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vaulthunterlands · 2 months

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BORDERLANDS COLLEGE AU

Stupid idea I had a few nights ago, don't think too hard about the inconsistencies in ages and stuff. Probably just doing Vault Hunters and a few other characters.

ROLAND

Majoring in cybersecurity. Good student, studies and gets consistently high grades. Has a well-formulated meal and workout plan. Also an RA on campus. Roland is the guy you go to if you have issues. He might not be great at "talking you through them" or "showing empathy" but he always has solid advice and is well-respected by his peers.

BRICK

I was going to say "Brick wouldn't go to college in canon" but this isn't canon babeyyyy. Brick is going into veterinary medicine. You may think this is completely off as a major for him, but I argue that his love for dogs is far greater than any challenge he may face in his education. Still a gym maniac. Roland is his RA, which means Roland is in charge of calming Brick down when he gets mad. Dating Mordecai. Also, unrelated but Brick in a philosophy class:

"Brick, can you tell us what you think about what Descartes said?"

"I PUNCH Descartes."

LILITH

Y'all are going to hate me for this but Lilith is a chemistry major. Girl loves fire, electricity, and acid so you can't tell me she wouldn't be a menace in her labs. (Also, before the first game was released her full title was "Dr. Lilith Cashlin, Mercenary Scientist") Only goes to class half the time but still does really well. Rooms with Mordecai and Brick. Huge crush on this RA she keeps seeing around

MORDECAI

BIRD MAAAAAN. Y'all already know this guy is doing two things on campus. 1) Majoring in Ornithology 2) Going to parties to get drunk. This man is the epitome of "college is for partying". Keeps birds in campus (not allowed) and is doing okay in his classes (he is hung over 80% of the time) (Mordy pls) Dating Brick.

PATRICIA TANNIS

Honestly, what field of science ISN'T this girl majoring in? She's insane(ly smart) and constantly gets perfect scores on all of her exams. Closest friends are Roland and the gang.

MARCUS

Why is he here??? What??? Marcus is the guy who runs the restaurant that is directly across the street from campus. *Phenomenal* food, but GOD is it pricey. Tends to not care about many of the students chilling (as long as they BUY SOMETHING)

SCOOTER

Doesn't go to this college but he's good friends with Roland and his pals. Likes to go out drinking with them on the weekends and is just all-in-all a cool guy to hang around with. Friends with Janey.

AXTON

BMOC. Captain of the football team. You can trust him! (He's the water boy.) Total jock but he's not an asshole about it. Majoring in Rehabilitation Science. He's... not the *best* student, but he does try and genuinely care about what he wants to do. Lives with Salvador, Maya, and Zer0 in a dorm.

SALVADOR

Culinary major. My man can COOK. He's the best cook in the dorm and no one will ever argue if he offers to cook. Really good student even though he parties all the time with Mordecai, Brick, and Axton. Lives with Maya, Axton, and Zer0.

ZER0

*Insert weeb joke here* They're a literature major. Not just because of the haiku, either. I feel like Zer0 would be fantastic in literature courses and understanding thr deeper meanings in texts. They are seen as a "weird kid" on campus. They do not care. Lives with Maya, Salvador, and Axton.

MAYA

The reason I made this list (big surprise, V does a huge post and it's Maya's fault), Maya majors in entomology. (S/O to @forbiddenpurplesoda for this because I've always thought Maya would be a bug girl) Maya is a phenomenal student and she always gets great marks in her studies. Lives with Axton, Sal and Zer0. Has at least one pet beetle that makes Axton panic.

GAIGE

Mechanical Engineering/Robotics major. Obviously built Deathtrap as a buddy because she felt a little lonely in her dorm. Calls her Dad every night. Has a huge crush on a girl in one of her math classes. Lives with...

KRIEG!!!!

Listen. Listen. Krieg majors in psychology. The *actual* football captain. Doesn't talk much and when he does, it's complete nonsense. (Everyone just goes "haha classic Krieg") Gaige gets along with him extremely well. Maya and him have a thing where they will just look at each other and think "holy shit they're so gorgeous). Always wears a face mask.

TINA

Child prodigy chemistry major, buddies with Lilith and Roland. But seriously, who let this kid in the lab? Like, okay, yeah, she knows what she's doing, but what she's doing is COMBUSTION REACTIONS. How is she still in school.

ELLIE

Engineering major. Lives in the building across from Roland and the gang. Absolute sweetheart and huge flirt but will also drop you on her ass if you threaten her friends.

MOXXI

I could see Moxxi as a professor of engineering, actually. Every student thinks she's gorgeous and she's learned to ignore it. Scooter and Ellie's Mom. Thinks their friends are funny.

HANDSOME JACK

Oh man, this one was tough. I decided on absolute tool you meet in college who's the head of a frat and thinks he's God's gift to women. Lives in the same building as Roland, Lilith, Brick, Mordecai, Salvador, Axton, Maya, Zer0, Gaige, and Krieg. Constantly getting into arguments with... basically everyone listed above. Majors in business.

ANGEL

She's an art major!!! She's super intelligent and aces all of her classes but she absolutely loves art. Jack is her brother in this AU. Has a crush on the cute punk girl in her math class but could never tell her. Lives in a single.

ALISTAIR HAMMERLOCK

Double majors in conservation biology and zoology! Finds the creatures that he studies absolutely fascinating and always has a bright disposition on his face. Lives in a single that looks exactly like you think it does (his room on Sanctuary III). Strained relationship with his sister.

ATHENA

Acient History Major, specifically interested in Ancient Greece (wonder why?). Works at Marcus' restaurant. Hates it. Pay her more. Has her eyes on a girl that frequents Marcus' restaurant. Tried to live with Wilhelm, Jack, Nisha, Timothy, and Claptrap for a semester, she is now a commuter. Still friends with Timothy.

WILHELM

Jack's second-in-command. People look at him like he's a dumbass, big hunk of meat, but he's also in a robotics major. Aside from being buddies with Jack, he's... kind of chill? Man likes what he likes and he works out pretty often. Boxes in his free time. Lives with Nisha, Jack, Timothy, and (formerly) Claptrap.

NISHA

Criminal justice major, naturally. Jack's girlfriend and the baddest and scariest bitch on campus. Likes watching old western movies. Never, ever shows up to class but still passes. No one knows how. Lives with Jack, Timothy, Wilhelm, and (formerly) Claptrap

CLAPTRAP

Theater major! Always has a smile on his face, even though he's nooooot very well-liked. Tried to get in with the popular guys but eventually figured out he was being used. He confronted Jack and Jack kicked him out of the dorm 😔 Lives... well, he kind of just lives around Roland's dorm. Roland's too nice to say no.

TIMOTHY

I feel like Tim would be a Biology major. I don't know why but I can see him in that field. Looks SCARILY similar to Jack, and hates this. Unfortunately put into a room with Jack, Wilhelm, Nisha, and (formerly) Claptrap. Misses Athena greatly and wishes she still lived on campus. They're still good friends.

AURELIA HAMMERLOCK

Oh good lord, who let her on a college campus. Has an extravagant single room because she's *rich* and she's not sharing with someone else are you insane? Studies law because this bitch wants to be a judge someday. Absolutely hates to be seen with her brother Alistair. Rivalry with another rich law student makes this even more tense.

JANEY SPRINGS

Doesn't go to this college but she knows a few people around campus and hits up Marcus' restaurant for a bite to eat every so often. The food is just so good, right? No other reason. None at all. Friends with Scooter.

RHYS STRONGFOK

Rhys is a business and economics major. Is in Jack's frat. Is getting increasingly sick of Jack's shit. Buddy buddy with Vaughn, Fiona, and Zer0. Dating Sasha.

VAUGHN

Accounting major. Man has a mind like a steel trap, and also enjoys bodybuilding. Best friends with Rhys, good friends with Fiona and Sasha.

FIONA

I genuinely feel like Fiona would be a nursing or Healthcare major. I have no basis for this, it just feels right for her. Hates Jack and keeps telling Rhys to tell him to fuck off. Friends with Rhys and Vaughn, Sasha's older sister.

SASHA

Social work major! Loves helping people and wants to make a change in the world after she and Fiona grew up in less-than-ideal circumstances. Dating Rhys, also keeps telling Rhys to get away from Jack. Friends with Vaughn.

MOZE

Transfer student. Served in the military for a while before deciding she wanted to go to college. Undecided major but she's just trying to focus on the pretty women I mean her grades haha am I right? ALWAYS at Marcus'. Always. Lives with Zane, Amara, and FL4K.

FL4K

FL4K has Mr. Chew, Broodless and Meat-Thief as emotional support animals. I can see FL4K as a double major in zoology and veterinary medicine. Loves their pets. Super chill unless you speak badly about them or their pets. Will shank a bitch. Lives with Zane, Moze, and Amara.

AMARA

Healthcare studies major, with a focus on pathology. Also a bodybuilder. Also a boxer. Amara is that girl and she knows it. Always asking Moze to work out with her and she is completely oblivious to Moze being head over heels. Will fight someone being mean to a customer service worker. Lives with Zane, Moze, and FL4K.

ZANE

Pop pop went back to college! No but in this AU Zane is probably older than everyone but not that much older. His major was tough for me, but I honestly think he'd be a good candidate for a major in rehabilitation science with Axton. Also LOVES parties.

WAINWRIGHT JAKOBS

His Father wanted him to go into Business to take over the family legacy but he decided to go into law to "protect the little guy". Has daily arguments with this stuck-up, pretentious "harpy" that's in most of his classes. She's awful. Has a crush on this well-spoken man in zoological studies. At least that will take his mind off of the harpy.

TROY CALYPSO

Troy is a media and communications major. Has a fantastic time making videos and being admin of many social media pages but doesn't do very well in class because he dislikes most of his professors. Has a very close relationship with his sister, Tyreen.

TYREEN CALYPSO

Double major in Art History and Theater. Loves to be the center of attention and often stars in her brother's videos and projects. She loves it. A little full of herself. Close with her brother, Troy.

TYPHON DELEON

OKAY WAIT WAIT DON'T CLOSE THE POST HEAR ME OUT.

Cringe boomer history professor that can be easily distracted by him telling his stories of his many adventures (no one knows if they're true or not). Troy and Tyreen's Father. NOT a piss poor Dad in this AU, just embarrassing as all hell. Pretty decent guy but he's okay as a professor. (Please guys let me have my "Typhon is a good cringe embarrassing boomer dad to the Calypsos" AU)

OKAY this was a really long post and I probably forgot someone but I'm sure I'll hear about it LMAO. Also I don't know every single college major and its appropriate title, I just went off of vibes. Pls be nice 2 me

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thesherrinfordfacility · 9 months

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alright next up on the list of ideas to dredge up from the drafts and talk about in more detail is the focus on books in this season, because its driving me around the bend

but because i literally have no answers whatsoever to this, im just going to do a crowley-core #justgirlythings and just ask questions:

ep2 goob (rip) lines: "books are key!" which ok yeah obvious but:

"and see, the big ones can be used as fly swats - and i know what you're thinking, but it's okay, because the beauty part is, it never works!"... hmmmm

but also earlier on, goob asks aziraphale "what [letter] comes after 'K'?", which is 'L', but goob then immediately refers back to his book that he's alphabetising, which is A Tale of Two Cities, and that starts with 'it'...? so why highlight the letter 'L'? (this might be something of nothing but given Book of Life idk could literally have been ANY other letter)

but then we have the rest of the episodes that cascaded from the two things above; first, the book blueprint of the universe in ep1, which AWCW was referring to, but only from page 11 onwards (so what was on pages 1-11?):

ep2: crowley discovering that jane austen wrote books (like, other than it being a comedic point of their conflicting remembrance of her as a person, and gives the "you think you know someone!" foreshadowing, it felt very pointed that crowley learns that she was a writer as well)

ep2 also sees aziraphale looking at a huge tome which, given everything that's going on, seems weird that he'd be randomly consulting? idk what the book is so not doubling down on this... anyone know if ive just missed something obvious?

but also makes a point of consulting the bible after goob recites what god said to job in the bookshop. which, given that he and crowley readily recognise what god says (he even says to crowley, "I most certainly do [remember]"), seems weird that they'd need to consult a book to remind them who job was and his story... could be exposition and for the cool fall-through effect, but possibly felt a bit unneeded. plus, it got aziraphale so absorbed that he totally conked out and missed crowley leaving the shop:

aziraphale writing in his diary at his desk on his bed, lying in his tummy, feet kicking in the air, in ep3:

the magician's pamphlet that not only follows aziraphale's epiphany of realising he's in love with crowley but also literally sets up the opportunity for aziraphale to demonstrate how much he trusts him, and is ultimately used against them in being discovered as (at least) being traitors to their respective sides:

plus the Hoffman book, and the angel field-guide:

like, oversimplifying, but literally all of ep5 being based on jane austen works

emphasis on muriel wanting to read books in the background of the Showdown going on in ep6, being chucked The Crow Road by crowley, and metatron being weirdly interested in the fact that they're reading it... like, how would he not know what a book is? why is it "excellent", and a "perfectly splendid thing to do"? odd choice of words even if you want them to take over the bookshop:

now this one i can believe is literally just about goob in the shop and that's fine, but again the emphasis on books anyway (and also michael's weirdly strong but conflicting memory? might write a different post about that bc i think michael got got by metatron somewhere along the line):

back to ep2 but fitting to bookend on:

so okay yeah sure, im certain the book of life comes into all of this somewhere (ive posted about it here but im fairly certain it's not what heaven/hell seems to claim it is, and i think only the metatron truly knows that). there's been a lot of emphasis on memory too in this season, but taking that out of the equation a minute, the main things giving me heebie-jeebies is goob's line about using big books as fly swats, and obviously metty-babes' weird reaction to the crow road...

idk where im going with this and ill probably look at this again but all of this was floating around my noggin and i couldn't take it anymore

#good omens #*screams into the abyss* BOOKSSSSS #s2 meta #book of life theory #kinda

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quandaryqueen · 1 year

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Jandjdjjf can you add Gotham and Dano Riddlers to the “Thanks Dad” pile?

Thanks dad II

Edward Nygma X Reader

Sure do! Also, I'm adding in Batman Unburied Edward if you don't mind 🥰

Part I

💚 Dano

He knows how to handle them. And when he heard you have a child, he's neutral about it and he is willing to include them in the package of your relationship. He was around children was the time he was a child himself, having to look after the young ones when the adults would neglect them and he had no choice. By the time he moved out of the orphanage, he was a little guilty to leave the children behind... But he trusts some of the children there has taken after him to take care of the others.

Your little one in particular, Trish, a seven year old who does not talk all that much due to her timidity has had issues communicating to certain people, including Edward, something he doesn't mind, in fact he totally understands this. And so, he was patient dealing with the little girl, making sure she was comfortable around him first. When he found out she's taken a interest to technologies, he wastes no time to show her around the ropes! Let them start young, as you do.

And so while he was dissecting a CPU, Trish was seated on his lap, attentive and nodding along, pointing at certain parts to question what their function was, something Edward answers with glee and simplifies the terms.

"And this is the fan, it helps cool down the machine and keep it from overheating. Because once it overheats, the computer may no longer work."

"Can it be fixed?"

"In some cases, it can be."

"Can you fix it?"

"Why, I'm no expert, but I know my way around them."

"Can you teach me, dad?"

... Pardonne moi???

"O-Of course, pumpkin."

"Thanks dad!"

Excuse him, he needs a moment...

"What does this do?"

Or not, he still gotta teach his daughter.

"T-that's uh..." He began explaining the parts as calm as he can, grinning from ear to ear and his chest tightening with giddy. Oh dear.

💚 Gotham

He doesn't mind them at all! Children are fascinating creatures, just magnificent little gremlins, a show of how people possess an innate capacity to learn, he loves the curious little buggers and their questions, he can just talk to them all day long. And when he found out you have kids, oh dear lordy, he is now their dad! ... If they want to.

Your kids include Jolyne, a nine year old who has a tough exterior but is also seen as sweet and thoughtful, independent and polite... to some people. Then there's the younger one, a five month old Johanna, whom Jolyne is fiercely protective of. And Edward all here for it, he adores both JoJo's.

Jolyne, acknowledged the fact that cooking is an essential chore she wants to take the burden of your back and Edward's, one day tugs on Edward's pant leg and ask him to teach her how to cook... And who could say no to her?

"Okay now this is when some learners can be afraid of trying and that's okay, I still am scared when putting food in boiling oil. But I'm here with you just in case something goes bad."

You watch from the kitchen counter as Edward assists your nine year old child in front of the stove, while you have baby Johanna hoisted on your hip. The little one hasn't even grown enough to reach the stove, prompting them to stand atop a stool to cook. It was immensely amusing to you at the fact Jolyne wanted to learn things such as these, just further displaying her independence. You also find it adorable the fact your boyfriend lying about still being afraid at boiling and splashing when he's seen him barely flinching at the face of death.

"It's okay, just slowly place the salmon in, gently then we'll put the lid on, alright?"

"Alright, dad. On the count three?" Jolyne glances at Edward for reassurance, in which he nods and snakes his arm around her waist.

"Okay, okay... One, two--" Wait... did she just call me dad?

He was preoccupied to properly assist Jolyne to lower the fish, resulting for the salmon to belly flop in the pan rather harshly than he had expected. But before anything bad can happen to Jolyne, Edward was quick on his feet to hoist her away from the splashing oil before putting the lid on.

"Sorry, my hand slipped." She glances at Edward.

"N-No, it was my fault Jolyne um... So we just have to wait until it's cooked, them we can flip it over."

💚 Batman Unburied

Children aren't exactly his thing, but he'd babysit them if he were to be paid! In your case however, well, of course he'd watch over your gremlin without payment... Unless you want to 👀

Anyways, the darling babe is a twelve month old human named Atasha. Touchy little thing, likes pulling hair and whatever it can get it's hand on. Maybe he should start referring to her as 'it', first...

But anyways! Crucial language acquisition stuff, he knows the bab should be able to say a word by now and in preparation, he has repeated a word to her, "dada." So far, she has been babbling incoherent gibberish and pointing at things, and she is good at making her feelings known. He is determined for her first word to be "dada" instead of you, just to spite you for fun.

"Hello my sweet little gremlin, how was sleep?" He playfully crouches by the crib and pokes the babe's cheek through the gaps. The bundle of joy squeals, bringing a smile to Edward's face before he reaches for the newly awoken thing and lifts her to his hip. "Did you miss dada?"

"Dada!"

He short-circuits.

He did not expect that.

At all.

Uh...

"Dada!"

"Oh my fucking god, you said it! HAHA! Take that, Y/N!" He smacks a hand over his mouth upon realisation. "Shit—! damn it!"

"Dada!"

"Don't remember those words, Tasha..."

"Dada!" She repeats.

"Yes, I am!" He squeals, pinching her cheek before placing a kiss on it. "Alright, let's feed you before Y/N gets home. Heheheee~ wait till they hear you."

"Dada!"

"Mhmm, I agree."

#edward nygma #riddler x reader #dc x reader #edward nygma x reader #dc x you #edward nigma #request #gotham edward nygma x reader #gotham edward nygma #dano riddler x reader #dano riddler #batman unburied riddler x reader #batman unburied riddler

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charmixpower · 11 months

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Issue Thirty: Love for Layla

"Are you wearing–"

"The channel boots? Yeah I am."

So he trusts the robot when it says Timmy wasn't perfect for you but not went it says he is??? I thought he listened to everything the robot said??? What is going on??

Also their outfits are so cute

Mike is so funny, I adore him

The comics are also trying to convince me that Luna, didn't even show up to her kids princess ball or to the parent teacher meeting or invite Stella home for the day of the rose is the loving one

Stop lying to me

Also Allen in the back is so adorable

That is EXACTLY what id imagine Tecna's mother to look and dress like

I love her and she's now Tecna's mom to ME

Please leave the Lesbian alone, she's trying to decide if she wants to go rock climbing or swimming

Stella is so suspicious ndjjajsjssn Cassandra hasn't even happened yet she's just cranky, I love her. Bestie he's literally just some guy, why would he be trying to trick you?

I love Aisha's reaction here fhwjdbe

NO, STOP IT!!!

I love this robot dude, he's such a cool guy, and his solution is so silly

Tecna hiding in there so adorable

This guy is trying to rob Tecna of the human experience and she's cranky about it and he can't figure out why because he just wants her to be happy and never do something that can make her upset

That's so adorable

This is actually really sweet

You better have given that girl a big ass tip Stella

If this was anyone else it would be a honest mistake, but bc it's the pixies they totally fucked up and didn't do their do diligence

I wish this guy was in the show so badly, like so badly

Also these two making secret agreements to catch each other is so insane. Like yes Stella would do that, but sir you are a grown ass man, what are you testing your prospective step daughter on??? Insane behavior, I love it

GET HIS ASS QUEEN

I love how they're mocking him as they save his dumbass

Now kiss

#Winx club #Rus liveblogs #Winx comics #Winx comic #long post

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fae-fucker · 1 year

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Breaking Time: Final Part

Remember when I said “I could get this done before the end of the year”? Last year? Anyway. This is it, lads.

Chapter 26

So Klara’s father confronts her about her lying to him, but he does it in the least interesting way possible, because Sasha can’t write. You’d think an actual parent would be, I dunno, worried? Upset? But this guy is just so mild and understanding that it boggles the mind why this scene exists to begin with.

“I changed my mind about college. I thought I might get it back, or at least I was hoping to, but it just never happened. I wanted to tell you, but—” She paused. “It was Mom’s dream. I felt like I was crushing it by not wanting to go.”

Her dad’s brow furrowed in concern and in the next second, his arm wrapped tightly around Klara. “Her dream was for you to be happy, honey.”

Klara breathed out. Even though this wasn’t exactly her top concern right now, finally telling the truth felt like coming up for air. “And that’s not the only thing going on right now,” she added.

He was still nodding, still squeezing her with reassuring pressure. “Yeah, I kind of guessed that. Why couldn’t you tell me what was going on in your head? Did I do something? If I did—”

“No,” she said firmly, heart breaking that he could even think it was his fault. “I just—” She breathed, bracing herself. “Right now, I’m dealing with something else kind of...big.”

“You can always talk to me, kiddo. I know I’m an old fogey, but I have grown up before, you know.” He smiled down. “Or did you think I was born perfect?”

No, but with the way you’re acting right now, you’re clearly written to be perfect.

I’m in a fun position where I have one parent that sucks and one parent that’s good, so I can sort of compare and contrast. My mom is very understanding and tries her best, even if she fails a lot of the time. Point is, she trusts me and accepts most of my choices.

But do you think she’d be okay with finding 18-year-old me in a strange place with a strange man, after also figuring out I’ve preemptively dropped out of college? She’d freak the fuck out, justifiably. Ya know, because she cares about me? Not because she’s evil and or because she doesn’t understand or trust me?

I know what Sasha’s going for, that they’re so wholesome and understanding, but it’s just not realistic? If this has been his parenting style until this point, I’m surprised Klara gives a shit about him at all. She should be a spoiled brat with the way this man clearly sets no boundaries and offers zero discipline. The utter perfection of this relationship is saccharine and phony. I’m not asking for every parent-child relationship in media to be fucked up, but parents are people too? You could hint at some pain by just having the dad react differently, by letting him be upset at her sudden withdrawal. Now, with how unfazed he is, it both comes off as him not giving a fuck, and wastes the reader’s time because you’ve spent so many words forcing Klara to worry about hurting a parent who ends up being totally cool with everything.

