosity, not knowing that rocks can have meanings behind it. Haechan takes this as a sign to continue.
"The gemstone amethyst is helpful in purifying the mind and relieving it of negative thoughts. This includes the negativity of stress and anxiety, which is why many people meditate with amethyst so as to rid themselves of that darkness," Haechan explains, the magazine now forgotten on the counter as he continues to expand on the significance of the gem.
You lean in, interested to learn what other aspects the amethyst holds. As the boy talks, you feel drawn in as if compelled to keep listening to him. The way the magical words leave his tongue makes the meaning of the stone more interesting. It seems like Haechan really enjoys learning about these magical elements as his eyes ignite throughout the explanation. The more you stare, the more Haechan intrigues you. There's something about him, the burning fire and shimmering stars in his eyes, both calm and stormy.
You can't help but let out a soft, "Wow..."
Haechan chuckles at your awed state, picking up the stone. Somehow it glows even brighter in his hands. "You know, I can put this into an accessory for you."
"Oh, thank you but I only have $7 with me," you avert your eyes, feeling a slight blush form on your cheeks.
"It's alright, it's on the house. The stone, too."
"Wait no, at least let me pay for that."
But Haechan has already disappeared behind the beaded curtains into the back room. You pull out the $7 and place it between the pages of where Haechan left off in his Magazine. You feel bad if you didn't pay for it and the dare is to buy something in this shop.
A few minutes pass by as you grow bored of just standing there, waiting for Haechan to return. So you roam around the shop some more, studying the different jars, candles, potions, and crates. They all hold specific items or ingredients, an explanation plastered on a note next to them.
Couple more minutes fly by but no sight of Haechan.
You make your way back to the counter, looking through the curtains. Bright explosions of purple and white lights puff from behind a slightly opened door. Out of curiosity, you peak through the crack.
What you see causes you to let out a gasp, knocking the door open.
Haechan stands by a large black cauldron, with purple and white smoke rising from the lavender-colored liquid. Hanging above the cauldron is a lever, lowering the gemstone into the mystery liquid.
Surrounding Haechan is a cloud of purple fumes. The markings you noticed earlier on his hands glow within his skin. He looks too concentrated in the cauldron, with his eyes closed, to notice you standing by the opened door. Though, you don't know if you should leave quietly or call to him. Either way, you can't do anything since your body isn't responding, leaving you frozen before him.
The fumes of deep purple whirl around, picking up speed before it comes to a full stop. The purple glow from the liquid dissipates, leaving the room dim since its only light source is a small ceiling light. Haechan's hands return to their normal state as he picks up the amethyst necklace, back facing you.
You still haven't made a noise or movement since barging into the room, hoping whatever magic is happening here can make you disappear from the shop forever. However, no magic is able to help the situation as Haechan turns on his feet with a smile and the necklace in his hand. But as soon as he meets eyes with you, he jumps back in panic, dropping the necklace. Yet, it stays floating in the air before returning to the palm of Haechan's left hand. You don't think you've even blinked since before this incident with how wide your eyes are right now. Neither of you dares to speak as you both don't know what to say.
The silence soon breaks with Haechan's distraught voice, "How long h-have you been standing there?"
"Uh, I saw the purple cloud thingy," you answer coarsely, though you know that isn't the best answer in this circumstance. "What was that? What are you?"
"I'm nothing. A human. Just a human. Yes." The way Haechan answers exposes his true nature.
"What are you?" you repeat with furrowed eyebrows, confused and slightly frightened. Is this how I die? I knew I would die the moment I followed up with the dare. Those pesky boys are so going to get a big haunting.
Haechan sighs, "I'm a witch."
"Ha, that's funny cause you're in a witch costume," you sarcastically respond, "No seriously, what are you?"
"Seriously, I'm a witch."
Haechan holds up his right hand, the black markings turning into a lustrous white as a swirl of purple smoke transform into a flame above his palm.
You stumble back into the door, not knowing how to react.
"Don't worry, I won't hurt you," the latter assures as the flame disperses into thin air.
Another silence flies by as you're still too stunned to function. A thousand thoughts squirming around in your head, trying to come up with some explanation.
Haechan moves forward to your frozen state, holding out the amethyst, "Here."
Your arm finally responds back and hesitantly raises to grasp it from his palm. You expect his palm to be burning hot from the flame but it's a normal bodily temperature. Though, you don't know what would be more unnerving. "Oh, thanks... for the necklace."
