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songbirdsingingthings · 3 years

Text

Midnight Revelations - Katsuki Bakugou x Reader

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of these characters, they belong to Kohei Horikoshi

MHA Masterlist - Main Masterlist

WARNINGS: Fluff, Swearing (It’s Bakugou, so, that’s kinda a given)

Requested by @luluwiie :

Given your gift for writing, I'm honestly utterly surprised your box is not already full :o but this is my chance ! Kuhuhu * robbing hands *

May I request a Todoroki or Bakugo one shot (Just choose whether you feel more inspired with one, another or both) where they are just sharing some moments with reader, and like, they enjoy their time with Reader and when they come back to their dorms, alone in their bedroom, they just realize how much they care for Reader? Like, more than their close friend and partner in crimes ? Like, more in a pining way? I just love emotional epiphanies 😳❤

Tysm if you do this ! CANT WAIT TO READ YOU MORE ❤❤

- Luluv

A/N: YOU’RE LITERALLY THE SWEETEST ❤❤❤. I had a lot of fun writing this one since Bakugou is such an interesting character, so I hope you enjoy!! (Also, the song “True Love” by P!NK was playing nonstop in my head while writing this.)

Word Count: 1.9K

If it was within his control, Katsuki Bakugou would be fast asleep in his own bed by now. It made sense to him - the sky was completely dark making the stars clearly visible and it was already past 10:30 p.m., so why on earth was he awake? The short and simplest answer yielded the same result; you. How you had wedged yourself in between him and his strict sleep schedule, Bakugou had no idea, so here he was, sat with a grimace on his face as you tried to work out the last math problem on the long homework sheet Ectoplasm had assigned.

“Wait, so when it’s a hyperbola, it’s a²- b² = c²?” You ask, glancing in between the blonde-haired boy sat next to you and the sheet full of conic section equations. Bakugou just looked at you with a mixture of a tired and dumbfounded expression.

“No, idiot, it’s a²+ b² = c² because the standard form uses subtraction. It’s the other way around for ellipses.” He explains gruffly, taking your mechanical pencil and writing down the equation roughly. However, due to the sheer force of his hand on the poor little pencil, the led snapped off. You laughed a little at the outburst that followed shortly after.

“Bakugou, don’t press so hard, the lead is thinner.” You say, taking the pencil from his hand gingerly. He simply scoffs in return.

“Yeah, well, normal pencils don’t do that. Get better ones next time.” He hurumphs, leaning back in his chair and letting his head hang off the back. He remains like this for a few minutes while you scribble down the rest of your equations, ultimately coming to a solution.

“Okay, I think I got it! Is it… (y+5)²/9 - (x - 4)²/25?” With a hesitant voice and a hopeful expression, you push the homework sheet in front of Bakugou to hopefully gain his approval. You wince as he scans your work carefully, raising his eyebrows on certain occasions. Finally, he sets the paper down and slides it back over to you. “Well?” You ask, a little exasperated.

“Yeah, that’s the correct answer.” With a sigh of relief you slumped back into your chair with a smile on your face. However, that only lasted for a few seconds. “Wait, then what the hell were those facial expressions when you were looking at it?” You ask, taking the math sheet and putting it in a folder that was then shoved into your school bag.

“Your handwriting is shit.” Is all Bakugou had to say as he stood up and stretched his arms out. You roll your eyes and glance at the clock.

“Damn, it’s already 11:15.” You murmur, letting one of your hands card through your hair, massaging your head and releasing the tension that was built up by doing several pages of pre-calc. “Thanks, by the way. You didn’t need to stay this late to help me out, so I really appreciate it.” You say, expressing your gratitude to the blonde. Bakugou rubs his eyes before slinging his bag over his shoulder, letting his blazer stay unbuttoned and his tie loose around his neck. You had to admit, his somewhat disheveled look did look quite attractive on him, but if you told him that he would either never let you hear the end of it or get pissed off for commenting on his fashion. He already got enough of that from his parents, apparently.

“Yeah, I didn’t, and now thanks to you I’m gonna be tired as hell in the morning.” He complains, opening the door to your dorm to exit.

“You know, a cold compress does wonders for eyebags.” You say, a mischievous grin on your face. He narrows his eyes and flips you off. “I enjoyed spending time with you too, Bakugou!” And with that, the door to your dorm was closed.

Katsuki felt like a zombie by the time he got to his own dorm. He didn’t even bother putting his school bag on his desk or arranging his shoes by the door like he usually does. Instead, he just let the brown shoulder bag slump onto the floor as he fumbled to get his shoes off. Why the hell had you made him stay for so long? He finished all of his homework hours before you did, and still, he had to remain stationed at that wooden low table as he had to keep himself busy while you plugged away at your own work. After about an hour, looking through his phone got incredibly boring so he moved on to looking around your room, taking in all of the things that made it up. Of course, he wasn’t doing this to try to get to know you more, he already knew all he needed to… right? But as his eyes raked over the photos and decor of your room, the more glimpses he got into your personal life, so he stopped immediately.

Bakugou did make an effort to change his clothes. Peeling his blazer from his arms and hanging it up haphazardly in his closet along with his white button up. He tugged on a random black shirt and swapped his uniform pants for pajama ones and finally, finally, clambered into his bed. And, although he tried hard to make his brain shut off and just let him enter a dreamless sleep, his mind began to wander. He blamed his delirious nature for letting his neurons take him from place to place, situation to situation, until they finally projected an image of you into his head. It was a simple display of you and a recent one, too. Just Y/N L/N, sat at the little wooden table with her head perched on one of her hands with a stupid mechanical pencil in her hand. Did her hair always kind of frame her face like that? He wondered, scrunching his closed eyes. It didn’t look as horrible today, he supposed. Bakugou let his eyes flutter open, only to see that his digital clock read a clear 12:04 a.m. in electric red. He sighed and let his gaze fall on the ceiling right above him. Why was he thinking of you this late in the evening? And, to his surprise, he realized that he felt much more at home in your dorm room than he did right now, in his own space.

“What the hell…” He muttered, turning on his bedside lamp. His room was shed in a soft light, illuminating only the nearest furniture and himself. If he wasn’t able to go asleep, he sure as hell wouldn’t let this time go to waste. Picking up the book on his shelf that he was most recently into, he flipped through the pages to find his place and started reading again. He would never admit it, but Pride and Prejudice was turning out to be a much better read than expected. Bakugou found the main heroine to be much more likeable than any others he had read about. Her charisma and wit satisfied him where other characters were lacking, and the way she refused to be phased by an arrogant and sometimes brash guy who pushed her buttons constantly… He let the book fall to the ground without so much of a care as realizations flooded his brain. You put up with him. Whenever he was acting rude or was teasing you without relent, you would just simply roll your eyes and fire back. He put up with you, too. All your unreasonable habits, like staying up way too late, he was still by your side. Why?

“I…” Katsuki forced himself to look into the mirror. He saw his reflection to be way out of the norm. His eyes were wide, his posture was perfect, and his cheeks were red. “I like her.” He let the words flow freely from his mouth. With one more glance to the clock by his bedside, he grabbed a hoodie and shoved his head through it while opening his door and heading straight to yours. He knew from all of the prior knowledge on you stored in his brain and the light that shown beneath your door that you were, in fact, still awake. With three soft knocks, your door swung open to reveal you. Clad in soft looking pajama shorts and a flimsy top, your hair was a mess and your eyes were drooping. Bakugou never thought you could look so beautiful.

“Bakugou, it’s way past your bedtime.” You quip, your voice mimicking a doting parent. Bakugou shoved his way past you into your room and began to lightly pace. Your once joking smile fell into a confused frown, your eyes starting to swim with concern. “Seriously, Katsuki, what’s up? You’ve never stayed up this late except for that one time I insisted you did because a once in a lifetime meteor shower was on full display. I mean, you complained about it of course, but I knew you actually liked it because your eyes-”

“Just, shut it!” The blonde finally says. You pull back slightly, surprised at his words. “You write your twos and sevens weird, some of your habits tend to be unproductive, and sometimes I just can not stand you, but I like you.” The two of you are silent for a moment before you take a step towards him.

“You have feelings for me?” You ask, your voice soft like velvet and your eyes twinkling. Despite all of his reservations, his hard exterior and the sneer he always wore melted.

“Yeah, sure, whatever.” You shook your head and took another step forward.

“Don’t answer it like you're confirming that I correctly solved a math problem. Answer it like you love me.” Bakugou’s cheeks flamed at your sudden confidence, but he took a step forward so that your bodies were almost touching.

“I love you Y/N.” And with that, a wide grin spread across your face. Your arms wrapped themselves around the blonde’s neck and you leaned into him, your lips meeting his in a searing kiss. It was slow in pace but fierce in passion as he grew more comfortable, wrapping his arms around your waist and pressing you closer so that you were flush against his chest. Breathless and red in the face, Bakugou finally pulls back to see your ecstatic face. “Oi, what’s with the face?” He says, flustered.

“Nothing,” you say, going into your bathroom with a little towelette. He raises his eyebrows. “I told you before, a cold compress works wonders for the inevitable eye bags that you will have in the morning, and this is the perfect size.” He huffs in amusement and plucks the towelette from your hands. “Plus, you’ll have to return it to me. It gives you another excuse to hang out with me.” Bakugou finally earns a little confidence and his trademarked smirk spreads across his face.

“I don’t need an excuse to hang out with you. You’ll need my help again on the homework.”

“Always the charmer,” you quip, walking with him so that he was standing in the hallway and you in the doorway. “See ya tomorrow,” you smile, pecking him on the lips.

“See ya, Y/N.” His blush was still prevalent, but his eyebrows narrowed and a scowl replaced the smirk. “And throw out those mechanical pencils, they’re absolute shit.”

“Anything for you, Lover!” You joke, closing the door. Lover, he thinks. He can get used to a nickname like that.

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johns-prince · 3 years

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(fem!Paul au idea) the mclennon children time travel to 1959 and meets their parents when they were teenagers

I shared this ask with my writing partner and this is what we came up with for your little scenario. The version my rp-partner @apollyodon and I did ended up omgaverse, hope that’s alright. It’s in this format because we write in discord and also I don’t think it’s enough to format and work into like, a mini ficlet or what have you.

Their kids, Julia, Paris, and Mary are still relatively young when they’re sent back to meet their parents. I want to say here Paris and Julia are around 13/14, while Mary is about 6 or 7.

Hope you still like it though! Sorry it took forever to get to it. I think it’s cute and silly.

A - Apollyodon

J-P - Johns-prince

A: Cor, all I can imagine is Oh god, they're just as sappy!

J-P: Personally I think it'd be a bit funny, seeing your parents not much older then you. Yup, sappy and gross and dad is so disgusting why does mum like him--

And while their parents shouldn't be let in on that they're their kids, if John and Paul did get to know, John would instantly go pale and just, slowly count each head.

Three is a lot, because at that time John didn't exactly think he'd have kids. Especially with Paul. You have pretty low standards Paul if you decided to have pups with me--

A: Not like John can talk like that about himself for very long. There's always the threat of a twisted ear.

J-P: Turns out their ma had always been twisting their dad's ear.

And being called mum and da.

A: John would feel uncomfortable and while it's a little weird for Paul, he'd take to it easier than John would.

J-P: It'd be very weird.

Best is when one of them say they never really believed their parents to be sort of cool looking.

You two are huge dorks now, don't really dress like this... At all... Unless it's like, Halloween.

A: John and Paul looking at each other like... oh dear god, don't tell us we became squares.

J-P: Mary would be the only one wanting to be nice while the other two are like yeah uh huh huge squares.

A: Mary fussing at them for it. Stop it, you two. Ok but them advising against the... questionable fashion choices. Anything that prevents John from going with those fuckin mutton chops is a good thing.

J-P: OH MY GOD Because they've seen the photos. Julia even remembers some as a pup. John goes beat red, Paul trying not to laugh because Did you say mutton chops? And one of them is like yeah and ma- Paul, you went through this weird period of having this pornstar moustache--

Probably Julia says since it happened in the mid 70s, either before or after Mary was born.

A: And let us not forget blond Paul...

J-P: Julia is merciless

A: Now it's Paul's turn to go beet red.

J-P: John has to HA! But also wtf Paul you went blonde??? But I love your black hair, it's beautiful what--

A: If I wanted a blond, I woulda gone with one!

Cor, John isn't out of the woods quite yet. Needs to have more balance with the facial hair. Anything to avoid looking like an Amish man that just wandered onto set and is playing it cool til he can leave.

J-P: John just wants to go hide under covers or something what!!??? Just the image that conjures up... Also why would you want to cover up your face like that John??

A: Like to be able to kiss ya and not get a mouthful of hair.

J-P: But also Paris and Julia bringing up that it'd be nice if they'd not be so, lovey dove-y when in front of them.. Can't even bring my friends over without the fear of you two getting all kissy when they're around or even WORSE--

A: Ok... that's the ONE thing they refuse to be mortified by or compromise on. Sorry kids, that's not within our control.

J-P: What'd ya mean it's out of your control! It's so embarrassing! And Mary, bless her, speaks up and says it's not that bad, just mommy an’ daddy love each other.

Literally though if Paris or Julia tell Mary to zip it or even shut up, John's straightening up and just Hey! Don't you talk to your sister like that! And he's even wagging a finger and then he realizes and he's just that, that didn't sound like me.

Julia muttering that it sounded exactly like him.

A: And Paul is amused to tears over that but also expresses disapproval at them talking to Mary like that, since she's the youngest and what she said wasn't deserving of it.

J-P: Cor when her oldest siblings get in trouble, even by their yet to be parents of the 50s, Mary can't help but stick her tongue out and look rather pleased. See, even still mom an’ dad want you being nicer to me!

A: And John and Paul were being serious about the affection thing. They just... it just happens without them really noticing.

J-P: Like even then, if they're just, standing unnecessarily close, or John throws an arm around Paul's shoulders, or their hands brush. It just happens. They doubt it'll change, even when they're... Well, married, with kids. Though the kids seeing the fact the two had marked each other then, like, you two have been together for that long??

Possibly longer, since it is '59

A: Yup. They wouldn't notice right away but then happen to look and spot the marks, nice and clear on both their throats.

J-P: Exactly where they will be, years and years from now. They learned that their parents met when they were teens, along with their uncle's, but they didn't know they'd marked each other then. Aren't they a bit young???

A: ... That is a real dumb question to ask because all it does is make these two disgustingly sappy again. I mean nose rubs and everything

J-P: Mary is all aww while Paris and Julia are literally like oh God no no! Turn it off! It burns! It burns!!! Over exaggerated gagging and the likes.

A: Paul and John firmly ignore them, they keep right on doing it.

#mclennon #au: omegaverse #mclennon au #mclennon fankids

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sebastianshaw · 4 years

Conversation

RP meme from "Clerks"

Man goes into cage. Cage goes into salsa. Shark's in the salsa. Our shark.

Bunch of savages in this town

There's a million fine looking girls in the world. But they don't all bring you lasagna to work. Most of them just cheat on you.

What do you mean there's no ice? You mean I gotta drink this coffee hot?

Ooh! Navy seals!

Do you have that one with that guy who was in that movie that came out last year?

That's beautiful, man

There's nothing more exhilarating than pointing out the shortcomings of others, is there?

This job would be great if it wasn't for the fucking customers.

Yeah. [NAME], your a rude motherfucker, you know that? But you're cute as hell. I could go down on you, suck you, line up three other guys, make like a circus seal.

That's what life is, a series of down endings.

All 'Jedi' had was a bunch of Muppets.

My mom's been fuckin' a dead guy for 30 years. I call him dad.

They say so much, but they never tell you if it's any good.

I don't watch movies

Well, have you heard anything about either one of them?

I find it's best to stay out of other people's affairs.

I don't appreciate your ruse

Hey! You're not allowed to [THING] here anymore!

My love for you is like a truck, BERZERKER! Would you like some making fuck, BERZERKER!

Are there any balls down there?

I'm gonna fuck this bitch, I'll fuck this bitch, I'll fuck ANYTHING THAT MOVES!

Yo, what the fuck you lookin' at? I'll kick your fuckin' ass! Shit yeah.

Doesn't that mother fucker owe me 10 bucks?

You know, fuckin' tonight, we're gonna rip off this fucker's head, and tear out his fuckin' soul.

I'm gonna shit in the motherfucker's bag

What's up sluts?

Noinch, Noinch, Noinch, Schmokin Weed, Schmokin' Weed, Doin' Coke, Drinkin' Beers...

I had some girlfriends too, but all they wanted from me is weed and shit.

What's a good plate with nothing on it?

I don't care if she's my cousin or not, I'm gonna knock those boots again tonight.

Hey what you want, Grizzly Adams?

Someone jammed gum in the locks.

A woman makes a guy cum, it's standard. A guy makes a woman cum, it's talent.

You'll sleep with anything that says 'yes.'

My girlfriend sucked 37 dicks!

Shocking abuse of authority.

I'm a firm believer in the philosophy of a ruling class. Especially since I rule.

People say crazy shit during sex. One time I called this girl "mom."

She broke your heart and inadvertently drove men to deviant lifestyles.

That's what high school was about. Algebra, bad lunch, and infidelity.

He said he has to find the perfect dozen.

Why doesn't he mix and match?

He said it was important to have standards, and he says nobody has any pride anymore.

It's not like you laid the eggs yourself.

That seems to be the late motif in your life, ever backing down.

You always back down. You assume blame that's not yours. You come in on your day off. You buckle like a belt.

Insubordination rules.

How did you get here so fast?

Do you always talk this weird after you violate a woman?

He just sat there and let me do all the work.

We didn't just have sex in the bathroom?

Well I didn't just fuck myself!

Who the fuck's in our bathroom?

You sucked that guy's dick?

How many?! How many dicks have you sucked?!

Why couldn't you sleep with them like any other decent person?

Don't look at me like I'm the town whore, because you were plenty busy yourself before you met me!

I only had sex with the guys I loved

Try not to suck any dick on the way through the parking lot!

That article's accurate

Something just never sat right with me the second time around.

I'll bet they brought independent contractors in on that thing

They'd hire anybody who could do the job

Casualties of a war they had nothing to do with

Along come these left-wing militants that blast everything with their lasers

I'm a contractor myself

A [PROFESSION]'s personal politics come into play heavily when choosing jobs

I'm alive because I knew the risks involved in that particular client

Could never put my finger on it but something just wasn't right.

You knocked the casket over!

Her fucking body fell out!

He broke his neck trying to suck his own dick

Come on, haven't you ever tried to suck your own dick?

You're as curious as the rest of us

I guess everyone gets curious and tries it sometime

You haven't said anything for like twenty minutes.

My life is in the shitter right about now, so if you don't mind, I'd like to stew a bit.

You should shit or get off the pot.

You'll sit there and blame life for dealing a cruddy

hand, never once accepting the responsibility for the way your situation is.

If you hate this job and the people, and the fact that you

have to come in on your day off, then quit.

There are other jobs, and they pay better money. You're bound to be qualified for at least one of them.

This is a life of convenience for you, and any attempt to change it would shatter the pathetic microcosm you've fashioned for yourself.

I'm satisfied with my situation for now.

Melodrama coming from you seems about as natural as an oral bowel movement.

I can't make changes like that in my life.

I'm not the kind of person that disrupts things in order to

shit comfortably.

Women as lovers are basically the same, they just have to be there

Making a male climax isn't at all challenging. Insert somewhere close, preferably moist. Thrust. Repeat.

What an embarrassing way to die.

Title does not dictate behavior

I think the idea or the conception of us dating is a lot more idyllic then what actually happens when we date.

You want to blame somebody? Blame yourself.

I'm stuck in this pit, working for less than slave wages. Working on my day off, the goddamn steel shutters are closed, I deal with every backward ass fuck on the planet. I smell like shoe polish. My ex-girlfriend is catatonic after fucking a dead guy. And my present girlfriend has sucked 36 dicks.

Oh, hey [NAME], break his heart again this time, and I'll kill ya

Such a sordid state of affairs.

I'm not even supposed to be here today!

#rp meme #roleplay meme #clerks meme #rp starters #my meme #my memes #rp memes #roleplay starters #clerks #okay to reblog

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taeken-my-heart · 5 years

Text

Independent {f} Chapter 15

Summary: Your mom calls you stubborn, your friends call you wild, and the boys you’ve left in your wake call you a frigid bitch. You’ve built a life of independence and you like it that way. Kim Taehyung, however; seems to be able to change your mind.

Pairing: Taehyung x ReaderGenre: fluff, mild angst

Word Count: 5152

Warnings: Ongoing themes of death. Her father is always mentioned briefly.

**There is a read more linked but it doesn’t seem to be working and I don’t know what to do about it. I’m sorry! TT

~~~~~

~ 2 months later ~

March brought with it weather that was warm enough to allow for apple blossoms to bloom and an improved attitude in the general population. There was a tendency during the dead of winter to let the gloom of the skies seep into your skin, but with spring there was a new beginning.

It was a Thursday, and as such, you didn’t have your first class until 1pm so you’d slipped on your boots and a jacket over your sweater before grabbing your camera bag and heading out the door. With flowers blooming, there was new opportunity to add to your growing portfolio so you moved away from campus and towards the park. The edges of the lake were surrounded by vibrant cherry blossoms and violet larkspur. The ice had melted from the water leaving it crystal clear and inviting.

You’d purchased a new tripod only a few days ago and were anxious to give it a try. Your mom and Paul had been kind enough to give you some money to purchase a nice one, otherwise you would have had to make do with the $10 one you’d bought off Amazon 3 three years ago that had honestly seen better days.

There was a lot more sun to accompany the new warmth of the season and it made for incredibly beautiful pictures. You found a spot overlooking a small creek, setting up your tripod amongst a crop of trees and trying to decide what angle you were wanting to take. You knew that with spring came not only new blooming flowers, but new litters of animals and this park was always prone to an abundance of rabbits.

While some people thought they were a nuisance, that was mostly in areas with homes where they would nibble and ruin the gardens. In this park, they were absolutely lovely and you were really hoping to get some good pictures, if you could spot any. They were a beautiful part of nature and you really loved highlighting that sort of thing. It wasn’t the level of excitement that a fashion show in Paris could bring, but for you it was just as good.

The sunlight was perfect this time of morning. High enough to wake the world, but not so high that the trees couldn’t block it out with their tops. It cast a beautiful shadow over the ground and you peered through your camera’s viewfinder to decide where you wanted to aim first.

This park was wonderful in that it was large and brought up the rear of a forest on the outskirts of campus. It was home to a lot of wild life and in the edges of the trees you spotted a doe and her fawn.

You smiled, setting your camera onto your new tripod and focusing the lens towards the mother and her baby. Two doe eyes, captured in the memory of your camera for your viewing pleasure. You pulled your gaze away from the viewfinder, glancing down into the display at the image that awaited you.

~~~~~

Most of the morning was spent exploring the forest. The winter made a habit of separating man and nature from one another and you’d spent far too much time trapped indoors and not nearly enough outside exploring what the world had to offer you and your camera. This semester so far was helping you to remedy that fact.

You had more time on your hands and in an effort to get over Taehyung, you’d become more inclined to spend time doing your favorite thing. It had been healing in all the best ways and it had also given you the time and privacy to evaluate your feelings on everything that happened. For a while you’d blamed yourself a lot, really been hard on yourself about the way you’d reacted to the situation, but over time you began to cut yourself some slack.

You’d come to realize that your fear of commitment stemmed from your fear of the lack of control you had over things that were important to you, specifically your heart and the people that filled it.

It wasn’t just from when your dad died, though that had made a big impact, but it was also from just feeling like you couldn’t control the outcomes of your relationships. You’d seen a lot of people open themselves up over the years and in the end, they’d gotten hurt. It was hard to want to leave yourself vulnerable to that sort of thing in your own life.

It seemed like less and less people wanted to put in effort these days and at first you had denied that you fit in that category, but you soon realized that you were prime candidate. The fear of failure and the fear of not being accepted for exactly who you were had caused you to decide that not trying and protecting yourself was a much better option than anything else.

It seemed silly now, to think that those were thoughts that had been plaguing you for years; that somehow the broken pieces of your heart would be so unlovable that you needed to shield yourself away. You didn’t love people any less for their flaws and imperfections so why were you holding yourself to such an unreasonable standard?

Learning to love yourself was going to take a lifetime of practice, but you’d realized with pleasure that loving yourself enough to allow others to love you too was going to be an exciting adventure. And Danielle was right, daily mirror pep talks had been such a help. It had been so weird at first, but it was nice to remind yourself of the things you liked about who you were and to find new things, too.

After packing your equipment up, you made your way back to the house, dropping off your things and getting your school bag ready. You grabbed a binder off your desk, pulling it towards you and pausing when a piece of paper fell down onto the carpet of your bedroom.

You sigh, stuffing the binder into your bag and shuffling around to the other side of the chair to pick up the paper by the leg of your desk. It wasn’t paper, though, and as you flipped it over you realized it was a picture that you’d printed out months ago, back when you’d thought maybe you and Taehyung could work things out.

You’d prepared a big long speech to try and convince him of how sorry you were and even printed out this picture to give to him; the picture you’d taken on the first night he’d ever spoken to you.

He was so beautiful, lips peeled back into a smile, eyes nearly closed in his mirth as he danced with a couple friends and one of the dancers from the fall festival. It seemed like so long ago, but really it had only been a little over 5 months. You’d thought it would be a nice little gift; the picture he’d expressed interest in. You’d never been able to give it to him, though. Thinking of him still hurt, so you stuffed the picture back into the binder now taking residence in your bag and fastened the clip into place.

You still had 30 minutes before you needed to head out for class, but you were bored, so you slung your bag over your shoulder and began to make your way onto campus. People were sitting out in the quad, enjoying the sun and the new warmth it brought with it. You didn’t think it was quite warm enough to be sitting out in the grass for long periods of time, but you couldn’t fault people for craving the fresh air that the outdoors brought.

You’d made it half way through the quad before a familiar tuft of dark hair was making its way towards you and like you were on autopilot, you called out his name, walking carefully over to him when he looked up at you. His eyes were warm when they landed on you and it made your heart want to burst in your chest.

Maybe there was at least hope for a friendship.

