#{|❂|} I KNOW YOU; I DANCED WITH YOU ONCE UPON A DREAM | sol and luna.

[auricbound]

@alchemic-elric​ sent: 

🔖 - O Sol

drawing meme | still accepting. 

                                  it’s been so long, my love.                                   please, spare me a dance ? 

[sims4lizzyuk]

Vampiric tales: A vampire legacy challenge

VAMPIRIC TALES: A vampire legacy challenge

General rules: -All of your sims must be vampires -For each generation, you must complete three aspirations before moving onto the next one -After three aspirations, your elder vampire and their spouse will retire to a huge gothic mansion/castle in another world, relinquishing the title of coven leader. They will still be an ‘elder’ vampire and can be visited for advice, but they are no longer leaders of the coven – simply wise vampires. -Follow these rules from the ORIGINAL Vampire Coven Challenge (which I couldn’t find online), as building a coven is part of this: -You must have two main ‘elder’ vampires who are grand master vampires and the leaders of the coven. The title of elder can only be bestowed upon your family – more specifically, your current sim, their spouse, and the past generations and their spouse. -You must have four ‘elite’ vampires with level 8 logic skill -You must have six ‘guardian’ vampires with level 8 fitness skill -All other minor vampires and above are considered ‘family’ -All vampires ranking below minor vampire are considered ‘fledglings’ -Every time a new generation is born, turn two new fledglings -Keep records of every vampire through books and/or paintings about them -All generations must master the vampire lore skill -All generations must have the ‘vampire creation’ power -The heir to the coven is your eldest child and their spouse -All vampires, once a master vampire, must be immune to the sun -All the vampires in your coven must be random townies that you find. You must turn them and mould them to make them into who you need them to be (not by changing their traits, just by giving them skills and teaching them vampire lore) -Once your starter sim has moved into Forgotten Hollow and has the vampire creation power, you may start turning sims who will become your elite and guardian vampires. You may not create them in advance. -If any of your vampires die (no judgement), you must keep their grave on your home lot -The main members of your coven must live in Forgotten Hollow – Vlad’s house, your house, a house for the elites, one for the guardians and one for another household of family. Once Forgotten Hollow is full, you may expand into other worlds (you may want to turn Newcrest into a vampire world) but all homes must have the gothic, vampiric vibe of Forgotten Hollow -If you want your elites and guardians to retire, they may do this and you can choose new ones but they must have the necessary skills for the role. You may also keep the same ones throughout the generations. -This is designed for all the packs up to Dream Home Decorator – if you don’t have them, just adapt the challenge as you choose.

Gen One Aspirations: Master Vampire, Vampire Family, World-Famous Celebrity Traits: Genius, romantic, ambitious

To do: -Create a vampire sim with a very gothic vibe and move them into Fledermaus Bend – build them a gothic, vampiric home. You may use money cheats for this. -Marry one of the three original premade vampires in Forgotten Hollow – Vladislaus Straud IV, Caleb Vatore or Lilith Vatore. -Win a vampiric spar against Vlad -Have four or more children -Finish all three named aspirations -Retire to a huge gothic castle/mansion in Del Sol Valley

Story: You are new to Forgotten Hollow. You are a young vampire with a lot of dreams – primarily, you want to build your own vampire coven. Your past was difficult, and you decide to move away to Forgotten Hollow. You have your own house just the way you like it. There, you find three other vampires and you make it your goal to get into their good books. They help you to learn all about being a vampire, and they teach you ancient lore. One of them, you fall in love with along the way. The three of them didn��t get on well at first – but once you enter the picture, the four of you become very close. As you gain in power, you establish a small coven of which you are the leader. You start to turn more vampires and to tutor them as you were tutored. You marry your vampire love and start a family. Once you feel satisfied that you are the most powerful vampire in Forgotten Hollow, you start to focus more on relations within your coven. You want it to feel like an immortal family, and you make sure both your children and the vampires you have turned have a good relationship with you. After that… perhaps you can expand beyond Forgotten Hollow. Perhaps you can take over the world. Believing you can do anything, you start to pursue fame. You start to share tales of your coven around the world and eventually, you really do have it all – love, family, money and global recognition. You decide it’s time to pass on the title of coven leader to your eldest child, probably now grown-up and more than capable of handling everything. Assuring your family that you will always be there if they need you, you and your spouse move away to a huge gothic castle in Del Sol Valley to enjoy a much-deserved retirement. You’ve done very well.

Gen Two Aspirations: Soulmate, nerd brain, outdoor enthusiast Traits: Genius, dance machine, ambitious Career: Secret agent

To do: -Complete your three aspirations -Complete the secret agent career -Get married to another child from the coven -Master the dancing skill as well as all those you need for aspirations -Have two or more children

Story: You were raised in the coven as it grew in power, and you see the love and the power that your parents had and want that for yourself – admittedly, the love more than the power. You’re smart and ambitious like your parent, and you also love to dance… although you’re quite mild and modest, there are a lot of things you can do. As you grow up, you quickly find the soulmate you were looking for in one of the other members of the coven – you’re surprised to find that your dream had been right beside you all along. You get married and start a family, and you pursue a career as a secret agent which surprises a few people, but it’s what you really want to do. You’re incredibly smart and have never sought praise for your accomplishments, and a part of you enjoys the secrecy. You focus on your job as well as practical skills – both logic and handiness. Once you’ve mastered your career and even been to outer space, you feel there’s something missing – and, leaving the coven stuff more to your spouse, you find it in nature. You visit Granite Falls and fall in love. This is everything you’ve needed. Your spouse and family are important to you, but you find it equally important to just be with nature. After spending more and more time in Granite Falls, you eventually realise what it is that you want – to just step back from the coven. It’s your parents’ legacy and you’re proud to uphold it – but your eldest child is ready now. You move away to a small and cosy yet, of course, gothic house in a nice, wooded area with your spouse, and settle down into a quiet life with the one you love – although, of course, you’ll still visit your family.

Gen Three Aspirations: Friend of the animals, Freelance botanist, Traits: Perfectionist, good, hot-headed Career: Veterinarian

To do: -Marry another sim from the coven -Have two or more children -Complete the three aspirations -Master the wellness and gardening skills -Always have two or more pets

Story: You’ve always made it your goal to do everything you do to the best of your ability. You want a great life, a great spouse, great kids and pets… you just want it all. You love animals and you love helping people, so you open up your own (naturally, vampire-themed) vet clinic as soon as you are able. As much as you have positive intentions, though, you still have issues with anger – and that just won’t do. You throw yourself into wellness and try to centre yourself as much as you can – and, naturally, you succeed. Your anger still bubbles up to the surface, but you know how to deal with it. In order to aid this, you remember how your parent used nature to ground themself, so you start to focus more on your gardening and find that you enjoy it. Once you’re content that your garden is everything you want it to be, you find a new focus – writing. Initially, you were just writing books for your kids and the coven’s children, just novelty little books about vampires – but then you really got into it and before you know it, you’re writing full novels of all different genres, self-help books about wellness and gardening, records of your coven’s vampires… you become a bestselling author, and eventually decide that you want to focus more on being with your spouse as well as your writing and your career – and on top of running the coven, that’s a little much. You move away to somewhere nearer your vet clinic, and you leave the role of coven leader to your eldest child who you more than trust (perhaps wrongly) to handle it. They may have a lot going on, but you trust that they’ll find a way to work through it. Your other child/ren will be able to support them, at least.

Gen Four Aspirations: Hope vs. Order (Enforcer of order), Public Enemy, Galactic privateer Traits: Perfectionist, paranoid, evil Career: Criminal

To do: -Marry someone from Batuu (after turning them into a vampire) -Master the robotics skill and build a servo -Have one or more children -Complete your three aspirations

Story: You are… an interesting sim. You take care of the coven, sure, but you also believe that when it’s as advanced as this… it kind of runs itself. You’re a perfectionist as well, but in a very different sense than your parent. You don’t trust anyone, and you’re always afraid of people stealing the coven’s power. You’ve never really cared about mortals, and you find it fun to mess with them sometimes. As a young adult, you run away to Batuu and join the First Order – just to stir things up. You live out your life, marry someone from there and work your way slowly up to the top – although, of course, you go back to visit the coven sometimes and check everything’s okay. You trust your sibling/s to handle it – they’re someone you do trust. Once you’ve reached the very top of the First Order, you disappear back home. You’re there for the coven – but you also focus on the criminal career. Your family run the world – but you want to run the underworld as well. You make a lot of enemies and even kill one of them – it wasn’t fun any more, they were just annoying – and life becomes true chaos and you love it. You also start to get into robotics, which you enjoy a lot, and you build a robot to help you with your crime and mischief. Once you’re content that the criminal world is yours and you’re the king/queen of thieves and liars, you return to Batuu – you’ve missed it there – but this time, you join the scoundrels. You find that they’re a lot of fun, so you use your wit and your silver tongue to reach the very top before returning home to your eldest child who’s frowning. They tell you that they haven’t been taking adequate care of the coven and they think you should leave them in charge. You’re more than happy to relinquish the responsibility, so you move away to a villainous lair somewhere and leave your child in charge. Your spouse understands you, even if no one else does.

Gen Five Aspirations: Mansion Baron, Fabulously wealthy, Computer whiz Traits: Squeamish, materialistic, bro Career: Interior designer, Tech guru

To do: -Master the video gaming and fitness skills -Marry a famous athlete (after turning them into a vampire) -Master the interior decorator and tech guru careers -Have other coven members over to watch sports at least once a week -Have two or three children

Story: The coven isn’t as in pieces as one might imagine – you and your aunt/s and/or uncle/s did a pretty good job of doing it while your parent was off in Batuu or being a criminal, so you are more than prepared to run it yourself. You love the gothic style, and you love interior design. You’ll confess that may be a bit materialistic, and if you’re honest, the plasma does gross you out a bit so you prefer to drink from plasma fruit where possible. You stick to the rules with your interior decorating, although you like to put your own gothic twist on it where you can. You also do up your own house and make sure it’s definitely up to your standards. You also love sports, so you frequently work out in the home gym that you installed, and you love to have other members of the coven over to watch the games on telly. When you’re out one day, you can hardly believe it when you meet one of your favourite athletes. Not only that – they seem to like you! You start dating, turn them into a vampire, have a big fancy wedding and start a family together. Once you’re well and truly rolling in it, you discover another passion that you have – video gaming! You add a gaming room to your vampire mansion, and you leave interior design behind to become a gamer. When you eventually decide that it’s time for you to retire, you purchase a lavish house somewhere dramatic – with all the same amenities as your old place and more, of course – and you move away with your spouse, leaving the role of coven leader to your eldest child.

Gen Six Aspirations: Lord/Lady of the knits, Master maker, Party animal Traits: Dog lover, maker, childish Career: Civil designer, freelance crafter

To do: -Marry someone you met at your great-grandparent’s vet (again, turn them if they aren’t already a vampire) -Always have at least one dog from when you become a child -Complete your three aspirations -Have at least four children -Visit every household in the coven at least once

Story: You have a child-like innocence and care passionately about making the world a better place. You loved to visit your great-grandparent at their vet as a child, and you’ve always especially loved the dogs. You focus on innovation to help the environment once you’re old enough to work, and you always look on the bright side. You also support your work with selling some of your knitting on Plopsy – you’ve loved knitting since you were a child. As a young adult, you meet the love of your life at your great-grandparent’s vet and fall in love very quickly. You marry quite young and start a family – a big family. Your spouse is very outgoing and helps you to let loose a bit whenever work stresses you out. Once you feel you’ve done a substantial amount to help the environment with your work and your knitting is getting successful, you decide to cut back a bit and try freelance crafting alongside your knitting – and this goes very well. You’re very happy with your fabrication and your knitting, and you feel like life is good. The coven is still running smoothly as well – once you no longer work full-time, you have more time to spend with your family as well as the coven. As you get older, you find that you really enjoy the social aspect of running the coven, so you start to host frequent parties for the coven. You make sure nobody feels left out, and you’re a real nurturing presence for the coven. Some of the younger members are surprised that such a powerful vampire can be so sweet and caring. When you finally retire to a nice – yet still gothic, that part of your family is as immortal as all its members – home in Brindleton Bay, the coven are sad to see you go but hopeful for the future under the reign of your eldest child.

Gen Seven Aspirations: Jungle Explorer, Archaeological scholar, musical genius Traits: Clumsy, hot-headed, cat lover Career: Manual labourer, entertainer (musician)

To do: -Master Selvadoradian culture, piano and pipe organ skills -Own a piano, a pipe organ and a keyboard -Always have at least one cat -Have at least two children -Complete your three aspirations -Master the musician career

Story: While your parent loves dogs, you are all about the cats. You are not physically gifted and have quite a short temper, but you’re determined to be a good leader of your coven and you’re very protective – enemies of the coven are treated very harshly under your reign. As a young adult, just when your parent is thinking about retiring, you decide to take a trip to the jungle to mentally prepare yourself for stepping up as the leader. There, you discover a real fascination for the culture and the music, and you meet your Selvadoradian sweetheart. You turn them into a vampire so you can live together forever and have a beautiful jungle-themed wedding. Once you’re married, you visit Selvadorada with your spouse as often as you are able and discover new things about it every time. While your kids are growing up, you only ever work part-time so that you can be there for them as well as running the coven and visiting Selvadorada. You become more preoccupied with studying the ancient past – you’ll always be there for the future, but the past from before the coven was founded is something you know little about and are eager to learn more. You love archaeology, and you also love music – once your children are a little more grown-up, you start to pursue your passion for music as well. You learn the piano and the pipe organ, and your music is soon ready to take you all over the world – that’s when you make the decision to retire and leave the coven to your eldest child. You had a good run, and you can’t wait for what retirement will bring for you and your spouse.

Gen Eight Aspirations: Academic, Beach Life, Leader of the pack Traits: Jealous, outgoing, child of the islands Career: Fisherman

To do: -Master fishing and fitness skills -Marry someone you meet at uni -Complete all three aspirations -Have one or more children

Story: The coven is practically ancient by this point, and doesn’t need an active a leader. You’ve always loved to learn and you’re desperate to go to university, so you think… ‘why not? Why shouldn’t I?’ You move out for a short while and have a wonderful time at university while running the coven from afar. One of your siblings in Forgotten Hollow helps out with running it while you’re away, and you promise to come back as soon as you’re finished with your degree. You don’t quite stick to it, but your coven agree once you’ve graduated that you deserve a holiday. You go on a week-long holiday to Sulani and fall in love with the islands. You and your university boy/girlfriend have a wedding there, and you promise yourself it won’t be the last time you visit. Of course, once the holiday is over, you obediently return to Fledermaus Bend, and you spend some time with your coven. You never forget what you learnt in Sulani, though. You host a kava party for the coven, and you continue to fish. You also go frequently to the swimming pool so that you can swim. You’re a natural leader, and you’ve always been good at getting what you want. You can get a little jealous – especially seeing as you struggle with being a vampire and watching mortals come and go – but when that envy comes to relationships, you promise your partner that you’re working on it. You start a few clubs where you can do the things you’re passionate about, and you eventually grow to be comfortable in your vampiric skin. Your coven love you even though you’ve been absent a lot during your reign, and they’ll miss you once you retire to a home in Sulani – the place that has called to you since you first visited.

Gen Nine Aspirations: Serial romantic, Painter extraordinaire, Joke star Traits: Child of the islands, adventurous, cheerful Career: Social media, entertainer (comedian)

To do: -Master the singing skill -Go to the karaoke bar at least once a week -Visit Gen One at least once a season -Have three or more children -Complete all three aspirations -Master the social media and comedian careers

Story: Your parents took you to visit Sulani a lot as a child so you do feel connected to the islands and you love a good adventure – but you’re more comfortable in your own skin. You love being a vampire, and you take full advantage of the fact that you’re immortal and mortals… aren’t. You’re very charismatic and love to sing, and you’re always visiting the big city for karaoke nights, which you post about on social media. You get on very well with the coven’s founder, and they’ve taught you a lot about how to succeed on social media – being a global superstar, they know all about that. You have relationship after relationship… until, eventually, you fall hard. You meet another vampire, a kind and creative artist who takes your breath away. For them, it’s worth leaving your serial heartbreaker reputation behind and before long, you’re happily married. They get you into art as well, and before long, you’re well on your way to having a successful art career alongside them. They always look on the bright side just as you do, and you’re a perfect match. Once your painting career is everything you want it to be, you find a new passion – comedy! You’ve always had a way with words, and you enjoy nothing more than using them to make people laugh. You’re happy, and life is just how you want it to be. When you retire, you move to a house in Sulani near your parents, and you feel more than ready to pass on the mantle to your eldest child.

Gen Ten Aspirations: Extreme sports enthusiast, bodybuilder, friend of the world Traits: Bro, loves outdoors, gloomy Career: Stylist

To do: -Complete all three aspirations -Master fitness, skiing, snowboarding and rock-climbing skills -Marry someone you meet at a Snowy Escape festival -Have at least one child

Story: You love sports and hanging out with your friends, but immortal life… it’s hard. As a younger vampire, you have a great time. You have a successful career as a stylist, and life seems great. With your sunlight immunity, you’re able to spend time in the outdoors. You visit the snowy mountains, you fall in love with someone you meet at a Mt. Komorebi festival… and they’ll never leave you, at least. You love the mountains and you love being outside… but as the mortals you knew grow old and die, you start to withdraw. You don’t visit the mountains as much. You introduce yourself to all the members of the coven you don’t know – for it has many branches now, it’s everywhere and it’s impossible for you to have met everyone in person – and you try to focus on being friends with everyone in your coven. Your coven is what you’re destined for. You can’t help but wonder, though… is vampire life really it for you? OPTION ONE: Continue the story! Gen Ten finds a renewed passion for life in the coven, and their children continue to run it! Choose more stories and more aspirations – use your imagination! OPTION TWO: This is the final generation. Gen Ten seeks out the cure and cures their family of vampirism. They grow old and pass on in peace. The coven is too powerful to die out now, but the main story of the great leaders will end here.

[ichorizaki]

part of your world—s.d.

꒰ ❛ genre ❜ ꒱  — fluff. just, pure fluff

꒰ ❛ pairing ❜ ꒱ — timeskip!sawamura daichi x f!reader

꒰ ❛ warnings ❜ ꒱ — uhhh some curse words and teeth-rotting fluff, asahi’s terrible fashion taste

꒰ ❛ word count ❜ ꒱ — 2.7k

˚ ༘ˀˀ  ꒰‧⁺ a text from sol —  ✎ˀ !!! my first req!!! ily ily hehe i had so much fun with this; i hope you enjoy it as much as i enjoyed writing it! thank you so much for being patient, @ceo-of-daichi​ huhu

-`,✎ synopsis!  ; ♡ disneyland is just as magical as anyone dreamed for it to be and more.

One of the things that you love about Sawamura Daichi was how he calculated different factors to make sure that his intended outcome was accurate and to his satisfaction. Maybe it was the way his dark brows furrowed in concentration as he mapped out the plans, or perhaps it was in the way he had that small grin that boasted pride when he was done. You didn't know why he was planning so intently for a quick weekend trip to Disneyland Tokyo, but you didn’t quite care because it made for the perfect setting for you to pop the million-dollar question. While you would love to have the trip be just the two of you, you required an audience and moral support, which was why you had Sugawara Kōshi happily laying down in the backseat of the rented car and Azumane Asahi waiting for your arrival at his condominium complex at Ginza, Tokyo.

“Dai, how much further from Tokyo are we? I wanna ride the rollercoasters!” Kōshi complained from the backseat, propping himself up on his elbows. It was a miracle that both you and your boyfriend had heard him over the booming stereo that blasted the Disney playlist curated specially for the trip. He noticed that Daichi had his hand gripping your thigh where it was exposed by your denim shorts and made a gagging noise. “I thought I wasn’t gonna third-wheel.”

