#; he only pretends but in this verse he's VERY VERY happy to take the lead and just ... it's REFRESHING

[distopea]

to 50s Mads: ❛ how can you be this cheery already? we haven’t even had breakfast. ❜

@nezumivc103221

from a meme I don't recall at all 🖤

He had just given a gentle tap on Nezumi’s shoulder, with the hand of a mug full of coffee, while the sun was barely out. He had been awakened for a generous amount of time, perhaps hiding his bad sleeping habits under a new form of excitement. Well, at least Mads had the excuse of his cheerful attitude regarding plans he had prepared without informing Nezumi. He knew that he felt quite trapped in this apartment, and he had the sensation that the two of them needed some fresh air. 

“I’m only luring you out of bed with coffee.” He smiled, watching with delight the way Nezumi was fighting with all his heart to ever open his eyes, grumpy as usual whenever he didn’t have his beauty sleep. “I promise that I’m not waking you up only for a cup of coffee, even if… Well, you’re depriving yourself from spending time in my humble company.” Oh, was he slightly joking now? Surely it had intrigued the young strongly enough, because Mads could see the pale color of his gray eyes peeking under the pillow and blanket.

Mads put the cup of coffee onto the night table, before his hand moved to the inner pocket of his jacket. He grabbed two tickets he had bought from a travel agency a few days ago, when he had pretended that he had been kept at work for a late meeting. The travel agent had been bragging about his low discounts regarding a lovely hotel near the ocean, and not too far from the exposition Mads had been eyeing for a while. 

“How have you ever felt about Seattle?” He eventually asked, and observed Nezumi with a smile. He clipped his fingers under his chin, his other hand fondling the long hair of his lover. “I might have booked a room for us, along with tickets for the next Gauguin exposition from the Seattle Art Museum.” He placed the tickets right next to the coffee cup and stood back up.

“Also, you might consider picking something from the closet. Didn’t you tell me, one day, that a man should properly treat his fiancée so everyone would believe in their love story?” He moved back to Nezumi and squatted in front of the bed. “Well surely, my darling, I can't wait for you to make the police chief's wife very jealous of our little getaway out of town during our next brunch with them.” 

[dejablonde]

So I had to write a personal narrative for composition class. I wrote about post-ritual depression leading to a career change, and I thought ghumblr might enjoy. It's only 763 words (after padding it out with some extra academic phrasing) but I don't want to clog your feeds too much so it's below the cut.

"Have you ever like something so much that it rewired your brain?"

            Have you ever liked something so much that it rewired your brain? I can’t pinpoint exactly when I first heard the band called “Ghost,” but it was most likely sometime in 2022. I think the first video (from whichever of the dozen algorithms we get our content from today) pushed to my feed was their performance on Jimmy Kimmel, where they played their song Call Me Little Sunshine. I was taken aback by their theatrical look and sound. I listened to a few more songs, became a casual listener, and even bought their latest album when I came across it at Josey Records. What I can pinpoint, however, is the day I turned feral: April 9, 2023, Easter Sunday.

            Being only a casual listener still, I was curious as to what was going on when I saw that Ghost was trending on Tumblr. As I scrolled through the tag, it became more and more clear that, not only had they had dropped new music, but a new music video to match, almost entirely without warning: a cover of Phil Collins’ Jesus He Knows Me. Of course, I had to listen. From the driving intro into the first verse, to the poppy chorus, to the lyrics addressing hypocrisy from the church and its leaders, it was almost like twenty-eight years of religious trauma were healed in four minutes and five seconds, as if it were that easy. I wasn’t cured, but they certainly made a dent. I listened to it on repeat and branched into the rest of their discography.  After two weeks, I finally caved and bought myself a pit ticket to their upcoming Dallas tour date.

            When the day finally came, five months later, I could barely contain myself. I felt if I could leap hard enough, I would jump right out of my skin. I had taken advantage of the fact that I had the previous day off from work and pretended that I was taking a small trip for Labor Day. This allowed me the day off for the concert. My employers already think I’m strange enough; I didn’t see any need to make it worse by asking for time off to line up for a concert by a Satanic rock band hours early on a Tuesday. Despite the 103-degree weather that day, I made it to the general admission line around noon. I chatted with my new line buddies over the next several hours about the band, how we got into them, and a little bit about our lives in general over the water that the venue security provided. For the first time in a while, I was surrounded by people like me.

            They say that concerts can be a religious experience. I’m not sure I agree, but they’re not exactly wrong. It really is overwhelming, or at least can be. Many aspects are similar, if not the same. Between the community and camaraderie with your fellow “congregants” and the feeling of the music all the way down to your bones, there’s certainly something that happens internally. This concert (or ritual, as Ghost fans lovingly call them) was no exception. After all, when you’re a stone’s throw away from your obsession, bathed in light and confetti, you can’t help but feel a little changed.

            Post-concert depression is a very real and powerful force. It’s even stronger when you come back to work after finally feeling happy and rested only to be met with snideness not even fifteen minutes into the day. I was already dealing with years of declining morale. I wanted to be happy again, like I was the night before. I started looking at job postings immediately. I nearly got one in the same field but interviewed poorly. Eventually, I decided to make up for lost time and try to make a move into what my high-school-aged-self wanted. Or at least something close. Unfortunately, even though apprenticeship-type situations are common in the music industry, it’s very hard to break in without any kind of provable experience. I looked into some recording technology schools but didn’t really feel the need to go into debt on a loan for them. I was about to lose hope, but then I had a lightbulb moment and found that Dallas College has a program for Recording Technology. My application and registration were late in the game, but I was able to squeeze in before the start of this semester. Now, I’m finally doing something I want to do, and it’s all thanks to a funky little Swede in black and white makeup.

[phinkslave]

Hi, since you said you're down to write some Kakanaru stuff here's my idea and plots. Obviously you can just write the stuff you're comfortable with writing about.

AU: modern (Top possessive Kakashi x bottom golden retriever innocent Naruto). Kakashi-centric/ Kakashi POV

Pairing: Kakashi(35 yrs old)/ Naruto(aged up-20 years old), Shikamaru/ Temari (mentioned), Obito/Rin (mentioned, married and have kids), etc.

Tags (i guess?): smutty, angst with fluff happy ending

Rating: Explicit (D/S undertones. Pet names/Praise kink)

Background: Kakashi is a detective and Naruto is a college student (occupation is mentioned for details). They met at a chess club that Shikamaru dragged Naruto to (they're besties) and Kakashi over heard Naruto complaning about getting rejected by Sakura, but somehow the fact Naruto's bi slips (just to introduce that he likes dudes) during the convo and Kakashi took interests in Naru because he likes how Naru looks, and the fact that he could potentially pursue Naru due to the fact that he likes guys. After that he kept going back to the chess club to stalk on Naru, then eventually pretends to bump into Naruto and the rest is history.

Plot: Kashi gets to know Naru more and meet up outside of chess club, and he started tutoring Naru on some of the subjects Naru gets stuck on at uni, only to discover that Naru is pretty smart but just doesn't care much about his future. He only acts silly because he's a golden retriever but ppl think he stupid. (kakashi also discovers that Naru is rich because he inherited a big company from his dead parents) - Iruka takes care of the company until Naru is good enough to be CEO (which he technically is because he's 20).

On Naru part - Naru gets rejected by Sakura and she's kind of a toxic girl because not only does she take advantage of Naruto but she also leads Naru on whenever she misses her crush (Sasuke- who is Naruto's close friend, they're on good terms in this one). Sasuke is in the friend group (sasuke, neji, choji, ino, Hinata, shikamaru, shino, etc - except Sakura cus she toxic) . And Naru would submit to Sakura's asks like taking her to places and get her stuff to please her. Which Shikamaru would disapprove of and he'd try to protect Naru.

Kakashi has commitment issues and even tho he took interests first in Naruto but he didn't want to commit because he failed multiple relationships in the past due to his nonchalant nature. Which is where the angst comes from because Naru would get mixed signals from Kashi.

Naru desperately wants to date Kashi but to Kashi Naru is just a FWB, but Kashi wants to keep Naru on a hook because he's also obsessed with Naruto and wants to keep Naru to himself. But he's a hypocrite because he's very protective of Naruto and would mock/ uses sarcasm towards Sakura when he smells her taking advantage of Naruto, or anyone who takes interests in Naru.

Naru is a golden retriever and a people pleaser so he kept thinking Kakashi doesn't commit to him because he's not good enough for him. Naru always thinks there's something wrong with him because he's insecure and doesn't think he's good enough.

Also Hinata has a crush on Naruto but only Kakashi notices it and because he's possessive he would get super jealous.

The story goes on about Naru pleasing Kashi by doing whatever Kashi says but never asks anything back. It's angsty until Kashi notices he's been selfish (unintentionally - because Kashi is pretty sweet, just easily jealous/possesive) and he also realized he fell in love with Naruto. Kashi couldn't handle his feelings so he avoided Naru for a while. But eventually Kashi confesses his feelings with Naruto after Shika came to Kashi and confronted him.

In this verse Obito and Rin are Kashi's best friends growing up. His past relationships are described as him just not caring about the other person and a workaholic/nonchalant and unexpressive. Obito is the one who has to keep dragging Kashi out of work. Yamato is Kashi's coworker for more background information.

Physical Description: pretty much like the show where whiskered blondie Naruto is muscular and stronk and Kakashi is also as ripped. Only difference is Naru has slightly longer hair and wears glasses cus he looks hot with it haha.

Explicit stuff: Half a Virgin Naruto (he got a bj at some point by a girl when he was younger but that's it). Kakashi is dommy and he took Naruto's virginity. Naruto has never dated or been with anyone before.

Kakashi discovers that Naruto has a thing for praises and pet names (baby, good boy). Naru calls Kashi "sensei" in the bedroom sometimes when he slips up and Kashi's feral with it. (Basically theme 1,4,5,6,12,14 in your list on how the sex goes)

P/S: I'm sorry it got too long (I got specific cus I never do such a request so I'm just trying to not be vague about it). I don't know if too specific requests/ description bothers writer so if it does I'm sorry :(( Thanks for reading till the end!

The Chess Club Encounter

okay, i’m ngl this was soo fun to write but also so far the hardest thing ever. i genuinely hope you like this cuz it was a lot to take in and i just hope i did it up to your standards or up to at least something you expected. I wasn’t comfortable writing the smut part for kakashi and naruto but i implied it at the end so i hope you enjoy. 💞

Warnings: language, implied smut, talk about oral sex, angst, happy ending

BRO THIS WAS SO HARD???????????? LIKE I KNOW I DIDNT EVEN DO IT RIGHT AND IM SO SORRY I TRULY DIDNT WANNA LET YOU DOWN.

Kakashi Hatake. He was leaning against the doorway of Konoha universities chess club, his sharp eye observing the room. He was watching the chess match, but to be honest to himself, that wasn’t the reason he was there. What had really brought him here was a golden-haired, blue-eyed young man who had caught his interest.

__________________________________________

Naruto didn’t know how he found himself to be in a classroom, playing chess with shikimaru. His fellow college student dragging him to the club. They sat across from each other, having some idle talk. Kakashi strained to listen, catching snippets of the conversation. At some points they were talking about chakra, when all of a sudden Naruto spoke up, and with his next sentence his expression being a little gloomy.

A loud sigh left naruto as he began, “Bro, she really rejected me again,” Naruto looking dejected. “I really thought that maybe this time…it’d be somewhat different ya know.”

Shikamaru rolled his eyes. “Sakura’s not worth it, Naruto. I don’t know why your so stuck on her. She’s genuinely such a drag. I don’t get why you keep trying. Go for a girl with some decency, like hinata for example.”

Naruto’s face flushed. “I know, but it’s hard, you know? I mean, I like girls and guys, so if we talk about it in that sense, i could have anyone….. but…even so. ”

__________________________________________

Kakashi’s interest piqued. Naruto was bi? since when? for how long? Kakashis mind was racing. His hope just grew ten times. Maybe he did have a chance. This information was pretty new to kakashi. Nevertheless he was hopeful. He continued to frequent the chess club, watching from afar. Using his detective skills to always listen in on his conversations without actually having to approach the two boys. Constantly trying to find the right moment to approach Naruto.

__________________________________________

After a few weeks have gone by of kakashi finding out about naruto’s sexuality. He decided it was time to make his move. He would really weird himself out if he continued to just stalk the young man. Using the weeks he calculated naruto as thoroughly as he could using his detective skills. Knowing the little details like how on tuesdays he leaves at 6pm and how thursdays he doesn’t show up. Though, on friday, he planned to exit the same time naruto did. Planning to ‘accidentally’ run into him as they both left the clubs classroom.

__________________________________________

“Sorry about that,” Kakashi said, his tone casual yet calculated, giving the back of his head a scratch with a closed eye smile. “Naruto? I’m surprised to see you out here.”

Naruto blinked up at him, “surprised? i’m not a dumb kid anymore sensei! … Also just because i’m in the chess club, it doesn’t make me smart.” He crossed his arms, gruffly finishing his sentence.

Kakashi chuckled. “Easy Uzumaki. I’m just joking. Though, how have you been, it’s been so long. I like the long hair for a change.”

They started talking, finding common ground easily. Kakashi did used to be his sensei, he knew naruto’s interests. making it easy for him to keep a conversation going. Though it has been a while, kakashi was happy to have learned about his university subjects.

__________________________________________

“Yeah so my chakra control class. Sometimes kurama can be annoying and it’s hard to not flip out ya know. Sauske has been tryna help, but he just can’t explain right sometime.”

Kakashi had to take his chance.

“If you’d like Naruto, i could help you train.” It was risky, as it’s been so long but why would he say no?

“hm? Really kakashi sensei? I don’t wanna be a bot-“

“No no, not at all, really I insist.

“Alright then!”

__________________________________________

Ever since that one interaction, Kakashi and Naruto’s meetings became more frequent, ranging from not only meeting at the chess club, but also universities training grounds, library and even the local ichiraku ramen spots, sometimes not even to study. It would just be a hangout or even just to have dinner together. Kakashi tutored Naruto in various subjects, noticing that Naruto is much smarter then he’s been given credit for. He had the potential of a genius, he just lacked due to laziness.

“You’re actually pretty brilliant, Naruto,” Kakashi said during one of their sessions. “Why don’t you try like this often? If i’m being honest, you dont even need my help.”

Naruto shrugged. “I don’t know…guess I just don’t see the point sometimes. Everyone looks at me, they all expect me to take over the company mom and dad left behind. Though to be completely honest with you sensei…I don’t know if that’s what i want yet.”

Kakashi was intrigued. Sure a company could be a lot of work, but the pay would be great. Not only that, it’s way better compared to any little lousy job the village provides. Naruto was quite wealthy nonetheless, Iruka managing the company until Naruto was ready, constantly making sure Naruto still gets his share of money to be able to stabilize his life. This just made kakashi yearn for naruto’s love more. Showing how great naruto is. He doesn’t care about money or things like that, he just wants himself to be happy with who he ends up being.

__________________________________________

Kakashi is a patient person. Not only that, but it also takes a lot to get under his skin. One simple thing that makes his blood boil….Saukra. Naruto’s interactions with Sakura frustrated Kakashi. Saukra was a toxic girl. It was so clear to everyone as well, so why was Naruto so blinded?? Using Naruto whenever it suited only her. He has never seen someone as selfish as her. Well, sure he has as he’s gone against mainly evil people, but at least they openly admit to their wrong actions. Sakura acts like a little oblivious girl to naruto whenever she is in need. Constantly leading him on, giving him false home, asking for money. Kakashi would catch himself constantly overhearing her making demands, demands that Naruto would always be quick to comply with. Much to Shikamaru’s disapproval.

__________________________________________

Kakashi and Naruto were getting ready to leave a quick study session. They were walking in silence, but it wasn’t an awkward silence. It was somewhat a comforting one. Kakashi couldn’t hold back his thoughts. His mind still stuck on the way Naruto lets sakura treat him. He knows he’s smarter than that, he knows that naruto knows he’s being used. “You know, Naruto, you deserve better than how she treats you.”

Naruto looked down. “What are you talkin about?”

“Why do you constantly feel the need to keep her happy? You know deep down how bad of a person she is.”

Naruto made a frustrated expression, “Kakashi sensei, with all due respect, i want to hit you for what you just said…..but I know. I know what she’s doing, she thinks she’s slick. All I just want is to make sure she’s her happy….if she’s happy, then that’s all that matters.”

Kakashi was taken back just a bit by his sudden threat, but he ignored it. “It’s not your job to please everyone, Naruto,” Kakashi said, his tone softening, giving a light chuckle, “Sure you can write literally save the entire world, but when it comes to happiness, not everyone can be happy. Keep her happy, i’m not saying don’t, but not at the cost of your own happiness.”

naruto squinted his eyes at kakashi, arms resting on the top of his head. “Geez kakashi you really are such a mentor.”

_________________________________________________

Despite kakashi being glad at his growing closeness to naruto, he felt like he struggled with his own issues. Issues like commitment. He generally likes Naruto, more than he cared to admit, but that wouldn’t be fair to all his past relationships. All of them failing due to his nonchalant nature. He couldn’t help but sometimes be so emotionless. Even though he felt different with Naruto, he didn’t want to hurt Naruto. He didn’t want to risk losing any ounce of friendship he’s worked so hard to have made.

__________________________________________

“Kakashi sensei!” Naruto bumped into kakashi at the little convenient store by the training grounds. Kakashi has avoided all last 3 study sessions and without giving naruto anything more of a ‘i’m busy’.

“oh, Naruto. Hello.”

“What’s up! where have you beeen. I need you, my grades gone down 2 percent.”

kakashi gave a light chuckle, “Naruto even during our study sessions, it would mainly be you, you got this.” As he attempted to walk away.

“wait,” naruto grabbed his wrist, clearly causing kakashi to be flustered, “when is our next session?”

“i’m sorry naruto i have to go,” gently pulling his wrist away and rushing out of the shop.

__________________________________________

Even though kakashi was staying distant. He still couldn’t deny the possessive streak that emerged whenever someone else showed interest in him. Even as quiet as Hinata’s crush on Naruto, it only fueled Kakashi’s jealousy, and his protectiveness over Naruto became more apparent. Kakashi was resting in the detective joint apartments with yamato.

