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makeitmingi · 6 months

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Cause Baby You're My Muse [Chapter 51]

Genre: Romance, Idol!AU, Music, Slight angst

Pairing: Mingi x Reader (y/n)

Characters: Producer!Reader, IdolLyricist!Mingi, IdolProducer!Hongjoong, Idol!Seonghwa, Idol!Yunho, Idol!Wooyoung, Idol!San, Idol!Yeosang, Idol!Jongho, cameo(s) by other celebrities

Summary: You always preferred producing underground, having an unknown face and governed by your own rules. But when you start freelancing for idol groups, you say goodbye to your lone wolf lifestyle as you learn to work with idol producers and lyricists.

Word count: 3.2K

Comeback season was in full swing. The promotional interview and showcase were a success, the public was hyped up for the titles songs and the album. The ATINY and other Kpop fans were making the song trend.

'Just did the first sound check. I'll see you tonight! - Mings'

'I'll be there to cheer all of you on. I'm excited to see what a music show taping is like. - Indigo'

Tonight at M Countdown, Ateez was going for 1st place against another group for the title song. If they win, it would be the first 1st place trophy this comeback season.

This was also your first time seeing the filming and performance venue of a real music show so you were excited to see the process.

"Why am I feeling nervous when I'm not even performing?" You chuckled. But you believed in the boys and the power of ATINY to win 1st place.

'An overnight hit to kick start their comeback. But who is this new producer in KQ?'

'The other hit songs produced by Producer Indigo, the mysterious producer, who played a big part in producing the new comeback song and album for Ateez.'

Another thing with this comeback was that people were now curious about you and who you were. There were some articles. Thankfully, there were no leaks to any information about you. You stayed off social media so that front was safe. There was no gender, no face, no name to use to find you.

Although, some people have been trying to reach you through the server that music artists and companies usually use to engage you.

'Hi Producer Indigo. I'm an ATINY! I'm not sure if you will ever read this or if this is really the only way to contact you. But thank you for your hard work, the ATINYs appreciate you!'

'I think you gel well with the Ateez boys. Can you tell me what it's like working with them? From a curious ATINY'

'How do you capture each of the boys' musical personality and put it together in a song? This song is like a perfect blend of all the boys.'

'Are you a girl? Is your identity being hidden because you're dating an Ateez member?'

You finally understood what people meant when they spoke about the extreme some fans would go to. Some questions were really personal, as if you would reply to them. But most of the ATINY sent messages of compliments to you.

"Oh, I need to get ready." You went to shower and change into some outing clothes. One of the Ateez managers were going to take you to the M Countdown film site.

'Mings, what should I wear? - Baby'

'Hahahaha. You're so cute, baby. It doesn't matter since you will be backstage with us in the room. Wear anything you want. - Mings'

'Anything? Well, I guess this is the perfect time to pull out my ball gown then. I'm asking because I might see some other artists there so I don't want to dress like a slop. - Baby'

'If you wanna wear a ball gown, go ahead! But you're far from a slop, baby, no matter what you wear. - Mings'

With a sigh, you picked out some ripped jeans, a short sleeves turtle neck and an oversized black hooded bomber jacket.

"Sorry for the wait, manager nim." You said as you climbed into the van while fixing the mask over your face. M Countdown meant there would be fans and you did not want to risk anyone seeing you or being suspicious of your identity so you even brought a cap if the hood and mask weren't enough.

"No worries, Indigo. We're glad you could make it. The boys are excited for you to be there at your first music show taping." He chuckled and began to drive.

"I'm nervous. Not sure what to expect." You chuckled.

"Nothing to be nervous about. Just follow our lead on where to go and you'll be fine." He assured.

"Before I forget. Here. You will need to wear this to get in and out of places. Plus, the security won't think you're a fan that snuck in and try to kick you out." He handed you an Ateez crew tag to wear.

"Thank you. Definitely wouldn't want to be kicked out of my first show." You laughed as you slipped it over your head.

"Omg, who is that?" As the van went past, some fans waiting otuside the venue pointed at your van.

"Don't worry, they can't see you. But every time there's a security van, they think a celebrity is inside." The manager told you as he waited for the guard the check the van's number plate before letting the van drive into the carpark.

"Alright, let's go." He parked the van. You checked your reflection in your phone to make sure that your mask and cap was adjust well then pulled your hood up.

"Just follow me." He waited for you. You trailed behind him, tucked your hands into your pockets.

*KNOCK KNOCK*

"Ah! Someone save me!" You were nearly mowed down by Wooyoung who was being chased by Jongho. But luckily, the manager tugged you out of harm's way.

"Kids! Stop yelling and running around! You're being a nuisance!" Hongjoong scolded. That was when he stopped, staring at you weirdly for a few seconds before he recognised you.

"Oh my gosh, Indi. You scared me! You're wrapped up, I can hardly see you." He put a hand over his chest. He wrapped his arms around you to hug you. You let out soft giggles of happiness, you've missed him. With his arm around your shoulders, he led you into the dressing room where the others were.

"It's the masked stranger." He announced.

"Indigo. We're glad you could make it." San grinned and came over. He hooked an arm around you, patting you on the back.

"Hwa~" You waved to Seonghwa through the mirror as he was getting his hair and make up done. He reached to the back to hold your hand, swinging it happily.

"You look really handsome, Hwa." You complimented.

"Thank you. How have you been?" He asked, changing the subject as his ears got red from your compliment.

"Good. I'm going to say hi to the others. I'll be back." You said briefly and patted his shoulder before going to greet the others. Yunho hugged you, teetering from side to side as he laughed.

"He's glaring at me, isn't he?" He whispered playfully. Your eyes shifted and saw Mingi staring at you and Yunho through the mirror. If looks could kill, Yunho would be six feet under. You hummed in reply to Yunho, trying your best not to laugh.

"It's less hectic than I thought it would be back here." You noted as you leaned against Yunho's larger frame.

"Because we already did the sound check so it's just getting ready. That's why Yeosangie is sleeping." Yunho nodded over to the male.

"How is he so pretty even when he sleeps?" You scoffed.

"That's the question on everyone's mind." Yunho chuckled. Soon, you both felt an ominous shadow looming over the both of you. You turned around to see Mingi there.

"It's your turn." He frowned, almost snapping at his best friend. Yunho snickered, patting your head before walking away.

"Hi, Mingi." You looked up at him with a small wave.

"Hey." Mingi breathed out, trying to keep his jealousy at bay. Even if he couldn't see the rest of your face, he could see the playful glint in your eyes. If he could, he would back you against the wall and kiss you in front of everyone now, just to show that you're his, but he had to control himself.

"Wait, why was Wooyoung getting beat up by Jongho again?" You asked, remembering the youngest chasing after Wooyoung when you entered the room earlier.

"Why do you still bother asking at this point? Wooyoung always does something that gets him beat up by the maknae." Hongjoong sighed.

"He provokes Jongho but gets scared when Jongho retaliates." You replied with a scoff.

Mingi subtly nodded over to the couch and you sat next to each other. It didn't seem out of the ordinary with the way the side of his thigh pressed against yours. No one thought anything of it.

"Did you come from your home or the office?" He asked. Of course he knew the answer, he just wanted to talk to you.

"Home. I had a meeting with those drama producers regarding their OST and sent over the final revision earlier today. So now my focus now will be Wooyoung's recorded song cover, get that ready for the first round of submission and review with Eden." You informed.

"Hopefully things can slow down a bit for you. You deserve a break, Indigo. You're always working in your studio, day and night." Mingi smiled. You nodded your head.

"Are you nervous for today?" You asked.

"There's always a bit of nerves but not too bad. If we win, we win, if not, that's fine. As long as we have a stage to perform, we're happy."

"That's a very optimistic way of looking at things. But I agree, there's no need to be nervous. I'm glad the song has been well received by everyone." You laughed.

"It's a great song. What's not to love?" Wooyoung asked, coming back into the room with Jongho behind him.

"Indigo~" He bent down to hug you. You squeezed him as he sat on your other side.

"We'll win today, for sure. For you. We'll make your first time at a music show a memorable one. You're our lucky charm, I just know it." He winked at you.

"Now that's some pressure on me." You joked.

"Just go and have fun, alright? I love watching you guys perform." You softened, feeling tears brim your eyes. There was a lump in your throat but you tried your best to swallow it. Luckily Wooyoung and Mingi were too distracted to notice the big but shaky breath you took to calm yourself down.

"We need Ateez backstage in 10 minutes." One of the stage crew came in. Hongjoong gathered the boys together to brief them. You sat there, watching them quietly.

"Whenever you're ready." The manager told them as Hongjoong wrapped up his words of encouragement.

"Do you want to watch them perform from backstage?" Another manager offered.

"Can I? I assumed I would be watching through the screen that's in here. I wouldn't want to be in the way or distract anyone." You chuckled. He nodded and waved for you to follow.

"It's your song after all." He added. You stood at the side, watching him and the others help the boys with their microphones.

"All the best, Ateez." You wished softly, wary of where you were. Seonghwa waved you over to where they were gathered in a circle. You blinked in confusion but obediently stood between him and Mingi. You looked at Seonghwa whispered something to Hongjoong while Mingi smiled softly at you.

"Today, we're 9 makes 1 team." Hongjoong said. The others nodded in agreement as they put their hands together in the center. You chewed on your lip as you put your hand on top of theirs.

"9 makes 1 team!" They all chanted as they threw their hands down. You didn't say anything but waved at them, you didn't trust your voice to not break.

"Ateez, ready for the stage." The crew announced and the fans cheered loudly as the boys went up.

"Aish." You wiped the stray tears that fell. Luckily the Ateez boys didn't see this.

"Here you go." One of the managers handed you a tissue.

"Ah, thank you. Sorry, I don't know why I'm tearing up." You laughed as you received the tissue with an embarrassed bow and quickly wiped the tears.

You watched the performance intently, giving them all your focus and attention because that was what they deserved after working so hard. You were so proud of them and this song. After the first recording was done, the boys interacted with the fans.

"Thank you for coming out and waiting for us. Do you like the song, ATINY?" San asked.

"Yes!" The fans all chimed.

"I'm glad to hear that. Like I said during the promotional interview and showcase, I think this is the first time all Ateez members were involved in the song writing and producing." Hongjoong said.

"But the hardwork was all worth it for you, ATINY." Yunho charmingly smiled at the fans, making them cheer again.

"Ateez members, ready for oneshot take. Positions." The director spoke into the microphone.

The boys did the another take of the performance and waved to the fans before exiting the stage. It took a lot of will power not to throw yourself at them to hug them.

"You all did so well." You told them as you walked alongside them to return to the dressing room. The boys all looked at you, feeling pride swell in their chest at the thought of making you so happy with their performance of the song. Yes, they worked hard on this song but you worked even harder.

"Sorry, is it okay if we have a short private meeting, please?" Hongjoong suddenly requested the few staff that were loitering in the dressing room.

"Sure." They all moved to the door, seemingly used to this. You were about to leave but Yeosang held your hand to stay.