“Hi.” You breathed, stopping in front of him. He looked down at you, smile quirking the corner of his lips and this time you allowed your heart to race wildly. It felt like it had been forever since you’d seen that beautiful smile.

“Hi.” He repeated; hands stuffed in the pockets of his jeans.

“Um,” you cleared your throat, “Hi. How are you? How have you been?”

He smiled again, this time a little fuller. “I’m good, how are you?”

“Yeah, I’m OK,” you shrugged, then shook your head. “No, you know what, I’m good. I’ve been spending a lot of time taking pictures and it’s given me a lot of space to really think through everything I’ve had going on inside. So yeah, I’m good.”

“I’m really glad to hear that,” Taehyung smiled and you couldn’t help but return the gesture, “you deserve to feel good.”

“Thank you, Taehyung.” You whispered, staring down at the floor, “you do too. I hope…I hope you’ve been good, that you’ve been happy.”

“I have been.” He nodded and your heart clutched; bittersweet. You were glad he was happy, you only wished it could have been you to contribute to that.

“H-how’s Beth?” You asked hesitantly. You really hoped he wouldn’t think your intentions were bad; this time you really did want to wish them well.

“Ah,” He chuckled, shrugging his shoulders. “Actually, we broke up about a month ago.”

“Oh!” You could feel your heart drop into the pit of your stomach. That was not at all the answer you’d thought he’d give and your heart ached for him. “Tae…Taehyung, I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be,” he smiled, waving it away, “it was a pretty mutual decision. We just didn’t mesh the way we’d thought we would.”

“Oh, well I’m glad you don’t feel bad about it.” You said softly. Just then you remembered the picture in your bag and pulled it around to the front of your body quickly. “Oh, I just remembered. I have something for you.”

Taehyung’s brows furrowed in confusion and you slowly pulled the picture from your bag, holding it out to him. He took it gingerly, staring down at it like he wasn’t quite sure what he was looking at.

“It’s from the fall festival.” You explained, shrugging awkwardly as he looked from the picture to you and back again. “You said a while back that you wanted me to give you a copy, but I was pretty bad about getting it to you. I actually printed that a few months ago after I got back from Paris. I meant to give it to you but…well, anyway. I thought you might still want to have it.”

“Thank you,” he smiled up at you, fingers clutching the picture delicately. “This means a lot to me.”

“I’m glad.” You nodded, shuffling your feet underneath you. “Anyway…I, uh, I have class soon so I should probably go…”

“Oh, yeah, ok.” Taehyung nodded, tucking the picture into the breast pocket of his long, checkered button up. “Well, it was nice seeing you, Y/N.”

“Yeah,” you nodded, smiling, “it was really nice.” You waved awkwardly, making your way around him, heart thudding in your chest as it screamed at you to stop being such a coward. You’d taken all of three steps before you stopped and turned quickly.

“Taehyung!” He stopped, glancing at you over his shoulder and you quickly made your way back over to him.

“I would really like to go grab coffee sometime; you know, as friends. Just do some catching up.” You trailed off, voice losing all its confidence as he stared at you, the intensity of his gaze frightening all the courage right from you.

His contemplation scared you and you were just about to backtrack, take everything back and scurry into a cold dark place where you could lick your wounds anew when he smiled, nodding. “I’d like that.”

“Really?” You breathed, staring up into his dark brown eyes.

“Yeah,” he chuckled. “We could go to Grounds tonight, if you want. I’ll be out of class at 4pm.”

“OK!” You grinned, “should we meet there? I get out of class at 3:30.”

“Sounds good. Let’s plan to meet at 4:20?” He asked, adjusting the bag on his shoulder and you nodded enthusiastically.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“Me too.” He grinned. You waved again before turning back around and heading up the hill towards your class.

~~~~~

The walk to class was quick after that, mind racing excitedly at all the possibilities that your upcoming meeting with Taehyung held. You weren’t foolish enough to believe that he’d be willing to give dating another chance after everything that had happened, but you at least hoped that the two of you could be friends again.

Today’s classes were usually pretty interesting, but they couldn’t hold a candle to the excitement you felt about later in the afternoon. Paying attention was difficult, even though everything was very hands on, your body was full of nervous energy, fingers twitching at your sides as you watched your partner do her piece of the project.

“What’s up with you today, you seem on edge?” She asked, looking back at you.

You switched your gaze towards her, snapped from your thoughts, and smiled. “Ah, I’m just meeting up with a friend that I haven’t seen in a while. I’m pretty excited.”

“Is this friend a guy?” She teased, motioning for you to take your place behind the camera and you chuckled.

“He is, but it’s not like that, I swear.”

“Sure.” She hummed and you focused on the lens of the screen, watching the people on the other side. The music department was putting on a production later in the semester and had asked your class to film a series of small ads to broadcast the show.

You were lucky to be going to a university with such a strong arts and humanities program, not everyone could say the same of their schools. Most of the universities you’d originally been looking at had focused a lot of their money into their sports programs, and while that was also important, it wasn’t what you were looking for.

“Lisa,” you said, glancing at your partner over your shoulder, “what do you think of the aspect ratio?”

~~~~~

Your last class of the day was digital art history, and while typically you liked the laid back and dimly lit lecture hall, today it was too little distraction for you. Your professor was going through slide after slide of information visualization and you’d been lost to him about 10 minutes into the lesson.

Sometimes you liked to sit in the back of the lecture hall; on days when you were tired and hadn’t gotten enough sleep. You’d close your eyes and take a 10-minute power nap, but today you’d chosen to sit in the direct front and center in order to force your attention and it still couldn’t distract your mind from later.

You’d had a whole speech planned out months ago, but now everything was different. You didn’t want him to think you couldn’t be just friends; that you only wanted to use him again. You’d give anything to show him just how willing you were to have him in your life in any form, but you weren’t sure what words to even use.

How could you show someone you cared so much about that you really just wanted them to be happy, even after causing pain? You’d learned a lot about yourself over the last few months, been much more willing to give yourself a break. Every relationship has two participating people and Taehyung had his own faults in the breakdown of the relationship as much as you did, but you hoped he’d be willing to work passed it the way that you were. If he wasn’t, well, you wanted to wish him a sincere good luck anyway.

Sometimes when you cared about a person enough, you had to be willing to let them go, even if it hurt you. You’d definitely survive without Tae if he chose to walk away…you just didn’t want to have to.

The class ended after what felt like a million years and you quickly packed your bags and made your way back into the mild weather, taking a deep breath of fresh air. You still had some time before you met up with Taehyung, it was only just after 3:30 so you made your way home quickly, determined to drop your things off and take a breather before you met up with him.

Anna was in the kitchen when you stepped into the house, dropping your jacket by the door and tossing your bag onto your bed. She was sat with a bowl of peanut butter and apples when you made your way towards her and she looked up and smiled.

“Hey, what’s up?”

“Not much,” you said casually, opening the fridge, peering inside and then closing it, pacing your way over to the cabinets and peeking inside each one in turn.

“Um…you seem nervous.” Anna commented, turning to face you.

You smiled over your shoulder, leaning your back against the countertop and drumming the tips of your fingers against the laminate counter top. “Actually, I’m meeting up with Taehyung in around 40 minutes.”

Anna’s mouth dropped open, apple slice dropping to the floor. “Oh crap,” she grumbled, climbing out of her seat to grab the apple and throw it in the trash. “Wait, so…did you say you’re meeting up with Taehyung?”

You chuckled, nodding and she continued. “Why? I mean, not that I’m not happy for you, I just don’t understand. I’m missing a lot of details. Fill me in, woman!”

“It’s nothing crazy, I just saw him in the quad today, we talked a little bit and then I asked if he’d want to meet up sometime for a drink.”

“Wow, did he seem happy to see you?”

You smiled, nodding, “yeah, actually,” you looked down at the floor tongue running along your bottom lip. “He did seem happy to see me which is the only reason I asked. I thought maybe we could try being friends again or something.”

“I think that’s really awesome!” Anna grinned, coming over to hug you and you returned the gesture, arms tightening around her thin frame. “I’m so excited for you! Are you OK with being just friends, though?”

“Yeah,” you nodded as she stepped back from you, hands resting on the countertop, “I know he probably doesn’t trust me anymore; you know? So, I’m happy if we can be friends. Even if he decides he doesn’t want to be…as long as he’s happy.”

“I’m really proud of you.” Anna smiled, “you’ve grown a lot these last few months. You’re so much more open and willing to talk about things. Sometimes when you care about someone enough, you have to be willing to give up on the things you want, relationships can’t be selfish, you know?”

You nodded, pushing away from the countertop and going to sit at the kitchen table, Anna following behind you. “I’m starting to learn that,” you sighed, “for a long time I was afraid of relationships because I didn’t want to get hurt. You get so connected to people and then when they’re not there anymore it’s really hard to recuperate.”

“You don’t grow without hard life lessons,” Anna frowned and you mumbled your agreement.

“I guess I realized that I was being selfish with my emotions and to myself. No relationship comes easily or without work and I was holding myself back from how fulfilling relationships could be by shutting myself off.”

“It’s so easy to do.” Anna commiserated, “it’s not easy to let people in, especially when you’ve been hurt in the past. You are so normal, Y/N, I hope you know that. Everyone is holding themselves back from something.”

“You’re right, I haven’t been nice enough to myself. Right now, I’m trying to find a balance between opening up more without giving up myself. I finally realized that I’m worthy of the love that people want to give me.”

“I think you are so awesome,” Anna smiled, “you’re kicking butt and taking names.”

You laughed, shaking your head and standing. “That’s my queue to go. I need to freshen up a little before I leave.”

~~~~~

The coffee shop was welcoming in its familiarity. There was no longer a fire in the hearth, but the heating was running and you welcomed the warmth. The late afternoon had turned crisp and you only had a light jacket to keep you company.

You resisted the urge to pace, nerves like live wires under the tips of your fingers, seeking one another out as you rung your hands together, making your way to the cash register.

After ordering a small tea, you walked to a nearby seat to wait. Again, the shop was not overly occupied. There were a few customers here and there, two young women around your age sitting together by the fireplace talking animatedly with mugs of coffee in hand and smiles on their faces.

Most of the coffee shop occupants were studying with laptops and books strewn across the table. It was the perfect atmosphere for studying without the distraction of home.

Your order was called and you found a spot closer to the back of the store where you could wait. You’d arrived a few minutes early so you imagined Taehyung would be here any minute now.

Your feet bounced with nervous energy and you twisted them at the ankles to try to still your nerves. You weren’t sure why you were so worked up; you didn’t really have high expectations for this meeting or even for any type of relationship. You hoped the two of you could be friends, but you respected him enough to move on if that’s not what he wanted.

Your heart leapt into your throat as you saw him enter through the door and you smiled softly as he glanced around the room before his eyes focused on you, small, goofy smile spreading across his lips. He motioned towards and the registers and you nodded, waiting patiently while he went and placed his order before he made his way over to your table.

“Hi.” He said and you couldn’t help your grin.

“Hey.”

He sat down, smoothing down the sides of his leather jacket, fingers patting anxiously down his thighs and then clasping together in his lap.

“I’m glad you could come.” You said, twisting at the end of your shirt. Taehyung’s eyes darted to your fingers before back up to your eyes.

“Me too.”

The two of you sat in silence for a few moments before Taehyung’s name was called and he ran back up to the counter to get his drink. It felt so strange to be this weird around him, you were so used to conversation just flowing and now it felt like you were back at square one. It was a little discouraging, but to be expected. You weren’t going to let it set you back, though.

“So how are your classes?” You asked as Taehyung returned and he looked at you in surprise. You released you’d asked rather loudly and wanted to groan in frustration. “Sorry, I’m being so awkward.” You sighed.

Taehyung chuckled, sipping at his drink and shaking his head. “It’s fine. My classes are good, some are boring, others are fun. The usual. What about yours?”

“Same,” you smiled, “although most of my classes are pretty cool this semester. A lot of really hands on stuff which has been keeping me interested.”

“See, that’s what I need in my classes,” Taehyung said, leaning back in his chair, “if I’m not engaged, I lose interest so quickly. Lecture style just does not work for me.”

“How are the guys? Jimin, Jungkook. I haven’t seen them since the beginning of the semester.”

“Everyone’s good, yeah. Jimin and Jungkook have both been doing a lot of dance training recently; they both want to get into the recital next year so they’ve been fine tuning their skills and they’re often in the dance studio anytime they have a break from classes and homework.”

“That’s so exciting. I’ve never actually seen them dance so I might have to sneak by the studio sometime and try to have a peek.”

“I’ll take you sometime,” Taehyung laughed, “I’ve got the in so I know which room they practice in.”

Conversation lulled into a comfortable silence for a moment as you both sipped at your drinks and you watched Taehyung’s eyes slide closed at the taste. “So,” you cleared your throat and he shifted his eyes to yours. “How was California? I know Jin’s going be heading out when he graduates at the end of the semester, but what about you?”

“Ah, yeah, I went to California over the break to meet with the company and it was really great. I kind of feel like I have to pinch myself every day because they’re paying for the rest of my education and they pay for me to come out there during each break from school so I can get some specialized training in while I’m finishing everything up here. Once I graduate, I’ll move out there and really start getting into the meat of the company.”

“That’s really cool, Taehyung!” You grinned, “I can’t believe they’re paying for everything. It makes sense, though. Invest in your talent, you know?”

“What about you?” He asked, changing the subject quickly, “how was Paris? I’ve never been to Europe so I’m really jealous.”

“It was really good,” you nodded, “I mostly worked, but I did get to go see some tourist attractions and it was amazing. I learned a lot while I was there, not just about photography, either. I met this really amazing woman named Danielle. She was kind of like my mentor during the whole thing and we talked a lot about our life experiences and she just taught me a lot.”

“Like what?” Taehyung asked, head tilting to the side and you smiled.

“Like how to be kind to myself; how to forgive myself. I realized I was cutting myself off from a lot of things that would bring me happiness because I didn’t think I deserved it and I was afraid of the what ifs. What if something goes wrong? What if I get hurt? What if I’m taken advantage of? That kind of thing.”

“Did I ever make you feel that way?” Taehyung asked suddenly and you looked up at him, eyes wide, “because if I ever made you feel pressured or taken advantage of, I’m so sorry. I should have been more patient; I should have been more understanding.”

You could see his grip tighten on his cup and your heart squeezed in your chest.

“Stop,” you said, reaching out your hand to rest over his own, feeling his grip loosen. “I’m not here to blame you and I’m not here to blame myself, either. I blamed myself a lot after everything kind of fell apart and then I learned I wasn’t being fair. We’re not perfect people, Tae. I wasn’t good at expressing how I was feeling and I wasn’t allowing myself to understand why I was feeling that way in the first place. I’ve always been very independent, but especially after my dad died. I was afraid of putting my trust in someone who could walk away and leave me hurting. In the end, I hurt myself by being so closed off because I was limiting my potential. I also hurt you and I’m so sorry that I did. I hope you know that I really did want the same things you did; I was falling just as hard as you were, I just didn’t know how to get from point A to point B.”

Taehyung paused, staring down into his cup and you allowed the silence to sweep over you. You knew him well enough to know he needed to think and you could accept that. You’d laid yourself bare to him and you weren’t sure what to expect, but you would wait and accept his answer when it came.

“I missed you a lot.” He said suddenly. His eyes never left the drink in his cup, fingers tapping along the edges. “When I was in California, I thought about you all the time. I even tried looking on your Instagram, but you’re not very good at posting on there,” you chuckled and he smiled up at you, “sorry, that’s creepy.”

“No,” you shook your head, “I looked at yours too. For the record, I have put up more pictures recently.”

“I noticed.” He admitted with a blush and your heart warmed at the thought.

“I missed you too, Tae. You became a really good friend to me and I was devastated when I lost that.”

“You haven’t lost that.” He insisted, “you haven’t lost me.”

You paused, trying to gather your thoughts. “You know,” you said softly, picking at some fluff on your jeans, “I’d be willing to try again. To start over.”

“You’d be willing to try what again?” Taehyung asked, inching closer to the edge of his seat.

“Everything,” you admitted, “friendship…dating…honestly, I’d take whatever you’re willing to give, even just meeting up once a month for a drink and a chat. I just really miss you.”

“How about this,” he paused, lips pursing and then coming to sit beside you on the loveseat, “open communication. My feelings about you haven’t changed, but I am a little more guarded. Let’s start over. Whenever we have something on our minds, we need to say it. If you feel a little trapped, you tell me, if I feel a little insecure, I’ll tell you. Whatever it is, we’ll discuss it.”

“OK,” you nodded, “then in the interest of open communication, I have something to say.”

Taehyung smiled and you continued. “I still like you too...a lot; and right now, I really want to hold your hand.”

His fingers linked delicately with your own, eyelashes dropping down onto his cheeks as he pulled your hand into his lap. “How’s this?” He asked.

“Good.” You breathed, staring up at him, dark eyes meeting yours. “You’re so beautiful.” You whispered.

His smile was blinding as he brought your hand to his mouth leaving one small kiss to your knuckles. “So are you.” He then reached for his cup and held it up towards you. “To new beginnings.”

You grinned, grabbing your own and clinking it against his. “To new beginnings.”

~~~~~~~

This is the second to last chapter! Wow! Next chapter will be the conclusion to a story that I started in 2017. I’m excited and sad to say goodbye, but not gonna be too sad yet. We still have one more chapter! Thank you so much for reading and please let me know what you think. To be honest, this chapter gives me mixed feelings, but maybe that’s just because all the feelings of the OC are the ones I’m going through right now so it’s very personal.

Love you guys!

Nora

Chapter 14

Chapter 16 (finale)

#taehyung scenario #taehyung fluff #taehyung fanfic #kim taehyung #taehyung angst

43 notes · View notes

audreycarlisle · 4 years

Text

official welcome home ball | all

everyone gets dressed up for the ball, but it goes awry.

Philip had been pretty nervous leading up to the party. He'd been hoping to steal Audrey away for a bit and go to a quiet place so they could talk. It felt weird to just ignore what had happened. Leo, of course, thought this was a terrible idea but he thought all of Philip's ideas were terrible. It was no surprise. There just hadn't been time to do it before now unless he'd done it over text and while that would cause a lot less anxiety, it felt cheap to do that to her. He was just so conflicted. Was it a bad idea to do it here? "You've got me all kinds of fucked up," he muttered to Leo when they had a moment's break from chattering with people. "Do you see her anywhere?"

Nina was a mixed bag of emotions, honestly. She was excited that Philip and Audrey were probably going to confess their love for each other tonight, of course, but she was also nervous about seeing Leo. She knew he'd be all cool and charming and she'd probably be kind of lame but she'd manage. She just felt so out of place at a place like this already. "We should have made more friends in uni," she told Audrey as they walked through the party. "Then we'd have other friends to talk to here instead of just wandering around looking for the actual star of the party. Oh, there he is!" Of course Leo was with him. "Ready?" she asked her best friend.

Leo was pretty sure everyone around him other than like, his mother, was beyond stressed about today. Of course, none of the stress was about this party or the official greetings. But he just didn’t feel stressed or anxious. He figured there was plenty of time for the things to just fall into place. After all, Philip had only been home for like a week. He couldn’t help but laugh when he heard Philip’s voice, but he quickly smiled and tried to cover it. “Terribly sorry,” he said. “No,” he said, scanning the crowd a bit more. “Oh, I think she’s there,” he said, nodding a bit towards the crowd.

Audrey felt so sick to her stomach with nerves. Her emotions were so close to the surface, she was worried anything would make her start crying or something, and she just wouldn’t be able to control herself. She tried not to fidget too much, but she was having a hard time. “We should have made more friends in uni so we didn’t have to come to events like this,” she said quietly. She knew it was wrong to wish she could be at home, but she wished she was at home. She felt her heartbeat pick up a bit as she saw him, her palms getting warm. She swallowed hard and nodded. “I suppose so.”

Philip knew Leo was more amused than sorry. He was annoying like that. He rolled his eyes the slightest bit at the response but kept it subtle. He had to be on his best behavior tonight. "What? Where?" He looked around in the direction and his eyes landed on Audrey. She was a vision in blue. He felt like his heart had stopped a little bit. He smiled without realizing it and took a step forward as the girls approached. "I'm so glad you made it! You look beautiful," he greeted Audrey.

Nina thought that was a fair point but then they wouldn't have Philip in their lives. Granted, maybe they could have him in their lives and just avoid these posh parties but that didn't seem very fair to him. "It won't be so bad! Free food! Just think of the free posh food," she told Audrey. That was one positive to look forward to. Maybe the only one. "Okay, let's do this. You've got this," she whispered as they approached. Philip was drawn to Audrey like a magnet so Nina turned her attention to Leo. "Hey. You look very posh. Good posh." Could she leave? She wanted to.

Leo could feel an instant change in Philip. It wasn’t hard to see. He was really just so into Audrey. It was crazy. Why they had both put themselves through this was beyond him. He smiled a bit as the girls stepped forward and Philip greeted Audrey before turning and smiling at Nina. “Thank you. It’s kind of a prince thing, I suppose. You look very posh, too, though. I’m going to go out on a wild limb and assume no one tried to tell you which outfit you should wear for the night, though,” he said with a playful smile.

Audrey shrugged a bit. She didn’t tend to love the weird food that they served here sometimes, and she was too nervous to consider eating anyway. “Yeah, I guess,” she said. She took a deep breath as Nina encouraged her, nodding a little. She smiled as they stepped forward, feeling a lot of worries melt away as she actually started talking too Philip. “You know I wouldn’t miss it for anything. Thank you. You look rather handsome yourself,” she complimented, smiling at him.

Nina didn't think it was really a prince thing so much as it was a Leo thing but she couldn't very well say that, could she? "Well, thank you. But do I look good posh? Cause I definitely gave you that compliment," she joked before realizing how stupid she sounded. "No, definitely not. Well, Audrey helped me pick it out but otherwise, all me. Did you even get a say?" she teased. She glanced at Philip and Audrey and then sent a discreet smile to Leo. This was going to work. She could feel it in her bones.

Philip knew that but he was still glad that she'd come. He was still a little worried about where exactly they stood after the elevator but he felt more sure of himself when he was with her. She wouldn't have come if he'd crossed a line, right? He told himself that. "Thank you. I had a lot of help," he joked. He knew he couldn't exactly whisk her away right now to talk but he felt like he was just going to be counting down the minutes. "I really like this color on you."

Leo laughed a bit and nodded. She was being sort of flirty, wasn’t she? How strange. He liked it, but he wasn’t sure what had facilitated the change in her. “You do look good posh. I don’t know that you could look bad posh,” he said honestly. He shrugged a bit, offering her a small smile. “I think that’s pretty standard, don’t you? I get a bit of a say, but let’s just say I’d hardly call it dressing myself,” he said honestly. He noticed the way she looked over and did the same, returning the subtle smile. “I’d like to dance with you later, if you think that’d be alright.”

Audrey was relieved that she still felt like nervous around him than she did when she was just thinking about him. He had a sort of calming effect on her like that. It was nice. He was a comforting person in her life, whether he realized it or not. “You look handsome without help, too,” she said with a sort of bashful smile. She realized he’d always sort of complimented her like this. Obviously she always liked them, but they never made her feel quite like this. “Thank you. I almost went with another one, but this one felt brighter.”

Nina smiled at him a little brighter. "Well, thank you again, then," she said simply. She thought that sounded sort of annoying. She'd hate it if her outfit was completely picked out by someone else. She'd want more than just a bit of say. "What would you have dressed yourself in for tonight?" she asked curiously. Personally, she would have dressed him in a nice grey, she thought. She paused slightly, considering it. There were a lot of his people here. "Yeah, that'd be alright with me," she decided. "First, though, I need a drink. Can you show me where to get one?" That way they could get Audrey and Philip alone.

Philip liked that she'd said that. He felt like he was a relatively fashionable guy, honestly, but he wasn't entirely trusted to make his own decisions for events. That always made him feel a bit odd, if he was being honest. "Thank you," he said with a genuine smile. He felt like this was all a good sign. Clearly she felt the exact same as he did. Here she was openly complimenting him. She'd done it before but it felt different. "It's very bright. It really suits you. You really are stunning, Rae," he said with a warm smile. He brushed a bit of her hair out of her face and smiled again.

Leo thought it was nice that she seemed so relaxed. He really did wonder what was making her like this. Maybe it was just the fact that she was trying to push Philip and Audrey closer. He could see that. “You’re welcome,” he said with a smile. He couldn’t believe she was willing to dance with him so easily, too! What were the odds? He was having a great night. Was he exuding a different kind of confidence than usual? “Absolutely. Right this way,” he said, leading her over to the bar. “They’re doing well, huh?” he said in a quieter voice.

Audrey could tell he appreciated that. It made her feel kind of warm, honestly. “Of course,” she said with a soft smile. Oh god, he was really flirting with her, wasn’t he? She felt so flustered and frazzled and all of it. How was she supposed to handle this? Were they going to date? Would she be able to handle that? “Thank you. I’m glad you like it,” she said. She held his eye contact for a moment as she smiled at him before she looked down again. “How much more greeting do you have to do?”

Nina told herself that as long as there was reason for her to flirt with Leo she absolutely could. After all, they were still trying to get their friends together. This could technically fall into that category. Right? There was some logic there. Not much but enough. She smiled and started walking alongside him to the bar. "Thank you. I think they are. They're, like, openly flirting. Only a little but they're doing it. Oh my god, Leo, this is it. They're going to be together after tonight," she whispered back excitedly.

Philip thought she was so perfect. He couldn't help but find everything about her to be so enchanting. Things were finally moving in the direction he'd wanted them to for years. It didn't feel like reality. In fact, part of him was sure that this was all a dream. Wouldn't that be his luck? He'd wake up tomorrow and none of this would be real. "Oh, I don't know. A fair bit but we're almost done. Truthfully, I don't even really like some of these people," he told her quietly. "But royal duties and all dictate I must greet them and exchange pleasantries," he said with a grin and a shrug.

Leo thought it was good to give those two some space, which he was sure was why she asked him to get a drink with her. He didn’t mind having a moment just with her, though. He strangely felt like he could let his guard down with her. He just knew he could trust her in some strange way, considering she didn’t seem to care much for him. She didn’t seem spiteful like that, though. “They are. And I think they know it’s flirting this time, too,” he noted. He glanced back at them before focusing on her. “Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves. I’m sure they’ll find a way to sabotage themselves for a little while longer,” he said playfully.

