#【 ❝ today you were far away and i didn't ask you why ❞ 】 ✕ vis.

[agentrouka-blog]

It seems like Dany in book is still having hard time believing that her father was a Mad King who was hated in Westros. When Selmy tried to mention it she stopped him because she didn't like where it was going despite she asked him about it.

That entire scene is so...

(Cut for long quote)

Dany is reading a book of fairytales that she acknowledges are not proper history. (Symbolismmmmm.) But she keeps getting distracted by doubts about herself.

She played at being a queen, yet sometimes she still felt like a scared little girl. Viserys always said what a dolt I was. Was he truly mad? She closed the book. She could still recall Ser Jorah, if she wished. Or send Daario to kill him. Dany fled from the choice, out onto the terrace. She found Rhaegal asleep beside the pool, a green and bronze coil basking in the sun. Drogon was perched up atop the pyramid, in the place where the huge bronze harpy had stood before she had commanded it to be pulled down. He spread his wings and roared when he spied her. There was no sign of Viserion, but when she went to the parapet and scanned the horizon she saw pale wings in the far distance, sweeping above the river. He is hunting. They grow bolder every day. Yet it still made her anxious when they flew too far away. One day one of them may not return, she thought. “Your Grace?” She turned to find Ser Barristan behind her. “What more would you have of me, ser? I spared you, I took you into my service, now give me some peace.” “Forgive me, Your Grace. It was only … now that you know who I am …” The old man hesitated. “A knight of the Kingsguard is in the king’s presence day and night. For that reason, our vows require us to protect his secrets as we would his life. But your father’s secrets by rights belong to you now, along with his throne, and … I thought perhaps you might have questions for me.” Questions? She had a hundred questions, a thousand, ten thousand. Why couldn’t she think of one? “Was my father truly mad?” she blurted out. Why do I ask that? “Viserys said this talk of madness was a ploy of the Usurper’s …” “Viserys was a child, and the queen sheltered him as much as she could. Your father always had a little madness in him, I now believe. Yet he was charming and generous as well, so his lapses were forgiven. His reign began with such promise … but as the years passed, the lapses grew more frequent, until …” Dany stopped him. “Do I want to hear this now?” Ser Barristan considered a moment. “Perhaps not. Not now.” “Not now,” she agreed. “One day. One day you must tell me all. The good and the bad. There is some good to be said of my father, surely?” “There is, Your Grace. Of him, and those who came before him. Your grandfather Jaehaerys and his brother, their father Aegon, your mother … and Rhaegar. Him most of all.” “I wish I could have known him.” Her voice was wistful. “I wish he could have known you,” the old knight said. “When you are ready, I will tell you all.” Dany kissed him on the cheek and sent him on his way. That night her handmaids brought her lamb, with a salad of raisins and carrots soaked in wine, and a hot flaky bread dripping with honey. She could eat none of it. Did Rhaegar ever grow so weary? she wondered. Did Aegon, after his conquest? Later, when the time came for sleep, Dany took Irri into bed with her, for the first time since the ship. But even as she shuddered in release and wound her fingers through her handmaid’s thick black hair, she pretended it was Drogo holding her … only somehow his face kept turning into Daario’s. If I want Daario I need only say so. She lay with Irri’s legs entangled in her own. His eyes looked almost purple today … (ASOS, Daenerys VI)

The whole scene is so utterly rife with Red Flags.

Dany has just commited a(nother) massacre, made herself Supreme Leader Until I Move On and banished Jorah for his past spying. She (correctly) surmises that she is overwhelmed and questions her suitability for the job of ruling. She questions her family's sanity.

She wants to avoid what those questions imply. Out on the terrace, she sees Drogon doing his best Replacement Harpy impression (symbolismmmmm) while another one is off hunting boldly (surely nothing bad can come of that behavior in the near future...) and...

A glimpse of hope! A dude with unique personal information about her family appears and offers to share it! Perhaps that uncomfortable feeling can return into focus and be addressed?

Nah.

AND THEN the guy goes "You know what? You're totally right. This isn't really relevant or urgent. Nothing about your family history is alarming enough to question your path in general. Your brother was AWESOME btw."

Barristan, even if he had told her things, would never have helped her come to uncomfortable conclusions because he is the worst kind of hypocritical sycophant for a) any monarch he happens to be serving at the time, and b) House Targaryen in particular. The conversation they are putting off... would not have been useful anyway.

So a placated Dany returns the focus on herself and her feelings, but validated, and her next move is to turn the "this must never happen again" incident with her "not a sex slave" Irri into "actually, time to honorable serve your khaleesi like a sex toy while she fantasizes about other people". People who remind her of her family and their Valyrian looks.

She is burrowing into her Targaryen identity in ways she hadn't even done before, taking liberties with her power that she had shied away from before. Her yelp review will be underwhelming. "Her kisses tasted of duty". Because that's what it was. Dany doesn't care.

She ends up making a choice the next morning.

“My city,” said Dany. “I was looking for a house with a red door, but by night all the doors are black.”

And it is a reasonable choice on the surface, that finally has her standing fast to accept a sense of responsibility for the outcomes of her actions here.

But already we see how the missing context of Westerosi history is distorting her understanding, and Barristan bolstered this. Because she creates a difference where there isn't one.

“Aegon the Conqueror brought fire and blood to Westeros, but afterward he gave them peace, prosperity, and justice. But all I have brought to Slaver’s Bay is death and ruin. I have been more khal than queen, smashing and plundering, then moving on.” “There is nothing to stay for,” said Brown Ben Plumm. “Your Grace, the slavers brought their doom on themselves,” said Daario Naharis. “You have brought freedom as well,” Missandei pointed out. “Freedom to starve?” asked Dany sharply. “Freedom to die? Am I a dragon, or a harpy?” Am I mad? Do I have the taint? “A dragon,” Ser Barristan said with certainty. “Meereen is not Westeros, Your Grace.” “But how can I rule seven kingdoms if I cannot rule a single city?” He had no answer to that. Dany turned away from them, to gaze out over the city once again. “My children need time to heal and learn. My dragons need time to grow and test their wings. And I need the same. I will not let this city go the way of Astapor. I will not let the harpy of Yunkai chain up those I’ve freed all over again.” She turned back to look at their faces. “I will not march.” “What will you do then, Khaleesi?” asked Rakharo. “Stay,” she said. “Rule. And be a queen.”

Dany sees a difference between dragon and harpy that the earlier image of Drogon in the harpy's place already shows us is a false dichotomy. She imagines prosperity and peace in the aftermath of Aegon's invasion where he created no such thing. She is concerned with her sanity and suitability to rule, so she will stay temporarily to test herself on this city of human beings.

The human children must heal and learn. Her dragons need to grow and fly.

Dany needs the same, she says. The same as her dragons, not the same as her children. There will be little healing and learning. But we will see her fly off on Drogon, ecstatic, while the people of her city burn below.

It was never going to end any other way, because "if I look back I am lost" is her curse. She is not interested in the facts, because they hinder her fantasy of the red door. But she will also never get facts because there is no one who would give them to her.

She prefers a book of fairytales over a proper history and she will begin to forget there's a difference.

[chaotic-fandom-writer]

Adam x Reader P.1 (Hazbin Hotel)

Warnings: Heavy cursing, violence, adult themes

Chapters

I - II - III - IV - V - VI - VII

Extermination day was never easy, nor fun. But you fought nonetheless. You would do anything to keep your friends and the hotel from being exterminated.

Today was a harder one than usual. You noticed they seemed to be sending more and more angels down every year, making it nearly impossible to hold your ground anymore. Maybe it was your hood and mask, or maybe it was all the attacks, but you were out of breath quicker than usual, too.

You were doing okay, until an angel came from behind, knocking one of your daggers out of your hand. Mind spinning, already nearing exhaustion, you turned and ran as fast as you could, fully aware the angel was gaining on you quickly.

You turned a sharp corner and dropped into the cellar doors of one of the shops nearby. You could hear the angel go past, holding your breath and waiting extra long, just to be safe.

After you finally catch your breath, you ran outside, ready to fight again, only to see a brilliant burst of light come crashing down on you. You barely managed to jump away, looking up for the source.

Horrified, you realize where it came from - Adam, the leader of the angels.

Of course he's the one who happens to find me.

You mentally curse your own luck before jumping again, avoiding more of his strikes. "What's with the fucking mask? You some kind of bimbo robinhood bitch?"

"What the fuck does that even mean?" You laugh, not even sure how to process the insult.

"Fuck you! That's what it means!" And more strikes. You jump again, seemingly irritating your attacker.

"Hold still, bitch!"

You laugh, and run into a nearby shopping center, running up the stairs to the second floor and hiding in a shop.

You had no weapons, aside from one small dagger, and honestly, that didn't look like it could do much against the literal leader of the angels.

"Where are you, slut?"

God, he's a real charmer, this one.

Slowly, you start to creep around the shop, trying to get a better peek, when suddenly, you take a wrong step, and the fragile, crumbling conrete gives way underneath you.

You let out a scream as you fall from the second floor, landing flat on your back in the shop beneath. You gasp for air, ripping the mask and hood off of your face.

Adam appears before you, his cocky grin suddenly faded. You tense your body, waiting for him to attack, but he does nothing. He stands there, staring at you.

"What's your fucking problem?" You ask, looking away, somehow unable to bear the sight of his gaze anymore.

He says nothing, instead walking slowly over to you. You scoot back as far as you can before your back hits the wall.

Looking up at Adam, you squeeze your eyes shut and turn your head away as he reaches down for you.

Suddenly, before you know it, you feel his arms lift you up. But before you even have time to process that, you're flying through the roof of the building and into the air.

Unable to speak, you gawk at the sights below you, flying at insane speeds in Adam's arms. He stops at a tall building, dropping you on the rooftop.

"It's almost over. Stay here until we leave, or you'll get killed."

Before you can even respond, he flies off into the distance.

"What the fuck?"

--

It took you a while to climb down the building, and even longer to walk back to the hotel. The asshole had really taken you far from the battle site.

You wearily walk up the steps of the hotel, swinging the door open and collapsing at the bar.

"And where the fuck have you been?" Husk asks, pouring you a drink.

"I don't even know dude." You slam your drink, and he pours you another one.

Another voice chimes in. "What do you mean, 'you don't know?' What happened?" Angel Dust now joins you at the bar.

Sighing, you explain what happened, also gaining the interest of Vaggie and Charlie.

"That's.. strange. I don't understand why he wouldn't just kill you. He's kind of notorious for that." Vaggie says, a confused look on her face.

"Maybe he felt bad?" Charlie says enthusiastically. Husk snorts at this. "Maybe not." She says more quietly.

"All I know is, I'm going the fuck to bed." You stand, slamming your last shot before heading up and turning in for the night.

--

What you thought was a random, strange occurence, ending up turning into a yearly routine.

Every single year, the angels would come down for extermination, lead by Adam. And every year, he began to seek you out, snatching you off the streets and dropping you on the top of a random building.

Every time, you fought, kicked, and screamed. You demanded, yelled, cursed. But still you recieved no answers, only "rescues" you weren't asking for.

This year would be different, you decided. You were going to fight him back, and demand to know why the fuck he kept doing this. It didn't make any sense, and you deserved answers.

You had a plan. All you had to do was stand in the open, and wait.

Sure enough, Adam came flying down. You could see his eyes sweep the crowd, before landing directly on you. In the midst of the chaos, nobody else ever notices him swoop down and grab you.

You played it up like you always do, yelling at him to let you go. He did the same as always - ignored you.

As he neared the top of the building, you suddenly grabbed onto his wing and bent it as hard as you could, earning a loud CRACK.

"FUCK! What the FUCK!" Adam shrieks in pain, dropping you onto the rooftop and collapsing alongside you.

You grab daggers out from under your shirt, and begin wildly slashing. Despite his wound, he recovers quickly, fighting you off.

But he's not going anywhere with that broken wing.

The both of you jump backwards. "Adam. Tell me what you're doing. No more games!" You scream.

"You broke my fucking wing, you bitch!" He yells back.

"ADAM! No more games!"

You lunge at him again, tackling him to the ground, stomping the heel of your shoe down into the broken wing. He screams, but holds tightly onto both of your wrists, keeping your daggers away from his face.

"Just tell m-"

You're suddenly cut off by a sharp pain in your chest. You gasp for air, looking down and seeing the tip of a blade poking out through your shirt.

Through your chest.

"NO!" Adam screams out, cradling you as you slump off of him, now the one on the ground.

Behind you, Lute stands looking confused, holding onto her bloody blade.

"LUTE! What the fuck?"

"Sir, I thought -"

"FUCK!" Adam screams, holding onto you.

You simply smile, aware of the life draining away from you.

Before you die, all you can manage to say is,

"At least the game is finally over."

--

All you hear is a loud POOF! and suddenly, you're awake, standing, and feel no more pain.

Standing before you, angels. Surrounding you, more angels. White, white everywhere.

You look down and see yourself in elegant white clothing.

"What the FUCK?"

"Welcome to Heaven!"

--

Don't forget, I'm always accepting requests!

Chapters

I - II - III - IV - V - VI - VII

[thesorcerersapprenticeu]

Chapter 8: Crushed

Summary:

The moment has come, the beginning of the trauma, and that's all anyone needs to say. Well, well, well! A D-D-D-D double update! Feel free to check out the chapter of my "Hold on" story, at least anyone who might be interested.

Notes:

I don't want to say too much, after all I've had far too much to do, but here it is. The beginning of all evil, the bearer of all trauma, and all because of you and Powder. Enjoy reading, and feel free to leave a comment and Kudos!

---

You had already forgotten that the people from above, from Piltover, always called Zaun a shithole. Not exactly forgotten, you just tucked it away somewhere in the back of your mind, along with the rest of your life's information, before you were down here with Vander and the others.

However, you often remembered them, your real family. You always asked yourself "What are they doing today?", your siblings and your parents. Maybe they've become scientists, your siblings, and are now doing research at the Academy or somewhere else.

But you didn't care whether your parents ever really looked for you.

Normally you would not care, you are quite sensitive and had hoped for it at the beginning. The Undercity was cruel at first, dangerous and even the air was a risk for you. In the early days you probably would have planned an escape, but there was something.

You were not alone.

Powder and Vi, Claggor and Mylo, they were just as hopeless cases as you that Vander had taken in. You and the sisters spent the first few nights in the same room, while you were turned to the wall, playing dead, Vi kept trying to strike up a conversation.

You only answered when Powder tried. You don't know exactly why, but you had a bond with her because she was like you.

But although you got on better and better with everyone, you never really stopped thinking about Piltover. The mistakes of your past still haunt you like a shadow, every step a memory and every breath a mistake.

And what was going on now?

Vi. Was. Way.

While you're sitting in bed in the basement with Powder, she with the Bunny in her hand and you with a book, Claggor and Mylo seem to be planning something. They're running around in a panic, putting things on the table and literally screaming. You hear something about "enforcers" and an "attack".

But it probably wouldn't come to that anyway. While you continue to relax and try to compare your spellbook with the notebook from the Academy of this Jayce Talis, something happens.

"Well, if the enforcers hit tonight, we'll be ready..."

Your gaze goes across the room, along Powder's silhouette, hugging the Bunny tightly and listening to them. Then it hits the table with weapons on it.

Surely they'll never be able to fight the Enforcers with that? Especially because of the armor, you need something stronger.

 You look at the table again as your hand seemingly automatically picks up the Enforcer gadget in your coat pocket. What lies on the table in front of Mylo and Claggor, and their hope against the Enforcers, is almost embarrassing.

Vanders gauntlets, a wooden bat, a glass bottle, a key? Mylos lockpick? And a small array of nuts and bolts?

"Dibs on the Bat." Says Claggor as he points to the table.

You won't win a single battle with that! They're not seriously going to pull that off, are they? And anyway, where is Vi?

"No no no no, I found it."

"But I called it."

"I found it"

"Respect the dibs, I called it already."

While the two of them continue their unnecessary discussion, you are more worried about Powder and Vi. As you watch, Powder tries to hold back tears with her beautiful blue eyes, something you've been doing for the last two hours. She gently strokes the bunny's head and looks in your direction, your eyes increasingly deciding to let a few tears flow.

Where is Vi? Has something happened to her? Was she perhaps taken by the Enforcers? Damn! Normally she always comes back!

Suddenly, out of nowhere, the door is ripped open. Your mind can barely follow as Powder jumps out of bed and runs over, blocking your view. It was Vi, you're very sure of it.

""Where's the -" She's cut off as powder charges into her, holding her tightly. She had a huge smile on her face as she hugged her sister. Actually, you would have run right in with Powder, hugging Vi and feeling safe. But something is wrong.

Why is she alone? Where is Vander? Where did she come from, and why does she have that look on her face?

Vi appeared distressed, worried and fearful all at the same time. She trembles slightly and you can literally see the shiver following her. Something must have happened to affect even a strong person like her. It looked like she had scars in her eyes, scars that reflect the trauma that happened, and that's what's important now.

Vi takes a deep breath, and as you analyze it, she does her best not to cry in front of Powder. She shakes her head slightly, and walks over to the table where the 'weapons' are. But unlike Mylo and Claggor, you saw right away that she was damn serious. It was that look again, where it looked like she had a fire in her eyes that wouldn't stop at anything or anyone. Your suspicions were confirmed even more when she suddenly reaches for Vander's Gauntlets, which also caught Mylo's attention.

"Hey. Those are Vander's. Slown Down- What's going on?"

The room is dead quiet, not even the wind can be heard. Your own thoughts circulate around Mylo's question, Vi's strange behavior must have a reason after all, but what reason was so bad that she would reach for Vander's gun.

You look to Powder, unlike you, she seems to have understood something. The look of sadness and worry in her eyes tells you that Vi probably doesn't want to talk about it, so it's pretty damn bad.

Vi looks up, and you immediately notice that despite her seriousness, the fire in her eyes was no longer there. She answers in a low voice, looking down slightly and almost frightened.

"Benzo's dead"

What? I must have misheard. Benzo? Vander's friend Benzo? Why? How? Who?

The tension is at an all-time high, nobody can believe what they have just heard. No one is looking at anyone, no one is talking, no one is breathing and no one is moving even a little bit. It's surreal to think that just a moment ago there was such a warlike, loud atmosphere here.

Claggor, who seems to be wondering the same thing as you, breaks the tension like a hot knife through butter. But not as sad and distraught as you or Powder, no, he answers Furious.

"Dead?"

"They took Vander."

While Vi looks away, apparently out of frustration at not having been able to help, Mylo now also gets involved.

"Who took Vander?"

Vi shakes her head, it looks like she wants to do it alone, either she has a score to settle or there's a lot more to it than that.

"I don't know, but I need to help him."

Mylo responds directly to her statement without wasting a second. It's as if he hadn't even heard her, but one thing was apparently clear to everyone:

"We're going with you."

Vi, looks around. One look at the weapons, another at you, and especially one at you. Her gaze softens for a moment as she looks from you to Powder, but then something seems to come back to her. Her gaze becomes serious, almost set and already fighting.

"Whatever killed Benzo...was like noting I've ever seen. It tore him apart"

Impossible. Not even Vander could tear a man like Benzo apart, that much strength would be beyond his body. Unless the person doesn't count as human, maybe something like a drug to go beyond the human limit?

But who would create such a drug? Or more importantly, why? Why did they kill Benzo but take Vander? Do they want Vander...