"Now you can comfortably interact with us." Seonghwa smiled.

"You really did well. I was so proud watching you all perform on stage, I don't think I'll ever get tired of watching you perform." You said, hugging each other them.

"There's another reason we got people to leave the room." Yunho chuckled as you hugged Mingi last.

"Huh?" You were confused. But Mingi surprised you by yanking your mask down and pressing his lips against yours. He gently cupped your cheek as he smiled into the kiss. The other boys turned away to give you both some privacy.

"There. I've been wanting to do that since you walked in." Mingi panted as he pulled away, adjusting your mask over your face. You stared at him with a dazed look.

"Mings!" You finally realised what he just did and slapped his arm in embarrassment. How could he do that with the others here?

"What? Serves you right for hugging everyone else in front of me." Mingi smirked.

"And you! Think you could get away with hugging my girlfriend so close." Mingi glared at his best friend, slapping the back of his neck. Yunho just snickered.

"But you did great." You smiled, hugging Mingi. His arms hooked over your shoulders as he pressed a kiss to the top of your head.

"Of course, I had my lucky charm with me right here." He said. You couldn't take too long or the staff might get suspicious so after another quick peck, Hongjoong opened the door for the other staff to come back in. He bowed in apology for making them leave but they waved him off, understanding the need for privacy.

"Everyone have your meal then we're back on stage for the announcement of today's first place." The manager said, wheeling in the food boxes on a trolley.

"Have you eaten?" Jongho asked you as he received the styrofoam box with his name.

"Yes. I ate before I came. Thanks." You told him.

"Here. I'm not feeling it today." Mingi handed you his drink, making sure to stick to straw in. It was watermelon juice, the song he would adorably made up on an Ateez logbook.

"You sure? It's your favourite..." You looked at him. Mingi couldn't help the lopsided smile that formed when he met eyes with you.

"It's fine. I'd rather finish my coffee." He said. You receive the drink, slipping the straw under your mask.

"Why are you all sitting on the floor? There are couches here with tables." You asked them while laughing, noticing how some of them were bent over awkwardly, trying to get food into their mouths. The space next to you and the adjacent couches were empty.

"Trust us, we've tried. They always like to sit on the floor and eat." The managers sighed, shaking their heads. You migrated to sit on the floow with them.

"Hehe, did you like the stage?" Wooyoung asked as you settled beside him.

"Yeah. It's very different compared to watching you guys dance in the pratice room for sure." You nodded your head.

"For one, we're not dressed in sweatpants, drenched in our own sweat in a stuffy room. There's pretty lights and costumes now." Seonghwa pointed out, laughing.

"You're always pretty, Hwa." You rolled your eyes, making Seonghwa blush at your offhanded compliment.

"What about me?!" Wooyoung exclaimed.

"All of you. You always look good, no matter where you are or what you wear. I'm sure the fans can attest to that." You corrected yourself. Hongjoong shook his head with a sigh at how they could all act like immature kids. When your phone rang, you stood up and moved to the bathroom to answer it.

"Finish up, brush your teeth and get ready to go on stage for awards." The managers said. You came out of the bathroom, tucking your phone back into your pocket.

"Everything okay?" Hongjoong asked. You nodded your head. The boys were rushed to brush their teeth after eating.

"Let's go!" The managers filed everyone out of the room. You weren't sure if you should go since the final stage with the other idols would be crowded.

"Come." Yeosang smiled and gestued for you to go with them. The stage crew got all the idols lined up to go on stage.

"Good luck, boys." You said softly to them. They smiled and waved to you before going up.

"Excuse me. Are you Producer Indigo?" One of the idols asked. You nodded your head, subconsciously pulling your hoodie over the cap a little tighter. He reached out to shake your hand.

"I heard from someone that you were here to support Ateez sunbaenims but didn't know if it was true. I'm a big fan of your work." He said enthusiastically. You bowed your head gratefully as his other group mates shook hands with you.

"Please move to the stage." The crew moved them away. But the other people backstage were suddenly aware of your presence.

"Come on, come on." You chanted to yourself. It was so noisy you couldn't really hear the announcers or see what was happening on the stage.

"And the first place goes to... ATEEZ! Congratulations!"

That was all you heard. You didn't care anymore, throwing your hands up in the air in excitement.

"Manager nim! We won!" You hugged the managers that were there, trying not to cry from happiness. They all patted your back, congratulating you as well.

"We would like to thank all the ATINYs who have been supporting us non-stop! Thank you to our CEO Kim, Edenary members, all the staff that work tirelessly! Also, this trophy goes to Producer Indigo and all the hardwork, time and effort put into the studio. Thank you, ATINY! We love you." Hongjoong said.

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colderdrafts · 9 months

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10: Time passes by

Underground visitor, gn reader x monster (male drider). Sfw. Previous Next

The next couple of days go slow as you wait for the return of the full moon.

The daily routine here is simple, and easy to fall into. Collecting water, managing the fire and cooking station, learning the quickest route to the surface to enjoy the sun, busying yourself with books you can’t yet read, joining Dren for ventures around the cave and idle talking along the way - since your visit to the marketplace, you've had some better opportunities to keep yourself occupied down in the dark.

It also serves as a nice distraction to go about your business like this, so that you don't have to think too much about what transpired at the lake. The lingering awkwardness from that encounter makes it difficult to look Dren in the eye sometimes.

He’s away a lot of the time, thankfully. He’s slept a lot more than usually the past couple of days, sometimes in the pod above yours, sometimes somewhere else, supposedly close to his eggs. You chalk it up to the fact that he’s still healing – perhaps having a few days at home where nothing is happening has allowed him to rest more fully than before.

Still, when present, Dren acts as he usually does, occupying himself with work around the cave, tending to his eggs or helping you get better settled in. He’s started a new project of weaving you something to actually sit on, so you have some level of comfort whenever you're using the living room - even if you're not entirely sure how long you will stay after you've talked to the harpy.

A slight change, however, is he's been more apprehensive when approaching you. Like he suddenly has to be more careful. His usual focus on you comes interrupted, and he's limited the amount of times he touches you, much to your chagrin. You've respected his apparent unspoken request for space, though it leaves you to deal with chasing out the constant pressure in your chest on your own, and it is not easily ridden of.

As infuriatingly stubborn as the one who most likely put it there. Hopefully, your next trip will help you figure out what to do about that little feature as well.

Waiting for the full moon is like a countdown toward the unknown, and the days have passed in relative peaceful stillness. Tonight the moon will finally be full, which means today may be your last one here.

It’s sunny out, so you’re taking advantage by spending most of your time at the entrance of the cave. The wind blows gently through the leaves of the trees above, cool temperature nibbling at your skin. Sometimes a stray dead leaf falls in your path, announcing the seasonal change. It's just you, the wind and some birds chirping somewhere from high above you. It's peaceful here - it's been some time since you've been in a place that was just comfortably quiet like this.

But you’re not just here to listen to birds calling - you’ve started your own little project as well. In your hands is a small pouch with assorted flower seeds you got from the marketplace, and in front of you a little plot you’ve cleared to plant them. Dren is still sleeping, so you’ve got some time for yourself to work on this.

It’s something nice to do for him as a thank you. He’s been a vital piece in ensuring your survival here, after all, in more ways than one - even while he’s asleep. You glance at the web running underneath your feet, spun to accommodate your time outside and your need for sunlight. If anything but you disturbs them, Dren’ll know. Even when not around you, he’s still making sure you’ll be alright.

You smile at his overprotective nature – but, admittedly, it does feel a little safer out here when you’re in contact with his alert system.

You stretch your sore, cold fingers and breathe hot air on them to get some of the chill out. Autumn is certainly not the best timing for this objective, but now is the time you’ve got for sure to do this. You’ll have to chance it. You're working with the cold ground for things to settle and hopefully start sprouting come spring - if anything, Dren will have a new hobby to look into, and perhaps tell his offspring about.

It's nice to do simple things that feels like it will bring about something positive. Something to leave behind and be remembered by.

You're engrossed with carefully placing small flower seeds in the ground, when you register a change in the air. The relative peaceful stillness you've felt has turned to utter silence. Why have the birds suddenly stopped singing?

A familiar piercing pain in your chest suddenly makes you gasp as your core tightens, answering your question. Perhaps the birds simply know when it's best to leave. The hairs on the back of your neck stands on end as it seems you're not alone out here anymore.

So much for some peace and quiet outside. It was good while it lasted. You breathe deeply, acclimating to the unpleasant feeling, and return the seeds to their bag. You slowly stand up in preparation for taking flight.

If you'd get that far, of course.

"I know you're there," you say, resigned, speaking out loud in their general direction. This might not be a smart confrontation, but you can't let them keep haunting you either. What's that saying about facing your demons? You'll have to remain on guard, but you know for a fact that, if your current stalker tries anything, the warning strings will alert Dren to their presence. "Go away."

The forest slowly parts with bushes rustling as a familiar shadow steps out from under their cover. Their brown spider legs part the leaves as they move – bit by bit, as if giving you time to adjust to their presence.

Morgan leans heavily against the trunk of a large birch, hand gripping it for support and staring at you. You can already feel your body freezing, heart rate picking up.

This is the first time since the fight you've seen them up close. Their appearance is no less striking than it was the first time you saw them, if not even more so no.

Their gangly body and uncanny features are seemingly heightened, the threatening aura of a cornered, injured animal. They're bruised and battered in much the same way as Dren, partially healed, but wearing a particularly nasty mark on the side of their jaw, and the beginning of scarring tissue from wounds running along their whole body.

They look haggard and spent, seemingly in pain, yet their striking red eyes are as intense and focused as ever. When they speak your gaze is drawn to their sharp teeth.

“Peace, sentry," they say gently, soft tone completely contradicting everything else. Their voice weaves through your mind, and settles over your overly active senses like an anesthetic fog. You’re almost happy to see them. "I’m not here to fight.”

You try to maintain eye contact, not letting yourself be intimidated by the red stare that sends your fight and flight over the edge. An odd standstill between running for your life, yet still yearning so badly to leap straight into their waiting arms. Are you relieved they’re alive? Your skin can still remember how warm they were, and it makes you nauseous.

Thankfully, you have a healthy amount of righteous vigor keeping you level-headed. You swallow hard to muster it. After all, this is a dangerous person who’s a threat to your existence.

"That's honestly surprising. If you're not here to fight, but just here to be creepy again, save your breath. I'm not interested in talking to you," you growl at them. "Leave me alone."

"Ah, but I think you are," Morgan replies, daring to step a little closer. They pause to assess the webs running underneath you, and place themself close, but without touching them. They chuckle lightly at your snark. "But no, I'm not here to be creepy either."

You don't move back at their approach, no matter if you might want to, holding the bag of seeds in front of you like a useless shield. It is not wise to give audience to someone who threatens your livelihood - and that of your host's and his children. You should turn away this instant, leave them behind and sever whatever they did to you here and now. Or at least try your best to do so.