Audrey nodded along a bit. She was glad he was almost done. His next words caught her off guard and she laughed a little. “What? Really?” she asked, laughing quietly. She smiled a bit, shaking her head. She was just so amused that he admitted that, honestly. “At least you’re almost done then,” she said with a grin. “Maybe after you have some time, we could spend time together again?” she offered. She was sure people had plenty to say to him and all, but she would miss him again when they walked away.

Nina thought about taking Leo's arm but quickly snapped back into reality. What a disaster that would be! Plus, what did she think this way? Some kind of Jane Austen novel? Blah. "They have to know it's flirting. It's genuinely going to kill me if I just watched blatant flirting and it doesn't end with the two of them snogging each other's faces off later," she laughed. She watched him look back at their friends, admiring his features a little. He was just so handsome; it really was unfair. "Stop!" she laughed. "Think positively! We need all the good vibes we can get."

Philip didn't know why she seemed surprised! He thought it was pretty clear he preferred not to really associate with these types of people all the time. She was so cute when she laughed, he thought. Then again, when was he not completely enamored with her? "Really," he said playfully. "I know, I can't wait. I'd like to speak to whoever invited this many people," he joked. He nodded earnestly. "Absolutely, yes. I was hoping we'd spend a lot of time together tonight," he said tentatively.

Leo let out a laugh but then made a face, scrunching up his nose a bit. “As much as I’m in agreement with you, I don’t want to see the snogging their faces off at all,” he said with a snorted laugh. He leaned against the bar, ordering a drink for himself and looking at her to order her drink. He wasn’t sure what she wanted yet, and he didn’t want to push any boundaries. He laughed when she did. “I’m just saying! They’re so painful, would it really be surprising if they found a way to delay the inevitable even further?” he asked. Plus, Audrey hadn’t been single for that long, even if she had never really been invested.

Audrey laughed again, shaking her head a little. “I always knew you didn’t like these events much, but I didn’t realize it was because you didn’t like the people much,” she admitted, thoroughly amused by him. “Oh? You’re mum?” she teased. “I’m sure she’s around.” She felt butterflies and tried to keep herself together. “Yeah? That’d be really nice,” she said with a nod and a smile. Would they dance? She’d like that.

Nina rolled her eyes a little, biting back a grin. "Don't be such a baby. People who fancy each other usually kiss. You'll see it eventually. It's very natural," she teased him. She paused at the bar with him and waited for her chance to order a cosmo. She shook her head. She wasn't letting any negativity ruin her night. Philip and Audrey would confess their love tonight. They had to. "They can't. I will absolutely die. I'm serious," she told him. It'd be the absolute worst. She couldn't take this anymore.

Philip shrugged a shoulder. "It's just a lot of fake pleasantries where it's made obvious the person I'm talking to has an ulterior motive. It's just not much fun," he admitted. "Plus, they only have boring things they want to talk about. This is supposed to be a party," he reminded her playfully. "Yeah, I can't believe she'd do this to me," he joked. "I hope when Leo's King I can skip all the parties," he teased. He nodded a little, smiling at her. "Great. I can't wait. It'll be the highlight of my night."

Leo frowned playfully, looking at her in shock. “Don’t be such a baby?!” he asked with a laugh. “Pardon me for not wanting to see my brother snogging. A kiss is fine, but full on make out? I’ll pass on that one,” he said, laughing again. That was intimate, especially with Audrey. He didn’t want to be there for that. He couldn’t help but laugh at the way she was being so dramatic. It was adorable. He kind of loved it. “Tell them that and they’ll have to admit their love for one another,” he said with a grin.

Audrey made a face and nodded. “I imagine that gets tiring. I hate when people obviously want something but don’t just out right say it. Or pretend to care when they don’t,” she said. She only liked genuine conversations and people. She didn’t like playing games. “Well, no offense, but the music certainly isn’t conducive for a fun party atmosphere,” she teased. “Oh, it’ll be worse. Like he’d want to go through this pain without you by his side,” she said playfully. “Likewise,” she said with a soft smile.

Nina laughed loudly at him. "You're so dramatic!" she laughed. "It's not even that big of a deal. People make out with each other all the time. You're so posh and proper," she joked. She wasn't really a fan of seeing too much of it either but he was so fun to mess with. She took her drink when it was set on the bar and took a sip of it. "Please, they never listen to me. No one ever listens to me even though I clearly know what I'm talking about since the elevator worked!"

Philip nodded a little bit. "It does. They start with small talk and pleasantries which is bad enough because I've had the same small talk with every other person in this room. Then they start to hint a little and try to find a way to bring up whatever it is they want. It's such a convoluted process," he rolled his eyes playfully. He'd deal with it, though. He had to. "That's not my fault," he laughed. "Alright, true. You'll just have to come with me to all of them so I don't die of boredom."

Leo didn’t understand why she was acting like she watched people snog regularly. “Yeah, and I have no problem with that. I don’t exactly want to watch them do it, though,” he said, giving her a strange, but amused look. “You’re weird. Acting like you enjoy watching others make out,” he said, shaking his head at her. He laughed, taking a drink as he shook his head. “I listen to you. And you can’t exactly tell them that idea worked, now can you?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at her.

Audrey honestly didn’t even understand what people wanted from him. It wasn’t like he was going to get them a job, or cash, or introduce them to someone. Why did people kiss his ass like that? “I’m sorry. It must get exhausting having people not treat you like a person,” she said sincerely. “It’s not, but I’m not wrong!” she said, laughing, too. “We’ll see about that,” she said playfully. “I should probably go so you can finish what you need to do, right?”

Nina shrugged a little bit. "I don't watch them either but I'm just saying. You're making this sound so weird," she rolled her eyes. "Anyway, I'm mostly just messing with you. It's fun," she grinned. She leaned against the bar, nibbling on the stick of fruit in her drink. "Yeah, true. You listen to me." She liked that a lot about him, she had to admit. He'd gone out of his way to put a plan into action for her. "At least you know."

Philip wondered if he could do something about the music. He could probably make a request but he wasn't so sure anyone would actually listen. Despite this party being technically for him, he wasn't really in charge of it. "Hopefully it'll pick up later. I can't imagine an entire evening being this dull," he joked. He sighed a bit at the suggestion but nodded slightly. "I wish you didn't have to. I'd much rather do what I need to with you by my side."

Leo couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m definitely not the one making it sound weird,” he said playfully. She was the one being weird about it! He gave her a look, tilting his head a bit, raising his eyebrows, and letting out a scoff. “Real mature,” he teased. He nodded. “I do. I don’t know why I wouldn’t,” he said honestly. He smiled a bit and nodded. Maybe one day they could tell them how they worked so hard to push them together. “I do know. You’re a brilliant mastermind.”

Audrey shook her head. She was so amused by how much he hated this. “You’re really miserable, huh? I had no idea you hated this this much,” she said with a small laugh. “It’ll be fine, I’m sure,” she said with a smile, trying to lighten his mood, despite the fact that he didn’t seem down. “You know, something tells me that your mum, amongst other people, wouldn’t be so keen on that,” she said with a soft smile.

Nina grinned at him, shrugging a shoulder. "You're just so easy to mess with. You can't blame me for that," she teased him. "You get so confused. It's cute." She took another sip of her drink and smiled. "Well, see, everyone should think like that. Why not listen to me?" she wondered. Audrey really should take that advice. She scoffed a little, trying to hide just how flattered she was by that. "Well, I wouldn't say that."

Philip smiled at her a little. "It's just probably my least favorite thing," he admitted. "I can think of a million things I'd rather be doing. One is waiting in a long line, another is being sick with the flu," he teased. "It will be fine. I'll get through it. I always do," he smiled back at her. He let out a chuckle. "Yeah, I think you're right about that. What a shame. Maybe one day," he smiled. He leaned in close and hugged her tight. "I'll come find you as soon as I can."

Leo frowned, ironically, doing exactly what she said he did. “What? You intentionally do this? You’re an odd one, Nina Davenport,” he said playfully. He shrugged casually, taking a sip of his drink. “I couldn’t tell you why they don’t. I’m quite smart, really, listening to you. They should follow suit,” he said, his tone quite serious. He shrugged a shoulder and smiled over at her. “I most definitely would,” he said matter-of-factly. He noticed Audrey walking over and nodded towards her subtly. “She’s coming,” he said, holding his drink his front of his mouth and then taking a drink.

Audrey laughed and shook her head. He was so ridiculous. It couldn’t be that bad, could it? She felt bad that he clearly hated this so much but had to continuously put up with it. How awful. “In a way, you are waiting in a long line,” she said with a smile. “I know you do. It’ll be over before you know it,” she added. She liked the idea that one day she could, but she doubted that would ever happen. “Maybe. I’ll be around, I’m sure,” she said playfully, hugging him back.

Nina smirked to herself, taking another bite of fruit. "It's just fun for me, what can I say?" she grinned. He was just so damn cute. It occurred to her that she'd said as much to him and she was pleased he hadn't commented. "You are very smart for listening to me. Also smart to flatter me so much, it's making me like you more," she joked. She took another sip of her drink to hide her charmed smile. She nodded a little at his warning and easily changed the subject. "You better not dance with someone else before me seeing as you asked me to dance first."

Philip knew that. And he also knew he was being over dramatic for sympathy from her but that was okay, he thought. He just liked having her attention more than anything else. "That's true," he agreed with a chuckle. "It won't be so bad. I'll have Leo help me through it and then we can talk," he said with a smile. He pulled back from the hug and gave her one last grin before sending her on her way and going back to his duties. He just wanted this to be over. He wanted to tell Audrey everything.

Leo rolled his eyes, but there was no real animosity. She was just so silly, he could hardly believe it. He loved that about her, though. “At least you’re having fun,” he said playfully. He laughed when she said his flattery made her like him more. “Not my intention, but a definite win, if I don’t say so myself,” he said with a grin. “Oh, I’ll do everything in my power not to,” he promised. He figured he didn’t have complete control over when he got away and could come dance with her, but he’d do what he could.

Audrey smiled a bit and touched his arm softly. “That’s good. I’m glad you’re not alone at least,” she said with a small smile. She smiled back at him before turning to find Nina. She walked over to where she was with Leo, leaning on the bar as she joined them. “I think you’re wanted over there,” she said to Leo with a smile, sorry to split up their fun. She liked that Nina and Leo were bonding more lately. It was especially nice if they were going to all be friends.

Nina couldn't help but just grin at him. It was nice, actually, having admitted her feelings to herself. She was finally allowing herself to enjoy being around Leo. "I have to entertain myself somehow," she teased. She rolled her eyes a little but her smile stayed in place. "Don't get too cocky," she laughed. She thought that was probably as good of an answer as she could expect. "Try not to let me down, Leo." She looked over at Audrey and then back at Leo. "See you," she said with a smile before her attention was back on her friend. "How was talking to Philip?"

Leo laughed a bit, shaking his head at her. “You’re really something else,” he teased. He laughed again. “I hardly think my accepting the win is getting cocky,” he said. She was fun. She felt different. He wondered what changed, or if it was just this Philip and Audrey business. “I’ll try my hardest,” he promised. He nodded a bit when Audrey came over, glancing at his brother. “No surprise there. See you both later,” he said with a smile as he joined his brother again.

Audrey smiled as she watched the two of them interact, taking a seat next to Nina once Leo left. She shrugged a bit. “It was just like talking to Philip,” she said with a small laugh. “We didn’t really talk about much. Just the normal stuff. What about you? How was talking to Leo?” she asked, ordering an iced water. She was pretty relieved that talking to him felt normal. She had been kind of worried, admittedly.

Nina took another sip of her drink as Leo walked off. Her attention was fully on Audrey then. "Yeah? That's amazing, though! Told you there wasn't anything to be nervous about," she teased. She shrugged a little, smiling. "It was nice. He's pretty great when he's not being obnoxious, you know?" she laughed a little. She already kind of missed talking to him but she'd keep that to herself.

Audrey nodded a bit. As much as she hated when Nina was right, she really was relieved everything had felt normal, just a bit flirty. She’d been pretty worried, she had to be honest. “You were right,” she said with a smile. She laughed a bit. “I take it he wasn’t being obnoxious then, huh?” she asked. It was so obvious they were into each other. She hoped they would give it a shot, mostly Nina.

Nina beamed at that. She loved that Audrey was admitting it. And she loved that she'd been right about this. In a few hours, Audrey and Philip would finally be a couple. Her work here would be done, finally. "Thanks for admitting it!" she laughed. "No. He wasn't being obnoxious at all. He was being pretty sweet, actually," she admitted with a smile. She set her now empty drink down and ordered another. "Please say we don't have to mingle."

Audrey rolled her eyes, but the smile on her face remained. “Yeah, yeah, you’re welcome,” she said dismissively, waving a hand. “It sounds to me like he’s more sweet than he is obnoxious, but what do I know?” she said, raising her eyebrows at her and taking a sip of water. She let out a sigh, thinking it over for a minute before shrugging. “I don’t know. Probably? I don’t really want to, but we should probably at least walk around and pretend we’re trying to mingle.”

Nina laughed a little at how she'd just brushed it off. "I'm going to take a moment to really soak in this moment if you don't mind," she joked. She shrugged it off a bit. Maybe he was. Okay, he absolutely was. She just, you know, had her own issues about it. "He's alright," she said instead. She made a face and let out a sigh. "I really, really don't want to. Do we have to? Ugh. It'll be so awkward."

Audrey rolled her eyes at her, leaning back and taking a drink of her water. “Of course you are,” she teased. She laughed a bit at her response, giving her a side eye and cocking one eyebrow. “Sure, he’s alright,” she agreed. She shrugged. “I feel like the way you keep asking me if we have to proves that you know we do, in fact, have to,” she said. She squeezed the lemon wedge into her glass and stood up. “Alright, let’s go,” she said, holding her arm out for Nina.

Nina was not going to dignify that with a response. Leo was alright. That was that. She didn't have to explain or defend herself. She certainly wasn't going to admit to anything more than him being alright. The end. "Fine, fine. We'll mingle. No one's going to be all that interested in talking to us when there's royalty here but fine, mingling." She sighed a little, taking a long sip of her drink. "I'm coming, I'm coming," she said as she linked arms with her.

Audrey shrugged a shoulder. Wasn’t that the best time to mingle? When no one wanted to talk to you? She supposed it probably depended on if you wanted to network or something, but she didn’t want to, and she knew Nina didn’t, either. “All the more reason. No one’s even going to say anything to us, but we can pretend we tried,” she said with a small smile. If they didn’t at least pretend, then they were just here, and that was silly. She linked arms with her, walking into the crowd. “How long do you suppose we have to stay before we go home?”

Nina made a face. She had a point. There was no better time to go and pretend to mingle with other people. She just really, really had no desire to. "Ugh. These people are so posh though," she huffed out. Maybe they could just walk around. That was better than nothing. "Until you talk to Philip again, obviously. You told him you'd talk to him tonight. And I promised Leo I'd dance with him. So, I guess until that all happens. A few hours," she sighed.

Audrey briefly raised her eyebrows. Like she didn’t know that. It was a wonder Philip and Leo made it out of this mess without being stuck up, snobby, posh literal princes. They could’ve really gone the other way. She was relieved they didn’t. Aside from the fact that she enjoyed the company of both of them, it was comforting to know that some of the royal family was tolerable. And real. “I know,” she said quietly. “After that happens. And then we ditch,” she said.

Nina let out a sigh as she tried to psych herself up. This would be fine. She was good at talking to people. Most people, at least. She'd think of something to say. "Too bad we can't just ditch now. What if we left, went down the road to the kebab shop and then came back?" she suggested mostly as a joke. "That way we don't look like losers just standing around." She was a little startled when someone stepped into their path. "Oh, hello. You two are Philip's little friends from uni, aren't you?"

Audrey laughed a bit, but shrugged a shoulder. “I don’t think anyone would even notice we’d left and come back, so why not?” she said honestly. “I could go for a kebab,” she added. She jumped a little when someone walked in front of them. She really hadn’t expected anyone to talk to them, let alone to talk to them so abruptly. “We are, yes. I’m Audrey, she’s Nina,” she said. “Do you know Philip personally?” she asked curiously.

Nina wished they could. It'd be way more fun than this stuffy, posh party. She wanted to leave now. "I could too. Then again, I could always go for a kebab," she admitted. She frowned a bit at the way the woman had addressed them. It seemed so rude. "Do I know Philip personally? Of course. My family has been close with the royal family for centuries. I've known Philip since he was a boy," the woman sniffed. "That's nice?" Nina said uncomfortably.

Audrey felt the same way, honestly. She loved everything about them. She didn’t know who this woman was, but then again, Philip rarely talked about his royal life if he could help it. “That’s wonderful,” she said with a forced smile. “It is. I know him and his family quite well. And I know that no matter how close you feel you are with him, it is only a matter of time before you become a blip in his history,” she started. Audrey raised her eyebrows a bit, rather taken aback by this woman.

Nina made a face, absolutely disgusted with the way the woman was speaking. "Excuse me?" she cut in. "If you think Philip is just going to cut us out then you must not know him very well at all," she tried to say. Then the woman was interjecting again. "You just don't know your place, do you? There's no chance you'll last long in this world. He's still acclimating to being back but he'll soon realize where his loyalties lie. They won't be with you." She stared directly at Audrey. "He will never love a nobody like you. He'll never marry you. Did you notice how quickly he left you alone to be with his people? You are beneath him." Nina's jaw dropped.

Audrey stood there in shock as the woman in front of them spoke to them in such a degrading, belittling way. She felt her heart sink and a lump in her throat form. “You must be mistaken if you think I’m looking for Philip to love me. He’s my friend, and I don’t see that changing,” she said, though her voice felt small. “He’s having fun. Leo had his fun, too. You don’t see his uni friends here, though, now do you? Leo is expected to be engaged to that woman by next summer,” she said, pointing out a woman with short black hair in the crowd with a luxurious dress. “And Philip is expected to be engaged to that woman in a few years. Rumor has it, he wrote her the entire time he was gone, and they’ve been friends since they were children,” she said, pointing to the blonde woman talking to him.

Nina could not believe this was happening. She had half a mind to slap her across the face but she kept her composure. How dare she talk to them that way? Philip would never drop them. He was better than that. She opened her mouth to rip into her but she just continued. Her eyes followed the direction she pointed and she felt a bit sick to her stomach. Leo wasn't going to propose to that woman. Leo liked her. Didn't he? Had it all been a big joke. "You're so out of line," she managed. "If Philip knew you were speaking to us like this--" she was cut off. "Philip is too kind to tell you to your faces that you simply aren't good enough. He has no desire to be involved with two commoners who come from nothing. Who come from broken homes," she nearly sneered. "As if the queen herself would allow this go on much longer. She's been vying to Philip to let you down gently and you," she turned to Nina. "You really think you can claim the heir to the monarchy? We all have a laugh about your attempts." Nina took a slight step back. "Philip's just biding his time until he can cut you off. Everyone in their close circle knows he's grown tired of associating with those beneath him. He's embarrassed by you but being friends with someone of your... color adds to his image and that's all," she told Audrey.

Audrey felt all the blood drain from her face. Philip wrote with that woman while he was away? He didn’t think they were good enough? She had to be lying, right? He didn’t care that they came from nothing. He didn’t care that they came from broken homes. This couldn’t be real. She felt sick. Her vision blurred as her eyes welled up. She just stood there, listening as this woman spoke down to them. She gasped when the woman implied Philip was only her friend because she was black. “I don’t know who you are, or who you think you are, but I will not be spoken to like this,” she said, taking Nina’s hand and walking away as quickly as she could, storming out of the building. She blinked once they were outside, practically hyperventilating, before quickly walking to a bin to throw up in.

Nina felt like everything was going in slow motion. Time had stopped. This vile woman was just ripping into them and for what reason? What had they done? "You're a real fucking bitch," she managed as Audrey started to pull her away. She managed to tip the rest of her cosmo on the woman's dress before she was too far away. She hurried along with Audrey, still reeling from all that was said. Leo was practically engaged? People thought she was trying to claim him? Philip was embarrassed by them? She knew he wasn't only friends with Audrey because of her race because then why would he be friends with her? And also, he wasn't a fucking racist. When Audrey went to throw up, she followed her, holding her hair back. "That bitch is out of her fucking mind. She's out of her mind," she said again, trying to reassure the both of them.

Audrey groaned, hating throwing up. She was crying behind control now. She wiped her mouth with her arm, wiping her eyes. “Fuck,” was all she could get out. She leaned against the brick of the building, trying to collect herself. “Yeah, she’s fucking mad,” she agreed. “She’s a psychopath. I don’t know who she is, but she has a lot of nerve pretending she knows Philip better than us,” she said, though she was still a bit shaken. “She was lying through her teeth, right?” she said, turning to Nina, needing the reassurance. She didn’t think it was true, any of it, but she needed to know Nina didn’t think it was true, either. “We have to get out of here.”

Nina didn't even know what to say. What had just happened? She could barely process it. The fucking nerve of that woman. "I cannot believe someone had the sheer audacity to go up to someone and go off like that. I'm sorry, I thought this was a posh fucking event. And we're the classless ones? Honestly, what the fuck? I should go back in there and chuck the glass at her bloody head." Her mind was reeling. "Philip isn't racist. She might have convinced me a little of that bullshit until she threw that out there. He's a good man." Was she talking a lot? She felt like she was. She was just so angry. "Right, let's go. I am not spending another minute with people like that absolute cow of a woman!"

Audrey shook her head. She couldn’t believe it either. It was one thing to have such disgusting thoughts. It was yet another to share them at all. But to say them to someone’s face? She couldn’t believe it. She would never talk to someone like that. “Do people hate us that much? We haven’t even done anything. We aren’t even dating them,” she said sort of quietly. “No, she has to be full of shit. She has to be,” she said, looking at her again. “You’re right. She’s a liar. She just wants to get rid of us,” she said. She considered staying, just to spite her, but she couldn’t. “I just, I can’t go back right now.”

Nina felt like her thoughts were all moving too fast. What kind of absolute bullshit was that? Had that really just happened to them? "We haven't even done anything wrong! Philip sought us out in university. We didn't need another friend! He infiltrated our friendship! So, if anything, this is his fault and not ours," she insisted. "And Leo is just a guy we work with! I don't get it. I don't. I have done nothing. You have done nothing. That woman is a sociopath." She realized she was being quite loud compared to Audrey and quickly quieted herself. "We can leave. We can just go. I'll text... I'll text Philip later."

Audrey didn’t think they would have done anything wrong even if they were dating them, right? They weren’t national property, they were people. “No, we certainly didn’t. I never would’ve befriended him, far too intimidating,” she said honestly. “She’s crazy. And she’s bitter. And she’s probably lonely and clearly she’s racist and classist, too,” she noted. “I’m not going to feel bad for growing up poor, for having a shit dad, or for being fucking black,” she said, feeling anger replace her sadness. “We’ll explain ourselves later.”

Nina wouldn't have either. She wouldn't have even spoken to him if he hadn't talked to her first. And then she wouldn't know Leo probably so the lady was insane to think that this was their fault. "What a cow. Honestly," she seethed. "Very racist. Who speaks to someone like that? God, Audrey, I'm so sorry," she said softly. She pulled her friend into the tightest hug she could. "I don't feel bad for anything either. Except not putting that woman in her place." Philip would understand. Leo would too. She felt a twinge as she thought of what the woman had said about him but pushed it down. "They'll understand."

Audrey shook her head a bit, trying to shake it off. But she hugged Nina back so tight, holding her close as she started to cry again. She was used to the subtle racism in articles and on the internet, but to her face like that? That was different. “I hope she’s as miserable as she seems,” she said. “Let’s go. I need to get out of this dress,” she said, taking her hand and going to find their ride home.

Nina rubbed Audrey's back a little. She felt like her friend had really suffered the brunt of that aggression and for what? What had been the reasoning behind any of it? They'd been minding their business. "Well, she's wearing a wet dress now so she's at least a little more miserable than she was ten minutes ago," she said lightly. She nodded and took her hand, giving it a tight squeeze. "We are going to eat so much ice cream. Fuck the posh!"

Audrey offered a small, snort of a laugh. “I am glad she’s wet now. I hope you stained an expensive dress that she doesn’t own,” she said. She didn’t care that it was mean or spiteful. “I do like ice cream,” she said, though her stomach still felt a little iffy. She needed to clean up first anyway, and by that point, she’d probably feel better. She was kind of a mess right now, and she hated that.

Nina hoped so too. She hoped she'd destroyed it. She knew she hadn't but it was a nice thought. "Too bad it hadn't been one of them flaming drinks," she joked. She held Audrey's hand, leading her towards the cars. She was sure they could just grab one back to their place. Philip's driver had to be around, right? "We can have tea, too. And biscuits. And we can watch a movie which honestly, so much better than being out at any party anyway."

Audrey let out another small laugh. “That is a shame,” she agreed. She walked with her to the cars, holding her hand tightly. She felt so weak, and she hated that. She hated feeling like she needed to be cared for, but if there was anyone for her to be with when she felt that way, it was Nina. “What a night. We should’ve done that from the start. We already celebrated Philip coming home, anyway,” she noted. She found their car, and the driver Philip had sent for them was there, too. “Hi, we’re going home now,” she said with a smile, opening the door and letting Nina get in first.

Nina wished they'd stayed home. She'd wanted to. She distinctly remembered protesting the idea of this event in her mind. She just hadn't expected it to turn out like this. "We really should have. This is not the way to spend a weekend. I want pajamas and snacks not fancy dresses and talking to people. Gross," she sighed. It had just been an exhausting waste of time. She got into the car ahead of Audrey and took her hand again when they were both in. "What a dumb idea."

Audrey nodded in agreement, letting out a soft sigh. She hated that this had happened. She’d been so excited, honestly. She was going to get all dressed up and dance with Philip and she loved that. But now she just wanted to go home and sulk in her misery. “What a waste,” she complained. She took Nina’s hand, leaning on her shoulder. “At least we aren’t wasting anymore of our time on this,” she said honestly.