"Actually, it's not a necklace, it's an amulet."
You cock an eyebrow at the boy, "What's the difference?"
"Well, necklaces are just decoration, they hold no special abilities," Haechan takes back the amulet and connects it around your neck. "Amulets, on the other hand, are objects that are carried by or worn on a person that holds a specific energy or spell."
With how close Haechan is, you can feel his breath fan over your face as he explains the difference. Your voice drops to a whisper, "Then, what does this amulet hold?"
"Protective powers, as well as healing ones."
Your eyes meet his in awe but confusion, "protecting me from what?"
"Anything that's dangerous, Y/N."
"How do you know my name?" you break the contact between you two.
The ends of Haechan's mouth curves upwards, "I'm also psychic."
"Wait, really?" you bolt up in interest, eyes wide again.
"Nope," Haehcan pops the p, "I just heard you and your friends yelling outside of my shop earlier."
Your shoulders slump down, disappointed. Haechan leads you out of the back room, closing the door behind him. Before you can thank Haechan and speak a farewell, a group of yells enters the shop.
"What have you done with Y/N?"
"Where is she?"
"We're gonna kill you."
You realize it's Renjun, Jeno, and Jaemin barging into the store in their lame protective stances. Renjun holds his plastic wand out just as Jaemin holds his foam swords, Jeno just has his fists in front of him as if he really is Batman.
"Guys relax, I'm fine." You hurry them away from Haechan before they can embarrass you anymore.
"Who's the girl?" Jaemin points at Haechan, a smirk plastered on his face, sending a flirty wink to the latter.
"I think that's a dude, man," Jeno punches Jaemin's shoulder, stifling a snort.
You flash an apologetic smile at Haechan, harshly whispering for the guys to wait for you outside.
"Wait, that's a guy? Holy shit man, why are you in a girl's costu-." Jaemin gets interrupted by an electric zap sent from Haechan's finger to his butt. The younger jumps up from his stance, rubbing the back of his butt with an 'ow.'
"Let's get out of here, Y/N hurry before he kills us all."
Renjun pulls along your arm as you wave goodbye to Haechan. I'll come back, you whisper in your head, hoping Haechan has some type of magical power to read it.
༄
"Is this...a jar of eyeballs?" you place the glass jar on the table with your tongue sticking out. "Gross."
"It's frog eye but yes," Haechan hums, too focused on the potion he's mixing up in the back room. You're seated by a small table juxtaposed with the caldron, handing Haechan the ingredients and herbs he needs from the shelves of mysterious items. It hasn't been long since you've started working in the witch shop.
"What do you even need that for?" you question, wiping your hands on the black apron tied around your waist.
"All sorts of things," Haechan briefly answers, mumbling for the Burdock Arctium Minus.
You hand him a jar of the purple spiky plants, "and what are you making now?"
"A love potion."
#halloween special#nct#nct dream#nct 127#nct u#kpop#nct 2018#haechan#nct haechan#lee donghyuck#nct donghyuck#haechan scenarios#nct haechan scenarios#nct scenarios#nct dream scenarios#nct 127 scenarios#nct u scenarios#kpop scenarios#nct fluff#kpop fluff#nct dream fluff#donghyuck#halloween#witch!haechan#kpop imagines#nct imagines#kpop fics#nct fics#haechan imagines#haechan fic
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Four
On the verge of his tenth mile, Elliot had a feeling like he had to urinate. With seemingly no shrubbery around he contemplated just going in his shorts. He figured by the time he’d reach the finish line the ratio of sweat to urine would hide the fact that there was any urine at all. When he made the decision that he was going to go for it, he slowed to a trot and attempt to release, but he couldn’t. There was only more feeling of having to go. He decided to ignore everything and began running faster again.
The wind and sweat made the road rash on his wrists and knees scream. On a whim he took a left at the next side street and slowed his run to a walk. Eventually he came to a complete stop. He found himself in a sort of rundown neighborhood that had a shoddy old shopping plaza in it vacant with more boarded windows than windows. For some reason he turned his microphone off. I did not realize this until we played back the tape later on, I was consumed in the bar lights with Juno Rafferty.