You follow Powder's gaze on Vi's fist as you continue to think, slowly the pieces of the puzzle fall into place and the decision seems clear: another riot. Led by Vander back then, this one to be led by monsters or fully drugged humans? And probably also by Vander, but this time even more dangerous than then.

Claggor, standing behind her, places his hand on her back in a comforting manner. He also looks quickly around the room, especially at Mylo, and starts talking.

"You're not doing this alone, Vi."

Mylo, who quickly stands next to them, wraps one of his arms around Vi and continues to cheer her up.

"He's our father too. And our friend. Do you know where they took him?"

They continue talking, but too quietly for you to hear properly. You quickly wipe away your tears with your sleeve and put your two books in the pockets of your coat. At the same time you keep a strong grip on the enforcer gadget, you would certainly need it, after all it has already proven once how useful it is with the rotation.

Powder runs past you, at a small crate that was filled to the brim with inventions. She quickly grabs out a couple, as many as she can carry, and walks slowly in Vi's direction.

Vi doesn't look at her, as reaches down and takes one of Vander's gauntlets, puts it in a bag with a few other weapons and swings it over her shoulder,

"The old cannery, near the docks. He said..."

She doesn't finish the sentence, walks slowly in your direction and you panic. Her serious look as she slowly walks to your bedside scares you about the whole situation. You slowly realize the gravity of the situation, with Benzo's death and Vander's imprisonment, everything will now come to an end.

Vi doesn't look down at you, she kneels down and looks you in the eye. She looks at you, the little frightened boy, in such a way that you feel the calmness behind her behavior; the pure patience to solve the whole situation without leaving problems behind. What would you do for good? Could you do anything at all with your rather tiny power?

"Y/N...I know you want to help...prove yourself." Her voice is soft as it meets your ears, as are her eyes and features, all of which are comfortingly soothing. But you don't understand what exactly she's hinting at until a few seconds later.

Why doesn't she want me around? Does she see me like Mylo, just as a burden? Or am I not worth saving Vander? Why? Why Vi?

"I -

"And Powder...I'm gonna need you to sit this one out." She sighs, but no matter how calmly Vi says it, the meaning remains the same.

Powder's entire expression falls, you see how she breathes faster and barely holds the inventions. It's all about to collapse. Then Powder takes a furious stance, raises her eyebrows and responds according to her feelings.

"What?!"

"You're not coming. "

"I'm not afraid! "

"It's too dangerous. "

"But families stick together. You said it yourself."

"I know what I said."

"But-!" Powder stops her angry replies for a moment, turning to the bed and dropping her eyes to your form. She sees you, looking not only sad, but disappointed, as well as her. For a moment she sees your tears, threatening to flow because of the realization, but you say nothing, which pushes her further. "We Want to Fight! We can help, Me and Y/N-

"You're NOT Ready!"

Silence fills the room again. As a shock runs through you and Powder at Vi's statement, Vi takes a step towards her. You can't process it, it feels like time has stopped for a moment, the fact that Vi thinks neither you nor Powder can do anything to help hurts more than anything. It was like back then with your parents and siblings.

"You and Y/N, you're all I have left. I can't lose you"

Then why are you leaving us alone?

It hurt, a deep ache in your heart that runs through your whole body and makes your bones brittle. You notice the tears slowly streaming down your cold face, leaving a feeling of warmth that seems too short and too foreign.

You get up, walk closer to Vi and stand right next to Powder, who looks at you with tears in her eyes. But somewhere inside both of you was the urge to prove yourself, to finally show them that you're not just dead weight.

Vi takes her hand off Powder's cheek, where she has just been wiping tears, which has only made it worse. She reaches into the bag and pulls out a flare, which she gives to Powder with the instruction:

"Here. If they for you both, take this and run. Wherever you are, light it up and I'll find you. I promise."

Powder's hands reach for the object, she turns to you and you both look down at Vi's promise. She puts her forehead against her sisters. They embrace for a moment, one with tears in her eyes and the other with a look of pure determination.

Then, to you. She goes down again, wraps her arms around your back and hugs you like a cuddly toy. You hug Vi too, continue to cry quietly and don't really want to let go. But before she lets you go, you look at Powder again, which Vi sees, and whispers something in your ear.

"Protect her."

With that, she leaves, Claggor and Mylo behind her and right by the stairs. As she closes the door, she takes one final glance through the small gap, looking at it as if her heart would break. You and Powder are literally devastated with tears in your eyes as you look at her.

But that's exactly what they have to do to protect you.

And with a final glance, she is gone.

<hr> </hr>

Everyone was gone, only you and Powder were left in the room. Like pets left behind without use, you were to stay there while the others freed Vander, without you.

That's so unfair. Why are they all going without us? Why always the two of us?

Powder was sitting up in bed again, but was completely upset. Tears streaming down her cheeks, a suitcase was open next to her, with Vi's Bunny doll sitting inside, the Crystals in the doll's arms.

Powder's whole life had just been turned upside down, her sister was away with her bigger 'brothers'. And she was here, with you, but completely useless according to the others. Just as useless you two always were on the jobs Vi picked up somewhere, just as useless when there were heavy things to carry, just as useless as when Benzo died and just as useless as when Vander was taken away.

We can help in other ways, can't we? While they somehow distract the people holding Vander captive, we can free him. We can help... We can...

Your thoughts are circling around each other, while you haven't moved a bit. You look like a mental patient, still standing in the exact same spot as the last time Vi looked through the door. The only difference now was your head, which was much lower than before, and your face.

Your face was absolutely blank. A serious look, huge eyes that showed nothing but anger and fear and an aura that you had never had before in your life.

The Situation is breaking you down to your core, breaking your character in the worst possible way to annihilate the toxic traits you have. Your stubbornness, fear of weakness and self-destructive behavior were always going to catch up to you, sometime.

It is our fault. It is our fault, because we are weak, because we couldn't defend Vander, because even though Vander was Captured, he is still stronger than me and Powder combined. Can we ever help?

Powder keeps crying, and even though it hurts like hell to hear her like that, you won't be able to do anything about it anyway, why should you? you're weaker than anything else in this damn world.

A monkey's head suddenly flies across the room, bounces off the wall and hits the floor, where the situation slowly gets your attention. Still, the monkey toy doesn't stop and clapping is cymbals together as it spun in a circle. Powder screams louder, but you don't stop her, your mind is in too much of a storm right now for that.

You can still hear her crying, screaming and whispering. She seems overwhelmed, her own sister has rejected her, it was the worst thing she's ever had to endure. She stands up quickly as you slowly look in her direction, grabbing the suitcase and holding it over her head.

Normally you would either say something or think something when you see it, but your mind is completely blank.

The monkey stops, and the only thing you hear in the room is Powder's ragged breathing. Then she drops to her knees, drops the suitcase and watches the Little Blue Crystals fall out. Your eyes follow the Little Crystals as memories from the apartment come flooding back. The magic you felt back then and the huge power of the gems.

The Explosion Crystals? She still has them?

Apparently the memories wash over Powder, the Crystals on the floor spark out something minimally like electricity, and she has grown huge eyes. The crying stops, the sudden breathing stops, and the only thing that remains is a path. The path that will now change everything.

She turns around, meets your eyes with hers and hastily begins to speak.

"We-!" She stops for a moment, bends down and packs the Crystals into her small hip pocket. Then she runs a hand skeptically through her hair, which was now in front of her face and completely disorganized. "We can help them!"

What is she up to? Does she want to follow them? What are we supposed to do with the Crystals to help them? Wouldn't they destroy the whole cannery?

"If we bind these to the monkey, we can send him to the bad guys and..." She takes a deep breath, lets her cheeks swell and holds her hands in front of her face. Then she moves slightly closer to you, your eyes still focused on her face. "Boom."

"Are you...sure about that?" You were afraid, the previous anger was gone and it left you feeling empty. But you couldn't think logically about the power of the crystals right now. "What if they hit us?"

"That won't happen! " It was funny to think that she was crying a minute ago, but now she seems so full of energy. "Come on we can do that...just you and me."

Maybe it was the warm feeling in your stomach that made you turn the corner and join in. Or maybe it was the feeling of having to prove yourself that was suddenly in the foreground for both of you, especially after Vi left you here.

"Protect her"

You feel lightly at the pockets of your cloak: your spellbook, the notebook from the apartment and the Enforcer Rotation Gadget. Everything you needed was there.

And with one look into Powder's eyes, you could see that the previous sad, abandoned look had changed. There was a fire in her eyes, a blue that seemed just like her Sapphire colored eyes...Pure Determination. But here, where it was all or nothing, it was a Dark Determination that put everything at stake.

With that you nod.

"Okay...Let's go then!"

And with that, you were on your way to pure ruin, which will change everything forever.

<hr> </hr>

Powder knew exactly where the Cannery was. But to get there, you had to take the path she suggested, not the normal one. There seemed to be something like a warehouse right next to it, but how you got there... You had to crawl through a tunnel.

But it was the safest way, well, safe in the sense of no people. But if you look at the huge walls you crawl past, everything seems useless in terms of safety. A bad feeling slowly lines up in your stomach, something, something bad is going to happen.

Powder continues to crawl in front of you while she keeps one hand on the waist bag, you keep one on the Rotation Enforcer gadget for safety.

While it goes on, however, your mind is already thinking ahead, for all purposes.

They will definitely encounter opponents, and then they will have to fight. Although, Vi will be able to fight them, even if it depends a lot on the crowd and the opponent. Mylo, meanwhile, will free Vander, and Claggor is there to help.

You look forward, and at the same moment Powder looks back at you, and you can't help but smile a little. But still, the fire in her eyes is like Vi's, and that means that somehow everything will be alright.

And then we both come along, flatten the bad guys with our homemade bomb and save the day. No, we'll just save everyone! We'll prove to Vander and Vi that we're worth existing! We're here just like you, we're neither useless nor unimportant!

You can't avoid it: It all feels like the calm before the storm. The last time you were considered so unimportant was with your physical parents, and that ended with you running off and meeting Vander at the bridge. But here? Vander was trapped, people with a lot of power are trying to bring everything down and you have to survive somehow.

That's where the bad feeling in my stomach came from.

"All good Y/N?" Powder asks, with her head forward and a slow view out of the tunnel.

"...Yeah...All good." You answer, quietly and with a guilty conscience that you're not getting it for her, from your bad feeling.

So there you both were, outside, peeking through a window that was blocked by a pair of wooden planks. Powder scans the area while you try not to fall off the small stone step that was by the window because of your poor sense of balance.

You look through the window, and gasps. Vi is facing a man twice her height and width, it looks like an unwinnable fight, and right now that means you and Powder need to act as fast as possible.

The cool air that just touches every freed part of your skin. Your heartbeat, which is pounding through your whole body and stopping in your ears. The adrenaline pumping through your body and making all your limbs fidget.

A small rustle catches your attention, which at first seems like a shock that makes your eyes widen and your legs twitch, but it was harmless. Powder reaches into her pocket and pulls out one of her inventions:

The monkey doll, which is now transformed into your weapon.

Deckard, unknown to you, tops outside, bumps into the door where the others were and startles you. Powder startles, as do you, and slowly becomes jittery. It's getting harder to breathe, and it feels like the climax of your life is about to come.

Powder takes two of the crystals and puts them in gizmo's, the monkey's, container. She closes it quickly and looks behind, the monkey's trajectory seems to become clear. The two of you, in a moment of tension, put your heads together, feeling the warmth of hers, and she whispers something to the monkey.

"You have to Work...For us, okay?" Powder says, in a soft voice that gives you goose bumps and red spots on your cheeks.

She holds her forehead against it for a brief moment before she winds up her intention. She grabs the monkey through the window, taps it on the head and lets it run off with clapping cymbals. Your panic rises; if anything goes wrong, lives will end and yours probably will too.

Come on little monkey, just work.

While the Monkey walks, the cymbals clap and leave a sound. The crystals begin to crack and spark as they become more and more unstable with each hit.

The explosion will be damn strong, one stone was already enough in the apartment to take the whole building down, but we need one to save everyone.

Deckard stops his attack against the door, and turns to the monkey. His face holds a confused expression as he slowly looks down at the object. As you hide many meters away, panic slowly rises within you.

Because...

The bomb did not explode.

Something must have gone wrong.

You panic, turn backwards and look through the window. You couldn't see the monkey, but that only fueled your panic and the adrenaline in your blood. But the monkey wasn't far away, you would only have to take a few steps and you could detonate it manually.

Why didn't the monkey ignite? It should have exploded immediately when the cymbals banged because of the movement.

In that moment, you make a millisecond decision that changes everything and everyone.

"I'm sorry Powder."

You don't give her time to react, it would have been too painful for your heart and you wouldn't have been able to bear it. A quick foot on the floor and you throw yourself into the window, hear Powder's voice behind you and turn up.

And there you were for a second, straight out in front of Deckard. You literally jumped out of the corner, and his gaze met you immediately. Hungry veins drenched with Lillan fluid point in your direction as your eyes meet his.

You and Deckard, who remained focused on the enemy that faced them. But no matter how quickly he would have tried to react in this situation, you were far quicker:

You yank your right arm out of your coat pocket and pull out the Enforcer gadget, time seems to stand still as your eyes scan the whole situation once more, for the last time.

In front of you, right on the ground, is Powder's monkey bomb, which you now have to activate manually. A few meters in front of you Deckard, a monster disguised as a human, who was pumped full of drugs and would tear you apart in a second. But for everyone else present, the realization came a moment too late, putting you in the position of death.

With an outstretched right arm, you throw your self-named 'Steel Ball' at the Little Monkey Bomb with full force. For a moment, everyone looks from afar, even the people you didn't recognize at first: Silco and Sevika. As if the rest of the situation had become completely uninteresting, everyone looked at the little boy and the seemingly floating steel ball, which was flying towards the monkey at breakneck speed.

Your mind was completely blank, not a single thought dared to question your determination. But still, rooted somewhere in your mind was the knowledge of what was about to happen.

But unfortunately, the realization came a moment later to Deckard. And still a few moments later to the others. But it was too late.

But in the whole situation, you were already so far gone that there would never be a person who would understand your thought flow.

Even if I desperately tried to run away, the explosion would hit me anyway. So I can stop right here and take them all with me.

An Apology Is A Promise To Do Things Differently Next Time, And To Keep The Promise...

"Protect her"

I'm sorry Vi.

Everything simply exploded.

Your 'Steel Ball' didn't even get to pop on impact and let out the Thin Steel Wires. The monkey exploded within a fraction of a millisecond; the whole warehouse shakes, it flies into the air and the fire rises up into the sky, leaving a noticeable blue color and smoke.

Powder was launched from her position but... she wasn't scared. She had nothing to fear, she proved herself. And thus begins her love of explosions and the feeling of always having to prove herself to others.

Deckard was there one moment and gone the next, the explosion absolutely shredded him and threw him away. With that, the explosion made its way to Silco, but before it could wound him directly, Sevika shoved him back through a doorway and took the brunt of the explosion for him.

The Shimmer stockpile ignited into flames as the explosion made contact. The fire traveled down through the entire factory and made its way into a room where a scientist was consecrating. He barely had time to react before the fire engulfed him completely.

The blast entered the room where all of the others were. When one of the shards hit the ceiling, the blast knocked Claggor's goggles off and sent a splatter of his blood with it. He was thrown into the wall and died instantly, a nightmare for him, but a dream for the others.

A metal pipe stabbed Mylo's shoulder, sending him into the wall as well, but he wasn't dead. He looked over and saw his friend's body, but he couldn't find him alive. He tried to pry the pipe out of his shoulder but stopped when he heard the unforgettable sound of cracking. He looked up and could only watch as the concrete slabs fell on top of him. He didn't survive.

As Powder fell through the air, time slowed. She reached out and gently touched a particle of magic with her finger.

She was happy.

She proved herself.

And she was even prouder that you did the same.

Vander was lying on his front with a large stone slab on top of him, that had fallen from the ceiling along with the concrete that had fallen upon Mylo. The explosion had forced the door from its position and knocked Vi over, the door resting firmly on top of her unmoving figure.

Vander woke up slowly, grunting in pain as his whole body was riddled with pain. He looks around as best he can to take in his surroundings. That's when he sees the sights he wished he hadn't. He saw the limp arm of Mylo hanging out of the rubble. Then Claggor's goggles in the middle of the floor, cracked and bloodied.

But everyone was only hit by the shockwave, not like you. The direct explosion, the released energy was released from one second to the next and created a detonation that was unsurpassed.

And that's exactly where you were.

But your luck at that moment was second to none:

Your Steel Ball was swung over you by the shockwave, protecting you from all the building pieces falling on you. He jumps up, letting the steel wires radiate out and stopping many of them before they all hit you and kill you outright. But of course he can't stop everything.

A long and pointed wooden plank goes along the steel wires, but is not held in place. As you are burned by the explosion and pushed away, you land on your stomach, back up. At first you don't feel the pain at all, it doesn't feel like a plank of wood is stabbing through your ribs and intestines, tangling in them, hoping to rip them out miserably.

But of course that's not all: a few of the large piles of stones hit the steel wire and destroy your shield, saving your pathetic life from death. However, unfortunately for you, a large, sturdy stone falls straight down at high speed and buries your right arm.

But that's not all, in addition to the unbearable pain, because your brain can't create more adrenaline, there are the remaining stones that bury you alive. With a huge weight they press your weak little body to the ground and deny you any movement you could possibly think of.

So there you were, after everything you've been through so far: Buried alive, with a completely crushed arm and two spellbooks in the pockets of your cloak. Blood draining from your body. Oxygen slowly running out. Hope already extinguished. All were indicators of the condition you had only read about in books until now:

Death.

Normally you would be screaming now, for help or anything that your blood-filled lungs would allow. All your thoughts would end logically and with full hope that "someone will come and save me". But now? Most of the others were injured or dead. Because of you and Powder.

So you just stop thinking, breathing or simply living. You wouldn't be able to cope with the disappointment that you are any other way. Because of one thing you finally wanted to do right, so many have been hurt and died.

A little blood makes its way out of your mouth, even though you have already given up, you lift your head as far as you can and simply let the substance flow out. The red, warm, metal-tasting substance reads out of your mouth and stains the ground beneath you red. But through watery eyes you see the entire floor beneath you is red, not just through your mouth, but through your intestines and your crushed arm.

"Silco!"

What was it exactly, did you just hear a voice? Or are you already in a near-death experience and just needed a little push to the other side? But you think for a moment, it sounded like Vander, but deeper and more like a monster. But with this brief thought, the pain you are slowly feeling at full height and the feeling of failure, you give up.

But not quite.

You could hear another voice a few moments later, but only softly and interrupted by your loud heartbeats. It must have been Powder's, the only voice that sounded happy in this situation. With the last of your strength, which you thought had left you some time ago, you smile.

"Because you're a Jinx! DO YOU HEAR ME?! MYLO WAS RIGHT!"

The last power in your body gave its all to listen in, just before the end came. Everything else became quieter, the burning of the fire, the sound of the wind, your breathing and simply everything.

"No. No. No. No. Violet, please!"

The moment you stopped absolutely on your life, you missed something. On the one hand, the quiet weeping of Powder, but on the other hand...

Did you miss the blue light shining out from under the stone where your right arm is buried? You didn't see the piece of a corpse that came closer and closer to your arm either, but everything has its time.

And with that you speak your last words... At least before your rebirth as "The Sorcerer's Apprentice".