“Then why are you here?” you find yourself asking instead.

“To make amends,” Morgan replies, lowering themself a little. “And talk a little about this thing we’ve got running between us.”

“There’s no thing-!”

Morgan suddenly leans forward in one quick motion, their face an inch away from yours, leaning over Dren’s webbing. Instead of flinching, you find yourself breathing out, finally feeling the tightness in your chest calm immensely. It’s like an instant relief to a panic attack. You almost lean your forehead against theirs to bask in the utter peace that has suddenly washed over you.

“Mmm, there we are,” they purr, chittering pleasantly. “Much better, isn’t it?”

Their drawling voice brings you back to reality, and rage flutters under your skin. You reel back, and knock your forehead against their nose in blunt retaliation.

Morgan recoils with a startled hiss.

You grasp your forehead and wince. Maybe not your smartest approach - they have a surprisingly sturdy face.

“You're being creepy,” you snarl, rubbing the sore. “Again.”

They grasp at their nose, red eyes focusing on you curiously. Then they laugh, an unnerving low chortle. “The longer you push me away, the worse it’s going to get, you know.”

“The un-do it!” you demand.

“Then you will have to let me get close,” they say patiently, casually settling down in front of you, calmly folding their legs. The fucking audacity. “Very close.”

“Not a chance,” you huff. “Think of something else.”

“I’m afraid there isn’t anything else, sentry," they shrug, weaving their hands in the air like curling a finger around a string. When they do a small tug, you can feel it, jutting you forward just a fraction before you can stop yourself. They obnoxiously send you a knowing look.

"Knock it off," you grunt, leaning back again.

"I can't. This little string of fate has us thoroughly connected, whether you accept that fact or not. We will keep this little dance until one of us dies.” Morgan peers at you with a casual expression. “I’d rather prefer if none of us die, you know? It’s more or less the whole point of this arrangement.”

"You just said you could un-do it!" you argue.

"I can un-do that it will get worse," they clarify. "It goes away when you let me close, doesn't it? Why not just let me? Then we'll both be better off."

“Better off? You're kidding, right?" you ask, incredulous. "Nothing good could ever come out of this. I don’t even know you! If it's terrible now, I don't even want to think how bad it could get."

“If we stick together, it won't,” they reassure you.

"Yeah, I don't really believe that at all," you deadpan. "This is some sort of weird magic manipulation, isn't it? I'm not gonna get close to you again in a million years. Whatever the hell you did to me hurts."

Morgan pauses for a second. They have the grace to actually look a little regretful of that fact. "I know it does, sentry," they sigh. "It goes both ways, after all."

You frown. "You're in pain too?"

"More so than from just my injuries." They jest, though their smile comes a little forced with thinly veiled frustration. "Do you have any idea how difficult it is to resist every single nerve in my body on fire, because I need to be close, and you. Just. Won’t. Let. Me?"

"You did that to yourself," you sneer, unsympathetic. "And you forced me in on it too."

"You would have been snatched if I hadn't," Morgan counters. "I was making sure you wouldn’t be. I didn't get to do so properly, and here we are. This is not a proper bond, it’s just some sort of painful connection that wants to be completed. I can solve this. It would be so easy, if you'd just let me."

"Why are you so obsessed with this?" you ask. "I know you could just end this if you wanted. If this is hurting you too, why not just get rid of me? I’m right here.”

"Probably for the same reason you haven't called for the other one to come get rid of me," Morgan replies, nodding to the protective warning threads you're standing on. They flash you a fanged smile. "I'm right here, too."

You grit your teeth.

"You can't, can you?" Morgan hums teasingly, eyes full of warmth. "You - don't want me to get hurt."

Don't you?

All it would take is a little shaking of the thread that's running right underneath your feet. One simple movement, and this would all be over. Morgan is challenging your resolve - your ability to refute what they're saying. You want them gone, and yet the nerves controlling your arms are simply not responding to your mind's command to move.

Unless you're not even trying? It's hard to tell.

"Don't worry," they continue softly at your silence. "I don't want you to get hurt either. Even if it is taking all of my strength to not immediately get you out of there, and make a run for it."

“What’s stopping you?” you grunt.

“He is,” Morgan hisses, scowling toward the entrance of the cave.

“Make sense. He sure showed you last time."

Morgan shakes their head. “No, sentry. I’m not worried about me. I’m afraid he will hurt you if I don’t get you out of there properly, and in time.”

What is that supposed to mean? “Hurt me? The only one who's hurt me here is you. What the fuck are you talking about?”

Their eyes narrow. “He’s spinning that web, is he? Keeping you in the dark? Someone in their right mind would have connected with you by now. I do wonder what in the blue moons is stopping him. He must be in pure agony to spend so much time around you. Fighting himself all the time.” They chuckle. “Good.”

You haven’t thought of that, you reluctantly admit.

“So why does he do it?” Morgan continues, focusing on you. “Especially if - does he have eggs? Cave dwellers like him usually do.”

Why on earth would they ask - your eyes widen just a fraction at the realization. Would that knowledge be advantageous to them? They wouldn't ask if it wasn't.

They chuckle at your expression giving it away. “He does, doesn’t he? And not even hatched this time of year. So vulnerable, aren’t they?”

You resist the urge to angrily invade their space at the comment, settling for a venomous glare. “Don’t you dare threaten them,” you growl defensively. “They’ve got nothing to do with all of this.”

They smile a little wider, like your fury made them giddy. “Of course not! Just curious. But especially so, what you’re doing here is simply baffling.”

“Well, good thing our relation doesn't concern you,” you sneer. A memory flashes in your mind, Dren’s entire body curled around you, a warm breath on your neck, idling hands on your skin and his insatiable need to be closer – you mentally fight it off like you’re scared Morgan can see it.

“Oh, but it does. Your relation is the very thing I’m concerned about,” they argue, obviously not noticing your cerebration. “We’re solitary, sentry. We don’t hold affections for things we’re not connected to. Your kind being the only exception - but it requires you give your heart. I just wonder how much longer he can keep this up before he cracks, and simply kills you.”

Well now. Isn't that the statement of the year? “Bullshit. He would never do that.”

Would he? He'd kill anyone else without a second thought.

The faintest doubt runs through your mind, and you know for sure it isn't yours. But Morgan catches the little insecurity of your statement regardless, and smiles like they intend to use it as kindling for a wildfire.

“Isn’t it odd how much faith you’re putting in him this quickly? I suppose we are good at making you feel safe. But what has he done to earn your trust?” they inquire.

You look at them, unimpressed. “He saved me from you.”

“He didn't save anything. He’s just made sure we’re both on a road towards an unimaginable amount of pain,” Morgan corrects you, not acknowledging your quip. “It looks like he tried to do good, but really, he only did what any other of our kind would do. I know how we work, sentry, and we’re nothing if not selfish," they chuckle. "And now, he doesn’t even make sure you’ll be safe from himself? What a poor excuse for a caretaker. The only thing he did was creating a loss.”

A loss? You relation with Dren is anything but. Having him in your corner has been a stability you've severely needed in your current dangerous situation. What the hell does Morgan know about what’s safe?

This is one of those mind-games a person like Morgan would utilize to get what they want. You’re sure as hell not going to let them manipulate you again.

“You can’t honestly expect me to believe anything you say, can you?” you ask.

Morgan has the gall to heave an exasperated sigh, as if they genuinely don't understand what could possibly justify your mistrust.

“I'm fearing for your life, sentry. You could die, and I'm trying to prevent that. You know, since I have a very high risk of literally dying without you. So, I would do well to be truthful here, wouldn’t I?" they pause for a bit, letting their words settle with you. "But even if he manages for now, it will still be the same result. He'll kill you come winter anyway,” they add nonchalantly.

You shouldn't give in to them. You shouldn't let them inform you of things and plant seeds of doubt in your mind, you know they're just telling you this to do just that.

Still, you can feel how the thoughts are growing despite your best attempt to pull them out like weeds.

You huff, deciding reluctantly to hook yourself on the bait. "Why?"

They focus on you intently. "If you're still with him when he's about to enter hibernation, and you are not bonded? His hazy mind will not be able to recognize you from an actual threat. He will kill you without hesitation."

You stare at them, trying to discern if they're speaking nonsense or lying to your face. Morgan holds your eye, perfectly serious expression trying to convince you that they, most certainly, are not.

"I, on the other hand, am already connected to you," they continue. "If you want to survive, you should stay the winter with me.”

"Yeah, nope. Absolutely not. Besides, I'm not gonna be here for the winter," you counter, shaking off their warning. "So that won't be a problem."

That piques their interest. "Oh? Where, pray tell, might you be going, then?"

Oh. You scramble to find an appropriate answer, but it's already too late. Morgan spotted your minuscule falter the second it was there. Judging from their humored look, they're already aware you were preparing a lie.

"It's none of your concern," you settle for. No point in even trying, then.

"But I want it to be," Morgan says gently, casually twirling the invisible string in the air. You feel queasy. "You can tell me, it's alright. I'm very good with secrets. Trust me."

Guess it wouldn't hurt to let them know.

"Well, I'm not-" you halt yourself with an odd choke, clasping a hand over your mouth.

What the fuck?

Morgan regards you with a calm smile. "It's alright, take your time. What were you about to say?"

You flinch back. You should have left them in your dust the second you sensed them here. Why the hell are you still talking to them?

Morgans stands up, a little slower, reaching toward you. "Easy sentry, calm down. Come here. I need to tell you something."

And you do. You stop yourself from turning away, reluctantly remaining on the spot and staring back at them.

They stop in front of you, barely on the edge of the protective webs running below you, easily within an arms reach. They could grab you and run if they wanted to, yet you don't disengage.

They lean close again, and the ache in your chest almost vanishes. You take a deep breath, listening to their calming chittering.

Morgan breathes deeply as well. "Perhaps I should give you some time to think on our conversation," they say softly. "I'm patient, don't worry. Eventually, you'll come to me."

"In your dreams," you whisper, halfheartedly in defiance.

"What a wonderful idea," they whisper back, gently reaching up and cupping your face.

You shiver as their eyes burn into yours, feeling the warmth from their hands setting off the nauseating crawling sensation underneath your skin. It’s like something inside you is writhing, squirming, an effort to get closer to Morgan’s heat, pulling you with it. Why do they smell like blood?

"Listen carefully," they urge, voice low, speaking through gritted teeth. You can hear a scratching noise from their legs clawing at the ground. "The longer you push this, the crazier both of us are going to get. The further we go, the more unbearable this pain. What you're doing right now could kill us. So do both of us a favor, and make up your mind to just love me. We're not moving on without each other, no matter what we do now."

You muster enough disdain to tightly grasp at their wrists, yet you can't tear their hands from your face. You can't look away. "Love you? What does love have to do with any of this?"

"Love is a monster that could crush you, and you need to learn to trust that it won’t," Morgan whispers. "No matter who of us you go to, it will be the same. There will always be a price. But they will differ. You just have to decide which one you want to pay. Do you want to die, or be loved?"