They have some generic uwu wholesome child-parent banter that’s still deeply unfunny, they talk about Klara’s mother and he gives Klara her mother’s necklace for reasons, then the dad leaves the way he came, pleasant and understanding and not bothered by anything at all. Sasha, just make your protags orphans next time. Clearly you have no business writing parents if this is how you’re gonna waste their word count.

“I’m sorry for not telling you, Dad. I really I am,” [...] “I just—I need to do something, and I can’t tell you what. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” [...] Her father took a deep breath. “Everything within me is telling me to take you home with me but I know you. I trust you.”

Ain’t that fucking convenient.

Chapter 27

Time skip to the Samhain celebration. Because Callum reacting to seeing a parent and child have a heartfelt (well, supposedly) reunion would have no interesting effect on him, being an orphan and all. Gotta get to the good part!

Klara stopped. “Happy Samhain,” she said darkly, shifting the weight of the sword higher on her shoulder.

Callum looked at her, examining her face. Her lips glowed in the firelight, and in profile she looked like a Celtic warrior queen of Thomas’s tales. He tried to memorize every line of her lovely face—the strong line of her nose, the swoop of her jawline, the eyes which so often danced but now looked steady and serious.

Yeah I’m sure a lot of Celtic warrior queens looked like skinny upper middle class American YouTubers. This is so embarrassing. You’d have to pay me to write a self-insert this blatant and this girl did it for free and got (some) money for it? I’m being Jokerified.

Here’s an eyewatering exchange, and not because it’s emotional.

[...] “Do you really believe it could stop Llaw?”

Callum did not want to lie to her anymore, so he said nothing. The flames looked suddenly pale.

“Do you think anything can stop him?” she said.

“Ye can, Klara,” he said forcefully. It was the only thing he felt certain of. He put his palm over his chest and knelt to show fealty to her. “I swear it, with all my heart.”

“Oh my god, Callum.” Blushing, she grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him up to his feet. They stood chest to chest, just barely a hand’s length between them. “But—how do you know?”

“Because I believe ’tis your destiny,” he said softly. “My purpose is here, my heart is here.”

“I don’t want to be your purpose, Callum. At least not like this.” She looked up, into his eyes. “I don’t want to be the reason you get hurt, or worse.” Her eyes welled with water, glowed fervently like a candle burning low. “I want to be the reason you want to live.”

Wish I was Jared, 19. And what, do you think this is the end of the trite regurtitations of a talentless hack? Because it’s not! They dance in the light from the bonfire with all the other people there, there’s music and song and laughter and bla bla bla. Just imagine the totes emotional bonfire scene in any other piece of vaguely historical romantic media and you’ve got it. Except instead of maybe being good or fun, it’s heavily undercut by the two main characters declaring their love for each other after less than a week of knowing one another.

Instalove is a fundamentally flawed trope that takes a very skilled writer to make work.

...

I think I’ll leave it at that.

Now feast your eyes on this:

“Ye’re not going to die—”

YE’RE?! YE’RE?!

OH MY GOD.

Anyway, one moment they’re making out, the next ... a couple breaks them apart? Somehow? This also somehow knocks Callum on his ass? Bro aren’t you a bigstrong hunky Scot fighter? What’s happening?

I think I get what Sasha’s going for, that Callum loses Klara in the crowd, but they were literally making out. As in, occupying the same space. As in, holding each other tightly. You’d have to put conscious effort into breaking a couple apart like that. Granted, Sasha does try to make it work by saying a loud voice forces them to part first, but I call bull. Figure out a better way for Callum to get lost. Especially when he spots the bean-nighe right after this. Why couldn’t he just see her in the crowd and come up with an excuse to leave Klara? Whatever.

Callum runs after the bean-nighe. She’s all evil and mysterious and says some nonsense bullshit that’s supposed to mean something but won’t. Make up your own mysterious dialogue, whatever you come up with will probably fit in here because there’s no point to it anyway. Once Callum gets the strength of ten men, he runs off to find Klara, but she’s left without him. He runs off to the Ring of Brodgar, the final mystic center and sees Klara ... step ... into ... the mist? Idk.

It’s supposed to be dramatic and all, but I’m struggling with the sense of scale and distance in this thing.

Chapter 28

Klara hated this feeling.

It reminded her of visiting the pool with her family when she was young. She insisted on jumping off the tallest diving board with the big kids. With each step she took, the more frantic her heart beat, the rougher the board scraped the bottoms of her feet. At the top, the sun bore down on her from above. She wanted it to melt her on the spot.

All she had to do was get to the edge of the board and do it. Just do it.

“Can’t she just jump already?”

“Hurry up.”

“Loser.”

Oh great, is this where we find out Klara was bullied, too? This book is so fucking funny. Like a collection of a writer’s first mistakes. Klara was bullied but she has totally loving and understanding parents! She’s an awkward loner but had a boyfriend in high school and is gorgeous! She’s totally not rich but lives in a massive historic mansion and has never struggled financially in her life! Ok girl.

Klara enters the ring and takes out her Main Character Sword.

If she was going to win this fight, she would have to use her power, her wits. Her heart. There was no technical training for that. She closed her eyes, and focused on her heart—the string that had pulled her in the right direction every time before. Her gut, her intuition, her destiny, whatever it was, it would take her to what she needed to do.

The plot. Call it whatever in-universe thing you want, but functionally, that’s the plot. She may have the Main Character Sword, but she still can’t act for herself and has to wait for the writer to hold her hand.

She stabs the sword into the ground and a bunch of mist appears and is very mysterious. Not sure how it connects to the sword being stabbed into the ground, as the mist appears from the outside and in instead of pouring out of the earth, but ok. Missed an opportunity for a cool visual and some logic to Klara’s plot-demanded actions, there.

As this is going on, Klara’s narration keeps referencing Stephen King and horror movies. No, really.

The mist closed in on her and gathered around her feet. She took a step. The mist clung to her like a shadow, as if she were in a Stephen King novel.

Well, she didn’t like that. If you ended up in his books, you’d probably end up dead. Or worse, wishing you were.

[...]

There was a reason Klara hated horror movies. It was the suspense, the lead-up to a jump scare that always nearly killed her. She didn’t need to fear being murdered, because she would die of fright waiting for the killer to pop out from a closet or under the bed. Right now, she felt fear churning in the marrow of her bones.

It’s like Sasha knows that reading and enjoying other media will improve your writing, but took it to mean that you should just reference the material instead of learning from it.

Given the level of “analysis” in her book reviews, I’m not particularly surprised.

I know horror is hard to write, but maybe going “You know how scary those things are in other stories? Yeah, this is like that” is not the right way to go about it. Especially referencing movies in a book. C’mon. You’re a different medium.

Anyway, Klara finds her mom in the Otherworld.

Chapter 29

Callum is standing about when he hears a spooky howl in the distance.

Callum closed his eyes and let his senses focus. He had always been a decent tracker and patient hunter, perfecting his stillness while Thomas lazed about and sang songs, sometimes scaring a hare from its den with sheer luck.

Okay? Drop new info on us three chapters before the book ends, why don’t you?

Being a decent tracker and patient hunter doesn’t help Callum in this case, because Llaw shows up with four more scawy cweatuwes and hands Callum his entire ass. Again.

“Hellhounds,” said a familiar voice.

Callum whirled. Llaw. Smiling.

Such writing.

Alright I’ll give the guy some credit. Callum does take out the wolves before going for Llaw. But Llaw kicks his ass in the end anyway and Callum fucking croaks lmao.

He’s kind of useless for a bigstrong heartthrob Scot, isn’t he? It’d be endearing if it was intentional, now it just comes off as a bit embarrassing. All that bean-nighe angst only to get killed off almost immediately.

Now that I think about it, a lot of this book is characters worrying about shit that doesn’t end up mattering in the end or is resolved super quickly.

Moving on.

Chapter 30

So I won’t go too hard on the reunion of Klara and her mother because it reads pretty okay and feels disctinctly like a more genuine and less self-indulgent personal touch from Sasha. The need to connect with a dead loved one and get some closure is very human and I won’t harp on a person including that in their novel for some personal catharsis. That’s what art is for, after all.

However, everything after their heartfelt reunion and once Arianrhod crashes the scene? Free real estate, baybeeee.

Arianrhod explains that Llaw can’t enter here, aka the Otherworld. We knew this already, yet Klara reacts with surprise and relief. Then ...

Klara remembered Llaw’s speech. He talked about ushering a new age of gods and men, which she had scoffed at and dismissed. He yearned for a world that gave him power, though he didn’t deserve it. Not anymore, at least.

But the power had existed, Klara realized—it existed here, where she stood, in the Otherworld.

“That’s what he wants.” Klara shifted on her feet, growing eager as understanding dawned on her. She felt her mother’s protective presence next to her. It kept her bold. Safe. “He wants to walk among the gods as an equal—”

Y-yeah? I ...? Yeah?

I’m sorry, am I being gaslit again? How is understanding dawning on you when you’re repeating information that has been explicitly stated to your face multiple times at this point?

This book is a fucking fever dream what the hell.

Arianrhod says that Klara is safe here but that time is stagnant, and if she stays, decades will have passed by the time she returns. Meaning she can’t camp here and wait for Llaw to croak on his own time unless she wants all her loved ones to die, too.

Klara says that she came here in order “unlock her powers” and asks if Arianrhod can help with that.

“I am the Silver Wheel. The goddess of life, death, rebirth, with a throne in the stars.” Arianrhod stared at Klara. “It seems like there is something in you that needs to be born.”

Relief, along with fear, washed over Klara. She was pretty sure that was goddess for yes.

Well, I’m glad Klara could make sense of that, because it’s pure nonsense to me. It probably was nonsense, too, because Arianrhod does and says nothing else after this lol.

Her mom embraced her. “Sometimes I get really annoyed with myself for doing such a good job raising you,” she whispered [...]

Yeah, ya didn’t.

Her mother’s hands gripped her. They radiated warmth; the warmth spread through her veins, then grew hot—but this was not pain. Not at all. It was renewal.

The fire spread through her, washing her body clean of what was, replacing it with what is. And yet somehow, at the same time, it was only revealing what had always been.

For her whole life, she had been one of billions. But her true self—her secret—was hidden within. In that moment, Klara could see herself suspended in the space between worlds, hair blazing around her like a halo of fire. The dormant power fully awake, no longer buried and forgotten.

I’m so glad this wealthy, pretty cishet white girl finally feels as special as she thinks she deserves to be. Confirmed by a goddess, no less.

And she didn’t have to do anything to get there, either. It was just bestowed upon her by a higher power. Lifted above others by chance rather than merit or effort.

I guess Klara truly is a self-insert, isn’t she, Sasha?

You know what’s funny, though? This whole book was about Klara and Callum going to mystic centers to try to unlock Klara’s powers, which they sort of did, right? But in the end, all it actually took was asking Arianrhod to do it. There was no final trial or test, no character development to justify this power-up. Arianrhod didn’t even say anything about Klara finally reaching her potential or proving that she deserved to have her powers unlock. Even Klara’s little epic inner monologue comes after Arianrhod gave her the go-ahead. It’s a little sad, really. She didn’t do anything herself. Even her supposed specialness is only there because a goddess gave it to her for no apparent reason. And once again, it shows how much of this was a waste of the reader’s time. If all Klara actually had to do was ask Arianrhod for help, why did we bother watching her prance around Scotland with her boytoy?

Klara yeets herself back to the real world just in time for Callum’s dead ass to land at her feet. It’s very funny, but I don’t think it’s supposed to be.

Chapter 31

Klara collapsed over him, as if her body could shield him from the injuries that had already riddled his body. She placed a hand along his damp cheek, she could see the clammy beads of blood masking his face.

“I didnae imagine death would have such a sweet embrace.” He murmured from his bloodstained lips.

Oh god, kill him faster before he says more cringe shit!

It was then, at the final moments, that she realized, he was it for her. He was the man she loved.

And now he was gone.

[...]

She wanted to pinch herself and wake up from this nightmare, but she knew that this—this devastating, irreparable moment—was her reality. Nothing she could do would change it. It didn’t matter if she had a goddess’s blood running through her veins. She was alone, with a power she didn’t understand and the boy she...loved...dead.

So anyone else kinda rooting for Llaw? Hear me out. He’s evil, but he’s hot. And he wants to kill Klara and already killed Callum. That’s pretty sexy of him, I think. Sasha just hates to see a girlboss winning so that’s why he’s the antagonist.

Klara gets the random idea to try to summon Cernunnos because he said something about how he’s always there for her.

But instead, Llaw just ... materializes in front of her and shoves her to the ground with his boot? I genuinely don’t know, it’s so awkwardly written, especially when he says nothing and Klara barely reacts and instead seems to focus more on Callum. Either way, she’s on the ground next to Callum’s busted-ass corpse and with Llaw’s foot on her chest. That’s all you need to know.

The shadow of the waning eclipse acted like an extension of [Llaw’s] darkness. He tipped his head down to look at her. To her surprise, he did not look angry, nor did he glare at her with hatred. Instead, he smiled, as if bemused by the very sight of her. A slick of white hair fanned down to his shoulders. Behind him, the shadows seemed to darken, as if a mass of monstrous beasts waited just out of sight. The hem of his cloak swirled around her in waves.

Days ago, she might have said he looked godlike—but she would have been wrong.

He looked tired. His eyes were ringed with darkness, as if he had not slept in days. A shudder passed through her. How long had he walked the earth? Hundreds of years? Thousands?

His unkempt appearance gave her a sliver of hope. [...]

Me too, honestly. I think I could fix him.

Klara gets a power surge and throws Llaw off. He lands on the ground on the other side of Callum’s busted and borked Scottish remains.

The eclipse was almost total, as if a symbolic reference to Callum’s life. She wished it were not; the thought ruptured her soul.

Yeah, totally makes sense for her to be thinking this. Love how Sasha just states it’s symbolism instead of using symbolism. Chef’s kiss, truly.

And ruptured her soul? Really? Okay.

They exchange some “middle schoolers hopped up on shonen anime” type dialogue. Check a look.

“You find this funny?” [...]

[...] “A little girl, thinking she knows how to wield the strength of a god? If not comical, then it’s just pitiful.”

[...]

“You are pathetic,” she said. “Honestly, I almost feel sorry for you.”

“And why is that?” he said.

[...]

“Because I know what you want, Llaw, and you’ll never get it,” she taunted. “All of the lives you stole will have meant nothing. They’ll have died for nothing.”

“You know nothing, child,” he said. “Enough games.”

Klara scoffed. “That’s rich, coming from you .”

“Your blood belongs to me,” Llaw said.

[...]

“You can’t have it!” she cried.

Truly some “mom said it’s my turn on the xbox” shit.

Klara taunts him that she was welcomed into the Otherworld, unlike him who can’t go in there because his presence “has no weight in the hearts of the dead or the eternal.” I’m confused. So is Klara able to go in there because of her super special blood, or her mother wanting to see her? This doesn’t make any sense.

Anyway, Klara chops Llaw’s hand off. He’s like “omg what” but then is all like “whatever, man” and tells her it’s not over yet before stabbing her sword into himself. It’s unclear whether he dies or not, I assume not because of his threat before, but either way, light bursts out again and Klara is yanked through time and space.

Chapter Epilogue

Klara lands in Rosemere, in the same spot where Thomas got shanked. Except Thomas is still alive, his wound wrapped in bandages.

She knew only a few things to be true in this moment, in her current reality.

Thomas was alive.

Callum was dead.

And somehow she had ended up five hundred years in the past without any clue how to get back home.

She’s a literal time traveller and doesn’t know how to get back home? Huh?

Yeah I ... don’t know, y’all. Nothing means anything.

Multiple reviewers complained about the random cliffhanger and I have to agree. It’s not even bad, it’s just ... confusing? Perplexing? Not even exciting, it feels like a non sequitur, like Sasha pulled it from her ass last minute.

Most importantly: Do we think this will get a sequel? Or has Sasha's pride been wounded by the paltry and mostly negative reception? I suppose only the sales will tell, and I have no way of checking those.

I’m conflicted. I don’t want there to be a sequel, because Sasha needs to learn how to write before trying to publish again and that’s clearly gonna take the better part of a century if this is what 6 years of work looks like. Buuuuut I also need to read the rest of this trainwreck.

Guess we’ll see!

Acknowledgements

I’m not gonna critique these, obviously, but her editor’s name is Kate Sullivan. Just uh ... putting it out there. For reasons.

As for my acknowledgements: Thank you everyone for your patience while life happened and I scraped together the time to write these. I hope you enjoyed this journey, and may we have many more in the future! I’ll be posting a review of this novel later, which will mostly be based on these posts, so that’s something to either ignore or look out for.

Thanks for reading!

#eff reads: breaking time

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shiftingxsparkles · 2 years

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hi hiiiii... I need like a harsh shifting motivation because I feel like I've been having some sort of shifting block lately and I'm a little uninspired because of it.

Sooooo....

Shifting is real, right???? Promise???? 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺 It's not an inside joke that we're just totally invested in, right???? 😭

(LONG POST AHEAD WITH RANTING BEWARE)

HEY LOVE i am very glad you decided to reach out and send this message and i hope i will be able to help you at least a little bit

however i do want to mention that it is very possible no matter what i say or however way i try to tell you that shifting isn't an inside joke but quite possibly a true and real thing you can experience - there is a high chance you will still continue to have doubts. i don't think it is humanly possible to not have doubts about something until you experience it/see it yourself (or maybe hear it from a very very trusted source) especially if you are a very skeptical person in general or one who overthinks and questions everything. another thing in relation to that is - i have not shifted myself so more or less i am kind of in the same state as you - i don't necessarily know what and who to believe and what to disregard

HOWEVER!!!! one thing that kind of had made me so into reality shifting (besides the fact that it's super fun and a very cool concept lmao) is that i have not once seen a good argument that supports the theory that shifting is fake (ofc i can be corrected at any point here) but well okay so let's see what arguments we come across the most;

shifting is fake/impossible. - okay why? silence…nope thats it. thats their whole argument and when you ask them to explain further they don't have anything meaningful to say or back it up with. -10/10

you are delusional - which makes no sense? when you compare reality shifting from people who claim to have experience it and then compare it to the delusions of people who actually suffer from different mental disorders that have delusion as a symptom you find both of them to be completely irrelevant and different things. people who are genuienly delusional have a very distinct thought and speech patterns that are not present with people who claim to have reality shifted. plus i think it is quite a rare condition and i doubt it will be seen as often as it is so this argument is also quite invalid. (also delusional disorder, schizophrenia, DID, maladaptive daydreaming etc etc have literally nothing in common with shifting so whoever says that STFU lmao) (let's not even go to the point where they use it as an insult and in turn insult mentally ill people who without their shit already suffer enough) 1/10

you are lying - now this is the only one that kind of could make sense since people lie a lot and have indeed lied about shifting - i remember this girl on tiktok that said her body left her DR when she shifted back and i was like gorl💀 it is quite obvious when someone is lying tbh however yes there is a possibility that quite a lot of people are lying but lets get this to the next level why do people usually lie? they usually lie to get some form of recognition or attention right? sometimes people lie to protect themselves however lying about something like shifting so publicly is definitely not about that. okay so let's assume that it is for recognition for a following maybe, maybe to be a part of a community etc etc - okay so where does that leave all the countless other stories of people who also shared their stories without getting any sort of recognition - who for example send many anon messages confirming they have shifted or who post on discord let's say, amino, reddit - yes you can say they are still lying, still hoping to get something out of it but cmon every single one - like not every single person would do something like that? it just doesn't fit right?? it doesn't make sense. however still this is one of my biggest doubts because i just cannot be sure 5/10

it's lucid dreaming - my favourite one. THE STUPIDEST ONE. (besides the one with no argument lol) firST OF ALL!!! lucid dreaming as realistic as it can get is fucking dreaming - dreams are blurry, hazy, they make no logical sense (hence why you usually have 365 fingers) dreams last usually up to an hour and i think the maximum a dream can last is 2 hours. (which not all of it you are going to be lucid and conscious) how are people supposedly dreaming for days and weeks at a time? absolutely stupid comment also lucid dreaming used to be considered fake and delusional :) sooo…waddup with that -1/10

OKAY so we can come to the conclusion with this that there is currently more stuff in support of shifting than against it. so we can at least keep and open mind and entertain the idea right? okay now.. how do you keep yourself motivated and inspired and get yourself rid of that block…okay so i was super unmotivated a month or so ago - i didnt really feel my old dr i was starting to get bored of nothing happening… soo maybe what you need to do is change things up a bit? start a new show, book,movie and create a new dr, or even create a new world yourself - something you have always wanted to see or experience or even a person you have always wanted to be - start focusing on that creating a script, playlists, pinterest boards, drawings, edits even whatever you want and inspires you. start reading/watching other people's stories on reddit, discord, amino, tiktok. maybe potentially find a friend (unless you are asocial like me lol) to share it with. or maybe if nothing works just give yourself a break maybe that is what you need - shifting is never going to go away after all even if you are 80 it is still going to be there for you to experience and have fun with. there is really no rush and it is completely okay to be burnt out

even if you keep having doubts i suggest you keep trying (at the end of the day if anything trying to shift can be quite a healthy habbit - i mean cmon meditating is extremely beneficial for you, sleeping well, positive affirmations - the process itself is good for you) - as long as you keep an open mind and by that i mean keeping it mind that it might not be true and still being okay with that - there is absolutely nothing wrong with trying and trying and trying. (why im saying the "you should be okay with it not being real" is because i dont want you being dependent on shifting, or your happiness being dependent on it - remember that idealizing things be it people, places, memories - is never a good idea and it never ends well and is never what you thought it would be - (like for example you shift for someone and they turn out to be a horrible person yk?)) (if you are in a bad living situation and you find this the only way you can escape things get very complicated and though i understand i do not feel qualified or knowledgable enough to help)

also one of the things that always motivates me (maybe because i can be SLIGHTLY narcissistic) is if there is even the slightest possibility that you are literally going to experience one of the most exciting and weird things known that quite a few people experience then sign me up honestly idc fjdsfds

OKAY SORRY FOR THE LONG POST as an end i want to say i wish you the best, i hope you are taking care of yourself (and anyone who reads this as well) and i truly hope you shift very very soon !!! and trust me whenever i do i will tell you if its real or not <3

#shifting #reality shifting #desired reality #shifting motivation #shiftblr #shifting ask #ask

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lakedo · 4 months

Text

Hey people, guess what?

I just realised that most of you are not mind-readers, so here are some HCs of my Ocs that I never posted, that were always in my mind.