Powder... I'm sorry... I'm really sorry... I wanted to believe... I really wanted to believe that I could do something for once... Goodbye. Powder... goodbye.

---

Notes:

Holy shit, what a chapter! The end of a life will always come, whether before or through illness. But this death is already quite hard for someone like you, but it's only the consequence of your actions. Thanks for reading, as I said, leave kudos and a comment on this terrifying chapter!

[meazalykov]

redirection VII

esmee brugts x reader

last chapter: redirection VI

next chapter: redirection VIII

being nominated for golden girl was a surprise.

a month after the beach hangout with esmee, its october. i got the news that I've been nominated for the award along with salma, esmee, vicky, and giulia.

I have a feeling that esmee or salma will win it. the both of them are excellent here at barcelona, and they have a world cup campaign to back up their votes.

I didn't.

but little did I know, many people were hoping that I'd win. tons of support has came my way because of my season with the club so far.

each game I've played in, an assist or a goal was attached to my name. my dribbling skills and speed has helped the team with scoring through the toughest defense that another team might bring.

at halftime against atletico madrid, everyone wasn't in the best mood.

the score is 0-0 and nobody has managed to get close to scoring. jona has faith in us, but we were frustrated about scoring a goal. I knew that the atletico players were relieved about not conceding a goal yet.

as I stood by the doors on the dressing room, eager to head out on the pitch to play again, I felt a hand on my right shoulder.

turning my head, esmee gives me a small smile before pulling her hand away. this makes me relax as I follow patri out onto the pitch, with esmee following behind.

esmee was out on the pitch with me since we started together. jona put me on the left-wing and esmee as left-back.

the game starts again and in the 54th minute, patri shoots to score a goal. however, the goalkeeper hits the ball away with her hands instead of catching it.

the ball rolls towards me-- I am standing outside of the box on the left side so I kick the ball towards the goal.

the ball isn't stopped as the ball goes under the goalkeepers legs. the goal is 1-0 as i turned to patri with my hands in the air.

patri runs into my arms and the rest of the team on the pitch come to hug me.

esmee saved herself for last. I hug her tightly as my hand rests on her shoulder.

"that's my golden girl!" esmee mumbles into my ear.

that caused my stomach to melt and my face burned with shyness, however I rolled my eyes playfully-- knowing where she was going with that.

"you're the golden girl-- not me!" I say as I pull out of her embrace and run back into position.

as a smirk is plastered on my face, I look over to see vicky and bruna on the bench giggling. at first, I would've assumed that they're laughing about their own jokes.

that's until vicky started to make kissy faces.

"grow up!" I mouth to the kid on the team as salma prepares to kickoff the game again.

thirty minutes later, the game ends in a 1-0. this wasn't our best, but I know that we will achieve more next game.

"hey capi." I walk over to Alexia, who displays a forced look of content on her face. she was putting the last few toiletries in her gym bag after taking a shower, so she looked at me over her shoulder with a small smile.

"hey nina, great job on today." she turns around and gives me a hug. my face warms at her compliment, alexia tried her best to never let her inner-emotions show around the team.

"thank you. you did great today too." I placed my hand on her right arm as she smiles.

"I know this doesn't have much to do with the game but remember when olga asked about the recipe for the smores dessert I gave you guys a few weeks ago? I have it in my bag if she wants it." I say.

it might've been funny to mention this after a game, but I knew alexia needed the tiny distraction.

"oh yes yes yes! I can have it." she walks behind me as I go over to my bag, pull out a paper with the printed instructions and handed it to her.

"thank you!" Alexia says as she looks over the paper.

"hola! why can't I have one?" patri says from her locker. she stands up and jogs over to look at the paper over ale's shoulder.

"patri you've never tried this dessert." I giggle.

"yes but from the looks of this paper it looks good, I want some." patri says.

"what are we looking at!?" I heard Vicky's voice speak.

a group of salma, vicky, bruna, and esmee walk into the dressing room, seeing patri and alexia reading over the white document.

"oh no." I mumble. this caused a giggle to come out of alexia.

"this is good! who's receta is this?" vicky looks at Alexia, who looks at me with a devilish look.

"maybe I should've gave olga that personally..." I sigh and alexia smiles.

"bruna, esmee, come read this-- doesn't this sound delicious?" salma waves the two girls, who stood by the door, over to read over the small recipe.

my eyebrows knitted together at this, I thought smores were a thing here in europe. well, of course its an ice cream treat that involves it-- but nonetheless.

"is it the sa-mores treat?" esmee smirks at me. my heart warms as I nodded my head with a giggle.

salma, vicky, and patri snap their heads to look over at esmee--who walks over to stand beside me in front of them.

"esmee, you've already tried this?" salma asks.

"why are you surprised? of course esmee tries her girlfriends desserts." vicky casually says.

my jaw drops as patri and salma burst out in laughter. esmee blushes as alexia gives us her signature smile-- amused at the situation.

"okay okay-- you guys can come over to my apartment and I'll make some for the entire team tomorrow night, deal?" I laugh as i take the paper from patri's hands, giving it back to alexia for olga to have.

"deal." salma smirks, not ignoring how you-- or esmee- didn't deny or get defensive over the girlfriend claim by vicky.

next chapter: redirection VIII

<3

[cursedvida]

SAD EYES, BROKEN SMILE V (Buggy x f!Reader)

PART IV // PART VI

WARNINGS: Smut, Minors DNI please go away. I mean masturbation, dirty talk, vaginal fingering and a lot of +18 things babies.

N/A: From now to the end the series are starting to be very hot, sorry not sorry. But yeah porn with feelings.

The confrontation with the marines was not complicated, it was just a ship without a very powerful captain, so it was quite easy to finish them off. As everyone witnessed -part- of your skills, you decided not to hold back in a battle anymore. You didn't show your full potential either, just enough to get rid of a few cadets while leaving Buggy free to show off in front of the whole crew.

At the end of the battle, Buggy decides to celebrate the victory using the barrels you stole from the navy ship. Another party of many on Buggy's pirate ship, it almost seems like a habit to end up all drunk on beer and rum. You must admit you've never drunk so often before.

While the musicians begin to play a song and you hear the laughter of some of your crewmates, you feel that someone is watching you. Buggy has his eyes on you, those eyes that you like so much and that you have imagined looking at you that way a thousand times. You feel the lust and desire in them, which excites and overwhelms you in equal parts. Buggy pretends to listen to his subordinates while still paying attention to you, he takes a sip from his beer mug without taking his eyes off you. You watch him from the corner of your eye, not taking your mind off what has happened this morning: the wet taste of his mouth, his hands roaming your body, his fingers in places no other man has touched. You swallow saliva, you want him as much as he wants you, you feel a tightness in your chest too great, you feel like something inside you is going to explode.

You need some air, so you decide to withdraw for a moment, get away from the people. You go down to the cellars so you can breathe for a moment. You think that you are being unconscious, that you are getting too carried away. Who is this person non capable of thinking clearly? Since when do you let yourself be carried away by absurd desires and give up a mission on a whim? That's not you, you don't recognize yourself. You've never had time for that kind of nonsense, why is it different now? Why with him?

"Do you like to meet in this place?"

You recognize that voice instantly. As you look up there is Buggy, your captain, standing in front of you with his eyes bright from the contrast they make with the dim light in the room. You keep wondering what his face must look like without so much makeup, what his lips must taste like without the aftertaste of face paint. You lose your senses again and all the questions and reproaches you asked yourself earlier disappear.

"I thought you wouldn't remember" you say in a whisper "you were really drunk that night."

Buggy approaches you slowly, never taking his eyes off you. When he's at your level he lifts your chin gently with his fingers.

"Not that much" he admits, cocking a smile.

Your heart starts pounding at the thought of him maybe kissing you at a moment's notice. At times like this you wish your life had been otherwise, more normal, less violent. Then you could have had an ordinary adolescence, met some boys, had some experiences. So, at least now you wouldn't feel so ridiculous for not knowing how to react when a man calls out to you.

You look away, somewhat self-consciously.

"You fought very well today…" You comment shyly, radically changing the subject.

"I admit I went too far" he forces your chin to look back at him "but it's just that those suckers interrupted me at a very important moment, and I really can't stand that."

A nervous giggle escapes you. God, what a fool you are. You feel ashamed of yourself.

"Buggy, I…" You move closer to him, melting into an embrace. His smell makes you feel good, in a safe place.

The captain doesn't know how to react, after your hot encounter this morning he thought you were going to go on the lust attack without too much thought, but that embrace so warm, so intimate, has caught him totally off guard. Today he watched you fight, he watched with pleasure as you knocked out those navy pigs without ruffling your hair, it made him even hornier than he already was. But when you hug him like that, like someone holding on to an iron beam so as not to lose his balance, he realizes that maybe you were right and he was really underestimating your feelings. That maybe not a purely sexual attraction.

"I don't know what's wrong with you" you confess, hiding your face in his chest so you don't have to look him in the face "But you make me feel so silly."

"Well, that happens to a lot of people when they discover my incredible wit" he boasts, trying to take the intensity out of the situation.

"It's not because of that" you reply softly "it's just… I really like you a lot. I'm not playing games."

And he realizes then how vulnerable you are being in his arms. Your honesty about emotions is something that always catches him off guard but at the same time touches him. How can you be so insanely honest? Fuck, it feels like you're playing at leaving him unarmed.

"I want you so badly," you tell him in a whisper, and it unleashes all his most primal instincts.

Buggy lets out a sort of wild animal-like growl. You then notice how he lifts you into the air, sitting on one of the barrels in the hold. You are now almost at the same height. He looks you in the eyes again, his nose brushing yours.

"You're a dangerous little girl" he strokes your hair with an open hand and a certain paternal air "very dangerous."

At that moment you give him a gentle kiss on his nose. It's something you've wanted to do for a long time because, contrary to what he thinks, you don't find it horrible, but appetizing in a way. You don't know how he's going to react to such an action, but when his gaze changes, turning wild, you know you've pressed a button from which there's no turning back.

The next thing you know, Buggy has taken hold of your neck, kissing it, biting it, leaving a trail of red paint on your smooth skin. You've triggered his wild side, his hands are no longer as soft and slow as they were this morning, now they don't hesitate to strip off your shirt, leaving you in your bra. His mouth runs down your collarbones, down your chest and finally you notice how his tongue begins to slurp the top of your breasts. On the other hand, his hands run along your waist, down to your buttocks to remove the shorts you are wearing. Before you know it you are almost naked in front of him, noticing how your cheeks suddenly turn red.

You grab his hair, pulling off his hat and then his bandana to realize that his hair is actually longer than you imagined. Strands of blue hair falling over his face. You notice your cheeks red again, for some reason you find him more handsome than ever.

"Buggy, I've never…" you're embarrassed to even say it, seeing him so thrown. He looks at you, his pupils dilated with excitement "I've never… been like this with anyone."

The idea of being the first one able to go that far with you doesn't seem to disgust him, quite the opposite. There is a smirk on his face, he feels so full of himself. He knows that you are giving him a privilege that you have not wanted to bestow on anyone else, only him, which swells his pride considerably.

"Then I'll have to make sure you have a great time," he replies to you, mischief in his gaze.

He spreads your legs then and bends down slightly, removing your panties to expose the most intimate part of you. You notice your cheeks light up just before you feel your whole face burning. Buggy is kneeling, staring at your crotch with an almost famished expression.

"Don't do that, I'm embarrassed."

He lets out a laugh just before he approaches your wetness. That's when you gasp at the contact of his tongue with your intimacy. Buggy starts to move his tongue expertly, trying to find your clit, while you do your best not to lose your balance. One of your hands goes to his hair, while the other tries to hold on to the barrel. You feel totally vulnerable, exposed to this man who has decided to make of you whatever he wants because you let him. His tongue running along your pussy, finding that sensitive area that makes you let out a huge moan of pleasure.

"Mmm, there it is" he relishes, looking at you for a moment.

You watch him, panting, spread-eagled in an absolutely obscene position that, at the same time, excites you enormously. You love being at his mercy, moaning every time his tongue caresses your clitoris, sucking expertly as you let out sighs and sounds you never thought could come out of your mouth.

"Fuck little girl, it's fucking wonderful when you growl like that" he comments just before he starts eating you again.

You notice how he has pulled his hands away from your body. As he continues to lick your pussy, he removes his gloves in midair. His hands go to your back, unclasping your bra. You are now totally naked before him. Your breasts glisten in the light of the room, your nipples are erect and Buggy's hands begin to caress them, pinching them as his tongue works faster and faster.

You let out a cry of pleasure, you can't repress it, there are too many sensations at once.

Buggy makes one of his hands reconnect with your arm, pulls his face away and starts stroking you with one of his fingers. As he jerks you off, he sits up slightly, moving closer to you. His makeup is smudged. He gets close to your ear as he inserts one of his fingers into your vagina.

"You have no fucking idea how you have me right now" he comments, as you hold your breath as you feel him insert himself into your cavity "Fuck, gorgeous, you're so tight. I think we're going to have to do some work on this."

You hold onto his neck so you don't lose your balance as you feel his finger advance inside you. Buggy grabs your wrist, pulling your hand to his crotch. You can feel the huge bulge, hard and throbbing, noticeable under his pants.

"See?" he asks, staring at you before kissing you. His mouth is salty, tasting of your own fluids, something that manages to turn you on even more "That's how you got me. That's how you get me my little minx."

"Buggy…" you moan. Slipping your hand under his pants to touch his erect member. You've never done anything like this before, but instinctively you begin to move your hand, guided by the expressions of pleasure he puts on "Like this?"

"Perfect. Mmmm... good girl" he growls, sinking his head into your neck.

He pulls his finger out from inside you and starts stroking your clit while you do the same with his member. You both start moaning at the same time, Buggy looks at you then, notices your half-open mouth, your burning cheeks, your watering eyes. He revels in that virgin face discovering sex while you try your best to give him back all the pleasure he's giving you.

"You're a insane craziness" he whispers to you without taking his eyes off you "you're going to fuck my life".

You are not able to answer him anything, you notice that you are close to orgasm, each time the waves of pleasure are bigger and bigger.

"Buggy, I think… I think…"

"Hold on a little, baby girl. I'm almost there."

You try to hold back, biting your lower lip trying to stifle your moans. You wiggle his cock quickly, noticing how he gasps slightly. He wiggles his finger more as well. You both start moaning at the same time.

"I'm going to fucking cum" he gasps.

"Me too" you moan, almost unable to hold it in.

"Fuck!"

At that moment you notice how pleasure invades your whole body, rising from your lower belly to all your extremities. Your legs even tremble, you can't modulate your moans, you start to scream disconsolately as your body fills with spasms. You feel your vision blur for a few moments and, when you want to realize it, you are half dead on one of his arms while the hand holding his cock is completely stained. He has also cum and his face is resting on your tits, breathing heavily. You feel your heart racing.

"Fuck me" he sighs, looking up.

For some reason you see him looking more handsome than ever, more attractive than any other time. At that moment, if he asked you for anything, you'd go to hell itself. He gently pulls you up. With the hand that was holding you so you wouldn't fall, he pushes your hair away from your face. He smiles then, looking quite pleased.

"You're definitely going to ruin me."

And then he lets out a tremendous laugh.

[greenlightbulbonawire]

Misfits (yeah like the Arcane song)

XXXVII.

•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•

Summary: From the dark musty cell of Stillwater all the way to the very base of Firelights, but where to from there? Guess you'll just have to let fate lead you.

Author's note: There is no author's note today soz

previous chapter: Thirty sixth chapter

next chapter: Thirty eighth chapter

Masterlist

___________________________________________________

Your gaze followers his movement and settled on his face.

"I'll be right back. Wait for me will ya?"

"Obviously."

He gave you a soft smile and went down the stairs.

You sat there, waiting for him to come back and contemplating whether to go for the whiskey bottle or not. But before you could settle on something Ekko was back already.

"You wanna stay there or move to my room?"

"The choice is yours."

"Aight, my room then, c'mon."

The boy outstretched his hand to you and pulled you up onto your feet.

He flopped onto his bed and you closed the door to his room. His desk was a mess as always, the chair was used as a clothing hanger and his boots were still on his feet, even if he was in bed. Ekko crawled into a sitting position and watched you investigate his room.

"Looking for something in particular?"

"No... I'm just trying to figure out how can the person who's the leader of Firelights be this messy."

"Hey, I didn't bring you here to judge me."

"Why did you bring me here then huh?"

"I dunno, to talk?"

You gave him looong look and shrugged.

"If you say so."

"You don't wanna sit down or?"

Your eyes rolled and you took off your boots, sitting next to him, you back leaned against a wall.

"Better?"

"Definitely."

You chuckled softly at his words.

"Ekko, can I ask you a question? I've wanted to ask this for a while but, never really got the courage."

"I mean, sure, go ahead?"

"So uh, when the, bridge fight happened..."

You turned to face him, trying to read his expression.

"Uh huh?"

"And you fought with Jinx..."

"Uh huhh?"

"Uhm, why did you stop? You know, before she set the bomb off."

The boy's lip curled into a smile and his eyes turned away from you, boring into the wall on the opposite side of the room.

"Jinx, Powder at that time, was my childhood friend, and I thought she was all gone, but I saw her in Jinx in the moment, and I just, I couldn't... I'm so sorry"

"What the fuck are you apologizing for??"

"You got hurt becouse I didn't finish her off."

"Please, do you have any idea how many times Vi had to save my ass? Plus, you didn't know I was there, you can't think like that."

Ekko scoffed and leaned his head against the wall.

"I'm sorry for bringing it up."

"No, don't be, it's aight, I'm glad you ask 'bout things. Any other questions?"

"One actually, how do you feel about playing never have I ever?"

"That's... very random. I mean, I'd love to, but I thought you didn't like my homemade booze. Or are we playin' the lame version?"

You chuckled and shook your head.

"No no no, we're definitely playing with shots, but as you know, I went out, and I got myself a bottle of whiskey."

"You wanna do shots with whiskey? Okay." He raised his hands and had a puzzled expression on his face.

"What? Do you have an issue with that?"

"I mean, considering you grew up in prison, I ain't even suprised."

Ekko waited for you, leaned against his doorframe as you scurried down the staircase and to your room, grabbing the already opened whiskey of your bed and hurrying back to him. You topped on top of the stairs, shaking the bottle at him. The sky was painted with a deep red as the end of the day neared. For a second you got lost in the maroon tapestry of clouds, one arm rested against the railing, the other holding the bottle. Ekko joined you at your side, following your gaze and watching the sky with you.

You could've stayed like that for an eternity, ignoring anything and forgetting everything. Boom. Yours eyes widened as the loud crash echoed through the air from far away. You turned to Ekko, who was already looking your way with a concerned expression on his face. He took the bottle from your hand and put it down, before grabbing your wrist and hurrying down the stairs.

[gauntlets-shot]

[ FIVE PLEAS ]  send for five times the receiver wanted to ask the sender to stay and the one time they do. - Vi

A collection of 'five times' drabble prompts | accepting

It wasn't that meaningful the first time. Vi was eating a cupcake at her dad's bake shop and scrolling through her phone. It was the typical day for her, she had just come back from a day at the ring so she had an ice pack tucked away underneath her shirt, right on her side. Vander insisted she rest upstairs to be more comfortable but Vi insisted on being in the shop so they could spend time together. Caitlyn had just walked in and Vi's gaze immediately landed on her. Vander by now had noticed how Vi looked at one of his regulars and today he decided to make a move for her. "Hey what's your name? Caitlyn? Well, that girl over there is my daughter Vi. She's been staring at you for the past few days every time you come in for your regular order. What do you say, huh?" Vander had asked and Vi was mortified. She was a babbling mess as she tried to apologize but eventually, Caitlyn had to be on her way. Vi watched her walk out but she had wanted her to stay, even just for a few more minutes.