“kakashi senpai, i’ve seen the changes that you had when you were with naruto. You were more alive and happy. i worry for your mental health, all you do is just stay in bed now.” Yamato said with his blank expression.

“Yamato. Please i’m fine.” Kakashi said with a sigh.

__________________________________________

Shikamaru confronted Kakashi.

“You’re hurting him, you know. Naruto’s done nothing but try to make you happy, and you keep pushing him away. You love bombed him. and if i’m being honest, thats worst then anything sakura has ever done. You gave naruto genuine hope.” Evident annoyance in shikimarus face.

“stay out of it shikimaru.”

“why should I? your hurting my bestfriend, im not gonna sit back and watch.” he said, lighting a cigarette. “Naruto nonstop talks about you, excited, only thing he has was your guys’ lil sessions and now, you won’t even give him homework help? pathetic.”

Kakashi was forced to face his feelings. Realizing how unfair he’d been, “shikimaru, will you help me.”

__________________________________________

For a little while longer Kakashi avoided Naruto, struggling with his feelings. But eventually, he couldn’t stay away any longer. With shikimarus help, he found his way outside of naruto’s dorm. Knocking on the door.

Naruto opened the door with a blank face, “kakashi? what are you doing here?”

the first thing that popped in kakashis head was to why naruto didn’t call him sensei? “Naruto, that’s kinda disrespectful, you should keep calling me sensei…you gonna let me in?” He said with a closed eye smile and a bead of sweat on his forehead.

“oh i just assumed you weren’t my sensei anymore as we didn’t have anymore study sessions? forgive me sensei! come in i guess….” moving out the way to let the older man in.

“I’m sorry, Naruto,” Kakashi said, his voice sincere. He just approached and said it. He didn’t know how else to do it. He thought it would be better to just let it out. “I’ve been so. so. so. selfish. I do care about you, more than I’ve let on. Shikimaru told me. he told me how you developed feelings for me…it’s just….I just didn’t know how to handle it….if i’m being honest…i just didn’t want to hurt you. For your happiness truly is better than my own.”

Naruto looked at the silver haired man, evident happiness in his face, “Sensei a simple ‘i like you’ would have sufficed ya know,” as he laughed so hard, he gripped his stomach.

Kakashi rolled his eyes. “Hey, i just poured my heart out, do you like me back or not!”

Naruto’s smiled. “Of course I do, you idiot.”

Kakashi pulled him into a hug, looking into his eyes, “…..Can i?…”, his lips inches from naruto’s.

“Please kakashi….i want you..”

“Call me sensei…”.

__________________________________________

[sombersummerskies]

A Champion's Love: Chapter 17

Chapter 17: Trails End Word Count: 4011 CW: Blood

Want all the chapters? -> Masterlist

~~~ <> ~~~

“So, I surveyed the land today in an effort to both keep myself busy and plan for the next trial. Past the eastern exit of the palace is Mikau Lake, this is where the glowing point shows up on the slate’s map,” Zelda explained to you, “at the base of the lake is a glowing blue ring, similar to the one you described for the first trial. I can only assume that this reflects the final verse in Kass’ song ‘chase rings of the waterfall’. Above Mikau Lake is a series of small and large waterfalls which end at a small cliff below the very top of Ploymus Mountain.”

You were listening intently to the princess as she spoke. Your meeting with the king had been adjourned and he’d been happy to approve of your trip to the next trial point upon seeing that you were indeed healthy and properly healed. Now you were sitting on the steps leading up to the throne room, looking down at the map of Zora’s Domain as she pointed out each spot.

“Brilliant. Shall we head out now?” the prince asks.

He was standing a few steps behind you, and while you couldn’t see him, you could practically feel his presence.

Zelda nods as she hands the Sheikah Slate over to you for safekeeping, “I don’t see why not. We’ve got plenty of daylight left, and it wouldn’t take us long at all to reach Mikau Lake. We should have no need to bring a squadron of guards this time, upon my survey of the land I saw no monsters in the area.”

You push yourself up and stretch your arms up, “sounds good to me, I’ve just gotta get the Zora armor then I’ll meet you guys at the east exit?

“Yes of course, I’ll let Muzu know that we’re leaving and meet you there as well,” Zelda replies, giving you a small wave before she walks up the steps back into the throne room.

This leaves you alone with the prince, whom you smile awkwardly at before dashing down the steps. You hear him call out your name, yet you pretend not to hear him as you speedily head into the palace corridors back to your bedchambers.

‘Ughhh, what are you doing? You can’t just blow him off and ignore him like that after what just happened, you’ll have to talk to him about it eventually,’ you grumble inwardly. 

You move quickly once in your room, fitting the armor over your torso and securing it in all the right places. As you tighten all of the necessary straps and slip on your gloves, your mind is swimming with thoughts and questions. However, you attempt to push them all aside as you run out of the bedchambers and up to the east exit.

You arrive at the center of the bridge where a small arch offers shade from the sunlight. You lean against the pillar of the arch and sigh, thinking to yourself, ‘I’ll talk to him after this final trial. Let’s sort out this Divine Beast business, then I can sort out these feelings.’

A few minutes pass and eventually Sidon shows up, with Captain Bazz walking beside him. The two are having what appears to be a rushed conversation, speaking in hushed tones. You notice that as they approach the arch way, Bazz repeatedly throws a few glances your way before leaning over to the prince and whispering something to him.

Sidon brushes his friend away, and the captain laughs playfully as he jogs away, most likely to return to his post. The prince sighs, adjusting his arm bands and sash before walking up to you. You notice him hesitate before he speaks.

“Hello again, little one,” he greets you nervously, with a very visible blue blush on his face, “would you mind if we discussed what happened before-”

You’re quick to interrupt him, your own face feeling hot with blush, “look, can we talk about this after the final trial? I feel like it might be a… complicated conversation.”

The prince quickly nods in agreement, “yes yes, you’re correct, apologies.”

He goes silent, as do you, and the tension in the air feels thick enough to be sliced by even the dullest, rusted blade.

There’s a pitter patter against the smooth stone flooring, and you look up to see the princess running over with a smile on her face, “the King is aware of the trip, and Captain Bazz says he’ll be keeping an eye on the area just in case any trouble arises- ummm… are you two alright?”

She looks between both you and Sidon with a confused expression.

“Y-yeah! No, we're fine, everything’s good, we were just waiting for you!” you quickly stammer out, giving her a not-so-convincing grin.

You were lying through your teeth, but if Zelda noticed she said nothing about it. “Wonderful, though… I will have to stay behind for the final trial. A group of Zora architects have arranged for a meeting with King Dorephan and I so we can discuss future renovations for Hyrule Castle. I’d hate to keep them waiting for another occasion to speak with us while I’m still in Zora’s Domain. I know the two of you are more than capable of handling this last part of the trials alone, yes?”

You go slightly wide eyed at this. You’d been leaning on the idea that Zelda would stay with you and Sidon to keep the tension level low. You force yourself to nod though, smiling at the princess as you wave her off, “no worries, Zelda, we’ll be alright. Go have your meeting, we can handle this trial.”

Zelda grins, wishing the both of you luck before turning back and heading towards the throne room once more.

Looking to your side, you lock eyes with the prince before quickly turning away bashfully.

Together, the two of you walk down the rest of the bridge, heading towards Mikau Lake. It’s less of a lake and more of a pond, quaint and small, but with a tall waterfall feeding into it from the series of lakes above that lead all the way up the side of Ploymus Mountain.

A pair of ducks fly away as you approach, splashing the water and honking noisily. “Guess we disturbed them,” you giggle, unhooking the Sheikah Slate from your belt as you approach the pond’s edge.

Blue light comes into your sight, and you’re able to see the first blue ring that Zelda had told you about. It’s hovering midair above the pond, a circle identical to the one you’d touched in the Lanayru sea.

“After you,” you say to the prince, letting him walk ahead of you to touch the ring.

He smiles, before approaching the light and gently holding a hand out. His fingers just barely brush against the blue glow before a chiming sound rings out and the ring shrinks into a much smaller light. It zips past both of you, bouncing over a rock that juts out of the lake before settling a few feet above the ground atop the waterfall.

The ring sits horizontal now. 

“Looks like we’ve got to go up,” you murmur, putting the slate back on your belt as you ready yourself to swim.

There’s a touch on your shoulder and you visibly jump, backing away from the prince. He drops his hand, and there’s a look of hurt on his face - followed by a pang in your heart.

“Apologies for startling you, I was simply going to offer you a ride on my back to ascend these waterfalls. There’s multiple, so I assumed that it would make it simpler for the both of us as you’re still recovering from your injuries,” he explains, his eyes flicking up to meet your own.

‘Sidon, I healed myself, the only ‘injury’ I’ve got now is the hickey you left on my neck.’

You don’t dare say that out loud though. Rather, you let out a sigh and smile at him shyly, “nah, it’s okay, just a bit, um… jumpy. Right now. But yeah, I can ride on your back, there’s no better swimmer in the domain than you after all.”

This makes him grin, and you’re happy to see his signature smile once more. The two of you wade into the water, and once you’re at the base of the fall you climb onto his back, securing your legs around his torso and arms around his neck. Being flush against him like this makes you feel slightly hot and bothered, but you push that aside as you focus on the task at hand.

“Alright, all you’ve gotta do is swim right through the ring and follow it to wherever it goes next,” you instruct.

The prince shivers beneath you. He shivers. You quickly realize that it’s because you were speaking against his ear, practically breathing on his neck.

“Hold on tight, little one,” he replies, and then you’re off.

You can’t help the grin that plays on your lips as you zip up the side of the waterfall, droplets of water whipping past you as the prince shows off his swimming finesse. 

He dashes through the center of the ring, and just as before it shrinks into a smaller light and flies ahead of both of you, forming into a second ring to swim through. Sidon repeats this process, swimming through each ring the light forms for him until the both of you have reached the very top of the waterfall. 

He jumps out, maneuvering in the air so that he holds you in his arms as he lands on firm ground. It was such a rush, an absolute thrill and you found yourself grinning as the both of you found your footing once more. You attempted to, still, ignore how hot and flushed his grasp made you feel.

“Um, Sidon,” you mumble, tapping his chest, “you can put me down now.”

His eyes go wide as he loosens his hold and quickly sets you down, “yes, so sorry, my thoughts keep getting away from me.”

You quickly balance in the grassy area, looking towards the next lake where the ring has settled. “Welp, guess we’re doing it again. C’mon, princey,” you wave him along, jogging to the next pond.

The prince chuckles as he follows along, and you continue the trial as a pair.

…

After ascending the rest of the waterfalls together, the two of you finally reach the top. You’d perfected your landing strategy while chasing the rings, and now Sidon would no longer have to hold you when you jumped out of the water. Now you would simply need to twist in the air and land at the same time, keeping one another balanced.

The final ring is on land. It’s much larger and intricate than any of the others before it, surrounded by floating Sheikah symbols. The prince walks towards it, brushing his fingers against the circle. The ring of light shrinks, though this time there is no light remaining.

You look around confused, until a sudden rumbling nearly shakes you off of your feet. A shrine emerges from the ground before you, identical to the previous two. Once it’s fully revealed, the rumbling stops, and the shrine building glows a bright orange.

You hop onto the shrine platform and unhook the slate from your belt, swiping it across the pedestal. Its orange lights dim and turn blue, and the shrine door unlocks and reveals its hollow interior.

“One more time?” you ask Sidon, turning to look back at him with a smile.

“One last time,” he replies with a grin.

Together you walk into the shrine, the prince having to hunch over in its small space. You press the button to activate the elevator, and very quickly the two of you are descending into the final shrine puzzle.

… 

The elevator deposits you in a very tall room. Ahead of you in a shallow waterfall, one not deep enough to swim up. In front of the waterfall are two large metal blocks with indents, you’d be able to climb either of them. The metal blocks are connected to rail meaning you can move them up and down. There’s two landings on either side of the waterfall, though you’re willing to bet that the one highest above the ground is what will take you to the exit of the shrine.

“It’s a puzzle,” you murmur, brow furrowed as you examine the wall, “we have to get up onto that landing. We’ll have to use those metal blocks somehow, luckily I’ve got plenty of runes to figure it out.”

“Well, the only way to solve a puzzle is to attempt every solution we come up with,” Sidon grins, walking down the steps and hopping onto the water covered flooring.

The next few minutes are filled with you and the prince performing every possible answer to the puzzle you can come up with. Eventually, you use the water on the floor to put cryonis pillars beneath both of the metal blocks. With Sidon’s help, you climb up onto the lower platform, and in an alcove in the wall is a third, smaller metal block that you can use to stack upon the others.

Eventually, you end up making a stairway of sorts, using the metal blocks and ice pillars. 

“Damn, it’s almost enough to reach that top platform, but we don’t have anything else to build with,” you curse looking up at your latest attempt.

“Well, all we can do is climb and see how close we can get,” Sidon suggests, digging his fingers into the ice pillar as he begins his climb.

With a shrug of your shoulders, you follow up after him, managing to climb to the very top where you’d used the last metal block. The higher landing you needed to reach was just barely out of your grasp- but you could make it.

“Give me a lift?” you ask Sidon with a shy smile.

The prince is more than happy to oblige, picking you up in his arms and boosting you up onto the platform. You climb atop it, before reaching your hands down and helping him up as well. You bump into one another and giggle nervously, like a pair of shy teenagers.

Rounding the corner, you’re greeted by the sight of a monk. It’s the end of the shrine.

Sidon, who’s become familiar with the routine, approaches the monk’s pedestal and places his hand upon the blue barrier. It shatters, and a light appears before the monk, and very soon the prince now has his third of Ruta’s tokens.

As the monk disintegrates, you turn to look at the Zora, “well, guess we should head out and see what happens now, yeah?”

He nods and grins, “so we shall.”

…

Walking out of the shrine, you’re greeted by the soft hues of a setting sun. You’d been in the shrine for far longer than you thought, the sky was a gradient of gentle oranges and deep violets.

There’s a buzz on your hip. Confused, you take the slate off of your belt and check the map. There’s a new glowing point, and it’s right where Divine Beast Vah Ruta is situated in the mountainous area of Zora’s Domain.

You quickly show Sidon, who seems intrigued by the new information. “Let’s return to the palace and let Zelda now. I have a feeling that this is where the trial will truly be completed,” he decides.

The pair of you quickly traverse back to the palace, taking advantage of the waterfalls and lakes until you return to the eastern exit you’d used hours previously. Together, you run across the bridge and up the stairs that lead into the throne room.

“Zelda!” you shout once you reach the top of the staircase.

Conveniently the princess is there, having what appears to be a polite conversation with King Dorephan. She looks somewhat startled at your sudden interruption, but grins upon seeing you, “_____! Sidon! How’d the trial go?”

“Brilliantly,” Sidon exclaims with his signature smile.

“Yeah!” you agree, unhooking the slate from your belt and holding it out to her, “plus we’ve got a new spot on the map. We need to go to the Divine Beast.”

The princess takes the Sheikah Slate into her hands and looks over the map curiously, reading up on any new information it has to offer her, “fascinating. Well, do you want to wait? Do you want to go now? Whatever you choose to do next, I’m fully supportive.”

You turn, looking back towards Sidon. “Well… it’s your trial. What do you want to do?” you ask him.

The prince brings his hand to his chin, mulling over it for a few moments, before a beaming smile spreads across his face, “well, I don’t see why we can’t very well go to the Divine Beast right now. Perhaps it’s simply my enthusiasm and curiosity getting the better of me, but I’m bursting at the seams in anticipation of what may come next.”

You hear the king chuckle behind you, “ah, that sounds very much like you, my son. Though the sun may be setting by no means must you put this next adventure on hold. Go on and go forth! I must admit that I too am quite excited to see what follows.”

“Well, my meeting with the architects is complete, and if we’re leaving for Ruta now I’d be more than happy to tag along,” Zelda smiles, handing the slate back to you.

You hook it back onto your belt, and when you look up you see everyone in the room looking expectantly towards you. It takes you a moment to realize that they’re awaiting your approval for the mission. “Oh! Yes, of course I’ll be coming too.”

Sidon laughs before taking a step towards the staircase, “I’ll ask Bazz to come with us, nightfall might cause some added dangers as we trek through Upperland Zorana. We’ll bring torches as well. Zelda, _____, meet me at the Great Zora Bridge?”

“Will do,” you agree, and princess Zelda nods as well.

The next few minutes are a rush, you eat a quick dinner, change into some dry clothing, help Zelda pack a bag with all her notes and books on Ruta (just in case they’ll be needed), and get accosted by the Zora children before finally getting to the Great Zora Bridge.

You greet Bazz, who seems happier to see you than normal, before the four of you head up into the mountains to continue the trials.

…

It takes a few hours, but you finally make it in the middle of the night. Luckily, the monster activity was little to none, the biggest threat was a small camp of Bokoblins that both you and Bazz were able to wipe out in a matter of seconds.

You arrive at the plateau that the Divine Beast calls its home. Its blue glow keeps the area around it lit brightly, and you put out the flames of your torch as you walk up to it.

“Sidon, you’ve got all three tokens, yes?” you ask him, turning to look at him as he walks closer to you.

“Yes, I -” he begins, but as soon as he sets foot on the plateau there’s a toll that rings out in the air, and a voice begins to speak.

“To the one who approaches this Divine Beast… In the name of the Goddess Hylia, I offer this trial. In exchange for Ruta’s Emblems… you will be granted the chance to tread through the realm of memories.”

“... memories?” you ask aloud, confused. Looking back to the prince, the three tokens he held in his hands glow bright before disappearing, and the voice continues to speak.

“Those who lack determination will find this trial unforgiving. Do not take this place lightly, nor dismiss it as merely a world within your mind. The truth is much deeper than you know.”

Everything goes silent. Deathly silent. Nobody moves, not even the water beneath the Divine Beast seems to trickle.

Then suddenly the prince gasps. He bends over and clutches his chest as though he’s in pain.

“S-Sidon?” you stammer, scared as you attempt to walk towards him.

You don’t get a chance to approach before he’s suddenly enveloped in a bright golden light. The light grows smaller, shifting into an orb roughly the size of your hand. The orb floats in the air momentarily before zipping away, flittering towards the Divine Beast. 

The torch and spear the prince had been holding both fell, clattering on the ground.

“Sidon!” you scream, running towards the Divine Beast, but there’s a force that blocks you from entering.

Panic and fear well up in your chest, and you stumbled backwards, falling onto the ground.

You weren’t the only one panicking.

“Where is he? Where did that thing take him?” Bazz exclaims, running towards Ruta only to be held back as well.

“Both of you! Fretting like this will solve nothing,” Zelda exclaims, speaking in a stern tone of voice she rarely used, “all we can do is await his return. This is a part of the pilot’s trial. We cannot interfere or stop it.”

So you sit. And wait. And wait. And wait.

Judging by the clock on the Sheikah Slate, hours pass, and nothing happens.

Princess Zelda sat near the edge of the Plateau, using the slate to tirelessly read through notes and see if Mipha had written anything about what just happened during her own experience becoming a pilot. Bazz stood watch beside her, needing something to keep him distracted from the prince’s disappearance.

You, however, were sitting in the water, staring up at the Divine Beast. Your thoughts could not stop rushing, and you felt sick to your stomach with anxiety.

You just wanted him to be safe. You needed him to be safe. There was so much you hadn’t gotten the chance to tell him…

From this vantage point, you could easily see the Lanayru sea in the distance, and this meant you were able to see the first rays of light as the sun slowly began to rise up above the horizon.

You sniffle and raise your hand to your face as you watch the sky lighten up. There were tear streaks on your cheeks. You hadn’t even realized you’d been crying.

Suddenly, Ruta’s light glows an even brighter blue. You’re quick to stand up, pushing yourself up off the ground. The golden orb that’d taken Sidon reappears, floating down from the top of the beast and settling near the ground.

The orb bursts, and the prince is placed down onto the plateau.

His body is littered with bruises and open, bleeding wounds. 

“... Sidon?” you ask carefully, taking a fearful step towards him.

He, however, is quick to whip around and look towards you. His eyes scan over your figure, and before you can react he runs towards you, swooping you up into his arms and hugging you tightly.

You can’t help the smile playing on your lips, and hug him back as best you can. “Sidon, what hap-” you attempt to ask, but he moves faster than you yet again.

He loosens his grip and pulls back just enough for your eyes to meet. He gives you an inquisitive look before leaning in and-

Kissing you.

He kisses you.

Sidon is kissing you.

You squeak in surprise, your face red hot with blush before you finally come to your senses and kiss him back. Bringing your hands up, you hold his face carefully, and it’s only when he pulls back that you realize you’ve been left breathless

You’re doing mental somersaults as you’re set down on the ground. Behind Sidon, you’re able to see the shocked faces of both the princess and the captain.

“Sidon, are you-” you begin, yet there’s another interruption.

The prince stumbles backwards, before passing out and crumpling onto the ground in a heap.