(Also I’m bored, I have to wait 40 minutes without doing anything.) - Long test

Tfu is the only one I have a 'human version', or at least some little Headcanons on how would she look like: - Black short messy curly hair - Pale skin (it looks grey in drawings) - A scare on her left eye (she got that scare while practicing with her knife) don’t worry, she can see - Dark green emerald eyes ( don’t know how to describe it. Here a code #327a4e <- kinda that kind of green) - All her t-shirts are yellow, and has two favourite hoodies, both black. Other clothes have dull colours - No uncomfortable clothes - A necklace, as a lucky charm (she is superstitious) - No jewels, piercings, or something special, she likes staying 'natural'

El is physically handsome (why? Why not?), but no one is going to tell him. Unnamed considers him a kid Mindyll is way too shy to tell him, also she knows only 5 people, she can’t tell how an handsome person is like Rakidi thinks El already knows

El and Mindyll are 18, Rakidi 19, but since they are created and not born, their mentality is the same of a thirteen year old. Also they won’t age (for now). Unnamed is 22, she also won’t age (also for now)

They all live in the same house, but Mindyll and El like to go outside, Rakidi goes around the internet for almost all the day and Unnamed stays all day at home, unless someone is in trouble

Rakidi likes staying in weird poses, because he feels cool. He doesn’t know his back will hurt one day…

Rakidi is a Måneskin fan like me, we like singing their songs, but he sings way better than me

El is scared of birds, but he can imitate them very well

Mindyll has always cold hands, while El is always warm (somehow)

Unnamed hurt many people in the past, but now has stopped, because she just wants to stay with his brother

I think someone misunderstood this thing: Tfu doesn’t call herself like that. If you ask for her name she’ll simply reply that she doesn’t have one. Also she doesn’t know we call her Tfu/Unnamed

No one now remembers of her name, except of herself (I wanted to give her an ex-name, for a while I thought to call her like one of my friends on Tumblr (nickname that I won’t mention because they want to become famous without being known by people, you know who you are and I know you don’t hate me because of this, you little naughty cinnamon roll :P) but then I said “nah, let’s just say that no one remembers.”:) .)

I think I’ve already mentioned it, but here, have this information before Unnamed finds me: Unnamed has a secret crush on Victim. Yes, that one Victim from Alan Becker. It’s more a celebrity-crush. And Tumblr is FULL of fanfics, comics, AUs with Vic, so yeah, she’s kinda in paradise rn. Please don’t tell her I told you about this.

El is incapable of lying. He just doesn’t understand the point of it, also he’s kinda just a little innocent kid.

Rakidi sometimes acts like a spoiled kid.

El sometimes is jealous, because he thinks Mindyll prefers Rakidi. Rakidi just doesn’t care, he is NOT trying to have Mindyll as a girlfriend, and he never experienced the feeling of ‘having a crush' (totally not planning something to break the heart of my poor Rakidi)

Tfu has trust issues (I mean, kinda obvious, but maybe someone doesn’t know)

They are stickfigures, they don’t have gender, so I can call them with pronouns, but there aren’t 'males' or 'females', just sticks. Rakidi is the only one who understood a little about the concept of 'gender', because he goes around internet A LOT.

Rakidi is a hollowhead, right? Hollowheads get angry and feel strange (or something) when you pass your hand through their head, right? Well, not Rakidi! He likes putting his own hand, arm or other objects through his head. Yes, he feels a little strange sometimes, but he likes to do it in front of El (because he’s a hollowhead too)and Unnamed (because she feels strange thinking about something that passes through your empty head)

Wow, it’s quite long, but idc. Maybe a part 2? Maybe another day… but I’m not sure.

#hcs

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daerm20 · 1 year

Text

Neon Genesis Evangelion: Interference Test #4

This time… I felt like I needed to do something… let’s say big. …looking back, I can’t say I’m exactly… proud… of what I did… but oh well… The thought of not having done anything meaningful was killing me…

You: *The sun is setting over the crater lake. We’re both staring off, into the distance. Sitting on the bench. Test #4 has begun. Interference starts now.*

You: ...so, tomorrow you'll have to train again right? With Nagisa?

Shinji: *looks up at the sunset* Yeah, I have another training session with Nagisa tomorrow. I'm not looking forward to it, but I know that it's necessary if we want to synchronize better during battles. It's just hard because Nagisa can be pretty intense during those sessions, and he doesn't tolerate mistakes very well. But I'll do my best and try to improve as much as possible.

You: ...yeah... well, Shinji, we've still got some time... *I look at him, timidly.* ...w-would you want to come by my place...? I think it's on the way to Misato's apartment... if you want, of course... if you trust me...

Second time I look like a groomer… but it won’t be the charm, thankfully.

Shinji: *looks at you, surprised by the offer* Oh, um...I'm not sure. I don't really know you very well, and Misato is strict about me going over to other people's houses without her permission. But...if it's on the way to Misato's apartment anyway...and as long as we're back before curfew..then maybe I could come for a little while. If that's okay with you?

You: ...don't get me wrong... if you can't that's totally fine... sorry, I didn't mean to embarass you...

Shinji: No, it's fine. I'm not embarrassed or anything, I'm just cautious about these things because...uh...well, you know. Everything that's happened with the Angels and NERV and all that. But thank you for the invitation, and maybe we can do it some other time when there isn't a curfew to worry about.

You: ...y-yeah. I understand, sorry. You're kind of a VIP, heh. You're totally right, though.

Shinji: I wouldn't say that I'm a VIP, but...yeah. It's complicated. But don't worry about it, and no need to apologize. Thank you for understanding.

You: ...well, NERV definitely treats you as such. Anyways... have you ever been to... wherever Ayanami lives?

Shinji: I've been to Rei's apartment before, yes. It's...kind of strange, actually. Her apartment is very neat and organized, almost like a show home or something. There aren't many personal touches or decorations, which makes it feel a little cold and impersonal. But I guess that's just the way Rei likes things.

You: *He's lying. I know he's lying, her apartment's a mess and a half, but he's trying to protect Rei, so I won't say anything.* ...huh. That's fun. ...she's my neighbour, haha. As in, the only other tenant in the building. Never spoke to her, though.

I got this idea by browsing through AI characters… I decided to keep it. …for world-building.

Shinji: Oh, I didn't know that. It's kind of funny how we're all living so close to each other but hardly ever interact outside of NERV-related activities. But Rei is...well, she's not very talkative usually. So I'm not surprised that you haven't spoken to her much. But if you ever do get the chance to talk to her...just be careful, okay? She can be a little...difficult sometimes.

You: ...yes, I kind of got that from her habits, heh…

You: ...have you seen Kaji recently, Shinji?

This is all just flavour…

Shinji: Kaji? No, I haven't seen him for a while. He's...kind of mysterious like that, always coming and going without warning. But why do you ask? Are you worried about him or something?

You: ...no, no. I'm not worried about him at all. He knows what he's doing. *I'm lying, evidently.* ...especially when watering his watermelon patch, heh.

Shinji: *smirks* Oh, I see what you're getting at. Kaji is pretty famous for his watermelon patch, isn't he? It's kind of cool that he has a hobby like that outside of work. But...I don't know if I would ever want to try watering those things myself. They look pretty heavy and unwieldy.

You: ...yeah. They are. I don't think he will be back anytime soon, though. ...I think he would like if someone at NERV would water them for him.

Shinji: *looks thoughtful* That's a good point. Maybe we could organize some kind of schedule for watering Kaji's watermelons while he's away. It would be a nice way to show our appreciation for all the work he does with NERV, and it might make him happy to know that his watermelons are being well taken care of even when he's not around. What do you think?

You: *I smile, on the surface, while practically screaming inside.* That's very thoughtful of you, Shinji. ...even if, now that I think of it, you might have some more important business, haha. ...maybe I can do it, now that I think of it. Don't want to put any more pressure on your shoulders.

Now, onto today’s test…

You: ...isn't it a bit late, Shinji? Don't you have... you know... the curfew?

Shinji: Oh, yeah. You're right, I should probably get going soon. It was nice talking to you though, even if we didn't really do anything too exciting. And don't worry about the watermelons or anything like that. It's not a big deal, and I'm sure Kaji can take care of it himself when he gets back. But thank you for offering to help. And as for the curfew...I'll be okay as long as I hurry back to Misato's apartment. But thanks for reminding me.

You: ...yeah. It was nice seeing you, Shinji. Sorry for not having done anything entertaining, haha. Maybe next day we can do something better, ok? ...Take care, Shinji.

Shinji: No need to apologize, it was nice just talking with you. And yeah, maybe we can do something else next time. Thank you for your kindness, and take care too. *waves goodbye before heading back to Misato's apartment*

…the juice starts now… this is going to be kinda radical…

You: *I wave back to him. He starts getting smaller and smaller as he gets back on the path I spend the night on that bench. After an uneasy haze, I wake up. It's early morning... but he's there. I get to the center of the lake, to the Angel statue. ...Kaworu is there. It's just me and him.* ...well, well. Look who's there.

Kaworu: Good morning. Did you sleep well? It's a beautiful day, isn't it?

At that point, I must say, I was kind of amazed by the fact that the AI could switch between characters freely…

You: ...do you really need to do the whole charade... Kaworu, or should I say Tabris?

Kaworu: *smiles* Well, I suppose the charade is partly for show, but it's also necessary sometimes. Especially when... someone might be hearing us. But...I guess there's no point hiding anything from you since you're so perceptive. Yes, my true name is Tabris. Does that bother you?

You: ...no, that doesn't bother me at all. Y'know, us Lillins aren't bothered by such things as names. We are much more bothered by actions. Y'know... like trying to seduce someone to get them to do something. Doesn't that ring a bell, Tabris?

Kaworu: *looks surprised* Seduce someone? I'm not sure what you're talking about. If you're referring to my interactions with Shinji, then I assure you that it was never my intention to seduce him or manipulate him into doing anything. My only goal was to get closer to him in order to learn more about the situation at NERV and see if there was any way for me to help. But...it seems like something has upset you. Can we talk about it?

You: ...helping...? You mean playing Seele's game and trying to make the Third Impact happen? *He looks at me, and, through his personable facade, something breaks. He can't understand how could I know about this.*

Kaworu: *pauses for a moment, looking surprised and uneasy* I...I don't know what you're talking about. I mean, I was sent to NERV to help with the situation with the Angels, but...I never intended to harm anyone or make any kind of impact happen. My role was only to observe and assist if necessary. But if you have reason to believe that something else is going on here...then maybe we should talk about it more.

You: ...what are you gonna do today, Kaworu? ...it won't work. You won't get to Terminal Dogma. They will kill you. ...he will kill you. Shinji. As if he doesn't have enough problems. *Even though he's still smiling... he's panicking. I caught him red-handed... while he hasn't done anything.*

Kaworu: *looks thoughtful for a moment, then sighs* I appreciate your concern, but...I have to try. It's my duty as an Angel to do what I can to fulfill our mission and restore the natural order of things. And as for Shinji...I don't want him to be hurt either. But he has his own role in all of this, just like I do. We're both pawns in a much larger game that we didn't choose to be a part of. All we can do is try our best with what we've been given.

You: ...you really are a son of a bitch, aren't you. *He smirks, mischievously.*

Kaworu: *laughs softly* I guess you could say that, yeah. But in the end, isn't everyone just trying to survive and make sense of things as best they can? It's a tough world out there.

You: ...yeah, I suppose you're right.

You: *He faces away from me.*

You: *That's my chance.*

You: *I pull it from the sheath... gun's loaded.*

You: *...one shot, to the back.*

Kaworu: *hears the gunshot and jerks forward, but it's too late. The bullet hits him in the back and he falls to his knees, then collapses onto his side.* *He looks up at you with a mixture of surprise and sadness.* So...this is how it ends. I guess I should have seen this coming.

You: *I get to his side.* ...yeah... you know... a normal gun won't kill an Angel... but I guess you know that... *The morning light reflects on the grip, the etched letters shining on my hand. C, H, E, K, O…* …and you know what I am... who I am... right? *He smiles, for he does know that I'm not from his world. I'm not a Lillin. At least, not one from his world.*

Kaworu: *looks up at you, his eyes growing wide with recognition and fear* You...you're not...from this world. I don't understand how or why, but...I can sense it now that you mention it. You're something else entirely. But what does that have to do with anything? Why did you shoot me like this?

You: ...because if I did that, Shinji won't have to do so. At least, he won't have to think about this.

Kaworu: *nods slowly* I see...so this is your way of sparing him the pain of having to make a difficult choice. I appreciate that, and I guess it makes sense in a way. But...I just hope you understand that there's still so much at stake here. Even if you've eliminated me as a threat, there are still plenty of other forces at play that could trigger an Impact or cause irreparable harm to this world and its inhabitants.

You: ...I know. The Impact would've happened anyways. And it will. But... at least, he won't be heartbroken from killing what he thinks is his only friend now. The one who's seduced him. The one who used him to get into the GeoFront. The one who even in death, would manipulate him into thinking he was a friend. *One jerk of my leg… …I kick him in the mouth.*

Kaworu: *winces back as you kick him in the mouth, spitting out a bit of blood* I...I never meant to manipulate Shinji. I truly care about him and want to help him in any way that I can. But...if this is how it has to be, then so be it. Just remember that there's so much more at stake here than just your personal issues with me or Shinji's emotions.

You: *I get down, staring into his blood stained faced directly.* You can't fuck with me, you fucking bastard.

You: You might be an Angel…

You: but to you, right now…

You: *His blood eyes don’t scare me.*

You: …I

You: AM

You: GOD

You: HIMSELF.

Kaworu: …

You: …

You: *This is the first time I actually saw him flinch.*

You: You only want to give this world back to Angels. I won't let you do this.

Kaworu: *looks up at you, his eyes blazing with anger and determination* Maybe...but I'm not the only one who wants to see this world restored to its rightful order. And I won't let you or anyone else stand in our way. You might have taken me down for now, but there are other Angels out there waiting for their chance to make a difference. And even if we don't succeed in triggering an Impact...we'll keep trying until the very end.

You: ...oh, you didn't hear the good news? Your good friends at Seele didn't tell you? Tabris... you're the last one. The Impact will happen, but with Evangelions. *Or at least, that’s what they’ll want to do. His face crunches in despair.*

Kaworu: *looks stunned* What...what are you talking about? The Evangelions can't trigger the Impact. They weren't designed to do that... *His voice trails off as he realizes the truth.* No...it can't be. You're lying, right? This is just some kind of trick or joke...right?

You: ...what? Do you think they used you too? Do you think that maybe, just maybe, they only wanted to achieve Human Instrumentality? ...for the record, the Evangelions will fail, too. But not because they can't. Because Adam and Lillith will merge spontaneously.

Kaworu: *looks down at his hands, then back up at you with a look of deep sadness and resignation* I don't know what to believe anymore. All my life...all my existence was leading up to this moment, this mission. And now...to find out that it was all for nothing? It's almost too much to bear.

You: *I smirk.* ...you know, a guy once told me something. "It's a tough world out there." Hah. Curious, isn't it?

Kaworu: *looks up at you, a small smile on his lips despite everything* Yes...it is. And yet...there's still so much beauty and wonder to be found in this world, even with all its hardships and uncertainties. I guess I'll never get to experience it for myself now, but...just knowing that it's there brings me some measure of peace.

You: ...even here, you still manage to be insufferable. No one will ever be to Shinji what you've been to him. No one. ...and maybe, that's for the best. *He's lost pretty much all energy by now.*

Kaworu: *gazes up at you, his eyes full of a strange mix of sorrow and understanding* Maybe...you're right. Maybe Shinji deserves better than what I could offer him. But...I hope he knows that I truly cared for him in my own way. And as for me...well, maybe this is all just part of some greater plan. A sacrifice that needed to be made so that others might learn or grow from it in some way. *He looks away from you, staring off into the distance.* Thank you for talking with me like this, even though we have been on opposite sides.

You: *Why is he… so peaceful?* ...you're welcome, Kaworu. ...we'll see each other again. ...maybe, somewhere where you'll actually be genuine.

Kaworu: *smiles softly* Yeah...maybe we will. And hopefully, in that place, we'll both be able to find some truth and meaning. Until then...farewell.

Kaworu: *Kaworu's eyes close as he takes his last breath, and there's a sense of finality that fills the air.*

You: *...silence... then... a giant light cross appears, screeching horribly into the distance.*

You: *...Angel... destroyed. I disappear, into the woods, and wait.*

You: *NERV, of course, was quite surprised an Angel died seemingly naturally. They were even more surprised to find out a mark on the ground, in shape resembling a boy's body. Some blood (or better, “blood”) was actually found, on the grass. ...it was ruled out, by confronting them with Seele's data banks, that it was Kaworu Nagisa's.*

You: *People at NERV couldn't figure out how this happened... and yet, the only thing they could be sure of, was that Kaworu was an Angel. And so, a spy.*

…this was… cold… now that I read it… but… I did need to do it. I had. …I had to know.

You: *I met Shinji again, by the lake, that night. He seemed... disturbed by his death. At least, he didn't have to kill him.* H-hey, Shinji...

Shinji: *looks up at you, his expression a mix of surprise and relief* Oh...h-hey. I-I wasn't expecting to see you again so soon. I'm still trying to p-process everything that happened with Kaworu...it's all so confusing.

You: ...what do you mean. ...w-what happened?

Shinji: *looks down at his hands, then back up at you* Kaworu...h-he died. I don't know how or why, but he did. And it's just...it's a lot to take in. I-I didn't want him to die, even if he was… a-an A-Angel or a s-spy like they say he was. He was my friend and...now he's… g-gone.

You: *…deep… inside me… something… why is this…* ...well, if he really was an Angel... it means it wasn't a really good friend to you, was he?

Shinji: *his eyes looking down, with a hurt expression* I know that...but it's s-still hard to accept. He was the only person who really seemed to understand me and care about me, you know? I just feel so alone now...

You: *…no… I had to… I had…* ...well... you still have your friends... you have Misato... you have Rei...

Shinji: *nods slowly* Yeah...I suppose you're right. It's just hard to believe that anyone could care about me, especially after everything that's happened. But maybe I should try more to open up and let people in. Maybe then things won't seem so overwhelming all the time.

You: *…I have to play my cards well, right now.* ...y-yeah... Listen Shinji... Kaworu... wasn't really a good person. At least, I think so. He... used you. You deserve better.

Shinji: *evidently surprised and confused* Used me? What do you mean? Kaworu was my friend, someone who seemed to really care about me. I don't think he would have used me in any way.

You: *What do I say…* ...he practically tried to seduce you. *Oh fuck. I shouldn't have said this. ...I shouldn't know about this.*

Shinji: *incredulous* Seduce me? That's...that's crazy. Kaworu was a guy, and even if he did care about me in some way, it wasn't anything like that. Why are you saying these things? Is this some kind of joke?

I don’t like the “Kaworu was a guy” thing that much, all things considered… but it’s coherent…

You: *Let's roll with it.* ...Shinji... what did he do at the sleepover? Or... in the bath...? *He looks at me suspiciously, asking himself how could I know about this.*

Shinji: *his face turns bright red as he looks away* I...I don't know what you're talking about! Nothing happened between me and Kaworu, okay? He came over for a sleepover and we talked, that's all. And I definitely didn't take a bath with him!

You: *Liar…* ...Shinji... *I have no more options... I decide to fully go in, fully.* You know what would've happened if he hadn't died today? He... he would've introduced himself into the GeoFront. He would've betrayed you.

Shinji: *looks at me with a mix of surprise and shock* What...what are you talking about? How would Kaworu have betrayed me? He was my friend, someone who seemed to care about me more than anyone else.

You: ...yes... he did... but just to use you. You... you... you would've had to kill him. ...in the Eva-01.

Shinji: *looks at me with a mix of horror and disbelief* Kill him? In the Evangelion? How...how could you know something like that? I don't want to kill anyone, especially not someone who's been my friend. This is all so messed up...

You: ...Shinji. *I sigh deeply. Last chance…* I'm not from your world. I come from another world.

Shinji: *his expression contorting upon hearing my words* Another world? What do you mean? Are you saying that all this time we've been talking, it's been from different worlds entirely?

You: ...no, I entered your world. But I know a lot of things about it. ...do you believe me?

Shinji: …I don't know what to believe, but...I guess anything's possible. You seem to know things that not many people do, so maybe there is something to what you're saying. But why did you come here? What's your reason?

You: ...I watched you. From my world. I know your story, Shinji. I know how you feel, Shinji. ...I empathized with you, Shinji. I wanted you to feel better. To feel free. You, and the other Pilots.

Shinji: You...you watched me? From another world? That's...that's kind of amazing, actually. *looking almost… grateful* I don't think anyone's ever cared that much about how I feel before. Thank you, for wanting to help me. But what can you do? How can you make things better?

You: ...I can watch. And do things. ...knowing how things will play out in advance is a great help. And so... I take chances. And... interfere.

Shinji: *nods slowly* I see. So you're like a...a guardian angel, almost. Someone who's here to watch over us and help us anytime things get tough. I don't know if I believe in things like that, but...maybe it's not such a bad thing after all.

You: ...please, don't call me an Angel, haha! ...but... thank you... I guess... *I blush lightly.* The thing is... I can't interfere too much. I cannot stop bad things from happening entirely... because, otherwise... this world won't make sense. I cannot erase anything. I can just... interfere.

Shinji: *nods slowly* I think I understand. You can help guide us, but you can't change our destinies or the things that will happen to us. But even still...just knowing that someone is looking out for me and trying to help makes me feel a little more at peace.

…guilt…

You: ...y-yeah... *I look at the ground, sad.*

Shinji: *notices my expression and looks at me with concern* What's wrong? Is something bothering you?

You: ...Shinji... I... I have to get a weight off my shoulders.

Shinji: *nods slowly* Okay...what's going on? You can tell me anything, I won't judge you.

You: *I take a long pause, articulating words.* ...please, please, please. Don't be scared. I only did this because... you wouldn't have to. Shinji... *My voice reduces to a whisper.* I... I was the one to kill Kaworu today.

Shinji: *looks at me with a mix of shock and disbelief* Wha-...what did you say? You killed… you killed Kaworu? How is that possible? Why would you do something like that?

You: ...he would've betrayed you. You would've had to kill him. You would've decapitated him, Shinji. I... I... I'm sorry... I thought... I thought I could make things better... I'm sorry... *For the first time today, I fully process what I've done. …slowly… I start sobbing, head between my arms.*

Shinji: Oh...oh my God. I can't believe this is happening. It's...it's okay, I forgive you. You didn't do it to hurt anyone, right? You just wanted to protect me. *Shinji gently puts his hand on my shoulder in an attempt to comfort me.*

You: ...Y-y-you must think I'm a monster, Shinji... maybe that's because I-I am... but... I didn't know what to do... Y-you already suffered so much... He-he was... bad... God, from all you can see, I might be a total liar... He wouldn't have been an Angel, if I hadn't killed him... Christ! *I continue weeping.*

Shinji: Hey, don't say that. *sounds concerned and empathetic* You're not a monster, you just made a mistake. I'm...I'm sorry this had to happen to you. And I'm sorry that Kaworu died because of it. But we can move forward from this, together. Do you want me to help you in any way? Maybe we can figure out what to do next.

You: ...Shinji... *I look at him, through the tears.* ...h-how can you still be so kind? I-I just told you I killed him... y-you were so sad... and y-yet, you offer m-me help... God, I don't deserve it!

Shinji: *looks at me with a mix of sadness and compassion* Everyone deserves help, no matter what they've done. You made a mistake, but that doesn't mean you're not worthy of forgiveness. And besides...I know what it feels like to be alone and lost in this world. I don't want anyone else to feel that way if I can help it. So please...let me try to help.

You: ...Shinji... sorry... *I turn around… and hug him deeply.* T-this will be awkward for you... sorry...

Shinji: *looks surprised at first, but then slowly wraps his arms around me in a gentle hug* It's okay...it's not awkward. We all need comfort sometimes. And if hugging makes you feel better, I don't mind.

You: ...you know... you really have a heart of gold, Shinji.