The second time, Vi had almost said something. After Vander had set things in motion the day before, he finally talked Vi into asking Caitlyn out officially or at least trying to initiate a conversation. This time when Caitlyn had come in, Vi was the one behind the counter. She worked at the shop on rare occasions but this time, it was specifically to talk to Caitlyn. As Vi handed the woman her order, her mouth opened to say more but what ended up coming out only made her want to cut off her lips. "So, do you live across from us or work at the shop there? I watch you walk there every day." How could she sound any stupider? Thankfully though, that was enough to start a conversation and the two ended up talking for a good couple of minutes. It was only until another customer came in that Caitlyn excused herself. Maybe if Vi had asked her to wait, then she could've stayed for a while longer. She was easy to talk to, she found out.

Things had started to build since the last two times. Vi and Caitlyn were friends now. They chatted every time Caitlyn came in for her usual and sometimes, Vi would swing by her shop. It was hard though. Vi wanted to more time to spend with her but being a hero had it's ups and downs. Despite just being friends, the two had deep talks, the talks one would have with someone special since Vi didn't just open up to anyone. She had had another rough day in the ring as well as being a hero and she had been in the wrong headspace to be social. They were hanging out in Vi's room but not too long after Caitlyn arrived, Vi had the sudden urge to breakdown. Her life was weighing too heavily on her shoulders and she had explained she was stressed to Caitlyn. She didn't want to burden her further so, despite having hesitated to ask Caitlyn to stay and comfort her, Vi gently insisted she leave her to deal with her shit.

They had gone out on a date the fourth time. Well, this was their first one. Caitlyn had driven Vi's drunk ass home another time but she figured, why don't they both get drunk instead. Vi didn't really remember much from the night Caitlyn saved her but it was quickly forgotten as they danced the night away in the club. Like Vi had promised, she and Caitlyn had gotten drunk but Vi managed to cut herself off before she was too drunk. The two then got an uber home and as soon as they got out of the car, they were stumbling into Vi's dad's bake shop and were making out in the back room. In the heat of the moment, Vi was going to ask Caitlyn to stay the night but it didn't end up coming out. Caitlyn didn't even live that far but Vi had walked the woman back to her shop. They ended the night with one final kiss before Vi went back home, upset she hadn't spoken up.

Way too much had happened by the fifth time. Caitlyn had revealed she wasn't one hundred percent human and that she had powers. There was a new dynamic between the two, well between Caitlyn and Crimson. Instead of wanting the woman to be near her, Vi wanted her as far away as possible. Caitlyn wanted to help fight and she very well could've but Vi wouldn't be able to live with the guilt of Caitlyn potentially getting hurt. "Stay back, I'm serious!" Vi had snapped as Crimson. When Caitlyn refused for the millionth time, Vi had no choice but to take her to the nearest building and physically trap her in. Just before she put the final piece of rubble up to barricade the door, Vi's eyes met Caitlyn's. She hesitated hard, her brows furrowed so tightly her face might as well have popped. Just let her stay and help Vi told herself but then she averted her gaze and covered up the door completely. This was for the best.

After bickering and bickering for weeks, Vi was this close to full on turning on Caitlyn. She needed the help but she didn't want it. The villains were bigger, badder and Vi was falling behind due to the fatigue of her daily life and her superhero life. Caitlyn had been showing up at every scene to give Vi back up and every time Vi spent half the battle fighting or shooing Caitlyn off. Vi was nearly at her breaking point but then one day, Vi really did need the help. Not just one, not just two, not just three, but four foes had shown up to take Crimson down. Vi was scared shitless but she didn't show it. They couldn't know. Before they all actually went after her, Vi was arguing with Caitlyn again. When she saw them coming full force, Vi let out a deep sigh and met Caitlyn's eyes. "Can you stay?" She asked through gritted teeth. "I need...I'm gonna need backup. I'm gonna get eat alive if I go down there myself." After Caitlyn had officially agreed, Vi popped her gauntlet up and clasped her hand in Caitlyn's. "We're partner than," Vi told the woman before equipping her gauntlet again and jumping down into the danger zone, confident now that Caitlyn was officially fighting with her.

[the-dumpster-fire-of-life]

jinx x reader who's another adopted kid silco took in. The two are close sisters always looking out for each other. Then the day of the deal with jayce and silco comes and jinx overhears them offering to take full blame for everything take the fall if it means Jinx stays safe and their dad gets his dream.

(Hey! Sure I can, but I didn't really include the her overhearing part. There will be another part to this bc I had another idea! Enjoy!)

A Sisters Love

You had always been close to Jinx. You knew her since you and her were taken in.

You were both raised together through everything.

Without you there was no Jinx.

Without Jinx there was no you.

Jinx needed you to function and you needed her to live.

Silco knew this, so he didn't even have the heart to send either of you separate ways.

You were both his kids. 

You were more involved in decisions with him as you were more "sane" as people would say.

But everything slowly was burning to ash.

Vi was back. She wanted you and Jinx to come back to her but you couldn't.

The council knew of you and Jinx, hence why Talis wanted your father to meet up with him.

You knew you and Jinx were bad people but so what? 

You did your crimes together.

So that's how life was now, walking side by side to meet Wonder Boy Talis.

"Perfect place for an ambush." Silco mused as he and you smirked at Jayces expression.

"And you without your hammer." Silco hummed and almost laughed as you circled Jayce.

You weren't doing it to install fear, which you certainly did to Boy Wonder, but curious to what he wanted.

"Did you lose it?" You asked, Jayce backed up as you stood in front of him, almost in his face for laughs.

"(Name)." Silco beckoned, watching as you hid your laugh behind your hand.

"What? Have some fun, Dad." You shrugged, returning to his side.

Jayce looked between you and your father, horrified at the thought of this man having a daughter.

Jayce decided to mask his feeling, shaking his head and calming himself.

"I was reminded recently of what brought us together in the first place." Jayce finally spoke up. 

"And what was that, exactly?" You asked, not really wanting to hear him out.

"The threats beyond our wall." Jayce stated.

"This city has a short memory." Silco said simply.

"'Progress.'" Jayce put.

"Far be it from us to stand in the way." Silco said, holding out his hand as you placed a paper in it.

Silco put the paper to Jayces chest, the council member taking it before it fell.

Jayce opened it hesitantly, reading the words on the paper carefully.

"'Free trade routes, blanket amnesty, unrestricted access to the Hexgates, sovereignty.'" Jayce read from the paper in shock.

You yawned, was it really that hard for him to comprehend words on paper?

"Do you two really think you're in a position to demand all this?" Jayce asked in bewilderment.

"Your stunt was…okay, who knew the pretty boy of the Upper City could pull it off?" You shook your head with a smile 

"But your display followed by a request for parley, you're tipping your hand." You finished quickly.

Jayce finally looked away, his eyes meeting the floor.

"You're afraid." Silco stated, seeing the look on his face.

"I am afraid." Jayce stated quickly, no chance in hiding it.

"Today, I got a glimpse of what war between us might look like." Jayce said solemnly.

"Wasn't pretty, was it?" You asked, Topsiders didn't have to stomach what the aftermath of war was like.

"Your people wouldn't stand a chance." Jayce finally found confidence.

Silco tilted his head, lifting an eyebrow at his words of fake confidence.

"We have been through war before with your city. Your people didn't have the stomach to finish the job." You retorted.

"The council couldn't care less." Jayce tried. 

"They never have." You shrugged.

"I'm trying to save you and your people from annihilation." Jayce still tried to convince.

"Trying to play the hero, are we now?" You shrugged off. 

You couldn't care less.

"Not the fresh-faced Academy pledge, are you?" Silco asked in amusement of his and your argument.

"You want peace, this is the price." Silco stated, nodding at the paper.

Jayce seemed to sigh, but only out of anger.

"You'll discontinue the production of Shimmer?" Jayce finally asked.

"Half there already." Silco stated.

"Your little stunt made that happen." You shrugged.

"Return the Gemstone." Jayce demanded, then stunned as you pulled it out of your bag.

Jayce studied the Gemstone in your hand cautiously to make sure it was real.

Jayce then seemed to hesitate, conflicted on his next words.

"And I'll need Jinx and your surrender." Jayce finally spoke, halting you and Silco.

"You're pushing your luck, Talis." You glared at the man in front of you.

"You two have to pay for what you've done." Jayce shook off, trying to return your glare but faltering.

"They weren't their crimes. They were working for me." Silco stated.

"Believe me, if I had my way, it'd be you rotting in Stillwater," Jayce dismissed Silco.

"But we can't make a deal with a snake and cut off its head."

"No way is Jinx willingly going to surrender." You almost laughed at his attempt.

"Then we'll take her by force." Jayce tried.

"Good luck with that." You dropped the Gemstone back in your bag, seeing the way Jayce followed it.

"We all have our shitty parts to play." Jayce stated, placing the paper back to Silcos chest.

"You two surrender. And I'll give you your nation of Zaun." Jayce confirmed to you both.

Jayce began to walk away, halting as you grabbed his shoulder suddenly.

You knew it was a reach. And you knew it was risky.

But no fucking way were you letting your sister be taken.

"How about we meet you halfway?" You offered, Silco and Jayce looking at you curiously.

"You get your wishes, the Gemstone and the Shimmer discontinued," you spoke, Jayce listening intently.

"And my surrender, only mine. You tell the council Jinx is dead." You finished.

Silco looked at you shocked as Jayce didn't move at the offer.

"(Name)-" Silco tried, grabbing your shoulder but you shook him off.

"Only me. You tell them you saw Jinx die or she will give you a reason for war." You threatened, your face close to Boy Wonders.

"This is the best way. Or, your people will die."

Jayce looked between you and Silco slowly before he finally nodded.

"Fine." Jayce agreed. "(Name). You don't have to do this." Silco tried to convince you.

"It's all right, just tell Jinx goodbye for me." You told Silco with a knowing smile.

Your father tilted his head confused at you before he finally understood.

Jayce, surprisingly, had handcuffs on him.

You could only guess Incase you or Silco went too far.

You grabbed the Gemstone out of your bag, handing it to Jayce before holding out your hands.

Silco watched Jayce put the cuffs on you, Silco hesitated before he kissed your forehead goodbye.

He will see you again.

You couldn't say or do anything more before you were dragged away by Jayce by the cuffs.

When you looked back Silco was gone, causing a smirk to spread across your face.

You and Jayce walked in tense silence before he spoke up.

"You and Jinx. That was you two on the bride, wasn't it?" He asked, snapping his head to you as you laughed.

"Wow. Just putting two and two together?" You mocked his anger.

"Why?" Jayce asked, watching as you simply shrugged.

"Your sheriff shot an…old friend of mine. Plus, the guy was an asshole." You stated.

You then watched amused as Jayce realized you were talking about Marcus.

You weren't wrong. The guy was always an asshole. Ever since you were a kid.

You then looked as you saw a truck with enforcers surrounding it, holding up their guns as they saw you.

Guess Jayce did prepare Incase of an ambush was needed.

You were quickly put in the back of the truck with at least five enforcers.

Each one kept their eye on you, some even looked scared to be around you.

Guess that came with your crimes.

But you weren't there to stay.

So, you closed your eyes, tilting your head to rest against the wall behind you.

You then slowly fell asleep, might as well rest for what was to come.

[caitlinsnicket]

Congratulations on 2k! Could I request prompt #115 and sentence starter #46, for Vi? <3

living with vi was a rollercoaster. you never knew when she was going to show up all bloodied, or if she was gonna show at all. you never knew if she was gonna wake up screaming or if you weren't gonna be able to wake her at all. you never knew if she was actually flirting with you or if it was just a joke.

recently, she had been away for a few days, and you'd be worried if her piltie co-worker hadn'ttold you she was in mission. you always wondered if she was eating well, sick or sleeping, but work managed to take your mind off of her.

and because you didn't know when she'd come back you allowed yourself to act more freely around the house: wearing only a shirt and underwear, eating out of your hands and using the bathroom with the door open. today had been a boring day, thus why you allowed yourself to take longer in the shower. when you finished, and realised you didn't bring a robe, you naturally walked out of your room.

and vi was sitting on the couch.

the silcence seemed to last forever, until you quickly crossed your arms around your chest and looked at the floor. she was sitting still, and you could feel her eyes wandering on your figure. you didn't feel uncomfortable per say, you were just caught by surprise.

"don't mind me, just enjoying the view"

oh

"i forgot my towel"

"i can see that"

oh

what was that? was she flirting? was she kidding again, to see how far you'd go? the way she was sitting - her legs spread, hands resting in the arms of the chair, eyes alert and dark - made you want to touch her, and to be touched by her. your skin seemed to vibrate for her, and you felt your clit throb.

slowly, you lowered your arms, leaving your whole body on display, and she stared at you once again, shifting her legs slightly. she bites the inside of her cheek.

"i missed you" she said, eating you with her eyes.

"me too. you okay?" you ask, stepping closer.

"yeah, yeah. i think i need a hug though."

she sad there, waiting, giving you space to leave if you wanted.

you didn't.

hesitantly, you went to her and sat on her thigh, throwing your arms around her neck and hiding your face on her shoulder. there was something extremely exciting in being completely bare in front of vi while she was fully clothed, and when she touched you, it was almost impossible to contain a moan.

her pants scraped your inner thigh as her hands reached for your spine, and you bit your lower lip.

"you're so soft, kitty. can i...?" she said, softly caressing your lower back.

your only response was a whine and move your hips along her thigh. you could feel your wetness damping her pants. she cussed and went slow, almost as if she was trying to figure out how much you could take before breaking. she bounced you on her thigh until you reached your high, and happily drifted off with you on her lap to some well deserved sleep.

[giorno-plays-piano]

Vicious

Part VI

Pairing: Steve x reader, Bucky x reader, Thor x reader, Loki x reader, Peter x reader

Warnings: yandere, obsession, stalking, possessiveness, theft, mention of blackmail, all characters are adults.

Words: 1567.

Summary: Transferring to Stark Academy that has only allowed to take in female students last semester, you realize you are just one of three young women among hundreds of students. Your things are constantly being stolen, and soon you begin fearing for your safety.

Part I

Part II

Part III

Part IV

Part V

________

You spent the rest of your evening like a somnambulist, barely able to concentrate on your projects before you went to bed, barely finishing half of the things you planned for today. Even the change of locks didn't make you as happy as you thought it would. It felt like something between a dream and a nightmare.

Lying in the dark, you stared at the ceiling, thinking of what happened just a couple of hours ago. Why did he do it? Was it just out of habit and didn’t mean anything? Naturally, with his appearance and easy-going attitude, he probably dated many girls and didn’t think much before kissing someone he liked.

Remembering the way he talked to you in the morning, you thought he must have pretended to be shy around you. Thor certainly wasn’t sheepish.

Was it all a sham? Was Loki right about all of them, playing their roles to get close to you? You couldn’t forget the way Thor looked the moment he told you about being smart. It was like something switched inside him, and for a second you saw the real Thor who was far from being your simple, good-natured athlete.

Why did you keep thinking about that stupid kiss even after seeing the man could be dangerous?

Aroused and angry, you tossed and turned until you fell asleep.

____________

Waking up was especially tough, despite the fact you didn't really do much yesterday, meaning you were going to spend your weekend studying. Shoot, and that's when you planned to visit that new chocolate boutique in the city. Maybe you could still make it if you spent more time studying today?

But then again, going to the city alone might be a bad idea. Even if the guys who stole your things were beaten, it didn't mean it had always been the same people following you. The school was full of weirdos, in the end. What if somebody went after you? Steve would definitely say you had to bring one of your guards with you.

Damn. It was better staying in the dorm then.

"Good morning! Are you ready?" Peter's voice broke through the silence, and you flinched, hurriedly applying some lipstick because you didn't have enough time to put your makeup properly.

Well, at least you were fully dressed.

"Just give me a second!" Picking up your bag, you put your shoes on and opened the door, looking at a young guy who's face was lit up like a Christmas tree. "Hi!"

He definitely liked what he saw, and you felt your cheeks growing hot from embarrassment. From the very start of the semester Peter acted very sweet around you, and you thought you could be friends with him. He wouldn't do something as ugly as blackmailing, would he? Thor said it too. Clearly, Steve was exaggerating.

"Did you sleep well? I've heard you changed your lock, so now it'll be better."

"Ugh, I hope so. But I still sleep with my dresser blocking the door." Sighing, started walking, afraid to look in the faces of other students, hurrying off to school.

They must have been disgusted, watching you being friendly with one guy after being all lovey-dovey with the other just yesterday. Although you didn't see anyone in particular, you were sure somebody saw Thor kissing you. And now you were walking the corridors with Peter.

"By the way, what's your Insta?"

What? Your Instagram? Whatever for? Although you had no idea why he needed it, you let him add you, by the time leaving the dorm and walking towards the main building.

Suddenly, Peter got pretty close, his arm on your waist as he lifted up his phone and hummed, "Look here and smile!"

Before you realized what he was doing, the boy kissed your temple, and you heard the sound of a photo being taken by his front-facing camera. What the Hell?!

"Peter!" Pissed at him, you quickly break free and stepped back, but he was already looking at his phone, editing the photo and posting it almost immediately.

You heard your phone buzz when he marked you on the photo.

"That's a good one. You look very cute here."

"What are you doing?!"

"Making a proof we're dating, of course?"

You were taken aback by the sincerity in his voice, and Peter smiled from ear to ear like an excited teenager, showing you the picture: it wasn't that bad, and you looked as if you were slightly embarrassed by Peter's closeness. Oh, of course. He had to convince his friends he was dating you, but he didn't kiss you on the lips that could make other people too suspicious. Instead, friends of Barnes or, say, Thor, would still think it was all for show, and it was their friend who dated you for real.

Shit, Steve's plan was incredibly complicated, and you didn't like it at all.

"Oh, alright." You mumbled, lowering your eyes to the ground, and Peter laughed.

"We'll make a TikTok dance later. If you wanna make people talk, just use your social media." He winked at you and put the phone in the pocket of his pants, resuming walking, and you moved along, your face still hot.

God, what did these guys got you into? You felt like you were lost in the middle of a play, not even having a script to read what was your role in all this.

Before you parted your ways, going to a different classrooms, Peter talked about videogames, the upcoming Resident Evil - apparently, his favorite franchise - and some Dota tournament, but you didn't know much about it, and Peter offered to show you his favorite games "because you can't spend all your time studying!"

He was as careless and sweet as always, but you couldn't get Steve's words out of your mind. Damn, if only you could know for sure that Peter didn't blackmail anyone. Who could you talk to about it? Obviously, not Peter himself, but every time he spoke you had that nagging feeling you needed to talk to him. You barely kept your mouth shut before he went to a different room.

Ugh, why didn't you transfer anywhere else when you still had a chance? Obviously, now you could only drop out of school, and it definitely wasn't something you were going to do.

Luckily, the next couple of hours you were busy with your classes, trying your best to prepare for the upcoming exams. The academy held high standards, and even though you were a good student, it still took lots of efforts to keep up the good work. How Thor even managed to get enrolled, judging by the fact he hated studying and often skipped classes?