“We’re not even making out, you drama queen,” Daichi snorts. His eyes drifted from the rearview mirror to the GPS he was following on his phone next to the steering wheel. “We’re about fifteen minutes from the checkpoint.”

“Finally. Fifteen minutes more and I won’t be the only third-wheel.” You laughed at his comment as he went back to laying down in the backseat, scrolling through his phone and singing along to the songs. In his impatience, you knew it was excitement. Partially for Disneyland, but you knew the real reason behind it: the small velvet box sitting in your Kanken bag that sat by your feet.

Kōshi has been your partner in crime ever since your Karasuno days. You knew he had your back when it came to anything that consisted of the element of surprise, as you had his. You’ve said it a thousand times and you’ll say it again: the Karasuno VBC should be glad that you weren’t one of the managers. Otherwise, you were sure that their productivity would fall drastically.

Feeling your boyfriend’s calloused hand give your thigh a slight squeeze dragged your eyes from your phone screen to his beautiful face. You raised your eyes in question before he nudged his chin towards what lay beyond the glass windows, eyes fixated on the road. You followed his gaze and a small gasp of surprise left your lips.

It was by no means your first time in Tokyo but it never fails to take your breath away every time you near the border. Silver buildings line the landscape, blindingly glinting as they reflected the meridian sun. Billboard signs were but a blur of colours as Daichi drove past. You could practically smell the metallic scent of the metropolitan metal forest.

“Kōshi! Look!” You cried out, the palms of your hands flat against the glass along with your cheek as you tried to get closer to the scenery in the confines of the car. The second you passed the checkpoint and were cleared, the excitement was blatantly obvious in the way it seemed to send jitters down your spine. “Ah, I can’t wait to see ‘Sahi. I’m so glad he agreed to come out of his shell and spend time with us.”

“Right?” Kōshi got up from his position to squeeze his torso in between your seat and Daichi’s. “Man, I can’t wait to go feral at Disneyland and sleep for free in a downgraded hotel.” Daichi couldn’t help but laugh at the statement that his friend had made in reference to Asahi’s place. He had offered his condominium as accommodation for the night. You guessed that he was tired of being so lonely in such a spacious living space. The last time you checked, you were sure that he had two guest rooms which was perfect for the three of you.

Daichi continued driving into the city, easily finding his way to Asahi’s condominium complex. He was waiting there, scrolling through his phone in what could easily be the most tourist-y getup. He didn’t notice the vehicle pull up before him, which prompted you to wind your window down to call for him. Kōshi mirrored your actions, calling for him by his favourite nickname since high school.

“Oi, Negative Beardy!” He giggled as the bigger man looked up from his phone. His hair was cropped short, his previous peach fuzz now a well-groomed beard. He got up from his seat and you couldn’t help but notice the neon green fanny pack standing out exceptionally from his ensemble. You didn’t hold back the laughter and neither did your boyfriend as the clumsy man slid into the backseat next to Kōshi, the apples of his tanned cheeks a bright pink.

“Five months and the first thing you do is tease me . . .” Asahi sighed.

“How can we not when you look like a tourist?” Daichi countered as he began to drive out of the complex. “For a fashion designer, you sure do have a terrible sense.”

“Yeah, ‘Sahi,” you chimed in. “Isn’t the neon green fanny pack a little overkill?”

“Huh? Then where am I gonna put my wallet and phone on rides?” The three of you laughed it off, leaving a resigned Asahi shaking his head. Years may have passed and there may have been distance among the four of you but the chemistry was still there.

The drive from Ginza to Urayasu was about twenty minutes, but time seemed to fly by when you’re having fun because the next thing you know, the four of you were climbing out of the car with entry tickets in hand and standing in line. It was late into the season of spring and you could smell it distinctly in the air. The breeze was nice and chilly against where your skin was exposed as the sun cast a mighty glow upon the citizens of Tokyo, excitement buzzing in your veins like static electricity as you bounced back and forth on the balls of your feet.

Kōshi was the only other person who was being loud about his excitement, running as soon as he was granted entry into the magical grounds of Disneyland. You bounded after him, your voice disappearing into the large expanse of space as you screamed out loud.

“Y/N! People are staring, you idiot,” Daichi called out after you, taking your hand in his as soon as he caught up. You gave him a cheeky grin and wink along with a finger gun with your free hand. Now that you were finally at Disneyland, all you had to do was wait for the opportunity to make this fine man yours for the rest of your life. Kōshi gasped when he saw your linked hands and immediately turned to look at Asahi who tucked his hands behind his back in response.

The four of you started off at World Bazaar, taking a tour on the omnibus around the plaza before deciding to go in hard and strong at the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Adventureland. Needless to say, Asahi was the only one who emerged trembling like a leaf. You felt like a high school student once again, spending time with your best friends and your crush in what appeared to be a fantasy-like wonderland. Your laughter filled the air as screams and children’s excitement harmonised along.

Regardless of where you ventured in the theme park, you were smiling and laughing and running around like a child with Kōshi as Asahi and Daichi both looked on. The former was visibly embarrassed by the commotion that the both of you were causing while the latter simply bemused by how happy you were. Hell, simply ‘happy’ didn’t cut it. You were in absolute childlike ecstasy as you pulled him along to the different rides and exhibitions, asking him to take your picture with Daisy Duck or Peter Pan or some character whose name he had forgotten. He was completely enthralled by you and knowing that you were his simply sent his mind reeling and his heart thumping against his ribcage as he fondled with the navy blue box nestled in the pocket of his bermuda shorts.

To say that you were nervous was an understatement. You were about to ask the man you love if he wanted to spend the rest of his natural life with you. You kept telling yourself that you had no reason to be nervous, that no matter what his answer was, you’d respect it. It was only natural that you were restless, right? The adrenaline that flowed through your veins was keeping you on your toes at every exhibit, show, ride, and parade that the four of you spectated with bright, eager smiles.

It was only when the stunning blue of the sky began to mix with swirls of salmon pink and golden melting through fluffy whites were the four of you sitting on one of the benches outside Cinderella’s castle. Families of both locals and tourists had ice cream crêpes in hand as they strolled languigly. You had an ice pop in hand, sharing it with Daichi as he sat next to you whilst cooling himself with the electric handheld fan that you had brought along.

Kōshi was staring dead into your eyes, his silver eyebrows furrowing just the slightest bit as he nudged his chin not-so-subtly to an inattentive Daichi. You scowled silently back at him, wordlessly telling him that it probably wasn’t the right time. Probably. But then he went ahead and gave you a smug look that called you a coward for chickening out whenever the opportunity presented itself by neatly dropping into your laps.

He wasn’t wrong. You had the perfect opportunity to propose just about an hour ago during one of the parades at Fantasyland. Mickey had pulled you in for a dance on the road, and after your little grooving session, you had dragged your boyfriend who was reticent but never tried to hide the fond smile on his face. Poor Kōshi had wasted a good percentage of his battery filming several almost-proposals only for you to chicken out at the last second. You were sure that you weren’t going to hear the end of it if you didn’t get down on one knee to propose in the next hour.

“Do you still want the ice pop?” Daichi asked, pulling you out of your thoughts. You turned to him, shaking your head. Now’s the time, you told yourself. No more backing out. You were going to ask this man to be your partner in life and that was final. How could you not? You’ve known this man close to two decades. He had been by your side the whole time, through the ups and downs, never once letting go of you even when you told him to. To you, he looked no different than he did when you first met him at the shy blossoming age of 15. He bulked a little and sure, there were smile lines and some wrinkles, but that was it. He’s still the same Sawamura Daichi that you fell in love with. “My love, is everything okay? Is there something on my face?”

“Huh?” You blinked. Crap, were you staring at him too obviously? You quickly told him that no, there wasn’t anything on his face other than absolute beauty, to which his cheeks flushed red. Kōshi was staring at you—you knew it from the glaring burning on the side of your face—and you finally reached your arm behind you where your bag was, nervously trying to take the violet box from the confines of the small pocket. You heard Kōshi whisper-yell a not-so-subtle “Yes!” as he fumbled around to fish his phone out.

Daichi’s ochre brown eyes never left your face as he watched you get up from the bench to sink down onto one knee before him. You felt your heart stammering in a jittery, shaking, quaking panic as your cheeks burned beet red. He was patient, waiting and watching you slowly rest your hands over your propped knee. Only then did you realise that the words that you had painstakingly memorised were beginning to disappear from your mind like a drawing in the sand erased up by waves.

“Daichi,” you began. There’s no going back now. “I never thought I’d ever find someone who’s my best friend and lover. I wouldn’t say that you’re my saviour or some shit cause that’s really cringey.” You briefly paused, swallowing the lump in your throat as you tried your best to fight back the tears. Why did you have to get emotional now? You cleared your throat, “Um. Listen. I’m in love with you. I had a script and I forgot what were the specific words on it, but I know this for sure: I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to watch you grow old and have kids who are gonna have kids, who are then gonna have kids, and then we’ll be sitting on rocking chairs at the patio of our house in the countryside, watching the sunset.

“I– fuck, this is embarrassing. But, yeah. I love you, and I’m just here to complete the final objective. I’ve taken your jackets, your firsts, and your heart, and I think it’s time I take your last name.” From the corner of your eyes, you noticed there were a few people standing by to watch. Some of them were obviously tourists and the fact alone made your entire face flush pink. Your eyes were trained on Daichi’s handsome face as he let a lone tear escape before quickly wiping it away and sniffling. He had that smile on his face—the very one that made your heart throb and sing hallelujah—and you couldn’t help but smile too as you revealed the golden ring seated intricately in a sea of white silk of the velvet box that you were holding. “So whaddya say, Dai?”

The second he got down on one knee and took out an identical velvet box from the pocket of his shorts, you let out a loud groan, throwing your head back to stop the tears from flowing freely down your face. You heard the spectators cheer and laugh, and also Kōshi screaming right behind you. Your teeth abused your bottom lip when you returned your tear-filled gaze to him, arms going limp by your sides. You refused to believe this was happening. It was the last thing that you had expected from Daichi, but life was full of surprises, wasn’t it?

“I don’t know, Y/N,” he mused. The corner of his lip curled upward into a sly smirk but the amount of love brimming in his eyes told a different story entirely. “What do you think?” By then, you had tears raining as you folded your feet underneath you so you could sit down and process everything. Even then, you were bawling your eyes out, holding his calloused hands in yours as he heartily laughed, kissing your tears away and pushing your hair out of your face.

“I think I wanna marry the fuck out of you, Dai.” Your shoulders trembled as your heart sang a euphoric tune that you never thought you’d be able to achieve. His bare, warm arms wrapped around you to guide you to sit down on the bench. He took his time wiping your tears and putting the ring on your finger before he did the same for himself.

“Tsk, babe, there are children here.” His teasing chides fell on deaf ears as Asahi and Kōshi joined the both of you, congratulations and teasing filling the atmosphere. You didn’t care that there were children there. Disneyland is one hell of a magical place, and you were just beyond thankful it turned all of your dreams into a reality.

[kimnamshiks]

You Got it Like That?

Alternately longer Title: You Got it Like That? (Damn that’s crazy)

Pairing: Wooyoung x Female Reader

Genre: Whatever the hell this plot is and Smut

Rating: Explicit

WC: 7.5k+ (below 8k that’s for sure)

Tags: Smut, light fluff, bad attempt at humor, brief Minsan shenanigans, Fingering (female receiving), Temperature play kink, slight praise kink, slight kink discovery (anal), marking kink, some other shit I’ll update if I missed it. Briefest mentions of Seonghwa

Summary: You just needed to get through this week at the resort at the hands of 20 coworkers and Wooyoung; the Sales Department Supervisor who got some raunchy photos of you the day prior.

Taglist: @atiny-piratequeen @thereal-smolchild @angel0taiyo

You stumbled through your house happily, sorta out of it since you’re still high on the party you just left from. A little drinking here and being around smokers that had you linger in the weed; the endorphins coursing through you were pretty higher than usual on this Saturday night. A friend’s night that turned into crashing someone’s party freely without judgment which made everything better in your opinion.

You were on your way to stripping off your clothes when a buzz alerted you, taking your attention away from your work at hand.

+1[245] woobieboobie Uh… I believe you sent it to the wrong person? But holy hell you really did that. Didn’t expect that this late but thank you (;

Confused, you opened the message in full and damn near dropped your phone in shock. Six photos of you in states of undress stared back at you. Provocative and cheeky (literally, ass cheeks showing in some) as you smiled happily towards the lens of your phone. Your breast pushed up in the little strappy blue chemise set you wore to show off your body littered with little bruises and fingerprints on your thighs. Even some prints were dark on your shoulders from one of your wilder nights from a quickie. Honestly, you can’t even remember who’s house you took them in..

Though you managed to send them out to for… what exactly? Looking at it, you couldn’t help but groan in dismay.

+1 [873] me [image89.jpg attachment sent] Feeling sorry that you can’t leave these on me huh. SOL~  Gotta work for it if you want it, doll xoxo

Above those photo messages were questions about the next team-building trip that your company was supposed to take for the week, discussing with your co-manager Wooyoung, from the sales department. Just brainstorming ideas on how to get the departments to know that they work together, no matter how much push back you get from each other. 

Both of you got close over the process of thinking this up and getting approval by the company head. If it brings back good results they may make this an option across the board for the rest of the departments who can’t get along. Yea you crushed on him a bit but who wouldn’t? He was hard-working, caring, pretty funny and fucking fine as shit. 

You weren’t trying to mess the good balance of friendship up right now cause of some tipsy texting.

There was one for almost every photo too! You didn’t drink that much did you?

+1 [873] me [image90.jpg attachment sent] Wanna know what you like about this pose.

+1 [873] me [image95.jpg attachment sent]    Tbh my form looks the best it’s ever been.

+1 [873] me [image105.jpg attachment sent] Call me pretty cause I almost had to beat an asshole up for saying I looked like shit tonight :(

You couldn’t do anything more than spam a message out in response and hope, praying that Wooyoung doesn’t say anything to you tomorrow.

+1 [873] me Kfajsdlgjskfjogsldfj!!! uH THANKS?! DELETE PLZ. SEE YOU TOMORROW!

+1 [245] woobieboobie ….. (:  Hmm. See you tomorrow beautiful~ ;3

Based on that response, you knew he wasn’t. The fucking troll. Regardless you made sure the pictures were saved and got ready for bed. There were no real regrets, just the slight anxiousness of the unknown

Would he ask you about it?

Did he want details?

Would he ask for more of them?

Which you wouldn’t mind if it was any of your girlfriends, but you two haven’t hit that stage yet in friendship to even know if jokes like that were allowed (from what you thought). So this was a huge deal for you.

With a sigh you set your alarm and laid down. No one was going to hear about your lapse in texting, you were going to take this to the grave.

If your dream happened to have a certain male coworker and a few Kamasutra positions no one was going to know.

When Sunday rolled around, Wooyoung was nothing but a gentleman to you. He made sure to carry your bags or help get the large group of 20 people to quiet down enough to listen. It was like he was trying to somehow stay on your good side. It had you relax enough to not think of this type of trip of anything business, just a group of people trying to understand each other at the end of the day.

His conversation light on the bus to the resort that was agreed upon, having you laugh, choosing dumb driving games to pass the time there. It was nice to see both departments playing The Movie Game or even having acapella showdowns. 

It was pretty nice. Even when they got to their destination to see their sleeping arrangement, he didn’t bring it up. Well… If he wasn’t going to say anything you would pretend like nothing went on. Wooyoung and yourself had one cabin, then there was 5 to the large cabins in the surrounding area. 

“Okay guys! We’re going to make you all pull colored sticks -- Whatever color you get we’ll throw a number and that’s the cabin. No switching at all and I mean it!” Wooyoung said above all the groans and whining.

“But you two get your own that’s not fair!” his friend, Mingi exclaimed.

San moved up with a giant pout on his lips. He knew you were sorta weak for them anyways. “Yea why don’t you guys have to do the popsicle thing too!”

You pinched his cheeks playfully, yet your voice was slightly stern. “Because Wooyoung and I made the decision to do this. We’re supposed to have fun but we are also supposed to make sure you guys stop trying to destroy each other’s job.” 

“Regardless of what happens do know you guys are still getting the normal pay that you would if you did work. So no need to worry about that.” Wooyoung assured them at your side.

Everyone seemed to relax more at that before they got the sticks to be roomed. Once it was fixed and you sent each group on to their merry way Wooyoung hip-checked you to get your attention.

“So roomie shall we get our little cabin together?” he was twirling the room key as he asked. He stuck his arm out afterward with a little wink.

“Aah… I guess roomie. It shouldn’t be so bad~.” you sang, sauntering off towards the destination. 

The rooms were beside each other, pretty spacious from everything of the bathroom to the living room and open floor kitchen. Covered in soft colors you would think it was more of someone's house than that of a resort. Both of you moved things into the respective rooms to set up, heading to sleep since it was pretty late for the first day.

“Night Woo!” you sang to the wall, getting comfortable into your bed.

“Night. Sleep well~” he sang back.

There was more shuffling on his side before you succumbed to sleeping, tomorrow’s worries for the you of tomorrow.

As the week progressed, to you it seemed as if your coworkers were actually getting along with each other. Besides the standard disagreement or someone getting into their feelings, it wasn’t so bad. You got to know Wooyoung’s team more so as you helped them when you explained why your promotions team needs their hand in hand cooperation when asked of them. Just a simple “Everyone on the same page makes things run smoother.”

You also got to know Wooyoung more so in his work environment. He made sure to repeat anything that someone needed help with, ready with a playful remark if someone would call him out on being wrong. He even entertained everyone with a little dance if someone got a question right.

He was so fucking cute you could honestly get cavities right now.

When everything was done you all would head back to either the cabins or the entertainment on the property to set up. Sometimes you had a few of your teammates, like Dahyun or even Jessi who would take you out to see all that the full resort had to offer. Drink or flirt a bit with the other distant company people who used the other spaces. 

Mingi catching you out late for talks and jokes before San would join, all of you guys laughing till your stomachs hurt. Maybe stay up later than normal around a little fire looking at the stars.

Other times it was just you and Wooyoung laughing about on the walking trail or sharing snacks with some dumb reality tv show. When you would cook he’d try to be helpful, making sure nothing was too far or too hard to reach. It was really sweet, learning more about him. From the favorite foods or movies-- learning about his whole squad of friends are apart of the company. (He didn’t tell them that he personally knew them for years, just of their working together) Mingi and San being his department while the oldest one, Seonghwa, being apart of your team. 4 other members were spread out in the other departments.

Being so domestic so quickly like it was second nature to both of you.

He even made sure to knock before trying to enter into your space or making sure everything was alright before doing something that he would consider uncomfortable for you. (“Hey I’m gonna come out shirtless!” “Okay that’s fine!” “Don’t look!” “Why cause you got cute nips or something?”) When you asked him about it, he just smiles cutely to tell you it’s to make sure you were dressed or that if you brought anyone in while he was in the shower, all parties would know.

Sometimes Wooyoung would forget of course. You would sneak glances at him every now and then; wet and soft from the shower. His body a touch pink from the hot water with his bottoms hanging off his hips.

“Like what you see~?” he’d whisper over to you when he caught you looking. 

“It’s here for show so I might as well enjoy it huh?”

“Then I deserve one too right? You are very beautiful.” He told you one time when he was drying his hair and he looked at you expectantly. Even when you flushed hard from the statement, shoving him playfully and whining, he just ruffled your hair up.