How do you respond to that? Morgan holds your eye for a few seconds, before sighing, and leaning back, hands falling down their sides as if in defeat. Their face contorts in pain when your palms leave their skin.

"I'll be around, sentry. I'll know if you need me," they promise.

With that, Morgan swiftly ducks back into the forest and vanishes in between the trees. You silently watch them go, resisting your body screeching at you to follow.

Later in the day, that urge has not gotten easier to ignore.

You've tried everything you could think of to rid yourself of that maddening little thing tugging inside of you, going as far as trying to manifest the 'string' in your mind, and cutting it with a knife. It doesn't work, of course. It stubbornly keeps its hold on you.

Your first thought was to inform Dren what happened, yet it's nearly impossible to get the words out to him. His warning of what might happen should Morgan come close again echoes in your mind, and you find yourself unable to speak, your voice tied to a knot.

Dren could end this. He's shown to be the superior fighter between them. You need only ask, and this whole thing would go away, and you wouldn't have to feel like this.

But you can't. You can't do anything that would put them in harms way.

But you can't go to them either. They would never let you go again, and you don't belong here. It doesn't take a genius to figure that Morgan most certainly wouldn't give two cents about where you came from. Their mind is firmly set on you being their salvation, the one who can finally give them a reprieve to the horror their kind face in this world. And the horror you would have to endure without them, lost to the trenches to be forever hunted and shunned.

This is your home here, the only option you have. Let them provide it.

The wooden spoon falls to the floor from your shaking hands, and startles you back to awareness with its clatter.

The stewing pot in front of you fills the living room with a pleasant savory aroma as you curse, shaking off some boiling water that hit your hand at the fumble.

You sense movement behind you, and don't need to turn and look to know Dren is there, likely alerted by your outburst. He seems to have adjusted to your rhythm, and frequently joins you whenever you're about to eat or sleep.

"Are you alright?" he asks, leaning down close to pick up the spoon and hand it to you. One of his legs brush against your side as he moves. "Did I startle you?"

"No, it's not you. I'm just clumsy today. Thanks," you add, taking it from him. "Guess I'm still a little rattled about all of this."

Dren considers you for a second longer than he has to, standing close. It occurs to you how tired he looks, his long hair unruly and heavy bags under his eyes. You hold his gaze for a moment, suddenly unsure which one to look into. You breathe out silently when he eventually moves back with an affirmative nod.

"How was your day?" he asks casually, grasping the wall to pull himself up. He's heading toward the storage space he utilizes for weaving materials. The chair project is coming along nicely.

Tell him what happened.

"It was alright," you sigh. "Just did some gardening. I'm not sure if anything's going to blossom, though. It's kinda the wrong season to plant stuff."

He joins you on the ground and shrugs. "If it's enjoyable to you, I don't see why you shouldn't give it a try. In any case, it's not time or effort wasted if you liked it."

"Guess not. I planted a lot, though," you warn. "If it works, I hope you like gardening."

“I will learn,” Dren chuckles. “I’m still grateful you wish to create something for me.”

He settles next to you with his project in hand, calmly resuming his weaving. You fidget with the spoon in your hands.

"How are the eggs?" you ask after a beat, mouth dry. The silence is getting to you.

"They're fine," Dren replies, eyes on his work. The twigs and straw in his hands are twisted and turned in a steady rhythm, expertly woven together. "Good, actually. Progressing as they should, and safely tucked in as needed. I'm looking forward to finally meeting them all at spring." He smiles, obviously excited. You find some peace in that expression, his genuine warmth doing wonders for your current state of mind.

"I bet you're a great parent," you note. "You always seem so happy when you talk about your kids."

"Well, I try to be," he says, sheepish at the praise. "They deserve a better chance for what's in store for them. I'm happy if I can provide that for them."

Stillness again.

You look him over, casually sitting where he usually does, focusing on the task at hand. It's hard to decipher if he's trying to distract himself from interacting with you too much. Even harder to decipher whether it would be okay to simply not let him. He must be in pure agony.

You should tell him. You should really, really tell him what happened outside. You should let him end this torment.

You pour yourself some food, and sit down to eat. You dinner suddenly isn’t as enticing.

"You're shaking," Dren notifies you quietly, still not looking up from the straw in his hands.

His front legs are settled with claws in touch with the patterns in the floor, and you surmise that's how he could tell without looking at you.

Your stomach drops. Of course he’d know something was up. Hell, he knows when you need fresh air before you do sometimes. The awkward distance he keeps does not make this any easier.

"I know," you mutter, putting your supper aside. Your appetite has vanished.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" he asks.

"Well, you could stop avoiding me."

It came out a little more snappy than you'd imagined it would, if the way Dren looks up at you in surprise is anything to go by.

"I'm sorry," you sigh, pinching the bridge of your nose. "It's just-"

You falter, not sure how to approach this. There's not much else to it. It's just this gaping hole in your heart that makes you feel completely and utterly alone, tearing at you to alleviate it. And now not even Dren has been helping you with that, not since you approached that dangerous area of closeness.

He gets up and joins you next to the fireplace, settling down heavily. Suddenly having the hybrid arachnid in your space like this again, you cannot help but feel a little small.

"Just-?" he encourages.

"I'm in a lot of pain right now," you admit, scooting back to give him some space. "And I'm not sure how to handle it."

Dren frowns, and slowly leans toward you. He carefully grasps your chin to turn your face as if looking for damage. "Are you hurt?"

"Not exactly," you mutter, leaning into his palm. You can feel the soft glow of his energy ebbing beneath his skin.

He gently nudges you to get you to look him in the eye. You're met with a sudden stare so intense it borderline shocks you. Dren brushes a thumb over your cheek like a silent apology.

"It's them, isn't it?" he asks directly, calmly.

You hesitate, and perhaps that's answer enough in itself. His eyes darken, and it sets off a subtle fear in the back of your mind.

"I do understand the effect we can have on each other," Dren says, measured. "I'm not as foolish as to believe they will give up that easily, not after what happened on our last trip. Did they approach you again?”

You force yourself to nod.

Dren chitters. “And you did not tell me?"

"I couldn't," you reply. "I don't know - I just couldn't."

"What did they say to you?" he inquires. He has that same calculating look on his face he did the first time you met.

The words are stuck in your throat. You cough, stuttering it out. "They said you'd kill me."

He stares like you've just purposely lit his den on fire. He releases your chin, balling his fists, supposedly to keep himself from accidentally squeezing you.

"And you believe them?" He asks, but it sounds borderline like an assumption.

"Of course not!" you protest. "I don't believe anything they tell me. I know they're manipulative and dangerous."

"Then why are you protecting them?" he demands. "I've told you this threatens me and my young, too."

You can sense his tension, lower body chittering, black eyes rooting you to the spot. And it now comes to you why Morgan would warn you. Dren is just as dangerous as they are. What happens if this giant predator decides you’re not worth the risk to keep around anymore?

This is one of the very rare moments you get to see him angry. Angry with you. That's somehow the worst thing of this.

"I'm not -," you falter. "I'm trying not to. But I can't stop it. No matter what I do, it just does not go away."

His eyes narrow, and you can hear him clawing at the ground, agitated. He stands up with purpose.

"When did you last see them?" he asks.

"What are you going to do?"

"When?" he repeats.

"This afternoon," you manage.

He frowns. "They may be long gone, then," he mutters to himself, considering for a moment. He chitters, having come to a decision. He eyes you. "Can I trust you to keep an eye on my home while I'm gone?"

"Of course you can," you assert, borderline incredulous. That he'd even ask - this is the one thing you can do. "I don't want anything to happen to any of us either."

"Then you'll understand why I have to do this," Dren says. He looks sad all of a sudden. "I don't want to cause you further pain. But I will not hesitate for the lives of my children. I need you to understand that."

He leans down close, pausing as you slightly flinch at the approach. His eyes widen, seemingly finding something in your expression. He carefully puts his hands on your shoulders as if to take you in again, letting you draw strength from his heat.

"If you wish for us all to live peacefully - Fight them," he utters with a drawling hiss. "Please."

"I'm trying," you say, putting your hands on his chest. "I'm sorry."

Dren sighs, look softening. "It's not your fault."

He gently releases you, but you don't miss the way his expression shifts to that of cold ruin as he turns away from you. He dashes down the hallway and out of view, leaving you to deal with your heart-rate increasing tenfold on your own. You have to support yourself with a hand on the wall to keep from tumbling over from a sudden dizziness.

Dren will kill them.

He most certainly, no hesitation and without remorse, will kill them. If he finds them.

Good riddance, you try, but of course it doesn't work.

You quickly turn to climb to the view of the outside, staring out into the dark forest.

A few minutes pass.

It's blissfully quiet.

No gleaming eyes hiding in the gloom, not rapid footsteps, no snarls or hisses or fighting, and no deaths in your vicinity. It's just you, hidden beneath the rocks and soil in the dark.

You shouldn't be relieved, yet you are. Morgan's smart; they'd never stick around long enough for Dren to notice their presence or get the jump on them. Seems they indeed were just here to talk. Still, their mere presence has set a heavy burst of discord into your relative peace. It dawns on you that this might just be what they’d come here for.

It's very late when Dren finally returns.

You almost jump out of your skin when he does - you'd been wandering the spaces between the rooms you frequent and keeping an eye out on the tunnel to the surface as promised. You'd taken a turn back to the living room and suddenly he was just there, quietly towering over you.

"Jump-scare," Dren recalls, palms out as if to help steady you from a distance. There’s leaf litter stuck in his hair. He must have gone fast. "Apologies."

You suck in a breath and curse. "Yep. Got me good.”

He seems a lot calmer now, at least. And more importantly, unscathed, and not covered in blood.

You’ve also had some time to come down from the spat and the subsequent fear that followed it. This is just Dren. Of course you can have disputes with him like a normal person. Morgan has just been feeding you unneeded paranoia.

You dare step a little closer, looking up at him. You almost feel silly for asking. “How are you feeling?"

Dren sighs, and settles down in front of you. A peaceful gesture. "I got some time to clear my head."

"Did you find them?" you ask.

"No,” he huffs. “It was a fools errand. I knew it would be, but I had to try. I suppose I needed to feel like I was doing my job."

"You are," you placate, joining him on the ground. You resist the urge to lean into him. "I'm sorry I've been making so much trouble for you."

He shakes his head. "I'm sorry I frightened you."

"I can survive a jumpscare," you jest, waving it off.

He smiles sadly. "Not that. Before. When I lost my temper, you looked at me much the same way you did the night we met. I didn't like it."

"You had every right to be angry, Dren. I was putting us all in danger."

"You had a conversation with the person who's manipulating your heart, and you're trying to fight them off by yourself," he says. "I just didn't realize how strong their grip had gotten."

It sure has, hasn’t it? It is getting harder to ignore. You huff. “I can still feel it. Even now, it just hurts.”

Dren chitters lowly. “All the more reason to put an end to it.”