Ah yes, he mentioned something about getting a scholarship from the academy for his success in the sport.

By the lunch time you were drained, listening to Peter chatting with an absent-mindedly epxression on your face. Funny enough, Peter's grades were better than yours, even though he spent much less time studying. What, was he some genius like Loki? You felt a little envy.

"I gotta go take my tracksuit, I have PE next," the boy said, and you nodded, throwing away the leftovers of your lunch.

As you stood close while he grabbed his sportclothes, you heard two guys talking behind the lockers to your right.

"Have you seen her today? She's with Parker!"

You tensed immediately. Of course, they were talking about you.

"Yeah, so what?"

"She was with Thor yesterday!"

Watching you froze on the spot, Peter stilled too, listening carefully. Oh shit, you hoped no one cared about who you went with - why should they, in the end - but, apparently, you were drawing too much attention simply because you were a girl among hundreds of male students.

"So what?" The other guy asked impatiently, growing tired of this conversation.

"Are you stupid? She's going out with them! I bet she's looking for a guy." The first student said with excitement, and you cringed. No, you weren't going out with anyone, you wanted to stop the weirdos from following you and steeling your things. Was it too much to ask?

"Yeah, who cares?"

"We have three fucking girls in the whole school, and you don't care if one of them could be going out with you? Besides, this one's pretty. I'd fuck her!"

You felt like you were going to puke any moment. Why on Earth did you decide to transfer to an all-boys school? It was like the whole school were a men’s room filled with stupid-ass guys, and you were locked inside, forced to listen them talk junk.

"You'd fuck a sheep, weirdo. Go get yourself a girlfriend if you can’t stop thinking with your dick.”

Laughing, the guy left, and his friend followed him, shouting something stupid while you breathed out a sigh of relief. Of course, you knew there would be some talk, but you didn’t expect it to be so... gross. Were you really gonna spend the two remaining years here?

Watching you getting frustrated, Peter gently touched you by the arm and said softly, “Don’t worry. They won’t talk rubbish about you.”

“What do you mean?” Suddenly thinking of Steve’s words, you blurted out exactly what you were thinking of the whole day, “Are you going to blackmail them with something?”

“I... what?”

Part VII

__________

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[rivaille-13]

After The War, Levi: Of Certain Dreams

Spin-off for After The War: Chapter 13, Mikasa Segment VI

Before that, I just want to express my utmost gratitude to everyone who supported and read After The War. So many good comments, supports, and even arts I have been receiving and I swear, you all had made me shed a tear or two.

I have learned that one of our talented RivaMika artist had drawn a very good illustration of the rare sleeping Levi:

And I was so surprised that she was inspired by the little work of mine. Really... I was so speechless that time and I also felt the inward peace she might have felt just by imagining Levi; heavily in his slumber while sleeping peacefully.

So I decided to make a mini spin-off that took place in Levi’s point of view... and please if someone knows Ms. Lividayis’ tumblr, please tag her because this mini Levi spin-off is dedicated for her. I hope she likes it.

Of Certain Dreams

Sleep is a luxury.

A grand, imposing, palatial luxury that only a normal person in a world without walls can attain. At least that is what it means for him.

Maybe.

In a liminality of a dark depth, there he dreamt of countless sheeps and countless stars. He could feel the space was cold, immovable, and somewhere close to a ravine where salvation cannot be found.

At least that is what it means for him.

He felt himself squinting his eyes, unaware of the action that he was acting upon himself. The place he was stuck was somewhere new, moreover like a dream he has never been before. He inhaled as he exhaled. He breathed. Aloud and gasping.

But only his lips were slightly parted.

Fuck this shit.

"Levi, what took you so long?"

Someone was calling him.

But not really someone, yet it was someone who he really knew, who he knew he loved, but the memory felt so distant as time had taken the memory for a very long time. It was now close to undistinguishable.

Where the fuck am I?

His words are funny, yet he kept an unbothered face as he let the spasm of his feet take him to the liminality of a chasm he didn't even know in the first place.

Uncertain.

That's how he could describe it.

"What a fine young man, look how far you have grown."

That voice again. That sweet, cold, and empty voice but this time, he now knew where it was and who it was from.

No, this can't be fucking real.

"Well this can be real too, Levi. Except that you are in a dream."

A dream. The liminality that only happens in a deep-stricken slumber that he had never experienced before. Or might he had experienced, but the chaos and burden that abound by his shoulder had long taken the luxury of a dream-filled slumber away from him.

But now, it felt like the first time.

And someone he knew that he deeply missed for a very long time was there in his dream too.

"Mother, why are you even here? You're dead."

"Kenny did surely upbring you. Watch your tongue, Levi."

He gave a deep breath of relief. He laughed, and when he was done laughing, he gave his mother a small smile. A smile where it was close to peace and longing, of genuinity and certainty, and maybe a smile where it was close to the long forgotten memories of his childhood.

How he missed his mother.

"How long have you been here, mother?"

Because he wanted answers.

"For a long time. But today expires my stay here."

His body was still having spasms, somewhere in a mixture of sparks and caresses. He felt almost certain yet uncertain, but no, he wanted to stay a little bit longer in his sunken dream, making him ask his mother questions he wanted to ask her for a very long time.

"And why is that?"

"Because you had finally slept."

Levi felt like a scolded child.

"Sleeping isn't something of a special shit, mother. Perhaps, I rarely sleep."

"That explains the answer to your question. I must go now, Levi."

"But—"

"You now have the time in your world. Live certain with her."

And that was enough to keep his mouth from asking obvious things.

Her.

He watched her mother wave, a kind smile from her face blossom its way out of her beautiful face. She just disappeared like that, the way she appeared in the vision of his dream-filled slumber.

Perhaps, sleep has always been a luxury but not until in a cold weather afternoon where he found himself so tired that he decided to take a nap. That was not until he had really fallen asleep in a deep-stricken slumber where he finally dreamt something peaceful.

It was still dark, the liminality he had been enclosed with, but not until he had finally realized that she had been there beside him, giving him warm light touches and soft caresses.

His mother was right.

To live certain with her, with Mikasa Ackerman.

Falling asleep was a luxury.

But not until he had finally dreamt of certainties, of a certain world, and not just in a certain dream.

It was real, and it wasn't undeniably wrong that his reality was a peaceful reality where Levi had earned and deserved.

Even though Mikasa's bawdy hand and naughty touches disturbed him from the sweet peaceful dream-filled slumber he had, it was okay.

He could still dream again of certain dreams. Again and again.

"Mikasa, stop holding my cock."

End

Bonus artwork from Ms. Lividayis (I really felt so speechless and beyond thankful, she is very kind and talented) NSFW content, but really, I need to share it because it was so pure and beyond beauty. Please support her by following her at instagram: @lividayis and by liking her fb page. Again, thank you so much for the amazing content, Ms. Lividayis! Words cannot describe how thankful I am for everyone’s kind support.

So yeah, calm before the storm and turmoil of SNK LEAKS. Holy shit, I felt like shitting but please I hope everyone did enjoy this little thing I wrote. I will put more hard effort in the last chapter! Thank you again. (:

[totiredtowrite]

"Ｔｈｅ Ｇｒａｖｅ Ｄｉｇｇｅｒ"

Warnings - Talks of death, blood

Note: plot didn't agree with me ig, if it sucks deal with it 🙄

FEM READERS DO NOT INTERACT (SHE/HER, SHE/THEY)

/̵͇̿̿/’̿’̿ ̿ ̿̿ ̿̿ ̿̿

There were only two people in this town who nobody seemed to see. Whether it be by their own choice or public displeasure, they hardly showed their faces. Town hall meetings, events, the occasional festival, never. Unsurprisingly, the two men who never showed up both worked with the dead.

The executioner, and the undertaker.

Matsukawa Issei, the undertaker, wasn't commonly known by his name. Or even his title, for that matter. Somewhere along the line he'd earned the nickname of 'The Grave Digger.'

He knew why, of course. Everyone knew why. The only time the bulk of the townsfolk saw him was when he was out digging graves at the edge of town. For those who lived near to the graveyard, it was a rather common sight.

Just as dusk fell they would see him out in the field, rusted copper spade in hand as he shoveled up dirt. Typically there was a body wrapped in linen laying somewhere near him, and on the nights where they weren't the people knew he would be back the next night with one.

At first, he'd struggled quite a bit.

Digging human sized holed in the ground, six feet deep, wasn't easy work by any means. Especially not for one man. At nineteen was when he'd started his work. If he wasn't well built before, he certainly was now. If it was possible, he was sure that his shovel would have dents in it from where he clutches it. It was his own little cycle. He obtained the body, he prepped it, (if the family could afford a funeral), he dug, he buried.

Only the reverend and the grifter who hung around these parts really had any continued conversation with him. Even still, he and the reverend had limited conversation. Their talks were short, concise, formal. And, even more so, that was only when a family could pay for a funeral and wanted it in the church.

Naturally that left little to no opportunity for relationships.

Though, it wasn't like people didn't want him. Unlike the executioner, people vied for his attention. The few times he goes into town, he can feel eyes on him. Women and men alike. The grave digger has earned the tag of 'tall, dark, and handsome.'

He sighed heavily, dropping his spade by the door of his home. He never liked burying children. He had two today, twins. It always made him feel remorseful. Like they could have done so much. All he really wanted to to was stare at the ceiling in the company of his phonograph.

It didn't help his mood that the grave robber situation was spiraling. Some sicko was taking bones from graves, keeping them. Maybe he was selling them. Issei opened the door, turning his back to the main room to close it. He let his head fall against the oak. He relished in the silence, though something didn't feel right.

He narrowed his eyes to the door, slowly taking his hand of the handle and turning around when–

"It's honestly about time. What was that six hours? You usually take less."

He stopped, eyes wide in your direction.

The shock prevented him from really saying or doing anything, so you took that as an invitation to continue. "Anyways, nice place! This is the first time I've actually seen the inside," you laughed a bit. From where you were sat, Matsukawa could make out a few things.

A shovel sat by your side, one similar to his. Similar, except it was very clearly made of silver. You were seated on a desk against the far wall, directly across from where he stood. Your legs, one crossed over the other, were clad in dirtied work pants. His expression turned defensive at the realization that there were little splatters of blood near your boot.

"Though you did have to bury kids today huh?" You continued. "I get it. S'not fun digging them up either." You sighed dramatically.

Your remark killed any words I'm previously in his throat. The grave robber.

His face quickly morphed into something threatening, something that most people would run far away from. "You're the–"

"Yep!" You didn't let him finish, pulling up a wanted poster from god knows where. There was no face on it, just a black silhouette with a white question mark in the head. "This is what you meant right? You're absolutely correct."

He moved to advance. "What the hell are you doing in my home," he snarled.

You held up a hand. "Woah there, tiger. You know these things can seriously hurt someone, right?" You tilted your head to the shovel at your side. Matsukawa stopped in his tracks, though his deadly glare didn't falter.

"Look," you sighed, "Can we please get off on the right foot? I'm (l/n) (y/n), the man who's been digging up bodies. Well, parts of bodies. It honestly depends on the price," you giggled. "I know exactly who you are, but why don't you tell me anyways?"

No words left his throat. Well, none that were very nice anyways.

"Right," you rolled your eyes at the obscenities that left his mouth in the place of his name. "But I'm not here to fight." You slid off of the table in a rather smooth manner, sweeping up the shovel at the same time. "In fact, I'm here to help!"

Matsukawa's lips pursed in thought. He should turn you right in to the sheriff. Yet, some part of him wanted to hear what you had to say. After all, if he didn't like it, you've simply engineered your own arrest. He didn't say another word, harshly grabbing your shoulders and steering you towards the small dining table. "Sit." he said gruffly, not giving you a chance to respond before he practically threw you into the chair.

Taking the seat across from you, his eyes locked on you expectantly. You took that as a sign to speak. "Ha, anyways, the other day I found this," you set a femur on the table. Matsukawa cringed slightly. Not because he was nervous by it, but because where did you even have that? "This belongs to a man that's easily six feet tall."

Matsukawa nodded. "And?"

"And," you scoffed, "I found it in the grave of a woman. A woman who was no more than five feet." Matsukawa decided to ignore how weird this conversation was getting. "Unless you're just really bad at your job, these bones aren't matching up. Not to mention the woman I dug up the other day," you let out a breathy laugh. "Can you believe it? Her jaw was far too large."

He shuddered, declaring to himself that he had a psychopath sat at his table.

"Anyways, handsome," you have him a predatory grin, "Wanna entertain me for a bit? Just how do you think those bones are being misplaced? It's messing with my business, you know. Making me less credible."

"Business? What business?" He couldn't stop himself from asking.

"Y'know, grave robbing? You think I just keep the bones I take? The bodies?" You laughed. "Gross, no. I sell them. Shady medical students who wanna get ahead, witches, people who do extremely innocent things with dead bodies." Matsukawa cringed again.

"I should turn you in," he said. He stood up to lean over the table, slamming his hands down right in front of you, eyes angled down his nose.

You, unfazed by this, shrugged. "If you turned me in, you'd get the money, but you'd never know what's going on with the bones switching place."

He let out a muted frustrated noise. "Come on," you tilted your head to let the candlelight illuminate your eyes, "What's the worst that could happen?"

~

Do not repost, translate, or copy my work on to other platforms.

[minervacasterly]

The caricature of Margaret Beaufort:

From pop culture POV and the POV of those influenced by it, this powerful matriarch is all of the following: Religious nut case! Bitch. She killed the princes in the tower! Old and ugly! Screw her! She and her son were the worst thing that happened to England!

And yet her son became the founder of a dynasty that reigned for more than a century and continues to fascinate us. Now on to the real Meg Beaufort. In the White Queen she is all this and that but the real Meg was no religious nut case and she certainly didn't plan the murder of the Princes and you can debate me countless times on this but there is no concrete evidence that she did! Richard had more than enough motive and opportunity to kill the Princes and oh wait before I get the Ricardians on my case, I don't hate Richard. I actually find him interesting, I wouldn't find him interesting if he was perfect. Richard had learned from his brother's mistakes but made mistakes of his own. If he produced the boys then that would've propelled them to sainthood and the last thing he wanted was a cult was already building around Henry VI. What happened with this last monarch is fascinating and you might be wondering -hey! Isn't that the guy they smothered with a pillow in the White Queen? Yeah, that's the one. Except there are so many theories abounding to his death. The first one comes from Bettini who wrote three weeks after the Lancastrian king's death that it was Edward NOT Richard who gave the order. At the time the blame was solely pinned on Edward, so let's not confuse contemporary sources with secondary. Rous and Vergil writing in the Tudor period pinned the murder on Richard and even early Ricardians say that he did it, but with one major difference -*under* Edward's orders. If this is so, one thing we can all agree, if Richard gave the order or personally took care of Henry, it was all done under his brother's command. But this backfired, soon people were attributing all sorts of miracles to this guy, he became more famous in death than he had ever been in life. Edward tried hard to suppress this cult but he couldn't and Richard did the next best thing. If you can't beat them, join 'em! He cashed in on the cult and officiated a reburial of the dead monarch and started all new kinds of celebrations for him but people still talked as they always do. Now if he had produced the dead children as he and his brother had done with the Lancastrian king, then it would've been chaos, complete and utter chaos!

Margaret Beaufort's sole aim up until the princes disappearance in the summer of 1483 was to gain back her son's lands and bring him back safely. She was forced to give him up before after the Lancaster line had been wiped out from the face of the earth by Yorkist forces, ending to some historians' view, the wars of the roses in 1471. Margaret would not see him until the aftermath of Bosworth in 1485. She had little to worry about the first years of his exile, he was with his uncle Jasper, his father's brother. They intended to sail to the French court, a court his uncle knew very well but landed in Brittany instead because of the bad weather. Brittany was not on good terms with the French and they had their fair share of enmity with the English so it served the Duke well to have two valuable English hostages, one who had a considerable (if debatable) claim to the English throne via his mother. Edward attempted to coax the old Duke into give up his charge and while the Duke never believed Edward's intentions, some of his ministers did and those who didn't just wanted to cash in on the juicy rewards. Henry was an intelligent youth who was far from the serious and mama's boy he's depicted in today's fiction. He loved to laugh, play, joke and gamble. But he was aware how valuable he was and at one point feigned sickness and took sanctuary in a church when he suspected his future voyage to England was a hoax -which it was -and that small trickery on his part saved him.

By 1480, Margaret had more than enough to worry, but she wasn't giving up on her son's legacy. With Edward's promise to marry him to his eldest daughter, Margaret continued to rely on the faith that gave comfort to so many women in this period, and Edward's promise, albeit a fake one, was something she never let go of. The accession of Richard and Anne changed all that. Always an opportunist at heart, she tried to curry favor with the new regime. Whether she agreed with it or not -we will never know but her husband was an official in Richard's government and she had more than enough reason to believe that Richard would grant her her request to bring her son back. After all he was more busy convincing everyone his brother had never been legally married to Elizabeth and securing his position. But surprise, surprise for Margaret and everyone involved. Her life was never easy, it was one obstacle after another and this was no different. The boys' disappearance changed everything and Buckingham's rebellion gave her a chance she had never considered before. Her moment to shine had come. She was no longer looking to bring her son back as a mere earl but as a king so she started plotting with the queen dowager through her Welsh doctor. After a lot of plotting and intrigue and tragedy at Richard's court, her son's shining moment came and thanks to the defection of his stepfather from Richard's camp to his side, he won. There is a famous myth that his stepfather, Thomas Stanley found the crown in a thorn bush but this is likely Tudor propaganda. Richard's treatment afterwards was one that's always given by the victor to the loser, stripped of all his clothes and shamefully paraded, he was then written as the worst monarch that ever lived.

And while I do agree there needs to be a better assessment of Richard, doing the same to Margaret and Richard is just as dumb. She was born in 1443 and a year after, John Beaufort, her father and Duke of Somerset died. Many said at the time that it was because of suicide because of his terrible leadership in France. Truth or not, Margaret was now a wealthy heiress and her wardship was widely sought after. William de la Pole, the crown's favorite tried to marry her to his son, but after he was murdered, at only nine years old Margaret was brought to court to swear that she never intended to marry his son. Later she rewrote history saying that it was because of a godly vision that told her that it was her destiny to marry Edmund Tudor and establish a great house, that she denied it. Margaret married at only 12 and Edmund Tudor, anxious to get his hands on her wealth, didn't bother to wait. He impregnated her less than a year after and she gave birth in January 1457 when she was months away from being 14, to her only offspring. The birth damaged her, she never had any children with her other spouses. She had a happy marriage with her next spouse, Henry Stafford and they celebrated their anniversary in big style every year and even housed Edward IV in their hunting lodged in one occasion. This doesn't sound like the power hungry, vindictive Margaret of TV. And that's because she wasn't! She was very learned and founded and refounded many colleges, chief among them: Christ's College which had previously been God's House and St. John's in Cambridge. Aware that only the privileged few could attend these institutions she voiced her concerns in 1479, and her attempts bore fruit when Wimborne College was established posthumously in 1509, which was later renamed Queen Elizabeth's school. She also established the Lady Margaret Beaufort Professorship of Divinity at Cambridge in 1502 and the first women's college in Oxford was named after her.