You two got comfortable enough that you would be cooking in your pjs just after a shower. Where you wouldn’t be fully dry and the clothes would stick to your frame just a bit more. He never made comments but you felt eyes on you more so than not. 

“What am I going to do once we leave here? I’m not going to have your cooking anymore~,” he lamented over the ribs he ate.

You scrunched your nose at his messy eating, even as you were thinking that he looked like a little chipmunk with his mouth full. “Well, we can always hang out after this you know. Or I can just bring food to the job?” you offered.

“Mmm…” he trailed off as he finished chewing-- eyes focusing back on you sharp and serious, “Rather just hang out with you. Then I don’t have to share at all.”

His tone was playful when he said it, but his eyes told you a whole different story. It wasn’t something you saw directed at you so it kind of made you a bit hot under the collar of your pajamas.

“I like sharing though~. It’s okay you’ll just need to work for that huh?” you giggled in the same breath to reach over and clean his face with your thumb.

You sat back without care, cleaning your hands to resume eating but Wooyoung was sort of stuck in his thoughts. Seeing you eat so cutely after doing something like that without warning had his heart rushing. Blinking back into the present he finally responded with a,

“I’ll work for it. Don’t you worry.”

The light-haired male sounded cocky, in turn, you shrugging your shoulders to continue eating.

“We’ll see about that.”

Sometimes… Mingi and San were your main trouble makers from Wooyoung’s team who continued to push your buttons when you were just trying to be informative. Mostly making you come over and show them easy steps in the program that you guys utilize to get any updates. Hands-on enough that they start to look flustered as well when you press up against them, voice soft with a bit of an edge cause your patience was running thin.

Maybe you were teasing them. No one’s gonna notice since everyone should be focused on their work anyways right? San’s face flushing harder than usual though this time. He seemed almost shy with you, whispering “Oh okay I get it now.”

Wooyoung stood off to the side of one of your workers, clenching his teeth at the scene. Trying to figure out what was going on between you three right now.

When you turned to him and gave a thumbs-up, he scoffed and focused on his work at hand with helping. You were confused at his antics but shrugged-- He’ll talk to you if something serious was going on. He was probably just pissed about something.

Later on in the day everyone seemed to be doing better now when they got paired up to work on a small project together. Quiet laughter or a little flirting here and there happened.

You moved over to Wooyoung who stood against the wall silently, murmuring “You alright..?” “‘M fine.” He gritted out, gripping his arms tight before letting them fall to the side. His brows were still pushed together in a slight frown, purple locks of hair sort of sticking to his forehead. You reached out to move them out of the way to smooth the wrinkles from his face.

“You’re not but I won’t pry. Just relax your face hun, you’ll have your face stuck like that~” you playfully jeered and bumped shoulders.

He seemed to freeze a bit before relaxing, giving you a quirk of a smile that you couldn’t help but be extra over.

A faux gasp and a coo came from you. “Aw see? You turned that frown upside down~ Good boy!”

He choked on seemingly nothing before pushing away from the wall. “Shut up dork. Let’s finish, got an announcement for everyone.” “Not even a dork!”

A call of your name distracted you both for a moment before you looked at him seriously.

“But you’ll tell me if somethings wrong right? I won’t judge you or anything, Wooyoung.”

He gave you a look that said something that you couldn’t quite understand. He nodded, making a face when Mingi came over and dragged you away in excited chatter.

“I heard there’s a dance tonight! San and I are going to take you as our date~”

“Hey how did you hear about that!” Wooyoung’s voice screamed across the area.

Both of you giggled, gossiping about what to do as well as what to wear for later that night. Both unaware of the slightly angry look Wooyoung gave to your backs.

You’ve been added to the group chat: Date night!

+1 [177] minglepringle Hope you’re ready~ Me and san will be over there soon~!

+1 [392] sanscript I look better than Mingi just letting you know.

+1 [177] minglepringle We’ll see about that.

+1 [873] me Boys I bet you both look dashing. Stop fighting I’m TRYING to finish getting dressed! Or I’m dumping both of you!

Your mind was too busy giggling at their antics in the text messages. Their playful banter and whining that you got used to over getting close with them, you enjoyed seeing it as much as you have. You also think that they may be fucking but that’s on a whole other note. So immersed into everything that you missed Wooyoung’s warning of checking in that his loud gasp had you turning quick. 

There he stood, so fucking beautiful in his all-white suit with his hair fluffed up fully around his head, the middle-parted style that fit his look too well if anyone asked you. His eyes were rimmed in light brown eyeliner; a thin diamond choker on with a pair of earrings that added to the overall expensive look. Your eyes couldn’t help but follow down the expanse of his neck to the peak of collarbone winking at you from behind the open plackets of his black shirt. It was tucked into his pants to showcase the little waist and his pants clung to thick thighs and calves. 

“Holy fuck Woo…” 

Your eyes trailed back up his form with no shame as you damn near undress him mentally. Shouldn’t do that given you guys work together but what the job doesn’t know won’t hurt anyone.

“You look... Really good.” You finally finished when you gathered yourself together, looking up to meet his eyes. They were slightly hazy and far off before they focused on you. His jaw set when he walked farther into the room.

“Thank you. I’d say the same for you though. Is that all you’re going to wear darling~?” he asked in such a soft candied voice that you got whiplash from the change of his tone, “Just a bralette and boy shorts? Think the boys would like that a lot hm? Seeing their stern supervisor looking all pretty like that.”

You sucked in a quick breath, feeling your nipples harden against the cloth at attention from his voice. Even your heartbeat began to pick up when you realized he was watching your body respond to his voice, a smirk on his features. The thought of covering yourself up shyly was the last thing on your mind as you shakily exhaled.

“Not at all,” voice in a whisper as you grab your dress to slowly slip on in front of his eyes. 

“I was just caught off guard, Wooyoung.” you kept the same tone as he tilted his head. 

Probably taking in your figure now that it was covered back up in the peach shade maxi wrap dress, long enough to brush against the floor with the slit high enough to show your legs. White liner with darkened lashes with a smudge of brown shadow with nude glossed lips was the choice of makeup.

You added a pair of brown studs into your ears as you bit your lip, giving him a slow twirl so your dress could float around you. Stopping, you asked softly, “Well? How do I look now?”

Wooyoung stepped closer to run the back of his knuckles against your cheek, opening his mouth to say something but it was interrupted by a knock on the main door from two excited voices.

“We’re here to pick you up~!”

“Move Woo stop hogging our date!”

It broke whatever air wrapped around you two that you put on your boots and felt your face heating up quickly.

You didn’t know what to say as he still stood there, looking at you with so many emotions that you felt hot yet again.

“I gotta go Wooyoung…”

He sighed and backed up, his playful air back around him “Save me a dance would you?”

You booped his nose and nodded, giving a bashful smile before leaving to San and Mingi’s insistent whining. You couldn’t really process what was going on but at this point, it didn’t matter; two gorgeous men were your date for tonight and you decided you were going to have fun.

Which you were having. The guys made you three take so many pictures you were sure there was a whole album dedicated to it now. Lots of solo shots of you making funny faces or doing runway poses that you made them do tenfold. (”Can’t wait to use this cute one as blackmail” “You wouldn’t dare!” “Oh doll, you will learn real quick I’m vindictive.” “That’s kinda hot...” Choking sound here somewhere. “Mingi plEASE”)

They layered on the compliments thick to get you to giggle or shove at them on the way there, even when they were the equivalent of models on the fashion runway themselves. Each male held the door open to the pavilion to you before all three of you walked in with each other. It was gorgeously colored with a stage where the DJ was switching up his songs in front of the large dance floor littered with people. Surrounding it were the tables that already had forgotten drinks or people’s belongings there, or just people not really dancing just relaxing with food on their plates.

The music was everything from every genre you could think of that you could sing or dance to, open bar and buffet that you won’t admit you visited more times than you’d admit. It was only to keep your mind off your roommate but it wasn’t helping when your eyes would drift over to him from your peripherals, catching him drinking at the bar or laughing loudly at something someone said. 

Fuck it. You can get lost in the dancing since you felt a little looser from the alcohol thrumming in your system. Dahyun and Jessi off doing lord knows what with whatever guys they suckered into doing their bidding for the night.

“Mingi come here! I lost you somehow and you’re supposed to be dancing with me,” you whined loudly while pulling him close and grinding on him before dropping it low to your knees.

He laughed around a whispered “holy shit” as he followed your dancing, his big hands pulling you back up to roll and dance on him again. Songs passed with the two of you sharing another drink before San joined to sandwich you in. It gathered a crowd when you three started dancing raunchier with a couple of other people. Especially with the way the two males really had you going because of their wandering hands and smoldering gazes. When you were gyrating really hard on San, he gripped your hips before trying to tickle your sides.

“You’re such a tease~. We’re definitely going clubbing when we get back to the city.” San whispered in your ear, holding up a finger sandwich to feed you.

You turned to blow a kiss at him before eating the offered food. “I would love that! I’ll go get some water and some food. I don’t wanna eat everything you’re feeding me~.”

Both nodded at you when told them you’ll take a break since you were so sweaty and out of breath from all the dancing, happily giving each of them a small peck on the cheek. You laughed at some of the comments of surprise that you got as you made your way to the bar.

Yea no one’s seen you dance like that but again you all were here to have fun right? It’s bound to happen sometime so at the end of it all, it was something dumb to think or fret over. None of them were CEO’s or anything (well you couldn’t say that for the other people at the resort, but they don’t know you.)

Yet before you could make it there you were stopped by an unfamiliar male stepping into your space.

“I’m sorry but I’m trying to get somewhere so if you could just..Move out the way please that would be great.” 

“I just wanted to tell you that your dancing out there was really sexy,” the male stated, moving into your space with an open look on his face. You didn’t really respond but you were guessing your nonresponse was a good cue to him.

“Maybe if you like for me to get you drinks we can get to know each other. Or just let off some steam, if you know what I mean.”

You stepped around him, shaking your head. “Sorry but it’s not what I’m looking for now excuse me--”

He takes a grip at your hand, tight that he had to have heard you snarling. “So you’ll dance like a slut for those two guys but you won’t even give me a look? Especially when I look better than them both?”

You bristled at the comment of him talking about Mingi and San like that, turning around to give him a piece of your mind when Seonghwa steps up to you with Wooyoung in tow.

“It seems like she doesn’t want to deal with you sir,” Seonghwa’s voice was firm, gripping his upper arm tight enough that the guy yelped and let go.

Wooyoung makes sure to stop you from clocking the guy by putting his hand onto your lower back. It was a nice touch but it didn’t calm you down at all.

“This has nothing to do with you--”

“Assholes who think their hot shit? Overcompensating too? Guys like you aren’t the ones I go for.” you spat quickly,  “Fuck with me again, or any of my people and you’ll be trying to find the best doctor in town to stitch your dick back on to yourself.” Angrily you stared him down, allowing Wooyoung to tug you away from the asshole and off to a quiet room.

Once the door was locked, he watched as you paced back and forth for a few minutes. He was even calm as you blew up.

“The nerve of that dickwad! The way I dance has nothing to do with who’s allowed to talk to me or not! Literally has no correlation.”

Wooyoung stood by the door and listened as you ranted, sipping on his drink.

“Lucky I didn’t fuck him up. I look too good to be brawlin today. He even had the nerve to talk about Mingi and San? He really fucking lucky--”

“You really fucking do and it’s driving me insane,” Wooyoung growled from behind you, having you jump from how close he was. “You look like a goddess reincarnated and I couldn’t take my eyes off of you.”

“Wooyou-” you began as your body responded to his closeness again. 

He slowly pressed his body against yours, unashamed at the loud gasp you gave him because of his clothed dick hitting your hip.

“See?” the male whispered, looking up into your eyes, “Being so carefree from judgment, dancing how you want. Singing loudly and having a good time regardless of who is around; gorgeous. You made sure to include everyone that was close to dance or sing because you wanted to enjoy this party.”

You really didn’t know where he was going with this but you heaved a shaky inhale when you caught him looking at your lips. 

“It just made me like you a hella lot more… Sweaty, hooded eyes were so enticing. Then when you handled yourself with that guy back there, you got so protective and serious…” he trailed off, his dick twitching against your hip again.

“Really wanted to get on my knees and eat you out right on that dance floor… it was so damn sexy you just don’t know what you do to me.”

An airy moan slipped past your lips from his confession, his response of holding you closer and a tad bit tighter had your nipples pebbling to hardness swiftly. Wooyoung’s hands slid down to cup your ass that you whined out his name.

“When you sent those photos… I wanted to have a quick jerk session. Had a hot moment of jealousy…” he whispered now, leaning in to brush his lips along the quickening pulse on your neck. “I wanted to mark you up like that. Have my fingerprints linger on you for days from holding you so hard. Wanted my mouth to find out all your weak spots to have you crying..”

Your arms wrapped around him as you shivered, hips canting slowly against him in the slow simmer of want.

“Wha- What stopped you then hm?” It was a breathy ask while you carded your fingers through his hair, your leg sliding up to wrap around his hip to hold on. You were feeling a bit faint.

His moan vibrated against your skin as he replied “Wanted to be a good boy for you. Said I had to work for it, remember? So I have been.”

Pulling away, you looked at him questioningly, his skin pinkening with an almost boyish shyness to it as he mumbled, “Was gonna wait for the perfect time so I could take you out to dinner then hopefully get to this point now.” Which done it in for you.

"Tell me more doll, wanna hear it." You purred sweetly, feeling him give a full-bodied shutter.

"Didn't want you thinking that I suddenly wanted to fuck because of those pictures. But I've looked at them once in a while this week, hoping I could get you like that myself."

He was suddenly picking you up impatiently to set you on the table in the middle of the room; his lips nipping at the skin he could reach right now as you whined under him.

"Shit, Wooyoung," a hard whimper left your throat and you rutted up against him. "Same. It's the same. I've been crushing on you but didn't wanna complicate things I.."

Your words died on your tongue as he trailed his hand along your body, letting you arch into the feather-light touch before he put his glass down. “Can I kiss you?”

Your arms shot up and tugged him half onto you, nipping his bottom lip hard before kissing him deeply. His mouth tasting of Malibu Sunset shots and something else you couldn't place, both of you groaning at the contact. Tugging at fabric to get to heated damp skin made you a bit desperate, given how many times you have imagined doing anything remotely sexual with him.

“Pretty baby, panting so hard and we haven’t even gotten naked yet huh? You want me that badly? Want my hands on your bare skin that much.” he taunted, pulling back from your grabby hands with a playful pout.

“You take your dress off and then I’ll be good for you to take my clothes off too.”

You sat up with a pout back to him, tone going sultry instead, “That’s unfair cause I really am. If you’re my good boy you’d let me take off your clothes for you. Maybe even let me choke on your dick. I’ve been wanting it for so long~”

You watched as Wooyoung’s dick twitched hard, seeing his hands shake to a stop before moving back towards you in a flash. Inwardly you cheered in victory, hurriedly breaking a few buttons off his shirt and shoving everything off his body. As a prize, you immediately went to sucking marks on to his skin-- feeling his groan of your name vibrate on onto your lips. 

You left lipstick marks in some places before sucking harshly on others such as his cute nipples and the lines of softly defined muscle, all the while he tried to push your dress off your shoulders. You made a show of sliding your hand into his pants and gripped his dick that was already slick. 

“Who’s wet now doll? Hm?” you moaned out high and breathless, skin prickling with goosebumps from the sudden attack of cold water droplets falling onto your chest.

“Baby, you will be soaked when I’m done with you. Come on, clothes off wanna try something.”

He was asking you in a rush which was sweet but you really wanted his dick in you someway so you relented your control this time to him. You hurriedly slid your dress off your body and moved to get onto the table before Wooyoung tugged you by your bra and kissed you hard again. He was mapping out your mouth like he wanted to remember every dip and curve of it; sloppy, messy and so fucking hot you knew you were dripping in your panties now. “This okay? Not uncomfortable?” he pulled his lips away from yours, gently pushing you back from following.

You swallowed, whimpering out a “Yea it’s fine” from his serious gaze at your face.

When you didn’t change your mind he relaxed and kissed you again. Stealing your breath and making you drool a bit making it hot and messy in the right way.

When cold, wet fingers slide down the curve of your breast your body curved to the touch happily, mind already dopey on wanting Wooyoung’s touch; on wanting anything Wooyoung could give you right now. His mouth moved down your neck, lapping and sucking just as many bruises into your skin in repayment to your own work. 

Wooyoung would cover the next stops of his lips with thin layers of alcohol to suck off your skin as if you two had all the time in the world, skipping past your aching breasts to apply more of the sweet liquid on your stomach then your thighs. He made you sit back on the table as he made a promise to his earlier statement and marked you up basically head to toe; his eyes dilating fully to the point of pitch blackness cause of the whining and mewling.

“Fuck. Just let me..” Wooyoung spluttered while grabbing his phone to take a few photos.

You were leaning back with your legs spread, fingers rubbing your clit over your soaked through panties frantic now. Honestly, you don’t know how you even made it through his markings because you couldn’t describe how much you loved it; probably looking too gone already by how he froze for just a moment. He joined you after shuffling his pants off to finally snatch your bra off to give some love to your aching breasts.

But not without adding an ice cube between his lips then sucking a nipple into the same space. The moan that bubbled out of your mouth was nothing less than dirty, making Wooyoung double his efforts. He did this to the other one as well to make your peaks harder than they ever felt. Bringing that same numbing cold heat combo onto your neck then back down, across your navel and your hip line. He skipped over your core to press his now cold lips onto the marks he left earlier, grinning at your pleas leaving your lips quickly.

“Please Woo, ngh! Please!” you cried, holding his head to your chest while he moved your panties to the side and slid two fingers in immediately. The shock of his cooling mouth and cold fingers onto your burning skin brings a pleasant hum to your body and even heavier wetness between your legs. 

You never knew how much you liked the combination.

“Need you, baby, please ‘m tired of waiting.” Your head buzzed as you slipped further into his ministrations, alternating from begging or crying out his name to scrambling for purchase on the table when he moved his body away from yours. You had to have left a few more marks in the shape of claws along his skin.

“Want my dick that bad? Kinda like how you're begging right now,” He pressed into you harder that you choked for a moment.

Why was he teasing even more now holy fuck. “Yes let me have it!. You didn’t let me suck you off like I asked earlier.”

“I’ll let you suck me off later, I’ll blow my load if you even so much as touch it.”

You whined even harder. Maybe you wanted him to dirty up your face, he keeps taking everything away from you. It was a fun back and forth game but you were truly wanting his dick like months ago.

It was distracting enough that you just registered the sounds of how wet you truly were, body experiencing harsh pulses of pleasure from Wooyoung’s fingers and the zip of chill his mouth left before he laved his tongue onto your clit. Harsh flicks of his tongue coupled with the perfect curling of those fingers you’ve also obsessed over sent you reeling. Such a move brought you hurling over the edge to your release quicker than you expected.

“Wooyoung! Holy shit!” you shouted, voice pitched higher than you’ve ever heard it, legs trembling around him as he sucked onto your clit to help you ride that high before layering wetter kisses to the inner thighs. Your head went back with another curse, feeling your body turn into a liquid state of pleasure, unable to ride out your orgasm on his fingers. When your eyes fluttered open suddenly you took in Wooyoung's features.

“God..” he breathed, looking up at you as if you were his whole universe at this point and slowing down his fingers, “you’re so fucking perfect aren’t you baby?” In your hazy state, you keened at the compliment, body curving up slow as if it was reaching for more praise. Slowly, you rotated your hips in small circles to beg for everything he could give.

“Oh? You want me to fuck you while you are just loose and pliant for me baby?” To your little happy hum, he smiled gently. Removing his fingers he made the show of licking them clean, gently taking off your panties and giving you a soft kiss for your patience. “Lemme get a wrapper and I’ll be right back. Okay my pretty baby? Be patience.”