"But they said there’s no undoing whatever this is,“ you note. “Dren, you have the same magic, don’t you? Do you know if there’s anything I can do?"

He considers for a moment, idly opening and closing his hands. As if summoning his own ability to feel for solutions. "I'm afraid not. If it works like normal, then until they perish, it will be like this. Unless-" He pauses.

"Unless-?"

"Usually, creating a new bond would overrule the feeling of the previous one. I’d assume it would be the same in this case, even if this is different."

You nod. "Overrule - but wouldn't remove it?"

"I don’t know. Nevertheless, we both know why that solution isn't a good thing for you to pursue," he says, fidgeting. “Otherwise, you know I’d offer in a heartbeat.”

“And I’d accept,” you shrug.

You can feel Dren’s lower body shifting as he turns to stare at you. You opt for looking at the fireplace to avoid his gaze.

“Is that so surprising?” you ask.

“Yes? No-” he flounders. “I had a feeling you’d consider it at least. But hearing that out loud is – different.”

You give in to the temptation, and simply rest against Dren’s side to show him you mean it. Immediately his warmth alleviates some of the unsettling pressure. You still feel his eyes on you, though a leg curls around where you’re sitting, a hand coming to comfortably rest on your arm. Seems he’s still alright with this.

"It's the full moon tonight, isn't it?" you say.

Dren nods.

"Then tomorrow-"

"We’ll find out if that’s to be your last day here,” he finishes, pedipalps fidgeting. He gives your arm a reassuring squeeze. “You should not hesitate if it is. I'm certain not even this little parasite can follow you to a different world."

Supposedly not. You briefly wonder if it will hurt to go back.

Dren’s presence makes you wonder how it will hurt in more ways than one.

You feel his body relaxing, and you enjoy his company in mutual silence for a bit, just appreciating sitting close to him again. Why is he indulging now of all times? Perhaps he needs the reassurance as much as you do.

Still, you should probably discuss it, instead of making assumptions. Acting like an adult for once.

You nudge Dren’s side to regain his attention. "About what happened at the lake-"

Dren halts his mental retreat to carefully glance at you. "Yes?"

"Are we going to - you know. Talk about that?"

He hums. "We could."

"Would you prefer not to?"

"Oh, most certainly," he nods sagely.

You bark a laugh. So much for acting your age. "Yeah. Me too, bud."

He chuckles. "It is a little - challenging, for me. Having you here. More so than I expected. We’ve already discussed why it would be."

"I know. But that - that wasn't just about the bond thing, was it?"

"Not necessarily. Perhaps? I don’t know. I just wanted to be close to you,” he says. He eyes you, a slight smile on his lips. “And I sensed you didn’t mind.”

You snort and purposely bump into his side. “The water was very cold, and you are very warm. Easy math.”

“I’m happy you find my temperature comfortable,” he jests.

“Does that mean this is still okay?” you ask, gesturing vaguely at your sitting together. “You’ve been avoiding touching me at all since that night. I was wondering why.”

He sighs. “Having you close only to release you time and time again is – not always easy. Especially considering, eventually, that one time I do, it will be for the last time.”

“Oh,” you say. You can’t really say much else. He’s right. You shouldn’t push this on him if he finds it easier to simply not engage and spare the turmoil.

“But that’s very silly of me, isn’t it?” he mutters, mostly to himself.

“Is it?”

Dren leans against your side, a pedipalp curling around your waist. “Perhaps I should just enjoy this while I can.”

You lean back into him, breathing out in relief. The clawing sensation within you diminishes, pushed aside by the gentle ebb of Dren’s energy settling through you in it’s stead. “This helps, actually. With the pain.”

“Does it?” he yawns. “I’m glad. And it might go both ways. I’m about to fall asleep, I think.”

You chuckle. “You've slept a lot lately.”

“We’re steadily progressing through autumn. My body’s slowing down,” he shrugs, settling against you. “I’ll be asleep for good soon.”

And then he won’t be able to recognize you from an actual threat.

"What should we do, then?" you ask, forcing it to the back of your mind. You close your eyes and relax to the sound of Dren’s breath, his company calmly thwarting the idle sickness growing inside you.

Dren rests his head on top of yours. "I'm going to help you find a way home."

#colderwriting #monster x reader #drider #gn reader #monster lover #monster boyfriend #drider x reader #monster romance #exophilia #terato #monster x you

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kwshahrazad · 6 months

Text

Living in North America, even when you aren’t celebrating Christmas, it feels like you're celebrating Christmas.

Promptly on November 1st, the red, white and green festivities begin and their brilliant hues are inescapable. There are elves on shelves and an inflatable Frosty on roofs. And Santa! He really is always watching you as he’s plastered on every surface. He sees you when you’re sleeping because he’s on the half-eaten chocolate wrapper on your dresser. He knows when you’re awake because he’s also on your cereal box, milk carton, and morning coffee sleeve.

Around this time of year, there is a spike in cases of FOMO within first and second-generation immigrants whose holiday rosters do not include Christmas. For over fifty days, they are stuck between a rock and a jolly place because Christmas can be… tempting. The twinkling lights are alluring, the merry melodies are mesmerizing, the promise of gifts is promising, and so the fear of missing out can be all-consuming. It all starts on an ordinary November morning when suddenly, "the holiday spirit" infuses everything the light touches. Every mode and medium has a Yuletide tinge, and every sector of life has a little trimming. For two months, these FOMO-ridden individuals trapeze through jagged tinsel and paper-cut sharp wrapping paper, trying to maneuver in the aftermath of Big Hallmark’s joyous rampage.

In schools, children sing carols in winter pageants, some only mouthing the words to Silent Night or hesitantly rockin’ around a Christmas tree.

There's no argument that these activities can spark joy, and that's precisely the problem. Celebrating, the very act of it, is fun. Whether it’s Halloween, a wedding, an achievement, however minimal, or even a dog’s birthday, people find reasons to come together and celebrate. But in this case, Christmas is not theirs to celebrate. Some people have a little voice in their heads that nettles them each time they put on reindeer ears or take part in Secret Santa. Depending on the individual, it could be their conscience screaming, “What would my parents say?”

In the winter whirlwind of hope, excitement, and merriment, it’s almost impossible to not want to be a part of it all, even subconsciously. It’s difficult to deny that Christmas is fun.

Especially since celebrating non-Christian holidays in the West can be challenging.

There are no signature drinks or holiday hours. There are no lights and most definitely no statutory days off. Christmas is fun because of the sheer scale. The stakes are high with countdowns, giveaways, and so many parties.

Christmas isn’t just a day you celebrate, it’s a season. It’s a pallette and a theme. It’s a genre of music and film. It’s a category of dessert, dinner, and beverage.

That said, it’s difficult to compete with all the fanfare that happens each year in December. Parents are often compelled to go above and beyond to get their kids excited about their own celebrations. Usually with the help of old reliable Mr. Chuck E. Cheese and even older — and therefore more reliable — Mr. Wad of Cash. Worse yet, when one has to justify their need for a day off to a manager who is apparently fascinated by their religion, people can’t help but pray for patience, or better yet, a miracle.

A miracle in which there is no rock by the jolly place. What if a certain non-Christian American demographic could celebrate their holiday at the same time as everyone else? What if they could ride on the Christmas coattails of vacation days, holiday parties, and sales? What if a certain non-Christian religious holiday coincided with Christmas and millions more could wholeheartedly celebrate together with the masses? What if, for example, Eid al-Adha fell on December 24th?

Wouldn’t that be a miracle?

***

You've just read the introduction to my new book, Christmas Eid, available now on Kindle (E-Book) (Print coming soon).

It's Booksmart meets the holidays wrapped up in a warm, festive coming-of-age story.

Christmas Eid introduces a unique format. It's a novelplay. A book that reads like a movie!

Christmas Eid: A Novelplay (Available Now)

If you'd be interested in receiving a copy in return for a review, please message me! Also, please share this with anyone you think might be interested in reading!

K.W. Shahrazad

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hearteyes-for-killmonger · 1 year

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Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas countdown to Christmas Day. We've 10 days left!!

The Backcracker

Summary: John and Cree get through the holidays together.

Tags: John Kelly/John Clark, Holidays, Chiropractor!John

Cree didn't usually bring home men from bars, but John Clark was the Louis Vuitton bag sitting pretty in the middle of a thrift shop. She had to snatch him up before someone else realized its worth. He was well dressed and fresh with a cut that said "I do date the sistas," and he was sitting there at the bar, minding his business. What MAN minded his own business and stayed in his own lane? She had to venture out and at cast her feelers.

To her relief, he was fairly open. She got the vibe that this was unusual for him, and the liquid courage in his cup was loosening his lips. He assured himself that he wouldn't give up on his life and that he would stick around come what may. There was pain and memories in his eyes that Cree could see.

As she listened, she understood that he was having a very rough December, something they connected on. For Cree, it was having to put down her beloved cat that had her down in the dumps. She showed pictures and shared her favorite stories of Jerome the orange boy. She appreciated that John enjoyed the distraction from his own situation.

For John, it was the loss of his wife Pam.

The years didn't get much easier, the pain demanded to be felt.. but he wanted to move on and love again. For a while he was so full of rage that he couldn’t.. but that had since subsided.

Cree deduced that he only needed someone who was patient and accepting of his feelings for his wife. Talking about Pam would help him to continue in resuming his life.

While Cree laid in her bed fully clothed with her ankles crossed, John laid over her legs, looking up with eyes that said he just wanted to have joy again. Through the pillow talk, Cree desired to know more and more about him.

"I feel like I know some things about you, but I haven't asked the basics like what do you do now? I know you left the military."

"Well.. I crack backs," he chuckled hiding his smile in her leg.

"Whaaat.. I might need you to crack mine. I get so damn tense."

"I could pinpoint the tension and make you good as new."

"What are we waiting for?"

"You gotta come in and get it done. That way I get to see you."

Neither John nor Cree wanted a one-night stand. They planned to spend more time getting to know one another and talking to get each other through the rough holiday season.

With that said, Cree did schedule an appointment with John for Christmas day.

He was happy to hear from her and could foresee their relationship progressing with a little time.

"Hey," he greeted her with a hug when she arrived. He treated her as he would any client, his tongue was just a bit more loose, and he was a bit more free to be himself. "Have a seat and don't be nervous, I do adjustments all day everyday."

"Oh, I'm not nervous," she pulled her hair over her shoulder as she settled, sitting her purse on the floor. He placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Here's how my sessions go. I love my first time clients and after that I'm a bully."

Cree shook her head, thoroughly amused as his face cracked. He was a serious man and to see him so goofy was charming, bully or not. "We'll see about that."

"Is this your first adjustment?"

"It is!"

"Just make sure your teeth are together, relax the best you can." Cradling her head in his arms, her cheek to his chest, he could feel what he needed to do. "You're stiff as hell."

She could feel her neck POP. The look on her face was bewilderment at a surprisingly good feeling.

"The cracking is just gas being released. It’s not your bones."

