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effortandmore · 1 month

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caught looking: chapter 3 (knj x ksj)

summary: of course Seokjin has heard the rumors. most of them boil down to this: kim namjoon will get fired from the kiwoom heroes after this season is over. he’s the kbo’s youngest manager in history, one of korea’s darlings, always on every 30 under 30 list, and everyone is sure he’s about to tumble from the tower he’s built. or, namjoon is probably going to lose his job and seokjin is probably never going to make his dad proud, but they have a better shot at overcoming those two things together than they ever have alone.

pairing: seokjin x namjoon

rating: e for everyone for now but there is adult content in later chapters so no minors pls

genre: etl, fluff, eventual smut

au: baseball, specifically the kbo

warnings/tags: idk... swearing, drinking, and general sports things? some blackmail kind of and discussions of homophobia in sports. eventual smut of the gay variety.

wc: chapter- 4400

chapter summary: maybe kim namjoon isn't so bad

here are chapters one and two if you'd like them. or the whole thing is on ao3 here . as always, this is for @ugh-yoongi without whom i would not have written this, so thank you because it's been very fun

Seokjin’s favorite things to do on a Saturday night include: catching up on webtoons, playing MapleStory, watching American reality shows and wondering if the subtitles are actually real because he can’t believe people talk like that, and doing elaborate skin care routines with Hoseok while they get wine-drunk and gossip about the men Hoseok meets on the rare nights he goes out.

His least favorite thing to do is to go clubbing in Itaewon after the day has already turned into the next one, getting hit on by strangers, and wondering what all the vodka and second-hand cigarette smoke is doing to his face.

Unfortunately, that’s exactly what he finds himself doing this Saturday.

After a week of losses at work, he’s managed to convince Yoongi (and, in turn, his father) to sign the second baseman they’d discussed the week before, as well as a shortstop from Samsung. They’re both small and fast. Neither of them can hit the long ball, but they get on base, and what’s better is that they can both field. He should be celebrating this victory by kicking some random teenager’s ass in Overwatch, but instead, he’s leaning against a (probably sticky) bartop in Itaewon, watching his roommate dance his worries away amidst a sea of men who all seem interested in taking him home.

Seokjin supposes being able to move one’s body like that gives Hoseok an advantage in places like this. Fortunately for him, he’s never needed to dance to pick up, although he finds himself a little jealous of his roommate’s aptitude for it. Hoseok has been taking street dancing classes since Seokjin can remember, and he’s dragged Seokjin to a few over the years, but it’s not ever really been his thing.

Saying no to Hoseok has never really been his thing, either, he realizes, or he wouldn’t be here in the sweaty, dark club, tucked in a basement on a side street.

“Hey!” A voice calls from behind him, and someone taps him on the shoulder. He turns around to see someone who looks vaguely familiar. Short, muscular, with silver hair and pouty lips. He’s attractive. He’s—

“Park Jimin! You’re Kim Seokjin, right? We met last week. I work with you!”

He’s Park Jimin, trainer for the Heroes. And there have been a few times in the past where his work life has collided with his personal life, but it’s never happened so quickly before. He’s instantly a little nervous.

“Oh, hi!” Seokjin takes a quick swallow of his drink and sets it down so he can wipe the condensation off his hands. “It’s uh… I mean… I don’t usually run into people from work when I’m… out.”

Jimin laughs and it’s instantly endearing. “I see what you did,” he says. “Out. When you’re out. Because we’re at a gay club!”

Someone approaches them from the side, putting a hand on Jimin’s shoulder. “Sorry, my friend’s a little—Seokjin-ssi?”

Oh, shit. Because it’s not someone with their hand on Jimin’s shoulder, it’s Kim Namjoon with his hand on Jimin’s shoulder. Seokjin panics a little; he doesn’t talk to people at work about being gay, only Yoongi. For years, it’s only been Yoongi. Baseball players, baseball executives… they’re less friendly than average people about queerness. It’s just not something they talk about. But he’s here, so there’s really no question. He hates when people say things like—

“I’m just here for my friend,” Namjoon blurts out.

Jimin and Seokjin both look at him, eyebrows high and lips pursed. “Oh, come on, Namjoon,” Jimin says, “we’re all here, aren’t we?”

Namjoon looks nervous, a little pale, like he’d turn and run out the door if Jimin wasn’t staring him down. He runs a hand through his hair and gives a sheepish smile. “Yeah, sorry. You’re right, Jiminie. We’re all here. So…”

He’s interrupted by Hoseok, sliding up to their group, skin sweat-slicked and a little out of breath. “Hey! Introduce me to your friends, hyung,” he says breathily before taking a swig of his water bottle.

“This is Park Jimin, and this is Kim Namjoon,” Seokjin says, gesturing to his co-workers. “We work together. And this is Jung Hoseok, my roommate.”

Hoseok practically vibrates with excitement. “Kim Namjoon!” he practically yells. “I’ve heard so much about you!”

Seokjin wants to evaporate. It’s not the vodka that’s making his face feel hot, he’s sure. Who lets this many people into these clubs anyway? It’s got to be a fire hazard. “Who wants a drink?” he interrupts.

Jimin is watching all of them carefully, but especially Hoseok. Seokjin wonders if there’s something going on between Namjoon and the trainer, if Jimin thinks Hoseok is interested in Namjoon, if that’s why he’s paying such close attention. It’s not a thing you ask your new co-worker, though. “Oh hey, I know I didn’t remember your name, but are you dating the man I just ran into you with at the gay club?” Doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue. And he doesn’t get the opportunity, anyway. Jimin stays behind with Hoseok, claiming to be more interested in dancing than another drink, and Namjoon follows Seokjin to the bar.

“Just a beer,” Namjoon shouts when the bartender acknowledges them. “And whatever he wants.”

Seokjin’s a little surprised, he’s older, after all. He should be buying. “I can get my own, don’t worry about it.”

“Please, let me,” Namjoon argues. “A ‘welcome to the team’ drink.”

“Fine. A lemon drop, please.” He orders his drink and tries not to look over at Namjoon for his reaction. People (Yoongi is people) always tease him for his drink choices. He doesn’t give Namjoon the chance, though, asking, “Which team?”

Namjoon looks confused, cocks his head like he wants Seokjin to repeat himself. “Which team?” Seokjin asks again, a little louder. “Kiwoom, or you know,” he gestures around the club, “this team?”

Namjoon laughs loudly at the joke, his smile wide with all his teeth showing. Seokjin has the fleeting thought that he’s pretty like that, happy and genuine. “Well, if you’re new to this team, congratulations, I guess. It’s never too late to figure yourself out. But I meant Kiwoom.”

The bartender slides their drinks over, and Namjoon pulls his attention from Seokjin to pull out cash.

When he gets his change, he turns back to Seokjin and smiles. “So, do you dance?”

“No.” Seokjin shakes his head. “I’m really just here for my friend.” He hooks a thumb over in the direction of Hoseok, who is back to dancing, this time with Jimin.

Namjoon gives him a curious look. “Really?”

“I mean, I’m gay, too. But I wouldn’t be out clubbing at one in the morning if it weren’t for Hobi.”

“Oh, me too,” Namjoon agrees, with a look passing over his face that could be relief, Seokjin isn’t sure. “I never know what to do with myself at places like this. Mostly, I just make sure Jimin gets home safely, but I’m not much of a dancer.”

Because it’s often that Seokjin’s mouth is disconnected from his brain, especially when he’s already had a few drinks, he says, “Too bad. You’ve got the body for it.”

It’s dark in the club, but there’s no mistaking Namjoon’s reaction. His eyes go wide and he ducks his head sheepishly, both dimples showing before he busies his mouth with taking a drink of his beer. “Thanks,” he says softly after he swallows, barely audible above all the noise. “I think.”

Seokjin’s mortified that he said it out loud, not quite an intrusive thought, but close enough he should have kept it to himself. He doesn’t even know what it means. Anyone has the body for dancing if they can keep a rhythm, just because Namjoon is tall and broad and—It’s just that he’s in a gay bar, and all he’s used to doing in gay bars is flirting with other gay men, and there’s a painfully attractive one right in front of him, buying him a drink—It’s just muscle memory. That’s all. And now he can’t exactly walk it back. He should keep his mouth shut, bob his head along with the music, let the awkward silence that’s settling in linger a little longer. But Namjoon has other ideas.

“You do, too,” he admits, and when Seokjin looks up, Namjoon’s no longer bashfully looking into his drink, but looking right at him, cheeks a little rosy, eyes a little glassy from the alcohol. He’s so nice to look at. And he’s being kind and complimentary, making it so very hard for Seokjin to stay annoyed or to think he’s an asshole. Everyone has their moments, anyway.

He can feel himself getting a little woozy, and he doesn’t know if it’s the booze, the stale air, or the way Namjoon is looking at him that he’s definitely trying not to take as interest. How could it be, when Namjoon is clearly here with Jimin, hanging around in a dance club he doesn’t want to be in just to make Jimin happy? But in an effort to remove at least one of the possibilities, he finally breaks eye contact with Namjoon and looks out across the dance floor.

Hoseok is lost in the music, dancing with Jimin and a couple other men that they’d been talking to earlier at the bar. His friend looks happy, and more importantly looks like he’s not necessarily planning on leaving anytime soon.

“Looks like it’s going to be a long night,” he remarks, tilting his drink towards Jimin and Hoseok.

Namjoon laughs again, agreeing. “It’s always like this. I have to drag him home at four and he’s still begging to be out dancing somewhere until he falls asleep on my shoulder in the taxi.”

“Cute,” Seokjin concedes, because it is, and because he’s glad someone can relate to what his nights out with Hoseok are like. “Hobi’s the same. Doesn’t drink much, but dances until he can barely stand up. I practically have to carry him home sometimes.”

“He’s lucky to have you,” Namjoon says.

“It goes both ways.”

Namjoon nods and stays quiet for a moment, finishing his drink. When he sets his glass down, he says abruptly, “They look fine and I’m hungry. Want to get out of here?”

It’s hard to hide his surprise—he and Namjoon aren’t exactly friends, and Namjoon’s maybe boyfriend is out there, maybe drunk, dancing with Seokjin’s roommate who he just met less than an hour prior, but Namjoon seems sure. He’s punching out a message to Jimin on his phone, explaining to Seokjin that they have a system for nights like this, nights where Namjoon can’t find a way to keep himself sober enough and awake enough to almost see the sunrise. He explains that Jimin is fine, and if Hoseok is fine, too, Namjoon would really like to get some hotteok.

“Yeah, he’s fine. He’s sober, and he’ll call me if he needs anything,” Seokjin concedes in a sort of haze. He’s not sure he should be leaving the bar with Namjoon, but again, muscle memory. A cute guy is asking him to go eat, and Seokjin basically never isn’t hungry, so there’s not much reason to say no. In order to maintain some semblance of sanity, he tunes into the part of his brain that’s reminding him that Namjoon is a co-worker, that they maybe don’t get along, that he’s probably not single and this is just a friendly thing to do.

While Namjoon types, Seokjin makes up his mind. It’s just street food. He sends a message to Hoseok and lets himself be escorted out of the club by Kim Namjoon. Life is so surreal sometimes, he thinks. Even a few days prior, he wouldn’t have had this on his list of things that were likely to happen.

It’s still chilly for May, and a burst of cool air hits Seokjin’s face when they walk outside. The air is a little humid, and there was a lot of dust earlier, so Seokjin puts a mask on even though he wants to just suck in deep breaths of the night breeze. Even then, it’s definitely less stuffy than the basement club, though, and he feels some of the dizziness he was feeling inside escape him as he makes his way up the stairs to the street, Namjoon close behind. Namjoon, for his part, pulls up a tired-looking green scarf around his neck and then smiles when he notices Seokjin looking. “My sister made it. It’s falling apart, but I like the color.”

They walk quietly, but fortunately it’s not too uncomfortable between them anymore. It’s interesting, Seokjin thinks, that Namjoon is in some ways very much the same both inside and outside of work, and in some ways so different. For starters, he dresses the same: casually, but everything’s clearly expensive, like he never got out of some vaguely trendy streetwear phase in college and now he has the money to pull it off. Tonight, he’s wearing gray joggers and brown boots, with an oversized graphic shirt underneath a denim jacket. He’s got a beanie pulled low over his hair now that they’re outside, even though it’s only a little cold. He looks comfortable. It’s sort of cute. He’s also quiet here like he is at work, but observing. It’s one of the things Seokjin knew about him before they worked together, just from being at the same events and in the same peripheral circles for a couple of years. Namjoon is always watching, looks like he’s making mental notes of everything happening around him. It’s probably one of the things that makes him a good manager. And he is good, even though the Heroes’ win record wouldn’t attest to that at the moment.

But, on the other hand, he’s more relaxed than at work. Smiles more freely, his shoulders aren’t as stiff. Maybe it’s the beer, maybe it’s that it’s approaching some ungodly hour of the morning, who knows.

“What’re you thinking about?” he asks Seokjin, making it clear that he’s still observing, even now.

“Ah…” He feels caught out, feels heat rise up his neck a bit. “If I’m being honest?”

Namjoon nods. “Please.”

“Just that you’re different here than at work. But also the same.”

“You think I’m a dick here, too?” Seokjin looks up expecting to see him irritated, but he’s smirking, instead, waiting for Seokjin to be in on the joke he’s making about himself.

“I don’t think you’re a dick.”

“Really?”

“Well…” Seokjin purses his lips. “Maybe a little.”

It’s nice, the way they both laugh at that. Then Namjoon stops walking, rubbing the back of his neck and looking like he’s deep in thought. “About that,” he starts.

“It’s fine,” Seokjin interrupts.

“No. It’s not. I owe you a proper apology. I’m sorry about what I said about your dad, sorry I didn’t give you a chance. I’m not used to…”

“People disagreeing with you?”

Namjoon cringes. “Something like that, yeah.”

“It’s alright,” Seokjin says. “Really. I think in the end, we both want the same result, but we’re not always going to agree on how to get there. That’s life. I’d like to just start over with you, if that’s okay?”

“I’d like that, too,” Namjoon agrees, giving what Seokjin is starting to recognize as a habitual head-bowed smile when he’s a little nervous. “Thank you.”

As they walk, air a little less confining around them after Namjoon’s apology, the conversation comes smoothly between them. Apparently, Namjoon’s known Jimin for a long time—they came as a package deal out of the baseball program at the university they’d both attended. He speaks fondly of the trainer, and it’s sweet. Seokjin hasn’t had the chance to hear Namjoon talk about anything personal, so it’s a nice change of pace. He mentions Taehyung, how they all have been friends for years, working with each other off and on, and maintaining a relationship outside of work, too.

“Is it hard being their boss?” Seokjin asks as they walk.

“Hmm… No, not really. Tae’s always been easy to lead, and I played on a team with him for a while, too, so he knows me. Jimin reports to Yoongi, so we don’t have an issue there, and of course, we try to keep things professional when we’re at work. What about you, though? Is it weird to work for Yoongi? You’ve been friends forever, it seems like. He’s been talking about you since I’ve known him.”

“I thought it would be harder, honestly,” Seokjin says. “But Yoongi is… Well, he’s great, you know? He’s always trusted me more than I think I deserve.”

“He speaks highly of you,” Namjoon agrees.

“And you, too.” The compliment makes Namjoon smile prettily, the corners of his eyes crinkling beneath his beanie. It’s cute. It’s nice to see him, so far usually a little stoic, loose and happy like this.

They make it to the night market, and it’s a mass of people—busy and loud, and Seokjin loves it. He makes Namjoon stop at all the fishmongers and learns that Namjoon does not eat seafood, and thinks fish should be his friends instead. Seokjin makes voices for all the squid and mackerel on ice, taunting Namjoon. “Namjooooon, you should have saved us,” he squeaks in a high-pitched voice, waving a lobster in front of his friend.

“God, you’re annoying,” Namjoon shouts, but he’s laughing along, doubled over every time Seokjin makes up a new accent for a new sea creature.

They finally find fried food—Seokjin orders cheese hotteok and Namjoon gets honey—and they walk through the market to the other side, emerging on a different street than they started from, snacks almost cool enough to eat as they turn back towards Seokjin’s neighborhood.

He tears into his pancake, letting the cheese stretch long before it snaps and he pops a bite into his mouth. Around the food in his mouth, manners forgotten with the alcohol and the hour, he asks, “So, who knows?”

Namjoon pauses mid-bite, eyes wide, and doesn’t say anything for a moment. He regards Seokjin carefully, then starts walking as he chews. “About me being gay, you mean?”

“Yeah. It’s hard in our line of work,” he says.

“It’s hard everywhere,” Namjoon counters, some of the harshness Seokjin’s seen at work creeping back into his voice. “Sorry. You’re right. People aren’t very accepting. I try to keep it to myself, mostly.”

“Me too,” Seokjin agrees.

“Um… Well, Jimin of course. Taehyung knows, too. And Yoongi. And your dad, who was surprisingly okay about it?”

Seokjin tries not to sound bitter. “Probably more okay when you’re not his son.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. I don’t know what to say.” Namjoon speaks tentatively, like Seokjin wasn’t successful in masking his annoyance.

“Not your fault,” Seokjin shrugs. “It’s fine now, but it was harder when he first found out.”

“How old were you?”

“Nineteen. Brought a ‘friend’ home from university for break. Got caught being too friendly one night.”

Namjoon groans. “That sounds terrible.”

“It was less than ideal,” Seokjin agrees. “But it’s mostly fine now. He knows I won’t change, so even if he doesn’t like it, my dad’s never had time to fight fights he knows he can’t win. It’s bad business.”

He doesn’t really blame Namjoon for having nothing to say to that. He wouldn’t either if it weren’t his story—sometimes he still doesn’t.

“But yeah… In my personal life, everyone knows. My dad, Yoongi, Hoseok… At work, it’s now you and Jimin, I guess. My ex.”

Namjoon’s eyebrow lifts at that. “Your ex is in sports, too?”

“Sure is. He plays in Busan.” Seokjin should feel bad for where this is going, maybe. Seungwook probably wouldn’t want to have their relationship discussed, but his sexuality is an open secret, he’s been photographed with men before, but he’s been good enough at the sport that everyone just buries it, pretends it doesn’t happen.

“Seungwook,” Namjoon says softly. “That makes sense, I guess. That’s how you know him?”

Seokjin nods. “We met in college, before I started working for Doosan. Tried to make it work even with the distance once he went to Busan, or I did, anyway. We dated for a couple of years. I thought it was serious. He thought it was serious when we were in the same city and casual when we weren’t. Irreconcilable differences, as they say.”

“That’s awful,” Namjoon replies, and when Seokjin looks over, it seems like he really means it. His brow is furrowed and his lips are pulled to one side in what’s maybe annoyance or disappointment.

“It happens. The worst part is that he never really tried to hide it, you know? I just thought… I don’t know. I guess I thought maybe he would change.”

“They don’t change.”

“Sounds like you’ve had experience.”

Namjoon shrugs, non-committal. “I bet we all have.” They keep quiet after that, finishing their snack and walking toward Seokjin’s building. They’ve made it past the organized chaos of the campus nearby, and they’re about to pass the park where all the ajummas walk fast laps in their tracksuits at night when the air is cooler and the dust settles a bit. He can see the top floors of his building behind another, towering above eyeglass shops and restaurants and convenience stores. The complex is large, seven or eight towers, and nothing like the luxury ones of Hannam-dong or Gangnam, but it’s nice enough and he’s able to save a lot of money and help out Hoseok, so he’s happy there. It’s also a good location, right between two metro lines, so he can get almost anywhere in the city relatively quickly.

As they pass the park, bowing shallowly to the women who ignore them as they walk by, he feels his phone vibrate in his pocket. Namjoon’s must, too, because they’re both pulling their phones out at the same time.

“Jimin,” Namjoon says, holding his up.

“Hoseok. Did yours make it home alright?”

Shaking his head, Namjoon sighs. “I think he’s going to be out for a while.”

“Ah, Hoseok, too. Says not to wait up.”

Namjoon pockets his phone again after typing out a brief message. “I’m glad we did this,” he admits, not quite looking over at Seokjin.

“Me too.” Seokjin pauses to yawn, sleep finally hitting him after walking for a couple of hours as he approaches the entranceway to his building. “It was nice to get to know you a little bit,” he offers.

Namjoon is standing against the corner street sign, hands shoved in his pockets as he watches the ground intently. It seems like he wants to say something, jaw clicking as he works it in slow circles. Finally, just when Seokjin is about to pull the, “well, this is me,” card, Namjoon speaks. “Sangwon,” he says, still staring at the ground.

“Ah… don’t worry about that, Namjoon-ssi. It’s late. We can talk about work next week.”

He looks up and shakes his head. “No. Sangwon. He knows, too. And he’s not…” Namjoon blows out a long breath. “He shouldn’t know, but he does. I was stupid, made a mistake, he saw it, and he’s never really let me forget it.”

And with that admission, things click into place for Seokjin. Why Namjoon is protective of Sangwon, why he won’t entertain talk of trading him, why he got so defensive about it, why he wouldn’t even listen to Yoongi about the pitcher’s decline. Seokjin has no idea what Sangwon saw, but he understands Namjoon’s desire to keep it private, and understands why it’s not something he talks about. But it’s fucked up, too, that someone could be basically blackmailing him apparently.

“He doesn’t want to be traded, am I right?”

Namjoon hums in agreement. “He knows he’s slipping. Knows he’ll never get as good of a deal as he has with Kiwoom right now. Told me if I stopped any trade, he’d keep my secret.” He still can’t seem to make eye contact—and he shouldn’t be the one who’s embarrassed, but Seokjin thinks he gets that, too. He’s about to say as much, but Namjoon keeps talking. “I feel terrible about it, you know? I know it’s wrong—for the team. I know I’m a coward.”

“You’re not,” Seokjin says firmly, waiting until Namjoon finally lifts his eyes from the sidewalk. “It’s a shitty position to be in, and you’re doing what you think is best to protect yourself. No one would fault you for that.”

“I shouldn’t be in this position to begin with,” Namjoon argues.

“No, you shouldn’t. But not because of anything you did or didn’t do, but because only an asshole would use it against you.”

“Maybe you’re right… I don’t know anymore.”

“Of course I’m right, I’m your hyung. I’m always right.”

Finally, Namjoon smiles again. “Thank you,” he says.

“I had fun with you tonight,” Seokjin replies. “This is my building though. Are you close? I’m sorry, I didn’t even ask.”

“I am. Just a couple streets over. Less than 10 minutes.” He pulls himself upright from where he’d been leaning against the sign post. “I had fun, too. Goodnight, hyung.”

When he turns to walk away with a wave, Seokjin realizes he hates that he likes the way Namjoon addresses him with familiarity for the first time, hates that he had fun in a way that felt a little like a date… Namjoon’s probably headed back to Jimin, and it’s not right to be wondering if Namjoon’s dimples and the faint flush he’s been sporting have anything to do with the way his hand brushed against Seokjin’s as they walked or the honesty they shared—more than coworkers, now. Maybe friends.

“We’ll figure out what to do about Sangwon, Namjoonah,” he calls after Namjoon’s retreating figure. “I promise.”

It’s one he doesn’t know if he can keep, but something about Namjoon makes him want to try, when the other man turns around with a wide but tired smile. “Thank you. For listening, and for all of this,” Namjoon says, walking backwards a little clumsily.

When he stumbles over a crack in the sidewalk and into the side of a tree, laughing at himself before turning around again, Seokjin realizes two things.

He is hopelessly endeared, and utterly fucked.

#seokjin fic #namjoon fics #bts fic #seokjin fanfiction #seokjin imagines #namjoon imagine #namjin fic #kvanity #bts imagines

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winterpower98 · 2 years

Note

idk y'all Ma and possessed wukong......

wher- where am i-? Wasn't i in bed? there- the fire! Wher-?

a monkey with yellow fur woke up. In the middle of thousands of mountains in the middle of the night.

this isn't flower fruit mountain. It's way less alive and it's more darker.

"where even am i—"

The monkey asks, obviously not expecting an answer.

but as soon as she spoke, she realized that she was not sick anymore, her lungs were free from the smoke of the fire that burned and doomed her home, and she could finally breathe normally.

Oh! Oh how she missed this.

But, a problem still remains.

Where is she?

as she looks around the dead silent mountains, with a chilling feeling crawling on her spine,

She feels watched. Observed.

she doesn't know how she got here, but she must come back to her home. She must help her people while his..king..is well-

"happy to see her my champion?"

A voice speaks behind her, as the yellow monkey turns in a defensive position, just so she could see a child with blue-ish hair and a dress.

what's a child doing here?

but most importantly, who is she talking to?

the monkey, still confused of the situation, stays silent, maybe it's a demon? Or the ones who started the fire! ugh! Hate those guys.

she decided to leave, as the child didn't seem to do anything but stare and smile.

while walking backwards, and keeping an eye on the child, the monkey bumps into something.

it's not a wall, it's cold like silver. But it's also soft, and something she recognizes slightly.

As the monkey turns, her expression turns into a state of fear and even more confusion, her skin turning pale.

"w- wukong?!"

The monkey spoke, screamed at the sight of her king.

With a silver and blue armor, with blue shiny eyes with nothing but a dead and stone expression.

"what the- wukong?! Wha- is this why you were gone all of this time— y- where have you been?!"

The monkey grabs wukong arms to shake him, demanding an answer.

but the king remains unfazed, but he's shaking.

"w-..hey.- wukong. It's me- hey. It's me Ma come on don't ignore me- why are your eyes like—"

"isn't she the one you lost? The one you wished and prayed to come back so many times?"

The child spoke, a terrifying feeling crawled around Ma, the yellow monkey.

what was even happening?!

As he turned back to the king, she noticed how despite the unfazed expression, the king kept shaking, not because of the cold, but because he was crying.

his cheeks red, while his blue eyes struggled to stay open wide because of the tears.

"lost— what the- what did you do to my king."

Ma turned towards the child, full of rage for what- the monkey assumed- did to her king.

"oh i only made him perfect! he's my champion. And he's gonna help me fullfil everyone's destiny."

The child changed her tone into something more low and scary. She is definitely a demon.

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO WUKONG?!"

ma screamed at the demon, demanding an answer.

"GIVE ME BACK MY KING."

whatever happened- whatever this demon has done to her king and friend, ma dosen't care nor she wants to know.

But she is going to help save his dear friend and king sun wukong.

DID Y'ALL DECIDE THAT YOU NEEDED TO KILL ME!?

AM I ON A HIT LIST OR SOMETHING!?!?

I swear to god, if LBD touches a single hair on Ma...

I don't know what I'll do, but I'll do something

Part 2

#lego monkie kid #monkie kid #reunion au #marshal ma #sun wukong #monkey king #lbd #lady bone demon #wbs #white bone spirit #baigujing #fucking amazing you funcky little writer #winter answer #winterpower98

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dzpenumbra · 1 year

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1/14/23

Today was pretty relaxed. But just... off. And considering it was a Friday the 13th, I'm not that surprised.

I tried to get this suction cup rack put in in my shower, and it worked really well. Until like an hour later when I heard a huge crash from upstairs when it fell into the bathtub. That really frustrated me, I've had a lot going wrong for me lately and I was pretty excited to actually make a difficult thing work, and then it just... literally fell apart.

On the flip side, I got a master task list put together on my PC, so that's good.

I woke up really early because I was too hot and couldn't get back to sleep. It was snowing, it was really beautiful. I decided to keep going with Rimworld, it was pretty fun.

I sorted the tumbled stones a bit, they're nearly all ready for the next stage, I'm just putting the big ones back in for a day or two to let them shape a bit more.

I pulled up my Instacart order from Michaels last night and finalized it. After the whole shower debacle, I said fuck it and ordered. The woman took like... over an hour to shop for shit and fucked up two things on my list. I don't know what happened, I wish she like messaged me or something, because the primary reason I placed that order - pushpins - guess what. She fucking replaced them with thumbtacks and didn't tell me. The same wordage mistake that I made for over a decade. It was like some sick divine joke.

So... I'm gonna have to just suck it up and go for a drive tomorrow. Which means digging my car out, but it's better to do that before the snow melts and ices to the windshield than after.

But hey, check this out, I got some work done on my hoodie. Haven't worked on that in a while. So, that was good! And since I'm taking a trip, I'm thinking I might go to the pharmacy and see if I can find a bleach pen in addition to these pushpins. Ugh. I swear, look at this damn situation and how it played out.

Start - The best tool I have used to help with executive functioning is my whiteboard. So, in order to help unfuck my life and feel a better sense of orientation and accomplishment in my isolation, I really need to get it up and running.

Plan - Get something to mount the whiteboard on the wall.

Steps - Compare hanging materials. I leaned towards Command strips so I didn't put holes in the walls and... I don't have pushpins, even though I know they work. Turns out the whiteboard frame is too big to use the Command strips I have.

New plan - Order pushpins. Place order, wait 2 hours for delivery. No pushpins.

New-new plan - Say fuck it and drive somewhere tomorrow.

Like... this shit costs $2.50. And I can't fucking get my hands on them. It's driving me crazy.

Okay, I'm gonna level here, as I'm sure it's a bit noticeable in my stripped down writing tonight. I'm fucking exhausted. And now a bit more pissed off about just... stupid simple stuff going wrong.

Silver lining? I started to do research on good luck and good fortune symbols. I have a bunch of sigils and glyphs and shit around to ward off bad spirits and whatnot, but nothing to invite good luck and good fortune. I am... really unlucky. So, honestly, worst case scenario is these good luck charms or whatever are a bunch of crap and don't do anything. Big fucking loss, who cares. Oh no, I spent a bunch of time making cool art that doesn't have magical powers, oh noooo... And if it does somehow inspire good luck? Hell of a bonus. I'll roll the dice on that shit, fuck it.

Sleep time. Zzzzzz.

#diary #journal #online journal #stream of thoughts #stream of consciousness

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flowered-mp3 · 2 years

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vermillion pt. 1 (encounter) - lim jaebeom

pairing: human prince jaebeom + vampire princess female reader

genre: fluff, angst, forbidden love (kinda?), arranged marriage, enemies to lovers, smut (eventual), vampire, royalty, fantasy au

word count: 8k+

warnings: cursing, mentions of war, violence, and death, hot jay b (lol this is a warning), suggestive sexual content, eventual smut

summary: in an effort to end centuries of war, you agree to a political marriage with the enemy. you never considered that your circumstances could allow you to indulge in matters of the heart. that is, until your intended pushes past your boundaries, tempting you with intelligent banter and salacious, midnight promises.

rating: 18+ (mdni)

author’s note: after a million years, i’m finally posting the first part lmao. ugh i just love fantasy au’s or any au that has mythical/magical elements to it. lol like just look at all those genre tags. they’re my favourite to read and write! i hope that you guys enjoy this series (also i have no idea how many parts it’s gonna be lmao, the series list is only an estimate) <3

p.s. happy birthday to my beloved lim jaebeom, lim leader, jay b, defsoul, producer, singer, dancer, artist, photographer. i know that i clown u all the time but tbh i actually think that ur really neat. love u dawg

[library] [got7 library] [vermillion series]

✧✧✧

encounter (en-koun-ter) - to meet with or contend against, possibly with difficulty or opposition.

✧✧✧

The concept of vampires has always been a children’s tale, for Jaebeom.

They were rumoured to be mythical, immortal creatures that freely roam the mysterious, cold, and dangerous lands of Styria in the North, isolated from the humans after their kind was banished centuries ago. It was told that both humans and vampires lived among each other in harmony before the Great War, but those times are long gone.

To make matters worse, further hate and violence were lit the to the flame in recent decades after a young Styrian vampire killed an Alsacian human child, amid them returning from a hunting trip with their family. Once the news hit Jaebeom’s home; the capital city of Alsace, pure mayhem and chaos erupted in the streets of the city, awakening the workers and soldiers within the halls of the castle. Jaebeom still remembers the way that his father’s best military strategists and generals gathered in the courtroom to swear fealty to the crown; the roars of men and women with the clash and clang of their armour against their weapons terrifying him as a child.

War is all Jaebeom knows, so he’s become accustomed to the sound now; the environment of combat and war; the smell of blood and decaying bodies; the sight of grieving people; but he’s never been one for violence.

While events laid out in the Great War are documented in books that he read as a child, little else is known about them. But Jaebeom knows one thing for sure; every single human that has entered that country has never returned.