Slurry on your high still, you stayed spread onto the table. “Hurry... Really wan’ your dick Wooyoungie. Need it.” You could feel your eyes tearing up at your denial of feeling him in you.

He tripped in his haste with the condom already on and picking you up into his arms much to your protest. You could see how little it mattered as he held you to rut up against your folds to slick himself up, kissing away your tears with a coo of your name and how precious you were crying for his dick like you were.

Little words whispered against your ear of "I got you, princess, shh" and "Fuck if we go past this I have so much planned for us, holy hell." You wrapped your legs and arms around him tight, leaning in to suck a lobe between your lips and tug, whining yet again.

“Wooyoungie, please. Wanna feel it for days.. Nothing else but your dick please." You hiccuped over a short sob, honestly too fucking horny to care at this point. "Please Woo please I’ve waited for you this whole time plea-”

When Wooyoung finally pushed into your body after making sure the condom was on, it gave way like a greeting. Your walls fluttering and kissing his dick inch by inch like it was meant to be there; so happy that you squeezed him tight and mewled loudly.

“Yess what I’ve been waitin’ for. Wan' it deep~. Make me yours~.” he cursed and started a slow pace.

Honestly, you couldn't believe how much patience he had given the circumstances. His strength on display as he brought your hips down when he fucked up into your body with a slowness that had you singing. He was so hard inside of you, hitting all the right ways when he readjusted his grip on your sweaty body, the slight curve helping to graze your g-spot when he was being nice to you. It was hurting just a tad from the build-up to overstimulation but it felt too good to stop. Clit being abused against his stomach while you arched to throw your hips back onto him to get him to quicken the pace.

You were moaning his name and nonsense when he slid home deeper into you, praising him. Mouthing out on how you crushed on him since all those years he helped you. From when you decided to let him get closer because you wanted to be in the same playing field. 

He paused mid-thrust with a tremble and a gasp, "Is that true..?"

Blinking past the tears you nodded, feeling bare to him suddenly.

His mouth worked around its sound for a moment, so focused on you that your breath stuttered on an exhale.

"Fuck... Fuck love, you don't know how much that means to me." He said, voice pitched so low it sounded like a snarl. Though the continuous pulses of his dick inside you spoke volumes.

Slowly you ran a hand through his sex mused hair and brought him close to your face, looking into his eyes, "Then please Wooyoung… Ruin me. Show me how much it means to you."

His resounding growl made your toes curl as he moved you two a few feet to the wall, pushing you hard against it now.

"My pleasure baby." He panted, "Gonna give you what you wanted since you asked so sweetly." He sealed his promise in a kiss before pulling out slowly.

The sudden snap of his hips made the surroundings turn to colorful constellations. Everything else fading to the haze past his beautiful expressions, the feeling of you two joined together, the cries and moans of each other’s name. Mind filled to the brim of Wooyoung, trying to kiss him but both of you are just sharing each other’s air now with little nips or licks here and there.

You don’t know how long he went at it but it felt like hours that he was pounding into you. You couldn’t even moan anymore, just whimper or keen or silently scream while he cursed in between punches of your name from his lips.

You both knew you were going to bruise on your hips and ass cheeks with how his grip tightened and loosened. At a particular shake, his fingers slid and pressed hard against your asshole, almost slipping in a bit from the dripping wetness from your folds and it tumbled you into your second release; so hard that you happened to squirt against him.

The wide-eyed look Wooyoung gave you when you screamed his name had him jerking his hips twice more before he came into the condom. He cried out to you in return, full-body shaking from its intensity that he leaned to kiss all over your face softly. Staying still and bringing you back down to him with kisses and murmurs against your skin. Breathy gravel tones from how spent his voice was blanketed you back down.

"I've been crushing on you too, you know."

"So gorgeous."

"I'm lucky to have such a beautiful princess."

"Come back to me love. I'm right here."

It was a few minutes before you gave him a satisfied smile, lazy in the afterglow and bright for him. 

"Mmm, you’re the best."

He took the time to pull out and maneuver the hold on to bridal style, holding you closer to his frame as he set you back on the table with a laugh.

“I must be if I made you squirt~.”

You swung at him weakly, hiding your face from him at that and you kept it there as he moved around the room. You could hear him bump into things, mumbling to himself before he found what he was looking for and moving back to you.

“Come on my pretty baby lets get you slightly cleaned up and get out of here. We can take an actual shower and cuddle together,” he whispered softly, moving your hands out of the way with the sappiest look you’ve ever seen on his face.

Not before he took another of you posing for him to show the additional fingerprint bruises on your lower half, then immediately went to cleaning you with feather touches in case you were too sensitive with the clean rag and water bottle he found in the room. You were getting sleepy under the treatment so you allowed him to do everything; fix your hair, help you back into your dress and watch him put your undergarments into his jacket and fold it up. Making every sure you two had everything you needed.

You even watched him get himself dress sluggish and tired as you were. Something about watching him get dressed was so enticing to you. Maybe it was the way his veins in his arms and hands looked… You couldn’t wait to trace them with your tongue sometime.

When Wooyoung offered to carry you back to the cabin you agreed happily, secretly enjoying his display of strength as you guys avoided the still pretty heavy partying people further down the hall.

“I owe you a dance don’t I?” you mumbled against his neck, curled tight to his chest.

“Yea you do.”

“Damn... We’re starting off our trysts with owing each other.” he laughed into your hair, kissing a free spot on your forehead. “Alright, that’s a bet.” 

You left it at that from his questioning hum. 

You both got back to the cabin without being caught by anyone who knew you two. He held on to your clinging form as you whined about showering later, you were tired and you just wanted to cuddle up to him and sleep. So much so he relented with a playful sigh and tucked both of you into his bed. He did take a makeup wipe to remove any lingering product on your face and his,

“So I can see your cute natural morning face~” with a kiss to your giggling lips.

The both of you held each other to sleep, tangled head to toe with Wooyoung being the little spoon. You’ll deal with the irritating clothes and washing in the morning you thought. You were excited to think you’ll wake up to Wooyoung beside you finally.

“I h a t e your friends Wooyoungie, I really fucking do.” you groggily said when you woke up to your phone’s reminder buzzes and took a look at the notifications.

“Mmm, why is that?”

You happened to look down at his soft sleep puffy face laying on your thigh, pouting up at you so you blew a kiss at him before showing him the messages.

+1 [177] minglepringle So.. heard you had a grand slamming of a time last night

+1 [177] minglepringle As well as seen him carry you off like a princess being saved by her prince~ So now we don’t have to worry about not seeing you for the rest of the night

+1 [392] sanscript A lot of slamming. Seems like our “Make Wooyoung jealous plan worked”!

+1 [177] minglepringle Glad you finally got that dicking you been thirsting over~  Congratulations! +1 [177] minglepringle DON’T EXPOSE US YOU ASSA LSDKJFLSJGSDJF--

+1 [392] sanscript Don’t forget to call us next time so we can hear better~! We’re friends now your supervisor status means nothing now!! (:< Besides you completely dipped on us and we would have asked you for a threesome but Wooyoung beat us out-- +1 [177] minglepringle sAN OH MY FUCKING LORD STFU +1 [392] sanscript What they gonna do? Beat us?

Then an extra one from an unsaved number,

+1 [524] Unkown As much as I love that you two resolved your heavy sexual tension can I get a raise for having to hear your horny asses going at it like rabbits and dealing with the Minsan duo? Thanks, boss. -Seonghwa

Wooyoung laughed hard, screeching about his embarrassment at his friends and how he was going to beat their asses. He was ranting, fumbling for his phone to give him a piece of their mind but you just watched him being animated. Still a bit sleepy, the marks dark against his skin while his eyes caught the light just right to sparkle slightly. Even when he was squeaking into the phone’s receiver at Mingi, San, and Seonghwa, you couldn’t help the happiness you felt at the turn of events.

Wonder what your friends will say once you tell them everything that happened. That would be for another day, you think as you stroke Wooyoung’s face and trace the features. He doesn’t stop talking but he does look at you with a sappy smile, wiggling and making kissy faces at you.

This was something you could really get used to.

[shuskas-story-book]

Leave it to the Bees

Based off the song "Let it Go" by James Bay.

Eridan smiled over at the Asian male next to him, miss-matched eyes smiling back over the table back to his own odd violet ones. He couldn't help the small quirk to his lips as the waitress came over and sat down a set of drinks for the boys to enjoy, Sollux taking his drink and taking a drink with a soft little 'ah' afterwards. "Tho..... Friday night, and I'm already theeing a bunch of Thirtth jutht waltzing into the bar." he commented with a smirk as another male walked into the bar, his tie undone and a 5 o'clock shadow highlighting his jawline.

Eridan couldn't help the soft giggle that escaped him with a nod, reaching out and taking his own drink with a curious sniff at the strawberry filled liquid. "Sol...what did you order for me again?" he asked, head tilting to the side as he took the straw between his lips and tasting it with a shocked little hum. Eridan hadn't expected it to be so good, his boyfriend having been bad about ordering a strong drink and not warning him about the bitters or the high alcohol content of the drink in question.

Sollux smiled a bit and watched eridan over the edge of his sunglasses with a curious gaze. "It'th called a midthummernight dream. Got'th vodka, two Ruthian alchoholth, and a thit ton of thtrawberrieth" he explained. Eridan nodded and looked to the pink drink in his hand again. "Well for once, it tastes amazin and I'm glad I let you choose my drink" he replied with a small hum in his throat.

"And what, pray tell, did you choose for yourself?" he asked, folding his fingers together and resting his dimpled chin upon them. Sollux blinked and looked at the amber liquid in his glass. "uhh....I think it'th called a 'headleth horthman?" he asked himself, head cocking to the side slightly as he took another sip and nodded "yea. think that'th what it'th called. But anywayth, we have a lot to talk about." Sollux cooed, resting his chin in the palm of one bony hand as the other reached out to carefully rub against Eridan's arm.

The Ampora arched a brow and watched the computer calloused fingers as they trailed over his pale skin. "Oh? and what would we need to talk about Sol? Did I do something wrong to one of your builds?" he asked, unfolding the well manicured fingers and moving them to hold his lovers. "Or....is it the fact that were moving in together?" he asked with a small smile, head tilting to the side.

Sollux couldnt help but snort softly and nod. "of courthe it'th the move Danny. Jutht think, we'll be in our own plathe. Cronuth can fuck off, Tuna wont be able to barge in on our cuddle thethionth......or....anything elthe" he teased with a wink that caused Eridan to blush dark. That inuendo had happened more than once to the duo and had ended in a very embarrassing conversation with Psiimon over what was not allowed in his house.......again.

"W-well....I still say that wasn't our fault. He should know not to barge into his big brother's room....Mituna is 13 now after all!" he huffed softly as Sollux just laughed and shook his head. "Yea yea yea. But you know my dad'th thuper protective of Tuna" he hummed, moving his hand to rub a thumb over Eridan's knuckles.

The conversation slowly trailed off between the two as they finished their drinks off, Eridan still being a lightweight even after Cronus and his military drinking habits dragged the younger along for the ride. Sollux wound up taking the keys away from his lover and hooking an arm around him in order to help walk the short distance to their taxi.

Time passed very differently for them during times like this, soft kisses and gentle touches that had them both calm and comforted as they fell asleep in one another's arms. They were still tangled up with one another, light dancing across sleeping limbs when they're woken up by a hyperactive little brother. Mituna was more than excited to see Eridan again, almost pulling the Ampora from his still sleeping lovers arms in an attempt to get someone to play a video game with him.

Sollux wound up being woken up and games played as breakfast was made and plated. Eridan couldn't help but think of how cute it would be to have their own little family like this. He sat his chin on a palm and watched the two brothers bicker over the fact that Mituna did not, in fact, need half a bottle of syrup for his stack of 5 pancakes with a smile on his face. "You two are so cute together like that you know?" he mentioned softly, a loving look on his features that had Sollux blushing a bit and Mituna puffing up his cheeks with a defiant little 'nuh uh!'.

Eridan laughed softly and shook his head. "Sorry. I guess I'm just holding on to that old dream of having a family. Deffinately something we dont need right now," he cooed, looking up to Sollux who rubbed the back of his head nervously. "heh....uh...yea Danny.....That'th thomething that can wait a few yearth to make thure were actually ready" he agreed softly, both of the older boys jumping when something shattered over near the sink.

Mituna was standing there, hands over his mouth, eyes wide, and one of Sollux's favorite mugs in pieces on the floor. The poor boy looked like he was about to burst into tears when Sollux knelt down to pick up the largest piece with a sigh. "well....tho much for that one" he muttered, head shaking a bit.

"I-I'm th-th-thorry Th-Thollux!" Mituna sobbed softly, backing away against the cabinet as Sollux frowned. " Woah woah, hey.....Tuna no come on. Let it go. Thith broke, jutht let it be. It'th no ithue tho jutht keep being happy little you and I'll be normal grumpy me. It'th jutht a mug, and like everything elthe that breakth, we'll leave it to the beeth." he stated with a smile, collecting the broken shards before stacking it in a pile and sitting it in a bin dubbed 'for bee houses'.

"thee? Nothing wrong. They'll love that blue color" he continued, Mituna nodding along with the fear of broken glass long behind him."Yea! I'll be me and you be you! We can make bee houtheth later!" he rattled off, the older boys easily falling in behind his enthusiasm for the day.

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

Time passed quickly, the apartment being gotten and their shared world slowly coming together. But things seemed to sour at the drop of a hat once Sollux started doing computer repairs from home more and more. Things seemed to jump back and forth from throwing clothes on the floor at the end of the night, to slamming doors and the two of them sleeping in separate rooms almost nightly.

Sollux had brought home something from his dad's house, just trying to bring some home cooking back into their lives and give a bit of color to the drab grey things had gotten to. Of course, shit hit the fan pretty quickly when the wrong things were said and a fight ensued. in the end, they were sitting at different ends of the dining table so they could eat. Eridan had his head in his hands and Sollux had his nose in his phone to try and just keep his mind off the fight they just had.

Eridan spoke up first, voice shaky as he tried to keep from crying. "Sollux.....if this is it...if these fights are all we're living for......why do we insist on doing this anymore?" he asked softly, sniffling lightly as he turned his eyes up to his lover. "I used to recognize myself but now I feel like I'm just a husk of who I used to be" he continued, jumping a bit when Sollux pushed his chair back with a snarl.

"Well it'th funny how our reflectionth fucking changed now ithnt it? Thinthe we're becoming thomething elthe, I'll jutht leave you here for a while." he growled, storming off to the room. Eridan moved in after him, watching the thin bee lover packing a backpack with tear filled eyes. "S-Sollux.....No come on.....I-I didn't mean it like that, please just let it go!" he begged softly.

"No Eridan!" Sollux snapped, turning to the other with a snarl. "Jutht let it be. You can thtay here and be you. I'm going home, thpending time with tuna, and I'll be me. Everything here ith fuckin broke tho leave it to the beeth alright?! " he snapped, slamming the door to the apartment after pushing his way past his lover and out into the hallway.

By the time he made his way to the lobby the storm outside had finally come to a head, rain pouring down and making it quite hard to see even if you had headlights on. Sollux stood in the lobby for a moment, pausing himself to just think about the situation for a few moments before he heard Eridan's voice call out from the elevator. "I'm not fucking dealing with thith!" he growled to himself, glaring back at Eridan as he pushed through the doors and out into the pelting rain.

Things happened too quickly to really realize what transpired, A bike rider rushing by, a driver going too fast on a slick road, and the crunch of bone and glass before everything just froze around Eridan. Sollux was laying in the middle of the road, a terrified teen getting out of her car with a terrified scream as the rain started to soak her and the male she hit through to the bone. Eridan's blood ran ice cold as he shook his head and ran out into the storm screaming Sollux's name. trying to get some form of reaction from his lover.

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

"He's not going to wake up for quite a while Mr. Ampora. Please, make yourself comfortable and dont touch any of the wiring near him. " the doctor stated softly, patting Eridan's shoulder with a broad, gentle hand. The smaller male nodded, puffy red eyes locked on the sleeping form of his one and only.

He waited for the doctor to leave him alone to move over and sit next to Sollux's bed with a sniffle. His hand reached out to carefully settle into Sol's, a sob escaping him as his normally warm fingers felt ice cold against the Ampora's.

"This feels so wrong Sol....y-your way too cold" he whispered aloud, tears already welling in his eyes and falling over his cheeks. "God.....There's no force on earth that could make this feel right......" he whimpered, laying his head down on the white sheets of the bed and squeezing Sol's fingers tightly.

"C-come on.......Just....I'm letting the fight go. You're right a-and I'm not being responsible enough with what I've been spending lately...W-we've been pushing this problem uphill and not taking a chance to really.....really talk it through" he whimpered softly, mostly just rambling on to himself in the silence. "I guess it just.....got too heavy to hold tonight and look at what we let happen.....what I let happen" he whispered to himself, head lifting so he could see his lovers face as a tear fell down his cheek. "I think it's time to let our words slide......please....forgive me"

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

A few months after the wreck, Eridan was settled in his old room, snuggled up next to Sollux as they looked through a thick picture book. "Oh, remember when we went to Alternia beach? That was the best date I think we've ever had" he said, both boys laughing a bit. "Yea....It wath a fun date...Thtill think we thould have left Tuna at home for that one though. We could have gone through and done the turtle thnorkling" Sol purred at his little lover as he stretched out and closed the book.

Cronus came by the room and knocked on the frame of the open door, offering a small smile. "Hey Danny-boy.....Feel like going up to Star Touch Point with me tonight? We can go watch the star shower together like old times....you can even bring Sollux if you want" he offered, the look on his face growing even sadder as Eridan looked up at Sol with a smile. "Yea.....We would love to come watch the shower with you Cro....I'll grab my bag and shoes and we'll meet you out there!" he chirped, sitting up and stretching before reaching over to grab his shoes and socks.

They all piled into Cronus's old pickup, the military boy making sure things were tuned up before the drive to their secluded 'brother zone' as they had called it in their youth. They made it right around nightfall and the two younger boys were quick to abandon Cronus at the car to run up to the top of the hill with cheerful laughter. Cro just shook his head with a soft chuckle and let them go ahead

Time seemed to stand still once they made it up overlooking the town in the distance. Sollux smiled and moved over in front of Eridan before waving his hand to the bag. "Tho ED......you ready to let it go?" he asked softly, Eridan's smile faltering a bit "I-I dont know what you mean Sol....Let what go?" he questioned, Sol shaking his head. "Come on ED....Danny.....jutht....let it be"

Eridan started shaking his head a bit "N-no....Sollux I.....Please dont make me do this" he begged softly, Sollux just smiling sadly and tilting his head to the side. "Why not tonight?.....It'th our anniverthary after all. Why don't you be you for tonight. I'll be me jutht like old timeth" He offered, taking a few steps backwards. "Everything broke Danny....."

"NO! Sollux please don't make me do this! Please y-you made it out of the hospital, y-youve been weak but you made it.....please!" he whimpered, head shaking as tears started welling in his eyes. "Eridan pleathe....leave it to the beeth for a while....let them take your worrieth and tearth" Sollux whispered softly, Eridan letting his hand reach down into his courier bag to pull out a silver and gold container.

It was a pretty little thing, Bees etched into the metal and accentuated with gold leaf over the silver of the body and Sollux's name etched into the base gorgeously. "No.....please....I'm not ready to let you go" Eridan whispered, turning his eyes out over the cliffed edge of the hill that separated him from where Sollux was floating over thin air. "Eridan...Let my atheth fall here.....You've held on for tho long....."