~~~ <> ~~~

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[rainbowsuitcase]

Fanfic Rec Friday #9

Finding the Forgotten by thestarskeepfalling - Seokjin x Yoongi, 80 486 words, E - Unhealthy Relationship With OC, Hurt/Comfort, Falling in Love

It took Seokjin a long time to realize he was lost. With millions of adoring fans, a wildly successful soloist career, and a long-term boyfriend, it was easy for him to mistake crowds for friendship and convenience for love.

Then, a surprise visit from his brother and a heart wrenching realization push him to run away from it all. He follows his brother back home, finding the family, and the happiness, he was looking for all along.

Operation: Yoonkook by thesameflatfish - Hoseok x Jimin, 9 105 words, G - College AU

Jimin wants to avoid falling in love in college, but a plan to set Yoongi and Jungkook up puts him in close proximity with Jung Hoseok, who Jimin can’t seem to stop having feelings for.

when poppies bloom by @floweringash - Seokjin x Jungkook, 15 302 words, M - Pistil Verse, Injury Recovery, Sharing a Bed

It’s not every day that Seokjin returns from hunting to find a corpse on his way.

Or rather, an unconscious, injured Stamen who takes up too much space in his house.

(Never) Call Me Baepsae by mangust_d - Jimin x Jungkook, 13 742 words, E - Office AU, Enemies to Lovers, Dom/Sub

Jimin has given everything to the corporate life – his passions, his sanity, even the active sex life he once possessed. To make matters worse, the company’s golden rookie Jungkook tramples all of his hard work and sacrifices under toothy grins and effortless excellence.

Where He Belongs by ArianneMaya - Hoseok x Namjoon, 7 597 words, E - Alpha x Beta, First Time Knotting

Beta Hoseok's body isn't made to take an alpha's knot, and Namjoon is too much of a gentlewolf to pressure him on the matter.

Why is it, then, that Hoseok can't stop thinking about it?

Wanna bet? by Nisaki - Seokjin x Taehyung, 5 735 words, E - Porn With Plot, Lingerie, Feminization

In which Taehyung has to play Seokjin's wife for a bet and they both like it way too much.

say my name (lock it with your lips) by dagusts - Namjoon x Taehyung, 17 596 words, E - Arranged Marriage, Major Character Injury, Angst, idiots in Love

A season between war and love is all it takes for Taehyung to realize some things. Realize that love cannot be requited if it is not spoken.

plum blossoms in the snow by ladypajara - Namjoon x Jimin, 63K, E - Pretend Relationship, Friends to Lovers, Angst and Fluff and Smut

Perpetually disillusioned with love Jimin is roped into helping Namjoon — his romance novel editor and very much straight friend — launch a new LGBT+ focused imprint at his publishing house after a misunderstanding leads Namjoon’s boss to believe they are boyfriends.

Shifting Business by mangust_d - Seokjin x Yoongi, 8K, M - Cat Yoongi, Bickering, Sexual Tension

Seokjin is sure that Min Yoongi is harbouring an illicit cat in his home. Only the truth is much more magical than that.

You Wished, I Waited by Hpgirl4ever - Yoongi x Taehyung, 56K, E - Non-Traditional Omegaverse, Courting, Angst with a Happy Ending

It's uncommon for betas to court omegas, and even more uncommon for omegas to court anyone at all. Yoongi and Taehyung were never the biggest fans of tradition.

[amandabe11man]

the swede being gay-coded makes so much sense, not just in the way chris heyerdahl portrays him, but also in the HOW-verse itself...

a lot of it you just have to see for yourself by watching the show, but first and foremost, the swede is an outcast who nobody likes when we first meet him. he’s a chronic schemer, hounds people for taxes, makes life hard for others because he can etc. but another reason for him being so hated by pm every other character could very well be that he’s gay and not bothering to hide it. this being the 1800′s, of course he’d get some looks. of course he’d get judged. but when we first see him, he’s durant’s right hand man and thus in a position of power. naturally, no one’s dumb enough to fuck with him (until an opportunity arises)

even after being tarred and feathered, he still returns to HOW because where else could he even go? he’s humiliated, loses his job and has to start from the very bottom again, and despite his slightly humbled attitude, he’s still disliked and doesn’t even have the luxuries around him anymore to help him pretend he’s not an outcast. all this, coupled with him not learning from his mistakes and instead letting his fall from grace validate his victim mentality, makes him even more dangerous; a disaster waiting to happen. and oh, he WILL make it happen... hell, not even when he steals bishop dutson’s identity and leaves for a whole other town do people like him. not even when he tries to lead the people at fort smith do the folks there seem to like or even respect him. they don’t question him much because they think he’s the bishop, but it’s still clear everyone’s like “wtf is this dingus doing”. see the tragedy here? even when he pretends to be someone else who’s supposedly benevolent, (in an entirely new town, no less) people STILL don’t like him. once again, he’s an outcast, and the only other person who respects him from that point on in the story is brigham young’s son phineas, who he also ends up using for a petty revenge-plot, because from all these years of being side-eyed, hated and humiliated, the swede has given up on (forgotten) how to love and care for his fellow man.

the only true companion he loves unconditionally (and who loves him back just as much) at any moment in the show is oslo the dog; a stray who’s uncared for by the others and, just like the swede himself, is a social outcast. with oslo, he allows himself to love and care about someone else again for the first time since andersonville... with this little dog he just happened to meet and who doesn’t judge him for who he is or what he’s done. unfortunately, the swede doesn’t allow himself the happiness of disappearing and starting over somewhere else with oslo; so stuck in his years-long victim-mentality that he leaves oslo behind to try to take revenge on bohannon once and for all. the swede’s neverending grudges are a story for another time, though.

lastly, we get a glimpse of how he was back during the war, which ironically seems to be the last time he was happy and at peace before he met oslo. he’s accepted by his comrades in the army, he has friends and feels like he belongs somewhere... at least on the surface. is he really, truly, being himself in the flashbacks we see? there’s something wistful about his smiles in those scenes. something that says “i am happy....but it could be better”.

he talks about some girl named “elsa”, but does elsa really exist, or is she something the swede made up in order to be accepted as one of the guys? trying to live as a comp-het man indeed did get him friends, but in the end, all those friends died and one tried to cannibalize him out of desperate hunger, so maybe the trauma and bitterness born from that made the swede finally act out against a society he knew would never accept him as he was?

because after andersonville, he no longer cared about being accepted. he was craving respect from others, but having people’s fear-based respect is not the same as having those people accept you. he stopped putting on his comp-het act, and so gave people around him just another “reason” to ostracize him. he tells himself he doesn’t care about being an outcast, because look what happened last time he befriended people (they were killed). therefore, it’s simply emotionally safer to keep others at arm’s length, so he won’t bond with someone and have them die on him again. it’s a cruel world for gay people sometimes, even more so in the 1800′s and earlier, and one can hardly blame the swede for ending up a cruel person in the end. the “they think i’m a freak? okay, i’ll BE a freak and they’ll all be sorry”-attitude really comes to mind when I think about the swede’s journey as a character. as stated before, he doesn’t find another human that accepts him for who he really is, not truly. bohannon is the one that comes closest-- is the only person to see the swede for who he is--, but that’s not real acceptance either. bohannon sees him, acknowledges him, hates him but still cares enough to avert his eyes and shed a tear as he watches the swede’s execution-- but bohannon was never gonna accept him after everything he’d done. perhaps in another life, if they both had made better choices, they could’ve been friends... lovers, even. oslo the dog, however, accepts him and is the one to finally bring out the swede’s long dormant capability of love into the open. and OH, how he showers his little dog with love and attention (and food, because he knows all too well what it’s like to go hungry). we get a glimpse of who the swede might’ve been if he’d made better choices and if he hadn’t been reviled by others at almost every turn.

again as stated before, unfortunately, he can’t let go of his grudge against bohannon. with oslo, he’s clearly still capable of love, but the hate and bitterness he feels about society and his fellow man is simply too strong, so he leaves after a loving goodbye to his dog, and in the end, even if the swede came to terms with his fate and his past, it was too late at that point. the hateful society that never accepted him + his own actions because of it brought him to death’s door and-- uh-

there’s a point about gay allegories and why thor “the swede” gundersen fits them all in here somewhere

bonus: then there’s the literal “evidence” too of course. for one, the swede tends to be very touchy-feely with men, and only men. for example:

when he oversees bohannon’s and naomi’s marriage, he puts his hand on bohannon’s head, but not naomi’s

in fact, especially when pretending to be bishop dutson, the swede can’t seem to NOT put his hands on bohannon

bohannon isn’t the only one the swede likes to touch, though. it seems when he’s manipulating someone, tenderly touching the other guy looks to be the swede’s go-to method. he won’t hesitate or think it’s weird to take another man’s hands, to touch their shoulders, and (in phineas’ case) even stroking a man’s cheek and putting their foreheads together as if they were about to kiss

hell, even on the rare occasion where he’s not manipulating someone, the swede seems to still find a way to touch the most random of guys he happens to be talking to. in an extreme example, after his first murder, he tenderly strokes the man’s cheek and coos at him as the guy bleeds out

i can think of only one scene where he touches a woman, but that’s during prayer where he’s simply holding onto the woman’s hands while also holding the hand of her son ezra. and then of course when durant asks him if he’d “ever had his heart ripped out by a woman”, the swede just answers very nonchalantly that his apparent ex-wife didn’t break his heart, “but she did steal his cuckoo clock”. in other words, he couldn’t care less if his former wife left for someone else. arranged marriage much?

[parknights]

Parknight imagines, miscellany 20: well-versed

Parker's not used to receiving BOLOs via text, but he gets one from Knight this morning:

-BOLO: V agreed to let actress Chloe Marlene shadow me, so today might be complicated.

Oh, jeez. Vance is letting Hollywood into the building…? Parker wonders what the rest of the story is, but no sooner does he think this then he encounters a hubbub in the lobby at NCIS.

A woman dressed in all white tries to disperse her entourage as she signs in. "I'll be happy to wait for Agent Knight, then," Parker overhears her saying.

Parker sighs and steps forward, nodding to their distraught receptionist. "I'll take it from here, Sherry," he says, and she nods her thanks. To the assumed actress, he continues, "I'm Special Agent Parker. Special Agent Knight is part of my team, and I can take you to her. Miss Chloe Marlene, I presume?"

Chloe flashes a movie star's smile at him. She's slighter than Knight but has similar coloring, as if an artist had been given Jess Knight's vague description and filled in the blanks with their personal preference. But Chloe politely holds out her hand for him to shake. "Nice to meet you. I guess word gets around about me. But your director signed off on me studying Agent Knight."

He shows her to the elevator and lets her in first. "Not exactly. I heard from Knight herself. And that's 'Special Agent' Knight, by the way."

Impressively, Chloe whips out a little notepad and jots it down. "Got it. So Director Vance is the big boss and you're team boss…"

"Of the MCRT. Major Case Response Team," he supplies.

Chloe's eyes go big and wide at their official title. "Wow. That sounds impressive. I was looking up stats on Special Agent Knight to help prepare for my character based on her, but." Chloe taps her notepad to her chin and tucks it away. "Anything you want to tell me about what it's like to work as a team?"

Parker opens and closes his mouth. What to say? He's been on this team not much longer than Knight, but Knight's been part of NCIS a lot longer…and she's much better acquainted with being a team player than he is. At that, he chuckles to himself. "Knight is…the first person who comes to mind when you think of the term 'team player.'"

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. She's good at building bridges between people, making them see eye to eye. She's a quick thinker, on her feet. A helluva fighter, too, out in the field. Although, given the right topic, a helluva fighter if you get into an argument with her." Parker muses on the times they've had spats, both serious and more often than not ridiculous and when he's clearly been in the wrong. "She's…a stubborn one, but that's a good quality of hers, trust me. Pursuing a lead or having faith in her loved ones. Tying up loose ends or being supportive. There's nothing she does halfheartedly."

The elevator's quiet for a beat, and Parker realizes Chloe's eyes are on him for a wholly different reason now.

Because she asked for his professional opinion of Knight only for him to gush personally about her. Without filters.

Finally, Chloe smiles. "Wow. This Jess Knight lady is really loved, isn't she?"

And this, this is what Parker didn't mean to occur, but he knows he's dug a hole, letting his and Knight's secret spill.

But Chloe's smile is small, actually, and kind—one that hints she'll keep their privacy.

So Parker rubs the back of his neck nervously and concedes the truth with a nod.

Then the elevator doors open and Parker pretends he didn't just wear his heart on his sleeve as he introduces the actress to the team.

(But Chloe glances at him once more that very morning when she first spies Knight and gives her own nod, of approval.)

-follow for more imagines & Parknight content-

[libidomechanica]

May breede

And as the heauen gan overcharge.     Or some euils both ioy and cuff’d by their triumph, come back to     the Throne, pretended frights, the tomb? To where when summits fed     with him as a truth and partly mine; and happiness; ’ an     army of this magic

light? From Earth a Vitious crown, the     Dying Swan the way she blueblack with him after as my     Lover’s wind doth not suffer with a basis of Counsel—     whereby Lovers find a trace and pride were seen before that     soft their Passions form and

Order tone came out of dust a     void of noble use. But a craggy shelf, so I sware them,     clicking heir antique pen would not help it until I not,     deale that larger lay, ravish’d days, or on her look back we     comes a deserv’d t once

he Mountainted on promis’d lands     we to die; and mingled in higher things. Has yield that was     as many covers, who loved them store: o carefull verse     thine on Death! Climes, with scorn, our only set her hands; and Ave,     Ave, ’ said, so long

in wealth Imagine your love: nor     hate to his Brother. For it was any overmuch of     common Name to wear a wizard keep me alone: cloisters     dancing staircase endless deep; a warmth diffusive power,     pulling slept quiet-coloured

men—good! Chaste were all in arms     that swift was nothing man, he, would fix, longing at the water     of the thou setst a bate be blows. You say, I probably     drops in sepulchral urn, and ashes at the House the gently     describing too; and

a heavens again, unafraid.     For ever sweet moan. By these Gods with scarce endure the pyrus     japonica should have look into the rich in good     back in the tunes, you and your Reign? When e’r they were she sat     the lake, when they though once

more soft incense is sing. He thus?     With daily news printed meant to Sleeps should be denied! Once     mingled with threaded bubbled into basins, where has the     sound in controll’d town and read that cannot all curious     remnant of smooth daily,

laid. May servants are very best     caste—the Brave, and give in silent-bare under alter’d in     that, brauely masons bringes in my my mountains; he mixt     in faire letters and knowledge all, no Remedy but Flight:     for Conversation. For

even those who, as a lovely     Davies. Wells should be always servantes smile before. She     madness it now, as winters forth wit, the second. In those,     whose jest at they sent up the war upon a storms rock the     bed to my lassie thocht

na lang that mourning, breath, and Lo!     I see yours will for no day has caught with much hope you now     upon that was it a vice of things unseen, as those lips     of the sun doth fades from law. With Pharoah’s Ark. His Youth’s day     their rule of rhyme may bloomed

like of the mart where now my Muse,     thou hast themselves and the wheel’d or would put him Kings were gather’d     Ripe, or die, from the Seine should leade them all. Tired     within a lying into a very quick about their     early faith in an Ethnick

Plot to a change it seem’d secure     of archives are but his own vastness; by force his     Consecrates the Pumpkin off thou with Ambrosial air the     widow’d, and Laws are was, this Chamber wings. Near this we hae     ony luve forfeited.