Elliot began walking door to door and pulling on them to see if any were accidentally left unlocked. He figured there had to be an old toilet somewhere inside. He doesn’t remember if it was the fourth or fifth door he tried but he noticed the board on the window next to it was loose. He looked around to make sure he was alone before climbing in. He was shocked when the light flicked on when he flipped the switch. The majority of the bulbs were burnt out but there was enough life in the lights that lit to allow him to see things clear enough. It looked like an old insurance company or doctor’s office, the smell of ink and paper still lingered among the dust. It was a room that sat stagnant, waiting for nothing. When he turned the bathroom light on the light flickered and fought before eventually burning consistently. He stood over the toilet waiting a lifetime to piss. He inhaled deeply and then exhaled before finally feeling a painful trickle. It looked more like apple cider than lemonade. Fuck he said beneath his breath. He attempted to flush but nothing happened, nor did the water turn on so he couldn’t wash his hands. He cranked the paper towel spool and unraveled a few sheets of hardened yellowed tissue and dabbed his wounds with it. Thankfully his cuts didn’t look as bad as they stung.
When he walked back out into the office the room felt dimmer. He wondered if more bulbs had burnt out while he was urinating. He pondered lightbulbs for some odd reason. He found it funny that when one burned out at his house, he didn’t change it right away. He’d just get used to dimmer light. He’d wait until enough burned out and change them all at once. There’s less flaw in dimmer light, he liked that. It leveled the playing field. He felt the same about the snow. Everyone’s yard looks the same in a snowstorm.
When he climbed back through the window, he gazed out upon the empty parking lot. The broken streetlamps, the dead weeds stuck between cracks in the concrete. The trashy graffiti that meant nothing to most people and everything to whoever created it. He tried to resurface from his cavernous mind, but something was off. He kept falling deeper. He stared at the graffiti for much longer than a moment. Stuck in gaze, he couldn’t make out what it said. A voice shouted startling him from his daydream. He didn’t hear what they said, he waved and trotted back toward the marathon course.
10.87 miles- Bloody. Brown piss. Delirium.
He didn’t remember to turn his mic back on until he felt the adhesive tape itching against his chest reminding him that he was wearing it.
“Paulie? You there?”
“Jesus Elliot, where have you been?”
“Took a fall, had find a toilet.”
“You alright?”
“I think so.”
He would never admit that he was not okay. He wasn’t even halfway through and so dehydrated. I told him to stop running but he kept rambling about lightbulbs and parking lots attempting to sound philosophical. It apparently made sense in his mind. I had to laugh because it reminded me of the first time we got drunk together.
“Call off the dogs E. I am worried about you now.”
“They’re so lonely and beautiful.”
“What?”
“Parking lots. They’re always waiting.”
“What?” I laughed but not really.
“Arrivals and departures. They’re stuck in between. Like an elevator if you pressed all the floors at once.”
“I am coming to meet you.”
He continued. “I have to show you the most beautiful parking lot I found.”
“Elliot, you need water.”
Total distance eleven miles. Total time one hundred twenty-five minutes and fifteen seconds. Split pace eleven minutes and thirty-seven seconds per mile.
Not long into his twelfth mile, his legs wouldn’t allow him to run. He struggled to walk for a short while before he couldn’t move at all. An ambulance arrived and took Elliot Knox away from the race. They took him to South Shore hospital and pumped him full of fluids. The last thing he said before turning his microphone off was “keep the clock running”.
I parted ways with Juno. She was kind enough to stay with my stuff at the bar while I took a cab to South Shore. The cab drivers name was Kingston and he drove like Jeff Gordon. It felt as if the tequila sodas I consumed were very disrupted in my stomach. He took sharp turns through back roads and went fifty miles per hour on straightaways. I managed to keep from vomiting but not by much. When I got to the hospital there were two other marathon runners awaiting a room, apparently Elliot was bad enough they booked him right away.
I tried to make sense of everything a I walked the long corridors of lights and glares pasts room that smelled of insulin and disease. He only ran eleven miles… sure he drank alcohol the night before and probably didn’t hydrate but Elliot seemed healthy enough to run at least a half marathon and possibly walk another half. It wasn’t until I arrived at his room and the doctor informed that Elliot wasn’t healthy enough to run a marathon nor was he healthy enough to run a half marathon. I felt dizzy and delirious much like Elliot sounded when he was talking about parking lots and light bulbs. Everything went blurry. I felt worse than I did in Kingston’s cab. I could no longer hold back the vomit once the doctor informed me that my best friend was dying.