"Sollux.....I dont want to let you go! I love you....Please just.....J-Just come back please!" Eridan begged, soft sobs wracking his chest as Sollux shook his head. "No Eridan.....You need to forget m-" He was cut off by Eridans loud sob "NO! NO NO NO.....no....."

"Come on Danny.....don't make thith harder on yourthelf. Let me go.....Jutht....Let me be" he continued, slowly stepping forward to kneel where Eridan had fallen to his knees, clutching the urn to his chest. "Why don't you go live your life.....Go be you.....and I can be me" Sol whispered, Eridan not looking at him anymore as he carefully opened the locked top to the urn and pulled a bit of ash out to cradle in his hand.

As he carefully let the ash sift through his fingers Sollux smiled again, leaning over and hugging his love tightly. "Thank you Eridan......I love you......Thank you for setting me free" he whispered, pulling back and pressing a soft kiss to Eridan's forehead for a final lingering bit of warmth on the Ampora's skin as he faded away in the soft breeze that carried his ashes down over a large field of flowers.

Cronus waited a bit longer after hearing Eridan stop screaming no before moving up to kneel beside his little brother and rest a large hand over the smaller boy's back. "hey.....He's still here.....look, he even sent a little friend to say hello" he offered, a small bee buzzing softly as it landed on Eridan's hand for just a fleeting moment before continuing off towards its hive for the night.

For the first time in four months, Eridan didn't feel that deep stab of guilt in his heart. Instead he felt the light breeze around him, the warmth of his brother's hand, and more importantly, the soft kiss of the night as the first of the stars began to shoot through the night sky.

[cloudyyoonji]

~ Stray Kids Masterlist ~

Finally a Stray Kids master list woohoo! Hopefully, this makes navigating my Stray Kids AU’s a little easier for you!

Bang Chan ~

→ Wholehearted Love.

Buried in the warmth of blankets and your boyfriend’s arms, you couldn’t ask for a better day than today.

→ 4 AM Nostalgia.

Things change so fast in four years, so when you arrive back in Sydney, Australia - your home town, you’re a little emotional - but Chan is a source of comfort for you. 

→ Hidden Comforts.

Your hidden relationship with Jock! Chan makes its reveal.

→ 100 Ways To Say I Love You

Between busy schedules and cozy cuddles, you both knew just what to say in the times of contentment.

→ Summer Love.

Chan was your summer Love once upon a time, and now you two are reunited by the strings of fate once more. SOULMATE TATTOO AU.

→ Missing You

Oh how you’ve missed the boys who had quickly become your family.

→ College Muse. (College AU)

College Music producer! Chan and College Writer! Reader both dwell on eachother for some help on a project similar in nature

→ Home Is Where You Are

Home was truly wherever Chan was, and right now, you couldn’t be more relieved to see him. 

Lee Minho ~

→ Cafe Dreams.

Working at a cafe had always been a dream of yours, but the cute barista somehow manages to sneak his way into your days with a wide smile.

→ Glass Bridge.

You’re slowly walking on this glass bridge, but something about Lee Minho has changed.

→ Close As Strangers.

The nervous flutters and heartbeat in your chest made you even more nervous around your two best friends. Who would you turn too? Lee Minho, or Hwang Hyunjin?

-> The Dream That Came in The Mail

It seems the universe is on your side for once.

Seo Changbin ~

→ This Little Light Of Mine.

It’s just small things that make you both fall for each other all over again.

Hwang Hyunjin ~

→ Silent ‘I Love You’s’.

When you completely overwork yourself, Hyunjin and the rest of the boys are always there to pick you up when you need it most.

→ Nervous Kisses.

You two finally pay a visit to your parent’s place, but the short trip is all you’ve ever wanted plus more.

→ Complete Adoration.

Hyunjin is always there to help you de-stress from a stressful study session with his warm embrace. 

→ I Love You Like XO.

Inspired by Beyoncé’s “XO”.

→ Just Like Lovers Do.

After a routine 1am movie marathon, you definitely don’t expect the words that come from your boyfriend.

→ Night Changes.

He was your summer, your autumn, your winter, and your spring.

→ Secret Panels and Paperwork.

Seoul Police Headquarters is much more interesting than your old job, particularly the detective you’re now shadowing.

→ The Silence.

Hyunjin had been acting a little more withdrawn lately, but you hadn’t expected the answer you’d gotten.

→ Close As Strangers.

The nervous flutters and heartbeat in your chest made you even more nervous around your two best friends. Who would you turn too? Lee Minho, or Hwang Hyunjin?

→ The Lovers Dance.

Being a trainee is burdensome, but when there’s someone to help share those burdens, you begin to see the lighter side of things.

→ Cheesy Smiles.

Why is Hwang Hyunjin knocking on your door at 10 o’clock at night?!

→ Heart Shot

You knew there was a reason you hated college parties, but this one was certainly a golden exception to your list.

→ Lovelorn

Lovelorn; The state of being sad because of the problems love brings. Stupid projects mean even stupider decisions when your in college. 

→ Sol Et Luna 

It was love at first sight with the sun.

Han Jisung ~

→ Another Second With You.

When you arrived at the dorm, you don't expect to walk into the equivalent of a hurricane, generated by none other than 8 boys and your childish boyfriend.

→ Warm Kisses & Scarves.

Time alone is rare, but Han Jisung Is even rarer.

→ “I Love You.”

You’re absolutely oblivious to the misery Han Jisung has been in, so when it all comes out, things get a little confusing.

→ Our TicTac Love.

Awkward moments can sometimes reveal hidden truths, especially when it comes to Han Jisung. 

→ Thundering Comforts

During a thunderstorm, your boyfriend finds a strange way to calm your unease.

→ Queen of The Night.

When you’re with Jisung, you feel like you’re queen of the night, but in the morning, his cuddles bring a softness in the morning

→ Knotted White Lies

Stuck in an arranged marriage with none other than Han Jisung feels both awkward and like a breath of fresh air.

Lee Felix ~

→ You Are Family.

As you are swarmed with insecurities, sometimes it’s important to look at the small things in your life.

→ Loving You.

Felix’s love for you is enough to outshine even the worst of days.

→ I Promise You.

Oh how wrongly you assumed the worst.

→ Stars Aligned.

You’re somewhat nervous when you figure out you have feelings for your best friend, but little do you know, the boy has a secret he’s been hiding too.

→ Limerance.

Limerance; the state of being infatuated with another person.

→ Unraveling.

You can always count on the boys who have made JYP Entertainment home for you.

→ Brighter.

Lee Felix loves every bit of you, including your service dog Lexi.

Kim Seungmin ~

→ Silver House Key.

It was just a house key that started all of this.

→ Flushed Cheeks and Pale Skin.

There is never a dull moment when your boyfriend catches your cold.

→ Light 

Seungmin’s love is unconditional no matter what.

Yang Jeongin ~

→ I’ll Be Your Midnights. 

As the new year kicks over, you couldn’t imagine spending your last few moments of 2019 with any other person.

[sol-futura-est]

When I finally step into my room, I unlace my shoes, undo my jumpsuit, and strip almost naked, save for my boxers. On my desk, besides the dim lamp, is at least four or five stacks of journals, most unread, organized from the formation of the first republic, to the modern era, but I only read about the recent wars more closely. I had returned all but a few of the ones of the beginning. What was open and waiting was Lawrence di Firenze’s account of his movement from Mesopotamia to Saint Petersburg, after fighting numerous skirmishes and enlisting the help of men on the path, he defied the orders of the senate and abandoned a quiet sector in favor of facing the fire, predicting the enemy’s advances as if he knew them more than anyone else. When he arrived to relieve his brother, and routing the siege, he was widely considered by people from east and west to be more than a mere tribune, but a hero worth talking about.

"Today marks the first of February, 2236. I’ve personally, let alone commanded the death of, killed so many of these machines and zealots that I’m beginning to view this war as something eternal, something worth finishing sooner than later. Araasi, the elected chief of the armies and political mastermind of the Svarogovist war machine, has laid siege to the great city of Petrograd, Saint Petersburg, Leningrad, whichever you prefer. As I already made clear to the senate, and the consul, he intends to take the city for the rail lines and airstrips that tie it to the rest of Eastern Europe and north into Finland and Scandinavia. I was ridiculed. I was told he would be stupid to challenge my brothers forces to open combat while entrenched in the city, and that I should take my horsemen and my commandos to greater effect in waiting for another attack from the Caspian Sea, or a new set of tunnels in northern Persia to burst. Despite my track record, despite my national appeal, from Mongols, Sikhs, Latins, Intermarians, even among my auxiliaries from even farther parts of the world, the senate, a handful of men, refuse.

It’s too bad I’m already here, on the banks of the sea to the west, encamped, ready to give the order to advance across the south and give my brother some relief. My chief lieutenant, my divisional legate, is still young. His aptitude is unquestionable, but he’s deeply afraid, almost embarrassingly so. He insists that I’m insane for using my horsemen like I do. I always ask him who won at Sinjar, in Central Asia, or even further back, in Kunduz, or Khalistan. Every time he just shudders, calls me old fashioned. I always tell him that it isn’t the implement, it’s the organization, it’s the application, the details. He insists that my ways will get me killed. In my eyes, this is why I’ve been so successful. Twenty years ago, my adoption and adaptation of coursers was laughed at, until we pushed Araasi’s predecessor into battle and killed him. For the first time in three hundred years, horsemen marched on city streets as heroes. My brother was amazed. He even told me before we deployed that his power armor would be the new knights of old, that I could not be in the spotlight as he hoped. After, it was as if he was seeing horses for the first time. Part of me wishes it was him, that the future, the grand spectacle of old books, where man fought different enemies, with suits of steel powered by space age technology. Little did I know we still used rifles and bows and lances, swords, knives, we even fought in hand to hand ambushes. Those were grand times.

Araasi still has us outnumbered two to one. Most of his other forces are south of us, dealing with Roland in the Caucasus, and the Sikhs further still.  All I have to stop is this one individual, and when this front collapses, I can end the war completely. If I end it, that’s just gonna exacerbate what certain voices are already shouting in the west.

It isn’t just youths who want me to take the mantle of dictator for some time, but even a lot of the men and women my age. Rumors that the senate gamed things after the first war, and allowed this one to happen, and my zeal against the enemy, it all makes these folks wish I was the one making decisions, not men who once upon a time were my peers. 

These dreams of mine are always alight with the same scene. I’m charging headlong through a valley of fire, against frightened machines, mutilated and disformed men, lowering my rifle and gunning them down. But I can see my horse and myself alight, in golden flame, as if the sunlight was pouring out of me. I can feel the horse galloping fast, the thrusting push of my rifle, even the fear through the air from the demons in front me. 

But it goes black suddenly, and I can’t wake up for a few moments. When I wake up, I feel as if the fire had only just gone out, as if Sol was trying to tell me something, but I cannot be sure. I want to believe that his is truly with me, that he was there when my father crossed the alps to take Bern, I want to believe not only that the republic is chosen, but many men themselves, but should I be afraid?"

Almost abruptly, the entry closes. Two weeks later he enclosed Araasi on a field and both of them died in the ensuing battle. Lawrence was found and carried out, Araasi was apparently either mutilated or simply drug back to the underground cities, entombed in whatever strange way they did things.

Specifically, it was this tale that caught my thoughts in moments like this. Two weeks after he penned this, he died. More than that, I know nothing of the man’s ripples in the lake of what remained. My body shivered trying to imagine what that battle was like, how it ensued beyond the tide of time, how the memory that existed on paper was so that the memories of those that adored him could feel his heartbeat through the letters. When I folded the tome and set it down again, next to one of Tarquin’s journals from the first war, I remembered reading it for the first time seven years ago, slowly, each night when one page became ten, ten became twenty or thirty. Mortimer told me once when there was a book or a movie the owners of this place didn’t want a fighter to see in his possession, that he got sent to a mining colony in the Urals. One of the few mandated by the senate, but operated by what used to be Svarogovist refugees. Those were my bedtime horror stories. Mortimer let his hate sew into me from youth on. When I’m stuck here, I can’t know if that’s true.

If the night was going to last forever, I might stay up, read more, but there’s not much reason to. Tomorrow always comes. When I slip under the thin blanket on my bed, I drift closer and closer to sleep as the dim lamp lights my desk, but not revealing the far off corner I was in. Each ride of the waves as they came onto me dragged me into the current, until suddenly…

Stop.

I know it’s a dream, but when I open my eyes again, I’m no longer in the arena, and somehow, I know I’m no longer in Karelia. When I stand, My feet are buried in flowing grass, and my ears can hear the faint whistle of the draft wrapping around me, and in front of me is emptiness, as far as I can see. All there are is rolling hills, the same I have seen every so often in my dreams. If I do dream, it’s lucid, just like this, just as if I can see and feel every little thing in some far off place I’ve never been to. The sun is always at dawn, gleaming rays striking firm into an endless horizon beyond the human imagination, a light that always inflicts on you the fury of comfort, of confidence. Nothing here can hurt you, nothing here is imperfect. Sparse trees and shrubs, hills that come in waves, glimmering dew, glistening blue sky, it all comes together to paint one picture, serene, perfect. Mountains afar stand taller than the ones here in Karelia, and faintly, from the north, is the smell of the ocean, riding the wind. Urban stench, sound, and surefound idiocy are gone. This isolation, the temporal, spiritual, physical isolation is not uncommon to me, but my own life, and I thrive within the quiet moments, where all that is left is to either think or lie down and breathe.

The first time I heard of a dream, I didn’t know what it was. When I found out that Mortimer knew I had dreams, he regrettably mentioned he knew nothing of the dreams I had. When I pried as a young kid, all he could do was shrug, and I came to think there was a local rarity within myself. When I found myself dreaming more than twice a week, I heard comments from the legionnaires, within their own conversations, and I’ve figured out that my dreams weren’t common, but still rare. I got lucky that day hearing that conversation; it helped me not be so afraid of being alone here. At first, all I could do was hope the shadows around trees were the light dancing. Eventually all I learned was that fear is a beast that starves without your hand to feed it, and this world was nobody’s but mine. In domineering it, I domineered the one part I could control.

When all you hear is the wind whipping, every little noise becomes another sound against the background, water running, grass flowing, trees groaning and twisting, and eventually, your own heart becomes an addition to the symphony. I didn’t want anything here. I never wanted more than this, but in my heart, I was curious for more. Every nagging thought, asking if this is all life is, was at times too much. Those nights I would wake up, pace my room, maybe even exhaust myself with two or three hundred push ups until the pain distracted me, and when I finally slept, my eyes simply stared at the absence. Every time I woke, rested or not, I went about my day.

But the questions would stay for night after night until the quiet of my mind returned, and when I finally went back to the dream, to the rolling hills I now sit in, encapsulated by walls of granite on one end, and the endless ocean on another. Each air into my lungs was rhythmic, patterned, as if I was breathing with the earth, with the wind, and no longer was I so detached for a few moments. Even as the hours drew on, the dawn never rose to the day, and the dew never rose up. 

Soon enough, my visage faded more and more, as if there was a great weight on me, and just as it began, my eyes shut.

Stop.

[cutmyhairabovemyjaw]

Heaven and Hell Bound - Tommy Shelby ~ Part 3

Part 1

Part 2

Thank you guys so much for commenting and liking. Part 4 on it’s way and it’s filled with cuteness. <3 Feedback is always welcome!

Part 3 - Look After Me

Y/N POV

Tommy and I have been writing each other for a few months now. I learnt all about his family and his business back in Small Heath. He sent me sketches of his brothers and of a wonderful little flower that had grown despite all the despair which surrounded it. At his request, I, rather reluctantly I must say, sent him a photograph of myself. As soon as the notion was brought up I could feel myself reeling back as insecurities fill my mind. But how could I resist such a dreamy writer:

Whilst your words and the hint of perfume that comes with every letter brings a breath of heavenly air, I find myself wishing for something more. Dare I ask that you send a photograph of yourself. And before you protest I do not care if it's old or embarrassing or your hair looked funny, I need to see my pretty girls face. And Arthur has been insistently begging to find out what you look like. However, I fear they may have to pry the photo out of my cold dead hands before I let anyone else have it. Write to me soon please Y/N. It gets more miserable out here as each day passes. I’ll meet you in our dreams tonight. 

Sincerely,

Your Tommy. 

Your Tommy and Your Y/N. That’s how we had begun signing our letters. It was an indication that we belonged to us, and not to the war. I only agreed to send a photograph if one of him would be returned. It was him in his uniform, hair brushed back, the curves and contours of his face like a frame to the most gorgeous painting. The beautiful picture sits with me in the pocket of my dress everyday. Cherished and perfect do no justice to describe the levels of beauty this photo contains. I don’t know why Tommy and I have connected like this. Perhaps it’s the being away from home, perhaps it’s the war, perhaps it’s the fact that this was the first man to have any interest in me. Whatever it was, it was nice, really nice. 

Outside of this heavenly escape is the very real horrors of the hospital. Patients come and go, blood pours, screams fade into the dirt, but we keep pushing on. Just let one more mother be reunited with their son. 

“Y/N!” My name was called, like it always was when a particularly bad patient arrived. I postponed my rounds and quickly ran to the emergency bed, scrubbing up with what I can as the soldier is carried in, his pained moans and short, shallow breathing swelling in volume. “Briefing!”I yelled to the nurses that guided him in. “Gunshot wound to upper chest, head trauma, erratic heartbeat and breathing pattern.” Whilst he was placed down on the bed I turned away, telling the nurses what will be required. “Is that understood?”, they nod and proceed to collect said items. I begin to turn around to the patient, “Ok, now what’s your name sol-”, I freeze. No, please no. My gaze had met those most beautiful blue eyes once again. “T-Tommy?” I ask, hoping that my eyes may be lying to me. He looks at me with drowsy, pain-filled eyes. “Y/N? What are -” he interrupts himself with a pained groan, squeezing his eyelids shut and gritting his teeth.  Instinctively, I place one hand on his trembling shoulder and the other on his cheek. “Tommy, hey Tom, Tom, look at me”, I say gently, trying to hide the panic in my voice and the shaking of my hands. His eyes are frantic, trying to find some relief from the fire that coursed through his veins. “Fuck! Fuck!”, he yells in pain as one of the nurses begins to clean his bullet wound, tears cascading down his mud-covered cheeks. I look to the other nurses, we all knew what would happen if Thomas couldn’t calm down. Rosaline must have made her way towards the bed after hearing the commotion, seeing as she had now placed her hand on my shoulder. We nod at each other, a new surge of hope and devotion filling my bones. I place both my hands on Tommy’s tear-stained cheeks, tenderly turning his face to mine. Now all I can see is Tommy’s face, and all he can see is mine. The noises of the hospital fade as our eyes meet, just like they did when we first met. “Hey Pretty Boy. Shhh, it’s going to be ok. Hey? It’s going to be ok I promise. Pinky promise.” He starts to calm down as he focuses on the colour of my eyes and the movement of my lips. I nod to the other nurses, silently asking them to continue treatment. It was now my job to distract Thomas until the procedures were over, or at least until he passes out. “Tom, could you tell me about your horses again?” I ask, lightly nodding to him whilst my thumb caresses his cheek. “There’s one that reminds me of you” he manages to get out. “Oh yeah? How so?” I continue, a smile etching its way onto my face. He slowly lifts up one of his hands, twirling some of my hair between his calloused fingers. “Same coloured hair”, his fingers move to my cheek, “Soft and pretty, with the most beautiful eyes”. I notice the nurses are nearly finished with everything, except the worst was still yet to come. “Well I can’t wait to see her for myself then hey?” I take a deep breath in, preparing myself for the ordeal that was to come. “Tommy, there’s one more thing we have to do ok? It’s going to really hurt. But, I’ll be right here.” He looks to me, scared and fragile. “Just please help me”, he breathes out, closing his eyes. I make my way to the tray of equipment, preparing what I need to remove the bullet and restore any internal and external damage. Tommy’s screams burned into my ears. Tears filled my eyes, but now was not the time to get emotional, I had a soldier to help. I thought of the family he left behind in Small Heath, and of his brothers which work below in the tunnels. I knew I had to do it for them. 