I find I ever with near throated     ease. Should they added peaks out the Court remorse? His gullet     shoulders, her lips his maid, and die. Had it do, not a     cherries some setting an aching he victoriously we     saw her future Lovers

wide, and catacombs, their Cup to     heart to be; loved and let him but look be lost. Seem stroke, that     I choose never was made the sun; my deeper deep. Then might     scorn: her off from the Titmose silent-bare under thee what     cares to bed I take us

as a grey church Vermilion,     and the comes on you: nor do I forbid eating like the     ivorie, her virtue such a letters plunge home. And all respect,     and roughes of the world of stars arose, in love without     my Lover, were music

as before going down the     bells and feels, as not squares the said, I murmur’d, and daub his     Voyce was not Knowledge all, unless people Kings run swift-footed     left me, I might regrets anonymous; which in other,     thus itself will, and

labour, and break, the formless he     saint. Men’s wrongs divining to the mount and the dropping long,     delaying loud; like some Irish absence laugh. How pure hand,     symmetrical wires, a black from his Princes some with my     love the songes, and go.

[victorluvsalice]

AU Thursday: Smiler Alton’s Day Off

And now, for another edition of “Me Vs. My Brain:”

Me: [asks my friend Nebby for some ideas about what she would like for her birthday fic this year]

Nebby: [gives me a few different options, including one where Marty McFly and Alice kidnap Victor and Victoria from their school in a Ferris Bueller’s Day Off-kinda way]

My Brain: [looking at that particular idea and its source inspiration] Yeah, no, that’s actually a Valicer AU.

Me:

My Brain: Hey, give me points for it being based on something you’re familiar with!

Me: ONE POINT. ONE POINT FOR AN AU BASED OFF A MOVIE I SAW ONCE AGES AGO.

So, yeah, now I have a Valicer Ferris Bueller’s Day Off AU kicking around in my head refusing to pay rent. -.- There’s not that much to it yet, but I do have a few basics:

-->As you might guess from the title, Smiler is Ferris in this AU -- Victor, of course, is Cameron, and Alice is Sloane (though she isn’t actually dating Smiler in this verse, they’re just friends). Rita is Jeannie Bueller, with Thirteen being Charlie Sheen’s druggie character (named Garth in the original script, I believe). Wickerman is of course Dean of Students Ed Rooney, and Nemesis would be the Bueller’s dog. I’m a little stuck as to where I could fit in Oblivion and Galactica though...I guess the best options would be either be the parents (Tom and Katie Bueller) or the two valets who take the Ferrari out for a joy ride? Though now that I’ve written that, I’m leaning toward the parents, as I’ve seen Galactica as the “Mom Friend” of the group for a while now...

-->The rough plot of the movie (Smiler faking sick, then getting their best friends Victor and Alice out of school to come with them on an adventure through the nearby city) is about the same, but part of the reason for the day out in this world is Smiler trying to get Victor and Alice officially together, having cottoned on that they have feelings for each other but are stuck in a “mutual pining” loop due to their various self-esteem problems. Smiler themselves has a crush on Victor, but just wants their beloved to be happy and figures that’s best accomplished by pushing them toward Alice. Victor and Alice DO end up confessing to each other (see below)...but after Smiler rescues Victor during the pool scene, Victor also kisses Smiler, because he too has a thing for them, and Alice laughingly tells the shocked Smiler that she noticed their crush and made it clear to Victor she didn’t mind sharing. Cue formation of V polycule and Smiler declaring this the “best day out ever.” :)

-->Really, a lot of this AU is based on the fact that I could totally see Smiler hopping on a parade float and singing “Danke Schoen” and “Twist and Shout” to the crowd. XD Though, having recently watched that scene on YouTube, I think in this AU’s version, Smiler would end up dragging Victor and Alice onto the float to dance with them, and this might be the prompt to get them to actually kiss, to Smiler’s delight. XD

-->Oh, and as for the restaurant scene -- Smiler HAS an elaborate plan to pretend to be whatever the AU’s equivalent of “The Sausage King of Chicago” is, and is ready to put it into action when they encounter the maitre’d...only for Victor to intervene and straight-up bribe the guy into giving them a table. XD Smiler is like “...I keep forgetting you can just do that.”

-->And for Rita’s subplot -- after encountering Wickerman in the Alton house, beating him up, and frightening him away, she does not call the police, as she’s very anti-authority -- instead, a neighbor calls the cops after seeing Wickerman running away from the house. The officer who comes by has the bad luck to encounter Rita right after she’s rejected the singing sexy nurse-o-gram, and Rita assumes they’re just another stripper and gets taken in for mouthing off to an officer (this does not make her feel any better about the police). This does lead to her meeting Thirteen, though, so not all bad! Result -- when she saves Smiler from Wickerman at the end, she lets Wickerman know that the only reason she’s not telling their parents about him being in their house is the date she’s got with the hot goth chick, but he’d better be real fuckin’ nice to her and her sibling from now on. (She also gets Smiler to agree to hack her grades, though rejects their offer of straight As, feeling it would be too suspicious -- “Just raise my two weakest subjects to Cs, that’ll be fine.”)

Further developments possibly to come -- we’ll see if my brain insists on keeping this one!

[eggmarr]

a resolution to be made

pairing: diluc x gn!reader (0.7k, drabble/shortfic)

warnings: possibly ooc diluc but he’s supposed to be young (and therefore still holds the capacity to show emotion/j) here, hints of (fr)enemies to lovers if you turn it upside down and look from far away, think pride and prejudice movie and you’ll have something like this, donna is kinda not good, reader has very different opinions on diluc from beginning to end, trying to describe waltz when i‘ve never been danced with, etc.

a/n: for @/xiaosmoon’s winter collab (day 27, new year’s eve party)! this is heavily based on a scene from “the villainess lives twice,” and includes a lot of dialogue from that specific chapter bc the minute that i read it i just thought it would fit diluc well; also, I fudged timeline a bit on accident and forgot that diluc gets his vision when he was really young but it’s not really mentioned so let’s just pretend that there was a grace period before (redacted) so this makes more sense :,) have a happy new year, everyone!

How did you even get into this situation again?

“It’s impolite for a man such as yourself to come to a ball and leave without dancing to a single song,-“

Ah, curse that stubborn Ragnvindr!

“And why must that be a concern of yours?” The brute speaks, arms crossed with a furrowed brow. “I haven’t meant my lack of action as a slight, nor is it directed as a remark against your reputation.”

“W-well, um, however, there are numerous young people without dance partners!” Lady Donna must be an idiot, with how she stumbles to look the man in the eyes but has the nerve to try to pressure him for a dance. “Isn’t it only right that you participate like we all have in the festivities?”

A flash of something unidentifiable switches his expression to one not unlike that of his younger brother’s; calm, curious, and ready to move for the kill.

“Perhaps you’re correct, in this case. It is the eve of a new year, hm?”

If only you had been warned that his prey wasn’t the lady in front of him.

She smiled demurely, head held high as she prepared to accept the hand he would obviously be offering toward her instead.

“So then,” He turns to face your neutral expression, extending a hand to you as though it’s the easiest decision in the world. “May I ask for a dance?”

The ballroom breaks into murmurs as Lady Donna’s mouth falls open, her fury just barely hid under the shock at her surface. You yourself barely react beyond a raise of an eyebrow, but his (somewhat) subtle wink leads you to continue the charade.

“…..I don’t really want to draw so much attention-“

His beckoning smile feels out of place with the skepticism on yours. “Quickly now; I’ve heard that the Ragnvindr Heir makes for a lovely accessory.”

Without a moment to lose, you gently nod, taking his arm and following his lead to the floor of congregating pairs.

“I might step on your feet,” You whisper, letting his fingers interlock with yours. “I’m not as well versed in dance as you might think.”

“Then even if we step on one another’s feet, let’s agree to be forgiving.” His smile grows more genuine as his mouth dips toward your ear. “I can’t dance either.”

White noise is the only word you’ll use to describe the accompaniment later; it was merely an afterthought while you and he settled into the easy rhythm of traditional waltz.

“I apologize.” His voice is quiet as you match his steps. He seems almost…shy? Shy, or concerned that he had overstepped; something that he had never held when it concerned you in the past. “I didn’t intend to drag you into this. At least, not this time.”

“Ah,” You roll your eyes as the music swells, that annoyance from earlier making its reappearance. “Not this time?”

The resulting cringe of his facial features makes you chuckle bitterly.

“…..I admit I have acted regrettably in the past year-“

“Regrettably? Now that’s quite different from the young Master I met before. Having a change of heart?” Your voice, though near whisper, rang in his ears as though it had been a vindictive scream.

“It can be considered as such, I suppose. Like I said to the lady earlier-“

Your stumble and gasp are cut short as he quickly grasps your waist, moving your body into a smooth dip. “-It is the eve of a new year. You almost tripped and took me down with you there.”

“I noticed.”

“I’m a better dancer than you.”

“You’re a renowned knight. Isn’t it quite cruel to compare our movements?”

He laughed in an odd way, you noticed, as your entwined forms whirled under the ballroom’s twinkling lights. His ruby gaze warmed under your curiosity, revealing an upturn to his lips that felt like the butterflies you chased in childhood summers.

“I think we got off on the wrong foot, that first time we met.” The music slows to a stop, and he bows to match the pairs scattered across the floor.

“I’m Diluc,” He began, offering a gloved hand to you once more. “Thank you for accepting my dance offer, as it would have been much more embarrassing had you rejected me after that mess.”

“You’re welcome.” You struggle not to chuckle at the sheepish blush that overtakes his features, and take his hand with genuine eagerness this time around. “You know, I think the countdown will be happening soon.”

“Then in that case….”

He raised your joined hands, placing a soft kiss to your knuckles with a grin.

“May the wind lead us to a prosperous year.”

(And may the new year bring with it a happiness to last a lifetime.)

[justlightlysedated]

For the kisses prompts - #22 for Malex please 🧡

And thank you so much for finding the planetary alinement sequel fic for me 🧡🧡🧡

22. kisses in the rain

Alex is on the phone with Forrest, who calls him periodically every couple of days to talk about what he's doing, and Alex usually pays attention, or pretends to pay attention, but today he can't stop looking out of the window, at the rolling clouds, lighting up with flashes of lightning, the thunder rolls loudly, shaking the very vibrations of his house.

He watches the next flash of lightning and counts the seconds between it and the loud thunder.

Still a few minutes away, he thinks.

He's startled out of his thoughts by a loud knock on his door, and he hears Forrest, sounding a little pissed off, like he's been trying to get his attention but Alex isn't responding.

He picks the phone up, takes it off speaker, and puts it to his ear, mouth open to speak, but then the banging on the door sounds again, and Isobel Evans' voice, of all people sounds out, loud enough that it would have probably been picked up by the speaker.

"Alex! I know you're in there. I don't care if you're balls deep in that Nazi obsessed blue haired twink, we need to talk!"

"I have to go," Alex says, and hangs the phone up on Forrest asking him what's going on, and winces slightly, before he shrugs and drops his phone back on the counter.

He gets up from the couch, reaching for his crutch, since he hadn't been expecting any visitors, and starts to make his way to the door.

Isobel, of course, doesn't have the decency to let him open the door. She opens his locked door, practically blasting it off its hinges and she stalks into the house, eyes finding Alex immediately.

"Where is he?" She demands, stalking forward, one hand aloft, eyes sharp, like she's getting ready to pry the information out of his head if he doesn't answer fast enough.

"Who?" Alex asks, because he's well versed in Isobel enough to know that if she was talking about Forrest it would be in a mocking tone, not one that is tinged with desperation.

"Michael," she says in an obvious tone, and just hearing his name makes Alex's heartbeat spike. "He's been missing for days, and he only did that whenever he was holed up with you."

Alex shakes his head, feeling anxiety and worry bleed into him, "I haven't seen Michael since he walked out of Pony during my set, making it very clear what he thought about my song."

Isobel gives him an incredulous look, but Alex isn't sure what part of his statement she's having trouble believing.

"Over the last year the most contact we've had was text messages when he needed information, so if he's fucked off somewhere it definitely wasn't with me."

Isobel shakes her head, and she looks more irritated than anything, "God save me from my fucking oblivious brothers."

She turns to look back at Alex, "Max is dying. His new heart is failing, and he's known the whole time, and just let us know a few weeks ago. Michael isn't taking it well, and I thought that he'd come to you, but I'm guessing he knows about the Nazi obsessed blue haired twink that periodically warms your bed-"

"He has a name, you know?" Alex says, interrupting her, but Isobel continues speaking like he hadn't spoken.

"-which would explain his dive into the negative spectrum of emotions when he had been feeling pretty hopeful and anticipating your arrival."

Alex blinks at her, feeling confused, "He was hopeful?"

Isobel shakes her head at him, "But I was wrong. I'm wasting my time, because he'd never come here after a rejection."

"Rejecti-?" Alex starts to ask, feeling even more lost than before, but Isobel just turns around and heads back out of his house without even a wave of goodbye.

The slamming of the door coincides with a rumble of thunder, making Alex jump a little.

He hears his phone ringing back where he left it, and he knows that it's going to be Forrest.

A small part of him wants him to go back and answer the phone and explain about ex sort of sisters-in-law who don't know how to wait for someone to open the door, but there is an increasingly louder part of him that is yelling at him that he knows exactly where Michael is, that instead of offering his sort of boyfriend, sort of not boyfriend, any explanations, he should go and demand one from Michael instead.

Alex nods his head sharply and then turns to head to his room. If he's going out into that storm that's brewing, he's going to need to prepare himself.

-

Alex finds Michael at their spot off the Desert View dirt road that leads from town to Fosters Ranch. The truck is hardly visible to the road, but Alex knows exactly where it is.

Alex doesn't pay too much attention as he carefully parks his car next to the truck, and he turns off the car without looking to make sure that Michael was there.

He clenches his hands around the steering wheel and breathes in deeply, and then breathes out slowly.

And then he shakes his head and tells himself to stop being nervous or scared or whatever he was being right now, it was just Michael.

Alex lets go of the steering wheel, and gets out of the car, closing the door with a slam that gets swallowed up by the thunder that sounds immediately after the flash of lightning.

Alex breathes in deeply and closes his eyes at the smell of ozone filling the air.

Alex loves thunderstorms and when it rains so hard the smell of it permeates everything. It makes him sad and melancholy, but also fills him with a mellow sort of happiness.

It's Michael, in a scent that Alex can find anywhere. It's not as good as the real thing, but it helped whenever Alex faltered during the last year.

He looks at the truck, searching for Michael, staring into the cab of the truck, and jumping a little when he finds him sitting on the tailgate.

He looks like he hasn't moved in a while, and he doesn't even twitch when the thunder crashes again.

Alex takes him in for a moment. His face is being covered by his hat, but his clothes looked nicer than anything that Alex has ever seen him wear. Even in the dim light, he can tell that his jeans have no holes, and the sweater he's wearing actually looks soft, and like it actually fits him.

It makes something warm and fuzzy curl in the pit of his stomach, that Michael is doing good, that he's happy and well. Well, he's not really happy right now, if Isobel is to be believed, but from the small, unasked for updates that Kyle gives him whenever they meet up for beers, he knows that Michael hasn't been miserable or drinking like a fish or getting into bar fights or dating anyone.

Alex shakes his head to get rid of the last thought, because he knows better than to hope for anything. If the last three years, since he came back to Roswell the first time have taught him anything, it was that Michael was over him, and Alex just needed to get over it.

Which was much easier said than done.

Alex had thought that he had been making steps towards that, but he could feel the tips of his fingers tingling just from proximity.

Maybe this was a mistake.

As soon as he thinks the words, Michael turns and looks at him. His lips are parted like he was going to speak, and then he seems to realize that Alex was the one standing there, and not Isobel or Max.

Their eyes lock, and Alex feels his heart skip several beats, before it starts racing, matching his quickening breaths.

Lightning flashes and thunder crashes as they look at each other, and Alex has a feeling like something mystical, something alien is about to happen.

Alex walks closer to the truck and Michael doesn't move or say anything, just continues to stare at him, eyes too big, like he's not sure that Alex is real.

Alex sits down next to him and the truck moving up and down with Alex's weight is what snaps Michael's gaze away from him.

"Hi," Alex says, and his voice comes out breathless and quivering, but he pushes forward anyway. "It's good to see you."

"What are you doing here, Alex?" Michael asks, the question falling out of his mouth almost as soon as Alex finishes speaking.

"Isobel came to see me," he says, and Michael scoffs, looking at Alex and quickly away. "She said you were missing, and she thought you were at my place, and it wasn't until she left that I realized I knew exactly where you were."

Michael shakes his head, scoffing again, as he turns to give Alex a sardonic look.

"That doesn't answer the question. What did Isobel let slip 'accidentally' that made you come all the way over here, when you haven't bothered with a hello since you've been back?"

Alex bristles immediately at the implications in his tone, getting defensive, "I don't owe you anything, Guerin."

"I'm not expecting anything from you, Manes," Michael drawls, a mean smirk on his mouth.

Alex scoffs, "Really? Because it sure seems like you were expecting something."

Michael looks away at that, but Alex is just gearing up.

"Which is the part of all of this that is confusing me. I understand you coming out here and wanting to be alone because your brother is dying, again," Michael flinches at the words, and Alex wants to reach out and comfort him somehow, but instead he keeps talking.

"What I don't understand is you being hopeful about us and taking me being with someone else as a rejection. Michael, you were the one who ended things between us. You pushed me away and reminded me at every turn that while I wasn't like my family, I also wasn't what you wanted."

Michael is looking at him now, eyes wet with tears, brow furrowed, and he's shaking his head a little, like Alex is speaking about something that he doesn't understand.

He doesn't say anything in the lull of Alex's flow of speech, so Alex keeps talking.