In spite of her joy of seeing her son crowned, she could not help herself. Fisher and many contemporaries described how she cried -a clear sign of a woman that doesn't care about power- and when asked why, she responded because she had lived through so many kings and princes who had been murdered and killed in battle. Who knew if her son was next or if his reign would last. She cried the same tears of grief on her grandson's joint coronation with Katherine, fearing that his reign would face the same troubles.

Margaret passed away days after in 1509, after a long life of hardship and triumph.

[wreckofawriter]

Then Kiss Me Agian

Pairing: James Potter x reader

Word Count: 4,150

Warnings: Swearing? None really

Request: Hi! Could I get a James Potter imagine ? The reader and James are acquaintances but they get assigned as partners for a project? They get close and end up liking each other? Cute and fluffy please? Thank you! I really enjoy your writing , this is my third request for you haha!

A/n: I'm so sorry this took me like a fuckung year to write. I start school on Monday so I have been majorly stressing for the past week. Anyway hope u guys like it!

You woke up to soft light drifting through your window. Your eyes slowly fluttered open to be greeted with the pleasant sight of golden rays casting though your room. Dust that had been revealed by the shine swirled majestically through the air as if dancing to the floor where they would die until being reincarnated by movement once again. 

You hummed smoothly sitting up and bringing your hand to your eye rubbing away the nights sleep as you released a wide yawn. 

You slipped out of bed, your warm feet cooling on the wooden floor as chills broke your smooth skin into bumps. You walked to the bathroom, glancing at the mirror and grimacing. 

You quickly washed your face and brushed your hair and teeth before deciding what to wear for the day. You exited the room only to notice something you hadn't before. Everyone in your dorm was gone. You thought that at least a few people would sleep in on a Saturday. 

And then it struck you. It wasn't a Saturday at all. It was Friday. Which meant that you were already 15 minutes late for your class. 

Your eyes went wide panic filling you as you swore loudly crashing to your dresser and changing into your robes. You then gathered your things in a frenzy, mentally and verbally cursing your roommates for not waking you. You were going to unleash hell when you saw them next. 

You stumbled down the stairs and out your common room door. You would simply have to skip breakfast today. You sprinted to the dungeons ignoring the protests you drew from those you passed. 

You finally reached the classroom banging open the door loudly and scrambling inside. 

"I am so sorry professor. I overslept and I-" 

You stopped when you noticed every pair of eyes in the room on you. You gulped nervously, feeling heat rush up your neck.

"It's quite alright my dear." Slughorn spoke kindly.

Your surprised eyes immediately flicked back to him, "Really?" You asked in disbelief. 

"It is your first time ever being late, I can let you off with a warning." He smiled, relief washing through you. 

"Thank you so much." You sighed gratefully. 

"Now take a seat so I may continue with the lesson." He said gesturing to the students who were still watching the interaction. 

You blushed mumbling another thank you before heading towards your usual seat next to Remus.  Yet when you reached it, it was already occupied. A fiery redhead sar in your place refusing to meet your eyes. 

A frown quickly took your face. You glance at Remus who sent you a sympathetic shrug and then looked back to the front of the room. 

You glanced around the room searching for an empty seat. When you found it you suddenly realized why your usual seat had been stolen.

James Potter sat alone at his desk looking quite annoyed as he glared into the back of Evans head. You sighed heading to the seat and plopping into it, dropping your bag recklessly onto the floor beside you. 

James turned to you smiling in amusement, "May I ask why a Prefect was late?" He mocked gesturing to the badge clipped on to your robes, its bright P shining in the dim candlelight. 

"This actually stands for 'Pull your head out of your ass Potter.'" You shot back, not wanting to put up with his bullshit. 

"So rude y/l/n." He gasped placing his hand on his chest in offense. 

You rolled your eyes sighing, "Being around you really makes me pity Evans." 

His eyes flashed for a moment before his face was taken over by an impressed frown "Touche." He shrugged. 

You turned your attention to the front of the class attempting to tune into what Slughorn was saying. These struggles failed quickly when you suddenly felt an ache of pain in your vacant stomach. 

Hunger consumed you quickly making the lesson go in and out of your mind.

You heard your stomach groan and found yourself wishing for your seat next to Remus once again. He always had chocolate or something with him and often shared with you. 

Your stomach grumbled again and you grimaced silently praying for this lesson to be over so you could find some food. 

"Hungry y/l/n?" James mocked before pulling a granola bar from his bag. 

Your eyes immediately snapped to it, like a dog to a piece of meat. You could feel your organs silently begging for the food he wove in front of your face. 

"Come on Potter don't be an asshole, give it to me." You said sternly. 

"I am very good at being an asshole." He shrugged. 

"Can't argue with that." You mumbled, "Can you just give it to me." 

"I don't know." He hummed in amusement, "I'm a bit famished myself." 

"Isn't famished a bit of a big word for you Potter?" 

He glared at you before opening the wrapper, eyes still locked on yours and taking a bit out of the granola bar. He chewed loudly, making a point of it, before swallowing and letting out an exaggerated sigh. 

If looks could kill James would currently be six feet deep. But since they cant he was smirking back at you bringing the bar back up to his lips. 

Before he could place it in his mouth you leapt upon him snatching the bar from his hands and stuffing the whole thing into your mouth. 

"Y/l/n, Potter! What on earth is going on?" Slughorn bellowed. 

The whole class turned to see you halfway on top of the boy, mouth completely filled, James staring at you with looking both astonished and impressed by your actions. 

You attempted to apologize but nothing but muffled hums would manage through your full lips. Your face splashed with crimson as you re organized yourself into your seat. 

James burst into laughter at the sight earning a punch to the shoulder, "She's most certainly sorry professor." He spoke smugly, "She's just struggling to say so." He added slapping your back causing your hand to shoot to your mouth to keep you from spewing the granola bar you were currently attempting to swallow. 

You felt your face wash red once again and you flipped off the boy beside you. He responded with another slap on the back and your hand once again flew to your mouth. 

Slughorn sighed before returning to the lesson. You finally swallowed before turning triumphantly to James. 

"Thank you very much for breakfast Potter." You snickered.

"How did you possibly see that as a win?" He asked with a chuckle. 

"I wanted food, I got food." You smiled proudly before adding, "With no real consequences." 

"Your so weird." James scoffed rolling his eyes in amusement. 

"Thank you." You grinned cheekily before turning your head back to the front. 

"For next week's assignment you will be studying, collecting ingredients for and then creating a potion." 

You groaned along with the rest of the class, that was a lengthy project, that not one of you wanted to do. 

"Now the project won't be due until next month because some potions take a month or so to create." 

"Thank Merlin." you heard James mutter beside you

"You will also be working with a partner." 

Instantly your eyes flew to the back of Remus' head and soon he turned around to lock eyes with you, nodding in silent agreement of partnership. 

But unfortunately your professor continued, "Your partner will be the person you are seated next to." 

"No!" You wailed throwing your head onto the desk in front of you, earning the attention of most of the room.

James let out a snort at your despair, "Am I truly that terrible." He asked feigning offense. 

"Yes." You glowered. "Yes you are." 

James only smirked before snatching the envelope sent by your professor from the air. He opened it scanning the words before turning back to you. "It says we have Vi-reti-ium." He said spelling out the last word slowly and incorrectly.

"Its Veritaserum dumbass." You scorned, "It is also a very complex truth potion." 

"It can't be that bad." James shrugged. You rolled your eyes before snatching your potions book form your bag and looking up the name in the index. You flipped to the correct page and shoved the book at James. 

He scanned the recipe eyes widening at its length and complexity. 

"Shit." He mumbled.

"Yeah, shit" You huffed before glancing back down at the recipe. "When's the next new moon?" 

James thought for a moment "Four days." 

"Ok, meet me in the library after dinner so we can start gathering ingredients, we need to have them by then." You explained while placing your book back in your bag. 

"Got it." He confirmed but his eyes were locked on a certain redhead who was leaving the room.

You sighed rolling your eyes, "Don't be late Potter." You muttered before turning and disappearing into the crowd of students exiting the classroom. 

You sat in the library for forty five minutes.

Forty five minutes.

Each minute you prayed he would run in sweaty and smiling apologizing as he took a seat across from you and pulled out his books. But he didn't. He just didn't show. 

Anger pulsed through you. He was bat shit if he thought you were going to so this whole project by yourself. 

Finally you gathered your neatly splayed out papers and books and walked briskly from the library. 

You walked promptly up to the Gryffindor common room, announced the password, (something you knew from spending countless  hours with Remus) and stormed inside. 

You were greeted with the sight of the four marauders plus Lily lounging on the plush couches. Your eyes landed immediately on the dark haired boy who sat facing you. His dark eyes were shining brightly in the fire light, magnified by the glass they hid behind. His shirt untucked, tie loosened. His hair was a mess of black, a few loose ends dancing softly in front of his face. Of course he was far to distracted by a pair of emerald green eyes to notice your arrival. 

For some reason that fact made you so much angrier as you marched up to the group. 

"POTTER!" You yelled your voice echoing off the walls of the room. 

His eyes immediately darted upward, his flashy smile only faltering for a second before returning when his gaze feel to you. 

"Y/l/n!" He grinned, "to what do I owe this pleasure?" 

"Pleasure my ass!" You shot back, "You were supposed to be studying with me in the library an hour ago!" 

His eyes widened before he cringed momentarily closing them before they opened holding new guilt. "Yeah about that…"

"Let me guess." You hissed, "You had to catch up on your daily routine of harassment?" You motioned towards Lily who seemed to be very uncomfortable with the whole situation. 

"Look y/l/n, I'm sorry I forgot. I mean the projects not due for a month anyway." 

"Godric you are stupid." You said massaging your head, nursing the soon to be formed headache, "It takes a month to brew dumbass!" You yelled bending down so you were level with his face, attempting to intimidate the boy. 

But your efforts failed when you saw his eyes soften, a sweet smile crawling slowly to his lips, "You know how adorable you are when your angry?" He mumbled suddenly unable to pry his eyes from your fiery completion and flushed face. 

Your eyes widened with surprise as you raised your head away from him. You felt heat rise to your neck before scoffing. 

"You better be at the library after breakfast tomorrow." You stated simply before walking briskly from the room before the rest of the group could notice the color invading your cheeks. 

Lily also took this as her sign to leave gathering her stuff and murmuring goodbyes before retreating to her dorm. 

James watched you exit the room before rolling his eyes and turning back to a group of wide eyed boys staring at him as if they had shut watched him decapitate someone. 

"What?" James asked eyebrows knitting in confusion. 

Remus and Sirius flipped their heads to each other sharing a glance then turning back to the now irritated boy

"What?" 

Remus scoffed.

"Did you just flirt with a girl who wasn't Lily?" Sirius questioned in disbelief. 

James scrunched his face in disgust, "What? No!" 

Remus rolled his eyes letting himself plop backwards into the couch mumbling something similar to "I can not deal with this."

As Sirius burst into giggles. Peter who was beside him seemed oblivious. 

"You totally just flirted with y/l/n!" He hollered over his laughter watching as James face filled with disgust once again. 

"I did not!" 

"You most certainly did!" Sirius bellowed laughter shaking his form. 

"I was insulting her!" The boy retorted defensively.

"That is one terrible insult." Remus chimed in earning a glare through a pair of thick frames.

"I was-I didn't- t-that's not." He stuttered looking for the right words.

"'Remus your so adorable. Do you feel insulted?" Sirius smiled cheekily still giggling slightly. 

"Godric Sirius how could you?" The werewolf responded in mock offense. 

"Oh shut it Moony." James sneered. 

"But Sirius insulted me!" His smile that of a wolf after trapping its prey.

"Ok so what if I did flirt with her?" James huffed in annoyance. 

Sirius rolled his eyes, "Maybe the fact that you haven't flirted with any girl but Evan's since you were eleven?" He offered. 

James flushed  muttering a half hearted "Whatever" and  then gathered his things. He didn't want to hear it.

The flirting didn't stop. Every chance that presented itself James leapt apon. He would compliment you, casually drop suggestive hints, leave his hand on your arm just a moment too long and so much more. The rest of the marauders caught on quick, which resulted in endless teasing of his vain efforts.

Because of this James had tried to stop, go back to the insults that he had become accustomed to but he couldn't, because for a fleeting moment before you scoffed and rolled your eyes, your cheeks would tinge and your eyes would momentarily widen and it was the most adorable thing he had ever seen. 

Something about the way the y/e/c of your wide eyes would bounce off the slight pink of your skin would make his heart leap to his throat and his stomach fill with the flutter of wings. So he spent every moment with you flirting relentlessly just to catch a glimpse of your embarrassment. 

Of course the dense boy thought nothing of it.  He had always been quite oblivious, so even with the remarks his friends through at him, he couldn't see what was right in front of him. He was in love. 

You on the other hand were quite confused. At first you assumed that the flirting was natural. Something that James exhibited in every girl. But after a chat with Remus you quickly learned that was far from the truth. He had stated that while James did tend to have a flirtatious nature, he had never gone so over the top before with anyone except for Lily and yourself. 

You had noticeably grimaced at the mention of Lily and the Gryffindor you were talking to had taken notice, but not spoken of it. 

You then assumed he was doing it to get on your nerves, something he seemed to enjoy quite a bit. But when his daily harassment of Evans dwindled from uncommon to rare, you couldn't help but wonder. 

You attempted to brush off the thoughts and feelings that kept you awake late at night but they simply stuck in place, the cement had already dried around them.  You knew you were being foolish, it was ridiculous to think that anything could happen, James being James and you being you. But that didn't stop you from hoping. 

Hoping that maybe, this wasnt some bullshit he had used to embarrass you, hoping that he meant every comment he tossed at you, hoping that the lingering touches would last forever. You dared to hope them in secret, never speaking the wished out loud. Hell you would barley admit them to yourself, let alone others.

But now as he sat next to you in the library you couldn't help but heat up at the falling of his arm around your shoulders. 

"Dumbass." You called, a nickname that you had adopted in response to his.

"Yes, love?" He smirked his heart jumping as you flashed red for just an instant. 

"I told you to stop calling me that." You sneered attempting to ignore the loud thump of your quickening heartbeat. 

"And I told you I don't care." He smiled wolfishly. 

You sighed, "Whatever did you finish the essay on Jobberknolls?" 

"Of course I did." He grinned as you rolled your eyes for what must have been the billionth time in the past hour. 

"Can I see it?" You asked impatiently.

"Here you are my dear." He said placing a piece of parchment in front of you. 

You felt your eyes roll instinctively before reading over his work, which to your surprise was done diligently and well. 

You let an impressed expression take your features, looking back up at the boy who was smirking at you. 

"I'm good aren't I?" He spoke wiggling his eyebrows. 

"You're not terrible." you agreed reluctantly passing the paper back to him.  Just then three boys walked into the library. 

Sirius immediately called to James getting shushed before even a minute passed his entrance. You quickly shrugged off James arm, not wanting the attention it would draw. Unfortunately it was too late, you watched as Remus raised his eyebrows in question, you rolling your eyes in answer.

The three boys stood in front of you as you scribbled a few final notes onto your essay ignoring the pointed looks they seemed to be sharing. They communicated in silence for a few seconds before James spoke up. 

"Well y/l/n I've got to go but I'll see you around." He chipped and without any hesitation he leaned down and pressed his lips to your cheek. 

You felt your skin connect for a mere second before he snatched his bag and walked up to the boys all who, just like you, were attempting to pick their jaws up off the floor. 

"What?" James asked, oblivious to the action he had just taken. Confused and a bit annoyed he left the library his entourage slowly following him. Remus looked at you one last time. Your mouth still wide, cheeks pink, hand brushing the spot his lips just occupied. 

He then walked quickly from the library to catch up with the other three boys. You sat in a daze for a few seconds. 

You could still feel his soft lips burning on your skin, you could feel where his nose had brushed your cheek lightly. 

Meanwhile Remus had caught up to his friends who all seemed very confused. 

"What the hell is up with you James?" He asked stepping in front of the flustered boy.

"What do you mean? Why are you guys all freaking out?" He seemed completely oblivious. 

"You just kissed y/n!" Sirius blurted smacking him in the back of the head. 

"I did not!" He gasped completely appalled as he pushed his glasses back up his nose looking at Sirius, extremely confused. 

"You just kissed her cheek you twat!" Remus shouted hit James over the head as well.

James scrunched his face, "I did no-" he stopped mid sentence, realization causing his eyes to widen. "Oh Merlin I did." 

"Yeah! What the hell was that about!" Rumus asked impatiently. 

"I don't.. I don't  know." James stumbled over his words, "I j-just did. It was like instinct, I didn't, didn't even think about it." 

"Oh my Godric I knew it!" Sirius exclaimed in triumph, "Your in love with her!" 

James mouth fell open ready to deny it.  But it suddenly hit him.

"I am in love with her." He muttered. "Oh Merlin I'm in love with her." 

"Took you long enough to realize." Remus chirped, "I've known for weeks." 

"Shove off Moony." James grumbled. 

"Well are you gonna tell her?" Sirius asked, he was practically skipping with joy. Excitement readable in every word he spoke as he bounced up and down like he was on a sugar high. 

"Umm I don't know." James was suddenly overwhelmed with information that had just become clear to him. 

"I think she likes you too." Remus shrugged, "she asks about you alot, and she always gets pissed when I mention Evans." 

"Oh shit Evans." James wanted to slap himself. How could he be so reckless to give his heart away at any chance he got? But with you it was different. He didn't care if Lily blushed before insulting him. He didn't notice when she bit her lip to hide a smile. He didn't know if she made adorable faces while she was thinking. But with you, he cared. He noticed. He knew. 

"What am I supposed to do?" James asked glancing around at his friends asking- no begging for help. 

"You should tell her James, like I said I think she likes you too." 

"Ok." James sighed, "I guess I'll tell her." 

That was much easier said than done. For the next week James was reduced to a pile of nerves and stutters when you came with in a 10 foot radius of him. 

His flirty, smooth nature was out the window the second he realized his true feelings towards you.

The project became more and more difficult to work on as every brush of a hand or shared glance made him crumble into a blushing mess. 

You were pissed. The good progress you had made was now dwindling as your partner became incompetent. So finally when the two of you sat in the library and James once again blushed like mad and spilled ink all over your essay simply because you had put your hand on his shoulder to show him something, you exploded. 

"What in bloody hell is your problem Potter?!" You shouted, effectively getting shushed by a chorus of people. 

James turn toward you looking like a deer caught in headlights. 

"Umm I umm" he began to mumble. 

"Seriously! Recently you cant even speak around me! What happened?" You interrogated the boy leaning closer to him.

James grasped for an excuse, fumbling and tripping over incoherent words. 

"Potter I'm not fucking with you, what is up with you?" You hissed, further annoyed by his continuing flustered behavior. 

James bit his lip glancing at the ground before turning back up to your angered face, he pushed his glasses up his nose and in a moment of desperation he collided his lips with yours. 

The second you felt his lips on yours you pulled away, "Why did you do that?" You asked eyes wide almost as if you were frightened. 

James' face went up in flames, "I- You- Remus said that.. that y-you might have liked me back and I-" 

"You like me?" You asked in absolute disbelief. 

"Of course I like you." James mumbled looking solemnly at the ground.

"Do not even begin to 'Of course' me!" You huffed, "You have been in love with Lily Evans for five years!" 

"I was never in love with Lily!" Jame shot back. 

"Bullshit! And you think that you can come to me and play with my feelings until Evans decides she likes you?" You said in disgust.