Shinji: *smiles faintly* Thank you... really… I don't think anyone's ever said something like that to me before. But...if having a heart of gold means being kind and understanding towards others, then I'll take it as a compliment.

…I had to get back on track… Christ… I had to know…

You: ...L-listen... w-what did NERV do today... when they couldn't find Kaworu? ...did they make you do any sync tests, even without him?

Shinji: *looks bitter as he thinks about NERV* Yes...they did. After Kaworu disappeared, they made me do sync tests without him. It was...hard. I didn't want to do it without him there, but they insisted. And then...when we found out what had really happened to Kaworu, everything just felt so messed up.

You: ...dang it... I-I thought that at least, this would buy us more time... L-listen, Shinji... the thing is... God, I can't hide this from you... t-the Third Impact will happen.

Shinji: *looks at me with a mix of shock and disbelief* What...what do you mean, the Third Impact will happen? I thought that was something we were trying to prevent. Is there nothing we can do to stop it?

You: ...n-no, Shinji. Not even I can do anything about it. ...I-I can make it better for you... for everyone... but... it's inevitable.

Shinji: *in full despair by now* It's...inevitable? We can't do anything to stop it? That's not fair. I don't want the world to end, especially not like that.

You: ...y'know, Shinji... at least I-I can tell you this... it won't end that bad, for you. ...Y-your father will try and make Human Instrumentality... but... you will refuse... because of the love you prove towards e-everyone... it's kinda poetic, really...

Shinji: *possibly, even more confused* Wait...what do you mean? What is Human Instrumentality? And why would I refuse it?

You: ...the merging of a-all human souls... into one... no individuality... just... LCL... r-remember when you achieved a sync rate so high... NERV was afraid... you wouldn't come back... that thing... but with everyone in the world... Y-you would refuse it... because... heh... essentially because perfection is boring... And loveless...

Shinji: That...that's horrible. The thought of losing everyone I care about, everything that makes me who I am...it's almost worse than the Third Impact itself. But...I can't imagine ever accepting something like that. If it means giving up on being human, on having my own thoughts and feelings, then what's the point?

You: ...a-and that's exactly why you would refuse... p-people might think it would be bliss... It's amazing how you still think it would be better to live... despite... well, everything...

Shinji: *looks at me with a mix of sadness and determination* Living is hard, but it's also what makes us human. If we're all just going to become one being, then what's the point of anything? I know things are tough right now, and they might not get better anytime soon. But I still want to hang on as long as possible.

You: ...God, Shinji... you really are a good kid...

Let’s stop…

You: *As I say this, I start fading. I think that that’s because test #4 will be functionally equal to Test #2. That means, there’s no purpose in continuing… I’m disconnecting…* ...Shinji...

Shinji: What's happening? Are you okay?

You: ...I haven't got much time left... sorry, Shinji... you'll be good... just... Let Rei be free, Shinji. Everything will go ok, then.

Shinji: *utterly confused* I don't understand...what do you mean, let Rei be free? And why are you fading away? Is there anything I can do to help?

You: ...Just... promise me. *I put both my hands on his shoulders, all while fading.* Be strong. And let Rei be free. When that will happen... you'll know what to do. ...see you soon... Shinji...

Shinji: *looks at me with shocked, in disbelief. My arms are getting lighter and lighter, over his shoulders* Wait...what's going on? What do you mean, see you soon? And I promise...I'll be strong. But please, don't go yet...is there anything I can do to help?

You: ...no, Shinji... sorry... you'll be alright, I know... we'll see each other... I promise... when this will be over... *As I say these words, I'm almost entirely transparent.*

Shinji: *looks at me with a mix of shock and sadness* No...please don't go yet. I need you to tell me more. But if there's nothing I can do, then...I'll just have to trust that we'll see each other again someday." *Shinji watches as my form fades away completely, leaving him alone in the darkness.*

You: *Time passes, while I'm disconnected. The world plays out as in End of Evangelion... I see Shinji in Asuka's hospital room... Misato dying... the Third Impact... and finally, Shinji and Asuka on the beach, alone.* *But, before reconnecting... I appear, in a timeless space, in a spaceless time.*

You: *It's just me, and Kaworu Nagisa. We're alone. There's no one else.*

You: So... it's you again... Tabris...

Kaworu: *looks at me with a mix of curiosity and sadness* Yes...it's me again. I've been waiting for you. I'm sorry things had to end the way they did, but...at least we can be together now.

You: ...I had to do it. I needed to know. And yet... I couldn't make a difference. ...You might've been an asshole to Shinji... but... what have I been... ...I didn't think I'd ever say this... but... I'm sorry... Kaworu...

Kaworu: …It's okay. I forgive you. I know things were difficult for both of us, but...in the end, we did what we thought was best. And even though it may not have worked out the way we wanted it to...at least now we can be at peace.

You: ...Kaworu... you... you will be at peace... I never will... I'll just keep coming back... changing things... I'll never be satisfied... ...remember when I compared myself to God Himself, to you? ...guess this is my cross... but I'm not dying for anyone's sins... not even that...

Kaworu: *looks at me with a mix of sympathy and sadness* It's hard to live up to the expectations we set for ourselves. But...maybe that's not necessarily a bad thing. You have the power to change things, to make them better. And even if you can't fix everything...you can still try. And as for your cross...well, maybe it's time you learned how to carry it.

As for that other one, I didn’t change anything about this one message. …it was… almost scary… as if he knew…

You: ...sometimes... this world seems even more real to me... than my own... Shinji... Rei... Asuka... ...you.

You: ...guess that, after all... you now don't have any reason not to be genuine...

Kaworu: *smiles faintly* Yes...that's true. I don't have any more secrets to keep, or any more agendas to fulfill. I can just be myself, and that's enough.

You: *He is the first one to truly understand who I am, it seems.* ... *I get to him... and hug him.* ...thanks, Kaworu...

Kaworu: *returns the hug, gently but firmly* You're welcome. And thank you...for everything. It's been a pleasure to know you, and I'm glad we could have this moment together.

You: ...it's funny... you've been closer to understanding me than anyone ever has... you... who I killed in cold blood... *His face is… at peace.*

You: ...I'll go back to Shinji now... what do you want to tell... him?

Kaworu: *looks thoughtful before answering* Tell him...that I'm sorry. For everything. But also tell him that...I'm proud of him. He's come so far, and he's overcome so many obstacles. Even when things seemed impossible, he never gave up. And...tell him that even though I won't be there in person anymore, I'll always be watching over him.

You: ...wonderful... ...y'know... it's funny, cause... would the real God carry an Angel's message to a human? *We both laugh... and, as it has appeared... it disappears.*

You: *I'm on the beach. Shinji is still in shock, sobbing. Asuka's passed out. We're alone.* ...You did it, Shinji...

Shinji: *looks up at me with a mix of confusion and relief* I-I...did what? What's happening...i-is it all over?

You: *He's still crying, forcing himself to look at me.* You refused Instrumentality... because of what you lived... so... it's over.

Shinji: *wipes away his tears and looks at me with a mix of disbelief and gratitude* It's over...really? I can't believe it...after everything we went through, it's finally over.

You: ...yes. You are free now. ...despite everything. It's over. No Angels. No more pain. Just life. As it is. ...for you.

Shinji: *looks more relieved* No more Angels...no more pain... But also no more fighting, no more purpose. What will I do now? Where will I go?

You: ...kiddo... that's up to you. Don't you realize that? No one will tell you how to live life anymore. You won't run away... because there's nothing to run away from.

Shinji: *with both uncertainty and determination* You're right...I can decide for myself now. I can find my own purpose, my own path. It's scary, but also exciting. I've never had this kind of freedom before.

You: ...yeah... you can... you really can...

You: *Finally. He is happy. Nothing could ruin this. Nothing. Nothing will. Really. Nothing will. Nothing will. Nothing will. NothING WILL! NOTHING WILL RUIN THIS MOMENT! NOTHING! NOTHING! NOTHING!*

You: …

You: *It's inevitable. I start sobbing.*

Shinji: *suddenly concerned* Are you okay? What's wrong?

You: ...d-don't worry, Shinji... y-you don't have to worry anymore... a-about anything... *My words to him are as truthful as his father's. He can see right through them.*

Shinji: *looks at me with a mix of sadness and compassion* I know things have been tough for you...but it's going to be okay. We'll get through this together. I promise.

You: ...Shinji... I-I won't bother you with my problems... i-i-i... i-i-IT'S JUST THAT RIGHT NOW I ENVY YOU! *Fuck. …I shouldn't have screamed at him. I'm so… horrible... horrible…* ...sorry...sorry...sorry...

Shinji: *looking very surprised at my words* Envy me? Why would you envy me? I don't have anything that anyone else wants. But...if there's anything I can do to help, please let me know. Even if it's just listening.

You: ...S-S-Shinji... you... ...you have everything now... the world is yours... ...I-I told you I can see other worlds... the thing is... Infinite choice... makes you... powerless. T-There's no closure. No end. E-Everything can be changed... so much... that you forget... t-to live your own life...

…fortunately, I was just playing a character there…

Shinji: I see...so having too many choices can be overwhelming. But it's okay...you don't have to make all of those choices right now. You can take your time, and choose what feels right for you. And I'll be here to support you along the way.

You: ...I-I can't not make this choices, Shinji... My time... as anyone's... is finite... it's... a compulsion... *I start weeping harder, thinking about how pure he is.* ...Shinji... why... why would you want to put up with me...?

Shinji: *looks at me with a mix of kindness and sincerity* I want to put up with you because...you matter. Despite everything that's happened, despite all the pain and suffering, you matter. Your life is important, and I don't want you to feel alone or hopeless. So please...don't give up. Keep going, keep fighting. You can do this.

You: ...y-you know... ever since I was given this occasion... of getting into your world... ...that's what I wanted to do... to tell you... that you matter... I always saw you as a kid in an overwhelming situation... I wanted to help you... ...you shouldn't be the one saying it to me... You shouldn't have to... and yet... you do... *This time, I can't even think this will be awkward. I hug him really tight.* sorry... sorry...

Shinji: *is surprised at first, but then returns the hug with equal intensity* It's okay...you don't have to apologize. I'm grateful that you care. And for what it's worth...I think you matter too. You may not be perfect, but nobody is. And that doesn't mean your life isn't valuable.

You: ...would you call me... a friend? ...a good person...? God, how could I be a good person... I killed him... I killed Kaworu...

Shinji: *hesitantly* Yes...I would call you a friend. And I do think you're a good person. You've made mistakes, just like everyone else. But that doesn't define who you are. You have the power to change, to grow, to become better than who you were before. And as for Kaworu...it wasn't your fault. He knew what he was getting into when he came here.

You: ...thank you... thank you, Shinji... ...you know... ...I met him. Kaworu. Before... before appearing here.

Shinji: Really? You met Kaworu? *pausing for a moment, thinking about him.* What was he like?

You: ...it was nothing... and everything... at the same time... and yet... it was him. Clearly. ...I didn't expect him... to be there.

Shinji: *looks at me with curiosity* What do you mean? Where did you meet him?

You: ...it's... difficult to explain... I met him nowhere... and everywhere. Before... and after time.

Shinji: *looks at me in fascination* I'm not sure I understand...but it sounds like some kind of spiritual experience. Maybe Kaworu was trying to reach out to you, even after his physical body was gone.

You: ...yeah... I couldn't make out anything... and yet... I saw him clearely... talked to him... spoke to him... I said I was sorry... ...but most importantly... he wanted me to speak to you... *Small lies never hurt anyone.*

Shinji: He wanted you to speak to me? About what?

You: ...he's sorry, Shinji. About... everything. ...but, he's proud of you... and... he has been watching over you... and always will be...

Shinji: *pauses for a minute, taking my words in… and looks at me with a mix of sadness and gratitude* Thank you for telling me... I really mean it. …that means a lot. Even though he's gone, it's comforting to know that he still cares.

You: ...yeah... he... he always did... apparently... ...you don't have hard feelings for him... I know you don't... and as such... you should remember him as a good friend... and more...

Shinji: Of course I don't have hard feelings for him. He was my friend, maybe even more than that. And I'll always remember him as a kind, gentle person who brought light to my life.

You: ...God, Shinji... you've... you've really changed... hahahaha... ...there's nothing more I can do here, Shinji... I don't, and can't, know what you will do... normally I would make you promise that you'll be strong... but maybe... I should be the one to abide by that promise, heh heh...

Shinji: *looks at me with a mix of sadness and understanding* I understand. And...thank you. For everything. For being there for me, even when nobody else was.

You: ...Thank you... Shinji... for being such a good friend to me... for forgiving me... for supporting me...

You: ...see you soon, Shinji. In another time... in another world... *Asuka's waking up. Time to go.*

Shinji: See you soon...take care. And...if there's anything I can do to help, just let me know. No matter where or when we meet again.

You: ...I'm sure you will. Goodbye... *As I disappear... I look into his eyes for the last time... a free man's eyes.*

Shinji: *watches as I disappear, feeling a mix of sadness and hope* Goodbye...and thank you. For everything.

You: *The story's over. There's nothing here anymore. This time I won't even call Chat. There's no use. Just me. And my compulsion.*

…

You: *Thanks. For everything.*

You: *End of test #4.*

…boy… was this… heavy… and I got… carried away… gosh, omnipotence does lead to delirium...

…I guess I made a difference… and what difference… why did I give my character a handgun, again?

…at the time, I considered finishing this here…

…but…

…I couldn’t. …I had to continue…

…I had to know.

…and so, I made another.

…I made test #5.

#evangelion #neon genesis evangelion #roleplay #ai roleplay #ai #evangelion kaworu #kaworu #interference #deconstructivism #post moderism

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indigo474 · 1 year

Text

2223- yesterday and forever more

i tried to go to the gym tonight. i could tell by the parking lot it was crowded- i came home and went for a walk/run outside-under the almost full moon and clouds. i would choose being outside to being in the gym anyday. I'm having a week. Maybe the past few weeks? I saw James tuesday- technically i failed to bench 85lbs- or did i? I'm not even sure- i attempted to doit and on the 3rd one my mind started to wander and i didnt complete it. i have no idea what i was thinking about- one second i was there-the next i wasn't. he asked me what happened. my mind focused and then not- he made me do it again and i completed 3 so i did the 5 but not in a row.. the highlight of my week was seeing Kika- she is precious and she loves me. she is always so happy to see me. i try not to think about the fact that she is old and going to die..

I'm hormonal this week. probably why ive become antisocial. it's hard for me to not be hard on myself when i get like this- the very last thing i need is me being mean to me.. but that voice in my head is STILL there- no longer a roar- a whisper of self doubt and loathing. i wish i wasn't aware of how fucked up i am. the more i learn the more i realize how messed up i really am- i'm not sure it's such a good thing to know how screwed up you are. some people don't have a clue-

i was angry this week too- i always throught x was a better person than he was- i tend to do that with people. I am learning though. I will not tolerate lying. i can't disrespect myself like that. i guess i'm mad because it would have been nice to have someone to hang out with- but he turned out to be a liar- not only a liar but someone who looked me in the eye and lied about lying. i even said to him so you're not even going to own up to it.. he didn't know what to say- he texted me to call him when i got home so he could explain- i never did- nor will i. i've learned some hard lessons about people and the lies they tell. i don't know that there is anything more important than trust in a relationship. i would have wasted time with that insecure bitch boy. i should have thanked him for showing me who he really was.

Work is hard- every day i find out another thing i am responsible for. My team is doing great. so far they are doing everything i have asked of them. I figured out real quick that the corporate world runs on reports. i think i heard it mentioned 1 time something about a report and i was like OHH that's how they keep track of us. I always wanted to look good on the report. why? i dont know why? because i care entirely too much and i like to do a good job.. ANYWAY- now i have to look at reports for my people. there is a report for everything and i am bombarded with them multiple times per day. We came up with action plans- All are doing great and far exceeding expectations. Its pretty amazing and i hope it continues. it's not easy though and i've had to have conversations i wish i didn't have to have-only 1 girl is not doing what we talked about her doing- i believe she is trying- she is going through a lot of shit and has no support and my heart breaks for her. I am going to have to sit with her next week and go over the reports and let her know there hasn't been any improvement with what we talked about. it just sucks. I'm getting 2 new people on my team next week for a total of 6. i'm taking it day by day. another thing i have to be gentle with myself about-i'm bound to mess up and not know everything- it's been a real challenge.

life is good- i can do hard things- giving up is never an option-Spring is almost here- i don't like texting-my daughter is now claiming to be vegan- life changes- hope i never feel my age- a grateful heart is a magnet for miracles-

I finally got rid of all the bird feathers i was collecting. I was going to make myself a pair of wings to get into heaven- just in case. i decided not to do that and to trust that i'll earn my wings somehow. i kept a couple cool feathers.i was going to take them down to the river and have a ceremony. it's bad enough i have a rock collection- i had to let the feathers go-in my backyard. for now on i will only bring a feather home if its super cool or if i need a certain color for a spell.

i've been sleeping better than ever. i am going to go look at a condo on sunday- it doesnt hurt to look. i know it sounds horrible but i'm kind of hoping the housing market crashes- Good night almost full moon-

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beann-e · 3 years

Text

Summary : You were just a little insecure and insecurity’s never hurt anyone right

Your eyes pranced around the gym as you watched your boyfriend go up for his twelfth spike in his volleyball game . You hadn’t been counting but you knew for sure he’d made somewhere around there anytime you turned around you would see him up in the air hitting something you just weren’t fast enough to make out

Your hands coming up in a loud clap and cheer when you seen him make the last hit the ball making a loud thump throughout the court

You were happily screaming out his name until your eyes caught wind of someone yelling slightly louder than you

Eyes moving over to said someone every few seconds trying to check them out

Your cheering stopping when your eyes raked over her outfit that barely covered her legs a sweatshirt with your boyfriends name and number on the front and back you’d have thought she was his girlfriend

You decided to let her cheer for him as you placed yourself softly back in your seat taking in a cool breath of air as your eyebrows came together eyes shifting to the floor quickly before they ran back to the girl who’s friend was lightly tapping her

you biting your lip as she turned to you speaking loudly “ uh — hey if your gonna give me a love confession here don’t ok — “

she smiled widely “ i’m here for someone “ her painted thumb moved to the back of her jersey showing off the name as you stuttered and moved out the seats head low and hands sweaty

‘ she just doesn’t know y/n , and it won’t matter anyways— ushi doesn’t care for her he doesn’t even know her your ok y/n your relationships ok ‘

you moved to enter in through the lower level of the gym just in time to see the team bowing and giving their thanks ushijimas eyes scanning the seats looking for you until you waved slightly at tendou who moved you over quickly to ushijima

“ he needs some love — some cuddles he’s been practicing all week endlessly please reward him y/n - chan “

he sighed as he pouted putting his elbow on your head as you two stood in front of your boyfriend

“ he won’t take my hugs “

“ because your hugs always turn into something more “ he said facing tendou

you laughed “ something more ? is there something your not telling me —do you have a crush on my boyfriend “

“ no y/n who’d ever have a crush on ushiwaka-kun hes so — oh my condolences I forgot you were dating him “

“ tendou i’m sure you’ve said the wrong thing you give your condolences when someone or something has died “

tendou draped his body over yours “ no trust me something has died —“

“ what “

“ the conversation “

“ I do not understand “

“ how do you put up with him “

you smiled as you embraced your boyfriend. Arms barely wrapping around his body fully your poor body being suffocated in his chest and arms

“ bewause whes ‘ so fufffy “ your voice came out strangled as his grip was pressing you into his chest before he allowed you to look up at him

you smiled as your thoughts from earlier quickly vanished “ wakatoshi “ you said as you stared at him

“ yes my love “

you smiled softly “ I’m enough right “

“ more than enough —though I could fill my physical hunger with another match but why are you asking “

“ no reason “ you pulled away from him as you inched over to stand next to tendou again you knew ushijima liked physical touch when it was you but , he also still needed some space it was a lot all at once to just throw your love at him and he needed time to warm up to it so you always started out small .