Nina squeezed Audrey's hand. She wished there was something more she could do to make this all right. She just... didn't have it in her. All she wanted to do was take this dress off and eat her feelings. "Such a waste," she agreed. "Exactly. Now we have our night free. How great is that? Joke's on that lady. We wanted an excuse to leave," she joked. "Are you going to tell Philip what she said?" she asked quietly.

Audrey laughed a little. She had been happy to be there, but she was happier to be leaving now. “A free night is always nice. We’re always so busy,” she noted. She let out a soft sigh and shrugged her other shoulder. “I don’t know. Not all of it. Some of it, maybe. I know he’s going to blame himself, and it’s not his fault that some bitchy old hag is racist and sexist and has decided she hates us,” she said honestly.

Nina couldn't agree more. This could be a good thing! They'd just have to turn it around. "It'll be great. We'll have a great time," she insisted. She understood that. It was a tricky situation. "Yeah, of course he will. He's a good guy," she sighed. "It's a complicated line. I guess it's really whatever you feel comfortable telling him," she admitted. "I'm sure he'd want to know, though. He'd want to do something about it."

Audrey knew that was true, and she didn’t really want him to blame himself when it wasn’t his fault. “I’m sure I’ll end up telling him more than I plan to,” she admitted. She let out a sigh, closing her eyes. “It’s not fair,” she said quietly. None of it was. It wasn’t fair that either one of them had to take shit from strangers just for knowing Leo and Philip. She had to admit, it made her a little nervous to think of having any kind of relationship with Philip. The public was hard on her now and they didn’t even know that she liked him.

Nina kind of hoped that she did. Philip deserved to know. He'd probably be able to find the woman and address what happened. That might help, right? She hoped so. She just felt so powerless. "It really isn't fair at all," she agreed with a sigh. It felt like it'd probably be a lot easier to just step away from this life entirely but that would mean cutting Philip out. She knew neither of them wanted to do that. "We'll figure it out, though. We'll think of something," she said with a small smile. "At least we have each other."

Audrey held Nina’s hand tight. She wished there was an easier solution, but there just wasn’t. It wasn’t fair, it really wasn’t. They both deserved better. Philip deserved better. Leo deserved better. It wasn’t fair that they were stuck with this. But she knew all of this when she became Philip’s friend and let him in. “We always figure out something. We’re good at that,” she agreed. “We always have each other. Thank goodness for that.”

Nina wished there was more she could do. She just didn't even know where to begin. "We will. Just, you know, not tonight. Tonight is for relaxing not for planning," she decided. "Always," she repeated. She thanked the driver when they reached their flat and slipped out of the car ahead of Audrey. She unlocked the door to the building before taking her friend's hand again. "I feel better just being home," she admitted.

Audrey nodded, thinking they deserved that. They needed to have a moment to just not think about things and try and feel okay. She thanked the driver, too, getting out of the car after Nina. She took her hand, going into their apartment. “Oh god, me too. I didn’t even realize how good it would feel to be home,” she admitted. “Unzip me please,” she said, turning her back to Nina.

Nina thought it was saying a lot that being home felt like such a shift. Maybe they shouldn't be messing around in this fancy world. It was so much work with such little reward. "Right? Ugh, I never want to leave again," she said lightly. She turned and unzipped Audrey's dress for her. "Alright, now you unzip me," she said, turning her back this time. "Right, pajamas on then you pick a movie and I'll start the tea." She was ready to put the night behind her. Or try to, at least.

Audrey nodded in agreement. She didn’t want to leave again either. “Yeah, same,” she said with a sigh. “Thank you,” she said as she turned to unzip her, too. She nodded. “We’ll meet back in a moment,” she said in agreement before going to get ready to relax for the rest of the night. She thought it was well deserved, really. They could deal with all of this tomorrow.

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spaceskam · 5 years

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So Much Better (2/?)

My legally blonde au has continued

(part one - part two)

[ao3]

“You look beautiful.”

“I know.”

Max rolled his eyes in the mirror, but Isobel ignored him. This was it, this was her time. She looked good, she felt good, and she was ready to get that goddamn ring on her finger. Next year, she’d be the fiance of a man in law school and life would be so good. Life is already so good.

“Where is Michael? He needs to be here to send me off with you!” Isobel said, checking her phone. He hadn’t even opened her message.

“If I had to guess, they’re probably having sex. They’ve actually been inseparable, it’s gross and weird,” Max sighed.

“You’re just jealous because you don’t have someone. When you have someone like, like me and Noah, for example, none of that is gross anymore. It’s like when you have it too, there’s no reason to be jealous, you know?” Isobel explained with a smile, double-checking her look in the mirror before she left to go meet Noah, “Besides, we should be happy for Michael! This is his longest relationship ever! I mean, ten days is an achievement for him.”

“Okay, okay, whatever,” Max sighed, smiling at her as he moved in for a hug, “I hope everything goes good for you tonight, Izzy.”

“It will.”

“Noah!”

The man of her dreams stood up from the table with a smile, letting her pull him into a hug. He hugged her tight and it made her that much more excited to become his wife. She couldn’t wait to just be a wife. That’s what she had always been told she could be so good at and she really believed it.

“Come, sit, let’s talk,” he urged. Isobel tried to hold back her excitement, sitting across from him and taking a sip of the glass of wine he already had waiting for her. He bought a whole bottle. How sweet is that? “Look, I think we both know what’s happening today.”

Tightness formed in her stomach as she grinned wildly. She absolutely did.

“You came in here tonight, looking like, well, Isobel, and I thought for sure it would make me think… But honestly, it just made me so sure this is the right decision. So I need to be honest with you, take this a step forward,” he said. She smiled even brighter.

“I feel the same‒”

“I’m not done.”

“Oh, sorry, go on.”

Noah took a deep breath, seeming to gather his thoughts again. He reached across the table to grab her hand.

“My whole life I’ve known what I’ve wanted. Law school, become a senator, have a beautiful, smart wife on my arm. I’ve wanted a wife who was incredible and outstanding and intelligent to give me incredible and intelligent children. I’m gonna be the next JFK, and I need a Jackie,” he explained. Isobel sucked in a slow breath, nodding as she leaned closer. “Which is why I want to‒”

“Yes!”

“Break up.”

“Yes, yes, I‒”

Isobel paused once she finally registered the words she was hearing. Break up? Break up? The words didn’t really compute in her mind. She came here because he was going to propose. Why else would he have asked her choice of ring a few months back? Why else would they have discussed the kids they’d have and how lavish their wedding would be? It didn’t make any sense, absolutely none.

“Break up?” she asked, snatching her hand away. He smiled bleakly. “I thought you were going to propose!”

“My future’s all planned, I need someone‒”

“I am incredible! I am intelligent!” Isobel yelled, standing up and not even caring that the chair scraping across the floor. Noah looked around at all the people looking their way, but Isobel kept her eyes trained on him. “You can’t break up with me!”

“Isobel, please don’t make a sc‒”

“A scene? You don’t want me to make a scene?! Wow, okay, totally, I’ll listen to you! I can’t believe you’re dumping me!” she raged.

“It-it’s just easier to go to law school single. UT is important to me and I can’t have a… Marilyn and not a Jackie,” he said. Isobel felt her eyebrows pull together in confusion. What?

“You’re dumping me because I’m blonde?”

And he laughed.

“Screw you, Noah Bracken!”

Isobel wasted no time in trying to go to her own dorm. She was crying way too much to risk passing a hallway full of girls who knew her. So, instead, she went straight for Max and Michael. Maybe they could go beat up Noah or something.

She completely bypassed the sock on the doorknob and didn’t even bother reacting being greeted by a bare ass. Michael quickly pulled Alex down beside him and threw the blanket over him as if trying to conceal some type of modesty.

“Isobel, what‒you’re crying. What’s wrong? Why are you crying?” he asked. She sniffled and wiped her eyes as best she could as she waited for them to get dressed. He only bothered to slip his boxers on before pulling her into a hug. “What’s wrong?”

“Noah broke up with me!” she sobbed, clutching onto him tighter. His hand went to the back of her head, cradling her close. Thank God for brothers. “He-he said he didn’t want me because I was blonde and stupid.”

“What?”

“Hey, you want me to go?” Alex whispered. Isobel just let a sob go through her before she reached out aimlessly, finding Alex and pulling him in to hug her too. “Or I’m doing this, okay.”

They both held her as she cried it out, softly shushing her as she rambled. She couldn’t understand what she did wrong. What he said couldn’t be right. By his standards, she’d been stupid and blonde their entire relationship. Besides, what was so wrong with being a Marilyn?

“Can I sleep here tonight?” Isobel sniffled, using Michael’s shirt to wipe her nose. He nodded.

“Of course.”

“Alex too. We’re friends now,” she added. Alex snorted as Michael gave her a bleak little look.

“Iz, that mattress is barely big enough for two people,” he tried.

“But I’m sad! I just got dumped!” she pouted, giving him the best set of puppy eyes she could manage. She watched the two boys have a mental conversation over her shoulder, still sniffling all the way. She had planned to be staying with her fiance tonight, but she was going to have to settle for her brother and his boy-toy.

“Okay, okay, fine, Izzy, but if someone ends up on the floor, it’s your fault,” Michael sighed. She nodded, wiping her nose on him again.

“Thank you. Can you change your sheets though? I don’t wanna sleep on your sex sheets,” she said. Alex let out a soft laugh as he grumbled and complied. The moment he let go, she sunk into Alex. He really was becoming a good friend. He picked out her gorgeous dress and everything. Oh my god.

How could Noah not want to propose to this dress?!

“Do you wanna talk about it?” Alex asked, stroking her hair. She didn’t know what to say. On the one hand, she did. She wanted to know everyone else’s opinion on what they thought. On the other hand, she didn’t want to be constantly reminded of her failure.

“I have never, ever been dumped before, you know? Never! I-I made it almost 22 years! And it has to happen now?! I mean, I’m not getting any younger! How am I supposed to find another guy, date him for two years before our engagement, be engaged for a year, then get married and wait two years before having our first child, and then still have time to have all three kids and not be old and gross?!” she scoffed. Alex exhaled really slowly for some reason, but she accepted it when he held her a little tighter.

“I was dumped once,” Alex said.

“Once?” Michael echoed, disbelief in his voice.

“Yeah, once. And it felt like the end of the world to me. Of course, I was 16 and we met at a Marine Academy summer camp and it only lasted four weeks, but I thought I was in love. He dumped me the night before we left and we were sitting by the fire and he said I was too feminine for him. I was so sad, but I couldn’t, like, cry because I was at a fucking military camp,” Alex rambled. Isobel sniffled as she pulled away.

“Does this story have a reason?”

Alex rolled his eyes and grabbed her shoulders. “I’m saying, life goes on. People are dicks about things like your appearance and the way they perceive you, but you shouldn’t take it to heart. You’re not like that.”

Isobel nodded slowly. Alex was right. She wasn’t like that. She just had to show Noah that she was exactly what he thought she wasn’t. Then she wouldn’t have to restart all over, she could just pick up where they left off.

“You’re so right,” Isobel said, watching as he smiled just enough for her to be one of the two people that could get a genuine smile out of him, “I just have to show Noah that I’m smart, then he’ll take me back. Oh, I know! I’m gonna get into UT and follow him to law school! Then he’ll have to see that I’m smart!” Alex’s smile fell and he shared a quick glance with Michael.

“Well, no, that’s not‒”

“I mean, you have to be smart to get into law school, right? Well, I am smart! I have a 4.0 GPA! I bet know didn’t know that,” she said. She was feeling a whole lot better now that she was getting a whole plan in action. Man, Michael had really chosen well. “Yeah, so, I’ll just apply to UT.”

“Iz, you know you have to take the LSAT, right? And, like, I’m sure UT won’t let you in unless you have over a 170-something on it,” Michael said slowly. She rolled her eyes, waving him off.

“What, like it’s hard?”

“Yeah, it is, I took it and I got a 130,” Alex admitted. She paused, staring at him for a moment before turning to Micahel.

“I have a literal genius for a brother, you can just help me study for it,” she decided, smiling confidently. Michael made a face, clearly debating. “C’mon, Michael! I need this! I need him to see that I’m smart!”

“Do you really wanna go through all that trouble just for some guy?” he asked.

“He’s not some guy! He’s Noah Bracken, the love of my life!” she pointed out. Michael reluctantly started to nod.

“Okay, fine. No promises, I don’t really know anything about law, but… I’ll see what I can do, I guess,” he sighed.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Alex asked. When she turned around to face him again, he was looking at them like they’d lost it. Isobel put on her pout.

“Oh, Alex, I need you to support me. You’re, like, my fashion guru and I need you to help me through this by, like, helping me chose the best things to wear to keep me amped up for this process,” she explained, grabbing his shoulders as he had just done with her. He still looked on the fence with the subject, but when he looked over at Michael, he folded.

“Fine, fine, whatever, but if this backfires, I’m not taking the blame.”

“Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you! You guys aren’t going to regret this!” she gushed, pulling them into a much happier hug than before.

That night, she fell asleep happily smashed between two of her biggest supporters and couldn’t wait to show Noah all that he had missed.

#maribel #maribel fic #maria will pop up next chapter i promise #malex #malex fic #maribel au #mabel #mabel fic #legally blonde au #so much better #Multipart Fic #2k word #Isobel Evans #isobel evans fic

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stillthewordgirl · 5 years

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LOT/CC fic: Same Time Next Year

Leonard is a demon. Sara is an angel. Still, they've learned to work together over all the millennia--and to appreciate each other. But when Leonard wants to change their...arrangement, will Sara manage to face her feelings enough to figure out what she really wants?

***

Inspired by my recent reread of “Good Omens,” though I haven’t managed to see the show yet. A warning that it is fairly long for Tumblr, coming in at more than 7,000 words.

Many thanks to Pir8grl! Can also be read here at AO3 or here at FF.net.

***

Most of the great triumphs and tragedies of history are caused, not by people being fundamentally good or fundamentally bad, but by people being fundamentally people.

“Good Omens,” by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

***

It was a lovely day, really. The sort of day that generally put people in a wonderful mood as they walked in the sunshine and gloried in one of the first truly beautiful days of the spring.

As such, Leonard thought as he sauntered toward the meeting point, it was probably the sort of day he should dislike intensely. He couldn’t quite muster the feeling, though. He liked Central City enough that he rarely voluntarily left it these days, and he wasn’t horribly fond of cold weather (ironic as that was, really). He was as pleased with the day as everyone else.

Maybe that had something to do with his plans for it, though.

And he certainly shouldn’t be thinking that.

Leonard was, not to put too fine a point on it, a demon. Fallen child of heaven. Devotee (as much as he was devoted to anything) of Lucifer himself. He’d been on Earth a long, long time, tasked with keeping a weather eye on humanity and his opposite number. Which was what he was doing today.

Really.

Well. Sort of.

Despite the weather, he was all in black. It was sort of his thing. Skinny black jeans, black turtleneck, black leather jacket. Icy blue eyes—well, he was an ice demon—were hidden, at the moment, behind dark glasses. Very short salt-and-pepper hair (which showed an annoying tendency to curl manically if he let it grow any longer, despite all his demonic efforts) gave him a look of experience (or so he liked to think). And the line of 5 o’clock shadow on his jawline was classic “bad boy,” at least by current standards.

Certainly plenty of people, men and women alike, were watching the saunter that fine spring day. (And the ass, especially in those tight jeans.) Well, temptation was part of the job. Perhaps to their sorrow, however, passive temptation was all they’d be getting today. Leonard’s mind was elsewhere.

To be specific, it was on the being sitting on the rim of the fountain in the park just up ahead. Her attention was, to all appearances, wholly on the other people walking by around her, and Leonard let his steps pick up, just a little. As long as she wasn’t looking. It wouldn’t do to look too eager.

He wasn’t that far away, though, when she glanced up. Leonard immediately went back to the saunter. Nothing to see here. He wasn’t that glad to see her.

Something in Sara Lance’s face, as she got to her feet, told him that she saw right through that.

But because she was glad to see him too, neither of them would dare say anything.

Sara—properly, Sarai of the Holy Lance—was an angel. Leonard’s opposite number, here on Earth, to be honest (which, as a demon, he probably shouldn’t be). And she was beautiful, all that the modern image of angels tended to be—blond with bright blue eyes and the, well, face of an angel. Innocent and sweet and naïve.

One of the things Leonard lov…liked about her, though, was that that image was absolute garbage. Even That Book (as demons tended to refer to the Bible) noted that angels appearing to humans often had to say, “Fear not!” Angels could be scary.

Sara was no exception. And Leonard, frankly and completely counterintuitively, found it utterly and deliciously intoxicating.

She was badass. Leonard, lurking as only a demon could lurk, had seen her as a shining warrior of the light more than once, including as she took on a group of neo-Nazis in 2017. (Leonard hated neo-Nazis and Nazis alike. They were, he thought, a measure of how much evil humans could come up with completely on their own.)

(And some things, even a demon couldn’t countenance—at least, this demon. He’d never truly claimed to be a very good one, after all, even if that was a contradiction in terms.)

Sara had left a trail of bodies behind her that day, more (Leonard thought) than he’d ever personally accounted for. (He was rather fonder of breaking the eighth commandment, himself.) And when she’d stopped and turned toward him, as if sensing his presence, the beatific smile on her blood-splattered face had made something deep in his chest do a weird little flip-flop.

If he hadn’t known better, he’d say it was his heart.

He was a demon. He wasn’t supposed to have a heart.

Today, Sara was wearing her usual white leather jacket, he saw as he sauntered closer, trying (and failing) to look cool. Over a blue T-shirt, and blue jeans just as tight as his were. Not that he was looking at her ass, or anything.

Leonard noticed the pin, a tiny heart with stripes in pink, blue, and purple, on her collar, and smirked a little, tapping his own lapel. An equally tiny circle, with stripes in pink and yellow and blue, appeared.

(A wise man—two wise men, really—had once written that “For those of angel stock or demon breed, size, and shape, and composition, are simply options.” Leonard knew perfectly well that he and Sara both enjoyed exploring all those options. In more ways than one. Neither of their sides really cared who did what, consensually, with whom, contrary to common belief.)

He saw her lips twitch as she noticed, but she didn’t comment. Instead, she just folded her arms, lifting an eyebrow at him.

“You’re late,” she informed him.

Leonard smirked at her, sitting down smoothly on the fountain’s edge and then sprawling comfortably like a cat. She always said he was incapable of sitting in any way that approximated “normal” human behavior. “Oh, you know,” he drawled, watching her intently. “Places to go. People to tempt. Trouble to cause.” A pause. “You look...well.”

Sara didn’t react to the abrupt change in tone. She sat back down on the fountain too, curling her legs under her. “So do you,” she said after a moment, quietly. “I didn’t see you much this past year. Been busy?”

“Eh.” Leonard hesitated. The tone was already different from most of their meetings. Where was the playful flirtation, the banter, the back-and-forth he was used to?

He pushed back his sunglasses, wanting to see her better. Was there a shadow there, in her eyes? He was surprised by the surge of anger he felt at the idea something or someone had caused that.

He was her opposite, damn it, and he was the one supposed to be the one giving her hell, in whatever respect. No one else better try it. Or...or...

Oh, hell. Literally.

He’d take on any being, diabolical, angel, or human, who hurt her.

“You know,” he repeated, a little more subdued as he tried to figure out how to deal with this realization. “I honestly don’t need to do much. People seem to do it all on their own, these days. And worse than I could manage.”

It was true, although Leonard wasn’t precisely a conventional sort of demon. There were things he wouldn’t do—although he really didn’t want the Powers That Be knowing that.

“I know.” Sara watched the water of the fountain play a bit, shifting closer. “That’s...I guess that’s kind of the problem, isn’t it?” She glanced over at him as he sat up, watching her. “They do it all on their own,” she said, lowering her voice. “And so many times, they talk themselves into thinking they’re doing good. And really believing it.”

He did know what she meant. Far too well.

And sometimes it hurt, even to him.

Leonard and Sara, they’d come to their agreement long ago. Earth was a fascinating place, and (for the most part) they really rather liked it and all its opportunities. (And its food. And its entertainment. And its booze.) So, they played their scripted chess match, never a temptation without an instance of grace, and let humanity handle its own highs and lows.

And once a year, they met to check in. That had started, years ago, as just a way to get enough dirt on “the other side” to appease their respective sides. It’d grown into the need to talk to someone else who understood, who just got the highs and the lows. The intriguing and confusing and sometimes heartbreaking nature of these humans they lived among.

Sara, as she’d come to know Leonard better, discovered that he was less inclined to actually harm than merely tempt, and rarely in a way that was truly evil. And Leonard had discovered that Sara, angelic or not, had an ironically wicked sense of humor and fewer illusions than most about her “side” of the coin.

One might say they’d even become friends, over the years. Confidants. And then….and then…

Leonard cleared his throat. “Yeah,” he said quietly, looking at the water and then glancing her way out of the corner of his eye. “Sorry I ain’t been around much.” He’d been trying to avoid getting pulled into the sort of plot “his” side was so fond of right now. The trend was for true evil dressed and posing as lofty moral good these days, and it made him gag.

Give him a good ol’ fashioned sinner any day, rather than those devils in fundamentalists’ clothing. Or even worse, their smug, self-satisfied human patsies, so convinced of their own holy rightness that they’d tell themselves that their fellow humans deserved the worst of punishments for their alleged failings.

Yeah, Leonard was trying to stay far away from that. Or he’d get rather too involved—and not in the way he was supposed to.

Sara gave him a sad little smile, and he decided that that was enough introspection for now. He stood, turning with a little flourish and holding a hand out to her.

“C’mon,” he said, wriggling his fingers. “I think I owe you dinner this year. And I know a great place in this very city.”

Sara considered him, then reached out and took the hand, allowing him to pull her to her feet.

“Aw, no Ritz this year?” she asked a little playfully.

“Nah. I got something better.”

Sara hadn’t meant to let her current state of pessimism show quite so much. She should have known that Leonard, of all…entities…would see and hear it and react.

She’d just been so dam...so darned glad to see him, smirk and saunter and all. He could be a jerk and a jackass, but long experience had taught her that there was no true evil in him, despite everything she’d once been taught about his kind.

He understood her better than anyone else at this point, she thought, glancing across the table at him and toying with her glass of wine. The angel Ripkiel, her mentor, would choke, but it was true. The ones who never spent much time here, among the humans and all their amazing and horrible creations and potential, they didn’t get it.

As if he’d read her mind, Leonard, who’d been focused on the remnants of his meal at the little hole-in-the-wall steakhouse he’d taken her to, glanced up.

“And how’s ol’ Rip?” he asked laconically.

Sara sipped her wine. “Oh, you know. Harried and self-important, but still one of the better ones.” She paused. “And how’s Mik?”

Leonard’s brother, for lack of a better word, was a fire demon. His name was close enough to the name of one of the most famous archangels that he now refused to use anything other than a nickname.

Sara had met him, memorably, at the 1666 Great Fire of London, when she’d shown up, suspicious that the blaze was a demonic ploy. (The angelic host had been on high alert all year.) There, she’d found a big man with a fiery aura staring raptly at the flames and Leonard hovering nearby, his own icy aura evident as he kept an eye on the fire as well.

Mik had been inclined to great dubiousness when it came to Sara, but Leonard had quickly talked him into a sort of truce. In the end, parts of the city burned, but only six people died—and the flames had the counterintuitive benefit of cleansing great swaths of the city after the bubonic plague outbreak (which had killed a whopping 100,000 people) the year before.

(People still claimed it was the wrath of God that had caused the fire—because of the Catholics or the city’s sin of gluttony, depending on who you asked. Sara was still sighing over that one.)

“Mik is…Mik.” Leonard smiled briefly. “He’s OK. He keeps his head down. Still about as fond as…ah, authority…as I am.”

What did it mean when a demon hated authority? Sara wondered, given the authority to whom said demons were supposed to answer.

And what did it mean when an angel felt the same way?

That question led down paths she was still uneasy with. Her gaze dropped to her wine glass again.

“I’m glad,” she said, staring at the pale liquid. “I like…”

She liked Mik. But how could an angel like a demon? They were evil, her side taught. Unworthy of redemption or grace. You didn’t like a demon. Let alone lov…

Sara’s head jerked up. Her gaze glanced off Leonard’s, then ricocheted around the room before resting, finally, on the wine glass again.

Silence, except for the quiet bustling of the restaurant. Sara heard and partly saw Leonard pick up his own glass, half-full of a deep red wine, and take a drink.

Imagined his throat working as he swallowed. Imagined his lips, stained red from the wine. Considered a warm, solid, nonjudgmental presence, intelligent and thoughtful, all the things she’d been told and taught were not for her, and…

Sara lifted her eyes again, letting her gaze meet his, acknowledging the spark—hell, far more than that—that traveled between them.

“Your place is near here, right?” she asked, tossing back the glass of wine. “It’s been a long year.”

Leonard was a little nonplussed.

He sprawled on the black leather couch in his apartment, feet up on the back just because, watching Sara prowl around the space, perusing all his bookshelves and looking out the windows with a restless sort of energy. It was a great spot, he'd admit that, and he had the penthouse and an utterly remarkable view.

He hadn’t paid rent in, well, ever. He'd just sort of moved in, way back when this building had been shiny and new and state of the art, and stayed there as others slowly filled in the apartments below. No one thought about the penthouse after that day, and that was just how Leonard wanted it.

He didn’t pay for utilities or Wi-Fi either. Nevertheless, both seemed to work just fine.

The area was trendy again, now, and Leonard was vaguely surprised that he hadn’t had to “remind” anyone that the penthouse not only existed but was off-limits for years. He wasn’t too worried about it, though.

He was, however, worried about Sara. Something was definitely off. This wasn’t even the sort of brittle, hard-drinking cheer she had about her when there were things she just wanted to forget. This was more. This was worse.

“You OK?” he asked, watching her from half-lidded eyes.

After a moment, Sara turned away from the bookcase—the shelves dedicated to books that people had tried to ban in schools and libraries, always an amusing (if somewhat depressing, for people who liked books) selection. She crossed back to the couch, flinging herself down on it in a way that caused his feet to slide off the back and fall into her lap, a development she ignored in favor of reaching for her wine.