"No! No that's not what I wanted to do at all!" James gushed, "I really like you y/n. Luke really, really like you." 

"How?! You were obsessed with another girl less than a month ago!" 

"I don't know!" James yelled, his voice was shaky. "All I know as that the second we started this project, I wanted you. Not Lily. I think I'm in love with you." 

You gulped harshly, "You mean it?" Your voice was hesitant, as if you were scared to ask the question. 

"Yeah." James whispered letting his hand close around yours, "I really do." 

"Then kiss me again." 

He wasted no time. His lips met yours gracefully, they were warm and soft, his movements slow. You slipped your tongue into his mouth tasting butterbeer and chocolate, you craved more. 

You pulled away intaking deep breaths, "You better not be fucking with me Potter." You murmured taking your bottom lip between your teeth, hoping to still taste him there. 

"I wouldn't dream of it." He spoke, a dopey smile curving his lips as his thumb slowly brushed your cheek. 

You hummed softly before pulling him down to meet your lips once again.

Taglist: @accio-rogers @roslea @k3nz-doodl3

Masterlist

[a-blue-secret]

CHAPTER V

BACK TO MASTERLIST

Chapter IV | Chapter V | Chapter VI

GENRES: royal au; fantasy au; magic au; friends-to-enemies-to-lovers; king!beomgyu, vizier!taehyun

PAIRING: taegyu

WARNINGS: none

WORD COUNT: 4.7k+

AN: Yes, Yoongi studies rocks.

SUMMARY: Best friends turned enemies, Kang Taehyun has managed to trick Choi Beomgyu into his service, and to rule for a year and a day, until his youngest brother would be old enough to take the throne. Choi Beomgyu has no intention of being obedient however, and tries to thwart Taehyun’s orders at every turn. With a growing amount of distrust and lies within the court, will Taehyun manage to keep the kingdom of Gojongja from falling apart?

"Thank you for letting me dine with you and the King earlier," Yeonjun said. After having eaten, Beomgyu had gone back to his chambers (which had had their door fixed, thankfully) and Taehyun was going to the Palace Library to find a book. Yeonjun was trailing after him.

"It was nothing," Taehyun said, striding down the hallways. Yeonjun hastened to keep up, as Taehyun walked into the library.

“So… Taehyun? Kang? Grand Vizier? What do I call you?” Yeonjun asked. Taehyun didn't look at him, instead walking straight to a section of bookshelves. 

“Call me Sir,” Taehyun said, not lifting his eyes from the bookshelf. “It’s the title you call a vizier when you’re not officially announcing them.”

“Okay, so, Sir Taehyun…” Yeonjun trailed after Taehyun as the younger scoured the bookshelves.

“Yes?” Taehyun bent down, checking the bottom shelf. When Yeonjun didn't continue his sentence, he clicked his tongue in irritation and straightened, looking at the elder impatiently. " Was there anything you needed?"

Yeonjun opened and closed his mouth several times, words refusing to come out. Taehyun crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow. 

"Um… How good are you with a sword?"

It was obvious that this wasn't Yeonjun's original question. Taehyun bent down again, resuming his search for the book. "Good enough," he replied. "Why?"

"No reason." Yeonjun was silent after that, watching as Taehyun slowly made his way through the bookshelves. When the elder didn't leave, Taehyun raised his head again. 

"D'you have something else to ask me?"

Yeonjun hesitated, and then sighed. "Look, I get you don't like me. Heck, you don't seem to like anyone in this palace. But I need your help. Cooperate with me, please. At least give me a chance. I don't know what you could have gone through to be this wary of outsiders, but give me a chance to prove that I'm one of the good ones."

Taehyun stared at him, unimpressed. "I can tell you don't like me either. Don't deny it- your posture says everything. If you don't like me that much, why are you trying to make us get along? It's His Greatness you should be worrying yourself with. There's no need to worry about his humble old vizier."

"Despite what you think of me, I genuinely want to be on good terms with both you and the King," Yeonjun said. Taehyun noticed he didn't deny that he wasn't fond of the vizier. "I'm not so low as to try and worm my way into the King's favour just for Aruyeo's gain. This is about uniting, and having peace."

"Hmm." Taehyun hummed expressionlessly, looking at Yeonjun before moving to another bookshelf. The elder sighed, giving in. 

"I see that this is not a good time," Yeonjun said. "Well, I suppose I'll go to my chambers now." He bowed to Taehyun, who inclined his head back, not looking up from the shelf. 

"Rest well, Sir," Taehyun said emotionlessly. 

Once Yeonjun's footsteps had faded away, Taehyun looked up. He shook his head slightly. He didn't even know why he was being so prickly towards the Aruyeonan. Yeonjun just gave off a bad aura, and he didn't trust him one bit. Only, now he thought about it, he wasn't sure why. Taehyun scrunched his nose in annoyance. It was no use wondering about those sorts of things. He needed to focus. Now, where was that book about Magical Spheres? 

.・゜-: ✧ :-　　

After having tracked down the book, Taehyun heaved the heavy, leather-bound book all the way to his chambers, before dumping it onto his bed. It created a small cloud of dust as it bounced gently on his mattress, and Taehyun waved it away before opening it. 

He leafed through the thick yellow pages, reading each word intently. The book was old, so the writing was in an extravagant font and the ink was faded, but Taehyun was still determined to find out what every sentence said. It was late in the night, but he was adamant about finishing the book, managing to burn out a total of three whole candles. The candles were placed around him in a semicircle, emitting light from all directions. As the fire on one of the candles began to flicker weakly, Taehyun sighed, ruffling his hair in annoyance, but still leaned forward to carry on reading. 

Finally, when his eyes could take it no longer, he blinked rapidly, yawning. Though he was already more than halfway through, the book wasn't being very helpful. There were several chapters on crystal balls, talismans, cursed objects, and even centaur eyeballs, but none of them seemed to describe the marble he'd found in the Discussion and Tactics room. He took the said marble off of his bedside table again, re-analysing it in the dim candlelight. Even with all the new knowledge he now had on magical spheres, the ball was still no less of a mystery. Taehyun sighed in frustration, setting it back down and heaving the book off his bed. It was so heavy and annoying, but Taehyun just wanted to finish it as soon as possible so that he'd know what the marble was. His eyes, however, had a different idea. Taehyun yawned again, ruffling his hair. It was late. He should go to bed. 

.・゜-: ✧ :-　　

Taehyun managed to finish the book in three days. He was disappointed in himself for taking so long to do so, but he reasoned that the book was ridiculously big so it was fine. After finishing it, he realised there were actually five volumes. And so, he went down to the library again to find the rest of the books. It took him a week to get through the first two books. The third one dragged on so much, so by the time he was a third of the way through he was no wiser than when he'd first started reading. And so, he gave up for the night, deciding to finally rest. 

.・゜-: ✧ :-　　

Taehyun was awoken by a knock on his door. Someone gently knocked on his door in an almost timid manner, but being a light sleeper, Taehyun heard it easily. 

"Who is it?" he blearily called out.

"It's me, sire," a formal voice replied. Taehyun rubbed his eyes, trying to remember who the voice belonged to. He frowned, forehead wrinkling in confusion. It appeared that he'd stayed up far too late last night, and it was too early to be placing names to Lords' faces. Taehyun sighed, giving up. 

"I'm sorry, I have no idea who you are," he said, when he couldn't remember who the person was. "Can you come back in a few hours? Now is not a good time."

There was a pause, and Taehyun hoped that it was a sign the person had gone away. When they had stayed silent for longer than ten seconds, Taehyun stretched messily, rolling around before casually falling out of his bed and onto the carpeted floor. He was just getting up when someone rapped on his door. 

"Who is it?" he said, annoyed. 

"Still me, sire."

"Yes, but who are you?" Taehyun stalked over to the door and pressed his ear against the wood to see if it would help him remember who the person was. 

"...It's Heesung, your guard.”

Oh. So not a lord. How had he not recognised Heesung's voice? Was he that tired last night? “Oh yes, Heesung. Is everything okay?”

“There is a messenger holding several letters from Aruyeo. He asked to see the king, but we referred him to you instead. The footman who brought them was determined for you to reply as soon as possible. In fact, I think– yes, he is still in the palace entrance, waiting for your response."

Taehyun cursed. He knew this would happen, but he didn't think it would happen this soon. They'd agreed to an alliance not even a week ago, and news normally took about a month to travel between Kingdoms. How had Aruyeonan nobles already found out about it? 

"Ah yes, thank you. Tell the messenger I'll be there shortly."

"Of course, sire. I shall wait here then, escort you down there."

Taehyun sighed, and wearily walked to the washroom. This was going to be a hard day. 

.・゜-: ✧ :-　　

As Taehyun walked out to the palace entrance, the messenger straightened, before bowing down low. 

"Grand Vizier Kang Taehyun!" he said, bowing again. 

"Good day," Taehyun said. "I hear that you have several messages for me?"

"I do, sir." The messenger handed Taehyun some scrolls of parchment, bowing. "They are all from nobles of my Kingdom, and the Lords would like a reply promptly, if you may."

"Hmm." Taehyun unrolled a letter, before handing it to Heesung and opening another. He glanced at it before folding it again, and looked at the messenger. "When would you like an answer?"

The boy answered firmly. "Today, preferably, sire. If not, my master has said that I must stay here until you inform me of your response."

"Your master sent you with five letters?"

"No sire. Only one of these is his, but the rest are from other nobles. He requested that I come with them all at once."

"And you are to stay until I answer his letter?"

"Yes, sir."

Taehyun subtly raised his eyebrows. That was an unusual request. Nevertheless, he nodded his head. "In that case, you had best come in. I have important matters I need to take care of, but with any luck, I may have an answer for you by evening." Taehyun signalled to the guards. "Take our guest somewhere he can wait. Make sure he's treated kindly," he added firmly. "Aruyeo have been nothing but kind to us, so let's treat them with respect as well." He bowed his head to the messenger, before taking the letters and walking away. 

Taehyun was walking past Beomgyu's chambers when the door opened. 

"Oh! Taehyun, I was just about to look for you."

Taehyun sighed, before turning around on his heel to face at Beomgyu. "Was there something you needed?"

"Yeah." Beomgyu stepped out into the hallway, closing his door with his foot. "I've got an angered lord in my room who's mad at the fact I agreed to an alliance without consulting the rest of the council. What do I do?"

Taehyun frowned. "How did they find out? You didn't tell anyone, did you?"

"I haven't had time," Beomgyu said, glaring. "Honestly, it's like you don't trust me at all."

"That's because I don't," Taehyun retorted. "Anyway, what do you want me to do about it? I'm busy, you know."

"I don't know, maybe sort them out? Talk to the lords?"

"Why can't you do that?" Taehyun asked, growing annoyed. 

"Because I haven't talked to them in ages! It's going to be weird and they're going to ask questions about where I've been these past months!"

"Well you should have talked to them in the first place! Maybe then you wouldn't be in this position. Think about that," Taehyun snapped, before stalking off. 

Beomgyu glowered at Taehyun's back as the younger rounded a corner. Chan, who was on duty outside Beomgyu's door, snorted. Beomgyu whipped his head round to the guard. 

"Don't laugh," he said. "What's so funny, anyway?"

"Taehyun's right, that's all," Chan said, smiling. "If you'd talked to the nobles at any point, you wouldn't be in this mess."

"It's not a mess," Beomgyu contradicted pettily, crossing his arms. "What do you mean, anyway?"

"If you'd talked to them when you first became King, it wouldn't be so awkward. If you'd talked to them when they'd asked for you, it wouldn't be so hard. If you'd talked to them at all, you'd feel more comfortable in consulting them about the Aruyeo thing at the beginning, meaning they wouldn't be outraged that you considered it without them."

Beomgyu sniffed. "You talk too much."

"You're only mad because I'm right," Chan laughed. "Come on, admit it."

"Never. Because that would mean admitting that I'm wrong, and I'm never wrong. I'll go talk to Lord Namjae now. Goodbye." With that, Beomgyu held his head up, and walked back into his chambers. 

.・゜-: ✧ :-　　

"Could you keep ahold of these, Heesung?" Taehyun asked the guard, handing him the letters. "I need to go visit the Antiquarian first, then I'll deal with them."

"Sure." Heesung took the letters from Taehyun. "May I ask, why are you visiting them? Was the book not helpful?"

Taehyun sighed. "It wasn't. It was just full of centaur eyes and crystal balls. I'm hoping Scholar Min knows what it is." He paused in front of two hallways. "Hang on, I've never been to the Antiquarian before. Which way is it?"

"This way, sire," Heesung said, taking the left. Taehyun followed after him. 

"You know Heesung, I never thanked you," Taehyun spoke as the guard led the way. "I never thanked you for taking care of me all those years. Literally, you've looked after me since we were fifteen."

"It's no problem," Heesung replied easily. "It's my job."

"It wasn't your job to listen to my rants and keep all my secrets safe," Taehyun said, half-jokingly. "I'm glad we became friends." 

Heesung glanced over his shoulder at Taehyun. "I'm glad we did too," he smiled. Heesung stopped in front of a door. "Here we are," he announced. Taehyun tilted his head in confusion. 

"There's no guard?"

"Scholar Min is basically a fortune teller as well as an old-objects-specialist," Heesung reminded him. "It would be dumb for anyone to try and infiltrate his chambers."

"Ah, right. Are you going to stay out here?"

"Yes."

"Okay. See you, then," Taehyun said, giving a small wave before knocking on the Antiquarian's door. A voice said, 'come in', and he stepped inside. 

.・゜-: ✧ :-　　

"Ah! Kang Taehyun, my boy! Come in, come in! Don't just stand there loitering at the entrance. I'm boiling some water right now, if you'd care to have a cup of tea?"

“How- how do you know my name?”

“Why, everyone knows the Grand Vizier Kang Taehyun,” the Antiquarian smiled. “And before that, you were Prince Taehyun. I’ve known you since you were just a few days old.”

Taehyun was a bit surprised at seeing Scholar Min look so, well, young. Judging from how he spoke, it sounded as if he was already at a reasonably old age when Taehyun was born, but the Antiquarian looked to still be in his late twenties. Scholar Min chuckled at Taehyun's shock. 

"Yes, I look rather young, don’t I? But don’t be fooled. Anyway, you of all people should know that youth does not equal inexperience.”

"I- uh- um…"

"Have a seat, have a seat! Let me make you a cup of chamomile tea. It will help you form coherent sentences."

Taehyun sat down in the armchair that Scholar Min gestured towards. As the scholar prepared the water, he looked around the room. The first thing that he noticed was the room was small. It wasn't tiny, but compared to, say, the Discussion and Tactics room, it was definitely smaller. A large fireplace took up one wall, with shelves on top which were packed with candlesticks. Another wall had a bookshelf pushed against it, stuffed full of thick books. The other wall had shelves holding vials of mysterious liquids, dried plants, rock samples, and even a stuffed animal's head. There was a door to the left of the bookshelf. Taehyun presumed that it led to Scholar Min’s chambers. 

What struck the vizier was how cozy the room was. It was dimly lit, because of the fire and warm candles, and the orange fires reflected off of the copperware in the room, and the orangey, coppery colours gave off a rustic, roguish sort of feeling. It was an odd atmosphere for a room in the palace to have, but for an Antiquarian's office, it felt strangely right. 

"Here you go, Kang Taehyun," Scholar Min said, handing Taehyun a teacup on a saucer. "Be careful, it's hot. Now, you drink that up, and tell me what’s the matter.”

As Taehyun blew on his tea, the Antiquarian sat down in the armchair opposite him, waiting for the younger to speak. 

“So, um, Scholar Min...”

“Call me Yoongi,” the man smiled. 

“Okay, Yoongi... I was wondering about a strange marble I found? It’s filled with this weird powder and has a really thin outer layer of glass. I’m not sure what it is, so I came to ask you.” Taehyun fished the marble out of his pocket and handed it over to the Antiquarian. Yoongi put on his glasses and examined it. “I found a few books on Magical Spheres,” Taehyun explained, “but after reading through more than half of the series I still couldn’t find anything that described this.”

" You read the book about Magical Spheres?"

"I- yes I did," Taehyun said hesitantly. "That's what I just said, right?"

"Which author?"

"Pardon?"

"Who wrote it?" Yoongi peered at him from over his spectacles. 

"I think it was Professor Chung something. I can't remember exactly."

"Right, right. I presume you read all five volumes?"

"Two and a third."

"Well. How long did it take you?"

"Just under a week, I think," Taehyun said, folding his hands over his legs. Yoongi raised his eyebrows, impressed. 

"Well. That is an achievement. But anyways, if I am not mistaken those we're Professor Chung Minchan's books on Magical Spheres, Bookshelf 379, third shelf from the bottom and second section from the right," Yoongi said, leaning back. Taehyun blinked. Did Scholar Min have photographic memory or something? "You were looking in the wrong place. Spheres like these-" He rolled the marble in his palm- "aren't something you can access information on easily. They're in the section of the library I doubt you've been to."

"Which part? I assure you, I have been to every section of that library at least twice. I'm sure I know."

Yoongi chuckled. "Well, I assure you, that you have most certainly never been to the place which would hold information about these."

Taehyun opened and closed his mouth, deciding it would not be a wise idea to argue with a prestigious scholar. Though, he wasn't sure why he was so offended that Scholar Min seemed to think that he hadn't scoured the library from top to bottom, given how long he'd lived in the palace. "But anyway," he said. "What is it?"

Yoongi leaned over and rummaged through a drawer, before pulling out a metal object.“You know what this is, right?”

“Yes, that’s a grenade,” Taehyun said.

“Correct. And what chemicals do grenades, and all explosives, have in them?”

“Well, it varies.”

Yoongi paused, before nodding in acknowledgement. “Well, yes, that's true. But what is the most commonly known explosive chemical?”

“Trinitrotoluene, but the powder in the marble isn’t yellow.”

“You’re right,” Yoongi said. He put back the empty grenade case and raised the marble, rolling it between his forefinger and thumb. “But, this has the same principle. I can’t tell exactly what chemical it is, but this is definitely a magical explosive.”

Taehyun tilted his head. “Magical?”

“Yes. Most explosives need a trigger to be set off, and this is normally from pressure applied to the side of it. However, you and I have both held it in our hands, and it hasn’t gone off.”

“Why is it that I couldn’t recognise it, if it’s something as simple as a grenade?” Taehyun asked, frowning.

“It’s not just a grenade, my boy. It’s magical, like I said. Also, they don’t make these things here often, so it’s possible they didn’t feel the need to teach you about them.”

“Why does it look so different though?” Taehyun asked. “Grenades and bombs aren’t normally glass balls.”

“That is something I am not sure of yet.” Yoongi was silent for a few moments. “You wouldn’t mind me keeping this, would you? It would take a few days for me to analyse and identify the particles.”

“Oh, of course,” Taehyun readily agreed. “You can keep it. I just wanted to know what it is.”

“Well, I’m afraid I don’t fully know what it is myself,” Yoongi said thoughtfully, still staring at the marble. “But it definitely is an explosive of some sort.”

Taehyun nodded. “That is information enough,” he said. He rose. “I hope you don’t mind, but I need to go now. There are lots of letters and things I need to take care of now.”

“Of course, Taehyun,” Yoongi said, also rising. He opened the door for the vizier. “If I find anything else about it, I’ll have a messenger send you a note.”

Taehyun bowed his head in thanks. “Thank you, Scholar.” He bowed again, before walking back down the hall, Heesung some ways behind him.