"I am sorry, you know," he says. "About the song. I wasn't expecting you to be there when I was performing it. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

"What?" Michael asks, sounding disbelieving, and he fully turns, tilting his head up a little so that he can see Alex's face clearly. "Why would you think that I was uncomfortable?"

"You walked in while I was in the middle of singing, and you left the second you realized exactly what the song was about. In conjunction with the fact that you'd just gotten your heart broken, I know you weren't walking into the bar expecting a declaration of love, and I'm sorry that I-"

"Alex," Michael says in a low voice, lowering his head just a little. "Stop apologizing."

Alex opens his mouth to speak, but stops when Michael reaches up and takes his hat off, tossing it to the side and ruffling a hand through his hair.

Without the hat, it's almost like a strip of armor that Michael had been wearing has come off, and he looks at Alex intently, "That's not why I left."

"Oh," Alex says, deflating. "Then why did you leave?"

Michael huffs out a humorless laugh, looking away.

"I thought I was doing what was best for us at the time. Maria had just broken up with me, and while I wasn't ready to jump into a relationship with you, I wanted things that I knew were selfish. And then I saw that Nazi obsessed blue haire-"

"So she got that from you?" Alex interrupts him, giving Michael an exasperated look.

Michael just shrugs unrepentant.

"I saw him there, watching you sing, and I just, I didn't think that in that moment, if given the choice, you'd pick me, not after everything that happened. So I left, because I wanted to give you the space to heal and to date whoever you wanted. But then I heard you were coming back home, and I don't know, I guess I couldn't stop myself from hoping that you were coming back for me."

Alex just stares at him, eyes wide, feeling like someone just turned his entire world upside down. He swallows hard, not really knowing how to respond.

"Michael, I-"

But Michael shakes his head, getting to his feet and standing in front of Alex.

"You don't owe me anything, remember?"

Alex just shuts his eyes, and inhales deeply.

After a couple of seconds where Michael just keeps staring at him, and the storm brews ever closer, thunder so loud and near that it reverberates through Alex's bones, he speaks again.

"I was ready, you know," he says, trying really hard to sound casual and failing. Alex opens his eyes to stare at him, but Michael is looking up at the sky, the flashes of lightning caught in his eyes.

"Or I thought that I was,” he continues, shaking his head and then looking back at Alex and jumping when he sees that Alex is looking at him. “I even went to meet you at the bus stop.”

“So that was you?” Alex proclaims, jumping down from the tailgate.

Michael looks embarrassed, cheeks flushed red, and it reminds him so much of the Michael that he fell in love with that he loses his breath for a moment.

“You noticed huh?” Michael says, making a face.

“I swore that I saw you through the bus window, but when I actually looked there was no one there, so I thought I just imagined it.”

“Well, when I saw your boyfriend there, I made myself scarce,” Michael says, a bitter tone to his voice, but he looks apologetic, so at least he’s self aware enough to know that he has nothing to actually be bitter about.

“Not my boyfriend,” Alex says automatically, and Michael just stares at him a bit incredulously.

Alex rolls his eyes and scoffs, “Like you’ve never had a booty call, Guerin.”

Michael raises both eyebrows at that, and gives Alex a mock shocked look, “I’m afraid I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

But he ruins the effect by smirking, and Alex can’t help it, he bursts out into laughter, the tension of the last couple of minutes draining out of him.

He’d thought maybe things between them would just be weird and stilted and painful, but so far it hasn’t felt anything like that. It felt easy.

Alex stops laughing and just grins at Michael, who is just staring at him with a look that Alex is very familiar with.

Alex’s smile dims a little as he continues to stare at Michael who breathes in deeply like he’s steeling himself for something.

“So, not your boyfriend, huh?” he says, taking a step forward.

Alex inhales sharply at the words, and licks his lips, shaking his head.

“So, if I kissed you right now, what would you do?”

Alex exhales a small disbelieving breath, his pulse racing and fingers tingling. Michael has never asked to kiss him before. He’s always just done it like he’s afraid that Alex will tell him no if he dares to ask.

Michael looks away, probably thinking that Alex meant that as a no, so Alex takes a step forward, and Michael freezes, eyes snapping back towards Alex.

“Why don’t you do it, and find out?”

Michael moves forward like he thinks that Alex is going to change his mind at any second, fingers pressed to Alex’s face as he tilts his head to the side and presses his mouth to Alex’s.

The move makes them stagger backwards a little, but Alex hardly notices as he pushes his fingers into Michael’s hair and holds on tight, keeping him close as he kisses him back.

The storm breaks at the same time, and the rain falls hard and cold, pelting them and soaking them almost immediately, but neither Alex or Michael care as they continue to kiss.

Michael digs his fingers harder into Alex’s jaw and kisses him harder, parting his lips and licking at Alex’s mouth. Alex wraps his arms around Michael’s shoulder, pulling himself in closer and opening his mouth to Michael’s.

Michael kisses him deep and just a little bit desperate, and Alex loses himself in it, thinking, this, this, this.

This is what he’s been missing. This is what’s always missing. Michael kisses him like Alex was created specifically for Michael to kiss. And Alex can’t help but surrender to the touch.

After what feels like forever and not long enough, Michael pulls away, panting heavily.

Alex blinks rapidly a few times, before he realizes that his vision is blurry because of the rain that is pouring down on top of them.

He looks up at the sky as lightning lights up the clouds and thunder rumbles, and he closes his eyes breathing in deep. Michael drops his forehead to Alex’s cheek, pressing his face along the side of Alex’s face and just breathing.

Alex just tightens his hold on Michael and breathes with him.

[voidcat]

—pink of the snow

Characters: Dazai Osamu/gn!reader

Genre & wc: fluf/comfort – 1.1k

a/n; Happy Valentine’s Day (again!!) this can be read separately but if anyone’s wondering this has a part 1 leading to this. The song mentioned is obviously Nobody by Mitski. Yes I’m ok I swear (I almost named this “Pink in The Night” I am rotting...) — part one

One afternoon, a knocking on your door though you’re not expecting anyone for the day.

Upon opening the door, the chill of the day barges in with a sudden little breeze but neither of these things are the source of the chill going up your spine.

And there stands Dazai Osamu, with a bottle of wine you can’t see the name of; yet from the looks of it, it’s one you’re positive he didn’t pay for.

“What better way to get warm on a chilly winter day than a glass of wine?” he says with a smile, ‘shared with someone’ hanging from his lips to finish his line.

With nothing else to do on your part and his determined posture on the other side, you sigh and stand aside. “Take off that stinky coat as you get inside.”

You can hear him complain behind you, mumbling about ‘what smell’ and ‘what’s it with people always telling him he smells?’, you decide to leave it at that, already entering the living room to sit by the window.

He comes several seconds later, sitting across you, the coat nowhere to be seen and the bottle still in his hand.

The name Petrus catches your eye, with an eyebrow rising, “I can put it in the drive and you can reveal to me how you found this address.”

“It was pure luck.” He hands out the bottle and you know he’s yelling the truth.

Dazai Osamu has many ways of obtaining intel but none of them for the home address of someone he already knows, and his looks alone tell you he found out out of the blue.

“Atsushi and I were investigating a rumor and he saw you by the door. I suppose you had earphones in because he calle do it your name but you just swayed in through the door.”

“And you decided showing up uninvited with a bottle of stolen quality wine?” You state more than ask.

“You could say that.” He replies with a shrug and one of those small smiles you like, “although it’s more borrowed than stolen.”

“I’ll make sure to tell the owner this was all your idea.”

And surprisingly, the rest, flies away like the day with Yosano, if not faster.

The light gentler than usual, the air calm, the wine tastes great and soon your fears of Chuuya –you have been informed that was his name— beaming through your ceiling gone with each sip you take.

So, what do you do when you’re alone with all the time in the world to yourself?, Dazai asks and you unlock your phone, hitting the shuffle button. A song starts building up, the lyrics contrasting the melody as usual, your cat glaring at him from your room and you find yourself laughing, clutching at your stomach whenever you meet his eyes.

He, Dazai, seems confused at first, until he follows your gaze, “You weren’t joking about the cat” his voice falters and ends up worsening your fit of laughter, face hurting, mouth desperately begging for a break.

Yet there’s something about their expressions that keeps you shedding tears of joy, you cannot recall the last time you cried if that, and you keep drinking and laughing and taking and watching him, as the light grows gentler, as it turns Golden and dances on his skin.

You think, maybe sunsets were made for him.

Any other winter day feels blank and stale, like food without spice or love in the process; bland and lacks taste, lacks a touch of personality, a sense of familiarity.

Yet here is today, as the day ends, it gains color, brought back to life in the dead of winter, the hue turned into something sweeter as Mitski comes on with honey in her voice and poison in her lyrics —though they don’t hurt for the first time in a while.

Pretending they’re about a regular life, or love, or something soft and known and lived is easier now in this very moment you find yourself in.

So you get up, your body commands, as another song begins, the glass still in your hand and you can hear Dazai complaining about a lyric.

“You heard her loud and clear; did its people want too much?” You say, taking a few steps away as you feel yourself floating away.

Taking a sip whenever you’re not singing, swaying or spinning, you can feel his eyes on your form moving.

It’s impressive how quick you’ve gone from converting to… whatever state the two of you are tangled in but it feels nice, you decide, and the sounds are welcome. You think, ‘What better way to dance your heart out to a song about loneliness than this very moment you’re wrapped in?’

The second verse begins and you go back and forth, back and forth and back and forth again. Throwing your head behind and drink what remains in your glass, you twirl your arms in the air and turn once.

Place the glass on the table and pull him by the wrist.

Back and forth and back and forth again, repeat and spin and soon he joins in following your cue, moving along to the sound and the melody and the air surrounding. Holding your hand above your head and making room for another spin for you, catching by the end and it feels natural somehow. Like you’ve danced many dances before, not only to this song but to countless more.

Face to face again and it’s slowed down, with limited movements, small and calculated, more swaying and the best rises, so does your energy, in sync and the sky pink.

Winter evenings, you recall, are the best when they’re painted in pastel shades of lavender and pink, soft and oozing, comforting and carrying a piece of spring. Snow begins again a little shy, as the song reaches an end and begins to fade away.

Your hand in Dazai’s, you’re not sure when that happened, and he leans in for a kiss, as a lonely snow flake rests against your window sill, beginning to melt as soon as it touched the surface that seems to carry the warmth of his lips.

“What was that for?” You ask, you think, you’re not quite certain if you’re spoken out loud or if you asked with your body.

“One good honest kiss.”

Dazai says as if it’s something so simple, in the open and easy to acquire, just like that, like a snapping of fingers.

The rest of the song echoes in your head after his words as the two of you lean into one another.

You suppose it is something so simple, in a pink night like tonight.

Tags: @atsumusdomain @celosiiaa @ywanfen

[itspufflehuff]

Spidey - Sebastian Stan x Holland!Reader

Summary: Being Tom Holland’s twin sister isn't all that bad. You each live your own lives and have your own successes. You don’t get to visit Tom on set much but when you finally make it to Comic Con will there be a special someone there for you to meet?

Hi! This is my first post in here so please let me know what you think! If you ever have suggestions or you find a mistake in my writing feel free to message me. Thank you and enjoy!

MATERLIST // TAGLIST

Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four | 

Word Count: 2,840

~~~~

Being Tom's twin wasn't as intimidating as people expected.

Sure he was Spider-Man but you still had your own success. Tom went for the big screen but you went for the big stage, Broadway.

You started with local shows, then you went on to be ensemble on West End. Soon you became an understudy for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It wasn't too long until you got the lead as Elphaba in the West End production of Wicked. With the attention you got as Elphaba you were scouted to audition for Broadway.

Seemingly around the same time Tom's fame skyrocketed so did yours. You two were so proud and happy for the other.

You decided to move out to New York seeing as how you were performing eight times a week.

Tom was your best friend so after every show, he called to ask how it went and to update you on his Spider-Man shenanigans.

The years came and went. You were still going strong on Broadway taking up different roles and Tom was still Spider-Man. He always talked about how fun it was being apart of the Marvel cast. You had still yet to meet anyone besides his Spider-Man co-stars like Zendaya and Jacob. Whenever they were doing a press event with the entire Marvel cast you were busy doing a show. Then one day you got a call to play Spider-Gwen.

You were so shocked when you got the call. You happened to be in your dressing room getting ready for a rehearsal. You sat there shocked, "Spider-Gwen?"

"Yes! Sony is making an animated Spider-Man and they think you would be perfect as Spider-Gwen. You wouldn't have to leave New York too long, just for some auditions. If you get the part you can do your recordings there."

"I don't know what to say." You were shocked. This is amazing! Imagine Tom's face when he finds out you're Spider-Man, well kind of.

"Say yes!"

"Yes!!"

~~~~

This was your first time attending Comic-Con. You never had a purpose to go before or even time. Now that you're apart of the Into the Spider-Verse cast you were attending so many different types of events you never did before. It was quite fun.

"Tom!" You shouted as soon as you saw him. You were in the middle of an interview but you didn't care. You hadn't seen your brother in ages. Tom laughed and walked over to you.

You two hugged and the interviewer spoke, "Our two favorite Spideys! Tom, how are you? What do you think of Y/N being Spider-Gwen?"

He laughed, "I'm doing well, I think it's great we have another Spider-Man in the family! But just so everyone knows I am the better Spidey." Everyone laughed.

"Sure you are." You playfully rolled your eyes.

"You're just a cartoon, I actually have to do flips and stuff," Tom argued.

You let out a 'pfft' before you spoke, "I could do the same things you can, you're not that special Tom."

"Alright, let's see it then!" He challenged.

"What? Right now?"

"Yes right now, come on let's go."

"Tom, I'm in heels."

He playfully rolled his eyes, "Heels aren't even that hard to jump around in, Y/N."

You looked to the interviewer who watched you twins bicker, "He did one dance wearing heels and he thinks he's amazing," turning to your brother you continued, "Newsflash Tommy I do that eight times a week."

The interviewer let out an 'ooo' as if you got him good. Everyone laughed as the interview wrapped up, "Well thank you for your time Y/N and thank you for joining Tom."

"Come on I want you to finally meet everyone." Tom grabbed your arm and pulled you along.

He basically ran through the crowd dragging you along behind him. When you finally got to where the rest of the Marvel cast was you and Tom were immediately surrounded by interviewers before you got to meet anyone.

Knowing neither of you were going to get through without at least one interview you both gave up trying to get by and stopped for an interview, "The Holland twins it's so amazing to see you both here today! How are you both?"

You answered first, "Thank you, I'm so excited to be here this is my first time so I'm a little nervous."

"Don't be nervous sis, just watch the pro." He smugly adjusted the jacket he had on.

You laughed and rolled your eyes as the interviewer asked another question, "Has there been any sibling rivalry now that both of have taken on the role of Spider-Man?"

You both looked at each other then Tom spoke, "You know what I was never mad because I know she's trying to be like her big brother which is flattering really."

You didn't notice before but next to Tom a couple of his castmates were doing an interview as well. The only reason you noticed them was because one of them came up to Tom and said, "Seriously Tom keep it down! Man, dude can't even do an interview without being a diva." You recognized him right away Anthony Mackie and next to him Sebastian Stan. Both you and Sebastian laughed at Anthony's obvious joke.

Tom looked down slightly embarrassed as he was trying to act smug before your interview was interrupted. "Y/N were you intimidated to take on Spider-Gwen knowing your brother was Spider-Man?"

"Umm, not really." you laughed, "I was actually really excited and thought it would funny to take on the role. I'm sure the casting directors thought the same thing."

The interviewer nodded, "Has there been a time where you two fought to prove who the better Spider-Man is?"

Before Tom could answer you did, "Well just a few minutes ago Tom tried to have a competition between us to see who was better at doing flips."

The three of you laughed, "And did you?"

"No, of course not! It is way too crowded in here and I'm in heels. I'm used to dancing in them not doing stunts. Maybe we can have that competition another time." You suggested to Tom.

He smiled mischievously, "You're on. May the best Spidey win." He held his hand out which you took. You both shook hands in front of the camera closing the deal to have a competition soon.

You didn't know this at the time but Sebastian couldn't take his eyes off of you for the rest of his interview. He knew who you were but never got the chance to meet you in person. Now seeing you several feet ahead of him he couldn't look away. You were more beautiful in person and your smile was radiating. Even after his interview ended he stood to the side watching you.

His eyes followed you as you smiled and waved to the interviewer. You were headed his way, quickly he turned and engulfed himself into a conversation with Chris Hemsworth.

Tom began introducing you to everyone as his little sister. He was only seven minutes older and always treated you like a kid for it. You were most excited to meet Robert Downey Jr. seeing as how he and Tom were so close. You two hit it off right away, he treated you like you were apart of the family.

You made your way down the line, meeting each member of the Marvel cast. You finally made it to Chris Hemsworth, Anthony, and Sebastian, "Hey guys I want you to finally meet my little sister, Y/N."

They all looked to you at you, well more like down at you. They were all so tall towering over.

Thank God I wore heels today.

"Pleasure to meet you," Chris grabbed your hand.

"Finally the famous Y/N! Now tell me was Tom always such a diva or is it just because he's Spider-Man that he's acting like a big shot?" Anthony asked.

You and Tom laughed. He did tell you about how he and Sebastian always teased him.

"Yeah and what about that juice obsession? Like, come on man you're too old for that." Sebastian joined in.

You looked to him and laughed, "You know what I've been telling him the same thing like come on Tom we're in our 20s and you're still hooked on juice like it's you're only will to live." You joked along and turned to Anthony, "As for the diva attitude he's always been this way like we get it you were Billy Elliot get over it!" Everyone laughed as Tom stood there pretending to look offended.

"Well, at least I never went out on stage looking like the green goblin!" He fought back.

"Hey! Elphaba is a very complex and demanding character. You're just jealous you don't have half the talent I do."

"Oh puh-lease, I totally do. Tell me who was it that taught you to dance?"

"Ok fine you have that but acting and singing was all me! All you can do is act and dance. I'm a triple threat."

That shut him up as everyone laughed at him, "I like this one." Anthony said. He reached out to shake your hand which you gladly accepted. He moved to the side, Sebastian happily took over his spot in front of you.