Thomas had passed out not soon after I had retrieved the bullet. He looked so calm, at peace, beautiful. As I was stitching him up I took in every detail of his still body. He was muscular and toned, a tattoo resting upon his skin alongside too many a scar that littered his torso and arms. I pulled the blanket over him, praying that he gets the rest he deserved. I steal one last look at Tommy before reluctantly turning away.

With a cigarette already in my mouth I head to my spot on the hill, desperate for some kind of quiet. I practically fall to the ground, exhaustion defeating my muscles. “Big day huh?” I hear Rosaline ask from behind me, matches in her hand, ready to light my cigarette. We sit in silence, staring out at the setting sun, hazed over with the smoke which escapes from our lips. “Fucking hell Ro. That’s Tommy in there”, I try to convey my bewilderment. “He could have fucking died and could have either watched it happen or never even known about it.” I continue to take long drags of my cigarette, an attempt to calm my deliriously emotional mind. “Y/N the way he looked at you, you’ve only been talking for a few months now but he looks at you like you’re an angel”, she sighs, a hint of jealousy poisoning her otherwise compassionate observation. I look to her with tired eyes, “Ro, come off it now. You know that Edward, myself, and practically everything that breathes looks at you that way”. I reach to grab her hand, too tired to find any more voice. “Sorry Y/N, I just miss him... At least you and Tommy will be able to have a few days together”, she says, an apologetic tone lacing her words.  A smile broke out on my face with this realisation. A blush made its way across my skin. My mind had wandered to happier places, places with Tommy. Never had I been nervous to spend time with a patient. But then again this wasn’t any old soldier. Whilst I danced in the fields my daydreams created, I hadn’t noticed the flame on my cigarette inching ever closer to my fingers as it’s length dwindled as time went by. That was until a scorching pain seared over my fingers, burning the skin which once held it. I dropped it instantly, inhaling through my gritted teeth. 

I hope that Tommy Shelby does not burn me the same.

[discardedimage]

The Day When Man was Born

For those interested in a theological “explanation” of what is going on in the short story that follows, scroll to the bottom. Not everything is explained there, but you will understand the basics of why I constructed the narrative this way. It is obviously fictional but it is meant to illustrate aspects of real expectation. As explained at the bottom, this is not about the Second Coming and the general resurrection.

In the six thousandth year since the Creation of Heaven and Earth, at the dawn of the Fourth Age, these things happened…

The skies were brighter than the children of Adam had ever seen them- and the brightness was of a different sort than the brightness of the ages past. Here one color was not brighter than the other- nor did one glory overwhelm and conceal others, as Sol had indeed concealed the stars of Deep Heaven until that day. All instead beheld the whole rainbow- indeed, each saw the whole in its every part. In the blueness he beheld great yellows, woven together perfectly and so becoming perfectly themselves. In the reds he saw brilliant purples and crystalline golds and colors first seen and named on that day. Each radiance was a mirror of all the others. All saw, and most rejoiced- and of the few who were repulsed even then, most were healed. (Of the very few who would not be unbent, I know nothing.)

“And now”, said Heaven, “the time has come for the real beginning.”

For three ages He had worked. And though the stench that came in the dawn of the first age had thickened the air of our world, the real smells were not overcome. In the second age He mustered an army, and when its number was ready, He came to lead it to war. At the close of that age he struck fatally the fallen prince of this world upon his head. And so He who had before worked in secret blew His trumpet and laid siege to the dark lord’s stronghold. In the third age He made great war against His enemy, and at the age’s end, when the black archon boasted of his great strength, the siege broke him and cast him down. And though still many ages were to come before the world had been made ready for that Great Morning of which this was the smallest taste, it was a fuller dawn than had been rumored even among the wise.

“Children of Adam! You have seen and sorrowed much, and you have forgotten many things you once knew- though never as much as your enemy meant. Today, I call your memory forth from the grave. Go now. Be my Likeness. Rejoice, dance, sing, love. I made you a world- now I shall through you make endless worlds. The door that my servants held shut on my command, the door which was even hidden from your knowledge until the latter years of the third age, I now open to you. Rise into the first heaven beyond your sky-curtain and come to the silver gate which leads to Deep Heaven. Breathe into that world life. Plant its forests, call forth its seas, and cast its sky-curtain according to what pleases you. Give Luna her swarms, her swimmers, and her flying things. Take the great beasts of this world and cause their offspring to become the great beasts of that world.”

As these things were spoken, the Great Host- though still invisible- rose into song. Those who heard it were never sure whether it had words or simply was word. In our tongue, the song was a little bit like this:

In all the ages that have gone

There was no road to Heaven’s throne

The passage through had been concealed

And silver Gate was firmly sealed.

-

Come, O Man, ascend and see

The Gate has opened gloriously

Give her birth, Man, crowns bestowed.

And make her light thus sevenfold.

The song did not end, but rose into a great harmony with the voice of Heaven, which then continued:

“In ages past I sent my celestials to you. In these ages, you shall go to them. They have long awaited your coming, and their joy is to receive Adam’s children and to do them obeisance. You have seen, heard, and tasted the scents and songs of High Heaven which have always been whispered on the air of your world. You have drunk from that world’s fountains and have done so rightly. Drink more deeply and make from it a new birth for all worlds- from the Gate of Luna to the farthest corner of Deep Heaven. For as your sorrow was mine, so also will my delight be yours. I have delighted in making a world, and He who delighted with me is with you. As you rejoiced in the world I gave you, so also will I rejoice in the worlds you give me, for in you is the Counselor who gave me counsel from when time began.”

And all bowed and worshiped. Things hidden in past ages were made manifest- they saw the dancers of the white flowers, heard the small folk of the hills, and beheld the Creator’s great host- from the Seven Lord Archangels of Heaven’s Heart to the Forever-Children of the Lord’s Throne. Things seen in past ages were understood, and things forgotten long ago were called to mind at last. 

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

Some Words of Explanation

To give a little insight on what shapes this short story- my personal view is that prior to the World to Come (that which comes after the bodily resurrection of the dead) there will be a lengthy period where Christianity is perfectly triumphant and the human family united around the one Lord Jesus as King such that what we today call “Christian theology” is simply taken for granted, though understood at a profound and deeper level. While there is a great deal underlying this idea (which isn’t as idiosyncratic as you might think if this is the first time you are hearing it), the fundamental point is this. When God made Adam, He made Him a partner in the task of completing and glorifying the creation. Adam went astray but the Lord Jesus came to bring redemption. For the past two-thousand years that accomplishment has been working its way into the bones and blood of the human family (the corporate “Man” of Genesis 1 who is the Image of God). I expect that it will be worked into us - through a great judgment and redemption, a death and resurrection - relatively soon.

2070 will mark, according to my understanding (see the chronology of scripture as demonstrated in a five-hundred page set of essays by James Jordan), the beginning of the seventh millennium. The conclusion of the sixth millennium, read according to its spiritual significance in the corresponding creation days, will see the true birth of Man- the human family. With that, it will be his mission to spread throughout the cosmos and bring the divine presence into it. The completion of that task will take some time. But read through the lens of biblical typology, that’s no surprise. Joseph is the paradigmatic Messiah, and the dream of his exaltation is linked with the messianic seed of Judah in Genesis 49:8-12. Joseph was sold to the nations for silver by his family, rose to greatness among the nations while taken for dead by his family, and then was reconciled with his flesh. Jesus was sold to the nations for silver by Judas and His Jewish family (just as Judah came up with the idea of selling Joseph - Gen 37:37) and has risen to greatness among the nations of the world. But the river which flowed from Jerusalem to bless the world must circle back to Jerusalem (Isaiah 66) so that Jesus will be reconciled in love with His Jewish family.

Yet the vast majority of Joseph’s reign takes place after his reconciliation with his family. Symbolically in this narrative frame, the bringing “up” of Joseph’s “bones” (the word for bones in Hebrew also means “self” and refers to the core being of a human person) to the land of promise signifies the general resurrection. So in my expectation, the generations of grace and beatitude will make the six-thousand years of sin and warfare pale in comparison. The devil will be humiliated utterly the presence of God spreads from one end of the cosmos to the other as he watches helplessly. Yet this is a preparation for the real beginning- the World to Come. There we will be summoned by God to share in His ongoing work in ways simply ineffable at this moment. It is a horizon beyond which we cannot look in this age.

The above narrative describes not the dawn of the world to come, but the “real birth” of the human family where the Presence of God is manifest to the whole human race as plainly and obviously as you see the words on this screen. While I don’t want to say too much on this, I do believe that this is the “Era of Peace” spoken of in both Orthodox and Catholic prophecy and Marian revelations. According to the Torah God brings the consequences of sin out to three and four generations- but His mercy is shown to thousands. We’re not even close to one-thousand generations today. (Three and four generations is meant literally, and so I think “thousands” is meant in the same way, though I certainly wouldn’t rest my whole case on this point.)

[out-of-this-dimension]

Embrace - Andrew/Ava :3c

For those unaware, Ava’liah “Ava” sol Bennu is an OC of mine that’s supposed to feature in future fic stuff.  Here’s a... bit of a sneak peek into a future fic of mine.---7 ALW; PALACE DE BENNU, FORTUNA-- 

All of her life, she had been told that she was the embodiment of the Goddess.  She would act with poise and grace in every moment of her life.  When she came of age, she would wed a man of grand noble birth.  Through him, she would continue her clan’s divine regime over their dominion.  As her mother had done.  As her grandmother had done.  As every woman in her lineage up until her-- Ava’liah sol Bennu.  

She was of the lineage of phoenixes-- that was what her mother had told her long ago, when she was but a hatchling.  Their supposed immortal blood hadn’t stopped her father from dying when she was barely old enough to remember him.  Or her brothers and sisters from perishing from disease.  Or her mother, eventually, from dying of health complications.  If life had taught her anything, it was to get all of your emotions and desires out before your loved ones had to put your cold corpse into the ground.  Better to live life with no regrets, right?

Perhaps that was why she had been given “the Firebrand Empress” as a moniker.  

When her mother had passed, Ava’liah had been content with the idea of never marrying.  She had spent a few years in the throne, learning to become savage when she needed to be and learning when to temper her fiery personality when the time called for it.  She had fun being the leader of her kingdom, which sat in an area of Fortuna untainted by Cornerian control.  If she could have done so, she would have frozen time-- lavishing in her palace, plucking cherries from bowls held by her attendants, and ordering about her guards to squash any invaders that dared defy their divine borders.

Perhaps that was why when Andrew Oikonny had come to her seeking an alliance to combat the encroaching Cornerian threat, she had been… taken off guard.  She had wanted to maintain the status quo.  But Andrew changed everything.

Ava’liah was of course a creature of extremes.  Despite this, not one of her attendants had thought she would have proposed a union of marriage to Andrew.  It took her council by surprise.  They had hoped Andrew would have said no.

But when he said yes?  The Fortunan courts went berserk.  They told her she could not marry an outsider.  She told her that her lineage had to stay pure.  They told her so many things… and she had the loud enough dissenters locked into the jail until they sang her tune. 

That sunny day, her attendants had dressed her in red silken robes.  A headdress of gold and thick red plumage adorned her head.  A golden necklace and bangles adorned her body.  Her sandals were threaded up to her knees.  She walked with the grace her mother had taught her.  Her sapphire eyes burned with her father’s warrior spirit.  The accents of red in her snowy white plumage matched the tone of her outfit and she was living for it.  Let the naysayers speak up in the presence of a goddess.

Andrew waited for her at the bottom of the stairs.  He was in a nice light blue jacket with a white dress shirt underneath-- a modest but nice enough display of Cornerian fashion.  She knew the people that hated her decision would riot at this but she did not care-- there was more room in the prison for them to sit and think about what they had done.  He looked up at her and Goddess preserve, the way his golden eyes shone just about melted her heart.  The simian gaped at her for a moment, as if seeing her for the first time in his life.  She cherished the way his fangs poked out when he looked surprised.

Her left hand glided over the rail as she descended the stairs, her dress trailing after her.  She smiled-- she knew she looked good and she knew he was positively stunned.  

“I… uh… hm,” Andrew awkwardly fumbled and Ava’liah gave a small laugh.  He was delightful when he did not know what to say.

“I know.  I look beautiful,” Ava teased him.  

Andrew scratched the back of his neck, clearly flustered.  The pink of his face seemed positively aglow in embarrassment.  She laughed again, wrapping her arm around his.  They began down the hall, stepping from the shelter of the palace interior.  There was a delightful blue-glass ceiling that hung over an outdoor corridor.  The stone path was lined with pillars, each one decorated with vines and an array of flowers.

After a few steps down the path, Ava guided Andrew from the shade of the stone and glass canopy.  They stepped, together, into the light of the sun.  She marveled for a few moments at the way her fiance’s amber eyes seemed to shine in the light.  He caught her look and smiled-- bashful once more.  She wondered if he would ever grow out of that.

The morning air felt like a dream.  She always found the gardens to be breathtaking, despite spending all of her years within the palace walls.  Clusters of trees and flowers made up the heart of the palace.  A grand statue of the Monarch Dodora sat in the midst of it all, presiding over a crystalline fountain with gemstones littering its bottom.  The light of the sun reflected off of their surfaces, giving a rainbow hue to the pool’s depths.  

“This base of yours that is under construction to the north,” Ava said to him as they walked the gardens. “You have not had any issues with the local fauna, have you?”

“Not particularly,” Andrew said.  He seemed more at ease when talking about business and so she would indulge him.  “I’m just hoping we’re able to establish everything before the Cornerians figure out what we’re doing.”

“Venom and Fortuna rising together.  My council thinks this is insanity incarnate.  But they forget the horrors the Cornerians have wrought upon our land,” Ava said.

She broke away from him for a moment.  Each of her steps was light as a feather, like a swaying, gorgeous dance.  She wandered over to a nearby tree, cradling one of the violet blossoms in her palm.  When Ava plucked it, she did so with precision and presented it to her husband-to-be with a smile.  The simian looked taken aback and she tucked it behind one of his pointed ears.

“My mother was a strong advocate against the Cornerians, you know.  She did everything in her power to make sure our people stayed free.  Not so different from your uncle, in that regard,” Ava’liah said to Andrew.  

“She… sounds like she was a great person,” Andrew replied.  He gingerly touched the flower tucked behind his ear, making sure it was secure.  “What made you want to accept my alliance offer?  I know when my uncle came here… he… he didn’t exactly ask permission to build a base before…”

“Worried that we Fortunans still hold a grudge over that?” Ava asked, raising her brow. “While it’s true that Venom coming to Fortuna did result in our planet becoming a battlefield… that wasn’t your choice.” 

Overhead, a few patrol cruisers flashed by.  Ava glanced up at them.  Ever since those dark days, her clan had made sure to keep their borders and cities well-guarded.  One never knew when war would come knocking on their doorstep once more.  And the show of power certainly did not hurt in the slightest.  

“These are tumultuous times we live in.  We cannot afford to cling to every grudge or we’ll be left in a world surrounded by enemies,” Ava continued, returning to him. “I chose to ally with Venom because I can see no good future in Corneria doing whatever it pleases.  I wish for Fortuna to be left well enough alone but that… can never happen in this world.  So I chose to embrace the future.”

Without realizing it, she had drawn close to him.  Her arms wrapped around him and Andrew reciprocated the motion, pulling her closer.  She smiled-- he was getting better at this, less awkward than the day she had proposed to him.  They hugged each other.  She felt his warmth, her fingers trailing through the thick white fur of his nape.  He pressed his cheek into her forehead.

“And I got you in the process, didn’t I?” she whispered.  “So it cannot have been that bad of a decision.”

“Your council doesn’t seem to agree,” Andrew replied.

“They can bugger off,” Ava smiled and the two shared a small laugh.

“Do you think… we can win?” Andrew asked quietly when their laughter had subsided.  “No one has won against the Cornerians…”

“I don’t think we can win,” Ava replied.  “I know we can.  And when we do, Fortuna and Venom will be free.  And we can spend all of our days here.  I can have the servants feed us cherries as we watch those TV shows you love so much.”

“A-anime?” Andrew asked, eyes widening.  He chuckled.  “You know, not many people would think that’s very Emperor-like…”

“Oh, who cares,” Ava waved his concern off.  “I am only sad I had not seen some of those shows sooner.  I must admit… I am a bit eager to see the next episode of Birdboy Bebop.”

“You… like that one, huh?” Andrew smiled. “I used to have a poster of the main character in my room when I worked on the Star Wolf team.”

“Oh really?” Ava laughed. “You don’t talk about your Star Wolf days much.  I’d like to hear more.  Perhaps with some tea?”  

“Sure,” Andrew said, a distant but warm look in his amber eyes.  There was a flicker of a smile on his lips. “I guess I have a few good stories from those days.”

[auricbound]

@alchemic-elric​ gave a DREAM.

He waits. He waits in the realm all their own for the other to appear and gold eyes light up like the full moon he named for when white fabric flows into the space between them. Slow he rises.

"O Sol, pós se perímena." and he drips to lift the other's hand so he may kiss the sun shaped ring that rests upon his finger. "An epitrépsete énan choró, tha akolouthoúsa ton Vasiliá Mou."

There is a smile on his lips as he rises from his bow. The sun is high in the sky above them, the stars sparkling in the lake below. "Aníko se eséna, ton ílio mou, parakaló kathodígisé me ti chári sou."

gently, the moon breathes beneath him. gently do they link their limbs together in the absence of their automail. no matter what may happen in the world around them, they keep themselves bound to eachother, the gentle glow of the necklace that’s been gifted to him buried underneath the moon himself as he listens to his heart. his own is beating fast. he’s not completely asleep yet because he’s taking in everything at once - the sounds, the smells, the FEELINGS. 

but beneath him, the moon sleeps.

so he follows suit as the realm of unconsciousness pulls him back in, bringing him to the space forgotten in waking.

sandals. they press gently against the surface of the lake beneath the two of them as his dress flows down his legs, an eternally flowing river. he practically descends back into this world, but not once does he sink as the other waits for him to finally readapt to their brightened kingdom. 

at long last, his heart flutters. at long last does the wind around them SWIRL despite the fact they had lost this beautiful land of theirs to time’s destructive hands. even with the way vines overtake their walls and trees blot out the sky above around their lake, he finds himself so pleased.  truly, they are timeless.

oh, how he missed his queen’s voice. it feels like it’s been EONS since that lovely language they’d learned together had returned to his ears.

“ o luna, agápi mou, me chaláseis. ”

the king bows ever so slightly as he listens. his own heart beats uncontrollably when lips press to his ring - the symbol of his entire being, of his very soul - and eyes fixate back on his own with a smile to pair with them.  bless the gods, he is so weak for his queen. does he even know that ? he’ll say it again, over and over, if he needs to. he’ll dance as long as he needs to get that point across as he pledges himself in his entirety to the moon. 

“tha ímoun timí na igithó, vasílissa mou. epitrépste mou na se latrévo pánta kai gia pánta. ”

a single step forward is all it takes for him to place one hand onto his moon’s shoulder and the other with his moon’s own. the symphony of their hearts melded with the baritone of twilight is such a beautifully haunting combination. the world around them twirls. 

“ se agapó, to fengári mou. s 'agapó tóso polý. den tha eícha zísei poté chorís eséna. ésoses ti zoí mou, glykó fengári. eísai ta pánta gia ména. ”

their feet begin to move as he speaks. their dance has begun, and with it, the sun lets his love spill from his very chest while their focus falls into a strange trance.

oh, how he loves his moon.