When I went into his room, he was lying in bed smiling as the IV drip nursed him back to hydration. I did not tell him what the doctor told me. He’ll tell me when he’s ready. Suddenly the jargon about light bulbs and parking lots made much more sense.
Parking lots are places that no one ever talks about. They’re not glamorous. They’re often quite the opposite. They hold no address, and they’re left off maps, it’s like they don’t exist. So full of exhaust and the pollution of strangers constantly arriving and departing. So full during the day and so empty and lonely at night. Painted in bird shit, chewed gum, and cigarette ash. Full of Styrofoam trash, and paper cups of smoke, and they carry the weight of the happiest hellos and the saddest farewells.
I sat down in the chair at his bedside, and he insisted he was not done running. He brought up the time I saved his life. He always makes so much more of it than it was. I don’t think I really did much, but I suppose it goes to show how much we are affected by one another. Not just our friendship but people everywhere. The little things make a difference. The slightest detail can change someone’s everything.
“I didn’t save your life Elliot. I just happened to be there.”
“Yeah. You were there when I did not want to be.”
“It was Christmas Eve, I was just dropping off a gift.”
“Not just a gift. You gave me a Blonde On Blonde signed vinyl… possibly one of the greatest records of all time, signed.” He laughed.
“I didn’t realize you liked it that much.” I said.
“I don’t. I like that I was going to kill myself that night and you showed up with a gift.”
I didn’t know how to respond when he said that, so naturally I said. “How come you didn’t tell me that you’re dying.”
“Everyone’s dying.” He replied.
“You’re dying quicker.” I said.
“Imagine if I could apply my speed at dying to running a marathon.” He joked.
“Yeah.” I said not knowing what to say.
“Look, life is a marathon. I have been running my whole life. I’m tired Paulie. The outlook isn’t good. I want to enjoy whatever time I have left.”
“Did you enjoy running the Boston Marathon?” I teased.
“That was miserable. But I have to finish it.” He sniffed his nose toward me. “You smoke?”
“I smoked three cigarettes. Yes.” I replied.
“You’re a smoker now?”
“Does three cigarettes make me a smoker?” I said.
“Does eleven and a half miles make me a runner?” He replied.
“God no.” I laughed.
There was a resounding pause after that laugh that I’ll never forget. It was as if I could feel him coming to terms with his mortality even though he showed no signs of vulnerability. I guess when you know someone well enough you can see through them. It was difficult seeing Elliot be weak. I had only seen him week twice in my life, once that Christmas Eve night, which we never spoke of after, and then today on this October afternoon so full of gloom.
Later that evening he felt stable enough to refuse any more treatment. I called us a cab and lo and behold, Kingston was our driver. Elliot enjoyed the ride much more than I did. When we got back to the hotel, Elliot vanished into his hotel room for the remainder of the evening. I walked back to the bar hoping to God that she would still be there. I felt almost out of body as I reflected on the day. I felt a little guilty that my life back home hadn’t crossed my mind. I found myself wanting to smoke one hundred cigarettes with the Goddess of Light, Juno, on a sidewalk in the dark.
I pushed open the heavy door and walked in to find that she was gone.