He crossed her arms over her chest and rolled her up enough to slip his hand underneath her, leaning down over her, “Go like this for me.. breathe in. Just let it go." He groaned in her ear as she POPPED. "Just relax..”

"Oh my god," Cree moaned, losing control. She'd never felt so loose and good. She jumped up so scared she would cum.

"How does that feel? That feel good?"

"You have magic fingers," she moaned before turning around to stare up at him, amazed. As she sat back down, she breathed slowly through her mouth while he felt his way firmly through her body, gripping and grasping and rubbing, turning her temperature way up. Again, she was willing to give it all up to this man.

“Your hip is locked at the side joint."

Under John's instruction, she laid on her stomach and let John do his thing. He pressed on the top of her ass, pulling her leg up behind her to stretch it and see how flexible it was.. for multiple reasons.. He poked under her ass in the cuff while he explained how he was opening her hips. He didn't mention his half-mast wood. Pressing under her ass, he did it over for 2, then again for 3.

He then rolled her hip to the side and pushed her body down hard, and swift. POP.

"UHH," she moaned filter broken by all the release she was feeling throughout her body. "Whew," she blew.

"Sit up for me." He guided her up to her feet where he put Cree in a headlock with her arms over her head.

She loved every second of being in his bicep, which he could tell by her smirk.

“Lean back,” he pulled her up for the ultimate back crack. She groaned with instant relief. “Should make you a lil taller.”

"Oh my god.. John," she chuckled still glowing. She couldn't stop chuckling, her body felt brand new as if she were floating. "I'm gonna sleep good tonight."

"Well that's a long time away.. was hoping we could catch dinner.. go to my place?"

"Dinner," Cree smiled looking into his eyes. "On you. We'll see about the rest," she teased as though she hadn't moaned through their entire session.

Dinner at Christmas turned into dinners and more nights together without sex. Cree found herself sharing company with John again on New Year's. They were at his place telling stories of their childhood. John shared stories of the military, specifically basic training. There was lots of deep belly laughter from both ends, and then Cree mentioned her day.

"I've been moving shit around at work. They know them boxes are too damn heavy."

"Get someone else to do it."

"I should've. I really should've instead of trying to throw my back out after you fixed it."

It was John to break that unspoken barrier between them and reach out as they sat his living room tipsy and still drinking. He sat down his scotch, stood, and gestured for her to stand in front of him. He put his hands on her shoulders, sweeping up to her elegant neck.

"You need to fix your posture too."

"I know, I slouch." She sat her own drink down.

He led her to the wall to show her the proper position, standing straight with her head back and touching her wall would be her practice. He made sure she remembered. She was to practice everyday.

"I will surely try," she agreed. She'd wanted to work on her posture anyway. This was just a push.

He pulled her right shoulder and left leg to twist her body with a loud crunch from her back.

"UHH," she groaned. “That was amazing, ohh, that was smooth, that was so deep." Her laughter was uncontrollable and infectious.

"You like that?" He grinned as he watched her.

The adjustment relieved so much pressure and tension immediately. She felt so free that she started to dance to test the width of motion.

"Have a seat right here," he led her to a chair. She was eager to do whatever he said. "I’m just gonna bring it over here. There it is..," he held onto her head. "Let it fall.. just like that,” he groaned in her ear. "Let it roll toward me, just kinda let it stretch best you can." CRACK. “Wonderful. Good girl."

"That’s the one," Cree moaned, feeling absolutely transformed.

"Good. I got one more for you. Go lay on the bed."

"Huh," she looked back, still walking. She smirked at his serious face as he pointed her forward, grabbing his scotch. He followed her and stood by as she laid across his bed. He took sip and sat the glass back down.

"On your stomach."

"Yes siirrrr," she grinned, ready for anything.

He grabbed her neck and put her leg between his legs to grab her thigh and pull.

"Uh fuck," she gasped, giggling at her own reaction. "Do you ever get turned on working on clients?"

John chuckled. "What you really wanna ask.. is did working on you.. turn me on."

"And the answer is...?"

"I'm a professional," he smirked, watching her small knowing smile. She could probably feel his dick on the back of her thigh at some point.

"Hm," she teased. "Well, you have to be professional, but that’s your job, not mine."

"O-kay," he laughed. "I'm gonna have you breath into these movements, get ready."

"Mm," she moaned.

He went up her dress and took down her panties to her surprise, shifting her to that her ass was up and her torso was flattened.

She helped him by arching, and surely enough, she heard the crinkle of a wrapper being opened and tossed in the nearby small trash can.

"Breath into it," he thrusted inside as she gasped in pleasure.

MERRY CHRISTMASSSSSS 🎄🍾✨️🤣🤪

My gift to you is edging.

@dashhoney25 @lettidarawest @soufcakmistress @ljstraightnochaser @princessstevens @eye-raq @thiccdaddy-mbaku @destinio1 @iamrheaspeaks @hidden-treasures21 @bidibidibombaclaat @forbeautyandlife @blowmymbackout @misspooh @thotyana-in-this-hoe @purplehairgawdess @thegucciwaffle @goddessofthundathighs @nobodybaby93 @theegoldenchild @thadelightfulone @sultanabby @mysticalblackhottie @baekhyunbabybunni @fd-writes @richonne4life @tgigoldie @thehomierobbstark @capswife @blackpinup22 @harleycativy @lishabaybee @playgurlxoxo

Just kidding.

"Breath into it," he thrusted inside as she gasped in pleasure. He slid in deep and paused before sliding back, keeping the head inside of her. He teased all her nerve ending that sat at her entrance, listening as she continued to breathe through it.

His hand slid up her back, and he unzipped the dress seeing skin and the back of her black bra. "May I?"

"Of course."

When he unhooked the prongs, he found impressions in her back that he rubbed like he used to do for his wife.

These new feelings didn't take away from what was.. and what was.. didn't subtract from his new and growing feelings. He lifted Cree into his arms while he peeled her arms from the layers, pulling them over her head and tossing them to the floor. His hands explored the soft skin of her arms, her waist, her stomach. He was enjoying the intimacy of being inside of her.

Cree's hands traveled everywhere his did over her body, and she also felt his strong forearms and hands, moving them to grasp her tits. He did so firmly, then twirling his fingers gently around her areolas, his tongue just under her earlobe. His hands were practiced and broken in, but the way he used them, he was still taking his time to explore.

"Keep your arms straight on the bed," he whispered in her ear. He bent her back over with his hand on the scruff of her neck, and he slid his dick back inside slowly, feeling every bit of her that a condom would allow.

Deep, slow, gentle strokes allowed both John and Cree to lean into it, breathing as one.

He rubbed the skin of her back slowly, down to her ass which was pressed against him. It was sex for the soul, rather than just their bodies.

NOW Merry Christmas!!!!!🎅🏾

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queen-of-writing-bad-things · 3 months

Text

Henry Danger Reader Insert | Captain Man x Reader: SEASON 1

Episode 15: Super Volcano

~The Man Cave~

Ray and (y/n) were sat solemnly at the supercomputer, as Charlotte watched Schwoz make some calculations. The small man was about to explain some horrible news to them all in more detail, but first, they needed Henry to come down in the elevator. The boy screamed on the way down, before stumbling out and into the bright room where his sombre colleagues were waiting.

"Hey, guys, what's the poops?" He said to them in a lighthearted manner, but the look on his bosses' faces made his smile drop.

"We're all gonna die," Ray said to the boy dramatically. He was holding his best friend to his chest, thinking that he only had a few more days to live with her.

"Whaaaat?" Henry asked, the question completely throwing him off.

"You're not gonna die." (y/n) hit his chest lightly, a sad smile on her face, but Ray just clung to her harder, not wanting to waste a single minute.

"You're indestructible." Schwoz reminded him in a serious tone.

"We're all gonna die," Charlotte added in.

"Well, it's still bad for me. Who am I gonna talk to when you're all dead?" The large man cried, the woman in his lap trying to give him some comfort. Who was he gonna have to love when she was gone?

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. What is going on here?" Henry said in bewilderment. He had never seen his boss look so upset, or Schowz without a smile.

"That." The genius said, putting a video of some magma under the Earth's surface on the monitor.

"What is that?" The boy asked, just seeing a load of icky mess on the screen.

"That is a supervolcano, fifty miles below the surface of the earth, right under the town," Ray told him gravely, standing up but still not letting (y/n) go.

"Oh. Hey, you guys think I should get my teeth whitened?" Henry moved offtopic, not understanding the seriousness of the situation.

"Henry!"

"Your teeth?"

"Is this kid serious?"

"Are you crazy?" All his friends protested.

"Two days from now that volcano is going to pop like a big, red-hot throbbing pimple." Schwoz described it to him, making Charlotte grimace at the image.

"Billions of tons of hot lava will spew from the ground and melt everything," Ray said, walking over to the boy with the young woman's hand firmly in his.

"You mean melt all of Swellview?" Henry looked at him with a pale face.

"All of the whole world." The smaller man clarified for him, sending Henry into a panic.

"But I just ordered a new bike online." The teen squeaked.

"Well, when does it get here?" Schwoz asked.

"Next week," Henry replied, swallowing a lump in his throat.

"Oh yeah, no, your bike is screwed." (y/n) said to him sadly as the others shook their heads and she hugged Ray's arm. Two days wasn't enough time to tell him everything she had ever wanted to say to him.

"Oh man, the whole world is going to end? You sure of this?" Henry was starting to feel very nauseous.

"Yes," Schwoz confirmed, going back to the computer.

"Schwoz has been watching the volcano, monitoring the vibrations, doing all the calculations," Ray said, his voice breaking when (y/n) wrapped her arms around his waist. Two days wasn't enough time to do everything he had ever wanted to do with her.

"How much time do we have left?" Charlotte asked the genius. Schwoz hit a button on the control panel, and a countdown appeared on the monitor, showing that there were less than 48 hours to go.

"Just under two days." (y/n) swallowed and put her forehead on her friend's chest. He cradled her head, believing that in less than two days, he was going to lose her forever.

"Oh, oh, jeez. I got to go tell my mom and dad. And my cousins. and everyone!" Henry shouted, running to go warn his family about what was about to happen. Reluctantly, Ray let go of (y/n) so he could run stop him from reentering the elevators. Using his laser control, he used a traction beam on the boy's butt and pulled him back to the group.

"You could've just said, 'Henry, come back.'" The boy said to him, but the man just tucked his controller into his back pocket and pulled his best friend into his arms.

"We can't tell people about the volcano, Henry." (y/n) said in a quiet, sad voice.

"Why?" The boy asked her in confusion.

"So they can spend their last two days living their normal lives," Charlotte explained. The last thing they needed was pandemonium on the streets.

"Right. Enjoying the simple, important things like petting their dogs, and watching television, and going on the internet and expressing strong opinions based on little or no knowledge or information." Ray listed off all the things he could think of.

"I do that," Schwoz admitted.

"Telling girls that you love them?" Henry said back, making Ray go wide-eyed. But the comment went over (y/n)'s head.