“Just...discontented,” she said simply, after draining half the glass.

“With?”

Sara studied him a long moment, face unreadable even to him. The only sounds in the apartment were the faint noises of traffic far down below.

“With the way things are,” she said finally. “In general. Your side...my side...the lines are blurring, aren’t they? And I'm so tired.” She put her head back against the black leather with a sigh. “So many evil people have always thought they’re doing good, but I feel like it’s getting worse. Does it even matter, anymore?”

The words fell starkly into the quiet.

This was where he should take a stab at tempting her to change sides, Leonard thought suddenly.

The successful temptation and turning to the dark side (to borrow a term) of an angel hadn’t happened in eons. If he pulled it off, it would be an incredible coup, a feather in his cap. He might get a dukedom out of it. More so, he’d probably get the Powers That Be off his back for a few more centuries or even millennia.

Leonard took a breath. He started to speak. And...

He just couldn’t get the words out. And nothing was stopping him but his own damned (literally) conscience.

Go...heav...well, something help him, he liked Sara as she was. And he didn’t want her to have to deal with the trials and tortures of hell, or even the guilt of knowing you...

He glanced away. Then back, seeing her watching him.

The corner of her mouth ticked up, wryly. “And you?”

And him what? Leonard, still mentally reeling a little, struggled to think of what she meant.

Sara didn’t let him struggle long. “You OK?”

Ah. The immediate answer was simply, of course, no. But he didn’t really want to explain that.

“Kind of...discontented,” he told her quietly. “With the way things are.”

He waited for her to try to redeem him, to change him. If temptation was the logical move for a demon, the reverse had to be true for an angel, right? He wasn’t sure it was even possible, but surely that was beside the point.

But she didn’t. She just watched him silently, an intent and unnerving blue gaze that Leonard met unflinchingly.

Maybe...he wondered. Maybe she liked him the way he was, too? Flawed in ways an angel simply wasn’t supposed to be?

The quiet stretched out for a bit, long enough that Leonard could see the pink of sunset starting to tint the sky outside. Somehow, they’d moved a little closer, and he could smell the faint fragrance of something around Sara. Something lovely and somehow green, more earthy than he’d expect from an angel.

She was close enough, as a matter of fact, that she could look up at him, that smile hovering around the corners of her mouth again.

“Well,” she said with a sigh. “At least we can be discontented together.”

And with that, Sara reached up, wound her hands in the lapels of his jacket, pulled him down, and kissed him in a way that was distinctly non-angelic.

Or maybe that depends on your definition of the word.

It’d happened the first time back in 1554, though they’d been dancing around each other in a certain way for far longer.

(Sometimes literally—the thought of that sword dance back in 15th-century Scotland could still get his cold blood stirring.)

And maybe predictably, they’d been angry at each other that evening, at least at first. Well, more with circumstances than with each other. And Sara had been far angrier than Leonard. Something that wasn’t surprising, given that she’d blamed him for Lady Jane Grey.

Now, in reality, Leonard had nothing to do with that, nor with the rise of Bloody Mary—though he supposed he couldn’t be sure others of his ilk hadn’t been pulling strings somewhere.

But he had been lurking about the English court when Sara had returned to England in the midst of Mary Tudor’s rash of executions and found out about Jane’s death. She’d confronted him outside the apartments he kept and marched him into them at sword-point, scary and beautiful and so close to losing control that he’d been a little worried for her.

And himself. That too.

She’d accused and he’d retorted, and they’d sniped back and forth at each other until Sara had placed both her hands on his doublet and accused him of breaking their little arrangement of balance. It’d been the hurt in her voice, breaking through the anger, that had finally pushed him to tell her the unvarnished truth.

“I didn’t do it!” he’d snapped back at her, finally, staring down into her furious eyes. “I tried to help her, for Go-… for someone’s sake!” He should stop. He didn’t stop. “I tried. And I did it for you.”

He wasn’t really sure why she’d believed him that time. Demons were supposed to lie, after all. But he hadn’t been lying, and he really had tried to help.

For no other reason than he knew how Sara would feel.

Sara had blinked. Had stared at him, the rage slowly fading from her eyes. Her hands were still lying on his chest, and they’d slowly contracted into fists as she stared. Leonard was starting to wonder what she was thinking when she…well, growled.

And then she’d dragged his head down and kissed him. Hard. A rage-kiss, the kind one wouldn’t think an angel, even a badass and unstuffy one, would be capable of.

He’d been stunned into a gasp, and she’d taken advantage of that, claiming his mouth rather ruthlessly. She tasted of spices, he thought incongruously, just before her weight against him sent them crashing backward into the wall. That’d brought Sara flush against him and his arms went around her, pulling her close almost involuntarily.

All right, then, he thought, in the one corner of his brain that was still running the show. (He was in a fully human body right then, after all,) All right. It’s not like you haven’t dreamed about this.

And he kissed her back, arms curving around her ass, boosting her against him, even all the layers of clothing of the time not fully concealing his arousal. Sara growled again, then bit his lip, drawing blood, wrapping her own arms around his neck.

Somehow, they’d made it to the bed.

Barely.

It couldn’t really be called lovemaking. He was supposed to be immune to that particular four-letter world, after all, and Sara was supposed to be more, ah, into the platonic notion thereof. No, it’d been raw, passionate sex, and mind-blowing for all that.

It’d been said (and written) that angels were sexless unless they really wanted to make an effort. But somehow, this had seemed...effortless, at least in terms of forgetting that they probably really, well, shouldn’t. Inevitable. Right.

Sara had been gone when he’d woken, hours later. He hadn’t seen her again for a year.

Then, as they met in Augsburg, she’d hadn’t mentioned what had happened, a coolness about her manner that suggested he shouldn’t either. So, he hadn’t. They’d exchanged reports and moved on without even spending a day in each other’s company. And Leonard, restless and oddly unhappy, had promptly taken himself off to cause trouble somewhere, complete with some judicious seduction of both women and men he’d had an eye on.

A full-on orgy been a fun distraction. For a while.

Their meetings continued, though, and eventually, they’d settled back into the bantering friendship that’d been there before. Leonard procured a deck of French playing cards and they’d started teaching themselves the rules of twenty-one, one of the popular games of the time, which led to lots of good-natured arguing and late nights of talking.

Then it happened again, in 1616.

They’d both decided to get utterly plastered in honor of William Shakespeare, whose death hadn’t had anything to do with angelic or demonic influence but was still something they both mourned. And the drunker they got, the more hands had started to roam, the more a little physical release had seemed like a good idea. Still, they could have gotten rid of the alcohol in their systems immediately, sobering up and probably making better decisions.

They hadn’t.

Sara had still been gone the next morning, and they’d still pretended nothing had happened. But there was no coolness at their next meeting and, Leonard thought, they’d both known it would eventually happen again.

It did. Not long after the Great Fire, when the embers had still been cooling and Leonard had gone looking for Sara, to let her know Mik had left with a gruff “Tell Blondie she was right.”

And then it’d happened again. And again. Sara stopped vanishing afterward. They’d wake up curled up together the next day and continue squabbling about the Enlightenment, or what side the whole American experiment would end up benefiting, or the Industrial Revolution.

By the 1900s, finding their way to a bed (or a table, or a wall, or a handy patch of grassy ground) every year had just been what they did. Oh, sometimes they saw each other more often than that, but their yearly “appointments” were the times that not only including reporting on the state of things to each other and figuring out how to keep their state of balance going, but also hours of intense sex—and conversation and argument and venting and companionship.

But it was just sex, they’d told themselves. That was all.

This, though, Leonard thought, so many years later, lying in his bed amidst tumbled gray satin sheets, running his thumb gently over Sara’s hipbone as she slept.

This had been lovemaking.

There. He’d thought it. He was a demon, and he’d fallen in love with an angel, and what they’d done together here had been love, at least on his part.

With a sigh, he shifted his other arm, and his fingers grazed something soft that wasn’t skin. Leonard felt around the sheets a few moments, then pulled out a feather.

One of his, he thought, staring at it. More than a foot long, and glossy black. Had he really lost control that much?

He ripped his mind away from that thought and what it might entail. Instead, he smirked, reaching out to run the feather carefully, up Sara’s side. She twitched a little, and he moved the tip over, teasing other portions of anatomy until she batted it away.

“Mmmm...” Sara stretched, opening one eye to regard him, then focusing on the feather. “That’s mean.”

“Well. It is me.”

“True.” She stretched, long and slow, and Leonard licked his lips, wondering if he could get her to stay a bit longer.

“Same time, next year?” she asked lazily—and, Leonard thought suddenly, a little wistfully. It was that perceived wistfulness that gave him the nerve to say it.

“Would it be so...bad...” He was supposed to be bad; he was a demon. Leonard soldiered on. “If we…if we...”

Sara raised an eyebrow after a moment. “Uncertainty isn’t usually your thing. If we…what?” she asked, amusement in her tone. Her eyes darkened, just a tiny bit, and she sat up, letting the sheets fall away around her. “Come up with something new and creative, have you? Tell me.”

“Not in the way you’re thinking.” Leonard met her eyes. “Can we see each other more than once a year?”

Sara blinked at him. “We usually do,” she said slowly, after a moment.

“I don’t mean...on work.” Leonard let out a long breath. He was still lying there, looking up at her, the sheets caught around his hips, and he felt very vulnerable indeed.

“Stay with me,” he said simply, watching her. “We’ve both said how...discontented we feel, lately. We’re better together. Let’s do something different.”

Sara stared at him. Her fingers curled around the sheets. “You mean...”

“I’m not tempting you.” Leonard felt his lips curve in a humorless smile. “Well, maybe I am, but not in that way. Not to...my side. The other side. Whatever.” He sighed, closing his eyes, then opened them again, thinking.

“They get free will,” he told her a bit recklessly, flinging a hand out, encompassing all of humanity in the gesture. “Why don’t we? Why can’t we make this choice?”

Sara’s laugh was a little breathless. “I think the idea is that we do,” she told him. “Hence the whole ‘fall’ thing.”

“Yeah. But what if I...choose again? I can’t, can I?” He gave her a slightly pointed look. “And what would your bosses say if they looked in on you now? Is that really free will?”

Sara glanced away, flushing. Leonard would have enjoyed watching the pink color spread down her neck and farther if he wasn’t so concerned about her reaction.

“Exactly,” he told her simply.

Silence reigned in the apartment for a few minutes more. And then, to Leonard’s great disappointment, Sara got to her feet, reaching down to pick up some white, silky clothing item she’d shed on their way into the bedroom. She stared at it as if she couldn’t figure out quite what it was, then looked up at him again.

Were those tears in her eyes? But angels didn’t cry. No more than demons did.

“Stay with me,” Leonard repeated quietly, not moving.

“What would we...”

“Don’t know until we try.”

Sara took a breath and dropped the piece of clothing. She closed her eyes—and was suddenly clothed, all in white and blue again, pulling her garb directly from the ether in a way she rarely did. She’d always said she liked humanity’s creations too much to do that sort of thing.

“I have to go,” she said, turning toward the door, not looking at him now. “We are what we are, Leonard. And we have a job to do, no matter how...how we feel about it at times.”

Leonard found his voice again. “If you feel so strongly about it, why have you helped me hold the balance?”

But the door clicked shut behind her.

Sara avoided him again. For a year.

There were so many times she wanted to go looking, but she resisted, every time. Partly because she didn’t know what to say. Mostly because she was scared.

And tempted.

For long years, she’d expected the demon to try to tempt her, to try to get her to fall, to join the host of hell instead of the side of heaven. Leonard never had, not even when she’d given him openings with her sense of...discontent. He’d listened, and he’d vented as well, but he’d never tried to really change her. He’d understood. And, she’d realized at some point, he had a lot of issues with the way things were himself.

His words that night in the apartment, though—he hadn’t been trying to change her, nor tempt her toward hell. He just wanted...her.

And Sara wanted him.

Heaven help her, she wanted him too.

By the time the year had passed, she really wanted to see him again. Needed to. And she still wasn’t sure what to do or say if he brought it up again, but one way or another…something needed to happen. She couldn’t continue without seeing him. She couldn’t.

When she arrived at the fountain at the Central City park, a little early as usual, she was stunned to see that tall, lanky, black-clad figure already sprawled on the fountain’s ledge, one foot tucked over the opposite leg, looking off in the other direction.

Sara’s footsteps sped up, and her breath caught. Leonard must have heard or sensed something, because he sat up at her approach, still facing in the other direction, but clearly aware.

And, as she slowed and came nearer, he turned to face her.

Sara stopped.

Leonard was...

He was human.

On the surface, he looked exactly the same. But to her eyes, there was something indefinably different. Something missing.

But also something more.

“Leonard,” she whispered, staring at him. No other words would form, so she just whispered it again. “Leonard.”

“Hey,” he said quietly, watching her. No sprawl. No smart-ass comment. No explanation.

“What...how...” Sara had a hard time getting words out. There was too much.

Leonard gave her a tiny smile. “How long have I been…?” He looked down at his hands—those long-fingered clever hands that she knew so well. Human hands, now. “Almost a year. Not too long after…after I saw you last.”

“But…how?” She was whispering and wasn’t quite sure why. There weren’t many people around and they were ignoring the pair by the fountain. But there was a knot in her throat, and it was choking her.

His eyes were distant. “I couldn’t do it anymore,” he told her. “Be what I was. And I...changed.” His gaze focused and fixed on her, intent. “It turns out that’s a thing you can do. No take-backs, though.”

Sara figured there had to be more to it than that, but she’d also had another sudden, horrifying realization. “You’ll die.”

And Leonard, that jackass, nodded. Far too calmly. “Eventually. I’m told I’ll probably get a bit longer than the usual run, ‘specially since I started out in a body that wasn’t exactly newborn.” His smile was a little wry, but his eyes were still direction.

And suddenly Sara was angry. At him? At herself? At the world? All three? She took a deep breath, hands folding into fists. By the way Leonard’s eyes flickered, he sensed it.

“You’re leaving me,” she said, voice breaking on the words. “No, you left me.”

You’ve gone where I can’t follow.

“I didn’t mean to,” Leonard said quietly.

And then, even quieter: “You could join me.”

Sara’s heart stopped.

She stared at him. He stared back.

And then it started again.

“I can’t. I...” She took a step backward. Then another. Saw the hurt in Leonard’s eyes—human eyes, pale blue, no longer truly icy—a hurt that he quickly concealed.

“I get it,” he told her, looking away again. “You have a mission. A good one. I get it.” He unfolded himself from his seat, standing, still tall enough to nearly tower over her—though he’d never once used his height that way.

And he turned away.

There was, apparently, nothing else to say.

Sara struggled to breathe.

“What about the balance?” she asked the back of his black jacket helplessly. How could he do this to her? How was she going to keep going, throughout all the years, without him?”

Leonard paused. Then he looked back over his shoulder.

His face was still, his eyes…

“Gotta feeling it’ll keep going, one way or another,” he told her. “Think about it. I have. A lot.” An odd expression crossed his features, but it vanished before Sara could try to identify it, leaving only regret behind.

“Good luck, Sara,” he said softly. “I’ll be rooting for you.”

And she watched him leave.

“Rip!”

The angel Ripkiel had a place he liked to go sometimes. He told the others of his kind who asked that it was where he went to meditate on the nature of the world and time itself. In reality, he just liked the quiet and the fresh air.

It wasn’t much, really. A meadow in the mountains, a place humanity—and other angels—rarely approached. Ripkiel rather liked humanity, really (sometimes more than he liked other angels), but he also liked quiet.

“Rip!” the voice shouted his name again. He opened his eyes and sighed, then looked up from his seat on a large stone, dragged to the meadow by a glacier thousands of year ago.

The angel Sarai, a protégé of his once, approached him, eyes bright and posture tense. She must have flown up here, but she was on foot now.

And she looked pissed.

Ah. So they were going to do this now. Rip (and, yes, he knew about the nickname) smiled a little, sadly, as he turned to face her.

Sara’s steps stuttered to a halt a few feet away. She took a deep breath, eyes fixed on him. “Did you know?”

“About what?” Rip asked mildly, then continued before she could get another word out. “That you’ve had a partnership with a demon for millennia? That you’ve worked against heaven’s stated goals with him?” He paused. “That you’d fallen in love with him?”

Sara didn’t deny it.

“No,” she said, without missing a beat. “That he’s human now. That...that's a thing that can happen.”

Rip nodded, glancing away and out at the view. “Yes,” he said quietly. “I think I came very close to it myself once.”

Sara blinked. He’d surprised her. After only a moment, she came a little closer, seeming a little more subdued.

“There was a woman,” Rip told her, simply, answering the question before she could ask it.

Sara paused. “What happened?”

Rip gazed out at his view again. “I couldn’t leave…what I am…behind. She died. The end.”

Silence, except for birdsong and the faint whistle of the wind.

“Why couldn’t you?” Sara asked finally. She leaned against the larger rock next to him.

Rip looked at her. Really looked, seeing the conflict and the regret on her face.

“Too much doubt,” he said, wanting her to understand. “I just wasn’t sure. And you need to be.”

“I don’t understand. Do you…do you turn yourself human?”

Rip sighed, studying Sara. “It’s not that simple,” he told her. “Or…perhaps the point is that it’s ultimately simpler.” He looked up at the sky again, the sun and the clouds, and thought of Miranda. With regret, always.

“You decide,” he said simply. “That’s all. You decide and you change, and that’s it.” He glanced at Sara, holding out his hands before him. “Free will.”

She didn’t say anything. An interesting expression crossed her face and she looked up at the sun too. Rip wondered what she was thinking.

“Are you going to go with him?” he asked, after a few minutes, keeping his tone wholly unjudgmental.

Sara’s gaze snapped back to him. “I can’t do that!”

Rip shrugged. “No?” he asked. “You’ve been unhappy. I’ve seen that. You’ve changed.” He held up a hand as her gaze sharpened. “That’s not a criticism. If anything, maybe it’s a compliment.”

He sighed. “Sometimes I think the reluctance to change is our downfall,” he mused. “I know it was mine.”

The younger angel let out a long breathe. “But…” she said. “The world…”

Rip listened to her voice drift off before he spoke again. “You know how much good a single determined human can do in the world,” he told her. “And I have a feeling that in the end, that might be the most important thing of all.”

Rip looked back at the view. Sara didn’t say anything.

After a moment, though, he felt a shadow fall over his face as she unfurled her wings again. He felt the downdraft as she stepped back and took off.

And he reached down to pick up a single white feather from where it’d fallen to the grass.

“Goodbye, Sara,” he said quietly, looking out over the mountains. “We’ll miss you.”

Trying to decide what to do with your life was an interesting process.

Leonard, sitting on the rim of the park fountain and perusing a newspaper, put it down and sighed. Millennia of experience as a fallen angel didn’t really translate to any sort of job experience, as it turned out. Well, maybe as a politician, but he wasn’t touching that with a 10-foot pole.

It didn’t matter as much as it might have. Any amount of higher or advanced knowledge he’d once had was gone now, but Leonard wasn’t stupid. And he’d always been very pragmatic.

Between the money he already had in a nice, safe bank account and the investments he’d made, he didn’t really have to work—even though his landlord had suddenly realized there was a tenant in the penthouse, which existed after all. (Fortunately, he also had a signed, witnessed rental agreement, whether or not the man remembered it.)

It was even legit. Leonard was more or less trying to walk the path of the angels—so to speak—these days.

His decision had reset his personal scales, but Leonard knew better than pretty much any other human on Earth right now that good and evil were a good bit more complicated than most people believed. Still. Should he wind up in hell one day, there were a lot of…entities…who’d particularly like to see him scream. Better to walk the line.

He pulled his long legs up on the fountain rim and sprawled out again, putting his hands under his head and looking up at the sky.

For the past few weeks, he’d held out hope. He’d looked for Sara everywhere, hoping she’d come back. Hoping she’d decide, like he had, and she’d show up on his doorstep, beautiful and badass and human.

But he wouldn’t ask more than he already had. Pressuring her wasn’t something he ever wanted to do, and it wouldn’t work. It had to be her decision, and it had to be for her.

He closed his eyes, feeling the sun on his eyelids. He liked it. When he was a demon, sun had always felt a little…too good. He was supposed to be a creature of darkness, after all.

He might have stretched out there for a minute or an hour, just enjoying the peace, when a shadow fell over him. Leonard thought about opening an eye, then just decided to hope the person went away.

He felt someone pick up the newspaper by his head.

“Job ads, hmmm? Looking for a new career?”

His eyes popped open.

Sara was standing there, next to him. She had the paper in hand, studying it, and…

She was human.

And the most incredible, amazing thing he’d ever seen in his long life.

Leonard sat up so fast that he had to blink, unused to the sensation of vertigo. Sara gave him a wicked little smile, then dropped her gaze to the paper again.

“Substitute teacher…no. Landscaper…no,” she mused. “Telemarketing…isn’t that a fairly demonic profession? Maybe not.” She set the paper down and regarded him. “Guess you’ll have to find something else to do.”

Leonard just stared at her.

After a few moments, Sara started looking a little uncomfortable. “Leonard?” she asked quietly. “I mean…if this OK? Do you want me to leave? I…”

But then she stopped. Mostly because Leonard had stood, taken a step forward, wrapped his arms around her, and kissed her.

Distantly, he could hear wolf whistles in the background from park passers-by, and a few suggestions to “get a room!” They didn’t matter.

All that mattered was that Sara was kissing him back. Fervently. Her hands wrapped around the back of his head and her body molding to his.

When they finally broke away, they were both breathless.

“I…” Leonard cleared his throat, letting his hands drop to his sides. “Well, I had a city CSI I met suggest looking into law enforcement. Because I seemed to have some experience with…certain criminal elements.”

He gave a look from under his lashes. “I don’t know. Personally, I think I’d made a hell of a thief.”

Sara smiled at him. “I don’t know,” she said, thoughtfully, running her fingers down his jacket. “I think you’d make a better hero.”

Leonard coughed. “Maybe we can figure out something more...in-between?” he suggested delicately, holding out a hand to her.

Sara took it. “As long as it’s with me,” she told him. “We’re in this together, and don’t you forget it.”

“Me and you, angel. Me and you.”

#captain canary #sara x leonard #inspired by good omens #legends of tomorrow

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mask131 · 5 years

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I just binge-watched Good Omens, the television series

Is it my favorite tv show of all time? Definitively not. Did I enjoy it? Yeah, I did, despite the narmy moment, campy moments and sudden fast-forward due to apparent deleted scene.

Did it felt like a faithful adaptation of the book? Yes... and no.

Don’t get me wrong, it was a very good show. It was enjoyable, funny, clever, interesting. But things were missing. A lot of things.

I know they didn’t had time to put everything, and that they had to cut a lot of details, such as the subplot of the “Hell Angels”, but the story worked fine without it. Plus they gave us a lot of bonus background and stories, so it as cool.

But other elements were missing that definitively did not made it for me the best adaptation of Good Omens there could be. I’m thinking of two right now. The first one: a line Adam says at the end, when facing the higher powers of Heaven and Hell. In the book he had this very good line about how they should stop to make people believe the most important things are in the after-life and that Heaven or Hell is the only thing important about your existence, because they should rather make people understand that what’s important is what they are doing right now, on Earth, while they are leaving. That’s my clumsy resume, but that was a very good and true and beautiful line and I’m sad it disappeared of the final confrontation. But strangely, it felt like if Adam had delivered this line it would have seemed out-of-place in this adaptation. I don’t know, it didn’t felt like it was going into this direction... Indeed, the “moral” or “lesson” or “message” I got there was rather “If you hope and have faith enough and believe enough, things can change.” Which is... kind of different from what message the book carried. I mean, it’s not the entire array of messages. It seems they just picked some of them, made them more explicit, and put the others away.

My other big disappointment was with the Horsepeople of the Apocalypse. They were, are and always will be my favorite part of the book. The characters, their ideas, their settings, everything. And again, don’t get me wrong, they were well played and Pollution was particularly creepy, and their scenes at the airbase were really good. BUT... They still felt under-used. My main complain would be with their introduction scene: for who knows who’s sake, why did they had to cram it all and rush them like that? In the book we had two different scenes for each Horseperson, showing, with pause, calm and humor, the full spectrum of how they actually mattered in our planet’s life, how they influenced the events, how they helped spread their respective plagues over the world. But here? We know barely anything about them. We wouldn’t guess them to be the Horsemen of the Apocalypse until they finally ride together. Where is War making people fight over her? Were is Famine giving irrealistic weight standards in the fashion industry while delightfully killing people with a famine-obesity? They didn’t even explain why Pestilence retired in the first place! It was a big, big deception.

And also, just to be clear... For the demons and hell. Everything was nearly perfect... Until the weird animals on their heads. With Ligur it was understandable at first because he seemed to be the only one wearing one, and it actually moved. Then Hastur revealed his frog and while it seemed ririduclous at times, the fact he hid it under a wig was quite funny. But then, when Beelzebub arrived with the fake mouth on her/his head... I’m sorry I couldn’t take it seriously.

I saw people comment about how it looked like this TV series was “Good Omens, through the perspective of Neil Gaiman”, as in most of the jokes and lines and characters written by Pratchett were swept under the rug. I can’t tell if it is true or not given I don’t remember well who wrote what.

I also saw people complain about the show not being funny enough, lacking a lot of the jokes and humor of the book. I can’t say that either. It’s true it seemed less funny than the book, but I deemed it mostly on how I already knew most of the jokes in advance.

The only other thing I agree with other people on is the narm of some scenes or characters, that goes sometimes into the borderline if not full cringe by moment. Hopefully, it is overshadowed a lot by all the other goods scenes. The new additions to the story and background felt perfectly normal, not at all weird or out of place. Oh, but one last complaint, the children. I usually have a problem with children acting because it always make me cringe a little. And, except for the actress of Peper who was wonderful in her role, the others were kind of... meh. Wensleydale felt like a cliché little first-of-the-class that was annoying. Brian actor was quite good in the first episodes, but during the final ones suddenly lost all ability to express serious or deep emotions. As for Adam... meh. Sometimes he was good and knew how to deliver his line, but sometimes it felt like he wasn’t able to go to the full end of the scene. Like when Adam renounces his “dark side”. His scream should have been a dreadful scream of pain and power and anger and sadness. But there it felt... I don’t know, like at a bad attempt at screaming, even with the special effects. Result: I liked the parts with the Them gang much less than I did in the book (except for Pepper). Well, that’s the risk of having child actors. Sometimes they’re good, sometimes they’re bad, and sometimes they’re just so bad...