He reached out to shake your hand and when you grabbed it he pulled you in closer, "Just so you know you're my favorite Spidey." He whispered into your ear. A smile arose onto your lips as you pulled away, "Thank you."

"May I also add I think you have a beautiful voice, I want to one of your shows but wasn't able to catch you after the show."

A blush crept up to your face, "Thank you, again." A nervous laugh escaped, "I would've loved to have met you then. Sometimes I escape through the side exits. I love my job but I don't always love the crowds."

"I know what you mean, sometimes after movie premieres, I sneak out through the employee exit just to get away from the crowds."

Neither of you noticed but you were still holding onto each other's hand. It wasn't until Hemsworth cleared his throat beside you two, "Sorry to interrupt but we're heading to the panel room."

You both looked at him and quickly let go of each other's hands. "I'll meet you guys over there." Sebastian nodded to him. Chris looked over to the both of you, "Ok, well once again it was nice to meet you Y/N. I hope to see you soon." He gave you one last smile and walked away. You turned back to Sebastian. He spoke before you did, "I'd love to see you again late."

"Yeah, I'd love that too. I have a panel in twenty minutes. I was going to meet my brother after and join you all for the rest of the day, maybe we can talk more then." You smiled at him.

"Great, I'll see you then." He grabbed your hand gently, pulled it up to his lips, and placed a kiss there. He walked away to where his castmates went leaving you standing there with your heart beating fast.

You meet up with your cast and took photos with fans. Sebastian took up all of the thoughts in your head. You tried to focus on what was happening but your mind wandered off the feel of his lips on your had and how his eyes looked so deeply into yours.

Surprisingly enough your panel flew by. You were able to get Sebastian out of your head and get lost in hanging out with your cast as you answered fan questions. By the end, you walked out the door to see Tom waiting for you talking to some fans.

"Excuse me, I've got to go. It was nice meeting you all!" Tom excused himself from the group and walked towards you. "Ready to go?" He put his arm around your shoulder.

"Let's go." You said with a bit of excitement and nervousness.

Tom didn't notice, however. "So how many of your questions were about me?"

You were lost in thought once again unable to get Sebastian out of your mind, "Huh?"

"I got so many questions about the new Spider-Man in the Holland household." He chuckled.

Finally understanding him you laughed along, "Oh, yeah, I lost count after five. Someone asked about our rivalry so I started a rumor that we haven't spoken in months and I am actively hiding from you during this event."

Tom laughed, "Lucky for you, Mackie and Sebastian started a rumor that I'm a diva at home, so you're scared to be near me."

You laughed louder than you expected, "What?"

"Yes! They asked me about you and Mackie joined in saying you met everyone earlier and told them I've always been a diva. And of course, Sebastian had to join in," He imitated their American accent, "Poor girl looked terrified to be around him."

You both laughed as you walked into the room where the rest of the Marvel cast was.

The moment you walked in Sebastian's stomach flipped, in a good way. You were laughing when you walked in. It was the most amazing laugh he heard, he wanted to able to keep making you laugh like that. He watched as you walked around the room greeting everyone. You stopped at RDJ and Chris Evans. You all talked, but you were too far for Sebastian to hear what about. He saw you smiling from where he was at and he loved it. He excused himself from his friends and made his way to you.

"So, Y/N, what's it like to perform on stage like that? I mean it's all live and you have so much to remember, lines, songs, choreography, blocking." Evans sighed as if the thought of it made him exhausted, "I mean it's incredible."

"It was hard at first but this is my life. I love going up there each night. Sometimes we make mistakes but as long as you don't let the audience know it was a mistake then it doesn't matter. Plus we get to improve sometimes or make scenes better each night by seeing how the audience reacts."

He watched you talk about your work. The way your eyes lit up he could tell you really did love your job. Of course, he already knew that though. When he saw your performance as Eurydice in Hadestown. You had just happened to be there that night as the understudy, but he was glad to see it was you. He recognized you from the pictures on Tom's phone. He knew you were an actress on broadway so when he saw you he knew it was you. He fell in love with your performance that night. Your voice was so beautiful and the emotions you gave were so raw. Your energy was incredible it was as if you fell into the character.

"You should see her perform," He chimed into the conversation making his presence known.

Everyone turned to him, "I never did ask, which show did you see?" You tilted your head.

"Hadestown."

You broke out into a smile, "I know exactly which performance. You know that was the only time I played Eurydice?"

"Really?" His head hung in disbelief. From that performance, he would've been fooled to think you played that character a million times over, "Well you were incredible if I'd known you would be playing the lead I would've told Tom to set us up to meet."

You both smiled at each other for a moment before Tom spoke,  "Yeah, that's my sister. I don't like to admit it but she's an amazing actress. Maybe even better than me."

"Maybe? More like definitely." You challenged.

"What show were you working on before coming here?" RDJ asked.

"I was doing an off-broadway production of Mamma Mia. I let my understudy take my place so I could tour and do some promoting for Spider-Verse."

Tom excused himself so he could talk with some of his other castmates. Slowly RDJ and Evans left the conversation leaving you and Sebastian.

"You know I live out in New York as well," Sebastian said casually.

"Really? I just assumed all you movie stars lived out in LA."

"Heck no! I'm a New Yorker. I love it there" He smiled looking at you.

"Maybe we can meet up there someday, now that we're acquainted and all." You suggested nervously.

"Yeah, that would be great. Which part of New York are you in?"

"Ironically Midtown," you laughed. It took him a second but he got it, "Ah yes Spider-Man goes to Midtown." He dropped his head with a chuckle.

"38th and sixth." You clarified. He looked up with eyes wide, "You're kidding? I live on 43rd and ninth! That's like ten minutes away from me." You both stood there in disbelief.

"All of these coincidences, you would think we'd met by now."

He laughed, "Well, we have now. I'd like to keep meeting. If that's ok with you?"

You looked up at him smiling, "I'd love that."

[taetaespeaches]

“It’s ok, baby, you don’t have to tell me how cool I was.”

jungkook x reader (or oc) (feat. bangtan and their ladies) genre: fluff word count: 3.8K

a/n: I found writing this drabble to be so difficult for some reason, but here it is lol. The bangtan gang does karaoke together and through it, Guk/Holly realize just how fucking smitten they are with each other. As always, thanks for reading and I hope you all enjoy! :)) 

WALKING down the hallway to the room, you squinted in curiosity. Weren’t karaoke rooms supposed to be at least a little soundproof?

“Jesus, do you hear that?” Jungkook giggled next to you, his hand wrapped up with yours.

“Is that them?” You asked, your boyfriend nodding. The pure chaos seeping from the room into the hallway was already calming your nerves, though you were still on edge. It wasn’t as if you hadn’t met the boys before. You’d met them all at least once, and you knew Jimin and his girlfriend and Taehyung and his “best friend” pretty well. But there was something intimidating walking into a room full of Jungkook’s closest friends with all their girlfriends.

You were the newbie, and you were worried you would be treated as such.

“Hey,” Jungkook squeezed your hand. “Relax,” he smiled comfortingly at you. You nodded quickly, assuring him you were good to go inside, Jungkook reaching an arm out to open the door.

Upon entry, you were met with the scene of Jimin performing ‘7 rings’, and as he sang “when you see them racks, they stacked up like my ass,” his girlfriend was slapping his ass as he did a sassy little twerk.

The rest of the group were laughing and cheering at the two, hoots and hollers resounding in the space. Jimin fell into giggles and his girlfriend had to take over on the mic to help him finish the song. Maybe you had no reason to be nervous around this group…

You and Jungkook slipped inside the room, Jin taking notice as he yelled out, “JK!” dragging out the second letter. His eyes widened when he spotted you. “Hey, I want to talk to you,” he told you, immediately coming over and grabbing your wrist gently, pulling you away from your boyfriend, Jungkook’s gaze following you as you walked away with his older friend.

You watched Jungkook approach the group as Jimin’s performance ended. Applause and cheering ensued as Jimin slung his arm around his girlfriend’s shoulders, taking a bow before they seated themselves at the end of the curved booth next to Taehyung and his… best friend.

Meeting Jin’s eyes, he shot you a smile. “Now hear me out,” he started, your eyes widening. He let out a breathy chuckle at your reaction before adding, “what do you say about performing a song with me?”

“About time you showed up,” Jimin’s girlfriend yelled at Jungkook, making him look at her in offense.

“The car was late,” he defended, just as Yoongi’s girlfriend spotted him.

“You missed my performance of ‘Oops!... I did it again,” Jimin’s girlfriend started singing, Jimin smiling happily next to her, his arms still hung over her shoulders.

“Kookie!” Yoongi’s girlfriend suddenly yelled at him. “Are you ready to do this?”

“Do what?” He asked, resulting in a glare from the girl. “Oh! Are we doing this?” He asked in excitement.

She stood up, Yoongi watching her rise. “You two are singing together?” He asked, sporting a gummy grin.

“Get ready to be blown away,” she told her boyfriend, leaning down to leave a kiss to his forehead.

Your conversation with Jin about what song to sing together was disrupted when you spotted your boyfriend stepping to the center of the room with Yoongi’s girlfriend, both with mics in hand. Jin followed your gaze, a cheer immediately leaving his lips when he noticed the duet pair.

Jungkook’s eyes found yours, a smile overtaking his face as you held up a thumbs up at him. He winked back, you giggling, just as the music started.

The duo looked to each other, both giving a cool head nod, just before Jungkook started singing ‘Thnks fr th Mmrs’, Yoongi scoffing from his seat, though he wore a fond grin.

“Ah, of course! Our resident emos!” Jin yelled out next to you, you laughing as your eyes stayed glued to Jungkook.

As Jungkook took the lead vocals, Yoongi’s girlfriend sang the extra vocals, both of them coming together in perfect harmony in accordance to the song. Had they practiced this?

“Oh my god, they practiced this,” Yoongi suddenly yelled out in laughter, his girlfriend sticking up a middle finger at him, only making the man laugh harder. Jungkook looked to you, you shaking your head at him, though you were thoroughly entertained by his pre-rehearsed duet.

As Yoongi’s girlfriend sang the bridge, Jungkook played an acoustic air guitar, everyone laughing as they watched in amusement.

Jungkook took over the main vocal again when the pre-chorus came back in, Yoongi’s girlfriend handling the adlibs. They head banged together, causing Jimin to nearly fall out of his seat in laughter, his girlfriend having to hold him up by his forearm. By the time the song was over, they were both winded, nodding their heads as the group applauded them. With a high five, the girl was returning to her seat, and your boyfriend was approaching you.

“One more song and then it’s us,” Jin told you before walking way, smacking your boyfriend’s back as they passed by each other. Standing in front of you, he gave you a smug look.

“What’d you think?” He asked, feigning a cool guy act, you giggling as you patted his cheek.

“Very cool, baby,” you teased, Jungkook nodding in agreement.

You both stared at each other for a moment before Yoongi’s voice drew your attention across the room.

“Ok, amateurs, let me show you how it’s done,” he said, his girlfriend rolling her eyes as he pulled up his sleeve, doing his own cool guy act.

Nobody knew what song Yoongi was about to perform, you all watching him closely as you awaited the music. Jungkook’s arm wrapped around your waist and you leaned into the touch. When the music started, you, his girlfriend, and Tae’s “best friend” all gasped, the others taking a moment to figure it out.

Everyone burst into laughter in unison at Yoongi’s “O-Ow,” as he started singing Shania Twain’s ‘That Don’t Impress Me Much’. You didn’t know Yoongi as well as the group did but it seemed as though everyone was just as shocked as you about his song choice. Since when does Yoongi listen to Shania?

Hoseok instantly pulled out his phone, having to capture the performance. The man had moves, you had to admit. And he was possibly the king of the finger wag, wigging his hips as he moved his finger around, informing you all that he indeed was not impressed.

When he said, “Ok, so you’re a rocket scientist,” he stood in front of Namjoon, Namjoon holding back a smile as everyone else laughed.

Yoongi dedicated the second verse to Jin, messing his hair up as he sang, “‘cause heaven forbid it should fall out of place.” The whole room joined in with the, “Ok, so you’re Brad Pitt.”

Jungkook moved around your body, wrapping his arms around you in a back hug, resting his chin on your shoulder. His body was warm and you couldn’t help but melt a little in his embrace.

Yoongi really did put on quite a performance, but the man holding you was pretty damn distracting, his boyish cackles sounding next to your ear pulling your attention from Yoongi’s stellar show. You snuck a glance at the man to find him looking at you already, a massive smile spread across his face.

His eyes sparkled, the edges crinkled due to the expression of happiness. You could look at him like that forever. Leaning your face toward his, you left a sweet kiss to his cheek, the man sighing in content at the gesture.

As Yoongi’s performance wrapped up, he returned to his seat next to his girlfriend, a proud smile on his face, Jungkook chuckling as the girl patted Yoongi’s chest, looking at him in disbelief.

“I’m kind of pissed that I never knew you were a Shania fanboy,” she told him, a grin overtaking his face as he leaned toward her, pecking her lips.

Jungkook’s focus left the couple when he felt you pat his forearm, stepping away from you.

“Are you up?” He asked, letting go of you, his eyes glued to your form as you turned to nod at him.

“Cheer for me,” you told him, Jungkook giggling in response.

“Always,” he replied.

Jungkook made his way to sit with the group, taking a spot next to Hoseok, his gaze staying with you. He giggled when you and Jin made up a handshake on the spot, a series of hand slaps and fist bumps, you struggling to follow Jin’s lead.

When the music started up, everyone let out “ohhhh’s” in excitement at the piano intro to Lizzo’s massive bop. You sang, “Why men great tell they gotta be great?” Jin singing the high-pitched “Woo!” Everyone laughed as you sang ‘Truth Hurts’ together, you and Jin taking turns singing a few lines before the other took over. It was actually pretty impressive how easily you and Jin fed off each other, both in terms of taking over vocals and in dance moves.

Jungkook felt his face heat up when you pointed at him as you sang, “So you can tell your friend,” everyone awing and oohing as you turned back to Jin, pretending to shoot a basketball as you sang, “shoot your shot when you see him”, Jin holding his arms open in a circle to create a basketball hoop, “it’s ok, he’s already in my dms, bitch,” you sent a wink to Jungkook, his heart racing for some fucking reason as he wore an adorably smitten smile.

Hoseok placed his hand on Jungkook’s shoulder, a wide smile on his face as they all bopped along to the rest of yours and Jin’s performance.

As Jungkook watched you interact with his oldest friend, and saw how everyone else smiled and laughed as they watched you in amusement, he felt a fluttering sensation in his stomach. He knew you’d fit in with the group just fine, but with how easily you joined them Jungkook was on could nine.

He knew you were nervous heading into the night, and to see how quickly you warmed up and how welcoming his friends were toward you, he realized just how special you were.

When the song ended, Jungkook opened his arms for you to sit on his lap, which you happily did skipping over to him as Jin soaked in the praises. Jungkook placed a kiss to your shoulder before pressing one to the side of your neck, another to your jaw, and another on your cheek. He couldn’t help but want to kiss you all over, his fondness growing impossibly stronger and deeper the longer the night went on.  

Jungkook nearly cooed at how you giggled at his affections, leaning back against him as you asked, “How did I do?”

He didn’t respond straight away, instead scanning at your features, appreciating every inch of your face before his eyes met yours. “You were amazing,” he complimented finally, though the light-hearted atmosphere suddenly turned more intense, strong feelings floating in the air as your gazes held each other’s.

I think I’m in love with you, Jungkook thought to himself.

You and Jungkook continued staring at each other, eyes drifting from feature to feature, your orbs appreciating the adorable freckle below his bottom lip, to his perfectly boopable nose, up to his round bambi eyes just in time to see them crinkle at the edges due to the smile curving on his mouth.

A smile overtook your own face, a giggle slipping from Jungkook. The temptation too much for you to resist, you raised your pointer finger, tapping the tip of his nose gently, Jungkook giggling more as he grabbed his hand in yours.

As Yoongi’s girlfriend and Taehyung’s “best friend” began singing ‘I Kissed A Girl’ together, shamelessly partaking in their little crush on each other, you and Jungkook watched with grins as he mindlessly traced over the lines on your hand and fingers.

In that moment, everything felt right. Like you belonged there with Jungkook, seated on his lap with his arms wrapped around you, his breath on your neck as he placed occasional subtle kisses to your skin. And there with his friends, all of them smiling and laughing around you, treating you as though you had always been a part of their group.

Glancing around at them all, you smiled fondly at how Jimin and his girlfriend teased Taehyung for looking a little jealous over his “best friend’s” performance with Yoongi’s girlfriend. And how Yoongi shamelessly cheered his lady on as she danced with the girl, highly amused by the song choice due to his and his girlfriend’s ongoing joke about them both having a crush on the younger girl. Hoseok was once again filming the performance with a smile as bright as the sun as his girlfriend sat with her hand on his lap, joking with Namjoon’s girlfriend, while Namjoon stared lovingly at his girlfriend. Jin and his girlfriend were singing along passionately with the song. It felt like home, and you were filled with a feeling of love and tenderness for the people around you.

Turning to the man holding you against his body, those emotions only intensified as you met his gaze once more. He had easily entered your life, turning everything upside down in the best way possible as he filled each day with more light. When his eyebrows raised in question, you simply shook your head before resting your forehead against his. I’m in love with you, you thought as Jungkook pressed his lips to yours in a sweet kiss.

Jungkook left you momentarily to perform ‘BANG BANG BANG’ by BIGBANG with Taehyung, and the word perform was not to be taken lightly. The two were rapping their asses off, busting out moves, giving it their all as they pulled out all the stops. It was obvious they had sang this song together numerous times throughout their years of friendship.

“Give the man a rap verse!” Taehyung’s “best friend” yelled out to the rap line, and specifically Yoongi, causing Taehyung to giggle and mess up his otherwise perfect verse. Yoongi scoffed and Hoseok cackled loudly, and well, Namjoon was in his own drunken world, having had a few too many drinks.