Ever.

Yet here he finds himself, right outside the towering walls of the Styrian capital city in the dead of night, speaking to the possibility of a-

“Treaty?” Jaebeom questions, recoiling at the offer extended by the King of the Styria, King Jiho. Like the other elder members of the Styrian upper class, the King is tall and lean, fit with a cloak of deep grey furs, clothing fastened with leather straps, silver clasps, and chains. He nods, which prompts Jaebeom to ask further, “Such agreements were extended before. How do we know if the treaty will be sustained by both parties?”

King Jiho pauses, eyeing a man at his side. The man in question immediately rushes over King Jiho’s left, reaching into a wooden chest that he carried to the meeting. He pulls out a scroll of parchment, a pot of ink, and a quill, placing them on a silver tray before handing the items to Jaebeom’s father beside him.

His father frowns in suspicion, handing Jaebeom’s younger brother the bound scroll into his outstretched hand. Immediately, he breaks the dark red wax seal embossed with the sigil of the Styrian royal family, his fingers unravelling the burlap string to read the contents of their peace offering. The second that an expression of surprise and panic spreads over his brother’s face, Jaebeom takes the scroll from his hands.

With a single pass over the words contained on the parchment, it’s safe to say that Jaebeom does not enjoy the contents of the agreement. His eyes widen and his heart thumps out of his chest when he reads that the vampires are offering, fury overtaking his mind as his vision becomes red.

✧✧✧

Humans are strange creatures.

You’ve never been able to understand them. While you were human at one point, it’s been long enough for you to forget how fickle and fleeting their lives are, now that you’ve been cursed with an exorbitantly long life. While you’re lucky to have been reborn as a Styrian royal, finding purpose in a seemingly immortal life has been an ongoing journey. And on this ongoing journey, you’ve come to believe that humans are strange, never consuming blood for purposes other than simple sustenance.

At least, you do now. But you can’t say the same for yourself when you were freshly turned.

Even though you’ve trained yourself to control your thirst for blood centuries ago, you’re still able to recall how agonizing it felt. The experience of starvation was simply excruciating. The degree at which you felt its effects was so extreme that you nearly clawed your own throat out before deciding to kill the nearest living thing in your proximity, a consequence of craving that warm red liquid that you so desperately needed. Both your late father and your brother were absolutely mortified at the sight; the mere image of their faces overcome with debilitating fear made you promise yourself to never lose control like that.

Since then, that resolve of yours has never cracked. Not even once.

Nowadays, the only blood that you drink is from a glass, taken from a farmed animal. You’ve been able to curb your thirst like everyone else, to the point where the cravings are few in between. This training is what has allowed your kind to remain separate from the humans, that is, until recent years.

War has a level of destruction, sorrow, and poverty that seems to have turned into an ancient memory in the minds of foolish humans that wish to spark more conflict. That has been your perspective for centuries; humans are fickle, greedy creatures that look at war as an opportunity to achieve glory or fame; but you know far too well that all it does is fracture families, destroy economies, and ruin lives. You, frankly, want nothing to do with that wretched kind, and you believe that it’s safe to say that your fellow vampires agree.

That is, until your uncle, King Jiho, puts forth an absurd suggestion at a council meeting.

“Political marriage,” he puts forward to the Royal Council, his gruff voice taking your attention from the paper. King Jiho’s gaze drifts, adding, “The human king has two sons. One is of age, and we have two princesses at our disposal. Therefore, I propose the marriage of a member of their royal family with ours.”

Both you and the members of the Royal Council are taken aback by the shocking request. Never have such terms been a part of any peace treaty on both sides. Marriage between an Alsacian and a Styrian is frankly, inconceivable, and the marriage between an Alsacian royal and a Styrian royal is even more so. Within your shock, you run through the ranks of the central royal family, consisting of yourself, the Princess Regent, your older brother, the Crown Prince Suho, and your younger sister, Princess Yuna. Your older brother is already married, and your sister is not of legal age. So that leaves…

You.

Your mouth opens in protest, but King Jiho cuts you off with a raise of his hand and a boom of his voice, “Furthermore, the King of Alsace has already expressed interest in the union. We are waiting for the approval of the first prince.”

You’re speechless, and even more so when you discern that your uncle is genuinely considering the terms of the treaty. He might be a two-faced snake but this is low, even for him. The mere possibility of such a thing going through is absurd to you, it goes against everything that your father has taught you.

You’re the diplomat of your country. The Princess Regent. You didn’t attend all those gruelling war meetings, visit sites of war-torn destruction, intensively study the law and economy of your country to be married off; no, sold off, to a human.

You want to protest against this so badly, but you know better than to have emotional outbursts during council meetings. Your mind wanders to the teachings of your father; in any matter involving diplomacy and politics, your stance must remain neutral because once you take a side, you have an opinion. That situation suggests that they will eventually understand how you think. It’s a dangerous notion and coming close to something like that resulted in the fall of empires, no matter how great the empires once were.

Making eye contact with your uncle, you attempt to portray your displeasure and disagreement with the proposal through your stare. However, your uncle blatantly disregards your aversion to the offer, nodding his head at the members of the Royal Council instead. With a wave of his hand, he takes his leave, the guards pushing the doors open with a loud creak.

✧✧✧

“Uncle, you cannot be serious!” you yell as you furiously slam the heavy wooden door shut, finally in the safety of your quarters with your brother and your uncle. The men in question have already been escorted by soldiers to the military tents outside of the keep of the castle, but just the notion of having wandering Styrian’s in your city makes your stomach churn. What would keep them from wreaking havoc in the middle of the city?

“Y/N is right, Uncle. She’ll be killed as soon as she is alone with them,” your brother concurs with your outburst, equally as maddened. Upon hearing your brother’s defence, your eyes soften and your tenseness from before relaxes slightly. You’ve always counted on Suho for support, and this instance is no exception.

Your defiance causes your uncle to pinch his nose bridge in frustration, sighing out in exasperation.

“I understand your apprehension, dearest,” your eyebrow twitches at the nickname, condescension laced in his tone like poison on a needle, “But-”

“Apprehension? Disgust is more like it!” you counter, huffing dramatically in exhausted anger. Fed-up, you pull a chair from underneath the central table, slumping onto the cushion. Pressing your palms to your eyes, a defeated sigh escapes your lips as you attempt to lower your voice.

“I just… I’ve worked so hard, Uncle. To keep Alsace prosperous, even during times of war. Doing this… I would leave us vulnerable. I would be betraying my country; my people,” you plead with him, voice weakening with each word when your uncle’s resolve fails to break.

You hope that he would be able to understand, but your hopes are much too high for a man of his character. Instead, his temper rises, “As Princess Regent, you will do as I say! I didn’t keep you around after your father’s death to be useless.”

Fucking prick, you want to call him, barely restricting the curse from leaving your lips.

Instead, you squeeze your fist tightly while remaining seated, opening your mouth to protest seethingly, “I will not be sold off like a broodmare.”

Your brother decides to take a step further than you have, rising from his seat and stalking towards your uncle threateningly, “Father would not allow this to happen, and neither will I.”

You stare between the two men glaring at each other, your uncle leaving his seat as well to confront Suho, “She will marry the human.”

Suho doesn’t back down, so your uncle remains silent. However, a vile smirk begins to spread across his face before a threat leaves his lips, “If she doesn’t, I’ll just get the other one to do it for me.”

Your heart stops at the suggestion.

Yuna.

His tone is as entitled and poisonous as ever, but you understand that this isn’t a thinly veiled threat. After your uncle seized power after your father’s death some time ago, he reformed the Royal Council solely from his supporters, disposing of the past. He has the entire Royal Council eating out of his filthy palms so if he places this notion in front of them, they will all surely agree with it, even if Yuna is not of marrying age.

Chewing at your bottom lip, you understand that if you don’t go forward with the marriage, Yuna will have to fill your shoes. That is a possibility that you are not willing to entertain, not even in the slightest. There’s no way that you would let Yuna take the burden.

“How dare you,” you seethe, pausing to rise out of your seat as well, “Yuna is freshly turned. She’s a child! You can’t,” you argue.

“I can and I will. That is, if you decline, dearest,” he replies, voice sickeningly nonchalant.

Enough.

Your eyes narrow at your uncle in anger, magic seeping out of your body as fury begins to manifest at a speed as swift as your rising temper. Upon seeing this, your uncle wavers slightly, backing down from your confrontation for just a moment. Right when your power starts to activate in front of his eyes, you feel a hand wrap around your wrist, halting you. Turning around, you see Suho shaking his head at you.

Don’t, he seems to convey wordlessly, brows furrowed. For a brief second, your anger flares up and you think that you might ignore your brother’s advice. However, you catch the way that his eyes soften, realizing that violence isn’t worth it in this case. Saving your strength, you back off and your uncle scrambles back to his feet. He leaves the council room without another word, leaving yourself and Suho together.

“You can’t kill him, Y/N. You know that,” Suho advises you, sighing when you slump into one of the chairs.

“Brother, I can’t marry someone I’ve never met. I won’t do it,” you shake your head, pausing to take a laboured inhale, “I can’t betray my people.”

Your brother shakes his head, “You’re doing this to protect your people.”

And that, makes you shut up instantaneously because you know that deep in your heart, he’s right. It causes you to pause in contemplation. By agreeing to this arrangement, peace with the humans would become a potential possibility, and no longer an impossibility like it is now. Although you’re not sure that the Alsacian’s would uphold their part of the treaty, you’re beginning to realize that whether or not they uphold the agreement isn’t central to the offer.

The humans want peace as well; and who wouldn’t? Perhaps, trust is the point.

For diplomacy, both sides must negotiate. Both sides won’t receive everything that they want, but both sides will end up happy eventually.

You breathe out, pressing your fingers to your temples in thought. You were so blinded by personal bias that you weren’t even able to remember the core principles of diplomacy. But instead of your side trading money, land, or military might in this negotiation, you’re gambling on your own life. Maybe doing that is the only way to end this war.

“You do understand, Brother, that Uncle is marrying me off in the hopes that the humans will kill me for him.”

Suho nods.

“If I do this, I’ll be gone. I won’t be here to protect you. I won’t be here to protect Yuna. If I leave, Uncle will be one step closer to securing absolute power over vampire kind. If he gets his way, you’re next,” you remind him.

Suho shakes his head before pulling you in for a tight hug, pressing his palm to the back of your head, “Don’t worry about us. Do what you need to do.”

His words might be reassuring, but it doesn’t stop your heart from clenching in your chest, tears starting to gather along your lashes.

✧✧✧

“I will be going ahead with the treaty, Son.”

Jaebeom’s heart sinks at the news, anger bubbling up at his father’s disregard for his opinion in the arrangement. He could be in chains in a dungeon, captured by his sworn enemy since birth, but the idea of marrying a vampire makes him seethe even more than the possibility of being in prison.

“You seriously don’t believe that I’ll be willing to marry one of them,” he spits out, clearly displaying a distaste at the idea of marrying you.

His father remains silent, so Jaebeom continues, “I won’t betray my kind like this.”

Jaebeom argues with his father, shaking his head as it droops down between his crouched knees. His father senses the distress from his son; the conflict that he must be going through. So, he moves to wrap an arm around his shoulders.

“You’re doing this to protect them, not betray them,” his father counters, making Jaebeom stop his train of thought.

“I’m not expecting you to enjoy this arrangement. If anything, I knew that you would be against it. But if you want to become king in the future, you need to show that you’re capable of carrying the burden of leadership. Sacrifices must be made to ensure the survival of our kind. And that means that you must step up.”

His father’s speech causes Jaebeom to contemplate his next action. Since birth, he’s known that he would become the next king. There is no doubt in his mind that he is strong after leading the front lines and being awarded a Medal of Valor at the age of twenty; the youngest to receive the honour in Alsacian history. Hard work and brutal strength exhibited on the battlefield granted him that, but how far would that take him? He has no experience in the diplomatic parts of war; he’s always thought that such negotiations were his father’s job.

Furthermore, Jaebeom’s mind wanders to the members of his circle. First, there’s Jinyoung, his right-hand man, vital in controlling the others when they become distracted or overly rowdy. After that, there’s Mark, his trusted strategist. Then there’s Jackson, his combat specialist. Next is Bambam, his best intelligence gatherer, imperative in the process of reconning an area meant for battle. And last, there’s the youngest; Yugyeom, the all-rounder. Jaebeom has been there since his birth, and he’s grown up so fast that he can’t wrap his arms around Yugyeom anymore when he hugs him, and just the thought of it makes his heart swell.

Then, there’s Youngjae, the second prince, adopted by his father after his mother passed away. He was found in one of the border towns as a shivering and starving child, hiding underneath a blanket of hay. If it wasn’t for that camouflage, he would’ve been killed by a vampire during the attack that happened just hours prior. While he isn’t related by blood to any of them, he loves them all. He would die for them without hesitation or regard for his own well-being or life.

His father slaps a hand on his shoulder, bringing him out of his inner monologue, “Are you ready to step up, Son? To sacrifice what must be sacrificed?”

This shouldn’t be about him; Jaebeom realizes this now. The war needs to end for them, because Jaebeom wants them to experience a life without war and destruction.

Once his father sees him nod wordlessly, he grips Jaebeom’s hand in assurance, “Good. Once you marry the vampire girl, I want you to learn everything there is to know about their kind; history, strengths, and most importantly, weaknesses.”

Jaebeom frowns slightly at the implication, retracting from his father’s touch, “You want me to become a spy?”

His father nods vehemently before adding, “Within this seemingly… Unfortunate offer, lies an opportunity that no other human has ever been granted. We have a chance to infiltrate the society of the vampires; to learn their ways and use it against them.”

Jaebeom sees that his father is resolute, emphasizing his idea with a strong voice and a fist in the air. Although he can see where his father is coming from, a part of him greatly disagrees with the idea.

There is no honour in it, Jaebeom recognizes, displeased with the notion of using a peace treaty as a guise for underhanded betrayal.

But it’s against vampires. It’s different, Jaebeom justifies, ignoring his gut feeling as he reminds himself of the side that he believes that he should take. How could he forget that vampires have been his sworn enemy since birth? How could he forget the vampire that dug his filthy fangs into his mother’s neck, feeding off of her blood until she collapsed in front of his innocent, child-like eyes; her body lifeless and gaunt?

They’ve killed thousands; no, millions of humans over the years, and such heartless crimes are unforgivable.

Jaebeom will never forget. He refuses to forget.

And with that in mind, he agrees to his father’s request with a decisive nod, “I won’t let you down.”

“Good,” his father acknowledges, tapping Jaebeom’s shoulder in approval, “I will send word to King Jiho.”

With a nod of Jaebeom’s head, his father leaves him alone in the tent once again. An anxious sigh slips from his lips, his upper body slumping back to hit the back of the upholstered chair, the sensation strangely grating and uncomfortable. Maybe it’s because the course of his life is going to change tomorrow.

Tomorrow is the day that Jaebeom walks into the fire.

Tomorrow.

✧✧✧

Yuna is making that face again.

“Out with it,” you say to your younger sister, currently situated in a chair adjacent to you, frowning with her arms crossed. She’s evidently displeased; Yuna’s never been very good at hiding her emotions.

“What?” she responds, tone curt.

“You have those wrinkles between your eyebrows again,” you start, hand leaving your open book to gesture at the space in between your brows, “They always show up when you’re itching to say something. So, out with it.”

Yuna huffs in her seat, remaining silent. It’s as if she’s contemplating the possibility of divulging her thoughts to you, but that doesn’t matter in the end. She usually cracks by the end of it.

And as if she can read your mind, she does just that.

“You can’t marry the human. You just can’t,” she admits. Just by assessing her expression and tone once again, you can tell that she’s irritated.

“I haven’t even accepted the proposal yet,” you reply, trying to keep your voice as calm as possible, attempting to ensure that your answer doesn’t rile her up too much. Unfortunately, this doesn’t prove to be effective because Yuna rolls her eyes at you, frustrated.

“When have you ever put your personal feelings above duty, Sister?”

You stop reading the second that you hear that, unable to deny her assessment. Yuna scoffs, noticing your change in expression immediately, “See? I know you just as well as you know me.”

“I just…” you stop yourself, not wanting to expose Yuna to your uncle’s wretched thoughts. Her existence as a member of the royal family is precarious as it is. The second that she receives any political power or attention will mean instant punishment for her, and your uncle has made that possibility abundantly clear. Her protection is a priority to both yourself and Suho, so you’ve tried your very best to keep her out of your uncle’s grimy fingers, and as a consequence, the political spotlight.

“I can see the benefits of this alliance. I can see what it can do for the country. What it can do for our kind,” you tell her instead, but you’re able to see that she remains unconvinced. Yuna squeezes her fists together, as if she’s struggling to bring the words from her mind into actual speech. At first, you believe that she’s just being petulant, but you notice the way that she bites her bottom lip to stop it from trembling. She can barely make eye contact with you, and she just snaps.

“You can’t!” Yuna raises her voice and you halt everything. She never yells. Ever.

Caught off guard by her sudden outburst, you place your book down on the side table before walking over to her softly, responding, “Yuna, I-”

“You can’t,” she interrupts, tone much softer, almost meek in comparison to before. Her eyes peer upward to yours, eyes glassy with tears welling up in the corner of her eyes, “You can’t leave me.”

Your heart shatters the second that you hear her teary plead, reaching out to offer an embrace. She takes it immediately, breaking down and falling apart in your arms. You didn’t realize how strongly she felt about your decision, surely a consequence of only taking yourself and the country into account. The possible impact that this marriage might have on her didn’t even cross your mind, so you chastise yourself for being so selfish.

Yuna was turned illegally at the young age of sixteen, by some criminal that broke border rules for a quick drink. She would have been one of the youngest humans turned in history, if it wasn’t for your age of turning. You still remember the state at which you and Suho found her; it still makes you shiver to this day.

Her body was weak, face gaunt, and starving, nearly mauling Suho as you attempted to rescue her. It took your father nearly two years to teach her how to curb her thirst. So, since your father’s death, she’s relied on you heavily for guidance and support. You taught her everything there is to know about living as a vampire for the past 25 years, as her experience in turning practically echoes your own. It was only appropriate that her response would be so intense.

“I’m sorry,” you begin, shaking your head as tears threaten to slip down your cheeks, “It might be the only way.”

✧✧✧

Jaebeom hates it here.

Absolutely hates it.

He’s only been on this side of the country for a couple of weeks but it feels like an absolute eternity. Perhaps it just seems that way because the North is cold, dreary, and dark no matter the time of day or season; it’s no wonder that very little life can exist here. It definitely isn’t a place for a human that needs the warmth of the sun to survive.

To make matters worse for him, he finds himself right in the centre of Styria, the vampire capital, waiting around in enemy territory to sign a treaty destined to fail. It isn’t the most inviting place for a human either; not even in the slightest. If he wandered the streets alone, he wouldn’t be surprised if he’s pulled into the nearest alleyway by a thirsty vampire for a quick drink.

But alas, he has a duty to his father; to his people, to ensure that this strategy succeeds, even at the cost of his well-being and freedom. Unfortunately for him though, he doesn’t have a moment to contemplate the details of the situation any longer, as he is currently situated in a castle filled with vampires, likely seconds away from being killed.

Taking a deep breath, he waits for the two, fully armed guards to open the enormous doors that tower over his stature. Jaebeom looks to the side to glance cautiously at Jinyoung; his most trusted knight, closest friend, and confidante, as well as his father. Similarly, they are both calm, yet on edge.

His younger brother Youngjae however, isn’t very good at hiding how terrified he looks, given away by his shaky palms, sweaty forehead, and pale complexion. The weapons that they both had on hand before entering the castle were confiscated for the time being, including the infantry that travelled with them. The fact that they practically have no defence against possible attacks has them all on guard, including himself.

That thought continues when the guards step into Jaebeom’s line of sight, pushing the doors open as the metal hinges creak loudly. What looks to be a throne room is slowly revealed to him, his eyes looking upward to trace the huge silver arcs, beams, and columns that support the weight of the ceiling. Quickly, he gathers the details of the grand room.

Firstly, his eyes catch the silver vines that wind around the columns, polished to such a sheen that the metal reflects the glow of the torches and the chandelier that light the space. Next, he notices how warm the room truly is; the hearth located at the sides of the room burning bright and emitting so much heat that he can feel it through his pelts. Such a feeling is strange for a place that Jaebeom touted as cold and depressing. Finally, his eyes trail forward to the sight of you, perched upon a single ornate throne in front of him, adorned with filigree silver and velvet upholstery.

Immediately, he’s confused, leaning towards Jinyoung to whisper in his ear, “Who is that?”

Jinyoung pauses with a breath, “My apologies, Your Highness, but I’m not sure either. It was not communicated through our intelligence network that King Jiho would not be present. I-”

“Introducing the King of Alsace and His Royal Highness, the First Prince Jaebeom of House Lim; His Grace, the Second Prince Choi Youngjae; and their companion, Ser Jinyoung of House Park. Here, you are esteemed guests of Her Royal Highness, the Princess Regent Y/N,” the guard behind him announces loudly, right before stepping beside him with spears in hand. He hears Jinyoung say a hushed oh next to him, gathering the pieces of stray information to identify you.

“Thank you, Corvus,” you answer, lifting yourself from your throne to meet your human guests. As soon as you leave your seat, you adjust your dress with your hands, smoothing the front of the skirt before walking over to the four men, heels clicking against the polished stone flooring.

As you walk closer, Jaebeom is instantly dumbfounded that you’re the person that he may become promised to. Never did he think that King Jiho would have someone as poised; as undoubtedly beautiful as you are by his side. It’s almost alarming how perfectly you align with the look of royalty; elegant, pristine, and regal. There isn’t a single crease in your dress, nor a stray hair out of place.

“I am Y/N, Princess Regent of Styria. I am pleased to make The King’s acquaintance, as well as Your Highness, Your Grace, as well as Ser Jinyoung,” you smile at both of them before curtsying, “I apologize for the late notice, but I will be leading you all to the council room. My brother and my uncle will be waiting for us there.”

His entire party bows for this vampire princess in front of him, but his discussion with his father persuades him to take it a step further. If he is to truly win you over to the point where you spill all of the secrets that vampire society has to offer, he has to step up his game. So, he decides to reach out for your hand. As a response, the guards beside you immediately go on the defensive, stepping in front of you before pressing a dagger against his neck in record speed.

Instantly, Jinyoung steps forward to defend him but he raises a hand, wordlessly communicating with him to stand down. Similarly, you do the same with your guards. After the blade is removed from his neck, he takes a single step forward and gently wraps his fingers around your wrist, bringing it upward to press a soft, chaste kiss against the back of your hand.

Oh? She blushes, Jaebeom notices, interest piqued.

“It’s my pleasure, Princess,” he replies lowly, quiet enough for his words to be lost to the rest of the party, but just loud enough for you to hear. His eyes peer up to see your surprised expression before pulling away; if only he could hear the flurry of thoughts that begin to fly around in your mind after that single, innocent kiss.

He expected a much more… Dramatic response, though. Instead, you wordlessly gesture at him to follow you to the council room, guards trailing behind. A pleasant expression is spread across your face as you do so but there’s a glint of calculated austerity and coldness behind your graceful demeanour. Surely, there must be more to you than just a pretty face. It’s that inherent disposition and contrast that has him admittedly intrigued.

However, Jaebeom tries to shake away those thoughts the second that they enter his mind; how can he think that you, a vampire, an infallible ice-cold killer, are attractive in any shape or form? Regardless of his internal reservations on your kind and in your character, interest increases steadily in his mind when his eyes trace the curve of your spine and the sway of your hips, beckoning him to follow as you walk away.

Akin to a moth to a flame, he does.

✧✧✧

You weren’t sure what to expect from the humans.

You’re familiar with them, but intelligence gathered from reading reports and scrolls can only do so much for you. It was expected that the king and his infantry would attend, but only that much is true.

For starters, the King of Alsace seems to just be a standard leader; concerned for the wellbeing of his country and his own kind. He is burly, strong, and built with a gruff voice, very much the opposite of your uncle’s. The second prince, Youngjae, looks to have a gentle, almost naïve nature. He could barely look you in the eye when you met him in the throne room; it would take a fool to not see that he’s terrified. Jinyoung, the knight, did not speak a single word since your greeting, nor did he allow himself to take his eyes off of you. He acted as if you would slit their throats and parade them around the city for all to see with a single snap of your finger. Clearly, he seems to be the most outwardly cautious of the group.

The King, Jinyoung, and the Second Prince are what you would classify as classically handsome; prince-like, and poised. To be honest, you would’ve expected Ser Jinyoung to be the First Prince but instead, you’re surprised to see that another man takes that title.

The First Prince, Jaebeom… Or His Royal Highness; you correct yourself after remembering the details of etiquette, is not the prince that you initially envisioned.

The man in question is currently walking behind you but you can remember his face, even after only glancing at him briefly. His features are sharp with dark hair combed backward and away from his forehead, exposing two moles underneath his left eyebrow. You notice a small ring of silver metal pierced through his nose; an interesting choice. There is also a deep scar slashed perpendicularly to the line of his jaw; it makes you wonder where he got it from (or rather, who he got it from). Yes, he is admittedly handsome, but there’s something else in the way that he carried himself in the throne room…

It was as if no one else in the room was present; no guards, no King, no one. It felt like his gaze was focused on you and only you; eyes mysterious, piercing, and dangerous with every single stride that he took toward.

You try to shake the memory of his lips against your skin from your mind once you reach the council room, but the thought remains.

You expected him to hate you; to despise your very existence. This notion is completely discernable, as this situation that you both find yourselves in is not what either of you would particularly enjoy. The conflict that has existed between humans and vampires has been rampant for centuries now, and you understand that fact. You thought that he would be just as terrified as most humans are, but no. If anything, the man that showed up in the throne room turned out to be the exact opposite. Perhaps, it will take some time for his true nature to be revealed to you.

“Leave us,” you direct, gesturing for your guards to vacate the room before taking a seat beside Suho. He greets you with a soft kiss to your temple, a comforting sigh leaving your lips as he does so. As if he can sense your stress and anxiety at the meeting, he nods at you wordlessly in an attempt to soothe your emotions. Luckily, you’re able to calm yourself before completely disregarding the slimy grin that your uncle gives the group of humans upon their entry.

The guards open their mouths to protest against leaving you without protection, but are silenced once your eyes lock onto theirs. With a single glance from you, they nod and leave the room, shutting the door behind them.

You might be with a group of humans trained in swordsmanship, but you’re still a vampire. If you wanted to, you could easily kill both of them without even lifting a hand, and you’re sure that the men in front of you understand that fact as well.

“Please, take a seat,” you gesture at the chairs tucked neatly into the table, right across from your brother, your uncle, and yourself. Three of them take a seat immediately but are still incredibly cautious; their breathing and heart rate slightly elevated from before. In contrast, Jaebeom removes his outer clothing before sitting down at the table. He begins by unfastening the metal clasp that holds the front of his pelt together, glove-clad fingers moving quickly. The action reveals another fur-lined, thick leather coat that he also moves to unbutton, ridding himself of it to unveil a pair of simple beige slacks and a loose linen shirt, neckline parted to expose a portion of his bare chest.

You bite the inside of your cheek and look to window on the left side of the room, just to stop yourself from staring for longer than you already have.

To begin, your uncle rises from his seat to speak, “Greetings to the Alsacian’s. I am sure that you remember me from our previous meeting. Please allow me the time to introduce the Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Suho, who is seated beside me.”

Suho leaves his seated position to bow out of respect, but you’re sure that he’s going to curse the humans in front of him as soon as he gets the chance. Your uncle continues, “I am sure that my beautiful niece has introduced herself as well.”

“Of course, Uncle,” you confirm, silently seething in contempt, “May I formally introduce the King of Alsace and His Royal Highness, the First Prince Jaebeom of House Lim; His Grace, the Second Prince Choi Youngjae; and Ser Jinyoung of House Park.”

“We are pleased to finally meet you all,” the King greets, so you nod at him in return. However, your mind catches a strange inconsistency; why does the First Prince belong to a House, yet the Second Prince does not?

Keeping that information in mind, you shift your gaze directly in front of you. By chance, your eyes meet Jaebeom’s directly; dark, narrowed, and sharp. You’re not sure why, but his incessant staring is starting to make you shift in your seat, suddenly self-conscious.

“Let’s begin with the first clause of the treaty,” the King interrupts your thoughts, looking towards Jaebeom with apprehensive eyes. Thankfully, this effectively stops Jaebeom from staring at you any longer; it was beginning to feel strange.

“We understand that peace is contingent on the marriage of the Princess and my son. This condition is one that we accept.”

Now that they have accepted the extension of the proposal, all eyes essentially land on you. Suho is evidently concerned but your uncle is something completely different.

His expression looks to be pleasant, but you know that he’s hiding the most vicious of threats within it. Just a single stare from him practically puts the threat of Yuna’s life over your head. You’re not even making eye contact with him but it doesn’t matter. Even an idiot would be able to sense how foul and despicable the man truly is.

You let out a sigh at how unfortunate this situation has become, eyelids slipping shut as your shoulders slump slightly. You sink into your chair at this outcome, displeased by the decision that you have to make.

“I accept your proposal,” you agree reluctantly, opening your eyes to meet Jaebeom’s in front of you, resolute and firm. At least, you’re trying to be, pushing down your feelings of disgust and loathing to the best of your ability.

“Fantastic!” your uncle is practically clapping in glee; it’s the most chipper that you’ve ever seen that man. You cannot believe that he is taking this much pleasure in your downfall; your body is itching to unleash your power on him; to make him suffer. By the time that the guards bring over a silver tray of stamps, quills, and ink, your uncle starts to brag about the potential success of the union.

“Your Highness,” he starts, slapping a hand over Jaebeom’s shoulder, “I’m sure that you will be very satisfied with the Princess. She will make an obedient wife.”

As if it couldn’t get worse, his comments have you seething. You’re in the middle of signing your name and attaching your seal on the treaty as his voice drawls on, the quill nearly snapping in your hand as when you hear his condescending, vile statements. Perhaps, you should extend your uncle a compliment; he truly is the most consistently awful person that you’ve ever had the displeasure of knowing.

By the time that the document is signed, you’re desperate to retain some semblance of control over your life. In your future, there’s only one man that would have a direct influence over how you live, so you decide to have a more intimate conversation, without your uncle’s prying, beady eyes.

“Your Highness,” you call out, pausing when you see Jaebeom turn around, “May I have a word with you in private?”

Based on the way that he switches to walk in your direction, you understand that he’s agreed. However, Suho reaches out for your wrist to stop you from doing the same, “Sister…”

You know that he doesn’t want you alone with the human, so you raise a brow in an attempt to wordlessly communicate with your brother.

Let me go, you hope to convey to him, I’ll be ok. Suho should know that you can handle yourself. It takes a minute but eventually, he leaves with the others, reluctantly allowing you to be alone with the human prince.

Jaebeom waits until the door clicks closed before speaking, “You wanted to speak with me, Princess?”

“I just wanted to see if we are on the same page, Your Highness. I understand that this marriage must remain strong. Publicly, at least. The strength of this union directly reflects the longevity of this new era of peace. I’m sure that you also understand that, correct?” you elaborate, brow raising to emphasize your point.

Similarly, Jaebeom raises a brow at you before responding, “Well, Princess, there is one method that we could use to show the public that the union is successful. I’m sure that you also understand that, correct?”

His response causes you to recoil slightly, put off by his sudden shift in tone and the repetition of a phrase that you used. There was a level of intensity to him before, a sense of seriousness, but now he’s a little more… Playful, perhaps? A smirk spreads across his face when you continue to remain silent. It makes you ask yourself; Is he mocking the way that you speak?

“I’m sorry?” you frown, cocking your head to the side.

Jaebeom lets out a heavy exhale at your reply, “We would have to produce an heir.”

Pause.

“Excuse me?” you nearly recoil at his blunt, unfiltered answer. He didn’t even hesitate with that response, forcing you to blink rapidly as you’re caught off guard. The fact that he would even think of something like that; that he would even consider such an act; that he would even insinuate such a thing has your mind imploding. You two just got engaged ten minutes ago, yet he’s seriously suggesting that-

“Oh, don’t tell me that I have to explain it to you, Princess,” he starts, your nostrils flaring when he utters your title in a condescendingly teasing manner, “See, when two people love each other very much, they-”

“I can assure you, Your Highness,” you interrupt him in a similar tone, satisfied when you catch Jaebeom’s brow twitching in irritation, “That I am very much familiar with the process.”