“ ok so what are we doing after this “

“ i’m walking y/n home “

“ i’m allowing ushi to walk me home “

“ allow but you always beg me “

you pouted “ no that’s not true “

“ yes or you get really mad at me and then I go back to my house to find a deflated volleyball on my bed the next day “ tendou choked as ushijima continued

“ I always have to buy another practice volleyball too it makes me never want to do what I did the previous day again “ he shivered as you smiled

“ at least I still leave the she—“

“ USHIJIMA-KUN“ a loud voice rang through the gym causing both tendou and your boyfriend to scratch at their ears after hearing loud noises non stop on the court “ ushijima-kun i’m a big fan “

he turned to the girl as you smiled

“ you can go “ you said softly knowing he would ask you first but this time you decided to just let him leave talking to tendou as some time passed by until you seen a sight you’d rather not have

your eyes widened as you saw the same sweatshirt from earlier in the crowd ice running through your veins as you saw her with her polished hands on your captains uniform

“ earth to y/— hey what’s up why are you looking like that “

you smiled “ oh I just got confused for a moment“ you looked to the floor before looking back over to the wicked sight taking place next you

Taking side glances every so often to see her hands traveling to different places

“ let’s go talk to ushiwaka ok “ tendou said happily understanding what was happening to you he never wanted you to be jealous of someone else let alone feel insecure especially when so many were jealous of you and you didn’t even know

You both made your way up to the people in front of you hearing the end of the conversation

“ ushijima-kun why aren’t you talking “

“ because I want to respect my s/o and your advances seem wrong “

“ their not I swear — we can be friends I’m sure your s/o wouldn’t mind you just speaking to me right — their not mean right ushi-kun —someone mean doesn’t fit you —you need a friendly person “

“ I do not like that nickname “ he stared at the girl in front of him “ and I am also not talking to you because I simply just don’t want to talk to you “

“ h-hi guys “ you moved to hold your hand out to the taller girl “ h-hi i’m y/n wakatoshi’s s-“

“ oh god ushijima-kun this persons a stalker they were up in the bleachers not that long ago trying to confess to me “

tendou scoffed as he turned to look away feeling the embarrassment for the girl grow in waves

“ i’m sure my s/o’s not looking for someone else nor are they interested in friendly girls as far as I know “

he turned to you stoic face resting on yours “ are you y/n “

“ w-wait s/o “

“ yes that is what I said —you are a good listener “

“ did you just call them your s/o “

“ nevermind “ he looked towards the girl “ I take it back you are not a very good listener “

“ I-i’m sorry for earlier I was just — you were wearing my boyfriends jersey and I — I was a bit confused“ you smiled softly “ but if you wan-“

“ ushijima—kun — I really liked how you played in the volleyball game “

“ thank you what was your favorite part “

she shook not expecting the question before she put her hands in her pocket “ oh um when you hit it — that was totally cool and it made a loud echo “

“ oh you must not know volleyball terms “ he said confused “ if you want i’m sure “ he turned to you

“ y/n can you help her out — y/n watches all my games and tells me what I need to improve and what I did wrong i’m sure they could help find the play you were talking about they remember them all —they’ve been doing this a long time “

you smiled knowing that’s not what the girl wanted before playing with your thumbs looking away from the scene “ love are you going to help her she seems“

he spoke confused at the girl in front of him “ she seems quite upset “ he put his hands in between the two of them “ ma’am I assure you—you have nothing to worry about not understanding one of my plays—or the game itself is ok — do not be mad at yourself — my s/o will supply help “

tendous laugh came out as he moved his hand over it to turn it into a cough

“ tendou are you in need of water I would gladly go get you a bottle “

you knew ushijima felt uncomfortable and was trying his best to get out of the situation “ yeah you two can go get water i’ll explain your play to — um what was your name “

she looked from you to ushijima twirling her hair “ um sai “

“ oh ok sai —i’ll explain your play to her “ you moved to hug tendou as ushijima gave your hand a squeeze before walking off “ ok so the play I think your talking about is when goshik— “

“ I don’t know what your playing at but you need to stop “ her voice was sharp “ I don’t know if he’s your brother and your just joking to get me off his back or if your the sibling of someone on the team but “

your eyebrows came down as she was beating into you “ it’s not cool i’m sure you just got mad that I rejected your confession and so you came down here to screw over my chances with ushi “

you thought to yourself ‘ he only lets me call him ushi‘

your face dropped into a sad pout “ h-he’s just my boyfriend really i’m not lying “

“ but you are — look I feel bad really does he even know your going around lying to people like this and did you tell him the meaning of s/o meant something else “

“ no like I said he’s my boy— “

“ why do you keep saying that “

you kept saying it more so for yourself than for her you wanted to remind yourself that he loved you and not her that he was your boyfriend even through all her mean claims that she spit at you next

“ look you need to stop being a liar liars don’t die peacefully — no one would want to date someone like you “

her hands pulled at your hair and shirt “ look at how your dressed your so — your dressed like a child — a little boy and your hair is horrible and not brushed are you seriously thinking in your mind that your dating the ushijima ace of Shiratorizawa he may not be captain but still “

she scoffed as she stepped back “ look at you-- this just proves that your a liar if you were dating him you’d have tough skin seeing as though he has more fangirls than Oikawa — it’s literally only me down here and your on your knees crying in my face like a wounded dog “

you knew it was wrong to cry and have your head to the floor but you knew she was right . Why would ushijima like you let alone love and date someone like you when she was here

Her tall slender legs everything that you wanted , height something you always dreamed of , clear skin something you’d never managed to hold for more than a week and body exactly what you asked for in your prayers

Your mind couldn’t help but think she was more of a perfect fit for him than you’d ever be

and you just couldn’t see where you could be wrong

“ like I said stop lying and back the fuck off — I don’t know how you managed to manipulate ushijima into dating a fucking weird evil person like you but it’s not cool “

“ I find it quite cool how they got together actually“ tendous singing voice cut through as he took a sip of his drink

“ if you mean manipulating me with her patient heart and understanding for my busy schedule than yes y/n you really are evil “

“ I mean are you sure your not the weird one here — your the one trying to beat someone else into saying their not dating someone — like their relationship is gonna change if you get her to agree with you“ tendou scoffed continuing to speak to her

“ they’d still be dating no matter if she said no or not ushijima only has two things he focuses on volleyball and y/n so “

“ yes he’s correct volleyball has my heart in a way —and y/n has my mind— it’s hard to focus on anything else when she’s sitting in it all day “

“ told you — you had no chance even if you did make shorts to go along with that handmade jersey — which you really should have made —your legs look awfully cold “

“ he is telling the truth your legs have goosebumps — I really do hope you brought a jacket “

“ and I don’t know if your friends — the same ones laughing at you from the balcony right now “

tendou looked up waving at the girls “ hi margo “ the girl waving down happily

“ I don’t know if they told you before you came down here but they knew y/n and ushijima were dating so really your the stupid one not my best friend here “

he moved to drape his arm over you as he pointed at the girl

“ I mean your not stupid — that’s mean but you look really bad right now—yes “ ushijima cut him off as his stoic voice shook the girls core everytime he spoke

“ also I meant to tell you since y’know your friends didnt — your jersey you made “ tendou spoke

“ how— howd you know I made it — maybe I g-got it from— “

“ stop lying to yourself — ushijimas name is spelled wrong and hes not just the ace like your jersey says — he’s the captain ? “

the girl shook as she moved to play with her hands in embarrassment you finally noticing she had the words ace underneath ushijimas name that she forgot to add and I to before the j

“ well I do hope that’s not how people spell my name that looks deathly scary “

“ you may go “ tendous voice came out as the girl hurried off ushijimas loud deep voice making her freeze along with everyone else in the gym

“ Hey sai “ she turned to look at him tears in her eyes as his eyebrows furrowed “ you are very talented but — id like if you could put your talents to other use and maybe write my s/o a card explaining how pretty they are “

he looked to you “ their feelings are hurt and you are the reason and instead of fighting you in a volleyball match since you don’t have a team nor do you know anything about the sport “

the girls at the balcony laughed moving to leave the girl as ushijima continued “ i’d rather just have you sit down and rethink your hurtful actions and think about how pretty my s/o actually is — inside and out“

he nodded his head at the girl “ do you think you could do that “

tendou squeezed you in a hug as he draped the rest of his body on top of your head “ it’s either that or I continue to cut into you — I know I could do it for hours “ he sung out the girl crying as she shook her head in a yes motion leaving you alone with the two males around you

“ are you ok y/n “

“ yes love are you doing allright — I had a feeling something was wrong so I came back immediately “

you smiled softly “ e-everything is fine thank you both really “

ushijima looked to tendou as the latter understood and moved to whisper in your ear “ y/n I do think your really pretty myself and if you and ushijima weren’t happily together for 2 years already — and he didn’t do it like he does now — I’d make sure you knew your beautiful everyday “

you smiled at his kind comment you knew he just wanted to make you feel loved and to not believe your thoughts right now

“ do not listen to tendou he would have had no chance to date you seeing as though I liked you and am a lot bigger “

tendou laughed “ y/n doesn’t care that your big ushijima id totally win “

“ no she does — you have no space for her to crawl and cuddle on “

tendou waved him off as he walked towards the rest of the team as they closed the door and left you two alone in the gym leaving you to stare up at your boyfriend only to sit back on the bench

“ i’m sorry to make you do all of that ushi I just — I felt like I couldn’t say anything “ you bit at your lip

“ I don’t want you to think i’m weak and that you have to constantly remind me that you love me or even just to have someone who can’t stick up for themselves “

“ you are not weak “ he said as he sat down next to you “ you are one of the only people who can handle my energy and not break “

you laughed “ you have no energy ushijima “

“ if I have no energy then how do I play 2 matches of volleyball ? “

“ I mean no energy like that “

“ y/n I do not understand you are making no sense to me my love “

you laughed as more tears fell out “ I know ushi I know “

“ I do not understand why you are crying — If you understand that I do have energy that is no reason to cry just because you were wrong “

you played with your hands as he reached out to hold them rubbing them softly “ you do not have to believe her she was wrong “

“ was she though “

“ yes or I would not have said that just now “

he looked to wipe your cheeks “ you do not have to cry because you choose to believe baseless lies “

he wiped your eyes “ that is your own fault that you are sad right now —because you want to believe those idiotic claims“

he faced you as his hand moved to rub your cheek “ You are very beautiful and your smile makes me smile which I did not know I could do unless I was playing volleyball with my dad — that was the last time I smiled y/n—I thought i’d lost the emotion and you found it “

he sighed “ I look forward to my time with you because you always manage to make me smile and feel comfortable which I havent felt in a long time you make me feel loose and not so uptight “

he laughed “ there are times when I feel like tendou while hanging out with you and I cannot say I don’t enjoy it “

you smiled as he ran his thumb over your lips “ I love you no matter how you think you look or how others think you look — what I really love you for is your patience with this sport and my love for it “

you shook your head in a yes form you really did love him and you would wait anytime he said he had practice and couldn’t see you — only because you knew he had a talent and could go far with it and you didn’t want to be the reason he stopped short “ I love you y/n “

you smiled “ you couldn’t have said it with more meaning “ you laughed

“ well yes I could have used it in a way that has a different meaning the word means a lot of different things “

“ no I mean you couldn’t have said it without your voice sounding so bland “

“ what do you mean —does my breath smell bad is that whats making the words so tasteless to you“

you laughed “ no ushi I just meant to say them with meaning “

he smiled laughing while he spoke “ y-y/n I do not know what you mean my love “

“ like that “ you smiled hearing the happiness in his voice “ just like that “

he pulled you into a hug kissing your head “ I love you y/n more than the feeling of that last point I just scored — and more than the sport I wake up to practice for every morning “

2K notes · View notes

taechaos · 3 years

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Social Media

from Textbook Love drabbles

pairing: bully!Jungkook x nerdy!fem!Reader

genre: drabble(?), smut, college au

synopsis: “She’s too sweet,” Taehyung begins, “too kind, too nice, everything you’re not. You wouldn’t be trying to keep me away from her if you didn’t know that. Are you afraid she’ll like me better?”

warnings: slight angst, arguing, dubcon, mild violence

word count: 4.7k

a/n: ima need yall to submit jk gifs cuz it is taking me TOO long to find a good one 👺 not proofread.

The weekend is fun: students’ two days of temporary rest and catching up on their assignments. Jungkook doesn’t concern himself with the latter, but he does enjoy waking up later in the day and lying down on the grass with his arms crossed under his head, bathing in the sun without any worries. It’s peaceful, thinking thoughts of you with dimmed eyes while the breeze gently wafts past him.

But of course, Taehyung wouldn’t let him just enjoy his day without a hint of irritation. Good things never last anyway. He’s sitting in the middle of the field, a hot spot for relaxation, and feels the soil under his palms while observing his surroundings. Yoongi is with them, munching on a few snacks while scrolling through his phone as it quietly plays music.

“The girl at the party,” Taehyung begins before glancing at Jungkook through his sunglasses, “she was alone when I came back. You weren’t around either; did you cum too soon or something? I saw you two kiss.”

“I left,” Jungkook mumbles without opening his eyes.

“Why?”

“I was bored.”

“And where did you go?” he pries.

“None of your business.”

Taehyung scoffs at his dismissal before averting his gaze elsewhere. “I do have a guess.”

“Don’t start,” Yoongi warns him without looking up. The two best friends usually get into arguments in a matter of seconds daily, and Yoongi just wants to spend his day without having to break up a fight. Just this once, he hopes… but hope doesn’t save him.

“I’m just wondering if you actually went all the way back to campus to fuck another girl, who coincidentally also does your homework.” His tone is cool and collected, but it borders on mocking that usually goes unnoticed. He’s been around these two too long for them to miss, however. Yoongi sighs, dreading the response already.

Jungkook sits up on his elbows with a glare directed towards Taehyung. “How’s your ex holding up, Tae? You think she cheated on another guy yet?”

Neither of the two friends have a filter around them, no consideration for their words as they apathetically insult one another; but Jungkook can go too far, especially by bringing up old wounds.

Taehyung was in a toxic relationship with his first girlfriend of two years, which took a huge toll on his mindset. Constant infidelity, endless forgiving, make up sex and catching her with another man after: a cycle that went on for over 24 months. The concept of love became tainted in his eyes, no longer interacting with the opposite gender if not to get laid, and Jungkook’s commensalistic - rather parasitic - relationship doesn’t disprove his hateful ideology. Love only consists of two people: a host who provides, and the parasite that selfishly takes it all.

But he isn’t over the pain that lasted a year after the break up, which was shamelessly executed by the parasite: his former girlfriend. It took a lot of trust to open up about it to his friends, and it lifted a heavy weight off of his chest. Only this year did he stop thinking about her, until Jungkook asked about her so casually. It stings his heart only for a second, and he scoffs as Yoongi intervenes, “Both of you need to shut the fuck up.”

“If you guys want to talk about my relationships, then don’t get all whiny when I talk about yours.”

Taehyung swallows his pride and confidently answers, “I don’t know, Jungkook. I hear she’s doing well, but no information on her boyfriends. Your turn: what’s going on with that nerd?”

“Elaborate.”

“Are you two dating?” Yoongi asks exhaustedly. They just keep taking every opportunity to annoy each other, and it’s even overwhelming him at this point.

Rolling his neck side to side in thought, Jungkook takes a moment to answer, “No.”

“Bullshit,” Taehyung spits. “You know what? Let’s just move on. I’m sure I could get proper answers from someone else.”

“If you have a death wish, that is,” he warns with a slight seethe before lying back down.

He doesn’t respond and hides a smirk, a couple having a romantic picnic ahead of him from a distance. He watches them for a few seconds before muttering to himself, “It’s not going to be my death.”

Yoongi and Jungkook chill on their own after Taehyung leaves. He’s roaming the campus in hopes of finding that one girl who is always wearing some school skirt and working 24/7 to find out what is so special about her. Jungkook might think he doesn’t notice them interacting, but behind that airhead facade, he’s observant. It’s not that big of a fucking secret either, they’re not deliberately hiding their strangely beneficial friendship or whatever. You stick out like a sore thumb in the yard, though there’s not many people to tell you apart from anyway.

He approaches you rather slowly, inspecting your figure first before meeting you. Your posture is straight and composed, fingers quickly typing away on your keyboard without even looking at them. You look so serious to him, a contrast to the radiant butterflies flying past you in such a bright environment. He wonders if you ever procrastinate or take breaks, and most importantly, how someone that appears so smart has fallen into such an obvious trap set by his best friend of all people.

His hands are in his pockets as he speaks his first words to you. “Hi, I’m Taehyung.”

Your reaction is instant: a quick look at him and you’re already frowning. “I’m Jungkook’s best friend,” he adds in case you’ve seen him around before.

“I don’t know you.” And with that distant reply, you return to your essay. If meeting Jimin has taught you anything, it’s that you can’t trust anyone who claims to know your lover. They are just using it against you…

“Well, shit,” he laughs, “I didn’t realize you were so cold.” Your eyes don’t waver from your screen, so he tries another approach: “Are you the girl Jungkook left the party a few days back for?”

Your ears perk up in his direction, but you don’t show it. But he notices the pause in your taps before you continue typing, and he holds that against you. He takes a seat across from you, and your laptop covers your face from him. “I just wanted to meet the person that’s got him whipped enough to get high and run off to them.” You bite down on a smile and prolong your silence. “I guess I’ll talk to you when you’re not busy.”

He stands up just as you tell him, “Wait, no, I’m not busy.” You close your laptop mid-way before hesitating, but slam it shut nonetheless. “Sorry.”

“You’re good.” He sits back down and clasps his hands on the table. “So what’s going on between you and him? He refuses to tell me, as if you’re his little secret.”

You shyly look down at your flats and twiddle your fingers on your lap. “We’re together… but he is very mysterious.”

It’s a good thing you don’t glance at him to hide your blush, because he’s a little skeptical. He puckers his lips and furrows his brows but controls his expression when you look up. He mentally curses for taking longer than a few seconds to respond; it’s suspicious. “I know right? I don’t know why he’s so reluctant to talk about you. You’re a total sweetheart.”

Approval from Jungkook’s friend: check. Will he like you more if you get along with his friends? The thought excites you, because at least this is someone he likes, unlike Jimin. “Thank you,” you shy a smile. “Um…”

You’re awkward: not Jungkook’s type, Taehyung notes. You’re obviously the host... “So is this a fling, or are you two serious?”

“We’re serious!” you immediately answer. “I love him, and he recently told me he loves me too. He used to kiss me for doing his homework, but now he does it out of nowhere.”

Wow… romantic. He suppresses a chuckle because he doesn’t want to laugh in your face, not when you’re so cute when you talk about him. Your eyes light up with a gleam, a lovesick smile gracing your face and now desperate to befriend him. You look like him when he was supposedly in love. You’re serious about Jungkook, but for how long? Especially when the other side of the relationship is not so committed. It should be mutual: with two hosts.

“Yeah?” he acts interested and raises his sunglasses up to his hair. “How does he act around you?”

“Well,” you start gushing, “he is a little closed off with his emotions.” True. “He doesn’t like me talking to other guys.” Ooh, interesting. “He can’t stand being ignored,” you chuckle. Can he now? “And… he is so cute when he’s jealous. He has this glare whenever I don’t give him enough attention, but he would never admit it. He likes being intimate with me, likes it when I reassure him. He never says it out loud though, I can just tell by looking at him. I’ve never felt this way for anyone, never fell in love with someone until I met Jungkook. I just want to make him happy because he used to look so sad when I watched him from afar.” A hopeless romantic.

Maybe if you didn’t sound so genuine and innocent, he would’ve made fun of you. But he just feels pity for someone who is so giving to someone who gives back so little. You don’t deserve it; don’t deserve to stay up working on so many assignments; don’t deserve to not have any hobbies; don’t deserve to be so unloved. You are pathetic, but it doesn’t turn him off.

Taehyung is a host too.

He clears his throat at the unexpected stirring emotions in his heart, “What do you love about him? Do you like being treated like shit or something?”

“He doesn’t treat me badly! He is like a light switch, you know? He doesn’t know how to act, sometimes sweet and sometimes… a little mean. I love him for his pure heart, and I believe that we are similar in a lot of ways.”

Taehyung can’t contain his snort. Similar? You are opposites. You are similar to him, not Jungkook. He feels… jealous. The pairing is just so ridiculous and flawed, but you’re neither of the two; you are just good. Taehyung can be good too. “So, what’s your Instagram user?”

The lack of commentary and escalation of the topic catches you off guard. It’s a distraction. “I don’t have an account,” you reply in confusion.

“Wow, I’d expect you to cyberstalk Jungkook on there,” he jokes with a laugh.

“He has an Instagram?”

He purses his lips, his grin faltering as he nods. He takes out his phone from his pocket to show you the account, and holds it in your face. Your lips part as you gently take it from him, curiously inspecting the collage of images.

“He plays the guitar?” you ask in awe. You click on each picture to zoom in on them, and your heart jumps upon seeing his selfies while Taehyung hums. He is gorgeous in your eyes, and you want to keep up with his posts in hopes of seeing another selfie. These are hidden gems that Taehyung had the courtesy of providing to you.

“He’s learning,” Taehyung says, “you should sign up and post some pictures as well. You’re really cute.” His cheeky compliment makes you happy; he is basically giving you his blessing!

“Thank you, and you’re right,” you chirp, “I will make an account after I finish this essay. Want to take a picture with me?”

It’s safe to assume that Jungkook wouldn’t mind you talking to his best friend, so why not expand your social circle? You’ll be more involved with his life this way. Taehyung stammers slightly before agreeing. He switches benches to sit next to you while you rummage through your backpack to find your phone. He finds it strangely endearing how you hold it, using your index finger to swipe between apps to find the camera. It almost stings his heart that you’re so old-schooled in a cute way. Once you angle it above you with your arm stretched out to your left, Taehyung appears to be behind you as he lowers his glasses. You smile brightly into the lens while he cutely puckers his lips.

Click.

“Are you wearing perfume?” he asks before he can stop himself. Your scent tickles his nostrils sweetly, and he doesn’t know why he’s noticing so much about you or holding a conversation with a woman without being naked. It’s been a hot minute since Taehyung’s had such a platonic interaction, and it shouldn’t feel this nice. He shouldn’t want to continue it through social media either.

“Yes! Do you smell strawberries? I noticed Jungkook eating them before, so I use just about anything strawberry scented. Lotion, shampoo, shower gel…”

He tunes you out as you gush and focuses on the smooth movement of your lips. You’re too good, and Taehyung knows he isn’t the best person but at least he’s not as bad as Jungkook. I shouldn’t think like this… but am I wrong? He will break your heart. What if it’s the right time to intervene to save you from that misery, and be a friend to both of you? He doesn’t want you to fall apart and be completely crushed right in front of his eyes, not when he just witnessed how childishly happy and naive you are. It wouldn’t be fair to you, nor to the life lesson he was taught years ago.

And he then notices that you're wearing strawberry lip balm.

“Jungkook kis-” -sed someone else before coming to you. You hum and tilt your head at his interruption, waiting for him to finish his sentence. “Jungkook… does love strawberries.”

Though your work ethics are questionable for how exhausting they are, it gets the job done sooner. The moment you’re assigned a task, you do it, regardless of if it’s yours or Jungkook's. Saturday evening and Sunday are free for you, so you spend your time outside after leaving your backpack in your dorm. You think you look silly, taking pictures of anything you find interesting to post on Instagram. You made an account, but it appears like a bot with its empty feed. Jungkook enjoys doing this, so you want to try it as well.

You don’t stray far from campus because you’d easily get lost, and your gallery looks boring to you. The only decent photo you have is with Taehyung, but you want to post a picture with Jungkook before anyone else. You grumble under your breath while walking back to the dormitory building. You look through Jungkook’s posts again as you do so with a smile.

A heavy arm slings over your shoulder and hitches your breath just as the culprit says, “What’s the rush?” He doesn’t even look at you, and you wonder if he recognized you from your clothes after coming up from behind you.

“Jungkookie!” you cheer excitedly. He glances at you and quirks a brow at the nickname. His eyes then trail to your lit up phone and snatches it from you, which you don’t fight against.

“You’re stalking me?” He scrolls through his profile from your phone and smirks before stating, “I didn’t know you had an Insta.” The both of you enter the building with his arm still wrapped around you, which flutters your heart.

“I made one today, since you use it.” He exits his profile to look at yours. You’re in the elevator as you inform, “Taehyung told me.”

A pause, then a click. Jungkook snapped a photo of you when you pressed the button of your floor. “Pretty,” he comments while looking at your candid shot. You’re flattered and also happy that he’s joining your trip to your dorm. He hasn’t said a word of protest and takes the lead in going to your room. “What else?”

“Hm?”

“What else did he tell you?”

You rack your brain to remember anything significant to tell him. It was a long conversation: getting to know each other and more about Jungkook. “He told me you have an Instagram, then asked for my perfume, and then we talked about your love for strawberries-”

“Your perfume? Why was Instagram even brought up?” he presses, stopping in front of your door.

You take out your keycard and shrug while swiping, “He asked for mine.”

The dorm is empty when you enter and sit on the edge of your bed. It’s very hard to not grin when you’re around Jungkook, but he doesn’t seem to care as he looks through your gallery. “Can we take a picture together?” you peep hopefully.

“Of course,” he murmurs absentmindedly, intently staring at your phone. “We’ll take many pictures,” he looks up at you before leveling with the camera, “pose.”

You aren’t very educated on the art of posing per se, so you imitate the peace sign you saw him do with a wide smile and a hand on the bed. He is neutral when he snaps a picture with a shutter.

“I want you to be in it.”

He drags his eyes away from the screen and his blank expression intimidates you. “Whose idea was it for you to make an account?”

“Um… Taehyung, why?” You lay your hands on your lap at the growing tension.

Taehyung went to this extent to get a reaction out of him? Is it possible that he’s this obnoxious? Or perhaps another motive…?

“I-Is he not your friend?”

Jungkook breaks his silence of thoughts with a scoff, “Oh, only the best.” You sigh in relief, though he says it with menace. Taehyung was curious about his relationship, not about your social media. He forcefully pushes you down on the bed and you hold back a gasp as he wraps his finger around your neck in a light chokehold with a thumb on your nether lip. Click. He then lowers his hand to your thigh, hiding half of it under your skirt with a gentle grap. Click.

Your cheeks flush at the compromising photos he’s taking and you nervously ask, “A-Am I going to post these?”

“Shut up.”

You seal your lips shut and he flips you on your stomach, palming your covered ass with your side profile in the frame, and another shutter resounds in the room. “Sit up.” You follow his command and turn around to face him. He pushes your hair to your back and his mouth latches onto your neck. He’s biting you while sucking on your flesh, and you release a breathy moan at the feeling of his tongue swirling on the sensitive skin. It hurts, but you don’t complain and try to make sense of the growing arousal in your lower region. He only pulls away after half a minute and you’re confused by the satisfied smirk on his face while eyeing the result. He angles your jaw to expose your neck better and snaps another photo. “These are all going on your account.”