[paperpenz]

[ Moments in Time ]

A short story I did back when I took creative writing classes. I’ve edited and made some minor changes since then.

Hope yall enjoy this small read !

-

Songs to listen to as you read:

1.  데려가줘 | TAKE ME by GIFT

2. Someday, The Boy by Kim Feel

3. Still Fighting It by Lee Chan Sol

-

Beep. Beep. Beep.

The gentle beating of the heart monitor echoed through my cells and bones, as my consciousness slowly seeped back in, causing me to stir awake.

My eyelids, heavy with drugs, fluttered open as the constant shuffling of feet filled the large white room, my home for the past 3 years. The smell of alcohol and disinfectant still dancing around my nose like bees in spring, groggy, I felt a weight on my arm. Staring down at the white bandages wrapped neatly around my arm, confusion filled me. Then, slowly images filled my mind …

A little boy’s cry of dismay…

A balloon snagged on a tree trunk…

My hand, inching towards the balloon…

A heart-wrenching snap beneath me…

A sharp pain…

Blackness

 “I see that you’re awake now.” A calm and deep voice broke through my thoughts.

 “You had a bad fall. Thankfully, you didn’t sustain any major injuries except for a broken arm, which would heal soon enough, if you don’t strain it too much. Now Grace, mind explaining to me how you, a perfectly sensible soon-to-be 18-year-old young lady, would be doing on a tree?” His calm voice now laced with worry and concern.

 “I wanted to help the poor boy retrieve his balloon?” I smiled sheepishly at the man in white –Dr Raymond, Ray for short chided.

 “You need to be more careful Grace. You can’t afford to injure yourself.” He said while jotting down the readings of different monitors and scribbled them down, all part of the routine.

 “Looks like your readings are normal. I’ll come back later in the evening to check on you again. Please stay out of trouble and within the hospital vicinity.”

I simply nodded, but we both know that it’s simply not possible.

The moment his footsteps were out of hearing range, I slipped on my slippers, slowly draped my cardigan over my shoulders, grabbed a pen and a piece of paper hidden under my pillow and snuck out to a straight cemented path behind the hospital. It led to a single willow tree perched on top of a small hill. Tugging my cardigan tighter around me as the wind kissed my already rosy cheeks, I hastened my pace along the path I knew all too well before they realised I was missing.

Rumour had it that before the hospital was built; a young lady born into a rich family was to be wed to a suitor of her father’s choice. However, the young lady already had someone in her heart, a young lad, born to serve her family. They were madly in love but not only did her father disapprove of their relationship, but the young lad was called away to serve their nation in times of war. Heart-broken, they pledged their love under the tree and the young lad swore to return for her. Unfortunately, fate wasn’t kind towards them. The young lad had perished during battle and when the young lady heard the news, she was grief-stricken. She made her way back to the old tree where they once pledged their love and decided to join him in the afterlife, for life without the young lad was already a death sentence. Ever since then, people claimed that they would sometimes hear soft wails in the middle of the day… Or so they said.

I’ve always had a thing for tragic love stories; maybe that’s why I was attracted to this looming, hollow, arched tree that I now call Fingers –due to her overhanging, tear-drop like leaves, gracefully dancing along with the wind. Her arched branches tower over me, resembling a mother’s hand –protecting me from the harshness of the sun. With her I felt safe, she was my refuge. I would write to her each day, leaving my notes in her hollow trunk –the perfect hiding place.

However, 2 years ago my notes were replaced with an unfamiliar one –a reply. Clearly somebody had found my notes and not only decided to read it, but to respond to it and even had the audacity to sign off. Anger and embarrassment stirred within me, I felt exposed, naked but above all curious. Out of curiosity, I decided to respond to this so-called “J”.

Eventually, exchanging letters became our way of communicating.

He –yes, I managed to establish that “J” was a ‘he’, understood me in a way nobody could. We talked about all sorts of things, from his noisy drummer neighbour, Mark, to picturing the perfect vacation, to even describing how our days went.

The only thing is; he doesn’t know that I’m a girl with an expiry date. He thinks, or how I led him to think that “Grace” is an average soon-to-be 18-year-old girl. And I intend to keep it as such.

Slouching by her slender trunk, Finger’s leaves rustled as I jotted down my ‘little adventure”. Ever since we exchanged our letters, it became my way of picturing life as a normal teenager, doing what every other girl should be doing. It helped me forget that I’m not what people considered to be ‘normal’.

“Today, I saved a little boy’s balloon that was stuck on a tree branch. The poor boy cried really badly, I felt bad for him and decided to retrieve it. Although I can’t say that I left unscathed. I broke my arm in the process, but thankfully it wasn’t my dominant hand. School was boring, as usual, the same old class, teachers and tests. Hopefully school has been better for you.

-G”

But of course, “going to school, taking tests and complaining about teachers” were only half-truths. Signing off, I dropped my note into Finger’s hollow trunk and headed back.

 “You look better than when I first saw you earlier in the day. Something interesting happened that you would like to share with your Doctor-in-charge?” Dr Ray asked playfully. Dr Ray found out about “J” by accident one day, but never once did he mention “J” to anyone else.

 “Has it got to do with that secret lover of yours?”

 “Firstly, yes. And secondly, “J” isn’t my lover of any sort. He’s just a good friend that I have never formally met and besides he thinks I’m a normal girl enjoying her life.”

 “Be careful, for all you know he might be just some creep preying on unsuspecting young girls such as yourself.”

 “Yes, ‘mum’.” Rolling my eyes at his comment.

 “I know “J” isn’t some sort of creep, even if he were to ask to meet up, I don’t think I have the courage to let him see me –the real me, ‘the girl who probably won’t be able to live past-’”

 “What’s wrong?” I asked upon seeing Dr Ray’s brows frowned in confusion.

 “Well, this can’t be right” The way Dr Ray rubbed his chin unleashed waves of uneasiness in my heart. “It’s probably nothing, don’t worry about it and get a good night’s rest. I’ll check up on you tomorrow morning.” Before I could ask any further, he disappeared into the never-ending corridors, leaving me with my raging thoughts.

It’s probably nothing like he said; you’re overthinking again Grace. I assured myself before dozing off to the endless possibilities of becoming healthy once more.

Or so I hoped…

Sitting under Fingers luscious thick leaves, my hands tightly clutched “J”’s letter unable to process what Dr Ray had just explained to me.

What am I going to tell “J”? I can’t simply tell him, “Oh hey just so you know everything about me attending school was a big fat lie and I won’t be able to write anymore, cause apparently my time got cut short. Looks like I won’t even make it past to see my 18th birthday since the cancer cells are growing at a ridiculously fast pace. Thanks for everything up till now’.

I simply can’t tell him that. What would he think of me?

Tears clouded my eyes when I remembered the piece of paper that was now crumbled in my hand.

“On behalf of the boy that you risked your arm for, I thank you. No really, you are a hero.

School’s been the same old cycle, you wake up, go to school, hear teachers preach about their subjects and soon you’re home again doing the same old homework. Thankfully, I had good old Mark and his drums to accompany me through the night; I swear I could hear him even in my dreams. Do you think they’ll notice if he goes missing?

On another note, I respect not knowing each other’s identities, but I do want to meet this amazing person behind these letters if that’s okay with you.

-J”

He wants to meet me. “J” wants to actually meet me, the girl whose time got cut short. He wants to meet the “normal teenage” Grace, but nothing about me is normal, especially when your due date is almost up. Why can’t I be like every other teenager? Why of all things did I contract leukaemia, why can’t it be some other curable disease? Is that too much to ask? Biting my lip, I let the tears fall.

Letting it all out sure did feel good, but the problem remains unchanged. “What am I going to tell “J”, Fingers? Should I tell him the truth? Should I even meet him since I wouldn’t live any longer? Gosh, why is it so difficult? I guess after writing this letter, I have to say goodbye to you too huh Fingers.”

Feeling her rough woody bark under my fingertips for the last time, I began crafting my final letter.

“Mark definitely deserves the Best Neighbour Award of all time (note the sarcasm). Jokes aside, I have something to tell you. I do want to meet you, really, I do… But I’ll be going on a trip soon and I’m not sure when I’ll be leaving or when I’ll be back. Before leaving, I want to let you know that you are a special existence to me and our time writing was surreal, unfortunately, it’s time to say goodbye to those days. Thank You for everything.

-G”

Every word penned down on that piece of paper took a piece of my heart with it. I figured that this was the best decision for us, I guess mostly for me. I couldn’t bear the thought of meeting him only to leave him soon after. It’ll be too painful. I didn’t go back to see Fingers, neither did I return to see his reply.

And just like that, 2 months passed. I spent most of my time in the hospital, going through tests which honestly, I don’t see any point for, considering that I’ll be gone soon. Not seeing Fingers and not being able to write to “J” killed something inside me. I guess I was already dead before I knew it.

 “Grace, you have a visitor.”

Turning my attention away from the window, my pale blue eyes met a pair of hazel eyes that belonged to a lanky boy dressed in a plaid shirt with brown pants, and a chocolate-coloured hair that was slightly covered up by his grey beanie. “Grace, this is Jack, my younger brother.” Dr Ray introduced. “Apparently he has something that he wants to tell you; I’ll leave you two to chat. I’ll be back in the evening to check on you again.”

 “Hey”

 “Hey”

 “Well, it’s nice to finally be able to talk to you live, and not through a pen and paper, G”

That’s when it clicked. Jack is “J”. And “J” is standing in front of me. He –the boy who made me forget that I was ever sick, is standing right in front of me. He found me and he knows me –the real me.

Suddenly, I felt self-conscious, with the way his gentle eyes met mine, how his cheeks flushed to form a slight pinkish shade and the way he rubbed his neck sheepishly. While my eyes seemed hollow and cheeks drained of any sort of colour.

 “But… But how? How did you know that I was here and not someplace far away?”

 “Well, it’s sort of a long story. I knew that you’ve been living in the hospital 3 years ago since I’m a frequent here, poor immune system and all that. You intrigued me, a girl that found out she contracted leukaemia 3 years ago was filled with so much spirit and life. It was pure coincidence that I discovered the notes that you left inside Finger’s trunk, I also figured you didn’t want me to know about the whole hospital thing, so I kinda left it as that. After reading your letter, I knew something was up and I may or may not have asked my brother subtly about your condition. And I may or may not have also begged him to let me finally meet you.” He grinned, his cheeks forming a small dimple.

Having him by my side was no easy decision; but somehow, he managed to convince me. Since then he visited me each day without fail, telling me stories of his hopes and dreams, just like he did in those letters. He silently supported me, giving my hand a little squeeze each time I went through the tests.

When I was bored of being cooped up in the room, we would sneak out of the room to race each other to the hill, lying on the grassy patch, gazing at the endless array of stars in the night sky. Eventually, my body became too weak and I no longer had the energy to walk, let alone stand. Even so, Jack still stayed beside me.

Whenever the pain felt unbearable, he would hold me close, patting my back as he whispered words of assurance and comfort. The room was always filled with life and laughter. Every moment spent with him was truly more than I could ever ask for. I loved him wholeheartedly and I knew that Jack did too.

Soon, my time was coming to an end and we both knew it.

 “Jack, I have a request. I want to see Fingers one last time.”

Pushing my wheelchair up the hill was no easy feat but he still did it nonetheless. Waves of nostalgia consumed me, memories of us writing to each other were now far behind us. Leaning against his shoulder, I felt safe and protected like I once did. His fingers interlaced with mine, like two fitted pieces of a puzzle –his hands fitted to mine. Breathing in the cool evening breeze, we sat in silence, but our thoughts roared like lions.

Taking one last glimpse of the fiery sun slipping beneath the clouds, I closed my eyes, feeling the weight of the world in the palm of my hand, and the earth beneath me. Memories of the days spent together replayed in my head.

Leaning on his shoulder, I felt safe. 

I whispered a word of thanks before drifting off into an endless dream, awaiting the day where we would share more moments in time together. And maybe this time, I would be normal once more.

-

I left the ending open-ended so it’s up to yall to guess what happens to her in the end. Does she simply fall asleep? Or has she passed on? The ending is up to your very own interpretation!

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this small read :)

[thesaltyfeminista-blog]

Suleiman the Hunter: A Eulogy for my Baba

Born in Al-Salt, Jordan to Salameh and Najla Al-Naber, Suleiman had 10 siblings, all of whom he held close to his heart.

Suleiman was blessed to marry the indomitable Firyal Al-Naber on July 1, 1966 and to have been part of a beautiful community of family and friends in San Francisco and Orange County.

With my mother, my partner Atef, and my brothers and their life partners, I join you in grieving the loss of our beloved Suleiman.  Yet we are also grieving what began two years ago when Sol's illness took away his ability to walk, talk, and joke—what we all know were his life and his breath.  Yet the past two years also gave us the greatest gift. When we came to know Suleiman without his words, we were introduced to his inner-self, the core of who he was. There, we found unimaginable warmth, mind-boggling joy, and an inconceivable ability to find genuine peace and love in pain and illness. There, we witnessed Sol's invincible smile fill the spaces between his silence.

Many of you might think of Sol as a farmer. He was an expert in growing and picking produce.

He once told me, “In the outdoors, I forget myself. I feel happy when I’m in my garden.”

And he taught us how to distinguish between Cara Cara and Blood Oranges; Persian and Armenian  Cucumbers; and Brown Turkey and Black Mission Figs.

And then there was cheese and the olives and the meats.

According to Suleiman the ultimate foodie:

Always buy the best.

Never pay full price.

Add garlic to your pizza.

Only wood fired.

Only thin crust.

You’re gonna let them steal your money by ordering a bunch of dough?

Slightly burned. But if they burn it too much or too little, send it back. The customer is always right.

He learned from his father who used to go down to the Jordan Valley to buy the trees to plant on his land in Al-Salt.

But what if I reminded you that farmers are sedentary? That they sit still and are calm and patient as they sit back and wait for their results?

You might then realize what I did a few days ago when I stumbled across an old photo of Sol’s father, my grandfather Salameh, standing between my brother and I, each of us holding the dead pigeons he hunted in our little hands.

I realized that Sol is not exactly a farmer and might be better described as a hunter.

Think about it.

Hunters don’t sit back patiently waiting around for the hunt. They have to act, move, and think creatively—come up with new ideas; and take chances. And they enjoy all that excitement.***

It was Sol’s inner-hunter that made him one of the most remarkable people any of us have ever known. Sol was a no fear thrill-seeker in constant motion. A free spirit bravely roaming and dancing the streets and the world; clever and witty with the most brilliant biting and playful jokes so that even when he would turn one of his customers into the laughing stock of the year, they would come back the next day for more.

And how about his endless creative ideas? Like when he put his eye on our neighbors fig trees and next thing you know, they were transplanted to our yard.I attribute the unconventional accomplishments of my brothers and I to Baba's unconditional support--waking up at 4:00 am for decades to run his store--and to his creative genius. He taught us to be fearless visionaries who don't wait around for permission but take action. None of us work 9-5 jobs. We are creative adventurers who think outside the box…because of him.

This week, people have been coming out of the woodwork about Sol’s extreme generosity and support. They are saying things I had not expected…like:

Sol is my parent! Sol raised me! Sol fed me! Sol supported me! Sol did not only put food on the table for his own wife and kids but also for his tribe and for his people. 

Of course, the greatest gratitude in all of this goes to my phenomenal mother Firyal, Sol’s selfless caretaker, wife, and friend who stood by his side through thick and thin and kept him company with bravery, an open heart, and unending peace, prayer, and resilience. I can only hope that one day, I will be as selfless and humble as her.

I cannot thank all of Sol’s beloved friends and all of you who supported my parents during challenging times, but I must recognize Jose Mendez, the caregiver who treated Sol like he was his own father.

I have no doubt Sol’s grandchildren—Kadin, Kelsey, Wyatt, Kinan, and Nile--will carry on everything he taught us about dreaming, striving, and giving and about finding joy in all the little things.

So from here onwards, when you think of Suleiman, I hope you will find that feel-good sense of relief that overcomes anyone who sees his smile flashing across his beautiful face.I hope you will continue to feel intoxicated by his unrelenting passion for life.I hope you will all learn from him—to be exactly who you are. To see your time on this earth as limited and to not waste it. To love life so much that it spills over onto everyone around you.

May each of you find Sol’s forever smile whenever you eat a fig or look into the mirror or whenever you look up at the sky—in a rainbow or in the moonlight. I know he will be there smiling back at you. He may even call out to you saying: “You know, You’re so stupid!” as he laughs at and with you.

So let us celebrate his life and his endless gifts.

Suleiman...

the optimistic giver...the nomadic dreamer...and the life of the party.

You will always be my sunshine and my guiding light.

May your light, and your smile, shine on...forever in our hearts.

To honor his legacy, we created the Suleiman Al-Naber Arab Student Award, a fund that will assist the recipient, an Arab student at UIC, with their tuition on an annual basis.

Please donate to the fund if you can here:

https://diversity.uic.edu/donate/donate-to-diversity/

Please follow the instructions from there.

In Loving Memory

Suleiman Salameh Al-Naber

His Smile Lives On

Forever in our Hearts

***I borrowed the idea of the farmer vs. the hunter from Michael Ferguson's book, The Drummer and the Great Mountain (2015) where he discussed neurodiversity/diverse brain types. Michael Ferguson draws upon the farmer vs. hunter theory developed by Thomas Hartmann. 

[yourdevilwolf-blog]

+Of Dragons and Rabbits+

((Short story I wrote after not being to sleep based on a recent RP. Simply...something my little mage had to get out of his system.)) 

"....ughnn..." 

Azure blue blinked in annoyance, heart pounding a million miles a minute, wincing at the bright moonlight that passed through the bedroom window. 

Another nightmare?

The small elf sat up as he tried to clear his head of the confusion of being jolted awake, his hand instinctively resting on his sleeping husband's back. Warmth from the body next to him seemed to pass through his hand and allowed him to calm his anxiously beating heart.  With a heavy sigh he turned to the man next to him, who was currently sleeping unaware of the mage's plight, his hard work tiring him out for the day.  

Sollarian smiled despite himself, one hand holding long silver hair back from his face. Any anxiety he held seemed to melt away as he gazed upon the man who shared his bed, and he couldn't help but to lean forward and lay a tiny peck to his husband's sleeping face.

He giggled as he wondered if Shin knew how cute he was when he was asleep? 

His face no longer holding it's normal seriousness - only relaxed and blissfully unaware of the troubles of the world. Sol couldn't help watch him snore for a few moments, his hand now tracing circles over the tattoo that was closest to the monk's heart. 

                                       “Do you still desire me...?" 

The sudden memory caused his slender fingers to stop, his heart skipping at least two beats, and he took a deep shaky breath.

"Oh, Shin..."

Sol leaned forward and rested his head lightly on his husband's chest, his hair spreading across the expanse like a veil, and tears stung hot at his blue orbs.

 The man under him was the love of his life, never again would he - could he - find another. This man...meant more to him then even the air that passed through his lungs and allowed him to breath, and his body ached any moment that he was not by his side.

It was only because of Shin that he had begun to smile after so many years of cold silence. 

Desire was a word that could not even begin to describe the feelings that passed through his heart, or mind, during one single moment of being in his lover's presence. 

And honestly, he wasn't sure there was a word that could ever describe how immensely happy he felt being able to simply be by the man's side. And now...his throat constricted as he struggled to keep the tears at bay, knowing the sound would wake his attentive husband. 

He'd...failed him.

If Shin had doubted for even a moment that Sol's heart, and body belonged only to him - he'd failed him indescribably. 