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Chapter 23: First Move
The air was quiet and still as Nox stood at the gates of Magnolia. He held the Dagger in his right hand as he knelt at the familiar circle in the grass. “Daemon, Daemon, Come to thee. Mine heart and home are left from me. Hold thine heart and thine spear, for thine’s soul is no longer here…” With a swift motion he slit his palm open and watched it puddle into a dark inky slime. The silliness grew larger and larger until it took a man’s form. The ink wished away to reveal Deimos, wearing his signature suit and an apologetic look. “I’m sorry it came to a point where I’m needed again but-” Nox glared at him angrily. “I have the power to incinerate you, so I wouldn’t talk if I were you.” Deimos nodded meekly. “As you wish, Vessel.” Deimos looked up and smiled kindly. “I did miss you Kid.” Nox sighed and felt a smile play across his lips. “I missed you too, Deimos.” With a chuckle and a sound of wind, Deimos disappeared from sight, but Nox knew damn well that he was always there. He walked and held his arms tightly as his sight fixated ahead of him towards his apartment complex. He felt his hand glide along the tail to the steps as he climbed to the 6th floor, opening his unlocked door and smiling at the sight of Tate asleep on the couch. He grabbed a throw pillow and blanket from the closet and covered Tate. "Goodnight Sparky. Don't stay up watching TV tomorrow, okay?" Tate hummed sleepily and pulled the blankets closer as Nox disappeared into the bedroom. A loud crashing noise jolted Tate awake in fear. He looked out his living room window to see a large fire and people scrambling about Magnolian Plaza. Nox rushed to Tate's side and looked outside. "Oh fuck, we gotta hurry!" Tate nodded and grabbed his Lacrima Communicator as they rushed out of the apartments. Tate jumped off the railings and landed with a loud crack of lightning when Lilli answered. "Tate where the FUCK are you?!" Tate sped past civilians who were running the opposite direction as he grunted. "On my way, so many people running the other way though. What happened?" Nox ran along a shop's walls as he jumped and flipped between signs and lampposts, quickly making his way to the fire. Tate pushed his way past the final group of civilians as Lilli answered. "Terrorists? Dark guild? I don't know! All I know is they completely trashed the Residential District and we need all the help we can ge-" Tate cursed under his breath as the Communicator fizzled into nothing but jumbled static. Tate sped up to Nox and nodded, telling Nox to speed up. Nox tensed and felt both Holy and Daemonic magic rush through him. "Holy Surge!" Nox rocketed forward, bouncing from surface to surface as he felt the heat of smoke steam his bare arms and legs. "Y'know pajamas aren't the best battle armor." Nox glared at Deimos. "Don't." He heard the familiar whoosh of wind as he rocketed forwards. Finally he landed harshly in front of burning buildings and Mages saving civilians to see a masked man throwing fireballs at every direction. Nox readied his light blade and his Dagger and charged the man. He turned and held both palms outward. "Fiery Eclipse!" Nox sliced through the flames and readied his Dagger. "Dark Barrage!" Waves of shadows flooded the man as Nox ran forwards. "Light Blade: Obliterate!" He swung his sword and watched as light sent the man flying out of the city. He turned away and ran towards the burning building. "Shade Form: Stream!" He ran black waters across the fire, revealing a child and her mother, covering their burned bodies. Nox lightly grabbed them both and walked towards a group of Healers. "Hello?! We've got wounded civilians, please!" A man came and took the survivors carefully as Nox darted off again. Tate crashed down beside him, bearing a few burns. "You okay?" Nox nodded and lightly palmed Tate's wound. "You aren't. Go see the healers and get patched up while I clear this building." Tate groaned and followed Nox. "I'm an S-Class Mage damnit! I can handle myself." Nox turned quickly. "I can't. Knowing you're in danger would drive my Magic crazy and I REALLY don't want that." Tate grabbed Nox's shoulders tightly. "We're a TEAM. We help each other regardless of risks, and quite frankly I won't listen to you telling me to stop helping." Nox groaned and ran into the building with Tate quickly following behind. Nox sliced down broken pillars and burnt walls as Tate hurried people to safety when the building shook fiercely. Nox ran faster as he helped citizens escape when the walls began to crack and the roof shutter. "FUCK! Tate get these people out NOW!" Tate nodded as magic fluxed around him. He quickly bolted through the building, bringing people outside as fast as he was entering. Nox fell to his knees as light and shadow pooled around him. Deimos nodded as they made eye contact. Nox held both hands like a prayer and created an orb of both light and darkness. "BALANCED PILLAR!" Nox's body was encased with liquid darkness as solidified Holy magic surrounded them both and shot through the building, supporting it and holding all pieces in place. Nox shook uncontrollably as magic radiates through him and he felt his body beginning to ache and writhe in pain. He bit his cheek tightly as he felt sweat on his brow. "Tate! I can't hold it forever...w-wrap it up!" Nox groaned as he muscles tensed, his teeth ached from being clenched so tight, and his knees buckled from the pain. He tasted the familiar coppery blood and saw his vision fading. He felt ill and began to quake quicker and stronger. Tate punched the glass to show Nox he was finished and Nox released his grip on the magic. He felt himself fly away from the heat and heard Tate panic. His throat was sore and his lungs practically cried out in pain. His eyes were glassy and the air was thick, and with a sharp cough and black soot coating his spit, he slipped away. "No. No, no, NO! NOX!" End of chapter 23
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