So... what final opinion could I make after this first view?

Well... It is a good adaptation, and one that tries to be extremely faithful to the material (mostly succeeding in doing it, due to Neil Gaiman being behind the commands). It is a good show, no doubt, even if it has some obvious flaws. Would I advise it to someone who hasn’t read the book? No, personally I wouldn’t because I think it would give them a bad idea, or a bad start, on the story. This show felt much more like one those who have read the book should see - between a gift to the fans, a bonus companion with added backstory, a new twist on the tale, while being a condenced resume with a lot of shout-out and reference to non-adapted material.

So yeah, not at all a good start if you want to enter the Good Omens universe, but a good way to continue your travel after reading the book.

#good omens #my opinion #the horsepersons of the apocalypse #the horsepeople of the apocalypse #tv series #tv show #review #well kind of #the them

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blouisparadise · 6 years

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As promised, here the continuing rec list of fics where Louis is called pet names. Part one can be found here, and when it’s out, part three will also be linked here. Happy reading!

1) Tie You Up and Make Me Scream | Explicit | 2166 words

AU where Harry teases Louis and it becomes a game until they cant handle it anymore and escape to have tent sex while the rest of the boys are in the other tents.

2) Feel The Need | Explicit | 4898 words

Louis and Harry attend Liam's Halloween party. Risky Business ensues.

3) Just Stop Your Crying (It’s A Sign Of The Times) | Explicit | 5864 words

My own imagining of the inspiration for Sign of the Times. Featuring boys in love, even after all this time.

4) We’ll Stumble Through Heaven | Explicit | 6504 words

Louis likes to be a good boy for his alpha.

5) Raised on Rhythm and Blues | Explicit | 8034 words

“That look on your face makes me think you’re not cooking me spaghetti fast enough,” Louis announces as he walks back into the kitchen. Harry knows exactly where Zoe gets her habits from.

“Cooking for my two beautiful and insanely intelligent children, not for the weird bloke that sleeps in my bed and eats all my food,” Harry answers, tilting his head and wondering if he should add more sauce.

6) Forever, Uninterrupted | Explicit | 8578 words

Harry finds a mysterious picture in Louis' bag one night and drives himself crazy over it. It's definitely not what he thinks.

7) Spice Up Your Life | Explicit | 9501 words

After a conversation with his Uni friends, Harry worries that his relationship with Louis has lost it's spark.

8) Infinitely All For Me | Explicit | 10630 words

The Alpha Louis' been betrothed to since he was 14 has finally come of age and Louis' been delivered to his home.

9) Keep Holding Me This Way | Explicit | 13747 words

An English grad student, a frat jock, and an unimpressed rich boy walk into a bar. No one walks out.

10) Let’s Take the World By Storm | Explicit | 14656 words

Harry lifts his head off Louis' chest to look at Louis' face. "What's that supposed to mean?"

“I don’t know, but our sex life feels a bit boring, ‘sall,” Louis says, completely avoiding eye contact.

“Boring.” Harry says flatly. He doesn’t say anything more, and Louis looks up to see that Harry seems to be mulling it over.

“Yeah, boring," Louis says, and keeps talking before Harry can pipe up. “I mean, think about it. We’ve been dating since X Factor, and now things are starting to drag a bit. We don’t even have the time for handjobs anymore, much less actual sex.”

11) The Seed Inside You, Baby, Do You Feel It Growin’ | Explicit | 14793 words

Louis really wants Harry to get him pregnant.

12) Oops, Baby, I Love You (In That Order) | Explicit | 25344 words

The minute Louis Tomlinson decides he don’t need no man to start a family, Harry Styles literally falls into his arms.

13) Another Day Gettin’ Into Trouble | Explicit | 25619 words

Harry’s drunk when the idea occurs to him. He’s also a pop star, so sometimes his drunk ideas turn into actual things instead of just ideas. The clone-a-willy kit is one of them.

In Harry’s defense, when he first thinks about it his intention is just to buy the kit and give it to Louis to make his own dildo with, because that’s what he wants anyway, right? To have a penis filling him up?

Then he realizes that it would be weird if Louis made a copy of his own dick to fuck himself with. It’d be super weird. Louis fucking himself? That’s a weird idea. Harry’s pretty sure Louis wouldn’t like that.

Clearly the only solution here is to use his own dick for the mold.

14) Force of Nature | Mature | 25672 words

Louis is a shy, young musician who doesn't want to go to Harvard.

Harry is a confident, second year athlete who likes to have a good time.

When their paths cross while their families are vacationing at the same lake resort, what begins as a summer of fun becomes a defining journey that might just change everything.

15) Up To No Good | Explicit | 26525 words | Sequel 1 | Sequel 2

Harry doesn’t think of himself as a womanizer, not at all. Sure, he enjoys sex, enjoys how women feel underneath him, and by some people’s standards he has sex with quite a lot of people, but that’s no reason to tell him that he can’t have a female PA anymore.

It’s especially no excuse for giving him a male PA who’s possibly the most gorgeous boy in the world who won’t even let Harry look at him for too long.

Sometimes Harry hates his life.

16) Always Come Back To You | Explicit | 28862 words

“I’ll do it,” Harry offers brightly. No one even blinks. “I’ll do it?”

Louis sighs irritably. “Shut up,” he orders, tossing a pillow in the general direction of Harry’s face. This is a terrible time for jokes, especially Harry’s lame, old people ones.

Not that it was an old people joke. Just that most of the time Harry’s jokes consist of knock-knocks or terrible puns. The type of jokes old people like, Louis’ pretty sure. His nan always finds them hilarious when Harry tells her one.

Harry bats the pillow out of the air without even blinking. “Be reasonable, Lou,” he says in his most reasonable voice.

Louis is perfectly reasonable, thank you very much, and he’s also frustrated and upset and tired and he really wants to punch something. Maybe he should have held on to that pillow a little longer.

“You’re not gonna fucking do it,” he snaps. “That’s the last thing I need.”

17) Blind From This Sweet, Sweet Craving | Explicit | 31170 words

"So, I guess we'll go?" Louis asks later, when Harry has calmed down and eaten his weight in Chinese food. He plays with this chopsticks, spearing another piece of chicken and pops it in his mouth. "I mean, I wouldn't mind. We could make it an adventure."

Harry observes him, watches him seated across from him on their old living room carpet, with a container of food on his lap. He's fidgeting, avoiding meeting Harry's gaze–he probably knows that Harry's mad at him for ruining the one chance they had to get out of this situation. And he's not wrong, Harry is definitely very mad. Harry wants to strangle him and castrate him and smack him upside the head.

But he's also Harry's best friend, and despite everything, despite all the fuck-ups and the plot twists and everything just not playing out the way it should, he'd still rather be stuck in this situation with Louis than any of the other boys. He's got Harry's back, and in a weird, abstract way, he knows they'll be able to get out of this situation, together.

Harry sighs. "We're going," he says resignedly, his shoulders slumping.

Oh well. There are definitely worse ways to spend the weekend than pretending to be engaged to his best friend.

18) Cupid’s Chokehold | Explicit | 35326 words

Louis is a Cupid who tries to match up Niall and Harry. It doesn't work out as planned.

19) Mark My Word (We Gon’ Be Alright) | Explicit | 35524 words

"He’s always known that there would come a time when Harry would bond with some beautiful, quiet omega, and they would have lots of curly-haired pups and live happily ever after.

Knowing it and living it are two very different things, though. Watching the object of your affection desperately search for a mate and completely disregard you as an option is all sorts of painful, but it is what it is, and Louis is just going to have to learn to live with that."

20) Who Would’ve Thought | Explicit | 44275 words | Companion Fic

The idea doesn’t come to Louis until they’ve been at the bungalow for a couple of days. Harry has no idea that he’s going to pop a knot. He’s been living his life with the expectation that he’s going to be a beta, and Louis isn’t going to tell him otherwise.

Louis is an omega, though, and most omegas want to be filled up with a knot, fucked the way their bodies are made to be fucked, and Louis is no different. In ten years he wants to have an alpha waiting for him at home who will hold him down and fuck him exactly the way Louis wants to be fucked without worrying that they’re going to expect him to stay at home, open a joint bank account, raise a litter of babies, cook and clean and, most importantly, be submissive. For that to happen Louis needs an entirely different kind of alpha.

And so the plan is born.

21) Tangled Up In You | Explicit | 45152 words

Harry blinks once. And blinks again. And says, his voice dangerous: “Niall, did you get me a mail-order bride?”

Because what the actual fuck. It kind of looks like Niall’s just purchased a person. For Harry.

Niall blinks back at him for a few moments, before throwing his head back and howling with laughter. Harry throws a pillow at him. Hard. “No, what the fuck, Harry.”

“A prostitute then?” Harry also doesn't want a prostitute.

“Of course not!”

“A stripper?”

“No!”

Damn, he’s running out of ideas. He settles for launching another pillow at Niall’s head. Niall bats it away easily, still laughing. “Stop!”

“What did you get me, then?!” Niall must hear the tinge of hysteria in his voice, because he’s pulling himself together, trying to stop himself from laughing.

There’s still a big grin on his face, though, when he says, “I got you a professional cuddler.”

A professional…what. “What?”

22) Nobody Does It Like You | Not Rated | 58820 words

Louis isn't looking for a home, but he finds one in Harry.

23) Tug-Of-War | Explicit | 63000 words

Louis' husband dies suddenly and he is left with nothing. Well, not really nothing. He has Harry. And a St. Bernard puppy named Link, whom his late husband left behind for him. Louis takes care of Link and Harry takes care of Louis. Everything is okay until suddenly, it isn't.

24) Why Can’t It Be Like That | Explicit | 63567 words

A fashion AU with a royal twist, where Louis doesn't need a stylist, Harry's thrilled to have a real life Barbie doll, and they're both very wrong about each other.

25) Perfect Storm | Explicit | 80230 words

What do you do when your best friend asks you and your (now) ex to be the best men at his destination wedding? You can either tell him the truth, tell him you’re not together anymore, and deal with the consequences, or you can pretend you’re still together and roll with it, just pray you don’t spiral. Fake it ‘til you make it. You know, for the sake of the wedding.

Harry and Louis choose the latter.

Check out our other fic rec lists by category here and by title here.

#bottom louis #top harry #fic recs #blp fic recs #blp

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askquillakuzco · 5 years

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Task 001: About Me

Basics.

What is your full name?

“Quilla Malina Kuzco. Princess, Empress-To-Be.”

What is the meaning/story behind your name?

“I am named after the Inca goddess of the Moon—a significant contrast to the patron god of my people, the sun god Inti, who is also the ancestor of Sapa Inca like myself. I like to think this means I’m the embodiment of balance—a little ironic, though, considering how much I struggle with that.”

Do you have any nicknames?

“Q, Qi, Quills (Keys and sometimes Keels), Qui-Chain, QiQi, Shortcake.”

When and where were you born?

“April 1st in Cusco, Peru. Aries Sun, Sagittarius Moon, and Libra Ascendant, in case you’re curious.”

Current age?

“Sixteen years.”

Physical.

What is your eye color?

“Dark Brown.”

Do you ever wear glasses/contacts?

“Nope. Never needed ‘em, but those large-framed glasses do look super cute on me.”

Hair color?

“Black, with curls for days.”

Have you ever dyed your hair?

“Never completely. I do get highlights every now and then. Usually brown or blonde, sometimes purples, reds, or pinks.”

Height and body type?

“Five feet tall, stout. Fat, yes. Been trying to reclaim the word as something positive, or at least neutral. It’s difficult, sometimes, dealing with people’s reactions to the way I look, especially being a public figure, but I remind myself not to blame my body for their toxicity. I’m not most people’s idea of what a princess should look like, but honestly—eff your beauty standards.”

Do you have any birthmarks?

“A few little moles here and there. Beauty marks, I guess? One on the left side of my upper lip, one near my left collarbone, one on my upper back...I may have more I haven’t yet noticed, I guess?”

Any scars or other markings?

“No scars, but I do have a sun tattoo on my left upper arm. The mark of Inti, again, patron god of my people.”

What is your favorite and least favorite feature?

“I got gorgeous hair and a great as-...err...legs. I suppose I’m most self-conscious about my neck? Some days I’ll be okay with it, even like it, and other days...not so much.”

How would you describe your style?

“Flashy, fabulous, regal...mostly red. People are gonna stare, anyway. I figure I should give ‘em something to look at.”

Personality.

Positive traits?

“Brilliant, fashionable, connected, caring, and when angry...A force to be reckoned with.”

Negative traits?

“I’ve had people tell me I’m short-tempered—I swear to Inti, if any of you make a short joke right now, I’m gonna—ahem. I also tend to be a little...okay, a lot nosy. I’m a curious person, I can’t really help that! I’ve also been told I’m a bit of a spoiled brat, which I can’t completely disagree with. Daddy’s little girl, guilty as charged! I guess one trait I’d like to change in myself is all this insecurity and self-doubt I have in me. Folks have also told me that I can be petty, but sometimes I feel like I’m allowed to be, okay? Or maybe that’s the insecurity talking...maybe I am really petty.”

“Yeah...self-doubt. Boom. There it is.”

Are you more introverted or extroverted?

“Definitely extroverted. Talking to people, in general, gives me life. A few people can be draining, sure, but generally I draw energy from socializing.”

Do you have any talents?

“I excel at the sciences. Chemistry, in particular. I’m also pretty great at networking!”

Do you have a good memory?

“I like to think so, but I occasionally find myself worrying that I’m mis-remembering something. Ties back into the self-doubt thing. Something I still need to work through.”

Any fears/phobias?

“Letting myself succumb to my weakness. Allowing someone else to have me by the throat in every decision I need to make. I won’t let that happen again.”

What do you have a soft spot for?

My family and my friends, without a doubt...

Other than that, well...people who haven’t had a fair shot in life.

Any pet peeves?

I tend to take issue with any terms often used to put someone’s sanity into question. I used to use words like these a lot myself, so flippantly...without knowing just how much power they hold. It wasn’t until such words were used against me, to the point of my doubting my own reality, that I realized how dangerous they can be. I still find myself flinching anytime I hear them. Occasionally, I’ll disassociate, or have flashbacks...it’s kind of terrifying. I’ve given up on telling people to stop using these words around me, though. They’re so common in everyday language and I can’t exactly provide people with a strong enough argument for it, apparently.

Okay, so maybe it’s more than just a...pet peeve.

Does being annoyed at short jokes count as a pet peeve? Or people using me as an armrest?

Are you a good student?

I’m an honor roll student, honey.

What is your favorite/least favorite subject?

Favorite, definitely chemistry. I’ve had an affinity for it from a young age. Least? Cooking. You’d think having all this chemistry knowledge would help with that, but it really doesn’t. Cooking is a bit too vague and loose for my taste. I prefer exact measurements and consistency in method. I guess that’s why cooking is considered more of an art than a science? No disrespect to all you amaze chefs out there. It just ain’t my thing.

Family and Relationships.

Who are your parents?

Emperor Kuzco and Empress Malina.

How would you describe them?

My father, Kuzco, is dramatic, cocksure, and a bit self-centered. At the same time, he’s loyal and willing to learn and do better. He’s also great fun at parties! My mother, Malina, is a hard-working, loving, and ambitious woman. However, she can be pretty demanding, overbearing, and critical from time to time. Both of my folks are pretty overprotective, too, so there’s that. It wasn’t until this past year that they finally let me out of the palace for a long period of time. And the first time they didn’t have any guards accompany me outside the palace walls.

Who is your best friend/Who are some of your close friends?

Kaja Birdwell. I’m not sure what I did to deserve such a beautiful, generous, and kind soul as a best friend. She’s been there for me, through so much. She was there for me when others weren’t. I trust her even more than I trust my own parents.

I’ve made some friends here in Auradon, as well, who I’ve become pretty close to. Among them, Cora, Cole, and Erika. I was hesitant in making new friends when I first came here. I was in a weird place, out of my parent’s palace on my own for the first time, and getting over a really bad relationship in which I had lost quite a few people in my life who I thought were my friends. Still, these few individuals managed to worm their way into my heart somehow. I’m still hesitant to let down my walls completely—they’re not Kaja—but I do feel like I can trust them.

What do you look for in a friend?

Just...see me as a person. Not just as a...a connection, or an advice-machine. Not as something to toy with and manipulate...just...see me as a person—with feelings and fears, anger and doubts. See me at my best and my worst and take it all. I’ll surely do the same for you.

If you’re comfortable answering, what is your orientation?

Upside-down. Kidding!

I think the best way to describe it is that...I’m attracted to people, not genders. Pansexual is the term, I think.

Have you ever been in a relationship?

Yes. Tragically, yes. If I could undo it all, I would.

Have you ever been in love?

...Also yes. Also tragic.

What do you look for in a partner?

What I look for in a partner is kind of similar to what I look for in a friend. All of that, plus good chemistry, of course.

Do you believe in love at first sight or soulmates?

I believe in love at first impression. Say you love certain aspects of someone you initially see in them, not necessarily the whole person, but parts of them. As for the whole person, I don’t think that would go beyond infatuation. As for soulmates...no clue. It’s a cute thought, but it’s unfair to those who don’t find theirs. Why would some people have soulmates and others not? Sounds like some kind of cruel, cosmic joke meant to only benefit a few.

Do you see getting married and/or having children in the future?

I did think of it before, with my ex. Everytime I try to think of any of that now, I just...I keep seeing his face. He managed to opaquely paint over every rose-tinted fantasy I’ve ever had for the future, unfortunately. I’m sure it’ll pass someday, but for now I’m...pretty discouraged about it any of it actually happening. Or at least, happening in a way that I’d end up happy.

Favorites.

Top 3 Books:

“The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements” by Sam Kean.

“The Andromeda Strain" by Michael Chrichton

“A Series of Unfortunate Events” by Lemony Snicket/Daniel Handler

Top 3 Movies:

“The Andromeda Strain" based on the novel by Michael Chrichton

“Arrival”

“Young Frankenstein“

Top 3 Foods:

CandyCorn

Ceviche

Causa

Gingersnaps

#{ confessions of a teenage llama queen (muse) }#atnbtask001 #askthenewbadtask #//bout time I got one of these done

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noona-clock · 6 years

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Study: Admin B

In which we dig deeper under the surface of our favorite Noona-Clock Admins.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the gifs used in this post. I am not an astrologer nor am I a professional psychologist. These are my opinions based on the research I have done personally/as a hobby. If you disagree with any of these statements, please do so respectfully. Also, I totally understand if you do not read this. I know it’s going to be long because I have done a lot of research into my own personality. 🙄

-Admin B

Sun Sign: Aquarius (Air)

Aquarius is known to be really the most unique sign in the zodiac... which basically just translates to: Aquarians are a bunch of weirdos. Our sign is ruled by Uranus which is the planet of originality, so yeah. We’re big on individualism and being yourself and being different. So, we really are just a bunch of weirdos, but we know it. And we’re proud of it. I am definitely a weirdo, but I don’t see this as a bad thing at all. I have a wacky sense of humor, and I... am just weird! I’m not afraid to be myself and let my funny, quirky traits and habits shine through. I have a wide variety of interests which really aren’t connected to each other at all (KPOP, Star Trek, Disney, Makeup, romance novels, the British royal family, history, Harry Potter - all of which I love just about equally!). Aquarians, myself included, can also be kind of awkward and a little misunderstood at times because of this originality we value so much. That’s why it can be difficult for us to make friends sometimes. But we’re also just very choosy about who we let into our life! We know not everyone will accept us for who we are, even though Aquarians are pretty non-judgmental.

Another huge part of the Aquarius sign is the need to help people. Our symbol is the water bearer, and this signifies how we like to give things to people. We give our time, our compassion, our knowledge. We just want to better the world, and we have such huge, humanitarian hearts. I can definitely identify with this trait because I have always been extremely empathetic, and I do my best to help out anyone in any way I can. I always donate an extra two dollars at the store for homeless pets or food drives or children's’ hospitals. I rescue all my pets from shelters. I use cruelty-free makeup and skincare, and I try to buy as many of my clothes as I can secondhand to help the environment some. I know there’s so much more I could be doing, too!

Aquarians can also be really hard to break through to. I mentioned before it’s difficult for us to make friends sometimes, not only because we can be so weird and awkward but also because we have a tendency to be emotionally detached. We’re usually pretty reserved (I definitely am), and we strongly prefer not to show or talk about our emotions. We do not like confrontation, but we also tend to overthink a lot. So even though we might seem like we’re emotionally detached, there’s a lot going on in our heads. We love to analyze situations down to the bones, usually in an unhealthy way. But Aquarians are just huge thinkers in general. This aspect of the Aquarius sign definitely applies to me, as I have always had trouble expressing myself emotionally. I don’t easily say ‘I love you’ to people, though this mostly just applies in real life. I can express myself so much easier in writing because I have more time to sort out my thoughts!

Moon Sign: Cancer (Water)

WOO, GIRL. I’ve said before that having a water sign in your lunar placement is difficult, but like... having Cancer in your lunar placement? Oh, my. Cancer is the sign ruled by the Moon itself, so a water moon sign + the Moon moon sign = good luck to you. (and yes I’m now thinking of Moon Moon. Bless his heart.)

Cancers really have a bad reputation for being crybabies because we are so. dang. sensitive. Water signs are known for being the most emotional anyway, and I think Cancers might just be the most of the most emotional. They’re definitely the most sensitive, that’s for sure. And since the sign in your lunar placement defines your innermost, emotional self... Do you understand why having a Cancer moon sign is just a little tricky? Cancers make decisions with our emotions, and a lot of the time, we just have a ton of emotions. There’s basically just an emotional roller coaster going on in our heads at all times, so we can definitely come across as moody. I have always, always, always been extremely sensitive. I take things way too personally, and I let things affect me way more than they should. It really wasn’t until I learned about my Cancer moon sign that I accepted this is just who I am. I’ve always wanted to change how I react to certain situations, but I know now I just can’t. I feel things very deeply even though I don’t show it (thanks to my Aquarius emotional detachment), and while it gets annoying, it helps me connect with people.

Because Cancers are so sensitive and emotional, we are very, very good listeners. We will be there for you when you need to bitch, and while we might not always have advice for you, we will sincerely, genuinely listen to your problems, and we will truly sympathize. We’ll also try to take care of you if we can because Cancers are extremely nurturing. We like to take care of people, and my preferred method of taking care of people is doing things for them. I tend to be pretty thoughtful, and if I ever think “oh, I wish someone would do that for me,” I like to go and do just that for someone else. We’re just very helpful, strong people who will genuinely care about you and sympathize with you.

Cancers, like Aquarians, are very non-judgmental, which is another reason why we make such great listeners. You can literally tell us anything, and we’ll do our best to understand. I definitely try not to judge people because my Aquarius ass is so weird - what place do I have to judge someone else, right? The only people we’ll turn our back on is people who have wronged us or our loved ones, and this is so, so true for me. The second I find out you’ve hurt somebody I love, I’m done with you. Cancers are very protective and nurturing people!

While it can be difficult for Cancers to get close to people (because we can get kind of paranoid, think people don’t like us, and we tend to feel left out A LOT - a daily struggle for me!), we love having deep conversations. We’ll talk about anything we’re interested in for, like, hours... and we won’t let it go. We’re a very sentimental sign, and we just, in general, have trouble letting things go. But that circles right back around to being sensitive! We just have a lot of feelings!!

Chinese Astrology: Earth Snake

Just like Daesung! So is it any wonder I’m an angel? (LOL)

I never liked being a Snake growing up because I’m not a huge lover of reptiles. I like cute, fuzzy animals (that don’t have beaks), and snakes just creep me out. But whenever I would read the description of a Snake on the tray papers at Chinese restaurants, I couldn’t argue it sounded a lot like me.

Snakes are known to be very humorous but also sophisticated in a way (though I definitely do not have a sophisticated sense of humor). We prefer to eliminate small talk, instead opting for deeper, more meaningful conversations. In addition, we’re usually pretty capable in an emergency. We’re able to hold our ground and think rationally and calmly about what needs to be done.

Snakes are always thinking ahead and making new plans (and a majority of the time we follow these plans without relying on others’ input because we’re kind of stubborn and think we know best). But we’re usually right, okay? You really cannot judge a Snake by its cover. We may seem pretty calm and somewhat lazy or laid back, but our minds are so active. We’re super alert and observant, and really, nothing gets past us.

Snakes have very high standards for friends, and this, coupled with my Aquarian reserve and Cancer sensitivity, really makes it difficult for me to put myself out there and make friends. This is why I have a small number of very close friends, and that’s about it. I spend a lot of time with my family because they’re also included in the people I’m closest to. But Snakes - Earth Snakes, in particular - are very loyal friends who can keep a friendship for life. Once we attach ourselves to you, it’s going to take a lot to shake us off (but I mean if you really want to then just make my sister or any of my best friends cry. Then I’ll drop you in a hot second). Snakes are sensitive to criticism, though, and if we get hurt, we will never forgive and never forget. Does this sound familiar? It’s honestly still weird to me how the same traits show up over and over in these studies - not just mine!

Women Snakes are usually graceful and elegant, and while I probably wouldn’t classify myself as either of these, I do take great care with my appearance. I like to appear more elegant and sophisticated than I truly am. I love doing my makeup and wearing nice clothes. Women Snakes are also known to be beautiful, both inside and out. Our confidence is manifested in our fashion and appreciation for classic art. This seems kind of specific, but it’s definitely true for me! My main source of confidence comes from how I make myself look (not how I naturally look, mind you). I’ve never been one to easily accept compliments, but if you tell me you like my makeup or my outfit, the words ‘Thank you’ come out of my mouth immediately. It’s something this Snake is proud of! I also do appreciate art, and whenever I’m visiting a new city (or an old city), I like to find the local art museum and spend some time there!