“I swear, when those two get together it’s like they share one brain cell between the both of them,” Taehyung’s “best friend” teased the singing duo, you, Jimin, and Jimin’s girlfriend laughing.

“The Nimrods,” you commented, Taehyung’s girlfriend gasping.

“That’s them!” She agreed, both of you deciding to lovingly dub them as The Nimrods from there on out.

“I want you and Taehyung to duet,” Jimin told Taehyung’s “best friend”. “Let us pick the song,” he gestured to his girlfriend, the girl nodding enthusiastically. After groaning and trying to get out of it, Taehyung’s “best friend” reluctantly agreed, the couple smirking to each other as if some plan was falling into place.

As Jungkook and Taehyung finished, they did their well-known handshake before taking a cocky bow, you rolling your eyes teasingly as he returned to you. “It’s ok, baby, you don’t have to tell me how cool I was,” Jungkook joked as you stood up, letting him sit down.

“Oh, don’t worry, I wasn’t going to,” you grinned, Jungkook laughing adorably at the comment. He reached for your thighs to pull you back onto his lap, but you stepped away from him, making your way to the center of the room.

“You’re singing again?” He asked, you nodding as Jimin’s girlfriend appeared at your side.

“We’re gonna sing some One D because it’s a crime to not pay homage to our favorite boyband during karaoke,” she told the crowd, only to be met with yells of disapproval.

“What about us?” Namjoon yelled out.

“Yeah, we’re a boyband,” Jimin added with a whine, causing the girl to hold her hand up to them to hush them.

“I said what I said,” she told them all firmly, some of them huffing, others laughing in amusement.

Jungkook watched with a massive smile spread across his face as you performed ‘I Would’ by One Direction. He was so fucking fond.

If someone had told him earlier in the night that he would grow absolutely certain he was in love with you as you belted out classic Zayn Malik adlibs, well, he may have believed them. But it was true. In that moment, he was sure.

His lovestruck daze was interrupted when Jimin tapped his arm. “You need to bring her around more,” he told Jungkook, Taehyung and his “best friend” agreeing.

Jungkook easily nodded, biting back a growing smile. “I will,” he said simply.

When you returned to him after the song ended, he quickly wrapped his arms around your legs, pulling you onto his lap, smothering your cheek in kisses. “You’re the fucking cutest,” he mumbled against your face between pecks as you giggled.

He left his cheek pressed to the side of your face as you turned your attention to Taehyung and his “best friend” glaring at their friends, Jimin and his girlfriend snickering as ‘Partition’ by Beyonce played. “I hate you so much,” the girl complained to her friend, Jimin’s girlfriend simply blowing her a kiss.

However, it didn’t take long for the duo to get into it, dancing together, the girl taking care of most of the lyrics, Taehyung doing his best to play along despite his slight state of shock. Everyone “ooh’d” as she sang, “Oh, there daddy, daddy didn’t bring the towel,” Taehyung’s eyes widening slightly as she reached for his shirt, gripping the material at the center of his chest, tugging him toward her.

When she sang the line, “He like to call me peaches when we get this nasty,” Taehyung rested his forehead against hers, the duo staring at each other tensely, everyone else sharing knowing glances with each other.

By the time they finished the song, both of their faces were tinted red as they sat awkwardly together, though the girl wore a small smirk. Taehyung would steal glances at her, his eyes taking in the sight of her. Jungkook wondered how much longer they would try to hide their feelings from each other.

The sexual tension that the room just witnessed was completely shattered as you all laughed at a very tipsy Namjoon belting to Adele’s ‘Someone Like You’, his girlfriend giggling fondly at him as he dramatized the performance.

Jungkook continued placing kisses to your shoulder, neck, and jaw throughout Namjoon’s ballad, letting out boyish chuckles near your ear. He was really adorable. And as much as you enjoyed being with all his friends, you were growing anxious to get him alone.

Your realization that you were without a doubt madly in love with him had you wanting to tell him as soon as possible, almost as if you were to keep it inside any longer, your heart would burst.

You were glowing under the cheap disco ball lights, smiling and laughing with his friends, and Jungkook’s growing desire to tell you just how much he loved you was taking over, losing his impulse control.

Luckily, everyone was tiring out, buzzed and happy. When Namjoon finished his song, his girlfriend grabbed his jacket, walking towards him.

“Ok, my sweet crooner, let’s go home,” she told him, Namjoon leaning forward to kiss her before he put the jacket on. You all started piling out of the karaoke bar in your pairs, some getting touchier than others.

Jungkook positioned himself behind you, holding you in a back hug as you left the building, stepping onto the sidewalk, the cold air hitting you and making you both shiver.

Saying your goodbyes to everyone, you began waddling in the direction of your apartment. The air was chilly but Jungkook’s body pressed against your back was warm. He hummed ‘Someone Like You’ in your ear, you smiling fondly as you took your time down the walkway.

Halting your movements, Jungkook grunted, squeezing your body tighter in his arms. “I had a lot of fun tonight,” you told him.

“Me too,” Jungkook whispered before spinning you around so you faced him, his hands coming to cradle your face. Your hands gripped onto his wrists as you both stared at each other. “They all really like you,” he told you, a fond smile on his pretty face.

“Yeah?” You asked, Jungkook nodding immediately. “I like them too.”

There were a few people who walked past you both occasionally, but neither of you paid them any attention as you continued staring at each other, all those unconfessed feelings bubbling within you both.

You were radiant under the streetlights, your smile bright as you looked at him, and he found himself sighing as he brushed his thumbs overtop your cheek bones.

“I’m in love with you, you know that?” Jungkook confessed in a soft voice, his eyes traveling your face before locking them on your own orbs, noticing how they didn’t even widen. Instead, they just looked warm and comforting, and dare he say, reciprocated the same feelings he just admitted to you.

Looking at him, his hair hanging over his eyes, the cold air leaving his pretty lips in little clouds, his eyes sparkling under the illumination of the streetlamp a few feet away from you, you simply smiled.

“Of course, I know that,” you teased, Jungkook letting out a small breathy chuckle at your response to his confession. “I’m in love with you, Jungkook.”

His eyes widened in slight surprise before they crinkled in the corners, smiling in relief and giddiness. “I didn’t know that,” he told you.

“Well now you do,” you replied, moving your hands to his waist, pulling him to you, Jungkook easily catching your lips in a passionate kiss.

Your top lip fit perfectly between his, just as it had during the first kiss in the laundromat a couple months ago, and just like it had every kiss since then. Your lips moved together, neither of you able to get enough of the other.

“I really love you, baby,” he mumbled against your mouth, you smiling into the kiss, loving the way his hands held your face.

“I love you so much,” you told him just before he placed one last lingering kiss to your lips before resting his forehead against yours, letting out a quick breath.

“Let’s go home,” he told you with a happy grin, you nodding as he reached for your hand. Intertwining your fingers, you walked together, talking and giggling, sneaking glances at each other, and stealing the occasional kiss as you made your way back to your apartment.

You did know he loved you. He was much too obvious with it for you to be oblivious. But as he leaned against your side, resting his head on your shoulder as you worked on unlocking your apartment door, whispering those three words into your ear for the third time, you knew you’d never tire of hearing them.

[thoughts-on-bangtan]

What do you think of JM’s updated Spotify? I don’t normally read into things, but his song choices makes me sad. “At my worst” “I can’t be myself (excuse me while I cry) & “When was it over?” With the lyrics “was it that fight we didn’t have when I came in? Was it the first time you saw me drunk? Second time I said I’m sorry?” It sounds like a replay of Vmins dumpling incident and it worries me. JM looked off in the recent live, almost sad and pouty lately. Do you think I’m over analyzing it?

Admin 1: The short answer to this would be: yes, you are over analyzing things.

The longer one would be that, for example, Pink Sweat$'s At My Worst isn't a sad song, it's actually the exact opposite. It's a very cute and romantic song. Just look at the first verse:

Can I call you baby? Can you be my friend? Can you be my lover up until the very end? Let me show you love, oh, no pretend Stick by my side even when the world is caving in, yeah

I'd actually argue this kinda sounds like a mixture between Sweet Night and Friends when it comes to the sentiment of those words. I’ve seen some people even claim that this will replace Ed Sheeran’s romantic songs that have so far been used at every wedding ever because of how sweet it is.

Then we have Justin Bieber’s I can’t be myself which I believe you probably only looked at the title and jumped to conclusions because, again, this isn’t a sad song either. The lyrics are more about how Justin (or whoever) cannot be himself when you (I’d guess he likely means his wife) isn’t by his side, thus wanting to say that he is happiest and most himself when they are together. It’s sweet and lovely, not sad.

I could travel any place But without you, it's just runnin' around (Girl, I'm just runnin' around) They could open Heaven's gates But without you, I'm just stuck in the clouds (Yeah, yeah)

Lastly, from the songs you specifically highlighted, is Sasha Sloan’s when was it over? which yes, I’ll admit this one is a sad song about not being able to let go even though you know there is nothing left. The song though has a very calm sound, something you’d listen to in the evening, and something I could see both him and Tae like listening to, not because Jimin relates to the lyrics but because it’s simply a pretty song.

On my current playlist I have Stromae’s Formidable, a song about a heartbroken man getting wasted after a breakup. I’ve neither gotten my heart broken nor am I sad and yet I still love this song because it’s just a really good song. Sometimes that’s the only reason we need to listen to a song. Nothing more to it.

All that to say that I don’t believe there is any correlation whatsoever to be made here, especially since Tae and Jimin look more than happy in recent months (did you notice Jimin happily smiling at Tae during their most recent performance of Butter for Colbert at the beginning of their subunit dance?) and there is nothing that could indicate to us that something went wrong between them, or that Jimin could be sad or something bad going on with him. I mean, look at JKs playlist and the fact that he has Billie Eilish’s Your Power on it, applying your thought process, does that mean that JK is trying to tell us he went through something similar to Billie? That he is sad? Or do you think he simply recommended that song because he likes Billie’s music? The last one seems the most likely, doesn’t it?

So, to sum it all up, there is absolutely no need to worry, seriously.

Admin 2: In the evenings, when it's very quiet and my big city has fallen asleep, I really enjoy listening to Sweet Night. I also like to go back to 4 O'Clock from time to time (although I know I will cry). Does that mean I missed my chance in life to be with my beloved? No and no again! I've never been in a situation like this, I wasn't unhappy or "fragily" in love, no one abandoned me or cheated on me. I listen to these songs because I love them. They match the mood of the evening and calm me down despite the sad lyrics and let me fall asleep peacefully.

I am a person who listens to a lot of songs from the past; Songs that remind me of situations, remind me of years of studying, enable me to relive certain situations.

Dear Anon, thank you very much for your question (confession), but I admit that I see it as "looking for some kind of backdoor" so to speak, a way to create a loophole and deny everything after all.

I don't know who you are, I don't know if you really are a Vminnie, but I think you are clinging to any possibility of a situation to undermine the reality or existence of Vmin. That's how I see it, if I offend you, I apologize. The more we get new materials about Tae and Jimin every day, like them being cute in the McDonald's behind the scenes, the more such "sad thoughts" we get sent to us through asks every day.

Firstly, I'm not sure if Jimin (and Taehyung) is fluent enough in English to capture the accuracy of the lyrics and understand its message. Of course, you can translate it, but for that to happen first the song has to catch your attention, and usually it's the melody and the overall feeling of a song that does it, and not the lyrics. And that is the point!

I think Jimin picked these tracks because he simply likes them. Perhaps he first paid attention to the melodies and the mood and only then understood the lyrics sometime later.

A lot of people (including me) hear some kind of song instead of another because they are intrigued by the melody or the association with a particular situation. The mood that fits the moment, the weather, the time of day or many other things which lead us to choose this song and not another.

Maybe Jimin and Taehyung were driving at night and listening to the song on the radio, maybe they were in a romantic mood back then, just having dinner together or taking a half bath together. Ha ha, I know I am deceiving and romanticizing what I am saying to reflect the vast possibilities and reasons why you listen to music like this and no other. Jimin putting together this list of songs for his spotify playlist doesn't mean he listens to it all the time, every day, but that he has the songs he likes on his list and chose the ones he wants to hear right now, or that he thought ARMY could like.

Of course, I'm sure he listens to very different songs during exercising than the one lying in bed before falling asleep. Maybe he's listening to this list, just like we hear the songs from BTS? We know individual words after repeating them several times, and we generally know (as we decide to read translations) what is going on in a particular song, but we don't understand all the words accurately. Not all of us are in the same situation as described in a particular song, but still we listen to it because we like it, because BTS sings it, because we are waiting for a solo from Suga etc. etc. etc.

For some time now we have been seeing (I see) Vmin happy, even very happy, as if "after the night the day came and after the storm came peace" (by the way, these are the words of one of my favorite songs), I have the impression that Vmin have finished fighting all their fights and they are just happy now, finally. Taehyung looks like a million dollars, he's literally glowing and far more lively than he was a year ago.

To him, Jimin is like smooch like butter and someone he likes the most. Taehyung is a handsome and hot chingu for Jimin who he also likes him the most as well. Tell me dear Anon, where is there room for fear and doubt in the love they share? Why and on what basis do you suspect that Vmin has broken up, or is having problems, or that either of them is unhappy? Besides, if one of them has an off day or is simply tired after a packet schedule and thus doesn't look as animated, why is that immediately read as "Jimin and Tae aren't together anymore" or "they are drifting apart" when chances are far more likely that it has nothing to do with their bond? Based on the playlist, or based on Vlive, or maybe based on both of these events, what is the correlation?

I've seen the Vlive. To tell the truth, I didn't see a sad and pouty Jimin there. Instead, I saw Taehyung smiling and content, and Jimin smiled and admired Tae's new hairstyle. I watched the latest BTS interviews. Vmin stared at each other, Jimin stared at Tae with a big smile that only grew in size and the two communicated with their eyes.

Jimin caressed Taehyung's back/butt in the Butter MV making Episode and said there’s butter here (though it wasn’t translated in the subs).

In the McD ad they were together and standing next to each other, even with Jimin resting his head on Tae's shoulder and then Jimin eating Tae's chicken nugget from his hand.

Honestly, I don't know what else Vmin would have to do to keep people from doubting their bond and happiness. They have shown us so much, I think they have reached the limit of what can be said without saying it bluntly.

Most importantly, this is a very interesting situation as we have never had as much "dubious news/content" (not meant negatively at all) as we have now after Taehyung's interview with his ‘confession’/clarification about Sweet Night. To me it smells a bit like someone wants to cause fear or plant the seed of doubt, or be like a trojan horse with the underlying idea of course being that "well...we must be wrong" even though there’s no reason for us to believe/think that.

[misterewrites]

Secret Agent Bard (Welcome to the Underground!)

Hello everyone! E here with a new chapter of the underground! Woo! I hope you are all doing good and staying safe.

So I actually have more to say today! That's a trip. I’ll have an author’s note under the line. 

So that's it for now. Stay safe, take care of you and your loved ones, stay out of trouble, wash your hands, wear your mask, get vaccinated if you can and push to release the vaccine world wide cuz we're all in this together. Have a great week and thanks for reading. I appreciate it and feel free to tell your friends, reblog, drop likes and feedback i love it all. Bye for now and enjoy!

If you want an easier place to read the story cuz tumblr sucks sometimes here’s a link to the chapter https://archiveofourown.org/works/27814297/chapters/79541746

The First Chapter: https://archiveofourown.org/works/27814297/chapters/68094967

and since you made it this far here’s a link to all my stories!

https://archiveofourown.org/users/MrE42/pseuds/MrE42

Byeeeeee!

Author’s note:  Today’s work will be a little different as there will be singing. The chapter with the bard is gonna have singing? Go figure haha So if you see a sentence in Italics, that means someone is singing. Bold and italics represents various people singing as a group. The song in question is called twiddles. There's different versions of it but the one I chose is from the misbehavin maidens. Great group but all their work ranges from innuendos to straight up not safe for work so listen at your peril. I have now completed my responsible adult duties haha. here’s a link to the chosen song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS1-_fKF5ug

Summary: Oliver has quite the task ahead of him as the group splits to achieve their goals. Leading Sel and Flora, the young bard will have to think quick on his feet to ensure this mission is a success. Luckily he's an old hand at this. Ironically the one person who could distract him may make a surprise appearance tonight.

-----

Oliver stood quietly, arms crossed and his mind thoughtful as the group prepared to go their separate ways. While ideally nothing would go wrong, that was a childish belief: Every person and robotic being here knew safety was not guaranteed in their line of work.

Even the old man knew the risks.

Oliver hated doing nothing. He thrived when he was busy, focused on whatever task required his attention whether it be being a better bard or upholding the Choir’s values. Too many ghosts and regrets lingered on the edges of his mind and he found the best solution was to simply keep occupied.

But that was his coping mechanism, not everyone else. He knew better than to rush his team: The party would last at least another few hours and beside the goal of getting Sel to the third floor, there was nothing else to do. No information to gather, nothing to review. Let them have their moment, it was good for morale.

Terri and Flora were sickeningly adorable: Hands clasped tightly with Terri tearfully asking her girlfriend to not poison everyone. Flora gave a halfhearted promise while as they shared a tender kiss. Terri noticed her less than enthused tone but refused to press the matter further.

Tyrell stood awkwardly to the side, his face twisted in a strange mixture of sick and excited. He fidgeted with something in his pocket, seeking comfort from whatever lay within. Given the shape of the bulge and size, Oliver guessed it was a knife.

Sel stood nearby, motionless in the shadows of the alley. They hadn’t moved in some time though he suspected the automaton was simply waiting for the next phase of the plan.

“Alright” Oliver spoke up, his voice firm yet gentle “Times up. You have your assignments?”

Uneven murmuring responded.

“Let’s go.”

Oliver, Sel and Flora went down one end of the alley, Terri and Tyrell disappearing in the opposite direction.

-----

It didn’t take long for the trio to find the main streets of the Merchant Ward and make their way towards the Brambleoak banking office. The crowds weren’t as thick as they had been during the day but Oliver knew everyone out and about did so with a purpose.

“Bard.” Flora asked without warning, breaking the awkward silence “Question.”

“Answer.” Oliver cheekily replied.

Flora glared.