“Are you now? With whom have you become familiar with, in this fashion?” he challenges, taking a large step forward, his chest only a couple of inches away from you, “Who was among the lucky ones to be graced with the privilege?”

“I…” you stop yourself, huffing in disbelief that you are to marry this man. As if he’s trying to anger you; to rile you up, he stares right into your eyes in silent mockery, “You are…” you bite your tongue before a particularly colourful curse can leave your lips, “Surely, you aren’t implying that I would even agree to do anything of that… Manner, with the likes of you.”

He smirks at you; a grin so devilish that the sight of it has your irritation spiking, “Who said anything about me?”

“I-”

“Be careful of what insults you choose to throw my way, Princess. Because it seems to me, that your mind arrived at that conclusion, purely of your own volition.”

For the very first time in your life, you’re speechless, unable to form a response that would be able to counter his. You’re not accustomed to this level of blunt honesty, nor this degree of relentless tormenting. The room is silent for a couple of seconds, but it seems to extend into an absolute eternity when Jaebeom crosses his arms across the front of his torso, inviting you to just stare at his body.

He’s so… Broad, you observe, taking in the sight of his chest straining against the ties and buttons that fasten his linen shirt closed. You’re not especially warm; none of you really is but… For some reason, warmth begins to spread from the back of your neck before blossoming onto your cheeks. It’s possible that the proximity is to blame but you can’t help it; not when Jaebeom turns his head to the side to expose the line of his jaw and the slope of his neck, a single silver chain resting on his collarbones. Nothing about the way he looks should be particularly tempting but…

It’s as if he’s just begging to be bitten.

“Ugh. Enough,” you scoff, tearing your gaze away from him before he notices how long you’ve been ogling him for. Fed up with your sudden inability to control yourself, you call for your assistant, Corvus.

“Please escort His Highness to his quarters,” you dismiss abrasively. Your tone came out much harsher than you initially intended, but you’re unable to control yourself, not when you’re as irritated and annoyed as you are at the moment. You turn around to face the large arched window, gazing at the darkness of the night sky to calm your frustrations. Surprisingly though, you see Jaebeom bow to you in the corner of your eye before making his. Somehow, he retains a level of decorum and respect towards you, regardless of the mocking repartee that took place just minutes before.

“I hope to see you at the engagement ball, Princess,” he responds, relief taking over your body when you hear his footsteps gradually decrease in volume. Finally, the door clicks shut and your posture softens, alleviating your wound-up nerves and allowing you to mentally reflect on what has just occurred.

Jaebeom, this human prince, somehow managed to aggravate you to such a degree that you nearly cursed. Your mind is baffled by this turn of events; you’re over 200 years old but he is the first person that you’ve ever met that has managed to break past the practiced poise that you’ve developed throughout your life. To make matters even more infuriating, he succeeded with a couple of sentences, and nothing more. Even as you reminisce, your mind somehow shifts to the suggestive subject of his taunting. Normally, you would pay no mind to such tasteless, risqué allegations but…

Something about his tone; playful, yet undeniably assertive, made your breath catch in your throat. It was as if he genuinely considered conducting such provocative acts with you specifically, to challenge past lovers that you’ve previously invited into your bed. In addition, his statements not only seemed to denounce your previous lovers, but implied that he could surpass them.

Unfortunately for him though, you’re certain that you would never entertain such desires.

✧✧✧

if you would like to be added to my tag list, please send me an ask! don’t forget to like and reblog if you enjoy my work. thank you!

- yue <3

✧✧✧

[vermillion series] ⤏ [pt. 2]

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weasleylangs · 3 years

Text

if you don’t know, let me go - f.w

Pairing: Fred x Fem!Slytherin!Reader Summary: It’s always seemed like they’ve been dancing the line between friends and more, so why does he take a different girl to the ball? Warnings: Some swearing, pining that one character is too much of a dummy to see, a bit of angst but it eventually becomes fluff I promise, jealousy but nothing toxic, underage drinking but it’s like one line. Word Count: 5.8k

A/N: This is my first fanfiction in literally forever, so any feedback is always appreciated! Requests are open if you like this and want more! Also this got stupidly long fast, I can barely write book reviews on Goodreads without writing a novel so my bad, I’m sorry if you don’t like long fics. (Also cross-posted on AO3 as the tumblr tags don’t seem to be my friend right now.)

- Also, thank you so much to @lumosandnoxwriting for answering all my questions on how to get back into writing!

Send me an ask or a dm if you would like to be added to a tag list!

---------------------------------------------------

“Do you think he’s going to ask you?”

It’s Wednesday afternoon, late enough for class to be over but too early for dinner and Y/N’s attempt at understanding anything in her potions textbook is broken by Alicia Spinnet talking to her. Despite the fact she hadn’t said a name, Y/N knows immediately who she was talking about and she shrugs in response, closing her book and accepting that studying was not on the table for the rest of the night now the ball has been mentioned.

“Probably not.” She deadpans. Y/N’s been trying not to get her hopes up that Fred would ask her to the Yule Ball since it was announced three days ago. Alicia’s already been asked by George- who immediately did a dramatic reenactment of some muggle proposal he’d seen in a movie as soon as Dumbledore announced it. But Fred had been more reluctant to ask anyone, despite people’s assumption that he could get anyone he pleased. Y/N only hoped this was because he was too shy of taking whatever they were from friends to lovers.

No one really understood how the outspoken and mischievous redhead became friends with the snarky Slytherin girl, but 6 years into their schooling people have stopped questioning it. They had formed an unexplainable bond the second they met on the train to Hogwarts when they were eleven years old that may have included both shouting at blood purists and now it seems to have evolved into something beyond just a friendship.

Lingering stares, soft touches, the fact neither of them had really dated anyone else because they were too caught up with each other. Everyone, including their friends, have all placed bets on how long it’ll take for the two of them to ‘fess up and finally get together.

“What makes you say that?” Alicia asks, genuinely. She’s heard first hand the teasing George and Lee give Fred over his feelings for Y/N in the Gryffindor common room when they think they’re alone so she finds it hard to believe he hasn’t even hinted at them going together yet.

Y/N shrugs. “I just think if he wanted to go with me, he’d ask me by now… Y’know?” Alicia can’t really deny her logic. Fred’s never been the one to shy away from being outspoken about anything really in the whole six years she’s known him, so even she can admit it’s weird that Fred hasn’t asked her.

“Maybe he just assumes you guys are going together?” Alicia starts, and before Y/N can argue back, she holds up a hand, “I’ll ask him after dinner tonight. I can guarantee Lee or George will join in and you’ll have your date by Transfiguration tomorrow!” Y/N shakes her head and laughs, and starts packing her things, mumbling about Alicia is a meddler and that she’ll see her later.

Y/N’s walking to the Great Hall for dinner when it happens. Adrian Pucey, star quidditch chaser for the Slytherin team slinks up next to her and scares her enough to almost drop the books she has clutched in her hands. She’s never had a problem with Adrian- their parents are in similar friendship circles so she sees him at family friend events outside of school, but she’s never considered him a friend either, which is why his approach to her is so odd.

“Sorry about that,” he laughs, shoving his hands in his pockets as Y/N clutches her chest. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“No, no, it’s fine,” she starts, “You’re just very quiet. I’m used to being almost tackled to the ground when I see friends.” She laughs, but she doesn’t miss the awkward tension in the air and she can’t help but assume what’s coming next.

“I just wanted to ask if, uh, if you don’t have a date to the ball… If you’d like to go with me?”

Y/N gulps. She knows she shouldn’t be putting all her eggs in the Fred Weasley marked basket, but she can’t help but remember her conversation with Alicia only an hour ago.

‘You’ll have your date by Transfiguration tomorrow!’

Adrian senses her hesitation and lets out a breath that sounds like he’s almost laughing. “You’re waiting for one of Weasley twins to ask you, aren’t you? Fred, right?” She hates how easily he caught on.

“Adrian, I- Ugh, I’m sorry. But yeah… I am.” She feels her cheeks heat up in embarrassment at someone she’s not even friends with pointing it out. She can’t help but think maybe this is a sign though, that if everyone else is expecting it, why hasn’t he asked her yet?

“No, it’s all good. But the offers on the table if he’s too pussy to ask you out.” He gives a kind smile as he walks off to catch up with Marcus Flint who’s drilling Malfoy about quidditch plays.

She exhales slowly and finally makes it to the Great Hall. She scans the tables looking for her closest friend in Slytherin- Daphne Greengrass and once she finds her, she quickly makes her way over to her. Dinner is relatively uneventful since she’s sitting with her house, and George manages to catch her eye at one point and mouths ‘miss you’ to which she laughs and says she misses him back.

She’s about to get up and leave when the last thing she expects to happen, happens. She hears Ron exclaim loudly that Fred can’t make fun of him for not having a date because he doesn’t have one either. Y/N feels her heart start to race, knowing if anyone’s going to prove a point to Ron, it’ll be Fred Weasley. She doesn’t hear what Fred’s reply is but Harry and Ron both scoff, and one of them says ‘ask a girl out if it’s so easy then.’

Y/N’s about to approach the Gryffindor table when George’s eye catches her, and he shakes his head. Fred has already thrown a scrunched-up piece of paper at Angelina and her heart sinks.

“Angelina! Will you go to the ball with me?”

As Angelina laughs and says yes to Fred, it feels like the whole Great Hall is either watching their altercation or watching Y/N in pity. Her heart now feels like it’s in her throat, and she needs to get out of the room before she cries or yells at Fred. She pivots on her heel and is met face-to-face with Daphne, who nods in silent agreement that they’re going back to their dorm.

Y/N is halfway down the long tables with the door in her sights when she spots Adrian out of the peripheral of her eye. She can tell he’s looking at her in pity and in a weird way, she feels the need to show defiance against Fred Weasley. She needs to show she doesn’t need pity, especially right now, that she can get a date herself. So she stops in front of the Slytherin quidditch team and slightly smirks.

“That offer to the ball still on the table?”

Daphne spends the night taking Y/N’s mind off the Weasley family. They sit in their dorm together, once again trying to study for potions which eventually leads into ball talk yet again. Daphne can tell the idea of going to the ball with anyone who isn't Fred is unnerving for Y/N, but there’s no backing down now.

“That was kind of a badass move, y’know?” She starts, treading lightly as they eventually reach the elephant in the room, ‘Asking Adrian after what happened.”

It doesn’t feel badass to Y/N. She feels like she’s cheating on the redhead that owns her heart, but she knows that’s ridiculous. Fred clearly has no form of feelings for her and she’s decided to get over him.

“It’s nothing…” She starts and she sees Daphne’s eyebrows raise. They’ve been roommates every year since they started school together so they’re both aware this is a big lie. “I didn’t want to go alone. Everyone else had dates already and Adrian’s nice. Plus, he did ask me before…”

Daphne nods, not wanting to press further. “Have you got a dress yet?” It had said on their packing list for the school year to bring a dress or dress robes so everyone’s already well prepared. Y/N nods and walks towards the closet before pulling out a floor-length silver gown with lace detailing. She smiles shyly as Daphne gasps in awe.

“Eat your heart out, Fred Weasley!” For the first time all night, Y/N laughs. She knows she’s going to look stunning in the dress and while she has no ill resentment towards Angelina for agreeing to go with Fred, she can’t help but feel a little bit coy knowing Fred’s going to see her in it.

She’s sitting at her desk in Transfiguration the next day when he finally acknowledges her presence. She’s twiddling her quill in her fingers, dreading the moment the troublemaker waltzes into the class. His usual seat is the one next to her, while George and Lee sit in front of them but she can only hope Alicia takes the hint and sits with her before Fred does.

She doesn’t get her wish. She’s about two seconds away from dozing off when the seat screeches against the hardwood flooring below them and she looks to her left to see Fred smirking.

“Hi love,'' he starts, the nickname not feeling out of ordinary, “I feel like I haven’t seen you in ages.” He says, and it’s true. He hadn’t seen her since class yesterday. He had looked for her before dinner to tell her about the prank he’d pulled on Filch with George while she was studying and he’d barely seen her during dinner.

Her heart starts to speed up at the nickname, and she forces down the bile she feels growing in her throat. “Yeah, I just ate dinner and went to bed yesterday. Been studying for potions. Sixth year is hard.” She’s trying to be short and sweet and maybe a little blunt but Fred doesn’t pick up on it. “Heard you asked Angelina to the ball too.” She’s hoping to whoever’s listening to her prayers that the jealousy isn’t evident in her voice and by the dopey smile that grows on Fred’s face, her prayers were answered.

“Yeah! Ron was being such a prat, telling me I couldn’t make fun of him for…” But she drowns his voice out. It might be a bitch move, but she really doesn’t need to hear the who, where, when and why he asked Angelina out. It’s clear to Y/N that Fred didn’t even notice her existence at dinner and that stings more than she’d like to admit.

She can barely concentrate during class. Fred has never really shown to care about any academic success, so he spends the entire period trying to entertain Y/N and get her to speak to him but she’s being stubborn and Fred can’t help but wonder what he did wrong. He starts to think maybe she’s just had a bad day, but when the bell rings and she storms off without even saying goodbye to him he’s dumbfounded.

“Trouble in paradise, brother?” George teases when he sees the frown adorned on Fred’s face.

“Have I done anything to upset Y/N?” He questions and he sees the way George and Lee both give each other a look. They know something he doesn’t and that leaves a feeling of uneasiness in his chest. Y/N and himself have always been closer than her and George and especially her and Lee. He was there for her when her parents were fighting constantly when she was 11 and when Marcus Flint started bullying her in 3rd year. He was even there when she cried to him last year about the guy she loved and how he was so stupidly blind to her feelings and while she didn’t give a name, Fred was dying to go punch whoever it was for not realising he had his best friend’s heart.

“If you have, it’s not up for us to tell you, mate.” Lee states and he hides behind George when he notices the scowl on Fred’s face. Lee knows better than to get between him and Y/N, but he isn’t wrong.

“Look, Alicia said she was fine when they left the library yesterday evening,” George starts, and he knows he shouldn’t be lying to his brother and best friend, but it’s not a huge lie, and maybe it’ll push his oblivious brother to realise what he did to upset his best friend, “She was at dinner last night when you asked Angie to the ball and then she went to her dorm with Daphne. Heard something about her saying yes to Adrian Pucey asking her to the ball…” While George made extra emphasis on the fact Y/N witnessed Fred asking Angelina to the ball, Fred’s eyes glaze over in rage when George mentions Adrian and he has a feeling his twin has got the wrong idea.

“I bet Adrian did something to her. Fuck him, honestly.” And before George and Lee can stop him, Fred’s stalking out of the classroom with Adrian Pucey in his sights.

Fred doesn’t find Adrian until later that afternoon, standing on the pitch and clad in his quidditch robes, yelling at someone who Fred assumes is Montague. He thinks now is probably a bad time to confront him, but he's blinded by the thought that he’s hurt Y/N.

“Pucey!” He shouts and when Adrian turns around, he chuckles and smirks at Fred. He was expected this later rather than sooner, specifically during dinner, but he guesses now will have to do.

“What?” He asks, but they both know why he’s here and he’s just enjoying riling Fred up.

“What did you do Y/N?” Adrian scoffs at this and shakes his head which confuses Fred. “What did I do to Y/N?” Fred stands his ground, chest puffed up. Adrian might be a fair bit shorter than Fred but Adrian hasn’t got anything to be scared of. Sure he’s seen Fred throw a punch or two and he’s definitely been on the receiving end of a bludger from the Weasley during a game, but he knows he isn’t the one that hurt Y/N here.

“I think you should be asking yourself that, mate. Y/N only agreed to going to the ball with me after you asked Angelina out right in front of her.” This causes Fred to look at Adrian in confusion and Adrian laughs at Fred again. He’s confused, why would asking Angelina out hurt Y/N?

It turns out he said that out loud, because two seconds later Adrian is responding to him, “Because she was expecting you to ask her, Weasley.”

Adrian doesn’t even wait for Fred’s reply before stalking off to the Slytherin change rooms and Fred’s left standing on the pitch, wondering why the ache in his chest is almost debilitating at the thought of hurting Y/N and questioning why he feels the need to throw up knowing she’s happily going with Adrian Pucey.

Fred’s next port of call is finding Y/N. After his talk with Adrian, he needs to find out why she expected him to ask her to the ball. He would’ve happily gone with her, but to Fred, she hadn’t even dropped a single hint at wanting to go with him and when she’s finally located, she’s in the library with Daphne.

“This is my exit cue,” Daphne mutters as she notices the redhead roaming around the library looking for Y/N. She doesn’t even have a moment to question Daphne before the seat in front of her is suddenly occupied by the last person she was hoping to see again.

“Why are you going with Pucey?” Is the first thing that leaves Fred’s mouth, and it wasn’t what Y/N was expecting. She splutters, only for a few seconds, before eventually replying.

“He asked me.”

Fred’s eyebrows furrow, but didn’t Pucey say she wanted to go with him? “A little birdie said you wanted to go with me. So, how come you’re going with him.”

Now Y/N scoffs and Fred can’t help but notice how many people are scoffing at him today just for asking questions and it’s getting annoying. “You didn’t ask me. He did. So, I said yes. Don’t understand why it’s such a big deal.” She’s intentionally being short, hopefully not spilling anything about her feelings for the boy in front of her.

“I didn’t know you wanted to go with me, Y/N. How was I supposed to know?” At this, Y/N goes from feeling hurt to angry and she can’t explain why her hands start to shake.

“How were you supposed to know?” She exclaims loudly which causes her to receive a rather nasty ‘sh’ from Madam Pince and a few O.W.L students surrounding her.

“Have you seen the way we act around each other Fred?” She’s now whisper yelling and the confused look on Fred’s face as she says this just aggravates her further and she’s convinced no one is this daft and he’s pushing her buttons on purpose. “Because everyone thinks we’re fucking dating already, Fred. You have to constantly be touching me, we’re always together, you call me darling and love and you kiss me on the forehead when I fucking bring you sugar quills from Hogsmeade because they’re your favourite and whenever you have spare money you always buy me Honeydukes chocolate because you said you like seeing me blush when you buy me things. You’re telling me now that we’re just friends?”

If the ache in Fred’s chest was almost debilitating on the quidditch pitch earlier, right now it feels like he’s about to go into cardiac arrest. Her cheeks are flushed, her fists are clenched, pieces of her hair are falling out of her bun that’s resting on top of her head and, worst of all, Fred’s noticed the tears of anger and frustration pooling in her eyes.

She sighs before continuing, trying to compose herself so he doesn’t see her crying over him, unaware he’s already noticed the tears threatening to fall. Her voice is sad and broken, and it feels like the ending point for her.

“I was just stupid enough to assume this year was the year we would finally admit we’re more than friends, Freddie. But I guess all this time it’s been one-sided. I hope you have a good time at the ball with Angelina.”

Fred grabs her wrist as she starts to pack up her things and looks at her, scanning her face for any form of emotion. “Let me go, Fred.” She looks at him with pleading eyes and he lets go of the grasp he has on her wrist.

Fred doesn’t try to stop her again as she hastily packs up her things and he sadly watches her leave the library without turning to look at him.

Y/N doesn’t care if it’s considered dramatic, but she lays in bed and cries for the rest of the day. While she hasn’t gone through a literal break-up, it feels like her friendship with Fred is over. At least, she’s decided, it’s over until she gets over her feelings for him.

Daphne tries everything in her power to comfort her. She rubs her back, plays with her hair and even puts on ABBA to try and get Y/N to dance just to cheer her up. Y/N feels horrible she’s basically conned Daphne into babysitting her breakdown but Daphne constantly reassures her it’s okay.

“Do you want me to go beat him up? I might be short and weak and he’s the size of a tree but I could take him.” Y/N sniffles a laugh at this, and smiles. She’s truly grateful for everything Daphne’s been doing for her and she makes a mental note to get her an extra special Christmas present next time she goes to Hogsmeade.

However, it turns out essentially ending the friendship with Fred ends her friendships with most of the Gryffindors. She was expecting this, but when George can’t even meet her eye in class her heart breaks into even smaller pieces. George has always been like a brother to her, someone she could tell anything too without worry of being judged. He was the first person she told when she realised she liked Fred and Y/N was the first person, besides Fred, that George told his feelings for Alicia for.

Y/N feels alone but she’s stubborn so she refuses to show it. She sits with Daphne in every class, essentially kicking poor Cassius Warrington who’s been pining after Daphne for 3 years into a different spot in class and she sometimes even sits with Adrian during lunch. It turns out they have a lot more in common than just the fact they’re in Slytherin and pure-bloods and Y/N’s pain in her chest is slowly but surely disappearing.

While her feelings for Fred still exist, her heart slowly feels like it’s being mended. It’s only when she spots Fred sulking during lunch one day that the ache returns. She was usually the one who he went too when feeling bad- him being too embarrassed to go to George. She hopes he’s okay, but she shakes the idea of approaching him, knowing he’s got Angelina to keep him company. The pang in her chest stays a little bit longer that day.

The Yule Ball arrives quicker than expected and Y/N and Daphne spend all day getting ready with a bunch of other Slytherin students. It’s nice, while they don’t all usually get along, the house loyalty between them is unmistakable.

Most of them are acutely aware of Y/N’s ‘Weasley Situation’ and while some of them give her pity looks, most of the younger girls have expressed their jealousy that she’s going with Adrian. This makes her laugh and shake her head and she often replies that boys aren’t all that and no boy is worth being jealous over. She feels like a wise mother almost, never wanting them to feel the way she’s felt the past few weeks.

Daphne and Y/N arrive at the Great Hall together, giggling about how bad Y/N is at walking in heels and placing bets on how quick they’re going to come off. While Daphne is counting her galleons in her purse to confirm the bet, Y/N catches a glimpse of Fred and Angelina. He looks so handsome, his dress robes a mixture of gold and black and she can’t help but think how well they’d go together. But when she looks at Angelina she feels like she’s going to pass out.

Angelina is stunning, and there’s no doubt about it. She’s in a floor-length dark purple gown that compliments her skin perfectly and Y/N thinks if Fred was going with anyone to the ball, she’s glad it’s Angelina.

Cassius and Adrian soon appear by the girls and take their arms into the Great Hall that’s been transformed to look like a winter wonderland. The roof tonight is bewitched to look like a winter, snowy day and Y/N can’t help but admire it. She’s grown up with magic her entire life, but she can’t help but constantly be amazed.

Adrian pulls a flask out of his dress robes jacket which makes Y/N snort and he smiles happily at her. Of course he snuck Firewhiskey into the Ball. The action reminds her of something Fred would do and she shakes her head, trying to get the boy out of her mind, tonight of all nights.

“You look beautiful tonight, by the way.” Adrian states as he takes a swig of the flask, and she feels her cheeks heat up. She can hear the sincerity in his voice. “You don’t scrub up so badly either, Pucey.”

“A dance, m’lady?” He jokingly bows to Y/N and she smiles while she takes his hand and he leads her to the dance floor. As Adrian twirls Y/N around the dance floor, albeit messily because neither of them paid attention in dance classes held by Snape of all people, she forgets about the redhead who’s stare is burning holes into the back of her head.

“You’re a shit date, y’know.” Angelina laughs and Fred’s broken out of his trance. “Shit, Angie, I’m so sorry.”

Angelina isn’t wrong. She’s a smart girl, and she’s well aware of Fred’s longing stares towards the Slytherin girl. “Did you know? That you wanted to go with her?” Angelina questions, out of sheer curiosity. Even she was shocked when Fred asked her, but she was too dumbfounded when he asked and with everyone watching at dinner, the pressure to say yes was immense but it was not worth all the pain and heartache she’s watched her two friends go through.

“At the time? No, definitely not. She’s…” He trails off as he tries to find the right words, “She’s always been there, y’know? I just assumed she’d be in my life forever and what we had was what we’d always be… It felt normal, like I didn’t feel the way I feel about her with you, or Katie or Alicia but it felt like that’s how you’re meant to feel about your girl best friend?”

He looks over at them again, and the gross feeling of jealousy rises in his throat. “But then she said yes to Pucey, and all I can think about is how no one should be holding her but me and that he'll walk her all the way back to her dorm tonight and probably kiss her and I feel like throwing up, and...” He pauses and looks at Angelina and the pity in her eyes is obvious. “And you don’t think about your best friend like this.”

Angelina watches in pity as Fred clearly drowns his sorrows in pumpkin juice and she drags him onto the dance floor. She’s not letting Fred have a bad night and she refuses to have one as well. Fred is one of her best friends, and even though she might not be the girl he wishes he was here with, she’s determined to cheer him up somehow.

Fred finally starts to have a good time when he spots George slyly leading Alicia out of the Great Hall and he loudly wolf whistles causing a red hue to form on both their cheeks and George to flip Fred the bird as they leave. Angelina spots Y/N grab her purse across the room while Fred’s distracted and she quietly leaves just after George and Alicia.

Alone.

“Y/N just left, Fred. Alone.” Fred’s confused why Angelina is telling him this when he looks over at Daphne and Adrian, who both look at him like ‘Go you fucking idiot’ and before he can even mutter a goodbye to his friends, he’s out the door almost as fast as George was.

He finds Y/N sitting on a bench in the courtyard. She’s looking up at the stars and Fred stars to recall last summer when she visited The Burrow. She spent all night trying to point out constellations to Fred and as he watches her mutter to herself, Fred wonders how he didn’t realise that they were in love this entire time.

He clears his throat, careful not to startle Y/N and when she turns Fred can see the hesitation in her face as she quickly goes to jump up and leave.

“Sorry, I shouldn’t have stolen the prime make-out spot of the night.” She awkwardly laughs but then quickly realises Fred is alone. “Nevermind… Where’s Angelina?”

Fred shrugs, and sits down on the bench she was sitting on originally. Y/N stands awkwardly before sitting down next to him. As much as she hates to admit it, she’s missed being close to him. The warmth that radiates off him despite it being the middle of winter causes her to shuffle just that slightly bit closer to him and Fred can’t help but smile.

“You look beautiful tonight. I know Adrian probably told you already, at least I hope he did, but you deserve to know.” Fred could feel himself rambling and he doesn’t miss the blush that rises across Y/N’s neck and cheeks. It’s the exact same blush that appears whenever he buys her chocolates and his heart soars.

“Thanks Freddie,” the nickname feels foreign on her tongue, “you look pretty handsome yourself. I hope Angelina told you.” She retaliates and Fred hates it. He hates the awkwardness between them. He wants nothing more to wrap his arms around her and hold her close but they feel like strangers.

“Thanks,” he laughs and Y/N looks at him confused. “Did you have a good night?”

“Can we not have this awkward small talk? I’m sure Angelina’s waiting for you somewhere.” Fred’s taken aback by her abruptness and stares at her for a few seconds. “What?” She asks when she notices Fred looking at her like she has nine heads.

“Angelina’s not waiting for me. Is Adrian waiting for you?” He asks but he doesn’t want to know the answer. He’s gone through a rollercoaster of emotions these past few weeks and he truly doesn’t want to know if another man is waiting for her to sweep her off her feet and walk back to the Slytherin common room. But when she shakes her head, Fred lets out a breath he didn’t realise he was holding.

“I need to apologise.” He blurts out and Fred wants to smack himself in the head. This was not the romantic moment he had envisioned in his head as he followed her outside into the courtyard. “I need to apologise for a lot of things. Mostly, for not realising how ridiculously in love with you I am, and also for not asking you to the ball and for ruining our friend-”

“You didn’t ruin our friendship.” She cuts him off but she doesn’t know what else to say. “You didn’t. I did, if anything.” Fred has to stop himself from starting an argument on who ruined the friendship but he wants to backtrack. Did Y/N just ignore him confessing his love to her?

“Well, I’m still sorry for not realising how ridiculously in love with you I am?” He tries again sheepishly and Y/N gives him a double-take. She heard him the first time but she was convinced it was just her ears playing tricks on her or Fred being a menace. After all, this is Fred Weasley in front of her, he’s always looking for a joke and as she’s about to accuse him of pulling a sick, twisted prank on her, she looks at him properly.

And he’s looking as serious as he did the day he told her he plans to open a joke shop with George after they graduate.

“You’re in love with me?” She asks quietly and her heart is racing again. She thinks back to the day she accidentally confessed to Fred and how she’s spent the last few weeks trying to fall out of love with him just for him to admit he’s fallen in love with her. “Fred, if this is some sick and twisted joke I will never forgive you.”

Fred almost looks hurt at this, that she thinks he’s capable of something that cruel. So instead of speaking, he softly cups her face in both his hands and runs his thumbs across her cheekbones in a loving manner. He looks her directly in the eyes and Y/N doesn’t think she’s breathed in the last 30 seconds.

She’s been craving being this close to Fred for as long as she can remember. Their lingering touches were never this intimate and right now, she feels like she can look into Fred’s eyes and see into his core, his soul. And he can do the same to her.

“Can I kiss you?” He asks softly, and Y/N gasps before nodding, wanting nothing more than to feel his lips against hers.

As he leans in his eyes flutter close, as do her’s. Y/N hasn’t kissed a lot of people in her life, but nothing could ever compare to the way she feels right now. The love and adoration Fred is pouring into this kiss almost brings tears to her eyes and she can only hope he can feel the love and adoration she has for him back.

Their lips move in perfect synchrony, neither of them pushing each other too far, but when Y/N drags her fingers through Fred’s hair and he lets out a groan, she can’t help but pull away and giggle.

“I’ve missed hearing you laugh.” Fred’s arms are now wrapped around her middle and he’s leaning down to press his forehead against hers. Now he has her in his arms, he’s never letting her go.

“I’ve missed having you make me laugh, Freddie.” She says sincerely and it’s Fred’s turn to blush. He knows they need to eventually leave their little bubble of happiness they finally have but he doesn’t want too. But he knows they need to talk about what happened, about them, what they are and Fred so desperately hopes this means Y/N is his.

She senses Fred’s thinking and she looks up at him, doe-eyed and innocent and Fred’s heart melts.

“Stop overthinking.” She mutters, running her hand through his long hair again and Fred almost looks like a cat purring as he feels her fingernails rake across his scalp and he leans into her touch. “Can’t help it. Don’t want to lose you again.”

Her heart pounds, this is all she’s ever wanted to hear and now she wants to hear it every single day. So she tells him exactly that.

“I’m yours, Freddie. As long as you’re mine? If you don’t know what you want it’s okay, I promise we can take it slow-” Fred cuts her off, laughing as he kisses her again and he feels how warm Y/N’s cheeks are, as she blushes over Fred silencing her with a kiss. When he pulls back, her face is flush, her hair is falling out of her bun. It reminds Fred of that day in the library, except this time, the happiness in her face is unmistakably there, and finally he’s the cause of it.

“Of course, I’m yours, darling. I’m never letting you go.”

Late the next morning, when Y/N is trying her best to sneak out of the Gryffindor sixth year boys dormitory with a dark purple hickey adorning her neck, she spots three 4th years whose names she doesn’t even know, giving Ron Weasley five galleons.

Ron sees her, and smirks. “My bet was at the ball. Thanks, Y/N, you and Freddie boy have made me a very rich man.”

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#fred weasley #fred weasley fanfiction #fred weasley imagine #fred weasley one shot #fred weasley x reader

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fourfucksake · 3 years

Text

let it snow

request: Can you do something with Chris sleeping with a friend? Maybe she comes and stays over and it snowed to hard for her to leave. They watch a movie and drink a little and it leads to rough sex on the couch?

pairing: chris evans x fem!black!reader

warnings: language, smut

word count: 2k

p.s i’m sorry for being inactive! i’m fine, just lazy

Visiting Chris right before Christmas was a tradition that we both shared for a long time. A few years ago, we met while filming a movie together, and our friendship blossomed very quickly. Being casted for that movie was my first role ever; back then, the show-biz, “the” Hollywood was truly one big puzzle that I had to solve on my own. The role I had wasn’t big nor significant, but it meant everything to me. The memories from those filming days were so close to my heart. Not to mention the friendship I built with Chris Evans that was also very dear to myself.