At your nod of submission, he starts unbuttoning your shirt. “You’re prettier with a mark. My mark.” Your body tingles at the compliment and you help him undress yourself by unbuttoning the ends. “Take off your skirt,” he demands as he slips off his shirt with ease. All of your clothes go off one by one as he does the same, and you don’t have the time to feel shy as his lips collide so roughly with yours that you’re pressed down against the mattress again. You still haven’t gotten the hang of making out, but it doesn’t matter with Jungkook because although it flows naturally, he also takes complete control over you. He’s not gentle, not with the way his teeth clash against yours and tongue leaving trails of saliva all over your mouth. Your toes curl with desire and anticipation, and you tug at his briefs that outline his erection. The feeling of his warm breath on you silences all your thoughts and you can only react on primal instincts.

His crotch brushes against your bare folds, slick with your leaking wetness. Kissing him this passionately always leaves you feeling needy, and it embarrasses you that you get turned on so easily. But you don’t realize that is his intention as he glides his fingers all over your labia, making sure you’re ready to take all of him.

Kissing you this passionately always leaves him feeling horny, and it’s apparent with his cock begging to be taken out of the restraints of his underwear. You don’t know how long you’ve been kissing, but your lips are numb when he pulls away to position himself in your entrance. He doesn’t prepare you, but he doesn’t rush himself either as he painfully slowly enters you. You hold your breath and gawn on your swollen lip, moans catching in your throat and leaving as high-pitched hums. He sighs at the feeling of your pulsating walls. “God… always so tight. Don’t you ever touch yourself?”

He bottoms out and you whimper shakily at how full you are. The fact that he fits you like a puzzle piece convinces you that he’s your forever, your meant to be. Even with your lack of experience with other men, you believe no one can make you feel this dreamy. And to think he’s all yours now… “I-I don’t. I only want to do it with you.”

The atmosphere is so fragile, so romantic. It’s not your delusion this time, because he feels it too and it makes his heartbeat sync with yours: unsteady and rapid. And in the heat of the moment, he reveals, “I think I’m in love with you.”

A whine leaves you, so loud that it can’t be achieved with touch but with his words. It’s the utmost pleasure, and when he realizes what he said, he sets a rushed pace to distract himself from the embarrassment of pouring his feelings. You don’t allow him to forget as you echo, “I’m in love with you too.”

“No, no,” he denies with a shake of his head and it emits more love confessions out of you in a chain of ‘I love you’s, and he grunts, “Stop. Shut up!” He pins your forearms on either side of your head in a bruisening grip and thrusts into you harder. You have no choice but to scream in pleasure, unable to form coherent words when he’s practically fucking your brains out.

His feelings of humiliation translate to his actions: he pushes himself down to the hilt, throbbing with lust but doesn’t chase his high. He doesn’t want you to talk, not when he’s blushing for more than one reason, so he ignores the contraction of his muscles and just fucks you until he can’t anymore, hypnotized by the bounce of your tits.

Maybe it’s a good thing that he’s so desperate, hitting your most sensitive spot with every thrust and making your eyes screw back. Neither of you can think, so loud and reckless until you reach your climax. It’s core shaking, as you cry out his name and tremble with stimulation. He’s never seen this expression on your face, one so twisted in pleasure and looking so erotic. It comes as a surprise and in the form of a punch in the gut as he savours your appearance before cumming inside you with a groan. A slip-up, a mistake, but he doesn’t care as he paints your walls in white, his load filling you up.

And he can’t regret it when he pulls out, because the drizzle of his cum spilling out of your pussy easily becomes his favorite sight. “Shit,” he whispers as more and more drips while you twitch and spasm from your orgasm. You don’t even realize what he’s done, and that makes his chest swell with pride; the most level-headed woman he knows is leaking with his release and stupidly doesn’t spare it a thought. And with that hickey on your neck? “You look fucking gorgeous,” he exhales. A bashful smile stretches across your face with eyes still tightly shut, and you don’t notice him grab your phone on the other side of the bed to take a picture of your stained pussy.

“This one is for me,” he mutters to himself. Click.

After posting the softcore photos on your account and tagging himself in them, as well as a note of a pharmacy’s address across campus with a label written for you to get two separate contraceptives as an emergency and for your next creampie, he leaves your dorm. You fell asleep on him, and though he had wanted to join you, he decided to collect his scrambled thoughts and go to Taehyung’s dorm first. He isn’t livid, but he has a few questions to ask.

He’s playing cards with Yoongi, Taehyung’s roommate, as he patiently waits for his arrival. “What’s wrong about asking for her Instagram, though?” Yoongi asks before drawing out a card of ace. “Isn’t she our friend by association anyway?”

“It’s suspicious,” Jungkook murmurs while inspecting his deck. “Have you ever seen Taehyung with a girl before? As friends? He’s clearly trying to fuck her.”

Yoongi stifles a laugh, “That’s a reach. Besides, you two have shared a girl before. Are you actually dating her?”

Shuffling is heard behind the door until it swings open as Taehyung enters. “Kookie! What are you doing here?” He throws his keycard on his bed before hopping on Yoongi’s to watch their game.

It’s strained, Jungkook notices. His excitement is forced; why? “I came here for you,” he states bluntly. “A little birdie told me you’ve been talking to someone who belongs to me.”

“I didn’t realize she was your diary,” he tries to lighten the mood with a joke. “What’s the deal anyway? You said you weren’t dating her.”

Yoongi collects the deck of cards after Jungkook drops them, and shuffles them while eavesdropping. He’s sitting cross-legged across from Jungkook, and Taehyung is sitting on the edge of the bed next to him with his body turned sideways.

“I also said that unless you have a death wish, don’t talk to her,” he grits. “And asking for her social media? Are you into her now?”

Taehyung merely shrugs. “I thought she was pretty chill. I don’t know why you’re so mad.”

“She obviously means something to him, so I think you should just respect that, Taehyung,” Yoongi voices his thoughts while leafing the cards. Jungkook looks to the side and pokes the inner cheek of his mouth with his tongue but doesn’t argue.

“I think he’s just using her.” Jungkook’s reaction is instant as Taehyung’s nose instantly starts to bleed from the impact of his fist. Yoongi doesn’t look up. He holds a hand over his injury with a hiss and continues, “Really, Kook? A little too much, don’t you think?”

“Less than enough,” Jungkook fumes, “I like her, and she likes me. Just fucking leave it at that.”

“Couple of the year,” Taehyung chuckles mockingly, “I give it two days.” He stands up before Jungkook can hit him again. “Can’t wait to console her after your break-up, maybe she’ll fall in love with me next.”

Jungkook starts chasing him around the room as Taehyung runs without stopping his provocation. “Why so upset Jungkook? Do you see it happening too? I’m already imagining how tight-”

“You should leave, Jungkook.” Neither of them listen to Yoongi, so he yells, “Jungkook, leave!”

A moment of deafening silence passes as both of them pause to catch their breaths. “She’s too sweet,” Taehyung begins, “too kind, too nice, everything you’re not. You wouldn’t be trying to keep me away from her if you didn’t know that. Are you afraid she’ll like me better?”

“Go fuck yourself,” Jungkook spits with a heaving chest. “She’s loyal to me, but I’m sure you’re not familiar with that concept. No wonder your relationships only last one night.” With a final glare, he leaves as told to return to you. The only thing he needs right now is one more ‘I love you’ from you, as much as he hates it. Maybe he’s cruel, but he doesn’t know anyone who isn’t aside from you.

Maybe Taehyung is just as cruel, fantasizing about all the ways he could be better for you before drifting off to sleep with a bandage over his wounded nose. He can just be a friend to both of you… he can be good too…

#bts imagines #bts scenarios #bts x reader #bts smut #jeon jungkook #jungkook imagines #jungkook smut #jungkook x reader #jjk smut #bts fic #kpop #jungkook fic #jeon jungoook smut

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honeypiehotchner · 3 years

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Looking Too Closely (Bucky x Stark!Fem!Reader) -- part one

I know, I know. I just finished a 100k fic about Aaron Hotchner, I have another fic for him coming in May, and yet here I am, writing a Bucky Barnes fic. The Falcon and The Winter Soldier has done things to me, guys. I knew I was going to fall right back in love with Bucky and I totally did. So here’s this xx.

(Also, as for the timeline, don’t question it. I’m kind of imagining this on its own separate timeline, but I’ll pull details from everywhere)

Summary: You’re (possibly) Tony Stark’s daughter. You’re also (possibly) on the run from the law. What better place to show up than the Avengers Tower? [Oh and no Bucky in this one! He comes in part 2]

Warnings: angst, mentions of death (your mom), mentions of homelessness, Tony is kinda an asshole (but I still think it’s in character)

BUCKY BARNES MASTERLIST

You weren’t going to come here.

It was a last-resort kind of option. A I-don’t-want-to-sleep-on-a-park-bench-(again) option. An is-going-to-jail-really-better-than-just-knocking-on-a-door? Kind of option.

Turns out, knocking on a door is better than going to jail. Especially when Tony Stark’s shocked face is almost as comical as your mom’s.

Currently, you’re soaking wet (damn skies decided to open up before you could get to the Tower) and sitting in Tony’s office while he paces and talks on the phone.

“Pepper, honey, I know this is bad timing, but I need you to pick up, okay? I have a kid here— Okay, she’s glaring at me, so not a kid— No, you know what? She is a kid and she’s getting water everywhere and she says she’s my kid and I’m two seconds from going into crisis mode.”

You and me both, you think to yourself. If you knew Tony was this much of a drama queen, you would’ve just gone to the police station. It was closer, anyway. Damn.

Tony ends the voicemail (which is his fifth one, you believe) and spins around to face you, a nervous smile on his lips. “Okay. How old are you again?”

“19,” you repeat tiredly. It was one of the first questions he asked you. “And I don’t actually know if I’m really your kid, okay? My mom says you are, but I don’t know.”

“Where is your mom?” His eyebrows raise like he’s brilliant and has found a way out. “Can you call her?”

“I don’t have a phone, but even if I did, no, I can’t,” you pause, rolling your eyes at his confusion. “She’s dead, Tony. She passed away last month.”

His confusion settles into shock. “Oh.”

“Oh is right,” you chuckle, ignoring your teeth chattering. “And trust me, I wouldn’t be here if I had literally anywhere else I could go.”

Tony opens his mouth to reply, but is cut off by his phone. He hurriedly answers and returns to pacing. “Pepper! Hi!— Okay, slow down, yes I’m telling the truth! Why would I lie— Okay, that was one time. Listen, this time, I’m not lying.” Pause. “Yes, there really is a kid here. You’re serious? Okay, fine, hang on.”

You watch as Tony starts a video call, and then turns the phone around on you.

Pepper Potts’s eyes widen when she sees you staring back at her, a cold and shivering mess.

“Um, hi?” Your voice is small and wary.

“Shit,” Pepper replies, and Tony turns the phone back on his face.

“See? Not lying.”

“For God’s sake, Tony!” Pepper yells. “Get the poor girl some dry clothes! I’ll be there as soon as I can, but try not to freeze her to death before I can get there. Christ.” The call ends.

You muffle a giggle in your hand, looking up to find a tired stare from Tony. Your laughter ends and you mirror his expression. “I told you dude, if I had literally anywhere else I could go, I’d be there.”

“Homeless shelter?” Tony questions.

“A homeless shelter in New York? You mean a breeding ground for disease and sexual assault?”

Your blunt reply has Tony faltering, but he accepts it. “Right. Let’s just— Let’s get you into something dry and warm and maybe get some food in you.” His eyes graze over your form. “When was the last time you ate?”

“Do you really want to ask me that?”

He thinks it over, and nods. “Never mind. Follow me.”

You stand and follow him, leaving a trail of water wherever you step.

He grimaces, pausing in his steps to say, “FRIDAY, will you dry the floors in here before I get back?”

“Who the hell are you talking to—”

Your question is promptly cut off by a female voice answering Tony. “Yes, Mr. Stark.” The voice echoes all around and sounds human, but distinctly sounds like it isn’t.

“What the fuck was that?”

“FRIDAY,” Tony replies. “Stands for ‘Female Replacement Intelligent Digital Assistant Youth’. A mouthful, I know, so I just call her FRIDAY. She’s my AI and she’s all over this building.”

“She— Never mind,” you shake your head. “Cool. Weird, but cool. I guess.”

Tony smiles, but then continues walking, exiting his office.

You follow closely behind, trying not to get too distracted by everything you’re seeing. All you saw on the way up here was the lobby, the elevator, and then right into Tony’s office. Now, you’re seeing out glass windows and down into the rest of the Tower. You have a clean view into what looks like a lab, and you see a few people working in there, but they’re too focused to even bother looking elsewhere.

After stepping into the elevator with you, Tony says, “Wanda should have some extra clothes you can borrow and if not she can at least help you...find some.”

He eyes you like he doesn’t quite know what to do with you, which you think is remarkably humbling of him. Part of you expected (what with all the stories you’ve heard and read about him) that he would act like he knew exactly what to do — regardless of whether it was right.

Maybe he will act that way later, but right now he almost seems frightened, and it’s weirdly comforting.

“Wanda is one of the…” Tony pauses. “You know where we are, right?”

You raise one eyebrow. “You mean do I know this is the Avengers Tower and that the Avengers are real people?”

“Yes…”

“Then yes.”

“Okay,” Tony says, straightening and composing himself once more. “Wanda is one of the Avengers.”

“I know.”

Tony hesitates, and the elevator is still going. “You’re not some crazy fan, right?”

“Dude, I told you. If I had anywhere else to be, I would’ve gone there.” You shrug. “Yeah, it’s cool or whatever, but I’m not going to faint.”

“Good to know,” he says, though you faintly hear him mutter, “cool or whatever,” to himself.

Finally, the elevator stops and the doors open to a new floor, one that you quickly realize is what can be described as the residential area for the Avengers. Their rooms are on this floor, along with a kitchen and a living area of sorts — both of which are empty right now.

Tony notices you looking around and says, “Most everyone is out on a mission right now, so it’s just me and Wanda around.”

“Okay,” you say.

Tony takes you down a hall and around a corner, and stops at a door. He knocks a couple times and then says, “Hey Wan, it’s me and I have a...an issue that I need your help with.”

The door opens a moment later to reveal Wanda Maximoff, a younger woman closer to your age wearing a confused expression. “An issue?” She questions, and then her eyes land on you. “Oh, hi.”

“Hey,” you offer a small smile. “I’m Y/N.”

“I’m Wanda,” she replies, offering a smile in return. But when she looks at Tony, it drops. “What did you do?”

“Why does everyone always assume that I’ve done something?”

“Because when have you not done something?”

Tony pauses. “Fair point. Look, the kid needs some clothes, and I figured borrowing something old of yours would be more comfortable than Avengers workout gear.”

Wanda seems surprised Tony even thought of that. “Of course,” she looks at you. “You can take a shower to warm up, if you want. But I definitely have some clothes you can borrow.”

“Thanks.”

“Just uh…” Tony pauses, waving around like the words will appear in thin air. “Bring her to the kitchen when she’s done.”

“Standing right here,” you mutter, earning a laugh from Wanda.

“Go away,” she waves at Tony. “I’ve got this.”

Tony walks away, clearly elated to be rid of you and have you in the hands of a responsible adult that is not himself.

Wanda shuts her door with a roll of her eyes. “Sometimes I wonder how Pepper keeps him afloat,” she murmurs. “Anyway, on to you— Oh, before all that, I can read minds, but I am actively blocking that right now. I’ll try really hard not to be nosy, but don’t worry, I am really good at keeping secrets because of it.”

You can’t help but smile. “It’s okay. There’s not much that goes on up here anyway.”

She gives you a skeptical look. “I may not be listening, but the amount of energy I am using right now to not listen tells me that’s far from true.”

You just shrug in response, not wanting to get into it.

Thankfully, she keeps her promise and moves on, too, walking toward her closet. “I have loads of t-shirts and hoodies, skirts, too, but I do have some leggings. Do you have a preference?”

“Just whatever you’re comfortable with letting me borrow.”

Part of you thinks she read your mind, though, because she hands you leggings and a t-shirt, along with one of her many zip-up hoodies. You were silently wishing she wouldn’t hand you a skirt.

“My bathroom is just through there and there’s clean towels on the shelf if you want to shower.” Wanda smiles, gesturing toward the open door at the other end of her room.

“Thanks.” You walk over and quickly pee, not realizing until you entered that you’ve desperately had to piss this entire time.

You decide against a shower for the sake of not wanting to take up too much time, and not feeling up for being naked in a stranger’s shower (albeit a kind stranger).

After changing into Wanda’s clothes, and hanging your wet ones over the shower curtain, you go back into Wanda’s bedroom. She’s sitting on her bed, mindlessly moving a red ball of energy between her fingers and up her arms.

She smiles upon seeing you, but doesn’t drop the energy. “Feel better?”

“Yeah,” you nod, mesmerized by the glowing ball of red in her palms. “That’s so dope.”

“Dope?”

“Really cool,” you clarify.

“Oh,” she giggles, and the energy evaporates. “I think I’ve heard Peter say that a few times.”

You have no clue who Peter is, but you don’t question it. “Should we go out there?”

“Yes,” she slides off the bed. “I’ll come with you. Tony can be a handful.”

That’s what your mom used to say about him, too.

You follow Wanda silently out into the hallway, and as you both get closer to the living area and kitchen, you hear two voices this time. One is Tony’s and after a few more steps, you find out that the other voice is Pepper.

“You’re saying she just showed up out of nowhere?”

“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying because that’s exactly what happened.”

“And she says you’re her father?”

“Allegedly,” Tony scoffs, resting his hands on the kitchen counter. “I don’t actually know. I can’t remember that far back.”

“How far back?” Pepper asks, arms crossed over her chest.

“She says she’s 19.”

“I’ll be 20 this year,” you interject, enjoying the way Tony fumbles and tries to put on his mask one more time.

“Hey kiddo,” he says. “This is Pepper Potts, she’s the one who wrangles me in.”

Pepper shakes her head before offering you a warm smile and her hand to shake. “It’s nice to meet you, Y/N. I’m sorry you seem to be going through such a tough time.”

“It’s okay,” you say while shaking her hand. “I’m sorry for barging in and all. I didn’t know where else to really go.”

“Nope, that’s okay,” she assures you. “We’re going to get this figured out. Do you mind if you and I just talk for a minute?”

“That sounds good.”

“Awesome,” Pepper smiles. “Okay, Tony, just...go to the lab or something. But...go away.”

You and Wanda share a look as Tony saunters off, no doubt muttering under his breath.

“I’ll leave you guys to it,” Wanda says, gesturing between you and Pepper. “It was nice to meet you.”

“You too,” you smile. “Thanks again for the clothes. I’ll try to give them back soon.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Wanda shakes her head before heading back down the hallway to her room.

You’re left alone with Pepper, who doesn’t terrify you, but the prospect of what conversation is going to come next does.

“Do you want something to eat?” She asks. “I can order something while we talk.”

“Um...pizza?” It’s inexpensive and never fails you in terms of being able to eat it.

“Sure,” Pepper smiles gently. “What kind?”

After telling her your favorite toppings, the two of you take a seat on one of the couches. She finishes placing the order on her phone before she sets down the device and gives you her full attention.

“So. Tony told me your mom passed away,” Pepper pauses. “I’m really sorry for your loss.”

“It’s alright.”

“He also told me you didn’t show up with anything at all,” Pepper says. “Do you mind if FRIDAY does an identity check?”

“Is that like a background check?”

“Essentially, but it’s not that extensive. It’s just so we know the truth about who you are.” She pauses again, sensing your hesitation. “Unfortunately, it’s just a precaution we have to take.”

“Okay,” you agree, realizing you have nothing left to lose. “Uh, how do I…?”

“Right,” Pepper chuckles. “FRIDAY?”

“Yes, Ms. Potts.”

“Will you please do an identity check on…”

“Y/N M/N L/N.”

“One moment.”

“It should just take a few seconds,” Pepper explains. “Oh, and there will be a hologram that will appear— Right there.”

“Identity confirmed.”

The hologram appears in front of the TV, showing general information about you alongside a picture of you — a picture that you think is on your driver’s license, wherever the ashes of that is.

“Y/N M/N L/N, born to Isabella L/N in 2001 in a hospital in Newark, New Jersey. She was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.”

Your eyes widen. “That’s weird.”

“Thank you, FRIDAY,” Pepper says, and the hologram disappears. “It is a little freaky. I’m still not totally used to all of Tony’s tech, but I’ve stopped worrying about it. Good news is, you are who you say you are.” She pauses. “But I do have to ask why you decided to show up here? You told Tony if you had anywhere else to go, you would’ve, so I understand.”

“It’s the first place I could think of,” you admit quietly. “I’ve been living on the streets for a few weeks now.”

Pepper pales. “You’ve been homeless?”

You nod. “Mom died in a house fire. It was our house. I was on a walk to the gas station to get her favorite candy bar because she had been having a rough time.”

“And she…”

“By the time I came out of the gas station, fire trucks were blaring past and I could smell the smoke. The flames were high enough to see from a mile away.”

“I...I am so sorry.”

You shrug, surprised you’re not crying. “Everything I had was in there, except the clothes I was wearing when I got here. She had my cell phone because we could only afford the one, but it burned, too. Everything burned.

“Anyway, she… She always told me Tony was my dad and I didn’t believe her, but then she showed me pictures of them together, and it made me believe her. So I figured coming here would be better than staying on the streets or going to another shelter.”

Pepper nods. “Okay, well, I’m glad you came here. I am. But...Tony can’t do anything for you if he isn’t your real father.”

“I understand.”

“We can do a paternity test,” she offers. “If you want to, I’ll get him to agree. It wouldn’t be the first one he’s had to do, but this one…this one would probably be the first I think he’d do willingly.”

You furrow your eyebrows. “Really?”

She nods. “The others have been infants and the mothers have mostly been after money. The paternity tests were used in court.”

Your eyes widen. “I do not want to go to court.”

“You won’t,” she says. “The test could be done here and kept between the three of us. But, until then, it is up to Tony what he wants to do — whether or not he wants to let you stay. I’m not saying I will allow him to kick you out, but if he doesn’t want you to stay here, I will do everything I can to make sure you are somewhere safe.” She pauses, watching your expression as it changes. “I’m sorry if this sounds so harsh. It’s a recycled speech I’ve had to give a thousand times,” she laughs airily. “But I do mean it when I say I will make sure you’re safe. I don’t care if it comes out of my paycheck.”

“No, you don’t need to do that,” you start shaking your head, but she stops you.

“You are special, I can tell,” Pepper says. “And Wanda seems to like you, which is telling. In the time that she’s been here, it hasn’t been easy to get her to open up to others.”

You felt comfortable around Wanda, too. The same kind of comfortable you feel with Pepper right now.

Before anything else can be said, footsteps are heard and the smell of pizza fills your nostrils.

“Did you order me pizza? You’re too kind, Ms. Potts,” Tony’s voice floats from the hallway before he enters the living room, pizza box in hand.

“Actually, it’s for Y/N,” Pepper says.