Numerology: Life Path 9

As I’ve mentioned in Jackson’s, Jinyoung’s, and Yugyeom’s Study, the 9 Life Path number is the most evolved in numerology and has one of the strongest vibrations because it contains the qualities of all the other numbers. 9s are seen as wise, old souls, and our main focus in life is developing our spirituality in all aspects.

9s usually have a strong inclination to follow whatever we believe in, and we’ll pursue this with great ambition and drive. We also have an authentic regard for humanity, so our goals tend to involve serving others in some way. This is certainly true for me because one of my biggest overall passions is education. I truly, truly believe education is the solution to so many problems, and every single person on this Earth deserves a good education. I was a teacher for several years before my Introverted self couldn’t take it any longer, but now I work for a software company who serves daycares and preschools for underprivileged children.

9s love serving and helping others, and it’s such a huge part of our identity that whenever we’re in need of support, people tend not to notice. But we do keep our guard up, so 9s definitely need to learn how to ask for help since it’s hardly ever obvious when we do need it. This has been something I’ve struggled with my entire life - asking for help. I always feel like a burden or like I’m annoying when I ask for something, and my Cancer self cannot handle feeling like a burden!

9s are also usually pretty creative, and while I’m certainly not creative like Jackson, Jinyoung, or Yugyeom, I like to think I am in my own way. I express my creativity through makeup, fashion, and definitely through writing. I also love to daydream, and my daydreams can get pretty involved!

MBTI: INFJ

Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging

You guys. I’m so Introverted, it’s not even funny. Not only that, I’m a shy introvert. I’m so naturally quiet and reserved, and you would not believe how many different people have commented on this, even strangers! I love staying at home, and I much prefer to be in my bed reading or on my laptop than out somewhere with a bunch of people. I think before I speak, I spend time with myself, and I just actually really like being alone. Truly, if we’re on a road trip together, I could go for hours without speaking and be just fine. That’s how quiet I am.

I also type as Intuitive, meaning I’m very imaginative, open-minded, curious, and I prefer to think about the possibilities rather than the facts or what’s already been tested as tried and true. As I mentioned in the previous section, I love to daydream, and I think daydreaming is pretty big sign of an Intuitive person over a Sensing person. Intuitives tend to talk more about ideas while Sensers talk more about facts.

So, if you’ve read this far, it should come as absolutely no surprise whatsoever I’m a Feeling individual. I don’t even really need to go over how emotional and sensitive I am because that’s basically the whole of my Moon Sign. Funnily enough, though, this function is the one with my lowest percentage. Whereas I’m 88% Introverted, 79% Intuitive, and 71% Judging, I’m only 68% Feeling.

Finally, I type as a Judging individual which means my more extraverted function is my Feeling function. It also means I’m more structured in how I live my life. I don’t really like to keep my options open. I like to make a plan and stick to it. This is very true! If I’m ever doing something with friends or family, I get really annoyed if someone keeps bringing up ideas and options. Especially if we’ve already figured out what we want to do.

INFJs are known as The Advocate. We love to help people, but in a very ‘need to make the world a better place’ way. We don’t want to just pay for somebody’s meal at the drive-thru because we know it’s a nice thing to do. We do it because we want to start a Pay It Forward movement, to help people help others. We love having a cause, and we are relentless about making the world a better place.

Other Studies: Admin T

Master list // RULES // Submit a Request! // Read About the Admins

#noonaclock #astrology #mbti #chinese zodiac #aquarius #cancer #aquarius sun #cancer moon #snake #earth snake #infj #admin b

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imagine-wannaone · 6 years

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Let That Ship Sale

Lmao once again can’t title but I’m back, and the request was for an award show or something but the isac’s where the other day and wanna one has never gone and I like to dream okay so I hope this is okay, i could do another at an actual show w another member if you’d like idk. Also props to whoever can tell whoever the idols faces at the isac’s I edited out of the pictures (That I don’t own btw credit to owners) for the header board thingy belong to hehe.

Summary: All your fans are shipping you with Daniel and you can’t say you disagree.

• The ISAC’s were always something you had mixed emotions about, • Your group was pretty popular and didn’t exactly need the promotion, but your company was small so it was a good idea to go anyway, even if it was just to have a bit of fun, • You enjoyed spending time with friends from other groups and sending your fans things you’d made, but you could be working on new songs and just the fact the day was so long, • But at least you got to wear a tracksuit like damn, • You were a self producing group who tried out most genres, generally more hiphop and R&B so you’d had many different clothing styles, but nothing beat the black tracksuit the event organizer handed you and the four others in your group, • But at way too early o'clock (honestly any time before 11 am) you pulled yourself out of the car with your group and made your way to the stadium, you all had unique styles; braided hair or sunglasses, • Wow y'all so beautiful and powerful looking I’m quaking, • Y'all known for singing about important matters and independence and basically being badass and are actually rlly respected for it and popular, • Don’t take no shit from no one, you’re out to win today, • And to compliment your friends about all their comebacks and catch up of course, • And then there’s the small matter of Mr Kang Daniel, • One of the boys of the Monster Rookie™ group Wanna One that had taken the nation’s hearts pretty much overnight, • The fans of your group and his had, continuously since their debut, been shipping you nonstop, • And yeah, you thought he was cute and funny but you’d never even met; the most you’ve done was nod to each other or complimented his group on passing after a performance, • And you’re slightly afraid that the shipping would now make it awkward for the two of you to meet and interact; afraid your Stan’s would take it way too far, • You just hope you can get a ‘hi’ or a quick conversation in today with him, although you know it may be difficult, • But your whole group is about not really caring about others’ standards, so you’re going have to remember that, • The opening runs smoothly, and you manage to sneak up to where the fans are and hand out your lunch boxes yourself, although the rules say you really shouldn’t go to the fans area, • (VIXX what trolls this year tho I love them) • You’re sat with Irene and Yeri, Seulgi quite literally asleep on your lap and your members teasing your fans not 10 feet away and honestly wow, • But then the archery gets called up and you have to slide yourself away, • Which breaks your heart because yanno when a puppy is asleep on you so you can’t move? • Like that, • But you grab Tae, the member you’re going to do archery with, and wander off, • You go second, so while you’re waiting you slip some black face paint out of your pocket, before painting some black streaks across Tae’s cheeks as she paints 3 down your face, • Because how else you gunna show you’re ready for war????? • As soon as your competitors look over to you they burst out laughing at the funny faces you pull, one of those competitors in waiting including Kang Daniel himself,

• You make sure to send him a goofy fake scowl, challenging him, to which he cracks up,

• Omg a beautiful sight, Daniel smiling? Those cresent eyes? Soft cheeks? WoW, • In essence - face paint is a very effective way to distract your competitors as well as amusing your fans, • And you totally ace the archery, • You walk away with a Silver medal and that’s totally good enough for you, • But then an interview reporter grabs you and you’re whisked away, • At this point you’re used to it, them Interviewers - they’re everywhere, • “Y/N congratulations on the silver medal! It must have something to do with the face paint?” • The lady smiles brightly and you laugh a little, • “It must be, it was Tae’s idea to show we meant business,” • The lady laughs at this, and starts to ask questions about your latest comeback and the paint, noting how you may have started a new fashion trend, the concept of your new song and making you rap a little bit of your verse, to which your fans scream, • Wow we love a supportive family, • They make your heart race as always as you wave to them, • “One quick thing before you go, Y/N, I don’t suppose you’ve heard your fans talk about you and wanna ones Kang Daniel?” • You’re heart drops at that and you blush, laughing nervously, • “I’ve seen a few things, but don’t know a lot about it,” • You’re such a great liar damn no one suspects a thing, • “Ah, quite a lot of fans are shipping you; saying you’d make a very cute couple,” • You know this is very much a breach of privacy and kinda rude, but you’re known for being quite laid back in your group, so you’re not thrown, although maybe a little lost for words,

• And answers, • And anything that won’t give away your small crush on the member of wanna one, • “ Ah, I think our fans are right, Daniel is very cute and charming, although I’ve not really got the opportunity to get to know him yet,” • Lmao smooth, • Yeah right, you’re pretty obvious, • Although you’re sort of mortified by the fact you’ve inadvertently just said 1) Daniel is very cute to thousands of people and 2) you basically ship the two of you, • You do your natural thing and play it off as if you just told them your first name, • You hear some laughing nearby and quickly glance to spot where you recognise Ong Seongwoo and Kim Jaehwan slapping Daniel himself on the back, way too close, his cheeks bright red and a soft smile on his face as the cameras, no doubt, zoom in on him, • He waves a little when he sees you looking, • Wow what is a normal heart rate,

• You laugh, • At least you’re not the only one to get a taste of this embarrassment, • You’re not alone in your suffering, • And you nearly run away to hide when the interviewer motions Daniel to come closer and he actually complies, • What a snake, • He greets the interviewer and the two of you bow to each other all flushed, not knowing how to stand next to each other, • It’s all very awkward wow, • You know you’ve all been in the situation where you’re with that family member and they’ve already asked about school/work and now have nothing to say, • yeah idk if that’s too specific, • “Daniel, I don’t suppose you’ve heard about the fans shipping either? How do you feel about it?” • You want to melt as Daniels eyes meet yours and a smile stretches across his face, • “I think y/n’s music is incredible and she’s very cute and I’d like to get to know her more,” • You’re dead, • Daniels whole face is red as his eyes skim everywhere and he laughs a little, • This is so weird and unheard of, don’t fans usually not want their idols to date? Aren’t there many things and rules about this? • (y'all it’s stupid it’s their own life let idols date if they want) • But here you are, stood next to your crush, both of you blushing messes, getting set up by your own fans, • “Well that’s very interesting, make sure to get to know each other later,”

• The MC/interviewer chirps and you laugh and stay cool as always, proud you haven’t let anything show except for maybe a slight blush, • Daniel goes to leave but quickly throws his arms around you, giving you a hug at the speed of light before flying away,

• You can hear the fans in the stadium squeal jeez, • Wow, what just happened??? • You quickly jog back to your group who’s hanging out with GFriend and Seventeen after having to send some aegyo to the crowd, • You nearly died of the embarrassment and cringe, but soldiered through, • Let’s just say you get roasted, • Apparently everyone in your group is a savage???? Do they hate you???? Wish for your torment????? • Nah they’re just your best friends, • And just when you’re forgetting about your interview ordeal, your group gets called for the relay race you’re all determined to conquer, having perfect harmony for the change over, • While you may not be the tallest, you’re all fast as hell, having run away from your manager a couple of times, • Lmao you just wanted boba tea, • But you draw more paint, all slightly different, onto the others’ faces before heading over to the track to show everyone what running actually is, • You run last, which is a lot of pressure wow, • And your member is running towards you and they’re neck and neck with a member of twice like damn, • But you take the baton smooth as hell and your legs move quicker than you can compute, almost leaving your torso behind as you focus your whole mind on faster, smoother, faster, • As you’re speeding past you spot Daniel out of the corner of your eye yelling and you can hear your name and wow, • Your heart starts hammering even harder and your head goes a little dizzy, your legs stumbling a little, • But nah you don’t let no boy get in the way of your gold medal as you steam ahead and wow, • 1st place what a gem, • I mean it’s your 3rd gold medal in relay, you guys holding the title, just champs I guess ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ • When sport 💪💪 is life ✌✌✌ can’t let anyone 👨👩 beat you 💃💃 • I hate myself, • But then Daniel’s doing relay as well so you make sure to cheer equally as loud, • Which is hard when you’re still catching your breath, • Who needs Oxygen anyway??? • And the little shit has the audacity to, very obviously, send you a wink, • An unmistakable wink, • What sort of out of the world confidence does he have, he was in 2nd place as well, • As much as you’re shook, it makes you a little soft, but no one will leT yOu lIVE, • All slapping your back or ruffling your hair, • The DeFianCe??? • But you go to get a water bottle and who do you run into? • Yeah, Daniel, • “Congrats on gold~” • His soft tone, • wow, • His soft smile, • Wow, • The two if you actually talking? • W o w, • “Hey I’m sorry about earlier, I didn’t mean to put you in the spot and-” • Lmao yeah, maybe you feel bad a lil for dragging him into what may be a nightmare of always being asked about each other, • “No it’s okay, I’ve wanted to talk to you for a long time, I meant it when I said you where cute,” • Wow you’re a goner for this rookie, • “So did I,” • Wow smooth, not awkward at all,

• “I like the paint by the way, but it makes you a little scary when you’re not smiling,” • Lmao the idea was for you and the squad to look scary and badass especially for the broadcast, • Little do the fans know the next Comeback has a fierce concept, • Lmao playing with fans wow that’s always fun 🙃🙃🙃 • “Here,” • You bring your face paint tub out and hold it up for him, raising an eye brow in question, • He laughs and nods goofily, to which you crack the paint out,

• You run a finger from his forehead down to his jawline in neat straight lines doing down, his skin soft and warm, the look when he closes his eyes so innocent and pure, • Get you a soft man,

• It makes your hand tingle and you’re heart race at the close proximity, standing on your tiptoes and resting a hand on his shoulder for support, • It’s only when you’ve finished do you realise his is now pretty much identical to yours, • WhoOps ACcIDenTS HaPPEn, • But he still looks damn cute, • And you know a fancam of this will be all over the internet later, • Hey; you may even share it on a private account who can say????? • And wow if you don’t continue to spend the rest of the ISAC’s together, taking stupid pictures with people and giving the internet a heart attack, • By the end of the day it seems almost all idols have some sort of facepaint? • A star or a couple of lines of just a smudge done by a member of their group, • A trend starter? • But you’re all leaving the arena with the SqUAD, • But then a hand gently takes your wrist and Daniel leads you to the side of the corridor with your group mates sending teasing smirks over the shoulder to you, • With a shy smile he holds out a piece of paper folded neatly and you can see the outline of numbers written on it, • You laugh lightly, taking the paper and carefully tucking it into your pocket, • “Text me when you get home?” • You nod, knowing you’ll spend too long deciding whether to say 'heya’ or 'hi’ and then make a split second decision and put something else entirely, • And Daniel is just way too cute for you to take, • He makes a move to leave, eyes hovering over you, before slowly leaning over and gently placing his lips on your forehead, ever so sweet, before nodding, smiling quickly and sliding away

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yepjugotdatright · 6 years

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Chapter 8

Year 2016 “Jisuk, over here!” Yunhee called her housemate over as she saw her approaching. They had agreed to meet at the football field after lunch – since they both had some free time until the next class would start. “Hey” Jisuk greeted her deflated and sank down next to her, sighing hopelessly. “What happened?” Yunhee raised her eyebrow questioningly. “I feel like I have to drop out of college – I just got on the bad side of someone very powerful” Jisuk whined ruffling her hair frustrated. “And who might that be?” “The president of the Elite Club”. “Oh, wow. It was nice knowing you” Yunhee said knowing all too well what influence the rich kids of the Elite Club had over an individuals college life. “What did you do?” Yunhee questioned whispering, however, Jisuk just shook her head. “I’d rather not think about it...”, she grabbed one of Yunhee's soda cans, opened it and raised it as if to pledge a toast. “In hope he won't kick you out!” Yunhee raised her can as well and took the first sip. “He can do that?” Jisuk looked at her shocked. Her friend nodded as if it was the most normal thing on earth, “Of course, the Elite club has a huge influence! Especially the president – his father donated a lot for the well being of this university.” Jisuk ruffled her hair once more and groaned frustrated – she couldn't risk getting kicked out – after all, she wasn't enrolled just to satisfy her hunger for knowledge. “So, this is what a sports major is up to all day?” Jisuk changed the topic and signed towards the students playing football. There was no point in dwelling on the encounter with Jinah's younger brother at the moment. She would deal with it later. “Basically…” Yunhee laughed, but stopped as suddenly someone held a flyer in front of her face. “Let’s go there” she heard Jackson’s excited voice and pushed his hand aside to look him in the face. “Can’t you say hello like a normal person?” Jackson shook his head and put his bag next to hers as Yunhee sighed. “Ah, Jisuk, that’s my classmate Wang Jackson. Jackson, that’s my housemate Bak Jisuk” Yunhee introduced the two. Jackson waved his hand and smiled kindly. “Uh, hi” Jisuk smiled back and shyly placed her hands on her lap. “Are you also coming to the party?” he asked her and gave her another flyer, which he conjured out of his bag. “Don’t even try, Jisuk is a party pooper…” Yunhee said but was interrupted by Jisuk: “Sure, why not”. “Nice” Jackson shot her a thumbs up making her smile grew wider while Yunhee looked at her in disbelief. “Hey, Jackson-ah! Wanna join?” someone from the field yelled over, making the young man turn around, “I am down there in a minute!” Jackson shouted back. “Just go” Yunhee said before he could say anything. “Alright. See you around then” he winked and hurried over to the group to play football.

“That’s Jackson?” Jisuk looked at Yunhee baffled. “Yeah” she shrugged, “Why?” “You said he was a very short Chinese…” “He is short”, Yunhee confirmed. “Yeah, but like 10 times buffer than I had imagined”. “He's a sports major... what else would he look like?” Then sudden realization hit her: “Ahh, did his bizeps coax you into coming to the party?” Jisuk shrugged and coughed to avoid any further questions. She had no time to think about having any romantic relationship – even though she just quit one job she knew she had to take on another one sooner or later – all the benefits of the scholarship aside. She couldn't even guarantee that she would be able to uphold the rather high standards for a full scholarship. And her past experience with relationships was rather... sobering. At the moment having her aunt get the surgery was the only thing that was important – there was no time for her to get distracted with dating. However, despite that strong mindset she caught herself glancing into Jackson's direction from time to time – hoping to catch his bright smile again. Yunhee didn't really notice Jisuk's quiet fancying since she herself was looking else where – she noticed the new janitor sitting down on one of the few vacant benches left placing a bought sandwich on his lap. She tried to act oblivious – but she was sure that he was looking towards them from time to time, just like he did in the cafeteria. If he wouldn't stare so intimidatingly she would walk up to him to talk to him as he seemed to have some kind of business with her. And as her casual talk with Jisuk about the canteen food went on she watched the spectacle of a few girls gathering all their courage to approach the dark haired man. He had just took a bite of his sandwich and was now looking up to the girls with hamster cheeks. Yunhee had to chuckle – it was kind of cute to see the always chic and mysterious man like that. But it also made her wonder what they were asking him – the girls were fidgeting around until they finally got to bring out the question. Yunhee was awaiting his answer as if she was the one asking and couldn't help but feel relieved as the young man slowly shook his head. “Okay, Yunhee, I gotta go – see you later” Jisuk said after some time, shouldering her backpack. “Where are you going?” Yunhee turned her head to look at her surprised. “What do you mean where am I going? Class is starting soon”. “Already?” Yunhee glanced on her phone to read the time, “Alright, see you later!” Jisuk walked back to her faculty running into Bambam along the way. “Hey~ wassup!” He greeted her reaching out for a high five. “I thought you wouldn't come for afternoon classes today – weren't you out with your parents?” Jisuk said giving him a casual high five. “I thought so, too. But it seems the afternoon shopping was supposed to be their date without me – so here I am” Bambam shrugged walking past Jisuk to lead the way into the building. “I've seen some poster hanging around: There's a freshman party coming up” he started and Jisuk nodded being reminded of her previous encounter with the Chinese sports-major. “So... uhm, I was wondering if you wanted to go... with me” he asked walking upstairs backwards to look at Jisuk who was having a weird smile plastered on her face. “Are you okay?” Bambam asked raising a brow pulling her back into reality. “Ah, yes – I'm okay”. “So what do you say?” “Say to what?” Jisuk was looking at him confused – she must have unconsciously blocked Bambam out as soon as the image of Jackson's smile was running around in her head. “Are you going to the freshman party?” Bambam asked again. “Yeah, I am – I guess” Bambam grinned happily and turned around to walk up the stairs like every other normal person did around them.

Time went by and the most dreaded weekend came into sight. While Hyunshik and Aejin went on a date – a picnic, as the beautiful weather suggested – and Hyunwoo and Youngjae had themselves locked up in their own room being glued to their computers; the rest of the house was out. Jisuk had to work – as every weekend she was at the Starbucks café nearby, her laptop with her since she still had some homework to do before the next week started. And the way she got to know Bambam she knew she couldn't depend on him to come prepared to class. It was still beginners stuff so Jisuk would be able to solve it easily in her lunch break. Yunhee had left the house after having lunch – she had baseball training and after that she planned to do her sports medicine homework in the library. However, the hot weather outside and the doubled cardio training made her too exhausted. She even played with the thought to skip the homework and go straight home to lie down and just sleep. But she knew she had only a week left before she had to hand in her essay – and if she didn't write it that day she wouldn't write it at all. And her sports medicine professor already had an eye on her because he caught her sleeping in one of his readings. So instead of walking to the subway station she made a turn to the universities' library. With all the books ready and her notebook opened she started researching the essay's topic. But as the time went on her eyelids became heavier and the texts harder to read. More than once she had to hinder herself from falling asleep; but it was until her eyes were closed again and her head fell from the hand it was resting on onto the table, that she decided to take a break. After collecting her stuff she went onto the corridor to the soft-drink vending machine. Absentmindedly she inserted the coin into the machine and pressed the three digits she was already used to press every time she was at this machine. The machine whirred and clicked – making Yunhee look up. “Oh no... come on!” she complained as she looked at her drink being stuck between the glass and the shelf. She tried to get her drink nonetheless, she shook and hit the machine. But it was in vain. Even the frustrated kick at the end didn't change anything. “That was my last change...” she whined and ruffled her hair. Suddenly a hand gently pushed her aside. She opened her mouth, ready to complain, but as soon as she saw the janitor examining the vending machine she closed it again. With a few proficient hits against certain points of the machine the drink fell down. He bent down to fetch the drink and handed it to her. “Thanks” Yunhee uttered a little perplexed looking at the young man now in janitor 'uniform' – which was only a polo-shirt with the Yonsei-logo and a huge Janitor in white letters on its back, and a pair of jeans which seemed to be his own since they had a few of these fashionable holes in it. “No need, that's what janitors do” he said casually. For a short moment it was silent and Yunhee was fidgeting around with her drink, not really sure what to say. “Nice weather outside, isn't it?” she asked and could slap herself for that genius conversation opener. Jaebum shrugged, let his gaze wander to a window to look at the weather and hummed affirming, “It was about time the rain stopped”. “Ah, that reminds me. Thank you for lending me your umbrella – I will return it to you next time” “Umbrella? Ah, that time... don't worry about it”. However, before they could deepen their conversation a horde of students – probably mainly females judging by the high pitched squealing – rushed past them towards the window. Yunhee and Jaebum looked at each other a little unsure of the situation before he glanced outside the window to see a black van parked on the plaza in front of the building with a crowd circling around it. His phone rang and it seemed he already knew what the call was about; because he already turned around on his heels and walked towards the exit while answering the phone: “Yes, Sir. I'll take care of the parking offender”. He gave Yunhee a short nod as he passed her and disappeared around the corner. “What's going on here?” Yunhee's head turned around to see Kimiko with a blue haired girl in tow. “Oh, it seems some kind of celebrity just arrived here” Yunhee shrugged and looked at Kimiko's friend. “Ah, who is it?” Kimiko asked. “I don't know... until now no one has left the van. I wouldn't either with such an audience to be honest”. “Then why park on the plaza to begin with?” Nari offered with an indifferent shrug. Yunhee nodded affirming and chuckled, “By the way, I am Lee Yunhee”. “Gi Nari, nice to meet you”, Nari smiled flashing her white teeth, which disappeared as soon as she heard her own phone ring, she quickly grabbed it out of her back and the caller ID of Howon appeared. She quickly declined the call and laughed nervously as she looked up at Kimiko and Yunhee again. “Everything alright?” Kimiko asked. “Yeah, shall we go?” Nari pointed towards the exit. Kimiko nodded and gazed at Yunhee, “Want to come with us?” Yunhee looked at the crowd and shrugged, with this tumult going on she wouldn't get to her homework any time soon. “Where are we going?” “We want to grab a coffee before going home” Yunhee looked at the drink in her hand and shrugged before letting it slide into her bag. “Let's go”.