In that movie, I played the girl Chris slept with several times and at the end she finally got him to solve a mystery which led to a plot twist. Despite this description, the role wasn’t really that big, and I only had like three scenes where my character was somehow important. As imagined, all the sex talks we had as our characters were the start of me developing crush on him. Yes, I adored him as a fan for years but after that once scene where we almost kissed (and had to reshoot it way too many times) made me go crazy over him. It was downright embarrassing that literally no man that I have ever slept with made me as turned on as Chris did by almost kissing me.

“Chris!” I yelled while greeting him, giving his body a warm hug. His huge arms wrapped around me always gave me the snuggest feeling inside, I loved the smallest touch of his affection on myself. A loud laugh left my lips as he picked me up, completely erasing the distance between us. I gave him a small peck on a cheek before my feet were back again on the ground. “No Dodger?” I asked out of curiosity after not being able to spot one of my favourite creatures. “Nope, not today. He is with Scott, I left him there since I only came to this house for a couple of days before going back to my brother’s. Didn’t want to move him around like that, you know?” He explained as he rested his shoulder on the doorframe while I undressed from the heavy winter clothing. I hanged my big, fluffy coat and took my boots off before we entered his big living room.

Our “Christmas Dinner” was filled with laughs and banter. I almost forgot how amusing Chris really was, he always did everything to make the other person laugh out loud. Being with him was always great fun and however horrible that sounds I was ecstatic when the snowfall outside transformed into an apocalypse. Of course, I pretended that I really need to head back home, and nothing will stop me, but Chris refused to let me leave in this weather. After twenty minutes of going back and forth in argument, I gave up. He seemed pleased which was a relief because I would’ve hated feeling like I’m not wanted.

Chris made us both a cup of hot chocolate as we continued to talk. We made a promise regarding Christmas gift, swearing on each other’s lives that they will only be unwrapped on an actual Christmas Day. Still, I had a feeling he will open his as soon as I leave through that door. My eyes rolled as he deliberated about how his gift was surely better than mine, Tired of his annoying whimpers, I picked a TV remote and started looking through films on Disney+. “This will shut you up for like an hour or, at least I hope so,” I said with a silly face and showed him the middle finger as he laughed in response.

Focusing on the TV screen, I tried not to think about different, erotic scenarios of the both of us. His presence near me was enough to make my thoughts livid. His hand was placed on my knee, which I could not stop thinking about, no matter how hard I tried to. If Chris knew what my dirty thoughts were including him in, he would most likely show me where the door is. Or, possibly, throw me out of the window. I couldn't help but stress in his presence. It was simply not possible not to. When I thought I could control myself around him, he would start stroking my thigh, driving my consciousness crazy. He could sense that I was nervous, or at least I thought that he could, because he looked at me with his bug puppy eyes. He said nothing, just stared in the bluntest way possible. I returned the stare, unable to form words that would make any sense.

Gazing into my eyes, he positioned his hand on my cheek. Involuntarily, a familiar shiver ran through my entire body. Ugh, he was perfect, and I hated him for it. I just knew I was not the only girl to feel this way about him. You didn’t have to know him to lust over his self. I opened my lips as he began to approach me, getting closer to my face with every millisecond. Our lips finally joined in a passionate kiss. My hand quickly rested on top of his, caressing the skin on his fingers which were placed on my face. My hormones were screaming and in a spare of the moment, (and inflow of confidence) I moved onto his laps and sat on them straddling. I took over the situation with dominance, but Chris quickly took it back when he put his hands on my ass and lifted me up to lay myself on my back on the couch.

“I wanted to do this for so long, you have no idea,” He whispered right into my lips as his hand slipped under the fabric of my sweatshirt. A long, drawn-out moan escaped my mouth as his lips found their way to the skin on my neck. I was panting hard with my mouth open. One of my hands landed between the locks of his hair that I pulled on. I cursed softly under my breath as his fingers tightened on my hip and then moved to my breasts that were still covered by the fabric of my top and lace bra.

“So damn beautiful.” His words sounded like a tune to my ears. Now, I could confirm that no compliments sounded better than those formed by Mr. Chris Evans himself. His fingers sneaked into my private part once again as they slipped under my leggings. I consciously and willingly let them do so. I was already excited, maybe even more than I wanted to admit. Rarely has a man managed to bring me to this state by not doing anything special, but Chris definitely did.

My mind was full of thoughts concerning what we were doing in this very moment. Has he already done this with some other naive aspiring actress? Am I just another name on his long list waiting to be crossed out? My morals and standards, and more importantly, my substantial self-respect were all screaming at me right about now. Unfortunately, my thirst and excitement won the arguments inside my head. “Chris, p-please,” I whispered and desperately pulled the hair at the top of his head. “F-Fuck me,” My lips finally formed a dreadful plea for more.

Chris didn't wait any longer, as if I gave him an order that he had to obey. He quickly deprived my body of all of its clothing, his hungry gaze followed my flesh this whole time. He was discovering every inch of my skin for the first time, concentrating on it as if he wanted to remember every single detail. I did not want to do any worse than him, therefore my hands also started a fight with his clothes, aggressively removing them from his body.

“Condom, I need-“ He mumbled inexplicably, the second part of his sentence was most certainly inaudible but at least I understood what he started looking for from its first part. I watched him out as his fingers grabbed the fabric of his pants. He reached out to the pocket, grabbing a silver wrapper between his two fingers, and I stared at it with a rather surprised look. He was prepared for this and I let him. He knew or at least he wanted this to happen. And I let him. Stupid girl.

My eyes followed him precisely as he returned to me. His knees settled on the couch and I opened my own wide for him to view. I licked my two fingers slowly before directing them to my pussy, slowly caressing and massaging it. Chris was watching me this whole time and his gaze was getting more and more hungry which undoubtedly stimulated all my senses.

Our eyes reconnected and we both smiled at each other at the same time. I licked my lips as I watched the rubber material slide smoothly over his swollen cock. He got closer to me and hit my entrance with his dick several times which was met with a loud moan escaping my lips. I was seconds away from begging him to push inside of me, but my needs were met with his sudden actions. Satisfied was an understatement as I felt his impressive length penetrating my inside.

From the first thrust, his hips moved quickly, with force. I felt him whole, from his core to his round tip. I felt his body pressing onto mine as his balls slapped my flesh with each movement. I tilted my head back and gasped like a wounded animal. My hand blindly travelled to his muscular torso, digging my long nails into his skin. He hissed in response, but his movements became faster, only adding extra pleasure to my private part. I felt my insides pulsing in response to his dick slamming onto me.

Chris grabbed my leg under the calf and placed my heel on his shoulder. I took advantage of this placement and stretched my leg at the knee as I placed it as comfortably as possible on his shoulder. My hand rested on my boob, which I squeezed, and his eyes rested on the new image in front of him. We didn't exchange a single word, but we both gave each other the right glances that boldly approved of every move on our part.

Feeling ecstatic to say the least, I enjoyed every moment. I needed this. I needed to forget about the world, cool my abusive emotions and relish this quick experience. He gave me precisely what I craved. Moreover, I was confident he adored it just as much, which I saw from the droplets of sweat running down his forehead and from his plump lips producing multiple curse words as his body moved within me. His chest rose quickly and fell rapidly with each hard thrust. I rolled my eyes in pleasure, unable to help myself. I was so close to the orgasm that the man of my dreams was driving me to.

Feeling his warmth inside of me made me toes curl. This was so fucking good. I could confidently say that he too enjoyed himself, which the droplets of sweat running down his forehead and a bunch of swear words escaping his plump lips indicated. His chest rose and fell quickly with each hard thrust. Unable to help themselves, my eyes rolled in great pleasure. My breathing was rapid and unsteady as he drove me to a needed orgasm. I couldn’t feel his cum inside of me but his moans and pleads ensured me of his sweet release.

We looked at each other’s eyes when our breathing finally normalized from all that we have done right on that poor couch. Thankfully, I sensed no strange atmosphere in the air that could foreshadow the end of our friendship. Everything seemed so normal, so platonic and I felt an unimaginable sense of relief. “Round two?” He scanned my face with a smirk placed on his lips and flames in his eyes. I smiled in response because no words were needed to answer his question. My legs wrapped around his hips once again, his posture bent down in order to link our lips in a kiss, indicating a fresh start to our next game.

#chris evans imagine #chris evans imagines #chris evans one shot #chris evans smut #chris evans #imagine

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dumb-bitch-core · 3 years

Text

Teacher!! Yuu / Reader

So I was scrolling through youtube when I came across this, and I'm lowkey jealous of whoever is in her class- but that's not the point. Anyways, then I thought: what if the twisted wonderland boys had a teacher like this?

You know, ACTUALLY treats them like humans and cares 😃

I did some research on some good non-binary parental titles, and came across this :

Nobi

- taken from the term '(no)n-(bi)nary' (Pronounced as no-bee not nob-ee!)

so i'll use the term nobi 😼 if anyone has a non-binary japanese parental title, please tell me and i'll edit this!

*.✧ contains : gender-inclusive reader, teacher! reader, platonic relationships, lowercase, not-so-serious writing, slander [ it's jokes i swear ]

i think we can all agree you got the job just because crowley was desperate for staff lol

you : hi, i'm here to-

crowley : hired.

you started the day after that. not that you were complaining. you'd get to know your students first hand instead of looking through files! give me that enthusiasm please and thanks

the students were surprised when getting a new teacher, but they didn't mind. though when they heard you were gonna teach them simple, non-magic, basic subjects, they were kinda surprised. ace was the most disappointed, though.

but they didn't hate you for long because you cool like that 🙄💅✨

ace : * struggling with a question *

you : * walks over *

ace : * gets ready to get scolded for not paying attention *

you : * looking over his shoulder * do you want me to help you with that?

ace : :O

the first years are basically your children at this point. no questions asked. you even almost got papers before but clownley stopped you smh 🤡

out of all of them, though, deuce is your favorite. he always tries to listen tentively to your lessons and tries his hardest. when you found out of his background, you reassured him that it's okay, and that you were proud of him.

but, the students did get a surprise when you didn't give them homework.

* school bell rings *

you : alright everyone! i'll see you soon!

students : * lowkey confused *

student A : [ miss/mister ] [ last name ]?

you : yes?

student A : what about the homework?

some students : >:O

you : i don't give out homework??

students : <:D

the ones who appreciate this the MOST would probably be : riddle, jamil, octotrio, vil, and ruggie.

RIDDLE : he already has a lot going on at the dorm with all his dorm head responsibilites, and he's way more productive than all of us. yeah. i said it. PU-

JAMIL : he has clubs, and he has to watch over kalim.

OCTOTRIO : jade works at mostro lounge, runs around fucking bitches up, and watches over his brother. azul has to watch over mostro lounge, make contracts, and don't get me started on bills as well as dorm head responsibilities. floyd has clubs, then works at mostro lounge, AND fuck bitches over. we stan talented hoes 😩❤️

VIL : he has photoshoots, actor duties, dorm head duties, probably goes to meet-and-greet, and has to deal with rook an epel.

RUGGIE : has to take care of leona because that mf is a PISSBABY. I SAID IT. MF LAZY. LIKE YOU. he also basically runs the dorm, does the chores, and runs around tricking others.

i'll be honest, the students didn't expect the mental health checkups. but they do appreciate it. a lot. they can vent all they want and it'll stay between you and them.

you are literally their parent, teacher, and therapist all at once. ugh stan the reader 😼

[ if female ] riddle needed a new mommy figure anyways LMAO

[ if male ] deuce needs a dad. mf got some daddy issues.

once ace ACTUALLY called you 'mom/dad/nobi' in front of everyone in class and it was SILENT as tears rolled down your cheeks. face ones. not ass.

you were ecstatic. slowly, you answered with a " yea, ace? " in a small, yet joyous voice.

from then on students would sometimes call you 'mom/dad/nobi', some doing it 24/7.

students who'd do this A LOT would probably be : kalim, ortho, silver, rook, and cater[?]

KALIM : he sees you as a parental figure, and he isn't embarrassed. in fact, he thinks it's a compliment. parents are the best if you have a healthy relationship with them, and he thinks you resemble his parents.

ORTHO : i don't think he's really had a parental figure. only a brother figure, which is idia. and seeing how you act so caring and motherly to idia, he'll call you okaasan/otosan! and sometimes, when idia isn't a PUSSY, he'll call you 'mom/dad/nobi', too.

SILVER : he does it because you and lilia act like parents. like lilia, he'll call you something with the words 'old' in them [ only after he's sure you're fine with it. he respects you, after all! ] so don't find it shocking if he calls you " old man/old woman/old lady/old person " even though sebek scolds him.

ROOK : this is rook we're talking about. he has no reason other than the fact that he sees you as a parental figure lol.

CATER : i'm not so sure, but i do feel like he'd call you mom/dad/nobi. maybe not as much as the others, but more than everyone who isn't on this list.

in all, everyone looks forward to your classes, and appreciate how considerate you are of their outside lives <333

#twisted wonderland #twisted wonderland x reader #twisted wonderland imagines #mc / yuu

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hotdamnhunnam · 3 years

Text

Will You Just Fuck Me Already

A/N: Here’s another requested fic from my Ironhead Imagine Ideas list!! In which Will Miller is the biggest tease ever—he can spend hours with his fingers and his face buried between your legs… before he treats you to the world’s most epic sex. You’ve been bratty all day, so Will is gonna make you pay for your behavior in his favorite way: taking you to the edge, making you fucking beg.

Pairing: Will “Ironhead” Miller x F!Reader Warnings: smut, swearing, dirty talk, teasing, edging, orgasm denial, punishment, dom!Will Request: This delightful anon request!

Word Count: ~2k

“Just a quick fuck before dinner, babe...”

“Will...” you squeal as you squirm your way out of his grip, trying not to cave in to the dominant way he takes hold of your hip. Softy slapping his hands away. “Stop that—we’re already late.”

Your insatiable fiancé clearly doesn’t give a shit about your fancy dinner date. “Dinner can wait.”

“Unlike someone who can’t,” you snap as you wriggle again from his ravenous hands. “Apparently you need to learn some restraint. Showing up late is rude.”

“Then push the goddamn reservation back,” he rasps, his hot mouth latching onto your neck, as one hand gropes under your dress to deal your ass a playful smack. “You know you want to. Know you want me more than food.”

Ugh—you both know it’s true. There’s no denying Will when he is in this kind of mood... which happens all too often. You’ve lost count of all the times you’ve given in. He knows that you’re a total slut for him and always have been.

But this time is going to be different. This time you’re going to keep him on his toes. Although Will knows you’re his to own, of course he knows... you can’t let him go on assuming that his dick is the one thing you’ll always want. “...what if I don’t?”

Will drops his jaw, the slightest bit. Blue eyes dark as he processes that shit. Confused and honestly in awe—you’ve never turned him down this way. Responds after a long, bemused pause. “The fuck did you just say?”

Averting your gaze, you try not to laugh at the straight up hilarious look on his face. “What if I’m actually more in the mood for a Michelin-starred amuse-bouche?”

“You can’t be serious,” he groans, like a dog going after a bone, barely able to handle how hungry he is. “Bitch, I’ll amuse your... bouche...”

“That’s cute,” you coo, kissing his cheek while he stands there unable to speak, as you head toward the door. “High time you learned some patience, Miller. You can have me after dinner.”

Will may have lost this battle, sure. But he’ll be damned before he lets you win this war. Shoots you a look savage enough to kill. “Babe, you’re gonna regret this.”

You sure as hell will; mark his words. Even more than you’d ever expected.

***************

To tell the truth, you know exactly what you’re doing. Will does, too. You’re goading him on with the goal of getting ruined. Playing coy, because you know that if you work your wooden soldier like a little wind-up toy, then you’ll end up good and destroyed. He’ll slam you up against the wall when you get home, and make you cum a million times before the night is done. Whip out his raging cock and rip apart your cunt. Which is exactly what you want. If this is war, you’re pretty sure you’ve fucking won.

Too bad this time you’re dead fucking wrong.

You’d been teasing him all dinner long. From the amuse-bouche to the salad to the soup course. That was probably the worst—you practically put on a porno with your spoon and didn’t care if it was wrong. Played into all your filthy thirsts. Ordered some sort of decadent bisque, white and creamy and thick. Let the delicate silver spoon linger against your lips, transgressing etiquette to let its contents drip, a little bit, so you could scrape and slurp the white stuff slowly off your fingertips. Meat for your entree, needless to say. Something creamy again for dessert, crème brûlée, which got him feeling some kind of way.

Now the two of you are finally back home again, and you can’t fucking wait.

Before dinner began, you’d honestly been teasing Will all fucking day. Woken up before him in the morning, denying him your usual kick-off-the-day sex without any warning. Hopped out of the shower before he could join in. Kept on making escapes and excuses all day and all evening. Repeatedly told him how busy you’d been, though you really weren’t even.

All damn day you were being an absolute brat. Now at last you’re all finished with that. Day is done, night is late... and you’re just glad that your wound-up soldier will finally be taking the bait.

Once he guides you inside and the front door is slammed shut, you’re all set to serve as his personal slut.

So you desperately throw your whole body against him.

Will doesn’t react in the way that you had been expecting; he doesn’t melt into your hands as you reach to unbutton his shirt. Simply mutters one word. “Bedroom.”

Blinking up at your beloved Ironhead, you take a hot minute to make sense of what he just said. The meaning should’ve been obvious, but your own raging hormones have turned you into an oblivious mess. Your own hunger to cum always renders you dumb. “Hmm...?”

“Haul that naughty ass upstairs and wait for me there,” he commands, loud and clear, every word an attack on your ears. “Naked on the bed. Both hands above your head. Don’t even think about touching yourself, because I own that cunt. No one else. Understand?”

Holy mother of hell... you attempt to obey, but you end up just taking a couple steps back till you’re pressed up against the far wall in the foyer. You’re unable to take your eyes off of your captain when he’s barking orders at you in this way. Try to answer him yes sir but it inevitably comes out as a desperate, unintelligible yelp.

Will just places both hands on his hips and expectantly purses his lips. “Well?”

You trip over the flat fucking floor as you hasten to do what you’re told like a good little whore. Who the actual fuck even are you anymore?

Without a clue just how much Will intends to torture you, just how long of a wait you have in store... you quickly strip naked and spread out on the bed, just as he’d said, and lay there waiting with your eyes glued to the door.

Ironhead always likes to win his battles fast. He’s all business, efficient like that. But when it comes to shit like this... well, this is different. Damn does he like drawing out the war.

When he finally enters, he’s never looked better. It goes without saying you’ve never been wetter. His shirt is off, letting you see every inch of his bare upper body, glorious and godly, the smooth sculpted muscles you love.

You honestly cannot believe you’re engaged to such a fucking heart-stopping hottie. Your gaze wanders all over his epic tattoos, lingering on your personal favorite, the one dedicated to you.

Your gaze can’t linger for too long. Without saying a thing, Will orders you to meet his deep blue stare—he never needed words to issue a command; he’s such a captain, such a king, that even his silence is strong. So you obey right then and there. Your fiancé, this flawless sex god of a man, has fucking plans to make you pay, for every damn thing you’ve done wrong.

He approaches the foot of the bed, raising one hand to rake through the soft golden hair on his head. Thumb of the other hitched in his belt. God, he wears those jeans so fucking well. You are such a damn whore for his hands... only thing for which you’re even more of a whore is the massive dick you can see bulging like mad through the crotch of his pants.

The force of Will’s gaze silently commands you to look back up at his face again. Aye, Captain.

Then the bastard has the nerve to ask a motherfucking question. “What did I tell you earlier tonight?”

Excuse me, sir? How dare you ask something like that? He asks as if you’re even capable of forming words, to give him a reply. Yeah fucking right.

Will takes a few steps closer, leaning down over your body on the bed. And you’re so fucking dead. “You really gonna start shit off this way? Two seconds in, already you don’t know how to obey?”

Sir... this is not okay...

“Remember what I fucking said...” he grunts, and then—sweet Jesus Christ—places a hand upon your thigh, dangerously close to your wet cunt, “...or else you’re gonna spend the next whole week waiting for me in bed. That what you want?”

Oh God. Oh God. How is it even possible for any human being to be so painfully hot? You force your breathless mouth to stammer out an answer. “N-no, sir...”

“That’s what I thought,” Will huffs, squeezing your tender inner thigh with a firm touch that’s somehow all at once both sensuous and soft, yet ravaging and rough. The kind of touch he knows you love. “You should’ve thought of that before you spent the whole day being such a goddamn brat. Denying me a piece of this sweet ass. This pretty pussy, every inch of this delicious little body that you know fucking belongs to me.”

“Will... f-fuck—” you gasp, as he tightens his grasp. “Fuck, I’m so sorry...”

“What was that? What do you call me?” he rasps, dealing your soft skin a sudden sharp slap. “I know you’re sorry, babe. Don’t worry. Know just how to make you pay.”

“Ugh—sir, yes sir...” you murmur. Honestly couldn’t be sorrier, for how you had behaved, all fucking day.

“Now what did I say?” he demands, moving in closer toward your dripping cunt with his dominant hands. “Tell me or else I swear I’ll never let you cum again.”

Fuck yes—fuck no—whatever you say goes, Captain. Somehow this man makes hell sound like heaven. His words, his touch... it’s all just going to your head. You want him so damn much. Whole body squirming on the bed. You’re so insanely wet, you’re almost squirting and he hasn’t even touched you yet. “You said... you said I would regret...”

He deals your upper leg another swat. “Go ahead, slut. Regret what?”

“Denying you like that,” you stutter, doing your best to obey your fucking sex god of a fiancé, the man who owns you like no other. “Being such a fucking brat...”

“That’s right,” he sighs, palms sliding even further up your inner thighs. “Now are you ready for punishment? Why don’t you go ahead and tell me, cunt... tell me what kind of punishment you want.”

“I want you to fuck me,” you plead, as his masterful fingers move closer toward your soaking heat.

Then the wicked son of a bitch snickers... no such luck, you figure. “Well, isn’t that sweet.”

You grovel on the bed, groaning through gritted teeth. “Sir, just—please...”

“Please what, you dirty fucking slut?”

“Please, sir...” you whimper, as you turn to mush beneath his fingers, melting at his touch. His hands hovering just above your cunt. All you can think of is the thick hard cock that you can still see throbbing through the denim of his crotch. It’s everything you fucking want. You’ve truly never needed anything so much. “Will... Will you just fuck me already?”

Will loves making you like this—all shaken, unsteady. Always says when you’re right on the edge, you look so fucking pretty. You sure don’t feel pretty right now. But the way that his eyes fucking sparkle at you, as he takes in the view, clearly he seems to think so somehow.

“Mmm, so greedy. So needy,” he taunts, as his hand comes within inches of your aching, dripping cunt. “You want me to just fuck you already? Is that what you want...?”

Without words, your whole body responds.

And without words, Will answers: you’re not getting fucked until he’s good and done. Till then, he’s gonna punish your ass all night long. Just as you had been doing to him all damn day.

Now it’s Will’s turn to make you pay, in his favorite way: by spending hours with his fingers and his face buried between your shaking legs... denying you the right to get fucked by him, or to cum—you’ll have to earn that fucking privilege—taking you to the edge... making you fucking beg.

***************

... Continued in Part 2!

Hope you enjoyed this, and would love to hear if you did!! 🤗💖

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count-woe-laf · 3 years

Text

You can’t spell stargaze without gays

I write? Since when? Yes I’m aware the title makes no sense, I’m uncreative. This was supposed to be a late birthday present for @me-a-mess-morelikelythanyouthink but it’s super late now, I still enjoyed writing it and planning it with her, I hope you’re having a great day, Silver. I’m sorry I got science facts wrong and I don’t know how to end things or how normal people talk

Logan and Virgil are hopeless pining gay idiots with horrible communication skills, but they’re working on it. (Romantic analogical, very background royality and platonic dukeceit.) 1850 words

"Bring me a diet coke!" Virgil called to Roman as he ran out of the truck, through the gravel parking lot, and towards the bright 7/11.

Logan let out a small laugh from next to him. "You know he's going to spend an hour flirting with the cashier and forget."

"Yeah I know, it's fine. Surprising that he's moved up from panicking around Patton to flirting with him, that's what I call character development."

"Character development that's gone on for ten too many seasons."

"True. But while he's in there I have more time to spend with you," Virgil replied with a smirk, Logan's cheeks reddening.

"You all are disgusting," called Remus from the backseat.

"I agree," Janus sighed. "Though I can do many things, understanding allos is not one of them."

"Then get out of my truck," Virgil jokingly glared into the rearview mirror.

"It's Roman's truck-" Logan started, Virgil shifted his glare towards him. "Ok yeah, get out."

"Think we can find bigfoot, Jan?"

"We're only half an hour away from the city, try again," but Janus let himself be dragged out into the nearby forest.

Logan and Virgil were left alone, thoughts of what had gone on the past week between them running through their heads. The hand brushes, the late night phone calls, the hoodies, the excessive amount of feelings that for once, neither of them minded. There was always more to say though.

"You can see lots of stars from out here," Virgil commented rather nervously. "You should come outside with me and look at them."

It was an offering just for Logan. He was the only one allowed to stargaze with Virgil while others were flirting in a 7/11 and being chaotic in a forest. Logan and Virgil in the bed of a truck staring at the night sky. ...Well, one of them was looking at the stars.

"You know to stargaze you actually have to look at them, right? You can just look at me, V."

"Who's saying you're not a star? 'Cause you definitely are, love."

"Love?" Logan tilted his head towards Virgil's red face.

"Uh-" Virgil looked away quickly. "What is that constellation? It looks like a spoon."

"Do you seriously not know? That's the big dipper, it's part of the constellation ursa major."

"You're the science-y one here, how would I know?" Logan just sighed. "You should keep talking though, I love your voice."

"Oh… Well that's the northern star…"

"Why is it called that?"

"Um, it's the most northern star, I believe astronomers base things off of it."

Virgil snoted, "wow. Star dudes sure are creative."

Logan looked over, an indescribable emotion on his face. "Pardon me, but did you just call astronomers, 'star dudes'?"

Virgil stared back, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Star. Dudes."

"...I will defenestrate you."

"Oh?"

"Do you even know what that means?"

"Yeah," Virgil said. "It means you pick me up and I get to simp over your muscles."

"It also means I throw you out of a window."

"I'll take what I can get." Logan let out a fond sigh. "Ok 'cause your constellations are boring and factual- don't worry I still love them- but I'm telling stories now."

"You're going to kill me."

"In your dreams, babe."

"What's that supposed to-"

"Over there is Elenor, it kinda looks like a bunny, I know. Their boyfriend is Jesse over there-"

"Virgil I swear, I'm leaving you in the forest." Logan's words gave a much different meaning when he was struggling to keep in his laugh.

Virgil chucked. "Oh Logan, so naive, there's so much more. Those three stars? Yeah they're Bo Peep's sheep."

Logan choked, the statement taking him by surprise. "Excuse me? You can't just…"

"Y'know, from Toy Story? Doesn't she have three sheep or something? I swear that was a plot point in one of the movies."

"The threat of being thrown out of a window still stands, Virge."

"Good, now that star over there…"

"Her name is Jennifer, she got a constellation for making the best bean salad."

Virgil tried to hold in a laugh. "And what did you say that one was?"

Logan was so enamoured with Virgil's laugh that he almost didn't notice him intertwining their fingers. Almost. He still had to take a breath to regain his nearly non-existent composure. Although fifteen minutes couldn't have passed, Logan could tell that it was a good decision to accept Roman's offer for a fake road trip.

"That guy with the belt?" Logan continued. "He was the first person to invent clothes. Quite the fashion icon for his time."

"Oh yeah?" Virgil giggled and Logan's heart stuttered in his chest.

"Yeah, he was also the only straight man in his village. It was very controversial." Virgil hummed in response, trying to calm his laughter.

"We're pretty controversial."

"What do you mean by that?"

"We're lying in the bed of Roman's truck, well past midnight and the city limits, looking at stars. Janus and Remus are probably lost in the forest and Roman and Patton have probably gotten over their gay panic and are planning their wedding together."

"I'm not sure how that's controversial, but it is interesting that we've achieved nothing compared to them." Logan's eyes drifted back to the stars.

"I think not getting lost is a plus." He made a noise of agreement. "And uh… I know we're not as vocal about stuff like the others but… Dating you wouldn't be bad." It came out more like a question, causing Logan to look back at him.

"Fuck- I mean-" Virgil ran a hand down his face. "It would actually be really really nice if I could be your boyfriend because- ugh stop staring at me like that! It's just that you're really great and nice to be around and to talk to and I can't imagine you not being in my life. A-and I know we've been kinda sorta dating but you know how dumb we both are about romance and all that stuff- oh god this is romance, I can't believe that…

"I just really like you, Logan and I need to make sure you know that."

Virgil's words swirled into the air, into the sky, into that great expanse of stars and light.

They laid there and stared at the stars, thinking, considering, and a fair amount of staring on Logan's side.

He couldn't help it, really. He couldn't stop his eyes tracing the curve of his jaw, his bitten lips, the words that previously escaped them were still spinning through Logan's head. And Virgil's hair, his adorably messy hair that was usually hanging in front of his eyes, was pushed to the side, Logan could see a galaxy reflected in his beautiful eyes.

Virgil was his galaxy, his sun, his stars. He had kept him sane through years of school. He constantly went out of his way just to brighten Logan's day a little bit more, and brighten he did.

Virgil meant everything to him and he'd be damned if he went home tonight without showing him that.

"Didn't… Didn't you say you always wanted to go stargazing with your partner?"

"Uhh, yeah." Virgil replied hoarsely.

"I suppose you get to cross that off your list, then." Logan wondered how he suddenly had some semblance of smoothness to his words.

"Oh."

The stars seemed awfully bright that night, especially in the way they reflected off Virgil's freckles.

"Is… Is that a shooting star?" Virgil lifted his free hand, tracing the bright line across the map of stars.

"There's no such thing as shooting stars." Virgil rolled his eyes. "But, I… do believe that's a satellite."

"Then make a wish."

"That's stupid and makes no sense, wishing on a satellite has no affect on my life."

"Just do it, my northern star."

Logan's red face was a reflection off the far away street lights, nothing else. "Am I supposed to tell you what I wished for?"

"Not really, but you can. I'd love to know what goes on in that brilliant head of yours."

"My head is empty, unfortunately." Virgil laughed, he did that quite a bit around him. "I wished that we'd have a good relationship. Apologizes, is that weird, or too soon? I… just mean that we're both terrible at communicating, I hope that we can improve together as a couple."

“Oh."

Although Virgil may not have realized it, Logan noticed as he lightly brushed his thumb over his hand. It was stupidly endearing and soft, just as Virgil was.

"That's probably the cutest thing anyone's ever said that slightly regards me."

"Glad I can be of service, darling."

"So darling is what you go with?"

"Would you prefer something else?"

"...No. If I can call you my boyfriend you can call me whatever you want." Virgil smiled. "…You're my boyfriend. That's nice to say."

"It is. I wonder how I stumbled upon a boyfriend as good as you."

"You- you need to stop doing that," Virgil blushed.

"I'm not doing anything!" Logan shifted closer to him, for heating purposes of course, it was a little chilly. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You know full well."

"Do I really, Virgil?"

"Shut up and look at the stars."

"Make me."

"Logan I swear-"

"Fine, fine, I will." Virgil mumbled thanks under his breath. "But they aren't as pretty as you."

Virgil let out a noise, a mix between a screech and a cough. There was no way he was showing Logan how fluttery his words made his heart feel. (Although he felt it was common knowledge among them.)

"There's around twenty minutes until the others get back, that's twenty minutes to mess with you."

"I'm already regretting this, Lo."

"As you should, my love."

Yes, their friends may have interrupted their stargazing a few minutes later. Yes, Roman may have forced Patton to leave his shift early resulting in one too little seats and an angry boss. Yes, they may have almost ran out of gas on the way home. Yes, they may have bought fries as Janus looked for a gas station. Yes, they may have fallen onto the floor seconds later. Yes, Remus may have jumped out of the car afterwards because he said it looked fun and almost sprained his ankle. And yes, Roman did have to explain the situation five times to his parents because they couldn't stop laughing about all the shenanigans they got into that night.