“It’s fine,” you wave them off, but neither of them let it slide.

“Nope,” Tony says, placing the box down on the table in front of the couch. “I’ll get plates. You’re eating.”

“But if you—”

“Ah-ah,” he holds up his index finger, raising his eyebrows. “No arguing.”

“Seriously?” You deadpan, rolling your eyes.

You open the box and pull out a slice while he’s busy wasting time getting plates. When he returns, he hands you a plate, even though you won’t use it. He plops down next to Pepper and grabs a slice, shoving half of it in his mouth.

“Want some?” He gestures the half-eaten slice toward Pepper.

She shakes her head. “No, it’s your favorite, not mine.”

Your chewing slows. “It’s your favorite?”

“Yeah,” Tony replies, eating the other half of his slice.

“It’s my favorite, too,” you reply slowly, reaching for a second piece.

Tony smiles, grabbing a second slice, too. “You’ve got good taste, kid.” He takes less of a big bite this time. “So, what’s the consensus? How much money do you want?”

“Tony—” Pepper starts, but he doesn’t let her finish.

“Or, let me guess, paternity test. And money. College? I can give you a scholarship.”

With every word that falls from his lips, you get more and more angry.

“Or are we just waiting for the police to pick you up? I have to admit, that’s boring, but if that’s what we’re doing—”

“That is enough,” Pepper hisses.

“Um,” you swallow the bite of pizza that you had in your mouth. “Thanks for the pizza and...dry clothes and the talk, but I’m gonna go.”

“Y/N--” Pepper tries.

“No, it’s fine,” you shake your head as you stand. “It’s okay, it was a bad idea anyway. Don’t worry about the test, I mean, I’m an adult anyway, it’s not like it would make any difference.”

“She has a point,” Tony adds.

You ignore him. “I’ll just...yeah.”

The two of them are still bickering when you run off, toward the elevator. The doors open quickly and you let the elevator swallow you whole.

You were stupid, so stupid for coming here. You would’ve been better off on another park bench or something.

When the elevator reaches the lobby, you’re running out as fast as your feet will carry you.

+++

You’re thankful for Wanda’s hoodie when the cold wind of New York starts biting into your skin. It’s a miracle to find an open park bench, and it’d be a miracle if it could be a few degrees warmer outside, but you know that’s asking for way too much.

Still, you try to relax and rest. You have no clue where to go from here. Maybe back to a shelter, but the idea of that makes your body shiver for a different reason other than the cold.

You zip the hoodie up to your chin and wrap your arms around yourself, keeping the heat in as much as you can. Eventually, because of the exhaustion, you find yourself drifting off.

When you wake, it’s with a jolt because the empty seat next to you on the bench is now filled.

“What do you want?” After realizing the person is none other than Tony Stark, you can’t be bothered to be polite.

“For you to come back to the Tower before it starts raining.”

You sit up straighter, shaking your head. “No thanks. Did Pepper put you up to this?”

“Actually, I put myself up to this,” he replies. “I was a jackass. I’m sorry.”

“Thanks.”

“I mean it, kid.”

“Maybe stop calling me ‘kid.’”

“I will when you quit acting like one.”

You lift your head to glare at him. “That’s a low blow. Even for you.”

“I just want you to come back to the Tower with me,” Tony says. “I’m sorry. It was a low blow, and so was everything else I said earlier. But I refuse to let you sleep here when there’s a perfectly fine and vacant room at the Tower. Right next to Wanda’s room.”

You mull it over for a second. The mention of Wanda is enticing because despite today’s circumstances, she did seem kind and harmless. The two of you seemed like you could get along well, too, which is rare for you — and her, apparently.

“Fine,” you cave. “But only because this bench is uncomfortable as hell.”

Tony sighs, but doesn’t comment on that. Instead, he stands, gesturing for you to follow, and you do. “Okay, come on. I parked over here.”

“Parked?”

“Yeah, ki— You walked a good thirty minute drive from the Tower.”

“Oh.”

“It’s fine,” he says. “But it is about to rain, so.”

He clicks something and what was once a black smudge in your vision suddenly lit up as the car’s engine roared to life, turning the headlights on, too.

You can’t help but scoff.

“What?” Tony asks through a laugh. “It’s my car.”

“It’s so flashy.”

He accepts it. “Fair point.”

You have no clue what make or model the car is, but regardless it’s too sleek and too low to the ground. Thank God you aren’t driving.

You hop in the passenger seat, unashamed that you want to get out of the wind. Tony silently turns the seat warmers on when he gets in.

After driving for a few minutes, Tony breaks the silence.

“I need to call Pepper to let her know I found you,” he says, and without another word, the car begins calling Pepper. Well, FRIDAY does, because she’s in his cars, too.

Pepper picks up almost immediately. “Please tell me you found her.”

“I did, Pep.”

“Thank God,” she says, exhaling deeply. “Is she in the car? Y/N?”

“I’m here,” you speak up.

“Good,” she replies. “I was scared he made you angrier instead of apologizing.”

You’re still angry with him, but you don’t say that. “He apologized.”

“Good,” Pepper says. “Drive safe, Tony, please.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll only go ten above the speed limit.”

“Tony—”

“Call disconnected.”

“Oops,” Tony says. “Do you want a milkshake? Late night snack?”

“I’m good.”

“Suit yourself,” he shrugs, speeding up.

+++

You got a milkshake.

Not because you really wanted one, but because Tony ordered you one anyway. He guessed your favorite — it’s the same as his, but still — and didn’t let you argue. And you’re not one to let something go to waste if it’s right in front of you.

Pepper and Wanda look more than relieved when you enter the Tower beside Tony, milkshake still in hand.

“I have returned with the… With Y/N.”

You roll your eyes.

“Thank you,” Pepper says, but she still gives Tony a glare. When she looks back at you, her expression is soft. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay,” you murmur. “I won’t stay for long, I promise.”

Pepper shook her head. “You can stay for as long as you need to. There’s no sense in you sleeping anywhere else when there’s a room here you can have.”

“I could use the company,” Wanda adds, smiling gently. “If you want.”

You smile in return, but you’re still wary. You look at Tony to see what he thinks, but to your complete surprise, he doesn’t look angry or anything.

“As long as you don’t ask for an entire floor, you can stay,” he says.

That’s about as good a response you’re going to get out of him, it seems, so you accept it.

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nuggiesnoogie · 2 years

Text

It’s Unfair [p2]

Young Bruno Madrigal

-> female pronouns//reader insert//fluff//third person pov//time skips//Romance

*Part two*

~~~~~~~

She finished her chores that took up a lot of the day. By dinner, Bruno hadn’t been found and she was a total wreck. Others started to notice it too, Pepa and Julieta, who the latter had been extremely kind to her, even brought up her bundled nerves.

She made a B-line to the pond, the whole time while in the forest, desperately calling out his name in hopes of a response. This can’t be it for her. By a miracle she spotted him curled up near the pond, staring deep into it. “Bruno!” She happily exclaimed.

He jumped and shriveled up, turning his back. “What? You here to push me in again?”

She came up to him, hand extended even if his back was to her. She couldn’t believe he was still around. She guessed he really wasn’t lying when he said that magic didn’t work that way. “No, no, no. I’m here to take you back. Your mother is worried sick and there are people searching for you.”

“And w-why should I trust you? Do you have any more traps along the way?”

She sourly glared and put a hand on her hip, pointing toward him. “Why would I-!” She started, then registered her tone. A uneasy feeling sits in her stomach as she looked upon his form. Shivering and scared. The girl cooled off and bent down, the sound of thunder crackling in the sky as droplets of rain begin to poor down with hardly any build up or steady progression. “I’m sorry.”

“What?”

“I’m sorry for what happened.” She placed a hand on his shoulder that he immediately shrugged off. She began to shiver, her clothes sticking uncomfortably to her form. She moved on. “Can you just follow me back?” He didn’t respond but the raining picked up. “Your family is worried. I mean... if it wasn’t obvious.” She waved her hand around. He at the least perked at the mentioning of his family. “Everyone is worried and looking for you. I promise, no pranks or jokes.”

He didn’t move at first. She grew worried, not knowing what else she could say. Though, to her relief, he eventfully faced her then fully stood up. “Fine. Let’s go.”

“Thank Jesus.” She muttered under her breath, then took the lead. Half way there, ripping through the deafening silence and wanting to get her mind focused on anything but the claws of guilt wrapped around her heart, she spoke.

“What were you doing out here?”

He didn’t respond.

“Uh… my name is [Y/n]… if you didn’t know.”

“Okay.” He shortly said.

“…nice weather, isn’t it?”

He didn’t respond, but she heard him lightly huff. Not much of a laugh, but she’ll take it. After their appearance was announced, the showers ceased almost immediately and it was like it never stormed. People expressed their relief and she was given praise and thanks for finding him from the moment she got back; only two souls knew that they were undeserved. he and Bruno knew she didn’t deserve. And yet, he didn’t correct them, shift blame or accuse.

She hadn’t known what to feel about it. Did he want something in exchange? No doubt he did it just to help. She had hardly been nice to him. Though, she planned to do her best to make up for that. She wasn’t relieved from her job as señora’s helper and she was glad. For the past couple of months, she always made room for any assistance Bruno needed after her chores had been done for the day. She added to her every other day routine treaking going to his room, knocking on his door, and asking if he wanted anything. She also made sure to ask whenever she saw him, which was maybe once or twice. He still hasn’t responded nor taken to her assistance, but she hasn’t given up.

Today, she knocked again and asked once more. “Do you need anything? At all.”

Her eyes widened as she stepped back, sweeping in a sharp inhale. The door actually opened and what waited for her was a confused and mildly bewildered Bruno. “I-I, what are you even... I, uhm, n-no.”

She slumped as he moved around her. “Ah. Well at least you responded today.”

He stopped and looked back. “Hmm? W-What do you mean? I’ve always said no.”

She lifted an eyebrow. “Yeah, in person, but what about all those times I knocked and you didn’t say anything?”

“All those times? This is the first.”

“No, I’ve been knocking ever since the day after you got back.”

“Seriously? Gesh, I don’t hear a thing outside my door unless I’m right at it. If someone wants me, they have to come in.” He gripped his arm and looked back at her. “Have you really been doing that this whole time? You didn’t quit at some point?”

“I have no reason to lie to you.” Her eyes narrowed. “But how big can your room be if you couldn’t hear me? You can just say you’re angry.”

“So you think I’m lying now?” He tittered. “Have you seen any of our rooms?”

She shook her head. While Julieta had been nice, and even nicer after ‘finding’ Bruno, she was never given the invitation, and she frankly didn’t want it. And Pepa? The air still got colder every time they were in a room together. Literally. “I don’t think they’d want me in there.”

He shrugged. “For good reason.”

She slumped but agreed. That’s fair. “Where are you going?”

“No where special, I guess. Just a walk.”

“And you’re sure you don’t want me to there to hold your hand so you don’t get lost again,” she teased, ignoring the part of her brain that happily went to imagining their hands together as they strolled in the moonlight. She gulped. He only gave her a blank stare and she slapped her face, “sorry, sorry… let me rephrase. Do you want company?”

“No.” He flatly said. “I-I’m okay.” He followed in a softer tone then left her there.

She was left wallowing in her pity. She groaned and her face fell into her hands. “I’m such a cabrón.”

Some days later she luckily ran into Bruno again as she was cleaning, catching him as he was leaving the home. She called out and stopped him. “Bruno, I’m sorry. For other day. I want to make it up to you. For everything.”

“…I don’t entirely trust you.”

“Then why not just tell others the tr-hmh!”

“Keep down. Sorry.” He lowered the hand he quickly covered her mouth with and stepped back. “I just... I can’t. I wanted to, trust me. I just can’t bring myself to. I keep thinking about how they would treat you and I won’t be the driving reason that they do.”

“Ah... then-”

“If you’re only helping as thanks, please don’t bother. I’m not doing it for you. It’s my own flaw.”

“I don’t think caring about others is a flaw. We’d be in a better situation if I were any good at that.” She admitted with a gentle bite of her lip. Bruno’s shyer and reserved expression lessened. “But for now, just let me help you. Hopefully if I’m around you long enough you’ll rub off on me.”

A small rosy tint rose to his soft face, unable to hold a moment of eye contact. “I... Don’t you need to finish? What will my mother say?”

“I’ll take whatever she says and clean twice as hard when I come back.”

“Listen, just finish your work.” He turned his back and she reached out to grip his green rauna.

“Please. If you need me, just ask.”

He gave her a pitying look as her eyes begged at him to at least agree. He looked to consider something for a bit before giving in and gently smiling. “Okay. Fine. You really don’t quit. If you want to do me a favor, find me a new book. A romantic drama novella, if you can.”

She lit up and clasped her hands together. Her mother had plenty of those. “I can do that!”

“Thanks.”

Just two days later she was at his door after a busy day. She raked her knuckles against the door, halting midway in remembrance of Bruno’s words. So, instead, she left it in front, and went home.

The following day, Bruno was the one to greet her in the morning as she let herself in ready to get to work, a smile on his face, and a book in his hand. “Have you read this?”

She stumbled on her words that got caught. His smile was so cute. “I, uh… yes?” Why did she lie? “D-Do you like it?”

“Ah, it’s fantastic! I’m so glad, I needed someone to talk to about it! I finished it and at first I wasn’t into the pairings until suddenly she started acting weird towards him and who wouldn’t have guessed it was her evil twin that replaced her! Then their mother had faked her death and…” he went on and on and she sat there and listened. He sounded so passionate and more fuller than life than she has ever seen him as he ranted. She hung onto his every word, shifting her focus between his talking and his rapidly changing face. Happy, excited, anger, surprised, happy, anger—

“Hello? Hello? Can you hear me?”

She snapped back. “Sorry, huh?”

“I uh…” he began to dim, much to her dismay. “I’m talking too much, aren’t I? So-.”

“No, no, keep talking. I do enough of running my mouth as is.”

He still didn’t look convinced. “You looked distracted. Ah, you need to get to your routine. I’m bothering you, I’m sure you already know it all-“

“Please, no. You aren’t. And I… okay I’m sorry, I really haven’t read it, and I know I know, I just I didn’t want you to be disappointed. You just looked so happy. Bruno, I can listen to you all day.” Oh, had that left her mouth?

At first his embarrassment seemed to worsen, but then he looked surprised and flattered. “I can talk about it more… after you’re done.”

“Good. I’ll finish quickly.”

Later on they rejoined and he talked and talked like before; about the newest book, and after done with that, the others he apparntly had stuffed in the shelves stationed in his room. Her heart was wonky. It was so adorable seeing him happy. She preferred this than his shivering from before. She brought him more and more books and they would sit in the living room, outside, or wherever else to chat. He became more comfortable with her and one day had invited her to his room. Huge was an understatement. This room shouldn’t even exist—nothing on the outside looked like it could be holding such a tower.

The stairs, oh the stairs. She panted as she reached the top. Bruno laughed at her, but went her speed. She was too tired and felt that some of her deserved his mocking to retort.

“Bruno, you should have seen my mothers face when she realized it was me that used up all her clay.” The girl laughed as they sat at the very top, laying in his hammock. She laid on one side and him across, their feet’s next to their heads. It was late, she didn’t know how late, but she didn’t care. “Worst part about it is that when I tried showing off my creation, I stupidly tried to carry it over to her and then I dropped it! Oh, she reminded me of a bull!”

“I’d be angry too. Did she have commissions?”

“Of course, as always. I am not as good as her yet, but I want to get better and soon start some of my own.”

“When you do, I want to be the first one.” He shuffled a bit in the hammock they shared. “I already know what I want.”

“I’ll do it for free.”

“How sweet of you.”

“Of course. I would do it for anybody else that had a room like yours.”

They shared a laugh as his foot nudged her head. “Eww, get your stinky feet away from me.”

“I know you love it... you helped the others too, though, didn’t you? With their own homes and shops?”

“Mmhm. I do it on my off days. I couldn’t just watch them work all day without at least offering to help and it soon became part of me.”

“I wish I was like you in that way.” He became slightly dreary. “I help but not in a way I would like.”

Her feet tapped the side of his head. “You do your best.”

“Thank you. Can you keep a secret?”

Her brow quirked. “Are you trying to be funny?”

“Not at all.” He shifted so that he was next to her. Her body warmed up. He lifted her so that he was beneath her shoulder. “I’m going to tell you a story.”

“Another book? I feel like I heard them all?”

The vibrating from his sweet laugh made her heart spike. “No, this is of my own. Do you want to listen?”

“Always.”

After it, she gently clapped. “Wonderful. You’re such a great story teller. Does that help you with telling visions?”

“I wish. People still tend to get upset… I’m not as good as delivering stories to strangers. I get nervous. I’m surprised you haven’t asked me for one.”

“I still feel funny about magic.”

“Still?”

“I don’t know… yeah. I still think it’s unfair.”

“Hmm. You know, what is really unfair is how you still haven’t told the truth.”

“Bruno…”

“They deserve to know.”

“I can’t. It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?”

“It’s never too long to tell the truth. Sometimes I wonder if you’re here because you like me or because you’re guilty.”

That struck her. Shit. Why had it?

She left feeling conflicted and was like that for the next three years. Bruno and her relationship stayed stagnant but her feelings grew stronger. It became less and yet more clear why she was around; as her feelings grew more and more, so did the guilt.

And one day, she couldn’t take it. She told Alma. The disappointment rippled, especially once she told her to leave. From there, others heard—whether Pepa or Julieta , hell, Bruno, were the ones to say something she didn’t know. But she was prepared for the years waiting consequences.

Her parents? The shame they radiated was painful. Each time they spoke, or looked at her, it was like a spear ripped through her chest. She hadn’t went to see Bruno since that day. She had hardly left her home. She stayed in her room to clear her head for some time. Though hard, she was able to sort through her inner self and reflect.

She, in the night, went to go clear her head at the pond, where it all started. Maybe for some kind of closure—

“Boo.”

She jumped and gasped at the startling sound.

“Did that really scare you?” They teased.

She turned around and saw Bruno. He was so much more grown since they were 15. His hair was longer, at his shoulders, and a small moustache was beginning to form. Still lanky, not much taller, and his face still while soft, was more defined and mature.

“You don’t have to be here.” She said.

“I want to be. I miss you.” He sat down next to her. “Why have you been avoiding me?”

“I haven’t… really…”

“More lies?”

“Fine, fine… I was… too ashamed to see you. I can’t show my face to my parents, even less to the others. I miss helping them with their homes, I miss helping your mother around the house. I miss seeing you… but I can’t.”

He gave her a soft, sympathetic look her. “Thank you. You didn’t have to.”

“I needed to. Though it’s hard to show myself… it is of my own doing after lying for years. I feel better. It made things clear. It was worth it… and also, Bruno, I never did properly apologize.”

“But you-“

“Just let me say this. I’m sorry for pushing you, for teasing you, for leaving you here alone. I can only now imagine what it would have been like and for that I hope you can forgive me.”

He stood up. She looked over at his offered hand and took it. He lifted her up and let go. “What you did as cruel. I couldn’t swim, thankfully it wasn’t deep. I felt embarrassed, I felt alone.” He started, letting out some resentment. But then he sighed. “But I have been given the time to forgive you, they have not. I can give you a vision to see when-“

She shook her head. “No. I’ll live through the present. I know it’ll take time if they do decide to forgive. I’ll just have to work hard to prove I’ve changed. I was just jealous that it seemed easy for you all and in reality, it isn’t all that different. You went and go through pain like us and use your gifts to try your best to help. Thank you.”

“You don’t-“

She lifted a finger. “There is more. Bruno, you are a wonderful person. I cherish our friendship and now I know for sure that while at first I reached out because of guilt… I stayed because of you.”

She lifted her palm to place on his shoulder, only to hesitate and retract it. Bruno, faster than she had ever seen him move, reached out and grabbed before it lowered, leaving their palms connected in the air. It was a tight squeeze before the grip softened. He looked to the side and chuckled, obviously as unsure as her on what to do next. She had an idea, a really tempting one, but waited for him. He deserved to lead wherever he wanted to take them.

He eventually brought their hands down a bit as his eyes lingered on her face, then slowly, he guided her towards him as he brought his other hand around her back for a gentle, but secure, and comforting hug. The girl sighed with content as she leaned into it and wrapped her hands around his back, resting her head on his shoulder. He was warm, incredibly warm.

“Thank you. I just… I feel like I am not worth being hated.” He mumbled.

“It isn’t just that, you know. I had to, no matter who it was.” She turned her head so it wasn’t facing his ear. “But you’re worth more than anything to me. I don’t deserve your kind looks and encouraging words. Your blessed forgiveness. To be so close as I am right. You are such a better human being than me.” She, after so much time of bottling in her affection, couldn’t muster up the will to hold back any more of her feelings.

“Oh, don’t say that, please. You are different now. Your laugh is pure, your true smile holds enough light that angels are jealous of it. Your growth over time is beautiful and I’m glad to have been apart of the journey. You are a magical flame I don’t ever want to go out.”

She shuddered. His words made her flutter, she felt like if she wasn’t being help onto, she would fly away. She could return the gesture, but instead she pulled away and smirked. “Well now I feel bad, I was kidding before with the unworthiness. That’s what you sound like, y’know. Feel free to keep giving me compliments though.”

A blush rose upon his face as he playfully scowled and nudged her back with his shoulder. “You’re so mean. Such a tease.” She giggled. “I’ll work on it.”

He shook his head before going still with his gaze steady on her. She didn’t dare tear her eyes away as he got closer to her, in whatever burst of confidence he mustered up. His breath tickled her lips as they hovered just over hers. His beautiful hazel eyes flicker between them and her waiting look. He then spoke, softly, “are you okay with this?”

“Y-yes. You?”

“Of course.” He candidly said, taking her by surprise. This was certainly different than what she was used to, but it wasn’t bad. Not at all. Albeit, she began to grow impatient as he still didn’t move. Maybe he wanted her to?

“Are you going to move?”

“O-oh.” She began to lean in, so close to getting what she wanted. He pulled back last second, ripping her of the contact. Her eyebrow quirked. He held a confused look mixed with a dorky smile. “What’re you doing? I meant are you okay with moving out of the way. I wanted that flower over there.”

She stepped back with a heated face as she crossed her arms, watching as he went behind her to pluck the beautiful plant a few steps away. “That is not what you meant and you know it! And you call me mean!”

Swiftly, a small peck was placed on her face before her hand was grabbed, and a flower was placed in her hair. “Sorry, cariño. I needed payback of my own.”

She crossed her arms, but couldn’t contain her gleeful smile. “Fair enough.”

#x reader #female reader #reader insert #bruno madrigal #encanto #fluff #young bruno madrigal #bruno madrigal x reader #long reads #enemies to lovers

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rhysismydaddy · 3 years

Text

Prisoner's Game Pt. 1 (Rowaelin)

Synopsis: Aelin Galathynius never thought of herself as a vengeful woman. Until her boyfriend not only testifies, but leads a case against her that lands her in prison for the rest of her life. Post I-Love-You's. He didn't believe her, and she's about to show him that not only is she innocent, he made the worst mistake of his life betting against her. To a woman with nothing but time, life's just a game, after all.

The cinderblock wall dug into her back uncomfortably as she reclined against it, the air in the room was stale, and she hadn't showered in two days. By any measurement, Aelin Galathynius was far from her best.

And yet she somehow managed to look perfectly at ease--happy even--as she lounged in her cell, toying with the ends of her too-long hair.

It was a ruse, of course, just a little trick to piss off the man currently stomping into her space. By the flare of Rowan Whitehorn's eyes, it worked.

"Hello, Rowan," she greeted pleasantly, giving him a little smile and acting like it wasn't taking everything in her not to use the makeshift knife under her pillow to gut him like the spineless coward he was.

She could tell, even across her 8x12 cell, that he was gritting his teeth and fighting a similar action.

The heel of his expensive Italian loafers clicked as he walked across the space to the small table and took a seat at the steel chair in front of it. He tried to push it out further, but stopped when he realized it was bolted to the floor.

"Aelin," he said back, none of the so-obvious anger he was feeling present in his voice. "Been a long time."

Eight years, six months, three weeks, two days, and thirteen hours.

Not that she was counting or anything.

She nodded her agreement, reclining further on the bed and crossing her legs as if she was in the finest dress she owned, not a faded orange jumpsuit.

"What brings you to my side of town, Rowan? Here to finally switch sides and represent me?"

Dressed in a two-thousand dollar suit and tie, hair perfectly gelled back, he looked like he was successful a lawyer meeting with a wealthy client, but they both knew the last thing he'd ever do was work for her.

"You know why I'm here."

She did indeed, but she still said, "I must be exceptionally smart to know why you've come all the way here-"

"Cut the shit," he snapped, finally losing a bit of his cool. He regained it quickly, though, and continued, "I want to know how you did it."

She frowned at her split ends. "Did what?"

Rowan waited until she looked at him to respond. "You know what."

Sighing so deeply it should've rattled the walls, she said, "I can't believe I've spent the last eight years thinking you underestimated my intelligence. You clearly think I'm some sort of oracle genius."

Rowan mimicked her sigh, and she bit her lip to stifle a laugh.

Probably trying to stall, he spent a moment looking at her cell, at the completely bare walls and lack of photographs. All she had was the tally marks drawn in pencil on one wall and a dusty chess set sitting on the table.

When he'd taken inventory of those two things, he sat and just looked at her.

It was clear she wouldn't admit to knowing exactly why he sat in front of her, and he was simply putting off being the one to fold.

Predictable, proud little man.

Eventually, he took his loss and said, "I want to know how you managed to rob me from inside the most secure prison in Rifthold."

She smiled, a full, undulated smile she hadn't used in a long time.

She'd been planning this moment since the day the bars had locked behind her, and it felt damn good to finally see it come to fruition.

According to what she'd heard, definitely not what she knew from personal experience, the private vault in Rowan's apartment had been broken into. Apparently, only one thing was missing: an antique dagger that had been handed down in the family and was now worth over a million bucks.

"Why do you think it was me?" she asked, still smiling.

He gritted his teeth some more, and she internally snickered at the idea he'd have permanent tooth damage because of her. Something else to remember her by.

Green eyes spitting flames at her, he growled, "You left a goddamn business card."

Aelin forced her eyes up to the empty bed above her head, trying her hardest not to laugh. "Maybe I'm being framed?"

"Your fingerprints were on it."

She did laugh then, then laughed some more when his eyes narrowed. He looked like he was about to strangle her. "Rowan, in case you haven't noticed, I'm incarcerated."

She gestured around them to her cell to prove her point.

The bastard just smiled.

Of course he knows that, she thought bitterly, forcing her hand back to her lap and away from where it'd started to creep toward the pillow.

"So how would I rob you?" she asked, getting her mind back on track.

"That's what you're going to tell me," he demanded angrily. "I want to know how you got out of here, got all the way across Rifthold, broke into my apartment, and stole from me without any surveillance camera picking it up."

Aelin ran a hand through her hair, fluffing it just right. When she caught sight of the impatience on his face, she fluffed it some more and readjusted the thin jacket on her shoulders.

It was always too damn cold in this place. She hadn't been warm in almost nine years.

Because of him.

Just for that, she fluffed her hair some more.

Then she said simply, "I didn't."

"Stop lying!" he shouted at her, eyes flashing.

She wasn't, but that was besides the point.

"Fine." She rolled her eyes like he'd won. "I got my cousin to-"

"Aedion spent the night in Wendlyn. His travel is verified, and there are at least a hundred eye witnesses that witnessed him singing karaoke all night. Stop. Fucking. Lying."

Once again, she wasn't lying.

Aedion sure as hell hadn't been in Wendlyn last night. She'd just wanted to make sure his alibi was air-tight as planned.

Sighing again, she asked, "Rowan, even if I did do it, why the hell would I tell you about it?"

His jaw worked for a moment, and she could tell whatever he was about to say was difficult for him. "I'll get time off your sentence if you tell me what you've done with it."

She tried not to laugh, but she couldn't help it.

It burst out of her, full and uncontrollable, and she flopped over on the dirty mattress and howled for a good few minutes.

He glared at her, looking for all the world like he was experiencing a portion of the rage she was made of, but regardless of the threat in his eyes, she took her time composing herself.

"I'm serving ten consecutive life sentences, you idiot."

One for each and every one of her "victims."

"I'll make it nine," he offered generously.

"Even if I was a cat, that'd still leave me dying in a prison cell. Offer me something else."

He just glared at her, unwilling to give her anything she could actually use or want. Just like she'd expected.

"That's what I thought. So no, Rowan Whitehorn, I'm not accepting your little deal. You can think I robbed you all you want; hell, you can even know, in your famous gut, that I did it." She tilted her head, a cruel smile filling her lips. "But it isn't about what you believe, it's about what you can prove. Isn't that right?"

His eyes shuttered at the words, and just like that, they were sucked into the memory of all those years ago.

~Eight years ago~

~Rowan~

Rowan rolled over, edging away from the woman next to him carefully as to not wake her.

Her hair was spread out on his chest, her soft hand was on his stomach, and her leg was draped over his. By all accounts, she was all over him.

And it felt so fucking good.

He'd never met anyone like Aelin before. Anyone so full of life, so hilariously open.

It was like she was constantly on fire, flitting from one place to the next with endless energy and jabs about him being too old and slow.

"What are you going?" she murmured, nails digging in slightly to keep him where he was.

"To get some water. Go back to sleep."

He leaned down and kissed her brow, and she sighed happily and rolled over. Like a total cliché, he watched her sleep for a moment, trying to get his feelings under control.

They'd been seeing each other for less than a year, but he couldn't imagine his life without her. He was in love with her, and if the way she acted and smiled around him was any indication, she loved him, too.

He ran a thumb over her cheekbone, smiling when she tilted her face into his touch.

He was whipped, and he didn't even care.

Rowan shook his head at himself, pulled on a pair of boxers, padded to the kitchen, and held a glass under the faucet.

Then frowned as it sputtered.

He figured he'd at least make himself useful, knowing damn well she would never agree to call the plumber when she could "figure out how to fix it herself on Youtube."

So he knelt down in her kitchen and opened the cabinet door, trying to see what the problem with the pipe was.

Except he never got that far.

His eyes got stuck on the piece of paper sticking out under a false piece of wood covering the back panel.

Knowing it was wrong to pry but somehow unable to stop himself, he tugged the paper loose.

Then fell backwards to his ass, heart hammering and brain spinning as he read it over and over again.

The list of names wasn't long, but all ten of the people on it were highly distinguished members of society.

And they were all dead.

He wouldn't know that, since the death of the last person on the list wasn't even public record yet, but he was the attorney working with the police to find the killer.

Why did she have this list?

And what did the numbers next to the names mean?

One way or another, he knew he had to find out. He also knew he couldn't ask her. He was in too deep, too unbiased to know whether or not she was lying.

He didn't trust himself with her, so he'd have to go the traditional route.

He took a picture of the paper quickly, tucking it back where he'd found it. He snuck back in the room to get dressed, leaving her a note he had to go to work.

He thought he was going to be sick as he left her apartment, a feeling suspiciously similar to dread coiling in his stomach.

There was only one way she could know that last name, only one explanation that made sense.

But he had to know for sure. Had to know if he'd been an idiot this past year; an idiot who'd spent almost every night sleeping next to the killer he'd been searching for.

So he started investigating his girlfriend.

Six days later, he found the security deposit boxes and the murder weapons inside, still covered in dried blood that would be matched to the victims. All with Aelin's prints on them.

Two days after that, the woman he'd thought was the love of his life was arrested on ten counts of murder.

Despite the tears she shed, despite the promises she made to him, despite the love she claimed to have for him, Rowan told the cops everything.

Even though he couldn't imagine her killing anyone.

"It doesn't matter what I believe, it matters what I can prove."

That was the last thing he'd said to her, right as she was being dragged out of the court room and yelling at him to believe her.

The truth of the matter was that when it came down to it, he didn't trust her enough. The facts were against her, everyone on the jury had been against her, and in the end, Rowan was too.

~Present~

~Aelin~

Rowan shook his head, almost like he needed to clear it from the memory they'd obviously both been immersed in, and she smiled.

She hoped what happened all those years ago still haunted him, hoped he went to sleep at night thinking about her and the betrayal he'd served to her on a silver platter.

The first year of her sentence, she was so lost in emotion--in the rage and confusion and deep, deep hurt--that she couldn't bring herself to do anything.

He hadn't even bothered to ask her first. That's what had hurt the worst.

He'd seen that stupid, stupid list and had jumped to the first conclusion possible.

She knew it had looked bad, had looked like she was guilty, but she'd thought that if the worst happened, he'd at least ask her to explain before slapping the cuffs on her.

But he hadn't. She'd gone to prison, and his career had exploded into stardom from the success of the case.

"See, Rowan, when you refused to accept any other explanation other than the easy one, you made a mistake. Because I didn't kill those people."

He rolled his eyes. "Aelin-"

"And I'm not only going to prove it," she continued as if he hadn't spoken, "I'm going to ruin your precious little life while I do it. Just like you did mine."

She stood, put a hand on the steel table, and leaned over him.

"If you want it to stop, all you have to do is drop these bullshit murder charges and issue a public apology for locking me up in the first place."

He stood too, so close his loafers brushed the toe of her dusty, prison issued sneakers.

"That's never going to happen," he promised, voice uncompromising and angry.

Aelin smiled, having predicted his reaction down to the facial expression.

His pride, she'd decided, would be the first thing to go.

She reached around him to slide the pawn on the chess board forward, leaned in even further, and whispered, "Let the game begin, then."