"Ooh, Henry, do you like someone?" She smirked at the boy and Ray breathed a sigh of relief.

"Well, if I have only have two days left on this earth, I know what I'm doing," Charlotte said, walking over to the auto-snacker.

"A gallon of ice cream and a spoon." She ordered from the machine.

"She's got the right idea, make that two spoons." (y/n) smiled and walked over to Charlotte.

"A gallon of ice cream and two spoons." The machine produced what they had asked for and the two girls began to dig into the frozen dessert.

"Oh come on guys, you can't spend your last two days on earth just stuffing your faces," Henry said to them, but they didn't care.

"Wanna bet?" (y/n) replied through a mouthful of ice cream.

"Uh, yes, we can." Charlotte agreed with her, so they both walked to the couch to eat their ice cream.

"Dude, you should totally tell (y/n) how you feel," Henry whispered to Ray once the females were out of earshot. Ray looked at him in alarm.

"No! I can't do that!" He snapped, even though he had considered doing just that.

"Why not?" Schwoz butted in, wanting to see Ray man up in his last two days alive.

"Because, she'd reject me and I'd spend the rest of my life in pain and agony, knowing that I ruined my friendship with her." The superhero ranted, but his friends just groaned.

"You don't know that," Henry said, as they all looked at Charlotte and (y/n), who were chatting and eating away.

"You should tell, you-know-who, that you love him." Charlotte leant over and mumbled into (y/n)'s ear. Her cheeks flushed at the thought, but Charlotte just suggestively raised her eyebrows.

"No, no, no, no. Not happening." The older woman said firmly, the idea of confessing to the man made her feel incredibly flustered.

"Come on! It's Ray!" Charlotte tried to hint that he'd say yes without revealing the entire truth since she'd made a promise not to tell the other person how they felt.

"Exactly! It's Ray. Gorgeous, funny, silly Ray! The man I watch day in, day out, dating girl after girl, actress after model. The man I can't have." She said, her face in her hands. Charlotte reached out to hold her hand across the table.

"We're all gonna die in two days anyway, you can tell him and not worry about the consequences.." The dark-haired girl reasoned, and (y/n) thought it over for a second. If it all went wrong, she wouldn't have to hide in another country for the rest of her life. If it went right, she would die happy knowing that he loved her as much as she loved him.

"I'll think about it." She twitched the corner of her mouth into a smile and stirred the melting ice cream. She took another mouthful, letting the icy cold sweetness run down her throat.

"Think about Ray in his Captain Man suit. We all see how you check him out." The girl teased in a sly voice, laughing when the woman shoved more ice cream into her mouth to stop herself from squeaking in embarrassment.

~Later that night, Henry's porch~

"Two days from now that volcano is going to pop." "Billions of tons of hot lava will spew from the ground and melt everything." Schwoz and Ray's voices rang in Henry's head, as he took a moment to appreciate the stars in the night sky. He had propped two bright, orang pillows onto the ground and was just sat there, thinking about how in a few days, everything would be gone.

Jasper came walking up to Henry's door and noticed his best friend sat just outside his house with a drunken expression on his face.

"Hey, Henry." The curly-haired boy greeted.

"You ever look at the stars?" Henry asked him, which weirded Jasper out a bit. What kind of question was that?

"Huh?" The kid looked up like his friend.

"Stars are amazing. Thousands of twinkling little lights shining in the night sky," Henry said wistfully, staring up at the cosmos.

"All right." Jasper didn't know what else to say to the boy's poetic words.

"I love you, man," Henry told him, a smile on his face. He had two days to tell his friends how much he appreciated them, and he was going to let them know even if it killed him.

"Okay, dude." The other boy accepted his comment with a shrug of his shoulders. Boy, Henry was being weird tonight.

"Hey, wanna see a pic of my new bucket?" Jasper moved on, taking out his PearPhone. He sat down next to Henry, who really didn't care about his bucket.

"No, not really." He said through gritted teeth, making Jasper's face fall.

"What do you mean?" He asked Henry, wondering what was wrong with his lovely bucket.

"Nobody cares about your dumb buckets." Henry snapped at him, finally telling him what he had wanted to say for years. His best friend gasped at his rude words.

"What's up with you?" Jasper looked at him in concern. He knew Henry better than anyone, and he had never seen him like this before.

"What?" Henry played coyly since he couldn't tell the other teen about the supervolcano.

"First, you tell me that you love me, then, you scream at me. You're acting like my mom." Jasper told him.

"I don't know, man. It's just, life is short and--" Henry's emotional speech was interrupted when Charlotte approached them. After a long day of being (y/n)'s wingwoman in her struggle to confess to Ray before the world ended, she had been to a greasy takeout shop to buy some burgers.

"Here comes Charlotte." Henry pointed out to his best friend, and they watched as Charlotte slowly walked towards them. She sat down on the bench with a plastic bag full of unhealthy food.

"What's up?" She asked in a tired and depressed voice.

"You went to Inside-Out Burger?" Henry asked, noticing the logo on the bag.

"Yup." She answered simply, opening the box on the first burger.

"Since when do you eat chilli cheeseburgers? I thought you were getting in great shape for that 10k run." Jasper pointed out, remembering how strict the girl had been with her diet and exercise regime.

"I was. Now I'm eating this." Charlotte said before taking a huge bite from the delicious sandwich. She wouldn't be alive to do the run, so she might as well eat as much junk food as possible before she got burnt to a crisp.

"Has (y/n) told Ray yet?" Henry asked her and the girl let out a long groan.

"No, every time he flops his hair or flexes a muscle, she goes all weak-kneed and chickens out," Charlotte told him about the frustration she had gone through with the adults.

"Man, I wish he'd just tell her," Henry grumbled.

"It will take a miracle." The girl said, taking another big bite.

"Can I?" Henry asked, wanting something deep-friend and delicious too.

"Yeah, get in there." Charlotte kicked over the bag, so the boys each took out a burger. They both took a bite and chewed in silence for a moment before Jasper noticed something peculiar.

"These have pickles on them." He pointed out.

"So?" Henry didn't know what he was getting at.

"I thought you both hated pickles." He replied.

"Well, one day Jasper, we may not even be here to love or hate pickles. So while I am here, I'm gonna give pickles a chance." Charlotte snapped at him and bit into her burger.

"Me too," Henry said, also eating his burger. However, the taste of the cucumber made them both gag.

"Okay, pickles are gross," Charlotte said, spitting the little green things back out.

"I can't eat this pickle." Henry agreed, shutting his burger box as Jasper smirked. He knew them better than they did at times.

~Meanwhile, in the Man Cave~

Ray was dressed in some sweatpants and a white t-shirt with a red, sleeveless jacket. He had been waiting for (y/n) to get ready for ages since she had agreed to help him fulfil one of his not-dying wishes. Hers had been to watch the sunset on a beach in Hawaii, but with the amount of time they had left, it wasn't possible. So, she had decided that if she couldn't achieve her final dream, she would help someone else and that someone was Ray.

"Let's get to it, (y/n), we don't have much time." He said, taking a swig of water from his bottle. (y/n) came out from the back of the Man Cave wearing a long-sleeved, black, scoop neck shirt, a flowy red miniskirt, some pale pantyhose and red sneakers. She walked over to him swiftly, adjusting the top so her boobs didn't fly out.

"All right, bossy, I'm here, I'm here. Why's this so important again?" She smiled at him, as he choked on his water at the sight of her décolletage. Her neck looked so soft and delicate and he wondered what it would be like to just bury his face into it.

"I told you. I promised my grandmother that one day I'd learn how to dance the Jitterbug. And in...42 hours, there won't be anybody left on Earth to practice with." He said, reminding himself that he was set to lose her.

Seeing his broken expression, she put a hand on his cheek and stroked his cheekbone with her thumb. She gave him a sad smile, not being able to imagine being the last human on Earth with no friends or family to love.

"We have 42 hours, let's make the most of it." She said to him, putting on a brave face. He glanced over her features, thinking that he could just say it. She was here, for now, breathing and standing in front of him so beautifully, it made his heart soar. His lips parted, his tongue dashing out to wet them, and his vocal cords went to make a sound, but before he could tell her, she pressed the button on the stereo and the lively band music began to play.

He let out a small sigh but didn't let her see his disappointment, so he held out his hand for her to take and they began to dance.

"And, five, six, seven, eight." They moved their feet in time to the music, their chemistry making it so much more intimate and fun. He twirled her around and then they backed up and clapped their hands. Ray grinned at her as they shuffled around the Man Cave, (y/n) giggling as she kicked her legs out. With one final lift into the air, the dance came to an end and the woman fell into her partner's arm.

She looked up at him and dragged her eyes down from his crow's feet to the faint scar on his cheek to his pale, pink lips. It was like he had been sculptured by Greek Gods, and she was the mortal who was blessed to have him in front of her. She returned the hug he pulled her into, thinking that she could just say it.

"Grandma Manchester will be happy that I can dance now." His voice was muffled in her hair, but she heard him all the same.

"And she'll be happy that you're a natural." (y/n) teased him, running her hand through the back of his hair.

"I had a great partner." He mumbled back and she felt content to just hold him for now. 'A silly confession would just ruin the mood.' She told herself, swallowing down the words that threatened to erupt from her throat.

~The next day, Swellview High~

"Buy a fruit bar." Oliver Pook said to Mitch Bilsky and his horrible friends, offering the box to the boys. Mitch Bilsky was a bully, so when he saw the boy selling the bars, he couldn't help but choose him as his next victim.

"Uhhh, yeah. I'll take a fruit bar." He said to the boy, picking up one of them and throwing it across the hall. Oliver being Oliver, didn't get that he was being bullied and acted like he was another normal customer.

"That'll be two dollars." He deadpanned to the laughing boy.

"You know what, I think I'll take two more of your fruit bars." He threw two more bars, which landed close to the steps that Henry and Charlotte were walking down.

"I take cash or checks," Oliver said, making Mitch and his friends laugh mockingly.

"I'm going over there," Henry said to Charlotte, wanting to be the person who would finally stand up to the bully.

"No. You don't wanna mess with Mitch Bilsky. He's big and crazy." Charlotte warned him, grabbing his arm to stop him from going up to the larger boy. Henry was puny in comparison and he would surely be squished like a bug.

"But he's picking on Oliver." He stated, seeing the way the boys jeered.

"So? Oliver doesn't even realise it." The girl pointed out, looking over at Mitch who was now stacking the fruit bars on Oliver's head.

"Look, we only have 28 hours left before that volcano destroys the whole world on Friday," Henry said to her.

"I know, but--" Charlotte tried to get him to back down, but Henry was too determined.

"I'm not holding anything back anymore. I told Jasper I don't like buckets, I ate five chilli cheeseburgers after dinner last night, and now, I'm going to stand up to the biggest jerk in school. I fear no man." Henry said, feeling pumped.

He turned around and walked over to the bullies.

"Hey, Mitch! I think you dropped this." Henry yelled at the large kid and threw the fruit bar back in his face. The surrounding kids gasped at his actions, knowing that Mitch was gonna beat his ass.