Still, Virgil's arm stayed around Logan's waist like it was the most casual thing in the world. Still, they shared a milkshake once everyone had given up on the fallen fries. Still, they were both filled with such a bright happiness that it was impossible to drag them down. And maybe they fell asleep on a video call that night. Or maybe Logan stayed over and they woke up with their limbs tangled in each other's, feeling content and appreciative of the other as they slowly woke up. Honestly, who's to say? It was just a good night.

#analogical #logan sanders #virgil sanders #sanders sides #sanders sides fanfic #sanders sides fanfiction #hope y'all enjoyed this because I'm kinda proud of it #love you sil #ts logan #ts virgil #also yeah i have a taglist tell me if you want to be added #pen throws away a pen

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criminalminds4days · 3 years

Text

Family Matters: Prologue

As promised, here is the prologue for the series.

Warnings: Swearing, sexual references, violence and murder reference, public embarrassment, and very bad jokes!

Word Count: 3.2k

Chapter Board | Next Chapter

Tag list: @mcntsee @lets-be-gay-for-the-angel @evelyncade @haylaansmi @paulaern @myfandomlife-blog

*************************************************

(This gif is not mine)

Prologue: Get It Together!

She was gonna do it. Yes, of course, she was. She had finished college, gotten a doctorate, taken down an armed serial killer, been held hostage and now she worked for the Behavioral Analysis Unit, one of the most exclusive and hard to join teams in the FBI, so of course she could do this! Yet here she was, breathing heavily as she tried to press the button, it was now or never.

Maybe never?

No! She couldn't be afraid anymore, she had to do it. She was twenty-eight years old, she couldn't just... But what if her age was the reason this was pathetic? No! She had to do it, she had to do it. There was no turning back, if her family found out about this she would be humiliated (yet again). She couldn’t just say that at her age she had fallen so low. She had to cover it up, there was no other way. But what if they found out anyway? No, she couldn’t allow such a thing.

Breathe.

"Are you okay?" The voice of her coworker made her jump and almost drop her phone. She locked the screen and turned to look at him. He seemed confused at her reaction, but she simply fixed her hair as if it was any other Monday and what she was doing was perfectly normal.

"I'm fine."

"You don't seem fine." He pointed out. That was Spencer Reid, always kind, always honest. His brown hair was a curly mess and his brown eyes stared at her intently as he fixed his navy tie, he was wearing a white dress shirt and grey dress pants, definitely not the attire she imagined ever seeing from the sweater-loving resident genius at the BAU, however, she resisted the urge to comment, instead focusing on the issue at hand.

"Thank you, what all girl wants to hear." She debated whether it was worth telling him or not. While she and the other Doctor on the team weren’t necessarily good friends, being held hostage together and taking a beating to prevent him from being killed creates a certain bond between people, so she decided to attempt and share her situation. “I was trying to... Ugh, this is so embarrassing." She placed her head in her hands, lamenting every second of her miserable life.

"I don't know, maybe if you tell me it'll be less embarrassing?" He asked.

He was trying to be helpful; she knew he was, and she appreciated that more than anything, but it was hard to share how low she had fallen despite her age and position. She knew if someone would listen and not make fun of her it would be the man sitting at the desk across from hers, but she just couldn’t phantom saying it out loud. Then again, he was a genius, and he was not known for his successful love life, so maybe, just maybe he would understand the situation better?

"I accidentally told my annoying cousin that I was dating someone and now I have to bring my boyfriend to her stupid wedding."

"So? How is that embarrassing?"

"I don't have a boyfriend!"

"Why did you say you did? How do you accidentally tell someone you have a boyfriend when you don't?" She knew he wasn't making fun of her, that he was genuinely perplexed, but that knowledge didn't help subside her irritation.

"I only said it because she kept ranting about how I was gonna die alone and she was better than me..." She looked at him, his brow raised. "Okay, maybe she didn't say it exactly like that, but the intention was clear!" She cleared hair out of her face and continued, "Anyway, because I clearly do not have a significant other, I thought that if I hired someone to be my boyfriend during the wedding, it might be less painful?"

"You decided that the best way to solve your problem, of lying to your annoying cousin about your love life was hiring a fake boyfriend?" She looked at him, and a small smile played on his lips. "How does that make sense?"

"It doesn't! But I'm out of options here and I don't know what to do!" Her leg started bouncing as she bit her lip. "The wedding is this weekend, and I will die before I admit I lied to bitchy Anna!"

"That's a little extreme, don't you think?"

"Spencer Reid, you have no idea how far I'll go to shut bitchy Anna up!"

"Who's bitchy Anna?" Another voice said as Emily Prentiss, a tall woman with clear skin and dark short hair made her way to them. She was wearing a white dress shirt with a matching black blazer and dress pants, her small heels making a click-clack noise as she walked. If only she could have the confidence and stamina of Emily Prentiss, she would not be in this mess. Though she couldn’t daydream of being the woman in front of them too much after hearing Spencer’s words.

"Her cousin to whom she lied about dating someone. Consequently forcing her to now look for a fake boyfriend for hire." Spencer spoke as if nothing was weird about the whole situation.

"Why don't you just take Reid? It's not like he has plans, right?" She suggested as an amused smile played on her lips.

She didn't even have time to be mad at the man for spilling out her most embarrassing secret like it was nothing, because Emily's words made her perk up. She turned to him and he quickly shook his head.

"No, there is no way. I hate weddings, and parties in general."

"You owe me!" She argued.

"What? I don't owe you anything!" He defended himself.

"Of course you do, you told Emily something I confided in you!"

"You didn't tell me I wasn't allowed to say anything!"

"Spencer, please, I will do anything you want in order to make bitchy Anna eat her words." She placed her most convincing puppy face and looked at him. This face never failed, on anybody. She had mastered the art at age five and from then on the only thing it couldn’t get her was a normal family. Actually, scratch that, it never really worked after she became ten and Anna had also mastered it, but she was hoping this would be an exception.

"No."

Well, she had already embarrassed herself enough, so what was more begging in the great scheme of things?

"Come on, it's not like I'm asking you to marry me! I'm just asking you to pretend to be in love with me for one day."

"Be careful, that's how a lot of love stories begin," Prentiss said teasingly as she winked at the pair.

"Come on, I will give you money, I will drive you to work for a month. Whatever you want, it's yours." She said, "and Prentiss, this is the real world, not some cheesy love story. Spencer and I are much too mature for those silly things."

"No, I'm mature enough to know better. You just offered anything I want on a silver platter so I can pretend to be your boyfriend at your cousin's wedding. Let that sink in for a minute." He said as his smile grew wider, an idea clearly appearing in his mind. "Let me see, how about, a whole year of rides to work and coffee, for 24 hours of being the fake love of my life."

"Deal." She stretched her hand to shake on it and he looked at her, slightly offended. "Sorry, I forgot. I will make sure to wash my hands more times than necessary and wear gloves all week because you do have to hold my hand during the wedding, couples do that."

"Real couples do that, and it's not very hygienic."

"Well, for Saturday we will be a fake real couple, so let that sink in for a minute." She said as she triumphantly left the scene. She was making her way to the elevator, until she remembered she couldn’t really leave as she had arrived only thirty minutes ago, and her shift was not over until five. She fixed her hair and walked back to her desk as if she hadn’t just embarrassed herself in front of two of her coworkers and continued her paperwork. She heard a laugh from Emily’s desk and didn’t even bother to look up. She had figured out her plan and now she just hoped it would not explode in her face, so a few laughs from her coworker were worth the trouble.

Truth be told, there was a much bigger reason she needed to have someone at the wedding, but Spencer and Emily didn't need to know that. They didn’t need to know why she was willing to feed Spencer Reid’s addiction to coffee and his hate for driving for a whole year rather than tell her cousin she was still single.

Before she knew it, the weekend had arrived and she was in her car, a two-door gray Scion she had very proudly named Matthew when she bought him last June, and she made her way to Spencer's complex. She waited for him in her car after letting him know she was outside. She took the time to look at her now straight hair and her barely visible make-up. She knew blue was Anna’s favorite color, as it was also hers, so she made sure to wear a turquoise dress for her wedding, this was going to be a productive night, for sure.

"Hello, darling." He said as he buckled his seat belt. He was wearing a black suit with a tie that matched her dress, provided by her. His hair was lazily pushed back, giving his fluffy curls volume. She wondered what it would be like to touch it? Spencer would never allow it; he loved his hair way too much.

"We are gonna have the time of our lives, babe." She winked at him and began driving to the venue.

Of course, Anna would use the same venue she had been wishing for her wedding because it wouldn't be Anna if she couldn't have absolutely everything she ever wanted and more. The woman didn't know how long ago this passive-aggressive feud between the two had begun but she'd be damned if she let her cousin beat her at it. She pulled Spencer by the arm gently as she made her way to their table, which was front and center, granting her cousin the ability to see who she had brought along.

"If it isn't my favorite cousin!" She exclaimed. The girl fought the urge to roll her eyes. "And who might this be?"

"Anna, this is my boyfriend, Dr. Spencer Reid. Babe, this is my cousin, Anna."

"Anna, newly Hemingway." She emphasized her last name. As she reached to stretch his hand, but he simply waved. "Pleasure." She said as she retracted her hand and looked him up and down. It was only natural for her to do such a thing. "So cousin, have you heard that the family retreat has a date?" She exclaimed with excitement. "It's in about two weeks. You two obviously coming, right?"

"We actually have a retreat, with our team from the Behavioral Analysis Unit." She said, already looking for a way out, Spencer nodded in agreement.

“What a shame,” Her cousin said with faked empathy. “I’m sure it has nothing to do with what happened two years ago, does it?”

She was out of words, of course she would bring it up. Because of that incident she had convinced her mother to not force her to go last year and it was definitely the reason she was not going this year either, but the fact that Anna knew that got to her. She was ready to go home and cry of embarrassment once again. She had done it. Anna had won with one single question.

“Actually, I didn’t want to say anything hon, because it was a surprise,” Spencer spoke for the first time. “Aaron Hotchner, our boss, said that if I could memorize the whole itinerary, which I obviously can thanks to my eidetic memory and IQ of 187, that I could simply share the notes with you and we can take the weekend off since we are his favorites anyway. I was planning on a much more romantic evening than some family retreat but if your cousin is so determined to have us go, we shall be there.” He smiled at the bride, his amusement not so subtle at her reaction.

“You found a keeper,” Anna said, moving some blonde strands of hair from her face. “Anyway, I have to say hello to some guests, but I will see you two lovebirds later.” Her white dress got caught under her heel making her cousin almost fall, but this last one continued as if nothing happened.

"Thank you." She said as she squeezed his hand gently, realizing they were still linked. A whole thirty minutes, that had to be a record for him.

"Don’t thank me, now I understand why you call her bitchy Anna.” They both chuckled at the comment.

“I will call the day of the retreat and say you came down with the flu or something.” She assured him.

“No, I am definitely coming.”

"What? Why would you want to do that?"

"Because," He began, "in the time I've known you I've never seen you let anyone walk over you, or make you feel less. Remember when we met?" She chuckled at the thought. "I didn't appreciate the public embarrassment, but I gained a lot of respect for you. It was hard watching you let her talk to you like that and make you feel less. You are not less." He assured her as he looked at her, sympathy in his eyes. "You are an amazing agent and friend. I bet you're a great daughter and a reliable family member. You are much stronger than you give yourself credit for. If it wasn't for you, we would have never survived that day, I will never forget that. So, I will go with you, and I will be the best boyfriend your family has ever seen, and bitchy Anna can suck it."

She laughed at his comment and he joined. Boy, was she glad Spencer was here with her. Even if they had never been the closest of friends, she valued his opinion, and she was glad it was such a positive one. She wished this was the beginning of an actual friendship between the two.

"Honey!" Her mother's voice interrupted her thoughts, as she approached them

"Oh no." She mumbled, confusing Spencer. "Babe, get ready. You're about to meet my mom." She apologized with her eyes and turned to the bubbly woman that approached them. "Hello, mother." She said as the dark-haired woman with tan skin and stiletto heels that should be illegal reached her, giving her a tight hug. Her red dress matched the infernal shoes and a necklace of pearls adorned her neck.

"Who might this handsome fella be?"

"Mom, this is Spencer Reid, my boyfriend. Spencer, this is my mother." Before he could say anything she was already squishing his cheeks followed by the woman planting a kiss on each side of his face. "You are handsome, I bet my grandchildren will be gorgeous!"

"Mom!" She exclaimed embarrassed.

"What? Don't tell me you're not planning on marrying this hunk? He's a keeper, I can tell."

"You also said that about Tyler." She regretted the comment instantly, the reason being that she didn't need anybody else to know of that embarrassing story.

"Yeah well, aren't you glad you aren't with him anymore?" She said as if public humiliation was something to appreciate. "So how long have you two been seeing each other?"

"Two years."

"A year." She responded as she heard Spencer answer at the same time. "He means that he's liked me for two years, but we only went on our first date a year ago, a year after my breakup with Tyler."

"Yeah, that's right."

"Oh, well. I always thought you would be Mrs. Tyler Hemingway, but Mrs. Spencer Reid sounds so much better!"

"It's doctor." They both corrected.

"Even better!" After that, she walked off without saying another word.

"That's your fake mother-in-law dude... She's something else." She sighed with relief at her mother's easily distracted personality.

"Did she say, Hemingway? As in-"

"Yes, as in my cousin's new husband." She cut him off. "The same one that two years ago told me in front of most of my family that he was in love with my cousin and left me heartbroken and humiliated. That same Tyler Hemingway."

"I'm sorry."

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right?" She heard his voice call her and she immediately tensed, Spencer noticed this and moved towards her.

"I am also sorry for what I am about to do, but it will make sense soon." He said as he let go of her hand and grabbed her cheeks, pulling her for a kiss as her ex-boyfriend now turned cousin-in-law watched, perplexed.

When someone describes a fake kiss, it is usually romantic. First comes the surprise, and then immediate compliance, but she was so confused Spencer had to basically squish her cheeks to make her close her eyes and for her to realize what he was doing. She followed suit and kissed him back, still unable to form a coherent thought. It was not like Spencer Reid was a bad kisser, if she had to rate it, it would have been the best kisser she had ever encountered, but the situation that had created such a kiss did not provide for her enjoyment. Not that she wanted to enjoy it, this was her coworker turned accomplice and hopefully actual friend, not someone she was necessarily attracted to, even though she could admit that he was a handsome man. That was not something weird, even Jennifer Jareau, JJ, their friend, and coworker had said it once or twice. You can admit someone is handsome or beautiful without being attracted, everybody knew that.

The cough coming from Tyler Hemingway made Spencer let go of her, as soon as he did he winked at her and moved a strand of hair behind her ear, subtly stabilizing her and covering her shocked face until it dissipated.

“I thought you weren’t one for PDA,” The groom asked. His black tuxedo and white dress shirt made him look handsome, his black hair was pulled back and his blue eyes observed them intently.

“PDA?”

“Public Demonstration of Affection.” She clarified. “Tyler, have you seen this man next to me? How could I not want to kiss him every minute of the day.”

“And this woman has me craving for her touch.”

“Lovely.” The man responded with anything but love for them. “I just wanted to say hi and apologize, I hope you did not mind the venue Anna chose.”

“Me? Why would I mind?” She laughed. “It’s not that big of a deal.”

She felt Spencer’s arms wrap around her waist from behind, even though she hadn't noticed he moved. His head rested on her shoulder, leaving small kisses on her cheeks. Who was this man and what did he do with Spencer Reid?

“I hope you do not take this the wrong way, but when she and I get married it would have to be a much larger venue, with a different layout. I mean, this venue is cute, but this beautiful woman could outshine it just in pajamas.” He smiled at the man and turned his attention to her. “I keep telling you love: stop thinking small, you are a queen among peasants and deserve nothing but the best. Anyone who can’t see the level of woman you are is simply an idiot.”

This was the moment she was ready to marry Spencer Reid and never let him go, just for the satisfaction of seeing Tyler’s face at his comment. She would forever be grateful to Emily Prentiss for suggesting she ask him.

#spencer x y/n #spencer reid x reader #spencer reid #spencer reid fanfiction #criminal minds #cm

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badatjokezz · 3 years

Text

Haikyuu!! Rare Pair Fic Recs

i’ve been so hype about some Hq rarepairs lately now imma list some of my fav fanfics, mostly OiSuga mwehehe....

(probably gonna add some more in the future)

Oisuga (Oikawa x Sugawara)

1. Stuck in the Middle With You by overlymetaromantic

It's not the kind of blossoming relationship either of them would expect, but maybe, just maybe, it could lead to something good.

1. In which Suga and Oikawa run into each other on a late night convenience store run.

2. In which Suga and Oikawa inadvertently switch bags and end up with the other’s uniform.

3. In which Suga gives Oikawa the lecture he doesn't want but probably needs, and Oikawa might accidentally be a little in love.

4. In which Oikawa won't shut up about Suga, and Iwaizumi plays matchmaker just to make him stop.

5. In which there is not a date, and Suga likes spicy things much more than sweet.

6. In which Karasuno and Aobajousai hold training camps in the same neck of the woods, and the trip back proves to be more revealing than it probably should.

7. In which there might just be a future to this after all.

(Dis is so fluffy i might die)

2. moving on (growing up) by _helios (neocitz)

‘I’ll do it,’ Suga says, walking into their prep school and dropping his bag on the floor next to Oikawa. He shoves the melon bun and drink forward into Oikawa’s hands, and stands there looking down at him because he knows that he needs to not chicken out.

‘You’ll do what?’ Oikawa looks up through his glasses, eyes wide and confused as the other students stream in around them.

‘The fake dating thing, I’ll do it.’

‘Fuck. Yes.’ Oikawa says with a fist pump.

(It’s been AGES since i read Fake/Pretend Relationship fic, this one is goood)

3. how strange, to be remembered by venusintwelfthFandoms

"He is not formed of the type of dust that makes up stars. Suga is not the type of person that stays in the mind of one like Oikawa Tooru, ten years later. He is formed of the type of dust you shake off, the type that settles into the ground."

Ten years after Suga last steps off a high-school court, Oikawa recollects a "Mr. Refreshing" in a post-game interview, and Suga is left scrambling.

(Cute one-shot, Oikawa still remember Mr. Refreshing from Karasuno)

4. all the small things by Authoress for lemedy

Sugawara Koushi.

Oikawa’s brain supplies the name of the person standing at the other end of the aisle before Oikawa can even register him, attuned to spitting out facts about other volleyball players on a second’s notice, even after all these years. Karasuno High vice-captain. 174 cm…no, more like 176 now. Skilled at raising morale and bringing an element of surprise to their strategy. Troublesome. Refreshing. Setter.

The enemy.

(Single Dad! Oikawa, cuuutee ugh)

5. Win Some by kingdra (aroceu) for Icie

Tooru does not have a problem, its name is certainly not Sugawara Koushi, and he is not going to the Karasuno practices just to watch him. Regardless of whatever Iwa-chan says.

(High school romane~)

6. Even as bright as you are? by BKAKCANON

That night when he goes to sleep, he includes "the safety of fairies" on his prayers, making a promise to whoever was listening him, that he'd protect all the fairies and keep their secret safe forever.

[Where Oikawa meets Suga when they are kids and Oikawa believes Suga is secretly a fairy and decides he has to protect his secret all costs.]

(This is basically matches my headcanon)

7. getting to know you by oisugasuga

Suga feels like he’s back on the court then, his heart thudding hard in his ears… so hard he almost misses what Oikawa says. Unfortunately, though, he doesn’t.

"My, my. What a surprise," Oikawa Tooru says. And then… "Hello, Mr. Refreshing."

(Haven’t finished yet but DAMN I LOVE OIKAWA AND SUGA IN HERE, single dad! oikawa, and Suga babysitting oikawa’s kid, def slow burn. Imma follow this fic till death)

8. Dear Reader by hyirule

No one seems to read the paper anymore. But Oikawa likes to for the sports section. One day he finds himself reading a section called "Dear Reader" and finds a submission he can relate to.

Basically messages sent through a page on a newspaper brings to unlikely souls together, who maybe have more in common than they first thought.

(Cannon compliant, simple and... refreshing(?))

9. rest by shicchaan

Tooru looks at the sleeping person beside him as he waits for the lights change into green. The growing fringe of his husband started to cover his eyes but he can still see the beautiful birthmark under the silver haired's left eye.

(Established relationship, fluff fluff!!!)

10. long is the road (that leads me home) by ichweissnichtauch

He thinks about himself, deleting contacts from his phone and throwing coffee cups away without even looking at the string of numbers scrawled in Sharpie ink underneath, and he’s tired of hiding, tired of carefully treading the lines he’d drawn for himself all those years ago.

Just this once, Tooru wants— he thinks he wants to be brave.

Oikawa Tooru is not a stranger to wanting.

(like... 20% Oisuga but i like the way this story follows the Cannon till he get to Argentina)

11. It's Always Been About You by mintycarrots

Every time Tooru had envisioned meeting his soulmate, it was a confession of love, filled with tears of happiness and a lot of making out. It would be a faceless petite girl that would support Tooru in whatever he chose to pursue and would understand when Tooru prioritized volleyball over all else.

It was never a boy on the rival team.

(Soulmate AU)

12. a play in three acts by venusintwelfth

"The first time Sugawara Koushi sees Oikawa Tooru play, he thinks that if he wasn’t so set on volleyball, he’d do well in theater."

the first seijoh x karasuno match through the eyes of suga.

(Kinda poetic i guess, well written af)

13. colors by dazeful

Sugawara Koushi's colorful life as an archer.

(this is like the perfect oisuga one shot ive ever read)

___

IwaSuga (Iwaizumi x Sugawara)

1. And so the moon cried by iwriteinpenFandoms:

The hillocks are the domain of unearthly creatures. Creatures of rot and fog, of music and dance. Like ghosts in the night they travel without leaving footprints, they disappear in a flurry of long dresses and pale hair. Those who are fated to see them risk curses far worse than death. You may hear them, a giggle in the wind. You may smell them, the smell of the fog rolling in through the trees. You should pray you never see them. Iwaizumi Hajime is a simple man. He works a simple farm job and enjoys simple things. After one morning where he woke next to a perfect circle of death and only the memory of brown eyes and cold hands, he finds himself inexplicably drawn to the forest. Will the tales of his childhood play out with him at the center or will he have to disregard all reason?

(Danish Folklore AU)

2. Cry Just A Little by DreadfulMind

Suga was whistling a tune to himself as he opened the door to the bathroom, so he didn't hear the muffled crying through the door. But he could hear it clearly once he was inside. He heard the sharp sob of someone trying to stop.

"Iwaizumi?" He asked, "are you sure you're alright?"

(Simple but c u t e)

3. Generations by Karasuno Volleygays (ToBeOrNotToBeAGryffindor), mozaikmage

Professional sports blogger Sugawara Koushi writes an article about a volleyball match that bears special meaning to him and his former kouhai: a showdown between Kitagawa Daiichi and Yukigaoka Middle School, ten years after the teams faced off for the first time. He doesn't plan on capturing the attention of the world of sports journalism, and he certainly doesn't expect himself to end up having a thing for one of the coaches involved, one Iwaizumi Hajime.

(Time-Skip, I loved it)

___

KuroTsuki (Kuroo x Tsukishima)

1. Invictus by Chiru

Kuroo T. » So let me get this straight (gay?) Kuroo T. » You want me to pretend to be your perfect and fabulous boyfriend, so that your little freckled friend will stop trying to set you up with cute little highschool girls? Tsukishima Kei » yes Kuroo T. » Aha. Tsukishima Kei » you'll do it? Kuroo T. » I don't know. I missed the part where I get something out of it. Tsukishima Kei » you get to annoy me. Unfortunately Kuroo T. » Tempting, Tsukki, very tempting indeed.

(Fake/Pretend Relationship, some fluff, some angst, i read this in the middle of the night and cried, fortunately happy ending)

2. hold onto hope if you got it by nekolyssi

"Now, in the beginning of their third year of high school, the obnoxious hollering and incessant spirit of his teammates became normalcy to Kei. And now, normalcy is this. Weekly psych meetings. Pharmacy waiting rooms. Prescriptions. Refusal of prescriptions. More prescriptions."

(Not finished yet but yep prolly gonna put this one to one of those best haikyuu fics ive ever read. I wasnt so interested at first but i really like the idea of mental ilness etc, this is g o o d!!)

3. [KuroTsuki Fest Week 2017] Traces by Heartythrills

Kuroo’s disappeared for a little over a week now, and suddenly a 4 year old who looks like him appears before Tsukishima’s apartment.

(Age regression, fluff)

4. I swear by xArtemisx

Like the shadow that's by your side I'll be there

"What are you doing here, Tetsu? It's cold." Kei asked softly. Tetsurou smiled. Hearing his name came out of Kei's lips is always music to his ears.

"Nothing. I just came to think that whatever memory we make, may it be happy or sad memories, the bright moon and the starry night sky is always there to be the witness. Did you notice?" The alpha answered and Kei nodded. He also noticed it.

"Yes, I did noticed it."

(I love agony and sad ending....)

5. Honeybee by ClosetGoblin

Tsukishima has trouble sleeping one night during a Third Gym Camping Trip. So, he takes his acoustic guitar and passes the time with some music, and gets a visitor. Maybe he doesn't mind Kuroo's voice as he does the screeching that Lev and Hinata call singing.

(Simple but sweet)

6. Say You Like Me by the_madame21

It's been three months. And Tsukishima Kei is going to see Kuroo Tetsurou.

(light angst and.. s m u t. Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamic)

7. trying to get to you by mytsukkishine

Everything came crashing down on Kuroo when Kei had left him alone with nothing but the moon shining down on him.

Wherein, Kuroo was struggling to move on and decided that he wouldn't mind being with Kei again.

(sad beginning? yes. sad ending? y e s. you’re a masochist? come get your juice)

8. Please Hold by ThemooncatFandoms

Kei was expecting Kuroo to do one of two things; Send a text to the office saying that they will have to call back another time and continue what they started, or excuse himself from Kei to answer the call, which was most likely. He shouldn’t have been surprised when Kuroo does neither of those things.

(short but hot. what’s hotter than quiet sex?)

___

Ushijima x Oikawa

1. This Insignificant Pride and Prejudice by Mysecretfanmoments, Pouler (poulerslashes)

Oikawa Tooru graduated high school with the burning desire to succeed in his college career. He'd hoped that might include taking down his arch-nemesis along the way, but when he finds that his college team hosts an offensively familiar face, he can't help but think that the universe might be conspiring against him. After all, what could be worse than playing on the same team as Ushijima?

(It was funny for me reading oikawa/ushijima fic with that “you should’ve come to Shiratorizawa” joke at first but somehow i found this one... endearing :3, cute poor ushiwaka)

___

Atsumu x Nishinoya

1. All the things I love about Yuu by KilluCoulomb

Atsumu Miya is fixated in Nishinoya. The way the boy acts, talks, plays. He Carefully observes from afar, but he slowly warms up to the Libero. Friendship becomes more and more intimate. Atsumu realizes Nishinoya is not that simple guy he met three years ago. And he loves it.

(pro volleyball players AU)

2. i'll see you then by noyabeans (snowdrops)

Nishinoya Yuu and Miya Atsumu build a rivalry and something more.

“Oh, it's Karasuno’s libero,” he says, mildly surprised to see Nishinoya’s face staring back at him from the brochure, grinning wide with his arms folded over his chest.

Contains spoilers for the current manga arc, up to chapter 380.

#oisuga #kurotsuki #oikawa x sugawara #kuroo x tsukishima #iwasuga #iwaizumi x sugawara #ushijima x oikawa #ushioi #atsunoya #haikyuu!!#fic recs

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an-absolute-travesty · 3 years

Text

Smokey Skies and Pretty Fires

Hecking FINALLY

This took like a whole ass month my dudes

There was no prompt, just some good ol self indulgent marelinh :) (that started as a joke but-)

About: Marella x Linh, vigilante arsonist/fire fighter au

Word count: ~4,250

Tag list: @cadence-talle @ruewen-and-rising @lemontarto @a-lonely-tatertot @clearlykeefitz @percabetn @vibing-in-the-void-deactivated2 @sewersewersewercouch @everyonehasthoughts @imaramennoodle @enbies-and-felonies @blxckh0les42 @rainbowtay-11 @callas-starkflower-stew @impostertamsong @appalyneinstitute1 @stars-and-splendor @anna-without-an-e @mistythegirlfluxmess @we-have-no-bananas-today @we-wont-dissapear

Warnings: corrupt governments, fire, swearing

Linh bent down, examining the ash that covered the ground.

Some of the structure still remained, but very little of it. This was intentional, and the perp knew what they were doing.

The long string of arson incidents on government buildings was getting to be too much. At first, Linh didn't mind much. No one was ever hurt, the files inside were saved and released to the public, no fire ever spread to other buildings. But as a fire investigator and, due to her hydrokinesis, a firefighter it was getting kind of annoying. She had better things to do with her time.

She felt a tap on her shoulder.

"Hey Song, come over here for a minute."

It was her boss. She, obviously, followed.

"Chief Zaldo."

They nodded.

"I have a special assignment for you. We've gotten word that the arsonist may be attacking the courthouse next. We need you to scope out the place and put out the fire."

"Not stop the fire?"

"No. These people, or this person, might be dangerous. Just put it out, don't engage. Try to catch their face."

Linh nodded. She...wasn't great at taking orders, but she could try.

"Do you know when this is happening?"

"Three days. We hope to get more details soon."

"Who's your source?"

"Confidential information. Now go back out there, the folks will get suspicious soon."

"They don't know?"

"You ask a lot of questions, Song,"

"I have the right. Are...are you sure something bad won't happen, Chief?"

Zaldo sighed.

"No. No, I'm not."

~*~

Linh sat in the parking lot of the building next to the courthouse in the most nondescript car she could obtain.

... That being her own. The higher ups didn't exactly give her department the most funds. That went straight to the police sector. She stared at the news on her phone as reports came in of a protest across town. If she wasn't stuck in a stuffy government provided position she'd be down there with them.

She looked out the window once again. So far there were no signs of the arsonists yet.

She sipped on her mostly milk coffee. This seemed like it was going to be a long night.

~*~

At nearly three a.m. Linh awoke to a warm glow outside her car.

Shit.

Her orders from the Chief Had been forgotten completely. Without hesitation, she sprung from her seat and looked around frantically for the culprit.

There. A small figure was running away from the blaze. Linh chased.

"Hey! Kid! Get back here!"

The figure kept running. She couldn't blame them. She would too.

Luckily she was significantly taller than the person and caught up quick. It was probably very ill-advised, but she tackled them to the ground.

So much for "do not engage."

In the light of the still raging fire she saw that the apparent arsonist was a girl. She was about Linh's age with blonde hair and pretty eyes and-

CHRIST! LINH, SHE'S A SERIAL ARSONIST, GET IT TOGETHER.

Linh shook off her brief moment of lesbian brain fog.

"Who are you and why are you here?"

"I could ask you the same." the blonde girl looked in her eyes with a challenge.

"Only one of us was just caught in the act. You're going to jail."

"Am I?"

In one swift movement the girl shifted so she was on top of the pin.

"Welp, I'm going to head out now. Good luck with that fire."

She got up. Linh was still frozen in place as she ran away.

She turned around mid run and paused.

"Oh, the name's Marella. Not Mare, not Ella, no nicknames. Make sure you tell the papers that."

With a wink she was gone.

~*~

Linh sat in the Chief's office, twiddling her thumbs until they got there.

She had put out the fire that night. In fact, a lot of the structure of the courthouse was saved. When she came into work the next day she was welcomed with a warm applause.

When they walked into the room, she stood respectfully. Before she could greet them, they started talking.

"Song, how'd it go? Did you get any info?"

"Um...no, no I didn't. They must've run the other way."

"Dammit. That's okay. The fire's out, that's what matters. The cops can do the rest."

"Yeah, I guess." Linh couldn't meet their eyes.

~*~

Marella looked over the morning paper with disappointment.

"What's up?" Sophie said as she peered over her shoulder.

"They didn't even mention the fire, I made it extra dramatic and everything."

"Oof, guess we have to try again."

"Ugh." Marella flicked her wrist and set the paper to flame, it turned to ash as it hit the floor, "I'm so tired of these assholes. Peaceful protests don't work, aggressive protests don't work. These council bitches are stubborn. Our requests are reasonable, but nooooooo. Can't even let us have a real say in who controls everything."