Yoongi watched as the young vizier strode away, a troubled look on his face. He looked down at the marble again. He could recognise that glass anywhere. And that powder… he had a sinking feeling he knew what it was. Shuffling back inside, he gently closed the door behind him, locking it for good measure. If his hunch on who made the chemical was correct, it was going to be a dangerous process in finding out which explosive it was.

.・゜-: ✧ :-　

“So, how was it?” Heesung asked Taehyun as they walked down a deserted corridor.

“Worse than I thought it would be,” Taehyun sighed. “It’s an explosive. I thought, maybe, a listening device, or one of the Lords’ children had left their toy in there by accident, but no. Scholar Min didn’t say it outright, but it was clear that it’s not Gojongja-made.” He clenched his hands. “Maybe that Aruyeonan lord put it there.”

“Lord Yeonjun?” Heesung supplied, as they rounded the corner towards Taehyun’s chambers. “But wasn’t the servant the only one who’d been in the room, until you came? How could he have managed to put it there?”

“There’s always a way,” Taehyun replied. “Besides, we don’t know for sure if no one else had been inside.” They stopped in front of Taehyun’s door, and Heesung wordlessly handed him the letters he’d been holding.

“What do you think the Aruyeonan nobles have written?”

Taehyun sighed, staring distastefully down at the pieces of parchment in his hands. “Probably something to try and maneuver the terms of the alliance more into their favour, and tons of flowery compliments to try and get into our favour.” He frowned slightly. “Although, I’m not sure why that would be something so urgent that they need a reply as soon as possible.”

“True,” Heesung said thoughtfully. “Maybe they want to hear the terms of the alliance? It’s possible that they haven’t seen it yet.”

“That’s possible. I hadn't thought of that." Then, Taehyun gasped. "Oh, Heesung, do you think you'd be able to check up on Beomgyu? I don't want him messing up anything. Shit, I forgot he was dealing with Lord Namjae." He smacked himself on the forehead. "God, I was so frustrated at the time that I completely ignored him. That Lord is an annoying one as well."

"I'll go talk to Seojung. I think he and Chan are on duty."

"Thanks, Heesung."

The guard bowed, before walking back to Beomgyu's chambers. Taehyun watched him go, and stepped inside his own. 

.・゜-: ✧ :-　　

"Oh, you little-" Taehyun muttered through clenched teeth. He checked the name. Lord Cho. That punk. " 'We would like you to know that we will be by your side in helping guide Gojongja into having a steady and secure rule'? " Taehyun scoffed aloud. "Who does he think he is? Gojongja is doing fine, thank you very much." He hated when nobles did this. They thought they were being so slick, when in fact Taehyun could see every hidden meaning behind their words. "We are not weak, and never will be, 'Lord Cho'. We don't need any of you Aruyeonans to try and worm your way into our throne." Taehyun scowled at the letter fiercely, before putting it down and picking up another one.

'To whoever this letter may reach,' it read, 'First of all, I would like to thank you for agreeing to an alliance with my beloved Kingdom.' Taehyun scoffed again. What was with Aruyeo nobles and their inherent adoration for their Kingdom? He scanned the rest of the letter, somewhat idly. The contents of the letter would be full of flattery and subtle manipulations, he presumed, so he wasn’t paying much attention to it. But then, he leaned forward suddenly, taking his feet off the table. Wait. This letter might actually be important.

'Please be sure to read this letter carefully, since I would like my meaning to be conveyed extremely clearly.’ Taehyun frowned, and scrabbled around for a spare piece of parchment. After reading the letter fully and scribbling down notes, he gasped. “Oh my god.”

'Being united through an alliance was something we here have wanted dearly for a long time, since we respect and admire all that you do in your court. Even before our own queen came to the throne, we have been nothing but peaceful when it comes to relations between our two kingdoms. Careful measures have been taken to make sure that you have the same benefits as we could receive from this Alliance. Royals within our court have kept the peace between our two courts. Each one of our monarchs have tried their best For generations to keep relations between us civil and polite. Under our queen erajin’s rule, it seems that an alliance has finally been achieved. Let me assure you that this letter is not meant to be patronising or overly flatter you- it was meant to genuinely say thank you for agreeing to an alliance. ‘Tis a wonderful occasion, and it is a great question within our court as to whether you may Hold a revel to celebrate? Even though our two kingdoms have not interacted closely on such a scale, perhaps You could consider it. Aruyeo have admired you for how steadfast and inspiring your Royals are, and Everyone here would just like to say thank you for being an incredible kingdom. Now, you will be sceptical at having received such an Odd letter, and you may not Trust me, but there is one thing that ought to be said: this letter will show you who is TRUSTWORTHY.'

Taehyun set down his quill. When he'd first read it, the odd use of capital letters struck him. Now he had put the capitals together, it all made sense. 

BECAREFUL,THEYARENOTTRUSTWORTHY.

"Assuming the 'Tis can use the apostrophe as a comma and the 'T' as a letter in the word,'' Taehyun muttered to himself, scribbling the letters to form coherent words. "Every capital letter is part of a coded message. 'Be careful, they are not trustworthy'." He tilted his head in confusion, clicking his tongue. "But who is 'they'? The other Aruyeonan Lords? People within our palace? Who?"

The end of the letter was in its own paragraph, so Taehyun assumed it had nothing to do with the coded message in the paragraph above it. 

'It would be wonderful if you could respond with whether you understood my letter. The messenger sent is one of my own, and I assure you he is to be trusted. Your Greatness, if it is you who receives this letter, it may be best for you to hand it to your vizier. He might be able to understand. 

I patiently await your reply,

Lord Hwang Hyunjin.'

"Lord Hyunjin," Taehyun said. He tapped the letter. "Thank you so much for this. Thank you." He was just figuring out how to form a reply to Lord Hyunjin, when there was a knock at his door. 

"Sir?" Heesung called. "His Greatness requests your presence within his tea room. Um, immediately, if you may. But don't tell anyone he said that. He also wants you to bring the agreement because he's really struggling right now since he didn't memorise it."

Taehyun raised his eyebrows at Heesung's strange way of talking. "He told you to say that, didn't he?" he asked rhetorically once he'd opened the door. Heesung didn't say anything, but the guard's posture spoke for him. "I thought so." He closed his door behind him. "The agreement is in the Filing Room right now. Let's go get it and see what mess Beomgyu's gotten himself into."

[miki-snake]

A/N: This is nothing but a stupid crack fic (no x reader) that shouldn’t be taken seriously, dedicated to @drabblily​ and @visaintes​! Actually, I had quite some fun writing it and it came out of an impulse of wanting to write smth for the both of you. Thank you for making me laugh and here is smth stupid for you two to read, hope you can enjoy it ahdahjfaf also it was really weird to put my own name in it but i didn't want to use a random name;;

Chicago was buzzing with the streets full of people passing by and the street lights flickering above the stores. The sky was cloudy, looking like the next free shower might not be too far away. Luckily, Vi catched her train and it seemed like she might have enough time to reach her destination before the rain would start pouring down on her. Her heart was beating heavily inside of her chest, though not from running but from the nervousness she felt. Honestly, she wanted to turn around and go back to her room so she could rest on her bed, silently reading the new book she bought yesterday. It was all so stupid really, why was she doing this? What did Lily think when she wanted Vi to come with her.

She arrived at the agreed spot, a rather small restaurant that was mostly known by the locals and less by the tourists.

It had a nice flare, more on the modern side but the cushioned seats and wooden interior made it seem quite comfortable. Looking around the room Vi couldn’t see the familiar brunette, only one or two couples sitting at a table and some older men sitting at the bar near the entrance. A blonde young woman came up to the front door where she was currently waiting. 

“Hello, can I help you? Did you reserve a table?”, the waitress, Ally the name tag said, asked her. “Oh, yeah I had a table for four? But I think one of my friends is already here. So,...”, right in that moment the door in the back opened and she could spot her 5’2ft friend coming out of it. 

“There she is.”, Vi told her and pointed right at the girl, who was walking straight at the both of them. “Alright.”, Ally replied and stepped aside, so Vi could walk over to her friend. Nearly reaching her, Vi could clearly see how Lily tripped and almost fell face first on the ground. It was hard to not just straight up laugh at the scene but Vi contained herself 'cause she didn't want to catch too much attention of the other customers. A small chuckle did escape her lips though and Lily just shot her a friendly glare, straightening up again.

"Finally you're here, what took you so long?” Lily asked her as the two of them hugged each other as a greeting. “I told you that I had college today, just be glad that I catched the train or else you would’ve been alone with those two guys.”, Vi replied, thinking about how mad Lily would’ve been if she’d bailed on her at the last minute. The two of them were supposed to meet up with guys, actually two friends of their friend Miki. 

Guess, it was their fault for complaining to her, especially Vi, who always jokes about wanting to get dicked down after one of their thirst nights. “So, care to explain who we’re actually meeting and why we’re doing this again?” It was not like Vi wasn’t a bit excited, Miki wouldn’t push them to meet the guys if they weren’t at least decently looking with nice personalities but still, the outcome of tonight might be questionable. “Stop complaining we’ve talked about it many times now and we’ve promised Miki to go through with it at least for an hour or so.” Lily and Vi moved over to their table, which was situated at the back of the restaurant, two chairs and a cushioned bench. Even though it looked quite modern, the kitchen specialized in traditional japanese cuisine but some dishes had a american twist here and there.“

Who had the idea to come here? I live in Chicago and I didn’t even know this place existed.”, Vi asked her friend, who was already looking through the menu. “It was the suggestion of one of the guys that we’re going to meet soon. Apparently he visited Chicago many times already and on one of his visits he found this little store. I’m not mad though, it does seem quite nice.” Lily replied and Vi had to agree, it seemed quite comfortable and even if the guys turn out to be not that good, she might as well have a nice meal. “Alright I’m gonna go to the bathroom before the other two are arriving.” Vi said as she slipped out of the booth and Lily couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah, just look twice if you’ve locked the door.” That’s when both of them broke out in laughter, remembering the panicked words Vi texted in their group chat as a woman opened the door when she just took a dump.

___

Sitting alone at the table, Lily wondered when the two guys would turn up. She knew that her friend wouldn’t introduce them to someone so carelessly but there was still a bit of a risk there. What if they did look good but were assholes? No one needs that in their life. Actually, she was really relieved that Vi didn’t leave her hanging. For a short time she was pretty anxious because her friend wasn’t there yet but the moment she saw Vi walking through the door, a stone fell off of her chest. She opened her phone to check the time, it was currently 6.50 pm and they were supposed to meet up at 7, so a little time was still left. A new message popped up at the top of the screen and with a click her chat with Miki opened.

Miki: Are they there yet?

Lily: No, but they still got some time left so dw. It’s still a bit strange tho, you met those guys before right?

Miki: Yeah! Why else would I want to introduce them to you two? Those guys are just great and believe me when I say that you guys will like them😼👍🏼

Lily wanted to text back but a rather loud voice startled her, making her look up from the  phone. When she met the face of the person, who just surprised her, she swore she forgot how to breathe for a second. The boy that was standing right in front of her table was just gorgeous. He had spiked up hair with dark roots and light grey frosted tips. His eyes were shining brightly in a golden hue and his smile was as bright as the sun itself. He was rather tall but that was nothing compared to his bulky statue, the grey shirt he was wearing nearly bursting from the impressive muscles he had. He wore a simple pair of black jeans to his shirt and from what she saw, she could already tell he had a great ass. Damn, what was this fine piece of man doing here, standing right in front of her when she was supposed to meet two random guys her friend wanted to introduce to her. 

“Sorry uhm, are you Lily?” The handsome guy in front of her asked chuckling and Lily realized that she was just blatantly staring at him without saying a word. Shaking her head a bit she tried to get back her composure and smiled back at him. “Yeah I’m Lily.” She answered without wondering how the hell that guy knew her name. “Oh great! I thought I was lost for a second ‘cause I didn’t know where you’d sit and when I asked the waitress just told me to look here in the back.”, his voice was loud but not annoying, just loud enough to show how excited or energetic he was and honestly she liked his voice quite a bit.

“So, my friend who was also supposed to come went to the toilet so I’m just gonna introduce myself first.”, the still nameless boy said before he stretched out his hand for her to take it. 

“I’m Bokuto, Bokuto Koutaro! I’m currently training to get into the first V-League in Japan and I’m pretty confident that they’re gonna scout me soon.”, he told her with a self-assured smile. Normally she didn’t think that highly of guys who thought so much of themselves, though somehow he didn’t seem like just some big talker with nothing to back up his words but she truly believed what he told her, she’d probably even cheer for him. 

“Oh wow, that’s impressive! Well, I wish you all the best and also nice to meet you Bokuto.”, she took his hand, shook it and that’s when she registered that this guy could actually be the person she was expecting to meet tonight. Well, he did talk about how he searched for her and he had a friend with him and also, he already knew her name. While Lily was still trying to comprehend the situation, Bokuto sat himself down on the seat in front of her and already started to talk about something, asking her questions to get to know her. How the hell was she supposed to survive this without constantly staring at the person in front of her. 

____

Vi pushed the door of the bathroom, but instead of it smoothly opening up, the door abruptly stopped and a low groan could be heard behind the door. Rushing outside Vi could see a young man standing behind the door, one hand holding the door and the other holding his nose, face scrunched up in pain. “Oh my god, sorry!”, Vi exclaimed as she closed the door and moved to the person in pain. He shook his head and lowered his hand from his face. She nearly stopped in her tracks looking at the soft and yet sharp features of the guy in front of her. He… was just beautiful. How can someone like him exist? It’s like he just came out of one the animes she always loved to watch. 

“It’s all good.”, he told her and oh god, his voice was so smooth, just like silk. “Uhm, are you sure?”, she asked again because she felt guilty for slapping his pretty face with the door. “It’s fine really, no need to worry.”, he chuckled as he looked at her and Vi suddenly felt exposed to his eyes. Well, if he was looking then she could take a peek at him too right? He wore black turtleneck with a light brown coat hanging loosely around his shoulders, combined with a pair of light blue jeans, but what really got your attention were his ocean blue crystal like eyes. A light cough brought her back to reality and she could see a light red flush on his cheekbones as he tried to avert his gaze.

“I’m sorry but I have to go, please try to avoid hitting someone with a door again okay?”, he teased her and she did feel a bit disappointed that he had to leave but that’s when her brain reminded her that she was also here to meet someone. “No promises but I’ll try.”, Vi said and moved to go back to her table. 

As she approached her table she could already make out one guy sitting at the table with Lily and the both of them seemed to be quite invested in each other. Weren’t there supposed to be two? Well, maybe he was also on the toilet, Vi shrugged it off and continued walking.

“Hey, hey, hey!”, the actually quite cute boy in front of Lily exclaimed as he saw her getting closer. “Look who finally came back from the toilet. Come on Akaashi, don’t leave us waiting any longer!”, as he said that Vi turned around and there he was, the same guy she shoved a door in the face was standing there.

The Akaashi guy just gave her a small smile and looked over to the loud guy, “Don’t be so loud Bokuto, you don’t want to disturb the other people here, do you?”, Akaashi teasingly scolded Bokuto and Vi just stood there and watched the scene unfold in front of her. She wanted to run away, far away.

“Finally we’re complete! Bokuto that’s Vi and Vi that’s Bokuto, the other half of the two we were supposed to meet and I see, you met Akaashi already.”

Lily spoke up, a little smirk sitting on her lips. 

Ignoring the implication Lily made there, Vi just greeted Bokuto and introduced herself once again, as she slipped into the booth with Lily. Akaashi sat down in front of her and before anyone could say anything the waitress came to ask for their orders. “Sorry but we still need a bit of time to look for the food but maybe we could start with the drinks? I’d take a glass of water please.”, Akaashi told the waitress and then looked at Vi to continue.

“Oh, for me a glass of water too please.”, Vi said and instantly Akaashi spoke up again, “How about we just get a bottle of water? We could get two glasses and that’s probably more convenient.”, Vi just nodded her head, smiling at his attentiveness. 

Next one was Bokuto, “I think I’ll get lemon ice tea, oh wait maybe peach? Hmm, you know what I’ll settle with raspberry.”, he happily announced and Akaashi just let out a small laugh and shook his head.

“Well, I would like to get a mango smoothie, thank you.” Lily said and Bokuto's eyes seem to sparkle even more. “Mango smoothie sounds great! Wait, can I change my order to that please?”, he excitedly asked the waitress and his smile was so innocent, no one could be mad at him. The waitress repeated the orders and when everything was checked, she left to get the drinks. 

So, now it was time for them to take a look at all the food they had. The menu was very broad and a lot of the Japanese cuisine was listed on it. Lily was pretty sure though that she’d take some ramen, it’s her favorite after all, but the sushi looked damn good in this restaurant. “Do you already know what you want to eat?”, Bokuto’s voice came up behind the menu. He looked expectantly at her and it was crazy how she’d always had to smile when she looked at him. She didn’t know if it was because he was really happy today, but somehow she felt like he could radiate this happiness all the time.

“Yeah not completely, I really want to get some ramen but the sushi also looks pretty good but I don’t think I could eat one bowl of Ramen and a whole set of sushi.”, for one minute Bokuto looked like a confused puppy, thinking about what she just said and it was so adorable, she was really tempted to pat him.

“How about you get your ramen and if you want some of my sushi, I’ll gladly give you some pieces. That way you don’t need to buy any extra sushi but still get to taste some.”, he smiled proudly at her, probably impressed by himself that he got that idea. Lily had to chuckle, he was such a big guy, if he wanted he could fling you right across the room but he was actually nothing but a hot sweetheart. “But I don’t want to eat your food away!” Lily remarked because she didn’t want to come off as someone who would just feed off of others, but well that’s probably just her thinking too much again. Bokuto laughed at what she just said, but not just a small one but a full hearted laugh. “Don’t worry, I order a lot anyway!”, he said, trying to convince her that they should go with the way he suggested.

While those two continued their rather loud conversation, the other half of the table were still looking silently through the menu. Looking up from the menu Vi caught Akaashi already watching her and the two of them let out a small laugh. “So, it was your idea to choose this restaurant? I have to say it’s really nice but even though I live here I’ve never heard of it. How did you find it?”, Vi asked him to try and spark a conversation. “Well, I did an apprenticeship here in Chicago for college one year ago and made some friends here. Since then I visited Chicago quite often and the place I worked at was right down the street, so my colleagues and I came here sometimes after work to take a bite.”, he explained to her and it was like she was hypnotized by him, hanging on every word that passed his lips. 

“What did you do?”, she had the urge to know more about him, about this crazy good looking piece of man. “It was a small publishing company and I worked there as an editor for half a year.”, he replied to her. Editor? So not only was he charismatic, kind and a beauty but also a fan of literature? Bingo.“Did you decide on something to eat already?” Akaashi asked her suddenly and she nearly forgot about the fact that they still needed to order. “I think I’ll take some sushi but they just have such a big selection I’m not sure what to get.” And it was true, the menu was huge, ranging from simple to the most special looking sushi. “How about we both order different things and share?”

Akaashi suggested it to her and she had to smile because once again he was being attentive. “Sure, I’d like that.”, she answered and both of them smiled at each other.

Right before the waitress came back both of the girls phones vibrated and they took a glance at the message they both just received.

Miki: I can already see the thirst night coming about those stupidly good looking gentemens. yw.