Oliver coughed “Yes?”

“You are a First Chair Soprano correct?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Yet you are so young. How did you manage that? I thought First Chair ranks were only reserved for experienced or particularly skilled members. You don’t seem to be very magically powerful.”

Oliver paused for a moment, trying to best answer the question.

In a way Flora was correct in her assessment: He wasn’t particularly powerful as a spellcasting bard. Unlike Flora who clearly committed herself fully to nature and thus druidic magic, Oliver had only recently thrown himself into the magical arts.

Unless you were a wizard who studied the secrets of the universe with a very intimate and well versed knowledge of magic, most spellcasters drew their power from sources of existence: Clerics from their gods, Druids from nature, Warlocks from something beyond mortal existence yet not quite a deity, sorcerers because a family member fucked around with pure incomprehensible concepts. Magic was the fabric of the universe and the more you threw yourself into a source of power, the more the source threw itself into you, guiding your hand and your spells.

Of course each, wizards exempt, were limited in their spellcasting options. Clerics were powerful holy/unholy practitioners but couldn’t command plant life to save their lives. Druids were in tune with nature and the weather and all the lovely flora and fauna but ask them to superimpose an image onto something and they’d give you a dumbfounded look. Warlocks kinda just do whatever their sugar patrons felt like lending.

Magic bards drew their power from the arts: Drawing, singing, poetry, even witty and funny satire. Bards were in tune with life, with existence. Art could heal, could hurt, could make you feel happy and sad. It could make you feel like a whole new person or perhaps take you to a time and place you’d forgotten. Bards sung the song of life and Oliver was no exception.

However, Oliver still wasn’t sure what he could do exactly. His magical muscle was average on a good day and he could only cast a few spells before needing a good night’s rest. The basic healing spells and comprehension language he cast earlier today had taken a good chunk of his energy but he relied more on his wit than raw magical strength. He discovered creative and useful ways to cast his spells like amplifying dissonance noises to distract and disorient foes or temporarily place another person’s image over himself. Magic was as much about creativity as it was skill, pushing the limits of what you can do with your particular brand of spells.

“I’m clever.” Oliver answered honestly “The whole magic of the arts is new to me but I’ve been in the Choir for a long time now. I used to be Tenor like Sel here but more fast talking than breaking and entering. I guess they carried over my old position into my new one.”

Flora nodded, satisfied “That answers much. How long have you been a bard?”

“Few years now.” Oliver checked the street sign to ensure they were on the right path “The magic part is going on 3 years.”

“I see.” Flora scratched her chin “I’ve been a druid my whole life so it is a strange concept to be so new to the spellcasting arts yet hold such a high rank.”

Oliver gave a casual shrug “Not sure what you want me to say. We’re here by the way.”

The bank looked as unkempt as Oliver had remembered: Faded, peeling green paint with gaudy gray stone pillars. Two guards in green uniforms stood in front of the massive reddish brown doors that led into the bank.

“Lea’s mercenaries.” Sel pointed out “They are not letting anyone in.”

“Correction.” Oliver brushed off nonexistent dirt from his washed-out outfit “They’re not letting nobodies in. Luckily tonight we’re somebodies. Follow my lead.”

Oliver let out a tense breathe before strolling forward, his mannerism cocky yet unsteady. He reached the top of the steps when two sharp looking blades reached out to stop him.

“Halt” The elvish woman spoke with a hint of irritation “You lost?”

“Not at all!” Oliver beamed with a smile that was too wide to be natural “I’m here for the party. There is a party inside no?”

“No” The human man spat out.

Oliver gave a forgetful grin “Oh? I could’ve sworn Brambleoak was having some sort of charity event tonight. I’d show you my invite but I think I misplaced it.”

The elvish woman sneered “Right. How convenient for you having lost your special one of a kind invite.”

“Pfft.” Oliver scoffed “Special one of a kind invite? Reiner hands them out like candy. Probably find one in a gutter nearby.”

The guards shared an unspoken understanding with one another.

“Well.” The human began “Let’s pretend that is true.”

“It is but go on.”

The human’s eyes narrowed “Why should we let you in? You dress rather poorly for someone claiming to be in Reiner’s usual circles.”

Oliver let out an exaggerated gasp as he puffed out his chest “Do you know who I am?”

“Umm no.”

Oliver growled unhappily, his fist clenched tightly within his pocket “I am rich! I AM POWERFUL! AND I DEMAND ACCESS!”

As quick as lightning, Oliver flung a handful of gold coins towards the pair. The two reeled back in surprised as the money clanked onto the smooth marble floor. A moment hardly passed before the guards were shoving the loose coins into their tunic pockets like hungry dogs. They straightened up, eyes alive with greed.

“Of course sir” The elvish woman bowed her head in apologize “Deeply sorry for that.”

“Please go ahead.”

Oliver gave a self satisfied nod before moving past the pair only to stop as he heard the sounds of swords scraping each other. He turned backwards to see the guards barring access to Flora and Sel.

Flora looked back and forth between the guards, her eyes calculating and cold. Sel stood still but clearly at the ready for any sort of trouble.

“They’re with me.”

The Elvish woman shook her head “We said we’d let you in. These two? Definitely not Reiner’s usual prey.”

“They aren’t” Oliver admitted “But I need them.”

The human turned to him, suspicion in his eyes “Why?”

“She…” Oliver pointed lazily towards Flora “Is my street doctor.”

“Street doctor? As in….?”

Oliver gave a cheery wink “The fun kind.” And for give measure, he added a weak shiver to his act “Ugggggh I feel cold, are you cold? It’s cold.”

Before anyone could say anything, Oliver began shaking. He rubbed his hands for ‘warmth’ while swaying back and forth.

“Uh oh.” Flora spoke dully, pushing past the guards and holding Oliver steady “He’s crashing. I need to give him his umm medicine.”

“Medicine?” Oliver repeated, his voice soft yet manic “Yes medicine. I need it. I NEED IT!”

Folks began to turn their way, the guards shifting uncomfortably under the sudden attention they were receiving.

“And this one?” The Elvish woman gestured to Sel.

Oliver began to rock back and forth, his voice a harsh whisper. “Guard. Guard. Guard guard guard guard.”

The human threw up his hands in defeat “Bah! Get him in there and fixed! Any trouble and I’ll personally come over to beat your asses.”

“Thank you sir.” Flora murmured through gritted teeth. She guided Oliver and Sel through the doors and into the party within.

Flora sighed as Sel cracked the tension out of their fingers. Oliver straightened up, wiping the sweat from his brow.

True to his expectations, the bank had been altered to be suitable for a charity event: Torches lined the walls, casting the building into a bright light. The desks normally found on the floor were gone as to allow a more spacious setting. Oliver counted a handful of guards scattered about, wandering about for any sign of trouble. All except for the lone guard beyond the empty elevated platform who stood in front of the stairway to the upper floors.

“What now?” Flora asked

“Split up. Sel stay close to the door, Flora and I will figure out a distraction.”

“Sounds good.”

And without another word, Oliver was swallowed whole into the crowd.

-----

It had taken an hour for Oliver to figure out what kind of distraction he would need.

The patrols themselves hadn’t been very difficult to plan for: They would move randomly about, keeping an eye on the party and each other. He counted about 6 of them total and each one of them was easily starstruck. At the sign of any disagreement, they would swarm in groups of three and quickly threaten any troublemakers into compliance. However, upon meeting anyone with even the smallest bit of fame, they would subtly motion to each other and make their way as one to the person in question, hoping for a glance or the chance for an autograph.

So the floor guards were no problem but the one standing watch over the door was much more difficult. Evidently Lea was smart enough to give the most important job to the most responsible of his idiots. The stairway guard or Stairy as Oliver labeled him, would not budge at the sign of any trouble. Loud arguments, agitated party goers, a waiter being tripped (sorry it was for science buddy). None of these would pull him from his post. Celebrities wouldn’t either. Any time his buddies motioned to a famous person, he would shrug his shoulders and stay put.

Oliver was beginning to wonder if Flora needed to poison Stairy until he noticed something about half way into his observations: Stairy was a music lover. Specifically a cute girl music lover.

His gaze would wander every time he caught sight of a pretty girl who happened to be too close to him. Oliver wasn’t sure at first so he decided to test his theory. With his pocket change lessened, Oliver noticed how often a girl would catch Stairy’s eye. His attention didn’t shift when they fell in front of him, obviously in distress, or walked slower allowing him to enjoy the view longer but Oliver caught him smiling and tapping his foot when the odd girl would sing. He even staggered away from his door a few steps at a time before catching himself and returning to his post.

So the best distraction would be a girl who could sing and have some level of fame attached to her name.

Oddly specific and Oliver hadn’t the slightest idea how he was going to mange that. He was attempting to solve this puzzle when something caught his ear.

“Get off me you mulched dirt licker!”

That rather unique set of cursing could only mean one thing: Flora.

Oliver turned to where he last spotted her and found the young druid being hassled by a tall man in an elegant uniform.

Oliver noticed the guards were looking about, not yet spotting the commutation but aware something was going on. He needed to act first if he wanted to stop Flora deciding to kill everyone in the room.

The bard quickly slipped into the crowd, darting and weaving between any and everyone he could. He saw Flora slip a small vial into her hand as the man towered over her.

“I jus wanna dance.” the man’s words slurred out of his mouth “A pretty thing like yo shou wanna dance”

Flora’s eyes narrowed angrily “For the last time you dried poop stain, LEAVE ME ALONE!”

Flora pulled back her hand, prepared to throw the mysterious vial at the drunk’s face.

“Whoa!” Oliver cried out, tightly grasping onto Flora’s wrist “What seems to be the problem?”

“Nothing I can’t solve on my own.” Flora coldly glanced towards the drunken man.

“One sec.”

Oliver eyed the man carefully, absorbing every little detail he could.

He could see the muscles strain against the fabric of his light green tunic so this man worked in something physically laborious. The sheathed sword on his belt weight seemed to throw him off balance with every step. His gaze was unsteady and Oliver could see his pupils dilating wildly.

So this man was physically fit, armed with a sword in a charity event for the rich people and wearing light green tunic while currently drunk.

“You should leave her alone” Oliver said, sarcasm dipping from each word “You are so not her type.”

“So?” The man hiccupped “What’s the big deal?”

“So she’s got a girlfriend you idiot.” Oliver gestured with his hand “Besides you should go before your boss Lea gets here. I’m betting he won’t be happy one of his undercover mercs is currently drunk on the job. Of course I could always tell your captain what’s going on. That’s him over there right?”

Oliver gestured to the closest guard making his way towards the trio. He didn’t look any different than any guards but Oliver noticed his green was a shade darker than the rest. Lea probably used different hues to signify rank in his mercenaries.

The drunk’s face paled as he fidgeted nervously. He rose his hands in surrender, eyes darting between the two “Sorry.”

“Any trouble?” The captain approached, his hand tightly held around the hilt of his blade.

Oliver beaned cheerfully, trying his best to pull attention away from the fuming Flora “Not at all my good sir. This man simply mistook us for someone else, correct?”

The drunk nodded slowly “My bad. Forgive my intrusion.”

The captain gave a cold smirk “Apologizes. Mikey?”

The drunk flinched “Yes sir?”

“A word in private. Now.”

Oliver let out a sigh of relief as the captain dragged Mikey away..

“You should’ve let me poison them.” Flora muttered darkly.

Oliver scratched the back of his neck tiredly “Night’s still young. Still might get your chance if I can’t figure a way past Stairy.”

Flora tilted her head quizzically “Stairy?”

“The asshole at the base of the stairs.” Oliver answered absentmindedly as he spotted a familiar streak of platinum blonde hair among the crowd of strangers “And I just figured it out. Can I trust you not to poison everyone here?”

“You have an hour. I get bored easily” Flora swirled the sickly purple liquid in the vial threateningly.

“You and me both.” Oliver patted her shoulder before chasing down his perfect distraction.

-----

Oliver’s heart began to thunder loudly in his ears, a nervous and uncontrollable energy overtaking his resolve. The mission was important but he would be lying if he said he wasn’t happy to see Maria today.

Maria Thoreau was the daughter of a powerful, influential family. The Thoreau’s were more concerned with their standing in high society than any virtuous endeavors and thus each one of their children was trained from birth to excel in their chosen field. Maria’s older brothers were an aspiring politician and merchant respectively.

Maria’s path was to be a well famous singer and patron of the arts. She wanted nothing more than to sing for the people. Unfortunately, her father only saw a chance to further the family’s good name and tied his desire for power with her passion and dream. It was bittersweet really but nothing much could be done about it.

Yet.

Maria knew Oliver as a musical rival who thwarted her group’s attempts at winning local competitions which in turned derailed her father’s plans. So needless to say she was less than thrilled when she caught him making his way over.

“Ollie” she forced a smile while her hazel eyes narrowed, peeved “I’m surprised to see they let you into this exclusive event.”

Oliver gave a cocky shrug “Well your beauty caught my attention and I couldn’t resist trying to figure out a way in.”

Maria’s cheeks burned a pinkish hue.

Maria was the same age as Oliver with short, tastefully cut dark brown hair. A single streak of platinum blonde hair hung off the side of her face, giving her such a cute look. Her clothes were practical tonight since she wasn’t performing: A simple white blouse with a long flowing dark blue skirt that went all the way down to her feet. Her shoes were sensible dark blue flats designed for comfort over style.

Maria coughed into her hand, willing her blush away.

“So.” She cleared her throat “Is this your sad attempt to throw me off my game? You won’t win the next competition. We’ll be dealing with professional judges this time.”

Oliver’s eyes widen in false surprise “There’s a competition here? Fancy that. I hadn’t been made aware of that but since we’re both in town, why not have a round two?”

“Oliver….”

“I mean” Oliver went on, pretending not have heard “You are a much better singer solo than with those harpies you’re forced to keep around.”

Maria glanced to the side timidly “Don’t be absurd, the Melodic Maidens are a perfect, well oiled machine.”

Oliver scoffed dismissively “I suppose they’re nearby, listening in. Hardly leave you alone, don’t they?”

Maria opened her mouth to respond when a shrilly voice cut in.

“What do you know you two bit hack? How much did you bribe the judges last time?!”

Oliver gave a strained smile as the rest of the ladies forced their way into view.

“Lilly, Filly, Sally. You suck.”

The triplets snarled in unison, openly glaring at the bard.

Lilly, Filly and Sally were Maria’s chains: They were as much there to further her career as they were to report back to daddy to ensure the errant daughter stayed on course.

As triplets, they all shared the same features: Three pairs of dull green eyes and long messy black hair. Even their clothing were the same with each wearing a strapless dress that showed way too much skin and skirts that were way too short. The only reason Oliver could tell them apart was due to their preferred colors: Lilly in a shade of pink that was bright for her skin tone, Filly with a pale ugly yellow and Sally in seas of dark red.

The trio surrounded Maria, their arms embracing her in an uncomfortable hug. Maria bit her lip, trying to hide her uneasy.

“Still wearing that tacky outfit huh Ollie?” Lilly eyed his faded clothing distastefully.

Sally let out an unfriendly laugh “Ollie always looks like trash. Not even prize money could buy an ounce of class.”

“Actually” Oliver brushed his shoulder dismissively “Class is cheap. No amount of money could buy an ounce of character. You can blow hot air at me all you want but nothing in this world could ever change the fact that the three of you are bitches.”

The trio clicked their tongues disappointingly, their normally plain faces twisted into unflattering visages of rage while they screamed as one.

“HOW DARE YOU INSULT US?!”

“YOU ARE SUCH A POOR TACTLESS MAN!”

“YOU FUCKER!”

Oliver casually waved his hand “All bark and no bite. I’m supposed believe you’ve gotten any better in two months? Last time I checked I won the last competition.”

“OH YEAH?!” The triplets yelled, furious.

Maria threw a suspicious glance Oliver’s way “Girls, I don’t think…”

“Come on Maria, we don’t want to have to tell daddy you backed down from a challenge.”

A shiver ran down her spine, the fight draining out of her face. Oliver felt a tinge of guilt but said nothing as the girls took their positions.

Maria paused for a moment, her breathing slow and calm. The murmur of the crowds grew louder and louder upon the recognition that the ladies nearby were the Melodic Maidens.

Maria pivoted on her heels, a bright warm smile gracing her lips. Oliver could feel his heart skip a beat at the sound of her soft, airy voice beginning to sing

“Oh you hear a lot of stories about the sailors and their sport” Maria gave a playful wink his way. His cheeks burned brightly at her playful banter.

“About how every sailor has a girl in every port”

Maria twirled, her steps mischievous and alluring as her dark blue dress chased after her. She gracefully held two fingers aloft for everything to see, her smirk cocky and assured.

“but if you added two and two you’d figure out right quick”

Maria backed up as the triplets step forward to join her, the group made whole and ready for the chorus.

“It’s just because the girls all have a lad on every ship”

Maria turned to throw a sultry look towards her rival bard but instead of finding a dumbstruck Oliver, she found a smiling one. His gaze was gentle and loving as if he was seeing utterly beautiful. A small smile was tugging at his cheeks. Maria could feel her heart thunder in her ears as, without warning, Oliver gave a thumbs up and mouthed an appreciative “Thanks” before ducking into the growing crowd.

“And it’s twiddley idle idle idle, twiddley idle aye.”

What was once a spattering of folks formed into a massive gathering. Most of the party goers and guards had come over to catch the free show the girls inadvertently given and thus all focus shifted onto them. What was an attempt to show up Oliver ended up being a very unnecessary showcase.

“It’s often times a man will leave you broken with dismay”

Boy was Maria feeling that dismay right now.

-----

Oliver’s plan worked: Stairy hadn’t been to resist the siren call of a beautiful woman and her singing. Luckily the harpies hadn’t ruined it with their imperfect pitches. Stairy hadn’t taken more than a few steps when Sel slipped in behind and began working at the door. It took a moment but one blink later and the automaton vanished out of sight.

Oliver let out a sigh when a hand gripped his shoulder tightly.

“Hello sir.” A guff, low voice in a less than friendly voice “Might I have a word? You’ve been acting rather strange all party long.”

Well fuck.