"Okay, Hart. Now...you and me are gonna fight." Mitch seethed at Henry, lifting the boy off his feet and into the air by his hoodie.

"You know, you really should get your teeth whitened." Henry insulted him, not showing any fear.

"If you guys fight here, you're going to be surrounded by teachers in five seconds." Charlotte jumped in, seeing that Henry was way out of his depth. The crowd agreed with her.

"It's true." The boy said to Mitch.

"Monday, after school in the parking lot behind that Jewish church." The bully spat in his face, but Henry furrowed his brows at his words.

"They're called Synagogues. IDIOT!" He berated.

"Whatever, Monday after school behind the Cinderdog." Mitch's pronunciation made Henry giggle.

"Monday? Yeah, sure, dude. Let's fight on Monday. Sounds good." The boy said, knowing that Monday would be too late. Mitch dropped him to the floor, and walked out with his posse, as Oliver continued to shout about his fruit bars.

~Later that day~

Oliver Pook walked up behind Henry, who was busy looking in his locker.

"Hey, Henry." He said, spooking Henry and causing him to drop his books.

"What's up, man?" Henry smiled at him, wondering what the boy wanted.

"You wanted to come ice fishing with me a week from Saturday?" He asked the boy, who sighed at the idea of sitting in the cold with the weird teen.

"Oliver, every month you ask me if I want to go ice fishing with you. And what do I say every time?" He put to the boy.

"When I ask in person you say no. When I text you, you just pretend you never got the text." He deadpanned.

"Exactly. Now, guess what?"Henry said in an uplifting tone.

"What?"

"I'd love to go ice fishing with you a week from Saturday," Henry told Oliver, shocking the boy and Charlotte, who had been listening in from her locker.

"Seriously?" Oliver couldn't believe it.

"Yep." Henry smiled when he saw how happy he had made the other teen.

"Henry Hart, you make me happy." Oliver gave him an awkward hug, before running off.

"Ice fishing with Oliver?" Charlotte asked, walking up to her blond friend. She couldn't believe he'd agreed to put himself through that.

"A week from Saturday, the world won't even be here." He said with a sigh.

"Yeah, I know." The girl said dejectedly and took a bite of whatever she was eating.

"What are you eating?" Henry asked her.

"A stick of butter with sprinkles on it." She told him, and Henry pulled a disgusted/confused face.

"Why?"

"Why not?" Charlotte retorted, before glancing over his shoulder.

"Hey, hey, there's Bianca. Go tell her you like her." Charlotte said, spying the pretty girl near the doors.

"What's the point? None of us are gonna exist after tomorrow." Henry sulked.

"Yeah, but if you tell her, maybe you'll get to kiss her before, you know..." Charlotte imitated the sound of an explosion and her words were enough to convince Henry to walk over to the brunette.

"Hey, Bianca!" He called out to her.

"Oh, hi, Henry." She said to him sweetly.

"I like you. And I don't just mean 'I like you, I mean, I like you, like you.'" Henry came straight out with it. He could teach Ray a few things.

"Cool, anything else?" Bianca asked him, her cheeks turning rosy.

"Nah. Yes. I would like to kiss you if you're down for that." He said in a loud voice, drawing some looks.

"With everyone watching?" The girl looked around sheepishly.

"Yeah. Let's show them how it's done, son." He joked, so Bianca stepped forward and pecked him on the lips. Everyone watching started to clap, as Henry walked back over to Charlotte with a huge grin on his face.

"How do you feel?" The dark-haired girl smirked at him.

"Feel good," Henry said, swaggering to his next class.

~The Man Cave~

Down in the hideout, (y/n) and Charlotte were eating the white cream from the middle of Oreos and then discarding the chocolate cookie. Hey, they were set to die tomorrow, they were gonna spend their last few hours living dangerously. Between them, they had gotten through six packets of the sweet treats whilst they waited for Henry and Ray to return from their outing.

The tubes came down, and the tired superhero duo came plodding into the Man Cave. (y/n) gave them a tired smile, as they walked over to the couch.

"Where you guys been?" Charlotte asked in confusion. They were wearing their super suits, but there had been no emergency call.

"In the Man-Copter." Henry sighed.

"Flying over Swellview, looking around," Ray said, moving towards where (y/n) was sat, and leaned on the back of the couch behind her.

"One last time," Henry mumbled, as (y/n) turned around and draped her arms around Ray as he rested his head and hands on the sofa.

"Nice." The girl said, licking more filling from an Oreo.

"Yeah, I guess."

"Eh." The two grumbled simultaneously. Henry gave Charlotte a pointed look and gestured to the two sulking adults, so the girl kicked (y/n) under the table as Henry poked Ray's back. Each adult looked to a kid and saw them gesturing to the opposite person, hinting that they should admit their feelings.

Ray shook his head quickly, looking at the boy with an agitated face. (y/n), on the other hand, was thinking about it, hard. From where she was sat, she could see the countdown ticking away on the supercomputer and used the stress it gave her to boost her courage.

"R-Ray?" She stuttered, her cheeks feeling red hot and her heart racing like a horse.

"What?" The man didn't look up from his slouch position, and the fact that she couldn't see his face made it a little easier for her.

"I need to tell you something." She screwed her eyes tight and dug her fingernails into her palms so hard she thought she'd draw blood. Henry and Charlotte looked at each other with wide, hopeful eyes, waiting with bated breath for her to say the three magic words.

"Yeah?" The man still didn't look to see how wound up she was, so she gritted her teeth and forced herself to speak.

"I--" To their horror, she was cut off as the elevator came down and Schwoz walked into the Man Cave, wearing a gym outfit and holding a piece of paper.

"Hey, peoples, look it. I got membership to Muscle Works." The little man showed them the contract, as Henry and Charlotte held back screams. (y/n) however, was relieved at the intrusion, feeling like she had been saved by a higher power.

"You joined a gym?" She said to him in an unusually happy voice, wafting her face with her hand to cool down her flushed complexion.

"Yeah, I paid for five years upfront, which got me two percent off and this tank top," Schwoz explained the crappy deal he got, confusing the others.

"No, no, Schwoz, why did you pay for a membership when you know the world is going to end tomorrow?" Henry asked in a miffed voice, still feeling irritated that (y/n) had been stopped from confessing to Ray. Now, she'd never tell him, it took the threat of a volcano to force her hand, for Pete's sake!

"Yeah, why?" Ray, (y/n) and Charlotte asked together in bafflement.

"You guys didn't get my text?" Schwoz said slowly.

"What text?" Henry and Ray felt like he was about to say something stupid.

"Well, you know how I figured out that the supervolcano go kaboom tomorrow?" The genius said to them.

"Yeah, you stressed that point numerous times." (y/n) said, a tight smile on her face. She had a feeling that she knew what Schwoz was going to say next.

"It's not going to happen tomorrow." The man said, shocking them into silence.

"Then when?" Henry piped up.

"In about 17 million years. I swear I sent you a text." Schwoz said, walking off when he got bored of them looking like goldfish.

The four of them burst into cheers, Ray giving (y/n) a big bear hug. She let go reluctantly but was swept up into another hug with Charlotte, as Henry switched on some disco light and music.

"We gonna live. Ha!" They all chanted as they danced around. (y/n) leapt onto Ray's back and he span her around, Henry and Charlotte watching them with smiles on their faces. Henry whispered into Charlotte's ear, who smirked at the sound of his plan.

"Hey (y/n/n), do you want to grab some ice cream?" Charlotte smiled at the woman, who climbed off of Ray and walked over to the auto-snacker.

"Sure, what flavour?" (y/n) asked, but Charlotte needed her to be distracted, so she ran over with intention of stalling her.

"Uhhhh, let me have a look at them." She replied, and started scrolling through every combination logged in the system.

"Pssst, Ray, I have an idea," Henry whispered to Ray, bringing him over to the couch. He took the man's laser remote and set the large TV monitor to come down from the ceiling.

"Kid, what are you doing?" Ray asked, looking confused at the setup. Henry made the couch table go down and ran to the back of the Man Cave where (y/n) stored some scatter cushions in a box. He threw them at Ray, who caught them in confusion. The teen glanced at the two females on the other side of the room and saw that Charlotte was doing a good job of keeping her busy.

"Pillows? Henry, what is going on?" Ray said in a hushed tone, getting the idea that Charlotte was distracting his best friend, but he had no idea what his sidekick had planned.

"Y'know how (y/n)'s always wanted to watch the sunset in Hawaii?" Henry smiled at him as he fluffed the cushions and spread out a blanket.

"Yeah?" The superhero was beginning to see what he was getting at, and he remembered how (y/n) had described her fantasy to him down to the tiniest detail.

"Well, you're bringing Hawaii to her. Charlotte's on Piña Coladas and ice cream, and we're getting the 'beach' ready." Ray grinned at how sweet Henry was and he ruffled his hair.

"Wait, what do you mean I'm bringing it to her?" Ray stopped and thought about the boy's words.

"She can't watch it alone, dude." Henry grinned and signalled Charlotte to bring the woman in question over.

"Henry, I can't sit---" Ray was cut off as (y/n) turned away from the machine and gasped. The lights dimmed and she saw the couch had been made all cosy.

"What's happening?" She said, walking over to the TV area with two bowls of vanilla ice cream. Now she understood why Charlotte insisted on looking at every topping the snack-machine had.

"We can't go to Hawaii, so I'm bringing Hawaii to you." Ray quickly went along with the plan and gestured to all the things Henry had quickly set up.

Of course, the real Hawaii would have been so much better to anyone else, with a real sandy beach and the crystal blue sea lapping away gently, but then again, Hawaii wouldn't have meant anything without Ray.

"You did all this for me?" She questioned him, her eyes sparkling with tears as she took in the scene. Henry played the video of a Hawaiin sunset on the TV and Charlotte set down the Piña Coladas. Backing away slowly, they left silently in the elevator, high-fiving when they started moving.

"The kids helped a bit," Ray confessed, looking down at his feet. (y/n) raised her hand and peeled the mask off his face so she could read all his facial expressions.

"My very own beach." She smiled, sitting down and pulling the blanket over her lap. Ray joined her, passing her a drink and placing the ice cream bowl in front of her. She rested her head on his shoulder and gazed at the video on the screen, imagining that they could be looking at a real sunset like this, with matching rings on their fingers.

"What did you want to tell me earlier?" Ray broke her out of the daydream, and she said the first thing that came to her mind.

"Doesn't matter." She immediately felt regret for the first time since she fell in love with him, because for the first time, she wanted to tell him. She had reacted on instinct, having acted the same way for so long now that her mind was disconnected from her heart.

Ray said nothing, eating another mouthful of ice cream. Like her, he dreamed of taking her to Hawaii and standing on a beach just like the one onscreen. She would float towards him wearing white and they would promise to love each other forever with a sealing kiss.

'Maybe in another life.' They thought together, believing that they were worlds apart when in reality, they had never been closer.

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