Sophie hummed noncommittally.

"Like I said, we have to try again. Fill the skies with smoke, they have to notice eventually. Just like Forkle always tells us. Oh, and it's your turn to empty the dishwasher today by the way, Biana said she would put them all in your bed if you forget again,"

Marella waved her off, returning to her black coffee.

~*~

The next day, Marella went through the same motions as usual. She had leaked where she would be lighting up again, the first time was a risk but if all their cops were like the last she'd be perfectly fine.

And if it was the same cop...more than perfectly fine.

As she hauled the boxes of files out of the city hall she noticed a particular car sitting in the parking lot.

Guess she would see her favorite officer today.

Soon after the blaze started building, the woman got out of her car. Marella didn't run away this time, rather walked towards her.

"Lovely night isn't it?'

"You again."

"The one and only." Marella turned to her blaze. "Strangely beautiful, don't you think?"

"Yeah... I mean no- I mean-" The woman sighed. "Why are you doing this?"

Marella shrugged. "Well, it's simple. Peaceful protests seem useless at the moment so we're taking a more hands-on approach."

"No, why are you doing this? Not this...group, if there is one, why are you risking your freedom for this?"

"What freedom?"

Marella walked to her car. As she drove away she saw a large wave come from the fire hydrant, putting out the building in one go.

~*~

As Linh walked into the office, Zaldo already sat at their desk.

"Song, did you find anything this time?"

"No, I didn't, I'm sorry."

They sighed, putting their face in their hands.

"Song, I'm giving you one more chance. You're clearly determined, and to me the stealth angle seems best. But if this fails? We're going to the police,"

"Yes, Chief."

With a nod they gave permission for her to leave. She stood in the hallway for a moment, knowing what she had to do next but not knowing if she had the courage to do it.

~*~

Linh stood at the house's front door. She had chased down arsonists and saved kids from blazing fires and yet this was still the scariest thing she'd ever done.

She rang the doorbell. Maybe he wasn't home. Maybe she wouldn't have to do this.

The door opened.

In front of her stood the grown-up form of the teenage boy she had left Tam as. He still had his trademark silver bangs, apparently he hadn't cut his hair very much since they were kids. She had gotten rid of the silver long ago, dyed hair doesn't go over too well in the corporate world and her shoulder-length bob was much more practical than her long hair.

"Hello,"

"Long time no see," Tam's voice had an annoyed sound to it. "Came here to tell me 'Tam! You shouldn't mess around with that Black Swan stuff! They might be dangerous!' Again?"

Tam's impression of her voice was crude, unfortunately that was a direct quote from the last time they had talked right before their falling out. He always could hold a grudge.

"Well, um, actually, uhh... I mean sort of,"

Tam sighed.

"You know what? Whatever,"

He brought her into a tight hug.

"Come in, lecture me as much as you want, I'm not risking another 8 years without talking to the only family I have left,"

"I'm sorry about that, by the way," She said, crossing through the door and sitting on the couch.

"It's ok, you tried to make contact, I was being the asshole."

"I love you, asshole,"

"I love you more, dumbass. Now, go ahead and get your lecture started while I make us some coffee."

"Look, that arson stuff that's going on. Is that...you guys?"

He stopped mid coffee ground scoop.

"Considering you're with the government, it doesn't seem wise for me to confirm or deny,"

"Tam, I'm trying to help I swear. I just wanted to say that if it is then you should stop, I can only buy time for so long before the police are brought in,"

He put his hand on the counter, back still facing her.

"Are you threatening to call the cops? Well, we're not going to stop. It's not our fault that after years of our society abusing you, you decided to help it,"

"Tam I-"

"No. We've fought too long for what we want and you've worked too hard to make everyone forget you had a twin. I think it's best if you leave, Linh. Fitz is going to be home soon and he's heard too much to be fond of you."

"Fitz?"

"My boyfriend. Should be husband by now but your dear councillors aren't letting that happen any time soon."

"Tam, please, it's not like that I-"

"Please go. Right now. You know where to find me."

Linh nearly said something else, she wanted to argue, wanted to make sure she wouldn't lose her brother again.

Instead, she left without another word.

~*~

Linh stood outside the back of the new makeshift city hall (which was just an old fire department building repurposed) anxiously tapping her foot, waiting for Marella.

Soon enough a car pulled up and the petite woman got out of her car.

"Heya! You're waiting for me this time, that's new. What changed?"

Linh sighed.

"Look, you have to cut this stuff out. I- the police-"

"I don't care about the police. Lock me up, you have me right here officer,"

She extended her wrists straight out, offering to be handcuffed.

"I'm not a cop,"

"Really? Are you just an excitable citizen then? I thought you were just absolute shit at your job,"

Linh cracked a small smile but repressed it quickly.

"I'm a fire investigator...okay technically I'm just a firefighter but they needed more people,"

Marella cocked her head to the left.

"So none of this is even part of your job? You get paid more right?"

"Well no but-"

The girl opposite of Linh doubled over in laughter.

"Oh gosh lady you're just as bad off as the rest of us! No wonder you haven't done anything to stop us. Speaking of, scoot over, I have a fire to start,"

"No. Like I was trying to say you have to knock this off. They were trying to be stealthy but since I haven't given them any information they're sending in the cops if I don't get anything this time."

"You're trying to save my ass?"

Linh felt her face start to burn.

"Well um..."

"What's your name Miss Not-Even-A-Fire-Investigator?"

Linh sighed.

"It's Linh. Linh Song."

"Song? Like..." She trailed off, thinking for a moment. "No fucking way. You're the sister Tam always talks about. You know, putting me in cuffs won't do any harm to your brother, I'm no snitch."

"Tam has made it very clear he doesn't want my protection,"

"Why are you doing this then? You're risking your job, your...everything really,"

"I don't know,"

There was a tense silence. Marella stared her down, it was like she could see right through her into her soul.

"Linh, let me into the building,"

Linh didn't know why she moved. She didn't think she ever would know.

But she watched wordlessly as the files were taken out, loaded into a car, and then Marella walked a decent way from the building and tossed a ball of fire.

The building went up quick. It felt wrong to just stand there but...the fire was very pretty.

Soon enough Marella joined her in watching the blaze. They were wordless for a good while.

"We should get out of here soon. Someone's bound to notice the smoke," Linh was starting to get anxious.

"We? You don't have to wait for me, Linh. You have your own car,"

"Yes, I know,"

They were silent for another minute.

"Tam talks about how much he misses you, like a lot. Normally when he's drunk but still. He'd um... I think he'd like it if you um..."

"Yeah..."

Linh thought. And then she thought some more. What did she have to lose? She didn't have friends, or family, she went home every day to a mediocre apartment she could barely afford. She was underpaid and overworked.

"I want to join you,"

"You know, you said it yourself, you're risking your freedom,"

"What freedom?"

Marella smiled.

"Well, in that case, go home and get your things packed up. Meet me at the diner on 5th street tomorrow at noon. You might want to quit your job, we don't need a missing persons case on our hands."

"Be honest, is this a bad idea?"

"It depends how much you have going for you, but considering you're willing to run off to an undisclosed location with an arsonist I'm guessing you don't have much to lose. No offense," Marella looked panicked at what she said.

"None taken. Don't worry, I'm on my own. No wife and children or anything."

"Same,"

A siren wailed a few blocks away.

Marella smiled again. Wow, her smile was beautiful.

"Welp, see you tomorrow,"

"Yeah,"

Linh watched her walk away, a dorky grin on her face the whole time, before realizing she should probably get out of there before the police caught up.

~*~

The next day, Linh stood in the parking lot of the small diner. The only things with her a small backpack and a crate with Princess Purryfins, her murcat, inside. She didn't even take her car, rather walking the whole way.

Soon enough, a familiar car pulled up next to her and Marella got out.

"Is that it?" Marella pointed to her bag.

"Yep, like I said, no wife and kids or anything,"

"Yes but most people have, I don't know, clothes?"

"Swiftly changing the subject, I have a couple questions,"

"Shoot,"

"Since I'm not working anymore, how...exactly will I stay, y'know, alive and fed?"

Marella laughed. Linh knew that even if her answer was 'you won't, we live in the woods and you're our next dinner' Linh would still follow her if she was promised she'd hear that laugh again.

"Well, frankly I shouldn't be saying this in a public space, but we have allies in high places. They fund us,"

Linh nodded as if she understood fully.

"Any other questions?"

"None worth asking,"

"Cool, ready to go?"

Linh nodded again, tongue-tied from anxiety.

~*~

Nearly an hour later, they pulled up to a building in a rural part of the county. It seemed cozy enough, plenty land to be a farm though there were no animals. A small pond out to the side of a cabin that had clearly been added onto to make significantly larger.

As they walked up to the door, Marella pulled out an odd key with a swan insignia painted on the grip.

"Here is your new home for...as long as you choose to stay. You can always go out and get your own house if you want, but only paid with cash and no renting. We have to stay off the grid as much as possible,"

Linh just nodded again.

"You've been quiet," Marella pointed out.

"Yeah I'm just...it's been a lot,"

"I know, I'm sorry, you can still turn back,"

Linh shook her head.

"No, I'm committed now. I already sent the letter quitting my job,"

Marella gave her a sympathetic look.

"Alright, your room is down the hall, third to the left. I'll be upstairs if you need me. We're having a meeting tonight over dinner, then you can see everyone,"

Linh smiled politely, but started tearing up when she was left to find her room. What was she doing? Getting involved with an illegal organization against the government.

Ah the extents she would go to for a pretty girl. And nice. And funny. And smart.

Ugh. Cute girls would be the death of her.

~*~

Marella tapped her fingers on the table, waiting impatiently for the meeting to start.

Most people were there and she had introduced Linh to them.

Well, everyone but Tam and Fitz, who weren't there yet like the late-ass bastards they were.

Marella sat right next to the very quiet Linh, she seemed completely resigned about the whole ordeal. It had to be a very strange day for her.

Forkle stood up at the head of the table, tapping a glass with his dinner knife as if to get everyone's attention, even though the room was mostly silent.

"Good evening everybody! Today we have been joined by the lovely Ms. Song. Unfortunately we have not been blessed by the appearance of her brother as is usual of him."

Marella and the rest of her colleagues chuckled, Linh didn't.

As if on a timer, the door opened.

"Well speak of the devil," Forkle said, turning around to peer at the men in the doorway.

Tam's eyes went wide at the sight of Linh. He quickly ran over and scooped her into a hug.

Their conversation was quite long and very quiet, even for someone right next to them. All Marella caught was "I promise I won't leave again, I love you asshole," Linh came away with a slight sparkle of tears in her eyes.

After they broke apart, Forkle continued.

"Okay, now that we're done with that sweet moment, it's time for the boring stuff. It'd come to our realization that we can't continue on as we have been. We need something new to grab their attention. Anyone have a suggestion?"

The table was silent.

"Ms. Song? Perhaps you're more diligent than these kids,"

"We're very much adults, thank you very much," Keefe piped up.

"Mr. Sencen, when was the last time you changed the oil in your car?'

"...touché,"

Forkle sighed, and after a moment Linh started talking.

"I was thinking...all this fire stuff probably isn't great for the environment and stuff. And, well, water should work just as well. But, I mean, I don't want to impose-"

Squall cut in. "Ms. Song that's a great idea, we can cause just as much destruction with less harm and throw them off,"

Everyone around the room nodded their agreements and Marella nudged Linh's arm.

"See? You're fitting in already, nothing to worry about,"'

Linh smiled.

~*~

Linh sat at the edge of the pond, making small ripples in the water and looking at the fish. A toad croaked in the distance.

She didn't know if she was supposed to be out here, or if there were any rules at all. It didn't seem so, of all the people she'd met so far they treated this base like their home.

She felt a tap on her shoulder that made her nearly jump out of her skin. When she turned around she was expecting Tam or someone on their 'Collective' or whatever. Turns out, it was just Marella. She sat next to Linh on the bank.

"Told ya' everything would go fine,"

"You told nothing of the sort,"

"I was thinking it,"

Linh chuckled. "Yeah, it was fine,"

"So, what's your first impression of the gang?"

"Sophie and Dex seem nice, I'm a bit concerned for Keefe's car's health, I don't think Fitz likes me very much..."

"They can take some getting used to,"

"Mhm," Linh mumbled before they fell back into silence.

"So..." Marella said after a while. "Do you think you'll stay? Here at the base I mean,"

"For a bit. I don't exactly have an apartment anymore and this is way better than the one I had anyway. Just until I can get back on my feet by myself,"

"You can really stay as long as you'd like. Most people have their own homes but quite a few stay here. Sophie, Biana, and I do, at least,"

"Then maybe I'll stay a while,"

"I'd like that,"

Linh felt Marella's body heat get a lot hotter just then. She couldn't quite see in the moonlight but she guessed she was...blushing?

"I um... I was thinking um...that...um," Marella seemed to continue to heat, Linh was concerned she was going to catch fire. "I was thinking that maybe we could um...go out sometime? I- I mean as a date, o-or as friends if you don't-"

"I'd love to,"

Marella sighed in relief. "I didn't expect that to go well, honestly,"

Linh laughed. "Well, how does tomorrow at 8 sound? We can go to that pottery place on 2nd street, I think they mostly do kid's birthdays but that's never stopped me before,"

"Sounds great, it's a date,"

"It's a date,"

Linh almost just got up but hesitated for a moment. She quickly pecked Marella on the cheek before going back to the house as fast as possible. She almost thought she saw the light of a fire in the corner of her eye.

~*~

The beep-like news theme comes on followed by the announcer.

"Tonight on the 7 o'clock nightly news with Jennifer Watson"

The woman on T.V. straightens her papers.

"The two silvered-hair bandits known as the "Trouble Twins" by the public are still escaping the police's grasp. They have flooded two government buildings this week and don't seem to be intending to stop any time soon. They claim all they want is to have a proper negotiation with our lawmakers. Will the council respond to these vigilantes? Or will they continue to let our buildings be destroyed? And coming up next, this video of Bobo the panda has the internet going wild-"

Marella turned off the T.V. and slouched further on the couch. She bit into her apple, unamused.

"Babe, you have to be patient. We're getting closer, Councilor Oralie said she was going to introduce the idea of negotiation, it'll be ok,"

Linh's words helped but Marella was still unsure.

Linh sat back on the couch and nudged her.

"There's nothing to worry about, c'mon, give me a smile,"

Marella couldn't help but grin at the dork she called her girlfriend.

"There it is! Dinner will be ready in like...5 minutes so," Linh took away Marella's apple, "Then we can go meet up with Tam to fuck up the Tribunal Hall,"

"Sounds like a lovely night,"

Linh laughed.

"I love you, you know that?"

"We do say it to each other quite often,"

"Yes but I don't know," Linh looked down at her lap. "It's been almost a year and... I guess I thought I'd regret joining you guys at some point but I never have,"

"Well, I am quite charming,"

"She says, as she slowly slides off the couch,"

Indeed, Marella was now halfway to the floor. Linh just laughed.

~*~

"Order in the court!" Councilor Emery slammed down the gavel.

Bronte rolled his eyes. Ever since they decided to cut the telepathic communications (Emery's migraines were getting bad) he had been using that stupid thing.

"Today the council will be voting on one thing, are we willing to listen to the Black Swan's pleas? Or do we attempt to wrangle them?"

Everyone around the room scratched on their piece of paper with the old-fashioned and unwieldy fountain pens. Bronte already knew what his vote would be, he had many conversations with the Forkle brothers in the past, now down to one. It was an easy decision.

Once all the votes were in the box, Emery started counting. He sighed.

"And, with a close vote of 7 to 5, we will be attempting to negotiate with the vigilante group," He pounded the gavel again. "Meeting adjourned,"

Oralie gave Bronte a thumbs up from across the room. He rolled his eyes again, but fondly this time.

~*~

BAM BAM BAM.

The gavel was loud, Linh didn't like it, her anxiety was high enough that day, the stimulation of it all was too much.

Marella gently held her hand under the table.

"Order in the court!"

Sure, "court", not like they were sitting in the community center because they hadn't managed to rebuild the actual places of court yet, not at all.

"Today we have gathered to discuss many things. First, on the agenda is discussing giving citizens the right to vote as a democracy. Then, the details of a possible police reform and redistribution of funds. Finally, on what the current legal definition of marriage is, and the possibility of changing that."

Tam caught Linh's eye from across the room, he nodded at her.

Now, the real fight began.

#kotlc fic #marelinh #marella redek #linh song #kotlc #keeper of the lost cities #hnng this took so long if it flops ill cry i think

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lilyharvord · 3 years

Text

The Chain (Part 10)

Main concept: Two love struck idiots get sent back to a pretty UGH time period in their lives (that required me to reread all the books again) and have to hide the fact that they know everything.

Find the rest of the fic here: part 1 / part 2 / part 3 / part 4 / part 5 / part 6 / part 7 / part 8 / part 9

Tag list: @delilahlbard, @king-maven-calore, @thatoddgirl777, @elliekratzzz, @evangelineartemiasamos, @evangeline-of-montfort, @scxrletguardsdawn, @freaky-freiday, @petergrantkavinsky, @kuwei, @whatsup-gorls, @katiemoore, @redqueenetwork, @tranquil-dusk (I’m trying to add you but for some reason it wont @… the same problem happens with @thatoddgirl777 and I have no idea how to fix it)

(/Mare/)

I’ve been freed from Protocol for the time being. Cal pulls the same strings as last time, and I am put into Training. It makes my blood sing to know that I am going to be joining him there too. One more place where we can protect each other and plan without anyone knowing. We are a secret, united front that the Silver’s will never see coming.

It’s been a week since my first meeting with Farley. I almost expected Maven not to show up to join us, but just as he did before, he appeared out of the shadows with the servant Holland. He was just as full of the righteous fire I remembered, smiling at me and promising things he will never give. Swearing fealty to Farley and her cause for the good of everyone. I wish I had the courage to ask him if he had meant those things.

I’d gone back to my rooms cold and shaken, feeling in all senses of the word numb. Walsh had to practically guide me back to avoid me taking wrong turns and getting lost. In bed, I drown in the memories of the future that I am rapidly stumbling towards, trying to keep my head up as the tides suck me deeper. I toss and turn for hours, kicking the blankets off before pulling them back on when I wake from my hazy doze shivering uncontrollably because of invisible silent stone walls.

I’d slipped through the secret door in my closet and felt my way through the dark tunnel to Cal’s rooms. It was silent in them, not even the sound of his breathing disturbed the space. Sure enough, his bed was empty and neatly made. He wasn’t even in Summerton. I’d sunk onto the bed before slipping under the blankets and burying myself in his smell.

I’d woken to warm hands lifting me out of the blankets. Gripping his shirt, I’d whispered sleepily to him as he carried me back to my rooms. His voice was soft as he’d replied with a gentle, “you’re fine. I’ve got you.” I had to enter my room alone though, just to avoid the cameras seeing him.

Now standing in the training room a week later, I still can’t shake the blanket of cold that envelopes me. Dread pools in my stomach the closer we get to the Ball and the closer I get to those names Maven will deliver. Everything is working perfectly, I have no reason to worry. And yet, a part of me quivers with nerves. Maven is as charming as ever, but something bubbles behind his eyes. Maybe it’s because I know what to look for now and I see it. But I had been just as untrustworthy the first time around. I would have seen it then too.

Standing off to the side with my arms crossed I watch the young Silvers prepare for a session of tearing each other apart. Inhaling slowly, I take in the scent of the freshly washed matts and the summer breeze from the open windows. It’s been sweltering for the past few days, and sure enough a bead of sweat rolls down between my shoulder blades, tracing the track of my spine.

On the other side of the training room, Cal catches my eye. He quirks a brow before pushing off the wall he’s leaning against. Strolling across the room, he tucks his hands into the pockets of his training jacket. When we’re standing side by side he rolls his shoulders a few times and says, “I’m sorry that I wasn’t there a few nights ago.”

“You were off being a crown prince.” I say and wave my hand for emphasis, “doing crown prince things.” My lips quirk up a little bit at the edges when his frown deepens. I haven’t teased him much since we got stuck here, I forgot how much fun it is.

“I won’t lie; I did think someone put a dead body in my bed.”

“Don’t be dramatic.” I tease him, hiding my smile behind my hand. On the other side of the room, Evangeline holds court around the targets. She hasn’t made any moves like she did in the breakfast room weeks ago, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have something planned. If I recall, today is dueling day, and this was when she decided to take a piece out of my face.

“Hard for him not be, he’s so very good at it.” Maven’s voice cuts the air between us like a knife. I spin to face him quickly, throwing up a smile to hide the fear that rushes through me. He tilts his head to the side and smiles as well. “What is he being dramatic about now?”

Cal clears his throat, and hides his discomfort with a laugh. Setting his hand on Maven’s shoulder and squeezing he says lightly, “something to do with Shadow Legion. It’s been… difficult.”

If Maven is fooled by our game, I cannot tell. A part of me sends a silent prayer that he didn’t hear anything. But a smarter part of me chastises myself for even falling prey to my fears and searching out Cal. Have I doomed us with my little slip up?

“So I’ve heard, has Rhambos been giving you trouble again?” Maven grins at Cal in the way only brother’s sharing a private joke can.

“You have no idea.” Cal’s relief is near invisible, and I have to force my own to be that way as Maven comes to stand next to me. His eyes dart to me and he gives me a small, tentative smile. I return it, wondering exactly what is going through his mind. What I wouldn’t give to be a Whisper just so I can know if we are in the clear.

He turns his eyes forward as Arven calls Tirana forward to duel. His name comes next, and as he leaves my side, the little bubble of heat I didn’t notice him exuding leaves with him. His shoulders are tense as he steps into the makeshift arena to face the nymph. Next to me, Cal’s hands clench into fists.

When he comes sulking out, dripping water all over the floor, his eyes are burning. They dart to me and soften for a heartbeat before hardening once more. Mercifully, Cal keeps his mouth shut and turns to watch the next match when Maven steps in between us. The air crackles with heat, and a few of the other Silvers take a step back, making it appear as if they are simply interested in something else.

“Nothing to say?” Maven murmurs when Cal continues to sit in silence. My eyes dart to them, and my hand slowly closes in a fist at my side.

“There’s nothing to say.”

“You always have something to say, forgive me if it’s a surprise when you don’t.” Maven turns those eyes on Cal, and I imagine his stare could turn Cal into a puddle of human parts if he weren’t a burner as well. He’s instigating, something I never saw him do. Or maybe it’s happened before and I never got the chance to see it. Cal makes no move to show me panic, so maybe Maven being this bitter has occurred sometime in the past before I met them. Maybe nothing is wrong and he’s picking a fight because he’s upset about the embarrassment of his loss.

Straightening his shoulders, Cal turns a neutral look onto Maven, sweeping him over with his eyes. “You could have beat her if you had given her a bit more space. You were stronger than her the whole fight.” Cal assures, his eyes dancing to me for a moment. We both know that isn’t what he said last time. But this didn’t occur last time, and without a script Cal struggles.

Maven’s entire body tenses, even as his expression cools. It’s such an odd contradiction that I’m not quite sure what will happen next. Reaching out, I close my hand around his wrist and squeeze. He’s cold as ice, and I shiver involuntarily as my skin makes contact with his. I don’t know why I expected heat.

His flips around to look at my hand, his lips pursed in a tight line. I swallow my grimace and offer him a gentle, knowing smile.

“There will be more fights. More important fights.” I raise my brow, hoping he takes my hint. The anticipation of his reaction practically drives me to dig my nails into his skin. I’m surprised he doesn’t flip around and demand to challenge Cal right here, right now. It would be a short fight, but it would be no less damning.

His shoulders soften though, and his stance shifts to one of embarrassment. “Of course.” He murmurs, his other hand coming to rest on mine. “There always are.”

Hiding my relief behind a smile, I try to pull my hand away. I can’t believe I thought he would actually go to blows with Cal. He’s smarter than that, and better at playing the long game than I give him credit for in the moment.

Before I can pull my hand away completely, he grips it tighter and stares me down, daring me to pull away. He puts up the mask then, the one that I loved dearly and searched for during my months with him in Archeon.

“Even if some battles are already lost.” He whispers as he leans close to me so his words are only for me.

He’s a desperate boy now. I can hear the ache in his voice. What does he know? What does his mother know? Nothing, I’m certain they know nothing. Elara didn’t get anything from me, and she hasn’t gotten anything from Cal. We’ve been careful enough, we’re never together in a way that anyone could question. We haven’t even gone into that moonlit room yet. I haven’t put a knife in Maven’s back yet. Maybe he was more jealous of my escapade to the Stilts than I initially noticed. That’s the only thing he has to work with, and maybe the fact that Cal and I were obviously teasing each other before training just now. He’d never been so outwardly jealous of Cal though. His jealousy was always a quietly simmering pot that never overflowed. He was so much more dangerous because of that.

Pulling away from me when I stay silent, he gives me a rueful smile and turns to face the arena where Elane and Sonya are tearing each other to pieces. I can’t focus though; my mind turns into a tail spin of panic. Have we slipped up? Did I damn us a few nights ago? Are we even off track? What if we are? What has changed?

I am so lost in my own thoughts I almost miss Evangeline demanding our fight. Lifting my eyes to her, I take in her gloating smile. She senses my panic, but has no inclination of the source.

Maven jumps to my defense like a cat would to a mouse. Evangeline doesn’t back down though. I should be grateful for this, at least something is back on track. It’s been a while since I’ve been glad for Evangeline Samos, and even though she is not my friend now, she is the closest thing I’ve seen since training started.

(/////)

Sitting in the darkness of my room that night, I watch the moonlight as it passes over the floor. Are the Sentinels watching me on their screens, wondering if I’ve lost my mind? I doubt it. Unless Elara had told them to keep a closer eye on me. I wouldn’t be surprised, when she’d corned me and Maven in the hallway I had felt her creeping in my mind, searching in the mirrored halls I’d barely had enough time to drag up to protect my memories.

Sighing, I let my head fall into my hands as I breathe. Focusing on the hum of the cameras, I follow the source of the electricity along the wires. The purr of the current fills my senses and drowns me. For a moment, I let myself just exist in the peaceful darkness behind my eyelids. Things will only get harder from here. I regret not tuning for Montfort more than anything now.

A gentle knock on the door drags me out of my meditation. Raising my eyes to the door, I wrap my robe tighter around me as I stand. My steps are near silent as I creep across the room and crack open the door.

Leaning against the frame of the doorway, Cal looks more exhausted than I’ve ever seen him. With a shadow creeping along his jaw, he looks more like he did in Montfort. He was on the verge of doom and greatness here, and there too. He wears the years he’s already lived tonight in the bags under his eyes and the weariness of his shoulders.

When he spots the sliver of my face behind the door, he gives me a tentative smile. “Up for a dance?” He asks quietly as I open the door a little wider.

Nodding, I let him pull me out of my room and toward a moonlit room where I can at least pretend for a little while that I’m safe even if I’m the furthest from safe that I’ve ever been.

(////)

In the hours leading up to the ball, while I am being painted and primed, the names Maven gave as targets ring through my head. When he had visited me late in the dark to tell me them, I had expected him to give me different names. I’d whisper to Cal that I thought I had messed up, and given us away. He’d tried to assure me that everything would alright. And when we kiss this time, there was a desperation to it. Like Maven, he is terrified to lose me, and he poured that fear into the kiss he gave me.

Reynold Iral, Ptolemus Samos, Ellyn Macanthos. Belicos Leorlan. Those names chase me and haunt my waking hours. The prospect of them being wrong, and Maven adding more names, or different ones, haunts me even more.

Belicos with his two young children who will die tonight too, Ptolemus Samos who will live to someday kill my brother but father a beautiful daughter with Wren, Colonel Macanthos with her sly eye that can see right through Elara’s schemes, and Reynold, a man I’m pretty sure is lost somewhere anyway dance behind my eyelids and in the corner of my eyes. I don’t think I will ever be rid of my ghosts.

I couldn’t breathe when I stood before Mareena and saw her in the mirror. She was lovely and wicked in the light of my room, and I’m sure she’ll look the same way at the ball tonight. The dress is the same riotous mess of gemstones and purple fabric that I hate even more this time around, especially when I have to stand next to Maven and observe him in his beautiful charcoal suit. He is beautiful in it, as beautiful as I remember. It makes my stomach twist every time I look at him.

The pleasantries leave me just as breathless, and I can feel Evangeline’s eyes on me as she glares down the line at the people who are to come. It’s almost a relief when Maven pulls me out onto the balcony, just so that I can inhale fresh air. As we go, I feel the brush of Cal’s hand as he reaches back to catch my skirt. My eyes dart to him in warning, but he’s already hiding the movement behind setting his hand on Evangeline’s back and smiling at Belicos as he steps forward to greet them.

Even as Maven pulls me onto the balcony, my heart is pounding. Seeing Belicos a second time does nothing to ease the ache in my heart. His children, I remember their bodies laid out next to his like they were nothing. Was Maven’s emotion in the moment a scam? Had he felt anything seeing their little bodies. I don’t know what’s real and the closer we get to the moment, the more my fear increases. .

“You’re giving them a father.” I whisper, the words like poison on my tongue. He’d give anything to topple the Guard, and he did give everything. Even if I hadn’t been enough to completely crush us. At the same time though, he wasn’t the one to truly give those names. Elara told him who to pick and he acted like a good little mouth piece. He could have chosen not to give that name though. In the moment he could have chosen to spare a father and his children. He’d made that choice. I know he’s braver than he claims, especially where Elara is concerned. Farley was right to call him a coward.

He lets go of me but doesn’t step away when I speak. He stays close instead, his hands just ghosting over my skin. He looks like a marble statue in the moonlight, his lips drawn in a tight line. Achingly beautiful, a boy on the cusp of manhood and his own demise, an angel teetering over the edge of the abyss.

He backs me into the wall, his eyes like chips of ice in the pale plane of his face. Slowly he places his hands on either side of my head, trapping me so that I have to listen to him.

“Reynald is a father, too. The Colonel has children of her own. Ptolemus is now engaged to the Haven girl. They all have people; they all have someone who will mourn them.” The words are forced and cold. A part of him believes those words but the larger part of him, the one Elara has groomed to be king someday knows it must be done. “We can’t pick and choose how to help the cause, Mare. We must do what we can, whatever the cost.”

My skin feels like it’s alive. I might electrocute him right here, right now, until he backs away from me. I have half a mind to press my hand to his chest and shove him over the balcony. It would take one push, and I know all the weak points to knock someone of balance now. It would be so easy. I could claim it was the Scarlet Guard, that they appeared on the balcony and pushed him.

His breath is warm on my face as he whispers, “I want this to be done with the least blood shed possible.”

His hand trembles as he brings it up to brush his fingertips along my cheek, a ghost of a touch, like he can’t bear to let his skin connect with mine. “Tonight will change everything.”

My heart pounds harder against my ribs as he pulls back enough to give me space. His eyes dance away from me and back to the line of dwindling nobles. The pleasantries are over, it’s time. Even if I’m not ready. I’ll never be ready though.

The shadows break again and I recognize Cal’s familiar outline as he steps onto the balcony. “You two all right out here?” His expression is hesitant, probably worried that he’s interrupted a moment that I am supposed to be getting information. His eyes linger on me, his expression softening. These next moments will be the hardest. “You ready for this, Mare?”

Maven jumps on my silence. “She’s ready.”

Taking my arm in his, he pulls me along. He was never this aggressive with me. At least, not that I remember. Maybe I had been so blinded by my emotions of the night that I hadn’t realized how he was acting. He’s agitated though, and monsters are dangerous like that.

Still, Cal’s fingers brush against my wrist, his touch somehow colder than Maven’s. I wish he actually took my hand and held it. When I look over my shoulder at him, his expression is stormy. He’d never been so outwardly nervous about Maven. At least he’s not afraid. We know what comes tonight. I told him what to expect, and he knows what he has to do. I wonder if he will be able to put Farley through the pain of the Gilican shiver’s torture now. I have to rely on him to do just that though.

Evangeline appears at his side, her jewel encrusted fingers enclosing his arm. She squeezes tightly when she sees my eyes lingering on him.

Oh Evangeline. I wish I could help her now. She has her own battle to fight though.