Jisuk was wiping the tables in the café – with just two other customers sitting in the opposite corners of each other completely ignoring their surroundings. There were a few people ordering drinks to go; but surprisingly it was rather empty the whole day. “Ji~suk-ah!” the familiar voice made its way to the counter seeking the attention of the bored part-timer. “What are you doing here?” Jisuk walked behind the counter throwing the rag into the sink before starting to make Jinah's usual order. “I saw the sunny weather and thought I should drop by to rub it into your face that I don't need to work today” Jinah smirked, “Besides, what do you mean? Can't I visit you at work?” Jisuk shook her head, “I don't visit you at work either”. “That's because you don't like children...” Jinah shrugged, “But I like coffee, so you have to bear with me”. Jisuk grinned and placed the iced americano in front of her friend before swiping her own employee card through the reader. “Thanks. So, first week of university – how is it going so far?” She took a sip from her drink and casually leaned against the counter. Jisuk thought about telling her of the awkward meeting with her younger brother; but didn't. Jinah wasn't that close with her family and Jisuk wouldn't want her to start worrying about her getting along with one of them. “Can't complain. I already found someone from my classes to hang out with. I am going to the freshman party...” “Wait.. wait a moment” Jinah interrupted her, “Who are you? Why are you so sociable? I tried to drag you to the club so many times and... ah, I understand. You don't want to be seen with such an old woman?” Jisuk laughed, “You are indeed kinda too old for that...” “Kinda?” Jinah huffed. “No, Jackson asked me and I said yes” Jisuk shrugged as if it was no big deal. “Jackson?” Jinah wriggled her eyebrows, “Is he handsome?” “Ey~ That's not it” Jisuk laughed it off but stopped as Jinah raised an eyebrow at her. “Yeah, he is” she caved in and Jinah nodded satisfied. Fortunately the conversation was cut off as she heard the door being opened and three female students entered. “Oh, hey, Jisuk. I didn't know you had to work today” Yunhee said and greeted Jinah inclining her head. “Yeah, as of now I have...” Jisuk looked at the clock “... about two hours left. So, order some fancy stuff so I have something to do. It's as if there are no students any more...” “They still exist – but they are all in front of the library”. “Why is that? Is someone handing out free stuff?” Jinah asked reminded of her own college days. They shook their head, “Some celebrity parked directly on the plaza”. “Who was it?” “We don't know” Kimiko shrugged and her blue haired friend next to her just nodded with an awkward smile on her lips. “Hm, probably some PR-gag. What do you guys want to drink?” Jisuk asked cracking her knuckles ready to do some work. While Yunhee went on to order her drink Nari noticed her phone vibrating again and looked at the display, however declined the call as soon as she saw it being Howon again. “And you?” Nari looked up surprised as Jisuk spoke to her waiting eagerly for her to order something. “Ehm, an iced chai latte, please”. “Coming up, right away!” Nari smiled and looked on her phone again, seeing that Howon had written her a message: “Why aren't you answering my call?” She quickly typed an answer: “There is nothing to talk about with you. And don't come to my university ever again”. After paying for their drinks the three of them sat down at a nearby table. Nari glanced at her phone, but he hadn't answered yet. But he had read the message. “Everything's okay?” Kimiko asked her, “You seem bothered about something”. “I'm okay, thanks” she smiled and put away her phone. “Why are you staring at them so intently” Jinah asked as she noticed her younger friend's gaze resting on the trio for some time instead of talking to her. “I can't get around the feeling that I have seen her before”. “Who? The blue haired newcomer?” Jinah was now also looking in their direction. “Who else?” Jinah shrugged and turned back to Jisuk. “I guess she kind of has an everyday face.” “So where were we? Ah, right – Jackson~” Jinah wiggled her eyebrows again and took a sip from her coffee. “There's is not much left to tell. I met him just once...” “Yeah, but I bet that's going to change. So when is the party?” “Tomorrow” Jisuk noticed how one of the customers stood up and was about to leave, so she took a tablet and moved towards his table after wishing him a good day. Jinah glanced at her watch and followed her friend. “So, what are you going to wear? I know that your wardrobe is... meh”. “Excuse you!?” Jisuk huffed and threw the rag on the table to cross her arms in front of her chest, “Do you want to borrow something from me?” Jinah ignored her and continued drinking her coffee. Jisuk continued wiping the table and shook her head, “Forget it, I have been to a few parties – I know what to wear” Jisuk said, collecting the trash and walked back to the counter. Jinah shrugged and laughed, “If it's not working out with that Jackson boy I can always put you up with my little brother”. Jisuk coughed and gave her a forced smile. “Why are you looking at me like that? You called him Mister Handsome first”. “That was before I knew he was your brother”. “I was just saying, don't take everything so serious” Jinah laughed.

“Don't you have to go back to work or something?” “I am going... stop rushing me” Jinah said pouting and waved goodbye before leaving the cafe again. The sunny weather continued throughout the next day inviting many students to spend their breaks or study session outside, so did Yunhee who was dragged along by Jackson who insisted on eating lunch together. “Yunhee, I want to ask you something” Jackson looked up from his phone at his friend sipping her iced tea. “What is it?” She continued scrolling through her SNS. “Do you like the janitor?” Yunhee's head recoiled in shock and looked at him, “No~... pfft, how'd you get that idea?” Jackson shrugged, “I think at this point it's rather obvious. You are always looking at him – no matter where we are”. “It's because he is always staring at me” Yunhee tried to explain but Jackson was looking at someone behind her: “Oh, good afternoon Mister janitor”. With widened eyes Yunhee jumped around just to see... nothing. As she sat down again she saw her friend laughing hitting on the table a few times. “I hate you!” She said with red cheeks. “I think this proves my point” Jackson concludes and continued looking on his phone. “Tch, this proves nothing” she mumbled. “Why don't you ask him out?” he suddenly suggested. “Why would I do that?” “As far as I remember this is the next step after liking someone” Jackson shrugged, “How else do you think you'd start dating”. “Who said anything about dating?” Yunhee whined shaking her head. “Ah, why?” Jackson suddenly turned serious, “You both seem interested in each other – and you are always whining around for having no boyfriend...” Yunhee sipped again on her iced tea, the thought of going out on a date did sound alluring and going out on a date with Im Jaebum wouldn't be so bad either, would it? She wasn't sure – since she knew nothing about him. But maybe that was what made him so interesting. “Okay – you seem to be honestly considering this” he started, making Yunhee wonder if he had been teasing her all along “So here's the plan: You take this drink and give it to him, and then you ask him out” he gave her his can of coke which he had originally bought for himself. “You make it sound so easy” Yunhee huffed, “I don't even know how to do that”. “It's very simple” Jackson leaned a bit forward, “You casually walk up to him, place the drink in front of him and say: 'Do you drink coke? Because you are so-da-licious'” “I am not doing that!” Yunhee complained and shook her head firmly, “That's way too cheesy”. “But it's a great opener, works for me every time” Jackson shrugged. “Jackson, they all didn't say yes because of your great pick-up line, but because it's hard to say no when you approach them wearing your stupid muscle shirts”. He seemed to honestly think about it, “That may be it, so do you want to lend mine? He might be impressed by your muscles as well” Jackson was about to undress the top he was wearing but Yunhee stopped him shaking her head all the more. “Just go up to him confidently, ask him if he's interested in cracking up a few cold ones with you” he let go of his shirt and took her iced tea to take a sip. “Drink your own” she said snatching it back. “I am willing to sacrifice my own for your well being” he raised the soda can and waved it on front of her face, “But you won't give me a sip? Wow...” he crossed his arms. “You can drink your coke yourself, I am not asking him out today”. “Why not?” “Because”. Jackson sighed, “From what I heard he is going to be at the party tonight” “Why?” “Why are you so surprised, he is not much older than us and there are probably some girls who asked him to come...” he moved his hand to his mouth as if he were to stifle a cough and continued: “Or me”. “You did what?” “Stop acting like I am destroying you. I didn't ask him for your sake. I want to become friends with him”. Yunhee raised an eyebrow, “I still don't trust you – but let's keep it at that”. “So you can confess later. You are much more approachable when you are drunk”. “Can't say I am not... we met each other drunk as well”. “And look how long we stuck to each other. If everything's going well tonight you might marry that man one day” he teased her and Yunhee faked a laugh just to stare at him not amused.

#ch8 #roaring 20s #got7 #okay you might have noticed by now that i had some trouble with this chapter #but i am quite pleased with how i got around my writers blog #and their new japanese single got me going #i don't like japanese songs #mainly because i don't think japanese sounds good being sung #but that song and jinyoungs part #not enough people are talking about that #at least not with me #and with the upcoming concert the waiting time for the next chapter might not be that long #but don't trust me on that #until now i couldn't keep any promise concerning my update schedule i ever made #so that's that #enjoy!

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flowerpotfanfics · 6 years

Text

Of Flower Shops and Aspiring Musicians

HI! This is a teaser of my astro fic which will be posted on archive of our own!

“I can’t wait for death. Also maybe just some sleep would be nice. Or like, food. Coffee. My standards aren’t exactly high, I’m suffering and need something.” Sanha sighed as he flopped his head down onto the table.

“Oh, stop overreacting.” Myungjun rolled his eyes from behind the counter.

“I’m not overreacting! My career is over. That’s it. I’m done for. I should have listened to my parents and just became a lawyer or something else that’s boring but noooooo, I decided to pursue fashion, the industry where you fight over fabrics and get paid negative two cents.”

“You’ll be fine, Sanha, you just have too…” Myungjun trailed off, trying to find some more inspirational words to console his struggling friend.

“You just have to find your muse.”

“Muse? I have my muse. Myself. Have you seen how cute i am? I’m the cutest hecking thing ever. I tried telling that to my boss and he told me that I may be cute, but pastels just aren’t in anymore.” Sanha whined. “Excuse my french but frick the art hoe movement.”

“What?” Myungjun asked, while trying to stifle a laugh at Sanha’s “curse”.

“The stupid ‘art hoe’ movement. Suddenly everyone is obsessed with yellows and dark oranges and weird long pants! And you know what my least favourite colours are? Yellow and dark orange! I don’t understand! It’s hideous!” Sanha pulled at his fading pink hair in panic.

“I don’t know Sanha, I think yellow suits me.” Myungjun teased, causing Sanha to groan for the upteenth time this evening and slam his head on the table… again.

“Relax, I’m just teasing.” Myungjun smiled when Sanha lift his head and stuck his tongue out, before flopping back down.

“You know what you need to do?” Myungjun asked the boy. Sanha lift his head up from the table and looking at the older.

“You need to go out. When’s the last time you’ve gone to a bar to just relax?”

“I’m a baby, I dont drink.”

“Sanha, You’re 23.” Myungjun signed in exasperation. “I think there's a band playing at the bar down the street. Go. Maybe you’ll get inspired.

Sanha sighed and got up from his slump on the chair, “Fine.”

“Yeah go on. I have to close up soon and get ready for the early morning shift.” Myungjun smiled and ushered Sanha out of the door. Before closing the door, Myungjun leaned in and teasingly whispered, “Maybe you can finally find yourself a boyfriend.”

“Myungjun-hyung!”

Myungjun laughed as he grabbed the sign from outside, sighing as he looked back at his shop. When he was a child he dreamed of owning a cafe. It would have a bright red door and a vines growing up the walls. The inside would be bright and filled with flowers and wooden chairs, and a display case with cakes and pastries that he baked. He finally got his dream. A smiled shone brightly on his face as he opened the red door and stepped inside, flipping the sign from “open, come on in!” to “Closed, Come back later!”

He walked through the cafe and turned the lights off, leaving through the back door and up the stairs to his apartment, right above his cafe. Unlocking the door, he kicked off his shoes and slipped on his slippers. He tread through the house before collapsing onto his bed overlooking a huge window, that perfectly showcased the dark night outside. Clicking off the lights, He got under his covers nothing bother to change, since he needed to get as much sleep as possible before the cafe opened at 1am. He got everything he wanted. His cafe, his apartment, and his...Sanha.

But Myungjun was a greedy man, with greedy thoughts, so he needed one last thing for his life to be perfect.

Love.

And a cat.

***

The bar wasn’t as rowdy and hectic as Sanha thought it might have been. Instead of having loud bass lines thumping in his ear, there was a soft jazz band playing on the small stage. Warm orange lights replaced the expected purple and blue LEDs that Sanha always thought had the potential to cause permanent blindness. As soon as Sanha walked in, he was greeted by a gust of warm air and the sound of an acoustic guitar blending with the soft cymbals of a drum and Sanha visibly relaxed.

The boy sat down at the bar and glanced at the small stage with the jazz band finishing up their set.

“What can I get you this evening?” The bartender asked, causing Sanha to turn his head back. Sanha glanced at the various bottles of liquor behind the man and then turned his attention back to the bartender.

“Just a shirley temple please.” He added on a smile at the end.

The bartender nodded and pulled out a spare glass, filled it with the bubbly drink, and served it to the boy. Sanha smiled and said a ‘thank you’ before turning his attention back to the small stage that was now devoid of the previous jazz band. Sanha took a sip of his drink as he saw another person walk on the stage carrying an acoustic guitar and a stool with him. Sanha angled his head further to he could see who the person was. The man put the stool down an sat down, bringing his guitar up into his lap, and then glanced upwards.

As soon as the stage lights hit the man’s face, Sanha could feel his heart leap out of his chest. This man was… beautiful, ethereal, perfect. Then the man proceeded to glance out at the audience, his eyes trailing over the various people that were seated all around the area, and then his eyes fell on Sanha’s. His gaze lingered, sending shivers down Sanha’s spine as he couldn’t take his eyes off the beautiful man. The man then smiled, his lips stretching out and showing pairs of perfect teeth and Sanha almost fell off his chair. The man disconnected their eyes and turned to the microphone in front of him.

“Hello, I’m Rocky.”

I think I just saw Jesus. Sanha thought to himself as he heard the beautiful man speak.

Rocky, what a strange name, but it suits him. I wonder if that’s his real name or perhaps a stage name? Maybe his parents are foreigners? Maybe he’s a foreigner? That would explain a lot because I’ve never seen someone as perfect as him before, oh wait I think I’m falling in love. Oh no this is not good-

Suddenly, Sanha’s long train of thought was cut off by a silky voice echoing throughout the area, leaving Sanha completely and utterly breathless.

“Where does it come from? When everything was outside,

Busted and blue.”

Sanha’s eyes glistened with wonder as he heard the gorgeous man- Rocky- sing. He was unfamiliar with the song but he didn’t care. It was all too perfect to be real.

“How in the universe

Through the lithium

Busted and blue.”

Rocky continued to strum the guitar, his fingers plucking at the strings creating beautiful chords and notes as they backed up his honey-like voice.

“All my life

All my life

Beam a light

On me, I am a satellite

And I can't get back without you.”

Rocky’s eyes trailed up from the guitar and out to the audience. Most of the people in the bar were too busy drinking and talking to friends to even give their full attention to him, but there was one person whose eyes were on him the entire time, and that person was Sanha. Rocky met their eyes again and continued on with the song.

“Be my love

Be my love.”

Sanha felt as if his heart was going to fall out of his goddamn mouth. Words couldn't describe how utterly stunned Sanha was by the human being. He was absolutely perfect, and he was looking right at Sanha. He was perfect, and he was just what Sanha needed.

It was almost as if a surge of creativity was just injected into Sanha’s bloodstream, but suddenly he got the abrupt and primal urge to just create, and he got it by just looking at Rocky. It was as if he unknowingly sent ideas towards Sanha’s empty brain. He vaguely remembered Myungjun saying something about a muse.

Maybe he had just stumbled upon one.

“Be my love

Be my love

Busted and blue.”

Rocky’s fingers lingered on the strings as he strummed the final chord, the sound echoing throughout the bar. The few people in the area clapped a little, mainly because it would have been seen as rude to not do so, not because they actually paid attention to the performance, but Sanha was probably the one who clapped the loudest, the shirley temple completely forgotten.

Rocky turned his attention back to the pink-haired boy and couldn’t help but smile. This boy was so cute. How the hell can a grown ass man be so adorable? Rocky asked himself as he continued to stare at the boy. He couldn’t help but feel… breathless.

The claps died down, and Rocky knew he had to get off the stage because there were other people who were performing after him, but he couldn’t seem to unglue his eyes from the pink-haired boy in front of him. Rocky tended not to believe in all the stupid cliches and “love at first sight,” but it seemed like God had other plans for him. He wouldn’t call it love… well actually yes, he was completely smitten over a stranger that he had accidentally locked eyes with.

Rocky broke out of his trance after a staff member touched his shoulder and told him that he had to get off the stage now. Rocky blushed in embarrassment and he walked off the stage with his guitar in hand. As soon as he stepped off the platform, he turned back to where the cute boy was sitting, but found the seat empty. Rocky turned his head to see if he could catch the boy, but it seemed that he had disappeared. Rocky started to walk off and then suddenly he ran into something, well someone, and he fell on top of that certain someone, his guitar falling next to them. Rocky was about to get up, but then his eyes met with another set of deep brown ones that belonged to none other than the pink-haired cutie that he couldn’t get his eyes off of.

The two stared at each other in pure shock for what seemed like an eternity before Rocky spoke up.

“Hi, I’m Minhyuk.”

And then Sanha screamed.

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all-i-wanna-write · 7 years

Text

saved in your heart(beat)

[ Masterlist ] summary: Love can transverse space and time... and species and age I guess. At least, that’s what Jihoon found out falling for you.

“Wait you knew I was a vampire?” “Wait you’re actually a vampire? I thought you were a drug dealer..” “How did you come down to that conclusion???” “I'll be honest, it was the soap dispenser thing.”

[ Sorry this is out a bit late to the one who requested it! I’ll be honest I spent a good deal of the time trying to remember where SOPA was before I figured out it meant School of Performing Arts and felt like a dumb dumb. I hope you enjoy this, I tried hard to write it kind of humorous, thank you for requesting! Also Happy Halloween everyone! <3 - Admin V ]

[ Word Count: 2333 ]

you and jihoon were an odd pair, that’s for sure

while both of you did wear the standardized uniform at school, both of you had completely different fashion tastes outside of it

jihoon has all these bright colors and… really mismatched items

meanwhile you had mostly dark colors but they went well with your pale skin

and your eyes were a really light blue which drew in a lot of people

many would ask for you to speak your home language and you were getting tired of it

while he was very popular because of produce 101

so of course he was asked to do aegyo,,, all the time,,, he wanted to just hide forever by that point is this his legacy

what about his dancing to turbo or get ugly

relentless teasing from members about aegyo that he can only escape at school

so he thought, no one escapes it

good luck jeojang boy i wish the best for you

meanwhile

you had this natural beauty about you that allured people

everyone could tell that you weren’t korean, what with how your eyes and hair was

while hair could be dye

no contacts could ever be that blue

if only they knew you had a secret

that you hid in your medicine bottle that no one is allowed to touch

and the reason you really don’t smile that wide

most say it was from how you grew up and that you had this “princess” aura about you

so they secretly conspired that you were a princess in a protection program

ha, you didn’t need a protection program

because after living for nearly seven hundred years, you can protect yourself

the way you and jihoon met was

rather odd to say the least

you two shared the same culinary class and were cleaning up after everything because it

was both of your turns to do it

mind you, jihoon has never spoken to you before and vice versa so it was a very quiet and awkward clean up as everyone was outside the class

the only sound there was was the faint sound of band kids sobbing into their instruments playing their instruments and the loud voice of the teacher there

and as he was scrubbing down a table he heard you curse quietly

thinking you had cut yourself he quickly looked up but he just saw you standing in front of the soap dispenser

he blinked as you kept swiping your hand in front of it before huffing and just going back to the sink to use dish soap

weird

he didn’t really pay much attention to it afterwards

until it happened again a month later when they were on clean-up duty again

and this time he heard more words rather than just quiet curses

not,,, that he was paying close attention,,, he’s scrubbing at this spec on the table really hard okay

“why do they need sensors, this is just as bad mirrors… damn humans…”

that kind of threw him for a while because

uh? damn humans?

“what?”

you startle and turn around, looking at jihoon who is staring with wide eyes

you laugh awkwardly and just wave it off

“oh don’t mind it, i say it as a joke a lot..”

he didn’t look convinced

it was an awkward staring contest as jihoon squinted at you

your eyes were looking away from his yet he still noticed the sheer power of them even if they weren’t directed towards him

if he looked harder, he could see how two of your teeth were a lot sharper than others when you spoke

that, coupled with dislike for going out in the sun and dark clothes….

“are you a manga artist?”

jihoon what the fuck how did you even-

“what? i don’t read manga...”

“i mean--”

he hit himself on the head out of sheer embarrassment

why did he say MANGA ARTIST how does that even correlate

you two stood in silence before he laughed it off

“ah, sorry. my bad for assuming something like that, ha ha look at the time whoops i gOTTA GO FEED MY ROCK-”

and he was gone and you were left standing there

“what the fuck”

someone please pray for this boy how do you mess up that badly

after that, he started to pay attention to what you do because something seemed really off about you to him

you noticed but you really don’t peg him for the type to really get it

not after that incident at least

he had his own assumptions

you were either a drug dealer or a vampire

either were likely honestly

he noted that you ate with a few girls at a table in the corner who were as pale as you were so he noted that down for drug dealer

( “jennie did you get the blood packs yet? feeding is soon.”

“y/n i swear i will, it’s not exactly easy going around asking “hey, can i have your blood for me and my friend’s insatiable blood urge?””

“okay i don’t need your SASS right now girl.”

“girls you’re both pretty can i please eat my burger in peace”

“how did you even get a burger lisa?”

“magic :D”

“i forgot you were a witch to be honest-- wait why can’t you just magically make the blood packets appear then?!”

“jennie we talked about this, burgers are more solid than blood and who knows what could go wrong because blood and magic don’t mix well”

“why am i friends with you two”

“because we’re your buddies who have been with you through thick and thin?”

“and we are the only supernatural people here.”

“jennie i was trying to have a moment why do you ruin these things.”

etc.)

when you laughed, your fangs showed

wow you sounded really pretty laughing actually-

“don’t get distracted!” he mumbled to himself, causing looks from Woojin sitting beside him

he flushed and sat back down, trying to get the sound of your laughter out of his head

the more he observed you, the more he noticed small things about you

you wrinkled your nose when you were embarrassed

or giggled into your hand while blushing

anyways moving on

he observed you for maybe a month before he had to leave for a week due to schedules

which sucked because he was finally onto something

yeah maybe that big crush you developed

he is able to get back around the time of halloween which is actually great because the teachers don’t assign anything

(unless you had mr. kwon, to which I wish you luck because halloween he dresses up as a devil, which is no different from his usual attire lol

so he had more time to figure out if you really did sell drugs)

or were a vampire

but you couldn’t be a vampire

honey you have a big a storm a comin

come halloween day he dressed up as a pixie because he couldn’t find anything else in time with all the rush of schedules and comebacks from before

and everyone's in costume wow

he was pretty sure he saw someone dressed as a bandit and he just got memories to guanlin “bandit” face mask and had to hold in his laughter

he looked around for you and

oh wow

you looked

wow

you had a long deep red, nearly black dress on

your hair was down and curled

and when you turned around his breath was taken away because

halloween was a special time where they did allow makeup, and your face was done up and

your already flawless skin had slight blush on, ruby red lips, and striking red eyes

which you could change on your own actually

you could physically see the arrow go through jihoon’s heart and at that moment he knew he was screwed

come time for break he see’s you walking off somewhere and of course his investigation is nowhere near done

so he follows

don’t do this kids, you’ll be the first to die in horror movies

he see’s you sipping something red outside and it is coming from your medicine bottle he saw a few times

wait

is that

“is that blood?”

you turned around so fast and was on him in a flash

he screamed like a girl let’s not lie here

“i PROMISE NOT TO TELL I FIND YOU REALLY CUTE I DON'T WANT YOU TO LEAVE I KNOW YOU’RE A VAMPIRE!”

“what”

“i mean what”

it's awkward for a bit before

“wait you knew i was a vampire?”

“wait you’re actually a vampire?? I thought you were a drug dealer..”

“how did you come down to that conclusion???”

“i'll be honest, it was the soap dispenser thing.”

“soap dispensers are evil i tell you.”

“okay but, you could have just used the hand soap in the first place?”

“while you aren’t wrong, i still find them evil.”

“you literally suck blood out of people.”

“okay you got me there but i am not like that i drink from blood packets.”

“oh.”

then it's silent again before

“so what was that about me being cute?”

he flushes and stutters out for a while

“w-well you see i uh, well i erm uh, i kind of, like you? like likey like you and i don’t actually know how to do this but uh i find you really attractive like when you laugh and smile my heart beats a lot and uh..”

you smile softly at his rambling before putting a finger to his lips to hush him

wow they were soft

noted

“if it helps any, jihoon-ah, i likey like you too.” and the way you smiled sent his heart beating a mile a minute before he smiled again

“so… does that mean we can date?” jihoon was nervous and he heard you giggle as you pecked his cheek

“of course it does, jihoonie.”

he smiled and hugged you tight, and you sighed and rested your head against his chest and felt his heart beat

it was a nice sound

a sneeze broke you two out of your moment as you two turned to see the rest of his members standing there, waiting to pick jihoon up for schedules

some had shocked looks but some just looked smug

“you know i’m not actually surprised, manager is a vampire too, but i didn’t think jihoonie would be one to fall for older women.” - Minhyun

cue your startled laughter at that as the they come over and finally talk to you

they heard so much about you already from how much jihoon rants when waiting before shows lol

and jihoon just hides his face in his hands as the rest of the members coo at him for finally confessing and some go to talk to you

namely daniel, seongwoo, and jaehwan

ongnielhwan is science

the three weren’t scared of you at all

in fact they found it cool that you were a vampire and asked a lot of questions

like how it was to be a vampire for a while, if you had any powers etc.

to which you just shrug and say it's kind of like being human, only not really eating food, just blood

you also mentioned you could change your eye color and wipe memories if need be

they aww’d and ooh’d at that

they were really close to you as they asked like the kids they were

jihoon looked up from being poked at to see them asking you about the whole eye color thing

and how close they were to you

and maybe it was because you were finally his

or the distance between you and his members

but something in him snapped

and he rushed over and pulled you away, an arm curled around you protectively

“mine.”

if you didn’t see him just stuttering and blushing earlier you would have found that kind of hot except this man was in a pixie costume and wings and not at all intimidating

so you just giggled at him

“aww, is someone jealous?”

“what- no- im not- shut up i’m not-”

“sure you aren’t jihoonie.”

“i’m not!”

you just smiled at him and pecked his cheek again

“come on, you have a shoot to go to and i have to go finish up my food.”

he was blushing red but stopped you

“wait i dont have your number yet can i--”

you just took out a pen from your bag and wrote your number on the inside of his arm

“message me after the shoot is done, cutie.”

and you walked away into the shadows and wow

jihoonie is standing there staring, face beet red, before guanlin nudges him

to which jihoon turns back to see the rest of wanna one smirking

“so jihoonie~.”

it was at that moment that jihoon knew

he was screwed

it was worth it though,

he got a girlfriend and figured out that you were not, in fact, a drug dealer

extra:

( “okay lisa did you record that?”

“sure did jennie.”

“perfect now we have evidence on y/n--”

“and what do you two think you are doing back-- were you spying on me and jihoon?!”

“cmon y/n, you keep talking about him to us that it was getting old, so of course we are gonna follow him when he follows you!”

“what if he didn’t like me? what if he exposed me?!”

“okay but listen, we are your friends, and lisa is a witch, we know he wouldn't.”

“i hate you two.”

“love you too, y/n~.” )

( “y/n?”

“yes jihoon?”

“you know that soap dispenser was hand-push right?”

“.... no. no i did not.”

“w-whoa there why are you grabbing a hammer? y/n? y/n!”

“soap dispensers are evil jihoon.” )

( “wait minhyun you said our manager was a vampire, how did you know?”

“he told us day one, didn’t any of you listen? a lot of people in the industry are supernatural creatures, apparently.”

“WHAT?!” )

#park jihoon scenarios #park jihoon imagines #wanna one imagines #wanna one scenarios #all-i-wanna-write #admin v #v requests #Happy Halloween everyone!#Stay safe and have a spooOOooOOooOOoooky night!#<3

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