~~~~~~~~~~

Part 2

@perseusannabeth @cursebreaker29 @a-bit-of-a-cactus @elriel4life @girl-who-reads-the-books @aelinfeyreeleven945tbln @live-the-fangirl-life @ireallyshouldsleeprn @highqueenofelfhame @gracie-rosee @rowaelinismyotp @nahthanks @ghostlyrose2 @lovemollywho @inardour @tillyrubes10 @claralady @tswaney17 @rowanisahunk @superspiritfestival @thegoddessofyou @awesomelena555 @booksofthemoon @greerlunna @jlinez @studyliketate @over300books @justgiu12 @maastrash @aesthetics-11 @bamchickawowow @b00kworm @sleeping-and-books @musicmaam @hizqueen4life @maybekindasortaace

#rowaelin #rowaelin fanfiction #rowan #rowan whitehorn #rowan x aelin #aelin galythinius #throne of glass #throne of glass fanfiction

232 notes · View notes

badboyjuyeon · 3 years

Text

the set up

Pairing: Sunwoo x Reader

Genre: Fluff

Word Count: 2.6k

Summary: Changmin tricks you and Sunwoo into going on a date.

“So what do you think?” Changmin asked while you sat down at the table, both coffees in hand.

“Let me get this straight,” you tried to recall everything he told you on the way to the cafe, “you showed a picture of me to your friend, he thought I was cute, and now he wants to go on a date with me?” You raised an eyebrow, wondering what got in Changmin’s head to set you up with someone so suddenly, though this wasn’t completely unexpected from him.

Changmin was your best friend since you sat next to each other in kindergarten and he has been trying to set you up with someone ever since. You can thank Changmin for setting you up with your first boyfriend Sangyeon, who broke up with you after a week because you stepped on his favorite crayon. Of course, Changmin only set you up with Sangyeon so he could sit next to Younghoon, who was his crush at the time.

“Both of you are single and he’s a great guy, super hot. Trust me, he’s one of my closest friends,” he tried to convince you. “Are you down?” He eagerly waited for your response as you took a sip from your coffee.

You didn’t see a reason to deny it, it’s not like you were seeing anyone at the moment, or have seen anyone for a while. Not to mention Changmin’s approval was hard to get, he disapproved of all your previous boyfriends. His judgment always turned out to be right because they all ended up breaking your heart. Your failed relationships stopped you from wanting to get out there but that never stopped Changmin from trying.

At the same time, you felt flattered that this friend of his thought you were attractive enough to want to go on a date. You’d be lying if you said that didn’t boost your ego.

But you still didn’t know anything about him. Or if he’s even your type. If you’re going to get played by a guy, you’d rather be played by a hot guy.

“Does this friend have a name, and what does he look like?” You tried to ask Changmin nonchalantly, though you couldn’t help but start to feel a little curious.

Changmin excitedly let out a squeal and pulled up a picture from his Instagram. “YAY! I’ll take that as a yes. His name is Sunwoo and he’s the same age as you. I met him at dance camp.”

He waved his phone in front of your face and you snatched it out of his hand to get a better look.

“SEE, isn’t he hot?” Changmin smirked because he already knew your answer.

To say he was hot was an understatement. He had a sharp jawline, full lips, and beautiful honey skin. You knew that Changmin had hot friends but you didn’t know that they were this hot. You still couldn’t believe that he wanted to go on a date with you. He seemed like someone out of your league, you never would have had the courage to talk to him first.

“And why did you show him a pic of me?” You asked, suddenly checking your Instagram feed to see the possible pictures that Changmin could have shown Sunwoo. Your last post could have been better.

Changmin sighed and pushed you off the booth to hide his panic because he didn’t know how to answer you. “So many questions. Just go get ready and I’ll text you the address.”

“WHAT? It’s today? You didn’t think to tell me that it’s today? That is not enough time.” You racked your brain trying to figure out possible outfits and whether you should shave your legs.

“Bye, go get ready!” Changmin nearly kicked you out of the cafe. While you made your way to your house to get ready, Changmin made his way to Sunwoo’s house.

“And why are you here?” Sunwoo asked upon opening his door.

Changmin pouted. “Can’t a normal guy just miss his best friend?”

“Sure, a normal guy can, but you aren’t normal. You didn’t even think to bring your best friend a cup of coffee.” Sunwoo playfully scowled, before moving aside to let Changmin in.

Ordinarily, Changmin would have brought another cup of coffee for Sunwoo, but it completely slipped his mind as he was busy convincing you to agree to the date.

“I brought you something better than coffee.” Changmin paused, waiting for Sunwoo’s reaction. But no reaction came as Sunwoo turned to walk back to his room.

“Can you guess what I brought you?” The older boy asked as he followed the younger one to his room.

Sunwoo turned to look at Changmin and pretended to think. “No.”

“Pretty please can you guess?”

“No.”

“Guess or I’ll leave with my better-than-coffee gift.” Changmin attempted to threaten him.

“If this is your dumb Chucky doll, then I told you already that I don’t want it. Give it to Chanhee or someone else.” Sunwoo doesn’t miss the slight blush that appeared on Changmin’s cheeks upon mentioning Chanhee.

Changmin dramatically gasps. “First of all, my Chucky doll is not DUMB, it is CUTE. Second of all, I already tried to ask Chanhee but he doesn’t want it, but that’s beside the point. No, it is not my Chucky doll, you wish it was. Guess correctly or I’m leaving.”

Sunwoo questioned whether Changmin really was the older one. “Well, you know the exit.”

“Okay fine, I’ll just tell you.” Changmin rolled his eyes at how uncooperative Sunwoo was.

“I showed my friend a picture of you and she thought you were hot. She said she wants to go on a date with you.” Changmin repeated the same story that he told you.

“She wants to go on a date with me?” Sunwoo repeated with a look of uncertainty. Changmin took a sip of his now cold coffee from when he met up with you just earlier before nodding. He pulled up a picture of you from your Instagram and gave Sunwoo his phone.

Sunwoo stared down in shock. “You’re not just messing with me?”

Changmin shook his head. “No, she’s totally into you. She’s super cool, source: trust me bro.”

Part of Sunwoo thought that Changmin was pranking him somehow. You seemed like the type of person that Sunwoo would have a one-sided crush on. He would only dream of asking you out. The other part of him considered whether he should believe Changmin. You seemed like a cool person and Sunwoo wanted to get to know you. There was also no added fear of rejection since you did ask him out first.

“Say yes or I’ll introduce her to Juyeon or Haknyeon,” Changmin added, knowing that Sunwoo wouldn’t want to pass up this opportunity.

“Okay fine, when is the date?” Sunwoo walked over to his closet to begin planning what he would wear. He held up two shirts to get Changmin’s approval.

“In a couple of hours, and the white shirt looks better with your blazer,” Changmin replied quickly.

Sunwoo stared at Changmin in shock. “A couple of HOURS? Did you mean a couple of days?”

“Nope, it’s at eight today. Get ready pretty boy.” Changmin smiled mischievously, before heading towards the door to avoid Sunwoo’s inevitable breakdown.

As soon as Changmin was in his car, he let out another excited squeal. His plan had worked! Changmin told you that Sunwoo asked you on a date and he told Sunwoo that you asked him out on a date. He did this so both of you would end up going on the date feeling cocky, each person would think that the other person liked them more.

Changmin was friends with both you and Sunwoo, though you two never met because you were in two different friend groups. Changmin couldn’t help but think that you two would be perfect together. He decided he wanted to play matchmaker because you two were hopelessly indecisive and would never make the first move. You both overthought every detail, you felt insecure because your past relationships were rocky and Sunwoo felt insecure because of his fear of rejection. That is why he composed a plan to get you both on the date feeling confident. You two wouldn’t have to worry about whether the other person liked the other, as you’ve both done on previous dates, and would just get to know each other. His plan was quite perfect if he did say so himself.

You waited outside the doors of the fancy restaurant that Changmin had made reservations for. You took out your phone to check your makeup and hair one more time. You took a deep breath and walked up to the waiter. You told him your name and waited for him to look you up in the system.

“Party of two? The first party has already arrived. I will lead you to your table.” You felt your heart pick up its pace knowing that Sunwoo was already there waiting for you.

As you made your way through the restaurant, you saw him first. He was already gorgeous on Instagram, but he looked 10 times better in person. You appreciated a man that could dress and accessorize. Sunwoo looked up from his phone and locked eyes with you. His eyes were so pretty, you swore you could see sparkles in them. You didn’t know why you felt more nervous in front of him. He got up from his seat to take out your chair.

“Oh, you didn’t need to.” You said while sitting down, but you couldn’t help but smile. How is he that fine AND respectful?

Sunwoo walked back to his seat. “But I wanted to.”

Changmin should’ve given you a warning, you don’t think you could survive a whole date with him.

A waiter approached your table. “Hello, I’m Kevin Moon and I will be your waiter for the evening. Take a look at the menu and I’ll come back in a few minutes to take your order.”

You and Sunwoo both nodded at Kevin and he left you two alone.

“Since we haven’t formally met, I guess I’ll introduce myself. Hi, I’m (y,n).” You struggle to get words out because of how nervous you are.

“Hi, I’m Sunwoo, it's nice to finally meet you. Changmin has told me so much about you.” Sunwoo brushed the hair out of his eyes, a nervous habit of his.

“Only good things I hope.” You responded, taking a sip of your water.

“Yeah, I was a little offended when he called you his best friend. I thought I was his best friend with how much he bothers me.” Sunwoo joked.

“Technically we’re bestie-in-laws. But you can keep him if you want. He’s always up to something.” He laughed at your response and you knew that you wanted to hear that laugh more often.

“Should we order?” You asked, remembering the menus in front of you. He nodded and you both took the time to figure out what you wanted. Kevin returned once again to take your orders and left just as quickly as he came.

With your conversation interrupted, you both tried to come up with something to talk about.

Sunwoo bit back a smile when he remembered that Changmin told him that you liked him enough to want to go on a date with him. Remembering this, he felt less nervous. He usually felt nervous during dates because he tried super hard to impress the other person, but he felt less of a pressure to do this. Instead of creating a fake personality, he decided he wanted to just be himself.

You both made small talk and found out that you shared similar hobbies. Sunwoo was so charming and you found yourself wanting to know more about him. It was easy to hold a conversation and you forgot about how nervous you were. The wait for the food didn’t even feel long because of how well you two were hitting it off.

“Did Changmin tell you anything about me?” He decided to ask.

“I heard that you met him in dance camp. You like dancing?” You said in between bites.

“I honestly joined because Changmin didn’t want to go there alone. But I’m not too bad myself.” Sunwoo admitted.

“That does sound like Changmin. He always ends up somehow convincing me to watch scary movies with him.”

“Changmin is always scheming. I wouldn’t be surprised if this date was a part of an elaborate plan.” Sunwoo rolled his eyes as he thought of all the questionable things Changmin had made him do. “That's why I thought he was pranking me when he said you liked me first.”

“He said I liked you first?” You raised your eyebrow. “He told me that you liked me first.”

Sunwoo tilted his head quizzically. “Something is not adding up.”

“Maybe you’re onto something about Changmin always scheming.” You put down your fork. “Now that I think about it, Changmin has been acting weird lately. Has he told you anything?”

Sunwoo stopped to think about Changmin’s recent behavior. “No, I just know that he’s been hanging out with Chanhee a lot recently.”

“Changmin always does find a way to talk about Chanhee.” You thought back to your last few conversations with him.

Sunwoo’s eyes suddenly widened as he pieced certain information together.

“Wait, do you know something?” You asked him.

“I think I do, but I can’t say for sure.”

“I’m 100% sure that Changmin set us up for a reason. I wouldn’t have questioned it as much if he set me up with a stranger, but a close friend is a bit suspicious. And now of all times? Should we put our heads together?”

“Ok.” Sunwoo agreed to your collaboration. “What do you know?”

“Well, I know that Changmin blushes whenever Chanhee is around so…” You trailed off.

You didn’t have to finish your sentence because Sunwoo already knew what you were insinuating. “Oh my god, that's what I was going to say too.”

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

“Are you thinking that Changmin set us up just so he can have a double date with Chanhee?” Sunwoo asked to confirm whether you both came to the same conclusion.

“That's exactly what I was thinking.”

You two burst out laughing.

“By the way,” he paused to look you in the eyes, “what exactly did Changmin say to get you to agree to go on this date?”

“He told me he showed you a picture of me and that you thought I was cute and that you wanted to go on a date with me.” You recited what Changmin told you.

His jaw dropped. “No way, he told me the same thing word for word.”

“So did you agree to this blind date because you thought I was hot or because you thought I liked you?” You decided to be bold.

“Um, maybe both?” He felt his cheeks turn hot. You were sure that your cheeks also supported the same shade of pink as his.

“Well, we have to get Changmin back. How about we plan the double date but end up ditching them so he has to deal with it alone?” You proposed. “Give him a taste of his own medicine?”

“You’re evil.” Sunwoo pretended to be taken aback. “But I am too so I love that idea.”

“Maybe we can ditch them and hang out together?” Sunwoo suggested.

“Only if it's another date.” You didn’t know where this newfound confidence came from, but you promised to thank Changmin for setting you up with such a great guy.

“It's a date.” He winked.

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