Maven’s lips almost brush my ear as he whispers to me, “This is the hard part.”

Even with all the eyes on me, I don’t blush. He pulls me into the frame but his skin is warmer than I remember. And as we start the dance, his eyes never leave my face. What is he looking for there?

As we move in the box formation, he raises a brow and his lips curl into a smile. “You’ve been practicing.”

“A bit, didn’t want to step on your toes.” I reply with my own smile. I put as much true joy as I can behind it.

His eyes flash for a moment and he leans a little closer to whisper, “You’re just full of surprises.” He chuckles, and the grin he gives me as he pulls back makes my stomach flutter. There is the boy that had captured my trust and my heart. I turn away at the sight of it, my stomach dropping.

I spot Cal spin Evangeline, who looks more like a glittering ball of spikes than a human. I’m surprised she doesn’t slice Cal’s hands open when he rests them on the back of the dress. I miss her more casual regalia that she wears in Montfort. I never saw her casual outfits that she wore here, but I imagine she carried that style into Ascendant.

Sensing my gaze, Cal’s eyes meet mine. His fingers close around Evangeline’s waist, and a million memories of him doing the same thing with me come back. I can almost feel his hand sliding around my waist in the tiny living room of our apartment as he hums the song playing on the radio. I can remember laying my head on his chest and listening to his heartbeat and the sound of his humming reverberating in his chest. He can’t carry a tune to save his life, but it is still wonderful.

We spin through two songs until I feel dizzy with anticipation. Just when I think Maven will pull me to the side though, he leans close to me. I almost pull away, but instead force myself to stay close and turn my head slightly to give him a shy smile. His eyes are darker than I’ve ever seen them though.

“I told you that everything changes tonight.” He breathes against my ear. I nod, confused where this is going. “And I do have to admit that I’ve… kept something from you.”

What? What is he getting at? I pull away, panic flaring through me as I search that face for the truth. He’s too good at hiding it though. I grip his hand tightly, prepared to push as much electricity through his body as I can muster.

His hand burns in my grip instead. My lips curl in pain, but he ignores it and spins me so that my back is to the crowd around us. Forcing me to step into the next dance, he tilts his head forward again to whisper. “I did give Farley four names. But I lied to you about one of them.”

“What are you talking about?” My voice is cold, dangerous too. He senses it, pulling back a fraction. We stop dancing, and his hands drop to his sides. My heart beats so erratically, I worry it might beat right out of my chest.

He tilts his head to the side, his lips falling. “Ptolemus is a good target. Removing him would send the officers into chaos. But there was… a better target, one that would cause more chaos.”

“Who did you give?”

Who did your mother give? I want to grab him by the shoulders and shake it out of him. His lips curl up slowly, a remorseful smile if I ever saw one from him. My blood goes cold at the sight of it.

“Farley agreed with me that you were getting too close, that your attention was becoming divided. She also agreed that if there was ever a time to cut the head off the snake it was now.” He takes my hand and squeezes my fingers. “I’ll step up in his place. My father will never recover from the loss, so Farley can do what she pleases. It is a win for all of us.”

Realization burns through my stomach, followed immediately by frozen panic. “What have you done?” I wheeze as I flip around, searching the crowd, desperately trying to find Cal’s silhouette. In the mass of bodies, I can’t find him and my fingers twitch at my sides as I glance up in the rafters. The Sentinels pace, searching the crowd but they are looking in the wrong places. Above them, shadows move too. The Guard is already in position, ready to carry our Farley’s plot.

“I know that you two have become…friends.” Maven begins, taking my hand and pulling me back around so that I face him. I try to turn my head and search the crowd still, but he grabs my chin and drags my eyes back to his face. “That’s why I asked Farley to take the shot. She’ll give him a quick end. One bullet and a dynasty will end.”

One bullet that won’t miss. One bullet that will tear my future away from me. One bullet that will break me, because Farley never, ever misses.

My blood boils and sparks dance on my fingertips as I glare at him. Cold calm washes over me as the rush of adrenaline leaves. I am in battle mode now; survival is all I can think about when I stare down the man before me.

“Farley removed you from the mission. That’s why I didn’t tell you I gave her his name. She thought you might compromise us.”

We were wrong. I gave something away. Elara never would have dared to target Cal. She needs him to get rid of his father, she needs a scapegoat. But if she looked in my head or his and saw the future, she would have seen that he is more trouble than he’s worth. She would have found out that cutting him from the equation might someday save her and Maven.

If I turn and run after him, I will confirm whatever they believe about us, whatever they have found. But if I sit here, I will lose everything. I can’t go after him; I can’t save him or else I risk Farley and compromising this whole mission.

I am a selfish creature though. I always have been, and I always will be.

Ripping my hand from Maven’s grip I flip around to push my way through the crowd. I have time, there’s still time. I am racing against a clock I can’t see though. It’s like push through mud as I shove my way through the crowd. People gasp and glare at me, but I have eyes only for one person and I can’t find him.

My eyes start to water, and my breathing comes in ragged gasps.

Farley doesn’t miss. And she will make sure she doesn’t miss this time.

Memories of him lying on the sand of Harbor Bay, grey and lifeless threaten to overtake me. I shove them down. He won’t be made into a symbol tonight. I still have time.

There.

He stands with his back to me, speaking quietly with some military personnel or another. I shove through the last of the crowd, my hand extended for him. Elara’s eyes are on me, I can feel them, but I don’t care. I don’t care about keeping things on track. Jon can damn himself to the hells. I won’t lose him.

“Cal!” I scream his name, making him turn. His brows furrow, his expression confused by my panic and fear. I’m five steps away. Then four, hand outstretched as he takes a tiny movement forward as if he might meet me halfway. He never gets the chance.

The lights drop and four guns fire at the same time.

I scream so loud that my own ears ring. The lights around us flare to life on their own by the sheer force of my ability. My vision tunnels, even as someone slams into me from the side, screaming in panic as the lights directly above me explode in a shower of sparks.

I shove them away from me and sprint to his downed form. The man he’d been speaking to is gone, probably lost in the panic. People are screaming, shouting and pointing to the roof.

I slide the last foot between us on my knees and come to his side. Blood, there’s so much blood. I choke on a sob as I try to find the source of it. His eyes are open though, and his mouth opens and closes like a gaping fish.

Relief like nothing I’ve ever felt rushes through me, and I choke on his name as I feverishly try to find the source of the blood. It’s staining his uniform and pooling around his shoulder. His hands press to his chest, and I immediately press my hands on top of his. Sticky, burning blood pours through my fingers though.

“Mare.” His voice is ragged as he gasps my name, and I tear my eyes from the wound long enough to meet his eye. His going grey, the black undertones starting to appear under his eyes.

“No, stop trying to talk. You have to keep breathing.” I cry as I press the heels of my palms harder into the wound. More blood pours out and I feel like I’m fighting an uphill battle when I reach down and rip some of my dress off to press it to the wound. “Healer! Someone get a healer!” I scream to the panicked crowd. They’re like spooked animals though. No one notices their crown prince on his back bleeding out.

His hand closes weakly around my wrist and squeezes, trying to get my attention. His eyes are wide, but his expression is anything but fearful. “Don’t—” he begins, but ends up coughing on blood instead.

“No, no, no.” I sob as I push harder and glare at him. “No last words Calore. Not tonight. You’re going to be fine. You’re going to sit and drink coffee and talk with Julian again, and see Clara and my family again. And—and we’re going to see our baby, we’re going to hold him and watch him grow and become a better person than either of us. It’s going to be fine. Everything will be fine!”

His grip weakens on my wrist even as he smiles. My throat closes and I drop my chin to my chest. It’s a pretty picture I paint, but it fades with every slow beat of his heart. “Help!” I scream uselessly one more time, hoping someone will hear, that someone will come to my aid.

The crowd parts for a moment, and Sara who whipped around at the sound of my scream finds me. She barrels her way to us, and drops to her knees on Cal’s other side.

“Help him, save him.” I sob at her.

Her lips twist at the sight of all the blood, but she immediately pushes my hands away from the wound and replaces my hands with hers. Cal’s head falls back and his eyes close the minute she does. I leap for him, grabbing his face and trying to get him to open his eyes again. His neck falls slack in my grip through and I end up almost shaking him.

“Open your eyes, open your fucking eyes.” I scream at him, tears pouring like rivers down my cheeks. Hands grab me and try to pull me away, but I thrash against them and scream. When I’m flipped around, I meet Julian’s tortured expression.

He pulls me to him, keeping me out of Sara’s way as she works. His eyes never leave his nephew’s face. I wonder if he is seeing his sister in his grey features. Cal looks like a corpse, and my entire body feels like a live wire set to explode at any second.

“Don’t let him die. Please, don’t let him die.” I beg Sara, reaching a hand out to grab Cal’s hand. It’s cold in my grip and I almost vomit when my stomach clenches.

Her eyes dance up to me, and I see the resolve there. Is he lost? I don’t know if I will be able to bear that burden, if I will be able to survive this crushing blow.

She pulls her blood stained hands away and I dive out of Julian’s arms to grab at Cal. For a moment, I think he’s truly gone and a pained sob leaves my chest, sounding more like a scream than a moment of weakness. Underneath my hands though, his chest hitches with a breath, and then begins to rise and fall slowly.

The ballroom is practically empty around us. The royals have fled, the Sentinels have gone after Farley and the others. All that is left is us and the corpses. But there is one less among them.

“Cal,” I whisper to him as I brush his hair off his forehead. His eyes open for a moment only to close in a grimace.

“I wasn’t one of the targets.” He breathes, and I slowly let my forehead fall to rest on his chest. He wasn’t, but he survived. Turning to answer my call had saved his life. He’d changed his positioning, too fast for Farlet to correct her shot before the lights went out. She’d shot blindly, and almost succeeded in killing him.

“This sounds like a conversation for more… private chambers.” Julian’s voice is a dangerous rumble. I glance at him over my shoulder, belatedly realizing that he saw me sob over a prince that is not mine. He heard Cal mention targets, and judging by the fury behind his eyes, he is rapidly putting two and two together.

“Julian,” I reach for him, but he pushes to stand and then steps up to Cal’s other side.

“Sara will finish her work in my rooms. You two will come with us.” He bends down to grab one of Cal’s arms and help him sit up. I almost try to stop him, but he glares down at me. “Help me get him up and moving. We will have to move quickly.”

I crawl over Cal and grab his other arm before helping him to his feet. He stumbles, barely able to take his own weight. I grunt underneath him, and press into his side. Already I can feel the heat returning to his skin, and it sends such a thrum of relief through me that I have to swallow more tears.

(////)

Julian’s rooms are dark and after he helps me deposit Cal on one of the couches, he works quickly to shut all the curtains and lock the doors. I search for the cameras, but there are none for me to turn off.

He lights a few candles and brings them to the side table to light Sara’s work space. She shoes me away and takes my place at Cal’s side before tearing his ceremonial suit off. While she healed the artery that was severed, there is still a bullet in his chest. I can just catch one of the edges reflecting in the dim light.

Sara holds out an expectant hand and not even a heartbeat later, Julian sets a small cloth wrapped set of tools in her hands. She sets them in her lap and goes to work as I edge around the back of the couch and take one of Cal’s hands in my own. His pulse is getting stronger with every passing second, and his grip increases as Sara digs the first tool in to get the bullet out.

“Both of you, talk.” Julian’s fury is like nothing I’ve seen before. Even when I came to him for help in freeing Farley and Kilorn, he had still been soft, quiet. This fury is the fury of a man that has seen horrible dark places and is terrified to be forced back into them.

I glance at Cal who grimaces and grinds his teeth together when Sara starts to tug on the bullet. He won’t be able to make this decision right now.

“You wouldn’t believe us.” I say quietly before looking up at Julian and begging him to understand my hesitation.

“Try me.” He grinds out past his clenched jaw.

My stomach turns and Cal squeezes my hand. I glance down at him, and he nods slowly. We have been compromised. It’s time.

“You have to… listen the whole time. Don’t waste time with questions.” I urge, and in the low light, Julian’s nod creates dark shadows across his features. He looks older than I’ve ever seen him. Bowing my head, I inhale slowly and then launching into the story, starting with the most dangerous truth.

It takes more time than I want for Sara to finish with Cal, and for me to finish the story. As he gets stronger, Cal interjects, adding bits and pieces that I forget. Julian keeps true to his word and stays quiet, but his expression pulls into a deeper and deeper frown as we go.

“How could you not trust me with this. If you know what I am to be to you, why would you not seek out my help immediately?” He pushes to his feet and begins pacing the space before us. Sara watches him, her eyes solemn.

“We—I didn’t want to put you in danger.” Cal whispers, pushing to a sitting position. I try to push him back down, but he fights me off.

“I end up in danger anyway.” Julian turns his gaze on Cal, but it’s softened considerably. I relax as he steps forward to look both of us over. “You’re certain Elara knows the truth?”

“Cal wasn’t a target. But Maven made him one tonight and pushed me off the mission. He knew about me and Cal and if he knows about that, then he knows about everything else.” I whisper, and take the rag Sara had brought a few minutes ago. Wiping some of the blood of Cal’s chest, I shake my head. “I gave us away completely tonight by saving you.”

Cal closes a hand over mine and squeezes softly.

“You must have given yourselves away some time before that.” Julian stops his pacing to set his fists on his hips. Glaring at the carpet like it is the sole reason for his worry, he says, “and now you are once again at the mercy of Elara’s mechanisms.”

“Not exactly.” Cal argues, sitting up completely and starting to shrug his uniform jacket on. Julian raises a brow at his words, but waits until Cal gives up with the buttons to let him speak.

“We know what her ultimate end game is, and there is more than one way to get to the point we want.” Cal glances at me warily. “You and Maven are supposed to meet with Farley when we get to Archeon. You are going to have to warn her, and tell her the truth. All of it.”

I jump to my feet, shock coursing through me. “Have you lost your mind? Julian would understand, but Farley?”

“Farley will understand if you tell her the truth and give her proof.” Cal urges.

Sara and Julian watch our responses bounce back and forth like spectators at some sports match. It’s my turn to pace though, so I start wearing a trench into the floor, grabbing fistfuls of my gown as I do so. “Even if I did manage to get her to believe me, what are we going to do?”

“Elara doesn’t know that I know right?” He reasons with a tilt of his head. I pause my pacing to glance at him. He finishes buttoning up his jacket and nods at whatever plan is forming in his head. “She may think you are the only person that knows the future. That only you are here.”

“What are you talking about? If she’s seen my memories—”

“Then she’s only seen the ones formed before.” Julian jumps on the plan. His eyes dart between the two of us. “You would know if she was in your head Cal. And you are certain she has not looked. She has only seen your memories Mare. As far as she is concerned you are the only person with knowledge of the future.”

“Then why get rid of Cal tonight?” I wave a hand at him for emphasis. My fingers are still shaking, and my body still feels numb from the near death scare.

“You said so yourself. He plays a role in toppling her and Maven. Remove the tumor before it becomes cancer.” Julian offers with a shrug. Setting his hand on my shoulder, he gives me a tired smile. “You may still have a card up your sleeve. Go to… Farley, and get her to believe your story. Make a new plan, one that will put you back on track.”

How am I going to do that? How will I keep Maven in the dark? I’m smart, but he’s always been so much smarter than me, and with the knowledge Elara now has, the game has just become that much harder.

Cal rises on shaky legs, his expression cold. “Speaking of Farley, she might be done in the cells now.”

My blood goes cold and I blink stupidly. “But you didn’t catch her this time. She got away.”

“I didn’t catch her the first time. The Sentinels had already apprehended her by the time I caught up to them.” He nods to Sara and with a slow dip of his head whispers, “thank you, for saving my life.”

She smiles at him, a tiny weak expression but it lights up her face. She takes Julian’s hand and rises from her chair.

It feels good to have the two of them on our side now, playing the game with us. Maybe with them, we can actually win this time around.

#The Chain #my writing #red queen #glass sword #kings cage #war storm #broken throne #post broken throne #my fanfics #thank you so much to everyone who stuck around and waited #here it finally is #she's thic and important and she knows it #(((:#I know it moves fast at the end but it's time to pick up the pace with this fic #I've been dragging it out too long.#marecal #the eternal ship #and now they get to be badasses together #it's great

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ukiyo-jaem · 4 years

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my timer didn't go off to post this at 0:00 i am so sorry~~

warnings: smut (it's tasteful), mean parents (??) that's about it. it's got fluff in here. NOT PROOFREAD

words: 4.1k (there's a plot, trust me)

domestic!mark lee ugh a fan favorite~

I listened to Fool for You by Zayn while writing so...yeah. alrighty, let's go~~

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Fool For You

summer breezes and fresh flowers. the first big stretch when you first wake up that has you reeling back into the euphoric feeling of your warm sheets. taking a bite of your favorite dessert that reminds you of home. that scent that carries you away to your childhood of good memories and make-believe scenarios; where the worst disaster was your parents calling you in for dinner.

that's what it felt like to be in his presence.

the late night summer dates with Mark were what felt like true heaven. the nights where both of you would stay up till the early dawn holding each other so closely. the stickiness of one's skin from the morning humidity was beauty in his eyes. your natural form where no one could take you away from him.

"no matter how much i say that i love you, i will always love you more than that."

his words held so much depth when he spoke to you. he treated you like his queen and he truly was your king. he was the love of your wildest dreams. but he was way better...because he was real.

both of your families condemned this love and thought of it as useless and a waste of time. yet, it was all the time for both of you. you didn't need anyone else except mark and mark alone.

but every knife has it's point...and you've both been reaching it slowly but surely. the calls to one's family becoming longer and less loud.

"i don't want to go to dinner with your family though." your words were heartbreaking to his ears but he had made his decision. "i know. please. i know you hate them-" "i could never hate anyone, mark. it pains me but i'd never let it turn into hate" you said and his shoulders dropped. "you're so strong. just one night and i will never ask you to go near them." his eyes pleaded from where he was laying on the bed. your body positioned at the end of the comfy and warm bed.

your mind was lost in thought until you felt his hand grab yours. "pretty please?" he pouted and you groaned laying down. "that's so not cool to pout." you said turning towards him. "but i know it works." he comes closer to lay soft kisses all over your face, ending with a meaningful kiss on your lips.

"fine." you breathed after he finished his moment of passion. "and that is why you're the best." he grabbed your body and pulled you on top of him.

"we have to leave soon." you complained and he groaned. "you wanted me to go so bad and now you're gonna make us late." you said straddling his waist. "yeah yeah yeah." he held your waist and sat up.

you rolled off as he puckered his lips, leaving your boyfriend waiting. "what are you gonna wear, handsome?" you opened the closet. "nice shirt. blazer. pants." he listed off the most vaguest items. "well duh but what color?" you looked at your dresses. "black." he said and you wanted to bang your head on the closet door.

"okay tomorrow we're going shopping and i'm making you add some more color into your wardrobe." you said taking his blazer and dress shirt down. "yes dear." he dragged out.

"i'm going to go get dressed and do makeup." you waved him off and disappeared into the bathroom.

makeup was simple as you were left alone. yet, once you were starting your hair, mark thought it was an amazing idea to come in and try to dance the time away.

music had been playing for the past 20 minutes through the household speakers. it was a usual occurrence and a well loved routine. say you won't let go by james arthur had been sweeping through the house for the past couple of minutes.

his arms wrapped around your waist and his cheek rested against your shoulder.

"you look as beautiful as ever, and i swear that everyday you get better. you make me feel this way some how-" his soft voice carrying you away from the daily task.

"im gonna love you till my lungs run out, i promise till death to us part like in our vows-" his hands gripped yours, twirling you around in the small bathroom, ending up with you both pressed up chest to chest, slow dancing on the tiled floor.

"dont cry." he pouted as he saw your eyes fill with tears. He gently wiped them before they could fall. "then don't be so freaking cute." you pouted and his smile stretched across his face. "ugh you're so cute." he kissed your cheek ever so gently as to not mess up your makeup.

"and you're looking as dashing as ever." you brushed your hands over his dress shirt, the first few buttons still unbuttoned, his silver chain still laying on his exposed collar bones.

"want me to do your hair?" you asked and he didn't hesitate to sit on the toilet lid and wait patiently.

he always seemed so relaxed with your fingers running through his hair; the requests at 3 am after he awakes from an unpleasant dream never making you angry.

his hair was so soft and fun to play with. but with a little touch of magic and hair product, he would transform into his model-like man.

you finished up and let him go relax in the bedroom.

your dress hugged your body so nicely and flattered every curve you thought you never possessed. when paired with the jewelery mark had gotten you for your guys' anniversary, a goddess was being put together in human form.

"ready?" you asked walking back to the room to get your shoes. a whistle made you scoff lightly at the behavior. "ready to come home already and have you all to myself." mark sighed but you walked over to put your phone in your hand-purse along with extra lipstick and perfume.

he started to look nervous about the whole situation. "relax. i'm here for you and you alone. if you want to leave as soon as we get there? we'll just go to a different restaurant." you put a hand on his chest comfortably. "you got this." he smiled as you knew all his emotions at once.

"now let's go. i'm hungry." you kissed his cheek quickly and wiped away the mark of your lip color.

both of you walked hand in hand out of the house and to his car where he nervously drived you both to the restaurant.

"here we are." was all he said as he parked facing the restaurant. inside the window sat his parents and brother. his brother was with his own partner as they all laughed. mark knew he didn't have to worry about his brother not accepting his love. it was all his parents.

"let's go. try to look happy. they're your parents." you defended them. something he never understood about you. when facing backlash from his parents, you just let it go and never returned the hate. you were so loving while they did nothing but try to bring you down.

"but they're raging assholes to you." he turned towards you and you shrugged, wiping something on his cheek away and keeping your hand on the side of his face.

"and that's fine. but you're their baby. they just want the best for you. they'll never be happy with anyone." you tried to put it into perspective but it never helped.

he took your hand off his face and held it tightly. "tell me you want to leave. and we're gone." he said and you laughed lightly. "fine." you agreed and his smile made everything feel better.

"let's get this over with." he exited and ran to get your door like the gentleman he was.

he hooked your arm in his and lead you both towards the entrance.

"try to make memories. they're your parents. they love you." you reminded and he rolled his eyes. "yes, dear." he opened the door for you and didn't let you enter without a quick and cheeky smack to your ass. he acted innocent as he lead you to the round table.

"Oh, Markie!" his mom called drawing all attention to both of your presences. his parents hugged and pinched his cheeks as you greeted his brother and his brother's partner. "you look amazing tonight, y/n." his brother's partner smiled. "oh thank you so much. you look even better though! are those Cartier earrings?!" you rejoiced at their exquisite tastes.

"Only the best for them." Mark's brother smiled and you coo'd at the pure love.

"Here sit next to me." The 2 seats were next to Mark's father and Mark's brother's partner.

You gladly accepted the seat and Mark sat down not long after you. "We already ordered for you guys not knowing when you would show up, I apologize." Mr. Lee smiled at Mark. "Oh that's alright. What's on the menu tonight?" Mark asked, his hand finding yours underneath the white dining cloth. "Well I thought with all your work that we'd treat us all to steak." His mother smiled and you could hear a sigh come from the girl next to you.

"But I haven't seen y/n's figure in a while so I made the exception for a plain salad for you." Mrs. Lee forcibly smiled at you. Mark's hand squeezed a little harder than normal. "Oh thank you for the consideration and accomodations, Mrs. Lee," Her eyes squinted as what seemed like spite. "and might i add that you look amazing tonight." your genuine sincerity broke almost everyone's hearts at the table. "oh why thank you but i'm not one for meaningless small talk." she took a sip from her dark red wine.

"it's alright. i completely understand." you smiled and and she rolled her eyes. "of course you do." she muttered and turned towards her youngest son. "so, mark, what is new at the company?" her eyes held eagerness for conversation, something you'd wish to see atleast once.

"don't listen to the old bat." the beautiful woman said that sat next to you. "it's her baby. nothing is ever good enough for him." she rolled her eyes. "i know. i understand where her heart is." your fingers toying with the dainty necklace resting on your collarbones.

"you can have some of my meal when it comes. i didn't know what they were going to pull so i made sure to eat a burger before i came." you both giggled at the matter as someone cleared their throat. you both looked up to see Mr. Lee sending daggers towards your direction.

"i apologize." you said straightening yourself up in your seat. "what was so funny?" he asked sternly. "we were actually talking about her new line coming out in a couple weeks. something with one of the models. you know how that is." she swooped to your defense. "by the way, how is it coming?" she asked, takin a sip of the ice water infront of her.

"it's..uh..going very well actually. i have some investors coming to my fashion show to see if they'd be interested in investing. if they invest then i would be able to organize shows in other parts of the world. milan, london, paris, beijing, new york, tokyo-" "but are you going to go back to school for business or just dilly-dally until something goes wrong?" Mrs. Lee asked quickly.

"well my father and mother are both ceo's of their company so they help guide me in what i have trouble with." you smiled. mark's hand has become steel as he hasn't let go yet. the waiters brought out the food one by one with a small and plain side salad being placed infront of your body.

mark stared at the bare plate in front of you and wanted to hurl at that being the only food you were going to eat tonight.

"i'm fine." you leaned over to whisper in his ear. "eat so they don't ask you questions." you nudged his elbow.

"sharing food is prohibited." Mr. Lee cut everyone off. "we're not." mark muttered defeated. you swallowed your pride and ate a leaf at a time to try and curb your actual hunger.

mark ate a couple bites but you could tell he was taking his anger out with chewing; jaw clenching was one of his tell-tale signs of anger...and this steak didn't look like tough meat.

"markie. we went to church this past week and there is this lovely graduate student new in the congregation." his mother called as she ate her own food. you could see most of the people almost choke on their food but you remained steady in eating.

inside though, your tears were building up behind a wall that you would try to make stand till tonight when you were truly alone.

"yeah?" he asked, not knowing what else to say.

"yes. and she's not seeing anyone right now. her parents agreed to an arranged marriage if you weren't opposing." the killer was that mark didn't say anything. yet, you could hear his knuckles pop as he gripped his steak knife.

the wall was slowly crumbling as you suddenly felt full of the plain watery vegetable. you put your fork down and could only stare at your lap where a napkin laid.

"say something, dude." his brother coughed weakly.

"hell no." mark bursted and everyone could see him try to reel in his words again.

"excuse me?!" Mr. Lee bellowed, causing other dining patrons to look over.

"I'm not going to marry anyone except the love of my life." mark steamed, dropping his utensils.

"you don't know who that is yet, mark. you can't screw around with marriage and get it wrong. especially waste it on a-" mark interrupted his mother, "a what, mom?" he asked and she suddenly lost her words.

silence fell over the table as your napkin had a single ring of wetness appear suddenly. "oh no, not here. not here, sweetie," the gracious lady beside you got up "come on, we're leaving." she said to her husband and lead you out of the restaurant quickly.

as soon as you were out of eye sight, you immediately broke down in ugly tears. "don't listen to them. you are absolutely gorgeous and are a match-made-in-heaven for mark." she rubbed your back sweetly.

"you are so nice to them for no reason. you will be more of a better person than they will ever be-" "we should go. it's gonna get ugly really quickly." Mark's brother nudged you both.

you looked in to see mark and his father standing neck to neck. then as quickly as it started, it ended with mark being the bigger man and leaving. yet, a tearful mr. and mrs. lee following him at a distance.

he wasted no time in taking you in his arms and holding you as you tried your best to cover your cries. "we're going to go before dad follows. i'll stop by tomorrow and check in on you guys. get out of here before dad goes crazy." Mark's brother shouted from his car window.

mark took your hand and dragged you to the car. he put you in and got out of there as quickly as he could.

he was as angry as you had ever seen him. you didn't try to touch him or do anything on the silent ride home. yet, his hand quickly grabbed yours.

"i should have never brought you to them. im so stupid." he groaned as he hit his wheel. "no you're not." you fought with him and he didn't have the heart to go against you.

"you are the best thing that's ever happened to me." he said, a glaze setting into his eyes that you had never seen before.

"and i could never imagine life without you." he swallowed hard and you stayed there in shocked silence.

"you make me better." tears started to roll down his cheeks as he pulled into the driveway.

"please don't cry." yet your empathetic heart made your eyes spill. you both looked at eachother and laughed at the messed up states.

"then you stop crying." he defended and you looked to you lap again. he got out of his side and trailed to yours quickly.

"im gonna show you how much i love you." he said and this sparkle in his eye gleamed so brightly, everyone would've thought he was crazy.

"okay." was all you could respond with, a small smile gracing your perfect face.

he grabbed your legs and carried you all the way to the door. he crossed the doorway and it felt different. it felt more hot and flustered and more passionate.

he closed the door and immediately had you against it. the kisses were hot and filled with lust. yet, you could tell he was getting flustered and trying to rush things. the feeling of two hands on his face made him take a breath of fresh air. "let's just take it slower tonight." you whispered but he heard you loud and clear.

he picked your legs up and put them around his waist, taking his blazer off and throwing it somewhere in the living room. you dress hugged you so perfectly but you wouldn't be needing it anymore tonight.

he navigated the house as if it were you; the back of his hand. your back was now pressed to a cool matress. his hands were rough yet slow as he pulled the black fabric off of your body. his shirt was eventually off and nothing was left between your torsos besides skin.

the moonlight cascading through the window reflected off his chain and it was no longer the soft and loving without a care mark you were used to.

he was going to make you feel his love for you. from the way his fingers played with your clothed core slowly to the heavy breathing between kisses made the night air intoxicating.

his lips were against your neck making imprints of red and purple that were sure to last for a week. both of you rocked against each other in such a rhythm that would have the ocean asking for lessons on harmony.

he picked you up and situated your body at the top of the bed where he wasted no time in shimmying the dress off of your hips so he was met with nothing but you in your panties.

those were long gone as he grabbed and ripped.

"spit." he held his hand out. you obeyed and he wasted no time in running his hand up and down your already wet core.

the kisses were rushed and heated yet you both remembered to slow down as he trailed slowly down your body, kissing every part he could see and praise.

"so beautiful." he whispered, licking a bold stripe up your pussy. you gasped and tried to readjust yourself yet his strong grip on your thighs kept you ground. his arms were hooked around you upper thighs as his hands held your hips and waist down to the bed.

his dark eyes still held that shimmer in them that made you even weaker in the knees.

he wasted none of his time with teasing and gave you exactly what you wanted. "please don't stop." your hands getting lost in his hair.

his hips grinded into the mattress steadily. "im so close already." you whined as he continued his relentless pleasure. "let go for me, baby." he pleaded and if drove you so close to the edge. it made him even more excited as you were blissed out.

it was the perfect time to take advantage of your love, yet, he was going to take care and love you till both of you couldn't.

he took off the confines of his pants and met you at the top of the bed, where you were still completely gone in the euphoric wonderland he pleasured himself to sending you into.

he was slow at first but quickly got lost in this intimate feeling of being so close to you and feeling you in a way no one could relate to.

"faster." you whined but he slowed down. "no, babygirl. we're going to do this right." he cleared the hair from your face and quickly pressed your lips together in a heated kiss.

your leg now over his shoulder as he slowly pounded into you. the knot in his and your stomach felt so much more different and pleasure filled.

your fucked out moans were like angels singing in his ears as your jewelery shined in the moonlight. both of you got sloppier as you were so close to climaxing.

"please cum in me." you begged, grabbing his hand and interlacing your fingers.

he dropped your leg and got closer, sharing a kiss that left both of you breathless. then the explosion. it was as if a bomb of stars had gone off behind your eyelids as you could only feel your back arch with the unexplained feeling of being... full.

both of you laid breathless and sweaty as you tried to regain your composure and drift down to reality.

mark laid on your chest, listening to your heartbeat as he could feel his own match yours.

once he felt your fingers start to dance through his hair, he knew that he needed to be like this forever. he needed you and only you. he couldn't miss this opportunity on his soul mate coming to him from the beginning.

his arms hooked around your body as reality was hitting.

"i love you, y/n." he said and he could hear your heart begin to beat faster.