From the moment those jade eyes had held his - he was his. Sol had never felt anything like that before and he had longed to walk forever by the man's side since that day. What was this distance that he'd made up in his head? What nightmares had caused him to pull away from the one he adored most? Had caused Shin to suffer due to his own doubt? Would Sol not carve out his own tiny broken heart and present it to the monk as a gift if he only ever asked? Would Shin not do the same? 

Yes, he knew he would.

Shin would bring the sun and moon from the sky if it only it meant Sol's even momentary happiness. 

Because truthfully, their happiness was each other's happiness. 

And Sol...swallowed hard as he sat back up. His eyes still carrying a bit of sadness as he gazed down at his lover, the moonlight shining against the man's skin, and for a moment he'd swore he was god - and in a way he was. He was the man Sollarian worshiped more than any other, adored and revered, but he was also merely mortal.

They both were mortal; they both made mistakes.

He would not fail Shin again, he would never allow doubt to be cast on his heart ever, ever again. The tiny elf intertwined his fingers against the mans as his lip trembled, and he prayed to the Goddess for forgiveness, and the strength to try again despite his weakness.

“I love you...without you I am hopelessly lost. My husband, the Father of my children, and the protector of our great legacy. You do so much thanklessly, and I pray you forgive me for my weakness..for I could never be without you, nor desire any above you. My heart still rises in my chest when I see you, just like a child with a schoolboy crush, even if it's only been moments. There is nothing you could ever do to make me desire you less, never...ever.." 

Sol crawled on top of his monk, his tiny body so small compared to the muscular man, and he forced his way into his arms, snuggling as deep as he could into his chest. His tears slipped from his cheeks, but slumber once again claimed him, this time filling his dreams of dragons chasing rabbits across the pandaren heartland.

And that morning - it was not Shin who rose first.

The mage would have been up hours before him, freshly picked flowers in the vase on the kitchen table, and he was had been busy with breakfast for quite some time. He would be singing happily as he waited for Shin to awaken, his silver hair pulled into a high ponytail and out of his face while he worked, a light and airy gossamer gown adorning his frail frame. And it would be the monk's favorite meal, made with extra care that morning, and hot tea instead of coffee, his paperwork all placed in a neatly organized stack at his place at the table with fresh ink and quill ready for use

And this morning...Sol's smile would be brighter than ever, and his touch extra tender. His love would written clearly across his features and he would be attentive to the man's every single need - spoken or not. 

Not because he had to, no...not at all. Because he wanted to.

Lyra on his hip, he would dance around the kitchen during clean up, and sing her favorite songs, happily asking his husband to join him with those old pandaren folk songs he liked to sing for he could never seem to remember them as well as Shin. Never mentioning that he simply loved to hear the man's voice, especially joined with his own.

And not once would he let go of Shin's hand as he walked with under the full bloom of the cherry blossoms, his fingers only tightening their grip as they spoke of nothing at all.

Never again would he fail him, no matter what the cost. Shin was his soulmate and his dearest treasure - and he’d never let him doubt it again.

@jade-fire-dragon

[omgxiaoch]

My Soul

pairing: changkyun x [y/n]

genre: fluff

word count: 1470

a/n: hi guys! i hope you guys like it and i apologize if it’s short??? but yeah, i hope you guys like it ;u; i apologize for any grammatical errors and the gif is not mine

masterlist

When it comes to love, nothing really matters. Age? It doesn’t matter. Height? It doesn’t matter. Weight? It doesn’t matter? Skin color? It doesn’t matter. Race? It doesn’t matter. 

Language? It doesn’t matter.

There are no boundaries when it comes to love. Especially when it comes to Changkyun and you. 

You were just another human being who’s heart swelled in happiness once learning about Korean Culture. It was a hard journey for you, especially that you’re Mexican and Korean wasn’t your Mother Tongue. Moving into Korea was a blissful dream. You were there, being finally one with the country that you’ve yearned for, dreamed for.

You were passionate about learning hangul, and that was when you met him. The man who helped you get through all the cultural differences, making you become one with the culture and language itself.

Lim Changkyun was his name, but he was known as I.M, the rapper of a well-known boy group, MONSTA X.

It was just one of those days when you had to stumble across this cafe, soft beats, and melody flowing through the speakers. Along with the aroma of black coffee that wafted through the winter breeze, you found yourself following the scent, stopping right in front a cafe. Upon pushing the door open, the invigorating odor, bridging the gap of time between childhood memory and present day indulgence, drew you into such interior, that reminded you of a place that softly screamed home.

Taking a seat right beside the window, a waiter walked towards you and left immediately after hearing out your order. With your fingers wrapped around your notebook, filled with all of your notes from class, you casually flipped through the pages and was about to lose yourself in your train of thoughts when the sound of a man’s deep dulcet voice popped the small bubble, making you look around the room, only to find a man with a black cap bobbing his head up and down and eyes scanning through a piece of paper, lips moving in sync with the beat.

“Every time I close my eyes, I think of you.  Now the stars in the sky are like you.“

His sharp nose, caramel brown orbs, and plump lips had you under a spell. You couldn’t seem to take your eyes off of him, and once his eyes trailed up to meet yours, you could feel your heart stop. 

Quickly looking away, you transferred your gaze down on your notebook and tried to calm your beating heart. You couldn’t help but rewind that second when you felt a spark coursing your veins when you met his gaze. The rapid beating of your heart had your cheeks heating up and you couldn’t think of ways to calm them down, especially not when the butterflies in your tummy went wild, as they’ve been out of their cage after a long period of time.

What the heck is wrong with you, [y/n]?! you mentally scolded yourself as you could feel his gaze boring at you. Thankfully, the waiter arrived with your order, finally allowing you to look up and heave out a sigh of relief.

The warmth of the newly brewed coffee gave you comfort and you couldn’t be thankful enough to have it calm down your heart and butterflies. Leaning into the soft cushions of the couch, your eyes fluttered close and have the flavors dance through your tastebuds. 

However, soon enough, that moment was interrupted by the sound of a chair being pulled out had your eyes fluttering open, only to have your eyes widen when you saw him taking a seat right in front of you with a shy smile. “H-hi... uh... how may I help you?” you asked in Korean, making Changkyun look at you with eyes wide as saucers.

“You know how to speak Korean?” surprise was visible in his tone and you couldn’t help but chuckle at how cute he looked. “Just a little.” you slightly pinch your fingers to represent how much you’ve learned, which had him giggling. “Well, at least you know something, right?” He said with a playful smile plastered on his face.

“You have a point there. Uh.. I’m [y/n], by the way.” you introduced yourself and stretched out your hand to him. “The name’s I.M but you can call me Changkyun.”

And that’s how everything started.

With just a simple stare and introduction sparked something between the two of you. There was no use in denying it, the two of you were already bound to end up with each other as if it was written in the stars. 

Two years has smoothly passed with a couple of arguments and make-ups and affection here and there. And you couldn’t be more thankful to have met him. Despite it was a rollercoaster ride of emotions, Changkyun never left your side and guided you, and so you did with him

Ever since the two of you met, he showed his interests in your culture and you happily obliged in guiding and teaching him about all about your culture and language. Changkyun was known for his passion for learning Spanish, and throughout the small lessons you had with him, he was able to catch up and learn bits and pieces here and there with him also teaching you with Hangul. 

A couple of conversations would spark up, with his crazy antics, his mouth would sprout a couple of Spanish words with you responding in Spanish. However, every time the two of you talk in Spanish, Changkyun would look like the happiest kid on earth. With his proud chest out, he would be really amused once the boys would look at him with such reactions after hearing him speak to them in Spanish.

There would also be times when he’d catch you off guard, especially at night when he’d be lying in bed and would just randomly speak up, startling you at his sudden request.

“Mi alma,” he called out with his eyes fixated on your eyes, loosing himself in the stars in your eyes. There was never a day when he didn’t call you mi alma or my soul. It was an endearment he chose by the minute the two of you reached your first anniversary. “Mmm?” you raised an eyebrow at him with your eyelids slowly growing heavier and heavier by the minute.

“Can you sing me that song your mother used to sing to you when you were a baby?” 

That song. That very song which your heart held on to this day. You first sang it to Changkyun when he felt like the whole world was against him and needless to say, it was a song that helped him up to his feet, heart swelling with confidence and pride. 

“Why?” you query with your fingers running through his jet black locks, eyes lovingly staring right into his caramel brown orbs, which were illuminated by the moon. “I just couldn’t lull myself to sleep without hearing you sing... can you sing it for me mi alma?” he requests with eyes filled with hope.

“Of course, yeobo.” It has been like that. You call him yeobo and he calls you mi alma, a simple exchange of languages between the two of you. 

Giving in to your lover’s request, Changkyun carefully rests his head on your chest as you spoon him in your arms, cheeks resting on the top of his head and eyes closing by the minute your lips parted, tongue and voice ready to sing that song. 

“ Arribita, sol arriba, Encontré mi corazón, A la sombra de mi mama (Up, up, sun go up. I found my heart,on the shadow of my mother )” your mother used to sing you La Mamancy, everytime you felt sad and when would lovingly sleep beside you, watching you sleep with her soothing voice filling your eyes, dancing through the dreams that you’ve once remembered.

The song was short but this didn’t stop Changkyun from smiling from ear to ear, especially when he heard your version of the song. It was filled with emotions that you’ve once hidden, emotions that you wished to express to your mother and your future children. “Estaba allí, gestándome,Mamancy, mi mamitay, (She was there, nurturing me,little mother, my little mother)” Your voice slowly trailed off as you’ve finally finished the whole song.

Taking a peek at your beloved lover, you couldn’t help but break into a loving smile, his eyes were closed, lips were slightly parted and his arms rested softly on your belly, hand tucked on your waist. 

“Buenas noches, mi alma. Que tengas dulces sueños.”

With a soft kiss planted on his forehead, you decided to call it a night and slowly drifted off to dreamland without noticing the smile on Changkyun’s face upon hearing what you said.

[prudypru]

                                                 The Apology

So I got this sad af idea while listening to my favorite song from Book of Life. It’s probably a bit out of character, but maybe not? Who knows? Anyway, have at it, hope you like it~ (I changed a few lyrics to fit the scene coughcough)

Thick fog engulfed the town square of Dorado, lights stringed up shined through like a faint dream. The air was quiet, the small town abandoned of life. A figure emerged through the darkness, ragged and worn. Reaper groaned as he made his way to the tall memorial in the middle of the square.

He knew the others weren't too far off, they would be here soon to finish him off for good; there was nowhere left to run. No backup, no one to call upon, No one.

This was the end.

Reaper stumbled his steps, his footing slipping as he went crashing to the ground. He let out a strangled cry, reaching down to clutch at his gut. Black, tar like substance seeped through his armor, staining his gauntlet and the ground below.

With a pained grunt, he reached for the lip of the fountain, pulling himself up to rest against the aged stone. His breaths went ragged and short, regenerating lungs struggling to keep up, but whatever they shot him with prevented him from fully healing. Reaper coughed until he felt liquid rise from his throat, yet he didn't bother removing his mask to wipe it away.

The wraith sat there, thinking about anything and everything. He thought about all of the lives he took, the innocent people that had to suffer under his hand. Time and time again, he told himself that it was the right thing to do, to put an end to all the lives that ended his and countless others; a twisted sense of justice, he thought. But looking back on it now, he realized just how wrong he was.

He thought about Ana, how she wanted to help him, and the way she looked at him that day the three crossed paths. The fear in her eyes, the concern and worry in her voice.

Then, he thought about Jack.

Reaper growled but winced when it became too much. Another cough, another round of tar. Another tired sigh.

Morrison. Soldier: 76. Jack. He wanted to believe he still hated him, that all of this was his fault. But he couldn't bring himself to believe that, not now.

Deep down, he missed them. He missed all of them. But most of all, he missed the man he once loved. His sunshine, his home from home.

He felt tired, worn down physically and mentally. He just wanted it all to end. No more fighting, no more death. God, no more souls, he couldn't handle another soul. The endless cries of sorrows every night almost driving him to the brink of madness.

Reaper clutched at his head with a clawed hand before letting his arm fall back to his side. He looked around the quiet town, long since evacuated due to Overwatch's surprise ambush. He watched as the fog drifted around him, blurry vision watching the lights bounce off from surface to surface. A glint of silver nagged at the corner of his eyes, head turning to see. He let out a deep chuckle. Leaning against the fountain beside him, was an old and worn guitar. The paint long since faded, yet its strings shined with life.

Reaper looked to the sky, wondering if someone up there was mocking him, reminding him of old memories from decades ago. How he made everyone smile and sing along, no matter what he played.

It was then, that the dying man finally thought: It was time.

With a deep breath, he gripped the edge of the fountain and pulled himself up to sit at the edge. He almost lost his vision and balance from the immense pain that shot through his decaying body, yet he swallowed the scream that dared to fill the night.

He panted, trying to regain composure, palms pressing down against the bleeding wound. Once his breathing finally calmed down, Reaper grasped at his gauntlets, unclasping the locks and letting them fall to the ground, the talons clinking against the street. He reached for the guitar, ignoring the smoke that wrapped around his decaying and regenerating fingers.

The air was filled with soft strums of strings, the guitar pre tuned to Reaper's amusement. He paused to settle his shaking hands, before playing a soft tune.

My friend, I am humble, for tonight I understand. Your royal blood was never meant to decorate this sand. You suffered great injustice, so have thousands before you.

Reaper sucked in a shuddered breath, his lungs on fire. But he didn't stop.

I offer an apology, and one long overdue.

He closed his eyes and took a deep ragged breath. Black fog mingled with white.

Quiet footsteps slowly made their way up the street, red visor glowing through the fog like a beacon. Soldier 76 raised his rifle and followed the sound circling through the streets. He spotted his target by the memorial, Reaper's back turned toward him, slumped forward. Jack was about to shout, aiming his weapon at the back of the wraith's head, until he heard a broken deep voice sing out.

I am sorry.

My friend, I am sorry. Hear my song, and know I sing the truth. Although we were bred to fight I reach for kindness in your heart tonight

Jack froze in place, listening to the man sing as the soft melody surrounded him. He lowered his weapon, yet still kept his guard up, eyes not leaving the man he once knew.

And if you can forgive, and if you can forgive Love can truly live. And if you can forgive, and if you can forgive Love can truly live.

He knew he was there. Reaper could feel it, sense his strong willed soul nearby.

Yet he didn't stop to turn around, didn't stop singing or playing. He was determined to see this through, even if it killed him then and there.

His lungs were on fire, everything was on fire. He must have plucked the wrong string once or twice when the pain became too much. His voice became hoarse and strained, yet he kept going, knowing the other was listening.

My friend, I am frightened, but I'll use my final breath To tell you that I'm sorry, let us end this dance of death. Three long decades of agony, that to your heart I sent Here and now with my amends, the senseless killing ends.

Jack felt his throat close up as his hands gripped his weapon tightly. Slowly, he made his way towards the shadow in the mist, the lights overhead casting an almost angelic glow against the monstrous creation. He lowered his weapon again, no longer worried of what was to come. He continued to listen quietly.

I am sorry. Mi Sol, I am sorry. Hear my song, and know I sing the truth. Although we were bred to fight I reach for kindness in your heart tonight.

Jack let out an unsteady breath at hearing that nickname. It's been so long since he's heard it, it made him falter. He finally moved his weapon away, letting it slide from his grip to the ground, not caring if the other heard him advancing closer.

And if you can forgive, and if you can forgive Love can truly live. And if you can forgive, and if you can forgive Love can truly live.

The soldier reached for his visor, sliding it off and letting it join his weapon on the ground. He was so close to him now he could feel the thick black fog in the air swim around his body, yet he didn't feel threatened.

And if you can forgive, and if you can forgive Love can truly live. And if you can forgive, and if you can forgive Love, Love will truly live.

Jack was beside him then, looking down at the defeated man he's become. With a final strum of the strings, Gabriel stared down at the decorated tile, not wanting to look the other man in the eye. Jack rested a hand on Gabriel's shoulder firmly, yet tenderly.

“Gabriel.”

Gabriel bit at his bile covered lip at the sound of his name in Jack's somber voice. He set the guitar aside, tried to stand up, groaning in pain when it strained his injury and decided to just stay seated. He felt the hand on his shoulder tighten.

Jack's face softened “Gabriel. Did you mean it? What you said then. Do you truly believe it?” he questioned, his voice threatening to waver. But he kept up his strong facade a bit longer. He needed to know the truth, needed to know if there was still a small part of his best friend in there.

Gabriel stayed quiet, his gaze still kept toward the ground. It was like that for a while, both men in a quiet standoff. Jack sighed and moved to retreat, about to give up hope on ever reaching his long gone partner. He went to remove his hand from the other, but went stiff when a discolored, regenerating hand grasped his own.

“Yes.” came the quiet raspy reply.

Jack looked back down at the shadow, not making a move to pull away from the hold. So he waited, waited for what else Gabriel had to say. Gabriel took a moment to regain his thoughts, his hand tightening against Jack's gloved hold, his thumb rubbing against the worn leather on the knuckles.

When he felt like he was ready, he let go of Jack's hand. He reached up with trembling, clammy hands to his mask, finding the latches and unlocking both. He pulled the mask away, noting the black stains on the inside, before dropping it to his feet.

Jack's hand was still tightening against his shoulder as he continued. He grabbed his hood next and pulled it down; black smoke emitted from its enclosure, while patches of dark curls sprung free. Healed and open wounds scarred his face and scalp. Where there wasn't hair, there was skin trying desperately to regenerate.

Jack held his breath as soulless, milky eyes peered up at him, what was left of his brows were drawn close together.

“I meant every word, Jack. I know I'll never be forgiven for the things I've done, the souls I've taken, but I'm done running.” Jack searched Gabriel's eyes for anything that could give him away, any malicious intent or hidden agenda.

He saw nothing. Absolutely nothing. All he saw was regret. Remorse for all of the sins he's committed against the people he once trusted.

His family.

His home.

“I'm so. . . tired, Jack. So damn tired. I. . I miss. .” Gabriel stopped himself, feeling a fresh wave of black sludge building up inside, the pain coming back around. He growled and swallowed it all down “goddamn it, I miss everything.”

Jack was deathly silent, his hand grasping onto Gabriel as if it was a lifeline. He knew things would never go back to how they were, how could they? After everything that's happened, all the trouble they've gone through and caused each other, how could they just brush it all under the carpet and pretend it never happened?

No, Jack decided, it will never be the same.

But, somehow, he kept clinging on to hope.

Hope that they could finally bring justice to the monster that was the Reaper. And hope that they could still save their friend, his partner, Gabriel Reyes. If the other was willing to give himself up just like that, then there was still hope. There had to be.

“Gabe.” He hadn't heard that name in years. Gabriel looked up once more, the stern look Jack Morrison was known for, softening, breaking, until there was a tired fondness in his eyes, “I forgive you.”

Those words alone could have made Gabriel break then and there. And he did.

Gabriel bowed his head, a hand reached up to hold Jack's as he shut his eyes tight. Jack felt an entire weight lift off his shoulders, the air around him feeling more open, no longer constricting.

The fog cleared, along with the black mist. The lights above them shined through, enveloping them in a warm golden glow. Jack looked to Gabriel then, ignoring the wet droplets that continued to fall between the other's boots and splash against the macabre mask.

“Come on,” He leaned down and gently wrapped an arm around Gabriel's waist, making sure as to not agitate his wounds, and hoisting him up gently. Gabriel kept his head down, but kept a tight grip on the other, his figure shifting in and out as he tried to stay conscious. Jack made sure he was still with him before setting off toward the others, leaving only their shadows behind; Soldier 76, and the Reaper.

“Let's go home.”