"not as much as i could ever love you." you pinky traced up his nose bridge as he slowly drifted into sleep holding the one he cares about most...so close.

~~~~~~

"mmmmm steak." he watched as your eyes lit up at the treat in front of you. "it wasn't even enjoyable yesterday. it's amazing today though." mark's brother admitted from right next to him.

his brother and his partner came over to check up and brought take-out steaks to treat everyone with. just a relaxing night at home with everyone he truly loves and can feel the love from.

he watched your happiness and was automatically taken away~

"she's nothing to you!" his mom yelled as you were lead away from the scene.

"she's everything FOR me." mark retaliated. "but we just want what's best for you." his dad pleaded. "but happiness is all I need. why can't you see that and how she makes me the most happy." mark was at his wits ends.

he needed you and was going to have you as long as you both were breathing.

"it's only going to be a problem in the end that we have to clean up." Mrs. Lee had tears coming down her face.

a brief silence plagued the table. "so are you going to show up to the wedding or no?" he asked and if pure shock could kill someone, his parents would have been 6 feet under.

"no." spoken of disbelief.

"i will not bless the marriage!" his father screamed and stood up, causing mark to chest up to his own father. "you don't need to. I am going to marry that girl out there whether it kills me or not." mark pointed to your crying being not even 100 feet away.

"you're a fool if you believe you actually love her. you're young. you don't know what love is!" Mr. Lee had Mark's collar in his hands.

yet mark broke his grip and straightened his collar.

"then I guess I'm a fool for her and her love." and with that he left to comfort you and try to rebuild you diminished character.

~~~

"earth to Handsome." he was shocked back to reality by your smile and everyone's concerned faces. "i thought you stopped breathing or something." his brother laughed as he saw you clutch your chest and laugh lightly.

"scared us there for a minute." his brother's partner laughed along with you.

"so what was so nice going on in la-la land?" you asked taking a bit from your steak. mark shrugged, taking a sip from his wine glass.

"just...thinking." he smiled.

"well don't do that again. you scared me, you fool." you laughed.

he didn't want to admit that he had been daydreaming of you walking down the aisle in the most beautiful of dresses; something that still could never compare to your beauty. but that will be for a later confession at a later date. one where you'd know his secret: there's an engagement ring with your name on it hiding in his dress shoes in his closet. waiting for the right time in the near future.

he could only smile at your cute expression in the moment.

"then i guess i'm a fool for you."

-fin-

**these are all my opinions on how i read the boys and how i watch them interact with others. this is my own personal opinions and are in no way facts unless cited to proof. thank you®

#mark lee bestest boy #nct mark #mark #mark lee #mark lee smut #nct smut #nct fluff #nct angst #nct 127 hard hours #nct 127 smut #nct 127 #mark smut #mark lee angst #mark angst #nct 127 angst

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smileyjaeminies · 4 years

Text

New Beginnings

Synopsis: Yet another new beginning for you and your family finds you completely unprepared. How will you cope with the new environment? What happens when unnecessary drama weasels into your quiet life?

Word Count: 6,5 k

Genre: high school au!, angst, fluff

Warnings: Fighting, some cursing

Member: Jisung, ft Felix, Yeji (Itzy) and Geonhak (Oneus)

A/N: This one is dedicated to the person who shared my dream even though we didn’t get to make it happen together. To the person that is only a text away to hear me scream about one thing or the other. I hope you enjoy this one love.

“Okay. You can do this” you told yourself.

You were sitting in your car in your brand new school's parking lot, your thoughts getting louder as the only sound heard was the AC. Even the simple task of parking your car seemed like a huge hurdle, as busy groups of teenagers hung out around their friends’ cars.

It was just your luck, your mother’s job making you move yet again after five years in sunny Miami. You couldn’t help but be heartbroken as you left your friends behind, packing up your room for the nth time and hitting the road. But, of course, it was just one year. Your senior year was before you and you couldn’t wait to be out of the house and in college sooner rather than later.

With one last breath, you pushed your thoughts to the back of your mind, picking up your backpack from the passenger seat and walking out of your car. Your new school loomed over you, the building looking extremely intimidating as you stood in front of it. Your fist was tightly wrapped around a piece of paper filled with instructions that the school had provided you with.

So, the first item on your check list was finding your locker. The number was D-31, but you worried over how you’d manage to find it. The small map on your hands provided little help, so you would have to settle for your luck. Walking up the steps, you entered the building only to find it bustling with people. Loud voices were heard from every direction, students trying to find each other in the hallways and people walking back and forth.

You sighed, eyes desperately trying to find an indication as to where to look for your locker. You decided to go further inside and try your luck there. The hallways seemed to you like a puzzle, one you desperately wanted to solve. You passed by other students who paid you no mind, longing to meet with their friends after the long summer break.

You too, longed for your best friend, Yeji, to be there. You wished you could’ve taken her with you, for being without her left you feeling bare and lonely. You shook those thoughts away, your nails instinctively burying themselves to the flesh of your palm, half-moons of pain helping you regain your focus. It was no use thinking about things you couldn’t help.

At that moment, your eyes met with the indicator for hallway D. Your heart picked up at your chest, finding this small silver lining the highlight of your day. You quickly located your locker, D-31 and rushed to unpack your backpack, which was overflowing with textbooks. There would be time to decorate later, but for now, your mind was set in leaving your books and getting to English.

You were still stacking your books when you felt your phone buzz in the pocket of your jacket. With a glance at your phone’s screen, you were met with your brother’s face and you didn’t hesitate to pick up the call.

“Hey, ‘Hak,” you said.

“Well if it isn’t the new girl! How are you little one? How was moving? Sorry I couldn’t be there” your brother said, talking quickly.

“Geonhak I swear I hate being the new girl so much. It took me like ten minutes just to find my locker! Ugh, I can’t believe you’ve left me all alone” you whined into the phone.

“Sorry little one, but I’m trying to get an education here? You know so I can possibly work and make money one day?” he teased you.

“Yeah right, just say that you couldn’t get your hands off that new girl of yours and let’s get it over with. I know you have no time for your baby sister anyways” you teased him in return.

“Look, I’m going to be there next week, alright? Just hang in there for a little while.” he said, his tone turning serious.

“I know, ‘Hak. I’ll be just fine, don’t worry” you reassured him.

With a few last words, you ended the call, shoving your phone back in your jacket’s pocket and facing your locker once again. You had placed the map of the school somewhere in your binder in a hurry and now, you couldn’t find it. Typical.

Just then, you felt someone lean on the locker next to yours. You paid no mind, still focused on the task at hand, only sparing the boy a few glances through your peripheral vision.

“You’re the new girl, aren’t you?” he asked, a gummy smile lighting up his face.

You were stunned, looking at him wide eyed. How..?

“Is it that obvious?” You asked him.

“No! Not at all. I’m just- I’m Han Jisung, the class president? The secretary told me that this would be your locker” the boy, no, Jisung, told you.

Your mouth formed an ‘oh’ at his explanation and you nodded your head. You introduced yourself too, shaking his hand to top it all off. Jisung was still smiling, which caused a smile to spread on your face as well. You instantly felt better now that you at least knew someone’s name.

“Can I take a look at your timetable?” Jisung asked.

“Uhm, sure, but why?” you asked, already fumbling with the papers to find your timetable.

“You’ll see.” Jisung said, taking your timetable off of your hands.

His eyes made quick work of the small board, as he fumbled his pockets for something. He finally found what he was looking for, taking out a pen from his pocket. He unclasped the lid, holding it between his teeth as he circled certain classes on your schedule.

You stood in silence as you watched him, still not quite sure what was happening. Once he was done, he put the pen back into one of his pockets and turned to face you.

“Well we’re not sharing too many classes but at least it’s something. Let’s get you to English now, shall we?” Jisung asked.

Having connected the dots, you took your timetable back, shoving it inside your locker before installing your new lock. With a small nod at Jisung to indicate you’re ready, you were off.

You noticed that Jisung was good at making small talk and you were grateful to see that he was content to do all the talking as you simply nodded or provided small input to his train of thought. You finally arrived at your classroom and Jisung was quick to say goodbye.

“I’m going to run off to Chem. See you later Y/N!” Jisung said, waving goodbye at you.

You were left to enter the classroom by yourself, so you did just that. Only a few people were in the classroom already, which left you much room to pick your seat. You chose a seat in one of the middle rows and next to the window, settling down quickly as more and more people started pouring in the classroom.

A boy took the seat next to yours, pointing at his friend to take the seat in front of him. You spared glances at them, too shy to say hello. As they sat down, their chairs scratched the floor, making you wince at the sound. The boy next to you noticed your discomfort, offering you an apologetic smile.

“Sorry” he mouthed to you.

You nodded, giving him a shy smile back. He was about to introduce himself when the teacher walked in, causing the room to grow silent. When taking attendance, you learned that the boy’s name was Lee Felix, making a small note in your mind for his name. The teacher then used your first meeting to walk you through the syllabus for his class.

When the teacher announced you’ll have a big group project, you felt yourself sigh. You should’ve expected it, and yet you found yourself completely unprepared. Your leg bounced up and down as you got increasingly more nervous, your head already picturing your failure. That’s when you heard a whisper come from the boy next to you.

“Hey, Y/N, wanna group with us?” Felix asked.

You smiled at him, nodding your head and feeling a wave of relief wash over you. Felix beamed at you in return, returning his attention to the teacher. The rest of the lesson flew by, the loud ringing of the bell making you jump in your seat. You chuckled at yourself, hurrying to pick up your things and get to your next class.

“Y/N?” Felix asked from beside you.

“Yeah?” you answered.

“Can I have your number? Or maybe your insta? You know, for the project?” he asked.

“Sure” you replied, taking his phone off of his hands and adding yourself on his Instagram and his contacts.

“What’s your next class?” he asked as you both exited the classroom together.

“Algebra I think, I have to check though, I have the memory of a goldfish” you joked.

Felix chuckled, nodding his head in understanding.

“Ugh, Algebra it is. My least favourite subject” you whined.

“Same here. What am I supposed to do with all this stuff?” Felix said with a laugh. “Good thing we’ll be together there too! I’ll grab some books from my locker and I’ll see you there?”

You nodded at him, a smile lighting up your face. Maybe making friends wouldn’t be as hard as you thought after all.

----------------------------------------------------------

Jisung was sitting on top of the table at the cafeteria, Hyunjin and Seungmin sitting on either side of him, talking about one thing or the other. His eyes were trained up front, watching the doors that led to the cafeteria closely and waiting for you to walk in. He took lazy bites off of his sandwich despite not feeling too hungry at the moment. He knew very well that he would regret it later if he didn’t eat now.

As he waited, he was able to tune out his friends’ conversation and get lost inside his own thoughts. The whole day, he wasn’t able to get you off his mind… But why? Why was the shy new girl affecting him so much? It didn’t make sense. Jisung barely dated and had little to no interest in the girls in his year. So why now? Why you?

Finally, your familiar form walked in, head hanging low and eyes trained to your feet. Jisung leaped from his seat, dropping his half eaten sandwich and making his way towards you, lips turning upwards into a smile. His smile faltered as he saw you glance back, Felix falling into step with you.

He tried to shake his darkening thoughts away, despite feeling something in him growl. He should be happy you were able to find a friend, he could tell from the get go you were a shy person. He couldn’t expect you to talk exclusively to him, right?

He reached your side and rejoiced when you smiled widely as your eyes met.

“Hey, Y/N!” he greeted you.

“Hey, Jisung!” you smiled back at him.

“I was waiting for you! I wanted to ask you to sit with us for lunch, if you want.” he offered.

Your smile fell for a brief second, your eyes widening. You glanced around and Jisung could almost see the gears inside your head turning.

“I’m sorry, Jisung, but I already told Felix we’d be eating together. Maybe another time?” you offered.

Jisung’s eyes broke away from yours, at last meeting Felix’s who was watching a couple of steps away. The other boy was already looking at him, raising an eyebrow as if to pose a challenge. Jisung refused to give in. Instead, he smiled even wider and turned to you.

“Sure thing! You want me to walk you to your next class? I can meet you by your locker if you’d like” he said.

“That’d be lovely. I’ll see you in a bit then?” you asked.

“See you in a bit, Y/N” he said, walking back to his friends.

He stared at his half eaten sandwich in disgust, grabbing it off of the table and hurling it into a nearby trash bin. He plopped down on a chair, heavy sigh leaving his lips which made his friends turn their attention to him.

“What was that about?” Seungmin asked.

“Nothing. Just class president stuff. What were you saying?” Jisung asked.

-----------------------------------

Months passed by in a flash and getting used to a new environment had never felt so easy to you. There were people you only talked to here and there, a couple of people you talked with exclusively in class. Felix on the other hand had been a huge help, his healing nature helping you wind down, his loud laugh and constant screaming making you laugh so much your stomach hurt and tears streamed down your face. Even without your project, you hang out together a lot and he had become a precious friend to you.

You had also grown much closer to Jisung, who had grown to be one of your closest friends. You were usually to be found hanging around either of their two boys, both struggling to help you fit in their inner circle. But you were content. You kept in contact with your old friends, while still hanging out with your new ones. Geonhak visited as often as he could, which always made you very happy.

Currently, you were laying on Jisung’s living room couch, having your weekly ‘How To Get Away With Murder’ hang out. However, your mind was currently preoccupied, so you paid little attention to the TV.

Your thoughts were swarmed as from this week onward, you could be expecting your college acceptance letters. Deciding your major and your school of choice wasn’t hard, your love for literature and English as a language only growing as you got older. On the other hand, both your parents were Yale alumni, so the love for the same university had passed down to you.

Your hands were fidgeting on your lap as your thoughts continued to race. You had sent out an application that you considered almost perfect. You had done your best to present yourself as someone the university would like, without lying or over exaggerating. But would it be enough?

As much as you tried not to think of the worst possible outcome, that’s exactly what your mind would play out. Different scenarios danced in front of you, from making grammar or spelling mistakes to not sending out the correct papers. You sighed heavily, your arm coming to support your head, which felt like it would explode.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Jisung asked.

That’s when you noticed the show was paused on the TV screen and Jisung’s attention was directed at his phone.

“It’s complicated. Or actually, not that much. I’m just stressed” you confessed.

“You want me to get you home? It’s okay if you’re not feeling the show right now” Jisung said.

“No. I’ll try to focus on this, I need to get my mind off of things anyway.” you told him, firmly shaking your head.

“Good. You know I barely understand a thing if you don’t explain it to me” Jisung joked.

You took his words as a compliment, which made you smile. You turned your attention back to the show, you and Jisung making easy small talk about the character’s decisions, or lack thereof.

The end of the episode found you all but screaming at the television. The cliffhanger was big, your anger was burning at your insides. You were standing on the couch, hands directed at the TV as if you were ready to hit it.

Jisung laughed from the couch next to yours, familiar with your shenanigans. When the screen turned black, you plopped back onto the couch dramatically.

“I’m going to faint. Then, when I wake up, I’m going to find the writers of this damn show and I’m going to murder them. And I’m gonna get away with it too” you announced.

Jisung laughed at you, enjoying your dramatic nature.

“Want to go for a drive? It’ll help get your mind off of things” he offered.

“One condition” you said, looking at him nodding without moving from your position. “I want McDonald’s”

“I live to serve you, milady” he said, giving a small bow.

You giggled, getting up and pulling on your coat and shoes. The air outside was unforgiving, relentlessly blowing in every direction, messing with your hair and making you shiver. At least it’s not snowing, you thought.

Jisung’s car was cold when you filed into it. It roared to life and Jisung wasted no time to turn the heat up. Pulling out of the driveway, he drove further into the city. Turning up the radio to an unknown station, you were met with loud country music, making both of you burst into laughter. You fumbled a little bit until you found something to your liking, allowing the car to be filled with some generic pop song.

“You know” you spoke up, “It’s days like these I miss Miami the most”

Jisung hummed, thinking over your words before answering.

“Well, it’s justified, you know? It’s okay that you miss your friends. It’s okay that you’ve made new ones too. It’s like... Like how we’re going to uni soon. We’ll meet new people there, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that we’ll forget our old friends. One doesn’t have to rule out the other” he finished.

You nodded, not able to find an answer. Your thoughts drifted, as Jisung stayed focused on the road, the car moving through the city’s streets. The silence was comfortable, as there was not much to say, but you didn’t mind. On the contrary, you enjoyed being alone with your thoughts, but at the same time without being completely on your own.

Jisung pulled up on the McDonald’s drive thru, expertly placing your order along with his. As he pulled up to pay and wait for your order to be ready, you smacked his arm.

“Hey! What was that for?” he asked, rubbing the place where you hit him.

“You didn’t ask what I wanted? What if I wanted a Big Mac or something?” you scolded him.

“Please! As if you’d eat anything but the nuggets. Tons of the nuggets, sure. But not a burger. It just isn’t you.” he said.

If you weren’t as busy hiding your blush, you may have noticed Jisung biting on the inside of his cheek.

“Oh fuck you” you finally managed, to which Jisung only replied with a smile.

“Don’t you dare!” you said, hitting his arm once again.

Jisung let out a yelp, his hand coming up to protect his face.

“If you keep hitting me, I’ll throw you out of the car. And I’ll eat your nuggets” he warned.

“Not the nuggets!” you cried, both of you chuckling.

Just then, you pulled up on the next window, a lady handing you a brown bag filled with your food. You politely thanked her before Jisung drove off. You lunged for the bag, finding your nuggets and happily taking a bite off of one.

“Look at you, you’re beaming! Food is literally the way to your heart, isn’t it?” he asked.

“I will neither confirm nor deny this statement. Now pull up somewhere or I’m going to eat your fries too” you threatened him.

“Yes ma’am!” Jisung complied with a laugh.

You made some small talk as you ate, your conversation flowing naturally from one topic to the other. You felt happy, so glad Jisung was able to quiet down your racing thoughts and help you wind down.

Your ringtone made you pause mid-sentence, as you sent Jisung an apologetic look. He shrugged you off, ushering you to pick up. Lixie shone brightly on your phone screen, a meme picture of Felix dominating it. You answered the call, only to be met by constant screaming on the other end of the line.

“Y/N!!!!!!!! THIS IS AN EMERGENCY! MY MOM AGREED TO GET ME A KITTY! Y/N I’M GETTING A KITTY DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS MOMENT?” Felix screamed.

“Oh my God, Felix, calm down for a second my ear is bleeding!! On the other hand, A KITTY? WHEN ARE YOU GETTING IT? WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT TAKING CARE OF A CAT YOU IDIOT, YOU CAN BARELY TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF?!” you screamed in return.

“Y/N, I’m actually so scared, I want to be a good cat father, what am I going to do?” he asked.

“Look, I have some studying to do tomorrow, then I’m coming at yours so I can train you, okay?” you asked.

“Yes, Y/N, I knew you’d pull through! Thank you so much! I love you!” Felix said.

“I love you too. But I have to go now, I’ll text you later” you said, ending the call.

When you turned back to Jisung, you found him avoiding your eyes.

“That was Felix. He’s getting a kitty” you spoke up.

“So I heard. I think the whole block did too” Jisung said.

“Yeah, sorry about that” you tried to laugh it off, but Jisung didn’t follow.

“Jisung are you okay?” you asked, placing your hand on top of his on the center console.

He didn’t flinch, but you could tell the weight of your hand over his didn’t offer the comfort you wished it would. A few moments passed by, the silence in the car becoming overbearing.

“I think I should be getting home” you said, recoiling to the passenger’s seat.

“Okay” Jisung replied, driving off.

The drive was quiet, music standing in place of your familiar banter. You couldn’t put your finger on what made Jisung so sensitive. Felix would call or text sometimes while you were together, making Jisung completely shut down. You really couldn’t understand his behaviour, and everytime you tried to talk to him about it, he would brush it off.

The more you thought about his behaviour, anger, mixed with sadness and helplessness boiled inside of you. What were you supposed to do? Be alone until Jisung graced you with his presence? Stop hanging out with Felix? Or just take his rude behaviour, accept anything just because it was Jisung?

No. It wouldn’t stand.

“You know, if there’s something wrong, I wish you could tell me. I can’t just keep guessing why you’re acting this way or another.” you said, your eyes fixed on the buildings passing by your side.

“What? Where is this coming from?” Jisung asked.

“Please don’t pretend you don’t understand. Everytime I so much as mention Felix’s name you completely shut down. And then when I try to talk about it, you do the exact same thing. I just don’t get it” you said.

“I don’t understand what you’re talking about.” Jisung replied.

“That’s how you want to be? Fine! Fine. Pull over.” you told him sternly.

“Y/N, don’t-” he began, but you cut him off.

“Jisung pull the car over or I will jump out of it right this second” you warned.

He muttered something under his breath, pulling the car over in front of an unfamiliar apartment building. You pulled your coat closer over your chest, your hand over the door handle.

“If you decide you want to talk about this, you know where to find me. Until then, leave me alone” you said, getting out of his car and slamming the door.

You started walking and before you could turn the corner, you heard angry honking coming from behind you. You jumped, surprised at the piercing sound then huffed in annoyance, continuing your way back home.

Once you were safely inside, you joined your parents in the living room. The small talk with your parents helped you take your mind off of things. It was nice to pretend that things were normal for a while. So you sat in front of the TV next to your dad, who was quietly grabbing a bite to eat. You scrolled through your phone as you usually did and you asked for their permission to go to Felix’s tomorrow. It was easy for them to agree as you reassured them you’d finish your homework first.

You excused yourself after a while, your hands already tapping away at your phone. One ring, then two. On the third ring, the only person you missed more than Geonhak answered.

“If it isn’t the brightest smile in this world” your best friend said in place of a hello.

“Oh, Yeji. My smile isn’t bright right now.” you confessed.

“What? Who hurt you? Do I need to fight someone?” she asked.

You wasted no time filling her in, trying to skip no details. You went back and forth in your story a lot, adding some of your blabberings that caused you to stray off of your topic. Yeji was familiar with this and extremely patient with you, asking questions and listening intently. She hummed here and there, but for the most part allowed you to talk until you had bared everything out in the open, unloaded the heavy burden of your heart.

“I just… I don’t know. I really don’t know what to do. And I wish you were here…” you trailed off.

“Hey. Don’t go all sappy on me. We’re having a conversation over here. Just… Let me think” she said.

The phone line grew silent as Yeji thought over your words. You waited patiently, fiddling with the tassels of your blacket to give your hands something to do.

“Honestly I don’t understand him. From what you’ve told me, Jisung sounds like a fairly reasonable person. It may be the hormones. You know, no one can be perfect” Yeji tried to joke.

You groaned into the phone, letting Yeji laugh it off on her own. You buried your face in one of your throw pillows, hoping the sweet scent would help you calm down.

“No, okay, I get it, bad joke, I’m sorry” Yeji said and you hummed into the phone in place of an answer. “Maybe you should just give him some space. He probably doesn’t know exactly what to say to you. I’m sure he’ll come around sooner or later. And if he doesn’t, well… That’s tough luck. But also, you wouldn’t really want a person like that next to you anyways, right?” she finished.

“What would I do without you Yeji?” you asked.

“Ah, that’s a very good question. But I’m glad we don’t have to answer it” she said.

“Me as well. I’m sorry we got caught up with me again. How are you doing?” you asked.

After catching up with Yeji, your heart felt lighter. She had a magnificent way of calming you down, saying exactly the words you wanted to hear. She was the best friend you ever had, and the constant aching in your heart (a result of being without her) served as a reminder of that.

That night, you settled in under your covers, but sleep remained out of your reach. This would usually be the time when you’d text Jisung, a well known night owl himself and talk into the night until one of you fell asleep first.

But tonight that wouldn’t be the case. So you snuggled further into your bed, played some relaxing music and wished for sleep to come quickly

----------------------------------------

Days passed by slowly and everytime you returned home you looked through the mail hoping to find the one letter you so badly wanted. You had already received your acceptance letters from NYU and Columbia, which only left out… The one your heart longed for the most.

It had been almost two weeks since your falling out with Jisung. Since then, you hadn’t talked at all, barely even glanced at each other. It was a hard task, for in the classes you shared you were sitting side by side and also because you wanted nothing more than to talk to him.

But, Yeji was right. He needed space and maybe, you did too. So you ignored each other’s presence as much as possible, with Jisung running out of classrooms as soon as the bell rang and you keeping your head low. If Felix had noticed the change, he did not mention anything, which made you wonder if he was in on something you didn’t know.

You were sitting in one of the schools’ benches, furiously writing down numbers for some Algebra homework you had put off for too long. The music flowing in your ears was there to ground you, but your thoughts still ran in circles inside your head. Then, the music cut off and was replaced by the blaring of your ringtone. Being snapped out of your reverie abruptly, you answered the phone groggily.

“Y/N, sweetie, I hate to do this so much but… It’s here” your mom said on the other end.

“What? Mom, I don’t understand.” you told her.

“Sweetie, your Yale letter. It’s here. But I have to go, I have to go to work and I can’t open it with you” she told you.

At the mention of the letter, your heart skipped a beat, only for it to begin a crazy pounding inside your chest the next second. You felt lightheaded, close to fainting, your knees buckling under you. Everything was getting too real.

“Mom, it’s okay. I’ll just FaceTime Geonhak or something” you managed.

Indeed the very thought of your brother brought you peace. You could do this… Right?

You couldn’t do this. You stared at the letter on the kitchen counter and it seemed to you that it was staring back at you. You had gotten home a few minutes ago, the envelope waiting patiently for you on top of the kitchen counter. Something was stopping you from opening it, so you would just sit there, waiting for the letter to open on its own. You couldn’t pinpoint what you felt in those moments, excitement and dread, your hands itching to get on the piece of paper and yet fearing to even come close to it.

You unlocked your phone, your finger hovering over the contact you so badly wanted there for this moment. So for once in your life, you decided to be brave. Time was up.

He picked up on the fifth ring.

“Yeah?” he said, and you could feel your stomach tighten in anticipation.

“Jisung, it’s Y/N” you said.

“Yes, I know that. You need something?” he asked.

You should’ve expected that he would be curt with you, but still, hearing him like this hurt you. You tried to brush it off, instead telling him why you needed him.

“My Yale letter is here. I… I can’t open it, Jisung. My parents are at work and I don’t want to open it with someone over video call.” you told him.

“Why are you calling me? Call Felix or whoever” he snapped back at you.

“Felix already left, they have a hockey match… I’ll just wait for my parents to get home. I’m sorry I called.” you said, stumbling over your words.

“I’ll be there in ten minutes.” Jisung said, hanging up the phone.

A thank you threatened to slip by your lips, but you held it back. You threw your phone back on the counter, rubbing your face with your hands. Ten minutes… Yes, you could wait ten minutes.

You couldn’t wait. What began as feeling lightheaded with your mother’s call, now had become a full blown headache, pounding at your head mercilessly. You waited for Jisung in front of the door, hand softly massaging your temple to relieve some pressure.

When his car pulled up on your street, your lips curled up into a smile. You took him in, finally able to look at him after weeks. He was wearing all black, from the beanie on his head to his clothes. Without a word, he took you into his arms and you knew, it was that easy.

“I’m here” he whispered in your ear and you had to sigh.

You felt at ease, breathing evenly once again. The pounding on your head was still ongoing, but you would have to live with it for a little while longer. Without a word, you led Jisung inside and he followed you easily through the familiar house.

You held the letter in your hands, almost showing it off to Jisung.

“It feels heavy. Weighty. They wouldn’t turn me down with so much paper, would they?” you asked.

“I… I have something to tell you.” Jisung murmured.

You were taken aback, but you nodded, urging him to go on. What had happened? Then, Jisung took out a letter much like yours from the pocket of his jacket. You felt yourself gasp, immediately reprimanding yourself for your reaction. You met his eyes, noticing the familiar twinkle behind them. And you knew.

“You got in” you whispered under your breath.

Jisung nodded, laying the envelope next to yours. Your vision got blurry, tears threatening to spill from your eyes. You inhaled deeply, trying to push them back and keep your voice stable.

“I’m so happy for you, Jisung. I know how much you wanted this.” you said, holding down a sob.

“Now, it’s your turn. We have to do this together, alright?” he asked.

You nodded, taking another deep breath to steady yourself. Jisung gave you an encouraging look as you took the envelope in your hands and tore it open.

“That felt nice.” you confessed and Jisung chuckled lightly.

The first piece of paper had the university’s seal on it, along with your information. You skimmed along the lines to find the word you wanted so badly. Accepted. And there it was, in big bold letters. You had been accepted into Yale.

The tears found their way down your cheeks as a weak sob raked through your body. You stumbled over your own feet, but Jisung was there to catch you. Jisung was always there to catch you.

You clung to him, whispering the same words over and over into his shoulder. ‘I got in, I’m in, I got in’ became a mantra, and Jisung holding you tightly managed to bring you back to reality. You took a few moments to stop the happy tears, before pulling back enough to look at him.

Just then, you realized your close proximity, Jisung’s body burning under your touch. Your noses were touching and if you as much as breathed, your lips would be on his. And how lovely would that be…

You didn’t have enough time to think about it, for Jisung seemed to read your mind, closing the distance between you and placing his lips on yours. Your breath caught at your throat, your eyes widening, your brain taking a few moments to realize what was happening. Your body became water, flowing in Jisung’s hands as you kissed back and everything fit into place.

Until it didn’t.

Jisung recoiled from you, turning his back on you and facing the window. You almost fell backwards, luckily grabbing the counter behind you for support. You shot him an incredulous look which he didn’t see. When you saw him wiping his lips in disgust, something broke inside you.

“What the fuck?” you asked, hating the fact that your voice broke.

“I shouldn’t have come here. This was a mistake. Congratulations.” he said, making for the door.

“No. No, you don’t get to do this” you said, moving quickly and pulling Jisung back.

You were standing awfully close again, your chest pressed against his, only this time your eyes were burning. His icy stare met your burning one, and you don’t understand a thing. Nothing makes sense, when all you want is to kiss him again and he is running away from you.

“What’s wrong with you?” you asked him, the anger clear in your voice.

“What’s wrong with me? What’s wrong with you? Lover boy is out of town so we are making for second best? I won’t play this game with you, Y/N” he said.

“Lover boy? What are you talking about?” you asked.

“Are you serious? I’m talking about your boyfriend, Felix! Or do you think that I’m stupid? I have eyes, Y/N, I see your wallpaper change to him, I see your smile when you talk about him, you drop everything the second he calls, you run to him whenever he needs you” Jisung went on, but you didn’t listen.

After you got over the initial shock, laughter bubbled from deep inside you. If you were being honest, the whole situation was so outright ridiculous, there were not many things you could do but laugh. Jisung on the other hand, wasn’t in on the joke and so your laughter only served to rile him up even more.

“Is this funny to you?” Jisung asked.

“Oh, Jisung you… You can be so dense sometimes.” you said, moving closer to him.

If you had more confidence, maybe you’d grab his hand and drag him closer, or drag him by the neck so your lips could meet again. But you weren’t that person. No, all you could do was walk as close as he would let you and meet his stare head on.

“It’s you. It’s always been you. I’m not dating Felix, or anyone at all. Since the first day I met you, you… You got me. I think I’m in love with you, Han Jisung” you confessed, your heart beating in your throat.

Baring your heart out in the open should’ve been scary and unthinkable to you. And yet as you stood in your kitchen, Jisung across from you, nothing had ever felt so right. Your heart was light inside your chest and even if your thoughts were running, they ran for someone who was worth it.

“So you and Felix never…” he said, his voice trailing off.

You couldn’t help but giggle, firmly shaking your head.

“Not at all. He is very dear to me and I love him as a friend. But that’s it” you reassured him.

“I’m such an idiot” he said, more of a statement than a question.

You hummed at his words, inching closer to him. He pulled at your hand, making you fall in a not very elegant way on top of his chest. He chuckled and you did too, the feeling of his chest rising and falling under your fingertips comforting to you.

“Hey” he whispered.

Your noses were touching.

“Hi” you whispered back.

Your lips almost brushed each other.

“Can I-?” he didn’t get to finish his question, your mouths already colliding.

The kiss was slow and intimate, your mouths moving against each other. He tasted of mint toothpaste and longing, a winter night’s air and the first breath after a dive. Your hand cupped the back of Jisung’s neck and he shuddered under your touch, making you break the kiss to giggle.

“You almost drove me crazy and you’re still laughing.” he scolded you.

This time, he captured your bottom lip only to bite hard on it in retaliation. You called out in surprise, hitting his chest lightly.

“That hurt, asshole” you said, hitting him a second time for good measure.

“It did? Let me kiss it better then”

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